CORDELIA: Angel?

ANGELUS: I'm so sorry.

LORNE: It worked!

CONNOR: Did it?

ANGELUS: Fred.

FRED: What?

ANGELUS: You came down the stairs. You had blood, and I grabbed you.

FRED: I'm fine.

CORDELIA: The spell, it worked. I feel it.

WESLEY: We have to be sure.

GUNN: Get Lorne to read him.

WESLEY: Angel, are you aware of what's happened?

ANGELUS: I'm back. There's, uh, something else. Something worse—worse than the—

WESLEY: The Beast, yes. And we need your help to fight it, but first you have to sing for Lorne—

ANGELUS: I, uh...

WESLEY: To prove it's really you.

ANGELUS: Oh, right. (clears throat, sings) Raindrops keep falling on my head...do do do do... Just...

LORNE: (smiles) Oh yes. Yes! Sweet fancy B.J. Thomas, it's him. It's Angel.

GUNN: You sure?

LORNE: Yes, yes! The aura has totally changed, and the vibe screams soul! Ha ha! Oh, bless you and your beautiful land line to the PTB, honey! (embraces Cordelia) Mwa!

CONNOR: He's back.

FRED: Then we can let him out.

ANGELUS: No. I'm staying in here. I'm doing what's best for the group.

CORDELIA: Since when is locking up the leader what's best for the group?

ANGELUS: Since when does your vision come with a guarantee? For all we know, this spell is only temporary, and God forbid... I can give orders from down in here. And the new ones are: no more back-biting, fist-fighting, fraternizing, or vengeance. From now on, you focus on one thing: making it out alive. 'Cause I'm only going to say this once: what Angelus told you was a lie. I haven't and will never give up on you. We'll get through this thing. Together.

LILAH: (amused) I can't believe we didn't crush you people years ago.

ANGELUS: Wes, you and Fred get back to Lilah's books. We need any new information we can on this new player. Lilah, make some coffee. Earn your keep around here. (Wes, Fred, and Lilah go upstairs) Lorne, I want you out working low-pro real estate. If this thing is bigger than the Beast, it's gonna be laying down roots. And it'll need square footage.

LORNE: Good to have you back, boss.

(walks upstairs)

ANGELUS: In the mean time, Connor, Gunn, work damage control. Sweep the surrounding blocks for civilians. Save who you can. Connor, it's me.

CONNOR: I know.

(walks upstairs after Gunn)

ANGELUS: Cordy...

CORDELIA: No.

ANGELUS: I didn't say anything.

CORDELIA: True, but I thought I should tell you upfront that I don't take orders from guys too scared to step out of their cages.

ANGELUS: I made the right call. This way, everybody stays safe.

CORDELIA: And you don't have to look anyone in the eyes. Bonus.

ANGELUS: I hate that you saw me like that.

CORDELIA: Guess it's only fair. Angelus said you saw me at one of my not-most-shining moments. Besides, you're not him. You think we don't get that, but we do.

ANGELUS: What if— Wh-what if the spell doesn't last?

CORDELIA: The Powers need a champion, Angel. And obviously they need one pretty bad the way things are going. Who knows, you might even be their only hope, Obi-Wan.

ANGELUS: (smiles) So, how do I go up there?

CORDELIA: Easy. Leave him and what you did inside the cage. (unlocks his cage, opens the door; Angel walks out) You're not Angelus.

(takes his hand)

ANGELUS: (in vamp face, Angelus grins and pulls Cordy up to him violently) Guess again!

(Cordelia locks herself in the cage, but Angelus manages to knock her out anyway)

ANGELUS: (points at her) Stay down!

(upstairs)

ANGELUS: Sorry if I scared you.

FRED: Angel... I thought—

ANGELUS: Cordy let me out. Actually, I—I asked her to be let out. You know what? Never mind.

(turns to go)

FRED: No, wait. I'm the one who's sorry. After everything you've been through, I...

ANGELUS: It has been a little rough.

FRED: On all of us. The stress is—

ANGELUS: I know I could use a drink. (Fred looks at him, wide-eyed and frozen) Now, you see? That's what I was afraid of. For the rest of your life, you'll only see this evil thing.

FRED: You're my friend, Angel. Past is past, and done is done.

ANGELUS: (smiles) Thanks, Fred. Can I get a hug?

(They hear something crash in the lobby, and they both turn to look. When Fred looks back at Angel, he's gone. in the Lobby, we see that Lilah's dropped the coffee)

LILAH: It's my inner megalomaniac. I, uh, rebel at serving coffee.

WESLEY: Angel, I thought you were confined—

ANGELUS: Change in plans. Cordy actually talked me out of staying down there. Now, I've got my own mission.

CONNOR: Which is...?

ANGELUS: Too dangerous, son. I'm afraid you can't go with me. (stands by the door, pauses, then overdramatically) I have to go save the world. (leaves)

FRED: So, has anyone seen Cordy?

(Pan over to show Cordelia on the monitor, passed out in Angelus's cage. )

• Angel & Fred
• Cordelia & Angel
• the life & times of Angelus

written by: Jeffrey Bell & Steven S. DeKnight & Mere Smith; Original transcript by CariCranberry. Edited and formatted for this site by me.. Full transcript at:
http://www.buffyworld.com/angel/season4/transcripts/78_tran.php