"Double or Nothing"
Gunn and Fred work on sorting files at the office. Gunn asks about a specific file, Fred mentions that Wesley was supposed to take care of it.
Gunn figures he was too busy stealing Connor.
Fred tells him not to say that.
Lorne enters, packs some things he's carrying into a box on the desk and asks how the file sorting is going.
Gunn says they're kind of making progress.
Fred points out there's a lot to keep track of.
Lorne casts a glance up the steps and notes that it's a good time to keep busy.
Fred says Angel lost the only child he'll ever have.
Lorne wishes Angel would talk about it.
Gunn thinks it's probably best if he's left alone. He guesses the rage has passed but he's not anxious to test that theory.
Fred doesn't think Angel plans on finishing what he started at the hospital.
Gunn agrees, but only because he knows Wesley is too smart to show up at the hotel.
A joyful Cordy enters the hotel with Groo, having returned from their vacation. She smiles and tells the others she's brought presents. She realizes from their expressions something is wrong. She asks what happened.
Angel is in his room, emotional, staring at the empty crib.
Cordelia comes in, sits beside him, puts her arm around him and tells him she's sorry.
He doesn't say anything, just looks downward.
At a casino crowded with demons of various types, the boss, Jenoff, tells one of his employees to deal with a player who just palmed a card. He reminds the demon, Benny, to just take the player's left hand, they can still make money off of the right.
As Benny departs, another demon is summoned by Jenoff. He hands the collection demon, the "Repo Man", an Angel Investigations business card and tells him to "Bring him in. His marker's up. Time to collect his soul."
The next morning, Cordy enters Angel's room. He's lying on his back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling.
She lets him know she's there, then sits down in the chair, opens a book she's brought with her, and settles in to read.
In the office, Lorne continues packing Wesley's things into the box.
Groo comments on the sadness in the place. He just wants to be sure Cordelia has what she needs, saying he's brought her food and clothing for her "shiv-roth with Angel."
Lorne recalls that being the "vigil of the bereaved", he'd almost forgotten there was a word for it.
Groo says it's all they can do to help. He wonders if that's why Lorne was leaving, having noticed the box of things Lorne had been packing.
Lorne says the things aren't his.
Groo asks if they're Wesley's.
Lorne looks around and quietly suggests Groo try to avoid saying that name.
Gunn and Fred deal with a couple of clients, an elderly demon couple. They tell him they had spoken to Wesley about their problem. The female wonders if he's there.
Gunn answers that Wes is "on a sabbatical."
Fred offers apologies for the confusion. She reads from the file, asking if they have a squatter in their lair.
The elderly male demon confirms that's the problem, it's a "Skench" demon. He's upset that these demons live off the hard work of others who build a nice lair for themselves by moving in, uninvited.
His wife is annoyed with his rantings and lets him know it. She's tired of his complaining about the same thing, day in, day out.
He doesn't figure she ever listens to him anyway.
She answers she might if he ever had anything interesting to say.
Gunn interrupts the bickering and brings the discussion back to the topic of the Skench demon. He says he's heard of them, he recalls them being an "impish demon, sort of like a Leprechaun."
The male scoffs at that, telling him there's no such thing as Leprechauns.
His wife tells him not to embarrass Gunn.
Her husband offers his apologies.
Gunn states what he knows about Skench demons. They take over a lair, eventually driving the other inhabitants out.
The female confirms that's true, it's impossible to live with all the screeching and the "projectile phlegm."
Her husband adds the only thing worse is putting up with his wife of 300 years.
Gunn recalls getting rid of Skenchs isn't all that difficult. They have to be decapitated.
The male knows this, but he also knows that involves getting up close and personal with the phlegm thing and that's not something he's interested in.
His wife points out he has a phlegm phobia.
He argues that's not true, but he is averse to other Skench secretions.
Gunn tells them they have the information they need. He offers to take care of their Skench problem for them later in the day.
As they depart, Fred tells them they'll call when the job is finished.
The male tells her she can call him anytime.
His wife chides him for being fresh with a girl "1/16th" his age.
Gunn laughs about the couple's bickering.
Fred thinks it's great, 300 years together and they still love each other. She smiles and notes the way they finish each other's insults.
Gunn looks at her adoringly.
Groo enters and asks if there's "evil to vanquish".
Gunn tells him it's just a Skench demon, he'll take care of it. As he heads out, Fred reminds him to take his machete.
Groo observes that Gunn is lucky to have a woman like her "looking after his weapon."
Lorne enters, offering not to comment on Groo's remark. He places the box packed with Wesley's things on the floor behind the desk, noting it's probably best to keep it out of sight. He tells Fred he's got a reading to go to, he thought it was a good time to make house calls given the "vibe" in the hotel. As he leaves, he stops and tells Fred to call him if Angel needs anything.
She assures him she will then looks over at the box.
Fred arrives at Wesley's hospital room, carrying the box containing his things from the hotel. She knocks gently on the open door then enters. She greets him, smiles and asks how he's doing.
He points to his throat, indicating he can't speak.
Fred remembers that and tells him it's not permanent. She says she's brought some of his stuff from the office. She tells him she and Gunn found Wesley's notes on the prophecy. She knows Wes took Connor because he thought Angel was going to kill him. She wants Wes to know she understands he was trying to protect both Connor and Angel.
Fred goes on to say what Angel tried to do to Wes was wrong, but he was right to blame him. Wesley should have trusted them, he should have come to them instead of going behind their backs to Holtz.
Her tone of kindness and compassion gives way to one of anger. She says he was supposed to be their friend and tells him if Angel sees Wes again, he'll kill him. She's sure he'll finish the job this time. She tells Wes not to come back to the hotel, ever.
She turns her back to him and tells him the prophecy was false, Angel wasn't going to hurt Connor. It was all for nothing. She leaves.
Groo greets the Repo Man who enters the lobby, assuming he's a potential client.
Gunn, carrying a machete, arrives at the lair of the elderly clients and enters. As he walks into the room, he's nearly splattered by a flying wad of phlegm. He takes a moment to note how disgusting that is, then sees the ugly demon responsible for it. He quickly concludes this is no Leprechaun. Fight ensues.
During the melee, the machete gets flipped from Gunn's hand and embedded in the back of a recliner chair. Gunn and the demon continue to fight.
Gunn gets thrown back into the recliner, pulls the machete from the back of it and plunges it into the demon, barely missing getting drenched by the resulting gush of goo.
Gunn figures it's his lucky day.
The Repo Man enters the room and wonders if Gunn would like to rethink that lucky thing.
Seven years earlier
Gunn is walking the street, headed for the casino. He enters and takes an elevator to a private area.
When he exits the elevator he's intercepted by the Repo Man who demands to know what he wants.
Gunn tells him he wants to talk to the boss, who is seated across the room.
Repo Man wonders if Gunn made an appointment.
Gunn says he has business and starts toward Jenoff.
Repo Man stops him and frisks him for weapons. He assures Gunn Jenoff could kill him easily even if he were armed, but if he lets him pass with a weapon, Jenoff will kill him as well as Gunn.
Once he's satisfied Gunn has no weapons, he asks his name, escorts him to Jenoff's table and introduces "Gunn."
Jenoff is already familiar with "Charles Gunn." He knows his reputation for protecting innocents. He asks what he can do for him.
Gunn answers he wants something.
Jenoff points out he doesn't deal in "wants", more in "needs", the things people need now and can't live without because those things are more valuable.
Gunn tells Jenoff he needs it.
Jenoff is more receptive now, asking what it is he can do for Gunn. He wonders if he wants money, power or love.
Gunn takes a photo from his pocket and hands it to Jenoff who looks it over and notes "she's a real beauty." He offers to make it happen but points out there's a price. He figures Gunn already knew that. He says the price doesn't have to be paid now, but one day it will be. The price is Gunn's future.
Gunn doesn't figure he has one so it's not a bad deal.
Jenoff agrees with that, but still needs Gunn to state that of his own free will he's chosen to mortgage his future for present happiness. He wants to know Gunn is sure.
Gunn acknowledges he is.
Jenoff rises, puts on a ring and extends his hand. A sharp point ejects from the inner side of the ring. He asks Gunn to shake on the deal, which he does.
Jenoff grasps his hand hard, then turns it palm down and slams it down onto a contract on the table.
Blood from Gunn's hand drawn by the ring is left in the "signature" space on the contract.
Present day
Repo Man reminds Gunn he made a deal, signing a blood oath to trade his soul. He wonders if Gunn thought he was going to get out of it.
Gunn answers he wasn't trying to get out of anything.
Repo Man figures Gunn was planning on giving his soul to someone else, some girl he's fallen for.
Gunn knows he's talking about Fred.
Repo Man says they don't get names, just an image, but they keep an eye on the records of the souls they are owed. He asks if Fred isn't a guy's name. When Gunn gives him a look, Repo Man offers that it's really none of his business. What is, is the fact that Gunn broke the contract. His soul belongs to Jenoff and it's time to pay up.
Gunn says things are different now, he's not the same person he was back then.
Repo Man points out everybody changes, and everybody pays their debts to Jenoff.
Gunn thinks there must be something else he can pay instead, something else Jenoff can take.
Repo Man has heard this before. He tells Gunn he has 24 hours to get things in order and come to the casino to pay his debt. He suggests Gunn rethink any plans to run or cheat because if he does that, they'll take his soul and Fred's.
Gunn tells Repo Man Fred has nothing to do with any of it.
Repo Man agrees it can stay that way, or Gunn can get her killed. It's up to him. He bids Gunn farewell and leaves.
A distracted Gunn arrives back at the hotel. He watches Fred shuffling files for a bit.
Cordelia asks him if he's okay. She's munching on a sandwich and asking with her mouth full, so he doesn't understand the question. She asks him again.
He says he's fine.
Cordelia notes the sandwich she's eating and says she thought it would be rude to eat in front of Angel but she was starving, so she took a break. She doesn't believe Gunn is fine. She directs him to sit down so they can talk.
Cordy tells Gunn she knows what's happening. She assumes he's feeling guilty for being happy when Angel's son has been taken and Wesley is gone.
Gunn isn't quite sure what she means by "happy."
She says he shouldn't feel guilty, he and Fred are meant for each other. She gets that now though initially she thought Fred and Wes might get together. But she sees how Gunn and Fred look at each other and realizes it's meant to be. She figures the place could use a little happiness, pointing out the two of them have their futures ahead of them and it's okay to enjoy it, life goes on. She says it's important to make every day count, you never know when it might be your last.
Gunn watches Fred and says he never believed he'd live this long or have this much.
Cordelia thinks he's lucky, he has more than a lot of people ever get. She suggests he enjoy it and since they don't have any pending cases and she hasn't had a vision in a long time, she thinks he should take the next day off with Fred and have some fun.
The next morning, Fred is awakened by a phone call from Gunn. They play "guess what I'm wearing." She nails his wardrobe choice in two guesses.
Gunn enters from outside the room, once again having called her from his cell phone inside the hotel. He brings breakfast.
She hopes he didn't cook.
He tells her he picked it up from her favorite diner.
As Fred dives into breakfast, she asks if it's a special day of some kind.
He tells her it's special because they have the day off, he has plans for the two of them.
Fred is excited about that as she feeds him part of her pancake and they kiss.
The doctor enters Wesley's hospital room and tells him he's pleased with his progress. He says he'll release him that afternoon. He wonders if there's a friend or family member they can call to pick him up.
Wes makes no effort to communicate an answer.
Angel is still sitting in his room, staring at the crib. Cordelia is sleeping in the chair.
After awhile, Angel starts musing about Connor, saying he figured he'd be left-handed because he always gripped just a little tighter with that hand.
Cordy wakes up but says nothing, just listens.
Angel goes on, saying living as long as he does, eventually you lose everyone. It's not something he gets used to, but it's something he deals with because it's just the way it is. But it's different losing Connor. He thought they had lots of time. He thought he knew something about living, having a long life, because that's really all he has. But one day, he found he had something else.
Cordelia says, "a future."
Angel pauses a moment, then quietly says, "I had a son."
Fred and Gunn are dining outdoors, Gunn asks her if she wants to go to a movie. He offers her more food.
She tells him she's full. They've spent all day eating at various places.
Gunn offers a movie, roller-skating, anything else she wants to do.
Fred tells him she's kind of tired, she figures they've done enough for one day. They should save some things to do another day.
Gunn is afraid he tried too hard.
Fred assures him that's not the case, she's had a wonderful time. She just doesn't think they have to live their entire lives in one day.
Gunn's expression changes from sappy romantic to one of concern.
She suddenly realizes that something is wrong.
He denies it.
She thinks maybe he's got some kind of illness.
He laughs and assures her that's not the case.
Fred wants to know what's wrong.
Gunn doesn't want to talk about it. He suggests they go back to the hotel.
Fred declines, asking him to be honest and fess up, they'll deal with it together.
Gunn gets testy and tells her they aren't going to talk anything out.
She doesn't like the way he's talking to her.
He says he doesn't care.
She wonders why he's being mean.
He tells her she wanted honesty, he's being honest.
Fred wonders if she's the problem.
He congratulates her on getting it right.
She asks what's wrong with her.
He doesn't think she really wants him to make a list.
Fred wants to know what's happening.
He tells her they're finished, he's done with her.
Gunn gets up from the table, Fred follows after him and asks if there's someone else, she wants to know who it is.
He tells her she's a "real woman not a stick figure" and asks if she gets it.
She sobs, "yes."
He replies with a curt "good" and walks away.
Angel and Cordelia sit on the edge of his bed as he continues to stare at the empty crib. Cordy knows she can't know what he's been through or how he's feeling and she's not going to spout platitudes. She knows this is a hurt that won't go away and no matter how long Angel lives, he won't forget how he lost Connor and he shouldn't. She says he will always love and miss his son. She suggests he'll go on.
Angel doesn't know how.
Cordelia assures him it'll work itself out because life keeps happening. There will be people who need them and they'll help them because that's what they do.
Cordelia hears sobbing in the hallway and opens the door to see Fred falling apart. She apologetically offers she was going to knock but it wasn't a good time so she didn't.
Angel comes to the door and asks her what's wrong
Fred tells him she thinks Gunn is in trouble.
At the casino, Jenoff collects a debt by piercing a guy's eyes with his fingers. A white glow radiates from the guy's eyes to Jenoff who savors the experience.
Gunn arrives and tells the Repo Man he's there to pay his debt.
At the hotel, Fred is trying to explain to the others what happened with Gunn.
Groo offers his sympathies on the breakup.
Cordy doesn't really understand what Fred is getting at. She points out that earlier Fred had said she thought Gunn was in trouble but now she's upset about the breakup.
Fred thinks one is directly linked to the other. She says Gunn broke up with her but she doesn't believe he meant it.
Cordy and Groo are confused. Cordelia wonders if maybe Gunn really did break it off with Fred and she just doesn't want to accept that. She says the things Fred told her he said were pretty harsh.
Fred says Gunn would never say such hurtful things to her.
Cordelia asks if she means he wouldn't say the things he said?
Everyone is just trying to figure out what she's getting at. Angel asks if she and Gunn are dating which obviously comes as news to him.
Fred throws up her hands in frustration and shouts, "Not anymore, I guess!"
Cordelia offers her a hug.
Fred says Gunn hurt her. She knows the only reason he'd do that is to protect her from something and she figures it must be something serious.
Angel says they'll help him, they aren't going to lose another member of the family.
A dejected Wes arrives back at his apartment carrying the box of belongings Fred left for him at the hospital. He pauses a moment before entering then goes inside.
He slumps against the wall, pushes the door shut with his foot and remains where he's standing.
At the hotel, Cordy hangs up the phone and tells the others she still can't reach Gunn.
Angel tells the others they need to split up.
Groo agrees it's a good idea, they can cover more ground that way.
Cordy looks at him and smiles.
Angel says he and Fred will check out Gunn's old gang haunts, see if anyone has heard from him. He directs Cordy and Groo to go to Gunn's place just to make sure he's not there.
Cordy suggests reporting his truck as stolen.
Angel thinks that idea has merit.
Fred suggests leaving Lorne a note so he knows what's going on.
Angel tells the others they'll meet back at the hotel at midnight if nobody comes up with anything.
Groo pulls a business card from his pocket and suggests as they search they can leave the "small rectangular" items behind. He mentions a visitor who was inquiring about Gunn the day before had left one.
Angel looks at the business card for "Jenoff's Casino", notes the guy works for Jenoff, "the soul sucker."
At the casino, employees drag out the body of Jenoff's earlier victim.
Jenoff is impressed Gunn came to pay his debt, noting that most people don't come to him willingly the second time. He figures this girl Gunn was going to give his "merchandise" to must be pretty special.
Gunn wants to be sure he isn't going to hurt Fred.
Jenoff says he has no reason to now, since Gunn is there.
As Jenoff prepares to pull Gunn's soul by piercing his eyes, the gang arrives armed and ready for battle. Fight ensues.
Angel and the others dispatch Jenoff's minions but find themselves surrounded by the casino's patrons.
Angel grabs one of the demons in a headlock and demands to speak to the boss.
Jenoff introduces himself and asks why Angel is disrupting his business.
Angel tells Jenoff Gunn works for him so it's actually Jenoff who's disrupting his business.
Jenoff suggests Angel was lacking in not checking out the background of his employee, pointing out had he done so, he'd have realized Gunn was strictly "short term."
Angel offers to let Jenoff live if he releases Gunn and forgives the debt.
Jenoff isn't impressed and orders the crowd of demons to kill them.
Angel offers double or nothing.
Jenoff asks Angel if he's offering his soul.
Angel answers he's offering a chance to win it.
Jenoff wonders if Angel thinks he's stupid. He's sensed he's a vampire so there's no soul to be won.
Angel figures if he knew that much than he should also be able to tell that he's a vampire possessing a soul.
Jenoff realizes he's that vampire.
Angel makes the offer. He chooses the game. If Jenoff wins, he gets both souls, if he loses, they walk out and Gunn's debt is erased.
Jenoff accepts.
Cordelia thinks the stall was a good tactic but she wonders what the plan is.
Angel tells her this is the plan.
She's not convinced it's a good one.
Fred points out it's Gunn's life that's at stake.
Angel says he's played a lot of cards, he knows what he's doing, he won't lose.
Repo Man asks Jenoff if he's sure about this.
Jenoff is confident of victory.
Groo thinks they should fight their way out rather than rely on luck.
Angel doesn't think that's a good idea, it puts everyone at risk. He thinks his way is safer.
Fred notes it's only safer if he wins. She asks if Angel loses his soul, won't he turn evil and kill everyone, including them?
Cordy confirms that's pretty much how it works but she agrees Angel's plan is currenlty their best option.
Angel assures them he won't lose but if he does, he knows Cordy knows what to do. He hands her a stake and tells her to make it quick.
Her response, "You know I will."
The casino's patrons place their bets on the outcome. Repo Man gleefully tells Gunn Jenoff lets him have the bodies when he finishes with them.
Gunn looks concerned.
Angel joins Jenoff at the card table.
Jenoff reiterates what they're playing for. He wins, he gets both souls. He loses, Gunn walks free. He asks what type of poker Angel wants to play.
Angel prefers just one cut of the cards, high card wins
Groo looks at Cordelia who gives him a knowing smile.
The dealer shuffles the deck. Jenoff takes his cut, nine of clubs.
Angel takes his, three of hearts. He can't believe he did that badly.
Cordelia rams the stake through Jenoff's hand and into the card table. She asks Angel if that was quick enough.
Angel decapitates Jenoff with the battle ax he brought along.
Gunn punches out Repo Man. Gunn starts to say something to Angel.
Angel tells him there's no need for thanks.
Gunn says if he knew Jenoff was that easy to kill, he'd have done it himself.
Jenoff's headless corpse isn't headless for long as it grows a new one; bald, bug-eyed and shrieking.
Groo thinks now is a good time to fight.
Angel asks if anyone else in the casino owes Jenoff.
The crowd jumps Jenoff and pummels him as the gang make their escape.
Gunn and Fred discuss things in his truck. He apologizes for saying mean and untrue things to her.
She wants him to do it on her tape recorder.
He apologizes again.
She's glad he's all right.
He tells her he's only okay if things between them are okay. They kiss.
Fred has one more thing to ask, she wants to know who he traded his soul for.
He says it was a long time ago.
Fred wants to know who it was, then promises she won't ever bring up the subject again. She figures the someone must have been special if he was willing to trade his soul.
Gunn admits it was a truck. He was seventeen years old and he sold his soul for his truck.
Fred can't believe it's the truck they're sitting in. He advises her not to trash his truck. He says it kept him alive and helped him save a lot of other lives. He didn't think a soul was worth much because he didn't think he had a future. Now he knows better. They kiss.
Fred wonders what it is about Gunn that makes her "melt."
He suggests perhaps it's that he loves her.
She agrees that's it. They kiss again.
Angel is in his room standing over the empty crib.
Cordelia looks on from the doorway.
He starts to slowly take the crib apart.
Cordelia closes the door and leaves him alone.
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S3/EPISODE 18
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| Written by: David H. Goodman | Original Air Date: April 22, 2002 |
Gunn and Fred work on sorting files at the office. Gunn asks about a specific file, Fred mentions that Wesley was supposed to take care of it.
Gunn figures he was too busy stealing Connor.
Fred tells him not to say that.
Lorne enters, packs some things he's carrying into a box on the desk and asks how the file sorting is going.
Gunn says they're kind of making progress.
Fred points out there's a lot to keep track of.
Lorne casts a glance up the steps and notes that it's a good time to keep busy.
Fred says Angel lost the only child he'll ever have.
Lorne wishes Angel would talk about it.
Gunn thinks it's probably best if he's left alone. He guesses the rage has passed but he's not anxious to test that theory.
Fred doesn't think Angel plans on finishing what he started at the hospital.
Gunn agrees, but only because he knows Wesley is too smart to show up at the hotel.
A joyful Cordy enters the hotel with Groo, having returned from their vacation. She smiles and tells the others she's brought presents. She realizes from their expressions something is wrong. She asks what happened.
Angel is in his room, emotional, staring at the empty crib.
Cordelia comes in, sits beside him, puts her arm around him and tells him she's sorry.
He doesn't say anything, just looks downward.
At a casino crowded with demons of various types, the boss, Jenoff, tells one of his employees to deal with a player who just palmed a card. He reminds the demon, Benny, to just take the player's left hand, they can still make money off of the right.
As Benny departs, another demon is summoned by Jenoff. He hands the collection demon, the "Repo Man", an Angel Investigations business card and tells him to "Bring him in. His marker's up. Time to collect his soul."
The next morning, Cordy enters Angel's room. He's lying on his back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling.
She lets him know she's there, then sits down in the chair, opens a book she's brought with her, and settles in to read.
In the office, Lorne continues packing Wesley's things into the box.
Groo comments on the sadness in the place. He just wants to be sure Cordelia has what she needs, saying he's brought her food and clothing for her "shiv-roth with Angel."
Lorne recalls that being the "vigil of the bereaved", he'd almost forgotten there was a word for it.
Groo says it's all they can do to help. He wonders if that's why Lorne was leaving, having noticed the box of things Lorne had been packing.
Lorne says the things aren't his.
Groo asks if they're Wesley's.
Lorne looks around and quietly suggests Groo try to avoid saying that name.
Gunn and Fred deal with a couple of clients, an elderly demon couple. They tell him they had spoken to Wesley about their problem. The female wonders if he's there.
Gunn answers that Wes is "on a sabbatical."
Fred offers apologies for the confusion. She reads from the file, asking if they have a squatter in their lair.
The elderly male demon confirms that's the problem, it's a "Skench" demon. He's upset that these demons live off the hard work of others who build a nice lair for themselves by moving in, uninvited.
His wife is annoyed with his rantings and lets him know it. She's tired of his complaining about the same thing, day in, day out.
He doesn't figure she ever listens to him anyway.
She answers she might if he ever had anything interesting to say.
Gunn interrupts the bickering and brings the discussion back to the topic of the Skench demon. He says he's heard of them, he recalls them being an "impish demon, sort of like a Leprechaun."
The male scoffs at that, telling him there's no such thing as Leprechauns.
His wife tells him not to embarrass Gunn.
Her husband offers his apologies.
Gunn states what he knows about Skench demons. They take over a lair, eventually driving the other inhabitants out.
The female confirms that's true, it's impossible to live with all the screeching and the "projectile phlegm."
Her husband adds the only thing worse is putting up with his wife of 300 years.
Gunn recalls getting rid of Skenchs isn't all that difficult. They have to be decapitated.
The male knows this, but he also knows that involves getting up close and personal with the phlegm thing and that's not something he's interested in.
His wife points out he has a phlegm phobia.
He argues that's not true, but he is averse to other Skench secretions.
Gunn tells them they have the information they need. He offers to take care of their Skench problem for them later in the day.
As they depart, Fred tells them they'll call when the job is finished.
The male tells her she can call him anytime.
His wife chides him for being fresh with a girl "1/16th" his age.
Gunn laughs about the couple's bickering.
Fred thinks it's great, 300 years together and they still love each other. She smiles and notes the way they finish each other's insults.
Gunn looks at her adoringly.
Groo enters and asks if there's "evil to vanquish".
Gunn tells him it's just a Skench demon, he'll take care of it. As he heads out, Fred reminds him to take his machete.
Groo observes that Gunn is lucky to have a woman like her "looking after his weapon."
Lorne enters, offering not to comment on Groo's remark. He places the box packed with Wesley's things on the floor behind the desk, noting it's probably best to keep it out of sight. He tells Fred he's got a reading to go to, he thought it was a good time to make house calls given the "vibe" in the hotel. As he leaves, he stops and tells Fred to call him if Angel needs anything.
She assures him she will then looks over at the box.
Fred arrives at Wesley's hospital room, carrying the box containing his things from the hotel. She knocks gently on the open door then enters. She greets him, smiles and asks how he's doing.
He points to his throat, indicating he can't speak.
Fred remembers that and tells him it's not permanent. She says she's brought some of his stuff from the office. She tells him she and Gunn found Wesley's notes on the prophecy. She knows Wes took Connor because he thought Angel was going to kill him. She wants Wes to know she understands he was trying to protect both Connor and Angel.
Fred goes on to say what Angel tried to do to Wes was wrong, but he was right to blame him. Wesley should have trusted them, he should have come to them instead of going behind their backs to Holtz.
Her tone of kindness and compassion gives way to one of anger. She says he was supposed to be their friend and tells him if Angel sees Wes again, he'll kill him. She's sure he'll finish the job this time. She tells Wes not to come back to the hotel, ever.
She turns her back to him and tells him the prophecy was false, Angel wasn't going to hurt Connor. It was all for nothing. She leaves.
Groo greets the Repo Man who enters the lobby, assuming he's a potential client.
Gunn, carrying a machete, arrives at the lair of the elderly clients and enters. As he walks into the room, he's nearly splattered by a flying wad of phlegm. He takes a moment to note how disgusting that is, then sees the ugly demon responsible for it. He quickly concludes this is no Leprechaun. Fight ensues.
During the melee, the machete gets flipped from Gunn's hand and embedded in the back of a recliner chair. Gunn and the demon continue to fight.
Gunn gets thrown back into the recliner, pulls the machete from the back of it and plunges it into the demon, barely missing getting drenched by the resulting gush of goo.
Gunn figures it's his lucky day.
The Repo Man enters the room and wonders if Gunn would like to rethink that lucky thing.
Seven years earlier
Gunn is walking the street, headed for the casino. He enters and takes an elevator to a private area.
When he exits the elevator he's intercepted by the Repo Man who demands to know what he wants.
Gunn tells him he wants to talk to the boss, who is seated across the room.
Repo Man wonders if Gunn made an appointment.
Gunn says he has business and starts toward Jenoff.
Repo Man stops him and frisks him for weapons. He assures Gunn Jenoff could kill him easily even if he were armed, but if he lets him pass with a weapon, Jenoff will kill him as well as Gunn.
Once he's satisfied Gunn has no weapons, he asks his name, escorts him to Jenoff's table and introduces "Gunn."
Jenoff is already familiar with "Charles Gunn." He knows his reputation for protecting innocents. He asks what he can do for him.
Gunn answers he wants something.
Jenoff points out he doesn't deal in "wants", more in "needs", the things people need now and can't live without because those things are more valuable.
Gunn tells Jenoff he needs it.
Jenoff is more receptive now, asking what it is he can do for Gunn. He wonders if he wants money, power or love.
Gunn takes a photo from his pocket and hands it to Jenoff who looks it over and notes "she's a real beauty." He offers to make it happen but points out there's a price. He figures Gunn already knew that. He says the price doesn't have to be paid now, but one day it will be. The price is Gunn's future.
Gunn doesn't figure he has one so it's not a bad deal.
Jenoff agrees with that, but still needs Gunn to state that of his own free will he's chosen to mortgage his future for present happiness. He wants to know Gunn is sure.
Gunn acknowledges he is.
Jenoff rises, puts on a ring and extends his hand. A sharp point ejects from the inner side of the ring. He asks Gunn to shake on the deal, which he does.
Jenoff grasps his hand hard, then turns it palm down and slams it down onto a contract on the table.
Blood from Gunn's hand drawn by the ring is left in the "signature" space on the contract.
Present day
Repo Man reminds Gunn he made a deal, signing a blood oath to trade his soul. He wonders if Gunn thought he was going to get out of it.
Gunn answers he wasn't trying to get out of anything.
Repo Man figures Gunn was planning on giving his soul to someone else, some girl he's fallen for.
Gunn knows he's talking about Fred.
Repo Man says they don't get names, just an image, but they keep an eye on the records of the souls they are owed. He asks if Fred isn't a guy's name. When Gunn gives him a look, Repo Man offers that it's really none of his business. What is, is the fact that Gunn broke the contract. His soul belongs to Jenoff and it's time to pay up.
Gunn says things are different now, he's not the same person he was back then.
Repo Man points out everybody changes, and everybody pays their debts to Jenoff.
Gunn thinks there must be something else he can pay instead, something else Jenoff can take.
Repo Man has heard this before. He tells Gunn he has 24 hours to get things in order and come to the casino to pay his debt. He suggests Gunn rethink any plans to run or cheat because if he does that, they'll take his soul and Fred's.
Gunn tells Repo Man Fred has nothing to do with any of it.
Repo Man agrees it can stay that way, or Gunn can get her killed. It's up to him. He bids Gunn farewell and leaves.
A distracted Gunn arrives back at the hotel. He watches Fred shuffling files for a bit.
Cordelia asks him if he's okay. She's munching on a sandwich and asking with her mouth full, so he doesn't understand the question. She asks him again.
He says he's fine.
Cordelia notes the sandwich she's eating and says she thought it would be rude to eat in front of Angel but she was starving, so she took a break. She doesn't believe Gunn is fine. She directs him to sit down so they can talk.
Cordy tells Gunn she knows what's happening. She assumes he's feeling guilty for being happy when Angel's son has been taken and Wesley is gone.
Gunn isn't quite sure what she means by "happy."
She says he shouldn't feel guilty, he and Fred are meant for each other. She gets that now though initially she thought Fred and Wes might get together. But she sees how Gunn and Fred look at each other and realizes it's meant to be. She figures the place could use a little happiness, pointing out the two of them have their futures ahead of them and it's okay to enjoy it, life goes on. She says it's important to make every day count, you never know when it might be your last.
Gunn watches Fred and says he never believed he'd live this long or have this much.
Cordelia thinks he's lucky, he has more than a lot of people ever get. She suggests he enjoy it and since they don't have any pending cases and she hasn't had a vision in a long time, she thinks he should take the next day off with Fred and have some fun.
The next morning, Fred is awakened by a phone call from Gunn. They play "guess what I'm wearing." She nails his wardrobe choice in two guesses.
Gunn enters from outside the room, once again having called her from his cell phone inside the hotel. He brings breakfast.
She hopes he didn't cook.
He tells her he picked it up from her favorite diner.
As Fred dives into breakfast, she asks if it's a special day of some kind.
He tells her it's special because they have the day off, he has plans for the two of them.
Fred is excited about that as she feeds him part of her pancake and they kiss.
The doctor enters Wesley's hospital room and tells him he's pleased with his progress. He says he'll release him that afternoon. He wonders if there's a friend or family member they can call to pick him up.
Wes makes no effort to communicate an answer.
Angel is still sitting in his room, staring at the crib. Cordelia is sleeping in the chair.
After awhile, Angel starts musing about Connor, saying he figured he'd be left-handed because he always gripped just a little tighter with that hand.
Cordy wakes up but says nothing, just listens.
Angel goes on, saying living as long as he does, eventually you lose everyone. It's not something he gets used to, but it's something he deals with because it's just the way it is. But it's different losing Connor. He thought they had lots of time. He thought he knew something about living, having a long life, because that's really all he has. But one day, he found he had something else.
Cordelia says, "a future."
Angel pauses a moment, then quietly says, "I had a son."
Fred and Gunn are dining outdoors, Gunn asks her if she wants to go to a movie. He offers her more food.
She tells him she's full. They've spent all day eating at various places.
Gunn offers a movie, roller-skating, anything else she wants to do.
Fred tells him she's kind of tired, she figures they've done enough for one day. They should save some things to do another day.
Gunn is afraid he tried too hard.
Fred assures him that's not the case, she's had a wonderful time. She just doesn't think they have to live their entire lives in one day.
Gunn's expression changes from sappy romantic to one of concern.
She suddenly realizes that something is wrong.
He denies it.
She thinks maybe he's got some kind of illness.
He laughs and assures her that's not the case.
Fred wants to know what's wrong.
Gunn doesn't want to talk about it. He suggests they go back to the hotel.
Fred declines, asking him to be honest and fess up, they'll deal with it together.
Gunn gets testy and tells her they aren't going to talk anything out.
She doesn't like the way he's talking to her.
He says he doesn't care.
She wonders why he's being mean.
He tells her she wanted honesty, he's being honest.
Fred wonders if she's the problem.
He congratulates her on getting it right.
She asks what's wrong with her.
He doesn't think she really wants him to make a list.
Fred wants to know what's happening.
He tells her they're finished, he's done with her.
Gunn gets up from the table, Fred follows after him and asks if there's someone else, she wants to know who it is.
He tells her she's a "real woman not a stick figure" and asks if she gets it.
She sobs, "yes."
He replies with a curt "good" and walks away.
Angel and Cordelia sit on the edge of his bed as he continues to stare at the empty crib. Cordy knows she can't know what he's been through or how he's feeling and she's not going to spout platitudes. She knows this is a hurt that won't go away and no matter how long Angel lives, he won't forget how he lost Connor and he shouldn't. She says he will always love and miss his son. She suggests he'll go on.
Angel doesn't know how.
Cordelia assures him it'll work itself out because life keeps happening. There will be people who need them and they'll help them because that's what they do.
Cordelia hears sobbing in the hallway and opens the door to see Fred falling apart. She apologetically offers she was going to knock but it wasn't a good time so she didn't.
Angel comes to the door and asks her what's wrong
Fred tells him she thinks Gunn is in trouble.
At the casino, Jenoff collects a debt by piercing a guy's eyes with his fingers. A white glow radiates from the guy's eyes to Jenoff who savors the experience.
Gunn arrives and tells the Repo Man he's there to pay his debt.
At the hotel, Fred is trying to explain to the others what happened with Gunn.
Groo offers his sympathies on the breakup.
Cordy doesn't really understand what Fred is getting at. She points out that earlier Fred had said she thought Gunn was in trouble but now she's upset about the breakup.
Fred thinks one is directly linked to the other. She says Gunn broke up with her but she doesn't believe he meant it.
Cordy and Groo are confused. Cordelia wonders if maybe Gunn really did break it off with Fred and she just doesn't want to accept that. She says the things Fred told her he said were pretty harsh.
Fred says Gunn would never say such hurtful things to her.
Cordelia asks if she means he wouldn't say the things he said?
Everyone is just trying to figure out what she's getting at. Angel asks if she and Gunn are dating which obviously comes as news to him.
Fred throws up her hands in frustration and shouts, "Not anymore, I guess!"
Cordelia offers her a hug.
Fred says Gunn hurt her. She knows the only reason he'd do that is to protect her from something and she figures it must be something serious.
Angel says they'll help him, they aren't going to lose another member of the family.
A dejected Wes arrives back at his apartment carrying the box of belongings Fred left for him at the hospital. He pauses a moment before entering then goes inside.
He slumps against the wall, pushes the door shut with his foot and remains where he's standing.
At the hotel, Cordy hangs up the phone and tells the others she still can't reach Gunn.
Angel tells the others they need to split up.
Groo agrees it's a good idea, they can cover more ground that way.
Cordy looks at him and smiles.
Angel says he and Fred will check out Gunn's old gang haunts, see if anyone has heard from him. He directs Cordy and Groo to go to Gunn's place just to make sure he's not there.
Cordy suggests reporting his truck as stolen.
Angel thinks that idea has merit.
Fred suggests leaving Lorne a note so he knows what's going on.
Angel tells the others they'll meet back at the hotel at midnight if nobody comes up with anything.
Groo pulls a business card from his pocket and suggests as they search they can leave the "small rectangular" items behind. He mentions a visitor who was inquiring about Gunn the day before had left one.
Angel looks at the business card for "Jenoff's Casino", notes the guy works for Jenoff, "the soul sucker."
At the casino, employees drag out the body of Jenoff's earlier victim.
Jenoff is impressed Gunn came to pay his debt, noting that most people don't come to him willingly the second time. He figures this girl Gunn was going to give his "merchandise" to must be pretty special.
Gunn wants to be sure he isn't going to hurt Fred.
Jenoff says he has no reason to now, since Gunn is there.
As Jenoff prepares to pull Gunn's soul by piercing his eyes, the gang arrives armed and ready for battle. Fight ensues.
Angel and the others dispatch Jenoff's minions but find themselves surrounded by the casino's patrons.
Angel grabs one of the demons in a headlock and demands to speak to the boss.
Jenoff introduces himself and asks why Angel is disrupting his business.
Angel tells Jenoff Gunn works for him so it's actually Jenoff who's disrupting his business.
Jenoff suggests Angel was lacking in not checking out the background of his employee, pointing out had he done so, he'd have realized Gunn was strictly "short term."
Angel offers to let Jenoff live if he releases Gunn and forgives the debt.
Jenoff isn't impressed and orders the crowd of demons to kill them.
Angel offers double or nothing.
Jenoff asks Angel if he's offering his soul.
Angel answers he's offering a chance to win it.
Jenoff wonders if Angel thinks he's stupid. He's sensed he's a vampire so there's no soul to be won.
Angel figures if he knew that much than he should also be able to tell that he's a vampire possessing a soul.
Jenoff realizes he's that vampire.
Angel makes the offer. He chooses the game. If Jenoff wins, he gets both souls, if he loses, they walk out and Gunn's debt is erased.
Jenoff accepts.
Cordelia thinks the stall was a good tactic but she wonders what the plan is.
Angel tells her this is the plan.
She's not convinced it's a good one.
Fred points out it's Gunn's life that's at stake.
Angel says he's played a lot of cards, he knows what he's doing, he won't lose.
Repo Man asks Jenoff if he's sure about this.
Jenoff is confident of victory.
Groo thinks they should fight their way out rather than rely on luck.
Angel doesn't think that's a good idea, it puts everyone at risk. He thinks his way is safer.
Fred notes it's only safer if he wins. She asks if Angel loses his soul, won't he turn evil and kill everyone, including them?
Cordy confirms that's pretty much how it works but she agrees Angel's plan is currenlty their best option.
Angel assures them he won't lose but if he does, he knows Cordy knows what to do. He hands her a stake and tells her to make it quick.
Her response, "You know I will."
The casino's patrons place their bets on the outcome. Repo Man gleefully tells Gunn Jenoff lets him have the bodies when he finishes with them.
Gunn looks concerned.
Angel joins Jenoff at the card table.
Jenoff reiterates what they're playing for. He wins, he gets both souls. He loses, Gunn walks free. He asks what type of poker Angel wants to play.
Angel prefers just one cut of the cards, high card wins
Groo looks at Cordelia who gives him a knowing smile.
The dealer shuffles the deck. Jenoff takes his cut, nine of clubs.
Angel takes his, three of hearts. He can't believe he did that badly.
Cordelia rams the stake through Jenoff's hand and into the card table. She asks Angel if that was quick enough.
Angel decapitates Jenoff with the battle ax he brought along.
Gunn punches out Repo Man. Gunn starts to say something to Angel.
Angel tells him there's no need for thanks.
Gunn says if he knew Jenoff was that easy to kill, he'd have done it himself.
Jenoff's headless corpse isn't headless for long as it grows a new one; bald, bug-eyed and shrieking.
Groo thinks now is a good time to fight.
Angel asks if anyone else in the casino owes Jenoff.
The crowd jumps Jenoff and pummels him as the gang make their escape.
Gunn and Fred discuss things in his truck. He apologizes for saying mean and untrue things to her.
She wants him to do it on her tape recorder.
He apologizes again.
She's glad he's all right.
He tells her he's only okay if things between them are okay. They kiss.
Fred has one more thing to ask, she wants to know who he traded his soul for.
He says it was a long time ago.
Fred wants to know who it was, then promises she won't ever bring up the subject again. She figures the someone must have been special if he was willing to trade his soul.
Gunn admits it was a truck. He was seventeen years old and he sold his soul for his truck.
Fred can't believe it's the truck they're sitting in. He advises her not to trash his truck. He says it kept him alive and helped him save a lot of other lives. He didn't think a soul was worth much because he didn't think he had a future. Now he knows better. They kiss.
Fred wonders what it is about Gunn that makes her "melt."
He suggests perhaps it's that he loves her.
She agrees that's it. They kiss again.
Angel is in his room standing over the empty crib.
Cordelia looks on from the doorway.
He starts to slowly take the crib apart.
Cordelia closes the door and leaves him alone.
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