I do not own these characters - these are merely my own thoughts and hopes for the next season.
Live, Learn, & Love
Buffy wakes up from a good night's sleep. She yawns and sits up in bed. She looks around - everything seems the same, but something is different. She looks outside: The curtains are shut and a black sheet covers them. The cot that was next to her bed has been removed. She looks down and Spike has just rolled over and looked up at her.
BUFFY: Good morning.
SPIKE: 'Morning.
Buffy rolls out of bed and goes to her closet. She pulls a sweatshirt on over her tank top - she is in cut off sweat-pants.
SPIKE: (from bed) You work today?
BUFFY: two to ten.
SPIKE: Ok.
BUFFY: Are you hungry? French toast, bacon, eggs, blood?
SPIKE: I'll see when I get downstairs.
BUFFY: K, see ya down there.
Buffy walks out of her room and down to Dawn's.
BUFFY: Dawn! Are you awake.
DAWN: yeah, I'm just getting dressed.
BUFFY: Well, hurry up - it's Social Worker Day! (in realization) Social Worker Day! I forgot! Dawn!
DAWN: Yeah?
BUFFY: I gotta get dressed, I'll see ya downstairs.
DAWN: K.
On Buffy's way back to her room she stops by Willow's room.
BUFFY: (rapping on Willow's door) Willow!
WILLOW: (waking up) Yeah?
BUFFY: Are you up?
WILLOW: I am now.
BUFFY: get dressed, it's Social Worker Day!
WILLOW: I'll be right out.
Buffy has already gone to her room to get dressed. Spike is still laying in bed. Buffy pats him on the stomach a few times.
BUFFY: Wake up! It's Social Worker Day!
She begins disrobing not even caring that Spike is still in the room.
BUFFY: I totally forgot, and we all have to get dressed and get downstairs. And no smoking or drinking, Spike, I mean it!
Buffy is down to her underwear and rummages through her closet for the perfect outfit.
BUFFY: Your name is William. You know that, but go by it instead of Spike. "Spike" is too harsh, you know?
Buffy sets her clothes (a red sweater and a pair of black pants) out onto the bed and begins to change into them.
SPIKE: I rather like the name Spike.
BUFFY: but is a social worker gonna trust a girl who hangs out with guys named Spike?
SPIKE: Suppose not.
BUFFY: Right, then. William it is. Get dressed!
Buffy sits on the bed waiting for Spike to get dressed.
SPIKE: You're gonna watch?!?
BUFFY: You watched me!
SPIKE: Fair enough. (Spike begins to change) So, what should I say to her.
BUFFY: Don't try to defend me or anything, just be yourself - without the crudeness.....Just eat and smile and try not to say too much.
Spike finishes changing, and he and Buffy head downstairs. they meet Dawn and Willow in the kitchen.
BUFFY: Remember, guys - Spike is William today.
WILLOW: So what am I making for breakfast?
DAWN: Pancakes?
BUFFY: Any objections?
(No one objects)
WILLOW: Pancakes it is.
XANDER: Did I hear pancakes?
DAWN: Yupp!
XANDER: Good! I'm starved.
Buffy and Willow get out the griddle and the ingredients. Suddenly, the doorbell rings.
BUFFY: I'll get it. Remember, everybody be on their best behavior.
Buffy rushes to the door. She opens it to find a woman in her mid thirties wearing a pants suit.
SUSAN: Good Morning, you must be Buffy.
BUFFY: Yes, and you must be the social worker.
SUSAN: Susan Laree, pleased to meet you.
Susan offers Buffy her hand, Buffy shakes it.
BUFFY: Likewise. Come on in, Miss Laree.
SUSAN: Please, call me Susan.
BUFFY: Ok, Susan, everybody is in the kitchen.
SUSAN: Everybody?
They begin walking towards the kitchen.
BUFFY: Yeah, Dawn, Xander, Willow, and...William.
SUSAN: All these people live here?
BUFFY: Oh, no. Xander is just a friend who takes Dawn to school. William, he is staying here for a while...while he's looking for a new home. And, since we had an extra bedroom, my friend Willow lives here with us.
SUSAN: Oh, ok.
They arrive at the dining room as Susan takes a grand tour of the downstairs.
SUSAN: So, where does William sleep?
BUFFY: (embarrassed, ashamed) In my room.
SUSAN: (assumingly) So you and him -
BUFFY: Oh, no, he's just a friend. (putting a piece of hair behind her ear) We, we used to, but now - just friends.
They were at a point in the dining room where the others could hear everything being said from the kitchen.
SUSAN: What happened to his old place.
BUFFY: Well, he went to Africa for a few months to...rediscover himself, and when he came back, the place was vandalized, so he needed a place to stay to get back on his feet.
SUSAN: Ok? Shall we go in? (pointing to the kitchen)
BUFFY: Sure, come on in.
They enter the kitchen. Dawn is eating her pancakes while Xander and Spike wait for Willow to make theirs.
BUFFY: Everybody, this is Susan Laree, but she likes to be called Susan.
SUSAN: Hi.
BUFFY: Susan, this is Dawn.
Dawn swallows a piece of a pancake and looks up.
DAWN: Hi.
SUSAN: Hi.
BUFFY: Xander.
XANDER: Hey.
SUSAN: Hi.
BUFFY: William.
SPIKE: G'morning.
SUSAN: Hello.
BUFFY: And Willow is over there cookin' the pancakes.
Willow turns around with a plate of pancakes and gives them to Xander.
XANDER: thanks.
WILLOW: (to Susan) Hey.
SUSAN: Hi.
SPIKE: (offended) Hey! Why does he get his first?
BUFFY: Because Xander has to get Dawn to school.
WILLOW: You'll get yours next, Sp-William. Unless you want some, Susan.
SUSAN: No, that's alright, I already eat.
WILLOW: Alright. You're next William.
SUSAN: Buffy, can I speak to you in private for a moment?
BUFFY: (worried) S-sure.
Susan and Buffy head to the living room. They sit across from each other.
SUSAN: There are just a couple more questions I have for you.
BUFFY: Shoot.
SUASAN: I want to know-
XANDER: Buffy, we're gonna go.
BUFFY: (to Susan) Will you excuse me for a second?
SUSAN: Sure.
Buffy walks into the foyer.
BUFFY: (to Dawn) You got everything you need?
DAWN: Yupp.
BUFFY: Ok, I want you home by four - Willow will be waiting for you, and William will be here, too.
DAWN: Ok.
Buffy hugs Dawn.
BUFFY: Ok, have a nice day. (hugging Xander) Drive safe, ok?
XANDER: Ok. (to Susan) Nice to meet you.
DAWN: Dido.
Susan smiles and waves. Dawn and Xander leave the house.
BUFFY: (from the front door) See you guys later!
Buffy returns to the living room.
BUFFY: now, what did you want to ask me?
SUSAN: Do you work tonight?
BUFFY: Two to Ten. Why, are you gonna come and check on me at work?
SUSAN: No, I checked with your manager, and she said you've been doing fine. I just wanted to know who takes care of Dawn when you're at work.
BUFFY: Depending on whose available: Willow, William, or Xander. And our old friend who came back from England a few months ago Giles - if no one else can do it.
SUSAN: Ok, now you were fired from your job at one point, is that right?
BUFFY: Yeah, you see, I thought it was a funny little practical joke, but no one else thought it was funny. But I have the job back now.
SUSAN: I have just one more question.
BUFFY: Ok.
SUSAN: I've noticed that all of the curtains are closed and there are black sheets over them. Why?
BUFFY: Oh, that? Well, Sp- William has sensitive eyes, and the Sun shines right through, plus he has sensitive skin, so we keep the windows covered.
SUSAN: Ok. Twice now I've heard one of you say "Sp" before William's name, why?
BUFFY: Well, William has a rather crude nickname, and we all call him by it, but we didn't want to make a bad impression.
SUSAN: What's the nickname?
BUFFY: Spike.
SUSAN: Spike?
BUFFY: Yeah, don't ask.
SUSAN: Ok, well I have another appointment soon, so I have to go.
BUFFY: Oh, ok.
Susan gets up to leave. She walks toward the front door.
BUFFY: S-Susan?
Susan turns around.
BUFFY: How did we do?
SUSAN: I'd say, pretty good.
Buffy walks up the door and opens it for Susan.
BUFFY: Ok, thank you. I'll be seeing you.
SUSAN: Bye, Buffy.
BUFFY: Bye.
Susan steps out of the house and Buffy shuts the door behind her. Buffy turns around and runs into the kitchen.
BUFFY: She said we did pretty good!
WILLOW: That's great!
SPIKE: Great! Now come and eat your pancakes!
Cut to the Double Meat Palace: 10 PM. Buffy walks out of the burger joint to meet Spike. They walk down one of the streets on Sunnydale.
SPIKE: So how's life at the Double Meat Palace?
BUFFY: Long and tiring.
SPIKE: That bad, huh?
Spike puts his arm around Buffy and she leans into him.
SPIKE: So do you wanna do a little patrolling before we head home?
BUFFY: Mmmm, a late night stroll through a cemetery, sounds like my kind of date.
SPIKE: I knew it was. How's your back?
BUFFY: It's doing better, I can fight now.
SPIKE: Good.
Spike and Buffy walk through one of Sunnydale's many cemeteries. Spike stops dead in his track stopping Buffy with him.
SPIKE: Shhh, I hear something.
BUFFY: Ok.
They walk a few steps further until they see two vampires diggin up a grave. Buffy walks up behind one of them.
BUFFY: Whatcha doin'?
VAMPIRE 1: Slayer!
BUFFY: That's me.
The first vampire comes charging at Buffy. She sticks a stake right in his heat and moves on to the second.
BUFFY: So, what were you doing?
Buffy high-kicks the vampire in the head.
BUFFY: Digging up parts to make your dream girl?
The vampire swings at her and she grabs his arm and flips him over.
BUFFY: Resurrecting an old friend?
Buffy stands over the vampire: stake in hand.
BUFFY: Or just stealing?
Buffy stakes the vampire and stands up brushing the dust off of her uniform.
BUFFY: Ahh, that was enough slaying for the night, wouldn't you say?
Spike was standing over the grave staring at it.
BUFFY: What were they stealing?
SPIKE: They weren't.
BUFFY: Then, what were they doing?
SPIKE: I don't know, but look: there are candles down there - they were performing some kind of ritual or something.
BUFFY: We'll get the name off of the tombstone, and we can research it. What's the name?
SPIKE: Fredrick O'Harren
Buffy and Spike leave the cemetery and head home. Spike, once again has is arm around Buffy's shoulder, and her head is leaning against his chest. When they arrive back home, Buffy heads to the kitchen looking for Willow. Willow is on the computer in the dining room.
BUFFY: Willow!?
WILLOW: In here.
BUFFY: Willow! Can you see what you can find on the name Fredrick O'Harren?
WILLOW: Sure.
Cut to a crypt. Vampires sit around and joke. The one leading the conversation is a vampire named Lucia. A young vampire rushes in.
YOUNG VAMP: Lucia! Tyrone and Geoffrey didn't come back, the Slayer got them!
LUCIA: Well, we'll just have to send a couple more out. Who'll volunteer?
About five vampires raise their hands. Luc scans the group of vampires, she notices a couple who don't want to go.
LUCIA: (to the ones who don't want to go) Trevor, RJ! You'll go and get Fredrick for me.
RJ: But Lucia!
Lucia glares at RJ, her eyes turn red and some inexplicable wind blows her hair back.
LUCIA: Do you really want to fight with me on this?
RJ: N-n-no.
The wind stops and the fire in Lucia's eyes dies down.
LUCIA: (calmly) Go and you shall be rewarded.
YOUNG VAMP: Lucia, are you sure? Are you sure you want these ones.
LUCIA: Yes, my little one, they'll do.
Back at the Summers' house, Willow surfs the net to find information on Fredrick O'Harren.
WILLOW: Hey, guys, I think I got something!
Buffy, Spike, Xander, and Giles rush into the dining room.
WILLOW: O'Harren was an escape convict who died in a police chase in 1943. His wife was with him and lived through it. Her name was Lucia Evans. Wait, there's more. Lucia mysteriously disappeared in 1946, but there have been sightings of her...she's a vampire.
BUFFY: So we're looking at a vampire trying to resurrect her long lost love...shouldn't be too hard to stop.
SPIKE: It will be. Lucia has powers.
BUFFY: Powers?
SPIKE: Yeah, she's the real Fire Starter. I'd be careful.
BUFFY: Fire Starter? Like she can start fires with her mind?
SPIKE: Yupp.
BUFFY: Willow, can you find a weakness of her that we can use?
WILLOW: I'll try.
BUFFY: Good, thanks, but right now, maybe we should all get some rest.
Everyone Giles and Xander leave. Buffy, Spike, and Willow head upstairs to go to bed. Buffy brushes her teeth and heads to Dawn's room.
BUFFY: (quietly) Dawn?
DAWN: Hey, Buffy. Rough day at the office..s?
BUFFY: Yeah, we found these vamps trying to resurrect a criminal, so we'll see where that goes tomorrow. How was your day?
DAWN: Oh, the usual. Classes, then lunch.
BUFFY: That wasn't the usual back when I went to Sunnydale High, of course, it's a completely different school.
DAWN: Yeah.
BUFFY: Well, you'd better get your rest. I'll see you in the morning.
DAWN: Good Night.
Buffy heads back to her room. Spike is already half asleep in bed. He's tossing and turning. He moans Buffy's name.
BUFFY: Hey, sleepy - maybe you should wait until I get in bed before you sleep: less nightmares.
SPIKE: Good idea.
Buffy hops into bed and turns out the light next to herbed.
BUFFY: Goodnight, Spike.
SPIKE: 'Night, luv.
Buffy falls asleep with the words "'Night luv." echoing through her brain. In the middle of the night she shoot up in her bed. She rubs her eyes and walks downstairs for a drink of water. As she's goining toward the kitchen she talks to herself.
BUFFY: Turtles wouldn't call me "luv" this soon. Neither would sloths.
Buffy walks down into the kitchen. We see Willow in the dining room (in the background) on the computer.
BUFFY: (slamming a glass down on the counter, then filling it with water) And snails sure as HELL wouldn't!
WILLOW: Are you ok?
BUFFY: (startled) Y-yeah, fine. Why?
WILLOW: You were talking about sloths and snails.
BUFFY: Oh, that - that was nothing. I was just venting about Spike.
WILLOW: Oh.
Buffy sits at the dining room table drinking her glass of water.
BUFFY: Couldn't sleep either? What are you doing?
WILLOW: Getting more stuff on Lucia and Freddie O'Harren.
BUFFY: So what have you got so far.
WILLOW: Well, Freddie, he was really into chaos. He didn't really have an all out purpose, you know, he just liked to terrorize places. Like Sunnydale. And, well, get him and Lucia together and it's double the chaos. His vandalism and her fire starting capabilities - this place would be ruins in less than a night.
BUFFY: So what your telling me is if I don't stop Lucia from resurrecting her psychotic husband, this whole place goes bye-bye.
WILLOW: Basically.
Buffy goes into the kitchen and puts her empty glass in the sink. She walks back into the dining room and kisses Willow on the head.
BUFFY: Thanks, Will.
Willow looks up at her.
BUFFY: Get some rest. You still have school in the morning.
WILLOW: Tomorrow is Wednesday. I don't go in until eleven - thank God.
BUFFY: Well, get some sleep anyway. Good Night.
WILLOW: 'Night.
Buffy walks upstairs talking to herself again.
BUFFY: I know he loves me, and I love him, but that doesn't change what happened. And I won't pretend like it did. And I'm trying really hard.
Buffy walks into the bathroom - focus on the outside door of it. You can hear Buffy talking to herself through the door.
BUFFY: Really hard. And i am resisting all of the temptations, and trying not to use him, and all that.
We hear the toilet flush.
BUFFY: But I can't sit here and resist all of his charms.
Buffy walks out of the bathroom and heads down the hall to her room.
BUFFY: How dare he call me love!
Buffy opens her door and walks in. She sees Spike tossing and turning. He moans her name a few more times.
BUFFY: But, then again - he is sorry, and we are trying.
Buffy snuggles into bed with Spike and the moans stop.
BUFFY: (to herself) And he does need me.
Buffy falls asleep, and wakes up the next morning to the blurred rays of sun. She get up out of bed and throws a sweatshirt on over her tee shirt. She heads towards Dawn's room.
BUFFY: You ready Dawn?
DAWN: I'll be out in a couple seconds.
BUFFY: OK!
Buffy heads to the bathroom to brush her teeth. She hums some punk song Spike had forced her to listen to. Suddenly, Spike appears in the door.
SPIKE: You're likin' it, aren't you?
BUFFY: Liking what?
SPIKE: The music.
BUFFY: It's ok.
SPIKE: It's great.
Spike turns to leave, and then turns back around.
SPIKE: Say, if you're not doing anything tonight - I was wondering if you wanted to go to the Bronze. Have a drink? Dance?
BUFFY: Like a date?
SPIKE: (as if he were saying DUH!) Uh, yeah!
BUFFY: What about Lucia?
SPIKE: She'll send out another couple of minions - we have time. We kill them, they don't bring him back.
BUFFY: We'll see.
Buffy rinses out her mouth and she and Spike head downstairs. Willow and Dawn are downstairs, just like the day before. Willow is still in her PJs.
BUFFY: How late did you stay up last night?
WILLOW: Until about three.
BUFFY: Oh.
WILLOW: What'll it be today, Dawnie?
DAWN: French Toast?
WILLOW: Will do.
SPIKE: Mmmm, I love pouring blood over it - makes it taste really good.
The three girls turn and look at him in repulsion.
SPIKE: What?
BUFFY: Ewe!
SPIKE: You'd like it, too if you were a vampire.
XANDER: Yeah, the problem here is that none of us ARE vampires...just you. Now, what were you guys talking about?
BUFFY: French Toast.
XANDER: Well, I like French toast, what's wrong with French toast?
BUFFY: With blood smeared all over it.
XANDER: Now that is just DISGUSTING! Ewe, Spike.
BUFFY: My comments exactly.
Xander and Dawn eat their French toast as Buffy and Spike wait patiently to get theirs.
XANDER: So, Willow, did you find anything on this Lucia chic that could help Buffy?
WILLOW: Well, here is always a protection spell, but Giles would have to do it.
BUFFY: So what do we protect? The grave, or me?
WILLOW: He could do both for added assurance. When would you wanna do it?
BUFFY: Tonight?
SPIKE: No - not tonight. Lucia will probably have another couple of her minions out tonight.
BUFFY: Then what do you suppose we do Spike.
SPIKE: You're the slayer.
BUFFY: That's right, I am. Ok, what if tonight, we do the protection spell on the grave. If Spike is right, there will only be a couple more minions, and I can take them while Giles does the spell. Then, tomorrow, he does the spell on me, and I meet Lucia at the grave where we have it out. Sound good?
WILLOW: Sounds like a plan to me. We should call Giles just to check with him, though.
Xander finishes his French toast and looks at his watch.
XANDER: Well, I'd say it's about time for us to go. Wouldn't you say so, Dawnie?
Dawn lances at Xander's watch.
DAWN: Yeah, we should probably go.
Xander and Dawn head to the foyer. Buffy follows them.
BUFFY: Ok, well, drive safely. Make sure you've got everything you need. I'll see you at four.
DAWN: Ok.
XANDER: Buh bye.
DAWN: Bye
BUFFY: Bye!.
Buffy shuts the door behind them and goes back in to the kitchen. Willow has just given Spike his French toast. Buffy pick up the phone and dials Giles' number.
BUFFY: Hello? Giles? We have a plan for Lucia, but we need your help.
Spike goes to the fridge and gets some blood.
BUFFY: Tonight we wanna put a protection spell on the grave, and then tomorrow a-
Spike pours some blood out onto his French toast.
WILLOW: Ewe - that is so disgusting!
BUFFY!: Spike, go eat that somewhere else! (to Giles) He just poured blood on his French toast! Yeah, right in front of Willow and me!
SPIKE: Fine I'll go in the dining room.
BUFFY: (to Spike) No! Not the dining room - I don't want it smelling like pig's blood! just eat it in here - we'll deal.
SPIKE: Fine then.
BUFFY: (to Giles) Anyway, tomorrow we want you to put a protection spell on me so I can fight Lucia. Sound good? Ok, I'll see ya here before sun-down. Ok, bye.
Buffy hangs up the phone. She looks over at Spike who is devouring his French toast.
BUFFY: Ewe! Spike!
Cut to: living room later that day. Willow is gone and Buffy is half sitting, half laying on the couch watching TV. Spike comes downstairs from whatever he was doing. He sits down next to Buffy on the opposite side from where she's leaning. Buffy completely readjusts herself so she is leaning on Spike's chest. Buffy sighs. They watch TV together.
SPIKE: Is this slow enough for you?
BUFFY: I don't know, it's just comfortable. You, me. just watching TV, and something is there, but it's a little more than sex. I like this.
SPIKE: Me too, luv.
All the blood rushes out of Buffy's face: he said it again.
BUFFY: But, i don't like that.
SPIKE: Like what?
BUFFY: You calling me "luv"
SPIKE: Why not?
BUFFY: I don't know, it just implies too much.
SPIKE: And what does it imply this week?
BUFFY: What it always has: love.
SPIKE: And what's so wrong with love?
BUFFY: Nothing! Everything! I don't know. I told you before that I don't know.
SPIKE: Ok. So you don't know. It's ok. I don't know, either. that's the beauty of it.
BUFFY: (quickly changing the subject) Have you found a crypt yet?
SPIKE: Nope. It's seems that some vampires took over my crypt when I left, and I can't find an unoccupied anywhere in Sunnydale.
BUFFY: So what you're trying to tell me is you're stuck here with us, and we're stuck here with you.
SPIKE: Basically.
BUFFY: I guess we can go on that date tonight - ti shouldn't take too long to do the spell and scare some vamps.
SPIKE: Good.
Cut to: Xander's apartment later in the afternoon. There is a knock on the door. He opens it to find Enya.
ENYA: Hey, I was just wondering if i left my red cashmere sweater here?
XANDER: C'mon in. You might have.
Xander goes to a corner of the front room and picks up a box filled with a bunch of what seems like junk.
XANDER: Here's a bunch of stuff I found of yours. You must have forgotten it.
ENYA: Thanks.
Enya turns to leave.
XANDER: Enya! You want a drink or something?
ENYA: I don't think that's such a good idea.
XANDER: Why not?
ENYA: Because Xander!
XANDER: Still waiting for a real answer.
ENYA: Because God knows what'll happen. I may even build up some more feeling for you. And then what? You'll just ditch me like before. Then, where are we? Right back here. So no, I'm just gonna leave.
Enya walks out the door.
XANDER: Wait! Enya!
She's gone.
Back at the Summers' house, Spike and Buffy are still laying on the couch watching TV: it's about an hour until Sundown. There is a knock on the door. Buffy gets up to get the door. It's Giles.
BUFFY: Oh, hey, Giles.
GILES: Hello.
SPIKE: Hello, Giles.
GILES: Spike.
BUFFY: You're a little early.
GILES: I just wanted to know more of the plan.
BUFFY: Come on in and sit down.
Giles sit on the couch next to Spike. Spike rolls his eyes because he can no longer sit next to Buffy. Buffy stands in front of the TV and turns it off.
BUFFY: Xander is gonna stay here and watch Dawn. We're gonna go down to Freddie O'Harren's grave, adn keep watch while you do the protection spell on it. If any vamps come, we'll scare them off so they'll tell Lucia that I'm waiting for her, then tomorrow night, I'll fight her.
GILES: Ok.
Suddenly, the door opens, and Xander walk in.
XANDER: Hello? I brought pizza.
BUFFY: Dawn's upstairs with willow doing homework.
XANDER: Ok, but do you guys want any pizza?
BUFFY: No thanks.
SPIKE: Naw.
GILES: No, but thank you anyway.
XANDER: Ok?
BUFFY: Actually, if you're here, we should probably get to work. I'll go up with you to get Willow.
Xander and Buffy go upstairs leaving Spike and Giles alone on the couch.
SPIKE: You know much about this Lucia?
GILES: No, do you?
SPIKE: I should, I dated her.
GILES: You dated her?
SPIKE: Yeah, me n Dru were having one of those off times. Luc is hell bent on getting that Freddie guy back. That's why I had to leave her. that, and Dru wanted me back.
GILES: Hmmm. So nothing useful to tell us then?
SPIKE: Hmm, let me see. Not really - but iI remember something I'll be sure to let you all know.
Willow and Buffy come down the stairs.
BUFFY: The sun us almost down - we should get going.
Buffy throws a blanket at Spike.
BUFFY: You might still need this.
SPIKE: Thanks, lu- Buffy.
The four exit the house and get into Giles' car. They drive to the cemetery. the Sun has gone down and Spike and Buffy stand guard as Willow watches Giles perform the ritual.
Cut to: Lucia's crypt. RJ and Trevor stand straight in front of Lucia. Lucia paces back and fourth in front of the two.
LUCIA: It's been almost 60 years since my Freddie has been alive, and I still love him. Just think about it - we'll reek havoc all over Sunnydale, all the little humans you want at your disposal. All you have to do is bring me Freddie back. Is that clear?
RJ/TREVOR: Yes, ma'am.
Trevor and RJ move to leave.
LUCIA: And don't think you can use a stupid excuse like the slayer to get out of this.
RJ/TREVOR: Yes ma'am.
Back at the cemetery, Spike any Buffy stand at either side of the grave looking for anything unusual as Willow watches Giles perform the ritual. Giles speaks in Latin with candles all around him and a pentacle made of sand under him. Spike's ears perk up, he hears a noise. He walks up next to Buffy.
SPIKE: Two complaining vampires at twelve o'clock. And they seem to be talking about Lucia sending them on this stupid mission.
Soon RJ and Trevor come into Buffy's view. They see her, too.
RJ: the slayer!
BUFFY: Hello, boys! Can you do me a favor.
TREVOR: (trying to cover his fear) N-n-no.
BUFFY: Just tell Lucia I'll be waiting for her here, tomorrow.
RJ: O-ok, come on Trevor let's go.
The two vampires run as quickly as they can.
BUFFY: that wasn't too hard.
SPIKE: Plus, it gives you another fairly easy night tomorrow.
BUFFY: Huh?
SPIKE: She' won't believe those tow. She'll just think that they made it up so they wouldn't have to work, so tomorrow she'll send two of her good ones out, and if they disappear or come back without the body, she'll make an appearance.
WILLOW: (to Giles) Finished?
GILES: Yes, that should do it.
BUFFY: Good, then let's go home - I have a date tonight.
WILLOW: Buffy! What would all the sloths and snails say?
BUFFY: Oh, they agree with me.
Giles gives Willow and Buffy a strange look as Spike just smiles.
SPIKE: (to Giles) Don't ask, they probably wouldn't tell you.
RJ and Trevor rush back tot he crypt. Lucia meets them at the door.
LUCIA: Where's Freddie?
RJ: The slayer was there, she told us to tell you -
LUCIA: Silence!
TREVOR: It's true!
LUCIA: Let's face it boys, I sent you to do a simple little job for me and you botched it. You know aht this means, don't you?
RJ/TREVOR: (screaming) No! Pleas, don't!
The red glow returns to Lucia's eyes, the inexplicable wind comes back, and soon with just her gaze, RJ and Trevor are engulfed in flames. Lucia shuts the door and turns to see the rest of the vampires staing at her.
LUCIA: Let that be a lesson to the rest of you. Now, who would like to go tomorrow?
All of the other vampires raise their hands at once.
LUCIA: Hmmm, let's see. How about Darien and Frank.
Darien and Frank smile a squeal in excitement.
FRANK: You won't be disappointed.
LUCIA: I better not be.
Cut To: Summers' house. Giles and Xander have left. Buffy, Dawn, and Willow are in Buffy's room with Spike waiting impatiently.
BUFFY: (holding up a little red dress) How about this?
WILLOW: No, too skanky.
SPIKE: (from outside the door) Are you ready yet?
Dawn opens the door a crack so Spike can't see a thing that is going on in the room.
DAWN: She's gotta get dressed.
BUFFY: (in the background) How about this?
WILLOW: Too Virgin Mary.
Dawn shuts the door on Spike. Back in Buffy's room, they try to find an outfit.
WILLOW: Just go for jeans and a cute shirt.
DAWN: Yeah, that'll always look good on you.
BUFFY: Ok, good idea.
Buffy changes. Dawn opens the door and shuts it straight behind her as Spike tries to get a peek of what's inside.
SPIKE: Why do you always have to be so secretive...yesterday she changed right in front of me and didn't even care.
DAWN: Well, today is different.
SPIKE: Why?
DAWN: Because it's a real date.
WILLOW: (from inside the room) Ok, we're ready.
SPIKE: It's about damn time.
Dawn slowly opens the door to reveal Buffy. She wears some black stretch dress pants, and a glittery light blue tank top. Her hair is down and glittery.
SPIKE: Wow, Buffy, you look amazing.
BUFFY: Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself.
Buffy and Spike head to the Bronze. When they're there, they drink a little, dance a little, and generally have a good time. Soon they sit at a table and drink some coffee.
SPIKE: So, having a good time?
BUFFY: Great time. You?
SPIKE: It's fun. Just me and you...on a date. No violence. No interruptions - just me n you.
BUFFY: Yeah, this *is* nice.
Buffy and Spike finish their coffee, they head to a couch in the back of the bronze. they sit next to each other. The band plays some classic punk.
BUFFY: This is alright music.
SPIKE: Yeah, I love this song.
BUFFY: Well, I wouldn't go that far.
Spike gives a little chuckle and stares down at Buffy who is leaning on his chest. She looks back up at him. Their eyes lock. They kiss. They slowly move apart and just gaze at each other.
SPIKE: Do you work tomorrow?
BUFFY: No.
SPIKE: Then lets go.
Buffy and Spike rush home kissing all the way there. They make their way up the stairs of the Summers' house and just barely make it into Buffy's room. They fall on the floor and Buffy kicks the door closed. Buffy slides from under Spike. She gets up and sit on the bed. Spike stands in front of her. The unbuttons his shirt. It's like slow motion. They slide into the bed and we see Spike on top of Buffy under the covers. There are close ups of Buffy and Spike staring straight at each other - not even flinching.
At about one in the morning, Buffy wakes up and goes downstairs. She walks into the kitchen, and pours herself a glass of water. She hears typing in the dining room. Willow is at her laptop.
BUFFY: Up late again?
WILLOW: Dawn was up with me for a while. She said she could hear you guys and she didn't wanna be up there.
BUFFY: Oh, God, that's not good. W-was, she ok?
WILLOW: She seemed ok.
BUFFY: I should go talk to her anyway.
WILLOW: So you and Spike are back at it?
BUFFY: It's not like that - it wasn't like that. It-it wasn't just sex like it had been before, it was like making love, you know?
WILLOW: I know exactly what you mean. The two are completely different.
BUFFY: Well, I should probably go talk t Dawn - don't stay up too late.
Buffy put the empty glass in the sink and headed upstairs to Dawn's room. She walks in. Dawn is asleep.
BUFFY: Dawn?
Dawn turns and wake up.
BUFFY: Sorry to wake you, but I heard we'd been keeping you up anyway.
DAWN: It's ok, you tow were just getting back together.
BUFFY: Yeah, but you shouldn't have to hear all that.
DAWN: Don't worry about it.
BUFFY: Are you sure, cause if you wanna say anyth-
DAWN: Buffy! I really need to get some sleep.
BUFFY: Ok, well, I'll see you in the morning.
DAWN: Goodnight.
BUFFY: 'Night.
Buffy goes back into her room and sinks down into her warm bed. Spike is fast asleep.
Buffy wakes up the next morning well rested. Nothing seems wrong and nothing seems right. She's going to fight some big evil tomorrow and it's fine with her. She rolls out of bed and walks down to Dawn's room.
BUFFY: Dawn! You awake?
DAWN: Yeah, I'll be down in a second!
BUFFY: A'it! See ya down there.
Buffy turns to walk away but then turns back.
BUFFY: Remember what I said: If you wanna talk about last night, I'll be here to talk about it.
DAWN: OK!
Buffy goes downstairs into the kitchen to find Xander already sitting there talking to Willow.
BUFFY: Hey, Xand, you're here early.
XANDER: Yeah, I just came to talk.
BUFFY: What's up?
WILLOW: Xander got a visit from Enya yesterday.
BUFFY: (wincing) Oooh, was it painful?
XANDER: Uh, yeah. She basically said she couldn't be around me because if she were something might happen and we'd be right back in the same situation.
BUFFY: Ouch. Not to pour salt on the wound, but I heard somewhere that everyone only has two great loves in a lifetime...Angel and Riley.
WILLOW: Oz and Tarah.
XANDER: Enya and Cordellia.
BUFFY: Great, we're all doomed for failure.
XANDER: Look at it this way, Buffy, you died, so you get another lifetime.
BUFFY: Thanks...not comforting.
Buffy goes into the foyer and yells up the stairs.
BUFFY: Dawn! What do you want for breakfast?
No answer.
BUFFY: (to Willow and Xander) I'll be right back.
Buffy walks up the stairs and into Dawn's room: No Dawn. She goes into the bathroom: No Dawn.
BUFFY: (to herself) Maybe Spike knows where she is.
Buffy walks into her room. She hears Dawn's voice through the door.
DAWN: (to Spike) So do you love her.
SPIKE: Of course I do.
DAWN: And does she love you?
SPIKE: Maybe you should ask her that.
DAWN: Well, do you think you could keep it down next time.
Buffy opens the door and stands in the doorway with her hands on her hips.
BUFFY: What do you want for breakfast?
DAWN: Ummm, a ham and cheese omelet sounds good.
BUFFY: (annoyed) Fine!
Buffy goes down the stairs infuriated.
BUFFY: I distinctly remember asking her multiple times "Do you wanna talk about it" and then the asks him for the scoop.
Buffy walks into the kitchen.
BUFFY: Urgh! (angrily) Dawn wants a ham and cheese omelet!
WILLOW: Ok.
XANDER: Why are you so mad?
BUFFY: So I ask if she wants to talk about it. "No,' she says. "Ok," I say back - maybe later. I ask her today, then I find her talking about it with Spike. Spike of all people!
WILLOW: Well, he was there, too.
XANDER: Wait. What'd I miss? What is *it*?
BUFFY: It is *it* Xander. *IT*
XANDER: Oh, *it*. Wait, you did *it* with Spike yesterday? And Dawn knows about it, how?
WILLOW: She could hear it.
XANDER: Buffy!
BUFFY: I know, I know, we didn't mean to be that loud or anything, it just happened.
Just then, Spike and Dawn come traipsing down the stairs giggling. Buffy looks up at them as they enter the kitchen, and she scowls.
BUFFY: (annoyed) Good morning, nice of you two to join us.
SPIKE: What's wrong with you?
BUFFY: Don't worry about it.
DAWN: Oh, then I suppose I should worry about it?
BUFFY: No - don't worry about it. I'm gonna go and watch some TV.
Buffy leaves and walks into the living room. She sits on the couch and turns on the TV. She flips through the channels until she finds some cartoons.
SPIKE: What's her problem?
XANDER: It.
SPIKE: Huh?
XANDER: Don't worry, I'll go talk to her.
Xander walks into the living room. Buffy is laying on the couch watching cartoons.
XANDER: Hey.
BUFFY: Hey.
XANDER: you look like you could use a hug.
BUFFY: (sitting up) You read my mind.
Xander sit next to Buffy on the couch and hugs her.
XANDER: I know it's hard because she's your sister, and she's not confiding in you, but maybe it's because she's your sister that she wants to ask someone else.
BUFFY: What's that supposed to mean?
XANDER: Would you ask your mom about this stuff?
BUFFY: Good point.
XANDER: Ready to face the firing squad now?
BUFFY: I guess.
Buffy and Xander walk out of the living room and head into the kitchen. Xander has his arm around Buffy.
SPIKE: You ok?
BUFFY: (smiles) Fine. I-I heard you guys talking upstairs.
DAWN: Oh. Ar-Are you mad?
BUFFY: (lying) No, no not at all.
XANDER: Buffy!
BUFFY: Ok, I was angry, but now, I'm ok with it.
DAWN: So you don't mind if Spike asks me about that stuff?
BUFFY: (surprised/confused) Spike asking *you*!?
DAWN: Yeah, Spike asking me what kind of jewelry you like - whether you like silver or gold, all that. What'd you think we were talking about?
BUFFY: N-nothing. Don't worry about it.
XANDER: Dawn, we should probably go now.
DAWN: Yeah, we should.
BUFFY: (still sitting at the island looking down) You got everything you need?
DAWN: Yupp.
BUFFY: Be home at four, we'll all be here.
DAWN: Ok. Bye.
XANDER: Bye.
BUFFY: Bye.
Cut to Xander's car. He and Dawn sit at a stop light on their way to Sunnydale High School.
XANDER: So is Spike gonna buy Buffy a necklace or something?
DAWN: (amused) Hardly.
XANDER: What is it.
DAWN: I can't tell you - you'll tell.
XANDER: No I won't, come on, what's he getting her.
DAWN: An engagement ring.
XANDER: (stunned, talking like her has something in his throat) An engagement ring?
DAWN: Yupp.
Xander pulls up to the student drop off at Sunnydale High. Dawn gets out of the car.
XANDER: Have a good day, ok?
DAWN: Ok.
XANDER: See ya later.
DAWN: Bye.
Dawn slams the car door and walks off. Xander speeds off.
XANDER: He's gonna propose to her? This is not good! How? Where? When? No. No! Not good.
Cut to: Summers' house. Buffy is in the shower. Willow and Spike sit at the dining room table. Willow is highlighting in one of her books.
WILLOW: So, when are you gonna do it?
SPIKE: Christmas?
WILLOW: No, too close to her birthday.
SPIKE: Thanksgiving?
WILLOW: Too soon.
SPIKE: It's almost mid October!
WILLOW: Yeah, but something like this needs planning.
SPIKE: Fine, what about her birthday?
WILLOW: That might work. How would you do it.
SPIKE: Shhh, the water just turned off. I'll think about it, and then get back to you. It's not like I don't have time to think about it. Three months.
WILLOW: Believe me, it'll go bye fast.
A few minutes later, Buffy comes down the stairs in a gray t-shirt and some jeans. Her hair is still wet and the shoulders of her t-shirt are too.
WILLOW: Did you kill another blow dryer?
BUFFY: Nope, I just felt like letting it air dry.
WILLOW: Oh.
BUFFY: What are you guys doing?
WILLOW: Studying.
BUFFY: (to Spike) You studying, too?
SPIKE: I figured I'd get a little knowledge in, you know, since Willow here is full of it.
BUFFY: Ok? Spike, can I talk to you for a minute?
SPIKE: Sure, you wanna go into the living room or something.
BUFFY: Uh, no. Maybe Willow should hear this, too.
SPIKE: (cynically) Ok?
BUFFY: What were you talking to Dawn about.
SPIKE: She told you: jewelry.
BUFFY: What does jewelry have to do with you loving me or me loving you for that matter?
Willow looks up: shocked and hoping that Buffy hasn't figured out what jewelry, love, and Buffy have in common.
SPIKE: Two completely different parts of the conversation.
BUFFY: So, what was the part about the love? Did she ask you about last night?
SPIKE: Just a bit.
BUFFY: What did you tell her.
SPIKE: I told her that I love you and then you burst in and the conversation was shot.
BUFFY: And that was it?
SPIKE: That was it.
BUFFY: Ok, thank you. I'm gonna go throw my hair into a ponytail.
SPIKE: Ok.
Once Spike hears that Buffy is safely upstairs, he lets out a big sigh.
SPIKE: That was close.
WILLOW: Sooner or later she could put two and two together.
SPIKE: Yeah, do you think Xander knows?
WILLOW: I'm sure she told him everything.
SPIKE: Great, now I have to deal with that.
BUFFY: (from the foyer) Deal with what.
SPIKE: Xander.
BUFFY: What about Xander?
SPIKE: Jeeze! you've been asking a lot of questions today. Xander finding out about us...last night.
BUFFY: Oh, I wouldn't worry about him. He has his own love issues, he won't go meddling around in ours.
WILLOW: Well, I should get to class.
Willow picks up her books and walks out through the kitchen door.
WILLOW: I'll see you guys later!
BUFFY: Bye, Will!
SPIKE: Bye.
They hear the door slam shut. Buffy and Spike head into the living room to watch some more TV. Buffy leans on Spike.
BUFFY: So, Giles tells me you used to date Lucia.
SPIKE: Oh, that bloody librarian!
BUFFY: So, what's up with her, does she have any weaknesses.
SPIKE: She is obsessed with that husband of hers. I was glad to leave her.
BUFFY: She's obsessed with him, huh? She wants him back?
SPIKE: Yeah.
BUFFY: You can't bring someone back if they're in tiny pieces? Can you?
SPIKE: No, I suppose you can't.
BUFFY: Then, why don't we just burn O'Harren or something like that. She can't put him back together.
SPIKE: But that doesn't solve the problem of Lucia.
BUFFY: Lucia can't live without the hope that Freddie will come back, right?
SPIKE: Right, she's head over heels gripping to her last hope.
BUFFY: So we take her last hope away.
SPIKE: (rolling his eyes) What's the plan?
BUFFY: (on the phone with Giles) Right, so we kill the vampires Lucia sends save one in which we send back with a message telling her to meet us tomorrow. When that vampire leaves, we dig up Freddie's body and burn it: then Lucia can't bring him back.
GILES: (in his apartment looking through spell books) What do we do about Lucia?
BUFFY: I think she'll take care of herself for us. Freddie is her last hope, if he's gone - so is she.
GILES: Ok. So I'll see you tonight, then.
BUFFY: Tonight before sun down.
GILES: See you then. Bye
BUFFY: Bye.
Buffy turns to Spike.
BUFFY: All set then.
Buffy sits back down on the couch next to Spike.
SPIKE: Good.
BUFFY: (looks at the clock: 4:10) Where is Dawn, she should have been here ten minutes ago!
SPIKE: She's probably just running late.
The door opens and Dawn walks in covered in sweat.
DAWN: I'm late, I know I lost track of time. I ran all the way here from Jenna's house to try to make it. Sorry!
BUFFY: Ok, I can accept you being late every once in a while, as long as it doesn't become an every day thing.
DAWN: Thanks. So what's going on tonight? Fighting big bad evil?
BUFFY: Yupp, Willow is gonna stay with you tonight - help you with your homework.
DAWN: Cool, why isn't Xander?
BUFFY: It really tore Willow up last night - she hid it well, but I could tell, so she's gonna sit this one out.
DAWN: Ok.
SPIKE: I think Xander needs to let out some aggression, too if you know what I mean.
BUFFY: No, I don't, what do you mean?
SPIKE: After the visit from Enya.
BUFFY: Yeah, I guess.
DAWN: Well, I'm all sweaty, so I'm gonna go take a shower before every one gets here.
BUFFY: Ok.
Dawn runs upstairs and gets in the shower. Buffy and Spike lay down on the couch like they've been doing all day.
BUFFY: If all goes well, you'll have a new crypt by tomorrow night.
SPIKE: Why do I need a new crypt?
BUFFY: Because I don't want Dawn up every night because we're so loud.
SPIKE: (coaxingly) We'll be quieter next time.
BUFFY: We'll see.
SPIKE: We'll sound-proof the walls.
BUFFY: And how do you suppose we do that?
SPIKE: Xander can do it for us.
XANDER: Xander can do what?
Xander walks into the living room from the foyer.
SPIKE: Sou-
BUFFY: Oh, nothing, nothing important.
XANDER: Alright, then. We all set? Giles is in the car.
BUFFY: Just waiting on Willow.
Just then, the kitchen door opens and slams.
WILLOW: Hello! I'm home!
BUFFY: We're all in here, Will.
Willow comes into the living room.
WILLOW: Hey. Sorry I'm late.
BUFFY: It's ok, Dawn's in the shower - she was running a little late, too.
WILLOW: Ok. You guys should get going - have you done the protection spell?
BUFFY: No, we're gonna wait until tomorrow for that.
WILLOW: Oh, makes sense. You don't wanna show your cards too soon, right?
BUFFY: Right.
XANDER: Well, we'd better go. See ya, Will.
WILLOW: Bye.
Darien and Frank head to Freddie's grave. They've prepared all day for this - they know the slayer will be there.
FRANK: I'm gonna take that slayer and tear her head off.
DARIEN: I dunno, Frank, you ever killed a slayer before?
FRANK: (lying) Of course.
Buffy comes out from behind some bushes.
BUFFY: Well, you can try, but I doubt you'll kill me.
Frank runs at Buffy in an urge to prove himself. Darien rushes at Buffy, too, but she is intercepted my Spike.
SPIKE: Xander! Come hold her!
Xander holds Darien down as Spike ties here arms and her legs so she can't run away or fight. Darien pulls and jerks trying to get out.
DARIEN: Spike! Spike, what's wrong with you?
Spike just turns away.
Buffy and Frank go at it. Frank punches Buffy in the jaw - she doesn't even flinch, she just looks at him. Frank looks down to see a stake in his heart - he dusts.
BUFFY: Told ya you wouldn't kill me.
Buffy stands over Darien.
BUFFY: I want you to tell Lucia to come see me - tomorrow - just after sun down: here. Can you do that for me?
Darien whimpers and nods her head. Buffy leans down and unties Darien's legs.
BUFFY: Go on!
Darien Pushes herself up and runs away.
BUFFY: Let's get to work.
Xander and Spike dig up O'Harren's grave as Buffy leans up against a tombstone.
XANDER: Why am i getting a sense of Deja Vu here?
BUFFY: Uh, because you've dug up a grave before?
XANDER: Yeah, while you just sit there.
BUFFY: Should I use my line there or do you already know it?
XANDER: Yeah, yeah, woman make the babies - I've heard it all before.
SPIKE: I've hit something.
Spike and Xander bend down and wipe the dirt from the top of the casket - Giles and Buffy look over from the main ground. Spike leans and pulls open the casket.
Darien runs in to Lucia's crypt.
DARIEN: Lucia! The slayer is digging up Freddie's grave! She said for you to meet her tomorrow right after sun down, but she's digging up the grave NOW!
LUCIA: What!?
DARIEN: And she has Spike with her.
LUCIA: EVERYONE! We have to go kill a slayer.
SPIKE: Yupp, that's Freddie, alright.
XANDER: How can you tell, he's all decomposed?
SPIKE: Well, it-
BUFFY: Can we just cut the chit-chat. I have a feeling like something's coming.
Xander and Spike hop out of the grave.
SPIKE: (looking back at Buffy) Lighter fluid?
Buffy hands Spike some lighter fluid which he pours all over Freddie's corps. Buffy lights a match and drops it into the grave. Freddie's decomposed body bursts into flames.
LUCIA: Slayer!
Everyone turns around startled.
BUFFY: (scowling at Darien) I thought I said tomorrow. Didn't I say tomorrow? I could have sworn I said tomorrow.
LUCIA: Well, I'm here now!
BUFFY: Giles, you got any quick protection spells?
GILES: I'll see what I can do.
XANDER: It's too late, Lucia. You can't get Freddie back. (looks down at the grave) He's all ashes now.
Buffy looks down, too. The fire is dying down, and all that is left is Freddie's bones. Spike jumps down into the grave.
Lucia's eyes turn red and her hair blows back.
BUFFY: Giles, now would be a good time!
SPIKE: Xander! Sledge Hammer!
Xander hands Spike a sledge hammer, and her proceeds to smash O'Harren's bones.
XANDER: (to Lucia) It's way too late. There's no way you can get him back now.
Lucia's eyes grown a brighter red, and the wind grows stronger.
LUCIA: NO!
Lucia suddenly bursts into flames, as do all of her minions.
BUFFY: See, I told you she'd take care of herself.
They put the dirt back into O'Harren's grave and head home. Giles drops Buffy and Spike back at the Summers' house.
BUFFY: Thanks for the ride. See you tomorrow.
XANDER: Bye.
Giles drives off.
BUFFY: Hello! We're home.
Buffy and Spike walk into the dining room. Willow is at the table on teh computer.
BUFFY: Just once, will you go to bed at a decent hour?
WILLOW: Maybe. Problem solved?
BUFFY: Yupp, Lucia and all of her little cronies are gone.
WILLOW: Good.
BUFFY: Goodnight.
WILLOW: Good night.
SPIKE: 'Night.
Cut to: Buffy and Spike laying in bed.
BUFFY: you know, I kinda feel sorry for Lucia.
SPIKE: Why?
BUFFY: All she wanted was to be with ehr true love, and we took that away from her, you know?
SPIKE: Yeah, but the girl was insane.
BUFFY: We're all a little insane.
SPIKE: True.
BUFFY: Goodnight.
SPIKE: 'Night.
Buffy and Spike lay back to back. We see Spike's face: he still is awake.
SPIKE: Buffy?
BUFFY: Yeah, Spike?
SPIKE: Do you trust me?
The End.
Live, Learn, & Love
Buffy wakes up from a good night's sleep. She yawns and sits up in bed. She looks around - everything seems the same, but something is different. She looks outside: The curtains are shut and a black sheet covers them. The cot that was next to her bed has been removed. She looks down and Spike has just rolled over and looked up at her.
BUFFY: Good morning.
SPIKE: 'Morning.
Buffy rolls out of bed and goes to her closet. She pulls a sweatshirt on over her tank top - she is in cut off sweat-pants.
SPIKE: (from bed) You work today?
BUFFY: two to ten.
SPIKE: Ok.
BUFFY: Are you hungry? French toast, bacon, eggs, blood?
SPIKE: I'll see when I get downstairs.
BUFFY: K, see ya down there.
Buffy walks out of her room and down to Dawn's.
BUFFY: Dawn! Are you awake.
DAWN: yeah, I'm just getting dressed.
BUFFY: Well, hurry up - it's Social Worker Day! (in realization) Social Worker Day! I forgot! Dawn!
DAWN: Yeah?
BUFFY: I gotta get dressed, I'll see ya downstairs.
DAWN: K.
On Buffy's way back to her room she stops by Willow's room.
BUFFY: (rapping on Willow's door) Willow!
WILLOW: (waking up) Yeah?
BUFFY: Are you up?
WILLOW: I am now.
BUFFY: get dressed, it's Social Worker Day!
WILLOW: I'll be right out.
Buffy has already gone to her room to get dressed. Spike is still laying in bed. Buffy pats him on the stomach a few times.
BUFFY: Wake up! It's Social Worker Day!
She begins disrobing not even caring that Spike is still in the room.
BUFFY: I totally forgot, and we all have to get dressed and get downstairs. And no smoking or drinking, Spike, I mean it!
Buffy is down to her underwear and rummages through her closet for the perfect outfit.
BUFFY: Your name is William. You know that, but go by it instead of Spike. "Spike" is too harsh, you know?
Buffy sets her clothes (a red sweater and a pair of black pants) out onto the bed and begins to change into them.
SPIKE: I rather like the name Spike.
BUFFY: but is a social worker gonna trust a girl who hangs out with guys named Spike?
SPIKE: Suppose not.
BUFFY: Right, then. William it is. Get dressed!
Buffy sits on the bed waiting for Spike to get dressed.
SPIKE: You're gonna watch?!?
BUFFY: You watched me!
SPIKE: Fair enough. (Spike begins to change) So, what should I say to her.
BUFFY: Don't try to defend me or anything, just be yourself - without the crudeness.....Just eat and smile and try not to say too much.
Spike finishes changing, and he and Buffy head downstairs. they meet Dawn and Willow in the kitchen.
BUFFY: Remember, guys - Spike is William today.
WILLOW: So what am I making for breakfast?
DAWN: Pancakes?
BUFFY: Any objections?
(No one objects)
WILLOW: Pancakes it is.
XANDER: Did I hear pancakes?
DAWN: Yupp!
XANDER: Good! I'm starved.
Buffy and Willow get out the griddle and the ingredients. Suddenly, the doorbell rings.
BUFFY: I'll get it. Remember, everybody be on their best behavior.
Buffy rushes to the door. She opens it to find a woman in her mid thirties wearing a pants suit.
SUSAN: Good Morning, you must be Buffy.
BUFFY: Yes, and you must be the social worker.
SUSAN: Susan Laree, pleased to meet you.
Susan offers Buffy her hand, Buffy shakes it.
BUFFY: Likewise. Come on in, Miss Laree.
SUSAN: Please, call me Susan.
BUFFY: Ok, Susan, everybody is in the kitchen.
SUSAN: Everybody?
They begin walking towards the kitchen.
BUFFY: Yeah, Dawn, Xander, Willow, and...William.
SUSAN: All these people live here?
BUFFY: Oh, no. Xander is just a friend who takes Dawn to school. William, he is staying here for a while...while he's looking for a new home. And, since we had an extra bedroom, my friend Willow lives here with us.
SUSAN: Oh, ok.
They arrive at the dining room as Susan takes a grand tour of the downstairs.
SUSAN: So, where does William sleep?
BUFFY: (embarrassed, ashamed) In my room.
SUSAN: (assumingly) So you and him -
BUFFY: Oh, no, he's just a friend. (putting a piece of hair behind her ear) We, we used to, but now - just friends.
They were at a point in the dining room where the others could hear everything being said from the kitchen.
SUSAN: What happened to his old place.
BUFFY: Well, he went to Africa for a few months to...rediscover himself, and when he came back, the place was vandalized, so he needed a place to stay to get back on his feet.
SUSAN: Ok? Shall we go in? (pointing to the kitchen)
BUFFY: Sure, come on in.
They enter the kitchen. Dawn is eating her pancakes while Xander and Spike wait for Willow to make theirs.
BUFFY: Everybody, this is Susan Laree, but she likes to be called Susan.
SUSAN: Hi.
BUFFY: Susan, this is Dawn.
Dawn swallows a piece of a pancake and looks up.
DAWN: Hi.
SUSAN: Hi.
BUFFY: Xander.
XANDER: Hey.
SUSAN: Hi.
BUFFY: William.
SPIKE: G'morning.
SUSAN: Hello.
BUFFY: And Willow is over there cookin' the pancakes.
Willow turns around with a plate of pancakes and gives them to Xander.
XANDER: thanks.
WILLOW: (to Susan) Hey.
SUSAN: Hi.
SPIKE: (offended) Hey! Why does he get his first?
BUFFY: Because Xander has to get Dawn to school.
WILLOW: You'll get yours next, Sp-William. Unless you want some, Susan.
SUSAN: No, that's alright, I already eat.
WILLOW: Alright. You're next William.
SUSAN: Buffy, can I speak to you in private for a moment?
BUFFY: (worried) S-sure.
Susan and Buffy head to the living room. They sit across from each other.
SUSAN: There are just a couple more questions I have for you.
BUFFY: Shoot.
SUASAN: I want to know-
XANDER: Buffy, we're gonna go.
BUFFY: (to Susan) Will you excuse me for a second?
SUSAN: Sure.
Buffy walks into the foyer.
BUFFY: (to Dawn) You got everything you need?
DAWN: Yupp.
BUFFY: Ok, I want you home by four - Willow will be waiting for you, and William will be here, too.
DAWN: Ok.
Buffy hugs Dawn.
BUFFY: Ok, have a nice day. (hugging Xander) Drive safe, ok?
XANDER: Ok. (to Susan) Nice to meet you.
DAWN: Dido.
Susan smiles and waves. Dawn and Xander leave the house.
BUFFY: (from the front door) See you guys later!
Buffy returns to the living room.
BUFFY: now, what did you want to ask me?
SUSAN: Do you work tonight?
BUFFY: Two to Ten. Why, are you gonna come and check on me at work?
SUSAN: No, I checked with your manager, and she said you've been doing fine. I just wanted to know who takes care of Dawn when you're at work.
BUFFY: Depending on whose available: Willow, William, or Xander. And our old friend who came back from England a few months ago Giles - if no one else can do it.
SUSAN: Ok, now you were fired from your job at one point, is that right?
BUFFY: Yeah, you see, I thought it was a funny little practical joke, but no one else thought it was funny. But I have the job back now.
SUSAN: I have just one more question.
BUFFY: Ok.
SUSAN: I've noticed that all of the curtains are closed and there are black sheets over them. Why?
BUFFY: Oh, that? Well, Sp- William has sensitive eyes, and the Sun shines right through, plus he has sensitive skin, so we keep the windows covered.
SUSAN: Ok. Twice now I've heard one of you say "Sp" before William's name, why?
BUFFY: Well, William has a rather crude nickname, and we all call him by it, but we didn't want to make a bad impression.
SUSAN: What's the nickname?
BUFFY: Spike.
SUSAN: Spike?
BUFFY: Yeah, don't ask.
SUSAN: Ok, well I have another appointment soon, so I have to go.
BUFFY: Oh, ok.
Susan gets up to leave. She walks toward the front door.
BUFFY: S-Susan?
Susan turns around.
BUFFY: How did we do?
SUSAN: I'd say, pretty good.
Buffy walks up the door and opens it for Susan.
BUFFY: Ok, thank you. I'll be seeing you.
SUSAN: Bye, Buffy.
BUFFY: Bye.
Susan steps out of the house and Buffy shuts the door behind her. Buffy turns around and runs into the kitchen.
BUFFY: She said we did pretty good!
WILLOW: That's great!
SPIKE: Great! Now come and eat your pancakes!
Cut to the Double Meat Palace: 10 PM. Buffy walks out of the burger joint to meet Spike. They walk down one of the streets on Sunnydale.
SPIKE: So how's life at the Double Meat Palace?
BUFFY: Long and tiring.
SPIKE: That bad, huh?
Spike puts his arm around Buffy and she leans into him.
SPIKE: So do you wanna do a little patrolling before we head home?
BUFFY: Mmmm, a late night stroll through a cemetery, sounds like my kind of date.
SPIKE: I knew it was. How's your back?
BUFFY: It's doing better, I can fight now.
SPIKE: Good.
Spike and Buffy walk through one of Sunnydale's many cemeteries. Spike stops dead in his track stopping Buffy with him.
SPIKE: Shhh, I hear something.
BUFFY: Ok.
They walk a few steps further until they see two vampires diggin up a grave. Buffy walks up behind one of them.
BUFFY: Whatcha doin'?
VAMPIRE 1: Slayer!
BUFFY: That's me.
The first vampire comes charging at Buffy. She sticks a stake right in his heat and moves on to the second.
BUFFY: So, what were you doing?
Buffy high-kicks the vampire in the head.
BUFFY: Digging up parts to make your dream girl?
The vampire swings at her and she grabs his arm and flips him over.
BUFFY: Resurrecting an old friend?
Buffy stands over the vampire: stake in hand.
BUFFY: Or just stealing?
Buffy stakes the vampire and stands up brushing the dust off of her uniform.
BUFFY: Ahh, that was enough slaying for the night, wouldn't you say?
Spike was standing over the grave staring at it.
BUFFY: What were they stealing?
SPIKE: They weren't.
BUFFY: Then, what were they doing?
SPIKE: I don't know, but look: there are candles down there - they were performing some kind of ritual or something.
BUFFY: We'll get the name off of the tombstone, and we can research it. What's the name?
SPIKE: Fredrick O'Harren
Buffy and Spike leave the cemetery and head home. Spike, once again has is arm around Buffy's shoulder, and her head is leaning against his chest. When they arrive back home, Buffy heads to the kitchen looking for Willow. Willow is on the computer in the dining room.
BUFFY: Willow!?
WILLOW: In here.
BUFFY: Willow! Can you see what you can find on the name Fredrick O'Harren?
WILLOW: Sure.
Cut to a crypt. Vampires sit around and joke. The one leading the conversation is a vampire named Lucia. A young vampire rushes in.
YOUNG VAMP: Lucia! Tyrone and Geoffrey didn't come back, the Slayer got them!
LUCIA: Well, we'll just have to send a couple more out. Who'll volunteer?
About five vampires raise their hands. Luc scans the group of vampires, she notices a couple who don't want to go.
LUCIA: (to the ones who don't want to go) Trevor, RJ! You'll go and get Fredrick for me.
RJ: But Lucia!
Lucia glares at RJ, her eyes turn red and some inexplicable wind blows her hair back.
LUCIA: Do you really want to fight with me on this?
RJ: N-n-no.
The wind stops and the fire in Lucia's eyes dies down.
LUCIA: (calmly) Go and you shall be rewarded.
YOUNG VAMP: Lucia, are you sure? Are you sure you want these ones.
LUCIA: Yes, my little one, they'll do.
Back at the Summers' house, Willow surfs the net to find information on Fredrick O'Harren.
WILLOW: Hey, guys, I think I got something!
Buffy, Spike, Xander, and Giles rush into the dining room.
WILLOW: O'Harren was an escape convict who died in a police chase in 1943. His wife was with him and lived through it. Her name was Lucia Evans. Wait, there's more. Lucia mysteriously disappeared in 1946, but there have been sightings of her...she's a vampire.
BUFFY: So we're looking at a vampire trying to resurrect her long lost love...shouldn't be too hard to stop.
SPIKE: It will be. Lucia has powers.
BUFFY: Powers?
SPIKE: Yeah, she's the real Fire Starter. I'd be careful.
BUFFY: Fire Starter? Like she can start fires with her mind?
SPIKE: Yupp.
BUFFY: Willow, can you find a weakness of her that we can use?
WILLOW: I'll try.
BUFFY: Good, thanks, but right now, maybe we should all get some rest.
Everyone Giles and Xander leave. Buffy, Spike, and Willow head upstairs to go to bed. Buffy brushes her teeth and heads to Dawn's room.
BUFFY: (quietly) Dawn?
DAWN: Hey, Buffy. Rough day at the office..s?
BUFFY: Yeah, we found these vamps trying to resurrect a criminal, so we'll see where that goes tomorrow. How was your day?
DAWN: Oh, the usual. Classes, then lunch.
BUFFY: That wasn't the usual back when I went to Sunnydale High, of course, it's a completely different school.
DAWN: Yeah.
BUFFY: Well, you'd better get your rest. I'll see you in the morning.
DAWN: Good Night.
Buffy heads back to her room. Spike is already half asleep in bed. He's tossing and turning. He moans Buffy's name.
BUFFY: Hey, sleepy - maybe you should wait until I get in bed before you sleep: less nightmares.
SPIKE: Good idea.
Buffy hops into bed and turns out the light next to herbed.
BUFFY: Goodnight, Spike.
SPIKE: 'Night, luv.
Buffy falls asleep with the words "'Night luv." echoing through her brain. In the middle of the night she shoot up in her bed. She rubs her eyes and walks downstairs for a drink of water. As she's goining toward the kitchen she talks to herself.
BUFFY: Turtles wouldn't call me "luv" this soon. Neither would sloths.
Buffy walks down into the kitchen. We see Willow in the dining room (in the background) on the computer.
BUFFY: (slamming a glass down on the counter, then filling it with water) And snails sure as HELL wouldn't!
WILLOW: Are you ok?
BUFFY: (startled) Y-yeah, fine. Why?
WILLOW: You were talking about sloths and snails.
BUFFY: Oh, that - that was nothing. I was just venting about Spike.
WILLOW: Oh.
Buffy sits at the dining room table drinking her glass of water.
BUFFY: Couldn't sleep either? What are you doing?
WILLOW: Getting more stuff on Lucia and Freddie O'Harren.
BUFFY: So what have you got so far.
WILLOW: Well, Freddie, he was really into chaos. He didn't really have an all out purpose, you know, he just liked to terrorize places. Like Sunnydale. And, well, get him and Lucia together and it's double the chaos. His vandalism and her fire starting capabilities - this place would be ruins in less than a night.
BUFFY: So what your telling me is if I don't stop Lucia from resurrecting her psychotic husband, this whole place goes bye-bye.
WILLOW: Basically.
Buffy goes into the kitchen and puts her empty glass in the sink. She walks back into the dining room and kisses Willow on the head.
BUFFY: Thanks, Will.
Willow looks up at her.
BUFFY: Get some rest. You still have school in the morning.
WILLOW: Tomorrow is Wednesday. I don't go in until eleven - thank God.
BUFFY: Well, get some sleep anyway. Good Night.
WILLOW: 'Night.
Buffy walks upstairs talking to herself again.
BUFFY: I know he loves me, and I love him, but that doesn't change what happened. And I won't pretend like it did. And I'm trying really hard.
Buffy walks into the bathroom - focus on the outside door of it. You can hear Buffy talking to herself through the door.
BUFFY: Really hard. And i am resisting all of the temptations, and trying not to use him, and all that.
We hear the toilet flush.
BUFFY: But I can't sit here and resist all of his charms.
Buffy walks out of the bathroom and heads down the hall to her room.
BUFFY: How dare he call me love!
Buffy opens her door and walks in. She sees Spike tossing and turning. He moans her name a few more times.
BUFFY: But, then again - he is sorry, and we are trying.
Buffy snuggles into bed with Spike and the moans stop.
BUFFY: (to herself) And he does need me.
Buffy falls asleep, and wakes up the next morning to the blurred rays of sun. She get up out of bed and throws a sweatshirt on over her tee shirt. She heads towards Dawn's room.
BUFFY: You ready Dawn?
DAWN: I'll be out in a couple seconds.
BUFFY: OK!
Buffy heads to the bathroom to brush her teeth. She hums some punk song Spike had forced her to listen to. Suddenly, Spike appears in the door.
SPIKE: You're likin' it, aren't you?
BUFFY: Liking what?
SPIKE: The music.
BUFFY: It's ok.
SPIKE: It's great.
Spike turns to leave, and then turns back around.
SPIKE: Say, if you're not doing anything tonight - I was wondering if you wanted to go to the Bronze. Have a drink? Dance?
BUFFY: Like a date?
SPIKE: (as if he were saying DUH!) Uh, yeah!
BUFFY: What about Lucia?
SPIKE: She'll send out another couple of minions - we have time. We kill them, they don't bring him back.
BUFFY: We'll see.
Buffy rinses out her mouth and she and Spike head downstairs. Willow and Dawn are downstairs, just like the day before. Willow is still in her PJs.
BUFFY: How late did you stay up last night?
WILLOW: Until about three.
BUFFY: Oh.
WILLOW: What'll it be today, Dawnie?
DAWN: French Toast?
WILLOW: Will do.
SPIKE: Mmmm, I love pouring blood over it - makes it taste really good.
The three girls turn and look at him in repulsion.
SPIKE: What?
BUFFY: Ewe!
SPIKE: You'd like it, too if you were a vampire.
XANDER: Yeah, the problem here is that none of us ARE vampires...just you. Now, what were you guys talking about?
BUFFY: French Toast.
XANDER: Well, I like French toast, what's wrong with French toast?
BUFFY: With blood smeared all over it.
XANDER: Now that is just DISGUSTING! Ewe, Spike.
BUFFY: My comments exactly.
Xander and Dawn eat their French toast as Buffy and Spike wait patiently to get theirs.
XANDER: So, Willow, did you find anything on this Lucia chic that could help Buffy?
WILLOW: Well, here is always a protection spell, but Giles would have to do it.
BUFFY: So what do we protect? The grave, or me?
WILLOW: He could do both for added assurance. When would you wanna do it?
BUFFY: Tonight?
SPIKE: No - not tonight. Lucia will probably have another couple of her minions out tonight.
BUFFY: Then what do you suppose we do Spike.
SPIKE: You're the slayer.
BUFFY: That's right, I am. Ok, what if tonight, we do the protection spell on the grave. If Spike is right, there will only be a couple more minions, and I can take them while Giles does the spell. Then, tomorrow, he does the spell on me, and I meet Lucia at the grave where we have it out. Sound good?
WILLOW: Sounds like a plan to me. We should call Giles just to check with him, though.
Xander finishes his French toast and looks at his watch.
XANDER: Well, I'd say it's about time for us to go. Wouldn't you say so, Dawnie?
Dawn lances at Xander's watch.
DAWN: Yeah, we should probably go.
Xander and Dawn head to the foyer. Buffy follows them.
BUFFY: Ok, well, drive safely. Make sure you've got everything you need. I'll see you at four.
DAWN: Ok.
XANDER: Buh bye.
DAWN: Bye
BUFFY: Bye!.
Buffy shuts the door behind them and goes back in to the kitchen. Willow has just given Spike his French toast. Buffy pick up the phone and dials Giles' number.
BUFFY: Hello? Giles? We have a plan for Lucia, but we need your help.
Spike goes to the fridge and gets some blood.
BUFFY: Tonight we wanna put a protection spell on the grave, and then tomorrow a-
Spike pours some blood out onto his French toast.
WILLOW: Ewe - that is so disgusting!
BUFFY!: Spike, go eat that somewhere else! (to Giles) He just poured blood on his French toast! Yeah, right in front of Willow and me!
SPIKE: Fine I'll go in the dining room.
BUFFY: (to Spike) No! Not the dining room - I don't want it smelling like pig's blood! just eat it in here - we'll deal.
SPIKE: Fine then.
BUFFY: (to Giles) Anyway, tomorrow we want you to put a protection spell on me so I can fight Lucia. Sound good? Ok, I'll see ya here before sun-down. Ok, bye.
Buffy hangs up the phone. She looks over at Spike who is devouring his French toast.
BUFFY: Ewe! Spike!
Cut to: living room later that day. Willow is gone and Buffy is half sitting, half laying on the couch watching TV. Spike comes downstairs from whatever he was doing. He sits down next to Buffy on the opposite side from where she's leaning. Buffy completely readjusts herself so she is leaning on Spike's chest. Buffy sighs. They watch TV together.
SPIKE: Is this slow enough for you?
BUFFY: I don't know, it's just comfortable. You, me. just watching TV, and something is there, but it's a little more than sex. I like this.
SPIKE: Me too, luv.
All the blood rushes out of Buffy's face: he said it again.
BUFFY: But, i don't like that.
SPIKE: Like what?
BUFFY: You calling me "luv"
SPIKE: Why not?
BUFFY: I don't know, it just implies too much.
SPIKE: And what does it imply this week?
BUFFY: What it always has: love.
SPIKE: And what's so wrong with love?
BUFFY: Nothing! Everything! I don't know. I told you before that I don't know.
SPIKE: Ok. So you don't know. It's ok. I don't know, either. that's the beauty of it.
BUFFY: (quickly changing the subject) Have you found a crypt yet?
SPIKE: Nope. It's seems that some vampires took over my crypt when I left, and I can't find an unoccupied anywhere in Sunnydale.
BUFFY: So what you're trying to tell me is you're stuck here with us, and we're stuck here with you.
SPIKE: Basically.
BUFFY: I guess we can go on that date tonight - ti shouldn't take too long to do the spell and scare some vamps.
SPIKE: Good.
Cut to: Xander's apartment later in the afternoon. There is a knock on the door. He opens it to find Enya.
ENYA: Hey, I was just wondering if i left my red cashmere sweater here?
XANDER: C'mon in. You might have.
Xander goes to a corner of the front room and picks up a box filled with a bunch of what seems like junk.
XANDER: Here's a bunch of stuff I found of yours. You must have forgotten it.
ENYA: Thanks.
Enya turns to leave.
XANDER: Enya! You want a drink or something?
ENYA: I don't think that's such a good idea.
XANDER: Why not?
ENYA: Because Xander!
XANDER: Still waiting for a real answer.
ENYA: Because God knows what'll happen. I may even build up some more feeling for you. And then what? You'll just ditch me like before. Then, where are we? Right back here. So no, I'm just gonna leave.
Enya walks out the door.
XANDER: Wait! Enya!
She's gone.
Back at the Summers' house, Spike and Buffy are still laying on the couch watching TV: it's about an hour until Sundown. There is a knock on the door. Buffy gets up to get the door. It's Giles.
BUFFY: Oh, hey, Giles.
GILES: Hello.
SPIKE: Hello, Giles.
GILES: Spike.
BUFFY: You're a little early.
GILES: I just wanted to know more of the plan.
BUFFY: Come on in and sit down.
Giles sit on the couch next to Spike. Spike rolls his eyes because he can no longer sit next to Buffy. Buffy stands in front of the TV and turns it off.
BUFFY: Xander is gonna stay here and watch Dawn. We're gonna go down to Freddie O'Harren's grave, adn keep watch while you do the protection spell on it. If any vamps come, we'll scare them off so they'll tell Lucia that I'm waiting for her, then tomorrow night, I'll fight her.
GILES: Ok.
Suddenly, the door opens, and Xander walk in.
XANDER: Hello? I brought pizza.
BUFFY: Dawn's upstairs with willow doing homework.
XANDER: Ok, but do you guys want any pizza?
BUFFY: No thanks.
SPIKE: Naw.
GILES: No, but thank you anyway.
XANDER: Ok?
BUFFY: Actually, if you're here, we should probably get to work. I'll go up with you to get Willow.
Xander and Buffy go upstairs leaving Spike and Giles alone on the couch.
SPIKE: You know much about this Lucia?
GILES: No, do you?
SPIKE: I should, I dated her.
GILES: You dated her?
SPIKE: Yeah, me n Dru were having one of those off times. Luc is hell bent on getting that Freddie guy back. That's why I had to leave her. that, and Dru wanted me back.
GILES: Hmmm. So nothing useful to tell us then?
SPIKE: Hmm, let me see. Not really - but iI remember something I'll be sure to let you all know.
Willow and Buffy come down the stairs.
BUFFY: The sun us almost down - we should get going.
Buffy throws a blanket at Spike.
BUFFY: You might still need this.
SPIKE: Thanks, lu- Buffy.
The four exit the house and get into Giles' car. They drive to the cemetery. the Sun has gone down and Spike and Buffy stand guard as Willow watches Giles perform the ritual.
Cut to: Lucia's crypt. RJ and Trevor stand straight in front of Lucia. Lucia paces back and fourth in front of the two.
LUCIA: It's been almost 60 years since my Freddie has been alive, and I still love him. Just think about it - we'll reek havoc all over Sunnydale, all the little humans you want at your disposal. All you have to do is bring me Freddie back. Is that clear?
RJ/TREVOR: Yes, ma'am.
Trevor and RJ move to leave.
LUCIA: And don't think you can use a stupid excuse like the slayer to get out of this.
RJ/TREVOR: Yes ma'am.
Back at the cemetery, Spike any Buffy stand at either side of the grave looking for anything unusual as Willow watches Giles perform the ritual. Giles speaks in Latin with candles all around him and a pentacle made of sand under him. Spike's ears perk up, he hears a noise. He walks up next to Buffy.
SPIKE: Two complaining vampires at twelve o'clock. And they seem to be talking about Lucia sending them on this stupid mission.
Soon RJ and Trevor come into Buffy's view. They see her, too.
RJ: the slayer!
BUFFY: Hello, boys! Can you do me a favor.
TREVOR: (trying to cover his fear) N-n-no.
BUFFY: Just tell Lucia I'll be waiting for her here, tomorrow.
RJ: O-ok, come on Trevor let's go.
The two vampires run as quickly as they can.
BUFFY: that wasn't too hard.
SPIKE: Plus, it gives you another fairly easy night tomorrow.
BUFFY: Huh?
SPIKE: She' won't believe those tow. She'll just think that they made it up so they wouldn't have to work, so tomorrow she'll send two of her good ones out, and if they disappear or come back without the body, she'll make an appearance.
WILLOW: (to Giles) Finished?
GILES: Yes, that should do it.
BUFFY: Good, then let's go home - I have a date tonight.
WILLOW: Buffy! What would all the sloths and snails say?
BUFFY: Oh, they agree with me.
Giles gives Willow and Buffy a strange look as Spike just smiles.
SPIKE: (to Giles) Don't ask, they probably wouldn't tell you.
RJ and Trevor rush back tot he crypt. Lucia meets them at the door.
LUCIA: Where's Freddie?
RJ: The slayer was there, she told us to tell you -
LUCIA: Silence!
TREVOR: It's true!
LUCIA: Let's face it boys, I sent you to do a simple little job for me and you botched it. You know aht this means, don't you?
RJ/TREVOR: (screaming) No! Pleas, don't!
The red glow returns to Lucia's eyes, the inexplicable wind comes back, and soon with just her gaze, RJ and Trevor are engulfed in flames. Lucia shuts the door and turns to see the rest of the vampires staing at her.
LUCIA: Let that be a lesson to the rest of you. Now, who would like to go tomorrow?
All of the other vampires raise their hands at once.
LUCIA: Hmmm, let's see. How about Darien and Frank.
Darien and Frank smile a squeal in excitement.
FRANK: You won't be disappointed.
LUCIA: I better not be.
Cut To: Summers' house. Giles and Xander have left. Buffy, Dawn, and Willow are in Buffy's room with Spike waiting impatiently.
BUFFY: (holding up a little red dress) How about this?
WILLOW: No, too skanky.
SPIKE: (from outside the door) Are you ready yet?
Dawn opens the door a crack so Spike can't see a thing that is going on in the room.
DAWN: She's gotta get dressed.
BUFFY: (in the background) How about this?
WILLOW: Too Virgin Mary.
Dawn shuts the door on Spike. Back in Buffy's room, they try to find an outfit.
WILLOW: Just go for jeans and a cute shirt.
DAWN: Yeah, that'll always look good on you.
BUFFY: Ok, good idea.
Buffy changes. Dawn opens the door and shuts it straight behind her as Spike tries to get a peek of what's inside.
SPIKE: Why do you always have to be so secretive...yesterday she changed right in front of me and didn't even care.
DAWN: Well, today is different.
SPIKE: Why?
DAWN: Because it's a real date.
WILLOW: (from inside the room) Ok, we're ready.
SPIKE: It's about damn time.
Dawn slowly opens the door to reveal Buffy. She wears some black stretch dress pants, and a glittery light blue tank top. Her hair is down and glittery.
SPIKE: Wow, Buffy, you look amazing.
BUFFY: Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself.
Buffy and Spike head to the Bronze. When they're there, they drink a little, dance a little, and generally have a good time. Soon they sit at a table and drink some coffee.
SPIKE: So, having a good time?
BUFFY: Great time. You?
SPIKE: It's fun. Just me and you...on a date. No violence. No interruptions - just me n you.
BUFFY: Yeah, this *is* nice.
Buffy and Spike finish their coffee, they head to a couch in the back of the bronze. they sit next to each other. The band plays some classic punk.
BUFFY: This is alright music.
SPIKE: Yeah, I love this song.
BUFFY: Well, I wouldn't go that far.
Spike gives a little chuckle and stares down at Buffy who is leaning on his chest. She looks back up at him. Their eyes lock. They kiss. They slowly move apart and just gaze at each other.
SPIKE: Do you work tomorrow?
BUFFY: No.
SPIKE: Then lets go.
Buffy and Spike rush home kissing all the way there. They make their way up the stairs of the Summers' house and just barely make it into Buffy's room. They fall on the floor and Buffy kicks the door closed. Buffy slides from under Spike. She gets up and sit on the bed. Spike stands in front of her. The unbuttons his shirt. It's like slow motion. They slide into the bed and we see Spike on top of Buffy under the covers. There are close ups of Buffy and Spike staring straight at each other - not even flinching.
At about one in the morning, Buffy wakes up and goes downstairs. She walks into the kitchen, and pours herself a glass of water. She hears typing in the dining room. Willow is at her laptop.
BUFFY: Up late again?
WILLOW: Dawn was up with me for a while. She said she could hear you guys and she didn't wanna be up there.
BUFFY: Oh, God, that's not good. W-was, she ok?
WILLOW: She seemed ok.
BUFFY: I should go talk to her anyway.
WILLOW: So you and Spike are back at it?
BUFFY: It's not like that - it wasn't like that. It-it wasn't just sex like it had been before, it was like making love, you know?
WILLOW: I know exactly what you mean. The two are completely different.
BUFFY: Well, I should probably go talk t Dawn - don't stay up too late.
Buffy put the empty glass in the sink and headed upstairs to Dawn's room. She walks in. Dawn is asleep.
BUFFY: Dawn?
Dawn turns and wake up.
BUFFY: Sorry to wake you, but I heard we'd been keeping you up anyway.
DAWN: It's ok, you tow were just getting back together.
BUFFY: Yeah, but you shouldn't have to hear all that.
DAWN: Don't worry about it.
BUFFY: Are you sure, cause if you wanna say anyth-
DAWN: Buffy! I really need to get some sleep.
BUFFY: Ok, well, I'll see you in the morning.
DAWN: Goodnight.
BUFFY: 'Night.
Buffy goes back into her room and sinks down into her warm bed. Spike is fast asleep.
Buffy wakes up the next morning well rested. Nothing seems wrong and nothing seems right. She's going to fight some big evil tomorrow and it's fine with her. She rolls out of bed and walks down to Dawn's room.
BUFFY: Dawn! You awake?
DAWN: Yeah, I'll be down in a second!
BUFFY: A'it! See ya down there.
Buffy turns to walk away but then turns back.
BUFFY: Remember what I said: If you wanna talk about last night, I'll be here to talk about it.
DAWN: OK!
Buffy goes downstairs into the kitchen to find Xander already sitting there talking to Willow.
BUFFY: Hey, Xand, you're here early.
XANDER: Yeah, I just came to talk.
BUFFY: What's up?
WILLOW: Xander got a visit from Enya yesterday.
BUFFY: (wincing) Oooh, was it painful?
XANDER: Uh, yeah. She basically said she couldn't be around me because if she were something might happen and we'd be right back in the same situation.
BUFFY: Ouch. Not to pour salt on the wound, but I heard somewhere that everyone only has two great loves in a lifetime...Angel and Riley.
WILLOW: Oz and Tarah.
XANDER: Enya and Cordellia.
BUFFY: Great, we're all doomed for failure.
XANDER: Look at it this way, Buffy, you died, so you get another lifetime.
BUFFY: Thanks...not comforting.
Buffy goes into the foyer and yells up the stairs.
BUFFY: Dawn! What do you want for breakfast?
No answer.
BUFFY: (to Willow and Xander) I'll be right back.
Buffy walks up the stairs and into Dawn's room: No Dawn. She goes into the bathroom: No Dawn.
BUFFY: (to herself) Maybe Spike knows where she is.
Buffy walks into her room. She hears Dawn's voice through the door.
DAWN: (to Spike) So do you love her.
SPIKE: Of course I do.
DAWN: And does she love you?
SPIKE: Maybe you should ask her that.
DAWN: Well, do you think you could keep it down next time.
Buffy opens the door and stands in the doorway with her hands on her hips.
BUFFY: What do you want for breakfast?
DAWN: Ummm, a ham and cheese omelet sounds good.
BUFFY: (annoyed) Fine!
Buffy goes down the stairs infuriated.
BUFFY: I distinctly remember asking her multiple times "Do you wanna talk about it" and then the asks him for the scoop.
Buffy walks into the kitchen.
BUFFY: Urgh! (angrily) Dawn wants a ham and cheese omelet!
WILLOW: Ok.
XANDER: Why are you so mad?
BUFFY: So I ask if she wants to talk about it. "No,' she says. "Ok," I say back - maybe later. I ask her today, then I find her talking about it with Spike. Spike of all people!
WILLOW: Well, he was there, too.
XANDER: Wait. What'd I miss? What is *it*?
BUFFY: It is *it* Xander. *IT*
XANDER: Oh, *it*. Wait, you did *it* with Spike yesterday? And Dawn knows about it, how?
WILLOW: She could hear it.
XANDER: Buffy!
BUFFY: I know, I know, we didn't mean to be that loud or anything, it just happened.
Just then, Spike and Dawn come traipsing down the stairs giggling. Buffy looks up at them as they enter the kitchen, and she scowls.
BUFFY: (annoyed) Good morning, nice of you two to join us.
SPIKE: What's wrong with you?
BUFFY: Don't worry about it.
DAWN: Oh, then I suppose I should worry about it?
BUFFY: No - don't worry about it. I'm gonna go and watch some TV.
Buffy leaves and walks into the living room. She sits on the couch and turns on the TV. She flips through the channels until she finds some cartoons.
SPIKE: What's her problem?
XANDER: It.
SPIKE: Huh?
XANDER: Don't worry, I'll go talk to her.
Xander walks into the living room. Buffy is laying on the couch watching cartoons.
XANDER: Hey.
BUFFY: Hey.
XANDER: you look like you could use a hug.
BUFFY: (sitting up) You read my mind.
Xander sit next to Buffy on the couch and hugs her.
XANDER: I know it's hard because she's your sister, and she's not confiding in you, but maybe it's because she's your sister that she wants to ask someone else.
BUFFY: What's that supposed to mean?
XANDER: Would you ask your mom about this stuff?
BUFFY: Good point.
XANDER: Ready to face the firing squad now?
BUFFY: I guess.
Buffy and Xander walk out of the living room and head into the kitchen. Xander has his arm around Buffy.
SPIKE: You ok?
BUFFY: (smiles) Fine. I-I heard you guys talking upstairs.
DAWN: Oh. Ar-Are you mad?
BUFFY: (lying) No, no not at all.
XANDER: Buffy!
BUFFY: Ok, I was angry, but now, I'm ok with it.
DAWN: So you don't mind if Spike asks me about that stuff?
BUFFY: (surprised/confused) Spike asking *you*!?
DAWN: Yeah, Spike asking me what kind of jewelry you like - whether you like silver or gold, all that. What'd you think we were talking about?
BUFFY: N-nothing. Don't worry about it.
XANDER: Dawn, we should probably go now.
DAWN: Yeah, we should.
BUFFY: (still sitting at the island looking down) You got everything you need?
DAWN: Yupp.
BUFFY: Be home at four, we'll all be here.
DAWN: Ok. Bye.
XANDER: Bye.
BUFFY: Bye.
Cut to Xander's car. He and Dawn sit at a stop light on their way to Sunnydale High School.
XANDER: So is Spike gonna buy Buffy a necklace or something?
DAWN: (amused) Hardly.
XANDER: What is it.
DAWN: I can't tell you - you'll tell.
XANDER: No I won't, come on, what's he getting her.
DAWN: An engagement ring.
XANDER: (stunned, talking like her has something in his throat) An engagement ring?
DAWN: Yupp.
Xander pulls up to the student drop off at Sunnydale High. Dawn gets out of the car.
XANDER: Have a good day, ok?
DAWN: Ok.
XANDER: See ya later.
DAWN: Bye.
Dawn slams the car door and walks off. Xander speeds off.
XANDER: He's gonna propose to her? This is not good! How? Where? When? No. No! Not good.
Cut to: Summers' house. Buffy is in the shower. Willow and Spike sit at the dining room table. Willow is highlighting in one of her books.
WILLOW: So, when are you gonna do it?
SPIKE: Christmas?
WILLOW: No, too close to her birthday.
SPIKE: Thanksgiving?
WILLOW: Too soon.
SPIKE: It's almost mid October!
WILLOW: Yeah, but something like this needs planning.
SPIKE: Fine, what about her birthday?
WILLOW: That might work. How would you do it.
SPIKE: Shhh, the water just turned off. I'll think about it, and then get back to you. It's not like I don't have time to think about it. Three months.
WILLOW: Believe me, it'll go bye fast.
A few minutes later, Buffy comes down the stairs in a gray t-shirt and some jeans. Her hair is still wet and the shoulders of her t-shirt are too.
WILLOW: Did you kill another blow dryer?
BUFFY: Nope, I just felt like letting it air dry.
WILLOW: Oh.
BUFFY: What are you guys doing?
WILLOW: Studying.
BUFFY: (to Spike) You studying, too?
SPIKE: I figured I'd get a little knowledge in, you know, since Willow here is full of it.
BUFFY: Ok? Spike, can I talk to you for a minute?
SPIKE: Sure, you wanna go into the living room or something.
BUFFY: Uh, no. Maybe Willow should hear this, too.
SPIKE: (cynically) Ok?
BUFFY: What were you talking to Dawn about.
SPIKE: She told you: jewelry.
BUFFY: What does jewelry have to do with you loving me or me loving you for that matter?
Willow looks up: shocked and hoping that Buffy hasn't figured out what jewelry, love, and Buffy have in common.
SPIKE: Two completely different parts of the conversation.
BUFFY: So, what was the part about the love? Did she ask you about last night?
SPIKE: Just a bit.
BUFFY: What did you tell her.
SPIKE: I told her that I love you and then you burst in and the conversation was shot.
BUFFY: And that was it?
SPIKE: That was it.
BUFFY: Ok, thank you. I'm gonna go throw my hair into a ponytail.
SPIKE: Ok.
Once Spike hears that Buffy is safely upstairs, he lets out a big sigh.
SPIKE: That was close.
WILLOW: Sooner or later she could put two and two together.
SPIKE: Yeah, do you think Xander knows?
WILLOW: I'm sure she told him everything.
SPIKE: Great, now I have to deal with that.
BUFFY: (from the foyer) Deal with what.
SPIKE: Xander.
BUFFY: What about Xander?
SPIKE: Jeeze! you've been asking a lot of questions today. Xander finding out about us...last night.
BUFFY: Oh, I wouldn't worry about him. He has his own love issues, he won't go meddling around in ours.
WILLOW: Well, I should get to class.
Willow picks up her books and walks out through the kitchen door.
WILLOW: I'll see you guys later!
BUFFY: Bye, Will!
SPIKE: Bye.
They hear the door slam shut. Buffy and Spike head into the living room to watch some more TV. Buffy leans on Spike.
BUFFY: So, Giles tells me you used to date Lucia.
SPIKE: Oh, that bloody librarian!
BUFFY: So, what's up with her, does she have any weaknesses.
SPIKE: She is obsessed with that husband of hers. I was glad to leave her.
BUFFY: She's obsessed with him, huh? She wants him back?
SPIKE: Yeah.
BUFFY: You can't bring someone back if they're in tiny pieces? Can you?
SPIKE: No, I suppose you can't.
BUFFY: Then, why don't we just burn O'Harren or something like that. She can't put him back together.
SPIKE: But that doesn't solve the problem of Lucia.
BUFFY: Lucia can't live without the hope that Freddie will come back, right?
SPIKE: Right, she's head over heels gripping to her last hope.
BUFFY: So we take her last hope away.
SPIKE: (rolling his eyes) What's the plan?
BUFFY: (on the phone with Giles) Right, so we kill the vampires Lucia sends save one in which we send back with a message telling her to meet us tomorrow. When that vampire leaves, we dig up Freddie's body and burn it: then Lucia can't bring him back.
GILES: (in his apartment looking through spell books) What do we do about Lucia?
BUFFY: I think she'll take care of herself for us. Freddie is her last hope, if he's gone - so is she.
GILES: Ok. So I'll see you tonight, then.
BUFFY: Tonight before sun down.
GILES: See you then. Bye
BUFFY: Bye.
Buffy turns to Spike.
BUFFY: All set then.
Buffy sits back down on the couch next to Spike.
SPIKE: Good.
BUFFY: (looks at the clock: 4:10) Where is Dawn, she should have been here ten minutes ago!
SPIKE: She's probably just running late.
The door opens and Dawn walks in covered in sweat.
DAWN: I'm late, I know I lost track of time. I ran all the way here from Jenna's house to try to make it. Sorry!
BUFFY: Ok, I can accept you being late every once in a while, as long as it doesn't become an every day thing.
DAWN: Thanks. So what's going on tonight? Fighting big bad evil?
BUFFY: Yupp, Willow is gonna stay with you tonight - help you with your homework.
DAWN: Cool, why isn't Xander?
BUFFY: It really tore Willow up last night - she hid it well, but I could tell, so she's gonna sit this one out.
DAWN: Ok.
SPIKE: I think Xander needs to let out some aggression, too if you know what I mean.
BUFFY: No, I don't, what do you mean?
SPIKE: After the visit from Enya.
BUFFY: Yeah, I guess.
DAWN: Well, I'm all sweaty, so I'm gonna go take a shower before every one gets here.
BUFFY: Ok.
Dawn runs upstairs and gets in the shower. Buffy and Spike lay down on the couch like they've been doing all day.
BUFFY: If all goes well, you'll have a new crypt by tomorrow night.
SPIKE: Why do I need a new crypt?
BUFFY: Because I don't want Dawn up every night because we're so loud.
SPIKE: (coaxingly) We'll be quieter next time.
BUFFY: We'll see.
SPIKE: We'll sound-proof the walls.
BUFFY: And how do you suppose we do that?
SPIKE: Xander can do it for us.
XANDER: Xander can do what?
Xander walks into the living room from the foyer.
SPIKE: Sou-
BUFFY: Oh, nothing, nothing important.
XANDER: Alright, then. We all set? Giles is in the car.
BUFFY: Just waiting on Willow.
Just then, the kitchen door opens and slams.
WILLOW: Hello! I'm home!
BUFFY: We're all in here, Will.
Willow comes into the living room.
WILLOW: Hey. Sorry I'm late.
BUFFY: It's ok, Dawn's in the shower - she was running a little late, too.
WILLOW: Ok. You guys should get going - have you done the protection spell?
BUFFY: No, we're gonna wait until tomorrow for that.
WILLOW: Oh, makes sense. You don't wanna show your cards too soon, right?
BUFFY: Right.
XANDER: Well, we'd better go. See ya, Will.
WILLOW: Bye.
Darien and Frank head to Freddie's grave. They've prepared all day for this - they know the slayer will be there.
FRANK: I'm gonna take that slayer and tear her head off.
DARIEN: I dunno, Frank, you ever killed a slayer before?
FRANK: (lying) Of course.
Buffy comes out from behind some bushes.
BUFFY: Well, you can try, but I doubt you'll kill me.
Frank runs at Buffy in an urge to prove himself. Darien rushes at Buffy, too, but she is intercepted my Spike.
SPIKE: Xander! Come hold her!
Xander holds Darien down as Spike ties here arms and her legs so she can't run away or fight. Darien pulls and jerks trying to get out.
DARIEN: Spike! Spike, what's wrong with you?
Spike just turns away.
Buffy and Frank go at it. Frank punches Buffy in the jaw - she doesn't even flinch, she just looks at him. Frank looks down to see a stake in his heart - he dusts.
BUFFY: Told ya you wouldn't kill me.
Buffy stands over Darien.
BUFFY: I want you to tell Lucia to come see me - tomorrow - just after sun down: here. Can you do that for me?
Darien whimpers and nods her head. Buffy leans down and unties Darien's legs.
BUFFY: Go on!
Darien Pushes herself up and runs away.
BUFFY: Let's get to work.
Xander and Spike dig up O'Harren's grave as Buffy leans up against a tombstone.
XANDER: Why am i getting a sense of Deja Vu here?
BUFFY: Uh, because you've dug up a grave before?
XANDER: Yeah, while you just sit there.
BUFFY: Should I use my line there or do you already know it?
XANDER: Yeah, yeah, woman make the babies - I've heard it all before.
SPIKE: I've hit something.
Spike and Xander bend down and wipe the dirt from the top of the casket - Giles and Buffy look over from the main ground. Spike leans and pulls open the casket.
Darien runs in to Lucia's crypt.
DARIEN: Lucia! The slayer is digging up Freddie's grave! She said for you to meet her tomorrow right after sun down, but she's digging up the grave NOW!
LUCIA: What!?
DARIEN: And she has Spike with her.
LUCIA: EVERYONE! We have to go kill a slayer.
SPIKE: Yupp, that's Freddie, alright.
XANDER: How can you tell, he's all decomposed?
SPIKE: Well, it-
BUFFY: Can we just cut the chit-chat. I have a feeling like something's coming.
Xander and Spike hop out of the grave.
SPIKE: (looking back at Buffy) Lighter fluid?
Buffy hands Spike some lighter fluid which he pours all over Freddie's corps. Buffy lights a match and drops it into the grave. Freddie's decomposed body bursts into flames.
LUCIA: Slayer!
Everyone turns around startled.
BUFFY: (scowling at Darien) I thought I said tomorrow. Didn't I say tomorrow? I could have sworn I said tomorrow.
LUCIA: Well, I'm here now!
BUFFY: Giles, you got any quick protection spells?
GILES: I'll see what I can do.
XANDER: It's too late, Lucia. You can't get Freddie back. (looks down at the grave) He's all ashes now.
Buffy looks down, too. The fire is dying down, and all that is left is Freddie's bones. Spike jumps down into the grave.
Lucia's eyes turn red and her hair blows back.
BUFFY: Giles, now would be a good time!
SPIKE: Xander! Sledge Hammer!
Xander hands Spike a sledge hammer, and her proceeds to smash O'Harren's bones.
XANDER: (to Lucia) It's way too late. There's no way you can get him back now.
Lucia's eyes grown a brighter red, and the wind grows stronger.
LUCIA: NO!
Lucia suddenly bursts into flames, as do all of her minions.
BUFFY: See, I told you she'd take care of herself.
They put the dirt back into O'Harren's grave and head home. Giles drops Buffy and Spike back at the Summers' house.
BUFFY: Thanks for the ride. See you tomorrow.
XANDER: Bye.
Giles drives off.
BUFFY: Hello! We're home.
Buffy and Spike walk into the dining room. Willow is at the table on teh computer.
BUFFY: Just once, will you go to bed at a decent hour?
WILLOW: Maybe. Problem solved?
BUFFY: Yupp, Lucia and all of her little cronies are gone.
WILLOW: Good.
BUFFY: Goodnight.
WILLOW: Good night.
SPIKE: 'Night.
Cut to: Buffy and Spike laying in bed.
BUFFY: you know, I kinda feel sorry for Lucia.
SPIKE: Why?
BUFFY: All she wanted was to be with ehr true love, and we took that away from her, you know?
SPIKE: Yeah, but the girl was insane.
BUFFY: We're all a little insane.
SPIKE: True.
BUFFY: Goodnight.
SPIKE: 'Night.
Buffy and Spike lay back to back. We see Spike's face: he still is awake.
SPIKE: Buffy?
BUFFY: Yeah, Spike?
SPIKE: Do you trust me?
The End.