The Descent to Avernus: Part 1
by Gaius Petronius
DISCLAIMER: See Prologue.
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Part One
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ACT 1, Scene 1. EXT The cemetery. Mid day.
It is about a half hour after the events of the Epilogue of "The Better Path."
BUFFY is seated by herself on the green grass of a rolling slope in the cemetery. She sits with her knees up in front of her and her arms wrapped around them. Before her, the well manicured lawn marked by stones and monuments, slips away gently down the hill. By her side is Jennie Calendar's headstone. Several trees rise overhead. It is a warm, beautiful day with only an occasional breeze to rustle the leaves of the trees.
She is not sad or brooding but rather just thoughtful. The warm breeze, the bright sunshine, the green grass, all are somehow reassuring, and the stones, particularly Jennie's, more like company.
BUFFY
(quietly as if she were talking to the stone)
... so, Willow's gonna use that Egyptian text thing Giles had and figure out how we'll get him out of the Demon Dimension. She'll be my new Watcher, Faith's too... well just for awhile... until we get Giles back... you know, it's funny, I never knew how to talk to you when you were... alive.
The gentle breeze picks up and stirs the leaves overhead. XANDER approaches down a path from behind in the trees, but stops a few yards away from Buffy. Lost in her thoughts, she doesn't even realize he's there. Xander eavesdrops on her.
BUFFY (cont'd)
... it was all wrong... I know that now. I don't understand it,... but I know it. I mean, Angel's back, and I'm happy for that and everything but... everybody's torn apart because of what I did. Willow, she's hurting inside real bad. She won't show it. She's acting tough, trying to keep us all together. And Oz and Cordelia... and Xander won't even talk to me.
Xander smiles when he hears those words.
BUFFY (cont'd)
And although I know here (she taps her heart with her fist) we're gonna get Giles back... you can count on that!... nothing'll ever be the same again... 'cause Scott's gone forever... there's no way he'll ever return... and I'd give anything... just to have a moment to tell him, "I'm sorry."
Buffy hangs her head. Xander stops smiling and listens sympathetically.
BUFFY (cont'd)
I don't understand... I thought it was all for love... but it's destroyed everything, so many people I do love so much... how can it be love... if all it brings is pain and death? I'm scared, it's something else. And it hurts... it hurts real bad.
Suddenly, Buffy senses someone is watching her. She looks around and sees Xander. She gives a little gasp.
XANDER
(quietly with empathy, putting his hand on Jennie's stone)
Talkin' to yer bud, again?
BUFFY
(not angry)
How long you been standing there?
XANDER
Not long. Just got here.
BUFFY
Liar.
XANDER
Yeah. I figured I'd better come looking for you.
Xander sits down beside her.
BUFFY
So... at least you're speaking to me again, huh?
XANDER
(nodding)
Can't stay pissed off at a Slayer too long. They're such a fuzzy, friendly bunch.
Buffy grins. For a moment neither says anything.
XANDER (cont'd)
I'm not mad at you, ya know. I mean I am, but I'm not. I just don't get what's going on in your head, Buff. Never have, but hey, that's always been you. You're Buffy.
BUFFY
Duh.
Xander smiles and shakes his head. After another pause.
BUFFY (cont'd)
(quietly pleading)
Xander... you gotta promise you won't tell anyone what you heard here. This was like real private stuff.
XANDER
(flippantly)
Sure.
BUFFY
No, I mean it, really.
XANDER
What? You don't think the Xander nerves of steel and mind like a vice can keep one little secret locked up?
BUFFY
(discouraged)
Oh, what's the use. The minute you leave here, you'll be blabbing to Cordelia and Willow.
XANDER
(with mock seriousness)
Buffy! You think I'd injure our friendship, not to mention blow any future chances I might have with you, by revealing a confidence?! Now I'm offended!
Buffy gives him a look that says "You? Offended?"
BUFFY
(under her breath)
Right.
XANDER
Hey, I got a deal for you. I'll tell *you* a secret and if I blow my mouth off,... you can nail me and tell everyone.
BUFFY
(sarcastically)
Oh yeah, what's your big secret? How you wet your bed until you were six?
XANDER
Hey! How'd you know?
BUFFY
Willow.
XANDER
Aw, man!... but that's not it. (quietly) It's about Willow... and me.
Xander suddenly has Buffy's attention. She looks at him intently.
XANDER
(self consciously, scraping his foot on the ground in front of him)
... and how I feel about her.
Buffy's eyes widen. There is a long pause.
XANDER (cont'd)
Big enough secret?
BUFFY
(nodding)
Yeah.
XANDER
Promise not to tell?
BUFFY
(quietly)
Okay.
XANDER
(smiling)
Me, too....
Buffy settles in, her attention riveted on Xander.
XANDER (cont'd)
You know, Willow and I go way back. We were always best buds... and more. She was like my kid sister. Hell, I even punched out a guy once that teased her about her red hair and made her cry. (proudly) That was my first detention. In kindergarten.
BUFFY
(incredulous)
You got detention?... in kindergarten!?
XANDER
(smuggly)
Yeah, pretty cool, huh.
Smiling, Buffy shakes her head.
XANDER (cont'd)
(more reflective)
But then... before Homecoming, we were getting ready together and I saw her all dressed up... Something happened, Buffy. It wasn't my old Willow. I mean it was and all but...
BUFFY
(sympathetically)
She grew up on you, Xander.
XANDER
Yeah, no kidding! She was... wow! That's when the thing started between us. Before that, I had been so rotten to her. I know she had this thing for me but when I tried to kiss her after summer vacation, all I could think of was I was kissing my sister. And then Cordie came along and the broom closets. I saw Will crying once, Buffy. It tore me to pieces. I tried to make it up to her but I had hurt her so bad. I loved her Buff, but not that way.
BUFFY
(quietly)
I know Xander.
XANDER
But after Homecoming something really changed... if Faith hadn't caught us at the Bronze... (almost whispered) We would've done it, Buffy... gone all the way. We wouldn't have cared who we hurt. Oz, Cordelia, the hell with 'em. All I knew was I wanted my best bud... to be my first lover... and she did, too.
BUFFY
(sucking in her breath between her teeth and shaking her head)
Bad thing.
Suddenly a thought comes to Buffy. She speaks to Xander, but her face looks as if she is talking about herself.
BUFFY (cont'd)
Maybe it wasn't love...
XANDER
No, it was... but not a good kind of love. I've been thinking about this a lot since Giles died. I saw somewhere that love isn't good or bad all by itself. It's just this incredibly powerful force, like something out of Star Wars and stuff, and it's what we do with it that makes it "good" or "bad."
Buffy looks away from Xander. She thinks carefully about what he is saying.
BUFFY
(quietly)
Wow... I never thought of it that way...
XANDER
Then I realized that the love I wanted for me and Willow... it was bad... real bad. I mean it was gonna waste everything! Oz, Cordie... even you.
BUFFY
Me? Naah! What you guys do with your smootchies is none of my...
XANDER
No? You might have still treated me the same way, high class jerk that I am... but don't tell me it wouldn't have changed how you got along with Will.
BUFFY
Hey, I'd just have to deal.
XANDER
(shaking his head)
You wouldn't look up to her the way you do now. She's *your* best bud. ... and then something even worse came to me. What happens when we finally break up?
Buffy looks back at Xander, surprised by his remark.
XANDER
Yeah! Break up. This kind of relationship, it's like a buzz bomb. You light the fuse, and run like hell. Then the thing spins around in a circle, shooting off sparks and takes off up into the air. Then it explodes!
Buffy looks seriously at Xander.
XANDER
We'd have had a few months rocking the block... and then it would all change again, go sour. But there'd be nothing left to go back to 'cause we'd blown everyone off, everyone who was *really* important to us. We'd be all alone... not even have each other. No, it was bad. The whole thing was a disaster... maybe you're right, Buff. Maybe it wasn't love.
Xander sits quietly for a moment.
BUFFY
So... what're ya gonna do now?
XANDER
I gotta figure out how Will and I can get back to being best buds. 'Cause I do love her Buffy. I don't know what kind of love it is, but when she's hurting... it just kills me. Love's not supposed to hurt people like that.
BUFFY
Yeah, it's not supposed to, but it does a lot. I think you probably found the good kind, though.
Both Buffy and Xander are silent for a few moments. Finally, Buffy speaks quietly, looking at the ground rather than at him beside her.
BUFFY
Xander... remember when you and Cordelia came looking for me at the old mansion?
XANDER
Yeah.
BUFFY
I was there. I heard everything you said about me and Angel.
XANDER
I know.
Surprised, Buffy looks up at Xander.
XANDER (cont'd)
I mean, I didn't see ya or anything... but I could tell.
BUFFY
(almost afraid to ask)
Did you really mean all that stuff you said about Angel?
XANDER
You know I got no soft spots for Dead Boy, but... Geez, Buff, can't you see it? You guys, you're like what Willow and I were gonna do, only ten times worse.
Xander sees his words have hurt Buffy.
XANDER (cont'd)
Aw, shit, Buffy. I'm sorry. When things go wrong, I just get so pissed off and shoot my mouth off and...
BUFFY
(interrupting him)
No, no... (looking out down the grassy slope) You're right, you know.
XANDER
(looking at her, puzzled)
I am?
BUFFY
Yeah. Trouble is, it's one thing to know it. It's another thing to have the strength to do something about it.
XANDER
I guess Will and I got off easy. I really ought to thank Faith for busting it up. (after a pause) So,... big enough secret for ya?
BUFFY
(pause)
No.
XANDER
What!?
BUFFY
Xander... you can't use that secret. (gently, looking him right in the eyes) That's the one you gotta tell Willow.
XANDER
Oh,... yeah I guess you're right. Well, you can still use the one about the bed wetting.
Buffy grins and shakes her head.
BUFFY
That's okay, I'll let you off the hook this time.
Buffy looks out at the sunny slope again, pauses and speaks in a matter of fact tone.
BUFFY (cont'd)
... Cordelia's a shithead...
XANDER
(after a pause)
Uh,... although I'm in tune with that feeling right now, I'm a little puzzled. Where did that one come from?
BUFFY
(looking at him)
You may be a pig, Xander... but you got a big heart. And Cordelia's a real jerk face to throw that away. You're the best thing that ever happened to her.
XANDER
Thanks... I need the ego boost right about now.
BUFFY
You guys still doing the "pretend" thing?
XANDER
Yeah, until we figure out how to talk to each other again.
BUFFY
(jumping to her feet)
Oh Man! I forgot, I didn't even tell you! We got research stuff this afternoon and tonight! Willow thinks she may be able to figure out how to get Giles back! Come on!
XANDER
(getting up with her)
You're shitting me!
BUFFY
We gotta find Oz! Faith, Willow and Cordelia are paying a little *visit* to Ethan Rayne right now.
Buffy and Xander walk briskly back up the path under the trees away from Jennie's grave.
XANDER
What do they want with that weasel?
BUFFY
He knows how to translate the Necropolis text that Giles had. Willow figures it's got the key to everything.
Buffy starts to run ahead. Xander breaks into a jog to keep up.
BUFFY (calling back to Xander)
Oh! And Willow's gonna be our Watcher, too. Just for a while, though.
XANDER
Hey, Buff, how come you aren't in on the Rayne action? He's not exactly your favorite person.
Buffy and Xander reach the cemetery gates. They stop, he to catch his breath.
BUFFY
(quietly, embarassed)
They wouldn't let me go.
XANDER
(between pants)
What's that?
BUFFY
Willow kicked me outta the car, okay! She said, I'd probably be too rough.
XANDER
Noo!
CUT TO INT. The storage room of the closed up store downtown. Day at the same time.
FAITH has ETHAN RAYNE's arms pulled back behind him and restrained. He is dangling in Faith's grip. CORDELIA and WILLOW are standing in front of him. Cordelia pulls her fist back and punches Ethan hard in the stomach. Ethan doubles up and slumps further down.
WILLOW
(pointing at a manuscript on a table beside Ethan)
All you have to do is translate this section accurately, and we'll be done. Is that so hard?
Ethan makes no response, only groans as he hangs in Faith's grip.
CORDELIA
(to Willow)
Your turn.
WILLOW
Oh, cool.
Willow steps back, makes a fist and is about to swing a punch at Ethan, when he gives in.
ETHAN
(gasping)
All right! All right! I'll do it!
WILLOW
Pooh!
Faith drops Ethan in a chair beside the table with the manuscript. He slumps over the desk, picks up a pen and starts writing on a piece of paper beside the manuscript. Willow leans over his shoulder and watches as Ethan translates the more difficult Latin phrases. Faith stands a few feet away, her arms folded across her chest.
FAITH
(to Willow, indicating Ethan)
He being a good boy?
WILLOW
(watching over Ethan's shoulder)
Yeah... I think so.
Ethan finishes, turns in the chair and hands the paper to Willow.
ETHAN
There! All done. (sarcastically) Can I go out and play now?
FAITH
Nah! You're grounded! You been bad... and not the kinda bad I like!
ETHAN
Ooo! And how long am I being held under protective custody, Scarey Spice?
Faith smirks and ignores the insult.
FAITH
When Giles is back, we can talk about reinstating your "privileges."
Ethan laughs under his breath and shakes his head.
CORDELIA
What's so funny?
ETHAN
(savoring the thought)
Oh, I was just contemplating what you're going to have to go through... and *where* you're going to have to go... to retrieve dear old Ripper.
FAITH
You leave that to us. We can handle it... right Willow?
Willow has been studying Ethan's translation. What she is reading clearly has her upset.
WILLOW
(afraid)
Uhh... yeah, Faith... (looking back at the translation) uh... Holy Shit!
CORDELIA
(shocked at Willow's language)
Willow!
ETHAN
(to Faith)
I have a special request though.
FAITH
(putting her hands on her hips and glaring at him with a provocative lear)
What?
ETHAN
You look like someone who appreciates the finer things in life.
Faith rolls her eyes and nods her head sarcastically.
ETHAN (cont'd)
If I'm going to be under house arrest for Lord knows how long, I might be more cooperative if I had a little something to drink... to occupy my time.
FAITH
So ya watta get plastered.
ETHAN
Properly snobbled is how I look at it. It would put me in a better frame of mind... but only single malt Scotch, mind you. I know Ripper always kept a bottle in his office.
Faith, Cordelia and Willow look at each other. Faith grins and swaggers over to the door. On the floor, she left a small shoulder bag. She reaches down, unzips the bag and pulls out an unlabeled pint bottle half full of amber liquid. Willow and Cordelia's eyes widen in amazement as Faith tosses the bottle to Ethan. He catches it easily.
FAITH
There ya go. Knock yerself out.
ETHAN
(to Faith)
My! And I thought Slayers were just snotty little "birds" with pointy sticks.
Ethan takes off the top, holds the bottle out in a toast to Faith and pulls a slug. Suddenly he gags and spits the half swallowed mouthful on the floor. When he finally regains his breath he yells at her. She, in reply, snickers at him.
ETHAN (cont'd)
Oh My God! What in blazes is this swill? Mandril urine?
FAITH
(with a wicked smile)
You criticizing my taste? That's the best! Old Mr. Boston!
Faith holds up one hand in front of her and rubs the nails on her fingers with her thumb.
FAITH (cont'd)
Takes the nail polish right off in flash! Good stuff! Always carry a bottle. Never know when you're gonna have to do a little emergency nail repair work!
As Ethan continues to gag, Faith turns with a flourish, grabs the manuscript off the table and swaggers towards the door.
FAITH
Come on gang, let's blow this dump. I'm gettin' bored... and damn hungry.
Cordelia and Willow give Ethan one final evil glare and then follow Faith as she parades out the door. As it slams behind them, there is the sound of a sliding bar dropping in place across the outside of the door.
Ethan looks at the bottle in his hand.
ETHAN
(to himself)
Now come on, Ethan old man. You can handle this, you can adapt... you can. This may be America, the land of seething barbarians, but it's not as bad as some bloody holes you've been. After all, it could be the Demon Dimension.
Ethan stares around him at the shabby, dirty storage room. His gaze finally returns to the pint bottle he's holding. Closing his eyes and making a face as if he were swallowing some vile medicine, Ethan takes another swig from Faith's bottle. He grimaces, shakes his head and blows air between his lips like a snorting horse.
ETHAN (cont'd)
Uuhhgg!... Then again, the Old Boy's liquor cabinet "down there" is damn site better!
CUT TO BLACK
ACT 1, Scene 2, INT. A Dark Void.
There is no visible scene, only blackness. In the midst of this eternal dark, Giles is seated alone. He appears as if he were sitting on a floor, his legs out in front of him and leaning back against a wall, if such a wall were visible.
He is sweating profusely and breathing heavily. His face is bruised and it is clear from the pain he experiences with each slight move, that his body has been subjected to extreme torture. Rather than move his head to look around him, his eyes dart back and forth, desperately searching for some hint of a visible structure or shape that would give him a clue as to where he is.
From out of the inky blackness the same malevolent Voice from the Prologue speaks to Giles.
VOICE
Ah, glad to see you've settled in. I'm sure you'll be comfortable here. These are our finest accomodations.
Giles glares before him into the darkness.
VOICE
I see you've already taken advantage of our "trainer" and masseuse. Good, good. They'll be at your disposal anytime. I have a few things to attend to, and then we can get together to discuss your "enrichment program." In the meantime, feel free to utilize any of the facilities.
The Voice ceases speaking and Giles is alone once more. His heavy breathing begins to dissolve into sobs when suddenly out of the dark a tiny point of light streams down from overhead. It passes around Giles' body as if searching for something. Then it fades out and disappears. As Giles' lowers his head forward in despair another voice drifts in faintly out of the darkness. Giles' eyes open wide in response to its familiarity. It's Scott.
SCOTT'S VOICE
(whispered)
Giles, don't give up hope! Buffy hasn't. She'll rescue you. I can see it. She will.
GILES
Scott?
SCOTT'S VOICE
(whispered)
You're not alone! Anytime you need to, just talk. I may not be able to answer, but I can see and I can hear.
GILES
Scott? Where is this place?
There is no response. Giles listens intently for a few moments more and then takes a deep breath. He closes his eyes and leans his head backwards.
GILES (cont'd)
(whispered with his eyes closed)
... thank you... thank you...
CUT TO INT. The Library. Mid day.
Cordelia, Faith and Oz are seated around the large research table in the center of the room. Each has a container of ice cream and a plastic spoon and is intent on stuffing as much as possible in their faces. Several books that they were supposed to be researching rest unattended in front of them.
Willow is apart from the others, alone up in Giles' office. She is rummaging through the papers on his desk, trying to bring some sort of order out of the chaos. Slowly she unrolls the Luxor Necropolis Text that is lying on top of the piles in front of her. She gazes at it for a long time, muttering to herself as she tries to translate the Latin and comparing what she comes up with to the translation sheet Ethan Rayne gave her.
After a moment she looks up at Giles' empty chair behind the desk. She sighs, abandons her translation attempt and just leans against the cluttered desk. She stares unmoving at the chair for a long time. Outside the office, the others, oblivious, continue to gobble down their ice cream. Buffy and Xander enter through the library doors.
XANDER
Hey guys! (looking around at all the ice cream) Okay, where's mine?
CORDELIA
(through a mouthful of ice cream)
In the freezer in the bio lab.
XANDER
Great! Thanks!
Xander runs out of the library to get his ice cream.
OZ
(to Cordelia after Xander has left)
Isn't that where they store all the frozen frog and bug parts? And the owl pellets?
Cordelia grins smuggly and doesn't answer. Buffy grimaces in disgust.
BUFFY
Uuhh, I think I'll pass! (to Oz) Where were you? We were looking all over for you.
OZ
Doing our Saturday practice in the gym. When these guys brought the ice cream in the building, (Oz taps his nose) well, the old boy kicked into high gear. The nose knows what it likes.
CORDELIA
This is another of those weirdo wolf things, right? I mean, how do you handle it?
OZ
Well, you try not to ride on crowded buses, and the school cafeteria at noon can be a little rough. You just deal.
Cordelia gives Oz a puzzled look.
OZ (cont'd)
Well, like now. (indicating Faith and Cordelia) What you two have on definitely clashes.
Cordelia and Faith give each other a hostile glare.
FAITH
(to Oz)
Hey, you dissing my Shalimar knock off?
Xander bursts back into the room, a small carton of ice cream in his hand. He is stuffing the ice cream in his mouth with a spoon.
BUFFY
Uh, Xander... where'd ya get the spoon?
XANDER
(through mouthfuls of ice cream)
It was lying in the freezer next to the ice cream. Mmm... thanks for saving me the chocolate chip guys. I love all these crunchies in it!
Buffy groans. Cordelia glances up from her ice cream, a look of placid innocence on her face. Not understanding, Xander gapes at everyone.
XANDER (cont'd)
(his mouth still full)
What?... what?...
OZ
(sniffs his ice cream and pushes it away)
I think I'll stick to plain vanilla from now on.
FAITH
(to Cordelia)
You're good... you're real good.
Buffy looks up to Giles' office and sees Willow by herself, her back to the group. Buffy slowly walks into the office. Not turning to face her, Willow speaks. The tone and spacing of the words are not only ominous but have a distinct and uncomfortable familiarity, as if it were Giles doing the talking.
WILLOW
(quietly)
Close the door.
Buffy pulls the door shut. She stands for a moment waiting for Willow to speak.
BUFFY
(uncomfortable)
So... this our first Watcher/Slayer thing?
WILLOW
(quietly)
Yeah.
Both stand silently. Then, very slowly, Willow reaches her hand out at the desk in front of her. With her palm facing to the side, she moves her hand back and forth as if gently waving the air away from her. On the desk, a pencil rises several inches above the piles of books and manuscripts of its own accord. Hesitantly at first, then more smoothly, it begins twirling in a circle. Buffy watches, her eyes wide, but says nothing to disturb Willow's concentration. After a few moments, Willow gently lowers her hand and the pencil descends back to the desktop.
BUFFY
(quietly)
Wow... you really got that under control now.
Willow looks up at Buffy. Willow's face is a mask of uncertainty.
WILLOW
It only all came together... after Giles...
Willow bites her lip and can't finish the sentence.
BUFFY
It's okay, Will. You're doing great.
WILLOW
Buffy... I'm afraid... all my Wicca spells, they're suddenly working right finally. And I can understand some of Giles' books... what if all this... "stuff" I'm finding about me is 'cause I'm going to need it as the new Watcher?... (Willow looks up at Buffy, almost whispered) ... 'cause Giles is never coming back?
Buffy walks up to Willow and takes her by the shoulders.
BUFFY
(reassuringly)
No, Willow. You're finding yourself now 'cause we're gonna need everything you have to get Giles back.
WILLOW
I'm trying to think like Giles would. I mean it's really hard. He's so weird. But I can't stop thinking... *about* him.
BUFFY
Me neither... (trying to change the subject)... so what did ya find out from Ethan.
WILLOW
(relaxed)
Oh, that was easy! Cordelia only had to belt him four times and he caved.
Willow holds out Ethan's translation to Buffy.
WILLOW (cont'd)
He did the whole manuscript.
Buffy begins studying the sheet of paper Willow has passed to her.
WILLOW (cont'd)
I can't believe such a wus could cause so much trouble.
BUFFY
He's dangerous, Willow, unbelievably dangerous. Giles never talked about him much, but there's more to Ethan Rayne than we know. You guys got him locked up good?
WILLOW
Yeah. Faith tested the doors. *She* couldn't even pull them open.
BUFFY
Good. I'll have Angel check on him after sundown.
WILLOW
(gently)
You talked to Angel yet?
BUFFY
I'm gonna go find him tonight.
WILLOW
What're ya gonna say?
BUFFY
I don't know. It's all so crazy and upside down now. Nothing's right. Giles is gone. Scott's gone. You're my Watcher.
Willow pouts.
BUFFY (cont'd)
(seeing Willow's hurt expression)
No, no. I didn't mean it like that. It's just everything is different now. It all seems completely... unreal. When I saw Angel for the first time at the old mansion after Giles... (sadly) I didn't feel anything. I mean, I'm happy he's back but it's more like I've finally paid off an old debt. Relieved.
Trying to understand, Willow stares at Buffy.
BUFFY (cont'd)
Losing both Giles and Scott... Willow,... something inside me died. I don't feel anything. It's just this numbness. The only thing that's still the same is you guys. (grinning) That hasn't changed in spite of all the smootchies problems.
WILLOW
Thanks, Buffy. I needed to hear that.
BUFFY
(handing Ethan's translation back to Willow)
So, I'm afraid to ask... what's the drill here?
WILLOW
It's real bad. I don't know how we're gonna pull it off. (slowly) To get Giles back... we have to open the Hellmouth...
Buffy's eyes widen in horror.
WILLOW (cont'd)
... descend to the Demon Dimension and, in exchange for Giles, offer the Ruler of the Kingdom of Death something... "touched by the finger of God."
Buffy is silent, her mouth hanging open.
WILLOW (cont'd)
(speaking slowly and carefully)
But there's something else even more important. At the start of the manuscript, the text reads "In all things, the end is the beginning and the beginning is the end." Now Ethan said that it just means you have to read the text backwards. But, he's missed something big time, Buffy. It means a lot more than that.
BUFFY
He said that to me, too. I don't understand.
WILLOW
When a statement like that leads off a mystical text, it not only tells you how to use the text but it also functions like a warning... or a prophecy.
BUFFY
But what does it mean? "The end is the beginning and the beginning is the end?"
WILLOW
I don't know.
There is a pause. When Willow speaks again, she smiles but it's not her usual innocent grin but instead full of sadness at the irony of her words.
WILLOW (cont'd)
I guess... I'll have to consult my books.
Buffy tries to smile sympathetically. Suddenly, like the descent of a frost on the last flowers of autumn, the smile on Willow's face cascades away. Unable to keep up the front any longer, she slowly breaks down and begins weeping.
Buffy quickly moves to her friend's side and wraps her arms around Willow.
BUFFY
(quietly, trying hard not to cry herself)
No, sshh, Willow, it's okay. It's gonna be okay.
WILLOW
(through her tears)
... Buffy... I'm so lost... I miss him... I miss Giles so much...
BUFFY
I know, me too. Me too.
Outside the closed office door, LAUGHTER bursts from everyone in the library as Xander tells a joke. Inside, Buffy holds Willow as tight as she can while her best friend shivers with her own sobs.
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