[ACT THREE]
Ireland—1745
We open in Liam’s house once again. Dinner has clearly just finished. Liam’s parents, his sister Katherine, Seamus, and his wife Ciara are all laughing heartily about something that was said. Liam just sits with his arms crossed looking like the Grumpy Gus he is. Liam’s mother and Ciara promptly get engaged in conversation about cooking and go into the kitchen to have a look at something. Katherine, feeling left out, follows shortly thereafter, leaving the men to sit around the table.
LIAM’S FATHER
What are your plans for the evening, Seamus?
SEAMUS
I thought perhaps I’d wander to the village.
LIAM’S FATHER
Wonderful. Liam will show you around.
Liam scoffs. Seamus smiles in his arrogant, annoying way.
LIAM
Ah, father, you truly have gone mad.
LIAM’S FATHER
You will do as you’re told, boy.
SEAMUS
That won’t be necessary, uncle, but thank you. I have been in the village before; surely it isn’t big enough to get lost in.
LIAM’S FATHER
You might not need the assistance, but it would be to his benefit to accompany you. Your example might demonstrate to him how a proper gentleman acts in public.
LIAM
If Seamus is your idea of a gentleman, father, then I don’t believe I’ve any interest in being one.
His father’s face contorts with anger as Liam starts to rise from the table. Instantly, though Seamus was seated on the other side of the table, Liam finds himself face to face with him. His cousin again has him by the neck, but because there’s no wall nearby, Liam is being lifted into the air.
SEAMUS
Now, now, cousin. A walk through the village might give us an opportunity to catch up… away from any distractions.
Liam searches the room, wide-eyed, face absolutely etched with pure terror. His attempts to scream are thwarted by the lack of air to his lungs. Still he looks to his father only to see him frozen, mouth open as though in mid-sentence. Confused and struggling for breath, Liam looks frantically around for some weapon or indication that he isn’t imagining this. He glances at the entrance to the kitchen to see his sister in mid-leap; she hovers in the air, frozen. Not even her dress moves.
SEAMUS [cont’d]
You see you have no alternative than to do as I ask. When I let go, do not yell or make a fuss. You’ll only make a fool out of yourself. Simply agree to accompany me through the town, and I will explain myself. Do I make myself understood, cousin?
Liam’s face is now a significant shade of red. His panic increases with each passing instant.
SEAMUS [cont’d]
Just nod.
Liam nods, reluctantly and with much difficulty. All at once, Seamus is seated exactly where he was; Liam is standing exactly where he was, though now gasping for breath; Katherine lands softly on the ground; Liam’s father forms the words that have been dwelling on his tongue for at least thirty seconds.
LIAM’S FATHER
Idiot boy! You dare make a fool of me in front of company. You’ll… Liam?
Liam’s face is still etched with horror. His eyes pop and he rubs his neck, trying to find words. He stares at Seamus with blind panic. Seamus simply sits calmly and frowns slightly at Liam, appearing to appear concerned.
LIAM’S FATHER [cont’d]
Are you choking, boy?
Liam pants and points at Seamus.
LIAM
De… mon… demon…
Realizing suddenly that his father wouldn’t believe him in any case, Liam turns and runs from the house, still clutching his neck. Seamus sighs and makes a mental note that asking them not to make a fuss doesn’t work.
SEAMUS
I’ll go after him to find out what the matter is. I crave some fresh air, in any case.
As Seamus strides from the house, his falsified look of concern dissolved into the ever-present smile. We fade into his coat as he walks into the camera and suddenly are in the
Present
Melody and Seamus walk out of the elevator together.
MELODY
I just can’t help but feel like maybe we should be making sure he doesn’t do something stupid.
SEAMUS
Connor’s fine. Liam’s just watching him sleep.
MELODY
How do you know that, though?
SEAMUS
I just checked.
MELODY
Oh. Right. That freaky weird superpower. What’s that about, anyway?
For the first time since his appearance, Seamus hesitates. His pompous but endearing demeanor seems to dissolve for a second.
SEAMUS
It’s not important.
MELODY
Sure it is. You were scary! You didn’t even have to grab me by the neck or anything, I would have taken you down to Angel if you’d said you were his cousin.
SEAMUS
Sorry. Old habit. Threatening people external to the time frame seems so much more practical to me, anyway. No one asking questions or trying to stop you or arrest you or anything.
MELODY
So you like, what, pause time while you threaten people?
SEAMUS
Actually I move them into a temporary dimension with an invisible seal to the one they belong in so they don’t know the difference.
MELODY
Cool. So does that mean you were lying when you said that thing about other evil companies that trick people?
SEAMUS
No. There really are other companies like that. I’m just not affiliated with any.
MELODY
Oh. So you’re, like, a demon of some kind?
SEAMUS
Dimensional demon. Can we change the subject?
MELODY
No. Why are you so twitchy about this?
SEAMUS
And why are you hiding behind a preppy persona?
Melody flushes and bends over her desk, pretending to attend to something.
MELODY
I don’t know what you’re talking about.
SEAMUS
Sure you do. Ever since you came into possession of the Inter-dimensional, you’ve been… entranced with dimension 5074. The dimension is in your prophecy, whatever that’s called. I always forget every time I leave this dimension. Anyway, you’ve been watching Wolfram and Hart in that dimension at your leisure, haven’t you? Seeing how things are done. Seeing how the boss likes everything so he won’t someday wish he had Harmony back…
MELODY
Shut up.
Seamus’ arrogant smile is back. He turns Melody’s words back on her, sarcastically, but she doesn’t notice.
SEAMUS
Why are you so twitchy about this?
MELODY
You don’t know, okay? You don’t know what it’s like to work for a company like Wolfram and Hart. It’s cutthroat, all the time, and I mean that literally. It’s better to act stupid than to be cunning, because if people think you’re airheaded, they assume they’re smarter than you are and don’t see you as a threat. My old boss looked out for me; told me what was what around Wolfram and Hart when I first started working here. People eventually forgot my first day when I started giving suggestions and paid more attention to the fact that I suddenly seemed to know nothing about anything. I’ve seen… interns break lawyers’ necks for no reason other than difference in intelligence. It’s not a good place. And yeah, okay. So I picked up a few pointers when Harmony started working there. And maybe I deceived you about never having heard of her. Maybe I needed the practice.
Seamus smiles, only it seems very kind this time. Even if it no longer worked on his dear cousin, he still had the knack to make people spill their guts.
SEAMUS
You’re compromising yourself in the process, miss. Liam… Angel… isn’t a mass murderer anymore. He’s under stress because of this situation, but he won’t hurt you unless he has a very good reason to.
MELODY
He almost killed Connor.
SEAMUS
Well, yes, but that’s because he has a connection to him. Angel saw every one of his screw ups in the form of his son, and he tried to destroy it, because he was trying so hard to do the right thing for so long and kept failing. All these failures at once sent him plummeting off the edge. But he’s back now, more or less.
MELODY
I can’t just be someone else.
SEAMUS
Being someone else is all you’ve been doing! Doesn’t it get tiresome? Don’t you wish you could just relax?
MELODY
Of course. But I don’t think it’d be…
SEAMUS
Listen. Your new boss is a Junior Partner. No one would dare touch you now. Besides, Liam will respond to you much better if you stop trying to deceive him. Didn’t you respond better to me when I was candid with you?
Melody nods. Her hair covers her face. Seamus realizes that she’s crying and pulls a handkerchief from his pocket, handing it to her. She accepts it and mutters a thank you as the elevators ding and Angel walks into the lobby. He still looks to be a terribly broody fellow, but he’s not crazy anymore, so that’s a plus.
SEAMUS
How’s the boy?
Angel’s face flashes anger, but he forces it down quickly.
ANGEL
He’ll be fine. Do we have any leads on where the others are being held captive?
SEAMUS
Ah, therein lies the problem. They have no idea, and judging by the lack of employees bustling through here, I doubt anyone else does either. Where is everyone?
ANGEL
I don’t have time to worry about it. Melody, I know you’re upset about something, but we honestly don’t have time right now. Did they tell you anything when you talked to them?
Melody keeps her face hidden. Her voice sounds slightly stuffy.
MELODY
They said they were in a basement or a cellar, and Alexa said something about… rubbing alcohol.
ANGEL
That could apply to anywhere with a downstairs bathroom. Did you trace the call?
MELODY
I tried. It was like the number became invalid the second Alexa hung up.
ANGEL
Damnit.
He strides into his office and grabs the duster off the back of his chair, putting it on as he heads toward the elevators.
MELODY
Wait.
ANGEL
What?
MELODY
Anya. She’s liason to the Partners, right? Why would she be tied up if that was the case? Hamilton wasn’t ever in trouble like that. Eve wasn’t until she was mortal again. So why is the liason suddenly sitting helpless with a couple of humans?
Angel furrows his brow.
ANGEL
She’s involved.
MELODY
Just a theory.
ANGEL
No. It’s good. The address might in her office somewhere. …Where is her office?
MELODY
She doesn’t have one…
Melody ducks under the desk and comes out with a book.
MELODY [cont’d]
…But she left her bag behind when she left. I assume this is her journal.
Angel takes it and flips through it. He nods and walks into the elevator.
ANGEL
I’ll have to look as I go. Take the rest of the day off. Come in tomorrow morning and we’ll have a nice discussion, starting with why you know so much about my old dimension. You’ve done good work today.
SEAMUS
And me, cousin?
ANGEL
You can drive Melody home and then get the hell out of my dimension.
The elevator doors close. Seamus rolls his eyes and turns to Melody. He takes her hand and she gets up off her chair. We cut to the cellar, where Gunn is smiling dreamily, Wesley is humming an old tune from his childhood very loudly and very off-key, and Alexa and Anya are both trying desperately to get free.
ANYA
It’s no use. We have to be unaware of the bar for us to get free, and if we’re trying to get free from it, we obviously know it’s there.
ALEXA
But if it’s not actually there, how come it’s so hard to get away from?
WESLEY
Who in the hell is Yankee Doodle and why does he have such a stupid name?
ANYA
Because we’re aware of it. It’s evil that way. It’s an evil, evil bar that simply cannot be stopped.
GUNN
Whoa, whoa, whoa, man. Are you dissin’ America?
ALEXA
We can’t be collectively imagining this bar! We woke up attached to it! This doesn’t make the slightest bit of sense.
WESLEY
I don’t mean Yankee, I mean Doodle. No one’s last name is Doodle. Who does he think he’s fooling? Not me, that’s for sure.
ANYA
Well… maybe someone’s making it exist by the sheer power of their will and they got distracted temporarily. Or something.
GUNN
Pff. Like “Wyndham-Pryce” is a normal name.
WESLEY
Hey! Well, Gunn is stupid, too. Gunn and Doodle could form a club of people with stupid last names.
ALEXA
Maybe. Maybe one of the invisible people is doing this. But it’s not like we really have a lot of chance anymore anyway. We’ve got, what, five minutes left?
ANYA
Not even.
GUNN
Hey, man. That hurt. I was… I was just makin’ a point, you know? Like maybe you shouldn’t make fun of someone’s last name.
WESLEY
Charles, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it.
GUNN
Yes you did. Yes you did, Wesley. Don’t lie to me. I can always tell when you’re lying.
WESLEY
I’m not lying, I sw—
ALEXA
Okay guys. You can shut up anytime now.
WESLEY
That was uncalled for!
GUNN
Yeah! Meanie.
ALEXA
It wasn’t uncalled for. This argument started about Yankee Doodle. I’m not keen on spending my last seconds on this plain listening to you bicker about whose last name is stupider.
GUNN
You’re right.
Alexa gives a sigh of relief. She thinks maybe she’s getting through to them, until a second later when she realizes Gunn was talking to Wesley.
GUNN [cont’d]
Doodle is a pretty stupid name.
WESLEY
I know! Isn’t it just?
The door opens of its own accord. A sniggering is heard.
MARCIE
Looks like your hero isn’t coming for you after all. Maybe we’ll send your heads to him and see if he finally reacts, then we’ll see.
The door closes again.
ANYA
Oh God. Oh God. We’re doomed. It didn’t hit me until right now, but we’re really going to die. All of us. This is it. It’s actually the end. I’ll never even see Xander again. My days as a liason are over. Oh God.
Alexa frowns intently. Something in her mind clicks.
ALEXA
It’s all right, Ahn.
Anya remains completely silent for a second.
ANYA
Please don’t be Xander anymore. Just don’t.
ALEXA
…Sorry. Can’t help it.
A beat.
ALEXA [cont’d]
How long were you a liason to the partners?
ANYA
Almost a year. The former boss never really needed me, so I didn’t do too much until Angel showed up. Filed, mostly. Now I’m doing everything at once, I guess.
ALEXA
Hm. So you’ve never really been in mortal danger on this plain.
ANYA
Well, not until now, obviously.
ALEXA
Hm.
ANYA
What’s with the questions?
ALEXA
Keeping you calm.
ANYA
They’re coming in here to kill us soon. Shouldn’t this be a time for panic?
ALEXA
Look around. No one else is panicking.
ANYA
Yes, but they’re doped up and you’re obviously emotionally stunted.
ALEXA
Excuse me?
ANYA
Well, you think this is fun, don’t you? Clearly there’s something the matter with you.
Alexa has had it. She’s silent for a few seconds longer. She senses that Wesley and Gunn are hanging on their every word. Apparently they really hadn’t realized what was going on until now. They weren’t freaking out, fortunately, but they weren’t happy anymore. They were scared. She figured now was as good a time as any.
ALEXA
So… what’s a liason to the Partners like yourself doing in a place like this?
ANYA
What do you mean? Who are you being now?
ALEXA
Just me. I’m just wondering what a liason to the Senior Partners is doing tied up to a false pole in a basement.
ANYA
We got kidnapped, remember? Geez, maybe that anesthetic was just slow-acting on you.
ALEXA
But surely, as a liason, you realize that you can’t die.
A beat.
ANYA
What do you mean?
ALEXA
I mean that you will not die until the Senior Partners are ready for you to die. Your head might be crushed under a twenty ton weight, it wouldn’t matter. Unless the Senior Partners had some reason for you to die, you’d bounce back in a couple of days or so. And hey, if I know this, you must know it, too.
Anya is very quiet. Alexa takes that as a signal to continue.
ALEXA [cont’d]
So either you’re a very, very good actress who can somehow impersonate panic, or you’re not who you claim to be. And actually, when I think about it, that latter option doesn’t seem terribly likely. “Maybe someone’s making the pole exist by the sheer force of their will or something…” Seriously. I wonder why I didn’t catch on right then.
Anya stands. Her hands are free. She walks over to Alexa and looks angrily at her.
ANYA
Okay, so you figured it out. Congratulations. I’m behind all this. Maybe it’s a ploy to teach Angel a lesson. What does it matter? You’re going to die anyway. You all are. And best of all, I got some information out of you. I knew you weren’t human. I just couldn’t figure out what you were. So now I know what you are, and how to kill you. Thanks for that.
Anya kicks Alexa in the face, then turns to the door.
ANYA [cont’d]
The sun’s up. What’s keeping you?
Nothing happens. Anya frowns at the door as though she expects it to open.
ANYA [cont’d]
Hello? I said, the sun’s up.
Nothing still.
ANYA [cont’d]
Do I seriously have to do everything myself?
She storms up the stairs and opens the door… to find Angel standing right on the other side of it. He’s not looking too happy.
ANGEL
Oh, sorry. Was I supposed to come in? Usually I don’t bother without an invite, but…
He kicks Anya in the face and sends her reeling down the stairs.
ANGEL [cont’d]
…If you insist.
[END OF ACT THREE]
---
[ACT FOUR]
1745—two weeks later
Seamus walks from Liam’s house, wife in arm. Liam’s parents and sister follow, bidding them goodbye. Together they get on the coach and ride away. As the camera pans to watch them go, we see Liam watching from the bushes. He hasn’t returned home since the incident at dinner two weeks earlier. Now as the family stands outside, their expressions grow sombre.
KATHERINE
Father, will we go looking again tonight?
Liam’s father shakes his head.
LIAM’S FATHER
It’s been two weeks. He’ll either come home on his own or he won’t come back. There’s nothing we can do.
As her parents turned to return inside, four-year-old Katherine stands outside a second longer. Torn between gratitude that they had looked at all and annoyance that they’d given up already, Liam shifts and turns his head towards her. He notices a tear rolling down her cheek.
LIAM
Now, now, dearest Kathy. You mustn’t cry for your brother; I hear he’s stronger than he looks.
She starts at first, and then grins and runs toward the bushes. He laughs and throws her into the air, catching her as she comes down.
KATHERINE
You came back!
LIAM
Of course I did, sweet thing. I wouldn’t think to leave you behind for too long.
KATHERINE
I was worried.
LIAM
I know you were at that. I worried, too. I wonder, did you notice anything strange about cousin Seamus? Did he make everything stop moving-like sometimes when he talked to you?
Kathy shakes her head.
LIAM [cont’d]
Did he talk about being different? Any special powers or the like?
Kathy shakes her head again. Liam smiles and puts a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
LIAM [cont’d]
All right, then. I want you to stay away from Seamus as much as you can, all right? He’s not a terribly good man, I fear. Promise to be careful, yeah?
Kathy nods. Liam smiles down at her. Liam’s father walks outside, looking for Katherine and sees Liam with her. He stares for a moment.
LIAM’S FATHER
Katherine, why don’t you go help your mother in the kitchen.
Katherine looks from her father up to Liam, who nods. She runs inside.
LIAM’S FATHER [cont’d]
Where’ve you been, boy?
LIAM
Worried, were you?
LIAM’S FATHER
You were gone for a fortnight without any warning or contact. Explain yourself.
LIAM
You’ll likely not believe me, father, but Seamus…
LIAM’S FATHER
Oh, lords, Liam.
Liam looks angrily at his father, but remains relatively calm.
LIAM
Listen to me, just for once, without bringing your opinion into it, will you?
Taken aback by the request, Liam’s father remains silent. Liam smiles fleetingly and then returns to business.
LIAM [cont’d]
Twice in the day Seamus arrived, a most peculiar phenomenon became me. The first occurred when he first arrived. You recall me backing into the stove, father, but that wasn’t because of some attack. I had been threatened by Seamus most ceremoniously, but I took it as hallucination since no one else seemed to see it. The second time occurred at dinner that night. I fled because it was no hallucination. He must be a demon of sorts to do that to a man. It was as though time halted as he threatened. You’ve got to believe me, father. It’s relevant to this family’s safety that you do.
Liam’s father simply stares. He seems to be processing what’s being said.
LIAM’S FATHER
There are no such things as demons, boy.
Liam’s face falls into anger, most of which directed at himself for thinking his father would actually listen to him.
LIAM’S FATHER [cont’d]
However, your adversity to your cousin is enough not to invite him back into this household. No matter how impossible what you’re saying might be, you certainly seem to believe it. If you believe he’s a danger to your sister, then I won’t invite him again.
LIAM
So you believe me.
LIAM’S FATHER
Nay, boy. I believe that you believe it. Now come inside and wash up, you look as though you slept in a ditch for all the days you were out.
Liam, stunned by the lack of yelling that was going on, follows his father back into the house. His mother’s shriek carries over as we enter the
Present
Gunn, Wesley and Alexa are all still tied to the pole. Anya backs further into the basement as Angel walks towards her.
ANYA
Where are my invisible people?
ANGEL
They’re there. Just unconscious. Or possibly dead, I may have broken a few necks.
ANYA
But they’re invisible!
ANGEL
That doesn’t mean the weapons they were holding were invisible. Who are you?
ANYA
I’m Anya, hello? Where have you been?
ANGEL
I don’t think so. I met Anya once. She was strange, but she wasn’t evil. Anymore. Even if that is her body, that’s not her soul or mind.
ANYA
No! You’re wrong! I am Anya.
ANGEL
Oh really? Then I guess I should probably let you know that I read your little journal here.
He pulls the book out from his inside pocket and holds it up in a sheepish manner. Anya’s face contorts into anger and makes various noises of proclamation before finally forming words.
ANYA
That’s… not mine.
ANGEL
Well, it depends on who you really are. Let’s read a little excerpt from the…
He refers to the first page of the book and reads aloud with a smile on his face.
ANGEL [cont’d]
…Journal of Evildoings.
Anya lunges at Angel, which he easily dodges, turning to the first page of the book.
ANGEL [cont’d]
Dear Journal, today I was finally given corporeal form! The Senior Partners were really nice about it and everything… I was able to retain my identity as a separate being from the person I was possessing if I did a little favour for them. I just have to wait for Angel to come to the dimension I’m in and kill him, and then I’ll be given my very own body and life and everything!
While Angel reads, a half-assed fight is going on wherein Anya tries to beat Angel up, but he fights her off with one hand and turns the page.
ANGEL [cont’d]
Dear journal, the Senior Partners gave me an invisible army to command! I made them destroy a bridge and some other really neat stuff. People are dead now. It’s a good gig. I’ve got them set up in that old abandoned house on Cabrillo… I’ll have to get it fumigated, but that shouldn’t be a problem. You’re just not a very competent bad guy. First rule: never, ever document where you’re hiding your secret weapon.
Angel throws the journal into a corner as Anya comes at him with a nice piece of metal piping. He ducks easily, grabs the pipe on the backswing to prevent another attack, and kicks her against a wall. The force of the blow knocks the pipe from Anya’s hands. Angel throws it behind him and delivers a series of punches to Anya before she slides down the wall, unconscious. He turns to those that are tied around a pole.
ANGEL [cont’d]
I’m coming to untie you in a second, but before I do, I just want to let you know that I’m not evil.
ALEXA
I was starting to wonder with the whole almost not showing up thing, but it’s good to know.
Angel takes a pocketknife out of his… well, pocket, and cuts through the ropes slowly and methodically.
WESLEY
Hey, hey Gunn. Did you know Angel was here?
GUNN
Yeah.
WESLEY
I wonder if he’s going to eat us.
GUNN
Hey Angel, are you going to, like, eat us or something?
ANGEL
What’s with them?
ALEXA
They were drugged.
ANGEL
Oh. Why aren’t you affected?
ALEXA
Long story short, I’m an immortal being with no strength. I’ll explain later.
ANGEL
Oh. Okay.
GUNN
He’s not answering.
WESLEY
Okay, I’ll try. Hey Angel. Angel. Hey. Angel.
ANGEL
What is it, Wesley?
WESLEY
I was just wondering if you were going to eat us.
ANGEL
No, Wesley, I’m not going to eat you.
WESLEY
Well, that’s a relief. Angel, have you ever met a fellow called Yankee Doodle?
ANGEL
Once. Nice guy. Hated macaroni, though.
WESLEY
Was his last name truly Doodle?
ANGEL
No. You’re free. Don’t go wandering off anywhere.
WESLEY
Oh dear Lord. What happened to Anya?
ANGEL
She’s evil.
GUNN
Is she going to eat us?
ANGEL
N… yes. Don’t go anywhere near her. Wesley, what did I just say?
Angel sighs.
ANGEL [cont’d]
Look, Alexa, the helicopter’s waiting a block from here. See what you can do about getting these two into it. Get them in the hospital wing at the firm and then wait for me in my office. I want to hear everything about what happened. I’ll get Anya and take the tunnels.
Alexa nods and rounds up the pair of seven-year-old men. Angel picks Anya up, throws her over his shoulder, takes out the grate in the centre of the room and climbs down into it. Cut to: Angel standing in the dungeon he was in at the beginning of the episode, only on the other side of the bars. Anya stirs and finally sits up lazily.
ANYA
Oh God.
ANGEL
I thought the Senior Partners didn’t believe.
Anya glances slowly up at Angel, looking surly with his arms crossed. She didn’t seem to realize he was there before.
ANYA
It’s that they believe they’re more powerful, actually. What do you want?
ANGEL
I want you out of this body.
ANYA
No thanks. I like it here.
ANGEL
What’ll it take?
ANYA
I’m afraid you don’t understand the deal I cut. I was sent to this plain to kill you. Once I succeed, I’ll get my own body and immortal life and become the true liason to the Senior Partners at this branch.
ANGEL
So Anya isn’t it.
ANYA
No. I am. I am the embodiment of liason. I am put into people. The only difference between this situation and Eve’s situation was that I was given a mind of my own in Anya. Eve was acting of her own accord the whole time; Anya has no idea what’s going on.
ANGEL
But you acted just like her until your secret was uncovered.
ANYA
I’ve been channeling her personality. She’s still in here. That’s why I was able to imitate panic; she’d panicking. When I leave, she’ll be fine. She’ll have something akin to Alexa’s state of immortality; no strength or anything, but she’ll never die of natural causes. Except Alexa was made for a purpose. She’s only a couple of months old, and she won’t be around for all that much longer.
ANGEL
What do you mean?
ANYA
Like I’d tell you. You’ll just have to wait and find out.
Angel opens his mouth to argue but feels his temper flaring and decides it would be better for everyone if he just didn’t.
ANGEL
Fine. You want to kill me, you can go ahead and try, but until you leave that body, you’re not leaving that cage either, so good luck. I just have to ask one last question: why are the partners trying to kill me?
ANYA
Because you tried to fight them. You don’t get away with that, Angel. Not without repercussions.
ANGEL
We met the repercussions, head on. We fought them, and we lost. That’s why we’re here.
ANYA
Then I’m just something else you have to fight. I’m here to make sure there’s just one more thing you failed at: saving another innocent.
Angel turns and walks from the room. Anya stares after him, smirking, eyes flashing. We cut to the next day. Angel seems to have calmed somewhat; it’s morning and he’s watching the sun rise from his office window. The cleaning crews have finally come and gone. Melody knocks hesitantly. Angel turns.
MELODY
Hi.
ANGEL
Hi. Sit down.
They both sit.
ANGEL [cont’d]
First off, I want to apologize for threatening you.
MELODY
You didn’t.
ANGEL
Not directly, but you were scared. You felt threatened because of me. I’m sorry.
MELODY
It’s okay.
A silence falls. Angel doesn’t know how to start, and Melody doesn’t know what to say.
ANGEL
How long have you been keeping tabs on my home dimension?
MELODY
Since I had access to the Inter-dimensional.
ANGEL
Why did you start?
MELODY
Because I knew you’d come here at some point, and I wanted to see how you liked everything so you… wouldn’t… axe me.
ANGEL
Oh please. I gave up killing employees months ago.
MELODY
And instead you upgraded to killing people whose employ you were under.
ANGEL
Yeah, but… everyone I killed was evil. You’re human.
MELODY
You killed humans.
ANGEL
…Evil humans.
MELODY
I’m not talking about Angel anymore.
Angel pauses.
ANGEL
Angelus won’t kill you because you’re not good enough. He’ll kill you because you’re there, because it’s fun. It wouldn’t matter what you did. In fact, sucking up to me would just make him want to kill you more.
MELODY
Well, this talk is reassuring.
ANGEL
Look, you don’t need to hide under anything. You have already proven yourself to be a much more effective secretary in two days than Harmony ever was in almost a year. I don’t want anyone who works for me to be airheaded. I need intelligent employees who can think on their feet and give input when I ask for their opinion. If it wasn’t for you, Wesley, Gunn and Alexa would be dead right now. You worked on saving lives, even when I wasn’t willing to.
Melody nods but won’t look at Angel. He realizes she’s crying again and searches for a hanky in his pockets, much as Seamus had, but not finding one. He looks awkwardly around the room, searching for anything that could be used as such, and being fortunately saved when she pulls one out of her bag.
ANGEL [cont’d]
Why don’t you take a couple more days off? Like… what did Lorne call them… mental health days? Just… calm down and give yourself time to… be yourself. Call up old friends or something. Just relax and come back when you feel you’re ready to.
Melody keeps nodding.
MELODY
You should take the Inter-dimensional. I’ll only use it to watch your dimension anyway, and I think it’s time I stopped that.
Angel considers this. He doesn’t seem to be coming to any reasonable conclusion, judging by his lack of response.
MELODY [cont’d]
Anyway, thanks. Tell Alexa I’ll try to come back soon; I know directing you guys around is going to be fairly hectic for her.
She turns and walks quickly out of the office. Angel can’t particularly find anything to say, so he lets her go and returns to the window. Moments later, there’s another knock at the door. He turns to see Alexa peering sheepishly inside.
ALEXA
Um… Connor’s awake and alert now. I just thought you might want to, you know, see him. Or something.
Angel turns back to the window.
ANGEL
I was just getting to some papers. I’ll be down in a while.
ALEXA
But… what papers would you have? The ones left behind were vetoed when he was eviscerated…
ANGEL
I’ll be down in a while.
Angel doesn’t move. He’s brooding as he looks out the window. We cut down to the hospital wing, where Connor is sitting upright in bed, his amazingly similar brooding look defined by his neck brace. He looks angry, but he also looks like he’s formulating a plan. This is the last image we see before we cut to the
[END OF EPISODE]
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