The Better Path: Part 4
by Gaius Petronius
Disclaimer: See Prologue.
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Part Four
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ACT 2, Scene 2. EXT. Establishing Shot of the old mansion. Night.
Faint candle light flickers from one of the downstairs windows.
CUT TO EXT. The grounds surrounding the old mansion. The same time.
Faith is moving quietly through the overgrown bushes that border a pathway leading up to the old mansion. She sees the light in the first floor window. As she approaches the long steps up to the front doorway for the central hall, she stops momentarily and glances over her shoulder as if she thinks she is being followed. The bushes are still, and she can hear no sounds. She turns again towards the mansion and begins climbing the stairs up to the front door.
CUT TO INT. The central hall of the old mansion. At the same time.
Buffy is still seated on the floor at the base of one of the stone columns. Shadows wave softly across the furniture and walls of the central hall as the light from a lone floor based candlebra provides the only illumination.
Buffy has her legs drawn up against her chest and her arms wrapped around her knees. She stares at the single red rose she placed in the center of the stone floor. Finally she sighs, stretches out her legs and arms, and gets to her feet. She looks up at the vaulted ceiling of the central hall. Her eyebrows are raised as if in a question.
Walking back and forth, Buffy turns her gaze down to the floor once more, and she rubs the back of her head and neck with her hand as if she were searching for an answer to an unknown question. Her boots make a CRISP CLIPPING sound as she paces the stone floor. Suddenly a set of FOOTFALLS from out of the dark near the front door catches her attention.
Buffy stops walking and looks up towards the sound. The footsteps stop. There is a moment of silence, then out of the dark steps Faith.
FAITH
(quietly)
Hey.
BUFFY
Hi.
FAITH
(smiling, without accusation)
Caught ya.
Buffy hangs her head and smiles sadly at Faith's statement. Faith walks over to Buffy. Faith's boots echo in the dimly lit central hall.
FAITH
(as she stands next to Buffy)
Ya know, for a minute there, with you pacing and all, you looked a lot like Giles... when one of his books has got him all twisted around and screwed up.
Buffy looks up at Faith and smiles taking the remark as a gentle compliment.
BUFFY
(wistfully)
Yeah? I guess so,... 'cept Giles always finds the answer.
FAITH
(pause)
Maybe there isn't an answer, 'B'. . . Maybe there isn't even a question.
BUFFY
(looking directly at Faith, slowly)
Then... none of this makes any sense, does it. What I did to Angel, our oaths, our "sacred" duties, what the hell do we do any of it for?... if there aren't even any questions... I mean we stake the slobs down every night and five minutes later more of 'em pop up in their place.... And then one day we screw up... and we die.
FAITH
Buffy...
BUFFY
Yeah?
FAITH
Remember the first rule of Slaying you told me? "Stay alive."
Buffy smiles and nods.
FAITH (cont'd)
Everything comes from that. (pause) Ya know, you think too much.
BUFFY
(grinning)
Me? Think? Not according to Giles.
FAITH
Nah, not like that. I mean trying to figure out what can't be figured out.
BUFFY
(sighing)
I keep seeing it all in my head... trying to decide if there was any other way.
FAITH
Sure there were other ways.
BUFFY
(looking surprised at Faith)
Huh?
FAITH
You could've just grabbed ole Angel hunk there, planted a big wet one on his face, said "Welcome back! Where the Hell *you* been?" and had fifteen seconds of Heaven... before the whole world went to Hell.
Buffy scowls at Faith
BUFFY
No, I mean... if there was any way... I could have gone... in his place.
Faith is now concerned by the sense of despair in Buffy's voice.
FAITH
Hey, wait a minute, 'B' ! That's just what I mean by thinking too much. Only worse! 'Cause it's thinking without any sense!
Faith looks around her at the vaulted ceiling and the cold fireplace.
FAITH (cont'd)
It is gonna be good when they finally tear this place down. At least then maybe you'll *stop* thinking and take a second to smell the night air again. It's really different than during the day, ya know. Or ice cream, hot fudge, *two* cherries! You still get... hungry... don't ya?
Buffy can't help but smile at Faith.
FAITH (cont'd)
Yeah, I thought so! Come on, let's get outta here.... Oh, I almost forgot. Your live ex-boyfriend was looking for ya at the Bronze.
BUFFY
(trying to hide any interest)
Scott? What does he want?
FAITH
I'm not supposed to tell... but I think he still likes you. Bet he wants to apologize.
Buffy looks down and shakes her head.
FAITH (cont'd)
Aw, come on 'B'. You never really gave him a chance, ditching out on him all the time.
BUFFY
I don't know...
FAITH
Well, then, can I have him if you don't want him?
BUFFY
(quickly looking back up at Faith)
No!
FAITH
(almost laughing)
That's the second time I've been told that tonight. Cordelia pulled it on me earlier when I was gonna sqeal on Xander and Willow for doing the smootchie.
BUFFY
What?!
FAITH
I caught Xander and Willow pulling the old lip lock at the Bronze. Cordelia missed it but Oz saw the whole matinee.
BUFFY
Oh, My, God! Talk! Now!
CUT TO EXT. The grounds of the old mansion. At the same time.
Scott, who has followed Faith from the Bronze, is approaching the entrance walkway of the mansion, but keeping himself concealed in the overgrown bushes. He stops and stares up at the mansion steps leading to the front door and sees the light through one of the central hall windows.
Behind him, a twig breaks with a loud SNAP! Scott turns around fearfully. A fist swings out of the darkness, catching him square in the jaw. Stunned, Scott goes down.
CROSS CUT BACK TO INT. The central hall of the old mansion.
Faith and Buffy are about to leave. They walk to the front door.
BUFFY
I want details! You saw this for real?!
FAITH
As real as the smootchies can get!
Both stop as they hear the SOUNDS OF SCUFFLING outside.
BUFFY (cont'd)
What the hell is that?
They run out the front door and stop at the top of the stairs that look down onto the grounds.
CROSS CUT BACK TO EXT. The old mansion grounds.
Scott is down on the ground on his back. A LARGE VAMPIRE stands over him and yanks him to his feet.
VAMPIRE
Hello, Rarak! I'm getting tired of blowing my Wednesday night happy hour chasing around after you.
Scott, who acts like he is limp in the vampire's grasp, suddenly springs into action, swinging the back of his clenched fist across the Vampire's face. The Vampire topples back from the impact and loses his grip. Scott, still partially stunned, struggles to maintain his balance, but two more sets of hands wrap around his neck and shoulders. He squirms in the tightening grip of more vampires.
CROSS CUT TO EXT. The outside steps of the old mansion.
Buffy and Faith run out onto the steps. They see Scott struggling with five vampires. The one Scott struck is getting up off the ground while two are restraining Scott and two more are laughing at the vampire Scott punched out.
BUFFY
Where'd he come from!?
FAITH
Damn! The little twerp followed me! Guys do real stupid things for love!
BUFFY
Run that one by me again?!
FAITH
Later!
BUFFY
Right!
Buffy pats Faith on the shoulder and points to a spot in the heavy brush next to where Scott is struggling.
BUFFY
(quickly)
Split up! You nail 'em from there; I'll smash 'em from the other side!
Buffy and Faith separate and disappear into the overgrown plantings at the foot of the steps.
CROSS CUT BACK TO EXT. On the path where the vampires have surrounded Scott.
Scott is held firmly by two vampires. He struggles and squirms but his efforts are ineffective. The vampire Scott punched out approaches him.
VAMPIRE
(seething)
You scaly little bastard! If I didn't have specific orders from Trick not to damage you, I'd have put you away years ago.
SCOTT
(yelling)
Still can't handle the job yourself! How many flunkies you need tonight?!
The vampire pushes his face up to Scott and growls threateningly. Scott's mind races for some way to break his captors' grip. Suddenly, using the vampires holding him as a body pivot, Scott swings both his feet up in the air and kicks them violently against the chest of the vampire learing at him.
His tormentor, caught by surprise, falls over. At the same time, the two vampires holding Scott lose their balance from the swing of Scott's body in their grip and topple backwards taking Scott down with them. Scott swings his feet and fists wildly as all three collapse in a pile. The two other vampires laugh derisively at their companions' ludicrous attempts to control Scott.
Suddenly, leaping out of the bushes on either side of the path, like two avenging angels, Buffy and Faith plant well placed kicks in the backs of the laughing vampires. Not waiting to judge the effect of their attack, the Slayers together leap across the fallen vampires and drag Scott's captors off of him. Scott scrambles to his feet. He glares at his original tormentor who turns to make a run for it.
Scott leaps at the vampire, catching him by the legs as he attempts to escape into the bushes. The vampire falls with Scott grasping at his legs. Scott scrambles up the vampire's body and begins punching ferociously at the vampire's face. A faint blue light, unseen by Buffy or Faith, shines in his eyes as he rains a hail of blows on the vampire under him.
SCOTT
(screaming at the vampire as he punches)
I... AM... SICK... OF... BEING... HASSLED... BY... YOU!
Several yards away, Buffy and Faith are occupied with their opponents. Buffy jabs her fists again and again, sending one vampire sprawling into the bushes. Faith grasps her hands together in a fist and swings them over and over into the face of the vampire she's fighting. Scott yells out to Buffy.
SCOTT
BUFFY! GIMME A STAKE!
Not believing what she has just heard, Buffy looks at Scott and hesitates. Still fighting her vampire, Faith yells at Buffy.
FAITH
'B!' DO IT!
Buffy quickly pulls a stake out of her inside jacket pocket and tosses it to Scott. He deftly catches the stake and, grasping it with both hands, plunges the point with all his strength into the chest of the vampire beneath him. The vampire explodes into dust. Realizing they are beaten without their leader, the four other vampires break off the attack and flee into the bushes.
Scott, panting and gasping, sits on the ground where the vampire disintegrated underneath him. Buffy and Faith stare at Scott in complete shock. Scott looks up at the Slayers and gives a nervous little smile.
SCOTT
(trying to catch his breath)
. . . Hi, Buffy...
BUFFY
(accusing)
Scott?... what just happened here?
SCOTT
(trying to make a joke)
Uh... Mr. Trick doesn't like me?
FAITH
(snickering to Buffy)
I guess our usual story about being attacked by crack heads isn't gonna fly either.
BUFFY
(to Scott, now concerned)
Are you okay?
SCOTT
(catching his breath)
Yeah, I think so... Buffy, ... Faith, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I followed you guys but... I've known everything all along.
Buffy and Faith stare at Scott, a mixture of suspicion and anger in their eyes.
SCOTT
Please don't be mad. Your secret's safe. (looking down sadly) Hell, I got enough of my own. I guess... I really blew it.
FAITH
(softening)
You handled yourself pretty good there, kid.
Faith walks over to Scott and offers him her hand. He takes it, and she pulls him up to his feet.
FAITH (cont'd)
Looks like you've had some experience getting roughed up. (Faith eyes Scott) You're looking cuter all the time.
SCOTT
Before I came to Sunnydale, I was always the smallest ... one. I was always getting picked on and beat up . . . makes you learn a few moves.
Buffy walks up and joins Scott and Faith
BUFFY
(almost fearfully)
Who the hell are you anyway?... What the hell are you doing here?
Scott looks Buffy directly in the eyes. He speaks as if he were asking for forgiveness.
SCOTT
We gotta talk, Buffy... right now. I gotta fix some things I really screwed up.
Scott suddenly winces in pain and rubs his jaw with his hand.
SCOTT (cont'd)
Oww!
BUFFY
You sure you're okay?
SCOTT
(rubbing the side of his face)
Yeah, I just haven't been whacked there in a while. Forgot what it felt like. (pause) Hey, anybody... hungry? I'm starved all of a sudden.
Buffy and Faith stare at each other, their mouths open in amazement.
SCOTT
I know this great all night coffee shop. They got super ice cream and the hot fudge is real death by... uh well... you know what I mean.
FAITH
(snickering, aside to Buffy)
Hey, maybe we could use this guy on patrol! You sure I can't have him?
BUFFY
(smiling back at Faith)
Shut up.
SCOTT
Whadda ya say? Who's hungry?
FAITH
(smiling to Buffy)
You go ahead 'B'. I'll finish patrol. I think you and ole "Scott the Stake" here got a little catching up to do.
Buffy nods in agreement. She marches by Scott to leave the mansion grounds.
BUFFY
(to Scott)
All right, Scott... whoever you are... let's go get that ice cream. You got some explaining to do, buster!
SCOTT
No! Please! Don't bring that up again!
Buffy realizes Scott took her remark as a reference to the fateful Buster Keaton film festival.
BUFFY
(apologetically)
Oh, yeah,... right. Sorry.... that date, it wasn't *that* bad, ya know.
SCOTT
It sucked.
BUFFY
Guess the flick was pretty boring.
SCOTT
You were watching the exit light over the door half the time.
Smiling and shaking her head, Faith watches Scott catch up with Buffy as the two of them walk briskly away together down the path towards the street.
ACT 2, Scene 3. EXT. The street running downtown. A little later.
Street lights cast intermittent light on the closed stores and sidewalks. There are few pedestrians but the street is busy with traffic on this weekday night. About fifty yards in the distance, Buffy and Scott are walking at a good clip down the sidewalk. As they move under each street lamp, their forms are alternately lit up in bright artificial light and then pass into darkened shadow and silhouette. They talk as they walk but are too far away to be heard. Only the constant NOISE OF CAR ENGINES and the occasional HONK OF HORNS echo up and down the street.
As Scott walks at Buffy's side, he is speaking and holding his arms out in front of him as if he were trying to explain something. Suddenly, Buffy stops and turns to confront him. She waves her arms in the air and is obviously yelling at him. Scott faces Buffy and hangs his head. With no way to soothe Buffy's outburst, he just stands and takes the brunt of her tirade. Finally, Buffy stomps her foot and storms away from Scott down the street.
Scott moves as if to follow, but after just a few feet he stops and looks down as if he were giving up. Then slowly he turns, preparing to walk away but he doesn't move from the spot. Buffy continues walking. Then, after about twenty yards, she realizes Scott is not behind her. She stops, turns back and sees him by himself, not looking at her but gazing up at the night sky.
For a moment, Buffy hesitates as she looks at Scott. She then shakes her head and walks back to him. As she reaches his side the scene:
CUTS TO CLOSE UP - Buffy and Scott together in the half light under a street lamp.
BUFFY
. . . Hey...
Scott doesn't answer.
BUFFY (cont'd)
I'm real sorry about yelling at you.
SCOTT
(not looking down from the sky)
I know. It's okay... really. I deserved it.
BUFFY
But you gotta understand... I mean... how the hell did you ever get tangled up with a bastard like Ethan Rayne?
SCOTT
(looking down at Buffy now and stumbling for words)
Buffy,... He's got stuff on me... big time,... that could really hurt me.
BUFFY
Well then, you take me to the rat, and I'll beat the crap outta him. Problem solved!
SCOTT
No, Buffy. It's not that simple. Some things... you have to do on your own. You know. Friends are great and they'll do anything for you... but there are times when you have to take the path alone. No one else can follow. I mean, you'd love to have the company and all, but... you can't put that weight on them.
BUFFY
(sighing and nodding)
Yeah... been there. Done that.
SCOTT
I mean, it was all okay until... until I met you... and asked you out.
Buffy stares at Scott, now seeing him in a totally different light.
SCOTT (cont'd)
When Mr. Rayne heard that, he went ballistic. Started wanting me to do all this crazy stuff. Against you... and Giles. I told him I wouldn't... cause it would hurt you. He wouldn't back off. So the only way out I could see was . . . to break up with you.
Buffy, speechless, still looks at Scott.
SCOTT (cont'd)
I'm sorry I was so rotten. I know you were trying to get over that Angel guy, but I couldn't risk it. I just remember the look on your face when I told you I wasn't going to go out with you...
Scott can't finish the sentence. Ashamed, he looks away from Buffy.
SCOTT (cont'd)
(staring at the ground)
Anyway, I told Mr. Rayne to screw off tonight.
BUFFY
That explains Trick's goons. Rayne sent them, huh.
SCOTT
Yeah.
BUFFY
(shaking her head and smiling faintly)
And here I thought you dumped me cause *I* was too weird!
Scott and Buffy both look up at each other and start to snicker in spite of themselves. They are then silent for a few moments. Finally Buffy reaches out to Scott with her hand and turns his face towards her.
BUFFY (cont'd)
(quietly, with no reproach)
Scott... the way you fought tonight... and I heard that vampire call you by a name.... who are you... really?
SCOTT
(looking at Buffy pleading for her understanding)
I... I can't tell you, Buffy.... at least, not now.... but, maybe someday soon?
BUFFY
I don't know. Keeping a secret that big from a friend and all...
SCOTT
(interrupting her)
Buffy, we've all got secrets from each other. It's just . . . I'm different, okay. I've always been different. I can't change it. And ever since I came to Sunnydale, I've had to hide it. Had to play being normal.... just like you. You understand that.
BUFFY
Yeah, I guess I can. (smiling) You're just a little better at it than I am.
Buffy puts her hands on her hips and turns to start walking.
BUFFY (cont'd)
Hey, ice cream's waiting.
SCOTT
(smiling, reassured)
Yeah.
They start walking together again.
BUFFY
So... where do we go from here?
SCOTT
I'd like to hang out with you, if that's okay. Nothing heavy or anything. I know Angel still must be special for you, and I don't want to compete with that.... but, friends need friends sometimes... for company while we're sorta on the same path.
BUFFY
Yeah, I'd like that. . . but, Scott.... what's going to happen to you? I mean now that you're on Ethan Rayne's "S" list.
SCOTT
(quietly)
I don't know. I've tried to imagine where I'm going,... I can see things sometimes, . . . things that have happened or are going to happen. It's part of me being different... but I see 'em as drawings or words, you know, poetry or sentences and stuff...
BUFFY
(fascinated)
Weird,... Willow's like that. She touches things and can see where they've been.
SCOTT
Anyway, when I've tried to see stuff about me, every direction I look... there's only this . . . darkness... all around.
Buffy stops walking. Scott stops with her. She looks him directly in the eyes.
BUFFY
(fearfully, after a pause)
And me? Can you see anything about me?
Scott looks at her blankly for a moment. He then begins to smile. It's the first honestly happy smile Buffy has ever seen on him. The smile is infectious and without knowing why, Buffy starts to smile, too. She nods as if to say, "Come on, spill it!" Scott then turns his head up and looks at the night sky full of stars. Buffy follows his gaze.
SCOTT
(looking up and pointing at the stars)
Yeah... there. That's what I see.
After a moment, Buffy looks back at Scott. For the first time in weeks, if for only a moment, she feels as if a weight has been lifted off her shoulders. As Scott turns his gaze back to her, Buffy slowly wraps her arms around him and gives him a hug. Hesitating, Scott finally returns her embrace. They then continue walking down the sidewalk, arm in arm.
BUFFY
Hey, Friend. How far's it to that coffee shop.
SCOTT
Just on the next block.
ACT 2, Scene 4. EXT. The cemetery, the same night, after the Bronze has closed.
Faith is on patrol alone. She moves with stealth amidst the graves and monuments, listening carefully for any sounds that would direct her to a newly risen vampire. As she steps around the wall of a crypt she spies the figure of a tall young woman with long brown hair seated on the steps. Faith cannot recognize her in the dim light. She approaches cautiously.
Suddenly the unknown woman senses she is being watched. She leaps to her feet, holding out in front of her a wooden cross festooned with garlic and a small letter opener gripped in her fist like a dagger. The faint rays of light filtering in from the street lamps glitter on the blade of the opener. It is Cordelia. Her makeup is smudged and her face stained with crying.
FAITH
Cords!
CORDELIA
(sheepishly)
Uhh... Hi, Faith.... Buffy around?
FAITH
No! Geez, man! I don't care how high you scored on the SAT's. This is one of the bone headedest things I've ever seen you do!
Cordelia lowers the cross and letter opener. She sits back down on the stone steps of the crypt. Faith walks over and joins her.
FAITH (cont'd)
(sitting down next to Cordelia)
What the hell are you doing here? You could get yourself killed!
CORDELIA
Please don't yell at me. Buffy's always yelling at me.
FAITH
Okay, I won't yell. But you still haven't answered my question. What are you doing... Oh, I get it. That rat Xander finally fessed up.
Cordelia doesn't answer. She just sits whimpering on the cold stone.
FAITH (cont'd)
Cords, seeing you do this, you worry me.
CORDELIA
You? Worry about me? "Miss Independence, I do what I want and don't give a flame what people think?"
FAITH
(quietly, smiling)
Hey... low blow. No fair.
CORDELIA
(trying not to sob)
When Xander told me about him and that little red witch, I just ran out of the Bronze. I didn't know where to go, so I came out here to think. Buffy does, so why can't I?
FAITH
'Cause you're not Buffy! Besides, Buffy doesn't think, she broods... she mopes . . . she moans and whines. And believe me, you don't want to use her as a role model for your love life.
CORDELIA
(faintly smiling)
Nah, I guess not. . . . you know, I really should thank you for making Xander come clean... but something inside me wishes he'd kept his stupid mouth shut. Funny how just a couple of words can send your whole life...
Cordelia stops in mid sentence and wipes her eyes.
FAITH
Yeah, pretty sucky. You know something. Since I've been here,... it's funny, you guys and your California relationships, well, they're sorta like your earthquakes. One minute you're walking along and the sun is shining. Everything is right and you're feeling good... and the next second, you're thrown to your knees and all this crap is falling down on top of you. You know what you're supposed to do, jump in a doorway and all that,... but how're you supposed to think or take cover... when your whole world is crashing down on top of your head? ... Right?
Cordelia just nods, still wiping her eyes.
FAITH (cont'd)
I don't know what's worse, the way you guys do it here... or the way I'm used to back east. See... I spent alot a time in the Carolinas. Down there we got hurricanes.
Cordelia, distracted and curious, sniffles a little and looks up at Faith.
FAITH (cont'd)
(wistfully with a little fear)
The way I know it... one morning you wake up early, you have no idea why, and you walk out on the beach and look at the sunrise over the ocean. And it's real weird 'cause it's all these beautiful colors... but it's all wrong. It's not supposed to look that way. There's a feeling in the air, too, heavy, like something big's coming.
Cordelia stares in amazement at what Faith is describing. Faith pauses a moment to make sure Cordelia is listening, then she continues.
FAITH (cont'd)
In a couple hours, the clouds start to look funny, and the waves are bigger. But the give-away is the color under the curl of the waves, it's dark, almost inky, ... real ugly. And you tell yourself you better stay out of the water cause that kind of surf hides really bad rips that'll sweep your butt out to sea before you're in waist deep. Then the wind starts to pick up and the blowing sand stings your face.
CORDELIA
Wow,... whadda ya do?
FAITH
Well, you know it's coming so you got two choices. You can either bail... get in the car and run like hell... or try to ride it out and hunker down for one hell of a blow.
CORDELIA
What would *you* do?
FAITH
Me? Tough it out, of course!... then the wind keeps building... and the water comes up. And you gotta get away from the windows cause if you just stand there watching, the wind'll blow em in and the flying glass'll tear ya to pieces. . . Then, all of a sudden, everything gets quiet and ya think "hey, that wasn't so bad. I can handle this. Everything's gonna be okay."
CORDELIA
That's the eye, isn't it?
FAITH
Right. If you go wandering out in that, thinking it's over, that's when you really get killed. 'Cause then it all comes roaring back again, twice as bad. And by the time it's all over, the roof over yer head is torn off. And all the stuff you loved is either missing out to sea or, what little is left is wrecked, soaked through with salt water.
Faith locks her gaze right at Cordelia.
FAITH (cont'd)
And what's weird in it all... ya knew it was coming. You could sense it. But you had no idea how bad it would get... course, nothing's ever the same afterwards, either.
Faith then turns away from Cordelia and looks down. Now she wipes one of her eyes with her sleeve.
FAITH (cont'd)
And the real pisser is... with all the warning in the world... there's still no way you could've stopped it from happening.
Faith looks back up at Cordelia.
FAITH (cont'd)
Ya know... I think I like the California style better. Quick, down and dirty.
Cordelia smiles at Faith. For a moment the two look at each other, then Cordelia turns her gaze away from Faith out into the darkness of the cemetery and sighs.
CORDELIA
(deeply discouraged)
So what the hell do I do now? None of my old friends'll talk to me. With Xander around, I can't hang out with you guys. I can't even be a weirdo anymore!
FAITH
Hold it! Back up the truck, here! You call the shots about who you can hang out with, not that jerk, Xander!
Cordelia doesn't answer. Faith stares incredulously at Cordelia.
FAITH (cont'd)
(gently)
Oh man! This is the first time you've ever really loved a guy, isn't it.
Cordelia doesn't look at Faith. She only bites her lip and stares at the ground. Cordelia slowly nods. Faith shakes her head with real empathy for what Cordelia is feeling.
FAITH (cont'd)
Aw shit, Cords, this *really* sucks.
Faith wraps her arms around Cordelia and hugs her.
FAITH (cont'd)
Listen, you gotta start the healing fast, okay? First thing you do is get mad.
CORDELIA
Huh?
FAITH
Aw come on! This is Cordelia Chase I'm talking to, not Willow "candyass" Rosenburg! Get mad! Angry! Pissed off!
Cordelia starts scowling.
FAITH
(cont'd)
There...that's looking a little better. But when you get mad, don't smear it around at anybody who gets in your way.
Cordelia listens to Faith, taking in every word she says.
FAITH (cont'd)
Hit the bastard that did this to you. He's the one who hurt you. He's the one who tore your guts out. Geez, girl, you gave him the most precious thing you had... your first love... and that asshole!...
As Faith speaks, Cordelia gets angrier and angrier. She likes what Faith is saying as she feels the old Cordelia surging back to the surface.
FAITH (cont'd)
You get him in the hallway tomorrow and scream like hell at him. Call him every name in the book, humiliate the piss out of him. And make sure you yell it out loud so everybody can hear exactly what he did with Willow, all the details, when, where... ya nail two birds with one stone that way!
CORDELIA
What about that little red haired witch... Willow.
Faith thinks for a moment.
FAITH
Ya know, probably ought to pass on her. Just the Ice Princess treatment should do it. I figure Oz'll make her pay *bigtime.* But... (Faith puts on a devilish grin) a couple of squirts of cod liver oil through the air vents in her locker should let her know to watch her step.
Cordelia's eyes glow with the petty maliciousness of the trick. She smiles and starts to stand.
FAITH (cont'd)
(taking Cordelia by the arm and pulling her back down)
Hey, hey, hey, babe, where you going? We're not finished yet.
CORDELIA
(smiling with anticipation)
Ooo! There's more?
FAITH
Yeah, that's only part one, the easy part. It's what you do after that, that's hard.
CORDELIA
(a little uncertain)
What's this hard part?
FAITH
Ya gotta make the decision... is there anything worth putting back together. What you and Xander had, that first magic feeling that was all yours... it's gone, blown away... just like the hurricane. The thing is, is there enough left behind to rebuild? Is it gonna be worth all the work... and the pain? Do you want to hold on to what was there to begin with?
Cordelia's angry smile fades away. She looks down sorrowfully, then gazes back up at Faith.
CORDELIA
I don't know. . . I don't know whether I'll ever be able to figure that one out.
FAITH
(putting her arm around Cordelia's shoulder)
Just the fact you don't know right now says something good. It may take a long time. Don't rush it. Sometimes something happens that'll tell you. Other times, the question just answers itself.
Cordelia stares at Faith. As she asks Faith the next question, Cordelia already knows what the answer will be.
CORDELIA
(quietly)
How do *you* know all this stuff?
FAITH
(smiling sadly)
Hey.... Voice of experience.
CORDELIA
And what did you do? For the hard part.
FAITH
(looking out into the darkness of the cemetery, with a touch of regret)
I'm here, aren't I? You don't see anybody puppy dogging behind me.
Faith and Cordelia make no move to leave. Each one, lost in their own thoughts, sits motionless on the steps of the crypt.
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