SPIKE AND THE PSYCHIC
Note: This happens after the beginning of "Wrecked."
INT. COLLAPSED HOUSE - DAY
BUFFY and SPIKE are lying on the floor sleeping. All of a
sudden Buffy wakes up and leaps up, away from Spike. He
opens his eyes slowly and looks at Buffy. Slowly,
remembering last night, he smiles.
SPIKE
Good morning, love.
BUFFY
Hardly. I hate you.
Buffy is staring at Spike's naked body. As they speak, she
can't take her eyes off him, but it's a mixture of desire
and horror.
SPIKE
No, you don't.
BUFFY
I want you out of my life
forever. Don't call me 'pet.'
SPIKE
Can't we talk about last
night?
BUFFY
No. I'm leaving. Last night
was a mistake. There's
nothing to talk about.
Spike grabs Buffy and pins her down on the ground. She
struggles to get free but he's got her arms and legs firmly
in his grasp. She tries to head butt him, but he avoids it
easily.
SPIKE
The black widow spider
devours her mate. Are you a
black widow, pet?
BUFFY
Let me go!
Buffy struggles some more.
SPIKE
No, Buffy, I won't let you
go. I am going to make you
believe that I love you.
BUFFY
That would be impossible.
SPIKE
I have a story to tell which
might interest you.
BUFFY
Nothing you say interests me.
Now let me go.
Spike looks at Buffy, studies her face. Buffy looks away,
can't stand the scrutiny. She sighs a little when he
doesn't look away.
SPIKE
It was a little over a month
ago. Things were nice between
us. We were talking, you were
confiding in me. But I
started to get the feeling
that maybe we were never
going to be more than
friends.
BUFFY
We were never friends.
Spike talks but Buffy spaces out. Her gaze becomes
unfocused and her leg moves to the side almost
unconsciously. It is ambiguous whether she is moving her
leg in an attempt to free it in order to attack Spike, or
to allow him to be on top of her in a more comfortable
position. But she quickly comes back and gives a little
gasp at what she sees she's done. Spike is still talking,
oblivious to her little movement.
SPIKE
. . . the Bronze. Don't know
I bothered. You're never
there and they don't serve
any good drinks, you know,
vampire-appropriate. Should
have gone to Willy's Place.
At least there I would have
found some action. Always
some demon over there looking
to pick a fight.
(beat)
So maybe what I was doing
wasn't such a good idea, but
so what? I was there. The
beer was cold, the band was
halfway decent. I stood in
the shadows under the stairs
and looked at all the people
who I couldn't drink from
because of this chip in my
head.
Buffy makes a strangled sound.
SPIKE
(defensively)
Just because I drink from
someone, doesn't mean they
die, you know.
(beat)
OK, so there I was, just
lookin' around when my eyes
settle on a beautiful girl.
Long straight brown hair,
green eyes. She was sitting
at a table alone, drinking
something alcoholic and
looking sad.
BUFFY
Is that what you really
enjoy, preying on unhappy
girls?
SPIKE
(wincing)
Mind you, I wasn't planning
on going over to her. She did
remind me of you and it made
me want to leave. I almost
did. I got up to go when our
eyes met.
INT. BRONZE - NIGHT
We flashback to that night at the Bronze. Spike and the
girl are there. They are looking into each other's eyes
from across the room. You can just about see the sparks
flying between them. Spike narrates the scene.
(We alternate between flashing back and seeing him and
Buffy.)
SPIKE (VO)
It was like a punch in the
gut. There was something
special about this girl.
Something powerful. We must
have stayed like that for
five minutes. Finally we
looked away. She gave me a
sad smile and took a sip of
her drink. That's when I had
to know who she was.
We see the girl break eye contact with Spike. She smiles at
him sadly and takes a sip her drink. Spike walks over to
her and sits down at the other chair at the table. She
looks at him again with that sad smile. But it's also a
knowing smile.
SPIKE
What's your name, love?
LAURIE
Aura.
(beat)
Well, actually it's Laura,
but it's California, so I'm
entitled, right?
LAURIE smiles and sips her drink.
SPIKE
Sure. Where are you from,
Laurie?
LAURIE
New York. And yourself, north
London?
SPIKE
Doesn't matter. I've been
here a long time.
LAURIE
I know.
(beat)
I'm just here for a couple of
weeks, visiting.
SPIKE
How do you like Sunnydale,
Laurie?
LAURIE
(sighing)
Cut the chitchat, Spike. What
do you want?
SPIKE
I don't remember telling you
my name. Besides, who says I
want anything?
LAURIE
You're a vampire. You must
want something. You don't
look like the welcome wagon
lady to me.
Spike reaches over and touches Laurie's cheek. There's that
same crackle of power and electricity. Laurie smiles like
she's learned a secret.
SPIKE
You're a witch. I can feel
your power.
LAURIE
Nope, sorry, just a garden-
variety psychic. So, what do
you want besides conversation
with a tourist?
SPIKE
I want to know why you're not
afraid of me if you know that
I'm a vampire.
INT. HOUSE
SPIKE
(to Buffy)
I liked this girl. We were
just talking. None of this
baggage like with you and me,
Buffy. This was a person
treating me like a person. It
was almost like before I-I
wasn't thinking about you,
love. That's the important
thing.
BUFFY
(intrigued despite
herself)
Where is this girl now?
SPIKE
Went back to New York, I
imagine.
BUFFY
Why couldn't you have gone
with her? Sounds like you two
have lots in common.
SPIKE
After everything that
happened, you'll see that
it's you that I love. I
wouldn't leave you.
(beat)
Can I tell my story, please?
BUFFY
I'm hardly in a position to
stop you, am I? And anyway,
does this story have a point?
What are you trying to do,
bore me to death? If the chip
still worked for me I'd bet
it'd be kicking in right
around now.
SPIKE
(leering)
I can think of something that
will stop me.
Spike shifts one of his knees so that it's pressing between
Buffy's legs. Buffy's about to kick him when he realizes
she's not going to be cooperative, so he goes back to
pinning her down.
SPIKE
Oh no, none of that. Now be a
good Slayer and let me finish
my story.
BUFFY
Whatever turns you on.
(beat)
No, I take that back.
INT. BRONZE
SPIKE (VO)
I asked Laurie why she wasn't
afraid of me.
LAURIE
I'm a psychic and I have ESP.
Back in New York it isn't
much, just a twinge here and
there, but in Sunnydale I
can't turn it off. I think
there's some kind of mystical
energy source that's feeding
my powers here. New York
sucks the energy out of
people's souls. Sunnydale
puts it in, if you're
receptive to it. Which I
obviously am. That's the only
reason why I even believe
that you're a vampire. In New
York I would have said such a
thing was impossible and
crazy.
(beat)
Of course, that's what people
said about my abilities, but
hey . . . By looking at a
person I can tell certain
things. Looking into their
eyes gives me access to their
emotions. Eyes are windows to
the soul, right? Touching
them shows me flashes of
their memories. The more
extended the contact, the
more I can see. So that's how
I know you're not dangerous.
Though I can't say why
exactly. Something to do with
a zoo?
SPIKE
Back up just a minute. That
whole 'windows to the soul'
thing is just a saying,
right?
LAURIE
That's what people think, but
no, it's true. I can see
people's souls. They're
wrinkly.
SPIKE
Vampires don't have souls.
LAURIE
Look, I don't know anything
about real vampires, but
you've got a soul; I've seen
it. It's, well, a little
darker than other people's,
but it's there.
SPIKE
What about the demon?
LAURIE
What demon? What is it with
you? For a vampire you're
awfully strange. Or maybe
that's par for the course.
You're nothing like the
vampires in Anita Blake
books.
INT. HOUSE
SPIKE
See, Buffy, she said she saw
my soul. Maybe all vampires
do have souls. I should have
brought her to talk to Willow
and Giles. That would have
been an education.
BUFFY
(bored, her leg falling
asleep)
So maybe you have a soul,
Spike. So did Jack the Ripper
and Charles Manson. Doesn't
mean you're not a killer.
SPIKE
So was your precious Angel,
pet. Doesn't matter. That's
not the point of the story.
Only an interesting little
note.
BUFFY
Will you get to the point
already?
INT. BRONZE
SPIKE
So what's the problem? Why
the sad face?
LAURIE
Oh, I'm not sad, just bored.
There's nothing to do in
Sunnydale.
SPIKE
Do you want to go somewhere
else?
LAURIE
Sure. Where?
SPIKE
The cemetery.
LAURIE
Will there be other vampires
there?
SPIKE
Yeah.
LAURIE
Dangerous ones?
SPIKE
Yeah.
LAURIE
Will you keep me safe?
SPIKE
As safe as you want to be.
LAURIE
Oh cool.
(beat)
So, what keeps everyone else
around here safe from these
baddies?
SPIKE
The Slayer.
LAURIE
What's that?
SPIKE
Nothing, nothing. Don't
worry. I'll show you some
action.
LAURIE
Great.
INT. CEMETERY
Laurie and Spike walk around in the cemetery. At first they
don't see anything. Then they come upon a vampire. Spike
fights with him but can't dust him because he doesn't have
a piece of wood, so the vamp runs off. Laurie looks
impressed. She grins but it's got more bravado in it now.
They keep walking and soon spot the Scooby Gang fighting
some vamps. It's just WILLOW, XANDER, and Buffy. Spike
grabs Laurie's hand and pulls her behind a tombstone where
they walk the fight from a safe distance. The power
crackles between them. It makes Buffy look up in their
direction briefly, but when she doesn't see anything she
goes back to the fight. She dusts the two vamps.
Laurie looks at Buffy then at Spike and she gets a look
like pieces of a puzzle are now falling into place.
LAURIE
There's something I have to
tell you.
SPIKE
Shoot.
LAURIE
Not here.
INT. SPIKE'S CRYPT
Spike gives Laurie the "grand tour" of his place.
SPIKE
So, we're here. What did you
want to tell me?
LAURIE
No, not now.
(beat)
I want you to drink from me.
SPIKE
I can't bite you, but thanks
for the offer. Do you mind if
I ask why . . . ?
LAURIE
Because it would be exciting.
Do you have any knives?
SPIKE
Yeah, sure.
Spike walks over to a hidden cache of weapons. He looks
very cool but we see his hand shake a little when he picks
out a small knife and walk over to Laurie with it.
Laurie takes the knife from Spike and takes a deep breath.
LAURIE
Wow. OK. Why don't I lie down
for this? Wouldn't want to
faint in middle of it.
Spike leads Laurie to his bed. She lies down, her head
slightly propped up by pillows. Then she pops right back up
again. She takes off her shirt and has a camisole on
underneath. Spike stands slightly away from the bed looking
at her, admiring her, but making no move.
SPIKE (VO)
I looked at Laurie. She was
beautiful. She was offering
herself to me and yet it also
felt like she was
manipulating me. But I didn't
care. Living off stolen and
animal blood was not
satisfying.
LAURIE
I don't want to get any blood
on my shirt. It's silk.
SPIKE
You won't get arguments from
me.
LAURIE
(stalling)
It must be awful not being
able to bite people. It's
like being allergic to pizza
or chocolate.
SPIKE (VO)
I saw her analogy and I saw
her nerves but I didn't want
her to talk anymore. I didn't
want her to be a tease-I
already get enough of that
from you, Buffy. I moved
slightly closer to the bed.
LAURIE
Yeah, OK, here goes.
Laurie puts the knife to her arm and pushes it down harder
and harder until it breaks the skin. She grits her teeth at
the pain. Her head presses against the pillows and she soon
lets the knife drop off the side of the bed. Spike leans
down beside her and starts sipping at the wound very
slowly, licking it, savoring every drop. Soon however,
regretfully, he sits up. He knows he can't take too much or
the chip will kick in. There's blood on his lips. Laurie
reaches up and puts her hand to the back of Spike's head,
pulling him down to her.
LAURIE
Kiss me.
Spike hesitates for a fraction of a second then kisses
Laurie. At one point Laurie licks the blood off Spike's
lips and when they kiss they can both taste her blood.
INT. HOUSE
SPIKE
It was incredible. The power.
The blood.
BUFFY
This is a disgusting story,
Spike. Let me go.
SPIKE
Jealous? But I'm just getting
to the interesting part. And
don't worry, as amazing as
that night was, it doesn't
hold a candle to the Slayer.
But if only I'd drank from
you, Buffy, then it would
have been perfect. How about
if I did that now?
BUFFY
No way.
Spike leans down to nuzzle Buffy's neck. She stiffens at
his touch.
SPIKE
(whispering in her ear)
Relax. I'll only drink your
blood when you beg me to take
it.
BUFFY
Like that's ever going to
happen.
INT. SPIKE'S HOUSE
Spike and Laurie get up from a little nap. They've both
dressed and are just sitting on the bed touching each
other. Spike gets a little restless.
SPIKE
Maybe you should go. It'll be
dawn soon.
LAURIE
Don't you want to know what I
saw?
SPIKE
Oh right, yeah, that. sure,
why not? Tell me some
secrets.
LAURIE
Those people we were
watching? The redhead. She's
confused about something. But
she's also very powerful. You
should look out for her. The
guy, he has a lot of pain
inside but there's also a lot
of determination. I see a lot
of yellow in his future. -
Yellow is generally the color
of good things. - But the
blond, this 'Slayer,' I see
very clearly that there's a
bond between the two of you.
I see death. A death that
connects the two of you. This
is a very vague impression,
but I definitely see someone,
or something else as well. I
don't have any more details.
SPIKE
(disappointed)
Fascinating. How about we go
out again tomorrow night.
Maybe your vision will get
clearer.
LAURIE
No . . . I'd rather not.
Tonight was perfect. Tomorrow
won't measure up.
SPIKE
I hear that. See you around,
then.
LAURIE
Yeah, thanks, Spike. Good
night.
Laurie leaves Spike's house. Spike watches her walk away.
INT. WILLY'S PLACE
Spike is sitting at the bar, drinking a dark liquid. The
place is crowded and smoky.
SPIKE (VO)
Truth is, I couldn't take
what Laurie said too
seriously. She had her
Scoobies pegged, but 'death?'
Let's be serious. What about
us isn't about death? So I'm
sittin' here, mindin' my own
business when I hear a couple
of demons behind me plotting
your death. Normally I'd say,
let 'em try, you can handle
them with a little help from
me, but then I turned around.
Spike turns around to see a vampire talking to a demon that
has big muscles but doesn't look that scary. Spike's eyes
widen.
INT. HOUSE
SPIKE
It was a Nilub demon.
Buffy looks blank.
SPIKE
Sure, you never heard of it.
maybe Giles does. Either way,
as soon as I saw it I knew
there was no way you could
fight it yourself. It can
change its shape and it can't
be killed by burning,
staking, stabbing, you name
it. It can only be killed by
quickly draining all of its
blood. And there's only way
to do that. Have a vampire
suck it out. Only one
problem. The blood is toxic
to vamps. It burns.
(beat)
I wasn't confused exactly, I
just didn't have a real plan.
All I knew was that I had to
help you. So I let it attack
you. Remember that demon we
fought, small and brown?
Recognition blossoms in Buffy's eyes. She flashes back to
the fight.
EXT. BUFFY'S LAWN - NIGHT
Buffy, Spike, Xander, and ANYA are fighting the Nilub
demon. Nobody is making any progress. The Nilub retreats a
little. He looks at Buffy, looks at her house, then turns
and runs. Spike runs after it.
SPIKE
Stay here, Slayer.
BUFFY
I don't think so.
DAWN comes out the front door and stands on the porch.
DAWN
Buffy?
BUFFY
Yes, Dawn?
DAWN
Maybe you could let Spike go
after thing himself, I'm
scared; he knew this was our
house.
BUFFY
All right, I'll stay with
you. See you, Spike.
Spike takes off.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE
SPIKE
Yeah, you remember that one.
It tried the direct approach.
Didn't work. It probably
planned to try to suffocate
you in your sleep next. I
couldn't let that happen. I
went after the Nilub. Lost
him for a little while. Got
into quite a few fights
trying to find it. - That was
fun. - But I did find it and
I drank its blood. Despite
the pain, I drank until it
was dead. . . .
(beat)
I did it for you, Buffy.
Because I love you. Do you
believe me?
Buffy looks off to the side. She doesn't answer. Spike gets
up off her and moves over to where his pants are. He squats
down to pick them up, his naked back to Buffy.
SPIKE
I guess you still hate me,
then.
Buffy looks at Spike's back. She picks up a stake and walks
over to him. She puts the stake on his back. Spike shivers
a little. Buffy puts a bit of pressure on but then throws
the stake away. She retreats away from him, walking
backward, shocked at her own reluctance to kill him.
SPIKE
At least you're not doing the
cowardly thing. I knew you
couldn't do it.
Buffy kicks Spike in the head. He goes sprawling.
BUFFY
Maybe I can't kill you now,
but I will. This is over.
SPIKE
Be seeing you around, pet.
Spike watches as Buffy leaves.
INT. MAGIC BOX - AFTERNOON
Anya is tidying up a display that some customers messed up.
Buffy corners her.
BUFFY
Tell me what you know about
Nilub demons.
ANYA
Impossible to kill without
draining their blood - very
messy. And rarer than a 25
year-old Slayer.
(beat)
Which is not to say that they
don't exist 25-year-old
Slayers, that is. Or the
Nilub demon. Just rare. But
they're around.
BUFFY
Could that brown guy we
fought a few nights ago have
been a Nilub?
ANYA
Well, we didn't see it
change, so there's no way to
tell for sure, but it's
possible. Why?
BUFFY
No reason.
INT. TRAINING ROOM
Buffy boxes a little with the punching bag. She works up a
sweat then sits down on the floor and wipes off her brow.
BUFFY
No point in being
judgmental, right? Maybe Spike's
not such a bad guy after all.
(beat)
What am I saying? This is nuts.
(beat)
Right?
THE END
Note: This happens after the beginning of "Wrecked."
INT. COLLAPSED HOUSE - DAY
BUFFY and SPIKE are lying on the floor sleeping. All of a
sudden Buffy wakes up and leaps up, away from Spike. He
opens his eyes slowly and looks at Buffy. Slowly,
remembering last night, he smiles.
SPIKE
Good morning, love.
BUFFY
Hardly. I hate you.
Buffy is staring at Spike's naked body. As they speak, she
can't take her eyes off him, but it's a mixture of desire
and horror.
SPIKE
No, you don't.
BUFFY
I want you out of my life
forever. Don't call me 'pet.'
SPIKE
Can't we talk about last
night?
BUFFY
No. I'm leaving. Last night
was a mistake. There's
nothing to talk about.
Spike grabs Buffy and pins her down on the ground. She
struggles to get free but he's got her arms and legs firmly
in his grasp. She tries to head butt him, but he avoids it
easily.
SPIKE
The black widow spider
devours her mate. Are you a
black widow, pet?
BUFFY
Let me go!
Buffy struggles some more.
SPIKE
No, Buffy, I won't let you
go. I am going to make you
believe that I love you.
BUFFY
That would be impossible.
SPIKE
I have a story to tell which
might interest you.
BUFFY
Nothing you say interests me.
Now let me go.
Spike looks at Buffy, studies her face. Buffy looks away,
can't stand the scrutiny. She sighs a little when he
doesn't look away.
SPIKE
It was a little over a month
ago. Things were nice between
us. We were talking, you were
confiding in me. But I
started to get the feeling
that maybe we were never
going to be more than
friends.
BUFFY
We were never friends.
Spike talks but Buffy spaces out. Her gaze becomes
unfocused and her leg moves to the side almost
unconsciously. It is ambiguous whether she is moving her
leg in an attempt to free it in order to attack Spike, or
to allow him to be on top of her in a more comfortable
position. But she quickly comes back and gives a little
gasp at what she sees she's done. Spike is still talking,
oblivious to her little movement.
SPIKE
. . . the Bronze. Don't know
I bothered. You're never
there and they don't serve
any good drinks, you know,
vampire-appropriate. Should
have gone to Willy's Place.
At least there I would have
found some action. Always
some demon over there looking
to pick a fight.
(beat)
So maybe what I was doing
wasn't such a good idea, but
so what? I was there. The
beer was cold, the band was
halfway decent. I stood in
the shadows under the stairs
and looked at all the people
who I couldn't drink from
because of this chip in my
head.
Buffy makes a strangled sound.
SPIKE
(defensively)
Just because I drink from
someone, doesn't mean they
die, you know.
(beat)
OK, so there I was, just
lookin' around when my eyes
settle on a beautiful girl.
Long straight brown hair,
green eyes. She was sitting
at a table alone, drinking
something alcoholic and
looking sad.
BUFFY
Is that what you really
enjoy, preying on unhappy
girls?
SPIKE
(wincing)
Mind you, I wasn't planning
on going over to her. She did
remind me of you and it made
me want to leave. I almost
did. I got up to go when our
eyes met.
INT. BRONZE - NIGHT
We flashback to that night at the Bronze. Spike and the
girl are there. They are looking into each other's eyes
from across the room. You can just about see the sparks
flying between them. Spike narrates the scene.
(We alternate between flashing back and seeing him and
Buffy.)
SPIKE (VO)
It was like a punch in the
gut. There was something
special about this girl.
Something powerful. We must
have stayed like that for
five minutes. Finally we
looked away. She gave me a
sad smile and took a sip of
her drink. That's when I had
to know who she was.
We see the girl break eye contact with Spike. She smiles at
him sadly and takes a sip her drink. Spike walks over to
her and sits down at the other chair at the table. She
looks at him again with that sad smile. But it's also a
knowing smile.
SPIKE
What's your name, love?
LAURIE
Aura.
(beat)
Well, actually it's Laura,
but it's California, so I'm
entitled, right?
LAURIE smiles and sips her drink.
SPIKE
Sure. Where are you from,
Laurie?
LAURIE
New York. And yourself, north
London?
SPIKE
Doesn't matter. I've been
here a long time.
LAURIE
I know.
(beat)
I'm just here for a couple of
weeks, visiting.
SPIKE
How do you like Sunnydale,
Laurie?
LAURIE
(sighing)
Cut the chitchat, Spike. What
do you want?
SPIKE
I don't remember telling you
my name. Besides, who says I
want anything?
LAURIE
You're a vampire. You must
want something. You don't
look like the welcome wagon
lady to me.
Spike reaches over and touches Laurie's cheek. There's that
same crackle of power and electricity. Laurie smiles like
she's learned a secret.
SPIKE
You're a witch. I can feel
your power.
LAURIE
Nope, sorry, just a garden-
variety psychic. So, what do
you want besides conversation
with a tourist?
SPIKE
I want to know why you're not
afraid of me if you know that
I'm a vampire.
INT. HOUSE
SPIKE
(to Buffy)
I liked this girl. We were
just talking. None of this
baggage like with you and me,
Buffy. This was a person
treating me like a person. It
was almost like before I-I
wasn't thinking about you,
love. That's the important
thing.
BUFFY
(intrigued despite
herself)
Where is this girl now?
SPIKE
Went back to New York, I
imagine.
BUFFY
Why couldn't you have gone
with her? Sounds like you two
have lots in common.
SPIKE
After everything that
happened, you'll see that
it's you that I love. I
wouldn't leave you.
(beat)
Can I tell my story, please?
BUFFY
I'm hardly in a position to
stop you, am I? And anyway,
does this story have a point?
What are you trying to do,
bore me to death? If the chip
still worked for me I'd bet
it'd be kicking in right
around now.
SPIKE
(leering)
I can think of something that
will stop me.
Spike shifts one of his knees so that it's pressing between
Buffy's legs. Buffy's about to kick him when he realizes
she's not going to be cooperative, so he goes back to
pinning her down.
SPIKE
Oh no, none of that. Now be a
good Slayer and let me finish
my story.
BUFFY
Whatever turns you on.
(beat)
No, I take that back.
INT. BRONZE
SPIKE (VO)
I asked Laurie why she wasn't
afraid of me.
LAURIE
I'm a psychic and I have ESP.
Back in New York it isn't
much, just a twinge here and
there, but in Sunnydale I
can't turn it off. I think
there's some kind of mystical
energy source that's feeding
my powers here. New York
sucks the energy out of
people's souls. Sunnydale
puts it in, if you're
receptive to it. Which I
obviously am. That's the only
reason why I even believe
that you're a vampire. In New
York I would have said such a
thing was impossible and
crazy.
(beat)
Of course, that's what people
said about my abilities, but
hey . . . By looking at a
person I can tell certain
things. Looking into their
eyes gives me access to their
emotions. Eyes are windows to
the soul, right? Touching
them shows me flashes of
their memories. The more
extended the contact, the
more I can see. So that's how
I know you're not dangerous.
Though I can't say why
exactly. Something to do with
a zoo?
SPIKE
Back up just a minute. That
whole 'windows to the soul'
thing is just a saying,
right?
LAURIE
That's what people think, but
no, it's true. I can see
people's souls. They're
wrinkly.
SPIKE
Vampires don't have souls.
LAURIE
Look, I don't know anything
about real vampires, but
you've got a soul; I've seen
it. It's, well, a little
darker than other people's,
but it's there.
SPIKE
What about the demon?
LAURIE
What demon? What is it with
you? For a vampire you're
awfully strange. Or maybe
that's par for the course.
You're nothing like the
vampires in Anita Blake
books.
INT. HOUSE
SPIKE
See, Buffy, she said she saw
my soul. Maybe all vampires
do have souls. I should have
brought her to talk to Willow
and Giles. That would have
been an education.
BUFFY
(bored, her leg falling
asleep)
So maybe you have a soul,
Spike. So did Jack the Ripper
and Charles Manson. Doesn't
mean you're not a killer.
SPIKE
So was your precious Angel,
pet. Doesn't matter. That's
not the point of the story.
Only an interesting little
note.
BUFFY
Will you get to the point
already?
INT. BRONZE
SPIKE
So what's the problem? Why
the sad face?
LAURIE
Oh, I'm not sad, just bored.
There's nothing to do in
Sunnydale.
SPIKE
Do you want to go somewhere
else?
LAURIE
Sure. Where?
SPIKE
The cemetery.
LAURIE
Will there be other vampires
there?
SPIKE
Yeah.
LAURIE
Dangerous ones?
SPIKE
Yeah.
LAURIE
Will you keep me safe?
SPIKE
As safe as you want to be.
LAURIE
Oh cool.
(beat)
So, what keeps everyone else
around here safe from these
baddies?
SPIKE
The Slayer.
LAURIE
What's that?
SPIKE
Nothing, nothing. Don't
worry. I'll show you some
action.
LAURIE
Great.
INT. CEMETERY
Laurie and Spike walk around in the cemetery. At first they
don't see anything. Then they come upon a vampire. Spike
fights with him but can't dust him because he doesn't have
a piece of wood, so the vamp runs off. Laurie looks
impressed. She grins but it's got more bravado in it now.
They keep walking and soon spot the Scooby Gang fighting
some vamps. It's just WILLOW, XANDER, and Buffy. Spike
grabs Laurie's hand and pulls her behind a tombstone where
they walk the fight from a safe distance. The power
crackles between them. It makes Buffy look up in their
direction briefly, but when she doesn't see anything she
goes back to the fight. She dusts the two vamps.
Laurie looks at Buffy then at Spike and she gets a look
like pieces of a puzzle are now falling into place.
LAURIE
There's something I have to
tell you.
SPIKE
Shoot.
LAURIE
Not here.
INT. SPIKE'S CRYPT
Spike gives Laurie the "grand tour" of his place.
SPIKE
So, we're here. What did you
want to tell me?
LAURIE
No, not now.
(beat)
I want you to drink from me.
SPIKE
I can't bite you, but thanks
for the offer. Do you mind if
I ask why . . . ?
LAURIE
Because it would be exciting.
Do you have any knives?
SPIKE
Yeah, sure.
Spike walks over to a hidden cache of weapons. He looks
very cool but we see his hand shake a little when he picks
out a small knife and walk over to Laurie with it.
Laurie takes the knife from Spike and takes a deep breath.
LAURIE
Wow. OK. Why don't I lie down
for this? Wouldn't want to
faint in middle of it.
Spike leads Laurie to his bed. She lies down, her head
slightly propped up by pillows. Then she pops right back up
again. She takes off her shirt and has a camisole on
underneath. Spike stands slightly away from the bed looking
at her, admiring her, but making no move.
SPIKE (VO)
I looked at Laurie. She was
beautiful. She was offering
herself to me and yet it also
felt like she was
manipulating me. But I didn't
care. Living off stolen and
animal blood was not
satisfying.
LAURIE
I don't want to get any blood
on my shirt. It's silk.
SPIKE
You won't get arguments from
me.
LAURIE
(stalling)
It must be awful not being
able to bite people. It's
like being allergic to pizza
or chocolate.
SPIKE (VO)
I saw her analogy and I saw
her nerves but I didn't want
her to talk anymore. I didn't
want her to be a tease-I
already get enough of that
from you, Buffy. I moved
slightly closer to the bed.
LAURIE
Yeah, OK, here goes.
Laurie puts the knife to her arm and pushes it down harder
and harder until it breaks the skin. She grits her teeth at
the pain. Her head presses against the pillows and she soon
lets the knife drop off the side of the bed. Spike leans
down beside her and starts sipping at the wound very
slowly, licking it, savoring every drop. Soon however,
regretfully, he sits up. He knows he can't take too much or
the chip will kick in. There's blood on his lips. Laurie
reaches up and puts her hand to the back of Spike's head,
pulling him down to her.
LAURIE
Kiss me.
Spike hesitates for a fraction of a second then kisses
Laurie. At one point Laurie licks the blood off Spike's
lips and when they kiss they can both taste her blood.
INT. HOUSE
SPIKE
It was incredible. The power.
The blood.
BUFFY
This is a disgusting story,
Spike. Let me go.
SPIKE
Jealous? But I'm just getting
to the interesting part. And
don't worry, as amazing as
that night was, it doesn't
hold a candle to the Slayer.
But if only I'd drank from
you, Buffy, then it would
have been perfect. How about
if I did that now?
BUFFY
No way.
Spike leans down to nuzzle Buffy's neck. She stiffens at
his touch.
SPIKE
(whispering in her ear)
Relax. I'll only drink your
blood when you beg me to take
it.
BUFFY
Like that's ever going to
happen.
INT. SPIKE'S HOUSE
Spike and Laurie get up from a little nap. They've both
dressed and are just sitting on the bed touching each
other. Spike gets a little restless.
SPIKE
Maybe you should go. It'll be
dawn soon.
LAURIE
Don't you want to know what I
saw?
SPIKE
Oh right, yeah, that. sure,
why not? Tell me some
secrets.
LAURIE
Those people we were
watching? The redhead. She's
confused about something. But
she's also very powerful. You
should look out for her. The
guy, he has a lot of pain
inside but there's also a lot
of determination. I see a lot
of yellow in his future. -
Yellow is generally the color
of good things. - But the
blond, this 'Slayer,' I see
very clearly that there's a
bond between the two of you.
I see death. A death that
connects the two of you. This
is a very vague impression,
but I definitely see someone,
or something else as well. I
don't have any more details.
SPIKE
(disappointed)
Fascinating. How about we go
out again tomorrow night.
Maybe your vision will get
clearer.
LAURIE
No . . . I'd rather not.
Tonight was perfect. Tomorrow
won't measure up.
SPIKE
I hear that. See you around,
then.
LAURIE
Yeah, thanks, Spike. Good
night.
Laurie leaves Spike's house. Spike watches her walk away.
INT. WILLY'S PLACE
Spike is sitting at the bar, drinking a dark liquid. The
place is crowded and smoky.
SPIKE (VO)
Truth is, I couldn't take
what Laurie said too
seriously. She had her
Scoobies pegged, but 'death?'
Let's be serious. What about
us isn't about death? So I'm
sittin' here, mindin' my own
business when I hear a couple
of demons behind me plotting
your death. Normally I'd say,
let 'em try, you can handle
them with a little help from
me, but then I turned around.
Spike turns around to see a vampire talking to a demon that
has big muscles but doesn't look that scary. Spike's eyes
widen.
INT. HOUSE
SPIKE
It was a Nilub demon.
Buffy looks blank.
SPIKE
Sure, you never heard of it.
maybe Giles does. Either way,
as soon as I saw it I knew
there was no way you could
fight it yourself. It can
change its shape and it can't
be killed by burning,
staking, stabbing, you name
it. It can only be killed by
quickly draining all of its
blood. And there's only way
to do that. Have a vampire
suck it out. Only one
problem. The blood is toxic
to vamps. It burns.
(beat)
I wasn't confused exactly, I
just didn't have a real plan.
All I knew was that I had to
help you. So I let it attack
you. Remember that demon we
fought, small and brown?
Recognition blossoms in Buffy's eyes. She flashes back to
the fight.
EXT. BUFFY'S LAWN - NIGHT
Buffy, Spike, Xander, and ANYA are fighting the Nilub
demon. Nobody is making any progress. The Nilub retreats a
little. He looks at Buffy, looks at her house, then turns
and runs. Spike runs after it.
SPIKE
Stay here, Slayer.
BUFFY
I don't think so.
DAWN comes out the front door and stands on the porch.
DAWN
Buffy?
BUFFY
Yes, Dawn?
DAWN
Maybe you could let Spike go
after thing himself, I'm
scared; he knew this was our
house.
BUFFY
All right, I'll stay with
you. See you, Spike.
Spike takes off.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE
SPIKE
Yeah, you remember that one.
It tried the direct approach.
Didn't work. It probably
planned to try to suffocate
you in your sleep next. I
couldn't let that happen. I
went after the Nilub. Lost
him for a little while. Got
into quite a few fights
trying to find it. - That was
fun. - But I did find it and
I drank its blood. Despite
the pain, I drank until it
was dead. . . .
(beat)
I did it for you, Buffy.
Because I love you. Do you
believe me?
Buffy looks off to the side. She doesn't answer. Spike gets
up off her and moves over to where his pants are. He squats
down to pick them up, his naked back to Buffy.
SPIKE
I guess you still hate me,
then.
Buffy looks at Spike's back. She picks up a stake and walks
over to him. She puts the stake on his back. Spike shivers
a little. Buffy puts a bit of pressure on but then throws
the stake away. She retreats away from him, walking
backward, shocked at her own reluctance to kill him.
SPIKE
At least you're not doing the
cowardly thing. I knew you
couldn't do it.
Buffy kicks Spike in the head. He goes sprawling.
BUFFY
Maybe I can't kill you now,
but I will. This is over.
SPIKE
Be seeing you around, pet.
Spike watches as Buffy leaves.
INT. MAGIC BOX - AFTERNOON
Anya is tidying up a display that some customers messed up.
Buffy corners her.
BUFFY
Tell me what you know about
Nilub demons.
ANYA
Impossible to kill without
draining their blood - very
messy. And rarer than a 25
year-old Slayer.
(beat)
Which is not to say that they
don't exist 25-year-old
Slayers, that is. Or the
Nilub demon. Just rare. But
they're around.
BUFFY
Could that brown guy we
fought a few nights ago have
been a Nilub?
ANYA
Well, we didn't see it
change, so there's no way to
tell for sure, but it's
possible. Why?
BUFFY
No reason.
INT. TRAINING ROOM
Buffy boxes a little with the punching bag. She works up a
sweat then sits down on the floor and wipes off her brow.
BUFFY
No point in being
judgmental, right? Maybe Spike's
not such a bad guy after all.
(beat)
What am I saying? This is nuts.
(beat)
Right?
THE END