Crush

by Fanfixz13

Angel Investigations gets 2 watch another video. This time it's the episode 'crush'

Crossover Buffy and Angel- Set during 'Crush'

In La at the Hyperion-

Cordelia- This video thing is pretty cool. I know what I should watch.

Fred- What?

Cordelia- Sunnydale. Buffy.

INT. THE BRONZE - NIGHT (NIGHT 1)

A SEXY ROCK SONG with a danceable beat pulses through the REMODELED room as we MOVE AMONG dancing couples, including XANDER and ANYA, then WILLOW and TARA... MOVING PAST them and ACROSS the floor, we come to find.

BUFFY, sitting alone at a table. She nods her head to the beat as she watches the dancers. On the table-top are empty glassed, a candle and a few BILLS of MONEY on a little black bill tray. Buffy watches her friends, smiling wistfully - happy for their happiness, though somewhat ambivalent of her own non-couplehood. After a moment:

SPIKE (O.S.)
Bleedin' crime is what it is...

Buffy warily looks over as SPIKE, beer bottle in hand, takes a seat next to her.

SPIKE
Jacking up the bar prices to pay for
fixin' up this sinkhole. Not my fault
their insurance doesn't cover Act of Troll.

BUFFY
Gee... maybe it's time you found
another place to patronize.

SPIKE
Got half a mind to. 'Specially since
the flowering onion got remodeled
right off the sodding menu. Only
thing this place 'ad going for it...
'Course I have spotted some walnutty
muffin tops that--

Buffy rounds on him.

BUFFY
What are you doing, Spike?

Spike hesitates, suddenly self-conscious.

SPIKE
What you mean, what am I--?

BUFFY
Here. At this table. Talking to me.
Like you and I are some kind of...
talking buddies.

SPIKE
Well... Saw you sittin' alone.
Thought... I dunno, you could,
maybe, do with a bit of, you know,
company.

Buffy squints at him, trying to figure his angle. Uncomfortable being scrutinized, Spike gets up.

SPIKE
Suit yourself.

HE starts off, then comes back and sits down again.

SPIKE
Just... I mean... we took on that
Glory chippee together. I was right
there with you, fighting the fight...

BUFFY
Actually, you were sleeping the sleep
of the knocked unconscious.

SPIKE
Still. Points for intent. You'd
think that'd be enough to cut me
a sliver of slack. Earn me a little
consideration, respect--

Xander and Anya return to the table.

XANDER
(to Spike)
Hey, Evil Dead, you're in my seat.

Spike opens his mouth to offer a retort, but instead mutters:

SPIKE
Bugger it.

Then turns and crosses away. Buffy watches him go, still squinting. Weird.

ANYA
Xander, I think you may have hurt
his feelings.

XANDER
And you should never hurt the
feelings of a brutal killer.
(realizes)
Actually, that's pretty good advice.

Tara and Willow approach.

XANDER
So, who's for another round of liquid
refreshments? I'm buying. For I am
Payday Man.

ANYA
Yay. I love Payday Man. He's cool
and rich.

Will reaches into her bag and takes out a bottle of aspirin.

WILLOW
I could use some water.

XANDER
Water poses no challenge for Payday
Man for I have--
(scans the table)
Hey, where's my change? It was right he--

The same thought occurs to all of them and they look over at the bar.

THE GANG'S POV - SPIKE waves a bill at the bartender.

XANDER
Spike, you diabolical fiend.

Xander heads off toward the bar. Buffy eyes Willow with concern.

BUFFY
Poor Will. Headaches still coming?

WILLOW
Fewer and further between, but, yet.
they're still exercising their visitation rights.

TARA
Honey, in case you didn't hear me
the first six thousand times: No more
teleportation spells.

WILLOW
Hey, you won't get any argument from me.
(considering)
Or maybe a tiny one.
(off Buffy's look)
It's just... we've got squat in the
way of Glory fighting arsenal.
Another run in with her and my
headaches and nosebleeds will
be the least of our problems.

BUFFY
Will, this is the first R&R I've had
in weeks. Can I just go one night
without hearing the name "Glory."

TARA
I'm down with that. In fact, let's
just call She Who Will Not be Named
another name entirely... Let's call her00

BUFFY
(noticing something off)
Ben...

TARA
...for example.

ANGLE ON BEN, in street clothes, sitting on the arm of a sofa, laughing and drinking with a couple of guy friends. He stands as Buffy approaches.

BUFFY
Hey.

BEN
Buffy. Hi.

BUFFY
Barely recognized you out of your
hospital scrubs.

BEN
You'd be surprised the extent
of my wardrobe.

BUFFY
Really?

BEN
(nodding)
I've actually got entire outfits that
aren't blue-pajamas.

BUFFY
Listen... My sister... she told me
what happened at the hospital.
Before I got there.

Ben hesitates for a moment.

BEN
Uh huh.

BUFFY
I just wanted to tell you... You
know, thanks... For looking after
her...

BEN
That's okay. Sorry I wasn't able to
stick around.

BUFFY
Probably just as well you didn't.
Things got a little hairy. But
everything's back to normal now.

BEN
I'm just glad Dawn's okay.

BUFFY
Yeah, she's fine. And maybe
something good'll come out
of all this hospital time, like
she'll become a doctor.

BEN
Oh, don't let her.
(conspiratorially)
It's really hard.

They share a laugh.

ANGLE ON XANDER and SPIKE at the bar in mid-argument as Xander collects drinks. Xander glowers at Spike.

XANDER
The point is I work for that money.

SPIKE
And you're saying I didn't?

XANDER
What? Yes, I'm saying that. You
didn't! You stole!

SPIKE
And you're making it into very hard work.

Spike looks over Xander's shoulder and his face drops...

SPIKE'S POV - Buffy and Ben, laughing and chatting away.

XANDER (O.S.)
Listen, Bleach Boy, I don't have a
chip in my head. I can do lots more
damage to you than you could ever
do to me.

Spike looks at Buffy distracted by thoughts of Buffy and Ben -- could Ben take her away from him?

SPIKE
(distracted)
Yeah? Like you could ever hurt me...

Spike reddens as he eyes Buffy and Ben with mounting jealousy.

INT. BUFFY'S LIVING ROOM/FOYER - NIGHT

JOYCE sits on the couch, sipping hot cocoa from a mug, reading a paperback. GILES is also there, sitting at the desk, perusing one of his thick occult books.

PAN DOWN to find DAWN, wearing her pajamas, sprawled out on the floor, watching a TV game show, though her unfinished homework is laid out in front of her.

From the foyer, they HEAR the front door SLAM and look up.

JOYCE
(calling)
Buffy?

BUFFY enters.

BUFFY
Back by popular demand. How's
everything with the home team and
do I smell popcorn?

DAWN
Cheddar.

Buffy sits on the floor next to Dawn and helps herself.

BUFFY
Mmm. Artificial cheese flavored
powder. Nature's perfect food.

GILES
Did you have a nice time?

BUFFY
(a bit surprised)
You know, I think I did. Much needed
fun. Apart from Willow's headaches
and Spike's cameo appearance--

DAWN
(taking interest)
Spike was there?

BUFFY
Unfortunately. You know, for a
"keeps to himself" kind of vamp,
he's, like, everywhere I go.

DAWN
(casually)
So, um... What was he doing? Did
you, like, talk to him about.. you
know, stuff? What'd he say?

BUFFY
(searching)
I dunno... He's cranky the Bronze
got rid of the flowering onion appetizer.

DAWN
Huh...

Dawn nods and crosses away.

DAWN
(to herself)
Likes onions.

ON JOYCE, moving to Buffy.

JOYCE
Well, I'm just relieved to have you
home. To be honest, I wasn't feeling
all that safe with you gone.

Giles reacts, a little stung. Buffy signals her mother, gesturing to Giles with her eyes.

JOYCE
(getting it)
...At first... Until I remembered
that Mr. Giles... Rupert... was here
and I felt much... much safer.

GILES
Yes, well, my ego thanks you for your
little ruse, but I'm forced to agree that
I'm barely and adequate substitute for
a slayer in the house.

DAWN
I thought you were adequate.

GILES
And the accolades keep pouring in.
I'd best take my leave before my
head swells any larger. Good night.

JOYCE
'Night.

Buffy gets up and walks Giles to the door. They speak in hushed tones.

BUFFY
So... Dawn. Was she-- you know...?

GILES
As far as I can see, she appears to
be coping very well. Extremely well,
considering the extraordinary
circumstances of her origin.

BUFFY
Then let me ask you something... We,
Mom and I've been going a little easy
on her these past few days. You know,
letting things slide... bedtime, chores...
And other things.

GILES
Oh, I don't think that's at all wise.

BUFFY
You don't?

GILES
The best thing you could do is behave
exactly as you always have. Any special
treatment at this stage could undermine
Dawn's sense of normalcy.

BUFFY
You think so?

GILES
Absolutely.

BUFFY
Thanks.

She turns and, startling Giles, shouts:

BUFFY
DAWN!!!

Dawn appears, immediately defensive.

DAWN
What!

BUFFY
What did I tell you about borrowing
my clothes without asking?

DAWN
I didn't take your clothes!

BUFFY
Bull.

GILES
(gesturing toward the door)
I'll just... Yes.

He takes the opportunity to slip out the front door, leaving the girls to their heated exchange.

DAWN
I never touched your stuff!

BUFFY
Oh, really. There, where's my blue
cashmere sweater?

INT. SPIKE'S CRYPT - MEANWHILE - NIGHT

CLOSE ON a royal blue cashmere sweater.

WIDEN to find SPIKE, sitting in his chair, absentmindedly caressing and fingering the sweater, lost in thought.

EXT. UC SUNNYDALE CAMPUS - THE NEXT DAY (DAY 2)

Establishing.

INT. COMMONS - DAY

ON BUFFY, TARA and WILLOW strolling through, post-class.

WILLOW
I just don't see why he couldn't have
ended up with Esmerelda. They could
have the wedding right there.
(a little misty)
Beneath the very bell tower where he
labored thanklessly for all those years...

TARA
No, see, it can't end like that, 'cuz
all of Quasimodo's actions were
selfishly motivated. He had no moral
compass, no understanding of what was
right. Everything he did, he did out
of love for a woman who'd never be
able to love him back. Also, you can
tell it's not gonna have a happy ending,
when the main guys all bumpy.

WILLOW
What do you think, Buffy?

BUFFY
The test is tomorrow. I don't have
to have an opinion 'til tomorrow.

WILLOW
But you read it, right?

BUFFY
Kinda not. I rented the movie.

TARA
With Charles Loughton?

BUFFY
I'm not sure. Was he one of the
singing gargoyles?

WILLOW
Uh boy.

BUFFY
I'm kidding!

They pass a STUDENT reading a newspaper. We may not notice the headline, but Buffy does. She freezes in her tracks, takes a step back.

BUFFY
You done with this?

She grabs the paper away, staring at the front page. The student starts to protest, but Buffy has moved on and he gives up. Buffy shows Will and Tara the headline.

CLOSE ON HEADLINE: "METROTRAIN MASSACRE." Below in smaller type: "Six found Murdered on Train at Sunnydale Station."

WILLOW
(reading)
"Six found Murdered on Train
at Sunnydale Station."

TARA
Glory?

BUFFY
(reading)
"...unconfirmed reports of severe
trauma to the throats of one or more
of the victims..."

PUSH IN on her as she looks up.

BUFFY
Survey says... Vampire.

INT. SPIKE'S CRYPT - DAY

Spike emerges from the hole in the floor of his crypt, climbing up a ladder.

PULL OUT into an OVER THE SHOULDER to reveal a dark-haired female form waiting for him. Spike sees her and reacts, STARTLED.

SPIKE
Oh, it's you. What are you doing lurking about?

REVERSE ANGLE ON DAWN, shrugging.

DAWN
I'm not lurking. I'm looking.
What are you doing?

Spike covers the hole with a slab.

SPIKE
Nothing.

DAWN
(re hole)
So is that how you get around town
during the daytime? Does that lead
into the sewers or something? Could
you show me?

SPIKE
No! Why are-- Does Buffy know you're here?

He takes out a cigarette and lights it.

DAWN
Yeah, right. 'Cause nothing would
make her happier than me hanging out
after school in a vampire's lair.
(she turns and adds offhandedly)
Especially yours.

Spike looks up at her for a moment, then:

SPIKE
Go home then.

DAWN
I don't feel like it right now.

SPIKE
Well, you can't bloody well stay here.

DAWN
Why not?

SPIKE
Because! I've got things to do.
(off her look)
Things... Bad things. Bad, evil
things. That are not for a child's eyes.

DAWN
I'm not a child.
(then)
I'm not even human. Not originally.

SPIKE
Well, originally, I was. I got over
it. Doesn't seem to me it matters
very much how you start out.

Dawn considers that.

DAWN
That's smart. I get that. I like
how you talk to me like I can
understand things. Everyone
else is being all twitchy and
secretive.

SPIKE
Just trying to keep you safe,
I expect.

DAWN
I feel safe with you.

A remark that sends Spike into a COUGHING, CHOKING jag.

SPIKE
Take that back.

DAWN
I mean, you've got that whole super-
strength thing. And you're just as
tough as Buffy is. Maybe tougher.
Even Buffy thinks so.

SPIKE
(taking interest)
She... She does?

DAWN
Well, she's always worried about what
she's gonna do if you ever get that chip
out of your head. I figure she's scared
that maybe you could take her.

SPIKE
Really.

Spike sits down on the lip of a tomb.

SPIKE
So... what else does Buffy say about me?

INT. BUFFY'S FOYER - DAY

ON THE FRONT DOOR as it opens and Buffy enters. Joyce calls from the kitchen:

JOYCE (O.S.)
Dawn?!

BUFFY
It's me.

Joyce enters, fairly panic-stricken.

JOYCE
Is Dawn with you?

BUFFY
No. Isn't she here?

JOYCE
She never came home from school.
Buffy... The news said something
about people murdered...

Buffy puts her stuff down and starts to leave.

BUFFY
It's not Glory. It isn't about Dawn,
Mom. She probably just- I'll find her.

JOYCE
Buffy...

Buffy turns back to Joyce, reading the look on her face.

BUFFY
(a promise)
I'll find her.

She exits.

INT. SPIKE'S CRYPT - LATER - DAY

Spike and Dawn sit on the floor.

DAWN
And the lady just invited you in?

SPIKE
Well, I had hubby by the throat,
didn't I? Promised her he'd live
if she did the invite.

DAWN
And did you? Let him live?

SPIKE
What do you think?

Dawn shudders.

SPIKE
Too much for you?

DAWN
No. Keep going. I mean, it's gross,
but I want to know what happens.

SPIKE
Well, I went into the house. Lady
was there with a couple teenaged
sons. Little older than you. I killed
'em right quick, the whole lot. But...
someone was missing. There was
supposed to be a little girl. So I
got real quiet.

He pauses for effect... acting it out, listening...

SPIKE
(very soft)
And I hear this tiny noise coming
from the coal bin... this little
sigh... so I listened harder...
it's very, very quiet...

Buffy bursts through the door loudly. Both Spike and Dawn JUMP.

SPIKE
Bloody hell!

BUFFY
Spike, I need your help. Dawn is...
(seeing her)
here.

DAWN
Spike was telling a story and
he was just at this cool part.
Can he finish, please?

Buffy stares at him, dumbfounded.

BUFFY
What the hell is this?
(to Spike)
What is she doing here?

DAWN
Just hanging out.

BUFFY
Here?!

DAWN
Just let him finish the story, okay?
Then you can do the lecture?

BUFFY
Yeah, okay. Let's hear the story
Spike's been telling my little sister.

She looks to Spike -- a challenge.

DAWN
Go on, Spike.

SPIKE
Right. Yeah. So I knew the girl
was in the coal bin. I ripped it
open -- very violent -- hauled her
out of there... and gave her to a
good family in a nice home where
they were never ever mean to her
and didn't lock her in the coal bin.

He looks defiantly at Buffy.

DAWN
What? That's so lame.

SPIKE
(to Buffy)
I was just about to send her home.
Knew you'd be fretting.

BUFFY
Dawn, grab your things and let's
get outta here.

Dawn does and Buffy hustles her toward the door, as Spike brings up the rear.

SPIKE
Ease up. She just wanted a break
from the routine. A little rebellion's
healthy. Builds character.

Buffy turns to Spike.

BUFFY
I don't want to hear one more word
form you.

She drags Dawn out.

EXT. GRAVEYARD - MOMENTS LATER - DAY

As Buffy and Dawn make their way among the gravestones, Buffy scolds her sister.

BUFFY
...And then to find you enjoying
story hour at Spike's crypt... A
crypt Dawn! Not some "Hot Dog
on a Stick" boot at the mall, but a
real live crypt with a real dead vampire.
Why doesn't that register with you?
Crypt plus vampire equals bad.

DAWN
'Cause it was Spike?

BUFFY
Spike. Hanging out with Spike is not
cool, Dawn. It's dangerous and... icky.

Dawn smiles to herself, her cheeks flushing a bit.

DAWN
I don't think Spike is icky.

BUFFY
Well think again sister, he's...

She pauses. Looks at Dawn. Dawn meets her gaze, that smile still on her lips.

BUFFY
(realizing)
You have a crush on Spike.

DAWN
No, I don't! It's just he's got cool
hair and he wears cool leather coats
and stuff. And he doesn't treat me
like an alien.

BUFFY
(serious)
Spike's a killer, Dawn. You cannot
have a crush on a thing that's dead
and evil and a vampire.

DAWN
Right. That's why you were never
with Angel for three years.

BUFFY
Angel was different. He has a soul.

DAWN
Spike has a chip. Same diff. He
fights demons too y'know. He told
me about some pretty gross fights
actually--

BUFFY
Dawn, I don't want to hear this.
Spike is a monster. Plus, you're
only fourteen years old.

DAWN
I like hanging out with him, is all.
And even if I did have a crush, he'd
never in a million years notice. Not
with you around.

BUFFY
What does that mean.

DAWN
He's totally into you.

BUFFY
(uncomprehending)
Heh?

DAWN
Come on. You don't see it? Buffy,
Spike's completely in love with you.

Off Buffy's look of shock:

INT. TRAIN CAR - DAY

CLOSE ON POLICE TAPE stretched across the doorway of the car. It reads: "Police Crime Scene. No Trespassing." A feminine hand reaches up and RIPS IT AWAY.

NEW ANGLE ON BUFFY and XANDER as they enter the train, Xander armed with a flashlight. The bodies have all been taken away, but there are tape outlines of the victims and the odd bloodstain here and there.

XANDER
Tell me again what we're looking for.

BUFFY
(looking around)
Clues.

XANDER
Okay.
(beat)
Can you give me a clue as to
what kind of clues?

BUFFY
I don't know. Something. Anything.
Just want to make sure this was a vamp
attack. And if it was, how many are we
talking about?

XANDER
Well, Sunnydale's Finest didn't leave
a lot for us to examine.

Distracted, Buffy straightens and turns to Xander, wanting to say something.

XANDER
And who knows how many people have
traipsed through here already.

BUFFY
Xander...

XANDER
(looks at her)
What?

Buffy opens her mouth to speak, then blurts out...

BUFFY
Never mind.

Xander nods, a little confused, then starts to turn.

BUFFY
Dawn said that...

She hesitates.

XANDER
Yeah?

BUFFY
Forget it.

XANDER
Buffy!

BUFFY
Dawn things... She says that....
Spike might be in love with me.

ON XANDER, he stares at her a moment, then suddenly BURSTS OUT LAUGHING, uncontrollably. Buffy eyes him, stonily.

BUFFY
It's not a joke.

XANDER
Oh I hope not. It's funnier if it's true.

BUFFY
I'm serious. This is serious.

XANDER
Right. Serious big bunches of flowers
with little cards attached, "Buffy, Buffy,
you're so sweet..."
(working it out)
"You are... you are good enough to eat."

BUFFY
So you can stop laughing now.

XANDER
I don't think so.

BUFFY
It's creepy.

XANDER
No, not creepy, 'cuz it's not real.
I mean, how upset can you really
get over Spike's fevered day-dream
that's never gonna happen?

BUFFY
I guess.

XANDER
So where did Dawn... How did she
come to this... extremely entertaining
conclusion?

BUFFY
She was with Spike yesterday
afternoon. I think she's got a
little crush on him.

Xander suddenly sobers.

XANDER
What?

BUFFY
(musing)
I knew he had this weird fixation
for me, but--

XANDER
I'm the one she's got a crush on. Me.

Buffy casts one last look around.

BUFFY
Let's go. There's nothing here.

LOW ANGLE as they move to exit.

XANDER
It's always been me. Big funny
Xander. And then she just suddenly
decides I'm not the cool one anymore?
Why is that okay?

SLOW PAN OVER to discover AN ANTIQUE DOLL wearing a BLINDFOLD wedged under one of the seats.

INT. BUFFY'S KITCHEN - NIGHT

ON BUFFY as she nears the entrance to the kitchen and sees

BUFFY'S POV - DAWN and JOYCE, through the doorway. Joyce is telling a story.

JOYCE
But they didn't get that it was
a copy of bill of lading... they
thought it was another order form,
so now I've got two shipments of
Greek amphorae on my hands...

ON BUFFY, smiling.

REVERSE ANGLE, TRAVELLING with Buffy as SPIKE comes INTO FRAME, sitting on the counter across from Joyce and Dawn.

ON BUFFY again, her smile quickly fading, replaced by a wave of discomfort. No one in the room has noticed her yet. Spike is trying to participate civilly.

SPIKE
Funny. And really, how many of them
do you need. Amphorae.

Joyce looks up and sees Buffy.

JOYCE
Buffy! Spike came over to apologize.
(shaking Dawn, teasingly)
Our missing child drama.

DAWN
Even though it was so not his fault.

Buffy tries to act nonchalant, but her unease is showing.

BUFFY
And he just decided to hang for awhile.

JOYCE
Well, I got started talking about the
gallery. See, there was this bill of
lading...

SPIKE
Oh, don't get us all laughing again,
Joyce. Anyhow, I really need to talk
to your eldest.

Buffy stiffens.

BUFFY
What about?

Spike gets down off the counter and beckons her to follow him, away from Joyce and Dawn.

SPIKE
Got a bit of info you might be keen
on knowing.

BUFFY
Sorry. All out of cash. Maybe you
should hit on Giles-- hit up Giles--

SPIKE
I got a bead on the guys who killed
those people. The ones on the train.

Buffy eyes him, skeptically.

BUFFY
Do tell.

SPIKE
I'll do better than that. I'll show.

Buffy hesitates.

SPIKE
(squinting)
What's the matter?

BUFFY
Nothing. Just...

They stare at each other for a beat or two. Spike sighs and relents.

SPIKE
Two vamps. Holed up in a
warehouse downtown.

BUFFY
Abandoned?

SPIKE
Are there any other kind in this town?
(beat)
Well, what you waiting for? Grab
your coat and pointy sticks.

Buffy moves off, he follows.

INT. SPIKE'S CAR/EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT

ON BUFFY and SPIKE - sitting wordlessly in the front seat of his parked car, staked out in the alley.

Buffy peers out the windshield, down the alley, then casually cheats a glance at Spike. He sees her looking and offers a tentative grin. Uncomfortable, Buffy looks away.

Spike leans and reaches across her. Buffy recoils.

BUFFY
Hey, uh--

Spike pops open the glove compartments and pulls out a flask and takes a long drink. He wipes the mouth of the flask with his sleeve, then offers it to Buffy, who just looks at him.

BUFFY
Eeeew.

SPIKE
It's not blood. It's bourbon.

BUFFY
(calmly reiterating)
Eeeew.

SPIKE
(a tad defensive)
Suit yourself. I wasn't trying to
get you sizzled. Thought you might
want a warmer, is all.

Spike puts the flask back in the glove compartment and slaps it closed. Starts to hum a tune lightly to himself, tapping on the steering wheel. Turns again to Buffy.

SPIKE
You like the Ramones?

That's it. Buffy's getting really uncomfortable.

BUFFY
Where are the bad guys? It's been
almost an hour.

SPIKE
Promised location, not timeliness.
(beat)
Cold night. I could put the heater
on if--

BUFFY
I'm fine.

Another uncomfortable moment of silence, then...

BUFFY
If you're not doing this for money,
then why--

SPIKE
(sees something)
Shhh.

Buffy looks up to see

BUFFY'S POV - THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD - A MUTT and JEFF pair of VAMPS, silhouetted against the lights mounted in the alley, as they enter the condemned warehouse, through a door with a broken chain.

BUFFY
Them?

Spike stealthily opens his door and steps out. Buffy does the same, though less with the stealth.

SPIKE
Imagine these rotters are tougher
than they look. Prob'ly very crafty.
And wiry.

As they move around the car and come together in the alley, Spike turns to her and seemingly offers his open hand. Buffy eyes it with uncertainty - (Does he want to hold hands?!)

SPIKE
(requesting)
Stake.

Buffy reaches into her coat and produces a stake for him.

SPIKE
Don't use 'em usually. But for these
two, it's best to be prepared.

He moves off, not seeing Buffy's relieved exhale. She follows him off.

INT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT

There are a couple of old mattresses, pillows, other discarded junk.

ON MUTT, rifling through a pile of CDs, as JEFF'S got Jiffy-pop going on a hotplate. After a couple of moments, they look up as

BUFFY approaches.

ON MUTT and JEFF, they slowly rise to their feet.

MUTT
The Slayer.

Buffy positions herself into a fighting stance, waiting for the two vamps to charge her.

Instead, they turn and run away, whimpering with fear as they clamber out windows near the back.

Buffy relaxes as Spike strolls up next t her.

SPIKE
Well, that was... sad.

Buffy looks around the "vamp campsite."

SPIKE
I'm embarrassed for our kind.
(then)
So, should we chase 'em then?
Can't have gone far.

BUFFY
Those vamps have been here a while.
They've nested.

SPIKE
So, you're saying they're a couple
of poofters.

BUFFY
No. I'm saying they had nothing to do
with last night's murders.

SPIKE
How do you figure?

BUFFY
Whoever did it only just arrived in
town last night.

She turns and moves to the exit.

BUFFY
Looks like you just wasted my time.

Spike gets to the door first and holds it open for her. Buffy stops in her tracks and jumps back, wigged.

BUFFY
What are you--

Spike, confused at first, suddenly realizes what he's done and lets go of the door.

SPIKE
I... It was... I wasn't thinking...

Buffy, shaken, moves away from him.

BUFFY
What is this, Spike?

SPIKE
Don't get your knickers twisted,
I was just-

BUFFY
No. I mean, what is this? The late
night stake out, the bogus suspects,
the flask... Is this a date?

SPIKE
(stammering)
A - ? Please... A date. You're
completely off your bird. I mean...
(quickly/hopeful)
Do you want it to be?

That's it. That's what Buffy needed to hear to confirm all of her worst fears.

BUFFY
Oh no. No... Are you out of your mind?

SPIKE
It's not so unusual. Two people. In
the workplace... Feelings develop...

BUFFY
No! Feelings do not develop.
No feelings!

Spike starts to move toward her, but she backs away.

SPIKE
You can't deny it. There's something
between us.

BUFFY
Loathing. Disgust-

SPIKE
Heat. Desire-

BUFFY
Please. You're a vampire, Spike!

SPIKE
Angel was a vampire.

BUFFY
Angel had a soul. He was good.

SPIKE
And I can be too. I've changed Buffy.

BUFFY
You mean the chip? That's not change.
That's just holding you back. You're
like a serial killer in prison-

SPIKE
Women marry them all the time!
(quickly/heartfelt)
But I'm not. Like that. Something's
happening to me. I can't stop thinking
about you. And if it means turning my
back on the whole evil thing-

BUFFY
(cutting him off)
Stop. You don't mean this. You
don't even know what... feelings are.

SPIKE
(pained)
I damn well do. I lie awake every night.

BUFFY
You sleep during the day.

SPIKE
Yeah, but -- You're missing the point.
This is real, here. I lov-

BUFFY
(desperate)
DON'T! ...say...don't.

Buffy quickly moves for the door.

BUFFY
I'm going.

SPIKE
Come on. We need to-

BUFFY
(cutting him off)
We don't need to do anything.
There is no we. Understand?

Buffy moves around him and heads out.

SPIKE
Buffy-

But she's gone. Spike stands there for a long beat, burning. The pain and humiliation washing over him.

INT. BUFFY'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

CLOSE ON the shocked expression of Willow's face.

WILLOW
Oh! Wow!

CUT OUT to find Buffy sitting next to her on the couch. Joyce paces nearby, wringing her hands.

BUFFY
Yeah.

WILLOW
I mean... Whoa! Ga!

BUFFY
You can stop when you get to "moo."

WILLOW
He actually told you?... He said,
"I love you?"

BUFFY
I didn't let him get that far. But
I could see the words coming.

JOYCE
Honey, did you, somehow, unintentionally,
lead him on in any way? Send him signals?

BUFFY
Well... I do beat him up a lot.
(off Joyce's looks)
For him, that's like third base.

WILLOW
Buffy, I'm really worried.

JOYCE
So am I. He could become dangerous.

BUFFY
Not really. As long as it's chips
ahoy in Spike's head, he can't
hurt me or any of you guys.
(then)
Besides, this'll blow over. I'm
sure it's just some weird Spike
thing. He'll have the hots for some
Gak Demon before we know it.

WILLOW
I don't know. Sometimes these things
can get pretty twisted.

JOYCE
And Spike. He's...

BUFFY
Pretty twisted.

WILLOW
You made it clear, right? That it
could never happen. That there was
no possible way ever.

BUFFY
Yeah. I think so... I don't know.
I was kind of thrown.

WILLOW
You have to talk to him again, Buffy.

BUFFY
What? No! I have to avoid him again.

WILLOW
Not until you shut him down completely.
If he thinks he has even a little chance
with you, there's no telling what he'll do.

Off Buffy, worried.

INT. BUFFY'S LIVING ROOM - MEANWHILE - NIGHT

Buffy's putting on her jacket by the door.

JOYCE
I know this is hard, honey, but I
think you made the right decision.
Better to nip this in the bud before...

BUFFY
The bud nips me?

Joyce smiles at her, brushes away an errant lock of hair and exits.

WILLOW
Buffy, if you want, I can go with.
Back you up with some scowlin'...

BUFFY
Thanks, but I think this is something
I have to do myself. I mean, maybe
I'm wrong. Maybe this whole thing's
been blown out of proportion and
Spike's gone back to wanting me dead.

WILLOW
(crossing her fingers)
Here's hoping.

Buffy turns to leave.

BUFFY
You know what, though? There is
something I'd like you to do while
I'm gone...

Willow's all ears...

INT. SPIKE'S CRYPT SUBCHAMBER - LATER - NIGHT

CLOSE ON BUFFY'S FACE, stirring awake.

WIDEN as she discovers she's suspended from the ceiling, her hands shackled above her head. The room is more illuminated than before as more torches along the wall are lit.

SPIKE (O.S.)
There she is...

Still dazed, Buffy looks toward the voice and finds Spike standing before her.

SPIKE
Beginning to think you'd sleep
the night away.

BUFFY
Dru... Drusilla...

Spike grins, then steps aside revealing

DRUSILLA, propped up against a pillar, tied up with thick rope.

DRUSILLA
Not nice to change the game in mid-play,
Spike... You've taken my chair and the
music hasn't stopped.

SPIKE
Sorry, Pet. My house, my rules.

DRUSILLA
(pouting)
I think I shall be very cross with
you when I'm free again.

ON BUFFY, wary and confused.

BUFFY
What is going on?

SPIKE
Simple... I'm going to prove
something...

He steps toward her, and

IN A TIGHT TWO-SHOT, brings his face in close to hers.

SPIKE
I love you.

Buffy pinches her eyes shut, in agony, and turns away, mortified.

BUFFY
Oh my God...

He grabs her chin and forces her to face him

SPIKE
Look at me! I... LOVE... you.
You're all I bloody think about...
Dream about... You're in my gut,
my throat... I'm drowning in you,
Summers. Drowning in--

THE LAUGHTER stops him from continuing. He turns to look at

DRU, her head thrown back, LAUGHING her ass off.

SPIKE
Can do without the laugh track, Dru.

DRUSILLA
(through her laughter)
But it's so funny... I knew...
before you did... I knew you loved
the Slayer. The pixies in my head
whispered it to me... I thought they
would fly away...

SPIKE
(to Buffy)
You can't tell me there isn't anything
there between you and me. I know
you feel something.

BUFFY
It's called "revulsion." And
whatever you think you're feeling...
it's not love. You can't love
without a soul.

DRUSILLA
Oh, we can, you know. We can
love quite well...
(looking at Spike bemused)
If not wisely.

SPIKE
(to Buffy)
You still don't believe. Still don't
think I mean it. You want proof?
How's this?

HE moves to the shrine in the corner and picks up one of his souvenir STAKES, then crosses back to Drusilla.

SPIKE
I'm going to kill Drusilla for you.

This sets Dru off on a whole new LAUGHING jag.

Spike brings the stake down and presses it to Dru's chest, above her heart.

Buffy looks at Spike, incredulously.

BUFFY
That's not going to prove anything.
Except that you're a miserable, sick
vampire I should've dusted a long
time ago. And, hey, already there.

SPIKE
Don't mock this.

BUFFY
Go mock yourself.

SPIKE
This is Drusilla, girl. Do you have
the slightest idea how much she
means to me?

He looks at Dru. They lock eyes.

SPIKE
This is the face of my salvation.
Before Dru, I was nothing. A speck.
But when she bit me, she delivered me
from mediocrity. For over a century -
we cut a swath through the continents,
shared a bed, drank from the same vein...

Now both Spike and Dru are getting a little lost in this reverie. He moves closer - starts to touch her, caress her...

SPIKE
A hundred years, and she never
stopped surprising me... Never
stopped taking me to new depths.
I was a lucky bloke, to touch such
a black beauty. Lucky just to stand
in her light...

DRUSILLA
(moved)
Tsk. Aww. Oww--

Spike presses the stake harder into Dru's chest.

SPIKE
(to Buffy)
So you see, it means something.

BUFFY
Not to me. Kill her. Why do I care?

SPIKE
Here's why: If you don't admit that
there's something there... Some tiny
feeling for me... Then I'll untie Dru
and let her kill you , instead.

DRUSILLA
Yes. Please. I like that game much
better.

As Buffy weighs her options, Spike's expression softens. He takes a gentle step toward her.

SPIKE
Just... Give me something... a
crumb, the barest smidge... tell
me someday, maybe, there's a chance...

Buffy studies him for a moment, recognizing the pain this is obviously causing him. Then, with her head, she beckons Spike over.

He rises and crosses to her. She beckons to him again to come even closer. He does. Then she whispers to him, intimately.

BUFFY
Spike... The only chance you had
with me was when I was unconscious.

Spike registers his disappointment. Why hadn't he thought of that? Then, his rage building, he ROARS:

SPIKE
GaaaAAAAAAAHHH!

He angrily FLINGS the stake against the wall.

SPIKE
What the bleeding hell is wrong with
you bloody women? What the hell does
it take? Why do you bitches torture me?

BUFFY
Which question do you want me
to answer first?

SPIKE
I'm at the end of my bleeding tether!
I don't know why I even bother!
(to Dru)
It's your fault. You're to blame for
all this, you know.

DRUSILLA
Am I?

SPIKE
Bloody right you are. If you hadn't
left me for that Chaos Demon, I'd
never come back here. Wouldn't
have this sodding chip in my skull...
(rounding on Buffy)
And you... You wouldn't be able to
touch me. Because this-- this thing
with you -- it's wrong! I know it!
Not a complete idiot!
(gesturing to his heart)
You think I like having you here?!
Destroying everything that was me
until all that's left is you in a dead
shell. You say you hate it but you
won't leave. What I should just do
is get rid of both of you -- Burn you!
Cut you into little pieces! So there
won't be any more bints to cock
things up for--

FWAK! And arrow hits Spike square in the back. He staggers for a moment, falls to his knees, then looks over to see

HARMONY, armed with a crossbow, standing in the opening where the wall's broken through.

SPIKE
Oh... great!

She crossed into Spike, glaring at him.

HARMONY
What about me, Spike? Huh? Forget
about me again? The actual girlfriend?

Spike looks up at her, now standing over him.

HARMONY
I gave you the best... bunch of
months... of my life. I did everything
to please you. Did you ever once think
about my wants? My fantasies?

SPIKE
(through his pain)
Um... Not as such, no.

Harmony SWATS HIM upside the head with the crossbow.

HARMONY
Well they were... deep. And
beautiful. And you should have.

DRUSILLA
(to Harm)
That's right, little girl. Teach our
naughty boy a lesson. Such a
disappointment to all of us, he is.

SPIKE
Oh, so now you're all ganging up...

HARMONY
I thought I could change you, Spike.
I thought maybe if I gave and gave
and gave, you'd come around...

She takes out another arrow and starts to reload the crossbow.

HARMONY
Maybe be a little nicer. Stop
treating me like your dog. But
now I see it's you! You're the dog...

She starts to aim the crossbow.

HARMONY
Who needs to be put down--

Spike lunges at her, knocking the crossbow out of her hands. They struggle, Harmony getting in a few licks on the injured Spike. As they brawl...

BUFFY and DRU watch. After a moment, they both have the same thought and look at each other. Instantly, they begin struggling with their restraints in a race to free themselves. The winner sure to exact punishment on the loser.

CLOSE ON DRUSILLA'S WRISTS, as her ropes begin to give.

ON BUFFY, trying to yank her chains out of the ceiling bolts.

Spike is on top of Harmony on the ground.

HARMONY
Ow! You're on my hair!

She reaches around, grabs the arrow in Spike's back and twists it. Spike HOWLS in agony.

ON DRU, who, with superhuman effort, RIPS through her bindings. She's free.

Buffy sees that and, anticipating Dru's attack, scans the area around her for something, anything to use against her.

Too late. Dru attacks and a FIGHT ENSUES, with Buffy having only her legs free to defend herself. Much leg-lock, flipping and kicking action.

After the brief battle, Dru manages to get the advantage.

Harmony RIPS the arrow out of Spike's back - causing him great pain - then comes at him with it. Without looking, he elbows her in the face and she goes down. Spike turns to see:

DRU choking Buffy.

DRUSILLA
Hear the pretty music? It's a dirge
I think... For your funeral...
(a quizzical look)
But it's not here...

Suddenly, she' broadsided by Spike and hits the ground hard. Spike grabs a key out of his pocket and unlocks Buffy's restraints.

Dru pulls herself to her feet then turns to face

BUFFY, squared off to fight, with SPIKE at her side. All three are spent and hurting from their battles.

ON DRUSILLA, eyeing Spike with pity.

DRUSILLA
Poor Spike... So lost. Even I can't
help you now.

And with that, she slips into the wall opening and disappears.

BUFFY and SPIKE stand silently for a moment, breathing hard.

HARMONY appears.

HARMONY
And you can say goodbye to this...
(pointing to her ass)
'Cause you're not gonna see it anymore.

She starts to leave, then turns back.

HARMONY
Unless you run into me somewhere and...
and it's me walking away from you.

She starts to turn, then...

HARMONY
But even then, I'll probably just...
you know, back away.

And she does, backing away, into the darkness, a spiteful smile on her lips.

Buffy turns to look at Spike.

He looks back at her with an expression of shame, guilt... and a plea for something. Forgiveness? He opens his mouth to say something and

POW! Buffy punches him hard in the face, sending him crashing into the shrine, demolishing it.

ON SPIKE, lying amidst the shattered remains of his testament of slayer love, he looks up at Buffy who turns away and storms up the ladder...

EXT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LATER - NIGHT

Buffy's moving up the walk. Spike's only now just caught up to her.

SPIKE
Buffy...

She ignores him.

SPIKE
Come on now - stop. You can't walk
away from this.

BUFFY
(not turning around)
What part of punching you in the face
did you not understand?

SPIKE
Se we had a fight. Not our first, love.
It doesn't have to change anything-

At this, Buffy turns to face him - deadly calm.

BUFFY
This changes everything. You're out,
Spike. I want you out of this town.
I want you off this planet. You don't
ever come near me, my friends and
family again. Ever - understand?

She spins around and continues up the walk. Spike on her heels.

SPIKE
No. It's not that easy. We have
something, Buffy. It's not pretty,
but it's real.

Buffy enters her house. Spike on her heels.

SPIKE
And there's nothing either one of us
can do about it. Like it or not, I'm
in your life. You can't just shut me out.

He suddenly SLAMS UP against the invisible barrier at the threshold. He looks at

BUFFY, who eyes him, coldly.

REVERSE ANGLE ON SPIKE as she closes the door in his face,

Wesley- Wow that was interesting.

Angel- I hate Spike!

Cordelia- I didn't know Harmony was with Spike.

Gunn- This was cool. Let's go fight demons now. You know? Save the world, help the helpless. That's what Angel Investigations is for. Remember?

Wesley- Right let's go.

I do NOT own because I am not Joss Weedon, please review.