Season 2 | Episode 34 | Becoming (Part 2)

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Episode Summary

Two police officers rush into the library. From the looks of things, they believe that Buffy has just murdered Kendra.

They take her outside, where Principal Snyder arrives with several more cops. Before one of them can cuff her, Buffy knocks the guy down and flees the scene.

After disguising herself in a coat and black cap, Buffy goes to the hospital and runs into Xander, who is now wearing a cast on his right forearm.

They go to Willow’s room, where she lies motionless in a coma. Cordelia arrives, and Buffy learns that Giles was neither with her or in the hospital.

Giles has been taken to the vampire’s mansion hideout, where Angel hopes to force the necessary info concerning the ritual out of the Watcher.

Meanwhile, Joyce learns from the police that her daughter is suspected of murder and that she’s a fugitive from the law. Buffy goes to Giles apartment to see if he’s there, but instead meets Whistler, who has been waiting inside.

He tells Buffy that Angel was destined to stop Acathla, not revive him. However, Buffy’s relationship with Angel changed all that. Buffy leaves before Whistler can tell her how to stop the demon.

Outside, a patrolling officer recognizes Buffy and orders her to freeze. Suddenly, Spike arrives and beats the cop into unconsciousness.

He wants Buffy’s help in stopping Angel so he can have Drusilla back the way she used to be, in exchange for his leaving town with Dru and never returning.

After some hesitation, Buffy decides to take him back to her house so they can plan their attack. They get there just as Joyce is pulling into their driveway.

As Buffy tries to make up an excuse for Spike’s presence, a vampire that has been spying on them attacks. Right in front of Joyce’s eyes, Buffy stakes the vampire spy, turning him to dust.

Realizing what she has to do, Buffy confesses to her mother that she is a vampire slayer. At the hospital, Xander pleads to Willow for her to wake up.

She finally snaps out of her coma just as Xander says that he loves her. The first word out of her mouth is Oz’s name, who arrives to greet her back to consciousness.

Meanwhile, Giles refuses to divulge the information that Angel needs to properly perform the ritual, so more torture ensues.

Back at the Summers home, Buffy and Spike agree to work together, but only on the conditions that Dru can leave with Spike, and that Giles survives.

After Spike leaves, Joyce begs her daughter to explain everything that’s going on. Buffy tells her mom that there’s no time to explain it all, which furiates Joyce.

Joyce doesn’t want her daughter to be in charge of saving the world, to which Buffy responds that she never wanted the duty in the first place.

Joyce tries to restrain her daughter from leaving the house, but Buffy pushes her back against the kitchen counter. Joyce tells Buffy to never come back should she walk out the door, but Buffy leaves anyways.

At the hospital, Willow tells the others that she is going to try the curse again. Buffy returns to the library to retrieve the sword that Kendra brought.

Principal Snyder finds her there and promptly expels her due to all the trouble she’s been involved in. After Buffy leaves, Snyder calls someone to tell the Mayor that he has good news.

Meanwhile, Drusilla tricks Giles by making herself look and sound like Jenny Calendar in his eyes. Giles says that Angel’s blood is the key to the awakening ritual.

Homeless and expelled, Buffy has only one path to follow now. She returns to Giles apartment and asks Whistler how to use the sword. He tells her that only Angel’s blood can open and close the vortex to Hell.

With one blow, both Angelus and the demon Acathla would be sent back to Hell, and the vortex would be closed. Xander catches up with Buffy on her way to the mansion.

She tells him to concentrate on freeing Giles and escaping. Xander does not inform Buffy that Willow is attempting the  curse again. Inside the mansion, Angel slices his hand and approaches the sword in Acathla’s chest.

Suddenly, the ritual is interrupted by Buffy’s arrival. Angel doesn’t even notice Spike rising out of his wheelchair from behind.

While Spike brutally beats Angel to the floor, Buffy takes one of the other vampires in the room. During this battle, Xander unties Giles and gets him safely outside. Spike doesn’t get too many hits off before an enraged Drusilla jumps into the fray, tackling Spike.

While they fight, Angel manages to get back up and run to Acathla. Just as Buffy drives a stake through the vampire’s heart, Angel grabs the sword with his bloody hand and finally pulls it out.

Swords in hand, Buffy and Angel engage in a sword duel. Elsewhere, Willow, Cordy, and Oz perform the curse of restoration.

Suddenly, Willow loses control of her actions and seemingly becomes possessed by some spirit. Cordy and Oz watch in fright as Willow performs the curse herself in perfect Latin.

Spike subdues Drusilla and takes her with him as he escapes from the mansion in his car. After the long duel, Buffy finally backs Angel up against Acathla.

Just as she is about to deliver the final blow, Willow completes the curse, restoring Angel’s soul to his body. Buffy lowers her sword as she realizes the change, and the two lovers are finally reunited.

However, it is too late, for Acathla is now awake. Buffy looks over Angel’s shoulder and sees Acathla’s mouth creating a vortex to Hell.

Angel has no idea what is going on, so all that Buffy can do is give her lover one last kiss before driving the sword through his stomach, thus releasing the blood needed to close the vortex and send the two demons back to Hell.

Shocked, Angel reaches out towards Buffy with his right hand, but nothing can be done now.

Buffy watches as the vortex closes around Angel, leaving the dem on Acathla as nothing more than a silent statue once again. Buffy goes home and packs up her belongings without Joyce ever knowing she had returned.

When Joyce enters the room, she finds a farewell letter from her daughter left on the bed. At Sunnydale High, nobody knows what happened to Buffy and Angel.

Some believe that Buffy had to kill Angel before the curse was completed, while others believe that Angel has been restored and they were taking time off to be alone together.

Unbeknownst to them, Buffy is standing far away by one of the trees, giving her school and her friends one last look before hopping on a bus. The bus heads out of Sunnydale, and Buffy faces an unknown future.

Shooting Scripts

Teaser
INT. LIBRARY – NIGHT (SECONDS AFTER RECAP)
A SECOND COP joins the first, also draws his weapon.
SECOND COP

Back away from the girl! Put your hands up and

back away slowly!
BUFFY
But, I didn’t —
SECOND COP
Do it now!
She does, as the first cop moves to Kendra, checks her vitals.
FIRST COP
This one’s dead.
SECOND COP
What about up there?

ANGLE: XANDER
is visible lying on the balcony.

BUFFY
Xander!

She starts for him, breaking away from second cop, but First Cop grabs her, throws her back.

FIRST COP
Get her out of here!
BUFFY
(re: Xander)
See if he’s okay!
Second Cop takes her and roughly pushes her through the doors to
INT. HALL – CONTINUOUS – NIGHT
As they come out we see Snyder arriving with two OTHER COPS.
SECOND COP

You’d do well to keep your mouth shut, missy.

BUFFY
I didn’t do anything!

SNYDER

Why do I find that so very hard to believe?

SECOND COP
(to the other cops)
In there.
(as they go inside,)
You know this girl?
SNYDER

Buffy Summers. If there’s trouble,
she’s behind it.
BUFFY

You stupid little troll, you have no idea —

SNYDER
Attitude problem. Serious.
BUFFY

Please, see if the others are okay. . .

SECOND COP
That’s enough.

He spins her around, takes out his cuffs.

SECOND COP

You have the right to remain silent.
Anything you say —

She rears back and Pruitts the son of a bitch into unconsciousness. She takes off, Snyder shrinking
against the wall –

SNYDER
I’m just a civil servant. . .

— the other cops coming out, guns drawn —
ANGLE: BUFFY
runs through the double doors —

FIRST COP (O.S.)
Stop!

ANGLE: THE FIRST COP
running after her, stopping, firing —
— a bullet smashing the window in one of the doors, just missing Buffy as she takes off out of the
building.
The cop speaks into his walkie as the other takes off after Buffy.

COP

All units, we have a fugitive on
foot at the high school, homicide
suspect, female, blonde, approximately
sixteen years old, suspect is very dangerous —

BLACK OUT.

END OF TEASER

Act One

INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR – NIGHT
It is fairly busy as Buffy walks in, keeping her head down. She has on an overcoat and hat, nothing
too obvious. She searches around a bit, looking from room to room.
A hand reaches out and grabs her.
She spins to see:

BUFFY
Xander!
She hugs him, tightly. Lets go and looks at him.
BUFFY

I didn’t know if you were okay. The cops –

XANDER

Yeah, I heard them chase you out.
I was just coming out of it.

Shows a cast on his wrist.

XANDER
Souvenir.
BUFFY

Well, what about the others?
Are they —

He grabs her in another embrace as two cops walk by. Lets go as they leave.

BUFFY

Okay, that was about equal parts
protecting me and copping a feel, right?

He doesn’t smile. Dread suffuses her.

BUFFY
What is it?
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – A FEW MOMENTS LATER – NIGHT
Willow lies unconscious in bed, hooked up to machines. Buffy approaches, distraught — Xander
behind her.

XANDER

The doctor said it was. . . head trauma. . .
she could wake up any time, but the
longer it takes. . . the less likely it is.

BUFFY

I shouldn’t have let her try to do the curse.
Angel must have known.

Buffy doesn’t speak. She runs her hand along Willow’s forehead. After a moment she looks around
her.

BUFFY
Where are her folks?
XANDER

With relatives, in Phoenix. I called them.
They’re getting a plane back.

BUFFY
Does Oz know?
XANDER

Man, I didn’t even think. I’ll call him.

Cordelia enters, tentatively. Xander spots her.
XANDER
Hey!
He crosses to her with a big relieved hug and kiss.
BUFFY
You’re not hurt?
CORDELIA

I ran. I think I made it through three
counties before I realized noone was
chasing me. Not real brave.

BUFFY

It was the right thing to do.
XANDER
Did Giles keep up with you?

She looks at the two of them.

CORDELIA
I didn’t see Giles.
BUFFY
(to Xander)
You mean he’s not here?
XANDER
No.

Off Buffy’s inevitable conclusion.
INT. MANSION – NIGHT
Giles is on the floor, just beginning to come to. He looks around, trying to focus.
Angel is lying on his stomach, face near Giles’, smiling.
ANGEL
Hi, Rupert.

Giles rears back into a sitting position, looking about him. He is still very groggy.
Spike is sitting behind Angel. Two VAMPS flank Giles, a bit behind him.
Angel stands, as Giles attempts to.

ANGEL

I wasn’t sure you were gonna wake up.
You had me worried.
GILES
What do you want?
ANGEL

I want to torture you. I used to love it,
and it’s been a long time. I mean, the
last time I tortured someone they didn’t
even have chainsaws.

The two vamps move a step closer to Giles as he finally gets to his feet, eyes widening in fear. He
looks to the side and his gaze locks on something at the other end of the room.
ANGLE: THE STATUE OF ACATHLA
Stands alone, several feet away.

ANGEL
(turns to look)
Oh, yeah, Acathla. He’s an even
harder guy to wake up than you are.
I performed the ritual, said all the
right phrases, blood on my hand. . .
Got nothing. Big donut hole for my
troubles. I figure you know the ritual;
you’re pretty up on these things, you could
probably tell me what I’m doing wrong.
But honestly, I sort of hope you don’t. . .
(turning back to Giles)
. . . ’cause I really wanna torture you.

Giles looks right at Angel, shitscared. Then he suddenly SLAMS his elbow into one of the vamps
faces, knocking him back. The other vamp comes at him and Giles hurls him into Angel, takes off for
the door.
He makes it as far as the door and Drusilla steps in through it, grabbing Giles by the throat. Easily
walking him back as he chokes.
She hands him back to the two vamps. Angel comes up to him, smiling as ever.

ANGEL

Okay. Where do we start? Ooh. Fingers.

INT. BUFFY’S FOYER – NIGHT
Joyce is there, talking to a police officer, DETECTIVE STEIN. Another comes down from upstairs
holding a picture of Buffy.

JOYCE

There’s been some terrible mistake.
DETECTIVE STEIN

And you have no idea where your daughter is?

JOYCE
No, I —
Detective Stein takes the picture, looks at it.

DETECTIVE STEIN

Do you always let your daughter stay out this late?

JOYCE

No. She goes out; I can’t always
keep track, but. . .
(remembering)

She said she was going to her friend
Willow’s house. Maybe she slept over.
DETECTIVE STEIN
Is that Willow Rosenberg?
JOYCE
Yes. . .
DETECTIVE STEIN
(to the other)
Second victim.
JOYCE
What. . . ?
DETECTIVE STEIN
Does your daughter have a history
of violence, Ms Summers?
JOYCE

Well. . . she’s had some fights, but. . .
DETECTIVE STEIN

You call us, okay? If she decides to stop by.
It’d be best if she just comes in.

They let themselves out.
INT. GILES’ APARTMENT – NIGHT
The door is slightly ajar as Buffy enters, calling out:
BUFFY
Giles? Giles!

Whistler comes in from the bathroom.

WHISTLER
I don’t think he’s here.

Buffy stops, eyeing him suspiciously.

BUFFY
Who are you?
WHISTLER
Whistler.
BUFFY
What are you doing here?
WHISTLER
Waiting for you.
BUFFY
Why?
WHISTLER

‘Cause I need a date for the prom.
My mother says I may attend,
but no fondling.

Buffy pushes him against the wall. Her gesture is casual, but he hits pretty hard.

BUFFY
(incredibly calm)
I have lost friends tonight, and I
may lose more. If you have
information worth hearing then
I am grateful for it. If you want
to make jokes then I will pull out
your ribcage and wear it as a hat.

WHISTLER

Hello to the imagery. Very nice.

He moves away from her, straightening his outfit.
WHISTLER

You know, it wasn’t supposed to
go down like this. Nobody saw
you coming. I figured this for
Angel’s big day, but I thought
he was here to stop Acathla, not
bring him forth. But you two made
with the smootchies and now he’s a creep again.

She hates to hear that. It takes her down a peg.
BUFFY
We didn’t know. . .
WHISTLER

Hey, not here to judge. Body like yours –
I’d pretty much give up my soul for a
shot at that, too. But it took Angel off
the roster. Which puts you on the spots
in a big way. What are you gonna do?
What are you prepared to do?

BUFFY
Whatever I have to.
WHISTLER

Or maybe I should ask, what are
you prepared to give up?

She stares at him.

BUFFY

You don’t have anything useful
to tell me, do you? What are you,
some immortal demon sent down
to even the score between good

and evil?
WHISTLER
Wow. Good guess.
BUFFY

Why don’t you try getting off
your immortal ass and fighting evil
once in a while? ‘Cause I’m tired
of doing this by myself.
WHISTLER
(serious)

In the end, you’re always by yourself.
You’re all you got — That’s the point.

BUFFY
Spare me.

She walks out. He follows a bit, telling her:

WHISTLER

The sword isn’t enough. You gotta be ready.

(she’s gone)
You gotta know how to use it!

He stops, unsatisfied with the conversation.

WHISTLER
Man, this is gonna be close. . .

EXT. STREET – NIGHT
Buffy crosses a street, moving quickly and keeping to herself. Suddenly she is nailed by a pair of
headlights which go on accompanied by the flashing of police lights.
Before Buffy can react the cop is out of his car, gun drawn. He steps up, never taking his eyes off her.

BEAT COP
Hold it! Right there.
Hands above your head. Do it!

He starts moving forward — then hears something, spins — and is knocked so hard he flips over onto
the hood of the squad car, unconscious.
Buffy stares into the glare of the headlights as a figure steps out.

SPIKE
Hello, love.

BLACK OUT.

END OF ACT ONE
Act Two

EXT. STREET – NIGHT (SECONDS LATER)
Buffy lunges at Spike, starts pummelling him. He takes a couple of hits then knocks her back with
one. As she gets up again, whipping out a stake:
SPIKE

Will you hold on for a second?

She doesn’t look like she’s gonna. He backs off a couple of paces, putting up his hands.

SPIKE

Hey! White flag here! I quit!

BUFFY

Let me clear this up for you.
We’re mortal enemies.
We don’t get “time-outs.”
SPIKE

You wanna go around, pet, I’ll have
a gay old time of it. You wanna

stop Angel, well, then, we gotta
play it a bit differently.
BUFFY

What are you talking about?

SPIKE

I’m talking about your ex, love.
I’m talking about putting him in
the bloody ground.

A beat.

BUFFY

This has got to be the lamest trick
you guys have ever thought up.

SPIKE

He’s got your watcher. Right now
he’s probably torturing him.

That stops her.

BUFFY
What do you want?
SPIKE

I told you. I wanna stop Angel.

(smiles)
I wanna save the world.
BUFFY

Okay. You do remember that
you’re a vampire, right?
SPIKE

We like to talk big, vampires do.
“I’m gonna destroy the world,” —
just tough guy talk, strutting around
with your friends over a pint of blood.

As he speaks, he sits on the hood of the car. Pulls a cig and a lighter from the unconscious cop’s
breast pocket, and lights himself a smoke.

SPIKE

Truth is, I like this world. You got
dog racing, Manchester United,
“Love Boat,” and you got people.
Billions of people walking around
like Happy Meals with legs. It’s all
right here. But then someone comes
along with a vision. With a real passion
for destruction. Angel could pull it off.
Goodbye Piccadilly, farewell Leicester
bloody Square, you see what I’m saying?

BUFFY
Uh, sort of?
SPIKE

Why don’t you put that stake down?

BUFFY

‘Cause of the whole ‘not believing you’
issue. You might not be down with Angel
but why would you ever come to me?

He doesn’t really want to answer that, but he knows he has to. He grinds out his cig on the car.

SPIKE

I want Dru back. I want it like it was,
before he came back.
(disgusted)

The way she acts around him. . .

BUFFY
Oh, you’re pathetic!

Instinctively, he punches her in the face. She punches him equally hard then continues talking as if
neither of them had moved.

BUFFY

I’ve got friends in the hospital –
people have died —
SPIKE

I wasn’t in on that raiding party —

BUFFY
(not stopping)
— and I may lose more of them,
the whole world could be sucked
into Hell and you need my help
’cause your girlfriend’s a big ho?
Let me take this opportunity to not care.

SPIKE

I can’t fight them both alone
and neither can you!

She punches him again. But it seems to be her final outburst. She comes down a bit, glaring at him.

BUFFY
You’re a killer.
SPIKE
And I’m all you got.

A beat, and she puts her stake away.

BUFFY
All right. Talk.
The cop on the hood of the car groans. Spike turns to him.
SPIKE
Let me just kill this guy —

Buffy clears her throat. Spike turns back.

SPIKE
Oh. Right.
BUFFY
Come on. Let’s get inside.

They take off for her house.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – NIGHT
Willow still lies unconscious. Xander sits by her bed, Cordelia in a chair nearby. She gets up, crosses
to him.

CORDELIA
She’s gonna be okay.
XANDER
Yeah. . .
CORDELIA
Do you want some coffee?
XANDER

I don’t want to leave, she might —

CORDELIA
I’ll get it.
XANDER
Thanks —
She goes. Xander turns back to Willow, holds her hand.
XANDER
Come on, Will. . .
(He takes a moment, continues)
Look, you don’t have a choice here.
You gotta wake up. I need you, Will.
How am I gonna pass trig? Who am I
gonna call every night to talk about
what we did all day? You’re my best
friend, you’ve always. . .

He leans in close.

XANDER
I love you.

ANGLE: HER HAND
squeezes his.
He looks at it, at her, as her head moves slightly. Eyes flutter. He leans in, with feverish hope —

XANDER
Willow?
WILLOW
Oz?

Xander takes a hit for a moment, then forgets about himself. She’s awake.

WILLOW
Oz. . . . ?
OZ (O.S.)
I’m here.

He is just entering the room. Xander stands, makes way for Oz to come to the bed.

XANDER
She’s just waking up. . .

OZ
(to Willow)
Hey, baby. . .
WILLOW
Hi. . .

(Sees Xander)
Hi Xander. . .
XANDER
Hi.
(to Oz)
I’m gonna get a doctor.

He goes.

OZ
(to Willow)
How do you feel?
WILLOW
(very weakly)
My head feels big. Is it big?

OZ
No, it’s head-sized.

He kisses her on her headsized head.

WILLOW
Is everybody else okay?

INT. MANSION SIDE ROOM – NIGHT
A small, bare room. Giles is tied to a chair, his jacket and tie off and his sleeves rolled up. Blood has
run down his forehead and out of his nose (a tasteful amount) and one of his hands is bloody and
crooked from creative finger breaking.
Angel paces in front of him, having fun.

ANGEL

Rupert, buddy, I’m here to tell you I’m impressed.

How’re you holding up?
GILES
Never. . . better. . .
ANGEL
Glad to hear it.

He squats down in front of Giles. We see only to their shoulders as Angel reaches out.

ANGEL

Now. Tell me when it hurts.
It’s not clear what he does, but Giles goes white with pain.
EXT. BUFFY’S FRONT LAWN – NIGHT
Buffy and Spike make their way toward the house. Joyce pulls up in her car.

JOYCE
Buffy!
BUFFY
Mom. . .

Joyce jumps out, good ‘n’ frantic.

JOYCE

Buffy where have you been?

Are you okay? The police were here.
Are you okay? I went looking for you.

BUFFY
Mom, let’s go inside —
JOYCE
Who is this man?
(to Spike)
Who are you?
(to Buffy)
Are you okay?
BUFFY
MOM.

Joyce stops.

BUFFY

I’m okay. I was. . . busy. . .
doing something. And this is
Spike, and he was doing it too.

JOYCE

Doing what? Buffy, terrible things
have happened. What were you doing?

SPIKE

What, your mum doesn’t know?

Buffy glares at him.

JOYCE
Know what?
BUFFY

That, uh, that, uh, I’m in a rock band.

She gets similar looks from both Joyce and Spike.
BUFFY

Yes, a rock band, with Spike here. . . .

SPIKE
(helping)

Right, she plays the. . . triangle —

BUFFY
— drums —
SPIKE

Drums, yeah, she’s hell on
the old skins, you know.
JOYCE
And what do you do?
SPIKE
Well, I sing.
BUFFY
Why don’t we go inside
now and talk about it.

Buffy and Spike start inside. Joyce takes a moment, then starts to follow.

JOYCE
Well, I’m not sure how
I feel about this. . .

Buffy is almost at the porch —

BUFFY
(to Spike)
You think she’s buying it?

— when a VAMPIRE leaps from the bushes. It’s one of Angel’s henchmen, and he blows past the two
of them —
— right into Joyce. She gets a good look at his face and she yelps with fear. He roars.
Buffy grabs him before he can untangle himself from Joyce. She hurls him toward Spike, who decks
him solidly, knocks him back to Buffy who kicks him, whips out a stake and dusts him.
Joyce is completely wide eyed.
Spike goes up to Buffy, casually looking at the spot where the vampire was.

SPIKE
One of Angel’s boys.
BUFFY

Must have been watching me.

Or you.
SPIKE

He won’t get the chance to tattle on us now.

JOYCE
Buffy. . . what’s going on?

Buffy goes to her mom, takes a deep breath.
BUFFY

Mom. . . I’m a vampire slayer.

Off Joyce’s reaction —

BLACK OUT.

END OF ACT TWO
Act Three

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – NIGHT
Willow on the phone with Buffy.

WILLOW

I’m okay, Buffy, really. I mean,
I don’t feel good, but I’m awake
and I know my name and who’s
president and how many fingers
so they don’t think my brain got
mushed at all.

INTERCUT WITH:
INT. BUFFY’S KITCHEN/HOSPITAL ROOM – CONTINUOUS – NIGHT
Buffy is alone in the kitchen.

BUFFY

Thank God. . . I’m sorry I can’t be there.

WILLOW
I know. I’m sorry I didn’t
get to cure Angel.
BUFFY

Don’t be. I just think it wasn’t
meant to happen. I know I’m
never gonna get Angel back
the way he was and, you know,
it makes it easier.
WILLOW

I guess. . . Any luck finding Giles?

BUFFY
Yes. I got a lucky break.
WILLOW
What?
BUFFY

You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.

INT. BUFFY’S LIVING ROOM – CONTINUOUS – NIGHT
Joyce sits in the living room with Spike. They both are silent and uncomfortable, like it’s Sunday and
he’s come a’ courtin’. Joyce has a glass of bourbon in her hands, which shakes only slightly.
INT. BUFFY’S KITCHEN/HOSPITAL ROOM – CONTINUOUS – NIGHT
(still INTERCUT with the hospital room, as Xander takes the phone)

BUFFY

Xander! Angel and the others
are holed up outside town.
You know that funky looking
mansion you showed me one time?

XANDER

On Crawford street. Sure. That makes
sense. What’s the drill?
BUFFY

I’m gonna hit the place come daybreak.
I just need to get something first.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM/BUFFY’S KITCHEN – CONTINUOUS – NIGHT

XANDER
You’ll need backup.
BUFFY

No. You stay there. I’m covered.

XANDER
Do you —
He pitches his voice low so the others won’t hear —
XANDER

— do you think Giles is still alive?

BUFFY

I think so. I just wish he was
here to tell me what to do.

INT. BUFFY’S LIVING ROOM – CONTINUOUS – NIGHT
Another awkward beat. Joyce is pretty much just shell-shocked into politeness. After a bit:

JOYCE
Um, have we met?
SPIKE

You hit me with an axe one time.
(imitating her)

“Get the Hell away from my daughter!”. . .

JOYCE

Oh. So. . . do you live here in town?

Before Spike can even reply to this inane comment, Buffy enters. He and Joyce rise.

JOYCE
Is Willow all right?
BUFFY
She’s fine.
(to Spike)
Talk to me. What’s the deal?

SPIKE

Simple. I help you kill Angel,
you let me and Dru skip town.

JOYCE
Angel? Your boyfriend?
BUFFY

Forget about Drusilla. She doesn’t walk.

SPIKE

There’s no deal without Dru!

BUFFY
She killed Kendra.
SPIKE
(genuinely proud)
Dru bagged a slayer? She didn’t
tell me! Good for her!
(off Buffy’s look)
Well, not from your perspective,
I suppose. . .
BUFFY

I can’t believe I invited you in my house.

JOYCE
(to Buffy)
So you didn’t kill that girl?
BUFFY
Of course not!
JOYCE

Did she explode like those men outside?

BUFFY
She was a slayer, Mom.
JOYCE
Like what you are?
SPIKE
(to Buffy)

Look, this deal works one way only.
Full stop. Me and Dru for Angel.

JOYCE

Honey, are you sure you’re a slayer?

SPIKE

I’ll take her out of the country.
You’ll never hear from us again,
I bloody well hope.
BUFFY

All right. Get back to the mansion.
Make sure Giles is all right.

JOYCE

I mean, have you tried not being a slayer?

BUFFY
Mom. . .
(to Spike)

Be ready to back me up when I make my move.

SPIKE
Right.
BUFFY
If Giles dies, she dies.

He glares at her, then exits.

JOYCE

It’s ’cause you didn’t have a strong
father figure, isn’t it? Isn’t it?

BUFFY

It’s just fate, Mom. I’m the Slayer.

Accept it.
JOYCE
We should call the police.
BUFFY

We’re not calling the police.

JOYCE

Well, now that we know that you’re innocent. . .

BUFFY

What, did you think I was guilty?
Feeling the love in this room, jeez.

JOYCE
I didn’t think that. . .
I just, now we have proof.
BUFFY

We have my word, Mom. Not proof.

Joyce crosses into —
INT. BUFFY’S KITCHEN – CONTINUOUS – NIGHT
— Buffy following.

JOYCE

I’m sure they’ll understand —

BUFFY
You get them involved,
you’ll get them killed.
JOYCE

You wouldn’t hurt them, honey.

BUFFY

Mom, I’m a slayer, not a postal worker.
The cops just can’t handle demons.

I have to do it.
JOYCE
Do what?
BUFFY

I’m gonna need Kendra’s sword.

JOYCE

Sword? Buffy, what’s happening?

BUFFY
(impatiently)
Just have another drink, okay?

JOYCE

Don’t you talk to me like that!

She hurls her glass to the floor, shattering it.
JOYCE

You can’t just drop something like
this on me and pretend it’s nothing!

BUFFY

I’m sorry, I don’t have time —

JOYCE

No! I’m tired of “I don’t have time”
and “You wouldn’t understand.” I am
your mother and you are going to make
time to explain yourself.
Buffy is a little cowed, though she still carries her impatient undertone.

BUFFY

I told you. I’m a vampire slayer.

JOYCE
Well, I don’t accept that!
BUFFY

Open your eyes, Mom! What do you
think has been going on for the last
two years? The fights, the weird occurrences –
how many times have you washed blood
out of my clothes, you still haven’t figured it out?

JOYCE
Well, it stops now.
BUFFY

It doesn’t stop! Do you think I chose
to be like this? Do you know how lonely
it is? How dangerous? I would love to be
upstairs watching TV or gossiping about
boys or god, even studying. But I have to
save the world. Again.
JOYCE

No. This is insane. You need help.

BUFFY

I’m not crazy, Mom! What I need
is for you to chill. I’ll be back.

JOYCE

I’m not letting you out of this house.

BUFFY
You can’t stop me.

She tries to leave and Joyce grabs her arm — Buffy flings her hand off — Joyce tries to grab her again
and Buffy pushes her hard against the wall. Goes to the door.
JOYCE

You walk out of this house,
don’t even think about coming back.

A beat. Buffy leaves.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – NIGHT
A NURSE is just leaving, the kids waiting for her to go so they can talk freely.

CORDELIA

So Buffy’s going for the big showdown, huh?
I wish we could help. You know, without dying. . .

XANDER
I don’t see how.
WILLOW
I want to try again.
OZ
Try what?
WILLOW

The curse. We never got to finish it.
Maybe we can restore Angel’s soul.

XANDER

I don’t like it. You’re talking about messing with
powerful magic, and you’re weak.

WILLOW
I’m okay.
XANDER

You don’t look okay. Does she?

CORDELIA

Listen to him. The hair is so flat,

and, do you even use base?
XANDER

Try to stay on topic here, honey.

CORDELIA
What?
WILLOW

There’s no use arguing with me.
Do you see my resolve face? You’ve
seen it before and you know what it means.

(to Cordy)

Just help me cast the spell and you
can give me a complete makeover.

CORDELIA
You’re not just saying that?
WILLOW

We can help Buffy — if we turn
Angel back soon enough, we can
stop him from ever awakening Acathla.

OZ

I pretty much missed out on some stuff,
didn’t I? ‘Cause this is all making the
kind of sense that’s not.
WILLOW

Go with Cordy to the library and
get my things. She’ll fill you in.

OZ
Sure. I’ll drive.

He and Cordy exit.

WILLOW

Xander, you go to Buffy. Tell her
what we’re doing. Maybe she can stall.

XANDER
But —
WILLOW
Resolve face.

He’s beat.

XANDER
Be careful.

He exits.
INT. MANSION SIDE ROOM – DAYBREAK
Not that we can tell in this dark room. Giles is still tied to the chair, looking even worse. Angel leans
over from behind him.

ANGEL

You know I can stop the pain.
You’ve been very brave, but
it’s over. You’ve given enough
now let me make it stop.

GILES
Please. . .
ANGEL

Tell me what I need to know.

Giles looks at him, a broken man.

GILES

To be worthy. . . you must perform
the ritual. . . in a tutu.

Angel stares at him in mounting fury. Giles musters what he can of a smile.

GILES
Pillock.

Angel stands up abruptly.

ANGEL

All right, that’s it. Someone
get the chain saw.
SPIKE
Now now. . .

He rolls in, eyeing Angel.

SPIKE

Don’t let’s lose our temper.
ANGEL
Keep out of it, Sit ‘n’ Spin.
SPIKE

You cut him up, you’ll never
get your answers.
ANGEL
(suspiciously)
Exactly when did you become
so level-headed?
SPIKE

Right about the time you became
so pig-headed. You have your way
with him, you’ll never get to destroy
the world. And I don’t fancy spending
the next month trying to get librarian
out of the carpet. There are other ways.

ANGEL
Enlighten me.
SPIKE
(calls out)
Drusilla. . . sweetheart. . .

She enters the room, all smiles.

SPIKE

Do you want to play a game?

INT. LIBRARY – NIGHT

Buffy pushes away the police tape, enters the library. It’s as she left it, sans people. She crosses over
to Kendra’s bag, picking it up off the floor.
She puts it on the table, opens it.

SNYDER
You do know this is a
crime scene, don’t you?

He is standing in the doorway, smiling smugly.
SNYDER
But then, you’re a criminal,
so that pretty much works out.

BUFFY
You know I didn’t do it.
The police will figure it out.
SNYDER

In case you didn’t notice, the
police in Sunnydale are deeply
stupid. It doesn’t matter anyway.
Whatever they find, you’ve proved
too much of a liability for this school.

He steps up, breathing in the fresh air of a great morning.
SNYDER
These are the moments you
want to savor. You wish time
would stop so you can live
them over and over again.
You’re expelled.

Buffy lifts the sword out of the bag, looking at it. Snyder stops wanting to live this over and over.
Buffy starts toward him.

BUFFY

You never ever got a single
date when you were in
high school, did you?
SNYDER
(it’s true)
Your point being. . .

She passes him without comment, exits. After a moment, he pulls out his cell phone, speed-dials.

SNYDER
It’s Snyder. Tell the Mayor
I have good news.

INT. MANSION SIDE ROOM – NIGHT
Giles and Drusilla are alone. He is barely conscious. She finishes cleaning the blood off his face.
Smiles at him.

DRUSILLA

Is that better? My poor boy. . .

She runs her hand through his hair, closes her eyes.
DRUSILLA
Let’s see what’s inside.

She clutches his head. After a bit, something runs through her body.

DRUSILLA
Of course. . .
She lifts his chin up so he can look her straight in the eyes.
DRUSILLA
Look at me. . . be in me. . .

She puts her hand over his eyes, shutting them.
DRUSILLA
See with your heart.

ANGLE: GILES’ POV
As the hand is removed from his eyes, we see that it is JENNY CALENDAR that he sees.

GILES
Jenny. . .
JENNY
Rupert.
GILES

Oh, God, Jenny, I thought I’d lost you. . .

JENNY

Shhh. . . I’ll never leave you.

She holds him a moment. Moves then to untie him.
GILES

We have to get out of here. . .

JENNY
Slowly. You’re weak. . .

He is freed, and puts his hand to her face.

GILES
It can’t be you. . .
JENNY

Did you tell Angel? About the ritual?

GILES

No. . . but we have to get him away from Acathla.

JENNY

Why? Is he close to figuring it out?

GILES
Later. . .

He tries to rise but can’t.

JENNY

Rest. Tell me what to do. . .

There seems to be hesitation in his eyes. She comes in close to him, passion rising in her. Touching
him.

JENNY

It’s all right. . . We’ll be together. . . finally. . .

we’ll have everything we never got to have. . .
Never got to feel. . . just tell me what to do.

GILES

Get Angel away from. . . Acathla. . .

JENNY

Angel himself? He’s the key. . .

GILES
His blood. He must not. . .
JENNY
Shhh. . .

She stops his mouth with a kiss.
We’re close on Giles kissing her – pull back and around to see it’s Drusilla he’s kissing, and that Spike
and Angel are at the doorway. They turn to each other, Angel gleeful.

ANGEL

The blood. Of course. The Blood
on my hands must be my own.
I am the key that will open the
door. My blood. My life.
(suddenly matter of fact)
Okay, kill him.
SPIKE
What if he’s lying?
ANGEL

Yeah, good point. All right, don’t
kill him. You know, I like having
you watch my back, kind of like old times. . .
As he speaks, they look over at the other two (now out of the frame).

SPIKE
Uh, Drusilla. . .
ANGEL
Honey. . .

ANGLE: DRUSILLA
Is still hungrily making out with Giles

SPIKE

We are finished here, ducks. . .
She pulls away from Giles, looking about her with sheepish pleasure.

DRUSILLA

Sorry. . . I was in the moment.

Giles stares at them, his expression draining as he realizes what’s happened.
INT. GILES’ APARTMENT – JUST BEFORE MORNING
Buffy re-enters. The door is still open and Whistler is going through Giles’ fridge.

BUFFY
What did you mean,
“the sword isn’t enough”?

WHISTLER

You know, raiding an Englishman’s
fridge is like dating a nun. You’re
never gonna get the good stuff.

BUFFY
Tell me how to use it.

He pulls out a bottle of Woodpecker cider, opens it. Comes into the living room as he replies.

WHISTLER
Angel’s the key. His blood will
open the door to Hell. Acathla
opens his big mouth, creates the
vortex, then only Angel’s blood’ll
close it. One blow. Send ’em both
back to hell. But I strongly suggest
you get there before that happens.
The faster you kill Angel, the easier

it’ll be for you.
BUFFY
Don’t worry about me.
WHISTLER
It’s all on the line here, kid.

BUFFY
I can deal.
(looks at the sword, at him)
I got nothing left to lose.
She exits. He watches her go, genuine sadness suffusing his gaze.
WHISTLER

Wrong, kid. You got one more thing.

BLACK OUT.

END OF ACT THREE
Act Four

EXT. OUTSIDE THE MANSION – MORNING
Yes, it’s sunrise. Sue me.
Buffy makes her way down a green and tangled hill. She is stopped by a noise, finds Xander coming
from a slightly different direction.

BUFFY
Xander!
XANDER
Calvary’s here. Cavalry’s a
frightened guy with a rock,
but it’s here.
He shows her his lame rock. She gives him a stake.
XANDER
This is better.

He loses the rock.

BUFFY

You’re not here to fight. You get
Giles out of there and run like Hell,
understood? I can’t protect you.
I’m gonna be too busy killing.
Buffy unwraps the sword for herself, dropping the blanket.
XANDER
That’s a new look for you.
BUFFY

It’s a present for Angel. This ends it,
Xander. I’m ready.

Xander looks down, trying to decide what to do.
XANDER

Willow. . . she said to tell you. . .

BUFFY
Tell me what?

He waits, decides.

XANDER
. . . kick his ass.
BUFFY

I’m gonna do a lot more than that.

They head off for the mansion.
INT. MANSION – MORNING
Sunlight is just beginning to peek in at the very tops of the window cracks. Angel stands in the same
place he was for the ceremony last time. Dru and Spike behind him. Acathla still stands in front of
the fireplace, the two vamps flanking him.

ANGEL
(in Latin)

Acathla. Mundatus sum. Pro te necavi. Sanguinem meum
pro te effundam, quo me dignum esse demonstrem.
(Acathla. I have been cleansed. I have killed for you.
I will bleed for you and prove myself worthy.)

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – MORNING
The door is shut. Cordelia has her herbs again, is not as put off by them — she’s all business. Willow
is sitting up, has the orb in front of her. Oz has the book Giles was reading from.

WILLOW
Are we ready?
CORDELIA
Stinky herbs are go.
OZ

Did I mention that I didn’t take Latin?

WILLOW

You don’t have to understand it.
You just have to say it. I hope.

OZ
Right.

(Reads slowly, in Latin)
Quod perditum est, invenietur.
(What was lost, shall be found.)

WILLOW

Not dead, nor not of the living. . .

INT. MANSION – MORNING
Drusilla steps up to Angel, hands him a knife. Spike sits a bit behind, watching with a cold eye.
Angel smiles at Dru, takes the knife and cuts his palm with it. Dru ripples with a little sensual trill at
Angel’s pain.

ANGEL
(in English)
Now, Acathla, you will be free.
And so will we all.

He takes a step forward — and Buffy BURSTS IN through the doors from the garden.
The vamp nearest her makes a move, and she beheads him so quickly and tastefully the others
barely have time to gape.
Buffy look at Angel, sword at the ready.

BUFFY
Hello, lover.
ANGEL
I don’t have time for you.
BUFFY

You don’t have a lot of time left.

ANGEL
Coming on kind of strong,
don’t you think? You’re
playing some deep odds here –
do you really think you
can take us all on?
BUFFY
No, I don’t.

Spike rises behind Angel, hoisting a nasty looking iron poker. He SLAMS it into the back of Angel’s
head. Angel goes flying face first onto the ground as Spike moves forward, hits him again.
ANGLE: DRUSILLA
looks at Spike aghast.
Buffy makes for Angel — and is hit from behind by Vamp Two. Her sword goes flying out of her hand
and she stops to spar with the vamp.
ANGLE: SPIKE
is still wailing on Angel —

SPIKE
Painful, isn’t it?
— when Dru tackles him from the side and they both go flying.
ANGLE: XANDER

during the melee, he sneaks in from the garden, moving quietly around the perimeter of the hall
towards Giles’ room.
ANGLE: BUFFY
spars with the vamp.
ANGLE: SPIKE AND DRU
come up facing each other. She’s righteously pissed.
SPIKE

I don’t want to hurt you, baby. . .

She grabs his throat and slams him against the wall. Instinctively, he knocks her arm away and
decks her as hard as he can.

SPIKE
Doesn’t mean I won’t. . .
INT. MANSION SIDE ROOM – CONTINUOUS – MORNING
Xander comes in, finds Giles tied to the chair, goes to him.
XANDER
Giles. Giles!
GILES
Xander?
XANDER
Can you walk?
GILES
You’re not real. . .
XANDER
I am too real! Let’s go!
GILES

It’s a trick! They get inside my head,
make me see what I want.
XANDER

Then why would they make you see me?

Beat.

GILES
Right. Let’s go.

They start out.
INT. MANSION – CONTINUOUS – MORNING
Xander helps Giles toward the exit. They make it out to the garden and are gone.
ANGLE: DRUSILLA
throws Spike to the ground, hissing with anger.
ANGLE: ANGEL
pulls himself painfully up and stumbles toward Acathla.
ANGLE: BUFFY

Pulls out a stake and kills the vamp.
She turns to look for Angel, sees:
ANGLE: ANGEL
reaches the statue.
Buffy dives for her sword, grabs it and heads for Angel.
Angel grabs the sword handle.
As before, light fills the room, stopping Buffy in her tracks as Angel is momentarily transported with
electric bliss.
He pulls the sword free.
ANGLE: DRUSILLA
stops to look, gleeful.

DRUSILLA
Oooh, here it comes. . .
Spike rises up behind her and gets her in a chokehold.
ANGLE BUFFY AND ANGEL
As they square off, swords at the ready. Like Dru said: here it comes.

ANGEL
You almost made it, Buf.
BUFFY
It’s not over yet.
ANGEL

My boy Acathla’s about to wake up.
You’re going to Hell.
BUFFY
Save me a seat.

And she comes at him, fast, hard, and it’s swordfight time. Their blades are a blur of metal as they
work at each other, driving back, forward, circling each other. . .
Angel draws first blood, on Buffy’s arm.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – CONTINUOUS – MORNING
Willow continues the ritual.

WILLOW

Gods, bind him, cast his heart
from the demon. . . realm. . .
return his. . .

She is breathing heavily, the words coming slowly, with difficulty. Perspiration beads her face.

WILLOW
I call on. . . I. . .
OZ
Willow?

CORDELIA
Are you okay?

ANGLE: BIRDS EYE VIEW OF WILLOW
As her head snaps back, leaving her staring almost directly in camera, her whole body tensing —
— and her head snaps back down, she starts to shake and she begins speaking the rest of the ritual
rapidly, powerfully, and in Rumanian.

WILLOW

Te implor Doamne, nu ignora accasta rugaminte! Lasa orbita
sa fie vasul care-I va transporta sufletul la el!
(I call on you, Gods, do not ignore this supplication! Let the
orb be the vessel to carry his soul to him!)

OZ
(to Cordy)
Is this a good thing?
CORDELIA

(to Willow, not knowing what to say)
Hey! Speak English!
WILLOW

Este scris, aceasta putere este dreptul poporuil meu

de a conduce. . .

(It is written, this power is my people’s right to wield. . . )

ANGLE: THE ORB
Begins to glow.
EXT. THE GARDEN – CONTINUOUS – MORNING
For a moment it’s quiet. The sun is high enough to hit half of the staircase, the rest is still dark.
Buffy comes tumbling out, Angel behind her. He’s definitely winning. He knocks the sword from her
grasp, kicks her into a corner.
INT. MANSION – CONTINUOUS – MORNING
ANGLE: ACATHLA
The camera moves in at him as he begins to shake slightly, and we hear a humming sound.
ANGLE: SPIKE AND DRU
Dru is sinking into unconsciousness, Spike never loosening his grip on her neck. As she fades, he
kisses her cheek.

SPIKE

I wish there was another way. . .

He picks her up and starts for the exit near the doors to the garden. Pauses long enough to see:
ANGLE: THE GARDEN
As Angel approaches Buffy, sword in hand.

SPIKE

God, he’s going to kill her. . .

After a moment of intense worry, he shrugs, takes off.
Angel approaches Buffy. She tries to move from the corner, but he moves with her. She’s boxed in.

He plays the sword near her face, loving this.
ANGEL

That’s everything, huh? No weapons, no friends.
No hope. Take all that away and what’s left?

Buffy stares at him, his words hitting home. She looks exhausted, and terribly sad. She shuts her
eyes.
He lunges, shooting his arm out, the sword straight at her face.
Without opening her eyes she slams her palms together over the blade, stopping it an inch from her
face.
She opens her eyes.

BUFFY
Me.

She jerks the sword back, knocking the hilt onto his face, kicking him solidly in the chest.
EXT. MANSION GARAGE – CONTINUOUS – MORNING
As Spike’s car bursts out through the garage door, takes off down the road. The windows have all
been blacked out except for enough space to see out of.
INT. SPIKE’S CAR – CONTINUOUS – MORNING
Dru is still passed out, sitting in the passenger seat. Spike drives with glum determination.
INT. MANSION – CONTINUOUS
Angel flies in, lands hard — gets up again and she is on him, sword in hand, pounding at him, driving
him back until they are right in front of Acathla.
She knocks his sword out of his hand — cutting him on the hand. He stands before her, spent,
beaten.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – CONTINUOUS – MORNING
Willow is still rapt, calling out:

WILLOW
Asa sa fie! Acum!
(Let it be so! Now!)

ANGLE: THE ORB
Glows and disappears, just as it did before.
INT. MANSION – CONTINUOUS – MORNING
Angel drops to his knees. Buffy swings her sword back, ready to cut off his head.
Suddenly he cries out in pain, and she sees:
CLOSE ON: HIS EYES
They glow for a moment.
He collapses on the floor. Buffy hesitates.

ANGEL
Oh. . .

He looks up.

ANGEL
Buffy?
He pulls himself up. She takes a step back, uncertain.
ANGEL
Buffy, what’s going on?
I don’t remember. . . where are we?

Her voice is very little when she speaks.

BUFFY
Angel?
ANGEL
(sees her cuts)
You’re hurt!

He goes to her, takes her arm. Her swordarm hangs at her side, limp. He folds her into his arms.

ANGEL

God, I feel like I haven’t seen you in months. . .
Buffy, everything’s so muddled. . .

ANGLE: BUFFY’S FACE
As he holds her. At first afraid, confused, but at the warmth of his touch, the overwhelming rush of
his return, her eyes close and with her free arm she grips him to her.

ANGEL
Oh, Buffy. . .
She opens her eyes, longing and hope in them. Then they see it.
CLOSE ON ACATHLA
The demon opens his mouth. Wide. We hear a low rumble, growing louder as the vortex (not unlike
that Sliders thing) begins to emanate from his mouth.
She grips Angel tighter, despair gutting her.
ANGLE: BUFFY AND ANGEL
Are framed in front of the growing vortex.

ANGEL
What’s happening, Buffy?
BUFFY

Shhhhh. . . it doesn’t matter.

She pulls away to look at him. Kisses him passionately.
BUFFY
I love you.
ANGEL
I love you. . .
BUFFY
Close your eyes.
Serenely compliant, he closes them. She kisses him softly.
She steps back and thrusts the sword through his chest, directly into the chest of the demon.

There is an unearthly roar.
Angel’s eyes open wide — he looks down at himself impaled, at Buffy uncomprehendingly.
Buffy can’t speak — she tries not to cry as she takes another step back.
Angel reaches out to her — and the vortex closes over him, sucks him into Hell. And is gone.
ANGLE: ACATHLA
His mouth closed once more.
ANGLE: BUFFY
Alone.
INCREDIBLY POIGNANT SARAH MCLACHLAN SONG BEGINS OVER:
EXT. BUFFY’S HOUSE – MORNING
Buffy walks slowly up to it, stops on the sidewalk. Looks at the house for a while.
INT. UPSTAIRS HALL – MORNING
Joyce comes upstairs in her dressing gown. She sees the door to Buffy’s room open, starts in.

JOYCE
Buffy?
INT. BUFFY’S ROOM – CONTINUOUS – MORNING
Joyce enters. The window is open, the curtains blowing in the breeze. Some of the drawers have
been left open, clothes hanging out.
There is a note on the bed.
Joyce goes to it, picks it up. She reads it, and her eyes fill with tears.
EXT. FRONT OF SCHOOL – MORNING
Giles and Xander greet Oz, Cordelia and Willow. Oz pushes Willow in a wheelchair. Giles doesn’t
exactly look his best, either.

GILES
(to Willow)

Are you sure you should be out of bed?

WILLOW
Look who’s talking. . .
CORDELIA
Any word?
XANDER

You guys didn’t see her either.

WILLOW
No.
OZ

But we know the world didn’t end.
‘Cause, check it out.
GILES

We went back to the mansion.
It’s empty, and Acathla is dormant.

WILLOW

I think the spell worked. I felt something
go through me, it was powerful. Kind of scary.

CORDELIA

Plus the orb did that cool glow thing.

XANDER

Maybe it wasn’t in time. If he did
pull the sword out, and she had to
kill him, maybe he was already
dead when it happened.

OZ

Then she’d want to be alone, I guess.

WILLOW

Or maybe Angel was saved and they
just want to be alone together.

GILES
Perhaps.
CORDELIA

Well, she’s bound to show up sooner
or later. We still have school.
WILLOW

Yeah. She’ll be here in a while.

ANGLE: BUFFY
is watching them from the far end of the big lawn triangle. She is dressed very plainly, for hard
travelling. Has a bag over her shoulder.
As she sees them head inside, she starts walking in the other direction.

DISSOLVE TO:

ANGLE: THE EDGE OF TOWN, PASSING BY (INT. BUS – DAY)
Houses, fewer and fewer, as they whip by the window.
ANGLE: BUFFY
Seated on a bus, looking out the window as the light plays on her face.
EXT. EDGE OF TOWN – DAY
The bus races past camera and recedes in the distance, as the camera arms down, finally settling on
a sign by the side of the road.
NOW LEAVING SUNNYDALE
COME BACK SOON

BLACK OUT.

END OF SHOW

Transcripts

Prologue

In every generation there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against
the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer.
The library at Sunnydale High School. Buffy is crouched over Kendra
after finding her dead. Behind her a police officer comes in and aims
his gun at her.
Officer#1: Freeze! (Buffy faces him) Put your hands up. Back away from
the girl slowly.
Another officer comes in behind the first, gun drawn and surveying the
scene. Buffy slowly gets to her feet and raises her hands.
Buffy: Look, I didn’t do anything.
Officer#1: Do it! Now!
The second officer holsters her gun and crouches down to feel for
Kendra’s pulse, but can’t find one.
Officer#2: This one’s dead.
Officer#1: What about up there? (nods toward the mezzanine)
Buffy and Officer#2 look up at the stacks and see Xander lying
unconscious on the floor behind the railing.
Buffy: Xander…
She starts to go to him, but Officer#2 grabs her and pushes her back.
Officer#2: Get her out of here!
Buffy: Wait! Just see if he’s okay! Please!
The second officer hands her off to the first, and then goes to check on
Xander. Buffy offers no resistance, and lets herself be led out.

Officer#2 crouches down by Xander to check him out.
Cut to the hall outside the library. Officer#1 leads Buffy out.
Buffy: Please. You don’t understand.
Officer#1: You’d do well to keep your mouth shut, missy.
They turn down the hall and see Snyder coming down followed by two more
officers.
Buffy: But I didn’t do anything.
Snyder: Why do I find that so very hard to believe?
Officer#1: (to the other officers) In there. (to Snyder) You know this
girl?
Snyder: Buffy Summers. If there’s trouble, she’s behind it.
Buffy: (angrily) You stupid little troll. You have no idea!
Snyder: Attitude problem. Serious.
Buffy: (faces the officer) Look, I just wanna know if my friends are
okay.
Officer#1: All right, that’s enough.
He spins her back around and gets out his handcuffs.
Officer#1: You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can
and…
Buffy glances over her shoulder, and without warning backhand punches
the officer in the face. He grunts in pain and stumbles backward into
the lockers. She grabs him by the neck and pushes his head down,
flipping him over onto his back. Snyder takes a shocked step back. He is
too stunned by what he just saw her do to move, and just lets her run
down the hall without even looking. Officer#2 comes out of the library
and sees her partner on the floor and Buffy running away. She raises her
gun and takes aim at Buffy.
Officer#2: Stop!
Now Snyder turns around to see Buffy running away, but he’s still too
shook up to have the sense to get out of the officer’s way.
Officer#2: Get down!
Buffy looks back and turns down an adjacent hall, and the officer takes
a shot. The bullet shatters the window of the hall door. The other two
officers come out of the library, guns drawn and ready, and she waves
them in Buffy’s direction. They run in pursuit. She grabs the radio mic
at her shoulder and puts out a bulletin on Buffy.
Officer#2: All units, we have a fugitive on foot at the high school.
Homicide suspect. Female, blond, approximately sixteen years old.
Suspect is very dangerous.
Opening credits roll. Buffy’s theme plays.
~~ Part 1 ~~
The hall outside the Emergency Room at Sunnydale General Hospital. Buffy
comes into the hall wearing a wool cap and a long, dark coat. She averts
her eyes from the doctors and nurses. On the wall she finds a slot with
a few patient histories and checks the names on them. There are none
she’s interested in. She continues slowly down the hall, avoiding the
eyes of a passing doctor. She checks another series of slots for names

on paperwork, but finds nothing. Further down the hall she turns down
the left passageway. Behinds her Xander walks up and touches her on the
back. She gasps and spins around, but is very relieved to see him
standing there.
Buffy: Xander! (hugs him tightly) Ohhh…
He hugs her back, and they hold each other for a long moment, then Buffy
lets go.
Buffy: I was so worried, I didn’t know if you were okay. The cops
were…
Xander: Yeah, I, I heard them chase you out. I was just coming out of
it. (holds up his arm in a cast) Souvenir.
Buffy: Well, what about the others?
Xander sees two police officers come into the hall behind her.
Buffy: Are they okay?
He grabs her in another tight hug. Buffy goes along with it, but wonders
what’s up. When she glimpses the cops she hides her face in Xander’s
shoulder while they head down the hall in the direction that she came
in. When the police have gone they separate again.
Buffy: Okay. That was about equal parts protecting me and copping a
feel, right? (smiles)
Xander doesn’t smile back. He turns his face down looking sad and very
worried.
Buffy: What is it?
Cut to Willow lying unconscious in a hospital bed. She has a bandaged
cut on her forehead and a black eye, but otherwise seems unhurt. The
camera pans up from her face to Buffy and Xander standing next to the
bed.
Xander: The doctor said it was head trauma. She can wake up at any
time, but, um… the longer it lasts, the… less likely it is.
Buffy: I never should’ve let her try to do that curse. Angel must’ve
known.
She reaches up to Willow’s face and brushes back a few stray hairs.
Buffy: Where are her parents?
Xander: With relatives in Phoenix. I gave them a call. They’re…
they’re getting on a plane back.
Buffy: Does Oz know?
Xander: (realizes his omission) Oh, man. Um… I didn’t even think.
Um… I’ll call him.
Buffy hears some footsteps behind her and turns quickly to see who it
is. Xander looks over his shoulder, too, and they see Cordelia come in.
He goes over to her.
Xander: Hey.
Cordelia: (whispers) Hey.
They kiss and hold each other close.
Cordelia: (sighs) How is she? (they separate and look at Willow) The
doctor told me that…

Xander: Yeah. We’re, uh… still waiting.
Buffy: You okay?
Cordelia: I ran. I think I made it through three counties before I
realized nobody was chasing me. Not too brave.
Buffy: It was the right thing to do.
Xander: Did Giles keep up with you?
Cordelia: I didn’t see Giles.
Buffy: You mean he’s not in the hospital?
Xander: No.
Buffy gives them a very concerned stare.
Cut to Angelus’ mansion. Giles is lying on the floor. Angelus lies on
the floor facing him and waiting for him to regain consciousness.
Giles: Mm… (stirs a bit and exhales) Ohhh… (lifts his head)
Angelus: Hi, Rupert. I wasn’t sure you were gonna wake up. You had me
worried. (hops to his feet)
Giles: (standing up slowly) What do you want?
Angelus: I wanna torture you. I used to love it, and it’s been a long
time. I mean, the last time I tortured somebody, they didn’t even have
chainsaws.
He strolls past Giles over to Acathla. Giles turns to watch him and sees
the stone demon with the sword protruding from its chest. Angelus
notices Giles’ stare.
Angelus: Oh, yeah. Acathla. He’s an even harder guy to wake up than you
are. I mean, I performed the rituals, said all the right phrases…
blood on my hand. Got nothing. Big doughnut hole for my troubles. I
figure you know the ritual. You’re pretty up on these things. You could
probably… tell me what I’m doing wrong. (approaches Giles) But
honestly, I sorta hope you don’t… (stops in front of him) ‘Cause I
really wanna torture you. (stares evilly)
Cut to the Summers house. A police officer comes down the stairs to
where Detective Stein is questioning Joyce and goes to stand next to
him.
Joyce: No. I-i-it’s impossible. There… there’s been some terrible
mistake.
Det. Stein: And you have no idea where your daughter is.
Joyce: She said she was going to her friend Willow’s house. (shakes her
head) Maybe she slept over.
Det. Stein: Is that Willow Rosenberg?
Joyce: Yes.
Det. Stein: (to the officer) Second victim.
Joyce: (confused) What?
Det. Stein: Your daughter has a history of violence. Doesn’t she, Ms.
Summers?
He nods for the officer to leave the house, and he goes.

Joyce: Well…
Det. Stein: (smugly) You call us. (pulls out his wallet) Okay? (digs
out a card) If she decides to stop by. (hands Joyce the card) Be best if
she just comes in.
He exits the house leaving Joyce very worried and confused.
Cut to Giles’ apartment. The door is ajar, so Buffy just comes right in.
Buffy: Giles! Giles!
She looks around, but doesn’t see him. Behind her Whistler comes down
the stairs from the loft.
Whistler: I don’t think he’s here.
Buffy: (pivots around to face him) Who are you?
Whistler: Whistler.
Buffy: What are you doing here?
Whistler: (reaches the base of the stairs) I’m waiting for you.
Buffy: Why?
Whistler: ‘Cause I-I-I need a date to the prom.
Buffy is not in the mood for jokes right now, so she takes the two
steps over to him, grabs him by the throat and shoves him up against the
wall.
Buffy: I have had a really bad day, okay? If you have information
worth hearing, then I am grateful for it. If you’re gonna crack jokes,
then I’m gonna pull out your ribcage and wear it as a hat. (lets go)
Whistler: Hello to the imagery! Very nice. (seriously) It wasn’t
supposed to go down like this. (moves away from the wall) Nobody saw you
coming. I figured this for Angel’s big day. But I thought he was here to
stop Acathla, not to bring him forth. Then you two made with the
smoochies… now he’s a creep again. Now, what are you gonna do? W-what
are you prepared to do?
Buffy: Whatever I have to.
Whistler: Maybe I should ask, what are you prepared to give up?
Buffy: (exhales) You don’t have anything useful to tell me, do you?
What are you, just some immortal demon sent down to even the score
between good and evil?
Whistler: (impressed) Wow. Good guess. (grins)
Buffy: (steps up to him) Well, why don’t you try getting off your
immortal ass and fighting evil once in a while? ‘Cause I’m sick and
tired of doing it myself.
Whistler: In the end, you’re always by yourself. You’re all you’ve got.
That’s the point.
Buffy: (disgusted) Spare me. (starts to leave)
Whistler: The sword isn’t enough. You gotta be ready. (raises his
voice) You gotta know how to use it!
She goes out the door and slams it behind her.
Cut to the park. Buffy walks through it with her head down. A car drives

by. She steps into the street and watches as the car goes. When she
turns back she sees a police car coming, but doesn’t run, instead hoping
that the officer won’t notice her. He does, though, and turns on his
lightbar and lets the siren give a brief loud tone. He pulls the car
aside, stops and gets out. Buffy ignores him and keeps walking right
past the front of the vehicle. The officer draws his gun.
Officer#3: Hold right there! (slams his door)
Buffy spins around to face him.
Officer#3: Put your hands on your head! Do it!
She stares at his gun, frightened, and begins to raise her hands.
Suddenly the gun gets kicked out of the officer’s hands. He gets kicked
in the face and in the shin, then grabbed and thrown onto the hood of
his car, where he lies unconscious. His attacker faces a surprised
Buffy.
Spike: Hello, cutie. (smiles)
~~ Part 2 ~~
In the park. Spike takes a step toward Buffy, and she immediately decks
him twice in the face. He grabs her by the shoulders to restrain her,
but she brings her knee up into his gut.
Spike: Now, you hold on a second!
He gives her a good shove away from himself. She reaches into her coat
and pulls out a stake. Spike jumps back and holds up his hands in
surrender.
Spike: Hey! White flag here. I quit.
Buffy: Let me clear this up for you. We’re mortal enemies. We don’t get
time-outs.
Spike: You want to go around, pet, I’ll have a gay old time of it. You
want to stop Angel… we’re gonna have to play this a bit differently.
Buffy: (still holding the stake) What are you talking about?
Spike: I’m talking about your ex, pet. I’m talking about putting him in
the bloody ground.
Buffy: (chuckles) This has gotta be the lamest trick (lowers her
stake) you guys have ever thought up.
Spike: He’s got your Watcher. Right now, he’s probably torturing him.
Buffy: What do you want?
Spike: I told you. I want to stop Angel. (snickers) I want to save the
world.
Buffy: Okay. You do remember that you’re a vampire, right?
Spike: We like to talk big. (indicates himself) Vampires do. ‘I’m going
to destroy the world.’ (looks at the officer) That’s just tough guy
talk. (steps over to the car) Strutting around with your friends over a
pint of blood. (sits on the hood) The truth is, I like this world.
(pulls the cigarette pack from the officer’s shirt pocket) You’ve got…
dog racing, Manchester United. (pulls one out and drops the pack on the
officer) And you’ve got people. (exhales) Billions of people walking
around like Happy Meals with legs. It’s all right here. (lights the
cigarette and takes a drag) But then someone comes along with a vision.
With a real… (exhales) passion for destruction. (takes another drag
and looks at Buffy) Angel could pull it off. Goodbye, Picadilly.
Farewell, Leicester Bloody Square. You know what I’m saying?

Buffy: (nods) Okay, fine. You’re not down with Angel. Why would you
ever come to me?
Spike: (stands and takes another drag, but doesn’t look at her) I want
Dru back. I want it like it was before he came back. The way she acts
around him…
Buffy: You’re pathetic.
He punches her in the face. She punches him right back.
Buffy: I lost a friend tonight!
Spike: I wasn’t in on that raiding party.
Buffy: And I may lose more! The whole earth may be sucked into Hell,
and you want my help ’cause your girlfriend’s a big ho? Well, let me
take this opportunity to not care.
Spike: I can’t fight them both alone, and neither can you!
Buffy punches him hard in the jaw, making him flinch. He straightens
back up and feels his jaw, checking for blood.
Buffy: I hate you.
Spike: And I’m all you’ve got.
The police officer begins to stir on the hood of the car.
Buffy: (looks down briefly) All right. Talk.
Spike: (turns to the officer) I’m just gonna kill this guy.
Buffy clears her throat loudly. Spike faces her.
Spike: Oh, right.
Buffy: (raises her eyebrows at him) Let’s get inside.
They leave as the police officer begins to wake up and feel his head.
Cut to Willow’s room at the hospital. She is still unconscious. Xander
is sitting in a chair and watching her while Cordelia stands.
Cordelia: Do you want some coffee?
Xander: I don’t wanna leave. She might, uh…
Cordelia: I’ll get it.
Xander: (looks up at her) Thanks.
They clasp hands briefly, and Cordelia goes to get some coffee. Xander
looks at Willow again, deep in thought. He leans over to the bed and
gently takes her hand in his.
Xander: Come on, Will. Look, you don’t have a choice here. You gotta
wake up. I need you, Will. I mean, how am I gonna pass trig, you know?
(chuckles) And who am I gonna call every night… and talk about
everything we did all day? You’re my best friend. You’ve always…
He looks at her for a long moment, looks away for an instant and then at
her again, struggling with his emotions.
Xander: I love you.
Her face twitches and her hand gives his a squeeze. Xander’s eyes widen
in hope.

Xander: Willow?
She takes a few breaths before responding, with her eyes still closed.
Willow: (whispers) Oz? (speaks) Oz?
Xander leans away, taken aback. Oz hears her as he walks into the room.
Oz: I’m here.
Xander: (looks back at Oz) She’s just starting to wake up.
He gets up to let Oz go to her. Oz takes her hand and leans over the
bed. Willow still has her eyes closed.
Oz: Hey, baby.
Willow: (weakly) Hi.
Xander: I’m gonna go get a doctor. (leaves)
Oz: How you feelin’?
Willow: (weakly, eyes still closed) My head… feels big. Is it big?
Oz: No. It’s head size.
He leans over her face and gently kisses her on the forehead. He leans
back to look at her and strokes her hair with his other hand. She opens
her eyes tentatively.
Willow: (whispers) Uh… is everybody else okay?
Cut to Angelus’ mansion. The camera shows Giles in a chair with his
hands bound behind his back and bleeding from rope burns. The camera
pans up his arms and over his shoulder to Angelus, sitting in a chair
and watching Giles as he cleans his glasses. He breathes on the lenses,
polishes them clean and inspects his work.
Angelus: Rupert, buddy… I’m here to tell you, I’m impressed.
(chuckles)
He drops the cleaning cloth, gets up and goes over to Giles.
Angelus: Hey. Uh… (slides on the glasses) How you holdin’ up?
Giles: (looks up at him weakly) Never… better.
Angelus: Glad to hear it. (kneels next to him) Now… (Giles breathes
painfully) Tell me when it hurts. (smirks)
Cut to Buffy’s street. She and Spike eye each other as they head up the
walk to her house. Just then Joyce pulls up in her Jeep and sees them
from her open window.
Joyce: Buffy?!
Buffy gives her a glance, but goes right back to watching Spike.
Joyce: (stops the car) Where have you been? (gets out) Are you okay?
(runs over) The police were here! I’ve been looking for you!
Buffy: Mom, let’s, let’s go inside, and I can explain.
Joyce: (hysterical) Who is this man? (to Spike) Who are you? (to Buffy)
Are you okay?
Buffy: Mom! I’m-I’m okay.

Joyce: Buffy, terrible things have happened. What were you doing?
Spike: What, your mum doesn’t know?
Buffy glares at Spike.
Joyce: (to Spike) Know what?
Buffy: (faces her mom) That I’m, uh… in a band. A-a rock band with
Spike here. (shoots Spike a look)
Spike: Right. She plays the, the triangle.
Buffy: Drums.
Spike: Drums, yeah. She’s, uh, hell on the old skins, you know.
Joyce: (unconvinced) Hmm. And, uh, what do you do?
Spike: Well, I sing.
Buffy: You know what? Why don’t we go inside, and, and we can talk
about this. (nods)
She starts toward the door, and Spike follows.
Joyce: I’m, I’m not sure how I feel about this.
Buffy turns around to face her. Suddenly a vampire rushes across the
porch, pushes Buffy and Spike aside and jumps down the steps at Joyce,
ready to fight. She screams and does some fast backpedaling. Buffy grabs
him by the shoulders from behind and forces him around to face Spike.
She pulls out a stake while Spike gives him a series of punches to the
face. Spike’s last blow sends the vampire spinning around and staggering
away. Buffy thrusts the stake into his chest, and he instantly crumbles
to ash. Joyce just stares in shock. Spike steps down from the porch and
looks at the pile of ash.
Spike: One of Angel’s boys.
Buffy: Yeah, probably watching me. Or you.
Spike: Yeah. He won’t get a chance to tattle on us now.
Joyce: (utterly confused) Buffy… what… is going on?
Buffy looks at her mother for a moment, exchanges a look with Spike and
realizes that it’s time. She steps up to her mom and looks up at her,
hoping against hope for understanding.
Buffy: Mom… I’m a Vampire Slayer.
Joyce just blinks her eyes, raises her brows and shakes her head in
complete dismay.
~~ Part 3 ~~
Willow’s room at the hospital. Oz brings her a bowl of Jell-O. She’s
sitting up and on the phone with Buffy. She takes the bowl from Oz with
a smile, sets it down on her lap and begins to play with the spoon. Oz
pulls up a chair and sits down.
Willow: I’m okay, Buffy, really. I mean, I don’t feel good, but… I’m
awake, and I know my name and who’s President and how many fingers, so
they don’t think my brain got mushed at all.
Buffy: (cut to her in her kitchen) Thank God. So sorry I can’t be
there.
Willow: I know. (cut to her) I’m sorry I didn’t get to cure Angel.

Buffy: Don’t be. It just (cut to her) wasn’t meant to be. I know I’m
never gonna get him back the way he was. It just makes it easier.
Willow: (cut to her) I guess. Any luck finding Giles?
Buffy: (cut to her) Yep. I got a lucky break.
Willow: What?
Buffy: You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.
Cut to their living room. Joyce sits nervously on the couch with the
toes of her shoes turned in. Spike is sitting in an adjacent wicker
chair. Uncomfortable silence reigns. Spike looks around the room. Joyce
lifts her glass, takes a sip of her drink and winces at its strength.
Spike looks down at his lap, lets out a long, bored breath and folds his
hands. Cut to Buffy on the phone in the kitchen.
Buffy: Xander. Angel and the others are holed up outside town. You
remember that funky-looking mansion you showed me that time?
Cut to him sitting on Willow’s bed. Behind him she eats her Jell-O. Oz
looks through a magazine.
Xander: (into the phone) On Crawford Street. Sure. That makes sense.
What’s the drill?
Buffy: (cut to her) I’m gonna hit it come daybreak.
Xander: (cut to him) You’ll need backup.
Buffy: No. (cut to her) You stay there. I’m covered.
Xander: (cut to him) Do you, um… do you think Giles is still alive?
Buffy: (cut to her) I think he is. I just wish he was here to tell me
what to do.
Cut to the living room. The silence is deafening. Spike looks around
some more. Then Joyce has a spark of recognition on her face and looks
over at Spike.
Joyce: Have we met?
Spike: (faces her) Um… you hit me with an ax one time. Remember?
(makes an ax-holding gesture) Uh, ‘get the hell away from my daughter.’
(lowers his arms)
Joyce: Oh.
She lets out a little chuckle. Spike sighs with boredom.
Joyce: So, do you, uh, live here in town?
Buffy walks into the room with her arms crossed. They both get up.
Joyce: I-is Willow all right?
Buffy: Yeah. She’s fine. (to Spike) All right, talk. What’s the deal?
Spike: Simple. You let me and Dru skip town, I help you kill Angel.
Joyce: (confused) Angel? Your boyfriend?
Buffy: (to Spike) Forget about Drusilla. She doesn’t walk.
Spike: There’s no deal without Dru.
Buffy: She killed Kendra.

Spike: (surprised) Dru bagged a Slayer? (chuckles) She didn’t tell me!
(to Joyce, smiling) Hey, good for her! (gets a look from Buffy and loses
the smile) Though not from your perspective, I suppose.
Buffy: (with contempt) I can’t believe I invited you into my house.
Joyce: (relieved) So you didn’t kill that girl.
Buffy: Of course not.
Joyce: Did she explode like that man out there?
Buffy: She was a Slayer, Mom.
Joyce: Like what you are.
Buffy gives her a thin smile and a nod.
Spike: Look. (pulls Buffy aside) This deal works for me one way. Full
stop. Me and Dru for Angel.
Joyce: (still confused) Honey, a-are you sure you’re a Vampire Slayer?
Spike: I’ll take her out of the country. You’ll never hear from us
again, I bloody well hope.
Buffy: (ignores her mother) Fine. Get back to the mansion. Make sure
Giles is all right.
Joyce: I-I mean, have you tried not being a Slayer?
They both look at her.
Buffy: Mom!
Spike sighs in exasperation of Joyce.
Buffy: (to Spike) Be ready to back me up when I make my move.
He walks around her toward the door.
Buffy: If Giles dies… (Spike stops and faces her) she dies.
He gives her a final stare and heads out the door.
Joyce: (trying to make sense of it) It’s because you didn’t have a
strong father figure, isn’t it?
Buffy: It’s just fate, Mom. I’m the Slayer. Accept it.
Joyce: We should call the police. (heads for the kitchen)
Buffy: No. We’re not calling the police.
Joyce: (stops and faces her daughter, smiling) Well, now that we know
that you’re innocent, it’s…
Buffy: What? You thought I was guilty? Jeez, feelin’ the love in this
room!
Joyce: No, I didn’t think that. It’s just… now we have proof.
Buffy: (exasperated) We have my word, Mom. Not proof.
Joyce: (heads for the kitchen again) Look, I am sure that they will
understand.
Buffy: (follows closely) Get them involved, you’ll get them killed.

Joyce: Well, you’re not gonna hurt them, are you?
Buffy: I’m a Slayer, not a postal worker.
Her mother picks up the phone, and Buffy slaps her hand onto the switch
hook.
Buffy: Cops can’t fight demons. (takes the phone from her mom) I have
to do it. (puts the phone back in its cradle)
Joyce: (demanding) Do what? Buffy, what is happening?
Buffy: (doesn’t want to deal) Just have another drink.
She turns away from her mother and starts to walk off. Joyce throws her
glass aside in anger, and it breaks on the floor.
Joyce: Don’t you talk to me that way! (Buffy stops in her tracks) You
don’t get to just dump something like this on me and pretend it’s
nothing!
Buffy: (looks at her) I’m sorry, Mom, but I don’t have time for this.
(starts for the door again, but stops)
Joyce: No! I am tired of ‘I don’t have time’ or-or ‘you wouldn’t
understand.’ (Buffy faces her) I am your mother, and you will make
time to explain yourself.
Buffy: I told you. I’m a Vampire Slayer.
Joyce: (haughtily) Well, I just don’t accept that!
Buffy: (steps closer) Open your eyes, Mom. What do you think has been
going on for the past two years? The fights, the weird occurrences. How
many times have you washed blood out of my clothing, and you still
haven’t figured it out?
Joyce: (raises her voice angrily) Well, it stops now!
Buffy: (raises her voice also) No, it doesn’t stop! It never stops!
Do-do you think I chose to be like this? Do you have any idea how lonely
it is, how dangerous? I would love to be upstairs watching TV or
gossiping about boys or… God, even studying! But I have to save the
world… again.
Joyce: No. This is insane. (takes Buffy by the shoulders) Buffy, you
need help.
Buffy: (throws off her mom’s arms) I’m not crazy! What I need is for
you to chill. I have to go!
Joyce: (shakes her head) No. I am not letting you out of this house.
Buffy: You can’t stop me.
Joyce: (grabs her) Oh yes I…
Buffy shoves her back into the island, making her knock over several
things. She heads for the door, opens it and steps out.
Joyce: (angrily) You walk out of this house, don’t even think about
coming back!
Buffy just gives her a long stare and leaves. Joyce sighs, having failed
once again at communicating with her daughter. She turns around and
leans on the island with her head in her hands.
Cut to Willow’s hospital room. Willow is sitting up in her bed with Oz
in the chair next to her. Xander is sitting on the far side of the room.

Cordelia: (paces) So Buffy’s going for the big showdown, huh? Wish we
could help. (to Xander) You know, without dying.
Xander: I don’t see how.
Willow: I wanna try again.
Oz: Try what?
Willow: The curse. We never got to finish it. Maybe we can restore
Angel’s soul.
Xander: I don’t like it. You’re talking about messing with powerful
magic, and you’re weak.
Willow: I’m okay.
Xander: You don’t look okay. (to Cordelia) Does she?
Cordelia: You should listen to him. The hair, it’s so flat, and the
lips…
Xander: (to Cordelia) Could we stay on topic here, honey?
Cordelia: What?
Xander: (to Willow) Look, it’s not a good idea.
Willow: There’s no use arguing with me. Do you see my resolve face?
(gives them her resolve face) You’ve seen it before. You know what it
means. This can help Buffy. If we turn Angel back soon enough, we can
stop him from ever awakening Acathla.
Oz: (gets up) Okay, I pretty much missed out on some stuff, didn’t I?
Because this is all making a kind of sense that’s… not.
Willow: (to Oz) Go with Cordy to the library and get my things. She’ll
fill you in.
Oz: Sure. (kisses her hand) I’ll drive.
He walks out of the room with Cordelia close behind. Xander gets up.
Willow: Xander, go to Buffy. Tell her what we’re doing. Maybe she can
stall.
Xander: But I…
Willow: (points to herself) Resolve face.
Xander: (gives in) Be careful. (leaves)
Cut to Angelus’ mansion. Giles is still tied to his chair, and hangs his
head weakly.
Angelus: You know, I can stop the pain. You’ve been very brave… (puts
his hand on Giles’ shoulder) but it’s over. (walks behind him) You’ve
given enough. (leans down to Giles’ ear) Now let me make it stop.
Giles: (panting and shaking with pain) Please!
Angelus: (kneels to face him) Just tell me what I need to know.
Giles: (weakly) In order… to be worthy…
Angelus: (whispers) Yeah?
Giles: (weakly) You must perform the ritual… in a tutu.
Angelus glares at him. Giles doesn’t back down.

Giles: Pillock!
Angelus: (stands up) All right. Someone get the chainsaw.
Spike: (wheels himself in) Now, now, don’t let’s lose our temper.
Angelus: Keep out of it, sit ‘n’ spin.
Spike: Look, you cut him up, you’ll never get your answers.
Angelus: Since when did you become so levelheaded?
Spike: Right about the time you became so pig-headed. You have your way
with him, you’ll never get to destroy the world. And I don’t fancy
spending the next month trying to get librarian out of the carpet. There
are other ways.
Angelus: Enlighten me.
Spike: Hmm. (behind himself) Drusilla? Sweetheart?
She comes in behind him and walks up to them.
Spike: Do you want to play a game?
She puts her arm on his shoulder, and they both look over at Angelus.
Cut to the library. The main area is cordoned off with yellow crime
scene tape. Buffy walks in and just grabs and pulls down the tape. As
she heads toward the table she looks down at the chalk outline of Kendra
on the floor and passes it slowly, careful not to step on it. When she
reaches the table she looks for a moment at the Orb, candles and other
things that were used in the attempt at cursing Angelus. Then she
reaches under the table, pulls out Kendra’s large duffel bag and sets it
on the table. As she goes through it Snyder comes into the library.
Snyder: You do know this is a crime scene, don’t you? (Buffy looks up
at him approaching) But then… you’re a criminal, so that pretty much
works out. (stops)
Buffy: You know I didn’t do it. The police will figure it out.
Snyder: In case you haven’t noticed, the police of Sunnydale are
deeply stupid. (takes a few steps closer) It doesn’t matter anyway.
Whatever they find, you’ve proved too much of a liability for this
school. (takes a breath) These are the moments you want to savor. You
wish time would stop so that you could live them over and over again.
(smiles smugly) You’re expelled.
Buffy reaches into the bag and pulls out the sword blessed by the knight
who first slew Acathla. She holds it up and turns it in her hand. Snyder
looks at it, at her and gulps. Buffy gazes at the polished blade.
Buffy: You never ever got a single date in high school, (turns her eyes
to him) did you?
Snyder: Your point being?
She starts out of the library and leans the blade into his face as she
passes him. He bends back nervously and watches her go. This time she
makes no attempt to avoid the chalk markings on the floor. Snyder pulls
out his cell phone and dials. He checks to make sure she’s gone and
holds the phone up to his ear.
Snyder: It’s Snyder. (smiles) Tell the Mayor I have good news.
Cut to Angelus’ mansion. Drusilla kneels behind Giles, patting the sweat
from his forehead.

Drusilla: Is that better? (pats more) Hmm? (pulls away the cloth) Poor
thing. (runs her finger down his cheek) Let’s see what’s inside.
She runs her hand up the back of Giles’ head and over the top. She
closes her eyes and concentrates on reading his thoughts. It doesn’t
take long for her to discover something useful. She gasps and removes
her hand.
Drusilla: (into Giles’ ear) Of course.
She stands up and goes around to his other side and holds up two fingers
to hypnotize him.
Drusilla: Look at me.
Giles turns his head weakly to look away, trying to resist. She comes
around the rest of the way in front of him, waving her fingers.
Drusilla: Mm-mm-mm-mm.
Finally Giles can no longer resist and looks at her. She waves her
fingers around some more and draws them in toward her own eyes.
Drusilla: Be… in me.
In his weakened state Giles quickly falls under her spell. She looks
into his eyes and smiles.
Drusilla: Hmm. See with your heart.
She covers his eyes with her hand, and when she takes it away he sees
Jenny kneeling before him. At first he can’t believe it, but then
accepts it.
Giles: (smiles) Jenny! I thought I’d lost you.
Dru/Jenny: (quietly) Shh. I’ll never leave you.
Giles: (tries to get up) We have to get out of here.
Dru/Jenny: (calms him) No-no-no-no-no. Slowly.
She brushes her hand over his temple, down his cheek and over his lips.
Giles: It can’t be you. (stares into her eyes)
Dru/Jenny: Did you tell Angel? About the ritual?
Giles: (breathing erratically) No. (desperately) We have to get… him
away from Acathla.
Dru/Jenny: Why? Is he close to figuring it out?
Giles: (nods, anxious to go) Later.
Dru/Jenny: (imploringly) Tell me what to do.
Giles looks at her, helpless and confused.
Dru/Jenny: It’s all right. We’ll be together… finally. We’ll have
everything we never got to have… Never got to feel… Just tell me
what to do.
Giles: (desperately) We have to get Angel away from Acathla.
Dru/Jenny: Angel himself? He’s the key?
Giles: (weakly) H-h-his, his blood… H-he mustn’t…
Dru/Jenny: Shh. (kisses him) Mm.

They kiss passionately. The camera pulls over to Giles’ face. When it
pans back he’s kissing Drusilla. The camera continues to pan over to
Angelus and Spike as they watch, pleased with the result.
Angelus: Blood. Of course. The blood on my hands must be my own. I am
the key that will open up the door. My blood. My life. (considers) Okay.
Kill him. (turns to go)
Spike: Uh, but what if he’s lying?
Angelus: Yeah. Good point. Alright, don’t kill him. (leans down to
Spike) You know, I kinda like having you watch my back. It’s kinda like
old times. (chuckles)
They both look over at Drusilla, still kissing Giles.
Spike: Uh, Drusilla…
She keeps kissing him.
Angelus: Honey…
Spike: We are finished here, ducks.
She stops and looks back at them sheepishly.
Drusilla: Sorry. (smiles evilly) I was in the moment.
Giles opens his eyes and realizes that he’s been tricked.
Cut to Giles’ apartment. Whistler walks into the kitchen and looks
around. He spots a bottle of sherry and takes a sniff, but then sees
that it’s empty. He puts it back down and keeps looking around. Buffy
comes in and sees him there. He goes over to check out the refrigerator.
Buffy: Whistler. What did you mean, the sword isn’t enough?
Whistler: (finds a bottle of beer) You know, raiding an Englishman’s
fridge is like dating a nun. You’re never gonna get the good stuff.
Buffy: Tell me how to use it.
Whistler: (takes a swig and looks back at Buffy) Angel’s the key.
(closes the fridge) His blood will open the door to Hell. Acathla opens
his big mouth, creates a vortex. Then only Angel’s blood will close it.
One blow will send ’em both back to Hell. But I strongly suggest that
you get there before that happens, ’cause the faster you kill Angel, the
easier it’s gonna be on you.
Buffy: Don’t worry about me.
Whistler: It’s all on the line here, kid.
Buffy: I can deal. (sadly) I got nothing left to lose. (leaves)
Whistler: Wrong, kid. You got one more thing.
~~ Part 4 ~~
Outside Angelus’ mansion. The camera pans along its dark facade. Cut to
the street. Buffy walks toward the mansion at a determined pace with the
sword wrapped in a cloth. Suddenly Xander comes running out of the
bushes on the hillside and jumps into the street in front of her. She
startles and takes a reflexive step back.
Buffy: Xander!
Xander: Cavalry’s here. Cavalry’s a frightened guy with a rock, (holds
up a large rock) but it’s here.

Buffy holds up a stake. He tosses the rock aside and takes it from her.
Xander: That’s better.
Buffy: You’re not here to fight. (starts walking) You get Giles out,
and you run like hell, understood? I can’t protect you. (pulls off and
discards the cloth) I’m gonna be too busy killing.
Xander: (looks at the sword) Now, that’s a new look for you.
Buffy: It’s a present for Angel.
Xander: Willow. (stops) Uh, she told me to tell you…
Buffy: Tell me what?
Xander: (pauses to think) Kick his ass.
Without a word she continues walking. Xander hesitates a moment and then
follows.
Cut inside the main hall of the mansion. Spike in his wheelchair,
Angelus and Drusilla stand at one end near the large fireplace. The
camera pans along the other side behind Acathla and the two other
vampires standing on either side. Angelus begins the ritual.
Angelus: Acathla… Mundatus sum… pro te necavi. Sanguinem meum…
pro te effundam… (steps slowly toward Acathla) quo me dignum… esse
demonstrem.
Translation: Acathla… I am cleansed… here before you. My blood…
flowing before you… (steps slowly toward Acathla) makes me worthy…
as I demonstrate.
Cut to Willow’s hospital room. Cordelia and Oz are back with the Orb and
the candles, and they have everything set up on the tray table over the
bed: the Orb surrounded by the candles within a sacred circle. Cordelia
stands on one side and waves burning herbs and incense over the Orb. Oz
stands on the other side with an open Latin book. Willow sits up in her
bed holding the printout of the Rumanian curse. The camera looks down
from above and closes in on them.
Willow: Are we ready?
Cordelia: Stinky herbs are a go.
Oz: Did I mention I didn’t take Latin?
Willow: Y-you don’t have to understand it. You just have to say it. I
hope.
Oz: Right.
Cut to Angelus’ mansion. The camera pans past Acathla’s face and the
vampire standing next to him.
Angelus: Now, Acathla…
Cut to Angelus. Drusilla hands him a knife.
Angelus: You will be free.
He draws the blade across the palm of his hand and winces in pain, but
doesn’t take his stare off of the demon. He drops the knife.
Angelus: And so will we all.
Cut to the other vampire. The camera pans around him to show Buffy
coming in quietly behind him. She raises her sword and decapitates him

with a single swing. He crumbles to ash as his head falls to the floor.
Drusilla and Angelus turn their heads to look. Buffy meets their gazes.
Buffy: Hello, lover.
Angelus: (bored) I don’t have time for you.
Buffy: You don’t have a lot of time left.
Angelus: Coming on kind of strong, don’t you think? You’re playing some
deep odds here. Do you really think you can take us all on?
Buffy: No. I don’t.
Spike gets up out of his wheelchair behind Angelus with a determined
look on his face and whips him hard across the back with an andiron.
Angelus cries out in pain and collapses to the floor. Drusilla twists
her head to look at Spike. He continues to whale on Angelus as hard as
he can. Buffy starts for Drusilla, but the first vampire attacks her.
She spins around to face him, but he punches her and she falls to the
floor. She trips him when he comes at her again and maneuvers to her
feet, ready to fight. He comes at her again with a series of punches,
all of which she easily blocks. Spike keeps pounding on Angelus.
Spike: Painful, isn’t it?
He keeps swinging the andiron. Drusilla begins to freak, and jumps on
Spike, taking him down to the floor with her. Buffy’s assailant backhand
punches her in the face, and she goes staggering into a chair by the
wall. She quickly recovers to block another swing, brings her knee up
into his gut and kicks him in the face, knocking him to the floor. She
spies a pile of broken wood fragments and goes to it. The vampire gets
to his feet just as Xander comes into the room and surprises him with a
punch. Buffy picks up a suitable piece of scrap wood and gets back into
the fight. Xander backs off to go look for Giles. The vampire ducks a
roundhouse kick and blocks another kick. Spike and Drusilla get up from
the floor and face each other off.
Spike: I don’t want to hurt you, baby.
She grabs him by the throat and shoves him into the wall. He slaps her
arm aside and punches her in the face.
Spike: Doesn’t mean I won’t.
Cut to the hospital room. Willow casts her stones and gives Oz his cue.
Cordelia keeps waving the burning herbs and incense.
Oz: Quod perditum est, invenietur.
Translation: What is lost, return.
Willow: Not dead… nor not of the living. Spirits of the interregnum,
I call.
Cut to the mansion. Xander pushes aside a curtain to another room and
finds Giles still tied to a chair.
Xander: Giles!
Giles’ head is tilted back, and he is very weak.
Xander: Giles!
Giles lifts his head slowly. Xander crouches behind the chair and begins
to untie the ropes.
Giles: Xander?
Xander: Can you walk?

Giles: You’re not real.
Xander: Sure, I’m real.
Giles: It’s a trick. They get inside my head, make me see things I
want.
Xander has untied the ropes and goes around to look into Giles’ face.
Xander: Then why would they make you see me?
Giles: (considers) You’re right. Let’s go.
He groans as Xander gets under his arm and helps him out of the chair.
Xander: Come on.
They make their way though the main hall as fast as they can and out the
door. Buffy and the vampire continue to fight. Drusilla swipes at Spike
with her hand and leaves four parallel scratches across his cheek. She
follows up with a punch that knocks him to the floor. Angelus wakes up
and groans in pain. He rubs his eyes and looks up at Acathla. He gets to
his feet and goes over to the demon. Buffy is still fighting the
vampire. She blocks a kick from him, punches him, spins around and
punches again, and he falls onto his back. Buffy quickly follows him
down with her stake and jams it into his chest. He bursts into ashes.
Behind her Angelus takes the last few steps to Acathla and grabs the
sword stuck in his chest by the hilt with his bloody hand. A blindingly
bright light emanates from it, and Buffy looks up from her kill in time
to witness Angelus pulling the sword from the demon’s heart. With a few
telltale sparks the light is suddenly gone. Angelus whips the sword
around in his hand and holds it up to look at it. Buffy scrambles to get
her own sword. Drusilla looks up from her fight and gazes at Acathla
with a smile.
Drusilla: Oh… Here he comes.
Spike comes up behind her and grabs her around the throat with his arm,
choking her.
Cut to the hospital. Willow continues her chant, but starts to feel
weak.
Willow: Gods, bind him. Cast his heart from the… evil… realm.
Cut to the mansion. Buffy holds up her sword and faces off with Angelus.
He holds his own ready to fight her also.
Angelus: You almost made it, Buff.
Buffy: It’s not over yet.
Angelus: My boy Acathla here is about to wake up. You’re going to Hell.
Buffy: Save me a seat.
She thrusts at him with her sword, but he parries and swings around with
a thrust of his own, which she also parries. They clash blades several
times, and Buffy ducks a wide arcing swing from him. They face off again
and trade one thrust and parry after another. Angelus tries another
arcing swing from above, but she easily ducks and sidesteps out of the
way. They face off again in front of Acathla and trade a few more blows.
Angelus tries a swing from above a third time, and again Buffy ducks it
and escapes to the side. She jumps up on a low table and swings at him
again. He parries, and swings at her legs. She jumps up and over his
blade and lands on the floor. He tries for her legs again, but she
blocks his attempt with her blade. Again they trade several swings, and
Angelus tries a wide swing again, and this time cuts her superficially
on the arm. He tries to take advantage of her distraction and comes at

her with his sword held high, intending to swing from above, but she
drops to the floor and rolls out of the way, so he only manages to smash
a bowl on a table behind her. Buffy kicks his legs out from under him
and scrambles back up. He turns to face her still on his knees and
swings three times in rapid succession, all of which she parries. He
swings a fourth time, and this time Buffy knocks his sword into the
table with her parry and pins it there. He backhand punches her in the
face, and she spins away. He pulls the sword from the table and swings
it hard at her. She blocks it with hers, and kicks him in the gut,
making him double over. She jumps over him into the clear, and raises
her sword to continue the fight. He thrusts, and she parries. Then he
kicks her in her sword arm, and she stumbles back a step.
Cut to the hospital. Willow gets weaker as she chants and breathes
heavily.
Willow: Return. (pants) I call on… (pants)
Oz: (worried) Willow?
Cordelia: (worried) Are you okay?
Without warning Willow’s head snaps back and she looks up with her eyes
wide open. Her head snaps back down and her eyes stare into the Orb. She
begins to chant steadily in Rumanian as though possessed.
Willow: Te implor, Doamne, nu ignora aceasta rugaminte.
Translation: I implore you, Lord, do not ignore this request.
Oz: (to Cordelia) Is this a good thing?
Willow: Nici mort, nici al fiintei…
Translation: Neither dead, nor of the living…
Cordelia: (freaked out) Hey, speak English!
Willow: Lasa orbita sa fie vasul care-i va transporta, sufletul la el.
Translation: Let this Orb be the vessel that will carry his soul to
him.
Cut to Angelus’ mansion. The fight has moved out into the atrium. Buffy
hits the ground and scrambles back to her feet as Angelus slowly
advances. She thrusts, and he parries. She spins around and swings at
him, and he blocks her. Her sword bounces off of his and falls with the
tip onto the low wall of a planting bed. Angelus stomps on the blade
before she can raise it again and knocks it from her grip. He spins
around and elbows her in the face, knocking her back into a stone table,
which collapses and falls with her.
Cut to Acathla. Deep thundering growls and noises come from him as he
begins to wake.
Cut to Spike choking Drusilla. She begins to lose consciousness and
slumps over in his arms.
Spike: Sorry, baby. Wish there was another way.
When she begins to fall he catches her, lifts her into his arms and
starts to carry her out. On the way he passes the doorway to the atrium
and glances outside. When he sees them he stops to take a better look.
Buffy is backing up against the wall without her sword while Angelus
slowly and deliberately advances on her holding his.
Spike: God, he’s gonna kill her.
He watches for another moment, then shrugs and heads for the garage with
Drusilla.

Cut to the atrium. Angelus plays with his sword, idly pointing it at
Buffy. She looks up at him, frightened.
Angelus: Now that’s everything, huh? No weapons… No friends… No
hope.
Buffy closes her eyes and steels herself for whatever’s coming.
Angelus: Take all that away… and what’s left?
He draws the sword back and thrusts it directly at her face. With
lightning-fast reflexes she swings up with both arms and catches the
blade between the palms of her hands. She opens her eyes and meets his.
Buffy: Me.
She shoves the blade away from her, and the hilt of the sword hits
Angelus in the face. He staggers back, and she hops to her feet and
kicks him in the chest. He stumbles back even more, and she reaches down
and picks up her sword. She swings it around and thrusts at him, but he
manages to parry. They exchange several blows, blocking each other.
Buffy spins around and swings her sword down at him from above. He holds
up his own to block, but she hits it hard and he falls to one knee. She
swings again, and he blocks. She spins around with a roundhouse kick to
his side, and he collapses to the ground.
Cut outside the garage. Spike smashes through the door with his car. The
windows are all painted black. He screeches into the street and guns it.
Cut into the car. Drusilla is lying unconscious in the passenger’s seat.
Spike concentrates on the road and whips around a corner. When heading
straight again he looks over at her. He reaches around her neck and
pulls her over to him, and holds her close as he keeps driving with only
one hand on the wheel.
Cut to the mansion. Buffy kicks Angelus, and he comes flying in through
the door, hits the floor and rolls to a stop. Before he can get all the
way back to his feet Buffy leaps in and swings her sword at him. He
almost misses parrying her blow, and he steps back to get his footing.
They exchange a few more swings. Angelus misses a block and gets sliced
on his hand.
Cut to the hospital. The table lurches hard. The camera pans around
Willow and closes in on her face.
Willow: Asa sa fie! Asa sa fie! Acum!
Translation: So it shall be! So it shall be! Now!
Cut to the mansion. Angelus has dropped his sword and holds his cut.
Buffy does a high kick to his face, and he falls backward into Acathla
and lands on his knees before her.
Cut to the hospital.
Willow: Acum!
Translation: Now!
The Orb glows brightly for a brief moment and goes dark. Willow suddenly
relaxes, and looks around blankly.
Cut to the mansion. Buffy raises her sword to dispatch Angelus, but
stays herself when he suddenly gasps loudly and groans in pain. She sees
his eyes glow bright red for an instant and go back dark. He looks up at
her, but quickly collapses to the floor, crying. Buffy stares down at
him, but still holds her sword raised behind her. Angel raises himself
back up, his eyes heavy with tears, and looks into her eyes.
Angel: (softly) Buffy? (sobs) What’s going on?

She just looks at him, confused but not yet ready to lower the sword. He
looks around a bit and gets to his feet.
Angel: Where are we? I-I don’t remember.
Finally Buffy realizes that the curse has worked, and she slowly lowers
her sword.
Buffy: (softly) Angel?
Angel: (sees her wound) You’re hurt.
She looks down at her wound and feels his gentle touch on her arm. She
ignores her cut, looks back up at him and steps closer. He embraces her
tightly.
Angel: Oh, Buffy… God.
She still isn’t completely sure that it’s true, but accepts the hug.
Angel: I… I feel like I haven’t seen you in months.
Finally she accepts it, closes her eyes and breathes out a deep sigh.
Angel: Oh, my God, everything’s so muddled. I…
He holds her even more closely.
Angel: Oh…
He sighs deeply and kisses her on the shoulder.
Angel: Oh, Buffy…
She cries into his shoulder and hugs him back. Behind him Acathla lets
out a low rumble. Buffy opens her eyes and stares in shock as Acathla’s
face contorts. His brows angle down, his eyes glow red, his mouth opens
grotesquely and the swirling vortex to Hell opens, small at first, but
growing steadily in size and emanating a deep, red glow. Buffy lets go
of Angel and looks up into his face.
Angel: (confused) What’s happening?
Buffy: (whispers reassuringly) Shh. Don’t worry about it.
She brushes her fingers over his lips and across his cheek. She lays her
hand on his cheek and kisses him softly. He returns the kiss, and it
becomes more passionate. Behind them the vortex has grown to about five
feet (1.5 m) across and continues to get larger. Buffy breaks off the
kiss and looks deeply into Angel’s eyes.
Buffy: (whispers) I love you.
Angel: (whispers) I love you.
She touches his lips with her fingers again.
Buffy: Close your eyes.
She nods reassuringly, and he closes his eyes. She tries hard not to
start crying, and kisses him again gently. She steps back, draws back
her sword and thrusts it into his chest. His eyes whip open in surprise
and pain, and a bright light emanates from the sword. She steps away
from him. He reaches out to her and looks down at the sword thrust
completely through him. He looks at her imploringly, completely
bewildered by this turn of events. She can only stare at the sword
protruding from his chest, and slowly steps further back.
Angel: Buffy…

Behind him the power of the sword begins to swirl into the vortex. Buffy
steps further back, still looking only at the sword in his chest and not
into his face. The vortex has enlarged to about twelve feet (3.5 m)
across, and the two energies begin to interact. Angel still holds out
his hand to Buffy. When the vortex finally meets him it suddenly closes
into Acathla’s mouth without so much as a spark, taking him with it.
Buffy stares at the stone demon for a long moment, a light of awareness
dawning in her eyes as she truly realizes what she has done, what she
has lost. She begins to sob, her heart breaking. In the background “Full
of Grace”, by Sarah McLachlan, begins to play over the scene.
Lyrics: The winter here is cold…
Dissolve to Buffy’s street. She walks across it toward her house.
Lyrics: …and bitter / It’s chilled us to the bone / We haven’t seen
the sun for weeks / Too long, too far from home
She looks at the neighboring houses, then back at hers. Cut into the
house. Joyce climbs the steps and looks down the hall at Buffy’s door.
Lyrics: I feel just like I’m sinking
Joyce: Buffy?
Lyrics: And I claw for solid ground
She walks to Buffy’s room and looks in. The windows are open, and some
of her daughter’s things are strewn on the bed. She steps in and looks
around.
Lyrics: I’m pulled down by the undertow
She sees a note on the bed among a bunch of clothes.
Lyrics: I never thought I could feel so low
She picks up the note and reads.
Lyrics: And, oh, darkness / I feel like letting go
She begins to cry as she reads and sits down on the bed.
Lyrics: If all of the strength and all of the courage / Come and lift
me from this place
Cut to Sunnydale High School. Xander and Giles walk up to Oz pushing
Willow in a wheelchair with Cordelia at their side. Giles’ walk is a bit
unsteady.
Lyrics: I know I can love you much better than this / Full of grace
Giles: Willow, are you sure you should be out of bed?
Willow: Look who’s talking.
Giles: (smiles) Yes.
Cordelia: Any word?
Xander: You guys haven’t seen her either?
Willow: No.
Oz: But we know the world didn’t end, ’cause… (looks around) check it
out.
Giles: (takes off his glasses and squints) Well, we, uh… we went back
to the mansion. I-it was empty, um… and Acathla was, was… dormant.

Willow: I think the spell worked. I felt something go through me.
Cordelia: Plus the Orb did that cool glow thing.
Xander: Well, maybe it wasn’t in time. Maybe she had to kill him before
the cure could work.
Oz: Well, then, she’d wanna be alone, I guess.
Willow: Or maybe Angel was saved, and they want to be alone together.
Giles: Perhaps.
Cordelia: Well, she’s gotta show up sooner or later. We still have
school.
Willow: Yeah. (looks around for her) She’ll be here in a while.
Lyrics: Where everything we said and did / Hurts us all the more
They all turn and head into the school.
Lyrics: It’s just that we stayed too long / In the same old sickly skin
Cut to Buffy looking at the school from behind a tree. She watches them
as they go in.
Lyrics: I’m pulled down by the undertow / I never thought I could feel
so low
The camera pans around her to her face, looking sadly at the school. A
light breeze sweeps her hair back.
Lyrics: And, oh, darkness / I feel like letting go
She turns around and walks away down the street without looking back.
Lyrics: If all of the strength and all of the courage / Come and lift
me from this place
Dissolve to the inside of a bus. Buffy’s reflection is visible in the
window as it drives by her house.
Lyrics: I know I can love you much better than this / Full of grace
Buffy looks out the window calmly as the bus drives on.
Cut to a two-lane road leading out of town. The bus passes under the
camera on its way.
Lyrics: I know I can love you much better than this
The camera pans down to a sign that reads:
NOW LEAVING SUNNYDALE
come back soon!
Lyrics: It’s better this way