As You Were

The Doublemeat Palace. Buffy cleans the grill while a co-worker sporting a 5-year pin speaks at her. She's obviously not into the conversation- listening only because she has to. She looks weary, but is working steadily- as the chatty guy leans up against the tile.

"You see, Buffy, the thing you gotta learn about the palace, and this takes a while, is that job security all boils down to one simple thing." He pauses for effect and Buffy looks at him. "Politics." "No. I'm not a political animal. But you learn fast around here or it's...WHAM! Hello, glass ceiling. I mean, it's not like we work at burger world or the happy bun where the power structure is simple. No. Here at the Palace, you gotta keep your friends close, but your enemies closer." "It's like Machiavelli says…" Buffy looks at him- he pauses. "You know Machiavelli, right?"

"Tall guy, bleached mullet, works day shifts?" Buffy says, confused.

The co-worker snickers. "I'm sorry, my bad. I keep forgetting you dropped out of college."

"I'm reapplying." Buffy offers.

"Good luck with that." He says it with false enthusiasm- Buffy looks shamed and lowers her eyes. He picks up his bags. "Well, gotta motor. Don't wanna be late for Night School."

"You go to Night School?" She's interested- sorta.

"I'm working on my MBA." He says proudly- then gestures at the grill, grimacing. "Think I want to spend the rest of my life cleaning grease traps?" Buffy looks down, considers the grill. "Ooh. Don't forget to lock up before you go. And the gum under the tables, be sure to give it a good scrape before you leave." He gestures enthusiastically.

"May I?" Buffy says it like she's in pain. He doesn't notice.

"See you tomorrow."

She regards the grill again- resumes scraping. "Yes, you will. And the day after that and the day after that and the day after that..."

-

The cemetery. Buffy walks and sings. (The tombstone from Dead Things- you know, the one with the heart on it? Is in the foreground. She could be going to the crypt.) She swinging a take-out bag from the Doublemeat.

"Get the double treat that's the double sweet oh, it's hard to beat when the meat meets... oh, why can't I get that stupid jingle out of my head?" Suddenly, with a growl, a grinning vamp with receding hairline blocks her path.

"Least of your problems now, little girl." The vamp sneers.

"Wait." Buffy puts the bag on a tombstone, then turns to face the vamp. "Ok, let's do this. Quickly."

The two scuffle briefly. Buffy doesn't do too well, and the Vamp pulls her forward to take a bite- then pulls away.

"What's that smell?" He sniffs. "Gee, slayer, is that you?"

"I've been working." Buffy says, defensively- the Vamp still holding her by the shoulders.

"Where, in a slaughterhouse?" He looks her over, nose crinkling.

"Doublemeat palace." Buffy looks sheepish.

"Oh..." The Vamp takes his hands off of her arms- backs away, grimacing. "You know what? Let's just call it a night. If it's all the same to you, and you've been eating that stuff, I'm not so sure I wanna bite you."

"You're dead." Buffy retorts, peevishly. "You smell like it. How do you get to say I'm the one who's stinky?"

The Vamp stands away, "Really, it's cool. I'll just catch you next time." Suddenly, we see a stake fly toward the Vamp- hitting him precisely in the heart (though it seems his heart is closer to the middle of his chest). He dusts.

Shot to Buffy. She sniffs her coat, cringes, then grabs the take-out bag from the tombstone and departs.

-

Credits

-

The Summer's Residence. Buffy is about to walk up the porch steps. She stops, turns- eyeing the sky. "Oh, for Pete's sake. Spike?"

Spike saunters/swings himself from his spot behind the tree. He's wearing a brown/grey snakeskin patterned button down- open at the top, his jeans, and duster. The hair's not TOO slicked back. "Ah, it's a fair cop. You caught me, slayer." He starts to walk toward Buffy. "However, in all honesty, I think we have to say this one doesn't count. After all, I wasn't exactly hiding."

"No, Spike." Buffy says as he saunters toward her.

"No? What kind of answer is that? You haven't even heard the question yet." He comes close,

"I don't have to."

"We both know what you're thinking."

"And we both know that I'm not the only one thinking it." He touches the lapel of her coat.

Buffy hits his hand away. "No. Not here."

"Why not?" Spike looks at the door- pouts.

"Dawn." Buffy looks to the door. "She's inside waiting for dinner. She's counting on me. I'm not letting her down by letting you in."

"So it's the fear of getting caught then, is it?" Spike asks directly.

"Reason number one on a very long list." She's just as direct.

"Needn't be an obstacle." Spike takes her by the hand, leading Buffy towards the tree.

"Spike, I mean it." She dragging back, but not with enthusiasm.

"Come on- I hear you're serious. So am I." Spike directs her to the tree. She leans against it. "I want you. You want me. I can't go inside, so... Maybe the time is right... For you to come outside." Buffy stares at him, sighs. Spike leans forward, and they begin to kiss. Buffy drops the take-out bag.

-

The kitchen. Buffy enters, looking tired. She brushes her hair from her face. Dawn's at the fridge- closes the door as Buffy comes in.

"Dawn. Hey. Hi." Buffy breathes, a bit out of it. She sits at the kitchen island.

"Rough night?" Dawn stands across from her - she's interested in how Buffy is doing.

The two sisters talk for a moment, but Buffy is really out of it. The burger she's brought Dawn is squished. Doublemeat burgers appear to be the main staple of the Summers' diet now. Buffy tries to get Dawn interested, but Dawn begs off the burger- not unkindly (and for Dawn- she does it in a mature way. She appears to understand that Buffy is trying.) But Buffy, not seeing Dawn's reluctance for fast food leftovers- offers to bring home something different tomorrow- Fisherman's nuggets.

Willow comes into the kitchen- sits by Buffy and asks her how the night went. Buffy asks why everyone is asking her that and Willow points out the grass stain on Buffy's coat- she assumed that Buffy had been out slaying.

"Some vamp get rough with you?" Willow asks.

"He's not getting any gentler." Buffy sighs, examining the grass stain.

"He?" Willow looks at Buffy, concerned.

"They. Them." Buffy back-pedals quickly. "You know, vampires in the general population sense." She sighs." Now I'm gonna have to wash this."

Willow and Dawn ask Buffy if she wants to go to the Bronze- but Buffy says no. She says she has seen enough action for one night.

-

The Bronze. Anya and Xander are sitting at the bar- discussing wedding plans. Xander is tired of the mundane details. He's munching munching on a big bag of chips.

"I'm starting to have dreams of gardenia bouquets… I am so glad my manly coworkers didn't just hear me say that." Xander laments.

"Will you stop wolfing down those chips? One more bag, and you'll pop right out of your cummerbund. You're not even hungry. You're just nervous." Anya grabs the bag of chips, pulls them to her side- takes a few.

"Yeah! Wedding. One week. We have friends, family, demons flying in, and a to-do list getting no shorter and do not... Take my chips." Xander grabs the bag back. The two glare at each other as Dawn interrupts them.

"Hey, guys." Dawn gushes. "How's the soon-to-be Newlyweds? Nervous?"

"No!" Xander and Anya shout in unison- sending Dawn for cover- to Willow, who eyes the two at the bar.

"You know, when I was little," Willow says, "I used to spend hours imagining what my wedding to Xander would be like. And now I look at them... I just think Hee-hee-hee." She laughs.

Dawn then comments on Willow's cheeriness. Willow explains that things are looking up with her and Tara- they can actually talk to each other- but inviting Tara to the Bronze with them would be pushing it a bit fast.

-

Move to Buffy, who is at home. She's trying to get the grass stains out of her jacket. Solemn music (country?) plays on the radio.

-

It's morning, and Buffy sits on the couch snoozing- her coat covers her. It doesn't look like she made it to bed- she's still wearing the shirt she wore while washing the coat. Buffy hears an engine outside and jumps up- runs outside. Buffy misses the garbage truck.

Dawn is in the kitchen when Buffy returns- mail in hand. Buffy opens a letter to find a rejection notice from the admissions department at UC Sunnydale (the rejection says that she had to apply by January 15, 2002.) She hides the letter when Dawn asks what it is.

Dawn talks a bit about the Bronze- and tells Buffy not to work too hard (Whoa! Dawn is actually being sweet!). Dawn leaves for school- and Buffy is confronted by a stack of dishes.

-

Back at the Doublemeat palace, the chatty guy from the night before continues…

"And that where even your best political minds can drop the ball. Zeitgeist. You're not taking the pulse of the public, next thing you know, you're L.B.J. Handing the house keys over to Nixon. Heard back from your college yet?"

"Yeah." Buffy looks defeated, continues to eye the grill.

"Aaall right." Chatty guy drawls. "You know, we're out of special sauce."

"I'll get it." Buffy says, softly.

"No, no. Your turn up front. I'll deal back here. You take the customers." He nods, cheerful and oblivious to Buffy's mood. She moves to the cash, starts her spiel without looking at the customer.

"Welcome to the Doublemeat palace. How may I help…" She looks up. It's Riley. "you."

Riley's decked out in commando-gear. Complete with bullet-proof vest. Same old Captain Cardboard- only, he's sporting a flashy new scar that crosses his left eye. "Hey." He looks down to Buffy, dour and business-like.

"Huh?" Is all Buffy can say. Her eyes are wide.

-

Riley talks to Buffy at the counter. A line of customers forms behind him (I found them more interesting). Buffy is distracted and self-conscious. She remarks on Riley's height. Makes lame-ass statements.

Riley tells Buffy about a demon he's tracking. It's a threat to all of Sunnydale. He needs Buffy to help him track it down.

The Chatty supervisor comes up and tells Buffy to move the line along- customers are waiting.

Buffy bails- following Riley out of the Doublemeat Palace.

-

Buffy and Riley walk in the street. He tells her he'd like to get caught up, but he really needs her help with the demon.

"Suvolte demon. Rare, lethal, nearly extinct, but not nearly enough." He says. His team is tracking the demon. Buffy makes some comments on his James-Bondish equipment. She's a bit wistful- not focusing on the job.

"We've been tear assing through every jungle from Paraguay up, taking out nests. As soon as we put one Suvolte down, a dozen take its place. They're breeders, Buffy. One turns into 10, 10 become 100. This gets out of hand and there's a war with humans, the humans are gonna lose." Riley explains.

"So they're like really mean tribbles." Riley gives her Buffy a look. "Sorry, I've been dealing with these...these geeks. It's...it's a whole thing."

The pair look up to see a grey demon (kind of an upright armadillo with a big oozing mouth) smashes a postal box. Riley asks Buffy if she's ready for a fight and they rush to attach the demon.

Riley, taking the Commando tactic, shouts: "National forestry service! We got a wild bear! Everybody stand back!"

Buffy gets thrown by the demon, which then runs away. Riley and she follow, then meet up with it in an alley. Riley gets it in the chest with a stake-shooter and the demon hops a fence- getting away.

Buffy remarks that the demon is too fast to chase- but Riley doesn't agree.

-

Cut to Buffy and Riley driving in a SUV. They're tracking the demon on a computer screen. They talk a bit. Awkwardly, but professional. Riley's all business- he asks how she is after the fight. She replies a bit more generally- saying that the question is complicated- hints at her death. She flirts a bit. He doesn't seem totally immune.

-

Anya and Xander are sitting in traffic. Both of them are munching on chips. Both look miserable (The dialogue is precious).

Anya: "I think we died in this car on the way to the airport and now we're stuck in hell."

Xander: "The radio said no traffic."

Anya: "It's a hell radio. Of course it said so. We'll never get to the airport in time to pick up your stupid uncle."

Xander: "It just gives my uncle more time at the bar. Trust me. He'll be happy."

Anya: "Great. So he can sleep off his drunken stupor on our newly reupholstered couch."

Xander: "He can't afford a hotel."

Anya: "Why are you defending him?"

Xander: "I'm not. I hate my uncle. I hate my whole family. That's why I'm marrying you, to start a new family, have children, make them hate us. Then one day, they'll get married, we'll sleep on their couch. It's the circle of life."

Anya: "Well, the Gnarols are teleporting in in 20 minutes. If I'm not there to greet them, somebody's getting incinerated."

Xander: "Why did we ever agree to have your friends, who are demons, and my family, who are monsters, stay at our place?"

Anya: "Well, I can only do so much, Xander. Planning this marriage is like staging the invasion of Normandy."

Xander: "Without the laughs. We should have eloped."

Anya: "No. I've been through too much planning this wedding, and it is going to happen. It is going to be our perfect, perfect day if I have to kill every one of our guests and half this town to do it."

Xander: "Hmm. Cool ranch?"

Anya: "Cajun fiesta."

-

Riley and Buffy exit the SUV. They're at a dam (does Sunnydale not lack for anything?). Buffy and he have to use the same line to go down the wall of the dam. Much flirting by Buffy.

When they get to the bottom of the dam, the demon attacks Riley. They both fight the demon- which is fairly strong, and knock it down.

In an overlong shot, Buffy ends up leaning against the wall with Riley in front Buffy her- his hands on either side of her- as someone emerges down into the shot from a rope on the wall.

The someone, a woman, walks up to the pair (who are oblivious to her) and says "Hey. What exactly are you doing with my husband?"

Buffy is a bit shocked. "Husband? Wife. And those aren't code names like big dog or falcon or..."

Riley introduces Sam, his wife, to Buffy. The demon, recovered from being knocked down, comes behind Sam- who proceeds to kick its ass while Buffy and Riley stand against the wall and talk. Buffy's a bit miffed at Riley- but is coping.

When Sam gets knocked down, Riley jumps to her rescue. He gets knocked down too, and Buffy joins in. She promptly breaks the demon's neck.

Riley and Sam aren't impressed. They wanted the demon alive so that they could find its eggs. Sam is berates Riley for not telling Buffy the whole story on the demon. Riley promises to tell Buffy everything- on the way back to Revello Drive.

-

Buffy, Sam, and Riley arrive at the Summers' place. They'd apparently phoned ahead. Dawn, Xander, and (First season?)Willow are waiting.

Riley gets reacquainted with the group- Dawn's a bit cold (but in this case it's kinda appropriate), Xander is chummy, and Willow offers to support Buffy in an anti-Sam kinda way.

Sam gives wedding pointers to Xander, discusses the Suvolte demon, and is generally liked by everyone. She's Barbie to Riley's Ken (ohhh no, I'm not biased nor bitter…).

Buffy watches Riley and Sam interact as a couple as they discuss the demons.

The demon eggs are apparently being held by a dealer- The Doctor. Sam and Riley suspect that they are going to be sold on the Black Market to foreign military powers as a killing machine.

Riley asks Willow if she can do some magic to track the eggs down- Sam gushes a bit on Willow being a 'major league Wicca'. Willow freaks a bit and leaves the room- saying: "I got addicted. You know, the way addicts do?"

Riley pairs Sam and Buffy up- they're going to look around for any sign of the eggs. Riley, meanwhile, will check the bars- including Willie's- and some crypts that he knows.

-

After the plan is set, Sam follows Willow into the kitchen. There, Sam talks with Willow- apologizing for sticking her foot in her mouth- and then relating her experience with two Shamans who got addicted. Willow is heartened by Sam's support.

-

Next comes a very long (IMHO) scene with Buffy and Sam in the cemetery. Sam is fascinated with the Slayer (equates her to the Buddha and Santa Claus)- and has heard a lot about Buffy from Riley.

Sam talks about how she met Riley (Peace Corps?! Pfffftft!) and how she got involved in the Black Ops.

Basically, the important stuff is that Sam lets Buffy know how hard it was for Riley to get over her (it took what? 8 months?) and they talk a bit on relationships. Then Sam asks Buffy if she's met anyone new.

"You know," Buffy says, "I just take my time, you know. I don't want to jump right into anything. I don't wanna, you know, be defined by who I'm with." And Sam replies, "Yeah. Better no guy than the wrong guy, that's for sure."

At which point Buffy gets a look- and suggests that the two of them split up- telling Sam that she is going to check on an informant.

-

Spike's Crypt. Spike is sitting on his bier, reading. He's dressed all in black- a black button down (no tee, no chain) and his jeans.

Buffy bursts into the crypt. He gets up, walks to her. "Buffy! Hey, now. If I'd have known you were coming', I'd a baked a cake."

Buffy's all business. She takes off her gloves. "I need information."

Spike is also business-like. "Well, I suppose I could be helpful. If the price is right. I'm not sure I'm selling out at Doublemeat palace wages though."

"I need to find a guy. Dealer. Calls himself The Doctor."

Spike pauses, asks, "Human?"

"His traffic isn't."

"Clock ticking?" He leers a bit, looks to her shoulder.

Buffy's quieter, but still brusque. "Whatever he's doing, he's doing it soon."

"Soon but not now?" Spike's eyes rove downward.

"Tell me you love me." Buffy demands quickly.

Spike's face softens, "I love you. You know I do."

Buffy gets closer, looks down. "Tell me you want me."

"I always I want you." He breathes, eyes her seductively. "In point of fact..."

"Shut up." Buffy grabs him, and they move to the bier. Spike lays her down and they begin to unfasten each others' clothing. They seem gentler and quieter than we've seen before.

-

The Crypt. A little while later. Buffy and Spike lay naked, covered by blankets. They lie facing each other- it seems that they are talking, though we can't hear what they're saying.

The crypt door opens- it's Riley.

Spike doesn't look too upset- he immediately launches into a verbal attack. Buffy sits up and covers herself. She's embarrassed and ashamed.

"Well, looky here." Spike begins, "I don't usually use the word delicious, but I've got a wager this little tableau must sting a bit, eh? Me and your former? Must kill. What can I say? The girl just needs a little monster in her, man."

Riley stands, appears unconcerned. He's still all business. "That's not why I'm here, doctor."

-

Buffy looks to Spike, "Oh, god." She gulps, then gets up- leaves to put on her clothing (I don't believe she hears the next bit).

Spike watches her move away and sighs. "Here I thought we'd run you out of town, mate." Spike scoots forward on the bier- uncovers- not worried that he's entirely exposed. "Last time I saw you, if memory serves, you were getting the juice sucked out of you by some undead ladies…" Riley looks away at the floor. "of very questionable reputation. Now, be a good tin soldier and, um..." Spike makes a motion with his hand- indicating that Riley should go."

"Where are they, doctor?" Riley walks around the crypt- doesn't let Spike get to him.

Spike is putting his clothes on. Looks a bit peeved. "Where are what, and why do you keep calling me that?"

"Glad to be back in Sunnydale." Riley continues to walk about the crypt, looking about. "Locals all speak English, and I know who to beat for information. It's all brought me here."

"Look, crew-cut, she's not your bint anymore," Spike does up his belt. "and if I can speak frankly, she always had a little thing for me, even when she was shagging you."

"Nice. That's very distracting." Riley moves up to Spike. "Now, tell me, before I get unprofessional. Where are the eggs, Spike?"

"Eggs? Ha!" Spike scoffs. "You're off your nut. It must be those drugs they were keeping you on. I did warn you."

"Ok. We can do this the hard way, or we can do this the fatal way." Riley punches spike in the nose- hard. "Where are the eggs?" Buffy comes behind them. She's dressed now, and moves to Spike's side.

"The doctor..." Buffy stutters, "it can't be Spike."

Spike works his jaw. "No need to defend me, luv."

Buffy looks at Spike like he should shut up- and hit him just like Riley did- in the nose, and hard.

"Look, it...it can't be, ok?" She reasons, "He's too incompetent. It's just Spike, Riley."

Spike now just stands, watching Buffy. Blinks a bit at the word 'incompetent'.

Riley jumps in. "Right. Deadly. Amoral. Opportunistic. Or have you forgotten? I'm taking this place apart until I find that nest."

Spike moves toward Riley- postures a bit. "Over my dead body."

Riley moves his rifle over Spike, pushes him aside with the barrel, "I've seen enough of your dead body for one night, thanks." then moves to the ladder.

"Well, you're not gonna-" Spike grabs Riley's shoulder and is shoved off.

Buffy stands, looks to Spike, then to Riley.

"You coming?" Riley asks her. She follows down the ladder.

Spike stands alone- desperate. He grabs his shirt and protests as he starts to follow Buffy. "Oh, this is... Unconstitutional is what it is! Here! There's nothing' to see down there!"

Cut to Buffy dogging Riley in the lower part of the crypt. "Riley, look, I' m not saying that he's good, ok? I'm just saying that he's not capable of something as-"

And cut to the eggs- sitting about the floor in an ewy gooey mess.

Spike emerges behind them, "I can explain." He gestures to the eggs.

Riley looks at the floor, "We're gonna need more weapons. Spike screwed up. You didn't keep 'em frozen, did you... Doctor?"

Spike glares at Riley. "You can stop calling me that anytime. If I may… the thing of it is, I'm holding these for a friend who..."

Buffy punches Spike and he flies to the floor- nose bleeding. She looks down to him. "No more games."

Spike gets up, his face covered in emotion- he loses it.

"Well, that's bloody funny coming from you!" He exclaims- his voice is breaking. He looks hurt and vulnerable. (Total, amazing, William moment.)

"No more games? That's all you've ever done is play me. You keep playing with rules you make up as you like. You know what I am." He says breathlessly. "You've always known. You come to me all the same."

Riley interrupts, "Can you shut him up?"

"Not so far." Buffy replies, looking down.

Shot of Spike stalking off- shirt billowing.

-

Shot to the eggs- Riley tells Buffy to get out of there- and the eggs start to hatch. Ewy Gooey insect-like critters start to flood the room. Riley hands Buffy a gun- that she can't use, and she shoots wildly. The two climb the ladder out of the lower crypt.

Riley gasps that they need to contain the things- as Buffy grabs his belt loaded with grenades and tosses it into the lower crypt.

Bye, bye bed. L

-

Shot to Anya and Xander in their bathroom. No chips this time, but they're in full discussion of the marriage plans. Smashing sounds echo from downstairs.

Anya: "You know, if you love riley Finn so much, maybe you should just marry him."

Xander: "He's taken. And that's not the point."

Anya: "So you think that their marriage is better than ours. Is that it?"

Xander: "No! But, granted, I have a hard time imagining Nick and Nora Fury hiding out from their own relatives in the bathroom. And I have no idea what Riley and Mrs. Riley's wedding was like."

Anya: "Well, you haven't shut up about them."

Xander: "Well, they have a great marriage, and it bummed Buffy out, but I can see it. And, Anya, I really have no clue what their wedding was like."

Anya: "So our wedding... is not our marriage."

Xander: "Separate things. One fills me with a dread akin to public speaking engagements."

Anya: "And that would be the wedding."

Xander: "Which will be over soon."

Anya: "But our marriage..."

Xander: "That lasts forever."

Anya: "Ah, well. That works out nicely then."

-

Cut to Buffy and Riley walking outside the Magic Box.

Riley tells Buffy that he and Sam are going to Nepal next.

Riley then explains to Buffy, "By mission parameters, I'm done here. But I have authorization to take the doctor out. You want me to do that?"

Buffy looks shocked. "Do I want you to... How can you ask me... I...I'm sleeping with h-him." She pauses, states it more clearly. "I'm sleeping with Spike."

"I had actually noticed that." Riley nods.

"And then you come back..." Buffy stammers. "And did you wait until your life was absolutely perfect and then send that demon here so you could throw it in my face?"

Riley looks away, a bit dismayed. "Look, you think this was easy for me?"

"Yeah. I...I think it was a rollicking adventure, fun for the whole family." Buffy retorts- believing it.

"I was terrified about seeing you again."

Buffy whines a bit. "Well, I'm sure my incredible patheticness softened the blow for you."

Riley looks disgusted. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Riley, please don't patronize me-" She starts.

"Hey!" He stops her. "You want me to say that I liked seeing you in bed with that idiot? Or that blinding orange is your very best colour? Or that that burger smell is appealing?" Riley crinkles his nose- grimaces.

"You smelled the smell?" Buffy looks appalled. She's not paying full attention anymore, but Riley continues.

"Buffy, none of that means anything. It doesn't touch you. You're still the first woman I ever loved and the strongest woman I've ever known. And I'm not advertising this to the missus, but you're still quite the hottie."

Buffy squeaks a bit. "You know, it goes away after many bathings."

He laughs silently, then continues. "This isn't about who's on top. I know how lucky I am right now. I love my work, and I love my wife."

Buffy looks thoughtful- and a bit confused. "I know. And I kind of love her, too." (A B/S ship of another colour? GAH!)

"And so you're not in the greatest place right now. And maybe I made it worse." She denies it, but he continues. "Wheel never stops turning, Buffy. You're up, you're down. It doesn't change what you are... And you are a hell of a woman." He says with honest admiration.

Buffy face is open and serious- and kind. "Riley, that night... I never got the chance... To tell you... How sorry I was. About what happened between us."

"And you never have to."

Riley finishes speaking as Sam and Xander exit the house. They're discussing the wedding- Sam and Riley got married on a 'borrowed' guerrilla helicopter. (OhhOh…)

The next few minutes are filled with goodbyes. Sam is sweet (agh!) and everyone leaves each other with hugs. Dawn breaks the ice with Riley. Willow has an email pal.

Sam and Riley disappear into the spotlight of a helicopter and fly away.

The Scoobs leave, and Buffy is left standing- staring at the sky.

-

Spike's Crypt. He's standing amongst the debris, toeing the remains of his stuff. He's wearing all black- this time he has the scoop neck and silver chain (no button-down).

Spike doesn't look up when Buffy enters. She's wearing a lavender peasant top and jeans. "So she's back. Thought you'd be off snogging with soldier-boy."

"He's gone." Buffy says softly.

Spike turns a bit to look at her- his head is still bowed. "So, you come for a bit of cold comfort?" He asks without passion. "The bed's a bit blown up, but then that was never our..."

Buffy interrupts him. "I'm not here to..." She pauses, "And I'm not here to bust your chops about your stupid scheme, either. That's just you. I should've remembered."

"Oh," He looks to her, straightens a little. "This is worse, then, is it? This is you telling me..."

"It's over." She says softly, but frankly.

Spike saunters over to her, bites his lip. "I've memorized this tune, luv. I think I he the sheet music. Doesn't change what you want."

"I know that. I do want you." Spike swallows a bit, gazes at her. She continues. "Being with you... Makes things simpler for a little while."

"I don't call 5 hours straight a little while."

"I'm using you. I can't love you. I'm just being weak and selfish..." She is being very direct- maintains eye contact.

Spike steps closer. "Really not complaining here." He says, quietly.

"And it's killing me." Spike's eyebrows lower a bit- he is not expecting this. "I have to be strong about this." Spike's face shows he's cluing in- this is real. His face is open with comprehension "I'm sorry… William."

As Buffy walks away, Spike stands- his mouth moves like he's going to say something. She doesn't look back at him as he watches he go up the ladder.

Cut to Buffy- exiting the crypt and into the sunlight.

---------------------------

-Cath

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