buffy8x19 Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
[previous | bottom] ACT TWO
FADE UP;
9 WILLOW'S APARTMENT. NIGHT. 9
The place looks a little more homely know - what bits of it
we can see, anyway. Torches are in force again as Xander puts
on his Man Of The House hat to try to keep things moving.
Willow still hasn't left the couch, but she's sitting up now
and sipping at a glass of water. Doodles is sitting on her
lap, watching things and scratching his ear lazily.
Xander and Anya's soggy boxes of things are leaving damp
patches on the rugs on the floor as Anya and Xander stand
together near the window, watching the storm.
ANYA
(quietly)
Couldn't she do a bit more to help?
XANDER
Like what? She's been through
enough lately, An.
ANYA
Well, couldn't she rustle up a
little magic circle of candles or
something? You know witches and
their candle fetish. I'm surprised
she wasn't stacking 'em up and
lighting them the second the power
went out!
XANDER
Be reasonable, honey, Will's just
got to do what she needs to get
through this right now, and we're
here to keep her grounded while she
does that.
Anya opens her mouth to reply, but Xander cuts her off with a
raised finger.
XANDER (cont'd)
And that's exactly what we're going
to do. Right?
Anya pouts, looking distinctly unimpressed with the whole
situation.
ANYA
Fine.
(beat; mutters)
Just because you used to be in love
with her..
XANDER
What was that?
ANYA
(irritated)
Oh, nothing.
WILLOW
(distant)
Do you ever wonder why it happens?
Anya and Xander exchange a look - Anya nods and Xander goes
and sits by Willow on the couch, where she is still staring
into space.
XANDER
Why what happens?
WILLOW
Why we're always alone. Why the
people we love always get taken
away from us.
XANDER
That's not always true. Not
everyone you love goes away.
Xander throws a look back to Anya, who smiles. Willow still
hasn't looked at Xander as she sips her water.
WILLOW
For me they do. I loved you, and
then you stole my Barbie and we
grew up, and that was it. Apart
from that time just before Cordelia
landed on those spikes.
Xander looks a little guilty as Anya pits her hands on her
hips and glares at him.
Xander quickly goes into Damage Control mode, taking his arm
from round Willow and shuffling ever so slightly away from
her.
XANDER
Uh, well, that was a long, long
time ago, Will.. and besides, I
never really went away. I've always
been here. And I still love you.
(grins)
Saved the world with that line,
remember?
WILLOW
(not listening)
And then there was Oz. Oz was nice.
I liked Oz a lot. I loved Oz. And
then he went away. He went away.
XANDER
You know why he did that. He did it
for you. But things don't always
work out the way you want them to,
I mean, when you met Tara by the
time Oz came back and all.
WILLOW
He came back and it was too late.
But he went away when I.. I still
loved him. He went away when I
loved him more than anything else
in the world.
ANYA
Of course, you'd have to have built
a kennel if he'd stayed..
XANDER
Anya!
ANYA
Okay, fine, I'm just going to go
and disappear for a while then.
She stomps out of the room in a huff. Xander watches her go,
and then turns back to look at Willow. He places one hand on
hers and squeezes, but she's still unresponsive.
XANDER
I know she doesn't act like it
sometimes, but Anya cares for you
too, you know. And don't forget
Buffy, and Giles. We all love you,
Will.
WILLOW
Tara. I loved Tara too. I don't
think I've loved anybody or
anything as much as Tara in my
life, she was.. she was just..
Xander pulls Willow's head onto his shoulder and she sighs,
resting against him. He wraps a brotherly arm around her.
XANDER
She was something else, I know.
Willow sits up suddenly and pushes
Xander away.
WILLOW
And now Kennedy! Why, Xander, why?
Why does everyone I love get taken
away? What do I do that's so wrong?
(tearful)
Haven't I been through enough? I
know I did bad things.. I know I
killed someone, but haven't I been
punished enough for that yet? Why
did Kennedy have to die too?
(sobbing)
Why does everyone always die?
She is lost to her tears, burying her face into Xander's
chest and sobbing, as he holds her shaking body tight to try
and soothe her.
Anya watches them from the kitchen doorway.
ANYA
Let's hope she doesn't cry herself
up another demon this time..
10 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - BUFFY'S ROOM. NIGHT. 10
Buffy and Jackson lie in bed under the covers, eyes twinkling
in the darkness as they gaze happily across at one another.
JACKSON
Well, I must say, your night vision
is obviously a heck of a lot better
than mine.. I couldn't see a damn
thing just then!
BUFFY
Slayer.
JACKSON
Ah..
They grin, and Buffy snuggles up next to him.
BUFFY
Well, that killed some time.. How
long till you reckon the power
comes back on?
Jackson looks up and towards the bedroom window, sees the
storm still ripping through Cleveland outside.
JACKSON
I'm guessing a while yet.
BUFFY
Looks like we'd better find
something else to do, then..
Jackson smirks and kisses her, but at that moment Buffy's
cell phone starts to ring. The couple groan as Buffy reaches
onto the bedside table and grabs the phone.
BUFFY (cont'd)
(into phone)
Hello?
ELLEN
(filtered; through phone)
Oh, Buffy, hey. Reception's been
pretty crappy 'cause of the
weather, I've been trying to call
for a while.
BUFFY
I might not have heard the phone
ringing, I've been.. kinda tied up.
ELLEN
Oh, boyfriend round, huh?
Buffy throws a look at Jackson, who can't hear Ellen, and
grins.
BUFFY
Guilty as charged.
ELLEN
Well, I hate to drag you away from
the warmth of your bed and all, but
little Emmily says she needs to see
you again. She seems kind of
worried - I've not seen her like
this before.
BUFFY
(back to business)
Right. I'll be over as soon as I
can.
ELLEN
Thanks, Buffy. See you in a sec.
Buffy hangs up, and then draws the topsheet around her and
hops off screen, out of bed.
JACKSON
You off? It's not exactly good
sailing weather out there.
BUFFY (O.S.)
Business. Emmily needs to see me
again.
JACKSON
(sighs)
She always does this just after
we've.. you know, doesn't she? Do
you think she can tell?
BUFFY (O.S.)
God, I hope not! Hand me my shirt,
will ya?
Jackson grabs a black blouse off the bed and tosses it
towards Buffy.
JACKSON
You gonna be gone long?
Buffy leans back into frame, dressed, and kisses Jackson.
BUFFY
Hopefully not.
She leaves, and Jackson sighs and settles back down.
11 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - FRONT ROOM. NIGHT. 11
Buffy grabs her jacket off the stairs as she passes on her
way to the door. Giles steps out from the kitchen and calls
after her.
GILES
Oh, Buffy, could we have a word? We
think we've found-
BUFFY
Sorry, Giles, can't stop. Got a
call on the red phone and
Commissioner Gordon needs to see me
right away.
GILES
(puzzled)
Red phone..?
Giles opens his mouth to speak again but Buffy is already
out, the door slamming in the wind behind her.
GILES (cont'd)
I definitely need to watch more
television.
12 INT. WILLOW'S APARTMENT. NIGHT. 12
We're looking in on Willow, tucked up in bed and sniffling as
we pull back a little bit to see Anya and Xander watching
her. Xander pulls the door closed.
ANYA
Do you think one of us should stand
guard over her? In case she tries
to, you know, jump out a window or
something.
XANDER
Willow won't do that. And besides,
we're only a few floors up, I think
she'd land safely. Most likely on
my car, knowing my luck.
ANYA
So what are we going to do with
her? Because, frankly, babysitting
a potentially lethal and recently
bereaved wicca only leads to bad
things. Like the end of the world.
XANDER
That won't happen again.
ANYA
How can you be so sure?
XANDER
(long beat)
I just am.
13 INT. WILLOW'S BEDROOM. NIGHT. 13
On the other side of the door, kneeling next to Willow in the
bed, we can hear Anya and Xander's muffled voices as Willow
stares out through the window, her eyes still wet with tears.
She closes her eyes and pulls the bedclothes up tight around
her.
14 INT. JUNGLE CLEARING. MORNING. 14
Willow finds herself back in the snow-covered jungle clearing
where she first met Tattles and the other members of the
Circle. A little way off is the village where she was told
about the Circle and her possible destiny, and she can see
signs of activity moving around inside it. The sounds of the
jungle wildlife around her are particularly loud.
15 INT. WILLOW'S BEDROOM. NIGHT. 15
Her eyes snap open, the sounds of the jungle echoing and
fading away in the background. Willow shifts round to lie on
her back, staring up at the ceiling, a thoughtful look on her
face now the tears have stopped.
16 EXT. CLEVELAND - STREET. NIGHT. 16
Buffy struggles forward through the almost horizontal rain
and howling wind, as she passes houses where trees have
uprooted in the front gardens and mailboxes have been blown
straight out of the ground. Pulling her jacket tight around
her and scowling defiantly at the winds, she trudges on step
by step towards Ellen's apartment block.
17 EXT. OUTSIDE APARTMENT BLOCK. NIGHT. 17
Buffy makes it as far as the entrance to Ellen's building,
pressing the intercom buzzer as the rain lashes down around
her. She presses it twice more, with no response.
BUFFY
(exasperated)
Ellen, come on!
She takes a few steps back and looks up to the fifth floor
apartment she's buzzing.
Just like everywhere else around, there are no lights on, but
noticeably two windows are open, the curtains inside flapping
in the wind.
A concerned look crosses her face, and she tries the buzzer
again. She waits a few moments, checks either side of her,
then kicks at the door with a burst of Slayer strength.
18 INT. INSIDE APARTMENT BLOCK. NIGHT. 18
The door clatters open and Buffy hops inside, taking a moment
to shake some of the rain water off herself like a soggy cat.
Shivering, she starts up the staircase towards the fifth
floor.
19 INT. OUTSIDE ELLEN'S APARTMENT. NIGHT. 19
Buffy reaches Ellen's room and goes to knock on the door when
she sees that the front door is slightly ajar. She pushes it
gently and it starts to swing open, and on instinct Buffy
tenses up, ready for trouble.
20 INT. ELLEN'S APARTMENT. NIGHT. 20
Buffy steps into the darkened living room, her eyes scanning
for movement. The wind howls in through the open windows,
rattling them in their frames, but those are the only sounds
as Buffy pads silently inside.
There's no-one in the kitchenette off the living room, and
some of Emmily's toys and colouring books are scattered over
the floor. The TV set has fallen backwards, and round the
small dining table two of the chairs have been knocked over.
Buffy continues pacing, her fists clenching. She approaches
the door leading to Ellen's room, pauses for a beat then
kicks it open and jumps inside.
21 INT. ELLEN'S ROOM. NIGHT. 21
Ellen's bedroom is empty, but the rumpled bed sheets and
disturbed furniture continue the theme from outside.
Buffy looks around for any sign of Ellen, but sees nothing.
She steps back out.
22 INT. EMMILY'S ROOM. NIGHT. 22
Emmily's small box room is next door to Ellen's, and after a
beat Buffy kicks the door open and hops inside. Again, signs
of a struggle but no sign of either of the two girls.
Buffy turns to leave when she hears a faint scratching sound.
She turns.
She looks towards the wooden wardrobe unit fitted into the
opposite wall and heads slowly towards it, the room
periodically lit up by lightning flashes outside.
Buffy takes a step towards the wardrobe but then we see a
shadow dart past the open front door, and quick as a flash
Buffy turns and runs back towards the doorway.
23 INT. ELLEN'S APARTMENT. NIGHT. 23
Buffy gets to the door in a moment, but after looking down
both sides of the corridor outside, she sees no-one. She
looks troubled, knowing something is wrong here.
24 INT. EMMILY'S ROOM - INSIDE WARDROBE. NIGHT. 24
Looking up from the ground at Buffy as she opens the wardrobe
door and looks inside, lit up by a flash of lightning. She
glances over the contents - clothes hanging up and a few
boxes, and goes to close the door when a small voice calls
out to her.
EMMILY (O.S.)
Buffy?
EMMILY pushes two of the boxes she was hiding behind aside
and peeps out from behind them. Her face lights up when she
sees Buffy, and she darts forward and into Buffy.
Almost knocked off her feet, Buffy hugs the little girl and
stands, holding her protectively against her.
EMMILY (cont'd)
I'm sorry, I had to hide. Someone
was here.
BUFFY
Who was here? And where's Ellen?
EMMILY
I don't know. I heard shouting, and
I think fighting too. Then I hid.
Haven't come out since.
BUFFY
How long have you been in there?
EMMILY
Not long, few minutes.
Buffy takes another look around the room.
BUFFY
Alright, let's get you somewhere
safe. You got a coat to wear? It's
a little wet outside.
Emmily nods and points to a red raincoat hanging off one of
the bedposts, which Buffy grabs.
25 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - FRONT ROOM. NIGHT. 25
Dawn opens the front door and steps inside, looking red
cheeked and a little out of breath as she tries to close the
door without anyone hearing. She starts to creep up the
stairs when Giles calls out from the kitchen.
GILES (O.S.)
Buffy? Is that you?
DAWN
Ah, no, Giles, it's Dawn. Just got
back.
Giles steps out into the hallway, taking in Dawn's drenched
appearance.
GILES
Where on Earth have you been? You
must be mad to go running around
outside in this storm.
DAWN
Oh, you know, around. Had some
things to do.
GILES
Well, I think it's best if you stay
at home until Buffy returns now,
just so we know where everyone is.
Giles steps back into the kitchen and Dawn carries on up the
stairs.
A look of extreme annoyance takes over her face, as we:
BLACK OUT:
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
FADE UP:
26 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - ANDREW'S ROOM. NIGHT. 26
Buffy tucks Emmily up in Andrew's bed, carefully smoothing
her hair down as she wraps the bedclothes up around her. She
smiles down at the little Oracle.
BUFFY
I remember how I used to do this
for Dawn when I was younger.. She
used to say she could only go to
sleep when I'd tucked her in.
EMMILY
I say that to Ellen too.
Buffy grins and stands, revealing Andrew standing, arms
folded, in the doorway, not looking best pleased as Buffy
walks over.
ANDREW
So, why does she have to use my
room? I mean, couldn't she uses
Dawn's, or maybe yours, or-
BUFFY
(interrupts)
She stayed in Dawn's last time. And
besides, your room has me on one
side and Dawn on the other, she'll
be safer there.
ANDREW
Well, um, where do I sleep?
BUFFY
Andrew, you spend half your life
down on the couch watching zombie
movies and the Sci-Fi Channel, one
night sleeping there won't kill
you.
Andrew huffs and heads downstairs as Buffy closes the door to
Emmily's room. There is a knock at the door, and Buffy frowns
- now who is it?
27 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - FRONT DOOR. NIGHT. 27
Buffy opens the door to reveal FAITH, soaked to the skin but
not looking like she minds, her long black hair stuck to her
skin.
FAITH
Hey, B, what's up?
BUFFY
Please tell me you didn't just come
round here to ask me to go dancing
in the rain with you..
FAITH
Heh, no, we got trouble.
BUFFY
(perks up)
Trouble?
FAITH
Yeah, downtown. Just came by on my
way over, the power's down at my
place and I was bored, saw a bunch
of vamps hanging around by a few
shops just inside the city centre.
Figured I'd best pick you up on my
way back out. I'd have called,
but..
She points upwards as lightning cracks overhead.
BUFFY
Let me get some things. Come on in.
Faith steps inside, shaking her jacket dry as Buffy kneels
down by the weapons chest next to the sofa.
Andrew appears at the foot of the stairs with a sleeping bag,
his Discman and a handful of CDs.
ANDREW
Oh, are you going out?
BUFFY
Trouble downtown. Vampire
scavengers.
FAITH
Yeah, something to pass the time
till the power comes back up.
ANDREW
Right.
(beat)
So can I sleep in your room till
you get back?
BUFFY
Not unless you want to bunk up with
Jackson!
(beat)
That means no.
ANDREW
Right, sure, okay.
Buffy heads back outside, axe in one hand, Faith follows
holding a sturdy baseball bat and closes the door behind her.
28 EXT. CLEVELAND - STREET. NIGHT. 28
We're looking at the glass front of a sports gear store - as
a trash can smashes through it, shattering it into a thousand
pieces.
The VAMPIRE MOB gathered outside cheer as the glass spills
out around them. There's around ten vampires, lapping up the
heavy rain and eager to get started on raiding the alarm-less
shops before them.
A pair of chunky black New Rock boots step into frame. Pan up
to follow Faith's patent leather trousers, and finally the
girl herself, bat in hand, a smirk on her face as she sizes
up her opponents. Buffy stands next to her, not looking at
all happy with the rain still.
FAITH
You ready to play some ball, B?
BUFFY
The only thing I'm ready for is a
warm shower and my bed.. let's get
this over with, okay?
Faith grins and strides boldly up to the closest vamp.
FAITH
Hey, Fido!
The vamp turns round, a confused look on its vamped out
features.
FAITH (cont'd)
Fetch!
She clocks the vamp with the bat and it drops like a stone to
the ground. Four of his buddies hiss and head over, fanning
out to circle Faith, who doesn't look at all worried.
Four more vamps are coming for her, she's ready with her
stake, eyes darting left to right.
BUFFY
You got 'em, Faith?
FAITH
Yeah, I got 'em.
As one, the two girls lunge forward, Faith producing a stake
from a slip pocket sewn into her trousers and dusting one
vamp as Buffy does the same.
Faith swings the bat again and drops another vamp, breaking
it over her knee and using the two halves to stake the two
stunned vamps on the ground.
Buffy she jumps into the air and spin kicks the nearest vamp,
sending it spiralling to the ground, rain flying off the pair
of them.
Buffy's on the vamp, staking him and rolling to avoid a kick
from another as she gets to her feet. She trades a few
punches with two vamps surrounding her, ending up back to
back against Faith. Faith smirks.
FAITH (cont'd)
This is what it's all about, ain't
it?
BUFFY
What, catching pneumonia while
fighting vamps?
(beat)
You bet.
The girls dart forwards again, each catching and staking
another vamp as they lunge out. The girls regroup – two
against three.
One of the vamps looks like he's about to make a break for
it, but Buffy's ready with the axe and sends it spinning
through air after him, neatly slicing his head off.
His two colleagues exchange a worried look, backing up as
Faith and Buffy advance slowly towards them.
VAMP #1
Now, uh, look, let's not be too
hasty here, okay..
VAMP #2
Yeah, we were just in town to do
some, you know, shopping.. can't we
come to an agreement?
He grins, slowly fishing a wad of obviously stolen cash out
of his jacket pocket.
They exchange an incredulous look, before throwing their
stakes forward together.
We hear two screams as the vamps simultaneously dust, and
Buffy sighs, wiping away some of the rain water streaming
down her face.
BUFFY
Are we done?
FAITH
Think so.. you heading back?
BUFFY
I most certainly am. You coming?
FAITH
Sure.
The girls walk off screen.
29 INT. WILLOW'S APARTMENT. NIGHT. 29
Xander and Anya sit on the couch in the gloom, huddled
together as Xander reads by torchlight. Anya looks
thoughtful.
ANYA
Xander?
XANDER
Yeah?
ANYA
Do you ever think about the future
these days?
XANDER
I try not to. As I learned from my
time on the Sunnydale electoral
roll, the future is never quite
what you expected it to be.
Besides, we've already had one
creepy potential vision of our
future show up and try to spoil the
party, so by keeping all thoughts
of it out of my head, I think we
can stay safe from it!
ANYA
I guess.
A beat.
ANYA (cont'd)
Do you want kids?
Xander can't help himself gulping loudly, but he manages to
put the book down and appear to remain calm.
XANDER
Well.. one day.. and not anytime
soon, if at all possible.. yeah, I
think I do.
ANYA
With me?
XANDER
Well, I don't see any other ex-ex
vengeance demons around here that
I'm in love with, so yes, with you.
(beat)
Something on your mind again,
honey?
ANYA
Not really. Just girl talk. I've
been practising it.
XANDER
Anya, when you start speaking in
normal 'girl talk,' then I get all
sorts of alarm bells ringing! Are
you sure you're okay? I mean, since
we made you human again you've
seemed a little..
ANYA
A little what?
XANDER
Well, I'm not sure. Just not quite
yourself. I mean, your sense of
sarcasm is present and correct, as
is your sex drive, so it's nothing
major, just..
ANYA
(sighs)
I know. I can't describe it either.
I just feel a little.. strange.
Xander kisses the top of her head affectionately.
XANDER
Whatever it is, it can't be
serious. And even if it is, we'll
get through it. I think we can
safely say we've been through worse
by now, right?
Anya smiles up at him and he smiles back, picking up his book
again.
ANYA
Do you think Willow would mind if
we had a little fun on her couch?
XANDER
I think that would be extremely
disrespectful, An.
ANYA
Even just a tiny bit?
XANDER
Well..
He looks down at Anya, who is giving him her best puppy dog
eyes.
XANDER (cont'd)
(grins)
Maybe just a little..
She grins back and leans up to kiss him. Xander throws the
book over his shoulder, knocking the torch over as he does so
and plunging the room into darkness.
We hear the two of them giggling as they shuffle around on
the couch.
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