Mercy
By
Shirley
Open on Spike walking through the cemetery towards his crypt. He is clearly agitated, walking fast and throwing his arms around.
SPIKE: (mumbling to himself) Bloody bint… thinks I’m her bloody slave… thinks I’ll just come running every time she calls… I don’t have to help, I could just leave her alone, its what she bloody wants anyways. (he slows down, and shakes his head sighing, knowing that he’ll never stop helping her)
He pulls a cigarette out of his pack and starts to light it when a bright (vertical) line of light appears in front of him.
SPIKE: what the—
The light suddenly flashes blindingly and a girl runs out of it. As she comes out the light vanishes. She runs straight into Spike, not seeming to know where she’s going.
SPIKE: bloody hell!
Cut to Buffy’s house. Her and Dawn are on the porch.
BUFFY: he makes me so mad!
DAWN: spike?
BUFFY: yes, he’s like obsessed
DAWN: you’ve known that for awhile
BUFFY: (stammers) well… it got more annoying than it used to be
They see the light flash in the distance.
DAWN: wh-what was that?
BUFFY: I don’t know, I’d better go check it out (steps off the porch towards the light)
DAWN: be careful
Cut to same scene with Spike as he tries to hold on to the girl.
SPIKE: hey luv what’s the problem?
The girl struggles against him and kicks him to get free. Instead of running she stands there, looking prepared to fight. As Spike looks at her, she closes her eyes and takes in a deep breath. A stick lying behind Spike begins to float but he doesn’t notice. The girl’s eyes fly open and the stick hits Spike in the back of the head.
SPIKE: hey! (sees the floating stick) what the—
The stick hits him again but this time he grabs it. (We can see the strain on the girl’s face as she tries to maintain control of the stick) The girl lets go of her control of the stick and stands shaking a little, Spike doesn’t notice how weak she is now.
SPIKE: demon chick huh?
Spike swings the stick at her head and knocks her to the ground. He suddenly grabs his head and yelps in pain. (We can see the girl is unconscious)
SPIKE: (rubbing his head and looking at the girl) HUH?!
In Spike’s crypt: the girl lies on top of one of the stone coffins with Spike’s coat covering her. Spike sits in his chair watching the girl curiously. The girl begins whimpering and jerking in her sleep. Spike gets up and goes over to her.
SPIKE: (softly) hey (the girl keeps crying and acts as if she’s fighting with someone in a dream) hey wake up, it’s a dream (he puts his hand on her arm) its just a—
The girl’s eyes fly open and she jumps back. Her eyes are wide with fear and she clutches Spike’s jacket in her hands.
SPIKE: (reaching for the coat) hey be careful with that (she lets him take the coat) leather’s tender. So who are you? (the girl doesn’t answer but looks around like an animal in a trap) Hey, hey (softer) its all right, I’m not gonna hurt ya.
He walks over and puts the jacket on his chair then sits down in it. He pulls out a cigarette and lights it.
SPIKE: so do you talk or what? (the girl just looks at him) fine you just sit there then…good job
GIRL: (looks down and takes a breath, then looks back up) I’m Mercy
SPIKE: Mercy huh? So what’s your deal? I know you’re human but—
MERCY: (sounding kind of bitter) how do you know I’m human?
SPIKE: cause when I hit you it hurt
MERCY: huh?
SPIKE: it’s a long story, I can’t hurt humans without getting a helluva migraine
MERCY: you hit me? (rubbing the side of her head and looking afraid again)
SPIKE: hey, you started it. how did you do that anyways? With the stick?
MERCY: (quietly) I’m not sure how I do it, I just do.
SPIKE: well that works ( he puts out his cigarette and walks over to her) so where did you come from?
MERCY: (getting defensive) none of your business
SPIKE: (amused at her tone) oh so the kid’s got some spirit after all
MERCY: kid? (crosses her arms) yeah right, I’m probably older than you
SPIKE: now that, I highly doubt
MERCY: you don’t look old
SPIKE: well neither do you luv, and you look younger than me
MERCY: so what are you?
SPIKE: I’m a vampire
MERCY: a vampire?
SPIKE: yeah, you know, fangs, drink blood, don’t like the sun or pointy sticks, the whole bit
MERCY: but you can’t hurt humans?
SPIKE: nope
MERCY: (giggling a little) that’s kinda pathetic
SPIKE: hey! (Mercy laughs even harder at his attempt to give her a “I’m gonna eat you” look) you know what, you were more fun when you were scared of me
MERCY: doesn’t matter, you couldn’t have killed me anyways
SPIKE: and why’s that?
MERCY: I can’t die
SPIKE: then why were you scared?
MERCY: just cause I’m immortal doesn’t mean I don’t feel pain
SPIKE: (jumping up on the coffin lid to sit next to her) so how’d you manage being human and immortal?
MERCY: well, sometime when I was really young… I’m not sure when… I found out I could move stuff, you know with my mind. My family thought I was evil so they cast me out into the woods. A demon called Uglak, found me there and discovered my gift. He pulled me into his dimension to be his bride so he could use my power. But I didn’t want to help him, I didn’t want to be evil, I kept trying to kill myself so he couldn’t use me anymore but he finally made me immortal so I had no choice but to help him if I didn’t want to be tortured.
Spike is looking more and more concerned and sad for Mercy as she tells her story barely holding back tears. He glances down at her arms and we see a shot of the scars up and down her arms where she tried to kill herself. She notices him looking at them and quickly turns them over.
SPIKE: so when did you get taken?
MERCY: 16th century
SPIKE: whoa you are older than me
MERCY: figured I would be
SPIKE: so how’d you get back here?
MERCY: Uglak was making me use my power to help open a portal into this world but before it was open enough for him to come through, I jumped through and shut it coming out
SPIKE: good thinking
MERCY: not really
SPIKE: what do ya mean?
MERCY: it’s only a matter of time until he comes after me
Cut to the place where Mercy came through, the light appears and a demon comes out of it, looking around as if searching for someone.
Cut to Buffy, in an alley, sees the light and starts running towards it.
ACT III
SPIKE: oh really? (joking) So is he gonna kill me for hiding you here?
MERCY: (not caring) probably
SPIKE: (taken aback) oh that’s the thanks I get?
MERCY: thanks for what? Knocking me out?
SPIKE: no…uh…well…bringing you in here and making you comfortable and… not eating you
MERCY: oh right like you could
SPIKE: well I could’ve had someone else kill you then feed off you
MERCY: you wouldn’t have
SPIKE: how do you know?
MERCY: (small smile) I can tell
SPIKE: yeah sure, you don’t know a thing about me all right?
MERCY: you’re William the Bloody or Spike if you prefer
SPIKE: I do, and how do you know that when you didn’t even know I was a vamp?
MERCY: we watched this town carefully in our dimension, you know, what with the hell mouth and all
SPIKE: ok so…?
MERCY: I figured out that you were Spike cause of the stuff Uglak used to tell me (off Spike’s look) to keep him from thinking about hurting me I used to get him to tell me stories of the demons here, you and Angelus were two of his favorite
SPIKE: that right?
MERCY: of course he liked Angelus better, until he got his soul back that is
SPIKE: (rolling his eyes) yeah Angel is always the favorite (Mercy looks at him curiously but he shakes his head and avoids her look.) so how much time till Uglak decides to make his grand appearance
Suddenly a huge crash comes from outside.
Cut to the demon smashing a gravestone and heading towards the crypt.
UGLAK: MERCY!!
Mercy: (absolute terror appearing on her face) none
SPIKE: quick! (he jumps up and pulls her off the coffin she was on and opens it, Mercy doesn’t react but stares in terror at the doorway) get in!! (Mercy does nothing) Fine I’ll put you in! (he scoops her up and places her in the coffin, *which is fortunately empty of a skeleton* ) I’ll fight Mr. Nasty. (goes to look out of the door which is slightly open and sees the size of Uglak.) on the other hand…(runs back to the coffin) move over! I’m coming in here too. (slams the coffin shut)
Silence for a few seconds then we hear Uglak enter the crypt. We can hear him throwing things around and cursing at Mercy under his breath. Inside the coffin Mercy starts whimpering and shaking.
SPIKE: shhh, don’t (he moves his arm to cover his mouth and realizes there isn’t enough room to move his hand up) bloody hell, be quiet! (he suddenly begins kissing her, Mercy looks shocked but can’t really resist since they’re stuck)
Cut to Uglak looking around the crypt some more then finally leaving. Cut to inside the coffin where Spike listens to Uglak leave then stops kissing Mercy.
MERCY: (kind of breathless) why….
SPIKE: shhhh! (listens a few more seconds) okay I think he’s gone. (opens the lid and jumps out.)
MERCY: (sitting up in the coffin) why did you do that?
SPIKE: (preoccupied) what? (picks up a piece of broken chair) bloody hell, I just knicked that too (realizes what Mercy asked him) oh to shut you up
MERCY: huh?
SPIKE: my hand was stuck, it was the only thing I could think of
MERCY: (looking hurt for a second then switches to anger) well don’t ever try it again!
SPIKE: (scoffs) like I’d want to (continues to pick up pieces of chair_
MERCY: bite me, (evil grin) oh that’s right, you can’t, poor baby
SPIKE: hey watch it! (throws the pieces in to a corner)
MERCY: what are you gonna do? Glare me to death? Not that I’d even die
SPIKE: (rolls his eyes) you gotta get over this whole “I’m immortal” kick its getting stale
MERCY: whatever
SPIKE: you sure don’t talk like a 16th century girl
MERCY: I told we watched this dimension closely, I even know what shoes are in style
SPIKE: goody for you
Cut to Buffy walking through the graveyard on patrol, she hears the demon crashing around.
BUFFY: hey whatcha doing big guy? (Uglak just pushes her down and starts to walk away, Buffy looks a little shocked at his strength) well, that wasn’t very nice, (she dusts herself off) hey these were new pants you know (Uglak turns to look at her. Buffy flips and kicks him in the head knocking him down) let’s try this again, what are you doing here? (the demon lunges at her and knocks her down again, he stands over her and pulls out a knife)
UGLAK: I’m looking for Mercy, slayer
BUFFY: (looks confused for a moment but shrugs it off) well you won’t get it from me (she kicks him in the groin and jumps to her feet.)
They fight some more and she finally grabs his knife from him and stabs him in the stomach, ________ lies still so Buffy stands thinking he’s dead. She turns away from him to dust off her pants again shaking her head at the damage. Suddenly he jumps up and pulls the knife out of his stomach the wound quickly heals and ________ runs off. Buffy turns around to see him running away.
BUFFY: hey! You were supposed to stay dead (she groans and looks over at Spike’s crypt nearby, she takes a deep breath and determinedly heads towards it)
Cut to inside Spike’s crypt, he and Mercy are sitting on top of the coffin talking.
SPIKE: (with a smug smile) so I’m like a legend in your dimension huh?
MERCY: only to the brainless idiots that are demons
SPIKE: hey!!
MERCY: (smiles) sorry just thought you should get knocked down a peg or two
SPIKE: trust me, this chip’s already knocked me down through the floor
MERCY: so what do you do now that you can’t be evil?
SPIKE: I’m still evil
MERCY: right, a neutered evil
SPIKE: shut up, mostly I help the slayer
MERCY: you help the slayer?!
SPIKE: yeah (getting defensive) I gotta beat on someone, might as well be demons
MERCY: but…you help the slayer?!
SPIKE: I thought we already got that point
The door slams open as Buffy bursts inside.
SPIKE: (under his breath) speaking of the----- (he jumps off the coffin and faces Buffy, *loudly*) Buffy! what can I do for you?
BUFFY: (looks confused) what’s going on here?
SPIKE: (takes a deep breath) this is Mercy, she an immortal human from a hell dimension that she just escaped from and this big demon guy jumped through with her and is trying to track her down (turns to Mercy) did I leave anything out? (Mercy just looks at him, Spike turns back to Buffy) oh yeah and she can move stuff
BUFFY: huh?
SPIKE: you know, with her mind, telepathically or whatever you call it. Telekinesis. So there’s all your info slayer now what are you doing here?
MERCY: you’re the slayer?
BUFFY: (seems to not have heard Mercy and talks to Spike) what’s your problem? I just stopped by to ask about the demon I just killed (thinks for a second) --but didn’t, and you have to be all moody with me?
SPIKE: (coldly) sorry, something about people who say they want me out of their lives dropping in all the time kind of bothers me
BUFFY: I just needed some information
SPIKE: well you got tons of books full of it and yet you just keep coming back here, gee I wonder why?
BUFFY: don’t even go there
SPIKE: yeah, that’s right, avoid it, that’s all you ever do since Giles left
BUFFY: (through clenched teeth) shut up, you can’t understand what I feel
SPIKE: (under his breath) sure I can you just won’t let me
During this scene Mercy looks back and forth between the two of them, first looking confused then starting to understand what’s going on.
BUFFY: (rolls her eyes and sees Mercy sitting on the coffin still) oh sorry, I’m Buffy (goes up to Mercy) that was really rude huh?
MERCY: its no problem, what demon did you say you killed…um but didn’t?
BUFFY: oh this real big guy with horns and—
MERCY: that’s him, that’s Uglak
BUFFY: the guy that followed you out? (thinks) that’s why he said he was looking for mercy, wow I was confused, never heard that one before. How’d you get a name like Mercy?
MERCY: my mother
BUFFY: (smiles and nods) makes sense
SPIKE: oh yeah and Buffy’s just the queen of all names
BUFFY: okay Spike, sounds like that’s from the eighties
SPIKE: hey I got that nickname for torture methods, not hair
BUFFY: well that’s obvious, (turns back to Mercy) so how do we kill this Uglak guy?
MERCY: I’m not sure there is a way, they never really talked about it in front of me
BUFFY: yeah, probably not, well it’s no problem we’ll go to my place and hit the books
Mercy looks nervously at Spike, she doesn’t want to leave.
SPIKE: don’t worry luv, you’re probly safer with her than me, (gives her a smile) besides with your tongue you probably would’ve had to knock me out again soon
BUFFY: (grins at Mercy) you knocked him out?
MERCY: (smiles shyly) almost
BUFFY: (whispering) you go girl
SPIKE: oh fine so you both gang up on me now
MERCY: (looks uncertain again) so (to Spike) will I see you soon?
SPIKE: (grins) course (sees Buffy’s look and stops smiling) I’ll be around (he turns away from them and goes to go downstairs
BUFFY: (smiles reassuringly at Mercy) c’mon let’s go
Buffy’s house where Buffy is introducing Dawn and Mercy.
BUFFY: Dawn, this is Mercy, um, she can explain her story while you go upstairs and help her clean up (turns to Mercy) I have some old clothes that will probably fit you if you want (Mercy nods, Buffy turns to Dawn) ok Dawn you can grab the box out of my closet and find Mercy some stuff while I call the gang to do research
DAWN: sure (looking slightly annoyed at being left with a strange girl) come on (she starts up the stairs and Mercy follows)
Buffy heads towards the phone and jumps as the door opens as Spike comes in.
BUFFY: ugh! Do you always have to come out of no where?
SPIKE: I didn’t, I came from outside. So what did you find out?
BUFFY: nothing yet, we’ve been here all of five minutes
SPIKE: well fine then how can I help?
BUFFY: leave?
SPIKE: (gives her a hard look) not till I know the girl’s gonna be all right
BUFFY: why do you care?
SPIKE: (rolls his eyes) fine, I’ll get out on the street for info (he turns and storms out slamming the door)
Buffy shakes her head and heads towards the telephone again.
Cut to Dawn and Mercy in Dawn’s room looking through the box of clothing.
DAWN: (holding out some clothes) here. The bathroom’s down the hall, you can take a shower (sees Mercy’s confused look) you do know how to take a shower right? (Mercy shakes her head) oh boy, well…um…get in the tub, turn the knob till the water’s the right temperature and use the soap and shampoo to wash yourself. Get it? (looking hopefully at Mercy)
MERCY: yeah, sure
DAWN: good, you’ll be fine (pushes her towards the door) when you’re done, just dry off with a towel, put on some clothes and head downstairs (Dawn watches Mercy till she gets into the bathroom then runs downstairs)
BUFFY: (on phone) it’s a long story, I’ll explain when you get here—
DAWN: she doesn’t know what a shower is! What is going on? (sees Spike enter through the back door) Spike?
XANDER: (V.O. from phone) what?! Who’s in the shower with Spike?!
BUFFY: no, never mind (gives Dawn a “shut up!” look) just get here as soon as possible (hangs up)
DAWN: who is she? And why doesn’t she know what a shower is?
BUFFY: she’s from a hell dimension, I doubt demons are big on personal hygiene down there
SPIKE: plus they didn’t have showers in the 16th century
DAWN: is she…like Glory?
BUFFY: no, no! she’s human…sort of, she’s immortal but a human… I’m not sure what exactly happened to her…
SPIKE: a demon kidnapped her
BUFFY: (turns to him with an annoyed expression) I thought you were leaving
SPIKE: I was, then the whole sunrise thing started happening and I wanted to be here when we found out what was going on
DAWN: you know her?
SPIKE: oh yeah long time, been about four hours now
BUFFY: so how did she become immortal?
SPIKE: she tried to… to kill herself after the demon took her, he made her immortal so she couldn’t
DAWN: why did he want her so badly?
SPIKE: her power I guess
DAWN: power?
BUFFY: she’s telekinetic
DAWN: huh? Sophomore in high school here, remember?
SPIKE: she can move stuff with her mind
DAWN: oh… cool!
SPIKE: yeah, just don’t piss her off (rubs his head)
BUFFY: (grinning) she knocked Spike out with a stick
SPIKE: she did not knock me out! Just hit me is all
DAWN: sure (pretending to not believe him)
SPIKE: (jokingly) watch it little bit
DAWN: you watch it, I’m the one with a slayer sister
SPIKE: yeah (he yawns) I’m terrified (finishes yawning)…and tired, don’t you guys sleep around here?
BUFFY: its only beddy-bye time for you Spike, the rest of us are waking up right now
SPIKE: right. well, got somewhere I can sleep?
BUFFY: how about a nice sunny porch?
SPIKE: (sarcastically) ha ha.
DAWN: so is she staying here with us?
BUFFY: I guess, where else would she go
SPIKE: what? She’s staying with me
BUFFY: (looks surprised) huh?
SPIKE: (realizing how strange that sounds) well…I found her
BUFFY: what, so “can you keep her”? I don’t think so
SPIKE: fine, that’s just fine with me. I’ll go in the basement to sleep (turns to go then thinks and turns back) its not still flooded is it?
Buffy ignores him and walks out of the room.
SPIKE: right then
DAWN: why is she so mad at you?
SPIKE: (smiles wickedly) I think I got under her skin (goes into the basement, leaving Dawn with a confused expression on her face.)
ACT V
Buffy’s living room, Xander and Anya are there, Willow is curled up in a chair, still in her pajamas. Buffy just finished explaining about Mercy.
WILLOW: wow, that much happened while I was asleep?
BUFFY: well, it was night Will, normal people sleep
XANDER: I still can’t believe a demon would kidnap a girl for his wife
DAWN: hey, it almost happened to me
XANDER: heh, me too, but that was like a…clause, this demon actually stole this girl on his own
ANYA: it happens all the time, (Xander turns to her) some just demons want humans, its like a fetish
XANDER: so didn’t need to hear that
Buffy looks down, troubled. A sound is heard behind them and they all turn to see Mercy standing on the staircase, wearing an old pair of overalls. Her hair is wet and tangled.
BUFFY: Mercy, um this is the gang (she motions to each) Willow, Anya, Xander—
ANYA: (holding up her and Xander’s hand) we’re getting married!
XANDER: Ahn, I don’t think that was a priority
ANYA: well, she just spent four hundred years in hell, she needed some happy thoughts
XANDER: I don’t think marriage is a happy thought for her (they all look at Mercy and she looks down)
MERCY: I um… don’t know what to do with my hair
BUFFY: oh! Yeah, um…Dawn could you help her with that?
DAWN: but we’re having a meeting!
BUFFY: its just research stuff, you can’t help much anyways, now go!
DAWN: fine (she pushes past Mercy and storms up the stairs, Mercy slowly follows her)
BUFFY: ugh, (turns back to the others) so should we—
SPIKE: what’d I miss? (they turn to see Spike in the doorway, looking like he just woke up, without a shirt on. Buffy quickly turns away at the sight.)
XANDER: ok, I’m really hoping this is not as bad as it looks
ANYA: did he spend the night with you?
BUFFY: NO! remember Mercy? He found her first and came with to help.
XANDER: why does he get to help?
SPIKE: cause I want to
XANDER: why? To score points with Buffy?
SPIKE: no I’m trying to help Mercy, she’s been through a lot, want to do all I can to make sure she doesn’t have to deal with anymore
XANDER: when did you grow a soul?
SPIKE: (exasperated) when you lost your brain. Now can we get on with it?
Buffy looks at him then at his chest, Spike looks down.
SPIKE: oh right, shirt. Where’d I leave that? (goes back to the basement)
XANDER: (whispering) okay why is his shirt in your basement?
BUFFY: he was sleeping down there, you know daytime equals naptime for the fangy ones?
XANDER: (not whispering) well it’s still icky
SPIKE: I heard that (coming back in the room fully clothed) so what’s up?
BUFFY: once again, nothing.
SPIKE: well start finding something
BUFFY: why are you being so obsessive about this?
SPIKE: (unsure) I’m not
BUFFY: whatever, (turns to the others) okay. Research mode.
Cut to upstairs in Dawn’s room. Dawn is finishing Mercy’s hair and still looks upset.
DAWN: ugh! It’s so unfair! Just cause she’s the slayer whatever she says goes.
MERCY: (softly) It’s not much fun to be the slayer’s sister
DAWN: (snotty) what would you know about it?
MERCY: my sister was the slayer
DAWN: what?!
MERCY: before I was taken, my sister, Susannah, she was the slayer. She was the only one that never shunned me, everyone thought I was evil but she took care of me. She…she died trying to save me from _______.
DAWN: (speechless for a moment then--) Buffy did to
MERCY: (looks up) what?
DAWN: Buffy died saving me, see I’m this key thing—
MERCY: the key?!
DAWN: yeah, you know what it is? (Mercy nods) and this Glory chick wanted to use me to open the doors between dimensions but Buffy stopped her
MERCY: if she died then…
DAWN: Willow brought her back, she’s a witch
MERCY: (frightened) a witch?!
DAWN: was a witch, she doesn’t do spells now (Mercy doesn’t look extremely reassured) So what was your sister like?
MERCY: a lot like Buffy, strong, caring…
DAWN: bossy?
MERCY: definitely! And did you ever notice…
DAWN: the smell?
MERCY: exactly!
DAWN: yeah, its like…
MERCY: musty
DAWN: yes! I think it’s the dust from all those vampires
MERCY: that or the playing in cemeteries and libraries too much
They both giggle then look at each and smile, deciding to be friends.
DAWN: hey, you want me to do your nails?
Cut to living room. Books are strewn on the coffee table.
XANDER: ooh ooh! Found him! (Buffy and Spike move to look over his shoulder) Uglak it is
BUFFY: that’s him
SPIKE: does it say how to kill him?
XANDER: I don’t know, its like Latin or something
BUFFY: Will, could you scan it into your laptop and translate it?
XANDER: (with a smile) and don’t release any demon boyfriends…or girlfriends
WILLOW: (sarcastically) haha. (she takes the book and goes to her computer. She starts it up and waits for it) This would be so much faster if I could just…(she looks at the file marked translation spells. She looks around nervously and moves her mouse on it. With a deep breath she clicks and the file pops up, she starts skimming through it) aha! (she looks around again and puts her hand over the passage in the book and closes her eyes.)
BUFFY: (from the other room) Will? How’s it going in there?
Willow snaps back to attention and realizes what she was about to do. She quickly closes the file.
WILLOW: (she calls back) good! (she drags the file to the trash bin. And gives a slight nod. *To herself* ) good
Cut to Dawn and Mercy coming down the stairs, talking and laughing. Mercy is now wearing make-up and tries not to touch anything with her freshly painted nails. Dawn pretends to show off Mercy.
DAWN: so what do ya think?
BUFFY: wha-huh? (looking up from another book)
DAWN: I did her make-up myself
XANDER: not bad, (grins at Mercy) not bad at all (Mercy looks down blushing)
ANYA: I think you look very pretty for a four hundred year old
MERCY: uh, (unsure smile) thanks (she looks at Spike, who is staring at her. He gives her a smile and a slight nod. She smiles back)
WILLOW: (coming in) I got it! To kill him you have to take his talisman, it makes him regenerate, without it he’ll be, you know, killable
BUFFY: (thinking) talisman, talisman. I don’t remember him wearing one. Mercy do you know where it is?
MERCY: it’s…umm…he wears it under his shirt
BUFFY: so… what? I strip him naked, grab the talisman and kill him?
WILLOW: it seems that way
XANDER: (looking at the picture in the book) I don’t think I want to see this guy naked (thinks about what he said) well… I mean… I don’t want to see any guy naked… I just meant
SPIKE: give it up, you’re just digging yourself deeper
MERCY: well, it’s a necklace so you may be able to get a hold of the chain if he holds still long enough
BUFFY: right, okay so I say we go out before Uglak does any more damage
ANYA: well, how will we find him?
WILLOW: good question, he could be anywhere
MERCY: (seeming very nervous) umm… I can get him to come to us
BUFFY: how?
MERCY: if I scream
SPIKE: huh?
MERCY: when I first was taken, I screamed a lot, you know hell to a 16 year old girl is a pretty freaky place, he knows my scream
XANDER: so… what? You go outside and scream while all the neighbors call 911?
BUFFY: good point
WILLOW: we could go in the woods, not many people would hear us there
ANYA: (scared) but what about bunnies?
XANDER: I’ll protect you hon, (Anya hugs him for humoring her)
SPIKE: that would put me in the game, no sun in the woods
BUFFY: (thinks) okay I think we’ve got a plan. Now, weapons.
The woods. Buffy and the gang hide in the trees while Mercy stands alone in the middle of the clearing. Spike is near Buffy. Xander and Anya are hiding behind a rock (we notice there’s hole in the ground next to it). Willow is ducking behind bushes.
BUFFY: (waves to Mercy) okay scream
MERCY: (clears her throat, then lets out a pathetic scream) ahhh
SPIKE: (yells to her) c’mon scream!
MERCY: (yells back) I can’t! (Spike comes out to her, she looks at him desperately) I can’t
SPIKE: why?
MERCY: (whispers) I’m so scared
SPIKE: its five against one here, and trust me these guys have experience, they beat me all the time when I was bad. (softly) hey, (she looks up) I won’t let anything happen to you, I promise (she smiles faintly) now scream! (he morphs into vamp face and lunges toward her)
MERCY: AHHH!!! (short but loud scream)
SPIKE: (face goes back to normal) see, (grins) knew you could do it (he goes back to his hiding spot)
MERCY: (takes a deep breath) AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (perfect horror movie scream)
BUFFY: whoa, girl’s got a set of lungs
SPIKE: yeah now where’s the guy that’s gonna tear them out if we don’t stop him?
BUFFY: you’re really concerned for her aren’t you?
SPIKE: well…yeah
BUFFY: why?
SPIKE: I don’t know, I just feel responsible for her, like I have to protect her (Buffy looks troubled, Spike doesn’t notice) I think it’s like what you feel for Dawn
BUFFY: (looking kind of relieved) so it’s not like you have a crush on her right?
SPIKE: (distracted, looking through the trees) what? No. I – wait. (he turns to her with an evil smile) is someone feeling a bit jealous?
BUFFY: (getting defensive) no!
SPIKE: yes you were
BUFFY: was not!
SPIKE: were too
BUFFY: was… (a roar is heard as Uglak charges at Mercy)
Mercy is paralyzed with fear as Uglak runs at her. Buffy and Spike run out to face him. Buffy knocks the demon over before he gets to Mercy and Spike swoops the still frozen Mercy into his arms and sets her down at the edge of the clearing.
Cut to Xander and Anya. Xander is aiming a crossbow and Anya goes to pick up an axe and sees a fluffy little bunny pop out of the hole by their rock.
Anya: AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! (another bunny pops out and another, it’s a whole family of bunnies) Xander! (Anya jumps on him knocking them both over)
XANDER: what the—(sees the bunnies) Ahn its ok… (Anya jumps up and runs off, Xander follows after her) Anya! Come back!
ANYA: (running through the woods) AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
Cut to Willow watching Xander and Anya
WILLOW: (shouts to Buffy) we lost Xander and Anya!
Cut to Buffy and Spike fighting the demon. Spike has Uglak’s arms pinned and Buffy’s trying to get the necklace. Uglak breaks free and throws Spike.
BUFFY: Will! (grunting as Uglak throws her down) help me get the necklace!
Willow runs out and jumps onto Uglak’s back. She tries to grab the chain but Uglak flings her off of him and into a tree. Willow lies there still.
BUFFY: Will! (Uglak backhands her as she looks at Willow. Buffy jumps up and jump kicks him, knocking him down, but he gets up again before Buffy can get the talisman) I can’t get it, Spike hold him!
SPIKE: (getting up, *unsure*) right
Cut to Mercy on the edge of the clearing. She is staring wide eyed at the fight, trembling.
Cut to Uglak throwing Buffy away from him again and grabbing Spike by the throat.
Cut back to Mercy who stops looking scared and starts looking pissed. She stands up and closes her eyes. Holding up her hands her eyes fly open.
Cut to Uglak still holding Spike’s throat and preparing to punch him, his arm stops mid-swing, he looks at it confused
MERCY: (screams from behind them) get it NOW!
Spike grabs the chain and rips it off Uglak’s neck. Buffy has grabbed a sword and quickly stabs the demon. As he falls to the ground we see Mercy do the same in the background.
BUFFY: what happened?
SPIKE: I don’t know it was like he couldn’t move—(realizes) Mercy, she did it! ( he turns to see her on the ground) hey good going—Mercy?!
Spike and Buffy run to Mercy who is alive but unconscious. Buffy remembers Willow and runs to her. Willow is waking up but groans in pain, her head is bleeding where it hit the tree.
BUFFY: Will, are you okay?
WILLOW: (confused) did I pass the test? (shakes her head) oh Buffy, hi (smiles then grimaces) ow (putting her hand to her head)
BUFFY: (helping her up) we got to get you to a hospital
They walk over to Spike and Mercy.
WILLOW: (laughs slightly) Spikey loves the slayer
SPIKE: uh, what’s with red?
BUFFY: I think he knocked her silly, I’m taking her to the hospital just to be safe (looks at Mercy) how’s she?
SPIKE: unconscious, I’ll take her to my place
BUFFY: shouldn’t we take her to the hospital too?
SPIKE: (softly) no I can do it
BUFFY: (understanding) okay
Buffy and Willow walk off. Spike gathers Mercy up in his arms.
MERCY: (lying in the same place as before, covered with Spike’s coat again) what…what happened?
SPIKE: (jumps up from his chair) we won, he’s dead, you did it
MERCY: (smiles faintly) good
SPIKE: what happened?
MERCY: when I try to control animate things it hurts my head so badly I usually can’t do it, but I had to this time
SPIKE: so I guess we both get headaches a lot huh?
MERCY: (sitting up) yeah
SPIKE: so you’re sure you’re okay?
MERCY: yeah, I should probably go
SPIKE: you don’t have to, its daylight, I could use someone to pass the time with
MERCY: I think you’d rather have Buffy than me
SPIKE: what?
MERCY: I can tell you two have a thing going on, I don’t know how no one else notices it
SPIKE: (walks away from her getting defensive) well it’s none of your business
MERCY: I know (she pauses then goes on) you love her, don’t you?
SPIKE: yeah
MERCY: does she love you?
SPIKE: (looks down) no
MERCY: how do you know?
SPIKE: she desires me that’s all, its like she said once, I’m convenient
They both go quiet for a minute. Mercy gets down off the coffin and leaves his jacket on top of it.
MERCY: (softly) you’re a vampire
SPIKE: yeah so?
MERCY: and you love the slayer?
SPIKE: (sighing and looking down in exasperation) I know I’m messed up so…
MERCY: no I understand
SPIKE: (looks up) what do you mean?
MERCY: (walking up to him) I’ve seen it before, you’re not like Angelus, you don’t have a soul…but you have a heart (puts her hand on his chest over his heart) It may not be beating, but its there, and it rules over you, even the demon in you can’t control it. It has nothing to do with the chip or with Buffy, you loved before that. You loved Drusilla, even knowing what she felt for you wasn’t love, yet you couldn’t stop. (Spike looks down again) You aren’t human, in every way this world defines it, you’re an evil beast. But (picks up Spikes chin with her hand) in every way that makes a human being: pain, fear, caring, understanding and love, you’re more human than most of the ones I’ve met.
Mercy drops her hand and steps back as Spike stares at her, her words hitting home. She smiles a little and turns to leave. Spike shakes his head as if to push away the thoughts she left him with, his face turns hard again and he waves his hand dismissingly.
SPIKE: oh, what do you know?
MERCY: (stopping in the doorway and only halfway turning around) When you’ve been around as long as I have, you get to know what you’re talking about.
Fade Out.