This is a work of fan fiction based on the characters of the
television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It was written on
14-16 November 2002, based on episodes aired to that date. As the story
begins, Spike is still dealing with the after effects of regaining his
soul. Feedback relating to this story is welcome, and may be directed to
badcactus@hotmail.com.
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Act I
Scene I
Late night by the Sunnydale graveyard.
A girl is walking alone down the sidewalk. The girl is viewed from the perspective of a watcher in the woods. When she turns around, the observer ducks into some trees. She resumes walking. The watcher quickly overtakes her as she turns around again.
Dawn
Stop following me Spike
Spike
Me? Following you? Don't be ridiculous.
Dawn
You were following me.
Spike
Instinct, love. Tasty little treat like you, any vamp would have done the same.
She starts, looking past him. Another vampire is standing there.
Vamp
Are you gonna spend all night playing with your food, or are you going to eat that, because if not, leave it for someone else.
Spike
Hey, shove off, mate! This is a private conversation.
The vampire advances.
Spike
Give me a minute, Dawn. I'm going to teach this guy some manners and I'll be right along.
The vampires start fighting. Dawn rolls her eyes and continues walking along the sidewalk.
Buffy runs up to her.
Buffy
Dawn, what are you doing out so late?
Dawn
Things got a little bit hot... I mean late after practise. Anyway, don't worry, Spike was watching over me. He's with a vamp right now. He'll be along any minute.
Spike comes crashing out of the woods, lands on his back near the Summers sisters. The vampire follows him and grabs him by his jacket.
Spike
Best two out of three?
The vamp sees the two girls and tosses Spike aside.
Vamp
Oh, goodie. Two for the price of one.
Dawn
Done with the etiquette lecture, Spike?
Spike
He's a difficult student.
Buffy
I'm good with difficult students.
Spike and Buffy fight the vamp, who is tough and puts up a good fight.
Buffy looks off and sees some men dressed in black observing them from a distance away. While she is distracted, Spike is getting pummeled by the vamp.
Spike
Um, Slayer? Care to lend a hand here?
Buffy resumes fighting, and eventually stakes the vampire.
Spike
Thanks, Buffy.
Buffy
Spike, did you see some strange guys watching us from over there?
Spike
No, I kind of had my hands full at the time. What did they look like?
Buffy
I don't know, I didn't get a good look. Spike, can you walk Dawn home? I have a lot of ground to cover tonight.
Spike
I could drop her off and join up with you later? It'd be like old times.
Buffy
Not tonight, Spike.
She turns away and walks off. He stands there, staring after her, disappointed. Then, he turns away and hurries off, catches up with Dawn.
Spike
So, Dawn, did you see me give that bad old vamp what for?
Dawn
I stayed until Buffy staked him.
Spike
Uh, yeah, right. Good thing she stepped in when she did, or I would have had to really...
Dawn
Look, you don't have to walk with me, okay?
Spike
I like walking with you, Nibblet.
Dawn
Yeah, well I don't ... look, I just don't feel like talking, okay.
Spike is downcast.
Spike
I used to like the talks we had.
Dawn
I was the weak link, right? Your way to get to Buffy.
Spike
What in the hell is wrong with you?
Dawn
Just leave me alone!
Dawn runs off.
Scene II
Spike follows along behind at a discreet distance until she gets to the house. Once he sees that she is safely in the door, he lights a cigarette. Xander approaches.
Xander
Aren't you going to circle the house and peep in the windows, maybe rifle through the garbage?
Spike turns around and walks in the other directions. Xander calls after him.
Xander
Hearing any more voices these days?
Spike
Just one, actually. Says I should tell you to sod off.
Act II
Scene I
Buffy's house.
Buffy returns home at the end of the day, apparently exhausted.
A car is parked in front of her house. Two men get out of the car, moving to intercept her. They are dressed in matching dark suits.
Buffy starts to hurry toward the door. They quicken their pace to intercept her. She rushes the last few yards and gets in the door in time to slam in their faces.
Buffy
I made a donation at the office. I'm not home now. Just leave me a pamphlet, and I'll send a cheque. Really, I can't talk right now.
Samuels
Miss Summers, it's important that we speak with you. This is very important. It concerns you and your sister. It will be a whole lot easier if we talk about this right now.
Buffy opens the door a crack.
Buffy
What do you want?
Samuels
Miss Summers, we know that the last little while has been challenging for you. But now, it's time to think about the future. Your future, and the future of your sister.
Buffy
Dawn? Is this about Dawn?
Samuels
Partly. We're aware that she's been struggling ...
Buffy
Did you come here to take Dawn away from me, because ...
Samuels
Miss Summers, we came to take you away. I have a job offer in my briefcase. I'd like you to look it over and give it some serious thought.
He hands her an envelope through the door. She takes it.
Buffy
Um, I don't…
Samuels
I'm only asking you to look it over, that's all. We'll be in touch. Good day.
Buffy closes the door and walks toward the kitchen. The men walk away from the house, back to their car.
Trent
Do you think she'll go for it?
Samuels
We'll get her. One way or the other.
Scene II
Kitchen table, Buffy's house.
Buffy and Willow are at the table, eating. There is a third place set at the table.
Buffy
Where's Dawn?
Willow
Late. Never mind that. Tell me about this job offer.
Buffy
It's kind of weird. I'd be a consultant with a firm that contracts to the government. That's about all I can make of it. Most of the package is legal stuff. Non-disclosure, confidentiality ... I only read the first ten pages.
Willow
The pay's good I guess.
Buffy
Yeah. More than I ever thought I could hope for.
Willow
But what'll you be doing?
Buffy
I don't know. Writing reports, I guess. I wonder if Principal Robin gave them my name.
Willow
It just sounds weird. I mean, doesn't the government hire PhD's to do the big studies? Or politicians' relatives.
Buffy
Yes, it's strange. Can you do a bit of digging online, see if you can find out anything about them?
Willow
Sure. So what does this have to do with Dawn?
Buffy
Well, the company has a contract with a private school right next to their offices. Here's the brochure. Look at the facilities they have, student-teacher ratio, university admissions stats...
Willow
No Hellmouth?
Buffy
No Hellmouth.
Willow
Buffy, this school's out of state. You're leaving Sunnydale? Buffy ...
Buffy
I know Will. Maybe I can come back and slay on weekends, or get them to open an office here. Something. I don't know. But this is such a chance for Dawn. She could really do something with her life, if I could just... I don't want her life to be screwed up like mine.
Willow
Buffy...
Buffy
Never mind, Will. They said they'd be in touch in a few days. I can always say no.
Willow
It seems like a good deal Buffy, almost too good. I'll check them out and get back to you.
Scene III
Night, in a wooded park
Buffy is dressed in dark yet stylish clothes, crouching in the woods. She is discretely watching a group of men dressed in black commando clothes. They are subduing a vampire with stun sticks. A few of them get tossed about, but eventually, the vampire is taken down. The men tie him up, taking care to put a muzzle firmly over his face. Then they manhandle him into the back of a black cube van.
Scene IV
Warehouse in the Sunnydale Industrial Park
The cube van is there. The vampire is tossed into a cage. There are several vampire cages there, some of them empty. Buffy is up on a walkway, looking in a window. She turns abruptly and a man is there on the walkway with her. It is one of the men who came to her house, Trent.
Trent
Why don't you come inside. There's someone who'd like to talk to you?
Scene V
Samuels and Buffy are in an office in the warehouse. He offers her a coffee, but she declines
Buffy
What sort of business are you in, Mr. ...
Samuels
Mr. Samuels. I am in the business of protecting the innocent from the predators of this world. You might say that we are in the same line of work, Miss Summers.
Buffy
I notice you're capturing vampires? Is this some kind of sequel the Initiative?
Samuels
No, it's not. I'm not at liberty to discuss the particulars of our operation here with anyone on the outside. I hope you will accept our offer, and then I can be more frank with you.
Buffy
I read through the package you left, but it left something out. What sort of work do you want me to do?
Samuels
Work suitable for someone of your unique talents and abilities, fighting evil. At the pointy end of the stake, you might say.
Buffy
I'm doing that right now.
Samuels
Miss Summers, I don't know anyone who could have done a better job than you've done here in Sunnydale, by yourself, with almost no backup, no budget. But at best, you're holding the line. Think of what you could accomplish with facilities, staff, logistical support, the latest technology... And think about this After all you've done for this town, you're working for almost nothing, barely able to pay your bills. What happens when Dawn wants to go to college? What happens if you get hurt? We take care of our own Pay, benefits, holidays, the works.
Buffy
I'm needed here.
Samuels
The situation here is stable. I can put a couple of boys on the job here and keep a lid on things. Someone like you can make more of a difference elsewhere. There are a lot of Sunnydales in this world, Miss Summers.
He looks at his watch.
I'm glad you could drop by, but I'm afraid that I have to get back to work. I hope you'll think about what we discussed.
Buffy
I will.
Scene VI
Buffy has left the warehouse. She hears a vehicle behind her and moves into the shadows. It is the cube van. As the truck passes her, a figure is tossed out the back, tumbling to a stop by the side of the road. Laughter is heard from the back of the cube van until the door closes. Buffy moves forward, as Spike rises painfully to his feet. He fumbles in his pockets.
Spike
Bloody hell. Bastards nicked my smokes.
Buffy
Hi Spike.
Spike starts as he turns to face her.
Spike
Oh, uh... Slayer. Fancy meeting you here.
Buffy
What were you doing in the truck, Spike?
Spike
Hitchhiking, love.
Buffy
Spike.
She glares at him.
Spike
Okay. I'm walking along, and all of a sudden I'm in the middle of a commando convention. They jump me, zap me up, toss me in this cage. Then some bloke comes along and says 'We can't use this one. Get rid of him. And give him some lumps.' I would have given something back, too, if I didn't have this ...
He gestures at his head.
Spike
Anyway, here I am. You and me, love.
Spike smiles amiably, but Buffy remains hostile.
Buffy
Where did they pick you up, Spike?
Spike
Umm, well, right. Somewhere ...
He gestures vaguely toward the industrial park.
Spike
I don't really recall exactly.
Buffy
You were following me.
Spike
Me? No. Well ... not really. No. Look, Buffy ...
Buffy
Bye Spike.
Spike
Right, I guess I'll be off. Places to be, you know. Call me?
Buffy
No.
Buffy shakes her head wearily and moves along to finish her patrol.
Act III
The next evening.
Scene I
Dawn and Buffy are discussing are in the kitchen, in animated discussion.
Dawn
I'm not leaving Sunnydale.
Buffy
Dawn, I know it's not easy, but just think about this.
Dawn
You don't need to go anywhere; you've got a job right here.
Buffy
Dawn, I can barely make ends meet. And you'll be going to college soon.
Dawn
You just want to put me in that prison school to straighten me out. Look at this mandatory study hours, school uniforms, separate classes for boys and girls...
Buffy
Dawn, I want you to have some kind of future, some kind of hope that you're not going to end up like me no degree, no career, no life.
Dawn
Buffy, I like my life the way it is.
Buffy
So that's why you're so happy and grateful all the time?
Dawn
Like leaving my friends and going to State Pen is going to put a big smile on me?
Buffy
You'll make new friends.
Dawn
No, I won't. I'm not going. I can stay here with Willow. You're walking out on her too.
Buffy
I'm not walking out.
Dawn
What are they going to do when you're gone? What's Sunnydale going to do without a slayer?
Buffy
It'll be taken care of.
Dawn
Yeah, it's all taken care of, isn't it? I just get to go along with whatever you decide? Why bother even talking about it?
Dawn storms out.
Willow enters
Buffy
Hi Will. Did you find out anything about the company?
Willow
No, nothing. It's a privately held numbered corporation with no history and no publicly accessible information. It's a front, but that fits in with the cloak and dagger spy motif. I left a message for Riley. He might know something.
Buffy
Okay, thanks a lot.
Willow
You're really going to leave?
Buffy
If I did, would you come with me?
Willow
I don't know, Buffy. I guess I sort of thought that you'd never leave here. Or that I'd ever leave. I just don't know.
Buffy
This is a bad place, Will. I want to take Dawn away from here because she deserves better. You deserve better too.
Willow
Everyone does Buffy.
The phone rings.
Buffy
Hello. Yes, it is.
She looks at her watch.
Buffy
Alright, I'll be there.
She hangs up.
Willow
Hot date?
Buffy
They want to see me tonight. I guess it's another interview.
Willow
Ask for a signing bonus.
Buffy is distracted, deep in thought.
Buffy
Right, right.
Scene II
Later in the evening, Buffy returns home, takes off her jacket and tosses her purse into a chair. Willow enters.
Willow
Hi Buffy, how'd it go?
Buffy
I got a signing bonus! They're going to sell the house for me. They have a place on the corporate campus where I can stay until I can get a place there. Dawn will live in residence.
Willow
That's great, Buffy. Um... Riley got back to me. He left a message.
Buffy
What'd he say?
Willow
Buffy, you want to sit down?
Buffy
Okay.
They sit down.
Willow
Buffy, the corporation is a front for a government agency.
Buffy
Yeah, we knew that, right? Something like what Riley works for.
Willow
Not like Riley's group. He talked about counter intelligence, black ops, wet work... Buffy, they don't fight demons or vampires, they fight foreign governments, drug dealers, spies.
Buffy
So, what do they want me for?
Willow looks away, runs her hands through her hair, agitated.
Willow
Riley says they recruit analysts and assassins. The analysts are PhDs.
Buffy is flustered.
Buffy
You mean, they want me to kill people?
Willow
Buffy, I don't know. Riley says no one knows for sure what they do, but he says to be careful with these guys. Maybe you could...?
Buffy
That bastard!
Buffy stands up, paces across the room, stops.
Buffy
He knew just what buttons to push, you know? This was going to be a new life for me and for Dawn.
Willow
Buffy, I'm sorry.
Buffy
I know. Well, spilled milk, you know. I guess it was too good to be true.
Willow
Buffy...
Buffy
Look, let's not talk about this right now. I need to get some air. I'll be back later.
Buffy leaves.
Scene III
Samuels' office. He is typing into a laptop and shuffling through some folders. One of the pages has a picture of Buffy on it. There is a disturbance outside his office. He walks toward the door to the office. It bursts open, Buffy pushes in and shoves him into his chair.
Buffy
We need to talk.
A couple of burly soldier guys are at his door. He signals to them and they leave, after glancing at Buffy in a menacing way. Samuels straightens up, adjusts his tie.
Samuels
What can I do for you, Miss Summers?
Buffy
You want me to kill people, is that it? Is that the dream job you're dangling in front of me?
Samuels
Miss Summers...
Buffy
Don't Miss Summers me, you son of a bitch. You told me I'd be fighting demons and vampires...
Samuels
I told you you'd be fighting evil. Sometimes people are the biggest threat to our way of life.
Buffy
I won't become an assassin. I'm not a cold blooded killer.
Samuels
And I will not be lectured by a self-righteous hypocrite, Miss Summers. You kill every single night.
Buffy
I kill vampires and demons. Monsters! I don't kill people.
Samuels
Not all monsters have horns and fangs, Miss Summers. Sometimes evil has a human face. We fight that evil. We protect our way of life and sometimes in doing so, we are forced to take measures that, if examined out of context, seem extreme. It's not always black and white. But someone has to make the tough calls.
Buffy
Well you can find someone else to do your dirty work for you.
Samuels
But I don't want someone else, Miss Summers. You are uniquely suited to the assignments I have in mind for you, and you will be generously rewarded. Don't throw this opportunity away.
Buffy
Nothing you can say will change my mind. Thanks for the offer, but I'm not accepting.
Samuels
Well. I'm sorry to hear that, but not surprised. Your rebellious nature is no great secret. I think you'll like it with us. You'll like it a lot.
Buffy
I'm out of here.
She opens the door and walks toward the exit. About a dozen soldier guys move to surround her.
From behind her, Samuels says.
Samuels
We can still do this the pleasant way.
Buffy
Call off your goons, or someone's going to get hurt.
Samuels
Take her.
The guys move in. She hits a few, but they hit her with stun sticks. She collapses after a few jolts. They kick her about a bit.
Samuels
Easy boys. You'll get your chance later.
They throw her into an empty vampire cage. She recovers and looks around her. A vampire in the next cage looks in at her.
Vampire
So, what are you in for?
Act IV
Scene I
Evening, the next day, at Xander's place. Knock on the door.
Xander answers the door. Willow is there, almost in tears.
Xander
Willow, what's wrong? My God!
Willow
Something's happened to Buffy.
Xander
Come in.
Willow
She didn't get back last night, or this morning, and she didn't show up for work today.
Xander
You think, maybe...
He shrugs and winks slyly.
Willow
This is serious! Look what I found in my room when I got back.
Xander
Dear Willow ... accepted the job ... selling the house ... please move out by...? Holy! Did she talk to you about this?
Willow
No. It looks like her handwriting, though, right? I can't believe she'd just run off like this.
Xander
Me neither. What did she say before she left.
Willow
You know about the job offer?
Xander
Not much, but she was pretty excited about it.
Willow
I called Riley, and he said that they wanted her to become an assassin for the government, and she got all upset and stormed out. I think they took her. And Dawn is missing. The school says some men came with papers from Buffy and took her away from class.
Xander
Okay, so do you know where they might have taken her?
Willow
Buffy said they have some kind of base in town; she didn't say where.
Spike enters.
Spike
I know where they are.
Scene II
Sunnydale industrial park, outside the warehouse.
Spike, Willow and Xander are snooping around.
Spike
No kidding, they want her to kill people. No wonder they didn't want me.
Xander
I guess a neutered vampire isn't much good to them.
Spike
Hey, shut up!
Willow
Stop it, you two! Get serious. I can't sense her in there.
Spike
I wonder why, witch. Take a look at this.
Spike has found a tag on the window. There is a glyph on it.
Spike
You ever see one of these before?
Willow
No, but I've heard of them.
Xander
What do they do?
Willow
Well, for one thing, they're blocking me from seeing anything inside the building. I probably can't cast any spell inside, either.
Xander
I guess these guys have witches on staff.
Willow
Yes they do, but not here. If a witch were here, she would have drawn the symbol herself.
Spike
Can you do get past them?
Willow
Probably, but I'd need to figure it out.
Xander
What if we got rid of them all?
Willow
The magic would probably fade, but it might take hours, days ... I don't know.
Spike
We don't have time for that.
Xander
Okay, well let's find a way inside and look around.
Scene III
Inside the warehouse, moving around between crates. Spike is in the lead.
Xander
How are you, Willow?
Willow
I don't know. Weak. I have a range of about ten feet. I'm not going to be much good here.
Xander
A chipped vampire, a weak witch and me. Great.
Spike
Hush, you two. See over there. Buffy. Talking to some bloke. She seems all right. Not too happy, though. Ha.
Willow
How many others?
Spike
I don't know, a dozen at least.
Xander
Let's circle around and see if we can get closer.
Spike
Then what?
Xander
I don't know. Maybe we can get her out of the cage.
Spike
Look, you'll never make it.
Willow
Spike's right, Xander. There're too many guys by the cages.
Xander
So we rush them.
Spike
They're human, spud. I'm out of that fight; I get a migraine just thinking about it. Unless the witch has anything, it's just you.
Xander
Yeah? Well what's you brilliant idea?
Willow
Look, maybe we can come back later, maybe I can cook something up, or we can get reinforcements, or ...
Spike
Too late, love. Look.
Xander
They must be moving them tonight.
A transport truck backs into the door. Men scurry about, setting up a ramp and starting to load cages onto the truck with a forklift.
Spike
Okay, listen up. You think you can find the main breaker panel?
Xander
Yeah, I probably could.
Spike
Okay, see if you can turn off the power. When the lights go out, witch, you beeline it for Buffy and get her out. I'll create a diversion, maybe draw some of them off. Right?
Xander
Yeah, okay. Sounds good. Willow, be careful, okay?
Willow
Always.
Act IV
Scene I
Willow is sneaking behind some boxes, cautiously moving toward the cages.
Finally, she is in position, a short distance from Buffy's cage.
She backs away from the edge of the crate and bumps into a man standing behind her.
Trent
Uninvited guests? What's this?
He grabs her by the shoulder and turns her about.
Trent
So, little girl, what's your name?
She presses her hands against his chest.
Willow
Sleep.
He staggers backward, but recovers. She notices that he has a necklace with a glyph on it. It is the same as the one on the tag on the window.
Trent
Ah, you're the witch.
She tries to run away. He catches up to her and grabs her by the arm. She kicks him in the shin, but he slaps her twice. She sinks to the floor.
Trent
Bitch!
The lights go out.
He grabs he by the throat and walks her away from the cages.
In the distance, some shouts, scuffling, growling.
Intercom
Vampire loose! Vampire containment team, close up!
The man looks at the cages.
Trent
None of ours. I bet it's your friend. We know he can't hurt us. The boys can handle it. You and me, we need some time alone.
He drags her, struggling and shoves against a crate, she collapses to the ground. He takes off his jacket and moves toward her. He hears a noise behind him. Spike has jumped down from the crate behind him.
Spike
Step away from the lady.
The man turns toward him and takes a swing at him. Spike backs and dodges away from him. He turns and kicks Willow. Spike instinctively lunges at him, but collapses in pain as soon as he hits him. The man pummels Spike, kicking and hitting him into motionlessness.
Trent
Gotta love modern technology. Over here, boys!
He turns again toward Willow.
Trent
Our time will come, baby, don't you worry.
Spike lunges past him, scooping up Willow and leaping onto a crate. He runs for a short distance, then falls into a corner with her.
Willow
Spike...
Spike
I'm sorry, love. Not much I can really do here...
Willow's assailant turns the corner and sees them.
Trent
Over here!
Trent starts walking toward them. He has a stake in his hand.
Spike gets up to face him, but Willow holds him back.
Willow
Spike.
She cups her hands on both sides of his face, then leans in and touches foreheads with him. He gasps and pulls away.
The man grabs him by the shoulder and slams him into a crate, kneeing him in the gut.
The man snorts in derision, flips the stake around in his hand, advances, and thrusts it at Spike's heart.
Spike knocks the blow aside and punches the man in the face.
As the blow lands, he braces himself for the pain, but relaxes as the realization hits him.
The man slams against the opposite wall.
Trent
I bet that hurt you more than it hurt ...
His sneer is replaced by a look of surprise, then fear.
Spike has vamped and leaps on the man.
Willow, looking up, screams as she is splattered in blood.
Scene II
Buffy is sitting in her cage, in the dark, looking around. The vampire in the next cage comes up to the bars.
Vampire
You're the Slayer!
Buffy
Yeah, I guess I am.
Vampire
They got you too. What do you know? I guess we'll be working together.
Buffy
Don't count on it.
Vampire
I hear they mess your brain. We'll all be onside after they get to work on us. You can count on that.
One of the commando guys rattles the cage with a stick.
Man1
Hey, button it in there.
Buffy grabs the bars near the man.
Man1
Let me out of here. You can't do this to me!
The man zaps her knuckles with his stun stick.
Man1
You behave now, little missy. Samuels won't let me and the boys play with you, or your sister. Not yet, anyway. Don't make him change his mind.
Something lands violently on top of the cage. The man looks up.
Man1
What the...?
He is pulled upward. There is a brief struggle and the crunch of a broken neck.
Spike
Slayer, here are the keys.
The keys drop into her hands.
Buffy
Spike?
The lights come back on. Spike is vamped and covered with blood.
Buffy
Oh my God!
Spike
Don't look at me!
Spike covers his face and leaps off the cage. He runs behind a crate.
Buffy scrambles to unlock the cage.
As she opens the door and leaps to the floor of the warehouse, Samuels comes out of his office and sees her. He goes back into his office as men in the area start running toward her. They begin to circle her, many with stun sticks in hand.
Samuels comes out of his office again. Dawn is with him this time, her hands tied and tape over her mouth.
The circle of men surrounding her moves in. Suddenly, one of the men stuns the man beside him, then another on the other side. Buffy takes advantage of the distraction to knock a couple of them down.
It is Xander in a commando outfit.
Buffy
Xander, glad you could make it.
Together, they fight the men. Soon, only Buffy is left standing. Xander is struggling on the floor.
Xander
Go, get Dawn. I'll be fine.
Buffy runs off.
Xander rises to his hands and knees, breathing heavily.
A booted foot pushes him to the ground. One of Samuels' men has recovered before him.
Man2
Good fight, kid. Too bad you're on the wrong side.
The man takes out a silencer and screws it onto his gun.
Man2
'Night 'night.
There is a low growl behind the man. He turns around. Spike roars and charges, knocking the man down. Spike and the man struggle violently and noisily. The man screams and goes silent. Xander turns away from the gory sight, sickened.
Scene III
Outside the warehouse
Samuels pushes Dawn into the back seat and shuts the door.
As he opens the front door, Buffy spins him around and punches him in the gut. He falls to his knees, gasping, then pulls out a switchblade and slices at her. She brushes aside his attack and punches him in the face, knocking him flying. He lies face down, totally still. Buffy gets Dawn from the car and unties her. They hug. Xander approaches.
Xander
Buffy. Dawn. Thank God.
Buffy
Xander!
Xander
Willow's still in there. And Spike. And maybe a few of those soldier guys.
Buffy
Xander, what happened to Spike?
Xander
He can ...
Xander looks at Dawn, then looks away.
He can hurt people again.
Buffy
Xander, get in the car. Start the car. Lock the doors. Anything happens, drive!
Xander
But...
Buffy
No buts. If I'm not out in five, drive.
Buffy walks back into the warehouse. She looks over to the side. A man is lying face down on the cement floor. His throat is torn out.
She hears a noise and cautiously moves further into the warehouse, stopping abruptly as she sees Willow. Lying on a folded tarp. Spike is leaning over her. His mouth is covered in blood. He is weeping.
Spike
Couldn't help myself. You have no idea...
Buffy
Willow!
She punches Spike, knocking him down. She kicks him and he falls over.
She finds a sharp piece of wood, as Willow stirs.
Willow
Buffy?
Buffy
Will?
Momentarily distracted, Buffy turns back to face Spike, but he has disappeared.
Buffy moves back toward her friend, alertly, looking into the shadows.
She leans down and examines Willow's neck. There are no bite marks there.
Willow's hand, until now clenched into a tight fist, opens, revealing a small bloody square. A microchip. Spike's chip.
Buffy
Oh, Willow.
Buffy scoops Willow up and hurries out the door, keeping an eye out for Spike.
Xander sees her and starts to move toward her.
Buffy
Back in car, Xander! Let's go!
She puts Willow into the back seat of the car. They drive off.
Samuels gets up painfully. He straightens his suit before noticing that Spike is standing about ten feet away from him.
Samuels
Well, what are you waiting for?
Act V
Buffy's house.
Scene I
Willow, Buffy and Xander are sitting at the kitchen table.
Willow
No. This is not another Willow-abusing-magic lecture. I made the right call this time.
Buffy
Spike! This is Spike we're talking about here. Spike with no chip.
Willow
Spike who saved my life last night.
Buffy
That doesn't change anything. Okay, I'm glad he saved you. But you know what he was like before he had the chip.
Willow
He has a soul now.
Buffy
He's also insane now. He killed people last night.
Willow
If he hadn't, you and Dawn would be off to brainwash school, taking assassin 101.
Buffy
Okay, okay. So he saved Dawn and me too.
She sighs.
Where is Dawn?
Willow
She's kind of upset. I think she's in her room.
Xander
I'm just glad she didn't see any of the...
Buffy
Any of the men Spike ripped apart. Without the chip, he's the same as any other vampire. Worse than most. He's dangerous, he's evil.
Willow
He's changed.
Buffy
What's gotten into you, Will?
Willow
Buffy, sometimes people can go bad, and then they can come back to being good.
Buffy
Will...
Willow
Look, I don't want to talk about this anymore. If you're so hell bent on killing him, just go do it. I don't need to hear the details.
With a last glare at Xander, she leaves. Buffy looks over at Xander, clearly unhappy.
Xander
It's your call Buffy. You're the Slayer.
Buffy
Do you think he's harmless?
Xander
You really expect me to stick up for Spike? He's not harmless, not by a long shot. But, Buffy, if she hadn't...
Xander holds up the chip
… we wouldn't have gotten out of there. And, Buffy, he saved my life too.
Xander makes the admission reluctantly.
Buffy
By killing someone
Xander
Yes.
Buffy
I can't just let him run loose. You saw what he did to those men.
Xander
I don't know, Buffy. I don't feel real sorry for those guys right now.
Buffy
Xander!
Xander
I'm not saying what he did was right. I just don't know if it means he's going to start killing innocent people.
Buffy
I can't take that chance, Xander. I know what he is. Sooner or later... I can't let someone die to prove I'm right.
She pauses, staring into the middle distance.
Someone has to make the tough calls.
Xander
Buffy, I'll stand by whatever you decide.
Buffy
Thanks, Xander.
She put a hand on his shoulder.
Xander
I have to go now.
Buffy
Bye.
Scene II
Spike's crypt.
Spike enters with a paper grocery bag, sets it on a ledge. He pulls out a bottle of antacid pills and bottle of booze. He sits down, eats a couple of pills and takes a swig from the bottle. He sits there for a minute, then tenses.
Spike
Who's there?
Dawn
Just me.
Dawn is sitting in the shadow on the other side of the room
Dawn
I figured I'd find you here.
She comes over to him and sits down
Spike
Go away, Bit
Dawn
I couldn't stay and listen to them argue. They won't tell me anything.
Spike
A lot of things in this world, you're happier not knowing.
Dawn
Remember when I used to come down here and visit you? When all the others were hiding things from me, you'd give me a straight answer. That meant a lot to me.
Spike
Yeah, like when I told you that you were the key. I'm a real bloody saint, I am.
Dawn
Spike, it was my idea. I would have learned eventually.
Spike
If I kill you right now, does it make a difference that eventually you're going to die?
Dawn
You're not going to kill me, Spike. I know you better than that.
Spike
Don't be so sure of me. The only reason I didn't kill you before is that bloody chip. Your sister knows me better than you do. She knows what I am. She always has.
Dawn
I know you got me away from those agents today. You looked out for me when Buffy was gone. The chip didn't make you do all that.
Spike
My sordid fixation on Buffy, Dawn. Everyone knows I could never feel ... I could never... bloody hell!
Spike throws bottle against wall.
Spike
Why don't you go home? Dark hole in the ground with a monster's no place for a nice girl like you.
Dawn
I know you don't have the chip any more. You could have killed me today. Or Willow.
Spike
I wish she hadn't seen what I did to those men, Bit.
He is almost sobbing, then recovers.
I can't forget the way it felt when I … I enjoyed it, the kill. I missed it all this time. I thought I'd changed, when I ...
Dawn
When you got your soul back?
Spike
I was going to be good enough for her. I was going to be ... But it didn't make a difference. Chip, no chip, soul, no soul ... Same old Spike.
Dawn
Willow trusted you enough to take it out. And well, Buffy didn't stake you. That's got to be some kind of vote of confidence.
Spike
Yeah, sure thing.
Dawn approaches him.
Dawn
Thanks for helping get me out, Spike. I have to go.
He nods and she turns about and leaves.
Scene III
Dawn walks out of Spike's crypt. Buffy is there, stake in hand. When she sees Dawn, she is momentarily angry. She seems about to say something, but then takes a breath and relents.
Buffy
Dawn wait here. It's not safe for you to walk home alone.
Dawn
I can get Spike to walk me home. He's done it before.
Buffy
Dawn, I know how you feel. But without the chip, he's a vampire. It's only a matter of time before he kills someone.
Dawn
Angel is a vampire.
Buffy
Dawn, you don't have all the facts, here.
Dawn is sullen.
Dawn
I never do.
Buffy answers her sadly.
Buffy
Dawn, we're going to have a long talk about this, a sister talk. I'll answer any question you ask me. But right now, there's something I need to take care of.
Buffy turns from her and enters the crypt.
Spike is sitting where Dawn left him.
Spike
I've been expecting you, Slayer. You took your time.
Buffy walks toward him, a sad and determined look on her face.
Spike
I guess we both always knew it would come to this.
Buffy stops for a moment and looks into the grocery bag.
Spike
We had some good times though, didn't we?
Buffy moves toward him and looks him in the face.
Spike
But all good things must end. I guess I always knew it.
Scene IV
Buffy emerges from the crypt. There are tears in her eyes. She gestures to Dawn, who stands up. They both walk home as day begins to break.