[Transcript of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" episode Same Time, Same Place at buffyology.com.]
BUFFY, XANDER and DAWN stand at one of the arrival gates in the Sunnydale Airport, anxiously awaiting Willow's arrival home. Passengers from the London flight disembark though the gate, greeted by friends and family.
A GIRL gives her little BROTHER a shove and knocks his backpack off his shoulder.
Hey! Will you kids stop acting up?
Buffy, Xander and Dawn wait, watching the passengers disembark.
Do you think she'll get the sign?
Get the sign? I don't think she's going to see the sign.
Why is it so pale?
Welcome Back Willow is written in faint yellow on a piece of white posterboard.
I used yellow crayon. (off their looks) It was a thing from when I talked to Will on the bluff. I hope she gets it.
Oh. Tell us again what you said.
Well, I was talking from my heart and I knew Evil Willow wasn't really ready to-- (beat) You were kidding.
A little bit.
We've heard the crayon speech a few times. Not that it's not great, of course.
I saved the world with talking, from my mouth. My mouth saved the world!
Uh-huh. I'm getting nervous. (to Buffy) Are you nervous?
Yeah. It's going to be weird seeing her. What do you say to someone in this situation?
I'm going to say, "Hi, Willow."
Come on. You're saying it's not going to be the least bit... strange? I mean, we saw her kill someone. She was about to kill Dawn.
Giles wouldn't let her leave unless she completed that... whatever recovery course.
Right. (to Buffy) Right?
She kinda didn't finish.
She didn't finish? She didn't finish being not evil?
He said that it was really important that she come back early and that she was doing really well and we shouldn't worry.
Guys, I just noticed something.
What?
Everyone's off the plane so... where's Willow?
Passengers from the London flight disembark though the gate, greeted by friends and family. A girl gives her little brother a shove and knocks his backpack off his shoulder.
Hey! Will you kids stop acting up?
WILLOW emerges into the terminal and follows the other onto the concourse. She looks around but no one is there to greet her.
Welcome home, me.
Opening credit sequence.
A TEEN BOY spray paints graffiti on a retaining wall. Suddenly a whisper reaches him, carried on the wind, followed by the clack of claws.
All alone.
The boy shakes his can, the sound eerily similar to the strange clicking noise from the darkness.
Are you frightened to be all alone?
Hey, is somebody there?
The wind talks when you're alone.
A menacing laughter.
You better clear out, whoever you are!
The creature screeches and charges the boy.
Willow stands on the front porch and rings the doorbell. No answer. She tries knocking with the same result.
Willow picks up her suitcase and carries it around to the back of the house. She leaves it on the back porch and lets herself in through the kitchen door.
Buffy? Hello?
She passes the microwave whose clock reads 10:41 and heads upstairs into the master bedroom, the room she shared with Tara. Buffy has moved in, her things fill the closets.
Willow goes over to the window and touches the replaced pane, flashing back on the bullet, the sound of the gunshot, the breaking glass, her lover's death.
She looks over a collection of pictures of Buffy and Dawn, Anya and Xander. No pictures of her. She finds Buffy's personal phone book open on the desk. It has
Buffy and Xander's work numbers, and Dawn's cell phone. She isn't listed there, either.
She starts at the sound of a door closing downstairs and runs toward it.
Dawn? Did I hear the door?
The house is still empty and silent. Confused and dejected, Willow heads into the living room and sits down on the sofa. After a moment, she lies down and rests her head on the pillow.
The clock on the microwave reads 10:41 as Buffy, Xander and Dawn enter through the front door.
He absolutely put her on the plane in London.
So she got off at Chicago when they stopped?
She could have caught a flight anywhere from there.
Maybe she doubled back. Got off the plane in London after Giles left.
Well, if she's doing that, ducking Giles, then she's evil, right?
Well, I've avoided Giles tons of times. Just meant I was lazy, not evil.
I hope you're right because defeating Lazy Willow... probably less hard.
We should check the messages, see if she tried to reach us here.
That's a good idea.
Xander closes the front door and they all turn when they hear something thump upstairs.
What was that?
Upstairs.
Willow? Is that you?
Later. Buffy returns from upstairs as Dawn comes out of the kitchen.
Definitely not up there.
She didn't leave a message.
I checked with Giles again, too. Hasn't heard from her.
Is he throwing a tasteful British wiggins?
Oh, with extra wig. He's blaming himself pretty hard. Like he should have known she wasn't ready to come back. I kept telling him it wasn't his fault. Maybe it's something about us she couldn't face.
Like she didn't think we were ready to forgive her. I get that.
So Giles is blaming Giles and we're blaming us. Is anyone going to blame Willow? (off Buffy's look) Oh, don't give me shock face. I mean, will anyone around here ever start asking for help when they need it?
If Willow flipped out, it's her bad. We can only be here for her so much if she won't be, you know, here.
Willow wakes up on the sofa, daylight streaming in through the curtains. She sits up and stretches, then goes to the phone and hits the speed dial button.
Hello, I'm calling for Giles... Mr. Giles. (beat) Right. Council meeting all day. No, I know he can't be reached there. Thanks. Bye.
Willow approaches the remains of the Magic Box. The windows are boarded over and a large sign across the front reads CONDEMNED.
ANYANKA exits the store with a large box in her arms
Anya!
She sees Willow and starts backing away, frightened.
Anya, don't! Don't run away.
What are you doing here? I thought you were with Giles studying how to not kill people.
I just got back.
Just got back as in you're all better or just got back to bring about a fiery apocalypse of death?
Neither but I have been studying, working real hard and I'm going to be fine.
Oh. Good! Because I remember the last time you said that. I've spent a lot of time since then cleaning the debris out of my ex- livelihood, stuff like that.
Yeah, I want to help any way I can with that. I feel really responsible.
You feel really responsible? You are really responsible!
I know I hurt you... and everyone... and I'm sorry.
Here's something you should know about vengeance demons. We don't groove with the sorry. We prefer, "Oh, god! Please stop hitting me with my own rib bones!"
Go on. Say whatever you want, rib bones and so forth. I deserve it.
And you won't mind?
No.
Well, then that's no fun.
Sorry.
Willow sits down on the curb. After a moment, Anyanka sets down her box down and sits beside her. Willow is surprised but pleased to have the company. She peers into the box and takes a three-horned demon skull out if it, playing with it nervously.
So... where is everyone these days?
Well, I'm back in my own apartment. Of course, vengeance takes me all over the world. I was in Brazil yesterday. They love their soccer...
And... the others? Dawn and Xander... Buffy?
She breaks off one of the skull's horns. Anyanka glares at her, annoyed, and she puts the pieces back into the box.
You haven't seen them?
Not so much.
I guess they're still mad at you. They've been a little temperamental lately, just between you and me. We had this little mix-up a few days ago and--
That sounds great. So where do you think they'd be?
Oh, at the new high school, probably. Everyone's all about the high school. Buffy's got some kind of job there helping junior deviants. Spike's insane in the basement. Xander's there doing construction on the new gym.
Wait. Spike's what in the whatment?
Insane. Base. Xander does construction. He likes to start early so he's probably there by now.
Willow approaches the construction site and calls down into the pit.
Xander? Xander, you down there?
No answer. She climbs down a ladder into the hole to look for him and stops short at the sight of the dead teenager. He's been skinned alive.
Buffy and Xander stare down at the corpse in horror.
No skin.
Tough to look at.
And yet my eyes refuse to look away. Stupid eyes.
I found it first thing this morning. I gave my crew the day off and I called you right away.
I've got to get a job where I don't get called right away for this stuff.
They turn at the sound of footsteps on the ladder but see nothing.
Panicked, Willow climbs the ladder out of the hole. From her perspective, the hole is empty. Buffy and Xander are nowhere to be seen.
Xander looks somberly over at Buffy.
Yeah, I know exactly what you're thinking. Maybe Willow is back.
Willow makes her way through the school as students pass by her on their way between classes. The bell rings and soon she is all alone. Eventually, she comes to the door leading to the basement.
Willow heads down the stairs and through the dark basement corridor. SPIKE suddenly leaps out of the shadows directly in front of her.
Out! This is my place! You need permission to be here! You need a special slip with a stamp.
Spike, my god, I--
You go off and you try to wall up the bad parts and put your heart back in where it fell out and you call yourself finished but you're not. You're worse off than ever, you are.
Spike walks around in circles, seeming to talk to the walls.
You went away. You've been gone since...
Yeah. I needed to go but I'm back now. And I found... there's a body.
Tragedy. Is there blood?
Yeah, and I can't find Buffy or Xander or Dawn. And there's this thing killing people. And the victim was... skinned. What could do that?
You did it once. I heard about it.
Anything other... other than me?
Spike continues his circling.
Look at you. Glowing. What's a word means 'glowing'? It's got to rhyme.
Spike?
Spike suddenly backs away into a corner and puts his hands to his head.
Oh, no! I should hide. Hide from you, hide my face. You know what I did.
What you did? You didn't do anything. Did you?
Spike looks toward Willow again.
Everyone's talking to me. No one's talking to each other.
He looks around with a smile.
Spike, please try to listen to me.
Someone isn't here. Button, button... who's got the button? My money's on... the witch!
Buffy and Xander search the school basement for Spike.
We can't use the blueprints to find our way around down here. It's like the walls move or something.
Spike's voice drifts toward them from somewhere ahead.
I think I hear him.
This is my place! You need permission to be here! You need a special slip with a stamp... and put your heart back in where it fell out and you call yourself finished but you're not. You're worse off than ever, you are.
He sees Buffy and moves toward her.
You went away. You've been gone since...
The church. You scared me a little. I didn't... know what to think.
We're here for a reason, Spike.
Tragedy. Is there blood?
He knows. He must have seen the body.
Spike looks away.
You did it once. I heard about it.
Spike, we need to know who did this.
Look at you. Glowing. What's a word means 'glowing'? It's got to rhyme.
Spike, please.
He suddenly backs away from Buffy.
Oh, no! I should hide. Hide from you, hide my face. You know what I did.
Boy, he's extra useful today.
This isn't the time.
Everyone's talking to me. No one's talking to each other.
We might as well go.
Someone isn't here. Button, button... who's got the button? My money's on... the witch!
Buffy and Xander stop.
Red's a bad girl!
He's talking about Willow.
And that means something because he's chock full of sanity.
Maybe he saw her.
Spike looks off into the darkness.
They think you did it. The Slayer and her boy. They think you took the skin.
Is there something here? Something that killed?
Her boy? I'm her boy?
I have to go. There are things here without permission. I have to check their slips... make sure they have authorization.
He turns and walks off into the darkness.
Anyanka opens the door of her apartment to find Willow.
I need help.
I don't have any money.
I don't want money.
Willow walks past her into the apartment. The place is still filled with unpacked boxes.
Come in. Enjoy my personal space.
I found a dead body near the high school.
Yes, that can happen.
Something horrible killed a boy. Took his skin right off.
WILLOW & ANYANKA
Was it you? No!
Well, with the skin thing, they're definitely going to think it was you. Buffy is, anyway.
Yeah, I mean, maybe she already does. I don't know. I just-- I have to find whatever did this. I need to do something right.
Oh, and so they'll think it wasn't you, right? I mean, that has to be part of it. Maybe you're even thinking, you kill this thing, they don't even have to know about it. Won't suspect you even for a minute.
No, I don't. (beat) When did you get all insightful?
I'm surprisingly sensitive.
So will you help me?
Is it difficult or time-consuming?
Later. Willow and Anyanka sit on the floor with a map of Sunnydale between them. The curtains are pulled closed over the windows and they are surrounded by candles.
This isn't going to get all sexy, is it?
I'd be shocked. Okay, do you have your powder?
Oh, I ate that. (smiles) I have it.
She picks up a bottle matching Willow's.
Okay, we scatter it over the map and everywhere there's a demon, a little light appears.
Oh, pretty. Will it hurt the carpet?
No. (beat) Okay, scatter.
Willow and Anyanka sprinkle the powder over the map and almost immediately little glowing lights appear all over it. Anyanka points to one of the lights.
Oh! Hey, look! That's me! (waves) Hello! What's that huge clump?
It's the high school. It's all Hellmouthy underneath.
Things have been stirring there lately. (frowns) Is it getting brighter?
Smoke!
The lights at the school flare up and burst into flame. Willow jumps to her feet and stamps out the fire. She smiles an apology at Anyanka and picks up the map. Anyanka is horrified at the scorch mark left on the carpet.
Aahh! Okay, remember our talk about the carpet?
Willow ignores her and studies the map.
Hey, this could be it. It's strong. It's near the body and it's all by itself. Hiding in the woods... or maybe a cave? There are a couple good caves around there.
I don't know. Sounds pretty thin to me.
Well, that's why you teleport over there real quick like a bunn-- (off Anyanka's look) Real quick see if I'm right.
No, sorry! You damaged my carpet.
Anya, you're a vengeance demon. Just teleport!
Well, as it turns out, teleporting isn't a right. It's a privilege. I withdrew a vengeance spell last week and this is my punishment. I can only teleport for official business. I have to file a flight plan and everything.
Oh, I'm sorry. That must be hard.
Yeah, it bites a pretty big one. And the vengeance itself, it's... it's not as fulfilling as I remember.
Really? 'Cause I got the impression that you enjoyed... you know, inflicting.
Well, causing pain sounds really cool, I know, but... it turns out it's really upsetting. Didn't used to be. But now it is.
Is it like you're scared of losing that feeling again and having it be okay to hurt people and then you're not in charge of the power anymore, because it's in charge of you?
Wow. That was really over-dramatically stated but, yeah, that's it.
I get it. Believe me.
I'm sorry, Willow. I wish it were better for you.
You, too.
It did get a little sexy, didn't it?
Willow starts to smile, then catches herself and heads for the door.
I have to find this monster.
Willow? Isn't there another spell? I mean, you're trying to find Buffy and Xander. Couldn't we use a spell to do that?
I did. I tried and something went gaflooey and it didn't work.
What did it say?
It said they don't exist.
Buffy, Dawn and Xander sit in the dining room of Buffy's house researching. Buffy and Xander look through books, while Dawn researches on her laptop.
Okay. So I looked up demons that skin their victims and demons that flay their victims. 'Cause, you know, same thing. There's a ton of prospects. Anything else gone? Eyeballs, toenails or viscera? That's guts.
She knows about viscera. Makes you proud.
Just skin.
Okay, I'll work on that.
Buffy sighs in frustration and starts pacing.
What's up?
I need to do something. I just... I have this feeling in my gut...
In your viscera.
...that we know exactly who did this. And all of this work that we're doing is just a way for us to convince ourselves that Willow's okay.
Oh, guys! I got a good one. Demon called Gnarl. He's a parasite with these nasty long fingernails. He secretes something through them and uses that to paralyze his victims. He then cuts strips of their skin while they're still alive. It takes hours.
We didn't find any strips of skin. Which, by the way, ugh!
You wouldn't. He eats them. That's why he's a parasite. It's like his natural food.
Dawn, you're new at this and I get why you're proud but I'm not exactly sure why this demon is any more likely than any of the others.
You never said pool of blood.
There was no pool, just splatters.
Then this is your guy. He laps up the blood. You could say it's like his natural beverage.
She smiles proudly.
You're terrifying.
Now if we just knew how to find this thing.
Well, we could ask some questions over at Willy's Place.
Or we could be smart. Sorry, Xander.
Xander is clueless to the unintended insult.
What?
Whoever did this had to get blood on them which means they left a trail.
Right. Minute traces of blood.
And we have a way to track it.
We have a... (beat) Oh! I get it.
Xander's more lost than ever.
What? How... what's going on?
Buffy, Xander and Dawn follow Spike through the woods armed with swords and crossbows.
William's a good boy. Carries the water, carries the sin. It's supposed to get easier, isn't it? It's supposed to help to help but it doesn't. It's still so heavy.
We should have put a leash on him.
Yes, let's tie ourselves to the crazy vampire.
Do you really think it's going to work?
It's pretty easy. Spike follows the exciting smell of blood and we follow the fairly ripe smell of Spike.
It's smellementary. (off their looks) Also, I'm sure there's tons of stuff like this. You know, procedures we can use that don't involve magick spells. Just good solid detective work. And we could develop a database of tooth impressions and demon skin samples. And I could wear high heels more often.
Wow. That was so close to being empowered.
Everybody loves a slender ankle.
Spike suddenly stops and Xander runs into him.
That's it. End of the line. Everyone off. (sotto; to Xander) Keep your ticket. You'll need that.
That's a rock cliff.
Well, give him a break, Buffy. Maybe it's a vicious skin-eating rock cliff.
There's a cave in it. Look.
He pushes aside the brush, revealing a narrow entrance into a cave.
I'm insane. What's his excuse?
Before she can answer, he turns and leaves.
Willow stands at the entrance to the cave in the woods, then crawls through the narrow opening into a larger interior cavern. Torches on the walls throw a dim light around the cave. A fire burns in a pit on the floor.
All alone.
Buffy, Xander and Dawn enter the cavern. Xander looks around.
Dark and dank. I was hoping it would be dark and dank.
Shh... do you hear that?
No, I don't. (beat) But now I do.
Gnarl's shadow darts across the cave wall.
Something's moving in here.
Guess we're in the right place.
Willow moves slowly through the cave.
Look at the shorn lamb. See how it trembles. Is it the cold wind? Ah! Or is it that the flock is nowhere to be seen?
Dawn moves away from Buffy and Xander as Gnarl's voice echoes through the cavern.
Poor little lamb... all alone.
You guys hear that, right?
Yep.
It's echoing. I know it sounds close but I don't think--
Gnarl suddenly shrieks and darts out of the shadows. He rakes one of his claws across Dawn's belly, then disappears again.
Buffy and Xander rush to Dawn's side.
Dawn! Are you okay?
I guess so. (beat) Poison paralyzes...
Buffy catches Dawn as she collapses.
Dawn! Okay, we need to get her out of here. We'll deal with him later. Seal him in.
Willow turns at the sound of rocks moving at the cave entrance. She runs over to find her exit blocked.
What's going on? Who's there? No! Stop!
But she can't move the rocks and is quickly sealed in with the demon. Gnarl's laughter echoes around her.
Willow stands in the dark cave, frightened, as the demon taunts her.
No way out now. No way out.
Protect me, Goddess. In thy name, I supplicate myself. Take the powers from my enemy And lay him lower than the lowest field.
Gnarl loves spells. He keeps them as pets. They love him and they leave him alone.
Willow tries shoving the blocking stones away but she can't budge them.
You may be immune to magick but I've got more than that. You want to fight?
Your friends left you here. No one comes to save you. They wanted me to have you.
Buffy and Xander carry Dawn through the woods.
The computer. That thing Dawn was reading might have an antidote for the paralysis.
Buffy?
Her speech is muffled by the fact that she can't move her jaw.
What?
I'm really sorry.
Oh, it's okay.
You couldn't help it. It had paralyzing fingernails.
Just like she said it would. (to Dawn) So good on you.
Willow circles the cave anxiously, peering into the shadows for some clue as to Gnarl's whereabouts. The demons voice continues to echo through the cavern, seeming to come from everywhere at once.
Did they leave you as a gifty for me? Are you a tasty little gifty?
Stop it!
Or did they just throw you away?
Were they here? Were my friends really here? I heard something.
Gnarl shrieks and darts out of the shadows. It rakes a claw across Willow's abdomen and she is paralyzed almost instantly. She falls back against the cave wall, gasping in pain.
They were here. Here they were. And there they went. Gone all gone, what a pretty song! They sealed you in with me.
GNARL finally shows itself: a naked humanoid demon, gaunt, with greenish skin, its ribs clearly visible. It has a bald head, pointed ears and a huge hooked nose. It seizes Willow by the ankles and drags her away from the wall, stretching her out on the cave floor.
I love a gifty. Can't wait to unwrap it.
It clicks its claws together and bends over Willow, licking the blood from the wound on her belly.
Xander and Buffy carry the stiff Dawn in through the front door of Buffy's house.
Okay, watch the head.
I got ya.
Watch my head! Watch my head!
Sofa.
They carry her into the living room and dump her face down onto the sofa.
Ace up. Ace up!
Xander rolls Dawn over.
Oh, she's right. Face up is better.
Okay, I'm gonna check the computer. Find that page, see if there's an antidote.
It'll be all right. We'll get you fixed up. You'll be doing limbo in no time.
Yeah, as a pole.
No. Not as a pole. I promise.
Oh. Got it! It says the paralysis is permanent.
Dawn squeaks.
No. Oh, wait! My bad. Permanent until the creature dies. Sorry. Guys, we have to go back.
We can't just leave her here like this. What if she vomits?
I won't vomit.
Do you think she'll vomit?
Stop talking about vomit!
I'll call Anya. She can watch her.
Right. She'll love being called for vomit watch.
Stop. Talking. About. Vomit.
Gnarl carves another cut across Willow's abdomen with its talon.
Gnarl makes a pretty picture. It's easy when you know how. It's easy when everyone helps. They helped me. Too bad there's no one to help you.
Gnarl peels off a strip of Willow's skin, tilts its head back, and slurps it down.
Anyanka looks down at Dawn lying on the sofa.
I bet she's dying.
Buffy straps a sheathed knife to her calf.
She's not dying. She's just paralyzed.
Oh. Paralyzed how?
Paralyzed how? In the not-moving way.
Well, there's lots of different ways. Did you try this?
She lifts Dawn's ankles into the air.
Hey!
Anyanka lets go of Dawn's legs and they remain sticking straight up.
Oh! You're poseable.
Buffy is intrigued.
She's poseable?
It's a common variety. Watch this.
She lifts Dawn up and swings her around so she's in a sitting position while Buffy picks up the can of nuts Anyanka brought with her and starts snacking.
Neat as you please. Hardly a need to undo her.
Yes, you do!
Where'd you get the nuts?
Brazil. No need to thank me, by the way, for sitting with her. I'm feeling very benevolent today. Helping Willow, helping you. Might even call it even for that whole worm thing last week.
Buffy pulls an axe out of the trunk.
Yeah, I don't think we could call-- wait. You saw Willow?
Yep. Oh, she's looking for you, by the way. Decided you might be out in some cave. Sounded pretty tenuous.
Cave?
Anya, listen. This is really important. Did Willow go to that cave?
Yep. Last time I saw her, that's where she was headed. Shall I make her salute? That'd be very cute.
Anyanka lifts Dawn's hand up and starts manipulating her fingers. Dawn glares hatefully at Anyanka, helpless to do anything about it.
Xander, she could be there right now. Willow could be trapped with the Gnarl.
It's not the Gnarl. It's just Gnarl. Whoa, wouldn't it be tragic if you were here being kind of silly with your comically paralyzed sister while Willow was dying?
Anya, you know about this creature?
Uh-huh. Sure.
Buffy hands Anyanka the axe.
You're coming with us.
Oh.
She stands up and pats Dawn on the head as they all file out, leaving Dawn alone on the sofa, her left hand stuck in a Cub Scout salute. Buffy runs back into the room and sticks the TV remote into her hand.
Mmph.
Willow whimpers, the paralysis affecting her ability to speak as well. Gnarl raises its head from Willow's belly, her blood running down its chin.
Wouldn't leave. They'll return.
They don't want you. Lock you in, nice white skin. And if they do return, where would they find you? Inside me you'll already be.
It peels another strip of skin from Willow's stomach.
Oh... lovely.
Buffy, Xander and Anyanka run through the woods, Anyanka lagging behind unenthusiastically.
Anya, you gotta keep up.
I'm out of shape! I've been teleporting for months.
Hurry!
Willow moans as Gnarl peels off another strip of skin and eats it. Suddenly Gnarl leaps up and to find Buffy swinging an axe. She misses as the demon shoots off into the dark.
What's going on? Where's Willow?
Anyanka points to Willow lying on the ground.
She's right here. Can't you see her? She's hurt.
What? Where? There's nothing here.
He waves his hands through the space in front of Anyanka.
Your hand, it's going right through her. What's going on?
I don't know but I'm starting to get why we haven't seen her.
Because we haven't seen her.
I have this feeling that whatever's causing this invisible thing is a whole separate issue from the skin-eating monster.
Behind you!
Buffy spins and dodges as Gnarl slashes at her. Its claws slice her blouse but miss her skin.
Close one!
Remember what I said. Get him in the eyes.
Buffy attacks Gnarl, slashing with her knife but staying out of range of its claws.
Anyanka kneels beside Willow and tries to comfort her.
Willow. I'm here. Wow, you're really hurt.
What's going on?
Buffy is fighting the demon over there. See? But if they get too close, I'm going to have to run.
All Willow sees is Gnarl ducking and dodging around the cave.
I don't see.
But they're here. Buffy and Xander.
Someone came. They didn't leave me.
No. They didn't leave you. They can't see you.
They're here. They're here. I'm not alone.
Good. You're doing really good.
Gnarl and Buffy continue the fight, slashing with claws and knife, and neither letting the other get close enough to strike. Gnarl laughs and leaps over Buffy but she ducks, spins and drives her knife through Gnarl's foot and into the ground, pinning it in place. Gnarl screams in the pain as Buffy grabs its head with both hands and drives her thumbs into its eyes. Its eyeballs pop with a sickening squelch and the demon drops to the ground, dead.
Eww! Thumbs? I can't believe you did that.
Buffy killed the demon. It was gross.
I can... I can move.
The pain from her wound suddenly hits her and she falls back with a gasp.
Dawn yelps as the paralysis leaves her and she tumbles off the sofa.
Willow, are you here?
Where is she? Is she alive?
She's right here. Okay, stand back. You're getting your feet in her. She's hurt really bad, you guys. I'm going to go get help.
Willow?
Anyanka gets up and leaves while Xander points to a patch on the ground.
I think she's sort of... here-ish.
Willow? We can't exactly see you but we're really glad that you're back. I don't know how badly you're hurt but...
A flood of pinpoint lights sparkle on the ground in front of them and Willow materializes at their feet.
What's happening?
I couldn't find you guys and I looked everywhere. And the demon said that you left me and-- oh! There you are. Don't go away.
We're not going away. (re: Willow's wound) Oh, god.
It's going to be okay, Will. You're going to be okay.
I know. You're here.
Buffy looks in the door of her old room to find Willow sitting with her legs crossed and eyes closed on the bed. She watches for a moment, then turns to go.
Buffy.
Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt.
That's all I had left in me anyway.
I didn't realize meditating was such hard work.
I'm healing. Growing new skin.
Buffy walks over and sits on the bed with her.
Wow. That's magick, right? I mean, when most people meditate, they don't get extra skin, right? 'Cause Clem should, like, cut back.
It's magick. I'm drawing power from the earth to heal myself.
We're on the second floor.
You know, Giles says everything's a part of the earth. This bed, the air, us.
Explains why my fingernails get dirty even when I don't do anything.
Plus you stuck your thumbs in a demon.
True.
Buffy watches as Willow eases herself back against the pillows with a wince.
You're wiped out. I should go.
No. Please stay. I missed you so much when I couldn't find you.
We missed you, too. I missed you. Dawn's working on what caused the mutual no-see-ums but so far we haven't--
I did it.
You did a spell?
I didn't mean to. I just remember thinking I wasn't ready to see you guys yet and I was afraid we wouldn't, you know, connect.
So... you made it happen just by thinking it?
Guess I have a ways to go before I master my powers, huh?
It's okay. As long as you're all right.
It's nice to be forgiven. Too bad I need so much of it.
I have a confession to make. I thought it might be you... with the flaying.
I know.
I want to be the kind of person that wouldn't think that. Xander never thought it.
He did, a little. Heck, I did a little. Xander has the luxury of not saying it but you're the Slayer. You have to say stuff like that. It's okay. It's okay, too, if you still don't think I can recover from this magick stuff. Because, honestly, I'm not that sure about it, either.
She lifts herself back up into her meditation pose.
I thought you were too tired.
It hurts too much not to try.
I'm sorry.
Well, it just takes so much strength. I don't have that much.
Buffy moves in front of Willow and crosses her legs.
Well, I've got so much strength, I'm giving it away.
She reaches out and takes Willow's hands in hers.
Are you sure?
Will it help?
Much.
Good.
Buffy closes her eyes and the two friends meditate together.