Chapter 10: Walk Through the Fire


         As the show faded back in, the camera cut to the street. It was dark and some people were doing an angry dance-fight. The camera panned down to focus on a garbage can with a fire burning inside it.

         Buffy walked up in foreground and held her hand out to the fire.

         She sang softly,

                  I touch the fire and it freezes me
                  I look into it and it's black
                  Why can't I feel?
                  My skin should crack and peel
                  I want the fire back!

         The camera cut to the Bronze where smoke swirls as Sweet shoved Dawn into a chair, sitting in the other chair beside her. Dawn looked scared.

         Cutting back, Buffy continued, as she walked down the street,

                  Now through the smoke, she calls to me
                  To make my way across the flame
                  To save the day
                  Or maybe melt away
                  I guess it's all the same

                  So I will walk through the fire
                  'Cause where else can I turn?
                  I will walk through the fire
                  And let it –

         The camera cut to Spike, sitting in an alley smoking a cigarette.

                  The torch I bear is scorching me
                  Buffy's laughing, I've no doubt

         He took a drag and added,

                  I hope she fries
                  I'm free if that bitch dies!

         He tossed the cigarette away angrily, then jumped up, walking away.

                  I better help her out.

         The camera cut once again to the Bronze, where Sweet sang,

                  'Cause she is drawn to the fire.

         Cutting back and forth, the camera caught both Spike and Sweet singing,

                  Sweet: Some people…
                  Spike: She will…
                  Sweet/Spike: …never learn.
                                    And she will walk through the fire
                                    And let it –

         The scene cut back to the magic shop where Willow and Tara sat at the table, not looking at each other. Giles stood behind the counter and sang,

                  Will this do a thing to change her?
                  Am I leaving Dawn in danger?
                  Is my Slayer too far gone to care?

         Xander added,

                  What if Buffy can't defeat it?

         Anya came up beside up and sang,

                  Beady Eyes is right, we're needed!
                  Or we could just sit around and glare…

         She looked at Willow and Tara as Giles came out from behind the counter, giving Willow and Tara a look. They got up, and they all walked toward the door, singing,

                  We'll see it through
                  It's what we're always here to do
                  So we will walk through the fire…

         The camera cut back to Buffy walking alone through an alley.

                  So one by one, they turn from me
                  I guess my friends can't face the cold
                  But why I froze, not one among them knows
                  And never can be told.

         Splitting the screen, the scene showed Sweet singing with the group.

                  Anya: She came from the grave much graver
                           Sweet: So one by one they turn to me
                  Spike: First, he'll kill her, then I'll save her
                           Sweet: The distant redness as their guide
                                    Buffy: Going through the motions
                  Tara: Everything is turning out so dark
                           Sweet: That single flame, ain't what they had in mind.
                                    Buffy: Walking through the part
                  Spike: No, I'll save her, then I'll kill her
                           Sweet: It's what they have inside.
                  Willow: I think this line's mostly filler
                  Giles: What's it going take to strike a spark?
                           Buffy: These endless days are finally ending in a blaze
                                    Sweet: She will come to me

         They all sing,

                  And we are caught in the fire

         As Buffy walked down the street alone, she sang,

                  The point of no return
                  So we will walk through the fire

         The camera but to the Scoobies walking down the street as a fire engine goes by behind them with lights flashing, singing,

                  And let it
                  Burn…
                  Let it burn…

         The camera cutting to Spike jumping over a fence into an alley outside the Bronze.

                  Let it burn…
                  Let it burn!

         Buffy kicked down the door of the Bronze and smashed it to pieces.

         Sweet looked up and said, "Showtime!" as he chuckled.

         The screen blacked out.