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Date Posted: 07:56:26 07/29/03 Tue
Author: The Buffy Lost Episode Authors
Subject: Buffy: The Lost Episodes, Episode 1.2 "Walk Away" By Anyas_Butt_Monkey

****Disclaimer****** Anyas_Butt_Monkey - Walk Away -Takes place in between “Older and Far Away” and “As you Were” -The Vengeance Demon, Halfrek, must face her past after Spike uncovers a secret about her long thought to be locked away.

*OPENING SCENE*

A figure is walking quickly down a deserted street. It's a woman. She's walking quickly, as if to get away from someone. We can't see the woman's face. Suddenly, we see her bump into a familiar body - Spike. She looks up, and her face drops.

SPIKE: Halfrek. Just the demon.

Halfrek looks at him for a second, then moves around him and continues to walk away as she talks to him.

HALFREK: If your Slayer-friend wants to get me for that little spell, maybe she should do it herself, rather than sending the lapdog.
SPIKE: Actually, Buffy didn't send me...
HALFREK: Makes a change.

Spike starts walking to catch up with Halfrek.

SPIKE: I'm here because I think we need to talk..... About London. 1880.

Halfrek stops walking. Spike comes up behind her, and stands behind her shoulder. After a few seconds, Halfrek continues on.

HALFREK: I have no idea what you're talking about.
SPIKE: You can't fool me, pet. I know who you are. Who you were.
HALFREK: No you don't.

Spike reaches out and grabs Halfrek by the arm, and spins her round.

SPIKE: I think I do..... Cecily.

Halfrek just looks up at Spike. She pulls her arm out of his grip.

HALFREK: How do you.....? You aren't supposed to remember!
SPIKE: Sorry?
HALFREK: You don't know anything, Spike. Just leave me alone.
SPIKE: Beg to differ, luv....
HALFREK: Goodbye, Spike.

Halfrek teleports out, leaving Spike standing in the street as it starts to rain. He stares ahead, at the spot Halfrek just occupied.

*CUT TO: LONDON, 1880*

It's the same soiree as in Fool For Love. We see various toffs walking around, quoffing wine and making hearty jokes about the government's inability to govern. Walking through the party, is Halfrek. She seems to be looking for someone, as she keeps peering through the throng. She eventually finds what she's looking for - William. He is with a small group of toffs.

TOFF: Ah, William! Favour us with your opinion. What do you make of this rash of disappearances sweeping through our town? Animals or thieves?
WILLIAM: I prefer not to think of such dark, ugly business at all. That's what the police are for. I prefer placing my energies into creating things of beauty.

Halfrek watches as the group take William's poetry, and read it out aloud. She grimaces as William does upon hearing the words being spoken.

TOFF: Effulgent?!
2ND TOFF: And that's actually one of his better compositions!
FEMALE TOFF: Have you heard? They call him William the Bloody because of his bloody awful poetry!

Halfrek continues to focus on Spike as the toffs continue to ridicule his work. She sees him walk away, embarrased, and follows him over to his destination - a seating area. Halfrek comes to sit down next to William.

HALFREK: I'm going to ask you a very personal question. And I demand an honest answer. Do you understand?

William nods, as Halfrek continues.

HALFREK: Your poetry - it's... they're... not written about *me*, are they?
WILLIAM: They're about how I feel.
HALFREK: Yes, but are they about me?

There's a slight pause.

WILLIAM: Every syllable.
HALFREK: Oh god!
WILLIAM: I know I'm a bad poet, but I'm a good man. All I ask is that... is that you try to see me -
HALFREK: I do see you - that's the problem! You're nothing to me, William.

Halfrek stands, collects herself, and looks down on William.

HALFREK: You're beneath me.

With that, Halfrek turns and walks away, hiding her tears from William.

*CUT TO - NOT MUCH LATER, OUTSIDE*

Halfrek walks out of the house. A tear rolls down her cheek. She looks up at the night sky, sobbing. After a few moments, she wipes away the tears, and walks away, towards a dark alley.

When she gets there, she spies a figure hanging around in the darkness.

HALFREK: I've done what you asked me.
MAN: Good. Is everything in place?
HALFREK: Yes. *pause* Why do you want this?
MAN: Because it is meant to be.
HALFREK: But... that existence is degrading. William deserves better.
MAN: William will adjust. And he'll be all the better for it.
HALFREK: William's perfect as he is.

Halfrek turns to walk away, as the figure steps out of the shadows. It's Angelus.

ANGELUS: You had better not be going to stop this.
HALFREK: What if I am? You can't stop me.
ANGELUS: I may not have a solid form, but you know as well as I do that if you stand in my way.....

Angelus morphs into Darla - it's The First.

FIRST!DARLA: ...things won't be so pleasant.

Just then, as if from nowhere, 3 robed figures approach out of the darkness, behind the second Halfrek. They're Bringers, and they're all carrying daggers.

FIRST!DARLA: Now, be a good demon and do what I've asked you. You know it's the way things should be.
HALFREK: Do I? All I've seen is one path.... William can live another. He can have a different live. *pause* What's so special about William? Why does *he* have to become a creature of the night?
FIRST!DARLA: It's not your place to ask questions, demon. You just do your job.
HALFREK: But why him?! He has done nothing wrong! He doesn't deserve to live out his days like that!
FIRST!DARLA: You don't know anything. You're just a child. A devil child.
HALFREK: I am a Justice demon, wronging the misdeeds of people all over the land. I only came here to grant the wish of an abused child. Why should I be forced into doing this?

Halfrek appears to try and teleport out - she can't. The First!Drusilla just smiles.

HALFREK: What have you done?!
FIRST!DARLA: You think D'Hoffryn's not with me on this? He'll make sure you go through with it - and you know what he'll do to you if you don't.

Halfrek looks sullen. A tear begins to fall down her cheek.

FIRST!DARLA: What's this, a demon, crying? You should take a leaf out of that Anyanka's book.... Pure demonic class. Not like you. *pause* Now, lets get this over with - I wish for Spike to be sired into the Line Of Aurelius.

Halfrek stands, looking at The First in her guise, tears streaming down her face. She morphs into demon face.

HALFREK: Wish...... granted.
FIRST!DARLA: There now, that wasn't so hard, was it?

The First slowly disappears into the night, and the Harbingers slowly fade back into the darkness too. Halfrek stands in the alley, crying.

*CUT TO - THE ALLEY*

Drusilla is standing with William.

DRUSILLA: And I wonder, what possible catastrophe came crashing down from heaven and brought this dashing stranger to tears?
WILLIAM: Nothing. I wish to be alone.
DRUSILLA: I see you. You're a man surrounded by fools who cannot see his strength. His vision. His glory.

The camera pulls back, back out of the alley - to see Halfrek, watching the events unfold, from the darkness.

She watches as Drusilla and William get closer, and watches as Drusilla sinks her teeth into William's neck. A tear rolls down her face as it happens. She turns to walk away, but is confronted by two figures. Angelus and Darla.

ANGELUS: And I ask myself, what could our favourite Justice demon be doing in these parts?
HALFREK: Angelus.

Halfrek looks at Darla with mild contempt.

HALFREK: Bitch.
DARLA: Whore.

They hug.

DARLA: It's been too long, Halfrek.
HALFREK: I know. I've been..... busy.
ANGELUS: In this dump? Hard to imagine.
HALFREK: There's been.... an upsurge in the Justice business. I've had my work cut out for me. *pause* Look, if you'll excuse me, I have..... an urgent matter to attend to.
ANGELUS: Going already? And here I thought we could share a bite to eat.
DARLA: Angelus, she's a Justice demon. They don't eat people, remember?
ANGELUS: Of course. Sorry. Didn't mean to offend ye.
HALFREK: Don't worry about it. Well, I must take my leave....

Halfrek begins to walk away.

DARLA: We'll do lunch!
HALFREK: *turning to face Darla* Yes. I'd like that.

Halfrek teleports out. Angelus puts his arms around Darla.

DARLA: I never liked her.


*CUT TO - SUNNYDALE, PRESENT DAY*

Halfrek appears in Xander's apartment. It's dark, nobody's home. Halfrek looks around.

HALFREK: Anyanka.... hurry up....

Suddenly, a key is heard in the door. Halfrek turns, to see the door open, and light from the hallway to come wafting in.

XANDER:.... You know, maybe Spike's right, next year we shouldn't celebrate Buffy's birthday...
ANYA: But then how would we.... oh, it's you.

Anya and Xander both stare at Halfrek.

XANDER: Get out.
HALFREK: Fraid not. I need to speak with Anyanka.
ANYA: I think we've had enough of you for one night, Halfrek.
HALFREK: If you think I'm still mad that you tried to smash my pendant, well, I'm over it. It's forgotten.
ANYA: No, I just don't wanna talk to you.
HALFREK: I *really* think you should...

Xander steps inbetween Anya and Halfrek.

XANDER: She said she doesn't want to talk to you. Now leave.
HALFREK: Anyanka, since when did you need a man to do your dirty work? I remember when somebody told me to be more like you.... Whatever happened to that woman?
XANDER: She -
ANYA: Xander.

Anya grabs his arm, and turns him towards her.

ANYA: Maybe I should just talk to her?
XANDER: What? No! Are you crazy?!
HALFREK: Are you gonna let a man, a *mortal* man, tell you what to do, Anyanka?

Anya looks at Xander, then at Halfrek, then back at Xander.

ANYA: I'll just be a minute....
XANDER: No, no, no, this is crazy talk! She just locked us in a house, for 30 hours, because Dawn unwittingly asked her to! She's not the kind of person you talk with!
ANYA: She's still my friend, Xander! I spent longer terrorising the world with her than I have snuggled up with you!

Xander looks hurt.

XANDER: Fine. Go ahead. Talk to your friend. I'm going to bed.

Xander shoves past Halfrek, who keeps her back turned away from him as he walks past her. He slams the bedroom door shut.

HALFREK: So....
ANYA: What do you want, Halfrek?
HALFREK: Just to talk, you know....
ANYA: Halfrek....
HALFREK: Fine!

Halfrek sits down on the couch.

HALFREK: Spike remembers.

Anya looks confused.

ANYA: I don't get it.
HALFREK: He *remembers*, Anyanka. I shouldn't have to spell it out for you.

It suddenly clicks on Anya's face.

ANYA: Oh. *pause* Oh! *pause* Huh - OH!
HALFREK: Yes, thankyou for that, Anyanka, I can see you're going to be a real help....
ANYA: Sorry, I mean - How can he remember? That much was clear.... Spike would never remember.
HALFREK: I know! But, seeing him at the Slayer's house threw me.... you saw it. I called him William.
ANYA: And you're thinking....
HALFREK: That maybe that jogged some memories loose? Like, all of them?
ANYA: Does D'Hoffryn know?
HALFREK: No. I mean, I don't think so.... Well, I haven't told him.
ANYA: Are you going to?

Halfrek just looks at Anya.

ANYA: Oh penis....

*CUT TO - LONDON, 1880*

Halfrek is sitting in a chair, by a fire. Anyanka comes up behind her.

ANYANKA: You have to stop thinking about that William. He's nothing.
HALFREK: You don't know....
ANYANKA: I do this for a living, I know when men are nothing. They generally are.
HALFREK: William was different. He was.... unique.
ANYANKA: Yeh, just like every other man out there who's "unique", and is the right man for somebody.... It's all a myth. At the end of the day, men are worthless. We don't need men. You don't need William. *pause* What happened to him, anyway?
HALFREK: He's a vampire now.
ANYANKA: Eww. Vampires. They're so.... eurgh. Common. Tainted. And you're saying William's one of them? Well, seems you're far better off without him...
HALFREK: But I'm not! It's all my fault!
ANYANKA: What? Because you told him the truth? That he's beneath you?
HALFREK: Not just that....
ANYANKA: Then what?

Halfrek just stares ahead at the flames.

ANYANKA: Thought as much. Look, there's nothing you can do about it now, short of getting somebody to wish that William wasn't a vampire anymore, and for that you'd have to find somebody who liked William enough to want him back, and as far as I'm aware, you're the only one.
HALFREK: Then maybe you could grant the wish for me?
ANYANKA: Oh no, I'm not helping you in your delusions.... I've got men to flay.

Anyanka teleports out. Halfrek continues to stare at the flames for a few moments, until she has an idea.

HALFREK: Well, if I can't get somebody to wish for William's return, I'll just have to unwish the original wish.

She gets up, and walks over to the table. On it is a pestle and mortar. She takes off her necklace, with her pendant on the end of it. The dark blue shimmers in the soft lighting from the fire. She holds it in her hands, looking at it. Then she places it on the table, and picks up the pestle.

After waiting for a few moments, she brings the pestle down on top of the pendant, smashing it. A bright, white light slowly fills the room from the pendant outwards, until the screen is completely white.

*CUT TO - YORKSHIRE, 1880*

Angelus is holding Spike by the neck, up against a wall. Darla and Drusilla stand off to one side.

ANGELUS: Maybe it's my advancing years that make me so forgetful, William. Remind me, why don't we kill you?
SPIKE: ....ike.
ANGELUS: What's that?
SPIKE: It's *Spike* now. You'd do well to remember it, mate.
ANGELUS: I'm not your mate. And when did you start talking like that.
DARLA: We barely got out of London because of you. Everywhere we go it's the same story and now...
ANGELUS: You've got me & my women hiding in the luxury of a mineshaft all because William The Bloody likes the attention. This is not the reputation we need.
SPIKE: I'm sorry, did I sully our good name? We're *vampires*.
ANGELUS: All the more reason to use a certain amount of finesse.
SPIKE: Bollocks! The stuff's for the frilly-cuffs-and-collars crowd. I'd take a good brawl any day.
ANGELUS: And every time you do, we become the hunted.
DARLA: I think our boys are going to fight....
DRUSILLA: The King of Cups expects a picnic.... but this is not his birthday!

Everybody pauses for a second.

DARLA: Good point.
SPIKE: Yeh. You know what I prefer to being hunted? Getting caught.
ANGELUS: Oh that's a brilliant strategy really. Pure cunning.

A bright white light fills the mineshaft, temporarily blinding the vampires in the split second that they actually see it. The light fills the screen.

*CUT TO - LONDON, 1880*

When the light fades away again, we're not in the mineshaft. We're back in London, and at a dinner party. The guests are all lying in various positions at the table, necks bleeding. The camera pans down to one end of the table, to reveal Darla and Drusilla feasting on a particularly plump, well-dressed gentleman, as Angelus looks on, smirking.

ANGELUS: That's enough, ladies, we should get going. The sun is almost up.

Darla pulls away from the man, and goes over to Angelus. Still in game face, she leans up to kiss him - he licks the excess blood of her lips as he kisses her.

DRUSILLA: Ooooohhhhhh......

Angelus breaks off the kiss, his game face on.

ANGELUS: What is it *now*, Dru?
DRUSILLA: The moon..... it worries....
DARLA: Quite.
DRUSILLA: This isn't right....
DARLA: Well, of course not, we've had to waste half the bodies -
ANGELUS: Shh! *to Dru* What's not right, Dru?
DRUSILLA: Our home.... there's someone missing.
ANGELUS: Don't be stupid, nothing's missing.

Angelus walks over to Drusilla, Darla behind him.

ANGELUS: It's always been the three of us. Always will be.

*CUT TO - EXT: HOUSE*

Establishing shot. London, 1880. It's the same scene as in Fool For Love, with Spike coming out of the building and walking off, upset at what Cecily told him. As he goes off down an alleyway, Halfrek comes out of the building. She watches him walk down the alley, then looks around. Drusilla isn't there; neither are Darla or Angelus. A smile creeps over her face, as she walks off towards where William disappeared.

*CUT TO - THE ALLEY*

William is leaning on the wall, tears falling down his face. He's holding his glasses in one hand, and the poems in the other. As he looks down at the poems, he gets angry, and throws them all on the ground. As he continues to cry, he doesn't notice Halfrek coming up and picking up the poems.

HALFREK: "What a wondrous hold she has upon me...."

William looks up.

HALFREK: William....

He wipes the tears from his eyes, and looks at her coldly.

WILLIAM: I've got nothing more to say to you, Cecily.
HALFREK: William, I just wanted to explain....
WILLIAM: Well, you can't. Just leave me be, Cecily...

William grabs the poems from out of her hands, and walks off, back into the main streets. Halfrek follows him.

HALFREK: William, please! Listen to me!
WILLIAM: So you can ruin me once again?
HALFREK: No, so I can explain what happened back there!

William stops, and turns to her.

WILLIAM: How can you possibly explain?
HALFREK: William, there are forces at work here, dark forces, ones that you know nothing about.
WILLIAM: Excuse me?
HALFREK: These forces.... they don't want us together.

Halfrek moves closer to a bemused William.

HALFREK: But I want us. I want you.
WILLIAM: Cecily...
HALFREK: William, what I said back there... I was wrong. I hurt you, and for that I am truly sorry... But, please..

William pulls her closer. They look into each other's eyes as William hesitates.

HALFREK: Sweet William...

Halfrek leans in for the kiss. At first, William seems unresponsive, but after a mere second he reciprocates. The poems once again fall from his hands as he reaches up to rest his hands behind her head.

*CUT TO - TOWN HOUSE*

We pan up to reveal a couple in bed. They're asleep. The camera continues to pan until we see who it is - it's William and Halfrek. She opens her eyes, and smiles. She rolls over, and looks at the sleeping William.

HALFREK: I can't believe this..... I did it.
VOICE: Yes you did.

Halfrek sits up, shocked by the voice coming from the other side of the room. Camera pans round to reveal -

D'HOFFRYN: Good morning, Halfrek.

*FADE TO BLACK*

*FADE IN*

We pick up where the scene left off.

HALFREK: D'Hoffryn... how.... what?
D'HOFFRYN: Is that any way to greet your Master?
HALFREK: You aren't my Master any more. I'm no longer a demon, I destroyed my amulet.
D'HOFFRYN: I did notice.
HALFREK: What are you doing here?

Halfrek gets a worried look on her face. D'Hoffryn motions his head over at William.

D'HOFFRYN: Should he be here?

Halfrek sits, silent.

D'HOFFRYN: Thought not. Now, Halfrek -
HALFREK: Don't call me that. William knows me as Cecily.
D'HOFFRYN: Well, thats all fine and dandy, but it doesn't matter. He can't hear us.
HALFREK: He might wake up.
D'HOFFRYN: Doubtful. I've paused time. It's just you and me. Come, lets take a walk....

*CUT TO - STREET*

Halfrek and D'Hoffryn appear out of nowhere. Halfrek is suddenly dressed in full 1800's outfit. D'Hoffryn starts walking down the street, various citizens standing around, frozen in place.

HALFREK: Shoulda guessed you'd be showing off....
D'HOFFRYN: Halfrek, my dear, you know how much I appreciate you and your work...
HALFREK: But?
D'HOFFRYN: But what are you doing?
HALFREK: Sorry?
D'HOFFRYN: With that whiny gentleman?
HALFREK: *quietly* He's more than that.
D'HOFFRYN: He's.... what did you say? Beneath you. You can do so much better. I hear Lloyd is looking for a partner.... Besides, you know you can't stay with him.
HALFREK: What are you saying?
D'HOFFRYN: I think you know what I mean, Halfrek.

D'Hoffryn stops walking, and leans in to Halfrek.

D'HOFFRYN: Either you return things to how they should be, or I'll do it for you. And believe me, if I have to do it, you won't come out of it all peachy. Or alive, for that matter.

D'Hoffryn turns, and walks off into the distance.

D'HOFFRYN: One day, Halfrek. That's all you've got. Don't let it be said that I'm not fair.

With that, D'Hoffryn fades away, leaving Halfrek standing in the middle of the street. She slowly turns around -

And she's back in the bedroom. Still dressed in her outfit, she looks at William who has woken up.

WILLIAM: Are you going somewhere, Cecily?

Halfrek looks at him, saddened.

HALFREK: No, not yet. But soon.

*CUT TO - XANDER'S APARTMENT, PRESENT DAY*

Anya and Halfrek are sitting on the sofa.

ANYA: D'Hoffryn's gonna find out, you know...
HALFREK: I know.
ANYA: And pretty soon afterwards you're gonna be Justice Demon Broulee.
HALFREK: Not helping, Anyanka...

Just then, there's a knock at the door. Both of them turn to the door, Halfrek looking worried.

HALFREK: D'Hoffryn.
ANYA: Don't be silly, D'Hoffryn wouldn't knock....

Anya gets up and walks over to the door. She opens it. It's Spike.

ANYA: Oh. Spike.
SPIKE: Anya. Is she here?

Anya moves the door half-shut, so that Spike can't see into the apartment.

ANYA: Is who here?
SPIKE: Not really in the mood for games, luv... just tell me. Is she here?
ANYA: I don't know what you're talking about...

Anya goes to close the door, but Spike puts his hand on it, holding it open.

SPIKE: Now now, is that any way to treat a guest?

Anya looks sullen, and turns to look at Halfrek.

HALFREK: Just invite him in, Anyanka. I can deal with him....

Anya turns back to Spike, and opens the door fully.

ANYA: Come in, Spike.

Spike smirks, and saunters into the apartment. He lays eyes on Halfrek.

SPIKE: Care to explain what happened earlier then?

Just then, the bedroom door opens, and Xander walks out.

XANDER: Oh great. I thought I heard you, Spike, but I thought that Anya would have more common sense than to invite a murderer into our home... Guess not.
ANYA: Xander!
XANDER: What? This is *my* home.
ANYA: *Our* home, Xander. We're getting married.
SPIKE: I wouldn't hold your breath on that one....
HALFREK: Yeh.

Spike and Halfrek look at each other. Anya and Xander look at the two demons. They both speak at the same time.

ANYA: Who asked you?!
XANDER: Did I want your opinion?!

Xander looks back at Anya.

XANDER: Just.... do what you want. I'm gonna call Tara, see if she can do that de-invitation spell....

Xander turns back into the bedroom, and shuts the door.

SPIKE: Prick.

*CUT TO - LONDON, 1880. TOWN HOUSE*

Halfrek is walking down a hallway. She looks solemn, pondering her problem with William. As she turns a corner, she bumps into Anyanka.

HALFREK: Oh! Anyanka....
ANYANKA: What the *hell* are you playing at?!
HALFREK: Excuse me?

Anyanka drags her into a room coming off from the corridor.

ANYANKA: William! Here!
HALFREK: What about him?
ANYANKA: He's not meant to be! He's meant to be a vampire by now! What did you do?

Anyanka looks down at Halfrek's chest.

ANYANKA: And where's your pendant?
HALFREK: I smashed it.
ANYANKA: You did *what*?!

Anyanka is raising her voice.

HALFREK: Sssh! William will hear you!
ANYANKA: Oh, blast William! You smashed your pendant!
HALFREK: Yes, we've covered this already, Anyanka...
ANYANKA: Has D'Hoffryn been to see you yet?
HALFREK: Yes. This morning.
ANYANKA: And you're still alive?
HALFREK: He's given me a day to change things to how they should be.
ANYANKA: And are you? Going to change it back?
HALFREK: No.

Anyanka turns away from Halfrek.

ANYANKA: You're going to die. He'll kill you.
HALFREK: Maybe so. *pause* But at least I'll be with William.
ANYANKA: But don't you see?! You won't! D'Hoffryn will kill you, and then William will be made a vampire again! This.... this... stance you're taking is futile!
HALFREK: Stop it...
ANYANKA: Stop what? The truth? It hurts, doesn't it? Well, suck it up, Halfrek. You know what you have to do....
HALFREK: Just stop it, Anyanka!!

Halfrek begins to shed a tear.

HALFREK: I know, Anyanka, really... I know.... but, oh God, I just don't want to....

Anyanka looks at her friend, softening.

ANYANKA: Halfrek, look at me.

Halfrek continues to look down at the floor.

ANYANKA: Look at me!

Halfrek eventually looks up.

ANYANKA: I'm your friend, and as such I won't stand by and let D'Hoffryn ruin you. *pause* But you have to know, if you don't do what he wants.... there's nothing much I can do for you. You'll be on your own.

Anyanka turns to leave.

ANYANKA: You should think about this, Halfrek. It's your only chance to survive.

With that, she teleports out, leaving Halfrek sobbing against the wall.

WILLIAM (OS): Cecily?

Halfrek looks up, to see William standing in the doorway.

WILLIAM: Cecily, are you quite alright?

Halfrek walks towards him and collapses in his arms.

HALFREK: Oh William.... there's something I need to tell you...

The camera pulls out as the sound of the two speaking is drowned out by the song "My Immortal" by Evanescence. We see, in montage form: Halfrek holding William's hand as she talks to him; an increasingly confused look on his face; tears rolling down her cheek as William pulls away from her; William looking disgusted; William walking out of the room as Halfrek openly weeps.

*CUT TO - LATER ON THAT NIGHT*

William is walking hurriedly down a street. It's not deserted or dark, but it isn't a favourable place to be. He keeps looking around him, looking shiftily at his surroundings. Suddenly he stops, confronted by a woman.

DARLA: William?

William looks up.

WILLIAM: I'm sorry, do I know you?
DARLA: Oh, where are my manners, you must forgive me.... I'm Darla.

William looks blank.

WILLIAM: I'm sorry, I don't know anyone by that name. Excuse me, but my mother is expecting me....

He walks past her, not looking back.

DARLA: You don't? Then, do you recognise me now?

William turns around to be confronted by himself.

FIRST!WILLIAM: That's better.
WILLIAM: Wha....?
FIRST!WILLIAM: Come now, William, you must know me by now.
WILLIAM: You're..... me....
FIRST!WILLIAM: Very astute.
WILLIAM: But....how?
FIRST!WILLIAM: Well, you see, its a tricky thing... I'm incorporeal. Do you know what that means? Of course you do. Anyway, I don't have my own form. Well, I do, but not one that can get me through this dimension without being noticed. So... I take the form of others. Problem is, I can only take the form of dead people.
WILLIAM: But... I'm not dead.

First!William frowns.

FIRST!WILLIAM: No, you're not. So I bet you're wondering why I can take your form? Well, its simple really - everything your friend Cecily told you earlier was true. The whole deal. Justice demons, wishes, your other life as a vampire.... everything.

First!William steps towards William.

FIRST!WILLIAM: So, you see.... thats how this -

The First points at itself.

FIRST!WILLIAM: - is possible.

William backs away as The First gets closer to him.

FIRST!WILLIAM: Because your other life - as a vampire - is the one that's meant to happen. The life thats meant to be, not this.... charade. Your vampire self has a future, a destiny. This one... doesn't.

By now, William has backed into the wall, looking scared. First!William laughs.

FIRST!WILLIAM: Oh, don't worry, I can't harm you, I'm incorporeal, remember?

As if to prove his point, First!William waves a hand through William's chest.

FIRST!WILLIAM: Besides, I'm not the one you should be worried about.... Halfrek's - I mean, Cecily's - former boss won't let things lie.

First!William fades into the air, leaving William breathing heavily. He pushes off from the wall, and continues on his way to his mother's. His walking is slightly erratic, the terror still holding him.

*CUT TO - XANDER'S APARTMENT, PRESENT DAY*

Spike, Anya and Halfrek are all sitting around.

SPIKE: I don't remember any of this!

He gets up, and lights up a cigarette.

ANYA: Uh... Xander doesn't like smoking in the apartment...
SPIKE: Harris can go to Hell!
XANDER (OS): I heard that!

Spike continues to smoke, looking agitated, as Halfrek and Anya look at each other. Suddenly, Spike comes over and grabs Halfrek, pulling her up to his eye level.

SPIKE: What did you do to me?!
ANYA: Spike, stop!

Anya gets up, and tries to pull Spike off Halfrek. Spike doesn't let go, but he doesn't have a choice - Halfrek teleports out of his grasp, and over to the other side of the room.

SPIKE: What...?

Spike whips around, and sees Halfrek standing behind him.

HALFREK: You can't hurt me, Spike. I won't let you.
SPIKE: Oh, you won't let me?! Thats rich coming from someone who RUINED MY LIFE!!!

Spike storms over to the window. Halfrek comes up behind him.

HALFREK: Actually, Spike, if you'd listen to me.... I didn't do anything. You did.

Spike slowly turns around.

SPIKE: Excuse me?

*CUT TO - TOWN HOUSE, LONDON 1880*

The house is dark - it's a different house than Halfrek's. We see a figure climbing the stairs - it's William. He reaches a room, and pushes the door open.

Inside, candles are lit. A bucket of water sits by the bed. In the bed, is Annie, William's mother. She turns to see who has come in.

ANNIE: Oh, William... I wondered where you got to...
WILLIAM: I was... with Cecily.

Annie's face lights up.

ANNIE: Really? Oh, William, thats wonderful news.... You've finally found a woman...
WILLIAM: Mother...
ANNIE: Am I not allowed to be happy? *pause* Now you'll have someone once I'm gone...
WILLIAM: Don't talk like that, Mother. You're going to be fine.

They look at each other for a second.

WILLIAM: Mother, uh, I need to be somewhere this evening....
ANNIE: Don't let me keep you, William.
WILLIAM: Its not that, it's, uh.... I don't know what will happen tonight. Well, I have an idea, but I'm not entirely sure... Thing is, I'm probably not going to be the same after tonight.... So I just want you to know...
ANNIE: Yes?
WILLIAM: I love you. And no matter what happens after tonight -

Tears well in William's eyes, his voice gets choked up.

WILLIAM: - I will always love you. Remember that.
ANNIE: William.... you sound upset.... is something the matter?
WILLIAM: No, no... I just... Goodbye mother.

William leaves the room. Annie watches her son leave, a worried smile on her face.

*CUT TO - HALFREK'S TOWN HOUSE*

William comes in the front door. Halfrek is standing there. She goes to hug him - he just stands there.

HALFREK: Oh William!

She pulls off him, as a worried look creeps across her face.

HALFREK: William?
WILLIAM: Cecily.... I need to say something.
HALFREK: Yes?
WILLIAM: What you said earlier.... was it true?

Halfrek looks solemn.

HALFREK: Yes.
WILLIAM: That's all I need to know.

William walks past her, into a lounge-like room. He's confronted by Anyanka and D'Hoffryn.

D'HOFFRYN: William. So nice to see you.

*FADE TO BLACK*

*FADE IN*

Scene picks up where we left off.

WILLIAM: Who...? D'Hoffryn?
D'HOFFRYN: Got it in one.

D'Hoffryn looks past William, to Halfrek, who's just come in.

D'HOFFRYN: I see Halfrek's been opening that mouth of hers...
ANYANKA: D'Hoffryn...

William turns to Halfrek.

WILLIAM: Really? He's your boss?

Halfrek looks down. D'Hoffryn walks over to her, and pulls something out of his pocket.

D'HOFFRYN: I have something for you, Halfrek.

He puts it in her hands. She opens her hand - its her pendant.

HALFREK: I don't want this.
D'HOFFRYN: Come now, Halfrek... you know you want it.
ANYANKA: D'Hoffryn, stop pressurising her...
D'HOFFRYN: Anyanka, I let you come as a courtesy. Open that mouth of yours again and I'll be forced to remove it.

Silence descends on the room.

D'HOFFRYN: Now, to business. Halfrek?

Halfrek looks over at William.

D'HOFFRYN: Halfrek?
ANYANKA: Hallie, you don't have to do this... just remember what could happen...

Without taking his eyes of Halfrek, William talks to D'Hoffryn.

WILLIAM: What's going to happen?
D'HOFFRYN: Oh, nothing much... Time will just be restored along its natural course. You'll be a vampire, Halfrek will be back in the fold - unless, that is, she forces my hand - and you'll have no memory of this false reality.

Halfrek whips her head round at D'Hoffryn.

HALFREK: What?
D'HOFFRYN: You heard me. No memory. This wasn't meant to happen in the first place, to have it remembered would be to spit in the face of Nature. Which, I've been told, is never wise...
HALFREK: William....

But William isn't looking at her. He's looking over to the far side of the room - where First!William stands, looking on.

WILLIAM: Me again...
D'HOFFRYN: Excuse me? Halfrek, I do believe you've driven this boy mad...
WILLIAM: No, not me, me...

First!William simply smirks.

FIRST!WILLIAM: You know what you have to do...

First!William fades away. William turns back to Halfrek.

HALFREK: William, what is.... oh, no....
WILLIAM: Cecily, its the way it's meant to be...
D'HOFFRYN: I do believe the boy has come around! Anyanka, are you hearing this?
ANYANKA: Oh, shut your hole...
D'HOFFRYN: Thin ice, Anyanka, thin ice.

William walks up to Halfrek and takes her hands in his.

WILLIAM: You know it, Cecily... It has to be this way.

A tear rolls down Halfrek's cheek.

HALFREK: William, no....
WILLIAM: Cecily.... I love you. I have always loved you, and I will always love you.
HALFREK: Oh god....

William and Halfrek kiss. After a few moments, D'Hoffryn coughs.

D'HOFFRYN: Sorry, but I do have a tight schedule...

William and Halfrek pull apart. He smiles at her, and wipes away the tear from her eye, then kisses her on her forehead.

As Anyanka comes over to comfort Halfrek, William turns to D'Hoffryn.

WILLIAM: Do it.
D'HOFFRYN: You're the boss.

A bright white light begins to fill the room. William turns to look at Halfrek one last time, before the light becomes so intense its blinding.

When it clear, William is gone. Halfrek collapses into Anyanka's arms. D'Hoffryn turns to them.

D'HOFFRYN: Your boy has balls, Halfrek.

Halfrek moves her head to look at him.

HALFREK: Just do it already. Kill me, tear me apart, burn me alive, whatever... just do it.
D'HOFFRYN: Oh, nonsense dear child. You're too good a demon to waste on death. No, I'll leave your fate in your own hands.

D'Hoffryn teleports out. Halfrek stands up straight, and looks at Anyanka.

HALFREK: What do I do now?
ANYANKA: I think you know what....

Halfrek looks at the pendant in her hands.

ANYANKA: This is the life you were meant for. You know that.

Anyanka takes the pendant, and moves around Halfrek. She places the pendant around Halfrek's neck, but pauses before fixing the clasp.

HALFREK: Do it. Now.

Anyanka presses the clasp together. The pendant glows brightly for a second, before returning to normal.

ANYANKA: Come on. Lets get out of here.

The two demons teleport out, leaving the empty room. The camera slowly moves upward to take in the whole room, as we fade to black.

*CUT TO - XANDER'S APARTMENT, PRESENT DAY*

Spike is still at the window. Halfrek and Anya are sitting on the couch.

SPIKE: You mean...?
HALFREK: Yeah.

They fall silent.

HALFREK: Spike, I never meant for you to find out... You weren't ever supposed to...
SPIKE: Yeh, well, thanks for making my mind up for me. What makes you think I wouldn't want to know? And what gives you, or that ponce D'Hoffryn, the right to make that decision for me?
HALFREK: It wasn't like that....

Silence once again falls.

HALFREK: I should... go...

Halfrek stands, and turns to Anya.

HALFREK: Thanks.
ANYA: No problem.

Halfrek teleports out, leaving Spike and Anya. After a few moments of silence, Spike kicks the wall, leaving a boot-shaped crack.

ANYA: Xander's not going to be happy.
SPIKE: Screw Xander. *I'm* not happy.
ANYA: It could be worse...
SPIKE: How? How could it possibly be any - wait a minute. You knew!
ANYA: Sorry?
SPIKE: You knew me!
ANYA: Gimme, uh, a time frame, place of reference...
SPIKE: When we first met! Or, rather, met again. A couple of years ago...
ANYA: Oh.

Anya looks down at the floor.

SPIKE: You knew who I was!
ANYA: Well, kinda...
SPIKE: Then why didn't you say something?

Anya looks up at Spike.

ANYA: I....I....
SPIKE: Well?

Anya hesitates.

ANYA: I did say something, actually. To Giles. I told him that I met you when you were William.
SPIKE: *Giles* knew?!
ANYA: Not... completely. He knew enough to understand my predicament.
SPIKE: Bloody Watcher...
ANYA: He told me not to say anything. To do so would... you know.
SPIKE: No, I don't.
ANYA: For Christ's sake, Spike, so I didn't tell you that we met in an alternate reality. Big friggin deal!! You didn't remember, there wouldn't have been much point in me bringing it up! Besides... I didn't really recognise you to start with. You were so... different to the William I met. The hair alone... but everything else. Clothes, voice, you had a chip in your head...

Anya falls silent, as Spike looks out the window again.

SPIKE: Whatever...

Spike walks over to the door, and opens it. Just as he is about to walk out, he turns back to Anya.

SPIKE: You know, seeing Cecily... Halfrek tonight gave me the biggest shock of my undead life. And hearing all of that....

Spike looks as if he's about to say something, but doesn't. Instead, he just leaves. The door closes behind him.

Anya stands up, and looks around the lounge. She sighs, and then walks off towards the bedroom.

*CUT TO - AN APARTMENT*

The apartment is dark. Suddenly, a wisp of smoke appears in the middle of the lounge, and Halfrek appears. She walks off somewhere. When she switches on the lights, we see that we're in a bedroom.

She walks over to the bed, and sits down. After a few moments, she reaches over and pulls open a drawer in a bedside cabinet. She pulls out something, and lays it down on the bed next to her.

The camera pans to reveal what the thing is - it's pieces of paper. With words on them. The paper is stained yellow, and looks old. Halfrek begins to read from one, as a tear rolls down her cheek.

HALFREK: My heart expands.... 'Tis grown a bulge in't....

As we fade out of the apartment, and onto a street, Halfrek's voice is replaced by that of William. We hear William voice-over the rest of the poem as we see Spike walking down a street, cigarette in hand.

WILLIAM: Inspired by.... your beauty. Effulgent.

*FADE TO BLACK*

grrrrr arrrrgh

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