Villains

Sunnydale- Revello Drive

An Ambulance speeds down the street, its siren and horn blaring. It stops in front of the Summers' house. Xander rushes from the backyard- he's dishevelled. His shirt has blood on the front. Xander yells for the paramedics to follow him into the backyard. The paramedics ask if she'd been shot accidentally. Xander says no- that 'he was trying to kill her.' Buffy lies on the grass. Her eyes still open. She stares at the sky, blinks, but doesn't make any sound. Her lavender sweater is coated with blood where the bullet entered. The paramedics get their gear out and start to work on her. Xander stands back, hovering.

Summers' Residence- Willow's Room

Willow kneels- Tara in her lap. Tara is lifeless, unmoving. Her eyes are closed.

"Oh, god! Oh, no... Please! Please, come on!" Willow sobs, rocking Tara. "Come on, Tara! Please, come on, baby!"

Willow lays Tara's head down on the carpet as the room darkens. Grey clouds billow above, obscuring the ceiling. Lightning flashes. Willow's eyes burn red black- her teeth clenched.

"By Osiris... I command you, bring her back!" Willow's eyes flash silver.

Summers' Residence- The Backyard

Buffy lies still. She stares at nothing- then blinks slowly. The paramedics continue to work.

"Pulse is one hundred and weak. Lung sounds are wet."

Xander draws close, his blood-soaked shirttails flap in the breeze.

"What does that mean? Is she gonna..." One paramedic looks up, businesslike.

"You need to stand back, okay? If you want us to help her out, we need some space."

Buffy stares at the sky, breathing slowly.

Summer's Residence- Willow's Room

The grey clouds boil across the ceiling. Willow holds Tara in her lap- looks up to the growing fog. Her breaths are fast and ragged and her voice is hoarse.

"Hear me... Keeper of darkness!"

The fog flashes- swirls into a face- dark, and monstrous.

"Witch! How dare you invoke Osiris in this task."

Willow's eyes are black and filled with tears. "Please... Please bring her back." She begs.

"You may not violate the laws of natural passing." The spirit says, lightning flashing around its face.

Willow looks down to Tara, her face full of pain. "How! How is this natural?" She cries. "It is a human death by human means."

The spirit explains, dispassionately. "You raised one killed by mystical forces. This is not the same. She is taken by natural order. It is done."

Willow looks up at the spirit, her face even more anguished. "No! There has to be a way!" She yells, her hair whips in the wind. Tears fall down her face.

"It is done!" The spirit insists, his voice rising.

"No!" Willow screams. Her voice coming from her mouth like a vortex- it envelops the spirit, driving him out- as he screams in anger and pain.

-Credits-

Back as they were pre-'Seeing Red'.

-Commercials-

Summers' Residence- The Front Yard

Buffy is strapped to the stretcher- her eyes still open. Xander follows the paramedics as they take her past the tree in the front yard.

"Come on, Buff, hang on. We're gonna get you to the hospital."

He stops as he sees Willow comes out of the house.

"Willow, my god, are you okay?"

Willow comes down the stairs- watches the paramedics take Buffy. She looks bewildered. "How did this happen?"

"Warren...he had a gun." Xander says quickly- still much in shock. He walks beside Willow. Neither appear to see the blood on the others clothing.

"Warren." Willow says darkly, walks faster- away from Xander and down the sidewalk- away from the house.

"It went down too fast. I couldn't stop it." Xander watches Willow go- disorientated. Shocked. "Hey. Will!" Willow continues to walk- doesn't look back.

The paramedics have loaded Buffy into the ambulance. "Sir, we have to go. Are you coming with us or not?" Xander looks at Willow's back. Looks at the ambulance. Gets into the Ambulance.

Sunnydale Police Department- A Cell

The cell is dark and gloomy. Jonathan stands at the bars. Andrew lies on the top bunk. They both wear the same clothes as the night before.

"Think they'll let my Aunt bring me my Discman?" Andrew asks, staring at the ceiling.

Jonathan leans against the bars- his hands draped across the horizontal bar. His face is dark and covered with shadow. "That's what you're worried about," he snarks. "in-flight entertainment? We're in jail!"

"We're in custody. We haven't been charged yet." Andrew says sullenly. He rolls over on the bunk. Faces Jonathan.

"Thank you, Dragnet. It doesn't matter what they call it. They got us, okay? We're goin' down." Jonathan walks over to the bunk. His head doesn 't quite make it to the bottom of the upper mattress. Glowers at Andrew. He gestures to a man sitting in the cell nearby.

"That guy's been lookin' at me. I think he wants to make me his butt monkey."

"Don't flatter yourself." Andrew sighs. "I heard him talking to the guard. He's in here for parking tickets."

"That doesn't mean anything." Jonathan says darkly. "The joint changes you. I hear they like the small ones with little hands like their girlfriends."

"You have got to chill out. This isn't Oz. It's like Mayberry." Andrew says with contempt. "Besides, Warren is gonna find a way to get us out of here."

Jonathan snorts. "Yeah. I'm sure he'll be bustin' us out any minute."

"He will. He's coming up with a plan..." Andrew insists. "Like War Games…" His eye light up. "Remember that decoder that Matthew Broderick used?"

"Oh, yeah." Jonathan smiles a bit- immersed in geekdom. "That was rad. The one he made from the scissors and the tape recorder?"

Andrew leans forward- also captured in fannishness. "I miss Ferris Matthew…. Broadway Matthew..." He leans over onto his elbow- comfortable and happy with the discussion. "I find him cold."

"Really? No, I…" Jonathan stops, then comes back to reality.

"Shut up." He says shortly, then sighs, walks over to the bars again. "This is real life. And nobody's coming to get us, not even your Aunt who wouldn't return your one phone call!"

"She must be out of town." Andrew blurts, then looks to his pillow- ashamed.

Jonathan still stands at the bars. "She. Doesn't. Care." He says curtly. "And neither does your partner in crime, Warren."

"Don't say that." Andrew insists, then slower, "What do you mean my partner in crime? We're in this together."

Jonathan turns back to Andrew. Stares up at Andrew's bunk- full of bitterness. "What do you mean what do I mean? You two were totally gonna fly off and leave me holding the bag."

"We weren't." Andrew whines- then finishes lamely. "I was going to... carry you." He flops onto his back.

"No." Jonathan sneers. "You two were setting me up, and then Warren was gonna screw you over, too."

Andrew turns back to Jonathan, insists quietly. "That is so not true."

"Sure." Jonathan nods. He sits down on his bunk. "He's a nice murderer. He keeps his word."

"You're wrong." Andrew whispers. "He's coming for us. He's out there right now devising a brilliant way to get us out of here."

A Demon Bar

Warren walks down the stairs and into the bar. He's full of himself, walks straight to the bar.

"Whiskey. Straight up. And get a round for the house. I'm feelin' expansive." A few demons laugh in appreciation in the background.

Warren removes his sunglasses and sits. Warren notices the guy sitting next to him at the bar- a vampire. Warren leans up to the vampire.

"Hey." A television sits on the bar- a crocodile snaps it's jaws on the screen. "Bet you don't get a lot of humans in…"

The vampire grabs Warren's jacket- doesn't turn to face him. "I'm watching my program." He releases the jacket.

Warren gestures acceptance, but his tone is still cocky. "Wouldn't want to interrupt your 'me time'... not even to buy the guy who killed The Slayer a drink." He looks down at the bar- smug- underplaying his glee.

The vampire finally looks at Warren. As do other bar patrons. "What's that?" The vampire asks.

Warren looks the vampire in the eye. "I took her out myself. I've been heading an organization... The trio. You've heard of us." He sniffs.

The bartender and vamp look at each other. They obviously haven't heard of the 'Trio'. Warren looks up in surprise, then gestures dismissively. "Not important. I cut them loose. I figure now that Buffy's out of the picture, some things have got to change around here. I need a real gang, you know? Not a couple of wannabes."

The bartender- a demon with a very meaty face and beginnings of a snout- leans over. "And you killed The Slayer?" He asks, disbelief filling his voice.

Warren sips his drink, looks the bartender in the eye. "With these hands."

"What are you, a warlock?" The bartender still doubts Warren.

"It's funny you mention that." Warren points at the bartender- looks over at the vampire. "I've explored all the dark arts... Witchcraft, demonology... I mean, you name it, I tried it against The Slayer. But you know what I found -really- works?" He asks conspiratorially- then as the bartender leans over, Warren looks at him like it was obvious. "Gun."

The vampire leans to look at Warren- his tone of voice ambiguous. "You killed The Slayer with a gun?"

Warren smiles, laughs quietly. Looks up at the bartender. "In her own backyard. Don't underestimate science, my friends."

The vampire nods, grinning. He shares a look with the bartender. Warren doesn't clue in. He knocks on the bar. "Good old-fashioned metal meets propulsion." The three of them share a moment of laughter- like between friends…but…

"Oh, man, this is gonna be good." The bartender laughs- a different tone. He slaps his rag down, and turns.

The vampire's laugh is similar. "The best!"

Warren raises his hands in victory. Continues to laugh. "The town is ours!"

The vampire sobers a little- leans in again. "Ours, maybe." Warren stops- looks at the vamp as he continues. "-You- are screwed."

Warren doesn't get it. he slaps the vampire on the arm and continues to laugh. The rest of the bar looks on- most again dismissive of the human.

"Metal meets propulsion yeah." The bartender scoffs, still laughing. "But you still better be a good shot."

Warren gets sombre- there's something he's not getting here. His eyebrows narrow."This isn't... 'The evil laugh of victory', is it?"

The vampire nods at Warren, smirks. "More like 'the evil laugh of you're a dead man'."

Warren looks around the bar- aware now that everyone is laughing -at- him. "Okay, uh... Wh-what's the joke?"

"It was just on the news." The bartender chuckles "Girl was shot. "

"In her backyard." The vampire interjects smoothly. "She survived. She's in the hospital."

The bartender nods, and he and the vampire chuckle together. Warren looks at the bar blankly. "And slayers heal fast. Real fast." The bartender lifts his eyebrows meaningfully.

"Yeah." The vampire agrees. "I was gonna eat you myself, during the commercial, but now I think it'll be more fun to let the slayer de-gut you. Might wanna get a head start, my friend, 'cause this girl's gonna be coming for you... Big-time." Warren looks spooked and scared- eyes widen…

The Magic Box

The door of The Magic Box bursts open. Willow walks in slowly, the light bulbs burst as she passes by them. Willow doesn't seem to notice.

Anya sits at the counter- dressed in a prim black dress with a white collar. Her hair tied back. She gets up.

"Willow..." Anya's eyes are filled with sympathy and sorrow.

Willow looks around the shop. "Where do you keep the black arts books?" Anya gets up, starts toward Willow. She wrings her hands a bit- attempts to console.

"Something terrible has happened, I know, but you don't have to…" Willow doesn't hear her.

She glare up at the loft. "I need power."

Anya continues towards Willow- following. "Not with those books. I can't let you. Willow!"

"Stop." Willow mutters through gritted teeth as she moves her hand sharply at Anya- purple and silver lightening flash and Anya stands still. Willow nods at the bookshelves in the loft. The books suddenly fly from the shelves- piling onto the research table. Anya looks on, her eyes full of awe- and fear.

Willow walks up to the books, then placing her hands on them, she -melds- with one book. The text moves- crawling up her arms and over her skin. The letters and symbols pouring into her. Willow's eyes- and then- as she consumes the text- her hair turn black. She moves her hands form the pages- leaving them blank.

"That's better." Willow says quietly- her eyes gaze at nothing.

-Commercials-

Summers' Residence- The Entryway/Willow's Room

Dawn arrives home. She walks in the already open door of the house- calling Buffy. She puts her things down at the entryway and goes up the stairs. She walks in the upper hallway, still calling out. Slowly, she enters Willow's room- about to explain that the door was let open- then sees Tara's body- and the blood on Tara's shirt.

Dawn's face collapses. Her body, shaking, folds in on itself. She cannot speak. The scene fades into white.

Sunnydale- Rack's Place

Rack opens the door to his waiting room.

"All right, who's next?" He mutters. Warren jumps up from his chair.

"I am!" The other guy starts to protest- but backs down- watches as Warren speaks to Rack.

Rack looks him over- dispassionately. "You're new."

Warren is manic, still schmoozing. "Yeah. I come bearing dead presidents, so you think we can just skip the small talk?" He waves a wad of cash at Rack. Rack smiles vaguely. Gestures Warren into the room.

"How'd you find me?"

"I talked to a guy. He's one of your regulars. Offered to show me the way for 20 bucks." Warren says smartly, taps the bundle of bills against one hand.

"Should have haggled." Rack says understatedly. "Most of my customers'll bring you here for 5."

Warren nods- he doesn't care. "Great. Great. I'll file that... Away." He gestures around the room. "Look, I'm in a bit of a situation here. I tried to do us all a favour and eliminate The Slayer but... I…" He stammers as Rack walks toward him- glaring. "I guess it didn't take."

"Killin' a slayer, that's big business for a kid." Rack's expression doesn 't change. He stares at Warren.

"I'm not a kid." Warren snaps.

"Okay." Rack says quietly- mocking slightly- he moves in really close.

"I have my own guys. The trio. Yeah, you've heard of us."

"Right." Rack nods- dismissive. "What were ya, a band or something?" He moves around- staying close to Warren- evaluating.

Warren gets peeved. "I thought word traveled in the underworld. Yeah, we were evil. Robots were my thing." He can't understand that the Trio has been unnoticed. "You didn't hear about the freeze ray?"

"Sorry." Rack says smiling. He continues to stare at Warren. Warren looks at the floor- chastened somewhat. "So why aren't your guys helping you?" Rack asks softly.

Warren regains his bluster. "Look, I thought this was a cash for a service gig, not an interview process. I need protection!" He demands. "I've got The Slayer after me!"

"-Slayer- is the least of your problems." Rack turns from Warren, glowering even more darkly.

Warren gestures widely. "You're right. I'm sorry." He mocks. "Let's talk about skin troubles. You know, I'd say on the scale of problems that she ranks."

Rack turns slowly, looking at the ceiling. Faces Warren again. "If I were you, I'd worry about the witch."

Warren's taken off guard. He bends forward. "Whi...which... which witch?"

"Willow." Rack walks toward Warren again. Staring him down even more. "Slayer's pal… She's the new power, man. Anybody with intuition can feel it... She's gonna blow this town apart... Startin'... With you." He says softly- respect for Willow's new power in his voice.

Warren starts to panic- he's obviously not thought of anyone other than Buffy. "Me? What did I... what did I do to her? Oh, okay. Okay. I sho...I... I shot her friend."

Rack turns away- thoughtful- sensing the air "I feel death." His mouth opens and closes- like he tastes it.

"But The Slayer is alive, and she heals!" Warren insists.

"Yeah, she might, but somebody is stone cold, and that... Is why the witch wants your head." Rack closes his eyes. "She can sense your essence right now, man. It's just a matter of time before she finds you." He smiles slightly- still sensing Willow's power.

Warren grabs Rack's arm- drawing him out of it- places the wad of bills in his hand. "Okay, take it all right, there's that, and I can get more. Just give me... Something." Warren stammers.

Rack looks at the bills- then at Warren. His voice more focused. "Hide or fight?"

"Both. All of it." Warren says quickly- then shakes his head. His eyes are red- he's extremely stressed. "I still have a few tricks up my sleeve, but it's not enough. I need a cover and I need lots of firepower."

Rack looks him down once again. "I can't guarantee anything...not this time." He pauses, his voice lowers. "Girl is runnin' on pure fury. I've never felt anything like it." His eyes stare off, awe and facination in his tone. Rack looks up at Warren- his eyes suddenly bright.

"Thank you for the tip, Nostradamus." Warren nods. Full of fear, but desperately trying not to show it. "Just load me up, okay?"

Sunnydale Hospital- The Emergency Room

Xander stands at the observation window. Buffy is inside the treatment room. She's surrounded by doctors. They're fighting frantically to keep her alive. It doesn't sound good. The lights flicker. The equipment starts to shudder. Electricity goes haywire.

Xander sees her from the window- surprised, he sees Willow step into the room. Willow doesn't show any emotion. She's now dressed all in black (the tunic she wore in Dead Things when she met up with Tara outside the Magic Box).

"Leave." She says simply. The machines in the room are beeping chaotically. Xander enters behind Willow. He says her name- she doesn't acknowledge him. She looks at the medical staff. "Now." She says firmly. The staff look at her- then leave quickly- leaving Buffy and the beeping machines.

Xander is frantic. "Will, what are you doing? She's gonna die!"

"No, she isn't." Willow says softly.

Xander's eyes are wild- he watches as Willow goes to Buffy's side. Then follows her. Buffy lies on the table. She's covered with blood. The bullet wound is visible. Willow stares at the wound. The bullet slowly comes out of Buffy's chest- the wound closing behind it, and floats in front of Willow. She stares at it blankly, tilts her head.

"It's so small." She reaches out and takes it into her hand- then opens her palm. The bullet is gone.

Xander creeps up to Willow slowly- looks down at Buffy. Buffy starts to move. She opens her eyes and blinks a few times. Then raises her head.

"What happened?" Buffy breaths.

"Buffy!" Xander steps over to her side. Looks from Willow (who is still quite emotionless) to Buffy. "Oh, my god, are you okay?"

"Sure." Buffy sits up- looks around. "How'd I get here?"

Xander leans over- folds Buffy into a big hug. "You gotta stop doing this. This dying thing's funny once, maybe twice." He pants.

Buffy turns to Willow- who still stands silently. "Willow?" Xander looks up now too.

Willow smiles a little- her eyes sad. "Buffy. Hey."

Buffy's eyes narrow. "What's wrong?"

"I'll explain." Willow says- no longer smiling. "But we've gotta go."

She turns and walks to the door. Buffy still sits on the table. Xander starts to stand again.

"Why?" Buffy asks.

"It's time to find Warren." Willow says, continuing out the door. Xander and Buffy stare after her.

Sunnydale- The Bus Station

Warren purchases a ticket at the bus station. he asks if it will take him to the border- then he rushes out and boards a bus.

A Highway

Xander drives his car down the highway. It's a desert- dry and empty. Willow sits in the middle of the back seat. Buffy sits shotgun.

"Faster." Willow demands. Xander peers out the front windshield.

"I'm going as fast as I can."

"Faster!" Willow demands again- this time the gas pedal hits the floor. She's used her power to take control of the car.

Xander turns back to Willow. "Will, would you cut that out? If you wanted to drive..."

Buffy turns to look at Willow too. "Will, we need to stop. I don't like this."

Willow isn't paying attention. She focuses on the road ahead. "We're close. I can feel him."

"And we'll catch him, and he'll go to jail." Buffy says, leaning back between the seat, "I'm finding the whole getting shot very motivating, but you're using magic…"

Willow focuses on Buffy. "If I wasn't, you'd be dead." She says bluntly.

"Maybe." Buffy says quietly. "But this isn't right. Okay, this isn't how I want it." Buffy insists.

Willow turns her face away. "Sometimes you don't have a choice." She says darkly.

"I think Buffy gets the tiebreaker on this one. She was the one on the ouch end of the bullet." Xander reasons- again in control of the car.

"Will, you do have a choice." Buffy insists, pleading. "This isn't good for you."

"You made the decision to stop for a reason. You promised us." Xander turns to look at Willow. "And can I just ask? What's with the makeover of the damned? I mean, the hair!"

Willow isn't paying attention. She jumps forward, agitated. "Turn right! Go!"

Xander looks both ways- there is no turn- just straight road. "Go...where?"

Willow points out over the desert. "Over there! Now!" Xander and Buffy look bewildered.

"Will..." Xander starts.

"Turn!" Willow gestures- and the car turns off of the road. Xander lifts his hands in frustration. "Fine, fine. Puppetmaster wants to drive? Go right ahead!" The car barrels into the dust and over the embankment. Then stops. Willow gets out of the car- she stalks down the centre of the road. Buffy runs to stop her- but Willow gestures- sends purple and silver lightning at Xander and Buffy- stopping them at the car.

A passenger bus drives down the highway- Willow stands directly in its path. She takes control of the bus- the driver tries to maneuver, but cannot- he tries to get the bus to turn to avoid. Willow makes the bus accelerate- and then slams on the brakes as it reaches her- stopping it less than a metre away. Aboard the bus, the passengers, including Warren get jarred a bit.

Willow stalks to the door- opening it. "Get out." She says quietly.

Warren stands. He calmly walks off of the bus- stands facing Willow. She grabs him by the neck.

"Please..." he says. "I'll...I'll do anything." Willow starts to squeeze. Warren's eyeball pops out- it's mechanical. It's a WarrenBot.

Willow tosses the robot to the ground. Buffy runs up to her- stares at the plastic eyeball rolling across the pavement. Willow looks around- lost. "It's a robot." She says, confused. "I could feel his essence. He tricked me. We'll find him another way." Willow steps by Buffy- starts toward the car.

"And then what?" Buffy asks- following Willow. Xander is behind Buffy. Willow continues to walk.

"Then we'll kill him." She mutters.

Buffy pulls Willow back- makes Willow face her. "Okay, you need to calm down."

Willow turns "Calm down?"

"Look, you're angry." Buffy says, her hair blowing in the wind. It's very bright out. Buffy and Xander's pastel colours contrast greatly against Willow's black clothing. But the blood is equally stark on Xander and Buffy's clothes. "I.. I am, too. There's no excuse for what Warren did, but that..."

Willow listens for a moment- sadness on her face- it quickly changes to determination. "He shot Tara."

Buffy stops cold.

Willow continues. "When he shot you, he hit her, too. Upstairs in my room."

Buffy and Xander look down- registering.

"Guess the last shot was the charm."

"She's dead?" Xander asks, still not comprehending.

"She's dead." Willow says through clenched teeth. "Now he's dead, too."

Buffy looks at the ground. "Oh, my god. Tara..." Sorrow and bewilderment fills her face.

"Christ, Will, how come you didn't say anything?" Xander asks softly.

Willow turns- abrupt. "I'm busy."

Buffy grabs her again- pulls her back. "Willow, please, just stop. We love you, and Tara. But we don't kill humans. It's not the way."

Willow stares intensely at Buffy. "How can you say that? Tara is dead."

"I know." Buffy says quietly. "I know. And I...can't understand…anything... Not what happened and...and not what you must be going through." Buffy clenches her jaw- leans forward. "Willow, if you do this, you let Warren destroy you, too."

"You said it yourself, Will." Xander says, stepping forward. "The magic's too strong. There's no coming back from it."

Willow looks from Xander back to Buffy. Resolute. Her face is closed. "I'm not coming back." She turns- starts to walk away again.

Buffy grabs her arm again- tries to hold Willow back. "Will, please… please, we'll get through this together!"

Willow turns one last time. "We won't. Not your way. No more talking. It's done!" Xander and Buffy stand together- watch Willow walk away… and as purple and silver lightning flashes form Willow's hand- sending them to the sand. They look up form the dust. Willow is gone.

-Commercials-

Summers' Residence- The Entryway/Willow's Room

It's night now. Xander and Buffy come home. The front door is still open. They call for Willow- then for Dawn. Xander suggests that maybe Dawn went to the hospital to find Buffy. Buffy and Xander go up the stairs. Buffy enters Willow's room. Sees Tara- still lying on the floor beside the bed.

"Oh, god." Buffy breathes. Horror and shock covers her face.

She turns suddenly. Dawn sits crouched beside the dresser. Still staring at Tara.

"I didn't... Want to leave her alone." Buffy moves to Dawn- tries to get her to move, to come downstairs. Dawn begins to cry- cannot stop looking at Tara. Cannot look at Buffy. Xander enters the room. He sees Tara. Stands immobile.

"I don't understand..." Dawn says quietly, her voice breaking.

Buffy envelops her into a hug- looks at Tara's body. "I don't understand either."

Summers' Residence- The Living Room

The coroner takes Tara's body out of the house. Xander talks with him- details and paperwork necessary. Buffy and Dawn sit in the living room. After the coroner is gone he joins them.

"So...that's it."

"Are the police gone, too?" Buffy asks.

Xander sits across from Buffy and Dawn, puts his head in his hands. "Coming back tomorrow with more of their pretty yellow tape."

Buffy holds her head, then sighs. "We need to find Willow."

"Yeah. She's off the wagon big-time." Xander says gruffly. "Warren's a dead man if she finds him." He looks to Buffy- serious.

Dawn stares at the floor. "Good." She says hoarsely- still focussing on nothing.

Buffy looks up at her, says without much conviction. "Dawn, don't say that."

Dawn eyes Buffy sideways, glaring coldly. "Why not? I'd do it myself if I could."

"Because you don't really feel that way." Buffy shakes her head, her tone still mild.

"Yes, I do." Dawn glares- her nose turned into a sneer. "And you should, too. He killed Tara and he nearly killed you. He needs to pay."

Xander looks at Buffy- but averts his eyes when she turns to him. "Out of the mouths of babes."

"Xander." Buffy rebukes softly.

"I'm just saying he's..." Xander looks at his hands, then straight at Buffy. his eyes are shadowed. "He's just as bad as any vampire you send to dustville."

"Being a slayer doesn't give me a license to kill." Buffy shakes her head sadly- her eyes are filled with pain, but her voice is resolute. "Warren's human."

Dawn looks up, angry. "So?"

"So the human world has its own rules for dealing with people like him." Buffy sighs.

"Yeah, we all know how well those rules work." Xander nods- disdainfully.

Buffy keeps her resolve. She's firm and determined. Yet full of regret. "Sometimes they do. Sometimes they don't. We can't control the universe. If we were supposed to... Then the magic wouldn't change Willow the way it does. And...we'd be able to bring Tara back." Her voice cracks.

"And Mom." Dawn adds. She's starting to see Buffy's point.

"There are limits to what we can do." Buffy continues, more firmly. "There should be. Willow doesn't want to believe that, and now she's messing with forces that want to hurt her… all of us."

Xander eyes his hands, looking down. "I just... I've had blood on my hands all day."

Buffy looks up at him- her eyes hooded. He looks back- equally dark, pained. "Blood from people I love."

"I know. And now it has to stop." She pauses, becomes more forceful. "Warren's going to get what he deserves… I promise. But I will -not- let Willow destroy herself."

Xander folds his hands before his face and nods. His eyes wet. He sighs deeply. "Okay, where do we go? She could be anywhere."

Buffy's sigh is equally heartfelt. "I don't know. Um... Maybe the magic box for some kind of locating spell." Buffy realises this is something Xander may be uncomfortable with- "I...I could go myself."

Xander stops her- "No, no, no. I'm cool. I'll go."

Buffy nods to Dawn. "Dawn can't stay here by herself."

"Let me go with you. I want to." Dawn insists.

"No, honey. It's too dangerous." Buffy says softly, but firm.

Dawn isn't swayed. "But...it's Willow. She needs us."

"She does." Buffy replies, still firm. " And you'll help her. Lots. But first we have to get her home in one piece." Dawn tries to interrupt, but Buffy isn't going to let up. "Dawn... I'm serious. You've been through enough for more than one… ever. You should be someplace where you feel safe."

"Fine." Dawn says, looks down in her lap- equals Buffy's firmness. "I want to go to Spike's."

Buffy pauses. Sighs. Xander puts his head in his hands- doesn't look at either of them.

"All right." Buffy breathes. Xander looks up abruptly.

"What? Not all right. Are you kidding? After what Spike did…"

"Xander." Buffy stars at Xander- shakes her head almost imperceptibly. Her eyes are wide. She looks at Dawn, then brushes her own hair away form her face. Gets up. "I'll get the coats."

Xander follows- whispers. "You're not gonna really leave Dawn with Mr. Attempted rape?"

Buffy turns to him. "He won't hurt Dawn, okay? He physically can't. Besides, he wouldn't." She says with certainty.

Xander isn't swayed "Well, after the other night, I'd say all bets are off on what he's capable of." He says snarkily.

"Dawn feels safe with him." Buffy says. Xander shakes his head- disgusted. Buffy continues. "We don't have a choice. Right now, he's all we've got."

UC Sunnydale- Stevenson Hall

Willow sits on the bed with the blood-stained blouse in her hands. She lays it flat on the carpet- bloody side down.

"Blood of the slain, hear me. Guide me to Tara's killer." She intones, her eyes black.

The blouse changes- blood seeping through from the other side- creating a map of Sunnydale. A white light moves along a path drawn in the blood.

Spike's Crypt

Its dark in the crypt. An old black and white movie plays on the television. Buffy and Dawn appear at the crypt entrance.

"Spike." Buffy calls, coming up to the easy-chair.

"Suffering cats!" Clem jumps up, scattering food all over the floor. "Where did you come from?"

"Oh, Clem. Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you." Buffy is surprised too, but she and Dawn are less jarred than Clem. Dawn walks up behind Buffy.

"It's, uh...it's okay. You just... Snuck up on me is all." Clem raises his hands- still breathing fast. Buffy smiles a little, sorry- but amused too.

"I made you spill your snacks." She indicates the food on the floor.

Clem isn't worried. "Yeah, don't worry about it. Like I need any more of this." He gestures to his flabby arm- then sees Dawn. He smiles and waves. "Hi."

Dawn gives a tight smile back. "Hi."

"Can I get you ladies something? I was just about to mix up some country time." He gestures to the fridge.

"We're looking for Spike, actually." Buffy says quickly.

Clem looks hesitant. He grimaces a little. "He didn't tell you?"

Buffy glances at Dawn. "Tell me what?"

"He left." Clem says shortly. "Town."

Buffy looks down, thoughtful. "Oh."

"He just took off?" Dawn asks- concerned.

"That's why I'm staying here for him." Clem explains. "Sweet pad like this goes empty for a few days, you lose it for sure. Plus, I..." He gestures to the television set. "Don't have a TV… I'm surprised he didn't tell you. He kinda left in a hurry, I guess."

Buffy still looks a bit chagrined- but also resigned. Like it was something she should have expected.

Clem is attempting to be a good host. "Sure I can't get you something? I've got bugles and, uh, liverwurst."

Buffy smiles widely- genuinely amused and taken with Clem's hospitality. "We're fine, thank you." She shakes her head. Then gets serious again. "Um... But you could do us a favour. Do you think maybe Dawn could hang out here with you for a while? I… I have some stuff that I need to do, and I really don't want her to be alone."

Dawn is still quite serious and unhappy at being left behind. "I still don't see why I just can't.."

"Dawn, we've been through this." Buffy stops Dawn. Looks again to Clem. "What do you think?"

"No problem." Clem smiles. "I'd love the company. Do you like Parcheesi?"

Dawn brightens a little. "Sure."

And Clem aims to please. "O-or we could rent videos. I have been dying to see 'The Wedding Planner'."

Dawn smiles a bit more- amused. "Either way, I'm good."

"Oh, here." He moves some things form the easy-chair. "You can have the comfy chair." Clem gestures.

Buffy hugs Dawn. "Be back as soon as I can. I promise."

"Okay." Dawn says, hugging back hard.

Buffy nods to Clem. "Thank you." He nods back. Buffy pauses, turns back. "Did he say when he'd be back?"

"Spike? No. Only that he could be gone a while" Clem replies.

Africa?- A Village

The moon shines through the branches of a large tree. It's dusk. Straw huts sit in the sand. A family of people sit around a fire. They wear modern, but ethnic-type African clothing. Spike stalks through the village- still wearing his clothes from the day before. A black long-sleeve and his black jeans and boots. An man tries to stop him- speaking insistently in a foreign language. Spike continues to walk

"Not asking for permission, mate." Spike says, shaking his head- continues walking.

Spike enters a cave. He opens and lights his Zippo- illuminating the cave paintings. They're pictures of people- A bloody mask of pain, a disembowelled man, a face with its lips sewn shut, a dark figure shoving a knife/sword through a red figure… The Zippo flutter in the breeze, then goes out. Spike holds the lighter but doesn't light it again. He keeps looking along the walls of the cave.

A voice suddenly comes form in front of him.

"You seek me, vampire?" The voice is gruff, but soft. Spike looks up at the darkness. He looks a bit spooked- but covers it with a smirk.

"You do the finger paintings?" He nods- narrows his eyebrows. "Nice work."

The demon moves a bit into the light. It's a blocky thing with glowing green eyes- it's skin like volcanic glass.. "Answer me."

Spike continues to stare at the demon. His eyes are wide and still very wary- definitely scared. "Yeah. I seek you." He replies softly.

"Something about a woman." The demon says smoothly, then with derision- "The Slayer."

Spike starts a slow smile. A bit cruel, still wary, and still scared. "Bitch thinks she's better than me. Ever since I got this bleeding chip in my head, things ain't been right." He says it with certainty- and bitterness. " Everything's gone to hell."

The demon's eyes glow- he moves his clawed hands slowly. "And you want to return to your former self." It asks, its voice softly spoken, but harsh.

"Yeah." Spike says softly- not entirely positively. (IMO: More with a certainty that it is what he 'needs' more than what he wants…).

The demon starts to laugh.

Spike's eyes narrow- annoyed. He's unsure what this demon is laughing about. "What?"

"Look what she's reduced you to…" The demon says smoothly, filled with disdain.

Spike jumps in. "It's this bloody chip…" His voice is strained- again, not certain- but needing to convince himself of the chip's influence on his feelings.

The demon continues, the contempt still clear in its voice. "You were a legendary dark warrior, and you let yourself be castrated," Spike's eyes widen, his face showing dismay. "and you have the audacity to crawl in here and demand restoration."

"I'm still a warrior." Spike insists softly.

"You're a pathetic excuse for a demon." The demon continues, sneering.

"Yeah?" Spike challenges, his face hard and determined- but still a -big- trace of anxiety and William-like poutiness. (He of the stompy foot.) "I'll show you pathetic. Gimme your best shot." He smiles evilly- eyes narrowing.

The demon continues to sneer- but now his voice is laden with surprise that Spike would dare continue. "You'd never endure the trials required to grant your request."

Spike continues to smile- cruel and bitter and determined. "Do your worst. But when I win, I want what I came here for." The demon draws back a bit. Spike continues in a softer voice- but he bites out the words: "Bitch is gonna see a change."

The Magic Box

The research table is still piled with the books of Dark Magic- blank of their text. Xander helps Anya to a chair. She's stiff and doesn't move well.

"You feeling any change? Can you talk?" He asks gently.

She brushes him away. "It's wearing off." She sits. "Willow was here earlier. She put the whammy on me and then went straight to the dark arts books and sucked them dry." She gestures to the books.

Xander still stands. He's uncomfortable. "Look, Anya, something terrible happened."

"I know. Tara." Anya nods. She's sad- and understanding of the disaster fills her face.

"Willow's out for blood big-time. We need to find her before she finds Warren. Is there something you can do... A locator spell?" Xander asks- his face is still closed- focused on finding Willow- but his eyes are dark and filled with hurt.

Anya nods, but explains. "I don't need a spell. I can feel her." She shrugs.

Xander looks baffled. "You can... feel her."

"Yes. Her thirst for vengeance... It's overwhelming." Anya nods again, still very subdued, straightforward.

Xander is a bit antsy- moves and gestures quicker. "Is that, like, left over from your Vengeance demon days, this sensor?" He shrugs.

Anya shakes her head. "No. Not left over." She peers closer at him.

He gets it. Twists his head a little- adjusting. Mood changing. "Oh."

"Yeah." Anya looks up and then away. She's clear eyed and open- but uncomfortable with this exchange.

Annoyed at his 'predictable' reaction. Xander blinks, he's starting to get a sneer on his face. "When?"

She looks at him sharply. "When do you think?" She asks, her eyes hooded and glowering.

Buffy comes into the shop- runs up to the table. "Is everyone okay? Did Willow…"

"Got her power boost and took off." Anya finishes. She still sits at the table. Xander and Buffy stand in front of her.

Xander looks at Anya's feet. "Anya's..." He gestures to her- shoulders hunched. "Anya was saying she knows where Willow is."

"A spell?" Buffy says quickly- turning to Anya.

Anya begins to answer- but Xander cuts her off. "Not exactly. Seems Anya got her vengeance on again." He says- bitterness and scorn underlying his tone. Anya tilts her chin at him, rolls her eyes slightly- clearly not taking it.

Buffy looks from Anya to Xander- she's surprised, but is dealing.

Xander continues. "So, Willow's all wrathy. Why don't you go to her? Isn't that your gig?"

Anya eyes Xander icily. "Normally, I'd have to, but she doesn't want me." Anya speaks directly -at- Xander, secure in what she is doing.

"She wants to do it herself." Buffy says softly.

"Yeah." Anya agrees, looking to Buffy.

Buffy looks at Xander, then at Anya. Taking charge. "Look, Anya, we don't have much time. Which side of this are you on?"

Anya looks up at Xander- searching. Xander is open eyed again- bitterness swallowed. "If you know where she is, you can help us." He says directly.

Anya stands up- looks both Buffy and Xander in the eye. She sighs. "I'll help. But I'm helping Willow. She's close to him. He's in the woods."

Sunnydale- The Woods

Willow walks through the woods. The bloody map-blouse in her hand. The trees seem to move from her path. Her face is firmly set.

Warren runs through the woods.

Willow stops at a clearing. She looks around. "Run all night, Warren. I'll still find…" Suddenly she falls forward- an axe imbedded in her back. Warren behind her.

-Commercial-

Sunnydale- The Woods

Warren stands over Willow's body- smug.

Willow rises up- slips the axe from her back."Axe… not gonna cut it." She throws the axe down to the ground.

Warren looks horrified- he runs. Willow follows.

As Warren runs, he takes a silver box from his backpack. He pulls a lever from the box- making it eject wings from both sides. The wings flap very quickly. Warren smiles as the box lifts into the air and speeds away. It darts around like a hummingbird. Willow stalks through the woods- clearly not in a hurry. The box flies up to her- she looks at it- suddenly the box explodes. But the explosion is frozen- literally. Willow makes the ball of fire solidify into a ball of glass or ice- that shatters to the ground.

Willow continues to pursue. Warren continues to run.

He turns- and comes face-to-face with Willow. He backs up- off balance. Points to her feet. "Ha. That's cute. That's a cute trick." He gasps, grinning.

Willow's expression doesn't change- her face is pale, her hair and eyes are stark black.

Warren continues to flail backwards- as Willow walks toward him. "It was an accident, you know." He says, still backing up.

"Oh..." Willow nods- expression unchanging. "You mean instead of killing my best friend, you killed my girlfriend?"

"It… it… wasn't personal.. That's all. " Warren reaches into his pocket. Looks around for a way to run.

Willow nods. "Well, this is."

Warren tries to make a break for it- turns and runs.

Willow lets purple and silver lightning flow form both of her hands- hitting Warren in the back- knocking him on the ground. He quickly turns, shaking off his backpack- and throws the thing that was in his pocket at Willow.

"Capture!" He shouts. The thing envelopes Willow- encasing her in a clear plastic-like ooze. It slowly expands- covering her entire body. Warren runs. Willow looks down, watches the stuff grow around her. Her eyes glow red- burning and melting the cocoon away. She stares after Warren.

"Irretite." She mutters. Vines from the forest floor move and entangle Warren's feet and arms. They pull him up- suspending him between two trees.

Willow walks up to Warren. "Cute tricks." She says.

Warren blusters. "You are really asking for it, you know that?"

Willow raises he eyebrows. "I'm asking for it?"

He continues- jittery and full of himself. "I'm gonna walk away from this, and when I do, you're gonna beg to go join your little girlfriend."

Willow narrows her eyes- tilts her head. "She wasn't your first."

"Uh...f-first who?" He stammers, confused.

"Tara." Willow breathes- then mutters, "She wasn't the first girl you killed."

"I don't know what you're talk…" Warren starts- he's still jittery, bouncing even though he's tied.

"Reveal!" Willow interrupts- Katrina walks out from around the corner. She's wearing the clothes she had on when Buffy found her body.

"I should have strangled you in your sleep... Back when we shared a bed. I should have done the world a favour."

Warren laughs- looks up into the sky. "It's a trick."

"Why, Warren? You could have just let me go." Katrina asks- her voice pleading.

Warren looks away from the apparition. Looks at Willow- his voice insistent. "Make it shut up. Make it go away."

"It didn't have to be like that." Katrina continues.

Warren won't look at Katrina- he stares at Willow. "I'm not kidding!"

"How could you say you loved me and do that to me?" Katrina asks…

Warren turns, his voice full of spite. "Because you deserved it, bitch!" He shouts- but Katrina is gone. Warren stares at the empty spot in the woods.

Willow looks at him- he face no longer dispassionate- now it's full of hate.

"Because you liked it."

"Oh, shut up!" Warren demands, turning back to Willow. But Willow continues, staring at Warren.

"You never felt you had the power with her, not until you killed her."

"Ha. Women. You're just like the rest of them… mind games." Warren's eyes widen, and he shakes still- pent up mania and arrogance. He's not taking Willow seriously.

"You get off on it." Willow leans closer to Warren, her face twisting into a sneer. "That's why you had a mad-on for The Slayer." She pauses, leers. "She was your big "O", wasn't she, Warren?"

She's hitting too close. Warren gets quietly scornful. "Are you done yet, or can we talk some more about our feelings?"

Buffy, Xander, and Anya walk through the woods. Anya is leading-homing in on Willow.

"What's happening? What do you feel?" Asks Buffy.

"She's stronger now. Close." Anya replies.

"What about Warren? Has she..." Xander asks.

Anya crests the top of the hill. "He's still alive. She's not done."

Buffy looks at Xander. they continue to follow Anya.

Warren is still tied between the trees. Willow stands before him. He's getting desperate- he screams.

"Help! Let me go. Somebody! Help!"

Willow looks at him closely, considering. "What's the matter? Thought you wanted to talk."

"No." He says quietly- giving up.

"Okay." The bullet Willow'd taken form Buffy appears in her hand. It hovers. "I'll talk."

Warren looks down at the bullet- as Willow gestures- ripping his shirt open. "What...what are you doing?"

Willow shushes him.

He freaks a little more. "Hey...I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry!"

Willow holds the bullet up to Warren's chest- then draws her hand away. It stays there. He looks down.

"Wanna know what a bullet feels like, Warren? A real one?" Then she whispers- "It's not like in the comics."

"No. No." Warren mutters- really starting to feel the fear now. Still shaking, though less out of agitation.

"I think you need to... Feel it." Willow spits out. The bullet starts to enter Warren's chest.- burrowing slowly.

"Ah, god, stop it!" He pleads.

"It's not gonna make a neat little hole. First, it'll obliterate your internal organs. Your lung will collapse. Feels like drowning." Willow explains clinically.

Warren cries out for her to stop.

"When it finally hits your spine, it'll blow your central nervous system."

"Oh, please, stop, god, please!" He continues to plead…

Willow gestures. "I'm talking!" Warren's lips are suddenly sewn shut with black cord. His eyes bug out- now truly horrified.

Willow continues. "The pain will be unbearable, but you won't be able to move. Bullets usually travel faster than this, of course. But the dying..." Warren sobs. "It'll seem like it takes forever. Something, isn't it?"

She looks at his chest- the bullet is burrowing- a hole grows in Warren's chest. "One tiny piece of metal... Destroys everything." Warren continues to make muffled sounds- his eyes wide and tearing. "It ripped her insides out... Took her light away... From me… From the world. Now the one person who should be here is gone, and a waste like you gets to live. Tiny piece of metal." The hole in Warren's chest grows deeper- darker with blood. "Can you feel it now?" He nods, sobbing.

Anya continues to lead Buffy and Xander. They're getting closer.

Warren stands, still suspended, his mouth still sewn shut. His noises are frantic.

"I said... Can you feel it?" Willow asks coldly. She stares at him a moment more- then the cords disappear from his mouth.

"Please! God!" Warren gasps- eyes full of tears. "I did wrong! I see that now. I need… I need… jail! I need...but you... You don't want this. You're not a bad person. Not like me." Willow stares him down, unmoved.

Buffy calls Willow's name. Willow turns for a moment, but doesn't let it distract her.

But Warren uses this as a chance to gloat again- to plead again. "Oh, and when you get caught, you'll lose them, too. Your friends. You don't want that." Warren stops, looks up at Willow. "I know you're in pain, but..."

Willow tilts her head to one side. Looks at Warren intently. "Bored now."

She turns- as she makes a gesture. Warren screams. His skin flies away from his body- Muscle and tendon all that is left. Skinned.

Anya, Xander, and Buffy come around the corner.

Warren slouches- unmoving.

Xander stands still. Staring.

"Oh, my god." As does Buffy.

"What did you do?"

Willow stares intently at Warren's figure- still hanging between the trees.

"Willow, what did you do?" Buffy repeats.

Willow turns to look at Buffy- then back at Warren. She makes Warren's body disintegrate into flame- then turns, not quite looking at the others.

"One down..." Willow says softly- her eyes distant. Then disappears into smoke and lightning.

Anya, Buffy and Xander stand. Horrified.

**

-Cath

CathJoudrey@hfx.eastlink.ca

TOP