Announcement

**Alex** · 10-09-07, 01:37 PM

ACT II

Xander's car is almost on its side in the ditch. The other car stops and a middle aged man gets out and runs over.

Man: (running) Oh my god.

He looks in through the driver's window. Xander is unconscious with a bloody nose, while Willow is conscious but she cannot get her door open.

Man: Are you ok?

Willow: I, I think so, but (shuffles) I'm kinda stuck.

Man: Hang on; I'll check your friend first.

Willow: Xander? Can you hear me?

Xander: ?An?ya?

Man: (opening the car door) Are you Anya?

Willow: No, no I'm Willow, I think he's just delirious.

Man: Willow? Willow Rosenberg?

Willow: Yeah?how do you know my name?

Man: (pulling Xander out of the car). Giles has told me about you. I'm Stephen. Stephen Carlson.

Willow: Oh! Right, hi!

Stephen pulls Xander on to the side of the road and Willow crawls out of the car also. She has a small cut on her arm, but nothing else. Stephen feels for Xander's pulse.

Stephen: It's ok, I think he's just a little concussed.

Willow: Oh thank god. And thank you! If you hadn't been there I could have been waiting a while.

Stephen: Well I couldn't just drive off. What happened anyway?

Willow: It's um, it's-

Stephen: Is he under the influence of a spell?

Willow: Well I'm not really sure. I don't know if Giles filled you in on the whole Sunnydale collapsing?

Stephen: He did.

Willow: Well, Xander's ex fianc? died in the fight and since this morning he said he keeps seeing her. He even thought I was her just now. That's why we ended up in the ditch actually.

Stephen: Well that really makes it unlikely that it's The First. But there are a lot of disillusioning demons and spells that could cause what he sees.

Xander: Wha?what?

Willow: Xander?

Willow bends down to Xander's side.

Xander: Willow? What happened?

Willow: We crashed, after you saw?or thought you saw?her. Remember Buffy telling us about Giles' friend Stephen? Well he helped us.

Xander sits up and winces.

Stephen: Careful there. I think you might have slight whiplash also.

Xander: (Xander winces some more) Hmm I'm thinking that too. But thanks for the help.

Stephen: Any time. Well not any time, because hopefully we won't be in this situation again, but you know what I mean. I think. But I hope I'll see you both soon. Um about the car?

Willow looks.

Willow: Oh, uh don't worry. I'll fix it.

Stephen: Ah, right. Well sorry anyway.

Willow: No no, it's ok. Bye.

Stephen: Bye.

Xander: Bye?

Stephen gets back in his car and drives off.

Willow: Um, Xander are you ok now?

Xander: I'm feeling a little less like the world is about to spin around and punch me yeah.

Willow: I mean about what you saw?

Xander: I?I dunno.

Willow: I think we should go back to Buffy, see if we can do something about it.

Xander: What about your interview?

Willow: Oh don't worry, I'll find another time to do that. Right now I'm more concerned with you.

Xander: Uh, what about the car?

Willow: Uh?

Willow looks at the car. She closes her eyes and manages to lift the car out of the ditch. There is a small dent on the side but with a flick of her hand, Willow manages to make it vanish. Xander looks at her.

Xander: Nice.

Willow: No problem. We should get back. Uh, I'll drive.

Xander: You sure?

Willow: Well right now, I think my one lesson's experience might be better than yours.

Xander: Point taken.

Cut to the Summers' House. Willow and Xander walk in through the front door. Buffy walks quickly towards them.

Buffy: Why are you back so early? Didn't your interview go well Will?

Willow: It's not the interview. In fact I didn't even go.

Buffy: What? Why? What's going on?

Xander looks at Buffy seriously.

Cut to: the Summers' kitchen. Everyone except Faith, Wood, Dawn and Siobhan are sat around the table.

Buffy: So, are we thinking magic here? I mean I wanna choose any option that doesn't have "First" and "The" in it.

Willow: I'm pretty sure it's not. Stephen agreed with me.

Buffy: Right. Was he nice by the way?

Willow: Yeah, very Gilesish. Well Giles minus a few years. Not that Giles is old. Uh yeah?

Xander: I hate to break up the small talk but-

Buffy: Right. Sorry Xand. Do you, uh, think you could just be imagining things? I don't mean to sound annoying.

Xander: She was there. Or at least something that wanted me to think it was her.

Xander gets up and walks around the table.

Andrew: Why you? Why not the rest of us? I mean we've all lost people, so why's it only targeting you?

Xander: Maybe?it's something about me or?her?

Kennedy: Ok, please don't get mad at me for saying this, but are you actually gonna say her name?

Xander looks uncomfortable.

Xander: Does it really matter if I don't? Or is it any of your business?

Kennedy: I'm just saying ? your denial over her death could be what's making you see her image.

Xander: I am NOT in denial!

Kennedy raises an eyebrow and Xander turns away in anger.

Buffy: Xander, maybe Kennedy's right-

Xander: Oh that's just great. Gang up on me why don't ya? Make me out to be the crazy one.

Buffy: Hey! Remember I've been to crazy land too. I saw people there I-. I know what it's like. You just want to breakdown and let it take over you, because fighting it is too hard. And then when the people you love start accusing you, it just all implodes inside your head and you can't do anything but let it.

Xander: (levelly) I'm not giving up.

Buffy: I know. But we have to think of all possibilities. If things get too bad, you sometimes feel there might not be a way back to reality. You don't even know what reality is. This is it. We're gonna fix this.

Willow: Maybe I should ring Giles? He might have a more definite answer than we do?

Buffy: Right?that ok with you Xander?

Xander: Sure, sure. Just as long as I-

Xander look directly past Buffy and freezes.

Willow: Xander? Can you see her?

Xander: Yes?she's?it's?

Everyone apart from Anya and Xander seem to blur suddenly. It is almost as if Xander and Anya are alone in the room.

Anya: Xander, sweetie? Are you ok?

Cut to: Faith and Wood by the river near the house. They are sat side by side in thought.

Faith: So?what are you gonna do?

Robin: I don't know. There are a lot of things that make me want to go, but at the same time?

Faith: You like being here?

Robin: This place reminds me so much of where my father brought me up. So peaceful but at the same time it's eventful enough not to be boring.

Faith: I get that.

Robin: But it reminds me so much of my dad?I haven't seen him since I came to Sunnydale and I want to see how he's doing now. To be honest I thought he might be dead. And that wasn't even him on the phone before, just another employee?

Faith: He was your mum's Watcher right?

Robin: How did you know?

Faith: Buffy gave me a little history lesson on you.

Robin: Right?well yeah you're right. I didn't want to believe it at first; when he told me, my mother had been dead for ten years. Before that he just said he was her Watcher and nothing else, and that my father was missing. I guess in a way he was.

Faith: You know that if you decide to go I'll want to go with you.

Robin: I don't want to take this life away from you. I know how much you want to be apart of this family. I do too.

Faith: What's life if you can't get a little naughty from time to time? Or maybe more than time to time?

Faith and Robin both laugh a little bit.

Robin: I'll have to think it over. One the one hand it could solve all my financial problems. On the other it would mean losing a lot of people I want to get to know better.

Faith: Anything's good. This gang can get a little too pure for me after a while. Except Kennedy. And Anya for that matter. She was always willing to touch Xander whenever. Not in a dirty way or anything it was just-

Robin: I know what you mean.

Faith and Robin stare reflectively into space.

Cut back to the Summers' kitchen. Anya walks over to Xander and puts her hand on his shoulder.

Anya: You're so tense. Let me?there we go.

She begins to massage his shoulder.

Xander: No?please?stop?

Anya: I'm only trying to make you feel better. Do you ever try and make me feel better? You don't appreciate me anymore!

Anya walks away and turns her back on Xander.

Xander: What? I?I can't appreciate you anymore?

Anya: Why? What have I done wrong now? I can't be this perfect little human Xander!

Xander: I-

Anya's image begins to fade. The real world begins to sharpen.

Xander: No! Come back! I need to-

Xander opens his eyes suddenly. He is lying on the floor on the kitchen. Giles, Willow, Buffy and Xander are knelt over him.

Giles: Xander? Can you hear me?

Xander: What? Giles? When did you get here?

Giles: About ten minutes ago.

Willow: You've been unconscious for about twenty minutes. We thought you were in a coma or something.

Xander: Twenty minutes!?

Xander stand up.

Xander: I was only with her for a minute at most.

Giles: You saw Anya again?

Xander: ?Yes. But this time she spoke and touched me?

Andrew: Touched you?

Xander: (looking annoyed) She touched my shoulder.

Giles: Hmm?

He walks away thinking to himself.

Xander: Giles?if you know what's doing this, then tell me. Please I need-

Giles: I think I may know what's doing this but?

Xander: What is it?

Giles: You're probably not going to take what I have to say very well Xander, but you must remain calm.

Xander: I can't just?I'll try.

Giles: I believe a creature called a Mentem Edere has been feeding off your mind for the last few days.

Xander: What!?

Xander stands up in alarm.

Giles: No, you must stay calm!

Buffy: Giles what do you mean? It's inside of him?

Xander: Something's eating my brain!?

Giles: Well not really. The Mentem Edere consumes the mind's essence, not the actual brain. It's trying to disillusion you to stop you from trying to fight it. But remain calm. If you panic too much it may panic also.

Xander: So what does that mean? I'm gonna go crazy?

Giles: Well depending on the Mentem's movements-

Xander: Ok I hate to sound pessimistic, but I'd like to get this thing out of my head before I go insane so can we act now please and talk later?

Giles: Unfortunately you'll lose more than your sanity. Currently the Mentem is attacking a weaker area of your mind ? your memories.

Xander: I'll forget stuff?

Giles: You'll forget whatever the Mentem is targeting.

Willow: Which means-

Xander: Anya?

Everyone looks concerned but also glad that Xander has actually said Anya's name.

Xander: What's in my mind is all I have left of her. I can't lose that. What do I have to do? I'll do anything.

Giles looks at Xander.

Cut to: the field next to the Summers' house. Dawn and Siobhan are walking along the path next to it.

Dawn: So that's pretty much my life.

Siobhan: Sounds?fun?

Dawn: Yeah mostly?it was much better when I got more involved with the slaying and stuff.

Siobhan: My life's been pretty hectic. Moving from one place to another. We only moved to Darkley a few months ago actually. I've been trying to fit in, but most people don't wanna know. They just talk in their little groups.

Dawn: Well I've only been at the school a week and so far I know you and?uh...

Siobhan: Exactly - it's like breaking through a brick wall with people here. Like that PC Michaels? He's one of the worst.

Dawn: I know what you mean.

Siobhan and Dawn share a smile.

Dawn: So what about your family? I mean I've met your mum a couple of times but?

Siobhan: Well there's me. And my mum. And not much besides. My dad died when I was seven. He was in a road accident.

Dawn: Oh, I'm sorry.

Siobhan: Don't worry. He was away so much I hardly even knew him.

Dawn: My dad walked out on my mum and us. He's now somewhere in Spain with his secretary.

Siobhan: So it's just been you and Buffy since your mum died?

Dawn: Oh, no, I've got the others. Willow, Xander, Giles, Faith and Andrew in a weird way. They're all around.

Siobhan: My mum is hardly ever around. She goes to work, comes back late, goes to bed, sleeps and works the weekend away. I don't think she even noticed the blood on my cardigan the other night.

Dawn: I'm sorry.

Siobhan: No. You shouldn't be. I should really be grateful that she's still around.

The two walk on silently. Suddenly a vampire jumps out from the bushes.

Siobhan: Oh god, not now. I'm gonna have to change again after this.

Dawn: Should be over quickly. Where's the stake.

Siobhan: Don't you have it?

Dawn: No?

Dawn and Siobhan stare at the advancing vamp.

Dawn: Oh?

**Alex** · 10-09-07, 01:38 PM

ACT III

Cut back to the Summer's house. Xander is sat on a chair and Giles and Willow are stood by Xander.

Giles: Now Xander remember: whatever happens, it's just your memories being intertwined with what you want to see. You must keep detached from them however much you desire to-

Xander: Ok, I get the idea. Anything I see equals bad.

Willow: Right. Except me.

Xander: I know.

Giles: Willow, are you ready?

Willow: Yeah.

Xander: Will when you're in there - don't look around too much?

Willow: I know, I'll be as quick as I can.

Kennedy: Willow, this is your first major spell since Slayer-mania. Be careful.

Willow: You know I always am.

Kennedy smiles but still looks a little worried.

Giles: Right then. If we're all ready? And remember it's vital for everyone to remain still during the spell. Just remember Xander: get back to reality as soon as you can. Otherwise we could all be trapped within it and the Mentem will have won.

Everyone looks at Giles worriedly.

Buffy: And you left that part out because...?

Giles: Did I? Sorry, must have slipped my mind.

Andrew: So we could die?

Giles: No, but it could be worse since the mind is immortal and so we'd probably be in there for-

Xander: Do you know how encouraging this is? Our survey says, not at all.

Giles: Right sorry. We can begin now.

Giles opens a book and begins to chant while Willow stand in-between Xander and Giles facing Xander.

Giles: Let the mind be open. Let the spirit pass through. Let the heart be reached by the hand.

Giles places his hand on Willow's back. She shivers slightly, and suddenly blue wisps of energy travel up Giles' arm. They enter Willow with huge force and she gasps. A white ball of energy passes from her body into Xander and he too gasps. All three are stuck in what seems to be some kind of status.

Andrew: Buffy I think it went wrong.

Buffy: No Giles said this would happen. Come on guys?

Cut to: the Summers' kitchen, but in Xander's mind. Willow appears with a flash and sees Xander sitting in the chair still.

Willow: Ok?that was fairly tame compared to some of the other rides I've been on.

Xander suddenly seems to awaken.

Xander: Willow? Are you-

Willow: I'm here. I'm not seeing anything are you?

Xander: No, it's just us. Oh?and that.

Both of them look to their left and see the Mentem Edere. It seems not to have noticed them and is ripping away at the walls of the kitchen.

Xander: So Giles was speaking literally when he said it was eating my mind.

Willow: Yeah. Do you feel weird?

Xander: No?at least I don't think so.

The Mentem suddenly makes a heavy breathing sound and jumps through the part of the wall it has been eating.

Willow: That's our cue. Let's go.

Willow and Xander crawl through the hole in the wall and find themselves in the Summers' old house.

Willow: Oh my god?we're here?

Xander: Didn't think I'd just forget about it did you?

Willow: Well no, I haven't either. But wow, nostalgia alert.

Xander: Definitely?

Xander is staring past Willow. She turns around and for the first time she too can see Anya.

Willow: Oh?

Anya: Xander what's going on? I waited for you but you never came. Where did you go?

Xander: I?

Anya walks towards Xander. Willow tries to stand in her way but Anya seems to freeze her to the spot.

Willow: Hey! That's not meant to happen. Xander!

Xander doesn't reply. He simply stares at Anya who smiles at him.

Anya: But now you're here. And we can be together again.

She puts her hands around his waste and tears begin to form in Xander's eyes. Willow is looking frantic, as she sees the Mentem eating faster and growing larger.

Willow: Xander! You have to stop!

Xander: Willow?

Anya: Ignore her. She's just trying to slow you down.

Xander: Right?no?what?

Anya: She's just an illusion. Remember what Giles said? Ignore the illusions.

Xander: This is reality?

Anya: It can be. You just have to let it wash over you.

Willow: Xander no! Come on its Willow.

Xander: (to Willow) You're not real.

Willow: You have to remember. Anya's dead, I'm not. How can she be real?

Xander frowns slightly and Anya's smile fades.

Anya: Xander? What is it?

Xander looks at Anya, then at Willow. Finally he looks at the Mentem which eating its way towards Willow.

Xander: (to Anya) I'm sorry.

Anya: About what?

Xander: That I couldn't save you.

Anya: I'm still here.

Xander: No. You're not. And I can't make you be real anymore. Because you're dead.

Anya: Xander I-

Xander looks at Willow and concentrates. Willow is able to move again and she begins to attack the Mentem. It begins to wail and tries to retaliate but Willow is too strong.

Anya: What are you doing? Xander stop her!

Xander: No.

Anya: You don't want us to be together?

Xander: Stop it. Just stop trying! It's over.

Anya: I don't understand. I love you.

Xander: I loved you too.

Anya looks hurt as Willow finishes off the Mentem. It fades as does Anya.

Cut back to the present day Summers' kitchen. Xander, Willow and Giles all gasp as they are out of the stasis. Willow smiles at Xander who looks back and he also smiles slightly. Buffy breaks the silence.

Buffy: So how'd it go?

**Alex** · 10-09-07, 01:38 PM

ACT IV

Everyone is sat round the kitchen table again.

Buffy: Do we definitely know it's gone for good?

Giles: It's hard to say, but I would think it very unlikely that it's still in Xander's mind.

Xander: Thank god for that.

Kennedy: I would say goddess.

Kennedy smiles at Willow and Willow smiles modestly.

Willow: I'm just glad that it all worked out.

Xander: I can't believe she nearly got to me.

Willow: I know what it's like. When I thought I was speaking to Tara I was so convinced it was her. I didn't want to lose hold of it, but then I realised I had to.

Buffy: Yeah same with me when I was thinking the wacky. God illusions really suck.

Xander: Oh yeah.

Willow: Yep. Hopefully that one won't be coming back though.

Xander smiles at her. Faith and Wood enter through the back door.

Faith: Hey people, what's been happening?

Buffy: Bunch of stuff that would take a while to explain.

Faith: Didn't miss anything exciting did we?

Xander: Just a few mind games.

Faith raises her eyebrows, while the others just smile.

Buffy: What about you? Have you decided on anything?

Robin: Well I've decided to-

He is cut short as Dawn and Siobhan come in through the front door.

Buffy: Hey. Are you ok?

Dawn: No, we're not.

Buffy: What happened?

Siobhan: We got attacked by a vamp, and we were unarmed.

Dawn: And we were assured there "wouldn't be any near the field at this time of the evening".

Dawn glares at Faith.

Faith: Hey! I just said it was unlikely.

Buffy: Oh my god, did you get hurt? You should have told me you were going out!

Dawn: Hey I've got Siobhan with me ? she is a Slayer remember.

Siobhan smiles slightly. Buffy's frown fades.

Buffy: Did ya win?

Dawn: Well, yeah?Siobhan found a sharp branch and used that.

Buffy: (nodding) Points for ingenuity.

Faith: So it was fine, and no fight to the death is needed.

Dawn and Siobhan laugh.

Dawn: You got lucky. We'd have won.

Faith: Wanna bet?

Robin: I hate to butt in to this very, uh, feminine display?

Buffy, Faith, Dawn and Siobhan all look at Robin, eyebrows raised.

Robin: ?but I was gonna tell you what we've decided.

Buffy: Oh, right.

Robin: We're going to Boston.

Everyone's smiles fade slightly.

Willow: Oh?

Buffy: Are you sure?

Faith: Pretty much. And I'll be able to see my home city again.

Buffy: But?you know, you just got here.

Robin: Buffy, it's great here, really, but we've both decided that Boston is the best place for both of us.

Buffy: Well I guess that it's your choice and we'll all help you leave. Not that we want you to go or anything, it's just you want to be there, and not here, and I'm not exactly sure where this sentence is going but I'm sure there's a good luck in it somewhere.

Everyone laughs at Buffy.

Faith: Thanks B?couldn't have got here without ya.

Buffy: (smiling) I'd like to think so.

Everyone smiles. Cut to Everyone talking in the living room. Kennedy appears from the bathroom. Giles is stood next to the door.

Kennedy: Oh, hey Giles.

Giles: Kennedy, hello. May I have a word?

Kennedy: Uh, sure.

Giles smiles and beckons to the kitchen.

Giles: It won't take long.

Kennedy: Ok. So, what is it?

Giles: Uh, I just wanted to know?the crash. I know you weren't there, but do you know anything about it?

Kennedy: Uh, I'm not sure there's much else to know. Xander drove off the road, Stephen helped them, Willow took the car out of the ditch.

Giles looks at Kennedy as she finishes.

Kennedy: What?

Giles: She used magic?

Kennedy: Well I don't see Willow picking the car up do-

Giles: Kennedy this could be serious.

Kennedy's smile fades.

Kennedy: What are you talking about?

Giles frowns.

Xander and Willow look at each other. Cut to them in the kitchen.

Xander: I'm sorry about your interview.

Willow: There'll be others. I'm glad just glad we were able to sort it all out.

Xander: You're amazing. You know that?

Willow: Enough with the compliments. You're the amazing one Xander. Remember on the bluff, during the fight at the school, today. Most of us wouldn't be here without you.

Xander: Likewise. And now, I can tell how you felt. How you still feel. About losing someone, and finding the strength to accept it.

Xander and Willow simply smile at each other. Buffy is seen standing out the hallway entrance watching them. She smiles too, and suddenly flashes to seeing Spike's face at the end of Chosen. She blinks and he's gone. She frowns. She turns around and goes upstairs.

THE END

Announcement

Buffy Episode 8.2 146. Back to Reality

Buffy Episode 8.2 146. Back to Reality

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