The Guardian of the Gates of Dawn: Part 1
by Gaius Petronius
DISCLAIMER:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer and all the characters that appear on the show are the exclusive property of Joss Whedon, the WB and Mutant Enemy, Inc. The Ancient Ones, in particular the entity YogSothoth, as well as the character of Robert Blake first appeared in the Cthulhu mythos stories of the early twentieth century horror writer, H. P. Lovecraft.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part One
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACT1, SCENE 1, EXT. Sunnydale High front steps, morning. The present.
It's a bright, sunny morning. Classes are already underway. The front steps are deserted. The second period CLASS BELL RINGS.
CUT TO INT. A hallway in Sunnydale High.
The door to a classroom opens and two students start to leave. BUFFY SUMMERS pushes her way past them and runs out into the hallway. She has a big grin on her face as if she has a secret she can't wait to tell. As she runs down the hallway, she has a test paper grasped tightly in one hand.
CUT TO INT. Sunnydale High Library
GILES is behind the check out desk floundering through a pile of books, and WILLOW is at her usual spot behind her terminal. She is pondering a lesson plan for computer class. Buffy bursts through the library doors, runs across the library past Giles and stops a few feet away from Willow. Buffy still has the huge grin on her face.
GILES
Buffy?
WILLOW
Buffy? Are you all right?
Buffy quickly puts both hands, one holding the test paper, behind her back.
BUFFY
(to Willow)
Pick a hand!
Willow, who is not quite sure what Buffy is up to, hesitantly points at one of Buffy's concealed hands. Buffy quickly pulls her empty hand out and displays it to Willow.
BUFFY (cont'd)
Wrong! Pick again!
WILLOW
(a little exasperated)
Buffy!
BUFFY
Come on! Pick again!
Willow points at Buffy's other concealed hand. Buffy proudly displays the test paper in her hand. Willow looks at it and her eyes widen with excitement.
WILLOW
Oh my God! OH MY GOD! Is that a... Is that a... ?
BUFFY
(almost yelling with excitement)
B Minus!
WILLOW (suddenly screaming)
AAAAHHHHH!
BUFFY (screaming with Willow)
AAAAHHHH!
Buffy and Willow grab each other by the shoulders and jump up and down together, shaking their heads, screaming and yelling "B minus!" Giles clamps his hands over his ears. Buffy and Willow finally calm down, more a result of running out of breath than lack of enthusiasm.
WILLOW
(panting)
Wow! That's your first!
BUFFY
My Mom is gonna be so happy! Thanks Willow for helping me study.
WILLOW
Any time!
Willow and Buffy grin at each other in silence for a moment more. It was so much fun, Willow has to scream again.
WILLOW (screaming)
AAAAHHHHH!
BUFFY (joining in)
AAAAHHHHH!
Giles clamps his hands over his ears again.. CORDELIA runs into the library.
CORDELIA
Who's getting killed?
Buffy and Willow stop screaming and look at Cordelia. They are both snickering. PRINCIPAL SNYDER follows Cordelia in through the library door.
SNYDER
Mr. Giles! What the hell is going on in here!
GILES
Uuhh... a mouse.
SNYDER
What?
Willow and Buffy can barely restrain from bursting out laughing. They both hold their hands over their mouths.
GILES
...They saw a mouse. Back by the stacks.
CORDELIA
Eeeeww!
Snyder glares at Giles, unable to tell whether Giles is pulling his leg or not.
SNYDER
I'll expect you to file an authorization form by the end of the day so that we can get an exterminator in! And ladies...
Buffy and Willow put on a look of total innocence as Snyder glares at them.
SNYDER (cont'd)
Kindly control yourselves.
Snyder turns to leave the library. As he sweeps out the door, he mutters under his breath.
SNYDER (cont'd)
Rodents!
XANDER is just coming in as Snyder barges out past him.
XANDER
(looking around the room)
Looks like there was some action in here. What's up?
WILLOW
(grinning)
Mice.
Willow and Buffy giggle again. Giles shakes his head. Cordelia puts her hands on her hips with her best disgusted cheerleader look.
CORDELIA
Well, are we going or not!
GILES
With this disruption, I almost forgot! I'll meet you all over at the City Library in fifteen minutes.
XANDER
How many boxes of books we talking about moving back here?
GILES
We'll have to see. I've never been down in their storage vault.
WILLOW
Why are they getting rid of it all?
GILES
I guess the city's going to demolish the old wing from the 1920's to make room for a new media center of some sort. Lord knows I can't find anything there anymore since they replaced the card catalog with that new computer.
WILLOW
Giles, you're just gonna have to sit down with me and learn how to use it.
GILES
I know. I do want to. Jennie was going to teach me...
Giles stops, looks down and fumbles with one of his books. There is an awkward silence in the room.
BUFFY
Giles... remember our deal, you and me? If we're gonna get through this, no sad stuff. Remember? (as if making a toast) To the future, right?
GILES
(looking up at Buffy)
Yes, the future.
CUT TO INT. The basement storage room of the Sunnydale City Library. A short time later.
A single light bulb hangs from the low ceiling by a small metal floored staircase. By the side of the staircase, is a cage door with an old pad lock that opens into the storage room. Scattered around the room are boxes of books, several tables and an early Underwood manual typewriter sitting on one. Dust is everywhere. It looks like the room hasn't been opened in years.
CLOPPING OF FEET on the metal stairs echoes into the storage room. From the staircase come voices.
WILLOW
Wow! This thing is steep!
CORDELIA
Dark, too!... Xander keep your mits to yourself!
Leading the way, the CITY LIBRARIAN comes out of the staircase and goes over to the cage door. As he unlocks it, Giles, followed by Buffy, Willow, Cordelia and Xander crowd into the open space in front of the door.
CITY LIBRARIAN
(opening the door)
Take whatever you like. The rest goes in the recycle bin. (to Giles) Let me find you that book I mentioned.
The City Librarian goes over to a pile of books and pulls out a large black volume. The cover, which has no markings, appears to be made of a thick leather hide. Willow wanders over to the old Underwood. She starts to peck at the keys while the others select boxes to carry.
WILLOW
Buffy, look at this thing!
Buffy walks over to Willow and looks at the typewriter. Buffy crinkles her face. She sees nothing interesting in the old machine.
WILLOW (cont'd)
Giles, what happened if you made a mistake on one of these?
GILES
(over his shoulder)
You had to tear up the paper and start over.
Suddenly Willow finds the old typewriter not so interesting anymore.
WILLOW
(crinkling her face)
Pooh!
CITY LIBRARIAN
(bringing the black volume to Giles)
Here it is, Mr. Giles. Very peculiar. We thought it might have some value.
Giles takes the book. He opens it and is puzzled.
GILES
Hmm. I've never seen anything like this.
CITY LIBRARIAN
I called several rare book dealers but when I'd describe it to them, they'd hang up on me.
GILES
Well, I'll be happy to take it, and if I turn up anything as to what it is, I'll let you know.
Giles slips the old volume under his arm. Xander is stooped down trying to lift a large box. Cordelia, carrying a smaller box, walks up to him. She deliberately drops her box right in front of him. The box hits the floor and blows up a large cloud of dust in Xander's face. He gags and chokes.
CORDELIA
Eat my dust, book boy!
* * *
ACT1, SCENE 2, INT. Sunnydale High Library, that afternoon.
Willow, Xander, and Buffy are unloading books out of boxes they have hauled over from the Sunnydale City library. Giles is standing behind the check out desk. He is mulling over the cover of the large black volume the City Librarian brought to his attention. He opens the book and begins silently trying to translate some of the pages.
BUFFY
You figure out what that one is yet, Giles?
GILES
Hmm? Oh, well, not yet. But I have some ideas.
XANDER
Can't you just look at the front page?
WILLOW
Well, duh! You don't think he's already done that!... Giles?
GILES
I wish it was that simple. There's no real beginning or end to it. It's more like a hodge podge collection of old writings. Some are in Latin, some in Arabic, and some sections that look like they might be ancient Etruscan. No one's been able to translate that with any degree of accuracy. And there's something else I don't even recognize.
BUFFY
Sounds like a challenge right up your alley.
Giles continues scanning the pages. He mutters to himself. A moment later, a look of concern crosses his face.
GILES
(to himself)
Oh dear.
WILLOW
What is it?
GILES
Uh, nothing. I'm going to take this into my office. I have to check on something.
Willow shrugs. Buffy and Xander stack up some of the books they have unloaded onto a desk. Each gets a pad and pen and sits down to begin writing an inventory of what is there. Willow walks over to Buffy and Xander and pulls up a chair.
BUFFY
I don't know whether this beats study hall or not!
XANDER
Snyder's letting me work off detention doing this.
WILLOW
I guess that's better than staring at the ceiling.
BUFFY
Boy, been there, done that!
CUT TO INT. Giles' Office
Giles walks over to his desk which is already stacked with books. He makes room for the black volume amidst the pile, then stands over it leaning with his arms on the desk. He mutters to himself as he translates. Finally he speaks aloud, but quietly.
GILES
Oh dear God. That's what it is.
Giles begins reading aloud, but softly.
GILES (cont'd)
"N'garthay kai 'hrachta, aier lethph rom strach. YogSothoth hra gnae krarao. YogSothoth hra graktai n'gais...
Giles suddenly stops. He quickly looks up around him, his face frozen in terror.
GILES (cont'd)
(to himself)
Fool! What have you done, Rupert!
A hollow, deep but breathless voice laced with malevolence speaks from out of empty space.
VOICE
It is near. The Guardian could not hide it forever.
Giles suddenly grabs at his throat and collar. He begins fighting to catch his breath. Giles struggles to remain calm and pulls his collar apart gasping for air. Choking, he starts to move away from the desk but loses his balance, passes out and collapses by the side of the desk, knocking off several books and tipping over a chair with a LOUD CRASH.
CROSS CUT to Library
Willow, Xander and Buffy hear the crash from Giles' office.
XANDER
What the hell is he doing in there?
Willow shakes her head.
WILLOW
You know, I'm always picking up after him.
Buffy and Xander look at each other and roll their eyes. They turn their attention back to writing down the titles of the books. Willow gets up to go into Giles' office. As she pokes her head in the door, she looks around but doesn't see him right away.
WILLOW (cont'd)
All right Giles, what did you dump on the floor now?
Willow enters and looks around the room. She is puzzled by what appears to be Giles' disappearance.
WILLOW (cont'd)
Giles?
Suddenly her eyes fall on Giles laying on the floor by the side of his desk.
WILLOW (cont'd)
(terrified)
Giles!
In the library, Xander and Buffy hear Willow's yell. They look at each other, jump up from the table and dash into the office, pushing their way past Willow. For a moment, all three stare in shock at the slumped over form on the floor. Giles' face is now taking on an ashen blue tone. Xander is the first to take action.
XANDER
Buff, help me lay him flat!
Buffy and Xander push the chairs around the desk aside and slide Giles out onto a clear space on the floor. Xander feels for breathing and a pulse on Giles' neck.
WILLOW
(verging on hysterical)
Giles! Giles!
XANDER
(fearful)
Buffy, he's not breathing! I got nothing! No pulse, nothing!
CUT TO a scene of darkness with thick swirling mist.
In the obscurity, several large tombstones with ornate carvings are almost floating in view, but this is not the cemetery. Giles is standing in the midst of the darkness and mist looking slowly and calmly about him. Young urgent voices, which are almost impossible to hear or make out what they are saying, echo in the distance behind him. A growing white light appears far away in front of Giles. Before it stands a woman, silhouetted by the light. Giles cannot tell who she is as the light is not falling on her features. Slowly he begins moving towards her.
CROSS CUT BACK to Giles's office in the Library.
Cordelia's voice rings shrilly from in the library.
CORDELIA
Xander! Hey you guys, where are you! Xander! You better answer me!
Cordelia barges into the office.
CORDELIA=09
So here's where you weirdos hide out! (She sees Giles on the floor) Ohh... man!
Cordelia kneels down beside Xander.
CORDELIA (cont'd)
What's wrong? Some demon bop him?
XANDER
No... this is the real thing. I think this is the big H.A.
CORDELIA
Well what are you sitting here for! Let's get the CPR going!
XANDER
Oh! Right! Help me get his coat and shirt off.
Xander and Cordelia struggle to pull off Giles' sport coat. Xander then rips apart Giles' shirt popping the buttons. He clenches both hands together with the bottom palm downwards and places them directly on Giles' chest. Xander then begins pushing down in compression strokes on Giles' chest, counting as he does.
XANDER
One! ..and ..two!.. and .. three! .. and .. four! .. and .. five! .. and .. six! .. and .. seven! .. and .. eight!
As Xander works on Giles, Buffy, almost in a daze, just stands over them, watching.
CORDELIA
I'm no good here! I'll go call 911 and let Snyder know! Be right back!
She gives Xander a quick kiss on the cheek.
CORDELIA (cont'd)
(to Xander)
Don't stop!
XANDER
No way!
Cordelia runs out the office door. Willow is now whimpering over by Giles' desk. She is unable to deal with what is happening. Xander keeps pushing on Giles' chest.
XANDER
Buffy, I need you to do the breathing part!
BUFFY
What!
XANDER
(while pressing on Giles)
Tip his head back, pinch his nose and blow air into his lungs after every eight compressions!
BUFFY
(confused)
I've never done this.
XANDER
(becoming exasperated as he continues to administer CPR)
Do what I just said! Check his windpipe for any obstructions.
BUFFY
How do I do that?
XANDER
Open his mouth and move your finger around the back to make sure nothing is blocking the air flow!
Buffy freezes up. She doesn't move to help Xander.
XANDER
(becoming angry as he works alone on Giles)
Buffy, he's your Watcher! You blow away vampires every night! You can blow some damn air in his lungs!
Buffy still doesn't move. Xander stops the CPR, stands up and grabs Buffy by her shirt collar.
XANDER
Damn it, Summers! Giles is gonna die if you don't help me!...I'm calling in my favor, Buffy! I did it for you when the Master killed you! It's payback time! You do it for Giles, or so help me when this is over, I'll walk outta here and never speak to you again!
Buffy snaps back. Her inner strength wells to the surface.
BUFFY
Oh my God, Xander! I'm sorry! Let's go!
They both kneel back down around Giles. Xander begins the compressions, while Buffy checks Giles' mouth and tips his head back. She pinches his nostrils shut and looks to Xander for the signal to breath.
XANDER
One! ..and ..two!.. and .. three! .. and .. four! .. and .. five! .. and .. six! .. and .. seven! .. and .. eight! .. and BREATH!
Buffy puts her mouth to Giles' and blows air into his lungs.
XANDER
One! ..and ..two!.. and .. three! .. and .. four! .. and .. five! .. and .. six! .. and .. seven! .. and .. eight! .. and Breath!
Again, Buffy blows air into Giles' lungs.
XANDER
One! ..and ..two!.. and .. three! .. and .. four! .. and .. five! .. and .. six! .. and .. seven! .. and .. eight! .. and Breath!
Once more, Buffy blows air into Giles' lungs
XANDER
(to Buffy as he holds up on the chest compressions)
Check the pulse in his neck!
Buffy puts her hand around Giles' throat. She looks back up at Xander and shakes her head.
BUFFY
(to Xander)
Nothing!
XANDER
(resuming the compressions)
Don't stop .. and .. seven! .. and .. eight! .. and Breath!
Again, Buffy puts her mouth over Giles' and blows air into his lungs. Cordelia bursts back into the office with SNYDER right behind her.
CORDELIA
I called 911! The EMT's will be here in a few minutes!
Snyder pushes past Cordelia and looks in horror at Xander as he administers CPR.
SNYDER
What the hell are you doing, Harris!? You're not a professional! Get away from him and wait for the paramedics.
XANDER
(while administering CPR)
Brother Giles here is not going to be able to wait for the paramedics!
SNYDER
Harris! I said get away from him! We could get sued!
CORDELIA
(confronting Snyder and towering over him)
SHUT UP, you little weazle!
Cordelia's rebuke takes all the wind out of Snyder. He steps back, actually frightened of her and stands silently watching.
Xander ignores Snyder and continues administering CPR on Giles.
XANDER
One! ..and ..two!.. and .. three! .. and .. four! .. and .. five! .. and .. six! .. and .. seven! .. and .. eight! ..and ..Breath!
Buffy breaths into Giles again.
XANDER
(quietly as he continues the compressions on Giles)
Come on Giles, I know you need a vacation, but we can't carry the weight too much longer...and .. eight! .. and .. Breath!
Buffy blows air into Giles. Cordelia kneels beside Xander.
CORDELIA
(to Xander)
What can I do? You want me to spell you?
XANDER
I'm okay... There is something...
Cordelia picks up on what Xander is thinking.
CORDELIA
I'm on it! The front door! I'll flag the EM's down and lead them right here!
That should buy Giles another minute or two!
XANDER
You're hot! Go, Girl!
Cordelia jumps up, smiles at Xander and gives him a quick little love punch on the shoulder before she runs out of the office.
XANDER
(to Buffy)
.. and Breath!
Suddenly, in the distance, like the lonely wail of a banshee, the faint SOUND OF THE AMBULANCE SIREN can be heard. It steadily grows louder. The sound causes Willow to become hysterical.
WILLOW
What's that!
SNYDER
It's the ambulance. They're almost here.
WILLOW
No! NO! It's the Ancient Ones! They're coming for Giles! They took Ms. Calendar and now they're going to get Giles!
SNYDER
Control yourself, Ms. Rosenberg.
XANDER
(over his shoulder as he continues the compressions on Giles)
Snyder! Leave her alone! (then gently to Willow) Hey, Will.
WILLOW
(whimpering)
Yeah, Xander?
XANDER
Giles here says no scenes or hysterics in the Library. Got it?
WILLOW
(still whimpering, but smiling through her tears)
Okay... if Giles says so.
Xander never lets up on the CPR and Buffy breaths into Giles everytime Xander says "and Breath!"
CROSS CUT to Giles in the darkness.
Giles is moving towards the light. He passes an occasional gravestone silhouette that looms up out of the mists. Finally the dark woman's figure turns to face him and is faintly illuminated. It is JENNIE CALENDAR.
GILES (quietly)
Jennie?
JENNIE
Hello, Rupert.
GILES
What is this place?
Jennie doesn't answer. There is a short pause.
GILES (cont'd)
Am I going with you?
JENNIE
No, Rupert. Not now.
CUT TO INT. the hallway at the main entrance to Sunnydale High.
A few students are still straggling to class. Suddenly the doors burst open and Cordelia, leading FOUR PARAMEDICS, races down the hallway. Two paramedics are pulling a collapsible ambulance gurney, another is carrying emergency supplies and the fourth a portable defibrilator. All four run close behind Cordelia.
CORDELIA
(yelling)
Down here! In the library!
CUT TO the Library
Cordelia and the paramedics charge into the library and Cordelia leads them into the office. One immediately relieves Xander at CPR. Buffy stays at her spot breathing for Giles on every eighth compression. A second paramedic pulls out a stethescope and blood pressure gauge and begins checking Giles' vital signs.
PARAMEDIC 1
(to Xander)
Great job! I'll take over now.
PARAMEDIC 2
No pulse! Blood pressure dropping rapidly! He's in full arrest!
PARAMEDIC 4
I'm charging the defibrilator!
PARAMEDIC 3
(to Buffy)
Okay, Miss, please stand back.
Buffy gets up and backs away from Giles but can't take her eyes off him. Xander leans against the wall, his arms crossed on his chest, his face buried in one hand. Willow is still whimpering. Snyder watches the paramedics intently. Cordelia goes over to Xander and puts her arm around him.
CORDELIA
(quietly to Xander)
You were fabulous. I'm so proud of you.
XANDER
(starting to shake)
It wasn't enough...
CORDELIA
Xander, listen to me. It's not over...
Paramedic 4 prepares to place the electric pads of the defibrilator on Giles's chest.
PARAMEDIC 4
Charging!... Clear!
The paramedic puts the pads on Giles. There is a HIGH PITCHED SURGING SOUND and a THUMP. Giles' body convulses with the electric charge. Paramedic 2 checks Giles' vital signs.
PARAMEDIC 2
No response!
CROSS CUT TO the darkness around Giles.
JENNIE
Giles, you must remember to call for the Guardian of the Watchers.
GILES
I will.
Giles reaches slowly out to Jennie with one hand. He slowly starts to stroke her face. Jennie smiles sadly.
JENNIE
They need you more, now. Good bye, my love. Someday...
CROSS CUT BACK to Giles' office
PARAMEDIC 4
We're going again!
Paramedic 2 steps back from Giles.
PARAMEDIC 4
Charging!... Clear!
The paramedic places the pads on Giles. There is another HIGH PITCHED SURGING SOUND and a THUMP. Again, Giles' body leaps in a convulsion from the electric charge of the defibrilator.
CROSS CUT to the darkness around Giles.
Suddenly Jennie Calendar vanishes and Giles' face contorts in a spasm of excruciating pain. A blinding flash of white light blanks out the scene.
CROSS CUT BACK to Giles' office.
Paramedic 2 checks Giles' vital signs once more.
PARAMEDIC 2
I got something! We got him! I got a steady rythmn!
SNYDER
Oh thank God!
Buffy kneels down next to Giles as the paramedics prepare to place him in the gurney. Giles' head begins to shift back and forth and his face writhes with the pain of the heart attack. He calls out weakly.
GILES
Guardian of the Watchers, I need you! Please come now! Stand guard over my charges!
BUFFY
Giles! Don't talk! Just relax, you're gonna be okay.
Giles suddenly grabs Buffy's arm in a vice like grip. Buffy is stunned. Giles barely whispers out to her.
GILES
Buffy... watch for him... he'll be coming...
Giles lapses into unconsciousness. Paramedic 3 slips an oxygen mask over Giles' face, and the other paramedics hoist him onto the lowered gurney.
PARAMEDIC 3
(to Buffy, gently pushing her away)
Please, Miss, stand back.
The paramedics raise the gurney and begin wheeling Giles out of the office. Snyder follows them. Buffy, Xander and Cordelia stand in stunned silence for a moment after the paramedics have left. Willow, now in a corner of the office, does not watch but stares off into space and trembles in fright.
CORDELIA
(to Xander)
Xander, you were great. (upset, she can't hold back anymore) Oh God, I love you!
Cordelia hugs Xander. He is no longer cool and collected. The reality of what he has just gone through is now sinking in. Visibly shaking, he wraps his arms around Cordelia and buries his face in her hair.
XANDER
Oh shit, Cordie! I love you, too!
Cordelia pulls away from Xander and looks him right in the face. Both have the first hint of tears in their eyes.
CORDELIA
(quietly)
Wow, is this a first?
Xander nods his head. Cordelia and Xander kiss passionately. Buffy is embarrassed and finally interrupts.
BUFFY
Hey, guys...
XANDER (pulling away from Cordelia rubbing wetness from his eyes)
Oh, yeah. No scenes in the library, right.
CORDELIA
(wiping her eyes too, to Xander)
Look what the hell you did to my mascara.
(to Buffy)
Sorry about that.
(to Xander)
I'm going to follow the EM's and see what I can learn before they leave with Giles. I'll be right back.
As Cordelia leaves she casts a longing look over her shoulder at Xander. There is silence in the room for a moment more.
BUFFY
Hey, Xander.
XANDER
Huh?
BUFFY
She's right. You were super. I'm sorry I freaked on you.
XANDER
That's okay... I'm freaking right now.
BUFFY
It was amazing, you and Cordie, you're such a team.
XANDER
Whadda ya mean?
BUFFY
You guys could just think something and the other would know what you meant. It was so cool. I've never seen that.
XANDER
Spending too much time in the broom closet, I guess.
BUFFY
Nah, that's got nothing to do with it. You've something good going.
Xander doesn't reply but just looks at his feet. Willow, who has been quiet all through this, suddenly gives a frightened sob. Buffy and Xander realize they haven't even noticed her since the paramedics took Giles.
XANDER
(turning to Willow)
Willow? Willow, are you all right?
WILLOW
(quietly)
No.
Buffy and Xander quickly go to Willow.
BUFFY
Willow, it's gonna be all right. Giles is gonna be okay.
WILLOW
(frightened, breathing heavily)
No... no...
XANDER
Willow, calm down. Giles is in good hands.
WILLOW
No, Xander, that's not it. We're in terrible trouble. Giles knows everything. Buffy, without him, we're defenseless!
BUFFY
I wouldn't quite say that.
WILLOW
Guys, why did Giles have this heart attack?
XANDER
What do you mean?
WILLOW
... something got him...
BUFFY
Willow there's nothing to indicate any demons here.
XANDER
Buff's right. These things just happen sometimes.
WILLOW
No, Xander! Giles is healthy! I can feel it. I know something did this.... We just can't see it yet... and I'm scared... I'm scared, Xander!
Willow starts to break down again. Xander hugs her in his arms.
XANDER
Please don't cry, Will. It's gonna be all right, I promise, jerk's word.
Willow looks up at him.
XANDER (cont'd)
You can't cry, Will. When you cry, everybody cries. We need that smile, now. It's awful dark outside. Giles needs it real bad.
BUFFY
He's right, Willow. We still got that contest on, Slayerette vs. Sourpuss, and I'm gaining on you.
Willow cracks a faint smile and buries her face in Xander's shoulder again. Cordelia re-enters the office.
CORDELIA
Giles is on his way to the hospital. If we hurry we can...
She sees Willow in Xander's arms. Cordelia doesn't fly into her usual jealous fit. This time she is deeply hurt by what she sees. Xander sees the look on Cordelia's face. He gives a weak smile and shrugs his shoulders as if to say "I couldn't help it." Buffy can tell what is going on between Xander and Cordelia. Buffy leads Willow away from Xander.
BUFFY
Come on Willow, let's go find Oz. He can drive us to the hospital. (to Xander and Cordelia) We'll see you two there.
WILLOW
(a little dazed)
Oz...yeah, Oz. Where's Oz? I haven't seen him today.
Buffy, leading Willow, leaves the room. For a moment more, Xander and Cordelia stand awkwardly not looking at each other. Cordelia finally breaks the silence.
CORDELIA
I guess we better go.
XANDER
Yeah.
Xander puts his hand on Cordelia's shoulder and stops her as they are about to leave the office.
XANDER
She was crying, Cordie. She's real scared.
CORDELIA
We all are, Xander.
XANDER
Cordie, it's not what you think.
CORDELIA
(sadly)
I know. Anyway, it doesn't matter what I think. It's what you feel. And that's what makes it hurt so much.
Cordelia and Xander leave the room together with a small but distinct distance between them. On Giles' desk, the black volume remains undisturbed amidst the pile of books. Suddenly, as if pushed by an invisible hand, the cover slowly flaps shut and the book is now closed.
This story archived at: The Slayer\'s Fanfic Archive
The Slayer\\\\\\\\'s FanFic Archive - http://www.slayerfanfic.com/viewstory.php?sid=1833