Characters, stories, situations, events and dialogue copyright © 1999 20th Century Fox Television and its related entities.
. ~~~~~~~~~~ Disclaimer ~~~~~~~~~~
I do not own the characters in this story, nor do I own any rights to the television show "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". They were created by Joss Whedon and belong to him, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Television, Kuzui Enterprises, 20th Century Fox Television and the WB Television Network.
This is a straightforward and dry transcript of the episode "Enemies".
~~~~~~~~~~ Prologue ~~~~~~~~~~
Outside the Sun Cinema at night. The camera pans down from the theater's sign and past the marquee. "Le Banquet D'Amelia" is playing tonight. The camera continues down to the theater doors, where first a young couple and then Buffy and Angel come walking out. The young couple is playful, but Buffy and Angel seem less than happy with their movie-going experience. Angel buttons his coat and puts his hands into his pockets while Buffy crosses her arms against the cold.
Buffy: (uneasily) Well...
Angel: (nervously) Well.
They begin walking along the street.
Buffy: That was... very... (searches for a word) artistic.
She gives Angel a glance with raised eyebrows, trying to gauge his reaction.
Angel: (evasively) Yeah.
Buffy: It wasn't what I expected. (laughs nervously) I-I've never actually seen... (unsure how to put it) Well, we... From the title, I thought it was about food.
Angel: Well, there was food...
They exchange a quick glance, but can't face each other.
Buffy: Right. Th-the scene with the... food. (tries to lighten things up) So, feel like getting some hot chocolate? (uncrosses her arms, lets them swing) Or some cold shower?
Angel: I'm sorry. (shakes his head) I wanted to take you out somewhere fun. It's been a long time since I've been to the movies. (considers) They've changed.
Buffy smiles and nods.
Buffy: A little scary. (stops, faces Angel) And a little not, which is also scary. I'm sorry. I-I just (inhales) don't like getting you worked up like that. We can't actually do any of those things. (exhales) You'd lose your soul, and... besides, I don't even own a kimono.
Angel: (reassuringly) Buffy, you don't have to worry about me. (grins)
Buffy: I just don't like to rub your nose in it. (realizes her pun) Suddenly wondering where that expression comes from.
Angel: Look, I don't need to see movies to get worked up. Just being around you does that just fine. It doesn't mean that I'm gonna lose control, or that I'm only frustrated around you. It feels nice just to feel.
Buffy: It doesn't drive you crazy? When we're close?
Angel: (softly) Watch this.
He slowly bends down to kiss her. She responds in kind by tilting her head up, and they kiss. Angel puts his arms around her as they kiss again and again. All too soon it's over, and nothing bad has happened.
Angel: See? Safe as houses.
Buffy looks up into his eyes and gets up on her tiptoes for another kiss. Angel obliges, and they exchange several until Faith interrupts them.
Faith: (grinning naughtily) Check out the lust bunnies.
Buffy and Angel slowly stop and let go of each other. She gives him a little smile and turns to Faith.
Buffy: (exhales, smiling weakly) Patrol?
Angel: Council has you back on active duty?
Faith: Finally. They want us down by Mercer.
Buffy: Okay. (turns to Angel) Good night.
She backs away slowly while still holding his hand.
Angel: I'll see you soon.
When she gets close enough Faith grabs Buffy's arm.
Faith: (smiling) Don't worry, big guy. Just keeping her warm for you.
Buffy gives Angel one last smile and then lets herself be led away. Angel lets out a heavy sigh as he watches them go.
Cut to a cemetery. Buffy and Faith slowly walk among the gravestones, although neither is particularly alert.
Faith: I gotta tell you, B. The willpower thing? Nice job.
Buffy: (preoccupied) Thanks. (confused) What?
Faith: The 'close but no cigar' deal with Angel. I don't know if I could handle, you know, the way you're not handling it. (giggles naughtily)
Buffy: (annoyed) Faith, when it comes to Angel, do me a favor... (sees something behind Faith) Duck!
Faith reacts instantly and drops. Buffy swings a hard right at a demon standing behind Faith, catching him off guard and causing him to stumble into the side of a mausoleum. Faith jumps back up, and the two Slayers pin the demon against the wall.
Demon: Oooowww! Ooo! What are you, nuts? Goin' around punching people?
Faith pulls him away from the wall as Buffy pulls off his hat, revealing his horns and pointed ears.
Buffy: People?
She and Faith both reach into their pockets for stakes.
Demon: So what, I'm a demon. That makes it okay?
He jumps back and holds up his hands defensively when he suddenly sees both stakes up and ready to be plunged into his chest.
Demon: Jeez! Hold it! Whoa! (inhales a frightened breath) Stake me now, and you'll never find out what I got for ya. Huh? Think about it. (looks at Buffy) Demon seeks Slayers? (looks at Faith) Highly unusual?
Buffy gives him a hard nudge to the shoulder. He lets down his guard and they lower their stakes.
Faith: Talk fast.
Demon: How'd you like to get your hands on the Books of Ascension, huh? (smiles wickedly)
Buffy: (shrugs) Never heard of 'em.
Demon: (emphasizes) Books of Ascension. Very powerful works, and I am not talking about the prose. They deal with some, uh, dark stuff, and the Mayor, (Faith listens intently) he would hate it if somebody got ahold of them before he, uh... (shrugs) Well, you know.
Buffy: (innocently) Don't know. Before he what?
Demon: (faces Buffy) Hey, hey, read 'em and weep. That's all I got to say. Tomorrow I get the books. (faces Faith) Meet me here, and if the price is right, well, (faces Buffy) I give the books to you.
Buffy: (smiling impatiently) Not really looking to trade with a demon.
Demon: And if this were still a barter economy, that would be a problem. I want cash, princess. Five large for the whole set.
Faith: So you can buy -- I'm guessing here -- some skin care products?
Demon: (points at her and smiles at her joke) Plane ticket out of the Hellmouth before it's 'Adios, Slayer loco.' So, five Gs? Whadaya say?
Faith: I think 'Die, fiend' sums it up, wouldn't you say?
The demon wastes no time getting out of there. Faith makes a move to give chase, but Buffy stays her, and they just watch him run.
Buffy: Oh, let him go. I don't think he falls into the deadly threat to humanity category.
Faith: Demon's a demon.
Buffy: I'd like to know more about these Books of Ascension. Anything that would pin the Mayor down would be great.
Faith: (idly) Yeah... It'd be great.
Opening credits roll. Buffy's theme plays.
~~~~ Commercial Break ~~~~
The Mayor's office. Faith sits in one of the chairs facing his desk as he paces behind her.
Mayor Wilkins: And what exactly did this demon look like?
Faith: Demonic.
Mayor Wilkins: Ah. (heads around the desk) And you say he has the Books of Ascension or will soon, and he was, what, willing to sell them?
Faith: (nods) That's what I said.
Mayor Wilkins: (rocks on his heels) Hmm. (looks at Faith) You know what I wish? I wish you'd pull your hair back. (Faith raises her eyebrows at his segue) I know, I know, fashion isn't exactly my thing, (shakes his head) but gosh darn it, you know, you've got such a nice face. (shrugs) I can't understand why you hide it.
Faith: (uneasy) Yeah. Sure. Whatever. It's just a matter of time before this demon guy's gonna spill. Then Buffy and the Super Friends are gonna...
Mayor Wilkins: (interrupts) You know, you worry too much for a girl your age. That's unnecessary stress. Luckily, I've got just the thing.
He goes over to a low cabinet where a pitcher of milk and four glasses are set on a tray. He pours a glass and takes it over to Faith.
Mayor Wilkins: There you go.
Faith takes the glass, but just stares at it while the Mayor leans back against his desk and crosses his arms.
Mayor Wilkins: Now, first you load up on calcium, then find this demon, kill the heck out of him, and bring the books to me.
Faith leans forward and puts the glass down on the desk.
Faith: And if Buffy gets to him first?
Mayor Wilkins: Oh. Well... (exhales) Frankly, I don't like to think about that. I like good, positive 'up' thoughts. If you failed me in that way, well, you know, replacing Mr. Trick was chore enough.
He chuckles, but Faith doesn't think it's funny, and fidgets in her seat.
Mayor Wilkins: Oh, come on, don't worry. Drink up. There's nothing uncool about healthy teeth and bones.
Faith just give him a doubtful look.
Cut to the library. Buffy, Xander and Willow are at the study table. Giles leans in the doorway to his office eating a banana while listening to Wesley grill Buffy about her encounter.
Wesley: And you say this demon wanted cash? (starts to pace) That's very unusual.
Giles: Demons after money. (shakes his head) Whatever happened to the still-beating heart of a virgin? No one has any standards anymore. (takes a bite)
Buffy: Well, he said the books were worth the price.
Xander: What's this 'Ascension' mean?
Wesley is at a loss and looks to Giles Giles: (furrows his brow) I'm not sure.
Wesley: No, not, uh, not really a common term in demonology.
Willow: (recalls, waving her hand) Ooo! Ooo! The, the Mehrenstadt Text! Uh, I think in the section on genocide, they mention ascension.
Buffy: (impressed) Wow. (to Xander) We have a winner.
Xander: And more importantly, (to the Watchers) two losers.
Giles: (puts his hands on his hips) Where did you find that volume?
Willow: In the top of your book cabinet with the stuff you try to keep hidden.
Giles gives her an annoyed look and goes into his office to retrieve the volume in question.
Xander: Hidden? Well, are there any engravings I should know about? Frolicking nymphs of some kind? (grins)
Willow: (thinks) No. Just magic secrets Giles doesn't think I'm ready for.
Giles comes back from his office flipping through the book.
Giles: Oh, yes, yes, here we are. There's a reference here to the journal of... Desmond Kane, pastor of a town called Sharpsville. (reads) 'May 26, 1723. Tomorrow is the Ascension. God help us all.' It was the last anyone heard.
Wesley: Of Kane?
Giles: Of Sharpsville. (Wesley steps over to look) The town more or less disappeared.
Buffy: So Ascension possibly not a love-in.
Giles: I think you should meet with this demon, Buffy.
The library door opens, and Cordelia comes in.
Buffy: Yeah? Anybody got five thousand dollars?
Cordelia walks straight up to Wesley.
Cordelia: I have something important to ask you.
Xander: Important? Let's start calculating those odds, people. (smirks)
Cordelia: (ignores Xander, smiles at Wesley) What are you doing Friday night?
Wesley: (taken by surprise) Oh, uh... uh...
Willow and Buffy exchange looks.
Wesley: (stammers) As always, my sacred duty as a Watcher prevents me from... Why?
Cordelia: I have a paper to write. For English. And you're English, so I thought... (smiles)
She notices everyone watching, waiting on her next words.
Cordelia: (annoyed) What? Is it so wrong to be getting an insider's perspective? (to Wesley, very suggestively) I study best in a good restaurant. Around eightish? Think it over?
Wesley has no idea how to respond. Cordelia takes it as a yes and smiles demurely as she turns to go, keeping her gaze on him as long as she can. Wesley looks down at her legs and struggles to control himself as she walks out.
Xander: And on the day the words 'flimsy excuse' were redefined, we stood in awe and watched.
Wesley: (changing the subject) Right. Books of Ascension, Mayor, slaughter... Tell you what. Why don't we try to find this demon sooner rather than later, perhaps persuade him to lend us the books free of charge?
Buffy: I think Faith might be useful in that persuasion part.
Wesley: Hmm, I imagine so. Where is Faith, anyway?
Cut to the demon's apartment. He's frantically packing his things for his exodus. He grabs a corked green flask from his low cabinet and drops it into his bag, then looks behind himself at his TV and the fishbowl sitting on top of it. He strides over, takes the bowl and starts toward the kitchen when the door is suddenly kicked open and Faith marches in. He stops in his tracks, managing to avoid dropping the bowl, nervous as he is.
Demon: (very nervous) Hey! Slayer! Um, you know, I-I wasn't expecting company. Give me a minute, and I'll have the place tidied up for you.
He smiles and quickly puts the fishbowl back.
Faith: You got the books?
Demon: Well, that depends. You got my money?
She fakes him out with a little nod, but then punches him with a hard left backhand, making him spin half-way around. He straightens back up slowly and faces her again.
Demon: Y-you're tough in negotiations, and I respect that.
She makes a move to hit him again, and he retreats to the kitchen, but covers it by turning on the light. He points behind her, and she turns to see five old leather-bound books on the bed.
Demon: Check 'em out. Now, uh, that is quality merchandise. That's worth five grand, easy.
Faith quickly looks through each volume, checking for authenticity.
Faith: Books of Ascension.
Demon: Mm-hmm. Original editions and everything. Um... Great condition. Okay, it's a little worn on one spine, some slight foxing, but otherwise (chuckles) perfect. Now, the five grand, it's, um, you know, negotiable.
Faith pulls out a knife.
Faith: I don't like to haggle.
She spins around and plunges the blade into the demon's gut. He doubles over and begins to fall. She yanks the knife back out and lets him drop, then turns her attention back to the books. However, the demon isn't dead yet, and he grabs her ankle, making her drop one of the books. He gets himself back to his feet and goes for her neck, but she stabs him again and wrestles him down. He gets the upper hand, falling on top of her, but she reaches up with her knife and stabs him in the back. He jerks in pain, but keeps fighting. She stabs him again, and this time he dies, his body lying heavy on top of her. She rolls him off and drops her knife. Her hands are stained with the demon's blood. She rolls onto her side and sits up, staring down at her hands.
Cut to Angel's mansion. Cut inside. Angel is reading in his bedroom when Faith quietly appears at the door. He senses her presence and turns around to look.
Angel: Faith.
He sets down the book and stands up.
Faith: Angel. (hinting at desperation) I got nowhere else to go.
He looks doubtful.
Faith: Look, I hate asking for help... but I'm asking, 'cause, uh... I'm in trouble, like the real bad kind.
Angel: (sighs) It's okay. (goes to her)
Faith: No, it's a couple county lines over from okay, believe me.
Angel: I believe you. Look, just talk. Come on. (invites her in) Start from the beginning.
Faith: (paces to his nightstand) Mind if I skip past the 'Mom never loved me' part and get right to it? (touches the lampshade, faces him) I'm scaring myself.
Angel: I know the feeling.
Faith: That's why I came to you. I don't wanna get all twelve-steppy, but remember when you told me that killing people'd make me feel like some kind of god?
She shows him her blood-splattered hands.
Faith: I think I just came down to Earth.
Angel takes her hands in his to get a good look.
Faith: It's not human, if that's what you're thinking, not that that makes me feel any better or this guy any less dead.
She steps over to the bed and sits down.
Angel: Faith, you need help. You can't do this alone.
He sits also, but not too close.
Faith: I know. For real now, I'm scared. Scared of what I am, what I'm turning into: cold-blooded, straight-up killer... (looks at him, very worried) like you.
Angel: (shakes his head) Not like me. I didn't have a choice. But you do. Look, you can stop this.
Faith: Believe me, I don't wanna end up the way everybody said I would, dead or alone or a loser.
Angel: You don't have to.
Faith: I dunno. Maybe it's too late for me. (looks down)
Angel: (gently) It's not.
Faith: (very upset) Angel, I'm so scared.
She reaches out to him and hugs him close. He hugs her back to calm and reassure her.
Angel: (whispers) It's alright. Shh. It's okay.
They slowly pull apart, but she leaves her hands around his neck, facing him, lips almost touching, moving in slightly closer in the hope that it might become a kiss. But Angel stops her, putting his hands on her arms and pulling them from around his neck.
Angel: Whoa. (shaking his head) Whoa, Faith. I... Look, I can be here for you, but not like that, alright? I'm with Buffy.
Faith: (a bit embarrassed) Buffy, yeah. (looks away) I didn't mean it like that. (looks back) Maybe I did, but I wouldn't press it.
She looks deeply into his eyes.
Faith: You love her, don't you?
Angel: I love her.
Faith: Good for you. The two of you, you're lucky.
She nods her head slightly and just looks into his eyes for a moment.
Faith: We friends?
She smiles and briefly touches his shoulders again.
Angel: We're friends.
Faith: Then I'm lucky, too. I better go.
She gets up and walks out of the bedroom. Angel follows her into the main hall.
Angel: Where?
Faith: (faces him) I need to cool down, spend some time alone. Don't worry about me, you've been a big help, just knowing somebody cares.
They look at each other for a long moment.
Faith: Hey, (steps closer) I know I shouldn't be asking this, but... do you think if things were different, that things between you and me'd be different, too?
Angel: (shakes his head) We'll never know.
Faith: Right. How could we?
Angel: (genuinely) Take care of yourself.
She steps up to him and gives him a kiss on the cheek. Just as she does so Buffy walks up to the atrium door and sees them.
Faith: Lifetime of practice.
Buffy watches them as they separate and Faith leaves, unsure what to make of it. Rather than go in, she turns around and leaves also.
Cut to Faith's apartment. She's sitting on her couch filling in the Mayor, who's leaning against the kitchen table.
Faith: It's not like I wasn't trying, okay?
Mayor Wilkins: Hey, there's no need to convince me. I'm sure you gave it your level best. I just don't understand what that boy could be thinking.
Faith: Try Buffy Summers, like in a big fat one-track way.
Mayor Wilkins: Hey, come on! (stands up) Don't be discouraged. You're a bright, young, energetic girl with a whole life ahead of her, and I won't tolerate brooding. So you couldn't give him that one moment of true happiness.
Faith: I was thinking more along the lines of a long weekend, but okay.
Mayor Wilkins: And he spurned your advances. So be it. There's more than one way to skin a cat. And I happen to know that's factually true. (paces) We wanna take Angel's soul away. If we can't do it by giving him happiness, well, (inhales) by golly, we'll just have to do it in the most painful way imaginable.
He smiles as the thoughts on how to accomplish that begin to come.
~~~~ Commercial Break ~~~~
The library. Wesley takes the steps down from the stack level, concentrating heavily on the book in his hands. Giles walks out of his office toward the study table and removes his spectacles.
Wesley: Find anything?
Giles: A six-course banquet of nothing with a scoop of sod-all as a palette cleanser. (sits at the table)
Wesley: (follows him to the table) I've had no better luck.
He puts his book down and sits across from Giles.
Wesley: There must be something about this Ascension somewhere.
Giles: (pulls out his handkerchief) Perhaps I should contact the Council, maybe run a search through... (blows his nose daintily)
Wesley: (interrupts) Uh, no, I don't, uh... It should be I that... (pauses) The Council isn't entirely aware that I'm letting you work for me.
Giles looks up at Wesley.
Wesley: Uh, with me. I don't think they'd be very happy at the idea of the two of us collaborating.
Giles: (puts away his handkerchief) Well, I wasn't about to burst into glorious song about it myself. I'll let you call them.
Buffy walks into the library and toward the table.
Wesley: I think the most expedient plan would be to find these Books of Ascension themselves.
Buffy walks around Wesley.
Wesley: Buffy, you and Faith must find this demon. (concentrates on the book again) And soon.
Buffy: (sits) Well, I'll go back to the scene, see if I can track him.
Wesley: Wait for Faith.
Buffy: That could be hours. The girl makes Godot look punctual. (Wesley looks up) I'll just go myself.
Wesley: Buffy, this is a job for the both of you. This demon could be anywhere. If these books are as important as he says, he has good reason to hide. (Xander walks in) Finding him's going to be extremely difficult.
Xander: Found your demon.
He pulls out a scrap of paper with the address. Wesley looks up at him incredulously, mouth agape.
Buffy: Fashion tip, Wes. Mouth looks better closed.
Wesley closes up and gives Buffy a look.
Xander: (hands Buffy the paper) Got the address. I beat it out of Willy the Snitch personally.
Buffy: (unconvinced) You beat up Willy?
Xander: Sure. Well, actually let's just say I applied some pressure, or more accurately, that I, uh, asked politely, and then... (sees everyone's looks) Okay, I bribed him. (smiles thinly)
Buffy: How much?
Xander: Twenty-eight bucks. (to Giles) Does the Council reimburse for that kind of stuff?
Giles: Did you get a receipt?
Xander: Damn!
He walks around Giles and takes a seat across from Buffy.
Buffy: (reads the address) I know this. It's down by the bus station. Not the nicest part of town. (gets up)
Giles: (disgusted) Again, see? No standards. I mean, Any self-respecting demon should be living in a pit of filth or a nice crypt.
Faith comes into the library.
Buffy: (sarcastically) I'll remember to mention that.
Faith: Mention what? Where're we going, girlfriend?
She takes Buffy's arm as she's about to pass, but Buffy pulls it back.
Buffy: Uh, actually, I can handle this one solo.
Faith: Why should you get to have all the fun? (smiles at everyone) Share, share, that's fair, right? (faces Buffy)
Buffy: (unwillingly) Right. (shows the address) Found our demon.
Faith: (takes it) Oh. Well. Just go look him up. (smiles weakly)
Buffy wastes no time getting on her way. A moment later Faith follows.
Xander: Is it me, or did it just get really cold in here?
The Watchers aren't sure what to make of it.
Cut to the demon's apartment. Faith opens the door and just walks in, knowing what's there. But Buffy doesn't, and so cautions her as she follows her in.
Buffy: Faith, careful.
Faith: Right.
Buffy closes the door quietly and then follows Faith into the apartment.
Buffy: Missed you last night.
Faith: Yeah, I was patrolling. No shortage of scum you gotta watch in Sunnydale, right?
Buffy: So I've heard.
Faith reaches around the wall into the kitchen and switches the light on. They both see the mess on the bed, and then the body on the floor.
Buffy: Looks like somebody got here first.
Faith: Bettin' they got the books, too. Some hit. (looks at Buffy nervously)
Buffy: This wasn't just a hit. This is somebody's idea of a party.
Faith: (a bit defensively) Maybe the guy put up a fight.
They both just look at the dead demon for a moment.
Faith: We gotta get going. Come on. (tugs at Buffy's arm) Nothing we can do here now. (starts out, but stops) You coming?
She opens the door and waits for Buffy, who takes one last look and then walks out the door. Faith follows her, pulling the door shut behind her.
Cut to the Mayor's office. He's sitting at his desk holding a crystal bowl out to his guest.
Mayor Wilkins: Mint? (gets no response) Didn't think so. (sets it down, folds his hands and smiles) Well, scheduling a man of your talents is quite the chore, I'll tell you. (smirks) Between the chanting and the sacrifice, God, my golf game is shot. (chuckles, makes a slow club- swinging gesture) But heeeeere you are.
Sitting across from him is a Shaman, a shadow ninja, clad in black robes with only his eyes showing.
Mayor Wilkins: You know why I've summoned you?
The Shaman nods.
Mayor Wilkins: Can you do it?
The Shaman nods.
Mayor Wilkins: Need anything from me?
The Shaman shakes his head "no".
Mayor Wilkins: You're not much of a people person, are you?
Shaman: (deadly serious) You have risked great danger in calling on me. The deadliest magicks are needed to rob this creature of its soul.
Mayor Wilkins: Big job, alright. (takes the mint bowl)
Shaman: And so it shall be done.
Mayor Wilkins: Oh, that's just swell. (holds out the bowl) Listen, are you sure you don't want any? 'Cause they're, they're low-calorie. (chuckles)
He gets no response at all from the Shaman.
Mayor Wilkins: Okay.
He takes one and pops it into his mouth, then sets the bowl back onto his desk.
Cut to the student lounge at Sunnydale High. Buffy and Willow are sitting on one of the couches reading. Willow notices that Buffy isn't really into her book.
Willow: Are you okay? Y-you seem a little on edge. Is there anything that's wrong?
Buffy: (shakes her head) It's nothing.
She looks at her friend, who gives her a look of disbelief.
Buffy: It's nothing.
Willow intensifies her look.
Buffy: (caves) Alright, alright. Stop with the third degree. It's Faith.
Willow turns her body to give her friend her full attention.
Willow: What about her?
Buffy: I went to Angel's last night, and Faith was there. They looked sort of... (exhales quietly) intimate.
Willow: No way. I know what you're thinking, and no way!
Buffy: You're right. (doubtfully) Faith would never do that.
Willow: Faith would totally do that. Faith was built to do that. She's the 'Do That' girl.
Buffy: (building anxiety) Comfort, remember? Comfort here?
Willow: I mean, please. Does Angel come up to Faith's standards for a guy? (fakes thinking) Let's see. Is he breathing?
Buffy: Actually, no.
Willow: (comfortingly) But, Buffy, Angel... There's no way he would ever do that. I mean, you're the only thing in the world to him.
Buffy: Sometimes I wonder. Angel and Faith have a lot in common... And there's so much he doesn't tell me.
Willow: But it's so clear, the way he feels about you. Buffy, I, too, know the love of a taciturn man, and y-you have to look at their actions.
Buffy: (sadly) I was.
Willow: Well, what did he say?
Buffy: Say? You mean when I straightforwardly asked him what was going on?
Willow: So you bailed?
Buffy: I couldn't, I mean, not then...
Willow: (interrupts holding up her hand) Hey, enough. Stop with the crazy. Go talk to Angel.
Buffy: But I just...
Willow: (interrupts again, pointing out) No! Go! I give you leave to go.
Buffy starts to get up and smiles at her friend.
Buffy: Thank you.
She gathers her books and leaves. Willow smiles to herself and goes back to her reading.
Cut to Angel's mansion that evening. He's just finished tending the fire. When he stands up and turns around he's surprised to see Faith standing there.
Angel: Faith.
Faith: Hey. Sorry to bust in uninvited.
Angel: What do you want?
Faith: (approaches) Look, I'm not so good at apologies, mostly 'cause I think the world's out to screw me, so I'm generally more owed than owing. (Angel retreats, walking around the table) But I've been thinking about last night, and I want you to know I'm really sorry.
He stops and faces her, so she stops as well.
Angel: It's alright, Faith.
Faith: No, it's not alright. Yeah, I was freaked. I needed somebody, but you're with Buffy. I should know better.
Angel: (accepts her apology) Okay.
She tries to step closer, but again he retreats, taking a step backward.
Faith: You don't trust me.
Angel: I-it's not that.
Faith: (severely let down) Hey, no problem. Join the club. (turns away)
Angel: (sighs deeply) Look, Faith... Look, I know what you're going through, alright? I know how hard it can be. I-it's important that you have somebody (steps closer) who's been there, okay, who understands what you're going through...
He puts his hands on her shoulders and turns her around. She pulls away and takes a step back.
Angel: And I wanna trust you.
Faith: (disgusted) Chump.
Suddenly she lashes out with her arm and splatters a vial of blood onto his shirt. He jumps back, taken completely by surprise. Angel looks up at her with a look of shock and betrayal. Out of the shadows behind them the Shaman appears and holds out his blackened hands, weaving them around as he chants.
Shaman: (transliterated Arabic) Yaa shayTann, inna nafsak laa tatba'uk ba'd. Yaa Rufukayl al-'aZim, shattit nafsah fii anHaa'i 'I-'aalam al- arba'a!
Translation: Demon, your soul no longer belongs to you. Mighty Rofocale, scatter his soul to the four corners of the world!
Angel: (desperately) Faith!
Faith: I wanted to do this the old-fashioned way, but hey, your loss. I got some tricks Buffy don't know yet.
Angel: You don't have to do this.
Faith: (evilly) I know, but it's fun. Now relax. It'll all be over soon.
A ball of energy appears between the Shaman's hands, and a bolt shoots out and surrounds Angel.
Angel: NO!
He finds himself surrounded by a globe of energy, and begins to panic. The globe flashes brightly again and again. Angel bends over backward in pain as the Shaman completes the spell. Faith enjoys the spectacle.
Shaman: (transliterated Arabic) Yaa ruuh idhhabii! Yaa nafs idhhabii! Utrukii ayyaah wa-'trukiih naHruuman wa-najisan!
Translation: Spirit depart! Soul depart! Leave this one and leave him bereft and unclean!
The globe flashes and dissipates in a burst of energy. Angel collapses to the floor face down.
When it is done, the Shaman backs away and disappears into the shadows.
Slowly Angel gets up. Faith approaches him from behind, unsure if everything went as planned. Her hopes are quickly confirmed when Angelus spins around and confronts her in his game face. She smiles a little smile, satisfied with the result. He breathes heavily and growls at her, his desire for her now unleashed. Quickly he grabs her arms, pulls her to him and kisses her hard and fast.
~~~~ Commercial Break ~~~~
Angelus' mansion. Faith has her hands around his neck and is kissing him back just as forcefully. They continue sucking face for a long moment, then just as quickly as he started it he stops it by shoving her away to arms' length. Faith smiles at him lustfully.
Angelus: Thanks... so much.
He takes a backhand swing at her and sends her flying against a cabinet. She falls hard to the marble floor.
Angelus: (exhales) Ah... It's good to have the taste of a Slayer back in my mouth. It's like cigarettes, you know? (strolls toward her) Just when I thought I'd quit...
He front snap kicks her in the gut as she's trying to get up, sending her back to the floor.
Angelus: No, really. Don't get up.
Faith clutches her abdomen in pain. Angel meanders around the table and in front of the fireplace.
Angelus: Ah... It's good to be back in Sunnydale. Nice climate, plenty to eat, no tortured humanity to hold me down...
Faith makes a determined effort and does a kick-up to get to her feet.
Angelus: But you know what bothers me?
Faith tries to attack, but he reacts quickly and grabs her by the neck, squeezing her hard.
Angelus: You don't seem to be getting the big picture here, Faith. Now, I don't know why you turned me, but let me tell ya...
He grabs her hair and pulls her head aside, exposing her neck.
Angelus: I'm just glad you did.
Faith jerks her knee up and gets him hard in the crotch, making him stumble back a step. She follows up with a low jumping snap kick to his gut, making him stumble back even further, but he manages to keep his balance.
Faith: I got my reasons.
She pulls out her stake and adopts a ready stance.
Angelus: Let me guess: (sarcastically) you summoned back the true Angelus because... you need a new boy toy. Sorry, it doesn't work that way.
Angel swings a left at Faith's head, which she easily ducks. She plunges her stake at him, but he middle blocks her arm, then low blocks her other one. She tries swinging her stake at him again, but he grabs hold of her wrist before she has a chance to connect. The two of them struggle, he to hold her stake at bay, she to plunge it home.
Faith: You wanna be smart, you listen to me.
Angelus: Funny thing about vampires, Faith... We don't establish meaningful dialogue with Slayers.
Faith: Not how Buffy tells it.
She does a hard front kick to the back of Angelus' leg, making him flip down onto his back. She immediately straddles him and tries to stake him, but he catches her wrist and laughs at her while she struggles.
Angelus: I should've known you'd like it on top.
Faith: You wanna listen, or you wanna die?
Angelus: (chuckles) As long as you're there, I mostly want you to wriggle. But I'm listening.
Faith: Last time you got like this, Buffy kicked your ass all the way back to Hell. Do you wanna do better this time?
Angelus: (intrigued) Still listening.
He changes back to his human guise.
Faith: Good boy. Now, all you gotta do is play nice and call truce, and I'll hook you up with the real power in this town. Interested?
Angelus: Very.
Faith: Then get ready to meet the new boss.
She quickly leans in and licks him across the face, then kisses him hard with all the lust of a Slayer gone bad. He kisses back, pulling her down onto him.
Cut to the library. Oz, Willow, Buffy, Xander and Cordelia are all sitting around the table. Wesley is at the head of the table lecturing. Cordelia is resting her head on the table, drinking Wesley in as he speaks. Giles leans against the bookshelves behind him.
Wesley: Our enemy has us at a disadvantage. We seem consistently to be one step behind him. Now he has the Books of Ascension. We must take definitive action.
Cordelia: (dreamily) You have the greatest voice. (sits up) Have you ever thought about doing Books on Tape?
Xander: Way to focus, C. C.
Wesley: Yes, let's, um, let's try to stay on track. We need everyone working together here. Where's Angel?
Buffy: I don't know. I went to the mansion, but he wasn't there.
Wesley: And Faith?
Buffy: She's missing, too.
Willow: (to Buffy) Which means nothing. Two unconnected events.
Buffy: (to Wesley) What should we do?
Giles: Buffy, I think you should try to retrieve the Books of Ascension. Check out the Mayor's office, but be damned careful. Do not confront the Mayor. We don't know a thing about him.
Buffy: I'll go home and stock up on weapons. Slip into something a little more break-and-enterish.
She gets up and goes into Giles' office.
Giles: Right. Willow, how far did you get with the Mayor's files?
Cordelia: (tactlessly) Excuse me, I believe Wesley is running this meeting.
Wesley: (soothingly) It's, uh, it's quite alright. Willow?
Willow: It's all bad news. By the time I got through the encryptions, the files were empty. I guess he saw me coming.
Oz: Well, what about the Hall of Records? Go to the source.
Wesley: (points) Good idea. There must be information on the Mayor there.
Giles: Wesley, why don't you take the group and start looking?
Wesley: Right. (grabs his coat)
Cordelia: (jumps up, hand raised) I'm in Wesley's group.
Giles: (annoyed) There is just the one group.
Cordelia: Yes, and I am in it. (grabs her coat, pulls it on)
Xander: (stands up) Anyone mind if I skip the trip? I'm gonna cruise town, keep my ear to the ground. And I think five's a crowd.
Oz and Willow get up also.
Cordelia: (smiling brightly at Xander) It really is. (turns and goes)
Oz: I'll drive.
Willow: (smiling at Oz) They liked your plan.
She takes him by the hand and together they follow the others out of the library. Xander slowly moseys out as well.
Giles: Anyone finds anything, check in with me.
Buffy comes out of Giles' office wearing her coat.
Giles: Be careful.
She gives him a glance and brings up the rear of the column.
Cut to the Mayor's office. Faith has her arm through Angelus', having just introduced him to the Mayor, who's sitting at his desk with his legs crossed.
Faith: (smiling widely) So! Can I keep him? (rubs his shoulder)
Mayor Wilkins: Let's just take things step by step for a moment. Now, then, Angelus... May I call you Angel?
Angelus: Well, actually, I'm thinking more along the lines of you calling me Master.
Mayor Wilkins: Ahh. You know, Angelus, attitude may get you attention, but courtesy wins respect. (chuckles) I am the one responsible for your 'new' attitude.
Angelus steps up to the desk, takes the steel letter opener and lets it drag across the desktop before picking it up.
Angelus: That's why I'm here.
Mayor Wilkins: No trouble with the transition? No side effects?
Angelus: (paces, plays with the letter opener) Hmm. Had a soul, now I'm free.
Mayor Wilkins: (chipper) That's terrific! Poetic, too. Not that I read much poetry. Except for those little ones in the Reader's Digest. You know, some are quite catchy. (chuckles)
Angelus: (impatiently) Hey, I don't mean to rush things here, but are you trying to get to some kind of a point?
Mayor Wilkins: (smirks) Kids today. Rush, rush, rush. Well, the point, Angel, is you're a very powerful young man. Good for Faith. And there just may be a future for you here in Sunnydale. I see you're admiring my letter opener.
Angelus: Well, actually, I was thinking of stabbing you through the heart with it. (slaps it into his palm several times)
The Mayor uncrosses his legs and turns his chair to give Angelus a clear shot.
Mayor Wilkins: Please do.
Angelus gives Faith a look to see if she'll move to defend him. She gives him a brief glance, appearing to have no intention whatsoever of intervening, and just calmly looks back at the Mayor. In an instant Angelus swings back his arm and throws the blade at the Mayor's chest. Just as quickly the Mayor whips his hand up in defense, and the letter opener stabs cleanly through it, but stops just short of penetrating his chest. He looks down at his hand, apparently not in any pain, turns it over to check out both sides and holds it up for them to see.
Mayor Wilkins: (very impressed) Nice shot.
He pulls his hand back, takes the handle of the blade with his other hand and slowly pulls it out. Again he holds his hand up for them to see. The wound at the center of his palm quickly closes up and is fully healed within two seconds, leaving no trace of a scar behind. Angelus is dumbfounded. The Mayor opens his box of moist towelettes and pulls one out.
Mayor Wilkins: You see, I'm what you might call... (stands up) impervious. (wipes the letter opener) Can't be killed or harmed in any way. (walks around his desk) And that's just the cornerstone in my plans for this (inhales) great town of ours. (hands Angelus the opener)
Angelus: (takes it) Hmm. Can't be killed, but you don't like germs.
Mayor Wilkins: Yuck. Eww. Awful things. Unsanitary. But my question is, now that Faith has brought you back, what are your intentions?
Angelus: Well, gee, sir, I thought I'd find that Slayer that's giving you so much trouble and torture, maim and kill her.
Mayor Wilkins: (smiles brightly) Fine! You know, it's nice to see you're not one of those slacker types running around town today. (laughs) Torture Buffy. Uh, killing her's fine, just make it a slow one...
Angelus: My favorite kind...
Mayor Wilkins: Wonderful. Wonderful. We don't want a replacement Slayer any time soon. They can't all turn out like my girl Faith. (chuckles) Have fun.
Faith: (smiles, gets up) Let's do it.
She takes Angelus by the arm and leads him out of the office. The Mayor grabs him by the arm and pulls him back.
Mayor Wilkins: Uh... Try to have her home by 11:00.
Angelus gives him a sly grin and puts the letter opener into Wilkins' jacket pocket. He and Faith then leave. The Mayor takes a deep breath.
Mayor Wilkins: She's not a little girl anymore. (exhales)
Cut to Sunnydale's main drag. Xander rounds a corner and heads in the direction of the Espresso Pump.
Xander: (mocking Cordelia) 'I love when you talk, Wesley. I love when you sing, Wesley.' Can you say the words 'jail bait', Wesley? Limey bastard.
He looks up and sees Angelus and Faith coming the other way.
Xander: Hey, guys. Man, where ya been? You gotta find Buffy. She's going to her place and stock up...
Angelus punches Xander squarely in the face, not even stopping to see how badly he's hurt the boy. Faith can't spare a backward look either. Xander hits the sidewalk and sprawls out unconscious.
Angelus: That guy just bugs me.
Cut to Buffy's house. Angelus knocks on the door and waits for Joyce to answer. She shows up directly and opens the door, surprised to see them there.
Joyce: Faith, Angel.
Angelus: Hi, Joyce. Nice to see ya. Is Buffy home?
Joyce: (gestures) Upstairs. (Faith comes in) Please tell me it's not some vampire thing.
Angelus: (steps in, sweetly) The only vampire here is me, Joyce. (notices) Say, you change your hair?
Joyce: (shrugs) Highlights.
Angelus: (appreciatively) It's nice.
He walks in and heads up the stairs after Faith. Joyce watches them go, smiling as she enjoys the compliment.
Cut to Buffy's room. She's busy loading her weapons into a bag when Faith opens the door and walks in.
Faith: Knock knock.
Buffy looks up, surprised to see them here, but also a bit cautious.
Buffy: Where have you guys been?
Angelus: (goes to her) I'm lookin' for you. Good thing we found you before you left. (kisses her lightly on the head)
Faith: We got the books.
They have Buffy's attention now.
Angelus: They're at the mansion.
Faith: We'd take 'em to Giles ourselves, but I think strength in numbers is the way to go. Come on. (turns and heads out)
Buffy picks up her heavy bag, but Angelus offers his help.
Angelus: Let me get those for you.
He takes them from her and heads out after Faith. Buffy seems uneasy, but follows right behind him.
Cut to Angelus' mansion. The three of them come in through the atrium.
Buffy: Okay, let's get the books someplace safe. Where are they?
Angelus lets Buffy's bag fall onto the coffee table and turns to face the fire.
Angelus: Actually, we have a slight change in plan, Buff.
Faith watches Buffy from behind, arms crossed.
Buffy: 'Buff'? You just called... (suddenly very uneasy) What's the matter with you?
Angelus: Nothing. Matter of fact, (faces her in his game face) I haven't felt this good in a long time.
Buffy: (shocked) Angel?
Angelus: (approaches her) You know, I never properly thanked you for sending me to Hell.
Buffy: (quietly) No... (backs away)
Angelus: Yeah, and I'm just wondering, where do I start? A card? Fruit basket? Hmm? (grabs her roughly by the arms) Evisceration?
Buffy: No!
Angelus: Yeah, I know what you're thinking. Maybe there's still some good deep down inside of me that remembers and loves you, (shakes her, she winces) if only you could reach me. Then again, we have reality.
She knocks him off of her and steps back.
Buffy: I will kill you before I let you touch me. (backs away)
Buffy: Faith, we need to get out of here. Now.
Faith: (blocks the doorway) Speak for yourself, B. Me? I like it here.
Angelus lets out a low growl behind Buffy. She turns around only to be punched in the face with a hard right. She falls to the floor unconscious. Angelus looks up at Faith, then down again at Buffy. Faith steps over to him and looks down at her also.
Angelus: One thing I learned about Buffy: she's so cute when she's sleeping.
Faith: (smiles) Hmm.
~~~~ Commercial Break ~~~~
The library. Willow and Cordelia are at a table in the stacks helping Wesley with research.
Cordelia: Hey, I know a way to make investigating the Mayor even more boring. (gets glances from Willow and Wesley) On second thought, no, I don't.
Oz comes up to them holding a book open.
Oz: Hey... Whoa.
He sets it down in front of Willow. There she sees an old campaign picture of the Mayor.
Willow: Whoa. (takes out the picture) Big 'hey, whoa.' Guys, check this out.
She holds the picture up to a recent campaign picture for comparison. Wesley gets up and walks around behind her for a look. Cordelia leans over to look also.
Willow: Wow. Like father, like son.
Oz: How about like exact same guy like exact same guy?
Wesley: (looks at the dates) Mayor Wilkins is over a hundred years old. He's not human.
Xander finds them. The bruise on his face is apparent.
Xander: I, uh, hate to spoil the mood, but this is so much worse than you think.
Willow: (goes to him) Xander, what happened to you?
Xander: You know how some people hate to say I told you so? Not me. I told you so. Angel's back, in the really bad sense. And, um, I told you so.
Wesley: Angelus has turned? Xander, this is terribly serious. Are you sure?
Xander: Gee, let me think. Kinda hard to tell. Last thing I remember is his fist.
Wesley: We must contact Giles immediately.
Xander: Good thinkin'. Let's waste time with a lively debate. Leave Buffy alone, see how dead she gets.
Cordelia: (defensively) Slow down, Xander. This isn't Wesley's fault.
Xander: Actually, it is. Faith was your responsibility. Guess who's Angel's new playmate.
Willow: (horrified) Faith and Angel? Together?
Xander: Imagine the possibilities.
Cut to Angelus' mansion. Angelus is kneeling before Buffy, finishing chaining her to the fireplace mantel as she begins to come around. Faith watches from the couch.
Angelus: Mornin', sleepyhead.
Buffy stirs.
Angelus: You know what I just can't believe? All of our time together, and we never tried chains.
Buffy beings to realize her predicament as she wakes.
Angelus: (stands up) Well, can't dwell on the past. Especially with the future we have ahead. (steps away)
Faith: Bondage looks good on you, B. The outfit's all wrong, but hey...
Buffy: You don't know what you're doing.
Faith: Really? Weird, (stands up) 'cause something about all this just feels so right. Maybe it's one of those unhappy childhood things. See, when I was a kid, I used to beg my mom for a dog. (goes over to Angelus) Didn't matter what kind, I just wanted, you know, something to love.
She grabs him by the shirt and pulls him down to her for a deep, passionate kiss. Buffy can't bear to watch. Eventually Faith turns back to Buffy.
Faith: A dog's all I wanted. (Angelus kisses her neck) Well, that and toys.
She reaches down to pull a dark blue sheet back from a set of surgical instruments, all laid out for the torture session to come. Buffy yanks futilely at her chains. Faith reaches down and picks up a large forceps.
Faith: But Mom was so busy, you know, enjoying the drinking and passing out parts of life (shrugs) that I never really got what I wanted. (smiles evilly) Until now. (approaches Buffy)
Buffy: (desperately) Faith, listen to me very closely. Angel's a killer. When he's done with me, he'll turn on you.
Angelus checks out a pair of bone sheers.
Angelus: She's right. I probably will.
Faith: (making light) Yeah? Huh. Guess we'll just have to keep you around a while, then. (goes right up to Buffy) Before we get started, I just want you to know: if you're a screamer, feel free.
Buffy: (fighting back her fear) Why, Faith? What's in it for you?
Faith: What isn't? You know, I come to Sunnydale, I'm a Slayer, I do my job kicking ass better than anyone. What do I hear about everywhere I go? (contemptuously) Buffy. So I slay, I behave, I do the good-little- girl routine, and who does everybody thank? Buffy.
Buffy: (fearfully) That's not my fault.
Faith: Everyone always asks, 'Why can't you be more like Buffy?' But did anyone ever ask if you could be more like me?
Angelus: I know I didn't.
Faith gives Angelus a quick glance before concentrating on Buffy again.
Faith: You get the Watcher, you get the mom, you get the little Scooby Gang. What do I get? Jack squat. (hits Buffy on the shoulder) This was supposed to be my town! (stomps off)
Buffy: Faith, listen to me.
Faith: (spins around) Why? So you can impart some special Buffy wisdom? That it? (goes back to Buffy) Do you think you're better than me? Do you? (gets in her face) Say it. (turns and goes back to the tools) You think you're better than me. (puts the forceps back down)
Buffy: I am.
Faith turns to Buffy, not believing she has the guts to say it while she's tied up and helpless.
Buffy: Always have been.
Faith: Um, maybe you didn't notice: Angel's with me.
She slips her arm around him and checks out his instrument of choice: a long curved scalpel.
Buffy: And how did you get him, Faith? Magic? You cast some sort of spell? Because in the real world, Angel would never touch you, and we both know it.
Faith grabs the scalpel in her right fist, stomps over to Buffy and punches her squarely in the jaw with a left backhand punch. Buffy takes the hit in stride and looks Faith right in the eyes.
Buffy: You had to tie me up to beat me. There's a word for people like you, Faith: loser.
The anger in Faith really begins to boil. She slams the butt end of the scalpel into the wall next to Buffy's face.
Faith: (smiling sweetly) Uh-huh. You're just trying to make me mad so I'll kill you. But I'm too smart for that. (grabs Buffy's jaw) (through clenched teeth) Stick around.
She lets go and goes back to the instrument table.
Buffy: For what? Your boss' lame Ascension? Like I couldn't stop it.
Faith: (faces her smiling and shrugs) Ya can't.
Buffy: I will.
Faith: Keep dreaming. No one can stop the Ascension. Mayor's got it wired, B. He built this town for demons to feed on, and come Graduation Day, he's gettin' paid. (Buffy listens intently) And I'll be sittin' at his right hand. Assuming he has hands after the transformation. I'm not too clear on that part. And all your little lame-ass friends are gonna be Kibbles and Bits. Think about that when your boyfriend's cutting into you.
Buffy: I never knew you had so much rage in you.
Faith: What can I say? (smiles back at Angelus) I'm the world's best actor. (looks back at Buffy)
Angelus: Second best.
Faith looks back at him, unsure of what he meant, but no longer smiling.
Buffy: (to Angel) Graduation Day. You think we missed anything?
Angel: I think we know everything she knows.
Buffy: May I say something?
Faith looks at Buffy, still in the dark about what's going on. Buffy gives her chains a good shake, and they fall from her wrists to the floor. She holds up her free hands for Faith to see, wiggling her fingers.
Buffy: Psych.
Now Faith realizes she's been had.
Faith: You played me. (glances at Angel, then back at Buffy) YOU PLAYED ME!
The front doors to the mansion burst open, and Xander leads the rush in.
Faith grabs Angel and swings him around toward Xander, and follows through with a swipe at Buffy with the scalpel, which Buffy sidesteps. Angel goes careening into Xander, knocking them both to the floor. Oz has his stake up and ready. Wesley holds up his cross to ward Angel off.
Buffy roundhouse kicks Faith in the back. She stumbles forward, but comes back up and backhand punches Buffy with a right followed by a left hook to the face, sending Buffy tumbling away in a shoulder roll over toward the instrument table. She grabs a second scalpel on the way up, but Faith does a roundhouse kick to her face, keeping her down. Buffy does a backward leg sweep, which Faith jumps easily. On the way down she drops to Buffy's level and brings the scalpel up to her neck while the other Slayer does the same.
They both stop, realizing it's a standoff, both in a position to kill at the slightest provocation. Faith glances down at the blade at her neck, then looks up at Buffy.
Faith: (smiles) What are you gonna do, B? Kill me? You become me. You're not ready for that.
She knocks Buffy's hand away, grabs her shoulder and pulls her forward, kissing her on the forehead.
Faith: Yet.
She releases her, jumps up and runs out into the atrium and away. Buffy just watches her go. Willow rushes up to her friend and gets down next to her.
Willow: Are you okay?
Buffy just stares blankly out the door for a moment before looking over at Angel. He looks away, knowing that, although it was all planned, it was never meant to get that intense, or that intimate.
Cut to Sunnydale High. Cut to the library. The Shaman speaks briefly with Giles on the stack level.
Shaman: The task is finished.
Giles: Yes. Thank you for coming to me and for that rather effective light show you put on.
Shaman: (nods) This restores the balance between us, Rupert Giles. My debt to you is now repaid in full. Do not call upon me again.
Giles: I shan't. Peace with you.
Shaman: And with you.
He takes a few steps backward and fades from view. Giles turns around and walks down the steps to the others.
Willow: His debt to you is repaid? What did you do?
Giles: I introduced him to his wife.
Wesley: Well, I, for one, protest. You've pitted Slayer against Slayer in a dangerous charade that could've gotten them both killed. (angrily) Without informing me!
Giles just gives him a stare.
Wesley: (childishly) I'm telling the Council. (heads toward the office)
Giles: I think you should. (Wesley stops, looks back) We have a rogue Slayer on our hands. I can't think of anything more dangerous.
Buffy: At least now we know.
Giles: (shrugs) And we know a little bit more about the Ascension.
Willow: Graduation Day. There's a big, scary un-fun. (smiles at Buffy) At least Angel's not bad, though. That's good, right?
Buffy can't bring herself to smile back.
Xander: Yes. I feel so much better knowing that he broke my face in the 'good' way. (gestures at himself) It's a 'good' bruise.
Buffy: He was only acting, Xander. (wonders if he really was) It was just an act.
Cut to Faith's apartment. She's staring out the window at the town beyond. The Mayor is sitting in the leather chair mulling things over.
Mayor Wilkins: Well, you win some, you lose some. From where I'm sitting, it's batting average that counts. So you lost some friends.
Faith: (turns around, walks into the room) I wouldn't exactly call them friends.
Mayor Wilkins: Well, look, what are you worried about? Chin up! You don't see me looking disappointed, do ya? Heck no! You know why? (gets up) Because I know you'll always have me, Faith. I'm the best, the most important friend you'll ever have. Besides, once the Ascension starts, the 'in crowd' you're so concerned about? Whoo! They'll be lucky if there's enough of them left to fill a pothole. Promise.
Faith doesn't find that thought terribly uplifting. She steps over to a chair and sits.
Mayor Wilkins: Still unhappy? Hmm. Okey-doke. I've got two words that are gonna make all the pain go away: (crouches next to her) miniature... golf.
He laughs at his own sense of humor. At first Faith can only raise her eyebrows at him, but soon sees the silliness of his words and can't help but shake her head and smile.
Cut to Angel's mansion. An open pair of shackles is lying on the table. The camera pans up from them to Buffy as she walks in. She sees Angel sitting against the wall by the fireplace, rubbing his hands.
Angel: How you doin'?
Buffy: Been better.
Angel: Not hard to believe. You were a real soldier last night, Buffy. (stands up and faces her)
Buffy: That's me. One of the troops. (looks down)
Angel: I know how hard it was for you.
Buffy: (deeply disturbed) I really doubt that. (looks up at him)
Angel: If there's anything I can do to make it better...
Buffy: Look, (attempts a smile) I know you only did what I asked, and we got what we wanted.
Angel: (shakes his head) I never wanted it to go that far.
Buffy: I know that. It's not even a question of that. I-it's just... after... (blurts it out) I need a little bit of a break.
Angel has a hard time accepting that.
Buffy: (imploringly) Please?
After a moment Angel gives her the barest of nods. Buffy turns to go.
Angel: You still my girl?
She turns around again and gives him a little smile.
Buffy: Always.
Again she heads toward the door and goes out. Angel just watches her leave in silence.
END Credits.
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