KILLING ME SOFTLY
Completed: 08 November 2001
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SCENE 1
INT - ANGEL INVESTIGATIONS - DAY
Cordelia walks into Angel’s office to find Angel going over some files, and Wesley pouring over the scrolls and several thick books.
CORDELIA
Hey, guys.
Wesley grunts.
ANGEL
Hey.
CORDELIA
(to Angel)
What’s he doing?
ANGEL
Still trying to figure out what was
raised in that box.
CORDELIA
You’d think that after six months he’d
have found some sort of clue by now.
Wesley looks up at Cordelia.
WESLEY
(peeved)
Cordelia, if you happen to know all the
ancient texts, then be my guest. Let’s
see what you can decipher out of all this.
CORDELIA
Languages were not exactly my forte
at school. Besides, you’re doing a
good job. Keep it up.
Wesley lowers his head and resumes his study as Cordelia looks at Angel who has a faint smile on his face.
CORDELIA
Where’s Paris this morning?
ANGEL
She said she’d be up in a minute
which was…
(consulting his watch)
…ten minutes ago.
CORDELIA
Well, she’d better get her butt up here.
She promised to show me how to do
these new-fangled invoices.
ANGEL
(standing up)
I’ll see what’s keeping her.
Angel moves towards the stairs.
CONTINUOUS…
SCENE 2
INT - ANGEL’S APARTMENT - DAY
Angel moves down the stairs.
ANGEL’S POV – he sees Paris collapsed on the kitchen floor. He moves quickly.
ANGEL
(concerned)
Paris.
PARIS
(strained)
Angel.
Angel helps Paris to her feet then sits her down on one of the kitchen chairs. Her body is cold and she is shivering. He moves quickly into the bedroom and returns with a comforter which he drapes around Paris’ hunched shoulders. He crouches down in front of her.
ANGEL
(concerned)
Are you okay?
Paris doesn’t respond.
ANGEL
Were you possessed?
She nods her head slowly. She looks at Angel’s face.
ANGEL’S POV – he sees confusion in her eyes.
PARIS
(softly)
Who’s Darla?
ANGLE on Angel’s shocked face.
PARIS
Who is she?
ANGEL
(low)
She…she’s the one who changed me.
PARIS
(shocked)
She’s your sire?
ANGEL
Was my sire. I killed her four years
ago when she tried to kill Buffy.
Paris winces at the mention of Buffy’s name.
PARIS
Are you sure you killed her?
ANGEL
Yeah. She turned to dust right in
front of me.
Paris stands up and lets the blanket fall on to the chair. She pushes past Angel and goes into the living room. Angel straightens and follows her.
ANGEL
Paris, what is it?
FOREGROUND - Paris is silent, mass confusion fills her face.
BACKGROUND – Angel moves up behind Paris, and slowly turns her towards him.
ANGEL
(worry creeping in)
What is it? Paris?
Paris looks away from him for a moment.
PARIS
(softly)
She’s alive, Angel.
(then, looking up)
Darla’s alive.
CLOSE UP of Angel’s shocked face.
BLACK OUT
SCENE 3
INT - ANGEL’S APARTMENT - DAY
Paris is sitting on the couch, still shivering as Angel paces the floor.
ANGEL
(freaked out)
Are you absolutely positive it was Darla?
PARIS
(nods)
Yeah.
ANGEL
I never told you about her.
How could you know about her?
PARIS
She told me her name.
ANGEL
She told you her -
(runs fingers through his hair / mutters)
This isn’t possible. I killed her.
She can’t come back.
PARIS
(dark)
You did.
Angel looks at Paris, taking that in.
PARIS
So has Darla.
Off Angel.
CUT TO…
SCENE 4
INT - WOLFRAM & HART - HOLLAND’S OFFICE - DAY
Holland Manners is sitting at his desk. He looks at Lindsey McDonald and Lilah Morgan who are standing by the picture windows.
LINDSEY
Well, that certainly was…interesting.
Holland looks at someone sitting across from him.
ANGLE - of Darla who is breathing heavily after being cast out of Paris’ body.
DARLA
You were right.
HOLLAND
About?
DARLA
Angel. He is here.
LILAH
But you had to find out for yourself.
Didn’t you?
DARLA
Yes.
(then, disgusted)
He’s with The Chosen One.Holland, Lindsey and Lilah look at each other questioningly then back at Darla.
LINDSEY
The Chosen One? The Slayer?
DARLA
(bitterly / remembering Buffy)
Not the Slayer. The Chosen One is
someone who has the knowledge and power
to destroy a demon once it’s possessed her.
She’s also known as The Receiver.
LILAH
So, why possess her knowing she
can destroy you?
DARLA
Because she’s the key.
LINDSEY
The key? To what?
DARLA
Everything.
HOLLAND
Does ‘she’ have a name?
DARLA
Paris.
Off Darla.
DISSOLVE TO…
SCENE 5
INT - ANGEL INVESTIGATIONS - DAY
Angel and Paris come up in the elevator and step out into the office.
CORDELIA
(scoffs)
Well, it’s about time. I thought I was
going to have to send out a search –
ANGEL
(interrupts / distant)
Paris was possessed.
WESLEY
(looking up)
Possessed?
CORDELIA
It wasn’t Spike again. Was it?
PARIS
(softly)
No.
ANGEL
(to Wesley)
I know what was raised in that box.
WESLEY
What?
ANGEL
(dark)
Darla.
CORDELIA
(stunned)
Darla? Your sire, Darla?
ANGEL
Yeah.
CORDELIA
But I thought you killed her…in The Bronze.
ANGEL
(sitting down)
I did.
WESLEY
(to Paris)
Darla possessed you?
PARIS
Yeah.
WESLEY
And you cast her out?
PARIS
Yeah. But it wasn’t like when Spike
possessed me.
WESLEY
(curious)
In what way?
PARIS
It seemed like she was testing me.
CORDELIA
Testing you?
PARIS
(nods)
But I could be wrong. This is only the
second demon I’ve been possessed by.
ANGEL
(to Wesley)
Can a demon possess Paris if it’s…
WESLEY
Dead?
(off Angel’s nod)
No.
CORDELIA
(slowly)
So, Darla is alive.
Everyone takes that in.
CORDELIA
(to Angel)
Kind of like when you came back from
wherever it was Buffy sent you to.
ANGEL
Darla didn’t go to Hell or any other demon
dimension. She was just dead.
WESLEY
(slowly / thinking)
And Wolfram and Hart raised her.
CORDELIA
Can I ask a really stupid question?
Paris, Wesley and Angel look at her.
CORDELIA
Why?
WIDE SHOT - of everyone as they look at each other.
DISSOLVE TO…
SCENE 6
INT - WOLFRAM & HART - HOLLAND’S OFFICE - DAY
Still in Holland Manners’ office.
LILAH
(to Darla)
What’s this Paris the key to?
DARLA
As I said…everything.
LINDSEY
(impatiently)
Would you care to elaborate?
Darla smiles at Lindsey but remains silent.
HOLLAND
She’s the key to getting the scrolls back?
DARLA
(elusive)
Possibly.
LINDSEY
And Angel?
DARLA
(smiles)
Possibly.
Darla stands up and walks slowly towards the window. She stays out of the sunlight as she peers out through the glass.
LILAH
(irritated)
You’re not being terribly forthcoming in the
information department, Darla. Can you
deliver us the scrolls and Angel or not?
DARLA
(smiles elusively)
Possibly.
CLOSE UP of Darla’s smiling face (she’s hiding something) as she gazes out the window.
DISSOLVE TO…
SCENE 7
INT - ANGEL INVESTIGATIONS - DAY
Silent, Wesley, Cordelia and Angel are seated while Paris stands by the window, arms wrapped around herself.
CORDELIA
We could always march into Wolfram and
Hart and ask them why they brought Darla
back into the land of the living.
WESLEY
Somehow I don’t think they’d exactly
volunteer that information, Cordelia.
ANGEL
(dark)
She was brought back because of me.
CORDELIA
(pointedly)
Well, you did kill her. I’d say she’s bound
to be a little pissed off about that.
ANGEL
(to Wesley)
Would she be the same as she was before
I killed her?
WESLEY
I don’t know, Angel. It’s possible that
she’s the same and remembers everything up
to and including the moment you killed her.
But it may also be possible that she’s
more evil than she ever was.
CORDELIA
Or maybe she’s more evil and
remembers everything.
Wesley looks at Paris who’s deep in thought.
WESLEY
Paris…you’re very quiet over there.
PARIS
You told me that when an evil demon
possesses me, it would be difficult
to cast out.
WESLEY (O.C)
That’s right.
PARIS
Darla didn’t put up a fight.
She wasn’t in me for that long.
Not as long as Spike anyway.
WESLEY
That’s a good sign then.
CORDELIA
But you said it seemed like she
was testing you.
PARIS
I could be wrong about that. But Darla
was like…what’s that saying?…I came,
I saw, I left. It was real weird.
Paris shudders as a chill goes through her.
CORDELIA
Maybe she was window shopping and
she’ll possess you again. You know,
look around some more…see if she finds
something she likes.
PARIS
(uncomfortable)
Please don’t say that.
Paris suddenly looks at Wesley.
PARIS
Can a demon do that?
WESLEY
Do what?
PARIS
Possess me more than once.
WESLEY
Yes, it can.
Angel, who’s been in deep thought, looks up at Wesley.
ANGEL
What happens if it does?
WESLEY
The more times a demon possesses Paris, the
worse it is for her. The demon feeds off
the strength provided by the Mark of Visceria.
If the demon enters her enough times, the
demon can take all her strength and kill her.
Paris stares wide-eyed at Wesley.
PARIS
Kill me?
(then)
How many possessions does it take?
WESLEY
It depends on the length of each of them.
It may be once or twice, or it may be six,
eight, ten times. Again, it depends
on how evil the demon is to begin with.
Paris turns her back to the three and runs her fingers through her hair. She turns and looks at Wesley.
PARIS
Just for the record…I am so not liking
this whole Receiver thing.
Off Paris.
DISSOLVE TO…
SCENE 8
INT - ANGEL’S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Paris is lying in bed staring up at the ceiling as Angel walks into the bedroom.
ANGEL
A penny for your thoughts.
PARIS
Huh?
ANGEL
You were a million miles away.
PARIS
Sorry.
Angel climbs into the bed and looks at Paris.
ANGEL
You were thinking about Darla,
weren’t you?
PARIS
(nods, then quietly)
Tell me about her.
ANGEL
Darla had been watching me for a while
before she changed me. One night I
saw her in this alley so I followed her.
I’d never really been out of Galway, so I
jumped at the chance when she offered
to show me the world.
PARIS
But it wasn’t the world you hoped
it would be?
ANGEL
No. She changed me and I killed
everyone in the village, including my family.
She urged me to kill, and the more I did,
the more I liked it and needed it.
Together we killed all throughout Europe on
and off for almost a hundred and fifty
years. Then one night, she brought
me this gypsy girl…
PARIS
(quietly)
And you were cursed with a soul.
ANGEL
Yeah. I didn’t see Darla again until
she showed up in Sunnydale about four
years ago. She set it up to make Buffy
think I was trying to kill her mother, so Buffy
would kill me. Darla tried to kill Buffy
but I killed her before she had the chance.
PARIS
Did you regret killing her?
ANGEL
Part of me did because she was my sire.
It’s the ultimate sin for a vampire to kill its sire.
PARIS
Did you love her?
ANGEL
A demon isn’t capable of love like humans are.
They form strong attachments to other demons
and go through the motions of a human
relationship, but it isn’t love in the true form.
PARIS
Kind of like Spike and Drusilla?
ANGEL
Yeah. A vampire and its sire will always
have a strong connection. Spike and Drusilla
have it. I had it with both Drusilla and Darla.
PARIS
But because you have a soul, you can
love like a human. Right?
ANGEL
Yeah.
PARIS
(hesitant)
And you loved Buffy?
ANGEL
(softly)
I loved her.
(looks at Paris)
But I love you now.
PARIS
It’s human love, right?
ANGEL
Yeah.
PARIS
Not demon love?
ANGEL
No.
Paris looks at him and smiles.
PARIS
I’m glad.
ANGEL
So am I.
Angel leans over and kisses her tenderly on the lips then lies back down. Paris rolls over and rests her head on his chest, draping her arm across his stomach. He laces his fingers with hers as he lightly strokes her hair.
PARIS
Angel?
ANGEL
Hmmm?
PARIS
If Darla possesses me again…
ANGEL
Cast her out as quickly as possible.
Darla has an evil mind. She likes playing
games, especially mind games. I’ve seen
her trick even the strongest of minds into
believing and thinking things that
aren’t true.
PARIS
Like she did with Buffy?
ANGEL
Yeah. Darla can appear innocent
and sweet and charming, but she’s one of
the most dangerous and calculating vampires
I’ve ever known. Once she’s in your
head, it’s hard to get her out.
PARIS
I won’t let her get into my head.
(looks up at Angel)
Not if I can help it.
Off Paris and Angel.
CUT TO…
SCENE 9
INT - ANGEL’S APARTMENT - DAY
Paris is in the bathroom fixing her hair when Angel pokes his head around the door.
ANGEL
I’m heading upstairs.
PARIS
Okay. I’ll be up in a couple of minutes.
Angel disappears as Paris clips her hair into place. She turns and walks out of the bathroom and through the bedroom towards the stairs. All of a sudden she stops, gasps and closes her eyes.
BLACK OUT
SCENE 10
INT - PARIS’ BODY - DIMLY LIT
PARIS’ POV – she looks around and sees a blonde woman step out of the shadows.
DARLA
(smiles)
Hello, Paris.
PARIS
(nervous)
What are you doing here, Darla?
DARLA
I want to talk to you.
PARIS
(firmly)
I don’t. Now leave.
DARLA
I’ll leave when I’m ready to leave, Paris.
Not one second sooner.
PARIS
Okay. Talk.
DARLA
Are you happy?
PARIS
(puzzled)
What?
DARLA
It’s a simple question. Are you happy?
PARIS
Happy to be talking to you? No.
DARLA
(smiles)
Are you happy with your life?
PARIS
Why?
DARLA
Because I know you’re not.
PARIS
Then why’d you ask?
Darla smiles then starts walking in a slow circle as she looks at Paris.
DARLA
You’ve never had one moment of
happiness in your life. Have you,
Paris? With the terrible murders of
both your real and adoptive parents…and
living in the middle of nowhere with no
friends…it must’ve been terribly lonely.
PARIS
(agitated)
Are you done?
DARLA
Did you really think you’d find happiness
here in Los Angeles? You won’t.
PARIS
(frowning)
What do you mean?
DARLA
Your life has been spinning out of control
from the moment you came here. You
find love for the first time and he turns
out to be a vampire. Have you really
dealt with that fact, Paris? And then
there’s Patrick who tortured you…who
still tortures you in your nightmares.
PARIS
(whimpers)
Stop.
DARLA
And who could forget my dear friend, Buffy?
Do you know why she tried to kill you, Paris?
So she could have her beloved Angel back.
Paris takes that in.
DARLA
And on top of all that, you’re The Chosen One.
The Receiver of Demons. And that’s something
you’ll never really understand. Is it?
PARIS
Get out of my head! Get out of me!
DARLA
I will, but first I want you to think about
something. Who’s the common denominator
that’s brought such unhappiness to your life?
(off Paris’ frown)
Let me give you a hint; five letters…starts
with ‘A’…ends in ‘L’. Think about
that, Paris. We’ll talk again soon.
Darla voluntarily moves towards the exit vortex.
HARD CUT TO…
SCENE 11
INT - ANGEL’S APARTMENT - DAY
Paris’ body lurches forward as Darla exits her. Shivering on slightly, Paris shuffles towards the stairs and sits down, head in hands.
PARIS
(whispers)
Oh, God.
Paris grabs two handfuls of hair then looks up as tears sting her eyes.
ANGEL (O.C)
Paris.
PARIS
I’ll be up in a moment.
Paris takes a deep breath then stands and moves up the stairs.
CUT TO…
SCENE 12
INT - WOLFRAM & HART - HOLLAND’S OFFICE - DAY
Darla opens her eyes and looks up at Lindsey, Lilah and Holland.
LINDSEY
Well?
Darla smiles.
HOLLAND
It went well?
DARLA
Yes. Soon I’ll have control.
LILAH
(impatiently)
How soon?
DARLA
Very. And then we shall have the things
we want most in this world.
HOLLAND
Does this girl pose as a threat?
DARLA
By the time I’m done with her, she won’t be
anything resembling a threat.
LINDSEY
You’re going to kill her?
DARLA
First I’ll drive her insane.
LILAH
And then you’ll kill her?
DARLA
No.
(then, smiles)
She’ll do that herself.
HOLLAND
And if Angel intervenes?
DARLA
Then we go to Plan B.
LINDSEY
Which is?
DARLA
Make her work for us.
Darla smiles knowingly at the three lawyers who look at each other questioningly.
CUT TO…
SCENE 13
INT - ANGEL INVESTIGATIONS - DAY
Paris emerges from the stairs and, without so much as glancing at Angel, walks quickly past his desk.
ANGEL
Are you okay?
PARIS
(firmly)
Fine.
ANGEL
You don’t look fine.
PARIS
(becoming agitated)
I said I’m fine.
ANGEL
(unsure)
O-kay.
(then)
Can you ask Wesley to come in here?
PARIS
(short)
Yeah.
Paris moves to the outer office and looks at Wesley who’s reading a book about revivification.
PARIS
He wants to see you, Wesley.
Wesley puts the book down, stands and moves into Angel’s office.
ANGEL
(to Wesley)
Close the door.
Wesley closes the door then sits down opposite Angel.
WESLEY
You look troubled.
ANGEL
I think Darla possessed Paris again.
WESLEY
Did she say anything?
ANGEL
No.
WESLEY
Then how do you –
ANGEL
(interrupts)
Call it a hunch. I know Darla and what
she’s capable of doing.
WESLEY
Which is?
ANGEL
The ability to get into people’s heads.
WESLEY
And you think that’s what Darla’s
doing to Paris?
ANGEL
I hope not.
WESLEY
But if she is…how do we get her out?
Off Angel’s grim face.
CUT TO…
SCENE 14
INT - ANGEL INVESTIGATIONS - LATE AFTERNOON
Paris stands behind Cordelia and watches her fill in the spaces of an invoice template on the computer screen.
PARIS
Okay. Now print it.
Cordelia clicks on the icon – the wrong icon – and the screen goes blank.
CORDELIA
Oops.
PARIS
(angrily)
Damn it, Cordelia!
CORDELIA
Sorry.
PARS
Can’t you do anything right?
Cordelia turns and looks up at Paris.
CORDELIA
What the hell is wrong with you today?
Paris shoves Cordelia aside…
CORDELIA
Hey!
… and starts typing. Cordelia sees the invoice pop up on the screen.
PARIS
There. Now do it right this time.
(nasty)
Do you think you can manage that?
CORDELIA
Hey. I was managing just fine until you
waltzed in here and changed everything.
PARIS
(nasty)
Do you call not being able to file or type or
use a computer managing?
Cordelia stands up and glares at Paris.
CORDELIA
Yes! Everything was fine until you
started working here!
PARIS
Fine, my ass!
Cordelia suddenly slaps Paris across the face.
PARIS
(hisses)
You bitch.
Paris slaps Cordelia across the face. As Cordelia grabs a handful of Paris’ hair, Angel and Wesley race out of Angel’s office.
ANGEL
Hey!
Angel grabs Paris’ arms and Wesley grabs Cordelia’s arms. The two men pull the ladies apart as they try to kick each other.
ANGEL
(demands)
What the hell’s going on here?
CORDELIA
(accusing)
She started it.
Paris struggles to free herself from Angel’s strong hold.
PARIS
That’s bull! You hit me first!
Cordelia tries to free herself from Wesley’s grasp.
Angel lifts Paris up with one arm, carries her into his office then slams the door.
CORDELIA
(struggling)
Let me go! Wesley!
Wesley lets Cordelia go and looks at her.
WESLEY
What on earth happened?
CORDELIA
(exasperated)
She went psycho on me is
what happened.
Off Cordelia.
CONTINUOUS…
SCENE 15
INT - ANGEL INVESTIGATIONS - LATE AFTERNOON
Angel is facing the door as Paris moves towards the stairs.
ANGEL
What’s wrong with you?
PARIS
Nothing.
Angel turns around and looks at her.
ANGEL
Then why were you and Cordelia
attacking each other?
PARIS
(pointing through the window)
She hit me first.
ANGEL
And you didn’t provoke her?
Paris is silent.
ANGEL
Did Darla possess you again?
Paris shifts uncomfortably, but remains silent as Angel steps towards her.
ANGEL
She did, didn’t she?
(Beat)
Do you remember what I told you last night?
That Darla likes playing mind games?
That once she gets in your head it’s
hard to get her out?
PARIS
She’s not in my head!
I will never let her get in my head!
ANGEL
(slowly approaches)
What did she tell you this morning?
PARIS
Nothing.
ANGEL
You can’t listen to anything she says, Paris.
PARIS
I won’t let her –
Paris gasps, closes her eyes and starts swaying slightly.
ANGEL
Paris!
Off Paris.
HARD CUT TO…
SCENE 16
INT - PARIS’ BODY - DIMLY LIT
Darla moves away from the entry vortex and towards Paris.
DARLA
(smiles)
Hello, again.
PARIS
(softly)
Hello, Darla.
DARLA
Have you thought about what I told you earlier?
PARIS
Yes. You were right.
DARLA
They’re not your friends, Paris. Not
Cordelia or Wesley or Angel. You can’t
trust them, especially Angel.
PARIS
Why not?
DARLA
Do you think they trust you? That they see
you as their friend? You’ve never had any
friends and you never will. You can’t trust
anybody, including yourself.
PARIS
(sadly)
I know.
Off Paris.
HARD CUT TO…
SCENE 17
INT - ANGEL INVESTIGATIONS - DUSK
Wesley and Cordelia stand inside the door and look at Paris who’s standing by the desk.
WESLEY
(to Angel)
She’s being possessed?
ANGEL
It’s Darla. I’m sure of it.
WESLEY
This is the second time –
ANGEL
Third. Darla did possess her this morning.
CORDELIA
Okay…this isn’t good.
WIDE - the three watch Paris.
HARD CUT TO…
SCENE 18
INT - PARIS’ BODY - DIMLY LIT
Darla is walking in a slow circle.
DARLA
Does Angel love you?
PARIS
He says he does.
DARLA
And does he mean it?
Or are the words hollow?
(Beat)
Angel’s never loved anyone but himself, Paris.
He doesn’t love you, and he never will.
PARIS
How do you –
DARLA
(interrupts)
Know? I was with him for 150 years and
not once did he say he loved me. We did
everything all lovers do, but you can’t.
Can you? You’ll never know true happiness
with him because if you do, he’ll lose that
filthy soul of his and turn back into
the Angelus I know and love.
PARIS
I know.
(Beat)
I know I can’t…won’t be happy with him.
DARLA
You can’t trust him or anything he
says or does.
PARIS
I know.
Darla stands in front of Paris and places her hands on her shoulders.
DARLA
Am I your friend, Paris?
Do you trust me?
PARIS
Yes.
DARLA
When I leave, go downstairs. There’s
something in the top drawer of the bureau.
Take it and go some place high above
this city.
PARIS
What do I do?
DARLA
(assures)
You’ll know what to do, Paris.
Darla moves towards the exit vortex.
PARIS
Darla.
DARLA
(turning)
Yes?
PARIS
Will you be there?
Off Darla just before she answers.
HARD CUT TO…
SCENE 19
INT - ANGEL INVESTIGATIONS - DUSK
Paris’ body lurches forward then she opens her eyes and looks at Angel, Wesley and Cordelia.
ANGEL
(softly)
Paris.
As Angel takes a step forward, Paris takes a quick step back.
PARIS
(holds up a shaky hand)
Stay away from me. All of you
CORDELIA
We want to help you.
PARIS
I don’t want your help.
Just leave me the hell alone!
Paris turns quickly and moves towards the stairs. Angel starts to follow her.
WESLEY
Let her go, Angel.
Angel stops and watches Paris disappear down the stairwell. He turns and looks at Wesley.
ANGEL
(grim)
She’s in her.
CORDELIA
Who?
ANGEL
Darla.
CORDELIA
But we all saw the demon leave her.
Didn’t we?
ANGEL
(dark)
Darla left her body, but not her mind.
WESLEY
That’s what you feared would happen.
CORDELIA
How do you know it’s Darla?
I mean, couldn’t it be some other demon?
ANGEL
I could sense her. Her hold on Paris is
strong enough that I could sense her.
(Beat)
We have to kill her.
CORDELIA
Kill her?! That’s a little extreme, isn’t it?
I mean, yeah, she went all psycho on me
earlier, but that’s no reason to kill her.
WESLEY
(to Cordelia)
I think Angel meant Darla.
CORDELIA
Oh. Good.
WESLEY
(to Angel)
But we don’t know where she is.
ANGEL
I think Paris does.
WESLEY
You want to use Paris to get to Darla?
ANGEL
It may be our only chance of finding her.
CORDELIA
There’s no way Paris will do it. I mean,
you saw her just now. It’s like she
sees us as the enemy.
ANGEL
We are…in Darla’s eyes.
GUY (O.C)
Hey! Hello! Is anyone –
A scruffy looking guy in his twenties quickly appears in the doorway.
GUY
There’s some woman up on your roof.
Looks like she’s gonna jump.
Angel moves quickly, almost knocking the messenger down as he races out the door.
BLACK OUT
SCENE 20
EXT - THE ROOF - TWILIGHT
Paris is standing on a raised ledge on the roof. She looks out over the city, seemingly at peace, a faint smile on her lips.
PARIS
(softly)
Darla? Are you here?
DARLA (V.O)
I’m here, Paris.
You know what you have to do?
PARIS
(softly)
Yes.
DARLA (V.O)
You have no reason to stay in this
world, Paris. No friends. No trust.
No love. You have nothing.
PARIS
(whispers)
I know.
Paris looks over her shoulder when she hears the roof door slam open. She sees Angel burst through it. He stops quickly and looks at her.
ANGEL
(quickly)
Paris.
PARIS
(turns around)
Stay away from me!
ANGEL
(firmly)
Don’t do this.
DARLA (V.O)
Do it.
PARIS
I have to.
PARIS’ POV – she sees Wesley and Cordelia appear behind Angel.
CORDELIA
(shocked)
Paris.
PARIS
(holds up hand)
Stay away from me. All of you,
stay the hell away from me.
ANGEL
Paris, come down from there.
PARIS
(defiant)
No.
DARLA (V.O)
(softly)
He’s the source of all that’s happened
in your life, Paris.
WESLEY
Paris, come down. Please.
PARIS
No.
DARLA (V.O)
(softly)
All your sadness.
ANGEL
Paris, I can’t help you unless you come
down from there.
DARLA (V.O)
(softly)
All your loneliness.
PARIS
I don’t need your help.
DARLA (V.O)
(softly)
All your pain.
ANGEL
Please, Paris.
DARLA (V.O)
(softly)
Everything.
PARIS
I have to do this.
DARLA (V.O)
(softly)
Yes, you do, Paris.
Paris takes out a handgun that she’s had her hand on from her coat pocket and raises it to the side of her head.
CORDELIA (O.C)
(scared)
Oh God, no.
Paris presses the muzzle against her left temple and stares at Angel through cold eyes.
DARLA (V.O)
That’s it, Paris.
ANGEL
(desperate)
Paris, don’t do this.
PARIS
(angrily to Angel)
You’re to blame for this.
ANGEL
(puzzled)
For what?
PARIS
(angrily)
Everything!
DARLA (V.O)
(softly)
He’ll never love you.
PARIS
(clenched teeth / angry)
Everything that’s happened in my life
is because of you!
DARLA (V.O)
(softly)
He’ll never mourn for you.
ANGEL
That’s not true, Paris.
Now put the gun down.
WESLEY
(begs)
Paris, listen to him.
PARIS
No!
Paris moves the gun away from her head long enough to cock it then returns it to her temple, her finger on the trigger.
CORDELIA
(shakily / hands to mouth)
Oh, God.
WESLEY
(low)
Angel.
DARLA (V.O)
Pull the trigger, Paris.
ANGEL
Put the gun down, Paris.
PARIS
No! I have to die!
ANGEL
(firmly)
No, you don’t.
DARLA (V.O)
Do it, Paris. Pull the trigger.
Paris squeezes the trigger slightly.
DARLA (V.O)
That’s it.
ANGEL
Paris!
Paris smiles at Angel as she squeezes the trigger gently.
CORDELIA & WESLEY
No!
Using his vampiric speed, Angel moves towards Paris. He pushes the gun away from her head and it fires into the air just behind her. The gun drops to the street below.
DARLA (V.O)
No!
As Paris loses her balance, Angel grabs her right hand and left leg and pulls her roughly off the ledge.
PARIS
No!
Paris lands heavily on top of Angel and she looks down at him. She starts hitting him in the face and pounding on his chest (he lets her do this). Suddenly she gets to her feet, pushes past Cordelia and Wesley then races down the stairs.
Wesley turns to go after her.
ANGEL (O.C)
(strained)
Let her go.
Wesley and Cordelia look at Angel as he gets to his feet, a grave look on his face.
DISSOLVE TO…
SCENE 21
INT - WOLFRAM & HART - LINDSEY’S OFFICE - NIGHT
Lindsey paces behind Darla as she sits at his desk.
LINDSEY
You failed, Darla. They should be scraping
her off the sidewalk right now.
DARLA
(off handedly)
So Plan A didn’t go quite as I’d hoped.
We still have Plan B.
LILAH
You get her to work for us?
DARLA
Hmmm.
LINDSEY
And how do you propose to do that?
DARLA
Leave it to me.
LINDSEY
We already tried that and you failed.
DARLA
I won’t fail this time, Lindsey.
LILAH
If you do, we may have to send you back
to where you came from.
DARLA
That won’t be necessary.
Paris will come to me.
(stands up)
And she’ll bring us what we want.
Off Darla.
CUT TO…
SCENE 22
INT - ANGEL INVESTIGATIONS - NIGHT
Angel is seated behind his desk looking drained. Cordelia and Wesley are seated across from him.
WESLEY
(low)
I didn’t know Paris owned a gun.
ANGEL
(low)
She doesn’t.
CORDELIA
Then where’d she get it? Did she wave
a magic wand and poof, there it was?
ANGEL
Darla.
WESLEY
Darla?
ANGEL
She must’ve left it for her.
CORDELIA
(stunned)
Darla wanted Paris to kill herself?
ANGEL
Yeah.
WESLEY
But why?
ANGEL
(dark)
To get to me.
WESLEY
Well, given that Paris is still very much
alive, what will Darla do next?
ANGEL
Go to Plan B.
CORDELIA
Which is?
ANGEL
(admits)
I don’t know.
CORDELIA
Will she try and kill Paris herself?
ANGEL
Not right away.
(Beat)
Darla will kill her slowly…kill her softly.
WESLEY
How?
ANGEL
With her words. By staying in her head.
CORDELIA
What are you saying, Angel?
That Paris hears Darla in her head?
ANGEL
That’s exactly what I’m saying.
WESLEY
And Darla doesn’t need to possess Paris’
body in order to do that?
ANGEL
Darla’s already in her, Wes.
Just not in ‘The Receiver’ kind of way.
CORDELIA
So, what are you saying?
Paris is…is…Darla?
ANGEL
Something like that, yeah.
CORDELIA
Well, how do we get Paris back to
being Paris?
ANGEL
By killing Darla.
WESLEY
And if we can’t?
Angel looks up at Wesley and Cordelia, a look of dread in his eyes.
WESLEY
Paris will be lost to us forever?
Angel looks down, wishing he hadn’t heard Wesley’s words.
ANGEL
(whispers)
Yeah.
CORDELIA
(to Angel)
You said that the only way to find Darla is
through Paris. How do we do that?
ANGEL
(grim)
I wish I knew.
Off Angel.
DISSOLVE TO…
SCENE 23
INT - ANGEL’S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Angel stands by the bedroom door and sees Paris sleeping in the bed. He slowly backs out of the room and sits down on the sofa by the kitchen, head in hands.
CUT TO…
SCENE 24
INT - A HOUSE - DUBLIN - 1754 - NIGHT
Angelus is sitting on a chair as Darla stands behind him, her hands resting on his broad shoulders.
DARLA
What are you thinking?
ANGELUS
I’m thinking about how alike we are.
How close we’ve become in such a Bshort time. That when we’re apart,
I still feel you near me.
DARLA
Like I’m a part of you?
ANGELUS
Yes.
DARLA
I am a part of you, dear boy.
I will always be a part of you.
Nothing will ever change that.
ANGELUS
I hear your voice sometimes. But when
I turn to look for you, you’re not there.
DARLA
We have a connection, Angelus.
(places her hands on his head)
You hear me in your head just as
I hear you.
ANGELUS
But that’s not normal. Is it?
DARLA
No, it isn’t. I’ve sired many in my time,
but, Precious, you’re the first I’ve ever felt
this close to. It’s like we are one.
Off Angelus.
HARD CUT TO…
SCENE 25
INT - ANGEL’S APARTMENT - DAY
Angel awakens and sits up on the sofa.
PARIS (O.C)
(softly)
I’m sorry.
Angel frowns as he gets up off the sofa and walks to the bedroom door.
PARIS
I couldn’t stop him.
(listens)
I know. I’m sorry.
Do you want me to try again?
(listens)
(curious)
What is it?
(listens)
Two things? Tell me what they are.
(listens)
The scrolls?
(listens)
I know.
(listens)
Okay. What’s the second thing?
(listens)
Angel?
(listens)
Angelus? But how?
(listens)
(nervously)
But I can’t.
(listens)
(surprised)
He is?
(listens)
When?
(listens)
Where do you want me to go?
(listens)
I will?
(listens)
I trust you, Darla.
(listens)
Angel moves into the bedroom and sits down on the bed.
ANGEL
Paris, let me speak to her.
PARIS
(listens then looks at him)
She doesn’t want to talk to you.
ANGEL
Paris, let me speak to Darla.
PARIS
(like Darla)
Hello, Precious.
ANGEL
Darla.
PARIS
How long’s it been? Four years?
ANGEL
Give or take.
PARIS
Hmmm. Have you missed me?
ANGEL
(deadpan)
Like a stake in the heart.
Paris laughs softly like Darla.
PARIS
And we wouldn’t want anything to happen
to it while it stinks of love. Would we?
ANGEL
What are you up to, Darla?
PARIS
(innocently)
Nothing.
ANGEL
Why don’t I believe you?
PARIS
Maybe you’ve become pessimistic in your
old age. Tell me, Precious.
How’s the Slayer these days?
ANGEL
Fine.
PARIS
I still can’t believe you chose her over
your own mother.
ANGEL
You’re not my mother.
PARIS
I became your mother the moment you
drank your own.
ANGEL
You’re not my mother, Darla.
Get over it.
PARIS
Tell me something, Angelus.
Would you kill me to save Paris?
ANGEL
In a heartbeat.
PARIS
But isn’t there a part of you that wants to
taste her; drink her.
ANGEL
No.
PARIS
(smiles)
You’re lying. You never could lie
to me, Precious.
ANGEL
(adamantly)
I’ll never drink her, Darla.
PARIS
Maybe not today or tomorrow, but you will.
Sooner or later, you’ll drink her.
Just like you did the Slayer.
(off Angel’s wince)
Ooh…I see I’ve hit a nerve. That’s good.
It’s still in you, Precious. The hunger…
the overwhelming desire for warm, sweet
blood. The sensation you feel when you
take a life human. You know it’s still
in you, don’t you?
ANGEL
(whispers)
Yes.
PARIS
Good.
(then, normal voice)
Yes?
(listens)
I’ll be there.
Darla leaves Paris’ head. She blinks then looks at Angel’s concerned face.
ANGEL
Are you okay?
PARIS
(smiles)
Fine.
Paris gets up off the bed and goes into the bathroom.
CUT TO…
SCENE 26
INT - ANGEL INVESTIGATIONS - DAY
Wesley walks into the office. Cordelia is standing at the filing cabinet and glances over her shoulder at him.
CORDELIA
Hey.
WESLEY
Morning. Is Angel up yet?
CORDELIA
Yeah, but he’s in a real weird mood.
WESLEY
How so?
CORDELIA
Beats me. I tried asking him what
was up, but all I got was a couple of
grunts and a hmmm.
WESLEY
I’ll see if I can get some actual
words out of him.
Wesley walks into Angel’s office and sees the vampire looking at the scrolls.
WESLEY
Trying to translate anything in particular?
ANGEL
No.
WESLEY
I’ve not seen you take an interest in the scrolls
recently. Why the sudden interest now?
ANGEL
Darla wants Paris to bring her the scrolls.
WESLEY
Paris saw Darla?
ANGEL
(taps his temple)
In her head.
WESLEY
How is she this morning?
ANGEL
Fine. It’s like last night never happened.
WESLEY
She doesn’t remember?
ANGEL
(low)
She remembers.
(then)
The scrolls aren’t the only thing Darla
wants. She wants me.
(corrects himself)
I mean, Angelus.
WESLEY
When?
ANGEL
I’m guessing tonight.
WESLEY
What are you going to do?
ANGEL
Give Darla exactly what she wants.
CORDELIA (O.C)
(exasperated)
Are you out of what’s left of
your mind?
ANGEL
I know what I’m doing, Cordelia.
But I’m going to need both of you to
help me do this.
Cordelia and Wesley look at each other then at Angel.
BLACK OUT
SCENE 27
INT - ANGEL’S APARTMENT - DAY
Angel comes down the stairs, moves into the living room and puts the scrolls in the weapons cabinet. HEAR the kettle whistle noisily. Angel moves into the kitchen to turn it off as Paris emerges from the bedroom.
ANGEL
I’ve got it.
Angel takes the kettle off the stove.
ANGEL
(over his shoulder)
Were you having tea?
PARIS
Yeah.
ANGEL
Go sit down and I’ll bring it in.
As Angel takes two cups from the overhead shelf, Paris moves into the living room. She sits down at the far end of the couch and waits.
Angel emerges from the kitchen and hands Paris one of the steaming cups.
PARIS
Thanks.
She blows into the cup then takes a small sip.
PARIS
(hesitantly)
Sorry about last night.
I…I wasn’t myself.
ANGEL
No, you weren’t.
(takes a sip of tea)
I have days when I don’t feel like myself
either. Today being one of them.
PARIS
So you understand?
ANGEL
More than you know.
He watches Paris blow on her tea again and take several more sips.
ANGEL
Are you going to go upstairs today?
PARIS
(shakes head slowly)
I don’t exactly feel up to facing Cordelia
and Wesley after yesterday.
ANGEL
They’re worried about you, especially
after last night.
PARIS
I must’ve scared them half to death.
ANGEL
Yeah, you did.
(beat)
You scared me, too.
Paris drinks some more tea.
PARIS
(facing him)
Do you love me?
ANGEL
(taken aback)
Yeah.
PARIS
Do you really?
ANGEL
Yeah. Of course.
(beat)
Are you doubting my feelings for you?
PARIS
No.
ANGEL
That’s what it sounds like.
Paris finishes her tea then puts the cup on the coffee table. Angel puts his cup down then takes Paris’ hand in his.
ANGEL
If you have any doubts about how I feel
about you, then tell me after this.
Angel leans forward and kisses Paris full on the lips for a few moments. He pulls away from her and looks at her.
ANGEL
Any doubts now?
Paris shakes her head then moves forward and kisses him back more passionately. When they part, Angel stands up and extends his hand.
ANGEL
(softly)
Come with me.
Paris takes his hand and slowly gets to her feet. Her legs are wobbly and Angel catches her before she collapses. He scoops her up in his arms and looks at her.
ANGEL
It must’ve been the…
Paris pulls his head towards hers and kisses him on the mouth. He carries her into the bedroom then lays her down on the bed. He climbs on top of her and kisses her passionately.
TIME CUT TO…
SCENE 28
INT - ANGEL’S APARTMENT - NIGHT
CLOSE UP of Paris sleeping in a messed up bed. She slowly wakes up and looks around the room. Her eyes widen and she moves quickly to the far edge of the bed.
ANGELUS (O.C)
Hello, Paris.
PARIS’ POV – she stares at Angel who is wearing nothing but a pair of black pants and shoes. He is leaning with his back against the closet door.
PARIS (O.C)
(small)
Angel?
ANGELUS
(smiles)
Actually, it’s Angelus.
PARIS
(shocked)
Oh, God. I…we…
ANGELUS
Did it? ‘Fraid so. Though I thought
you’d be a little happier to see me. At
least that's the impression I got earlier.
Paris looks towards the stairs that lead up to the office. Angelus follows her gaze.
ANGELUS
There’s no-one up there, so don’t
bother looking.
PARIS
(nervous)
Where are they?
ANGELUS
They’re in a better place now.
PARIS
(shocked)
You…you killed Wesley and Cordelia?
Angelus laughs softly.
PARIS
(hand to forehead)
Oh, God. This can’t be happening.
ANGELUS
(smiling)
Oh, but it is, Paris.
Angelus takes several steps forward as Paris gets off the bed and stands with her back pressed against the brick wall.
PARIS
(scared)
You’re going to kill me, aren’t you?
ANGELUS
(nonchalantly)
That’s the plan…yeah.
Angelus moves to the end of the bed as Paris tries to move into the bathroom. He quickly grabs her arm and slams her up against the bathroom door. He leans in so his face is within inches of hers.
ANGELUS
(harshly)
Give me one good reason why I
shouldn’t kill you right now.
PARIS’ POV – She looks into Angelus’ brown eyes and sees nothing.
PARIS
(nervously)
There’s…there’s someone who wants to
see you.
ANGELUS
Really? And who might that be?
PARIS
Darla.
ANGELUS
Darla’s dead.
PARIS
(shaking her head)
No, she’s not.
ANGELUS
She’s alive?
PARIS
Yes. She wants to see you.
ANGELUS
(upbeat)
Well, then. Let’s go see her, shall we?
Angelus steps back then looks at Paris
ANGELUS
Though you may want to consider
putting some clothes on first.
Paris looks down at the shirt she is wearing. She moves past the vampire and goes to the closet. She hastily puts on a pair of jeans and running shoes.
ANGELUS
Let’s not keep Darla waiting.
PARIS
I have to get something first.
Paris moves quickly out of the bedroom to the living. As Angelus slips into a black silk shirt, Paris opens the weapons cabinet and removes the scrolls.
ANGELUS
(impatiently)
Can we go already?
PARIS
Yeah.
Angelus and Paris move to the sliding door.
DISSOLVE TO…
SCENE 29
EXT - A PARK - NIGHT
With Angelus driving, he parks the black Plymouth convertible across two parking spaces. As he and Paris get out of the car, Angelus surveys his surroundings.
ANGELUS
(impatiently)
You said she’d be here.
PARIS
Follow me.
Paris leads Angelus past a playground and along a path to a number of trees and bushes. Paris stops and so does Angelus when they see a figure appear from behind a large bush. The figure stands still.
PARIS
Darla?
DARLA
(softly)
Yes, Paris. It’s me.
Darla steps into the light.
ANGELUS
(softly)
Darla.
DARLA
(smiles)
Hello, Precious.
ANGELUS
You look good for someone who’s
supposed to be dead. Sorry about that.
DARLA
(shrugs)
I’m over it.
(to Paris)
Did you bring what I asked?
PARIS
Yes.
Paris reaches behind her and takes the scrolls from her rear waistband, then hands the canister to Darla.
DARLA
You’ve done well, Paris.
PARIS
Thank you.
DARLA
I told you he…
(glances at Angelus)
…was good, didn’t I?
PARIS
(unsure)
Most of it’s a blur.
DARLA
(smiles)
I used to feel that way, too.
(to Angelus)
Didn’t I, Precious?
Angelus smiles as Darla takes a step towards him. He grabs her arm and pulls her roughly towards him. Their mouths meet in a hungry and seemingly passionate kiss. When they part, Darla looks at Paris then at Angelus.
DARLA
Shall we kill her now or later?
ANGELUS
I was thinking now.
PARIS
(stunned)
What?
Angelus VAMPS OUT, looks at Paris and smiles. She stares up at him wide-eyed.
PARIS
(small / scared)
No.
(desperately / to Darla)
You’re my friend.
You can’t let him do this.
Angelus grabs Paris’ arm and jerks her towards him.
DARLA
You were my friend until you brought
me the things I wanted. Now that I
have them, you’re of no use to me now.
PARIS
(confused)
What? No.
ANGELUS
(impatient / to Darla)
Can I drink her now?
DARLA
Just make sure you leave some for me.
Angelus bares his fangs and pulls Paris’ head hard to one side. Just as he is about to sink his fangs into Paris’ neck, a wooden bolt enters his right shoulder. He growls and turns to look at who fired the arrow as he pushes Paris to the ground.
ANGELUS’ POV – Wesley is holding a crossbow and Cordelia a fighting axe as they approach cautiously.
WESLEY
Paris. Come here!
Paris looks at Wesley and Cordelia then at Angel and Darla, confusion on her face.
CORDELIA (O.C)
Now, Paris!
Paris scrambles to her feet and races towards to Cordelia and Wesley. She stands next to Cordelia.
PARIS
He…he told me he killed you.
CORDELIA
Yeah, well, he tried.
PARIS’ POV – Angelus is standing protectively in front of Darla.
WESLEY
Let’s go.
The three move slowly backwards as they keep their eyes on the two vampires.
Angelus looks at Darla as he reaches over his shoulder, pulls out the bolt and drops it to the ground.
DARLA
You should’ve taken care of them
before you came here.
ANGELUS
(shrugs)
What can I say? It’s been a while.
I’m rusty.
Angelus hears noises in the bushes then sees Lindsey McDonald and Lilah Morgan step out of the darkness.
LINDSEY
Well, well, well. If it isn’t the
big bad Angelus.
ANGELUS
Grrr.
LILAH
(holds up hand)
Take it easy, big boy.
LINDSEY
(to Darla)
Where are the scrolls?
DARLA
Here.
(handing them over)
I don’t need them when everything
I want is right here.
Darla runs her hand up and down Angelus’ chest.
LILAH
I’m sure the two of you will be very
happy together.
ANGEL
I wouldn’t be so sure.
Angel drops the façade and MORPHS BACK. Darla stares at him as he pushes her away.
DARLA
(horrified)
No. That filthy soul is still in you?
LINDSEY
(hushed / to Lilah)
I think we’ll let them talk in private.
LILAH
(low)
I was just thinking that very thing.
Lindsey and Lilah disappear back into the bushes as Darla stares at Angel.
DARLA
(angrily)
That little bitch lied to me.
ANGEL
I want to make a deal with you, Darla.
DARLA
(spits)
I don’t make deals. Remember?
ANGEL
You’ll want to make this one. You stay
out of Paris’ head and body forever, and
I’ll let you walk away right now.
DARLA
(disdainfully)
You won’t kill me.
ANGEL
I did it once, Darla.
DARLA
You wouldn’t dare.
ANGEL
Wouldn’t I?
Using his vampiric speed, he bends down and picks up the wooden bolt. He looks at Darla as he twirls the bolt in his fingers.
ANGEL
I’m waiting, Darla.
DARLA
Alright. You let me walk and I’ll leave
her alone…for a while anyway.
ANGEL
Forever, Darla.
DARLA
No.
Angel raises the bolt and begins to arc it downwards.
DARLA
Alright!
ANGEL
(lowering the bolt)
Good.
DARLA
(bitterly)
You’re going to pay for this.
ANGEL
I’m sure I will.
(then)
Good to see you again, Darla.
Angel turns and uses his vampiric speed to disappear into the darkness.
CUT TO…
SCENE 30
INT - ANGEL INVESTIGATIONS - NIGHT
Cordelia and Wesley get up off the office couch as Angel walks in.
WESLEY
What happened?
CORDELIA
Did you turn her into dust like last time?
ANGEL
I let her go.
CORDELIA
Excuse me? But I thought I just heard
you say you let her go.
WESLEY
(curious)
Why?
ANGEL
Because she’s planning something and I
want to know what it is.
CORDELIA
(exasperated)
Well, maybe you can ask her the next
time she’s in Paris’ head!
ANGEL
There won’t be a next time.
At least, not for a while anyway.
WESLEY
And you know this because…
ANGEL
I made a deal with her.
CORDELIA
(sceptically)
You made a deal? With Darla?
ANGEL
Darla stays away from Paris and I
let her live.
WESLEY
And what makes you think Darla will live
up to her end of the deal?
ANGEL
Because she knows I’ll kill her if she doesn’t.
Angel peers into his office and sees it’s empty.
CORDELIA
She’s downstairs.
ANGEL
(low)
How is she?
CORDELIA
Oh, she’ll be fine after thirty of forty
years of therapy!
WESLEY
She’s one very confused girl, Angel.
CORDELIA
Can you say ‘understatement’, Wesley?
(to Angel)
She’s completely bonkers. Darla really did
a number on her head, Angel.
WESLEY
And I’m sure that pretending to be Angelus
didn’t exactly help the situation.
Angel is stung by that remark.
ANGEL
Why don’t you two go home?
I’ll see you in the morning.
WESLEY
Are you sure?
ANGEL
Yeah. Go.
Wesley and Cordelia start for the door.
ANGEL
Guys.
The two stop and look at their boss.
ANGEL
Your timing and…
(to Wesley)
…aim tonight were impeccable.
Thanks.
CORDELIA
Hey, what are friends for?
WESLEY
Goodnight, Angel.
ANGEL
Night.
Angel watches his friends leave then moves into his office.
CUT TO…
SCENE 31
INT - WOLFRAM & HART - HOLLAND’S OFFICE - NIGHT
Holland Manners looks up from several files as Lindsey and Lilah enter his office.
HOLLAND
(expectantly)
Well?
LINDSEY
(smiling)
We got them.
Lindsey passes the canister to Holland before he and Lilah sit down.
HOLLAND
And Darla?
LILAH
(insincerely)
She’s probably off sulking
somewhere…or dead.
Holland looks to Lindsey for an explanation.
LINDSEY
Darla’s part of the plan did not quite
go…well…according to plan.
Holland opens the canister and pulls out the scrolls. He unrolls them carefully then looks up at the two lawyers.
HOLLAND
(peeved)
Is this meant to be a joke?
LINDSEY
(puzzled)
Sir?
Holland tosses the pages across his desk and Lindsey looks at them.
LINDSEY’S POV / CLOSE UP - of a message reading: "Better luck next time, Lindsey. Tell Darla I’m thinking of her. Angel."
LINDSEY
(softly)
Son of a bitch.
Lindsey slowly screws up the paper and clutches the wad tightly in his left hand as he gets to his feet.
LINDSEY
(angrily)
Son of a bitch!
He hurls the paper wad across the room where it hits the window.
BLACK OUT
SCENE 32
INT - ANGEL’S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Angel comes down the stairs and sees Paris sitting on the sofa by the kitchen. Her shoulders are hunched, arms wrapped around her stomach. She is rocking slowly back and forth. Angel takes several steps towards her.
ANGEL
(softly)
Paris.
PARIS
(low)
Stay away from me.
ANGEL
(gently)
I just want to talk to you.
I won’t hurt you.
PARIS
(exasperated)
You were going to kill me!
ANGEL
It was all an act, Paris. I pretended
to be Angelus so I could draw Darla out.
PARIS
But we had sex! You lost your soul!
ANGEL
No, Paris. I drugged you to make you
believe that.
PARIS
(horrified)
You drugged me?
ANGEL
I’m sorry, Paris. More than you know.
I never wanted you to see that side of me.
PARIS
(bitterly)
Darla said I couldn’t trust you.
ANGEL
She’s the one you can’t trust, Paris.
PARIS
Darla’s my friend.
ANGEL
No, she’s not. She’s nobody’s friend.
PARIS
She’s your friend. You kissed her.
ANGEL
I kissed her so she would believe
I was Angelus.
PARIS
(insists)
But you love her.
ANGEL
(moving forward)
No, I don’t.
PARIS
She said you don’t love me, so you
must love her.
Angel crouches down in front of Paris and looks up at her.
ANGEL
Paris, I don’t love Darla.
I never have.
PARIS
You’re lying!
Paris grabs two handfuls of hair and continues rocking slowly back and forth.
ANGEL
(slow / soft)
What kind of crap did she fill
your head with?
PARIS
Tell me he’s lying, Darla.
Tell me it’s not true.
ANGEL
(gently)
Darla’s not here, Paris.
PARIS
(desperate / looking around)
Where is she? I need to talk to her.
Where is she?
ANGEL
(gently)
She went away for a while.
PARIS
Away? Why didn’t she tell me?
(small / hopeful)
Darla?
(then to Angel)
Why didn’t you go with her?
Angel gently places his hands on Paris’ knees.
ANGEL
Because I don’t love Darla.
I love you.
PARIS
(shakes head vehemently)
No, you don’t.
ANGEL
(insists)
Yes, I do.
PARIS
You don’t love me. No-one loves me.
Except Darla.
ANGEL
You have people who love and care for you.
But Darla is not one of them.
You have friends you can trust, Paris.
Paris is crying, clearly confused as to what to believe.
ANGEL
Paris, I love you. Not Darla. You.Paris looks at him as tears stream down her face then she looks around the apartment.
PARIS
(small / hopeful)
Darla? Come back.
ANGEL
Darla’s gone, Paris.
PARIS
(adamantly)
No. She’ll come back.
She’s my friend. She’ll come back.
Angel stands and lowers his head.
ANGEL
(softly)
Damn you, Darla.
Angel reaches for Paris’ hand but she pulls away.
PARIS
She’ll come back. She always does.
Off Angel’s helpless face…
FADE TO BLACK
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