Bonded

Chapter Five

 

Summer’s House

Living Room

Angel hands her weapons and Buffy begins putting them into a bag. Dawn stands behind them.

Buffy: (sighs) I'm sorry.

Dawn: It's okay.

Buffy: No, we're gonna sit down and have a real dinner. Someday. I hate having to run out in the middle, it's just, you know, there's this thing out there. Definitely non-vampire.

Dawn: (smiling) I understand.

Angel picks up the bag, goes toward the door.

Dawn: Well, maybe when you get back we can set up for your party tomorrow.

Buffy: Yeah. Uh, this could take a while though, I-I wouldn't wait up. (Angel helps her with her coat) Besides, Willow promised to be on birthday patrol, so there's nothing left for us to do. (smiles)

Dawn: Right.

Buffy: Okay, so, finish dinner, homework, and don't stay up too late, all right?

Dawn: Okay.

Buffy: Okay.

Angel: I’ll make sure she comes home safe.

Angel and Buffy turn to go. Dawn watches with a smile. As soon as the door closes behind Buffy and Angel, Dawn stops smiling. Stands there, alone, looking unhappy.

 

Cemetery

Buffy and Angel walk along each holding a large axe.

Suddenly a large demon with red skin and a spiny crest on its head leaps out behind her. Buffy whirls around. The demon swings a large sword at her. She ducks, then blocks with her axe. Angel swings with his axe and the demon blocks with his sword cutting the wooden handle in two. He thrust his sword into Angel’s stomach. He falls on his knees.

Buffy again swings her axe. The demon's sword bends the metal axe handle, then pulls it out of Buffy's hand. It flies off and lands in the ground.

The demon swings at Buffy again and she gets hold of his sword arm, twists it around behind his back. Suddenly the demon shimmers and disappears.

Buffy and Angel look around in confusion.

The demon reappears behind her. She kicks him in the face, punches him, kicks again. He falls back. His sword goes flying up into the air.

Buffy catches the sword on its way down. The demon charges her. She stabs him right in the stomach. Blue light flashes out in a circle from the wound. The demon roars and grabs his stomach.

Buffy pulls the sword out and falls back onto the ground. Angel looks down at her. The sword lands point-down in the ground.

The demon falls to his knees, still roaring. He shimmers and turns into a bolt of silver light that shoots over to the sword and into it.

They do not notice his face reflected in the sword's blade.

Angel helps Buffy up. They look around for the demon.

Buffy: Run off, huh? Afraid to face a true warrior?

Angel: I see I was a lot of help.

Buffy: You were a little off your game.

Angel: Could be the utter lack of sleep lately.

Buffy: So it is my fault.

Angel: (smiles) I am not complaining.

She gets up and sees the sword.

Buffy: Ooh, shiny.

He holds his stomach for a moment

Buffy: I guess we should get you home and patch you up.

Angel: What about the demon?

Buffy: With a gapping wound and no sword, he does not pose a threat. Come on, let’s go home. I need to look at that wound.

She smiles, pulls the sword out of the ground and twirls it around. Walks off, holding it. Angel follows.

Buffy: Besides it will require you undressing.

 

Magic shop.

Anya stands by the shelves dusting statues.

Anya: Do you think we should set up lots of candles for Buffy's party tomorrow?

Xander and Willow are sitting at a small round table doing paperwork.

Xander: Not if they're that horrible slug kind you keep trying to unload.

Anya: (walking past) I don't know why people get so turned off by slug.

Xander: Honey, slugs get turned off by slug. (to Willow) Oh, actually, I wanted to talk to you about that.

Willow: Slugs?

Xander: No, the party. Or, Tara ... at the party.

Willow: Oh.

Xander: It's just ... Buffy really wants her there. It seems important to her, so I told her I'd ask you.

Willow: (smiling) Oh ... yeah, of course, she should totally be there. It'll be great.

Dawn enters.

Dawn: (smiling) Hey!

Willow: Hey, Dawnie. Buffy and Angel out patrolling already?

Dawn nods.

Xander: So, uh, anything new about Warren and the Nerd Herd?

Dawn: No, just a big monster hunt.

Xander: Man, a nerd goes into hiding, he really goes into hiding.

Dawn: Does anybody want to come to the mall with me for birthday presents?

Willow: Oh, I would, honey, but ... I've got my group. You know, the whole Spellcasters Anonymous thing? We're still looking for a better name.

Dawn: Oh. Well, yeah, uh, no, that-that's good. You should ... do that. So what about you guys?

Anya: Stuck in doing-the-books-ville.

Xander: Aw, I'd love to go with you, but I gotta finish this new shift schedule for the crew by tomorrow morning.

Dawn looks disappointed.

Willow: Sorry, it just looks like one of those nights. You know?

Dawn: Yeah.

Willow: You okay going on your own?

Dawn: Yeah. Somehow I'll, uh, manage to pull it off.

Willow gives her a little smile. Dawn grimaces, turns to leave.

 

Summers house.

Dawn enters the front door, cautiously, looking around.

Dawn: Buffy?

Dawn starts up the stairs.

 

Dawn's bedroom.

Dawn enters, closes the door behind her, and turns on the light. She puts her purse on the bed and reaches into her coat pockets.

She pulls a handful of jewelry from the pockets, still with the price tags attached. She looks at the handful for a moment, puts it on the bed, takes out another handful of jewelry and puts that on the bed too. She takes off her coat revealing a tight shiny leather jacket. She goes over to the closet, opens the door revealing a full-length mirror. She checks out the jacket in the mirror. The price tag still hanging from the sleeve. She pulls the jacket tightly around her.

 

Later that night.

Spike moves across the lawn.

Spike: Where the hell is she? I figured she would have given in by now.

He climbs up on to the porch roof and looks into the window. He watches the sleeping form on the bed.

Spike: Aw pet. Why are you doing this to us, to me?

He tries to will her to wake up and see him. He settles back and watches her sleep. His sensitive hearing picks up the sounds from the other bedroom.

Spike: Well looks like Red made up. Least someone is getting a little action.

He watches through the window until he reluctantly has to leave. He makes it to his crypt minutes before the sun makes its appearance.

 

Later that day

High school classroom

Teacher: ...if we can come up with things Jim lost during his years in Shanghai, and things he gained.

Student: Excuse me.

Teacher: Who wants to-

A student comes in and gives the teacher a piece of paper.

Teacher: Dawn.

Dawn looks up, alarmed.

Teacher: They need you in the guidance office.

Dawn continues looking alarmed as she gathers up her stuff.

 

 

Guidance Office

Guidance Counselor I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. Just a follow-up after your ... your loss. And since I'm new here, I thought it would give us a chance to know each other.

Dawn stars at the guidance counselor who is a fairly young woman wearing a small blue pendant around her neck.

Dawn: Great.


Guidance Counselor: So, I've been looking through your file and, um ... your grades have slipped a little.

Dawn: I have really hard classes this quarter.

Guidance Counselor: Yeah, still. Teachers say that you seem a little distracted lately.

Dawn: I'm not. I-I'm fine.

Guidance Counselor: Okay. It's just, you know, I know it must seem weird, talking to a stranger about stuff, but, um ... I want you to know that if something's going on, something's up, my job ... the most important part of my job ... is looking out for you.

She smiles. Dawn looks surprised, returns a very small smile of her own.

Dawn: I'm really okay

.

The counselor nods slowly, sits back.

Guidance Counselor: I know there's been ... a lot of loss.

Dawn looks down.

Dawn: Yeah. Kinda. I-I mean, yes. People keep ... people have a tendency to go away ... and, I miss them. And sometimes ... I wish I could just make them stop. Going away.

The counselor smiles. Dawn pauses, waves her hands dismissively.

Dawn: But seriously, it's, it's no big deal. I'm fine.

 

 

Summer’s House

Nighttime

Anya is preparing the food while Buffy and Angel sit opposite. Xander stands beside Anya.

Xander: We're feeding an army!

Buffy: No, they couldn't make it.

Xander: So, who's coming, you invite anyone else?

Buffy: Just you guys. Willow, Tara. The gang. Oh, and Sophie from work.

Xander and Anya look at her, exchange a look.

Buffy: What? Like I'm one of those losers who can't make friends outside her tight little circle? No. I'm friendly. We bonded instantly. Peas in a pod. Bonded peas.

Xander: More bonding. Been doing a lot of that lately.

Buffy (smiles at Angel): All been good so far.

He leans over and gives her a small kiss.

Xander chokes on his chip.


Anya: Really? Um, what's Sophie's last name?

Buffy thinks for a moment, frowns.

Buffy: Okay, shut up.

Xander: Don't worry about it, we're all over the new friend thing.

Buffy: What new friend thing?

Anya: Well, well ... we invited someone too.

Buffy looks horrified.

Anya: A guy. But well this was before we knew you had a guy. And well we really couldn’t not invite him.

Xander: It will be cool. Unless dead boy makes a scene.

Angel: Only scene I will make is if you call me that again.

Xander: Ahh, don't worry was not a setup.

Anya: Right. No. Just an attractive single man, with whom we thought you might find much in common. But hey, he may like your friend ….uh Sophie is it?

Xander looks uncomfortable.

Buffy: I assume this was an act of kindness? That'll help with the not throttling.

Buffy gives Xander a meaningful look. He gives a fake laugh.

Xander: Hey, I'm just gonna get this stuff out there, people should be here soon.

He picks up some of the food.

 

Later.

Buffy opens the door to reveal Tara, holding a small gift box.

Buffy: Hey! You made it!

They smile and hug. Then Tara hugs Angel.

Tara: Of course, sweetie. So, how're you doing?

Buffy: Oh, you know. Better. Mostly. Sometimes.

Tara: So, is, um... (looks around) Spike coming?

Buffy: No. He may be a chip-head, but ... he still doesn't play too well with others.

Tara smiles, turns to put down the gift and hang up her coat.

Buffy: How are you doing?

Tara: The word "gulp" comes to mind.

Buffy: Just remember, we're all here.

Tara: I know.

Angel: Excuse me but Buffy, I need to check on Conner.

Tara: Oh yes, the baby. Can I see him?

Angel: Of course.

The three mount the stairs.

 

Bedroom.

Buffy sits on the bed watching as Tara and Angel look in the crib at Conner.

Tara: He is adorable. He looks just like you.

Angel: Everyone says that.

Tara looks over her shoulder.

Tara: Buffy, what do you think?

Buffy: About who he looks like? Oh I think he looks like Angel, which is better than looking like his mother.

Angel cringes at her thinly veiled discomfort. Tara feeling the distress and quickly glances around the room

Tara: The room sure looks different.

Buffy: Not really, well except the drapes. The others were too thin.

Tara: I guess.

She looks around again and glances at the bed once.

Tara: Well I guess we should get back downstairs

She heads toward the door.

Angel: We’ll be right down.

Tara: Okay.

She exit’s the room closing the door behind her. As Tara steps into the hall, Willow exits her bedroom. They both look nervous.

Willow: Hey.

Tara: Hey.

Willow: Hey. How are you?

Tara: Fine, thanks, I'm ... I'm fine. I was seeing the baby. I, how are you?

Willow: Great! I mean... Fine. I'm, I'm ... finey McFine. Fine.

Tara: Y-you look...

Willow: Thanks.

Tara: I mean ... great.

Willow: Thanks. You do too. Is that a new-

Glances nervously at her dress.

Tara: Oh, yeah.

Willow: It's nice.

Tara: Thanks.

They both look around unsure.

Tara: I-I'm gonna get something to drink.

Willow: Oh, yeah, great. You should.

Tara heads down the stairs.

Willow: You DON’T wanna get thirsty.

 

 

Bedroom.

Buffy: Are you ready to go down?

Angel: In a minute. I want to…….well….I want to…….give you something.

Buffy: A present.? I love presents.

Angel: I hope you love this one.

Buffy: If it is from you, I know I will.

Angel: I hope so. The last time I did this, things ended badly.

Buffy: What?

He slips his hand into his pocket and pulls out a small velvet bag . She watches as he spills two small pieces of silver into his palm. She stares at them and her eyes begin to water.

Angel: Oh god maybe I shouldn’t have.

Buffy: No, no.

She looks into his eyes. She reaches up and touches his cheek.

Buffy: I do love them. Just like before. But this time no bad.

She leans in and kisses him. As she pulls back she reaches up and takes the larger ring. She reaches for his hand and slips it on with the heart point toward him. She then lays her hand on his wrist. He slides her ring on.

Angel: They do not bring back bad memories?

Buffy: No, only good ones.

He smiles and kisses her.

Angel: I guess your guests may want to see you.

Buffy (sighs): I guess so.

As they open the door Conner begins crying.

Angel: Knew it was almost dinner time. They walk over and he picks up the baby. As he lays the infant on the bed and changes him Buffy stares at her hand, then glances at Angel.

Angel: That’s my guy. You ready for some nummy nums?

Buffy giggles.

Angel: Hey!

Buffy: Let’s just go downstairs and get him a bottle.

They exit the room and walk down stairs. Angel walks down the hall beside the stairwell and into the kitchen. As Buffy reaches the doorway to the kitchen she hears a knock at the front door. Buffy turns toward it.

Spike enters, holding a 6-pack of beer under one arm. Clem follows him in.

Buffy: (surprised) Spike.

Spike: Yeah. Willow mentioned the shindig ... figured we're all part of the team. Thought I'd, uh, swing by.

Buffy looks at Clem.

Buffy: Wait, what kind of team is this?

Clem: Hi. We met once before.

Buffy: Yes, yes we did.

Spike: You know, more, merrier, that whole thing.

Clem: Hi, I'm Clement. Clem.

Spike: Clem, why don’t you take the beer into the kitchen for me.

Clem takes the six pack and Buffy points into the kitchen. She glances in to see Tara helping Angel warm the bottle.

Spike walks up to her, smirking. He tries to take her hands but she pulls them away.

Buffy: Stop it.

She looks toward the kitchen. Spike puts one hand on the wall beside her head to block her way.

Spike: Mm-hmm.

He puts his other hand on her shoulder, runs it down her arm, takes her hand and pulls it onto his thigh.

Tara walks to the doorway. Buffy quickly pulls her hand back as both she and Spike look over. Tara looks a bit taken aback. Buffy glances at Spike, pushes past him and exits toward the kitchen. Spike looks at Tara with a slightly nervous smile. Tara looks innocent.

Spike: I had ... a ... muscle cramp. Buffy was, uh, helping.

Tara: (small grin) A muscle cramp? In your ... (looks down at him, then away) pants?

Spike: What, it's a thing.

Tara: (grinning) Right.

She turns back into the kitchen. Spike looks disgruntled and stalks into the living room.

Kitchen.

Angel watches as Buffy walks in. Their eyes meet and she smiles. She walks up and looks down at Conner.

Angel: I figured I should stay out of it.

Buffy: Thank you.

Tara walks up.

Buffy: And god thank you. I just don’t want a scene and everyone know.

Tara: I got that.

Angel: But Buffy………

Buffy: I know, I will.

Buffy begins filling paper cups from a large pitcher. Buffy looks at Tara.

Buffy: Tara, have you seen Willow?

Tara: Upstairs earlier.

Buffy: How did it go?

Tara: It was…

Buffy: Gotcha.

Tara takes a cup and drinks. Buffy looks concerned.

The back door opens. Xander enters with a young blond man.

Xander: Guys this is Richard.

Buffy: (smiling) Hey.

Xander: We have our birthday girl Buffy here. And then Tara. And the dark brooding guy in the corner with the baby is Angel.

Richard: Hi. Thanks for inviting me.

Buffy: No problem. The more the merrier.

She glances in the living room at Spike talking to Clem.

Richard: Can I get one of those?

Buffy: Sure, that is what they are for.

Richard picks up a cup and glances in the living room.

Richard: Uh the guy…

Buffy: Skin condition. He doesn't like to talk about it.

Richard: Oh.

Spike glances in and looks at Buffy talking to Richard.

Spike: Hey Red, who‘s that?

Willow: Oh that must be Xander‘s friend Richard.

Spike: Oh so he is not her date.

Willow: No, well he was suppose to be before she well er....got a date.

Spike: Huh?

Xander leads Richard into the living room.

Angel: So that is what Xander picked out for you?

Tara: I don't know. He seemed ... cute. W-was he cute? I mean, I'm not a very good judge, but...

Angel scowls.

Tara: (grinning) I think he seemed cute.

Anya: (agreeably) I think he‘s cute.

Angel gives them both a look.

Buffy: He was okay. But I prefer my men a little more dark and mysterious. And there is no way he could………well keep up with me.

Angel arches his eyebrow.

Buffy (smiles): I need a man with superhuman stamina.

Angel: Don’t I know it

Tara: Oh my god. You two are worse than Anya.

Anya: What? They enjoy sex. Why deny it.

Buffy reaches for a cup of drink. Tara stares at her hand.

Tara: Buffy!

Buffy: What?

Tara: Oh my lord.

She looks at Angel and then at Anya. She grabs Buffy’s hand and drags her out the back door.

Tara: Buffy, uh do you uh want to well………..when?

Buffy: When what?

Tara: The ring. You and Angel.

Buffy: Oh yeah. It is my birthday present. It is just like the one he gave me when I was 17.

Tara: That is ……well….it is more than a ring. My grand………my grandmother had one. It’s a claddaugh.

Buffy: I know. It represents friendship, loyalty and love.

Tara: It represents even more to an Irishman. It is used as a wedding band.

Buffy: Really?

Tara: My grandmother told me all abut them. How they are worn and even how there was a time in Ireland many years ago. Couple of centuries ago when it was hard to have a real wedding, the bride and groom would just exchange the claddaugh. It was considered as binding as a church ceremony.

Buffy: Whaaat?

Angel opens the door and looks out.

Angel: Hate to interrupt but Buffy, I think he is ready for bed.

Buffy slowly nods and stares at him as he heads for the hallway by the stairs. She follows him up to their room. She watches as he covers Conner. As he turns back toward her she touches arm.

Buffy: Angel, you heard what Tara was saying to me?

Angel: You know I did.

Buffy: So?

Angel: What? Yes the rings are used as wedding bands but not always. They are worn by all my people. Married and single.

Buffy: I know. But what does it mean to you?

Angel: It is a sign of devotion. A symbol of our love.

He turns to leave but she grabs his arm.

Buffy: Is that all?

Angel: Buffy, this is 2002 and we are not in Ireland. And lets not forget I am not human. What more could it mean?

Buffy: I am not asking what it means to others? I want to know what it means in your heart?

He moves up close until there bodies barely touch.

Angel: What are you asking me? Do I look at the rings as a symbol of marriage?

Buffy (swallows): In your heart, not in your head, was this a marriage?

Angel: No, today was not a marriage.

Buffy: Oh, I just had to ask.

She turns toward the door.

Angel (softly): Today is our fourth anniversary

She turns and looks at him.

Buffy: Huh?

Angel: You asked what I felt in my heart.

Buffy: Yes

Angel: Well in my heart we have been married since the first time we made love. When we consummated the exchange of the rings.

Buffy: But……

Angel: When I gave you the ring for your birthday, I never intended it to be any thing but a sign of devotion. But when we slept together, it all changed. They meant more.

He moves close to her and looks down into her upturned face.

Angel: At that moment, we were more than just lovers.

Buffy: You never told me.

Angel: I couldn’t. It wasn’t real. It was just my fantasy. Now can we go?

Buffy: No. You said that it became more after it was consummated?

Angel: Yes. Why?

Buffy: Because I want this time to mean more too in both our hearts.

Angel: What?

Buffy leans over and pushes the door closed. She wraps her finger in his hair and pulls his mouth down on hers. She slowly backs to the bed and pulls him down with her.

Angel: Buffy, you have guests.

Buffy: I don’t care right now.

She runs her hands under his shirt and over his back. He sighs into her lips as he drags the bodice of her black peasant style shirt down exposing her breast for his pleasure.

 

Living room.

Tara opens the front door. She see a nervous-looking young woman standing in the doorway.

Tara: Hello.

Sophie: Hi, uh is Buffy here?

Tara: Come on in. She is around here somewhere.

Sophie walks in and looks around


Sophie: Uh, my mom told me to say thank you right away, 'cause, otherwise I usually forget. So, thank you.

Everyone smiles at the young girl. Spike stands in the background watching.

Sophie: And, also, um, I can't have any, any chocolate, or, or peanuts or egg yolks.


Anya: (whispers to Willow) Is this the friend Buffy brought from work?


Willow: I think so.


Sophie: A-and sometimes dairy.


Willow: No problem.

Sophie looks around at the others.

Clem gives her a friendly smile and wave. Tara smiles too.

Anya: (whispers to Willow) Our friend is better.

Willow: Dawnie, can you close the door

Dawn gets up and moves toward the front hall as Sophie moves farther inside. Spike remains leaning against the door kitchen frame.

Shot from on the porch looking in. Dawn stands in the doorway, looks unhappily back at the party, then outside. Slowly, she closes the door.

Outside of the door, Dawn's guidance counselor walks out of the shadows, on the porch. She walks over to the front door, smiling slightly.

She stops walking and her face morphs into demon-face -- she is Halfrek. She speaks in her deep resonant demon voice.

Halfrek: Wish granted.

Spike looks around. He sees Willow talking to Sophie. Anya and Tara are talking to Dawn and Clem. He wanders into the kitchen and then the dining room where Xander and Richard are talking over the chips. He smiles as he slips unnoticed up the stairs. He looks into the dark bedroom. Disappointment accentuates his features as he turns toward the stairs. He hears a load groan from the closed door down the hall. He moves quietly down the dark hall. He listens and slowly cracks open the door. His nocturnal vision takes in the two partially dressed bodies locked in conjugal activity. He can not tear his eyes away until he hears the words that rip at his dead heart.

Buffy: Oh god Angel, god I love you so much.

Angel: I love you too sweety.

Spike closes the door as quietly as he opened it and slips down stairs. As he reaches the bottom he turns toward the kitchen. He grabs a beer from the refrigerator and quickly downs it. He reaches for a second. But holds it in his shaking hand staring at the liquid through the brown glass.

 

Living Room

Xander sits on the sofa; Dawn and Anya stand nearby.

Dawn: If we get Buffy, can, can she start on opening the presents? It's been enough time, hasn't it?

Anya: Not yet, sweetie.

Xander: I think Buffy's busy right now.

Anya: Buffy's has things she uh needs to do.

Dawn: What, you mean she is upstairs boinking Angel again?

Xander: What?

Dawn: It's not like I don't understand. It is about all she wants to do these days. I am not deaf or dumb.

Anya: We know you aren’t sweety. (patting Dawn on the head)

Dawn: You know I'm in high school, right?

Anya: Yes you are!

Dawn stares at Anya in disbelief.

 

Kitchen.

Spike leans against the counter. He alternates between sipping and examining his beer. Buffy walks in with Angel behind her. She stops dead on seeing Spike. Spike looks up as Angel wraps his arm around her waist.

Angel: Hello Spike.

Spike: Angel.

Buffy glances around.

Buffy: You sure you left it in here?

Angel: Yes. It was on the counter.

He looks around. Willow walks in.

Buffy: Will, have you seen the monitor?

Willow: Top of the fridge.

Angel walks over and picks it up. He clips it on he belt.

Spike: You got some special vamp detective gadget?

Angel: No, just a baby monitor. So I can hear, if my son wakes up.

Buffy and Angel walk into the living room. Spike stands staring thunderstruck.

 

Later

Buffy sits on the sofa, looking skeptically at a device with a large head with two round knobs on it.

Buffy: Uh...

We see Willow sitting on Buffy's right. Dawn sits on Buffy's left, fidgeting very obviously. Angel sits in his leather chair observing

Willow: See? I-it's a battery-operated back massager. And it's portable so you can take it with you on patrol.

Buffy: Wow.

Willow: (smiling) It's like, instant gratification for all your little acheys.

Buffy looks over at Angel. Angel raises his eyebrow and gives his best suggestive smirk.

Buffy: (quickly) Great! Thanks!

She sets the massager down.

Buffy: Uh, what's next?

Dawn: Here, do mine.

Dawn turns to pick up a large flat box behind her, gives it to Buffy. Buffy begins unwrapping it. Everyone watches. Buffy removes the paper to reveal a plain white box. She opens it and looks inside. Buffy looks into the box and lifts out the leather jacket.

Buffy: (smiles) Dawn.!

Dawn: (smiling) Do you like it?

Buffy lifts it from the box.

Buffy: It's ... gorgeous.

Dawn: I was so nervous. I was afraid you wouldn't like it.

Buffy looks at the jacket and frowns.

Buffy: I-it still has the security tag on it.

Dawn looks alarmed, covers quickly.

Dawn: Huh. That's so weird. I can't believe they didn't take that off.

Buffy stares at her.

Xander: Happy birthday, Buffy!

Everyone turns to see Xander and Anya wheeling in a large wooden chest.

Buffy: Oh my god!

Xander and Anya place the chest in the middle of the room and gesture proudly.

Buffy: Did you guys make that?

Buffy gets up, thrusting the box with the jacket into Dawn's lap. Dawn looks dismayed.

Anya: Uh, well, uh, Xander did the building. I offered helpful suggestions while observing from a safe distance.

Buffy kneels down to open the chest. Xander holds the lid open and leans over to speak softly so Richard won't hear.

Xander: Holds basic weapons, plus a few non-basic ones too. (loudly) Plus, there's a handsome CD holder.

Buffy turns toward Angel

Buffy: (w) I bet it will hold a hurling axe.

Angel smiles and nods. Dawn watches disgusted, She folds the jacket back into the box.

Anya: We wanted you to have something no one else would have.

Buffy: A Xander Harris original. I love it. Thanks, you guys!

Buffy leans across the chest to kiss Xander on the cheek.

 

Later

Rock music is playing. Sophie and Clem are dancing together. Willow sits in a chair with Xander sitting on its arm, both talking and moving to the beat. Anya sits waving her hand to the beat. Dawn sits beside her, looking bored. She looks like she's trying to pretend she's enjoying herself. She experiments with a couple of different smiles. Buffy comes out of the dining room and encounters Richard in the hall.

Richard: Hey.

Buffy: Hi.

Richard: Great party. Everyone's havin' fun.

Buffy: (smiling) I hope so.

Angel walks up and slips his arm around her waist.

Richard: I mean, look what time it is and no one's even thinking about leaving. I, uh ... can't tear myself away.

Buffy: (smiling) Yeah?

Richard: Well I am going for a drink. Can I get you guys one?

Buffy: Uh ... I'm good, thank you.

Angel: I’m fine

Richard: Okay.

Richard smiles, goes past her and into the dining room.

Angel: I think you have an admirer.

Buffy: Well don‘t go all cro-magnum man, okay.

Angel: Don’t have to. I know who you want.

He reaches down and lifts her hand to his lips. She smiles as she see the sparkle of silver.

 

Later

Dining room

Anya: No, you go.

.Xander sits in a chair with Anya on his lap, both nuzzling each other. Sophie and Willow sit opposite.

Xander: No, you go.

Anya: No, you go.

Willow: Okay!

Xander and Anya stop, look over at Willow.

Willow: It's just a beer run, I'll go.

Sophie: Oh, well, I can't really drink beer, 'cause you know, barley. But I'll go with you to get some.

Willow: Perfect. Here we go. The beer-gettin'.

They all continue to sit there, not moving. After a moment Willow leans over and puts her head on the table.

Xander and Anya resume nuzzling.

 

Living room.

Angel sits on the sofa watching. Dawn, Buffy, Richard, and Anya are sitting on the floor playing Monopoly on the coffee-table. Buffy hand her money to Anya.

Buffy: This sucks. I'm out.

Richard: No way. I think you're doing fine.

At the other table, Clem, Xander, Spike, and Tara are playing cards.

Xander: You wanna try poker?

Clem: Still say it's weird without the kittens.

Buffy: No kittens. (Richard giving her a funny look) He's quirky.

Richard: Look, we've already been playing for like three hours, it's, you know, it's like two-something in the morning. You can't bail now.

Anya: Yeah, come on, Buffy, stay. I wanna bankrupt somebody.

Buffy gives her a dirty look. She glances up at Angel. He shakes his head.

Dawn: Oh! We should totally have a slumber party.

Buffy: Oh, I don't know... I guess, as long as everyone's staying up anyway.

Spike looks at Angel but then catches Buffy’s eye.

Spike: Must be some late-night activities to keep us busy till morning.

Buffy grips Angel’s hand tightly to stay his retort.

Tara: How's that cramp, Spike? Still bothering you?

Spike: What? Oh. Yeah.

Tara: Maybe you, uh, wanna put some ice on it.

Tara gives an innocent little smile. Angel smirks and leans down and kisses Buffy. Spike looks confused, frowns, looks at his cards. The games continue and Dawn looks around smiling hugely.

 

Later.

Sunlight coming in the windows. Willow and Sophie are asleep on the sofa. Xander, Dawn, and Clem sit on the floor watching cartoons on TV. The Monopoly game, food, beverages, presents, etc. are scattered everywhere. Spike sits on the floor beside the new weapons chest playing solitaire. Richard enters from the kitchen.

Richard: Hey Xander, we gotta be at work in a few minutes.

Xander: Okay.

Richard: I can't be late today.

Spike: You should definitely go. Let's find your coat and get you on your merry way.

Richard: I don't know why I'm not leaving.

Spike: Me either. Besides, Richie, you can't skip breakfast. Growing boy like you. Me, I used to love breakfast. In the old days, I probably would have eaten by now.

Xander: Of course, with that new diet of yours, you wanna be careful what you try puttin' in your mouth now, Spikey.

Spike: Yeah? I don't know. Tummy's making all kinds of gurglies. Maybe I oughta just feed on whatever's around... even if it doesn't go down well. You, uh, work out?

Xander: Okey-dokey.

Xander quickly gets up, grabs Spike by his sleeve, hauls him to his feet and toward the door.

Xander: 'Scuse us.

Xander hauls Spike into the front hall.

Buffy and Angel walk down with Conner.

Buffy: What is going on?

Spike: Sweet cheeks here can’t take a joke.

Xander: Threatening to eat my friend is not a joke.

Spike: What are you gonna do?

Angel: I should have thrown you out the second you got here.

Spike: Well it ain‘t your house nancy boy.

Buffy: It is since he moved in with me.

Xander: (angrily) I think it's time for you to go.

Spike: Yeah, well, can't. Daylight.

Angel tosses him a blanket.

Buffy: I'll get the door.

Spike: Fine!

Buffy: I'm actually trying to move right now.

Spike: Me too.

They all stand there, not moving. Buffy sighs, frowns.

Buffy: Well ... this can't be good.

Spike shakes his head, agreeing.

Later

Living room.

The entire party is gathered. They all sit or stand around, staring at each other.

Buffy: There's something keeping us in this house.

Xander: Or someone.

Tara: Has everyone tried to get out?

Willow: What if we just, like, as a group, got up and, and threw ourselves at the door?

Xander: All right. Count of three. One ... two ... three!

No one moves.

Xander: Here we go!

Still nothing. Buffy looks around. Dawn sits off to the side, looking sullen.

Buffy: Hence the problem.

Richard: I really need to go. I mean, I have a job to get to.

Anya: I have to open the Magic Box.

Sophie: I have a shift at the DoubleMeat. Actually, I'm okay here.

Angel glances at Buffy questioning. Buffy notices and looks away.

Clem: Yeah, I'm, I'm fine.

Xander: Willow and Tara have class, I gotta be at the site.

Buffy: I know, I know, we all have places that we'd rather be.

Dawn looking up sadly.

Spike: Things we'd rather be doing.

Buffy: I think the first priority has to be to find a way out.

Dawn: Sure. Of course you all wanna leave.

Everyone looks at her

Dawn: 'Cause being stuck in here with me, that would really suck, right?

Buffy frowns slightly.

Willow: No, Dawnie! It's just, we have more important things to do.

Dawn: Yeah, I know. Important. Whatever that means, right?

Dawn get up and storms past them and up the stairs. They all watch her go. Everyone looks at Buffy.

 

Dawn's bedroom.

Dawn runs in, flops down on her stomach on the bed.

Buffy enters, followed by Angel, Tara, Willow, Xander, and Spike.

Buffy: Dawn?

Dawn: What?

Buffy: Did you do something?

Dawn: Me?

Tara: Do you know something? 'Cause we want you to feel like you can tell us.

Dawn sits up, turns to face them.

Dawn: What would I know?

Willow: Look, we're not accusing you of anything, it's just ... you were kind of taking it personal down there.

Dawn: Oh. Okay. So you've all just decided that somehow I'm responsible. Great. Here's me baskin' in the love.

Xander: No, it's just, you know, you're upset 'cause we all wanna leave. And now we can't leave. Only thing missing is a cornfield. There ... there isn't a cornfield, is there?

Buffy: Dawnie, it's okay. You know, we're not gonna be mad.

Dawn: Yeah, only I didn't do anything!

Willow: You sure?

Dawn: You want me to ask my other self?

Buffy: Dawn, we're just trying to figure out what's going on.

Dawn: Figure it out yourself. I'm done being talked to like a kid.

Xander: Well, 'cause you know, sometimes we do something that seems like a good idea at the time, like, say, invoke the power of a musical amulet? And it turns out, you know, not so much.

Dawn: God! I didn't do anything! I wish I had. I'm glad you're trapped. How else can I get anybody to spend any time with me?

Buffy: Dawn. If you want us to spend time with you-

Dawn: I don't. Get out.

Buffy stares at her.

Dawn: Get out, get out, get out!

The others exit, leaving only Buffy and Dawn. Dawn turns away angrily, lies down on her stomach on the bed again. Buffy stares at her for a moment, then leaves. In the hall Angel wraps her in his arms.

 

Living Room

Anya and Xander sit side-by-side on the sofa. Willow sits on the other end

Anya: I think she's possessed.

Xander: She's a teenager.

Angel sits in his chair with Conner. Buffy perches on the arm. Tara comes in from the dining room.

Tara: Phones are all out, we're totally cut off.

They all sigh and groan.

Buffy: She's just so angry.

Tara: It happens. We all went through it.

Buffy: I know. I just can't figure out why she didn't come to me.

Xander: Well, you have been a little busy lately.

Xander and Anya look at Buffy and Angel. She looks grim.

Spike walks in.

Spike: Hey, I don't wanna keep you all from the touchy-feelies, but maybe the encounter group can meet later. Say, when we're not trapped in a house.

Tara: Even if Dawn does know something, she's obviously not gonna help us right now. We need another way.

Buffy: I think magic's gonna be our best bet. Something general, you know? Cast a wide net.

Tara nods

Xander: But ... Willow.

Tara: No, I'll do it. It's just, o-obviously I didn't bring any supplies.

Willow looks guilty.

Buffy: Well, we don't have any in the house. We got rid of everything.

Willow: Actually ... not everything. I, uh... might have ... kept one or, or two things. Sort of.

Tara and Buffy look shocked.

Willow: ...just in case.

Xander: That's great!

Anya, Tara, and Buffy look somber.

Xander: ...in a very bad way.

Tara sighs, stands up.

Tara: Just ... bring me what you have. But I'm doing this alone. You need to stay away from it.

Tara exits, leaving the others to sit around looking grim.

 

 

Kitchen.

Buffy, Angel, and Xander watch as Tara mixes ingredients, using kitchen implements and bowls. She scoops a damp mixture of herbs from one bowl into another and mashes it down.

 

Front Hall

Willow, Spike, and Anya stand in a row in front of the front door.

Anya: So we're supposed to just wait?

Willow: It won't take long.

Sophie, Richard, and Clem appear in the dining-room doorway.

Richard: All right, somebody wanna tell me what's, what's going on here? We're trapped in a house by ... by what, some unseen force or something. Who knows what she's doing in there. And I have to tell you... I don't think that's a skin condition.

 

Kitchen

Tara uses a match to set her mixture on fire, then blows out the match. Red smoke billows up out of the bowl. The smoke curl in a wavy line through the door toward the living room.

Tara: Release.

The smoke curls over to where the demon sword is sitting, leaning against a cabinet. The smoke swirls around the sword.

Tara: Try the door!

 

Front Hall

Spike steels himself. His hand curls into a fist but his feet won‘t move.

 

Living Room

The last of the magic swirls into the sword and a silvery puddle begins to swirl out of it onto the floor.

 

Front Hall

Spike grits his teeth and concentrates on the door. Willow and Anya both look at Spike. Spike uncurls his fist.

Spike: No. Can't.

They all look disappointed. Richard, Sophie, and Clem walk out into the front hall to join the other three. They all stare at the door. Spike rubs his forehead.

 

Living room.

The fully re-formed demon picks up his sword. He growls. Sunlight glints off the sword blade.

Front Hall

Clem, Sophie, Willow, Spike, Anya, and Richard stand staring at the closed door. The demon attacks them from the living room, growling. Everyone scatters, some of them screaming. The demon enters the front hall and swings his sword, slashing Richard across the stomach. On the back-swing, his sword arm hits Spike, who grabs the arm and struggles with the demon.

Buffy, Angel, Xander, and Tara enter from the kitchen. Buffy tackles the demon, both landing on the living-room floor. Angel follows them in. The demon melts into the floor and disappears. Buffy sits up, frowning, then stands up. She and Angel exchange a confused look.

Angel: Wasn’t that?

Buffy: Uh huh.

Xander, Tara, and Anya bend over the injured Richard. The demon reappears behind Buffy, lifting his sword in both hands. Buffy grabs his hands. He shoves her back. She flies into Spike, and both of them go down. The demon disappears again.

Buffy gets to her feet again.

Spike: What the bloody hell was that?


Buffy: That's the demon I killed two nights ago.


Spike: The demon you thought you killed.


Xander: It looks pretty bad.

Buffy looks over in horror at Richard.

Anya: Oh god. Oh, god.

They roll Richard over onto his back, revealing a bloody gash that goes all the way across his stomach.

Tara: Let's get him upstairs. We need to get him to a doctor soon.

Buffy: Hey, i-it's gonna be okay.

Spike looks annoyed, gets up off the floor.

Buffy: Just trust me, I promise we'll be out of here soon.

 

Night

Living Room

Sophie stands holding a curtain aside, looking out at the darkness.

Sophie: Oh god. Oh god.

Spike stands a little ways behind Sophie, arms folded. Buffy walks in between them.

Buffy: Okay, so maybe 'soon' was a bit of an overstatement.


Spike: So, you ever think about not celebrating a birthday? Just to try it, I mean.

Angel: Shut up Spike.


Buffy: I'm gonna go check upstairs. Keep an eye on things down here?

Spike nods. Buffy turns to go. Buffy looks at Dawn.

Buffy: You stay here, okay?

Buffy and Angel mount the stairs. Weird creaking noises. Dawn looks around in alarm. Spike looks around too.

Dawn: What's that noise? It's in the walls, isn't it?

Spike leans close to the wall, listening. Creaking noises continue. Spike moves slowly along the wall, listening.

 

Willow's bedroom.

Richard lies on the bed trembling and breathing shallowly. Tara sits beside him, tending to his wound. Willow stands nearby holding Conner. Creaking noises continue. Willow and Tara look around nervously. Tara resumes cleaning Richard's wound with a piece of gauze and a bottle of antiseptic. Richard looks around nervously. The noises continue.

 

Hallway.

Buffy and Angel walk along slowly. She has a dagger and he carries an ax. They look around. They come upon Clem and she gasp in alarm.

Clem: (nervously) Sorry.

Buffy sighs.

 

Bathroom

Anya and Xander sit on the floor. Anya is panting and fiddling with the lapels of her white blouse, which is partly unbuttoned. She wears a black tank-top underneath it.

Anya: Why is it so hot in here?

Xander: You're just a little freaked out, that's all. It'll pass.

Anya: He's gonna die. He's gonna die, and we're gonna watch.

Xander: Ahn...

Anya: And we're just sitting here. Why are we just sitting here? Why aren't we doing something?

Xander: We are. We will. We've been through worse.

Anya: (panting) Not like this. Not trapped like animals. Seriously, did someone turn on the heat? (unbuttoning her blouse) I can't breathe, I just ... oh, I just can't breathe ... I can't breathe...

Xander: (grabbing her hands) Ahn, stop. Stop, Ahn, stop!

He manages to stop her, and she turns to look at him.

Xander: Listen to me. You're just freaking out, okay? It's normal. You're just ... you're just scared. We all are. We'll come up with a plan ... and we'll get through it, all right? We'll do something.

Creaking Noises

Anya: What was that?

Xander: I don't know. Let me get you some water, okay? It'll cool you down. I'll be back in a second, okay? Stay here, don't move.

He gets up and leaves. Anya sits there panting.

 

Front hall

Xander comes down the stairs. Creaking noises continue. He looks around nervously. He reaches the bottom and turns toward the kitchen. Suddenly the demon emerges from the wall behind Xander and grabs him from behind. Xander screams. The demon holds Xander around the middle, arms pinned to his sides, with the sword at his throat. Spike hears the noise and runs.

Anya: Xander?

Xander struggles with the demon. Spike rushes in, grabs the demon's sword arm and tries to pull it away. But he can't, so instead he knuckle-punches the demon in the ribs. The demon growls and hits Spike with his elbow. Spike goes down.

The demon throws Xander aside. Xander hits the wall and crouches there.

Buffy and Angel rush in. The demon turns to attack them. She ducks a sword-thrust. The demon kicks her dagger hand, and the dagger goes flying. The demon swings at Angel and he deflects with the axe.

The demon whirls around with the sword, slicing Xander's arm. Angel jumps on his back but is thrown off and into the wall. Then the demon turns back to Buffy.

Buffy: Grab the sword!

She kicks the demon and ducks another swing as Spike gets up and grabs the demon's sleeve, punches it in the face. The demon flings Spike back and he goes down yet again.

Buffy grabs the demon's arms and kicks him in the stomach. He reels back and melts into the wall again.

Angel stands up and both he and Buffy watch the demon disappear.

Buffy: Are you hurt?

Xander on the floor, groaning in pain.

Buffy: Here, let me see.

Buffy takes a step forward.

Anya: Xander.

Xander looks up. Anya stands at the foot of the stairs staring at him.

Xander gets painfully to his feet and goes to Anya.

Xander: It's okay. I'm okay, see? Shh.

He strokes her face gently and leans his forehead against hers.

Xander: (w) It's all right. I'm okay.

Angel: You okay?

Buffy: I’m fine. More worried about the others.

Angel: We will get out of here.

Buffy: I sure hope so.

Later.

Buffy and Angel comes around a corner from the dining room to the front hall, and finds Dawn standing against a wall. Creaking noises continue.

Buffy: It's getting kinda scary. You okay?

Dawn: Do you care?

Buffy: Fine. Stay with Spike.

They walk off.

Buffy and Angel walk into their bedroom. Dawn comes in behind her.

Dawn: It's not like I meant for this to happen.

Buffy: I never said that you did.

Dawn: I didn't want this.

Buffy turns to face her.

Buffy: What did you want?

Dawn: Nothing.

Buffy: Dawn, come on.

Dawn: No. You don't know! You have this thing you do. You have all these friends. You have Angel. You have no idea what it's like.


Buffy: What are you talking about? I don't know what, what-


Dawn: Being alone!


Buffy: You're not alone!


Dawn: Then why do I feel like this?

 

Dining room.

Tara and Spike standing next to each other.

Tara: I just think we haven't thought of the right way out yet, that's all.

Xander and Willow holding Conner stand nearby, and Anya sits at the dining-room table.

Spike: Well, we can't just stay put like cattle, waiting for that thing to pop out every time it gets peckish.


Tara: I'd say we do another spell, but I, I think we've tried everything.


Anya: Well ... that's not completely true, is it? I mean, not everything.

She looks at Willow.

Anya: Not exactly. We're sitting here with an incredibly powerful witch ... much more powerful than you, Tara, I'm sorry ... only no one seems willing to say it.


Willow: I can't.


Anya: No, see, that's not exactly true either. Not can't, won't.


Willow: You don't know how much I hate this. I don't know if there's even ... anything I could do.


Anya: Yes ... and a good way to find out is to sit around and try nothing. That was sarcasm, by the way.


Spike: Look-


Willow: It's dangerous.


Anya: And so is all of us dying!


Xander: Will ... look, I don't wanna gang up on you ... but Anya kinda has a point. We brought you back from it once. We're all here, it's just one little spell, whatever happens, we can bring you back again.


Willow: NO!. I can't. If I start, I ... I might not be able to stop.


Anya: And whose fault is that?

She stands up and moves in front of Willow

Anya: You know, if you hadn't gotten so much of this in your system in the first place-


Tara: Hey! You're gonna back off!

Tara gets in between Willow and Anya. She faces Anya down.

Tara: She said no, and that's it. You're not gonna make her do something that she doesn't want to. And if you try... You're gonna have to go through me first. Understood?

Anya glares at her.

Anya: Fine. If you all aren't willing to get us out of this, then I will do it myself.

Anya walks past the witches and goes up the stairs.

Shot of Sophie and Clem sitting on the sofa, watching Anya. Then exchanging a look.

Buffy's bedroom.

Buffy and Dawn sit on the bed side-by-side. Angel stands in the hall outside the door.

Buffy: I wish you would have told me.


Dawn: You haven't really been...


Buffy: What? I haven't been what?


Dawn: Around.


Buffy: Dawn ... the most important job that I have ... is looking out for you.


Dawn: (small smile) You sound like my guidance counselor. She give you a handbook or something? 'Talkin' to the Troubled Teen'?


Buffy: Counselor?


Dawn: It wasn't my idea. I didn't even know we had guidance counselors. She called me out of class like I was a total J.D.

Buffy: And you'd ... never met her before?


Dawn: No, not until yesterday.


Buffy: And ... she got you to start talking about things that bothered you at home?


Dawn: ) Uh ... yeah?


Buffy: You didn't, by any chance, happen to ... express like a, a wish, or-or something, to her?


Dawn: Um ... maybe just a little.

Sound of thumping and crashing. Dawn and Buffy look up, both jump up.

 

Dawn's room.

Anya is pulling books and stuff off the shelves.

Xander: Honey, come on, this isn't the way, calm down.


Anya: She knows something. She knows something, we have to find out what it is.

Anya begins looking through the drawers of Dawn's desk. Dawn and Buffy enter.

Dawn: Hey!


Xander: Ahn, just stop for a second.


Anya: There's gotta be a clue in here somewhere.


Dawn: Stop it!

Dawn starts forward, but Buffy stops her.

Buffy: Anya, it wasn't her fault.

Anya picks up a small red box from the desk.

Dawn: No!

Anya opens the box and Dawn's stash of stolen jewelry falls out onto the floor. Anya stares in shock, bends down to look. Xander, Buffy, and Dawn stare in varying degrees of surprise and dismay.

Anya: Half this stuff is from the Magic Box.

Anya picks up a few things, then picks up the entire handful, straightens up and glares at Dawn.

Anya: How could you do this?

Buffy looks at Dawn, who looks upset and goes running out of the room.

 

Downstairs.

Dawn comes running down the stairs with the others in pursuit.

Anya: I work hard at that store, and I helped you!

She grabs Dawn's arm, and turns her around

Anya: I took care of you. This is how you say 'thank you'?

Buffy comes up beside Anya.

Buffy: Anya, hold on, okay? (to Dawn) Tell her you didn't do this. Tell her it's a mistake.

Suddenly Buffy spots something over by the sofa. She looks shocked, walks that way.

Dawn: No!

Buffy walks over, stares down at the box holding the black leather jacket that Dawn gave her.

Buffy: Oh.


Dawn: Buffy...


Anya: How are we supposed to trust you, Dawn? I mean, you ... you say you didn't put us here, but look at this stuff! How are we supposed to believe you?

Everyone gathers around

Buffy: Look, I-I don't think she- I don't think it's all her fault, okay? She ... there was a guidance counselor, or someone pretending to be a guidance counselor, she, she made Dawn make a wish.


Anya: Guidance counselor? You made a wish to someone you've never seen before?


Dawn: Yeah?


Anya: Did she wear a pendant with a, with a dark blue stone?


Dawn: And little red flecks?


Anya: Uhh, for crying out loud. Halfrek! It's Halfrek, a vengeance demon. You made a wish to a vengeance demon.


Dawn: I didn't know.


Anya: Only a vengeance demon can break her own vengeance spell. Nothing else will work. She's the only one who can get us out of here. Hallie, get your ass down here!

Halfrek materializes just behind Anya, in a puff of smoke.

Halfrek: You rang?

Anya turns toward her. Suddenly Halfrek gasps and looks down. The demon has impaled her from behind. Halfrek collapses to the floor. The demon attacks Buffy who grabs his hands and then punches him. Anya punches him from behind as well, distracting him.

Anya: I hope you die, you stupid jerkface!

The last punch sends him reeling back. He swings his sword and Anya leaps on him from behind, struggling with his sword arm while Buffy kicks him in the stomach. Angel leaps into the fray too, grabbing the demon from behind. The demon flings Anya off, she lands on the sofa. He flings Angel off too and swings the sword around randomly. Buffy ducks, watching for an opening.

Xander: Anya!

Xander ducks under the sword swings and runs over to the sofa.

The demon hits Buffy in the face and she reels back. Angel attacks again, distracting the demon so Buffy can kick him. The demon falls to the floor and melts into it, disappearing.

The demon immediately reappears behind Spike, who grabs his sword arm. The demon drops the sword. Spike continues holding his arm and kicking him.

Spike: The sword!

Buffy picks the sword up off the floor as Spike continues struggling with the demon. Spike gives him a kick in the stomach and he reels backward as Buffy attacks with the sword.

The demon turns and runs into the wall, disappearing into it. Buffy thrusts the sword into the wall where he went. The same blue light appears, suffusing everything as the others watch. The demon roars angrily. The sword glows and then the blue light fades and the hole in the wall closes up, the demon once again trapped in the sword.

Buffy pulls the sword out of the wall and breaks it in two over her knee, causing one last flare of blue light. She throws the two halves down.

Buffy looks over at Halfrek, who lies on the floor not moving.

Anya: Her pendant! Get her pendant!

Anya, Angel, and Buffy rush toward Halfrek. But before they reach her she sits up and puts out her hand toward Anya, who goes flying backward onto the sofa again. Buffy and Angel stop and stare.

Halfrek: There will be no touching of the pendant.

Halfrek gets to her feet and brushes herself off, as everyone stares at her in surprise.

Halfrek: What? (laughs) Did you think I'd be stopped by a sword in the chest?

She looks down at her chest, pulls at her blouse so we can see the rip in it.

Halfrek: Flesh wound. Honestly, Anyanka, you used to know better.

Anya moves toward her.


Anya: How could you? Why would you do this?


Halfrek: I told you I was going to take care of some business while I was here in town.


Anya: Yeah, but cursing us? Some of them are in the wedding party.


Halfrek: I just go where I'm-

Halfrek pauses, looking to her right as Spike walks up.

Halfrek: William?


Spike: Hey, wait a minute.


Buffy: You guys know each other?

Willow, Clem, Sophie, and Tara get up and approaching slowly.


Halfrek still staring at Spike, but then she snaps out of it.

Halfrek: Uh, no. No.

She fiddles with her hair nervously.

Spike: Not really.

Tara: I thought vengeance demons only punished men who wronged women.


Halfrek: Oh, that was Anya's little raison d'être. Most of us try to be a little more well-rounded. And actually, we prefer 'justice demon.' Okay? FYI.


Anya: Well-rounded, huh? Is that how you explain your thing for bad parents?


Halfrek: Oh, it's not a thing. The children need me.


Anya: Hmm! (coughing) Daddy issues (coughing)


Halfrek: Sling all the little barbs at me that you want, Anyanka, it doesn't change the fact that this girl was in pain, and none of you could hear it. I could hear her crying out everywhere I went in this town. It was unbearable. And none of you knew. Halfrek looks at Buffy, shaking her head. Buffy looks upset.

Halfrek: You people deserve to be cursed. Enjoy your time together. From now on ... all you have is time. Time ... and each other. Good luck! Halfrek makes a dramatic motion with both arms, but does not disappear. She looks surprised.

Halfrek: Wait ... Wait. Time, and each other.

Dramatic arm gesture. Halfrek again fails to disappear. She looks annoyed.

Anya: It's the curse, Hallie.


Halfrek: Oh, for crying out loud. Fine, the curse is lifted! We can all leave now! ... Damn it.

She snaps her fingers and disappears.

Everyone else looks relieved and excited. Spike looks over at Buffy, who just looks pensive. She glances at Angel. He smiles his support.

 

Kitchen.

Tara is packs the remnants of herbs into plastic baggies while Willow watches.

Willow: Thanks ... for before. And, and for taking this stuff with you.


Tara: No problem.


Willow: Just so you know, I-I was never ... gonna use it. I mean, not really, I ... I just kept it like a safety net. 'Cause ... there was always this ... thing in the back of my head. This, you know, voice, saying, like, 'what if things get bad, I mean really bad? And what if you can't handle it?' A-and it made me panic, so ... that's why I kept a couple of things. I ... kept them so I-I didn't have to think about it, so I could focus on ... on getting better.


Tara: I get it. I-I really do. But it's time to work without the net, Will. You know, I don't know if you noticed, but it actually did get bad in there. Really bad, and ... and you still said no.

Tara smiles, goes back to her task. Willow slowly begins to smile too.

 

Front Hall

Anya and Xander come down the stairs, supporting Richard between them. Richard grimaces in pain. The others all gather around.

Richard: You have some weird friends.


Xander: News from the file marked 'duh.'

He looks at Buffy

Xander: We're gonna get him to the E.R.

Buffy nods.


Anya: And then we're gonna talk about payment. And Dawnie, there are two words I want you to get used to... Punitive damages.


Buffy: Think it's worn off?


Spike: Just one thing to do.

Spike walks toward the door. Everyone watches him anxiously. He takes hold of the doorknob, looks around at the others, opens the door with a flourish. Spike steps out the door. Xander smiles happily. He and Anya begin carrying/helping Richard out. Willow, Tara, Sophie, and Clem follow excitedly.

Xander and Anya, with Richard supported between them, emerge onto the porch. The others are close behind.

Anya: Okay, who's pushing?

They all start down the stairs.

Tara: Wow, look at the stars!


Clem: (looks at Buffy) Good party!

Buffy remains in the front hall, giving a wry smile at Clem's remark.

Xander: I just wanna run barefoot on the grass so I can feel the dew-drops between my... God, look at the stars!

Dawn, Buffy, and Angel are left. Buffy walks forward, goes over to the doorway.

Dawn turns and follows, stands a little ways behind Buffy, watching her sadly. Buffy looks at Dawn. Buffy takes hold of the door and closes it. Dawn's face slowly breaks into a smile.