Entropy

Written by: Drew Z. Greenberg

Directed by: James A. Contner

February 8, 2002 (white)

EXT. SUNNYDALE CEMETERY - NIGHT

ON TWO PAIRS OF FEET. Running. We sense panic, and we're right. But as we pan up, we see the feet belong to TWO VAMPS. Two really scared vamps.

Behind them, three ATVs tear through the cemetery. Gaining. The vamps are the prey, and the hunters aboard the ATVS:

JONATHAN, WARREN and ANDREW.

And the guys are serious.

The ATVs are tricked out with long, pointy wooden stakes on the front. They actually are pretty menacing.

ANDREW
They're getting to the gate!

WARREN
I see it, I see it.

We see that the first vamp clutches in his hand a small, clear disk (as in round, not computer). The second vamp grabs a low-hanging branch from a tree, breaks it off, and tosses it behind him.

It knocks Andrew off his ATV, right in Warren's path. Warren swerves, bounces off a tombstone and CRASHES into Jonathan.

All three nerds sit up on the ground, dazed.

ANDREW
We're gonna lose them.

JONATHAN
We need that disk.

Warren watches as the vamps make a break for the cemetery gate. His eyes narrow... he sees something.

WARREN
Wait.

As the vamps round the gate, free at least, ready to roam wild in the big, bloody world, their relief is cut short.

BUFFY jumps in from the street. She TACKLES the vamps.

The disk goes skittering on the ground.

As Buffy faces off against the vamps, Warren watches, his face lighting up. He quietly moves forward, scoops up the disk and turns back to the other guys.

He motions for them to go.

Buffy has the First Vamp around the neck, trying to get a good position to stake him. The Second Vamp picks himself up off the street, CHARGES Buffy....

And gets SCOOPED into the air.

SPIKE stands atop the stone pillar of the cemetery gate, high above the ground, effortlessly dangling the Second Vamp mid-air by an arm. The vamp STRUGGLES to get free of Spike's grip.

Distracted, Buffy loses her grip on the First Vamp. He pushes her back, spins around and knocks her to the ground.

SPIKE
How you doin'?

BUFFY
(struggling)
Fine. You know... Same old same old.

SPIKE
(re: the dangling vamp)
Here, I could take care of this guy
if you want.

Buffy kicks the First Vamp off, sends him reeling.

BUFFY
Whatever. Your call.

SPIKE
I mean, sure he don't look like
much...

SECOND VAMP
(insulted)
Hey hey!

SPIKE
... but I'd wager he could give you a
bit o'nasty. I'll save you the
staking. All you gotta do is--

As Buffy rushes the First Vamp:

BUFFY
I'm not telling my friends about us.

SPIKE
Right. Well, I'll just be dropping
him down to you then?

Buffy tackles the First Vamp to the ground, gaining the upper hand. As she fights:

BUFFY
You tell them if you want. Go ahead.
Rock the boat. Rock and roll it the
hell over. My friends and I'll still
be groovin' with the movin'.

She STAKES the First Vamp.

BUFFY (cont'd)
Know why? I tried to kill my
friends, my sister, last week and
guess how much they hate me now?
Zero. Zero much.

She gets up, walks over to Spike and the dangling Second Vamp.

BUFFY (cont'd)
So I'm thinking, sleeping with you...

She walks away. On her back...

BUFFY (cont'd)
They'll deal.

Spike watches her go then drops the Second Vamp. The vamp reacts with surprise at being free, then takes off running at Buffy's retreating back, fangs bared.

SPIKE
(calling after her)
In that case, why won't you sleep
with me again?

The Second Vamp can't help looking back at Spike at that. Buffy turns around, calmly STAKES the Second Vamp. She keeps walking away as he dusts, and says:

BUFFY
Because I don't love you.

On Spike. After a moment:

SPIKE
(to himself)
Like Hell.

INT. XANDER'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

The place feels big. Empty. A little unlived-in. XANDER sits on the floor, lost in the loneliness of the place, listening to lonely music on the stereo. Beer in one hand. Lost.

We move in, see he's in a great deal of pain. Missing Anya.

Finally, after a moment, he uses the remote to shut off the music. It stops abruptly, leaving us with uncomfortable, telling silence.

Another beat.

Xander stands up, sets down his beer, and walks to the door. He leaves...

EXT. XANDER'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

... and heads off into the night. Still with the lonely.

Across the street, a woman stands in the shadows, watching him go. When he's safely away, she steps into the light. ANYA. Human-looking. Conflicted. She wants to go after him. Instead, she just watches him leave.

BLACK OUT.

END OF TEASER

INT. UC SUNNYDALE CAMPUS - DAY

As students stream out of class, we see WILLOW books in hand, leaning up against the wall of the building.

Kinda forced casual.

TARA comes out of class. Willow sees her, brightens, walks to her.

TARA
Hey!

WILLOW
Look at you. All coming-out-of-class
and everything.

TARA
(smiling)
I do that sometimes. Usually at the
end part of the class.

WILLOW
Right.

They walk together. Slowly. Not rushing anywhere.

TARA
(pointing awkwardly at Willow's neck)
How's your... you know, after the
basement deal?

Willow swivels her head, testing her neck.

WILLOW
It's between a hitch and a kink.
With a side of twinge. It's okay.

TARA
And Buffy's okay too? Enjoying the
refreshing sanity and so forth?

WILLOW
(overdoing)
Ha! Yes! Refreshing san-- that's
funny!
(compensating soberly)
She's okay. A little... freaked.
I'm glad she didn't hurt you.

TARA
You too.

A beat of silence, then:

TARA (cont'd)
So, this is becoming kind of a
regular thing. You and me after
class.

WILLOW
Uh, I didn't...

TARA
Only this time you stuck around.

WILLOW
Oh, um... various sounds of
hesitation...

TARA
She was just a friend.

Willow's caught a little off guard. But relieved.

WILLOW
Friends are nice!

TARA
You rushed off before I could, you
know, explain.

WILLOW
Officially, of course, I have to say
that I have no idea what you're
talking about.

TARA
Unofficially?

Willow just grins a big grin. They walk in silence for a moment. Willow, still nervous takes a deep breath, then:

WILLOW
We should get coffee some time.
Maybe some day this week after class.

TARA
I'm free tomorrow.

WILLOW
You could, you could bring your
friend.

Tara's actually a little thrown by this.

TARA
I wasn't gonna -- I mean, if you have
a friend --

WILLOW
No! I'm, oh, I'm friendless.

TARA
Yeah, yeah. No friends -- I mean, I
have friends....

WILLOW
Many dear friends, yeah. But --

TARA
Coffee.

WILLOW
With us. Who are... just friends.

EXT. SUNNYDALE MALL - DAY

Buffy and DAWN walk among the stores.

BUFFY
Okay... can we go in that one?

DAWN
(no)
Three pairs of earrings, a change
purse and a toothbrush.

BUFFY
You stole a toothbrush?

DAWN
Mother of pearl handle. Very fancy.

BUFFY
Yeah, but you stole a toothbrush. As
rebellious teenagers go, you're kinda
square.

DAWN
Dental hygiene is important.

A beat.

BUFFY
I guess this was a kinda lame idea
for a sisters-day-out. I make up for
trying to kill you by taking you
places you can't go in.

DAWN
No, it's my bad. I'm the one that
got busted for taking stuff.

Buffy notices a store out of frame.

BUFFY
Hey, you didn't steal anything from
the pet store, did you?

DAWN
Pocketful of goldfish. Didn't work
out.
(then)
No.

BUFFY
Good, then we can go look at the
puppies.

DAWN
Ach. It's so awful, the puppy mills,
and keeping them in those cages,
people poking at them all day.

BUFFY
Yeah, but... puppies. You used to
think they were cute.

Dawn opens her mouth to speak, wanting to protest, then she looks at Buffy, stops herself. Instead:

DAWN
Well. yeah, I did in my fives and
sixes... We could go look.
(beat)
'Sides, I don't think there are any
other stores left where I can show my
face.

BUFFY
It'll pass. You've returned all the
stuff you still had. We're paying
for the rest.

DAWN
I'm paying for the rest.

BUFFY
We'll figure it out. And, you know,
maybe in a couple months they'll let
us visit the leather birthday jacket.

A YOUNG MOTHER pushing a BABY STROLLER calmly cuts across, about to bump into Dawn, who is looking at a store.

Buffy takes Dawn's arm to steer her out of the way.

Dawn JUMPS, ever so slightly at Buffy's touch, startled.

They both stop, looking at each other, embarrassed, realizing what just happened.

BUFFY (cont'd)
Oh. That wasn't-- I was just--
Sorry.

DAWN
No, no. I'm sorry.

They walk for a moment in silence. The mood has changed, become strained.

BUFFY
I would never --

DAWN
I know. You weren't you.

They walk for another moment. More silence. Then Buffy forces herself to snap out of it, tries to lighten the mood:

BUFFY
Okay, you know what we need?

DAWN
What?

BUFFY
(re: food court ahead)
Warm chocolate chip cookies. Just as
warm as puppies, and somewhat tastier.

Dawn gives a wan smile as they go. It's not really what she needs. But Buffy is trying...

INT. TRIO'S LAIR - DAY

Jonathan at a bubbling chemistry set. The disk from the vamps sits on the table, too -- we see now that it has fine, intricate etchings on its surface, creating a pattern of interconnecting lines and shapes. Warren stands over him.

JONATHAN
Get back. You don't want to make me
rush this.

WARREN
Not impressed, Padawan. When do we
hit paydirt?

JONATHAN
I do this wrong, it's gonna surge and
we'll be deader than an ex-girlfriend.

WARREN
What did you say?

JONATHAN
Just let me work.

He turns back to the chemistry set. Warren stares for a beat, then continues with the false calm:

WARREN
All right, do what you need to do.
You get us to the goods, then watch
out. It's gonna be like the whole
world just spread open and gave it up
for you, man.

Jonathan winces at the image, then looks up, right at Warren. Almost challenging.

JONATHAN
And then we're done, right? We each
take our share and we call it a day?

Andrew enters, listens quietly.

WARREN
You that ready to get rid of us, huh?

Jonathan doesn't answer. Clearly uncomfortable.

WARREN (cont'd)
Don't worry. we pull this off, you
can buy any tropical island you want.
(smiling)
Cheer up, Short Round. You're about
to get us everything we ever wanted.

Jonathan nods tentatively, turns back to the chemistry set. Warren steps away to join Andrew, out of earshot.

WARREN (cont'd)
He's almost done.

ANDREW
I sorta feel kinda sorry for him.

WARREN
That's a weakness.

ANDREW
Um... okay.

They look over at a clearly-stressed Jonathan, working away.

WARREN
Look at him!

ANDREW
He's got that same look on his face,
the one he had that time I
highlighted in his Babylon 5 novels.

Andrew looks back at Warren, paranoid worry etched on his face.

ANDREW (cont'd)
(realizing)
Right before he told his mother on
me! Warren! I don't think we can
trust him.

WARREN
We don't need to. Not for much
longer.

ANDREW
It's gonna be that soon?

WARREN
The milk in the fridge? How long
'til it expires?

ANDREW
Well, we got it on Friday. I
remember noticing that there wasn't
a full two weeks on it, but we did
get it into the fridge pretty quick,
unless I'm thinking of the two-
percent...

WARREN
Forget it. It was a thing. It's
gonna be soon.

ANDREW
Oh. Wow.

INT. XANDER'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Xander walks in the door and finds Anya waiting for him.

XANDER
Oh my God.

Anya stares back at him, tense, nervous...

Xander instinctively moves to embrace her, but stopping just short, almost afraid to touch her. Awkward.

XANDER
(cont'd)
How are you?

ANYA
Um, ducky. You?

XANDER
(pleading)
Ahn. Please. Let me --

She steps back, not giving any quarter.

XANDER (cont'd)
-- explain.

She waits, cautious, impatient... and maybe a bit hopeful.

XANDER (cont'd)
I know that there's nothing I can do
or say to make up for what I did. I
can't -- sometimes I wake up in the
morning, and I'm like, oh God, is
this my life? Was that me?

ANYA
(quiet)
Me too.

XANDER
But you have to believe me, please,
that I want to make up for it, I want
to take away the hurt, I love you.
So much.

She softens a little, and he sees it.

XANDER (cont'd)
I may have practiced that in the
mirror. A couple times.

ANYA
I just don't understand what happened.

XANDER
I do. I'm an idiot.

Anya gingerly steps toward him, then:

XANDER (cont'd)
All I had to do was say something
earlier. I could have spared you
that... that nightmare.

She stops. Looks at him.

ANYA
Say something... about what?

Xander looks like he just stepped in quicksand.

XANDER
No, no, I mean, you know, if I had
been more, like, self-aware.

She pulls back again.

XANDER (cont'd)
'Cause, with the being an idiot thing.

ANYA
If you had been more self-aware, you
would have, what? been able to stop
the wedding?

XANDER
I don't mean it like that, it's more
like...

She folds her arms.

XANDER (cont'd)
Okay, I didn't practice this part.

ANYA
Do you still want to get married?

Xander hesitates, just long enough for Anya to notice.

ANYA (cont'd)
Oh.

XANDER
Ahn, it's a very complicated question.

ANYA
Actually, it's really not. Kind of
an either-or deal. Do you want to
get married?

XANDER
Someday, yes, very much.

Anya makes a tiny sound, like all the air's been kicked out of her.

XANDER (cont'd)
When we're ready.

She's clearly wounded.

XANDER (cont'd)
I don't want you to take that as a
bad thing, it's good, I love you, I
love you so much, I'm just trying to
be honest with you --

ANYA
Yes, honesty now. Congratulations,
Xander, for being honest now, I
wonder what the medal will say.

XANDER
Okay, clearly I'm not handling this well.

ANYA
(angry)
Well, duh.

She turns from him, furious, trying to hide her rage.

XANDER
All I want is for us to be together.
I love you. I just wish we could go
back to the way things were before.

We pull around to see Anya, still facing away from Xander, has gone DEMON-FACED, furious, seething.

ANYA
(demon voice)
And I wish you were never born!

BLACK OUT.

OMITTED.

END OF ACT ONE

INT. XANDER'S APARTMENT- NIGHT

On Anya, still in demon face. Satisfied. Then:

XANDER
I know this is all coming out wrong.

We see Xander still stands behind Anya. She whips around, HUMAN-FACED again. Disbelieving.

ANYA
I -- I wish you felt the pain of a
thousand searing pokers boiling your
heart in its own juices!

Xander looks at Anya sympathetically.

ANYA (cont'd)
Or, your pancreas!

XANDER
I know, honey. I totally deserve that.

Anya glares, throwing her back into it.

ANYA
I wish you lived in a state of
constant panic! I wish you had
tentacles where your beady eyes
should be! I wish your intestines
were twisted into knots and ripped
apart inside your lousy gut!

XANDER
(pained)
They are.

ANYA
(brightening)
Really? Right now?

Anya's suddenly unsure of what she's done, concern creeping into her voice despite her anger.

ANYA (cont'd)
Does it hurt?

XANDER
God, yes. It hurts so bad it's
killing me. Anya, I love you. I want
to make this work.

ANYA
(getting it)
Those are metaphor intestines!
You're not in real pain!
(to herself)
What's wrong with me?

XANDER
It's not you, honey. It's me. I'm
the one that --

ANYA
(frustrated)
Gaggghh!!

She storms out.

XANDER
Ahn, wait. Please...

He goes to the door, leans out.

XANDER (cont'd)
Ahn?

The hallway is empty. She's gone.

INT. COFFEE SHOP - MORNING

HALFREK and Anya, both in HUMAN FACE, sit in an almost-empty coffee shop, each with a large mug of foamy espresso.

HALFREK
...no child support in, like, eleven
years, not a single check, so now,
every time he picks up a piece of
paper that isn't a check for the
child? Paper cut.

Anya zones, staring into her cup of coffee.

HALFREK (cont'd)
I mean, you know how I hate to toot
my own horn, but...

Anya still not there. Halfrek begins to notice.

HALFREK (cont'd)
He's just covered in all these tiny
little bandages. Like a quilt. Made
of bandages.

Anya looks up.

ANYA
Hmmmm?

HALFREK
Okay, did they not have listening
skills in Human World?

ANYA
I'm sorry. I know. I'm just
distracted.

HALFREK
What, this thing with Xander? Don't
worry, you'll find a way --

ANYA
No, that's just it, I tried
everything, every curse I knew,
nothing worked.

HALFREK
Wait. You tried to curse him
yourself?

ANYA
Well, yeah. I'm the wronged party
here, of course I --

HALFREK
You can't exact justice against
someone on behalf of yourself, silly!
How long have you been away?

ANYA
I haven't been scorned by a man in,
like, a thousand years. I never had
to make a wish for myself. Isn't
there some way around that?

HALFREK
Well... You could try getting someone
to make the wish for you. I suppose.

Anya considers the idea. A mirthless smile tugs at her lips. Oh yes -- that'll do.

EXT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - FRONT YARD - MORNING

Establishing shot. We see the LAWN GNOME in front of the house...

INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY

Dawn enters to find Buffy preparing plates of breakfast: eggs, pancakes, toast. Three kinds of cereal.

DAWN
Uh, gosh. Did we open a chain? Are
we the International House of
something?

BUFFY
Got up early, seemed like a breakfast
kind of morning, what kind of syrup
you want on your pancakes?

DAWN
(suspicious)
Syrup comes in kinds?

BUFFY
You know, I was thinking, after the
mall yesterday, maybe staying in
tonight might be kinda cool, so
whaddya think of, like, a big video
and pizza night?

DAWN
Um...

BUFFY
Oh, and do you have plans this
weekend? 'Cause I was thinking maybe
we could try to get to --

DAWN
Hey, I'm gonna be okay with the
basement thing. Really.

BUFFY
This isn't guilt. I want us to spend
time.

DAWN
Okay. Good. I like spending time --

BUFFY
But I'm cramping your teenage style.

DAWN
No --

BUFFY
I am. I'm the embarrassing mom who
tries too hard. When did this happen?

DAWN
No, you're not, it's not that, it's,
see, instead of you hanging out with
me, maybe... maybe I could hang out
with you.

Buffy doesn't get it. Dawn takes a deep breath, then:

DAWN (cont'd)
Why don't I come patrol with you
tonight?

Buffy is quiet for a moment. Then:

BUFFY
Uh huh. And then maybe we'll invite
over some strangers and ask them to
feed you candy.

DAWN
You guys all went out patrolling
every night when you were my age.

BUFFY
Yes, well, technically, you're one-
and-a-half.

Dawn is so not amused.

BUFFY (cont'd)
See, I thought a little levity might,
okay, but also no.

DAWN
I just... I just think I could help.

BUFFY
I'm sure you could. But it's more
dangerous than I had in mind.

DAWN
But --

BUFFY
Dawn. I'm trying so hard to keep you
away from that stuff. I don't want
you to be around dangerous things
that can kill you.

DAWN
Which would be a perfectly reasonable
argument if my sister was chosen to
protect the world from tax audits.
But my sister is, see, you, and
dangerous things that can kill me
seem to find me.

BUFFY
But you don't have to go looking for
them.
(a beat)
Eat up. You'll be late for school.

Buffy turns back to the stove. Dawn sits, resigned, not wanting to push Buffy any further.

INT. ESPRESSO PUMP - DAY

Tara and Willow sit across a table from each other with coffee and scones. Comfortable, happy.

TARA
Okay, wait, it was under her wig?

WILLOW
It was this thing, and it came out
from inside her head.

TARA
That's disgusting. What did it look
like?

WILLOW
Well... let's put it this way. If I
wasn't gay before...

TARA
Gah. And this was after the
invisible ray?

WILLOW
Yes.

TARA
Okay, I go away for a couple of
months...

WILLOW
Oh, did I tell you about the demon
eggs?

TARA
See, now I know you're just trying to
make me jealous.

WILLOW
So, what, no rollicking adventures in
the dorms?

TARA
It's not the same. It's not like
living in a house full of family or
sharing a room with someone you...
you know...

WILLOW
Are friends with?

ANYA
Hey.

Tara and Willow stop, the mood broken. Willow gives Anya a hug.

WILLOW
Oh my god. You're back.

TARA
We've been so worried.

ANYA
Sorry. I just needed to... I
couldn't stay here. Not after that.

TARA
No! No, we totally understand.

WILLOW
But you're back now. Right?

ANYA
It's... complicated.

They sit at the table.

ANYA (cont'd)
There's a lot to deal with.

WILLOW
If there's anything we can do, just
let us --

ANYA
Actually, there is an eensy something
I could use a little help with.
You're lesbians, so the hating of men
will come in handy.

Willow opens her mouth to refute that, but Anya keeps going.

ANYA (cont'd)
(brightly)
Let's talk about Xander.

CUT TO:

INT. MAGIC BOX - DAY

Anya's talking to Dawn.

DAWN
He feels awful.

ANYA
You think it's anywhere close to what
I feel?

DAWN
No, but --

ANYA
What if it were you, Dawn? What if
all you dreamed about was that
magical day? The day when the one
person you loved with all your soul
would promise to cherish and protect
your heart for the rest of his life?
But instead he shatters it into a
million jagged pieces. Bet you'd
wish he'd feel more than just a
weensy awful, wouldn't you?

CUT TO:

EXT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - FRONT PORCH - DAY

Anya's sitting on the front railing, talking with Buffy.

BUFFY
I don't think he could feel any worse.

ANYA
Let's test that theory.

BUFFY
Anya, Xander's my friend. I know
what he did was wrong and if it had
happened to me I'd --

ANYA
(hopefully)
-- wish his penis would explode?

CUT TO:

INT. ESPRESSO PUMP - DAY

Back with Tara and Willow.

TARA
It's not really so much about hating
the men.

WILLOW
We're more centered around the girl
on girl action.

ANYA
And men really like to watch that
kind of stuff, don't they? Men like
Xander.

TARA
Well, I --

ANYA
Don't you wish his eyes would explode?

CUT TO:

INT. MAGIC BOX - DAY

With Dawn:

DAWN
I never use that word anymore.

ANYA
Coagulate?

DAWN
W-i-s-h.

ANYA
Oh, wish? As in I wish Xander --

DAWN
Right! That word. There's vengeance
demons out there that are still
active, remember. Any 'I wish' could
totally end in horrible grossness.

ANYA
Gimme a fer-instance.

EXT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - FRONT PORCH - DAY

With Buffy:

BUFFY
I don't really think I should --

ANYA
Did I mention the whole "left at the
altar" thing? Didn't leave that out,
did I?

BUFFY
No, I know what he did was wrong.
God. I can't imagine -- It must have
been torture.

ANYA
Okay! Let's talk about torture!

INT. MAGIC BOX - DAY

With Dawn:

ANYA
Tell me more about wishing Xander's
guts and brains would go blooey.

DAWN
I didn't say that.

ANYA
Yes you did.

DAWN
No I didn't.

ANYA
I heard you.

DAWN
I swear, I didn't say that.

ANYA
Didn't say what?

Dawn stares blankly at Anya.

DAWN
Um, I just saw you were back and
wanted to talk about working off my
debt. You know, my whole Sticky-
Fingers-Grabby-Hands-thing?

ANYA
Oh! Right, the mad thieving. Good,
yes, there 's much to do.
(mock stern)
I'm gonna put you to work, missy!

She laughs, a bit forced, then:

ANYA (cont'd)
So, back to Xander's brain and guts...

EXT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - FRONT PORCH - DAY

ANYA
Squish squish squish! Guys have been
running roughshod over you for years.
Torturing that perky little ticker.
Aren't you sick of it? Don't you
wish guys like that --

BUFFY
Whoa, what guys? There have only
been four -- three! Only three guys!
That's barely plural.

ANYA
And didn't each of them rip your
heart out? Don't men like that, as
to pick an example, Xander, deserve
to be punished?

OMITTED

INT. ESPRESSO PUMP - DAY

Anya's had just about all she can take.

WILLOW
Well, Xander is a man, so it's kinda
not the surprise that he likes to
watch... Girls... Why are we talking
about this?

ANYA
(urgently)
We're comforting me.

TARA
Well, I guess it's natural for guys
to be interested in --

ANYA
God! What kind of lesbian are you?!
If you love men so much, go love men!

She shoots up out of her chair.

EXT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - FRONT PORCH - DAY

Anya has sprung off her seat on the railing, agitated.

BUFFY
Anya, I know you're hurting, but --

ANYA
What? Xander doesn't deserve to
suffer for what he did because he's
your friend? And I'm not. Right.
I get it.

BUFFY
No, that's not what I'm saying. What
he did was wrong. He knows that.

Anya's anger gives way to obvious pain.

ANYA
It just -- it hurts. He hurt me so
much.

Buffy puts a comforting hand on her arm.

BUFFY
I know. He really did. I wish...

Anya tenses. This is it.

XANDER (O.S.)
Anya?

Xander is coming up the walk. Anya glares at him, her hurt replaced with seething anger.

ANYA
Congratulations. They all still love
you. Even after what you did to me.

She storms off down the street.

XANDER
Anya, wait...

He moves to go after her, but Buffy catches his arm.

BUFFY
Okay. Not crazy about that idea.

XANDER
What are you doing? I have to go
after her.

BUFFY
Or, in the Land of the Sane, you
could give her some space and let her
cool down.

Xander paces the lawn, frustrated.

XANDER
That's not Proactive Guy. That's Sit-
Around-And-Wait-For-The-Rest-of-His-
Life-To-Turn-To-Crap Guy.

BUFFY
True, but Crap Guy gets to keep all
his appendages.

XANDER
So I'm just supposed to what? Walk
away?
(hating himself)
That shouldn't be too hard. It's
what I'm good at, isn't it?

Xander lashes out, kicking the lawn gnome in frustration.

BUFFY
Okay, see, this is why a heart to
heart isn't your best course of
action here. You're both upset and
angry and what the hell is that
creepy little thing doing in my yard?
Did Willow put that there when I was
dead? 'Cause if I had known, I would
have crawled out of the grave sooner
to kick her --

Xander's kneeling in front of the cracked gnome head.

XANDER
Buffy.

Xander pulls a whirring CAMERA out of the gnome head.

BUFFY
Oh my God.

XANDER
(re: the front door)
Looks like someone's been keeping an
eye on all your ins and outs.

BUFFY
What the -- who --

XANDER
Okay, well, let's see. Who's
obsessed with Buffy? Who likes to
hang out here in the yard and keep an
eye on her? Who's the guy in love
with you but not getting any?

INT. SPIKE'S CRYPT - NIGHT

SPIKE
What's this?

We see that Spike holds the camera in his hand. Buffy is there, too.

BUFFY
It's a camera.

SPIKE
Yeah, I got that part. Why am I
holding it?

BUFFY
Someone was using it to spy on me.
On the house. Xander thinks it
might've been you.

SPIKE
(pissed)
Oh, the great Xander thinks so!
Shudder gasp! It must be true!

BUFFY
Spike --

SPIKE
That ponce has always had it for me.
Every chance he gets, he sticks it --

He catches the uncertain look on her face, stops.

SPIKE (cont'd)
You believe him, don't you? You
think I was spying on you.

Buffy doesn't respond.

SPIKE (cont'd)
You think I could do that.

BUFFY
Yeah, righteous indignation is
absolutely the way to go here, 'cause
you don't kill or lie or steal or
manipulate --

Spike carefully hands the camera back to Buffy.

SPIKE
(quiet)
I don't hurt you.

Buffy looks down at the camera.

BUFFY
I know.

SPIKE
No, you don't. I've tried to make it
clear to you, but you won't see it.
Something happened to me. The way I
feel... about you... It's different.
No matter how hard you try to
convince yourself it isn't. It's real.

BUFFY
(gently)
I think it is.
(a beat)
For you.

Spike stares at her, her implication a stake in his chest.

BUFFY (cont'd)
I know that's not what you want to
hear. And I'm sorry. I really am.
You just... have to move on. You have to --

Spike just looks at her, seething, desperate. Then:

SPIKE
(softly)
Get out.

Buffy hesitates for a moment, wanting to say something, but Spike turns away. Done.

She leaves.

INT. MAGIC BOX - NIGHT

Anya and Halfrek, in human face. Anya's behind the counter

ANYA
No, they're all, oh, poor Xander, it
took so much out of him, all that
running away he did. I just don't
understand what's wrong with these
people.

HALFREK
Did you really think they were the
ones to help you?

ANYA
But --

HALFREK
Do you want retribution, Anyanka?

ANYA
I want Xander good and cursed.

HALFREK
Then you know what you have to do.

ANYA
Get a wish from someone who doesn't
freaking love him.

HALFREK
Exactly.

ANYA
Yeah, but my social circle is a
little limited here, what am I
supposed to do, just stumble upon
someone who doesn't give a fig's ass
if Xander gets hurt?

The bell over the door RINGS, the door swings open.

Spike enters.

SPIKE
Hey. I need a thing.

Anya takes him in, her eyes dancing. Just what the curse ordered...

BLACK OUT.

END OF ACT TWO

INT. MAGIC BOX - NIGHT

Halfrek and Anya just stare at Spike.

ANYA
So... what's your pleasure?

SPIKE
Fresh of out of pleasure. That's why
I'm here. I need something. Numbing
spell, maybe?

ANYA
Uh huh. Hang on.

She pulls Halfrek aside.

ANYA (cont'd)
Oh my God, he hates Xander. Maybe I
could get him to wish --
(catching herself)
Dammit, if only he were a woman.
(light bulb!)
Okay, got it! If I can somehow get
someone to wish that Spike were a
woman, then I go to him, well, he'd
be a her by then, go to her and get
her to --

HALFREK
Anyanka. There's an easier way. I
know you've got this whole Female
Power, Take Back the Night thing, and
I think that's cute, but I've been
telling you for decades men need a
little vengeance now and then, too.

ANYA
Oh.

HALFREK
Maybe this is your chance to try it
out.

She starts heading to the door.

HALFREK (cont'd)
So, you know. Good luck. With that
whole... thing.

She waves and exits, leaving them alone.

SPIKE
Sorry to bust up the little girls'
night out.

ANYA
No problem. I'm ready to do business.

SPIKE
Right then. Got something that'll
dull the ache a bit?

Anya smiles.

ANYA
Actually, yes. Giles left a couple
of supplies here, and I think I know
just the thing to help.

She crouches, looking for something behind the counter.

ANYA (cont'd)
Eases the hurt, Makes the sun shine a
little brighter, even makes boring
people seem more interesting. Ah.
here.

She stands and SLAMS a bottle of Jack Daniels on the counter.

Spike smiles.

INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

Willow sits at one end of the table, her laptop hooked up to the camera. As she examines the screen, we see Buffy and Xander at the other end of the table.

BUFFY
(re: the screen)
How's it coming? Can you see who's
getting the camera's signal?

WILLOW
Should have something once I get
tapped into the fiber-optic network.
We're gonna use the feedback relay to
get their signal routed into our
system.

XANDER
If it's not Spike, and I'm not saying
I believe him, but if it's not Spike,
I think we already know who's behind
this.

BUFFY
Yeah. But it's not the who I want.
It's the where.

WILLOW
(as she types)
Can't help thinking maybe you were
closer than you thought that day you
went out with the addresses.

BUFFY
And they sent the Psycho Demon to
interrupt me.

WILLOW
Makes sense.

A beat.

BUFFY
I want. To find. These guys.

INT. TRIO'S LAIR - NIGHT

Andrew and Warren stand over a nervous Jonathan. On a table in front of him, he places the disc atop a six-inch wooden pole, holds the pole in front of a hastily drawn Sunnyvale map.

Behind the disc. Jonathan lights a tall candle. Light shines through the disc, the pattern creating an array of light...

Jonathan sprinkles powder on the disc.

JONATHAN
Uncover.

A hazy, purple mist forms off the disc, swirling around, refracting the light -- a small beam shoots out, hitting the map squarely in a single point.

JONATHAN (cont'd)
There. That's it. That's where we
have to go.

Warren and Andrew exchange a secret, conspiratorial glance.

WARREN
Well, now that we've --

The map BURSTS into flames.

JONATHAN
Yah!

INT. MAGIC BOX - NIGHT

Anya and Spike are about halfway through the bottle of Jack. Anya has an empty shot glass in front of her. Spike lifts his glass, takes a SWIG. He's in the middle of an angry rant.

SPIKE
...and then this girl says "real for
you-"

ANYA
(impatient)
Right, but getting back to Xander-

SPIKE
Xander. Let's not waste any more
breath on that wanker-

ANYA
It's just, he made a fool of me, and
nobody seems to care enough to do
anything.

SPIKE
I care. What he did to you, I've
never stooped that low, and I'm an
"evil, souless thing" according to
some people-

ANYA
But shouldn't he pay? Don't you wish
he had to pay in some horrible way?

SPIKE
Absolutely.
(re: chip)
Take him on myself if it wasn't for
my little handicap.

ANYA
(hopeful)
Right. So - hypothetically - what do
you wish you could do to him?

Spike considers. Pours himself another shot, pours one for Anya. Then-

SPIKE
You name it, pet. You're the wronged
party. Something gruesome, how 'bout?

Anya sighs. Downs her shot.

INT. TRIO'S LAIR - NIGHT

The guys frantically try to put out the fire: Jonathan runs for a fire extinguisher, Andrew tries to stomp it out (but succeeds only in burning his foot). Warren grabs a blanket from the couch and smothers the flames.

JONATHAN
(looking over)
Hey! That's my blanket!

WARREN
Well, makes sense, it was your fire.

JONATHAN
But --

We see a SINGLE RED LIGHT start BLINKING on the bank of monitors. The guys don't notice it.

INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

A BEEP from the laptop -- Willow whips around to look.

WILLOW
Hey. Hey, I think I got something!

INT. MAGIC BOX - NIGHT

Spike and Anya are feeling the liquor a little more now. Relaxed with each other. Anya's on rant now.

ANYA
...thing about it is, none of this
was my idea. I didn't ask to be
human-

SPIKE
Right! An' I didn't ask for this
bloody chip in my head-

ANYA
To tell the truth, all I wanted was
to use him and lose him. I hadn't
had a good tumble in a thousand years-

SPIKE
Me too. The using part. I just
wanted to know what I was missing,
move on.

Anya grows more pained and melancholy. Spike follows suit.

ANYA
Then he was all bumpy in the right
places and nice to me...

SPIKE
She was so raw. Never felt anything
like it...

ANYA
Next thing I know, I'm changing to
please him. I care if he cares.

SPIKE
Right.

ANYA
I'm off my guard. Happy. I'm
singing in the shower and doing my
sexy dance-

SPIKE
Exact-
(catches himself)
I have no dance.

INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

Buffy and Xander, still at the other end of the table, watch as Willow taps away at the keyboard.

BUFFY
Talk to me, Will.

WILLOW
Technology's pretty sophisticated,
lots of booby traps and firewall
stuff...

XANDER
Nerds.

WILLOW
(as she types)
Oh, yeah. But, you know, who is the
bigger nerd, the nerd, or the nerd
who breaks through his defense system?
(not looking up)
Okay, no one answer that, please.

BUFFY
But can you get us a location?

WILLOW
(of course I can)
Hey. I'm still me. Just one -- whoa.

BUFFY
What? What?

Willow stops typing, looks up at the others.

WILLOW
There are other cameras.

INT. MAGIC BOX - NIGHT

The bottle of Jack isn't long for this world. Anya and Spike each have full shot glasses again.

ANYA
Screw em!

SPIKE
To the rafters!

They toast - down their shots.

ANYA
I did everything for that man. Was
it ever enough?

SPIKE
Never! I was always going above and
beyond. I saved the Scoobies how
many times? And I can't stand the
lot of you.

ANYA
Me either! I hate us! Everybody's
So "nice." Nobody speaks their mind.

SPIKE
You do.. That's why you're the only
one of them I wouldn't bite if I had
the chance.

Anya stops. Touched by this.

ANYA
Really?

SPIKE
Absolutely. I have nothing but
respect for a woman who is
forthright. Drusilla was always
straightforward. Didn't have a
single buggering clue about what was
going on right in front of her, but
she was straight about it. That's a
virtue.

ANYA
Xander didn't think so. He thought
I was rude.

SPIKE
That's because he's one of them.
Uptight. Repressed.

ANYA
You think?

SPIKE
Please. It's no wonder they couldn't
deal with the likes of you and me,
Luv. We both should have been dead
hundreds of years ago - and we're the
only ones that are really alive.

They lock eyes. Smile a little. Something passing between them.

INT. TRIO'S LAIR - NIGHT

As the red light keeps blinking:

WARREN
But you saw where we were supposed to
go, right?

JONATHAN
Yeah, I saw it.

Andrew and Warren exchange another look. Jonathan catches it.

JONATHAN (cont'd)
What?

INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

As Willow taps away, toggling between different camera locations:

WILLOW
Oh my God. The Double Meat Palace.
The Bronze. My classrooms on campus,
Xander's site...

She furrows her brow.

BUFFY
What?

WILLOW
I can tell there are more feeds, I'm
just having a harder time pinpointing
'em. Here, lemme...

She starts typing again.

INT. MAGIC BOX - NIGHT

Spike and Anya are closer now. Hip to hip. The bottle is almost drained. Spike pours the final shot. Hands it to her.

SPIKE
Here. Ladies last.

Anya doesn't take it. Just looks at him.

ANYA
Thank you.

SPIKE
Take it quick or my chivalry'll run
out.

ANYA
No - thank you.

Spike stops. Realizes she's talking about something else.

ANYA (cont'd)
This if the first time since... It's
good to be with someone who
understands.

SPIKE
Intimately.

ANYA
This whole time, I've been coming on
all hell bent and mad. Wanting his
head you know?

SPIKE
Yeah.

Anya looks near tears.

ANYA
When, really, I can't sleep at night,
thinking - it has to be my fault,
somehow-

SPIKE
Shhhhh-

ANYA
I mean, what if he was just
pretending? What if he never really
wanted me, I mean the way I wanted...
(starts to cry)
Oh, God... I'm sorry.

SPIKE
(tenderly)
Now now...

He wipes the tears from her face. She looks at him - all vulnerability and need.

SPIKE (cont'd)
He'd have to be more than just the
git he is, Anya. He'd have to be
deaf, dumb and blind not to want a
woman like you.

ANYA
Then why?

SPIKE
The two of them, they're weak is all.
(then)
Tell you one thing. They're going to
miss the water now that the well's
gone dry.

ANYA
(ruefully)
Too hot to handle.

Now he's caressing her face instead of just brushing the tears away. She responds, moving her face against his hands.

SPIKE
Too hot...

They are losing themselves now. It feels so good to touch.

ANYA
I have one more question-

SPIKE
Hmmmmm.

ANYA
(sniffing)
Can I see your sexy dance?

SPIKE
I'll show you mine...

He moves in to kiss her. But she hesitates.

ANYA
Wait. Wait. What are we doing-

SPIKE
Moving on.

That's it. They kiss, hungry, desperate. It's not lovely in any way, it's physical, it's need.

INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

As Buffy and Xander watch Willow at work:

WILLOW
Here, I think there are a couple more
transmitters on the network, I've
almost got us tapped into picture on
'em.

INT. MAGIC BOX - NIGHT

Spike and Anya break out of the kiss. A little stunned. Then:

ANYA
You know I'm only doing this 'cause
I'm lonely and I'm drunk and you
smell good.

SPIKE
See? Forthright.

They kiss again, more intense. Their hands start groping...

INT. TRIO'S LAIR - NIGHT

Andrew looks up, sees the red light.

ANDREW
Hey. Wait.

INT. MAGIC BOX - NIGHT

The kiss between Anya and Spike grows, they move closer together. Spike begins fumbling with Anya's shirt...

INT. TRIO'S LAIR - NIGHT

The other two follow Andrew's eyes, see the red light. Suddenly, in a panic, they all run to the monitor bank.

INT. MAGIC BOX - NIGHT

Spike and Anya on the table. Making with the sex. Spike still dressed, Anya with her shirt off and her skirt bunched up around her waist. They've tossed a few Magic Box items on the floor out of the way, they've tipped over a chair or two.

They are lost and hurt and needy, and they hold on to each other as they go. It's not tender, it's not romantic, but it is gentle.

INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

WILLOW
I think I got the Magic Box --

She looks up, then suddenly stands.

WILLOW (cont'd)
Whoa!

INT. TRIO'S LAIR - NIGHT

As all three madly throw switches on the monitor bank:

WARREN
No! Shut it down! Shut it all down!

ANDREW
I'm trying, I can't find --

Jonathan reaches over amidst the chaos.

JONATHAN
Here, dorkface, you have to --

Andrew SHOVES his hand away.

ANDREW
I'll get it myself-

Jonathan sits back, stung.

WARREN
Guys, we have to -- holy crap.

Everyone comes to a dead stop.

WARREN (cont'd)
What is that, porn?

JONATHAN
Oh my God.

WARREN
Is that the cam in the Magic Box?

JONATHAN
Oh my God.

ANDREW
What are they... oh.

WARREN
Is that --

JONATHAN
Spike.

ANDREW
(intent on the screen)
He is so cool...
(catching himself)
And, I mean, the girl is hot. Too.

WARREN
Dude.

They all sit back and watch, the crisis momentarily forgotten.

INT. MAGIC BOX - NIGHT

Spike and Anya, on the table, same as before. Still going.

INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

As Buffy and Xander come around the table to stand next to a stunned Willow:

BUFFY
What?

WILLOW
Wait, Xander, no.

But it's too late: Xander just stares at the screen. Shocked. Horrified.

XANDER
Oh, God.

Buffy's pretty much aghast, too. She looks at Xander, worried about him, but he's focused on the screen. She goes back there... clearly, she wants to turn away. But can't.

Dawn enters.

DAWN
Hey' guys, what's --

She stares in shock at the screen. Willow instinctively covers her eyes.

XANDER
I -- what is she -- ?

Willow looks at Xander, desperate to help, not knowing what to do. She looks to Buffy... and sees the look on Buffy's face.

Willow looks back at the screen, at Spike, looks back at Buffy's face.

Realization hits.

WILLOW
Buffy...

Willow drops her hand from Dawn's eyes, and Dawn looks at Willow, follows her eyes to Buffy.

Willow and Dawn exchange a look. They know.

BUFFY
That's enough.

She heads to the kitchen. We hear the back door open as Buffy exits to the backyard. Willow and Dawn exchange another look, then Dawn follows Buffy out.

Willow watches as Xander, mortified, blankly walks out of the dining room and into the living room.

WILLOW
(snapping to)
Here, lemme...

She hits some keys on the keyboard.

WILLOW (cont'd)
You know, we don't even really know
what we were just seeing, maybe there
was something -- there, got it --

But as the video goes away, we hear the FRONT DOOR open.

WILLOW (cont'd)
(looking up)
Xander?

Willow finds the door left open. And the weapons chest in the living room is open, too.

And Xander's gone.

EXT. SUNNYDALE SUBURBAN STREET - NIGHT

Xander walks away from Buffy's house, down the street, on a mission. Eyes enraged. Ready to kill.

Big, sharp axe in hand.

BLACK OUT.

END OF ACT THREE

EXT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - BACKYARD - NIGHT

Buffy is seated, her arms wrapped around her legs, withdrawn. Dawn is standing nearby.

DAWN
So... This is it. This is the stuff
you've been protecting me from? You
and Spike?

Buffy looks to Dawn.

BUFFY
And a lot of monsters.

DAWN
Uh huh.

Dawn takes the seat beside Buffy.

BUFFY
But it's over. Spike.

DAWN
I wish you'd told me.

BUFFY
I kinda didn't admit it to myself.

DAWN
I get that.

Dawn searches, comes up with:

DAWN (cont'd)
I know it must hurt. To feel like
You have to hide, to keep secrets
from everybody... And then he goes
and breaks up with you-

This snaps Buffy out of it. She's indignant.

BUFFY
What?

DAWN
I'm sure he's just confused-

BUFFY
Confused? No! Dawn - I did the
breaking up. Spike was obsessed with
me.

DAWN
Oh. I just thought-

BUFFY
I'm serious. He was acting like a
total stalker-

She'd go on - but Willow enters from inside, a bit breathless.

WILLOW
Buffy. Xander's gone. And he took
your axe.

INT. MAGIC BOX - NIGHT

Anya and Spike, next to the table, next to each other, awkwardly buttoning up their clothes. Silent. Ashamed. Unable to make eye contact. Anya surveys the slight chaos they created in the store, a sign of their haste. She cringes quietly.

Spike walks to the door, looks back at the mess they made, sees Anya. She looks over. They nod at each other. Nothing else to say. He walks out...

EXT. MAGIC BOX - CONTINUOUS

...and looks up just in time to see

THE GLINTING BLADE OF AN AXE SWINGING TOWARDS HIS HEAD. Xander's furious face behind it.

Spike ducks, and Xander ends up burying the axe in the wall.

They make eye contact. Each breathing heavily, like animals. And then Xander TACKLES Spike.

EXT. SUNNYDALE STREET - NIGHT

Buffy, desperate, runs toward the Magic Box.

EXT. MAGIC BOX - NIGHT

Xander wrestles Spike up against a wall; gets in his face. Spike doesn't even try to stop him, he just stands there, taking the abuse.

Xander punches him hard in the stomach.

Spike falls to his knees. After a moment:

XANDER
(pissed)
Get up. Get up!

Spike just looks up at Xander, not moving.

XANDER (cont'd)
You're just gonna sit there? Do
nothing?

Frustrated, full of rage, Xander grabs Spike's head and SLAMS IT BACK AGAINST THE WALL. Spike takes it.

XANDER (cont'd)
That the kinda man you are?

SPIKE
Not gonna fight you. Chip.

Xander kicks Spike in the stomach. Hard. Spike slumps.

XANDER
Too bad.

Anya comes out of the Magic Box at the noise, sees the fight.

Xander reaches down, grabs Spike by the collar, pulls him up, pulls a WOODEN STAKE out of his own jacket.

ANYA
Xander, no! Stop it! Stop it!

He looks up, sees her, gets distracted... and doesn't notice Buffy running at him until she suddenly SHOVES HIM ASIDE, pushing him away from Spike.

Xander stands, faces Anya and Spike. Anya buttons a last button. Buffy looks on.

ANYA (cont'd)
Xander. I --

XANDER
Don't even try to deny it. 'Cause we
saw it all. The whole, beautiful
show.

ANYA
How...

Xander glares at her.

ANYA (cont'd)
Listen, it was just... it was just a
thing. I felt bad, he was just there.

Buffy glares at Spike.

BUFFY
Didn't take long, did it?

Spike looks at his feet, guilty.

XANDER
(ignoring them)
O-oh! Okay... then you had to do it.
Because he was there. Like Mt.
Everest.
(a beat)
Like I used to be.

ANYA
And then you weren't. You left me,
Xander. At the altar. I don't owe
you anything.

XANDER
So you bang the first body you can
find? Dead or alive?

ANYA
Where do you get off judging me-

XANDER
When this is your solution to our
problems? I hurt you so you get me
back? Very mature.

ANYA
No, the mature solution is to spend
your whole life telling stupid,
pointless jokes so no one will notice
you're just a scared, insecure little
boy!

XANDER
I'm not joking now. You let that
evil, soulless thing touch you. You
wanted me to feel something,
congratulations. It worked.

Anya stares back at him.

XANDER (cont'd)
I look at you - I feel sick - 'cause
you had sex with that.

A long cold beat. Xander full of rage. Anya, pain. Buffy, shame. And Spike, indignation.

SPIKE
(offhand)
Good enough for Buffy.

Spike looks into Buffy's eyes.

XANDER
(disbelieving)
Shut up. Leave her out of...

As Xander looks into Buffy's eyes. Sees the shame.

XANDER (cont'd)
(cold)
This.

ANYA
(realizing)
Buffy.

BUFFY
Xander--

She moves towards him. He steps back.

XANDER
I don't want to know this, I don't
want to know any of this.

He puts down the wooden stake on the street.

And walks away. Anya and Buffy watch him go. Too stunned to move.

SPIKE
(re: Xander)
Stupid tossbag. You know, I wish he
would --

ANYA
(weary)
Don't.

Buffy looks at Spike. Her face ripe with hate. He braces himself. She stares at him, ready to do some serious damage.

Then she simply turns and walks away. She's gone, too.

Spike watches her go, utterly bereft. He leaves.

Anya turns, walks back into

INT. MAGIC BOX - NIGHT

Anya stands in the doorway looking at what she and Spike did to the store.

She enters and quietly starts picking things up, trying to put things back in place...

TARA (O.S.)
Things fall apart, they fall so
hard...

INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - WILLOW'S ROOM - NIGHT

Willow, sitting at her bed with a textbook, looks up to see Tara standing in the doorway.

WILLOW
Tara...

TARA
You can't ever put them back the way
they were...

WILLOW
Are you okay?

TARA
(crossing in, sitting)
I'm sorry, it's just... you know it
takes time. you can't just have
coffee and expect --

WILLOW
(a bit ashamed)
I know.

TARA
There's so much to work through.
Trust has to build again, on both
sides...
(more)
TARA (cont'd)
you have to learn if you're even the
same people you were, if you can fit
in each other's lives, it's a long
and important process and can we just
skip it? Can you just be kissing me
now?

Willow searches Tara's face: did Tara just... Tara stares back, nervous but sure.

Willow stands as Tara moves to her and they kiss, passionately.

They interlock fingers, holding on to each other as tight as they can. Not letting go.

They keep kissing. It is intense, it is passionate, and it is, above all else, love.

Truly and forever.

BLACK OUT.