[Transcript of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" episode Seeing Red at buffyology.com.]
The soft light of morning filters through the window, creating a warm glow. WILLOW and TARA lie in bed under the covers, glowing even warmer, slick with sweat and out of breath.
When did morning happen?
After the moon went down.
Willow laughs, kissing her deeply.
Mmm. I forgot how good this could feel. Us. Together. Without the magick.
There was plenty of magic, Will.
Willow smiles, snuggling closer, completely at peace. Tara gently strokes her hair. Willow eyes the sunlight streaming through the window.
It's getting late.
You want to get up?
No. God, no. I was just thinking about Buffy.
Oh. She's still not back?
I didn't hear her. (worried) She wouldn't talk about what happened at the magick shop when she got home last night. She just wanted to know how close I got to tracing the camera signal back to the Empire of the Nerds and then she left again.
I'm sure she'll be okay.
I'm not worried about her going up against Warren and the others. I know this is going to sound crazy but... I think there might be something going on. With Buffy and Spike.
Tara slides into uncomfortable. Willow doesn't notice.
She looked so hurt when she saw him with Anya. I think maybe--
They've been sleeping together.
I don't know if I'd go that far.
No, I mean she told me they've been sleeping together.
They're sleeping together? The naked kind of together?
I'm sorry I didn't say anything. I promised her I wouldn't.
Does everyone else know? Am I the only one she didn't--
No, god... she didn't even mean to tell me. It just came out.
How could she hide something like that from me?
I think she was afraid of the look you'd get on your face. Kinda like the one you're wearing now.
No, I'm not... I'm just trying to understand.
So is she.
Willow's bruised feelings give way to concern for Buffy.
She probably really needs someone to talk to.
Probably.
Tara gently kisses Willow's forehead.
We were kinda busy. Maybe we didn't hear her come home.
Willow, dressed in an oversized football jersey, knocks softly on Buffy's closed door.
Buffy?
No reply. She cracks open the door and peeks inside. Buffy's bed hasn't been slept in. She closes the door and heads back to her room.
Is she back yet?
Willow starts and turns to DAWN, a bit nervous.
Not yet but I'm sure she'll be back soon. Everything's fine. Go back to bed.
It's ten o'clock.
Oh...
You don't think she'd hurt Spike. Do you?
She told you about Spike?
It was kinda obvious last night.
Yeah, I totally knew.
It must have hurt so much, seeing him and Anya like that. And poor Xander... everything's so screwed up.
It's going to be all right. It's just... complicated. When people have such strong feelings for each other, sometimes they--
Tara comes out of the bedroom behind Willow, wrapped in a blanket.
Is she back yet? (sees Dawn) Oh. Hey.
Dawn is stunned.
You... you two... oh, my god!
Dawn explodes in radiant delight.
Oh my god oh my god oh my god!
Think that's my cue to put some clothes on.
No! I'm totally not here. You guys do whatever you want. I'll watch TV. Really loud. In the basement. Where I can't hear. Anything. Oh, my god! Oh, my god!
She dashes off, beyond excited. Willow and Tara share a smile as Dawn runs back and hugs them both.
I love you guys!
The door slams off its hinges and BUFFY enters.
All right, let's make this quick (no response) Fine. But I'm not leaving until we have a little chat.
Buffy continues into the room and looks over a sheaf of papers near the computer.
Very little, considering the pummeling that needs to occur.
She spots a group of obscenely sexy Vampirella-type action figures and frowns at them.
I mean, guys, hello! Slayer here. Did you honestly think I wouldn't find you?
She stops at the couch which is covered with more discarded plans and schematics, then flips over a Dry-Erase board to find a two-word message written there:
Too late!Well, that can't be good.
Suddenly the Dry-Erase board splits in half as a 10-foot buzzsaw slices through it directly at Buffy. More saws slice through the walls and furniture, closing on her at various angles and heights. Buffy takes a moment to assess their speed and direction, then gracefully flips through the air, over and around the deadly blades, then runs up the stairs and out the door just as a final saw blade tears into the wall behind her.
Buffy launches herself out the door and onto the front lawn where she lands amid the scattered papers and plans she managed to hold onto. She looks down to find a deep gash in her leather jacket.
Okay, that's gonna cost ya.
Opening credit sequence.
Willow and Tara descend the stairs hand-in-hand, laughing, to find Buffy and Dawn on the living room couch.
Okay, we're here, ready for action! (off Tara's look) Bad guy- fighting action...
Guys, you didn't have to... you know, if you still want to be alone.
No, no we're good.
We're better than good.
Great!
Willow smiles lovingly at Tara.
Super.
They kiss and Dawn giggles.
Okay, all right. We'll stop.
Oh, you better not!
So... nerds. How are them... they?
Well, I found their lair but they obviously knew we were tracing their signal. They left in a hurry. Van was gone but everything else was still there.
We should go back. Tara and I could Sherlock around and...
Nothing left now. Giant buzzsaw. It was a thing. This is all that I could save. I know that it's not much but we need to go through it and see if we can find anything that might tell us what they're doing, where they're going...
Tara sits down and picks up a book which promptly splits in half.
This might... take a while.
Anything we can do to fast-forward? We really need to find Warren and the others before anyone else gets hurt.
Should we call Xander?
I don't think he's really in the Scooby space. We need to give him some time.
Maybe they've heard something in the demon bars about those guys. Spike's--
Spike... Spike's not part of the team.
So... he's not going to be around anymore?
I don't know, Dawn. Not for a while.
What about Anya? She might be able to help with the demon texts.
I'm guessing she's not feeling real researchy right now.
ANYA sits at the bar with CHRISTINE, who is sobbing, tears running down her face.
I know how you feel. Maybe I can help.
How could Carl do that to me? That bastard!
He's a man. Look no further.
But with my sister? She's not even pretty.
Well... it isn't always about looks. Or a beating heart. Sometimes intimate sweaty relations with the wrong person just seems like a good idea at the time.
She's fat. He cheated on me with my fat, ugly sister.
Likes 'em fleshy, huh? Bet you wish he'd bloat up a couple thousand pounds and pop like a big old meat zeppelin, don't you?
He said he loved me.
Well, gee, then he must have meant it because guys never say anything they don't really mean, do they?
But we--
They say, "I love you!" and you think it's true. They say, "Oh, Anya, I want to be with you for the rest of my life" and you believe them. You believe they feel the same way about you because that's the way love's supposed to be, right?
Who's Anya?
And then you get all excited with the tingly anticipation. But wait! Not so fast. There's the apocalypse and the back-from-the- grave and the blah blah blah blah blah. And by the time you're finally standing there in that beautifully expensive white dress that you've dreamed about ever since you became human, he gets all heebie-jeebie and decides, "You know, I'd rather just go steady."
Men suck. I wish Carl's flesh would just--
You know, he said it isn't me but how can I believe him? I mean, he knew he didn't want to get married. Deep down, he knew. But he lied to me. Every day. For months.
I wish--
He lied and lied and lied some more 'cause, hey, who's gonna notice with all the other lies flying around like little monkeys? Then he thinks he can just sweep the carnage underneath the rug by saying, "Oh,
I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Please, I'll never try to desecrate your chamber again.
ANDREW scuttles backward on the floor as a massive snarling demon stalks him.
The demon suddenly roars and goes rigid as WARREN shocks him from behind with a souped-up taser. JONATHAN looks on, terrified.
Hit him again! Hit him again!
The demon finally topples over, dead.
Wow. These things are tougher than I thought. One jolt from this should have dropped an elephant.
Andrew grabs the weapon and repeatedly shocks the dead demon.
You want a piece of this, huh? Not so tough, are you now, Puff 'n' Stuff?
Hey, hey! We need him fresh. Not smoke house.
Andrew backs off.
I'm done being the bait. Next time one of you can wiggle on the hook.
Warren kneels next to the smoking corpse.
If this works, next time we'll be the thing that everyone's afraid of.
Okay... so what now?
Warren flips open a hunting knife and tosses it to Jonathan.
Well, now it's your turn, Sparky.
SPIKE pours a shot of whiskey into a glass of blood and takes a sip.
Does it help?
Doesn't hurt.
He turns to Dawn who stands in the shadows near the door with her bag.
Not planning a camp out, are we?
I'm sleeping over at Janice's. Figured Willow and Tara might want some time to...
Oh, so the birds are flying again, eh? (beat) Ain't love grand?
I wanted to stop by on my way and... you know. Everybody's pretty mad at you.
Yeah, I kinda picked up on that.
You're not going to be coming around anymore, are you?
It's complicated, nibblet.
Everybody's been saying that.
Must be true, then.
Was it worth it? What you did with Anya?
Spike glances at her, surprised.
Buffy told you?
Kinda caught the show. There was a camera somewhere in the Magic Box. Warren and Jonathan and that other guy have been watching Buffy.
Spike shakes his head at the realization of what they must have seen.
Wankers!
Do you love her?
No, no... it was just a... a bad day. For both of us and we just had a few drinks and things just--
No. Not Anya. Buffy. Do you really love her? (beat; no response) Then how could you do that to her?
Oh, right. 'Cause big sis was treating me so well up until that point. Must still be a bit of the evil left in me after all.
I don't know what happened between you two but what you did last night... if you wanted to hurt Buffy, congratulations. It worked.
Dawn turns and walks out, leaving Spike alone in the dark.
Another one of the hulking demons strides down the tunnel. It passes through a mystical barrier and disappears down a side passage. After it's gone, Warren and Andrew emerge from the shadows and approach the rippling energy barrier.
This is it. We found it.
Andrew walks toward it.
You sure it's in there?
Careful! Only Nezzla demons can pass through the barrier.
He picks up a rock and tosses it at the energy field. The rock instantly vaporizes in a flash of plasma.
Everything else gets curly-fried.
Jonathan approaches wearing the hide of the demon they killed earlier.
This sucks.
Just make sure all your skin's covered.
Why can't I just use a glamour?
You can't Siegfried-and-Roy the barrier. It's gotta be the real deal.
Warren drops the decapitated and hollowed-out demon skull over Jonathan's head.
Oww! It's still wet.
Good. Then it should still be fresh enough.
Should be? Wait a minute. What do you mean "should be"?
Warren grabs Jonathan and shoves him through the barrier. The energy field sparks and hisses but Jonathan lands on the other side unharmed.
Huh. Wasn't sure that would work.
Jonathan stands up on the other side and shuffles off down the tunnel passageway.
Jackass...
You think he knows?
Well, if he did, why would he be here?
Why is he? Our mojo's tight, bro. We could have pulled this ourselves.
Yeah, well someone had to guinea pig the meat suit. Were you gonna volunteer?
Andrew laughs and shakes his head.
I don't trust that leprechaun.
Okay, just stay frosty. If this works the way we planned it, by the end of the evening Jonathan won't be a problem.
Jonathan shuffles back down the tunnel and passes back through the energy field.
You got it?
Yeah, I got it.
He hands Warren a small box.
That's it?
Jonathan pulls off the demon head and grimaces.
Better be. There's no way I'm going back through there. That thing stings like a mother.
Andrew touches the demon goop in Jonathan's hair.
Dude, unholy hair gel.
Get off!
Make me, skin job!
Shut up.
He takes out a small electronic devices and runs it across the lid of the box until it beeps, then flips the latch and opens it to reveal two intricately decorated red spheres the size of tennis balls.
Oh...
He hands the box to Andrew and reverently removes the spheres.
Gentlemen,
the
Orbs
of
Nezzla'khan.
Strength...
invulnerability... the deluxe package.
They're everything I've ever dreamed of.
You know, those things have been down there for like a zillion years. How do we know they'll still work.
The orbs suddenly flare with light and purple-white energy flows through Warren who trembles and laughs with delight.
Oh, they work.
Resume. Warren puts the spheres into a pouch on his belt.
You don't look any different. I thought they were supposed to make us all huge and veiny. Are you sure they're working right?
Another angry Nezzla demon strides around the corner toward them.
Let's find out.
Warren charges it and takes a punch to the head. He instantly recovers and pounds the demon to the ground, seizes it by the neck and twists. He drops the dead creature to the ground and smiles at the others.
Mahatma!
Welcome to the show, boys!
That was so hot!
Let me try 'em!
Jonathan reaches for the orbs but Warren bats his hand away.
Watch the paws, little man.
We're supposed to share.
Relax. You'll each get a whirl... soon as I'm done playing with 'em.
Buffy knocks and XANDER opens the door for her.
Hey.
Hey.
He stands aside and lets her in.
I think there's still a cold one in the fridge.
Thanks but I think it's still a little early for me.
They sit in awkward silence for a moment.
She loves you. You know that. Anya was just... she was hurting. She was hurting and she did this really stupid thing.
With your boyfriend.
He's not my boyfriend.
I know why Anya... I understand. I do. But you? All those times I told Spike to get lost, that he didn't have a chance with a girl like you.
You don't know how hard it's been.
What? Lying to me?
Being here. After I was brought back... (sighs) You have no idea how hard it is just being here.
You could have told me.
You didn't want to know.
So you went to him instead.
Xander, what I do with my personal life is none of your business.
It used to be.
It just happened, okay?
Oh, like, "Say, you're evil. Get on me."
You fought side-by-side with him when I was gone. You let him take care of Dawn.
But I never forgot what he really is. God, what were you thinking?
You're asking me that? 'Cause your decision-making skills have really sparkled lately.
I'm not saying I didn't make any mistakes but last time I checked, slaughtering half of Europe wasn't one of them. He doesn't have a soul, Buffy. Just some leash they jammed in his head. You think he'd still be all snuggles if that chip ever stopped working? Would you still trust him with Dawn then?
It doesn't matter. I'm not seeing him anymore. It's over.
Yeah. There's a lot of that going around.
Xander gets up and leaves the apartment, slamming the door behind him.
Xander walks alone down the city streets. He approaches the Magic Box and peers in through the window at Anya who listlessly wanders the empty store, cursorily dusting the shelves.
Willow and Tara lie in bed, going over the papers Buffy salvaged from Warren's lair.
It's all a mess.
These things take time. We'll figure it out.
Sure, we'll decipher codes and foil evil schemes...
...finally get out of bed.
I was with you up until there.
Something on the laptop screen captures Willow's attention.
Whoa.
What is it?
One of their data CDs. It's filled with encrypted blueprints, schematics.
To what?
I'm not sure. Their designations have been stripped.
Maybe we can cross-reference them with the County Clerk's office.
Would that involve getting up?
Eventually.
Then I'm coming out firmly against it.
What about the Trio's evil scheme?
I'm kinda busy working on my own...
She dives beneath the sheets and Tara leans back on the pillows with a sigh of contentment.
Xander sits at the bar. The bartender pours him a shot and splashes the liquor on Xander's hand. DIANA, a beautiful brunette, smiles and hands him a napkin.
You're all wet.
It's a good thing I'm part fish.
Which part?
The part with the hook in it.
Careful. Someone might reel you in.
Yeah, but then there'd be the flopping and the gasping. Sure, maybe it'd work out but chances are I'd up and leave you at the helm in your white dress, then find you spawning with another fish who turns out to be spawning with my very good friend night and day behind my back. And then comes the fighting and again with the flopping and the gasping. Hey, Chicken of the Sea here's not doing too good with the women these days.
Huh?
Sorry, I'm just looking to curl up with the quiet alone tonight.
Diana turns back to her drink, not a little bit puzzled, as Warren, Andrew and Jonathan enter the bar.
We don't have time for this.
Ease up, twitchy.
Warren spots a woman in intimate conversation with a large burly guy.
All right. Let's make some noise.
Buffy pounds a vampire to the ground. It leaps back up and charges her.
Not bad. How hard are you gonna hit when you're blowin' in the wind?
She takes out her stake and slams it into the creature's chest just as it leaps and kicks her square in the chest. It disintegrates as the blow lands, sending her tumbling backward, shattering a nearby gravestone.
That was rhetorical.
She gingerly touches her bruised ribs and winces in pain.
Buffy enters in her robe and draws a bath.
Are you hurt? You're not moving so well.
Get out.
We have to talk.
I really don't.
Well, this isn't just about you... as much as you'd like it to be.
You spoke, I listened. Now leave.
I'm sorry. Not that it matters anymore but I need you to know that.
Why?
Because I care about you.
Then you might want to try the not sleeping with my friends.
I didn't go to Anya for that. I was looking for a spell.
You were gonna use a spell on me?
It wasn't for you. I wanted something. Anything to make these feelings stop. I just wanted it to stop! You should have let him kill me.
I couldn't do that.
Why?
You know why.
Because you love me.
No. I don't.
Why do you keep lying to yourself?
How many times do-- I have feelings for you. I do. But it's not love. I could never trust you enough for it to be love.
Trust is for old marrieds, Buffy. Great love is wild and passionate and dangerous. It burns and consumes.
Until there's nothing left. Love like that doesn't last.
I know you feel like I do. You don't have to hide it anymore.
Spike, please stop this.
He steps toward her and takes her by the hips.
Let yourself feel it.
Buffy struggles against him.
No...
You love me.
Ow. No, stop it!
You love me.
Spike, don't!
Spike rips her robe and slides his hand into it.
What are you doing?
She grabs for the shower curtain and it rips off its hooks. She falls down onto the side of the tub with a gasp of pain and Spike drops down on top of her.
Let it go. Let yourself love me.
Ow! Spike, no! Don't!
She struggles against him as he paws at her and tries to kiss her. She pulls away from him and crawls across the floor to the door. He straddles her, flips her over and pins her to the floor.
No... ow!... no!!
Resume. Buffy cries out and tries to crawl away but Spike has her pinned.
No, please! Spike, please! Stop! Please don't do this!
You'll feel it again, Buffy. I'm gonna make you feel it!
He grabs her robe and tries to tear it off her but Buffy manages to get her leg between them and kicks him up and off of her. He flies across the bathroom and
crashes into the far wall. She struggles to her feet, tears streaming down her face, clutching her torn robe to her chest.
Ask me again why I could never love you!
Spike suddenly realizes what he's just done.
Buffy, my god... I didn't--
Because I stopped you! Something I should have done a long time ago.
Andrew stands near bar, sipping a fruit drink and watching Warren chat up a pretty brunette girl. Jonathan fidgets next to him.
What are we doing here? Somebody might recognize us. Oh, this is great. We're risking everything so Charles Atlas can get a date. He's gonna end up getting us thrown into jail. Or worse. Maybe you and I should think about--
Warren's the boss. He's Picard, you're Deanna Troi. Get used to the feeling, Betazoid.
Andrew walks off.
Warren and his new girl.
...and the clothes and the cars and the money. You see, it's all just window dressing.
He reaches out to caress her cheek and she pulls away.
Baby, this is what's really important. Two souls, coming together--
Hey!
FRANK, the girl's boyfriend, walks up and towers over Warren
She only comes together with me, so get lost, shrimp.
Frankie? Oh, my god! Is that you? How long has it been? It's Warren! Remember Warren? Gym class, 5th period? You and your jock buddies used to give me such a hard time. That thing with the underwear? God, I thought I'd never stop crying!
That was you?
Yeah, that was me! But hey, no hard feelings. I mean, I know you were just foolin' around. Like I'm gonna be with your girl in about five minutes.
He leers at Frank's girlfriend.
What did you say?
You heard me, meathead. Take a walk.
Oh, you're dead, you little--
He pushes Warren but Warren doesn't budge. It's like pushing a brick wall. Confused, Frank tries again, to no effect.
This ain't high school.
Warren shoves Frank so hard he shoots the length of the bar and slams into the wall, unconscious. One of Frank's friends runs up behind Warren and throws a
punch. Warren grabs his fist in mid-swing, flips him over and pounds him to the floor.
Warren turns to Frank's girl, smiling, but she runs away in terror. A third jock smashes a chair across Warren back but the blow doesn't even faze him. He delivers a roundhouse punch to the jock's jaw, sending crashing over the bar and onto the floor.
Let's party!
He strides up to the bar where three girls are staring at him warily.
Oh, now don't worry about the tab now, ladies. It's on daddy tonight.
He pounds the cash register and the drawer springs open. He starts removing the cash as Xander comes back into the bar from the restroom.
Warren approaches one of the girls who recoils back from him in fear.
Don't worry, babies. Daddy's gonna give you some, too.
He hands the girl a wad of cash.
See, now I think it's the "daddy" thing that's throwin' her. 'Cause incest-- not that sexy.
Oh, crap...
So why don't we leave the ladies to their impending nausea and move the freak show outside? What do you say?
Okay, but let me ask you something first. You think maybe you could put in a word for me with that Anya chick? 'Cause if she's taking it from a vamp, I think I might have a chance.
Xander decks him but Warren barely feels it. Xander, however, clutches his hand in pain.
No wonder she's screwin' a dead guy. You hit like a girl.
Well, at least I know how to get one.
Warren shoots an uppercut to Xander's jaw and Xander flies up and over the pool table to land in a crumpled heap on the floor. Blood pours from his nose as Warren shoves the pool table aside and stands over him.
Let's see how popular you are without a face.
Jonathan grabs his arm, panicked.
Warren, we have to go.
We go when I'm ready.
Hey, it's your call but we're going to miss that thing you wanted to do tonight if we don't leave right now, that's all I'm saying.
Warren nods, frustrated, and turns to Xander.
It's your lucky night, Shemp.
We're just gonna leave him there? What if he sics the Slayer on us?
Bring her on.
Warren leaves and Andrew and Jonathan quickly follow.
Xander enters and calls out to Buffy.
Buffy? I found Warren. Actually, my face kinda found--
He stops when he sees Spike's leather jacket draped over the banister. He picks it up and goes upstairs.
Xander opens the bathroom door to find Buffy sitting on the floor by the tub.
Is this what you call not seeing Spike anymore?
He stops when he sees the tears in her eyes and a large bruise on her thigh.
What did he do? Did he hurt you?
He tried. He didn't...
Son of a bitch!
He turns to go but Buffy stops him.
Don't. Please, just... don't.
The door slams in the hall and Willow runs in.
Hey! I think we have something...
She sees Xander's bloody nose and Buffy stricken expression and looks at them questioningly. Buffy quickly covers her bruise.
What happened?
Nothing. What did you find out?
Willow, Tara, Xander and Buffy sit around the table, Xander with an icepack to his face.
We were able to decipher pretty much everything except these.
She holds up some parchment with strange runes written on it.
It isn't written in any ancient language we could identify.
Xander glances at them.
It's Klingon. They're love poems. (off their looks) Which has nothing to do with the insidious scheme you're about to describe.
What have you got for me that doesn't rhyme?
Oh, this.
She holds up a CD-ROM. Willow hands Buffy a sheaf of paper.
It was filled with encoded blueprints and schematics.
To what?
Banks, armored car routes, corporate vaults... this is big.
They're looking to score some serious dinero. We don't think they're planning just one job.
Spree anyone?
I can't cover all these at once.
You don't have to. We think there's one they may hit tonight.
It's time-sensitive.
Be careful. Warren's gone all Mighty Mouse, emphasis on the might.
Good. Then I won't have to hold back.
The door slams open and Spike enters. He paces the crypt, experiencing the attempted rape in the bathroom over and over again in flashback. He pours himself a drink, then shatters the glass in his hand as he relives what he did to Buffy.
Knock, knock!
Spike looks up to find CLEM standing in the doorway holding a paper bucket.
I was just in the neighborhood so I thought, you know... there's a Knight Rider marathon on the TV and... (holds up bucket) I've got hot wings!
Spike shakes his head.
What have I done? (beat) Why didn't I do it? What has she done to me?
"She done" who? Oh! Slayer, huh? Gosh, did she break up with you again?
We were never together. Not really. She'd never lower herself that far.
She's a sweet girl, Spike, but hey... issues! And no wonder, what with the whole coming back from the grave and whatnot. I had this cousin who got resurrected by some kooky shaman. Oh, boy! Was that a mess.
Why do I feel this way?
Love's a funny thing.
Is that what this is? I can feel it, squirming in my head.
Love?
The chip. Little Jiminy Cricket, gnawing bits and chucks.
Maybe a wet cloth?
You know, everything always used to be so clear. Slayer, vampire. Vampire kills Slayer, sucks her dry, picks his teeth with her bones. It's always been that way. I've tasted the life of two Slayers. But with Buffy... (beat) It isn't supposed to be this way!
He smashes the wrought-iron footboard of his bed.
It's the chip! Steel and wires and silicon. It won't let me be a monster... and I can't be a man. I'm nothing.
Hey! Come on now, Mr. Negative. You never know what's just around the corner. Things change.
Yeah, they do, huh? (beat; realizes) If you make them.
The rollercoasters and rides in the deserted amusement park are lit by floodlights. Two GUARDS load bags of cash into an armored truck. One of them signs the paperwork for the park's ADMINISTRATOR.
All right. That's the last one.
Quite a haul, huh?
Always the biggest gate of the year.
Yeah.
Don't lose any.
Yeah.
The guards lock the truck up and get inside.
Want to grab a bite after? I think Ruby's is still open.
Warren appears at the rear of the truck. He bends down, puts his hands under the rear bumper and starts lifting.
What the hell?
There's something back there!
He tips the truck up and over on its side. Andrew's eyes sparkle with excitement.
I can't wait to get my hands on his orbs.
Yeah, I'm sure he'll be giving them up any second now.
Warren rips the rear door off the truck and the money tumbles out. He looks up, startled, as Buffy appears, standing on top of the toppled truck.
Hey. Is this your bank? 'Cause if not, there's gonna be a fee for that.
She leaps down on him but Warren catches her and hurls her across the courtyard. He strides toward her as she jumps to her feet and faces off against him.
I was wondering when Super Bitch would show up.
You've really got a problem with strong women, don't you?
Nothing I can't handle.
He swings at her and they trade blows, punching and kicking. Buffy goes down.
You seem a little off. Is this a bad day?
It's getting' better.
She lays into Warren with a series of punches and kicks, beating him backward, then flips over him and knocks him to the ground. She picks up the broken door to the armored car and slams it into him, sending him careening into a rock wall.
Is that all you got?
He looks up at the sound of cracking mortar as a ton of rock and stone breaks free and crashes down on top of him and buries him.
No!
There's two ways this can end and right now I'm thinking they're both going to hurt.
I think you're right.
He looks over her shoulder at Warren who stands up out of the pile of rubble, unharmed.
Oh, what's the matter, baby? You never fought a real man before?
Resume. Buffy and Warren trade blows but while Buffy can defend herself, her attacks on him do little damage. She kicks him into the side of the armored truck,
the impact caving in the reinforced steel, but Warren springs back to his feet unhurt.
Wow. That almost hurt, kitten.
Buffy hits him again, followed by a kick but he shrugs off the blows, seizes her arm and wrenches it around, then brings his elbow down on her spine, staggering her.
Kill her! Kill her!
You know who I am, Slayer?
You're a murderer.
Well, that, too, but more to the point, I'm the guy that beat you. And it's not the muscles, baby. It's the brains.
He punches her repeatedly. Buffy is barely standing at this point. She's losing badly.
I'll remember that when I knock 'em clean out of your--
Jonathan leaps on her back with a cry of rage and wraps his arms around her neck. Buffy flails wildly, trying to knock him off.
Whoa, Sparky! I didn't think you had it in ya.
Jonathan whispers into Buffy's ear while she staggers wildly, off balance.
The orbs. Smash his orbs.
Buffy throws Jonathan off and turns to confront Warren again. He decks her and she reels, tumbling onto a park bench and shattering it. She looks up at him as he stands over her.
Say good night, bitch.
He cocks his arm to deliver the final blow and his jacket pulls back, exposing the leather pouch on his belt containing the magickal orbs. Buffy reaches up, snatches the pouch and smashes it down on the concrete. Warren's power instantly leaves him and he looks up at her in shocked surprise.
Good night, bitch.
She spins around and lands a roundhouse kick to his chest. This time her blow has the desired effect. He flies 50 feet across the courtyard and lands in a crumpled heap at Andrew's feet. Gasping, he struggles to stand up.
You're nothing but a sad little boy, Warren, but it's time you grow up and pay for what you've done.
Warren backs away from her fearfully.
Get away from me. I swear to god I'm gonna take you down, you piece of-- ahh!
He throws off his jacket and ignites the rocket-pack harness strapped to his back. He rises up into the air shoots off over the park and out of sight. Buffy watches in stunned disbelief.
Oh, come on!
Andrew shrugs off his jacket revealing a similar rocket pack strapped to his back also.
Well played, Slayer.
Why didn't I get one of those?
This round to you but the game's far from over.
He hits the ignition switch and the rockets ignite, sending him shooting up and into the canopy under which he's standing. He falls back to the ground, unconscious.
A squad car pulls up and two officers escort Andrew and Jonathan out of the car and into the station in handcuffs.
Jet packs! You jerks were setting me up to take the fall.
He left me. He flew away and left me!
They look around at the officers milling about, at the people waiting to be booked into jail.
Oh, god...
The big house.
How could he do this to me? He promised we'd be together but he was just using me. He never really loved... (catches himself) ...hanging out with us.
The cops sit them down on a bench to wait for booking.
You think he'll come back for us? I mean, he wouldn't just take off, would he?
Spike pulls to the side of the road on his motorcycle and looks back at the twinkling city lights.
Get nice and comfy, Slayer. I'll be back. And when I do, things are gonna change.
He throws his cigarette down and speeds off into the night.
Willow is just finishing getting dressed. She smiles over at Tara.
Hey! Clothes.
You better not get used to 'em.
Mmm... yes, ma'am.
She pulls Tara close and they kiss. Tara hugs her and looks over her shoulder out the window into the back yard.
Xander.
Okay, not quite the response I was fishing for.
No, he's here.
She watches as Xander walks into the backyard and approaches Buffy.
Think they're making up?
I hope so. That's the best part.
Buffy prods the bushes with a stick as Xander walks up behind her.
Time for the spring poking already?
Just making sure there are no more Evil Trio cameras... or Evil Uno.
The sinister yet addictive card game?
Warren. Jonathan and Andrew got clinked but Warren pulled a Rocket Man.
You'll find him. He won't be much good without his friends.
No... he won't.
They both sit down on a bench and Xander takes a deep breath.
How did we get here?
Scenic route. Long drive.
The past few weeks--
I know.
I thought I'd hit bottom but... it hurt that you didn't trust me enough to tell me about Spike. It hurt.
I'm sorry. I should have told you.
Maybe you would have if I hadn't given you so many reasons to think I'd be an ass about it.
Guess we've all done a lot of things lately we're not proud of.
I think I've got you beat.
Wanna compare?
Not so much. I don't know what I'd do without you and Will.
Let's not find out.
They embrace in a hug.
I love you. You know that, right?
Xander nods, then his eyes go wide as he looks up over her shoulder.
Buffy!
They both stand up and face Warren as he charges into the backyard.
You think you can just do that to me? You think I'd let you get away with that? Think again.
He raises his arm and opens fire with a semi-automatic handgun and Xander falls backward onto the grass. Warren turns and runs back out of the yard, firing blindly behind him as he goes.
The bedroom window shatters and a fine red mist sprays across Willow's face and clothes. Tara stands in front of the window, a confused look on her face and a large bloody hole in her chest.
Your shirt...
Her eyes roll up and she collapses to the floor. Willow runs to her.
Tara!
Xander gets to his feet, brushing himself off.
Sweet fancy Moses! Where the hell did he get-- oh, god.
He looks over to find Buffy lying on the grass on her back, staring up at the sky, her breath shallow and gasping, an ugly bullet wound to her upper chest.
Sobbing hysterically, Willow turns Tara over and tries to get some response.
Tara! Baby? Baby, come on! Come on!
Xander puts his hand over Buffy's wound, applying pressure to stop the bleeding.
Buffy! Buffy...
A freshet of blood wells up between his fingers as Buffy stares sightlessly up at the sky.
Willow cradles Tara in her arms, her breath coming in great gasps of pain and sorrow, crying and pleading for her to come back but it's no use. Tara is dead.
No... no... no...
Willow looks up from Tara's corpse, her eyes glowing a seething angry red.