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Hi, this is the nineteenth episode of Buffy Season 8 by me. I hope you enjoy reading it. If you have feedback, please post it here; both positive comments and constructive criticism are welcome 
Buffy Episode 8.19 163. Cold Twilight
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. They belong to Fox Studios and Joss Whedon. This work is fictional and is only for my and others entertainment. Therefore no infringement is intended. I do not intend to make a profit from this work. However I own all characters that have not previously appeared/been mentioned on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, so I can do whatever I like with them. Therefore any unauthorised usage of these characters is not permitted.
Giles VO: Previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Open on Riley with Buffy.
Riley: We've got doubles of you and all your friends in Rome, Africa and South America. It's for your own protection. And now I'm clearing up your mess. Again.
Buffy looks angry. Cut to Faith recovering in bed.
Faith: Riley was the one who got me here. After what happened.
Kennedy: You mean he helped you?
Faith: Helped me? He saved my life! If he hadn't gotten there after those?whatever they were did this to me?I probably be dead.
Cut to Siobhan with Andrew.
Siobhan: I want you to be my Watcher.
Andrew smiles. Buffy appears.
Buffy: There's a problem in LA.
Andrew: What kind of problem?
He stands up.
Buffy: There's a Slayer there. She's incredibly unstable, worse than any of the others we've met. She could prove a big problem for?
Andrew: Angel?
Buffy: Yeah?
Andrew: What do you want me to do?
Buffy: Andrew this fight could happen any time now. Everyone else has stuff to do before that. I think you could make the most difference there, for the time being.
Siobhan looks sad.
Cut to Kelly and Xander. They kiss.
Xander: Didn't see that coming.
They smile at each other. Cut to Lloyd and Andrew kissing.
Andrew lies his head on Lloyd's chest.
Andrew: I'm glad I'm not alone in this.
Lloyd: No?not anymore.
They smile at each other. Cut to Clare, Luce and Jake together.
Luce: You've spoken to The Judge?
Clare: Yes. She is displeased by your feeble attempt at destroying the primal planet through the portal.
Luce: Hey you know who was on that planet?
Clare: I'm aware that Buffy and her friends were there. But they are needed for The Judge's plans in the future. We need to act in the present.
Cut to Clare morphing into Glory. Cut to Buffy with Whistler.
Whistler: The person who can fight Glory is Dawn.
Buffy: What? But she's-
Whistler: A kid? Well yeah maybe. But she's also something almost as old as the Powers and Glory. And way more powerful in the right circumstances.
Buffy: What do you mean?
Whistler: Dawn's never seen her true self. The Powers are giving her a chance to wield it as a weapon. The Key may be evil originally, but in Dawn's hands it can used for good. Like the scythe. It's just a weapon, and it's the wielder that decides if it's used for good or evil.
Dawn glows green and punches Glory. Glory burns away from Clare leaving Clare's heavily beaten body. She disappears. Cut to Buffy with Dawn.
Dawn: It's not that I'm not thankful for the power. Glory'd probably be sacrificing me right about now if I didn't have it. I just don't know what that makes me.
Buffy: It makes you strong.
Dawn: Does it? I mean I've always had that, in me. I don't even know how to control it properly. And that power was what I was once. Primal?destructive?evil.
Buffy: You are not evil Dawn.
Dawn: Maybe as Dawn I'm not. But I was once. I could kill billions in the wrong hands. How could power that evil?ever be used good?
Buffy: The power you have ? it's controlled by you. Nobody else. I know that it's in the right hands with you.
Dawn smiles. Buffy walks away looking thoughtful.
START OF EPISODE
ACT I
Cut to Buffy standing outside. She looks thoughtful. Faith joins her.
Faith: Hey.
Buffy turns around.
Buffy: Oh, hey.
Faith: Well this looks fun.
Buffy smiles.
Buffy: Just wanted a moment. To think.
Faith: Yeah I know those. They're good. So what you thinking about?
Buffy: A lot of things. But mostly, about the Rogue Slayers.
Faith: Why? They're not exactly a threat right now.
Buffy: Not to us maybe. But somewhere out there I know they're causing trouble. People are dying because of them.
Faith: Buffy, Riley said the CIA had got a lot of it under control when he talked to me. If there was a problem he'd tell us. And besides, we have bigger badasses trying to kill us right now.
Buffy: Strangely that doesn't put my mind at ease.
Faith: Hey as far as talks go that was one of my best.
Buffy smiles.
Buffy: Can't help feeling that something's happening though.
Faith: Probably. That's what happens when people go about their every day lives.
Buffy rolls her eyes. Faith smiles.
Buffy: Guess you're right. I'm not gonna worry about things. At least tonight. Even if it is Tuesday.
Cut to Luce and Jake sitting on an old sofa in the house they are using as their lair. They are both reading magazines. Suddenly Clare appears near them. She is badly wounded. Luce and Jake look up. Luce rolls her eyes and then looks back at her magazine.
Luce: (without looking up) Guess that didn't go so well then?
Clare looks angry. She pushes herself up from the floor and gets to her feet. Luce throws down the magazine.
Luce: So Glory wasn't as tough as you thought huh?
Clare: No. She and I were unprepared for an intervention from a higher power. They gave the girl the ability to tap into her ancient energy and-
Jake: Kick your ass?
Clare narrows her eyes.
Clare: I will recover. Thank you for your concern.
Jake: Oh you don't need to thank me. There's no concern.
Luce smiles. Clare glares at Jake but begins to smile slightly.
Clare: You know, The Judge is well aware of your little "relationship".
Luce looks uncertain but tries to act as if she doesn't care.
Luce: So?
Clare walks closer to Luce.
Clare: She's also aware that you gave him some of your own personality in my absence Luce.
She smiles at Luce. Jake looks confused. Luce stares back.
Luce: Look Clare, I know you're jealous of what me and Jake have and I think you really need to back off. It's pathetic really.
Clare's eyes flash.
Luce: And what me and Jake do in our private lives is hardly your or The Judge's business.
Clare: That's where you're wrong. The Judge feels it would be better if it did not continue.
Luce: Really? Well see I don't really care. She can't do anything about it so-
Clare suddenly pushes her hand on Jake's chest. He gasps. Red energy shoots beneath his shirt into his skin. Luce's eyes widen and she looks distressed.
Luce: No!
Clare looks determined. The energy builds up as Luce tries to push Jake away. It suddenly explodes pushing all three of them back. Luce looks up and gets up. She rushes over to Jake. Clare gets up as well and smiles. Luce grasps Jake's hand and smiles hopefully as he lies with his eyes closed.
Lucy: Honey?
Jake's eyes open with a start. He looks at Luce and frowns. He pulls his hand away from hers. Luce looks confused.
Jake: Yes hello Luce.
He gets up and walks over to Clare.
Luce: What? What did you-
Luce's eyes widen.
Luce: No?
Clare: Yes. The Judge told me that it was vital our minds were at the job at hand and not on unnecessary pleasures. With my own personality Jake is far more likely to fulfil this criteria. Yours Luce is, well, less appropriate.
Clare smiles. Luce looks angry and rushes towards Clare.
Luce: You bitch! I'll kill you I swear to-
Jake grabs her wrist as she tries to strike Clare. He pulls her away.
Jake: No. You won't. Come along Clare, we must talk about what we are to do next.
He smiles at Clare and they walk away from Luce who looks angry and tearful.
Opening credits.
Starring:
SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR - Buffy Summers
NICHOLAS BRENDAN - Xander Harris
ALYSON HANNIGAN - Willow Rosenberg
MICHELLE TRACHTENBURG - Dawn Summers
IYARI LIMON - Kennedy Elisonne
JEMIMA ROOPER - Siobhan Bligh
TOM LENK - Andrew Wells
ANTHONY STEWART HEAD - Rupert Giles
Guest Starring:
ELIZA DUSHKU - Faith
KATIE HOLMES - Kelly
CHARLIE HUNNAM - Lloyd
MARC BLUCAS - Riley Finn
SONYA WALGER - Siobhan's mother
VIRGINIA HEY - Clare
AMANDA SEYFRIED - Luce
JENSEN ACKLES - Jake
RAOUL BOVA - The Immortal
Open on Dawn sat with Siobhan in the living room. Siobhan looks upset.
Siobhan: And then she invites this guy on holiday with us. I mean it was supposed to be just her and me, the whole mother/daughter bonding thing but she really wrecked it.
Dawn: Well you know maybe she thought you'd be happy that she's found someone. At least she's trying.
Siobhan: Yeah, right. Dawn she's obviously more concerned about her love life than getting things back on track with me. If she isn't gonna put the effort in ? then I don't really see why I should.
Dawn: Yeah I know. When my mom first started seeing other guys I was pretty mad. Didn't really see why she wanted to replace dad. But then I realised how lonely it must have been for her ? I see that more than ever now after loosing Chris. You never know ? this James guy might not be that bad. Unless he's a robot. He's not a robot right?
Siobhan: I dunno. I didn't stick around to find out.
Dawn: Well there ya go. If he's nice?and human, then maybe it's not so bad.
Siobhan smiles.
Siobhan: You know what, you're pretty good at these encouragement talks.
Dawn: Learnt from the best.
Siobhan laughs.
Siobhan: So how are you doing after?you know the whole everything.
Dawn: Long answer I would imagine. But the short version ? ok actually. I mean finding out I could use my primordial power as a weapon and wondering whether I'm good or evil or something else entirely's kinda stressful but I'm getting through it.
Siobhan: Wow. And I thought my problems were bad.
Dawn: No really, I'm ok. I just have a feeling that something's just around the corner.
Xander walks into the room.
Siobhan: There we go, it's happened, nothing to worry about.
Xander: What?
Dawn: Don't worry.
Xander shrugs.
Dawn: So anyway what's up?
Xander: Oh, nothing really. Not even any windows for me to fix.
Dawn: Don't you just miss the daily fights?
Xander: When you say it like that ? hell no.
Dawn and Siobhan laugh.
Siobhan: So, Xander ? what about you and Kelly?
Xander looks uncomfortable.
Xander: What?
Siobhan raises and eyebrow.
Siobhan: Oh come on. I happen to an expert on relationships. Except my own which generally end badly.
Dawn smiles sympathetically. Xander smiles but still looks uncomfortable.
Xander: Nothing really.
Siobhan: Oh there so is.
Xander: Well you know it's not really of your business.
Siobhan looks a little thrown.
Siobhan: Sorry?
Xander: No it's ok ? I didn't mean to snap.
He smiles at Siobhan who smiles back. The doorbell rings. Xander gets up to get it but Buffy is already there. She smiles and opens the door. Her smile fades. Cut to Riley standing in front of her clad in army gear. Behind him are several other soldiers also wearing armour.
Buffy: Riley?
Riley: Hello again Buffy. Sorry to just appear like this but um, we've got a problem.
Buffy: Oh. So I guess this isn't a social visit?
Riley: If only. Do you mind if?
Buffy: Oh right, sure. Come in.
Riley smiles and turns to the other soldiers.
Riley: Get in contact with the others. I'll call for backup if it's needed.
The other soldiers nod and walk away. Buffy frowns.
Buffy: Backup?
Riley: Just a precaution.
Buffy: Riley if we're in danger I need to know.
Riley pauses and sighs.
Riley: You might be. It'll be easier for me to tell you all inside.
Buffy nods and stands to the side to let him past. He smiles and walks in.
Buffy: I'll go find the others.
Riley nods. Buffy walks upstairs. Riley walks into the sitting room. Xander and Dawn stand up as they see him. Siobhan looks confused and stands up also.[/I]
Xander: Riley, hey.
Riley: Xander, hey. Good to see you. You too Dawn. (to Siobhan) And um, sorry I don't think-
Siobhan: Oh I'm Siobhan. Friend of the family really.
Buffy: She's a Slayer.
Siobhan: And that.
Riley raises his eyebrows.
Riley: Right.
Siobhan: And you are?
Dawn: Oh, Siobhan this is Riley's ex.
Siobhan: Oh?you mean (quietly) the vampire?
Dawn: No another ex actually.
Siobhan: Oh. Well hi.
She smiles. Riley smiles back.
Xander: Well this would be a pleasant surprise but I get the feeling that you're here for something a little less pleasant.
Riley: Afraid so.
Buffy comes back with Willow, Kennedy, Kelly, Faith, Andrew, Lloyd and Giles. Giles is frowning, while the others look confused. Willow smiles when she sees Riley.
Willow: Riley!
Riley: Hey Willow.
They hug. Riley turns to Faith.
Riley: Faith ? glad to see you alive.
Faith: You too. I didn't get a chance to thank you before so ? thanks for saving my ass.
Riley smiles.
Willow: It's been so long.
Riley: Yeah wish I coulda stopped by last time. But you know, things to do.
Willow: Yeah. I um, I'm sorry about Sam.
She smiles sympathetically.
Riley: Thanks.
He puts his hand on her shoulder. Buffy, who has been leaning against the stands upright.
Buffy: So then, what's the problem?
Faith: Great. There just had to be a problem.
Riley: Yeah. Well basically ? it's the Rogue Slayers.
Xander: Oh yay.
Buffy looks worried.
Buffy: What about them? Are they nearby?
Riley: Well possibly.
Giles: You don't know? I thought you were tracking Slayers all over the world.
Riley: The thing is ? there's been a sudden increase in the amount of the girls who are going Rogue. We don't know why but at least 50% of them are now?out of control.
Everyone looks worried.
Xander: Maybe they all just decided to?
Riley: That's what we thought, but it happened so suddenly that it was doubtful. Besides ? two of the girls that were helping us fight suddenly turned against us. They killed two of my men before we could sedate them. Slayers all over the world that were previously doing really well, suddenly went bad.
There is a pause. Everyone looks worried.
Kelly: So?so that might mean that we would-
Siobhan: No.
Kennedy: Kelly's got a point. I mean if girls on our side are simultaneously changing sides globally for no apparent reason what's to say we won't?
Faith: Maybe. Could even affect me and Buffy I mean we are all in the same boat now.
Buffy: I won't let it happen.
Riley: Buffy sometimes there are things you can't control. You should know that better than anyone.
Buffy stares at Riley.
Buffy: I do. But we don't know yet that we can't control this. If we couldn't stop this you wouldn't here. So what do you propose?
Riley hesitates.
Buffy: What?
Riley: Before I said we didn't know what it was. Well there's speculation going around that it might be some kind of virus that's causing these girls to play dark. A contagious virus.
Buffy frowns.
Buffy: What would that mean I-
Kelly: Oh my god.
Everyone turns to Kelly. Riley looks uncomfortable. Kelly stares at him.
Kelly: You're gonna kill them. All of them.
Everyone turns back to Riley, horrified. Buffy walks closer to Riley.
Riley: It might not come to that. But yes, one of the proposals is to quarantine and?destroy every girl infected.
Buffy looks at Riley in disbelief.
Buffy: You were considering it?
Riley: Buffy you have to understand that-
Buffy: No. No there's nothing to understand Riley. You're saying that you're gonna kill thousands ? maybe millions of girls when you don't even know what's causing this.
Riley: It's the most logical explanation. A lot of them were in groups when they went bad. We could at least quarantine them, see if it carries on.
Giles: We're not talking about animals here, we're talking about humans.
Riley: We're talking about murderers.
Buffy looks thrown. Faith looks angry too. Giles frowns.
Riley: Now I don't wanna have to go over the whole "who's to blame" thing again Buffy, but remember why they have this power. It's not just a small problem anymore it's a crisis. And we have to do something Buffy, people will die if we just sit around and hope it goes away.
Buffy: I'm not saying do nothing. I'm saying that there's gotta be another way.
Riley: Then please tell me. Cause right now, we're as in the dark as you are.
Buffy frowns.
Buffy: We'll find a way.
Riley: We'll help you.
Buffy: No.
Riley looks confused.
Riley: Buffy we-
Buffy: No Riley. I think I've heard enough of your suggestions. Thanks for telling us about this. Now get the hell out.
Riley looks thrown. The others glare at him. Riley looks at Faith who is staring at him angrily.
Riley: Faith I-
Faith: You heard her.
Riley frowns. He shakes his head and walks out the front door. Everyone sits or stands in silence.
Siobhan: Nice ex.
Dawn looks grave. She looks at Buffy who is leaning against the wall again. She exhales deeply.
Buffy Episode 8.19 163. Cold Twilight
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. They belong to Fox Studios and Joss Whedon. This work is fictional and is only for my and others entertainment. Therefore no infringement is intended. I do not intend to make a profit from this work. However I own all characters that have not previously appeared/been mentioned on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, so I can do whatever I like with them. Therefore any unauthorised usage of these characters is not permitted.
Giles VO: Previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Open on Riley with Buffy.
Riley: We've got doubles of you and all your friends in Rome, Africa and South America. It's for your own protection. And now I'm clearing up your mess. Again.
Buffy looks angry. Cut to Faith recovering in bed.
Faith: Riley was the one who got me here. After what happened.
Kennedy: You mean he helped you?
Faith: Helped me? He saved my life! If he hadn't gotten there after those?whatever they were did this to me?I probably be dead.
Cut to Siobhan with Andrew.
Siobhan: I want you to be my Watcher.
Andrew smiles. Buffy appears.
Buffy: There's a problem in LA.
Andrew: What kind of problem?
He stands up.
Buffy: There's a Slayer there. She's incredibly unstable, worse than any of the others we've met. She could prove a big problem for?
Andrew: Angel?
Buffy: Yeah?
Andrew: What do you want me to do?
Buffy: Andrew this fight could happen any time now. Everyone else has stuff to do before that. I think you could make the most difference there, for the time being.
Siobhan looks sad.
Cut to Kelly and Xander. They kiss.
Xander: Didn't see that coming.
They smile at each other. Cut to Lloyd and Andrew kissing.
Andrew lies his head on Lloyd's chest.
Andrew: I'm glad I'm not alone in this.
Lloyd: No?not anymore.
They smile at each other. Cut to Clare, Luce and Jake together.
Luce: You've spoken to The Judge?
Clare: Yes. She is displeased by your feeble attempt at destroying the primal planet through the portal.
Luce: Hey you know who was on that planet?
Clare: I'm aware that Buffy and her friends were there. But they are needed for The Judge's plans in the future. We need to act in the present.
Cut to Clare morphing into Glory. Cut to Buffy with Whistler.
Whistler: The person who can fight Glory is Dawn.
Buffy: What? But she's-
Whistler: A kid? Well yeah maybe. But she's also something almost as old as the Powers and Glory. And way more powerful in the right circumstances.
Buffy: What do you mean?
Whistler: Dawn's never seen her true self. The Powers are giving her a chance to wield it as a weapon. The Key may be evil originally, but in Dawn's hands it can used for good. Like the scythe. It's just a weapon, and it's the wielder that decides if it's used for good or evil.
Dawn glows green and punches Glory. Glory burns away from Clare leaving Clare's heavily beaten body. She disappears. Cut to Buffy with Dawn.
Dawn: It's not that I'm not thankful for the power. Glory'd probably be sacrificing me right about now if I didn't have it. I just don't know what that makes me.
Buffy: It makes you strong.
Dawn: Does it? I mean I've always had that, in me. I don't even know how to control it properly. And that power was what I was once. Primal?destructive?evil.
Buffy: You are not evil Dawn.
Dawn: Maybe as Dawn I'm not. But I was once. I could kill billions in the wrong hands. How could power that evil?ever be used good?
Buffy: The power you have ? it's controlled by you. Nobody else. I know that it's in the right hands with you.
Dawn smiles. Buffy walks away looking thoughtful.
START OF EPISODE
ACT I
Cut to Buffy standing outside. She looks thoughtful. Faith joins her.
Faith: Hey.
Buffy turns around.
Buffy: Oh, hey.
Faith: Well this looks fun.
Buffy smiles.
Buffy: Just wanted a moment. To think.
Faith: Yeah I know those. They're good. So what you thinking about?
Buffy: A lot of things. But mostly, about the Rogue Slayers.
Faith: Why? They're not exactly a threat right now.
Buffy: Not to us maybe. But somewhere out there I know they're causing trouble. People are dying because of them.
Faith: Buffy, Riley said the CIA had got a lot of it under control when he talked to me. If there was a problem he'd tell us. And besides, we have bigger badasses trying to kill us right now.
Buffy: Strangely that doesn't put my mind at ease.
Faith: Hey as far as talks go that was one of my best.
Buffy smiles.
Buffy: Can't help feeling that something's happening though.
Faith: Probably. That's what happens when people go about their every day lives.
Buffy rolls her eyes. Faith smiles.
Buffy: Guess you're right. I'm not gonna worry about things. At least tonight. Even if it is Tuesday.
Cut to Luce and Jake sitting on an old sofa in the house they are using as their lair. They are both reading magazines. Suddenly Clare appears near them. She is badly wounded. Luce and Jake look up. Luce rolls her eyes and then looks back at her magazine.
Luce: (without looking up) Guess that didn't go so well then?
Clare looks angry. She pushes herself up from the floor and gets to her feet. Luce throws down the magazine.
Luce: So Glory wasn't as tough as you thought huh?
Clare: No. She and I were unprepared for an intervention from a higher power. They gave the girl the ability to tap into her ancient energy and-
Jake: Kick your ass?
Clare narrows her eyes.
Clare: I will recover. Thank you for your concern.
Jake: Oh you don't need to thank me. There's no concern.
Luce smiles. Clare glares at Jake but begins to smile slightly.
Clare: You know, The Judge is well aware of your little "relationship".
Luce looks uncertain but tries to act as if she doesn't care.
Luce: So?
Clare walks closer to Luce.
Clare: She's also aware that you gave him some of your own personality in my absence Luce.
She smiles at Luce. Jake looks confused. Luce stares back.
Luce: Look Clare, I know you're jealous of what me and Jake have and I think you really need to back off. It's pathetic really.
Clare's eyes flash.
Luce: And what me and Jake do in our private lives is hardly your or The Judge's business.
Clare: That's where you're wrong. The Judge feels it would be better if it did not continue.
Luce: Really? Well see I don't really care. She can't do anything about it so-
Clare suddenly pushes her hand on Jake's chest. He gasps. Red energy shoots beneath his shirt into his skin. Luce's eyes widen and she looks distressed.
Luce: No!
Clare looks determined. The energy builds up as Luce tries to push Jake away. It suddenly explodes pushing all three of them back. Luce looks up and gets up. She rushes over to Jake. Clare gets up as well and smiles. Luce grasps Jake's hand and smiles hopefully as he lies with his eyes closed.
Lucy: Honey?
Jake's eyes open with a start. He looks at Luce and frowns. He pulls his hand away from hers. Luce looks confused.
Jake: Yes hello Luce.
He gets up and walks over to Clare.
Luce: What? What did you-
Luce's eyes widen.
Luce: No?
Clare: Yes. The Judge told me that it was vital our minds were at the job at hand and not on unnecessary pleasures. With my own personality Jake is far more likely to fulfil this criteria. Yours Luce is, well, less appropriate.
Clare smiles. Luce looks angry and rushes towards Clare.
Luce: You bitch! I'll kill you I swear to-
Jake grabs her wrist as she tries to strike Clare. He pulls her away.
Jake: No. You won't. Come along Clare, we must talk about what we are to do next.
He smiles at Clare and they walk away from Luce who looks angry and tearful.
Opening credits.
Starring:
SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR - Buffy Summers
NICHOLAS BRENDAN - Xander Harris
ALYSON HANNIGAN - Willow Rosenberg
MICHELLE TRACHTENBURG - Dawn Summers
IYARI LIMON - Kennedy Elisonne
JEMIMA ROOPER - Siobhan Bligh
TOM LENK - Andrew Wells
ANTHONY STEWART HEAD - Rupert Giles
Guest Starring:
ELIZA DUSHKU - Faith
KATIE HOLMES - Kelly
CHARLIE HUNNAM - Lloyd
MARC BLUCAS - Riley Finn
SONYA WALGER - Siobhan's mother
VIRGINIA HEY - Clare
AMANDA SEYFRIED - Luce
JENSEN ACKLES - Jake
RAOUL BOVA - The Immortal
Open on Dawn sat with Siobhan in the living room. Siobhan looks upset.
Siobhan: And then she invites this guy on holiday with us. I mean it was supposed to be just her and me, the whole mother/daughter bonding thing but she really wrecked it.
Dawn: Well you know maybe she thought you'd be happy that she's found someone. At least she's trying.
Siobhan: Yeah, right. Dawn she's obviously more concerned about her love life than getting things back on track with me. If she isn't gonna put the effort in ? then I don't really see why I should.
Dawn: Yeah I know. When my mom first started seeing other guys I was pretty mad. Didn't really see why she wanted to replace dad. But then I realised how lonely it must have been for her ? I see that more than ever now after loosing Chris. You never know ? this James guy might not be that bad. Unless he's a robot. He's not a robot right?
Siobhan: I dunno. I didn't stick around to find out.
Dawn: Well there ya go. If he's nice?and human, then maybe it's not so bad.
Siobhan smiles.
Siobhan: You know what, you're pretty good at these encouragement talks.
Dawn: Learnt from the best.
Siobhan laughs.
Siobhan: So how are you doing after?you know the whole everything.
Dawn: Long answer I would imagine. But the short version ? ok actually. I mean finding out I could use my primordial power as a weapon and wondering whether I'm good or evil or something else entirely's kinda stressful but I'm getting through it.
Siobhan: Wow. And I thought my problems were bad.
Dawn: No really, I'm ok. I just have a feeling that something's just around the corner.
Xander walks into the room.
Siobhan: There we go, it's happened, nothing to worry about.
Xander: What?
Dawn: Don't worry.
Xander shrugs.
Dawn: So anyway what's up?
Xander: Oh, nothing really. Not even any windows for me to fix.
Dawn: Don't you just miss the daily fights?
Xander: When you say it like that ? hell no.
Dawn and Siobhan laugh.
Siobhan: So, Xander ? what about you and Kelly?
Xander looks uncomfortable.
Xander: What?
Siobhan raises and eyebrow.
Siobhan: Oh come on. I happen to an expert on relationships. Except my own which generally end badly.
Dawn smiles sympathetically. Xander smiles but still looks uncomfortable.
Xander: Nothing really.
Siobhan: Oh there so is.
Xander: Well you know it's not really of your business.
Siobhan looks a little thrown.
Siobhan: Sorry?
Xander: No it's ok ? I didn't mean to snap.
He smiles at Siobhan who smiles back. The doorbell rings. Xander gets up to get it but Buffy is already there. She smiles and opens the door. Her smile fades. Cut to Riley standing in front of her clad in army gear. Behind him are several other soldiers also wearing armour.
Buffy: Riley?
Riley: Hello again Buffy. Sorry to just appear like this but um, we've got a problem.
Buffy: Oh. So I guess this isn't a social visit?
Riley: If only. Do you mind if?
Buffy: Oh right, sure. Come in.
Riley smiles and turns to the other soldiers.
Riley: Get in contact with the others. I'll call for backup if it's needed.
The other soldiers nod and walk away. Buffy frowns.
Buffy: Backup?
Riley: Just a precaution.
Buffy: Riley if we're in danger I need to know.
Riley pauses and sighs.
Riley: You might be. It'll be easier for me to tell you all inside.
Buffy nods and stands to the side to let him past. He smiles and walks in.
Buffy: I'll go find the others.
Riley nods. Buffy walks upstairs. Riley walks into the sitting room. Xander and Dawn stand up as they see him. Siobhan looks confused and stands up also.[/I]
Xander: Riley, hey.
Riley: Xander, hey. Good to see you. You too Dawn. (to Siobhan) And um, sorry I don't think-
Siobhan: Oh I'm Siobhan. Friend of the family really.
Buffy: She's a Slayer.
Siobhan: And that.
Riley raises his eyebrows.
Riley: Right.
Siobhan: And you are?
Dawn: Oh, Siobhan this is Riley's ex.
Siobhan: Oh?you mean (quietly) the vampire?
Dawn: No another ex actually.
Siobhan: Oh. Well hi.
She smiles. Riley smiles back.
Xander: Well this would be a pleasant surprise but I get the feeling that you're here for something a little less pleasant.
Riley: Afraid so.
Buffy comes back with Willow, Kennedy, Kelly, Faith, Andrew, Lloyd and Giles. Giles is frowning, while the others look confused. Willow smiles when she sees Riley.
Willow: Riley!
Riley: Hey Willow.
They hug. Riley turns to Faith.
Riley: Faith ? glad to see you alive.
Faith: You too. I didn't get a chance to thank you before so ? thanks for saving my ass.
Riley smiles.
Willow: It's been so long.
Riley: Yeah wish I coulda stopped by last time. But you know, things to do.
Willow: Yeah. I um, I'm sorry about Sam.
She smiles sympathetically.
Riley: Thanks.
He puts his hand on her shoulder. Buffy, who has been leaning against the stands upright.
Buffy: So then, what's the problem?
Faith: Great. There just had to be a problem.
Riley: Yeah. Well basically ? it's the Rogue Slayers.
Xander: Oh yay.
Buffy looks worried.
Buffy: What about them? Are they nearby?
Riley: Well possibly.
Giles: You don't know? I thought you were tracking Slayers all over the world.
Riley: The thing is ? there's been a sudden increase in the amount of the girls who are going Rogue. We don't know why but at least 50% of them are now?out of control.
Everyone looks worried.
Xander: Maybe they all just decided to?
Riley: That's what we thought, but it happened so suddenly that it was doubtful. Besides ? two of the girls that were helping us fight suddenly turned against us. They killed two of my men before we could sedate them. Slayers all over the world that were previously doing really well, suddenly went bad.
There is a pause. Everyone looks worried.
Kelly: So?so that might mean that we would-
Siobhan: No.
Kennedy: Kelly's got a point. I mean if girls on our side are simultaneously changing sides globally for no apparent reason what's to say we won't?
Faith: Maybe. Could even affect me and Buffy I mean we are all in the same boat now.
Buffy: I won't let it happen.
Riley: Buffy sometimes there are things you can't control. You should know that better than anyone.
Buffy stares at Riley.
Buffy: I do. But we don't know yet that we can't control this. If we couldn't stop this you wouldn't here. So what do you propose?
Riley hesitates.
Buffy: What?
Riley: Before I said we didn't know what it was. Well there's speculation going around that it might be some kind of virus that's causing these girls to play dark. A contagious virus.
Buffy frowns.
Buffy: What would that mean I-
Kelly: Oh my god.
Everyone turns to Kelly. Riley looks uncomfortable. Kelly stares at him.
Kelly: You're gonna kill them. All of them.
Everyone turns back to Riley, horrified. Buffy walks closer to Riley.
Riley: It might not come to that. But yes, one of the proposals is to quarantine and?destroy every girl infected.
Buffy looks at Riley in disbelief.
Buffy: You were considering it?
Riley: Buffy you have to understand that-
Buffy: No. No there's nothing to understand Riley. You're saying that you're gonna kill thousands ? maybe millions of girls when you don't even know what's causing this.
Riley: It's the most logical explanation. A lot of them were in groups when they went bad. We could at least quarantine them, see if it carries on.
Giles: We're not talking about animals here, we're talking about humans.
Riley: We're talking about murderers.
Buffy looks thrown. Faith looks angry too. Giles frowns.
Riley: Now I don't wanna have to go over the whole "who's to blame" thing again Buffy, but remember why they have this power. It's not just a small problem anymore it's a crisis. And we have to do something Buffy, people will die if we just sit around and hope it goes away.
Buffy: I'm not saying do nothing. I'm saying that there's gotta be another way.
Riley: Then please tell me. Cause right now, we're as in the dark as you are.
Buffy frowns.
Buffy: We'll find a way.
Riley: We'll help you.
Buffy: No.
Riley looks confused.
Riley: Buffy we-
Buffy: No Riley. I think I've heard enough of your suggestions. Thanks for telling us about this. Now get the hell out.
Riley looks thrown. The others glare at him. Riley looks at Faith who is staring at him angrily.
Riley: Faith I-
Faith: You heard her.
Riley frowns. He shakes his head and walks out the front door. Everyone sits or stands in silence.
Siobhan: Nice ex.
Dawn looks grave. She looks at Buffy who is leaning against the wall again. She exhales deeply.
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