CHRONOLGY

This episode takes place in Season Four between the episodes "A New Man" and "The I in Team." The episode takes place in early February, 2000.

Continuity Notes

As far as continuity, I had originally intended for this episode to take place directly in front of "New Moon Rising" (the episode where Oz returns) which aired in early May 2000 but going back through the episode synopses I realized that by that time Professor Walsh was already dead, Adam was already wreaking havoc, and Riley's relationship had already become estranged – to put it mildly – with the Initiative. Now it takes place right before Riley discovers Professor Walsh's nefarious plans and Adam is awakened.

So I am not so sure that, at the time this episode is intended to take place, that Tara is regularly attending "Scooby" meetings (I know for sure she was by May). If she wasn't, maybe we can think of her attendance here an anomaly, i.e. she attended a few before she started doing them on a regular basis. I am also making an assumption that Willow and Tara had started their um, beyond-friendship relationship, as it is never explicitly stated when exactly that began. However, even if it hadn't, hopefully my vagueness on the subject can save that from being an actual error.

Other Notes

I tried to think of appropriate guest stars (real actors, plausible that they'd play the roles) however as you might see I had to make one or two up. Dawson's Creek-haters, please forgive my use of James Van Der Beek. Let's face it, he's young and blonde – like Buffy, on another WB teen drama at the time (hello, cross-promotion), and probably would have been a slam-dunk choice for the WB execs if, in my fantasy world, this would have been an actual episode.

And I hope you ultra-Buffy geeks will appreciate my choice for the alternate Willow.

ACT 0: TEASER

The cemetery is deathly quiet; Buffy cannot even detect the usual subtle sounds of the night like crickets singing or animals rustling. It is bathed in the slightly blue light of the half moon. She takes in as much as she can, though, eyes and ears drinking as much of her surroundings in as possible as she patrols. She is dressed in her maroon leather jacket and a grey tee shirt and black sweats with white stripes running down the sides, ending at her black sneakers. It wasn't her usual fashion choice but good for getting physical, which fighting evil usually required.

She is only out in the graveyard about twenty minutes before she finally hears the unmistakable sound of loose earth being disturbed. She located it and strolled over to a fresh grave. She crosses her arms and patiently waits while a hand bursts out of the ground and a new vampire begins to emerge. She starts to get impatient, though, starting to tap her right foot, as the newbie takes its time to completely stumble out of the grave.

While the male vampire is brushing dirt off of his black burial suit, he notices Buffy. He scoffs and rolls his eyes.

MALE VAMP (throwing up arms): Aw crap! The Slayer! I mean… I just came out of the ground for Hell's sake! (scoffs again) Of all the luck! Oh well, story of my life! Or… my death! Or… my un… (scratches head) …death? Undeath. Is that a word?

BUFFY (readying her stake): Hmm. I dunno. Might be. I'll look it up after I dust you.

MALE VAMP: Aw, can't we look it up now?

BUFFY: Sorry, I left my Google at home. Now, let me take you out for a stake dinner.

MALE VAMP (looking confused): Really??

BUFFY (rolling eyes): Stake… as in S-T-A-K-E.

MALE VAMP: Oh! Umm… clever! But I like mine rare… very rare!

The vampire lunges for Buffy. She easily fights off several attempted blows to her head and delivers one of her own to his. He flies backward and cracks his back on his own headstone. When he lunges for her again, there is a flash of light to Buffy's left. Leaves begin to rustle around and then up as if a small cyclone is forming right from the nearby ground. They both stop to observe it, curious.

A portal opens up and it spits out a figure dressed in mostly black, including a black leather jacket. The figure tumbles to the ground but then he quickly snaps up to a fighting stance, wooden stake clutched in his left hand. He is a slightly confused, apprehensive young man, about Buffy's height. Except for his jacket being black, he is dressed identical to Buffy. With his blonde hair and facial features, he actually looks a little like her. The vamp looks from Buffy, to the new guy, and back to Buffy.

MALE VAMP: Aw, you gotta be kidding me!

NEW GUY (to vampire): I don't know where I am, or how exactly I got here, but you look like something fun to slay!

A fight begins between the New Guy and the Vampire. The vamp barely fends off a staking attempt. Buffy joins in and tries to stake him as well. The vamp shoves her aside and she falls to the ground on her backside. A shocked look becomes frozen on her face. The vampire looks surprised as well for a brief second before the New Guy comes at him again. They fight again as Buffy gets up. This time he, and Buffy from behind, both stake the vampire at the same time. The vamp turns to dust.

BUFFY (to new guy): Um, nice staking. By the way, who the hell are you?!

NEW GUY (breathing heavily): I am Buddy… Buddy the Vampire Slayer.

Buffy's mouth drops open.

OPENING CREDITS

Starring:

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Nicholas Brendon

Allison Hannigan

Marcus Blucas

James Marsters

and Anthony Steward Head as Giles