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Episode Summary
Colonel MacNamara talks about Riley’s defection with an unidentified military or government official over a live video link. To the Colonel’s surprise, the man in the video monitor wants to get Riley back, and Buffy may be the key.
Meanwhile, Spike warns Adam about the threat that the Slayer brings, but Adam only welcomes the challenge as part of his ‘plan.’ He convinces Spike to distract Buffy’s friends so that Buffy will have to fight alone when his plan comes to its fruition.
Spike happily agrees. After a physically and emotionally exhausting trip to LA, Buffy returns to her dorm room to find it empty. Meanwhile, Xander visits Riley at the burned out remains of Sunnydale High to drop off some clothes and offer some human companionship.
In true Xander form, he inadvertently lets Riley know the facts behind Angel’s curse, and the fact that Angel and Buffy had sex to set the curse off. Riley doesn’t take the news well, despite Xander’s attempts to comfort him.
Back at his house, Giles is deep into a solo rendition of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird” when Spike suddenly announces his presence. Spike offers to steal files with information about Adam from the Initiative in exchange for amnesty from the stake and a large amount of cash.
Giles agrees to the offer, but Spike will only take the word of the Slayer, not a retired librarian who is no longer a respected authority figure. As Spike leaves, Giles lets Spike’s words sink in and wallows in feelings of inadequacy.
Tara and Willow discuss future class schedules and living arrangements in Tara’s dorm room. As Willow decides on taking a chance on Drama class, Tara asks Willow where she plans on living next year. Willow expresses her doubts about living with Buffy the following year.
The next morning, Riley shows up at Buffy’s door in Xander’s clothes. The two share an uncomfortable moment when Riley inquires about Buffy’s trip to LA. When Riley figures out that Buffy is not ready to talk about it with him, he leaves abruptly.
Meanwhile, Xander and Anya bring Spike some supplies to help him break into the Initiative. Spike uses some fake rumors about joining the Army to get into Xander’s head, and before long, Spike has Xander believing that his friends think of him as a useless member of the group.
On patrol later in the day, Buffy runs into Forrest outside the mouth of a cave. The two reluctantly agree to patrol the cave together after Forrest expresses his dislike for Buffy.
Just as Forrest accuses Buffy of ruining Riley’s military career and Buffy learns that she may have been Riley’s first serious Girlfriend, Adam interrupts their growing squabble. Adam quickly proves to be too much for both of them, and kills Forrest when he tries to fight back.
Realizing she is outmatched, Buffy runs out of the cave, but falls in her haste and knocks herself unconscious on some rocks outside the cave. Later that night, Spike delivers the ‘stolen’ disks to Giles’ house.
He gives the disks to Willow to encode and demands his money from Giles, who is well into a drinking binge after Spike’s last pep talk. Spike immediately moves in on Willow, telling her that Buffy and Xander have been talking about her and Tara’s relationship as a just a phase in Willow’s “trendy” behavior.
Willow is noticeably distracted from her work decoding the encrypted disk, and begins to doubt her friends’ loyalty and honesty. Back at the Initiative, Colonel MacNamara and another officer discuss the overcrowded state of the Initiative’s holding cells when an emergency call for help comes over the radio.
Riley intercepts the mayday call on his radio and goes to the scene to help the endangered soldiers, only to find that Angel is the culprit. The two engage in an acrobatic fight when Angel expresses his intent to see Buffy, but both fugitives must flee the scene when backup from the Initiative finally arrives.
When a bruised and beaten Buffy returns to her dorm room, she receives an unexpected visitor in Angel. Before Angel can explain the purpose of his visit, Riley bursts into the room wielding a pistol.
As Buffy tries to make sense of the situation, Angel and Riley exchange childish quips and blows until Buffy shoves them apart, threatening to put them both in the hospital if they continue bickering.
She and Angel step out into the hall and Angel explains that he came to Sunnydale to apologize for leaving things on such a bad note in LA. After a moment of mutual understanding that their lives have naturally separated, Angel leaves, but not before expressing his disapproval of Riley.
Amused, Buffy returns to a distraught and confused Riley. Spike returns to Adam’s lair, drunk in his apparent success of breaking up the Scooby Gang. When Adam questions the level of Spike’s success, Spike makes the analogy of the “Yoko factor.”
He explains that everyone blamed Yoko Ono for breaking up The Beatles, when in actuality, they just naturally grew apart, just as the Scooby Gang is.
Feeling that he has fulfilled his part of the agreement, Spike asks for the chip to be removed from his head, but Adam has one more thing in mind for Spike.
Back in Buffy’s room, Buffy tries to explain the purpose of Angel’s visit and Riley expresses his true love to Buffy, regardless of her past with Angel. After reaching an understanding, Buffy tells Riley about Forrest’s death at the hands of Adam.
Back at Giles’ house, Spike’s plan starts to take effect. As Willow, Tara, Giles, Xander, Anya and Buffy try to figure out how to face Adam, everyone’s insecurities and suspicions about the rest of the group begin to surface.
Minor accusations and old fears turn into a huge venting session, and Buffy eventually storms out of the room claiming that she doesn’t need her friends anymore.
Spike’s plan is successful – the Scooby Gang has broken up. Back at Adam’s lair, Adam receives a welcome visitor who he has been expecting: Riley.
Shooting Scripts
Teaser
INT. COLONEL MCNAMARA’S QUARTERS – DAY
Colonel McNamara is in the middle of delivering a report via vidscreen hookup to a bunch of
government agency types in suits. The spokesman for the group, MR. WARD, is quizzing the colonel.
WARD
And the men?
COLONEL McNAMARA
These are exceptional boys. Their
capture ratio just keeps
increasing, they’re keeping it
together. Morale’s a problem…
The death of Professor Walsh, the
escape of the prototype…
Controlling the HST’s is getting
harder — we have serious
overcrowding in the containment areas.
WARD
Quite a mess.
COLONEL McNAMARA
Not my mess, sir. I’m just
holding the fort ’til you figure
out what you wanna do with the place.
WARD
Well, that’s the purpose of these
evaluations. And we appreciate
your good work in this crisis period.
(a dig)
The incident with Finn was unfortunate…
COLONEL McNAMARA
Fell in with the bad crowd. Quite
frankly, I don’t think he was ever
the soldier you all hoped he was.
Boy thinks too much.
WARD
Never the less, we want him back.
The government has invested a
substantial —
COLONEL McNAMARA
We’ll catch up with him. My
feeling is that he won’t stray
too far from the girl.
WARD
Yes, Buffy Summers. Our databanks
don’t have very much on her.
COLONEL McNAMARA
She’s just a girl.
WARD
This would the ‘girl’ who broke
into the complex, liberated Finn
and an HST, and walked you out of
the place at gunpoint?
(checks his file)
Oh no. I’m wrong. Crossbow-point.
COLONEL McNAMARA
You want me to bring her in, I’d be —
WARD
No. Any action against her would
send Finn over the edge. We’re
still hoping he’ll come —
COLONEL McNAMARA
He’s a deserter.
WARD
He’s a resource. And I doubt very
much he’s going to present a real
danger to the Initiative just
because he’s gone swoony for some
young radical. She is, as you
say, just a girl.
INT. ADAM’S LAIR – DAY
Spike walks around Adam, gesturing. Adam stands stock-still, inserting disk after disk into his zip
drive and watching the vampire pace back and forth.
SPIKE
She’s a lot more than that. The
Slayer’s dangerous, is all I’m saying.
ADAM
Yes, she makes things interesting.
SPIKE
No, see, you’re not getting it,
Mr. Bits. You’re gonna be
interestingly dead. Little Miss
Tiny’s got a habit of bolixing up
the plans of every would-be
unstoppable badass who steps foot
in this town.
ADAM
Then we must ascertain the nature
of this variable.
SPIKE
Yeah, well, I was told there
wouldn’t be any math.
(then)
Just wanted you to know, when the
Big Ugly goes down, Slayer’s gonna
be right in the thick of it. You
ready for that?
Adam turns to look at Spike, a small smile on his lips.
ADAM
I’m counting on it.
BLACK OUT.
END OF TEASER
Act One
INT. ADAM’S LAIR – DAY
Picking up where we left off. A MATCH flares and Spike lights a cigarette. As Adam now moves
through the space.
ADAM
Two slayers…
SPIKE
That’s right.
ADAM
And you killed them both…
SPIKE
Yeah. Well, not at the same time,
but, yeah, I killed the hell out of ’em.
Adam stops and studies Spike.
ADAM
Yet you fear this one.
SPIKE
(bristling)
Watch it, mate. I don’t fear
anything. I just know my enemies.
ADAM
Do you? Then why haven’t you
killed this slayer yet?
SPIKE
Because…
(searching)
Stinking rotten luck is why.
(then)
On top of that now I got this
buggering chip in my head.
ADAM
Yes. Your behavior modification
circuitry. I know what you feel…
SPIKE
(scoffing)
Not likely.
ADAM
You feel smothered. Trapped like
an animal, pure in its ferocity,
unable to actualize the urges
within… Clinging to one truth
like a flame struggling to burn
within an enclosed glass… That
a beast this powerful cannot be
contained. Inevitably it will
break free and savage the land
again… I will make you whole
again. Make you savage.
Spike stares at Adam for a beat, genuinely mesmerized.
SPIKE
Wow. I mean, yeah. I get why the
demons all fall in line with you.
You’re like Tony Robbins is he was
a big, scary Frankenstein-looking…
You’re exactly like Tony Robbins.
ADAM
I will restore you to what you once were…
Spike arches an eyebrow at the notion.
ADAM
When I have the Slayer how and
where I want her.
SPIKE
(sigh)
Easier said. She’s crafty.
She and her little friends.
ADAM
Friends…
SPIKE
Yeah. There’s your… whatcha
call it – variable. This slayer’s
got pals. You want her evening
the odds in a scrape, you don’t
want her slayerettes mucking about.
ADAM
Take them away from her.
SPIKE
Yeah, that’s a plan. She’s
working solo, she won’t have a
chance to come after us when the
wild rumpus begins. Plus it’ll
make her miserable, and I never
get tired of that.
Spike thinks, plans.
SPIKE
Oh yeah. Leave them to me.
ADAM
You can’t hurt them. What can you
do to make sure they’re out of the picture?
SPIKE
Not a blessed thing.
They’re gonna do it for me.
INT. BUFFY AND WILLOW’S DORM ROOM – NIGHT
Buffy’s room. Night. Buffy enters, looking worn and weary from her trip to L.A. She flips on the light.
Sees Willow’s still-made bed. Sighs. Sets down her bag, goes to her own bed, lies down. Eyes wide
open.
RILEY (O.S.)
You know if she’s back yet?
INT. BURNT-OUT SCHOOL – NIGHT
Riley sits in his makeshift home in the Sunnydale High ruins. Xander arrives with a knapsack.
XANDER
L.A. woman?
(shakes his head)
Haven’t heard from her. She’ll
probably come here first thing,
though. And… who’s your buddy?
He tosses Riley the knapsack. Riley catches it.
XANDER
So you don’t have to be G.I. Joe
while your civvies are gettin’ washed…
Riley pulls a pair of hideous multi-colored weight lifter pants from the knapsack.
XANDER
Try those on,
you’ll feel like a new man.
Riley nods, hiding his opinion of the pants.
RILEY
Would this man have a bright red
nose and big floppy feet?
Off Xander’s look:
RILEY
Sorry, that’s the cabin fever
talking. I’m grateful. Really.
XANDER
Okay. So, how you holding up otherwise?
RILEY
I’ve been trained to survive
harsher conditions. All I really
need’s a sharpened stick, half a
canteen of water and…
(sighs)
… Room service and Spectravision.
Don’t love doing the survival bit.
XANDER
But, as post-Apocalypse splendor goes…
RILEY
I’ve done wonders with the place.
Still. The sooner Buffy’s back,
the better I’ll feel.
XANDER
You and me both, big guy.
RILEY
I take it you’re not an Angel fan, either.
XANDER
It’s not like I hate the guy.
Just, you know, the guts part of him.
RILEY
Can’t blame you. But, to be fair:
It’s not him you hate, it’s the curse.
Xander looks away.
RILEY
Right?
XANDER
What did Buffy tell you?
RILEY
About Angel? Everything. More
than I wanted to know, sometimes.
She loved him. He turned evil.
He killed people. She cured him.
He left.
XANDER
“And they all lived happily ever
after.” Did she happen to mention
what turned him evil?
RILEY
He was cursed. Some kind of gypsy
thing. And then… I dunno.
Hundred years passed or the moon
hit a certain phase or…
XANDER
One moment’s happiness.
RILEY
What about it?
XANDER
It’s his trigger. Angel’s an okay
guy – so long as he’s mopey and
sad and brooding. But give him
even one second of pure, real pleasure…
RILEY
And that sets him off.
XANDER
Only in a big old kill-your-
friends kind of way. And you know
what makes Angel happiest? Give
you a hint: it’s not crème brulee.
RILEY
Buffy.
Xander nods.
RILEY
Sex. With Buffy.
XANDER
Hate to be the one to tell ya.
RILEY
(numb)
Yeah, me too.
(beat)
Well, that explains a lot of
things I wish weren’t explained.
XANDER
Hey, but that’s ancient history, buddy.
RILEY
And she went running to L.A. to
bone up on her history.
XANDER
No, I’m sure it’s boneless. She
just needs to make sure that
everything’s okay. She’s probably
back already.
RILEY
Maybe.
XANDER
You’ll feel better when you see her.
Riley just looks off into space, ignoring Xander.
RILEY
Guess we’ll see.
INT. GILES’ APARTMENT – NIGHT
Giles is alone in his apartment, quietly, soulfully playing the guitar. Lynrd Skynrd’s “Freebird.”
GILES
(singing)
…if I leave here tomorrow,
would you still remember me…
For I must be travellin’ on now,
‘Cause there’s too many places I’ve
got to see… but if I stayed
here with you girl, thing’s just
wouldn’t be the same… ’cause
I’m as free as a bird na-a-
aaAAHHH!!!
He recoils as if from a snake. Reverse angle reveals SPIKE standing there, looking on curiously.
SPIKE
I think it was my childlike
conviction that you couldn’t get
more pathetic that makes this so
depressing.
GILES
(grimacing)
Please, come in.
Spike heads for the fridge. Giles follows.
SPIKE
You know, for someone who’s got
“Watcher” on his resume, you might
want to cast an eye to the front
door every now and again. Never
know who’ll barge in.
Spike sticks his head in the fridge, rummaging, pushing aside a couple of items …
GILES
What do you want?
Spike finds, pulls out one last stray blood packet.
SPIKE
Ah. Knew I left one. Buffy around?
GILES
Why?
Spike tosses the blood pack in the microwave. Presses the power button. Drums his fingers while he
waits.
SPIKE
Need to speak with the lady of the
house. Be a pet and give her a
message for me, would you? Tell
her I just might have something
she just might want.
GILES
And what would this something be?
SPIKE
Information – highly classified.
Not cheap word-on-the street
prattle, either. I’m talking
about the good stuff now.
Giles folds his arms, glaring:
GILES
Thrill me.
SPIKE
It’s nothing I know. What, you
think I’d come running over,
saying “I’ve got a secret,
beat me ’til I talk?”
(shakes his head)
There’s files. In the Initiative,
I’m pretty sure I know where.
Ding! The microwave goes off.
GILES
Files.
Spike busies himself selecting a mug.
SPIKE
Yeah. Secrets. Mission
statements, design schematics…
All of Maggie Walsh’s dirty
laundry, which I guess would
include lots of tidbits about —
GILES
Adam.
SPIKE
Well, yeah. Say someone was to
risk his life and limb — well,
limb, anyway — to obtain said
files, might be worth a little
something…
GILES
At this point, a cynical person
would think you were offering just
what we need when we need it most.
SPIKE
That person’d be right, Rupert.
Supply and demand. You’ve got a
beastie to kill, I need the dosh.
And it won’t be cheap this time.
Spike drains the mug of blood in one long gulp, starts to leave. Giles closes the door on him, blocking
his exit.
GILES
What do you want?
SPIKE
Year’s supply of blood, guaranteed
protection, merry bushels of cash
and – most important – a guarantee
that I’m not to be in any way slain.
GILES
Done.
SPIKE
With a smile and a nod from you?
Sorry – not close to good enough.
This deal’s with the Slayer.
GILES
I’ll tell her.
SPIKE
Oh, you’ll tell her. Great
comfort, that. What makes you
think she’ll listen to you?
GILES
Because.
There should be more, but Giles can’t think of it.
SPIKE
Very convincing.
GILES
I am her Watcher.
SPIKE
Think you’re neglecting the past
tense there, Rupert. Besides, she
barely listened when you were in
charge. I’ve seen the way she treats you.
Giles tries acting brave, but Spike’s struck a chord. Giles nonchalantly uncorks some twelve year-old
scotch, pours himself a neat glass.
GILES
Yes? A-and how’s that?
SPIKE
Very much like a retired
librarian. Look. I’ve got what
she wants – long as she has what
I want. Pass the word. She knows
where to find me.
Spike exits. Giles regards his drink.
GILES
I’ll think about it.
He takes a sip.
INT. TARA’S DORM ROOM – NIGHT
We pan down from the lights stringing across Tara’s room walls to find Tara studying next semester’s
course catalog while Willow plays with a KITTEN.
WILLOW
I keep thinking, okay, that’s the
cutest thing ever, and then she
does something cuter and
completely resets the whole scale.
TARA
Did you see her yawn earlier?
WILLOW
Yes! I thought I was going to die.
(to kitten)
I love you, Miss Kitty Fantastico.
TARA
We’ve got to get her a real name.
WILLOW
It’s so cool she’s all ours–
yours. That she’s yours is cool.
TARA
She can be ours if you want.
Willow looks at Tara, moved. A little embarrassed by all the emotion, Tara turns her attention back to
the course catalog.
TARA
You still need an elective. How
about sophomore level psych?
WILLOW
Oh. Kind of psyched-out after
Professor Walsh. Maybe something
fun like drama. I could be dramatic.
(to kitten)
You cannot have more catnip! You
have a catnip problem.
Tara beams.
TARA
Definitely drama.
WILLOW
I haven’t even dealt with the
housing forms yet. Have you done
anything? I hear there’s some off-
campus places that are way cool
for, you know, a group to go in on.
TARA
Oh. I figured you’d be dorming it
up with Buffy again.
WILLOW
We haven’t really talked about it.
I used to just assume we’d be
roomies through grad school and
into little old ladyhood — you
know, cheating at Bingo together
and forgetting to take our pills.
TARA
But…
WILLOW
(shrugs)
But, I don’t know. It hardly
feels like we’re roommates now.
She’s all busy with Riley, and I’m
gone a lot too. And when we are
there together, it’s just Slayer
business talk and feeding Amy the
rat. I guess I should ask her…
Willow pets Miss Kitty Fantastico and looks a little worried.
INT. BUFFY AND WILLOW’S DORM ROOM – DAY
There’s a knock on Buffy’s door. Buffy opens it – to find Riley standing there. She’s a little taken
aback.
BUFFY
Riley. Hi.
RILEY
Hi. I got a little tired of
sitting around waiting, so…
BUFFY
… You joined the circus?
Cut back to show Riley is dressed in the brightly-colored pants Xander left him earlier.
RILEY
(entering)
Xander took my clothes to clean
’em. Left me these. Does he hate
me in some way I don’t know about
yet? I think I would’ve attracted
less attention in my uniform.
Buffy shuts the door behind him. A beat.
BUFFY
Is it okay for you to be here?
RILEY
You tell me.
BUFFY
I mean, with a whole government
branch hunting you down and all.
RILEY
I’m good.
He reaches around to the small of his back and pulls out a walkie-talkie.
RILEY
Took me awhile, but I patched into
their frequency. Can’t sneak up
on a guy if he’s listening in.
BUFFY
You’re the trickiest.
RILEY
Why they hired me.
Beat. Buffy turns away, adjusts some papers, needlessly.
RILEY
Are you okay?
BUFFY
Yeah. I’m fine, it’s just …
Angel kind of upset me.
RILEY
How?
BUFFY
It’s not that interesting.
RILEY
Got my attention.
BUFFY
He spun my head a little.
I assure you: not of the big.
RILEY
You don’t want to talk about it.
BUFFY
Deconstructing Angel really can
wait. I want to get out there and
patrol. Find Adam. Talk about it later?
RILEY
It’s the pants, isn’t it? It’s
okay. I couldn’t take me
seriously in these things either.
BUFFY
Riley, it’s not that big of a deal.
RILEY
Tell you what, why don’t I get out
of your face. You had a long trip.
BUFFY
You don’t have to go.
RILEY
It’s okay. Besides…
(re: pants)
I gotta re-charge them every two
hours or they go dead on me.
BUFFY
Okay, then… see ya.
He gives her a smile and lets himself out.
INT. BUFFY’S DORM HALLWAY – DAY
Riley steps out of Buffy’s room into the hallway. His smile evaporates. He looks hurt and pissed.
Leaves.
INT. CRYPT – DAY
Xander hands Spike a khaki bundle of clothing. Anya sits down on the crypt slab behind them,
drinking a milk shake, looking colossally bored.
XANDER
Here. You shoulda just kept the
ensemble from the last time
sneaking into the Initiative. I’m
not a clothing delivery service.
ANYA
(to Spike)
Well he is, kind of.
He did Riley yesterday.
Spike discovers something in the middle of the clothing bundle: a small but deadly-looking gun.
SPIKE
Oh, hello. This is just… swell.
He points it around, posing a bit.
SPIKE
Gotta say, liking this quite a
lot. Kind of changes the balance
of pow-ARRR!
He has come around and pointed it at Xander and immediately staggers with pain, clutching his
head.
SPIKE
Come on, you’ve got to be kidding!
ANYA
Wow. The chip in your head means
you can’t even point a gun. How humiliating.
XANDER
Gun doesn’t work anyway. It’s a fake.
ANYA
Can’t even point a decorative gun.
XANDER
Give it up for American chipmanship.
SPIKE
It doesn’t work? What about self
defense? I’m taking a risk here,
you know. These Initiative prats
aren’t keen on letting a fellow
pop in and have a bit of a rummage-
around. Not twice, anyway.
XANDER
Can I tell you how much I really don’t care?
SIPKE
Attitude. We’ll see how far that
takes you at boot camp. Hey,
s’pose you’ll get a tough-as-nails
drill sergeant who’s only hard on
the men ’cause he’s trying to keep
’em alive when the bullets start
flying? I love that stuff.
XANDER
Boot camp? Yeah, like I’d go there.
SPIKE
Oh, you changed your mind?
Not gonna join?
Anya jumps up, goes to Xander. Smacks him on the arm.
ANYA
You’re joining the army?!
XANDER
(to Anya)
Okay, one: ow. Two.
(to Spike)
Where’d you get that idea? And three:
(to Anya)
Ow! I am not joining the army.
Anya sits back down.
ANYA
Well, good. Stopped that nonsense just in time.
XANDER
I was never–
(to Spike)
Who told you this?
SPIKE
Your little girlie-mates were
talking… something about being
“all you can be” or “all you can
be.” Having a laugh… I figured
you were signing up. Say, you got
anything larger in the toy gun line?
XANDER
All I can… can you believe that?
Like I’m some useless lunk. It
happens that I’m good at lots of
things! I help with all kinds
of… stuff… I have… skills,
and strategems, I’m very…
(to Anya)
Help me out.
ANYA
(helpful, to Spike)
He’s a viking in the sack.
SPIKE
(barely listening)
T’rific.
(examining clothes)
You didn’t have these cleaned
after the last time, did you?
XANDER
(to Anya)
This is so like them lately. It’s
all about them and the college
life. You know what college is?
It’s high school without the
actual going to class. Well, high
school was sort of like that too
but the point is, I’m the one
working hard to earn a living and
it’s a huge joke to them.
(mocking)
“Xander got fired from Starbucks.”
“Xander got fired from the phone
sex place…”
ANYA
They look down on you.
XANDER
(agreeing)
And they hate you…
ANYA
But they don’t look down on me.
SPIKE
It was just a laugh. Don’t have
to go insane over it.
XANDER
Is anybody talking to you?
SPIKE
Sir, no, Sir.
Spike smiles, Xander glares.
EXT. CAVE – DAY
Buffy appears, searching. She comes upon a cave entrance. Draws a blaster. Takes a step forward.
Hears a twig snap. She whirls, comes face to face with… FORREST.
FORREST
Don’t shoot.
Buffy hesitates a long moment before putting the blaster down.
BUFFY
Give me a reason not to.
FORREST
You killing humans, now?
BUFFY
Not yet. Beating you senseless
should do just fine.
FORREST
I could have a patrol here in
under a minute – So here’s a plan:
you go your way, and I’ll go mine.
A tense beat as she considers. Then Buffy steps toward the cave. Forrest does too. Both stop to glare
at one another.
BUFFY
I’m checking out that cave.
FORREST
My orders exactly.
BUFFY
Alone?
FORREST
We’re spread a little thin right
now, so yeah. Family’s tearing apart-
BUFFY
Family? Last time I dropped by
you put a gun to my head. What
kind of family are you guys?
The Corleones?
They enter the cave.
INT. CAVE – DAY
Proceed, Forrest growing more angry, frustrated.
FORREST
Weren’t until you showed up.
BUFFY
What, no girls in the club?
FORREST
You think you’re the first
girlfriend Riley’s ever had?
There’s one big head on that skinny
little body — no, you’re just the
first one ever got him to commit
treason. Riley had a career. He
had a future ’til he met you and
yeah, I got a problem with that.
BUFFY
A future? A future doing what?
Illegal experiments? Torture?
Murder? I guess killing someone
isn’t a problem for you.
FORREST
Less and less. Now why don’t you
get the hell out of here before I —
Forrest grabs her shoulder – pissing her off. She shakes him off, interrupting his threat.
BUFFY
Touch me again you’ll find out
what Slayer-strength is like.
FORREST
Think it’s about time you showed me, then.
They both hear a voice.
ADAM
Yes.
They turn to see the cave entrance is blocked – by ADAM.
ADAM
I think that would be interesting.
BLACK OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
Act Two
INT. CAVE – DAY
Right where we left off. Adam stands looming over Buffy and Forrest. All three frozen, poised before
the action starts. The peace doesn’t last.
Adam prepares to skewer Forrest.
Buffy leaps across the cave and grabs Adam’s skewering arm just as the blade juts out, throwing off
his aim. Buffy and Adam square off. Without looking back, Buffy grabs Forrest by the shirt, bunching
it up in her fist and shoves him back hard, toward the entrance of the cave.
BUFFY
Get out of here.
FORREST
Not moving.
Buffy strikes at Adam with all she’s got. He doesn’t move. He knocks her back.
BUFFY
(to Forrest)
GO!
Adam turns to see Forrest aiming the blaster right at him. The sight is interesting to him. Forrest
FIRES – at point blank range. Electric energy courses through Adam’s entire frame, rippling blue
shock waves around his body, making his whole form violently VIBRATE. Buffy watches from the
ground. Finally it stops – the last ray of energy wriggles into Adam’s chest plate – energy absorbed.
Adam rights himself.
Buffy runs toward Adam.
ADAM
Thank you.
With one lightning-fast thrust, Adam IMPALES Forrest.
Buffy rushes Adam.
Adam throws the dead body of Forrest onto Buffy.
Buffy hits the ground, momentarily pinned by the dead weight – face to face with dead Forrest.
Adam picks up Forrest’s dropped blaster.
Buffy throws Forrest’s body off her, sees:
Adam aiming right at her – opening fire. He hits her, sends her into the wall.
Buffy runs, blaster fire scattering around her.
She runs from the cave.
EXT. CAVE – DAY
Buffy runs. Hits the ground. Gets up, now limping, running, off into the woods.
EXT. WOODS – DAY
Buffy runs, then staggers to relative safety. A small trickle of blood splattered on her forehead. She
looks back to see if Adam’s following behind her. She keeps going, barely conscious. She trips,
tumbling down a small embankment, and WACK – hits her head on a stone. She is out cold. We hold
on her unconscious face.
EXT. GILES’ COURTYARD – NIGHT
Spike walks up to Giles’ door, dressed in his Initiative outfit. Finishing a cigarette, he takes his time
sucking in one last drag. Tosses the butt away. Then, like an actor preparing to go onstage, takes a
big deep breath, “rehearsing,” and bursts in –
INT. GILES’ APARTMENT – NIGHT
Spike enters, out of fake breath. Shuts the door behind him, looks out the window.
SPIKE
Think I lost the buggers.
Willow is there with Tara. She approaches Spike as Giles looks on, pouring himself another drink. The
discerning eye might notice that Giles is a little tipsy.
WILLOW
Any luck with the disk?
Spike pulls about four of them out of his jacket, fumbles them to Will.
SPIKE
Took what they had. Should be
something useful on one of ’em.
WILLOW
Hope so…
She moves to the computer, Tara at her side.
TARA
What are we looking for?
WILLOW
Anything about Adam.
GILES
(to Spike)
No problems getting in and out?
SPIKE
No. I mean, a couple of ’em made
me on the way out, but I took care of them.
GILES
Gave them a good running-away-
from, did you?
SPIKE
Well, yeah. When do I get paid?
GILES
When Willow tells me you’ve
brought us something useful.
Spike glances over at Willow and Tara, sees Tara absently run her hand up the back of Willow’s hair
as they study the screen.
Spike gets an idea. Says to Giles, aside:
SPIKE
I coulda gone straight to the
slayer, you know. I cut you in,
let you pretend you’re actually in
charge. Now you gotta wait for
Red’s permission to finish the deal?
Giles tries not to show how the dig affects him. Replies, icily:
GILES
As soon as we see what’s on the discs —
TARA
It looks like gibberish.
SPIKE
(moving to them)
Gibberish?
TARA
Or possibly gobbledygook.
It’s not words, anyway…
WILLOW
They’re encrypted.
GILES
Wonderful.
He retires to the room down the hall as Spike peers at the computer screen. Sure enough, a
seemingly random pattern of numbers and letters shows on the screen. Spike wasn’t actually
expecting this himself.
SPIKE
Well, why did… can you fix them?
WILLOW
Crack a government encryption code
on my laptop? Easy as really
difficult pie.
SPIKE
You’re not exactly the whiz these
days either. God, I’m never
getting paid.
WILLOW
I am a whiz!
TARA
She is a whiz.
WILLOW
(grumbly)
If ever a whiz there was… I
just need some time.
SPIKE
No, I just heard you weren’t…
your mates said you weren’t
playing with computers so much.
Into the new thing.
WILLOW
What new thing?
SPIKE
You know: you two, the whole…
wicca thing.
WILLOW
They were talking about that?
SPIKE
Can we get back to business here?
I got a deal at stake.
WILLOW
What’d they say?
SPIKE
Talking about, you know, it’s a
phase, you’ll get over it.
WILLOW
What? Who said that?
TARA
Maybe we should focus on the
gobbledygook…
WILLOW
Was it Buffy?
(to Tara)
‘Cause you know what she
means by that…
SPIKE
She was defending you. ‘Cause
Xander said you were just being trendy.
WILLOW
Trendy?
SPIKE
I didn’t see why they were going
on. Person wants to be a witch,
that’s their business.
WILLOW
I knew Buffy was freaked.
TARA
You should talk to her,
’cause I’m sure…
SPIKE
Pressing business, ladies. Let’s
not get sidetracked. Still got
your monsters to fight.
He smiles to himself, satisfied at his work, as Willow gloweringly turns her attention to the computer.
INT. INITIATIVE – NIGHT
A DEMON smashes himself right into the front of his plexiglass Initiative cell. Setting off electric
sparks. McNamara and a young LIEUTENANT stride by.
We see that some cells contain more than one demon. The inmates are restless.
LIEUTENANT
Cell capacity’s maxed out three
days ago, sir. We keep up this
pace, there’ll be nowhere left to
contain the Hostiles.
COLONEL McNAMARA
They’re animals, Lieutenant.
We’ll pack them in until we’re out
of room – then pack them in some more.
LIEUTENANT
They’re going to start tearing
each other apart, Sir.
COLONEL McNAMARA
I have no problem with that scenario.
They turn a corner, and enter:
INT. INITIATIVE COMMUNICATION CENTER – NIGHT
Inside the Communications Center, it’s a busy hive of activity. Two rows of Initiative Soldiers sit
tuned into tape-recording radios. Each operator wears a headset and takes notes. McNamara and the
Lieutenant enter to the cacophony of static, radio reports and jargon.
RADIO VOICE ONE (V.O.)
Gamma Team en route to home base,
repeat en route to home base,
three hostiles bagged and tagged, over.
RADIO VOICE TWO (V.O.)
Team Alpha deploying search
procedure Tango Minor, estimated
time of departure thirty oh-six hundred…
And suddenly a SQUAWK of static fills the room. One report comes in loud and clear, louder than the
others. Urgent, fractured, desperate:
RADIO VOICE THREE (V.O.)
… backup, request immediate backup, over.
Colonel McNamara motions to the nearest radio operator, who turns a knob. The room is filled with
the sound of one report.
RADIO VOICE THREE (V.O.)
… tearing us apart out here …
two men down … from out of
nowhere … mayday, repeat…
CUT TO:
INT. BURNT-OUT SCHOOL – NIGHT
Riley, forking food out of the can like Mad Max, stops cold. He listens in to the Initiative transmission
on his walkie-talkie. It’s the same broadcast McNamara heard, continuing…
RADIO VOICE THREE (V.O.)
… Mayday. Team Epsilon requests
immediate backup we’re in the
alley near the school building…
Riley grabs the walkie, tuning it in as the sound dies out.
RADIO VOICE THREE (V.O.)
… where the hell is … back,
fall back … it’s coming this —
SQUAWK! The walkie emits another ear-piercing screech – and goes dead. Riley grabs gear and
weaponry – then bolts.
EXT. ALLEY – NIGHT
Riley runs into an alley at night – skids to a stop – just in time to see a COMMANDO get slammed into
the brick wall beside him. Nose broken on impact, the big muscular guy goes slumping to the ground
- out cold. Game face on, Riley steps into the alley. Whips out a flashlight and shines it.
Riley’s P.O.V.: Standing inside the alley, surrounded by four unconscious Initiative Commandos, is a
guy with his back turned to us. He senses Riley. Whirls to face us.
CLOSE-UP: It’s ANGEL. Angel sees Riley.
CLOSE-UP: And Riley sees Angel…
BLACK OUT.
END OF ACT TWO
Act Three
EXT. WOODS – NIGHT
We are in the woods. It’s quiet. Peaceful. Somewhere, far away we can hear the sound of a babbling
brook. Night sounds begin to filter in. An owl far away. Night birds chirping. Camera lazily pans
across trees, leaves and branches, and comes to rest upon… Buffy.
Her eyelids open. She wakes up. Just lies there a moment, not moving. Then suddenly BOLTS
UPRIGHT with a gasping intake of air. She gets her bearings. Stands. Instant pain nearly makes her
knees buckle beneath her. She grabs a tree trunk for support. She takes one small, painful step and
we CUT TO:
EXT. ALLEY – NIGHT
Pacing one another like two old gunfighters, Angel and Riley square off in the alley, the bodies of four
prone commandos lying around them.
ANGEL
Riley Finn.
RILEY
I know you?
ANGEL
We have a friend in common.
RILEY
(realizes)
Angel.
ANGEL
The welcoming committee your idea?
Riley looks down at one of the soldiers — Angel has broken his nose and a lot of blood has poured
out of it.
RILEY
Way I heard it, you were all
peaceable now. You didn’t by any
chance go and lose that pesky soul
again, did you?
ANGEL
Don’t push me, boy.
RILEY
(contained rage)
Now what could possibly have
happened with Buffy that would
make you lose your soul?
ANGEL
(can’t resist)
That’d be between me and her.
He moves to go.
RILEY
Where do you think you’re going?
ANGEL
See an old girlfriend.
RILEY
You think I’m gonna let that happen?
ANGEL
You think you’re gonna stop me?
RILEY
I surely do.
Angel rushes Riley, who’s blocking the only way out. Riley THWIPS out his telescoping metal baton to
its full length. Sidesteps the attack and CRACKS Angel hard in the back of the skull.
Angel whips around and full-body smashes into Riley, sending the two of them plowing back into a
load of garbage cans.
Angel pins Riley, punches him square in the face. Once – twice – then pulls back for the final blow
when Riley grabs a bottle lying nearby and smashes it into the side of Angel’s face. Angel recoils.
Riley gets to his feet. Readies the baton for another strike. Angel, still covering his eyes from the
bottle-smash, lashes out backhanded and hits the baton flying out of Riley’s hand.
Riley punches Angel. Which only makes him mad.
Angel grabs Riley and rushes him hard into the brick wall. Head-butts him. Riley’s hands fall to his
sides, lifeless. Angel just holds him there an instant.
Riley grabs a small, hand-held taser off his belt and jams it up under Angel’s chin. ZAP! It sends out
a sharp jolt of electricity, blasting Angel back away from Riley.
Angel staggers back, getting his bearings. Riley presses the attack. Punches Angel in the stomach.
Angel doubles over, his face hidden. Riley goes in for another shot when Angel whips his head back
up – in full VAMP-FACE.
Angel punches Riley.
Riley, wobbling, manages to punch Angel back. Punch-drunk, he fumbles for his sidearm …
Angel hits Riley so hard he goes flying back. Angel walks over to him, taking his time, no more
playing around, ready to finish this when:
We hear approaching Humvees, lights heading towards us. Angel takes off over a wall.
Riley rises, also takes off, though much slower — he barely limps off as the Humvees arrive.
INT. BUFFY AND WILLOW’S DORM ROOM – NIGHT
Buffy’s door creaks open. She edges herself in and closes the door behind her, leaning on it for
support. Head still wounded. She checks herself in the mirror. Then:
TIME CUT TO:
Buffy, now cradling the phone between shoulder and cheek, finishes bandaging her wounded arm.
XANDER (V.O.)
(recorded)
Hello?
BUFFY
Xander, it’s Buffy.
XANDER (V.O.)
(recorded)
Hel-lo?
BUFFY
Xander?
XANDER (V.O.)
(recorded)
Ah, just kidding, this is an
answering machine. At the tone,
leave a message.
Beep!
BUFFY
Xander, call me. I think we need
to get the gang together.
Buffy, feeling a little humiliated that she fell for Xander’s trick, hangs up.
CUT TO:
Buffy on the phone, trying again …
TARA (V.O.)
Hi. This is Tara.
Please leave a message.
Beep!
BUFFY
Hi, uh, Tara? It’s Buffy. I’m
looking for Willow. If you see
her, would you tell her? I – it’s
pretty important. Thanks.
Buffy hangs up slowly. Another CUT and:
GILES (V.O.)
… for Rupert Giles and I’ll
return your call as soon as possible.
Beep!
BUFFY
Giles. It’s me. Just … call me.
Buffy hangs up. Looks at the phone, feeling lost and alone. Where is everybody? A long beat, then a
knock at the door interrupts her solitude. Buffy opens the door to find ANGEL standing there, holding
himself up against the door frame, looking a little beat-up from his Riley encounter. Buffy’s thrown,
both by his unannounced arrival and his dishevelled appearance. Not to mention the fact that seeing
him brings up all the pain of their last meeting.
BUFFY
Angel…
ANGEL
Hey. Can I come in?
BUFFY
I guess.
An awkward beat.
ANGEL
Need a little more than that, Buffy.
Buffy gets it.
BUFFY
Oh. Come in.
He enters. Buffy stands a good distance from him, hurt, uncomfortable. Still, she can’t hide her
concern for him.
BUFFY
You hurt?
ANGEL
I’ll live.
BUFFY
Want to tell me who ran you into
that doorknob?
ANGEL
Not really. It’s not world in
peril stuff.
BUFFY
Let me guess. You thought of
something else really hurtful to
say and it was just too good to do
it over the phone. ‘Cause the
funniest part is the look on my face —
ANGEL
Buffy, please.
I don’t have a lot of time.
BUFFY
Why not? What’s going —
He’s just about to spit it out when they hear a voice.
RILEY
I told you you weren’t coming near her.
Buffy and Angel part, revealing Riley, standing unsteadily, a PISTOL aimed right at Angel’s hand. He’s
shaking, clearly exhausted from the fight with Angel and the dash to Buffy’s place – but he’s holding
it together through sheer force of will. He will not go down without (more of) a fight.
RILEY
I meant it.
Buffy takes in this tableau. Boyfriend and Ex on either side of her – staring daggers at each other.
Gets it.
BUFFY
You’ve got to be kidding me.
(glares at Angel)
This is why you came?
ANGEL
No. It was an accident-
BUFFY
Running your car into a tree is an
accident. Running your fist into
somebody’s face is a plan. You
wanna explain this to me?
ANGEL
(to Riley)
Put that gun down.
RILEY
It’s pretty much all I got left,
so I’m thinking not. He attacked
four of my men, Buffy. He’s up to
his old tricks.
Now it dawns on Buffy that Riley thinks Angel’s gone bad. Her tone softens.
BUFFY
Oh… Riley – he’s not. He isn’t
bad now. He won’t hurt anybody.
Angel, tell him…
ANGEL
(to Riley)
Might hurt you.
RILEY
Please try.
ANGEL
Some threat. You can barely stand.
RILEY
Trigger finger feels okay.
ANGEL
(to Buffy)
You actually sleep with this guy?
Riley can’t contain himself. He launches at Angel, gets in a brutal punch. Angel returns in kind. Next
thing they know, Buffy’s clocking one across the jaw, then the other – sending them reeling apart.
BUFFY
Stop it!
RILEY
Ow!
ANGEL
Ow!
BUFFY
That’s enough! I see any more
displays of testosterone
poisoning, I will personally put
you both in the hospital. Anybody
think I’m exaggerating?
ANGEL
He started it —
BUFFY
(points – don’t you dare)
NNH!
He stops. The boys look equal parts sullen and contrite.
BUFFY
Riley…
Angel watches as Buffy goes to Riley first. She stands close with him, makes eye contact, touches his
cheek, speaks tenderly.
RILEY
I’m sorry, I just wanted to know
you were safe.
BUFFY
I need to talk to Angel for a minute.
RILEY
What?
BUFFY
Riley, please.
Riley looks at Angel. Angel shrugs his shoulders. Riley turns back to Buffy.
RILEY
I’m not leaving this room.
I mean it.
BUFFY
Okay.
She simply turns to the door and walks out. Angel follows, giving Riley a smirk. They’re gone. Riley
just stands there, folds his arms, speaks to himself.
RILEY
Not moving a muscle…
INT. BUFFY’S DORM HALLWAY – NIGHT
Angel joins Buffy in the hall. Buffy’s fuming.
BUFFY
Okay. I come to see you, to help
you and you treat me like I’m
just… your ex-
ANGEL
Well, technically —
BUFFY
Shut up.
(he clams up)
Then you order me out of your
city – and then you come here and
start pounding on my boyfriend?!
What is this? I’d really like to
know: What the hell are you trying to do?
ANGEL
I was trying to make things better.
A beat as Buffy takes this in. And Angel realizes how it sounded. They both get the absurdity of it,
and they can’t help but laugh.
ANGEL
It’s going pretty well, don’t you think?
BUFFY
Swell. Although you might want to
think about fire. Burning
things – always effective.
The tension of the fight diffused. Buffy leans against the wall. They regard each other more calmly.
Then-
ANGEL
I couldn’t leave it like that.
The way I spoke to you… I came
to apologize. I had no right.
Buffy takes this in.
BUFFY
I… and Riley?
ANGEL
I got jumped by some soldiers. He
came in in the middle. Wasn’t
real forthcoming with the benefit
of the doubt.
BUFFY
Put yourself in his place.
ANGEL
I get it.
Now Buffy sucks it up.
BUFFY
Look, I… you weren’t entirely
wrong, what you said in L.A. We
don’t live in each other’s worlds
anymore. I can’t just barge in on
yours and make judgments.
Angel takes this in. Nods.
ANGEL
I’m still sorry.
BUFFY
Thank you.
ANGEL
And next time I’ll apologize by phone.
They both smile. Two old soldiers.
ANGEL
Things seem pretty tense around here.
BUFFY
They really are.
ANGEL
Anything I can do?
BUFFY
Honestly, I think the best thing
right now —
ANGEL
Okay.
Beat.
BUFFY
It means a lot that you came.
They look at each other warmly for a beat. Finally, a feeling of peace between them. Then Angel
turns, limping a little, down the hallway. Buffy watches. Angel stops. Turns back.
ANGEL
Oh. And… Riley?
BUFFY
Yeah.
ANGEL
(nods)
I don’t like him.
A beat. Buffy smiles.
BUFFY
Thanks.
Angel backs off again and Buffy watches him go. Then looks back to her dorm room. The smile
vanishes. She takes a heavy breath and heads back inside. We see her enter the room, Riley inside,
awaiting her nervously.
INT. ADAM’S LAIR – NIGHT
Spike enters the cave, finishing off a can of beer, crushing it in his grip and tossing it aside.
SPIKE
That was fun. And I’m no stranger
to a good night out. De-flowered
a virgin Princess once. Killed a
Minister mid-sermon. Even saw the
Sex Pistols back in ’76. But this …
He rummages through his pockets, comes up with a pack of smokes, pulls one out of his teeth.
SPIKE
… this was really special.
ADAM
You were successful.
SPIKE
Easier than I thought it’d be, too.
ADAM
You’re sure?
SPIKE
Feel it in my bones. It’s …
call it the Yoko factor.
(off Adam’s blank stare)
Don’t tell me you never heard of
The Beatles?
ADAM
I have. I like Helter Skelter.
SPIKE
What a surprise. Point is, they
were once a real, powerful group.
Not a stretch to say they ruled
the world. And when they broke
up, everyone blamed Yoko. But the
fact is, the group split itself
apart. She just happened to be
there. And you know how it is
with kids — they go to college,
they grow apart. Way of the world.
Adam takes this in.
ADAM
So you’ve separated the Slayer
from her friends.
SPIKE
Do I have to explain about Yoko again?
ADAM
I get it. I’m pleased.
SPIKE
So, since we’ve got all our ducks
in a row… and not talking to
each other, guess it’s time for
the grand plan. You know, the one
where I get the chipectomy. You
got everything you need, right?
ADAM
No.
Spike looks at him quizzically.
ADAM
There’s one more thing.
BLACK OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
Act Four
INT. BUFFY AND WILLOW’S DORM ROOM – NIGHT
Buffy and Riley stand in mid-embrace. Buffy’s face is buried up against Riley’s chest. But we can see
Riley’s face – he’s deeply worried. They part.
BUFFY
How bad are you hurt?
RILEY
Not sure yet. The night’s still young.
BUFFY
I have something to tell you.
RILEY
Figured.
BUFFY
Maybe you should sit down.
RILEY
I’m fine.
BUFFY
Riley…
RILEY
Wait. Me, first. Buffy… I
feel like we’ve gotten really
close. At least, I thought we
had. I don’t know much about
Angel, or your relationship with
him. But all I ask is, if you’re
gonna break my heart? Do it fast.
BUFFY
What? You think… that Angel and I…
RILEY
Didn’t you?
BUFFY
Of course not. I’d never do that to you.
RILEY
So – nothing?
BUFFY
Nothing. Riley.
How can you even ask that?
Riley knows she’s telling the truth. Feels like an asshole.
RILEY
I don’t know. Xander said-
BUFFY
(fuming)
Xander. He is the deadest man in Deadonia-
RILEY
(cutting her off)
No. It wasn’t his fault. I
prodded, and he explained how
Angel went bad. The trigger-
BUFFY
Oh.
RILEY
(rambling)
And, after that, I went a little
nuts, you know? I mean, on the
one hand, I should believe in us.
But, on the other, sometimes
things just happen between ex’s
and then I saw he was bad-
BUFFY
He wasn’t bad.
RILEY
Seriously? That’s a “good” day?
(off her nod)
Well there you go. Even when he’s
good he’s all Mr. Billowy Coat
King of Pain and girls really-
Buffy takes Riley’s hand, stopping him.
BUFFY
Riley. Stop.
She pulls him with her to the bed. They sit.
RILEY
See? Nuts.
BUFFY
Have I ever given you reason to
feel you couldn’t trust me?
RILEY
No.
BUFFY
Then why with the crazy?
Riley meets Buffy’s eyes. Vulnerable. He’s laying it all out on the table and he knows it.
RILEY
Because I’m so in love with you I
can’t think straight.
Buffy takes this in, blown away. She touches his face tenderly.
BUFFY
Tell me about it.
A beat. Riley lets loose a shaky breath of relief and pulls Buffy close. They hug for a long time,
feeling the intensity of the moment. Of their love. Then a shadow crosses Buffy’s features as she
remembers… Forrest.
BUFFY
Ry…
She pulls back and Riley can immediately see that something is very wrong.
BUFFY
I still have to tell you something.
And – there’s no way to…
RILEY
Just say it.
BUFFY
Forrest is dead.
Beat. Riley is too stunned to speak.
BUFFY
I’m so sorry… There was a fight.
Adam killed him. I barely got away.
Riley softly moans, holds his head in his hands. We cannot see his face.
BUFFY
I know nothing I say can make
things better. But I swear to
you, we will find and destroy this
thing. Right now you need time.
Take what you need, I can…
RILEY
I have to go.
Riley’s head comes back up. There’s no tears, no expression of any kind. A blank stare.
BUFFY
Are you sure? You…
RILEY
Have to go now.
And just like that, he gets up and leaves. Closes the door behind him – gone. Buffy takes this in.
INT. GILES’ APARTMENT – NIGHT
The familiar sight of a war room session held in Giles’ apartment. Spread out around the couch by
the fireplace, everyone looks tense – sitting clustered in mini-factions: Xander and Anya on a chair,
Willow and Tara at the computer, Giles in the kitchen area where he cracks the seal on a new bottle
of scotch and pours himself yet another drink. Buffy looks over Willow’s shoulder, scanning the
computer screen, which is again filled with unintelligible characters.
BUFFY
It’s all weird and jumbley.
WILLOW
It’s still encrypted.
TARA
Willow’s been working really hard
on it, though.
BUFFY
Okay. So how long before you…
uncrypt it?
WILLOW
Hours. Days, maybe. Anyone
suggesting months would not be
accused of crazy talk.
Giles is drunkenly in a mood of false cheer that he retains throughout much of the scene:
GILES
(too loud)
Whatever happened to Latin? At
least when that made no sense, the
church approved.
BUFFY
(to Will re: disk)
I can’t just wait around, Will.
That disk is no good to me unless
you crack it soon-
Willow obviously fumes at this. Is about to say something but Anya cuts her off with-
ANYA
Hey! We worked hard getting that!
Xander delivered clothing.
GILES
“The church approved.”
He chuckles to himself, retroactively appreciating his joke.
BUFFY
Sorry everyone, but we’re on a
clock here. Adam was at that
cave. Maybe he was there for a
reason. I can go back, scope it
out, track him if I have to…
WILLOW
(false enthusiasm)
Right! And maybe you’ll get lucky
and he’ll still be there and he
can rip your arms off for you!
Buffy, you can’t go back alone.
GILES
(cheerful smile)
You never train with me anymore.
Adam’s gonna kick your ass.
BUFFY
Giles?!
GILES
Sorry! Didn’t mean to be so
honest. Terribly sorry.
XANDER
So she doesn’t go alone. Giles,
weapons all around–
BUFFY
You’re not coming, Xander. You’d
get hurt. It’ll be easier for me
if I’m not worrying about
protecting you.
XANDER
Oh. Okay. You and Willow go do
the superpower thing. I’ll stay
behind and putter around the batcave
(indicates Giles)
with crusty old Alfred here.
Giles, still working at being chipper, pours another drink.
GILES
Ahh. I am no Alfred, sir. You
forget – Alfred had a job.
BUFFY
Willow stays behind too.
I’ll do it alone.
WILLOW
Great. And then, when you’ve got
your new no arms, we’ll all say,
gee, it’s a good thing we weren’t
there getting in the way of that!
Tara and Anya make eye contact, uncomfortable. Tara slowly gets up and leaves her spot next to
Willow, moving quietly toward the kitchen area.
XANDER
Right, and maybe we can help in
other ways. Need some fightin’
pants, Buff? I could go get you
some fightin’ pants.
BUFFY
Guys, you’re just making this harder.
WILLOW
Wow. We’re already getting in the
way. We’re good at this, huh, Xander?
XANDER
Right. I’m so good at it you
might have to ship me off to the
army to get me out of the way.
Now, unnoticed, Anya leaves Xander’s side and also heads toward the kitchen…
BUFFY
The army?
XANDER
You didn’t know I knew about that,
did you? You two talking about me
behind my back.
BUFFY
Us talking about you? How about
you telling Riley every last
detail of my life with Angel–
WILLOW
(to Buffy)
Besides – when is there any “us two?”
(to Xander/Buffy)
You two are the two who are the
two. I’m the other one.
XANDER
Uh-huh. But maybe that all changes
when I’m doing sit-ups at Fort Dix.
GILES
(thinks it’s a dirty joke)
Fort Dix. Heh heh…
BUFFY
(to Giles)
Are you drunk?
GILES
(happily)
Quite a bit, actually!
BUFFY
Well, stop it.
(to Willow and Xander)
This is stupid.
XANDER
Stupid. So you finally have the
guts to say it to my face…
BUFFY
I don’t think you’re stupid,
Xander, so stop being an idiot and
help me fix things. I need both of
you. I need you all the time,
just not now. Adam is dangerous–
WILLOW
Wait. How do you need me? Really.
BUFFY
I need you a lot. You’re great,
with, with the computer. Usually.
GILES
Right you are. And I’m great with
the pacing and the saying of
“hmmmmm” and “ahhhhh,” and “Good Lord!”
BUFFY
(ignoring him)
And you got the witch-stuff… that’s…
WILLOW
(exploding)
Witch stuff?! What do you mean by witch stuff?!
BUFFY
What is happening? This is crazy.
GILES
No it’s not! It’s all finally
making perfect sense and I’m not
going to miss a moment of it.
Giles moves to sit down and misses the chair. He FALLS OUT OF FRAME.
INT. GILES’ BATHROOM – NIGHT
Tara and Anya hide out together, waiting for the storm to blow over.
TARA
You think this’ll go on awhile?
ANYA
Hard to say.
A beat. Tara looks around, searching for something to say.
TARA
Nice bathroom.
ANYA
Like the tile.
INT. GILES’ APARTMENT – NIGHT
Giles is back on his feet and the argument is really rolling now:
XANDER
And if I did join the army I’d be
great. You know why? Because
maybe they’d give me a job that
couldn’t be done by any well-
trained Border Collie.
GILES
That’s it. I’m going to bed!
Giles heads for the stairs, unbuttoning his shirt as he goes.
WILLOW
Sure, you’d be wonderful in the
army — you think the umbilical
cord between you and Anya would
stretch that far?
XANDER
I knew it. I knew you hated her.
Giles’ shirt sails over the banister and lands on Xander’s head.
WILLOW
Hey, I’m not the one being
judgmental, here. I’ll leave
that territory to you and Buffy.
BUFFY
Judgmental? If I was any more
open minded about the choices you
two make my whole brain would fall out.
XANDER
Oh. And superior. Don’t forget
that. Just because you’re better
than us doesn’t mean you can be
all superior.
BUFFY
Guys, stop this. What happened to
you today?
WILLOW
It’s not today. Buffy,
everything’s been wrong for a
while. Don’t you see that?
BUFFY
Willow, what do you mean things
have been wrong? Things don’t
have to be wrong, do they?
WILLOW
Buffy, things haven’t been right
since Tara. We have to face it.
You can’t handle Tara being my girlfriend.
XANDER
No, it was bad before that. Since
you two went off to college and
forgot about me, just left me in
the basement to —
(suddenly, quietly)
Tara’s your girlfriend?
GILES (O.S.)
Bloody hell!
Buffy has had it. Here she comes:
BUFFY
Enough. All I know is that you want to
help, right? Be part of the team?
WILLOW
I don’t know anymore–
XANDER
Clearly not wanted–
BUFFY
No. You said you wanted to go.
So let’s go. All of us. We’ll
walk into that cave with you two
attacking me and the funny drunk
drooling on my shoes. Maybe
that’s the secret way to kill Adam.
XANDER
Buffy–
BUFFY
Is that it? Is that how you can
help? You’re not answering. Go
on. How can you possibly help?
They all freeze, stunned by what Buffy just said. After a horrible beat:
BUFFY
So…
(steeling herself)
So I guess I’m on my own. And you
know what? I’m starting to get
why there’s no ancient prophesy
about a Chosen One and Friends.
She heads out, calling back.
BUFFY
If I need help, I’ll go to someone
I can count on.
She leaves, closing the door behind her.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ADAM’S LAIR – NIGHT
Adam stands in his lair, waiting. A lone figure, cast in shadow and seen from behind, enters.
ADAM
I’ve been waiting for you.
Reverse angle reveals: it’s Riley.
RILEY
And now I’m here.
TITLE CARD: TO BE CONTINUED…
BLACK OUT.
END OF SHOW
Transcripts
Prologue ~~~~~
Fade in. Close up of a wide-screen monitor. A white-haired man in a suit is sitting behind a desk. The office he’s in is
dark and the reflection of Colonel McNamara is seen on the glass of the monitor.
Mr. Ward: And the men?
McNamara: These are exceptional boys. Their capture ratio just keeps increasing. They’re keeping it together.
Morale’s a problem. The death of Professor Walsh. The escape of the prototype. Controlling the HSTs is getting
harder. We have serious overcrowding in the containment areas.
As he spoke, the camera has slowly panned away from the monitor to the Colonel. We can see he is standing in some
kind of communications center in the Initiative. There is a large world map on one wall. He is the only one there.
Mr. Ward: Quite a mess.
McNamara: It’s not my mess, sir. I’m just holding the fort while you figure out what you want to do with the place.
Mr. Ward: This incident with Finn was unfortunate.
McNamara: Fell in with a bad crowd. Quite frankly, I don’t think he was ever the soldier that you all hoped he was.
Boy thinks too much.
Mr. Ward: Nevertheless, we want him back. The government’s invested a sub–
McNamara: We’ll catch up to him. My feeling is . . he won’t stray too far from the girl.
Mr. Ward: Yes, uh . . . (puts on reading glasses to look at something on his desk) Buffy Summers. (removes glasses) Our
data banks don’t have much on her.
McNamara: She’s just a girl.
Cut to–
Spike: (sighs) She’s a lot more than that.
He is in a chamber underground, in the sewers. Light reflecting off water is shimmering on the wall behind him as he
walks across the room.
Spike: The Slayer’s dangerous is all I’m saying.
Camera tracks Spike until we see Adam standing in front of a computer set-up. This is his hideout. Adam is sliding a
disk into the drive slot in the metal plate covering his left pectoral.
ADAM: Yes. She makes things interesting.
Spike walks up to him.
Spike: No. See? You’re not getting it, Mr. Bits. You’re gonna be interestingly dead. (paces again) Little Miss Tiny’s got
a habit of bollixing up the plans of every would-be, unstoppable bad-ass who sets foot in this town.
He stops to face Adam.
Spike: Just want you to know, when the big ugly goes down, the Slayer’s gonna be right in the thick of it. You ready for
that?
ADAM: I’m counting on it.
Wolf’s howl. Buffy theme and opening credits roll.~~ Part One ~~~~
Fade in. Close up of a zippo in Spike’s hand. He flips the lid open with his thumb and strikes the flame. He brings the
lighter up to the cigarette in his mouth.
ADAM: Two Slayers.
Spike: (closing the lighter) That’s right.
Cut to wider shot. Adam is now pacing the chamber. Spike is sitting back in an old beat-up couch, stuffing sticking out
in large patches.
ADAM: And you killed them both?
Spike: (grinning) Yeah. I killed the hell out of them.
ADAM: Yet you fear this one?
Spike: (offended) Hey, watch it, mate. I don’t fear anything. Just know my enemies.
ADAM: Do you? Then why haven’t you killed this Slayer yet?
Spike: Because . . . (trails off) Stinking, rotten luck is why. On top of that, now I got this buggering chip up my head.
ADAM: Yes. Your behavior modification circuitry. I know what you feel.
Spike: (scoffs softly) Not likely.
Adam stands in front of him.
ADAM: You feel smothered. Trapped like an animal. Pure in its ferocity, unable to actualize the urges within. Clinging
to one truth. Like a flame struggling to burn within an enclosed glass. That a beast this powerful cannot be contained.
Inevitably it will break free and savage the land again. I will make you whole again. Make you savage.
Moved, Spike has to blink back tears.
Spike: (awed) Wow. (composes himself) I mean, yeah. I get why the demons all fall in line with you. (sits up) You’re
like Tony Robbins. If he was a big scary . . Frankenstein looking– (reconsiders) You’re exactly like Tony Robbins.
ADAM: I will restore you to what you once were. When I have the Slayer . . . how and where I want her.
Spike: (sighs) Easier said. She’s crafty. Her and her little friends.
ADAM: Friends?
Spike: There’s your –what do you call it– variable. The Slayer’s got pals. You want her evening the odds in a fight you
don’t want the Slayerettes mucking about.
ADAM: Take them away from her.
Spike perks up at that idea.
Spike: Now there’s a plan. She’s working solo, she won’t have a chance to come after us when the wild rumpus begins.
(chuckles) Plus, it will make her miserable. And I never get tired of that.
He sits back again. He smiles at that prospect.
Spike: (to himself) Yeah. Leave `em to me.
ADAM: You can’t hurt them. What can you do to make sure they’re out of the picture?
Spike: Not a blessed thing. They’re gonna do it for me.
He brings his cigarette to his lips and as he takes a drag we–
Cut to Stevenson Hall, room 214. The room is dark. The door opens and Buffy enters switching on the light. She is still
wearing the clothes we saw her in when she was in L.A. to see Angel (“Sanctuary”). As she closes the door she sees
Willow’s bed which looks as if it hasn’t been slept in for quite sometime. She tiredly rubs a hand over her face and
crosses the room to lay on her own bed. She doesn’t close her eyes and there is a forlorn look on her face.
Cut to exterior shot of the ruins of Sunnydale High School. Cut to interior of one of the burnt out hallways. Amidst the
debris, we see the small camp Riley had set up in the last episode. A lantern is the only source of light aside from
streams of moonlight shining through holes in the ceiling. It looks like he’s been there for a while.
Xander is there with a backpack on his shoulder.
Riley: Do you know if she’s back yet?
Xander: L.A. Woman? Haven’t heard from her. She’ll probably come here first thing, though. Hey, who’s your buddy?
Xander swings the backpack from his shoulder and tosses it to Riley.
Xander: So you don’t have to be G.I. Joe while your civvies are getting washed.
Riley pulls out a pair of really baggy pants with a blue and white confetti pattern.
Xander: Try those on. You’ll feel like a new man.
Riley: Would this man have a bright red nose and big, floppy feet?
Perturbed, Xander purses his lips and raises his eyebrows.
Riley: Hey, I’m sorry. That’s the cabin fever talking.
Xander looks the place over.
Xander: But as post-apocalypse-splendor goes . . .
Riley: I’ve done wonders with the place.
Xander: Yeah.
Riley: Still . . The sooner Buffy gets back, the better I’ll feel.
Riley sits down on his sleeping bag, his back against the blackened wall.
Xander: You and me both, big guy.
Riley: I take it you’re not an Angel fan either?
Xander: Well, it’s not like I hate the guy. Just, you know . . the guts part of him.
Riley: Can’t blame you. But to be fair, it’s not him you hate. It’s the curse.
Xander doesn’t respond.
Riley: Right?
Xander: What did Buffy tell you?
He sits down on the cooler.
Riley: On Angel? Everything. More than I wanted to know sometimes. She loved him. He turned evil. He, uh, killed
people. She cured him. He left. Interesting little curse.
Xander: One moment’s happiness.
Riley: What do you mean?
Xander: You know, it’s his trigger. Angel’s an okay guy if he’s mopey and sad and brooding, but if you give him even
one second of pure, real pleasure . . .
Riley: And that sets him off.
Xander: Only in the big ol “kill your friends” kind of way. And you know what makes Angel happiest? I’ll give you a
hint. It not creme brulee.
Riley doesn’t say anything for a couple of seconds.
Riley: Buffy.
Xander nods, opening his palms in a “there you go” gesture. Riley dwells on this for a moment and it dawns on him.
Riley: Sex (scoffs softly) with Buffy.
Xander’s jaw drops as he realizes . . .
Xander: She . . . kind of left that part out, huh?
Riley: Yeah, she did. That explains a lot of things that . . I wish weren’t explained.
Xander: Hey, man. That’s all ancient history.
Riley: (scoffs) She went running to L.A. to bone up on her history.
Xander: No! I’m sure it’s boneless. She just needs to make sure everything’s okay. She’s probably back already.
Riley: Maybe.
Xander: You’ll feel a lot better when you see her.
But Riley doesn’t look so sure.
Riley: I guess we’ll see.
Cut to exterior of Giles’ apartment building.
Giles: (singing) If I leave here tomorrow/
Cut to Giles’ apartment. He is sitting on the side of his sofa, playing “Freebird” on his guitar.
Giles: (singing) Would you still remember me?/
Camera pans slowly around him.
Giles: (singing) Well I must be traveling on now/ There’s too many places I’ve got to see/
Giles: (singing) And if I stay here with you girl/ Things just couldn’t be the same/
Giles: (singing) ‘Cause I’m as free as bird now–(high-pitched gasp)
He jumps up from the couch as he’s startled to see Spike standing in his home. The vampire starts heading for the
kitchen.
Spike: You know, for someone who’s got “Watcher” on his resume’, you might want to cast an eye to the front door every
now and again.
Giles has removed his glasses and looks peeved. He rounds the sofa and stands at the entrance of the hallway as Spike
opens the refrigerator.
Giles: What do you want?
Spike: Ah. (he takes out a transfusion blood bag) Knew I left one. (closes fridge) Buffy around?
Giles: Why?
Giles moves in front of the bar as Spike pops the plastic bag into the microwave and turns it on.
Spike: I need to speak to the lady of the house. Hey, be a pet and give her a message for me, would you? Tell her I just
might have something she just might want.
Giles: And what might that “something” be?
Spike regards him with little importance.
Spike: Information. Highly classified. Not cheap word-on-the-street prattle either. I’m talking about the good stuff
now.
Unimpressed, Giles sits on one of the stools and puts his glasses back on. He crosses his arms.
Giles: Thrill me.
Spike: (sighs) It’s nothing I know. What, you think I’d come running over saying “I’ve got a secret, beat me till I talk?”
There’s files in the Initiative. I’m pretty sure I know where.
Giles’ interest is perked. The microwave beeps.
Giles: Files?
Spike: (taking out the bag) Yeah. Secrets.
He bites open a corner of the bag, grabs a coffee mug, and starts to pour the blood.
Spike: Mission statements. Design schematics. All of Maggie Walsh’s dirty laundry, which I guess would include lots
of tidbits about–
Giles: (removing glasses) Adam.
Spike: Well, yeah. Say someone were to risk his life and limb –well, limb anyway– to obtain said files. It might be
worth a little something.
Spike lifts the mug to his mouth and drains it.
Giles: A-at . . this point a cynical person might think that you’re offering just what we need when we need it most.
Spike: That person’d be right, Rupert. Supply and demand. And it won’t be cheap this time.
Giles: What do you want?
Spike seems to think about it as he sets the mug down next to the sink.
Spike: Hmm, year supply of blood, guaranteed protection, merry bushels of cash, and, most important . . . a guarantee
that I’m not to be in anyway slain.
Giles: (puts on glasses) Done.
Spike: With a smile and a nod from you? Sorry. Not close to good enough. This deal’s with the Slayer.
Giles: I’ll tell her.
Spike: Oh, you’ll tell her! Great comfort that. What makes you think she’ll listen to you?
Giles: Because . . . (trails off, unsure)
Spike: Very convincing.
Giles: I’m her Watcher.
Spike: I think you’re neglecting the past-tense there, Rupert. Besides, she barely listened to you when you were in
charge. I’ve seen the way she treats you.
Giles grows uncomfortable at those words. He grabs a bottle off the bar and starts to pour himself a drink.
Giles: Oh, yes? And how’s that?
Spike: Very much like a retired librarian.
Giles doesn’t say anything and continues to pour.
Spike: Look, I’ve got what she wants as long as she has what I want.
He walks out of the kitchen and heads for the door. As he passes Giles–
Spike: Spread the word. She knows where to find me.
Giles: (softly, without authority) I’ll think about it.
We hear the front door close and Giles brings the glass to his lips.
Cut to Tara’s dorm room. Willow is sitting on the bed playing with a small black and white kitten in her lap. Tara is
sitting on the large chest at the foot of the bed. She is looking though the course selection booklet.
Willow: Oh. I keep thinking “Okay, that’s the cutest thing ever,” and then she does something cuter and completely
resets the whole scale.
Tara: Did you see her yawn earlier?
Willow: Yes! I thought I was going to die.
She picks up the kitten to look into its eyes.
Willow: (babying voice) Oh, I love you, Miss Kitty Fantastico!
Tara: We got to get her a real name.
Willow: It’s so cool that she’s ours. (pause) Uh, yours. That she’s yours is-is cool.
Tara: She can be ours if you want?
Willow just smiles at that.
Tara: You still need an elective. (glances down at booklet) How about . . Sophomore Level Psychology?
Willow: Oh. Kinda psyched out since Professor Walsh. Maybe something fun like drama. I could be dramatic.
Willow picks the kitten up again in front of her face.
Willow: (dramatic voice) You cannot have more catnip! You have a catnip problem!
Tara: (laughing) Definitely drama.
The kitty starts pawing at Willow’s hair and face. She lowers it to her lap again.
Willow: I haven’t even dealt with the housing situation yet. Have you done anything? I hear there some off-campus
places that are way cool for groups to, you know, go in on.
Tara: Oh, I just figured you’d be dorming it up with Buffy again.
Willow: Well, we haven’t really talked about it. I used to assume we’d be roomies through grad school well into little
old lady hood. You know, cheating at bingo together and forgetting to take our pills.
Tara: But?
Willow: But . . . I don’t know. It hardly feels like we’re roomies now. I mean, she’s busy with Riley and I’m gone a lot
too.
Willow considers this and doesn’t look happy about it.
Willow: I guess I should ask her.
Cut to exterior of Stevenson Hall the next day. Cut to close up of the “Chocolate” poster on Buffy’s door. There is a
knock on the other side. Buffy opens it to reveal . . .
Buffy: Riley.
Riley: I got a little tired of sitting around waiting, so . . .
Buffy is looking at the pants he has on and grins slightly.
Buffy: You joined the circus?
Riley: Xander took my clothes to clean `em and left me these. (stepping inside) Does he, uh, hate me in some way I
don’t know about yet? I think I would’ve attracted less attention in my uniform.
Buffy: (uncertain) Is it okay for you to be here?
Riley: You tell me.
Buffy: I just meant with the government branch hunting you down and all.
Riley: I’m good.
He reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a small cell phone which looks as if it’s been jury-rigged.
Riley: And, uh, it took me a while, but I patched into their frequency. (clicks it on and we hear a garbled voice) Can’t
sneak up on a guy if he’s listening in.
Buffy: You’re the sneakiest.
Riley: Why they hired me.
Feeling awkward, Buffy walks over to her desk to stack a text book on top of another book, giving herself something to
do.
Riley: You okay?
She faces him, leaning on the desk.
Buffy: Yeah. I just– Angel kind of upset me.
Riley: How?
Buffy: It’s not that interesting.
Riley: Got my attention.
Buffy: He just spun my head a little.
Riley: You don’t want to talk about it.
Buffy: It’s just deconstructing Angel can wait. Right now, I just want to get out there and patrol and-and find Adam.
We can talk about it . . later.
Riley seems a little hurt by this but tries to cover it.
Riley: It’s the pants, isn’t it? It’s okay. I couldn’t take me seriously in these things either.
Buffy: Riley, it’s not that big a deal.
Riley: Tell you what, why don’t I get out of your face? You had a long trip.
Buffy: Look, you don’t have to go.
Riley: It’s okay. (forcing a grin) Besides . . heh. (indicating pants) I have to recharge them every two hours or they go
dead on me.
Buffy: (quietly) Okay.
Cut to the hall. Close up on Riley as he closes the door. He is less than happy as he walks away.
Cut to Spike’s crypt. Xander and Anya are walking down the steps of the entrance towards Spike. He’s carrying a
bundle of clothing and Anya is drinking a soda through a straw.
Xander: Here. You should’ve just saved the ensemble from the last time we snuck into the Initiative. (hands the clothes
to Spike) I’m not a clothing delivery service.
Anya: Well, he is, kinda. He did Riley yesterday.
Xander gives her a look and she busies herself with sucking on the straw and sits down. Spike is looking through the
clothes and finds a small pistol.
Spike: Hello. This is just . . . swell.
Dropping the rest of the clothes on a stone bench, he aims the gun at the wall.
Spike: Gotta say . . liking this quite a lot.
He starts swinging the barrel around towards Xander who watches unconcerned.
Spike: Kinda changes the balances of pow–OWW!!
He clutches a hand to his forehead as pain hits him. Frustrated, he stalks across the crypt.
Spike: Akk! Oh, come on! You got to be kidding?
Anya: (playing with her straw) Wow. That chip in your head means you can’t even point a gun. How humiliating.
Xander: Doesn’t work anyway. It’s a fake.
Spike turns around to glare at him.
Anya: Can’t even point a decorative gun?
Xander: Give it up for a American chipmanship.
Spike: It doesn’t work? What about self-defense? I’m taking a risk here, you know?
Xander: Can I tell you how much I really . . don’t care?
Spike: (warningly) Attitude. See how far that’ll take you in boot camp. (Xander gives him a questioning look) Say, I
hope you get one of those toughs-as-nails drill sergeants who’s only hard on the men because he’s trying to keep them
alive when the bullets start flying. I love that stuff.
Anya is now standing giving Xander a perplexed look. Spike sits down on the bench.
Xander: Boot camp? Yeah. Like I’d go there.
Spike: What, you changed your mind? Not gonna join?
Anya hits Xander hard on the chest.
Anya: (angry) You’re joining the Army!?
Xander: (to Anya) Okay, one– Ow. (to Spike) Two– Where’d you get that idea? (to Anya) Three– OW! I’m not joining
the army!
Anya: Oh, good. Stopped that nonsense just in time.
Xander: I was never–
He turns to Spike who’s examining the fake gun.
Xander: Who’d you hear this from?
Spike: Oh, your girlie-mates were talking. Something about, uh, being all you can be. Or all you can be. And having
laugh. Figured you were signing up. Say, have you got anything larger in the . . toy gun line?
He holds out the gun to him but Xander isn’t paying him any attention.
Xander: “All I can–” (paces to the other side of the crypt) Can you believe this!? Like I’m some sort of useless lunk. It
happens I’m good at a lot of things. I help out with all kinds of . . . stuff. I have skills . . . and . . . stratagems. I’m very . .
. (looks to Anya) Help me out.
Anya: (nonchalant) He’s Viking in the sack.
Spike: (not caring) Terrific. (indicates the clothes in his hands) You didn’t have these cleaned after the last time, did you?
Xander continues as if not hearing him.
Xander: This is so like them, lately. It’s all about them and the college life. Well, you know what college is? It’s high
school only without the actual going to class. Well . . high school was kinda like that too. But the point is, I’m out there
working hard to make a living. It’s nothing but a huge joke to them. Xander got fired from Starbucks. Xander got fired
from that phone-sex line.
Anya: They look down on you.
Xander: And they hate you.
Anya: But they don’t look down on me.
Spike: Hey, it was just a laugh. There’s no need to go insane over it.
Xander glares menacingly at him.
Xander: Is anybody talking to you?
Spike: (mock gasp) Sir, no sir.
Cut to the woods. Buffy is patrolling, walking on a dirt path leading up to a cave entrance. She is carrying the blaster
Professor Walsh had given her (“The I In Team”). She’s heading towards the cave when Forrest Gates jumps out into the
path behind her and she whirls around to face him. They are pointing their blasters at each other.
Forrest: Don’t shoot.
Buffy: Give me a reason not to?
Forrest: You’re killing humans now?
Buffy: Not yet. (lowers blaster) Beating you senseless should do just fine.
Forrest: I can have a patrol here in under a minute. So here’s the plan: you go you’re way, I’ll go mine.
Buffy turns and continues to the cave. Forrest starts to follow but stops when she looks back at him.
Buffy: I’m checking out that cave.
Forrest: My orders exactly.
Buffy: Alone?
Forrest: We’re spread a little thin, so yeah. Family’s tearing apart.
Buffy: (sarcastic) Family. What kind of family are you? Corleones.
She turns and enters the cave. Cut to interior. Buffy steps inside followed by Forrest.
Forrest: We weren’t until you showed up.
Buffy: What? No girls in the club?
Forrest: You think you’re the first girlfriend Riley’s ever had? (she stops to glare at his back as he continues ahead) Such
a big head on that skinny little body. (he stops to face her) No. You’re just the first one to get him to commit treason.
Riley had a career. And a future till he met you. And, yeah, I got a problem with that.
Buffy: A future? A future doing what? (steps closer to him) Illegal experiments. Torture. Murder. I guess killing
someone isn’t really a problem for you.
Forrest: Less and less. And why don’t you get the hell out of here before I–
He takes a threatening step to her.
Buffy: (angry) Touch me and you’ll find out what Slayer strength is like.
Forrest: (gamely) I think it’s about time you showed me then.
ADAM: (OS) Yes.
They look back the way they came and see Adam suddenly standing there.
ADAM: I think that would be interesting.
Off Buffy and Forrest’s “Oh, shit” expressions, fade out.~~ Part Two ~~
Fade in. Buffy steps forward ready to fire her blaster but Adam swings his arm and knocks it out of her hands. She
quickly strikes with a front kick that does little damage and blocks Adam’s arm when he swings it at her again. Forrest
rushes in to attack but Buffy is between him and Adam and shoves him back hard.
Buffy: Get out of here!
As Forrest falls to the ground, Buffy hits Adam in the face with a hard backhand. Adam hardly feels it and grabs her by
the neck throwing her across the cave. She slams into the rock wall and drops to the ground. Adam turns his attention to
Forrest and his Polgara skewer juts out of his left arm.
Forrest is getting back to his feet.
Forrest: Not moving.
He raises his blaster and fires it at Adam. Reacting to the blast, Adam arches back, his arms wide as if accepting the
charge. The rings of electricity course over his body then seem to be absorbed within him. He looks at Forrest.
ADAM: Thank you.
Buffy saw this and is rising to her knees.
Buffy: Go! Get out!
But Forrest charges Adam and the demonoid cyborg meets him with the skewer, shoving it through his chest.
Buffy: NO!
Forrest quickly goes limp and Buffy runs towards them. With his free arm, Adam tosses Forrest’s body in the air and it
slides off his skewer and crashes into Buffy, knocking her down. Adam immediately picks up Forrest’s blaster.
Buffy: Oh, God.
Buffy rolls Forrest’s body off of herself and is rising to her feet when Adam fires the blaster. The charge hits her full
force and sends her flying back where she collides with a large boulder. She drops to her knees and, as soon as she’s on
her feet, bolts for the entrance. Adam tracks her with the gun and fires another blast. It just barely misses her, blowing
apart a huge chunk of the cave wall.
Cut to outside. We see Buffy stumbling out of the cave on legs that don’t seem to work right, but she continues to pick
up speed as she runs down the hill. She takes a quick glance over her shoulder. It doesn’t look like Adam is after her but
she doesn’t stop, desperate to escape.
She suddenly loses her footing on the edge of a steeper slope and tumbles down the incline. She doesn’t roll very far
before she’s stopped by a large rock sticking out of the ground, hitting her head hard.
Cut to overhead shot, looking down on her. Buffy is lying unconscious beside the rock. Her head turned to the side, we
can see a gash on the left side of her forehead and a bruise already forming next to her eye.
Cut to elevated shot of Sunnydale. Nighttime. Cut to Spike walking casually down the steps to the courtyard of Giles’
apartment building. He is wearing the commando garb Xander provided him with. He stops before reaching Giles’ front
door, taking one last pull on his cigarette then grounds it out under his boot. He stands there for a moment, then takes a
couple of deep breaths, prepping himself, and rushes into the apartment.
Spike: (closing the door) I think I lost the buggers.
Willow stands up from where she was sitting at Giles’ desk.
Willow: Any luck with the disks?
He pulls out a few disks from the pockets of his flak jacket and commando pants.
Spike: (handing them to her) Took what they had. Should be something useful on one of them.
Willow: Hope so.
Willow sits down again in front of her laptop. Tara is standing beside her.
Tara: What are we looking for?
Willow: (sliding one of the disks into her laptop) Anything about Adam.
Giles is sitting at the bar, pouring himself a drink. He doesn’t sound completely sober.
Giles: (unconcerned) Were there any problems getting in and out?
Spike: No. I mean, a couple of them made me on the way out, but I took care of `em.
Giles: (sarcastic) Gave them a good running-away-from-them, did you?
Spike shoots him a look.
Spike: Well, yeah. When do I get paid?
Giles: When Willow tells me you’ve brought us something useful.
Spike turns his attention to Willow. Tara is looking at what she’s doing with interest and he notices the subtle, but
intimate way, she’s stroking a lock of Willow’s hair. He raises a thoughtful eyebrow, taking note of this. Then he steps
up behind Giles.
Spike: I could’ve gone straight to the Slayer, you know? I cut you in, let you pretend you’re actually in charge, now
you’ve got to wait for Red’s permission to finish the deal?
Giles is seething into his drink.
Giles: As soon as we see what’s on the disks.
The laptop starts making electronic jittery noises.
Tara: It looks like gibberish.
Giles and Spike look over at them.
Spike: Gibberish?
Willow: They’re encrypted.
Giles: Oh, wonderful.
Giles steps away from the bar and disappears down the hall. On the laptop there are small symbols crisscrossing the
screen.
Spike: Can you fix `em?
Willow: Crack a government encryption code on my laptop? Easy as really difficult pie. Why?
Spike: (sighs) You’re not exactly the whiz these days either. God, I’m never gonna get paid.
Effected by the offhanded remark, Willow shifts uncomfortably in her chair.
Willow: I am a whiz.
Tara: She is a whiz.
Willow: If every a whiz there was. I-I just need some time.
Spike: No. I just heard you weren’t . . . (Willow hits a key and the jittering stops) Your mates said you weren’t playing
with computers so much. (indicates Tara) Into the new thing.
Willow: (frowning) What new thing?
Spike: (nonchalant) You know, you two. The whole wicca thing.
Willow: They-they were talking about that?
Spike: Can we get back to business here? I’ve got a deal at stake.
But Willow is very concerned now.
Willow: What did they say?
Spike: (impatient sigh) Talking about, you know, it’s a phase. You’ll get over it.
Willow: What? Who said that? Was it Buffy? (to Tara) ‘Cause . . . you know what she means by that.
Spike: No, she was defending you. ‘Cause Xander said you were just being trendy.
Willow: Trendy?
Spike: I don’t know what they were going on about. A person wants be a witch, that’s their business.
Willow shakes her head, thoughtfully.
Willow: (softly) I knew Buffy was freaked.
Tara: You should talk to her, ’cause I’m sure she–
Spike: Pressing business, ladies. (pointing to the screen) Don’t want to get sidetracked. (taps it with his finger) Still got
your monsters to fight.
Cut to the Initiative. The containment area. Close up of a butt-ugly demon who steps too close to the sliding glass wall
of its cell and is zapped by a charge of electricity. The place is filled with demons, every cell occupied, some with more
than one. It is also noisy with their growling. Colonel McNamara has just walked in with a lieutenant and they make
their way down the long row of white cells.
Lieutenant: Cell capacity maxed out three days ago, sir. We keep up this pace they’ll be nowhere left to contain the
hostiles.
McNamara: (coldly) They’re animals, lieutenant. We pack them in until we’re out of room and then we pack them in
some more.
Lieutenant: (worried) They’re going to start tearing each other apart, sir.
McNamara: I have no problem with that scenario.
As they reach the other side of the containment area, we see two demons in the last cell fighting, their claws at each
other’s throat.
Cut to the communications room, which is filled with techs and alive with activity and radio chatter. McNamara and the
lieutenant enter and their attention is immediately drawn to one of the officers who’s receiving an urgent message for
help from one of the squads out in the field.
Commando: (on radio) Back-up team! Request immediate back-up! Over! They’re tearing us apart over here! Two
men down! From out of nowhere! Mayday! Repeat! Mayday!
Cut to Riley at the ruins of Sunnydale High School, sitting on his sleeping bag. He puts down the soup can he was eating
out of and lifts up his jury-rigged cell phone he was listening to.
Commando: (on phone) –Team Epsilon requesting immediate back-up! We’re in the alley behind the school building!
Where the hell is– Fall back! Fall back! It’s coming–
The transmission is cut off. Riley gets up and grabs his commando gear.
Cut to a shot of Riley running down an empty street. Cut to an alley and we see a commando go flying across the alley
and hit the wall. Riley comes running around the corner just in time to see him fall to the pavement unconscious. He
hears fighting further down the alley and raises his flashlight, shining it on the back of a figure in a long black coat. As
soon as the light hits him, the person whirls around and glares at Riley.
Off Angel’s pissed off expression, fade out.~~ Part Three ~~
Fade in. Angel and Riley are facing each other. Angel is standing amidst the bodies of three more unconscious
commandos. Riley lowers the flashlight.
Angel: Riley Finn.
Riley slips the flashlight into his cargo pocket.
Riley: I know you?
Angel: We have a friend in common.
Recognition fills Riley’s expression.
Riley: Angel.
Angel takes a step forward glancing down at the commandos on the ground.
Angel: Welcoming committee your idea?
Riley: Way I heard it. You were all peaceable now. You didn’t by any chance go and lose that pesky soul again, did
you?
Angel: (dangerously) Don’t push me, boy.
If Riley had tail feathers they would have been ruffled. If he had whiskers they would have bristled.
Riley: (calm rage) Now what possibly could’ve happened with Buffy that would make you lose your soul?
Angel is walking a slow path that would take him around Riley.
Angel: (coolly) That’d be between me and her.
Riley steps in Angel’s path and hits the release on the asp in his hand extending it to a baton.
Riley: Where do you think you’re going?
Angel: Going to see an old girlfriend.
They are now standing right in front of each other.
Riley: Oh, you really think I’m gonna let that happen?
Angel: You think you’re gonna stop me?
Riley: I surely do.
Angel throws a right cross at Riley’s face but he deflects it with his free hand and whips the baton into Angel’s face.
Riley quickly spins into a backhand swing and Angel catches his arm, forcing him down on one knee, and slams a knee
into Riley’s face. Angel doesn’t let him go and lifts him back to his feet to swing him around and throw him through the
air. Riley flies back into a large heap of trash bags and card board boxes next to the loading dock of a building. He
scrambles out of the trash onto the loading dock and picks up his baton where it had landed. Angel leaps high through
the air landing on the dock before Riley can get to his feet. Riley uses the baton to block Angel’s kick but the weapon is
knocked out of his hand and the vampire punches him across the face. Still on his knees, Riley retaliates with a fist to
Angel’s groin and, as the vampire bends down around his pain, gets to his feet picking up an empty liquor bottle and
smashes it over his head. He grabs Angel by the coat and rams a knee into his back sending him against the building.
Angel swings a backhand but Riley blocks it and slams the same knee into his stomach. Angel recovers and grabs
Riley’s flak jacket slamming him back against a heavy door. He hits Angel in the face with a left cross, but Angel just
slams him against the door again, getting his hands around his throat. As Riley is forced down, under Angel’s strength,
he pulls out a taser from his jacket and shoves into Angel’s chest. The shock flings him back and he falls into the trash
heap. Riley’s on his feet and goes after him.
Angel raises his head and growls at him, in full vamp face. Riley plants a hard kick into his chest and Angel tumbles out
onto the pavement. Standing over him, Riley tries to hit him with the taser once more, but Angel catches his wrist,
forcing him to drop it, and drives a fist into his stomach. He lifts Riley over his head and growls as he runs with him
across the alley to send him crashing into a group of storage drums against the side of a warehouse. Riley tumbles to the
ground but Angel picks him up again and sends him flying to the other side of the alley. He lands on a pile of large metal
conduit tubes, which break his fall none to gently, and he flops to the pavement.
Angel hears the loud engine of an approaching vehicle and quickly climbs up the side of the warehouse, disappearing
over the top. Riley is on his knees when he sees the humvee rounding the corner. He manages to get to his feet and
hurries on unsteady legs down a narrow passage between two of the buildings before the headlights sweep the alley.
Cut to Buffy’s dorm room. She walks inside, looking like hell, and removes her jacket as she steps up to the mirror on
the wall. Ugly bruising has formed around the gash on her forehead and she winces as she touches it with her fingers.
Cut to outside her door. Someone steps in front of it and knocks. A moment later, Buffy opens the door and is surprised
to see–
Buffy: Angel.
Angel: Hi. Can I come in?
Buffy: (softly) I guess.
He hesitates.
Angel: Uh, I need a little more than that.
Buffy: Oh. Um . . . come in.
He walks inside past her and she closes the door. He turns to face her and she takes notice of the blood on his temple and
his split bottom lip.
Buffy: (stoic) You’re hurt.
Angel: You too.
Buffy: I’ll live.
Buffy: You want to tell me who ran your face into that doorknob?
Angel: Not really. It’s not world-in-peril stuff.
Buffy: Let me guess. (a touch of venom) You thought of something else really hurtful to say and, well, you couldn’t tell
me on the phone because the funniest part is that look on my face–
Angel: Buffy, please. I really don’t have a lot of time.
She hears the slight urgency in his voice.
Buffy: (concerned) What’s going on?
The door bursts open a Riley steps in, steadying himself against the shelf of Willow’s desk. He raises his arm and aims
the Baretta in his hand at Angel, thumbing back the hammer.
Riley: (pissed) I told you you weren’t coming near her.
Buffy takes in his battered appearance. She goes ballistic.
Buffy: (pissed) You’ve got to be kidding me. This is why you came?
Angel: No. This was accident.
Buffy: (very pissed) Running a car into a tree is an accident! Running your fist into somebody’s face is a plan! Please,
explain this to me!
Angel doesn’t answer her but looks at Riley.
Angel: (calmly) Put that gun down.
Riley: It’s pretty much all I got left, so I’m thinking not. He attacked four of my men, Buffy. I think he’s up to his old
tricks.
Buffy: He won’t hurt anybody. (to Angel) Tell him.
Angel starts to move forward.
Angel: (with contained violence) Might hurt you.
Riley steps forward.
Riley: Please try.
Angel: Heh. Some threat. You can barely stand.
Riley brandishes the gun in front of his face.
Riley: Trigger finger feels okay.
Angel: (sideglance to Buffy) You actually sleep with this guy?
While his head’s turned, Riley punches him in the face. Angel quickly hits him back.
Buffy: Okay, stop it!
Buffy steps in between them and shoves them apart. Riley slams back against Willow’s desk and Angel goes flying onto
Willow’s bed.
Buffy: Okay, that’s enough! I see one more display of testosterone poisoning and I will personally put you both in the
hospital!
She glances back and forth between them. Riley looks like he still wants to shoot Angel.
Buffy: (challengingly) Anybody think I’m exaggerating?
Angel: He started–
Buffy points a warning finger at him and he wisely shuts up. She gives him a “working my last nerve” look and walks
over to Riley.
Buffy: (softly) Riley. (glances at his gun)
Riley: I’m sorry. (he holsters it) Just wanted to know that you were safe.
Buffy: (gently) I need to talk to Angel for a minute.
Riley: (exasperated) What?
Buffy: Riley, please.
He looks over at Angel who’s just sitting down on the bed, elbows resting on his knees. He looks down at Buffy again.
Riley: (quietly firm) I’m not leaving this room. (crosses his arms) I mean it.
Riley continues to glare at Angel. Buffy looks over her shoulder and gives Angel a slight tilt of her head, then walks past
Riley to the door. Angel stands up to follow her and doesn’t even bother to hide the smirk on his face as he passes Riley.
He closes the door and Riley is left alone.
Riley: Not moving a muscle.
Out in the empty hall, Buffy turns on Angel.
Buffy: (angry) Okay. I come to see you, to help you, and you treat me like I’m just . . . your ex.
Angel: Well, technically–
Buffy: Shut up! And then you order me out of your city and then you come here and start pounding on my
boyfriend?! I would really like to know what the HELL are you trying to do?!.
Angel: I was trying to make things better.
She regards his sincere expression and can’t keep herself from laughing. It becomes contagious because Angel can’t help
but to smile also.
Angel: Heh. Well. (chuckles) It’s a . . . going pretty good, don’t you think?
Buffy is leaning against the wall.
Buffy: (smiling) Swell.
Angel: You know– heh. (seriously) I couldn’t leave it like that. The way I spoke to you– I came to apologize. I . . I had
no right.
Buffy: And Riley?
Angel: I got jumped by some soldiers. He came in in the middle. And wasn’t real forthcoming with the benefit of the
doubt.
Buffy: Put yourself in his place.
Angel does consider this.
Angel: I get it.
Buffy is looking down at the floor.
Buffy: Look . . . You weren’t entirely wrong, what you said in L.A. (she meets his eyes) We don’t live in each other’s
worlds anymore. I had no right to barge in on yours and make judgments.
Angel: I’m still sorry.
Buffy: Thank you.
Angel: And, next time . . I’ll apologize by phone. (Buffy laughs softly) Uh, things are pretty tense around here.
Buffy rests her head back tiredly.
Buffy: They really are.
Angel: Can I do anything?
Buffy: Honestly . . . I think the best thing you can do right now is–
Angel: (understandingly) Okay.
Buffy: It means a lot that you came.
Angel just looks at her for a moment then starts walking down the hall. Buffy his heading to her door when Angel turns
around again.
Angel: Oh, and . . . Riley.
Buffy: Yeah?
Angel: I don’t like him.
Buffy smiles.
Buffy: Thank you.
Angel turns and continues down the hall. Buffy watches him for a couple of seconds then returns to her room. She
opens the door and we see that Riley did in fact move several muscles for he is standing on the other side of the room.
He has removed his flak jacket and turns to face her.
Cut to Adam’s lair. He is sitting in front of his computer set-up. The metal plate on the left side of his head is open and
there is a cable plugged into a socket, wiring him directly to the system. We hear a heavy door being opened and he
looks over to see Spike walking into the chamber. The vampire is back in his usual attire and is finishing off a can of
beer.
Spike: (happily) Now that . . . (crushes can and throws it down) was fun!
ADAM: You were successful?
Spike: (“no problem” scoff) Easier than I’d thought it’d be, too.
ADAM: You’re sure?
Spike: (scoffs) Feel it in my bones. It’s, uh . . called the Yoko Factor.
Spike lights a cigarette and Adam just looks at him.
Spike: Don’t tell me you’ve never heard of the Beatles?
Adam disconnects the cable and closes his face plate.
ADAM: I have. (stands) I like “Helter Skelter.”
He crosses to the other side of the chamber.
Spike: What a surprise. The point is, they were once a real powerful group. It’s not a stretch to say they ruled the
world. And when they broke up everyone blamed Yoko, but the fact is the group split itself apart, she just happened to
be there. And you know how it is with kids. They go off to college, they grow apart. Way of the world.
ADAM: So you separated the Slayer from her friends. I’m pleased.
Adam turns and gazes down at the ground, looking thoughtful.
Spike: Well . . since we’ve got all our ducks in a row and not talking to each other . . guess it’s time for the grand plan,
huh? You know the one where I get the chipectomy. You got everything you need, right?
Adam looks at him.
ADAM: No. There’s one more thing.
Spike regards him with a frown.~~ Part Four ~~
Fade in. From where we left Buffy and Riley. She’s stepping up to him and they’re standing between the beds.
Buffy: (softly) How bad are you hurt?
Riley: Dunno yet. Night’s still young.
Buffy: (mournful) Riley, I have to tell you something.
Riley: Figured.
Buffy: Maybe you want to sit down.
Riley: I’m fine.
Buffy: Riley, I–
Riley: (insistent) Wait. Me first.
Buffy blinks in surprise.
Riley: Buffy . . . I feel like we’ve gotten really close. At least I thought we had. I don’t know much about Angel (Buffy
lowers her eyes) or your relationship with him . . but . . . all I ask is . . if you’re gonna break heart, do it fast.
Buffy looks up at him, frowning.
Buffy: What? You think that Angel and I . . .
Riley: Didn’t you?
Buffy: No. Of course not. How can you even ask me that?
Riley: (sighs) I don’t know. Xander said–
Buffy: Xander?! Oh, he’s the deadest man in Deadonia.
Riley: No. It’s not his fault. I prodded and he explained how Angel went bad. The, uh, trigger.
Buffy: (quietly) Oh.
Riley: And, uh (chuckles) after that, I went a little nuts! You know? I mean . . . On the one hand . . I should believe in
us. But on the other . . Sometimes things happen between exes and when I saw that he was bad. . .
Buffy: He’s . . not bad.
Riley just looks at her.
Riley: Seriously? That’s . . a good day? (Buffy rolls her eyes in confirmation) Well, there you go. Even when he’s good
he’s all Mister . . Billowy Coat King of Pain and girls really–
Buffy: Riley, stop.
She takes his hand and they sit down on her bed.
Riley: See? Nuts.
Buffy: Have I ever given you any reason to feel that you can’t trust me?
Riley: No.
Buffy: Then why with the crazy?
He looks into her eyes.
Riley: (meaningfully) Because I’m so in love with you I can’t think straight.
Her eyes start to glisten.
Buffy: Tell me about it.
He hugs her and she closes her eyes as she holds him tight.
Buffy: Riley. (pulls away) I still have to tell you something. And there’s no easy way–
Riley: Just say it.
Buffy: (a beat) Forrest is dead.
Riley takes this news and leans his elbows on his knees, resting his face in his hands.
Buffy: (gently) I’m so sorry. There was a fight. Adam killed him. I barely got away. I know that there’s nothing I can
say that’s gonna make this better. But we will find this thing and destroy it.
Riley: (somber) I have to go.
Buffy: Are you sure?
He doesn’t look at her once as he raises his head and stands up.
Riley: I have to go now.
He walks to the door, grabbing his flak jacket off Willow’s chair and leaves.
Off Buffy’s concerned expression, we–
Cut to Giles’ apartment. Willow is still working on the laptop. The encryption code is still crisscrossing the screen.
Willow: (a tad frustrated) It’s still encrypted.
Buffy and Tara are standing to either side of her.
Tara: (to Buffy) Well, Willow’s working really hard on it.
Buffy: Okay, well, how long before you . . un-crypt it?
Willow: Hours. Days maybe. Anyone suggesting months would not be accused of crazy talk.
Giles is in the kitchen pouring himself a drink and more inebriated than ever.
Giles: What ever happened to Latin? At least when that made no sense, the church approved.
Buffy: (slightly impatient) I can’t just wait around, Will. The disk is no good to me unless you crack it soon.
Buffy doesn’t see Willow’s withering look behind her back as she walks towards the living room area. Anya is sitting on
the arm of the couch, her feet on the cushion. Xander is sitting next to her not looking entirely happy.
Anya: Hey! We worked really hard getting that. Xander delivered clothing.
Giles: Church approved.
Giles happily closes the cork of the liquor bottle with his palm.
Buffy: Sorry, you guys, but we’re on a clock here. Okay, Adam was at that cave so maybe he was there for a reason? I-I
can–I can go back, scope it out, track him if I have to.
Willow: (sarcastic) Right. (stands moving to the living room) And then maybe you’ll get lucky and he’ll still be there and
he can rip your arms off for you? (sternly) Buffy, you can’t go back alone.
Giles: You never train with me anymore. He’s gonna kick your ass.
Buffy: (shocked) Giles.
He steps out of the kitchen, drink in hand, and leans against the entrance of the hallway.
Giles: Sorry. Was it a bit honest? (drunken grin) Terribly sorry.
Xander: (standing) So she doesn’t go alone. (turns to him) Giles, weapons all around.
Buffy: You’re not going, Xander.
He turns to face her, giving her a hard look.
Buffy: Y-you’d get hurt.
Xander: (as if expecting this) Oh. Okay. You and Willow go do the superpower thing, I’ll stay behind and putt around
the Batcave with crusty old Alfred here. (with a thumb to Giles)
Giles: Ah-ah, no. I am no Alfred, sir. No, you forget. Alfred had a job.
Buffy: Willow is not going either. I’m doing it alone.
Willow steps closer so now she’s standing at one end of the coffee table across from Buffy. Xander is between them.
Tara slips past Giles and disappears down the hallway.
Willow: (still sarcastic) Oh, great. And then when you have your new “no arms” we can all say “Gee, it’s a good thing
we weren’t there getting in the way of that!”
Anya gets up from the couch but they don’t notice her following Tara.
Xander: Right! Maybe we can help in other ways? (to Buffy) Want some fighting pants, Buff? I can get ya some new
fighting pants!
Buffy: You guys, this isn’t helping.
Willow: Oh, wow! We’re already getting in the way. We’re pretty good at this, Xander, huh?
Xander: Right. I’m so good at it you might have to ship me off to the Army to get me out of the way!
Buffy: The Army?
Xander: You didn’t think I knew about that, did you? You two talking about me behind my back.
Willow frowns at him.
Buffy: Us talking about you? How about you telling Riley every last detail of my life with Angel?
Willow: And besides, when is there any “us two?” You two are the two who are the two. I’m the other one.
Xander: Uh-huh. But maybe that all changes when I’m doing sit-ups over at Fort Dix?
Giles almost chokes on his drink.
Giles: Fort Dix?
He bursts out in a wheezing laugh. The three of them stare at him
Buffy: Are you drunk?
Giles: (happily) Yes. Quite a bit, actually.
Buffy: Well, stop it! (to Xander and Willow) This is stupid.
Xander: Stupid? So you finally have the guts to say it to my face?
Buffy: I didn’t say you were stupid! So . . stop being an idiot and let me fix this!
Xander rolls his head in an exasperated way and sits down on the couch.
Buffy: Okay, I need you. I need both of you. All the time! Just . . not now. Adam is very dangerous.
Willow: Wait. How do you need me, really?
Buffy: You’re . . good with the computer stuff. (Willow accepts that) Usually. (Willow glares at her) And-and there’s the
witch stuff.
Willow: (accusingly) Witch stuff? What exactly do you mean by “witch stuff?”
Buffy: You guys, what is happening? This is crazy!
Giles: Oh, no, it’s not. (moves to his desk) It’s all finally making perfect sense and I’m not going to miss a moment of it.
He sets his drink down and tries to sit. But his aim is off and his ass doesn’t come close to hitting the chair and he drops
to the floor.
Cut to Giles’ very clean, white bathroom. Anya is sitting on the closed lid of the toilet and Tara is leaning against the
side of the tub. They can still hear the muffled argument on the other side of the closed door.
Tara: You think this will go on for a while?
Anya: (nonchalant) Hard to say.
They fall silent as they look around the bathroom.
Tara: Nice bathroom.
Anya: (nodding) Like the tile.
Cut back to the others. Xander is on his feet again, rounding to stand behind the couch. Behind him, Giles stumbles
towards the stairs taking off his glasses.
Xander: And if I did join the Army, I’d be great! You know why? ‘Cause they might give me a job that couldn’t be done
by any well-trained border collie.
Giles: That’s it. I’m going to bed.
He struggles to pull his sweater over his head as he stomps up the stairs. Willow stands beside Xander.
Willow: No, you’d do wonderful in the Army. Hey, do you think the umbilical cord between you and Anya can stretch
that far?
Xander: I knew it! I knew you hated her!
Giles’ sweater drops down from the loft above and falls on him covering his face. Xander yanks it off his head.
Willow: Look, I’m not the one being judgmental here. I’ll leave that territory to you and Buffy.
Buffy: Judgmental? If I was anymore open-minded about the choices you two make my whole brain would fall out!
Xander: (to Willow) Oh! And superior. Don’t forget that. (to Buffy) Just because you’re better than us doesn’t mean that
you can be all superior!
He walks past her and crosses his arms as he leans against a cabinet dresser behind her.
Buffy: You guys, stop this! What happened to you today?
Willow: It’s not today! Buffy, things have been wrong for a while! Don’t you see that?
Buffy: What do you mean wrong?
Willow: Well, they certainly haven’t been right, since Tara. We have to face it. You can’t handle Tara being my
girlfriend.
Xander: No! It was bad before that! (he steps out in between them again) Since you two went off to college and forgot
about me! Just left me in the basement to– (turns on Willow in shock) Tara’s your girlfriend?
Giles: (from upstairs) Bloody hellll!
Buffy: Enough! All I know is you want to help, right? Be part of the team?
Willow and Xander shake their heads, grumbling.
Willow: (unison) I don’t know anymore.
Xander: (unison) Really not wanted.
Buffy: (raising her voice) No! No, you said you wanted to go. So let’s go! All of us. We’ll walk into that cave with you
two attacking me and the funny drunk drooling on my shoe! Hey! Hey, maybe that’s the secret way of killing Adam?!
Xander: Buffy . . .
Buffy: (hurt and angry) Is that it? Is that how you can help? (a beat) You’re not answering me! How can you possibly
help?
They don’t reply and turn their eyes away from her. She regards them silently for a moment.
Buffy: (somberly) So . . . I guess I’m starting to understand why there’s no ancient prophecy about a Chosen One . . and
her friends.
She hurries to the door grabbing her jacket.
Buffy: If I need help, I’ll go to someone I can count on.
They don’t move as she slams the door, leaving them behind.
Cut to Adam’s lair. We hear the heavy door opening again. Adam is standing and turns when someone walks into the
chamber.
ADAM: I’ve been waiting for you.
Cut to close up of Riley.
Riley: And now I’m here.
To be continued
Executive Producer
Joss Whedon
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