Shaken - Part 1
Setting: Buffy has been returned from the Great Beyond for a few months. Spike, who had been working with the scoobies and was just starting to get accepted, finds himself an outcast again when his chip suddenly stops working. (How or why the chip malfunctioned is not important for the purposes of this story)
INT. SPIKE'S CRYPT - NIGHT
Spike is slouched in his chair, staring at nothing, when he hears a faint knock at the door.
Spike: (loudly) Oh, don't get all polite on me now, Slayer!
A moment passes, then the door opens slowly and Buffy steps in, looking sad.
Buffy: Spike.
Spike: (without looking at her) So, I'm to be kicked out of Sunnydale then?
Buffy: (softly) We all agreed that you've done a lot for us. And it's probably not fair to think you'd go right back to your old ways. But without the chip, the others... all but Dawn... they just don't feel safe.
Spike sighs and puts his head down. He expected this, but it still hurts. Buffy looks away, not wanting to see his disappointment. After a moment of uncomfortable silence, Spike stands and starts to walk toward her, slowly.
Spike: So, all of a sudden I'm the boogey man again. What about you? Are you afraid of me, too?
Buffy backs up unconsciously.
Buffy: Of course not.
Spike: Because you know I'd never hurt you or because you're the slayer?
Buffy: (honestly) A little bit of both.
Spike: (heavy sigh) I wish you would just bloody tell me what it's going to take to convince you.
Buffy: There's nothing. I'm sorry, Spike, I really am. I do realize that you've changed a lot. I see that. But I don't know if... I'm not sure if that was you or the chip. And I can't stake my life and the lives of the people I love on a promise from someone who has, in the past, tried several times to kill us all. Don't you understand? It's not that I don't believe you, it's just that...
Spike: ...you don't believe me.
Buffy shrugs an apology.
Spike: All right, then. Guess I can't really blame you.
(his voice trembles) Goodbye, Slayer. It was fun while it lasted.
Spike turns and starts to walk away. Buffy is caught off guard.
Buffy: You... you're leaving right now? What about... your stuff?
Spike: (turning back) Well, as you might have noticed from one of your many visits here, I'm not exactly burdened with "stuff." So, I travel light. Everything I need I put in the car before you got here. (off Buffy's look) What can I say, you're a predictable lot. Say goodbye to the Niblet for me.
He moves to turn around again.
Buffy: Wait!
Spike: (hopeful) What?
Buffy: I... I just want you to know that we took a vote and it was really close. So that means some people voted for you to stay.
Spike: Did you?
Buffy: (ashamed) No.
Spike: Well, thanks for that. A little slice if Sunnyhell to take with me on the road.
Buffy: No, wait. Just wait. (long beat) I didn't vote for you to stay because... if you stayed, and if you ended up hurting someone... I would have to stake you. You know that I would have to. But--
Spike tries to interrupt.
Buffy: But, after all that's happened, I don't know if... I'll be able to. And I really don't ever want to have to find out. So it's just better this way. Okay?
Spike is floored. He can only nod in response. Understanding passes between them and Buffy nods back. Spike turns and walks out the door.
When he is gone, Buffy looks around the crypt which seems even more empty than usual. She slumps sadly into Spike's chair and begins to cry softly.
EXT. GRAVEYARD - NIGHT - SEVEN MONTHS LATER
The scooby gang is out patrolling with Buffy. They are out-numbered at least three to one. They're doing okay, getting in some lucky shots, but they're all getting very tired.
Willow: It's times like this that I wish we had Spike back.
Buffy gives Willow a look.
Willow: Sorry. I just... you know.
Buffy: I know, but you can't do that. We're doing fine without him. Ow!
Buffy gets punched in the face by a skinny vampire. She retaliates.
Xander: And even if he was here, he's not the chipped wonder anymore. He wouldn't be helping us dust his pals. He'd be helping his pals dust us.
Willow: Except, we don't dust. But I see where you're going with this. He's probably already back playing for the other team as we speak. I mean, it's not like he has much of a choice, since we rode him out of town on a rail and all.
Buffy dusts her vampire and looks over at Xander. They share a twinge of guilt.
Xander: Hey, it was a preemptive move! If we hadn't sent him packing he'd be here right now, laughing at us as we got our collective asses kicked and waiting to move in for the kill.
Buffy: (unconvincing) Right. Absolutely. Oof!
Buffy is suddenly rammed by a large vampire and they both go careening into the wall of a crypt.
Buffy: (struggling) See, like this, for instance! He would so think this was funny.
The large vampire seems to be getting the best of Buffy until he suddenly turns to dust in front of her. She takes a moment to brush dust from her clothes and looks up, seeing Xander nearby, his head whipping around looking for more vampires.
Buffy: Thanks, Xand.
Xander: What?
Behind him, Willow is just getting up from the ground, shaking out the vamp dust from her own clothes.
Willow: Thanks, Xander. I was in trouble there. But, I guess that's it. Looks like the rest of them ran off.
Buffy: That's... weird.
Xander: But good. Very good, as they are not the only ones sucking tonight.
Buffy: What are you talking about? You guys were great!
Xander: We were?
Buffy: Xander! You saved my butt like three times. And Will dusted like two whole vamps on her own!
Willow: I did?
Buffy laughs.
Buffy: You guys really need to start keeping score. We'll make it like a little game. Whoever gets to fifty first gets a steak dinner.
Willow: Can I have pancakes instead?
Buffy: Pancakes it is. But how about a big yummy muffin to tide you over till then? The walnutty kind, from The Bronze.
Xander: Are we Bronzing?
Buffy: I think we deserve it for all our hard work tonight.
Xander and Willow exchange a look and shrug.
Willow: Xander once told me never to refuse free food, so I'm in.
Xander: That's the best advice you'll ever get, missy. Save your life someday.
Buffy: Or maybe not... 'cause... with the strangers and the candy.
Xander: Oh, right. So maybe I'll add an amendment...
As the three friends leave the graveyard talking, Spike steps around from behind a crypt with a stake in his hand. He's breathing heavily and has a cut on his forehead. He looks like he came through a hell of a fight. He watches Buffy and the others leave, then looks down at the stake. After a moment, he drops it and sadly walks away.
INT. MAGIC BOX - THE NEXT DAY
Buffy is training with Giles. Throughout the scene, Giles is wincing with every blow Buffy delivers. She is getting stronger and he is getting older.
Buffy: So, they're doing pretty well. I think we should think about really training them. You know. Like me.
Giles: Yes, I agree it's a good idea to train Xander and Willow, but you have to understand that they will never match your level of skill and agility.
Buffy: Well, shucks.
Giles: (exasperated) You know what I mean. They're not slayers, Buffy. Or vampires.
They exchange a very subtle look.
Giles: You can't expect an ordinary human being to be able to take the same kind of abuse you do. Or to become as strong as you are.
Buffy: I know, but training can't hurt, right? And, I mean, humans can be trained to do amazing things. You're good. You can be all grasshopper and train them to run up walls and fight with ladders and stuff... like Jackie Chan. He's just a human, and he's all old and everything. Time.
Buffy pauses to tie her shoe, giving Giles a much needed break.
Giles: Who is Jackie Chan?
Buffy rolls her eyes, stands and punches hard at one of Giles' padded hands. Giles yelps in pain.
Buffy: Someone who doesn't yipe like a sissy when you hit him.
Giles frowns at her and slowly pulls off his padding.
Giles: Training is over. Please go away now.
Buffy bows.
Buffy: As you wish, Grasshopper.
She giggles at the mildly annoyed look on his face, then bounds out of the room. Giles is about to leave as well, until he notices a cinderblock sitting on two saw horses in the corner of the room. It is meant for Buffy's training. Giles goes to it and strikes a pose like he's going to karate chop the block. After a moment, he drops that stance and reels his head back, keeping his eyes on the block. He takes a deep breath and then... lets it out again.
Giles: Yes, the appropriate thing to do is to smash your face into a block of concrete.
He turns and walks out of the room, chuckling softly and dabbing his sweaty forehead with a towel.
Giles: Anyway, Xander is a much bigger sissy than I am.
WILLOW AND TARA'S - SAME DAY
Willow: I don't know. When we're just straight patrolling and no magic is involved, I feel like I'm less of a help and more of a... huge, heavy, burdening albatross around their necks. I mean, at least Xander has his Army training. All I do is get in a few good kicks to the shin and then someone else usually has to do the staking. Well, except for last night when I apparently dusted two vamps by accident without even knowing. It's so embarrassing.
Tara puts a comforting hand on Willow's shoulder.
Tara: Oh, sweetie. It's not true that you don't pull your weight. I've seen you. You're really in there, fighting the fight. Staking the stakes. Buffy wouldn't ask for your help if she didn't think you could do it. I almost couldn't believe it the first time I saw you fight. I was really impressed.
Willow: Really?
Tara: Yeah. It was pretty sexy.
Willow: (devilish grin) Really?
Tara: Yeah.
Willow: (shrugs proudly) I'm tough.
Tara: You are.
Tara beams at Willow and Willow leans in. It looks like she's about to give Tara a soft kiss. Instead, she grabs Tara by the shoulders and pushes her roughly down on the bed.
Tara: (pleased) Oooh! Willow.
A newly confident Willow covers Tara's mouth with a deep, passionate kiss.
THE BRONZE - THAT NIGHT
Buffy is unwinding after her training session. Just as she's about to walk toward the dance floor, she notices Spike, moping at the bar. Her eyes bug out. She is astonished! For a tiny moment she actually seems glad to see him. But then a scowl replaces her fraction of a smile and she moves up behind him, waiting for him to turn around.
When he does, his facial expression changes three times in an instant. First, he's elated to see her, then he's worried what she'll do to him, then, he puts on his usual mask of cockiness.
Spike: What?
Buffy: I can not BELIEVE YOU! What do you think you're doing here?!
Spike: Having a bloody pint. What's it look like, Slayer?
Buffy: I am not playing with you, Spike.
Spike can't hide a small grin. Even with her scowling at him, he realizes how much he'd missed her. Buffy doesn't seem to notice.
Buffy: You promised never to come back to Sunnydale and here you are. So, since you're back to breaking promises, I guess I can assume you've taken up the rest of your old habits, too.
Spike's grin fades.
Spike: Look, I'm not up to "no good," Sheriff. So if you could just holster your attitude for five seconds, I'll explain.
Buffy: (folding her arms) Please do.
Spike: Aren't you gonna sit down?
Buffy: No.
Spike sighs.
Spike: Nothing changes, I see. Okay, I'll just get to the point... something's up. I don't know exactly what, but I've heard things. Bad things. Something very nasty is on it's way. There are demons... I'm talking big, fear-no-evil-'cause-I'm-the-biggest-evil-out-there type demons... even they are scared of whatever this is. And it's coming here. To Sunnydale.
Buffy: Naturally.
Spike: So, I just thought you could use a hand when whatever it is gets here, and why are you looking at me like you don't believe me?
Buffy: Could be because I don't believe you.
Spike has no response to that.
Buffy: Is there any reason why I should? You're back in town after promising to never--
Spike: (talking over her) I never promised anything. I never said the word "promise!"
Buffy: --come back here. And now you're telling me you've got friends in low places who are scared of some big, conveniently non-specific nasty and I'm supposed to go, "Welcome back, Spike. Thanks for the info. Let me turn my back on you now so you can sink your fangs into me and then go kill all my friends."
Spike: Is that really what you think?
The wounded look on Spike's face softens Buffy a little.
Buffy: Well, what exactly did you expect me to think?
Spike: Look. I know the fact that I broke the deal and showed up here doesn't paint me in an altogether trustworthy light. And I realize the story I've brought with me is a bit hard to swallow. I knew I'd have a hard time convincing you or even getting you to listen. But I still had to come, because you're gonna need my help.
Buffy: (lying) Well, you wasted your time, because, to tell you the truth, Spike, we've been doing just fine without you.
Spike: Right. Yeah. I saw that last night when you could barely keep the witch and the whelp from getting chewed on.
Buffy: They did perfectly fine without my help. We were a little outnumbered at first, so I was... wait...
Spike looks caught.
Buffy: You were there?
Spike: (stammering) I... was out walking... and I saw you... and there were a lot of vampires so I... I didn't get in the way! And I saved your bloody life, so just stop looking at me already.
Buffy: You dusted that big vamp on top of me by the crypt wall. That's why Xander looked so confused. How did you...
Spike: (shyly) Had a lot of time on my hands lately. Been working on my speed. Trying out some cool vampire tricks I haven't used in a while.
Buffy: (suspicious) So you were testing them out on us? That's why you were sneaking around?
Spike: Sneaking around? You're bloody mad! I helped you, Slayer. Without being invited to the Bronze afterward for my hard work. Without being promised a bloody walnut muffin. And without that sodding chip that you're all so sure is responsible for every decent thing I've ever done. God Dammit! Why the hell did I come back here?!
Buffy: I don't know, Spike. Why did you, really?
Spike: Because I'm a daft git, that's why. I thought after all these months, you might have softened just a little bit. Might have realized that you don't have to keep shoving me away all the time. But you're head is as thick as ever and I just remembered I don't have to deal with it anymore. So, I'm leaving...
Buffy: Good.
Spike: ...forever this time.
Buffy: Great.
Spike: Good luck with the big nasty, Slayer. At least try not to die again!
Buffy: Yeah, well why don't you try remembering that when you say you're leaving "forever" it means like... a really loooonng time... longer than like... seven months, even.
Spike turns to face her, staggered by her harshness.
Spike: You unbelievable Bi--
Spike's venomous insult is cut off by no less than an earthquake. All around them, the Bronze is a-shakin'. Glass smashes, chairs topple over, people scream, and in the middle of it are Buffy and Spike. He instinctively runs to her to protect her from falling and she does not reject his help. The earthquake dies out after a minute or so, leaving everyone... em... shaken. Spike and Buffy both know what the earthquake could mean - the big nasty may have just arrived. They lock eyes, but do not let go of each other. There is the briefest flash of heat between them and then:
Spike: See? What did I tell you?
Buffy: Don't even start.
She pushes Spike off of her and starts to leave the Bronze. Spike follows close behind.
Spike: I just hope you're satisfied now.
Buffy: I'm not listening to you!
They exit, leaving a few dazed Bronzians curious about their strange reaction to the quake.
End of Part One
Setting: Buffy has been returned from the Great Beyond for a few months. Spike, who had been working with the scoobies and was just starting to get accepted, finds himself an outcast again when his chip suddenly stops working. (How or why the chip malfunctioned is not important for the purposes of this story)
INT. SPIKE'S CRYPT - NIGHT
Spike is slouched in his chair, staring at nothing, when he hears a faint knock at the door.
Spike: (loudly) Oh, don't get all polite on me now, Slayer!
A moment passes, then the door opens slowly and Buffy steps in, looking sad.
Buffy: Spike.
Spike: (without looking at her) So, I'm to be kicked out of Sunnydale then?
Buffy: (softly) We all agreed that you've done a lot for us. And it's probably not fair to think you'd go right back to your old ways. But without the chip, the others... all but Dawn... they just don't feel safe.
Spike sighs and puts his head down. He expected this, but it still hurts. Buffy looks away, not wanting to see his disappointment. After a moment of uncomfortable silence, Spike stands and starts to walk toward her, slowly.
Spike: So, all of a sudden I'm the boogey man again. What about you? Are you afraid of me, too?
Buffy backs up unconsciously.
Buffy: Of course not.
Spike: Because you know I'd never hurt you or because you're the slayer?
Buffy: (honestly) A little bit of both.
Spike: (heavy sigh) I wish you would just bloody tell me what it's going to take to convince you.
Buffy: There's nothing. I'm sorry, Spike, I really am. I do realize that you've changed a lot. I see that. But I don't know if... I'm not sure if that was you or the chip. And I can't stake my life and the lives of the people I love on a promise from someone who has, in the past, tried several times to kill us all. Don't you understand? It's not that I don't believe you, it's just that...
Spike: ...you don't believe me.
Buffy shrugs an apology.
Spike: All right, then. Guess I can't really blame you.
(his voice trembles) Goodbye, Slayer. It was fun while it lasted.
Spike turns and starts to walk away. Buffy is caught off guard.
Buffy: You... you're leaving right now? What about... your stuff?
Spike: (turning back) Well, as you might have noticed from one of your many visits here, I'm not exactly burdened with "stuff." So, I travel light. Everything I need I put in the car before you got here. (off Buffy's look) What can I say, you're a predictable lot. Say goodbye to the Niblet for me.
He moves to turn around again.
Buffy: Wait!
Spike: (hopeful) What?
Buffy: I... I just want you to know that we took a vote and it was really close. So that means some people voted for you to stay.
Spike: Did you?
Buffy: (ashamed) No.
Spike: Well, thanks for that. A little slice if Sunnyhell to take with me on the road.
Buffy: No, wait. Just wait. (long beat) I didn't vote for you to stay because... if you stayed, and if you ended up hurting someone... I would have to stake you. You know that I would have to. But--
Spike tries to interrupt.
Buffy: But, after all that's happened, I don't know if... I'll be able to. And I really don't ever want to have to find out. So it's just better this way. Okay?
Spike is floored. He can only nod in response. Understanding passes between them and Buffy nods back. Spike turns and walks out the door.
When he is gone, Buffy looks around the crypt which seems even more empty than usual. She slumps sadly into Spike's chair and begins to cry softly.
EXT. GRAVEYARD - NIGHT - SEVEN MONTHS LATER
The scooby gang is out patrolling with Buffy. They are out-numbered at least three to one. They're doing okay, getting in some lucky shots, but they're all getting very tired.
Willow: It's times like this that I wish we had Spike back.
Buffy gives Willow a look.
Willow: Sorry. I just... you know.
Buffy: I know, but you can't do that. We're doing fine without him. Ow!
Buffy gets punched in the face by a skinny vampire. She retaliates.
Xander: And even if he was here, he's not the chipped wonder anymore. He wouldn't be helping us dust his pals. He'd be helping his pals dust us.
Willow: Except, we don't dust. But I see where you're going with this. He's probably already back playing for the other team as we speak. I mean, it's not like he has much of a choice, since we rode him out of town on a rail and all.
Buffy dusts her vampire and looks over at Xander. They share a twinge of guilt.
Xander: Hey, it was a preemptive move! If we hadn't sent him packing he'd be here right now, laughing at us as we got our collective asses kicked and waiting to move in for the kill.
Buffy: (unconvincing) Right. Absolutely. Oof!
Buffy is suddenly rammed by a large vampire and they both go careening into the wall of a crypt.
Buffy: (struggling) See, like this, for instance! He would so think this was funny.
The large vampire seems to be getting the best of Buffy until he suddenly turns to dust in front of her. She takes a moment to brush dust from her clothes and looks up, seeing Xander nearby, his head whipping around looking for more vampires.
Buffy: Thanks, Xand.
Xander: What?
Behind him, Willow is just getting up from the ground, shaking out the vamp dust from her own clothes.
Willow: Thanks, Xander. I was in trouble there. But, I guess that's it. Looks like the rest of them ran off.
Buffy: That's... weird.
Xander: But good. Very good, as they are not the only ones sucking tonight.
Buffy: What are you talking about? You guys were great!
Xander: We were?
Buffy: Xander! You saved my butt like three times. And Will dusted like two whole vamps on her own!
Willow: I did?
Buffy laughs.
Buffy: You guys really need to start keeping score. We'll make it like a little game. Whoever gets to fifty first gets a steak dinner.
Willow: Can I have pancakes instead?
Buffy: Pancakes it is. But how about a big yummy muffin to tide you over till then? The walnutty kind, from The Bronze.
Xander: Are we Bronzing?
Buffy: I think we deserve it for all our hard work tonight.
Xander and Willow exchange a look and shrug.
Willow: Xander once told me never to refuse free food, so I'm in.
Xander: That's the best advice you'll ever get, missy. Save your life someday.
Buffy: Or maybe not... 'cause... with the strangers and the candy.
Xander: Oh, right. So maybe I'll add an amendment...
As the three friends leave the graveyard talking, Spike steps around from behind a crypt with a stake in his hand. He's breathing heavily and has a cut on his forehead. He looks like he came through a hell of a fight. He watches Buffy and the others leave, then looks down at the stake. After a moment, he drops it and sadly walks away.
INT. MAGIC BOX - THE NEXT DAY
Buffy is training with Giles. Throughout the scene, Giles is wincing with every blow Buffy delivers. She is getting stronger and he is getting older.
Buffy: So, they're doing pretty well. I think we should think about really training them. You know. Like me.
Giles: Yes, I agree it's a good idea to train Xander and Willow, but you have to understand that they will never match your level of skill and agility.
Buffy: Well, shucks.
Giles: (exasperated) You know what I mean. They're not slayers, Buffy. Or vampires.
They exchange a very subtle look.
Giles: You can't expect an ordinary human being to be able to take the same kind of abuse you do. Or to become as strong as you are.
Buffy: I know, but training can't hurt, right? And, I mean, humans can be trained to do amazing things. You're good. You can be all grasshopper and train them to run up walls and fight with ladders and stuff... like Jackie Chan. He's just a human, and he's all old and everything. Time.
Buffy pauses to tie her shoe, giving Giles a much needed break.
Giles: Who is Jackie Chan?
Buffy rolls her eyes, stands and punches hard at one of Giles' padded hands. Giles yelps in pain.
Buffy: Someone who doesn't yipe like a sissy when you hit him.
Giles frowns at her and slowly pulls off his padding.
Giles: Training is over. Please go away now.
Buffy bows.
Buffy: As you wish, Grasshopper.
She giggles at the mildly annoyed look on his face, then bounds out of the room. Giles is about to leave as well, until he notices a cinderblock sitting on two saw horses in the corner of the room. It is meant for Buffy's training. Giles goes to it and strikes a pose like he's going to karate chop the block. After a moment, he drops that stance and reels his head back, keeping his eyes on the block. He takes a deep breath and then... lets it out again.
Giles: Yes, the appropriate thing to do is to smash your face into a block of concrete.
He turns and walks out of the room, chuckling softly and dabbing his sweaty forehead with a towel.
Giles: Anyway, Xander is a much bigger sissy than I am.
WILLOW AND TARA'S - SAME DAY
Willow: I don't know. When we're just straight patrolling and no magic is involved, I feel like I'm less of a help and more of a... huge, heavy, burdening albatross around their necks. I mean, at least Xander has his Army training. All I do is get in a few good kicks to the shin and then someone else usually has to do the staking. Well, except for last night when I apparently dusted two vamps by accident without even knowing. It's so embarrassing.
Tara puts a comforting hand on Willow's shoulder.
Tara: Oh, sweetie. It's not true that you don't pull your weight. I've seen you. You're really in there, fighting the fight. Staking the stakes. Buffy wouldn't ask for your help if she didn't think you could do it. I almost couldn't believe it the first time I saw you fight. I was really impressed.
Willow: Really?
Tara: Yeah. It was pretty sexy.
Willow: (devilish grin) Really?
Tara: Yeah.
Willow: (shrugs proudly) I'm tough.
Tara: You are.
Tara beams at Willow and Willow leans in. It looks like she's about to give Tara a soft kiss. Instead, she grabs Tara by the shoulders and pushes her roughly down on the bed.
Tara: (pleased) Oooh! Willow.
A newly confident Willow covers Tara's mouth with a deep, passionate kiss.
THE BRONZE - THAT NIGHT
Buffy is unwinding after her training session. Just as she's about to walk toward the dance floor, she notices Spike, moping at the bar. Her eyes bug out. She is astonished! For a tiny moment she actually seems glad to see him. But then a scowl replaces her fraction of a smile and she moves up behind him, waiting for him to turn around.
When he does, his facial expression changes three times in an instant. First, he's elated to see her, then he's worried what she'll do to him, then, he puts on his usual mask of cockiness.
Spike: What?
Buffy: I can not BELIEVE YOU! What do you think you're doing here?!
Spike: Having a bloody pint. What's it look like, Slayer?
Buffy: I am not playing with you, Spike.
Spike can't hide a small grin. Even with her scowling at him, he realizes how much he'd missed her. Buffy doesn't seem to notice.
Buffy: You promised never to come back to Sunnydale and here you are. So, since you're back to breaking promises, I guess I can assume you've taken up the rest of your old habits, too.
Spike's grin fades.
Spike: Look, I'm not up to "no good," Sheriff. So if you could just holster your attitude for five seconds, I'll explain.
Buffy: (folding her arms) Please do.
Spike: Aren't you gonna sit down?
Buffy: No.
Spike sighs.
Spike: Nothing changes, I see. Okay, I'll just get to the point... something's up. I don't know exactly what, but I've heard things. Bad things. Something very nasty is on it's way. There are demons... I'm talking big, fear-no-evil-'cause-I'm-the-biggest-evil-out-there type demons... even they are scared of whatever this is. And it's coming here. To Sunnydale.
Buffy: Naturally.
Spike: So, I just thought you could use a hand when whatever it is gets here, and why are you looking at me like you don't believe me?
Buffy: Could be because I don't believe you.
Spike has no response to that.
Buffy: Is there any reason why I should? You're back in town after promising to never--
Spike: (talking over her) I never promised anything. I never said the word "promise!"
Buffy: --come back here. And now you're telling me you've got friends in low places who are scared of some big, conveniently non-specific nasty and I'm supposed to go, "Welcome back, Spike. Thanks for the info. Let me turn my back on you now so you can sink your fangs into me and then go kill all my friends."
Spike: Is that really what you think?
The wounded look on Spike's face softens Buffy a little.
Buffy: Well, what exactly did you expect me to think?
Spike: Look. I know the fact that I broke the deal and showed up here doesn't paint me in an altogether trustworthy light. And I realize the story I've brought with me is a bit hard to swallow. I knew I'd have a hard time convincing you or even getting you to listen. But I still had to come, because you're gonna need my help.
Buffy: (lying) Well, you wasted your time, because, to tell you the truth, Spike, we've been doing just fine without you.
Spike: Right. Yeah. I saw that last night when you could barely keep the witch and the whelp from getting chewed on.
Buffy: They did perfectly fine without my help. We were a little outnumbered at first, so I was... wait...
Spike looks caught.
Buffy: You were there?
Spike: (stammering) I... was out walking... and I saw you... and there were a lot of vampires so I... I didn't get in the way! And I saved your bloody life, so just stop looking at me already.
Buffy: You dusted that big vamp on top of me by the crypt wall. That's why Xander looked so confused. How did you...
Spike: (shyly) Had a lot of time on my hands lately. Been working on my speed. Trying out some cool vampire tricks I haven't used in a while.
Buffy: (suspicious) So you were testing them out on us? That's why you were sneaking around?
Spike: Sneaking around? You're bloody mad! I helped you, Slayer. Without being invited to the Bronze afterward for my hard work. Without being promised a bloody walnut muffin. And without that sodding chip that you're all so sure is responsible for every decent thing I've ever done. God Dammit! Why the hell did I come back here?!
Buffy: I don't know, Spike. Why did you, really?
Spike: Because I'm a daft git, that's why. I thought after all these months, you might have softened just a little bit. Might have realized that you don't have to keep shoving me away all the time. But you're head is as thick as ever and I just remembered I don't have to deal with it anymore. So, I'm leaving...
Buffy: Good.
Spike: ...forever this time.
Buffy: Great.
Spike: Good luck with the big nasty, Slayer. At least try not to die again!
Buffy: Yeah, well why don't you try remembering that when you say you're leaving "forever" it means like... a really loooonng time... longer than like... seven months, even.
Spike turns to face her, staggered by her harshness.
Spike: You unbelievable Bi--
Spike's venomous insult is cut off by no less than an earthquake. All around them, the Bronze is a-shakin'. Glass smashes, chairs topple over, people scream, and in the middle of it are Buffy and Spike. He instinctively runs to her to protect her from falling and she does not reject his help. The earthquake dies out after a minute or so, leaving everyone... em... shaken. Spike and Buffy both know what the earthquake could mean - the big nasty may have just arrived. They lock eyes, but do not let go of each other. There is the briefest flash of heat between them and then:
Spike: See? What did I tell you?
Buffy: Don't even start.
She pushes Spike off of her and starts to leave the Bronze. Spike follows close behind.
Spike: I just hope you're satisfied now.
Buffy: I'm not listening to you!
They exit, leaving a few dazed Bronzians curious about their strange reaction to the quake.
End of Part One