All characters, etc. belong to Mr Whedon and the folks at WB ... I own nothing.
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Part Two
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Scene: A cave. It's dark, we can make out Buffy. She lies on the floor. After a few moments she begins to stir.
Buffy: Willow?
She looks around. Then remembering, looks up.
Buffy: (shouts) Willow?
Willow: Buffy! Are you okay?
Buffy: I think so ... yeah. What happened to the vamp?
Willow: Um, Buffy ... it fell down there with you. Can't, can't you see it?
Buffy: There's no light down here ... have you got a torch?
Willow: Oh!
She realises she has a torch with her. She switches it on and throws it down to Buffy.
Buffy: Thanks.
Willow: I'm going to get a rope.
Buffy: Okay ...
She looks around. The cave is roughly thirty feet square and twenty feet high. The crack runs along the middle of the ceiling. It's fairly featureless, and there's no sign of the vampire. As she pans round with the torch a gap in the wall can be seen. She moves towards it and looks through. There is another, smaller cave. The vampire is there. It's held by a demon. The demon is seven feet tall with light mottled skin. The mouth is sucker like, but with large teeth visible. It has one arm around the vamp from behind, pinning his arms to his side and the other hand is pushing the vamps head forward. The vamp has it's game face on and is growling and struggling but can't break free. Quickly the demon lowers it's head and clamps it's mouth onto the back of the vamps neck. There's a sucking, slobbering sound.
Buffy: Gross ...
She continues looking on in fascination. As she watches, the vampire's game face seems to be pulled and stretched towards the back of it's head ... in a rush the vamp face disappears leaving the human face behind. The guy slumps. Clearly dead.
Buffy steps through into the second cave.
Buffy: Hey! I hate to break up your picnic from hell, well actually ...
The demon leaps forward. It's unbelievably fast. It punches Buffy who flies back into the first cave and clear across to hit the opposite wall. She gets to her feet, groggy, looking scared.
Buffy: Willow? Willow? Have you got the rope? Have you got it? (waits) Willow? Are you there?
Willow: Hey Buff, did you dust the vampire?
Buffy: No. Did you get a rope?
Willow: Sure, it's right here.
Buffy: Pass it down now, Willow. Quickly!
Willow throws down the rope and Buffy starts climbing it as fast as she can. The demon comes swarming out of the second cave and leaps for Buffy, but she's just got out in time. Willow screams and falls back. The demon jumps again but is well short of reaching the edge. Buffy quickly pulls the rope up.
Willow: Buffy. What was that?
Buffy: I think ... that was ... hope.
Credits role.
Scene: The library. Giles, Buffy and Willow are there.
Giles: So you're saying that th-th-this demon ... uh ... sucked the vampire out of this person?
Buffy: That about sums it up.
Giles: Willow?
Willow: Sorry, I didn't see anything ... but, but ... this is good isn't it? I mean ... a demon that sucks the vampire out of you? It's good ... Xander ... and a cure ... for Xander. Oh! And for Angel too.
Giles: Now let's not be too hasty, Willow. Buffy you said that this unfortunate fellow was human again when he was killed, yes?
Buffy: Yes. But he was like, dead, the instant the vamp was gone.
Giles: That could be the case for Xander and Angel ...
Buffy: I know that Giles, but, but what if they survive because they have a soul? If we can get Angel and Xander down there ... this demon could cure them ...
Giles: If you're correct in your interpretation of the events, and I-I-I'm not at all convinced you are, then how do you propose to stop the demon killing them. Y-you said the demon was extremely fast and exceptional strong, yes?
Buffy: Yes. Don't worry about the demon, I'll handle it ...
Giles: Yes ... Buffy, from what you've said, you didn't do a particularly impressive job of handling it this time ... what will make the next time so different?
Buffy: Because I really want it to be different?
Giles: A demon that feeds on the spirit of other demons ... a-a-and is stronger than the Slayer. I've never heard of such a thing. I-I-I must do research on this. Willow, can you get on the ah, the net and search for anything th-that might give us an idea of what we face. Buffy call Cordelia and ask her to come and help with the research.
Buffy: Sorry Giles. I've got to see Angel and Xander.
Giles: Buffy. I don't think that's a good idea.
Buffy: And you know, normally that would bother me ...
She turns and starts walking towards the door.
Giles: Buffy! You could better serve them by helping here. There's no need to raise their hopes on something that, frankly, sounds dubious at best.
Buffy: You weren't there Giles. It sucked the demon right out of that guy. I wasn't sure at the time, but the more I think about ... if there's a chance we can help them ... they deserve to know ... and I've got to see Xander ... I've got to set things right with him ...
Scene: Angel's apartment. Xander and Angel are sitting at a table.
Angel: You're hungry aren't you?
Xander: No.
Angel: You need blood.
Xander: No.
Angel: I can tell ...
Xander: No! I can't. Drinking blood, I mean, gyuuugh.
Angel: I'm sorry Xander, you don't have a choice. You're going to have to feed sometime ...
Xander: But, blood?
Angel: It's not like you have a choice. When the need comes on you, you can't stop it. You can hold it back for a time, but eventually you succumb ... it's like drowning, needing air, anything to catch your breath ... and I can tell, I can tell you have the need ... the need to feed.
Xander: Okay Maverick, okay. You win ...
Angel hands Xander a bag of blood. He tears it open and, after a pause, starts to drink. He looks nauseous as he drinks it down. There's a knock at the door. Angel goes to answer.
Angel: Buffy.
Buffy: Hi. Can I come in?
Angel: Sure, yes, of course.
Buffy walks in and sees Xander. He turns away from her, head down. We see that Buffy is hurt thinking Xander doesn't want to see her. But up close we see Xander wiping the blood from his lips. He's ashamed and doesn't want Buffy to see him like this.
Buffy: Xander.
Xander: Buffy.
Buffy: Angel, how's Xander doing?
Angel: He's ... he's doing okay. Under the circumstances. I've been giving him a few pointers. You know, stay out of sunlight, avoid holy water ... I was about to start Lurking 101 when you arrived.
Buffy: Will ... will he talk to me?
Angel: I think you better ask him that yourself.
She walks over to the table and sits down opposite Xander. She puts her hand out to take his. He pulls back.
Buffy: Xander ... I'm so sorry ... I-I didn't know what to do ... you were lying there ... dying ... all I could think about was how you saved me ... and here's me, The Slayer, and I couldn't protect you ...
Xander: So I have to take a carton of band aids with me every time I shave because, what, you were feeling guilty? You wanted to ease your conscience? I'd expected something like this from him, but you ...? You were my friend ...
Buffy: No. No I-I was ... I don't know! I couldn't let you go ... I love you, you're one of my best friends.
Xander: Y'know. It seems to me that this is about you, about how you felt. You felt guilty, you're conscience was bothering you, you didn't want to lose a friend. Well guess what. You did anyway.
Angel: Xander ...
Buffy: No, Angel, no ... I'm sorry, Xander, I'm so sorry ... it wasn't just about me. What about Cordelia and Giles? And Willow ... I don't know if she could have handled you dying ... you know how she feels about you ... even if she is seeing Oz. It would've broken her heart. We need you Xander ... you give us hope ... you keep us going ...
Xander stares at her for a moment.
Xander: You know what I was doing before you arrived? ... I was having dinner ... D'you know what it was?
Buffy shakes her head. Xander tosses the empty blood bag between them on the table. He crosses his arms and leans back, staring across the table. Buffy can only look down, a tear runs down her cheek.
Buffy: Xander ...
She gets up to move away. We see Xander still staring at the space she's just left. He stays like that while Buffy walks over to Angel. Angel hugs her. For a few moments there is silence. No one talks. Suddenly Xander comes to a decision.
Xander: Buffy, wait. Buffy I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I would have died there ... if you and Angel hadn't ... I-I'm grateful to you. To both of you. It's just taking some getting used to. You did the right thing. I want you to know that. I'm still alive, well, about as alive as you can be with no breath and no heartbeat. But, hey, let's look on the bright side. Running a marathon is sure going to be a lot easier.
Buffy: Xander ...
They hug.
Buffy: Okay, Xander ... I wanted to make sure I was right with you before I said anything ...
Xander: Said anything?
Buffy: There's a chance to cure you, cure you both.
Xander: What!?
Angel: Buffy!? How? ... Don't say this, don't you say this ... I've dreamt ... for years ... please Buffy ... what do you mean?
Xander: Yeah, Buffy. Tell the man.
Scene: Library. Giles, Willow and Cordelia are there.
Giles: Nothing! Not a-a-a blessed thing.
Willow: There must be something ... Buffy wouldn't make this up.
Cordelia: She likes to grab all the attention and all ... but I don't think she'd go that far.
Giles: Thank you for your input Cordelia ... have you found out anything useful?
Cordelia: Well apparently you can check for author *and* title in the index ...
Giles: *In* the books Cordelia, *in* the books.
Cordelia: Oh. Well no, nothing.
Giles: Willow?
Willow: I think I might have something here ... Oh, oh ...
Giles: What is it?
Willow: Oh ...
Cordelia: Well?
Willow: It says here that there was a-a race of demons that survived by eating flesh ... but they grew stronger, um much stronger, if they consumed the spirit of other demons ... this must be it! A cure ... we can get Xander and Angel back!
Giles: Let me see ...
He leans over and studies the screen.
Giles: Yes, yes. Th-th-that seems to be our suspect.
Willow: We'll get Xander back! ... We can see him again ... and not, you know, damn him at-at the same time.
Xander: It's okay Willow ... it'll be a long time before I'll be that happy again.
Willow: Xander!
She looks round. Xander, Buffy and Angel have entered the library.
Willow: Xander ...
She runs to him and they embrace.
Xander: Willow ...
Cordelia: Ah, hello? Xander? I know your pleased to see Willow, but you're going out with me. Oh my God ... you haven't lost your memory have you ... you're not going to be, like, mentally disabled or anything?
Xander: No Cordy ...
They embrace too.
Cordelia: Eyew! You're cold!
Xander: And remember folks, this is Cordelia talking.
Cordelia: No. *You're* cold, you're skin is cold.
Xander: Kinda comes with the territory. Being dead, you sort of lose your body temperature. But on the up side, you do get a T-shirt and button that says "I'm dead".
Giles: Uh, t-t-technically you're actually undead ... hence th-th-the walking and ah talking.
Xander: You just can't let one thing past can you?
Buffy: So guys, what have you found out? Who was the friendly suckmeister?
Giles: Well, we haven't c-completed our r-research yet, but it would seem that this demon is th-the last known of its race. They were called the Anima Edere ... soul eaters. They would literally suck the spirit from a demon and then consume the flesh. It would appear that they were hunted down by v-vampire's and other demons ... it grew incredibly strong after feasting on their spirits. A-a-apparently through fear and necessity the other demons formed an alliance and slaughtered it's entire race.
Buffy: But they missed this one ...
Giles: So it would seem. This occurred almost ten centuries ago ...
Buffy: So you're saying Leech Boy has been down there for nearly a thousand years? Why doesn't it surprise me that it shows up now?
Angel: Giles, I need to know. Could this work ... could I get back my life?
Giles: Well putting aside the physical difficulties for the moment ... did Buffy tell you that when the uh d-demon consumed the vampire's soul ... the human underneath was dead?
Angel: But I have a soul, a human soul ... that might make the difference.
Buffy looks at Giles and nods in the direction of Angel.
Giles: That's all well and good, h-h-however there's no way to test that theory. It may also consume your human soul as well.
Buffy: We'll just have to stop it before it gets to the second course.
Giles: I-i-it's still a very dangerous course of action.
Angel: I'm willing to take the chance.
Buffy: Xander?
Xander: I'm with the Man in Black.
Buffy: Okay ... democracy in action ... now, we need a plan.
Cordelia: Well, you go down there, grab that ... thing ... and bash it until it does what you tell it.
They all stare at her.
Buffy: We need a plan.
Scene: Graveyard. They're all there. A temporary safety fence has been put up around the gap. They approach the edge and look down.
Buffy: Okay, Willow you start the binding spell as soon as we get the demon pinned, okay?
Willow: Okay.
Buffy: Cordelia? Giles? You help Will.
Giles: I-I-I don't know about this, Buffy. It's foolhardy and dangerous ...
Buffy: Giles, we've been through this. Angel and Xander want to try ...
Xander: That's right. Come on Library Man are you going to help us or not?
Giles: I ... I ... oh all right. Very well.
Buffy: That's my boy Giles. Now come on lets get this done.
They tie off a rope and lower it into the cave. Buffy, Xander and Angel climb down the rope. They each carry a torch.
Buffy: (whisper)Okay, guys. It was through there ...
Angel: (whisper)Let's go.
Xander: (whisper)Whoa there, Mr Rushes Headlong Into Danger. Do you think we should take this a little bit slower? Like, lets take a peek first. See what we're up against.
Angel (whisper)You right ...
They creep up to the gap and peer in. They can't see anything at first but as they play their torches round they can see another gap on the far side.
Buffy: Didn't see that the last time I was here ... let's take a look.
They walk through into the next cave. It's huge. There is a rough stone walkway that runs along the middle. On either side is a massive drop. The demon is crouched in the middle, it appears to be eating.
Xander: (whisper) My guess is there isn't much to eat down here ... if you don't include dead ex-vampires ... so can I just be the first to say, eeyeeew.
They back out into the smaller cave.
Buffy: Okay. So how do you want to play this? I don't like the idea of fighting on that walkway. One slip and it's scrambled Slayer.
Angel: I say we lure him ... Xander, you attract his attention, Buffy and I'll jump him when you get him in here.
Buffy: Good idea.
Xander: Hey! Why do I have to do the luring. What about Angel, or you?
Buffy: I've got the most chance of beating it ... 'specially if I surprise him ... and it was Angel's idea.
Xander: Some idea. "You lure him in. I'll stay with Buffy. You go get killed."
Xander puts on his game face and approaches the large cave. Buffy and Angel stand on either side of the opening. Xander enters and moves along the walkway.
Xander: Hey, Mr Table Manners ... think you could take me? Oh, uh, uh ...
The demon has tossed aside what he was eating and is now sprinting towards Xander, who is running back to the small cave. He dives through with the demon hot on his heels.
Buffy: Now!
Angel and Buffy attack the demon from behind. He punches it in the back, Buffy kicks the side of its head. Xander comes at it from the front. And punches it hard in the face.
Xander: Yeah!
The demon recovers from the initial attack. It back hands Buffy away, she spins and slumps to the floor.
Angel: Buffy!
Angel is momentarily distracted and the demon punches him. He flies back and hits the wall heavily. He too slumps to the floor.
Xander: Eh, guys. Buffy, Angel. A little help here. (looks at demon) Uh, uh ... hi! Um, how ya doin'?
Xander turns and runs back out onto the walkway. He realises there's no where to go. He's trapped himself. The demon has followed him out.
Xander: Nice demon, nice demon ...
Cut to: Buffy groaning in the cave. Coming to her senses. She climbs to her feet and sees Angel.
Buffy: Angel!
Xander: (from outside) Buffy! Help! Help me!
Scene: Graveyard. Giles, Willow and Cordy are preparing the spell.
Giles: This is taking too long. I-I-I think I should follow them.
Willow: Come on Giles. Buffy knows what she's doing.
Cordy: Yeah, Giles. She accessorises like an eight year old, but she's Jean Paul Gaultier when it comes to slaying demons.
Giles: Nevertheless ...
Scene: Xander is trying to keep the demon at bay. The demon simply grabs him and spins him round. He pins Xander's arms to his sides with one arm and uses the other to push Xander's head forward.
Cut to: Buffy running onto the walkway. She sees the demon sucking at Xander's neck. She runs to stop the demon, and then realises this is what they were there for. She pauses.
Cut to: Angel groaning. Coming to his senses.
Cut to: Close up of Xander's face. The game face being stretched and disappearing. He groans and hangs loosely in the demon's grip. The demon lowers his head to Xander's neck for the second time.
Buffy: No!
She runs and does a flying kick which knocks the demon along the walkway, but the demon has dropped Xander. He falls over the edge. Buffy dives full length, makes a grab for him and manages to get a hold of his collar. He's hanging there. Unconscious.
Buffy: Angel! I need your help. Angel.
Angel: (coming out of the cave) Buffy!
He sees the demon climbing to it's feet and starting towards Buffy. He runs at it and swings a punch. The demon catches his arm and tucks it under its own. Angel swings with the left. The demon repeats the move and then snaps both arms up, breaking them.
Buffy: Angel!
With a strength born from pain, Angel spins the demon round in one last effort. The demon stumbles to the edge. And loses it's balance.
Buffy/Angel: No!
The demon topples. Buffy grabs for it with her free hand. She manages to get its ankle. The demon hangs there snarling and twisting.
Buffy: Angel, I-I can't hold them both, you've got to help!
Angel: I can't Buffy, I can't. It broke my arms. Hold on, please hold on. Don't let it fall.
Buffy: (groaning) I-I can't, I'll lose Xander.
Angel: Please, Buffy. Hold on, hold on. I'll get help.
Buffy: Sorry, Angel, I'm sorry ...
Scene: Slow-mo. Close up of Buffy's hand opening, letting the demon drop. At the same moment, Giles runs onto the walkway. We see him shouting Buffy's name. She turns round, seeing him. Realising, she's let go of the only chance Angel had. If she'd held on for a second more ...
Fade ...
Scene: Buffy's bedroom. Buffy and Willow are there. They're both sitting on the bed.
Buffy: How's Xander?
Willow: He's fine, he's home sleeping. He went through a lot. Being u-undead and all.(she looks down) So, so have you spoken to Angel?
Buffy: No. I-I can't face him. I-I-If I'd held on for one moment longer ...
Willow: You didn't know. It was the demon or Xander.
Buffy: It was Angel's humanity or Xander ...
Willow: Well, if you could trade Xander for Angel's humanity, would you?
Buffy: (sighing) No. I guess not. But we were so close.
Willow: It's not fair. You're always so close ...
Buffy: What'd'you mean?
Willow: Well when you, uh, when you, like, k-killed Angel. If you could've held off just a little longer. Or if-if Xander had time to pass the message on ...
Buffy: What message?
Willow: You know. Where he tells you that I was trying the curse again?
Buffy: He did have time.
Willow: What?
Buffy: He did have time to pass the message on. He never told me. I can't believe he didn't tell me.
Willow: (tears in here eyes) Oh Xander ...
They both sit in silence. Lost in their own thoughts.
Fade.
The End
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