s7.3 The Fate of the Earth Part 3
A/N: Yes, I know this took forever but I am writing another story at the same time as this and that's slowing me down. Also - i dno't remember whether or not I already said this but the setting of the scene doesn't mean that that whole scene will take place there. Most of the time, they move to a different place in the middle and may even end in another place.
Teaser:
Setting: A dungeon in the mansion Faith stared at the ceiling of her little room, her cell. She was bound to the wall by the chains that consumed her wrists. She gave them a slght tug, though since she had been here for almost a week now, trying it every day, she knew it wouldn't work. A stray lock of dirty brown hair fell onto fer face and she blew it away as she sighed. She closed her eyes and thought of Annie, her little girl. She hadn't always believed in God - at that time she hadn't wanted to belive that someone could cause so much hurt and pain to people- but now she prayed for him to Annie safe. And Oz too. She desperately wanted to se them again. Something had begun to burn her lids so she opened them and saw a ray of light streaming in through the pathetic excuse she had for a window. Sunrise, she thought to herself. The end of another night of slaying for Buffy. The men took her by suprise when they suddenly entered. She shot up, always alert when they were around. SHe wouldn't let them see that, slowly but surely, they were wearing her out. The one at the front smiled and removed his hood, so she could see he was the one they called William, the leader. "Hello, Slayer. How are you felling today?"
"Five by five." She didn't hesitate and tried not to seem too jumpy.
"Good. It's time."
"Time for what?" she demanded.
"Time to start the day's work, of course. We need to prepare you," William told her with a rare grin on his face. "After all, one must look pretty for one's own death." ____
MAIN CAST: + Buffy + Xander + Willow + Spike + Wesley + Tara + Dawn + Faith + And Oz
GUEST CAST: + Sheila Rosenburg + William + Jason + Balthazar + Pete + Annie
ACT 1
Setting: Xander's place: kitchen Oz looked up from the fridge when he heard somene enter. "Buffy."
"Hi Oz," she said shifting her feet.
He stood up holding a bottle of juice in his right hand and holding the door open with his left. "Do you want anything?" Buffy shook her head. He shut the fridge and placed the bottle on the table before turning his back to her and looking into the cupboard.
"Um, Oz?" she called nervously. "I think, I mean we...well, I guess we need to talk. I -"
"You're not coming?" he said seriously. Buffy shook her head. Oz nodded and set his glass down on the table.
"It's just -"
"It's okay," he cut her off again. "I wasn't quite sure you would anyway." Her mouth rounded into an 'O'. "I know you and Faith, you guys have stuff to deal with. I didn't expect you to come with me to save her."
"Then why'd you come see us?" she wondered aloud.
"I just needed a little info."
"And we're good for that," Buffy bobbed her head along.
"You're not just the slayer. You're Buffy. You help people. And by letting me know what I needed you helped me."
"It wasn't really me," she babbled. "Spike said you, Tara and Xander were doing a lot of research. I wasn't even here." Oz just smiled at her, knowingly. He set the now empty glass down and began to leave the kitchen. "Oz?" she said.
"Yeah?"
"There's some weapons in my house that you can use, they might help you out. Spike can show you them."
"Thanks."
"Oh, and Oz?"
"Yes, Buffy?"
"Be careful." He had nodded and left the room before she added to herself, "And bring Faith home." ___
Scene change: Willow's parents house Willow set her bag down on the floor and looked around. "Whoa."
"We've been doing a little re-decorating since you've been gone," her mother explained.
"I can see that."
"You don't like it?" he mother sounded worried.
"Oh, no, it's not that," Willow said hastily. "It's just...It's different."
"What, you've been away for months, Willow and you expected it all to stay the same?"
"It's just it's been that way ever since I can remember. Now, it's changed."
"So have you," her mother said bluntly.
"Well, mom, I...stuff happens when you're growing up...things change, you change. People change." Willow struggled to find the right words.
Her mother nodded and seemed to forget about it. "So when are Xander and Bunny coming?"
"Huh?" Willow jerked out of her thoughts.
"You know? Your friends, when are they coming? It is Bunny, isn't it? Oh, wait, no it's Buffy, that's right. You did tell her and Xander, didn't you? I was quite suprised that he didn't turn up. That time when you were fifteen and went to visit your Aunt May in Canada, he insisted that he come to pick you up from the airport. Remember?"
"Yeah...I do." Willow smiled momentarily at the thought of old memories. Times when they were happy.
Times when they felt safe. She didn't think they would ever feel like that again.
___
Scene change: Back to Xander's, living room
"I want you to know I don't like this. That you're still going with them, I mean," Buffy told her sister.
"I know that."
"Dawn, I understand why you want to, but it will be dangerous and I don't want you to get hurt."
"I won't"
"Dawn! That's not good enough."
"It's not? But isn't that what you always say when you go off slaying?" Dawn was getting annoyed and she didn't try to cover up her feelings.
Buffy sighed. "That's different. I'm the Slayer. I can take care of myself. You haven't got experience in fighting."
"Well, that's not really my fault. I asked you and you said you'd teach me. You promised. Except you never have time since you're so busy slaying. That's why they fired you at that burger place isn't it? Because you never showed up fo work!"
Dawn's face was set and Buffy didn't dare lie in retaliation. She just nodded. "I know. I'm sorry." Buffy fell onto the bed. "I guess I'm not that great as a role model."
Buffy's expression made Dawn soften and she went and sat next to her sister. "i hvaen't exactly been that easy to take care of either."
Buffy shrugged. "It's been hard on you."
"I know, but sometimes I just don't realise that it's been hard on you too." Buffy didn't say anything. "You know I'm still going, right?"
"Yeah." Buffy smiled briefly.
Dawn got up from the bed and walked to the door, before pausing momentarily and turning back around. "Buffy?"
"Yeah?" she looked up.
"Could you - I mean, would you mind...doing me a favour?"
"Like what?"
"Could you...go see Wesley for me? Just to see how he's doing?" When Buffy didn't say anything Dawn suddenly changed, "It's okay if you don't want to. I just thought -"
"No, it's okay. I'll go."
Dawn smiled. "Thanks."
"No problem," Buffy lied. ____
END OF ACT 1
ACT 2
Scene: Willow's parents house
"So?" Willow's mother asked her. "How was England?"
"Okay. A little cold."
"Willow," she started. "There's something I need to talk to you about."
"Oh?" Willow was almost praying that it wasn't about her having had a 'girlfriend.'
"It's about you education."
Willow's breath came out of her with in a rush. "What about it mom?"
"Well, do you even plan on going back to college?"
"Well, mom, I -"
"Your father was ver upset when you stopped and went to England, for reasons you thought that we, your own parents, didn't need to know."
"But mom -"
"Don't interupt me Willow! To find that out after having to deal with you being...you being a-a -" she trailed off.
"A lesbian! Just say it mum!"
Willow's mother reamined calm. "Fine then Willow a lesbian. Do you know what that can do to the reputation of an otherwise respectable family?"
"I don't know, mum, tell me, what can it do? And besides, I don't even know if I am actually gay!"
"Well, I should hope you are not. You need to settle and calm yourslef down. I think that Buffy Summers has been a bad influence on you Willow."
"What? Since when has Buffy got to do with any of this? I thought this was my fault!"
"After you met Buffy you have certainly rebelled against many of the rules of this house."
"What rules, mum?"
"Don't try to play games with me Willow! I saw that cross in your drawer!"
"Oh. That," Willow said under her breath.
Sheila heard it anyway. "Yes that, Willow. Your father was outraged and has even considered marrying you off."
"What!? Marrying me? To whom?" Willow demanded, upset and angry.
"He has some friends who have nice, young sons."
"And you expect to find a guy who'll actually marry a lesbian! DO you mum!?"
"Well, what else are we supposed to do with you Willow? You better get your act together young lady and fast or else..."
"Or elsewhat mum?" Willow stood up. "What will you do?"
"If you don't listen to us and won't marry then I'll send you away to a home."
"A home? For what? It's not like I'm on drugs or something!"
"Don't speak to me like that, Willow. You need to be controlled and unless you can prove that to me, then I've made up my mind."
And with that Shiela walked out of the room leaving her daughter distraught and alone.
____
Scene change: Hospital
Buffy tapped her fingers impatiently on the desk in front of her. The nurse looked up from the computer screen and gave Buffy a half-smile.
"Mr Wyndam-Pryce is in room 3009," she said. "Just down that hallway," she pointed to her left. "Second door on the left."
"Uh, thanks," Buffy muttered as she swung her bag off the counter and followed the nurse's directions. She was about to place her hand on the doorknob when it jerked open suddenly.
"Hello," an old lady wearing a nurse's uniform, said.
"H-hi," said Buffy.
She smiled at Buffy. "The patients always enjoy it when they have visitors. It makes them very happy."
"Yeah, well, that's me. Happy Buffy," she mumbled realising seconds later that she sounded completely stupid. "Um, I'll just go in," she spoke fast wanting to go in and get out as fast as possible. She didn't hate Wesley, but he definately wasn't very high on her list of people she wanted to be alone with.
"Not even in the middle," she whispered to herself even though the lady had gone. 'Unlike Angel,' said a little voice in the back of her head. 'Whoa. Where did that come from?' her thoughts ran, but were pushed out again as the voice came back. 'Angel who might even be missing, but you won't do anything about it.' Buffy stood frozen at the door for a moment and then shook her head vigorously, as if that would dispell the little voice from her brain.
"Something the matter?" a different voice called.
Buffy jerked up fast, hurting her neck in the process, and pulled back the hair from her face to see Wesley eyeing her strangely.
"Why were you..." he stopped that told her he was looking for a word to describe what he thought he had just seen but couldn't think of it. Or more like it hadn't even been invented.
"You're awake?"
"Yes, actually I am," he said, sounding more sarcastic than he had intended.
"Oh."
"Did you...did you come here to see...me?" He spoke as if it was the strangest thing in the world. Even stranger than what she'd done a few seconds ago.
Buffy was about to start some speech on how he should be nicer and 'of course' she would come and see him, but then she remembered thinking all the way on her journey there that it was the strangest thing on the world too. She hadn't been any good at fooling herslef lately anyway so there wasn't much chance she'd fool Wesley. She decided to go with the truth. "Dawn asked me to check up on you."
"I see. How is she?" Wesley sounded, uncertain, hesitant, as if he was just as uncomfortable as Buffy.
"Fine. Still stubborn. Same old."
"Yeah," he said. Suddenly, Buffy grinned. "What?" he asked.
"You," she said. "I never thought I'd ever hear you of all people saying 'yeah.' Not very English of you."
Buffy thought she saw Wesley smile, but then realised he was grimacing. "Is something...wrong?" she asked.
"My back just hurts," he mumbled.
"Oh..."
"Buffy, did you..." he paused.
"Did I, what Wesley?"
"Did you call Angel by any chance?" he asked her.
She took a deep breath and shook her head, before correcting herself. "Well, actually, no one answered."
"Oh."
They both stayed silent for some time before Buffy finally asked, "Why?"
"I just wanted to know whether they knew...whether you had told them about what happened. A nurse I met gave me a description of the person who brought me here. That, and the fact that the last thing I remember before collapsing was being attcked by a vampire, made me realise it was you."
"Right," Buffy nodded. "Well, they don't really know about you seeing how we couldn't contact them. If you want you can call them now," she said, searching through her bag for her mum's old mobile that she'd started to use.
"No!" Wesley exclaimed suddenly. Buffy looked up, startled. "I-I mean...don- don't call them. I don't want them to know," he added after pausing.
"Okay," Buffy told him.
"I know that it seems wierd to you, but -"
"No, it's okay. I won't call them. Promise."
Wesley nodded in reply.
"I gotta go," Buffy said quickly. "See ya."
She walked out and gently closed the door behind her. "See ya," Wesley whispered.
____
END OF ACT 2
ACT 3
Scene: Outside the mansion
"Everybody ready?" Xander asked.
"Let's just get this over with," Dawn said, twirling her stake in her hand.
"Hey, how come she's got a stake? I thought the deal was that he was worshipped by men. Which also means she can't kill any of those blokes, only ME!" Spike exclaimed.
"We're not going to kill any of the humans. We'll only kill the demon. And the vampires if there are any," Oz added as an afterthought.
"Buffy didn't want Dawn with any swords and stuff," Xander offered.
"Well, if we're all sorted then let's go," Oz said.
While Spike and Dawn went to the front of the house to take their positions, Oz and Xander did the same behind the house. Once everyone was ready, with a quick lance, Oz walked into the house through the back door followed by Xander. ___
Scene change: A road Buffy walked down the road, adjusting her bag onto her shoulder. She passed the church that she had been to just yesterday with Jason. She paused for a minute remembering what had happened there and why they left. She also remembered that the others didn't know anything about that or Jason. Buffy prayed for Dawn, Xander, Spike and Oz without even realising it till afterwards. Buffy continued walking only to realise that while her body wanted to go forward her feet had a mind of their own and directed her backwards and straight into the church.
She shut the door quietly behind her and tiptoed towards the room that she and Jason had tried to look inside the previous day. Checking that the one man she had seen praying wasn't looking, she moved swiftly inside and tugged the curtain closed behind her. When she turned around she saw another person already inside sorting through drawers. Buffy raised her fist above her head but before she could pull it down and knock the man out he turned around and saw her. "Jason!" she exclaimed.
"Buffy. Thought you'd show sooner or later. Sooner, actually."
"Oh, well then, I'm extremly sorry to have kept you waiting. I must have wasted so much of your precious time that you spend running around in a red cape and underwear saving the world from its horrors. I've been meaning to ask, who pays you?"
"It's not funny, Buffy."
"Oh, I do apologize, I thought it was," Buffy mocked.
"And Superman doesn't run. He flies."
"Right," Buffy nodded. "The whole bird or plane thing. I've been meaning to ask the Powers That Be for that. I mean, I'd definately be able to kill vampires a lot quicker and plus I don't think they've discovered what's Slayer kryptonite yet, so it'd be cool."
Jason cracked a grin, but only for a second. "I think I've found something that might be useful, specially since the apocalypse is tonight," he stressed.
"So I've been told. Well?" she asked him. "What've you got?"
Jason picked up a stack of papers from the desk and tossed them to Buffy. She caught them and twisted them the right way round, before starting to read. "And once the war is over, the world turns -"
"Wrong page," Jason said.
"On the night of the apocalypse the almighty Showun will rise and he will bestow reign of fire upon this vile Earth infested by the human race. What the hell!?" Buffy asked once she'd read out a bit.
"It's some sort prophecy, written in ancient times," Jason told her.
"And probably translated into English by this guy. I don't think they had word processors back then," Buffy said. "So, Jason, what are you gonna do about it?"
"Buffy, could you please tell me that I heard you wrong. You did just say 'we' and not 'you', right?"
Buffy shook her head. "Nope. You gotta sort this one out on your own, J."
"Buffy, I've already been over this with you. I can't! You're the goddamn Slayer!"
"So what, Jason? What does that mean? Does it mean that if someone dies - no matter what the reason - I'm responsible because I couldn't save them? Or is it that I have to hang around taking orders from some old guy in a suit who has never even been on the field for himself? Take your bloody pick!?"
"You know, Buffy, I think that you've been hanging around that blonde vampire a bit too much. Loosen up. And try to hang out with a few less dead people."
"What?" she said, exasperated.
"You should, really," Jason told her. "It would do you some good."
Buffy slumped down into the chair behind her. "I so do not get you."
"He shrugged his shoulders. "Not many people do."
"Not many? I'm suprised there's 'any'."
"One person. Once, anyway. Claire."
"Girlfriend?" Buffy asked, folding her legs.
"None of your business."
"Fine," she said. "You gonna tell me what's happenin' with this apocalypse, then? And what all this info about it is doing in a church?"
"I'm not sure, but I think it has something to do with Balthazar being here."
"Right, that guy. Wierd name. At least in Baz Luhrman's movie he made up for it by casting a cute guy in the role. This guy looks like he has a pimple."
Jason glared at her.
"Sorry," she muttered.
"Well, I think we need to -" Jason was cut off by a loud noise from outside.
"Where did that come from?" Buffy asked. "Hey! Wait for me!" she yelled as she ran after Jason who had headed out the room and burst out of the entrance and stopped on the outskirts of the field.
"Pete," Jason whispered, looking down from their slightly raised level to the circle of men.
"Which one?" Buffy asked quietly.
"That one," Jason pointed to the man who seemed the oldest and was the only one not wearing a cloak.
"Isn't that Balthazar?" Buffy pointed to the man standing next to Pete.
"Yeah."
The two of them stood quietly for a minute not knowing what to make of the scene before them. Then suddenly Buffy gasped.
"What?" Jason asked her, still keeping his voice low.
"That man, farthest away, he was one of them who was here yesterday, with a torch. And so was he!" she added loudly, showing the man on his left.
Her sudden outburst attracted the attention of the men standing in the hushed circle. Jason heard Buffy whisper something that sounded like, "Oh, shit," but he was afraid to inhale.
"Jason, how nice of you to join us," Pete said. "And you've brought a friend." His gaze drifted to Buffy and a smile played on his lips. He clicked his fingers and all the other men, aside from a grinning Balthazar, ran up to them. Three of them grabbed Buffy roughly by the shoulders and pulled her to Pete while the other two did the same with Jason. They threw Buffy on the ground and she soon began spitting out mouthfuls of dirt.
"It's nice to finally meet you," Balthazar said to her shaking figure.
"The famous Balthazar," she huffed. "Likewise."
"What's going on?" Jason demanded after having stopped his unsuccessful tries of breaking free.
"Why I'd have thought you of all people would know, Jason? It's the apocalypse," said Pete. "And this young woman had the nerve to murder the brother of this young fellow's master." Pete geustured to Balthazar as he said this.
"That's what this is all about?" Buffy said.
"Why of course," said Balthazar. "Kill her," he instructed.
Four of them bent down to get Buffy, but one hesitated and asked Pete, "But what about him?" he asked pointing to Jason with one hand on his shoulder.
Pete sighed. "I have no use for him. Kill him after you've finished her off."
Pete and Balthazar both headed off and all of them started to attack an already weak Buffy. Jason decided to take advantage of the fact that they had suddenly forgotten about him and picked one of them up and flung him through the air. They were suprised by the behind attack and so two of them moved to attack Jason, but this gave Buffy the breathing room she needed and with two swift blows she managed to knock all four of them out. Jason thought she would get angry at him again but all Buffy did was grin breathlessly at him. "Thought you couldn't fight."
"I can do a bit," he told her.
"Not bad." ___
Scene change: Xander's apartment, living room
Tara rushed to the door after hearing the frantic knocking from the other side. "Oh my god, Buffy! What happened to you?" she asked noticing the blood red scar on her forehead.
"There was a fight. With some people. Who work for Showun," she said each group of words coming after a long breath.
"B-but that's the guy who Dawn, Spike, Xander and Oz went to fight!"
"I know. I have to help them Tara. Those people know that I killed that demon's brother and after this fight they're gonna think that they have some kind of link with me."
"But how do they know you killed that demon?" Tara said as she helped Buffy onto the couch.
"I beat the crap out of one of those guys. He said they did some sort of spell that would uncover the killer."
"We have to do something! I can do a spell," Tara offered.
Buffy shook her head. "No, I can't make you do that. Especially not after you swore not to ever use your magicks unless it was absolutely necessary."
"But it is!" Tara protested. "It's the only way to help them."
"No, it's not. We both know that, Tara."
"I just don't want you to feel that you have to go if you don't want to."
"Tara, I do want to do this - I need to do this. I have to try to save Faith. If they manage to avert the apocalypse I won't be able to live knowing that I didn't try to do anything."
Tara nodded. "Okay, then. I would come with you but someone has to look -"
"After Annie," Buffy finished for her. "I know." Buffy stood up. "Wait for us here."
"Okay."
"We'll be back." And with that Buffy left the apartment.
But Tara stayed standing. "I know you will, Buffy. You always come back." ____
END OF ACT 3
ACT 4
Scene: Inside the mansion
"Start the ritual!" William commanded.
The others dragged a limp Faith onto the raised platform and quickly secured her wrists to the wall before she could try to escape.
"Behold!" William shouted. "On this night you all bear witness to the rising of the all-powerful Showun to be ruler of this earth." Behind him Showun towered and let out a low growl.
William took out a long scroll and prepared to read out from it, but stopped when he heard a thud behind him. They all turned to see what was the disturbance and many gasped at the sight of Showun lying on the floor in pain, with a club resting near to his head.
"Who has done this?" William bellowed. "Speak now!"
Spike stepped out of the shadows and into their view. Seconds later, Dawn was by his side.
"What are you doing?" Spike hissed into her ear.
"You can't leave me behind, like that. Buffy wouldn't like that."
"You were supposed to stay there as part of the plan!"
"Ssh! Don't raise you voice," Dawn told him. Then, to William, she shouted, "What's that, like, speak now or forever hold you peace? And by the way, your demon guy doesn't look so all-powerfull anymore."
"What!?" Spike whispered to Dawn. "Was that first bit actually supposed to make sense?"
"Well, hey! Buffy always got some smart retort to say to the demon's before kicking butt," Dawn said
"Key word there, being 'smart'," Spike told her.
William growled and began to step forward. "Sieze them!" he ordered his men.
In a second they were surrounded and Dawn and Spike had no openings to escape from. As they came closer, Spike whispered, "Stay close to me." She nodded in fear.
One of the men lunged forward, but Spike hit him before he could do anything to either of them.
Unfortunately, it hurt Spike even more than it had hurt him. "Oh God. I forgot that they're human," Dawn said as Spike began o collapse on top of her.
William began to smile as Spike fell and then both he and Dawn were both picked up and escorted out.
"Well, there's nothing to stop us from completeing the ritual now."
"Actually, maybe there is."
William looked above where the sound had come from and saw Xander and Oz waiting, with a few of his men already passed out next to them. ____
Scene change: The mansion's dungeon "Great, just great," Spike drawled as he tugged against his chains. "You had to go in acting all fancy pants."
"Well, at least we didn't pass out!" Xander retorted back.
"Just stop fighting will you both!" Oz said, annoyed. "You can't save the world like that.
"Look, at least we tried you guys," Dawn said, shaking uncomfortably.
"Hey, you okay?" Spike asked concerned, forgetting all about Xander.
"I was just wondering...."
"Why did we all screw up?"
"I didn't say that Xander!"
"But we did. I'm sorry, Dawn. For you. And for you, Oz. For everyone," Xander added whispering, but they all heard him anyway.
They stayed silent after that, until the door burst open, falling on its hinges.
"You should be sorry Xander. 'Cause kids like Dawn are still gonna have to face the high school demons next week. And they are way worse than the ones whose asses I just kicked out there."
"Buffy!" Dawn screamed.
"You came!" Xander said.
"Course, I did, Xand. Think I'd let you guys come here and get your asses kicked?"
"Thanks for the faith, Buffy," Spike said as she broke Xander's chains.
"Oh and speaking of Faith, she's doing okay," Buffy told Oz. A loud noise from outside of a demon dieing made them all grin. Buffy moved to help Oz, while Spike and Xander got Dawn, but he stopped her.
"What?" she asked.
"Thanks, Buffy."
She smiled. "You're welcome." ____
END OF ACT 4 __________________ NEXT EPISODE: S7.4 "Traffic On The Road To Nowhere" - Spike tires to talk to Buffy about their situation, but she's busy trying to sort out her problems with Faith. Willow pays a visit to Tara, in search of help and forgiveness, who struggles with her feelings...
A/N: Yes, I know this took forever but I am writing another story at the same time as this and that's slowing me down. Also - i dno't remember whether or not I already said this but the setting of the scene doesn't mean that that whole scene will take place there. Most of the time, they move to a different place in the middle and may even end in another place.
Teaser:
Setting: A dungeon in the mansion Faith stared at the ceiling of her little room, her cell. She was bound to the wall by the chains that consumed her wrists. She gave them a slght tug, though since she had been here for almost a week now, trying it every day, she knew it wouldn't work. A stray lock of dirty brown hair fell onto fer face and she blew it away as she sighed. She closed her eyes and thought of Annie, her little girl. She hadn't always believed in God - at that time she hadn't wanted to belive that someone could cause so much hurt and pain to people- but now she prayed for him to Annie safe. And Oz too. She desperately wanted to se them again. Something had begun to burn her lids so she opened them and saw a ray of light streaming in through the pathetic excuse she had for a window. Sunrise, she thought to herself. The end of another night of slaying for Buffy. The men took her by suprise when they suddenly entered. She shot up, always alert when they were around. SHe wouldn't let them see that, slowly but surely, they were wearing her out. The one at the front smiled and removed his hood, so she could see he was the one they called William, the leader. "Hello, Slayer. How are you felling today?"
"Five by five." She didn't hesitate and tried not to seem too jumpy.
"Good. It's time."
"Time for what?" she demanded.
"Time to start the day's work, of course. We need to prepare you," William told her with a rare grin on his face. "After all, one must look pretty for one's own death." ____
MAIN CAST: + Buffy + Xander + Willow + Spike + Wesley + Tara + Dawn + Faith + And Oz
GUEST CAST: + Sheila Rosenburg + William + Jason + Balthazar + Pete + Annie
ACT 1
Setting: Xander's place: kitchen Oz looked up from the fridge when he heard somene enter. "Buffy."
"Hi Oz," she said shifting her feet.
He stood up holding a bottle of juice in his right hand and holding the door open with his left. "Do you want anything?" Buffy shook her head. He shut the fridge and placed the bottle on the table before turning his back to her and looking into the cupboard.
"Um, Oz?" she called nervously. "I think, I mean we...well, I guess we need to talk. I -"
"You're not coming?" he said seriously. Buffy shook her head. Oz nodded and set his glass down on the table.
"It's just -"
"It's okay," he cut her off again. "I wasn't quite sure you would anyway." Her mouth rounded into an 'O'. "I know you and Faith, you guys have stuff to deal with. I didn't expect you to come with me to save her."
"Then why'd you come see us?" she wondered aloud.
"I just needed a little info."
"And we're good for that," Buffy bobbed her head along.
"You're not just the slayer. You're Buffy. You help people. And by letting me know what I needed you helped me."
"It wasn't really me," she babbled. "Spike said you, Tara and Xander were doing a lot of research. I wasn't even here." Oz just smiled at her, knowingly. He set the now empty glass down and began to leave the kitchen. "Oz?" she said.
"Yeah?"
"There's some weapons in my house that you can use, they might help you out. Spike can show you them."
"Thanks."
"Oh, and Oz?"
"Yes, Buffy?"
"Be careful." He had nodded and left the room before she added to herself, "And bring Faith home." ___
Scene change: Willow's parents house Willow set her bag down on the floor and looked around. "Whoa."
"We've been doing a little re-decorating since you've been gone," her mother explained.
"I can see that."
"You don't like it?" he mother sounded worried.
"Oh, no, it's not that," Willow said hastily. "It's just...It's different."
"What, you've been away for months, Willow and you expected it all to stay the same?"
"It's just it's been that way ever since I can remember. Now, it's changed."
"So have you," her mother said bluntly.
"Well, mom, I...stuff happens when you're growing up...things change, you change. People change." Willow struggled to find the right words.
Her mother nodded and seemed to forget about it. "So when are Xander and Bunny coming?"
"Huh?" Willow jerked out of her thoughts.
"You know? Your friends, when are they coming? It is Bunny, isn't it? Oh, wait, no it's Buffy, that's right. You did tell her and Xander, didn't you? I was quite suprised that he didn't turn up. That time when you were fifteen and went to visit your Aunt May in Canada, he insisted that he come to pick you up from the airport. Remember?"
"Yeah...I do." Willow smiled momentarily at the thought of old memories. Times when they were happy.
Times when they felt safe. She didn't think they would ever feel like that again.
___
Scene change: Back to Xander's, living room
"I want you to know I don't like this. That you're still going with them, I mean," Buffy told her sister.
"I know that."
"Dawn, I understand why you want to, but it will be dangerous and I don't want you to get hurt."
"I won't"
"Dawn! That's not good enough."
"It's not? But isn't that what you always say when you go off slaying?" Dawn was getting annoyed and she didn't try to cover up her feelings.
Buffy sighed. "That's different. I'm the Slayer. I can take care of myself. You haven't got experience in fighting."
"Well, that's not really my fault. I asked you and you said you'd teach me. You promised. Except you never have time since you're so busy slaying. That's why they fired you at that burger place isn't it? Because you never showed up fo work!"
Dawn's face was set and Buffy didn't dare lie in retaliation. She just nodded. "I know. I'm sorry." Buffy fell onto the bed. "I guess I'm not that great as a role model."
Buffy's expression made Dawn soften and she went and sat next to her sister. "i hvaen't exactly been that easy to take care of either."
Buffy shrugged. "It's been hard on you."
"I know, but sometimes I just don't realise that it's been hard on you too." Buffy didn't say anything. "You know I'm still going, right?"
"Yeah." Buffy smiled briefly.
Dawn got up from the bed and walked to the door, before pausing momentarily and turning back around. "Buffy?"
"Yeah?" she looked up.
"Could you - I mean, would you mind...doing me a favour?"
"Like what?"
"Could you...go see Wesley for me? Just to see how he's doing?" When Buffy didn't say anything Dawn suddenly changed, "It's okay if you don't want to. I just thought -"
"No, it's okay. I'll go."
Dawn smiled. "Thanks."
"No problem," Buffy lied. ____
END OF ACT 1
ACT 2
Scene: Willow's parents house
"So?" Willow's mother asked her. "How was England?"
"Okay. A little cold."
"Willow," she started. "There's something I need to talk to you about."
"Oh?" Willow was almost praying that it wasn't about her having had a 'girlfriend.'
"It's about you education."
Willow's breath came out of her with in a rush. "What about it mom?"
"Well, do you even plan on going back to college?"
"Well, mom, I -"
"Your father was ver upset when you stopped and went to England, for reasons you thought that we, your own parents, didn't need to know."
"But mom -"
"Don't interupt me Willow! To find that out after having to deal with you being...you being a-a -" she trailed off.
"A lesbian! Just say it mum!"
Willow's mother reamined calm. "Fine then Willow a lesbian. Do you know what that can do to the reputation of an otherwise respectable family?"
"I don't know, mum, tell me, what can it do? And besides, I don't even know if I am actually gay!"
"Well, I should hope you are not. You need to settle and calm yourslef down. I think that Buffy Summers has been a bad influence on you Willow."
"What? Since when has Buffy got to do with any of this? I thought this was my fault!"
"After you met Buffy you have certainly rebelled against many of the rules of this house."
"What rules, mum?"
"Don't try to play games with me Willow! I saw that cross in your drawer!"
"Oh. That," Willow said under her breath.
Sheila heard it anyway. "Yes that, Willow. Your father was outraged and has even considered marrying you off."
"What!? Marrying me? To whom?" Willow demanded, upset and angry.
"He has some friends who have nice, young sons."
"And you expect to find a guy who'll actually marry a lesbian! DO you mum!?"
"Well, what else are we supposed to do with you Willow? You better get your act together young lady and fast or else..."
"Or elsewhat mum?" Willow stood up. "What will you do?"
"If you don't listen to us and won't marry then I'll send you away to a home."
"A home? For what? It's not like I'm on drugs or something!"
"Don't speak to me like that, Willow. You need to be controlled and unless you can prove that to me, then I've made up my mind."
And with that Shiela walked out of the room leaving her daughter distraught and alone.
____
Scene change: Hospital
Buffy tapped her fingers impatiently on the desk in front of her. The nurse looked up from the computer screen and gave Buffy a half-smile.
"Mr Wyndam-Pryce is in room 3009," she said. "Just down that hallway," she pointed to her left. "Second door on the left."
"Uh, thanks," Buffy muttered as she swung her bag off the counter and followed the nurse's directions. She was about to place her hand on the doorknob when it jerked open suddenly.
"Hello," an old lady wearing a nurse's uniform, said.
"H-hi," said Buffy.
She smiled at Buffy. "The patients always enjoy it when they have visitors. It makes them very happy."
"Yeah, well, that's me. Happy Buffy," she mumbled realising seconds later that she sounded completely stupid. "Um, I'll just go in," she spoke fast wanting to go in and get out as fast as possible. She didn't hate Wesley, but he definately wasn't very high on her list of people she wanted to be alone with.
"Not even in the middle," she whispered to herself even though the lady had gone. 'Unlike Angel,' said a little voice in the back of her head. 'Whoa. Where did that come from?' her thoughts ran, but were pushed out again as the voice came back. 'Angel who might even be missing, but you won't do anything about it.' Buffy stood frozen at the door for a moment and then shook her head vigorously, as if that would dispell the little voice from her brain.
"Something the matter?" a different voice called.
Buffy jerked up fast, hurting her neck in the process, and pulled back the hair from her face to see Wesley eyeing her strangely.
"Why were you..." he stopped that told her he was looking for a word to describe what he thought he had just seen but couldn't think of it. Or more like it hadn't even been invented.
"You're awake?"
"Yes, actually I am," he said, sounding more sarcastic than he had intended.
"Oh."
"Did you...did you come here to see...me?" He spoke as if it was the strangest thing in the world. Even stranger than what she'd done a few seconds ago.
Buffy was about to start some speech on how he should be nicer and 'of course' she would come and see him, but then she remembered thinking all the way on her journey there that it was the strangest thing on the world too. She hadn't been any good at fooling herslef lately anyway so there wasn't much chance she'd fool Wesley. She decided to go with the truth. "Dawn asked me to check up on you."
"I see. How is she?" Wesley sounded, uncertain, hesitant, as if he was just as uncomfortable as Buffy.
"Fine. Still stubborn. Same old."
"Yeah," he said. Suddenly, Buffy grinned. "What?" he asked.
"You," she said. "I never thought I'd ever hear you of all people saying 'yeah.' Not very English of you."
Buffy thought she saw Wesley smile, but then realised he was grimacing. "Is something...wrong?" she asked.
"My back just hurts," he mumbled.
"Oh..."
"Buffy, did you..." he paused.
"Did I, what Wesley?"
"Did you call Angel by any chance?" he asked her.
She took a deep breath and shook her head, before correcting herself. "Well, actually, no one answered."
"Oh."
They both stayed silent for some time before Buffy finally asked, "Why?"
"I just wanted to know whether they knew...whether you had told them about what happened. A nurse I met gave me a description of the person who brought me here. That, and the fact that the last thing I remember before collapsing was being attcked by a vampire, made me realise it was you."
"Right," Buffy nodded. "Well, they don't really know about you seeing how we couldn't contact them. If you want you can call them now," she said, searching through her bag for her mum's old mobile that she'd started to use.
"No!" Wesley exclaimed suddenly. Buffy looked up, startled. "I-I mean...don- don't call them. I don't want them to know," he added after pausing.
"Okay," Buffy told him.
"I know that it seems wierd to you, but -"
"No, it's okay. I won't call them. Promise."
Wesley nodded in reply.
"I gotta go," Buffy said quickly. "See ya."
She walked out and gently closed the door behind her. "See ya," Wesley whispered.
____
END OF ACT 2
ACT 3
Scene: Outside the mansion
"Everybody ready?" Xander asked.
"Let's just get this over with," Dawn said, twirling her stake in her hand.
"Hey, how come she's got a stake? I thought the deal was that he was worshipped by men. Which also means she can't kill any of those blokes, only ME!" Spike exclaimed.
"We're not going to kill any of the humans. We'll only kill the demon. And the vampires if there are any," Oz added as an afterthought.
"Buffy didn't want Dawn with any swords and stuff," Xander offered.
"Well, if we're all sorted then let's go," Oz said.
While Spike and Dawn went to the front of the house to take their positions, Oz and Xander did the same behind the house. Once everyone was ready, with a quick lance, Oz walked into the house through the back door followed by Xander. ___
Scene change: A road Buffy walked down the road, adjusting her bag onto her shoulder. She passed the church that she had been to just yesterday with Jason. She paused for a minute remembering what had happened there and why they left. She also remembered that the others didn't know anything about that or Jason. Buffy prayed for Dawn, Xander, Spike and Oz without even realising it till afterwards. Buffy continued walking only to realise that while her body wanted to go forward her feet had a mind of their own and directed her backwards and straight into the church.
She shut the door quietly behind her and tiptoed towards the room that she and Jason had tried to look inside the previous day. Checking that the one man she had seen praying wasn't looking, she moved swiftly inside and tugged the curtain closed behind her. When she turned around she saw another person already inside sorting through drawers. Buffy raised her fist above her head but before she could pull it down and knock the man out he turned around and saw her. "Jason!" she exclaimed.
"Buffy. Thought you'd show sooner or later. Sooner, actually."
"Oh, well then, I'm extremly sorry to have kept you waiting. I must have wasted so much of your precious time that you spend running around in a red cape and underwear saving the world from its horrors. I've been meaning to ask, who pays you?"
"It's not funny, Buffy."
"Oh, I do apologize, I thought it was," Buffy mocked.
"And Superman doesn't run. He flies."
"Right," Buffy nodded. "The whole bird or plane thing. I've been meaning to ask the Powers That Be for that. I mean, I'd definately be able to kill vampires a lot quicker and plus I don't think they've discovered what's Slayer kryptonite yet, so it'd be cool."
Jason cracked a grin, but only for a second. "I think I've found something that might be useful, specially since the apocalypse is tonight," he stressed.
"So I've been told. Well?" she asked him. "What've you got?"
Jason picked up a stack of papers from the desk and tossed them to Buffy. She caught them and twisted them the right way round, before starting to read. "And once the war is over, the world turns -"
"Wrong page," Jason said.
"On the night of the apocalypse the almighty Showun will rise and he will bestow reign of fire upon this vile Earth infested by the human race. What the hell!?" Buffy asked once she'd read out a bit.
"It's some sort prophecy, written in ancient times," Jason told her.
"And probably translated into English by this guy. I don't think they had word processors back then," Buffy said. "So, Jason, what are you gonna do about it?"
"Buffy, could you please tell me that I heard you wrong. You did just say 'we' and not 'you', right?"
Buffy shook her head. "Nope. You gotta sort this one out on your own, J."
"Buffy, I've already been over this with you. I can't! You're the goddamn Slayer!"
"So what, Jason? What does that mean? Does it mean that if someone dies - no matter what the reason - I'm responsible because I couldn't save them? Or is it that I have to hang around taking orders from some old guy in a suit who has never even been on the field for himself? Take your bloody pick!?"
"You know, Buffy, I think that you've been hanging around that blonde vampire a bit too much. Loosen up. And try to hang out with a few less dead people."
"What?" she said, exasperated.
"You should, really," Jason told her. "It would do you some good."
Buffy slumped down into the chair behind her. "I so do not get you."
"He shrugged his shoulders. "Not many people do."
"Not many? I'm suprised there's 'any'."
"One person. Once, anyway. Claire."
"Girlfriend?" Buffy asked, folding her legs.
"None of your business."
"Fine," she said. "You gonna tell me what's happenin' with this apocalypse, then? And what all this info about it is doing in a church?"
"I'm not sure, but I think it has something to do with Balthazar being here."
"Right, that guy. Wierd name. At least in Baz Luhrman's movie he made up for it by casting a cute guy in the role. This guy looks like he has a pimple."
Jason glared at her.
"Sorry," she muttered.
"Well, I think we need to -" Jason was cut off by a loud noise from outside.
"Where did that come from?" Buffy asked. "Hey! Wait for me!" she yelled as she ran after Jason who had headed out the room and burst out of the entrance and stopped on the outskirts of the field.
"Pete," Jason whispered, looking down from their slightly raised level to the circle of men.
"Which one?" Buffy asked quietly.
"That one," Jason pointed to the man who seemed the oldest and was the only one not wearing a cloak.
"Isn't that Balthazar?" Buffy pointed to the man standing next to Pete.
"Yeah."
The two of them stood quietly for a minute not knowing what to make of the scene before them. Then suddenly Buffy gasped.
"What?" Jason asked her, still keeping his voice low.
"That man, farthest away, he was one of them who was here yesterday, with a torch. And so was he!" she added loudly, showing the man on his left.
Her sudden outburst attracted the attention of the men standing in the hushed circle. Jason heard Buffy whisper something that sounded like, "Oh, shit," but he was afraid to inhale.
"Jason, how nice of you to join us," Pete said. "And you've brought a friend." His gaze drifted to Buffy and a smile played on his lips. He clicked his fingers and all the other men, aside from a grinning Balthazar, ran up to them. Three of them grabbed Buffy roughly by the shoulders and pulled her to Pete while the other two did the same with Jason. They threw Buffy on the ground and she soon began spitting out mouthfuls of dirt.
"It's nice to finally meet you," Balthazar said to her shaking figure.
"The famous Balthazar," she huffed. "Likewise."
"What's going on?" Jason demanded after having stopped his unsuccessful tries of breaking free.
"Why I'd have thought you of all people would know, Jason? It's the apocalypse," said Pete. "And this young woman had the nerve to murder the brother of this young fellow's master." Pete geustured to Balthazar as he said this.
"That's what this is all about?" Buffy said.
"Why of course," said Balthazar. "Kill her," he instructed.
Four of them bent down to get Buffy, but one hesitated and asked Pete, "But what about him?" he asked pointing to Jason with one hand on his shoulder.
Pete sighed. "I have no use for him. Kill him after you've finished her off."
Pete and Balthazar both headed off and all of them started to attack an already weak Buffy. Jason decided to take advantage of the fact that they had suddenly forgotten about him and picked one of them up and flung him through the air. They were suprised by the behind attack and so two of them moved to attack Jason, but this gave Buffy the breathing room she needed and with two swift blows she managed to knock all four of them out. Jason thought she would get angry at him again but all Buffy did was grin breathlessly at him. "Thought you couldn't fight."
"I can do a bit," he told her.
"Not bad." ___
Scene change: Xander's apartment, living room
Tara rushed to the door after hearing the frantic knocking from the other side. "Oh my god, Buffy! What happened to you?" she asked noticing the blood red scar on her forehead.
"There was a fight. With some people. Who work for Showun," she said each group of words coming after a long breath.
"B-but that's the guy who Dawn, Spike, Xander and Oz went to fight!"
"I know. I have to help them Tara. Those people know that I killed that demon's brother and after this fight they're gonna think that they have some kind of link with me."
"But how do they know you killed that demon?" Tara said as she helped Buffy onto the couch.
"I beat the crap out of one of those guys. He said they did some sort of spell that would uncover the killer."
"We have to do something! I can do a spell," Tara offered.
Buffy shook her head. "No, I can't make you do that. Especially not after you swore not to ever use your magicks unless it was absolutely necessary."
"But it is!" Tara protested. "It's the only way to help them."
"No, it's not. We both know that, Tara."
"I just don't want you to feel that you have to go if you don't want to."
"Tara, I do want to do this - I need to do this. I have to try to save Faith. If they manage to avert the apocalypse I won't be able to live knowing that I didn't try to do anything."
Tara nodded. "Okay, then. I would come with you but someone has to look -"
"After Annie," Buffy finished for her. "I know." Buffy stood up. "Wait for us here."
"Okay."
"We'll be back." And with that Buffy left the apartment.
But Tara stayed standing. "I know you will, Buffy. You always come back." ____
END OF ACT 3
ACT 4
Scene: Inside the mansion
"Start the ritual!" William commanded.
The others dragged a limp Faith onto the raised platform and quickly secured her wrists to the wall before she could try to escape.
"Behold!" William shouted. "On this night you all bear witness to the rising of the all-powerful Showun to be ruler of this earth." Behind him Showun towered and let out a low growl.
William took out a long scroll and prepared to read out from it, but stopped when he heard a thud behind him. They all turned to see what was the disturbance and many gasped at the sight of Showun lying on the floor in pain, with a club resting near to his head.
"Who has done this?" William bellowed. "Speak now!"
Spike stepped out of the shadows and into their view. Seconds later, Dawn was by his side.
"What are you doing?" Spike hissed into her ear.
"You can't leave me behind, like that. Buffy wouldn't like that."
"You were supposed to stay there as part of the plan!"
"Ssh! Don't raise you voice," Dawn told him. Then, to William, she shouted, "What's that, like, speak now or forever hold you peace? And by the way, your demon guy doesn't look so all-powerfull anymore."
"What!?" Spike whispered to Dawn. "Was that first bit actually supposed to make sense?"
"Well, hey! Buffy always got some smart retort to say to the demon's before kicking butt," Dawn said
"Key word there, being 'smart'," Spike told her.
William growled and began to step forward. "Sieze them!" he ordered his men.
In a second they were surrounded and Dawn and Spike had no openings to escape from. As they came closer, Spike whispered, "Stay close to me." She nodded in fear.
One of the men lunged forward, but Spike hit him before he could do anything to either of them.
Unfortunately, it hurt Spike even more than it had hurt him. "Oh God. I forgot that they're human," Dawn said as Spike began o collapse on top of her.
William began to smile as Spike fell and then both he and Dawn were both picked up and escorted out.
"Well, there's nothing to stop us from completeing the ritual now."
"Actually, maybe there is."
William looked above where the sound had come from and saw Xander and Oz waiting, with a few of his men already passed out next to them. ____
Scene change: The mansion's dungeon "Great, just great," Spike drawled as he tugged against his chains. "You had to go in acting all fancy pants."
"Well, at least we didn't pass out!" Xander retorted back.
"Just stop fighting will you both!" Oz said, annoyed. "You can't save the world like that.
"Look, at least we tried you guys," Dawn said, shaking uncomfortably.
"Hey, you okay?" Spike asked concerned, forgetting all about Xander.
"I was just wondering...."
"Why did we all screw up?"
"I didn't say that Xander!"
"But we did. I'm sorry, Dawn. For you. And for you, Oz. For everyone," Xander added whispering, but they all heard him anyway.
They stayed silent after that, until the door burst open, falling on its hinges.
"You should be sorry Xander. 'Cause kids like Dawn are still gonna have to face the high school demons next week. And they are way worse than the ones whose asses I just kicked out there."
"Buffy!" Dawn screamed.
"You came!" Xander said.
"Course, I did, Xand. Think I'd let you guys come here and get your asses kicked?"
"Thanks for the faith, Buffy," Spike said as she broke Xander's chains.
"Oh and speaking of Faith, she's doing okay," Buffy told Oz. A loud noise from outside of a demon dieing made them all grin. Buffy moved to help Oz, while Spike and Xander got Dawn, but he stopped her.
"What?" she asked.
"Thanks, Buffy."
She smiled. "You're welcome." ____
END OF ACT 4 __________________ NEXT EPISODE: S7.4 "Traffic On The Road To Nowhere" - Spike tires to talk to Buffy about their situation, but she's busy trying to sort out her problems with Faith. Willow pays a visit to Tara, in search of help and forgiveness, who struggles with her feelings...