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Date Posted: 15:24:23 08/15/02 Thu
Author: Jacqui/AN
Subject: Act 4
In reply to: Jacqui/AN 's message, "Act 3" on 15:22:43 08/15/02 Thu

ACT FOUR


Scene: Training Room [Int.], Night

AMY paces back and forth across the room, before dropping to her knees, grabbing for the remenants of the stone, gathering it into a pile.

AMY
Ummm.
(stuggling in Latin)
Passage to the ether, lit by way of
stone... reveal.

She looks up, Luke Perry sized worry lines spreading across her forehead as the rift remains closed.

Scene: Mansion [Int.], Night

Moments from sinking her teeth into DAWN, she is thrown aside as SPIKE tackles her to the ground. BUFFY rushes to DAWN's side.

BUFFY
God, Dawny are you alright?

DAWN
(re: Spike)
Buffy...

BUFFY looks over to SPIKE, who is being slammed repeatedly over the head with a wooden plank. Between beatings, DRUSILLA speaks her mind.

DRUSILLA
Does it hurt?
(whack)
Little Spikey.
(whack)
You've been sleeping with the
slayer and now you're all dirty.
(whack)
You're all full and glowing and you
can't stop.
(whack)
She covered you, took you down to
her level. You always were lower
than me Spike. But...
(whack)
I can take the pain away.

BUFFY starts to move to his side.

DAWN
Buffy, no.
(beat)
Spike needs this.

DRUSILLA sees this little interaction. She pulls SPIKE to his feet, whispering in his ear.

DRUSILLA
(whispering)
You're turning into the Angelbeast.

She slams him back onto the ground.

Scene: Ether [Int.], Night

WILLOW and XANDER wade through the rows of moving bodies, looking around, doe-eyed.

WILLOW
(grabbing him)
Xander, concentrate. Think about
Anya. Close your eyes.

He does. We move toward him as his face grows hard. His eyes flash open. Turning, he heads away quickly. WILLOW follows, a step behind as XANDER breaks into a run. As quickly as he sped up, he begins to slow. He comes to a stop, WILLOW stepping up beside him. In front of them, stands ANYA -- expressionless and faded. A moving corpse.

ANYA
(weak)
... Xander...

XANDER grabs her. Wraps his arms around, pressing tight, holding on.

WILLOW
(urgent)
Come on.

XANDER gathers ANYA in his arms, carrying her toward a rapidly exiting WILLOW. They continue through the dark air, back to approximately where they entered.

XANDER
Will, how do we get out?

WILLOW
I think...

She reaches out, feeling the air.

WILLOW
(re: air)
Here. It's a weak point... I think.
Stand back.

XANDER does, everything slowing to a crawl as WILLOW begins to chant.

WILLOW
(in Latin)
Spirits of the ethereal world, I
summon thee. Those who are lost,
found. Those gone, recieved. Guide
us. Show us the way.

XANDER watches on, notably anxious at WILLOW's magic. His face lights up as the weak-spot flashes, reforming into a mirror of thick air. WILLOW walks through. XANDER kisses ANYA's cheek, looks around the ether -- at the sea of expiring bodies -- before continuing through, into...

Scene: Training Room [Int.], Night

As XANDER and ANYA appear, we return to normal speed. The rift closes behind them. AMY hugs WILLOW, as XANDER places ANYA on the ground. She is lifeless, unmoving as XANDER wraps her in his arms.

XANDER
Ahn, honey... Wake up. Ahn? Ahn...
(softly)
Anya?

Scene: Mansion [Int.], Night

DRUSILLA, still over SPIKE, delivers a boot to his face.

DRUSILLA
You can be strong again. I'll show
you.
(kicking him)
Get up.

He does. And vamps out.

DRUSILLA
(brightly)
There you are.

SPIKE takes a look at her. There's no love left there. He runs at her. They tumble through the glass out into...

Scene: Mansion - Garden [Ext.], Continuous

Rolling across the ground, SPIKE lands on top. DRUSILLA begins laughing maniacally as SPIKE pulls out a stake.

SPIKE
I'm not lower than you at all.

He brings his arm down, DRUSILLA's cackling continuing as the stake descends toward her. SPIKE stops within an inch of her chest, before pressing the stake gently against DRUSILLA's flesh -- enough to draw blood -- but nothing more.

SPIKE
Never come back here Drusilla. What
we had is over.
(re: stake)
Next time, I won't hesitate.

A look of sudden realization crosses DRUSILLA's face.

DRUSILLA
(hurt)
This is all daddies fault. He's all
glimmering, just like you.
(whispering)
I'm gonna make him pay.

SPIKE gets up, walking away from DRUSILLA, closing the glassless door behind him. DRUSILLA laughs, before heading up the stairs, her voice fading as SPIKE looks to a thankful DAWN. Then to BUFFY, who doesn't return his gaze.

Dejected, SPIKE heads for the door.

Scene: Training Room [Int.], Night

The gang surround ANYA as XANDER continues to pleads to her.

XANDER
Ahn, honey. Anya... come on baby.
Wake up.

She begins to move, slowly looking around the room. She slides away from Xander, back against the wall. Stunned silent, she is completely taken back at the sight of the gang.

WILLOW and XANDER step forward, apprehensive at first, their sense of duty taking over as they throw their arms around her, holding her tight.

XANDER
Ahn. God...

WILLOW
Are you alright? You're alright,
right?

ANYA pulls away, looking around, again taking in the room. She spots HALFREK, standing back, smiling pretentiously.

HALFREK
Hey there lady.
(beat)
Missed you.

ANYA looks back at XANDER.

ANYA
(weak)
Xander?

XANDER
...Anya.

ANYA's shock lessons, as if his voice is the first thing she's actually registered. The moment is interrupted by HALFREK, who chimes in with:

HALFREK
I guess my work here is done.

XANDER
Get out.

HALFREK
Come now Xander, she wouldn't be
here it it weren't for me. You
might wanna rethink the gratitude
speech.

She pats him on the nose.

XANDER
You disgust me.

HALFREK
Yeah, well... I'm just here for the
show.

As they continue to argue, they fail to notice ANYA moving into the main part of the shop.

XANDER
Show's over. Get out.

HALFREK
Oh, if you don't mind, I think I'll
stick around for the sequel.

WILLOW
Xander...

WILLOW points towards where ANYA headed. XANDER follows, moving through the door. HALFREK looks around the room, seeing WILLOW helping a stunned AMY walk away. Both glare back -- at HALFREK -- who is busy projecting "who me?" face.

HALFREK
I think things went swimmingly.

She smiles, waving her arms in a triumphant circle, disappearing.

Scene: "The Shop" [Int.], Night

ANYA walks through the shop, taking in her surroundings. She stops, moving her hand across the newly built counter. XANDER steps up beside her.

ANYA
(weakly)
It's different. All of this.

XANDER
I know. We did it after you... but
we can fix it, change it back.
Whatever you want. It's up to you.

ANYA looks up at him.

ANYA
No, not just this... everything's
changed.

She turns, quickly heading for the door, leaving XANDER alone. He stands, contemplating the meaning behind her words.

Scene: Buffy's House - Dawn's Room [Int.], Night

DAWN lies in bed, fighting off impending sleep. Beside her sits BUFFY. Both are lit only by the hall light which creeps through the slightly ajar door.

DAWN
Long day.

BUFFY
You could say that.

DAWN
(hinting at something)
Kinda makes you think about...
stuff...
(hopeful)
Right?

BUFFY gets it.

BUFFY
Yeah.
(then)
You're never coming on patrol
again, you know that right?

DAWN
That's ok.
(beat)
I'll just stay here -- alone --
waiting for someone to come home
and protect me from stray bad
guys... seriously, don't worry
about me. I'll be fine.

They sit, smiling at each other.

DAWN
You think Spike'll stick around? I
mean, last time things got this
bad, he kinda... well, you know.

BUFFY
Tail between his legs?

DAWN
Well, yeah. You think he's gonna
stay?

BUFFY
I think so.

She doesn't sell the line. Regardless, DAWN sees the attempt.

DAWN
Night Buffy.

BUFFY smoothes out the sheets, then gets up to leave.

DAWN
Wait. Buffy, I... ummm, I meant to
tell you before.
(beat)
When I was at school, something
happened.
(off Buffy's motherly concern)
No, nothing involving actual school.
It's just, I was in class, and then
I... it was like I'd...
(beat)
Look, forget it. It doesn't matter.
Today kinda burned me out, I wanna
get some sleep.

BUFFY
You sure?

DAWN
It's nothing. What with raving mad
vampires on the loose, my news is
certainly nothing special.

BUFFY
I wouldn't worry about Drusilla.
She's had her fun.
(beat)
I'm just glad we found you in time.

DAWN smiles, then wonders-

DAWN
How did you? Find me?

BUFFY
Oh, that. Nothing. I mean, that's
where Spike and Dru used to hang
out... figures that she'd take you
there.

BUFFY heads toward the door.

DAWN
Night Buffy.

BUFFY
Night.

BUFFY closes the door behind her, shutting out the hall light. As this door closes --

Scene: Spike's Crypt [Int.], Early Morning

-- Another opens. BUFFY enters. Looking around the crypt, she sees SPIKE move towards her from a shadowed corner.

SPIKE
Well, well, well. Professor Summers
come to lecture me again?

BUFFY
Shut up Spike.

SPIKE
Right... And, no.
(beat)
Where's Boy Wonder? Alfred let him
out for the day?

BUFFY
Forget Xander.

SPIKE
Easy for you to say.

BUFFY
Sure, cause my life's easy. Everyone
who isn't Spike, really has it
made, don't they?

SPIKE
Bit of advice - I wouldn't be
letting the boy fly solo, whole
number of things he could screw up
while you're away.
(beat)
Your choice.

SPIKE selfishly takes in her irritation. She stops him with:

BUFFY
I came to say sorry.

He looks up, unable to speak -- unsure what to say even if he could.

BUFFY
I'm sorry. For pretty much
everything. I've treated you bad --
worse than bad, really -- and you
deserve better. You saved Dawn.
You've always saved Dawn. And
always without question, always
without motive.
(beat)
You deserve better than what I give
you... and I thought you should know.

SPIKE
Buffy, you don't need to say that --

BUFFY
I do. Of all the times you've
helped us out, of all the times
you've tried... I've not once told
you how much we appreciate it. And
we do, more than you want, more
than you'll ever believe. So, I
know it's way too late and it
probably doesn't help, but...
(beat)
Thankyou.

BUFFY looks down at the floor, avoiding eye contact as she places a hand on his shoulder, a hint of admiration lingering just below her stoic facade. Somewhere, under it all, a weight is lifted. And SPIKE senses this.

SPIKE
(gentle)
Smile and go, right Buffy?

She gets up, starts walking...

BUFFY
(softly)
That's the plan.

And as she reaches the outside, she stops, speaking over her shoulder.

BUFFY
You still love me, don't you?
(beat)
I just hope that isn't the only
reason you help us.

She walks out, SPIKE silently regarding her with curious and relieved certainty.

Scene: Cemetery [Ext.], Day

Alone, awash in morning light, ANYA stands in front of her memorial tree. Her face fills with a painful smile. XANDER steps up behind her.

XANDER
(softly)
It's still yours you know... the
shop.
(a pathetic beat, before)
I've been looking for you.

She turns, shaking her head in disbelief.

ANYA
Don't.

XANDER
Anya, I feel --

ANYA
Bad. Right? You feel bad.
(beat)
I'm not doing that, I'm not gonna
stand here and share my feelings.
I'm not gonna tell you about all
the things you mean to me, because...
you already know.

XANDER
Anya --

ANYA
Listen to me. Would you just --

XANDER
Ahn --

ANYA
STOP IT.
(then, weakly)
Just stop it. I don't know what you
feel. How could I? For all I know,
I'm just...
(fumbling for a word)
a nuisance.

She forces a smile, trying to explain things.

ANYA
And I don't want that, I don't
wanna be the hand holding you down.
(suddenly composed)
You show zero emotion Xander, and I
just want you to tell me...
anything, tell me anything.
(beat)
If it's not there, I want to know.

XANDER
Anya... try to understand --

ANYA
Understand what? I can't stop these
feelings. I can't just forget what
we had... even if you can.

XANDER's eyes search desperately for a solution which isn't coming. After an uncomfortable silence, he finally speaks.

XANDER
I don't know what to say.

ANYA
(resolutely)
What I do know, is that you're
gonna say you're sorry, and that
you care about me and you're glad
that I'm --

The tears begin as she slowly backs away from XANDER.

XANDER
Anya, I want to fix this, I do,
but...

ANYA
Just...

XANDER's eyes linger on ANYA, taking in the hurt. She looks up, her emotions indefinite, but in check. Gathering everything she has left inside into fragile determination, she manages to finish --

ANYA
(softly)
Let me down gently.

They stare for a moment, some deep down fabric of strength kicking in as ANYA turns and walks away.

BLACK OUT.


END OF SHOW

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