Two to Go

Sunnydale- The Woods.

Buffy, Xander, and Anya run through the woods. Xander stops, leans against a tree. He's out of breath. "I think I'm gonna be sick."
"Again?" Anya asks, stopping behind him.
Buffy comes to the tree. "Xander, we don't have time."
Xander leans over, panting and looking queasy. "I know. It's just... What happened back there... The sounds of it... The smell."
Anya looks away, a bit annoyed. Buffy a bit put-upon. She doesn't have time for this. "I know."
Xander looks up, still disbelieving. "Willow did that."
"That's why we have to keep moving." Buffy puts her hand on Xander's shoulder- gets him to start moving again. "You heard what she said. -one down-."
Anya follows closely behind. "She was talking about 2 to go, right? Jonathan and what's-his-face... the other guy."
"Andrew." Buffy fills in. "They're sitting at county jail without a clue Willow's coming."
Xander seems to be less queasy now- more on the ball. "We don't think she's gonna kill them, too? She wouldn't. It doesn't make sense."
"Willow's got an addictive personality." Buffy says quickly. "She just tasted blood. She could be there already."
Anya shakes her head. "No, she couldn't. A witch at her level... she could only go airborne." Anya stops walking, Xander and Buffy turn to her.
"It's a thing. More flashy and impresses the locals, but it does take longer."
"Longer than what?" Xander asks.
The air around Anya changes as she speaks- morphing and swirling.
"Teleporting." She disappears.
"Right." Xander nods. Turns to Buffy. "Vengeance Demon. Well, at least she'll get there first."
Buffy seems unshocked- or even surprised by Anya's disappearance. "I'm counting the ways that can go wrong." She mutters.
Xander and Buffy turn to continue walking. "Well, Anya can handle herself."
"Against Willow tonight?" Buffy looks around them- scans the area. "Don't be too sure."
"Well, she should be coming down at some point, shouldn't she?" Xander asks, walking with his head down- not paying attention at all to his surroundings. "I mean, back there, she was out of her head, running on grief and magicks."
Buffy continues to look around- conscious of a possible attack. "Doesn't matter. Willow just killed someone. Killing people changes you. Believe me, I know."
"Well, Warren was a cold-blooded killer of women just warming up… If you ask me, the bastard had it coming to him." Xander's voice cracks a bit. He still can't seem to look up from the ground as he walks.
"Maybe." Buffy says quietly. "Andrew and Jonathan don't."
"This is still Willow we're dealing with, right?" Xander looks at Buffy briefly.
"I hope so." Buffy says quickly. "Whatever she's going through, we have to stop her. Maybe we can actually do that if we can get to your... car."
They both stop. Xander gapes. His car sits, its hood is up and the engine is smoking. The windshield is smashed through. It's not going anywhere.
"Willow." Xander nods. His expression dark.
"Guess she wants to finish the job without us tagging along." Buffy sighs. She looks over at Xander. "Meet me at the jail."
"Sure. How're you gonna..." Xander starts- then realises Buffy isn't at his side. He watches as she vaults over the car and some bushes. She runs out of sight. Xander smiles cynically. He calls ou after her. "Ok, then. I'll just catch up. She's only my best friend, you know." He smiles bitterly. "No big deal, just..." He stops. His face crumbles into anger and frustration. He smashes his fist down onto the car's hood. Then looks up, finishes in a quieter voice. "Glad I can help."

-Credits and Commercials-

Sunnydale- The Police Station

Andrew and Jonathan wait in their cell at the police station. Andrew sits on the bottom bunk as Jonathan stands leaning against the bars. Andrew is looking for some kind of device. He believes that Warren has implanted them or hidden them somewhere.
Some good geeky dialogue (That I'm a bit ashamed to say I got the references to… *sigh*) - but basically, Jonathan thinks Andrew is nuts, pathetic, and obsessed with Warren.
Andrew admits that he and Warren were going to let Jonathan take the fall.

Suddenly, Anya appears- teleporting into the cell. She explains that the two boys have to get out of there or that they'll be killed. She starts to call for the guard.
Andrew is immediately suspicious, but Jonathan proactively grabs her attention- asks for an explanation. "Um...Anya? You're gonna have to break this down for us a little."
Anya looks at the two- starts matter-of-factly: "Warren shot Buffy. Warren shot Tara. Buffy's alive. Tara's dead. Willow found out, and being the most powerful Wicca in the Western Hemisphere, decided to get the payback, with interest."
Jonathan reacts with shock- he grips the cell bars as if to keep from falling. Andrew moves forward- his only thought is Warren. Anya explains that Warren is dead. "She killed him. Ripped him apart, and bloodied up the forest doing it. Now she's coming here, and the two of you are next." Andrew is horrified by the loss of Warren. Jonathan's reaction is a bit more self- centred. Jonathan and Anya call for the guard- who comes to the bars and is very surprised to see Anya.
Anya tries to explain to the nice SPD Officer. Logically. "Something's coming. Something bad. You have to let these men out of here, or I guarantee you, there will be hell to pay." But of course he doesn't get it- even when Anya teleports to stand beside him outside the bars.

Sunnydale- Outside the Police Station.

A coffee cup on a police car's dashboard starts to quake. The earth rumbles. Suddenly lightening flashes and sooty black smoke swirls in the street- coalesces into Willow. Her eyes, clothes, and hair are still black.
The police officer looks up and gets out of his car. "What the hell was that?" He demands, confronting Willow. "Listen, I don't know what you think you're doing, but just..."
Willow looks down at the officer. "Take a nap." She says casually. She walks up to the car.
The police officer drops to the ground.
Willow looks up at the outside of the station. An old bricked-up window evident on its wall.

Sunnydale- Jonathan and Andrew's Cell.

Anya still stands outside the cell. Andrew and Jonathan watch as she pleads with the guard. "So, please, stop looking at me like it's your first trip to the circus and do your job. Let them out."
The guard is unmoved- until the bricks star to explode from the wall in the cell.
Then he moves- but, it's only to get away. He doesn't release the guys.

Outside, Willow is removing the bricks from the old window. She's taking them in chunks, letting them fall to the ground outside and into the cell. Concrete falls onto the police car. Police officers run from the building. Freaked out, they move towards Willow. Willow gestures- tossing one officer into the windshield of the police car. The police draw back.
Willow continues to pull bricks from the window.

Inside, Jonathan and Andrew cower against the wall of their cell. Andrew cries for Willow to stop. "Tell her we didn't do anything."
Jonathan is a bit more pragmatic. "Yes, we did. We signed on. We teamed up. We wanted to see where our plans would take us. Well, take a look. This is it!"
Andrew is still denial-boy.

Outside, the police are surrounding Willow- their guns drawn. Willow stands immobile, focused on removing the bricks from the window.

Buffy appears in the alley beside the Police Station (same alley as in Dead Things) . She watches Willow- then moves to enter the station through the side entrance.

Inside, Andrew begs Anya to teleport them out. She explains that her power doesn't work that way. the bricks continue to fall.

Police continue to run out of the station (how many guys are in there anyway- and they're *all* men). Buffy kicks in the side door- enters the station. She runs up the stairs.

Willow levitates herself above the heads of the policemen (okay- there's *one* woman, and she's in a skirt). She enters the hole she's created herself and lands in the cell.

Jonathan and Andrew are gone. The bars to the cell are bent wide open.
Willow realises Buffy has been there. Anya stands outside the bars. She tries to talk to Willow- but Willow tosses her into the wall. Anya's knocked out.

Willow turns. She begins to scream in anger- long and piercing- like a banshee.

-Commercials-

Willow is still screaming. It resounds through the police station and out into Sunnydale.
Buffy is with Andrew and Jonathan in the alley.
Andrew covers his ears. "Aah! What's that sound? God, it kills."
Buffy peers around the corner of the alley. The police are still in the street- many of them aiming their guns up at the hole where Willow went into the building. "We're gonna have to make run for it." Buffy says.
"Are you kidding?" Andrew whines. "She's like Dark Phoenix up there. You expect us just to outrun her?"
A police car pulls up in the alleyway- squeals to a halt It's Xander. He tells them to get in. Andrew and Jonathan jump in the back seats and Buffy runs to get into the other side. Xander starts to take off with Buffy still not quite in the car- but she gets in. They take off. Some of the police notice and run after the car, but don't go very far.

Sunnydale- A Road.

Buffy turns to the two nerds in the back seat. "Are you guys all right?" Jonathan and Andrew look at each other- unsure what to say. A bit surprised by the question. Buffy doesn't have time for this. "Are you injured?"
"I...I don't think so." Jonathan stammers, shaking his head shortly.
Andrew is still paranoid- leans forward. "Where are you taking us?"
"We'll find someplace safe," Buffy says, alert. She looks out the windows. "And we'll keep you there until we can stop Willow."
"Run and hide?" Andrew whines. "That's your brilliant plan?"
Jonathan slouches back, closes his eyes and shakes his head. "I don't believe this."
Xander looks into the rear-view mirror- glares back at them. "Boys, if you don't knock it off, I will pull this car over, and you can just walk to your painful deaths from here."

Sunnydale- The Police Station.

Willow walks out of the station through the front door. Her eyes are full black again. She looks from left to right.

Sunnydale- A Road.

"I don't get it." Jonathan says form the back of the car- not whining, just direct. "Willow's a witch. Why doesn't she just, you know, wave her arms and make us dead?"
Buffy doesn't look back at him. She continues to scan the windows and street as they drive. "Because she doesn't want you dead. She wants to kill you."
"But we didn't do anything." Andrew states- his voice soft, but insistent. Wham. Buffy smacks him upside the head.
"I hate to admit it, Buff," Xander says softly. His eyes still on the road. "but Jonathan may have a point. Why isn't she right here right now?"
Buffy looks at him, thinking- and a bit worried. "Maybe she's just getting her mojo up and running, or maybe she hasn't figured out exactly how much power she really has yet." She looks at Xander again, she's pragmatic- but concerned for Willow. "Neither have we."
Xander looks at the road, quirks his eyebrow. "I guess we keep running, then."
In the back of the car, Jonathan shakes his head. His eyes are wide with fear and disbelief. "I still can't believe that was Willow. I mean, I've known her almost as long as you guys. Willow was… you know..." Xander looks back slightly, really feels Jonathan's words. Buffy listens too, she's been thinking the same things. "She packed her own lunches and wore floods and was always... Just Willow." Jonathan stops- quiet and remembering. Xander is also lost in thought for a moment. None of them see the truck coming behind them.
The car jolts forward abruptly. A very large transport truck has just hit them from behind. It's driver is trying to control it- but can't. Willow stands high on the truck's container- her hair whips in the wind.
"What was that?" Jonathan gasps.
Xander looks back at the truck. "Just Willow." He replies flippantly.
The transport truck draws back and then forward again- smashes the police car again and again. It's grille smashing into the car's bumper.
"Ok, any ideas?" Xander asks.
"Drive faster." Buffy replies. Xander pulls ahead- the car gets a bit of a lead, but the transport closes the gap again and hits the car hard. The transport is now pushing the car forward- faster than the car had been going. "This is faster." Xander breathes.
Jonathan looks back at the truck- looks at Buffy. "She knows you're in this car, too, right?" Buffy doesn't respond. Jonathan freaks a little more. "Right!?" He looks back again. Willow isn't as straight as she was- she's leaned over, looks like she is in pain- or is cold. She slouches. "She's draining." Jonathan says.
Xander looks back, his voice strained. "She's what-ing?" Behind them, Willow collapses to the roof of the truck. The truck draws back further. "Just keep going." Jonathan says. The bumper of the car is off partially- scraping and drawing sparks form the asphalt. The transport is no longer directly behind them. It veers off to another lane.
Willow looks up- she's unable to continue. The truck's driver finally regains control. He pulls the transport to one side, then the other- breaking expertly- and avoids tipping..
Xander, Buffy, and the nerds drive away- the bumper eventually falls off as they speed down the highway.
Jonathan continues to stare back out the window- still frightened. Andrew smirks, turns to the front of the car.

Spike's Crypt

Clem is critiquing the flavour and texture of some nacho chips. Dawn isn't really paying attention. She peers out the window of the crypt- hyped up and anxious.
Clem apologizes for not providing the most stimulating entertainment- and suggests that they go out to the movies. Dawn changes the topic- asks Clem if he believes that she is weak or incapable. He replies in the negative- and promises to do anything to help her with what's going on. Dawn jumps at it.
Clem clearly knows he's about to get in too deep- reminds Dawn that as a demon, he's got reason to keep her sister happy.
Dawn doesn't pay much attention, but pleads that Spike would help her. Clem reminds Dawn that not only is he not Spike, but that Spike is gone.

Africa- A Cave

A deep and gravely voice echoes through the cave. "You understand, then?" The demon asks.
Spike paces the cave. He's taken off his shirt and boots. He's wired and ready to go. "Yeah. Yeah, it's not like you haven't been clear about it, 'O Great Mysterious One'." He glares into the dark towards the demon- looks around the cave- quite vigilant, and ready. "This is a test. I don't get what I want unless I pass said test. That about the size and shape?"
The demon's hand becomes visible- his fingers twitching. "Yes." It says softly.
"And since your pad is decked out gladiator-style and no number-2 pencils have been provided…" He looks about again, considering the layout. His voice flip. "I guess were not starting with the written." He sighs, face changing from casual and confident to uncertain and a bit anxious. The delay is getting to him- too much time to think.
As he is turned, a very muscular man walks into the chamber. The guy is built- Mr. Olympian style. He's not tall- but is easily twice Spike's size. And it's all muscle.
Spike turns. Sees the new arrival. Looks him up and down- suddenly more confident. "Oh, here we go, then. Just me and the walking action figure." He looks over to the demon- shrugs a bit. This is something he can deal with. Easy. "I'm venturing this would be the kill-or-be-killed type of situation, then?" He asks casually, relaxed.
"To the death." The demon growls.
"Right." Spike smiles confidently. He grins at his opponent. He flickers his eyelids- certainly not impressed with the guy. Shrugs a bit. "Here we are now. Entertain us."
Spike's opponent steps forward- his feet wide apart- then clashes his forearms together. His hands burst into flame.
Spike blurts out- surprised by the change "Son of a…!" - and is halted by a flaming right hook to the face- and then as he falls, a left to his head. Spike drags himself back form the flaming-handed man, his face filled with apprehension. Not gonna be as easy as he thought.
Spike's POV- Another flaming right-hook to the face.

Sunnydale- The Bad Side of Town.

Dawn and Clem walk the streets- looking for Racks hideaway. Clem's unhappy and scared. He tries to get Dawn to reconsider. Dawn doesn't back down, and Clem reluctantly continues the search- but explains why he isn't happy. Clem seems to understand Dawn's need to find Willow- but knows that Dawn isn't prepared for what she might find.

The Magic Box

Xander, Anya, Jonathan, and Andrew enter The Magic Box. Anya and Xander trade a few barbs.
"Thanks, Anya. For getting here so fast." Xander says, walking to the research table. "It's a big help."
Anya isn't in the mood. She puts her coat away- doesn't look at Xander. "Once again, Xander in need of big help."
"Whatever." Xander snipes. He feels Anya's remark. Tries to hide it. "So, can you still sense Willow? Knowing her location would be a real big... Comfort right about now."
Jonathan and Andrew stand watching them- unsure what to do next. Anya looks through the books left on the research table. They're all blank.
"No, I can't. Which means, whatever she's feeling has gone way beyond simple vengeance." She says simply.
"Did I mention me needing the comfort?" Xander complains.
Buffy enters, faces Xander- tries to get him to focus. She eyes him down- all business. "Whatever we got, we better grab it fast. This is one of the first places she's going to think to look for us."
"Then what are we doing here?" Andrew's eyes go wide- and then eager. "You know, I could summon a demon that would kill her."
Everyone turns to him- exasperated, annoyed. "And I could smack you so hard, your eyeballs'll switch sockets." Xander threatens.
Buffy stares Andrew down. "No one is getting killed." She says, insistent- she means them too. "Sit down." Jonathan and Andrew sit at the table. "We need to find some sort of magicks that will stop Willow or at least slow her down."
Xander shakes his head- moves some of the empty books. "But she drained the place. Took everything."
Anya moves to the cash register- checks it, then moves to check the shelf below. "Not everything." She reaches down, retrieves a chest from behind the counter. Xander moves to the counter- asks what it is. Buffy glares at the geeks, then follows. Anya removes an old book from the chest.
"Um, book of protection spells. Anti-magic. Our last resort."
"You think you can work this stuff?" Xander says, hopefully.
Anya opens the book. Red glyphs are written across the page. "Ah, ok...well, good news is, the text is intact. Bad news is, uh, can't read a word of it. It's like in ancient Sumerian or something."
Jonathan gets up form the table- walks over to them. Eager to help. "Could I take a look at it?" He ventures.
Buffy turns sharply. "Shut up." She turns away again.
"Right." Jonathan says quietly- but still not about to back off. "I just thought, you know, as long as you're protecting us, the least I could do is…"
But Buffy cuts him off. Stares him down- her voice low, and full of suppressed anger. "I'm not protecting you, Jonathan. None of us are. We're doing this for Willow. The only reason it happens to be your lucky day, is because Willow kills you, she crosses a line. I lose a friend." She steps closer to him, gets in his face. "And I hate losing."
But Jonathan is still not backing down. He stands his ground- really wants to do something. "I get that. It's just..." He says quietly. "You know she's running out of power, right? I can tell. I can practically feel it." He almost whispers this last part- looking down. He looks up again- up at Anya and Xander. He speaks a bit louder- tries to persuade them of his usefulness- "I've dabbled in magicks." -he ends softer, sounds unsure of what to tell them.
"I think Willow's in a league of her own about now, dabble boy." Xander snipes back. He's got no patience for this.
"But still," Jonathan continues. Becoming sure of himself again. "running that hot for that long, it's just a matter of time before you got to recharge, no matter how juiced up you are."
Buffy continues to stare at Jonathan. Unmoved, not wanting Jonathan's help. "Thank you." She says shortly. Then a bit surly. "Now do you remember that thing we talked about?"
"About me shutting up?" Jonathan asks, unsure again. Buffy nods. He nods back- retreats to his seat at the table.
Xander moves Buffy away from the counter to where they can have a semblance of privacy. "Buffy, let's say this works and we stop Willow from working the hoodoo for a minute. What then?" His eyes look haunted and dark. "I talk to her." Buffy replies- her eyes sad, and open. She has no other plan.
Xander isn't satisfied- unconvinced that talking will get anywhere. "Great. And say what?"
Buffy puts her hand to her head- removes the black toque, and sighs.
"Look, whatever she's going to do, she starts with those two." She brushes at her hair with her hand- exasperated, desperate. She looks over at the two geeks. "They're the line she cannot cross. And if she is running low on magicks, then she's probably somewhere right now trying to get it all back."

Rack's Place

The door to Rack's inner office opens. A strung-out man smoking a cigarette lays sprawled amongst some cushions. He's oblivious to the world. Rack sits at a round table- doesn't look up. He's setting up rune-cards on the sofa.
"Hey, babe." He drawls- sets down a rune card. "I been waiting for you." He looks up. Willow stands at the door. All in black, but her eyes are normal again. She looks expectant, watchful.
"Guess the rehab didn't take, huh?" Rack shrugs. He gets up from the floor- walks over to her. He's unthreatening, friendly. But doesn't smile. "That's the way it goes sometimes." He starts to swagger towards Willow. She remains standing at the door- watches him move. "But I gotta say, I could feel you coming a mile away, the power you got. And you know something, Sweetness? I liked it." He moves more threatening now- his eyes dark and confident. His words are hushed. "When you first came to me, you were just a little slip of a girl." Rack comes to Willow's side- he leans in- hovers over her shoulder. Now standing behind her- his hands over her shoulders. He runs his hands down her hair. "Look at you now... all...growed up." He walks around to her back- circling. "So full of dark juice." He breathes in- smelling her hair. "And you still taste like strawberries. Only now... You're ripe." Willow looks up at him- her face open and almost vulnerable. But also searching him. "You came because you want something... Don't you?" She nods. Rack comes to her front, leans to her face- looks her in the eyes- then touches her cheek. "I thought so. So tell me, Strawberry, what on this earth do you want?"
Willow reaches up. Her eyes still soft. She touches his cheek lightly. She reaches up with her other hand- suddenly grabs Rack by the chin. "Just to take a little tour." She says- her voice soft and harsh.
Light glows where she touches Rack. He gasps and moans as electricity runs through him- out of him. His energy pouring into Willow as she hold him up high.

Rack's Place- The Waiting Room.

Clem emerges into Racks place- walks into the waiting room.
Dawn praises Clem for finding the place. But he's very unhappy. Very disturbed. Wants to leave. He refuses to go into the inner office, and Dawn persuades him to stay in the waiting room while she checks it out. Dawn opens the door to the office- looks around. She calls out for Willow- then turns.
Rack levitates above the floor, upside down. Dead. Dawn screams- turns to run out of the room.
Willow blocks her path. Eyes black. Black veins now apparent under her skin. Dawn gasps.
"Hey, cutie." Willow smiles evilly.

-Commercials-

Rack's Place

Willow stands blocking Dawn's exit. "Dawnie what are you doing here? 'Cause if you're looking for me, now is not a great time." Willow says sulkily.
Dawn is freaked. She looks Dawn over- taking in the changes. "You look terrible." She breathes.
Willow starts to walk forward- rounding in on Dawn. "Do I?" She asks. Dawn steps back- she speaks through gritted teeth. Accusing. "You're back on the magicks."
Willow tilts her head, disdainful. "No, honey, I am the magicks." She continues to walk forward.
Dawn continues to back up. She stares at Willow closely- like she's trying to see beyond the changes. "Did you kill that guy?"
Willow shrugs. "It's an improvement, believe me." She squinches her eyes- still very disdainful. Full of her power and herself.
Dawn gets more afraid. Shows it. "I have to go." She titters- runs past Willow to the exit.
But Willow is there again. She blocks Dawn's path. "Why, so you can run and tell Buffy?" She sneers.
"Willow, please just listen to me." Dawn pleads.
Willow starts to back Dawn up again- away from the door. "You don't have to talk. Just think real loud. I can hear you."
Dawn's eyes go wide. "You're freaking me out."
"Oh, don't be like that. I'm just a little wired." Willow gestures with her eyes to her own head. "And I have some things to do now. Thought if anybody'd understand..."
"I miss Tara, too!" Dawn blurts out, her voice cracking "But this... what you're doing here... this is not the way to go." Willow's eyes change- become more open, she's listening to Dawn. "You're only going to make things worse. But I promise, it's not too late to-"
Suddenly Willow is closed again. Her eyes narrow. "You miss her?"
"Yes." Dawn replies slowly. Unbelieving that Willow would question this. "Did you cry?" Willow asks softly- then she smiles. Condescending. She continues to walk forward. "Of course you did. I get that. I understand the crying. You cry because you're human. But you weren't always."
"Yes. I was." Dawn's voice breaks, her eyes are filled with tears.
"No, please." Willow laughs- scoffing. "You're telling me you don't remember? You used to be some mystic ball of energy. Maybe that's why you're crying all the time, Dawnie." She emphasizes the childishness of the name. Sneers. "''Cause you don't belong here." Dawn can't back up any more. Willow has her against the wall. But still doesn't touch her.
"Wanna go back? End the pain?" Willow nods down at her, eyes narrowed. "You'll be happier. I'll be happier. We'll all be a lot happier without listening to the constant whining." Willow's voice turns nasal- imitating Dawn. "Willow, stop. Mom. Buffy. Tara. Waah!" She stops, gets quiet again, threatening. "It's time you go back to being the little energy ball. No more tears, Dawnie." Dawn cringes away as Willow moves even closer- tries to get as close to the wall as she can.
A bang. Willow turns as Buffy enters the room. Buffy looks at the scene.
"I think you need to get away from her."

The Magic Box

Anya and Xander stand at the counter. He's got a small book in his hand (Sumerian/English dictionary?)
Anya's getting annoyed by his reading over her shoulder. "You're too close."
"How am I supposed to read?" he asks.
"I don't know. I'm staring right at this stuff, and I can't read it." Anya replies snarkily. She's writing on notes on a small pad.
If anything, Xander moves closer. But he closes the book in his hand.
"Well, how's the translation coming? What have we got so far?"
"So far, we've got 'the.'" Anya explains. "Well, either 'the' or 'towards.' I'm not really sure." She sighs. "I can't do this. I'm in retail. Stupid ancient Sumerian."
Jonathan walks toward the counter again- stops half way. "I'm pretty sure it's Babylonian. The text is similar, but the dialect is completely different." He explains quickly.
Xander looks up- unimpressed and very annoyed. "Great. Babylonian. Thanks a bushel. But unless you can read Babylonian, why don't you sit back down?"
Jonathan moves back to the table and sits. Andrew glares over at Anya and Xander then turns to him. "Why are you helping them?"
"Because they're saving our lives, you moron."
"Uh-huh." Andrew nods darkly. "And what then? Even if they kill that Wicca bitch, you think they're just gonna let us walk? They own us." His eyes narrow.
Jonathan looks at the empty stack of books. "So what do you want me to do?"
"Look around." Andrew insists. "You know magic. We're in a magic shop. We can take them." He looks over at the counter. Continues. "The books are sucked dry, but so what? There's still tons of supplies all around us. This is the best chance we're gonna get to make it out of here."
"And do what?"
"Start over." Andrew insists quietly. "We can be a duo, you and me. You can even be the leader. I swear, I'll take orders." His voice gets a bit manic, desperation seeping in. He smiles bitterly. "I like taking orders. Just tell me what to do."
Jonathan looks up. "You want an order?" He asks softly- then grabs up Andrew. Pushes him into the bookshelf. Jonathan's voice remains soft. He glares up at Andrew. "Grow up."
Xander looks up from his book. "Hey, now play nice fellas, or you'll break our concentration." He nods shortly- smiling.
Anya looks over as well- scolding. "Which means no protection spell." She sing-songs.
"And Willow make you two boneless chickens skinless, too." Xander finishes.
Jonathan releases and returns to the table. Andrew smoothes his shirt- he' s more apprehensive than ever. He doesn't sit. "And then what? Think your little witch buddy's gonna stop with us? You saw her. She's a truck-driving magic mama!" He cries out. "And we've got maybe seconds before 'Darth Rosenberg' grinds everybody into Jawa burgers, and not one of you bunch has the midiclorians to stop her!" He stands defiantly.
Xander points at Andrew, ridiculing. "You've never had any tiny bit of sex, have you?" Andrew looks down. Suddenly ashamed and defeated. Anya looks up, rolling her eyes. "The annoying virgin has a point." She says to Xander. She gestures towards Jonathan and Andrew. Andrew returns to his seat, deflated. "What if Willow filets their souls and comes after us?"
"She won't." Xander says shortly.
"You don't know that."
"We're her friends, Anya, her family." He pauses. Still sure. "She would never hurt us."
"She tried to use you for a hood ornament, Xander." Anya sneers, shaking her head. "She doesn't care if you live or die."
Xander twitches his head- griping. "Guess you two finally have something in common."
"I care if you live or die, Xander." Anya swallows. Looks down at the text again.. "I'm just not sure which one I want."
"Again with the comfort." Xander snipes back. Then gets serious. "Look, we both know things might get ugly at Wiccapalooza, and if it gets really bad..."
Anya rolls her eyes. "Let me guess... you'll propose?"
He looks up. Feels the sting- takes it. "I need to know if you're gonna turn on me, use this little shindig as an excuse for some -sweet revenge-."
Anya turns to him again. Glares. "There is nothing in this world that would give me greater or more lasting satisfaction than to reap bloody vengeance upon you, Xander Harris." She pauses- truly lamenting her powerlessness over this- gestures with each sentence. "But I can't. Not officially. Not magically. So smile. It's your lucky day. You got away with it. I can't hurt you." Her voice is hardnosed and honest. She is still so very angry at Xander- but she accepts the rules and will deal.
"Right, 'cause you varnishing the table with Spike, how could that possibly have hurt?" He sneers. Though his voice is less bitter than in the past few days it's full of scorn. "It may have chaffed…"
Anya stops him- her voice soft and her eyes sad. "That wasn't vengeance. It was solace." She gestures bluntly with her pen. Xander looks down- lost and not wanting to think too deeply about this. Just wanting to judge.
Anya gives up- tries to get back to work. "Look... I really can't hurt you, so I'm just gonna have to settle for hating you."
Xander gestures expansively- retreats. "If that's what you need to do."
"Don't!" Anya turns to him- not going to let him get that final word. "You don't get to play the martyr." Xander denies that he's doing that.
Anya continues- fast- now ready to confront him on their break-up. "None of this would be happening if it weren't for you."
But Xander isn't seeing her point. He's all wrapped up in himself. "You think I don't know that? You think I'm the hero of this piece?" He says- hating himself. Pitying. "I saw the gun... Before Warren raised it. I...I saw it, and I couldn't move. He shot two of my friends before I could even... You want me to know how useless I am? That it's my fault? Thanks. Already got the memo."
Anya looks on- pity also in her eyes through the speech- but for different reasons. She looks to him. Her voice and face express her disgust with his obliviousness. "I was talking about us."
She looks back to the text- glares from the corner of her eye.

Rack's Place.

Buffy walks from the door towards Willow. "You need to back down a minute and think, Will."
"I wasn't gonna hurt her." Willow looks Buffy up and down. Sneers. "Buzz kill."
"She tried to turn me back." Dawn says quietly to herself- disbelieving. She still stands by the wall.
Buffy stalks forward slowly- like she's approaching a strange animal- keeps her eyes on Willow's. "You're attacking the people who love you now?" Everyone is very tense.
"Only the ones in my way." Willow says.
"That's not..." Buffy pauses. "You need help."
Willow nods, dismissively. "I'm doing fine on my own, thanks."
Buffy moves forward fast- grabs Dawn by the arm and pushes her to the exit. "Dawn, get out of here. Go!"
Dawn pulls at the door. Willow has made it stuck- won't allow Dawn to leave. She smiles vaguely- eyes Dawn at the door. "Don't. We're all friends."
"Willow, I know what you wanna do. But you have to listen to me." Buffy rationalizes. "The forces inside you are incredibly powerful. They're strong, but you're stronger. You have to remember you're still Willow."
Willow smiles again. Tilts her head condescendingly. She strolls forward to Buffy. "Let me tell you something about Willow. She's a loser, and she always has been. People picked on Willow in junior high school, high school, up until college... With her stupid mousy ways." Willow pauses. Laughs the works. "And now Willow's a junkie."
"I can help." Buffy insists. Her face intent.
But Willow continues. She's not listening to Buffy. He eyes get far away.
"The only thing Willow was ever good for, the only thing I had going for me..." She pauses, still reflecting. "Were the moments, just moments, when Tara would look at me, and I was wonderful. And that will never. Happen. Again."
"I know this hurts. Bad. But, Willow, if you let loose with the magicks, it'll never end." Buffy continues to try to be rational- still strong. Still unwavering in friendship.
Willow smiles viciously. "Promise?"
Buffy's face doesn't change. She's still intent. "You don't want that."
"Why not?" Willow sneers, eyes narrowing.
Dawn starts to move toward them again. comes to Buffy's side.
Buffy continues. "'Cause you lose everything. Your friends, yourself. Willow, if you let this control you, then the world goes away and all of us with it. There's so much to live for." Willow's smile grows- contempt crosses her face. Buffy tries to gear her speech up - tries to keep Willlow's interest. It's not working. "Will, there's too much to..."
"Oh, please." Willow sneers again. Laughs. "This is your pitch? Buffy, you hate it here as much as I do. I'm just more honest about it." Buffy denies it- still intent. "You're trying to sell me on the world?" Willow shakes her head- starts to lay it all out for Buffy. The room starts to move- rotates around them. Becomes surreal.
"The one where you lie to your friends when you're not trying to kill them? You screw a vampire just to feel? And insane asylums are the comfy alternative? This world? Buffy, it's me. I know you were happier when you were in the ground. The only time you were ever at peace in your whole life was when you were dead. Until Willow brought you back. You know, with magic."
The room stops moving- and it's suddenly apparent that they're no longer at Rack's Place. Anya and Xander stand at the counter of the Magic Box. Andrew and Jonathan stare at Willow from the research table. Buffy and Dawn sway- overcome by the sensation of the teleport.
"Aw. Sorry, the trip can be kind of rough if you're, you know, not me."
Dawn falls to the floor- and as Buffy leans to help, she falls too.
Willow turns to the research table. She smiles evilly. "Jonathan. Andrew. You boys like magic, don't you?" The boys get up- pres themselves against the back wall. Cowering. "Abracadabra." Willow points her arms forward- blazing purple and white lightening flare from her hands- towards Andrew and Jonathan. Willow's hair swirls.
Immediately, something is wrong. Willow cringes back- like something is happening with the power. It stops just short of the boys- purple energy colliding with some kind of transparent barrier. Willow stops. "Ok, didn't see that coming." She breathes. She smiles- a bit amused and very surprised. Jonathan and Andrew are also confused- surprised that they're alive. "You guys wanna take it slow," Willow smiles with pleasure. Ready for fun. " I can do that, too. Ask Warren." She gestures towards the boys again- and again, the power doesn't do anything.
Buffy and Dawn still sit on the floor- unable to do anything.
At the front of the Magic Box- hidden by the entryway wall, Anya stands with the Anti-Magic book in her hands. She peeks over at Willow- continues to chant from the book.
Willow releases the flow of energy again. Still very confused.
Jonathan and Andrew decide to run for it- but Willow stops them. She's able to pull the door shut- locking them in the Magic Box. Jonathan and Andrew grab swords from where they hang by the door.
Willow still stands, non-plussed by her inability to hurt them with her power.
Buffy and Dawn are standing now. Xander is behind them at the counter. Buffy tells Buffy to stop.
"Guys, come on." Willow smiles at Jonathan and Andrew- who now brandish their swords somewhat awkwardly. "I'm just getting wood for the violence here. And you know what they say... "if at first you don't succeed..."" She brings her arms forward again- flares bright with the power…

Africa- A Cave

Spike gets smashed into a pillar and slides to the cave floor. His battle with the man with flaming hands continues. Spike is covered with burns. His right eye is black. Getting up, he wipes blood from his nose. "Had enough?" He asks- as he's smashed across the face with another right hook. He falls back, but not to the ground, and stalks around the columns. His opponent on the other side. Spike is hurting- but still in the game. Not about to give up.
He comes form around the columns and attacks- missing. The opponent gets four or five good shots in and Spike falls to the floor. Another punch comes at his head- but Spike instinctively comes up to block it- catching the flaming fist in his hand. He groans in pain- but releases the hand, and gets up and delivers a good punch to the opponent's head- knocking him into the wall. Grimacing, he holds his burned hand up before him. "Bad move, bad move, bad move." Then ducks as another punch comes toward him. Spike grabs the guy's arm, flipping him on his back- then follows through by kicking the guy in the balls. As the opponent turns on his stomach, Spike straddles his back- and snaps his neck.
Spike stands and shakes himself. Exhausted, but victorious. "Looks like local boy loses." He says.
The demon still lurks in the background. "So it would appear." His voice echoes in the cave.
"Good on me, then." Spike says, glaring into the dark. "I get what I came for. I passed, right?"
"Indeed, you have passed the first stage of the test." The demon confirms. "Right." Spike nods. Relieved. Grimaces a little smile. "I get..." He stops- realises what the demon just said. "Wait. First stage?"
The demon laugh quietly.
Spike shakes his head shortly. Tired. A bit dismayed. "Bugger."

The Magic Box

Willow is still venting magic form her hands- but it just isn't getting through the barrier. She stops- smiling. A bit annoyed- but more intrigued than anything. "Damn, that is one effective counter spell. Won't keep you alive, though." Andrew and Jonathan breathe hard. Terrified. They still hold the swords.
Buffy seems to have recovered from the teleport. She stands with Dawn. "Will, stop. You need to give this up now." Buffy maintains.
Willow ignores her. "I get it. You boys put a spell on yourselves, didn't you, protecting you from harm, from magicks? That's cute."
Buffy continues- steps towards Willow. Entreating. "Will, back off before somebody gets hurt."
"How about I back off right after?" Willow doesn't even look at Buffy. "So, which one of you boys worked the mojo? Doesn't matter, really. I just...I'm curious." She's more than curious- if anything Willow is ready to provide a bit of special torment to the person delaying her vengeance.
In the background, behind the curio cabinet, Anya continues to chant. Willow continues to threaten the boys. "Just because I can't do magicks to you, doesn't mean I can't do them on myself." Willow glows for a moment. "Now I'm pretty sure I'm strong enough to beat you to death."
Jonathan and Andrew retreat to behind the table- their swords ready. Willow tosses the table aside. She stalks toward the boys.
But Buffy stands in front of her. "I don't wanna hurt you." Buffy insists.
Willow punches Buffy- sending her across the Magic Shop and into the magazine rack. "Not a problem." Willow says casually.
Xander comes from behind the counter- shocked at what Willow's done. He stands beside Dawn. Jonathan and Andrew remain terrified- holding their swords close- but not really able to do anything.
Buffy gets up. Stalks back over to Willow. Buffy tilts her head. "I said I didn't want to..." She smashes Willow with a punch- sends her smashing into a curio cabinet. "Didn't say I wouldn't."
Xander gathers up the boys and Dawn- they escape towards the door. He stops when he sees Anya- tries to get her to come with them. Anya explains that she can't- that she's keeping the spell going on Willow. Xander protests for a second but Anya cuts him off. "Go do something right!" She tells him. Xander looks at her for a moment- then leads the others out of the shop. Anya continues to chant.

Willow sees them leave- goes to stop them, but Buffy pulls her back- throws her to the floor. Willow draws herself up- and Buffy and she stand facing each other. "So...here we are." Willow smiles evilly.
Buffy looks regretful- but determined. "Are we really gonna do this?" "Come on, this is a huge deal for me." Willow says with disdain. "Six years as a sideman. Now I get to be the slayer."
"A killer isn't a slayer." Buffy says harshly. "Being a slayer means something you can't conceive of."
"Oh, Buffy." Willow sighs. "You really need to have every square inch of your ass kicked."
"Then show me what you got…" Buffy says. "And I'll show you what a slayer really is."
The two collide- and start to struggle. Head butting, and punching. Each getting their fair share of blows in.

Sunnydale- The Street.

Jonathan and Andrew follow Dawn and Xander as they walk down the street. They still have their swords. They're going to try to find some place safe- but no one is sure where that is.

The Magic Box

Buffy and Willow continue to fight. But Willow is still able to use her magic to throw things at Buffy. The Magic Shop is getting demolished. Willow's goal seems to be to incapacitate Buffy- so that she can get out of the store.
Buffy continues to plead with Willow- tries to convince her that she can help her. Willow gets the upper hand.

Sunnydale- The Street.

Jonathan gasps and falls back as the others run. He can't continue.
Xander insists that they have to keep on going.
Andrew tells Xander that they have to get out of town- it's the only way they'll be safe. "Mexico. We should go to Mexico."
Jonathan looks dubious. Xander insists that Andrew's not going anywhere. At least until Buffy says it's all clear. But Andrew isn't impressed. He pulls the sword on Xander- levels it at his throat.

The Magic Box

Willow and Buffy continue to fight. Willow gets thrown over a cabinet- and near the entryway. She gets up. Sees Anya. Anya looks down at her- chants steadily- though she is very afraid.
"Well, hey, isn't that interesting? Anya's still here. Looks like I've been beating on the wrong gal."
Buffy comes up- tries to attack Willow, but is brushed aside. Buffy lands on another table.
Willow faces Anya.

Sunnydale- The Street.

Andrew has his sword at Xander's neck. Andrew insists that he's not going to die for something he didn't do.
Jonathan puts his sword to Andrew's neck. Tells him to drop it- then after a very short standoff, Jonathan presses the sword hard to Andrew, and Andrew puts his sword down.
Jonathan is resigned to his fate- he insists that they will both go to jail once all of this is over.

The Magic Box

Willow picks up Anya by the throat- presses her against the wall. Anya screams for help. But Buffy is unconscious. "Help me! Help me! You're hurting me."
"You can't block my spells if you can't chant." Willow says, glaring.
"And you can't chant if you're sleepin'." Willow tosses Anya into the bookshelves- knocking her out.
Willow looks around- Buffy is now awake. She gets up- circles Willow. Willow stands and gloats. "Buffy, I gotta tell you, I get it now. The slayer thing really isn't about the violence. It's about the power." Willow rasps- then raises her arms, shooting electricity at Buffy. Buffy flies across the room into the desk. Knocked out again. Willow stalks over, stands over Buffy's body. "And there's no one in the world with the power to stop me now." Willows says smoothly.
Willow is suddenly knocked back. A green bolt of energy surging around her. She slides across the floor. Looks up.

Giles stands at the Magic Box door. His face solemn- staring at Willow.
"I'd like to test that theory."

-Commercial and Credits-

**

-Cath

CathJoudrey@hfx.eastlink.ca

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