ACT THREE
FADE IN:
26 EXT. SHAW RESIDENCE - DAY 26
The sun is shining down on the street of Rockwell Avenue. A
few kids ride up and down on their scooters.
27 INT. SHAW RESIDENCE - KITCHEN 27
Jackson opens the fridge. He pulls out a carton of milk, and
drinks straight from it. Buffy enters. Jackson turns to face
her.
BUFFY
Got milk?
He wipes his mouth and smiles.
JACKSON
Anything new?
BUFFY
No. They're working on a way to
break through the police records.
So far they haven't been able to.
JACKSON
They must have changed the
passwords.
(beat)
Standard police procedure.
BUFFY
Is Susan okay?
JACKSON
She's just been there all day.
BUFFY
Do you thinks she knows something?
JACKSON
I don't know. Even if she does, we
don't know what it relates to.
Beat.
JACKSON (cont'd)
Do you think it'll be this real for
forever?
BUFFY
Huh?
JACKSON
It's a line from a song. Foo
Fighters; Everlong. It's something
I've always been trying to
decipher.
BUFFY
Have you managed it?
JACKSON
I think so.
(turns to her)
I think I love you.
Buffy looks flustered.
BUFFY
Okay?
JACKSON
I think. No, it goes beyond want.
There's this feeling I get when
you're around. It's like, the whole
world just falls away and all I see
is you. No. I'm saying this all
wrong.
Buffy smiles.
JACKSON (cont'd)
I can't get you out of my head.
You're in me.
BUFFY
And you're in me.
(quickly)
Or, you will be... I mean... God.
Nerves, much?
He nears her.
JACKSON
So maybe tonight we could have some
alone time?
BUFFY
You mean...?
JACKSON
(nods)
I mean.
He catches a slight hesitation in her manner.
JACKSON (cont'd)
Don't you feel it?
BUFFY
It's been a while since...
(blushes)
I'm just trying to work out what's
best for everyone.
Jackson laughs.
BUFFY (cont'd)
What's so funny?
JACKSON
Buffy. Unless you're into some
kinky stuff that I just didn't know
about, this is about us. Me and
you.
Buffy nods.
BUFFY
I get that but, you see, my
boyfriends usually end up either
trying to kill my friends or...
actually, Spike did kill a good
friend of mine... and Angel killed
Jenny.
She stops for a moment, remembering. It still hurts. Jackson
quickly puts his hands on her arms.
JACKSON
I'll never hurt you like that.
BUFFY
You can't know that.
JACKSON
I believe it.
A beat.
BUFFY
Then I do too. They lean in to
kiss.
CUT TO:
28 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LOUNGE 28
Willow has been tied to a chair with strong rope. Kennedy
finishes tying it up. Willow struggles in vain.
WILLOW
Oh come on. Haven't you ever wanted
vengeance?
KENNEDY
Problem is it doesn't end there...
Xander turns round and faces Willow.
XANDER
... because hate breeds hate.
Everyone looks at him funnily.
XANDER (cont'd)
Hey... aren't I allowed to have a
deep-seeded sense of sociopolitical
issues?
Dawn walks forward. As she does so, Jody nudges into Andrew.
They share warm smiles and knowing glances.
DAWN
Who are you?
WILLOW
As I explained to Bruce Lee over
there. My name is Jeff, and I died
not long ago.
Andrew picks up the paper and passes it to Dawn.
DAWN
Jeff Atkins?
Willow nods.
DAWN (cont'd)
'Jeff Atkins: a local Cleveland
Resident has been formally
announced as dying of poison.
Family members would not comment,
and his girlfriend - whose name we
cannot publish - has not, as of
yet, been contacted.'
WILLOW
(dismissively)
What a crock!
DAWN
What do you mean?
WILLOW
Reverse the question and change it
to this: Why can't she be reached
for contact?
DAWN
I don't know.
WILLOW
Because she murdered me.
Xander walks forward.
XANDER
That's a pretty harsh accusation,
bub.
Andrew smirks.
XANDER (cont'd)
Got any proof?
WILLOW
The DNA on my tongue. She put the
poison on my tongue while I was
sleeping. I woke up, feeling sick,
and staggered to the living room. I
died on the floor.
(to everyone)
Is that any way to go?
DAWN
So you came back for a reason?
WILLOW
Vengeance.
Anya walks through the wall.
ANYA
Ooh, where?
DAWN
Willow's been possessed, and the
possessor - Jeff - says his
girlfriend poisoned him.
Anya stares intently at Willow.
ANYA
No wonder. He cheated on her.
(to Xander)
Trick of the trade.
(to Willow)
Shame on you.
(beat)
I must say, the job she did doesn't
appear to be very thorough. If my
services were available, I'm sure
we could have thought up a much
more appropriate method of pain and
suffering for you.
(excited)
Like letting a Moroch Demon lay its
eggs in your vital organs and
watch, one by one, as they hatch
and --
XANDER
(interrupting)
Let it go, honey.
The Gang stare at her. Xander shakes his head, amused. Andrew
begins to type quicker and quicker at the computer. As he
does so, he uncovers some interesting background information
on Susan.
ANDREW
Guys. I think Susan isn't quite as
innocent as we'd all like to
believe. Take a look at this.
Everyone - except for Willow - hurries to the computer.
Willow gradually works out the repercussions of what they
said.
Her eyes focus tight. The ropes around her hands fall off
her, and land in a heap on the floor. She climbs off the
chair, and walks towards them. They turn to her.
KENNEDY
Oh, shi --
With a brush of her hand, Willow sends Kennedy flying across
the room.
She smashes through a pillar, and lands in a heap of wood.
Dawn is pushed backwards, sending her sprawling over the
couch. Andrew and Jody are sent flying into the cupboard, and
the door is locked firmly shut.
Xander is sent slamming into the wall, and lands in a heap on
the floor. Willow next turns to Anya.
ANYA
It's time like these I love being a
ghost.
(beat)
You can't hurt me.
WILLOW
Maybe. But if you know this witch
as much as you think you do then
you'll know she's extremely
powerful. I'm extremely powerful.
So you'd better not piss me off.
ANYA
Oh, what are you gonna do? Torture
me with bunnies until I...
(realizing)
Damnit!
(beat)
I won't tell. You deserved to die
for your crimes. You cheated on
her!
WILLOW
(taunts)
Bunnies...
ANYA
She's ten houses down the street,
just don't play the bunny card!
Willow nods and walks out. Xander slowly gets to his feet.
XANDER
Anya?
He falls over again.
ANYA
It's times like these that I hate
being a ghost.
Anya rushes over to Xander. He looks up at her, hurt.
XANDER
You told her where Buffy was.
ANYA
Yeah.
(beat)
Don't worry. Buffy is strong and
masculine. She can take care of her
self.
XANDER
Remember the last time they fought?
Beat.
ANYA
And we're back to liking the ghost
part.
She smiles.
CUT TO:
29 INT. SHAW RESIDENCE - KITCHEN 29
Jackson and Buffy are kissing away, without a care in the
world.
CUT TO:
30 INT. SHAW RESIDENCE - LOUNGE 30
Susan is watching television -- still. Suddenly the front
windows smash, and glass flies everywhere. Susan leaps off
the couch in terror, and screams.
Buffy and Jackson burst in from the kitchen. Floating in the
air is Willow -- an evil look in her eye. She is staring
straight at Susan.
WILLOW
Hello lover. Miss me?
SLOW-MOTION SEQUENCE
-- Willow firing a blast of mystical energy. -- Buffy running
into frame. -- Susan crying. -- Buffy diving onto Susan, and
knocking her out of frame.
RETURN TO NORMAL
as the blast blows up the television. Buffy picks up Susan,
and almost throws her to Jackson.
BUFFY
Get her out of here. Jackson heeds
the advice.
Buffy turns back to Willow, and is nailed in the chest with a
blast of mystical energy. The force of the blow causes her to
crash into the wall. Buffy slumps on the floor, momentarily
winded.
BUFFY (cont'd)
Willow? What hell is wrong with
you?
WILLOW
I'm sorry. Willow's sold up. Jeff's
moved in.
Buffy's confused.
BUFFY
You... what are you?
WILLOW
I'm dead. That bitch killed me.
Now, it's payback time.
Willow fires another blast of mystical energy. Buffy gets up
just in time, and leaps over it. While the door smokes she
runs at Willow.
Buffy goes for a flying kick, but Willow deftly side steps.
She grabs Buffy around the neck, and tries to choke the life
out of her.
WILLOW (cont'd)
All I want is vengeance. I have a
right to it!
BUFFY
Sorry. Can't help you.
Buffy slams her head forward. It slams into Willow's with a
resounding THUD, and she loosens her grip. Buffy pulls
herself and Willow forward, and leaps off the wall in a
somersault motion.
She lands on the other side, and kicks her Wicca friend in
the back. Willow slams into the wall. Buffy darts at Willow.
Willow spins round, and raises her hand in the air.
She pulls Buffy a few feet above the ground, and swings her
hand round. Buffy crashes into the wall, and bounces off the
floor.
WILLOW
I don't need your help.
(off-hands)
I have the power.
Buffy jolts up, and runs along the wall. She NAILS Willow in
the face with a flying kick. Willow reels backwards. Buffy
goes for some blows on Willow. She counters them all, and
grabs Buffy's hand. She hurls Buffy through the glass door.
CUT TO:
31 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LOUNGE 31
All the others are recuperating. Andrew is the only one doing
something. He is ploughing through Occult Texts online to
look for a release spell. He perks up when he finds one,
On the computer monitor, "THE OSGAPHIA SPELL" is clearly
highlighted.
ANDREW
Guys. Buckle up.
CUT TO:
32 INT. SHAW RESIDENCE - DINING ROOM 32
Buffy ROLLS along the floor and jumps to her feet, seeing
Willow HOVER in.
WILLOW
I never realized... how much power
she has... it's mine to wield now.
BUFFY
It's not yours.
(beat)
Willow, I know you're in there. I
know you can stop this.
Willow hesitates.
WILLOW
Oh, right. Why don't you start
telling me you love me? No, wait,
Xander's been there, told it over
and over.
Buffy curves a smile.
BUFFY
So she is still in there.
WILLOW
It makes no difference.
BUFFY
Well, we know not to kill you now.
WILLOW
"We?"
Her eyes look past Willow to see Jackson. He TACKLES her with
curtains, obviously pulled down for this task. They WRESTLE
on the floor for a moment but suddenly --
There is a blast of light, and Jackson and Buffy are THROWN
against the walls, knocked almost unconscious. Willow STANDS,
a dark GLOW. Her eyes formulating a sinister RED.
She starts towards Buffy but stops -- -- her hand TURNS to
see Susan watching from the doorway.
WILLOW (cont'd)
Found you!
CUT TO:
33 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LOUNGE 33
Xander, Dawn, Andrew, and Kennedy are standing in a CIRCLE.
Anya is watching from afar.
DAWN
Gods of exile I summon you. Take
back what was once yours, reclaim
your stolen, and free the Sister of
the Circle. I command you to free
her.
A beat.
ANYA
"Sister of the Circle?"
XANDER
Anya!
DAWN
Bring down your magicks and take
the soul belonging to your realms.
CUT TO:
34 EXT. SHAW RESIDENCE - STREET 34
Susan RUNS out the front door and into the street, trying to
get away. But it's to no avail. WILLOW appears right in front
of her, a smile on her lips.
WILLOW
Can't run. Can't hide.
SUSAN
Please...
WILLOW
What? Don't kill you like you did
me?
SUSAN
Jeff, I loved you.
WILLOW
Didn't seem that way when you put
down my dinner and watched as the
poison took my life. In fact, I
think I remember a smile coming
from you when I was gasping for
life.
SUSAN
You cheated on me! I loved you and
you betrayed me!
WILLOW
I didn't deserve to die.
(beat)
You do, though.
Willow's hand GRABS Susan by the neck and pins her against a
lamppost, squeezing the life out of her. Susan's flesh begins
to go a very dead-like blue until -- -- Willow is THROWN back
by an unseen force. She SLIDES along the pathway and CRASHES
into the fence.
Jackson RUSHES to Susan's aid as he and Buffy come out of the
house. Buffy looks at Willow, who's eyes have returned to
their normal status. She looks afraid, TREMBLING.
WILLOW (cont'd)
B- Buffy?
A moment before Willow breaks down in TEARS. Buffy doesn't
hesitate, she takes her friend in her arms and comforts her
as the rest of the Scooby Gang come running down the street.
Kennedy looks at them, sighs.
BLACK OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
35 INT. SHAW RESIDENCE - BEDROOM - NIGHT 35
Buffy is sitting on the bed, looking out as the moon glares
through the window. She turns to the door, seeing Jackson
walk in with a couple of mugs of coffee. He sets them down
and joins her on the bed.
BUFFY
You okay?
JACKSON
Just dandy.
BUFFY
And Susan?
JACKSON
I took her down to the station and
she confessed it all.
(beat)
I don't know who to feel sorry for.
BUFFY
Willow. She didn't ask for any of
that but their sins brought it upon
her. She's the one I feel for.
Jackson's hand moves onto hers.
JACKSON
I was kinda hoping I was the one
you'd feel for.
BUFFY
(smiles)
I will.
JACKSON
When?
Buffy moves closer to him and they KISS. It takes a moment,
then they ROLL over onto the bed, getting into the PASSION.
Buffy is on top of him, her legs round his groin.
JACKSON (cont'd)
So now then, huh?
They KISS again.
DISSOLVE TO:
36 INT. WILLOW & KENNEDY'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM 36
Willow is wrapped up in bed, looking pale. She's staring out
the window, lost in her own thoughts. Kennedy ENTERS with a
mug of tea and passes it to her, taking her place next to
her.
KENNEDY
Rough day.
WILLOW
Yeah.
KENNEDY
Not your fault.
Willow nods but a tear falls.
KENNEDY (cont'd)
Will, it's not.
WILLOW
I know, it's just... it's proved
it. That the darkness is still
there, that it can be tapped into
at any moment. I don't wanna be
like that again.
(beat)
I just wanna be Willow.
KENNEDY
You are. You know, I've seen a lot
of things since being with you,
gone through stuff I wouldn't have
imagined a few years back... and I
wouldn't change it for the world.
(beat)
Will, I'll never let you lose
yourself. I love you.
WILLOW
I know.
Pause. Willow turns over, leaving Kennedy to STARE after her.
Finally she gets into the covers and wraps her arms around
her.
KENNEDY
I don't know what I'd do if I
didn't have you.
WILLOW
You'd be safe.
KENNEDY
Yeah, cos Slayers are never hunted
by demons and vamps or the forces
of darkness.
WILLOW
You'd be safe from me.
Kennedy lifts her head as Willow turns to face her. They both
look real serious.
KENNEDY
Are you breaking up with me?
WILLOW
No, God, no. Kennedy, I need you.
But I just wonder if being with me
is what's best for you.
KENNEDY
Well don't. I know what's best for
me. You're the one I think about
everyday. You're the one I love.
WILLOW
Promise?
KENNEDY
You shouldn't even have to ask.
They KISS as we...
DISSOLVE TO:
37 EXT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - PORCH 37
Anya stands, GAZING up at the blanket of stars surrounding
her. She doesn't turn as the door opens. Xander moves to her,
standing right beside her.
XANDER
Something up?
ANYA
No.
XANDER
C'mon, Anya. I know you. A beat.
ANYA
I'm scared, Xander.
XANDER
Of what?
ANYA
You. Us.
XANDER
Why?
ANYA
I don't know if there's any room
for me in your life anymore. You've
got this whole new life you're
heading towards and I don't think
I'm gonna fit in.
XANDER
What? You are. You're fitting.
ANYA
I'm a ghost.
(beat)
Well, there's a line that really
isn't something you'd use
everyday... unless you're me.
XANDER
Anya, I love you. I always have,
since the moment... when Andrew
told me about what happened to you
back in Sunnydale, I put on a brave
face because I knew there was
nothing I could do. But inside, it
tore me apart. An, I've been so
lost without you.
ANYA
And now you're finding your way.
XANDER
Because of you. You remember that
story about the three wise men who
follow the star?
ANYA
The Bible.
XANDER
It's like, I'm a less-wise-man
following that star. And you're it.
You're my guiding light.
(beat)
I wouldn't have had the strength or
will to go to that interview today
if I didn't know you were around.
Anya turns to him, teary.
ANYA
I hurt you, Xander. When I slept
with Spike, I hurt you... and
although I didn't mean to do that,
there was still vengeance in my
mind. That can't be good. I can't
be good for you.
XANDER
We fit together.
ANYA
What?
XANDER
We said it before. We fit together.
There's no-one else in this world
that I could imagine being with...
okay, maybe Angelina Jolie.
Anya lets out a slight chuckle.
ANYA
She's a demon.
XANDER
What?
ANYA
Lips like that? They've gotta be
used for something.
Xander raises his eyebrows - Anya gets it, but her smile
fades back to the somber look before.
ANYA
What are we gonna do?
XANDER
Live. Or, whatever. Does it matter?
Can't we just take each day as it
comes?
ANYA
I guess. If you want.
XANDER
When did you become so selfless?
ANYA
Right about the time you became so
responsible.
XANDER
I wish I could kiss you.
ANYA
Me too. Uh, kiss you.
We ZOOM OUT, still fixed on them standing on the Porch,
staring at the sky.
DISSOLVE TO: