BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER
"The Kingdom and the Power and the Glory, Pt. 2"
CAST LIST
|
BUFFY SUMMERS |
Sarah Michelle Gellar |
|
XANDER HARRIS |
Nicholas Brendon |
|
RUPERT GILES |
Anthony Stewart Head |
|
ANYA/ANYANKA |
Emma Caulfield |
|
TARA MACLAY |
Amber Benson |
|
WILLOW ROSENBERG |
Alyson Hannigan |
|
DAWN SUMMERS |
Michelle Trachtenberg |
|
SPIKE |
James Marsters |
|
GLORY |
Clare Kramer |
|
JONATHAN LEVINSON |
Danny Strong |
|
ANDREW WELLS |
Thomas Lenk |
|
WILLY THE SNITCH |
Saverio Guerra |
|
SQUICKY DEMON (BRUTUS) |
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER
"The Kingdom and the Power and the Glory, Pt.1"
SET LIST
INTERIORS
MAGIC BOX
BATHROOM
TRAINING ROOM
TARA/GLORY'S APARTMENT
TARA/GLORY'S LIVING ROOM
TARA/GLORY'S KITCHEN
WILLY'S PLACE
BUFFY'S HOUSE
BUFFY'S LIVING ROOM
EXTERIORS
CITY STREETS
WILLY'S PLACE
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER
"The Kingdom and the Power and the Glory, Pt. 2"
TEASER
GILES (v.o.)
Previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer...
1 INT. WILLOW AND TARA'S BEDROOM
Tara gets shot in the chest and falls to the floor. Blood splatters Willow's shirt.
WILLOW
Tara? Oh, God!
Willow, who is holding Tara's dead body, looks up at the camera, her eyes red.
2 EXT. CAVE SOMEWHERE IN AFRICA - NIGHT
Spike is hunched, beaten, on the cave floor.
SPIKE
Make me what I was.
DEMON
We will return... your soul.
Spike looks up and screams as the demon places his hand on Spike's chest, effectively returning his soul. Spike's eyes glow.
3 EXT. TARA/GLORY'S APARTMENT – BOTTOM OF FIRE ESCAPE - DAY
Tara and Spike are circling each other.
TARA
It's daylight! And you're out in it!
SPIKE
And you're alive. Guess we've got some catching up to do.
4 INT. MAGIC BOX – DAY
Willow, Dawn, Giles, Anya, and Xander are sitting at the table, books spread in front of them.
GILES
I know what happened to Tara.
Everyone looks up from their books to stare at Giles.
WILLOW
What?
GILES
She's Glory.
5 EXT. PARK – DAY
Glory is sitting beside Tara and holding her hand as Tara looks at her with fear. Glory caresses the side of Tara's face with her other hand. Tara whimpers and tries to pull her face away. Light begins to stream out as Glory's fingers enter Tara's head. Both Tara and Glory cry out.
6 EXT. WAREHOUSE – NIGHT
Glory and Tara are standing together. Willow is standing between them. Willow grabs both Glory's and Tara's heads. They all scream as blue lightning begins to flicker around them. Bright blue light appears to stream from Glory's head to Tara's.
7 INT. MAGIC BOX – NIGHT
Buffy, Xander, Anya, Willow, Dawn, and Giles are sitting around the table, researching.
WILLOW
There's a spell called 'Aigne a Colann' that will take Glory's mind out of Tara's body. I'll just have to do it right this time.
BUFFY
This time?
GILES
This is the spell you did before, Willow.
WILLOW
Yep. All we need is an Orb.
XANDER
Why is there always an Orb?
ANYA
Which Orb is it?
WILLOW
It's the Orb of Aine (AN-yuh).
BUFFY
How do we get this Orb thing?
8 EXT. CEMETARY – NIGHT
Andrew and Jonathan are standing at the edge of a gaping hole in the Earth, where Buffy and Dawn have just fallen in. They look over at Xander, who is lying unconscious on the ground. Jonathan turns to Andrew.
JONATHAN
Mexico, huh?
They run off.
9 EXT. CITY STREETS – NIGHT
We see a light approaching and think for a moment that this is the Orb. But the light becomes two headlights and as they approach we see that they are attached to a semi. The semi pulls up to the curb and stops. The passenger door opens and Andrew jumps down from the truck, followed by Jonathan.
JONATHAN
(To unseen trucker) Bye, Bubba! Thanks for the lift!
Andrew reaches into his backpack and pulls out the Orb of Aine. Jonathan and Andrew both stare at it for a few beats.
JONATHAN
The Orb of Aine...
ANDREW
It's so shiny!
10 EXT. CITY STREETS – NIGHT
This episode is a direct continuation of "The Kingdom and the Power and the Glory, Pt. 1". We open with Jonathan and Andrew staring at the Orb of Aine.
JONATHAN
Be careful with it, Andrew. This thing was not easy to come by.
ANDREW
I remember. I'm still cleaning demon mucus out of my clothes. And this baby is our key to becoming good guys again. Now we just have to get it to Buffy and her friends.
Jonathan and Andrew start walking down the street. Andrew is holding the Orb very carefully and Jonathan glances nervously at it. Jonathan stops walking and Andrew stops next to him.
JONATHAN
Are we even going the right way?
Andrew turns slowly in a circle. He stops facing the opposite way and pulls Jonathan so that he's standing next to him.
ANDREW
The Magic Box is two miles this way.
JONATHAN
Two miles? And we're walking? Why can't we call a cab or something?
ANDREW
This is quite possibly the most important task we've ever had to complete. We can't trust our awesome fate to some cab driver.
JONATHAN
Fine. But can you at least put that thing away? We're going to attract way too much attention traveling with a huge glowing Orb.
Andrew hands the Orb to Jonathan and sets his backpack on the ground in front of him. Jonathan hands the Orb back to Andrew, who nearly drops it. There is a tense moment as Andrew gently places the Orb into the backpack and replaces the backpack onto his back.
ANDREW
That was close!
JONATHAN
Maybe I should carry the backpack.
ANDREW
Maybe you should... shut up, stupid.
JONATHAN
Don't call me stupid, numbnuts.
Andrew opens his mouth to reply but thinks better of it and shakes his head.
ANDREW
We can't waste precious time squabbling, young Jonathan. The fate of the free world rests on our shoulders. We must get the precious Orb to its destination by sunrise or all will be lost.
JONATHAN
Dude, you're becoming too dorky even for me. Let's just get this over with.
Andrew and Jonathan resume walking.
BLACKOUT
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
11 INT. MAGIC BOX – NIGHT
Willow is reading a book, which Giles, Anya, Dawn, Buffy, and Xander are looking at from around her. The camera pans over the open pages and we see that they are looking at a picture of the Orb of Aine.
XANDER
So where do we find this Orb thingy?
WILLOW
Oh! Lucky break! It says that the Orb was last in the possession of the Watcher's Council!
BUFFY
Looks like it's time to give ol' Quentin Travers a call.
GILES
Yes. Straight away.
Giles exits.
BUFFY
So what happens when we get this Orb?
WILLOW
I do the spell. Glory goes in the Orb. Tara is just Tara again. Everything goes back to normal. Or at least what passes for normal in Sunnydale.
XANDER
That's it? Glory stays in the Orb so that none of us end up being her later, right?
WILLOW
That's the plan.
ANYA
But when do things ever go according to plan if you're us?
Giles re-enters and everyone turns to him expectantly.
GILES
The Council sent the Orb to its Mexico City office, where it was promptly stolen by a demon and they lost track of it.
ANYA
Mexico? Finally something I can do. I'll be right back.
Anya teleports away and the gang is left staring at where she was standing.
WILLOW
I wish that we knew more of what to expect once the spell is completed. This text is extremely vague and ends with the possessive entity being banished to the Orb.
GILES
We'd best just be prepared for any possibility.
XANDER
But we'll have Tara back, right? Glory will be in the Orb and Tara will be back to normal? And alive?
WILLOW
Tara will be fine. I promise.
DAWN
Everything's gonna be okay.
DISSOLVE TO:
12 EXT. CITY STREETS - NIGHT
Jonathan and Andrew are still walking toward the Magic Box. They are walking slowly, obviously tired. Andrew is again holding the Orb.
JONATHAN
Are we there yet?
ANDREW
Don't make me turn this... us... around. For the fifteenth time, we're not even half way.
JONATHAN
This sucks.
They stop suddenly, spying someone unseen.
JONATHAN
Hello, nurse.
ANDREW
(Unconvincingly) Yeah, she's totally hot.
JONATHAN
Dude, I know you're gay. Quit trying to pretend you're not.
ANDREW
I am not gay!
JONATHAN
Whatever. (A beat) Look at her! Yowza!
We follow their gaze to see a pair of red heels. The camera moves up to take in a shapely pair of legs and then a familiar red dress. Finally, we are looking at Glory. Jonathan and Andrew keep walking toward her, unaware of the danger they're in.
13 INT. MAGIC BOX - NIGHT
The gang is where we left them. Anya reappears, a smug smile on her face.
ANYA
Two young American boys killed the demon and took off with the Orb about a week ago. They were headed for Sunnydale. One of the boys, a blond, kept making obscure comic book references and the other boy, a short brunette, kept calling the blond boy names.
BUFFY
Jonathan and Andrew. What are they up to now?
XANDER
There's only one way to find out.
BUFFY
I'm going to go to Tara's. I'll round up her and Spike and bring them back here. Willow and Dawn? You head towards our house. Best case scenario, they're trying to get the Orb to us. Xander and Anya? You head to Willy's. Worst case scenario, they're trying to keep the Orb from us. We'll report back here in an hour.
Everyone grabs their coats and starts out the door.
GILES
Everyone?
The gang turns to Giles.
GILES
Be careful.
Everyone leaves and we zoom in on Giles taking Willow's seat and scanning the pages about the Orb.
14 INT. TARA/GLORY'S APARTMENT – KITCHEN – NIGHT
We're zoomed in on Spike, who is still passed out on the kitchen floor. There is a knocking at the door. Spike doesn't move. Another knock and still nothing happens.
DISSOLVE TO:
15 INT. TARA/GLORY'S APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
The door swings open and Buffy stands in the doorway. Buffy looks around and swallows nervously.
BUFFY
Tara? Spike? Anyone?
Buffy enters the living room, closing the door behind her, and finds it empty. Her movements are becoming more and more frantic as she pushes around furniture and begins yelling louder.
BUFFY
Spike? Are you in here? Oh, God... Spike...
A moan from the kitchen springs her into action. Buffy grabs a vase from a nearby end table and holds it up, ready to strike.
BUFFY
Show yourself, Glory!
The camera follows Buffy as she moves to:
16 INT. TARA/GLORY'S APARTMENT – KITCHEN – NIGHT
Buffy leaps into the kitchen and bumps into someone. With a powerful swing, she shatters the vase over their head. Buffy doesn't even look down as she crouches into fighter stance, sure that she's just assaulted Glory.
BUFFY
You thought you could just come back here and hurt him? That I wouldn't...
Buffy finally looks down.
BUFFY
Shit!
She is greeted by the sight of Spike, who is now bleeding again from a few small cuts on his head. He is sitting up very unsteadily and looks as if he's about to fall over.
SPIKE
Bloody hell, Buffy!
Spike squints his eyes and peers into her face, then falls over.
SPIKE
What happened?
Buffy helps Spike up and helps him up into the chair he fell out of earlier. She takes in the Jack Daniels bottle and the shot glasses and eyes Spike.
BUFFY
Booze? Here I thought you were being maimed and tortured, and you're passed out drunk?
Buffy glares at Spike, then turns to leave.
BUFFY
(Under her breath) I don't know why I even bother.
Spike straightens himself up and takes a deep breath.
SPIKE
Buffy... please.
Buffy sighs and pulls out the other chair. She takes a seat and stares at Spike.
SPIKE
Don't leave like that. It's not what it looks like. I think there's something wrong with Glinda.
BUFFY
Glinda?
SPIKE
You know... Tara. She sits me down and says that we should both have a drink to calm ourselves down and help us sleep. Next thing I know, we're up to 15, and then I must've blacked out. That girl can hold her liquor! Seems she was aimin' to get me plastered, though.
Spike pauses, looking thoughtful.
SPIKE
Why would she want me drunk? It doesn't make sense? Unless... Buffy! Maybe she came back straight! And was trying to take advantage of me!
Spike wraps his arms around himself.
SPIKE
I feel so used!
Buffy, who has been listening intently during Spike's tirade, busts up laughing. Spike glares at her.
SPIKE
It's nice to know my pain is someone else's amusement. Anyway, something must be wrong, or you wouldn't have showed up. Couldn't wait to get rid of us, as I recall.
Spike suddenly grows fearful.
SPIKE
She's okay, isn't she?
Buffy sighs.
BUFFY
I don't know, Spike. I found out right after you two left that the gang figured out what was wrong with Tara. (A beat) Tara is Glory. It seems when Willow used that spell to restore Tara's mind, something went wrong, and now Tara is Glory's host, like Ben used to be. (Another beat) You remember the whole 'Ben is Glory' thing, right?
SPIKE
Please- let's not go into that. I think I get the gist of what you're saying, as odd as it is. Is there any way to get Glory out of Tara?
Buffy nods and stands up.
BUFFY
That's what we're working on now. I might... we might need your help. Are you feeling up to it?
Spike stands quickly.
SPIKE
Nothing like having a vase shattered over your head to sober you up real quick like.
Buffy flashes Spike a guilty grin.
BUFFY
Yeah... I'm really sorry about that. I thought that- hey! Time's a wastin'! Let's get going.
Buffy exits and we zoom in on Spike. A slow smile crosses over his face.
SPIKE
(Loudly) Wait a minute, pet. If you already knew about Tara, why'd you show up here? (A beat) I think someone was worried about me...
BUFFY (o.s.)
You wish, Spike! And shut up unless you want to feel what a lamp over the head feels like!
SPIKE
(To himself) She wants me.
DISSOLVE TO:
17 EXT. CITY STREETS - NIGHT
Glory is facing Jonathan and Andrew. She smiles at them.
GLORY
Hi, boys.
Jonathan and Andrew turn around, sure that Glory is talking to someone behind them. They face her again, Jonathan wearing a goofy grin.
ANDREW
Uh, hi.
GLORY
What's that you've got there?
JONATHAN
It's the Orb of Aine.
ANDREW
We're on a mission of redemption.
GLORY
What does it do?
JONATHAN
We dunno.
Andrew shrugs.
GLORY
Can I hold it?
Jonathan and Andrew look at each other for a few beats. Andrew shakes his head while Jonathan nods his. Finally, Andrew nods his head as well and they turn back to Glory.
JONATHAN
Sure.
Andrew hands the Orb to Glory.
GLORY
Thanks.
Glory laughs and tosses the Orb behind her. Jonathan and Andrew become wide-eyed and horrified. The Orb sails in a wide arc before it is caught by an unidentified hand. We travel up the hand to see that it belongs to Buffy, who is standing with Spike. Glory stamps her feet, frustrated.
GLORY
Stupid, meddling kids.
Buffy hands the Orb to Spike, who backs away. Glory walks toward Buffy while Jonathan and Andrew run to Spike.
GLORY
I was wondering when I'd get the chance to kick your ass again, sweetie. Tonight must be my lucky night. Not only do I get my Orb, but I get to kill you as well.
Buffy rolls her eyes and backs up, scanning the area for something to be used as a weapon.
BUFFY
And don't you remember how well that turned out last time? Oh, right... you were too busy getting your face pounded in.
Glory growls and lunges towards Buffy, but Buffy manages to sidestep her.
BUFFY
Getting a little slow in your old-
Glory punches her in the stomach, sending Buffy reeling backwards. Her back connects with a lamppost as she gasps for breath.
GLORY
What's the matter? You were so cocky a second ago. Cat got your tongue?
Glory walks over to the lamppost and tears it out of the ground, causing Buffy to fall on her back. Glory twirls the post around in both of her hands, laughing all the while. We cut to a shot of Buffy's head laying on the ground, with Glory's red high-heel stepping directly next to it.
GLORY
Awww, don't look so sad. At least you tried, right?
She prepares to bring the lamppost down on Buffy's head when she is suddenly knocked down from behind. Spike shoves Glory away from Buffy and the post clatters heavily to the ground.
SPIKE
Buffy! Here!
He tosses her the only thing he could find to be used as a weapon--a plastic light saber he dug out of Andrew's backpack.
ANDREW
Hey! That's mine!
Glory throws Spike off of her and stands up. She grabs him by the collar of his jacket and hauls him up, then pulls her fist back to hit him. Buffy throws the toy and hits Glory in the back of the head. It is enough to distract her. She lets go of Spike and turns back to Buffy. Buffy kicks Glory in the stomach and she is thrown back. Glory morphs into Tara in the air, who lands hard against a tree and is knocked unconscious. Buffy runs to Tara and crouches next to her.
BUFFY
Perfect timing, kinda.
JONATHAN
What the Hell was that?
BUFFY
We need to get Tara to the Magic Box. If you want to come along, I can explain on the way.
ANDREW
Can we have our Orb back?
Spike moves to give the Orb to Jonathan.
BUFFY
No.
Spike gives Jonathan an apologetic look and draws his hands back.
JONATHAN
You're going to carry her all the way to the Magic Box?
Buffy gives Jonathan a look and pulls out her cell phone. She dials a number and wait for a moment.
BUFFY
Giles? It's Buffy. We found the Orb and the remaining two-thirds of the geek trio.
ANDREW
Hey!
BUFFY
We're on the corner of Decatur and Sequoia. Can you swing by and pick us up?
Buffy nods and hangs up the phone, shoving it back into her pocket.
JONATHAN
I thought that she was dead! And how did she become that other, scary woman?
Buffy just looks at him and raises an eyebrow.
ANDREW
Are we on a 'need-to-know' basis?
BUFFY
Right now you're on a 'need-to-shut-up' basis.
Giles' car pulls up to the curb. The driver door opens and Giles steps out. He calmly takes in the scene in front of him and gets back into the car. The top goes down and Giles steps out again.
GILES
Right. I think we'll all fit if Buffy sits in the passenger seat and you three put Tara on your laps in the back.
BUFFY
Maybe I should sit in the back with Larry and Moe and Spike can sit in the passenger seat.
SPIKE
You can sit up front on my lap, pet.
BUFFY
Spike, there's an extra seat.
SPIKE
Oh. Right.
Andrew and Jonathan slink into the back seat and Buffy slides in next to Jonathan, glaring at him. Spike lifts Tara up off of the ground and lays her gently on top of Andrew, Jonathan, and Buffy, her had resting in Buffy's lap. Spike jogs to the passenger side, where he gets in the car. Giles takes his place in the driver's seat and starts the car.
BLACKOUT
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
18 INT. WILLY'S PLACE
Anya and Xander walk in and work their way through the crowd. Xander is trying to act tough but he's glancing around uneasily. Anya is waving at various 'people'.
XANDER
Don't you feel like a sore thumb?
A squicky demon with multiple horns and three eyes walks up to Anya and gives her a huge hug.
ANYA
Nope.
Xander pulls Anya away from the squicky demon and they take seats next to each other at the bar. The back of the bartender is facing Anya and Xander. He has a rag in hand and is cleaning glasses.
WILLY
Welcome to Willy's Place. What can I get for you?
Willy turns around and sees Xander seated at the bar.
WILLY
Oh, penis! You again? Don't you and the Slayer ever get tired of tormenting me?
XANDER
Give me a Budweiser.
ANYA
And I'll have my usual.
Willy notices Anya for the first time when she speaks and he flashes her a huge smile.
WILLY
Anyanka! What a pleasant surprise.
Willy glances at his watch.
WILLY
I wasn't expecting you until a little bit later. (A beat) And I definitely wasn't expecting you to show up with... him. You're here with the Slayer's lackey? Are you sure you don't want me to get one of the boys to escort him out?
Willy motions and a huge, scaly demon starts to move towards them. Anya waves and the demon waves back before turning around and resuming his place by the wall.
ANYA
That's okay. If he pulls anything I'll liquefy his entrails or something.
XANDER
You wish.
ANYA
That won't work. But I can get someone else to.
Willy nods.
WILLY
One Amaretto Sour for the lady. (A beat) And a Bud for the chump.
Willy mixes Anya's drink and sets it down gently on the bar in front of her. He pops the top on Xander's beer and slams it down in front of him.
ANYA
So we're looking for the Orb of Aine. Do you know where it is?
XANDER
Do you even have to ask, Ahn? Of course he knows where it is! But he's not going to tell us what he knows until we... rough him up a bit.
Xander pops his knuckles and gestures wildly, knocking his beer into the lap of the 'person' next to him. The squicky demon from before stands up, his pants soaked in beer, and pulls Xander up by his shirt. Xander's legs flail in the air and the squicky demon pulls his arm back to hit Xander but Anya grabs it. The squicky demon looks back at Anya and sets Xander down.
ANYA
Brutus, he's a moron. But if you kill a human there'll be consequences and blood everywhere, and we both know that Willy will make you clean it up. So why don't you just let me take him out of here and we'll forget it ever happened. And I'll pay for the dry cleaning on those pants.
The squicky demon nods and takes his seat. After tossing a twenty on the bar to pay for the drinks, Anya grabs Xander and pulls him out the door.
19 EXT. WILLY'S PLACE – NIGHT
Xander and Anya are walking away from the bar. Anya is furious and is walking rapidly. Xander is trying to keep up.
ANYA
Way to go. Now we'll never know what Willy knows about the Orb... and Brutus is upset with me.
XANDER
(In mock horror) Oh, no! We can't have that!
(Seriously) Did you see the horns on that guy?
ANYA
Brutus happens to be a very nice... guy, Xander. And he knows a thing or two about pleasing a woman.
XANDER
That's a mental picture that I never needed to have. Excuse me while I go stick a blowtorch up my nose.
ANYA
If Willy was our only hope for finding the Orb I will seriously kill you. It's bad enough that Glory could kill us all with one swipe of her manicured hand, but I really like Tara!
Xander stops walking and turns to look at Anya.
XANDER
If that was our only hope for saving Tara, I'll seriously kill me. But it's not. We're going to get Tara back. I promise.
Anya smiles sweetly at Xander and they share a tender moment. She reaches out for his hand but he gets nervous and starts walking again.
XANDER
It's been about an hour. We'd better get back to the Magic Box and see if anyone else found anything.
DISSOLVE TO:
20 INT. MAGIC BOX – NIGHT
Tara is propped up in a chair, still unconscious. Buffy, Giles, Spike, Jonathan, and Andrew, are all standing around her. Andrew keeps trying to hide behind Spike but Spike keeps inching away.
SPIKE
Will someone get him off of me?
ANDREW
I'm not, umm, 'on' you!
JONATHAN
(Whispering) He totally knows you're trying to check out his ass. Give it a break.
ANDREW
(Whispering) I am not checking out his ass! (Loudly) I'm not gay!
Everyone turns to Andrew and laughs. He crosses his arms over his chest and stomps his foot. Tara stirs a little bit and Andrew shrieks like a girl, jumping completely behind Spike.
JONATHAN
See? Even unconscious people know you're gay.
ANDREW
What if she wakes up?
JONATHAN
To tell you that you're gay?
ANDREW
No! To morph into the other woman and kill us all!
SPIKE
Bloody hell. Did you lot just graduate from nursery school? You're here with the bloody Slayer.
GILES
Sadly, I think they have a point. We have to find some way to contain Tara until the spell is cast, to prevent Glory from... well, from killing us all very violently.
Everyone stands quietly, thinking. Spike rolls his eyes and hands Giles a rope.
GILES
Oh. Right then.
DISSOLVE TO:
21 INT. BUFFY'S LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
Dawn and Willow are coming down the stairs.
WILLOW
Jonathan and Andrew aren't anywhere in the house.
DAWN
And we made sure that they weren't hiding in that plate of leftover cookies.
WILLOW
Darn tootin'!
DAWN
I had too much cookie...
WILLOW
Maybe I could do a spell.
DAWN
To make me not so full?
WILLOW
To find Jonathan and Andrew.
DAWN
I think that you should conserve your strength for the mega-witchiness we're gonna need later. Your power has been all wonky since...
WILLOW
I know.
Willow fidgets with her hands.
DAWN
Willow...
Willow looks up at Dawn.
DAWN
We should head back to the Magic Box. Maybe someone else found something and... and they're waiting for us or something.
Willow smiles at Dawn. They move toward the door and open it.
WILLOW
You're right. Sitting here getting antsy isn't going to do us any good. Let's head out. Assume battle mode or something.
They head out the door and it closes.
DAWN (o.s.)
And Willow? (A beat) Everything's gonna be okay.
22 INT. MAGIC BOX – NIGHT
Giles is finishing the knots on the ropes binding Tara to the chair. Buffy and Spike are looking on guiltily and Jonathan and Andrew are locked in a heated game of 'Rock, Paper, Scissors'.
ANDREW
Why do you always pick scissors? I want to be scissors!
JONATHAN
You can be whatever you want. You're missing the whole point of the game? Moron. Does anyone else want to play?
BUFFY
No. We're kinda busy tying one of our best friends to a chair.
SPIKE
Her left arm looks a bit loose.
GILES
And it's getting tightened with you standing there and not offering a bit of sodding help!
Buffy turns away and paces back and forth. Spike turns to her and places a gentle hand on her arm.
SPIKE
Buffy... luv...
BUFFY
It's just... it's Tara! We're tying Tara up!
SPIKE
But it's for her own good. She'd ask you to do it herself. You know, if you hadn't knocked her out.
BUFFY
SO not helping, Spike.
SPIKE
All I'm saying is she would never forgive herself if she hurt any of her friends. Anyone she loved.
Spike closes his eyes and subtly shakes his head, as if trying to block his own thoughts. Buffy looks at him quizzically for a minute and then realization dawns and she looks at the floor. There is an awkward moment that is ended by the entrance of Xander and Anya, followed closely by Dawn and Willow.
XANDER
Whoa.
Willow sees Tara, unconscious and tied to a chair, and gasps. She runs to the chair and starts fumbling with the knots of the ropes.
GILES
Willow... no.
Willow continues fumbling and Giles forcefully but gently removes her hands from the ropes. Willow is almost hyperventilating.
WILLOW
But the ropes will hurt her skin. She has... sensitive... skin.
Willow breaks down and starts crying. Buffy goes to her and kneels next to her, pulling her into a hug. Spike pulls a handkerchief out of his pocket at the same time as Anya pulls a square of velvet off of a crystal ball display. Wordlessly, they take their cloths over to Tara and gently place them between the ropes and her skin.
XANDER
Did we get it?
He motions to Jonathan and Andrew.
XANDER
Did they have the Orb?
GILES
Quite.
Willow pulls herself together and stands up. Buffy follows suit.
WILLOW
So let's do the spell. Now.
BUFFY
Are you sure you're up to this now, Will? It's been a long day, and we're all tired...
WILLOW
(Quietly) I want her back. (Louder) I need her back.
BUFFY
We all do. Risking everything when you're this tired, though... This is our last chance to get her back. We need to be at 100 percent.
ANYA
Buffy's right. The last thing any of us want is you being too tired and screwing things up.
Everyone glares at Anya except Willow, who gives her a tired smile.
GILES
Someone will need to stay here with Tara.
WILLOW
I will.
BUFFY
We all will.
DAWN
Yeah! It'll be like a slumber party!
SPIKE
I'm not braiding anyone's hair. Are we clear on that?
ANYA
I'll just pop home and grab some sleeping bags!
Anya teleports away.
XANDER
The only one we know who could literally pop home.
BUFFY
Okay. So we need to figure out where everyone is going to sleep and assign watches for Tara.
ANDREW
I'll sleep next to Spike.
Spike gets wide-eyed and turns to Buffy.
SPIKE
(Mouths) Help me!
Buffy grabs Spike by the arm and leads him away from Andrew.
BUFFY
Actually, Spike and I are taking first watch. I'm sure Jonathan wouldn't mind being your cuddlebunny, though.
Dawn starts giggling and soon everyone is laughing the hysterical laugh of the exhausted. We start to fade out.
XANDER
Cuddlebunny!
BLACKOUT
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
23 INT. MAGIC BOX – BATHROOM - DAY
"Naked" by Avril Lavigne, plays over the next scenes.
I wake up in the morning
Put on my face
The one that's gonna get me
Through another day
Doesn't really matter
How I feel inside
'Cause life is like a game sometimes
Dawn is brushing her teeth. She's wearing the same clothes that she was wearing the scene before and she doesn't look like she got much sleep.
FADE TO:
24 INT. MAGIC BOX – DAY
But then you came around me
The walls just disappeared
Nothing to surround me
And keep me from my fears
I'm unprotected
See how I've opened up
Oh, you've made me trust
There are sleeping bags arranged on the floor. Andrew is still asleep in his sleeping bag and Jonathan is asleep about two feet away. We zoom over Anya and Xander, whose bags are relatively close. They are still asleep. We pan over Willow, who is asleep in sleeping Tara's lap. Finally, the camera rests on the sleeping bags of Spike and Buffy. Spike's arm is over Buffy's torso and her arm is resting lightly on his.
Because I've never felt like this before
I'm naked
Around you
Does it show?
You see right through me
And I can't hide
I'm naked
Around you
And it feels so right
Buffy stirs and her fingers start lightly tracing circles on Spike's arm. He smiles in his sleep and she opens her eyes. Her hand flies back and she quickly inches out of her sleeping bag. Spike's smile disappears and he rolls over in his sleep.
I'm trying to remember
Why I was afraid
To be myself and let the
Covers fall away
I guess I never had someone like you
To help me, to help me fit
In my skin
We move back to Willow, whose eyes open. She gazes up at Tara and gently pushes a stray lock of hair behind Tara's ear. Willow stands and kisses Tara tenderly on the forehead before moving towards Buffy.
I never felt like this before
I'm naked
Around you
Does it show?
You see right through me
And I can't hide
I'm naked
Around you
And it feels so right
Anya is now awake and is lying in her sleeping bag, staring at the ceiling. Xander stirs and Anya rolls over to place a caring hand on his forehead. He instantly stills.
I'm naked
Oh oh yeah
Does it show?
Yeah, I'm naked
Oh oh, yeah yeah
Buffy hugs Willow and moves back to Spike. She kneels next to him and carefully shakes him awake. He opens his eyes and places his hand over Buffy's for a moment. She looks in his eyes for a few beats before pulling her hand away and standing up.
I'm so naked around you
And I can't hide
You're gonna see right through, baby
Xander is now awake and getting up. We zoom up to get an overhead view of the room, where everyone is busily getting ready for the day. We zoom in on the table, where Giles is asleep, his head in a book. He sits up suddenly.
GILES
I'm awake!
Buffy looks towards Giles, amused.
BUFFY
Thanks for sharing.
Buffy assesses the rest of the group.
BUFFY
Everyone up and ready to go?
Tara stirs and opens her eyes. She moves to clutch her head but can't. She's confused for a moment until realization hits and she sits obediently. Willow rushes over to her and starts fumbling with the knots.
TARA
Willow. Don't. I can't... Don't.
Willow looks up at her lover, tears in her eyes. She drops her hands from the ropes and instead cradles Tara's face.
WILLOW
We're going to do the spell, baby. Today. And we'll have you back again. Just you.
Tara smiles at Willow and winces.
TARA
I feel like I lost a fight.
BUFFY
Well, um, yeah. That was me. I didn't mean to hurt you, though. It was for a good cause.
Tara looks up at Willow and then at everyone in the room.
TARA
The best.
Her gaze rests on Jonathan and Andrew.
TARA
What are they doing here?
SPIKE
Seems like they held the key to fixing you up, pet. Course, I still can't figure out how those two could do anything right. But they brought the Orb that we need to work this mojo, so you'll be good and proper in no time.
Spike smiles at Tara
SPIKE
Need anything before we start?
TARA
Can I have a drink of water?
Dawn jumps up and runs to the bathroom, returning quickly with a glass of water, which she hands to Willow. Willow brings the glass to Tara's lips and slowly helps her drink.
WILLOW
Anything else?
TARA
Kiss?
Willow sets the glass down on the floor. She leans down and tenderly kisses Tara. Everyone looks away, embarrassed. Willow clears her throat and stands up.
TARA
(Quietly) Thanks.
GILES
Right then. We should do this in the Training Room in case... There's less to break.
ANYA
Smart thinking!
GILES
Someone, or someones, I guess, will need to move Tara.
Buffy and Spike lift Tara's chair and carry it into the:
25 MAGIC BOX – TRAINING ROOM - DAY
Buffy and Spike set Tara down facing the center of a crudely erected circle of some white powdery substance. The Orb is on a pedestal in the center of the circle. The gang enters the room. Willow sits cross-legged in front of the Orb, facing Tara. Everyone else stands uneasily against the wall. Buffy and Spike move away to take their places against the wall.
TARA
Spike?
Spike moves close to Tara.
TARA
(Quietly) If this doesn't work. If, for some reason, the spell goes wrong. Can you...? Will you...?
Spike nods and walks away, taking his place next to Buffy. Giles picks up a bag and starts pulling white candles out of it, handing them to each of the Scoobies standing against the wall. As they receive their candles, they step forward to stand along the lines of the circle. Finally, Giles takes his own candle and takes the last open space. Including Tara, the circle is complete.
ANYA
(Whispering) Don't we need...
Willow closes her eyes and the candles all light themselves.
ANYA
(Whispering) Oh.
Willow opens her eyes again and looks at Tara.
WILLOW
I love you.
Willow closes her eyes again and bows her head.
WILLOW
Noble Aine, we implore you
Assist us in our quest
Our requests of you are few
May this work be blessed.
We bring you this Orb in supplication
Grant us you power and wisdom,
To return this woman to her station.
Willow raises her head and opens her eyes, which are glowing.
WILLOW
Cast out the unholy intruder!
Make the body pure once more.
Let the vessel contain only one
Its rightful owner, Earth's chosen daughter.
The glow in Willow's eyes flares and goes out. Willow collapses to the ground as the glow shows up in Tara's eyes. Tara throws her head back and opens her mouth. A ball of light leaves Tara's open mouth and floats through the air to the Orb. It enters the Orb and the Orb starts glowing. Tara slumps in her chair as the glow dims. She opens her eyes and smiles. Willow weakly looks up at Tara and smiles hopefully.
WILLOW
It worked!
TARA
(In Glory's voice) Sure did.
BLACKOUT
26 INT. MAGIC BOX – TRAINING ROOM – DAY
Everyone is still standing around the circle, in shock. Willow's eyes widen in fear as realization hits. Buffy steps in front of her, placing herself between Willow and Tara.
XANDER
Uhh... that wasn't what was supposed to happen, was it?
TARA (GLORY)
Well, I don't know about you, but I think things turned out just fine.
Giles grabs the spell book from before and begins leafing through it frantically. Willow is still motionless, in shock.
WILLOW
No, no, NO! I did everything right. She has to be back. I need her back!
Anya gently pulls Willow to the side, and after a moment, awkwardly hugs her. Andrew and Jonathan crouch behind the pedestal that holds the Orb, hiding. Spike steps up behind Buffy.
TARA (GLORY)
It was so nice of you all to bring about my rebirth. I'm honored, really.
Xander moves gingerly to stand with Anya and Willow.
XANDER
Okay, so something went wrong. Let's look on the bright side; at least right now we have Tara's body. I mean, we're fine as long as she doesn't have Glory's...
Tara lifts up her arms, which are still bound, and rips the arms right off of the chair.
XANDER
...Strength. (A beat) I vote we run.
Tara quickly removes the ropes and smiles evilly at the group.
TARA (GLORY)
Well, kiddies, it's been fun, but I'll just be taking my little prize and leaving.
Tara/Glory eyes her new body.
TARA (GLORY)
There has to be some way to get rid of Miss Frumpy and back to my beautifully toned body. And really! Can we say manicure? Nail biting is just so passé.
Tara/Glory steps towards the Orb, but Buffy is standing in her way.
BUFFY
You know I can't let you do that.
Willow tries to break away from Anya, but Anya and Xander hold her.
WILLOW
Buffy, it's Tara! You can't! It's still Tara.
Willow begins to cry.
WILLOW
Don't hurt her. Please.
BUFFY
Trust me, Will. I'll only do what's necessary.
Tara backhands Buffy. Buffy's head whips back violently, and her nose is bleeding.
BUFFY
Necessary has just been redefined.
Buffy reaches over for an axe hanging on the wall. She and Tara begin circling each other.
BUFFY
We can do this the easy way, or the hard way. If you tell us how to get Tara back, I won't be forced to use this on you.
TARA (GLORY)
Sorry, baby. These lush lips are sealed. Plus, I know you won't do it, Slayer. You can't. No matter what you keep telling yourself, your friend and I are kinda one right now. If you kill me now, she dies too.
WILLOW
Buffy, please!
BUFFY
I can't let you get away. If it means killing Tara, then it means...
Willow leaps up and runs over to Buffy, trying to pull the axe out of her arms. Tears are pouring down her face.
WILLOW
You kill Tara and you kill me, Buffy. I can't watch her die again.
Buffy tries to gently pull the axe away from Willow, taking her attention off of Tara/Glory, who walks past them and stands in front of the Orb.
TARA (GLORY)
Let me just get what's mine and I'll kill all of you. I'll save you for last, though, witch. Then you can watch everyone die.
Tara reaches for the Orb. Spike runs up to her but is promptly knocked back by a bolt of energy thrown from Tara's hand.
TARA (GLORY)
Naughty, naughty. This is your girlfriend's fight, handsome. Keep it up and you'll know how it feels to be a fly in a bug zapper.
Tara is about to grab the Orb when, in an unprecedented burst of bravery, Andrew reaches up from behind the pedestal and takes it.
ANDREW
I did it! I got it!
Andrew looks at Jonathan and starts to panic.
ANDREW
Now what do I do?
JONATHAN
Run away, halfwit!
Andrew throws the Orb to Jonathan, who throws it back to Andrew. The two keep passing it back and forth. Meanwhile, Buffy has dropped the axe in order to shake off Willow and delivers a swift kick to Tara's back. Tara falls down hard, hitting her head on the pedestal.
TARA (GLORY)
(Sarcastically) Uh oh... Slayer isn't playing nice anymore. I guess that means that I can stop being nice, too.
XANDER
She's been nice? I'd hate to see what she's like when she's being a...
Xander is interrupted when he is struck in the chest by the vaulting horse, which Tara/Glory throws at him. He is brought down instantly and appears to be unconscious. Anya screams and rushes to him. Tara smiles and raises her arm, electricity crackling, aiming at Anya. Spike groans and hauls himself to his feet and jumps in the path of her shot. Once again, a bolt of energy knocks him to the ground. Buffy gasps and almost goes to him, but her sense of duty prevails. She notices Dawn, who has been crouching in the far corner of the room.
BUFFY
Anya!
Anya spins to look at Buffy and Buffy gestures wildly at Dawn.
BUFFY
Get her out!
ANYA
But Xander's hurt and if he dies...
BUFFY
Go!
Anya looks regretfully at Xander, but nods. She takes Dawn by the arm and leads her out of the training room. Tara/Glory notices but does nothing.
BUFFY
Giles! Help! Have you found anything? Where is she getting all of this power from? She never had this much magic before.
Willow shakes herself out of her misery for a minute and looks up at Buffy, tears streaming down her face.
WILLOW
Yes she did. She just never let herself use it.
Giles nods from his hiding place under the fallen training dummy.
GILES
It appears that since she is occupying Tara's body, Glory is able to use Tara's powers in concert with her own. And she appears to have no qualms about tapping into Tara's true power.
BUFFY
This is information I could have used ten minutes ago!
Buffy ducks an energy bolt and notices Andrew and Jonathan, still clutching the Orb protectively.
BUFFY
Will you two get that thing out of her? I'll keep Little Miss Firebolt out of your hair.
Buffy steps between Glory and Andrew and motions for him to run. Jonathan grabs him and they head for the door. They almost make it, but Tara/Glory raises her hand. The air around them shifts and they are frozen in place.
TARA (GLORY)
Now that's a useful little trick. Maybe sharing a body with the little witch isn't so bad after all. I was almost going to let you two live, but no one leaves with my Orb.
Buffy races to beat Tara to the Orb but, like in an old horror movie, Tara outpaces her, walking slowly. Tara stops walking when she is directly in front of the nerds. She plucks the Orb out of Andrew's hand and smiles.
TARA (GLORY)
I've got things to do, people to kill. And as much as I'd like to kill you all horribly right now, I'm just itching to get back into my true form. I'm literally itching. Your little Tara has hives or something. So I'll come back and finish you off later. Toodles!
Tara/Glory turns to exit the training room, but Buffy is standing in the doorway.
BUFFY
Oh, you're not going anywhere yet. You have to get through me first.
Tara sighs and rolls her eyes at the ceiling. She speaks as if talking to a young child.
TARA (GLORY)
Look, honey. I've given you every chance in the book. If you insist on bothering me again...
BUFFY
Oh, I insist.
She lands a succession of kicks to Tara's stomach. The Orb rolls out of her hands and across the floor.
TARA (GLORY)
You're lucky that didn't break, Slayer. Cause if it does, I'm history. And you know what that means...
Tara/Glory runs a finger across her throat, miming slitting it.
BUFFY
What are you going to do about it, Glory? C'mon, be a sport and show me.
Tara/Glory straightens up and smiles.
TARA (GLORY)
Okay. But don't say I didn't warn you.
Buffy gets into battle stance, prepared to fight. Tara/Glory raises a hand and a huge gust of wind fills the room. Suddenly, Dawn is pulled in from the next room, right through the wall. Tara/Glory wraps her fingers tightly around Dawn's neck.
BUFFY
Leave her out of this!
Tara/Glory tightens her grip.
TARA (GLORY)
One step towards that Orb, one teensy little sashay, and the brat gets it.
Buffy's eyes grow wide in fear. Tara laughs victoriously at Buffy's momentary sign of weakness. Buffy drops her battle stance and holds her hands up in surrender.
TARA (GLORY)
That's the smartest thing I've seen you do since... well, ever, really.
Tara/Glory keeps her grip on Dawn and starts inching backwards towards the Orb, keeping Buffy in her sight. Unbeknownst to her, Spike has regained consciousness and silently crawls up behind her. Buffy sees this but does not react. Spike's fingers close around the Orb at the same time that Willow looks up at Tara/Glory, her eyes dark. She is mumbling under her breath.
TARA (GLORY)
No funny business or I'll kill the librarian along with little sister.
With a flick of Tara/Glory's hand, Giles is pinned against the wall. One of the blades that hung there is now pointed at his neck.
BUFFY
Take the damn Orb and leave us alone!
TARA (GLORY)
I knew you'd see things my way.
In slow motion, Glory lets go of Dawn, who runs to Buffy. The darkness leaves Willow's eyes. Spike stands up and hefts the Orb high over his head just as Glory turns around to take it.
WILLOW
Spike! No!
Buffy looks at Willow with an unreadable expression, but makes no move to stop him. Time returns to normal as Willow turns to Buffy.
WILLOW
Buffy! Stop him! You heard what she said about smashing the Orb! You can't let him...
In a flash, Spike smashes the Orb onto the ground. It shatters into thousands of minuscule shards. Tara releases Dawn and collapses to the floor in a heap. It is unclear whether she is still alive. Andrew and Jonathan are unfrozen, and Giles is no longer pinned to the wall. Anya runs in from the other room and cradles Xander's head in her lap.
END OF ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
27 INT. MAGIC BOX – TRAINING ROOM – DAY
Tara is motionless and doesn't appear to be breathing. The group stands in shocked silence. Willow crouches on the ground next to the motionless body.
WILLOW
Tara? Baby?
Willow gets no response and her shoulders shake for a few beats. She takes a deep breath and looks up at Spike, her eyes black.
WILLOW
You...
Spike stands his ground. The others stare on, unable to process what is going on.
SPIKE
Red, you have to know... I didn't want this. I was fond of the girl myself. Breaking the Orb was the only way to stop her from killing us all. She knew the dangers involved. In fact, she asked me to...
WILLOW
I could have fixed it. All I needed was a little bit of time. I could have fixed it. And now I'll fix you. Go to Hell, Spike. Literally.
She begins mumbling under her breath again. The walls of the room begin to ripple, and a swirling black vortex appears underneath Spike.
BUFFY
Willow! Stop this! If you do this, you may never come back.
WILLOW
I have no reason to come back. He took it from me.
Buffy runs up to Willow and pulls her arms back. Willow flings Buffy across the room with a flick of her wrist.
WILLOW
I should have known. He kills my girlfriend, and you side with him. Well, Buffy, let's see how much you like losing your lover.
Buffy's eyes well with tears as horror sets in. Willow is really going to do it. Dawn is crying, and Xander, who has finally come to, looks like he is about to be sick. Willow begins the last verse of the spell. Spike scans the group and gives them all a final nod. He looks at Dawn and gives her a reassuring smile. Then his eyes lock with Buffy's. He mouths 'I love you' as the recitation ends and the hole begins to swallow him up.
BUFFY
Spike...
Spike screams as the vortex consumes him. The only part of him that is not sucked in yet is his head.
TARA
Willow? Where am I?
Tara slowly sits up. She winces and looks around her. Everyone turns to stare in amazement at her. Willow gasps, her eyes turning back to normal, and runs to Tara. Spike is thrown out of the vortex and lands on his back next to Buffy. Willow kneels next to Tara and strokes her cheek.
WILLOW
Tara?
TARA
Willow? How did we get here? Everything is so... fuzzy.
GILES
That would be the memory loss.
Everyone turns to Giles, looks of bewilderment on their faces.
BUFFY
What memory loss?
GILES
It's all in the text.
He clears his throat and blushes.
GILES
The pages were stuck together. Smashing the Orb completed the spell, actually. And Tara's last clear memory is...
TARA
Waiting for Willow at the World's Culture Fair.
GILES
Exactly. Everything should return in a few minutes.
Willow releases a breath and pulls Tara into a huge hug.
WILLOW
We'll just sit here and wait then.
DAWN
Everything really is going to be okay.
Tara closes her eyes and everyone stares at her expectantly. She gasps suddenly and opens her eyes. They are brimming with tears. She pushes Willow away.
TARA
You... we... the memory spell... and Warren shot me... and you... you... you...
Tara stands up and backs toward the door. She looks wildly around the room before bolting out the door. Willow starts after her.
GILES
Let her go.
WILLOW
I can't! She's upset and she needs me with her!
GILES
She just regained two years worth of memories, Willow. And those two years were an incredibly hard two years. She needs to be... away from you right now.
WILLOW
But...
Willow turns away from Giles and searches the faces of the rest of the Scoobies. They all look away from her, uncomfortable, except for Buffy, who stares back at her, unblinking. Willow's lip trembles and she looks away from Buffy, who finally moves to approach Willow and pull her into a hug. Willow gives in for a minute but soon pushes Buffy away.
WILLOW
I'm going home. I need to be there in case Tara needs me.
She heads to the door, pausing in the doorway for a beat. When it's clear that no one is going to stop her, she continues out the exit. Buffy goes to Spike and offers him a hand up. Spike winces as he stands and has to lean on Buffy for support when he finally gets up.
BUFFY
Look's like I'm going to have to fix you up again.
Spike tries to laugh but is in two much pain. He manages a grimace and Buffy helps him out. Giles, Jonathan, Andrew, and Dawn start cleaning up the trashed training room.
I never felt like this before
I'm naked
Around you
Does it show?
You see right through me
We zoom in on Xander and Anya, who are just staring into each other's eyes.
And I can't hide
I'm naked
Around you
And it feels so right
DISSOLVE TO:
28 INT. MAGIC BOX – DAY
I'm naked
Oh oh yeah
Does it show?
Yeah, I'm naked
Oh oh, yeah yeah
Buffy is standing in front of Spike, who is sitting in a chair. She is holding a First Aid Kit, which she sets down. She gently pulls his shirt over his head and starts rubbing his wounds with an alcohol swab.
DISSOLVE TO:
29 EXT. CITY STREETS - DAY/TARA'S APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM - DAY
I'm so naked around you
And I can't hide
You're gonna see right through, baby
In a blurred split screen, we see Willow walking slowly and Tara sitting on the couch in her living room, her legs tucked underneath her, staring out the window. There are visible tears in both sets of eyes and they both sigh at the same time.
BLACKOUT
END OF EPISODE