The Chosen :: A Buffy virtual series continuation




Given everything, I think that "Second Chances" is probably my personal favourite episode. Which is funny, because when I look back at the script, I can't really remember writing it at all. I was in a hurry, I remember that. My best friend was coming to visit me for my birthday, and I was under a serious time crunch to get the episode done in time. I think this one holds the record for as the fastest written – I believe I did it all in about three or four days. Given that, it's a miracle that it worked at all. But then, maybe just sitting down, going to a place and doing it is why it did. Who can say? It's my mind, but I just live here.

The script is, for the most part, true to the final version, although a reoccurring theme with this one clearly was "Jet Wolf doesn't know clothes."

Episode 15: "Second Chances"

Teaser

Giles' office. As is becoming the norm, books are everywhere. Giles sits on his regular side of the desk and has obviously been there for some time; his tie is loosened and his shirt collars are unbuttoned and rolled up. His forehead is resting on his hand as he reads, and his hair is mussed, like that hand has run through his hair several times that evening. Across from him, with her feet propped up in the chair next to her, is Buffy. She, too, looks utterly weary, though she's pouring over the book in her lap with grim determination. There are three mugs on the desk – one is Buffy's, partly drained. Another looks like it contained tea and is also drained, as well as pushed to the side. The third contains coffee, black. Giles lifts this one to his lips and drinks, grimacing immediately.

GILES
Good lord that's foul.

BUFFY
(Not looking up) I told you to sweeten it first.

GILES
No no, can't have that. It's only the dreadful bitterness that keeps me going.

BUFFY
Wuss. (She drains the rest of her cup)

Glancing at Buffy, seeing how tired she is. He returns to his own book for a moment, but then looks up again. He opens his mouth.

BUFFY
Don't say it.

GILES
I know you don't want to hear this ...

BUFFY
Then don't say it.

GILES
...but I don't think we're going to find the answer tonight.

BUFFY
You said it. I told you not to and you said it anyway. Why do you never listen to me?

GILES
Buffy ...

Buffy snaps her book shut and looks at him angrily.

BUFFY
Answers, Giles. You promised me we'd find them.

GILES
And we will, but these things take time to ...

BUFFY
Time? How much time? Time enough for my little sister to worship the ground she walks on? Time for Willow to start falling in love all over again? Oh, hey, look at that – already happening! Time's out of stock and on backorder, Giles! We need this taken care of NOW. Not in a few days, not next week – NOW.

Giles studies Buffy for a moment, considering arguing, but he sighs instead and relents.

GILES
All right. Let's go over the possibilities.

BUFFY
(Grabbing up her legal pad) Shape shifter.

GILES
Unlikely. Shape shifters can only maintain their borrowed identity for relatively short periods of time. Between Willow, Dawn and yourself, that time period has been far exceeded without the creature reverting to its true form.

Buffy draws through "Shape Shifter" with her pen and goes to the next line.

BUFFY
Glamour.

GILES
I considered this for a time; a glamour or- or a more potent disguise spell. However the more I think on it, the less I believe this to be the case.

BUFFY
I'm about to ask why. Please note that I'm operating on about five functioning brain cells, and that was the count before I drank my weight in coffee. I'd appreciate an explanation that's largely monosyllabic.

GILES
Simply put, a glamour is a physical change only. Making a table lamp look like a- a jet engine, or a head of lettuce. There's no way to account for how convincing the charade has been, not only in appearance, but mannerisms and details. She's demonstrated far too intimate a knowledge of past situations and events to be someone wearing a glamour. Besides anything else, Willow would know almost instantly, and I find it difficult to believe she would react as she has towards an imposter.

Buffy doesn't look happy about it, but she scratches through "Glamour" as well. Next on the list:

BUFFY
Alternate reality.

GILES
Strange though it sounds, this is actually the best possibility we have thus far. Save for the fact that this Tara appears to have died as well. I think I'd rather try to deal with just a resurrection rather than a resurrection AND a cross-dimensional situation. It seems to unnecessarily complicate an already extremely complex scenario.

BUFFY
Well that's all we've got. (She throws the pad and paper down angrily) Almost ten hours we've been at this, and we've only got three options and you just ripped through all of them.

GILES
Well there is one other ... (Buffy glances at him) This really is Tara.

BUFFY
(Firmly, rejecting it utterly) No.

GILES
It IS possible.

BUFFY
It's not her.

GILES
(Bewildered) I don't understand your stubborn, almost belligerent insistence against this option.

BUFFY
It's just not, okay?

GILES
But Buffy, if we eliminate the impossible—

BUFFY
It can't be her! (Giles falls silent, taken aback by the outburst. Buffy doesn't say anything for a long moment.) It's my fault. All of it. I should've stopped Warren long before it got to that point. When he stole that diamond. When he killed his girlfriend. But I didn't. I just couldn't get my act together. And because of it ... Warren killed Tara. More than that, he killed Tara while TRYING to kill ME. Makes it my fault, pretty much every way you look at it, huh? (Beat) Tara died because of me, Giles. Because of ME. There aren't any 'do-over's for that. And that's how I know it's not her. Because for a mistake that big, I don't get second chances.

Giles takes all this in, staring at Buffy, but eventually he glances away, uncertain of what to say.

BUFFY
So what else you got?

GILES
Uhm ... (He sorts through his book, but comes up short) I'm about out of drastic alternatives. I believe our next course of action is going to be to explore the possibilities of necromancy in some form.

BUFFY
(Frowning) I thought we pretty much eliminated that? You told me Willow said she tried that right after but got the big 'no way'?

GILES
True, Osiris prevented her from performing a resurrection in his name. However he is but one god in a multiverse practically overflowing with them. Although I'm thinking more along the lines of a- a shade of some sort – a shadow of our Tara, if you will. A creature moulded from the residual memories and- and impressions of a once living individual.

BUFFY
Sounds nasty.

GILES
Yes, well, they're rarely conjured for altruistic reasons. But it's only one possibility. The necromantic arts are- are forbidden by all but the most ... unscrupulous of spellcasters, and the information is notoriously difficult to acquire.

BUFFY
And yet I find myself particularly motivated. Though I'm guessing it's gonna take more than logging onto 'evil-r-us.com' and browsing their extensive online library?

GILES
Considerably. I'll place a phone call to the Covens. They themselves don't practice, but have an impressive store of all branches of magicks. At the very least, they can perhaps point us in the right direction.

BUFFY
Sounds good. (Beat) I wanna to know fast what this thing is, Giles. For all of our sakes.

GILES
Of course. (He glances at the clock. It reads a little past 5am.) Oh. (He turns to Buffy, smiling.) Happy birthday, Buffy.

Darkness. Complete and absolute. We hear voices. They're easily understood, but echo-y and it's difficult to ascertain details about them.

VOICE #1
She'll kill me. If I do this, Buffy will kill me.

VOICE #2
If you do this, will you care?

Gasping, Tara sits bolt upright in bed. She's sweating, obviously recovering from a very unpleasant dream. She looks around for a moment, disoriented, but slowly seems to recover her wits. She clenches her eyes tightly shut for a moment then opens them again. She looks stressed and a little physically ill.

TARA
(To herself) This can't go on.

Act One

WILLOW
Oo! Over here!

We're in a mall. Decent-sized, not "Mall of America"-huge but a multi-level structure with shops o' plenty. Willow and Tara are walking in the mall, and Willow tugs Tara's arm toward a clothing store – nothing overtly trendy, but one that has some interestingly different kinds of clothes styles.

TARA
It's just a party, Will. I'm okay with just a pair of jeans and a top. We don't have to go looking everywhere.

WILLOW
(Heading for a rack and looking through the clothes) It's not JUST a party. It's your first party since you've been back. And- And everyone will be together in a merry, celebratory manner. And while I admit that my feelings toward Buffy haven't been particularly festive as of late, it IS her birthday, gosh darnit, and we're gonna party like it's ... 1999. Or some other similar yet more modern colloquialism.

She looks up at Tara with a huge grin, expecting some amusement at her Willowness, but Tara is thoughtful and withdrawn. Willow looks at her worriedly.

WILLOW
O-Or if your heart's just totally set, jeans are keen. Bordering on nifty, even. 3.5 billion Levi's can't be wrong.

TARA
(Refocusing) Sorry, I was ... This is fine.

WILLOW
You sure you're okay? You've been sort of ... I dunno, spacey?

TARA
Just tired. I didn't sleep too well.

WILLOW
Nightmares? (Tara sort of shrugs noncommittally) Is it because ... Because of ... (She shifts uncomfortably) You know, how you were ... and ... and now you're not ...

TARA
Because I was dead?

Willow winces at the use of the "d" word, but she nods.

TARA
Sort of. But it's okay. I'm kinda used to them.

WILLOW
(Moving to another rack, though she's obviously not looking quite as intently as she was at first.) So you were back for a while then? Before this week, I mean.

Tara looks like she doesn't really want to go anywhere near where this conversation is heading, but can't gracefully back out of it

TARA
Yeah. I, uhm ... I had a lot to ... you know, sort of learn.

WILLOW
About this evil thing?

TARA
....yeah.

Willow looks up then, right at Tara.

WILLOW
You know you can tell me, right? Anything. It doesn't matter what. Nothing changes. I still lo—

TARA
I know.

WILLOW
Well okay then. And don't you forget it, missy.

Tara smiles, but it's a token gesture, her heart's not really in it. Willow returns to the racks, looking through with renewed vigor.

WILLOW
So I was thinking, tomorrow's Saturday, we can maybe catch a movie or something? Or rent a DVD? Not that you really missed much while you were gone, but hey, can't hurt to play catch-up. I have my training with Giles at 10:30, but we can get together after, say noonish?

TARA
(Frowning) Training? What kind of training?

WILLOW
Magick training. You know, get the ol' magick muscles in shape. Heh, got a liiiiittle too much voom in me sometimes. Word of advice? If someone comes up to you and asks you to just punch a hole in, like, one of the world's oldest, most potent and complex spells? Consider sayin' 'no'. And not just because'a the guaranteed headache.

TARA
You're pretty powerful now, huh? I-I mean, you were powerful BEFORE, but now, it's ... (She narrows her eyes, staring hard at Willow) Wow, it's just ... it's everywhere.

WILLOW
Hence the training. OH! You haven't seen my sanctum! Oh, you'd love it, it's all ... earthy and magicky and ... It reminds me a lot of you. I sort of created it how I think you would've ... (Abrupt change) But now you're here! So you can give me the thumbs up, or go all 'Trading Spaces'.

TARA
Where you do all your magick and stuff, huh? (Willow nods, smiling.) I'd love to see it.

Willow grins, then spots an outfit on the rack and her eyes light up. She pulls it off the rack and holds it up. I suck at clothes so I can't really describe it, but it's sort of low-cut (though not trashy) and has thin straps. It would show off an awful lot of shoulder and upper chest.

WILLOW
How 'bout this? (She holds it up in front of Tara, eyeing it critically) Mm. Nice.

Tara surveys it but doesn't seem anywhere near as enthused. She subconsciously rubs at the spot on her chest where the Circle's mark lies.

TARA
Not really my style.

Dawn's high school. She's walking through the halls, her books in her hands, when she spies Grip leaning against a row of lockers, talking and laughing with some of his friends. Her eyes widen in fear and she immediately turns to walk the other way, but she only gets a pace or two before she stop and starts talking to herself.

DAWN
This is so stupid. Why can't I just ask him? I had a really nice time and he said he had a really nice time so why can't we both just have another really nice time? Why is this so scary? (Beat) Oh, yeah, because every other time I've liked a guy, I've either nearly been turned into a vampire or run over by a train. Good reasons.

She takes another step forward but then stops again.

DAWN
No, wait. BAD reasons. Logical, true, but BAD. Neither of those are gonna happen this time. I've seen Grip in sunlight and he didn't dust, and I made him take his jacket off at the 14th hole and I felt the same ... So this is clearly very different.

Deep breath.

DAWN
Okay, what would Buffy do? (She ponders this) Buffy would probably obsess over him until they slept together, then when he's evil, she'd kill him.

Beat.

DAWN
Okay, what would XANDER do? (She ponders this) Propose, break his heart and leave him at the altar, but still want to date.

Beat.

DAWN
Okay, what would WILLOW do? (She ponders this. Then groans.) I SO need new role models. (Deep, steeling breath) Okay, I can do this. Just turn around and—

GRIP
Dawn, hey.

Dawn squeaks and jumps in the air, spinning around to see Grip standing right behind her.

DAWN
(Way too jittery) Hey!

GRIP
Haven't seen you around lately. I thought maybe at first you were avoiding me, but then I remembered my totally awesome performance against the windmill obstacle and decided that there was absolutely no way you could resist.

Dawn laughs. It's a little too nervous-sounding, but Grip doesn't seem to mind.

DAWN
No, not avoiding! Well, actually, yes, avoiding, but for bad reasons. Uh, I mean, I've been wanting to—

Suddenly the bell rings for the next class and Dawn jumps again. The halls begin to empty as kids start rushing into classrooms. Dawn looks at Grip with a little bit of panic, like he's about to leave, but he shows no sign of moving, although he catches on to what she must be thinking.

GRIP
Take your time. I got Stevenson for Physics – believe me, I'm in NO rush to initiate that pain.

Dawn grins again, and relaxes a little.

DAWN
I've been wondering, if you're not busy, if you'd maybe want to ... to do something. Tonight. (Almost as an afterthought, she adds:) With me.

GRIP
Hmm, I dunno. Spend time with a beautiful girl (Dawn blushes fiercely at this) or eat popcorn while my Mom catches up on her weekly soaps. Tough choice, but I gotta go with the less emasculating option. (He smiles.) You wanna catch a movie or something?

DAWN
Actually, tonight's my sister's birthday. I was wondering if you maybe wanted to come with me to her party, at the Vortex? (Beat) God, that must sound so totally lame.

GRIP
Actually I was just thinking it'd be an awesome chance to meet them on neutral turf. I'm really not at my most charming under duress.

DAWN
Yeah?

GRIP
Yeah.

DAWN
Smiling hugely) This'll be so cool! There'll be balloons and streams and presents ... Not that you have to get her a present or anything!

GRIP
Aw, but I had this bag of Reece's picked out all special and everything.

He grins at her, and she grins back, very pleased.

GRIP
So what time should I come pick you up?

DAWN
Seven should be good. Buffy'll have already left by then – she's such a child when it comes to presents – and you avoid any pre-party unpleasantness.

GRIP
Seven it is then.

With that, he smiles and heads in the opposite direction, presumably toward his class. Dawn watches him go, and when he's out of sight, she hops in the air excitedly.

DAWN
YES! And two seconds to the buzzer, Summers makes a daring play and—

She looks up to see a teacher standing in the doorway of a nearby classroom, leveling a very disapproving teacher-glare.

DAWN
....I'll just be going to class now.

She rushes off.

An open-air café. Xander is working there, carving some designs into a wooden railing that lines the outside of the café. We can see that a large section is already complete, though all is currently unvarnished and un-lacquered. He's working steadily and happily, a man in his element, and whistles as he works (excuse the terrible Snow White imagery). The odd person walks by the street, and most at least turn their head to admire his work. One person in particular takes note – Serafina. (See other file for description.) She's walking along but then stops and watches for a moment. Xander doesn't seem to notice.

SERAFINA
So, can I buy you?

Xander jumps, unaware that he had an audience.

XANDER
Huh? What?

SERAFINA
(Like it's a normal question) Can I buy you?

XANDER
Buy me? Are you window-shopping? Is this something kinky?

SERAFINA
(Laughs) No, nothing kinky.

XANDER
Cuz if it is, I might possibly pay YOU.

SERAFINA
(Grins) You're funny.

XANDER
Well my sense of humor's not really for sale, but you're welcome to rent it.

SERAFINA
(Gesturing to the railing) I was talking about your woodwork.

XANDER
I should point out that I'm resisting at least fifteen comments that would be inappropriate, considering I don't even know your name.

SERAFINA
(Smiles) Serafina.

XANDER
Xander. (Beat) They still feel inappropriate, so moving on.

SERAFINA
(Tracing the carving) This is really beautiful. I'm impressed.

XANDER
Thanks. I'd say that it's some transcendental manifestation of my artistic soul, but in reality? I think it's just me channelin' my desire to destroy stuff.

SERAFINA
Destroy stuff?

XANDER
Yup. Chunks of wood flyin' everywhere, sawdust spraying in the air. Don't let those Home Depot ads fool you – it's not home improvement, it's a Bolshevik revolution. With doweling. (She's giving him a very odd look.) Don't worry, I hear they're revoking my license to speak any day now.

SERAFINA
Bolshevik revolution?

XANDER
Well it was that or 'French'. And I don't care how many heads went rollin', anything prefaced by the word 'French' immediately sounds wimpy. Plus, 'Bolshevik' is just a fun word.

SERAFINA
Almost as much fun as 'obfuscate', which sort of sums up this conversation right about now.

She smiles though, indicating she's actually enjoying herself.

XANDER
Right, so, back to the purchasing of me?

SERAFINA
Do you take requests?

XANDER
I take many things, requests being just one of them.

SERAFINA
My father's birthday's coming up next month and I've been looking for just the right gift. I think you might be able to help me out. It's gotta be something really special.

XANDER
Just your luck, I happen to be a source for all things special.

SERAFINA
Fantastic. (She glances at her watch) Listen, I gotta get going. Do you have a card or something?

XANDER
A card? Oh no. That would just be too professional. (He looks a little distressed)

SERAFINA
Here. (She thrusts her arm out at him) Just write down your number and I'll call you later.

Xander looks around for a pen, but can't see one. Reaching into his tool belt, he pulls out a black felt marker and holds it up.

XANDER
This is permanent.

SERAFINA
Good. Then barring horrific, disfiguring accident, I won't lose it.

Xander smirks and begins to write down his number.

The memorial sapling. Buffy sits, her knees drawn up to her chest, staring at the sapling and lost in thought. (Note, it's been established that this area is always magickally spring/summer-like, so that should be in description.) She's alone for several minutes then Kennedy enters the clearing. She spies Buffy immediately and goes to her directly. She stands there, knowing she can be seen out of the corner of Buffy's eyes, and looks down at her expectantly. Another minute or two passes and Buffy doesn't acknowledge Kennedy's presence, but it's only a matter of time.

BUFFY
You'd wait there all day, wouldn't you?

KENNEDY
Wouldn't you?

BUFFY
Yeah. (She glances up) This sort of quiet patience ... new look for you.

KENNEDY
(Shrugging) Feels wrong to start yelling here.

BUFFY
It does, doesn't it?

Kennedy joins Buffy now, sitting next to her.

KENNEDY
So. Craziness, huh?

BUFFY
You didn't come here for small talk.

KENNEDY
Really didn't. (Plunging straight in then) Did you find out what it is yet?

BUFFY
No. Giles is following up on some new theories, but at the end of the day? No clue. Less than no clue. We're in a clue deficit.

KENNEDY
There's an easy way to find out. (Buffy glances over) We ask. Real nice.

Kennedy cracks her knuckles meaningfully.

BUFFY
(Chuckles) Questions and answers, the Slayer way.

KENNEDY
What can I say? I'm a simple girl at heart. When something works ...

BUFFY
Believe me, so almost there. And if there's no other way, then I'll be first in line. But she just ... I wish she'd DO something. This waiting is making me crazy. Not to mention more than a little grumpy, and just the slightest bit paranoid.

KENNEDY
You should make her talk now. You SHOULD have made her talk the second she walked in the house.

BUFFY
Yeah. Yeah, maybe.

KENNEDY
(Peering at Buffy) Don't tell me you think it's really—

BUFFY
No. An overt, forceful no.

KENNEDY
Because my readily acknowledged bias aside? I've never met a formally-dead thing that I liked. (Buffy turns to Kennedy with a raised eyebrow. Kennedy shrugs.) I guess you're okay. Sometimes.

BUFFY
Gee, thanks.

KENNEDY
My point is, things generally aren't supposed to come back. Death's supposed to be, you know ... IT. She says she's come to fight some big bad. Well that's great, but what is it? If it's so evil, why won't she tell us about it so we can get ready? And what the hell is Glinda the Good Witch supposed to do about it anyway? From what you guys've said, she wasn't even all that powerful when she was alive. So I'm thinking: big lie. I mean, if you're already evil, what's a little fib?

She pauses for a moment, to let all this sink in. Buffy's staring at the sapling again, but despite not saying anything, she does appear to be listening.

KENNEDY
(Prodding, trying to get Buffy to agree) We can't wait for it to make the first move. By then, it'll be too late.

Still though, Buffy keeps staring at the sapling. Kennedy is beginning to get a little frustrated that she can't get the sort of definitive reaction from Buffy that she wants.

KENNEDY
(Declaring now) I know this is hard for everyone, but we can't afford to keep waiting. Not with Willow's life on the line. If Giles can't come up with something, then I'm—

BUFFY
No. (She turns to Kennedy, repeating) No. It should be me. This thing, this ... It's made it personal. I'll handle it. One way or another.

KENNEDY
I get that. (Nodding) Okay. Whatever you need, I'm there.

BUFFY
I know. Thanks.

Kennedy nods again and stands up. She looks at Buffy again, seems to contemplate saying something, but then decides against it and walks away. Buffy doesn't bother to watch her leave, she just keeps staring at the sapling.

Cut to Giles in his office, flipping through an organizer with phone numbers. He comes to the one that he needs and picks up the phone. He dials a long string of numbers and then waits.

GILES
(Into the phone) Yes, this is Rupert Giles, I need— (pause) Fine, thank you. (pause) No, not yet, though I'm expecting to hear back from the agents I sent to Sunnydale any time now. (pause) I imagine so. (pause) Actually, I was calling in- in regards to, uhm ... I know this sounds most unusual, but I need information on- on necromancy. (pause) No, not to cast. It appears as though someone who is— o-or WAS quite dead is suddenly ... well, NOT. (pause) We were quite shocked as well. (pause) That's the extraordinary thing, she seems to be the exact same girl she was when- when she, uhm, when she died. (pause) Almost two years ago. (pause) I've tried several so far, but all spells report back nothing particularly out of the ordinary. There are the sorts of- of 'spikes' if you will in her energies, but they're even less remarkable than those that surrounded my Slayer upon her return. (pause) Unfortunately Willow is rather ... personally involved in the identity of the individual in question, so her participation is— (pause, then sigh) Maclay, yes. (longish pause) Yes, well that was rather our concern as well. (pause) Almost exactly the same, correct. There are moments where she seems distant, but given the circumstances ... (pause) She appears to have perfect awareness of her death and claims she was raised and sent to battle some sort of evil force, but she refuses to give any further details. (pause) Quite suspicious, I agree. (pause) As expected. Willow believes entirely that she is whom she claims. Buffy's younger sister Dawn feels the same way. (pause) Yes, very close. (pause) Certainly. (pause) Not at all, I expected as much. Though I suppose I needn't point out that any expediency would be greatly appreciated ... (pause) Excellent. I'll be waiting your call.

With that LONG FREAKING EXPOSITION PHONE CALL completed, Giles sets the receiver back down on the cradle. He sighs and gets up, going to one of the cabinets at the back of his office. He pulls out a key and unlocks it. We see that it's filled with assorted items (nasty stuff that shouldn't be simply allowed out). In amongst the books that are gathered there, he grabs one volume, making sure to close and lock the cabinet behind him. He returns to the desk and places the book on the surface. We see that the title is VASHARAL LEXICON. It looks positively ancient. Giles sits down behind his desk and opens it. He flips through section after section, finally coming to a page with nothing on it but "Resurrection and Rebirth". He turns the page.

We see an apple, floating in mid-air. It's slowly rotating, and as it does so, its peel is coming off in a long, thin, spiral strip. When the peeling reaches about the one-third to one-half-way point, it begins to start twisting oddly, sort of tiny spasms at first and then becoming violent. This continues for a few seconds, then the entire apple explodes, sending bits everywhere.

Pulling out, we see that while the apple's exploded, it was contained within an invisible magical bubble of sorts, which prevented Willow, Tara and the entire room from becoming sprayed in apple. Willow is sitting cross-legged on the floor, not far from the explosion. Tara is standing behind her, her fingers held up at the bubble.

WILLOW
(Grinning sheepishly) Applesauce, then?

Tara's worried frown doesn't lessen, however. She gestures, and the bubble o' apple floats over to a trashcan by the door. The bubble then apparently vanishes, and the pulverized fruit slops into it. While this has been occurring, Tara says:

TARA
What happened?

WILLOW
Well, that's part of the whole ... you know, control thing. But I'm working on it. Really hard. A-And I'm better than I used to be, I got it half done this time! When we first started working on this exercise, I-I sort of ... detonated a whole bushel of apples. All at once. It was like a Gallagher concert! I swear I smelled like an orchard for a week.

TARA
Wow. That's kinda ... That's something.

WILLOW
Giles has been incredible, though. That week I got a— Oh! It's so great, you know what he does? He actually GRADES me on the exercises! Isn't that sweet? He promised that he'd give me a final grade and everything.

She beams like this is simply the coolest thing ever dreamed by man. Tara still looks troubled.

TARA
Do you ever ... Lose it? Control, I mean. Really bad, like with the ...

She waves her hand in front of her eyes and Willow looks a little ashamed.

WILLOW
Sometimes. I mean, I'd love to say no, but sometimes I do. When I get impatient, or lose my temper. But ... (She looks a little cold and afraid here) It's always there. I can feel it. Sometimes I think I can HEAR it, like it's actually talking to me, you know? Calling for me.

Tara is looking really concerned now, but she's trying to keep a neutral expression on.

WILLOW
Giles says that it's pretty much always gonna be this way. The only answer is control. And if that's what I gotta do, then that's what I'm gonna do. (She looks at Tara sincerely here) I don't ever want to be that person I was. Never again. (Beat, then making an effort to be cheerful) So how's about you toss me that orange? I got a hankerin' for something citrus-y.

Tara goes to a brown paper bag resting on a nearby table, pulls out an orange and tosses it into the center of the room. Willow focuses on it and catches it with her magick, steadying it in the air. She concentrates hard, and much like the apple, it begins to rotate, the skin peeling off in one long strip. Tara watches the orange for a moment, then looks to Willow, sees the determination on her face. Unfortunately it seems to do nothing to make her feel better.

TARA
(Whispered to herself) It's not enough.

Act Two

Trillium High. Tara's sitting on a low wall that lines the front steps. She's lost in thought when the bell rings and she jerks her head up. Kids come pouring out of the school, none of them bothering to give Tara a glance. Tara is watching the entrance, and Dawn finally emerges. She's with a couple of her friends, and they all wave to each other. Her friends split off and Dawn comes down the steps.

TARA
(Waving) Dawn!

Dawn looks over, surprised but pleased to see Tara. She goes over.

DAWN
Hey! What're you doing here? (Worried for a second) Nothing's wrong, right?

TARA
(Standing up) No, no, nothing wrong. I just thought we could, you know ... walk and talk. Do some more catching up.

DAWN
(Happily) So preferable to something being wrong.

Beaming, Dawn shifts her backpack to the other shoulder and threads her arm through Tara's, hugging it tight. Tara smiles at her affectionately. They begin to walk away from the school. The people thin the further away they get.

DAWN
How's stuff going? You doing okay? You don't need anything, do you?

TARA
Nah, I have everything. (She grins) I'm pretty low-maintenance.

DAWN
Well if there's anything you want, just tell me. Not that I'm financially independent, but I know where Buffy hides the credit cards.

TARA
And have your sister come after me for leading you into a life of crime? I think I'll pass.

DAWN
(Rolling her eyes) Yeah, like we need more fuel for THAT inferno. (More serious) I'm so sorry for, like ... EVERYTHING Buffy-related. I can't believe she's still acting like a little ... overbearing despot.

TARA
'Despot'?

DAWN
World history: it's not just for sleeping anymore.

TARA
You shouldn't be too tough on Buffy. She's just ... She works so hard to keep everyone safe.

DAWN
Yeah, but that's just it: we ARE safe! I mean, you know, if you were some big demon monster then I'd understand. But you're not. She's just being a ... a thing that I really want to say but that I'd probably get in trouble for.

TARA
I understand, and I know she's frustrating sometimes. But she only gets that way because she loves you. All of you. And she has to make really tough decisions sometimes to keep the people she loves safe. It's ... That's not easy.

DAWN
(Squeezing tighter) But she loves you, too. We just have convince her that you're the real deal and you're not here to murder any of us.

Tara falls uncomfortably silent and comes to a halt. Dawn does too, looking over with a puzzled expression.

TARA
Dawn ... You know that I love you, right?

DAWN
(Smiling) I know.

TARA
And I always will. No matter what happens. To me, or to ... (New tact) I always will.

Dawn's frowning now.

DAWN
What's wrong? Something's wrong.

TARA
I just wanted to be able to say that. I didn't get to last time, and ... I wanted to make sure you knew.

DAWN
Are you leaving again? You are, aren't you?

TARA
I don't want to, Dawnie, but sometimes things happen that—

DAWN
(Getting more and more worked up.) No. No, you can't do that! You can't just come back and leave me again!

TARA
Honey ...

DAWN
What about Willow? Do you even KNOW what happened to her last time you went away? It took her over a year to look like BREATHING wasn't painful! How can you even think about hurting her?

TARA
(Pulling Dawn into a hug. Dawn protests a little, but it's just token.) Shh. I don't wanna leave, I promise. I just ... (She laughs humorlessly) I learned the hard way that sometimes bad stuff happens, you know? Whether you want it to or not, that's just how things go sometimes.

DAWN
(Sniffly) Well it needs to stop now, okay?

Tara chuckles but doesn't respond. She just continues hugging Dawn, smoothing her hair. Dawn soaks it up for a minute.

DAWN
(Muffled) Can we get some ice cream?

TARA
Solves all problems, huh?

DAWN
(Pulling away) It at least makes them smaller for a while.

TARA
Well sure. Who can worry about anything else when you have the dilemma of 31 flavors?

She smiles and Dawn manages a smile back. They continue down the street. As they get further away, we hear:

TARA
So, did you finally ask him? (At Dawn's enthusiastic nod) Tell me all about. I wanna hear everything.

WILLOW
You don't wanna hear ANYTHING I say!

BUFFY
Of course I do! When you stop saying CRAZY STUFF!

Scoobies' house, living room. Willow is standing on one side of the couch, yelling at Buffy who's standing on the other. Xander is in the middle, sitting, looking very distressed.

XANDER
Guys, this can't be healthy. Just ... just stop. Stop and TALK. For the love of all that is good and decent.

Willow shoots a glare at Buffy, who is conveniently shooting a glare at Willow. Xander reaches out, grabs each of them by the hand, and pulls them back down onto the couch. They go, but not gracefully.

XANDER
Sitting. Sitting is good. I applaud this bold first step. Now we seem to be goin' in circles. Very tight, nerve-wracking circles that are causin' my blood pressure to skyrocket. Buff, why don't you go first?

BUFFY
Willow, you are probably the smartest person I've ever met in my entire life. So why you insist on being so stupid about this—

WILLOW
Stupid?!

XANDER
Let's try talking without the added bonus of being insulting. Will?

WILLOW
STUPID?!

Xander groans and puts his head in his hands.

XANDER
Calgon, take me away.

XANDER
Hey, Faith, y'got a minute?

Private training room. Faith's dressed in a tight tank top (I see it as black) and a pair of sweats. She's sitting on a padded bench, back to the door, doing curls and working on her injured arm. Her sling is gone, but her shoulder is still taped up, though less-so than before. She looks over at Xander's voice; he's hovering in the entrance.

FAITH
Buy me a drink at B's party tonight, y'might even get two.

XANDER
Deal.

He enters the room and crosses to sit next to Faith, facing the opposite direction (toward the door). She keeps working on her lifting, but remains attentive.

XANDER
I've got a problem.

FAITH
Figured you weren't here for the scenery.

XANDER
It's Buffy and Willow.

FAITH
Still actin' like guests on Jerry Springer, huh?

XANDER
Only without the big bald guy to pull 'em apart. It's just ... I mean yeah, okay, completely sick of it. That's a given. But here's the thing – I don't know what to do. They're both so defensive right now, I don't think they're even listenin' to each other any more. It's like, they just get pre-pissed, an' one of 'em could say, 'You know, I really like Reisen,' and the other would start screaming about it.

FAITH
Lock 'em in a room, make 'em fight it out?

XANDER
I thought about it for all of three seconds before realizing that I'd probably wind up with at least one, possibly two less friends.

FAITH
Yeah, guessin' that WOULD be a problem. Gotta be a limit on how many people in the world can put up with you, need to keep the ones y'found in one piece.

She grins, trying in her own small way to cheer him up. Xander smiles back, but he's obviously not really in a "cheer up" kind of mood.

FAITH
Wanna maybe spilt 'em up? I can hijack B for the weekend, you keep Red occupied? Maybe it'll burn off if they're not around each other.

XANDER
I don't think that'd work. I don't think Buffy'll let Tara out of her sight for more than a few hours at a time, an' Will's so paranoid right now, she'd probably think Buffy's off assembling an army or something.

FAITH
All this over one person. Y'know, I met her once. Wasn't completely myself at the time, but still. Can't say I was too impressed. Scared little thing, stutterin', totally moon-eyed over Will.

XANDER
It's cuz'a her we figured out an' reversed your brain-swappin' hostile takeover.

FAITH
That a fact? (Considers this) Huh. I always wondered.

XANDER
Trip down memory lane's not really the issue here. I wanted your advice on how to handle 'em.

FAITH
You wanted MY advice? (Xander nods) On how to deal with PEOPLE? (Xander nods) Damn, you GOTTA be desperate.

XANDER
What? It's not so weird.

Faith shoots him a look.

XANDER
Okay, it's a little weird. But see, here's the thing – you're the perfect choice cuz you're devoid of feeling.

FAITH
(Flat) No, please, stop, I'm blushing.

XANDER
Not on everything. But on this. See, it's like ... I know you like Willow okay an' all, but you're not like best buds or anything, right?

FAITH
She's still got this little grudge about me an' a knife, I still got one for ... well, cuz that's what I do. So yeah, okay.

XANDER
An' Tara, you said it yourself – you only had one conversation an' that was four years ago, so no real bond there either, right? (Faith nods her agreement) Okay, well I don't have that detachment. Buffy an' Willow're my best friends, and I like Tara a whole heck of a lot, so I can't really see clear. Dawn's almost as wrapped up in this as Willow, just the thought of havin' this conversation with Kennedy makes my fillings hurt, an' Giles is so busy being Mr. Objective that I can't get anythin' outta him that's not 115% neutral. An' I gotta talk to someone. Stepping away from my characteristic frivolity for a second, I'm seriously worried someone's gonna get hurt over this. We're not talkin' paper cut, tiny Band-Aid hurt either.

FAITH
(Smirking) You couldn'a just said please. (Seriously thinking) Geez Xan, I really dunno what to tell ya. I mean, me? Somethin' looks threatenin', my gut instinct is t' take it out. End of problem, end of story. (She shrugs) But I'm comin' to learn my gut instinct ain't always the best way t' go. (Beat) Speakin' as the appointed outsider here, the root of all the problems is this Tara chick. She's the linchpin here, yeah? (Xander nods) Can't figure anythin' else out before you know what'cha gotta do about her. An' really, that one's pretty simple: either she's who she says she is or she ain't. Figure out which one's right an' go from there. Seems to me like everythin' else'll just fall into place.

XANDER
Or fall apart.

The library. It's empty, save for one person sitting at one of the tables, in easy sight of but some distance from the entrance. It's Tara, and she's deeply engrossed in one of the books. She's wearing whatever outfit Willow picked out that she agreed to (don't care what, so long as it's Tara-y and the mark is covered up ... point being, she's obviously looking a little fancier than she'd normally look). As we get closer, we can see that it's a spell book. We can't tell exactly what the spell in question is, but what we can see is a partial component list including several herbs and a personal item of the spell's subject. Text wise, the title at the top of the page reads "Ad Agnosco Pondera" ("to recognize balance"). There should be something about the book that somehow lends it an ominous air ... very old, a sort of ancient, archaic-looking writing style, something.

Anyway, Tara's pretty into what she's reading, consequently she doesn't see when Willow enters the room. Will, too, should look more fancy than usual (though bear in mind that they're going to a party at a club). She has a pretty big box in her arms, covered with Powerpuff Girls wrapping paper. She doesn't immediately announce her presence, choosing instead for just a moment to watch Tara, absorbing the fact that she's really there. It only lasts a moment, and she shakes herself out of it, moving toward Tara.

WILLOW
Hey, you.

Tara looks up, her hands already moving to drag another open book from the side on top of the one she's actually reading. She does it very smoothly, and it's unclear if Willow would be able to see the action from her perspective – if she does, she doesn't draw any attention to the observation.

TARA
Hey. (Noting the box) Party time?

WILLOW
Just about. I put your name on the card too. I figured you didn't have time to get anything, and who wants to be the odd girl out at gifting time?

TARA
That was sweet. (Willow beams) So, what'd we get her?

WILLOW
Oh. Well, a few months back, Dawn broke Buffy's discman. On accident, of course. Anyway, for DAYS Buffy wouldn't stop going on about how Dawn's been breaking her stuff ever since she was little. And she was oddly fixated on this one Christmas, where she got a Lite Brite. You remember, those big box things with the light bulb inside, a-and little plastic pegs you could use to make pictures? (Tara nods) Well anyway, before the year was out, Dawn broke Buffy's, and this has apparently been an unhealing scar Buffy's carried for nearly two decades.

Willow holds up the box proudly.

WILLOW
So I went on eBay and I found her one. Not one of those new cube things either, but the real thing. With- With pegs, and even some picture sheet sets! (Very proudly) My Little Pony and Barbie.

TARA
(Getting up to join Willow) No Rainbow Brite? I would've thought the Brite-to-Brite synchronicity would've been irresistible.

WILLOW
(Wrinkling her nose, disappointed) Oo, I should've thought'a that. That settles it, I'll never shop without you again.

Tara smirks, but it's fleeting. There's a lot on her mind.

WILLOW
You ready?

TARA
As I'm gonna be.

Giles' office. One of his many cabinets is open, this one revealing a mid-length mirror. It looks very old and has carving around it with things like snakes, demonic faces (all horns and tongues), and skulls. Very evil. Giles is using it to check his hair and adjust his tie. Satisfied, he closes and locks the cabinet, stuffing the key into his pocket and crosses to his desk. There's a package there, a very long box nicely wrapped in dignified paper (no cartoon characters for Giles) – it contains a katana (as we'll see in A4).

He walks toward the door and opens it, almost walking out when his phone rings. Giles hurries to answer it, and does so on the second ring.

GILES
Hello? (pause) Ahh, Miss Harkness, yes. I spoke to one of your— (longish pause) Yes. (longish pause) Yes ... (longish pause) I see. (pause) What information do we need to be certain? (pause) Ah. Of course. (pause) No, I agree, until we know for sure ... (pause) Yes. (pause) No, no, thank you. (pause) Yes, of course. As soon as I know anything. (pause) I appreciate the offer, though I'm sure you can appreciate my hope that it won't come to that. (pause) Yes. Thank you again.

With that, Giles hangs up the phone.

GILES
Oh, dear.

Act Three

Giles enters the vortex, the box tucked under his arm. He winces involuntarily at the loud "noise" and glares almost balefully at the strobing, dizzying lights and dancing bodies. He takes a few steps further into the club, and nearly collides with a waitress hurrying past. She doesn't spare him a look – this sort of thing happens all the time – but he looks equal parts apologetic and annoyed. She disappears as quickly as she arrived, however, and he lets it go. Squinting, he's looking for Buffy and the others, but it's well nigh impossible to see much of anything and he somewhat blindly goes further into the club, toward the dance floor. He's searching the crowd for someone or something recognizable. Then someone waves to him – it's Faith. She's dancing with at least two other guys, and a girl too. He looks very pleased to see someone he knows and takes a step forward, but then Faith begins to point up. Giles looks confused but follows her motions and sees she's pointing to the second level. He turns back to her and she points again, this time to flight of stairs illuminated by a big lit sign with an "up" arrow. Giles smiles his thanks and Faith nods just the once, then returns her full attentions to the dancing.

Giles makes his way across the very crowded club and up to the second level. It's slightly less noisy up here, although still quite loud. Still, the second level contains mostly just tables and couches where people are hanging out and talking. He glances around, then spies the private room in the far corner. Through the windows, we can see the others. Giles goes there immediately. As he enters the room, we can see that a sign on the door marks it as "Reserved for Summers".

Upon entering, Giles is immediately set upon by a boundy Buffy, a nice contrast from the angry Buffy we've seen for the past few episodes. I don't really care what she's wearing, but if you want to describe it, feel free – we're at the party now, so presumably everyone at least looks niceish. The guys (particularly Xander) shouldn't be too dolled up – Giles excepting, of course – and Kennedy absolutely should not be in a dress. That aside, run wild if you wish.

Anyway, Buffy bounds on over, stopping right in front of Giles.

BUFFY
(Eyeing the box) Oo! Pressie!

GILES
(Dryly) Yes, quite. (Then with a smile) Happy birthday, Buffy.

He gives her a one-armed hug (since the box is under the other) and she hugs him back. But just for a second.

BUFFY
Now gimme gimme!

GILES
Such a dear, sweet child.

He hands the package over, however, and Buffy hurriedly adds it to the pile on the table that's clearly been set aside for presents. Xander goes to Giles and hands him a drink.

XANDER
Greetings, Watcher Man. Prepared to get down and get funky?

GILES
(Taking a sip) Most assuredly not.

Giles winces at the alcohol and begins to critically examine the drink in his hand. Xander rocks back and forth on his heels, looking pleased with himself. He takes a large sip of his own drink.

XANDER
Ahh, we get a few'a these in you, we'll change that tune.

GILES
It would take a considerable number. (He sips the drink again, handling it better now he's prepared.) Replace this dreadful screeching with Tyrannosaurus Rex and we'll talk.

Over now to Dawn, just arriving, who looks positively glowing at the fact she has a date to show around. Grip is with her, and seems to be enjoying simply being there. Dawn has a flat, longish box (it contains a nice blouse) that's wrapped up in paper covered with smiley faces with birthday hats and such. Grip's hands are casually behind his back. Buffy spots them and approaches.

BUFFY
Hey. Glad you got here okay.

DAWN
(Smiling at Grip) I had a bodyguard.

GRIP
I did a whole Tae Bo workout tape once.

Buffy's amused. Dawn hands her the package and Buffy regards it critically.

BUFFY
It's not gonna blow up, is it?

DAWN
(Rolling her eyes) Geez, are you gonna say that EVERY year? It stopped being funny when I was, like, two.

BUFFY
Please, when you were two you still found having GAS funny, I hardly think you're a good judge of humor.

Dawn's eyes widen in typical "I can't believe you really just said that!" mode. Buffy takes it in impassively, then:

BUFFY
(Cheerfully) Well, that's the obligatory sister-embarrassment out of the way. Nice to see you, Grip, thanks for coming.

GRIP
No problem. I figured this being your birthday and all, you'd be a bit too busy to go for interrogation round two, 'Marathon Man'-style.

BUFFY
That entirely depends on if you come bearing gifts.

Grip grins and from behind his back he produces a bag of Reece's Pieces, complete with a shiny blue bow stuck to the bag. Buffy beams.

BUFFY
Ooo, peanut butter!

GRIP
In a crunchy candy shell.

BUFFY
Thank you, it was very sweet.

GRIP
Don't thank me, thank 7-Eleven. Convenience, AND hideously oversized drink cups.

Buffy shakes her head, amused, and goes to put the gifts on the table.

DAWN
That went well.

GRIP
Yeah. And check it out, I escaped without forced dentistry.

Tara's sitting on the end of one of the couches in the private room, lost in thought. Willow approaches with a bowl of candy and a can of Coke.

WILLOW
Hey, look! Reece's!

She sits down next to Tara, who shakes her head 'no thanks'.

WILLOW
Aww, come on – E.T. and Drew Barrymore can't be wrong.

TARA
(Really distracted) I'm not really hungry right now. Maybe later?

WILLOW
(Frowning as she sets the bowl on the couch next to her) You okay? If you don't wanna be here, we can go. I mean, you know, it's Buffy's birthday – being here probably isn't too healthy anyway.

TARA
No, you should be here. You should- You should try to make up with Buffy.

WILLOW
Sure, just as soon as she stops acting like we're at orange alert on the 'Buffyland Security Advisory System'.

TARA
That doesn't sound very make-up-y.

WILLOW
Yeah, well ... (Mutedly offering defense) I bought her a Lite Brite.

TARA
(Smirk) And I'm sure she'll love it. But it's her birthday. Come on, you know you don't like anything even remotely grumpy on YOUR birthday. (Crossing her arms) I seem to recall a two-hour speech to Miss Kitty on the 'karmaness of birthdays' when she decided your laptop was perfectly prey-shaped and attacked. What was it now? Something about how everyone in the world has a sacred duty to make the birthday girl happy and smiling, with balloons and fluffy clouds ...

WILLOW
Okay ...

TARA
...and didn't you work in something about daffodils and bundt cake?

WILLOW
Okay, okay! Geez, pull out the big guns!

Tara just smiles sweetly.

WILLOW
I'll go talk to her. I'll try to do the best friend bonding thing. (Serious) But if she starts goin' off about you again—

TARA
Just try. Please.

WILLOW
(Dramatic sigh) I'm such a wuss.

She gets to her feet and, tentatively, approaches Buffy. Tara watches. They're both stiff and unsure, but they're talking for the moment, and Tara smiles.

Imagine her surprise then when Kennedy appears out of seemingly nowhere and flops down on the couch next to her, taking the space where Willow was just sitting.

KENNEDY
Hey, look, Reece's.

She grabs the bowl and shovels in a handful, offering the bowl to Tara. Tara shakes her head politely 'no', obviously feeling very uncomfortable.

KENNEDY
You just looked so lonely over here. You know. By yourself. Unsupervised. Figured I'd keep you company.

Tara nods and smiles a tight smile that is probably supposed to be thankful. For her part, Kennedy is content to not speak to her, to not do anything but make it painfully obvious that she's watching Tara without staring directly at her. Kennedy looks very relaxed and settled in, like she's prepared to spend the entire night right there if Tara does too. Kennedy pops another handful of candy into her mouth and smiles. It manages to look more threatening than anything else.

The presents have been moved now to the center of the private room. Tables and couches have been cleared out of the way to leave a big open space, where Buffy currently sits, Indian style on the floor, in front of her many colourful gifts. There are others off to the side, already opened ... some books, some CDs, and even some generic Bath and Body Works stuff. There are many people around apart from our gang ... some Watcher-types, some assorted girls around Buffy's age ... enough of a crowd so one person wouldn't immediately be missing.

Buffy pulls the smiley face wrapping paper off of Dawn's present, tugging the lid off the box and exposing a very attractive blouse. Uh, again with my complete inability to do anything with clothes – just make it pretty and kinda pricey-looking.

BUFFY
Dawn, this is ...

DAWN
(Delighted) You like it? (Buffy nods, quite impressed) And the best part is: share time!

Buffy pulls a little "of course" face, then pulls the blouse out of the box and begins to scrutinize it for any security tags.

DAWN
(Rolling her eyes) Hello, I BOUGHT it. I still have the receipt and everything if you don't believe me.

BUFFY
How'd you get the money?

DAWN
I beat up kids at the playground and took their lunch money. (Beat) I WORKED for it. I helped Giles organize his books and stuff, and Xander paid me to clean up his workshop.

XANDER
(Whispered to Grip) Dawn's handy with a broom, don't let her play the 'undomesticated' card if you get hitched.

Grip smirks. Dawn, thankfully, didn't appear to hear that. She was too busy leaning down into Buffy's expectant hug.

BUFFY
I love it, thank you. You cannot borrow it.

DAWN
Aww.

Buffy lets her go and folds up the blouse into the box, setting it aside with the other presents.

BUFFY
(Holding her arms out) Gift me!

GILES
(Glancing to the others) I suppose I'll go next, shall I?

Nobody objects, so he lifts up the long box and hands it to Buffy. As she unwraps, he explains.

GILES
We found this recently while reviewing various inventory houses left behind by the old Council. It was thought to have been lost centuries ago.

The box now unwrapped, Buffy lifts off the lid. Lying there is a katana, in scabbard. (For a picture of what a katana and its scabbard looks like, see either http://www.webley.co.uk/i_samurai.php3 or http://www.battleorders.co.uk/acatalog/Next.html for a general idea.) I told Mike kind of what I wanted the sword to look like, and he came up with the following description, along with some flavour text. Feel free to modify as you wish, so long as the general impression remains:

Its scabbard was a deep blue color [I see it as light-to-royal blue, very pretty], muted slightly with the passing of time but still shining with a polished care. The end-fastenings of the scabbard and edges of the hilt appeared to be actual gold, as was the singular image emblazoned on the katana's case, that of a hummingbird sipping from a honeysuckle flower. The threads enwrapping the hilt were likewise blue and golden yellow, in a precise and alternating arrangement.

BUFFY
(Awed) Giles ...

Giles' back-story on the weapon should be interwoven with the images of Buffy doing the following (which, again, can be modified):

Carefully, Buffy pulled the sword from the box, letting the latter absently fall away to the floor as she admired her new gift. With a delicate care, she drew forth the weapon from the scabbard, marveling at the gleam of the steel blade, the only part of which didn't reflect the light like a mirror was the sharpened and tempered edge, running along its length in a zigzagging matte finish. She touched the edge of the sword with her finger and an appreciative whistle escaped Buffy's lips.

GILES
It was the favored weapon of a Slayer known by the name 'Yuugana Fumeiyo'. She was, up until her death at the hands of a vampire in 1606, one of the oldest Slayers at 19-years of age. She named her sword – that sword – 'jiyuu tobitatsu'. It means 'freedom flies'. She claimed that with this weapon at her side, she could never be bested in combat.

Both Faith and Kennedy, who've both been as engrossed in the story as Buffy, raise an eyebrow at this, given that the Slayer was killed and all.

GILES
She didn't happen to be carrying it at the time. (To Buffy) It's my hope that Yuugana was correct, and that this sword will inspire and remind you that you can succeed in every challenge life throws in your path.

Buffy smiles sort of watery at Giles, hops to her feet (sword still in her hand but held safely away) and wraps him in a huge hug.

GILES
(Strained) Although wrestling challenges to the ground and choking them into submission works well also.

Everyone else is completely sucked in by all this. As a result, unnoticed, Tara has slipped away from the group. She silently makes her way to the door and then, with a final glance of something that looks like longing, she leaves.

Still smiling and obviously very touched, Buffy makes her way back to her seat. Faith has picked up the scabbard that was placed on the ground, and is admiring it.

FAITH
So, B, you think maybe—

BUFFY
(Taking the scabbard and re-sheathing the sword) You cannot borrow it.

FAITH
Aww.

Buffy reverently sets the sword aside and points to the big Powerpuff Girls box.

BUFFY
Okay Will, the suspense is killing me. What've we got?

WILLOW
(Sitting next to Buffy) Okay, so, you know how Dawn busted your discman...?

DAWN
Accidentally!

Willow's room. It's darkened in there, but a hand reaches out to turn on a lamp that's on the nearby dresser and it bathes the room in a soft glow. We see that it's Tara. The house is silent, everyone's at Buffy's party. She hovers in the doorway for a moment, looking around, taking in the room. Then she resolves herself, places a bundle of items in a bag on the dresser, and enters.

From here, Tara begins to look for something. She should be looking everywhere, almost frantically but not really disturbing anything (not pulling out drawers and throwing shit to the ground or anything), but she's trying to find something very specific. The various items that she dwells on show us that she's not altogether certain of exactly WHAT she's looking for – she considers things like: a stuffed animal that's on Willow's bed, a necklace from her jewelry box, a picture in a frame, a statue on a bookshelf ... With each item, she holds it for a long moment, almost seeming to try to somehow "feel" it out, but is clearly dissatisfied with each item.

Becoming more frustrated now, she moves to the chest of drawers by the light she turned on earlier and begins yanking them open. She runs her hands through the top drawer first, but comes up empty. She shuts it and moves to the next with as little effect. Then the third. As her hands sweep through the clothes there, they connect with something. Her eyes widen and she grasps it, pulling it into sight.

In her hands is the doll's eye crystal (gotta pop in my DVDs to get a description of it, or if you want to check for yourself, it's S4, ep 13, "The I in Team"). She looks somewhat shaken to see it, somewhere between surprised, touched, and even a little bit sad at a reminder of easier times. Still though, as she holds it, it becomes clear that this is exactly the sort of thing she's looking for, and she nods decisively to herself.

Grabbing the bag from the top of the dresser, she goes to the center of the room, facing the door. Kneeling, she places the bag on the floor and begins to empty the bag of its contents: two candles – big fat ones that can stand on their own (one white, one black), little packets of various herbs, a small bowl (to burn them in), a book of matches, a sheet of paper containing a colour print-out of a picture of Willow alone (also from happier times, say mid-S5), a small hand mirror (a square one, no handle) and the final item – a long, thin, black-handled dagger. Tara sets it down next to her without really looking at where she puts it ... and we see that the dagger has been placed on the print out of Willow, the blade covering her throat.

Back at the party. Xander's on the ground floor, at the bar. He's in the process of shouting out his order to the bartender.

XANDER
... Jack an' Coke, Tequila Sunrise, Zipperhead, an' two Sprites.

BARTENDER
What was the last one?

XANDER
Two Sprites. Just plain Sprite.

The bartender nods and goes off to make the drinks. A voice comes from behind Xander.

SERAFINA
Which does not belong?

Xander jumps and turns around, smiling as he sees her.

XANDER
Oh, hey.

SERAFINA
What's the Sprite, some new trend in chasers?

XANDER
Nah. It's for my best friend's kid sister and her new little cuddle monkey. They're minors.

SERAFINA
And yet they're allowed to be called cuddle monkeys. Interesting world you inhabit.

XANDER
You have no idea. (Noticing her arm. The phone number is still clearly visible.) I warned ya.

SERAFINA
Hm? (She glances at it.) Oh, no, this is great. When guys ask me for my number, I'm just gonna flash 'em this one. Should save much time and aggravation. So, yeah, heads up for the phone tomorrow.

XANDER
Just think of the bafflement when *I* answer. I can hardly wait. (Beat) So, can I buy you a drink?

SERAFINA
I should have one coming. (Pointedly to the bar in a louder voice) Any day now!

XANDER
You sure? I figure, you being a client and all, I can write it off on my taxes.

SERAFINA
(Considers this) You make a convincing argument.

XANDER
I would'a been a lawyer, 'cept they had this whole crazy 'college' thing.

SERAFINA
And lawyers are evil.

XANDER
But they sure dress real pretty.

She grins, and Xander smiles, enjoying making her laugh.

Upstairs, meanwhile, Buffy's opened all of her presents. The crowds up there have thinned considerably, with most of the guests either leaving or on the dance floor. Willow's helping Buffy pick everything up while Giles is talking to Dawn and Grip off to the side. Buffy is casting an anxious glance to the doorway as they pick up gifts.

WILLOW
Geez, big time loot here. It's like ... like the Birthday Sheep just came and opened her Wooly Pouch of Gifting and dumped it all over you!

Buffy stops looking at the doorway for a second to gaze at Willow like she's absolutely insane.

BUFFY
(Flat) Birthday ... Sheep.

WILLOW
Well sure. Don't you think it's weird that every other major holiday gets some sort of anthropomorphic representation but not birthdays? That's just unfair.

BUFFY
But a SHEEP.

WILLOW
I was runnin' outta cute little fluffy animals.

Buffy shakes her head in amazement, then a movement at the entrance catches her eye. It's Kennedy. She stands there with a seriously worried expression. She shakes her head at Buffy's questioning look. As casually as possible, Buffy asks Willow:

BUFFY
So where's Tara? I haven't seen her in a while.

WILLOW
She said she wasn't feelin' too good, so she went to the little girl's room. I think she's stressin' a bit, being in big crowds?

Buffy really looks unhappy at this, but her expression reverts to neutral as Willow deposits the presents she's been carrying on the table and turns to Buffy.

WILLOW
(Sincerely) Buffy ... I just wanted you to know that what you said earlier, about really giving Tara a chance? It meant ... (She shakes her head) I can't tell you what it meant to me. That's all I've wanted, just a chance for you to see the real her.

BUFFY
That's all I've been waiting for, Will.

She turns away from Willow, gazing back at the entrance. Her expression becomes very hard and determined.

Act Four

Willow's room. Tara is sitting on the ground now, eyes closed, though looking relaxed – she's obviously casting. The doll's eye crystal sits in front of her. She reaches over, eyes still closed, and picks up the picture of Willow. Taking a deep breath, she begins to chant in a low, even voice. So, of course, this is when Buffy arrives.

BUFFY
Fancy meeting you here.

Tara's eyes open in alarm.

TARA
B-Buffy!

She drops the picture of Willow. Buffy, of course, notices it instantly.

BUFFY
Quite a Kodak moment, wouldn't you say?

TARA
(Hard) I can't let you stop me.

BUFFY
Funny, I was just thinking the same thing. Only it involved more me hitting you and you stopping.

Tara doesn't bother to respond. Instead she turns back to the crystal, practically glaring at it. She utters a few more words, rushing to finish.

TARA
Aperio profectio obviam il terminus! (Wordy for "Show me the nature of the source")

BUFFY
No!

She lunges forward, but Tara holds up her hand to block Buffy. Buffy's frozen in place, but she's still struggling, and it's clear from the strain that Tara won't be able to hold her for long. Tara glances to the picture of Willow and it suddenly disintegrates. Buffy's eyes widen when she sees this and she struggles more. The ashes left behind from Willow's picture swirl up and seem to flow into the crystal, which glows all nice and ominous-like.

Over to the Vortex. Willow is looking around with a frown on her face. She enters the private room where Grip and Dawn have taken over a couch and are chatting. Willow hurries toward them.

WILLOW
Dawn! Have you seen Buffy?

DAWN
Not for a while. She rushed outta here, muttering something about—

But Willow's runs out.

DAWN
Bye then.

GRIP
Your family is strange. (Ponder) Which is cool. I mean, you know. Any girl could have, like, an overweight dad and a brain-dead sister, but you ... You've got, like ... Well, I honestly don't really know how to classify everyone, but I know it's not overweight and brain-dead.

DAWN
Yeah, but you know, I could do with a dose of normality for a nice change of pace.

GRIP
Will you settle for Doritos instead? (Offers bag, giving it a shake)

Back to Will's room. Buffy punches in front of her, full force, and we see a bright flash. Tara recoils as though she were struck herself, and the barrier's down. Buffy doesn't hesitate; she rushes over to Tara and kicks the crystal and all the ingredients everywhere. The crystal and the dagger slide off to the side by the bed. Buffy grabs Tara by the shirt and hauls her to her feet.

BUFFY
I knew it! (She shakes Tara) Give me a reason. Give me one good reason to not take you out right now.

Tara doesn't answer, she drops her gaze. Buffy shakes her again, making Tara look up.

BUFFY
No. No, you do NOT get to do that whole shy, demur thing! Do you know how hard this is?! Do you even CARE?

TARA
(Getting angry right back now) Yes I care! I care—! ...I care more than you know. You- You don't understand.

BUFFY
Well then why don't you explain it to me? Huh? (She's getting teared up now in her anger.) How could you do this to us? Why her?

TARA
(Also getting upset) Sweetie ...

BUFFY
Don't you dare! Don't you DARE act like her. You think that's gonna stop me?

TARA
(Whispered, resigned) ...no.

Buffy shoves Tara against the wall, her arm pressing against Tara's throat. She's bearing her teeth, looking furious ... then there's a flash between them. Buffy goes flying backwards, away from Tara. Tara falls to the side closest to the bed. They both look up to see Willow in the doorway. Compared to Willow's anger, Buffy looked mildly peeved. Most immediately striking about Willow, however, is her eyes. They're pure, deep black.

WILLOW
I'M gonna stop you.

Giles rushes into the private room at the Vortex, his cell phone pressed to his ear. He looks rushed and a little irritated. The room's empty and he pushes the door closed behind him. We can still hear the music outside, but it's severely muffled.

GILES
There, now perhaps we can hold a civilized conversation.

Cut over to the other end of the phone conversation. It's Hannah, standing in the desert. It's sunset there. We can see behind her the big ol' pit that used to be Sunnydale. Wood is just climbing up from the crater. Both are very dusty. There's other gear around that's equally dusty, and not far away is a parked SUV.

HANNAH
Not enjoying the scintillating sounds of ... (pause and she listens really hard) Is that Avril Lavigne?

GILES
I have no idea and less inclination to find out. How are you, did everything go smoothly?

HANNAH
It was more than a little creepy, but quiet. We had to move slowly, due to the fact that the entire town threatened to crash down around us at any moment, but no problems. I sincerely hope Sunnydale looked better when you lived here.

GILES
Marginally. What did you discover?

HANNAH
Amazingly, there appears to be precious little disturbed. We followed the trail to what, based on the debris scattered around the area, appeared to be a cemetery.

GILES
(Looking ashen) What?

HANNAH
A cemetery. We couldn't be certain, but there were a rather unpleasant number of caskets, and the ruins of crypts and statues all over the area. Perhaps they were looking for an artifact of some sort? You mentioned an inordinate number of them turned up on the Hellmouth.

GILES
A body.

HANNAH
Yes, I suppose that's also possible, there certainly enough of them around. But to go to all this trouble, it must've been for someone very specific, else why bother?

GILES
They had to have it. They couldn't have brought her back without it.

HANNAH
Bring who back? Rupert, what are you talking about?

GILES
(Ignoring the question, his eyes widen) Buffy ...

Willow's room. Willow is using magic to hoist Buffy up. Buffy's feet dangle a few inches above the floor. Buffy's trying to struggle, but she's held fast. Willow is raging, energy seems to be almost literally crackling off of her.

WILLOW
You lied to me.

BUFFY
I didn't! You don't understand, she was—

WILLOW
YOU LIED! You told me – YOU LOOKED ME IN THE EYE and you told me you were going to give her a chance. You wanted her back too, you TOLD me that!

BUFFY
And I do! But Will, that thing—

WILLOW
She is NOT a THING!

BUFFY
—it was casting a spell on you! Just stop and look around!

But Willow doesn't bother. She doesn't care. Her back is to Tara, and consequently she doesn't notice that Tara isn't remaining still. She stares at the scene before her, almost transfixed by what she's seeing, but she reaches for the crystal. Holding out to Willow, she seems almost afraid to do this, but she swallows it down and focuses on it. The crystal in her hand almost immediately becomes a black so deep it seems to be sucking in light from all around it. It is pure darkness. Upon seeing this, Tara looks as though her heart's breaking. She looks at Willow – Will looks to be getting worse.

WILLOW
You want to take her away from me!

BUFFY
I am trying to keep you safe!

Tara bites back whatever she's feeling and looks next to her – there's the athame. She grabs it, and for a moment looks at it like she's never seen anything like it before. But then her grip tightens and she stands, determined. Her eyes affix to Willow, and she takes a bold step forward, the dagger clenched at her side.

WILLOW
(Getting deadly calm here) I told you nothing would take her away from me again.

BUFFY
Willow, would you look at yourself? Do you want to be this again? Would Tara want you to get like this?

This gives Tara pause, and she halts. The arm holding the dagger was pulled back in a strike position to plunge into Willow's back, but now it relaxes somewhat.

WILLOW
I don't care. I don't—

BUFFY
You DO care, and you know it. Willow, this is against everything that Tara stood for. Her memory deserves—

WILLOW
Shut up!

Willow gestures, and Buffy's no longer talking. In fact, given by the way her hands come up to scrabble at her throat, she's no longer BREATHING either. Tara's eyes widen in alarm and she cocks her arm back again. When Willow speaks next, it sounds almost desperate.

WILLOW
I need ... I need ... (Tara pauses again, though she doesn't relax her arm this time. Willow blinks at Buffy, seeming to see what she's done for the first time.) Tara, I— Oh god, Buffy.

Tara glances at the crystal, still held in her other hand. It's glowing strangely, and she holds it up again as before. Whereas before it was black as pitch, it's now shifting, slowly at first and then more rapidly. It goes from black, down to gray, and then to white. It fluxuates between these two, seeming unable to make up its mind. Tara stares at it with confusion for a moment, then realization begins to set in.

Meanwhile, Willow – realizing what she's doing, releases the magic on Buffy. Buffy drops to the ground on her feet, but then staggers back against the wall, gasping for breath. Willow goes to her immediately.

WILLOW
Buffy! Oh god, are you alright?

Buffy nods, still holding her throat, but then she spots Tara over Willow's shoulder. What's more, she spots Tara holding the dagger like she means to use it, despite the fact that Tara's still engrossed in the crystal. Unable to speak just yet, Buffy's eyes widen and she pushes Willow slightly behind her, putting herself between Willow and Tara.

WILLOW
What are you—?

And then she sees. She looks at Tara with a little bit of confusion, though not as much as one might expect, considering.

WILLOW
Baby?

Tara looks up at the term of endearment, then glances back to the crystal again. It's only glowing white now. Tara looks absolutely stricken, but it's a jumble of so many emotions it's nearly impossible to sort them all out. Disgusted, she flings the dagger to one side, as far away from herself as she can, and then looks to Willow.

TARA
I—

She doesn't get to finish. The mirror over Willow's dresser suddenly glows blue (see "Fringes" for full mirror-glowy description) and a voice booms from out of it, echoing into the room, easily heard by all occupants.

VOICE
Miss Maclay. Since it seems clear you are NOT going to perform the task which we dispatched you to complete, you have rather outlived your usefulness. But we thank you for providing riveting entertainment.

The mirror then falls dark, and almost immediately, the material over Tara's heart begins to flare. It burns away to reveal the mark of the Circle, blazing as it did with Judith. Horrified, Tara looks down at herself, then at Willow. It's clear from her expression that she believes she is about to die.

TARA
Willow ...

WILLOW
No.

It's a single word of defiance, said with utter calm and complete, unerring conviction – whatever else is going on, Willow WILL NOT allow this; that is the undeniable truth, plain and simple. She extends her hand, not showing the slightest evidence of concentration or strain, this just IS. We finally see Buffy now, looking from Willow to Tara, completely confused and unsure of what to do. Back to Willow, the very space around her flares white suddenly, and then an identical flare appears around Tara. Both women close their eyes, their heads rolling back in union. The flames that were emanating from the Circle's mark are contained, and for a moment they continue to burn. Then with a much greater intensity for just a moment, and then they are smothered. Now completely gone, we see that the Circle's mark has burned away in its entirety – there is no lingering trace of it whatsoever ... however where the mark was, there is now a burned scar in its exact shape. It looks raw and pink for the moment, but it looks natural somehow, the body's way of healing a terrible wound.

Then the flare snaps out of existence, and both Willow and Tara stagger. Buffy immediately catches Willow and lowers her to the ground, looking between them with complete confusion.

BUFFY
(Demanding) Alright, what the hell is going on?

WILLOW
(Sounding exhausted) It's over now.

BUFFY
Over? What's over? (She stands up from where she's been kneeling next to Willow, turning to Tara.) What was that voice, what did mean, you won't 'perform the task'?

TARA
(Also tired, but less so than Will.) To k-kill Willow. They wanted me— I thought I ...

She looks over to Willow and meets her gaze.

TARA
But I won't. (She smiles proudly.) I don't have to.

Willow smiles back. Buffy's confusion is not easing in the slightest. Tara's next statement doesn't help any.

TARA
(To Buffy) But I would have. (Steeling herself) And I know what you have to do.

It's hard, but Tara manages to stand up straight, her arms out slightly, exposing herself to Buffy, not offering any kind of defense. Willow's eyes widen, but she's too drained really move.

WILLOW
Tara, no!

Tara smiles at her, full of sadness, but she looks at peace as she turns back to Buffy. Waiting patiently.

BUFFY
I ... I don't understand.

Tara says nothing. She simply waits.

WILLOW
(Struggling somehow to get to her feet.) Buffy, please! She didn't ... She thought she had to!

But Buffy isn't listening. She's looking at Tara now. Scrutinizing her, really seeing her for the first time.

BUFFY
Oh god.

And then it happens. Buffy's face just crumples and she sinks to her knees, crying her heart out. Tara's expression soon follows, and she kneels down in front of Buffy.

TARA
It's okay ... Shh, it's okay ...

Buffy grabs Tara in a hug – this is her first contact with Tara that wasn't brought on by violence. Touching her, feeling her, seems to make it all the more real, and she cries harder. Over to Willow, and we see that she's crying quietly as well as she watches. Then we hear Giles calling out and the pounding of feet up the stairs.

GILES
Buffy! Buffy, it's her! It's Tara! Buffy—

He stops in the doorway, taking in the scene in front of him. Right behind him, Xander appears as well. Neither seem to know what to say.

WILLOW
(Smiling, still crying) She knows, Giles. She knows.

TARA
I've been alive again for ... about a month now? I'm not exactly sure. The days all sort of ran together.

Scoobies' house, the living room. Tara is sitting in Xander's chair, kind of curled up into herself a little bit, distancing herself from everyone and everything at the moment. She's dressed now in an old t-shirt and jogging pants. (We don't want her sitting there with her shirt flapping open during all this.) Willow is on one end of the couch, looking better, but still very wiped out. Xander is sitting next to her and Dawn has the other end next to him. Giles is pacing as he listens, and Buffy is standing next to the couch, watching Tara intently. Her posture is no longer so threatening, but it is a little on the defensive side. There's no evidence of her crying jag from earlier – now she just looks mostly confused and even a little bit angry. Everyone listens raptly.

TARA
It was hard. At first. I had a lot of ... My body sort of had to get strong again, you know? And before that, I was ...

She shakes her head, dropping that train of thought.

TARA
They told me I'd been brought back to fight something evil. (She looks up.) Willow.

Willow drops her gaze, ashamed. Xander looks from Tara to Willow and back. Dawn looks like she's just been told that Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny run a drug trafficking and prostitution ring in Tijuana. The most reaction we get out of Giles is that his eyebrow twitches upward. Buffy acts as though this is common knowledge. Still though, no one speaks as Tara continues.

TARA
I didn't believe them. Not at first. But then they began to tell me stories. About W-W-Warren. And then they ... There was a scrying pool. They made me watch. Again and again, and I wasn't so sure anymore.

Tara looks really uncomfortable, like she's reliving those images.

TARA
They told me about the other spell, the one to activate all the Slayers? You were redeemed, they said, but that the power ... There was so much. Too much. Nobody could have that much power and stay in control. It was only a matter of time ...

She looks at Willow, talking only to her at the moment.

TARA
If you slipped again, there was no more redemption. They said if you gave in to the power, if you let it control you again ... there would be no peace for you. Not ever.

XANDER
What are we talkin', like a 'soul damned for all time' kind of thing? Eternity in hell, no hope for parole?

Tara looks to Xander, then drops her eyes, but she nods.

GILES
So you came here to kill her, before she could damn herself.

TARA
Yes.

BUFFY
But you had chances. You could've killed her even before any of us knew you were back.

TARA
I didn't ... They might've been wrong. I couldn't just ...

Willow looks up and smiles, reassuring to Tara, although it becomes self-effacing.

WILLOW
I'm sorry I let you down.

TARA
You didn't. That's when I knew they were wrong. It'll be hard, Will, and you'll probably have to struggle your whole life. But you're stronger than the power, you always have been. You just had to learn that for yourself.

BUFFY
But the spell ...

TARA
The spell was to show me the source of Willow's power. I had to see it for myself. I had to know before I ... before I did ... anything.

XANDER
Okay, but the ... (He gestures to his chest, over his heart.) The mark of badness. I mean, you were obviously workin' with some nasties, an' they obviously wanted you to killster the Willster. But now, what? Some flashy special effects an' that's all gone? How do we know you're not still under their control or anything?

WILLOW
She's not. (Everyone turns to look at her.) The link, between her and them. I severed it, it's closed. I can't sense it any more.

XANDER
No offense, but how can you be so sure? You didn't sense it before.

Long pause. Willow looks away.

WILLOW
I did.

There's utter silence.

BUFFY
You what?

WILLOW
(Looking up again) I did. I-I could. (She can't keep looking at Buffy) I knew.

BUFFY
You knew? You knew she was here with some, like, evil plan and you just, what? Let it go? You could've said something! What if Tara hadn't decided to put in overtime and get her own info? Do you know what kind of danger you were in? What kind of danger WE were in? You didn't know what she was even here for!

WILLOW
(Insisting) I did, they wouldn't have—

GILES
They wouldn't have sent Tara for anyone else. (All attention now focuses to Giles. He pulls his glasses off, very serious.) The best weapon for the best target. Bringing Tara back would have been ... terribly painful for all of us. But as a weapon, she was only really effective against Willow. With the kind of power they must have at their disposal to achieve the sort of resurrection the Covens told me about, there are few they could not raise. Had they wanted to hurt you or Dawn, Buffy, who do you think they would have sent?

DAWN
(Small voice) Mom.

GILES
Or Anya for Xander, or ... We each have experienced a loss that affects us more than any other. Tara could bring out that kind of vulnerability in one person only.

BUFFY
Fine, but that still doesn't make it okay. She could've killed you, Will!

Again, Willow doesn't answer for a minute. Then she looks at Tara.

WILLOW
If I was so evil that Tara thought I had to die ...

She doesn't complete the sentence. Tara looks even more stricken that Willow actually knew this whole time. A silence falls across the room. No one seems to know what to say.

GILES
Tara, I presume you won't mind if we double-check? Make certain that there are no lingering traces of any connection, verify what we can? I have some members of a Coven in England who have offered to come and assist us. Perhaps we can find out more about the spell used to bring you back, and its casters.

TARA
Of course.

GILES
Excellent, I'll contact them in the morning. (Tara nods) Until that time, I suggest we all get some rest. Tomorrow will be a new day.

The Circle's main room. We can see Madrigan and Seneca from behind. Madrigan is kneeling and Seneca is standing behind him as they pour over the casting circle we've seen a few times (first in "Hide & Seek"). The room is empty save for them. The casting circle flares a bright, blinding white that fills the room. Then it disappears. For a moment, they simply keep staring at the marking, then Madrigan turns to Seneca. He grins.

MADRIGAN
Blinded by the light.

Now we see Seneca. He's wearing sunglasses and holding a big bowl of popcorn. He pops a few pieces and munches. Madrigan stands and moves over to his chair. Seneca follows. Neither, of course, bother to pull their chair out, they simply move. Seneca keeps his sunglasses on.

MADRIGAN
Sorry about us losing Miss Maclay. I know you liked her.

Seneca shrugs a little, then, popping a few more pieces of popcorn, gestures with his head to a magazine on the table. It lifts up of its own accord and turns its front cover toward Madrigan. We see it's a copy of MAD magazine with Alfred E. Newman prominent.

MADRIGAN
What, me worry? (The magazine is returned to the tabletop and Madrigan leans back.) About what, Maclay actually killing her? Nah. We worked out it was – what? A hundred to one odds she'd actually go through with it? And if she did, then okay, we're set back. We've been waiting this long. It'll all happen again. (He spreads his arms out.) But hey, she didn't. And everything's right on track.

He stands, grinning from ear to ear. He's a happy little villain.

MADRIGAN
Now c'mon, this calls for a celebration – I think Lifetime's got a 'Suddenly Susan' marathon.

Seneca grins and also gets to his feet. Together, they walk out of the room.

MADRIGAN
I'm in a pizza mood – you feel like Dominos or Papa John's?

DAWN
Don't you love her?

TARA
More than anything.

DAWN
But then why? I don't understand.

Tara and Dawn are sitting in the living room. The house is dark and quiet now, there's a sense that everyone's gone to bed. Tara's still wearing her t-shirt and sweats, Dawn's dressed in a tank top and pair of boxers as well, though she's wrapped up in a blanket (it's still really cold). They're sitting on the couch, talking in low voices.

Tara considers Dawn's question seriously for a moment before answering.

TARA
If something horrible happened, and Buffy got turned into a vampire ... would you dust her, despite how much you don't want to? Or would you let her kill people, knowing that the real Buffy would never ever want that?

Pause while Dawn considers this.

DAWN
...wow.

TARA
Yeah.

DAWN
Wow.

TARA
Yeah.

Very long pause. Dawn is deeply pondering this.

DAWN
Wow.

TARA
Yeah.

Upstairs. Tara moves silently toward her room (which we can see from here does, in fact, have a bright and cheery sign proclaiming it "The Tara Room"). As she approaches Willow's room, she hesitates. For a moment she begins to walk toward it, but stops and goes to her own door instead. She is about to open it when Willow's door opens and we see her there. She looks oddly calm about everything, but judging from her hair, she's been in bed; given the tired look in her eyes, she's not been succeeding with the sleep thing.

WILLOW
Hey.

TARA
Hey.

They stay like that for a moment, neither moving closer. Then both take a few steps and meet in the middle.

WILLOW
You okay?

TARA
I don't know. No? Maybe?

WILLOW
I'm really sorry.

TARA
For what? I'm pretty sure I'm the one who should be all Sorry Woman.

WILLOW
If it wasn't for me—

TARA
If it wasn't for you, a lot of stuff never would've happened. Some of it's bad, yeah, but a lot of it's good, too. You have so much potential in you, Will. It's up to you which way it goes.

WILLOW
Sometimes it's just so ... hard. You know? Once you see that darkness in you, once you know what you're capable of ... I -It's like you become this whole new person, and ... you have to learn how to live with you all over again.

TARA
I kinda get that.

WILLOW
Yeah. Yeah, I guess you do.

A silence falls between them that's somewhere between comfortable and un-. Willow jerks her head back toward her room.

WILLOW
You wanna come in? Just for a while. Just to ... talk, or- or whatever. I mean – heh – here we are, all in the hall, all in our jammies. 'Least I got a heater in my room?

She flashes a hopeful if goofy grin. Tara smiles, but shakes her head.

TARA
I don't— I should really go in my own room.

WILLOW
O-Okay. Sure, no problem, since, you know, it IS your room and all, you're pretty much entitled to just go on in it whenever you want. No problem. And- And I'll just go. To my room. Which is over here. (She points.)

Tara nods and begins to go to her room. Willow takes a step backward toward hers as well, then she stops and calls out.

WILLOW
Tara?

Tara stops with the door open and looks over.

WILLOW
You know I forgive you, right? Whatever you did do or would have done ... I forgive you.

Tara takes this in.

TARA
But I don't forgive me.

She enters the room and shuts it behind her.

CUT TO BLACK

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