(Buffy's in a bathrobe, running a bath)

SPIKE (concerned) Are you hurt? you're not moving so well...

BUFFY: Get out.

SPIKE: We have to talk.

BUFFY: I really don't.

SPIKE: Well, this isn't just about you -- as much you'd like it to be.

BUFFY: You spoke. I listened. Now leave.

SPIKE: (soft, sincere) I'm sorry. Not that it matters anymore. But I needed you to know that.

BUFFY: Why?

SPIKE: 'cause I care about you.

BUFFY: Then you might want to try the not sleeping with my friends.

SPIKE: I didn't go to Anya for that. I was looking for a spell.

BUFFY: You were going to use a spell on me?

SPIKE: It wasn't for you! *I* wanted something -- anything to make this feeling stop. I just wanted it to stop! (a beat, soft) You should have let him kill me.

BUFFY: I couldn't do that.

SPIKE: Why?

BUFFY: You know why.

SPIKE: Because you love me.

BUFFY: No! I don't.

SPIKE: Why do you keep lying to yourself?

BUFFY: How many times...!? I have feelings for you. I do. But it's not love. I could never *trust* you enough for it to be love.

SPIKE: (scoffing) Trust is for old marrieds, Buffy! Great love is wild and passionate and dangerous. It burns and consumes.

BUFFY: Until there's nothing left. Love like that doesn't last.

SPIKE: I know you feel like I do. You don't have to hide it anymore.

BUFFY: Spike, please, stop this --

SPIKE: Let yourself feel it...

BUFFY: No...

SPIKE: You love me...

BUFFY: Oh, no, stop it! Spike, stop. Ow! What are you doing? Ow!

SPIKE: Let it go... Let yourself love me... Buffy, Buffy...

BUFFY: (over) Spike, no, ow, I'm hurt, stop!

(commercial)

SPIKE: I know you felt it... When I was inside you...

BUFFY: Don't... please, plaese Spike, please don't do this, please don't do this...

SPIKE: You'll feel it again, Buffy... I'm gonna make you feel it...

BUFFY: STOP!

(sends him flying)

BUFFY: Ask me again why I could never love you!

SPIKE: Buffy, my god, I didn't --

BUFFY: Because I stopped you. Something I should have done a long time ago.

• Buffy & Spike

written by: Steven S. DeKnight; No transcript available, so I started with the Shooting Script and spent a couple-three hours editing it to match what was said and shown on the broadcast version. . Full transcript at: