BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER "Soul Mates" TEASER FADE IN: INT. THE BRONZE - NIGHT XANDER walks into the club. It is too late for a band. The club's stereo system plays something mellow. He notices BUFFY by herself at a table and approaches her. XANDER Fancy meeting you here. Buffy's mind is somewhere else and she is almost startled by him. BUFFY That has to be your worst line yet. XANDER Well it wasn't actually intended to be a line. BUFFY Sorry. Had some late night slayage. I just figured I'd come here to chill. Speaking of isn't it way past your bedtime? XANDER Well, what mom and dad don't know won't hurt them. BUFFY Feeling the blues huh? XANDER Nah, I just figured that Sunnydale was the perfect place to go wandering around late at night. BUFFY Thanks for the job satisfaction. XANDER Come on Buff. You know no one can stake 'em like you. BUFFY I guess, it's just... Did you ever get one of those feelings like... She trails off, unable to find the words. XANDER Okay that was nice and vague. Care to share anything else profound? She almost smiles but then goes back to maudlin mode. BUFFY I don't know. I was just thinking. XANDER About what? INT. THE LAIR - NIGHT ANGEL walks in from another room. A cage can be seen in this room. It contains a TEENAGE GIRL. She is weak and groggy from blood loss. There are two bite marks on her neck. In the center of the room stands a large table. On it lays DRUSILLA. She hears Angel's FOOTSTEPS and rolls over to watch his approach. A lit candle sits on the table next to Drusilla. DRUSILLA My dear Angel. It is so nice to have you bring me toys again. He looks over his shoulder at the Girl in the cage. DRUSILLA She dances so well. Do you remember when we used to dance? ANGEL How could I forget. DRUSILLA The Slayer could make you forget. She made you feel the pain again. Drusilla holds her hand above the flame. Just as smoke starts to come up from it she moves it away. Her hand goes toward Angel and he takes it, caressing the wound. ANGEL The Slayer is no more to me. Just a fever dream. Drusilla gets up onto her knees. She cradles his head in her hands. DRUSILLA There are so many more precious dreams we can have. And fevers too. (looks toward the cage) Shall I have her dance for you my sweet? ANGEL (grins evilly) Drusilla slides off the table and walks over to the cage. She crouches down to look, then reaches her hands inside. ANGLE: GIRL'S FEET bruised and callused. Drusilla's fingers come into frame. DRUSILLA Tickle. Tickle. The Girl starts awake. Horrified, she moves draws away from the edge of the cage and Drusilla. Drusilla opens the cage door and beckons the Girl to come with her finger. DRUSILLA Come on out my little sugar plum. Show our sweet Angel what you can do. The Girl knows she has no choice. Drusilla moves away and the Girl comes out of the cage. Drusilla steps backward into Angel's waiting arms. He embraces her from behind and she snuggles into his shoulder. DRUSILLA Move, my pretty. But don't stumble. Whatever you do it mustn't be that. The Girl begins to dance. She obviously took ballet lessons but without her shoes the floor is hard and painful on her feet. She visibly strains at the effort. She spins and moves around the table. The candlelight flickers and casts shadows across her whirling features. As she comes around one edge of the table her dress gets caught. Her face distorts into a look of sheer terror as she falls to the ground. She lays there, too frightened to move Drusilla looks up at Angel. DRUSILLA Pity. Angel turns his face away from her and then brings it back. He is now vamped out. ANGEL Yes. For her it is. BLACK OUT. END OF TEASER ACT ONE INT. HALLS OF SUNNYDALE HIGH - DAY Xander walks down the hall. His pace is a little bit slower than normal as he seems to be deep in thought. Willow sneaks up behind him. She taps him on his right shoulder and moves to be on his left. He doesn't even look up. They walk a little bit and Willow looks perplexed as he still doesn't notice her. She clears her throat and he looks up. XANDER Oh. Hey Willow. He looks back down at the ground as he walks. WILLOW (smiles wide) Hi. So, um, how was your evening? XANDER I'd rather not talk about it. WILLOW What. Did your mom tell you Santa Claus doesn't exist or something? XANDER (smirks) Very funny. WILLOW (taken a bit aback) Well I thought it was. They walk a little bit. WILLOW This isn't about Ms. Self Absorption is it? XANDER No. Not even remotely. Willow looks a bit glad for that. XANDER Hey Will. Has Buffy seemed, I don't know, kind of out there to you lately? WILLOW You mean in another world, not paying much attention, and generally mopey? XANDER Yeah? WILLOW I think it’s the major lack of significant otherage. XANDER (a little surprised) Really. WILLOW It comes and goes. I just try to be nice and help her ride it out. His thoughts remain stuck on what Willow just said. WILLOW I have to get to class. XANDER (not really paying attention) Yeah, sure. I'll see ya. Xander walks off, his pace more determined. INT. AROUND CORDELIA'S LOCKER - CONTINUOUS Cordelia is talking to a few of her friends. CORDELIA How I would make it through half my classes without that Willow girl I don't know. GIRL #1 So she just helps you out for free? CORDELIA Of course. I mean being me has its advantages. She may not be cool but she's still good in math. And the world needs math. For something. Cordelia sees Xander appear up the stairs. He starts to walk by them. GIRL #2 What about the other girl and that guy she is always with? CORDELIA (speaking loudly so Xander overhears) Oh, Buffy. Well she's a little out there. I mean can't you just tell. The guy? He doesn't make much of an impression. Gee what is his name? XANDER (stepping in) Xander. You know damn well my name is Xander! CORDELIA (as if surprised) Really? It is just so easy to forget you. XANDER Given all the time you spend thinking about yourself it's surprising you remember anyone's name. The girls step away uneasy as the fight begins to become heated. GIRL #1 We'll see you later, Cordelia. She doesn't even notice them leave. CORDELIA Well someone has to be thinking about me. It's obviously not you with your Buffy this, Buffy that. And let's not forget the little Willow obsession. I mean. Hello? Eyes open. She'd rather be with a guy who barks at the moon as a pastime. XANDER At least she didn't get stuck with an ill-tempered alley cat. CORDELIA Stuck with? I dumped you. XANDER Thanks for reminding me. I guess that means I can leave now. Xander walks away. Cordelia follows. CORDELIA You're not getting off that easy. XANDER Believe me. Getting away from you is never easy. Especially once you dig your claws in there. CORDELIA Claws?! (scoffs) I am so insulted. XANDER That was kind of the idea. Cordelia stops and puts her hands on her hips. Xander disappears around a corner. She huffs to herself and then goes back to her locker. INT. COMPUTER SCIENCE LAB - CONTINUOUS JENNY CALENDAR sits at her desk looking at something on her computer screen. The door to her classroom is open but no students have arrived yet. Xander comes into her class but she doesn't notice. He closes the door softly behind himself and locks it. She looks up when she hears the CLICK. JENNY (surprised) Xander? Can I help you with something? XANDER Yes. I believe you can. JENNY What is it you want? XANDER Something you owe me. JENNY Excuse me? XANDER We're going to figure out a way to undo or redo or whatever this curse thing. I don't care how. But I'm not leaving here till the little light bulb blinks on. JENNY Xander I have a class to do. XANDER Oh, I'm sorry if giving you a chance to make up for your betrayal gets in the way of your planned activities. I'm just not a big fan of people who hurt my friends. JENNY You have to understand. I want to help, I really do. But those magicks... No one knows them anymore. They haven't been practiced in decades or even centuries. XANDER Well I think someone does know them. And I think if anyone knows that someone it's you. Even if you don't realize it. Suddenly Jenny has a bit of an epiphany. XANDER Let me guess. The light bulb. INT. HALLS OF SUNNYDALE HIGH - DAY Jenny rushes through the halls. She has most of her things like she is about to leave for the day. She goes around a corner and runs into GILES. Her papers fly everywhere. GILES I'm sorry. Here let me help you with that. (realizes who it is) Oh, hello Jenny. JENNY Hello Rup-Mr. Giles. They both pick up the papers. Jenny's pace is frantic. Giles picks things up more slowly. GILES Are you going somewhere for the day? JENNY I just have to pick someone up at the airport. (realizing she shouldn't have said that) I mean I, well, yeah. I just need to go somewhere. They finish gathering the papers and stand up. GILES Uh yes, very well. I guess I will see you around the, um, premises then. JENNY I'm sure, uh, that you will. GILES Good day. Giles walks off. Jenny's eyes follow him briefly. Then she heads off the other way. INT. UNDERNEATH THE SCHOOL STAIRWELL - DAY Buffy reads the watcher diaries. She flips a page and stops. BUFFY Angelus. ANGLE: ON PAGE A line drawing of Angel in 18th century clothing. In the picture he possessively clutches a woman that looks remarkably like Drusilla. BUFFY How did you become what you are? She flips another page. CLOSEUP ON BUFFY Her eyes grow misty. BUFFY What horrors have you done that will let me destroy you? INT. THE LAIR - DAY We hear SCREAMING from another room. It is Drusilla. SPIKE wheels in through a doorway. Angel stands, smoking a cigarette, and waits. SPIKE I can't make heads or tails of it. She just won't shut up. Angel throws down his cigarette and heads into the other room. Drusilla looks up from her place on the floor as he enters. She stops howling. DRUSILLA Where is my little girl? I want my little girl. She would keep me safe. Angel walks toward her and begins to pace around her. DRUSILLA You can't protect me. What they plan. All the pain and sweet laughter. I remember that the most. It's like I'm her again. He continues to circle. ANGEL Her who? DRUSILLA You know. Oh mother liked to brush her hair so much. Do you remember that? It was sweet. ANGEL What do you see? DRUSILLA Mother and father and what it was before. Except different. I know what's happen to them. I can't stand it. She clutches at Angel's legs. He stops and allows her to grab hold. She looks up at him pleading. DRUSILLA I escaped them. It took so long. Why do they come back? What do they want of me? Angel just watches, considering her plight. DRUSILLA I can hear them. He reaches down quickly and cups his hand over her mouth to muffle the sound. He lifts her up by her head. His fierce gaze penetrates her. ANGEL You must be quiet dear. Or they will come here. He loosens his grip and places his finger to her lips. ANGEL Shhhhh. Your Angelus won't let them catch you. INT. LIBRARY - DAY Willow is at the computer. Giles stands over her shoulder. GILES Someday I will learn how to use these infernal things. She smiles. WILLOW Okay, here are the passenger lists for the afternoon flights. Willow pulls up the lists for two different flights and starts scrolling through them. Giles watches the screen carefully. WILLOW So what's the sitch? Something diabolical being smuggled into our quiet little town? GILES Aha! There! Willow stops scrolling and Giles points at the screen. WILLOW (reading) Magda Calendar? (looks at Giles reproachfully) You're spying on Ms. Calendar? GILES Well, no. She, er, mentioned. I thought she might be up to something. WILLOW Okay, the trust factor just went way out the window. She's having family come into town and you're looking to disprove the lone gunman theory. GILES Willow, when you have been a watcher for as long as I have you learn what to watch. I'll be in the stacks. Giles heads back into his maze of shelves. WILLOW (to herself) Most people would just call her on the phone. INT. SUNNYDALE REGIONAL AIRPORT - DAY MAGDA CALENDAR an old, late 70s to early 80s, and slightly rotund woman appears out of the gate. She wears beaded jewelry of all kinds and she carries a number of old suitcases of different sizes. Her clothes are somber but with certain splashes of color, like the flowers on her billowy skirt. JENNY (waving) Grandmama! Magda sees her granddaughter and smiles brightly. She shuffles over to Jenny as quickly as possible, drops her baggage, and she and Jenny embrace. JENNY I'm so sorry to call you up like that. MAGDA It's perfectly all right. I always have wanted to see your work here. Jenny quickly becomes self conscious. JENNY Well.. um, I'm not sure how good a job I've been doing. MAGDA Chin up dear. Whatever problems you may face you still make your clan proud. JENNY But uncle... MAGDA Now there. (pats Jenny comfortingly on the back) We can't expect to control all the horrors this world has to offer. Come on, let's walk. Jenny picks up some baggage. Magda does also. They walk through the terminal. MAGDA I assume this matter with Angelus is rather dire. JENNY (gravely) Yes. We need to restore him. MAGDA Your uncle was very strong in his opinions on this matter. Jenny is about to protest. MAGDA Old age has changed my view of the subject a little. But I shouldn't help you. You know that. JENNY (nods) MAGDA His damnation must be assured. For what he has done to us. JENNY I know Grandmama. But the Slayer? MAGDA It was your job to protect her. JENNY And I failed. MAGDA (smiles sympathetically) No, my child. You wavered. I've done the same in the past. JENNY (looks shocked) MAGDA I was his keeper when I was your age. He knew of no Slayer, no love then. Only his guilt. JENNY You're going to tell me that is how it should be still. MAGDA If I did that. I would be your uncle. But like I said I have changed... a little. BLACK OUT. END OF ACT ONE ACT TWO EXT. STREETS OF SUNNYDALE - DAY Xander walks along the sidewalk whistling "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" to himself. He hears something behind him and looks back. He doesn't see anything. So he shrugs and keeps on walking. Behind Xander a red car pulls out from a side street. It turns and moves forward slowly, then parks along the curb. CAMERA ZOOMS in on the car. EXT./INT. CORDELIA'S CAR - CONTINUOUS Cordelia is at the wheel. CORDELIA (ranting to herself) I can't believe I'm doing this. I mean this is Xander. Geek extraordinair. He totally ignored me and then he did that spell thing, oh he's getting away. She puts the car quickly in gear, moves it up farther and then pulls over to a stop again. She grrrs. CORDELIA Okay, let's see. Is he that cute? I guess in that sort of weird kind of -- No! He is definitely not cute. And sooo not cool. I only hang out with cool people because they are better. Unless they're always agreeing with me. Xander doesn't always agree. She thinks on that a moment as she pulls the car out, moves it forward and parks again. CORDELIA Hmm.. That's part of his charm. Wait. Ugh, he is NOT charming. He's not charming and not cool and definitely not cute and...and... I'm still talking to myself. She pulls the car out and moves forward again. CORDELIA From being popular, and having lots of friends, and being attacked by all these freaky creatures. It is not me and it is especially not Xander. I could care less where he goes and what he does. She gets back onto the street and goes around another corner. She sees Xander approaching one house in particular. She stops and watches him for a moment. She looks from the front door of the house to the mailbox at the street. The name on the box reads, Calendar. CORDELIA No way! Tutoring? (thinks a moment) At her house? INT. CALENDAR HOUSE, LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS Jenny leads Xander into the living room where he meets her grandmother. XANDER I assume you're the light bulb. MAGDA Excuse me. XANDER The master plan. The great idea. The big shebang. MAGDA (smiles) Something like that. XANDER Whatever it is let's do it. Get out some herbs, mix up some potions, and whip up a little soul retrieving Gatoraid or something. MAGDA If only it were that simple. XANDER Why am I so completely not surprised to hear that. MAGDA Gypsy magic has less to do with spices and more to do with the heart. XANDER Are we talking about the physically beating one or is it metaphor story time? MAGDA How much is this worth to you, Xander? XANDER Is an arm or a leg enough? MAGDA I'm serious. Xander looks at her with determination. XANDER Everything. MAGDA Hopefully that will be do. We must prepare. She disappears into the other room. EXT. CALENDAR HOUSE, OUTSIDE LIVING ROOM WINDOW - CONTINUOUS Cordelia tries to push her way through the bushes alongside the house to see in the window. She gets caught on something. CORDELIA (speaking quietly to herself) Damn! Prickily things. She pulls and a thread gets snagged out of her skirt. She looks at it and grrrs. She makes it through the shrubbery. ANGLE: EXT./INT. POV AS CORDELIA LOOKING IN THE SIDE WINDOW The window is cracked slightly open so she can hear what transpires inside. None of them notice her. Magda returns lugging a large suitcase. REVERSE TO: INT. CALENDAR HOUSE, LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS MAGDA (indicating the case) Here we are. XANDER So you have a magic wand in there? MAGDA Everything but the kitchen sink. JENNY Grandmama, you haven't explained what it is we're going to do. MAGDA I'm not sure how much of it you want to know dear. Jenny looks at Xander. He shrugs, obviously not wanting to know all that it entails. JENNY You must tell us. MAGDA (smiles) If you insist. Here is how it will work. INT. LIBRARY - DAY GILES I found it! Willow looks up to see Giles appear from behind a stack of tomes he has piled on the desk in front of him. WILLOW Found what? GILES Magda Calendar. WILLOW Good! Well... maybe. If she's doing something bad and we're not just invading her privacy. Giles walks around the table and comes toward Willow to show her. GILES She's a gypsy and a seer. A quite powerful one at that. According to the genealogy she is Jenny's grandmother and... (he takes a closer look at the book) Oh, dear. WILLOW What? GILES She is perhaps one of the few people still living who would know how to bring Angel back. In a manner of speaking. WILLOW That's good right? Please tell me that's good. GILES The text states when a creature is cursed such as Angel a gypsy must forfeit his or her life for the process to occur. This gypsy in death becomes the soul's watcher to ensure that the cursed is in eternal torment. The records are sketchy at best. But, apparently those of the soul watcher's family are then entrusted to keep an eye on the damned here on earth. Which means... WILLOW Ms. Calendar is the great great great... well something of the gypsy girl Angel killed? GILES It means I think Jenny is about to do something that is quite arguably insane. WILLOW What are we going to do? GILES I'm not sure. Bloody hell. Where is Buffy anyway? She was supposed to be here for combat practice. INT. THE BRONZE - DAY The chairs are still up on the various tables and the JANITOR is mopping the floor. The BARTENDER sits, reading a book. Buffy enters. She looks around and then heads for an empty booth. The janitor looks up as she passes but then goes back to his job. She slides in the booth and goes as far back into the corner as possible. She reaches into her jacket pocket and digs something out. She places the ring Angel gave her on the table. She holds it between her fingers moving it around and watching the light reflect off the shiny surface. She holds the ring with one hand, then flicks it with the other. It spins around the table like a top. She watches it for a moment, then SLAMS her hand down on it. The table GROANS under the pressure of her blow and a slight SPLINTER is heard. The bartender looks up in the direction from which the sound came. He sees only a young and ostensibly helpless Buffy and goes back to reading. ANGLE: BUFFY'S HAND ON TABLE She lifts her hand to show the ring underneath. Then she picks up the ring. A small circular indentation is left behind in the wood of the table. She looks at the ring in her hands and then puts it away. EXT. SUNNYDALE CEMETERY - DUSK CAMERA PANS across the tombstones and STOPS at a small wood just outside the graveyard. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. WOODS NEAR CEMETERY - CONTINUOUS Xander and Jenny watch as Magda shuffles things in her suitcase. She stops and looks around the clearing for a moment. MAGDA It will do quite nicely, no? XANDER It's a clearing all right. MAGDA Darkness shall be coming soon. Jenny will help you find the progeny. XANDER How do we convince the vamp to come here? MAGDA You smell of blood do you not? XANDER (uneasy) I guess. MAGDA Well then, that should be more than enough. Xander watches Magda briefly as she begins to dig in her bag. He shrugs and then pushes back one of the branches. He motions to Jenny. XANDER Shall we. Jenny, looks at her grandmother, then back at Xander. She steps past him. EXT. DOWNHILL IN WOODS NEAR CEMETERY - CONTINUOUS Jenny is in the lead. She steps over some branches. Xander looks back over his shoulder. JENNY Xander, watch the... Not paying attention he trips over the clutter and falls to his left. ANGLE: ON CORDELIA HIDING BEHIND A BUSH Xander comes spilling through and falls to the ground right next to her. He doesn't notice her at first as he recovers from the fall. Then he looks in her direction and his eyes snap wide open. He scrambles to his feet. She stands up. XANDER What the hell are you doing here?! CORDELIA (hesitates for a moment) I was... just, um, about to ask you the same thing. You guys come rushing through the brush like that when I'm just trying to take a stroll. I thought you were vampires or something. XANDER The sun's still out. CORDELIA Then I thought you were something. JENNY Do you guys need a moment? XANDER & CORDELIA NO! JENNY We really should get moving. Xander glares at Cordelia then begins to turn back toward Jenny. CORDELIA You are crazy. It will never work. XANDER Oh, gee, we weren't being followed. (shrugs) At least we'll try. CORDELIA To prove what? That you make a better cadaver than a boyfriend? XANDER Ooo, big word. JENNY Guys! We have to stay focused. CORDELIA Well, why don't you go help grandma and we'll round up the vamps. XANDER I thought you just said we were crazy. CORDELIA I did. Xander's about to argue but Jenny cuts in. JENNY She's right. They might figure something is up if they see you and me, Xander. CORDELIA Then it's settled. Cordelia walks off. Xander looks at Jenny. XANDER But.. JENNY Go with her. We need all the help we can get. He looks back in Cordelia's direction. Waits a beat and then suddenly starts as though he just had a great moment of realization. XANDER Ah, there's the impending sense of doom I was waiting for. He follows. INT. CALENDAR HOUSE - NIGHTFALL ANGLE: FROM INSIDE ON FRONT DOOR The door SPLINTERS and SLAMS open. Giles is standing there. Willow peeks her head in. WILLOW Well, that solved the key dilemma. Giles adjusts his tie. GILES Yes. It did. He steps inside. Willow watches him go for a moment. With trepidation she enters also. She clutches her backpack in her hands. Giles enters the living room and starts looking around. He spots an assortment of luggage in the corner. He walks over to it. He tries to unlatch a suitcase but it won't open. WILLOW We're not missing a key again? He stands up, raises the case over his head, and sends it plummeting into the hard wood floor. The case CRACKS and its contents, mostly clothes, spill everywhere. WILLOW Very subtle. GILES You sift through that stuff. I'll check the others. WILLOW Just don't drop any on me okay? Ignoring her, he grabs another case and lifts it up. INT. THE LAIR - NIGHT Drusilla appears extremely weak. She clutches the cage and leans against it for support. The teenage girl lies inside the cage. She is quite dead. DRUSILLA Why won't you dance for me anymore? I so do want to see you dance. Little feet. Such little feet moving everywhere. Angel enters the room. He stops and watches Drusilla for a moment. She begins to cry. He approaches, crouches down, and puts his hand on her shoulder to comfort her. She pushes him away violently, stands up, and moves back from him. DRUSILLA You destroyed her. Her heart no longer drum rolls. Angel angers. He rushes forward with his vamp face on. He grabs her by the neck and lifts her into the air. ANGEL I should care because? DRUSILLA (puppy dog eyes) Because you love me. ANGEL You're insane. DRUSILLA That's what mommy said the day before she died. His anger lessons. He lets her down. ANGEL You have to feed. You are weak. DRUSILLA (smiles) Shall we go dancing then? Indicating the door. ANGEL After you my sweet. EXT. STREETS OF SUNNYDALE - NIGHT Cordelia walks down the street toward her car followed in toe by Xander. He still appears a bit perplexed on how this all happened. Just as she reaches the driver's side door he catches up. She opens it partway but he stands in the way. CORDELIA Do you mind? XANDER So you were following me. She closes the door. CORDELIA I was not following you. XANDER Then what exactly were you doing? CORDELIA I just thought you were about to do something really stupid. Which you were. XANDER And that concerns you how? CORDELIA If you go and get yourself killed who would I have left to make fun of? Willow's too easy and Buffy might wig Steven Seagal on me. XANDER Well, as long as I'm sure that's your real reason. CORDELIA Look Xander, I don't even pretend to know why you do the freaky things you do. And I don't know why I'm now helping you do them. XANDER So what you're saying is you care. CORDELIA No, I'm just saying it makes no sense. He reaches over to hold onto her hand. She pulls away. CORDELIA What are you doing? Lowers his head. XANDER I just thought... Raises it. XANDER Maybe She gives him a quick kiss, then suddenly realizes what she just did and blushes. CORDELIA I'm sorry. I didn't mean to... He kisses her back. They look at each other a moment. Then embrace and fall into a more passionate kiss. They break off and watch each other holding the moment for a smidgen longer than just a passing flirtation. CORDELIA We should really go. There are important things to do. Buffy to think about. XANDER (still lost in Cordelia's eyes) Yeah... Buffy. EXT. STREET ENTRANCE TO SEWERS - NIGHT Buffy throws her book bag down next to the manhole. She crouches and opens the bag to check its contents. There are a few vials of holy water, a number of stakes, a few silver crosses, and some bulbs of garlic. Everything appears to be in order. She leans forward and begins to move the manhole cover. We see her cross necklace hanging down. CLOSEUP ON NECKLACE to reveal she has looped Angel's ring onto the necklace also. The manhole cover is off. She pulls a stake from her backpack and zips it back up. She grabs the pack, then leaps down inside. BLACK OUT. END OF ACT TWO ACT THREE EXT. CALENDAR HOUSE, OUTSIDE LIVING ROOM WINDOW - NIGHT ANGLE: ON WINDOW Glass SHATTERS outward as a suitcase comes flying through it. INT. CALENDAR HOUSE, LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS GILES Damn! Giles kicks another suitcase which CRASHES into the other room O.S. GILES Damn! Damn! Willow watches in mute surprise. Giles stops, removes his glasses, and squeezes the bridge of his nose. Then he puts the glasses back on and turns to Willow, more collected. GILES Whatever they plan we know they must need Angel for it. If he's stalking he'll likely be at The Bronze. Otherwise I may discover him in the cemetery. In any case we should split up. And maybe either on patrol or in recreation one of us will find Buffy. Do you need a ride? Willow stares blankly making no response. GILES Willow! She starts and looks at him eyes wide. WILLOW (meekly) Uh, no thanks. I'll walk. GILES Very well. Giles strides out the front door. Willow doesn't move and just looks around the trashed room for a moment INT. THE BRONZE - NIGHT The club is a flurry of activity. Xander and Cordelia move through the crowd, her in the lead with him holding her hand and walking behind. From a side booth Girl #1 from earlier sees Cordelia with him. She gets up and heads for them. They both continue scanning the crowd not noticing Girl #1 until she stands right in front of them. GIRL #1 Cordelia. (looks down at their clasped hands) I thought you didn't remember his name. CORDELIA I don't. She pushes past the girl and pulls him behind her. He looks back at the girl a bit confused and then at Cordelia. XANDER Hey Cordy. Lighten up on the vulcan grip a little. She stops and looks at him, then at their hands, and let's go. He kneads the hand she was holding with his other one. XANDER Nothing like good old circulation. Cordelia taps her foot impatiently. He looks from his hand to her. CORDELIA So what should we do master plan boy? XANDER Well, sanity says stick together. But we probably should split up. CORDELIA You take the dance floor. I'll check around the bar. XANDER Sounds awful. Let's do it. They break off in separate directions. INT. SEWERS - NIGHT Buffy makes her way down a tunnel. She keeps out of the water to avoid getting dirty and making noise splashing. She stops at an intersection for a moment and listens. She hears nothing so she continues on. Continuing down she stops at the next intersection to listen. This time she does hear something: A "SQUEAK" Cautiously she makes her way toward the noise. The sewer tunnel opens into a larger area that connects many different branches. She sees a BODYGUARD VAMP pick up Spike, chair and all, to get him out of one of the tunnels to the lower lever of the area. The bodyguard brings him down non-too gently. SPIKE Be careful you moron. Buffy drops down out of the tunnel, stake in one hand, vial in the other. BUFFY He's right. You don't want to damage the prince. The Bodyguard moves forward. Buffy splashes holy water at his feet and he backs off. She twitches a scolding finger at him. Then she turns toward Spike. BUFFY I've come for Angel. SPIKE Well I'm afraid he's not here. I'll have to take a message. BUFFY (angry) Where? SPIKE He's gone after your friends deary. You really should keep a better eye on them. She looks a combination of confused and dreadful fear. SPIKE Now are you going to stake a poor helpless vampire in a wheel chair? We can maybe make it sporting and have you take on my bodyguard first? He looks and reaches down to pull something out of his wheel chair. SPIKE Or we could just... He looks up again bringing a shotgun to bear. Buffy is already gone. SPIKE Damn! I just got this thing too. INT. THE BRONZE - NIGHT Xander makes his way slowly through the undulating crowd on the dance floor. The music has a heavy industrial groove [NOTE: "Dead Souls" by NIN would be good here]. ANGLE: DRUSILLA dances alone or with someone, it can't be seen. Her eyes roll with the music and her movements. A LARGE MAN passes through the frame in b.g. temporarily blocking the view of the crowd near her. When the large man leaves the shot Xander can be seen. But he walked by her without noticing. She stops and turns to see Xander, his back to her, through the crowd. DRUSILLA (to herself) I hear you calling. CORDELIA approaches the bar located somewhat near the door. She looks at the backs of the people there and at some of the nearby tables but she can't see if anyone is Angel for sure. She steps into a CAMERA SHOT with the main entrance behind her. She's still looking. A figure comes in the main entrance. FOCUS PAST HER to show Angel. Then FOCUS BACK. She shakes her head and steps out of frame. Cordelia heads toward some of the back areas of the club. Angel follows. XANDER is still searching. He reaches the end of the dance floor and turns around. He appears at a loss. XANDER In a LONG SHOT he scans the crowd. He catches a glimpse of the back of a woman disappearing into a RED HALLWAY. It might be Drusilla. He pushes through people, moving quickly. Stopping at the beaded entrance to the hallway, he gets his resolve for a moment, then steps inside. It is empty except for two doors. The first is a women's restroom, the second is men's. He stops at the door to the women's for a moment. XANDER Why would a vampire go to the bathroom? Then he moves past to the men's room. CAMERA remains on the door as Xander enters. Then a moment later the door opens back up a crack and we see him watching the hallway. CORDELIA walks around the back rooms of The Bronze. Among the assorted couches and tables she sees a couple making out, another group of three just talking, and a couple geeks (no insult intended) playing Magic. QUICK ANGLE: ANGEL'S POV MOVING UP BEHIND HER THEN BACK TO Cordelia crosses her arms and hrmps. She starts to walk toward the three talking then stops as if noticing something. She quickly spins around. No one is there. She looks back toward the three and decides not to bother them. Instead she goes further into the back rooms. Angel steps out from behind a pillar and follows. WILLOW enters The Bronze at the main entrance. She has a definite "deer caught in headlights" look to her. She stands there and frantically looks toward the bar, then around at the tables, then toward the dance floor. She doesn't see them. The entrance door opens hitting her from behind. She scurries out of the way. A TEENAGE BOY enters. TEENAGE BOY Sorry. She pays him no mind as he mills into the crowd. She walks further into the club and stops next to a pillar. She stands and scans the crowd for someone, anyone who might be able to help her. RED HALLWAY Xander watches the person he hopes is Drusilla appear from the women's bathroom. He steps out and follows her. She pushes through the beads with him close behind. From Xander's pov we see him reach forward to grab her arm and INTERSPLICED CUTS: BETWEEN CORDY/ANGEL AND DRUSILLA/XANDER Angel yanks Cordelia around so she stands face to face with him. She went too far and no one is in the back room with them. He holds her in an iron grip. ANGEL (sinister grin) Hello. CUT TO: Xander picked the right person. It is Drusilla. He seems almost surprised. He quickly catches himself. XANDER Would you like to dance? CUT TO: CORDELIA Let go of me you psycho! CUT TO: DRUSILLA I've already danced with one pretty. He couldn't quite keep up. She licks her lips. CUT TO: ANGEL Temper, temper. This won't take long. CUT TO: XANDER I'm sure I can handle it. CUT TO: CORDELIA You wish! CUT TO: DRUSILLA You're boasting. CUT TO: ANGEL Just one kiss. I won't tell. CUT TO: XANDER I really want this dance. CUT TO: Angel clutches Cordelia close to him. She struggles but doesn't dare scream. CUT TO: Drusilla leads Xander to the dance floor and they begin to dance together. He looks as awkward as always but she pays him no mind, lost in her own world and insanity. END OF INTERSPLICED CUTS WILLOW looks around. Her back is to the dance area. She notices the doorway to the rooms in back. She heads for it. As she steps out of FRAME the CAMERA FOCUSES PAST to see Xander and Drusilla on the dance floor. XANDER dances with Drusilla. He becomes more at ease and moves a step closer. She stops rolling her eyes and looks directly at him. She beckons him closer. He hesitates for a moment and then obeys. She drinks in the scent of him, his blood. DRUSILLA You smell so absolutely tantalizing. Xander knows it's now or never. XANDER We could go somewhere. Only the two of us. He wraps his arms around her waist putting on his best act. DRUSILLA You play. You know what I am. XANDER Does it matter? She pulls back and looks at him. Her lips part revealing her slightly elongated teeth. Xander fiddles with something in his pocket put she doesn't notice. DRUSILLA I guess not. She closes her mouth, sheathing her fangs. He begins to lead her off the dance floor and toward the exit. He glances around quickly for Cordelia but sees no sign of her and he has no time to lose. BACK ROOM Cordelia is pulled up close against Angel. She can't move her arms and is completely at his mercy. The muffled music floats about in the background and they look as though they may just be dancing cheek to cheek. She tries not to show fear but a single tear escapes from one eye and trails down the cheek not pressed up against Angel's face. ANGEL (speaking softly in her ear) It could always be like this. No more homework, no more books, no more teachers' dirty looks. Angel's teeth elongate and he brings his mouth closer to her neck. One fang pierces and then he withdraws it. A small trickle of blood rolls down her back, leaving a trail and staining her shirt. CLOSEUP ON CORDELIA She looks surprised. But then that look changes to anger. She grits her teeth. CORDELIA No thanks. I've seen who you date. One's off her rocker and the other, well come on, she slays vampires for a hobby. Still holding both her arms Angel pushes her back from him. His vamp face is on and he's pissed. ANGEL Little words for little people! I'll show you what I can do! Angel lets go of Cordelia and she tumbles back to the floor. He backhands someone and turns toward them. She can see a stake in his back. His attacker is Willow. Willow brings her hand up to her cheek where he just hit her. Then she scrambles to her backpack, which is on the floor, and digs into it with both hands. Angel sneers at her. ANGEL You have to hit the heart. Otherwise it just stings. He yanks the stake out. ANGEL A lot! Angel steps forward and Willow stands up. WILLOW Oh yeah! Um, how bout this! She sprays him in the face with a bottle in her right hand. He brings his hand up reflexively to protect his eyes. Willow looks perplexed as he doesn't burn. He sniffs the air. ANGEL Perfume? WILLOW Oops. She raises the object in her other hand and this time he does react. It is a cross. She rushes forward, holding back her fear. He backs away quickly until there is nowhere left to go. He SMASHES out a window and into an alley behind The Bronze. Willow keeps the cross in front of her and leans out into the alley. She sees Angel running away. She sighs in relief and leans back inside. She turns to Cordelia, who finishes dusting herself off. Cordy looks up. CORDELIA Way to go Willow! I take back every geek loser thing I've ever said about you. WILLOW Uh, thanks. I think. Is Xander with you? CORDELIA He's not in front? WILLOW (shakes her head) CORDELIA Then he must have found Drusilla. WILLOW Drusilla? CORDELIA That's who we came here for. Angel just cornered me. And totally ruined a brand new shirt I must add. WILLOW So where is he? CORDELIA Probably heading for the circle. WILLOW What circle? CORDELIA Duh, the gypsy spell circle. WILLOW (still confused) Oh. CORDELIA I'll explain on the way. EXT. CEMETERY - NIGHT Giles peeks his head up from where he hides behind a tombstone. He doesn't see anyone so he sneaks from his position toward a larger monument. He steps on a twig and the SNAP brings him to a stand still. He waits a moment and then continues on. He stops at the monument. He looks around the corner past it. Coast is clear again. He steps out into the open and begins making his way quickly through a set of low stones. JENNY Rupert! He jumps at the voice and drops his bag, where upon numerous vampire hunting implements spill out. GILES Ah, yes. Um, Jenny. You're here. JENNY (a bit confused) Yeah, and so are you. GILES Well, I was just... um... Oh forget it. I know what is going on. JENNY You do, do you. GILES You can't do it Jenny. JENNY It's already being done. GILES I won't let it happen. Not to you. JENNY Gil-Rupert, it has to be this way. I have to make up for betraying Buffy. (beat) For betraying you. GILES So you're going to give your life for this? JENNY If it comes to that. GILES The ritual assures it. JENNY (smiles) Always the book reader. I'm afraid your texts may be a little mistaken. Yes, there are risks. I won't deny that. But the price for the curse has already been paid. We only need to reinvoke it. GILES But how? JENNY Help us Rupert. Then you'll know. She reaches her hand out to him. He thinks for a moment and then takes it. EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT Xander walks down holding Drusilla's hand as she goes behind him. He is trying his best to fight off his nervousness. She suddenly stops and pulls him to a halt with her. DRUSILLA Where are we going love? XANDER (twitchy) Just a little farther. She glances over her shoulder as if looking for someone. Xander glances at the bag he's hidden just a little further up in the alley. He hesitates for a moment and then turns back to her. A hungry look lingers in her eye. He smiles nervously. He reaches into his pocket with his left hand. XANDER Give me your other hand. DRUSILLA Why dear? XANDER I have a present for you. She brings her hand forward. Xander pulls his hand out of his pocket and clasps it with hers. He holds on tight as smoke begins to rise from where his left hand meets hers. She SCREAMS in agony but he holds on tight. Her vampish features appear and she yanks her hand away. He holds a gold cross in his left hand. DRUSILLA But I thought we had so much. Xander breaks off and runs. Drusilla pursues him. BLACK OUT. END OF ACT THREE ACT FOUR EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT Drusilla chases Xander. He dives for his bag as she slashes out just missing him. He scrambles to his feet and turns around while reaching his hand into the bag. Drusilla stops like a cat preparing to pounce. She hisses. DRUSILLA Angelus wanted me to wait. Then we could both take our turns. XANDER Not tonight babe. He lashes out. The rope necklace of garlic he pulls from the bag drops down around Drusilla's head. She reaches up to get it off but it is too late. She slumps to the ground, barely able to struggle from the miasma that overcomes her. She stops moving altogether. Xander drops the bag and stands over her prostrate form. XANDER Better than kryptonite. Suddenly he is awash in light. He shields his eyes and turns toward the source. He sees headlights. The silhouette of a tall girl steps out the driver's side of the vehicle. CORDELIA Hey, Mr. Slayer. You need a lift? EXT. WOODS NEAR CEMETERY - NIGHT In the small clearing a circle has been carved into the earth. Four candles are lit along the edges, north, east, south, and west. In the center lies a crystal, part of a pattern formed of stones and sticks that strangely resembles the symbol on the ring Angel gave Buffy. Magda kneels at the head of the stones. Her eyes are closed as she appears in a deep meditative trance. JENNY The first part has already begun. She is calling the gypsy soul watcher to bring back its charge. When Drusilla, Angel's nearest kin, is placed within the circle Angel's true self will sense a bit of its own essence and enter her as a vessel. GILES What will it do to her? JENNY Drive her beyond any possible realms of human sanity. In her madness she'll search out the cause of her pain and try to destroy it. We just have to hope he wins. But he has to bleed her, actually suck her dry. It’s the only way the soul can transfer. Then he'll be his old tortured self again. GILES Just like that? JENNY Just like that. GILES Amazing. Giles steps in front of Jenny protectively as they hear a group of people CRASHING through the woods. There is a moment of anticipation and then Willow appears through the underbrush. Behind her are Xander and Cordelia carrying the unconscious form of Drusilla. XANDER One totally loopy insane creature of the night just as you ordered. JENNY (stepping around Giles) Put her in the circle opposite Grandmama. Cordy and Xander carry the body toward the circle. GILES Ah, Willow. I see you found at least Xander and his cohort. WILLOW And you're with Ms. Calendar. GILES Yes, um. But still where is Buffy? EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT Buffy charges down the alley and as she swoops around the corner, WHAM, she runs into someone. They get knocked to the ground. Both figures scramble to their feet. Buffy suddenly realizes who it is. BUFFY Angel? ANGEL (transforming to vamp face) Buffy! BUFFY Where are they? ANGEL Where is she? Angel charges her but she slips down, under and past his grasp so he clenches only empty air. Buffy swivels around keeping low. She has a stake in one hand and a cross in the other. He turns, tightens his fists and bears his teeth at her. ANGEL Fitting we should meet this way. No flimsy bounds of whelp human emotion. Just who I really am. BUFFY I know who you are. Buffy swings the cross upwards at him. He twists his head to the side. She uses the upward motion to follow with a powerful kick to the face. He ducks underneath the attack and sweeps her feet out from under her. She hits the ground hard. She manages to hold onto the stake but the cross slides away. All of a sudden he is on top of her. They grapple. She keeps the stake pointed toward him and between them. It is a stand still, her might against his demon strength. Angel notices the ring on her necklace (the cross is hidden under her shirt). ANGEL I remember the last time we were this close. I gave you a wound quite deep that day. BUFFY (lying) It's ancient history. Buffy shifts her body and uses her Slayer strength to hurl him over her head. He smacks into the ground but hops up again almost instantaneously. She's leaps to her feet and holds the stake in front of her ready to use it. Only a single tear betrays her intent. Angel starts forward again but then he grips his stomach in pain. He backs off, struggling for a moment to keep his footing. ANGEL No, it can't be. I won't be a lap dog again. Buffy looks at him confused. He runs away from her. She looks back into the alley at her slaying supplies. She has no time to choose. She gives chase with a stake as her only weapon. EXT. WOODS NEAR CEMETERY - NIGHT Opposite Magda and inside the circle lies Drusilla. The crystal in the center glows brighter and brighter. Xander removes the garlic from around her neck and steps back. Her eyelids flutter as she regains consciousness. WILLOW So what happens now? JENNY Angel returns. Drusilla wipes her eyes as if clearing sleep from them. She pushes herself up to a kneeling position. Magda's eyes open. A light pours from the crystal and into Drusilla's face. She is mesmerized and completely enslaved by it. DRUSILLA So pretty... pretty, pretty, pretty. Her expression changes from one of bliss, to one of trepidation, then one of horror. DRUSILLA (whisper) No. An echo of Angel screaming the same word from a distance flutters through the trees. MAGDA It is Angelus. He senses what is coming to pass. He will be here soon. Drusilla weeps. The light continues to pour into her and then suddenly stops. She collapses to the forest floor. Tearing out from the underbrush comes Angelus. He is behind Magda and everyone else stands on Drusilla's side of the circle. He grabs her by the neck and yanks her around to face him. ANGEL You! MAGDA My Angel. He tosses her aside like a rag doll. With a sickening SNAP her back breaks across a tree trunk. JENNY Grandmama! Giles rushes forward to stop the vamp. Angel sneers before he pounds Giles in the forehead with the base of his fist. Giles sees black and drops. Willow slips her backpack off her shoulder and starts to dig in. She is completely panicking. Angel runs at her. Before he reaches her Xander tackles him to the ground. They struggle for just a moment before Angel's superior strength sends Xander flying through the air. He smacks to the ground, knocking the wind out of him. Angel gets up just in time to be kicked in the crotch by Cordelia. CORDELIA Mess with my boyfriend! He is barely effected. A slap across the face sends Cordy reeling and toppling onto Willow. Xander struggles to catch his breath. Angel approaches Jenny. Tears stream from her eyes. ANGEL Your bitch granny tried to mess with me. She paid the price. But I haven't had my fill of killing gypsies just yet. Jenny makes no attempt to run. He reaches for her but he drops backward as Buffy sweeps his legs from underneath him. He hits the forest floor and she stabs the stake down toward his heart. He grasps and stops it barely an inch above his chest. She pushes down but can't overcome his strength. He lets go of the stake with one hand, cups the free hand behind her neck, and then headbutts her off of himself. She stumbles back, dazed by the pain. He knocks the stake from her hand. Suddenly Angel is lifted into the air and thrown completely out of the clearing and into the brambles. ANGLE: POV AS BUFFY Her eyes clear up to reveal Angel's attacker as Drusilla. CLOSEUP ON DRUSILLA Her face registers a great sadness. She turns toward Angel and twists into an all-consuming rage. DRUSILLA (voice as a child's) You hurt my mommy. Angel stands up amidst the foliage. Drusilla dives in after him. Buffy heads toward the fight but Willow is up by now and grabs her arm. WILLOW Don't. Buffy looks around. For the first time she notices the circle. Giles is still out. Xander gets back up with the help of Cordelia. Jenny has moved to the fallen form of Magda and is crying. BUFFY What's going on? XANDER (groaning) A bit of magic. CORDELIA For Angel. BUFFY What? WILLOW They cast a spell on him. Or on Drusilla actually. Angel and her have to fight it out. It's the only chance for him to regain his soul. The implications of that hit Buffy hard. She chokes up. BUFFY Only chance? XANDER It's not a hundred percent. Buffy looks toward the spot where the fighting vamps disappeared into the forest. BUFFY I can't help? XANDER We're afraid not. EXT. DOWNHILL IN WOODS NEAR CEMETERY - NIGHT Angel and Drusilla roll through the brambles, tearing at one another as they fall. They come to a stop at the bottom. They struggle a bit and then break off. ANGEL Dru, it is me. DRUSILLA No, not you. A monster. I can feel them both. Oh my poor poor sister. She had such beautiful curls. You took them from her. You took it all from them. Tears stream down her face as she charges Angel again. He is adept enough to avoid her attack and with a slap on the back he adds momentum and she goes tripping off into the bushes. ANGEL I made you what you are. I gave you this life. You owe me. Drusilla gets up and turns around to give him a look of pure disdain. Then something else takes over. She rips at her hair and goes into a fit like a small child. Angel moves cautiously towards her. He puts his hand out. He can almost touch her. ANGEL Sweet Drusilla. She claws his chest, leaving a trail of blood and nails. Then she slams him hard in the face with the palm of her hand. He stumbles back and breaks through to: EXT. STREET BY CEMETERY WOODS - NIGHT Angel trips as the ground changes from leaves and soil to concrete. He slowly rises back up, searching the woods with his eyes. Drusilla appears. She breaks through the brush and steps onto the sidewalk. He keeps his distance. ANGEL As much as I want to hurt you right now I would prefer to keep you around. She steps forward. He steps back. ANGEL I will do it Dru. I will suck the very lifeblood from you. It is a horrible way to go. Believe me. I have seen it happen to others. DRUSILLA My daddy. All I wanted was his hug. His warmth. She claws for him. He grabs her wrists and spins her around such that her back presses into his chest. He holds her arms tight in front of her. She struggles but can't move. A "SQUEAK" ANGEL Pity it has to end like this. Angel pulls back his head to take the plunge. A SHOTGUN BLAST tears down some branches in the woods right near them. He reacts, turns and lets go of Dru to see his attacker. She falls to the ground. Spike is there in his wheel chair with his shotgun. His Bodyguard stands behind him. SPIKE (to Angel) I dare say what are you doing? Drusilla crawls up and clings to Spike's legs. Angel sneers. ANGEL She attacked me. He begins to move forward to grab her. SPIKE (edging shotgun up at Angel) I wouldn't do that. A stake's pretty good. But you mix in wood splinters with some buckshot and it might do the job just as well. ANGEL You wouldn't. SPIKE Oh really? (to Drusilla) Tell me my love, did he hurt you? DRUSILLA (whimpers) He COCKS the shotgun. SPIKE Are there any other presumptions about me you care to make tonight? Angel backs up a step. He calms down a little and then shakes his head. The look of anger in him still boils but he's willing to back off, for now. SPIKE Then I suggest you find another hideaway for a few days. Allow me and Dru to do some... consideration. You may find this gimp has a bit of power left in him after all. Angel straightens his coat, brushes it off, and then walks away. Spike turns his attention to Drusilla. SPIKE Now let us get you home. She smiles. DRUSILLA Daddy. She hugs him. FADE OUT. FADE IN: INT. LIBRARY - DAY Giles wears a black suit. A large bruise is situated in the center of his forehead. He is standing, looking at a book he holds. Willow toys around, not really paying attention, on the computer with OZ sitting next to her. Xander and Cordelia sit by each other. They both fidget nervously with nothing to do but wait. Buffy enters. They all stand up. No one says anything. What is there to say? BUFFY He hasn't called... or written... or whatever. WILLOW Um, maybe he is just too embarrassed about what he did. BUFFY (not buying it) Yeah, maybe. (quickly changing the subject) So, Giles. What's with the digs. GILES Ah these yes. Jenny's grandmum was cremated this morning. It's the gypsy way apparently. Dust in the wind as they say. I'm going to the service. BUFFY Want me to tag along? Everyone is a bit surprised to hear this. GILES You have, uh, class yes? BUFFY I can skip. I owe Jenny and her grandmother that much. XANDER Let's all go. WILLOW Yeah. Buffy smiles, happy to be among real friends. INT. SEWERS - DAY Angel trudges deep in the system of tunnels. Muck and mud cover everything. It is a disgusting sight. ANGEL So this is where I'll be spending my days. He puts his hand against the stone wall of the tunnel as he steps over some broken concrete. When he pulls his hand away a dark sludge covers it. He looks at his hand for a moment. Then tries to shake off the grime. Black slime trails from his hand but hardly any of it comes off. ANGEL Believe me Buffy. The next time you're not watching. I'll be there. BLACK OUT. THE END