Friends
By
Shirley
Open on Buffy, Dawn and Mercy in the Summer’s basement setting up a room for Mercy. There’s a bed, dresser, bookshelf and furnace on a carpeted corner of the basement. They are making the bed.
BUFFY: I hope you don’t mind (talking to Mercy as she puts a pillow into a pillow sheet) We’d have you upstairs but the social workers would really wonder about me having two teens to take care of, especially since you don’t go to school
DAWN: (unfolding a comforter) I wish you could come to school, it would be so much more fun!
BUFFY: I don’t think they accept 500 year old students without a social security card
MERCY: (smiles, smoothing out the sheet) its no problem, this is a lot nicer than I’ve had, believe me
BUFFY: And of course, you’re welcome to the whole house, just when the social worker comes you have to pretend you’re just visiting (Mercy nods and helps Dawn unfold the comforter and put it on the bed) well, I’d better get ready for work (heads for the door) see you guys later and make sure you get to school today Dawn
DAWN: yeah sure! (watches to make sure she’s gone then makes a face) ugh, as if she’d ever notice if I didn’t go, if the school didn’t call her
MERCY: (quietly) why do you skip?
DAWN: (shrugs) it’s stupid, all the stuff you actually use in life you learn outside of school anyways so what’s the point?
MERCY: I think its cool you can go, before… when I was still at home, we weren’t allowed to go to school, girls we supposed to be meek and mild and sew till your fingers fell off
DAWN: (giggles) well, I guess I should get going, wanna walk with me?
MERCY: sure (grinning, behind Dawn we see the pillow floating, it hits Dawn upside the back of her head)
DAWN: hey!! That was so not fair! (Mercy laughs and lets go of the pillow, Dawn grabs it and attacks Mercy. Mercy grabs another pillow and a pillow fight ensues.)
Finally they stop, giggling uncontrollably and drop the pillows. They plop onto the bed.
DAWN: how’s my hair?
MERCY: (laughing) well, it kind of resembles a porcupine
DAWN: (puts her hand on her head and feels her new hairdo) ahhh! Not good. (she sits up and grabs a brush off Mercy’s dresser and brushes her hair)
MERCY: (sits up also, glances at her clock: it reads 7:45 ) we’d better go before you’re late
DAWN: (rolls her eyes) I guess
<Later> Magic Box: Anya is behind the counter while Xander is sitting at the table reading. Mercy enters the store
ANYA: (bright and cheery) hello! And welcome to the—(sees Mercy and her face falls) oh its just you (goes back to checking the books)
XANDER: (looks up at Mercy) isn’t she sweet? (nods toward Anya) So what brings you here o’ immortal one?
MERCY: (looks down nervously) well, I was just out walking around after taking Dawn to school and I thought I’d stop by…
ANYA: (coming around the counter) Xander, did you finish the new shipment inventory?
<Shot of the table with a open box full of stuff and an open Spider man comic. Clearly, Xander hasn’t even started.>
XANDER: (snatches the comic off the table) I’m, uh, almost finished hon.
ANYA: Xander!! (exasperated) I can’t do everything by myself around here you know! Not only do I have to protect and count the money, I have to do inventory, stock shelves, wait on customers, clean—
XANDER: (throws up his hands) whoa Ahn, slow down. Breathe. I promise I’ll get this done. (starts unpacking the box)
ANYA: (turning to Mercy with a hopeful expression) do you want to give me money in exchange for items?
MERCY: uh…no.
ANYA: oh (looks downcast)
MERCY: I was actually wondering if… I could work here?
ANYA: (surprised) oh! (thinks) well…let’s see. Do you know how to run a cash register? (Mercy shakes her head) huh. Can you do inventory?
MERCY: I…I don’t know. I could try. What’s inventory? (looking desperately at Xander, he smiles back encouragingly)
ANYA: hmmm…(pensive, looks like she’ll refuse, then looks up again) Can you dust? (at Mercy’s nod, Anya smiles brightly) You’re hired! (turns and grabs a duster) and you can start now. Have fun! (goes back to her books)
XANDER: Here, I can show you how to do inventory now too (Mercy walks over to watch him) So, why do you want a job?
MERCY: I’ve heard Dawn mention that Buffy’s kind of broke and I don’t want to burden her with paying for me to live there so I thought this would be a good way to help out. I had to come here cause I don’t think anyone else will hire me without any identification.
XANDER: yeah, writing 1500s for your birth date is a real turn off to most employers
<Cut to Dawn, looking around. She ducks behind a tree as a man in a suit (a teacher) walks by. She watches him go, then glances around again before quickly walking through the school gates, leaving school>
<Cut to Buffy at work in her uniform. She has a slip of paper in her hand and looks very excited. Her and Willow are sitting at a booth>
BUFFY: ooooh! Money! (Willow sips her drink and grins at Buffy) It’s like, work, and grease, and ache-yness and then money! (wiggles the check in front of Willow)
WILLOW: welcome to the world of employment, you, the producer, create goods to be bought by consumers so you will have capitol to buy the products that other consumers produce
BUFFY: (raises her eyebrows and smirks) (jokingly) thanks for the lesson Will, and while you’re learning it, I’ll be living it.
WILLOW: (defensive) well… I’m preparing to enter the world of jobbyness
BUFFY: (nods and munches on some fries) always good to be prepared. I’ll actually be living it overtime today, (rolls her eyes) double shift
WILLOW: (nods sympathetically and grabs some fries) did finish you getting Mercy’s room set up?
BUFFY: (nods, swallows fries) yup, I’m so glad that she and Dawn hit off. I think she’ll be a good influence on her.
WILLOW: Are you and Dawn talking yet?
BUFFY: (sighs) barely. We talk but there’s nothing behind it, no connection, you know? (Willow nods sympathetically) I just don’t know what to do anymore
WILLOW: well, its good that you’re home more often now. When you first started work we almost never saw you. (Buffy’s face clouds over as she thinks of the reason she wasn’t around as much)
BUFFY: (softly) yeah
WILLOW: umm… (looks troubled) is it just me or does Mercy seem to not like me much?
BUFFY: what?! No. Oh, she’s just kind of scared of you, you know, because you’re…were a witch.
WILLOW: what? (smiles) Does she think I’m gonna turn her into a toad?
BUFFY: well, anything like that freaks her out, we can’t blame her
WILLOW: yeah you’re right
BUFFY: she’ll probably never even go near the magic shop
<Cut to Mercy in the magic box heading downstairs with paper and pen.>
MERCY: (to herself) okay, three monkey heads, (writes it down) two mummy hands, (writes and continues to count and write things down while mumbling softly)
DAWN: (V.O.) (whispering) Mercy!
MERCY: (glances around confused and startled, then spots Dawn behind one of the shelves) Dawn?! What are you doing here?
DAWN: (unsure) well… I, uh, was looking for you (we notice Dawn’s hand is behind her back)
MERCY: how’d you get down here?
DAWN: I came in the back
MERCY: (suspicious) What made you think I’d be here?
DAWN: ummm… (quickly) oh never mind that. I got an idea!
MERCY: (cautious) what?
DAWN: let’s go visit Spike!
MERCY: (looking down) I don’t think that’s such a good idea
DAWN: why not? (taking the opportunity of Mercy not looking to shove what was in her hand into her bag behind the bookshelf)
MERCY: (blushing) He wouldn’t want to see me
DAWN: (looks at her then smirks) you too huh?
MERCY: what?
DAWN: you’ve got a thing for Spike
MERCY: I do not!!
DAWN: join the club
MERCY: (confused) there’s a club?
DAWN: old saying. (slings her bag over her shoulder) But you do like him huh?
MERCY: well…(blushing again)
DAWN: I know what you mean, he’s so cool! (winks at Mercy) And adorable.
They giggle.
MERCY: (looks at her book bag and remembers) hey! Aren’t you supposed to be in school?
DAWN: (stops smiling and shrugs) yeah so?
MERCY: Dawn…
DAWN: don’t even (glares at Mercy and Mercy stops and looks down. Dawn shrugs it off then smiles again and grabs Mercy’s arm) c’mon let’s go!
MERCY: (smiles and starts to follow then stops) wait, I’m working
DAWN: working?!
MERCY: yeah, Anya gave me a job
DAWN: A job? At the Magic Box? But you hate witchcraft.
MERCY: (shrugging) well, I need money… (Dawn looks at her curiously, Mercy tries to explain) you know to… shop! I need my own clothes and stuff! And at least I’ll be able to help make sure nothing dangerous gets out. I’m doing the inventory now.
DAWN: so? Anya will never even miss you. Come on, please? (sticks out her bottom lip)
MERCY: (unsure) I … I don’t know, I should ask or something
XANDER: (V.O. from upstairs) Mercy, you can go home for the rest of the day we’ve got everything done here!
DAWN: (grins) see! Perfect! (grabs Mercy’s arm and pulls her toward the sewer entrance)
MERCY: (looking very unhappy about the whole thing) yeah, perfect.
<Later> Spike’s crypt: He’s watching TV, and drinking from a mug. Knocking on door, Spike sets down the mug, gets up and moves to the side of the door so the sun won’t get him. He opens it, revealing Dawn, bright and smiling and a much more nervous Mercy in the background.
SPIKE: Dawn? What are you doing here? (notices Mercy hiding behind the doorway) oh, hello back there. Well, get in here before I become a crispy critter.
They walk in and Spike shuts the door. Dawn seems right at home and sits in Spike’s chair. Mercy stands near the doorway and Spike looks at her.
SPIKE: (softly) how’ve you been? (Mercy just nods without looking up at him) you know you can sit down (Mercy walks over and sits on the coffin. Spike grabs his mug and takes a sip)
DAWN: ewww, is that human blood?
SPIKE: nah, pig’s (Dawn makes a face) For human you gotta steal it from the hospital
DAWN: (looks shocked) Spike!
SPIKE: (trying to make it sound better) well, I don’t do it often!
DAWN: (sounds kind of disappointed) so you don’t have any human blood?
SPIKE: got a jar in the fridge, save it for special occasions (Mercy looks up and raises an eyebrow at him, he looks away and changes the subject) so what brings the two of you here… and during school hours (looking pointedly at Dawn)
DAWN: oh nothing, we just wanted to say hi
SPIKE: (nonchalant) hi
DAWN: (starts to look uncomfortable. Turns to Mercy) Have you seen the downstairs yet? (Mercy shakes her head) you should, it’s cool (looks at Spike and motions with her head toward Mercy)
SPIKE: (looks confused then realizes what Dawn is implying.) (to Mercy) oh, do you want to see it then?
MERCY: (looks up) yeah sure
Spike starts to lead the way and Mercy follows, but Dawn continues to sit in the chair.
SPIKE: (looking back) you coming bit?
DAWN: no you guys go ahead, I’m watching TV (winks at Mercy)
Spike shrugs, Mercy rolls her eyes at Dawn and they go downstairs. As soon as she’s sure they’ve gone, Dawn jumps up and pulls a test tube out of her book bag. She runs to Spike’s fridge, looking around nervously and opens the jar of human blood. She carefully fills the test tube, making a face, and puts the cork in it. She puts it in her bag, then puts the jar back into the fridge and jumps back into the chair she was in.
<Cut to Spike and Mercy downstairs>
MERCY: (quietly) its nice
SPIKE: (turning to face her) what’s with you?
MERCY: wh-what do you mean?
SPIKE: (smiles) I usually get some kind of sardonic remark by this time, you feeling all right?
MERCY: (smiles back, looks less nervous) ok. (fake enthusiasm) This place is great…(loses enthusiasm) if you’re a rat.
SPIKE: (grins) better (looks curiously at her) so how are you, really?
MERCY: fine, Buffy and everyone’s great, I have my own bed, and television has become my new religion
SPIKE: (chuckles) right. I see you and little bit are getting on
MERCY: yeah, but… (lowers her voice) I think she’s up to something
SPIKE: what do you mean?
MERCY: I don’t know, it’s just a feeling (sighs) maybe I’m wrong
SPIKE: Doubt it. You’re feelings have been on the mark so far. (She looks up and he looks at her intently, telling her that what she said to him before had not been forgotten)
DAWN: (V.O.) Hey! You guys gonna be done soon? I’m the only one aging around here. I gotta get home before Willow does so she doesn’t find the school’s message!
Spike and Mercy turn to go upstairs.
MERCY: (whispering) what should I do?
SPIKE: keep an eye on her… and scream if you need help (they both grin)
<Later> Summer’s house: shot of the answering machine blinking, finger pushing the erase button.
DAWN: (turns to Mercy) you know I’m kinda tired (big , fake yawn) I think I’ll nap for awhile. You can watch some TV or something.
MERCY: sure (watches Dawn walk upstairs with concern on her face)
<Cut to Dawn entering her bedroom>
Dawn sits in the middle of the floor and opens her bag. She pulls out the test tube, an old book, a talisman (the thing in her hand at the magic box) and some candles. She starts to set up the spell.
<Cut to Buffy, at work, behind the counter>
WOMAN: fries and a coke please
BUFFY: (rings it up on the register, looks up and smiles) (cheerful customer voice) that will be $1.79
WOMAN: (holds out two bills and looks closely at Buffy as she makes change) Ms. Summers?
BUFFY: (looks up, startled) yes?
WOMAN: hello! I’m Mrs. Critch (off Buffy’s blank look) Dawn’s English teacher?
BUFFY: (smiles widely) oh Hi! Sorry, (nervous laugh) long day. So how’s Dawn been doing?
MRS. CRITCH: she could do better, (Buffy’s smile fades) I see a lot of potential in her but… (shakes her head) Anyways. How did her appointment go?
BUFFY: what?
MRS. CRITCH: (slightly suspicious now) her doctor’s appointment, she said she had to leave early for it
BUFFY: Oh! Yeah, (thumps her palm to her forehead) Her appointment. Right. (laughs nervously) Long day.
MRS. CRITCH: (nods, a little confused) well, Have a nice day!
BUFFY: (smiling brightly) you too! (smile fades as Mrs. Critch turns away) doctor’s appointment huh? Well, she’ll need one after I get through with her
<Cut to Dawn’s bedroom.>
Dawn is sitting inside a circle of candles. The book is open in her lap and she’s opening the tube of blood to pour on the talisman. Dawn begins reading the Latin out of the spell book.
<Cut to Mercy, outside Dawn’s door, listening>
MERCY: (listening to the Latin and translating to herself) Arise, o’ spirit and give me thy council, bring forth the one who is dearly beloved that I may call upon her wisdom… (Mercy looks shocked and flings open the door)
DAWN: what are you doing?! (shocked and extremely angry)
MERCY: what do you think you’re doing? (breathless) I won’t let you, you don’t understand what you’re messing with
DAWN: (starts to stand up) I know exactly what I’m doing! (her voice breaks, sits back down, puts her face in her hands, the pages of the book flip) I need to talk to her! I need my mom!
MERCY: no! You’ve gone on this long without her, you have Buffy and all the others, leave your mother in peace!
DAWN: (looks up) No! I don’t have Buffy! (getting angry) She doesn’t want me! I don’t have anyone! (She goes back to the book and finishes the incantation.)
MERCY: (hearing the different words, she realizes the paper turned) NO! Don’t! It’s the wrong spell!
Dawn finishes and the room goes silent.
DAWN: (hopeful) Mommy?
MERCY: you finished with part of a different spell from the one you started
DAWN: it was? (She looks back at the text) I knew I should’ve taken Latin instead of French
A gust of wind goes through the room and the candles blow out. It’s completely dark.
MERCY: (voice full of fear) oh no, oh no
DAWN: (small voice) oopsy?
Suddenly a candle is lit, revealing them surrounded by three demons. The demons look around, then at the girls and grin.
DEMON 1: (holding the lit candle) Grab them!!
DEMON 2: (excited) what are we going to do with them?
DEMON 1: (pensive) I haven’t decided (we see his robe is torn on the left side by his heart, the other two demons where a small silver pendant where Demon 1’s robe is ripped)
DEMON 2: I can think of what I’d like to do with them (Looks lustfully at the girls)
DEMON 3: (we see he’s a rather chubby demon) yeah! Eat ‘em!
DEMON 2: (reproachfully) do you always have to think with your stomach? (smiles lewdly) I meant other forms of satisfaction.
DEMON 3: (getting it.) Ohh. (Pauses then looks hopefully at demon 2) can we eat them afterwards?
DEMON 1: shut up! (the other two snap to attention) they summoned us to that house and I want to know why. We wait for them to wake up. (the other demons look downcast then demon 1 smiles) we can play with them afterwards. (the other two demons grin at each other)
<Cut to Summer’s house> Buffy opens the door and slams it shut looking pissed. We see its dark outside now.
BUFFY: DAWN! I need to talk to you, now! (starts up the stairs) Dawn! (listens and slows down) (no longer angry) Dawn? (runs up the stairs to Dawn’s room and flings open the door) Dawn?! (sees the room in chaos and the witch stuff knocked over on the floor) (scared) Dawny?
<Cut to Spike’s crypt> Door slams open as Buffy bursts in.
BUFFY: (out of breath) Spike… Help… Dawn.
SPIKE: whoa slayer. Breathe, make whole sentences. What happened to pigeon now?
BUFFY: (flustered) I…I don’t know, I got home and she was gone and it looks like there was a struggle in her room… (takes in a deep breath) Mercy’s gone too
SPIKE: (worried) Mercy?
BUFFY: (nods) it looked like they were doing a spell… and they must have conjured something (pulls something out of her pocket) I found this (holds up small silver pendent with a scrap of maroon cloth still hanging on to it)
SPIKE: (takes it, turns it over and nods) Malory demons, they usually don’t come near humans, they’re not very strong but Dawn and Mercy—
BUFFY: aren’t very strong either (inhales deeply) so will they kill them?
SPIKE: I doubt it (Buffy looks confused) what they do to girls is worse
BUFFY: (looks shocked as his meaning sinks in) so how do we find them?
SPIKE: well, they like caves, above ground…
BUFFY: the old initiative caves?
SPIKE: read my mind
They head out.
<Cut to cave> Dawn and Mercy are alone in the cavern. Dawn is awake and struggling against her bonds, Mercy begins to wake up.
DAWN: (sees Mercy’s movement) Mercy! Wake up!
MERCY: (groggy) what’s going on?
DAWN: those demon things, they went out to get fire wood, come on we have to get out of here now!
MERCY: (realizes she’s chained) (panicking) No! no, no, no, no. Please no! (she pulls and jerks her arms in the chains)
DAWN: Mercy, calm down! We can do this.
MERCY: no… you don’t know, you don’t know what they’ll do to us!
DAWN: come on, I need you to stay calm, please! (her voice breaks as she starts to panic. Mercy continues squirming, out of control. Dawn drops her head and begins to sob, giving in to her own fears)
MERCY: (stops struggling and clamps her mouth shut, realizing she’s scaring Dawn, tries to sound reassuring) yeah, we’ll figure this out, Buffy will come
DAWN: no she won’t! She’ll never find us here!
MERCY: Dawn…
DAWN: No! She won’t even try to rescue me, she doesn’t care. I’m just another burden in her life!
MERCY: (shocked) Dawn!
DAWN: it’s true! She’d rather still be dead than here with me! (breaks into sobs)
MERCY: Dawn, how can you say that? She died for you. She loves you more than anything.
DAWN: but she didn’t want to come back, she doesn’t want to be here with me
MERCY: (quietly) who would want to come back? (Dawn looks up in surprise) She was at peace. She was happy and safe, she knew everything was okay. Most of all she knew you were okay, she knew you would go on and be all right. And then she was brought back, to a world where she battles every day of her life to protect herself and everyone else, a place where she must watch you go through pain.
Dawn looks down, silent, thinking this over.
They hear noises as the demons return.
DAWN: (frightened whisper) oh no. (close up shot of the terror on Mercy’s face)
<Cut to different area of the caves, Buffy and Spike walk through the tunnels.>
BUFFY: (holding a flashlight toward two entryways) which way?
SPIKE: left
They move down the left tunnel. Spike suddenly trips behind Buffy and grabs around her waist to keep from falling.
SPIKE: Bloody hell!
BUFFY: Hey! (jumps away from him)
SPIKE: sorry, almost took a tumble there
BUFFY: (disbelieving) sure
SPIKE: (indignant) I tripped! (Buffy ignores him and walks off) I did. If you think I was just dying to get my arms around you then you’re… (stops as Buffy turns to face him)
BUFFY: Spike, I don’t want to get in to this. (turns away again) besides you’re a vampire, hello, night vision?
SPIKE: well, I wasn’t watching the ground, I was watching… (looks down at her back to indicate what he was watching and grins)
BUFFY: (turns around and raises her eyebrows) what?
SPIKE: (stops grinning and acts innocent) the flashlight
BUFFY: right. (flinches as Spike moves closer to her)
SPIKE: (softer) what do you think I was watching luv?
BUFFY: (through clenched teeth) don’t call me that.
SPIKE: (patronizing) sorry luv
BUFFY: (raises an arm as if to back hand him then stops herself, sighs deeply and looks seriously at him)Spike, I don’t want to do this, I can’t do this. Not anymore.
SPIKE: (stops smiling and goes serious too) I know, it’s just…hard (looks down) I miss you
BUFFY: I know (he looks up and Buffy smiles slightly as they stare at each other, Buffy suddenly looks away and sniffs) do you smell… smoke?
SPIKE: yeah
They move off in that direction.
<Cut back to demon cave> Demons have assembled a fire in the middle of the room, we see the smoke going out a hole in the roof. Demon 3 is taking care of the fire while the other two taunt the girls.
DAWN: get away from me!
DEMON 1: made a little boo-boo in your spell? (he moves close to her and runs his finger down her cheek, she jerks her head away) well, your loss is our gain
DAWN: (kicks at him but he moves away fast enough to avoid her) you guys better just back off! (they laugh at her and she loses some confidence) I-I mean it, my sister’s gonna kick your—
DEMON 2: sister? Ooh another girl to play with?
DAWN: yeah right, if you call getting beat up playing. She’s the slayer.
DEMON 1: (interested) the slayer?
DAWN: yeah! Right Mercy? (shot of Mercy, eyes wide with fright, looking almost catatonic. Back to Dawn suddenly very worried) Mercy?
DEMON 3: (looks up from the fire) uh… if her sister’s really the slayer, maybe we should…
DEMON 2: what? Let them go? No way! We can take the slayer.
DEMON 1: It’s no matter, she’ll never find us here anyways. (he goes over to Mercy) there, there dear don’t look so scared, we’ll take good care of you
He runs a finger down Mercy’s cheek. She shudders and closes her eyes. He trails his finger down to her chest.
DEMON 2: can I have the other one boss?
DEMON 1: (hissing) shut up. We’ll take turns. (demon 2 smirks at Dawn)
DAWN: (trembling) Mercy?
Demon 1 turns back to Mercy and starts caressing her face again.
DAWN: Mercy, do something!
Mercy’s eyes are still closed and she makes no indication of having heard Dawn. The demon moves his hand to her knees where her skirt begins.
Demon 2 watches with a smile on his face.
DAWN: (struggling with her chains) Mercy!! Fight back! Don’t let him!
Mercy’s eyelids flutter and she whimpers.
DAWN: (desperately) Mercy! Come on, snap out of it!!
The demon begins moving his hand up her leg, lifting her skirt. Mercy’s eyes snap open and she looks hard at the demon.
DEMON 1: (confused) what the— I can’t move my hand!
Mercy continues to glare at him and suddenly jerks her chin forward and the demon flies back against the wall.
DEMON 2: what? How’d she do that?
DEMON 1: (standing up) someone’s telekinetic. (sees Mercy swaying from her effort) takes a lot out of ya though, does it? (Mercy looks up at him) so what’s the plan when you run out of strength?
MERCY: (takes a deep breath and lets out her horror movie scream) AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
DEMON 2: (jumps back a little) whoa.
<Cut to Buffy and Spike> They hear the scream echoing, it’s nearby.
BUFFY: Mercy
SPIKE: (smiles) that-a-girl
They take off running towards the cavern.
<Cut to cavern>
DEMON 1: (chuckles) and what help do you think that’ll be?
DEMON 2: yeah! (shakes his head) aside from making us deaf
Mercy looks at Dawn and nods toward the demon. Dawn understands the signal to distract them.
DAWN: hey you big ugly things! (Demons turn to her) yeah, that’s right, I’m talking to you. When Buffy gets done with you you’ll be…uh, hurt really bad! Yeah and…(looks desperately at Mercy and notices her concentrating then smiles) and, you’ll be all bloody and bruised. Possibly even dead
DEMON 1: (angry) is that so?
Behind the demons Mercy has levitated a fiery piece of wood. Dawn sees it and smiles smugly.
DAWN: (haughty) well, at least it won’t make you look any worse, hey you might even improve
DEMON 1: (growls) that’s it (he moves in toward her but the flaming stick hits him upside the head) Ahh!
DEMON 2: hey, she’s doing it again! (grabs at the stick but gets the fiery end and burns himself and lets it go) owwie!!!
Demon 3 stands in the corner looking scared as the stick moves towards him.
DEMON 1: (gets up) you wimps! (walks up to Mercy and backhands her across the face. The stick drops to the ground)
DAWN: Mercy!! (Mercy hangs her head in defeat)
DEMON 1: (picks up the stick which has cooled down enough to be red hot at one end but no fire. He brings it up by Mercy’s face) let’s see how you like it dear
BUFFY: (from behind) let’s see how you do (Demon 1 turns just in time to get whacked with another flaming log)
DAWN: (joyfully) Buffy!
BUFFY: it’s okay Dawn, I’ll be there in a minute
Spike jumps in to the cavern.
SPIKE: (looks at a surprised Demon 2) (cheery) good evening then! Nice weather we’re having. (punches demon 2 dead in the face)
Buffy and Demon 1 battle while Spike takes on Demon 2.
Demon 3 cowers in the corner, watching.
<Cut to Dawn watching anxiously as we hear sounds of crashing and punches. She looks toward Mercy>
DAWN: Mercy?
<Cut to Mercy groaning and hanging limply in her chains>
<Cut back to fight>
Buffy kicks her demon down and pulls a knife out of her bag.
Spike throws Demon 2 up against the wall and punches him.
Demon 1 gets up and lunges at Buffy but she easily ducks out of the way and kicks him down again. She quickly thrusts the knife into his chest.
Demon 3 looks on, not moving from his corner till he sees Demon 1 killed, then runs out.
BUFFY: hey! (looks up at Demon 3) Come back here, I was getting to you!
SPIKE: (has Demon 2 pinned against the wall) Buffy!
Buffy tosses him the knife and he stabs Demon 2.
DAWN: Buffy? (Buffy runs to her and pulls her chains out of the wall. Dawn hugs her and we see the surprised smile on Buffy’s face) Buffy, I’m sorry, I’m so, so, so sorry.
BUFFY: its okay Dawny, (hugging her back) let’s just get you home. (looks over at Spike holding up Mercy, whose chains have already been torn out of the wall by Spike) is she okay?
MERCY: (groggily) yeah, I’m fine (looks up at Spike dizzily) can you stop the room from spinning please?
SPIKE: I’ve got her (starts to pick her up)
MERCY: (struggling) no I can walk, I can—
SPIKE: I know you can (holds her tighter to keep her from walking off) but you’re not (Mercy gives in and leans against him)
DAWN: (pulling away from Buffy to look her in the face) I need to talk to you
BUFFY: (smiles) of course (pushes a strand of hair back from Dawn’s face)
She looks at Spike and he takes the hint.
SPIKE: you guys go on ahead, we’ll catch up (looks down as Mercy suddenly slumps in his arms and smirks) she just fainted again anyways
BUFFY: probably a good thing, too many memories just came rushing back to her (puts her hand on Dawn’s shoulder as they leave the cavern. She looks back at Spike) (mouthing the words) Thank you
Spike nods and smiles slightly.
<Later> Downstairs of Spike’s crypt. Mercy is lying in Spike’s bed. We see a huge bruise forming on her cheek.
SPIKE: (lifts her head up and puts a mug to her lips) here, drink this, you’ll feel better
MERCY: (sits up to take the cup without opening her eyes) if this is blood I’m staking you (sips it)
SPIKE: it’s brandy (he sits on the bed next to her)
MERCY: (makes a face and swallows hard) and— (clears her throat) how is this supposed to help?
SPIKE: ease the pain (he touches the bruise and she grimaces)
MERCY: that’s not the pain I’m worried about
SPIKE: you sure do faint a lot
MERCY: (smiles slightly) weak blood (she glances around) hey, this is an improvement from the coffin
SPIKE: (smiling) yeah, thought it was time for a change. Routine was getting crusty.
Mercy smiles but it soon leaves her face as she sits there, silent. She sighs and puts the mug down. Suddenly she starts to heave, she covers her mouth as Spike jumps up and pulls a waste basket over to her. She turns and vomits into it. Spike watches concerned, and doesn’t seem to know how to help. He goes to pat her back but she sits up and he quickly pulls his hand away. She grabs the mug and takes a big gulp of the brandy, she makes a face again and wipes her mouth. She puts the mug down and stares down, her face hidden by her hair.
SPIKE: what’s wrong? Was it the brandy?
MERCY: (she looks up with tears in her eyes) It’s gone, it’s gone
SPIKE: (worried and bothered by her tears) what luv? What’s gone?
MERCY: my… my place
SPIKE: what?
MERCY: before (swallows hard) when I was with Uglak, whenever he would… (Spike nods so she doesn’t have to say it, she looks down) I would just… leave. I’d go to a place in my mind where nothing hurt, where I knew this couldn’t be happening to me, it was all just a nightmare… and as long as I did that… it- it didn’t hurt
Spike awkwardly brings up his hand to stroke her hair.
SPIKE: it’s all right
MERCY: (continuing) but today, when Dawn was yelling for me to do something, I heard her, even though I was…gone…I heard her and I knew I had to fight back, for her sake…and when I did it all came crashing down on me. (she looks up at Spike with tears streaming down her cheeks) It wasn’t a dream, it was real… all those things… (she hugs her knees to her chest and starts rocking back and forth) the things they did to me… made me do…(her voice cracks) I’m so disgusting! (She puts her head down and begins sobbing into her knees)
Spike watches her for a moment then leans forward and lifts her face.
SPIKE: look at me (she looks into his eyes) You’re not disgusting, or dirty, or bad. They are. They did it to you.
MERCY: but I let them
SPIKE: you had no choice (Mercy starts to shake her head, he grabs her by the shoulders) listen to me. It wasn’t your fault. You can’t blame yourself for other people’s actions. It’s not you, there is absolutely nothing wrong with you.
MERCY: then why does it keep happening?
She looks at him for a long moment and he lets go of her shoulders. She sighs then starts to get up.
SPIKE: (watches her stand) where are you going?
MERCY: home, it’s late, I have to work tomorrow
SPIKE: work?
MERCY: yeah, Anya gave me a job at the Magic Box (off Spike’s curious look) it’s to help Buffy, so she’s not paying for me while I live there
SPIKE: (nods, understanding, and gets up) are you okay to walk?
MERCY: yeah
They walk up the stairs.
<Cut to Dawn’s room> Buffy and Dawn are sitting on the bed.
BUFFY: It’s okay Dawn, I understand. Some days I’m willing to do anything to talk to mom too. (she smirks) you’re just more resourceful than I am. (she puts her hand on Dawn’s knee) but you know I’m always here. You can talk to me.
DAWN: you’re always so busy
BUFFY: come see me at work, I’ll take an emergency break (Dawn smiles) I know I’m away a lot Dawny, but we can still talk
DAWN: (sighs) I know. I just thought you didn’t want to be with me. Since you got back you’ve seemed so distant. I thought it was that I was a reminder of how you died, and how you wished you hadn’t come back, so it was easier for you not to see me.
BUFFY: No, Dawn, no. Seeing you makes me remember why I lived so hard before, to protect you and everyone. And I promise you I’m not going away again. I’m here, I’m alive and I want to be.
Dawn smiles and hugs Buffy, Buffy looks very happy as she hugs back. They pull away.
BUFFY: (grins) you’re stuck with me kid!
DAWN: (fake snotty voice) I am not a kid!
BUFFY: yes o’ powerful key thing-a-ma-gig (she pretends to bow then pokes Dawn’s side, Dawn jumps away giggling) Ha! I remembered where the giggle button was.
DAWN: (laughs and sits up again) wanna watch corny movies?
BUFFY: Popcorn?
DAWN: definitely
They smile at each other. Dawn jumps up off the bed and heads for the door.
BUFFY: uh Dawny?
DAWN: (turns back still smiling) yup?
BUFFY: about your “doctor’s appointment”
<Cut to Dawn. She stops smiling. She looks innocently at Buffy then chickens out, and runs out of the room>
<Cut to Spike and Mercy walking across the lawn of the Summer’s house>
MERCY: (seeing the living room light on) I’ll go in through the back so I don’t disturb them.
SPIKE: (clears his throat, seems kind of nervous) it’s, uh, a good thing, those two, finally hashing it out
MERCY: yeah
They reach the back porch and Mercy climbs up the first step then turns to look at Spike.
MERCY: (looks uncomfortable) well, um, thanks for walking me home
SPIKE: (nods and smiles) anytime
They look at each other for a moment then Mercy suddenly leans forward and hugs Spike. Spike looks shocked but starts to put up his arms to hug her back.
MERCY: (whispers in his ear) thank you (she pulls away and runs into the house without looking back
Spike looks after her in confusion, with the slightest smile on his face.
<Cut to Summer’s living room> Buffy and Dawn are on the couch in pajamas eating popcorn. They hear the back door open and close.
DAWN: Mercy? Is that you?
Mercy comes into the doorway.
MERCY: yeah
BUFFY: how’s your head?
MERCY: (puts her hand on her cheek) still swimming some
BUFFY: (nods sympathetically) want to join us?
MERCY: oh no! I don’t want to be in the way, this is your guys’ time together.
DAWN: oh no, you gotta stay! We’re watching old horror films and Buffy’s criticizing their fighting—
BUFFY: well, it's totally unrealistic, they might as well be dummies (stops herself)
DAWN: see! Don’t leave me alone with her, she’s crazy!
BUFFY: I am not! (throws a popcorn kernel at her)
DAWN: hey! (in mock horror) help Mercy! Float something at her!
BUFFY: (grabs a handful of popcorn and tosses it up so it snows on Dawn) Happy New Year!!
They giggle and start tossing popcorn back and forth.
Shot of Mercy watching from the doorway with a smile. We see Willow come up behind her (also in pajamas) with another bowl of popcorn. She grabs a handful and looks at Buffy.
Her and Dawn are still throwing popcorn back and forth. Buffy sees Willow and nods.
Willow grins and drops a handful of popcorn over Mercy’s head. We see Buffy and Dawn grabbing handfuls too.
MERCY: hey! (turns to see Willow, who’s ready with another handful)
Mercy ducks and turns to see Buffy and Dawn, grinning. They whip their popcorn at her.
MERCY: okay, you asked for it. (she closes her eyes)
Shot of the ground covered with popcorn, it begins levitating.
DAWN: (V.O.) no fair!!
<Cut to outside of Summer’s house> We hear laughing and squealing as the popcorn fight continues.
BUFFY: (V.O.) good thing it wasn’t buttered!
Fade Out.