BALANCE

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Balance

(ep to follow Allies)

SEASON FINALE

Prologue:

Scene opens to Spike’s crypt. Spike is on top of Buffy he is kissing her passionately. In between his kisses Buffy says:

Buffy: Spike, I love you. God, I love you so much!

SMASH CUT TO:

The tent. Buffy bolts up from underneath Spike’s arm.

Next to her lies a sound asleep Spike. Buffy’s eyes are wide with terror as she realizes that she's in love with Spike. She stares ahead, sick with the knowledge. She moans in utter torment:

Buffy: God, no. Please, no.

As she utters this she turns around and looks down at Spike, he is wide awake now and just heard every word she said.

Spike: What’s wrong?

Buffy: Nothing…it was just a nightmare.

Spike: No…(slow realization takes place on his face) not a night mare…(smiles at the realization) you had the dream..didn’t you?

He sits up, brings his legs in and turns so that he is sitting facing her now. Buffy doesn't move she just looks at him with shock and fear.

Buffy: What…dream… are you talking about?

Spike: The dream where you come crashing into my crypt with a stake…

Buffy's eyes get wider as he says this.

Spike: I jump up…you tell me you should have killed me years ago….

Buffy puts her hand to her mouth.

Spike: I tell you to go ahead and kill me….

Buffy gasps.

Spike: You raise your stake like your going to and then I grab you and…

Buffy: (yells) STOP!

She's shivering again, she just looks at Spike in horror.

Spike: Yeah…I can relate…remember how I felt myself after I woke up from it. Really sucked big time.

Buffy takes her hand off her mouth.

Buffy: Spike just * shut * up!

She justs glares at him still in shock and horror and continues shivering. Spike looks back at her, their eyes lock for a long moment. Spike breaks the look by turning and lying down again on his side.

Buffy: What…. are you doing?

Spike: I can hear the storm, it's still blowing, we've only been asleep about an hour or so, I'm lying down and going back to sleep.

She turns and looks down at him.

Spike: (He reaches up for her) Come on… lie back down.

She turns her back toward him and lies down beside him. She is still shaking. He rolls close to her and puts his arm back around her. Buffy's eyes are still wide with fear but she lets him without protest. He pulls her in closer to himself.

Buffy just stares off into the dark in shock and disbelief.

ACT 1

Opening scene: Shot of a very small remote military base located somewhere in a Nevada desert.

Scene cuts to Glory. She is lying asleep in the hospital bed. A nurse comes in and checks on her. She replaces the IV bottle and then walks over to the window in Glory’s room and looks out. It’s night and the wind and sand are blowing and rattling the window. Suddenly Dreg appears behind her. He grabs the nurse and puts his crusty hand over her mouth to stifle a scream while Jinx also appears and runs to Glory. He shakes her.

Jinx: Arise my Glorificus, please arise!

Glory awakens and sees Jinx and says:

Glory: Mommy?

Jinx just looks down and smiles.

Glory: (fearfully) Someone threw the tuffet in the hen house and frightened all the spiders away.

Dreg trying to hold on the the struggling nurse says:

Dreg: Jinx! Make her sit up.

Jinx brings Glory to a seated position on the bed and Dreg drags the nurse over and forces her head down to Glory.

Dreg: Drink my most Beautiful Eminence…please hurry, and DRINK!

With a strangled cry of despair, Glory puts her fingers on either side of the nurses head. White light flares and the nurses eyes go wide with shock and pain. She falls to the side of Glory's bed whimpering and gasping, while Glory takes a deep breath and gets out of the bed. An IV is still stuck to her wrist. She yanks it out.

Glory: I feel * so * much better now! (smiles at the demons who are standing in front of her now) Yes…MUCH better!

Cut to Giles, Xander, Anya and Willow. They are in their tent. The knights that were guarding before are now in their tent taking shelter with them.

Anya: You know, I'm not sure… but I think I actually put a curse on a Knight of Byzantium one time. I mean…if he wasn't of the Byzantium’s then I know for sure he was of some sort of fanatic religious order because I remember specifically making it so he was stuck permanently inside his armor. Couldn’t take it off. He had cheated on his wife of course.

All the scoobies just look at Anya, everyone's eyes are red and sleepy

they all look completely worn out but Anya is bright chipper and full of energy she is sitting up Indian style.

Anya: (defensively and loudly) Well since we can't talk about the other…you know..stuff in front of the guards.

Shot of the guards they perk up to attention and glare at the Scoobies. Anya turns and gives them both a dirty look.

Anya: I just thought I'd tell you some of my stories in an effort to pass the time.

Giles: (bored and trying not to falling asleep)Yes..thank you Anya.

Willow: (equally bored lying on the ground with her chin resting in her hands) Very entertaining.

Anya: (looks at Xander hurt) Xander! They're patronizing me!

Xander is lying on his side on the ground with his head propped up on his arm looking like he is about to nod off as well.

Xander: They're just tired and worn down An..don't take it personal.

Anya pouts.

Cut to Cordy and Gunn in the van. Cordy is still sitting in the back seat with Dawn who is sleeping with her head up against the window.

Gunn: (to Cordy) So we drive to this point on the map and pull over…then what?

Cordy gets up and moves back to the passenger seat.

Cordy: Buffy told us to meet her halfway. Some where in between from where that red line is drawn at the point on the road where we’re suppose to stop to I guess the end where these Knights are supposedly camped out.

Gunn: And then what…we just wait? We camp out?

Cordy: Well, I call her on my cell when we reach that point and then take it from there. She wants to meet first with these Knight Freaks which hello…21st century people… don’t they know that all the Knights disbanded a long time ago in Camelot?

Gunn: So let me get this straight. Dawn was brought to Angel for him to protect her from the Knights..right?

Cordy nods

Gunn: And now we're bringin her to them so Buffy can hand her over?

Cordy: Seems like that doesn’t it?

Scene cuts to Glory and her minions. They are still in the same room. The nurse is now lying on top of the bed, passed out. Shot of Glory's back as she slips on a red silk dress. A flowery suitcase lies open on a chair next to her filled with the rest of her attire. Shot of the minions behind her, watching.

Dreg: We are so glad we were able to find you most Glorious and Delectable Diva. We feared we had lost you and would not find you in time.

Glory turns, fully dressed now. She is smiling but underneath her irritation and impatience is very obvious.

Glory: Yeah…well, bout damn time you did. So where the hell am I, I mean last I remember, thanks to my precious little brother I was wondering around some godforsaken desert wearing of all things camouflage. (she shudders)

Dreg: You my most Wondrous One.. I am most happy and humble to inform… are mere miles from the point of Alignment which will be taking place tomorrow at sundown! (He clasps his hands in front of him and smiles)

Glory perks up and smiles

Glory: (excited) No! You can't be serious!

He nods at and smiles even wider.

Her smile turns to a deadly grimace as she pounces on Dreg and slams him up against the wall.

Glory: Then tell me Dreg just how is that such GOOD NEWS when I still DON’T HAVE MY KEY?!!

Dreg: (choking, fearfully) It is good news because sources have shown us that the key will be present. All you have to do is arrive at the point of alignment by sundown.

Glory: Oh yeah? ( She slams him harder into the wall) Well your sources better be right this time. Because if I have to wait another thousand years to get out of this disgustingly weak and puny excuse for an existence then you my little minion are one dead monkey…got it?

Dred nods vigorously.

Scene cuts to Cordy and Gunn again. Shot of Gunn looking out straining to see. Shot of the windshield. The wipers at swiping away at the sand and dirt in vain. Cordy and Gunn are both stunned.

Gunn: Man oh man. This is useless I can't see anything. (he looks at Cordy and shrugs) Gonna have to pull over.

He turns the wheel and pulls over and stops the car. Dawn stirs a bit but remains asleep.

Cordy: Great…this is just what we need.

Gunn: Guess we'll have to wait here till this stuff blows over.

Cordy: This is so not good!

She takes out her cordless from her purse and hits a few buttons. She puts the phone to her ear, frowns, hits a few buttons again. Puts it to her ear again and then throws it back in her purse in frustration.

Cordy: Great, stupid phone won't work either. Now what are we gonna do?

Gunn just shrugs

Scene cuts back to Glory.

She is now sitting on the edge of the bed next to the nurse, who is babbling now, slipping on a very expensive looking high heeled shoe. Dreg hurriedly goes over and locks the door to the room.

Glory: So AGAIN.. where are we?

Dreg: Apparently a very small military base. We were called by a nice doctor yesterday afternoon. He had found your phone number in Master Ben’s backpack. That’s how we found you.

Glory: So how many humanoids does this place have in it right now.

Dreg: I’m afraid it’s only the nightshift staff which consists of that nurse and two guards.

Glory: Two guards huh?

Dreg: (smiles and nods)

Glory: And you said we’re in the desert in Nevada?

Dreg: Yes your most Magnificently Brilliant and Talented One.

Glory: And the alignment is tomorrow at sundown…..

Dreg nods vigorously

Glory: Huh. (smiles) How far is Vegas?

Dreg: (shrugs) Oh…100 miles away in the * opposite * direction.

Glory: (smiles gleefully) Did you know they have a mall the size of two football stadiums there?

Dreg shakes his head no.

Scene cuts to Gabriel. It's morning time. He enters the tents where the Scoobies are. All four are asleep now. Xander is lying on his side curled up around Anya. Giles is flat on his back. Snoring loudly. Willow is curled up across from him in a little ball. She is using her coat for a pillow.

Two guards are seated and at watch across from them in the tent.

Gabriel: (to guards) I've come to relieve you.

The two guards stand up and leave.

Gabriel walks over to Giles and shakes him.

Gabriel: Mr. Giles?

Giles stirs and lets out a loud snore. Gabriel shakes him again.

Gabriel: Mr. Giles!

Giles awakens in mid snore.

Giles: Yes..yes, what is it?! Startled he looks up and sees Gabriel.

Gabriel: Mr. Giles please wake up.

ACT 2

Scene opens a wide shot of Buffy and Spike’s tent in the desert. It’s morning now, the sun is just coming up.

Cut to inside the tent. Spike is lying on his back now. Buffy has turned over to her other side. She is sleeping now with her head on Spike’s shoulder. Her arm is wrapped around him and her hand is clutching his other shoulder. Spike’s hand is resting on her arm. Suddenly Buffy wakes with a bolt and finds herself looking down at Spike. He remains asleep. She gasps and looks down at him in horror and fear. She sits up and quickly gets away from him. He doesn’t wake. She is now sitting with her back to the tent resting on her arms, her legs pulled up in front of her slightly. She looks over at Spike as if he were a deadly snake and starts to shiver again. She looks down and sees that she is wearing his shirt. She hurriedly takes it off and throws it to the side. She goes over to the flap on the tent and quickly unzips it. She sees it’s morning and the storm is over. She quickly climbs out. She stands for a moment taking deep breaths as she does this she spots her things lieing on the ground where she left them all covered by sand.. She runs over and pulls up her jacket, shakes it off and puts it on. She grabs her backpack. She opens it and takes out her cell phone and hits the power button. She looks at it and hits the power button again. Frustrated she shoves it back into the backpack. She puts the backpack down and goes back to the tent. She bends down and opens the flap and crawls in.

Scene cuts to inside the tent. She kneels down next to Spike. Shot of Spike, sound asleep. His face looks very peaceful. Shot of Buffy who is now studying Spikes face. Her expression still fearful becomes a bit softer. She watches him sleep for a long moment, then she reaches out a shaking hand and very slowly, very hesitantly runs her fingers down the side of his face almost lovingly but then closes her eyes, shakes her head and pulls her hand away quickly as if from a hot flame. This causes him to wake up.

Spike opens his eyes and looks up at her.

Spike: Buffy.

She just looks at him with a stunned look. He sits up and rubs his eyes.

Spike: Storm over?

Buffy: Yes….we have to go.

She hurriedly leaves the tent. He watches her go.

Scene cuts to Gabriel and the scoobies. They are all awake and sitting in a semi circle together. Gabriel is kneeling in front of them.

Giles: So you're saying that Buffy should be on her way.

Gabriel: Yes I was able to find out that the knights who were left behind in Sunnydale to watch her and make sure she got the message witnessed her leave town yesterday with a blonde man in a red convertible.

Willow: Hmm a blonde man…who could that have been?

Giles: (frowning) Never mind that Willow…did you say in a RED convertible?

Gabriel nods.

Giles: (mutters) Oh dear Lord.

Willow: Hello….with a blonde guy. Am I the only one whose wondering who she left with?

Xander perks up.

Xander: Hey, maybe it was Riley…maybe he came back?

Anya: Or Spike.

Everyone gives Anya a strange look.

Anya: What..he has blonde hair.

Giles: Anya, three words dear. Vampire, desert, sun.

Anya: (defensively) Well….maybe they left at night!

Willow: And a fourth word would be…convertible. Besides Spike is the last person Buffy would be with, you know that Anya!

Scene cuts to Buffy and Spike

Shot of Buffy and Spike walking through the desert. Spike suddenly stops and puts his duffle bag down.

Buffy: (irritated) Why are you stopping?

Spike stoops down and unzips the bag.

Spike: Well for starters ( he opens the bag and grabs his cigarettes) to get out this. And also to talk about what we plan to do once we find these tin soldier boys.

Buffy stands with her arms crossed, looks down at him and frowns. He takes out a cigarette and lights it.

Buffy: Plans simple. We find them. We give them an ultimatum. They see things my way. Tell me where this door to Glory’s hell is and then we send her clad Gucci hellgod butt back to where it came from.

Spike: You call that a plan?

Buffy: You got a better one?

Spike: What if they won’t listen. * What if * they decide not to see things your way and just take the option of killing you and the rest of us and fight this hellbitch them bloody selves instead?

Buffy just laughs

Spike: What’s so funny.

Buffy: The fact that you don’t know how to practice what you preach.

Spike: Just what do you mean by that.

Buffy: Wasn’t it you last night who told me about the scroll and the prophecy? And isn’t it you who keeps ranting on about this plan?

Spike: Well…yeah. What’s your point.

Buffy: My point is Spike..I may be pretty new at this faith thing but I’m at least insightful enough to capitalize on the fact that if it is predestined that you and I and Dawn fight Glory then that is exactly what is going to happen * no matter * what and nothing… including a vast army of lunatic knights… is going to be able to stop that.

Spike: (shrugs) S’pose your right.

Buffy: Believe me… The Knights of tack and slash are the least of our concerns right now.

Spike: Well if they’re not a concern what is?

Buffy: The fact that my cell phone won’t work and I have no way of checking to see if Cordelia and Dawn are on their way. This little sand storm threw us way off the schedule.

Shot of the van pulled off on the side of the road. Shot inside the van. Cordy and Gunn and Dawn are all sound asleep. Cordy wakes up first. She opens her eyes to Gunn asleep with his head against the driver side window. She gets up and then immediately gets pulled back from her seat belt which is still on. She mutters something and reaches around and undoes it. She goes over to Gunn and shakes his arm.

Cordy: Gunn. Hey…Gunn! Wake up!

Gunn wakes up with a start.

Gunn: Huh? What…where are we…what time is it?

Cordy: Desert. * Early *.

Gunn sits up trying to wake up he looks out the windshield.

Cordy goes over and pulls her cell out. She punches the power button and pushes some buttons. She holds the phone to her ear then puts it down and turns it off in frustration.

Gunn: Still no luck?

Cordy: None! Okay time to move to plan B. We find this place on the road we are suppose to stop and then we stop and start walking. How far did you say you thought we were from the mark on the map?

Gunn: Last I looked we were about 10 miles away according to that map and my odometer. Lets get going and see if there’s any cars up ahead. At least Buffy’s car that she rode in should be pulled over…right.

Cordy: Should be.

He starts the car and Dawn wakes up with a start as if from a bad dream.

Dawn: (groggy and fearfully) Cordy? Where are we?!

Cordy: Hey sleepyhead! Thought you were gonna sleep forever. We’re almost there.

Dawn sits up and is suddenly very awake. She starts to shiver. Cordy looks back at her and gets up from her chair. She sits on the bench next to Dawn and stokes her hair.

Cordy: If you’re hungry, there’s granola bars in that grocery bag over there and apples. And there’s juice in the cooler.

Dawn shrugs.

Dawn: Not really hungry right now….too…

Cordy: Nervous?

Dawn: Yeah

Cordy: Look Buffy has this all worked out I know and once we meet her, she’ll have a plan…she always does. She’s not going to let anything happen to you.

Dawn nods hesitantly

Cordy: Look at is this way…you finally get to be one of the scoobies now. Included in on the action and not sitting at home waiting to be filled in later.

Dawn brightens suddenly.

Dawn: Hey, never thought of it that way. Get to be one of you guys now. (perks up) I like that! Where’s those apples at?

Cordy smiles and grabs the grocery bag off the floor.

Scene cuts to the Elderly Knight. Two knights stand at attention before him.

Elderly Knight: The Slayer, she's here. I wanted her brought to me immediately as soon as she arrives to the camp.

Cut back to Spike and Buffy still walking in the desert.

Buffy: Are you sure this is the right way?

Spike: Pretty sure. I mean if were talking about finding a vast army of 400 knights then I’m thinking flat terrain, big crowd, pretty hard to miss.

Just then Buffy trips on a rock and twists her ankle, she falls to the ground her face contorted in pain.

Buffy: Ow!

Spike stops drops his duffle bag and walks over to her.

Spike: You alright?

Buffy is taking off her shoe and rubbing her ankle.

Buffy: Just a little sprain, it’ll be fine in a moment.

Spike walks over to her and stoops down in front of her.

Spike: Let me see it.

Buffy protectively pulls her foot away.

She glares at him. He just looks at her with a hurt expression as if she just slapped him. Buffy’s expression softens a bit.

Buffy: Said it’s fine.

Spike: Well just in case, let’s just sit here for a minute. We’ve been walking for over an hour. Imagine we’ll be there soon enough.

Reluctantly Buffy nods and continues to rub her ankle.

He sits down on the ground across from her and watches her with concern and love. She catches this… their eyes meet.

Buffy: So…what are you now?

Spike: Vampire….still a vampire.

Buffy: Only difference being you can go out in the sun now?

Spike: That and I don’t have to feed any more. Live on plain old food now …and water. (he picks up the canteen and unscrews the lid) Humans stopped looking like take out with legs long time ago. (He takes a drink)

Buffy: Big difference then. She continues rubbing her ankle.

Spike: Tell me about it.

Buffy: But then again not such a big difference considering that chip won’t let you eat them anyway.

Spike looks up at Buffy hesitantly as if he wants to tell her something but is afraid.

Buffy: What?

Spike: Buffy…I have to tell you something and I’m not quite sure how you’re going to react.

Buffy: Guess you won’t find out until you tell me.

Spike: (sarcastically) Lucky for me you left your stake at home then.

Buffy gives him a confused look. Spike ignores it and blurts out.

Spike: The chips gone!

Buffy: (startled) What?!…But how?…

Spike: Night your Mum died…I was standing outside your house. Lurking like I used to. Trying to find out what happened. You came out to the porch with Ben and that’s when I heard the news. You two spoke briefly then when he left he sort of came upon me. He grabbed me by the throat and threatened me and when he did he morphed into Glory. She punched me and knocked me unconscious. Next thing I know I come to and now it’s Ben lying on the ground in front of me with the chip in his hand. Have no idea how he got it out.

Buffy: (still stunned) I do. It’s a thing Glory does to humans…she’s a mind sucker. She must of sucked out that chip.

She backs away from Spike a bit and looks at him with uncertainty.

Spike: What..you DON’T think I’m going to hurt you now, just because I can…

Buffy: (sarcastically) I don’t? Spike, you’re a killer…said so yourself!

Spike: Hey…Good Guy killer now… not Bad Guy….wait that didn’t come out right. (exasperated) Oh…you know what I mean! Look Summers do you really think if I was the same killer I used to be you would have been able to spend the night in my arms two nights in a row and still live to tell the tale!?

Buffy looks as though she is taking this into consideration for a moment. She looks at him. Their eyes meet again. She looks away quickly.

Spike: Look whether you believe me or not…I’m through with that life….can’t go back, even if I wanted to…it’s not in me anymore.

Buffy: Excuse me…it's not in you anymore? Spike you're a vampire…your nature * is * EVIL… you can't change that.

Spike: Oh and so you're saying all humans are perfect angelic specimens I suppose?

Buffy: No. I didn’t say that at all…and that really has nothing to do with what I just said.

Spike: It doesn't? Well let me see if I can make it relate then. A little lesson in Humans 101 Summers…first question being, don't all humans from the day they are born need to be taught how to be good, decent, disciplined?

Buffy: I'm not answering your stupid question.

Spike: That's because you know the answer is yes…they do. Next question then…does any human being ever at any time need to be taught how to be selfish, hateful, angry, … self centered?

Buffy glares at Spike with anger and a hint of defeat. She does not answer his question.

Spike: The answer would be…no. Why? It's their nature. So riddle me this Summers...how does that make you different from me? Are you saying I can't be taught…that I have no capability whatsoever to change?

Buffy: Basically…yeah…which is why I don’t trust you no matter what you say. IT makes no difference to me.

Spike: (frustrated) Well… seeins how the Powers that Be stuck you in this situation with me… ( He stands up.) Guess * you’re * going to have to start practicing what * you * preach and trust me weather you want to or not.

She glares up angrily at him as he says this.

He reaches out his hand to her.

Spike: Now come on…lets go do the hero bit…shall we?

Reluctantly she grabs his hand and lets him help her up. He is standing right in front of her. She stands takes a step and falls forward right into him. He catches her, their eyes lock, she looks at him with an expression of anger and fear mixed with an underlying look of desire.

Spike: Can you walk?

Buffy: I’m fine.

He lets her go reaches down and grabs the duffle bag. They walk around a very large snarled tree.

ACT 3

Scene opens to Gunn and Cordy and Dawn in the van. It's a sunny morning now. They pull up to the caravan of cars and buses pulled off to the side of the road. Gunn stops the car.

Gunn: I'll get the stuff. Can you get the cooler?

Cordy: Sure.

They get out of the van and walk toward Giles car.

Cordy: That's Giles new car.

The walk next to it and see it is filled with tons of sand and dirt now from the dust storm.

Cordy: Someone should have put the top up.

Dawn: Man….Giles is gonna have a stroke!

Gunn: Lets get started, we're late anyway.

They look out on to the desert horizon hesitantly. Suddenly Cordy falls forward. Gunn rushes to her side.

Gunn: Vision?

Scene changes to a blurry picture of Cordy and Gunn driving in a white truck out into the desert. Cut to them driving and passing a very snarled distinguished looking large lone tree standing in the desert. Scene smash cuts into a arch shaped door made of black rod iron and rotten wood the camera widens on Dawn Cordy and Gunn all standing by the truck which is parked. Spike is standing in front of Buffy holding what looks to be a machine gun on two knights whose backs are to the camera.

Camera cuts back to Cordy in massive pain.

Cordy: Uh…just a slight one.

Gunn: What'd ya see?

Cordy: Give me a sec to shake this off first.

She holds her head bends down and opens the cooler and pulls out a bottle of water and holds it to her head.

Cordy: Okay…that's much better…first, is there a white truck among all these ugly gray buses somewhere up ahead?

Gunn backs up a bit into the road and looks down the long line of buses. He comes back to where Cordy and Dawn are standing.

Gunn: Yeah…there's one right up front.

Cordy: Okay, well in my vision we drive out into the desert in that truck. So either I'm assuming it has keys in it already or you Mr. Sneaky learned to hotwire a car since last time.

Gunn: A…. I learned…from my cousin, after that fiasco, just thought might come to good use some day… you know.

Cordy: (smiles slightly, still in pain) Well that day would be now then.

Gunn smiles big. They all three walk toward the truck.

Scene changes to Glory. She and the monks are walking through a very elaborate shopping mall. Glory leads, the monks are following with the hoods pulled up on the robes to conceal their demon like features. They are both loaded with shopping bags and boxes. Glory stops suddenly and smiles widely. The monks stop abruptly behind her almost running into her. Jinx drops a box, he scrambles to pick it up.

Glory: Wait just a minute boys.

Across the mall Glory spots a storefront with a large gold sign that spells out Gucci.

Glory: Oh Yeah….come to MOMMA!

Dreg: But I humbly and most dutifully remind your Magnificence, we must be at the door by sundown….

Glory: With out looking back.

Glory: (irritated with an angry expression) We'll be there Dreg…I promise, now quit your nagging and come on!

She smiles again and strides over to the store purposefully, the monks hurry and follow.

Scene cuts back to Buffy and Spike. They are now standing in front of the door to Glory's dimension.

Spike is walking around it in circles scratching his head.

Spike: I don't get it…

Buffy: What's to get..it's a big ugly door. (she is standing directly in front of it, arms crossed, she looks at it and shudders)

Spike: (irritated) I know that Slayer… but where's it go…I mean…

He stands behind the door and pushes it open from his side opening it so that he is standing on the inside facing Buffy who is on the outside. He walks through it. Buffy quickly backs away from him.

Spike: There's nothing here…see?

He closes the door and turns and study's the front of it. He starts knocking on the rotted wood panels.

Buffy: (annoyed) Spike….just leave it alone! Who knows what might pop out if you keep messing with it!

He stops and turns around and looks at her. He gives her a give me a break look and walks over to his bag and pulls out his smokes.

Buffy: Anyone ever tell you you smoke like a chimney?

Spike: (sarcastically) Hoping to make poster "Vamp" for lung cancer one day.

He takes out a cigarette and lights it. She looks at him in disgust.

Spike: Now what?

Buffy: I guess we keep walking…at least we know where the door is…

Suddenly the truck engine can be heard. Buffy looks up and spots it as it drives over a hill towards them. She sees it's Cordy and Gunn. Dawn is riding in the back.

They pull up a good 100 yards away from Buffy and Spike and the door and stop, Dawn jumps out of the truck and runs to Buffy.

Buffy: Dawn!

They hug each other tight Buffy strokes her hair.

Dawn: (with tears in her eyes) I am so scared.

Buffy: (tears in her eyes) I know…it’s gonna be ok. She stops hugging Dawn and faces her. I promise.

Dawn: Cordy said this makes me one of the scoobies now.

Buffy: (smiles and nods) Yes..I suppose it does.

Dawn smiles back and walks over to Spike who is watching the both from a slight distance. She stops shortly in front of him puts her hands on her hips and gives him a once over.

Dawn: So weird.

Spike: Thanks.

Dawn: And I mean….never noticed how pale you were before.

Spike: (shrugs) Death'll do that to ya.

Dawn: So…you're a good guy now?

Spike glares across at Buffy who is watching this exchange very closely.

Spike: Have to ask your big sister on that one little bit.

Dawn: Huh?

Buffy ignores him and turns to Cordelia and Gunn who have reached to where Buffy is standing now.

Buffy: So how'd you find us?

Cordy: Vision. Mind blurring vision.

Buffy: Vision?

Cordy: Nobody told you about me…that I'm vision girl now?

Buffy: Oh that's right Angel told me…I just..forgot. So..how's that going?

Cordy (shrugs) Pretty good.

Gunn: (walks over from around the front of the truck) You two done catchin up?

Cordy: (to Buffy) Are we?

Buffy: I'd say that about covers it…

Gunn: Good cause I think vision ACT 2 is about to take place.

Cordy and Buffy: Huh?

Gunn points over behind the parked truck, two knights can be seen approaching over the horizon. One of the knights his holding in front of him a very large metal sheild. Buffy, Cordy and Gunn all turn and watch as they approach. Dawn and Spike look as well.

Buffy: Dawn get over here and get behind me…now!

Dawn does so while Spike stoops down unzips the duffle and produces what looks like to be one of the Initiatives Blasters.

Buffy: (startled) Where the hell did you get that?

Spike: (sheepishly) From the Initiative…

Buffy: And I'm suppose to believe * what *… they issued it to you as part of the prisoner uniform?

Spike: (looking down and hitting a button on the gun) Not exactly.

He turns and aims it at the knights that are approaching.

Buffy: Do you even know how to work that thing?

Spike: (he turns and looks at her over his shoulder) Relax Summers, you're not the only one who knows a thing or two about weapons.

She gives him a death stare.

Spike: (shudders sarcastically) If looks could kill….

He turns back and aims at the guards they are a mere few feet away now.

Spike: Hold it right there.

The knight with the shield puts it down on the ground next to him. They both raise their hands up.

Spike: Your weapons…put them on the ground and slide them over.

The guards take out their swords and deposit them on the ground. They kick them over towards Spike. Gunn stoops and picks them up.

Cordy: (mutters to Buffy) Who put him in charge?

Buffy: (annoyed) Wasn't me.

Suddenly Buffy looks up at the face of one of the knights and sees that it's Gabriel. A look is exchanged between them.

Spike: That's good, now things are nice and copasetic. Slayer..your turn.

Buffy walks up and stands beside Spike.

Buffy: Just on our way to see you. (demanding) Where's my friends.

First Knight (not Gabriel) At the camp…safe and sound anxiously waiting your arrival.

Buffy: Fine…lead the way.

Suddenly Gabriel turns and sucker punches the first knight in the stomach hard causing him to bend over. He immediately cross cuts him in the face sending him reeling to the ground. He looks up at Gabriel in disbelief.

First Knight: Betrayer!

Gabriel hurriedly grabs a sword from Gunn before he can react and holds it on the First Knight at which point Spike puts down the Blaster.

He looks at Buffy in confusion.

Buffy: He's with us.

Gabriel continues to hold the sword on the first knight.

Gabriel: I've come to warn you. You must not go to the Knight Encampment.

Buffy: Why?

Gabriel: The High Knight has declared you to be killed on sight. He believes you will have the key with you. Your body will then be presented to your friends who will be tortured until they inform the High Knight as to what and where the key is.

Buffy taken off guard with this information hesitates in responding. Dawn is standing next to her now frightened watching Gabriel intently. To Buffy she says.

Dawn: Buffy..what are you going to do?

Spike has now set down the Blaster in the back of the pick up. He walks over to the First Knight and stares down at him.

Spike: This the standard uniform…this chain mail garb and hood?

Gabriel nods.

Spike takes off his shirt.

Spike: (to Gabriel) Make him take it off.

Looks up at Buffy who is staring at him like he's lost his mind.

Spike: I'm going in.

Buffy: What the hell…

Gabriel: Won't be easy to pass for a Knight even if you do trade clothing…you see in order to pass the entrance guards you must be able to understand and answer their random questions in Latin.

Spike: What kind of questions?

Gabriel: General questions, I could give you a few examples I suppose.

Spike: Not a problem.

Buffy: (give me a break tone) You…speak Latin?

Spike: (shrugs) Yeah..I do.

Buffy's eyes widen in irritation.

Buffy: Fine…let's say you really do..then what?

Spike: Easy Slayer…I'll explain…give me a minute.

ACT 4

Scene cuts to the Elderly Knight. He enters the tent the Scoobies are waiting in. Giles stands up quickly and takes the lead of the Scoobies.

Giles: I don't know who you are or what you want with us but we demand our freedom at once.

The rest of the Scoobies look up at Giles proudly.

Elderly Knight: I'm sorry freedom is not your fate. The bigger plan and Creator of that plan calls for your capture. And even though it is not the best of situations, you may take comfort in the fact that it is for the greater good. You will not suffer in vain. As a matter of fact, you and the others here need not suffer at all. As long as you cooperate.

Giles says nothing in return. The Elderly Knight turns and leaves.

Scene cuts back to Spike, he is dressed in Knightly garb now looking completely laughingly uncharacteristic. He grabs a sword from Gabriel and examines it. A shirtless knight sits against the side of the truck now, his hands tied behind his back. Cordy and Dawn are now sitting in the back of the truck together. Gunn is standing off to the side next to them. They all are watching Buffy and Spike with an amused look.

Buffy: So…are you going to share this little half wit plan of yours or do we just have to sit back in horror and guess?

Spike: (looks at her and smirks) Plans simple. I go in. Rescue your little Scooby pals. Bring them back here.

Buffy: And just exactly how do you plan on doing that?

Spike walks over to her, stands very close to her and looks down at her with intensity catching her completely off guard.

Spike: (smirks and raises his eyebrows) Won't know till I get there luv.

Buffy doesn't respond she just glares up at him. He walks over to the truck and takes out the Blaster walks back and hands it to her.

Spike: (cocks one eyebrow) Trust you know how to work it?

Buffy grabs it and steps back from him. Pushes a button, raises it to her shoulder and aims at him with it.

Buffy: I don't know Spike…what do you think…(dumb blond like) does this look right?

Spike: Right then. He turns and leaves

She puts the gun down in disgust.

Buffy: Spike!

He turns and looks back at her.

Buffy: (threateningly) Bring them back in one piece or you'll get to find out just how well I really do know how to use this thing.

Spike salutes her and leaves.

Scene cuts to Glory riding in the back of a long black stretch limo in the desert. Dreg is wearing a chauffeurs hat driving. She is leaning back and sipping a glass of champagne.

Glory: What a way to end the millennium. I mean that was some serious ass shopping!

Camera shoots to Jinx who is sitting directly across from her, trying to not nod off.

Scene cuts to the a wide shot of the encampment of knights. The encampment itself is in the shape of a circle and situated smack in the middle of surrounding small foothills. Cut to Spike standing on top of one of the hills. He is looking down upon the scene studying it. He turns and looks behind him for a moment as if conjuring a plan. He turns and with a determined gaze proceeds.

Cut to a group of three knights standing in a secluded spot on the outskirts of the encampment. They see Spike approach. The knight standing in the middle of the three addresses Spike in Latin.

Middle Knight: (in latin..dubed) Long live the honor of the Empire of Byzantium.

Spike: (in Latin O.S.) In vengeance we give our lives.

Vamps out…takes the guards by surprise.

Spike:(English now) Oh wait…can one do that if they're already dead?

Catching them all off guard he reaches and grabs the two knights on the side and with Vamp power smashes their heads together. They fall to the ground. The middle guard is still looking at Spike in shock and fear.

Middle Guard: (gasps backing away) Get behind thee… Satan!

Spike: Sorry mate, not Satan…(thinks for a minute) but close…

Suddenly he pounces on top of the knight and throws him to the ground. He rolls to the side and looks down at the knight reaches his arm back and with a powerful jab, using two fingers, puts a Xena pinch on him.

(Authors note: Yes…I'm still writing for Buffy here…my fic, my rules! )

Blood starts to spurt out of his nose.

Spike: (amazed) What’d ya know…that Xena Warrior Babe stuff really works…Huh..

Spike morphs back to his human guise, clears his throat and says threateningly.

Spike: I've cut off the flow of blood to your brain…err…I forget the rest..just tell me where the bloody prisoners are…(throws in put out and bored) or else.

Middle Knight: They're in the 2nd tent on the left.

Spike: (looks up at the tent) Right then.

He grabs two swords that are lying on the ground close, snaps up and leaves for the second tent but turns suddenly and falls back down next to the guard. He undoes the pinch.

Spike: Sorry bout that.

He punches him in the face knocking him out.

Spike: And that…(stands up, shrugs) sort of.

He gets up and proceeds and carrying the swords to the second tent.

Shot of the sun. It's resting on the horizon. Cut to Buffy and the rest.

Buffy is angrily pacing back and forth. All the others are standing now and leaning up against the side of the truck, with exception of the tied up knight who is still sitting on the ground. The rest are simply crossing their arms and listening. Buffy is still holding the Blaster. She waves it freely with her emphatic hand gestures as she talks.

Buffy: (small exasperated scream) Spike! I can’t believe I just * let* him take over like that!

Cordy: Well…it was a * good * plan.

Buffy turns sharply towards Cordy, the gun is not far from being within aiming range when she does. Cordy puts her hands up in surrender.

Cordy: (quickly) Or…maybe not (mutters to the others) Geez….homicidal much?

Buffy: This is not * how * it’s suppose to work! (turns and stands directly in front of all of them in a lecturing stance) I mean * I’m * the one who is suppose to MAKE the plan…EXECUTE the plan…not….SPIKE… of all people!

Gunn: (to Cordy) I don't know..is he really a person now?

Cordy: (shakes her head) Nope…still a vamp.

Gunn: Just not the evil kind?

Cordy shrugs.

Buffy looks at the two exasperated.

Gunn: (to Cordy) And have you checked out that door? Looks off in the distance at it.

Cordy: (looks a Gunn) Very weird.

Buffy: See! Now you guys aren’t even listening to me..someone please tell me EXACTLY WHEN did I loose control?

Cordy: You’re guess is as good as…….

She buckles over in a painful vision.

ACT 5

Cut back to Spike he walks up to the back of the tent. There is one guard stationed in front. He takes one of the swords and slashes through the back of the tent. The scoobies startled all turn toward the noise. Spike enters. All mouths drop. He puts his finger to his mouth in a gesture to be quiet.

Giles: Spike…

Xander: Spike?!

Willow: Wow! It was….

Anya: (smugly) Well…need I say…told you so?

Giles: But…but…but..how and and and…..(huge expression of confusion) how?

Spike: Sorry Rupps haven’t got time for a nice match of 20 questions right now. (throws him a sword then throws Xander a sword) time to do the real Knight in shining armor thing and ……

Suddenly a sword appears from Spikes midsection. He gasps, the sword is pulled out. Spike falls to his knees and gasps again in agony. The guard from the front of the tent appears behind him.

Giles takes his sword and now holds it threateningly toward the guard. The guard squares off with Giles.

Giles: (dramatically) On guard! (He puts one hand behind his back)

Xander is just holding his sword limply to his side. Anya and Willow are hiding behind him.

Xander(To the girls) Did he just say…on guard?

Giles and the knight begin a sword fight in a very awkward, ungraceful like dance. Spike is on his knees in pain watching. He takes out his sword from his sheath slowly and holds it threateningly to the guards back who is dancing close by. He is about to ram it through when Willow waves frantically at him.

Willow: (Shaking her head vigorously) Spike! No! Just (makes a gesture like she’s taking something and hitting it over someone’s head)

Spike gives her a painful confused look.

Willow: Xander bend down a little.

Xander does. She grabs Xander’s sword and gives Spike a demonstration by holding carefully sideways by the blade and swinging the long metal hilt at Xander’s head. She doesn’t quite miss. She accidentally knocks Xander in the head.

Xander: Ow! Thanks Wil.

Spike watches her in frustration and gives up. He stands unsteadily up and walks over behind the guard and taps him on the back. The guard turns around. Spike delivers a powerhouse punch and the guard falls to the ground.

Scene changes to Cordy:

Blurred repeat of sword fight. Next scene cuts to the gang and Spike walking up to the rest at the truck. Cordy sees next a close up of Spike’s wound. He’s holding it, the blood is covering his hand. Next shot races by of Glory in a limo. Next cut is of the sun going down. Next cut is of Glory by the door and the Knights all standing in a large circle around it. Buffy and Spike are in front of the Knights. Dawn and Gabriel are in front of them.

She comes out of the vision screaming. Long scream then..

Cordy: Oh. My. GOD! That about blew ALL my brain cells.

Gunn is at her side now. Buffy is standing directly in front of her now. Dawn is standing close by with Gabriel.

Buffy: What…was that?

Gunn: Vision she had a vision.

Buffy: Looks painful.

Cordy: Believe me painful would be nice compared….

Looks at Gunn irritated.

Cordy: Hello ice please? And aspirin….(waves him off) in my purse!

Dawn: Rushes to the truck door on the other side, I’ll get it.

Scene cuts back to the SG with Spike in the tent.

Willow: (to Spike) Now what?

Spike: Quick, I found a way to escape out the back. He walks out of the tent flap briskly into the sunlight holding his wound. The rest of the gang watch after him in awe and then follow. Giles still has his sword, but Anya has Xander’s.

Anya: (looking it over) Nice blade.

They leave the tent.

Scene changes back to Cordy.

Cordy: Okay, I saw them. They were all in a tent and there was a sword fight going on.

Buffy (gasps) What happened?!

Cordy: Well I don’t know but the next thing I saw was all of them walking back to us here. (small smile)

Buffy smiles obviously relieved.

Cordy: But..but, wait a minute trying to remember who was injured…

Buffy: (startled again) Someone was injured! (demandingly) Who! Who was injured Cordy?!

Cordy: It was…closes her eyes sees Spikes face…SPIKE!

Buffy: (puts her hand to her mouth) Spike…Spike was injured? (looks uncharteristically concerned)

Gunn: So what if he was…I mean if he’s still a vamp and all that not like it’s gonna kill him.

Buffy seems not to hear this. She runs over to Spikes duffle bag and hurriedly unzips it and looks through it. She produces a small white first aid kit and pops it open. Dawn walks over to her.

Dawn: Buffy…what are you doing?

Buffy: (very upset and flustered) He’ll need this when….when he gets here.

Dawn: (small smile) Geez Buffy….I thought you hated Spike…I mean, you’re acting like you care or something….

Buffy looks up at Dawn…mind still apparently elsewhere….

Buffy: Huh?

Gunn: And here they come.

The gang and Spike can be seen walking over the horizon. Buffy puts the first aide kit down and runs to them. Dawn runs behind her.

Buffy reaches Willow first, grabs her and hugs her fiercely. Dawn hugs Xander.

Buffy: Oh my God…(small sob) I’m so glad you’re all okay!

Willow hugs her back and smiles big.

Willow: Spike saved us…..and…wow… that just sounded so wrong…..and…by the way, pulls away from Buffy and motions her head towards Spike…sunlight,vampire…vampire,sunlight… thought these two were traditionally unmixy things. (frowns)

Buffy: (hurriedly) Long story.

She runs over to Spike and looks up at him in concern. He looks down at her as she moves his bloody hand away and examines his wound.

Buffy: Take that thing off. (motions to the chain mail garb)

Spike: (smirks smugly) Here..Slayer…in front of all these people?

Buffy: (perturbed glare) Just.Take.It.OFF!

Spike: (equally perturbed) Raises the chain mail stuff. Just keep your knickers on….stops in mid undress…thinks about what he just said…smiles seductively and says…on second thought….

The SG watches in a group this little exchange of banter in horror.

Xander (grimacing) Eeww..are those two….(disgusted look) flirting?

Giles: (equally disgusted) Dear Lord…I’m afraid so.

They both turn and look at Willow.

Willow: (raises hands in surrender) Hey…don’t look at me…I had nothing to do with it…this time.

Spike has the chain mail off now he throws it to the ground as Buffy bends down and looks at his wound. She sees how bad it is puts her hand up to her mouth and gasps.

Buffy: Oh… God…Spike! Come over here now!

Spike (rolls his eyes) Yes luv….anything you say luv…

She grabs his hand and drags him over to the tailgate of the truck. She grabs the kit and takes it to the tailgate of the truck which is now down. She motions to Spike.

Buffy: Sit!

Spike: Don’t I get a treat?

Buffy: Spike!

He jumps up on the tailgate and sits on the edge. She puts the kit down next to him and opens a fresh pack of gauze. Spike looks down at her with a beaming smile.

Scene cuts to the Elderly Knight. He is addressing a group of Knights in his tent.

Elderly Knight: (sharply) Lieutenant where are your men?

Liutenant: I don't know sir. They should have been back by now.

Elderly Knight: We have waited too long and worked too hard to let this get out of hand now. The time is approaching and we will be there to meet and destroy the beast…slayer or no slayer. Gather the men!!!

Lieutenant: Yes SIR!

Cut back to Buffy and Spike. He is still on the tailgate. She has jumped up behind him and is wrapping gauze around him while he holds his arms out for her.

Buffy: (angry) I knew you shouldn’t have gone.

Spike: Had no choice.

Stops what she’s doing and gets in his face.

Buffy: Did too have choices…* LOTS * of choices.

Smiles their faces are very close now. She is kneeling to the side of him.

Spike: Like what?

She looks away and jumps down off the truck and wedges herself in between his legs as she looks at the front of the wrapping. Blood is soaking through. She unrolls a long piece of gauze in anger and then takes it and wraps it around him. She pulls two ends to the front of him and ties it in a knot roughly…making him wince as she says.

Buffy: * Choices * That didn’t include YOU becoming a great big Shiskabob!

She looks up and glares at him in anger…he bends down and looks as if he’s going to kiss her, her eyes widen in surprise…he stops short and says.

Spike: Didn’t know you cared…

Buffy (stammers) I…I…(hesitantly as she looks up into his eyes) don’t?

He reaches out and touches her face she doesn’t move.

They are interrupted by Giles.

Giles: Ahem.

Buffy turns her head away quickly towards Giles.

Giles: Buffy, if you’re quite through….

Buffy turns and says this to Spike instead of Giles with a cold glare.

Buffy: Oh we’re definitely THROUGH.

Spike brings his head back up and closes his eyes as if she just slapped him.

Giles: You both need to come and hear the rest of Cordelia’s vision.

ACT 6

Cut to the Knights

The Elderly Knight is now standing in front of his vast army addressing them.

Elderly Knight: Brothers. We have not failed yet. We will not give into defeat. We will take the beast out of this world forever ourselves. Stop at nothing. Such is the WILL of GOD.

Army in unison: Such is the Will of God!

Scene cuts back to the Gang.

Cordy is in the middle revealing what she saw.

Cordy: In my vision, I saw a blonde woman standing next to that can you say grotesque (grimaces) excuse for a door. All nod in agreement. And there was an army of so many knights you would just not believe….circled around us, this truck, everything…they seemed to be trying to break through, but this wind was blowing and Spike and Buffy were standing together holding this glow ball thing and Dawn and Gabriel is it?

Gabriel nods.

Cordy: Were standing in front of them.

Dawn: (gasps) Just like my dream.

Cordy: Yes. Oh…and almost forgot..this all takes place at sundown.

They all look off to the sun setting on the horizon.

Just then a long limo pulls up.

Buffy: Spike…get the Dagon Sphere! Dawn, Gabriel?

Gabriel: Don’t worry, I know what to do. I’ll take care of her.

Buffy: The rest of you get in the truck and take cover.

The rest of the gang scramble to the truck. The first knight is still tied up sitting on the ground next to it.

Gunn: What should we do with him.

Buffy: (shrugs) Leave him!

Spike comes back with the Dagon Sphere.

Spike: What now luv?

Buffy looks up at him seriously.

Buffy: Show time.

Just as she says this Glory’s limo pulls up in close vicinity of the door. Dreg pops out of the driver’s side and opens the door for Glory. She steps out with one very expensive looking high heeled stiletto shoe and red silk dress, walks to the front of the now closed door and stands before them all majestic like. The monks join her and stand off to the side.

Glory: Well if it isn’t Miss Fluffy and her friends. (sarcastically) Glad you could make it to my little coming out party! Daddy will be so please to KILL YOU!

Spike is standing next to Buffy, they are now positioned directly across from Glory about 100 feet. Dawn is standing in front of them with Gabriel who has his shield protectively in front of her.

Buffy: (to Spike) Did she just say….Daddy?

Spike: Think so..

He offers her the Dagon Sphere.

Spike: So how’s this thing work?

Buffy looks up at him

Buffy: Haven’t the foggiest.

Spike: Huh…guess we’ll wing it then?

Buffy: Guess so.

She stands beside him and reaches out her hand. He offers her his hand which is holding the Sphere. They both make contact with it and a powerful wind suddenly roars through out of no where. Sand and dirt begin to kick up but not enough to start another storm.

Spike looks over at Buffy.

Spike: Is it working?

Buffy looks back at him and shrugs.

Suddenly a Calvary of Knights on foot are racing toward them. They seem to be coming from every direction.

Buffy: Ah..oh..this can not be good….now what?

Glory stunned looks and sees this and hollers at Dreg who is unfolding an ancient scroll.

Glory: Dreg. I need to hear some serious CHANTING right about now!

Dreg: Yes Oh Magnificent and Holy One!

He begins to unroll the scroll and chant. Jinx stands to his side and chants as well in an unfamiliar and strange language.

The Knights close in post haste.

Buffy looks up at Spike.

Buffy: Spike…now what?

Spike: Are you asking me for help?

Buffy: This is no time for an argument…think damn you…now what?

Spike: Okay..I’m thinking, I’m thinking….

Suddenly a vision flashes before his eyes of Victoria. She suddenly begins to turn into the primal slayer and then all the slayers flash before his eyes.

Buffy: SPIKE!

Spike: (yells over the wind which is very loud now) I’ve GOT IT!

Buffy: What?

Spike: You have to believe first that the Powers that Be will give you what you need!

Buffy: (frantic) Okay…FINE..Then what?

Spike: Hold out your other hand!

Buffy: (looks at him like he’s insane) What?!

Spike: (perturbed) Just DO IT!

She does.

SCENE SMASH CUTS TO: Faith

She is standing in her prison cell picking up a book off a table. Suddenly her prison cell window crashes open and a powerful force picks her up off the ground and slams her into the wall. She begins to choke. Quickly the camera pans to her face as her life is being drained away….

SCENE SMASH CUTS BACK TO

Buffy and Spike

In an instant….every slayer that ever walked the earth are standing in a protective circle with Buffy and Spike around the door, Glory, her minions and Gabriel and Dawn.

The camera cuts to the white truck which is just outside of the circle. The SG and Cordy and Gunn are all piled in the back of the truck and are watching stunned as knights hurriedly charge past them as if they weren't even there.

Xander: Have to say…this gives Gladiator a run for it's money…could it be filmed and not real and without us…standing in the middle…of it.

The knights approach the circle quickly with intentions of attack but are thrown back as if by electrocution. Dawn turns and looks over her shoulder at Buffy in dismay.

Dawn: Buffy….do you see them?

Buffy nods in shock. Suddenly she hears…

Faith: (confused) Buffy?

She looks over and it's Faith who is now holding her other hand. Both are too shocked for more words. Spike looks over and sees that Victoria is holding his hand. She smiles at him.

Victoria: Gabriel….it’s time.

Gabriel bends down to Dawn and says.

Gabriel: Dawn. I am now going to show you how to use your power. It’s very simple. Just relax and listen.

Dawn nods.

Gabriel: I want you to open that door that is before you with your mind.

Dawn concentrates hard on the door. It suddenly opens. A man in a stark black robe appears.

Glory: Daddy! She opens her arms and starts to hug him. He wards her off.

Glory’s Dad: You young lady are in so much trouble.

Glory: (pouts and stomps her foot which puts a crack in the ground) But DADDY!

Glory’s Dad: And where IS your Brother.

She looks away in guilt. He grabs her rough by the arms and makes her look at him.

Glory’s Dad: Wait a second….BEN! Come out of there this INSTANT.

He shoves Glory back and raises a hand. A bright white light shoots from it. Suddenly it looks as if Glory is split in two as Ben appears beside her disheveled.

Ben: (defensively, taken aback) Dad!

Glory’s Dad: Thanks to you two…you have cost our world much wasted time and effort…if it hadn’t been for the TWO of YOU…we would have taken over this dimension CENTURIES AGO.

Glory: (whines) But Daddy…it was ALL HIS FAULT (glares a Ben who glares back)

Glory’s Dad: Enough!!

Camera pans back to Dawn and Gabriel. Gabriel whispers in Dawn’s ear.

Gabriel: Now I want you to push all three back inside!, close the door and lock it.

Dawn: But there's no lock…

Gabriel: There will be. Now just concentrate. The power is yours.

The knights are still struggling and fighting to break free. The slayers remain their stance.

Suddenly Glory and her little family are taken by surprise as the door powerfully swings open. A very strong force begins to suck them in like a vacuum….first her Daddy who is picked up and thrown back into black oblivion which now lies inside the door, then Glory who grips the door frame and tries to fight it then Ben….

Dawn: Wait! Not Ben.

Suddenly Ben is thrown off to the side.

Dawn concentrates hard on Glory who is using her incredible strength to break free of the force that is now sucking her in. Dawn butts her head towards Glory as if to shove her back in. She is swept suddenly away. Glory screams, the scream disappears. Next Dawn concentrates on the monks who are now crawling on the ground. She butts her head toward them they fly into the door.

Dawn: * That * was for kidnapping me.

Buffy hears this.

Buffy: Huh?

Dawn looks back at Buffy sheepishly. Gives Spike a quick glance who looks away guilty. Buffy catches this exchange.

Dawn turns back.

Gabriel: Now hurry, shut the door.

Dawn looks at the door, it shuts hard.

Gabriel: Now lock it!

Dawn: I can’t I don’t know how.

Gabriel: You are THE KEY.. You do know how. . just look at it…it will come to you!

Dawn looks back at the door and concentrates with all her might. Suddenly the door explodes into smithereens. Dawn startled ducks behind Gabriel’s shield. Spike and Buffy not letting go of the Dagon Sphere. Fall down to the ground and take cover as well….still holding the Dagon’s Sphere. They look up and in an instant the Slayers are gone, the wind ceases, the knights are just standing in awe. Along with the SG inside the truck.

ACT 7

Cut to the knights for some reason not revealed they are all leaving the sight. Camera cuts to the Elderly Knight who does a majestic bow in front of Buffy. She just stands there looking a little embarrassed and he turns and walks away. Giles walks over to Buffy.

Giles: So what was that all about.

Buffy: He was thanking me.

Giles: (shocked) He was thanking you?

Buffy: He said he suddenly realized we weren't the enemy and then he thanked me.

Buffy looks over at Dawn, she is sitting on the ground talking to Gabriel and Ben who is just sitting on the ground, wearing only green army pants, no shirt. He has his legs pulled up in front of him. Buffy walks over to them.

Dawn: (looks up at Buffy) I had to save Ben, don't be mad Buffy, I KNOW he's one of the good guys.

Gabriel: Not only that but he's human now as well.

Ben: (startled) I am?

Gabriel nods

Ben: How..how do you know that?

Gabriel: May I suggest you come back with me to the old country. We have much to discuss and much to learn…from each other.

Ben nods.

Buffy turns and sees that everyone is talking in little groups together behind her. Xander, Giles and Anya…Willow, Cordy and Gunn, but Spike is sitting on the tailgate of the truck alone now. Buffy walks over to him and stands in front of him.

Buffy: (small smile) Well…we did it.

Spike: Yes, we did.

Buffy: I am so glad this is over…I just can't even tell you how glad.

He looks down at her and says sadly.

Spike: I'm glad.

Scene cuts to Faith, in her prison cell. She is sitting up on the floor of her cell, her back to the wall, rubbing her throat and breathing in long hazard gasps. A prison guard opens her cell and looks in.

Prison guard: Cell mate next door complained they heard a big commotion in here. What's going on?

Faith frantically looks at the cell window apparently afraid she'll be accused of trying to escape. It's closed and looks completely untouched relieved but still disheveled.

Faith: It was nothing, I just….fainted…haven't been eating right lately.

The guard pulls her up from the floor.

Prison Guard: Better take you to the hospital ward….let's go.

She stands up and walks out with him.

Scene changes to the gang on the highway. Giles is driving his car with Xander and Anya as passengers.

Giles: (disgusted) I can't believe they left the top down. Interior's ruined now that's all there is to it, simply ruined I tell you!

Xander: Giles, I think we pretty much gathered that the first nine times you told us.

Giles glares at Xander who is sitting in the passenger seat.

Anya: Don't you both think it's strange how the knights just suddenly became all peaceful with us and let us go?

Xander and Giles both look at each other and shake their heads no.

Xander: No…not really.

Giles: Not particularly…no.

Anya: (flustered) Why does everyone always disagree with me?

Xander: (to Giles) So what exactly did Buffy tell you about Spike?

Giles: Not a thing…other then she would fill us in on all the details when we got back. Away from him. She was very adamant about that part.

Xander: So what is going on between them two.

Giles: That's a very good question…

The camera pans up to the Van.

Gunn is driving, Cordy is in the passenger seat. Dawn is kneeling in between them talking to them. Spike sitting with his back against the window on the bench directly behind Dawn. He is sound asleep. Buffy and Willow are sitting together on a bench in the very back, away from the rest. Buffy is staring at Spike. She gets up from her seat and walks over to him. She kneels down in front of him and pulls up his shirt. He continues to sleep very soundly. She looks at his wound for a moment and pulls his shirt back down. She looks at his face, there's a slight hint of love and concern…very very slight then she rolls her eyes in irritation. Willow catches all of this. Buffy walks back over and sits down next to Willow.

Buffy: Man sleeps like the dead.

Willow: Buffy, aside from asking what the deal is with Spike now because I've just got to hear all about that but …what…has happened between you two.

Buffy looks at Willow in confusion.

Buffy: (defensively) What do you mean?

Willow: You know…* something * has definitely happened.

Buffy: No…no SOMETHING…only NOTHING, believe me Will nothing's happened between me and Spike!

Willow: (hesitantly) You may think that still on your insides…but, your outsides are definitely doing…different…stuff.

Buffy: (angry) Different stuff? Like * what * stuff are you talking about Wil?

Willow: Never mind. I can see you're just not ready to talk about this now.

Buffy: (gives in a little) It's not that Will, it's just that (looks over at Spike) over night things have seemed to change so suddenly with Spike. He's not the same evil sadistic vampire we use to all know and love to hate…he's…changed and it's just really…freaking me out right now!

Willow: Couldn't agree more.

Buffy: And it's not just that Will…I've changed. I mean you know how you guys were all worried about me before this. Thought I was loosing it?

Willow nods

Buffy: Well, I was and Spike….(grimaces) saved me…

Willow: (sudden realization) Oh….oooo…he's the guardian!

Buffy looks at Willow like she's insane.

Buffy: What?

Willow: The guardian the nun told Giles about! This is so way bizarre!

Buffy: Willow what are you talking about?

Willow: It's nothing…maybe it should just wait till we get back and can all talk together. So …tell me why Spike gets to play in the sun now unlike all the other vamps.

Buffy: I told Giles I'd go into the details on that with everyone when we get back. I think all this should just wait until then. Right now, I'm just too tired and too overwhelmed by all that's happened the past…really…48 hours to go into anything. I can not WAIT till we got home!

FINAL SCENE: (takes place days later)

Scene cuts to Buffy walking through the cemetery alone. She comes to Spikes house. She walks up to the porch and knocks on the door. Spike answers. He looks at her with a surprised expression.

Spike: Bizarre.

Buffy:(defensive) What’s * bizarre * ?

Spike: You…knocking! Usually you just… you know…crash right in.

Buffy glares at him. He opens the door for her.

Buffy: Came to talk to you.

Spike: Really…haven't seen you since the showdown. (looks down at her and smirks) Thought you forgot about me.

She gives him a dirty look and walks past him. She looks around at the inside of the house. The stairs leading up to the second floor are very dark. She looks over at the parlor, there are lit candles in various corners shining on haggard furniture and cobwebs hanging in the corners of the room. A big spider can be seen resting in one of them. Spike is standing behind her now.

Buffy: (sarcastically) Nice place.

Spike: (proudly) Really think so?

Buffy: Yeah…in a Amityville horrorish kind of way.

Spike: (beaming smile) Really..your not just saying that?

She turns and looks up at him and rolls her eyes.

Buffy: So…you never told me how you got it.

Spike: You never asked.

Buffy: Guess I’m asking now.

Spike: (Holds his arms out) You’re looking at the new groundskeeper.

Buffy: (folds her arms) You…got a job…as the * groundskeeper?*…here in * this * cemetery? * My * cemetery?!

Spike: (He puts his arms down) Not exactly got your name engraved on it Summers…

Buffy: Yeah but a lot of other people do….

Spike just looks at her.

Spike: So what did you come here to talk about…I’m sure it wasn’t my new career.

Buffy: You’re right it wasn’t.

She walks further into the house down a hallway and into the den area and sits down on a antique loveseat that is situated next to Spike's chair. Spike watches her for a moment and then follows and sits down in his chair. He puts his feet up on the footstool and takes out a cigarette and lights it.

Spike: Then what * did * you come to talk to me about?

Buffy: Us.

Startled Spike chokes on the cigarette smoke he just inhaled.

Spike: Thought you told me there was no us.

Buffy: Well that was then…

Spike: (raises one eyebrow) And this is now?

He looks at Buffy she looks up at him. The intensity between them grows.

Buffy: Started a new policy…it’s called honesty. I’m through lieing to myself about who I am and what I was chosen for. I’ve come to accept the very real fact that I am not like the others and I never will be.

Spike: And…so… what does that have to do with me?

Buffy: Well…you’re the one who showed me that I could trust and rely on this power that chose me. That and….(looks at him) that I’m not the sole card holder in the chosen club anymore.

Spike just looks at her as if he doesn’t know what to respond. Buffy takes a deep breath and continues.

Buffy: And…I suppose I’m saying… thank…you…I think. (exasperated) At least for now! I mean Spike you were my mortal enemy for years and now all the sudden you just DECIDE to turn all good and do all these selfless things to help me and somehow I’m just suppose to forget our whole hateful past and accept that?! I mean, .you have to admit it’s a little overwhelming…

Spike: (gives her a serious look) Tell me about it.

Spike just looks at her, his face is full of emotions. Buffy's expression softens a bit.

Buffy: (more calmly, quietly and with a serious expression) You were right about me being misunderstanding. I was wrong.

Spike: Been waiting so long to hear you say that and now that you have…(small laugh) I don’t know what to say.

Buffy: Don’t have to say anything.

Suddenly one of the apparitions comes floating in from the hallway to the den. It gives Buffy the big scare pose.

Spike: (perturbed) Oh please…she can’t see you!

It strikes the pose again with more purpose.

Spike: Do you even know who it is you’re trying to scare?

It turns and looks at him. Buffy is now looking at Spike like he’s gone insane.

Spike: Two words. The. Slayer.

Startled the apparition turns and looks at her and scurries off.

Buffy: Spike..who were you talking to?

Spike: (put out rolls his eyes) Roommate.

Buffy: Huh?

Spike: Got ghosts.

Buffy: You see dead people?

Spike: (shrugs) Dead perk.

Spike gets up and grabs his leather duster off the coat rack in the den.

Spike: Come on, I’ll walk you out. Gotta go get some smokes.

He grabs a stake off a small table nearby. He turns and she gives him a look.

Spike: Might dust a few on my way..you know lighten your work load a bit?

Buffy just raises an eyebrow at him.

She gets up and they walk to the door together. He waits a beat by the door, she looks at him like what?

Spike: Thought I’d let you get it..you know, don’t want to be misunderstood….

Buffy rolls her eyes and opens the door.

He walks out first in front of her and down the porch steps ahead of her. She glares angrily after him, shuts the door and follows. Suddenly her foot falls through the rotted wood causing her to fall forward. Spike turns in vamp speed and catches her. Their eyes meet. Her face is very close to his. His hands are gripping her arms. Suddenly he leans into her and KISSES her long and passionately. He stops and looks at her for her reaction. She is breathing very hard. She touches her mouth and looks at him startled. Then she reaches up grabs his head and pulls his face toward her and kisses him back .

Scene fades to black