Chapter Five
Willow:
Giles, I’m so tired. My head hurts. I ache all over.
Giles:
It’s to be expected I’’m afraid. Humans are not meant to hold such power from both sides within them.
Willow:
So why did They bring us here?
Giles:
I’m not certain.
Willow:
How do we get home?
Giles:
I’m not certain of that either Willow. We just have to be patient.
Willow:
(sounding different-condescending) Patience not a virtue I’m afraid.
Giles spins to look at her but is interrupted before he can speak.
Man:
This is what brought you here.
Willow and Giles both turn to see an old man standing calmly dressed in weathers robes.
Willow:
Not to be hateful but the clothes? Leaving much desire.
Giles:
Willow, focus.
Man:
(raises hand) No need. You will be called upon very soon to be her anchor. Save your strength. You will need it.
Giles:
Of course.
Man:
(steps to Willow) Are you prepared for the next step?
Willow:
(visibly forcing her instincts back) Yes. Please.
Man:
You have brought such pain in your world.
Willow:
(quietly) I know. And I’m s….
Man:
(raises hand) You are not.
Willow starts to argue but Giles places a hand on her arm hushing her.
Man:
Remorse is not your goal. Atonement has a high price. The battle within you must be allowed to proceed. The weapons have been chosen.
Willow:
Weapons?
Giles:
I’m not sure what you’re saying.
Man:
You are. She will receive the weapons she brandished. This is the first stage of her punishment. She asked, she’s here, it will be so.
Willow:
(looks at Giles) I don’t understand.
Giles:
(looks at man) I do.
Man:
Very well. It will begin.
He disappears before them and Willow is confused.
Willow:
What weapons Giles?
Giles:
Willow, listen to me very carefully. There’s not a lot of time. (frowns) Willow? Willow?
Willow doesn’t answer and stares at him glassy-eyed. She has received the first weapon. She is frozen just as Anya was. She is experiencing the evil that first allowed her to stop Anya from stealing the magic from the books.
Giles:
Oh God.
Cut to Africa
Night has fallen and Spike begins to come around. He is parched and dirty and seems completely alone.
Spike:
(painfully standing) Aagghh!
Girl:
Are you in pain?
Spike:
(startles) Where did you come from?
Girl:
My village is not far. Are you hurt? You’re bleeding.
Spike:
Looks that way doesn’t it? I’ll live.
Girl:
Are you lost?
Spike:
Um, I’m not sure. Perhaps you could tell me where exactly we are?
Girl:
(Laughing) Silly man! Where is it you think you are?
Spike:
(frowns ) I think I must have been hit on the head. Everything’s so bleeding groggy!
Girl:
I’ll help you find your way. What’s your name?
Spike:
(frowns) I know this. Give me a moment. It’s just on the tip of…ah yes! William! My name is William.
Girl:
(smiling at his obvious pride) Alright then William, let’s get you home.
She takes his hand and pulls him along after her.
Cut to Beach
Connor:
Leave me alone.
He tries to go past Buffy but she sidesteps his attempt blocking his path.
Buffy:
I asked you a question.
Connor:
I don’t have to talk to you. I have to go home.
Buffy:
Wait a minute!
She grabs his arm when he tries to push past again and he instinctively reacts. His first blow is to force her release of his arm. His strength surprises her and she attacks. She spins and connects with an elbow to his back and he drops to his knees. When she bends
to secure him, his neck snaps back for a head butt. Buffy sees it coming and is able to dodge the attack. He doesn’t wait for her to recover before taking advantage of her lack of balance, scooting sideways and bringing a leg up to knock hers out from beneath her. She falls forward on top of him and before either of them know it, their eyes are only inches apart. Their gaze seems to affect her and she quickly stands. He moves more slowly to a standing position never breaking eye contact.
Connor:
Who are you?
Buffy:
I think I asked first.
Connor:
You’re crazy, lady.
Buffy:
And you know something.
Connor:
About what?
Buffy:
Where’d you learn to fight like that? You can’t be more than sixteen.
Connor:
My father taught me.
Buffy:
Father?
Connor:
I have to go.
Buffy:
I’m not letting you off the hook that easy.
Connor:
People might get hurt.
Buffy:
Really? Well I guess we’re stuck with each other then.
Connor:
What?
Buffy:
You say people are in danger? Maybe you’re in danger? Well I don’t make a habit of leaving people when they’re in danger. So unless you want to hang out here trading blows all day and night, I say you let me help.
Connor:
What if I don’t want your help?
Buffy:
You get it anyway. Now move.
Cut to Hyperion
Wesley:
Are you ready?
Fred:
Yeah, but I still don’t know if I understand.
Gunn:
I’m so glad someone else said it. I didn’t want to seem like I was just hating or anything but…
Wesley:
If Holtz did indeed set this up, I believe he must be somewhere watching. He would want to reap the benefits of seeing his ultimate vengeance play out.
Gunn:
And you think he’d go back to the same place he knows we would look first?
Fred:
Gunn has a point.
Wesley:
I don’t believe he will be there. But someone else might.
Gunn:
(realizes) Hold up! You’re hoping old girl’s there! You’re looking for your own vengeance!
Fred:
Wesley? Is that true? Are you using this as an excuse to hunt down Justine?
Wesley:
(uncomfortable pause) I want to find Angel and the others. If Justine can help us achieve that goal, so be it. Do either of you have any better ideas?
Both look down in silence.
Wes:
Very well then. Let’s go.
He heads out the door and Gunn and Fred exchange a nervous glance before following.
Cut to Giles
Giles:
(speaking to Willow’s still form) You have to focus Willow. Focus on my voice and do whatever it takes to hear me. You are experiencing the same magics you used during your dark time. This is only the first. You have to be strong. You have to focus on what you want to achieve. Fight the urge Willow! Do you hear me? You have to fight!
Willow seems to hear him and her eyes move first. Then her head, then her feet shuffle. Finally she seems to smile and Giles stands straight to watch her recovery. She raises her hands toward him and he senses the battle.
Giles:
Willow, you can’t turn on another human. Do you understand? If you hurt anyone else, you will fail. You will fail and all will be lost.
Willow:
(lowers her hands) I’m already lost Giles.
Giles:
No you’re not. Not yet. You’ve been given a chance. I told you it wouldn’t be easy. So do it Willow. Do the right thing.
Willow begins to say something but she’s knocked backwards by an invisible force. She hits the wall viciously.
Giles:
Willow!
Vines emerge from the walls and wrap around her hands and feet. She seems surprised and struggles before realizing what’s happening. Then she stills as she recognizes the scenario.
Willow:
(tears in eyes) No Giles. Please Giles. Not this.
Giles doesn’t speak as he removes his glasses to wipe the tears from his eyes.
Cut to Hideout
Justine:
What are you doing bringing someone here?
Buffy:
I didn’t give him much of a choice.
Justine:
And now I’m not giving you one.
She walks to push Buffy back out the door and Buffy pushes her in return.
Justine:
I don’t think you want to do this little girl.
Buffy:
And is that supposed to be scary?
Connor:
I was wrong. We’re fine. No danger. Would you just leave us alone?
Buffy:
I’m afraid I can’t do that. Not until you tell me what you were doing at the beach.
Justine:
Beach! You were at the beach? Why would you?
Connor:
Not now.
Buffy:
Don’t hold back on my account. I felt you watching me. And life is not going to be simple until you tell me why.
Gunn:
What the…?
Buffy, Connor and Justine all spin to see Gunn, Wesley and Fred standing with mouths agape.
Buffy:
Wesley?
Fred:
Connor?
Wesley:
Buffy.
Connor:
(frightened) Justine?
Justine:
Wesley.
Wesley hears her voice and silence engulfs the room as he stares down the woman who destroyed his life and tried to kill him. Okay guys, sorry it's kind of long, but I hope worth it. Let me know please!
Cut to Ocean
Camera stays on shimmering water as sun sets.
Angel (V.O.):
I know she was here. She’s close. Maybe I never had the family I thought I did. Maybe the pain I inflicted all those years ago was only the means to which the Powers that Be could justify my end. I’m lost to all of them and only she can find me. But what will there be to find?
