"Fate: 1x06 Burning"

                           by

                        Roonblah
           Based on characters by Joss Whedon


                           TEASER





FADE IN:

INT. HOTEL, NADYA'S ROOM - NIGHT

It's your standard conformist hotel room. Bed. Tv. Yes folks,
we're back in the normal edge of the world.

A CANDLE is lit. NADYA lines up the LINKING CRYSTALS around
a MAP of a densely populated city. She concentrates seriously
on what she is doing. There is a BOWL with GLITTERY POWDER
in it next to her hand.

A giggle from the side.

DEVON and DAWN sit on either side of her. Devon looks bored,
Dawn hides her mouth behind her hand.

                         NADYA
             For the last time Dawn, it's not
             a joke. Blast that bloody show
             for making this seem routine.

                         DAWN
             Sorry. Really. But is the power
             of three thing really that
             realistic?

Nadya gives her a withering glare.

                         NADYA
             Three is a powerful number. You'd
             be surprised the amount of things
             that come in triplicate. Now,
             hold hands.

Dawn nods seriously, too seriously. She takes one of Nadya's
hands, while looking over at Devon and pulling a face. Devon
shakes her head and gets to business.

                         DAWN
             Okay... so what do we have to do?


                                                            2.


                         NADYA
             You
 two do nothing. The more I
             use the linking crystals, the
             better I get at instinctively
             sensing the keys. Hopefully, I
             can break through the protective
             barrier around the key and finally
             pinpoint its exact location.

                         DAWN
             As if looking for the keys wasn't
             hard enough, some bright spark
             puts a spell on it to stop other
             keys from finding it. I think
             that's rude. Technically, the
             keys are a set and--

                         NADYA
             Dawn.

                         DAWN
             Right. Shutting up now.

Nadya shuts her eyes and takes a deep breath. Dawn watches,
waits, nothing.

                         DAWN
             Maybe the boys will find something.

She earns two glares from two different directions.

INT. HOTEL, JASON'S ROOM - SAME

SAMUEL sits in a comfy armchair reading the newspaper. JASON
wears spectacles and sits in front of a computer. He's
relaxed, and even humming to himself as he clicks and mouses
around.

                         JASON
             Think the girls are doing the
             spell now?

                         SAMUEL
                  (still reading)
             Possible.

Jason types something.

                         JASON
             I bet they're talking. About us.
             It's what girls do when the guys
             aren't there to keep an eye on them.

Samuel raises his eyebrows.


                                                            3.


                         SAMUEL
             Or perhaps they've found whoever
             took the key.

Jason shrugs. Reads the screen. Slouches back in the chair.

                         JASON
             No, they're talking about us.

INT. HOTEL, NADYA'S ROOM - NIGHT

The girls are still holding hands, though Nadya is the only
one concentrating. Her eyes are still closed.

                         DAWN
             And then, he tries to butter it
             over with some romantic sounding
             European language. Men and their
             tongues.

                         DEVON
                  (bland)
             The true evil of the world.

                         DAWN
             Yeah, okay. I've learned my
             Italian gigolo lesson. What about
             you? There's gotta be some loser
             guy worthy of the altar of
             loserliness.

Devon frowns.

                         DAWN
             Fine, it sounds stupid, but come
             on, I can't be the only reject in
             the shipper 'capades.

Dawn pouts for good measure. Devon sighs.

                         DEVON
             Once upon a time, I knew a guy.

                         DAWN
             And?

                         DEVON
             That's it.

                         DAWN
             Not fun. One day I will wrench
             free your dating past wily one.
             Oh yes, there will be tales. With
             popcorn, chocolate and marshmallows.


                                                            4.


                         NADYA
             Shhh.

Dawn ducks, and grins.

                         NADYA
             I've almost... just a little...

The bowl beside her starts to SHAKE. A glow rises from the
map on the table between the crystals. GLITTER rises from
the bowl and forms a CLOUD over the map.

PUFF

It blows out in all directions. Nadya starts to sneeze.

                         NADYA
             Urgh I give up. This key is
             impossible
 to find.

INT. HOTEL, JASON'S ROOM - SAME

The computer gives a small ping. Jason glances over the screen.

                         JASON
             Found it.

                                            FADE OUT.

                         END TEASER


                                                            5.



                            ACT I





FADE IN:

INT. HOTEL, JASON'S ROOM - NIGHT

The gang are seated around Jason and the computer, apart
from Dawn who stands and stares at the screen.

                         DAWN
             De-bay? There's a De-bay! Why
             didn't I know this? I used to
             stea... uhm work part-time at a
             magic shop. No one ever told me
             about this.

                         JASON
             That's because not many people
             know about this. You have to go
             through a lot of mystical defences
             before you even get to the decoy
             Russian bride front page.

The girls all fold their arms and glare.

                         JASON
             Don't knock me. What better way
             to keep man and woman from finding
             the site?

Dawn shrugs and finds herself a seat.

                         DAWN
             Boy, world sure has changed.
             Demons in commerce and mystical
             defences on the net. Ya think
             little demon programmers work for
             Microsoft?

                         JASON
             Wouldn't surprise me. A few years
             back a chaos demon got on the net,
             bad business all around. The demon
             network is now one of the most
             secure. Government's been trying
             to head-hunt some of the
             programmers for years.


                                                            6.


                         DAWN
             And by head hunt you probably
             really mean... never mind. So
             how'd you get onto it?

Jason smiles and winks. The computer gives an audible BEEP.

ON SCREEN: YOU HAVE MAIL!

The sender lists it as Hughly Brown.

Jason clicks on the message and reads.

                         DEVON
             So, where is the key?

                         JASON
             Here, Los Angeles. Nadya got us
             this far. But... there's a problem.

                         SAMUEL
             What is it?

                         JASON
             Trust a demon to get out of paying
             shipping. This guy, you want
             something, you have to meet in
             person. I've got the bucks. but
             problem is, he's got a strict
             demon-only policy.
                  (reads more)
             And there's an Oftipia demon on
             staff.

                         SAMUEL
             That would literally sniff out a
             human in the vicinity.

                         JASON
             And play havoc with the inner
             electrics. Call me crazy, but I'm
             wary.

                         DEVON
                  (peers at screen)
             Not a problem.

                         JASON
             I know what you're thinking, but
             he doesn't deal with humans, not
             even edible ones.

                         DEVON
             Leave it to me.


                                                            7.


Nadya holds her hand in the air.

                         NADYA
             Before we engage in any risky
             business, how about I look around
             first? Agreed?

                         DAWN
             Well when you make it sound
             sensible like that...

EXT. LOS ANGELES - DAY

The younger quartet of the gang are out and about. It's not
Los Angeles finest neighbourhood. Jason takes a deep breath.

                         JASON
             Aah smell the smog. Good memories.

Devon braces herself. She knows what's coming next. Sure
enough--

                         JASON
                  (putting his arm around
                  her)
             Dev, recall the day we first met.

                         DEVON
                  (shrugs him off)
             Rather not.

                         JASON
             Los Angeles. A day like today.
             World in peril. You and me all
             that stood between a happy ending
             and complete chaos.

                         DEVON
             We found a pot.

                         JASON
             Urn. Mystical, magical urn of
             save the day. Why don't you
             cherish our memories like I do?
                  (to Dawn)
             Enough about me and the missus,
             didn't you used to live here?

                         DAWN
             Yeah, back before my sister was a
             slayer. Then she killed a whole
             bunch of vampires by means of
             extreme burning down half the
             school, got expelled and we moved
             to Hell. Happily ever after.


                                                            8.


                         JASON
             Why do you always have such cool
             stories?

                         DAWN
             Just lucky I guess.

                         NADYA
             I've never been to this city
             before. I can't say I'm overly
             impressed. This place has the
             supernatural depth of a raindrop
             in the desert.

                         DAWN
             Actually, Los Angeles used to be
             pretty rife with evilness. Then a
             year ago we got word something
             big happened to drive the scary
             demons out. My sister's ex-
             boyfriend must 'ave left at the
             same time, otherwise we could
             have asked him to get the key for
             us. He's the undead.

                         DEVON
             How many sisters do you have?

                         DAWN
             Just the one and only.

                         DEVON
                  (slowly)
             A slayer was with
 a vampire.

                         DAWN
             Yeah, but he had a soul.

                         JASON
             Hey, I know about him!

                         DAWN
                  (cont.)
             And technically, the other one
             got a soul too, so it's not like
             she was, you know, completely
             breaking the slayer rules.

                         JASON
                  (cont.)
             Not about the other one though.


                                                            9.


                         DEVON
             Two. She dated two? Did her
             Watcher know about this? Does
             Samuel?

                         JASON
             Relax Dev, you're like a little
             old lady listening to rock music.
             Move with the times. If a vampire
             slayer feels like dating vampires,
             then hey, embrace the new century.
             'Sides, Samuel probably wouldn't
             mind. Why didn't he wanna come
             with anyway? All this stale air
             is good for a guy.

                         DEVON
             It's his leg, moron.

She's a tad more snappish than usual, but Jason shrugs it off.

                         NADYA
             He hasn't gotten that seen to yet?

Dawn shakes her head. Jason frowns.

                         DEVON
             We're here.

EXT. SANGUINE - DAY

They stand outside a brick warehouse, windows completely
BLACKENED. Nothing too glamorous or in the least bit
indicative of some importance.

                         DAWN
             Huh. I expected something more...
             more...

                         NADYA
             I agree.

Wistful, she examines the building up close. She fingers one
of the linking crystals from her pocket and runs her hands
along the brick wall.

                         DEVON
             They're not meant to look
             impressive. The last thing they
             need is to attract the attention
             of slayers or Hilton heiresses.

                         DAWN
             But don't they want
 humans?


                                                           10.


                         DEVON
             To eat. But not to actually meet.
             Only select humans wrangle access
             to a place like this.

                         JASON
             And the odds that we're one of them?

                         DEVON
             I told you I'd take care of it.

Nadya pauses and steadies her hand on the wall.

                         NADYA
             I think I can feel the key here.
             I might be able to-

A SPARK OF LIGHTNING hits her hand and she jumps back.

                         NADYA
             Bastard! I only gave a little
             push. Bloody barrier spells.

                         JASON
             What if you push harder?

Nadya shakes her head. Jason turns to Devon.

                         JASON
             Okay, so what's this cunning plan?

INT. HOTEL, ROOM - DAY

The entire group is assembled around Devon. She opens her
bag, the ever-present one with all the VIALS.

                         DEVON
             I can get in there by myself, but
             this vampire won't talk business
             with a human so...

She pulls out a wickedly mystical-looking potion with swirly
shapes of scary black and gray.

Samuel straightens in his seat.

                         DEVON
             Jason takes this. He gets in,
             buys the key, gets out. It'll
             probably take less than an hour.

                         SAMUEL
             What is that?


                                                           11.


He already knows the answer is something he won't like.

                         DEVON
             It has many names. I think you'll
             know it as Death's bane.

Samuel takes a calming breath.

                         SAMUEL
             That's been illegal for over two
             centuries.

                         DEVON
             I doubt any Watchers or witches
             are going to stop me at an airport
             and fine me. Besides, the ban
             will work to our advantage. The
             vampires barely knew about it
             then, they shouldn't know about
             it now.

                         SAMUEL
             It's dangerous.

Devon brings out another vial of blue liquid.

                         DEVON
             If he takes this at the same time,
             it should
 negate a lot of the
             side effects.
                  (offhand)
             If not, we'll tie him to a chair
             and get Nadya to do some naked
             cleansing rituals.

                         JASON
             Question. Is she in the room at
             the time?

Nadya thumps him good-naturedly.

                         JASON
             Okay, that wasn't really my
             question. What are you
             intellectuals talking about this
             time? Exposition for dummies mode
             please.

                         DAWN
             Yes please.

                         DEVON
             It's--


                                                           12.


                         SAMUEL
             It's a narcotic. Powerful.
             Extremely addictive. In the
             beginning of the nineteenth
             century, the elite, and only the
             elite gentry, discovered, or were
             more likely deceived into using
             this concoction.

                         JASON
             What does it do?

                         SAMUEL
             Allows a human to mimic the beasts.
             Vampires. A human will gain the
             strength, the senses, the hunger,
             but crosses and sunlight have no
             lasting effect on them. When the
             potion wears off, they are simply
             men.

                         JASON
             That doesn't sound too bad.

                         SAMUEL
             Those men were driven crazy by
             the need for the potion. It became
             the blood they fed on. The only
             reason the Council knew about
             this was because a slayer killed
             a man under the influence of it.

                         JASON
                  (to Devon)
             But I only need to take it once
             right?

                         DEVON
             Yes, but if we had more options,
             you
 wouldn't be taking it at all.

                         JASON
                  (subtly affronted)
             Why not?

                         DEVON
             Because you need to use your head
             and not whatever it is you use
             most of the time. Vampire urges
             are difficult enough to control
             for a broken-in man.
                         (MORE)


                                                           13.


                         DEVON (CONT'D)
             You...?
                  (shakes her head)
             Everyone else in this room is out
             of the question. I'd take it
             myself, but given my history...

                         JASON
             Oh man, don't tell me you'd be
             expecting those looney chanting
             vampires? I felt like I was in an
             Andrew Lloyd Weber musical.

                         DEVON
             This is serious.

                         JASON
             Dead serious. So we'd better get
             ready.

He stands up and holds his hands out for the vials. She hands
them both to him.

                         DEVON
             Black one first, right before you
             get there. That dose will only be
             good for three-four hours.

                         DAWN
             What about us?

Devon looks Nadya and Dawn over.

                         DEVON
                  (shakes her head)
             They'll smell a witch.
                  (to Dawn)
             And they'd just eat you. It's
             better as just us two. Less danger.
             I've gotta go. There's some things
             I need to get.
                  (an afterthought to
                  Jason)
             I'll meet you there in case you
             need back up. Try and behave.

He nods in a placating sort of way, mostly rolling his eyes.
She makes to leave with her bag.

                         SAMUEL
             Devon.

She stops.


                                                           14.


                         SAMUEL
             We're going to have a conversation
             about what else you're carrying
             in that bag of yours.

Devon nods without commitment, and leaves, shutting the door
behind her. Samuel watches the door, shaking his head.

                         JASON
             Well, I've also got arrangements
             to make. And--

There's a KNOCK at the door. Jason smiles.

                         JASON
             Perfect timing.

He goes to the door and opens it, inviting the person on the
other side in.

DOCTOR ELIZABETH KARVAN, Australian, in her thirties, very
relaxed. She carries a DOCTOR'S CASE in one hand and a
CRYSTAL BALL in the other. Jason grabs the ball and hefts it
around.

                         JASON
             Brilliant! He got it!

                         KARVAN
             This morning, bright and early.

Jason leads Karvan to Samuel and hands him the ball. Samuel
quirks a confused eyebrow at it and places it on the table
next to him.

                         JASON
             And this is your patient. Stubborn
             as hell, but I'm sure you'll work
             your magic.

                         KARVAN
             Someone more stubborn than you?
             This I have to see. Hello Samuel,
             my name is Elizabeth and I'll be
             your doctor for the duration of
             your stay in this dimension.

She smiles at a dumbfounded Samuel. Jason joins Dawn and
Nadya as he heads back toward the door.

                         DAWN
                  (impressed)
             Way to go, sneak.


                                                           15.


                         JASON
             It's what I'm good at. Now if
             you'll excuse me, it seems I have
             to die.

He exits out the door first.

                         DAWN
             And us?

                         NADYA
             What do you
 think?

EXT. SANGUINE - NIGHT

There is a crowd of people, all dressed to impress, standing
in a queue. Two large BOUNCERS (Larry and Moe) selectively
choose people to go past the roped off area and into the club.

In the crowd, Nadya - vamped out, in the bombshell sense,
and Dawn - equal parts gothic and generous eye candy. Both
women get admiring glances from the men, and even some of
the women, around them.

                         NADYA
             Who needs to be dead to get some
             of the action?

                                            FADE OUT.

                          END ACT I


                                                           16.



                           ACT II





FADE IN:

EXT. SANGUINE - NIGHT

MUSIC: GARBAGE - SHUT YOUR MOUTH

A classically cool car pulls to a stop. The bouncers and
crowd turn to look at it. This is not the type of place with
valet.

Dawn and Nadya peer around some people in the crowd.

                         NADYA
             Now that's
 an entrance.

Jason slides out of the car. His entire appearance screams
killer. Fashionable hair, clothes that draw the right kind
of attention - watch out ladies. Nadya and Dawn approve of
what they see. Dawn notices Nadya's laser stare.

                         DAWN
             There's a vampire worth being
             bitten by, right?

Nadya gives a puritanical shake of the head, but she can't
hide a huge smile. She and Dawn take another generous look.

Jason approaches the bouncers. People know enough to get out
of his way. Larry looks at him boredly, and lifts a clipboard.

                         LARRY
             You on the list?

                         JASON
             Mmm. Let me see.

He makes toward the clipboard. Larry pulls it back.

                         LARRY
             Like I'm really gonna let--

Jason SOCKS him in the nose. There's a lot of power behind
the punch. Larry goes down on his ass a few steps away.

Jason grins and flexes his fist, pleased. He tosses his car
keys down to Larry.


                                                           17.


                         JASON
             Park my car. I've got business
             with your boss.

He turns to enter the club. Moe stands in his way. Jason
smirks, almost daring the guy to start a fight. Moe steps
aside with an impressed grin.

Jason enters.

Moe looks down at Larry and laughs. He takes his post as
Larry gets up and heads toward the car.

                         DAWN
                  (half impressed, half
                  worried)
             Definitely an entrance.

INT. SANGUINE - NIGHT

The club has a definite affinity for the colour red. The
clientele are mostly in VAMP FACE, but there are some obvious
human partygoers necking in the dark. It's packed enough to
be fashionable, but not enough to be crowded. No mirror balls
in this place.

The club itself is one floor down from the entrance, as
though it were a basement. Jason goes down the steps.

A LIVE BAND is on the stage. All in VAMP FACE. They look
like they are stuck in the cool parts of the eighties. They
thrash out a version of BERLIN'S LIKE FLAMES.

Jason heads to the bar. The BARTENDER, also a vamp, slams a
glass in front of him.

                         BARTENDER
             What'll it be? We got the best AB
             neg and a lovely O positive,
             freshly squeezed.

                         JASON
             No thanks. I ate someone on the
             way here. Bourbon.

The bartender shrugs and brings out a bottle.

                         JASON
             I'm looking for Xaxxix. He around?

                         BARTENDER
                  (filling the glass)
             Depends on who's asking.


                                                           18.


Jason pulls a WAD OF CASH out of his jacket and lays it on
the table. The bartender raises an eyebrow.

                         JASON
             That's a grain of sand compared
             to what I can offer him. If he's
             interested in business, I'm the
             man that's got it. If he's not...

Jason looks away boredly. The bartender considers.

                         BARTENDER
             Well, you can ask him yourself.
             He should be here soon enough.
             Can't miss him. He'll remind you
             of you.

The bartender moves onto another customer. Jason drinks and
examines the room.

His eyes are immediately drawn to a DOOR at the back of the
club.

INT, HOTEL, ROOM - NIGHT

Samuel buttons up his shirt. Karvan places the stethoscope
back in her bag.

                         KARVAN
             Alright. That wasn't so hard, was
             it?

Samuel merely gives an uncomfortable little smile.

Karvan sits next to a table and pulls out a pad.

                         KARVAN
             I'll prescribe some anti-
             inflammatories for the knee, but
             I strongly suggest you go to that
             physio. I'm not sure how long
             you'll be here, but while you are,
             you need to rest and exercise it
             properly.

Samuel sits down opposite her. He seems unsure of how to go
about something. She notices.


                                                           19.


                         KARVAN
             You have been caging me all night.
             Is there something you want to
             ask? I assure you, even though I
             make house calls I still uphold
             the same doctor-patient
             confidentiality that you're be
             used to.

                         SAMUEL
             Well, that's it. You're not quite
             what I'm used to.

                         KARVAN
                  (teasing)
             A woman? Or because I'm from the
             land Down under?

                         SAMUEL
                  (quick to assure)
             No no. It's just... you know
. You
             know?

                         KARVAN
             You mean I know about your
             travelling to worlds that are not
             this one? Demons? Magic?
                  (laughs)
             Yes. Once you enter the world of
             Jason, you'll find everything is
             very much in control.

Samuel raises an eyebrow.

                         KARVAN
             Oh that sounded terribly creepy
             didn't it?
                  (picks her words
                  carefully)
             He likes making things better. He
             really does have a lot of heart.
             It's a rash and impulsive heart
             at times, but it's in the right
             place.

Samuel shrugs and smiles, nodding.

                         KARVAN
                  (reflexive)
             He doesn't particularly enjoy it
             when bad things happen to people
             in his circle.
                         (MORE)


                                                           20.


                         KARVAN (CONT'D)
             But then, who does?
                  (on to other subjects)
             You'll meet Hughly Brown soon
             enough. Jason's second hand, I
             suppose you could call him. He
             knows what Jason needs before
             Jason does. I was informed of
             your journeys after Jason
             disappeared from the train and
             emerged in England. Hughly wanted
             me to be ready.
                  (smiles)
             But knowing Jason, I'm always

             ready. The amount of times I've
             had to fly out to obscure regions
             to patch him up.

                         SAMUEL
             You mean, you don't live here? In
             Los Angeles I mean.

                         KARVAN
             No, I live near Jason's base of
             operations. He funds all my
             research there. Since meeting
             that boy, my life has been
             anything but ordinary.

                         SAMUEL
             I could say the same. My life has
             been noisier.

                         KARVAN
                  (chuckles)
             Hmm that mouth of his. But he
             still has it. That ability to see
             the best in people and find
             something to smile about. I wish
             there were more of us like that.

                         SAMUEL
             Mmm yes.

                         KARVAN
             So... do you feel better about me

             now?

                         SAMUEL
                  (genuine smile)
             Yes, I believe I do.


                                                           21.


                         KARVAN
                  (serious)
             Good. Because I want to say
             something as a friend.

He sobers.

                         KARVAN
                  (cont.)
             I wouldn't normally consider it
             something to worry about, it's
             borderline and is usually
             controlled by diet and lifestyle.
             But if you're sharing Jason's
             sort of lifestyle... I worry that
             your knee not improving itself in
             the time you've rested it and the
             slightly elevated blood pressure
             are the first warning signs of
             something else. I'd like to run
             more tests, and I think you should
             either stay behind so I can do my
             work, or ask the others if you
             can all remain here for a little
             longer. We can do it here, or fly
             out to my lab.

                         SAMUEL
             Thank you for voicing these
             concerns, but I cannot ask that
             they stay. We don't know our enemy,
             their plans, their progress - we
             only know that we must continue
             while we can. Swiftly and without
             pause.

                         KARVAN
             Then stay behind.

                         SAMUEL
             They need me.
                  (smiles)
             I'm just old and I know my limits.
                  (off her look)
             I do not look to put myself in
             harm's way. I would be useless to
             them if I were not well. I am
             still strong, and I will see them
             through this safely. I would not
             risk them with my health. Believe
             me when I say that I am not in
             danger from my own body.


                                                           22.


                         KARVAN
             I hope you're right.

                         SAMUEL
             I know I am.

His smile is too bright. She notices and says nothing.

EXT. SANGUINE - NIGHT

Nadya and Dawn are now nearer the front of the line. Bored
and showing it.

                         NADYA
             Are they taking in only one person
             a year? By the time we get in
             there everything will be over.

                         DAWN
             What if we don't get in? Look! He
             just sent away a perfectly skanky
             looking ho. We look edible right?

                         VAMPIRE
             Uh huh. Yeah, sure.

The two turn and glare at the eavesdropper. He's the type
that will never be the alpha of any pack.

                         VAMPIRE
             Say, hey! You wanna come over to
             my place? We can, you know, share
             fluids if you really wanna?

                         NADYA
             Consider your entire existence.
             When was the last time a girl
             even had a bloody nose in your
             direction? Scoot along.

                         VAMPIRE
             But...

He drifts off, mouth open. Nadya and Dawn can't help it.
They watch in horror as drool forms at the corner of his
mouth. Then they notice that the rest of the vampires are
also watching something carefully.

The girls turn--

MUSIC: SUPREME BEINGS OF LEISURE - NEVER THE SAME AGAIN

A shoulder is bared. SCARRED SKIN criss-cross in between
slits of teasing black material.


                                                           23.


Devon stands in front of bouncers. Hot and glowing. She's
not showing off a lot, but her violent history can be seen
clearly on the skin that she is revealing.

She has fingerless black gloves that taper up her arm to
just above her elbow, and a choker around her neck. She also
has an impressive metal thumb tack with a sharp point at the
end.

                         MOE
                  (regretfully)
             We're booked up on humans tonight.

Devon smiles slowly. She reaches up with an equally slow
ease to take her choker off. The choker hides--

TWO PAIRS OF VAMPIRE TEETH SCARS

-- Devon nicks her neck with the tack.

The reaction is immediate. Moe goes into VAMP FACE. The
vampires closest to them do the same. It seems reflex.
They're like a cats watching a mouse, only the mouse might
really be a hawk.

Moe quickly steps out of the way, and Devon puts the choker
back on as she goes into the club.

                         NADYA
             I have a feeling she's done this
             before.

                         DAWN
             Yeah. Really? I just hope she
             knows what she's doing.

                         NADYA
             I hope they both do. This is in
             their hands now.

INT. SANGUINE - NIGHT

The live band has given way to thumping tunes. Jason
currently has his hands in a jiggy. Or a jive. Either way,
if it weren't for his getup his dance moves might be get him
kicked off the social calendar. He's having a fine old time
with a bevy of BUXOM BABES around him.

To his side he sees-

FOUR VAMPIRES and an extremely tall WOMAN, a demon by the
looks of her wide and slitted nose, part the crowd as they
head toward a couched section.


                                                           24.


MUSIC: KIDNEY THIEVES - PLACEBO

XAXXIX, tattooed, mid-forties and clearly the leader, is
stopped by a girl in black. The vampires and demon ignore
this and take their seats on the couches.

Jason can't see who Xaxxix is with, at this point, doesn't
really care. He moves closer, peering through the crowd. The
dance is slow and suggestive. Xaxxix's full attention is on
the girl with him.

Jason stops. He finally sees who it is, but doesn't really
believe it. All signs of the good time he was having disappear.

Devon dances with Xaxxix. And not in a Julie Andrews musical
way. Xaxxix wouldn't be remiss in thinking he was a very
lucky vampire.

Jason can only stare. He sees the scars on her back. Sees
Xaxxix pulling her in close and removing her choker.

The vampire leans closer to her neck.

Jason's eyes DILATE. For a moment they are pitch black--

--then contract to an animal YELLOW.

He leaps forward.

                                            FADE OUT.

                         END ACT II


                                                           25.



                           ACT III





FADE IN:

INT. SANGUINE - NIGHT

Xaxxix hits the deck, but quickly recovers and returns to
his feet, ready to attack. Jason growls and is more than
ready for that.

Devon pushes herself between the men. She grabs Jason's hands,
a little shocked. She stares pointedly into his eyes, trying
to get his head back in the game. He stops, not because of
her hold, but because of her neck. Some blood trickles down
her skin from a tiny nick. Jason glares at Xaxxix. There is
blood on the vampire's lips.

                         DEVON
             Honey!
                  (almost chokes on that)
             Don't be so possessive. What's a
             little sharing between business

             associates?

Jason glares at his "business associate". Xaxxix quirks an
eyebrow.

                         XAXXIX
             Business? With a child-vampire
             that can't control himself over a
             meal.

                         DEVON
                  (flirty)
             I'm more
 than a meal.

Xaxxix licks the blood off his lips.

                         XAXXIX
             True. Your blood has quite a kick.
             I haven't tasted anything quite
             like that since 45, I think. It
             was a slayer. But you... you're
             something else.

                         DEVON
             Better I hope.

Xaxxix looks over Jason with a superior sneer.


                                                           26.


                         XAXXIX
             Maybe too good.

Jason bristles at the subtle dig.

                         JASON
             Stop looking at my meat. Can we
             do business or not?

Xaxxix looks at the female demon (Offara). She nods her head.
Xaxxix motions over the couches.

Devon smiles and leads Jason to one of the couches. Xaxxix
takes a couch opposite, next to Offara. She places a hand on
his knee, and waves over to the bartender.

                         XAXXIX
             So, how did you two love-birds meet?

                         JASON
             Like that's any of your--

                         DEVON
             He died for me.

                         XAXXIX
             How romantic.

                         DEVON
             Not really. He was insufferable
             lout when he was alive. Arrogant,
             pithy, unfocused, temperamental...

                         JASON
             And now I'm king of the underworld.
             Ain't love grand? Business!

Xaxxix laughs.

                         XAXXIX
             I wish I could remember what it
             was like to be so impatient.

                         JASON
             It's not impatience, it's passion.
             The little missus here wants
             something. What she wants, I get.

                         XAXXIX
             And what, exactly, does your
             alluring partner need
 that, it
             seems, only I
 can give her.


                                                           27.


                         DEVON
                  (cuts Jason off)
             You called it the Empty Eye. It's
             pretty. I want it.

                         XAXXIX
             Hmm. Got a problem with that.

                         DEVON
             You won't let my idiot buy it for
             me because I'm a human? Or is it
             because he's... an idiot?

She subtly thumps Jason out of sight. He grimaces.

                         XAXXIX
             Oh I could make a deal with you.
             One I'm sure you'd like. The
             problem is... it's already sold.

EXT. SANGUINE - NIGHT

Dawn and Nadya walk along the empty alley beside the club.

                         DAWN
             We're not good enough! How can
             not be good enough? I'm a hottie!
             A vampire almost ate me once. He
             said I was special. Then I killed
             him with my pencil. But I felt
             wanted. There was no want here.
                  (she kicks litter)
             And now Devon and Jason are in
             the thick of things again,
             rescuing the key. They have all
             the fun.

                         NADYA
                  (lost in thought)
             Hmm, they do seem a team at times.
             Strange, considering the lack of
             good will between them.

                         DAWN
                  (not listening)
             I bet I could steal it. In fact,
             I should
 steal it. I'm not just
             the slayer's bratty sister you
             know. I'm capable and smart and

             tall. What kind of skill does
             theft need anyway?


                                                           28.


                         NADYA
             Actually... not that much if you
             have a way in. Which we don't.

                         DAWN
             Urgh. We travel bazillion miles
             to different worlds in the blink
             of an eye, but can we even get
             through a simple wall?

Nadya stops dead in her tracks. Her mouth forms an "O" as
she stares at Dawn.

                         DAWN
             What? What I say?

                         NADYA
                  (starts to giggle)
             Oh I have an idea.
                  (grabs Dawn's hand)
             Come on!

They rush off.

INT. SANGUINE - NIGHT

Jason shakes Devon's hand away from him, he leans forward.

                         JASON
             Unsell it! We can make a better
             offer.

Xaxxix ignores him and looks at Devon.

                         XAXXIX
             He's not even going to live to be
             a century. Are you sure you
             wouldn't rather find a better
             prospect?

                         DEVON
             He's a... hot... lover. Yeah.
                  (quick change of topic)
             But deadbeat has a point. We do
             have lots of money.
                  (subtly bares her neck)
             And other things.

                         JASON
                  (seeing her)
             Like what
 exactly?


                                                           29.


                         XAXXIX
             If you want to be a true immortal,
             little boy, you use the mind not
             the hunger. I gave my word to
             them. And I will keep it.
                  (gently to Devon)
             As tempting as the better offer is.

He flicks dark eyes at Devon, chocolatey with meaning. She
doesn't look away.

                         XAXXIX
                  (cont.)
             But, hunger is easier to satisfy.

A waitress brings over two shooters. FILLED WITH BLOOD.

Xaxxix takes one, offers the other to Jason. Devon looks
worried.

Jason takes it without flinching. He sniffs it.

                         XAXXIX
             AB negative. The best part... it
             was given to me freely. And will
             be again and again.

                         JASON
             Corpse is still alive?

                         XAXXIX
                  (nods)
             Hunting and killing is so
             antiquated. You see I understand
             what other vampires do not. We
             are more than the demons inside
             of us. We can become future. We
             are
 immortal.
                  (smiles)
             Does that idea shock you?

                         JASON
             Not especially. I live for my
             passions, but I'm not stupid.
             What I do is greater than who I am.

                         XAXXIX
             And what is that?

                         JASON
             Change the world.

Xaxxix holds his glass in a salute.


                                                           30.


                         XAXXIX
             To the world of the future.

                         JASON
                  (raises glass)
             Definitely.

Xaxxix downs his. Jason makes to do the same. Devon places a
hand on his.

                         DEVON
             Honey badger. You know how I get
             about other people's blood.

                         JASON
             Relax, my little devil. You'll
             always be the only neck for me.

He shrugs her off and downs the glass. Devon moves from
worried, to really really worried, with just a touch of
grossed out.

                         JASON
                  (licks his lip)
             Wow. That's interesting.

He shutters his eyes and breathes out deeply. Then leans
back on the couch, smiling. A little blitzed.

Xaxxix smiles at Offara and nods. She grins widely.

With vampire speed, Xaxxix grabs Devon and pulls her away
from Jason. Offara immediately straddles Jason and holds him
down.

INT. HOTEL, ROOM - NIGHT

Samuel is studying the crystal ball on a table next to his
chair. He taps it, loses interest and picks up his newspaper.
He lifts a cup of tea.

LAUGHTER

-- comes from the other side of the door.

Curious, he places paper and cup back on the table and limps
over to the door.

EXT. HOTEL, ROOM - SAME

Nadya and Dawn rush past holding the KEY from episode 4.


                                                           31.


INT. HOTEL, ROOM - SAME

Samuel shuts the door as if he never saw them.

INT. SANGUINE - NIGHT

Jason sees Devon being dragged to a quiet corner and makes
to get up. Offara places her hands on his head. There is a
visible jolt as energy passes from her to him. He gasps. Not
in pain, but pleasure.

JASON'S POV

He sees a flash of red each time she jolts him. Each jolt
mimics the rhythm of a heart beat.

He's lost in a twisted ecstasy and is no help to--

DEVON

Xaxxix has her up against a pillar. The older vampire is
playing it hot and seductive, the hard sell.

                         XAXXIX
             Leave him. I can offer you more.
             You know I can.

                         DEVON
             I want him.

                         XAXXIX
             No you don't. Not in any real way.

                         DEVON
             I do.

                         XAXXIX
             You're lying. You're eyes give
             you away. So sad. So empty. You
             have an untouched heart.
                  (places a hand on her
                  heart)
             It's cold, like mine, but it beats.
             It's warm and flows with this
             beautiful life. This heady rush
             of promise. I can make you feel
             so many things that he can't. He
             hasn't been able to, has he?

Devon makes no move to answer. That is answer enough for
Xaxxix.


                                                           32.


                         XAXXIX
             Truthfully, he can't. He can't
             know. Your soul is as old as mine
             and he's just a child. He still
             feels alive, still believes the
             world is his. His pain is fleeting.

                         DEVON
             And yours?

                         XAXXIX
             Ours. Our pain is the deepest
             winter that never ends.
                  (brushes her lips with
                  his)
             But it doesn't need to be. Stay
             with me. Give me your life. And
             when you wish it, I will give you
             such a gift you will spend
             eternity in moon-glow summers.
             Share yourself with me. I will
             give you anything you could ever
             want.

                         DEVON
                  (dreamy)
             Anything?

                         XAXXIX
             Anything.
                  (oops)
             Well, except the Empty eye.
             They're coming tomorrow to collect
             that.
                  (back to suave)
             But anything else you ask is yours.

                         DEVON
                  (still entranced)
             Okay. Good.
                  (dead serious)
             Then tell your bitch to get off
             my man.

EXT. SANGUINE - NIGHT

Nadya runs her fingers along the wall outside the club. Dawn
holds the key protectively.

                         NADYA
             It's here and this key has already
             shown an attraction for buildings.


                                                           33.


Nadya tosses some powder in the air. It GLITTERS and
sprinkles over the pair of them like shiny snow.

                         NADYA
             There. A perfect glamour.
                  (takes the key from
                  Dawn)
             Now I can work in peace.

                         DAWN
             Great. What are we doing again?

                         NADYA
                  (grins)
             You'll see. It was your idea.

INT. SANGUINE - NIGHT

Devon rejoins Jason as Offara climbs off him. He's rather
dazed. Xaxxix sighs regretfully.

                         XAXXIX
             You sure about this?

                         DEVON
             Pretty sure. But if bloodchuck
             here doesn't work out...

She smiles and grabs Jason's hand, yanking him to his feet.
Xaxxix nods.

                         XAXXIX
             Well, here's to hoping he screws up.

Jason darts a look to an unseeing Devon.

                         DEVON
                  (with meaning)
             Thanks. For the hospitality.

                         XAXXIX
             Feel free to partake whenever you
             want.

MUSIC: BALLIGOMINGO - HEAT

She gives a little smile and moves away through the crowd,
Jason with her.

She pushes Jason to the middle of the dance floor, well out
of range of Xaxxix, but he can still view them. Jason's
blinks a lot and tries to focus.


                                                           34.


Devon peeks over at Xaxxix who watches them closely. She
wraps her arms around Jason's waist. They speak in a whisper.

                         DEVON
             Here's the real show. Dance with me.

Obediently he moves his arms around her too, and they sway
in time to the music. Jason leans a bit heavily on Devon.

                         JASON
             This is a nice song. I'm glad
             it's ours.

                         DEVON
             Yeah whatever. You heard us.

                         JASON
             Ooh yeah. Vampire hearing rocks.
                  (smirks)
             I never knew you felt that way
             about me. Will I be your man
             tomorrow?

                         DEVON
             Grow up. We have to figure out
             where it is.

As they move, she studies the room anew. Her eyes rest on
the back door.

                         JASON
             Huh?

                         DEVON
             The buyers. Ring a bell. They're
             coming to fetch
 the key tomorrow.

                         JASON
             Hey that means that we can--

                         DEVON
             Do what we do best. Yeah.
                  (re: the door)
             It's gotta be back there.

Her head is tilted toward the back, exposing her neck to
Jason. He sees the dried blood; it holds him rapt.

                         JASON
                  (voice low)
             Risky. Very risky.

He moves his hand up to hover behind her, very close to her
neck.


                                                           35.


She doesn't notice, but she does notice Xaxxix watching them
closely. Putting on a show, she wraps a hand around the back
of Jason's head tenderly. She leans in and whispers in his ear.

                         DEVON
             That's never stopped us before.
             Come on lover.

She takes his hand and leads him across the dance floor to
the door at the back. He follows in a daze.

XAXXIX'S POV

Jason and Devon look very much the loving couple who can't
wait to do unspeakable things. They open the door and go in.

INT. DOWNSTAIRS CORRIDOR - SAME

SUDDEN SILENCE

Devon immediately drops Jason's hand. He leans against the
door.

                         JASON
             Sound proof. Thank god. My head
             feels like it's a blood drum.

Devon shrugs and looks down the hall. There is a janitor's
closet and two doors, male and female toilets.

                         DEVON
             I doubt it's down here.

She looks up the metal stairs, then turns back to Jason. He
still leans, eyes closed, breathing heavy. Devon frowns and
reaches for him. His eyes jump open at the contact.

                         DEVON
             Still cold.

She feels his neck.

                         DEVON
             No pulse. It's not wearing off yet.

                         JASON
             Then why do I feel so... I'm
             burning up.

                         DEVON
             You shouldn't have had that blood.


                                                           36.


                         JASON
             Blood was nothing.
                  (dreamy)
             It was like strawberries. You
             smell like them. Hey where'd you
             hide that?

Devon hands him a tiny vial of the blue cleansing potion.
Instead of taking it off her, he touches her outfit in a few
places. Not entirely appropriately.

                         JASON
             There's no room to hide anything
             in there. Just you.

                         DEVON
             Shut up and take it.

She pushes the container into his hands and then hurries
away up the stairs.

INT. UPSTAIRS CORRIDOR - SAME

There is a heavyset door behind a couple of couches that are
quite near the stairs. Devon stands in front of it. Jason
arrives behind her. He stands very close to her, interested
in her, ignoring the door.

                         DEVON
             I can't feel my way. The shield
             must numb against mental intrusion,
             but I think it only protects
             against magic or weapons. I should
             be able to move the bolts on the
             other side if I can get in the
             right vicinity.
                  (sighs)
             Okay deadbeat, you'll need to use
             your superhearing and tell me if
             I'm moving anywhere close to the
             locks.

She turns and startles. He's very close to her, almost
looming. Devon is unsettled by his closeness.

                         DEVON
             You don't need to be this close
             to hear.

He holds up the empty vial.

                         JASON
             Did you bring more because you
             knew I couldn't handle being dead?


                                                           37.


                         DEVON
             I brought it for emergencies. We
             have work to do.

                         JASON
             That's not the answer to my
             question. Do you think so little
             of me that you thought I'd screw
             up? Or maybe you were you hoping
             I would.

He makes no move to back away and there's nowhere for Devon
to go.

                         DEVON
             Is this because of what he said?
             This is just a precaution. That's
             all.

She turns and looks back at the door, more as an escape than
a job.

                         JASON
                  (whispers)
             Tell me the truth. I can hear
             your heartbeat and I know
 you too
             well. You're lying.

                         DEVON
             I'm not.

                         JASON
                  (very low)
             Just tell me.

                         DEVON
             I didn't think... I thought...

                         JASON
             What?

                         DEVON
             You're too alive. You have too
             much heart to be one of them.

They stand in absolute silence for a moment. She starts
turning her head to look at him--

-- He slides his arms down hers, locking her in a grip--

-- His mouth heads to her neck.

                                            FADE OUT.


                                                           38.


                         END ACT III


                                                           39.



                           ACT IV





FADE IN:

INT. UPSTAIRS CORRIDOR - NIGHT

Jason has his mouth clamped on Devon's neck. His hands move
to get a better hold. She's shell-shocked for a moment,
before her senses return and--

-- Jason is invisibly THROWN against the door.

Devon stares at him; she shows real shock; and clutches her
hand to her neck.

Jason's eyes are dark in the shadows. He watches her closely.

EXT. SANGUINE - NIGHT

Nadya meditates, at least it vaguely resembles meditation,
with the key in her hands. Dawn sits on a crate, head on
hand, watching. Once again, bored. She sighs loudly.

Nadya matches it with a hrumph of her own.

Chastised, Dawn looks at her nails in silence.

                         VAMPIRE (OS)
             ...private booth. What's he got I
             don't?

Dawn freezes. TWO VAMPIRES walk toward them, drunk and in
full vamp face. One's doing all the talking, the other is a
Silent Bob.

                         VAMPIRE
             I could be a master, know what
             I'm saying?
                  (taps his head)
             All up here. Man, I need someone
             to eat. They're watering down the
             blood. I'm telling ya.

Dawn looks around for a weapon. She spots a piece of wood on
the ground and grabs for it. She stands at the ready. The
two vampires don't even bat an eye in her direction. They
move past Nadya and continue their drunken ramblings.


                                                           40.


                         NADYA
             I told you, no one can see or
             smell us. Relax. They're just
             vampires anyway.

Dawn tosses her stake to the ground and wipes her hands on
the back of her outfit.

                         DAWN
                  (mumbling)
             Yeah, well. You weren't around
             the last vampires I was.

                         NADYA
             Alright, I'm ready.

                         DAWN
             Great! And again with the what?

Nadya smiles and holds the key between both of her open palms.

                         NADYA
             Through stone and mortar and veil
             it lies. Cut and shift and find
             the prize. The doorway opens.

Nothing happens. Dawn grimaces.

                         DAWN
             Is the spell supposed to sound
             that kooky?

                         NADYA
                  (latin)
             Now!

A SHAFT OF LIGHT spears out from the key and right through
the wall of the building. The air around the light BUBBLES
OUT at the point where the light meets the building. It grows
and grows until it becomes a TRANSPARENT PORTAL. One that
forms a direct path to the room inside.

An office.

DAWN'S POV

The portal has cut a perfect circle through the wall, desk,
and SAFE, where the next KEY, a crystal set within a metal
contraption and resembling a murky eye, rests ripe for the
taking.

                         DAWN
             Okay. I take it back. Kooky rhyme
             or not, that's impressive.


                                                           41.


Nadya smiles at her handiwork.

                         NADYA
             Everything will return the way it
             was after we leave. With luck, no
             one will notice it's missing until
             long after we've left this
             dimension.

Dawn grins.

                         DAWN
             Guess we're not such bad thieves
             either.

She heads into the elongated portal and makes her way toward
the safe.

INT. UPSTAIRS CORRIDOR - NIGHT

Devon and Jason haven't moved. Devon remembers to breathe.
Jason has the same dark look on his face, dangerous.

                         DEVON
             What the hell was that?

                         JASON
             I didn't bite you.

                         DEVON
             Yeah, I felt that. Whatever. Keep
             your vampire urges to yourself
             and we can get back to--

                         JASON
             I could if you wanted me to.

                         DEVON
             What?

He inches forward again.

                         JASON
             It's what you want. Plain as
             sunlight.

                         DEVON
             I don't know what you're talking
             about. No more trippy drugs for
             you. You've had a little too much
             fun
 in lalaland.


                                                           42.


                         JASON
             And you haven't had any. But you
             almost did, right? Like a little
             lamb, offering yourself to any
             monster that would have you.

                         DEVON
             Offering myself? If you think
             that I want demons anywhere near
             me then you are gravely mistaken.

                         JASON
             No no. Not monsters. Not luck.
             Not chance... those are the things
             you wish would fade away. No, I
             know what you want. I've noticed
             a lot more than you think I have.
             I'm not the stranger you want me
             to be. I know you.

He pins her with those dark eyes again and moves with slow
ease, a predator trapping its prey by sights. His voice is
low and as quiet as it needs to be.

                         JASON
                  (cont.)
             Sleep. Empty sleep.
                  (waits for her
                  reaction)
             You're looking for the one who
             can make it happen. It's all you
             want. It's why you're here. And
             not just here, with me, in this
             faceless room, but why you're on
             this roundabout quest. You don't
             care about the keys. You don't
             care about worlds you haven't
             seen, 'cause you don't even like
             the one you're in. No, you're
             hoping that maybe you'll go
             somewhere, meet someone, someone
             who can touch you. Really touch
             you. Someone who can cut past
             that curse floating about you and
             finally give you what you really
             crave. The rich, sweet dark
.

                         DEVON
                  (whispers)
             You don't know what you're talking
             about.


                                                           43.


                         JASON
                  (cont.)
             Don't I? But you seem so afraid.
             You can stop me anytime you want.
             So what is it you really fear?
             Not dying, no. Not scars either.
                  (quiet)
             Something deeper. Closer. Am I
             making you feel?

                         DEVON
             Just stop it.

He's within touching distance again.

                         JASON
             You think I don't know pain? You
             think I don't get
 you? You're not
             that complicated. You can't
             repress or rationalise the
             beatings of a heart. Telling
             yourself you don't care doesn't
             make these walls any thicker.
             Pushing people away doesn't
             protect you. On the outside you're
             cold and you're hard and you like
             to think that's what you want to be.

She steels herself as he talks, leaning against the wall as
though unaffected. She looks to the side, showing disdain.

                         JASON
                  (cont.)
             It's not. You are what you are.
             Human. Alive. Your blood burns
             just as hot like mine.

He reaches out and brings her face to his. She's afraid.

                         JASON
             Is it really so wrong to let it?

She shuts her eyes; if she doesn't see it, it can't hurt her.

                         JASON
             You're looking for death. And
             baby, tonight I'm it.

He lunges for her neck again. She just lets him. He plants a
palm on the wall, the other snakes around her waist. But his
attack isn't brutal, it slows and stops as he nears her. He
merely hovers over her neck, waiting for a sign, any sign.


                                                           44.


Her eyes open; they're like a lost little girl's. By lord,
she really does want what he's offering. She squeezes her
eyes shut, as if in pain, and wraps a hand around the back
of his neck, pulling him in closer.

MUSIC: TRACY BONHAM - SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL

He moves his mouth over her neck, and then moves away. There
is no bite mark, no fresh blood. He leans into her cheek for
a moment before continuing with his original action. He
plants kisses on her neck, her jaw and finally her mouth.

He lifts her and they both get with the major smoochies.
Equally. She's as into it as he is. Hot and forbidden. Quest
for Key forgotten. Hang the do not disturb sign on the door
for the weekend. These kiddies are on fire.

EXT. SANGUINE - NIGHT

Dawn holds the eye in her hand and exits the office. She and
Nadya look rather smug.

                         NADYA
             Right. Time to put everything
             back the way I found it...
                  (witch eyes)
             The path is clear, the prize is
             found. Return what was, stone,
             mortar, veil and ground.

The light and portal recedes replacing the hole they caused
with the original brick work--

-- Dawn, grins, impressed, until--

CRASHHHH

INT. SANGUINE - SAME

All the vampires turn toward the sound, though the club
itself is intact. The music stops.

Xaxxix jumps to his feet. Offara and his cronies follow him
as he races across the room to the back door.

EXT. SANGUINE - SAME

The same wall and part of the roof COLLAPSES. The office and
safe is in a similar state. It's a disaster.

Both girls freak at the sight.

                         NADYA
             Uhmm...


                                                           45.


                         DAWN
             Run!

They both get the hell out of there.

INT. UPSTAIRS CORRIDOR - NIGHT

Jason and Devon are on one of the couches, pretty much
entangled in each other. They haven't heard a thing.

Xaxxix runs up the stairs, and briefly takes note of them.

                         XAXXIX
             Guess I was wrong.

Jason and Devon startle at the sound, and start to disengage
themselves from each other as Xaxxix gets his office door
open.  Devon won't meet Jason's eyes.

Offara smirks at them as Jason tries to get his fingers out
of the strands of Devon's top. They both look seriously
kissed; clothes aren't exactly in a neat condition either.
They stand and try to see what's the hubbub.

Jason sneaks a peak at Devon. She doesn't look in his
direction at all; she's a bit shell-shocked.

The door opens. The duo nudge forward to take a look inside
too.

OFFICE

Xaxxix takes in the chaos and the open safe. Offara sniffs
the air as she inspects the room.

                         OFFARA
                  (strong accent of some
                  kind)
             Portal.

                         XAXXIX
             Are you sure?

She nods.

                         XAXXIX
             Anything else?

                         OFFARA
             Nothing.

Xaxxix growls.


                                                           46.


                         OFFARA
             They
 never leave a trace.

Xaxxix, deeply disturbed, turns to see Jason and Devon. They
freeze, very sober.

                         JASON
             Uh problem?

                         XAXXIX
             Perhaps vampires are the only
             beings I can trust. I should have
             made a deal with you after all.
                  (to Offara)
             Put out the word. I don't care
             how powerful Melarna is, her sons
             have broken their word to me.
             That will be righted. They will
             honour the deal we made. Find
             them in whatever world they are
             hiding and tell them I want
             payment for this trinket. No one
             crosses me.

OFF Jason and Devon with this information.

INT. HOTEL, ROOM - NIGHT

Samuel is bemused as Dawn and Nadya regale him.

                         DAWN
             And then, booom, and we ran and
             we're here. With the key. See.
                  (holds it up)
             We're the Aladdin in this tale.

                         NADYA
                  (quickly)
             But I've put a cloaking spell
             over all the keys. No one will be
             able to track us immediately.
             However, we should put as much
             distance between us and Los
             Angeles as soon as we can. I'm
             not entirely sure what kind of
             power the vampire has.

                         SAMUEL
                  (without hesitation)
             We can leave for the next world
             immediately.


                                                           47.


                         JASON (OS)
             Easy on the immediate. How about
             tomorrow... afternoon? I need to
             have a coma.

Devon and Jason enter. Jason shuts the door behind him. Devon
is closed off. Jason is visibly tired. He tosses himself
into a chair and watches Devon as she very obviously keeps
away from him.

                         SAMUEL
             Are you feeling any...?

                         JASON
             Addictions? No. In fact, I've
             never been so glad not
 to hear my
             pulse coming back. Which it has
             by the way. Cinderella is a
             pumpkin again. You guys can keep
             your super-secret vampire happy
             pill to yourselves. I like my
             meat cooked.

Samuel stares pointedly at Devon.

                         SAMUEL
             Good.

Jason sees the Eye.

                         JASON
             So that was your handiwork?

                         DAWN
                  (giddy)
             Yeah! My idea. Kinda.
                  (sobers)
             Uhm. You don't mind do you? I
             know you had a plan and all, but
             spur-of-the-moment wickedry.

                         JASON
             Nah. We weren't really that close
             to getting it. Don't think we
             would have either.

He shoots a look at Devon; ignored.

                         DEVON
             We did get something though.

                         JASON
             A name. One I've definitely heard
             before. Melarna.


                                                           48.


                         DAWN
             Melarna... Melarna. Wait! The
             cavern with the keys. That was
             the name those demons were
             chanting when they thought they
             had the complete Key set.

                         JASON
             Yeah, our first time together.
             Wasn't it special?

                         DEVON
             The vampire said her sons were
             after the key. I'm guessing the
             Savortes on the train worked for
             them.

                         JASON
             Makes sense. Especially if these
             sons can make portals. The vampire
             thinks they backed out of the
             deal and stole the key instead.

                         NADYA
             Well, that's good right? If the
             people after the keys are
             otherwise occupied, it gives us
             more time.

Jason shrugs.

                         SAMUEL
             Hmmm. Mister Giles and I thought
             the entity they were summoning
             was merely incidental to their
             plans. We could find no reference
             to this Melarna. But if she is
             their ultimate goal... We need
             more information. Mister Giles
             told me he'd be tracing as much
             literature as he could on the
             keys and the circumstances in
             which we found them while we were
             otherwise engaged. It's possible
             he has some answers now.
                  (stands up slowly)
             I think we may need to risk
             contacting him. I do have channels
             that may keep us out of harm's
             way if he is, as he suspected,
             being watched. I need to make a
             phone call.

He exits the room.


                                                           49.


                         DEVON
                  (stands and goes to
                  the door)
             I need to get changed.

                         DAWN
                  (rushes forward)
             Oh God. Your neck! Did someone
             bite you?

Devon and Jason both startle at the question. Jason looks a
little guilty.

                         DEVON
             It's okay. I'm just a little stung.

She leaves the room. Dawn is worried.

Nadya sits closer to Jason. There's an uncomfortable tension
radiating from him that she doesn't notice. Dawn does.

                         NADYA
             So what was it like? Being dead?

                         JASON
                  (after much thought)
             It burned a little.
                  (gets up)
             I need to get out of this skin
             too. Good night.

He leaves Dawn and Nadya. Dawn watches him go, concerned.
Noticing Nadya's confusion--

                         DAWN
             Well...  I think we did a good
             job. Go girl power!

Nadya shrugs, not altogether happy at how the night has gone.

EXT. HOTEL, DEVON'S ROOM - NIGHT

Jason raps on the door.

Devon opens it. She's in her usual garb, covered from tip to
toe. Safe.

                         JASON
             Hey.

                         DEVON
             Hey.


                                                           50.


                         JASON
             I just wanted to uh... I think we
             need to talk.

                         DEVON
             We don't need to.

                         JASON
             Yeah we do, tonight was, and I
             was, but mostly it was--

She holds up her hand.

                         DEVON
             It was a potion. Just some magic
             in a bottle. So no, we don't need
             to talk about it. We don't even
             need to think about it. It
             happened. It's forgotten. That's
             all. Good night.

She shuts the door. He stares at it.

OFF JASON

                                            FADE OUT.

                          END SHOW



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