Disclaimer: See Prologue.
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Part Eight
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ACT 4, Scene 1. INT. The library. The next morning.
Willow, Xander, Oz, Cordelia and Faith are gathered in the library. An air of gloom and foreboding weighs on them all. No one is speaking. Rather, they are gazing at the closed door to Giles' office, behind which Buffy and Giles have been sequestered since before school opened.
Willow is seated in front of her terminal, but she is paying no attention to the screen. Xander, Oz and Cordelia are gathered around the table below the stacks. Only Faith is apart from the rest and not awaiting word from Giles' office. She sits alone in a folding metal chair by the book stacks. Her head leans against the wood frame of the book shelves close beside her. She stares blankly down towards the floor, uncharacteristically a sense of despair and personal loss have replaced her normally self confident demeanor.
WILLOW
(staring off and speaking blankly)
Is it third period? ... I'm missing computer class... I guess I'll get in trouble when Snyder learns everybody ditched out when I didn't show.
OZ
It's okay, Will. Don't sweat the small stuff.
WILLOW
(still dreamily)
. . . but I never miss computer class...
XANDER
(indicating Giles' office)
How long they been in there?
WILLOW
I don't think Giles left last night. That's two nights in a row. And I saw Buffy go in real early this morning after I talked to Giles. She didn't look like she'd been to bed.
CORDELIA
(fidgeting)
Well I can't stand this just sitting around here. Isn't there something we can do?
OZ
Like what?
CORDELIA
I don't know! Bop a demon! Look in the books! Make a spell from some of those smelly weeds you have, Willow!
Cordelia folds her arms across her chest and huffs.
CORDELIA (cont'd)
I'm not a patient person!
Xander almost breaks out laughing but controls himself. Cordelia sees Xander's reaction but she chooses to ignore him. As she turns away, her eyes fall on Faith who hasn't spoken or moved. Cordelia gets up from the table, walks up to the stacks and pulls a second chair up beside Faith. One by one, the others slowly notice what is happening.
CORDELIA
(quietly to Faith)
Hey, Tough Girl. You okay?
Faith looks up at Cordelia. She doesn't say anything. Only Faith's eyes speak her sorrow. Cordelia senses the loss Faith is struggling with.
CORDELIA
(quietly to Faith)
I know... I saw you two dancing at the Bronze last night.... I'm sorry.
FAITH
(trying to maintain a steady voice)
He was cute... he was a decent kid.... and funny. Geez, you shoulda seen it when he punched out that vamp that was hassling him.
CORDELIA
Uh... I guess... you sorta had to be there.
FAITH
(becoming more emotional)
After the vamps split, he's pretty badly bruised and beat up,... (Faith starts smiling as she remembers pulling Scott to his feet)... and Buffy's all pissed off and yelling at him.
Xander and Oz are smiling too, as they imagine the scene.
FAITH (cont'd)
(imitating Buffy)
And she's screaming, "What the hell's going on here?" And Scott looks at her, black eye and all, dead pans her and says, "Uh... Mr. Trick doesn't like me?"
Xander almost laughs but covers his mouth. Oz shakes his head as he smiles. Even Willow grins. Faith tries hard not to laugh and cry at the same time. She then looks Cordelia straight in the face. For the first time, Cordelia can see the faintest hint of wetness around the Slayer's eyes.
FAITH (cont'd)
(almost breaking down)
This sucks, Cords!... this sucks so bad!
CORDELIA
I know... I know.
Faith leans back against the book stacks. Suddenly the door to Giles' office opens. Giles come out and shuts the door behind him. He looks horrendous, unshaven and clearly hung over. His eyes have a glazed expression and his voice is a soft monotone. Everyone stands up expectantly. Willow is about to speak, but Giles cuts her off.
GILES
(to the group)
She doesn't want to see anyone.
WILLOW
What?
GILES
She doesn't feel this is something any of you should be involved in.
At first no one can believe what Giles has just said.
XANDER
Whoa! Whoa! Whoa, here! The big kahuna of the demon dimension swinging his blade on the stick thing is coming for her and we can't be involved?!
GILES
I'm simply relaying her wishes.
XANDER
Well you tell her to get out here and talk to us face to face!
Suddenly the door to Giles' office swings open, Buffy walks out and stands besides Giles. Her hair is dissheveled and her eyes, lined with dark circles, are red from crying. She glares coldly at Xander.
BUFFY
Okay, Xander. I'm out here and I'm telling you. Butt out!
Xander is shocked. His eyes widen. He then looks down, ashamed and hurt, at the floor. Buffy turns to Giles.
BUFFY (cont'd)
(tired)
Giles, I'm going home now. I'll be back tonight.
GILES
That's probably for the best. I'll continue working on our... problem.
BUFFY
Giles, you don't have to. We both know how it'll all end.
GILES
Nevertheless, indulge me.
BUFFY
Hey, it's your life.
Buffy walks past the others as she heads for the library door. She glances at Faith standing besides the book stacks and stops.
FAITH
(quietly)
'B?'
Buffy walks up to Faith.
BUFFY
(stumbling for words)
Faith,... I'm sorry... I know you liked him, too... but I couldn't stop him.
FAITH
(smiling sadly)
Little twerp, never would do what he was told ...
BUFFY
Yeah, just wasn't in him I guess... Heck, I was even gonna have Giles fix you two up after I was gone.
FAITH
(sincerely, with no irony)
Thanks for the thought. (pause) Man, I don't know whether I'd ever have had the balls to do what he did... (looking directly at Buffy) He really loved you, ya know.
BUFFY
(quietly)
Yeah... Well, look on the bright side. Maybe I'll have company down there.
Buffy turns to leave but Faith reaches out and takes her by the shoulder.
FAITH
'B,' this isn't over. There's no way I'm letting you go through with this. (indicating the rest of the group) None of us are.
BUFFY
There's nothing you can do.
FAITH
Then we'll find something. You're not going it alone tonight.
BUFFY
I don't want you guys to see it happen.
FAITH
Tough shit! And it ain't gonna happen either! Slayer's First Rule - "Stay Alive!"
Faith lets go of Buffy's shoulder.
FAITH
(with mild sarcasm)
All right, get outta here. I'm letting you off easy for now. But remember tonight... no more Ms. Nice Slayer.
Buffy grins at Faith. She turns and leaves the library. For a few moments everyone else stares at the door to the library as it slams shut. Then they are all silent. Willow finally asks the question that is on all their minds.
WILLOW
(fearfully)
Giles? What are we going to do?
GILES
(absent mindedly)
Well,... I have to go back and review the Necropolis Text again.... There might be something I've missed...
WILLOW
(after a pause, quietly)
Buffy's given up, hasn't she?
Giles sits down and runs his hands through his hair.
GILES
Yes... she's still convinced that... this is the only way to redeem Angel... and herself.
XANDER
Giles, she's crazy! Nobody would do something like...
GILES
(interrupting, looking up at Xander)
In a moment of extreme crisis, you wouldn't lay down your life for someone you loved?
No one in the library responds. Cordelia casts a questioning look over at Xander. He doesn't see her staring at him. Oz gazes down at the floor, a puzzled look on his face.
GILES (cont'd)
(looking around at all of them)
I've wrestled with that thought all night. Would I have done it for Jennie?. . . Would any of you... for someone that was precious to you beyond words?
FAITH
Giles, don't tell me you're going along with what she's doing.
GILES
No, no, of course not. But we have two problems here. I can't find a way to counter act the Slayer's Oath and send back the Angel of Death. There's nothing in the Necropolis Text or any of my other books about reversing a soul exchange once it's been initiated. That's problem one. But the second is more serious,... Buffy has no desire to turn back what is going to happen.
Giles looks directly at Willow
GILES
Yes, Willow, she *has* given up. Given up to the point where she'll brook no interference.
WILLOW
Well, if there's nothing in the manuscript, there's still got to be something in your books. We'll all go into research mode, right guys?
GILES
That's all well and good but I'm afraid we're dealing with something more dangerous and unpredictable than anything we've ever faced, even the Judge or Acathla himself. This is an entity far older than any demons or creatures that have existed since humans walked the earth.
Fear begins to crawl across the faces of all the group as Giles describes what is coming for Buffy after sundown.
GILES (cont'd)
This entity is an eternal force, a being from beyond all time and aging which has ravaged the world since life first struggled up out of the primordial mixture of creation. (pause) With all life there must come death and with Death appears the messenger or servant.... It is called many things in many cultures but through all ages it is still the "Angelus Mortis," The Angel of Death.
WILLOW
Couldn't we use some kind of a protecting or restraining spell to keep it away from Buffy?
GILES
That would be fine if we were dealing with your ordinary run of the mill demon, but with the Angelus Mortis, once it is sent by the Ruler of the Demon Dimension, its master, it cannot return empty handed.
Giles looks directly at Faith.
GILES (cont'd)
Scott knew that when he pulled the protective scarab off himself... and placed it over Buffy, interrupting the soul exchange.
Unseen by the others, Willow gently fingers the scarab on the leather thong hidden under her blouse.
XANDER
But if the soul exchange could be interrupted, couldn't it be stopped as well?
GILES
(rubbing his head, exhausted and confused)
I... I just don't know.
WILLOW
Giles,... maybe you better go home and get some sleep. You can't think clearly. You're like, totally burned out.
GILES
But...
WILLOW
We'll do the research. Just point us in the right direction.
GILES
(tired, struggling to think clearly)
Well, you'll need Karistos' "Necromancer," and my copy of the Egyptian Book of the Dead is in the office drawer. It's the Budge translation which is not very good but it'll have to do. And Bacon's "Forbidden Rights," may give you some leads. Also some of the fragments of Hermes Trismegistos. It's mostly alchemical but there is some material on spirit and souls. That's in the cabinet with the manuscript folders. You might try the surviving Martel notebook. His writings also delved into the nature of the soul. That should be enough to get you started.
WILLOW
We're on it! (gently) Giles...
GILES
(absent mindedly)
Yes?
WILLOW
Go home. We'll cover for you.
GILES
(getting up and heading into his office)
Yes, I suppose you're right. After a shower and a few hours of sleep, I can approach this from a fresh perspective.
All the others look back and forth at each other. The tone in Giles' voice has no optimism or determination. Giles walks into his office and picks up the small black notebook. He returns to the library and, without speaking, walks past the group gazing fearfully at him and leaves. After he has left, Willow looks back at the others.
WILLOW
(trying to be enthusiastic)
All right, let's do it!
Willow, Xander, Oz, Cordelia and Faith all go to different parts of the library to retrieve the research material Giles suggested.
THE SCENE DISSOLVES INTO The Library, later that afternoon.
The Scooby Gang is all gathered around different tables with piles of books open in front of them. Faith, Cordelia and Xander are at the large central table. Two boxes of donuts, one of them empty, sit in front of Xander. His face is covered with powdered sugar. He and Faith reach for the last jelly donut. They both latch onto it at the same time.
XANDER
Hey! That one's mine!
FAITH
You wanna fight me for it!
XANDER
I saw it first!
FAITH
You saw them all first! Doesn't mean you can eat 'em all first, too!
Disgusted, Cordelia reaches out and slaps Faith and Xander's hands. Shocked, they drop the donut. Cordelia snatches it up and daintily takes a small bite.
XANDER
Hey! I thought we were still pretending!
CORDELIA
New rule. I'll pretend when I'm not hungry!
OZ
Uh... guys? The books? They're asking to be read.
Xander and Faith sheepishly return their attention to their respective books.
XANDER
(whispered to Faith)
I dibbs the one with the chocolate sprinkles.
FAITH
(under he breath)
Just try and get it!
CUT TO INT, Buffy's bedroom. Later that afternoon.
Buffy is lying in bed staring up at the ceiling. JOYCE SUMMERS enters the room with a small plate of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
JOYCE
Buffy, you sure you don't want anything to eat? I made your favorite, PB&J?
BUFFY
(listless)
Thanks, Mom. I'm really not hungry.
Joyce places the plate on Buffy's bedside table and sits down on the bed next to her daughter. She places her hand over Buffy's forehead, feeling for a fever.
JOYCE
You're not hot.
BUFFY
I just feel lousy.
Buffy stares at her mother, then sits up and wraps her arms around her in a big hug.
BUFFY (cont'd)
(silently mouthing the words so her mother can't hear)
I love you, Mom.
JOYCE
My! What brought that on?
BUFFY
(ignoring the question)
I'm tired. I think I wanta take a nap.
JOYCE
(getting up)
Okay, you call me if you need anything.
Joyce leaves the room, shutting the door behind her. Buffy lies back on her comforter and stares silently at the ceiling once more.
CUT TO INT. Giles' Apartment. At the same time.
Giles is in his bathroom in front of the vanity mirror. His shirt is off and he is splashing his face with water, trying to massage some clarity back into his exhausted brain. He looks at his reflection in the mirror as the drops of water fall off onto the sink and floor. Finally he pulls a towel off the wall rack, dries his face and slides his shirt back on.
He walks out into the hallway and across to his bedroom. There, on the small bedside table sits the the small black notebook from his office. He picks it up and opens the book to a particular page. Silently he reads, then, after a moment, closes the book again. He drops it back on the bedside table and stares off into the bedroom. In his mind, he hears over and over his own words from earlier in the day.
GILES' VOICE
In a moment of extreme crisis, you wouldn't lay down your life for someone you loved?... Would I have done it for Jennie?. . . Would any of you... for someone that was precious to you beyond words?
Giles bows his head into his hand.
CUT TO INT. Buffy's bedroom. Late afternoon.
The first signs of the sunset are visible as shadows begin to creep across the bedroom. Buffy is sitting at her dressing table. She slowly reaches under her blouse and pulls the scarab on the leather thong out into the open where she gazes at it in her open palm.
BUFFY
(to the scarab)
Scott, please don't be angry with me... I think you understand... It's funny, you and me, cause we're really a lot alike. You see what you did for me, now I'm going to do for Angel. That's how much you and I both believe in love.
Buffy pauses and stares vacantly at the mirror. When she speaks again, it's as if she were responding to a silent question from an unseen entity.
BUFFY (cont'd)
It's okay. Don't be sad. You're always so sad... I'll tell you a secret. The only thing that's kept me going today is the hope that I might get to see you again... really... that I won't be alone... I mean you could give me the whole tour, show me the ropes and all. Point out those jerks that are always beating you up. We'll see how good they can handle the two of us together!
Slowly, Buffy pulls the leather thong over her head. When it's off, she cups the scarab in her hand and softly brings it to her lips. She kisses the blue stone and gently places it on her dressing table. Buffy then stands and walks over to the door. Only for a moment more, she gazes around at the furnishings and all the possessions of her life. She then turns and quietly slips out the bedroom door.
CUT TO INT. The Library. Later.
Willow, Xander, Cordelia, and Oz are still searching through Giles' books. Faith is pacing impatiently by the door. Willow, Xander and Oz are pouring over one particular large volume on the center table.
FAITH
(looking up nervously at the windows)
Guys! We don't have much time left!
WILLOW
(to Oz)
I could cast these spells, but they're just for driving out little demons and sprites and things. There's nothing here about anything big time like the Angel of Death.
OZ
Will, can you concentrate one of these spells?
WILLOW
Huh?
OZ
Think of it like the spell is sunlight and you're a magnifying glass. By itself the sun only heats up stuff so much. But if you concentrate it with the lens, focus it, you can start a fire.
WILLOW
Wow... but I don't know whether I'm that good or not?
OZ
Believe me, you're that good! Any chick that can cause toilets to back up or short circuit an entire city block is good! You just gotta concentrate.
WILLOW
(looking around for Giles)
Giles? You think it would work? Giles... ?
FAITH
He went outside a few minutes ago for some air.
XANDER
Shouldn't Buffy be here soon?
WILLOW
Maybe he went out to wait for her.
CUT TO EXT. The steps leading up to the front door of Sunnydale High. At the same time.
The steps and parking lot of the Sunnydale High are seen from a distance across the street. The sun is now heading close towards the horizon, and the trees casting long shadows across the pavement and concrete sidewalks.
Giles stands alone halfway down the steps. He doesn't move and has his hands in his pockets. Buffy is slowly approaching the foot of the steps. She stops and he walks down to meet her. As they stand together, Buffy silently leans her head against Giles and Giles wraps his arms around her protectively. For a moment they don't move. Then they walk slowly over towards Giles' car. He opens the passenger door and Buffy climbs in. Giles gets in on the other side, starts the motor and pulls out of the parking lot.
CUT BACK TO INT. The Library. At the same time.
Faith suddenly snaps to attention. She hears the SOUND OF A CAR ENGINE out in the parking lot.
FAITH
What's that?
Willow, Xander, Oz, Cordelia and Faith all listen as the car engine accelerates then begins to fade as the car drives away.
WILLOW
Giles!
The whole group makes a run for the library door and charges out into the hallway.
CUT BACK TO EXT. The steps outside Sunnydale High. At the same time.
Willow, Oz, Cordelia, Faith and Xander all rush out the front door onto the school steps. They are just in time to see Giles' beat up Citroen disappearing down the street.
WILLOW
(screaming after the car)
GILES!
OZ
He can't hear you, Will.
FAITH
Damn! That sneak!
All stand silently for a moment.
CORDELIA
What the hell is he doing?
OZ
He's got Buffy with him.
XANDER
We gotta follow them! We gotta stop what's coming down here!
CORDELIA
But Giles knows what he's doing.
XANDER
Not this time! He hasn't a clue! You been watching him all day? He's walking around like a dead man!
WILLOW
But where are he and Buffy going?
XANDER
The old mansion. Where she killed Angel... Willow, can you do one of those spells you were just looking at?
WILLOW
I can try. I'll have to go get it.
XANDER
That's all we got left. Let's do it!
OZ
(to Willow)
I'll go with you!
Oz and Willow run back inside.
XANDER
Cordie, get your car fired up. You're driving.
CORDELIA
Hey! How come I'm always stuck as chauffeur? What about Oz's van?
XANDER
We need speed, Babe, not bulk.
Faith, Xander and Cordelia run over to her red convertible in the parking lot.
FAITH
(as they are getting into the car)
Wow! A spin in the Cordmobile! I feel privileged.
CUT BACK TO INT. The Library. At the same time.
Oz and Willow dash in through the library doors and run over to the central table where Willow was reading earlier. She stops and realizes the volume with the spells was large and will be awkward to lug around.
WILLOW
This thing is enormous!
Oz reaches down, tears off the section of the page with the spell and hands it to Willow. She gasps.
WILLOW (cont'd)
What did you do that for?
OZ
(as they turn to run out of the room)
Deal with it! Giles'll understand.
Suddenly Willow stops and thinks. Oz stops with her, puzzled by her action.
OZ (cont'd)
What's up?
Willow quickly pulls the leather thong and the scarab from around her neck and places it on Oz.
OZ (cont'd)
(holding the scarab, now around his neck)
What's this all about?
Willow runs out of the library without answering. Oz follows her.
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