GILES (V.O.)
Previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer:
LIVING
ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY
Dawn's standing in front of the three girls Giles brought with him. The three
girls are lined up against the wall, and Dawn's inspecting them, arms crossed
in front of her. Willow, Anya, Xander, Buffy and Giles are also in the room,
gathered for a pow-wow.
BUFFY
The First. That's what it wants.
GILES
To erase all the slayers in training and their watchers, along with their
methods.
Cut to:
OUTSIDE
AN APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT
Holding the young woman in an embrace, Spike rears back in vampire face and
sinks his fangs into her neck. He drops the woman to the ground and turns
his bloody, fanged face to the camera.
WILLOW (V. O.)
Buffy, he's been feeding...
Cut to:
BUFFY'S
HOUSE - NIGHT
Spike is sitting in a chair, wrapped in a blanket while the others talk in
an adjacent room. Buffy, Xander, Anya, Willow and Dawn are all there. Spike's
listening to them.
BUFFY
He really didn't know what he'd done. It wasn't in his control.
Cut to:
LIVING
ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY
Xander's explaining his ideas to the gang.
XANDER
It's a trigger. It's a brainwashing term. It's how the military makes sleeper
agents.
Cut to:
FRONT
DOOR AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY
Willow answers the front door - it's Amy.
WILLOW
Amy.
AMY
Can I come in?
WILLOW
If you really are my friend, you better stay away from me.
Cut to:
THE INITIATIVE
SUNNYDALE HEADQUARTERS - NIGHT
Dressed in military garb, Riley Finn talks with Professor Walsh, surrounded
by other operatives.
PROFESSOR WALSH
Agent Finn, my implant?
RILEY
The implant works. Hostile 17 can't harm any living creature in any way without
intense neurological pain.
Show clips of Spike being operated on by the Initiative, being kept prisoner
there, and being unable to bite a girl due to screaming fits and a headache
when he attempts it.
Cut to:
BUFFY'S
BACKYARD - DAY
While in her backyard talking to Xander, Buffy's approached by an angry, gun-toting
Warren.
WARREN
You think you can just do that to me?
Warren shoots at Buffy. Meanwhile, while running away, Warren fires a
random shot that goes through the upstairs window into Willow and Tara's bedroom.
Cut to:
WILLOW
AND TARA'S BEDROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE- DAY
Tara is shot and falls to the floor. Blood spatters Willow's shirt.
WILLOW
Tara?
Willow is grief-stricken. She is holding Tara's dead body, and when she
looks up to heaven, her eyes turn red and black with dark magic because of
her anger.
Cut to:
WOODS
SOMEWHERE IN SUNNYDALE - NIGHT
Warren is strung up between a pair of trees. He is tied at four points, splayed
out like the famous DaVinci diagram. Warren calls for help.
WARREN
Somebody! Help!
Willow, in full dark magic splendor (black hair, black eyes), motions
her hand toward Warren, and with a twist of her wrist, removes his skin. Warren
screams in agony.
Cut to:
STAIRCASE
AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Walking with Kennedy, Willow's holding a stack of bed sheets.
WILLOW
You wanna do the sleeping arrangements? (offers the sheets to Kennedy)
KENNEDY
(takes the sheets) OK. You, uh, better not hog the covers. (smiles)
Fade to black.
PROLOGUE:
LIVING
ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY
Giles scurries into the living room, where Buffy and Dawn are sitting on the
couch.
GILES
Are you sure you'll all be all right?
DAWN
You'll only be gone for two days.
BUFFY
I think we've managed a bit longer than that.
GILES
Right. (looks around nervously, stops) Oh, Dawn, Vi's left her notebook on
the mantelpiece. Would you mind running it out to the car?
DAWN
(stands, goes to the fireplace) Sure.
GILES
While you're at it, you smack her in the head with it and remind her not to
leave it lying around.
DAWN
(walks out the front door with the notebook) On it.
GILES
(sits on coffee table in front of Buffy) I'm just a bit twitchy about leaving
you alone again here while - while things are (takes of glasses, wipes
his brow) in such a state of flux.
BUFFY
I know. But you should go. This trip is important for the girls to understand
the source of their power, and to know how to use it right.
GILES
Do you think they appreciate the gravity of what we're undertaking? It's frightening,
and it's difficult. And then, apparently, someone told them that the vision
quest consists of me driving them to the desert, doing the hokey pokey until
a spooky Rasta-mama slayer arrives and speaks to them in riddles. (looks at
Buffy)
BUFFY
(looks innocent) That's not exactly how I put it, I - (sees Willow come
down stairs and enter the room) Hey, how's Kennedy?
WILLOW
Still fluey. Bummed about missing the field trip. (to Giles) She says she
wants you to meditate extra hard for her and to bring her back some smores.
(grins)
GILES
Ah yes. Smores. I'm going to end up singing campfire songs aren't I? (stands)
BUFFY
Oh yeah.
XANDER
(comes in the front door, followed by Dawn) Giles, you might want to get out
there.
GILES
Oh, God, what?
DAWN
Molly and Rona are fighting over who gets to drive the first leg.
BUFFY
(to Giles) Bet you wish you renewed that California state driver's license
now, huh?
ANYA
(comes in the front door) Rona won. You should probably let Molly out of the
trunk. (car horn blows outside, Anya walks to the kitchen with Willow) I never
actually realized just how compact Molly really is.
GILES
(sighs, to Buffy) Please be safe while I'm away.
BUFFY
You too.
Cut to:
BASEMENT
AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY
Buffy walks downstairs to the basement, toward where Spike is sitting on a
cot, his wrists chained to the wall.
BUFFY
Hey.
SPIKE
Hey.
BUFFY
Giles is off ...on the retreat.
SPIKE
Give us all a chance for a breather, eh?
BUFFY
From Giles?
SPIKE
From the constant pitter patter of clomping teenage girly feet.
BUFFY
(shrugs) I have no idea what you're talking about.
SPIKE
Come on.
BUFFY
No, I enjoy my responsibility as mentor, role model, life guide - oh, my
God, I cannot believe I have my bathroom all to myself for two whole days.
(sits on the cot beside Spike)
SPIKE
(leans forward) It's like a bloody war-zone up there, and not in a good way.
BUFFY
Have you seen the kitchen since they've been here?
SPIKE
I'm just trying to stay out of their way.
BUFFY
(glances at his chains) I noticed.
SPIKE
(looks at his chains) This is better. Believe me, it's safer.
BUFFY
OK. But you've been fine. In close contact with the girls.
SPIKE
(looks at Buffy) With you by my side, yeah. You won't let me hurt one of them.
And that's the way it's gonna be until we're sure the First is done making
me its bitch. Either we're together, or I'm on the leash.
BUFFY
We just need to make sure the trigger's deactivated then. We've got a couple
of days, lack of pitter-patter and all...
SPIKE
(leans forward, looking at her earnestly) Buffy...
BUFFY
What?
SPIKE
Ow.
BUFFY
Ow?
SPIKE
(his face contorts, twitching) Ow ow ow! (leans back, thrashes against the
wall)
BUFFY
What's wrong? (Spike puts his hands to his head) Spike, what is going on?
SPIKE
(calmer now) The chip. God. Why would - ? (screams) Aaahhh! (holds his
hands to his head, writhing in intense pain)
Cut to:
Opening Credits.
Pt 1:
KITCHEN
AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
A tea kettle whistles as Buffy walks into the kitchen from the basement. Willow's
at the stove.
WILLOW
Hey. How is he?
BUFFY
(sits) Oh, in the "goes" part of "comes and goes."
WILLOW
Well there seems to be a definite lack of screaming. That has to be good.
BUFFY
You'd think. (Willow pours hot water into a cup) That for the other patient?
WILLOW
Yeah. Thought I'd bring her some tea, help her feel better.
BUFFY
(smiling, teasingly) Mm-hmm?
WILLOW
It's just tea.
BUFFY
(giggles, then pauses) Will, how much do you know about the chip?
WILLOW
Spike's chip? Well, I remember trying to dig up stuff back then, but, you
know, turns out, when a secret government agency studies vampires and puts
chips in their brains that keep them from hurting people, they don't really
build websites. Why?
BUFFY
Even with the chip, Spike was able to hurt all those people when he was brainwashed.
WILLOW
Yeah, but he was under the control of the First.
BUFFY
Maybe something's wrong with it.
WILLOW
The chip is misfiring all on its own, then. Well this'll be fun.
BUFFY
Remember when things used to be nice and boring?
WILLOW
(shrugs) No. (walks out of the kitchen with tea in hand)
BUFFY
(teasingly, calls after her) Have fun...delivering tea...
WILLOW
(stops, turns around) OK, not when you make it sound all dirty like that.
(mumbles as she heads upstairs) It's just tea.
Cut to:
WILLOW'S
ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Willow walks into her room to find Kennedy putting on her shoes.
WILLOW
Hey, I figured the best thing for a cold is a nice hot cup of...(frowns) boots?
KENNEDY
Hey.
WILLOW
For someone who's sick, you look surprisingly robust and casual dressy.
KENNEDY
Well, the lighting in here is good. Maybe it's just -
WILLOW
(shocked) You were never sick!
KENNEDY
No...I was never sick.
WILLOW
Oh, you are so busted. Xander's gonna have to drive you to the desert and -
KENNEDY
Willow, chill. (stands) There's a reason I didn't go. I have a thing. A separate
thing.
WILLOW
What?
KENNEDY
(puts on her coat) Something's coming down. I have my own mission. And I need
you help.
Cut to:
THE
BRONZE NIGHT CLUB - NIGHT
A band's playing a song on stage.
BAND
(singing) So I can be happy again...
Kennedy and Willow are having a drink (complete with orange wedge and
paper umbrella garnishes), sitting at one of the tables, listening to the
band.
WILLOW
This is a mission?
KENNEDY
Oh! Yeah...
WILLOW
And the little pink umbrellas are a signal for what? We're not on a mission,
are we?
KENNEDY
Hey, trust me, I told you. I have a thing. (Willow gets up to leave, Kennedy
calls after her) Come on, come on. Just hang out with me a little. (Willow
turns to face her, sighing) You're sexy when you pout.
WILLOW
Why do you do that?
KENNEDY
(pouts) To get you to stay.
WILLOW
(returns to the table, sits) All right, I'll stay for one drink, then I'm
going home.
KENNEDY
OK. One drink. I can work with that. Let's start with the easy stuff. How
long have you known? That you're gay.
WILLOW
Wait. That's easy? (fidgets) And you just assume that I'm - I'm gay. I
mean, presume much?
KENNEDY
(grins) OK. How long have you enjoyed having sex with women?
WILLOW
(taken aback) Hey! (Kennedy chuckles) What you think you have some special
lesbidar or something?
KENNEDY
OK, you know there's a better word for that, right? (Willow sips her drink)
You really haven't been getting out there much, have you?
WILLOW
Well, I just - can you always tell just - just by looking at someone?
KENNEDY
No. No, of course not. That wouldn't be any fun. The fun part is the process
of - of getting to know a girl. It's like - it's like flirting in code.
It's using body language and laughing at the right jokes and - and looking
into her eyes and knowing she's still whispering to you, even when she's not
saying a word. And that sense that if you can just touch her just once everything
will be OK for both of you. That's how you can tell. (sits back, grins) Or
if she's really hot, you just get her drunk - see if she comes on to you.
WILLOW
Three years ago. That's when I knew. And it wasn't women, it was woman. Just
one.
KENNEDY
Lucky woman. (smiles)
Cut to:
BASEMENT
AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Spike's lying on the cot on his back, resting his head on a pillow. His nose
is bleeding. Buffy sits by him.
SPIKE
Popped another blood vessel, I think. (Buffy hands him a towel; he wipes blood
from his nose)
BUFFY
There's gotta be a reason why the chip is going all wonky. Maybe it's related
to the trigger or maybe it has something to do with the new soul.
SPIKE
Or maybe I wasn't meant to last this long. (beat) One more thing you and I
have in common, eh, pet?
BUFFY
Well, we'll fix it. We'll hit serious research mode -
SPIKE
Good. Try Behavioral Modification Software Throughout the Ages.
BUFFY
(sighs) OK. You're right. Not a book thing. It's a phone thing.
SPIKE
Who you gonna call? (Buffy looks at him funny) God, that phrase is never gonna
be useable again, is it?
BUFFY
Doubt it.
Cut to:
THE
BRONZE NIGHT CLUB - NIGHT
Kennedy and Willow are having a drink together, talking.
KENNEDY
Do your parents know?
WILLOW
Yeah. My mom was - was all proud like I was making some political statement.
Then the statement mojo wore off and I was just gay. She hardly ever even
met Tara.
KENNEDY
Classic.
WILLOW
I didn't mind. Tara and I are kind of private.
KENNEDY
I'm sorry. It must've -
WILLOW
Were, I mean. Private.
Cut to:
LIVING
ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Buffy's talking on the phone while Spike sits on the stairs behind her.
BUFFY
Yes, Agent Finn, Riley. Tell him we're having a problem with Spike's chip.
No his chip. Spike.
SPIKE
(shakes his head) Listen, pet?
BUFFY
No, no, Finn is his last name. Yeah. Well, did he used to work there and then
he got transferred? (Spike's chip goes off again, he thrashes on the stairs
unnoticed by Buffy) Oh, is this actually a flower shop, or is this one of
those things where I'm supposed to play along to show that I know it's really
secret ops? Oh, maybe I shouldn't have said that. Oh, OK, right. Well, if
some guy named Finn shows up to buy flowers - Yeah. Thanks. (hangs up,
turns to Spike) Wrong number. Or a giant government conspiracy, one or the -
(notices he's recovering from an episode) Spike?
SPIKE
This one seemed easier than the others. See? Probably just gonna fade -
(screams, holding his head again)
Cut to:
THE
BRONZE NIGHT CLUB - NIGHT
Kennedy and Willow are having a drink together, talking.
KENNEDY
It was Gone with the Wind. I saw that, and I knew I wanted to sweep
Scarlet off her feet.
WILLOW
You were five.
KENNEDY
Well, I'm not saying the sweeping would have been easy... (smiles, eats the
cherry off her paper umbrella garnish) What?
WILLOW
I just - I still don't get it. (shrugs) Why you like me. I mean, you don't
even know me.
KENNEDY
Have you seen you? (Willow blushes) And we like the same things - Italian,
skate punk, Robert Parker mysteries, fighting evil...
WILLOW
(smiles, shakes her head) I don't like any of that stuff. Except the - the
fighting evil part. Even then, I prefer a nice foot massage.
KENNEDY
OK, I dig the way you always turn off the Moulin Rouge DVD at Chapter 32 so
it has a happy ending. (Willow laughs) I like the way you speak. It's interesting.
(Willow smiles) And your freckles...likeable. (Willow blushes) I'm not so
into the magic stuff. It seems like fairy tale crap to me, but if it matters
to you... You care about it, so it's cool.
Cut to:
WILLOW'S
ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Willow walks into her bedroom, Kennedy waits at the door. The mood is very
awkward.
WILLOW
Well, this is my stop. (turns on light) So...glad we talked.
KENNEDY
(walks into the room, toward Willow, nods) Yes. Kinda cleared the air.
WILLOW
(nods) Yeah, totally. Air cleared. Check.
KENNEDY
(standing in front of Willow now) You know, in the spirit of air clearing...
WILLOW
Yeah?
KENNEDY
I feel like I need to be honest about something.
WILLOW
I-is something wrong?
KENNEDY
No. (shakes head) No, it's just - (walks closer to Willow) I think (leans
in for a kiss) you should know...
Kennedy kisses Willow slowly, passionately. The camera circles them as
they kiss, showing Willow's hair, then Kennedy's hair - then Willow's hair
is gone as the kiss ends. Where Willow was, Warren's now standing.
WARREN
Well, that was nice.
Kennedy pulls back from him, panicked. She stumbles and falls as she retreats,
knocking over a lamp.
Fade to black.
Pt 2:
WILLOW'S
ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Resume. Willow's standing where Warren was a moment ago, talking to Kennedy,
who is staring incredulously at her.
WILLOW
Are you OK? (chuckles nervously) I'm not used to literally knocking girls
off of their feet with just the power of my own lips.
Kennedy just stares at Willow, confused.
WARREN
OK, you gonna pick that up, or...?
KENNEDY
I don't - what are you?
WILLOW
Is this a freckle thing, 'cause -
Willow starts to panic and goes to look in the mirror; she sees Warren's
reflection instead of her own.
TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE::
Until resolution of this plot point, all characters see Willow in Warren's
form. On screen, Willow is sometimes shown from her perspective, as herself.
To keep track of which form Willow is shown on screen, an asterisk (*) will
be used to indicate the form.
WILLOW/WARREN* = shown as Warren
WILLOW*/WARREN = shown as Willow
WILLOW/WARREN*
Oh, God! Oh, God...
KENNEDY
What... is that?
WILLOW/WARREN*
(feeling his face) It's the man that I killed.
Cut to:
LIVING
ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Warren comes down the stairs, followed by Kennedy. Xander, Anya and Dawn are
in the living room.
KENNEDY
OK, hold up a sec.
When Xander, Anya and Dawn see Warren, they gasp and stand, positioning
themselves defensively.
WILLOW/WARREN*
Guys -
XANDER
Get Buffy. Get Buffy. Tell her the First is back.
WILLOW/WARREN*
No, I'm not the First.
ANYA
We're not interested in any of your evil lies. We've heard 'em all.
WILLOW*/WARREN
No, guys it's me.
WILLOW/WARREN*
I'm me. I'm Willow. Guys, come on. As Kennedy - (points to Kennedy) she
was there.
KENNEDY
(shakes her head) I don't know. I'm not sure. We were up in Willow's room
and we were - -
Carrying a bowl of food, Andrew walks into the living room. When he sees
Warren, he freezes in place, dropping his bowl; it shatters to pieces on the
ground.
ANDREW
No... No. You're back.
WILLOW/WARREN*
(emphatic) No, I'm not. It's not - I'm not it. Listen to me -
ANDREW
No more listening. I know who you are now. I know what you made me do. Your
promises of happy fields and dancing schnauzers and being demigods won't work
on me anymore.
ANYA
(yells) Buffy!
XANDER
(whispers, to Anya) The Bringers are coming too.
WILLOW/WARREN*
No, I'm not the First.
ANDREW
You made me do things. Things I can never take back. Ever.
WILLOW/WARREN*
I'm not the First.
BUFFY
(walks into the room) What the hell is going on here - ? (scowls when she
sees Warren, punches him in the nose. He falls to the ground, writhing in
pain on the floor) Ow! (stares at Warren)
SPIKE
(walks into the room, holding his head) Buffy...
ANYA
Wait.
DAWN
But if he's the First...
WILLOW/WARREN*
I'm not the First.
XANDER
You're not the First.
WILLOW/WARREN*
(stands) I know.
ANDREW
(smiles) Oh, my God! (goes to Warren) You're back. (hugs Warren from behind,
his hands touching Warren's chest)
WILLOW*/WARREN
(grabs Andrew's hands) Hey, (turns to face him) bad touching!
Spike wanders around, holding his head, moaning in pain while everyone
stares at Willow/Warren.
WILLOW/WARREN*
Everyone please stop it.
KENNEDY
It's Willow.
WILLOW/WARREN*
I'm Willow.
XANDER
Are you sure?
WILLOW*/WARREN
There are other stories from kindergarten. Non yellow crayon stories in which
you don't come out in such a good light.
WILLOW/WARREN*
An incident involving Aquaman underoos, for example. You want me to start
talking?
XANDER
(smiles, walks up to Willow/Warren) Hey, Willow!
ANYA
What happened?
Everyone inches closer to Willow/Warren.
WILLOW/WARREN*
I don't know. We were there, and then I looked like him.
ANYA
Oh, like a glamour.
WILLOW/WARREN*
Maybe, but I probably brought it on myself.
BUFFY
What makes you think that?
WILLOW/WARREN*
Well, it wouldn't be the first time. I have a history with my witchy subconscious
making things go kerfloopey. Remember the wacky "I can't see you, you
can't see me" spell?
While Willow/Warren's talking, Dawn touches his shoulder, Andrew touches
his chest and face.
BUFFY
(to Dawn and Andrew) Guys!
ANDREW
(stops touching Willow/Warren) It's so real.
WILLOW/WARREN*
I'm all too aware. (brushes Dawn's hand away.
BUFFY
OK, say you're right, and you did do this to yourself. Why would your subconscious
turn you into Warren?
WILLOW/WARREN*
Obviously because I feel bad - about killing him.
BUFFY
We'll deal. We'll get help.
WILLOW/WARREN*
No, I can handle this.
BUFFY
On your own? Why?
WILLOW/WARREN*
I did it. I'll fix it. I don't want you seeing me this way anyway. (walks
toward the door)
BUFFY
It's kinda a little late for that. (Spike's moaning in the background)
WILLOW/WARREN*
Seriously, I'm not posing any big threat to the world. Looks like you've got
your hands full already.
Buffy looks around, sees Spike lying on the floor moaning and twitching.
WILLOW*/WARREN
I'll go, I'll handle it, I'll fix it, I'll be back before you even know I'm
gone.
WILLOW/WARREN*
Promise. (leaves through the front door)
BUFFY
(goes to his side) Spike. (kneels down beside him)
SPIKE
Buffy.
BUFFY
I'm right here.
SPIKE
The chip fired again.
Xander, Anya, Dawn and Andrew gather around to watch Buffy and Spike.
Kennedy sneaks out the front door unnoticed.
BUFFY
I kinda figured. Maybe they'll call back. Maybe they'll send help.
SPIKE
Maybe we can't wait.
Cut to:
RANDOM
STREET IN SUNNYDALE - NIGHT
Willow/Warren's walking purposefully down the street. Kennedy walks up to
her, surprising her.
KENNEDY
OK. Safe to say no one will ever accuse you of being too butch.
WILLOW/WARREN*
Kennedy, go home. (walks away)
KENNEDY
(follows) Come on. I mean, you turned into a guy. I mean if you take a step
back, seriously, there's a certain element of humor here, right? (Willow/Warren
stops walking, turns and glares at her) Well, a really, really big step.
WILLOW/WARREN*
I killed him. It's hard to see the chuckles. (walks away)
KENNEDY
(follows) So you got a plan?
WILLOW*/WARREN
Yeah, get some help reversing it.
KENNEDY
I thought you were gonna try it yourself.
WILLOW*/WARREN
I did try. Something's blocking me.
KENNEDY
All the more reason for me to go with you. Plus, I was there when it happened.
Lemme come to try to help too.
WILLOW/WARREN*
(stops walking) I really think I'm fine with the handling.
KENNEDY
By yourself? Why?
WILLOW*/WARREN
I'm the one that killed him. I - It's hard to understand.
KENNEDY
Given. How 'bout I just tag along anyway. Keep you company. (Willow/Warren
sighs) I'm taking that as a yes.
WILLOW/WARREN*
(walks) Fine. Come.
WILLOW*/WARREN
Try not to get in the way.
KENNEDY
You know where you're going?
WILLOW*/WARREN
To see some old friends of mine. It's been a while, but maybe they can help.
Cut to:
WOODS
SOMEWHERE IN SUNNYDALE - NIGHT
Buffy and Spike are walking through the woods together in the moonlight holding
flashlights.
SPIKE
Are you sure you still wanna go back in this place with me?
BUFFY
Eh, nothing good on TV tonight.
SPIKE
(stops walking) Here we are.
Yep, here we are. (they kneel on the ground) You think the stuff's still good?
SPIKE
I don't know. (digs through the dirt) Worked pretty good when the Initiative
held me captive here. Every time I'd get a little...rambunctious, the chip'd
kick in. I feel like my head was gonna explode. They'd dope me up, and everything
would be all daffodils and teddy bears. For a couple of hours anyway.
BUFFY
Maybe we should search for files and stuff. Find out everything we can about
the chip - shelf life.
SPIKE
I'll take whatever I can get. (grabs a chain in the dirt)
BUFFY
(grabs the chain Spike's holding) Ready?
SPIKE
Yeah.
Together, they pull the chain, hoisting up a metal grate.
Cut to:
THE
INITIATIVE SUNNYDALE HEADQUARTERS - NIGHT
Buffy and Spike jump down through the opening in the ground into a dark hallway.
Cut to:
LIVING
ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Anya and Dawn are sitting on the couch. Xander's sitting in a cushy chair,
propping his feet up on the coffee table. Andrew's sitting on the floor between
Xander and the fireplace. The phone rings.
ANDREW
I'll get it. (stands) I'm supposed to get a call when the new League of Extraordinary
Gentlemen comes in. I gave them this number.
XANDER
Ooh. Can you see if you can get two?
ANDREW
Summers residence, this is Andrew speaking. How can I help you?
XANDER
(realizes that Dawn and Anya are staring at him, looks at Andrew) Loser.
ANDREW
(holds his hand over the phone) Hey, do we know some British guy named Robson?
Time passes. Xander hangs up the phone and reports to Dawn and Anya.
XANDER
He was attacked, this Robson guy in England. (sits) And Giles was there helping
him. And there was a Bringer.
ANYA
(leans forward) Xander...
XANDER
Robson blacked out, but the last thing he remembers is Giles's head about
to get really familiar with a Bringer's very sharp axe.
DAWN
Oh, my God!
ANYA
Giles never mentioned any of this.
XANDER
Robson said by the time he came to, there was no Giles.
DAWN
So, what are we saying?
XANDER
Maybe Giles just didn't want to talk about it.
ANYA
Or maybe he didn't make it. Look, I'm not saying it's a happy scenario, but
we're dealing with a big bad that can be any dead person it wants.
XANDER
Because if you want to infiltrate the inner circle of the slayer...
ANYA
Become the one person she trusts more than anybody else.
DAWN
But there's no way that we can know.
ANDREW
Actually that's not true. The First can't take corporeal form, so it can't
touch anything.
ANYA
Oh, it's not like Giles hasn't touched anything, right? (thinks, looks expectantly
at everyone else) Ha-has anyone seen Giles touch anything since he got back?
Hold anything? Has anybody hugged him? Think very hard.
Xander stands and walks toward the door. Anya and Dawn follow.
ANDREW
(stands, follows them toward the door) Wait - where're you...?
XANDER
The desert. We're gonna find Giles.
ANDREW
Oh good. Let me just get some tapes for the car. I've been working on this
mix -
XANDER
You're not coming.
ANDREW
What? Why? 'Cause I used to be evil?
XANDER
No, actually, 'cause you're annoying, but that's a good reason too. (turns
toward the door)
ANDREW
(panicked) Wait, I - don't leave me here alone. I keep getting attacked
in this house.
DAWN
Actually, Xand...
ANDREW
What if this is all part of the plan? Drive you guys away so it can have its
way with me? Ever think of that?
XANDER
I'll risk it. (puts his hand on the doorknob)
ANDREW
OK, well, if you leave me here alone, I'll do something evil, like burning
something or gluing things together.
ANYA
For crying out loud, Harris, let's just take him. At least we can keep an
eye on him. (Xander waves to Andrew to join them; Andrew and Dawn go out the
door) Xander...
XANDER
I know, they're out there all alone. All of 'em. (Xander and Anya go out the
door)
Cut to:
DESERT
- NIGHT
Giles is sitting by the campfire alone.
Cut to:
LECTURE
HALL AT UC SUNNYDALE - NIGHT
A group of ten women is sitting in circle formation with candles lit in front
of them and glowing crystals hung around their necks.
CIRCLE LEADER
(praying) Instill us, oh, great one, with peace, with strength, with compassion,
with hope. The path we seek is yours. Keep us on that path.
WILLOW*/WARREN
(walks to the open doorway) OK, wow, this is new.
CIRCLE LEADER
Um, hi, we're -
WILLOW/WARREN*
Oh, hey. I'm sorry - Willow. We actually met when I was a Freshman. And
also not a boy. This is Kennedy.
KENNEDY
Hey.
CIRCLE LEADER
You're Willow?
WILLOW/WARREN*
Yeah. Wow, look at you guys. Campus Wiccans. Guess you got past the whole
bake sale phase.
CIRCLE LEADER
Uh, no, we still do that too. Second Tuesday of every month. I'm sorry, I'm
kind of having a hard time with the whole guy event thing...
WOMAN
(off camera) Um, it's actually her. I can tell. (turns toward the camera - it's
Amy) I know her.
WILLOW*/WARREN
OK. Whoa...
WOMAN/AMY
OK, here's the thing. Hi. Here's the thing. I'll just get this out of the
way. I'm sorta screwed up, but I mean you already knew that 'cause you lived
it. Gotcha.
CIRCLE LEADER
But she's doing so much better now. Amy...
AMY
It's OK, Vaughne, I wanna do this. It took me a long time to really see myself.
But I did. Because you know that's the crazy thing about hitting rock bottom,
you get to relive all the crappy things you did. And I wanted to come find
you and tell you that I was here working on things with these guys. And that
they're good. And that I'm sorry. But you're here, looking like - Wow.
How did this happen?
KENNEDY
That's what we're here to find out. I mean, if we're done with all the group
hugging.
WILLOW/WARREN*
I got hit with this, like, glamour thing, and I can't seem to shake it myself.
I was hoping someone here might be able to help.
AMY
Yeah, see the thing is we're more about healing spirits and nurturing our
life force here.
WILLOW/WARREN*
Oh...
AMY
(looks at group, then back at Willow/Warren) But we'll try.
Cut to:
LECTURE
HALL AT UC SUNNYDALE - NIGHT
Kennedy and Vaughne (the circle leader) are sitting in chairs watching Amy
and Willow/Warren do a spell at the front of the classroom.
AMY (O.S.)
(chanting) Her spirits true, its shell a lie...
KENNEDY
(whispers, to Vaughne) What if she can't handle this?
AMY (O.S.)
(chanting) We draw upon your very light.
CIRCLE LEADER / VAUGHNE
(whispers, to Kennedy) Do you have a better idea?
AMY
...Give back the form the soul requires. See that the balance is put right.
Willow/Warren is holding a crystal as Amy performs the spell, holding
her hands underneath Willow's. As Amy completes the spell, the crystal glows
and becomes hot. Willow/Warren screams, drops the glowing crystal, and stands.
AMY
(stands) It didn't work?
WILLOW*/WARREN
No it didn't, you dumb bitch! (slaps Amy across the face)
KENNEDY
Willow!
AMY
You slapped me!
WILLOW/WARREN*
No, I didn't. It wasn't me. (eyes growing wider) It was Warren.
Fade to black.
Pt 3:
LECTURE
HALL AT UC SUNNYDALE - NIGHT
Amy's holding her face where Willow/Warren slapped her. Willow/Warren runs
out of the room.
KENNEDY
(stands, goes after Willow/Warren) Willow...
Cut to:
HALLWAY
AT UC SUNNYDALE - NIGHT
Willow/Warren runs out into the hallway, followed by Kennedy.
KENNEDY
Willow! OK, you're upset.
WILLOW/WARREN*
Upset? Upset! Are you just tuning in? Did you not see that?
WILLOW*/WARREN
I'm turning into him.
WILLOW/WARREN*
It's not a trick, it's not a glamour. I'm becoming him. A murderous, misogynist
man. I mean, do you understand what he did? What I could do? I killed him
for a reason.
KENNEDY
Getting angry isn't helping. We can still try to -
WILLOW/WARREN*
You understand nothing about magic. In case you hadn't noticed, our little
date - it's over. (walks away)
KENNEDY
Willow! (tries to follow, but is blocked by a magical barrier) Willow, wait!
Cut to:
THE
INITIATIVE SUNNYDALE HEADQUARTERS - NIGHT
Buffy and Spike are wandering around the dark hallway, deeper into the complex.
BUFFY
Be careful. (shines flashlight on rotting bodies on the floor) Oh, God. They
just left them.
SPIKE
(also shines flashlight on rotting bodies on the floor) They just sealed the
place off. Left everything as it was.
BUFFY
I'm thinking brief stay.
SPIKE
Yeah, you're not wrong. (shines his light on a door) I think I can get us
to the med lab, find the drug.
Spike walks to the door and opens it. Buffy goes through it first, followed
by Spike.
Cut to:
THE
INITIATIVE SUNNYDALE HEADQUARTERS - NIGHT
The door opens to an area lit dimly by red light that leads to a large, dark
room. Buffy and Spike walk slowly through the room when they hear a noise
behind them. They turn their flashlights to investigate, but they don't see
anything there.
Cut to:
XANDER'S
CAR - NIGHT
Xander's driving the car with Anya in the passenger's seat, and Dawn and Andrew
in the back seat. They all look tense.
ANDREW
OK, I'll go. "R". (Xander glances back at him, but no one answers)
Ghost is is hard to play by yourself.
ANYA
How long since they left?
XANDER
A few hours.
ANYA
If it is the First, and I'm not saying it is, what're we expecting to find?
XANDER
He didn't bring them out there to meditate.
ANDREW
(to Dawn) Kinda makes you grateful you weren't a potential after all, doesn't
it? Safer.
ANYA
Not so fast with the big "phew".
XANDER
He might know we're coming.
ANYA
Which means we're already too late, and we're heading out to the middle of
nowhere.
DAWN
With no slayer, no powerful witch...
ANYA
Just a teenager, a powerful former demon, and two big geeks.
Everyone's silent.
ANDREW
OK, license plate game, maybe?
Cut to:
RANDOM
ALLEY IN SUNNYDALE - NIGHT
Willow/Warren's walking down the alley. She stops behind the dumpster and
rests her head against the wall. She sinks down to the ground, crying, hiding
her head in her hands. Then, as Warren, she starts, looks up, and starts talking
to herself.
WILLOW/WARREN*
Look at me. Crying like a little girl.
Willow/Warren stands and walks purposefully down the street.
Cut to:
THE
INITIATIVE SUNNYDALE HEADQUARTERS - NIGHT
Buffy and Spike are walking through the large, dark room side by side. Something
makes a sound like groaning metal. They both stop in their tracks, putting
their backs together.
SPIKE
You hear that?
BUFFY
Yep. (they shine their flashlights around the room, but can't see anything)
SPIKE
Think something survived?
BUFFY
Sounds like.
SPIKE
You see where?
BUFFY
No, it sounded like it was coming from over there. Whatever it is, it's not -
Something whooshes behind them. They turn to look, but see nothing. They
continue walking around. From out of nowhere, something grabs Buffy. She drops
her flashlight.
SPIKE
Buffy!
Cut to:
LECTURE
HALL AT UC SUNNYDALE - NIGHT
Amy's packing up supplies from the ritual when Kennedy walks back into the
lecture hall.
KENNEDY
Where'd they go?
AMY
They took off. It was a little too creepy, even for us. You're really worried
about her. (stands) Look, she's gonna be fine, really. She's good at this.
She's strong. And she's dealt with a lot worse. Long before she ever went
out and found herself a big old potential slayer bodyguard, OK? Just have
a little faith in her.
KENNEDY
I never said I was a potential slayer.
AMY
(innocently) Oh, no, I think you did. When you first got here, you told us -
KENNEDY
No, I didn't. (walks closer to Amy) How did you know who I was?
AMY
(smirks) Oops.
Cut to:
THE
INITIATIVE SUNNYDALE HEADQUARTERS - NIGHT
Spike helps Buffy fight off the demon that's attacking her when his chip misfires
again.
SPIKE
(holding his head) Not now... (collapses on the floor)
BUFFY
Spike!
The demon drops Buffy and goes to Spike, grabbing him by the heel and
dragging him out of the room.
Cut to:
PAWN
SHOW - NIGHT
Willow/Warren's looking into a glass display case, grinning.
SHOP KEEPER
So, same model as last time? How'd that work out for you?
Pan down to show the case is displaying handguns.
WILLOW*/WARREN
(stands, grinning maniacally) You'd be amazed.
Fade to black.
Pt 4:
DESERT
- NIGHT
Giles is sitting by the campfire. He stands and walks around, only to be attacked
from behind by Xander, Anya, Dawn and Andrew. He screams as they tackle him,
pushing him to the ground.
XANDER
Touch him. Touch him.
DAWN
(feeling Giles's shoulder) Oh, I feel him. I feel him.
XANDER
(feeling Giles's chest) Me too.
ANDREW
(feeling Giles's leg) Me too.
GILES
We all feel each other. Including some of us who don't know each other well
enough to take such liberties, thank you. (glances at Andrew) I assume there's
a perfectly reasonable and not at all insane explanation here.
ANYA
We thought you might be non-corporeal evil.
DAWN
We got a call. We couldn't remember you touching anything.
XANDER
We had to make sure you were OK. We were worried.
GILES
Oh. That's very sweet. Now wait a minute - you think I'm evil... if I bring
a group of girls on a camping trip and don't touch them?
Cut to:
THE
INITIATIVE SUNNYDALE HEADQUARTERS - NIGHT
Buffy is looking around with her flashlight trying to find where the demon
took Spike.
BUFFY
(calls out) Spike?
The demon pounces on Buffy. She grabs a nearby snow shovel and swings
it at the demon. He throws her across the room. She gets up and kicks at it
with both feet, pushing it away. When it comes at her again, she thrusts the
shovel into the demon's chest. It growls and falls to the floor.
Buffy drops the shovel and goes to Spike.
BUFFY
Hey. Are you still with us?
SPIKE
(inaudibly) Yeah.
BUFFY
That guy was - (the lights come on in the room, and Buffy looks up at
a half-dozen army men are pointing guns at her and Spike) just the beginning.
SPIKE
(still lying on the floor) What's happening?
SOLDIER
Miss Summers. Agent Finn reported that you tried to contact him earlier today.
BUFFY
I knew it! (whispers to Spike) Government conspiracy.
SOLDIER
(waves the other soldiers off; they put down their guns) He indicated you
might be needing our assistance. We're to provide you anything you need to
help assface here. (Buffy and Spike stare at him) Those were his exact words,
ma'am.
Cut to:
RANDOM
STREET IN SUNNYDALE - DAY
Willow/Warren's walking down the street, gun in hand, with a determined look
on her face.
Cut to:
THE
INITIATIVE SUNNYDALE HEADQUARTERS - DAY
Buffy's standing outside the examination room where Spike is lying on a table.
The lead soldier comes up to her. She turns to look at him.
SOLDIER
Med team tells me they took a look at the chip. (nods) You were right. (crosses
arms) It's degraded. Leave it as it is much longer, it'll be fatal to him.
BUFFY
(swallows) OK. So, how long t -
SOLDIER
Now.
BUFFY
(breathes out heavily) Right, of course. Um, what do we do next?
SOLDIER
Agent Finn said it was your call, ma'am.
BUFFY
My - what was my call?
SOLDIER
All decisions regarding Hostile 17 are to be left in your hands. This chip...we
can either repair it... or remove it.
Buffy blinks, looks down, and takes a deep breath.
Cut to:
LECTURE
HALL AT UC SUNNYDALE - DAY
Amy and Kennedy are still talking.
KENNEDY
(angrily) Tell me why you did this to her.
Kennedy leans forward menacingly, but Amy waves her hands causing Kennedy
to be magically thrust across the room where she lands among the chairs.
KENNEDY
What did you do to her? (stands)
AMY
(smiles cockily) What, to Willow? Oh, just your standard penance malediction
is all.
KENNEDY
(walks back up to Amy) OK, and that's magic crazy talk for what?
AMY
(smirking) I put a hex on her.
KENNEDY
I got that part. But why Warren? And why did it happen after we kissed?
AMY
Oh, (chuckles) that's rich. (slinks closer to Kennedy) That must've been some
kiss. You must be good.
KENNEDY
Answer me.
AMY
The hex I cast lets the victim's subconscious pick the form of their punishment.
It's always better than anything I can come up with. Elegant, you know?
KENNEDY
(threateningly) Undo it. Let her out.
AMY
OK. Oh, wait, I forgot - no.
KENNEDY
Why would you do this to her? You really hate her that much?
AMY
(sighs) This is not about hate. It's about power. Willow always had all the
power, long before she even knew what to do with it. Just came so easy for
her. The rest of us - we had to work twice as hard to be half as good.
But no one cares about how hard you work. They just care about cute, sweet
Willow. They don't know how weak she is. She gave in to evil - stuff worse
than I can even imagine - She almost destroyed the world! And yet everyone
keeps on loving her? (in Kennedy's face) So what's wrong with having a little
fun, huh? Taking her down a peg or two?
KENNEDY
Fun? (Amy nods) She's disappearing. Fading away in that creep, and you think
it's fun.
AMY
It was just a game. It's not my fault if she's losing herself.
KENNEDY
I'm gonna stop you now, you know.
AMY
(smirks) Hey, I'm not the bad guy here. But I wonder where he'd be right about
now. (snaps her fingers)
Cut to:
BUFFY'S
BACKYARD - DAY
Kennedy suddenly finds herself in the backyard of Buffy's house.
KENNEDY
(to herself) Well, that was a hell of a thing.
Still carrying a handgun, Willow/Warren storms into the backyard through
the gate exactly as Warren did the day he shot at Buffy and killed Tara.
WILLOW*/WARREN
Think you can just do that to me? That I'd let you get away with it?
KENNEDY
Do? Get away with - (Warren/Willow points the gun at Kennedy; Kennedy
backs up slowly, calmly) OK, let's not get excited.
WILLOW*/WARREN
(walks closer to Kennedy) It's too late for that. This is what I am. I made
it happen, and I'll make it stop.
KENNEDY
Willow, what did you make happen?
WILLOW*/WARREN
You were there, bitch! You saw it!
WILLOW/WARREN*
I killed her.
KENNEDY
You mean him?
WILLOW/WARREN*
Her, him - (points gun at Kennedy again) You know what I mean.
KENNEDY
You said her.
WILLOW/WARREN*
No, that was Warren.
KENNEDY
No, no it wasn't. You said I was there. Who did you kill, Willow?
WILLOW*/WARREN
It was your fault, slut.
WILLOW/WARREN*
You tricked me. Got me to forget.
KENNEDY
Tara....
WILLOW/WARREN*
Shut up!
WILLOW*/WARREN
(crying) Shut up! You do not get to say her name. Offering it up to whoever's
there. Tricking me into kissing you. (looking lost) I didn't - I didn't
mean... what I'm saying, I - I can't make - (pleading) Kennedy, I can't
hold on... he's winning.
KENNEDY
(takes a step toward Willow/Warren) No...
WILLOW*/WARREN
I'm being punished. I k - I kissed you just - just for a second, but
it was enough. I let her go. I didn't mean to.
KENNEDY
Kissing me didn't mean th -
WILLOW*/WARREN
No, she was never gone. She was with me. We should have been forever, and
I - (cries) I let her be dead. She's really dead. (breaks down into tears)
And I killed her. (falls to the ground sobbing)
KENNEDY
(goes to Willow/Warren's side) Willow, no.
WILLOW*/WARREN
(looking up to the sky) Please, baby, I'm so sorry.
WILLOW/WARREN*
Come back. I'm sorry. I'm sorry! Come back... (sobs)
KENNEDY
(kneels in front of Willow/Warren) Willow, I don't think you did anything
wrong. This is just magic. And I think I'm figuring the whole magic thing
out. It's just like fairy tales. (leans in for a kiss)
WILLOW/WARREN*
(recoils) What are you doing?
KENNEDY
Bringing you back to life.
Kennedy kisses Willow/Warren and the camera circles them as before - alternating
between Kennedy's hair and Warren's hair. When the kiss is done, it's Willow's
red hair is where Warren's was before. Kennedy sits back and looks at Willow.
KENNEDY
(smiles) Hmm. I am good.
WILLOW
It's - it's me? (touches her face) I'm back? Oh, God...
KENNEDY
Are you all right?
WILLOW
I have no idea. (they stand) I'm so tired.
Kennedy supports Willow and walks her into the house.
KENNEDY
Yeah. I'll make you some tea.
END |
