TEASER
FADE IN:
1 EXT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - MORNING 1
The morning sun tops the trees, sending glittering rays of
light dancing across the dew covered lawn. Childish banter
followed quickly a collective laughter rings throughout the
neighborhood as a hoard of kids run past the front lawn, with
the gleeful chirping of birds in the background. There's an
indubitable feeling of perfection and security in the air,
declaring that all is well in the residential suburbs of
Cuyahoga County.
Slowly moving in from our panoramic view of the neighborhood,
we move in through the yard and toward the front door.
2 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS 2
Sweeping through the hallway, we peer in on the lounge to
find XANDER fast asleep with HOPE nestled protectively within
his arms.
Continuing along toward the staircase, we find nothing more
as we peer into the kitchen. From the view of the empty
kitchen, we cut to:
3 EXT. FIELDS - EVENING 3
WILLOW is walking lazily through a vast field, ripe with tall
sunflowers and exotic plants. She runs her hands through the
waist high greenery as she stares into the cloudless sky.
She exhales deeply as an obvious expression of comfort takes
her face. She takes several more steps before:
VOICE (O.S)
It's time, you know.
Willow abruptly stops, smiling to herself - the voice is
familiar. She turns around to see TARA standing before her,
dressed just as she was the day that she died and looking
almost angelic as she gracefully walks to Willow, a warm
smile upon her face.
WILLOW
(smiling)
I knew that it would be you.
TARA
I was getting a little bored up
there, so they gave me a short
vacation to see a girl about an
ascension.
The two girls share a long smile.
WILLOW
It's really good to see you.
TARA
I know.
(beat)
I mean... I didn't mean that in an
arrogant way, more of in the
agreeing sense that I was glad to
see you too.
WILLOW
(smiling)
I know.
Willow takes Tara's hand and they begin walking into the
field as we fade to:
4 EXT. FIELDS - LATER 4
The girls are sitting underneath the only tree in sight,
hiding in the shade from the warm sun.
TARA
Wow. That is a lot of... stuff.
WILLOW
(quickly)
You're not mad, are you?
TARA
No. Of course not. It's not like I
wanted you to become a hermit
because I died. You still had your
life, and I'm glad that you were
strong enough to live it.
WILLOW
(hesitant)
You know that after you died, I
didn't think I could keep going.
TARA
I know.
(beat; almost reluctantly)
I saw.
WILLOW
What's it like?
TARA
The afterlife?
Willow nods.
TARA (cont'd)
Well, we all sit on clouds, playing
our harps and singing 'Kum by Ya,
My Lord'.
(beat; laughing)
No, it's really kind of what you'd
expect... white light, feeling of
complete harmony. The ride there
was kind of rough, but it was worth
it... especially this moment.
WILLOW
(sincerely)
I don't know how I ever survived
without you.
TARA
You're the strongest person I've
ever known, Willow.
(beat)
You not only survived, but defeated
things that people can't even bring
themselves to see in their
nightmares. And it's that inner
strength that's going to give you
the courage to say goodbye to all
your friends, and take the next
step in the story.
WILLOW
I can't believe it's time already.
I'm not ready to leave everyone.
Xander just lost Anya and then
became a father, he needs me right
now. He needs all of us, and I've
got to abandon him.
TARA
(understanding)
You're not abandoning him. You're
going to help in protecting him and
every other person in the world.
WILLOW
(beat)
So what should I do?
TARA
You should live today like it was
your last... because it kinda is.
WILLOW
(forcing a smile)
I still can't believe that this is
what I'm meant to do. I mean
really... me, a goddess?
TARA
You've always been a goddess.
You'll just be living on a
different plane of existence.
Willow smiles boldly at Tara's declaration. After a moment,
the girls move closer into one another and finally come to
kiss.
Several moments pass as white light begins to build around
them, eventually consuming the whole of the screen and
forcing us to cut to:
5 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - WILLOW'S ROOM - MORNING 5
Willow raises her head from the pillow and quickly glances
around the room before that familiar warm smile crosses her
lips. She slowly rubs her fingers across them, remembering
the kiss.
As she starts to get out of bed, something catches her
attention.
Red lipstick is on her fingers... the same color that Tara
was wearing.
Off of Willow's broad smile, we:
BLACK OUT:
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
6 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LOUNGE - MORNING 6
BUFFY, ANDREW, and Xander are gathered around Hope as she
sleeps peacefully upon the couch. Buffy smiles, as does
Andrew, but Xander's expression is halfway between happy and
dazed - like he still hasn't been able to process all that's
brought him to this point.
Finally, Buffy turns away from the couch and taps Andrew on
the shoulder, motioning for him to follow her.
They walk from the lounge with Xander soon to follow, looking
back and checking on Hope several times before we cut to:
7 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - KITCHEN 7
Buffy plops down in a chair at the kitchen table while Andrew
heads straight for the refrigerator. Xander slowly comes into
the kitchen and sits down opposite Buffy at the table.
As he sighs heavily and stretches out, Xander is obviously
physically exhausted.
BUFFY
Fatherhood not all they claimed it
was in pre-marital sex class?
XANDER
Oh, don't get me wrong, the hood of
fathers is absolutely amazing.
(yawning)
It's also entirely exhausting. I
haven't slept a more than an hour
at a time since she's been born.
I'm always worried that she's going
to choke on something, or that
she's going to get a really big
booger stuck in her tiny little
nose and clog up her breathing.
(beat)
And even without the thought of
unlikely death scenarios running
through my head all hours of the
day, I still don't think I could
sleep after... what happened.
ANDREW
To Anya?
XANDER
(forcing a smile)
Yeah.
Xander ducks his head and eyes the table at the mention of
her name. Buffy immediately gives Andrew a menacing look and
begins mouthing the words 'Shut up' before Willow ENTERS the
room.
WILLOW
Hey, guys.
A collective 'hey' is released as she comes into the room,
but none more enthusiastic than Xander's, who manages to
nearly perk up upon Willow entering the room.
WILLOW (cont'd)
Where's Hope?
BUFFY
Sleeping. Couch. Sofia's still in
bed.
Willow comes up from behind Xander and hugs his neck, placing
her head on his right shoulder.
WILLOW
And how are you?
XANDER
Me? I'm great. I've slept a total
of two hours in three days and I
can't eat.
WILLOW
Things will get better.
XANDER
(apathetically)
Says who?
WILLOW
That little girl asleep on the
couch.
Xander looks over to Willow and actually manages a smile.
XANDER
What would I do without you, Will?
WILLOW
(quickly)
Why? Who said that I was leaving?
XANDER
What? Nobody. It was a rhetorical
question, meaning that I didn't
really require an answer from you.
(beat; confused)
It was well intentioned?
He and Buffy exchange looks of perplexity.
BUFFY
(to Willow)
Are you okay?
WILLOW
Yeah. I'm fine. I've just got to-
With that, Willow bolts for the door, leaving everyone to
curiously eye each other.
XANDER
Willow did just freak out, right?
BUFFY
With a capital 'freak'.
XANDER
Good.
(off look)
Not good that she freaked, but good
that I'm not seeing things again.
(beat; off look)
I saw a leprechaun, but it was only
for a second!
Buffy cracks a smile, but Andrew isn't in on the joke as we
cut across to:
8 INT. GILES' APARTMENT. DAY. 8
The door opens to reveal MARIE standing in the hallway, a
worried smile up on her face. GILES puts on almost exactly
the same smile as he sees her.
MARIE
Rupert.
GILES
Oh, Marie. Hello.
MARIE
(beat)
May I come in?
GILES
(stepping aside)
Yes, of course. Please accept my
apologies. I was up virtually all
night doing research. Hasn't left
me the most perceptive person this
morning.
Marie ENTERS the room as Giles closes the door behind her.
GILES (cont'd)
Where's Max?
MARIE
He's out getting some supplies. I
told him that while he's living off
your hospitality, the least he
could do is buy a few groceries now
and then! So, this research -
anything I can help you with?
GILES
No. I've got it under control,
thank you.
MARIE
Oh come now, Rupert. I've got
nothing, but time and-
GILES
(suddenly cold)
That won't be necessary.
MARIE
But-
GILES
As Head Watcher, I must insist that
you respect my wishes and not allow
a personal relationship to
intervene with the fact that I am
in charge.
MARIE
(tetchy)
My relationship with Max has no
place in this conversation and,
most certainly, does not affect my
sense of following chain of
command.
GILES
(beat; reluctantly)
I was talking about our
relationship.
MARIE
Oh...
GILES
Now, was there anything I can help
you with? Because if not, I really
should get back to my work. I have
a lot to put together ahead of my
presentation to the Council next
week.
MARIE
Oh, no, nothing important.
Although...
GILES
Yes?
MARIE
Can I just stay round here for a
while? I needed to be somewhere
else, if that makes sense. And
besides which, watching you work is
always good for helping me feel
relaxed.
Giles hesitates, then nods and steps away from the door. He
manages a warm smile - despite his attempts to stay distant,
his feelings for Marie are still painfully obvious.
He heads into the kitchen, and off of Marie's guilty
expression, we cut to:
9 EXT. CEMETERY - AFTERNOON 9
Willow is standing in the center of the cemetery, staring
down at a headstone.
WILLOW
(waving)
Hey. It's just me again. I thought
about what you said about living
today as my last day on earth, and
I've decided that this is how I'm
going to spend it... tying up loose
ends.
(beat)
I don't know if I mentioned it
earlier, but I had your headstone
put here. It's an exact replica of
the one back home. If I had known
that the Hellmouth would swallow
the city, I probably would have
saved it...
(sheepishly)
... and your body.
(beat; nearly tearing up)
I just didn't want there to be
nothing that reminded the world
that you were here.
Willow stops and wipes her eyes.
WILLOW (cont'd)
I put you on the opposite end of
the cemetery from Kennedy, because
I didn't know how you'd feel about
being buried somewhere near the
girl that came after you. As it
turns out, though, I don't think
you'd mind. And it would have saved
me a long walk.
(beat)
That was a joke. I'm still not very
good with those.
(tearing up again)
I just want to say that I've missed
you every day for the past three
years, and that your memory has
been what has kept me going. And
it's what makes me think that I can
do this.
As she begins to cry, we fade to: Willow is standing on the
opposite end of the cemetery, looking down at another
headstone.
WILLOW (cont'd)
And I know I went and saw Tara
first, but that doesn't mean that
you're any less important to me.
(beat)
I know I haven't been out here as
much as I should have been. I've
been keeping really busy. I'm
ascending to a higher plane!
(beat)
I know that you weren't into that
kind of stuff unless it was to
support me, so I'll spare you the
boring details. I just wanted to
tell you goodbye in case I don't
get a chance to. I don't really
know the rules on being a higher
being and traveling, so I'm not
sure that they'd let me get out and
visit people.
(beat; happily)
If they do, though... hey. I swear
I'll be there soon.
Off of Willow's smile, we cut to:
10 EXT. LARGE HOUSE. DAY. 10
Willow steps into frame, looking across at the large,
expensive-looking home opposite her, and immediately begins
looking worried.
WILLOW
Here goes nothing.
She slowly walks to the front door and rings the doorbell.
After a few moments the door creaks open, and we stay on
Willow as she smiles hopefully at whoever's opening it.
WILLOW (cont'd)
Hey, Mom.
We cut from Willow to:
11 INT. OZ'S ROOM - LATER 11
We find DANIEL OSBORNE throwing clothes into a bag in a
chaotic room. Clothes and scattered debris line the floor as
he hurries back and forth between the bed and the floor.
As he bends down to pick up another piece of clothing,
however, a FLASH of light overtakes the scene. He shields his
eyes and when he opens them, Willow is standing in front of
him.
WILLOW
Hey.
OZ
(beat)
Whoa. You just kind of appeared out
of nowhere.
WILLOW
Sorry. I'm kind of on a schedule
today.
OZ
No. That's cool. I just didn't know
that you could appear from
nothingness, but it suits you, if
that helps.
(beat)
Not to sound like I'm not happy to
see you, because I am, but what are
you doing here?
WILLOW
Kind of a long story. You should
sit.
OZ
I was actually running out the
door.
WILLOW
(bummed)
Oh. Well, I can make it the short
version.
OZ
(quickly)
I can reschedule.
Willow smiles as we dissolve to:
12 INT. OZ'S ROOM - LATER 12
Oz is sitting on the bed alongside Willow, listening
intently.
OZ
I was wondering why there was a big
hole in the ground where Sunnydale
used to be.
WILLOW
That was us.
A cell phone on Oz's bed begins ringing.
WILLOW (cont'd)
Do you need to get that?
OZ
It can wait.
(beat)
And now you're evolving into a
goddess?
WILLOW
Ascending, actually.
OZ
Five years ago, that wouldn't have
been much of a shock, but now...
WILLOW
I know.
OZ
That life just seems so far back
that it's unreal.
(beat)
I mean, I'll dust the occasional
vamp after a gig, but other than
that, nothing. I haven't even seen
the wolf in five years. Ever
since...
WILLOW
Tara?
OZ
I didn't know if you were cool with
saying her name or-
WILLOW
I wasn't for a long time, but I've
had time to cope. You should have
seen me when I tried to destroy the
world, though.
(beat)
My hair was black.
OZ
(impressed)
Really?
WILLOW
Yep. I also wore this really cool
black 'karate kid' outfit.
(happily)
I was a rock star for a few days.
You would have been proud.
OZ
(smiles)
I don't think I'd want to remember
you any other way than you are
right now.
The phone rings again as Oz shuts it off.
WILLOW
Are you sure-
OZ
(interrupting)
So you're really leaving?
WILLOW
I really am.
OZ
I wish we wouldn't have waited so
long to say goodbye. There were a
few times that I really could have
used the friend.
WILLOW
I should have called you.
(whining)
Oz... you've got me feeling bad on
my big day!
OZ
Don't. I never called you either.
We'll call it even.
WILLOW
(beat)
Do you ever wonder-
OZ
I don't think we should go down
that road.
WILLOW
(uneasily)
Okay.
OZ
No use in bringing up the past,
right?
Willow smiles as she stands up.
OZ (cont'd)
That time?
WILLOW
Fraid so.
OZ
Look, I'm really flattered that you
would come see me, especially
today.
WILLOW
I'm just really sorry that I didn't
do it sooner.
The two hug for several moments before finally releasing one
another.
OZ
Look me up when I die.
WILLOW
(surprised)
Okay.
OZ
Maybe we'll finally have time to
catch up properly.
(beat)
Wait, should I stand back? This
isn't dangerous to stand so close
when you do your flash thing is it?
WILLOW
It's all in the concentration.
Oz closes his eyes as she kisses him on the cheek and when he
opens them, she's gone.
He smiles as his cell phone rings again, and he finally
answers it.
BANDMATE
(filtered through phone)
You better be in the hospital!
They're threatening to rip the
contract up without the guitarist
here! Where the hell have you
been?!
OZ
(smiling)
Talking to an angel.
From Oz's satisfied expression, we:
BLACK OUT:
END OF ACT ONE