After her mother's death Buffy has become concerned about being the slayer, she believes being the slayer is turning her to stone and that as she becomes a better slayer she is losing her ability to love. Riley left because she couldn't open up to him and now her mum, is dead and she doesn't want to lose anyone else. Giles tells her of a quest she can undertake, a place where she can go to find the answers she seeks.
Warren has made the Buffybot that Spike ordered complete with all the 'special' programs he ordered, and now he is in a hurry to leaves. Spike, pleased with his new toy, is happy to let him go.
At her mansion, Glory is convinced that Buffy and the key are somehow connected and commands her minions to watch everyone that Buffy knows and find out who is new in her life.
Giles and Buffy set off for the desert, fully equipped with a book, a gourd and a bunch of twigs. Giles performs the ritual, which is much akin to the Okey Cokey, and Buffy wanders off into the desert, where she is guided by a puma to a nice rock. Here she realises that she has been here before.
Back at the crypt, Spike is enjoying a few sex games with the Buffybot and they finally make it to bed. While Spike sleeps contented, Buffy heads off for a slaying spree. In the cemetery she bumps into Xander and Anya on patrolling duties while Buffy is out of town. Their confusion at Buffy being back so early is interrupted by Spike and a bunch of vampires. Glory's minions watch on as Buffy protects Spike above all others while fighting the vamps. Slaying gets Buffybot all hot for Spike again and Xander and Anya get a glimpse of something they would rather not have seen.
They rush back to tell Willow and Tara, and all come to the conclusion that Buffy has finally lost it. Xander goes off to find the new lovers and with Xander hammering on the door of his crypt, Spike tells Buffy to hide below. As Xander is lecturing Spike the minion's turn up, out number Spike and take him off to Glory.
Meanwhile, the real Buffy has met up with the first slayer who tells her that she pulls away from love because it is too painful, but the Slayer should feed from pain and that love will bring her her gift. Death is her gift. Buffy isn't too convinced by this but the first slayer has gone.
Missing Spike, Buffybot turns up at Willow's to ask for her help in finding him. Xander arrives and tells of Spike's capture. Of course, Spike knows who the real key is the gang have to get to him to stop him from blabbing, Buffybot on the other hand just wants to save him. They head to Buffy's to get weapons.
Back at Glory's she knows straight away that Spike is a vampire and not the key at all, but he might know who the key is. Unfortunately for Spike, he's saying nothing.
Desperate to save Spike but, unlike the real Buffy, not having a plan, Buffybot goes upstairs to change just before the real Buffy walks in. Meeting with Buffybot she figures it out straight away and is not too happy her friends couldn't tell the difference between her and a robot. (Just as an aside this episode leaves only Giles from the original scoobies who hasn't at some point had a double). Buffy has an idea where Spike may be and they set off to prevent him from telling Glory the truth.
Battered though he may be, Spike has though of a way to escape and gets out just as the Buffy's and the scoobies arrive. A huge fight ensues between the scoobies and the minions in which poor old Buffybot gets broken.
The crisis all over, the gang are discussing matters (and Willow disturbingly is fixing the Buffybot) back at the Magic Box. They don't know if Spike spilled the beans to Glory and realise that he will only lie to them about it if he did. Buffy heads off to the crypt in the Buffybot's clothing and gets the truth from Spike. Touched that Spike really does have some feeling and went through all that pain to protect her kid sister she kisses him.
Cider 2001