TEASER

Scene: Magic Box [Ext.], Mid-Afternoon
Establishing shot of the burned building.

BUFFY
[Voice-Over]
Do you two want to be alone?


Scene: Magic Box [Int.], Mid-Afternoon
XANDER POV shot: looking up at BUFFY standing over his body; clearly from the angle he is lying on the floor.

BUFFY
[looking amused, like she caught him doing something naughty]
Because I could come back later.

Switch to BUFFY's POV: XANDER looking up at her with a charred and sooty book held close to his face. We can read the title: The Secret Lives of Wood Nymphs. XANDER shuts the book, sending up a smattering of ash.

XANDER
Not necessary.

BUFFY
The sooty look doesn’t do it for you with the
nymphs?

XANDER sets the book aside and pushes himself up on his elbows, then allows BUFFY to pull him the rest of the way to his feet.

XANDER
[trying for light, but mostly sad]
Besides, Ahn had a charm put on the book...nobody
gets to see the goods until you pay for it. She said that
letting people ogle the supernatural naked without
charging was Un-American.

BUFFY
[amused, remembering]
Sounds like Anya.
[puzzled]
Then what were you...

XANDER
I...just wanted to look at it. Or, I mean, I guess not
look at it. Because it reminded me of her, that I
couldn‘t really see anything except a glowing spectral
price tag..
[shrugs]
Not that everything else doesn’t remind me of her.
But some things, her things...
[off her look]
it‘s okay. I don't want to forget. Not again.

XANDER walks to a box he has set up on a folding card table. The box contains things that he's been able to salvage. He puts the book beside it among a few others, all of which are burnt to some degree. BUFFY follows.

BUFFY
I know you miss her.

XANDER
Yeah. I do. A lot. More than I...

XANDER picks up a strange talisman that’s resting on top of the items in the box...it's about the size of a half-dollar, with cryptic symbols...and there's a faint jagged line that runs down its center. He’s not really paying attention to it, lost in his thoughts, but he begins to play with it as he continues speaking, rolling it around his fingers like it was money.

XANDER
I mean, I loved her. I expected to miss her. But I just
can‘t stop thinking...she was this beautiful vibrant alive
woman...demon...whatever...and now she’s gone. And
I did that. It‘s my fault.

BUFFY
Don’t say that. You aren’t responsible for Anya’s...she
chose this, Xander. You’ve got to move on. Life...life
goes on. You’ve got to start letting this guilt go.

XANDER
[seeing her concern]
Don’t worry, Buff. I’m sad, but I’m not suicidal.
[looking around speculatively]
Though if I was, pretty much came to the right place.

BUFFY
I know it’s a little hellish... and charred. But you’re
Xander Harris, Master Carpenter. You can fix it up good
as new in no time.

XANDER
But do I want to? I mean, haven’t you noticed how
everyone who owns this place ends up with a toe tag?
It’s like a curse or something. Remember, we tried to
warn Giles, and look what happened to him!

BUFFY
[flatly]
He’s in England.

XANDER gives her a pointed, just-proved-my-point look.

XANDER
Plus, I think I have sufficient evidence to state that
magic and I are better off as distant acquaintances.

BUFFY
[trying to help]
Well, then you can do something else. You can
change it, make it something else. Something
Xandery.

XANDER
[wistfully, looking at the amulet again]
I’m not sure I can. This place...Anya loved it so much.
I don’t think she’d like it if I messed around with it too
much.
[wanting to change the subject]
How come you came by, anyway? Not that I don’t
appreciate the pep talk, but isn’t it patrol time?

BUFFY
Actually, I came to ask for your help. You know Will‘s
still checking out my new bestest gal-pal, the vamp
that would be Slayer on the ‘net. Plus the vamp cult
that hurt Dawnie.

XANDER
Right. The mother thing.

BUFFY
She’s pretty much tapped out. I came by hoping there
might be a text or too that survived. You know, maybe
a Watcher diary or two. Anything that might help tell
what I’m up against. Heck, even a cryptic prophecy
would be welcome at this point.

XANDER
Don‘t suppose wood nymphs hold the key?

BUFFY
Thinking you’re right.

XANDER
[gesturing to the small collection of charred books on the table]
Well, as you can see there hasn’t been much in the
literary works department. In fact, I haven’t found a lot
of anything that wasn’t...

XANDER reaches to grab one of the other books, and the talisman slips from his hand. It hits the ground and breaks into two pieces along the jagged crack.

XANDER
[staring down in dismay]
...broken.

BUFFY looks down and winces sympathetically. Extreme close-up of the broken amulet.

BUFFY
Oops. Was that valuable?

Now we see the two of them, still looking down. While BUFFY is more curious and sympathetic, XANDER is more sorrowful. We can tell he’s thinking it’s one more piece of ANYA he’s lost.

XANDER
I have no idea. I don’t even know what half this stuff is.
I’m hoping Will can help me sort it out later.

BUFFY grabs the books off the table and tilts her head at him hopefully.

BUFFY
Speaking of Will...why don’t you come home with me?
We’re having pizza night in the land of women who
should never cook. I know Dawn would be thrilled to
see you. And of course, I’d love you to come, too.
[a pause, where the two deal with the suddenly innuendo charged atmosphere, then awkwardly]
To have pizza.

XANDER gives her a weak smile, then spares one more rueful glance at the broken talisman. He picks up the talisman pieces, puts them on the table, then lifts the box and joins her. XANDER speaks as they both walk out of frame, the camera staying on the shot with the broken talisman.

XANDER
Sure, why not.
[O.S.]
I hope that thing wasn’t valuable. Giles didn’t keep
enough insurance on this place. What if it was one
of those one-of-a-kind things. Or breaking it is like a
mirror, you know, seven years of flat beer...

BUFFY
It didn’t look like that...It looked like a Hellmouth
commemorative coin.

O.S. We hear the shop bell jingle as one of them opens the door.

BUFFY
I cannot believe that that bell still works. I think
you’re right, this place is cursed.

We see the broken talisman pieces begin to glow, one white, the other red.


CREDITS
Sarah Michelle Gellar [Buffy], Nicholas Brendon [Xander], Alyson Hannigan [Willow], Emma Caulfield [Anya], James Marsters [Spike], Michelle Trachtenberg [Dawn] with ? [Saria].


ACT I

Scene: Summer’s House {Ext.}, Night.

BUFFY
[Voice-Over]
Any net-worthy tidbits…

Scene: Summers’ House, Dining Room [Int.], Night.
BUFFY and WILLOW seated at the dining room table. WILLOW is on her laptop. BUFFY is flipping lightly through a charred book from the Magic Box. The rest of the books are in the box we saw from the store - at the opposite end of the table.

BUFFY
(continued)
…on this sired Slayer, Saria, or the Legion of the Undead?

WILLOW
I’ve got a few vague accounts of her in China mostly
but nothing really substantial - yet. However, with the
vamps, still a no-go. I’ve found several vamp cults in
Kentucky but they’re activity has been only in recent
years and nothing associated with a ‘mother’ of any
type. It would work better if we knew what they called
themselves.

BUFFY
Sure. When I see them next, I’ll ask for their
membership cards. What about that tattoo - the snaky
looking thingy?

WILLOW
[shaking her head]
Sorry. Would be easier if we knew how old this
cult was or if they’ve been…
[frown turns into a grin]
Ooh, I got an idea! Have Spike go undercover!

BUFFY
[shrugs,keeps looking at the book]
I dunno.Spike might not be the best choice right now -
he’s, um…something’s going on with him. Something…
strange.

WILLOW
[stops typing]
You don’t think he’s, you know, all ‘grrr’ again, do ya?

BUFFY
No, still chippy. Just - I dunno - he’s…odd. I think
maybe...I don‘t want to say dangerous, cause still
chipped...umm...

WILLOW
Unstable?

BUFFY
[shrugging]
Let’s just say I think it’s a good idea to avoid him for
the time-being.

WILLOW
Buffy, he didn’t...

BUFFY
No! No, he...he‘s...I‘m gonna stick with odd. I’m not
really worried...about him. Unlike Xander.

WILLOW
You’ve noticed too, huh? True Xander hasn’t been in a
‘playing-with-others’ type mood lately.

BUFFY
[finally looks up from reading]
Yeah, and ‘brooding’ doesn’t wear well on him. I found
him at the Magic Box…again.

WILLOW gives Buffy a concerned stare, which BUFFY returns.

BUFFY
(continued)
Staring at blank books and recounting past mistakes.
It’s kind of starting to annoy me. Is that bad?
[rushing on before WILLOW can respond]
I mean, I liked Anya...I did...a bit. She…she grew on
you. Okay, sure, she…she could be annoying at times -
granted, a lot. But she did help us and Xander did love
her so…
[pauses and grimaces]
where was I going with this?

WILLOW
Xander and needing closure?

BUFFY
Oh, yeah, I guess that was it. Anya loved that shop so
maybe in a way -

Scene: Magic Box [Int.], Night.

CLOSE UP: on broken talisman, laying on floor.

BUFFY
[Voice-Over]
If he can get it back together, he can close that part of
his life as well.

PAN OUT: we see a profoundly melancholy XANDER, standing near counter and picking up charred objects. XANDER picks up one half of the talisman we saw earlier and seems to be fascinated by it, holding it up as if mesmerized. Absently he touches the other half and suddenly hears something.

FOCUS IN: on the broken talisman as XANDER brings the pieces together. Eerie music commences.

ANYA
[Voice-Over]
Hey! I wouldn’t do that! Bad idea!

RAPIDLY PAN OUT: A horrified XANDER tosses the second talisman across the room and drops the other one without thinking. Wildly scans room for the voice, but no one is there. XANDER breathes in deeply and exhales, trying to calm down.

XANDER
[whispers, nods]
It’s all in my mind.
[speaks louder with a laugh]
Nothing to see. Just…me, only ME. Omigod, do you
have any idea how much I HATE this place?
[throws arms up in the air as he addresses the surrounding emptiness]
It’s you...you’re like every bad thing in this Godforsaken
town in one small space. You promise that you’ll make
people happy and then you...you...you take away
everything, every life - every owner that dares to cross
that threshold. You drove Giles away. And if that wasn’t
bad enough, you had to...to rob me of…of…

SPIKE
[O.S.]
You know, the big soliloquy’s the first sign of
madness. S’all downhill from there.

XANDER freezes. Cut quickly to: SPIKE, standing behind him, calmly smoking a cigarette. Smug grin on his face as he eyes XANDER.

SPIKE
(continued)
If this don’t just make my day. Lemme guess,
Harris, tryin’ to make a go with this place too?

SWITCH BACK TO: XANDER as he turns to face SPIKE with a startled and rather embarrassed look on his face. FLASH to a glimpse of the broken talisman start to glow red and white again. Focus back on XANDER as we hear:

ANYA
[Voice-Over]
You know why he’s here. He could never understand,
he’s just a monster.

PAN BACK OUT: We see the center of the store. SPIKE is standing on the top step looking down at XANDER, who is facing him and standing by the area where the cash register used to be. XANDER looks around nervously as SPIKE walks down and stops.

XANDER
[faintly]
Did you...hear something?

SPIKE
[sarcastic]
Oh, I see. Gonna pretend you weren’t just talking to the
walls like they might have it in for ya. No, no, that’s fine,
no business of mine, really. Didn’t mean to interrupt
your babblin’. Please - continue with…whatever it was
you were flutterin’ round about. Might even be amusing.

XANDER
[trying not to seem as freaked out as he is]
What the hell ARE you doing here, Spike?

SPIKE
[snorts, shakes head]
It’s all about ‘er, isn’t it?
[looks around]
Didn’t think this space would be occupied. Never been
much for dwellin’ on the might’ve beens, but
circumstances being what they are...I’ve been in more
of a questioning sort of mood. Been thinkin’ lately bout
things I did wrong, what I did right, and so forth, you
know.
[walks over to the table and runs his hand over it]
So, came here to do a bit of relivin’ of the old
memories -like you I gather. Although I believe mine
might be a bit more - tawdry than yours. Possibly not,
she was a little minx, wasn’t she.
[smirks]
Oh, but this was definitely a sturdy table - Giles got his
money’s worth on it, I’ll say.

For a second it seems certain XANDER is going to attack SPIKE. SPIKE gives XANDER a smug smile, and XANDER shakes his head.

XANDER
No. No. You know what? I know you’re trying to bait
me, cause you’ve got some serious ‘tortured, I’m all
broody since I came back from summer vacation and
Buffy won’t give me the time of day’ death wish thing
happening, and you want me to beat you up or stake
you so you don’t have to deal. And I’ll admit, most days
nothing would make me happier, but not here. Not today.
Just...move along. Go find someone else to be all
impotent around. I’m busy.

SPIKE’s jaw has been clenching during XANDER’S speech, but he forces himself to relax.

SPIKE
Got just as much right to be here as you, mate.

XANDER
Actually, no. You don’t. I’m the owner, in case you’re
unaware. And I say get the hell out of Anya’s shop.

SPIKE shrugs.

SPIKE
Yeah. Whatever. S’not like I care mightily one way or
the other. Just wanted to pay my respects, is all.
[heavy sigh, grounds cigarette out on floor]
Look, Anya, she was a good one - always gave me an
ear when I needed it. Passed no judgment. Two birds
of a feather we were.

ANYA
[Voice-Over]
He’s lying...

XANDER
[disgusted]
You’re a liar, Spike.

SPIKE
‘Course I am. But it’s not the lies I tell that upset your
little apple cart, mate. It’s the truths. And the truth is
that we evil things...

ANYA
[Voice-Over]
Xander...

XANDER shakes his head slightly, like trying to clear it. SPIKE continues like nothing’s amiss.

SPIKE
Right, evil things - like me and your ex...

ANYA
[Voice-Over]
Don’t let him talk about me like this!

SPIKE
...we got feelings too. Hell, even I miss Ahn-

As SPIKE speaks the name, XANDER’S eyes fill with rage. We see him race over to SPIKE. XANDER grabs SPIKE and starts punching the vamp in the face. After about four punches, XANDER has SPIKE on the ground. SPIKE cannot fight back (chip) so he goes down quietly.

With SPIKE on floor, XANDER turns his attention back to the store. He picks up items at random (charred books, jars, statutes - anything in reach) and smashes them on the ground. Every couple of items, we see him swing against the burnt walls. SPIKE cautiously stares up as XANDER continues on his tirade, but SPIKE makes no move to stop him. XANDER, panting heavily and sweating, picks up a pointed charred piece of the wood (probably was a piece of a shelf at one time) and is about to throw it in SPIKE’s direction.

CUT TO: SPIKE, rolling out of the way.

SWITCH BACK TO: XANDER suddenly stopping in mid throw and letting the wood stake clatter to the floor.

FLASH TO: a relieved SPIKE.

Go back to XANDER. His expression is blank now, trying to catch his breath. He looks down and sees the half of the talisman he dropped earlier.

CLOSE UP: broken talisman.

SWITCH TO: XANDER, still panting, mesmerized by it. Cue eerie music again.

ANYA
[Voice-Over]
Pick it up - for me.

XANDER obediently reaches down and grasps the talisman.

ANYA
[Voice-Over]
I love you Xander!

XANDER
[mumbles]
I love you too, Ahn.

SWITCH TO: SPIKE standing up and dusting himself off, eyeing XANDER uneasily.

SPIKE
[mocks Anya’s voice]
Oh, Xander, how I love you too.
[chuckles]
This is beyond pathetic, Chunky. You’re bloody
crackin’ up. ‘Ello, she’s dead, remember? Big funeral,
lots of tears for all you pillocks. Hey, you listenin’ to
me?

XANDER stares blankly at the talisman, completely unaware that SPIKE is talking or even there. The eerie music continues.

SWITCH TO: SPIKE giving him a very impatient glare as he waits for XANDER to reply.

CUT BACK TO: XANDER holding one half of the talisman.

Shot of XANDER’s jean pocket, talisman hurriedly shoved in. Camera follows XANDER’s movements as he turns to face SPIKE, expression still blank. We see him hastily walk across the floor towards a rather annoyed SPIKE.

SPIKE
Hey, did you even -

XANDER knocks SPIKE in the shoulder as he passes without acknowledgement.

Camera follows from SPIKE’S POV: we watch Xander continue to the door and than exit the Magic Box. As the door is closing we hear:

XANDER
[barely audible O.S.]
Damn shop is cursed.

We see XANDER’S silhouette through the front shop window’s moving rapidly passed. Focus back on: SPIKE’S inquisitive expression, which is shrugged off as Spike shakes his head.

SPIKE
[quietly]
Bloody mortals.

Pan out to show: SPIKE is now alone in the rubble and it’s quite dark.

SPIKE
(continued)
Loathe the whole lot of ‘em…well, except you, Anya.
Meant what I said earlier. You and I, we truly connected.
Two has-been demons trying to find some piece of our
former selves in this mortal world.
[looks longingly at the rubble]
Oh, well, no use dwelling on the past, right?
[stiffens up]
It was good while it lasted. Be lookin’ you up when my
time comes to join the fiery ranks of the eternally
damned. Maybe we can start a fire or such...

SPIKE takes a quick look around, then casually strides to the door and exits as well. As the door closes, camera PANS back into the store’s interior: a shimmering ‘ANYA’ is standing in the center of the store - a very smug evil smile spread across her face.

FADE OUT.


ACT II

Scene: Xander’s Apartment [Int.], Day.
XANDER is sitting at his kitchen table, toast and coffee untouched in front of him. He looks like hell, and he’s staring at the table as if to avoid looking at something else. The phone rings and he jumps. He stands as if to answer it, then picks up his jacket and keys instead. He’s halfway to the door before he realizes what he’s doing and flings the jacket and keys as if bitten.

XANDER
Gah! What am I doing?

He slumps on to the couch. The ringing stops.

XANDER
I’m not going back there. I don’t need to go back today.
I don’t want to go back today. I’m not going back today.
[near hysteria]
There, you hear me? I’m not going back to the Magic
Box today!

Dead silence meets his declaration. Then suddenly...

ANYA
[Voice-Over]
Xander, where are you? Don’t leave me here...

XANDER
Anya...

He stands, then sits again, wrapping his arms around himself.

ANYA
[Voice-Over]
Xander...

XANDER
It’s not real. It’s not real. It’s not...

ANYA
[Voice-Over]
Come to me, my love. Come...

XANDER lies down on the sofa, putting a pillow over his head as we CUT TO:


Scene: Spike’s Crypt [Ext.], Day.

SPIKE
[Voice-Over]
Damn it!

Scene: Spike’s Crypt [Int.], Day.

We see CLEM sitting on a ragged couch, eating from a large bag of pork rinds. SPIKE is agitated, pacing back and forth across the concrete floor.

SPIKE
(continued)
Y’know what I detest most about humans? Their
bloody feelings for one another, always big on the
caring and - the remorse. The grief. Like there’s nothing
else in life but pain and death. Bloody hell - I’m a
vampire. A vampire! Nightly bringer of the very death
and pain these mortals cling to. We feed on them.
Suck them dry til there’s nothin’ left but skin and bones.
Time was that meant something.

CLEM
Yeah...say, you wanna go get-

SPIKE
[interrupting]
’Course, if we find one that appeals to us - one we can
tolerate and would like to spare - we turn ‘em. Not that
I ever found one that could hold any particular interest
for me, except...well, and I‘m bloody well not gonna turn
her, am I?

CLEM
Who? Buffy?

SPIKE
No. Claudia Bloody Schiffer.

CLEM
[impressed]
Really? You know her?

SPIKE
[deadpan]
I’m talking about Buffy you soddin’ idiot.

CLEM opens his mouth to protest, then thinks better of it.

SPIKE
(continued)
It used to be so simple. I had all I every wanted with
Dru - she was my, my sire. She was supposed to be
with me for eternity; that’s what they say at any rate.

CLEM
Nothing lasts forever, Spike. Love, soul mates - it’s all
overrated if you ask me. Hey, you wanna watch some
TV? The new TNN has a ‘MacGyver’ marathon on
tonight -might cheer you up.

SPIKE
Yeah, forever. That’s what vampires are all about -
staggerin’ through the never-ending abyss between life
and death. Had it quite cozy until I discovered the one
thing that could bring this eternal party to its knees. The
Slayer. The first two were easy, mere amateurs in their
trade. Neither ever stood a chance. We fought; we
danced. I bluffed for a round or two, lulled them into
their own shallow hope of victory and than - wham!
Showed them who the big bad truly was. It was
supposed to be that simple. Come here, kill her,
establish our reign on the Hellmouth. Didn’t even
need to write this one down.
[sighs]
Would have happened too, if it hadn’t been for
Angelus. Slayer had to have her shag and ruin it all.
And then, all I wanted, was my Dru back. But that
damn deal.
[growls]
That damn deal was the start. Forced me to come
crawling back to this wretched place, getting this
damn chip - havin’ no other choice but to join her
rank and file. It’s all her bloody fault. Her fault -
OH how I hate that girl!

SPIKE kicks a nearby chair.

CLEM
[mildly]
I thought you loved her.

SPIKE
[like explaining to child]
Of course I love her! Why else would I hate her this
much?

CLEM
[getting it]
Oh. Gotcha. Totally following now.


FOCUS ON: SPIKE falling down into his recliner and lighting up a cigarette.

CUT TO: CLEM sipping a Big Gulp. He sets it down on the end table beside him.

CLEM
(continued)
I’m taking this as a ‘no’ to the MacGyver marathon.
Geez, Spike, what’s up with all this negativity recently?
I can’t remember you being so at odds with the world
before. If you put a positive spin on all this - things
might turn themselves around.

CUT TO: SPIKE raising his eyebrows and giving him a pissed off glare.

CLEM
(continued)
Hey, it works - I was watching Oprah and Dr. Phil said
that, or something pretty darn close to it anyways.

SPIKE
[scoffs]
So all I gotta do is turn my frown upside down? Piffle.
It’s this stupid soul is all. Since that mumbo-jumbo
African demon restored it, nothin’ has been right.
Didn’t the stupid sod know that a vamp with a soul
can only end up destroying himself? I hate what I’ve
done, what I’ve been. What kind of existence can I
have if all I do is hate?

CLEM
You just gotta give it time. It’s like Dr Phil says -

SPIKE growls.

CLEM
(continued)
My point is that you didn’t like the chip but you learned
how to deal with it. This is the same thing.

SPIKE
[mumbles]
Not bloody close.

CLEM
Well, maybe a tad more on an emotional level. But on
a positive note, I’m sure Buffy will come around. Isn’t
the whole ‘vamp-with-a-soul’ a real turn on for her?

SPIKE
[jumps up and starts pacing again]
I. Am. Not. ANGEL! I never wanna be like that bloody
poof. Slogging around after the Slayer, skulking in the
shadows, brooding about for eternity cuz I can’t stop
feeling for every victim I ever fed on. I don’t...I liked the
killing, see? Still like it. It’s not supposed to be like that.
It’s all supposed to be simpler.

CLEM
It’ll be simple once you figure out what you really want.

SPIKE
No, it won’t. Say I wanna be what I was before the chip.
The Big Bad. A vamp that defeated Slayers and instilled
fear into any puny mortal who dared cross my dark path.
[stops pacing]
But who am I foolin’, huh? There is no ‘one-good-shag-
and-it’s-gone’ clause for me. I can never go back. Not…
not anymore.

CLEM
[shaking his head sympathetically ]
Newsflash, Spike - did you honestly expect otherwise?

CLOSE IN on SPIKE’S somber expression. We hear knocking.

Scene: Xander’s Apartment [Ext.], Day.

CLOSE UP: A hand knocking on a door. Door opens to XANDER, wearing his brown suede jacket.

XANDER
[startled]
Ah, Will? Didn’t expect to see you here. Thought you
and Buffy would still be knee deep in the research
hoopla at her house.

PAN OVER to WILLOW, she’s eyeing XANDER with concern.

WILLOW
We were, I mean - we are - yes. But I’m worried about
you. Buffy said that you seemed a bit…I don’t know -
out of it yesterday...where are you going?

XANDER
Got some errands to run. You know, things that need
doing.

WILLOW
And how many of these do-needing things happen to
take place at the Magic Box?

XANDER
Not too many.

WILLOW
Right. That was nearly mildly unconvincing.

XANDER
What difference does it make where I’ve got to go?

WILLOW
None. You’re an adult, go where you wanna, do what
you gotta, but...there’s a lot of brooding going on, and
it’s not like you to-

XANDER
[bitterly]
Anya’s dead. I know you don’t find that upsetting, but
forgive me if I do.
[off her hurt look]
Oh, hell. I’m sorry, Will. Hey, I’m fine. No need to worry.
Just need some time to myself, to sort things out. I’ll be
okay. I promise.

XANDER tries to step out into the hallway, but WILLOW stands her ground. XANDER’s grows a bit annoyed and agitated.

XANDER
(continued)
Come on, Will, what’s the what here?

WILLOW
Xander, you don‘t have to go through this alone. We’re
your friends. You’re going through so much, and we
want to be there for you, cause, it might be more than
you can handle and-

XANDER
[hotly]
And what? Xander can’t do anything for himself, is that
it? Trust me, I can take care of this.

WILLOW
[bewildered]
I’m not saying - you know I know you can - it’s just…
we care about you. Tell you what, you take a little self-
reflection time and than meet us at Buffy’s later tonight.
Believe me, this sired Slayer deal is gonna take a
combined effort to crack.

XANDER
[sighs reluctantly]
Sure, I’ll see what I can do.

WILLOW
[smiles]
Thank you.
[a beat, then]
You know I love you, right?

XANDER smiles weakly, nods, and looks at the floor. WILLOW steps forward and they embrace in a light hug. Focus on XANDER’s blank expression as we hear:

ANYA
[Voice-Over]
Xander -I’m still waiting for you…


Scene: Magic Box [Int.], Dusk
Doors opens as XANDER walks in. XANDER stops a few feet inside. We hear the door shut. It’s eerily still. Close up on XANDER’s waist as a pair of arms wrap around him.

ANYA
[Voice-Over]
God, I never thought you’d come back. Been calling
for you -didn’t you hear me?

PAN UP to XANDER’s face. His eyes are shut and he has a smile on his face. Now that he’s here, he’s totally relaxed.

XANDER
Of course, I heard you. It just took me a while to get
here - I was, um, distracted.

ANYA
[Voice-Over]
Oh, yeah -by ‘her.’ I don’t like her, Xander.

XANDER
Willow? But-

ANYA
[Voice-Over]
It’s just...I love it when it’s just the two of us. Me and
you - together.

XANDER
Yah, just me and…

XANDER’s eyes shoot open. His smile turns into a frown. He whips around.

XANDER
[whispers]
Anya?

No-one’s there. XANDER is confused.

XANDER
(continued)
Okay, whoa.

He whirls around again.

XANDER
(continued)
What the hell is going on here?

FADE TO:


Scene: Summers’ House, Dining Room [Int.], Dusk
Shot of books scattered on the table. Some open, mostly lots of stacks.

BUFFY
[V.O]
Dunno, still at a loss really.

We see BUFFY sitting at the table with DAWN. Each has a book open, but not reading - more like just skimming.

DAWN
But what do we know so far?

BUFFY
Well, for sure she was a Slayer. Her name’s Saria...
and she’s old...... lots of the accounts mention
China, but that seems to be after she was turned.
She was Indian originally.

DAWN
She’s old and been to China. Sure you’re not talking
about Nixon?
[off BUFFY’s unamused look]
What, I can’t do the odd inappropriate humor thing?
Okay, okay, so, she’s old...what, like, Spike-old?
Angel-old?

BUFFY
Angel-old times ten, according to what I’ve read.

DAWN
[scared]
Oh.

BUFFY
Yeah... and Willow said early eleventh Century, so,
seems to fit.
[a beat, then with false cheer]
But, I mean, she’s just a vampire. Which I’ve fought
many of. And she was a Slayer, true, but I seem to
remember kicking Faith’s ass rather nicely. So, no
worries.

DAWN
Ummm…some worries.

BUFFY
Very touched by your support.

DAWN
No, it’s not that I don’t believe in you...it’s just that all
we know is that she’s been around, she was a Slayer,
and now she’s a vamp, and she’s a senior senior
senior citizen, right? That’s like nothing. Why is she
here? What does she want?

BUFFY
Aside from bloody frat-house massacres and foreboding
messages on walls? Sorely lacking in the knowledge
category there, which is why we should all be on research
duty - starting like yesterday.

DAWN
If Giles were here, he’d -

BUFFY
[coldly]
Yah, well, he’s not. We’ll be fine.
[pauses]
Now, Willow went to extract Xander from his brooding
in the ashes - she’s threatened to compare him to
Angel if necessary - and bring him out into the real
world of Sunnydale and the ever-present demon
slayage.

DAWN
Because that’s so much better for him.
[off BUFFY’s glare]
Sorry.

BUFFY
Once they’re here, we can start formulating some sort
of plan -

DAWN
You forgot Spike. You should count him in on this.

BUFFY
[irritated]
No. No, I - it’s a bad idea. I don’t want him here.

DAWN
What? Why not? Buffy, he could really -

BUFFY
[sternly]
Dawn, I said ‘no.’ Now please let it go.

DAWN
[shakes her head]
No, I won’t - not this time, Buffy. This vamped
Slayer and her undead groupies are going to take
some major Scooby investigative work - we
should be pulling together now more than ever.
We’re family - Spike included. You can’t afford to
shut any of us out on this one.

BUFFY
Dawn, please…
[pauses]
Look, I know this is gonna be difficult. Yes, we’re
family, but Spike is…Spike is not what is important
at the moment. He’s, um, can we please talk about
him later and bring our focus back to something more
relevant for the time being?

DAWN
[goes back to flipping through her book]
Sure, whatever.
[a beat, then]
Do you think Xander’s gonna be all right? He’s not
wigging out, is he?

CLOSE UP: BUFFY’S concerned look.

BUFFY
I don’t think so. Xander’s strong. He’s got it together.

Scene: Magic Box [Int.], Night
XANDER is pacing inside the charred main store. Alone.

XANDER
I’m falling apart. I’ve gone crazy! That’s gotta be it. I’m
finally snapping - too many years on the Hellmouth,
that’s what it is. It has to be that.

XANDER halts, looks at the door. Starts for the door, but is drawn back into the shop. Tries again to go to the door, but turns right back around. Does this several more times. Finally stops.

XANDER
(continued)
I hate magic - magic hates me. The last place in the
world I would wanna be is here. Didn’t want to come
here, except I did, a lot, but I don’t know why. And
now, why the hell can’t I leave? Wait, Dawn, did she...
no, she didn’t make a wish. And why would she wish
for me to be stuck at the Magic Box? Unless Dawn‘s a
demon...and I’m back to insanity again. Yay.
[a pause, then]
Still, thinking not a wish. More like a curse.

XANDER is exasperated. He throws up his arms.

XANDER
(continued)
This place is definitely cursed. I already thought that,
before, but now I have proof...that I’ll never be able to
share with anyone cause I’m trapped. Okay, so not the
thing to think. Don’t panic. Don’t panic. That’s - oh! Or...
or it’s seriously possessed. Yeah, possessed - that’s it.
I mean, possessed means haunted and that’s how I…I
feel. It’s not the shop; it’s me. I’m possessed. I’m doing
a Linda Blair...No, no, no, hearing Anya, not Satan...But
why? Why do I feel so…haunted?

Behind XANDER, the shimmering image of ANYA appears. XANDER doesn’t notice that she’s there; he’s lost in his own thoughts.

ANYA
[whispers over music]
You’re not haunted - it’s our love. What your feeling is
the love we still share between us. I love you.

ANYA voice takes on a deeper, darker tone.

ANYA
(continued)
I’ll never stop loving you.

XANDER smiles, lost in what he believes are his own thoughts. ANYA smiles contently. XANDER turns, sees her. His jaw drops open in shock.

FADE OUT.


ACT III

Scene: Magic Box [Int.], Night
XANDER and ANYA regard one another. XANDER is in awe, he can’t believe she’s there - but then he shakes it off.

XANDER
You’re not here - you can’t…you’re a ghost.

ANYA walks up to XANDER.

ANYA
Could a ghost do this?

ANYA pulls him into a kiss. XANDER returns it, putting his arms around her, but than pushes her away.

XANDER
Okay, not a ghost - cross that box out. But that still
doesn’t prove you’re real.

ANYA
Then what am I?

XANDER
I don’t know - some sort of hologram, maybe?

ANYA
[annoyed]
This look like the Starship Enterprise? Because you’re
not exactly Captain Picard, babe.

XANDER
Check. Not a hologram. Okay...there’s a rational
explanation. Think!

ANYA
Why is it so hard for you to accept the fact that I might
actually be here?

XANDER
[backing away a bit, raw with emotion]
Because I want it - I want you here so badly. And…

XANDER chuckles nervously.

XANDER
(continued)
I forgot. I’m cracking up. This is all a dream; I’m
gonna be waking up soon.
[pinches himself]
Ow. Yup, gonna be waking up in my bed - by myself.

ANYA
[hurt]
Xander, it is me. I am here. You were right - this stupid
shop is cursed.

XANDER
Stupid...but you love the shop!

ANYA
Loved it until it got all burned up and I got trapped here.
Hello? Not liking the being trapped, remember?

XANDER
I do...Anya, I’m -

ANYA
Sorry? Save it. I need more from you then empty
apologies. I’ve found a way to get out.

XANDER
[cautiously]
Which is?

ANYA
Don’t worry about that, What matters is where I’m
going...or actually...well, let me put it this way. There’s
a spell that can free me, but there’s a catch...or two.
Three on the outside.

XANDER
[sarcastically]
And when isn‘t there?

ANYA
Xander, I’m serious. If I do this, I won’t ever be able to
come back to this dimension.
[at his face falling]
That’s okay, because the one the spell will bring me to
is far better than this measly one. The reason why I’m
here, the reason why I’ve been trying to reach you …
I need you to help me, but more than that I need you
to come with me.

XANDER
Come with you?

ANYA
To a much better place, honey. We can be happy
there, and safe, and together, always.
[a beat, then tearfully]
You’re the only one who can save me now. Please
help me. You’re my only hope.

ANYA gives him a pleading desperate look. XANDER regards what she has said. He’s definitely touched that ANYA needs him. But XANDER remembers - this is the Hellmouth.

XANDER
Ahn, I’m grateful you came to me - I am. And I wanna
help you.

XANDER starts to walk backwards, going for the door. He’s getting a bit nervous.

XANDER
(continued)
But I think I better…you know…go get Buffy. Maybe
Willow.


Scene: Summers’ House, Dining Room [Int.] Early Evening
We see DAWN sitting glumly, an open book in front of her but the dim lights and her faraway stare tell us she’s not really reading. BUFFY is watching the front door anxiously. Front door opens and BUFFY jumps to her feet anxiously.

BUFFY
Finally! Oh, hey Will.

WILLOW
Finally? Am I late? I’m sorry. I didn’t think I was late...

WILLOW walks through, carrying a pizza box with a couple of books balanced precariously on top. BUFFY and DAWN are clearly disappointed.

BUFFY
No, you’re not the one who’s late.

DAWN
Will. Hi.

WILLOW
Hey Dawnie. Little help, somebody?

DAWN hurries over and takes the books off the pizza, which Willow deposits on the coffee table with a sigh.

WILLOW
Thanks...
[frowning]
Why is it so dark in here? Where’s Xander?

DAWN
The question of the night.

BUFFY hurries to turn the lights on.

BUFFY
Shoot, the lights! I didn’t even realize...Dawn, how
have you been reading?

DAWN
Reading? I’ve really just been worrying, like you. It’s
contagious, you know. But it doesn’t strain the eyes.

WILLOW
[back to the point]
Xander didn‘t come over? Did he call?

DAWN
Nope.

BUFFY
[hopes dashed]
I was kinda hoping he’d talked to you.

WILLOW
He did. He said he’d come...he wasn’t Mr. Enthusiasm
about it, but he promised me...I don’t like it, Buffy. It’s
not like him to ditch a research party, even if he has
been mopey boy...

DAWN
He’s been weird since the funeral. Really not very
Xandery. Kind of all in his own head.

BUFFY
I know...I tried to talk to him, but he...I have a bad
feeling about this. I think we should go find him. And I
mean now.

DAWN
Okay. I’ll put the pizza in the fridge...

BUFFY
No...one of us should stay here, in case he shows. The
lights were off, he might have thought we’d cancelled...

DAWN
Without telling him, because that’s just like us...
[heavy sigh]
Fine. I’ll wait here. But-

BUFFY
We’ll call you. As soon as we know anything.
I promise.
[to WILLOW]
I’ll go to his place.

WILLOW
I’ll check the Magic Box, his new home away from
home.

BUFFY
Good. If I don’t find him at his apartment, I’m gonna
cut through a couple of cemeteries, see if he’s doing a
bit of slaying on his own. I’ll meet you at the shop.

DAWN
But...what about Saria?

BUFFY
What about her? Maybe I’ll get lucky and be able to
take care of her too.

DAWN
But...

BUFFY
[gentle but with determination]
Dawn, I’m not going out to hunt her down, but I am the
Slayer. And whatever else she might have been, she’s
a vampire. And I will have to face her. I hope it won’t
be today, because frankly, I just want to find Xander
and know he’s okay.

WILLOW
[fretful]
Right. No slaying, Finding. Now?

DAWN
You better go.
[at BUFFY’s hesitation, holding up her book]
I’ll be okay. Holding down the fort, doing the
research thing. Lights on.

DAWN settles back on the couch, holding up her book, and BUFFY smiles gratefully before heading out. DAWN waits until she’s certain they’ve gone, then stands up, tossing the book absently onto the coffee table before running out the door. The camera stays with the book, which slides off the table and winds up lying open but half-hidden under the couch. We see that it’s open to a drawing of SARIA in the arms of a vampire.


Scene: Magic Box [Int.], Night

XANDER has almost reached the door. ANYA is right on his heels.

ANYA
No, please don’t go. You can’t go! Don’t leave me,
Xander. Not again.

ANYA grabs XANDER’s arm just as his hand touches the knob. We see XANDER’s fingers slip off the knob as ANYA pulls XANDER into an embrace.

ANYA
We don’t need them.

XANDER
Need who?

ANYA smiles coyly and kisses XANDER.

ANYA
That’s a good boy. Now about the spell -

XANDER
No problem, just tell me what we need.

ANYA
Oh, nothing big really - just your average run-of-the-mill
sacrificial victim is all.

XANDER
What - who? Why?

ANYA
Duh, the blood, silly - it’s always about the blood,
can’t get anywhere these days without it.

XANDER
Well, I’ll just run out to the local blood bank and get
some than…I mean, if it’s only blood that it requires.

ANYA
Nooo, it has to be fresh...

XANDER
Okay, we’re back to crazy. And also, even more
disturbing, I’m worried we’re all gonna start singing
again...and there’ll be a giant plant...

ANYA
Shhhh...my love, there’s nothing to get so upset about.
You just have to trust me.

XANDER
I do, I...

ANYA
You don’t need to worry. I’m telling you, once the ritual
is complete and you’re with me, you’re not gonna care
about what you left behind. Or what you had to do to
get here.

XANDER opens his mouth to protest, but ANYA draws him back into a passionate kiss. XANDER immediately calms down, relaxing into her as they continue to kiss. As the two slowly slide down out of frame, we see the charred remains of the store.

ANYA
[O.S.]
Besides if you truly love me, there shouldn’t be any
question to how far you’d be willing to go.


Scene: Spike’s Crypt [Int.], Night.
Shot of crypt door, slowly squeaking open. We see DAWN enter and bounce down the stairs. SPIKE is sitting in his recliner facing away from the door, watching an old black-and-white movie on his television. It’s an old monster movie. DAWN stops behind his chair as SPIKE turns the television off and jumps up to greet her.

SPIKE
[smiles]
‘Ello, Little Bit, what brings you into my neck of the
woods?

DAWN
Need your help. I mean Buffy does. Well we both do.
But mostly her.

SPIKE
First of all, if the Slayer needs my help, she bloody
knows where I am. And second of all, I know this has
to do with Saria, and I’ll pass.

DAWN
No! Well, yes...but why?

SPIKE pulls back his collar to reveal the still visible teeth marks.

SPIKE
Girl already got a taste, I don’t fancy givin any more.

DAWN
That can’t be it. You should want to...to beat her up,
or something violent like that. There’s something else-

SPIKE
There isn’t. Maybe I’ve changed, alright?

SPIKE has a quick flashback to the massacre in the frat house from the last episode. He looks haunted, but DAWN doesn’t notice.

DAWN
You’ve changed. Buffy’s in terrible danger, and the Spike I know would...would do anything to help her. But the new improved non-violent Spike, looks like he could care less.

SPIKE
[angry]
Oh, is that how it’s gonna be now, eh? What - did the
last few years evaporate while I was gone? Buffy and I
had…we had a chance, once. Than that bloody
commando-ex of hers came slitherin’ back and got her
all weepy over the past. Now she won’t even give me
that chance I rightfully deserve.

DAWN
Riley? You’re blaming Buffy giving you the big brush
off because of - Riley? Right, as if.

SPIKE
The wanker said somethin’ to her. I know he did cuz
right after he and his missus left, she came an’ ended
it between us.

DAWN
Okay, I’ll give you that. But that little sexual smackdown
with Anya on the table in the Magic Box? Gotta say,
didn’t help your case any.

SPIKE
Hey, how the hell was I suppose to know that Big
Brother would be watching, huh?

DAWN
What - you were hoping that you could screw around
on Buffy with Anya and - get away with it?

SPIKE
Wasn’t like that, I...

DAWN
You think Anya would keep the secret - not a chance.
She’d have thrown the whole stupid thing in Xander’s
face.

SPIKE
Oh, funny you should bring up Xander - there’s
someone who stands absolutely no realistic chance
with the Slayer. Doesn’t he get it? After all these
years, observing the carnage, and he still doesn’t
see that she’s one with the darkness? Hell, even Finn
got it - Buffy only loves men who can compete with
her. That would be us monsters. Goofy-boy would
do well to remember what she is before he pines
himself away.

DAWN
You don’t know Buffy at all, do you?

SPIKE
Do you?

DAWN
I know she was right about you. You’re not a part of us
anymore.
[SPIKE opens his mouth and she points at him]
Your choice, not Buffy’s. And as far as Xander’s
concerned, at least he would never try to...

SPIKE
Oh, but I knew that was coming. Well, come on. Say it.
[sneering]
Come on,girl. You’re more than old enough. Can’t you
say what you‘re accusing me off?

DAWN
[struggling against tears]
I wish Buffy did like Xander like that, at least Buffy knows
she’s always safe with him. And she’ll never have that with
you, will she?

DAWN storms out. Camera stays on SPIKE.

SPIKE
[shouting after her]
Oh yeah? Well I wouldn’t be so sure. Boy’s not right in
the head these days, is he?


Scene: Spike’s Crypt [Ext.], Night.
DAWN runs out and stops, brushing away tears with the back of her hand. She takes a deep breath, turns and nearly runs into a coyly smiling SARIA. DAWN gasps.

SARIA
Hello precious.


Scene: Magic Box [Ext.], Night.
WILLOW is standing in front of the front window, trying to peer through the dirt and cracks. It is hard, but she finally sees XANDER. He is rising up from the darkened floor, his clothes disheveled slightly. As WILLOW is about to breathe a sigh of relief, she instead grasps as another figure rises up alongside XANDER - a shimmering ANYA. WILLOW backs a few steps away from the window, looking briefly down to her handbag as she searches and finds her phone.

SWITCH TO: The phone screen. We see BUFFY’s pre-programmed number displayed and WILLOW pushes the SEND button.

PULL BACK: WILLOW brings the phone to her ear and as she turns around - XANDER is directly in her face, menacing look on his face.

CLOSE UP: WILLOW’S face. Eyes wide in terror.

FADE OUT.


ACT IV

Scene: Xander‘s Apartment [Int.], Night.
BUFFY has searched the place, no sign of XANDER. She’s ready to leave when her cell rings, and she stops to answer it, but only gets a dial tone.

CLOSE UP of the display shows it was WILLOW’s phone calling. BUFFY hits the redial.

BUFFY
[muttering]
Redial...okay Will, what’s up?

BUFFY’S frown deepens when she gets no answer. She hits another few buttons and holds the phone to her ear, tapping her foot impatiently.

BUFFY
[to the answering machine]
Dawn it’s me, pick up.
[a beat]
Come on, Dawn, pick up.
[a beat]
Where are you? Call me as soon as you hear this.
Like now.

She puts the phone away, then gets a pained look.

BUFFY
Hang on, Will. I’m coming, I’ve just gotta track down Dawn first.
[she sighs]
Which means I gotta go find Spike.

BUFFY rushes out as we CUT TO:


Scene: Magic Box [Int.], Night.
WILLOW, hands tied over her head, is off to one side of the main store area - where the ladder use to be. It seems she has been knocked out, since she is just coming to as we begin the scene. She is groggy and trying to make sense of her current predicament.

From WILLOW’S POV: We observe a pacing XANDER and a calm ANYA (sitting on the slightly burnt research table). XANDER is playing with the amulet as he paces.

XANDER
What the hell am I - we - doing? This is crazy.

WILLOW
It’s good that you realise that...and anytime you want to
untie me so we can fight the evil that’s making you nuts -
no offense, Anya.

ANYA
[to WILLOW]
Don’t sweat it.
[to XANDER]
Now, hon, we’ve been over this. You’re doing this for
us, for our love. So you can release me from this place
and we can be free from this wasted existence and
move into our own happier world. Just us - no more
Giles, no more Dawn, no more Willow and definitely
no more Buffy.

On ‘Buffy’, XANDER stops pacing.

FLASHBACK: XANDER and Buffy share a kiss.

Come back to present, XANDER shakes off the memory. WILLOW sees this and takes advantage of XANDER’s momentary lapse.

WILLOW
Xander, you can’t do this. You were right before - there
is something in this shop, something wicked evil and
it’s trying to manipulate you into doing something you‘ll
never forgive yourself for if you go through with it. I
know you know I‘m right. You have to stand up to it,
Xander -fight it.

XANDER shakes his head slowly, uncertain, then…
FLASHBACK: last scene of ‘Grave’ where Xander is holding a sobbing WILLOW in his arms, saying ‘I love you.’

Comes back to the present again, XANDER’s eyes no longer are blank and cold.

XANDER
[remorsefully]
Will…Oh, Will, I’m…sorry.

ANYA comes and wraps her arms around his waist, his eyes grow cold again. WILLOW sobs.

WILLOW
Xander, please...

XANDER
I have to do this, Will. I can’t let her go, not again.
She’s - we’re - so close now.

WILLOW
No. No, you’re not. I’ve been there, remember? When
Tara...when she died and I went into the whacked-out,
end-of-the-world Wicca mode. You saved me. You...
you stood up to me - you pulled me back to myself. It’s
rough, I know, God I know, but this isn’t really Anya. It
can’t be. Anya wouldn’t do this...she’d never want you
to hurt us.

ANYA
[mock regret]
She’s right, I don’t WANT to hurt anyone. But it’s
the only way...

XANDER
It’s the only way. I’m sorry Will.

ANYA releases her hold on XANDER triumphantly, he smiles down at her devotedly.

WILLOW
[desperately]
Xander, don’t. You belong here with us. We love you.
Buffy, Dawn, me, all of us. You make us whole; you’re
our heart. And where would us Scoobies be without
that, huh?


Scene: Cemetery [Ext.], Night.
DAWN is in a fighting stance, guard up. Her arms tremble a bit, but she’s maintaining her glare at SARIA. SARIA stands several feet away from DAWN, with her arms folded across her chest. SARIA is calm, making no move against DAWN at the moment.

SARIA
So, you are the little one - Dawn, is it? You’re the
Slayer’s little sister.

DAWN
[steadily]
I’m not afraid of you.

SARIA
[smiles wickedly]
Is that a fact? I would be, if I were you.
[pauses]
So, tell me - what’s it like to be helpless? To habitually
be on the sidelines of every fight, to continually play the
victim, relying time and time again on your stronger -
more agile - sister to save your hide from the demons
that roam this dimension?

DAWN
[teeth clenched]
I am not helpless.

SARIA
[tosses back her head and laughs]
Nonsense. You’re beyond helpless; you’re marked.

DAWN
[false bravado]
You think killing me would be so easy? Then come on.
Let’s rumble.
[a beat, then]
That sounded way tougher and less dorky in my head.
But I still think I can make you hurt, lady.

SARIA
Oh please, my dear little girl, we both know you
cannot. You and your sister may share the same blood,
but it is not that blood that brings her power. The blood
that runs through her veins, the blood of the Chosen
One, it transcends your concepts of heredity, of biology
in a way you are incapable of understanding. You are
not the Chosen One. Your bravado is sweet, but we
both know you are merely hoping to buy enough time
for the Slayer to come running to your rescue. Well,
guess again, she’s not coming. You see, sooner or
later, any human family a Slayer may try to cling to will
ultimately pay for her devotion with their own blood. It’s
the reason why Slayers were meant to fight alone.

Off DAWN’S determined expression, we CUT TO:.


Scene: Magic Box [Int.], Night.
All is much as it was. XANDER is preparing for the sacrifice, under ANYA‘s smug supervision. WILLOW is working on her ropes, but they‘re too well tied.

WILLOW
[muttering to herself]
Stupid Boy Scouts. Couldn’t be more laissez-faire
about the merits in the knot tying...
[louder, to XANDER]
Xander, don’t you think you should at least talk to Buffy
first? We can look up stuff. Find another way.

ANYA
[coldly]
There is no other way.

WILLOW
And...and...wait! If you kill me, and then leave, who will
help the Slayer?

XANDER
Ahn, Will’s got a point. What happens to Buffy?
She needs us, especially with Giles gone. If none of us
were around, how long do you think she’d survive?

ANYA
[losing patience]
Oh, who cares? Once Willow’s dead and you’re with
me, it won’t matter. We’ll be happy. Isn’t that what
we’ve waited so long for? Buffy is the Slayer. She
will never really find happiness, but you can. Come
on, let’s just get with the bloody death already. After
that you‘ll be mine, completely, as it should be.

CLOSE UP: XANDER’S eyes, then a rapid-fire montage of scenes of him and Buffy: their collision meeting in WttH; saving her life in PG; dancing with her in WSWB; saving her from Theresa in Phases; her attempted seduction of him in BB&B; hugging her at the hospital in Becoming Pt 2; confronting her in Revelations; comforting her in The Freshman; the hug with her and Willow in the elevator shaft in Primeval; helping her while in thrall in BvD; her hug of Puffy Xander in IWMTLY; at the hospital in The Body; talking outside in ATW; their reconciliation scene in SR; their near kiss in Stone Cold and a moment from the teaser.

RETURN to CLOSE UP of XANDER’s face, still pained and confused.

FOCUS in on: XANDER’S hand, we see it open and the amulet drops to the floor.

PAN UP TO: XANDER’S face as the dazed look clears to understanding and he shakes his head sadly. ANYA’S eyes focus on the dropped amulet.

XANDER
I wish this could end on a happy, but it won’t - it can’t.
I could never be at peace knowing I killed my best
friend and left Buffy alone like that. I loved you - truly I
did - but it wasn’t enough and I knew that. I made
mistakes and hurt you when I never meant to. I was
just trying to...to set things right, but this won’t make it
right, only horribly, horribly wrong...I mean, God, I loved
you, Anya, so much, but I love Will and I love Buffy...but
that’s the problem here. This isn’t about love anymore.
Love didn’t bring me to this - guilt did. And I’m not gonna
let it win.

ANYA grabs XANDER and tries to kiss him, to charm him back into her control. XANDER grabs a long double-edged sword from a nearby shelf. ANYA rapidly backs away and bumps into WILLOW. XANDER raises the sword.

ANYA
It’s not too late, Xander. Just kill her quickly and we’ll
forget this ever happened.

WILLOW
Umm... how about you kill her instead.

ANYA
[in a deeper than ANYA voice]
You shut up!
[she smiles at XANDER]
It’s okay, my love. I know you can’t kill me...

XANDER swings the sword towards ANYA, who ducks. CLOSE UP: blade cuts throw rope that binds WILLOW’S hands.


Scene: Cemetery, [Ext.] Night.

DAWN
You’re wrong about Buffy, and about me. I’m not her
weakness or any type of bait in a trap you think you’re
gonna set for her.

We see SARIA takes a step closer to her. CLOSE UP on DAWN moving into a fighting stance - right foot back, arms raised, fists balled.

DAWN
(continued)
Also not waiting for Buffy to bail me out.

CUT to SARIA, smiling broadly. Suddenly her head flicks to the side as a dark figure flies into frame and tackles SARIA to the ground. She snarls, game face on.

FLASH to DAWN as her mouth drops. We see the dark figure is SPIKE.

SPIKE
[growls]
Go, Dawn, go!

SWITCH to DAWN, who shakes her head. Camera pans out as SARIA tosses SPIKE off her and leaps to effortlessly to her feet. We see SARIA is no longer smiling instead she has a strange sad look on her face.

As SPIKE gets to his feet, we see SARIA back into the shadows and disappear. In SARIA’S wake, a figure is running towards SPIKE and DAWN. As it nears, we see it’s BUFFY. Camera focuses on BUFFY and DAWN.

DAWN
Where is she?

SPIKE
[O.S.]
Don’t know. She ran off.

BUFFY
Oh my god, Dawn, are you okay?

DAWN nods as BUFFY gives her quick hug.

BUFFY
(continued)
Good. Good. I’ve been looking for you - Willow called,
but the line went dead before she could say anything.
I’ve tried calling her back but there’s no answer.
Something’s definitely up - we need to hurry before
it’s too late.

Camera pulls back as we see SPIKE standing next to tombstone. BUFFY turns to SPIKE.

BUFFY
(Continued)
[hesitantly]
Spike, thank -

SPIKE
[snarls]
Stuff the pleasantries, Slayer. Stay away from me and
take the Nibblet with you. Make sure she stays away
this time. Goes for the rest of you as well.

CUT to DAWN’S face - hurt and confused by SPIKE’S words. BUFFY puts a comforting arm under DAWN and leads her away. As they go, we see BUFFY toss a hurtful glare back at SPIKE.

Camera swings over to the far right by a large overgrowth of trees and shrubs. In the shadows, SARIA watches - tears streaming down her face.

SWITCH to: SPIKE as he stares after BUFFY and DAWN. SPIKE also has a lost, almost sad expression on his face.

Scene: Magic Box [Int.], Night.
WILLOW rubs her wrists as she undoes the ropes. XANDER puts down the sword.

ANYA
You think you’ve won, haven’t you? Just because you
won’t love me enough to help me doesn’t mean that -

ANYA morphs into TARA and walks over to a stunned WILLOW, wrapping her arms around her.

TARA
I can’t have you, Willow. You, you love me - right? I
know you do,. You’re my Willow, my Willow, you’d
never forget me, never leave me trapped here. Love me
please, baby. Let US be happy for a change.
We can make all our dreams come true. Forever. Come
on, baby, you can do it - we all know what you’re
capable of. The d-darkness. Evil. I know I didn’t support
you before but I’ve learned so much. You were right
about the power - I didn’t have it and I wound up here.
But you can save me. It’s still waiting there for you to
grasp - this time no one will come between us. Just kill
him and we can be together always, like it’s supposed
to be. It’s so easy.

WILLOW stares in complete horror at the apparition in front of her. WILLOW eyes XANDER, who is beside himself as well. WILLOW shakes her head as the realization sinks in.

WILLOW
You’re not Tara. Or Anya. You’re something else,
something horrible...but you need us. You need one of
us dead, but you can’t do it. You can’t kill us. You have
to turn one of us against the other. Well, hate to break
it to ya but it ain’t gonna work. We got your number
now.
[looks to Xander triumphantly]
Don’t you see? It can’t harm us!

WILLOW disentangles herself from the embrace and struts over to XANDER. TARA shifts back into a very pissed off ANYA. However, now she is more shimmering and ghost-like. With a piercing screech, the monster rushes forward and forcibly knocks XANDER and WILLOW back into the debris that had once been bookshelves. It is a crushing blow. XANDER and WILLOW both grimace as they try to sit up and regroup.

WILLOW
Okay, my bad. That was very...harmful.

XANDER
You’re hurt?

WILLOW
Only my pride…and a few other parts. I’m okay.

XANDER
What now?

The monster eyes them pensively from the other side.

CLOSE UP: The red half of the talisman that XANDER dropped, close to ANYA’S feet, then pan across the room to the white half of the talisman, half hidden.

XANDER
She did not want me putting those to things together
before.

WILLOW
You think...?

XANDER
I think.

WILLOW and XANDER look at each other. WILLOW darts her eyes to the across the floor, than throws XANDER a smile.

WILLOW
[quickly whispers]
Okay. I distract, you grab.

XANDER
Gotcha.

WILLOW
[jumps up and shouts]
Hey, no need to get rough - geesh. So…all I gotta do
is kill the lousy mortal...guy...and we’re home free,
right? Cause I do like the killin’, you were one hundred
percent right about me, that way, with the lust for...for
blood and ok.

The monster morphs into its earlier status - ANYA, with a more human like form. It approaches WILLOW, moving away from he red half as XANDER slides across the floor to where the white half of the talisman is. He grabs it and crawls behind ANYA,.

ANYA
Now this is more like it.
[coldly]
Do it, and whatever your heart desire’s is yours.
[suddenly realizing]
Where is he?

CUT TO: XANDER picking up the red half. SWITCH BACK: ANYA senses his intentions and turns around.

ANYA
[in her deep, not ANYA voice]
No! stupid mortal, what are you doing?
[in her ANYA voice, frantic]
No! Don’t do that, please. It will kill me. You can’t kill
me. You don’t wanna kill me.

XANDER stands to face ANYA, holds up both halves of the talisman.

XANDER
It’s been real. But I think, it’s time to move on.

CLOSE-UP: XANDER’S hands. In slow motion, we see him bring the second half of the talisman towards the first.

A quick cut to an stunned ANYA as we see her mouth silently say ‘no!’.

Return to CLOSE-UP: the second talisman crashes into the first, and energy begins to crackle.

Quick to ANYA: rapidly dissolves into a mystical green glowing glob of energy we saw initially as the vapors dissipate - an unearthly high-pitched scream roars. Quick cut: WILLOW covers her ears.

SWITCH to: XANDER grimaces as the talisman, now whole again, shakes violently and floats out of his hands.

CLOSE-UP: flashes of red and white lights shoot out of the talisman. It flashes and winks out of existence, as we:

PAN DOWN: XANDER falls to his knees, closing his eyes and gasping for breath.

QUICK CUT: BUFFY and DAWN bursting into the Magic Box and running towards the center.

FLASH TO: WILLOW going towards XANDER as well.

LAST SHOT: From above, XANDER is frozen, tears on his face, as WILLOW, BUFFY and DAWN encircle him - wrapping their arms around him in a big Scooby hug.

DISSOLVE TO:


Scene: Magic Box [Ext.], Day.
FOCUS is on: XANDER and BUFFY sitting side by side on the step in the front of the store. Each has a large brown styrofoam cup of coffee in their hands. Both are watching the people pass by as they reflect on the latest events.

BUFFY
So, you called Giles?

XANDER
[nodding]
Yeah, finally got a hold of him last night.

BUFFY
Came through with the knowledge, I take it.

XANDER
With flying Watchery colors, yes. Get this, that
talisman? Well, it’s a vessel for some type of demonic
genie things - real sadistic ones - unfortunately the
name escapes me at the moment. Breaking it
in half being the equivalent of rubbing the lamp.

BUFFY
But rather than wearing the skimpy harem outfit and
peeling many grapes...

XANDER
You get the granting the person who splits the thing
his heart’s desire...in exchange for committing acts
of death and destruction. Giles swears it was an error
in shipping. He said Anya planned to send the damn
thing back but, to quote Mister Obvious, er, um,
apparently she hadn’t gotten around to it.

BUFFY
Mmmm-hmmm. But it’s for sure gone. Right?

XANDER
So says the man who should know.

BUFFY
And you...how are you doing?

XANDER
Better. In an odd way...this whole thing helped give me
some closure about what happened with Anya. While
at the same time being of course utterly traumatizing.

He sips his coffee as BUFFY nods sagely.

BUFFY
The Hellmouth special.

XANDER
[turns serious]
But the worst thing is…I can’t believe I almost - I
almost killed Will. I mean she’s been great about it,
because she said after you tried to kill us all when you
were out of it and she tried to destroy the world last
year, I was due. But that really doesn’t make it okay. I
let the guilt get the best of me. I refused to let myself
believe I could live without Anya.

BUFFY
[nods in agreement]
It’s not so hard really - shunning the truth, embracing
the pain. Wishing only to turn back the clock and maybe
finding a way to undo the event, no matter what the cost
might be. I remember when Angel left - I saw my whole
existence crumble. I never thought I would love any one
ever again. But I did. When mom died, I felt for sure the
world would end. It didn’t. None of us thought we’d be
able to stand on our own without Giles. But we did.
Through all the darkest times the Hellmouth has thrown
at us, we’ve survived - thanks in large part to all of us
pulling together.

XANDER
You are truly a wise woman.

BUFFY
Hey, trying to inject a little seriousness here.
Something’s coming - something major. I think...this is
gonna be something hard. It’s gonna try and tear us
apart. I need everyone on board...
[she touches his cheek tenderly]
Especially you. I can’t get through this without you.

XANDER
Okay, okay, I promise - no more ditching of the
research parties. I got it. Don’t worry, Buff, we will get
through this.

BUFFY
Together.

XANDER
There’s another way?

Each share a brief smile and nod. XANDER shakes his head, sighs, and stands up. Tossing the empty coffee cup into the nearest trashcan and than turns to face the store. BUFFY stands up as well.

BUFFY
So, you really think you’re ready for this? I know it’s a big step.

XANDER
Yeah.

BUFFY
No rule it has to be today.

XANDER
[thoughtfully]
I know.

XANDER and BUFFY both stare at the shop for a long moment. A wind kicks up, and we can very faintly hear ANYA laughing. XANDER nods to himself.

XANDER
(continued)
I'd like it to be today.

BUFFY
[gently]
Are you sure?

XANDER
[nods]
More than anything else in my life.

BUFFY smiles, than leans over to XANDER and kisses him. XANDER blushes a bit. BUFFY exits to the left, walking down Main Street. Camera pans out: we see XANDER climb a step ladder and begin to unscrew the ‘MAGIC BOX’ sign.

FADE OUT.

END CREDITS.

GRR. ARRGH.