Scene 3

Hotel room, L.A., 6pm Thursday.

Miranda and Spike are asleep on the bed. They're spooning with Miranda on the outside—her hand is resting on his upper back. She is the first to stir. Sleepily, she reaches for a watch on the bedside table. Seeing the time, she sighs and pulls the covers off them both. Spike whines a complaint and turns over onto his back, blinking wearily.

Miranda: "We're expected in just over an hour. So much for dinner. (She kisses his shoulder and starts to get out of bed) I'll just dive in the shower—that'll give you another 10 minutes."

Spike just grunts. But as she steps around to head into the bathroom he grabs her hand to stop her.

Spike: (He rolls over and leans up on his elbow.) "Don't shower."

Miranda: (She frowns, an eye-rolley kind of frown. They haven't showered since they had sex last night.) "I'm not a bloody fire hydrant."

Spike: (mock incredulous) "You calling me a dog?"

Miranda: "I'm just saying, I'll have no territory marking today."

Spike: (letting go of her hand. Defiant.) "Well, I'm not showering."

Miranda: (big sigh) "This is not going to happen, (scolding) William. Need I remind you how important it is that all goes well this evening? Do you really want to provoke him?"

Spike: (ignoring her questions—casual observation) "You know, you always call me William when you're angry."

Miranda: (a bit taken aback by the change of subject, but going with it. Considering) "Well, I suppose it's easier to inject a bit of tone into 'William'. You can really get your mouth around it. 'Spike', not so much. And it sounds rather silly to scold a 'Spike', whereas a 'William' is much more likely to have a mother looking after 'im so it just fits." (She's smiling now)

Spike: "I think you should call me William all the time."

Miranda: (surprised) "What, in front of other people?"

Spike: "Yeah."

Miranda: (still skeptical) "Seriously?"

Spike: "I like the sound of it when you say it."

Miranda: "Alright. I'll give it a go, so long as you promise not to change your mind again. (seriously considering it) What about if I'm referring to you in the third person?"

Spike: "Do what you like."

Miranda: "Fine. But I haven't forgotten about the shower. (smiling) William."

Spike: "Go on then."

Miranda: "We can go together. I'll wash your hair—give you a nice scalp massage." (She makes 'massage' finger motions.)

Spike: (putting on his bored expression) "Nah—don't feel like it. Besides, water shortages and everything—bad for the environment."

Miranda: (reaching in her bag, pulling something out) "I've got a loofah." (she waves it cheerily)

Spike: "You'll have to do better than that, love."

Miranda: "Can't we just go for the high road on this? It's the last thing he'll expect."

Spike: "I'm pretty sure there's an insult buried in there somewhere. What else you got?"

Miranda: (looking anxiously at the clock) "We're running out of time."

Spike: "Fine. I'll be dressed by the time you get out."

Miranda: (Ok, so it's a game now. Thinking of something) "I'll let you shave my legs...(He inadvertently raises an eyebrow)...and if you accidentally were to slip and nick my skin with the razor and there were a few drops of blood, it'd be alright, 'cause you'd be right there to lick it up and make it better."

Spike: (mock jealousy) "I see. So you want to have smooth legs when we see him, then?"

Miranda: (Sigh. She drops off the nightgown she was wearing. In a more seductive voice.) "The thing is, I may be a bit too tired to reach all the nooks and crannies that need washing—and I'm such a dirty girl. (She starts moving her hands over her body, as if inspecting herself.) Yes, I'll definitely need some help. Oh, and I'd return the favor, only I might have to use my tongue to reach the places my hands won't go."

Spike: (He's trying hard to keep a straight face) "Sorry, not in the mood."

Miranda: (She lets out a disbelieving laugh) "Yeah, you might want to have a little talk with certain other parts of your anatomy that are most definitely in the mood." (She indicates the tent he's now pitching with the sheet.)

Spike: (looking down; exasperated) "Bloody...(shakes his head and smiles)...the high road it is." (He gets up and throws Miranda over his shoulder and takes her to the bathroom) "But was that an either/or situation, or do I get all of it?" (She just giggles)

xxxxx

Sometime later...

They are finishing getting dressed and are just about to head off.

Spike: "You set?"

Miranda: "Yeah, I think so. D'you mind walking?"

Spike: "Doesn't matter—I could use some air" (It's just getting to be dusk. He opens the door.)

Miranda: "Hang on a minute." (He turns around and Miranda saunters up to him with a bit of a wicked grin. She dives for his neck.)

Spike: "Uh, what do you think you're doing?"

Miranda: (breaking away from the neck sucking for a moment) "Giving you a love bite."

Spike: (he leans back and lets her finish) "'think I can learn to like the high road."

xxxxx

Switch scenes: Back at Duncan's place, where the others are waiting.

Angel: (to Duncan) "So you don't know who killed the previous holder of the sword?"

Duncan: "No. Like I said, the priests were seen ransacking the place. When they were done, they set it on fire. I think it's unlikely that they were the ones to kill him. Probably was an Immortal, but haven't heard anyone taking credit for it yet."

Gunn: "Are there ever evil nuns? That's something I wouldn't mind seeing just for a change. I know I'd be intimidated by the habit."

Angel: "Let it go, Gunn."

Gunn: "Just making conversation."

Wesley: "Actually, evil sects tend to be more egalitarian in that regard. So instead of evil nuns per se, you have evil female priests." (Glare from Angel for encouraging him.)

Gunn: "Interesting. Progressive evil—who knew?"

Switch scenes: Miranda and Spike are leisurely walking down city streets—you can tell neither of them are in much of a hurry.

Miranda: (stopping) "Maybe we should just forget the whole thing and get out of here. They can take care of it."

Spike: "Keep walking."

Miranda: "But I really don't want..."

Spike: "Believe me, I'd rather bury myself in a nest full of fire ants than sit in a room with him, being all smug and superior and lookin' at you like...(he shudders and doesn't finish)...but I get the feeling this is important and I think under normal circumstances, you'd be up for it."

Miranda: "You're right. Of course you're right. Under normal circumstances, I'd never walk away. (Deep breath and more walking. After a few minutes.) I've been thinking that maybe we should re-visit our original plan of taking the sword. I think we should do whatever Duncan thinks we should do."

Spike: "And why's that then?"

Miranda: "The thing is, according to Duncan, the bloke who had the sword before turned into a bit of a crazy hermit after being chased all round the globe for millennia by Immortals trying to get a piece of it. So if I had the sword, maybe the same would be true—it would be a constant fight, with Immortals around every corner trying to steal it. I mean, sure I could kill them all, but that might take centuries and do we really want to live like that until then? Now that we're together again, I want to have a bit of a normal life for a while and I don't want it to be all about me. I'm quite ready to be a sidekick."

Spike: (skeptical) "A sidekick."

Miranda: "Definitely. After this little hubbub is over, I'd be perfectly content to be known simply as Spike's girlfriend. (thinking about it for a minute—revising) "Spike's girlfriend with the fantastic shoes...Spike's girlfriend with the fantastic shoes, who can kick some serious ass if messed with. Yeah, that'd do."

Spike: (shaking his head) "I'm thinking the babbling is a good sign."

Miranda: "I'm feeling a bit better."

Spike: (he stops and grabs her arm) "Hold up a minute. (She stops and turns to face him.) We're almost there and just thought I'd say that...we're good."

Miranda: (repeating—not quite understanding) "We're good (?)"

Spike: "Yeah, well, I officially don't hate you anymore, alright? I get what happened and, uh, it's Ok now."

A huge grin crosses Miranda's face as she leaps on him, wrapping her arms and legs around. She jumps off and steps back.

Miranda: (devlish grin) "And...?"

Spike: "And nothing, lets go."

Miranda: "Come on, say it."

Spike: (looking suddenly uncomfortable) "Not here. Later."

Miranda: (frustrated frown) "Saturday?"

Spike: "Maybe. (beat) Yeah, Saturday."

Miranda: "My limit was a decade, so I suppose another couple of days won't kill me."

Now she's all smiles as they walk on—she's practically skipping. They walk by an alley, where it is rather obvious that someone (a woman) is being attacked by something. They completely ignore it and keep talking.

Miranda: "So we're agreed that we do what Duncan thinks is best. You won't interfere, no matter what happens?"

Spike: "If that's what you want."

Miranda: "Yes. I trust Duncan. I remember now. But I have a funny feeling he might be angry with me for some reason."

Spike: "Prague?"

Miranda: "No. Something else."

Crashes from the alley.

Miranda: (getting an idea) "Hang on a minute."

She casually walks back to the alley, drawing her sword from her coat on the way. Spike is just behind her. She manhandles the vamp who has just cornered the woman and tosses him to Spike to hold. The woman is terrified and now relieved. She's just about to express her gratitude.

Miranda: (in a rather demanding/harsh voice) "Do you watch Xena?"

Woman: (not sure she heard correctly) "Excuse me?"

Miranda: (impatient) "Do you watch Xena, the televion show? You look like the sort who might." (The woman is a bit mannish.)

Woman: "No, I..."

Miranda: (disappointed) "Oh. (turning to Spike) You can let him go. Sorry to bother you."

Woman: "Wait. I do. I watch it."

Miranda: (annoyed) "Well why didn't you say so when I asked?"

Woman: "It's kind of embarrassing—I'm a grown woman."

Miranda: "That's just silly. She kicks ass—with a sword—what's embarrassing about that?"

Woman: (now terrified of Miranda) "Nothing."

Miranda: "Right then. What happened in the series finale?"

Woman: "I'm not sure I remember. It was a while ago."

Miranda: "Maybe you're making it all up—maybe you've never seen it. Spike?"

Woman: (afraid, she bursts out) "She dies. Xena dies."

Miranda: (seriously surprised) "What? That can't be right."

Woman: "A samurai cuts her head off."

Miranda: (quite upset by the news) "That's certainly a respectably way to go, but they bring her back."

Woman: "No. I...I don't remember exactly. Something about her debt being too much to repay in life—she'd killed too many people, so she had to stay dead. I could be wrong—I wasn't paying that close attention. You know, series finales and all—they're always a bit weird."

Miranda thinks about this and leans back against the wall of the alley. The vamp is starting to squirm in Spike's grip and Miranda tosses him a piece of wood from the trash and Spike quickly dispatches him after a brief fight. When he's done, they walk out of the ally without saying another word to the woman, who is utterly confused by the whole experience.

Spike: (a bit of a smirk) "For future reference, that was the tiniest bit out of character for you. Not that it wasn't good for a laugh, but..."

Miranda: (still frowning, distracted) "I don't see why you have to be nice to someone when you're saving their ass."

Spike: "It wasn't so much the rudeness as the threatening to let the vamp eat her. Personally, I think the whole being nice business is the most off-putting part of the whole hero gig."

Miranda: "Maybe that should be our thing. We'll help people as the situation arises, but there'll be no verbal charity."

Spike: "Our motto can be 'We help the useless idiots who are daft enough to get themselves into trouble'"

Miranda: "Just because you're a victim, doesn't mean you're not a fashion disaster or a prat."

Spike: (looking at a piece of paper) "That's it up ahead."

Miranda: "I can't help but think this is a bad sign."

Spike: "What is?"

Miranda: "Xena being dead."

Spike: "She's a fictional character, love."

Miranda: (looking worried) "I just have a feeling things aren't going to go quite as planned."

They stop for a moment, just a few steps away from Duncan's shop to have a smoke. Miranda looks particularly uneasy. After a few minutes, she pulls a bottle out of her coat and with it in hand, they exchange a look and enter the shop. There is someone working at a desk at the front of the shop. She instructs Spike and Miranda to follow the hallway to the right to the conference room.

Meanwhile, in the conference room...

Duncan stands up abruptly, frowning. He steps over to where his sword is leaning up against the wall and grabs it.

Angel: (a bit confused by Duncan's behavior—he's aware that Immortals sense each other, but Duncan's specific reaction seems wrong) "Is that Miranda?"

Duncan: "It can't be. Unless..."

He looks very concerned, but before he can explain, Miranda comes confidently strolling into the room. Before she gets two feet in the door, Duncan is on her, looking pissed as hell. He knocks her down, harshly. The bottle she was holding smashes on the floor. He quickly and pins her with his foot pressed firmly on her neck, pushing the side of her face onto the floor—his sword is pointed down at her threateningly. She looks angry, but doesn't fight back and raises her hands off the ground in a sort of surrendering motion. As this is happening, Spike walks calmly into the room and doesn't flinch at Duncan's attack on Miranda—he's a cool as punch. Angel, on the other hand, walks menacingly towards Duncan.

Angel: "What the hell's going on?" (Looking like he's about to knock Duncan across the room.)

Spike: (stepping between them) "Immortal business, mate. Best to back off."

Spike then casually walks to the side of the room, where there is a counter and leans against it.

Duncan: "You killed him. You treacherous bitch. I told you where to find him—didn't think you knew about the sword. (real pain in his voice) Ach, Miranda, what's got into you?"

Miranda: (Spitting the words, as her face is pressed against the cement floor) "I didn't do it. Jesus Christ, I can barely breathe."

Duncan: "I can feel his power in you—you can't hide it. There's no other way you could get that much so fast."

Miranda: "I didn't kill him, Duncan."

Angel: (to Duncan, still menacing) "Maybe you should calm down. She said she didn't kill him."

Duncan: "Take her sword—it's in her coat. (forceful) Do it."

Miranda: (to Angel) "It's ok. Take it."

But before Angel moves a muscle, Spike is there, peeling off her leather coat with the sword tucked in the back.

Duncan: (to Spike) "Let me see it." (Spike unsheathes it and holds it up for Duncan's inspection.)

Miranda: "I didn't know he had the bloody sword. Not then."

Duncan: "So you did kill him."

Miranda: "No. I felt it—we were leaving town. I must have been the closest."

Duncan: "Why should I believe you?"

Miranda: "I'll prove it to you. Let me up and we'll discuss it."

Duncan: "Prove it how?"

Miranda: "Ask Alex—he'll tell you. He's probably just outside."

Duncan: "Who's Alex?"

Miranda: "My Watcher—he was with us the whole time in Europe."

Duncan: "You know your Watcher's name? I thought it was more of a general surveillance thing."

Miranda: "I can't believe I know more about this than you—we all have a primary one who follows us. At least that's how it seems to work with me. Angel, you remember what he looks like—go outside and drag him in here."

Angel: "You'll be alright if I go?"

Miranda: "I'll be fine. Duncan's not going to kill me."

Duncan: "Don't be so sure about that."

Miranda: (with a bit of attitude) "Oh, please. I'm unarmed and female. I'd have a better chance of getting struck by lightening."

Duncan frowns. Angel heads out the door.

Miranda: "Well, are you at least going to remove you foot from my neck so I can breath while we wait?"

Duncan: "Not after that last comment."

But he does take some of the weight off her neck. She uses the opportunity to quickly knock his leg to the side and roll away. She stands up with her hands raised, indicating that she's not going on the offensive—she merely wanted to make a point that she could get away if she wanted to. He continues to point his sword at her neck. Spike is successfully pretending to look bored. Everyone else just stands in shocked and uncomfortable silence. In a minute, Angel comes back in the room, dragging Alex by his shirt. He tosses him into the center of the room. He stands there, looking very uneasy—he's not used to someone being able to track him so easily (those damn vamps). He looks different from the last time we saw him—he's got cool shades and hip clothes and has a more confident air.

Miranda: "Why Alex, you look stunning—moving up in the world, aren't we?"

Alex: (a little freaked by Miranda talking to him, but kinda proud) "You move up, I move up."

Miranda: "Am I right that you were with us in Europe—I never actually caught sight of you, but..."

Alex: "I was doing my job."

Miranda: "Well, then, what was my scorecard?"

Alex: "I'm not supposed to say—not in front of him." (indicating Duncan)

Miranda: "Duncan and I are having an argument that only you can settle. If you don't agree, then I'm afraid Duncan might be forced to take my head and you'd be out of a job. Or re-assigned—not sure how that works exactly."

Alex: (with a touch of attitude/pride) "You could take him."

Miranda: "Aren't we getting a bit cocky? I'm quite touched at your confidence in me, but the truth of the situation is, I'm unarmed." (She holds up her hands.)

Alex: (A look of panic crosses his face—he can't fathom an existence without Miranda. He looks around nervously.) "Three Immortals, 3 humans and a bunch of other...things."

Angel: "Humans?"

Miranda: "Rogue watchers—tried to poison me, didn't they William? (They exchange a knowing look (she's not going to mention the Immortal's girlfriend in Glasgow). Alex doesn't correct her.)

Spike: "'Things' would be demons of various kinds."

Alex files away this bit of information. Demons.

Duncan: "Who were the Immortals?"

Alex: (looking for a nod from Miranda) "Gerald in Glasgow, Stefan in Paris, and Illich in Romania."

Duncan: "You're sure that's it?"

Alex: (shifting nervously) "Wins, yes. She received the Quickening from another, but she wasn't involved in his death."

Miranda: "Do you know who was?"

Angel: "The priests?"

Miranda: "What priests?"

Alex: "Suicide. (pause) Can I go now?"

Miranda: "Aren't you just going to go watch us from somewhere else with your surveillance equipment?"

Alex shrugs.

Miranda: (to D) "Satisfied?" (He nods—still floored by the suicide comment.) You can go."

Alex quickly slips away—Despite his hipper look, he's much more comfortable with his surveillance equipment than with real people.

Duncan: "Suicide?"

Gunn: "That's gotta be kinda complicated if you're an Immortal."

Cordelia: "Not if you had a Guillotine—he was in France, right? Probably could just pick one up at any flea market."

Wesley: "Am I right in thinking he likely had an accomplice?"

Duncan: "Maybe."

Miranda: "Have to say, he wasn't exactly the picture of sanity when I saw him last."

Duncan: "So you did meet him?"

Miranda: "Very briefly. When we dropped off Lauryn"

Duncan: "I still can't believe you just left her there."

Miranda: "I told you, she was starting to cause trouble and he was the closest. Don't you feel bad for Lauryn—up until that point, we showed her a right good time, didn't we William?"

Spike: (smirking knowingly) "I think she left us feeling very…satisfied."

Duncan: "Well she obviously didn't have a positive effect on his mental state."

Miranda: "Pshaw."

Duncan: "How long between then and the Quickening?"

Miranda: "I don't know—maybe a couple of weeks. We were passing close by on our way somewhere else and I did feel the tiniest bit guilty, so we decided to swing a bit closer to see how they were getting on. Obviously, she must have already left."

Duncan: (skeptical) "Seems a bit convenient."

Miranda: (shrugs) "Iunno. Someone had been following us that last night around town. Didn't think much of it. Figured it was his Watcher or something. (beat) So could we start over, you think? I had this brilliant little speech about us all being adults and putting the past behind us, blah blah blah—oh, and I think there was clever line about us having almost a thousand years between us—related to us being adults and all. (trying to be cheery) I brought whiskey."

Cordelia: "Ah, so that would be the foul smelling liquid currently spreading across the floor. Ick."

She steps away from the stream coming from the broken bottle.

Angel: "Is drinking really appropriate considering the situation? We've got a lot of planning to do."

Miranda: (Eye-roll. Not looking at him—throughout this entire scene, Miranda never looks at Angel directly, even when she's speaking to him) "It's meant for after we succeed. Traditionally, having the bottle in hand before the battle is viewed as good luck."

They all look at the broken bottle on the floor for a moment, frowning. Gunn is about to say something, but Wesley gives him a look. Better left unsaid.

Duncan: "Maybe we should start again. (Pretending he's seeing her for the first time.) Miranda—you're looking well." (He gives her a greeting kiss on the cheek.)

Miranda: (smiling warmly) "Hello, Duncan. Sorry about Prague—I've been rather moody lately."

Duncan: (Looking at her bare arm) "What's with the tattoos?"

Miranda: (Glancing in Angel's direction, but still not making eye contact) "Heroine chic, darling. All the kids are doing it. You should see William's."

Angel: (angry/annoyed voice) "Speaking of Spike, mind telling me why you brought him along? This is supposed to be strictly business."

Miranda: (casual shrug) "William does what he likes."

Spike: "Miranda has a tendency to lose her mind whenever she comes to L.A., so for sanity's sake I thought it would be best to tag along this time."

Angel: "Maybe what she loses is dead weight."

Spike: (still totally cool) "Oooh glass houses, mate."

Miranda: "I seem to remember losing something in L.A. last time—now, what was that again?"

Duncan: (interrupting what looks like an escalating situation) "Perhaps we should get started. I brought a map of the docks where I think the sword will be arriving."

Duncan, Angel, Miranda, Wes and Gunn all move towards the table where Duncan unfolds a map. He starts explaining things and bringing Miranda up to date on what they had been talking about before she arrived. Spike and Cordelia hang in the background.

Cordelia: (eyeing Spike) "You look different. Are you taller?"

Spike: (deeply sarcastic) "Yeah, Cordelia—after a hundred years of being dead, I just had a growth spurt. I have been eating my Wheatabix."

Cordelia: (Can't stop looking at him) "There's definitely something. (Looking more closely at his skin) Are you tan? (He just shakes his head) Different color...bleach? Colored contacts? I really think you must've grown—I remember you being really kinda small and..."

Miranda: (Overhearing, she breaks away from the 'planning' for just a moment.) "For goodness sake, Cordelia, he's wearing Armani. (under her breath) The girl is like a bloodhound for expensive apparel."

Cordelia: (surprised) "That's it. (giving him another once-over) Armani casual. Hm."

Spike: (getting annoyed) "Will you stop?"

The others are peering over the map. Miranda is careful to never be next to Angel—she keeps Duncan in between at all times. Cordelia wanders over to see what they're looking at. Miranda points to something on the map—Angel stares at her hand. Specifically, a ring on her left ring finger catches his eye.

Cordelia: (Noticing the ring at the same time.) "Oooh, that's pretty." (The ring is platinum with a wide square of black onyx with a square diamond set in the center (tilted 45 degrees). The band has a narrow band of black onyx as well, with tiny diamond chips.)

Miranda: (stretching her hand out to admire it) "I think it's the prettiest ring I've ever owned."

Cordelia: "Seriously? Huh. I've never seen anything like it. Where did you find it?"

Miranda: (smirking slightly) "You'll have to ask Spike."

Cordelia turns to Spike.

Spike: "It's an antique."

Angel: (under his breath) "Probably lifted it off a corpse—that's romantic. (Quickly changing the subject. To Duncan:) "So you're sure it's coming in on the 11 o'clock freighter arriving at dock 20?"

Duncan: "'Sure' might be too strong a word, but it fits with all of the information I've had so far. I'll get the final details tomorrow evening."

Miranda: "So what Immortals do you expect to show? You said you'd been able to dig up a few names of likely challengers."

Duncan: "There's just three that I know of for sure. A real piece of work named Trachys, another called Gaelin and uh...a third called Licia."

Miranda: (shock) "Licia? Am I mistaken, or is that a girl's name?"

Duncan: "Yeah, so?"

Miranda: "Hm. This is getting more interesting all the time. Is she a fighter or a girlfriend?"

Duncan: (Tiniest bit flustered—like he's hiding something) "She can fight."

Miranda: (eyes lighting up) "I've never fought another female Immortal before. She's mine."

Duncan: "Hang on a minute, we don't know there's going to be any fighting."

Miranda: "Of course we're going to fight. We're sure as hell not meeting for a picnic. I've heard you talk about Gaelin and Trachys before—they're not the sort to work through conflicts over tea from what I understand. And if Licia's with them..."

Duncan: "She might not realize what she's gotten herself into. We all might be able to keep our heads."

Gunn: (smiling) "Figuratively AND literally, in this case."

Miranda: (realizing something. To Duncan.) "You've slept with her, haven't you?"

Duncan: "I don't see what that has to do..."

Miranda: (stern) "Duncan."

Duncan: "Yeah, well, maybe we had a thing a while back. I still don't see..."

Miranda: (almost laughing) "Honestly Duncan, aside from me, is there a female Immortal you haven't slept with?"

Duncan: (At first, he looks all defensive, but then a wry grin crosses his face.) "There's more popping up every day."

Miranda: (smiling and shaking her head) "Well, there'll always be me, I suppose. Something to count on for all eternity. Regardless, that settles it. She's mine. You men are useless when it comes to dealing with ex's and I won't have your sentimentality jeopardizing our mission. Agreed?"

Duncan: "Fine. Although I do take issue with 'useless'"

Miranda: (looking around the room) "Would you like me to start naming names, boys?"

They all look slightly uncomfortable.

Cordelia: "I think they get it."

Angel: "Are the three working together?"

Duncan: "No. Gaelin and Trachys are rivals. Licia and Gaelin are an item, though. Not that Immortal relationships are ever a guarantee of anything."

Miranda: (sarcastic) "We're a real romantic lot."

Gunn: "Yeah, I get that vibe."

They continue to discuss plans for keeping the sword away from the Immortals, the priests and the rogue watchers. Spike is in the background listening in, but not actually participating. They work out a tentative plan involving a decoy (sorry, can't be bothered to come up with the details right now). Spike lets out a loud sigh/noise of dissatisfaction.

Angel: (turning to Spike, annoyed) "What?"

Spike: "It's a stupid plan—if it works, it'll be shear luck."

Angel just shakes his head. Duncan looks concerned.

Duncan: "You have something better to suggest?"

Spike: (shrugs and starts walking over to the map) "They'll be expecting a decoy. Instead of having one box with the decoy and Duncan carrying the real one, have two decoys in two boxes. They'll assume one is the real one and it will tie up at least one or more groups while they figure it out. You have Miranda carrying the real sword, because you know they'll assume that Duncan has it once they figure out that the boxes are both fakes—from what I hear, Immortals aren't the most progressive lot when it comes to equal rights and won't think that Duncan would trust a bird with it. You have someone over here (pointing at the map) keeping an eye on the priests, as they'll be over doing some sort of hocus pocus. (shrugging) The rest of it's (their plan) alright, I guess."

Angel: "Maybe I should have the sword—even less likely they'd find it first off."

Duncan: "The sword should be with one of us (Immortals). I think Spike's right that they'll figure I have it. At the very least it could buy us some time."

Miranda is beaming with pride as she looks at Spike. They work on the details a bit more.

Gunn: "So the immediate plan is to take the sword directly to the church on Alexander Street."

Wesley: "I think there's another over on Broad Street, a few blocks to the west."

Duncan: "We'll still need to be careful, as the Watchers will follow us in—they don't respect the holy-ground mandate."

Miranda: "Just so you know, I can't go in."

Duncan: "Go in where?"

Miranda: "To the churches."

Duncan: (crinkling his face in disbelief) "I don't know what you mean by that—you won't go in?"

Miranda: "Not won't—can't."

Duncan: "Why?"

Miranda: "You want to field that one, Angel?"

Angel: (Frowning. Not explaining) "There's a graveyard about a half mile north—she can retreat there."

Duncan: (confused) "Whatever."

Miranda: "So what then? What becomes of the sword once we get it?"

Duncan: "If we get it. It was meant for Joseph, so..."

Spike: (to Miranda) "It's yours, love. (to Duncan) Am I right? Line of succession or some such bollocks?"

Duncan: (concerned look) "Yes, technically, it belongs to Miranda."

Miranda: "Isn't that splendid. And to think we wasted all that time trying to figure out how to take it. (Catching herself, laughing.) Oops, did I just say that out loud?"

Duncan: (sigh—worried) "I'd like you to consider helping me destroy it. I think it would be best for everyone."

Miranda: (a bit petulant) "Certainly best for you."

Duncan: (about to plead the case) "Miranda, I..."

Miranda: "Don't get your knickers in a twist, Duncan. I'd already decided to take your advice. Whatever you think is best."

Duncan: (seriously relieved) "Good. So we're agreed. We destroy it."

Miranda: (like a little kid asking for ice cream) "Oh, but can I at least use it to kill any others who show up? I'll split them with you if you like."

Duncan: (frown) "We'll see."

He can't help but sense that Miranda is different from the woman he's known for so many years—at the core, she's the same, but so changeable and just "off" somehow. He doesn't understand what's happened, but it makes him a bit sad and worried—mostly for her safety.

Wesley: "Do you know how to destroy the sword?"

Duncan: "Not 'till I get a good look at it. Hopefully, we'll be able to just melt it down."

Wesley: "I can bring a few books I have on ancient weaponry. We can do some research once we're secure in the church."

They discuss a few more details and then disperse for the night. They agree to meet the next day after sunset.

Miranda: "Well, then. I don't know about anyone else, but I think tomorrow is going to be a right barrel of laughs."

Gunn: "See there? Optimism. I like that."

Miranda: "On other hand, the broken bottle and Xena's untimely demise speak otherwise."

Gunn: "Xena?"

Spike: "Don't ask."

Miranda and Spike head out first. Duncan stays in the conference room. Gunn, Wesley, Cordelia and Angel walk out to the shop area.

Angel: "You guys go on ahead. I'd rather walk back."

Wesley nods; they can tell seeing Miranda was hard on him.

Cordelia: "Guys, I'll catch up. (She stays behind while the others leave through the front door. She's genuinely concerned) Hey, are you okay?"

Angel: (shrugs) "I guess so. (not) I mean, I don't know what I was expecting. This wasn't it. (pause for silent brooding) She wouldn't even look at me."

Cordelia: (understanding) "Speaking from experience, sometimes it's a lot easier to be a bitch in these situations. It doesn't mean she doesn't care. Try not to take it too personally."

Angel: (he just frowns/shrugs) "You should get going—those shoes don't really look like they're up for the walk back."

Cordelia: "You going to be alright?"

Angel: "Yeah. I just need some air. (pause) Thanks."

She leaves. He stands there for a moment and then quickly heads out the door.