[Transcript of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" episode The Killer In Me at buffyology.com.]
GILES walks into the living room where BUFFY and DAWN sit together on the sofa. He's preoccupied and a bit flustered.
Are you sure you'll all be all right?
You'll only be gone for two days.
I think we've managed a bit longer than that.
Right. (beat) Oh, Dawn, Vi has left her notebook on the mantelpiece. Would you mind running it out to the car?
Sure.
While you're at it, smack her in the head with it and remind her not to leave it lying around.
On it.
She takes the notebook and heads out the front door.
I'm just a bit twitchy about leaving you alone again here while things are in such a state of flux.
I know. But you should go. This trip is important for the girls to understand the source of their power and to know how to use it right.
Do you think they appreciate the gravity of what we're undertaking? It's frightening and it's difficult. And then apparently someone told them that the vision quest consists of me driving them into the desert, doing the hokey-pokey, until a spooky Rasta-mama Slayer arrives and speaks to them in riddles.
He looks disapprovingly at Buffy.
That's not exactly how I put it. I... (to Willow) Hey! How's Kennedy?
WILLOW comes down the stairs and into the living room.
Still fluey. Bummed about missing the field trip. (to Giles) She says she wants you to meditate extra hard for her and bring her back some S'mores.
Ah, yes. S'mores. I'm going to end up singing campfire songs, aren't I?
Oh, yeah.
The door opens and XANDER and Dawn walk in. Xander is not happy.
Giles, you might want to get out there.
Oh, god... what?
Molly and Rona are fighting over who gets to drive the first leg.
Bet you wish you'd renewed that California state driver's license now, huh?
And then ANYA enters as well.
Rona won. You should probably let Molly out of the trunk. (to Willow) I never actually realized just how compact Molly could be...
She and Willow head to kitchen with Dawn and Xander as Giles closes his eyes, steeling himself for the ordeal ahead.
Please be safe while I'm away.
You, too.
Giles walks out the door to face his fate.
Buffy descends the stairs and approaches SPIKE who has chained himself to the wall.
Hey.
Hey.
Giles is off on the retreat.
It'll give us all a chance for a breather, eh?
From Giles?
From the constant pitter-patter of clomping teenage girlie feet.
I have no idea what you're talking about.
Come off it.
I enjoy my responsibility as mentor, role model, life guide... oh, my god! I can't believe I have my bathroom all to myself for two whole days.
It's like a bloody war zone up there. And not in a good way.
Have you seen the kitchen since they've been here?
I'm just trying to stay out of their way.
I noticed.
This is better. Believe me, it's safer.
Okay. But you've been fine, in close contact with the girls.
With you by my side, yeah. But you wouldn't let me hurt one of them. And that's the way it's going to be until we're sure The First is done making me its bitch. Either we're together or I'm on the leash.
We just need to make sure the trigger's deactivated, then. We've got a couple of days. Lack of pitter-patter and all.
Buffy...
What?
Ow.
Ow?
Spike suddenly yells in pain, grabs his head and slams back against the wall.
What's wrong? Spike, what is going on?
The chip! God... why would...
He recoils in agony again, while Buffy looks on, helpless.
Opening credit sequence.
Buffy enters from the basement while Willow makes tea.
Hey, how is he?
In the goes part of "comes and goes".
Well, there seems to be a definite lack of screaming. That has to be good.
You'd think. (re: tea) That for the other patient?
Yeah. Thought I'd bring her some tea. Help her feel better.
Mm-hmm.
It's just tea.
Buffy laughs good-naturedly, then sobers again.
Will, how much do you know about the chip?
Spike's chip? Well, I remember trying to dig up stuff back then but... turns out when a secret government agency studies vampires and puts chips in their brains that keep them from hurting people, they don't really build web sites. Why?
Even with the chip, Spike was able to hurt all those people when he was brainwashed.
Yeah, but he was under the control of The First.
Maybe something's wrong with it.
The chip was misfiring all on its own, then. Well, this'll be fun.
Remember when things used to be nice and boring?
No.
She heads for the stairs with the tea.
Have fun delivering the tea.
Okay, not when you make it sound all dirty like that. It's just tea.
A gentle knock, then the door opens. Willow enters, tea still in hand.
Hey, I figured the best thing for a cold was a nice hot cup of... boots.
Reveal KENNEDY sitting on the edge of the bed, dressed for clubbing, lacing up a pair of dressy boots.
Hey.
For someone who's sick, you look surprisingly robust... and casual-dressy.
Well, the lighting in here is good. Maybe it's just--
You were never sick.
No. I was never sick.
Oh! You are so busted. Xander's going to have to drive you to the desert now--
Willow. Chill. There's a reason I didn't go. I have a thing. A separate thing.
What?
Something's coming down. I've got my own mission. And I need your help.
Willow and Kennedy sit at a bar table. Music, lights, dancing all around them. They each have a multi-colored alcoholic drink in front of them, complete with little paper umbrellas.
This is a mission?
Oh, yeah.
And the little paper umbrellas are a signal for what? We're not on a mission, are we?
Hey, trust me. I told you, I have a thing.
Willow glares at Kennedy for a beat, then gets up to go.
Come on, just hang out with me a little.
Willow hesitates.
You're sexy when you pout.
Why do you do that?
To get you to stay.
All right, I'll stay for one drink. Then I'm going home.
Okay, one drink. I can work with that. Let's start with the easy stuff. How long have you known? (off her look) That you were gay?
Wait, that's easy? And, wait, you just assume that I'm... that I'm gay? I mean, presume much?
Okay, sorry. How long have you enjoyed having sex with women?
Hey! What? You think you have some kind of like special lesbidar or something?
Okay, you know there's a better word for that, right? (beat) You really haven't been getting out there that much, have you?
Well, I just... can you always tell? Just by looking at someone?
No. No, of course not. That wouldn't be any fun. The fun part is the process. Of getting to know a girl. It's like... it's like flirting in code. It's using body language and laughing at the right jokes and... and looking into her eyes and knowing she's still whispering to you even when she's not saying a word.
Willow is a bit mesmerized by Kennedy despite herself.
And that sense that if you could just touch her, just once, everything would be okay. For both of you. That's how you can tell. (beat) Or if she's really hot, you just get her drunk, see if she comes on to you.
Willow takes a deep breath, then looks at Kennedy seriously.
Three years ago. That's when I knew. And it wasn't women. It was woman. Just one.
Lucky woman.
Buffy descends the stairs, holding a clean towel. She finds Spike slumped against the wall, breathing labored, head in his hands. He lifts his head as she sits down next to him. He's clammy and his nose is bleeding profusely now.
Popped another blood vessel, I think.
She hands him the towel and he wipes the blood from his face.
There's gotta be a reason why the chip is going all wonky. Maybe it's related to the trigger... or maybe it has something to do with the new soul.
Or maybe I wasn't meant to last this long. One more thing you and I have in common, eh, pet?
Well, we'll fix it. We'll hit serious research mode--
Good. Try "behavioral modification software through the ages."
Okay, you're right, it's not a book thing. It's a phone thing.
Who're you gonna call? (beat) God, that phrase is never going to be usable again, is it?
Doubt it.
Willow and Kennedy are still at the table but now each has a couple of empty glasses in front of them.
Do your parents know?
Yeah. My mom was all proud like I was making a political statement. Then the statement mojo wore off and I was just gay. She hardly ever even met Tara.
Classic.
I didn't mind. Tara and I are kind of... private.
I'm sorry. It must have--
Were, I mean. Private.
Spike sits on the stairs looking pained while Buffy talks on the phone in the living room.
Yes. Agent Finn. Riley. Tell him we're having a problem with Spike's chip. (beat) No, his chip. (beat) Spike.
Listen, pet...
No, no, Finn is his last name. Yes. (beat) Well, did he used to work there and maybe he got transferred or... oh. Is this actually a flower shop or is this one of those things where I'm supposed to play along to show I know it's really Secret Ops? (beat) Maybe I shouldn't have said that.
Spike rocks back, his head in agony again.
Okay, right. Well, if some guy named Finn shows up to buy flowers... yeah. Thanks.
She hangs up and turns to Spike.
Wrong number. Or a giant government conspiracy. One of those. (off his look) Spike?
This one seemed easier than the others. See? Probably just going to fade...
He clenches his jaw and screams in agony.
It was Gone With the Wind. I saw that and I knew I wanted to sweep Scarlett off her feet.
You were five.
Well, I'm not saying the sweeping would have been easy. (off her look) What?
No, it's just... I still don't get it. Why you like me. I mean, you don't even know me.
Have you seen you? And we like the same things. Italian. Skate punk. Robert Parker mysteries. Fighting evil.
I don't like any of that stuff. Except the fighting evil part. And even then I'd prefer a nice foot massage.
Okay... I dig the way you always turn off the Moulin Rouge DVD at chapter 32 so it has a happy ending. I like the way you speak. It's interesting. And your freckles-- lickable. I'm not so into the magick stuff-- seems like fairy tale crap to me-- but it matters to you. You care about it, so it's cool.
Willow smiles shyly. She's uncomfortable with such flattery but enjoying it nevertheless.
Willow stand awkwardly with Kennedy in the doorway.
Well. This is my stop.
She hits the lights and enters. Kennedy follows, watching her closely.
So... glad we talked.
Yes. Kinda cleared the air, huh?
Yeah, totally. Air cleared. Check.
You know, in the spirit of air-clearing...
Yeah?
I feel like I need to be honest about something.
Is something wrong?
No, no. It's just I think you should know.
She leans in and tenderly kisses Willow on the lips. Willow resists at first but then gives in and kisses Kennedy back.
After a long beat, Kennedy slowly, reluctantly ends the kiss and pulls back. When she opens her eyes, Willow is gone. WARREN MEARS stands in her place. Somehow Willow has transformed into Warren.
Well, that was nice.
Kennedy recoils in horror.
Kennedy stumbles backward, knocking over a lamp. She stares at this guy standing there where Willow was only a moment before.
From her POV, it's Warren Mears. From Willow's POV, she's still Willow. Willow may be mysteriously wearing Warren's face and body but she's still Willow.
You okay? Not used to literally knocking girls off of their feet with just the power of my lips.
Kennedy doesn't move, just keeps staring, frightened.
Okay. Are you gonna pick that up or...
I don't... what are you...
Willow starts to feel uncomfortable.
Is a freckle thing, 'cause--
She goes over to the mirror and recoils when she sees Warren looking back at her.
Oh. Oh, god.
She touches her face, unable to believe what she sees.
What is that?
It's the man that I killed.
Willow tears down the stairs, followed by Kennedy.
Okay, hold up a sec.
Xander, Anya and Dawn leap to their feet and back away as Willow runs in and stands before them.
Guys.
Xander grabs Dawn and pulls her behind him.
Get Buffy! Get Buffy! Tell her The First is back!
What? No, I'm not The First--
We're not interested in your evil lies. We've heard them all.
No, guys it's me. I'm me. I'm Willow. Guys, come on. Ask Kennedy. She was there.
Kennedy shrugs, confused.
I don't know, I'm not sure. We were up in Willow's room and we were--
ANDREW enters from the dining room holding a plate of pumpkin pie, in mid-bite. He sees Warren and drops the plate.
No. You're back...
No, I'm not. It's not. I'm not it! Listen to me.
No more listening! I know who you are now. I know what you made me do. Your promises of happy fields and dancing schnauzers and being demigods won't work on me anymore.
Xander, Anya, Dawn and Andrew move in, surrounding Willow in the living room.
Buffy!
The Bringers are probably coming, too. We have to--
I'm not The First.
You made me do things. Things I can't take back. Ever.
I'm not The First!
What the hell is going on in here?
Buffy enters from the basement and reacts on instinct when she sees Warren. Her arm shoots out and she decks Willow.
Ow!
Behind them, Spike staggers out of the basement, having another attack. He collapses to the floor unconscious.
Buffy...
Wait...
But if he's The First...
Willow turns to Dawn, her back to Andrew.
I'm not The First!
You're not The First!
I know!
Oh, my god. (smiles) You're back!
He leaps on Willow, grabbing her from behind in a huge bear hug, his hands meeting in the front on her chest. She looks down and sees his hands on her breasts.
Hey! Bad touching. Could everyone just stop. It's me!
It's Willow.
I'm Willow.
Are you sure?
There are other stories from kindergarten-- non-yellow- crayon stories-- in which you don't come out in such a good light. An incident involving Aquaman Underoos, for example. You want me to start talking?
Hey! Willow!
Andrew stares at her, his disappointment evident.
What happened?
I don't know. We were... there. And then I looked like him.
Like a glamour.
Maybe. I probably brought it on myself.
Andrew pokes gently at Willow's face, testing it.
What makes you think that?
Well, wouldn't be the first time. I kinda have a history with my witchy subconscious making things go kerfloofy. Remember the wacky "I can't see you, you can't see me" spell?
Dawn pokes Willow also.
Guys.
It's so real...
All too aware.
Okay, say you're right and you did do this to yourself. Why would your subconscious turn you into Warren?
Obviously because I... feel bad. About killing him.
We'll deal. We'll get help.
No. I can handle this.
On your own? Why?
I did it. I'll fix it. And I don't want you seeing me this way, anyway.
It's kind of a little late for that.
Spike groans, coming around on the floor.
Seriously, I'm not posing any big threat to the world and it looks like you've got your hands full already.
Buffy notices Spike on the floor and goes to him. Torn, she looks up at Willow.
I'll go, I'll handle it, I'll fix it. I'll be back before you even know I'm gone. Promise.
Buffy nods and Willow heads out the front door and leaves. Kennedy watches her go, anxious.
Spike?
Buffy...
I'm right here.
He sits up, woozy.
The chip fired again.
I kinda figured.
Kennedy slips away, unnoticed, into the dining room and through the kitchen, then out the back door.
Maybe they'll call back. Maybe they'll send help.
Maybe we can't wait.
Willow walks the night streets swiftly, with purpose. She looks around, nervous, then continues just as Kennedy steps into her path. She yelps with fright.
Okay, safe to say no one will ever accuse you of being too butch.
Kennedy, go home.
Kennedy ignores her and follows as Willow heads toward a set of buildings.
Come on. You turned into a guy! I mean, if you take a step back, seriously, there's a certain element of humor here, right? (off her look) Well, a really, really big step.
I killed him. It's hard to see the chuckles.
Kennedy tries another approach.
So you got a plan?
Yep. Going to get some help reversing it.
I thought you were going to try it yourself.
I did try. Didn't work. Something's... blocking me.
All the more reason for me to go with you. Plus, I was there with you when it happened. Let me come to try to help, too.
I really think I'm fine with the handling.
By yourself? Why?
I'm the one who killed him. It's hard to understand.
Given. How about I just tag along anyway? Keep you company. (beat) I'm taking that as a yes.
Fine. Come. Try not to get in the way.
You know where you're going?
To see some old friends of mine. Been awhile but maybe they can help.
Buffy's and Spike stand in the familiar bushes and shrubs that hide the entrance to the Initiative. Spike is holding up well, putting up a brave front, but he's getting worse.
Are you sure you still want to go back in this place with me?
Eh. Nothing good on TV tonight.
Spike nods and kneels down. He pulls the bushes aside, tearing up the dirt.
Here we are.
Yep. Here we are. You think the stuff's still good?
I don't know. Worked pretty good when the Initiative held me captive here. Every time I'd get a little... rambunctious, the chip would kick in, I'd feel like my head was going to explode, they'd dope me up and everything would be all daffodils and teddy bears. For a couple of hours, anyway.
Maybe we should search for files and stuff. You know, find out everything we can about the chip. Shelf life.
I'll take whatever I can get.
He's hit a metal grate in the dirt.
Ready?
Spike nods and pulls hard on the grate. It comes up, dirt pouring off it.
Xander, Anya and Dawn sit in the living room with Andrew. The phone rings and he lunges for it.
I'll get it! I'm supposed to get a call when the new League of Extraordinary Gentlemen comes in. I gave them this number.
Oh, can you see if you can get two?
He suddenly realizes how lame he is and looks over at Dawn and Anya, hoping they didn't notice. They did.
Summers' residence, this is Andrew speaking. How can I help you?
Loser.
Hey, do we know some British guy named Robson?
Later. Xander replaces the phone in its cradle.
He was attacked, this Robson guy. In England. And Giles was there, helping him, and there was a Bringer...
Xander?
Robson blacked out but the last thing he remembers was that Giles' head was about to get real familiar with the Bringer's very sharp axe.
Oh, my god.
Giles never mentioned any of this.
Robson said that by the time he came to, there's no Giles.
So what are we saying?
Maybe Giles just didn't want to talk about it.
Or maybe he didn't make it. (off their looks) Look, I'm not saying it's a happy scenario but we're dealing with a big bad that can be any dead person it wants.
Because if you wanted to infiltrate the inner circle of the Slayer...
...you become the one person she trusts more than anybody else.
But there's no way that we can know...
Actually, that's not true. The First can't take corporeal form so it can't touch anything.
Well, it's not like Giles hasn't touched anything, right?
They all go over the last couple of weeks in their heads.
Has anyone seen Giles touch anything since he got back? Hold anything? Has anybody hugged him? Think very hard.
They all exchange a look, then they get up and head for the door.
Where are you--
Desert. We're going to find Giles.
Oh, good. Let me just get some tapes for the car. I've been working on this mix--
You're not coming.
What? Why? 'Cause I used to be evil?
No, actually, because you're annoying. But that's a good reason, too.
Wait, don't leave me here all alone. I keep getting attacked in this house.
Actually, Xand--
What if this is all part of the plan? Drive you guys away so it can have its way with me. Ever think of that?
I'll risk it.
Okay, well, if you leave me here alone, I'll do something evil. Like... burning something. Or gluing things together.
For crying out loud, Harris, let's just take him. At least we can keep an eye on him.
Resigned, Xander sighs and opens the door. Andrew jumps up and runs out, followed by Dawn.
Xander...
I know. They're out there alone. All of them.
Giles sits alone near a campfire, staring expressionlessly into the flames.
A circle of young witches, several women and one man, sit on the floor, eyes closed, holding hands. Bundles of sage burn in the center and each
witch wears a crystal around her neck. VAUGHNE, a beautiful dark- skinned woman and the nominal leader here chants a spell.
Instill us, O Great One, with peace, with strength, with compassion, with hope. The path we seek is yours. Keep us on that path.
Now the glow moves beyond the crystals, bathing the witches in a warm, soothing, tranquil light. After a moment, the light fades and they all open their eyes, calm, refreshed.
Willow and Kennedy appear in the doorway.
Okay, wow, this is new.
The group looks up at their visitors.
Hi, we're...
Oh, hey. I'm sorry. Willow. We actually met when I was a freshman. And also not a boy. This is Kennedy.
Hey.
You're Willow?
Yeah. (casual) Wow, look at you guys. Campus Wiccans. I guess you got past the whole bake sale phase.
No, we still do those, too. Second Tuesday of every month. I'm sorry, I'm kind of having a hard time with the whole guy of it thing.
It's actually her.
One of the women in the group turns to face Willow and Kennedy. Willow instantly recognizes AMY MADISON.
I can tell. I know her.
Willow takes a step back, defensive.
Okay, whoa.
Okay. Here's the thing. Hi. Here's the thing. I'll just get this out of the way. I'm sort of screwed up. I mean, you already knew that because you lived it. Gotcha.
But she's doing so much better now. Amy...
It's okay, Vaughne. I want to do this. (to Willow) It took me a long time to really see myself. But I did because, you know, that's the crazy thing about hitting rock bottom. You get to relive all the crappy things that you did. And I wanted to come find you and tell you that I was here, working on things with these guys and that they're good and that I was sorry. But you're here, looking like... wow. How did this happen?
That's what we're here to find out. I mean, if we're done with all the group hugging.
I got hit with this... like glamour thing and I can't seem to shake it myself. I was hoping that someone here might be able to help.
Yeah... see the thing is, we're mostly about healing spirits and nurturing our life force here.
Oh.
But we'll try.
Later. Amy sits in the center of the room, cross-legged, with Willow sitting across from her holding a small, smooth stone in her hands. Both have their eyes closed.
The other young witches and Kennedy sit in chairs nearby, watching. As Amy chants, Kennedy leans over to Vaughne.
...her spirit true, its shell a lie, we draw upon your very might...
What if she can't handle this?
You've got a better idea?
Give back the form the soul requires, see that the balance is put right.
The crystal around Amy's neck glows in synch with the stone in Willow's hand. It turns orange, then red. Willow's eyes suddenly fly open and she drops the stone. She screams in pain.
It didn't work?
Enraged, slaps Amy across the face.
No, it didn't, you dumb bitch!
Willow rubs her burned hand, then slowly becomes aware that everyone in the room-- including Kennedy-- is staring at her in stunned silence.
Willow...
You... you slapped me.
No. I didn't. It wasn't me. It was Warren.
Willow faces the stunned room, then turns and runs out the door.
As Willow runs down the hall, Kennedy rounds the corner, trying to catch up.
Willow! Willow!
She stops and faces Kennedy with a glare.
Okay. You're upset.
Upset? Upset! Are you just tuning in? Did you not see that? I'm turning into him. It's not a trick, it's not a glamour. I'm becoming him. A murderous, misogynist man. Do you understand what he did? What I could do? I killed him for a reason.
Getting angry isn't helping. We can still try to--
You understand nothing about magick. And in case you didn't notice, our "date" is over.
Willow walks away and Kennedy heads after her.
Willow...
Willow casually waves her hand and Kennedy slams into a magickal energy field.
Willow, come on. Willow! Wait!
But Willow is gone.
Dark. Cluttered. Threatening. Chunks of concrete crumble down from above and crash to the floor. A moment later, two shadowy figures-- Buffy and Spike-- drop from the ceiling.
Two flashlights pierce the blackness. Buffy and Spike react to the smell-- the smell of dead bodies left for over three years.
Be careful. Oh, god. They just left them.
They just sealed the place off. Left everything as it was.
I'm thinking brief stay.
Yeah, you're not wrong. I think I can get us to the Med Lab, find the drug.
As they move away, something run across frame, behind their backs... dark, dangerous.
The car speeds down the highway, on the way to the desert. Xander and Anya sit in the front, Dawn and Andrew in the back.
Okay, I'll go. R. Ghost is hard to play by yourself.
How long since they left?
A few hours.
If it is the First-- and I'm not saying it is-- what are we expecting to find?
He didn't bring them out there to meditate.
Kinda makes you grateful you weren't a potential after all, doesn't it? Safer.
Not so fast with the big "whew".
He might know we're coming.
Which means we're already too late and we're heading out to the middle of nowhere.
With no Slayer, no powerful witch...
Just a teenager, a powerless former demon and two big geeks.
Okay, license plate game maybe?
Willow runs into the alley, out of breath, spent. She leans against the wall, tries to steel herself but ends up breaking into tears instead. She sinks to the ground, crying quietly.
After a while, she runs out of sobs. She wipes her tears away, smiling bitterly:
Look at me. Crying like a girl.
She stands, a look of determination on her face. She knows what to do.
Buffy and Spike move cautiously through the wrecked complex. They freeze, tensed, as a furtive noise sounds in the darkness.
You hear that?
Yep.
Think something survived?
Sounds like.
You see where?
No, it sounded like it was coming from over there. Whatever it is, it's not--
She directs her flashlight into the corner but there's nothing but dusty, crumbling walls.
It comes again, this time from the opposite side. Buffy and Spike whip around and aim their flashlights toward the noise. Nothing.
Suddenly, the same dark, shadow-like thing careens into Buffy from the side and knocks her off her feet. Spike leaps to her aid as her flashlight skitters across the floor.
Buffy!
Not being able to follow Willow, Kennedy returns to the coven's meeting room. Only Amy remains.
Where'd they go?
Took off. That was a little too creepy. Even for us.
Kennedy looks back toward the door, worried. Amy notices.
You're really worried about her? Look, she's gonna be fine, really. She's good at this. She's strong. And she's dealt with a lot worse. Long before she ever went out and found herself a big old potential slayer bodyguard, okay? Just have a little faith in her.
Kennedy turns back from the door and stares at Amy.
I never said I was a potential Slayer.
Oh. No, I think you did. When first got here, you told us--
No. I didn't. How did you know who I was?
Oops.
Spike leaps over bodies and equipment o find Buffy struggling under the monster. Spike's flashlight reveals its monstrous form: built like a fireplug, compact but clearly agile. It has Buffy pinned.
Spike runs to her aid but is only halfway there when he stops in his tracks, woozy.
Not now...
As the monster and Buffy struggle, a gout of blood blooms from Spike's mouth. His eyes roll back, he grabs his head and falls over.
The monster turns and sees Spike helpless, then leaps off of Buffy and runs toward the easier prey.
Spike!
Spike lies flat on the floor, out cold, as the demon drags his body toward the rubble...
Willow as Warren talks with the SHOPKEEPER.
So same model as last time?
Pan down to reveal the display counter and a wide selection of handguns under the glass.
How'd that work out for you?
Willow picks up one of the guns and smiles.
You'd be amazed.
Giles still sits in front of the campfire, gazing at it blankly. He abruptly stands and heads toward the sleeping girls. Suddenly, he's knocked backward onto the ground by Xander, Dawn, Anya and Andrew. They all pile on top of him.
Touch him! Touch him!
They all vigorously pat him down.
I feel him! I feel him!
Me, too.
Me, too!
We all feel each other. Including some of us who don't know each other well enough to take such liberties, thank you. I assume there's a perfectly reasonable and not at all insane explanation here.
We thought you might be non-corporeal evil.
We got a call. We couldn't remember you touching anything.
We had to come make sure you were okay. We were worried.
Oh. That's very sweet. (realizes) Now wait a minute. You think I'm evil if I bring a group of girls on a camping trip and don't touch them?
Buffy tosses rubble and bodies aside, digging for the creature that took Spike.
Spike?
She pushes over a computer monitor and reveals the monster, pulling an unconscious Spike into a dark, side corridor.
The demon turns, looks at Buffy, and leaps at her. This time she's ready. She uses the creature's momentum against it and throws it to the floor. She lifts the computer monitor over her head and smashes it over the demon's head. Buffy flips the monitor stand over and plunges the jagged end of the metal pole into the monster's throat. It dies with a strangled moan.
Buffy runs over to Spike and kneels next to him.
Hey, you still with us?
Spike mumbles something and smiles.
That guy was--
Suddenly the room is flooded with harsh bright light as floodlights kick on around the room. Above them, a catwalk is lined with soldiers, their weapons trained on Buffy and Spike.
-- just the beginning.
What's happening?
The commander of the unit, an ARMY GENERAL, calls down to Buffy and Spike.
Ms. Summers. Agent Finn reported that you tried to contact him earlier today.
I knew it! Government conspiracy.
The general motions for the soldiers to lower their weapons.
He indicated you might be needing our assistance. We're to provide you anything you need to help Assface here. (off her look) Those were his exact words, ma'am.
Willow strides purposefully down the street, gun in hand.
Later. Spike lies on a medical examining table, unconscious. Buffy watches over him as the general approaches.
Med team tells me they took a look at the chip. You were right. It's degraded. Leave it as it is much longer, it'll be fatal to him.
Okay, so how long until--
Now.
Right. Of course What do we do next?
Agent Finn said it was your call, ma'am.
My... what was my call?
All decisions regarding Hostile 17 are to be left in your hands. (off her look) This chip. We can either repair it... or remove it.
Kennedy glares at Amy, openly hostile.
Tell me why you did this to her.
Kennedy suddenly springs forward, throwing herself at Amy. Just as fast, Amy waves her hand and sends Kennedy reeling back in the opposite direction, crashing into the opposite wall. Kennedy sinks to the floor, looking hatefully up at Amy, then slowly gets to her feet.
What did you do to her?
What, to Willow? Oh. Just your standard penance malediction is all.
Okay, and that's magick crazy talk for what?
I put a hex on her.
I got that part. But why Warren? And why did it happen after we kissed?
Oh, that's rich. That must've been some kiss. You must be good.
Answer me.
The hex I cast lets the victim's subconscious pick the form of their punishment. It's always better than anything I can come up with. Elegant, you know?
Undo it. Let her out.
Okay. Oh, wait, I forgot. No.
Why would you do this to her? You really hate her that much?
This is not about hate. It's about power. Willow always had all the power, long before she even knew what to do with it. Just came so easy for her. The rest of us-- we had to
work twice as hard to be half as good. But no one cares about how hard you work. They just care about cute, sweet Willow. They don't know how weak she is. She gave in to evil-- stuff worse than I can even imagine. She almost destroyed the world! And yet everyone keeps on loving her. So what's wrong with having a little fun, huh? Taking her down a peg or two?
Fun? She's disappearing-- fading away in that creep-- and you think it's fun?
It was just a game. It's not my fault she's losing herself.
I'm going to stop you now, you know.
Hey, I'm not the bad guy here. But I wonder where he'd be right about now?
Before Kennedy can react, Amy snaps her fingers and Kennedy disappears with a bright flash.
Kennedy reappears in the Summers backyard. She looks around, amazed.
Well, that was a hell of a thing.
Suddenly Willow appears, just as Warren did in reality months earlier.
You think you can just do that to me? You think I'd let you get away with that? Think again.
Do... get away with... (sees gun) Okay, let's not get excited.
It's too late for that. This is what I am. I made it happen and I'll make it stop.
Willow, what did you make happen?
Willow waves the gun around, starting to lose it.
You were there, bitch, you saw it! I killed her!
You mean him.
Him! Her! You know what I mean.
You said her.
No. That was Warren--
No. No, it wasn't. You said I was there. Who did you kill, Willow?
It was your fault. Slut. You tricked me, got me to forget.
Tara...
Shut up! Shut! Up! You do not get to say her name! Offering it up to whoever's there. Tricking me into kissing you... (confused) I... I didn't mean that. What I'm saying... I can't make it-- Kennedy? I can't hold on... he's winning.
She lowers the gun, scared.
No...
I'm being punished. I kissed you, just for a second, but it was just enough. I let her go. I didn't mean to.
Kissing me didn't mean th--
No, she was never gone. She was with me. We should have been forever... and I... I let her be dead. She's really dead. And I killed her.
Kennedy takes a step toward Willow, terrified
Willow, no...
Please, baby, I'm so sorry. Come back. I'm sorry. I'm sorry! Come back...
Willow, I don't think you did anything wrong. This is just magick and I think I'm figuring the whole magick thing out.
She moves closer to Willow.
It's just like fairy tales.
Willow looks up, startled, afraid.
What are you doing?
Bringing you back to life.
She reaches out, takes Willow in her arms and kisses her deeply again. Willow struggles for a moment, then melts into it and lets go.
The gun falls to the grass.
As the kiss lingers, Warren disappears for good. Kennedy breaks off and smiles.
Hmm. I am good.
Willow feels her face and smiles at what she finds.
It's me? I'm back?
Kennedy nods and Willow breathes a sigh of relief.
Oh, god.
Are you all right?
I have no idea.
She rests her head on Kennedy's shoulder and they head back into the house.
I'm so tired.
Yeah, I'll make you some tea.