8 INT. POLICE STATION - FRONT DESK 8
The late shift is quiet. A couple of OFFICERS pass JANET
CONNELLS as she sits at the desk, looking over the
surveillance system.
Suddenly the doors BURST open --
Dawn strides inside. Her eyes are now a very distinct RED,
her skin seems to be cracking.
She looks to Connells, tilting her head. Then a dozen robed
figures rush in from behind her, grabbing the officer.
DAWN
I need this place.
On her emotionless expression we...
BLACK OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
9 EXT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - BACK YARD - NIGHT 9
Buffy is gazing at the stars, standing with her arms folded.
The back door opens and Jackson walks out. He joins her, not
saying anything for a moment.
JACKSON
It's getting colder.
BUFFY
A storm's coming.
JACKSON
(beat)
Dawn.
BUFFY
It's not Dawn.
JACKSON
I know. I get that.
BUFFY
No, you don't.
(beat)
Dawn's the only thing in my life...
if I lost her, what would I be?
I've told myself time and time
again that if it came down to the
world or Dawn, then I would have to
let her die.
(beat)
But they're just words. I don't
think I could do it.
JACKSON
No one would blame you if you
didn't.
BUFFY
Yes they would.
(beat)
This is the stuff I'm supposed to
do. The work I've been doing for
the past eight years. I'm the
Slayer. Always. And I know there's
dozens of others out there but none
of them have had to do what I've
done. Not even Faith.
(beat)
I lost my Mom. It still hurts. I
killed Angel to save the world and
I loved him more than...
She notices Jackson's look.
BUFFY (cont'd)
I've given up so much for this
world and I get nothing in return.
What's the point in fighting if
everything I get just gets taken
away?
JACKSON
We fight because we're the only
ones who will.
BUFFY
Sometimes I just... I just wish my
Mom was here.
(beat)
If Dawn dies, it'll be like I
failed her. That I'm not good
enough to have her in my life.
(beat)
I don't know how to live if I
haven't got Dawn with me.
JACKSON
I'll help you.
She turns back to him, gripping his hand.
BUFFY
I'm sorry.
JACKSON
For what?
BUFFY
You're always here for me and I can
never really...
JACKSON
Whatever happens, you'll have me.
Once you go Buffy, there's no going
back.
BUFFY
(smiles)
Is that what they say?
JACKSON
All the way from LA.
Buffy lowers her head.
JACKSON (cont'd)
Speaking of --
BUFFY
No.
JACKSON
I know, he's in with an evil law
firm but, we could really do with
some backup. I mean, Angel could
have so many resources and ways to
help Dawn --
BUFFY
No.
(beat)
He's not a part of this. I don't
trust him.
JACKSON
Okay. No Angel.
(beat)
Works for me.
BUFFY
(smiles)
You think we could fit in a
little...?
JACKSON
Willow's in your bedroom doing some
hocus pocus.
(beat)
Unless you're into kinks?
Buffy playfully slaps him on the chest.
BUFFY
I'll just settle for a kiss then.
JACKSON
Amen to that.
They move in closer and their lips lock. The camera slowly
zooms out on them.
10 INT. POLICE STATION - CELL BLOCK 10
Dawn is marching through the corridors as her minions unlock
the prisoners. Dawn turns to them all.
DAWN
You will not be free. You will
serve me.
PRISONER #1
W-who are you?
DAWN
I am Ulithios.
(beat)
Who are you?
PRISONER #1
I am... um, Mike.
DAWN
No.
She goes to him and backhands him, sending him crashing into
the bars.
DAWN (cont'd)
You are my sacrifice.
(beat)
One of many.
Her eyes scan the cells to see all the prisoners being
rounded up. She nods to one of her minions who pulls out a
dagger.
DAWN (cont'd)
Take them down. The power of the
Hellmouth combined with the
bloodshed will open a portal big
enough to bring forth my army.
(beat)
And once that is done, I will
ravage this world. It will be mine
once again.
PRISONER #1
I have a family. P-please... have
compassion.
DAWN
Compassion?
She wraps her hands around his head and TWISTS, pulling his
head OFF HIS SHOULDERS. The body falls to the floor.
She holds the head by the hair.
DAWN (cont'd)
Compassion is for the weak.
11 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LOUNGE 11
Jody and Andrew are at the computer. Xander and Anya are
looking through some books but Anya's not really into it as
much as the others.
ANYA
I shouldn't go into this battle.
XANDER
What?
ANYA
I tend to die. And that would be
bad.
XANDER
Okay.
ANYA
And I don't want you going either.
XANDER
An, I have to go.
ANYA
No you don't. You're often useless
anyway. Unless you have any crayon
stories for Dawn?
XANDER
Useless?
ANYA
I didn't mean that.
(beat)
Inadequate.
XANDER
And the insults keep on rolling.
ANYA
Xander, we have a child coming. You
and I are going to be parents.
(beat)
Do you know how scary that is?
XANDER
I think I kinda do.
ANYA
So think how scared I'd be if you
were out there fighting, possibly
dying, and I was here wondering
what it would be like to be a
single parent.
XANDER
I'm not gonna die. I promise.
ANYA
I know. Because you're not going.
XANDER
Anya, please. This is Dawn. I have
to be there to...
ANYA
To what, Xander? Buffy can kill,
Willow can do the magic, and you
can what?
XANDER
I can help. I signed on for this so
I have to go.
ANYA
And when we had sex without
protection you signed on to be a
Father. What good are you if you're
in the ground?
XANDER
Anya --
BUFFY (O.S)
She's right.
Xander and Anya turn to the Slayer as she walks in.
BUFFY (cont'd)
You're not going.
XANDER
Buffy...
BUFFY
Sorry, Xand, but you're a family
man. No way am I gonna be blamed
for getting you killed.
(beat)
There's been enough death in this
house.
XANDER
I can't just stay here and do
nothing.
ANDREW
How about a trip to the cult?
They all turn to him as he spins around on his chair to face
them.
ANDREW (cont'd)
We've located the Bringers of
Origin. And they're in Cleveland.
ANYA
Well now, that's convenient.
XANDER
Then I'll go there.
(to Buffy)
And don't get all "you're a family
man," this is different. They're
just mortals, right?
BUFFY
We don't know. Xand, we need to
know how to get Dawn back.
FAITH
Looks like you could use a little
Slayer backup then.
Faith smiles, leaning on the door frame.
BUFFY
(to Faith)
You up to it?
FAITH
Slayed a Dragon, this should be a
piece of cake.
ANYA
God I'm hungry.
XANDER
(to Faith)
So let's go.
Faith picks up the axe left leaning on the wall and looks it
over. She nods to herself. Xander goes to the weapons chest.
ANYA
And what are we hoping to
accomplish here? Surely Faith
should be out there to kill
Ulithios.
BUFFY
No.
(beat)
No one's killing it until I get
Dawn back.
ANYA
Meanwhile it's killing tons of
other innocent people.
BUFFY
Anya, if I want your opinion... I
don't want your opinion. We do this
my way.
ANYA
Yes, because that never goes wrong.
Are we forgetting that not so long
ago Xander was one-eyed Joe?
XANDER
Anya --
BUFFY
And let's not forget that I came up
with the plan to defeat the
thousands of Uber-Vamps.
ANYA
Oh, you mean the one that got me
and Spike killed?
ANDREW
And hey, you both turned out all
right.
(beat)
And why is it no one ever stays
dead?
ANYA
That's not the point.
(to Buffy)
You're not thinking straight
because it's Dawn. If it were
anyone else you wouldn't think
twice about killing them.
FAITH
Hey. Back off.
(beat)
There have been some losses but
look around, we're still here. The
world's still here.
(beat)
Buffy's the leader.
Buffy turns to Faith with a look of slight shock. She then
looks back to Anya.
BUFFY
What would you do if this were your
child?
ANYA
She's not your child.
BUFFY
She's apart of me. The monks made
her from my blood. And I'll be
damned if I let her die.
ANYA
Then you'll be damned.
ANDREW
Okay guys, intervention time.
XANDER
Faith, we rolling?
FAITH
Show me the way, Joe.
Andrew passes Xander a piece of paper from the printer,
giving him a nod.
ANDREW
It's underground.
XANDER
Sure. Makes sense.
Buffy stops him.
BUFFY
Be careful.
XANDER
You too.
He looks to Anya, sharing a look, then he and Faith EXIT.
Buffy turns to the window and watches them leave.
12 INT. SHAW RESIDENCE - LOUNGE 12
Jackson is rooting through his cupboard, pulling out various
weapons. Giles is close by, looking around the room.
GILES
No doubt your life has changed
quite a bit since meeting Buffy.
JACKSON
Yeah. It's funny, you dream about
doing this stuff when you're
younger. You know, fighting the bad
guys, being a hero. But the reality
of it? Not so nice.
GILES
No. It's not.
(beat)
She cares for you.
Jackson pulls himself out and looks at Giles.
JACKSON
I know.
GILES
You and I haven't really seen eye
to eye since meeting.
JACKSON
Well, we did have that little spat.
GILES
If Buffy can't kill Ulithios --
JACKSON
Then we'll all die.
GILES
No. Well, yes, but it will fall on
you, Jackson. You are the Guardian,
whatever that means.
JACKSON
I won't kill Dawn.
GILES
That isn't Dawn.
JACKSON
I know but... if I were to kill it,
it would take away Buffy's hope of
ever getting Dawn back. I can't see
her forgiving me for that.
GILES
So you would risk the world?
JACKSON
For her love? I would risk
everything.
Giles takes this in.
GILES
She would kill you.
This hits Jackson.
GILES (cont'd)
She killed Angel to save the world.
Her love for him was something I
could only imagine.
(beat)
You see, she is a hero. She
sacrifices things she loves because
she has to.
JACKSON
You're right.
(beat)
Doesn't change anything. I'm not
gonna kill Dawn.
He pulls out two pistols from the cupboard and tucks them
into his belt.
GILES
Then this shall be our last night
on this earth.
JACKSON
No disrespect, but you need some
confidence in your Slayer.
GILES
I have confidence. I also know her
better than I know anyone else. She
won't do it. And we'll all perish.
JACKSON
Then it was nice knowing you,
Giles.
13 INT. POLICE STATION - CORRIDORS 13
Dawn is walking down the corridors with her entourage of
minions quickly following, dragging the prisoners along with.
Suddenly Dawn stops at the sight of a small group of
officers, all handling guns.
OFFICER #1
Drop the prisoners!
DAWN
You dare throw commands at me like
I am your peasant?
OFFICER #1
Girl, put your hands behind your
head and step forward slowly.
DAWN
This world is overrun by parasites.
(beat)
I'm going to change that. She
advances quickly.
OFFICER #1
(shouts)
Fire!
The officers all open fire on Dawn as she approaches them.
But the bullets bounce off of her body, not effecting her one
little bit.
She throws a punch at one of the officers and buries her fist
in his body.
She pulls it out and lets him drop the floor. The officers
continue firing but to no avail.
One by one Dawn takes them out until she reaches the officer
who ordered her.
DAWN
You are afraid.
OFFICER #1
I d-don't know what you are but --
DAWN
Silence!
(beat)
You will be the first. Your blood
will converge with the energy and
enable my army once again.
(to minions)
Take him.
The robed figures quickly pounce on him, tying him up with
some rope. Then they all head off again, stepping on the
bodies of the dead officers.
14 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - BUFFY'S ROOM 14
Willow is sitting on the bed with her back against the wall,
looking over a few books. She seems distracted though, not
really concentrating on what she should be.
There's a KNOCK at the door. Andrew steps in, looks around,
then closes the door behind him.
ANDREW
Do you... need any help?
WILLOW
No. I mean, there's not much about
the Old Ones anyway so finding a
spell to get one out of a human
body? Not that hard. If there is
one.
ANDREW
Seems pretty hopeless.
WILLOW
(beat)
There's been too many deaths.
ANDREW
Sure has. This house has had
nothing but blood on its walls.
(beat)
I miss Kennedy too.
WILLOW
Seems like only yesterday she was
here, talking to me.
ANDREW
She'll always be with you.
(beat)
But not in a taunting "I'm The
First" way... right?
WILLOW
No. I haven't even seen her, like,
I haven't dreamt of her. I feel
like I should have done, if she
meant anything to me at all, I
should have dreamt of her.
ANDREW
You loved her.
WILLOW
Did I? I can't even find this demon
that killed her.
(beat)
I mean, Dawn's description of...
She stops, an expression of realization painting her face.
She turns to Andrew.
ANDREW
Huh?
WILLOW
There was no demon.
ANDREW
But if there was no demon then...
WILLOW
Dawn killed her.
Willow rises from the bed, her eyes growing in intensity.
Andrew is standing in shock.
ANDREW
We have to tell the others.
WILLOW
No.
(beat)
I have to finish this.
Her head tilts to the ceiling as a glowing white light begins
to envelope her. The light blinks with a darkened purple as
she suddenly vanishes from view.
Andrew looks on.
ANDREW
That's not good.
BLACK OUT.
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
15 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LOUNGE - NIGHT 15
Buffy is standing in front of the fire, with Anya, Jody, and
Marie listening to her. The door opens, revealing Giles and
Jackson. They enter and take their places.
MARIE
And as I was saying, Ulithios would
need a lot of sacrifices to release
its army on this world.
GILES
And a lot of energy.
BUFFY
So where's it gonna get both in
such short time?
JACKSON
The police station.
Everyone turns to him.
JACKSON (cont'd)
Think about it. All those
prisoners, plus the cops...
GILES
And the Hellmouth is below it.
BUFFY
Okay. That's good.
(beat)
I mean, good cos we know where
it'll be.
JACKSON
And I know the station like the
back of my hand.
Marie shoots him a curious look.
JACKSON (cont'd)
I used to be a cop.
BUFFY
Right. So all we need is Willow to-
ANDREW (O.S)
Willow's gone.
The crowd turns to see Andrew rushing down the stairs and
into the lounge.
BUFFY
What do you mean Willow's gone?
ANDREW
She realized Dawn killed Kennedy.
Buffy and Giles share a concerned look.
BUFFY
We can't let her get to the
station.
JODY
Why? I mean, don't hit me or
anything, but Willow's an amazing
witch. If anyone can take on
Ulithios, she can.
BUFFY
You need to brush up on your Willow
history. Ulithios killed her
girlfriend, which normally equals
dark, evil, apocalypse-wanting
Willow.
(beat)
We've got enough to deal with at
the moment.
ANDREW
Well, she did a vanishing trick up
there so my guess is she's at the
station right now.
ANYA
No. Willow's powerful but she still
hasn't mastered teleportation.
She's airborne, it takes longer.
JACKSON
So there goes our shot of bringing
Dawn back with magic.
BUFFY
Xander and Faith will get
something.
GILES
And we have to get to Willow before
she does something she'll regret.
Buffy acknowledges this and grabs the Scythe that's hanging
on the wall. She turns to Giles.
BUFFY
What if she's over the edge?
GILES
Then I guess we'll have more blood
on our hands than we bargained for.
Each of them grab some weapons and head for the door. One by
one they exit. All apart from Anya who closes the door behind
them.
She shrugs, moving back to the sofa, switching the TV on. The
cartoons sound from it.
ANYA
Bugs Bunny? Could this night get
any worse?