TITLE: "Reprise"
AUTHOR: Doctor Strangelove (strangelove317@hotmail.com)
RATING: PG-13.
PAIRINGS: Giles/Anya! Mentions of some other ones.
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.
"Reprise"
Written by: Doctor Strangelove
INT. GILES'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
[We hear a loud knocking at the door and Giles hanging up a telephone. He's just gotten through with his conversation with Willow. When he answers the door we see Anya, still in her wedding dress, with tears streaming down her face.]
GILES
Anya! What's wrong?
[He realizes what she's wearing.]
GILES [cont'd]
And who's getting married?
[Anya rushes past Giles and flops down on the couch, still crying.]
ANYA
It's Xander! We were at the Magic Box and we started talking and I wanted to tell him I still loved him and we started a musical number and we were in our wedding clothes, and I should've invited you to the wedding! You were one of Xander's friends and I always really liked you because you were so nice and we didn't even think about it and then it happened and he left me at the altar in this beautiful dress and it was so expensive!
[Giles has walked over from the door and sits down next to Anya, putting his arm around her.]
GILES
Anya, it's okay. I didn't need to come. It would've been to hard seeing you all again and then having to leave you. Now, you and Xander were singing?
ANYA
That's right! And again we had this sappy romantic musical number that people will just flip right past on the soundtrack, going to Buffy's big musical number at the end or Spike's hard rock song! Why do I always get the songs that no one wants to listen to? It's no fair! I'm a much better singer than Buffy!
GILES
Anya! What happened with you and Xander?
ANYA
Oh, right. Well, we were singing and I wanted to tell him how much I still loved him and he loved me and we should get married again and I think he was going to propose again, oh that is so like Xander, to propose at the worst times 'cause he thinks it's romantic. Like at an apocalypse or during a big musical number. And this really was the wrong time because I had just realized that no matter how much I loved Xander I couldn't be with him, because I could never forget what he did to me! And this is all his fault! Because-
[Anya, now to overcome with tears and emotions begins sobbing heavily on Giles's shoulder. Giles puts his arm around her and gently tries to comfort her.]
GILES
Well, for some good news, I think I've nearly figured out what's causing the singing.
[Anya stops sobbing but leaves her head on Giles's shoulder.]
ANYA
What?
GILES
Well, there's one possibility, a demonic figure named Shiva.
ANYA
The ice goddess? No, it can't be her. She was killed way back in the 18th century.
GILES
Oh, well, then that only leaves one possibility.
ANYA
Who is it then?
[From the look on Giles's face we can tell he obviously does not want to discuss this with Anya, so he tries to change the subject.]
GILES
Anya, if you were so upset, why did you come to me?
[Anya looks up at Giles and realizes she doesn't know. He just seemed like the person to come to. She slowly sits up and looks at him, his arm is still around her.]
ANYA
I-I don't know. You just seemed like the person to come to.
[The two now seem to realize how close they were sitting and very quickly let go of each other and scoot to opposite ends of the couch. They both look away and we can tell that they're remembering what happened during "Tabula Rasa". Music begins to play and Giles begins to sing.]
GILES
When it comes to love, I've had no luck.
There was that brief interracial fling,
And Jenny and Joyce both died,
So now, I guess I'll sing.
With Anya it was brief,
But there was passion,
But she's Xander's ex,
So nothing can happen.
Although, it'd be nice,
I can't help but think,
If we went out for a bite,
Or a couple of drinks.
She may not be perfect,
I know that is true,
But if it ever comes to it,
I could always settle for you.
[He stands up and slowly walks off and we pan over to Anya who now chips in with her part.]
ANYA
It can never be with Xander,
I just have to move on.
Gotta find somebody else,
Gotta find someone.
You were nice and smelt real good,
Even better than Spike,
And it'd be nice to be with someone,
That I really like.
You've been a great friend to me,
Always staying by my side,
We worked as business partners,
And we could be more, if we tried.
You may not be the youngest,
That is defiantly true,
But If I ever need to,
I could always settle for you.
[She stands up also and the two look at each other for the first time since the song began.]
TOGETHER
I guess I could settle for you.
[They quickly look away again and move about the room, trying to avoid making eye contact with the other person.]
ANYA
These feelings are alarming,
'Cause you're no Prince Charming.
But you're smart and you're witty,
And you think I'm pretty.
So if I ever need to,
I could always settle for you.
GILES
You might be a vengeance demon,
That's not what I'd been dreamin'.
But I could get past that,
If you'd stay young and not get fat.
So if I ever need to,
I could always settle for you.
TOGETHER
It's hard to find someone,
To be with in this life,
GILES
'Cause I am over forty,
And still don't have a wife.
ANYA
And all those men out there,
Usually cause women strife.
TOGETHER
And many times a lover,
Will backstab you with a knife.
[The two stop moving and turn to face each other. They slowly walk closer to each other, and Anya's dress has now vanished (no, she's not naked, you pervert) and she's wearing a pair of a black skirt with a stylish blue top.]
But I feel I can trust you,
To be with till the end,
You've always been good to me,
Being a companion and a friend.
So if worst comes to worst,
And we are forced to do,
We could make it work,
I could settle for you.
[They're face to face now and are about to kiss when they both suddenly turn away and start walking around again.]
GILES
You're not the woman of my dreams,
I'm not to big on the whole wishing thing.
ANYA
You're a little old and stuffy,
Always looking after Buffy.
TOGETHER
But the good outweighs the bad,
So if I'm with you, I won't be sad,
'Cause you're not perfect, that is true.
But I could always settle for you.
Is there anything wrong? Well, let me see,
You do have a quirks that bug me.
ANYA
You're driving is slower than molasses,
And you always seem to be cleaning your glasses,
And I've seen you draw some little doodles,
But I guess I could be your sex poodle.
GILES
You always change the color of your hair,
And you seem to think all men are unfair,
And you're 1100 years old to boot,
But that bunny fear is kind of cute.
ANYA
I've seen you treat people not so nicely.
GILES
You select your words a shade too precisely.
And your very forward, got that from what you sang.
ANYA
I don't always understand all that British slang.
GILES
If you thought I was cheating, I'd have to flee this scene.
ANYA
Bloody, bint, bags, and brolly. What do they mean?
TOGETHER
So after all, maybe we shouldn't.
Risk those things? I'd never! I couldn't!
[They turn to face each other again, smiling this time, and walk to each other.]
But the good outweighs the bad,
And with you I'd be quite glad,
Because I realize it's true,
It's not just settling with you.
[The music ends and the two are about to kiss when suddenly we something hit Giles in the head and he falls down to the ground unconscious. We see Anya's eyes go wide with fear when and whatever it was that hit Giles hits her too. A dark figure bends down and starts dragging Anya out the door.]
END OF ACT TWO