Cut to Willow and Oz in a graveyard.
Willow stops walking and drops the bag on the ground. Oz steps around her.
Oz: where are we? Why are we stop...?
He glances down and sees the headstone. Buffy's headstone.
Oz: Oh man.
Willow: It's the safest place. I know it. don't ask me how, but I know it.
A shadow moves in the distance past some trees in the woods. Willow senses something and clutches Connor closer.
Willow: Oz, I've messed so many things up. Tara was right you know. I have gone farther and farther down the wrong path since you left. It wasn't intentional but it happened.
Oz: Willow I never intended for you to be hurt so much. I swear.
Willow: I know that. And even after everything I don't think I would change a thing. I mean, if you hadn't left me, I never would have met Tara.
Oz: (Uncomfortable) Yeah I guess so.
Willow: It's not what I ever imagined for myself Oz. I spent years seeing only you in my future. You gave me something that I never thought I'd find.
Oz: I feel the same way.
Willow: Sometimes things aren't meant to be even if it seems like we'll die if it doesn't happen you know?
Willow senses the presence again and steps onto the uprooted dirt that once covered Buffy.
Willow: Oz, they'll be here soon. You just have to last a few minutes until they get here.
Oz: What are you talking about?
Willow: I promised Buffy. I hurt her so much before. Here. (looks down at the ground under her feet) I never meant to but I did. This is my chance to finally prove myself again. For her and Tara...and me. Thank you Oz. Thank you for coming and helping me see that.
Oz: I'm not really sure I understand Will.
Willow: Just tell Buffy I wanted to. It wasn't because I had to, it was only because I wanted it. Can you do that?
Oz: Willow...
Willow pulls a bag from under her jacket and throws it on the ground as hard as she can. A bright yellow haze rises from her feet and envelops her and Connor in its center.
Oz doesn't have time to react before a creature jumps from the woods onto him. Oz cries out for Willow but she shuts her eyes against him and lowers her head into the blanket that is wrapped around Connor.
She doesn't see the thing stand and reach out to help Oz up just before a large axe descends upon his back. It yelps in pain and falls on its knees. Oz sees Angel standing over him vamped out and Buffy staring at the obvious spell that willow created.
Oz: Angel stop!
Angel looks at Oz in confusion.
Oz: He was helping me! He thought Willow was after me!
Angel: What? But...
The thing looks up at Angel and begins to whisper. Angel bends to listen.
Beast: He sent me for your son. He said he would exact revenge at any cost. I couldn't let him do it. You've done nothing wrong. (coughs up blood) I was like you. I was the most evil of my kind, I've killed thousands. Holtz was my last.
Angel: My God.
Beast: No, your son. It was for your son. If evil can create innocence, anything is possible. Hold fast to that. Prophecies are guesses. You can create his path. Don't ever let him falter.
The beast finally exhales for the last time and crumbles to the ground. Oz watches sadly and Angel finally looks to see Willow holding his son in the middle of the energy.
Angel: Buffy?
Buffy: Willow.
Oz: Buffy, she said to tell you it wasn't because she had to. She said she wanted to...for you. Does that make any sense?
Angel: Buffy, this is your...(he sees the headstone)
Buffy: (whispers) No one's home.
Angel: Can she see us? Did she hear? Holtz is dead. It's over.
Buffy: (smiles at Will) Yeah, she sees us.
Willow closes her eyes and says something that no one can hear. Instantly the energy dissipates and Connor begins to cry.
Cut to Spike and Cordy walking into the scene at a distance. No one sees them arrive.
Angel rushes to take his son and calms him as he smiles down. Buffy watches Willow step closer.
Willow: Buffy, I felt the guy in the woods. I thought it was Holtz. I had to protect him. I promised. As if he were yours right?
Buffy: (Hugs her) As if he were mine. Thank you.
Willow pulls back with immense relief and steps back with Oz as Buffy joins Angel looking down at the headstone.
Angel: I can't believe it's over.
Buffy: He's gone. he can't hurt you anymore.
Angel: And you're here. All this brought us here...together. How does that always happen?
Buffy smiles lovingly and steps on her tiptoes to kiss Angel softly on the lips.
Buffy: We happened, that's how. Whatever goes on separately, we will always happen. It's our destiny.
Angel smiles and looks at his son before bending to kiss Buffy with renewed intensity. As Buffy falls into the kiss, she feels something happen. She pulls away and sees Angel begin to shake. A sweat breaks out on his brow as Willow and Oz move back still farther. They bump into Cordy and Spike watching with intense pain.
Buffy: What is it Angel? What's wrong?
Cordy: (quietly)Angel?
Angel drops to his knees struggling to hang onto Connor and his head bows.
Angel: Buffy...
In a split second Buffy has a flashback to her first dream. Doyle's words echo loudly in her mind. "He's coming. You don't have much time. You know what to do."
Buffy looks behind her and sees Holtz emerge from the woods with a smile on his face. Justine's words echo even louder. "That's what we want him to think."
She sees Angel look up at her pleadingly as they both recognize what's happening. Nothing would make him happier. His son was safe. Buffy was with him. Nothing would make him happier. She hears Angel's own words from the car. She knows it has to be stopped. And once again she has to be the one to stop him. She drops down in front of him as Holtz stops smiling and begins to move forward quickly.
Holtz: No...
Buffy leans to whisper something in Angel's ear and within seconds the shaking stops. His eyes become clear again and his expression of joy that was replaced with worry now is overwhelmed with pain. Buffy rises from his face and looks down at him with tears in her eyes.
Buffy: I'm sorry.
Angel doesn't respond as Buffy stands to find herself attacked from behind by Holtz. Angel watches unmoving as she struggles to defend herself. She takes several blows in her haste to maintain eye contact with Angel and Spike jumps into the fray. He vamps out and Holtz runs in defeat. Everyone knows he will be back for Angel and his son again. But next time, it would be in LA and without any help from Sunnydale.
Angel sees Spike struggling to not take Buffy into his arms and his own eyes well with tears. Connor begins to fuss again and Cordy finally steps forward to take him from Angel. Angel stands slowly and the four former friends/enemies face off.
Cordelia: I guess we should probably get going.
Angel: (looking at Buffy) Yes, I think it's time.
Spike: No arguments here. Nice seeing you and all but...
Buffy: (holding a hand up to quiet Spike) Goodbye Angel.
Angel: I guess it's worth a shot.
Buffy: (Looking at Cordy) I'm not okay with it. And I'm not done with it. But I know you're not who you were three years ago. I can accept that.
Cordy: Thank you.
Buffy: But I hope you can accept something as well. (steps in front of her and speaks low) You may see yourself in his future. And Angel, you may not be able to see your future without her in it. But you can't see yourself in that future without seeing me.
Cordy begins to say something but Angel speaks first.
Angel: And I might say the same for you and...him. (Spike realizes he's referring to him) Spike, you'll never know if she's seeing me every time she's looking at you. See, you told us yourself. We all might be love's bitch, but which of us is willing to admit it? Denying it hasn't worked too well for any of us thus far. You'll never have her. Not like you want.
Buffy: You have to go Angel. This is too hard.
Angel: Why is it always that way for us?
Buffy and Angel look at one another for a long moment and then inexplicably begin to smile. They each take a step back and slowly turn away. Spike and Cordy are left to follow them silently as they part once again.
Willow and Oz watch all this until the four are completely out of sight.
Oz: That was...difficult to witness.
Willow: It always is when those two get together.
Oz: Can you believe they left like that? And with the people they left with? What is up with the universe?
Willow: (smiling) Buffy and Angel, Oz. It's all about Buffy and Angel.
Oz: Oh yeah, I remember now.
The two head back towards home
Willow stops walking and drops the bag on the ground. Oz steps around her.
Oz: where are we? Why are we stop...?
He glances down and sees the headstone. Buffy's headstone.
Oz: Oh man.
Willow: It's the safest place. I know it. don't ask me how, but I know it.
A shadow moves in the distance past some trees in the woods. Willow senses something and clutches Connor closer.
Willow: Oz, I've messed so many things up. Tara was right you know. I have gone farther and farther down the wrong path since you left. It wasn't intentional but it happened.
Oz: Willow I never intended for you to be hurt so much. I swear.
Willow: I know that. And even after everything I don't think I would change a thing. I mean, if you hadn't left me, I never would have met Tara.
Oz: (Uncomfortable) Yeah I guess so.
Willow: It's not what I ever imagined for myself Oz. I spent years seeing only you in my future. You gave me something that I never thought I'd find.
Oz: I feel the same way.
Willow: Sometimes things aren't meant to be even if it seems like we'll die if it doesn't happen you know?
Willow senses the presence again and steps onto the uprooted dirt that once covered Buffy.
Willow: Oz, they'll be here soon. You just have to last a few minutes until they get here.
Oz: What are you talking about?
Willow: I promised Buffy. I hurt her so much before. Here. (looks down at the ground under her feet) I never meant to but I did. This is my chance to finally prove myself again. For her and Tara...and me. Thank you Oz. Thank you for coming and helping me see that.
Oz: I'm not really sure I understand Will.
Willow: Just tell Buffy I wanted to. It wasn't because I had to, it was only because I wanted it. Can you do that?
Oz: Willow...
Willow pulls a bag from under her jacket and throws it on the ground as hard as she can. A bright yellow haze rises from her feet and envelops her and Connor in its center.
Oz doesn't have time to react before a creature jumps from the woods onto him. Oz cries out for Willow but she shuts her eyes against him and lowers her head into the blanket that is wrapped around Connor.
She doesn't see the thing stand and reach out to help Oz up just before a large axe descends upon his back. It yelps in pain and falls on its knees. Oz sees Angel standing over him vamped out and Buffy staring at the obvious spell that willow created.
Oz: Angel stop!
Angel looks at Oz in confusion.
Oz: He was helping me! He thought Willow was after me!
Angel: What? But...
The thing looks up at Angel and begins to whisper. Angel bends to listen.
Beast: He sent me for your son. He said he would exact revenge at any cost. I couldn't let him do it. You've done nothing wrong. (coughs up blood) I was like you. I was the most evil of my kind, I've killed thousands. Holtz was my last.
Angel: My God.
Beast: No, your son. It was for your son. If evil can create innocence, anything is possible. Hold fast to that. Prophecies are guesses. You can create his path. Don't ever let him falter.
The beast finally exhales for the last time and crumbles to the ground. Oz watches sadly and Angel finally looks to see Willow holding his son in the middle of the energy.
Angel: Buffy?
Buffy: Willow.
Oz: Buffy, she said to tell you it wasn't because she had to. She said she wanted to...for you. Does that make any sense?
Angel: Buffy, this is your...(he sees the headstone)
Buffy: (whispers) No one's home.
Angel: Can she see us? Did she hear? Holtz is dead. It's over.
Buffy: (smiles at Will) Yeah, she sees us.
Willow closes her eyes and says something that no one can hear. Instantly the energy dissipates and Connor begins to cry.
Cut to Spike and Cordy walking into the scene at a distance. No one sees them arrive.
Angel rushes to take his son and calms him as he smiles down. Buffy watches Willow step closer.
Willow: Buffy, I felt the guy in the woods. I thought it was Holtz. I had to protect him. I promised. As if he were yours right?
Buffy: (Hugs her) As if he were mine. Thank you.
Willow pulls back with immense relief and steps back with Oz as Buffy joins Angel looking down at the headstone.
Angel: I can't believe it's over.
Buffy: He's gone. he can't hurt you anymore.
Angel: And you're here. All this brought us here...together. How does that always happen?
Buffy smiles lovingly and steps on her tiptoes to kiss Angel softly on the lips.
Buffy: We happened, that's how. Whatever goes on separately, we will always happen. It's our destiny.
Angel smiles and looks at his son before bending to kiss Buffy with renewed intensity. As Buffy falls into the kiss, she feels something happen. She pulls away and sees Angel begin to shake. A sweat breaks out on his brow as Willow and Oz move back still farther. They bump into Cordy and Spike watching with intense pain.
Buffy: What is it Angel? What's wrong?
Cordy: (quietly)Angel?
Angel drops to his knees struggling to hang onto Connor and his head bows.
Angel: Buffy...
In a split second Buffy has a flashback to her first dream. Doyle's words echo loudly in her mind. "He's coming. You don't have much time. You know what to do."
Buffy looks behind her and sees Holtz emerge from the woods with a smile on his face. Justine's words echo even louder. "That's what we want him to think."
She sees Angel look up at her pleadingly as they both recognize what's happening. Nothing would make him happier. His son was safe. Buffy was with him. Nothing would make him happier. She hears Angel's own words from the car. She knows it has to be stopped. And once again she has to be the one to stop him. She drops down in front of him as Holtz stops smiling and begins to move forward quickly.
Holtz: No...
Buffy leans to whisper something in Angel's ear and within seconds the shaking stops. His eyes become clear again and his expression of joy that was replaced with worry now is overwhelmed with pain. Buffy rises from his face and looks down at him with tears in her eyes.
Buffy: I'm sorry.
Angel doesn't respond as Buffy stands to find herself attacked from behind by Holtz. Angel watches unmoving as she struggles to defend herself. She takes several blows in her haste to maintain eye contact with Angel and Spike jumps into the fray. He vamps out and Holtz runs in defeat. Everyone knows he will be back for Angel and his son again. But next time, it would be in LA and without any help from Sunnydale.
Angel sees Spike struggling to not take Buffy into his arms and his own eyes well with tears. Connor begins to fuss again and Cordy finally steps forward to take him from Angel. Angel stands slowly and the four former friends/enemies face off.
Cordelia: I guess we should probably get going.
Angel: (looking at Buffy) Yes, I think it's time.
Spike: No arguments here. Nice seeing you and all but...
Buffy: (holding a hand up to quiet Spike) Goodbye Angel.
Angel: I guess it's worth a shot.
Buffy: (Looking at Cordy) I'm not okay with it. And I'm not done with it. But I know you're not who you were three years ago. I can accept that.
Cordy: Thank you.
Buffy: But I hope you can accept something as well. (steps in front of her and speaks low) You may see yourself in his future. And Angel, you may not be able to see your future without her in it. But you can't see yourself in that future without seeing me.
Cordy begins to say something but Angel speaks first.
Angel: And I might say the same for you and...him. (Spike realizes he's referring to him) Spike, you'll never know if she's seeing me every time she's looking at you. See, you told us yourself. We all might be love's bitch, but which of us is willing to admit it? Denying it hasn't worked too well for any of us thus far. You'll never have her. Not like you want.
Buffy: You have to go Angel. This is too hard.
Angel: Why is it always that way for us?
Buffy and Angel look at one another for a long moment and then inexplicably begin to smile. They each take a step back and slowly turn away. Spike and Cordy are left to follow them silently as they part once again.
Willow and Oz watch all this until the four are completely out of sight.
Oz: That was...difficult to witness.
Willow: It always is when those two get together.
Oz: Can you believe they left like that? And with the people they left with? What is up with the universe?
Willow: (smiling) Buffy and Angel, Oz. It's all about Buffy and Angel.
Oz: Oh yeah, I remember now.
The two head back towards home