The Descent to Avernus: Part 9
by Gaius Petronius
DISCLAIMER: See Prologue.
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Epilogue
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EPILOGUE, Scene 1 - INT. Buffy's bedroom. Early morning.
The blinding flash of white light vanishes. Buffy is lying wrapped in her comforters on her bed. Scattered about the room are unopened cardboard boxes and trunks. Her eyes open wide and she slowly sits up. Fearful that the reassuring scene around her may only be an illusion, she gazes cautiously about her room. Joyce Summers' voice calls from downstairs.
JOYCE'S VOICE
Buffy! You don't want to be late for your first day!
Buffy stops looking around her and her eyes widen with amazement.
CUT TO EXT. Buffy's car. Morning.
Joyce is driving Buffy to school. Buffy stares out the window at the hundreds of students walking into Sunnydale High or lounging around on the school steps before classes. As Joyce pulls the car up to the curb, Buffy drops down the visor vanity mirror and stares at her reflection. Although her mother interprets this as her daughter merely checking her make up, Buffy sees a different face reflected back at her, one that is clearly two and a half years younger. Buffy says nothing although her mind is racing.
JOYCE
(as the car sits at the curb)
Okay, have a good time. I know you're going to make friends right away. And Buffy?
Bewildered, Buffy looks back at her mother.
JOYCE (cont'd)
I've made arrangements for the librarian, a Mr. Giles, to tutor you so you can get off on the right foot. Now I want you to stop into the school library as soon as you can and introduce yourself.
BUFFY
Uh... yeah... right, Mom.
JOYCE
Buffy... Try not to get kicked out.
Buffy is almost overwhelmed by what is happening.
BUFFY
(hesitating)
I... I... I promise...
Buffy jumps out of the car and begins climbing the steps in front of Sunnydale High. Through the din of voices she hears a familiar one rapidly approaching. She turns to look. It is Xander on his skateboard, weaving through crowds of students on the sidewalk.
XANDER
Excuse me! Excuse me! Coming through! Excuse me!
Xander turns to glance at Buffy as she walks up the stairs. Their eyes lock for a second. Then Xander crashes into the stairway railing and wipes out. Buffy almost turns around to go back and help Xander. Before she can move however, Willow is standing over the prostrate Xander, talking to him. She glances at Buffy but there is no sign of recognition in her face. Buffy turns away and runs up the front steps inside.
CUT TO INT. The Library. A few moments later.
The library is almost dark. One or two small table lamps cast a gloomy illumination. Buffy nervously opens the door and steps inside.
BUFFY
(quietly)
Is anybody here?
Suddenly, Giles, holding a book, steps out of the shadows. Buffy jumps. There is no sign on his face that he recognizes her.
GILES
Can I help you?
BUFFY
(pause)
Giles?
Giles raises his eyebrows at the familiarity of the greeting.
GILES
Oh. You must be Miss Summers. I was told you were coming.
BUFFY
(quietly)
You're alive.
GILES
(puzzled)
I should hope so.
Buffy walks up to Giles and stares at him. She searches his face for any sign that he knows her. She takes his hand and rubs it in hers as if trying to reassure herself that he actually is real.
GILES
(embarrassed)
Uh... Miss Summers...
BUFFY
(looking up at Giles, sadly)
You don't remember anything, do you?
GILES
Remember? Remember what? Have we met before?
Buffy gazes up at her Watcher. A sense of despair, of being now completely alone, washes over her face. She cannot turn her gaze away from Giles. A single tear wells up in her eye and runs down her cheek. Giles stares back at her, a blank expression on his face.
Then slowly, almost imperceptibly, the look on his face changes from puzzlement to something else. He reaches gently out with his hand to the tear running down her cheek and softly wipes it away with his fingertips.
GILES (cont'd)
(whispered as in a dream)
... sshh, Buffy, sshh... you will not die... you will not...
BUFFY
(hopefully)
Giles?
Suddenly the light of warm recognition glows from behind Giles's glasses. A look of joy, as of a father whose lost daughter has returned safely, spreads across his face. He wraps his arms around Buffy.
GILES
(almost weeping)
Oh, Buffy!... Dear God, Buffy!
Buffy says nothing, only burying her face in the rough tweed of Giles' jacket. The scratchy feel of the wool is strangely comforting as she rubs the tears on her face into the material. She then pulls back from his embrace.
BUFFY
Giles, you do remember!
Giles looks around at the library, now startingly different in his mind. It's too much for him to take in all at once.
GILES (cont'd)
I... I... have to sit down.
Giles drops into a chair by one of the study desks. He takes his glasses off and runs his hand across his face and through his hair. Buffy pulls up a metal folding chair and sits beside him.
GILES (cont'd)
... it's all different... "back to normal."
BUFFY
Giles? What's happened?
GILES
That's what the Necropolis Text meant.... "The end *is* the beginning... and the beginning is the end."
Giles looks directly at Buffy.
GILES (cont'd)
It means that... now... I am just a librarian... there is no Hellmouth... and vampires don't exist, except in the darkest recesses of our collective subconscious.... and that Hell really is merely our own private place.
BUFFY
(fearfully)
... but... what am I?
GILES
(looking directly at Buffy, a father's love in his eyes)
You?... you are a beautiful young woman... with a wonderous life of discovery ahead of you!
BUFFY
But Giles... if I'm not a Slayer anymore,... what *am* I?
GILES
The same as every young person here in this school... and each of you different, too. All of you will spend the rest of your lives on that incredible path to discovering *who* you are!
Buffy is not as enamoured of the thought as is Giles. She looks away from him, the hint of sadness still on her face.
BUFFY
Why do we remember?... and the others don't.
GILES
You mean Willow and Xander and Cordelia and Oz? Maybe it has to do with the fact that there was something inside us special which led us onto the path we had to travel. I as a Watcher, you and Faith as Slayers. You were always right on one point. We had little choice in the matter. As for the others, they chose... (smiling)... they chose to stand by us.
BUFFY
But what about Willow? She was my Watcher, if only for a little while. And Faith!
GILES
Willow may not remember consciously as we do. But she probably does sense it nonetheless... in her heart. And Faith, our dear buzz bomb from Boston, she's probably too busy in the middle of her little adventure on that bus right about now to care.
BUFFY
But what about the others? Do you think they'll ever remember? It seems so unfair.
GILES
Perhaps in their dreams.
BUFFY
(slowly)
And... Angel?
Giles ponders the question for a moment. He then speaks quietly to Buffy, trying to be as soothing as possible.
GILES
(hesitantly)
Since there are no such things as vampires... Angel was never harvested... He lived, grew... and never suffered the hundreds of years of agony... the curse... none of it.
Buffy hangs her head sadly, knowing what Giles' words mean. Giles senses her sorrow.
GILES (cont'd)
Buffy, you were his redeemer! He and all his generations that came after him... they bless you... Without you... there would have been nothing.
Buffy stares up at Giles. She tries to draw some comfort from his words.
BUFFY
Did *he* know?
GILES (cont'd)
(nodding)
I believe so. And I also believe, his soul, and the souls of all those freed from the horrors of vampirism, watch over you to this day.
Buffy bows her head again and cries quietly. Giles reaches out and gently pulls her head to his shoulder.
GILES (cont'd)
sshhh, Buffy... ssshhh.
EPILOGUE, Scene 2. EXT. The steps of Sunnydale High. Noon recess.
Buffy is seated on the steps leading up to the front door. With eyes closed, she is sunning her face. Students pass up and down past her. She sighs. After a moment, Willow walks down the steps and sits beside her.
WILLOW
(perky)
Hey!
BUFFY
(opening her eyes)
Hi. (hesitating) Willow, isn't it?
WILLOW
Yeah, and you're Buffy, right? You're new.
BUFFY
(looking for some sign of recognition)
How'd you know my name?
WILLOW
I work with Mr. Giles tutoring. He says you're our newest victim!
BUFFY
(smiling in spite of her gloomy attitude)
I don't know whether that sounds so good or not.
WILLOW
Oh, no, no. It's okay. Mr. Giles is a little funny that way... being a librarian and all.
BUFFY
(wistfully)
Yeah... Willow?... (looking directly at her) Would you be my friend? I think I could use a friend right about now.
WILLOW
(surprised)
Ohh! Wow! Sure! But... since you're looking for friends...
Willow leans forward and speaks secretively in Buffy's ear.
WILLOW
(almost whispering)
You might want to go over and introduce yourself to that cute guy over there. He's been eyeing you for the last ten minutes.
Buffy follows Willow's gaze. When she sees who Willow is indicating, she gasps. On the other side of the steps, visible through the crowds of passing students, is Scott, sitting on the siding. He has a small sketch pad and pencil and, between quick glances up at Buffy, he busily draws on his pad.
BUFFY
Yeah, I think I will. Thanks.
Willow grins. Buffy gets up and starts to walk across the steps. Halfway there she stops, unsure and turns to look back at Willow. Willow just grins again and waves her hands at Buffy as if to say, "Go on! Go for it!" Buffy turns and continues walking. As she reaches Scott, he looks up self consciously and closes his sketch pad.
BUFFY
(hesitantly)
Hi.
SCOTT
Hi.
BUFFY
(indicating the sketchbook)
Can I see?
SCOTT
Uh, well...
BUFFY
(realizing he doesn't know who she is)
Oh, sorry... I'm Buffy.
SCOTT
(looking back up at her)
I'm Scott.
BUFFY
(indicating the sketch pad again)
Can I,... please?
SCOTT
Promise you won't laugh.
BUFFY
Is it supposed to be funny?
SCOTT
(puzzled)
No.
BUFFY
Then I won't laugh.
She sits down beside him. Scott opens the pad and passes it to Buffy. There, as it did in another lifetime, is her portrait staring back at her. The impressionistic pencil strokes of her hair, the sharp eyes, the firm self confident mouth, all seem to gaze alive from off the page. A sad look crosses Buffy's face, and she sighs.
BUFFY
(quietly)
It's really wonderful. (looking at Scott) You're real good.
SCOTT
Thanks.... uh, ya know, I was wondering.... maybe we could go out sometime? (hopefully) How about tomorrow night? They're having a Buster Keaton film festival downtown...
BUFFY
Uh... I don't think so.
There is a moment of silence. Scott is obviously crushed by the rejection.
SCOTT
Oh... okay. (standing to leave) Well, I'll see ya around.
Buffy grabs Scott's arm and gently pulls him back down before he can walk away.
BUFFY
No... I mean... I'd like to go out with you... but the Keaton, well, that's really not my thing.
SCOTT
(relieved)
Oh. Well, what do you wanta do?
Buffy looks down at the concrete steps. She smiles sadly as she speaks.
BUFFY
(speaking slowly as if remembering a dream)
I know this real cool all night coffee shop on Main Street. (pause, she looks back up at him) The ice cream is fabulous and the hot fudge is to die for.
SCOTT
Oh, wow. You know that place, too! Great! That's cool.
Buffy stares at Scott, her face a mask of questions.
BUFFY
Scott?
For a moment there is silence. Scott and Buffy stare into each other's eyes, he puzzled and she desperatly searching for some hint that he remembers all that has passed between them.
SCOTT
Buffy? Are you okay?
BUFFY
(very self consciously)
Scott,... I'm gonna do a head first, here.
SCOTT
Huh?
Buffy wrinkles her brow as she tries to remember something.
BUFFY
Sssh!
She thinks a moment more then looks at Scott, her green eyes gazing deep into his blue.
BUFFY
(remembering as she recites)
"You've shown me in my heart,
newly sprung from its prison,
that the walls 'round the Kingdom
of Death were my making.
And the Descent to Avernus
in my mind's eye only."
Scott continues to stare at Buffy, not understanding what she has said. The look on Buffy's face verges on desperation as she's afraid that he won't remember.
BUFFY (cont'd)
(almost crying)
Please, Scott... you promised!
Then suddenly, Scott's face begins to change. Something comes to his mind. He doesn't understand what it is, but his expression shows he is searching frantically for its meaning. His blue eyes lock on hers.
SCOTT
(reciting as the meaning slowly comes to him)
"But I shall take comfort,
knowing all I need do...
is gaze up above me,
and there... (his blue eyes widen with amazement)
I shall see you... ! "
Scott breaks into a huge smile. Buffy grins back at him.
SCOTT (cont'd)
(almost whispered, finally recognizing her)
Hey, Buffy!
BUFFY
Hey, Scott!
Like two lost travellers in the night finally reunited, Buffy and Scott fall into each others arms and hold each other as tight as they can.
SCOTT
(whispered in her hair)
Holy shit! It's really you! I thought it was all some horrible dream.
BUFFY
(spoken into his shoulder)
Yeah! Me, too!
CUT TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STEPS
Across the steps, Willow, who has been watching the whole time, bursts into her trademark grin.
WILLOW
(to herself)
Cool!
Xander and JESSE walk down the steps and sit beside Willow.
XANDER
Hey, Willow! What's up?
WILLOW
(smiling to herself)
Oh, nothing.
JESSE
Hey, you guys seen that new chick from L.A.? Man, she's a hotty!
XANDER
I got first dibbs asking her out! She been around out here, Will?
WILLOW
(smuggly)
You're a little late, slow boys.
XANDER
What?
Willow nods in the direction of Buffy and Scott in each others arms. Xander and Jesse see where she is pointing. Jesse shakes his head.
XANDER
Aw, Man! What's with me, Will? I don't even get a chance to get stomped by girls anymore.
WILLOW
Don't beat yourself up. (almost to herself) I got a funny feeling they know each other from somewhere.
JESSE
Oh well, that one's down. I guess I'll ask Cordelia Chase out for the dance.
Xander and Willow stare at Jesse.
XANDER
Jesse, my man. How many times does the "She Demon From Zorkon" have to blow your ship out of the sky?
WILLOW
(to Jesse)
Yeah, like, you've got about as much chance dating Cordelia as Xander does, ... or me going out with the lead guitarist in a rock band!
XANDER
Hey! Easy, Will! I could handle Cordelia. In fact, I just may ask her out myself! Of course she's not exactly my favorite person. A date with the cheerleader queen is right up there behind, uh... spending Saturday night hanging out in the cemetery!... or maybe getting my head bit off!
JESSE
So... who's up for the Bronze tonight? I hear they got a new band, Dingoes or something.
WILLOW
(raising her hand as if in class)
Me me me!
XANDER
Yeah, I hear the lead guitar player really rocks. (grinning)... Maybe we can set you two up, Will.
Xander leans over to Willow and whispers to her.
XANDER (cont'd)
I think he's got red hair.
Willow slaps Xander on the shoulder.
WILLOW
You keep your mouth shut, Xander Harris! Or,... or ... I'll tell Cordelia Chase that you've got the hots for her!
XANDER
You wouldn't dare!
WILLOW
Would, too!
XANDER
That's the last time I tell you any of my secrets!
WILLOW
Oh, sure! Like I don't know 'em all already! You know, Jesse, until he was six years old, Xander used to...
XANDER
(interrupting)
Will!
Willow grins at Xander.
CROSS CUT BACK TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STEPS
Scott puts his arms on Buffy's shoulders and holds her out at arm's length.
SCOTT
I used to be so afraid to go to sleep at night... cause then I'd be back... there.
BUFFY
(quietly as she runs her hand gently across his face where there used to be bruises)
It's okay... it's okay. Giles says it's all over.
SCOTT
Buffy, I never want to forget it! Never! 'Cause it's how I met you.
BUFFY
(hesitantly)
Scott,... I'm not a Slayer anymore. I'm just... me. Whatever that is. Giles says...
Buffy stops in mid sentence. She gazes at him with uncertainty.
BUFFY (cont'd)
Scott? Do you think you'll still like me... I mean... just me?
SCOTT
(looking deep into her eyes)
Giles is wrong... deep inside... you *are* still a Slayer. I can see it. You always will be.
BUFFY
(amazed)
You can still... see stuff?
SCOTT
Not like I used to, but...
Scott turns his pad with Buffy's portrait towards her.
SCOTT (cont'd)
See this? I started drawing it about twenty minutes before you came out. I hadn't even seen you in school. I didn't even know who you were. I bet you'll find out things about yourself, too.
Buffy smiles at him
BUFFY
Hey, I got an idea! Maybe I can turn Gilesy's tutoring into an aerobics class. It'll drive Willow and Giles crazy but should be fun. Wanna come?
SCOTT
Sure, gotta keep in practice. Who knows when I'm gonna get punched out again.
BUFFY
(seductively)
Not while I'm around.
SCOTT
Listen, let's ditch outta here and go get that ice cream. Suddenly, I'm really... hungry.
Buffy breaks out laughing.
BUFFY
You're worse than Faith! Ya know it?
Scott looks at Buffy with a puzzled expression on his face.
BUFFY
(smiling)
Come on, let's get outta here. I feel like skipping class the first day of school! And there's a funny old shop I wanta stop in on the way. Somebody there I'd like you to meet.
Buffy and Scott get up and walk together down the stairs and out onto the street.
As they approach the cemetery, Buffy instinctively turns towards the entrance gate. Scott grabs her by the shoulder.
SCOTT
Whoa! Where do you think you're going?
BUFFY
Sorry, bad habit. It's gonna be tough ya know. You gotta be patient with me.
SCOTT
Can I ask you a question?
BUFFY
Sure, shoot.
SCOTT
How come you and Faith always laugh at me when I say I'm hungry? If I didn't know better, I'd think it was some kind of Slayer code for sweaty or horny or something.
Buffy stops walking and turns to face Scott. She smiles seductively. Puzzled, Scott stares back at her. Slowly Buffy wraps her arms around Scott and kisses him passionately. They remain locked in the embrace for a long time. Cars in the street race by. Some drivers turn to look and one car full of students HONKS the horn and the occupants WHISTLE and shout.
Finally Buffy slowly pulls her head back from Scott and grins again.
BUFFY
(quietly)
"In" joke.
SCOTT
(not understanding at first)
Oh... (suddenly he gets it)... Oh!
Scott smiles. He keeps his arm wrapped around Buffy's shoulder as they turn and continue walking.
SCOTT
Hey, you know I had a real funny idea.
BUFFY
(with false sarcasm)
Hang on there. Things are supposed to be "normal" now. Remember?
SCOTT
(grinning)
No, really! What if... (he waves his hand all around them)... what if all "this"... is *really* the Demon Dimension? And nobody knows it... 'cept us?
BUFFY
Scott, it can't be.
SCOTT
Why not?
Buffy stops walking and turns Scott to face her.
BUFFY
'Cause I really want to be here. And I never want to leave.
CUT TO INT. The Library. Noon, a few minutes later.
Giles is standing behind the check out desk, the ever present book in his hand. Willow walks in through the door and heads towards her computer terminal.
WILLOW
Hey, Giles.
GILES
(distracted by his book)
Hmm? Oh, hello.
WILLOW
I'm going down to Mr. MacDuffie's shop this afternoon. He's got some fresh chamomile tea in. You want anything?
GILES
Oh, yes, I have a list I'll give you.... stomach still bothering you? You really should see a doctor about that.
WILLOW
Nah! They don't do anything. And I'm feeling a lot better, too. Besides, when we have tea, Mr. MacDuffie tells the neatest stories. Everything in his shop has a legend or something magical about it.
GILES
It is quite an amazing little place. I enjoy visiting the old fellow myself. I think I'd like to tag along... if that's all right with you?
WILLOW
(settling in at the computer)
Sure!... Remember, though, you've got that appointment at 3:00 o'clock with Ms. Calendar about teaching you how to use the computerized card catalogue.
Giles' eyes light up with surprise. He smiles and then sighs.
WILLOW (cont'd)
I met our new student.
GILES
Uh, Miss Summers?
WILLOW
Her name's Buffy. I think I'm going to like her. We're already friends, you know.
GILES
Excellent.
WILLOW
And you know what's wild, too, Giles?... She's just how I envisioned her.
GILES
(startled)
What?
WILLOW
In my stories. You know the ones Mr. MacDuffie's been helping me write about all the supernatural stuff I made up for here at school. She's perfect for my heroine. She battles demons and vampires and stuff. And everybody's in them! You, Xander, Mr. MacDuffie, even that snot Cordelia!
Giles smiles as he listens to Willow describe her fiction.
WILLOW (cont'd)
And there's all kinds of romance. You have to have smootchies to make it real good, otherwise nobody'll read 'em. I have my character going out with a rock star... well, he plays in a band anyway.
GILES
Sounds like you have it all plotted out.
WILLOW
(wistfully but with conviction)
Yeah,... and there's a lot of sad stuff in 'em, too. People die, our best friends and all. Our hearts get broken... and we lose the things we love the most.... but we fight on anyway, cause we do it not just to save the world, but to prove that... love is the most important thing of all.
GILES
(looking down into the open book he is holding)
Funny, that's just what I was reading here...
Giles gazes silently into his book. Willow waits patiently for him to speak.
WILLOW
(after a moment)
Well, what is it, Giles?
GILES
Oh... yes, uh, it's a poem by a Welsh poet, Dylan Thomas. I think it fits your stories very well.
Giles reads from his book.
GILES (cont'd)
"Though lovers be lost, love shall not.
And Death shall have no Dominion."
There is a long pause.
WILLOW
Wow, Giles. That is *so* cool. That's what they're all about!
GILES
I think they'll be wonderful stories.
Willow continues to look at Giles, her grin spread from cheek to cheek.
GILES (cont'd)
Well! Don't just sit there looking at me like a cabbage! Get to it!
WILLOW
Oh, yeah! Right!
Willow turns to her terminal and begins merrily typing away on the keyboard. Giles gazes off into the stacks as if he were seeing all the events of the past two and a half years race by. He slowly closes his book and smiles.
GILES
(quietly and firmly to himself)
"And Death shall have no Dominion."
As Giles stands motionless behind the library check out desk, the only sound is a busy TAPPING coming from Willow's keyboard.
CUT TO EXT. The street leading away from Sunnydale High. At the same time.
Seen from overhead and a distance, Buffy and Scott walk arm in arm on the sidewalk headed downtown. They stop for a moment as she playfully pokes him in the ribs. He tries to grab her arm but she slips out of his grasp and latches on to his other wrist. She pulls it around behind his back while he puts up little or no struggle against her. For a moment, Buffy has Scott immobilized. Laughing she releases him. As he turns back to face her, he wraps his arms around her and kisses her.
The Singer from the Bronze is heard in voice over. The acoustic guitar, accompanied by soft electric base, play the last verses of "Secrets and Lies."
FEMALE SINGER
"So the seasons are changing
And I refuse to disguise
All my feelings for you
'neath my secrets and lies.
Now share where we're going,
Forget where we've been.
And I'll lay my heart open
For my new lover and friend.
And I wonder in your arms
As you gaze into my eyes,
What use did we have
For all those secrets and lies."
A student on a skateboard zooms up the sidewalk past the couple. Cars rumble by on the street. Buffy and Scott remain in each other's embrace under the brilliant southern California noon day sun.
FINIS
(2/99 - 5/99)
* * *
DEDICATION:
The Descent to Avernus is dedicated with love and hope to the children of Littleton, Colorado.
Pax,
Gaius Petronius
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