[Transcript of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" episode Bargaining (part 2) at buffyology.com.]
The Hellions surround the Buffybot once again. They ride around her in circles. Every now and then, they hit her as they pass.
Oh, I'm dangerously close to (blow to the face) systems failure! Must disengage from combat so Willow can service me.
Razor swings a length of chain.
I'll service ya, girl toy!
He throws the chain and the robot goes down. He stops his bike beside her and gets off.
Xander and Willow. Xander is about to pick Willow up again when Anya and Tara arrive, panting.
Willow!
Tara drops to her knees and takes Willow's head in her lap.
I'm pretty sure she's okay. (to Anya) Or as okay as someone who's just had snakes coming out of their mouth can be. What the hell was that all about, Tara?
Less talk, more running away.
I'm sure the woods'll give us cover. Their motorcycles can't follow us in here.
The motorcycles engines get closer; the light from their headlights shines through the trees.
Someone should tell them that.
New plan.
He goes to Willow and lifts her.
Let's split up.
No, bad plan.
Xander and Tara support the unconscious Willow between them.
I'll take her.
No, I can carry her. I'll keep her safe.
We should meet up somewhere.
The Magic Box. Whoever gets there first, call Dawn and Spike.
Tara and Anya start off but Anya pauses.
Wait. What about the Buffybot?
We can't. It's lost. Go!
Xander picks Willow up and heads off. Tara and Anya go off together in the other direction.
The Buffybot. It's on the ground surrounded by demons, kicking and whooping with glee.
Buffy pounds frantically on the sides of the casket; she tries to scream but no sound comes from her mouth. She's terrified. She bangs on the inner lid just inches from her face and rips away the cloth liner.
Xander carries Willow, moving as fast as he can. He puts her down on the ground as she begins to come around again.
Xan... Xander, where-- where...
Shh! We're using our quiet voice, Will.
Wh-where's Tara?
Off and running. Like we need to be. We gotta keep moving.
Oh... right. Demons... on bikes.
Yeah. We got trouble. Right here in Hellmouth City. And our very own robo-Buffy led them right to us.
Buffy! The ritual! We have to go back.
Will, I told you.
We have to try again.
No, we can't.
We have to, Xander! I... she's waiting! She's counting on us... on me! I can't leave her there any more. I won't. We have to finish.
Shh!
A motorcycle rumbles past nearby.
Will... the Urn of Cirrhosis--
Osiris?
Yeah. It got kind of...
Broken. It's broken. I remember.
So we'll find another one. Better made. Anya and I will jump back on the web--
There is no other one.
Okay, we'll fix this one. A little tape, a dab of Krazy Glue.
No. It's no use. The urn's defiled. It's gone. Nothing. It was all for nothing. Buffy's gone. She's really gone.
Willow begins to cry and buries her face in Xander's chest.
Buffy rips the cloth from the lid of the casket. She bangs her hands against the wood, then punches her fist through it. Dirt begins to rain down on her as she pulls at the wood, widening the hole.
Anya runs through the woods, looking around wildly.
Over here! Stop your moanin'.
Anya falls down as Tara pulls at her from behind a rock.
Was that really necessary? A simple "psst"--
Tara wraps her hand over Anya's mouth. They fall silent as two demons approach. Mag and his partner KLYED trudge through the forest toward them.
I'm just saying it's rank.
Get off it, Klyed.
Razor and the others head back to town, leave us here to hunt down strays. It's bullsh--
Mag seizes him by his jacket.
Hey! You got a bug up your crack, you take it up with Razor. Until then you do as he says and shut your hole before I rip you a new one.
He lets go of Klyed and looks around, snarling.
Ah, screw this. Let's get out of here. Let's go hit some stores.
Tara and Anya relax as the demons move away.
Doesn't sound like they found Willow and Xander.
Did he say stores? Hitting stores? Does that mean looting?
I think the woods let out over this way (points) We should keep off the streets, take alleys if we can.
They can't loot the magick shop. Not now! I just got it.
Let's go.
You don't think they'll cause a lot of damage, do you?
The Hellions systematically wreck houses and cars on Revello Drive. One throws a Molotov cocktail at the front door of a home and jumps up and down triumphantly as the porch bursts into flame.
A demon rides past a wooden mailbox labeled "Summers" and smashes it with a baseball bat.
Dawn looks out the front window.
A couple of stakes... holy water, one cross.
He reaches in to grab the cross, then stumbles back, holding his hand in pain.
Ow! Brilliant.
Spike looks up from Buffy's weapons chest and notices Dawn.
Here! You want me to bloody thump you? I told you to stay away from the window.
Who are they?
Hellions. Road pirates. They raid towns, use 'em up, burn 'em down. It's usually backwaters, any place... they think is vulnerable.
They know. The Slayer's gone.
Can't stay here.
Well, I'm not going out there!
Got no choice, bit. I can't protect you here.
Well, we can lock the doors, turn out the lights.
And what, hide under the bed linen? Not really my style.
But we need to wait for the others and Buffy. (off his look) Bot. You know, the Buffybot. We have to wait for the others--
Spike grabs her roughly by the shoulders.
Look! (softer) Dawn, I get that you're scared. But I'm your sitter, so mind me. I'm not going to let any of those buggers lay so much as a warty digit on you. Right?
Right.
Right, then. We can't wait around to see if the others will pop in. We're on our own. No one's coming to our rescue.
He takes Dawn's hand and leads her to the back door.
CU: the churned ground, criss-crossed with cycle tracks.
A hand bursts from the ground below, followed by Buffy's arms, head and shoulders. She gasps for air, pulls herself up onto the grass and lies there, panting. She looks around fearfully at the dark forest.
Buffy slowly gets to her feet and stares at her headstone. She frowns in confusion, then her eyes widen in shock as she realizes what has happened.
A car burns brightly as Buffy shuffles down the middle of the street. The business district is in shambles and Buffy walks through the twisted landscape like a zombie, disoriented and shell-shocked.
The door opens and Tara and Anya enter.
Willow, Xander!
They search the shop and find it empty.
They're not here.
Thank god. (off her look) No, I mean my store hasn't been looted.
A crash from a nearby shop.
Yet.
Tara peers out the window; Hellions loot a store across the street.
Xander...
They're all right.
Then where are they? Why aren't they here?
I don't know.
They could be hurt. Xander could be lying somewhere broken and bleeding, calling out my name.
Anya...
Like that, oh god! What if they're really hurt? What if they're dead?
They're not.
How do you know?
Because he's with Willow. And if something... happened, I'd know. And so would you.
You think?
I'm sure of it. (hugs her) They're fine. They're both fine. Maybe they got lost in the woods.
The woods? Are we going back to the woods? I hate the woods. All those woodsy trees.
No, it's okay. Lost is good. Willow and I always know how to find each other!
She runs to the reading table, shoves the books off onto the floor and climbs up on it, sitting cross-legged.
With yoga?
Shh! (eyes closed) Arcadia, hear my words...
Xander and Willow walk through the trees. Willow leans on Xander for support.
Okay, this is really starting to grate my cheese. These woods aren't that big. Now, I know we've been going straight because I've been following the North Star.
Xander. That's not the North Star. It's an airplane.
Nah, that's not an airplane. It's definitely... a blimp! But I can see how one could make that airplane mistake.
I can't walk any more. I need to rest.
It can't be much further.
You said that an hour ago. I just... that spell took a lot out of me.
As for example, snakes? How come you didn't tell us how much--
No. Not now.
What were we into back there, Will?
It doesn't matter anyway.
Do not get all avoidy on me.
I'm not avoidy. I just... we have bigger problems. Demons?
Demons! Ah. There's something you don't see every day. (beat) Unless you're us!
Yeah and now we're lost, so can we... what's that?
See? Avoidy.
Over there, that light.
That one moving toward us? Incredibly fast?
A blue pinpoint light moves through the trees toward them like a large firefly.
Hello?
"Hello?" We're being hunted and you're helloing a strange fast- moving light in the dark? It could be anything. It's a motorcycle headlight.
No, too small.
Stay behind me.
He picks a stick up and moves forward.
Xander, I don't--
Stay down. I'll take care of this.
The light zips right up to Xander and circles his head.
Xander, it's--
A bug! A big fiery bug!
He swats at it desperately.
Xander--
Get off! Do fireflies bite? No, they probably burn, don't they? They--
Xander, it's not a bug. It's Tara.
Willow follows the light as it moves off.
Come on.
She moves past Xander and through the trees. Xander follows uncertainly.
And how long have you known that your girlfriend's Tinkerbell?
Buffy makes her way down a residential street. A siren wails in the background. Buffy leans against a car parked in a driveway.
The car's lights snap on and its security system begins to wail and honk. Buffy presses her hands over her ears in pain. The house lights come on and the front door opens. The HOMEOWNER comes out onto the porch holding a shotgun.
What are you doing?
Buffy peers at him through her fingers trying to make sense of it all.
Get away from there! Do you hear me? I said get off my property! Leave us alone. Get outta here!
He fires into the air and Buffy runs off in a panic.
Dawn and Spike run around the side of the house, crouching down behind the bushes. Spike pushes Dawn behind him and looks out to the street.
Get back.
The demons ride their bikes up onto the porch of the house across the street, break the windows and dive into the house. The people inside scream in terror and Spike smiles.
It looks like they're just wrecking stuff. No thought other than just destruct-o-rama. (off Spike's look) What?
Oh, nothing... just looked like fun. (off her look) I'm just sayin'. Yeah, it's just with this kind of frolicking going on all around town, we're not going to get very far without...
Spike spots something, moves away from the wall. He picks up a football helmet and a baseball bat lying on the ground in the neighbor's yard. He tosses the helmet to Dawn and she catches it, confused. Spike points at her, then walks away.
The street. A demon rounds the corner at a high rate of speed, barreling straight toward Spike. He doesn't move.
At the last second, Spike leaps up into the air and kicks the demon off the bike. He picks up the crashed motorcycle and gets on.
Let's fly, pigeon!
She puts the helmet on and runs to Spike as the other demons charge out of the house across the street. Spike and Dawn take off into the night, leaving them in the dust.
Frantic knocking at the door. Anya stands next to it but doesn't open up.
Already been looted, sorry! Try the appliance store down the block. They've got great toasters.
Anya!
Xander?
She opens the door and Xander helps Willow in. Willow sees Tara and rushes to her, embracing tightly. Xander closes and locks the door.
I knew you weren't dead.
Wow, then why was I so worried?
Are you--
Not yet. But I will be.
Willow eases down into a chair with a pained expression. Tara stands behind her massaging her shoulders.
Where's Dawn and Spike?
We've been calling the house but--
Maybe they're on their way here. I mean, this place is NORAD and we are at DefCon One. (off their looks) Okay, I so need male friends.
We have to go out and look for them.
She tries to get up but Tara pushes her back down.
There's this guy at work I kind of hit it off with... Tito. I mean, he seems like a good... (off their looks) You were talking about Dawn and Spike, of course.
Question. (to Willow) You want us to go back out there?
Well, yeah. Unless somebody's got a better idea.
Well, it's just... we're minus a Buffybot. And Spike is missing in action somewhere with Dawn and Giles flew away and... well you're looking a little magicked-out.
An, honey, we're nearing your point, right?
It's just, how are we supposed to fight these guys? I mean, we can take a vampire or two, sure, but there's a whole cavalcade of demons out there. (beat) I mean, I think this, you know... it takes... I mean, we need...
Buffy.
Buffy.
Buffy is not coming back. We failed. So we're it, gang. Xander, grab the weapons. We're going to look for Dawn and Spike.
Glass breaks nearby.
If we're going to go, we should go now. They're just getting more and more worked up by the moment.
Well, they can't keep it up forever. I mean, maybe they'll party themselves out, you know, tire of this place and move on.
Razor addresses his minions.
Say hello to your new home, boys.
A loud cheer. One of them blows a mouthful of beer at his torch, creating a huge flame. A pile of trash burns in the background.
This here is a momentous occasion, the beginning of a new era.
Buffy walks slowly toward them, looking around uncertainly.
Now, no question, the open back roads and highways have been good to us. But we've got ourselves a juicy little burg here, just ripe for the picking and I ain't in no hurry to leave it. You?
The demons scream "no" as Buffy approaches.
So I figure what better way to kick off our... semi-settling-down than with a little christening?
The demons cheer. Several of them attach chains to their motorcycles and grin at each other as the cheering continues.
A symbolic act commemorating the new order around here... and ridding ourselves of any not-so-pleasant reminders of the old.
Razor raises a gun and loads one bullet in it.
All in one quick, really, really violent fell swoop. Gentlemen, start your engines.
The demons start their bikes. Reveal Buffybot in the center of the circle of motorcycles. She's attached to them all by chains stretching from her limbs.
Buffy catches sight of the robot and her eyes widen in shock. At the same moment, the robot notices Buffy as well.
Bye-bye, Slayer!
Buffy takes a step closer. The robot mouths "Buffy" as Razor fires into the air. The bikes rev. The slack disappears from the chains.
No!
The four motorcycles all roar off in four different directions. Buffybot's arms and legs are ripped from her body and her torso falls to the ground in a shower of sparks. Razor grins malevolently as his gang turns to Buffy.
Another one for the fire, boys. Tear it up.
Buffy backs away, then runs for her life.
Buffy dashes down the street as a demon on a motorcycle rides up behind and cuts in front of her. Another rides by swinging a chain over his head. Buffy dashes toward that demon as the first one follows. She ducks and the chain slams the first demon off his bike.
Buffy gets up and runs off.
Xander, Tara, Willow and Anya. They walk down the street, Xander with an axe over his shoulder; Willow carries a crossbow.
It wasn't your fault. We don't know if the spell would have worked even if the demons hadn't--
It would have worked.
Well, maybe...
What?
Maybe it wasn't supposed to. I mean, those demons showing up at the exact wrong time? Maybe we really were in over our heads, invoking forces that we have no right to. Maybe the fates sent down all that destruction on us to stop us. I mean...
You mean maybe it was my fault.
No. No.
She puts her arms around Willow and continues walking.
Buffy. She leaps over a pile of garbage and flings herself over a fence. A Hellion screeches to a stop behind her and growls angrily.
The gang. Anya drops back with Xander out of the others' earshot.
I'm not saying we announce it this second.
Anya!
Well, I think it would please them to know we're engaged and I think Willow in particular could use a real morale-booster right now.
Can we talk about this later?
It's just all the excuses for not telling everyone we're engaged are gone now. I mean, aside from hell bikers, there's nothing standing in our way. This is it. No more surprises.
Something drops to the ground in front of them.
Watch it!
It's Buffy. She crouches, staring at them through wildly mussed hair, an almost feral quality about her. She slowly rises to her feet.
It... it's the Buffybot.
Ah, peachy. No doubt to lead the wild bunch right to us again. Hey Will, next time this thing's damaged, couldn't you program it to find the nearest Radio Shack or...
Xander trails off when he sees the look on Willow's face. She stares at Buffy in wonder.
Buffy?
Buffy pulls back fearfully, then turns and runs away.
Buffy!
The gang runs after her, calling as they go. They round a corner into another alley. It's empty.
Where is she?
Willow spots Buffy crouched in a corner between a wall and some random junk.
Buffy? Buffy, are you... it's Willow. Can you hear me?
Buffy looks around nervously like a trapped animal.
What's wrong with her?
Nothing! She... she's in shock.
Her hands are bleeding. Her fingers.
CU: Buffy's hands, scraped and covered with blood.
Oh, she's filthy.
Xander realizes what's happened.
Oh, no.
What?
No. How could we... so stupid!
Xander!
Our spell. Our resurrection spell worked like a magick charm. We brought you back to life, Buffy. (to Willow) Right where we left her.
Willow and Tara realize what he means and recoil in shock.
Oh, god...
In her own coffin.
Willow turns in anguish to Tara who hugs her.
She had to... dig out of her own grave?
Xander bends over to look Buffy in the face.
Buffy? Buffy, it's Xander. We're sorry. We didn't know.
Buffy turns her head away and her hair covers her face.
Buffy...
You aren't reaching her. She's too traumatized.
Anya pushes forward and Xander moves aside for her.
Hey, Buffy. Here's some good news that might perk you right up. Xander and I have an announcement.
Anya!
Xander grabs her arm and pulls her away.
What? Just trying to help.
Xander bends over in front of Buffy again.
Buffy... it's going to be all right. We brought you back. You're home now.
Buffy slowly raises her head and looks at him.
Yeah, that's it. You're home.
Yeah. Welcome home, Slayer.
The gang turns to find Razor and the Hellions spread out behind them.
Alive and kickin' after all! (beat) Well, alive, anyway. Not looking too good, though, is she?
I don't see you winning too many beauty contests... unless the Miss "My Face Fell Off" Pageant gets going.
Big axe you got there.
The better to cut you down to size, grandma.
Razor grins, takes a step forward.
Incindere.
A gout of flame erupts from the ground between Razor and Xander. The demon staggers back.
Ah, so you got a witch in the mix.
More than one.
I happen to be a very powerful man-witch myself. (off Razor's look) Or male... (to Willow) Is it a warlock? (she nods) Warlock.
Plus, we have a Slayer here who might actually be looking to eat some brains so I think a little quiet moseying, no hard feelings, and I'm sure your demon horde won't think any the less of you.
Now my boys, see, that's tricky. They came looking for a massacre... and I think you got exactly enough magick between you for a kiddy birthday party.
Buffy, a bit more aware now, starts to rise as Willow steps forward.
Then you'd be wrong.
Whoa. Well, I better back off or you might what? Pull a rabbit out of a hat?
Don't do that! (to Tara) Why would she do that?
We don't want trouble... you don't want trouble.
Of course we want trouble. We're demons. We're really all about trouble.
Not this kind.
Oh. I get your point.
He backhands Willow, who flies backward and lands on a garbage heap. Xander charges but Razor easily shoves him aside and he falls to the ground.
Now let me tell you something, children. We're not going to fight you. We're just going to hold you down and enjoy ourselves for a few hours.
Buffy rises to her feet and looks down at Willow.
You might even live through it. Except that certain of my boys got some... anatomical incompatibilities that tend to tear up little girls. So who wants to go first?
Buffy stands directly in front of him.
I was really hoping it'd be you.
He hits her in the face. Her head whips to the side but she doesn't even flinch under his blow. Razor suddenly looks uncertain.
She turns to face him again, blood on her lip. Her face hardens with her famous resolve. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is back.
Razor throws another punch and Buffy stops it, seizing his fist in mid-swing and crushing it. With her other hand, she pounds him in the face repeatedly, then kicks him to the ground, unconscious.
The rest of the Hellions realize things are getting away from them here. They back away, trying to get their bearings.
Willow sits up and watches Buffy standing over Razor, looking confused.
Does this mean we win?
The other demons scream and attack Buffy en masse. She kicks one of them down, blocks another's blow and drops him with a paralyzing kick to the gut.
Xander wades into the fray, swinging his axe.
Willow loads her crossbow and fires, skewering a Hellion through the chest.
Buffy is a terrible storm of fury, punching, kicking, breaking bones and pounding flesh but even so, there are too many for her to handle and she finds herself being beaten down beneath their clubs and chains. They surround her as she goes to the ground, covering her.
Suddenly, the mass of demons explodes from within as Buffy rises up and hurls them all aside. Unfazed, she tears into them again, arms and legs a blur of lethal force, turning their own weapons against them.
Spike and Dawn. They ride down deserted Main Street, swerving amid the debris and fires. Dawn spots something up ahead.
There. What's that?
They pass a flaming barrel, then drive into the open space where the Hellions were partying. It's deserted now. Spike brings the bike to a stop next to the pile of flaming rubble.
They both dismount. Dawn takes her helmet off and tosses it aside as they move forward.
Buffybot's torso lies on the ground, wires and servos dangling from her arm and leg sockets.
It's just a machine, Dawn.
I know.
Dawn kneels beside the remains of the robot. As she reaches out to close its eyes, its head turns and looks at her. Dawn gasps.
Dawn. You're my sister, Dawn.
She smiles tentatively.
Where did I go?
What?
Where did I go? I was here. Here. But then I ran away.
I don't...
No. Not me. The other Buffy.
Dawn's eyes widen in shock.
Yes. The other Buffy.
Buffy?
I don't... I don't... know where she ran off to. Maybe--
The robot freezes staring blankly. The Buffybot is dead.
Dawn backs away and stands up, still shocked. She stares at the lifeless robot, then turns and runs away.
Spike looks up from a pile of twisted metal holding one of the robot's legs.
Look what those filthy buggers done to you. (to Dawn) Willow's slap-and-paste job's not going to do the trick this time. Robot's done.
He notices Dawn is gone.
Hey. Lil' bit? (yells) Dawn!
Tara is smashed up against the wall by the throat. A Hellion smiles evilly at her. Willow hits him in the head with her crossbow and he falls back.
Xander kicks another demon to the ground and buries his axe in its chest.
Buffy beats a demon to death with a baseball bat. Another Hellion whips a length of chain at her and snatches the bat from her hand, then charges her with a knife. She blocks, seizes its knife arm, and buries the blade in the throat of a second Hellion as it attacks her. Buffy wraps her arm around the first demon's neck and twists violently, snapping its spine.
She drops the body to the ground and looks around, wildly. All the demons are dead. The gang cautiously approaches her.
Well, they wanted a massacre.
She's Buffy. She's herself again. (to Buffy) You're back, Buffy, you really are.
Xander moves to hug her but she backs up, fearful.
Whoa. Whoa.
Buffy looks around in anguish. She lifts her torn hand to her mouth and wipes the blood from her lip, looks at her hand. She's clearly still not herself. She takes a step forward, then runs past Xander and takes off around the corner.
Buffy!
Where's she going?
Should we follow her?
I don't know.
She just... needs some time is all.
Razor's eyes suddenly snap open.
The important thing is that she's back. She'll be fine.
The metal claws shoot out of Razor's fingers.
Resume. Razor gets to his feet with a snarl directly behind Xander.
Xander, look out!
Anya shoves Xander to the ground as Razor attacks. The blow barely misses Xander who hits the ground hard.
Razor advances on Xander, who scrambles backward on his butt.
Now what kind of Slayer is it runs out on her buddies just when they need her the most?
Xander grabs a trash can lid and holds it up as a shield. Razor's metal claws slice right through it like butter.
Buffy hurries down a dark alley. Suddenly she stops and ducks as a Hellion swings a metal rod at her. She pounds him, kicks him in the groin and throws him against the wall, impaling him on a protruding pipe.
Buffy stares at him for a moment, then looks up. Above the rooftops rises Glory's sacrificial tower.
The alley. Razor looms over Xander. Suddenly he's struck from behind. All three women attack him with sticks and chains. He covers his head with his hands as they beat him.
After a moment, Razor straightens up and flings all three of them aside. Willow recovers and holds up her hand.
Obfuscate!
A gray ball appears in her hand and she throws it at Razor. It shoots across the alley and wraps around his face, smothering him. He roars and pulls at it desperately.
Streets nearby. Dawn hears Razor yelling in the distance as she comes across the impaled demon. She edges around him, looks up and sees the tower, then starts forward with determination.
Buffy stands at the foot of the tower, looking up.
Razor desperately tries to pry Willow's spell off his face as the gang resumes their attack.
The demon finally succeeds in ripping the plasma away and violently shoves Anya away from him. Xander rushes him and gets an elbow in the face for his trouble.
Razor turns to Tara and seizes her by the throat.
Fragilis.
Another ball of light appears in Willow's hand and shoots over to Tara, enveloping her. Razor slashes his claws across her chest but instead of ripping her open, the metal claws break off and fall harmlessly to the ground. Razor stares in shock at his fingers, then hurls Tara away.
The demon turns to Willow, seizes her by the throat and lifts her off the ground.
So witch, got a little power after all. Well, let's see what tricks you can manage while I choke the life outta--
His eyes go wide, he gasps and drops Willow. She falls to the ground and Razor falls face-first beside her, Xander's axe buried in his back.
Willow looks up to see Tara standing over the dead demon, axe in hand. She bends over and helps Willow up.
Tara!
Nobody messes with my girl.
Tara, nice axing.
My first.
Buffy...
As one, they turn and head off to look for her.
Buffy stands at the edge of the platform looking down. Open space yawns before her. She frowns, experiencing flashbacks to the events that transpired here. She presses her eyes tightly shut.
FLASHBACK:
Buffy, no.
PRESENT:
Buffy mouths the words she remembers.
Dawnie, I have to.
Buffy?
Buffy opens her eyes and turns to find Dawn standing at the other end of the platform.
Buffy... Buffy, how... Is it you? I mean, really?
Dawn smiles tentatively and takes a step forward.
What are you do--
The tower suddenly creaks and shudders. Dawn grabs the pole beside her for support and looks down fearfully.
Buffy turns back to the end of the platform.
No! Don't! Don't jump, Buffy. Don't move! Just walk to me. Please!
Buffy looks uncertain and turns away again.
Please? I'm your sister. Dawn. We were up here together and then... you went away. And you don't want to do that again. I don't know how you're back but you are and please, just stay still.
The tower shudders again and Dawn fights for balance.
Or move. But toward me because the tower was built by crazy people and I don't think it's holding up very well. (beat) Talk to me. Say something!
Is... this hell?
What?
Buffy turns to Dawn, her face a mask of anguish.
Is this hell?
No! Buffy, no! You're here... with me. Whatever happened to you, whatever you've been through, it's... it's over now. You're--
The tower shakes again, on the verge of collapse.
We have to get off this tower!
Buffy turns to look down again.
It was so clear... on this spot. I remember how... shiny and clear everything was. But now... now...
Buffy, please... listen to me. You told me I had to be strong... and I've tried. But it's been so hard without you. I'm sorry. I promise I'll do better, I will! If you're with me. Stay with me... please. I need you to live. Live! For--
The tower lurches hard and Dawn falls to her hands and knees. Pieces of the tower peel away and crash to the ground. Buffy whirls around.
Buffy!
Dawn...
Buffy!
Dawn!
Buffy dashes across the platform to Dawn, pulls her up and into the body of the tower. She looks around and spots a pulley with a rope threaded through it.
Buffy holds onto Dawn, leaps off the tower and grabs onto the rope. They hang there for a moment, suspended, then the rope begins to feed through the pulley and they plummet downward. Something catches in the mechanism and they are jerked to a stop, still several dozen feet off the ground. The bolt holding the pulley breaks and they fall the rest of the way, crashing onto a pile of cardboard boxes.
They both lie on their backs gasping. Buffy looks up as the entire platform breaks off the top of the tower and tumbles toward them. Buffy grabs Dawn and pulls her aside as the platform smashes onto the cardboard. The entire tower implodes in on itself and crashes to the ground.
Dawn turns to Buffy and touches her face.
Buffy? Buffy. You... you're really here.
Dawn hugs her sister fiercely.
You're alive and you're home. You're home.
CU: Buffy's face over Dawn's shoulder. Her eyes stare blankly into the distance.