NEWSCASTER: A series of earthquakes and what authorities are now calling meteor showers have ravaged the southland tonight, igniting fires and explosions throughout the L.A. basin. As fire and rescue teams assess the ongoing threat, government officials are asking people to stay in their homes and off the streets.

FRED: (to phone) This is Fred. No, that's right. Yes ma'am. Angel Inves— I know, it is scary, but— But if she's only an hour late— I'm just saying maybe it's a bit early to panic. A little fire falling from the sky doesn't necessarily mean the end— (the sound of someone at the door causes Fred to turn) Oh, my God! (drops the phone)

(Fred runs over to greet Gunn, Lorne, and Wesley who are walking in the front door. She gives Gunn a heartfelt hug while Lorne and Wesley walk past them. Wes watches her greet Gunn.)

FRED: Oh! I thought you were dead. I got back here, and it was empty and I panicked and the radio and the fires—

GUNN: I know, baby. I know. Me too. It was like the end of the world out there, and all I wanted was you.

FRED: (hugs Gunn again) You're safe now, (looks at Wes) all of you.

WESLEY: Yes, all safe.

FRED: What about Angel? Where's Angel?

GUNN: We got separated. I'm sure he'll be here soon. (softly) What about you? You OK?

FRED: I'm fine. I just needed some air. I didn't know I'd be gone so long. (sighs, gestures to the papers on the floor, aligned to form the Eye of Fire alchemical symbol) Looks like there's some other things I didn't know either.

GUNN: Yeah. Plenty of time for updates later. Right now we need to regroup, think about getting back out there and mixing it up with that demony thing.

WESLEY: That's not what Angel would do.

GUNN: Thanks for your opinion, and I don't remember asking.

FRED: Uh, what demony thing?

LORNE: Oh, I believe he's referring to the big bad, possibly invincible, demony thing that nearly killed us all before he ring-mastered tonight's Cirque du Flambe.

FRED: Is that the pain and suffering and despair thing you saw when you read Cordelia?

LORNE: 'Fraid so, peanut. And if there was ever truth in advertising...

FRED: Charles, if he's really that big and bad, maybe we should wait for Angel. I—I mean, if he couldn't stop him—

GUNN: So we just wait 'cause we don't know what Angel would or wouldn't do?

ANGEL: Would I do what?

FRED: Angel, you're hurt.

ANGEL: I'll be— Let's talk about it in the morning. (starts walking upstairs)

FRED: What about Cordelia and Connor? Has anyone checked in on 'em? Angel?

ANGEL: (still walking upstairs, without stopping or turning to face them) They're fine.

LORNE: (to Angel) You saw them? (no response, then to others) The man looks like he was hit by a tank.

GUNN: I don't remember seeing him that down after a fight.

WESLEY: Can't blame him. No one likes to lose, whatever the circumstance. (glances at Fred)

• Gunn & Fred
• The Beast, the Beast's Master, Jasmine, etc

written by: Jeffrey Bell; Original transcript by CariCranberry. Edited and formatted for this site by me.. Full transcript at:
http://www.buffyworld.com/angel/season4/transcripts/74_tran.php