Author: Jennifer
Disclaimer: The characters of Buffy: The Vampire Slayer do not belong to me, but to Joss Whedon and UPN.
Spoilers: Post-Lessons (Season 7 opener)
Summary: Spike and Xander. Snippets of some conversations
Feedback: I'd love some : )
Author's Notes: It's in a script format, but I've kind of forgotten exactly how it works, so it may be some wrong. Can be a stand-alone fic.

CONVERSATIONS OF THE BEST, NOT

4          INT.      SAME PLACE WE LEFT OFF (SCHOOL BASEMENT – SOME TIME AFTER NOON)

We see scattered empty packets of blood and a messily discarded BLACK COAT on the floor. Camera moves up to the wall and keeps moving around. The room is lighted by light bulb on the ceiling. The camera keeps moving until it reveals SPIKE and XANDER sitting side by side. Maybe three feet of space between them. They're both leaning against the wall, legs splayed out in front of them and their eyes ahead, staring at nothing.

SPIKE
Evil Willow?

            XANDER
Yup.

            SPIKE
Huh.

            XANDER
Yup.

They stop talking and it is silent for a few moments.
CUT TO: XANDER, who picks some lint off his shirt. He glances to his left at SPIKE.

XANDER
So… What's up with you lately?

CUT TO: SPIKE. He raises his left eyebrow with a "what do you think" look
CUT TO: SPIKE and XANDER

XANDER (cont'd)
Minus the whole insanity part?

SPIKE returns his gaze back to the empty room.

CUT TO: SPIKE, he shakes his head and blinks rapidly. His right hand rises to rub his left eye. He speaks rapidly without stopping.

SPIKE
Stupid beetles. I hate beetles. Have I mentioned how much I hate beetles? Especially ones that crawl up your nose and scratch at your insides. Demon. Trial. Soul. (Beat) OH, GOD! Will you all just…

SPIKE raises his other hand, as they clutch at his head. He scream comes out as a loud groan.

SPIKE (cont'd)
…SHUT THE BLOODY HELL UP?

He takes a deep breath and places his hands back at his sides as he slowly calms down and looks back up.

                        SPIKE
            I'll have you to know, I have some moments of lucidity.

CUT TO: XANDER, looking at the vampire with wide eyes, startled by the shout. Then something sinks in.

CUT TO: EVEN SHOT of SPIKE and XANDER. XANDER is still looking at SPIKE, sitting silently.

XANDER (wary)
Soul?

CUT TO: BLACK

 
5          IMMIDEIATE SHOT TO: SPIKE, holding a open paper bag, peering into it.

INT.      BASEMENT – THURSDAY 7:00 PM

SPIKE
Wings.

Camera moves backwards and we see SPIKE is sitting on attack of piled up desks. XANDER is sitting a few feet away from him, within an arms length.

XANDER
Uhh…yeah.

CUT TO: XANDER, who also has a paper bag.

XANDER (cont'd)
You mentioned something about spicy buffalos yesterday.

He starts to take items out of the bag.
CUT TO: SPIKE, he is still looking into his bag. He reaches into it.

SPIKE
Hmm. Don't recall. (takes out a wing and looks at it) This would be great with some beer.

CUT TO: EVEN SHOT of both men. SPIKE is looking at XANDER expectantly.

XANDER
(Scoffs) Yeah, maybe when you're not so crazy.

XANDER takes out two bottles from his bag. He places one in front of SPIKE and opens the bottle in his hand.

XANDER (cont'd)
In the mean time, (he raises the open bottle at SPIKE) there's apple juice. Perfect substitute. (Takes a swig) See? Looks like beer.

CUT TO: SPIKE, taking a bite out of the chicken. He looks away.

SPIKE (mutters)
Beer looks like beer. Blood looks like blood. (He drops the wing into the bag) But the bees never sting in winter.

CUT TO: XANDER, looking at the vampire

XANDER
Right…

CUT TO: SPIKE, with his eyes still closed.

                        SPIKE

Right. It doesn't sting when I pretend I don't exist.

He grabs out the chicken and takes another bite. Then drops it back in. Takes it out. Bites. Drops it in. He opens his eyes and blinks rapidly.

CUT TO: SPIKE and XANDER

XANDER (optimistically)
I think your getting better.

Beat.

SPIKE
Why must it always burn?

There's a pause. XANDER looks as if he doesn't know what to say. Well, there really isn't anything to say.

XANDER
Have you told Buffy?

            SPIKE
(His eyes are closed again) No.
           
            XANDER
Me neither.

            SPIKE
That's good, then.

            XANDER
Does she know you're here?
           
            SPIKE
(He opens his eyes) Does it matter?

FADE OUT.


 6         INT.      SCHOOL BASEMENT – FRIDAY 9:00PM

SPIKE and XANDER are sitting cross-legged on the floor. Both are playing their own game of solitaire in silence.

CUT TO: SPIKE, looking at his own cards, he glances at XANDER'S game before scowling and turning back to his.

CUT TO: XANDER who smiles triumphantly. He's finished. Placing his hands on his knees, he looks up.

XANDER
I'm done first. I win.

CUT TO: EVEN SHOT of SPIKE and XANDER. They are collecting their cards and they set up a new game. Playing in silence for a few moments, then, without shifting his gaze from the game, SPIKE speaks

SPIKE
Harris.

XANDER doesn't look away from his cards

XANDER
What?

SPIKE
(Without pause) You hate me.

XANDER
(Falters a little, but doesn't look up) And that's news to you…?

SPIKE
(Still keeps his gaze at his game) I dislike you too. Even with a sodding soul.

XANDER
Yes…?

SPIKE
(Sighs, eyes still on the cards) Why do you come down here to check on me?

Pause. CUT TO: XANDER, a frown on his face as he plays.

EVEN SHOT of them both

XANDER
Every time, when I first come down, (Pause) I want to beat you into a bloody pulp for what you've done.

SPIKE
What stops you?

XANDER
Dunno. I feel like I should help. I'm not heartless.

Beat.
CUT TO: SPIKE, looking down at his cards before taking another from the deck.

SPIKE
Dawn comes by sometimes.

CUT TO: XANDER, his eyebrow raise in slight surprise. He continues his game.

XANDER
Really?

CUT TO: SPIKE and XANDER

SPIKE
Yeah. School days. Lunch. Noon. Tells me about her classes. We talk. She talks. I sit. I like her.

XANDER
(Glances up at SPIKE, then looks back) Yeah. I know.

SPIKE
I wanna watch out for her. Keep protecting her, best I can, at least.

XANDER
(He pauses his game and looks at the vampire) Yeah?

CUT TO: SPIKE, still at his game

SPIKE
'Til the end of the world. (Without looking up) I win.

CUT TO: BLACK

7                                  OS – XANDER
Does Buffy ever come down here?

INT.      SCHOOL BASEMENT – MONDAY 6:00PM

FADE IN.

SPIKE is sitting between a box and the wall. XANDER is sitting on the other side of the room. They have a bouncy ball. XANDER throws. Vampire catches.

SPIKE
Yes. (Sighs) She runs off so quickly though. (Throws)

CUT TO: XANDER, catching the ball.

XANDER
(Pause, he looks at the ball) Oh. (Throws)

CUT TO: LONG-SHOT of the two, the ball flying back and forth. No one says anything for a while, the only sound are the 'woosh' s as the ball flies.

SPIKE
(Hesitates) Fifteen minutes and thirty-two seconds was the longest.

XANDER
(Catches) What? (Throws)

SPIKE
Her record. (Catches) Fifteen minutes and thirty-two seconds.

XANDER
Oh.

Pause. It's quiet.
CUT TO: SPIKE, he throws the ball to XANDER

FADE OUT.

OS – SPIKE
How's ex-ex-demon girl?