[Transcript of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" episode Lies My Parents Told Me at buffyology.com.]
New York City, 1977
A clap of thunder... rain pours down, lightning flashes.
Reveal two combatants in the midst of a fierce battle: NIKKI WOOD, the Vampire Slayer and SPIKE. Spike is decked out in 70's punk regalia; Nikki wears a long black leather duster.
Nikki charges Spike and double-kicks him in the chest, sending him crashing to the ground. He instantly rolls back up to his feet and leers at her, impressed.
Well, all right. Got the moves, don't you? I'm gonna ride you hard before I put you away, luv.
You sure about that? You actually look a little wet and limp to me. And I ain't your luv.
Nikki kicks Spike and the fight is on again. From behind a nearby park bench, a little boy watches, peeking through the slats.
Spike overpowers Nikki, knocking her to the ground and straddling her, punching her repeatedly in the face. Nikki yanks hard on Spike's arm and kicks him off of her. She jumps up and pounds him repeatedly but Spike seizes her arm and twists it around, baring her neck to his fangs.
Scared, the boy stands, knocking over the trash can beside him, startling Spike. Nikki seizes the advantage and head-butts Spike, freeing herself and knocking him backward. She throws a series of punches and elbows, sending him reeling to the ground. When he stands, she has a stake ready and whips it at him. With lightning-quick reflexes, Spike catches it between his palms only inches from his chest.
I spent a long time trying to track you down. Don't want the dance to end so soon, do you, Nikki? The music's just starting, isn't it?
He tosses the stake to the pavement and starts to walk away, then stops.
By the way... love the coat.
He leers wickedly at her, then disappears into the shadows. When he's gone, the young boy, Robin Wood at 4 years old, runs out from behind the bench.
Mama!
You did a good job, baby boy. You stayed down just like mama told you.
Can we go home now?
Uh-uh. It's not safe there anymore. How 'bout I leave you over at Crowley's house and you can play with those spooky doodads that you like.
No, I want to stay with you.
Yeah, I know you do, baby, but remember, Robin honey, what we talked about. Always got to work the mission. (he looks away) Look at me. You know I love you but I got a job to do. The mission is what matters... right?
He reluctantly nods.
That's my boy. Come on.
She stands and takes Robin's hand, leading him away but the boy suddenly turns and runs back to retrieve Nikki's stake.
Robin?
He grabs the stake and runs back to his mother.
ROBIN WOOD turns and looks over his shoulder, stake in hand. He's in the midst of a vicious fight with a gang of vampires with BUFFY and Spike. Spike deftly twirls a shovel like a quarterstaff, then stakes his opponent through the heart with it. Between blows, Buffy calls out to Spike and points at Wood.
Spike!
Spike turns to Wood, who is fighting valiantly but losing. It hurls Wood to the ground and stands over him snarling, then suddenly disintegrates. The dust settles to reveal Spike with the shovel in his hand. He offers his hand to help Wood to his feet
Little tip, mate. Stake's your friend. Don't be afraid to use it. (off Wood's look) What?
Wood says nothing, just shakes his head.
CU: the stake in Wood's closed fist. He squeezes it hard enough that blood drips from between his fingers.
Just waiting for my moment.
Opening credit sequence.
Wood stares out of the window watching the students, holding the blinds open with his bandaged hand. He turns when Buffy enters, smiling.
Situation still normal. (shrugs) Or as normal as this school ever sees.
So it appears.
Well, no fires, no one's head's going kablooey. And the swing choir and the marching band have gone back to their normal, healthy seething resentment.
Yeah, it's been pretty quiet around here since you shut down that seal. You just may have stopped this thing, Buffy.
No, it can't be that easy.
You call that easy?
Hey, any apocalypse I avert without dying? Yeah, those are the easy ones.
You know, you're... you're something else, Miss Summers. You know, I've been watching you when you're out patrolling and you remind me of my...
Your mother?
Yeah. Yeah, what I remember of her, anyway.
Got to tell you, not a line every girl likes to hear but in this case, compliment taken. Maybe you're right. Maybe everything is fine.
GILES enters, completely flustered.
Everything's terrible. Total catastrophe.
Giles, what's wrong?
Have you seen the new library? There's nothing but computers. There's not a book to be seen. I don't know where to begin, Buffy. I mean, who do we speak to?
That would be me. Hi, I'm Robin Wood.
He offers his hand to Giles.
Oh, sorry. Rupert Giles. Sorry. Buffy tells me you're something of a freelance demon fighter.
Wood points to his office door, then closes it.
Oh, yes, yes. I'm relieved. We're running dangerously low on allies.
So we didn't stop it, then?
No, the seers at the coven are certain The First is continuing to gather its forces. I'm afraid war is inevitable. So we should go before the school board.
What?
Well, I can have my backup library sent from home in the mean time. It's not much but--
Buffy rolls her eyes.
Giles...
Knowledge comes from crafted bindings and pages, Buffy, not ones and zeroes.
So did you bring back any potentials?
No. Actually, my trip is about something else... regarding Spike.
Spike? What about him?
I told you my concerns when you recklessly chose to remove the chip from his head.
Wait, sorry, chip?
It's a long story.
The military put a chip in Spike's head so he couldn't hurt anyone.
And that would be the abridged version.
But he wouldn't hurt anyone anymore because he has a soul now.
Unless The First triggers him again.
Triggers the chip?
No, the trigger's a post-hypnotic thing. The First put it in his head. It made him... he was killing again.
So he has a trigger, a soul and a chip?
Not anymore.
It was killing him, Giles.
The trigger?
No, the chip. The trigger's not active anymore.
Because the military gave him a soul?
Buffy and Giles glare at Wood, who throws up his hands.
Sorry.
We don't know that the trigger is inactive. What I brought back may help us to disarm it, to ascertain exactly what it is that causes Spike's behavior.
It was that song, Giles. I'm telling you, it was that song that Spike was singing.
He has no memory of it. Is there any part of it that you can remember?
It wasn't like it had a catchy hook or anything, like "I'm coming up, so you better get this party started." It was boring, old and English. Just like you-- ull. (covers) Yule Brenner. A British Yule Brenner.
Giles glares at Buffy with disapproval.
This thing you brought to keep Spike from killing again... how does it work?
Well, it will require a bit of magick.
XANDER fastens shackles around Spike's wrists, chaining him to the wall of the basement.
No, we couldn't have put these chains back up a week ago. Nah, we gotta work on Spike now, of all times.
What?
Nothing.
He stands and goes over to join the others, all gathered to watch the results of Giles' spell: DAWN, Buffy, Giles, WILLOW and Wood.
What are you doing here? You came to see the show?
I thought you might need support.
Uh-huh. Right, let's get this over with. (to Giles) What're you going to do? Some hypno-beam? A disarming spell?
Not exactly. The First has brainwashed you. There's something in your subconscious that it's using to provoke a violent reaction. So...
He takes a small box out of his pocket, opens it, and removes a small crystal-like rock from inside.
...we have to put this in your brain.
Bugger that!
The Prokaryote Stone will move within your mind to reveal the root of the trigger's power. It can unleash ideas, images, memories. Hopefully, once you understand what it is that's... setting you off, you can break its hold on you.
Hopefully? So it might not work?
The stone's just a catalyst for the process. The rest is up to Spike.
And how do expect to get that hunk of rubble into my cranium?
Willow?
He puts the stone back in the box and holds it out to Willow. She raises a large leather-bound spellbook and steps forward.
Okay. I just hope my pronunciation is in the ballpark.
She looks down at the book and, after a slight hesitation, starts reading.
Kun'ati belek sup'sion. Bok'vata im kele'beshus. Ek'vota mor'osh boota'ke.
The stone starts to move as if alive, no longer solid, but a gelatinous liquid. Giles holds the box up to Spike's face.
Oh, you have got to be joking! What now?
It has to access the cerebral cortex via the optic nerve.
Oh, bollix. With all the rubbish people keep sticking in my head, it's a wonder that there's room for my brain.
I don't think it takes up that much space, do you?
Giles holds the box up to Spike's face again and the liquid stone crawls out of the box and onto Spike's cheek. It rolls up into his eye and slides under his eyelid. Spike starts to squirm in pain.
Ow. Oh, ow!
Buffy runs to his side.
Spike! Spike, listen to me.
Yeah.
Are you all right?
How am I supposed to know if this bug-ugly's doing its job--
An orange light suddenly distracts Spike and he stares off into the distance.
Spike stands in his home, reading poetry to ANNE, his mother. He stands in full daylight-- this is Spike as a human, before he was turned.
Yet her smell, it doth linger, Painting pictures in my mind. Her eyes, balls of honey. Angel's harps her laugh. Oh, lark! Grant a sign if crook'd be Cupid's shaft. Hark, the lark! Her name it hath spake. "Cecily," it discharges from twixt its wee beak.
Oh, William...
It's just... scribbling.
Nonsense. It's magnificent. I wonder, though. This Cecily of whom you write so often...
Oh.
...would that be the Underwood's eldest girl?
No, no. I do not presume.
She's lovely. You shouldn't be alone. You need a woman in your life.
I have a woman in my life.
But you ne-- oh...
She laughs when she gets Spike's meaning.
Well, do not mistake me. I still have hopes that one day there will be an addition to this household but I will always look after you, mother. This, I promise.
Anne suddenly suffers a coughing fit and covers her mouth with a handkerchief. Spike hands her a glass of water and he notices a bright spot of blood on the handkerchief as she drinks.
Should I send the coach for Doctor Gull?
I'll be all right. It's passed. Just sit with me a while, will you?
Of course.
He sits on the floor, leaning on her knee as she goes back to her knitting and sings to him.
Early one morning, just as the sun was shining, I heard a maid sing in the valley below. "Oh, don't deceive me. Oh, never leave me. How could you use a poor maiden so?"
Spike closes his eyes and listens to his mother sing.
Spike's eyes snap open and he lets out a howl of rage as he becomes a feral vampire. He seizes Buffy by the neck and hurls her across the room where she crashes into the washer and dryer. He stands, snarling, and lunges at the others but the chains snap him back.
Spike picks up the cot and throws it across the room and into Dawn, sending her reeling to the floor. Willow runs to her side.
Dawn!
Xander, Giles, and Wood back off, putting distance between themselves and Spike. Buffy steps forward as Spike throws his head back goes into a spastic seizure. The stone drops out of his eye, slithers down his cheek, and falls to the floor, solid again. Spike's face returns to normal and he looks around at Buffy, Wood and Giles staring at him warily.
Resume. Spike squats on the floor, still chained to the wall while Buffy, Giles and Wood watch him, keeping their distance.
Get these sodding things off me. I'm fine.
Don't you think you should take a little time, calm down?
I am calm. (to Giles) This stone of yours is out, right? Did its job so I'm de-triggered, right?
Spike, what do you remember about the song?
Oh, yeah, the song. It's called Early One Morning. Old folk ditty.
What's it mean to you?
Mean? Nothing. It's just... my mum. It was her favorite. She used to sing it to me when I was a baby.
And...?
No "and". That's it. Look, shouldn't you check on Dawnie? I clocked the niblet pretty fierce.
She'll be okay. She's tough.
Willow's tends to a cut on Dawn's forehead while Xander, KENNEDY, ANYA, ANDREW and RONA watch, concerned.
Ow!
I'm sorry. Doesn't look like anything's broken.
The phone rings and Andrew goes to answer it
Did you use some sort of a magick x-ray?
No, that's just what people usually say.
So Spike's trigger has been active this entire time?
How can Buffy take this for granted? I mean, he lives in our house. We train with him.
Don't waste your time down that road. Spike's got some sort of "get out of jail free" card that doesn't apply to the rest of us. I mean, he could slaughter a hundred frat boys and--
Xander cocks his eyebrow and she quickly covers.
Forgiveness makes us human, blah-dee-blah-blah-blah.
Andrew holds the phone for Willow.
Willow, call for you from L.A. Somebody named Fred. The guy sounds kind of effeminate.
Giles interrogates Spike as Buffy and Wood look on.
Spike, listen to me. What is it about your mother?
I don't know. I got along fine with her. She was a nice lady.
Well there has to be more than that.
Well, there bloody well isn't!
Buffy approaches Spike but Giles stops her.
What are you doing?
I'm going to unchain him.
Buffy, just--
This is pointless, Giles. He doesn't know anything. Your prophylactic stone didn't work.
Because he's not cooperating. This process takes time. He's blocking whatever's flooding his consciousness. And what he does-- he's endangering us all.
So the trigger's still working?
Much as ever.
He turns away in disgust as Spike fights the chains.
A lace-clad hand slips into Spike's. He looks up into DRUSILLA's eyes as he dances with her in the parlor.
Oh, such a pretty house you have, sweet William. It smells of daffodils... and viscera.
Don't get too attached, now. Won't be here for long, luv.
She sits on the couch and pats the cushion beside her.
Well, then... should we give it a proper goodbye?
She leers at him and growls seductively.
You're a saucy one, aren't you?
He sits beside her and kisses her passionately.
Dru... we'll bring this world to its knees.
It's ripe and ready, my darling, waiting for us to devour its fruit.
We'll ravage this city together, my pet. Lay waste to all of Europe. The three of us will teach those snobs and elitists with their folderol just what--
Three?
You, me and mother. We'll open up their veins and bathe in their blood as they scream our names across-- (off her look) What?
You... you want to bring your mum wif us?
Well, yeah. You'll like her.
To eat, you mean?
Spike looks up as Anne walks into the parlor wearing her nightclothes.
William?
He takes Drusilla's hand and stands.
Mother.
Where have you been? I've been beside myself for days.
You needn't have worried, mother. You'll never have to worry about anything again. Something has happened. I've changed.
I... I don't... who's this woman?
I'm the other that gave birth to your son.
I beg your pardon?
It's true, mother. Drusilla, she has made me what I am. I am no longer bound to this mortal coil. I have become a creature of the night. A vampire.
Are you drunk?
A little bit. Think of it. No more sickness. No more dying. You'll never age another day. Let me do this for you.
What are you talking about? And why are you acting so strangely?
It's all right, mother. It's only me.
He wraps her up in a hug.
We'll be together forever.
William...
His face shifts and goes feral but she can't see it.
It only hurts for a moment.
He sinks his fangs into her neck and drinks deeply.
Willow descends the stairs and pulls Buffy aside.
Buffy? Hey, I just got a phone call. I'm going to have to take off for a while. Maybe a day or two?
What's wrong?
Nothing you need to worry about. I'll give you the full scoop later. Maybe I'll even bring back some good news.
Could use a little of that. Okay. I guess now is as good a time as we're likely to see for a while. Just hurry back.
Will do.
She heads back up the stairs as Buffy goes over to Spike.
Think about what you're doing.
I have.
She unchains Spike, then they both head upstairs.
Buffy...
Don't.
When they're gone, Wood pulls Giles aside.
Mr. Giles, you got a moment?
What's on your mind?
The same thing that's on yours. We've got ourselves a problem.
Spike.
Yeah, if that trigger's still working, then The First must be waiting for just the right time to use it against us.
It does seem doubtful The First simply forgot it had such a powerful weapon.
Yeah, a while back it slipped up. It told Andrew it wasn't time yet for Spike. So whatever The First's ultimate plan is, it's obvious that Spike must play an integral part in that. Something needs to be done.
Buffy would never allow it.
Buffy would listen to her Watcher, wouldn't she?
I don't think you have much of an idea of the Watcher- Slayer dynamic.
As a matter of fact, I was raised by a Watcher.
You were?
Bernard Crowley. Took me in when I was a young kid, trained me.
Crowley. I remember the name. New York-based Watcher. Resigned shortly after his Slayer was-- (realizes) You're Nikki Wood's son.
Yes.
Spike killed your mother.
Yes.
Does Buffy know this?
She knows my mother was a Slayer. She doesn't know about Spike.
And this has nothing to do with personal vengeance?
Does it matter? He's an instrument of evil. Now he's going to prove to be our undoing in this fight-- Buffy's undoing-- and she will never, never see it coming. Now I'm talking about what needs to be done for the greater good, Giles. And you know I'm right.
What exactly do you propose?
I just need you to keep Buffy away for a few hours.
Giles and Buffy walk through the cemetery, talking.
I don't know, Giles. Is this really a primo time for a training session?
I'm still your teacher, Buffy. As adept as you are as a Slayer, there are always new things to learn. Now more than ever, it's crucial to maintain focus on your calling.
In case you haven't noticed, our plates are kinda full right now. Plus, I'm not really sure how I feel about leaving Spike at Wood's house to watch over him.
For what its worth, everyone at your house seemed quite relieved at the arrangement. Buffy, while I'm not technically your Watcher anymore, the fact that your life is such chaos only underscores the importance of the lessons I can impart to you.
Fine. Impart away.
We're on the verge of war. It's time you looked at the big picture.
Hello! All I do is look at the big picture. The other day I gave an inspirational speech to the telephone repairman.
It takes more than rousing speeches to lead, Buffy. If you're going to be a general, you need to be able to make difficult decisions regardless of cost.
Have you seen me with those girls? I mean, the way I've treated my friends and my family and... Andrew. Believe me, I know how to make hard decisions.
Well, that's what we're here to find out.
He looks down at a freshly turned grave as a vampire's hand shoots out of the dirt.
While we work on the basics.
Wood unlocks the door to the tool shed behind his house.
You live in the garage?
This is just a work room. Kind of my... sanctuary.
He enters and Spike follows.
A little place to unwind, eh?
The shed is pitch dark.
A hard day's principaling got you down, you need a place to cut loose, let your hair down-- so to speak.
Wood flips on the lights to reveal crosses of every shape and size covering the walls from top to bottom.
What the bloody hell is this?
Well, I told you. It's my sanctuary. It's the Hellmouth, Spike. You can never be too careful. Just stay away from the walls and you'll be all right.
He walks over to a computer set up on a desk in the corner.
It's a bit much, isn't it? (beat) What's your story, Wood?
No story, really. Just trying to do what's right. Make a difference. How about you? What kind of man are you, Spike?
Sorry. Not much for self-reflection.
His back to Spike, Wood types commands into the computer and unbuttons his shirt.
Yeah, makes sense. See, you strike me as the kind of guy who just careens through life completely oblivious to the damage he's doing to everyone around him.
He reaches into one of the desk drawers and removes a set of brass knuckles and spiked leather gear, then straps them on.
That right?
Oh, I know more about you than you think, Spike. See, I've been searching for you for a very, very long time.
He turns to face Spike, his eyes cold.
Ever since you killed my mother.
I've killed a lot of people's mothers.
Yeah. You'd remember mine. She was a Slayer.
So that's it, isn't it? Brought me here to kill me?
No, I don't want to kill you, Spike. I want to kill the monster who took my mother away from me.
He reaches down and clicks the computer mouse. Early One Morning drifts from the computer's speakers.
Spike tries to resist but the monster overtakes him. The vampire in him rises to the surface and roars at Wood.
There he is.
Spike enters and hangs up his coat. He notices the cane his mother uses to walk.
Mother?
He hears Early One Morning playing faintly from a music box somewhere in the house and he turns to find his mother standing behind him, holding the box. She looks different than before. Her hair is down and she looks healthier, the pallor gone from her skin.
Hello, William.
Look at you.
Mmm, yes. All better.
You're glowing.
Am I? Well, I suppose I have you to thank for that, don't I? How ever will I repay you?
Seeing you like this is payment enough.
Oh, William, you're so... tender.
Well, this is as it should be, mother. You and I together. All of London laid out before us.
Ah, yes. Us.
First, we'll feast. Then the night is yours. Theatre, perhaps. Dancing? Tell me, what's your pleasure?
Pleasure? To take my leave of you, of course. "The lark hath spake from twixt its wee beak?" You honestly thought I could bear an eternity listening to that twaddle?
Wood punches Spike in the face. Spike snarls and charges.
That's right, dog. Fight back.
Anne circles Spike, a predatory look in her eye.
I feel extraordinary. It's as though I've been given new eyes. I see everything. Understand... everything.
Mother...
I hate to be cruel. No, I don't. I used to hate to be cruel in life. Now I find it rather freeing. Nothing less will pry your greedy little fingers off my apron strings, will it?
Stop. Please.
Ever since the day you first slithered from me like a parasite...
Wood pounds on Spike but the fight has gone out of the vampire.
What are you s--
Had I known better, I could have spared myself a lifetime of tedium and just--
Wood backs Spike into the cross-covered walls.
--dashed your brains out when I first saw you. God, I prayed you'd find a woman to release me but you scarcely showed an interest. Who could compare to your doddering housebound mum? A captive audience for your witless prattle.
Spike's face burns as Wood presses it the cross-covered walls.
Whatever I was, that's not who I am anymore.
Darling, it's who you'll always be. A limp, sentimental fool.
Wood throws Spike into a set of shelves. They collapse on top of him, knocking Spike to the floor. Wood straddles him, lifts him by the collar and punches him, punctuating his words with one vicious blow after another.
It hurts, don't it? Is this what it felt like when you beat the life out of her, toyed with her, when you snapped her neck!
Buffy's fights RICHARD, the newly-risen vampire, while Giles watches, leaning casually against a nearby headstone. She whips out her stake to finish it but Giles interrupts.
Don't kill him yet.
What? Why not?
Because I'm asking you not to.
Buffy rolls her eyes, then pushes the vampire away and starts fighting again.
Would you let this vampire live if he began saving the world?
Sure. Seems like a nice enough guy.
Thanks.
No problem.
My name's Richard.
Hi, Rich.
She decks him again, knocking him to the ground.
Giles, we had this conversation when I told you that I wouldn't sacrifice Dawn to stop Glory from destroying the world.
Ah, yes, but things are different, aren't they? After what you've been through, faced with the same choice now, you'd let her die.
If I had to... to save the world. Yes.
Richard stands up and attacks Buffy from behind. He wraps his hands around Buffy's throat.
Can I kill this guy yet?
No.
Buffy flips Richard over her head and kicks him in the ribs.
So you really do understand the difficult decisions you'll have to make? That anyone of us is expendable in this war?
Have you heard my speeches?
That we cannot allow any threat that would jeopardize our chances at winning.
Yes, I get it.
And yet there is Spike.
Spike lies on the floor, beaten, and barely moving. Wood stands over him, removing his leather gear and brass knuckles.
Animal like you never cared for anyone but yourself. No one else mattered. Just all about the hunt. Yeah.
He pulls the leather jacket Spike took from his mother off of him and folds it, then breaks off a piece of one of the wooden crosses from the wall.
Spike's mother backs him up against the fireplace, sneering at him.
You want to run, don't you? Scamper off and cry to your new little trollop. Do you think you'll be able to love her? Think you'll be able to touch her without feeling me? All you ever wanted was to be back inside. You finally got your wish, didn't you? Sank your teeth into me. An eternal kiss.
No. I only wanted to make you well.
You wanted your hands on me. Perhaps you'd like a chance to finish off what you started.
Spike pushes her away.
I love you. I did. Not like this.
Just like this. This is what you always wanted. Who's my dark little prince?
She tries to kiss him but Spike knocks her to the floor.
No!
Get out. Get out!
She stands and swings her cane at Spike. They struggle and he snaps the cane in half as Anne's face shifts and her eyes go a feral yellow.
There, there, precious. It will only hurt for a moment.
I'm sorry.
Standing over Spike with his makeshift stake, Wood hesitates when Spike whispers something.
What?
I'm sorry.
Spike drives the wooden cane into his mother's heart. The vampire in her recedes and his mother stares at him in shock for an instant before she disintegrates to dust in his arms.
Spike seizes Wood's arm and stops the downward arc of the stake, then kicks Wood away.
Sorry? You think sorry's going to make everything right?
I wasn't talking to you. I don't give a piss about your mum. She was a Slayer. I was a vampire. That's the way the game is played.
Wood throws a kick at Spike and misses. In turn, Spike decks Wood, knocking him down. Now that Spike is actually fighting back, Wood is on the defensive.
Game?
Wood lunges at him but Spike delivers a series of quick blows, then leaps up and catches a crossbeam overhead, using his dangling legs to kick Wood across the room.
She knew what she was signing up for.
Well, I didn't sign up for it.
Well, that's the rub, isn't it? You didn't sign up for it
You took my childhood. You took her away. She was all I had. She was my world.
And you weren't hers. Doesn't that piss you off?
Shut up! You didn't know her.
Spike tears into Wood, pummeling him and hurling him from one side of the room to the other.
I know Slayers. No matter how many people they've got around them, they fight alone. Life of the Chosen One. The rest of us be damned. Your mother was no different.
No, she loved me.
But not enough to quit, though, was it? Not enough to walk away for you.
He walks over to where Wood lies bleeding on the floor.
I'll tell you a story about a mother and son. See, like you, I loved my mother. So much so I turned her into a vampire so we could be together forever. She said some nasty bits to me after I did that. Been weighing on me for quite some time. But you helped me figure something out. You see, unlike you, I had a mother who loved me back. When I sired her, I set loose a demon and it tore into me but it was the demon talking, not her.
He stands and walks over to the computer.
I realize that now. My mother loved me with all her heart. I was her world.
He clicks the mouse and the computer plays the trigger song again but this time it doesn't affect Spike at all.
That's a nice little song you got there. Thanks, doc. You cured me after all. I got my own free will now. I'm not under The First's or anyone else's influences now. I just wanted you to know that...
His face morphs and his fangs descend.
...before I kill you.
Spike yanks Wood to his feet and wrenches his head back, then sinks his fangs into Wood's neck.
Giles watches as Buffy spin kicks the vampire to the ground.
Spike's a liability, Buffy. He refuses to see it and so do you. Angel left here because he realized how harmful your relationship with him was. Spike, on the other hand, lacks such self-awareness.
Buffy breaks off her attack and turns to Giles.
Spike is here because I want him here. We need him. I'm in the fight of my life.
Really?
Not you, Richard.
She decks him with a right-hook.
You want Spike here even after what he's done to you in the past?
It's different now. He has a soul.
And The First is exploiting that to its advantage.
Buffy freezes, the light of realization dawning on her. She instantly stakes Richard and turns back to Giles.
Oh, my god. You're stalling me. You're keeping me away--
It's time to stop playing the role of general and start being one.
Buffy runs off through the gravestones. Giles calls after her.
This is the way wars are won!
Spike walks out of the shed, putting his leather duster back on just as Buffy arrives at a run.
Spike? What happened?
Spike opens the door and points to Wood sitting on the floor, slumped over.
Oh, my god.
I gave him a pass-- let him live-- on account of the fact I killed his mother. But that's all he gets. He even so much as looks at me funny again, I'll kill him.
Spike stalks off and Buffy sighs before going into the shed.
Buffy approaches Wood, who's leans against the wall, beaten and bloody, one eye swollen shut. She takes in the room's décor for a beat then appraises him coolly.
I lost my mom a couple years ago. I came home and found her dead on the couch.
I'm sorry.
I understand what you tried to do but she's dead.
Because he murdered her.
I'm preparing to fight a war and you're looking for revenge on a man that doesn't exist anymore.
Buffy, don't delude yourself. That man still exists.
Spike is the strongest warrior we have. We are going to need him if we're going to come out of this thing alive. (beat) You try anything again, he'll kill you. More importantly, I'll let him. I have a mission to win this war, to save the world. I don't have time for vendettas.
She turns to leave.
The mission is what matters.
Buffy tucks Dawn into bed, then walks out into the hallway, closing the door behind her. Giles approaches as she heads for her room.
Buffy... I understand your anger. Please believe me, we did what we--
He's alive. Spike's alive. Wood failed.
Well, that doesn't change anything. What I told you is still true. You need to learn--
No, I think you've taught me everything I need to know.
She shuts the door in his face.