Shanu: I actually meant that Spike wasn't all evil, because he had a soft
spot for the couple because they were in love, and he loved Dru. I
understand how you could have interpreted it that way, though.
Kelso: Thanks, and don't worry – I like the "and everybody lives happily ever after" thing too.
"Soulless Betrayal"
Part 3:
[Three months later. Buffy is waitressing at a diner. She leaves for the day and is walking down the street. A girl screams in a nearby alley. She looks up, then looks away and keeps on walking. She gets to an apartment building and walks in. When she gets to her apartment, she lies down on her bed, still dressed, on top of the covers, and clutches her cross; the first present Angel gave her, to her chest. She glances out the window at the night sky and starts softly weeping. Switch to the next morning. The phone rings and wakes her up.]
Buffy: Hello?
Giles: Good morning - did I wake you up?
Buffy: I have to be up anyway. What's up?
Giles: How are you doing?
Buffy: As good as can be expected.
Giles: Well, I wouldn't expect you to be doing too well.
Buffy: Exactly.
Giles: Are you doing any better?
Buffy: Listen, Giles, I-
Giles: No, Buffy - this has gone on long enough. You can't deal with this on your own. You're mother's terribly worried.
Buffy: I just - I can't yet.
Giles: Promise me you'll come back soon.
[She pauses.]
Buffy: What did you tell her?
Giles: That you're doing all right. You're safe and I'm looking out for you and you'll be home soon. I of course left out the sordid details.
Buffy: That I slept with him?
Giles: About your duties.
Buffy: Oh. Listen, I have to get ready for work. I'll call you later.
Giles: Buffy.
Buffy: Yeah, Giles?
Giles: Take care of yourself.
Buffy: I will.
[They hang up. Switch to later, in the diner. A man walks in and sits down. It's Whistler. Buffy walks over and greets him.]
Buffy: Hello, my name is Anne. Welcome to the Sunset Diner. Our specials today are New England Clam Chowder, Veal Ptarmigan, and Salmon filleted in an olive and garlic sauce. Are you ready to order, or would you like to just start out with a drink?
Whistler: I'll have the chowder and a beer. you look like you could use one too.
Buffy: I don't date.
Whistler: That's a shame, but I'm not hitting on you.
Buffy: Good to know.
Whistler: Out of curiosity, why don't you date anymore?
Buffy: Who said I ever did? I'll be right back with your order.
[A minute later she returns with his order.]
Buffy: Will there be anything else, sir?
Whistler: No thank you, Buffy.
[She turns and starts to walk away, when she stops and pivots back around.]
Buffy: I said my name was Anne.
Whistler: Yeah, you did.
Buffy: Who are you?
Whistler: Why are you working in the Sunset diner, in Los Angeles, City of Angels? Because of him. My name's Whistler. I was a...sort of, friend of Angel's.
Buffy: What do you know about Angel?
Whistler: Vampire with a soul. Loved you.
Buffy: What do you want?
Whistler: He was a champion - a fighter of the good fight. We needed him on our side. He defended the helpless - like you used to.
Buffy: Things change.
Whistler: He didn't have to die.
Buffy: I'm done talking to you now.
[She walks away. He gets up and follows her.]
Whistler: You don't understand. I was sent to you -
[She spins around abruptly.]
Buffy: Why? So you can come to tell me what I already know? That he was more valuable to you than I am? That I'm too weak, so I'm here wasting my given rights? Well, just go to hell and say hello for me.
[Whistler stops and slowly walks out. Buffy goes into the bathroom and looks in the mirror. She splashes cold water on her face to stop herself from crying again. She recomposes herself and walks out into the diner. She goes to the service window when someone places their hand on her shoulder from behind. She turns around.]
Buffy: I said I - [It's Xander.] Xander!
[They hug.]
Buffy: What are you doing here?
Xander: No worries, Giles didn't tell me where you were.
Buffy: How'd you find me?
Xander: It took awhile. You ask around, threaten a few demons, pay some off, you know.
Buffy: Pay some off? You have money?
Xander: Hey - I did what I had to do. Will's not here, because she said you needed some time and the best thing we can do now is leave you alone, that you're going through something, so I lied to her.
[Buffy smiles and hugs him again.]
Buffy: I'm glad you're here.
Xander: Why'd you run away? We could of all been there for you in Sunnydale.
Buffy: I - I just...couldn't...I couldn't face you.
Xander: Buffy...you couldn't face us? Angel did the right thing. He did it because he loved - not out of guilt. He wanted you to live your life. He said that himself -
Buffy: What? When did you talk to him?
[They look at each other.]
Xander: I-
Buffy: You what? You knew what he was going to do?
[Buffy's Boss walks up.]
Boss: Stop chatting, Anne, and get back to work. By the way, I'm taking that mug you broke last week out of your paycheck.
[He walks away.]
Xander: Nice guy, Anne. Why are you putting yourself through this?
Buffy: Shut up Xander! I thought you were my family - that you cared about me! How could you do this to me?!
Xander: Buffy - it wasn't like that -
Buffy: I don't want to hear it. Go home and never come here again.
[Xander is about to protest, when he stops and nods. He leaves. Switch to later, on the street, when she's walking back to her apartment. She hears footsteps behind her. She stops, and they stop. She then quickens her pace, and they quicken also. She turns around and drop kicks the guy. She looks down - it's Xander.]
Xander: It's just me.
Buffy: I know.
Xander: So...uh...you can let me up now.
Buffy: Why should I? So you can kill someone else I love?
Xander: I didn't kill him.
Buffy: You didn't stop him.
Xander: I love you, Buffy.
Buffy: I don't love you.
Xander: I love you as a friend - as family. I love you so much, Buffy - the thought that you were gone - I didn't think of the consequences, just that you were alive. I would have done anything for you, Buffy. I would have done the same for Willow. I couldn't bear the thought, Buffy...I-I'm sorry about Angel. I'm so sorry. Even if I hated him, since I care about you so much, I still want you to be happy - I wish you were, and I'd do anything somehow alter what I did. Maybe I could have found another vampire - I could have - I-
[He gets choked up. She kneels down and they hug.]
Buffy: It's okay, Xand - I forgive you. And I love you too. It was selfish of you, though.
Xander: I know.
Buffy: It what selfish of him too.
Xander: What?
Buffy: He didn't want to live here, grieving for me and feeling guilty. He was weak and couldn't take it - so he made me switch places with him, so I could be the one in pain, instead.
Xander: you're wrong, Buffy. It was selfless - and brave. He's a demon - he's probably in some hell dimension now, suffering for eternity, because he never got the chance to make up for all the stuff he did. He sacrificed a chance at that for you to have a chance to live. He'd lived 243 years and you only lived 17. He loved you and he gave up a chance at saving his soul through redemption for you to live. So you have to live your life. He loved you and you need to know all that.
Buffy: Thank you, Xander.
[They both smile weakly.]
Whistler: I could have told you that.
[He had walked up, and startled them.]
Buffy: What are you doing here?
Xander: Who are you?
Whistler: Name's Whistler - I was trying to tell all that to he stubborn slayer earlier. Wouldn't listen to me, though.
Buffy: I'm listening now. What do you have to say?
Whistler: He's important to our side. SO are you. We need you to go on fighting for us. But, before you do - you have to go to the oracles.
Xander: Why?
Whistler: You'll see.
[Xander looks back at Buffy, then they both turn back to Whistler. He's gone.]
Xander: What was that all about?
Buffy: We have to go there.
Xander: How do we even get there - even if we knew the way -
Buffy: I know.
Xander: How?
Buffy: I had this dream a few weeks ago - I can't explain it, I just know.
Xander: But should we - [She gets up and starts walking.] Buffy? Buffy? Wait up!
[Switch to alley where Buffy has led them.]
Xander: Buf - this is a dead end, and I know you're all with the super strength, but this isn't exactly the safest place to be...
[A brick wall swirls blue and white and glows. It's a portal.]
Xander: Don't tell me you're going in there.
Buffy: Why not?
Xander: For one, it could be a gateway to, um, let's see: oh, yeah - hell! How do you even know you can trust that Whistler guy?
Buffy: I don't you're right. I just - I have this feeling...
Xander: Like intuition?
Buffy: Yeah. I don't know why I feel like I have to go in there, but I just... Just trust me, okay? You said you'd do anything for me - come in with me.
Xander: I - I...okay.... I'll go in with you.
[Buffy steps through, Xander follows. They see the oracles.]
Female Oracle: We wondered when you would arrive.
Male Oracle: We didn't wonder when he would arrive, however.
Female Oracle: Anyway, your guide explained the situation, I trust?
Buffy: What guide?
Xander: Whistler.
Male Oracle: Maybe he's not useless as he seems.
Xander: Hey, you silver Sparticus frea-
Female Oracle: Boys - silence! Guide!
[Whistler appears.]
Whistler: Hey, uh - I just wanted to add to the allure...
Female Oracle: Just explain the passage.
Whistler: Okay - here's the deal. By sacrificing himself and his chance at redemption for you, he redeemed his soul instantly, and although he still has to fight the good fight, he's here. He never went to hell. We folded time and will bring him here the instant after the spell in his mind. And, by the way - since he saved his soul, he earned it, so now it is permanent. The curse is lifted.
[A bright light appears behind the oracles and Whistler. Angel stumbles out, and looks around. Whistler smiles.]
Whistler: She'll fill you in later [He nodded at Buffy].
Angel: What? Buffy? Xander, we were just -
Xander: Making a big mistake. And now we've had the chance to fix it.
Buffy: I'll explain everything later...
[She's crying. Tears well up in Angel's eyes.]
Angel: Buffy...
[They hug, then they kiss passionately. The oracles, Whistler, and Xander all smile.]
Whistler: Good luck.
[Suddenly, a light flashes, and the three of them are back in the alley.]
Fin
Kelso: Thanks, and don't worry – I like the "and everybody lives happily ever after" thing too.
"Soulless Betrayal"
Part 3:
[Three months later. Buffy is waitressing at a diner. She leaves for the day and is walking down the street. A girl screams in a nearby alley. She looks up, then looks away and keeps on walking. She gets to an apartment building and walks in. When she gets to her apartment, she lies down on her bed, still dressed, on top of the covers, and clutches her cross; the first present Angel gave her, to her chest. She glances out the window at the night sky and starts softly weeping. Switch to the next morning. The phone rings and wakes her up.]
Buffy: Hello?
Giles: Good morning - did I wake you up?
Buffy: I have to be up anyway. What's up?
Giles: How are you doing?
Buffy: As good as can be expected.
Giles: Well, I wouldn't expect you to be doing too well.
Buffy: Exactly.
Giles: Are you doing any better?
Buffy: Listen, Giles, I-
Giles: No, Buffy - this has gone on long enough. You can't deal with this on your own. You're mother's terribly worried.
Buffy: I just - I can't yet.
Giles: Promise me you'll come back soon.
[She pauses.]
Buffy: What did you tell her?
Giles: That you're doing all right. You're safe and I'm looking out for you and you'll be home soon. I of course left out the sordid details.
Buffy: That I slept with him?
Giles: About your duties.
Buffy: Oh. Listen, I have to get ready for work. I'll call you later.
Giles: Buffy.
Buffy: Yeah, Giles?
Giles: Take care of yourself.
Buffy: I will.
[They hang up. Switch to later, in the diner. A man walks in and sits down. It's Whistler. Buffy walks over and greets him.]
Buffy: Hello, my name is Anne. Welcome to the Sunset Diner. Our specials today are New England Clam Chowder, Veal Ptarmigan, and Salmon filleted in an olive and garlic sauce. Are you ready to order, or would you like to just start out with a drink?
Whistler: I'll have the chowder and a beer. you look like you could use one too.
Buffy: I don't date.
Whistler: That's a shame, but I'm not hitting on you.
Buffy: Good to know.
Whistler: Out of curiosity, why don't you date anymore?
Buffy: Who said I ever did? I'll be right back with your order.
[A minute later she returns with his order.]
Buffy: Will there be anything else, sir?
Whistler: No thank you, Buffy.
[She turns and starts to walk away, when she stops and pivots back around.]
Buffy: I said my name was Anne.
Whistler: Yeah, you did.
Buffy: Who are you?
Whistler: Why are you working in the Sunset diner, in Los Angeles, City of Angels? Because of him. My name's Whistler. I was a...sort of, friend of Angel's.
Buffy: What do you know about Angel?
Whistler: Vampire with a soul. Loved you.
Buffy: What do you want?
Whistler: He was a champion - a fighter of the good fight. We needed him on our side. He defended the helpless - like you used to.
Buffy: Things change.
Whistler: He didn't have to die.
Buffy: I'm done talking to you now.
[She walks away. He gets up and follows her.]
Whistler: You don't understand. I was sent to you -
[She spins around abruptly.]
Buffy: Why? So you can come to tell me what I already know? That he was more valuable to you than I am? That I'm too weak, so I'm here wasting my given rights? Well, just go to hell and say hello for me.
[Whistler stops and slowly walks out. Buffy goes into the bathroom and looks in the mirror. She splashes cold water on her face to stop herself from crying again. She recomposes herself and walks out into the diner. She goes to the service window when someone places their hand on her shoulder from behind. She turns around.]
Buffy: I said I - [It's Xander.] Xander!
[They hug.]
Buffy: What are you doing here?
Xander: No worries, Giles didn't tell me where you were.
Buffy: How'd you find me?
Xander: It took awhile. You ask around, threaten a few demons, pay some off, you know.
Buffy: Pay some off? You have money?
Xander: Hey - I did what I had to do. Will's not here, because she said you needed some time and the best thing we can do now is leave you alone, that you're going through something, so I lied to her.
[Buffy smiles and hugs him again.]
Buffy: I'm glad you're here.
Xander: Why'd you run away? We could of all been there for you in Sunnydale.
Buffy: I - I just...couldn't...I couldn't face you.
Xander: Buffy...you couldn't face us? Angel did the right thing. He did it because he loved - not out of guilt. He wanted you to live your life. He said that himself -
Buffy: What? When did you talk to him?
[They look at each other.]
Xander: I-
Buffy: You what? You knew what he was going to do?
[Buffy's Boss walks up.]
Boss: Stop chatting, Anne, and get back to work. By the way, I'm taking that mug you broke last week out of your paycheck.
[He walks away.]
Xander: Nice guy, Anne. Why are you putting yourself through this?
Buffy: Shut up Xander! I thought you were my family - that you cared about me! How could you do this to me?!
Xander: Buffy - it wasn't like that -
Buffy: I don't want to hear it. Go home and never come here again.
[Xander is about to protest, when he stops and nods. He leaves. Switch to later, on the street, when she's walking back to her apartment. She hears footsteps behind her. She stops, and they stop. She then quickens her pace, and they quicken also. She turns around and drop kicks the guy. She looks down - it's Xander.]
Xander: It's just me.
Buffy: I know.
Xander: So...uh...you can let me up now.
Buffy: Why should I? So you can kill someone else I love?
Xander: I didn't kill him.
Buffy: You didn't stop him.
Xander: I love you, Buffy.
Buffy: I don't love you.
Xander: I love you as a friend - as family. I love you so much, Buffy - the thought that you were gone - I didn't think of the consequences, just that you were alive. I would have done anything for you, Buffy. I would have done the same for Willow. I couldn't bear the thought, Buffy...I-I'm sorry about Angel. I'm so sorry. Even if I hated him, since I care about you so much, I still want you to be happy - I wish you were, and I'd do anything somehow alter what I did. Maybe I could have found another vampire - I could have - I-
[He gets choked up. She kneels down and they hug.]
Buffy: It's okay, Xand - I forgive you. And I love you too. It was selfish of you, though.
Xander: I know.
Buffy: It what selfish of him too.
Xander: What?
Buffy: He didn't want to live here, grieving for me and feeling guilty. He was weak and couldn't take it - so he made me switch places with him, so I could be the one in pain, instead.
Xander: you're wrong, Buffy. It was selfless - and brave. He's a demon - he's probably in some hell dimension now, suffering for eternity, because he never got the chance to make up for all the stuff he did. He sacrificed a chance at that for you to have a chance to live. He'd lived 243 years and you only lived 17. He loved you and he gave up a chance at saving his soul through redemption for you to live. So you have to live your life. He loved you and you need to know all that.
Buffy: Thank you, Xander.
[They both smile weakly.]
Whistler: I could have told you that.
[He had walked up, and startled them.]
Buffy: What are you doing here?
Xander: Who are you?
Whistler: Name's Whistler - I was trying to tell all that to he stubborn slayer earlier. Wouldn't listen to me, though.
Buffy: I'm listening now. What do you have to say?
Whistler: He's important to our side. SO are you. We need you to go on fighting for us. But, before you do - you have to go to the oracles.
Xander: Why?
Whistler: You'll see.
[Xander looks back at Buffy, then they both turn back to Whistler. He's gone.]
Xander: What was that all about?
Buffy: We have to go there.
Xander: How do we even get there - even if we knew the way -
Buffy: I know.
Xander: How?
Buffy: I had this dream a few weeks ago - I can't explain it, I just know.
Xander: But should we - [She gets up and starts walking.] Buffy? Buffy? Wait up!
[Switch to alley where Buffy has led them.]
Xander: Buf - this is a dead end, and I know you're all with the super strength, but this isn't exactly the safest place to be...
[A brick wall swirls blue and white and glows. It's a portal.]
Xander: Don't tell me you're going in there.
Buffy: Why not?
Xander: For one, it could be a gateway to, um, let's see: oh, yeah - hell! How do you even know you can trust that Whistler guy?
Buffy: I don't you're right. I just - I have this feeling...
Xander: Like intuition?
Buffy: Yeah. I don't know why I feel like I have to go in there, but I just... Just trust me, okay? You said you'd do anything for me - come in with me.
Xander: I - I...okay.... I'll go in with you.
[Buffy steps through, Xander follows. They see the oracles.]
Female Oracle: We wondered when you would arrive.
Male Oracle: We didn't wonder when he would arrive, however.
Female Oracle: Anyway, your guide explained the situation, I trust?
Buffy: What guide?
Xander: Whistler.
Male Oracle: Maybe he's not useless as he seems.
Xander: Hey, you silver Sparticus frea-
Female Oracle: Boys - silence! Guide!
[Whistler appears.]
Whistler: Hey, uh - I just wanted to add to the allure...
Female Oracle: Just explain the passage.
Whistler: Okay - here's the deal. By sacrificing himself and his chance at redemption for you, he redeemed his soul instantly, and although he still has to fight the good fight, he's here. He never went to hell. We folded time and will bring him here the instant after the spell in his mind. And, by the way - since he saved his soul, he earned it, so now it is permanent. The curse is lifted.
[A bright light appears behind the oracles and Whistler. Angel stumbles out, and looks around. Whistler smiles.]
Whistler: She'll fill you in later [He nodded at Buffy].
Angel: What? Buffy? Xander, we were just -
Xander: Making a big mistake. And now we've had the chance to fix it.
Buffy: I'll explain everything later...
[She's crying. Tears well up in Angel's eyes.]
Angel: Buffy...
[They hug, then they kiss passionately. The oracles, Whistler, and Xander all smile.]
Whistler: Good luck.
[Suddenly, a light flashes, and the three of them are back in the alley.]
Fin