6x21
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
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TEASER
FADE IN:
1 EXT. LA - CITY STREET. MORNING. 1
NINA is staggering down the middle of the road as we fade up
on a sunny LA morning, looking dazed.
As we push in closer, we can see she's showing a few bruises -
it looks like she was in a fight and didn't exactly come off
best!
As a car coasts up behind her and BEEPS its horn to get her
out of the way, she stumbles across to the sidewalk, flopping
down onto it.
Nina leans forwards, putting her head in her hands as she
tries to gather her wits, and after a few moment, a middle
aged black WOMAN lays a hand gently on her shoulder.
Startled, Nina whips her head round, but relaxes when she
sees the woman's concerned face.
WOMAN
Are you alright, honey?
NINA
Yeah, I... I think so. I'm not
sure.
WOMAN
What happened to you? Looks like
you lost an argument with a bar
full of heavyweight champs!
Nina starts checking her arms for cuts and bruises.
NINA
(hesitant)
I... I don't know, I think I might
have been mugged or something, I
can't...
She presses a hand to her temples and rubs them, standing up
at last.
NINA (cont'd)
I'd better get back home. My
boyfriend's probably worried sick
about me by now.
The woman nods, still looking concerned as Nina walks
unsteadily out of frame.
The woman then blinks and looks down at her hand curiously.
As she stares at it, starting to wobble slightly on her feet
as though drugged, we hear KITRIDGE begin a voice-over.
KITRIDGE (V.O.)
And the fantastic thing about it
is, it's virtually undetectable.
As the woman leans against a streetlight for support, looking
dizzy, we cut to:
2 INT. KITRIDGE'S APARTMENT. MORNING. 2
The small, cheap-looking apartment that Kitridge is currently
calling home has been tidied up a little since we last saw
it, but the main focus is of the couple in the bed -
Kitridge, sitting up and looking pretty pleased with himself,
one arm round KIRSTEN, cosied up next to him.
KITRIDGE
By the time anyone realises what's
going on, it'll be too late. Anyone
she makes any kind of physical
contact with is going to have the
virus passed on to them.
KIRSTEN
And what'll it do after that?
KITRIDGE
(grins)
That, Kirsten, is the fun part.
She smiles and sits up to kiss him, and as they start getting
friendly we cut away to:
3 INT. HYPERION - LOBBY. DAY. 3
ANGEL is just leaving his office, a customarily dark look on
his face as he hears the front doors open.
Nina steps into the lobby, and a look of relief washes over
Angel's face as he hurries over to her, taking in her
battered appearance.
ANGEL
Where were you? What happened? I
thought you were just going to
check on Connor, did something
happen? Is he alright?
NINA
(patiently)
I did check on Connor, I'm not
sure. I don't know what happened,
and yes, he's fine. In order.
Nina sits awkwardly down on one of the lobby's sofas, Angel
dashing back into his office and reappearing with a first aid
kit moments later.
ANGEL
Were you attacked? Can you remember
anything?
NINA
Not really. I remember going to see
Connor, then as I was leaving...
(shakes head)
Sorry. I found a nice big bruise on
the back of my head that explains
where the last few hours went,
though.
Angel carefully checks the lump out, handing Nina a small
facial wipe which she uses to dab at a cut on her cheek.
As Angel takes his hand away from her head, he suddenly
blinks, his eyes hazing over for a second.
NINA (cont'd)
Plus, my wallet's been cleaned out
so I think we can put this down as
me getting my stupid ass mugged.
Angel shakes hi head as she snaps back to his senses.
ANGEL
You're safe now. And it doesn't
look like you got beat up too bad.
Nina throws Angel a look - by her standards, this is too bad!
Angel realises his slip and tries to cover.
ANGEL (cont'd)
What I man is, compared to how
badly some of us have been hit,
then you're just, uh-
NINA
Not helping.
ANGEL
Sorry. Come on, let's get you back
upstairs, you need to rest.
Angel stands and helps her to her feet.
They've only taken a few steps towards the staircase before a
very familiar voice calls out from over by the doors.
BUFFY (O.S.)
See, Andrew? Like I was telling
you.
Angel and Nina spin round - and there in the hotel doorway
are BUFFY SUMMERS and ANDREW WELLS, Buffy lifting her
sunglasses as she looks in on Angel.
BUFFY (cont'd)
Fallen women just find their way
right to him.
ANGEL
(surprised)
Buffy?
NINA
(quietly)
Buffy...
BUFFY
Hi. I need your help with
something.
Angel looks at a loss for words, and it's from his expression
that we:
BLACK OUT:
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
4 INT. HYPERION - LOBBY. MORNING. 4
Angel and Nina are still watching in surprise as Buffy
strolls down the steps and into the main part of the lobby,
Andrew trailing after her.
ANGEL
What are you doing here?
BUFFY
I'm here for the Keeper.
ANGEL
(darkly)
I told you, we'll handle that now.
BUFFY
And normally, I'd love to let you
get on with it, but we have a new
problem. Jackson's got worse, and I
still think-
ANGEL
You still think the Keeper can save
him?
(shakes head)
He lied to you, Buffy. He just
wanted to steal your powers.
BUFFY
Yeah, maybe, but Sofia thinks she
found a-
NINA
Uh, excuse me?
Angel glances at Nina, still leaning her weight against him.
Angel's attention had been locked on Buffy the moment she
walked in.
NINA (cont'd)
Not wanting to sound like a non
team player or anything, but can I
get back to bed before you two
start discussing this?
A beat as Angel looks from Nina, to Buffy, then back.
ANGEL
Yeah. Sorry.
(to Buffy)
Wait here.
Angel and Nina head up the stairs, leaving Buffy and Andrew
to peer around the interior of the hotel.
BUFFY
So this is the place, huh? I've
heard a lot about it, but I've
never been here before.
ANDREW
It's um, very well protected. Or at
least, it was - I've got this
little bracelet that Willow gave
me, picks up on any magical auras
or fields nearby. I think there
were a few over the doorway when we
came in, but they've been broken by
something.
Buffy's examination starts to take in the signs of battle
damage to the hotel from the previous scrap against the
Keeper and his security team - missing chunks of plaster,
boarded up windows and other signals.
BUFFY
Yeah, or someone.
Buffy's gaze travels back up to the staircase, with Angel and
Nina now out of sight.
ANDREW
So, uh... Who was that with Angel?
BUFFY
I don't know. You think it was that
Nina girl?
ANDREW
Maybe. She looked kinda...
Andrew trails off, and Buffy motions for him to continue.
BUFFY
Kinda what?
ANDREW
Well, uh, Angel definitely has a
type, is all I was going to say.
Buffy frowns, and from that look we cut upstairs to:
5 INT. HYPERION - ANGEL'S ROOM. MORNING. 5
Angel is tucking Nina up in the bed. She's exhausted, already
struggling to stay awake.
ANGEL
You rest up here. I'll find out
what Buffy wants, see if I can help
her out.
NINA
(wry)
Yeah, 'course, you go be all
friendly with your ex for the
second time in as many weeks. I
don't mind at all.
Angel sighs and opens his mouth to reply, but Nina presses a
finger to his lips to shush him.
NINA (cont'd)
Relax. I'm fine. As long as you're
not going to run off with her while
I'm stuck up here?
ANGEL
(grins)
Not a chance.
NINA
In that case, help away.
Angel rises, and with a nod to Nina turns and leaves the
room. Thoughtful, she watches him go, as we cut across to:
6 INT. HYPERION - SPIKE'S ROOM. MORNING. 6
Spike's room is about as messy as Skye's, with a wardrobe
half-open full of his clothes, spilling out onto the floor,
and other bits of junk scattered around.
The main focus is on the bed, given that Spike isn't alone in
there!
As she shifts round, starting to wake up, his eyes fall on
the still sleeping form of SKYE, lying next to him.
Spike grins, tracing a finger down the side of her face, and
as he gazes down at her we cut back to:
7 INT. HYPERON - LOBBY. MORNING. 7
Angel returns to the lobby, Andrew already busy snooping
around in the background as Buffy takes a seat on one of the
sofas.
ANGEL
Alright, what's up?
BUFFY
Is that Nina?
ANGEL
(beat)
Yeah, that's her.
BUFFY
Oh. I'd say 'she seems nice,' but
it was kinda hard to tell with all
the bruising. Was she-
ANGEL
(quickly)
Mugged. At least, she thinks so,
she can't remember.
(frowns)
Why are you here?
Buffy blinks, taken aback by Angel's sudden coldness towards
her.
BUFFY
I'm here to find the Keeper again.
Sofia's pretty sure that he can
actually save Jackson after all,
something to do with an analysis of
his energy signature that we stole
from Kane's office.
ANGEL
Kane?
BUFFY
My boss. At least, used to be my
boss. I haven't been to work for a
few weeks and he hasn't called for
me. We had a bit of a falling out
over the private army he's been
keeping to himself.
Angel nods and heads over to his office, holding the door
open for her. He glances over to Andrew.
ANGEL
Can we carry on in here?
BUFFY
Sure.
ANGEL
I just don't want everybody
listening in.
Andrew looks round, not sure if that remark was aimed at him,
and Angel gives him another cold glare as he follows Buffy
into his office.
8 INT. HYPERION - ANGEL'S OFFICE. MORNING. 8
Angel pulls out a chair for Buffy to sit.
ANGEL
Here.
As Buffy sits, Angel's hand brushes her shoulder - and Buffy
shivers, but looks surprised at herself for it.
ANGEL (cont'd)
(sits down)
So you want to go after the Keeper
again?
BUFFY
(distracted)
Uh... what?
ANGEL
(impatient)
I said 'you want to go after the
Keeper again?' Come on, Buffy, try
to keep up!
BUFFY
(annoyed)
Hey! I just flew all the way out
here and then got the bus out to
this crummy place without stopping,
try and show me a bit of patience!
They both stop, as if they're not certain why they're getting
so angry, before Angel starts up again.
ANGEL
Well, anyway, I'm not sure what we
can do. We've got our hands full at
the moment making sure the Keeper
can't get anywhere close to Connor.
BUFFY
He's after Connor?
ANGEL
I think his actual choice of words
was stuff like 'destroy,' and
'eliminate,' so, yeah, not wanting
to let that happen.
BUFFY
Where is Connor? I always wanted to
meet him, so I could see-
ANGEL
(interrupts)
He's safe.
Angel leans back in his chair, staring at Buffy, who scowls
back at him.
BUFFY
Alright, point taken! Jeez, what's
gotten into you? You're acting like
I've just shown up and demanded you
donate me a kidney or something!
ANGEL
(mutters)
That's how it feels sometimes...
BUFFY
Excuse me?
ANGEL
You always do this! You always just
show up and expect me to drop
everything and help you, you never
stop to consider that I may have
some problems of my own!
BUFFY
(raising voice)
Hey, I never said you didn't! I'm
just asking for some help to save
somebody I care about!
ANGEL
Did I ask you for help to protect
Connor? No! So why should I help
you now?
Buffy stands, SLAMMING her hands down on the edge of the desk
as she leans forward to yell at Angel.
BUFFY
That's not the point! I can't do
this by myself!
ANGEL
Yeah? Coulda fooled me, I saw the
Boy Wonder out there in the lobby,
maybe he can rustle something up
for you!
BUFFY
Andrew's...
(beat)
Giles didn't want me coming here
alone, that's all.
Somebody got into our house the
other day, they attacked Xander and
kidnapped Hope.
Angel doesn't reply, managing to keep his remarks to himself
as Buffy continues.
BUFFY (cont'd)
I wasn't going to come out here,
but Xander told me to. Everyone's
out looking at the moment - Shanna,
Jody, Giles, Marie - but Max has
gone missing too.
ANGEL
That other Watcher?
BUFFY
(nods)
Marie says she attacked him and
escaped while they were out one
night, but Giles has said the
Council are sending some people out
to find him. Plus, our friend Amy
came over to help us find Willow,
but Kane took her, I don't know
what for.
Angel rubs his chin thoughtfully, calming down again.
ANGEL
Sounds like you've got your hands
full over there.
BUFFY
Which is why I need you to help me,
and now. I have to be heading back
there tonight, I can't stay away
any longer than I have to, but if
there's a chance to save Jackson,
then I need to take it. Something
big is coming, Angel, I can't
afford to lose another fighter.
Angel stands - he knows exactly how it feels to lose part of
your team.
ANGEL
I don't know what we can do, but
we'll figure something out.
BUFFY
I got nothing. So far, my plan
starts at 'Ask Angel,' and then
goes off into 'Find Keeper, kick
ass, get cure, go home.'
ANGEL
You're sure the Keeper can do
anything for Jackson?
BUFFY
I don't know. But it's the only
shot I have. He's dying, Angel.
ANGEL
(beat)
Do you love him?
BUFFY
Why should that matter?
ANGEL
I'm not saying it does, it was just
a question. Do you love him?
Buffy sighs and turns back towards the door.
BUFFY
This was a mistake. Maybe I'll just
go over to Wolfram and Hart myself,
and-
Angel leaps out of his chair, getting between Buffy and the
office door.
ANGEL
No, no, don't do that. I'll help.
BUFFY
(tetchy)
Are you sure? Because, you know,
I'd hate to heap another problem on
to you.
ANGEL
It's fine.
The two stare each other out for a beat, before Angel opens
the door and motions for Buffy to exit.
ANGEL (cont'd)
Come on. Let's go fetch Spike and
Skye, and see if there's something
we can do. There may be a way to
drain some of the Keeper's power
off him, that could be what you
need to help Jackson.
BUFFY
How are we going to do that?
ANGEL
Well, we know by now that walking
up to him and asking for it will
just get us into another long
fight, so I was figuring the old
fashioned way.
BUFFY
Which is?
ANGEL
We play it by their rules. We find
a way to cheat.
Buffy grins, and steps past Angel, back into the lobby.
As they leave the office, we cut upstairs to:
9 INT. HYPERION - SPIKE'S ROOM. MORNING. 9
Spike is propped up on one arm, looking down at Skye as she
stirs and wakes up. She grins sleepily as she sees him.
SKYE
Uh oh, there's a Spike in my bed...
Somebody call the police!
SPIKE
(grins)
It's a fair cop.
SKYE
(yawns; stretches)
What time is it?
SPIKE
Time little boys and girls like us
got out of bed and went and found
some breakfast.
SKYE
You mean 'warm some pig's blood up
in the microwave'?
SPIKE
(shrugs)
It's not exactly a gourmet
breakfast, but it does the trick!
SKYE
Alright. Why don't you go
downstairs and get me something,
and I'll get five more minutes up
here.
SPIKE
Oi! This is my bed, you little
urchin, by rights it should be you
going and getting the food!
Skye turns round and gives Spike her best puppy dog eyes, and
after a beat he chuckles and sits up.
SPIKE (cont'd)
Alright, alright. For the sake of
my poor old heartstrings, her
majesty can sit tight up where
while the loyal servant goes and
gets the brekkie.
SKYE
(beams)
Thank you!
SPIKE
One time only offer, mind. Just
because we finally managed to get a
whole night together uninterrupted,
doesn't mean you're getting this
specialist treatment every time!
SKYE
(mock surprise)
There are going to be other times?
Oh, my! However will I cope?
Spike smirks, pulling on a pair of jeans and grabbing a shirt
from the floor before heading over to the door.
SPIKE
Keep up wisecracks like that, and
last night will have been the first
and only time for you!
SKYE
(mock distress)
Oh, no! Please, don't take my lover
away from me!
Skye bursts into laughter, and with a wry smile and a shake
of his head, Spike opens the door.
As it closes shut again, we cut across to:
10 EXT. PARK. MORNING. 10
We're inside a picturesque park, quiet and tranquil, with the
distant noise of the nearby roads muffled by the thick trees
lining the wide, green fields.
As we pan across the scene, birdsong filtering into the air,
we come across something less innocent.
WESLEY and ILLYRIA, although she's in the form of FRED, are
lying next to each other on the grass, Wes's clothes forming
a makeshift blanket over the two of them.
Wes stirs, blinking as his eyes adjust to the light, and as
he sits up, he tries to remember where he is, and why.
He looks down to his side, and his eyes widen as he sees
Illyria, or rather Fred's peacefully sleeping form curled up
next to him, her long tresses of auburn hair spread all
around her.
Wes looks back up - and the memory of exactly what happened
last night comes flooding back to him.
He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.
WES
Oh, dear...
And from Wes' guilty look, we:
BLACK OUT:
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
11 INT. HYPERION - LOBBY. MORNING. 11
Spike heads down the stairs and into the lobby, pausing and
double taking as he spots Buffy and Andrew.
SPIKE
What's going on?
ANGEL
Buffy needs our help. She's-
SPIKE
Don't tell me. She's gone and
gotten herself into a right state
and only her two favourite ex
boyfriends can do anything about
it. Am I right?
A beat as Angel and Buffy exchange glances, and with a scoff,
Spike carries on into the lobby, heading past them both and
towards the kitchen.
SPIKE (cont'd)
Bloody typical. So what's the
crisis this time?
BUFFY
(snaps)
First of all, don't talk to me like
I'm six years old, Spike! I'm here
to ask you guys for help, not stand
around while you try and show off
by insulting me!
Spike pauses, staring back at her, surprised by her outburst.
As what she just said sinks in, Buffy looks a little
surprised as well.
SPIKE
Blimey! Who got out of the wrong
side of your bed this morning?
BUFFY
It's not important, I just-
SPIKE
Alright, sweetheart, fair do's.
What's up?
BUFFY
(beat; sighs)
I need to find the Keeper.
SPIKE
Glutton for punishment?
BUFFY
(irritated)
No, I think he's got the answer I
need to save Jackson, but I think
we all know by now he's not going
to give it up willingly.
SPIKE
So what are we suggesting?
BUFFY
We find some way to do to him what
he did to me, suck out some of his
powers and hope it gives us some
kind of cure.
SPIKE
And where are we going to find
anybody who can do that kind of
sucking around here?
Spike pauses as the innuendo in his line catches up with him,
but before he can say anything else, Angel steps up to him
and lays a hand on his shoulder.
Spike blinks, shaking his head briefly, looking disorientated
all of a sudden.
ANGEL
I think we know just the guy. His
name's Taylor, he works with us.
Spike looks at Angel's hand, then with a petulant shrug,
shakes it off his shoulder.
SPIKE
Watch where you're putting your
hands, you big ponce.
ANGEL
(getting angry)
Hey, now's not the time to start
acting like-
SPIKE
Acting like what? That I'm
perfectly fine with Goldilocks here
showing up whenever she bloody
feels like it? We've got enough
problems of our own, mate, or did
you happen to miss the fight the
other day?
ANDREW
Um, yeah, I was going to ask about
that, because I wanted to know how-
SPIKE
Be quiet!
Andrew shuts up, doing his best to shuffle out of sight as an
increasingly aggravated looking Spike turns his attention
back to Buffy.
SPIKE (cont'd)
And another thing, when am I going
to get any kind of proper welcome
off you, eh?
BUFFY
'Proper'? What do you mean?
SPIKE
Okay, starter for ten. Try to think
back to what was going on last time
we met. Rays of sunlight? Hordes of
vampires? Me going up in flames? Is
any of this sounding even vaguely
familiar?
BUFFY
(frowns)
Of course it is, but what am I-
SPIKE
(angry)
You could have said 'Thanks, Spike,
for destroying the Hellmouth,
sacrificing yourself and saving the
bloody day!' Not 'Oh, hello, Spike,
now help me fight this bad guy
who's come to kill me!'
BUFFY
(protests)
I didn't know what to say! When I
found out you were alive again,
yeah, I thought I should come and
see you, but then I had this little
problem where a demon possessed my
sister! Maybe you heard about that?
SPIKE
Like I didn't have my own problems!
I was a ghost for nearly two bloody
months, so even if you had bothered
to phone me, I wouldn't have been
able to pick up and hear you!
Maybe if you'd put as much effort
into fighting that demon as you did
holding grudges, we wouldn't all be
so-
THUD! Angel SHOVES Spike backwards, anger blazing in his
eyes.
ANGEL
That's enough!
SPIKE
Not bloody likely, I'm just getting
started with her, she-
ANGEL
I said, that's enough!
Angel SHOVES Spike again.
Spike blinks, then rears back and PUNCHES Angel in the jaw.
Stunned, Angel shakes his head, then as it registers that
Spike actually dared to just hit him, Angel's pride takes
over and he lunges for him, the two vampires clicking into
their GAME FACES as they struggle.
BUFFY
(incredulous)
What the hell are you two doing? We
don't have time for this!
Angel and Spike SLAM into the reception desk, grabbing each
other by the shirt lapels as they continue to fight.
SPIKE
He's had this coming!
ANGEL
And I've had enough of putting up
with you every damn day!
SPIKE
Ooh, what's the matter, pride
taking a dent now, is it?
BUFFY
(furious)
Stop it, both of you!
Buffy wades into the fight as the two vampires grapple, until
a stray, flailing arm of Angel's HITS her, and she staggers
backwards.
Spike and Angel stop in an instant, their eyes locked on
Buffy as she recovers.
Buffy looks more shocked about being hit than in any pain,
pressing a hand to the side of her face as she glares, open
mouthed, back at the two of them.
ANGEL
Buffy, I-
CRACK! Angel is floored by a huge left hook from Buffy, and
he crashes to the floor.
Spike erupts into laughter, but Buffy turns on him next, and
the blazing anger in her eyes quickly has Spike backing away
defensively.
SPIKE
Er, hang on a minute, what did I
say to-
POW! Buffy hits Spike as hard as she can, and he stumbles
backwards, careening into the weapons display cabinet and
SHATTERING the glass windows.
As Spike tries to get back to his feet, we hear running
footsteps from off screen, and soon after both Skye and Nina
appear on the first floor balcony, Skye still pulling her
clothes on.
NINA
What the hell is going on down
there?
The girls take in the scene, both taking off down the stairs.
As Buffy, looking like she doesn't know what's going on,
backs away, Nina rushes to Angel and Skye to Spike, the girls
helping their men back to their feet.
BUFFY
I- I'm sorry, I didn't-
NINA
What's wrong with you? Why are you
three fighting?
BUFFY
I don't know, things just gout out
of-
NINA
Oh, yeah?
Nina breaks away from Angel and marches towards Buffy,
grabbing her and starting to shake her as she yells into her
face.
NINA (cont'd)
Maybe we don't want you and your
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