Christmas Gift, a Buffy fanfic told in a Teaser & four acts.

By Zach Garland

[This faux episode takes place immediately after the events in the real Buffy series, season seven episode nine. It’s intended to be the equivalent of the Christmas episode that will never get aired. This is just something to tide my fellow Buffy fans over until some time in January. The basic gist of the plot is this: immediately after the events of “Never Leave Me” Buffy and her friends are visited by The First with a special early Christmas Gift intended to lull them all into a state of contentment, and the Scoobies struggle to find a way to break free of The First’s immense mental powers. This episode will never get produced. It will never air. It’s intended to be an extra episode for your mind’s eye. Enjoy. ]

GILES: (v.o.)

Previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

INT. BASEMENT AT SUNNYDALE HIGH – NIGHT

Andrew approaches Jonathan as they stand over the seal of Danthazar. Andrew pierces Jonathan with a knife. Warren can be seen smiling as he witnesses the act.

Cut to reveal the fallen Jonathan on the seal of Danthazar as his spilt blood falls on the seal.

EXT. DESOLATE OIL RIG SITE – NIGHT

Principal Wood digs a hole, and nonchalantly places Jonathan’s body into the shallow grave.

INT. UPSTAIRS AT BUFFY’S HOUSE, HALLWAY – DAY

BUFFY

What the hell happened?

WILLOW

This big evil that’s been promising to devour

us? Well I think it’s started chomping.

INT. BUFFY’S HOUSE, LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

Dawn’s sitting on the floor amid the destruction of her encounter with what she believed to be Joyce & some other creature. Willow is sitting with her.

DAWN

I think I saw mom.

WILLOW

It wasn’t her.

DAWN

What?

WILLOW

I saw something too, and it looked like,

someone else, but it wasn’t.

INT. COLLEGE LIBRARY – NIGHT

We see The First Evil as Cassie smiling widely & then she turns inside out.

DAWN: (v.o. from previous scene)

I don’t understand.

WILLOW

It’s the big bad, Dawn—

INT. BUFFY’S HOUSE, LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

WILLOW

-The one we knew was coming.

DAWN

But that’s what she said. Mom, she said that—

INT. BUFFY’S HOUSE, LIVING ROOM – EARLIER THAT SAME NIGHT

Camera shows us Dawn’s face in pain and looking up at the glowing visage of her mother.

JOYCE: (v.o.)

Things are coming, Dawn.

DAWN

What? Why are you--?

Camera cuts to show Joyce in all her glowing glory.

JOYCE

When it’s bad, Buffy won’t choose

you. She’ll be against you.

INT. ENGLAND FLAT, LIVING AREA – DAY

Giles is kneeling before a fallen comrade, Robson. The place looks in disarray. Giles takes off his glasses and starts to cry.

GILES

Dear God, I thought you—

ROBSON: (eyes flicker open)

Gather them!

GILES

What?

ROBSON

It’s started.

Camera cuts to reveal a harbinger in a robe wielding an axe, sneaking up behind Giles, preparing to strike Giles in the head with his weapon.

GILES

It’s alright. I understand. I’ll take care of it—

Cuts away just as the axe blade slashes within inches of Giles’ head.

INT.     BUFFY'S ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE – NIGHT
Buffy's tying Spike's wrists to a chair he's sitting in.

BUFFY

We're gonna get to the bottom of this.

We just can't take any chances.

SPIKE

Don't... Make it tighter—the knots'll give.

I get free, someone's gonna die.

Cut to show Spike with vamp game face on, breaking free of his restraints, bursting through a wall and chewing on Andrew.

SPIKE: (v.o. from next scene)

Did I hurt anybody?

BUFFY: (v.o.)

You took a good bite out of Andrew…

Something’s playing you.

INT. BUFFY’S BASEMENT

Spike is now in metal chain shackles. The following is an edited montage of the scene between them.

BUFFY

Some ghost or demon has figured out

how to control you.

SPIKE

Buffy you have to kill me.

BUFFY

It's not your fault.

You're not the one doing this.

SPIKE

Have you ever really asked yourself

why you can't do it? Off me? After

everything I've done to you—

BUFFY

You fought by my side. You've saved lives. –

SPIKE

Don't do that. Don't rationalize this into

some noble act.

BUFFY

You faced the monster inside of you and

you fought back. You risked everything to

be a better man.— And you can be. You

are. –I believe in you, Spike.

INT. BUFFY’S HOUSE, NIGHT

A Harbinger breaks into the cellar, startling both Spike & Buffy. Then comes a montage of the battle between the Scoobies & the Harbingers. We see Willow & Anya fall. Dawn kicks some ass, and then Xander saves her when it looks like the Harbinger had the upper hand. We see Buffy use Andrew as a weapon against two harbingers, and then she does that cool Matrix move to knife both of them with their own blades. Xander enters the room.

XANDER

This it? I thought there was more of them.

BUFFY

Spike!

INT. HIGH SCHOOL BASEMENT, NIGHT

Spike’s trussed up like a slaughtered pig. Blood is spilling out of him, falling onto the seal of Danthazar.

BUFFY: (v.o.)

They were after Spike all along.

XANDER: (v.o.)

And we were just in the way.

Camera cuts to show The First as Spike, leering evilly at the real Spike hovering over the seal.

SPIKE/FIRST

Oh, don't look at me that way. I wanted to

do this more subtle-like. My Harbingers have

a tendency to call attention to themselves. You're

the one who couldn't hold his end of the bargain.

So now, fittingly, you’re the one who gets to do

the honors.

The First morphs from Spike to Buffy.

BUFFY/FIRST

I have to admit, I'm glad it worked out

this way. I was going to bleed Andrew,

but (sighs) you look a lot better with your

shirt off. –I'm getting a little tired of subtle.

Camera cuts to show the Seal of Danthazar doing its Rubik’s Cube number, then the UberVampire with raised arms coming out of the seal of Danthazar.

BUFFY/FIRST: (v.o.)

I think it's about time we brought some authority

to our presence. Now, Spike, wanna see what a real

vampire looks like?

INT. WATCHER’S COUNCIL HEADQUARTERS, DAY

Looks like a library with a big table in the middle of the room. Various Watcher’s Aides are scattered about doing busy work. Quentin Travers is talking with two of them.

QUENTIN TRAVERS: (v.o.)

The girl knows nothing. –We must find Mister Giles.

WATCHER AIDE #1

We've lost contact with operations in Munich,

Switzerland and Rome. We've got casualty

confirmations coming in from as far away as

Melbourne.

WATCHER AIDE #2

Sir, we are crippled.

QUENTIN TRAVERS

--We are still masters of our fate, still captains of our souls.

Travers addresses the room.

QUENTIN TRAVERS

Ladies and gentlemen, our fears have been confirmed.

Camera cuts as he speaks (voice over) to reveal the fall of previous Slayers In Training from Turkey & Germany.

QUENTIN TRAVERS: (v.o.)

The First Evil has declared all-out war on this institution.

Their first volleys proved most effective.

I, for one, think it's time we struck back.

Camera cuts back to the Watcher’s Council war room.

QUENTIN TRAVERS

Begin preparations for mobilization.

WATCHER AIDE #3

Sir?

QUENTIN TRAVERS

We'll be paying a visit to the hell mouth. My friends, these

are the times that define us. Proverbs 24:6. For by wise

council, you shall make your war.

Camera cuts to outside the Watcher’s Council. We see it explode.

INT. BUFFY’S HOUSE, LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

Buffy looks down at one of the fallen Harbingers.

BUFFY

I know these guys. I fought them before. We aren't

being haunted. This isn't some demon. It's all the

same thing. Spike's ghosts, the people you guys saw,

from beneath us, it's all the same thing. I know what

we're up against. The First.

TEASER

INT. HIGH SCHOOL BASEMENT, NIGHT

Spike’s still trussed up like a slaughtered pig. He looks down on the seal of Danthazar and the UberVampire still coming out of the seal. Spike just starts laughing insanely, and in pain.

First/Buffy morphs into First/Glory.

FIRST/GLORY

What? You think this is funny!? You’re its first meal!

Camera shows the UberVampire turn to face Spike hanging above him. It reaches up and seems to smell him. Then it seems to give a foul expression, as if Spike is sour. All the time, Spike is laughing insanely at this grotesque creature not inches from his face. Spike is in great pain and manic. A trickle of blood comes from his mouth.

SPIKE

You call this a vampire?

Looks like a reject from a B-rated movie.

The UberVampire turns to face First/Glory, as if to say “this all you brought me? A happy meal?”

FIRST/GLORY: (to UberVamp)

Come on! What did I summon you for? EAT HIM!

The UberVampire looks back at Spike disgustedly, and then turns to Glory, thinking her a more delicious dish. It vaults across the room and goes THROUGH The First. Hitting a wall. Spike’s laughter renews strength at this. Blood spittles from Spike’s mouth as he talks. He’s in great pain but trying to keep a bold front.

SPIKE

And bloody stupid too!

FIRST/GLORY: (to Spike)

Silence! I don’t have to put up with this insolence!

I’m all powerful and.. and stuff!

SPIKE

Shyeah right!

FIRST/GLORY: (to Harbingers)

You! And uh, you! Take him down off of there and

hang him somewhere else more painful. Then after

he’s lost most of his blood, kill him a few times.

He’s worthless to me now.

Two harbingers in robes come into light and stand under Spike, as if to make preparations to bring him back down. The UberVamp turns its attention to them, and with a flourish it attacks them both and begins sucking on one of them. The other harbingers rescue the other fallen harbinger and fend off the UberVamp with their weapons, but it’s far more interested in just sucking on the one harbinger it’s got. We see The First/Glory helplessly witness to the display.

FIRST/GLORY

Oh it’s just impossible to get good help these days.

The First morphs from Glory to The Master. It crosses to the UberVamp, which looks up from its meal and stands in awe. Behind him, Harbingers are fast at work bringing Spike down from his hanging perch.

FIRST/MASTER

Yes. You remember this face, don’t you? You feed

when I say you feed, and not a moment before.

Is that understood?

The UberVamp remains in awe of The First/The Master. It slowly removes itself from its feast and stands before The First like a thrall. Surrounded by Harbingers, Spike is removed from the restraints and is carried out of the room. As they carry him out he delivers his last line, still laughing manically.

SPIKE

That the best you can do?

You went through all this trouble for that?

FIRST/MASTER: (to UberVamp)

Oh but he doesn’t know us very well does he?

The braggart. Did you bring with you the little

trinket I asked for?

The UberVamp nods & reaches into its coat to reveal a small glowing orb. It offers it to The First/The Master, who does not make touch it.

FIRST/MASTER

Oh no. You hold on to it. Just keep it right there…

The orb glows brighter as FIRST/MASTER stares into it concentrating.

FIRST/MASTER

I got a present now that should lull my enemy friends,

and keep them out of our way.

The orb continues to glow until the screen glows white. Then black. Sound of glass breaking.

FIRST/MASTER

You stupid creature! I think you broke it!

SLAYER CREDITS. COMMERCIAL BREAK

ACT ONE

INT. BUFFY’S HOUSE, LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

Close up of Buffy’s face. Replay of the final scene in “Never Leave Me.”

BUFFY

I know what we're up against. The First.

INT. BUFFY’S HOUSE, LIVING ROOM – DAY

Still on Buffy. The lighting suddenly changes to a bit brighter and more festive. Buffy’s clothes change to something a bit more cheery and flowery.

Camera pulls back to reveal the Harbingers are gone. The house is not in a state of higgledy piggledy. Willow had been holding a first aid kit but now it appears to be a tray of holiday cookies. Anya & Dawn look at Willow & the cookies in mild surprise. Then they shrug and start eating them. Their wounds appear to be gone.

Camera cuts to show Xander looking around in a bit of confusion.

Camera cuts to a broad pan view of the living room of Buffy’s house. It’s tripped out in Christmas decorations with a tree in a corner of the room. The entire house is major overload with the Christmasy theme. Willow is looking around too in confusion. Anya & Dawn don’t seem to be concerned. Buffy’s in a mild state of shock. Xander looks at the door and then back to Buffy.

XANDER

Did I just walk in here or have I been here awhile?

Camera cuts to Buffy. She looks down at the floor where the Harbinger was. Then back to Xander.

BUFFY

Huh? What? Oh, I.. I don’t recall…

Anya talks between bites, talking with cookies in her mouth. She speaks to Dawn.

ANYA

These cookies are great!

You must give me the recipe.

DAWN

Oh they’re one of Mommy’s trade secrets.

You’d have to really kiss up to her to get it.

Anya shrugs.

ANYA

I’ve no problem with that.

Willow looks at Dawn then back at Buffy.

WILLOW

Mom?

Camera cuts back to Buffy. From behind her, Joyce & Giles are bringing in more trays from the kitchen. They’re smiling very friendly-like. They head for the coffee table.

BUFFY

Mom?

JOYCE

Oh there you all are! Willow mentioned she heard the

door open so we thought we’d bring these out now.

GILES

So how was tonight’s patrolling? On the eve of the eve

of Christmas morning I imagine the evil baddies of

Sunnydale aren’t giving any rest for the weary, eh?

At the sight of Buffy’s Mom, Xander shakes himself from his confusion and helps her by taking one of the trays of goodies off her hands.

XANDER

Well after that little battle we had with

The First where we scared it away—

JOYCE: (speaking over his line)

Oh thank you, Xander you’re a dear.

XANDER

--there actually haven’t been all that many

baddies around. There’ve been a few but we

didn’t see anything tonight, did we Buffy?

BUFFY

Mom?

Xander places his tray on the coffee table and helps Giles with the tea. They’re both kneeling at the coffee table. The three girls are still sitting on the couch. Willow’s on the chair next to it. After placing the other tray on the table, Joyce turns to face her oldest daughter.

JOYCE

Yes, Buffy? We made pigs in blankets.

I know how much you love them.

They’re right over here—

Buffy reaches out and embraces her mother passionately as if she hasn’t seen her for years. She starts crying. Everyone looks over at them, then tries to ignore the display, except for Dawn & Willow.

JOYCE

There, there now. I’m sure you’ll find

some baddies to beat up on again soon.

I know how much that means to you.

Buffy pulls back and grabs her mom by the shoulders and just looks at her with tears on her cheeks. She’s still reeling in confusion but a smile begins to dawn on her face.

BUFFY

No no. It’s not that. It’s just..

it’s just always great to see you, Mom.

Dawn stands up.

DAWN

Hey I want a hug too!

Dawn crosses around the coffee table, knocking Xander back on his butt from the coffee table. He laughs.

XANDER

Hey kid watch it, there’s a carpenter here!

DAWN

Sorry!

Dawn launches herself into both Buffy & Joyce’s arms.

JOYCE

We should have Christmas more often

if I’m going to get this!

Xander continues kneeling before the coffee table. He looks over at Anya, who’s looking back at him smiling, her mouth full of cookies. She’s holding a cookie in her left hand and there’s a wedding band on it. Xander looks at his hand and there’s a wedding band on it, too. He looks back at Anya and smiles again uncertainly, then broadly.

Giles comes into the picture, still kneeling before the coffee table, preparing the tea. He has cups prepared and offers one to Anya, whose mouth is now dry and filled with cookies.

GILES

Now there are also sodas in the fridge but

back home when I was a child we used to

have tea and I just wanted to share that

with my new family.

Giles looks back at Joyce. The two of them give each other a curious, knowing look.

Anya talks with her mouth full.

ANYA

Milk?

GILES

Milk is best with coffee, Anya. So no.

Anya looks into the teacup and sees that it’s a white liquid. Not tea. She looks mildly confused, but happily she drinks it.

Camera cuts to Willow in background & Anya and Giles in the foreground to the sides of the screen. We’re now angled sorta over the coffee table, looking over the entire display. SLOW ZOOM towards Willow’s face. She looks very uncomfortable and still confused. There’s a subtle, dissonant swell of music as we look at her. During the following voice-overs, the camera zooms out very slightly to reveal Giles by the time it’s his line.

JOYCE: (v.o.)

There there, Buffy. Why are you crying?

BUFFY: (v.o.)

I-I honestly don’t know. I feel silly.

I’m just so ..I’ll be okay, really.

DAWN: (v.o.)

I bet it’s that time of the month again.

JOYCE: (v.o.)

Dawnie!

DAWN: (v.o.)

No really! Being a Slayer, her time of the

month is always hard on her and hard

on everybody.

BUFFY: (v.o.)

You take that back!

DAWN: (v.o.)

I so will not! It’s the truth.

Giles hands a cup of tea to Willow, who takes it kind of absent-mindedly, her eyes betraying that her mind is trying to wrap itself around a particularly difficult object to wrap.

GILES

Now now this is a happy occasion. Let’s all

Pretend we didn’t hear Dawn’s uncouth

statement and continue to enjoy ourselves.

Willow looks into her teacup. It’s just tea.

XANDER: (v.o.)

I can’t believe it’s been a whole month since that

terrible experience with The First. Death and

destruction. The world ending. Us saving it again.

And now we’re here. It seems like yesterday.

Camera cuts to show us Anya & Willow. Giles’ back is to us. He stands up with teacups and begins distributing them to the Summers’ girls.

ANYA

I don’t wanna even think about it.

Why’d you bring it up?

WILLOW

I don’t know why but I still feel

this sense of impending doom.

ANYA

It’s just your tummy, Willow.

Try the cookies. They’re great.

Willow takes a cookie absently.

WILLOW

This is weird.

Camera cuts to show Giles approaching the Summers’ girls. Still close and huggily. They break off to accept his hospitality. He only has two in hand.

DAWN

I don’t want tea.

Dawn looks to her mother for approval. Joyce nods.

GILES

Yes I figured such.

As I said there’s soda in the fridge.

Dawn runs for the kitchen.

JOYCE

No running in the house!

DAWN: (off camera)

Oh alright!

Buffy takes a sip of her tea and looks back at Joyce. They smile at each other.

BUFFY

She’s gonna break the house. Again.

JOYCE

Oh, Buffy. She’s getting older every day.

Maturing. I’m so proud of both of you.

BUFFY

Thanks Mom.

JOYCE

Y’know maybe if there’s no more great threats in

Sunnydale you can stop going on patrol every

night?

Willow takes a sip from her tea. It tastes funny. The expression on her face changes.

JOYCE: (v.o.)

Just a couple nights a week? We could spend

more time together.

Willow looks around, then she looks back into her cup.

BUFFY: (v.o.)

Well, with The First gone maybe the Hellmouth

has lost it’s bite, but it’s still too early to tell.

I’d like that though.

Camera cuts to show Willow’s tea cup is now filled with a dark black liquid that’s moving. An eyeball pops to the surface.

JOYCE: (v.o.)

Me too.

Willow gives a shriek and barely manages to put the tea on the coffee table without spilling it. Anya looks at her disapprovingly. Everyone else in the room looks over to Willow, who looks white as a sheet in fright.

GILES

Willow? Are you alright?

Willow looks back at the group, then back at the tea.

It’s just tea. The room is silent for a beat or two.

Willow stands up.

WILLOW

Buffy we need to talk.

Buffy shrugs but remains with her mother. She smiles at Willow. She doesn’t catch the hint.

BUFFY

Okay.

WILLOW

Now.

BUFFY

Sure.

WILLOW

Somewhere.. other than here?

GILES

Well there’s no need for secrecy.

Why not just talk here?

WILLOW: (to Giles)

It’s Slayer stuff.

Giles looks at Willow nonverbally saying, “so?”

WILLOW

And, uh women stuff.

It’s Slayer women stuff.

BUFFY: (shrugs again)

Okay. We’ll go to the kitchen.

We’ll be right back guys.

Willow & Buffy cross towards the kitchen, and leave the room. Xander crosses over to the couch and sits where Dawn had been sitting, next to Anya. Giles looks off after Buffy & Willow confusedly. Joyce attempts to tactfully change the subject.

JOYCE

So Anya, when are you and Xander gonna

have children, and can I be the godmother?

ANYA

Oh we’re trying every single day now,

isn’t that right Xander?

Xander nods with a stupid grin on his face.

ANYA

We’re trying all these new positions.

There’s a tantra position I learned a long time ago in

the orient that is supposed to use gravity to help get

the sperm to the egg better,

but Xander says it gives him a cramp.

XANDER

T.M.I. for Buffy’s Mom, Anya.

JOYCE: (smiling)

Oh no it’s not I love learning about new positions.

Xander does a double-take at Joyce then back at Anya. They’re both smiling at each other and at him knowingly, but he gets embarrassed and flustered.

Camera cuts back to show Giles still standing, looking towards the kitchen with a teacup in his hand. He looks befuddled. In the background we see Joyce put a reassuring hand on Xander’s knee. Anya doesn’t seem to mind the closeness of the three of them. Xander double takes at his knee.

INT. BUFFY’S HOUSE, KITCHEN – DAY

Actually it looks a bit more like sun down now. The light coming from the windows is still sunlight but it’s coming in at an angle, as if the sun will be down soon. Dawn’s got the fridge door open, with a bottle of soda in hand. She looks at it and looks back in the fridge as Willow & Buffy enter the picture. They both look at Dawn as they enter, and then back at each other. Willow gives Buffy a nonverbal “get her out of here” look. Buffy turns to Dawn.

BUFFY

We’re not trying to keep the whole kitchen cold, okay.

Either decide or get a camera and take a picture.

DAWN

You’re such a pain in my ass.

BUFFY

The feeling’s mutual.

Dawn takes a different colored soda out of the fridge and closes the door. She can tell by their body language they want to talk but don’t want to talk with her in the room. Willow just stares at Dawn like a fawn in headlights.

DAWN

So. What are you two up to?

WILLOW

Nothing.

DAWN

It’s grownup stuff isn’t it? I’m almost a grownup.

It wouldn’t hurt to let me in on stuff once in a while.

BUFFY

You’ve got a mouth that’s run by twelve power companies.

DAWN

I so do not! I got secrets, too!

BUFFY

I’m sure you do.

Buffy motions for Dawn to leave the kitchen.

BUFFY

Git.

DAWN

No.

BUFFY

And if you scream “Mom” and bring her in here

so help me I’ll tell her exactly how many

Harbingers you took out single-handed.

DAWN

You would not! She’d have a cow!

BUFFY

Try me.

They stare each other down, but Buffy wins. Buffy smiles. She is proud of her sister.

BUFFY

Now git.

Dawn exits the room, pretending to herself that she won the argument.

DAWN

I’m gonna find out what you’re up to anyway.

BUFFY

I’m sure you will.

Willow and Buffy watch her leave, then Buffy turns to Willow.

BUFFY

There a reason you didn’t wanna bring Giles into this?

WILLOW: (to off camera)

And no fair eavesdropping, Dawn! I can still see you!

DAWN

Awww…

Buffy looks at Willow. Willow’s still looking off to where Dawn left. Willow sort of whispers to Buffy.

WILLOW

I don’t yet know if that’s really Giles.

Buffy is not whispering.

BUFFY

Huh? So what’s with all this secretiveness

all the sudden?

Willow is more confident that Dawn’s out of earshot, but she’s still sorta whispering.

WILLOW

I don’t know how to put this but none of

this seems right. I got two sets of memories

in my head and they’re all confused.

BUFFY

I kinda do too. We didn’t drink any

rummy egg nog tonight did we?

WILLOW

I don’t think tonight’s tonight.

Buffy kinda rolls her eyes.

BUFFY

Woah. That hurt my head.

WILLOW

I mean I think the last real thing that happened

to us was about a month ago. I got memories

that we faced The First Evil and it was pretty

bad but we all kicked ass and took names and

then went home. But do you remember anything

between that and now?

BUFFY

No. Not really.

And the actual kicking of ass stuff seems...

WILLOW

Easy.

BUFFY

Too easy.

Like a major self-confidence fest.

And parts of it are fuzzy.

WILLOW

And when did Giles get back?

BUFFY

Oh well I picked him up at the airport

last week.. Only… I didn’t, did I?

Or did I? Y’know I haven’t felt this way since—

WILLOW

Since we found out Dawnie has only been

with us for a couple years. That she was

fabricated and inserted into our lives—

BUFFY (overlapping)

–and our memories were played with—

WILLOW

--by those crazy monks— Exactly.

BUFFY

You think that’s happening again? Is it because of Dawn?

WILLOW

I don’t think it’s Dawn.

BUFFY

You think both Giles & Dawn aren’t real this time?

WILLOW

No! Dawn’s real this time, subjectively speaking of course. I mean I think this time Dawn’s also been affected.

BUFFY

But if that’s the case it’s everyone except you and me?

WILLOW

Maybe just the five of us. The last real memory I feel

certain about is when we were attacked by the Harbingers

a month ago and Spike got kidnapped.

You and I were in the room—

BUFFY

--And Dawnie, Xander and Anya.

WILLOW

Precisely. I know they’re real.

I don’t really understand how or why but I just know.

Everything and everyone else… I don’t know!

Closeup of Buffy.

BUFFY

But why? And why is my Mom here I thought she…

A quick memory flashback shot of Buffy finding her Mom dead on the couch. Then it cuts back to Buffy.

BUFFY

Oh my God.

WILLOW

I know, Buffy. I’m sorry. Again. Uh, I mean still?

I don’t think there’s a correct grammatical tense of

English sentence structure for the situation we’re

finding ourselves in.

BUFFY

Grammar’s never been a strong suit of mine anyway.

Then none of this is real?

If that’s the case then we’re still fighting The First.

WILLOW

Fighting? I don’t know but [I don’t think we’re winning.]

Willow’s last line is interrupted by the voice of Giles, off camera. The portion in brackets above she may not actually say. It’s subtext. Director’s discretion.

GILES

Of course!