07x09 - Never Leave Me

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TEASER (RECAP SEGMENT):

GILES (V.O.)

Previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer:

1 EXT. MEXICAN CAR - NIGHT

Jonathan's driving with Andrew as passenger. The old El Camino car is heavily adorned in super-stereotypical Mexican style: older model car with fringe around the top of the windshield and lots of decorations.

ANDREW

You're just scared.

JONATHAN

Of course I'm scared. Last time we were here, 33.3bar percent of us were flayed alive.

Cut to:

2 INT. HALLWAY AT SUNNYDALE HIGH - NIGHT

From behind Andrew, Warren walks out from behind some lockers and walks up to Andrew.

WARREN

Nice job.

ANDREW

Do you have any idea how hard it's been to act this cool?

WARREN

Now, that death thing was all part of the master plan. If short round pulls off his end of the bargain, we'll both become gods.

Cut to:

3 INT. BASEMENT AT SUNNYDALE HIGH - NIGHT

Jonathan is packing up his bag, when Andrew comes to him and puts his right hand on Jonathan's shoulder. Jonathan looks up at Andrew, stands, and sees Warren standing behind Andrew. Jonathan's eyes widen as Andres takes his left hand and stabs him in the belly with a dagger. Jonathan looks at Andrew and Warren, hurt. Jonathan collapses onto the metal object that they unearthed. He bleeds profusely, with his blood filling the grooves in the object, as Andrew and Warren stand there and watch. The metal object starts glowing.

Cut to:

4 INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Dawn's sitting on the living room floor in front of the couch, hugging a pillow, amid the destruction from her earlier encounter. Willow comes to talk to her.

DAWN

I saw Mom.

Cut to:

5 INT. LIVING ROOM AT SUMMERS HOUSE - NIGHT

Joyce is standing there, all glowy and robed in white, talking to Dawn, who's still sitting on the floor.

JOYCE

Things are coming, Dawn.

DAWN

Why are you—?

JOYCE

When it's bad, Buffy won't choose you.

Cut to:

6 INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Dawn's sitting on the living room floor in front of the couch, hugging a pillow, amid the destruction from her earlier encounter. Willow comes to talk to her.

WILLOW

It wasn't her.

DAWN

What?

WILLOW

It's the Big Bad, Dawn. The one we knew was coming.

Cut to:

7 INT. UPSTAIRS AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY

Willow and Buffy are talking in the hallway.

BUFFY

What the hell happened?

WILLOW

This big evil that's been promising to devour us—well I think it's started chomping.

BUFFY

Oh, God.

WILLOW

Buffy, this thing knows us. It made us think that we were talking to people we knew.

Cut to:

8 INT. FOYER AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Buffy and Spike talk near the front door. While Spike talks, show sh*ts of foreign girls being k*lled.

SPIKE

I'm just a guy with his ear to the ground, but even I can feel it. Something's coming. I don't know what exactly, but something's brewing. And it's so big, ugly and damned it makes you and me look like little bitty puzzle pieces.

8a EXT. CITY STREET IN ISTANBUL, TURKEY - NIGHT

A dark-haired girl is running through the arched hallway, looking over her shoulder and panting from the exertion of running so fast. She's being chased. Two people in hooded cloaks are chasing her. Two hooded figures hold her down, and a third figure raises an arched, shiny, silver dagger (possibly an Arabian "Jambaya") and thrusts down at her.

8b INT. PARKING GARAGE IN FRANKFURT, GERMANY - NIGHT

A girl with hot pink hair with black bangs at her forehead, a nose ring, and a metal collar is trying to escape her pursuers. Finally, she thinks she's safe when she goes through a doorway to the outside near a crowd of club patrons, but she is pushed back inside. Robed men close the door behind them and start to fight with her. She is knocked to the ground, lying on her back. Finally, one of the robed people pulls out a Jambaya (curved silver dagger) and stabs her.

Cut to:

9 EXT. 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 drinks deeply, but she doesn't struggle much and barely makes a sound.

Cut to:

10 INT. 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.

WILLOW

Buffy, he's been feeding... on human blood. That's gotta do stuff.

BUFFY

I think there was something there, talking to him, making him do things.

Cut to:

11 INT. BASEMENT OF SPIKE'S HOUSE - NIGHT

This is an enormous brick Tudor style home. Spike's walking into the basement, followed by Buffy.

SPIKE-2

(singing, sits on stairs) How could you use a poor maid so?

As Spike-2 sings, Spike is distracted, mesmerized by the song, unable to respond to Buffy, who's trying to get his attention.

BUFFY

Spike!

Spike vamps out and att*cks Buffy. As he does so, he flashes back to all the things he's done—k*lling, burying, and all the rest.

SPIKE

(in human face) I remember.

Spike's horrified. His face is one of complete shock and disbelief that he could have actually done those things. Buffy walks over to Spike, still carrying the wooden handle. She stands in front of him. He looks at her, knowing his fate, and scoots out of the cubby hole he was hiding in. He's crying.

SPIKE

I k*lled, and I can feel 'em. I can feel every one of them.

BUFFY

There's something playing with us.

SPIKE

Why is it doing this to me?

BUFFY

I don't know.

SPIKE

Help me.

BUFFY

I'll help you.

Cut to:

12 INT. 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

This thing has been closer to Spike than any of us.

WILLOW

And if you want to understand it...

BUFFY

I'm gonna have to get close to Spike.

Cut to:

13 INT. FLAT IN ENGLAND - DAY

Giles enters the flat, looking around. He sees the young woman lying dead on the floor.

GILES

Robson, are you here? Robson!

Giles gets up and starts looking for Robson, who's found near a chair in the next room. Giles goes to his side.

GILES

(takes off his glasses and starts to cry) Dear God, I thought you—

ROBSON

(eyes flash open) Gather them.

GILES

What?

ROBSON

It's started.

GILES

It's all right. I understand. I'll take care of it—

One of the robed men sneaks up behind Giles wielding a battle-axe. He swings it at Giles.

Fade to black.

End Recap.

The Start Of Episode

Prologue:

14 INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT

The g*ng's cleaning up the living room from the aftermath of when Joyce visited Dawn in 7x07 "Conversations With Dead People." Xander's working on the large picture window behind the couch, covering the hole with plastic. Anya's replacing the home decor items on the mantle. Willow's sweeping off a table, when Dawn comes to talk to her.

DAWN

So the basement was filled with bodies?

WILLOW

Apparently.

DAWN

And Spike could've sired countless others and buried them around town. And we're waiting for him to do what, exactly? Do something crazy?

WILLOW

(sighs) It's not that simple.

ANYA

Shouldn't we s*ab him through the chest? Isn't that what we do when these things happen?

WILLOW

Look, Buffy knows what she's doing.

ANYA

Well, Xander, you know what we're all talking about. I mean, you've always been part of the "Spike is evil" faction.

XANDER

I've got a house to put back together.

ANYA

Fine. You guys keep your heads buried in the sand, but I think we should prepare ourselves for the possibility that William the Bloody is back.

Cut to:

15 EXT. SUNNYDALE STREET - NIGHT

Show someone wearing black boots—someone's walking along the sidewalk. Pan up: long black leather trench coat, blonde spiked hair. It's Andrew, looking tough and menacing. Warren comes up to him and walks beside him.

WARREN

All right. (claps) Looking good. How do you feel?

ANDREW

Good.

WARREN

Excellent. We've got work to do.

ANDREW

I have to do work right now? Can't I just walk around for a while in my coat?

WARREN

Don't go soft on me now. We're right in the trench, and the exhaust port's in sight.

ANDREW

I thought that was it. I did what you told me. It's not my fault it didn't work. Why do I have to do all the wet works?

WARREN

(stops walking) Hey! You know the rules. I can't take corporeal form. Here, feel. (nods) Mm-hmm.

ANDREW

(sticks hand through Warren's chest) Cool.

WARREN

Pretty bitchin', right? I'm like Obi Wan?

ANDREW

Or Patrick Swayze.

WARREN

Believe me, I would do this stuff if I could. I can't. I need you. You're my iron fist.

ANDREW

(sighs) I just don't think I can k*ll anybody else. (shrugs)

Warren morphs into Jonathan.

JONATHAN

Oh, will you stop whining about that?

ANDREW

I didn't want to k*ll you. Warren made me.

JONATHAN

Hey, I'm glad he did. (chuckles) This is the best thing that's ever happened to me.

ANDREW

(crosses arms) It didn't hurt too much? I-I'm not very good at stabbing.

JONATHAN

You know, it wasn't that bad. It was like a sharp pain, then a burning, then a general queasiness. It's kinda like when I used to get ulcers in high school, only at the end I became one with light and hope.

ANDREW

I can't do it. I can't do it anymore.

JONATHAN

Hey, this isn't your fault, OK. It's my fault the ritual didn't work. I screwed up. I'm little—I-I don't have as much blood as other people. And I probably should've told someone I was anemic. Don't worry. We're gonna fix it. You gotta trust us. We know what we're doing.

ANDREW

I can't k*ll anybody else.

JONATHAN

OK, calm down. We can work around that.

Cut to:

16 INT. BUFFY'S ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Buffy's tying Spike's wrists to a chair he's sitting in.

BUFFY

(sighs) We're gonna get to the bottom of this. We just can't take any chances.

SPIKE

Don't... Make it tighter—the knots'll give. I get free, someone's gonna die.

Fade to black.

ACT I:

17 INT. PRINCIPAL WOOD'S OFFICE AT SUNNYDALE HIGH - DAY

Principal Wood's sitting at his desk, interviewing two teenage boys seated in chairs in front of his desk.

PRINCIPAL WOOD

Now, guys, look, we can settle this one of two ways. You can repaint the walls, or I can suspend you and report this little incident on your permanent record.

PUNK #1

Fine. Do that.

PRINCIPAL WOOD

OK, I was bluffing. I hadn't really thought that one through. (leans forward) Listen, this whole permanent record thing is such a myth anyway. Colleges never ask for anything past your SAT scores, and it's not like employers are gonna be calling up to check to see how many days you missed back in high school. So, listen, I-I could suspend you, (stands, walks around desk) but that would mean calling your parents, alerting your teachers, filling out paperwork, and, quite possibly, having to talk to the school board—(sits on desk in front of them) all of which sounds positively exhausting to me. No. No, I think it would be much easier if I just called the police, let them deal with it. (looks in their eyes) Oh, and, in case you're wondering, this is the part where I'm not bluffing.

PUNK #2

(looks at the other boy) We'll repaint it.

PRINCIPAL WOOD

Good job. (there's a knock at his door) Excuse me. (opens door) Miss Summers. I'm with students.

DAWN

I just wanted to tell you that Buffy won't be coming in today. She's really sick.

PRINCIPAL WOOD

Oh, no.

DAWN

Yeah, last night she was vomiting, and then this morning she was vomiting some more, and then, just when we thought she was done, she was vomiting again. (laughs)

PRINCIPAL WOOD

Yeah, we got that stomach flu going around.

DAWN

Her exact words were, "I've got stuff coming out of both ends."

PRINCIPAL WOOD

Thank you. That's very helpful.

DAWN

(smiles) Sure. No problem. (to kids) Hey, guys. How's it going?

PUNK #2

Pretty good.

PRINCIPAL WOOD

Um, tell your sister not to worry about it. We'll soldier on without her here. Just, um, tell her to concentrate on getting better.

DAWN

Yeah, she'll be fine. She just needs to get some stuff out of her system.

Cut to:

18 INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY

Buffy's talking on the telephone.

18a INT. BUFFY'S KITCHEN - DAY

BUFFY

(to phone) I need to find him as soon as possible. He's not answering any of his numbers.

18b INT. WATCHERS COUNCIL HEADQUARTERS, LONDON - DAY

Mr. Travers is sitting at a desk, talking on the phone.

QUENTIN TRAVERS

(to phone) Miss Summers, the Watcher's Council does not keep track of our lapsed employees. Ever since Mr. Giles pulled up his stake in Sunnydale, we've not made it our business to follow his every move.

18a INT. BUFFY'S KITCHEN - DAY

BUFFY

(to phone) You don't have to get all British and dodgy, Mr. Travers. I know you have ways of finding him.

18b INT. WATCHERS COUNCIL HEADQUARTERS, LONDON - DAY

Pan out to show Mr. Travers is sitting at a long conference table, surrounded by members of the Watcher's Council.

QUENTIN TRAVERS

(to phone) Well, I suppose if you feel the matter's urgent, we can look into it.

18a INT. BUFFY'S KITCHEN - DAY

BUFFY

(to phone) I'd appreciate it. Thank you.

18b INT. WATCHERS COUNCIL HEADQUARTERS, LONDON - DAY

QUENTIN TRAVERS

(to phone) Not at all. Good day. (hangs up, sighs, addresses others at the table) The girl knows nothing. (stands, walks) And we need to find Rupert Giles. (stands in front of world map) As soon as possible.

Cut to:

19 INT. BUFFY'S ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY

Spike's still tied to the chair. He's shivering and gasping. Buffy's there, and sits on the bed near him.

BUFFY

Can I do something?

SPIKE

I think you should probably go—

BUFFY

(stands, turns to get something for him) Here.

As her back is turned, Spike's eyes roll back and he vamps out. When she turns back to Spike, he's changed into vampire face and is struggling against his restraints.

Cut to:

20 INT. UPSTAIRS HALLWAY AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY

Buffy's talking to Willow. They're standing outside the closed door to the room, where Spike's tied up.

BUFFY

He's been feasting on humans for weeks. He's having some pretty bad withdrawls. I think we need to get him some blood.

WILLOW

(excited) Do you want me to k*ll Anya?

BUFFY

(matter-of-factly) No, we should probably try to wean him off humans. He'll have to make do with animal blood.

WILLOW

I'll go get some.

BUFFY

You don't mind?

WILLOW

No, I have to get out of the house. Xander's installing the new windows, and he keeps giving lectures on proper tool maintenance. Tool talk—not my thing.

BUFFY

Thank you.

WILLOW

How're you doing in there?

BUFFY

He's in pretty bad shape, past the point where he can tell me anything.

WILLOW

I wasn't asking about him.

BUFFY

I'll be OK.

Cut to:

21 INT. BASEMENT AT SUNNYDALE HIGH - DAY

Andrew's standing with a hunting Kn*fe in his hand, holding it forward, looking down. Off screen, Warren's talking to him.

WARREN

(off screen)She won't feel a thing. Just do it. Fast. (on screen) Cut her deep. Cut her quick. It'll be over before she knows what hit her.

ANDREW

What if she squeals?

WARREN

Uh, better go for her throat first.

Cut to what they're looking at and talking about: a pink piglet is standing on the floor in front of them. Pig oinks.

ANDREW

Babe 2: Pig in the City was really underrated.

WARREN

Don't think about Babe.

ANDREW

Right.

WARREN

You're Conan. You're the destroyer. It's you against nature. You're the hunter, you're primal, you live off the land. You're Andrew. Everyone knows you. You play by your own rules. It's k*ll or be k*lled.

ANDREW

That'll do, pig! (screams and lunges at the pig, it runs away)

WARREN

No—you gotta—you gotta corner it. (Andrew stands and lunges for the pig again and misses) Stay between it and the hall, or it— (the pig runs away down the hall, he watches, then sternly) That's the worst attempted pig slaughtering I've ever seen.

ANDREW

(on the floor, breathing heavily) I'm not very good at stabbing. Isn't there some other way we could get blood?

Cut to:

22 INT. BUTCHER'S SHOP - DAY

The butcher calls for the next person in line, and it's Andrew who goes nervously to the counter.

BUTCHER

Number 87.

ANDREW

(puts his ticket on the counter, clerk takes out a pencil and paper) I'd like 12 pork chops, 2 pounds of sausage, 8 quarts of pigs blood, 3 steaks, um, halibut, and, uh, some toothpaste—

BUTCHER

(stops writing and stares) This is a butcher's shop, Neo. We don't sell toothpaste.

ANDREW

Um, OK—just the other stuff then.

BUTCHER

You got it.

ANDREW

(whispers to another customer) Hi. (walks to back of store) Ooh, steak sauce.

Cut to:

23 INT. BUTCHER'S SHOP - DAY

Andrew pays for his order, then starts walking out the door with his arms full of the brown paper bagged groceries. He runs into Willow, who's rushing into the shop, spilling his bag and all its contents on the floor. Willow and Andrew, who recognize each other, stare at one another.

BUTCHER (O.S.)

Number 88.

Fade to black.

ACT II:

24 INT. BUTCHER'S SHOP - DAY

Andrew runs out of the shop, down the alley beside it, and Willow follows him.

WILLOW

(chasing him) Wait a minute!

ANDREW

(stops and turns to face her) Don't k*ll me!

WILLOW

I'm not gonna k*ll you.

ANDREW

Don't t*rture me and send me to an eternal pain dimension.

WILLOW

I'm not gonna.

ANDREW

Warren k*lled Tara. I didn't do it. And he was aiming for Buffy anyway.

WILLOW

(glares) Not making it better.

ANDREW

And you got your revenge. You k*lled my best friend. We're even.

WILLOW

Even? You think I get satisfaction from what I did?

ANDREW

Maybe not, but let me keep my skin, OK? I'm not bad. I'm not bad anymore. I'm good. I do good things now.

WILLOW

Then, why do you need lots and lots of blood?

ANDREW

I am bad. I'm bad, I'm evil, but I'm protected by powerful forces. (awkwardly) Forces you can't even begin to imagine, little girl. If you harm me, you shall know the wrath of he that is darkness and terror. Your blood will boil, and you will know true suffering. Stand down, she-Witch. Your defeat is at hand—

WILLOW

(pushes him against the brick wall) Shut your mouth. I am a she-witch, a very powerful she-witch, or witch, as is more accurate. I'm not to be trifled with—

ANDREW

But I—

WILLOW

I'm talking. Don't interrupt me, insignificant man. I am Willow. I am death. If you dare defy me, I will call down my fury, exact fresh vengeance, and make your worst fears come true. OK?

Cut to:

25 INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY

Willow drags Andrew home with her. They come in through the front door, with Andrew carrying the groceries from the butcher's shop. Xander, Dawn, and Anya are in the living room. Xander's finishing installing the new window.

WILLOW

Look who I found.

XANDER

(looks over) Oh, this can't be good.

WILLOW

Guess who was buying mass amounts of blood at the butcher's shop.

ANDREW

(to Willow) Hey, your hair's not even black anymore.

XANDER

(to Andrew) What're you doing back in town? (walks forward)

ANDREW

You'll get nothing out of me, carpenter.

XANDER

(taps scrap wood in his hand threateningly) We'll see about that.

Cut to:

26 INT. DAWN'S ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY

Xander pushes Andrew into a chair and ties his wrists to it, in a similar fashion to Spike's restraints. Anya's standing in front of Andrew, going through his leather trench coat.

ANDREW

Careful with my coat. It's expensive.

ANYA

Is it new? (throws it on the floor, and steps on it with her shoes)

ANDREW

(to Anya) Hey. (to Xander, who tightened a restraint) Ow!

XANDER

Now, we can do this the hard way, if you want. (ties up other arm) But believe me if I tell you, this will go much easier if you just tell us what you know. (tightens restraint)

ANDREW

Ow. You're barking up the wrong asparagus, man. I don't know anything.

XANDER

(pulls up a chair beside Andrew, sits on the chair backwards) Here's the thing. I don't believe you.

ANDREW

I haven't done anything wrong.

XANDER

Well, then, you won't mind if we ask you a few questions. (Anya's glaring at Andrew)

ANDREW

(nervously) Yeah, OK.

XANDER

Why were you buying blood at the butcher shop?

ANDREW

(rapidly, as if rehearsed) I fell in love with a beautiful vampire girl down in Me-hi-co. Now we're trying to make a go of it on the straight and narrow, and put our lives back together here in Sunnydale.

ANYA

(angrily, arms crossed) You think this is a game, junior? People are dying. (grabs Andrew's lapel) Friends lives are in danger.

XANDER

(stands) Hey, Anya.

ANYA

Now you want to waste time on deceptions? Not on my watch! (backhands him across the face)

XANDER

(grabs her forearms) Hey, Anya! Can I talk to you outside for a second?

Cut to:

27 INT. BUFFY'S ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY

Buffy's holding a bag of pigs blood over Spike's head. Spike's tilted his head back where he can suckle the blood from the bag.

Cut to:

28 INT. UPSTAIRS HALLWAY AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY

Xander and Anya come out of Dawn's room, where they were interrogating Andrew. They look mad. Once they shut the door, Xander turns to face Anya, who's leaning against the door, smiling.

ANYA

(giggles, puts her palms to her cheeks) Did you see that? (walks forward) I actually made him cry.

XANDER

You were perfect. I was worried I overdid it with the whole "easy way, hard way" thing.

ANYA

No, you were great! And I wasn't sure if I should slap him, but then he made me want to slap him, so I thought, OK, slap him!

XANDER

He'll be singing in no time.

ANYA

So, what do we do now?

XANDER

Now, we let him stew in his own juices for a bit, then we give him the hard brace.

ANYA

Right. (Buffy comes out of her room, which is adjacent to Dawn's) What's the status with your guy?

BUFFY

He's not talking yet. We'll get there. (sits on hall window sill) How's your guy?

ANYA

The weasel wants to sing. He just needs a tune.

XANDER

He's primed. I'll be pumping him in no time. (Buffy and Anya stare at him) He'll give us information soon.

Cut to:

29 INT. BUFFY'S ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY

Buffy goes back into her room where Spike's tied up. She shuts the door behind her.

BUFFY

Better? (Spike nods) Good. (Buffy sits on edge of bed)

SPIKE

I don't remember anything.

BUFFY

Well, you were having pretty bad withdrawal.

SPIKE

No, not that. I don't remember... what I did. (sighs)

BUFFY

Nothing?

SPIKE

It's all flashes here and there. It's like I'm watching someone else...do it, k*ll people. I've been losing time for a while now, waking up in strange places.

BUFFY

When did your chip stop working?

SPIKE

I wasn't aware that it had, you know. Not 'til now.

BUFFY

And the losing time? How long has that been going on?

SPIKE

Oh, things have been wonky since I got back, ever since—

BUFFY

You got your soul.

SPIKE

(chuckles) Figured that's what it was like, it'd been so long since I had one.

BUFFY

How did you do it? How'd you get your soul back?

SPIKE

Saw a man about a girl. (sighs) I went to seek a legend out. Traveled to the other side of the world, made a deal with a demon.

BUFFY

Just like that?

SPIKE

No, not just like that. There was a price. There were trials, t*rture, pain and suffering... of sorts.

BUFFY

Of sorts?

SPIKE

Well, it's all relative, isn't it?

BUFFY

Meaning?

SPIKE

Meaning I have come to redefine the words pain and suffering since I fell in love with you.

BUFFY

(sighs) How can you say that?

SPIKE

Apparently, I just slaughtered half of Sunnydale, pet. I'm not really worried about being polite anymore.

BUFFY

(nods) So, that's what this is about. (stands, crosses arms) You feeling sorry for yourself, Spike?

SPIKE

I'm feeling honest with myself. You used me.

BUFFY

Yes.

SPIKE

You told me that, of course. I never understood it though. Not until now. You hated yourself, and you took it out on me.

BUFFY

You figured that out just now?

SPIKE

Soul's not all about moonbeams and pennywhistles, luv. It's about self-loathing. I get it. Had to travel 'round the world, but I understand you now. I understand the v*olence inside.

BUFFY

v*olence? William the Bloody now has insight into v*olence?

SPIKE

Not the same. As bad as I was, as evil and as wretched as I was, I never truly hated myself back then. Not like I do now.

Cut to:

30 INT. DAWN'S ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY

Carrying a glass of water, Xander enters Dawn's room, where Andrew is still tied up.

XANDER

How's your face? (sets glass down on desk)

ANDREW

OK.

XANDER

(starts untying him) Sorry about that. She shouldn't have hit you. (hands him the glass of water) Thirsty? Go on.

ANDREW

(smells the water) That chick's psycho. (drinks)

XANDER

You don't know the half of it. She's a vengeance demon, you know. (sits in chair) She's bad news.

ANDREW

(quickly) This one time I saw her having sex with Spike. (drinks)

XANDER

She's k*lled more men than smallpox.

ANDREW

Does smallpox still k*ll people?

XANDER

She's k*lled a lot of men. She tortures them. Anyone who incurs her wrath. One time she— (pats his arm, leans back) No, never mind.

ANDREW

What?

XANDER

It's not important.

ANDREW

What'd she do?

XANDER

(leans forward) Well, there was this one guy—there was this one guy, he, uh, he hurt her real bad, so she paid him back. She k*lled him, but she did it real slow. See first she stopped his heart, then she replaced it with darkness, then she made him live his life like that. But he still had to go do his job and see his friends and wake up in the morning and go to bed at night, but he had to do it all empty. Without anything to look forward to. Ever.

ANDREW

(unimpressed) Sounds bad. (drinks)

XANDER

Well, then she tore out his intestines and rubbed it in his face and took pictures of it.

ANDREW

(genuine this time) Oh, God.

XANDER

But she's downstairs now. Don't worry about her.

ANDREW

What if—

XANDER

(takes water away from Andrew) See, the thing is, we've all been a little on edge lately. Some bad things have been happening, and the girls—they're all looking for someone to blame.

ANDREW

I didn't do anything—

ANYA

(off screen, from the hallway) You lying son of a bitch! (storms into the room, storms toward Andrew) You're gonna tell us what we need to know, and you're gonna tell us right now!

Anya charges Andrew, pushing him and the chair he's in over onto the floor.

XANDER

Anya no!

ANDREW

Stop it!

Xander pulls her off of Andrew, attempting to restrain her.

ANYA

Get off me, Harris! (slaps Xander, he looks hurt, she mouths "I'm sorry", turns back to Andrew) C'mere, you pipsqueak! (shakes Andrew's shoulders against the floor)

ANDREW

Get her off me! I'll tell you! I'll tell you what you need to know!

Cut to:

31 INT. BUFFY'S ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY

Buffy's in the room with Spike. She overhears the ruckus in the next room.

BUFFY

Excuse me.

Buffy leaves the room. When she closes the door, Spike-2 is standing there in leather duster and all, smirking.

SPIKE-2

(walks toward Spike, who's still tied to the chair) Well, we've got ourselves a problem.

Cut to:

32 INT. DAWN'S ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY

Buffy enters the room (revealing the "Everything I Need To Know, I Learned From My Dog" poster on the back of the door).

ANDREW (O.S.)

Somebody help. Ow...

BUFFY

Everything OK?

Show scene practically frozen in time as they pause to look at Buffy. Andrew's sitting on the floor. Anya's holding his shirt collar, with her arm raised to a fist aimed at his head. Xander's sitting on the desk holding his sore cheek. The room's been trashed and smashed.

ANYA

Fine. (grins)

BUFFY

(shrugs) OK. (leaves the room).

Cut to:

33 INT. UPSTAIRS HALLWAY AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY

Buffy walks to her room, where Spike is. From the hall, she can hear people talking in her room. She pauses at the door to listen.

SPIKE (O.S.)

What do I do, job half-done? Never send a boy to do a man's job. (chuckles, sings) Oh, don't deceive me, Oh, never leave me.

Cut to:

34 INT. BUFFY'S ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY

Buffy opens the door and enters the room, looking around.

BUFFY

Who were you talking to?

SPIKE

What's that?

BUFFY

I heard you through the door. Who were you talking to?

SPIKE

Nobody. I was just, uh, keeping myself company.

BUFFY

Are you OK?

SPIKE

Fine. How are you?

Cut to:

35 INT. DAWN'S ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY

Anya's talking to Andrew, who's back is against the wall.

ANYA

Now, you can talk, or I can keep hitting you. Believe me, I'd love to keep hitting you.

Cut to:

36 INT. BUFFY'S ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY

Buffy is talking to Spike, who's still restrained, tied to the chair.

BUFFY

Spike?

SPIKE

I'm fine, Buffy. Really. I'm just...feeling a bit peckish, I suppose. (looks at bags of pigs blood on night table by the bed) Do you mind?

Buffy goes toward the blood, keeping her eye on Spike the whole time. When she turns to look at the table when picking up the bag, Spike vamps out. He roars, breaks the chair arms, and stands. Buffy tries to fight him, but he pushes her down and goes purposefully in the opposite direction.

Cut to:

37 INT. DAWN'S ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY

Andrew is talking to Anya, his back still to the wall.

ANDREW

...We needed more blood to activate the seal of Danthaz—

Suddenly, a hand breaks through the wall behind Andrew, grabbing his chest. Another breaks through and grabs his head. Andrew screams. It's Spike, pulling Andrew through the wall, into the next room. Spike bends Andrew's head over, exposing his neck, and bites him.

Fade to black.

ACT III:

Cut to:

38 INT. BUFFY'S ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY

Resume. A growling Spike's biting the neck of the wailing Andrew. Buffy rushes to his aid, throwing Spike off of him and against the wall. Xander and Anya rush into the room and look after Andrew. Spike seems confused at the scene. Buffy stands and walks to Spike. As she stands, show Spike-2 standing behind her, looking disappointed at Spike. Buffy kicks Spike in the face, knocking him out.

Cut to:

39 INT. LIVING ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY

Buffy's sitting in a chair, talking to Willow and Dawn, who are on the couch.

BUFFY

He didn't seem to want anything to do with me. I mean, he just pushed me aside and charged at the wall.

WILLOW

Are you hurt?

Xander and Anya come downstairs and join the conversation.

BUFFY

Not—not really.

DAWN

(to Xander) How is what's his name?

XANDER

He's got a good chunk taken out of his neck, but he'll be all right. Had to tie him up again, but mainly just to keep him from scratching at his bandages. (to Buffy) What the hell happened up there?

BUFFY

I-I don't know. Spike and I were having a conversation, and he was fine. I mean, you know, fine as Spike can be. And then I went to check on you guys, and when I got back, it was like he was a completely different person.

WILLOW

Different like "William the Bloody" type different?

BUFFY

He was talking to someone. I heard through the door, he was having this conversation. And then he started singing.

ANYA

Maybe it's another musical. (Buffy glares) A much crappier musical.

BUFFY

He—he mentioned something about a song in the cellar. Uh, a-and he changed there, too—I mean instantly became another person.

XANDER

Trigger.

ANYA

The horse?

XANDER

No, in his head. It's a trigger. It's a brainwashing term. It's how the m*llitary makes sleeper agents. They-they brainwash operatives and condition them with a specific trigger, like a song, that makes 'em drastically change at a moment's notice.

WILLOW

Is this left over from your days in the Army?

XANDER

No, this is left over from every Army movie I've ever seen. But it makes sense. We've had ghosts or something haunting us, right? Well, what if Spike's ghosts have figured out a way to—not only haunt him—what if they figured out how to—how to control him?

BUFFY

Spike said he's been seeing things since I found him in the basement.

WILLOW

So, he gets his soul back, he starts seeing spooky things, and he goes extra-extra-crazy.

BUFFY

This trigger. How do we holster—safety, or—I don't know g*ns. How do we make it stop?

XANDER

Well, usually the operative completes his task and either blows his head off or steals a submarine.

BUFFY

All right. I need information. If Spike's a b*mb, then I need to know how to diffuse him. (to Dawn and Willow) You two, I wanna know what did this to him. Spirits, ghosts, demons—check the lot of them. Look for anything that could haunt or-or possibly control like this. I need to know exactly what we're dealing with.

Cut to:

40 INT. SUNNYDALE HIGH - NIGHT

Through the hall window, show Principal Wood turning lights off in the office. He walks down the hall with his briefcase, presumably heading out, when he walks by the "Basement. No Student Access" sign on the basement door. He stops walking, does a double take and decides to go down.

Cut to:

41 INT. BASEMENT AT SUNNYDALE HIGH - NIGHT

Without any confusion, Principal Wood walks directly into the room where the Seal of Danthazar is. Jonathan's body is still lying on top of the seal. Principal Wood stares blankly, unflinching at the sight.

Cut to:

42 INT. BASEMENT AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Spike is lying on the floor in shackles, both hands and feet chained to the wall. His eyes are closed. Buffy walks downstairs with a bowl of water and goes over to him. She dips a towel in the water and washes the blood off of his face.

SPIKE

(wakes) Did I hurt anybody?

BUFFY

You took a good bite out of Andrew.

SPIKE

Who?

BUFFY

Tucker's brother.

SPIKE

Oh.

BUFFY

He'll be OK.

SPIKE

I don't remember.

BUFFY

It's OK. (stands, walks to sink)

SPIKE

Buffy, I don't know why.

BUFFY

(sighs) We think we do. Something's playing you. Some ghost or demon has figured out how to control you. Got the g*ng researching it right now. (Spike pulls himself up into sitting position using the chains) Xander has this theory that you're being triggered.

SPIKE

k*ll me.

BUFFY

(turns to face him) What?

SPIKE

Buffy, you have to k*ll me.

BUFFY

You don't understand. When I left the room earlier, I heard you talking to someone—

SPIKE

Do you have any idea what I'm capable of?

BUFFY

I was in the cellar with you. I saw what you did.

SPIKE

I'm not talking about the cellar. The people in the cellar got off easy. I'm talking about me. Buffy, you have never met the real me.

BUFFY

(crosses arms) Believe me, I'm well aware of what you're capable of.

SPIKE

No, you got off easy too. (stands) Do you know how much blood you can drink from a girl before she'll die? I do. You see, the trick is to drink just enough to know how to damage them just enough so that they'll still cry when you— (chokes up) 'cause it's not worth it if they don't cry.

BUFFY

It's not your fault. You're not the one doing this.

SPIKE

I already did it. It's already done. (paces, then steps purposefully toward Buffy) You wanna know what I've done to girls Dawn's age? (b*at) This is me Buffy. You've got to k*ll me before I get out.

BUFFY

We can keep you locked up. Keep you here and we'll figure out—

SPIKE

Have you ever really asked yourself why you can't do it? Off me? After everything I've done to you, to people around you. It's not love. We both know that.

BUFFY

You fought by my side. You've saved lives. You've helped—

SPIKE

Don't do that. (rolls eyes) Don't rationalize this into some noble act. We both know the truth of it. (looks down and away) You like men who hurt you.

BUFFY

No.

SPIKE

(looks at Buffy) You need the pain we cause you. You need the hate. You need it to do your job, to be the slayer.

BUFFY

No. I don't hate like that. Not you, or myself. Not anymore. You think you have insight now because your soul's drenched in blood? You don't know me. You don't even know you. Was that you who k*lled those people in the cellar? Was that you who waited for those girls?

SPIKE

There's no one else.

BUFFY

That's not true. Listen to me. You're not alive because of hate or pain. You're alive because I saw you change. Because I saw your penance.

SPIKE

(lunges violently at her, but chains hold him back) Window dressing.

BUFFY

Be easier, wouldn't it, it if were an act, but it's not. (walks toward him) You faced the monster inside of you and you fought back. You risked everything to be a better man.

SPIKE

Buffy...

BUFFY

(in his face) And you can be. You are. You may not see it, but I do. I do. I believe in you, Spike.

Spike looks at her with a face full of hope and amazement. Just then, the lights flicker and go out. Someone bursts into the basement and pushes Buffy away from Spike. She falls to the ground.

Cut to:

43 INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Xander and Anya are in the living room. Willow and Dawn are in the dining room. Robed men break into the house from all angles, smashing windows and breaking down doors. Covered head to toe in long, black, hooded robes, these people have wooden staffs and no eyes

Fade to black.

ACT IV:

44 EXT. DESOLATE OIL RIG SITE - NIGHT

His work area lit by the headlights of his SUV, Principal Wood is digging a hole. He stops, and rolls Jonathan's body into the shallow grave and throws dirt over him.

Cut to:

45 INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Willow pushes one of the robed men off of her. Dawn fights back. Buffy comes upstairs and joins the battle fray. Some of the robed men head upstairs as the fight continues on the main level.

Cut to:

46 INT. DAWN'S ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Andrew's tied up, lying on the bed and whimpering. One of the robed men enters the room, facing him, carrying a wooden staff. His hood is removed, revealing an eyeless face whose sockets are covered in red scars. He drops the wooden staff and takes out two silvery curved daggers and lunges at Andrew, but narrowly misses as Andrew rolls off of the bed. Buffy comes into the room and grabs the robed person, who kicks her. They continue to fight. Another robed person enters the room.

Cut to:

47 INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Dawn's on the floor and weakly stands, grabbing a wooden staff. A robed person is lying still on the floor in front of her. She inches closer to him, holding the wooden staff defensively. He swings his leg at her ankle, tripping her. He climbs on top of her and pulls out a silver dagger, aiming for her chest. Xander comes into the room, wielding a wooden staff, and knocks the robed person off of Dawn.

Cut to:

48 INT. DAWN'S ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Buffy continues to fight the robed people. Andrew stands and tries to sneak out of the room, but Buffy grabs him and swings him at the robed people, using his body both as a shield and a w*apon, before throwing him to the floor. A robed person comes at her with silver curved daggers in both hands. She grabs his wrists, kicks him back, and grabs the daggers. One robed person lunges at her, and she sticks the dagger in his belly. When the other robed person comes at her, she does the same. They scream and collapse. Xander enters the room.

XANDER

Buffy?

BUFFY

Dawn?

XANDER

She's OK. (looks at the robed people at her feet) Is this it? I thought there was more of them.

BUFFY

Spike.

They exit the room together hurriedly.

Cut to:

49 INT. BASEMENT AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Buffy goes down the stairs to the basement, followed by Xander. She stops dead in her tracks when she sees the empty shackles that Spike was supposed to be in.

Cut to:

50 INT. LIVING ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Willow enters the living room carrying a First Aid kit. Anya and Dawn are sitting on the couch. Willow sits in a nearby chair. Buffy and Xander come into the room together.

XANDER

They were so fast. And organized.

BUFFY

They were after Spike all along.

XANDER

And we were just in the way.

Buffy kneels to inspect one of the robed people who's lying face-up on the floor.

BUFFY

I know these guys. I fought them before. We aren't being haunted. This isn't some demon. It's all the same thing. Spike's ghosts, the people you guys saw, from beneath us, it's all the same thing. I know what we're up against. The First.

Cut to:

51 INT. WATCHER'S COUNCIL HEADQUARTERS, LONDON - DAY

The headquarters is buzzing with activity. People are all busy on the phone, reviewing reports, and talking to each other. One man is reporting to Quentin Travers.

WATCHER AIDE #1

They took our files, wiped out our records. We've lost contact with operations in Munich, Switzerland and Rome. We've got casualty confirmations coming in from as far away as Melbourne.

WATCHER AIDE #2

Sir, we are crippled.

QUENTIN TRAVERS

(walks) It's all right, Lydia. We are still masters of our fate, still captains of our souls.

WATCHER AIDE #2

(walks away) Yes, sir.

QUENTIN TRAVERS

(addresses the room) Ladies and gentlemen, our fears have been confirmed. The First Evil has declared all-out w*r on this institution. Their first volleys proved most effective. I, for one, think it's time we struck back. (paces) Give me confirmations on all remaining operatives. Visuals and tacticals. Highest alert. (stands still) Get them here as soon as possible. Begin preparations for mobilization. Once we're accounted for, I want to be ready to move.

WATCHER AIDE #3

Sir?

QUENTIN TRAVERS

We'll be paying a visit to the hell mouth. My friends, these are the times that define us. Proverbs 24:6. O, by wise council, you shall make your w*r.

The Watcher's Council Headquarters blows up in a huge expl*si*n, taking out the whole building.

Cut to:

52 INT. BASEMENT AT SUNNYDALE HIGH - NIGHT

Close up of Spike's face. sh*t so instruments of t*rture. A man is being strapped to a wood beam with a leather belt. Spike is being strapped to a construct made of wood beams. Spike/First is talking to him while a robed person, a priest of the First, also known as a Harbinger, straps Spike to the construct.

SPIKE/FIRST

You'll have to excuse the spectacle, but I've always been a bit of a sucker for the old classics. (grins wickedly, fondly eyeing Spike's predicament)

Spike is tied to the wheel-like construct with all four corners of his body pulled in opposite directions. A Harbinger takes out a Kn*fe and cuts Spike with it. Spike moans in excruciating pain.

SPIKE

Oh!

SPIKE/FIRST

Oh, don't look at me that way. I wanted to do this more subtle-like. My Harbingers have a tendency to call attention to themselves.

A Harbinger cuts Spike again.

SPIKE

Oh!

SPIKE/FIRST

(leans forward) You're the one who couldn't hold his end of the bargain. You're the one who couldn't take care of what's-his-name. You're the one who had to make breakthroughs and learn something about himself.

A Harbinger cuts Spike again.

SPIKE

Oh!

SPIKE/FIRST

So now, fittingly, you're the one who gets to do the honors. (crosses arms)

Spike/First morphs into Buffy's form.

BUFFY/FIRST

I have to admit, I'm glad it worked out this way. I was going to bleed Andrew, but (sighs) you look a lot better with your shirt off.

A Harbinger cranks a wheel attached to a mechanism that hoists the wheel Spike's tied to into the air. Spike is now hanging from the wheel about ten feet from the ground, bleeding steadily from his ritualized symbol-shaped cuts.

BUFFY/FIRST

To be honest, I'm getting a little tired of subtle. I think it's about time we brought some authority to our presence. Now, Spike, wanna see what a real vampire looks like?

Spike's blood is falling on the Seal of Danthazar that's right below him. It's pooling in the grooves and being absorbed into the seal. The seal starts to glow. One by one, the pointed tips of the pentagram at its center fold up, forming a pyramid. Light comes out from under it. The pyramid sinks into the ground. The remaining pieces of the seal follow suit. Spike glares at Buffy/First, then watches the hole where the seal is. Something sticks it's withered, gray, pointy-fingered hand out of the hole. A monster climbs out wearing black leather. Pan up to show its horrible d*sfigured face. It's bald with a distinct vampire forehead and brows and trademark fanged teeth. It looks gaunt, with extremely hollow cheekbones. It raises its hands toward the sky and looks around the room, growling menacingly.

Cut to:

Closing credits.