FADE IN
EXT- LOS ANGLES ALLEY-EARLY MORNING
Cordelia is walking down the alley, carrying a bag of groceries.
CORDELIA
Just great! Why am I even up this early? I think Angel
could have found an all-night grocery store pretty
easy in this city. But he makes me run out and...
She stops when she hears a noise coming from the side of the alley. She looks over to see two figures emerge from
the darkened doorway. Two vampires.
VAMP #1
Well, look what we have here. I thought we'd
have to wait all day for a snack, and then one
just comes to us.
CORDELIA
Look, boys. I don't need trouble here. And you don't
want to tick me off.
VAMP #2
(amused)
Don't worry lady, we'll kill you quickly. Besides, it's
getting a little to bright out anyway.
CORDELIA
(puts the bag down)
You don't know how bright it's going to get.
The vamps back away, as Cordelia starts to glow white. The glow
is intensifying every second. The vamps step back, as Cordelia
turns toward them.
VAMP #1
What kind of freak are you!?
CORDELIA
I said you didn't want to tick me off! But you just had
start with the insults, didn't you?
(her glowing gets stronger)
VAMP #2
(points to the other vamp)
He said it, not me!
VAMP #1
Hey!
Cordelia is about to grab them, when out of nowhere a bullet
hits Vamp 2 in the shoulder. He yells in pain.
VAMP #2
Who the hell?
Cordelia and the vamps look down the alley, where they
see a woman. She looks like she's in her late 20s. She has
shoulder-length brown hair, and she is holding a gun. Vamp 2
charges her. The woman fires two more shots into the vampire.
VAMP #2 (CONT'D)
(smirking)
Don't know who you are lady, but if you're too stupid to
know that guns don't hurt us, then you deserve to die.
WOMAN
(doesn't move, she looks at the vamp as if talking to a child)
Is that so, Mr. Vampire.
The vampire still smirks at her for a second, before he starts to twitch violently.
VAMP #2
(grabbing the areas where he was shot)
Get them out of me! Get them out!
The woman still shows no emotion, and doesn't move
as the vamp twitches. The vamp's body seems to burn from the
inside out. He falls to his knees, and turns to dust.
VAMP #1
(shocked)
You killed Lenny!
He charges at the woman. She stands there, and levels the
gun at the vamp. She pulls the trigger, and the bullet his the vamp
right between the eyes. The force of the impact knocks the vampire down
on his back. The woman walks to him.
WOMAN
(still no emotion)
Time to join your buddy.
(she shoots twice into the vamp's chest)
The woman walks calmly past him, as he starts on fire. She doesn't look
back as he turns to dust. She comes face to face with Cordelia.
CORDELIA
(on guard)
Who are you?
WOMAN
A friend. Not that you couldn't have handled those
vamps, but I just needed to get some action. It's
been a while. I've come to talk to you.
CORDELIA
I'll take you to Angel then. We can talk this over...
WOMAN
(quickly)
Angelus and the others must know nothing of this. I can
only risk trusting you.
CORDELIA
Trusting me with what?
WOMAN
Your old high school fling is going to be coming soon.
CORDELIA
What do you know about Xander?!
WOMAN
Enough. Now, this is important. I need your word that
you will not tell anyone.
CORDELIA
Why trust me? You don't know me at all.
WOMAN
I know more than you think. If the Powers can trust
you not to hop into Angel's arms, then I can trust you for this.
CORDELIA
(stunned)
How do you know about that?
WOMAN
What? That the only way they would send you back
was if you and Angel stayed clear of breaking the old curse,
after the amnesia thing?
CORDELIA
(not believing this)
I never told anyone that!
WOMAN
You don't tell anyone about me, I don't tell Angel. Deal?
CORDELIA
(no choice)
Deal.
WOMAN
As I said, Harris will show up soon. He will have
made a decision. You have to support him. No
matter how much the others don't. It's vital that he
does what he's planning to do.
CORDELIA
Which is what?
WOMAN
Sorry, can't say. But I can tell you that Harris has some
very bad enemies. They want him dead.
CORDELIA
(concerned)
Then they'll have to go through all of us first. No one
hurts my Xander!
WOMAN
(sighing)
This is like nothing you've ever faced before. But we
have a small chance to change some things. Important things.
CORDELIA
Change what?
WOMAN
(takes a blue CD case out of her jacket, and tosses it to Cordy)
When you're sure you're alone, play that. It will answer
everything you need to know for now.
CORDELIA
(looks down to put the CD in her purse)
Okay, but what about...
When she looks up again the woman is gone. Cordelia looks quickly all
over the alley, but there is no sign of the woman.
CUT TO:
EXT-THE CRATER
Some parts of the crater are still covered in fire-retarding foam.
As we zoom in, we see Andrews talking to one of the workmen.
ANDREWS
You're saying that we should just pack it in then?
WORKMAN
General, we ran the simulation a dozen times. Nothing
was spared. Sir, I know you want to find them alive, but I
don't see how...
He stops mid-sentence. He is looking past Andrews.
WORKMAN (CONT'D)
How in the hell?
He runs past Andrews.
ANDREWS
Captain! Where are you going?
Andrews runs, and catches up to the workman.
The workman starts yelling at a crane operator.
WORKMAN
Bring that load back down!
As the pile of debris is dumped back onto the crater,
Andrews almost swears at what he sees.
ANDREWS
That's impossible.
The workman stands an office chair up. Andrews recognizes it. It is from
the main control room. While everything else is melted around it,
the chair only has some dust on it. It looks brand new.
WORKMAN
(very confused)
Sir. The main control room, and everything in it should
have been completely destroyed. I don't understand this.
Another workman calls them over a few yards away.
They leave the chair, and run over.
WORKMAN (CONT'D)
Well, Ill be damned!
We look past them to see part of the control room's conference
table sticking out of the ground. One half is very badly burned, but the
other part is like the chair. It looks brand new. There is a circular-shaped
line the melted part seems to follow.
WORKMAN (CONT'D)
Sir, I don't understand this. The burn marks... it
should have been destroyed, but it's like something stopped the fire.
Andrews calls a workman over who is using a scanning device.
ANDREWS
Scan this area.
The workman plays with the controls a bit. After a few moments,
he looks up from his screen.
WORKMAN #2
This can't be right, sir. There's a hollow area a few feet down.
WORKMAN
(grabs the screen)
Let me see that. General, what the heck happened here?
There's a perfect oval shaped area under our feet.
FADE TO:
INT- WHAT'S LEFT OF THE CONTROL ROOM
The only light we see is from various fires. A few parts of the main
computer are shorting out, causing sparks to fly. The walls are pressed
together debris. All of it looks like it hit some sort of barrier.
Like a bug hitting a windshield.
We slowly move across the floor. First, we see Acathla lying on its side.
Just near its face we see an arm. We pull back slightly to see it's Rebecca's
arm. She is lying on her stomach. We pull out farther to see Xander,
Melissa, and Gavin lying in various positions next to each other.
None of them are moving.
CUT TO:
HYPERION HOTEL ROOM 313
Conner walks into the room. He looks tired. He sits on the bed,
and takes off his shirt. He goes to take off his shoes, but he can't find
the energy. He just lies on the bed. He closes his eyes, and
drifts off to sleep...for two seconds.
CONNER
(eyes fly open)
I didn't leave the light on!
He gets up, and looks around. He spots a black duffel bag on the floor
near the closet. He leans down to pick it up, when...a leg kicks him
full on in the head. Conner flies back and hits the far wall.
He squirms in pain for a second, then he looks up to see who his
attacker is. His eyes go wide.
CUT TO:
CONNER'S POINT OF VIEW
Standing in the bathroom's door is Kristen. She is wearing nothing
but a towel. Her hair is wet, and we can tell she just got out of the shower.
KRISTEN
(gets into a fighting stance)
Who are you, and what are you doing in my room?!
CONNER
(confused)
Your room? I've been staying in this hotel for a while now,
and I think I'd recall a girl living in my spare room.
KRISTEN
Cordelia said this was a room that no one used.
CONNER
She put you up here?
KRISTEN
Yep, and since you're saying you live here, then I
guess that makes you Conner?
CONNER
(nods)
And that would make you...?
KRISTEN
I'm Kristen.
CONNER
Kristen who?
KRISTEN
Kristen the vampire Slayer. I still have to remember to say
the Slayer part. I'm thinking of getting a nametag.
CONNER
(feeling his head)
I think I could figure out the Slayer part.
KRISTEN
(oops)
Sorry. It's an old reflex. After a bit of time on the run, you
get suspicious of strangers.
CONNER
On the run? Sounds like I've missed some things.
KRISTEN
Yeah. I'll just get dressed, and we can go have a chat with your dad.
Kristen starts to move for her bag. She looks to Conner.
KRISTEN (CONT'D)
Okay, shirtless wonder. This is the point where you become a
gentleman, and turn around.
CONNER
Right.
Conner turns. He notices he can still see Kristen out of the corner
of the mirror above the dresser. He watches as Kristen bends down
to grab her bag. Conner sees a small bit of her cleavage as she leans
down. A second later, Kristen closes the bathroom door.
CONNER (CONT'D)
(to himself)
I am really starting to like this dimension.
CUT TO:
BASE HOSPITAL ROOM
Xander is lying in bed in a hospital gown. Andrews is speaking
into the phone, when he starts to move.
XANDER
(talking in his sleep)
No! I don't want to be a Power Ranger!
Andrews comes over to the bed, as Xander starts to wake up.
ANDREWS
Bad dream?
XANDER
Figures when I finally get powers, I feel like a Power
Ranger. And the worst part was, in my dream, I was the
Pink Ranger. How long have I been out?
ANDREWS
Almost a day. It took us a while to dig you guys out.
XANDER
(bolts up)
The others! Did they get out okay?!
ANDREWS
Yes, they're all fine. You're the last to wake up. Now that
Beth has all that info in her head, she thinks that you guys
needed to recharge after using your powers.
XANDER
(shrugs)
Whistler did say they would only last for
a little while at first.
ANDREWS
In that case, I would like it if you would refrain from any
excess use of them. We never know when they'll be
needed. Now, let's go talk to the others.
XANDER
Ah, where are my clothes?
ANDREWS
In the base's laundry. But I don't think that some of the
stains will ever be coming out. I got you a set of Air Force
fatigues for now. Your belongings are in the bottom cabinet.
.
CUT TO:
INT- A CONFERENCE ROOM
Daisy, Beth, Gavin, Melissa, and Rebecca are sitting around the
table talking to each other. Gavin and Melissa are also in fatigues.
Rebecca has on her uniform. They all turn when
Xander and Andrews come in.
GAVIN
(to Xander)
How you feeling, boss?
XANDER
(as he sits down)
Like a building fell on me.
REBECCA
(not liking saying this)
I have to admit. That spell stuff came in handy. It was a
good thing you knew how to use it.
XANDER
(smiling)
Was that a compliment from you, Rebecca? I'll have to remember this.
REBECCA
(defensive)
I give credit where it's due. And after you get magic powers from
a weird guy in a bad suit, you learn to believe in a few things.
ANDREWS
They said that you did some kind of spell.
XANDER
Yeah. The vamps did most of the work with the
containment spell. I just found a revisal spell in their spell
book. It changed it from a containment spell, to a repelling
spell. It kept us in a little safe area. Of course, the fires did
take out the oxygen fairly quickly.
DAISY
(impressed)
I have the book, but it's in Latin. How could you read it?
XANDER
(shrugs)
I've been researching things in books that have a lot of
languages in them. Some of it just stuck with me after a few years.
BETH
It must have drained you a bit. Or tapped into your new
powers. You took longer to wake up than the rest.
XANDER
Probably. How you dealing with all this?
BETH
(sarcastic)
Just great. I find out vampires are real, and a month later I
get stuck in a underground death trap with them. Plus I
get a bunch of stuff about magical watches in my head. The
weird part is I even know about the watches themselves.
Aside from the powers, I can tell you what size battery
they all need.
XANDER
(smiles)
Looks like everyone has their parts to play. You get brainy girl.
BETH
(holds up her fist in mock triumph)
Go me!
XANDER
(turns to Andrews)
So does the big explosion mean that we're no
longer in the vamp-huntin' business?
ANDREWS
No. I've been talking with General Martinson. They called
an emergency meeting of the Joint Chiefs. The President
was very ticked off that a vampire army was able to waltz
into our base, and do so much damage. They say we'll
be getting a new base, as soon as they find one.
REBECCA
(surprised)
As soon as they find one? Sir, our base had years of
construction before we moved in. How can they just find
something to fit our needs?
ANDREWS
I don't have any idea. But they promised that we will be
moved, as soon as they find a place.
GAVIN
(not liking this)
Which means we get to timeshare a base with another outfit?
ANDREWS
Maybe.
(turns to Xander)
Son, I know I said that if you didn't like what we had going here
you could leave. But it seems like these powers, or whatever
they are, are binding you to us for now.
XANDER
I've thought about it, at least since I've regained
consciousness. The vamps all kept saying they want me
out of the way. And I can't walk away when this kind of stuff is
going on. I'm in, under two conditions.
ANDREWS
And those would be what?
XANDER
Well, first, since we are kind of just waiting for them to find
a place for us? I want to head over to LA, to finish up some
personal business while we wait.
ANDREWS
(thinking)
I think I can swing that. What's the second one?
XANDER
(inclines his head to Melissa)
That we have a four-member team.
MELISSA
(looks surprised)
You want me to stay? I know I have this thing that seems
to be bonded to my wrist, but I don't know if I can hack
doing this all the time.
XANDER
(trying to reassure her)
Me, and the people you researched on the Net? Well, we
have this little thing that if you fight alongside of us, you're one
of us. Except if you're Spike.
MELISSA
Who?
(suddenly not so sure)
You know, all my fighting is because I have some magic
doohickey. It's not me!
XANDER
It is you. I'm betting that these things draw from what's
already inside us. You have what it takes. It took me years to
finally believe I did. I had to stop a friend from torching the
world, before I fully believed it. We can train you a bit to
fight as you, and not the magic doohickey. God knows I
still need more practice as well.
MELISSA
(trying to decide)
You all want me here?
(she looks to Gavin and Rebecca)
GAVIN
(no hesitation)
Hey, you dusted vamps in the hangar before you got any powers.
MELISSA
Well, I did have to use a car at the time.
GAVIN
Doesn't matter. You have to use what you can, and you
used a car. I sure as hell will not be forgetting it anytime soon.
Melissa looks to Rebecca.
REBECCA
(not liking to admit it)
I realize I don't know much about this stuff either. We all
have to learn from square one here.
(her face brightens a bit)
Face it, you're stuck with us.
MELISSA
Okay, then. It's not like I have anywhere else to go.
XANDER
(pats her on the back)
That's the spirit!
ANDREWS
I think I can handle those conditions. Xander, if you will
just type up your report about what happened? Then I can
take it with me when we go to the Pentagon.
XANDER
(a bit disappointed)
The Pentagon! Just my luck you guys head to the Pentagon
while I'm away.
ANDREWS
Oh, I think we'll still be in debriefing when you get back.
I can give you three days, Captain, no more.
XANDER
That'll have to do. Look, I might need a favor. I need to
make sure that a friend of mine is okay, before I start
having to wear a uniform.
ANDREWS
What do you need?
XANDER
Well, firstly, is April back online here?
CUT TO:
EXT- HYPERION HOTEL DAY
CUT TO:
INT- HYPERION POOL AREA
Conner, Kristen and two new Scooby gang members Amanda and
Lee, are playing pool at an old wooden table. Conner is still learning to play,
and failing miserably His above-average strength is not helping him.
KRISTEN
(to the new Scoobies)
So how long have you two been members of the Slayerettes?
AMANDA
(answers while Lee sets up a bank shot)
Ah, about five months. A friend of ours was killed by a cult
of vampires. They tried to use him as a sacrifice to destroy
the world. We thought it was big-time stuff, but then we
meet Buffy and the others. They didn't even blink when
they found out that the vamps wanted to destroy the
planet. They just went in, and dusted them all.
LEE
(takes over for Amanda, as she takes her shot)
It was tough going at first. How do you go to a student
counselor, and tell them that your friend got killed by a
bunch of vampires? The police just labeled it as a gang killing.
(shakes his head)
KRISTEN
So you decided to join up after you found out about the undead?
Kristen asks her last question as she leans down to take her shot.
Conner takes a very quick look as she bends slightly. He looks away
before he thinks anyone noticed.
AMANDA
It was either that, or go crazy wondering
when the vamps would strike again.
LEE
I have two little brothers who go to Sunnydale Junior High.
No way am I going to sit on my butt, while
they grow up in demon central.
CONNER
(all cool as he lines up his shot)
Good. Too many demons infest this dimension. We have to
do everything we can to stop their evil.
Conner lines up his shot, and hits the cue ball way too hard. The ball
flies off the table, and shatters the glass of an old crane game
next to the candy machines.
LEE
(laughing)
You're getting better.
Amanda puts her arm around Kristen's arm. She turns to the boys.
AMANDA
We have to use the ladies room, fellas. We'll be back in a few.
She turns with Kristen in tow.
KRISTEN
(in a hushed voice as they walk)
I actually don't have to go.
AMANDA
Oh yes you do, girl.
CUT TO:
CONNER AND LEE WATCHING THEM GO
CONNER
(to Lee, confused)
Why would they have to go to the bathroom together?
LEE
(just looks at him for a second)
You really did grow up in another dimension! Here,
women tend to go in groups to the bathroom.
CONNER
(very confused)
Why?
LEE
My friend, for centuries many men have asked that very same question.
And still, none of us know the answer. Now let's fish out that cue ball.
CUT TO:
INT-POOL AREA LADIES ROOM
Amanda turns on the lights, as they come in.
KRISTEN
(wondering)
Okay, now what's going on?
AMANDA
(surprised)
You mean you didn't notice?
KRISTEN
Notice what?
AMANDA
Conner was totally checking you out for the last hour!
KRISTEN
(blushing as she leans up against the sinks)
I've noticed, OK. I've noticed the shirtless wonder taking a
peek here and there. But from what I've heard, he hasn't
been around many girls in a social setting.
AMANDA
Back up. Shirtless wonder?
KRISTEN
Cordelia gave me a room on the third floor. Turns out it's
Conner's room he crashes in when he doesn't want to talk to
dear old dad. He came in while I was in the shower. He was
getting undressed when I came out of the bathroom.
(Amanda gives her a look)
He only had his shirt off.
AMANDA
Nice view, huh?
KRISTEN
(blushing more)
Very nice.
AMANDA
Wait, if you were just coming out of the shower...then
what were you wearing?
KRISTEN
(quietly)
A towel.
AMANDA
What was that? I didn't hear you.
KRISTEN
I was only wearing a towel, okay?!
(sees her look again)
A large towel.
AMANDA
So you going to test the waters?
KRISTEN
I don't know if I should. I've been living in motels with
Xander for a few months now. I don't want to start
anything, if I have to go back to running from that damn Council!
AMANDA
Girl. How many times do we hear that a guy has a girl in
every port? Do it for women everywhere.
KRISTEN
That's the best line you can come up with?
AMANDA
(shrugs)
It's still early. Plus I need some good gossip.
It's been a while since I had some.
CUT TO:
EXT- UNKNOWN AIR FORCE BASE
CUT TO:
INT- BASE HALLWAY
Xander is walking down the hallway with Melissa.
MELISSA
What do you hope to find?
XANDER
April downloaded Quentin Travers' personal files along
with the Watcher files, and the demon almanac. Maybe
there's something I can use to force his hand, get him to
stop the hunt for me and Kristen.
MELISSA
You really think he would leave anything
you can use on his files?
XANDER
(shrugs)
I hope so. But we won't know until we look.
Plus, there's always plan B.
MELISSA
What's plan B?
XANDER
The Council is richer than some Third World countries. They've
been around, since before the Egyptians built the Pyramids.
At least, that's what their records show. I couldn't count how many
bank accounts they have filled with money.
(he smiles)
But I did leave with a disk that has a heck of a lot of
account numbers on it. If they do keep up the chase, we
can afford it. Or drain their accounts, maybe buy a small island.
MELISSA
(smiling)
Well, if you do get an island? You better build a guesthouse.
XANDER
(smiles at her)
Count on it.
They reach a pair of double doors, and head in.
CUT TO:
INT- BASE COMPUTER ROOM
Gavin, Andrews, Rebecca, and Beth are in the room. Rebecca is under
the table attaching wires from April's CPU to the main terminal in the room.
ANDREWS
(turns and sees them come in)
Ah, Xander. Do you have the report done?
XANDER
(pulls out a folder from under his arm, and gives it to Andrews)
Here ya go.
ANDREWS
And the background you know about this Whistler person?
XANDER
All that I can say is in there.
ANDREWS
(not liking that)
That you can say?
XANDER
(shrugs)
Just remember that the guys who thought Walsh was a
great idea, will read these things. I can't spill everything.
ANDREWS
(gives up)
That'll do for now. But we'll have to come up with some
sort of compromise later.
Xander nods his head.
REBECCA
I think I've got it!
Rebecca stands, and wipes some dirt from her hands.
REBECCA (CONT'D)
Does no one clean under there?
ANDREWS
(ignores that)
Will she work here?
REBECCA
I think so. But in a limited fashion.
ANDREWS
How limited?
REBECCA
This place doesn't have any hologram projectors we could
use. They aren't standard issue. She'll appear on the
main screen though, in just a sec.
She pushes a button on April's CPU. A computer screen flickers,
and a second later April's face appears on the screen.
APRIL ON SCREEN
Where am I? I can't move in here!
XANDER
Calm down, April.
(turns to Rebecca)
She can hear me, right?
REBECCA
Yeah, her CPU has voice recognition software.
APRIL ON SCREEN
Captain Harris, is that you?
XANDER
I'm here. Um, you'll sorta have to stay inside your CPU for now.
Our base kind of blew up.
APRIL ON SCREEN
Blew up! Did you at least get whoever the punk was who
played with my cameras?
ANDREWS
(leans in)
The Pentagon is working on that. All surviving support
personnel are being debriefed as we speak.
XANDER
They could have just killed the guy after he let them in.
ANDREWS
True, but we're not taking any chances.
XANDER
(turns back to April)
April, can you still access the files I had you
download the other night?
APRIL ON SCREEN
Yeah, they're flying around in my memory. What do you need?
XANDER
Are there any encrypted files?
APRIL ON SCREEN
Babe, they were all encrypted.
XANDER
I mean, are there any that have tougher security than the others?
April closes her eyes for a second. She looks deep in thought.
A moment later, she looks back up at Xander.
APRIL ON SCREEN
No hidden files, but I did find one thing.
XANDER
What?
APRIL ON SCREEN
I downloaded his email for the last year. There is one file
that was in the secondary delete folder that has a heck of a
lot of encryption.
XANDER
(confused)
Secondary delete folder?
APRIL ON SCREEN
It seems that an upgrade to their system was going on when
he received it. My guess is that he didn't even know there
was a backup folder, to back up the backup. He just
thought he'd deleted it.
XANDER
Can you get the file?
APRIL ON SCREEN
Already did, sugar. It's a video file almost one minute long.
XANDER
Play it then.
On the screen a window pops up. It's just black,
there is no movement or sound.
APRIL ON SCREEN
Oh, for crying out loud. This system doesn't even have the
latest video codecs loaded! One second.
A few moments later, a bald man appears on the screen.
MAN ON SCREEN
It's done, Travers. I've rigged it just as you ordered. You can
alert the Angels by six p.m. Pacific time.
REBECCA
(to Xander)
You recognize him?
XANDER
(thinking)
I don't know. He looks familiar. I think I've seen him before...
ANDREWS
Okay, then who are the Angels?
GAVIN
Don't look at me. The only Angels I know of are the
Anaheim baseball team, and the Blue Angels.
XANDER
(running it through his head)
I don't think it's the Blue Angels...
(he snaps his fingers as it comes to him)
The Black Angels!
ANDREWS
Who are the Black Angels?
XANDER
(angry)
An old Watcher Council hit squad. But from what I've been
told, they were disbanded years ago.
GAVIN
Could this Travers guy just have made it look that way?
XANDER
(thinks about it)
Well, their MO does match the guys who kidnapped my friend.
ANDREWS
So this guy what? Spied on your friend, and told the Black
Angels where to find her?
XANDER
No. I mean, they couldn't have known she was going to be called...
(oh my God)
Unless...
(he spins back to the monitor)
April, go on the Net. Los Angeles Times web archives.
Match this guy to any photos in the last seven months.
MELISSA
You don't look good.
XANDER
(very angry)
If this is what I think it is, then we just uncovered something big.
The others look at each other wondering what he means. April
comes back on the screen.
APRIL ON SCREEN
I have a match. Only one photo of him.
XANDER
(dead serious)
Display it.
A copy of the LA Times newspaper's "Metro" section comes up. The
headline reads...WOMAN DIES IN SKYDIVING ACCIDENT.
The man from the video is in a picture
of people crowding around an ambulance.
XANDER (CONT'D)
(full of rage, he slams his fist down on the table)
You son of a bitch!!
CUT TO:
EXT-HYPERION HOTEL DAY ESTABLISHING
CUT TO:
INT- WESLEY'S OFFICE
Angel, Willow, and Buffy are going through books. There is a large
stack of old books on the desk. Angel is pacing, as he reads.
Willow is on her laptop.
BUFFY
(plops her book on the desk)
We've gone through most of these already. Will, any luck on the Net?
WILLOW
(looks over the screen)
Zip. Nothing that could be called a vampire attack reported.
BUFFY
Damn. Cordy said her vision was Xander fighting a heck of
a lot of vamps. With the big baptism thing...I'd assume that
means he was supposed to win the battle.
ANGEL
(not convinced)
Buffy, this is Xander we're talking about. In a fight against
a few vampires, okay — possible. But Cordy said a lot more. Maybe it's
end-of-the-world type stuff again? And Xander is not a guy I
think can prevent insane evil demons from destroying the world.
WILLOW
(looks around her computer at him)
Ahem!
ANGEL
(oh crap)
Sorry, Willow. You know what I mean.
BUFFY
(gets up and stretches)
Hey, where is Kristen anyway? She could be getting
valuable research time here. She'll need the practice.
WILLOW
I haven't seen her since ten-thirty.
(she spots Lee, and calls him over)
Have you seen Kristen around?
LEE
Yeah, the four of us were playing pool a while ago.
WILLOW
Where is she now?
LEE
Conner was giving her and Amanda a full tour of the hotel.
WILLOW
When was that?
LEE
(shrugs)
Don't know. Gunn was letting me play with his battleaxe,
so I really didn't pay much attention.
Willow gets a big smile on her face.
BUFFY
What?
WILLOW
Like father, like son.
ANGEL
What do you mean?
WILLOW
Oh, come on. You don't see it? He's a teen, she's a teen.
They did kind of sit close to each other, when we went out
for breakfast this morning.
BUFFY
So what? Oh, you think they're somewhere making out like bunnies?
ANGEL
(in denial)
No way!
WILLOW
(hold up her hands)
Okay, don't know what I was thinking. Angel's son going for a
Slayer...now, how did I ever think that could happen?
(she gets wicked smile)
Well then, if old sonny boy is giving the girls a tour...then
why is Amanda over there talking to Fred all by herself?
Angel bolts up, and looks out the office window.
Sure enough, Amanda is alone talking to Fred.
ANGEL
(rushing out of the office)
I need to put a bell on that kid!
CUT TO
INT- UPPER FLOOR LOBBY
Wes is sitting in a chair against the rail of the balcony. He also has a few
stacks of books with him. He flipping through one, when he sees Cordelia
come out of a corner room. She looks very upset.
WESLEY
Cordelia? Is something wrong?
Cordelia jumps, she didn't even realize Wesley was there.
CORDELIA
(coming out of her thoughts)
Man Wes, give a girl a heart attack!
WESLEY
Is everything all right?
CORDELIA
Yeah, I'm just worried about Xander. After what
happened the last time he was here...
WESLEY
I want to find him alive as well. Remember if it wasn't for him,
I'd still be enthralled by Wolfram and Hart. The lad
nearly lost his life warning you all about the attack
that was coming. If he hadn't gotten to you in time...
CORDELIA
(firm)
But he did get here in time. We killed the demons,
and freed you from the big bad lawyers.
WESLEY
(sighs)
Angel still wanted me dead. Out of all the people
who I'd have thought would stand up for me, I never
guessed it would be Xander.
(notices the blue CD case on top of Cordelia's books)
Listing to the sounds of the rainforest again?
CORDELIA
(lying)
Yeah, you have your tea to relax. And I have my
rainforest CDs. I'm going to get some fresh books.
Wesley nods, and Cordelia goes down the stairs. As soon as
she is out of Wesley's sight, her sad expression returns.
CUT TO:
INT- HYPERION DINING ROOM
The large room has some light coming in though the bay windows
near the entrance. In one of the curved booths, we find Conner
and Kristen making out. They talk when they come up for air.
KRISTEN
So, there were no women in that other dimension?
CONNER
No human women.
Kristen eyes him in surprise. But only for a second, as they get back to making out.
CUT TO:
INT- HYPERION LOBBY
Everyone except Conner and Kristen are in the lobby.
GILES
(trying to remain calm)
I don't like it either, but we've been here for a few days
now. And, and we have seen no sign of Xander. We can't leave
Sunnydale unguarded much longer.
BUFFY
(not having it)
Giles, I'm not going to abandon him!
DAWN
(moving to stand next to Buffy)
He's one of us. How can we just leave?
GILES
Angel, Cordelia, and the others are here. If Xander comes,
they can call us. If news gets out that Sunnydale is only
protected by Spike at the moment...
WILLOW
School doesn't start for another two weeks, why don't I
stay here for an extra day in case he comes?
GILES
That is unnecessary, Willow. When Xander arrives, he and
Kristen can easily come down to Sunnydale alone.
BUFFY
Giles, I...
(stops, and looks around)
Angel also starts to look around. He and Buffy get strange looks
from most, but not Giles.
GILES
What is it?
Before they can respond, the lower windows on both sides
of the lobby shatter at the same time. Men in SWAT team armor swarm
in with guns. A mere second later both doors fly open, and
more men rush in. In less than a few seconds, the entire group
is covered. Red target lasers from the guns are on all of the gang.
ANGEL
(very angry)
What the hell is this?!
A man near the front door holds it open. Two men in suits enter, as
if this was their hotel. Quentin Travers, and Roger Parks.
PARKS
(filled with contempt)
Hello, Rupert. I hear you found my lost Slayer for me.
GILES
(comes face to face with Parks)
Give me one good reason I shouldn't kill you right here and now!
(he spins to Travers)
And you. How could you have allowed this to happen? Using
the Black Angels to nearly kill her friends, and kidnap her!
TRAVERS
(speaking as if Giles were a child)
We're supposed to try it your way? For God's sake man, you
were a Watcher! And you completely abandoned your duties as
soon as you arrived in this accursed country.
(he walks over near Willow and Amanda)
You allowed Miss Summers to have friends. And let her carry on
with a vampire! You ignored most of the Slayer
Handbook. You even allowed her to have a say in what battles
she fought. A Slayer is a tool that must be used judiciously, but
you treated her like your own daughter! And to top it all off,
you got Miss Kendra killed!
BUFFY
(pissed off)
Drusilla killed Kendra.
TRAVERS
(rolls his eyes at her)
After Mr. Giles let you go meet Angelus alone, and you left the others
unprotected. And then after all of that, you ran away. You
abandoned your duties, leaving your little band of followers to fight
vampires — while you went shopping?
Buffy moves for Travers, but stops when several of the men with
guns move closer to her. They add more red tracer lights on her chest.
TRAVERS (CONT'D)
(goes back to Giles)
And on the eve of one the biggest battles in years, you
supported Miss Summers when she left the Council! All
because we did not help her vampire plaything? The only
reason I agreed to her terms a few years ago was so she
would finally shut up and do her duty against Glory.
And at least she died a Slayer's death.
(he looks back to Willow)
But then the little witch has to go and play God.
GILES
(seething)
Isn't that what you've been doing?
TRAVERS
(smug)
I have every right to. I was chosen to sit on the inner Council, to
make the hard decisions.
A noise on the upper stairway causes everyone to turn.
What the good guys see makes them even more angry.
Eight more men are dragging a handcuffed Kristen, and Conner.
An older man in dark robes are with them. The men throw Conner
roughly to the floor, next to Angel. Angel vamps out, and moves
towards Travers. But again, more tracer lights appear on Buffy.
TRAVERS (CONT'D)
I would not advise that you try it, Angelus.
Kristen is brought to Travers and Parks. She is trying to get out of
her cuffs. Her whole body is shaking with rage.
PARKS
(close to Kristen's face)
You have been a very disobedient Slayer. We've lost valuable
training time, while you cavorted with these miscreants.
KRISTEN
(very pissed)
I am not going back there with you! And neither is Xander!
TRAVERS
Ah, yes. Where is Mr. Harris? It's been so long
since my last 'chat' with him.
BUFFY
(realizing)
You were the one that tortured him!
TRAVERS
(firm)
I was not going to let Rupert's lackey fill young
Kristen's head with that sort of garbage.
(looks back to Giles)
You would have been proud of him, you know.
For a mortal boy, he held up very well.
(back to Kristen)
Now we need to use that spell to make her forget him.
KRISTEN
(struggling wildly)
Never!
TRAVERS
(sighing)
My dear. It will be done. There is nothing you
can do. As long as Sir Cedric's...
(indicates the man in the robes)
...spell is working, you will not break your restraints.
Sir Cedric turns to the group. His eyes are growing blue.
CEDRIC
(to Willow)
I know you were once a very powerful Wiccan.
But now, you are no match for me.
(he stops, noticing something)
What are you mumbling, witch?
CUT TO:
UPPER BALCONY
Xander pops up from behind a large potted plant.
He is holding a gun. Everyone turns.
XANDER
She's just giving me an opening.
(he fires the gun, it shoots a dart)
The dart hits Cedric in the chest. He falls mere seconds later.
At the same time...
WILLOW
Let it be done!
All of the guns from the Watchers team fly up into the air, and
hover near the ceiling. Angel, Buffy, Giles, and the others go
right into fighting the Council's men. And with
Cedric down, his magic disappears.
Kristen, and Conner break their bonds.
KRISTEN
(full of rage and advancing on Travers)
You son of a bitch! You kidnapped me, almost killed my
friends, tortured the one man who was ever decent to me, and
now you want to take me back to your hellhole as
some mindless zombie?!
CUT TO:
LOBBY STAIRS
Xander is bolting down the stairs. He makes his way through the
good guys fighting the bad guys. One of the men makes a run at him.
Xander dodges his punch, and nails him in the jaw. The man staggers,
but tries for Xander again. He is stopped by Conner, who grabs
him. Conner shoves the man face first into his knee.
XANDER
Thanks.
CONNER
Help Kristen.
Xander runs for Kristen, as Conner pulls a guy off Fred.
CUT TO:
LOBBY ENTRANCE
Kristen is still advancing on Travers. Parks gets in her way.
PARKS
Now see here, young lady!
Kristen backhands him hard. He flies away, and hits the wall.
He doesn't get up afterwards. Meanwhile, Travers has backed himself
into a corner. With nowhere for him to go, when Kristen reaches him.
TRAVERS
(still arrogant)
What we did was for the good of the world!
KRISTEN
(grabs his suit and lifts him off his feet)
Then why should I risk my life for a world that lets men like
you have power over other people's lives?
Xander runs up to them. He sees the rage in Kristen's eyes.
XANDER
Kristen, don't do it!
KRISTEN
Why not? I'm a Slayer. I'm supposed to rid
the world of evil. And he's evil.
XANDER
Sure he is, but we don't kill humans. Remember what I told
you about the Slayer before you? What happened to Faith
after she killed someone?
KRISTEN
(her rage falling a tiny bit)
I know. She went bad, and killed a whole bunch of people. She
even tried to kill you, but you forgave her.
XANDER
Yeah, I did. But if you do this, will you be able to forgive
yourself? Please don't sink to his level!
Kristen looks to Xander for a moment, then back to Travers
who is now looking a little ragged. She spins, and throws Travers
to the floor in front of Giles.
KRISTEN
(looks at Xander)
He'll not stop trying to take us down. And we can't live on
the run from him forever.
A woman's voice is heard coming from outside.
O.S. VOICE
You will not have to.
Xander and Kristen turn to see a woman in her 60s
enter with four men in suits.
GILES
(recognizes the woman)
Emma!
XANDER
(turns to Giles in surprise)
The Emma? As in the head of the Inner Council?
EMMA
We followed Quentin here. We were listening in the van.
(she looks to the men she came with)
Secure them at once for transport.
As the men move to grab Travers, he gets angry.
TRAVERS
Now see here! This is outrageous! Rupert and his cohorts
are the ones at fault, not me and mine!
XANDER
(pulls out the dart gun again)
Will you just shut up, you soulless motherfucker?!
Xander shoots Travers, and he goes down.
XANDER (CONT'D)
Now please get these idiots out of here!
And take the gun club with you!
Emma nods, and the men who can still walk leave
through the doors. Travers, Parks, and Cedric are taken out.
GILES
(to Emma)
If you were listening in, why did you wait so long to come in?
EMMA
I thought I'd give Quentin a chance to run his mouth. I will
see to it that they are punished for this, Rupert.
XANDER
(shakes his head)
Lady, he should be tossed in a cell somewhere for life
and be completely forgotten about.
(reaches into his jacket, and pulls out a CD-ROM)
I have something for you.
BUFFY
(looks at him)
Xander?
XANDER
(gives Emma the disk)
I got into Travers' email. I found something that he
thought he'd erased. He murdered Faith.
The others look at him in shock, while Emma looks at him wide-eyed.
EMMA
I assume that this disk will prove that?
XANDER
Yeah. I always wondered how Travers found Kristen so soon after
she was called. You know that normally, it takes a while to search the
planet? But he had a head start. He knew when to start looking.
Travers got wind of Faith taking skydiving lessons, after
she was released. He knew when her first solo jump was
going to be. So he rigged her chute. The guy that he had do it
sent him a message that he'd done the job. And that same guy
was there, when Faith was taken away in the ambulance.
BUFFY
(very upset)
He killed her! He goddamn well butchered her!
EMMA
(confused)
But why? Miss Faith was going to resume her role as the Slayer.
Why would he...?
XANDER
(shrugs)
Easy, he couldn't control Faith. But a freshly brainwashed
Slayer? That would surely help him advance in the Council's hierarchy.
EMMA
(can't believe it)
He will be dealt with. Severely, that I promise.
(she looks to Kristen)
But Miss Kristen is still the Slayer. We cannot change that. It's
her destiny. She needs to do her duty.
XANDER
She will.
EMMA
You want her to stay here?
KRISTEN
(nervous)
Xander?
XANDER
She can go to UCLA here, and learn to slay from Buffy
and the others. Wesley can help her on the book thing. And
the Council will leave her alone.
(serious)
This is not an offer. It's what's going to happen.
EMMA
I suppose you want the Council to pay her college fees as well?
XANDER
I think you can easily afford it.
Kristen gets in between them.
KRISTEN
(hold on)
Before you guys decide my whole future? I need a talk with Xander.
She drags Xander to a corner.
KRISTEN (CONT'D)
You want us to stay here? Granted, it is LA and all but...
XANDER
(uncomfortable)
Kristen...I'm afraid there's no us. Not at the moment.
KRISTEN
(looks up sharply)
What do you mean?
XANDER
There's, uh, something going on out there. Something big.
Something I can't walk away from now.
KRISTEN
(upset)
But you can walk away from me?
XANDER
(not liking it either)
I didn't pick this. It chose me. Maybe it's just my destiny.
And if it's like I think it could be, we're talkin' something very ugly.
And you need training. These people here can give it to you.
Kristen starts to tear up.
XANDER (CONT'D)
I won't be far away. You can call me anytime, day or
night, or email me....this time with no encryptions. I wish
you could come with me, but I know how it is to have no
life other than fighting. I don't want that for you.
(he grabs her chin, and lifts her eyes to meet his)
And I think you'll like staying here.
KRISTEN
And why is that?
XANDER
I did some checking. Your two best friends? They missed
school starting in Ohio. It takes a while to heal from a
gunshot wound. But guess where they're going to college instead?
KRISTEN
(her eyes go wide)
You can't mean...
XANDER
Yep, they moved into the UCLA dorms two days ago. And
I checked the dorm situation. They're all full this year. But I think
we can find a room in this hotel, that's available.
KRISTEN
(softly)
When do you have to leave?
XANDER
In two days. But first, I thought I'd meet your friends.
KRISTEN
(smiles)
You're damn right you will!
They come back out into the group. Xander goes back to Emma.
XANDER
Well?
EMMA
(looks at him)
I can't have an active Slayer without a Watcher present. If Mr.
Pryce agrees to return to the fold, and take on that
duty...then she can stay here.
All eyes turn to Wesley.
WESLEY
(surprised, was definitely not expecting this)
I believe I can handle it.
XANDER
Then it's settled.
(he turns to Emma)
I think your people can get her enrolled before
the fall semester, can't you?
EMMA
If we can avert the end of the world every now and then,
we can deal with college admissions. But in exchange for
all this, I will need one thing.
XANDER
And what's that?
EMMA
Not what, who. Rupert?
GILES
Yes?
EMMA
Travers' seat is now empty. And I don't know who else was in on this
with him. So I'll need people I can trust.
GILES
(stunned)
Me...on the inner Council....everyone will hate it.
(he smiles)
I'll do it.
Buffy pats Giles on the back.
BUFFY
Way to go Giles!
FADE TO:
INT-HYPERION HOTEL AN HOUR LATER
All the Watchers are gone. Most of the gang are sweeping
up glass from the floor.
BUFFY
Eight windows knocked out. It's a good thing you used to do
construction, Xander. This might take some time, but...
XANDER
(interrupts her)
I'm not staying.
WILLOW
You're going back to Sunnydale?
XANDER
Uh, no. I'm not staying in LA, or going back to Sunnydale.
I've apparently made some enemies... other than Travers. All
I know is that they want me dead, real badly. So I'm going to
take the fight to them. As soon as I find out who the hell they are.
Everyone is standing around him now. Only Kristen doesn't look surprised.
BUFFY
Xander, what are you talking about? If they want us dead...
XANDER
(interrupts)
No Buff, not you. They just want me.
BUFFY
(brushes it aside)
Doesn't matter. We'll find these guys, and stop them. You
can't go up against them all alone.
XANDER
(surprised)
Who said I'd be alone? I've, uh, met some folks.
BUFFY
(upset)
So, what, you're ditching us?!
XANDER
No. No ditching here. Look, everyone has their thing.
Slayer, Vampire, Watcher, Wicca, Cordy — I'm not sure
what you are...
LEE
(points to him and Amanda)
Hey, we don't have any powers here either.
XANDER
(laughing a bit)
The way it goes, you will sooner or later.
GILES
Xander, I have to agree with Buffy. This is not the time to
leave! You don't have any powers that can combat whoever
these people are. Plus, Kristen will need....
XANDER
(looks at his watch for a moment)
Yep, no powers here. And Kristen will get everything she
needs. And if you ever need to contact me...
He pulls out a brand new blue cell phone.
XANDER (CONT'D)
Just call me, or leave an email.
(pushes a few buttons)
Better yet, just call me till I get the email thing figured out.
WILLOW
Xander, this is not a good...
CORDELIA
(choosing sides)
He has to go!
They all stare at Cordelia.
ANGEL
Did you get a vision?
CORDELIA
(making it up)
Yeah, Xander has to go with his new team.
WILLOW
Team? But we're his team.
XANDER
Sorry Will, guess I've been traded. But look on the bright side.
You get two relief pitchers, and a right fielder for me.
CUT TO:
WESLEY'S OFFICE- NEXT MORNING
Angel is alone with Conner.
CONNER
You wanted to talk to me?
ANGEL
I just wanted to know if you were sure you wanted to go
ahead in your relationship with Kristen. Son... it's not easy to
love a Slayer.
CONNER
My life hasn't been easy, ever since I was in that crib. I'm not
going to let anything bad happen to her.
Angel smiles.
CONNER (CONT'D)
What?
ANGEL
Willow was right. Like father, like son. But I have to ask.
Why did you have them call you Conner, and not Stephen?
CONNER
I took a lesson from you.
ANGEL
I don't understand.
CONNER
Why did you call yourself Angel, and not Angelus, after
you got your soul back?
ANGEL
It helped me separate the two. He's a killer...
CONNER
Same with me. As Stephen, I did anything in that dimension
to survive. Some things now that I've had a chance to think
about, I'm not proud of. Things here as well. But Conner is
the innocent little boy who was in that crib not too long ago.
CUT TO:
EXT- UCLA CAMPUS
There is no words here, just music.
Kristen and Xander are walking down a path scanning
the crowds. Kristen stops when she sees some one off screen.
We pan over to see a girl, and a boy talking while drinking bottles
of water. Kristen squeezes Xander's hand, before they start walking
towards the two. The guy sees them coming. He is stunned, his bottle of
water falling to the ground. The girl looks at him for a moment, and then
looks where he is looking. As soon as she looks, she starts to cry a little.
Kristen, and the two run to each other. They hug as if their lives
depended on it. After a few moments, they start talking quickly.
Kristen looks over, and pulls Xander to them. We pull out to show
them starting to hug again.
CUT TO:
EXT- HYPERION HOTEL STREET-NIGHT
We see a small helicopter land on the large street. As soon
as it lands, Xander and everyone else comes out. All but Xander act
surprised by the helicopter landing. Xander tosses his bag over his shoulder,
and a few people give him hugs. Cordelia, Willow, Buffy, Dawn,
and Kristen. Kristen's hug lasts a second longer than the others.
He shakes Giles' hand, and waves to the others. Then he bends down,
and walks over to the helicopter's doors. As soon as he gets
in, the helicopter takes off.
The Scoobies, and the rest watch it leave. After it's out of sight, most
go back in, but Kristen stays out, and keeps looking up. After a few seconds
Conner, and Amanda come and put their arms around her
as they walk back inside.
FADE OUT
THE END