TITLE: "Reprise"

AUTHOR: Doctor Strangelove (strangelove317@hotmail.com)
RATING: PG-13.
PAIRINGS: Mentions of Spike and Buffy.
SPOILERS: Up to the end of Season 6. Takes place about a month after that.
FEEDBACK: I'd love it.
DISCLAIMER: Joss owns all the Buffy characters. I own the songs they sing.
A/N: This is defiantly the least funny song/chapter so far, but hey, all Buffy episodes blend the humor with the drama and angst. Although this one is sad, It's one of my favorites.

"Reprise"

Written by: Doctor Strangelove

EXT. OUTSIDE THE MAGIC BOX - NIGHT

[The Scooby Gang walk outside of the Magic Box.]

BUFFY

Come on, Dawnie, we need to get home soon. Willow, you coming?

WILLOW

Yeah, I mean, unless we need to do something tonight. For rehab. Do we, Giles?

GILES

No, it's okay, Willow. You're doing so good, I think we can skip it tonight. You go on home. I'm gonna head home and try to research some musical demons. Dear God, I can't believe I'm doing this again.

ANYA

Don't forget about bunnies!

GILES
[Smiles at Anya's outburst]

I won't.

ANYA

Good. 'Cause you never know what those furry little monsters could be up to.

GILES

Goodnight, Anya.

[The gang all say their goodbyes, and Buffy, Dawn, and Willow all head off and Giles leaves in the opposite direction. Anya watches Giles leave with a smile and when she turns around she's surprised to see Xander still standing there.]

ANYA
[More uncomfortable than apprehensive.]

What are you still doing here?

XANDER

Anya, I wanted to talk to you.

ANYA

About what?

XANDER

Anya, I know how bad I hurt you.

[Anya tenses up at this.]

XANDER [cont'd]

But- I, Anya, I.

[Xander takes a deep breath.]

Anya, I still lov-

ANYA
[Interrupting]

Xander. Don't.

[Xander stops talking as music begins to play, it's a bit of a more updated version of their last number. Anya sighs and turns away from Xander.]

ANYA [cont'd]

I know that you're sorry,
Believe me, I do.
But I'm not the same,
Old girl that you knew.

I want to forgive you,
That much is true.
Because deep down inside,

[Anya turns to face Xander with a small smile on her face.]

ANYA [cont'd]

I'm still in love with you.

[The scene pans out and Xander is now wearing a tux and Anya has on her wedding gown from "Hell's Bells". They have also mysteriously moved apart by several feet. The two smile and begin to walk towards each other, singing as they go.]

TOGETHER

Forgive and forget,
Put it all behind us.
Forgive and forget,
Misery won't find us.

Forgive and forget,
Try for romance.
Forgive and forget,
Take a second chance.

[They finally come face to face and Xander begins to sing.]

XANDER

I know it'll be hard,
To forgive and forget-

[Anya puts up a hand to silence him, she still has more to say.]

ANYA

Xander, please don't.
I'm not done yet.

I tried to move on,
Get on with my life.
But I don't think I can,
I want to be your wife.

A wedding is what we need,
I can know that deep down.

[Anya smiles and gestures to the clothes they have on.]

ANYA [cont'd]

Hey, you've already got your tux,
And I'm wearing my gown.

Forgive and forget,
Try it all again.

TOGETHER

Forgive and forget,
We'll make amends.

XANDER

Anya, I love you,
You know that I do.
Anya, I love you,

[He smiles at her]

I want to marry you.

Forgive and forget,
The wedding bells will chime.
Forgive and forget,
We'll make it work this time.

[As the music to slows down to a more mournful tone, Xander has a big stupid Xander smile on his face, but Anya looks like she's about to do the hardest thing she's ever had to do. And she is.]

ANYA

That's what I want,
More than anything.
But, Xander, I can't,
It just cannot be.

[At this, Xander looks shocked, hurt, and confused all at once. Hadn't she just said she still loved him?]

ANYA [cont'd]

Xander, I love you, I always will,
I want to be with you, and yet,
It'll never work out, I can forgive

[Tears well up in Anya's eyes, as she looks at Xander with deep remorse and pain.]

But I can't forget.

[The music ends and Xander now realizes, Anya still loves him and she can forgive him for what he did. But she can't forget it, so she can't be with him. He's lost her for good. Anya, tears now streaming down her face turns and runs off the best she can in her wedding dress. Leaving behind a heartbroken Xander, who just slumps down against the wall of the Magic Box.]

CUT TO:

INT. THE SUMMERS HOUSEHOLD - NIGHT

[There's a knock at the door and Buffy comes to answer it. She opens the door and can't believe what she's seeing. We turn the angle around and see-]

SPIKE

Hello, love.

END OF ACT ONE