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CIVIL SERVANTS
(Episode to follow The Guardian)
Prologue
Opening scene. Cut to a hand with chipped black nail polish on the fingers reaching and pulling an index card off a corkboard.
Camera pans up to Spike, he is in a government type office setting. He reads the index card out loud.
Spike: Wanted. Groundskeeper for Sunnydale Cemetery.
Accommodations provided. (Looks up from the card) Hmm, this could be interesting.
He takes the card, walks over to the receptionist.
Spike: I was wondrin Miss, I'm interested in this job, who do I need to talk to?
A fat bald man comes out of an office to the right of Spike and walks over to a nearby water cooler pulls out a cup and begins to pour.
Receptionist: That gentleman over there.
Spike: (gives her a flirtatious smile) Thank you.
He walks over to the bald guy.
Spike: Excuse me, are you the person I speak to about this job?
Hands him the card, the bald guy takes it and looks at it.
Bald guy: (chuckles) You’re interested in this one huh?
Spike nods
Bald guy: (opens the door to his office) Come in, have a seat.
Spike goes in and sits down. Bald guy closes the office door and sits down at his desk.
Bald guy: Ever done this type of work before?
Spike: Well, not exactly, but…I am quite familiar with cemeteries.
Bald guy: Oh really, how's that?
Spike: Well, Iets just say, I've spent a lot of time in them.
Bald guy: You have. (smiles) They don't give you the creeps?
Spike: No, not at all…I find them quite, …homey, actually.
Bald guy: (interested) Really? Sounds like you might just be the guy we're looking for. But I'll be up front with you, this job sort of comes with it's own… let's just call them work hazards.
Spike: Work hazards huh? You wouldn't mean Vampire and Demon type …. work hazards would you?
Bald guy: (shocked) Why yes…exactly,…. how did you know?
Spike: Oh, let's just say….I've run into a few in my time. (grins)
Bald guy: Oh, I see.
Spike: When it says accommodations provided, what exactly does that mean?
Bald guy: Oh, well the groundskeeper is required to live on site. The accommodations include a three bedroom house, which is fully furnished and rent free.
Spike: (pleased) Really?
Bald guy: Yes, it does.
Spike: Tell me are the past owners of the house…deceased.
Bald guy: Oh yes…very.
Spike: Sounds perfect.
Bald guy: How soon could you start?
ACT 1
Wide shot of a desert in Nevada. Shot of Ben walking along. Unshaved looking exhausted and like he’s been in the desert a month. He is walking up a hill. There is the sound of running water in the fore ground. He reaches the top of the hill and looks down and sees the source of the sound. A small running stream. He runs down the hill and falls by it. He picks up water in his hands and drinks and then splashes his face with it. He does this a second time and when the water hits his face he morphs into Glory.
Cut to the Magic Box. Buffy and Giles are in the back sitting in the training area talking.
Giles: Have you talked to Dawn today?
Buffy: Not yet. I talked to her last night though. She’s staying at Cordelia’s.
Giles: (looks up and away from Buffy) Poor child.
Buffy: Tell me about it.
Giles: But other then that, she’s doing alright?
Buffy: As good as can be expected, I suppose. She was really freaked out when I told her what the monk told us…. about what she is and…what her purpose is.
Giles: You told her all of it.
Buffy: Well, yeah, I felt like I had to,…she deserves to know. I mean, my job is to protect her, but as much as I’d like to I can’t over protect her. And I also know as much as I would like to take her and hide her from all of this forever until it all just goes away, it’s not very realistic.
Giles gives her a small smile.
Buffy: What?
Giles: Nothing, it’s just that’s a very grown up point of view….I’m proud of you.
Buffy looks away in guilt.
Buffy: Don’t be. I haven’t done many things at all lately to be proud of…if that was one then believe me, somehow, it just slipped by.
Giles: Don’t be so hard on yourself.
She looks at Giles, her expression turns serious.
Buffy: Look, Giles, I know that I haven’t been the same lately, and I know that everyone is worried about me, including you.
Giles: Including me…the most.
Buffy: You know in a way I’m glad that Dawn is gone right now…so she doesn’t have to see this.
Giles: See what?
Buffy: See whatever it is that I’m going through.
Giles: And what is it that you think you are going through?
Buffy: I have no idea. All it seems like I want to do anymore is sleep and patrol. I barely make it to my classes any more.
Giles: And why do you think that is?
Buffy: Well…I know that recently, my patrolling has been so intense that it just seems to drain all my energy. And when I get home and go to bed…. I fall into this deep, deep sleep. And when I sleep…(tears form in her eyes) I always dream about Mom. It’s like…she comes to me..you know..in my dreams and we talk like everything is just fine…even though we both know she’s really not here anymore and…I never really want to wake up…but when I do, the pain is so intense that all I can think about is patrolling again. But that’s not the worst part.
Giles: It’s not?
Buffy: No. When Im slaying, I’m hunting again Giles. And.. when I’m killing whatever vamp or demon that’s unfortunate enough to get in my way… there’s like this rush, this intense euphoria. And the part…the part that really scares me the most, is that the Slayer part of me just takes over when I’m in it….it’s Iike I just loose control.
Giles: Buffy, have you thought about taking a break…from slaying?
Buffy: How can I Giles?
Giles: The gang will do it for you…we’ll patrol. I’m just suggesting a couple of nights…you know, see if it helps?
Buffy: I don’t know. It’s a good idea. Let’s talk to the gang and see how they feel about it and if they agree, I’ll patrol tonight and they can start tomorrow. How’s that sound?
Giles (smiling relieved) Sounds good…very good.
Cut to the forest. It’s evening, the sun is just going down. The camera pans from the sun setting to a vast army of Knights. Tents and bonfires are scattered with men around them in every direction.
Scene cuts to inside a tent.
A very decorated Knight, elderly, gray hair is sitting behind a table two knights are standing before him at attention.
Elderly Knight: Gentlemen, you two are my top warriors. That is why I have called you here. You have been chosen for a very special mission. Such is the will of God.
Both Knights in unison: Such is the will of God.
Elderly Knight: For the next 24 hours I want you both to train extensively all your best techniques.
The Elderly Knight pushes a piece of paper across the table in front of them.
Elderly Knight: Then by sundown tomorrow, I expect you to be armed and ready to face the Slayer…here's her address.
Cut to Sunnydale Cemetery. Shot of the epitome of every typical haunted house. Old, white, boarded up windows, rickety porch with a porch swing. The lawn is overgrown and there is graffiti on some of the boards.
Spike looks down at a piece of paper in his hands and eyes the numbers on the front door. He looks back up and at the house proudly.
Spike: Aw…here we are…home sweet home.
Smiling he bunches the piece of paper up and sticks it in his pocket and walks up to the porch. The first step creeks loudly he puts his foot on the second step and it pushes right through. He pulls it out.
Spike: S’pose I’ll have to fix that.
He walks up to the door puts a key in the lock and walks in. The sun is just going down. Sun light streams into the door with Spike as he walks in. A window on the side of the house with a fallen board reveals more light inside. Inside the door there's a stairway that leads to the second floor. To his left there is a small parlor. He is looking at this when a form comes at him in lightening speed from out of no where. He turns and floating before him is a huge white glowing apparition, shaped just like the character in Scream but white see through and not so detailed in form. It raises its arms up threateningly at Spike trying to scare him.
Spike: So is that the best you can do?
The form maintains his pose but looks at him confused.
Spike: Because I have to tell you, you’re pretty scary and all…. but not to be bragging or anything…vamps out….and lunges toward the form threateningly…I think I’ve got you beat.
The form does a startled jump and raises its ghostly hands to it’s face. Another ghostly apparition just like it comes racing down the steps behind it and sees Spike as well. The first ghost turns and bumps into the second ghost as they both scurry back up the stairs.
Spike: Great (morphs back to his human guise)…roommates..
Cut to the Desert. Glory, wearing fatigues, is clinging to a rock next to the spring crying and sweating looking like she is going through some sort of withdraw symptoms. An army jeep comes driving toward her over the hill it's driver spots her and stops and gets out and walks quickly toward her. When he reaches her he stoops down and leans on the large rock she is clinging to.
Driver: Miss? Miss? Are you Okay?
He touches her face and she looks at him insanely babbling and crying at the same time.
Glory: Please make this birthing stop….please please…(whispers) please make it stop.
Driver: Okay, Okay….let’s get you out of here.
Looks over and sees her backpack and stoops down and grabs it.
Driver: This must be yours. Come on, we’ll get you taken care of.
Glory leans heavily on him as she walks weakly beside him.
Glory: (chanting) No more, no more, no more, no more.
Cut to the cemetery the sun has set. Buffy is standing in a circle of five vamps.
Buffy: Okay…who wants more?
Turns in a circle eyeing each one.
Buffy: Come on now…there’s more then enough of me to go around.
One attacks her from behind, she quickly throws him over her back into the vamp facing her they both fall to the ground. The two vamps opposite her right and left side come at her quickly. She suddenly produces a stake from her coat sleeves in each hand, stakes them both as they are coming at her, they turn to dust.
Buffy: Four down..one to go.
She turns around and squares off with the one left standing. He comes at her and she round house kicks him in the face he goes flying across the cemetery and lands flat on his back. The other two vamps have recovered now and are coming at her. She turns still armed with the two stakes and dusts them both. The one remaining starts to get up. She runs at him full speed does a back flip and lands on his chest. The camera flashes to her face there is a frenzied look of rage and determination as she holds the stake high and delivers it home. She lands on the ground as he falls to dust beneath her. A rustling noise comes from a group of trees close by, she snaps her head towards the direction of the sound. In a flash she is up on her feet running towards the noise. She stops short of the nearest tree and sneaks around it, stake raised high.
Buffy: Come on…don’t be shy...come on out and play!
Spike steps out he’s smoking a cigarette
Spike: Well..if you insist.
Act 2
Buffy stops in her tracks. The crazed look disappears. She’s still a bit shaky from the rush though.
Buffy: Spike!? What are you doing here?
Takes out his cigarette box and opens it showing her there's only one left.
Spike: On my way to get some smokes. That and oh… watching you beat the crap out of a bunch of very unlucky vamps,
Buffy: Really…want to join the club?
Spike puts his hands up as if to ward her off and steps back a step from her.
Spike: No…no. Only interested in an audience sort of role.
Buffy: Audience. Still stalking me then?
Spike: No. Believe it or not I got over that. Really..I'm just passing through.
Buffy folds her arms there’s a stake still in one of her hands.
Buffy: Really? So when did this happen, you getting over…that.
Spike: (smirks) When I got a life.
Buffy: Good for you.
Spike: Which is more then I can say for you.
Buffy: How would you know? Thought you just said you haven’t been watching me.
Spike walks over and sits down on a nearby tombstone. He takes a drag from his cigarette and blows it out.
Spike: Don’t have to…seen enough tonight.
Buffy: Oh really…and just what do you mean by that?
There's a guilty look on her face as she says this.
Spike: Well near as I can figure it…from what I’ve just seen, you’re in the throws of what we vamps call…blood lust. Only for you..it’s more like..dust lust. No pun intended.
The guilt on her face intensifies and then turns to anger.
Buffy: How would you know?
Spike: That’s funny, you’re asking a vampire who has spent the majority of his own unlife in the throws of the very same addiction how he would know that type of lust for killing when he sees it? (he flicks the ashes from his cigarette and laughs) Please!
Buffy: (very agitated) You wouldn’t know the first thing about being a Slayer.
Spike: Don’t have to.
Buffy: Oh really?
Spike: Nope…and you wanna know why? (he raises one eyebrow)
She just glares at him
Spike: Because I know everything there is to know about being a killer. The only difference really between you and I Summers… is which team we’re on. But when it comes right down to it…we’re both exactly the same… natural born killers. (He says the last three words slowly for emphasis)
Buffy: Which is why I should have killed you long ago.
Spike: And I you.
She turns and starts to walk away.
Spike calls after her.
Spike: Ever wonder why we haven’t?
Buffy stops. She turns slowly and faces him and shrugs.
Buffy: Not really.
Spike: Ever wonder if maybe there’s bigger plan to this then you or I could ever begin to imagine?
Buffy: You’re insane.
Spike: Am I? Then tell me why is it Slayer that I always seem to know exactly what’s going on inside that pretty little head of yours? Sure..you can deny it all you want but you know it’s true.
Buffy walks closer to him until she is standing right in front of him, arms folded.
Buffy: Say it is true, Spike, say you do seem to know me better then most people… It means nothing.
Spike: The hell it does..it means * everything *.
Buffy: Only in your warped little mind.
Spike: Very well. So be it, think what you like but, just tell me this then. Who else in you’re little circle of friends could possibly understand the fact that you need to kill right now more then you need anything else. That this power has devoured you so completely that you don’t know anymore where it ends and you begin.
Buffy has tears in her eyes now.
Buffy: (very angry) I do not have to stand here and listen to this.
Spike: No… you don’t. (He flicks his cigarette away and stands up. He looks down at her intensely) But if you decide you need help from someone who * actually * does know what it’s like to get lost in that type of power …
She glares at him in anger but he looks at her with love
Spike: Look, I'm just trying to say… I’ll be here for you.. I want to help…if you'll let me. (He reaches out with one hand and very hesitantly touches her shoulder)
She looks up at him tears are rolling down her face. She looks like she's about to give in then looks away and looks back at him with sadness and anger.
She reaches up and pushes his hand away.
Buffy: Just stay out of my way Spike.
She turns and leaves he remains where he is and watches her leave.
Cut to Glory. She is lying on what seems to be a hospital bed. She is hooked up to IV's and a man dressed in fatigues, and a white coat is looking her over, checking her chart. A nurse in fatigues comes in.
Nurse: How is she?
Army Doctor: Amazingly well considering the circumstances we found her in.
Nurse: How long do you think she was out there?
Army Doctor: No telling. My guess, long enough to catch a typical case of the desert crazies. She'll probably be fine after she's had a few IV's to reduce the dehydration and a good night's rest.
The nurse looks at her and nods. She checks the IV, the doctor leaves.
Cut to the Magic Box the next afternoon. The Scoobies are all there minus Buffy. Tara and Willow appear to be working on a spell, they have powder and other ingredients and a couple of books in front of them. Anya is helping a customer. Xander is repairing a broken shelf.
Xander: Thought we fixed all the shelves the Troll broke.
Giles: We did,… (hesitantly) I broke that one.
Xander: He picks up the broken shelf, it's cracked down the middle. You did? How?
Anya: He made the mistake of putting the monkey heads next to the Styx water after I told him like nine hundred times what would happen if he did.
Giles: (protests) Not nine hundred.
Willow: (to Xander) Yeah..it went kaplooey, monkey brains everywhere.
Xander looks at Giles smugly.
Giles: (defensively) How was I suppose to know that stuff’s explosive. I'm a shopkeeper not a warlock.
Xander: So who's all going patrolling tonight with me?
Willow: Me and Tara for sure.
Giles: And me as well. (smiles) Rather looking forward to it actually.
Xander looks at Anya for a response. She's done with the last customer and is putting money in the register.
Anya: (making excuses) Well someone has to watch the shop.
Giles: Anya, the shop closes at six.
Anya: Um…I could put in over time you know put away new inventory, your always saying how you hate to do that in front of the customers.
Giles: Anya.
She looks at all the Scoobies, they are all looking at her sternly.
Anya: Oh alright! I'll go. But it's not fair you know. Why should we risk our lives? I mean, it’s not like any of us have any super natural powers.
Willow: Not so. Tara and I are working on a spell right now. We plan on using it to float the vamps…disable them so we can just walk up and do a you know vampkabob! (Smiles widely)
Tara smirks. Anya looks at Willow like she's crazy.
Xander: That's actually a pretty good plan Will.
Giles: Yes it is.
Buffy comes in through the shop door. She's carrying a book bag.
Xander: Hey, Buff, just in time, we were lining out patrolling strategies, got any advice?
Buffy sits down at the table with Willow and Tara.
Buffy: Yeah…just don't go.
Giles: What, but I thought you said yesterday….
Buffy: I know…I did but I couldn't stop worrying about it all day and..and, you guys are great at it and all but I'm fine, really. I can go make quick sweeps on my way home, take care of any sub humanoids I might see and then I plan on studying the rest of the night. I swear.
Xander stops what he's doing and walks over and stands in front of Buffy.
Xander: No…that's not what you're doing.
Buffy: (unresolved) I'm not?
Xander: (firmly) No. You my little Slayer Workaholic are coming with me in my car right now and I am going to take you home myself and make sure you are locked in and then I am going to take my minions here and we are going to KICK some WHITEVAMP BUTT.
Buffy: Oh really, so in other words your saying…I'm grounded?
Xander: (grins) Now you're gettin it.
Cut to the Knight Encampment.
The two warriors are kneeling in the middle of a circle of all the Knights. Gabriel is among the Knights in the circle. The elderly decorated Knight stands above the two kneeling and says ceremoniously.
Elderly Knight: Brothers of the Knights of Byzantium! Before you I present the best of our order. They have trained diligently to fight for our honor and to go to any lengths to destroy the beast and all links to the beast. Just as the key is a link, the slayer has become a link. From this day forth, we will stop at nothing until she and the key and the beast are destroyed. (shouts) The Key and the Slayer are the LINKS!
All the knights in unison.
Knights: The links must be severed.
The Elderly Knight: Such is the WILL of God.
ACT 3
Cut to Buffy and Xander they are in his car and getting out walking up to Buffy's house. She opens the door and they walk in. She puts the key down on the table next to the door.
Buffy: Thank you for escorting me home Xander..but really, ... you don't have to send me to my room and lock me in..I PROMISE, I'll be a good girl. (smiles)
Xander: Oh but then I miss out on all the fun of the man handling you up to your room and tying you to your bed.
Buffy gives him a surprised look.
Xander: Okay..that sounded, perverted and wrong…and…(looks far off into the distant like he's lost in a visual) fun….
Shakes himself
Xander: Okay, forget I said that.
Buffy smiles, sits down on the stairway that leads to the second floor and looks up at him.
Buffy: Xander. Can I talk to you about something?
Xander: Of course. I'm all ears.
Buffy: Well, it's just out of the three of you, Willow and Giles and you..I really feel like you probably know me the best.
Xander: I'd say that be a safe assumption.
Buffy: I mean that thing (a sad expression crosses her face) with Riley… You really pegged me on that one. I never really thanked you for it either.
Xander: Oh, that…it's Okay really, I wanted to help, I'm just sorry I didn't say something to you ..sooner.
Buffy: It's okay, I mean, you we're trying to mind your own business and that's understandable. I guess what I'm getting at is, since you know me so well and all, do you understand what it is I'm going through right now?
Xander: Well you see Buff…if you're talking Slayer stuff, that’s where I sorta have to draw the "Xander Knows Buffy Pretty Damn Well" line. I mean you are right, when it comes to the human stuff, that stuff that's just normal like all the rest of us….by that I mean your sense of humor, your moods, your..heart, how you feel about stuff..well, that I understand and could pretty much can read like a big old flashy neon sign.
Buffy smiles at his little joke.
Xander: But I'm afraid when it comes to the Slayer stuff, that stuff that
makes you little Miss Stakesalot….I'm sort of out of the loop, if
you know what I mean.
A sad expression replaces Buffy's smile. Xander sees this and walks over and stoops down in front of her.
Xander: What is it Buff..I didn't mean to say something to make you feel like…you know your different from us or anything.
Buffy: (looks up at him with a resolved expression) But that's just it Xander..no matter how much I try to deny it, hide from it, pretend like it's not the truth…I am. It's Okay, I needed to hear it and to say it out loud. Really…don't worry….you've helped me a lot.
Cut to Spike
He's in the front parlor of his house removing white sheets off old pieces of furniture. He's wearing a gray shirt and black jeans. He has just uncovered the couch. He takes the sheet and bunches it up and throws it in the middle of the floor. He walks away from it and goes over to uncover a footed chair, with his back to the couch and the sheet on the floor. As he pulls the sheet on the chair off the sheet on the ground behind him rises into the air and throws itself back on the couch behind him. Spike catches the movement out of the corner of his eye. He turns and sees the couch is covered again.
Spike: (perturbed) Alright…which one of you did that.
He walks over and angrily takes the sheet off and throws it to the ground.
He walks back to the chair to continue what he was doing. The two apparitions materialize behind him, one at each end of the sheet on the ground. Together they pick it up and slowly start to recover the couch when Spike in vamp speed appears suddenly in the middle of them both vamped out grabbing the sheet from midair and growling. Startled the Appirations run off in opposite directions.
Spike: Poofters!
Cut to the Scoobie Gang . They are approaching the front entrance archway of the cemetery. Xander and Anya head the crowd, Xander is carrying a big sharp axe, Anya has a stake in each hand. Giles is walking behind them with a crossbow. Willow and Tara follow holding hands. Willow has a big bag on her shoulder.
Xander: Well gang…which way should we go?
Willow: Well Buffy for some reason..I've never figured out or asked her why…seems to always go to the left first.
Xander: Left it is then.
Cut to Buffy at her house alone. She is dressed in a white tank top and baby blue striped pajama bottoms. She has pink slippers on and is walking downstairs to the kitchen. She grabs a bottle of water from the fridge. Theres a frantic knock on the front door. Startled she rushes to it and looks out the small window. It's Gabriel. She opens the door.
Gabriel: Buffy, I came to warn you, there’s no time you really must just come with me!
From behind her a loud crash comes from the kitchen. She drops the water bottle and turns toward it. She turns back to Gabriel..he's gone. She leaves the front door open and picks up an antique walking stick that’s in a canister by the front door and walks slowly toward the kitchen holding it like a bat. A single Knight appears suddenly from around the corner of the kitchen and storms at her full charge sword in hand. He knocks her down, the cane flies out of her hand, he lands on top of her. She takes her knee picks him up off her and sends him flying over her then she quickly jumps to her feet. She runs and pounces on top of him pinning him to the ground and punches him hard in the face. He passes out. She gets up and looks down and is suddenly grabbed by the other Knight from behind, he puts a very sharp dagger to her throat. He stops and he says.
Second Knight: ALL protectors of the key must die…such is the will of God.
She elbows him hard in the stomach which catches him off guard allowing
her to grab the arm with the dagger in it. She pulls it free from his
hands and pins him up against the wall of the hallway. She is now holding
the dagger threateningly to his throat.
Buffy: Oh yeah? Well in this house all enemies of the key must die…such is the will of the slayer!
She takes the dagger and raises it up in the air and rams it through the chain mail and into his chest. He screams. The camera pans to the dagger, only a couple of inches of it are buried in his skin. She has stopped very short of a very fatal stab would. There is a very insane look in her eye. The hand that is holding the hilt begins to shake, she looks down. His blood has splashed on her hand and her white shirt. He has grown quiet. He looks at her and says stoically
Second Knight: Go on…finish the job. I am not afraid to die.
She looks into his eyes and the frenzied animalistic look in hers disappeare and is replaced by pure fear. She pulls the knife out and holds it to his face.
Buffy: You and you're friend here…get out of my house now….or I WILL finish the job. Go!
She backs off still holding the dagger. He walks over to the other Knight who is just now trying to sit up. He pulls him up to his feet and they leave out the open front door.
Cut to Scoobie Gang
They are walking together all their weapons prone and ready with determination through the cemetery. A wolf howls in the distance.
Anya: What was that?
Willow: Sounded kinda like a warewolf.
They all at once look up at the sky…only a quarter moon. They all sigh in relief.
They walk along further.
Willow: It's so dead here tonight….
They all turn and look at her.
Willow: Well by dead I mean…
Giles: Yes…Willow, I think we know what you meant. (He looks nervously around)
Xander spots a newly dug grave, he looks at it.
Giles: Maybe we should check out the park instead.
Anya: Or the Bronze, you know because that way we could be patrolling and drinking hot caffienated beverages at the same time…for…energy.
Xander is still looking at the new grave. A hand suddenly pops out.
Willow: Anya we can't do that we have to stay where the action is..I mean vamps don't go to the Bronze anymore, they know better now…
Xander: Guys.
Tara: Still would be nice to be inside, kind of cold out tonight.
Xander: Guys?
Giles: What is it Xander.
Xander: Look! (He points to the arm that is now tearing it's way out of the dirt.
Willow: Ooo Tara get the potion out, lets try to float him!
Giles: Willow maybe we should just wait and…
Willow; No..Giles, you have to let us try this…we have plenty of time to set up the spell with him all still trying to make his way out and all.
She hurriedly puts down the purse and starts to dig for a book. Tara takes out a small drawstring bag from her pocket and waits for Willow. Willow can't find the book, she is throwing things left and right out of her bag to the ground. The Vamp is almost fully risen. He sees the crowd and glares at them hungrily.
Xander holds his axe ready to swing. Anya has both stakes raised up protectively in front of her. Giles steps to the other side of Xander and aims with his cross bow.
Xander: Okay Willow…. any day now.
Willow: Ooo I found it. She grabs it looks at it and frowns.
Willow: Damn, my book mark fell out! Tara looks at Willow frantically as the Vamp climbs fully out of his burial site now. Giles takes a shot and misses. Xander swings the Axe the Vamp ducks. The Vamp is about to fall on Anya. Anya squeals closes her eyes and rams both stakes into the vamp, it falls to dust all around her. She squeals even more.
Anya: Eww!!!! Get it off me!! Get it off me!!
Xander runs to her rescue and dusts her off.
Cut to Buffy
She's in the bathroom now, washing the blood from her hand. She looks in the mirror above the sink at herself and sees the blood on her shirt. She looks down at it and leaves the sink and walks to her room.
Scene changes
Buffy is leaving the house dressed now in black leather pants a dark tank top and her leather coat. She places a stake that's in her hand in her back pocket and walks toward the park.
Cut to the Scoobies
They are walking through the cemetery again.
Xander: So how many more do you figure we should slay before we call it a night?
Giles: Oh…at least one or two I suppose.
Two vamps suddenly drop in their path out of no where. They crouch and growl threateningly. Startled Anya screams loudly and throws both stakes which she is still holding like two fiery javelins. Both stakes hit each vamp in the heart, they fall to dust.
Anya: Hey! (smiles proudly) I'm getting pretty good at this!
The Scoobies just all look at her stunned and a bit frightened.
Xander: Well… that's two.
Willows: Guess it's time to call it a night.
Giles: (still looking at Anya in shock) Yes…I guess so.
They leave.
Cut to Buffy:
She is walking toward Spike's crypt. She opens the door walks in slowly closes it and leans on it for a moment. She goes and slides down against the wall opposite the door and hugs her knees.
Buffy: (to the empty crypt) Okay Spike..you win. Now where the hell are you.
The camera pans back, the dark seems to swallow her. She looks very alone and very lost.
Cut to Spike
He is sitting in a den in the house. It has dark paneling with wall to wall book shelves. He's sitting in a overstuffed chair with his feet up on an a small foot stool. He is watching television. On a couch nearby the chair lies the remote for the TV. It floats up and points toward the TV and the channel is changed.
Spike jumps up from his chair and grabs the remote out of the air.
Spike: (irritated) No you don’t! Give me that!
He walks back over clutching the remote, sits back down in the chair, glares angrily at the couch and turns the channel back.
Cut to Buffy:
She is walking into Willy's bar some vamps see her and hit the back door.
Willy sees her and cringes.
Willy: Here again. Hope you're buying something this time cause I gotta tell you if you keep this up I'm going to have to relocate.
Buffy: Fine with me.
Willy: What…. me relocating?
Buffy: No me buying something. Hit me.
Willy: Hit you…aren’t you suppose to be hitting me?
Buffy: Give me a shot.
Willy: Of what?
Buffy: Anything, I don't care. And, on second thought make it a double.
He takes out a glass, picks up a bottle and pours the drink he slides it to her, she downs it quick, puts the glass back on the bar and makes a sour face.
Buffy: Oh..that is just horrible. (to Willey) Hit me again.
Willy: Well alright, but as a bartender, I feel it’s my duty to ask what’s up?, I mean, something eatin at you Slayer? Cause I gotta say this just ain’t like you.
Buffy: Yeah well, there’s a lot of things not like me lately. I need to know if you've seen Spike here tonight.
Willy: Nope. He hasn't been in here since the other night.
He pours her another double. She picks it up and drinks it just as fast as the last, this time with out the grimace.
Buffy: That one wasn't so bad.
She coughs suddenly.
Buffy: I suppose.
Hands the glass to Willy. One more time.
Three more frightened vamps sneak past her out the door.
Willy: Really killing me here. He pours the shots.
Buffy turns and sees them leave. She picks up the glass downs it, slams it back down on the bar and says… Thanks.
Willy: Hey, thought you were going to buy those.
Buffy: (As she's walking towards the door) I lied.
Cut to Spike:
He is outside on his porch, there’s a porch light on, it shines on him pulling boards off the front window. He's tries to use a knife to pull a nail out. It slips, he cuts himself and yells in frustration.
Spike: Ow! Bloody hell, guess I'll have to go get my hammer. He puts down the knife and leaves the porch, sucking his finger.
ACT 4
Cut to the Cemetery.
Buffy is running and chasing the three vamps that left Willy's all at once. They are running from her in terror. They head toward a mass of trees and bushes for cover. Buffy follows at lightening speed. The vamps hide.
Buffy stops dead in her tracks
Buffy: Oh….Okay. I see how we’re going to play it…hide and seek and I’m IT…right? That’s not fair. I don’t remember us putting all our potatoes in to see who was IT..
Sing songy
Buffy: you know…one potatoe, two potatoe…three potatoe four?
She stops as if she's waiting for a response..gets none.
Buffy: Okay then..if I must be "IT"…I have to warn you…I might have just a teensy little bit of an advantage.
Walks along slowly now towards their hiding spots.
Buffy: You see, there's just this one tiny little problem.
Reaches over and pulls a hiding vamp out from the middle of some bushes.
Buffy: You smell!
She pulls him up by his collar and stakes him. He turns to dust. The other two vamps retreat from their hiding places and run right past her in the opposite direction. She just stands there for a second and watches them with a big smile on her face.
Buffy: And since it is so easy to find you…I think it’d only be fair to give you a head start.
She stands and watches them run a moment longer and then walks determinedly in the same direction.
Cut to Spike’s old crypt. The vamps come to it and run in. Moonlight is beaming in. They open the lid to the stone tomb, both crawl inside and pull the lid back over. Moments later Buffy enters the crypt.
Buffy: It’s amazing really how even concrete fails to cover the stench.
She walks over to the tomb and throws the lid off…it crashes to the ground. She sort of staggers a bit.
Buffy: (to herself) Wow…déjà vu…didn’t I just do that a few of weeks ago..no…wait…wasn't me who did that it was Spike!
Leans over and looks into the tomb. The two vampires have their arms over their heads and are shaking badly.
Buffy: Oh…looky here…Hi!….I found you!
She pulls them up till they are standing. She lets them go and holds one finger up in front of them.
Buffy: Hold on just a sec.
She produces two stakes from behind her back, one for each hand.
Buffy: Thank you for waiting.
She rams the stakes in each vamp they fall to dust.
Buffy: TAG….You’re BOTH IT!
From the doorway there’s applause.
Buffy turns in surprise. It’s Spike.
Spike: Very good Slayer….very well played out. Tell me, is this a closed game or can anyone play?
Buffy: Spike! Where've you been?
Spike: New place. Just came to pick up some tools I left in the cellar Don’t mind me…go on..that’s some stellar slaying action you’ve got going on there. Don’t let me interrupt.
Walks towards her and makes a big circle around her to the trap door.
Spike: Promise not to get in the way…(he smirks)
He turns and bends over to pick up the door and is tackled from behind by the slayer. She slams him down on top of the cellar door face down and straddles him right above his waist.
Spike: Oh..going for the executionist style eh?
She picks up the back of his head and slams it down.
Spike yells out.
Spike: Ow!
Buffy takes a stake out and runs the point along the back of his head to the middle of his back and stops.
Buffy: I wonder if it would work this way…what do you think Spike? Think if I ram this stake through you right at about this point…raises it, and rams it to his back but stops before it can do any damage….think it’d be enough..to turn you into a big old pile of…dust?
Spike: Most definitely, I’m sure.
Buffy: Hmm. Should I find out?
His face is turned sideways pressed up against the door.
Spike: (unafraid sounding bored almost) Oh why not? Give it your best shot.
Buffy raises her stake and brings it down and stops.
Spike: What’s the problem?
Buffy: (whiney almost) I can’t.
Spike quickly rolls from underneath the slayer to his back…she maneuvers herself with his move and lets him. She repositions herself on top of his stomach.
Spike: And why is that?
Buffy: Because… You’re not afraid of me.
Spike: That I’m not.
Buffy leans down and gets very close to his face.
Buffy: Why? Do I just not scare you anymore Spike? (grins evilly) Has all the thrall gone out of our relationship?
Spike (sounding aroused) Well, don’t know about you…but I’m feeling plenty of …thrall.
He raises his head up even closer to her face. He looks like he’s going to kiss her but he stops short quickly.
Spike: Are you….drunk!?
Buffy: No…of course not…Hey!…slams him back down to the ground again and strokes his face. You really are VERY cute.
He moves her hand away and sits up. She slides from his stomach to his lap when he does this. He puts his hands on her waist.
Spike: So that’s what it takes to get you to notice…a couple of shots?
She drops the stake and wraps her arms around his neck and nods.
Spike: Need to add drunk to your list then.
Buffy: Drunk to what list?
Spike: The list about how I could have a chance with you.
Buffy: Oh that.
Spike: Come on slayer…get off me..be a good girl now..get up.
She raises up and gets off of him but sits right back down again on the ground. Spike stands up and reaches a hand down to her.
Spike: Come on.
Buffy reaches for it and lets him help her stand up. He lets her go and she falls into him. He catches her.
Buffy: Whoa…suddenly feeling very..very. She passes out and falls into his arms. He picks her up.
Spike: Huh…drunk * and * unconscious…how many chances does a guy need in one night. That’s it, you’re coming home with me this time.
Scene cuts to Spike:
He's carrying a very sound asleep Buffy in his arms toward his house.
Spike: (to her) Guess I'll lie you down somewhere and let you sleep it off. (put out) Hope there’s something good on the telly.
He carefully walks up the rickety stairs with her and makes it to the door.
Spike: Okay Summers, I'm putting you down…need to get my key out.
He goes to put her down but she grabs onto his neck with Slayer strength and moans in protest. He stops and picks her up again.
Spike: Fine. Have it your way then.
He walks over to the porch swing and sits down still holding her on his lap. She puts one arm behind and around him and rests the other one on his chest and cuddles closer. As she does this he looks down at her surprised.
Spike: Huh…Guess we'll just sit here for a bit.
He hesitates then slowly takes his hand and strokes her hair and kisses her forehead.
Spike: A slayer who likes to cuddle…who'd a thought?
He takes his hand away and wraps his arms around her and holds her closer then suddenly jumps a little and frowns as if he just got stuck by something. He reaches around her and pulls out a stake that stuck in her waistband.
Spike: (looking at the stake) A slayer whose going to dust me when she wakes up.
He takes the stake and throws it far out into the front lawn. He puts his arms back around her again.
Spike: There..that ought to even the odds at least.
He rests his chin on the top of her head and closes his eyes.
The camera does a wider angel of them sitting on the porch swing together.
Scene fades to black.