Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Selfless

byDrew Goddard

Selfless

TEASER

FADE IN:

INT. SUMMERS' HOME - WILLOW'S ROOM - NIGHT

WILLOW and DAWN sort through clothes on the bed. Willow's room has been changed around a bit since last we saw it -- she's finally settling in.

DAWNMy advice to you is do exactly what everyone else does, all the time.

WILLOW(humoring her)

Got it.

DAWNDo what everyone else does, wear what everyone else wears, say what everyone else says.

WILLOWOkay.

DAWNPeople may say something you don't understand. Don't be afraid to keep your month shut and pretend like you know what they're talking about.

WILLOWYou know, I've been to college before, Dawn.

DAWNThey may say something like, "My protein window closes in an hour." Just smile and nod.

(pause)Turns out it has something to do with fitness.

BUFFY and XANDER walk in, carrying a dresser between them. They're wrapped up in their own conversation.

BUFFYSo have you talked to her?

XANDERNot since that night with the Gnarl demon. And that wasn't exactly the "how have you been?" kind of talking. More the "pierce its eyes with something sharp" kind of talking.

(pause)I'm thinking I should call her.

BUFFYI just don't want you to get your hopes up, that's all.

XANDERHopes? Oh no no -- there are no hopes. Anya and I are done, I love being single. I'm a strong successful male who's giddy at the thought of all the women I will no doubt be dating in the near future-

BUFFYStrong successful males say "giddy?"

XANDERI just worry about her, that's all.

WILLOWAnya?

Xander looks over, nods.

XANDERShe seems so sad.

DAWNShe should try acting like everyone else more.

WILLOWThat's what the kids are doing now a days.

BUFFYI'm not sure I get the sad vibe, but there's definitely a vengeance vibe worth worrying about.

XANDEROh that -- no. I don't worry about that. She was hurt and she just turned to what she knew when I...

2.

(MORE)

you know... but that's not her anymore.

BUFFYI hope you're right.

XANDERShe turned that worm guy back before any real harm was done right? It just takes a little time. Her heart's not in it...

Xander thinks about it, convinces himself.

XANDER (CONTD)I really think she's coming around.

INT. FRATERNITY - REC ROOM - NIGHT

Blood. Everywhere.

We're in the sparsely decorated Rec Room of a fraternity house. We see the aftermath of a slaughter -- the blood- soaked bodies of twelve FRATERNITY BOYS lay scattered about the room. We TRACK slowly over them all, revealing the carnage little by little.

As we get a closer look at the bodies, we realize their hearts have been ripped out of their chests.

At the end we FIND ANYA, similarly blood-soaked, crouched in the corner. She's dazed, shocked. She's softly talking to herself. We barely make it out:

ANYA(whispered)

What have I done?

END OF TEASER

3.

XANDER (CONT'D)

ACT ONE

INT. VIKING HOUSE - DAY

CLOSE ON a cute little bunny rabbit. As a body sweeps past, scooping it up, we pull back and reveal that we're in a Viking cottage, circa late 9th century.

SUBTITLE: Sjornjost, 880

Anya (who, at this point in her life, is called. "Aud") breezes through the room happily. She's dressed in full Viking regalia; leather, fur, braids.

The cottage itself is very quaint: wood walls, dining table, chairs, kitchen-type area, large bed covered in furs.

Twelve bunnies bound around on the floor. Anya nuzzles the one she's holding and sets it down with the others. She goes about her business, cheerfully preparing the table.

Through the front door bursts OLAF (the human version.) He carries a large battle axe which, like the furs he wears, is stained with a black, blood-like substance.

[NOTE: for the duration of this scene, the actors will be speaking Swedish. Their dialogue will be dubbed over (badly) by the actors in English.]

OLAF(Swedish)

Aud! Rara, vackra Aud! Jag r s hungrig s jag skulle kunna ata upp ett litet barn!

(English)Aud! Sweet, beautiful Aud! I am so hungry I could eat a small child!

Anya runs to him, helps him set down his axe.

ANYA(Swedish)

Olaf! r du skadad? Du luktar blod och musk.

(English)Olaf! Are you injured? You smell of blood and musk.

He laughs heartily.

OLAF(Swedish)

Frukta inte!

4.

(MORE)

Det krvz mer n en skara mindre troll fr att f ner stora Olaf!

(English)Fear not! It takes more than a band of minor trolls to bring down the mighty Olaf!

ANYA(Swedish)

Troll!(English)

Trolls!

OLAF(Swedish)

h! De r verkligen vrickade kreatur. Blotta tanken fr mej att g p knna.

(English)Oh! They are wretched creatures indeed. The mere thought of them makes me bend at the knee and flex.

ANYA(Swedish)

Sitt ner kra du. Lt mej passa upp dej lite.

(English)Sweetheart, please, sit down. Allow me to tend to you.

He waves her off, but sits anyway.

OLAF(Swedish)

Jag r ok. Verkligen. Fast jag tar grna lite mjd.

(English)I am fine. Really. I could go for some mead, though.

ANYA(Swedish)

Ska bli.(English)

Certainly.

She hurries to the kitchen and pours mead from a jug into an oversized mug. Olaf looks around at the rabbits on the floor.

5.

OLAF (CONT'D)

OLAF(Swedish)

Fantiserar jag, eller r det riktigt att vi har otroligt mnga fler kaniner hr inne idag?

(English)Is it my imagination, or do we have substantially more rabbits in the house today?

ANYA(Swedish)

h, de frkar sig s snabbt att det r-

(English)Oh, they breed so quickly that it's-

Olaf leaps to his feet.

OLAF(Swedish)

Allt detta snack om frkning fr mej att vilja sjlv!

(English)All this talk of breeding makes me want to breed!

Anya hurries to him, hands him his mug.

ANYA(Swedish)

lskling, sjlvklart. Men hr -- drick din mjod frst.

(English)Honey, of course. But here -- drink your mead first.

OLAF(Swedish)

h, ja. Mjod.(English)

Ah, yes. Mead.

He sits back down. She checks him over.

ANYAGjorde trollen dig illa? Deras mossiga hug terspeglar inte deras snlt hjrta.

(English)Did the trolls hurt you? Their mossy skin does not reflect their churlish heart.

6.

OLAF(Swedish; laughing)

Jag mr toppen -- Snlla, sluta grma dej ver mej. Bertta om din dag.

(English; laughing)I am fine -- Please, stop fretting over me. Tell me of your day.

ANYA(Swedish; bright)

! Jag tvttade alla dina tunikor frn slaget vid Asgoth, Jag smidde tv hammare och ett litet svrd till dej och s lrde jag mej ett nytt recept p ox-goblin som jag tror du kommer att gilla.

(English; bright)Okay! Well, I was able to get all your tunics from the battle of Asgoth cleaned, I smelted you two hammers and a small sword and I learned a new recipe for ox-goblin that I think you'll enjoy.

At this point, the live-Olaf happily says several words, but on the dubtrack we hear only:

OLAF(Swedish)

Mmmmmm...(English)

Mmmmmm...

ANYA(Swedish)

Och den snabba tillvxten av dina kaniner -- lskling, sitt ner -- har gett mej en id. Jag skulle kunna ge verskottet till folket I stan, inte I utbyte mot gods eller service, men fr gott rykte och knslan av utfrande som kommer frn osjlviskheten att ge till andra.

(English)And the rapid reproductive rate of our rabbits -- honey, sit down -- has given me an idea.

7.

(MORE)

I can give the excess out to the townspeople, exchanging them not for goods or services but for goodwill and the sense of accomplishment that stems from selflessly giving of yourself to others.

Live-Olaf laughs heartily. The laughing on the dubtrack stops long before he is through.

OLAF(Swedish)

Kra Aud! Din logik r vansinnig och impulsiv, som ett trolls. Inte s konstigt att bargarna pratar om dej.

(English)Sweet Aud! Your logic is insane and happenstance, like that of a troll. It is no wonder the bar matrons talk of you.

Anya's face falls.

ANYA(Swedish)

Du har varit p krogen...(English)

You've been to the bar...

OLAF(Swedish)

Oh, Aud. Glm det och gldja nu.(English)

Oh, Aud. Forget it and please me now.

ANYA(Swedish)

Jag tycker inte om att du gr dit.(English)

I do not like you going there.

OLAF(Swedish)

Det r inte mitt fel att de inte r vnliga mot dej. Du har alltid varit aggressiv fr att du inte gr ihop med folk. Du sger vad du tycker och r mest besvrande.

(he smiles)Det r en av egenskaperna jag lskar mest hos dej.

8.

ANYA (CONT'D)

(MORE)

(English)It is not my fault they don't take kindly to you. You've always been most aggressive in your not-fitting-in with people. You speak your mind, and are annoying.

(he smiles)It's one of the things I love most about you.

ANYA(Swedish)

Var Rannveig there?(English)

Was Rennveig there?

OLAF(Swedish)

Ahh! Jag har sagt tusentals gnger att jag inte har ngot intresse av denna Rannveig. Hennes hfter r stora och kraftiga, som en Baltisk kvinna.

(English)Bah! I've told you a thousand times: I have no interest in this Rannveig. Her hips are large and load- bearing, like a Baltic woman.

He pulls her over to him happily.

OLAF (CONTD)(Swedish)

Du r mycket mer min smak. Dina hfter r sm, som en Baltisk kvinna frn en ngot mer ofruktbar region.

(English)You are much more to my liking. Your hips are small, like a Baltic woman from a slightly more arid region.

He sits her on his lap and strokes her face.

OLAF (CONTD)(Swedish)

Du r min perfekthet Aud. Jag skulle aldrig kunna ha lustar fr ngon annan.

(English)You are my perfect Aud. I could never want for another.

9.

OLAF (CONT'D)

She warms to him again, nestles in as he holds her.

ANYA(Swedish)

Frlt. Det r bara att jag lskar dej s mycket... Ibland knna det som om jag skulle kunna brista. Jag skulle inte kunna leva utan dej.

(English)I am sorry. I simply love you so much... I feel as though I could burst at times. I could not live without you.

Olaf laughs heartily.

OLAF(Swedish)

Frukta inte, kra Aud, du kommer alltid att vara min vackra flicka.

(English)Fear not, sweet Aud, you'll always be my beautiful girl.

HARD CUT TO:

INT. FRATERNITY - BATHROOM - DAWN

Anya, bloodstained, at the sink. The bathroom is cold and sterile, starkly contrasting the warmth of the previous scene.

Anya scrubs blood off her hands, arms. Her face is blank. Her scrubbing becomes more and more frantic. She tries very hard not to look at herself in the mirror, but occasionally she catches glimpses of her bloodstained face.

Her expression remains blank

SPIKE (PRELAP)I don't trust what I see anymore.

INT. HIGH SCHOOL BASEMENT - DAY

Spike is crouched in the corner, talking to Buffy. She kneels very close to him. He seems lucid, normal (for Spike, at least.)

SPIKEDunno how to explain it, exactly. It's like I been seeing things...

BUFFYWhat sort of things?

10.

SPIKE(shrugs)

Things. People, I guess.

He looks around, thinking.

SPIKE (CONTD)Dru used to see things, you know. She'd always be staring off into the sky, watching cherubs burn or heavens bleed or some nonsense.

(pause)I used to stare at her and think she'd gone completely sack of hammers.

He thinks back, smiling.

SPIKE (CONTD)But she'd see the sky when we were inside and it'd make her so happy. She'd see showers. She'd see stars.

(his face falls)Now I see her.

BUFFYSpike --

SPIKEI'm in trouble, Buffy.

BUFFYI can help you.

SPIKEI could never ask. Not after...

BUFFYIt's different, You're different.

SPIKEI could never ask...

BUFFYSpike, it's me. It's you and it it's me. And we'll get through this.

Spike looks at her. Tears well up in his eyes.

SPIKENever...

11.

BUFFYWe'll get through this.

She reaches out to him. Touches his face with compassion. He begins to cry in earnest.

As this happens, we slowly PAN away from them. We find the doorway to the basement. And the REAL BUFFY walks in.

She sees Spike across the room, holding himself. Crying. Alone. She stays across the room when she speaks to him. We feel the distance between them.

BUFFY (CONTD)Spike, this basement is killing you.

He looks up, tears in his eyes. Scared. He doesn't know what's real.

BUFFY (CONTD)This is the Hellmouth. There's something bad down here. Possibly everything bad.

He begins to laugh. His laugh is painful, empty.

SPIKECan't hear you... Can't hear you...

BUFFYYou have a soul? Fine. Show me,

SPIKEScream "Montresor" all you like, pet.

BUFFYGet up and get out of this basement.

He looks around, becoming more lucid. Fresh tears begin to flow.

SPIKE(softly)

I don't have anywhere else to go.

BUFFYYou have everywhere else to go. Because there's no place worse than where you are right now.

Off Spike, we cut to:

12.

EXT. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SUNNYDALE - CAMPUS - DAY

Willow walks across campus with PROFESSOR HAWKINS (late 40s, academic-type.) She's very eager, speaking quickly.

WILLOW... and it's not like I've been gone that long. I've already done all the reading I've missed and I can come to office hours and I can sign up-

He interrupts her, laughing.

PROFESSOR HAWKINSWillow, Willow -- it's okay. We'll get you caught up in no time.

WILLOWReally?

PROFESSOR HAWKINSWhat am I gonna say -- "No, I don't want my best student back in my class?"

She beams; she's in her element.

PROFESSOR HAWKINS (CONTD)Of course I noticed that drop-off in your grades at midterms last year, and I was concerned-

WILLOWThat was-

PROFESSOR HAWKINS-but then, voila!, you turned around and aced all your finals. Like magic.

Her face falls. She laughs uncomfortably.

WILLOWYeah... similar to... but only...

PROFESSOR HAWKINSLook, cone see me during office hours tomorrow --

As they walk they pass the outside of the fraternity house. Willow spots Anya (wearing a full-length coat to cover the bloodstains on her clothes) walking out the front door.

13.

PROFESSOR HAWKINS (CONTD)-- and we'll talk about what we need to do to get you caught up.

WILLOW(distracted)

Oh -- okay. Thanks professor.

She turns in Anya's direction.

EXT. U. C. SUNNYDALE - CAMPUS - MOMENTS LATER

Willow hurries after Anya, who's walking away rapidly.

WILLOWAnya! Anya!

Anya spins around. She's nervous, out of it.

ANYAWillow.

(looking around)What are you doing here?

WILLOWOh! I'm starting back up at school.

Anya nods curtly. She's trying to get out of here as quickly as possible.

WILLOW (CONTD)Yeah, I can't believe how great everyone's been. I was a little worried, but I already have books and homework and they even said they'd give me periodic surprise quizzes to make up for the ones I missed and...

Anya's looking around, not paying attention.

WILLOW (CONTD)What -- what are you doing here... walking out of a fraternity house... in the middle of the day...

ANYA(searching)

Oh. I, uh, have a new boyfriend now. He lives there.

WILLOWThat's great!

14.

ANYAYes. We just had lots and lots of sex.

WILLOWOkay.

(pause)This is so great. I'm so happy to hear that you've --

As Willow talks, Anya nervously reaches up and smooths back her own hair. As she does so, she reveals that the back of her hand is glistening wet with BLOOD.

Willow's eyes go wide.

WILLOW (CONTD)-- moved on.

Anya's unaware what Willow has seen.

ANYAYes, we're tremendously happy together. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm late for something... very important.

WILLOW(quietly)

Uh, okay, yeah. See you later.

Anya hurries off. Willow looks back at the frat house, fear in her eyes.

INT. FRATERNITY - MAIN ROOM - DAY

Willow walks into the house.

WILLOWHello? Is anyb --

She cuts off abruptly as she steps in and gets a good look at the MAIN ROOM, the large open area of the house where people would congregate for social gatherings. There's basic furniture: sofas, chairs, footstools, but for the most part the room is very open.

There's blood all over the place (tastefully and appropriately shown, of course.) Stains splatter the walls, floor. They seem to localize around the Rec Room door, as though something slaughtered people in the main room and dragged them into the Rec Room.

15.

Willow slowly walks through the room, terror visible on her face. She notices the stains, looks at the Rec Room door. She steels her nerve.

INT. FRATERNITY - REC ROOM - DAY

The bloodstained door swings open toward us, revealing Willow in the door frame. She gasps as she sees the carnage we saw in the teaser. We stay on Willow -- we don't see the slaughter. She's frozen in horror, shock. Before she can fully process what she's seeing, we HEAR a soft, terrified VOICE emanating from elsewhere in the house:

VOICE... I take it back I take it back I take it back...

Willow looks over her shoulder.

INT. FRATERNITY - MAIN ROOM - DAY

Willow crosses the Main Room, heading toward the sound of the voice, which seems to be coming from a closet.

VOICE...I take it back I take back I...

Willow opens the closet door and finds a young woman (early 20s, call her RACHEL.) Rachel is crouched in the closet, clutching her knees, hiding. She's bloodstained. She's out- of-her-mind with fear. She doesn't initially acknowledge Willow.

RACHEL...take it back I take it back...

Willow crouches down next to her.

WILLOWIt's okay. It's okay...

Rachel seems to notice Willow, but doesn't look directly at her.

RACHEL...I take it .....

WILLOWWhat do you take back? What happened?

Rachel laughs and her laugh is hollow, soft. When she speaks it's as though she's addressing someone far, far away.

16.

RACHELIt's gonna be a mixer, a party... Everyone's gonna be there, everyone's bringing a date... I'll have a great time...

She trails off, looking around.

RACHEL (CONTD)But... it was just me... and them... he broke up with me in front of them... It was a game...

(laughs)It was all a game...

WILLOWIt's okay. You're okay now.

RACHELThey laughed and they laughed... and I cried... they laughed... And I yelled...

There's a pause as she looks far away.

RACHEL (CONTD)"Just once, I wish you could all feel what it's like to have your hearts ripped out... Just once... I wish..."

(laughs silently)And then it came...

Willow goes into action mode. She stands up and tries, unsuccessfully, to get Rachel on her feet.

WILLOWOkay, c'mon... what came? What did this?

RACHELA spider...

Willow looks around, side to side.

WILLOWWhere did it go?

Rachel laughs and looks directly up at Willow, focusing on her for the first time all scene.

RACHELWhat do you mean?

17.

We reverse to look up at Willow from Rachel's POV. And just as Willow says:

WILLOWThe spider. Where is it now?

A horrible SPIDER DEMON (CGI) slowly crawls into frame on the ceiling above her.

BLACK OUT.

END OF ACT ONE

18.

ACT TWO

EXT. VIKING VILLAGE - DAY

VIKING CHAOS. An ANGRY MOB of people runs all over the place, screaming, in and out of frame. We're back in the 9th century, only now we're on the streets of the village itself. A fev thatchwork Viking houses line the streets.

We're able to make out some of the screams (though the villagers are speaking Swedish and their screams are dubbed):

VILLAGER #1(Swedish)

Ett troooooooolllll!(English)

Troooooooolllll!

VILLAGER #2(Swedish)

Det r det strsta troll jag ngonsin sett!

(English)It's the largest troll I've ever seen!

VILLAGER #3(Swedish)

Spring! Gm era barn och era prlarbeten!

(English)Run! Hide your babies and your beadwork!

Into the frame bursts Olaf. He's been transformed into the troll we met in "Triangle." He carries his giant HAMMER (also from "Triangle") He's crazed, confused and angry. He's also badly dubbed.

OLAF(Swedish)

ARRRRGGGH! ARRRRRRR! STANNA! DET R OLAF! JAR R OLAF!

(English)ARRRRGGGH! ARRRRRRR! STOP! IT IS OLAF! I AM OLAF!

We single out TWO VIKINGS from the mob:

VIKING #1(Swedish)

Trollet gr en Olaf personifiering!(English)

19.

(MORE)

The troll is doing an Olaf impersonation!

VIKING #2(Swedish)

Sl honom med frukt och variationer av ktt!

(English)Hit him with fruits and various meats!

A few BRAVE VILLAGERS rush forward and pelt Olaf with fruits and various meats.

OLAF(Swedish)

AHHHHHRRRRHHHH!(English)

AHHHHHRRRRHHHH!

As this occurs, we begin to pull away from Olaf and the mob.

We find Anya. She's removed from all the chaos. She watches it all with a sense of forlorn satisfaction.

In the background, Olaf swings his hammer wildly and chases the screaming villagers out of frame.

As Anya watches, a voice from behind her says:

VOICEImpressive.

Anya turns and finds D'HOFFRYN.

[Note: while everyone else in this scene remains dubbed, Anya and D'Hoffryn speak perfectly understandable English to one another.]

ANYA(shrugging)

Thank you.

D'HOFFRYNWhat is that, a Woodlow Transmogrific Spell?

ANYAThornton's Hope.

D'HOFFRYNThornton's Hope...

(pause)

20.

VIKING #1 (CONT'D)

(MORE)

But how did you get the troll element?

ANYAEelsbane.

D'HOFFRYNEelsbane.

(looks at sky)Brilliant.

(beat)What'd he do?

ANYABar matron.

(pause)A load-bearing bar matron.

D'HOFFRYNIs there any other kind?

(pause)I'm sorry -- how rude of me. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is D'Hoffryn.

ANYAI am Aud.

D'HOFFRYNAre you? Hm. I'm afraid you don't see your true self.

(pause)You are Anyanka.

She looks at him -- what the hell are you talking about? In the background, Olaf chases the mob in and out of frame, swinging his hammer wildly (as this plays out, Olaf and the mob will cross in and out of frame several times, each time getting farther away from us.)

OLAF(Swedish)

ARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGHHHH!(English)

ARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGHHHH!

D'HOFFRYNI'm the patron of a... family of sorts. We're Vengeance Demons. I'm sure you've heard of us.

ANYANo. I'm sorry.

21.

D'HOFFRYN (CONT'D)

D'HOFFRYNOh, well, that's quite --

ANYADon't feel bad. I don't talk to people much. I mean, I talk to them, but they don't talk to me. Except to say, "Your questions are irksome" and "Perhaps you should take your furs and your literal interpretations to the other side of the river."

(beat)I'm sure your group is quite well known.

In the background, Olaf chases the crowd through frame.

OLAF(Swedish)

KOM HR, LILLE MAN! DU R DELIKAT OCH SER UT SOM EN LEKSAK!

(English)COME HERE, TINY MAN! YOU ARE DELICATE AND TOYLIKE!

D'HOFFRYNAllow me to explain. We travel the world, balancing the scales of justice. We... help people who can't help themselves.

Several VIKING WOMEN run SCREAMING in between them, interrupting. D'Hoffryn regards them with amusement,

D'HOFFRYN (CONTD)(laughing)

I get the sense that your talents are not fully appreciated here, Anyanka. We'd like to help you realize your full self. We'd like you to join us.

ANYAWhy do you keep calling me that? My name is "Aud."

D'HOFFRYNPerhaps. But Anyanka is who you are.

ANYA(thinks)

What would I have to do?

22.

In the background, Olaf runs frantically through frame, angry mob hot on his heels.

OLAF(Swedish)

OXARNA R S SM DE LIKNAR HUNDAR!(English)

THE OXEN ARE SO SMALL THEY RESEMBLE DOGS!

D'HOFFRYNWhat you do best. Help wronged women. Punish evil men.

In the background, we hear Olaf scream and a LARGE TREE falls into frame and SMASHES one of the houses.

ANYA(hesitant)

Vengeance...

D'HOFFRYNBut only to those that deserve it.

ANYA(bitterly)

They all deserve it.

D'HOFFRYNThat's where I was going with that, yeah.

INT. FRATERNITY - MAIN ROOM - DAY

Willow. Right where we left off. The Spider Demon on the ceiling rears its front legs up. Willow reads fear in Rachel's face. She whips around, looking up, just as the Spider Demon LAUNCHES itself at her.

WILLOW(Latin)

Protege!(English)

Shield!

A magic FORCE SHIELD appears in front of her. The Spider Demon crashes into it, deflects into the wall.

The Spider Demon shrieks and rears back again, and we get a better look at it:

Think black-widow-from-hell. It's about the size of a large rottweiler and it's covered in horns and spikes.

23.

When it rears up we get a glimpse of a nasty SNAPPING MOUTH, which rocket-fire shoots in and out of its midsection.

Willow's face is a mask of hard concentration as she struggles to maintain the Shield.

Whip-fast the Demon launches itself at Willow.

The Demon smashes into the Shield, deflecting off with force, and goes crashing through a nearby window to the outside world.

Still tense, Willow maintains the Shield, her eyes beginning to blacken (CGI) as she barks:

WILLOW (CONTD)(cold, evil)

For God's sake, shut your whimpering mouth.

Willow lets her arms drop, eyes normal. The Shield disappears. She turns to look at Rachel, who's crying, whimpering.

WILLOW (CONT'D)I'm sorry...

She breathes. Breathes.

INT. BUFFY'S OFFICE - DAY

Buffy sits in her office at school, bored. She is leaning back in her chair, balancing a cup of pencils on her forehead, and spinning ever-so slowly.

The phone RINGS and it all comes crashing down. She grabs clumsily for the phone, eager for the distraction.

BUFFYHello? Willow! Is everythi --

(pause)Wait. Okay. Wait. Spider Demon? Are you all right?

(pause)Like how -- Uh-huh...

She reaches for a pen and paper.

BUFFY (CONTD)No no no no no -- don't even worry about it. I'll get Xander. No. You just-

She writes as she talks.

24.

BUFFY (CONTD)Yes. Of course. Of course.

(pause)Ripped out their hearts, my god...

(on a dime)Hey, did you get that Physics class you wanted?

INT. ANYA'S APARTMENT - DAY

Anya and HALLIE are sitting on the couch. Anya has changed out of her bloodstained clothes.

HALLIEIt's truly wonderful, Anyanka.

Anya nods.

HALLLIEThere's already talk of having some sort of ceremony.

Anya tries to smile.

HALLIEEveryone's so proud. I can't tell you how many times today I've heard Anyanka's back to her old self again.

Anya looks away.

HALLIE (CONTD)Honey -- what is it? What's wrong?

ANYAOh, it's nothing. I don't...

(pause)There was just so much screaming. So much blood.

Hallie doesn't see the problem. She nods happily. Uh-huh.

ANYA (CONTD)I had forgotten how much damage a Grimslaw Demon could do.

HALLIEOh, tell me about it. They can be feisty little guys. And impossible to housetrain. Once they start nesting, forg-

25.

She cuts herself off, realizing this was not the direction Anya was going.

HALLIE (CONTD)Are you okay? Did something happen?

Anya looks at her, feeling the ridiculousness of the question. She shakes her head, nods.

ANYAI guess I'm just a little rusty. I didn't think it would hit me like this.

HALLIEOhhh, sweetie. This is perfectly normal. We all go through this from time to time. I remember, years ago, I covered this little chimney sweep's parents in tuberculosis bacteria...

(she shudders)I couldn't sleep for two weeks.

ANYA(hopeful)

Really?

HALLIEOh, I threw up for an hour and a half straight.

(laughs)It's normal. It's a reflex. You'll get over it in no time. Trust me.

Anya relaxes a little.

ANYAOh Hallie, I can't tell you how good it is... thank goodness you're here.

Hallie reaches over and rubs her arm lovingly.

HALLIESweetie. Of course.

ANYAIt's just, lately, with everything that's been going on, I've been having trouble even rememb --

She's interrupted by the sound of a door being yanked open. They both look up.

26.

And there stands Willow. Cold, focused. She throws an icy glare at Hallie.

WILLOWGet out.

Hallie laughs.

HALLIELemon drop, if you think I'm-

WILLOWGet. Out.

Hallie's taken aback, scared. Anya looks at her. She doesn't want to involve her friend in this.

ANYAIt's okay.

HALLIEAnyanka.

Anya stands up, looks at Willow.

ANYAIt's fine.

HALLIEOkay... but if you need me, you holler.

Hallie stands up, smiles at Willow, and TELEPORTS away.

There's a beat as Anya and Willow size each other up. Then:

ANYA(sarcastic)

Hi Willow.

WILLOWAnya, you have to stop this.

ANYAI don't have any idea what you're --

Willow holds up a hand. Don't even bother. Anya readjusts.

ANYA (CONTD)Do you know what they did to her? Do you? It was a game. They were humiliating her.

27.

WILLOWAnya listen to me. You're in trouble. You know it. I'm here to help you.

ANYAYou're here to --

(laughs)That's great, Willow. Flayed anybody lately, have you? How quickly they forget.

WILLOW(softly)

I haven't forgotten a second of it.

Pause. Anya sighs, exhausted.

ANYAWhat do you want?

WILLOWI want to help y-

ANYAThey got what they deserved!

Willow's taken aback.

WILLOWNo. They...

ANYAI'm a Vengeance Demon. Do you understand that?

WILLOWNo...

ANYATry.

(completely uncertain)They got what they deserved.

EXT. WOODS - DAY

Buffy and Xander walk through the woods, upbeat, on a mission. Buffy carries an axe and Xander carries a small sword.

BUFFYThanks for the sidekicking. I didn't want to trouble Willow.

28.

(MORE)

Figure she's got enough to do, first day back and all.

XANDERAre you kidding me? We're doing vent work at the site. Anything's better than breathing freon for eight hours.

(looking around)She say what this thing is?

BUFFY(shrugs)

Some sort of spider demony thing. She got off the phone pretty quick. Had to sign up for classes or something.

XANDERAh yes, there is little that can distract the Willow when she is on the hunt for the mighty Syllabi.

They walk into a dark area where the trees are particularly dense.

BUFFYI think she's been a little more nervous than she lets-

She stops abruptly as they walk through some bushes and discover a SLAUGHTERED BODY.

XANDERYuuhhhllll ...

They both have to look away for a second.

XANDER (CONTD)How big she say this thing was?

Buffy looks back at the body.

BUFFYShe didn't say. But I can't imagine she'd send us off like this if it was-

(pause)Ripped out his heart. This is our guy.

XANDEROr a copycat Spider Demon.

29.

BUFFY (CONT'D)

Xander looks, makes a face, looks again.

XANDER (CONTD)What's that black stuff?

BUFFYI don't know.

(looks around)It's on the trees.

There are, in fact, a few black, oily, rope-y strands wrapped around the tree trunks. Xander reaches out, touches one of the strands. It sticks to his hand, roping out like snot, slime.

XANDERUgghh... it's sticky.

BUFFYWillow said it was a spider -- maybe it's his webbing.

Xander tries to get the slime off his hands.

XANDERThis isn't springy, high-flying fun...

Buffy looks up.

BUFFYXander...

He looks up. We see a quick POV shot: Treetops. There seems to be a black shadow up there, but it's hard to make out anything for certain.

XANDERIs that it?

BUFFYI can't tell. There seems to be something moving...

Xander looks around, looks back up.

XANDERMaybe there's some way we can lure it-

SPPLECCHH -- a black, slimy rope wad hits Xander right in the face.

30.

BUFFYXander!

She knocks him out of the way just as the Spider Demon comes crashing down on her. It pins her to the ground -- we see its mouth SNAPPING inches away from her chest. As she tries to get it off her, its sharp legs slice into her, drawing blood. She cries out in pain.

She rolls, tossing it behind her. She stands up, turns. It's gone. There are only trees. One of them rustles, as though the Demon escaped up it.

Buffy keeps her eyes focused up, on the trees. Her lighthearted attitude from earlier in the scene is completely gone -- she's pissed. And a little scared. She reaches down, picks up her axe. Never looks away from the treetops.

BUFFY (CONTD)You okay?

Xander tries to wipe the rope-residue off his face.

XANDERUghh -- It smells like cabbage.

He wipes his eyes. Looks at her. Her clothes are torn up -- She's bleeding freely. We see fear on Xander's face.

XANDER (CONTD)Buffy --

She shakes her head. Not now. She keeps looking up. Xander looks up as well.

XANDER (CONTD)Where'd it go?

She doesn't say anything. He looks at her.

XANDER (CONTD)I think we need more swords.

BUFFY(still looking up)

Uh-huh...

XANDERWe could go home, get more swords, perhaps some sort of... Spider Demon protection amulet... then come back and-

WHOOSH. Whip-fast Buffy wings her axe straight up in the air.

31.

We hear a THOCK, wait a beat, and then the entire Spider Demon comes crashing down right between them in a big gross mess, axe embedded in its thorax.

XANDER (CONTD)Or...

INT. SUMMERS' HOME - ENTRYWAY/LIVING ROOM - DAY

Buffy and Xander walk through the front door. They're weary, battle-scarred. Somber. We see bloodstains. Black goo.

BUFFYI'm more concerned where that thing came from. If there are more of these spider demons running around, we need to know about it. We should hit the research, find out if-

As they step into the living room, reveal Willow sitting in cold silence on the couch.

WILLOWI know where it came from.

INT. SUMMERS' HOME - LIVING ROOM - LATER

Buffy and Xander sit, listening to Willow.

BUFFYHow many?

WILLOWTen, twelve.

Willow nods. Buffy thinks about this. Xander looks at Buffy, disbelief on his face. He looks at Willow.

XANDERWhen were you planning on telling us this?

WILLOW(softly)

I'm telling you now.

XANDERGreat. Thank you.

(then)Willow... This is Anya. How could you let us -- How could you not have told us?

Buffy looks at him. She's calm.

32.

BUFFYXander...

XANDERHow could you not have told me?

Willow can't meet his gaze

BUFFYXander, it's okay.

(beat)She didn't tell us for a reason.

She levels her gaze at Willow.

BUFFY (CONTD)She didn't tell me because she knows what I have to do.

There's a beat. We feel the weight. Then:

BUFFY (CONTD)I have to kill Anya.

END OF ACT TWO

33.

ACT THREE

INT. IMPERIAL BANQUET HALL - NIGHT

CLOSE ON A DEAD BODY. Surrounded by food. We're looking down on an elaborate banquet table, covered with all the fixings of an elaborate feast. And a dead, bloody body.

Tilt up and find Anya and Hallie sitting at the end of the table. Both are wearing period-dress befitting Russian princesses. We're in an Imperial Banquet hall. Littered throughout the rooms (and across the table) are bodies.

SUBTITLE: St. Petersburg, 1905

A large window behind Anya and Hallie gives us a sense of the chaos unfolding outside as workers battle Cossacks and Russia burns. Screams. Fire. Gunshots. Chaos.

Anya and Hallie laugh casually.

HALLIEI swear, I'm in awe of you.

ANYAOh stop.

HALLIEOh I will not.

ANYA(shrugs)

I grant wishes. It's all inside the girl. I just bring it out.

HALLIE(looking around)

Yes, I'm sure this is what she had in mind.

ANYA(laughs)

Well, I don't know about her mind...

Anya looks around, thinks. We hear HORRIBLE SCREAMS coming from elsewhere in the mansion.

ANYA (CONTD)...but it was in her heart.

(waves it off)Russia was ready to explode. We just gave it a little push.

34.

HALLIEWhat should we do with the rest of our evening? I hear they're going to raze the Winter Mansion...

ANYAI thought we'd go down to Madame Dubasov's. Hard to find a better spot for vengeance than a brothel.

HALLIEOh, it's always work, work, work with you.

A FLAMING MAN runs by in the background. Anya and Hallie pay him no notice.

ANYAOf course. What else is there?

HALLIEWhat else is there? Well, the world, for one. I mean, sweetie, look around you. There's so much to see-

The SCREAMS and GUNSHOTS seem to get louder.

HALLIE (CONTD)There's a revolution going on outside. That you're somewhat responsible for. Aren't you even the teeniest bit interested?

ANYAWhat's there to be interested in?

(pause)The worker will overthrow absolutism and lead the proletariat to a victorious communist revolution, resulting in socio-economic paradise on Earth.

(shrugs)It's common sense, really. I have better things to worry about.

HALLIEBut Anyanka, there's a whole world out there...

ANYAYes, filled with wronged women who need my help.

35.

HALLIEYou're talking about work --

ANYAI'm talking about life. Vengeance is what I do, Halfrek. I don't need anything else.

She looks around, happy. FLAME BURSTS go off behind the window. We hears screams, explosions, pain.

ANYA (CONTD)(happy)

Vengeance is what I am.

INT. SUMMERS' HOME - LIVING ROOM - DAY

Right where we left off at the end of Act Two. Buffy talks to Xander. She's calm, quiet.

BUFFYShe's not the Anya you knew, Xander. She's a demon.

XANDERThat doesn't mean you have to kill her.

BUFFYDon't act like this is easy for me. You know it's not.

XANDER(disbelief)

There are other options.

BUFFYI've considered them.

XANDERWhen? Just now? Took you all of ten seconds to decide to kill one of your best friends.

BUFFYThe thought that it might come to this has occurred to me before.

(pause)It's occurred to you too.

Xander's thrown for a beat. Then:

36.

XANDERWe can change what she did. Fix it.

(to Willow)These are mystical deaths, right? There has to be something-

WILLOWI don't have anywhere near that kind of power. I didn't even have that kind of power when...

She trails off.

WILLOW (CONTD)...and I don't think I trust the power I do have.

BUFFYIt's okay.

(to Xander)I know this is hard for you to hear, but it's what I have to do.

XANDERHard for me to hear? Buffy, you want to kill Anya.

BUFFYI don't want to-

XANDERThen don't. This isn't new ground for us. When our friends go all crazy and start killing people, we help them.

WILLOWSitting right here...

XANDER(to Willow)

I'm sorry...(to Buffy)

But it's true.

BUFFYIt's different.

XANDEROnly because you don't care about her the way I do. Only because you don't...

He trails off, thinks to himself. Realizes something.

37.

XANDER (CONTD)I love her.

(softly)Buffy, I still love her.

BUFFYI know. And that's why you can't see this for what it is. Willow was different. She's human. Anya's a demon.

XANDERAnd you're the slayer. I see now how it's all very simple.

BUFFYIt's never simple, Xander.

XANDERNo, of course not, you know, if there's a mass-murdering demon that you're, oh, say, boning, then it's all a grey area...

BUFFYSpike was harmless. He was HELPING.

XANDERHe had no choice!

BUFFYAnd Anya did! She chose to become a demon. TWICE!

XANDERYou don't understand what she's going through.

BUFFYI don't care what she's going through.

XANDEROf course not. You think we haven't all seen this before? The part where you just cut us all out, just step away from everything human and act like you're the Law. If you felt what-

BUFFYI KILLED ANGEL. Do you even remember that? I would have given up everything to be with...

38.

(MORE)

(fights emotion)I loved him more than anything I will ever love in this life and I put a sword through his heart because I had to.

WILLOW(meekly helpful)

And that all worked out okay...

BUFFY(ignoring her)

You remember cheering me on? Both of you? You remember giving me Willow's message: "Kick his ass?"

Willow looks at Xander, confused. He pointedly does not look back.

WILLOWI never said-

XANDERThis is different.

BUFFYIt's always different. It's always complicated and at some point someone has to draw a line and that is always going to be me. You get down on me for cutting myself off, but in the end the Slayer's always cut off. There's no mystical guidebook, no all-knowing council -- human rules don't apply and Father doesn't know best. There's only me. I am the Law.

There is a beat. Xander takes it in, but isn't backing down.

XANDERThere has to be another way.

BUFFY(genuinely)

Then please find it.

Xander turns and hurries out the front door.

Buffy and Willow stay. Uncomfortable beat. Buffy stands up, walks over to the weapons trunk. She takes out a LARGE BROADSWORD. Willow stays seated, numb.

39.

BUFFY (CONT'D)

Armed, Buffy heads toward the door. She stops in front of Willow, gives her a look. You coming?

WILLOWI can't, I'm sorry.

Buffy nods. She understands. But it doesn't change anything. She turns, walks out the front door.

Hold a few beats on Willow. She slowly stands up, thinking. She hurries upstairs.

INT. SUMMERS' HOME - WILLOW'S ROOM - DAY

Willow goes through her drawers, looking for something... Found it.

INT. SUMMERS' HOME - BATHROOM - DAY

Sand hits the floor as Willow makes a quick Enchanting Circle. She holds up the TALISMAN from "Something Blue."

WILLOW (Latin)

Beatum sit in nomine D'Hoffrynis. Fiat hoc spatium porta ad nundum Arashmaharris.

(English)Blessed be in the name of D'Hoffryn. Let this space be now a gateway to the world of Arashmaharr.

The room grows dark. Whoosh. A FIERY FLASH... and when it clears, D'Hoffryn is standing in the bathroom (which is still dark.)

D'HOFFRYNBEHOLD D'HOFFRYN! LORD OF ARASHMAHARR, HE THAT TURNS THE AIR TO BLOOD AND RAINS DEATH UPON --

(looking around)Ms. Rosenberg! How lovely to see you again. Have you done something with your hair?

The bathroom lightens up a bit.

WILLOWHello, D'Hoffryn.

D'HOFFRYNI figured I'd be hearing from you soon.

40.

(MORE)

The flaying of Warren Meers... Truly inspired. That was water cooler vengeance.

(points over his shoulder)Lloyd has a sketch of it on his wall.

WILLOWThat's not me anymore.

D'HOFFRYNIs that right? So I didn't feel your presence earlier today? I didn't feel... a bit of the old you?

WILLOWWe need to talk about Anya.

D'Hoffryn deflates a little. He studies her, thinks about it.

D'HOFFRYNHmm. Very well.

(pause)Let's talk about Anyanka.

INT. FRATERNITY - MAIN ROOM - DUSK

CLOSE ON bloodstains, A hand reaches out, traces them. Widen to reveal Anya, standing alone in the main room, staring at the bloody walls.

XANDER (O.S.)Thought I might find you here...

She turns. He's walking through the front door.

XANDER (CONTD)Have you forced yourself to look at the bodies yet?

ANYAWhat do you want?

XANDERI want to help you.

ANYAEveryone is so considerate today. I should have slaughtered people weeks ago.

41.

D'HOFFRYN (CONT'D)

XANDERI'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything I did to you, everything I put you through.

ANYAThank you. All better. Thank goodness you got here in time.

XANDERYou don't understand. This isn't an intervention. Buffy's coming to kill you.

ANYAShe's coming to try.

XANDERDid everybody eat their "crazy flakes" today? You guys are friends- how can you talk like this?

ANYAI have a job to do, Buffy has hers. You've always seen what you wanted to, Xander...

(looks over his shoulder)But she knew sooner or later it would come to this.

Xander looks over his shoulder. Buffy stands there in the doorway, broadsword in hand. She walks slowly toward them. She's hardened, focused.

XANDERBuffy, get out of here.

She shakes her head, walks forward. Xander stands firmly in front of Anya

BUFFYGet out of my way, Xander.

XANDERNo.

ANYAGet out of her way, Xander.

Xander looks behind him and sees Anya in FULL DEMON FACE. Before he can respond, she rushes forward to meet Buffy.

She knocks Xander across the room. He hits the wall, goes down in a heap.

42.

Anya meets Buffy head-on, undaunted by the sword. Buffy swings. Anya dodges effortlessly and cracks Buffy across the face, sending her back.

ANYA (CONTD)This is getting to be a pattern with you, Buffy. Are there any friends left you haven't tried to kill?

Buffy rubs her jaw, comes at Anya again. Anya dodges again and CRACK uppercuts Buffy. Buffy flies back, lands hard on the ground. Anya laughs. Buffy stands up. Gets serious.

ANYA (CONTD)C'mon, Buffy. Don't you have a clever retort for me?

Buffy stays silent. She spins the sword into attack position. Beat.

The two rush each other. Full speed. Clash of the titans.

Buffy's sword is a blur, but Anya stays just ahead of her. She dodges Buffy's flurries and counters with punches, kicks -- we go back and forth.

We end up near a wall. Anya hammers Buffy with a series of shots that rock her, sending her back, stunned. Buffy struggles to get to her feet. She looks up at Anya with sad, cold eyes.

BUFFYAnya, I'm sorry.

ANYAYou're apologizing to me? What fight are you watching?

Like a predator, Anya pounces in for the kill.

ANYA (CONTD)Or is this like one of your little pop culture references that I don't get 'cause I'm a Vengeance --

As Anya rushes her, Buffy wheels, parries...

AND BRUTALLY STABS ANYA THROUGH THE HEART, IMPALING HER DEEP INTO THE WALL.

43.

END OF ACT THREE

44.

ACT FOUR

INT. XANDER'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Xander sleeps in the big orange recliner. He's dressed in full construction worker outfit, down to the tool belt. He even has his hard hat and lunchbox on his lap. He mumbles to himself.

XANDER(barely audible)

...just want... happy... ending...

SUBTITLE: SUNNYDALE, 2001

Anya walks over, tries to wake him.

ANYAHoney... honey...

XANDERWha -- I'm awake... I'm okay...

ANYAHoney, was that weird? The thing earlier with the singing... and the coconuts?

XANDER(still half asleep)

What? No... It's fine...

Loud operatic SINGING fades up, emanating from outside. Anya frowns, walks over to the open back door.

MANOH NO MUSTARDON MY SHIRTMYFAVORITESHIRTHOW COULD YOU SERVEMUSTARD

WOMANOH NOMUSTARDWE'LL NEVER GET IT OUT-DRY CLEAN ITMUSTARD

She shuts the door.

45.

ANYAAre you still hungry? Because I'd be happy to --

She turns around and sees he's fallen fast asleep again. His mouth is wide open. He looks particularly goofy.

Anya laughs. Gazes at him lovingly. She walks toward him... and begins to SING. As she does so, she picks up his lunchbox and hard hat, sets it on the table, makes him more comfortable.

ANYA (CONTD)MISTER XANDER HARRISTHAT'S WHAT HE ISTO THE WORLD OUTSIDETHAT'S THE NAME HE CARRIES WITH PRIDEI'M JUST LATELY ANYANOT VERY MUCH TO THE WORLD I KNOWALL THESE YEARS WITH NOTHING TO SHOW

She takes his boots off, helps him stretch out. She walks across the room and puts his boots away by the front door.

ANYA (CONTD)I'VE BONED A TROLLI'VE WREAKED SOME WRATHBUT ON THE WHOLE I'VE HAD NO PATHI LIKE TO BOWLI'M GOOD WITH MATHBUT WHO AM INOW I REPLY

She spins around the living room, lovingly gazing at her engagement ring.

ANYA (CONTD)THAT I'M THE MRSI WILL BE HIS MRSMRS ANYA CHRISTINA EMMANUELLA JENKENS HARRIS

As she begins the next verse, she sweeps across the living room, straightening bar chairs, and dances into the bedroom.

INT. XANDER'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

She turns the bed down, smooths out the comforter.

ANYAWHAT'S THE POINT OF LOVINGI MEAN EXCEPT FOR THE SWEATY PART

46.

(MORE)

WHAT'S THE POINT OF LOSING YOUR HEART

She opens drawers, pulls out a brightly-colored blanket.

ANYA (CONTD)MAYBE IF YOU'RE LUCKYBEING A PAIR MAKES YOU TWICE AS TALLMAYBE YOU'RE NOT LOSING AT ALL

INT. XANDER'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Whap! She unfurls the blanket, covering up Xander (we're back in the living room) She tucks him in.

ANYANO NEED TO COVER UP MY HEARTPLUS SEE ABOVE RE: SWEATY PARTSO MAYBE LOVE IS PRETTY SMART

She pushes the chair and it rolls magically out to the center of the room.

ANYA (CONT'D)THEN SO AM II FOUND MY GUY

Anya SPINS the recliner. It continues spinning on its own. She hops on Xander's lap and sings to the sky. We see it from above, Busby Berkeley-style.

ANYA (CONT'D)AND I'LL BE MRSI WILL BE HIS MRSMRS ANYA LAME-ASS MADE-UP MAIDEN NAMEHARRIS

Anya hops off. We're back to floor-level. She dances to the kitchen.

INT. XANDER'S APARTMENT - KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

In the background the recliner (with Xander) rolls back to its original position.

ANYAWE'LL NEVER PART NOT IF WE CANAND IF WE START THEN HERE'S MY PLANI'LL SHOW HIM WHAT BLISS ISWELCOME HIM WITH KISSES'CAUSE THIS IS A MRSWHO MISSES HER MAN

47.

ANYA (CONT'D)

Her dancing carries her to the living room.

INT. XANDER'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

ANYAHE'S MY XANDER AND HE'S AWFULLY SWELLIT MAKES FINANCIAL SENSE AS WELLALTHOUGH HE CAN B -- I'LL NEVER TELLJUST STAND ASIDEHERE COMES THE BRIDE

She dances to the balcony doors -- THROWS them open.

EXT. XANDER'S APARTMENT - BALCONY - NIGHT

With beautiful moonlight streaming down and a slight breeze blowing in the air, Anya comes running out the balcony doors in her WEDDING DRESS.

ANYAI'LL BE MRSI WILL BE HIS MRS

She gazes up into the sky, her face lit up with moonlight and happiness.

ANYA (CONTD)I WILL BE -

HARD CUT TO:

INT. FRATERNITY - MAIN ROOM - NIGHT

Anya. Impaled to the wall. No longer in Demon Face. Silence. She looks near dead. Out of it.

Xander, dazed, struggles to get to his feet.

XANDERAnya...

Buffy approaches Anya with caution. Anya's head rolls, her eyes start to regain focus. She smiles, laughing through hoarse coughs.

ANYAI'd forgotten how much swords through the chest hurt.

Anya reaches out, grabs the sword by the hilt and with a slight DEMONIC CRY yanks it out.

48.

ANYA (CONTD)You know better than that, Buffy. Takes a lot more to kill a Vengeance Demon.

BUFFY(cold)

I'm just getting started.

Anya nods. She spins the sword into ready position. Round TWO. Anya attacks. Buffy dodges. Anya wields the sword one- handed. She swings fast. Buffy barely stays ahead of her.

Anya swings, Buffy dodges. Anya backhands her, sending her flying across the room. Buffy crashes into the area with the sofa and the footstool. She stands up. Anya rushes her.

In one fluid motion, Buffy kicks the footstool out in front of her ground level and leaps off the sofa. As the footstool crashes into Anya's legs, Buffy whips around and spin-kicks her square in the jaw.

Anya flies back. Loses the sword. Buffy picks it up. Anya hits the ground, dazed. Buffy stands over her, spinning the sword up killstrike-style. A moment passes. Buffy cold, resolved. Anya dazed, wounded.

Buffy tenses, about to bring the sword down...

Xander tackles her.

The two go sprawling, Anya stands up. Furious.

ANYAStop trying to save me, Xander!

The words are barely out of her mouth when a bright magical BLAST blows all three of them across the room.

When the smoke clears, there stands D'Hoffryn. He regards them all with some amusement.

D'HOFFRYNPlease, don't mind me. Continue with whatever it was you were doing.

He walks over and peers into the doorway of the Rec Room (we don't see the slaughter.) He puts his hand to his chest like a proud father.

D'HOFFRYN (CONTD)Breathtaking.

(looks at gang)

49.

(MORE)

It's like somebody slaughtered an Abercrombie and Fitch catalogue.

We walks back to the center of the room. Buffy gets to her feet. She picks up her sword.

D'HOFFRYN (CONTD)Easy now. I'd be gone before you could swing.

(looks at Anya)Isn't that just like a Slayer? Solving all her problems by sticking things with sharp objects.

He walks over to Anya, helps her to her feet.

D'HOFFRYN (CONTD)(to Buffy)

I've been talking to your friend Ms. Rosenberg. She's a firebrand. I have high hopes for her.

Xander slowly gets to his feet.

XANDERStay away from Willow.

D'HOFFRYN(to Anya)

Oh, he's gallant, isn't he? I understand what you saw in him.

D'Hoffryn begins to pace.

D'HOFFRYN (CONTD)Ms. Rosenberg seems to think Anyanka would be better suited outside the Vengeance fold. I think we already know what Lady Hacks-away wants. And the young man... He sees with the eyeballs of love. But I'm not sure if anyone's bothered to find out what Anyanka herself really wants.

XANDERHer name is Anya.

D'HOFFRYNActually, funny historical sidebar, her orig-

50.

D'HOFFRYN (CONTD)

ANYA(softly)

I want to take it back.

D'HOFFRYNI'm sorry. What was that?

She looks at him up at him. She's near tears.

ANYAI want to take it back. I want to undo what I did.

For a split-second, this registers on D'Hoffryn's face. And it's as though she has just broken his heart. But he quickly regains his composure.

D'HOFFRYNHm.

(pause)You want to take it back. Must be twelve bodies in there. Such a thing -- not easily done...

(cold)But not impossible.

Anya looks up at him.

D'HOFFRYN (CONTD)You're a big girl, Anyanka. You understand how this works. The proverbial scales must balance. In order to restore the lives of the victims, the fates require a sacrifice.

He levels his gaze at her.

D'HOFFRYN (CONTD)The life, and soul, of a Vengeance Demon.

ANYADo it.

Xander's eyes go wide.

XANDERWait-

ANYAStay out of this, Xander.

51.

XANDEROkay. Yes. That seems smart.

(beat)He just said you have to die!

(to D'Hoffryn)Perhaps there's some sort of alternate price. Something that involves grueling, hard labor. At fair market value taking into account your project's special needs.

ANYAXander -- You can't help me. I'm not even sure... there's a "me" for you to help.

She turns back to D'Hoffryn.

ANYA (CONTD)I understand the price. Do it.

D'HOFFRYNYou're sure. This is your wish?

ANYA(nodding)

This is my wish. Undo what I did.

D'HOFFRYNVery well.

He claps his hands together. Anya braces herself. Xander tries to rush to her.

XANDERNo --

There's a bright FLASH and...

Hallie appears.

Confusion. Hallie looks around. Disoriented. But upbeat. She sees her friend and lights up.

HALLIEAnya!

Anya suddenly realizes what's happening. Her eyes go wide.

ANYAHallie-

52.

CRACK! Mystical energy EXPLODES around Hallie. She SCREAMS. Blood spurts out her mouth. Anya rushes forward, trying to get to her. Hallie IMMOLATES violently. Ash explodes over Anya, knocking her back, She cries out.

D'Hoffryn, for the first time all episode, becomes the full demon he is. He stands above Anya.

D'HOFFRYN(hard, angry)

Who did you think you were dealing with?! Did you think it would be that easy to get away?!

She's in shock.

ANYAWhy...

D'HOFFRYN(laughing)

Why? Because you wished it.

ANYABut she was yours...

D'HOFFRYNThe way you were mine? Haven't I taught you anything, Anya? Never go for the kill when you can go for the pain.

Xander tries to rush in between D'Hoffryn and Anya.

D'HOFFRYN (CONTD)Hold him back, Slayer. Wouldn't want anyone to get hurt.

Buffy holds Xander. D'Hoffryn turns back to Anya.

D'HOFFRYN (CONTD)I've got plenty of girls. There will always be Vengeance Demons. But now you, Anya, you're out. Congratulations. Your wish is granted.

ANYAYou should have killed me...

53.

D'HOFFRYN(laughs)

Oh, I wouldn't worry about that, "From beneath you it devours." Be patient... all good things in time.

And with that, he TELEPORTS away. Leaving us with the aftermath. Anya, numb, gets to her feet. She tries to look around the room. She can't meet anyone's gaze. Dazed, she walks out of the room through the front door. From the other room, we hear groans of, "What happened?" from the waking boys.

Buffy and Xander share a look.

BUFFYGo.

(points to Rec Room)I'll go check on the... boys.

Buffy heads toward the Rec Room. Xander goes after Anya.

EXT. FRATERNITY - NIGHT

Anya hurries down the front path of the house. She's battle- scarred, bloodstained, shellshocked.

Xander follows.

XANDERAnya -- wait.

She slows, turns, exhausted.

ANYAXander, please. Just go away.

XANDERWhatever's between us, it doesn't matter. You shouldn't be alone in this.

Anya looks at him grateful, but resolved.

ANYAYes I should.

He doesn't get it.

ANYA (CONTD)My whole life, I've just clung to... whatever came along.

54.

XANDERWell, speaking as a cling-ee, kinda didn't mind.

ANYAThanks. For everything.

He nods, knowing this is good-bye. They both start off in opposite directions. He is stopped by:

ANYA (CONTD)Xander?

He turns. She's about ten paces away, looking small in the dark. Her voice is even smaller, tears welling in it:

ANYA (CONTD)What if I'm really nobody?

He smiles at her, kindly.

XANDERDon't be a dope.

ANYAI'm a dope?

XANDERSometimes...

ANYAWell, that's a start.

He heads off. She watches him go, then turns to go herself.

ANGLE: HER POV

The dark of campus lawns. Emphasis on 'dark,' see also 'empty.'

She looks at it a moment, her resolve wavering. Starts heading out. We steadicam before her, holding on her face as she walks further and further out into the night alone.

BLACK OUT.

END OF SHOW

55.