Episode 4: Ghost, Dust and Blood

SCENE ONE: COLLEGE LIBRARY, DAY

Willow, Xander, Buffy and Giles walk through the room, gazing at long tall bookcases stretching through it.

Willow

Wow! You weren't kidding about the quality of this library! This is amazing! Even better than UCSD! I cant wait to enroll here!

Do you think you will get the job?

Giles

Possibly. The headmaster seemed positive on the phone anyhow. And very interested in my knowledge in occult books. She stated that with such a collection of such literature this place has, she needed a librarian sufficiently into it.

Willow

I hope you get it. You belong in a library.

A woman, medium tall and thin, with a round, freckled face and dark, shoulder length hair, wearing a tweed dress, appears behind a door titled Office.

Woman

Mr Rupert Giles?

Giles

Yes!

Walks up to her, smiles, and shake her hand. They walk into the office.

Buffy

(to Xander and Willow)

Ok. Lets not forget what we came here for! If this place has such a good occult section as it brags about, it ought to tell us something about Spikes amulet, and what it really did to him. I hope. At least possibly.

They walk to the section, search for a long time, picking down books and putting them on a nearby table, sit down, and go through the one book after the other.

Xander

I got amulets of protection, of luck, for wealth, and for attracting… ouch, wouldn't want that one, but no one remotely similar to the one we are looking for.

Willow

I've got amulets used for killing and torturing vampires and other demons, but neither of them look like the one we're looking for. Sorry Buff, but I don't think we'll find anything here.

Buffy is leafing franticly through a huge stack of books of her own, not even looking up to reply.

Buffy

We have to. Keep searching!

Giles comes out of the adjoining office, holding onto the hand of the woman, and locking eyes with her, smiling warmly. Then turns and walks over to the gang, slightly flustered.

Xander

How did that go?

Giles

Very well. I'm starting in the new job tomorrow.

Willow

Congrats!

She and Xander gets up from their chairs and gives Giles a hug. Buffy stay down in the books, not even paying attention to the scene, totally fixated on her research. Giles walks over to her, and put his arm on her shoulder.

Giles

I'm ready to go home now. Are you planning on staying much longer? (looks at all of them, then back to Buffy) Buffy, you hardly slept tonight. Please come with me home now.

Buffy

We stay till we know if these books have what we're looking for. Don't know for how long.

Xander

You go home Buffy. We can do the rest of the research. (upon her look of protest) Day's getting old. It's vampire wake up time. We can handle this. Go be with him!

SCENE TWO THE SCOOBY HOUSE, EVENING:

We see a big pretty, craftsman-style, white, two-storey house, with big windows in the first floor, and glazing bars on those in the second. A big oak front door opens, and Dawn pokes her head out, taking a gulp of air, and looking onto the street behind the green garden and picket fence. Then she draws back into the hall, walks to the kitchen, scowls at the sight of the huge heap of dishes stacked there, and backs out into the hall again, and up the stairs to the second floor. Opens a door and walks in. Her eyes go from the empty closet in the left, back corner, to the carefully boarded up window, to the bed, where Spike sleeps on top of his linen, unable to get under it. She stands for a long time just looking at him. a sore but curious gaze. Then she walks all up to the bed, and, after some hesitation, puts her hand into his gel-flattened white hair and through his head.

Spike opens his eyes, and rise quickly to stand up position

Spike

What?!

Dawn

Sorry… I didn't think you'd notice.

Spike

It's still my head you know. (wryly) Although with all the stuff people keep stuffing in there one can almost start doubting that.

Dawn

It's just so positively weird all of this – having you back, all ghostly.

Spike

Got that one right, niblet! And one should think we had our share of weird already, huh? I thought I was done with this. Done with the whole bloody world. Going out saving it, making up for all the mayhem I've made. Finally at peace, happy! But no, fate would of course not be kind enough to give me that. Not finished its tormenting yet.

Dawn

Don't speak like that! We're all glad you're back. (upon a doubtful look from him) You know Buffy is. She's been thinking of nothing but you since the battle… And I am too. I miss the good relationship we used to have back in the days. I've been regretting not keeping that up.

Spike tilts his head and stares at her. She climbs up into the bed, very close to him, and smiles warmly.

Dawn

Couldn't you tell me a story, like in the old days?

Buffy busts into the room, coming to an instant halt when seeing Dawn there. Dawn gets up, and walks up to her.

Dawn

Did you find anything at the library?

Buffy

Not yet. But Willow and Xander are still there searching. (firmly) We'll find what we need to know.

She walks into the room, and sits down at the edge of the bed, looking at Spike with deep concern.

Buffy

Has it happened again?

Spike

Not since last time you asked, no. Don't worry Buffy. I come back every time right? And the pain is getting more bearable each time.

Buffy

Your screams and trembling don't confirm that. And the disappearances last longer each time. Of course I'm worried!

They share a long, intense look.

SCENE THREE: THE HALL, NIGHT..

Buffy hears the door swing open, and runs out from the kitchen, where she has been doing the dishes. Xander, Willow and Giles files in.

Buffy

Did you find anything?

Giles

Not in the books. But I stepped by Alice, the headmaster, at her office when picking those two up, and when I told her about our problem and the amulet, she had a lot of ideas. That woman has quite some knowledge in demonology! (dazed smile). Anyhow… we talked about it, and thought through logically, given what we know about the progress of events, I think we can feel fairly certain of what's happening: The amulet burnt Spikes body up, and then prevented his soul from going away to a soul-only dimension. But that is what souls do after death. They normally can't stay here in our dimension once their bodies no longer contain them. The only reason Spike's still here, is the amulets magic hold on him. I suppose, as more and more time passes by from the time it was activated, that hold gets weaker and weaker, until some day it will let go completely, leaving the soul to stay in the dimension it is drawn to. A hellish one, from the look of it.

Buffy's face get more and more screwed up in despair the more she hears. Soon, tears are running down her cheeks, and she turns to Willow, in a desperate voice.

Buffy

Then he needs his body. A resurrection spell … sending him out of that hell-dimension for good. Please! Like you did for my soul, when pulling it out of Heaven and back into its body.

Willow

(very uncomfortable)

Buffy. I don't do such heavy stuff any more, you know that. And besides – Spike has no body to return to, there's only ashes left of it. And the urn is broken. So I couldn't even if I wanted to.

Giles step up to her, and pulls Buffy into a warm embrace. She accepts it, falls into his arms, and cries on his shoulder.

SCENE FOUR: THE LIVING ROOM. NEXT MORNING.

Buffy is lying on the couch, staring up onto the ceiling, strained and tense. Willow enters the room, and walks up to her.

Willow

How are you doing?

Buffy

He has just gone to sleep. It happened again tonight. For longer than it ever has before. Willow, you have to help him! We have to find some way of stopping this!

Willow

What? We already been through this. The resurrection spell doesn't work in this case.

Buffy

Then we need a different one. A vampire resurrection spell. (she suddenly glows up with passion) the Master. The one they tried on him, to get him back. We could use that!

Willow

You got to be kidding. That is among the darkest and most dangerous spells in the knowledge of magic. It is madness even trying to invoke such forces. And besides, remember what Giles said about that spell? It almost never works! I'm not risking black hair for that! Forget it!

Buffy

You've grown a lot since then. You're not gonna get black hair again, and not destroy the world. You handled quite heavy magic in the big showdown against the First, with the scythe, staying purely good all through it!

Willow

Yes, but that was very different. It was white magic. This…

She doesn't reach to say more before they hear a scream of fresh pain from upstairs. They both freeze, and turn their heads towards the open door to the hallway, then run out the door and up the stairs.

Buffy reaches first to Spikes bedroom, and looks wildly around for signs of him. But there isn't any. They both stand rooted to the floor for several minutes, Buffy fixated on Spikes bed, Willow on Buffy. Then, finally, he appears there again, trembling wildly like in fever, panting heavily, and curling up in foetal position.

Willow goes pale, gazes from Spike to Buffy, and backs out of the room. Buffy sits down on the bedside, and runs her hand along the surface of his non-corporeal arm. He throws her a desperate look, but stop taking in air, and runs his hand through hers.

Buffy

(through a lump in her throat)

Giles thinks he finally has figured out what happens to you. You're being sucked into Hell.

Spike

Yeah. I figured that too. Didn't wanna disturb you with it though, pet. Hell… always thought that 's where I'd be ending up…

Their eyes lock in each other for a moment, she vigorously shakes her head, then she climbs into the bed, and lay down exactly where he is, getting herself completely engulfed in Spike-spirit.

SCENE FIVE: THE HALLWAY OUTSIDE THE SECOND FLOOR BEDROOMS, EVENING.

Buffy comes out of Spikes bedroom, with messy clothes and bed-hair, after lying there all day. She leans against the wall outside, sinks down onto the floor and start crying into her arms. Then she walks down the stairs, meeting Willow at the bottom, coming out from the living room. Willow follows the trail of Buffy's tears with her eyes, and then gives her a grave, but determined look,

Willow

I've been thinking. You're right. We can't leave it like this, the situation with Spike. I still don't think the spell will work, but I'm willing to give it a try.

Buffy shines up in a big smile, and hugs her very tightly.

Buffy

Thank you. you're my best friend!

They keep smiling at each other for a moment after breaking apart. Then Willow falls into deep, frowning ponders.

Willow

But how are we gonna do it? As far as I remember, the spell requires the remains of the dusted vampire and the blood of those near him when he died. Spike dusted alone, didn't he?

Buffy

He was dying when I left him. Maybe that counts? And there were plenty of other vampires there who dusted with him.

Willow

Hmm. Maybe. I could summon his dust from the Hellmouth, I guess. And enforce the spell with the dust of the vampires he did away with. But I think it still requires blood.

At this, Buffy walks into the kitchen, with Willow after her, takes down a bowl from a cupboard, finds a knife, and holds her left hand out over the bowl.

Willow

Buffy!! Are you sure you want to do this?? The amount of blood needed… It may kill you

Buffy

As sure as ever. Lets get started on it!

Buffy cuts over her wrist, and makes carefully sure that her open artery is right above the bowl. Then she takes the knife in that hand, and cuts her other artery too. Willow gets into the cupboard, and gets another bowl, gets deeply focused, and speaks the summoning spell. They wait for a while, Buffy's blood pouring, till a cloud of vampire dust soars in through the door, along with Xander.

Xander

What?? What the hell is going on?

Buffy

Stopping Hell. That's what we're trying to do

Willow

We're doing a vampire resurrection spell, to get Spike his body back, and keep him out of Hell

Xander

Have you both gone mad? Buffy, stop right now! You're chalk white!

Buffy is about to answer him, but doesn't reach to before she keels over and lay fainted on the floor.

Willow

A bit too late for that it seems. She needs a hospital. Get her in the car and take her there!

Xander

Are you really going to do this? I thought you had given up the dark arts?

Willow gives him a stern look, and nods. Xander stares at her for a moment, clearly torn between impulses, but then lifts Buffy up in his arms, and carries her away.

Willow walks up to Spikes room, knocks and enters.

Willow

Hey. Buffy and I have found a way to help you get your body back. To get you permanently out of Hell. Come with me down to the kitchen.

Spike gives her a puzzled gaze, but gets up, and follows her downstairs. There, she folds out a big oil cloth, tells Spike to take place on it, mixes the dust and blood together and pour it out over Spike, while chanting ritualistic words. A roaring wind of red vapour starts swirling up around him, cloaking him up completely, and then vanish, leaving a mess of leftover dust and blood and a fully corporeal Spike on the cloth.

Willow runs over to him, grabs his hands, and then gives him a tight hug.

Willow

I made it! We made it! We need to get to the hospital and tell Buffy!

Spike

Hospital?! (looking around himself) All this blood is from the Slayer?

Willow nods, and he rushes out of there, into the dark evening outside.

SCENE SIX: THE HOSPITAL

Buffy lay in a bed there, weak, but conscious. Spike comes rushing into the room, his black coat fluttering after him.

Buffy

Spike!! Are you…

Spike

Yes. She did it. But she ruddy well shouldn't have! And neither should you. What the hell were you thinking Buffy?! Putting yourself in that kind of jeopardy?!

Buffy

Hell was what I was thinking. And not bearing to lose you to it. I love you.

Spike

(still angry)

You got to get over this guilt issue, or whatever it is that's riding you, Buffy! It could have killed you. It came bloody close to this time! You know I could never live with myself as the cause of your death. I've killed enough slayers. And girls. I'm an evil, undead thing, remember? So not worth it.

He turns, and strides out again. Buffy turns after him, and yell his name, but he's gone.

SCENE SEVEN: WILLOW AND KENNEDYS BEDROOM.

Willow and Kennedy are in bed together. Kennedy is playing with Willows hair and smiles at her.

Kennedy

So you really managed it? Brought Spike back to flesh on your kitchen floor. That's amazing.. You ARE a goddess!

Willow's staring strainfully into space, not answering.

Kennedy

Willow! What's wrong?

Willow

I don't know. That spell. It really pulled its weight on me. It almost feels like its still draining me of energy.

Kennedy

(while moving her hand down Willows shoulder, and into her blouse)

You'll recover. You always do. And in the meantime – let me be your energy bar.

SCENE EIGHT: OUTSIDE THE HOUSE, AT THE SAME TIME.

Giles is walking out of the college headmaster's car, turning back to it to continue a conversation with her.

Giles

Really? All the stuff you know about them, and you have never actually seen a vampire before?

Alice

No. we are lucky enough not to have such plagues here in Greenville. But I have been passionately into them ever since my granddad told me true monster stories as a little girl. It's a bit of an obsession, one might say.

Giles

I'll take you some day, to somewhere they frequent, with my slayer, so you can see a real fight. If you'd like to.

Alice

I'd love to! And I'd love to meet your slayer! (looks to the house) Is she inside?

Giles

Yes. I'd think so. Would you like to come in and say hey? And perhaps have a cup of tea?

She smiles warmly, walks out of the car, and follows him through the garden. Before they reaches the door, it bursts open, and Xander bursts out of it.

Xander

Giles. You're home! Buffy is at the hospital!

Giles

(shocked)

hospital? What happened?

Xander

She drained herself of blood, doing the vampire resurrection spell with Willow.

Giles

Stupid girl! (to Alice) Sorry. Seems like tea is off for tonight. Could you take me to the hospital instead?

SCENE NINE: THE HOSPITAL

Giles approaches Buffy's bed.

Giles

How are you doing?

Buffy

Getting better. Slayer speed-healing you know.

Giles

I hope you realize that what you did was reckless and stupid. Not to speak of dangerous.

Buffy

Oh, please. Not you too.

Giles

I'm serious Buffy. You're lucky it did no worse to you. Or to Willow. Such spells are unspeakably dangerous, in more ways than you might be capable of imagining.

SCENE TEN: THE SCOOBIE HOUSE'S KITCHEN

Fresh red vapour is rising from the oil cloth at the floor, whirling up the dust and blood left there. When its haze is lifted, a new vampire appear in it. Black cloaked, ancient, with burning red eyes and lengthy fangs. An aura of power around him. He looks around, and smiles broadly.

Vampire

Aww, witches. Got to love them!