Shadow Stalker - 3.12 - Instinct

[Lex]

Series: Shadow Stalker
Episode: 3.12 ? Instinct
Writer: Alex Goddard aka "Lex"
Editor and Proof Reader: Alex Hart aka "Alex"

I do not claim credit for any of Joss Whedon's original concepts, plot lines and characters. The featuring of his creations in this series is simply for my pleasure and your pleasure as a reader and not at all for financial gain as I do all this for free! All characters, plot lines and original concepts not affiliated with Joss Whedon belong to me. Season Three of Shadow Stalker starts alongside Season 5 of Angel and is in association with its "sister series", Rogue Redemption by Amber, and other affiliated series such as Chosen by Heather; BtVS Seasons 8 + 9 and AtS Season 6 by Alex Hart and Haven, which is also by Alex Hart. Enjoy.


TEASER

OPEN ON ? UNKNOWN
BEDROOM ? INT.UNKNOWN BUILDING ? NIGHT

The camera shows a mirror. It's attached to a dresser and it is lit. It's all that we can see in this bedroom. It is all we know is inside this unknown building. For now at least. A song plays in the background on a stereo in the room that can be seen in soft focus in the background.

SONG: THE HUSH SOUND ? YOU ARE THE MOON

SIN approaches the dresser and sits in front of it. For a moment she does nothing and then she stares deeply into the mirror and for the first time, since her confrontation with SEPHY, she does not fear the woman that looks back at her. (The music below plays throughout)

"Shadows all around you as you surface from the dark
Emerging from the gentle grip of night's unfolding arms..."

SIN: (softly) Sense erode... perception shatter...

The mirror begins to shake and vague images of the gang swim through the glass. She looks at all of them eagerly. She does not see what she wants to see. (The music below plays throughout)

"Darkness, darkness everywhere, do you feel all alone?
The subtle grace of gravity, the heavy weight of stone..."

SIN: (softly) Show me...

The images move quicker now before stopping on one image in particular.

She cranes her neck to see it, confused at first. Then a small smile forms on her face. (The music below plays throughout)

"You don't see what you possess, a beauty calm and clear
It floods the sky and blurs the darkness like a chandelier...[/I]"


FADE TO ? UNKNOWN
ROOF ? EXT.UNKNOWN BUILDING ? NIGHT

The music turns louder as we see SIN'S bare feet walking across the roof of the building, a perfectly clear night sky shining high above her. It pans up her body until it lands on her smiling face. (

SIN: Things are...

She contemplates how to say this next line. Who is she talking to? (The music below plays throughout)

"All the light that you possess is skewed by lakes and seas
The shattered surface, so imperfect, is all that you believe..."

SIN: Developing. Developing interestingly. My father, my mother and all your other comrades all think they know how things are going to be: they think they know how things are going to end. They think they have the power and all the allies they need... But, they're wrong.

She looks up to the moon and reaches out as if to hold it.

SIN: After all Ursula Lake, it is I who holds the moon in my hands.

She looks back at the woman she's talking to. It's URSULA who is tied and gagged to an antenna. Clumps of her hair are missing and her wrists have bled recently. She looks devastated...

What had happened? (The music below plays throughout)

"I will bring a mirror, so silver, so exact
So precise and so pristine, a perfect pane of glass..."

SIN turns away from the Elder now and stares deeply at the moon. Holding out her hand, as if to touch the mirror in the sky she turns her hand causing the moon itself to twist and turn. It contorts slowly into a different shape ? smaller. The colour also changes ? hints of green hue the surface and tint the glow it sheds on to the earth.

It's no longer the earth's moon... It's the moon from L'Azura. (The music below plays throughout)

"I will set the mirror up to face the blackened sky
So you can see your beauty every morning that you rise..."


CUT TO ? STOCK IMAGES
NEW YORK ? EXT.SKYLINE ? NIGHT/MORNING

The camera shows stock images of night turning into morning as the instrumental part of the song plays.

The L'Azurean moon does not change; it remains in the sky, standing as proud as the sun.


CUT TO ? NEW YORK
SIDEWALK ? EXT.STREETS - MORNING

Men, women and children stare in wonder at the lunar phenomena and for a moment the city stands still to gaze upon a moon they have never seen, and will never see again.

The camera turns from the citizens to the moon. It closes in on it as...


FADE TO ? ATLANTIC OCEAN
DANTE AND LANCE'S ROOM ? INT.KALIPSO SYNDICATE HQ - MORNING

The music comes to an eerie end as we see LANCE, lying in bed. He's asleep.

He looks restless and his eyes dart viciously under his eyelids in a dreadful dream. His pulse quickens and his blood begins to boil.

 
L'AZURA
CORRIDOR ? INT.L'IGATIO PRISON ? UNKNOWN

The colours on the screen are blurred, as is the whole image, it looks static.

The camera shows two L'Azurean guards dragging a man through the corridor. He looks beaten and limp, the sound of the man's feet dragging along the floor, echoes the building.

They arrive at a cell.


CUT TO ? L'AZURA
CELL ? INT.L'IGATIO PRISON ? UNKNOWN

The L'Azurean guards throw the man into the cell. He slumps to the floor weak. His face is cut and bruised and his whole body is too. He looks at the door as the door slams to a close. It's LANCE.

LANCE: (fading in and out of consciousness, weakly) Melody...

She is nowhere to be seen, but a MAN, played by Dominic Purcell is looking through the window of his door...


FLASH TO ? ATLANTIC OCEAN
CORRIDOR ? INT.KALIPSO SYNDICATE HQ ? MORNING

The colours return to normal as we return to the modern day. XAK, CHARLIE, DANTE, BROGAN, KAIA, SEPHY, ECHIDNA and SOFIA are all walking down a corridor; a new plan brewing in their conversation.

XAK: Could this actually work?

SEPHY: It could. The Oracle does not just perform locator spells, she is actually attuned to the Greek blood line. She could find me, Charlie or Sin in a heartbeat.

DANTE: So why didn't we think of this before? Kind of a no brainer if you ask me.

ECHIDNA: Katerina is hard to track down, but our contacts in Greece say she has been seen in various temples.

SEPHY: Although we don't know which one she truly is located in, if we hurry, we may be able to find her.

XAK nods.

XAK: Ok so we send someone out.

KAIA: I'll go.

He looks at her.

XAK: Really?

KAIA: (smiling) Yeah, of course. I want to help... and god knows I haven't done much of that recently.

CHARLIE rolls her eyes.

KAIA: And if you're all worried I'll go awol, Ea can come with me.

BROGAN looks surprised.

BROGAN: I can?

KAIA nods enthusiastically.

ECHIDNA: It probably would be wise for two people to go. The land is not as peaceful as it once was...

BROGAN looks at KAIA. He doesn't want her to get hurt... not like his cousin.

BROGAN: Looks like I'm going to Greece then.

KAIA smiles at him, thankfully for giving her a chance. Again.

SEPHY: Excellent. You will depart after breakfast. I will inform James of your arrival...

They arrive at the door to the kitchen. XAK reaches out to touch the handle. He does. He opens the door.

Everyone is taken aback by the scene in front of them. DANTE pushes through them all to see. His eyes widen...

DANTE: Oh my god...

CUT TO BLACK

END OF TEASER

As the screen remains black for a moment, a moon begins to fade into view and then the words in bright white?SHADOW STALKER. They fade as quickly as they appeared.

[Lex]

ACT ONE

OPEN ON ? ATLANTIC OCEAN
KITCHEN ? INT.KALIPSO SYNDICATE HQ ? MORNING

Everyone is still dumbstruck by what they see before them in the kitchen. The camera rotates from the doorway to show the room.

It is laden... with... a feast.

Doughnuts, toast, waffles, cereals, bacon, sausages, eggs (all kinds), every kind of juice, pancakes and a bowl of colourful fruits. Standing nervously at the back of the room, in an apron, is CATE. She has flour all over her face. She is looking healthier and even manages a small smile at them all. CHARLIE moves into the room and looks up at CATE.

CHARLIE: Did you do this?

CATE nods.

CATE: I know it's not much... and I'm not the greatest cook as you know, but it's just something to sort of say...

She sighs and looks at every face in the room.

CATE: I'm sorry.

XAK smiles warmly at her. He walks towards her.

XAK: You don't have anything to apologise for. We all know what you went through and we're ready to help you through it...

He hugs her. She hugs him back thankfully. She breaks away and smiles at him.

CATE: (mouthing) Thank you...

There is a small pause and everyone in the room is silent.

DANTE claps his hands together.

DANTE: Well guilt free or not, I'm having a doughnut.

CATE smiles.

XAK: I second that motion.

SEPHY: Come Echidna, I wish for some waffles. Kaia, make sure you and Ea also eat well for the journey...

Everyone soon moves into the room and smiles accommodatingly at her. CHARLIE takes CATE'S hand and she moves to one of the tables.

The camera cuts to DANTE sitting at a table which only has XAK sat at it. His plate is piled up with a variety of food. XAK looks at the food.

XAK: Oh thanks, I was going to go and get some...

DANTE looks defensive.

DANTE: This ain't for you boy.

XAK rolls his eyes. He looks over to CHARLIE and CATE who are serving up some fruit into a bowl. He sighs looking at CHARLIE.

DANTE who is stuffing his face with bacon and toast notices XAK'S longing.

DANTE: (with a full mouth) Stuff still rocky with you two?

XAK looks startled and looks around to DANTE.

XAK: Huh?

DANTE: You and Charlie. You still in the doghouse?

XAK: How did you know that?

DANTE: Dude, even I can see the gap between you two... and I'm a guy. Pretty chauvinistic one at that too...

XAK: Well, not that it's any of your business... but yeah, things are still kinda rough. Too much has happened. It's hard to get back to the good old days.

DANTE: What where I was trying to kill you?

He's clearly testing XAK'S patience.

XAK: Remind me again why I'm talking to you about this...

DANTE: Because I know women. Listen, if you want to win her over... just take it back to basics, to a time that you two loved.

XAK: We never had basics.

DANTE: Ok, well make it basic. Make her some dinner, some nice wine, music...

XAK: Take her on a date?

DANTE: Sure. Show her that just because the world you live in and fight for is crazed... it doesn't mean you both have to suffer because of it.

XAK: (surprised) Wow. You're actually half decent at this advice stuff...

He smiles weakly at DANTE.

XAK: Thanks...

DANTE: No problem.

There's a pause where neither one of them knows what to say...

DANTE: Look at us all big and grown up. Makes ya proud huh?

XAK: Don't push it.

DANTE smiles goofily and then takes a big bite out of a sausage, which causes XAK to look away. He looks over at CHARLIE once again and for a second their eyes meet. They're soon distracted though by the door opening...

CATE stands seeing them enter. It's TRAFFORD, behind him is ELISE and SHELTER.

CATE: Hi...

There's an awkward silence.

KAIA: Cate made breakfast.

TRAFFORD nods.

TRAFFORD: Yeah I can see.

CATE picks up a plate and walks towards them all. She holds out a plate to ELISE.

CATE: Would you like some?

ELISE looks at her blankly, before turning and leaving. TRAFFORD goes to follow her. SHELTER stays though, and CATE looks beat.

SEPHY stands and moves to CATE, putting an arm around her.

SEPHY: They'll come round dear. What you did this morning was a lovely token.

CATE nods thankfully.

CATE: It takes time I know.

She breathes softly.

The camera cuts back to the doorway as it shows SHELTER looking at LANCE. He stumbles into the room. His eyes opening and shutting quickly as if he's trying to focus.

SEPHY: Lance, would you like some breakfast? Cate made it especially for us all...

He doesn't reply. SOFIA looks at him, but DANTE doesn't turn around.

SEPHY: ...Isn't that an admirable gesture?

He collapses to the floor and begins convulsing on the ground.

SEPHY: Lance?!

She kneels down and tries to steady his body as everyone stands, worried. DANTE turns now and looks at LANCE on the floor. A pang of worry shivers him to his seat.


CUT TO ? ATLANTIC OCEAN
CORRIDOR ? INT.KALIPSO SYNDICATE HQ ? MORNING

TRAFFORD catches up with ELISE. She stops, feeling the frantic vibrations of his footsteps. She turns to him.

ELISE: (signing) Look, I know what she did she regrets now, but she hurt everyone.

TRAFFORD: (signing) She's just going through some stuff Elise. She lost her fianc?.

ELISE: (signing) Yeah and we lost our parents... but I don't see us throwing people around rooms.

TRAFFORD sighs.

TRAFFORD: (signing) Just give her a chance ok? Everyone deals with grief differently, some better than others, clearly. But she is a good woman deep down. She's just trying to realise that again...

ELISE looks doubtful and turns, walking away. He watches her leave now and decides to let her leave without persistence. The sound of running footsteps in the corridor causes him to turn around. CHARLIE and SHELTER are rushing towards him.

CHARLIE: (frantically) There you are!

TRAFFORD: (confused) What's wrong?

CHARLIE: It's Lance... quick!


CUT TO ? ATLANTIC OCEAN
MEDICAL WARD ? INT.KALIPSO SYNDICATE HQ ? MORNING

LANCE is lying on one of the beds, unconscious. He looks peaceful now but he has many wires attached to him and they're attached to many machines. TRAFFORD is making notes while XAK, CHARLIE, CATE, DANTE, BROGAN, KAIA and SEPHY stand nearby anxiously.

CHARLIE: What's wrong with him?

TRAFFORD: Honestly... I don't know. Everything's fine except...

DANTE looks at him.

DANTE: (bluntly) Except what?

TRAFFORD: His blood is pumping at twice the speed, and it's got nowhere to go...

CATE looks down, sad.

DANTE: But he's going to be ok right?

TRAFFORD: I'll do all I can to make him comfortable... but the human body can't take this...

DANTE'S face drops and he sits on the edge of LANCE'S bed. No one knows what to say...


FLASH TO - L'AZURA
LANCE'S CELL ? INT.L'IGATIO PRISON ? UNKNOWN

The colours on the screen are blurred, as is the whole image, it looks static.

The door to LANCE'S room is open but he doesn't dare venture outside. The MAN we saw look into his room from earlier walks past. He sees the door is open and he looks in. He smiles, and looks LANCE up and down.

MAN: Hey...

LANCE doesn't reply. The MAN walks into the room, he look confident, but LANCE doesn't look up at him.

MAN: You know, it wouldn't hurt to socialise a little bit. Your missus is a right popular lady around these parts.

LANCE looks up.

LANCE: She isn't my lady... and I don't remember inviting you in.

MAN: (friendly) Come on now... an attitude like that can make eternal imprisonment seem like a long time. There are ways to get by you know...

LANCE ignores him and looks down. The MAN looks at him questionably.

MAN: Sorry, it was kind of rude of me not to introduce myself...

LANCE: (bitter) I don't remember asking.

MAN: (forcefully) Garrett. Garrett is my name.

The MAN/GARRETT kneels down. His smile and amiable attitude have faded.

GARRETT: Now I'm respected and feared in this neck of the woods. So I'd drop your deadbeat attitude if I were you. You wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of me and mine...

LANCE looks up at him angrily.

LANCE: You're a demon.

GARRETT: Now why would you go and say a thing like that?

LANCE: Everyone is in this place; except for me and my "lady".

GARRETT is silent now.

LANCE: So get out of my face before I show you what I like to do to things like you...

GARRETT laughs.

GARRETT: You just made a big mistake buddy.

He walks towards LANCE'S door.

GARRETT: (shouting) Big big big big mistake...

The camera closes in on LANCE'S face, showing his complete lack of care for the threat... He continues to stare at the floor...


FLASH TO ? ATLANTIC OCEAN
ELISE'S ROOM ? INT.KALIPSO SYNDICATE HQ ? MORNING

The colours on the screen return to normal as we flash to ELISE going through her drawers and picking up as much paper as she can find. Anything and everything that has URSULA's name on it and anything and everything that could be a clue to URSULA'S secret.

SHELTER appears in the doorway. She knocks on the wall to get her friend's attention. ELISE looks over.

SHELTER: (signing) What are you doing?

ELISE: (signing) I have to take my mind off of Cate and her "breakfast".

SHELTER: (signing) Obsessing over Ursula won't help you Elise.

ELISE: (signing, optimistically) Well it's just as well I'll find out what she knows about us today then.

SHELTER sighs and watches her friend torment herself further.


CUT TO ? ATLANTIC OCEAN
LOBBY ? INT.KALIPSO SYNDICATE HQ ? AFTERNOON

BROGAN and KAIA are stood next to one another and SEPHY and ECHIDNA are stood in front of them.

BROGAN: Are you sure you want us to go?

KAIA: Yeah, this whole thing with Lance thing: we can wait a day if you want.

SEPHY: There's nothing you could do if you were here, but thank you.

ECHIDNA: Besides, we shouldn't waste any more time... Our window of opportunity is at hand.

SEPHY holds on to ECHIDNA'S hand.

SEPHY: Good luck to you both. Contact us when you find her...

The goddesses look up to the roof of the lobby and a beam of light shoots down and hits BROGAN and KAIA. They close their eyes as the light consumes them...


FLASH TO ? GREECE
LOUNGE ? INT.SEPHY'S APARTMENT ? UNKNOWN

BROGAN and KAIA keep their eyes closed, fearing the light.

JAMES (O/S): It is safe to open your eyes now.

They do and look around. JAMES smiles at them.

JAMES: Welcome. It is good to finally meet you both.

He holds out a hand, which BROGAN shakes.

BROGAN: You must be James.

He nods and then shakes KAIA'S hand.

JAMES: Come, I will brief you on Katerina's location.

He walks away to the table, information scattered all over it. BROGAN looks to KAIA and she smiles at him. He smiles back.


CUT TO ? ATLANTIC OCEAN
CORRIDOR ? INT.KALIPSO SYNDICATE HQ ? AFTERNOON

Leaving the Medical Ward, XAK and CHARLIE begin walking away. She sighs.

CHARLIE: This is Sin's doing.

XAK: I know. I was thinking the same...

CHARLIE: I know we were never as close to him as we were to his brother, especially considering everything... but he is still one of us.

XAK: We'll find a way to save him.

CHARLIE: I hope so.

They're silent for a moment as XAK looks nervously, contemplating DANTE'S earlier words.

XAK: So uh... I was thinking.

She looks to him.

CHARLIE: Yeah?

XAK: Would you like some dinner tonight?

She smiles slightly.

CHARLIE: Are you asking me out on a date?

XAK: Kinda.

CHARLIE: Don't you think it's a little bit inappropriate? I mean there's so much going on...

XAK: (beat) Look if you don't want to, just say...

CHARLIE: (protesting) No... Of course I do. It's just...

XAK: There's always gonna be a bad time Charlie. We're living with my wife and teaming up with people who were once our enemies to take down our daughter. We don't live ordinary lives but we should take every opportunity that comes our way.

She nods.

CHARLIE: You're right.

She smiles weakly.

CHARLIE: Pick me up about eight...

XAK: Oh I'll do better than that...

CHARLIE: (smiling) Good.

He stops and she walk away. With her back to him as she walks away, her smile widens.


CUT TO ? ATLANTIC OCEAN
MEDICAL WARD ? INT.KALIPSO SYNDICATE HQ ? AFTERNOON

DANTE is still sat on the edge of LANCE'S bed, looking at his dormant state worried. The door opens and SOFIA enters. She looks at LANCE lying helplessly on the bed.

SOFIA: Will he be ok?

He doesn't turn around.

DANTE: I doubt it...

She looks down.

SOFIA: I feel so guilty.

DANTE: Why?

SOFIA: Ok, before I tell you this... just remember I had your interests in mind. I promise...

DANTE: Sofia! Just tell me... what did you say to him?

SOFIA: I told him to stay away from you...

DANTE turns around, confused.

DANTE: What?

SOFIA: I didn't know something like this would happen. I just wanted you...

His eyes widen and he stands.

DANTE: How is it your place to tell him what to do?!

SOFIA: (pleading) Please Dante I just...

DANTE: Don't. Just get out...

She looks sad and looks away from him, nodding.

SOFIA: Ok, I'll go...

She turns around and leaves. DANTE stands helplessly in the room and runs a hand through his hair.

The camera moves away from DANTE to LANCE... His eyes begin racing once again from behind his eyelids.


FLASH TO ? L'AZURA
LANCE'S CELL ? INT.L'IGATIO PRISON ? UNKNOWN

The colours on the screen are blurred, as is the whole image, it looks static.

The camera shows LANCE in his cell in the L'Igatio Prison. He's being held to the wall by two other men while another punches him in the face hard. He looks beaten and dazed and he has cuts on his arms, leg and face.

MELODY is nowhere to be seen once again.

The man punching LANCE moves to the side and another, muscled man fills his space. He smirks darkly at LANCE who can barely see him through his bruised eyes. It's GARRETT.

GARRETT: I told you, you didn't want to mess with me and mine.

LANCE doesn't reply.

GARRETT: But you were right about one thing. We are demons ? at least part of us is.

LANCE continues to ignore him.

GARRETT: And you know people think us Lycans are so unjust...

GARRETT who is clearly the leader of the Lycans walks closer to him.

GARRETT: But tell me again Lance, now we've had this little intervention, what do you think of us?

LANCE: (breathing fast) I think you're scum...

GARRETT laughs and punches LANCE around the face again.

GARRETT: See that's the sort of attitude that means we get a bad name. We're just creatures like you humans...

He paces the room and then gets an idea.

GARRETT: In fact... we can be more alike than you think Lance.

The GARRETT turns to the other Lycans in the room who laugh, knowing what he is thinking.

GARRETT: What do you think boys. Do you think it's time we introduced Lance Emory to "The Fold".

The men laugh and nod.

GARRETT: Good, then I, Garrett of The Fold...

He cuts his arm with his nail to allow a small trickle of blood to seep out of the wound.

GARRETT: Would like to welcome our newest member...

He holds the trickling stream of blood over one of LANCE'S cuts.

LANCE tries to protest... but he cannot stop gravity pulling GARRETT'S demon blood down on to his open wounds...

CUT TO BLACK

END OF ACT ONE

[Lex]

ACT TWO

OPEN ON ? GREECE
ENTRANCE ? EXT.TEMPLE ? EVENING

BROGAN and KAIA approach the entrance of one of the temples in Greece. It's a warm night and the air is calm, but they're both on alert.

KAIA: You know, Greece is nice!

BROGAN: Too warm for my liking.

KAIA: We grew up in hell, how warm do you want it to be?

BROGAN rolls his eyes.

BROGAN: This is the fourth temple we've hit tonight... and nothing.

KAIA: This is the last one she was seen at.

He looks around, sceptically...

BROGAN: I don't get it... something about this doesn't make sense.


CUT TO - GREECE
INNER SANCTUM ? INT.TEMPLE ? EVENING

BROGAN and KAIA enter the Inner Sanctum of the temple. It is empty.

KAIA: Great... another empty room. You know it may be warm here but my god it's quiet.

BROGAN: Wait... look...

He nods in the ceiling. Above the altar they can see there is a hole in the ceiling showing the sky. On one side of the sky it is dark... the other side, the sun is still reigning. The temple was directly under the line between night and day.

As the line fixates on the roof, the image of a woman appears hovering above the altar. She is dressed in a white gown and headdress. She is played by Jill Clayburgh.

BROGAN and KAIA look at her in awe.

BROGAN: Katerina?

The woman nods.

KATERINA: The nineteenth of my kind...

KAIA: You know you're a hard woman to track down.

KATERINA: I exist at the line of light and dark and will exist as conduit only once. Soon, your window of opportunity shall pass away and I with it. Use your time wisely. What is it from me you seek?

BROGAN and KAIA look at one another.


CUT TO ? ATLANTIC OCEAN
XAK AND CHARLIE'S ROOM ? INT.KALIPSO SYNDICATE HQ ? AFTERNOON

SEPHY: Absolutely!

She is stood with CHARLIE in the room. She moves over to the wardrobe.

SEPHY: And you must wear something appropriate but pleasing to the eye.

CHARLIE: (unsure) You sure?

SEPHY: Do not feel guilty about wanting to spend some private time with your lover. You're a grown woman now Charlie who has, over the past few months alone, had enough problems to last a lifetime. You deserve right now to focus on your own happiness... you've seen in Cate how things can pan out if you let anger and frustration take over your life.

CHARLIE: I think that's slightly different...

SEPHY: I don't care if it's different or if it's not, the point is you need this Charlie. Both of you do if you stand any chance of forming a united front against the one thing you'd hoped you'd never have to stop.

CHARLIE considers this in deep thought whilst her mother searches through her wardrobe to find something for her to wear.


CUT TO ? ATLANTIC OCEAN
ARCHIVES ? INT.KALIPSO SYNDICATE HQ ? AFTERNOON

ELISE and SHELTER are walking through the Archives, searching the aisles.

ELISE: (signing) I know this is where Persephone put all of Ursula's things. Her laptop must be here...

SHELTER taps on her friend's shoulder.

SHELTER: Isn't that it?

Once she has finished signing, she points at something lying on a pile of boxes. ELISE follows SHELTER'S point and sees the object. She turns to SHELTER and nods happily.

ELISE moves to the laptop and lifts the screen. It wasn't shut down the last time it was used and it opens automatically. ELISE begins scanning through the folders as SHELTER looks over her shoulder.

There's various folders but there's one that catches ELISE'S eye...

"THE ELDERS"

She looks at SHELTER who looks confused also. ELISE goes to click on it. It is password protected.

ELISE sighs. SHELTER doesn't though. She taps on ELISE'S shoulder and ELISE looks at her.

SHELTER: (signing) Don't worry... I know what the password is.

ELISE looks at her wondering as SHELTER rushes off and out of the Archives.


CUT TO ? ATLANTIC OCEAN
MEDICAL WARD ? INT.KALIPSO SYNDICATE HQ ? EVENING

The room is empty now. LANCE is alone. His body begins shaking again...


FLASH TO - L'AZURA
SOLITARY CONFINEMENT ? INT.L'IGATIO PRISON ? UNKNOWN

The colours on the screen are blurred, as is the whole image, it looks static.

LANCE is chained to the wall. He has more cuts on him and he looks bruised again. The door opens and a L'AZUREAN GUARD lets a visitor in. It's GARRETT. He has a black eye but he does not look as bad as LANCE. The L'AZUREAN GUARD closes the door leaving GARRETT in the room alone with LANCE.

GARRETT: (quietly) Lance...

LANCE cannot bring himself to lift his head.

GARRETT: Why did you continue to contest us?

LANCE: (exhausted) Because I'm not one of you... I'll never be one of you...

GARRETT moves closer and kneels down in front of him.

GARRETT: You're not strong enough to fight the demon Lance.

He looks at LANCE, a surge of sudden emotions washes through him but he ignores them. He reaches out and touches LANCE'S face.

GARRETT: It's not just in you, it's a part of you. The strength, the speed, the instinct... you can't suppress it... not forever. Nothing can be suppressed forever.

LANCE glares at him and grips hold of GARRETT'S hand. GARRETT looks at him confused.

LANCE: Just watch me.

Just as he says this though, his blood boils. The L'Azurean moonlight floods the room through the barred window and washes him in an intoxicating light.

He tries to stop it... but he can't.

His muscles begin to distort and grow larger, tearing his clothes apart. His eyes turn yellow and his blond hair begins to cover his body from head to toe. He stands, breaking out of his chains. He was a Lycan.

GARRETT smiles and looks at what he created in admiration.

GARRETT: That's my boy.

LANCE snarls and swipes at GARRETT which knocks him to the floor. LANCE then pounces on him...

Just as he does this...


FLASH TO ? ATLANTIC OCEAN
MEDICAL WARD ? INT.KALIPSO SYNDICATE HQ ? EVENING

The colours return to normal as the camera pans around the room. It's trashed. The bed LANCE was lying on is torn to shreds and he is gone...

Medical equipment lies on the floor, smashed and broken and there is a large hole where the door was. It had gotten out. It had broken out.


CUT TO ? GREECE
INNER SANCTUM ? INT.TEMPLE ? EVENING

BROGAN and KAIA are still stood in front of KATERINA. Unsure of where to start.

KATERINA: Your time runs short.

BROGAN: Sin...

KATERINA: You speak of the youngest of the bloodline?

BROGAN: Yes. Where is she?

KATERINA: She is powerful. She holds in her the blood of two powerful beings. She is not only a threat to this coil, but to mythology.

KAIA: Yeah this is all great and all, but since our time is running short... maybe we could just skip to the dramatic twist. Where is she?

KATERINA looks past BROGAN and KAIA as if she is seeing a scene play out behind them. She scans it...

KATERINA: Sin is held by the water's edge. I am unsure of its true location... she has done her best to hide herself from prying eyes.

BROGAN: Is there anything? Anything you can see that can help us find her...

KATERINA: I see a sign. A sign of calling, of wanting. It's...

She looks at them both now.

KATERINA: The shores... Cropley Shores...

And with this, KATERINA XIX vanishes from sight. BROGAN and KAIA stare at where she was stood, baffled. They look at one another.

"Cropley Shores"?


CUT TO ? ATLANTIC OCEAN
ARCHIVES ? INT.KALIPSO SYNDICATE HQ ? EVENING

ELISE is still sat at URSULA'S laptop. She's been typing in many words that may allow her access: Walter, Trafford, Elise, Shelter, Kalipso, Lake, Suspiria, and Syndicate. All obvious words... none of them working...

SHELTER hurries back into the room. ELISE feels her footsteps and turns to her.

SHELTER: (signing) It might be a long shot, but try this...

SHELTER hands ELISE a piece of paper. On it are six letters that have never made sense before.

"TAWE SE"

ELISE smiles, remembering finding these letters in URSULA'S diary.

She hurries to type in the letters, so much so her hands shake and she almost mistypes them.

It accepts. The folder opens...


CUT TO ? ATLANTIC OCEAN
XAK AND CHARLIE'S ROOM ? INT.KALIPSO SYNDICATE HQ ? EVENING

CHARLIE is sat at her dresser in a blue dress. Her hair is up and she is just placing in some silver earrings when there is a knock at the door.

CHARLIE: Come in...

The door doesn't open so she looks at it confused.

CHARLIE: (louder) Come in!

Once again there is no answer. She stands and moves towards the door. She opens it and there is a note on the door. It says "Open me..."

She looks perplexed and opens it. The note simply says "Follow me..."

She looks around the corridor and sees nothing but a candle placed on the floor. She smiles and walks towards it. She kneels down next to it and blows the flame out. She looks up from where she is and she sees another one in the distance. She walks towards it...


CUT TO ? ATLANTIC OCEAN
CORRIDOR ? INT.KALIPSO SYNDICATE HQ - EVENING

CATE is walking down a corridor. In her hand is a cookery book entitled "1001 Ideas for Breakfasts" She is looking at it and highlighting pages.

CUT TO ?

TRAFFORD is walking down a corridor. In his hand is a medical journal, hoping to find a way of helping LANCE. He is looking at it and highlighting pages.

CUT TO ?

They're so engrossed in their reading they don't even see one another until they crash into each other. They drop their books.

CATE: (shocked) Oh my god. Trafford, I am so sorry. I didn't see you there.

TRAFFORD: (dazed) It's fine, I should have looked where I was going.

She kneels down to pick up her book when she looks at what TRAFFORD was holding.

CATE: Looking into a way to help Lance, huh?

TRAFFORD: Yeah... with no luck I might add...

CATE looks at him beat. He looks at what she was carrying.

TRAFFORD And I see you're looking into ways of stunting our cholesterol?

She looks down.

CATE: It's just the only thing that's keeping me sane right now.

TRAFFORD pauses.

TRAFFORD: You're doing good, considering.

CATE: Maybe, but it's long overdue.

She looks up at him.

CATE: I'm so sorry Trafford, for what I said and for what I did to your sister. I'm not like that usually... I just...

She stops herself.

CATE: There's no excuse. I let his death turn me into a monster and I'm sorry...

TRAFFORD sighs.

TRAFFORD: I accept your apology.

She smiles weakly, touched.

CATE: (softly) Thank you...

TRAFFORD: You should know Cate...

He pauses, wondering whether to continue or not...

TRAFFORD: I've watched you for three years now. I watched you become an amazing woman, a warrior woman. I can forgive you because I know how much you loved him and how much it kills to lose someone you love to that extent.

CATE: Then, will you help me?

TRAFFORD: How?

CATE: I know I have no right to ask anything from anyone. It's just, you're a Healer. And it's quite obvious when left to my own devices, I fall short...

He looks at her thinking. She looks him dead in the eyes, pleading.

CATE: Will you please help me move on... counselling, yoga, cooking... I don't care. I just need help and I'm not afraid to ask for it anymore...

He watches her, eyeing the desperation in her eyes without satisfaction. He goes to reply when they hear a growl...

They both look to see that behind CATE is LANCE. He's not human.

He crawls towards them. His large razor like teeth snarling at them and his blonde hair, which smothers his body, sticks up on end, threatening.

CATE and TRAFFORD shy into the background, but CATE moves in front of TRAFFORD.

TRAFFORD: (whispering) What is that?

CATE looks at the creature with a furrowed brow, wondering.

CATE: I'm not sure...

She looks at the creature, fixated on its eyes...

Then, LANCE barks at them and then pounces towards them. CATE bears the full brunt of the injury and receives a large scratch across her side. Despite being injured she kicks him off of her and he slams into the wall.

LANCE whimpers and snarls at her once again before running away.

TRAFFORD looks to CATE, worried. She's holding her side, but she stands.

TRAFFORD: Are you ok?!

CATE: Get the others...

She runs after the creature, ignoring the pain. TRAFFORD stands.

TRAFFORD: Cate!

She ignores him and continues running.


CUT TO ? NEW YORK
CONTAINERS ? EXT.DOCKS ? EVENING

The camera shows the door to the container which leads to the stairway. The sound of banging and crashing against the door can be heard.

Suddenly the door bursts open and LANCE breaks out. He runs around a corner and hot on his trail is CATE. She has her eyes locked on the creature wondering...


FLASH TO ? SUNNYDALE
LOUNGE ? INT.XAK'S APARTMENT ? NIGHT

The colours on the screen are blurred, as is the whole image, it looks static.

It's the night CATE kissed LANCE. They're sat on the floor drinking wine. She looks upset and has been crying. He'd been so understanding, everything about him. His voice, his manner, his body language... his eyes...


FLASH TO ? NEW YORK
CONTAINERS ? EXT.DOCKS ? EVENING

It couldn't be him... could it?

CATE: (shouting) Lance!

The creature stops dead. It turns to face her. Although sallow... they were obviously his eyes.

LANCE growls angrily and gets ready to pounce... its eyes peeled on CATE'S neck.

It wasn't LANCE anymore...

He was a Lycan.

CUT TO BLACK

END OF ACT TWO

[Lex]

ACT THREE

OPEN ON ? NEW YORK
CONTAINERS ? EXT.DOCKS ? EVENING

CATE and the Lycan are stood opposite one another, about thirty feet between them. She's astonished...

CATE: I'm not crazy. It is you... isn't it?

She takes a step towards him, but he growls defensively. She puts a hand out.

CATE: Ok... Let's just take five and think about this. Lance... I don't know what happened to you, but I can try and help you...

He cocks his head to the side, listening to her. He begins edging towards her.

CATE: You just have to remember who you are.

He begins moving even closer to her, and for a brief moment... it looks like he's about to change back...


CUT TO ? ATLANTIC OCEAN
KITCHEN ? INT.KALIPSO SYNDICATE HQ - EVENING

There is a knock at the door. The person in the Kitchen opens it. CHARLIE is stood there, an armful of extinguished candles in her arms. She smiles at the person and looks around the room.

CHARLIE: I thought you might have something to do with this.

The camera rotates to show the kitchen covered in candles and XAK dressed in a tux.

XAK: So did I do good?

CHARLIE: You did okay... a basket wouldn't have hurt, these things weigh a ton. He laughs and she unloads them into his arms. He looks at her now her body is fully revealed and looks at her slender figure beneath the blue dress in awe.

XAK: You look beautiful.

CHARLIE: Thought I'd go with blue. Red's not exactly been a highlight with us.

XAK smiles.

XAK: I love it. Would you like a drink?

CHARLIE: I'm sure I could force down a glass of Merlot.

XAK walks over to the table and reaches for a glass of wine.

XAK: See? We can do this...

CHARLIE: Well it pretty much beats the first time I met you.

XAK: What? Bottled flavoured spirits and stoicism in The Bronze isn't appealing anymore?

CHARLIE moves towards him.

CHARLIE: I'd say this was an improvement.

He hands her a glass of wine and she holds it. They look at one another and he leans in and kisses her. She closes her eyes and allows herself be seduced for a moment, then she breaks away. XAK looks a bit confused.

CHARLIE: So uh, when's dinner ready?

XAK: Oh. Right. Soon. I'll just go check on it...

He walks towards the stove and she watches him before looking at her glass and taking a big gulp from it.


CUT TO ? NEW YORK
CONTAINERS ? EXT.DOCKS - EVENING

The Lycan is only a few feet from the Slayer. It begins to trust her. She smiles.

CATE: That's it... It's ok...

TRAFFORD (O/S): Hey!

CATE turns to see DANTE, SEPHY, ECHIDNA, SOFIA and TRAFFORD all rushing towards CATE. The Lycan recoils and growls, stepping back from CATE.

CATE: No guys...

SEPHY rushes to CATE'S side and grabs her.

SEPHY: Don't worry dear, you're safe now.

CATE breaks from SEPHY'S grasp.

CATE: No! You don't understand...

The Lycan rushes away quickly, everyone eyes it.

TRAFFORD: Cate, we both saw that thing jump for you.

CATE: (desperately) I know! But it's Lance!

Everyone looks confused.

CATE: (calmer) It's Lance...

DANTE: (concerned) Are you sure?

CATE: I'm positive.

ECHIDNA: How positive exactly?

CATE: I know the eyes of an Emory, trust me. Plus I bet if you look in the Medical Ward right now you'll find a Lance shaped hole where the door should be...

Everyone looks stunned.

SOFIA: (almost laughing) But how? How could that be Lance? He's just so... ordinary.

DANTE: He's a Lycan...

SEPHY: Excuse me?

DANTE: I know what that was... and if it is Lance...

SEPHY: Oh my... A descendant of Lycaon himself...

SOFIA: Yeah but how? We've never faced Lycans before... or at least he hasn't?

CATE looks to her.

CATE: Yes he has. Melody told me once that he'd been getting into fights with Lycans.

SEPHY: And this was during his sentence in the L'Igatio prison?

CATE nods.

TRAFFORD: But why would this happen now? He left there over a year ago...

As soon as her words end, the clouds in the sky separate and the moon washes over the docks. DANTE looks up. His eyes widen and the reflection of the L'Azurean moon shines in the dark and gaping pupils of his eye.


CUT TO ? GREECE
ENTRANCE ? EXT.HOTEL ? NIGHT

A car pulls up to a hotel. Out of the driver's side steps JAMES and out of the back step BROGAN and KAIA. BROGAN looks at JAMES confused.

BROGAN: Why have we stopped here?

JAMES: Persephone organised a room for you both. I'll pick you both up in the morning and take you to the apartment to return to the base.

BROGAN: Can't we travel back tonight?

JAMES: Trust me, your bodies can't take it.

BROGAN and KAIA exchange a glance.

JAMES: I would offer to put you up at the apartment, but there's a chance of it being watched and your presence could prove controversial...

KAIA nods and hits BROGAN on the arm.

KAIA: Come on, suck it up... I'm not that bad company.

She walks towards the hotel door. BROGAN looks at her and watches her enter the hotel.


CUT TO ? NEW YORK
CONTAINERS ? EXT.DOCKS ? EVENING

Everyone is looking at the moon in astonishment.

SEPHY: This could be catastrophic.

ECHIDNA: The tides certainly will change...

TRAFFORD: Don't you think we should tell Xak and Charlie now?

SEPHY: No. They need this night... this is something that can be handled efficiently through other means.

She looks briefly at DANTE who is staring at the moon still.

SOFIA: Ok, so we know how this is possible... but who...

Everyone looks at her, an eyebrow raised. Everyone but DANTE, who looks down.

SOFIA: Ok, stupid question...

TRAFFORD nods, figuring.

TRAFFORD: It actually makes sense.

SOFIA: How do you mean?

TRAFFORD: Not the Sin thing. I mean the fact he's a Lycan. Technically I've known for a while...

SEPHY: Explain...

TRAFFORD looks around as everyone stares at him expectantly. Everyone but DANTE who shows little care for how this happened... only for a solution.

TRAFFORD: Well, firstly, there's something you need to know about my sister: Elise, is not just a Healer.

Everyone looks slightly surprised.

TRAFFORD: Since our parent's death, the loss of her hearing was compensated with another sense. She could tell if someone was light and if someone was dark; like if a demon was inside them or something. She said that she saw darkness in Lance... maybe Sin found that out as well somehow...

SEPHY: Oh I see...

ECHIDNA: And did Elise feel anything else? About anything?

TRAFFORD looks at her and then looks to SEPHY and finally CATE. He shakes his head. SEPHY looks to him.

SEPHY: Well while this validates a lot about the situation, I'm afraid the priority right now is securing Lance's safety. It certainly will not be easy retrieving him without causing harm to ourselves or him; Lycans are formidable beings who can only be reasoned with by someone they have an emotional link with.

She turns to DANTE and he looks at her. She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a cell phone, she hands it to him.

SEPHY: (quietly) You're the only one that can get through to him.

DANTE: How do you know?

SEPHY: I trust my instincts, you should too... and so will he..

He looks at the phone and looks at her. She looks into his eyes, trusting him.

SEPHY: Be careful.

He nods.

DANTE: I'll sort it...

Everyone looks to him as he walks away from them all on his own. SOFIA hurries after him.

SOFIA: Dante...

SEPHY rushes to her side.

SEPHY: Let him go my dear. He'll call when he needs help...

SOFIA looks to her worried and SEPHY smiles reassuringly. SEPHY motions to the others and everyone begins to move towards the containers once again.


CUT TO ? NEW YORK
SIDEWALK ? EXT.STREETS ? NIGHT

The Lycan hurries down the main streets of the city. It barks and scares many people nearby and as it moves into the road the traffic swerves to avoid it. It snarls at the headlights and rushes away towards Central Park... the sound of wolves howling and the smell of animal meat attracting it...


CUT TO ? ATLANTIC OCEAN
MEDICAL WARD ? INT.KALIPSO SYNDICATE HQ - NIGHT

CATE is sat on one of the beds in the Medical Ward while in the background SEPHY and ECHIDNA use magic to restore the room to how it was. TRAFFORD lifts CATE'S shirt up slightly to see the wound. He recoils slightly.

CATE: How bad is it?

TRAFFORD: It's actually quite deep... but I'll fix you up. Just lie back on the bed.

CATE nods and lies back. His hands hover over her stomach and he closes his eyes. She watches him as she feels her wound close.

CATE: Thank you...

TRAFFORD: You shouldn't have done what you did.

CATE: It was either me or you. I had to do what I had to do.

TRAFFORD: You're not invincible Cate, so don't just throw yourself in the firing line because you made mistakes.

CATE: I wasn't...

TRAFFORD: Don't pay back your friends with blood or baked goods. There are other ways of making amends and getting through this. Don't replace grief, with guilt.

He opens his eyes and looks to her. She's healed.

TRAFFORD: Consider that lesson one.

CATE looks at him, confused slightly.

CATE: Does that mean you'll help me?

SEPHY looks over at them both, listening in.

TRAFFORD: I'll aid you as best I can Cate, but at the end of the day ? there's only you.

She nods, slightly tearful, knowing she's gotten through the first day.

CATE: Thank you...


CUT TO ? ATLANTIC OCEAN
KITCHEN ? INT.KALIPSO SYNDICATE HQ ? NIGHT

XAK and CHARLIE are sat opposite one another, their dinner completely polished in front of them. They're drinking more wine.

XAK: Think they're having fun without us?

CHARLIE: I'm sure they're falling apart.

XAK laughs and smiles.

XAK: I'm really glad we did this Charlie.

She looks down.

CHARLIE: (doubtful) Yeah...

He looks at her concerned.

XAK: Charlie, what is it? Is it the food?

CHARLIE: No, it's lovely... It really is...

XAK: Me?

CHARLIE: God no...

XAK: Was it just being here? I know the Syndicate kitchen doesn't exactly scream romance but it's the best we've got right now and to be honest...

CHARLIE closes her eyes trying to not shout out.

XAK: I thought it'd be best t take things slow considering that everything is....

She looks up suddenly.

CHARLIE: My grandmother was murdered!

XAK is speechless and just looks at her as her face turns cold and a tear falls like frostbite on her cheek.


CUT TO ? ATLANTIC OCEAN
SEPHY'S ROOM ? INT.KALIPSO SYNDICATE HQ ? NIGHT

SEPHY is stood by her bed and ECHIDNA is holding a phone in front of her. It's been answered and the phone is on speaker so they can both hear, and respond to, the person on the other end.

ECHIDNA: What was the name of this place that she spoke of?

BROGAN (O/S): (on the phone) Cropley Shores. There wasn't much else she could say in the time she had.

SEPHY looks to ECHIDNA.

SEPHY: And there was no indication as to where in the world this place is?

BROGAN (O/S): (on the phone) No, but I mean it's called Cropley "Shores"; gotta be at the edge of a continent somewhere.

SEPHY nods.

SEPHY: This is true.

ECHIDNA: And Ursula and Constance?


CUT TO ? GREECE
SUITE ? INT.HOTEL ? NIGHT

BROGAN is stood at the edge of a large hotel suite, the phone to his ear. KAIA can be seen in the background checking out its amenities.

He looks down, hearing what ECHIDNA has just asked.

BROGAN: (quietly) She didn't say...

SEPHY (O/S): (on the phone) Do not worry Ea ? we shall find them in time. Just get some rest; you did a good job finding Katerina and well done in finding out this information. We shall look into it. Now, get some rest, we'll see you tomorrow...

He nods to himself and then hangs up the phone. He looks at it and sighs.

KAIA (O/S): (amazed) Hey!

BROGAN turns to see her holding a bottle of champagne.

KAIA: This is actually champagne! I've heard this is like the posh stuff they drink on this planet. Wanna try some?

BROGAN: It's for celebrations. We're hardly celebrating.

KAIA: Well we should be. We have her location do we not?

BROGAN: Doesn't mean we're home dry Kaia, you know that.

KAIA: I know... Listen, I want to find Ursula and Constance as much as you, but tonight there's nothing we can do...

She motions to the bottle.

KAIA: Except this. So do you wanna just relax for a second or stand like a robot all night until we have to leave?

He pauses, thinking.


CUT TO ? ATLANTIC OCEAN
SEPHY'S ROOM ? INT.KALIPSO SYNDICATE HQ ? NIGHT

ECHIDNA closes the phone and looks at SEPHY.

ECHIDNA: This has your grand-daughter written all over it.

SEPHY: I know, which is why I, personally, will look into this Cropley Shores and its location.

ECHIDNA: Is there anything I can do?

SEPHY: Look into the Artair's background. If I am to understand correctly, this gift of Elise's could be interesting...


CUT TO ? ATLANTIC OCEAN
ARCHIVES ? INT.KALIPSO SYNDICATE HQ ? NIGHT

The camera cuts immediately to ELISE'S face who can't believe what she's reading.

The camera rotates to show some sort of chart. URSULA, SMITH, ARIA, WALTER and MR.ELM are all linked with various lines from each name to one another.

ELISE clicks on a document that is simply named "Blood".

There is only one line of text in this document:

"The blood of the Elder's runs through us all."

ELISE turns to SHELTER.

ELISE: (signing) What does this mean?

SHELTER: (signing) I have no idea...

ELISE turns back to the monitor and goes back to the page with all the names of the Elders on it. SHELTER'S eyes scan them all. She'd heard of them all but one...

She taps on ELISE'S shoulder again.

SHELTER: (signing, curiously) Who is this Mr. Elm? I haven't heard of him before but he seems so familiar to me...

ELISE: (signing) It was really sad. He was one of the first Elder's. He died when I was just a baby. No one really spoke about him much afterwards...

SHELTER: (signing) Is there a picture of him?

ELISE turns back to the computer and clicks through various folders until she finds one based on MR.ELM. She clicks on it and there is a picture...

SHELTER gasps. It was him...

A tear runs down her cheek as the camera rotates once again to show an old faded picture of a black man on the screen with the words. "ELDER JETHRO ELM" above it. He is played by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje.

ELISE turns back to SHELTER now.

ELISE: Yeah that's him...

SHELTER looks upset, staring at the picture of JETHRO.

ELISE looks concerned.

ELISE: (signing) Shelter... What is it?

SHELTER: (signing) I knew that man...

ELISE looks intrigued.

ELISE: (signing) Is this to do with Ursula's secret?

SHELTER: (signing) I think so...

ELISE'S intrigue subsides slightly, seeing how upset her friend is.

ELISE: (signing) How?

SHELTER: (signing) He's my father.

ELISE'S eyes widen and they both turn to look at the picture of SHELTER ELM'S father, JETHRO.

What had happened to him?


CUT TO ? ATLANTIC OCEAN
SOFIA'S ROOM ? INT.KALIPSO SYNDICATE HQ ? NIGHT

SOFIA is pacing her room, concerned and with a phone to her ear.

SOFIA: Dante, please. It's not safe out there as it is, but with a Lycan form of Lance on the loose too... Are you crazy?


CUT TO ? NEW YORK
PATH ? EXT.CENTRAL PARK ZOO ? NIGHT

DANTE is walking through a desolate Central Park Zoo and has a phone to his ear. He stops.

DANTE: I'm not crazy and I'm not coming back without him.

SOFIA (O/S): (on the phone, angry) You know, your blind obsession in protecting that man is getting tiresome!

DANTE: Just call it instinct.

He hangs up the phone.


CUT TO ? ATLANTIC OCEAN
SOFIA'S ROOM ? INT.KALIPSO SYNDICATE HQ ? NIGHT

SOFIA looks at the phone stunned. She throws it on the floor infuriated.


CUT TO ? NEW YORK
PATH ? EXT.CENTRAL PARK ZOO - NIGHT

DANTE looks behind him to see the gates have been torn off their hinges; LANCE had to be here.

DANTE continues forward in the darkness and in the quiet.

DANTE: Lance?

He sees the wolf enclosure up ahead and hurries towards it. He looks into it and sees nothing. It's too dark...

He squints to see.

DANTE: Lance?! You down there?

A growling. He leans forward to have a closer look.

The growling is coming from behind him. The Lycan edges closer to DANTE, which causes DANTE to turn around. He looks at it, shocked to think that underneath it all... is LANCE.

DANTE: Hello puppy...

The Lycan barks at him and pounces at him, knocking them both over the edge and into the enclosure.

There is quiet.

CUT TO BLACK

END OF ACT THREE

[Lex]

ACT FOUR

OPEN ON ? NEW YORK
WOLF ENCLOSURE ? INT.CENTRAL PARK ZOO ? NIGHT

The camera shows DANTE lying on his back. It's dark all around him. He strains to sit up, hurt.

DANTE: Man... this is why I like cats...

He sits up and rubs his head after smacking it off the floor. He looks around the enclosure. It's empty.

DANTE: I know you like the thought of watching me, thinking I don't know. But I do. I know now.

He kneels.

DANTE: So just come out...

The sound of panting and heavy canine breathing can be heard.

Out of one of the shadows... the Lycan emerges. It stops and looks at DANTE.

DANTE: It's just me and you now.

The Lycan cocks its head.

DANTE: So, let's be open... for once.


CUT TO ? ATLANTIC OCEAN
XAK AND CHARLIE'S ROOM ? INT.KALIPSO SYNDICATE HQ ? NIGHT

XAK and CHARLIE are now sat on their bed. XAK'S jacket is off and his shirt is un-tucked. CHARLIE'S hair is down and her jewellery has been taken off too. He looks at her intently listening, whilst she looks down, unable to make contact.

CHARLIE: ...And then he killed her. So you know what I did?

XAK: What?

CHARLIE: I hunted him down, knocked him out. Dragged him into the woods, tortured him... and then I killed him.

She looks at XAK now. He doesn't look shocked.

CHARLIE: (almost testing him) I took a gun and I blew his brains out of the back of his worthless head and left him to rot...

XAK doesn't say anything, his jaw tightens. CHARLIE looks at him expectantly.

CHARLIE: Didn't you hear what I said? I killed someone. Me, Charlie... your Charlie.

XAK looks down and then up to her.

XAK: What can I say to you? What do you want me to say?

CHARLIE: Anything... shout, scorn, cry, I don't know! Just show me that you're in some way affected by this...

XAK: How about pride?

CHARLIE: (shocked) What? How can you be proud of me... I'm a killer...

XAK: So am I. Does that stop you from loving me any less?

CHARLIE doesn't know how to answer.

XAK: Look at what those beings have done to us so far Charlie. They turned me into something that could kill you and everyone close to you, they made sure your father died horrifically and one of them even worked for Wolfram and Hart. And now this Miles guy comes along and kills your grandmother? So no, I'm not angry at you, or sad that this guy died... I'm just proud that you've adapted to this war we're in at last.

She looks tearful.

XAK: It's brutal, it's harsh and there are gonna be losses on both sides. But we're gonna come out of this stronger because of what we've been through...

CHARLIE: You don't hate me?

XAK: I could never hate you. If anything... I thought you'd hate me.

CHARLIE: For what? Kaia?

XAK: Yes.

CHARLIE: God, that woman is so insignificant right now...

She touches his face...

CHARLIE: Everything I've done. Everything I'm doing, it's not just to keep myself alive in this war. It's because I think it's all linked to us.

She looks into his eyes, the eyes of the man she loves.

CHARLIE: (softly) I'm trying to keep us alive...

He touches her hand and pulls it away so he can put his hand through her hair. He pulls her closer and kisses her. She doesn't pull away this time.

All the cards are on the table, and all of her inhibitions were about to fall off their bed sheets in waves of lust.

They fall back on the bed.


CUT TO ? GREECE
SUITE ? INT.HOTEL ? NIGHT

KAIA is just finishing her second glass of champagne. She looks at it and swallows the bubbles in one gulp.

KAIA: Wow... This is, disgusting.

She motions to the bottle.

KAIA: Want another one?

The camera pulls back to show her and BROGAN are sat on one of the beds. BROGAN hasn't touched his champagne and looks away.

KAIA: What is wrong with you? You've been miserable ever since we've got here.

BROGAN: Sorry...

KAIA: I know everything's bad right now, but am I honestly that bad company?

He looks at her now.

KAIA: I am trying you know...

BROGAN: It's the opposite and you know that.

She looks down slightly.

BROGAN: And I don't know what it is about you... One minute you're a bunny boiling psycho, out to kill and destroy. The next you're this bubbly wonderful woman who every time I look at, I just wanna kiss...

KAIA gulps and after a pause, she looks up and places her drink on the side of the table.

KAIA: I don't know who I am Ea.

She looks into his eyes.

KAIA: All I know is that lately, when I'm around you, I find it easier to feel...

She looks at the champagne in his hand as...

SONG: THE HOOSIERS ? EVERYTHING GOES DARK

KAIA: ...Bubbly.

BROGAN: (nervously) Bubbly's good...

He looks at her constantly. She reaches out and puts a hand on his, whilst delicately kissing him. He looks taken aback slightly, but closely his eyes softly and lightly. As the kiss begins to end, neither one lets it. They kiss more passionately and letting BROGAN'S glass of champagne fall to the floor they fall back on the bed they're on. He pushes down on her and kisses her. She gasps for breath and in between breaths manages to muster...

KAIA: Let me be your first...

(The music below plays throughout)

"Hypnotised by mirrors,
You should look out your window,
Beneath cracked panes of ice,
Your sky's on fire."


FADE TO ? ATLANTIC OCEAN
XAK AND CHARLIE'S ROOM ? INT.KALIPSO SYNDICATE HQ - NIGHT

CHARLIE flips XAK over so she is on top of him. She rips off his shirt, her hands caressing his chest as he pulls her dress up and over her head. He pulls her down to kiss him and then rolls her over so he once again assumes domination. (The music below plays throughout)

"Drowned by the screams of decadence
A call to arms
Too busy working out to
Work it out
It's not gonna matter what you chose
It's too late when everything goes
Dark...
Dark..."


FADE TO ? GREECE
SUITE ? INT.HOTEL ? NIGHT

For a man who has never done what he is doing to KAIA, he shows a surprising amount of intuition and talent. BROGAN kiss her neck tenderly while she runs a hand down his muscular back. He slides her bra strap off of her shoulder and looks into her eyes for approval to kiss the skin revealed underneath. (The music below plays throughout)

"It's creeping up on you
It knows your name
All that you left behind
Will never be the same
It's come for all that you hold dear
She starts to cry
And here's a song to break your heart
Looking in the dark"


FADE TO ? GREECE/ATLANTIC OCEAN
ROOM ? INT.UNKNOWN ? NIGHT


Now under the sheets, the two of them writhe and due to the various suggestive shots, it makes it difficult to know who we're seeing. XAK and CHARLIE? BROGAN and KAIA? A man's back. A woman's thigh. Toe's curling. Hands groping. Connecting. (The music below plays throughout)

"But I can't see
It's getting light
In the night we made mistakes;
Dark...
Dark...
Dark...
Dark..."


FADE TO ? ATLANTIC OCEAN
XAK AND CHARLIE'S ROOM ? INT.KALIPSO SYNDICATE HQ - NIGHT

XAK kissing CHARLIE passionately. Although he knows he must breathe all he can think about is to continue connecting the way he is with her. It's clear, she feels the same. It's been too long.

"Would you leave yourself alone?
If everything goes dark
Would you lighten up your tone?
Once everything goes dark
Everything goes dark
Everything goes dark
Dark...
Dark..."


FADE TO ? GREECE
SUITE ? INT.HOTEL ? NIGHT

BROGAN holds KAIA as they look into one another's eyes. She smiles at him as they forget in their serenity just how they were led up to this point.

"Dark...
Dark...
Dark...
Dark...
Dark...
Dark..."


FADE TO ? ATLANTIC OCEAN
XAK AND CHARLIE'S ROOM ? INT.KALIPSO SYNDICATE HQ - NIGHT

XAK and CHARLIE lying breathless on their backs on their bed. They look at one another and then reach out to lock fingers. Although they can't imagine how, they smile.

"Everything goes dark...
Everything goes dark...
Everything goes dark..."


CUT TO ? NEW YORK
WOLF ENCLOSURE ? INT.CENTRAL PARK ZOO ? NIGHT

The music comes to an end with a close up of DANTE'S face. He looks ahead, doubtful. The Lycan eyes him cautiously.

DANTE: (quietly) I know you think you're a monster. You're not. You don't have to wear the shoes just ?cause they fit.... I can help you.

It growls at the suggestion and prowls closer to DANTE. DANTE backs slowly away on the floor, but the mere fact he moves, threatens the demon. It growls angrily and moves closer to the ground... ready to pounce.

DANTE: Oh no...

It jumps at DANTE and knocks him backwards to the ground. It lunges for DANTE'S neck, its razor sharp teeth just inches from the soft skin of the man underneath it.

Instinctively, DANTE puts out his hands and with every ounce of strength holds the mouth of the Lycan away from his neck. He tries with every might to keep the teeth away from him and he looks into its eyes, even though it doesn't look back...

DANTE: (struggling) Lance! Please!


FLASH TO ? L'AZURA
SOLITARY CONFINEMENT ? INT.L'IGATIO PRISON ? UNKNOWN

The colours on the screen are blurred, as is the whole image, it looks static.

We continue from where we left off...

LANCE snarls and swipes at GARRETT which knocks him to the floor. LANCE then pounces on him. GARRETT is strong and holds off LANCE, but laughs doing it knowing that while he may be able to stop the demon from killing him... LANCE cannot stop himself.

GARRETT throws the beast back and it hits a wall. GARRETT stands now.

GARRETT: I am The Fold, Lance. So what was the point in attacking me? Did you honestly think you stood a shot in beating me?

The Lycan growls angrily and glares deeply at its maker.

GARRETT: But, I'm a fair demon... So let's play on the same turf...

With this he brings the demon out almost instantaneously, tearing his clothes to shreds. He's a bigger Lycan than LANCE is. A full body of black bristly hair smothers GARRETT'S body and his eyes grey into discord.

Both the Lycans launch at one another.

They wrestle for power and it looks as if both are winning and losing.

Eventually the spat breaks and GARRETT swipes at LANCE but LANCE manages to dodge his claws and bites GARRETT'S arm hard. Dirty blood pours from the wounds but GARRETT is stronger, he does whimper or show a sign of weakness. With all his strength, he pushes LANCE away.

LANCE lowers himself closer to the ground and then pounces at GARRETT. He manages to pin him down and this is when GARRETT reverts to his human self. He grabs his arm, feeling the pain more as a subordinate race. It's clear he's naked but we cannot see everything.

He looks slightly tired, but not beat. He looks at LANCE.

GARRETT: You know what boy.

He holds his arms out.

GARRETT: Kill me. Show me just how much of a monster you've become.

LANCE glares at him, his canine eyes glaring at the thing that turned him into the blonde beast he is to this day.

Without hesitation he pounces on GARRETT...

Just as he does...


FLASH TO ? NEW YORK
WOLF ENCLOSURE ? INT.CENTRAL PARK ZOO ? NIGHT

DANTE is still trying with all his might to keep LANCE off of him. The Lycan is strong... but is LANCE'S will stronger?

Its teeth are close to tearing. DANTE looks the demon in the eyes, even though the demon does not look into his.

DANTE: (softly) Please...

The Lycan's eyes widen.


FLASH TO ? L'AZURA
SOLITARY CONFINEMENT ? INT.L'IGATIO PRISON ? UNKNOWN

The colours on the screen are blurred, as is the whole image, it looks static.

As the Lycan form of LANCE flies through air to pounce on GARRETT, he reverts to his human form. Though human, and naked, we only see the top half.

He lands on GARRETT, who looks surprised.

GARRETT: How did you do that?! Only I can change when it suits me... the moon is too strong...

LANCE smirks.

LANCE: It is. But I'm stronger.

GARRETT looks fuming...

LANCE: And I know your secret... You didn't change because you wanted to. You changed because your human instinct kicked in and told you to stop.

GARRETT: (angry) Told me what?!

LANCE: Told you that you didn't want to hurt me...

GARRETT: And why wouldn't I want to hurt scum like you?

LANCE: I think we both know why...

GARRETT looks at LANCE. He's seething and wants to tear him limb from limb but his suppressed human feelings continue to suppress the demon. He cannot hurt something he has feelings for.

LANCE stands and moves over to the side of the room where there is an old rag. He covers himself up.

LANCE: I think we're done here. You and the rest of The Fold are never to talk to me, or even look at me, again. Understood?

GARRETT: Why should I agree to anything you say?

LANCE: Because if you don't, I will tell the rest of them the real reason you want an army of good looking men.

GARRETT clenches his jaw and slowly stands. He moves towards the door. GARRETT looks back at LANCE but says nothing. He leaves the room...

LANCE closes his eyes breathing heavily. He knows why GARRETT stopped because he stopped for the same reason...


FLASH TO ? NEW YORK
WOLF ENCLOSURE ? INT.CENTRAL PARK ZOO ? NIGHT

The colours on the screen return to normal as we see DANTE still struggling with the demon. The skin of the teeth grazing the skin of the neck.

Then, the Lycan looks into DANTE'S eyes.


CUT TO ?

A montage of scenes cue:

Sunnydale.

LANCE and TOOLE as boys with his parents ? playing in the garden.

CATHRYN RITTLE.

L'Igatio

GARRETT OF THE FOLD

SIN reaching out on the roof of her building to grab the moon.

MELODY HARP.

The moon changing from its earthen orbit to that of the L'Azurean moon.

CHRISTIAN MCARTHUR and LEIGH SINCLAIR.

People on the streets staring in awe.

XAKIEL THORN and CHARLIE ADRASTOS.

The Meeting Room in The Kalipso Syndicate HQ.

SEPHY with the Syndicate behind her.

The Docks.

SOFIA ROSE.

LANCE and DANTE'S room...

Finally the montage ends on DANTE TURNPIKE

He just stares ahead.

DANTE (V/O): (echoing) Just call it instinct...


CUT TO ? NEW YORK
WOLF ENCLOSURE ? INT.CENTRAL PARK ZOO ? NIGHT

The Lycan's eyes widen as it reverts back to its human form. LANCE. He is lifted into the air, his muscles tensing.

DANTE looks at him.

LANCE: (shouting) No!

A large amount of energy emits from him in one violent radial burst. The energy is the same colour as the moon.


CUT TO ? NEW YORK
SKYLINE ? EXT.CITY ? NIGHT

The camera shows a view of the New York City skyline as the energy emitted from LANCE travels through the city; the epicentre being the park. The energy does no damage. It seems to be spreading upwards, into the sky.

As the energy fills the sky, the image of the L'Azurean moon gradually fades and the earthen moon returns to reign the night.


CUT TO ? CROPLEY SHORES
ROOF ? EXT.UNKNOWN BUILDING ? NIGHT

SIN fixated by the moon is blown back by the end of her spell. The very view affects her. She falls to the floor of the roof and stares upwards, angry.

SIN: (shouting) No!


CUT TO ? NEW YORK
WOLF ENCLOSURE ? INT.CENTRAL PARK ZOO ? NIGHT

LANCE, still levitating after beating off the spell... eventually falls to the floor. DANTE watches him helplessly.

DANTE: Lance....

He rushes to the man's side. He kneels and tries to lift him.

DANTE: Come on man, get up. It's over ok? Well at least I think whatever you just did ended it... So don't be a girl ok... Get up...

LANCE looks weak and breathless. His eyes open to look at DANTE.

LANCE: (hoarse) I didn't want... I didn't want to hurt you... I just, I just forgot how to stop it...

DANTE smiles.

DANTE: Damn right you didn't wanna hurt me...

LANCE laughs slightly but still feels weak.

DANTE looks at him more seriously now. Tears almost fall from his eyes as he looks at the weak being before him and what he put himself through.

DANTE: (softly) ...But you came close...

LANCE opens his eyes more as they sit in silence on the floor of the enclosure. LANCE reaches up and places his hand on the back of DANTE'S head. DANTE does nothing.

LANCE pulls DANTE'S head down to his and kisses him. They close their eyes and let the tender contact linger for a moment...

DANTE breaks away.

DANTE: Uh... Maybe we should get you home...

LANCE nods.

LANCE: (softly) Yeah... ok.

DANTE lifts him to his feet and then realises.

DANTE: Maybe some clothes too...

He helps LANCE towards the emergency exit door, all the while the shadows shroud what should be and the light shines on that which has not been seen before.


CUT TO ? CROPLEY SHORES
ROOF ? EXT.UNKNOWN BUILDING ? NIGHT

SIN stands now. She glares angrily at the moon and its normal glow.

SIN: That was so not cool...

A phone rings. Her head darts to the side. A cell phone is ringing near to where URSULA is situated. URSULA'S eyes widen.

URSULA: Please... Don't answer. Don't speak to her...

SIN ignores her and storms over to the phone.

URSULA: (helplessly upset) Please...

SIN: Shut it grandma...

She reaches down and picks up the phone. She answers it and puts the phone to her ear.

SIN: (to the person on the other end) I thought it made it explicitly clear. Never. Never ring me. You better be on a secure line...


CUT TO ? ATLANTIC OCEAN
UNKNOWN ROOM ? INT.KALIPSO SYNDICATE HQ ? NIGHT

We don't know what room we're in, until the camera shows a bed, a nightstand, a lamp and a wardrobe...

It's a bedroom in the Kalipso Syndicate HQ, but whose is unclear.

A woman is sat on the edge of the bed. She has a bath robe on and her hair is in a towel, which makes it difficult to see who it is. A phone is to her ear.

WOMAN: (to the person on the other end) Don't worry, the line is secure. I wouldn't have risked this otherwise...

She pauses, sighs and stands, moving to the mirror in her room.

WOMAN: (to the person on the other end) We have a big problem...

She releases her hair from the towel and it's a dark brown colour.

She begins drying it with her free hand as she tilts the mirror to see her face.

It's SOFIA.

CUT TO BLACK

END OF EPISODE


Cast:
MILO VENTIMIGLIA as XAK THORN
ALEXIS BLEDEL as CHARLIE ADRASTOS
AMANDA SEYFRIED as CATE RITTLE
CHRIS EVANS as DANTE TURNPIKE
CHAD MICHAEL MURRAY as LANCE EMORY
JENSEN ACKLES as EA BROGAN
EMILIE DE RAVIN as KAIA THORN
and SUMMER GLAU as SIN

Special Guest Stars:
BLYTHE DANNER as ELDER URSULA LAKE
PATRICIA ARQUETTE as SEPHY
ALI LARTER as ECHIDNA
MORENA BACCARIN as SOFIA ROSE
PAUL WALKER as TRAFFORD ARTAIR
BECKI NEWTON as ELISE ARTAIR
GABRIELLE UNION as SHELTER ELM
ALAN RITCHSON as JAMES
DOMINIC PURCELL as GARRETT OF THE FOLD
JILL CLAYBURGH as KATERINA XIX
ADEWALE AKINNUOYE-AGBAJE as ELDER JETHRO ELM

Special Mention:
THE HUSH SOUND ? YOU ARE THE MOON
THE HOOSIERS ? EVERYTHING GOES DARK

[Lex]

If you would like to give me feedback on Shadow Stalker, visit my thread here! I'm always happy to hear from you and I usually comment on the feedback as well!

TRIVIA AND RANDOM FACTS FOR "3.12 ? INSTINCT"

- So that's the new? belated? episode of SS! So? Lance is a Lycan, he kissed Dante, Shelter knows who her father is, Elise still knows nothing about her part of the secret, Xak and Charlie are back and bigger than ever, Brogan and Kaia slept together, Sephy's intrigued with Elise's gift and Cate is moving on? but will she rely too heavily on Trafford's help?

- I will be saying nothing on the ending. I refuse to comment on anything to do with that phone call until it actually progresses. Don't even ask. Just read to find out what happens?

- I will leave it up to you guys to decide what was going on with Lance and Garrett, I just wanted to lay the foundations that what is going on with Lance and Dante is not completely random?

- You might notice that at the beginning I didn't put what time of day that Brogan and Kaia arrived in Greece because I was completely unsure of the time difference between Athens and New York and thought it could get confusing and difficult to implement. So yes, that's the reason behind that.

- This was the first mention of Cropley Shores. This is going to be a BIG location for the series and will feature heavily in future episodes. I won't say how but there is a reason Sin is there and there is a reason why it's so important? but is it to do with Sin? Or something that could happen after her? Or something that has already happened?

- Not sure if there is a wolf enclosure in Central Park Zoo (an empty one at that). For arguments sake, let's say there is.

- I'm going to try and stop ending with song montages which is why this end had a more poignant definitive ending.

- Also I'd like to apologise for the gap. I have University and work pressure on me, not to mention some pretty awful personal stuff going on. However, think I'm through the worst of it now so expect regular episodes back.

- Ok so 3.13 ? "The Old Ball And Chain" is next. The banner for this episode will feature Charlie and the episode itself will have the gang actually going to Cropley Shores for the first time. However, there is a funeral?