SPIKE
This isn't the way it's supposed to be.
It's the chip. Steel and wires and silicon.
It won't let me be a monster. And I can't
be a man. I'm nothing.

Season VI: Grave

DEMON
Your soul is returned to you.

Season VII: Dissonant
SPIKE tries to talk to BUFFY in the cemetery.

SPIKE
[Calls after her]
You trusted Angel.
[Pause]
Was it because he had a soul?

BUFFY
Please. Soul has nothing to do with it.
Warren had a soul... Willow has a soul...
and look at what they did. Trust is earned,
and you don't get bonus points for souls.

Season VII: Unreality
XANDER beats up D'HOFFRYN - the Magic Box burns

XANDER
Bring her back.
[to BUFFY]
Anya's gone.

Season VII: Ashes to Ashes
WILLOW looks at the deeds to the 'Magic Box' which have been put in XANDER's name

WILLOW
You're leaving? When?

Cut to GILES on the plane, looking out of the window.

GILES
[Voice-Over]
As soon as Anya's service is over.
[continued]
And I don't want the others to know.

WILLOW
[Voice-Over]
And for how long are you planning on
going for?

GILES
[Voice-Over]
Indefinitely.

Season VII: The Box

XANDER
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.

BUFFY
Well, then you can do something else. You can
change it, make it something else. Something
Xandery.

XANDER
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.

Quick shots of XANDER and WILLOW fighting the evil 'ANYA' and the group hug afterward.

BUFFY
[Voice-Over]
Are you sure you're ready?

XANDER
[Voice-Over]
More anything else in my life.

BUFFY smiles, than leans over to XANDER and kisses him. XANDER climbs a step ladder and begin to unscrew the 'MAGIC BOX' sign.

Season VII: Stone Cold

FEMALE VAMPIRE
With the slayer gone the Mother can arise.

BUFFY
All this... for your mother?

Season VII: Ashes to Ashes

BUFFY
Hey… bitch!

SARIA turns around to face BUFFY

BUFFY
[Realising]
I know you…

Season VII: Ashes to Ashes
The scene is of SARIA killing the vampires in THE MOTHER's lair; We hear a Voice-Over:

BUFFY
[Voice-Over]
She was a Slayer. She's been appearing in my
nightmares. She's so confused. Her vampiric
nature drives her lust for death but there is still a
Slayer inside. She hates vampires so much. She
hates what she has become. But wants revenge.
It is what drives her.

Season VII: Ashes to Ashes
DAWN bolts upright while gasping for breath; She has been sweating and she is kinda pale.

DAWN
[Voice-Over]
Her name is Saria.
[continued]
She was a Slayer.
[continued]
I just FEEL it.

Season VII: The Box
DAWN tosses her book 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.

Season VII: Ashes to Ashes
The camera makes a squealing noise as it pans backwards to reveal a very disturbing scene: bodies drained of life and mutilated corpses lay around the building.

SPIKE falls to his knees and the camera focuses on the reflection of the scene around him that can be seen in his eyes.

And then we see SPIKE on the floor in utter distress. He is completely shocked and disturbed by the scene before him.

SPIKE
[Quietly]
No!
[Pause]
God no!

Season VII: The Box
DAWN faces SARIA in the graveyard

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.

SPIKE tackles DAWN

SPIKE
[growls]
Go, Dawn, go!

BUFFY
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.

DAWN'S face - hurt and confused by SPIKE'S words.

SPIKE stares after BUFFY and DAWN, a lost, sad expression on his face.

TEASER

Scene: Forest [Ext.], Night -

SUBTITLE: INDIA, 1020 AD
Over an establishing shot of the quiet woods. The pristine stillness is shattered by the sounds of two people running through the forest, with a girl efficiently running them down.

CLOSEUPS of their feet, running, then CLOSEUP of the girl's face. It is SARIA, the Slayer of her time. She reaches a clearing and stops, only panting slightly, stake at the ready.

A shot from SARIA's POV scans the clearing. It is empty; those she was chasing seem to have disappeared.

Shot of SARIA listening, then a soft shoop sound. She reaches out her hand and plucks something out of it faster than the eye can see, then looks down and opens her fist. EXTREME CLOSEUP of the crude poisoned dart before she looks up into the eyes of a MALE VAMPIRE in game face standing only a foot away. Behind his shoulder is a FEMALE VAMPIRE. Her face is obscured by a shroud covering all but her eyes. Both are primitively dressed in animal skins, and while her face is hidden, there is something more primitive about his features. We get the feeling these are very old vampires.

They stare at each other for a beat, then MALE VAMPIRE cries out and attacks SARIA. The fight is lightening fast and occurs in near silence after that one cry, only the sounds of SARIA's breathing and their grunts and blows are heard. SARIA meets his attack and knocks him to the ground, but the FEMALE VAMPIRE quickly engages her. They continue to hit each other with blows so fast they are a blur.

SARIA spins from her opponent's grasp and fells her, raising her stake only to have it knocked from her hand by a powerful blow from the other vampire. She tries to turn, but he grabs her from behind. SARIA tries to flip her body up to break his grip, but he's too strong. The MALE VAMPIRE's teeth brush her throat...

...and another vampire drops from the trees and pulls him off of SARIA. The new vamp backhands MALE VAMPIRE as SARIA drops to her knees, gasping, and in game face stakes the MALE VAMPIRE. The FEMALE VAMPIRE screams. She leaps to her feet, as does SARIA. The two women stare each other down until the other vampire - AMAR - rests his hands on the Slayer's shoulders.

AMAR
[to FEMALE VAMPIRE]
Go. Or join your lover in hell right now.

FEMALE VAMPIRE gives them one more hateful look before running back into the forest.

SARIA
I shouldn't let her get away...it is my duty...

AMAR slips into his human face as he turns SARIA to face him.

AMAR
Saria...

SARIA
Amar...I...oh love...

The two begin to kiss passionately.

Scene: Vampire Lair [Int.], Night
SARIA sits up, awakening from a dream. She fingers something around her neck - a strange necklace - then she arises, prowling around the room. Suddenly she stops, senses alert.

SARIA
It's here. Here.

She kicks aside some soot and dust and uncovers the snake symbol still visible on the ground.

SARIA
Yes. I can feel you.

SARIA smiles, not a nice smile at all...

Scene: Summers' House, Buffy's Bedroom [Int.], Night
BUFFY sits up suddenly, waking from a nightmare...

Scene IV: Dawn's Bedroom [Int.], Night.

DAWN sits up as well, drenched in sweat.

DAWN
No!

BLACK OUT

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: Summers' House, Kitchen [Int.], Morning
BUFFY enters, yawning, and sees XANDER cheerfully flipping pancakes and eggs while WILLOW mixes batter. DAWN is sitting there watching them with half-closed sleepy eyes.

XANDER
Hey! There you are! Good morning starshine!

BUFFY
[mumbling]
Morning.

XANDER
Whoa! Tone down the cheer there, Buff.

BUFFY moves to sit next to DAWN at the counter as XANDER dramatically flips a pancake. WILLOW applauds while the two Summers women yawn. XANDER gives BUFFY a pointed look and she smiles, shamed.

BUFFY
Sorry, Xan. Not quite awake yet.
[realising]
What are you doing here so early...and cooking?

XANDER
[mock serious]
You noticed. Damn those Slayer powers of
observation.

WILLOW
[cheerfully]
We're playing diner.

XANDER
Sadly without the nifty bell.

WILLOW
Or order pads...oh! Or that little turny clippy thing.

WILLOW mimics spinning a check wheel while BUFFY stares at her like she's insane. Crestfallen, she puts her hands down as XANDER continues. DAWN is staring into space, not really paying attention now.

XANDER
But we must make do.

WILLOW
Even more sadly without any actual orders...Dawn, do
you know what you want yet?

DAWN says nothing. WILLOW gently pats her arm.

DAWN
Huh?

WILLOW
You okay, sweetie?

BUFFY stands and goes to the other side to pour herself a cup of coffee.

DAWN
Yeah...I just...I don't know. It all smells so...great.

WILLOW smiles at her.

WILLOW
No rush, sleepy-head.

XANDER
Yeah, the cook is gonna be around all day. I'm taking
a break for a day from the cleaning up at that
still-to-be-renamed currently-burned-out-hull of a
shop of mine...because there's only so much of that
a guy can handle. Anything you ladies need help with
around here?

BUFFY takes in the mess that is the kitchen.

BUFFY
[dryly]
Ummm...clean up? We'll be needing some help there.

XANDER
Was that a mocking dig of some sort? You know,
you should never mock the cook. He might spit in your
food.

WILLOW
[stricken]
Really? Can I take back that thing about the lumpy
batter from before?

XANDER
You're safe, Will. It's the two sourpuss Summers I'm
trying to reach here. Ladies, it's a beautiful
morning, the sun is shining, birds are singing, look! No
apocalypse, and we have waffles. There should be
much rejoicing. So what gives?

BUFFY
I'm sorry...didn't get a lot of sleep last night...too many
dreams.

WILLOW
Good dreams or bad dreams?

BUFFY
I think...maybe Slayer dreams.

This gets the full attention of all three of them. DAWN in particular seems disturbed.

DAWN
Slayer dreams? Something bad is coming?

BUFFY
No...well, I don't know...I think something bad is
already here. I dreamed about Saria.

WILLOW
Saria? What was she doing?

XANDER
And was she naked doing it?

All stop to glare at XANDER, who shakes his head.

XANDER
Admit it, you would have been disappointed if I hadn't
said that.
[at their silence]
I'll take that as a yes…anyone want blueberries in
their pancakes?

WILLOW
[excited]
We have blueberries?
[off BUFFY's look]
Sorry...focused now. Dream recap time. What was
Saria up to?

As BUFFY describes her dream, we get a CLOSEUP of DAWN's face, pale and shocked, intercut with dreamlike flashes of what BUFFY is describing - basically SARIA in the Vamp Lair from the TEASER.

BUFFY
[Voice-Over]
I'm not really sure, actually. She was someplace
dark, real dirty...I couldn't really see it very clearly, but
I definitely saw her looking around for something...she
started brushing the dirt off of a spot on the floor and
presto, our vamp cult snake symbol thingy was drawn
there. Then it got real creepy...

XANDER
[Voice-Over]
Okay, that part wasn't creepy?

WILLOW
[Voice-Over]
Xander! Buffy, go on...

BACK TO the wider shot of all four of them. DAWN looks almost ready to faint.

BUFFY
It felt like she was looking right at me and she said...

Dialogue here overlaps

SARIA
[Voice-Over]
I can...

DAWN
[whispering]
…I can feel you...

BUFFY
…I can feel you.

DAWN pushes away from the counter, and WILLOW looks at her in concern.

WILLOW
Dawnie?

BUFFY
Hey...are you alright?

DAWN
[not at all convincing]
Yeah.

WILLOW
You sure? You're all pale.

XANDER
You want some waffles?

DAWN stares at the plate for a moment then runs from the room. BUFFY and WILLOW both glare at XANDER.

XANDER
(continued)
What? What did I do?

BUFFY
[really worried]
Dawn?

DAWN
[Voice-Over]
I'm okay...I'll be right back.

WILLOW
What just happened?

XANDER
[defensively]
They're good waffles!

BUFFY
I think...Dawn's little meet and greet with Saria a few
nights ago has her more shaken up than she likes to
admit. Shades of Glory, you know?

XANDER
[still defensive]
Not frightening in any way...unless you've got some
kind of waffle-phobia, but Dawn usually won't leggo,
so, no.

WILLOW
Oh...I get where the Saria thing was way scary.

XANDER
[still defensive]
I mean, she didn't even try them!

BUFFY
It's not the waffles, Xander!

XANDER holds the plate out to her meaningfully.

WILLOW
[sotto voce, to BUFFY]
Don't insult the cook, remember?

BUFFY
[fake smile]
Waffles would be great...
[back to serious mode]
It was more than the Saria thing. Spike saved her life
one minute, then was screaming at me to get her away
the next. He's rapidly turning into Issues Boy.

XANDER
Yeah, cause he was Joe Sane...

BUFFY's pleading look makes him take a bite of waffle in a defeated, shutting-up-now fashion. BUFFY sighs.

BUFFY
So, we do the breakfast thing. Then we've gotta get
back on top of this. I've got to find this vampire...
Slayer...whatever.

WILLOW
Saria. Have there been any more signs of her? In
person signs, not dream signs.

BUFFY
Not a one. It's like she dropped off the planet, but no
way I'd ever be that lucky. Gotta find her, though.
Whatever she's up to, I'm gonna stop it.
[reluctantly]
I'm gonna go have a chat with Spike. See if he's got
any intel about her.

XANDER frowns. As he's opening his mouth to protest, WILLOW hastily cuts in.

WILLOW
Well, while you're doing that, Xander and I will dig
back into the research. See what else we can find
out about Saria's history.

BUFFY
Great. Thanks. There's just gotta be something,
right? A vamp that old, one that used to be a Slayer...
we've just been missing it somehow.

Scene: Summers' House, Living Room [Int.], Day
A shot of the book lying half under the sofa from The Box, open to the drawing of SARIA and AMAR.

WILLOW
[Voice-Over]
We'll find it.

XANDER
[Voice-Over]
What about Dawn?

We CUT TO:

Scene: Summers' House, Dawn's Bedroom [Int.], Day.
DAWN is sitting on her bed, holding her journal, still closed, on her lap. She looks lost and frightened.

BUFFY
[Voice-Over]
I don't know how to help. I wish she'd talk to us about
what she's feeling.

As DAWN opens her journal with trembling hands we zoom in on the page and see a painstaking drawing of the cult's snake-infinity symbol, along with the word 'why?' written repeatedly.

DAWN
[whispering]
Why?

Scene: Forest [Ext.], Night.
We see SARIA and AMAR walking hand in hand.

DAWN
[Voice-Over]
Why is she doing this? What does she want?

SARIA and her lover reach the entrance of a small simple square dwelling, and he pulls her into his arms for a passionate kiss.

SARIA
[giggling]
Amar! Not here! My father...my mother!

AMAR
Your mother has accepted me. She invited me into
your home, remember?

SARIA
She said she'd stake you if you sullied me,
remember?

AMAR
Yes, I do remember that. As I well remember the
sullying...

They kiss again, but SARIA pulls away quickly.

SARIA
Stop!

AMAR
[teasing]
Fine. So long as I might sully you later.

SARIA
I amuse you now, is that it?

AMAR
Indeed...I only wish you were amusing me, my
love.

SARIA
I know. But you do understand. I mustn't dishonor
them. I've upset them enough as it is...just with what I
am.

She steps away, troubled, and AMAR wraps his arms around her from behind lovingly.

AMAR
Saria...your family is proud of you. Being called as the
Slayer...

SARIA
Is not what they would have wished. No one ever
wants this for their daughter, their sister.

AMAR
Saria...

SARIA
I am just a girl, Amar. I'm supposed to help my mother
with the cooking, and learn to sew, and how to be a
good wife. At night I'm supposed to sit with my father
as he names the stars, not go off into the night to...

AMAR
[sadly]
Slay vampires...or fall in love with vampires...how you
must resent me...

SARIA
Amar, no. I don't regret falling in love with you. I never
have. I never could.

AMAR
You're so young, my love...you've handled everything
so well, sometimes I forget how young. Sooner or later,
there is always some regret.

SARIA
There won't be. I swear on my soul I'll never stop
loving you.
[doubtfully]
You really think they're proud of me?

AMAR
I will let them tell you themselves.

They enter...

Scene: Saria's Family Home [Int.], Night
...into a nightmare. Blood is smeared on the walls, and there are bodies, five in all: SARIA's mother and father, plus two brothers and a sister, all young teens. AMAR automatically reverts to his game face as SARIA screams.

SARIA
Mother! No!

She falls to her knees before the closest body. As she lifts her mother's lifeless shoulders helplessly, AMAR scans the room. He crouches beside SARIA solemnly, his face human once more.

AMAR
I'm so sorry.

SARIA
(continued)
Mother!
[hollow]
I was supposed to protect them...

AMAR
[gesturing]
Look!

CLOSEUP of the vampire cult's snake symbol drawn on the walls in blood. SARIA's mouth twists into a snarl.

SARIA
Her suffering will know no end.

She stands, grabbing a weapon.

AMAR
Wait, I will join you. She is too dangerous for you to
face alone.

SARIA
No, Amar. It will be day soon. And I need you to...to...

She looks back at her mother, too horrified to speak. AMAR knows what she needs. Seeing her close to tears, AMAR tenderly kisses her forehead.

AMAR
I will take care of it. They will not rise, I promise you.

SARIA
Thank you. I...I have to go.

AMAR
I wish you would wait for me.

SARIA
[cold fury]
No. No more waiting. She has to pay for this.

AMAR
You must keep your head, my love. You know how-

SARIA
I don't care how old and powerful she is. She's a
vampire, and I'm the Slayer. Time she found out
just what that means.

AMAR
You have no idea where she is. You can't sense her
like other vampires, she's different.

SARIA
She's nearby.

AMAR
You can't-

SARIA
[bitterly]
She wants to see my pain.
[softening]
I'll be back.

SARIA exits. AMAR crosses to the symbol and reaching out, traces it with his finger thoughtfully.

AMAR
[to himself]
Be careful. Do not underestimate her. You can never
understand the hold she has on you.

AMAR sighs, turning away from the symbol and looking at the bodies. He approaches, the smell of blood making his game face slip back on.

AMAR
Such a waste...

He lifts the body of one of SARIA's brothers, baring the torn neck to himself, then drops him, composing himself. With effort he returns to his human face, gazing down at them solemnly.

AMAR
I am sorry. Please know what I do now, I do to honor
you, the family of my beloved.

He looks around for a weapon, spying an axe in the corner. As he goes to get it, we see something move in the shadow, eyes following him: the FEMALE VAMPIRE.

BLACKOUT

ACT II

Scene: Spike's Crypt [Int.], Day
SPIKE is sitting facing the television, staring at it, when BUFFY enters without knocking. He ignores her.

BUFFY
Spike, I need information. What have you heard...you
realise that's not on, right?
[no answer]
Ohh-kay. If you keep acting like a fruitcake, I think I
owe you a stake just for-

SPIKE
[faintly, still staring at the television]
Go away.

BUFFY
That's better. But no. Not until you tell me what you
know about Saria.
[a beat, then]
I knew that wouldn't work, Will.
[deep breath, then]
You know, the vamp chick that used to be a Slayer,
she's really old and her hair is way outta style and
she's from India and she used to be in love with
a...anyway, she was messing with Dawn a few
nights ago, which I know you remember, being that
you were playing Rescue Ranger at the time.
[she pauses - no reaction]
Look, Spike, I don't wanna ask you for help right now
any more than you want to give it, but I gotta find this
girl. She's definitely got an agenda, possibly a big bad
wannabe...and there's some tie-in with our favorite
neighborhood tattooed snakey cult. The one's that hurt
Dawn before. So I think you can understand that it's
beyond important I know what she's up to.
[a couple beats]
You must have heard something. You've always
heard something.
[several beats later, off his lack of response]
This is getting really old. I don't get you. You're
being so...petty. You're mad at me so you're gonna
let Dawn suffer for it.

SPIKE looks at her for the first time, the last words she spoke registering.

SPIKE
Something's wrong with Dawn?

SPIKE gets to his feet, and BUFFY shakes her head at him.

BUFFY
[irritated]
What? Duh. Saria scared her...you saw. She's okay,
she's just freaked. The bitch really got to her...I'm
gonna make sure it never happens again.
[a beat, then]
But since we're near the subject...you've been getting
your freaky on a bit to much around her lately. She's
really hurt, the way you brushed her off.

A brief flash of sorrow, then SPIKE's lip curls angrily.

SPIKE
So you'd better keep her away from me then, 'less
you want her to get hurt some more.

BUFFY throws up her hands angrily and begins pacing.

BUFFY
You don't think I want that? It's not what Dawn wants.
She's not a little kid anymore, she's making choices
on her own, whether I like it or not. And she wants
you to be a part of her life, which wouldn't be my
choice, but at least I know you care about her. All I'm
saying is don't hurt her.

SPIKE starts to laugh, just a snicker at first, then full-blown hysteria.

SPIKE
[still laughing]
That's rich. 'Don't hurt her.'
[abruptly stops laughing]
Sod off.

He turns his back on her, moving away to a darker corner of the crypt. BUFFY stares at him, shocked.

BUFFY
That's it? That's all you've got?

SPIKE
Don't come back here again. There's nothing here for
you or yours. No help, no hints, no bleedin' whatever
you think you come here for. Understand me?

BUFFY
The one thing I can say for sure I don't is understand
you.

SPIKE turns back to her, his face still in shadows.

SPIKE
You don't have to. Just let me be. You and the Bit,
just...don't come here.

BUFFY
[angrily]
Fine. Have fun with the brooding.

She turns and heads for the door, but freezes and turns back when he speaks again.

SPIKE
[pained, through clenched teeth]
I will hurt her. Make her see that.

BUFFY
You know, if I thought for a second that you actually
might...could...hurt Dawn, there's no place on this
earth you could hide that would keep me from staking
you. Soul or no soul.

SPIKE's shoulders sink as she leaves, and…

Scene: Spike's Crypt [Ext.], Day
…BUFFY bumps into CLEM right outside the crypt. The demon is carrying a bag of groceries that he nearly drops in surprise.

CLEM
Whoa!

BUFFY grabs hold and steadies the bag.

BUFFY
Here…here you go...

CLEM
Thanks…almost lost it there.

BUFFY
Is that…?

CLEM
Butcher's blood and...
[shaking the bag]
...yummy goldfish crackers. I'm trying to get Spike to
eat something. Thought he might like biting their little
heads off.

BUFFY
[frowning]
Spike's not eating?

CLEM
He's been real moody. I mean, not that he's ever
been what you would call cheerful...

BUFFY
[dryly]
I've noticed.

CLEM
But I've never seen him like this. I think he's
depressed. He hasn't left his crypt hardly at all...not
since he saved your sis. Frankly, I've been a little
worried. Spike's not the hermit type.

BUFFY
Gotta say yeah there. So what's up with him?

CLEM
[embarrassed]
I'm not sure I should be talking to you about this, I
mean, you have a history and I really like you, for a
Slayer I think you're swell and I don't want to offend-

BUFFY
Clem. Really. It's okay.
[not surprised]
You think this new mood of his is about me?

CLEM
Sure, you. Your sis. Coming back to town. He's had a lot
of adjusting to do, and he's not doing all of it as well as
he...well, anyway, I'm taking him out to the Bronze
when the sun sets. Gonna try to cheer him up.
[hesitation, then with concern]
I hope you don't mind me asking, but are you okay?
You look a little...tired.

BUFFY smiles at his concern. CLEM looks relieved that she's not uset with him.

BUFFY
I'm okay, but you're right about the tired. In fact I think
I'm gonna go home and try to catch some quality
REM, as long as nothing's going on.

CLEM gives her a comforting pat on the shoulder.

CUT TO:

Scene: Summers' House, Living Room [Int.], Day
WILLOW and XANDER are sitting together on the sofa, quiet and grave, while BUFFY looks down at them.

BUFFY
So what's going on?

WILLOW and XANDER exchange guilty looks.

BUFFY
(continued)
Come on, spill. Tired, cranky, impatient Slayer,
remember?

WILLOW
We found something. More of Saria's history. Her
whole family was slaughtered by vampires, and...

She hands BUFFY the book. BUFFY stares at the picture, not understanding at first.

BUFFY
That's her? What is she doing with that- oh my God!

She looks back at her friends in shock. WILLOW and XANDER both nod.

XANDER
Looks like you and she might have something more in
common than just the union dues.

WILLOW
We don't know a whole lot about her vamp, um, friend.

BUFFY
What we do know is...?

WILLOW
(continued)
His name was Amar, according to this account at least.
And he and Saria, they were definitely...you know.

XANDER
[pointed, a bit angry]
Oh, she knows.

WILLOW elbows him hard.

CLOSEUP of BUFFY's reaction: she's hurt, closed off.

WILLOW
Xander!

XANDER
Hey...oww!

BUFFY
It's okay, Will.
[to XANDER, tightly]
Something you want to say?

XANDER holds up his hands in a placating gesture.

XANDER
[sincerely]
Sorry. I...sorry.

BUFFY nods at him, but her expression is still a bit hurt. He looks away, slumping on the couch.

BUFFY
[evenly, to WILLOW]
Did he destroy her family?

WILLOW
According to what I read, it doesn't seem like it, but
it's hard to be sure.

BUFFY hugs herself, obviously troubled.

BUFFY
Is he the vamp that turned her?

WILLOW
There just aren't a lot of details...just that his name
was Amar, that he apparently fought at the Slayer's
side and from all accounts...

BUFFY
Will, what?

WILLOW
He loved her.
[pointedly, to XANDER]
Which is why I say he didn't slaughter her family.

XANDER
[looking at BUFFY]
Not necessarily, Will. To a vampire, slaughtering a
girl's family's regular hearts-and-flowers stuff. The
very best way to show you care.

WILLOW elbows him again, more gently, but he raises a defiant eyebrow at her before looking meaningfully at BUFFY. She eyes him sharply, then sighs.

BUFFY
Didn't you say her lover was killed by The
Mother?

WILLOW
I did. That's what we were able to turn up
originally, after Dawnie's vision.

BUFFY
So which time did she kill him?

WILLOW
Huh?

BUFFY
Was it The Mother that vamped him, or did
she slay him?

WILLOW
I'm not sure…

BUFFY
Did he...have a soul?

WILLOW shrugs, looking frustrated.

WILLOW
I'm sorry I keep making with the noncommittal, but
there just isn't more info here. We'll keep looking.

BUFFY
Good. I want to get into this vamp's head so I can
get her out of mine...and speaking of current
mysteries, any recent Dawn sightings?

XANDER
Nary the one.

WILLOW
I looked in on her a little while ago. She was napping.

BUFFY
Oh. Good. I mean, that's good, right?

XANDER
Napping is always good. And she seemed like she
could use the rest earlier.

BUFFY
She's not the only one. I'm gonna catch a few before
sunset, okay, guys?

WILLOW
Of course. We'll take care of dinner, and...anything
else that comes up.

XANDER
Unless there's an apocalypse, then we're definitely
waking you.

BUFFY
[like she didn't really hear him]
Okay. You're the best, guys.

BUFFY heads up the stairs as WILLOW and XANDER exchange worried looks.

XANDER
Any complaints if I call for a pre-emptive wigging out
here?

WILLOW
No...well, yes. We can't do that, Xander. Buffy needs
us to figure this thing out and help her stop this
Saria...thing...

Scene: Summers' House, Dawn's Bathroom [Int.], Day
DAWN is in the shower.

CLOSEUP of DAWN's face - she's crying.

WILLOW
[Voice-Over]
...before anyone else gets hurt.

DAWN angrily shuts the water off and wraps a towel around herself. She quickly changes into her bathrobe and wraps the towel around her head.

DAWN
I'm not going crazy. I'm not. I'm not having Slayer
dreams...because I'm not the Slayer, and only the
Slayer does that...and okay, talking to myself in the
bathroom, not the best sanity demo ever...
[sudden decision]
I can't keep doing this...I've got to talk to somebody...
Buffy or Willow...

She makes her way to the door and suddenly staggers, grabbing her head as another vision hits her.

DAWN
Oh God!

The vision includes flashes of AMAR and SARIA making love, her slaughtered family, the snake symbol, the shrouded FEMALE VAMP and SARIA in the burned out vamp lair raising her arms.

SARIA
Slayer...I know you're out there, Slayer. Buffy
Summers... you know she's coming for you...come to
me. Come greet The Mother...

Scene: Summers' House, Dawn's Bedroom [Int.], Day
We see DAWN collapse on her bed, holding her head.

DAWN
Stop it stop it stop it...Buffy...Buffy make it stop,
please....

Scene: Summers' House, Buffy's Bedroom [Int.], Day
BUFFY sits up with a start.

BUFFY
That's it! You want me this bad, bitch? You've got me!

BUFFY stands up and puts on her jacket, looking in the mirror. She looks totally furious, but more cold and detached than we're used to seeing her. We hear SARIA laughing...
DISSOLVE TO:

Scene: Bronze [Ext.], Dusk
Quick establishing shot of the Bronze to show the sun going down. SARIA's laughing dissolves into the sounds of the crowd at the Bronze.

CUT TO:

Scene: Bronze [Int.], Night
CLOSE-UP pool table, cue ball breaks. HOOBASTANKS 'Running Away' is playing in the background.

SONG
I don't want you to give it all up
And leave your own life collecting dust
And I don't want you to feel sorry for me
You never gave us a chance to be

SPIKE
[Voice-Over]
Should have stayed in tonight.

Camera pulls back. We see game has just begun. CLEM stands back up. SPIKE stares intensely at the table, smoking cigarette.

SONG
And I don't need you to be by my side
To tell me that everything's alright
I just wanted you to tell me the truth
You know I'd do that for you

CLEM
But this is fun. With all the people. You used to like
this.

SPIKE leans in, takes a shot - misses - curses under his breath. His eyes remained focused on the table.

SONG
Why are you running away?
Why are you running away?

SPIKE
I used to like a lot of things.
[a beat, then]
Besides, I don't fancy seeing the Slayer or one of her
little pals again today.

CLEM leans in, goes for a shot - makes it. Goes to line up his next shot. SPIKE suddenly draws his attention to the back of the Bronze. A man is harassing a young woman.

SONG
Cause I did enough to show you that I
Was willing to give and sacrifice
And I was the one who was lifting you up
When you thought your life had had enough

CLEM
[not looking up]
I highly doubt that'll happen.

SONG
And when I get close, you turn away
There's nothing that I can do or say
So now I need you to tell me the truth
You know I'd do that for you

CLEM shots again, misses. Looks up to see he's alone at the table. Music fades.

SWITCH TO: A GIRL - young, maybe eighteen - dressed in jeans and a halter top. A VAMPBOY - mid-40 looking - in human face, is pressing her up against the back wall. They're in the shadows, no one pays them any attention.

GIRL
So aren't you gonna ask me how old I am?

VAMPBOY
Age is irrelevant.

They kiss.

GIRL
Hey, if you say so, I mean this is pretty kinky. You sure
it's okay back here - no one's gonna notice?

VAMPBOY
I'm hungry now, so this is where it's gotta be.

GIRL
Hungry? The food here kinda sucks now. They used to
have this really good onion thing...

VAMPBOY morphs. GIRL opens mouth to scream, but VAMPBOY gets hand swifly over mouth and pins her to the wall.

VAMPBOY
Geez, heard you Sunnydale residents were a bit dense
but I had no idea - don't you know not to follow
strangers into dark places?

SPIKE
[Voice-Over]
Not all of us, mate. Now let the girl go or you'll be
regretting your words.

VAMPBOY chuckles, remains holding the GIRL.

VAMPBOY
Hey...I know you! You're the vamp that works with the
Slayer...Look, babe, I'd like to introduce you to
Sunnydale's one and only neutered vamp, Spike.

SPIKE
I said, let the girl go.

VAMPBOY
Why, you want her? Oh, oh, wait, you can't...function.
That's really so sad. Guess you could have the
leftovers, 'mate.'

VAMPBOY leans in and bites her, but suddenly his head jerks back up and VAMPBOY has a stunned expression. Explodes into dusk. In the wake, we see SPIKE pulling back the stake.

SPIKE
Sorry, not much for second-hand jobs.

GIRL
[in shock]
Oh my…what just happened?

SPIKE
I saved…

LOUD thumping heartbeat fills the air. CLOSE UP: GIRL's neck wound. SWITCH TO: SPIKE staring at it, licking his lips. SWITCH BACK: GIRL mouthing some words, but all we hear is the THUMPING.

SWITCH TO: SPIKE vamping out. SPIKE swoops down on the GIRL.

BLACK OUT

ACT III

Scene: Bronze [Int.], Night
Pickup on the same shot, SPIKE with his fangs on the GIRL's neck. Suddenly, SPIKE jerks his head back, hands to his forehead - THUMPING fades into GIRL screaming.

SPIKE
[stumbling back]
Oh, bloody hell!

CLEM enters the scene. Sees the GIRL's wound. She weak now, barely standing up.

CLEM
Spike, hey, what's going on - you didn't?

SPIKE
[shaken]
No, 'nother bugger did - got him though. Can you see
to it that she gets some medical attention? Nasty
scratch there.

SPIKE turns to go. CLEM goes to the GIRL and scoops her up.

CLEM
Sure, what are you gonna do?

SPIKE stares at him for a long moment, utterly lost. Finally he rallies a bit of his old attitude, but it rings false.

SPIKE
I'll be back at the crypt. Watching back episodes of
Passions, I guess.

CUT TO:

Scene: Summers' House, Living Room [Int.], Night
XANDER is still leafing through a text while WILLOW cleans up from their day of research.

WILLOW
So you don't know what it's gonna be yet?

XANDER
All I know is, no magic supplies. Someone else is
gonna have to take that carpet ride. But I'm gonna
rebuild the training room in the back, dummy and all.
Whatever I end up doing with it, I want Buffy to...
everyone to feel like it's still home. Scooby Central.

WILLOW
Oh. Well, I think that's good. I liked having our
meetings out of the house...it made them feel more
official and stuff...

XANDER
Will, not to change the subject, but can I ask you
something?

WILLOW stops cleaning and sits down, picking up the seriousness in his tone.

WILLOW
Sure.

XANDER
So...this Slayer loves vampire thing...do you think it's,
you know, a thing?
[off her blank look]
Like a regular thing? Like a can't-help-it-it's-destiny-
and-therefore-completely-inevitable thing?

WILLOW
Oh. That kind of thing.

XANDER
Yeah.

WILLOW
I don't really know. I guess, before, with Angel and
Buffy, I always thought that was kind of unique.

XANDER
Yeah, but then, Spike.

WILLOW
Which was totally different, other than the both being
vampires.

XANDER
The characteristic that's kind of the point here, Will.

WILLOW
I know...I'm just saying that Saria's vampire boyfriend
maybe complicates the issue. You'd think Slayers
falling for their prey on a regular basis might show up
in the Watcher's Guide with a big neon "Look out"
sign.

XANDER
Maybe it isn't all Slayers...I mean, a lot of them didn't
last long enough to take a walk on the wild side, right?
But if it's a Slayer thing...then maybe Buffy won't ever
be happy with someone that's, you know, normal.

WILLOW
Well...maybe not. But isn't that true for all of us?

XANDER
Not following you Will. I've never had a thing for the
vampires.

WILLOW
No, you've been demon guy. Please don't make
me recite the litany of insects and mummies and
Cordelias.

XANDER
You just-

WILLOW
(interrupting)
And my relationships have been...unconventional,
right? So can't we just chock it up to Love,
Hellmouth Style? Just a little bit?

XANDER
I grant you there's a bit of truth there...but Buffy's
different. You and me, when it comes right down
to it, we're pretty much normal. Buffy's the Slayer.
She's kind of got her feet in two worlds, and
being...involved with the undead, it...

WILLOW
You think it makes her more a part of their world?

XANDER
Don't you?

WILLOW
I don't want to.

XANDER
But I think we have to. This Saria girl...we don't know
that her lover wasn't the one that killed her. And we
don't know she didn't ask him to do it.

WILLOW
(firmly)
Buffy wouldn't do that!

XANDER
How can you be so sure?

WILLOW
Because Buffy's different from other Slayers. She
has more ties to our world, right? She has us. And
Dawnie. And, okay, she tends to fall for the undead,
but Buffy would never let herself be turned. She's
not gonna leave us, Xander.

Before XANDER can answer, DAWN comes running in, extremely agitated.

DAWN
Buffy's gone!

XANDER
Relax, Dawnster. She probably went on patrol.

DAWN
No, she hasn't! Not like normal, she's on a hunt or
something…

WILLOW
Calm down, honey. What are you talking about?

DAWN
Buffy's in trouble.

XANDER
What?

DAWN
She is, I can feel it. I see...

CLOSEUP on DAWN as we see…

Scene: Sewer Tunnel [Int.], Night
…a strange distorted image of BUFFY patrolling, holding a stake.

DAWN
[Voice-Over]
Buffy!

SARIA's smiling face comes into the frame, and BUFFY is grabbed from behind.

SARIA
[distorted]
Really, you're gonna make it that easy?

DAWN
Buffy! No!

SARIA looks up sharply, and BUFFY knocks into her. DAWN is pulled back out of the vision.

FLASH CUT back to:

Scene: Summers' House, Living Room [Int.], Night
DAWN puts her hands to the sides of her head.

DAWN
Why can't I see where she is?

XANDER and WILLOW exchange worried looks.

WILLOW
Dawnie, I think you should sit down.

She goes to put her arm around DAWN, who shrugs out of her grasp.

DAWN
What? No! We've gotta find Buffy, now!

XANDER
We will, Dawnie. Right now.

XANDER pulls WILLOW out of DAWN'S earshot. We move to a two shot of them, with DAWN out of frame.

XANDER
(continued)
[softly, to WILLOW]
Is she delirious?

WILLOW
I'm not sure, but I think she's right about finding
Buffy.

XANDER
She should have her cell.

WILLOW
Call her...Dawn, why don't you-Dawn!

DAWN is no longer there, and the kitchen door is standing open. XANDER runs to it and looks out, then shakes his head.

XANDER
Gone.

WILLOW
Oh God. Okay. Get the weapons. I'll try to reach
Buffy.

She walks to the phone and starts to dial

XANDER
Will, what's happening here?

WILLOW
I don't know. But I don't like it. Dawn's been wiggy for
a while now, and I think Saria's the cause...come on!
Pick up!

XANDER
How?

WILLOW slams the phone back in its cradle.

WILLOW
[near tears]
Xander, I don't know! I don't know I don't know I don't
know! Buffy's not answering.

XANDER grabs her by the shoulders, squeezing them gently.

XANDER
Will...it's okay. I mean, it's not, but it will be. But we
don't have time for you to fall apart right now. Just
remember what ol' Jack Burton does when the earth
quakes, the poison arrows fall from the sky, and the
pillars of Heaven shake. Jack Burton just looks that
big old storm right in the eye and says, "Give me your
best shot. I can take it."

WILLOW
Was that meant to be comforting?

XANDER
[affronted]
Come on, Big Trouble in Little China! How
could it not be comforting?

WILLOW
[smiling in spite of her upset]
You're right. We gotta go find her.

XANDER
Where do you think she went?
[off WILLOW's frustrated look]
Oops, don't know, sorry.

WILLOW
Actually, I don't know exactly…but I've got an idea.

She looks away, and XANDER makes a face.

XANDER
[nodding]
Spike? Of course. Where all the Summers girls go
when troubles a-brewing. Into the arms of a vampire.

Scene: Forest [Ext.], Day.
SARIA runs through the trees, much as we saw in the Teaser. She crouches down in a clearing then looks up, her eyes wild with grief.

SARIA
I know you're there. I can feel you. I can...
[wiping away angry tears]
You know what you feel like? Like death. Your own.

She takes off again, only this time she's moving slowly and silently, completely alert. She stops near a cave.

Scene: Cave [nt.], Day
With a cry, SARIA comes bursting in, but the cave is empty. She searches it wildly.

SARIA
No...you're here. You have to be here...I can feel you!
I can feel you!

She suddenly freezes, staring down in horror.

PAN TO: a CLOSEUP of the snake symbol again, only there's something lying in the center. SARIA lifts it with shaking fingers…it's her lover's necklace.

SARIA
[half-sob]
No...Amar!

She runs from the cave...

CUT TO:

Scene: Forest [Ext.], Day
We track SARIA running through the trees, in and out of shadow like a strobe effect. She reaches the dwelling and enters, but the camera remains focused on the entrance. From outside we hear her anguished scream.

CUT TO:

Scene: Spike's Crypt [Int.], Night.
SPIKE is sitting in his armchair, sullen, drinking. The television is on, we can tell by the sound, but he's not even looking at it, staring at the bottle instead. He might have been crying, but we can't be sure. We hear the door open, but he doesn't look up at that either.

SPIKE
Whatever it is you're selling, I'm not buying any today.

SWITCH ANGLE to SPIKE's POV: DAWN is walking over, determined.

DAWN
Spike...

SPIKE
Go away. Shouldn't be here. And a man has a right to
drink undisturbed. Course, I'm no man then, am I?

DAWN places herself directly in front of the television. SPIKE looks away.

DAWN
It's Buffy.

SPIKE
[with bitter humor]
No. Today it's actually not.

DAWN
I think Buffy's in trouble. I have to find her.

SPIKE
She's not here.

DAWN
[exasperated]
I know! I need your help!

SPIKE
But I mean, why would she be here? Why would she
ever choose someone...no, something...like me...don't
deserve her, never did...

DAWN
Stop it! Stop feeing sorry for yourself, stop pretending
you don't care about what happens! I need you to help me!
You keep acting like you don't want to be involved, like
you're afraid of Saria, and I know that's not it.

SPIKE
Well, you're half-right. I'm not afraid of Saria. But I don't
care what happens. So, off with you.

DAWN
You're lying. What is with you? Buffy's in trouble...

SPIKE
And I told you to go away. There's nothing for you
here, moppet. Run along and find your sis and leave
the big bad vamp to his cups, alright?

DAWN leans in angrily and slaps the bottle out of his hand.

DAWN
I don't believe this. I don't know what your problem is,
but you better grow up and get over-

SPIKE flies out of his chair and grabs DAWN, flinging her roughly against the wall and holding her there by the upper arms.

SPIKE
[almost out of control]
You're right. You have no idea what my problem is,
and yet you waltz in here like you own the place and
say get over it? Like you own me, is that it, pet? Well,
I'm not Buffy's faithful lapdog any longer and I'm not
yours either...

DAWN
Spike...you're hurting me...

SPIKE
[screaming]
Of course I am! It's what I do. It's what I do!

His head dives forward, his teeth inches from her neck...

DAWN
[screaming]
Spike! No!

...and he stops, pulling away as if burned. He holds up his hands, trembling, and they've got blood on them, old blood from earlier, but fresh blood too. DAWN's hands go to her arms where he was holding her, and she draws breath sharply. pulling her hands away. We see that he dug his fingers into her arms deep enough for his short nails to scratch her. She looks at her blood on her own fingers wonderingly.

SPIKE
[shakily]
Dawn...

DAWN
It's just a scratch.

SPIKE
[sickened]
Dawn...I...I'm...I didn't mean to...Oh God...

DAWN
[distantly]
Your hands...

Closeup on DAWN's eyes as we CUT TO:

Scene: Vamp Cult Lair [Int.], Night.
Dream-like shots of BUFFY facing off with SARIA, and the snake symbol of the vampire cult glowing. CUT BACK TO:

Scene, Spike's Crypt [Int.], Night.

DAWN looks up from SPIKE's hands with a start. He misinterprets her reaction and jerks away.

SPIKE
I wasn't gonna...I'm sorry!

DAWN
Spike...

SPIKE
Told her, didn't I? Told her to keep you away, that I'd
only-

DAWN
Spike...the place...the vampire lair, the one you
destroyed. Where was it?

SPIKE
[still in shock]
Underground sewer tunnel, south side of town...
Dawn, I think you should...

DAWN turns and runs out of the crypt. SPIKE stares at his hands, confused and even more depressed.

SPIKE
(continued)
...go.

Scene: Vamp Lair [Int.], Night.
SARIA stands over BUFFY's prone form. She kicks at her side, and BUFFY grunts.

SARIA
You see this mess? From what my sources tell me we
have your little pet vampire to thank for this.

BUFFY
My little...Spike...that's just wrong on so many levels...

SARIA
[amused]
Cute nickname...he's really thrown a spanner into the
works here, you know. Blowing up those vamps, just
when they were good and ready to bring the mother
back. All they needed was your blood, girlfriend. And
now, here you are, all ready to spill it, and they're dust.
Sad.

BUFFY
I think the word you're searching for is 'yay'. When I
slay the evil I usually prefer it stay of the slain. The
Slayer gig's tough enough without your kind getting
do-overs.

SARIA
I can see your point, except...sometimes you get
cheated. You don't get to make the kill, even though
your blood boils for it.

BUFFY
Life's a bitch.

She flips to her feet. SARIA looks unimpressed.

SARIA
But you see, I've found if you hang around long
enough, another opportunity presents itself.

BUFFY
Is there going to be a point soon? I generally like my
exposition a bit more expose-y.

SARIA
[cold anger]
You have a smart mouth.
[calmer, smiling]
You are so familiar to me, Slayer. We shared a
destiny in life...a common thread, a heritage.

BUFFY
Are we bonding now? Some big Slayer sisterhood
thing? Cause I feel the need to point out that you're
playing for the other team now.

SARIA
I am no longer the Slayer, true. But I will destroy her,
if I have to bring her back myself to do it. After that I
will happily stake myself. Hell will be heaven for me if
I can join my beloved. But so help me, I will first slay
the mother myself.

BUFFY
Again with The Mother! Whose mother-

SARIA catches BUFFY off-guard with a sudden vicious attack. She knocks BUFFY over, pinning her to the ground, and raises a stake over her head.

SARIA
[smiling]
Yours.

BUFFY
[horrified]
What? My...you're insane...

SARIA
Her blood is in you...in every Slayer...

BUFFY
I don't understand...

SARIA
She's your family. And for that you will die!

The stake comes down.

BLACK OUT

ACT IV

Scene: Vamp Lair [Int.], Night.
BUFFY's right hand shoots up and stops the stake. Her left hand follows and thrusts palm first against SARIA's nose, causing her to fall back.

BUFFY
[calmly]
You probably want to rethink that. My mother is dead,
and she was one hundred percent human.

SARIA
You couldn't be more wrong.

BUFFY charges, but SARIA has regrouped and meets the attack well. The two exchange a flurry of blows, but it's a stalemate.

BUFFY
Is this what happens when a Slayer is turned? She
loses her grip on the real?

SARIA
I think you're the one that's confused, my dear. I
guess it's understandable since it was never really
explained.
[mocking]
You could ask your Watcher - oh wait, he's
gone.

BUFFY
Insane and a cheap-shot artist. So many reasons I
should stake you, I'm all aflutter.

SARIA
[smiling]
You hate me.

BUFFY
Gosh, no. I mean, not especially. I hate all the
bloodsucking fiends, it's just a thing I have.

SARIA
Because you come from hate. You know it in your
heart. All Slayers do. Eventually they pray for death,
just to end the pain of knowing who they are.

BUFFY
That's not...

DAWN comes bursting in.

DAWN
Buffy!

From DAWN's POV, we see BUFFY turn towards her sister and SARIA rush at her from behind.

BUFFY
Dawn? What are you-

DAWN
Buffy look out!

BUFFY ducks under SARIA's attempt to knock her out while she was distracted, flipping the vampire in the process.

BUFFY
Dawn, get out of here! Now!

SARIA regains her feet and charges with a snarl.

DAWN
No! I won't leave you!

BUFFY and SARIA trade more blows, too evenly matched for either to gain the upper hand for more than a moment. DAWN watches and we briefly see the fight from her POV, in slow-motion. She sways slightly as the image returns to normal speed. SARIA knocks BUFFY down.

DAWN
Buffy!

BUFFY flips back to her feet as SARIA had before.

BUFFY
[to DAWN]
Stay back!

SARIA faces her again but doesn't attack; the two eye each other warily.

SARIA
[to DAWN]
You can't save her. I need her blood, and I'll get it.
The mother is coming. She must come, because I
must kill her.

DAWN
Buffy, what is she saying?

BUFFY
I have no idea. She's more than a little psycho, and
less than linear, but I think she wants to bring back a
vamp that's been staked so she can stake it herself.
Gift horses, mouth, I say.
[to SARIA, coldly]
And she's out of luck, because apparently she needs
my help to do it, and I'm not feeling especially helpful.
What's dead should stay dead. Kinda my new motto.

SARIA
[suddenly emotional]
You don't understand. She killed them. All of them.
My family...my...

DAWN
Amar.

BUFFY frowns as SARIA turns on DAWN

SARIA
You know nothing! Leave him out of this. He's...

BUFFY
He's the reason behind all this. You loved him.

SARIA
Yes.

DAWN
She killed him, didn't she? The...Mother?

BUFFY
And now you want revenge. She's dust, but that's not
enough for you.

SARIA
[screaming]
How could it be enough? Our love was...you could
never understand!

BUFFY
You think you're the first person that ever lost
someone? You're not, and it hurts, I know, but you
don't...do whatever it is you're doing. You have to
move on.
[brandishing her stake]
I'm willing to help you with that.

SARIA
Lillith will die by my hand. Only then can I move on
from this world to join my beloved in the next.

DAWN and BUFFY exchange confused looks, and DAWN shrugs. BUFFY looks at SARIA quizzically.

BUFFY
Who's Lillith?

SARIA snarls and tackles BUFFY as DAWN screams.

CLEM
[Voice-Over]
It's getting to be way too dangerous around here.

CUT TO:

Scene: Graveyard [Ext.], Night.
XANDER and WILLOW have found CLEM on their way to SPIKE's.

CLEM
(continued)
I hate to think of Dawn out here alone.

XANDER
But you haven't seen her?

CLEM
No, but I just got back from the hospital. Can you
believe they tried to admit me? I mean, honestly, you
people are all freaky about that flesh-eating bacteria
thing.

WILLOW
But why were you-

CLEM
Oh. There was a girl, nice young lady. Got attacked
by a vamp, and Spike asked me to-

XANDER
Spike?

CLEM
Yeah, he saw the girl get bit and saved her. Thought
she'd lost too much, you know, and he was right, we
just-

XANDER
[utter disbelief]
I'm sorry, you're saying Spike saved someone.

CLEM
[a bit irritated]
When I'm not being interrupted.
[apologetic]
I didn't mean to snap atcha, I'm a bit out of sorts.
Hospitals give me the willies.

WILLOW
They're very unfun.

CLEM
They tried to keep me from leaving!

WILLOW
I'm sure it was horrible, but Clem, we've got to find
Buffy and Dawn like now.

XANDER
You heard anything about this vamp Saria, where she
might be unliving these days?

CLEM
The vamp that was a Slayer? All I know about her is
to stay far far away until she blows outta town. If
you're smart you'll do the same.

WILLOW
Why?

CLEM
All I know is, when a Slayer gets turned vampire, it
tends to make them not right in the head. Most of
the time, they don't last too long - one vamp or
another with a grudge will take em out. But the longer
they last, the more cuckoo they get.

XANDER
This one's been around for while.

CLEM
All the more reason to lay low. As fond as I am of the
Slayer and her sister, the thought of facing a psycho
vampire with the skills of a Slayer...

WILLOW
You have no idea at all where she might be?

CLEM
I just might, actually. You two have real moxie, you
know that? It's so refreshing...

XANDER
Clem, focus.

CLEM
Oh, well, I ran into a Geleffi demon at the
grocery store earlier, old friend of mine, horrible
gossip, and he mentioned a lot of folks are avoiding
the sewer tunnels on the south end of town.

XANDER
Let's go.

WILLOW
[to CLEM, sincerely]
Thanks.

CLEM
[calling after them]
Sure, anytime. Hope you find Dawn...
[weakly]
Alive.

BUFFY
[Voice-Over]
She isn't coming back.

Scene: Vamp Lair [Int.], Night

BUFFY
Doesn't matter if her name is Mitsy, Darlene, or Tina
Turner. You said it yourself, her little band of followers
is extra crispy.

SARIA
Don't be foolish, Buffy Summers. Lillith will return.
She must. The First cannot be stopped by death, it
has been written.

BUFFY
See, that's all cryptic. I hate when the bad guys get all
cryptic. The first what?

SARIA
You already know. It cannot be changed. The time is
now for my revenge.

DAWN
Yeah? We've heard that before. Prophecies are
wrong all the time, you know.

SARIA
You are a naïve child...the very air vibrates with
portents of her coming.
[pointedly, to BUFFY]
Can you not feel it?

BUFFY
Feel what?

SARIA
The darkness in you. Rising. It comes forth as the
hour of Lillith's return grows nigh. I see it in you.

BUFFY
[tightly]
Well I don't feel it. There is no darkness.

SARIA laughs, then looks at DAWN.

SARIA
Of course. Deny it if you must, but do you think she
can't see it?

BUFFY knocks SARIA off her feet, pinning her down.

DAWN
Buffy?

BUFFY
[angrily]
I told you, there is no darkness. No...vampire...genes
or whatever you're implying

SARIA
You think you know...what's to come...

BUFFY, SARIA & DAWN
[in unison]
What you are...

The Summers sisters stare at each other in shock, and SARIA throws BUFFY off easily. She looks down at her.

SARIA
You can't even comprehend the power you wield, let
alone it's origins. The darkness that links the slayer
and the vampire…the link. The blood.

DAWN
No! There's nothing wrong with Buffy's blood...

SARIA
What is it about that that frightens you, little sister?

BUFFY
Leave her alone!

SARIA
She fears your heritage. That which you share with
the beasts you destroy...

BUFFY
The vampires, the Slayer, maybe there is something
we have in common. But they're demons, giving into
the darkness. The Slayer doesn't do that. I don't do
that. I fight it. And I control it. It's a part of me, but it's
not even the main part. And if you don't know that,
obviously you weren't much of a Slayer.

SARIA kicks at BUFFY's head, but BUFFY sidesteps the attack easily. Out of balance, SARIA falls and Buffy moves in, pinning her down with a stake over her heart.

BUFFY
And not much of a vampire, either. I'm through here.
This ends now.

SARIA
[defeated]
Your arrogance will be your undoing, Buffy Summers.
You underestimate Lillith, your connection to her.

BUFFY
Whatever. If she shows, I'll deal. She might be the
biggest baddest mother...sucker of them all, but she's
still just a vamp. Stake, heart, game over.

SARIA
She's stronger than any vampire you've ever faced...and
once you understand your connection to her, I think
you'll find killing her won't be that simple.
[laughing ruefully]
Oh, I wish I could be there to see it...

BUFFY
[pulls back, bright sarcasm]
Sure. Maybe we can paint each other's toenails and
talk about boys...no, wait!

The stake is back at SARIA's chest, and BUFFY looks serious.

SARIA
So arrogant. Fine. Go ahead, Slayer. Ignore my words.
Do your duty. I'll see you in he-

BUFFY stakes SARIA and her ashes fall. BUFFY stands and looks at her sister wearily.

"Black and Blue" by the Counting Crows begins to play.

BUFFY tosses the stake aside as she walks out of the room. DAWN lingers, staring at the dust with a seriously troubled expression.

SONG
Fading everything to black and blue
You look a lot like you'd
Shatter in the blink of an eye
But you keep sailing right on through
Every time you say you're learning
You just look a lot like me
Pale under the blistering sky
White and red
Black and blue

DAWN turns to leave, picking up SARIA's stake-axe in a fluid motion, a Slayer-like motion, without breaking stride. DAWN exits.

SONG
You've been waiting a long time
You've been waiting a long time

SLOW DISSOLVE TO:

Scene: Spike's Crypt [Int.], Night
SPIKE is standing over a basin, scrubbing the blood from his hands. He stops, looking at them, but they're still stained.

SONG
To fall down on your knees
Cut your hands
Cut yourself until you bleed
But fall asleep next to me

SPIKE
[to the stains]
Go away! Dammit, why won't you...

SONG
Wait for everyone to go away
And in a dimly lit room
Where you got nothing to hide
Say your goodbyes

He scrubs harder, grunting with effort, harder and harder until he is scratching himself. Suddenly he hisses and draws his arms out of the basin.

EXTREME CLOSEUP of scratches oozing a small amount of blood. SPIKE freezes, staring at the blood oozing from his own wounds, completely transfixed.

SONG
Tell yourself we'll read a note that says,
"I'm sorry everyone.
I'm tired of feeling nothing. Goodbye."
Wash your face
Dry your eyes

DISSOLVE TO:

Scene: Forest [Ext.], Night
SARIA's POV as she runs through the forest for the third and final time.

SONG
Cause you've been waiting a long time
You've been waiting a long long time

SWITCH ANGLE TO: Overhead shot of her running

SONG
To fall down on your knees
Cut your hands
Cut yourself until you bleed
But fall asleep next to me

SWITCH ANGLE TO: her running toward the camera. SARIA suddenly pulls to a halt, horrified.

SLOW PAN TO: Shot of a badly beaten AMAR, tied to tree with his knees on the ground and his arms pulled painfully behind him. SARIA runs to him falling to her knees in front of him and cradling his head gently. She starts to sob.

SONG
And have a dream I'm falling down on my face
I scrape my knees
I scrape my hands until they bleed
Cause you're fast asleep next to me
Next to me
Next to me

Music fades out. AMAR's eyes flutter open.

SARIA
Amar!

She kisses him passionately through her tears. AMAR pulls his head away.

AMAR
Go now!

SARIA
What? No! I've got to get you out of here.

SARIA looks to the east, and we see the sun barely beginning to rise.

AMAR
No! It's a trap, Saria. Go now, before it's-

LILLITH
[O.S.]
Too late.

AMAR is staring hopelessly over SARIA's shoulder. SARIA turns and sees LILLITH, covered by a shorud. She screams in rage, rushing at the vampire who meets the attack calmly but efficiently. Blows are exchanged in a slow-motion montage, and at first SARIA appears to be winning...but then LILLITH gets the upper hand. We return to normal speed as SARIA makes one last ditch lunge, her stake at the ready. LILLITH suddenly drops her defense.

LILLITH
Do it, my daughter. And then watch your lover die.

SARIA turns back to look at AMAR and sees the sun is nearly up. She looks back and LILLITH has disappeared. She drops her stake, running back to AMAR, kneeling and fumbling with his ropes. With a frustrated cry she pulls out a dagger, but the ropes don't even fray.

SARIA
I've got to get you out of here...

AMAR
There's no time, my love. Just...kiss me.

SARIA
No! I can't give up...

She's weeping, dropping the knife, her fingers now pulling at the ropes, but they won't come undone.

AMAR
Lillith made the ties too strong, Saria. We cannot
break them.

SARIA
[knowing it's true]
No...

AMAR
It's over...

SARIA
You can't leave me...not alone...

SARIA's sobs quiet as she makes a decision. She picks up the dagger and brings it to her neck. Then she slices it across making a small cut. Blood goes trickling down as AMAR automatically slips into his vamp face.

AMAR
Saria, no!

SARIA
Kill me, Amar. I don't want to live without you.

AMAR
I can't.

SARIA
You can! We both knew this day would come. Please,
there's no time left to argue. Drink!

SARIA presses her neck against his mouth, and AMAR plunges his teeth into it. SARIA gasps. CLOSEUP of her face as she closes her eyes, then slides to the ground, a smile on her face as she lay dying. SLOW ZOOM into an EXTREME CLOSEUP of her eyes, which fly open suddenly in horror when we hear AMAR scream in pain.

AMAR
No, no!

LILLITH is standing over her, dripping blood from a cup into SARIA's open mouth. The Slayer swallows reflexively as LILLITH waves the cup.

LILLITH
Your lover's blood is sweet, yes? Remember well the
taste of it, my daughter, for it is the last of him you'll
have to remember him by. Now and forever.

SARIA closes her eyes, her breathing stops and LILLITH laughs.

From behind we see LILLITH remove her shroud and cover SARIA, effectively shielding the newly born vampire from the impending daylight.

AMAR
[growling, helpless]
Damn you, Lillith.

LILLITH laughs.

LILLITH
Silly vampire child...you cannot curse she who was
the First Cursed. It is redundant.

LILLITH turns and walks away from the doomed vampire, and for the first time we see her face. She looks exactly like the First Slayer.

FADE OUT.

END CREDITS