The radar on Wes' boat beeps.
Wes:
Solid contact. Definitely metallic."
Justine:
Probably more junk. Could be anything down there."
Wes:
Better have a look then.
Wes tosses a diving mask at Justine, who catches it.
The beam of Justine's flashlight plays across the lid of Angel's coffin, illuminating his pale and cracked face,
and making him blink.
Wes and Justine watch as the ship's hoist slowly hauls the coffin aboard.
Wes lights a blowtorch and burns through the welds securing the sidebars.
Wes:
Justine. Come on.
Wes slides the bars out and he and Justine lift the lid off the coffin. Wes cuts the steel cords holding Angel immobile.
Justine:
Congratulations.
You're the big hero.
Maybe your friends will throw you a party.
I wonder what the cake's gonna look...
Suddenly Angel's hand shoots up and grabs Wesley by the throat. Angel's eyes snap open. His brow draws together in a slight frown as his eyes focus on Wes.
Break
Wes takes a hold of Angel's hand, and Angel lets him pull it away and lay it back down on his chest.
Wes lays Angel down on the table in the main cabin and pulls out some glass jars filled with dark liquid.
Justine:
Blood?
Wes:
Animal.
Wes lifts Angel's head and tries to get him to drink some of the blood.
Justine:
What's the hurry?
It's not like he's going anywhere.
Wes:
A vampire can exist indefinitely without feeding, but the damage to the higher brain functions from prolonged starvation can be catastrophic.
Angel starts to cough.
Wes:
Slowly.
Justine:
All the energy you've wasted to save that thing. For what?
A happy ending? Everything like it was?
He hates you. They all do.
And they're never going to take you back.
Connor walks into the lobby of the Hyperion to find Gunn and Fred sitting on the settee waiting for him.
Connor:
Is this going to be the yelling thing again?
Gun and Fred stand up.
Fred:
No. No yelling.
Connor:
He looks like he's gonna yell.
Gunn:
I do not.
Connor:
He always looks like he's gonna yell.
Gunn:
I'm not gonna yell!
Fred:
Where have you been?
Connor, walking past them:
Out.
Gunn:
We were worried.
Connor stops and turns back to them.
Connor:
I'm sorry. I shouldn't run off alone.
You'd think I'd know that by now.
Gunn:
It's that big, thick mellon!
Gunn taps the side of Connor's head, smiling.
Gunn:
Your dad's got one just like it.
Connor's smile melts away.
Gunn:
Angel's always flying off, getting himself into trouble.
Connor:
I'm not like him.
Gunn:
You're not as strong yet, but...
Connor:
Like I care what you think?
Gunn:
What did you say?
Fred steps between them:
It's been a long night. Why don't you go wash up.
Connor looks from Gunn to Fred.
Connor, quietly: "I'm fine."
Fred and Gunn watch Connor take the stairs two at a time.
Gunn: "I try to be nice and you see what he does? He just keeps pushing. It's like - it's like he wants me to lose it."
Fred: "He's testing you. With Angel gone, you're the alpha male."
Gunn: "Damn straight."
Fred leaning against Gunn's chest: "Don't let it go to your head."
Gunn, pulling her closer: "That's not the direction it's flowing."
They kiss. The phone rings and Fred pulls back.
Gunn: "Let it ring."
Fred, leaning in for another kiss: "What if it's a client?"
Gunn pulls away with a sigh: "Then the big dog better close the deal."
Gunn picks up the phone:
Angel Investigations.
Angel is lying on the table in the ship's cabin a rolled up blanket under his head another covering his body.
Angel:
Why is it like this?
Lorne:
Well, that's the age-old, bubby.
I'll fire you off a postcard if I'll noodle the answer.
Angel:
Life should be Beautiful and Bright.
But, no matter how hard I try,
everything I touch - turns to ashes.
Lorne:
Well, there goes that encouraging hug I was planning.
Snap to, buckaroo.
The only one turning to ashes is that patricidal pup of yours.
Hell, I'd take him out myself if I wasn't just a crappy hallucination.
Wes comes down the stairs:
How is he?
Lorne:
How do you think?
Justine:
He won't shut up.
Angel:
I have to stop him.
Lorne:
You wanna bitch-slap sour-puss over there for practice?
I'm your cheering section.
Wes walks up to the table.
Wes:
Angel?
Angel:
I have to do it.
Angel tires to get up and Wes puts a hand on his shoulder to stop him.
Wes:
Shh. You need to rest now.
Lorne, singing:
Hush, little baby, don't say a word.
Mamma's gonna buy you a mockingbird.
And if that mockingbird don't sing...
Angel looks up and sees Connor standing over him.
Angel:
I should have killed you.
Wes looks down at Angel as Justine breaks out laughing.
Justine:
And me without my camera.
Wes:
He's been down there too long.
Pig's blood isn't enough.
He needs more substantial nourishment.
Justine:
Like what?
Justine, handcuffed to the wall,
stares wide-eyed at the knife Wes pulls out.
Justine:
Oh, screw you. I'm not feeding that thing."
Wes:
Your blood's too thin.
Wes slices across the inner side of his left forearm then moves to the table and holds the cut down over Angel's lips.
Angel's hands come up and he holds Wes' arm in place as he drinks, but he doesn't morph into his vamp face.
Lilah is alone in the meeting room.
She stands behind Linwood's chair and caresses the headrest. The doors open and Lilah moves down to a place about halfway down the table as people move to take their seats.
Linwood:
Alright, we've got a lot of ground to cover,
so let's get right to it.
Let's talk about Lilah.
Everybody had a chance to review her file?
(Nods around the table)
Good. Recommendations?"
Lilah raises a hand:
If I could just have a few minutes to explain...
Gavin:
I think your record speaks for itself.
Linwood:
Volumes. Your failures at Wolfram and Hart outstrip your successes by and uncomfortable margin.
Perhaps you would fair better at a less central office."
Gavin:
One of the third world dimensions maybe.
Lilah whispers:
I'm sorry.
Linwood:
What was that?
Lilah:
I said, I'm sorry. I've made mistakes,
but fear was never one of them.
Linwood:
Is there something you would like to share?
Lilah:
Why haven't we contained the vampire offspring for study?
Linwood:
We're assessing that situation.
Lilah:
The same way you're assessing Angel?
Then why aren't we trying to pinpoint Angel's location?
Linwood:
Lilah, this is my corner of the sky.
I decide when the sun rises and when it sets.
Lack of long-term vision has always been one of your shortcomings.
Lilah stands up, holding a Palm-pilot and stylus.
Lilah:
And lack of courage has always been one of yours.
You're afraid - of Angel and his son.
And that's the reason for your daring strategy of
'wait and see', isn't it?
You're afraid. And fear breeds weakness.
Linwood:
Oh. I'm hurt. Is that really what you think of me?
Lilah:
Yes. And Mr. Suvarta agrees with me.
Linwood:
You spoke to a Senior Partner?"
Lilah:
He was really very helpful.
He had some great hints on office furniture.
Linwood:
This is outrageous!
Are you actually telling me that you went over my head?
Lilah touches her stylus to the palm-pilot in her hand.
We hear an electronic beep - then a blade whips out of the backrest on Linwood's chair slicing quickly and neatly through his neck.
Lilah:
Just under it, actually.
Linwood's head, staring eyes fixed, slowly tumbles forward and rolls down the table.
Lilah:
Mr. Suvarta didn't think Linwood's sky was sunny enough.
You're all reporting to me now.
(Sits down)
Get out.
Everyone quickly and quietly gets up and files out the room.
Lilah:
Gavin.
Gavin freezes. Lilah gives him a slight smile, then indicates the decapitated head with her stylus.
Lilah:
Please - remove that.
Connor is stretched out on the bed in his room playing a handheld video game. There is a knock on the door.
Connor:
What?
Fred is standing in the open doorway, holding a tray with a sandwich and glass of milk.
Fred:
Brought you a snack.
Connor:
I'm not hungry.
Fred laughs:
You're always hungry.
Fred walks into the room and Connor lowers his game.
Connor:
What is it?
Fred:
Bologna.
Connor:
No tomatoes?
Fred:
No tomatoes.
Connor sits up and reaches for the tray, but Fred pulls it back.
Fred:
What do you say?
Connor looking at her:
Thank you.
Fred:
Your welcome.
Connor tears into the sandwich.
'Fred sets the tray down on the nightstand
then strokes Connor's hair.
Connor:
Is he still mad?
Fred:
What so you think?
Connor, softly:
Sorry.
Fred:
I can't imagine what you've been through, Connor,
being taken away by Holtz, raised in that place.
It must have been horrible.
I know you're still hurting but -
I promise -- it's not nearly as much as
you're gonna hurt for what you did to Your Father.
Connor stops chewing and looks up at Fred, who pushes a tazer against his chest and fires. Connor arcs back in pain.
Break
Connor sits in the office, tied to a chair with Fred standing over him, tazer in hand.
Fred:
You think that's what Angel felt?
When you did it to him? Did he scream like you?
Connor:
Why are you doing this?
Gunn:
Nah-ah. Don't even try it.
Fred:
We got a call form an old friend tonight.
Gunn:
Been playing a little Ahab.
He's out there right now puttering around on his boat.
Fred:
With Angel.
Connor stays quiet.
Gunn:
That's right, Sparky,
Daddy's coming home.
And I'm guessing there's going to be a spanking.
Fred:
He's been down there, all alone, for three months -
and you knew!
Gunn:
Is that what you did to Cordy?
Stuff her in a box some place?
Fred:
How could you do that to us?
(Fred steps closer to Connor the tazer in her outstretched hand shaking a little)
We took you into our home.
We cared for you, and all this time...
How could you do that?!
When Connor only looks at her,
Fred suddenly buries the tazer against Connor's chest.
Connor arcs back, screaming.
Fred:
How could you do that?!
Gunn pulls her back:
Fred!
Fred buries her head against Gunn's shoulder and starts to cry.
Wes deposits Angel in the passenger seat of his car then looks down at Angel's pale and cracked face.
Angel's eyes drift open and their eyes meet.
Justine:
He'll turn on you!
Wes closes the passenger door and walks around to get into the driver's seat.
Justine:
He won't be able to help it. That's what he is.
Sooner or later he will turn on you - and all your friends!
Ignoring Justine, who is handcuffed to a net-draped railing, Wes gets into the car, buckles up and starts the engine.
Justine:
You're just gonna leave me here?
Wes holds up the keys to the cuffs, looking at her, then tosses them at her feet.
Wes:
You can continue to be a slave, Justine -
or you can live your life.
Your choice.
Wes drives off, leaving Justine behind.
Fred is sitting in a chair in the outer office with Gunn rubbing her back.
Fred:
I would have done anything for him.
Now all I wanna do is hurt him.
Connor, through the open door of the inner office:
Go ahead. Hurt me some more, Fred.
Fred:
Shut up!
Connor:
You think I care? You get used to it.
Fred gets up:
You don't feel anything, do you? There's nothing inside.
Connor:
Why don't you open me up and find out."
Fred:
How could you do that to your father?
Connor:
That thing is not my father.
Gunn quietly:
Yes, he is.
Connor:
He got what he deserved.
Fred quietly:
And how soon before we deserved it?
Connor just looks at her.
We hear the lobby doors open and Fred and Gunn run out to see Wes, one of Angel's arms draped over his shoulder helping Angel down the steps into the lobby.
Wes:
I believe you're looking for this.
Angel raises his head and looks at them.
Fred:
Angel.
Gunn and Fred hurry towards them
and Gunn helps Wes lead Angel to the settee.
Fred:
Oh, my god.
Gunn:
Is he gonna be all right?
Wes:
In time - maybe.
Angel drops onto the settee with a groan, his head rolling to the side against the headrest.
Gunn:
He's out of it.
Fred:
Oh god.
Gunn:
It's okay.
Fred:
Look at him.
Gunn:
It's gonna be okay.
Angel slowly looks up at them.
Wes begins to back away from them towards the doors.
Fred:
What do we do? Wesley...
As Angel's eyes slide shut again, Fred turns,
only to see that Wes is already on the landing.
Fred:
Where are you going?
Wes stops and turns back.
Wes:
I'm done here.
Gunn:
What took you so long to tell us about Connor?
Fred:
You knew what he could do to us."
Wes:
You're human. He wouldn't have hurt you.
I thought you were safer not knowing.
Fred:
We were safer?
You really don't care anymore, do you?
Wes only turns to walk towards the door.
Wes:
He'll need more blood.
I'm fresh out.
The door closes behind Wes. Angel lets out a sight groan.
Fred:
It's okay. God, he's freezing.
Gunn:
I'll get some more blankets.
Gunn turns to go, but stops as we hear the sound of a chair toppling coming from the office.
Fred:
Connor!
Gunn and Fred run for the office. Connor is waiting for them and easily tosses Gunn to the side. Fred tries to tazer him, but he grabs it away from her and uses it against her instead. Fred drops to the floor in a heap. Connor turns - only to find Angel standing in the doorway.
Angel:
Sit - down.
Connor backs up a little never taking his eyes off Angel.
Connor:
You're too weak to take me."
Angel:
You really think that?"
Connor looks at Angel for another moment, then turns, picks up the chair, slams it down on the floor, and sits facing Angel. Gunn begins to stir and sit up. Angel lowers himself into a chair across from Connor with a slight sigh.
Angel:
So - how was your summer?
Mine was fun. Saw some fish.
Went mad with hunger.
Hallucinated a whole bunch.
Gunn quietly helps Fred back to her feet.
Connor's eyes never leave Angel.
Connor:
You deserved worse.
Angel:
Because I killed Holtz - except I didn't.
I tried telling you that while you were busy offshore dumping me, but I didn't know the whole score.
Holtz killed himself.
Actually - he had your buddy Justine do it with an ice pick.
Just to make you hate me."
Connor after a beat:
Even if - you still deserved it.
Angel:
What I deserve is open to debate.
But understand :
There is a Difference between
wishing Vengeance on Someone -
and Taking it.
So, now - The Question becomes :
What Do You Deserve....?
Connor suddenly jumps up from his chair
and runs for the door, but Angel intercepts him,
tossing him against the wall.
Angel, calm:
Daddy's not finished talking.
Angel crouches down next to where Connor sits,
scrunched up against the wall.
Angel:
Wesley told me everything that's been going on.
So, as far as I'm concerned what you deserve
rests on One Answer:
(Angel leans in closer)
Did you do something to Cordelia?
Connor:
No.
Fred:
He's lying.
Connor, looking at Angel:
No, I'm not.
Gunn:
No way she just happened to disappear the same night.
Connor, never taking his eyes off Angel:
I'm telling The Truth, okay?
Angel, quietly:
I know.
I can Tell.
Angel slowly straightens up
and backs away a little.
Angel:
I've done enough lying for me to be able
to know The Difference.
The Truth has a better sound to it,
less nasal, you know?
Get up.
Connor stands up.
Angel:
What you did to me - was unbelievable, Connor.
But then, I got stuck in a Hell Dimension
by My Girlfriend one time for a hundred years,
so three months under The Ocean
actually gave me some perspective.
Kind of an M. C. Esher perspective -
but I did get time to Think.
About Us,
about The World.
Nothing in The World
is The Way it Ought to Be.
It's Harsh, and Cruel.
But That's Why There's Us --
Champions.
It doesn't matter
Where We Come From,
What We've Done or Suffered,
or even if We Make a Difference.
We Live as though The World
was What it Should Be,
to Show it What it Can Be.
You're not a part of that yet.
One Day, I Hope You Will be.
(Angel moves to stand in front of Connor)
I Love You, Connor.
(Quietly, after a beat)
Now get out of My House.
After a beat Connor leaves and Angel lets out a slight sigh.
We hear the lobby doors close.
Angel sways on his feet then leans against the wall.
Fred and Gunn run over to him.
Fred:
Angel!
Angel:
All that Talking really takes it out of you.
Fred:
You need rest.
Angel:
I need Cordy - now.
Wherever she is,
whatever she's going through,
we have to find her.
The picture blends into a panorama of glowing, heavenly clouds.
We close in on a bright, white light.
Cordy's face becomes visible in the center of it as heavenly music swells.
Cordy:
God, I am so bored.
