Hi, this is the fifth episode of Buffy Season 9 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 9.5 171. The Distance
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.
START OF EPISODE
ACT I
Open on the back door of the Summer's house. Buffy walks through, followed by Dawn, Rona and Chao-Ahn. The stand in the kitchen.
Rona: Well I gotta say, I wish we could stay here longer.
Chao-Ahn: Yes. I enjoyed killing vampires in such a beautiful location.
Buffy: You know I wish I could say I do, but?I don't. But anyway, you know you guys are welcome to stay here as long as you want.
Rona: Thanks. And you know, we probably would, these last few days have been nice. Considering what's just happened.
Buffy: Of course. I guess it woulda been nice for the other girls to stay too, but I think the last invasion was enough for one lifetime.
The others smile.
Rona: But we've got people to see, things to kill. So we really gotta go.
Dawn: Today?
Rona: Soon as possible, yeah.
Dawn looks sad.
Chao-Ahn: We'll come back.
Buffy: Anytime.
Buffy smiles. Chao-Ahn smiles back. She then looks at Rona and her smile fades. Rona notices her looking at her. Chao-Ahn nods. Dawn and Buffy look confused.
Dawn: What is it?
Rona looks uncertain.
Rona: Uh?before we go?there's something you should know.
Dawn: I don't like the sound of that.
Buffy: What?
Rona: Well?a few weeks ago my Watcher got a phone call. It was from Vi's grandmother.
Buffy suddenly looks worried. Rona pauses.
Buffy: Go on.
Rona: Buffy?Vi's dead.
Buffy looks shocked. Dawn does too. Buffy looks Rona in the eyes.
Buffy: Uh?wh-when?
Rona: Last year.
Buffy: Last yeah? How come no one knew before this?
Chao-Ahn: She was fighting a Nerati demon. They are vicious. We fought them once and barely got away.
Rona: They?they eat the bodies of their victims after they kill them.
Dawn: So, Vi? she was-
Buffy: (slowly) Oh god.
Everyone looks sad. Rona looks hesitant suddenly.
Rona: Buffy there's more. There's worse.
Buffy looks at her, frowning.
Buffy: How can there be worse?
Rona: I don't know exactly how to say this?
Dawn: Then just say it.
Rona exhales.
Rona: The day she went missing must have been the same day she died.
Dawn: So?
Rona: It was the day we all lost our Slayer power. The day you tried that spell.
Buffy: What do you?what, no, I-
Chao-Ahn: We don't know for certain that that's why she died, but?it makes sense.
Buffy stares at the floor.
Buffy: First Faith now this.
Dawn: Buffy, if this was the spell, it wasn't?you didn't know ok?
Buffy: No?no we should have. This is exactly like the Slayer spell. I didn't even think.
Dawn: Wait, I'm not gonna let you obsess over something like this again.
Dawn looks at Rona,
Dawn: Why did you tell us this?
Rona: Hey, I just thought you should know.
Buffy: She's right. We should know. Thanks, you guys.
Chao-Ahn: We're sorry.
Buffy: You haven't done anything. Um, if it's ok I just need some time?alone.
Rona: Right, we should start packing anyway.
Buffy nods. Rona and Chao-Ahn smile sympathetically. They walk into the hall. Dawn turns to Buffy frowning.
Dawn: Ok, look-
Buffy: Dawn?please don't.
She walks away looking pale. Dawn looks after her looking worried.
Opening credits.
Starring:
SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR - Buffy Summers
NICHOLAS BRENDAN - Xander Harris
MICHELLE TRACHTENBURG - Dawn Summers
KATIE HOLMES - Kelly Rivers
ALYSON HANNIGAN - Willow Rosenberg
Guest Starring:
IYARI LIMON - Kennedy Elisonne
ANNA PAQUIN - Golda
KRISTY WU - Chao-Ahn
INDIGO - Rona
MARIE STILLIN - Maria
FRANCIS CONROY - Alice
DANNY DeVITO - Tony
Open on a train pulling up at a small train station. The camera shows the feet of two people walk out. The camera follows the third pair of feet. It rises up to show Willow. She looks around looking anxious. She looks to her right and then starts walking over in that direction. She walks up to a conductor.
Willow: Um, excuse me.
The conductor smiles.
Conductor: Well hello miss, what can I do for you?
Willow: Could you tell me the quickest way of getting to Elisonne manor?
The conductor's smile disappears.
Conductor: Well?yes but, why on earth would you want to go there?
Willow: I need to see someone there.
Conductor: Family?
Willow hesitates and then smiles.
Willow: She used to be.
Cut to Buffy in her room. She looks pale and in shock. There is a knock at the door.
Buffy: Dawn I said-
Xander OS: It's Xander.
Buffy: Oh, uh, Xander now's not a great time.
Xander OS: It's ok. Dawn told me what's up.
Buffy: Did she tell you I wanna be left alone?
Xander OS: Yes.
Xander opens the door. Buffy looks round.
Xander: But I figured you were just saying that so someone would come in. And well, here I am.
Buffy: Oh. Well, no actually it was the non-cryptic version.
Xander: Right. But see here's the thing; you need to talk to someone right now.
Buffy: Xander you can't say anything to make me feel better.
Xander: Well I'm gonna at least try.
He walks closer to her.
Xander: I know you feel bad, and I know it's not great timing for you to find out about this. Sure you should feel sad. Hey, we all do. But you weren't the demon who killed Vi.
Buffy: I let it happen. And we don't know Vi was the only one. It could have happened to loads of girls.
Xander: They only lost their power for a few minutes. It's not like every Slayer in the world was fighting at the same time.
Buffy: We don't know that.
Xander: Ok look. Maybe people have died from that spell. But you did it to stop the Rogue Slayers.
Buffy: It didn't work Xander. You know that. Maybe if it had it might possibly have been worth what's happened, but it didn't. So Vi, and anyone else who died from that spell died for nothing. You can phrase what happened any way you want, but it doesn't change that. Nothing can change that.
Buffy gets up and walk out of the room. Xander looks after her sadly.
Cut to Kelly, Rona and Chao-Ahn at Darkley train station.
Kelly: I hope you guys have a good journey.
Rona: Thanks. Compared to a lot of journeys we've had recently, here to Devon's not that bad.
Chao-Ahn: Would you like us to tell Giles anything?
Kelly: Uh, just tell him things are ok. Don't mention the whole Vi thing though ok? He doesn't need to deal with that.
Rona: What about Buffy? Do you think she can deal with that?
Kelly: I'm not sure. Xander said he'd talk to her, but to be honest?I don't think there's anything he can say.
Chao-Ahn: Maybe we shouldn't have told you.
Kelly: We'd have found out sooner or later. And I think Buffy would have reacted the same whenever she found out. When you find out you're responsible for someone's death it goes deep.
A train pulls up behind them.
Kelly: This for you?
Rona: Yeah. Let us know how things turn out.
Kelly: Will do.
Kelly hugs Rona and then Chao-Ahn.
Chao-Ahn: Bye Kelly.
Kelly: Bye.
The walk through the train doors. The camera moves round to show an old woman walk out of another carriage. She has a resolute expression on her face. The train starts moving and Kelly turns around. Cut to her walking along a road. She takes a piece of paper from her pocket that reads "Crescent Hotel, Sampson Lane". She looks up and sees "The Crescent Hotel" above one of the buildings in red letters. She bites her lip and walks towards it. Cut to her walking down a corridor. She stops by one of the doors. She knocks on it. Cut to the other side. A woman opens the door. Willow is stood on the doorstep. The house appears to be a large mansion surrounded by private grounds. The woman smiles slightly.
Woman: Can I help you?
Willow: Yeah, uh, my name's Willow Rosenburg.
The woman's smile fades.
Woman: (disdainfully) Oh. What are you doing here?
Willow: By your expression I think you already know.
The woman walks forward and closes the door behind her.
Woman: Miss Rosenburg, I'm afraid Miss Elisonne is far to busy for personal engagements currently. If you'd like, I could arrange an appointment, however the earliest Miss Elisonne could see you is-
Kennedy OS: Willow?
Willow turns around. Kennedy is walking up the path towards her. Willow smiles.
Willow: Kennedy!
Kennedy smiles back and they hug. Kennedy looks tearful as she does.
Kennedy: It's so good to see you!
Willow: You too.
Kennedy looks at Willow. The woman behind them folds her arms and looks disapprovingly at them. Kennedy looks at her.
Kennedy: Maria cancel the appointments for the rest of today.
The woman (Maria) looks startled.
Maria: Miss Elisonne, you know that's impossible.
Kennedy: Then make it possible.
Maria: The Junior Partners will not be pleased to hear this Miss Elisonne!
Willow looks concerned. Kennedy looks at Maria levelly. She walks up to her.
Kennedy: Do I have to remind you who's in charge here?
Maria: Miss Elisonne I-
Kennedy: The Junior Partners can't make me do anything, and you know it. Right now I have better things to do than deal with demons that need me to get them off the hook, and if the Junior Partners have a problem with that, then you can tell them where to shove it, ok?
Maria glares at Kennedy. Kennedy raises her eyebrows. Maria sighs.
Maria: Whatever you say, Miss Elisonne. But let me just say this. Your predecessors knew what their priorities were, they didn't let their personal lives interfere. Ever.
Kennedy: Well?that must have sucked.
Maria looks angry.
Kennedy: Now, go and, file, or something.
Maria glares again and opens the door before walking inside. She slams it behind her.
Willow: She sounds?
Kennedy: A bitch? Yeah, she is.
Willow and Kennedy both laugh slightly.
Kennedy: So, how are you?
Willow: I'm ok, yeah. And you?
Kennedy: Pretty well under the circumstances.
Willow: Right. Well, uh, the house looks nice.
Kennedy: Yeah it's great. On the outside.
Willow: Oh.
Kennedy: Well you might as well see for yourself. The coffee's at least pretty good.
Willow: Sure.
Kennedy walks in. Willow follows looking content.
Cut to Dawn and Xander in the Summers living room.
Xander: I hope she's ok.
Dawn: I think she just needed some air. Give it time.
Xander: Yeah?I just feel so helpless. I mean trying to make people feel better is kinda my area of expertise, and I can't do that right now. I just wish she'd let me.
Dawn: As long as she thinks she's to blame?it could take a while.
Xander: Not to sound heartless, but I don't see how this is different to the Rogue Slayers. I mean I'm sad Vi's dead, I just don't see why Buffy's freaking so much more over this.
Dawn: I guess because it feels more personal. We all knew Vi. It's harsh but, when it's people you haven't even met, I guess it's easier to live with. Besides, Buffy feels she did this directly. And I kinda agree.
Xander frowns.
Xander: You think it's her fault.
Dawn: Well whose fault is it Xander? The demon?
Xander: Yes. Vi coulda gotten killed by it anyway.
Dawn: But she died because of what Buffy and Willow did. I'm not saying she needs to do anything about it. It was an accident. But at the end of the day, who would Vi's grandmother blame?
Xander pauses.
Xander: Isn't hindsight a wonderful thing?
Dawn: In theory, yeah.
Xander: You know I didn't even think about Willow. Has anyone told her?
Dawn: No. And?maybe we shouldn't. You know how she was when she heard about the Rogue Slayers.
Xander: But that means Buffy gets all the blame. Believe me, I don't wanna see Willow suffer from this any more than you do, but she did cast the spell. Besides I think she'd wanna know. She has a right to.
Dawn sighs.
Dawn: I guess you're right.
Xander looks at her and smiles sympathetically.
Xander: So, how are you doing?
Dawn: Ok I guess. I mean I'm glad we finally know I just?wish it wasn't now.
Xander: Yeah. Me too.
Dawn and Xander hug. The camera moves past them to the living room window. Buffy is stood several metres away looking through the window. She looks contemplative as she sees Xander and Dawn. Dawn looks up and sees her. She smiles slightly and beckons for Buffy to come inside. Buffy smiles slightly and walks in. Cut to Buffy walking through the front door. Dawn and Xander meet her on the porch.
Dawn: Hey. How was your walk?
Buffy: Helpful.
Dawn: Oh. In what way?
Buffy: Just gave me time to think. That I have to be realistic about this. That although I'm part of what killed Vi, I can't dwell on that.
Xander: Well not forever or anything, but we get you have to grieve. If wanna do it on your own it's fine.
Buffy: Nah, I tried that. Kinda lonely.
Xander: Uh huh?
Buffy smiles.
Xander: But seriously, we're here for you. Only if you need us.
Dawn: Totally.
Buffy: Thanks. And I do.
Xander and Dawn smile. Buffy looks around.
Buffy: Kelly still out?
Xander: Yeah. Said she had to meet someone. After seeing Rona and Chao-Ahn off.
Buffy: Right. I should really have gone with her.
Dawn: They understood, don't worry.
Buffy: I see.
Dawn: So, what now? I mean we were kinda planning for the funeral forever and now?whatta we do?
Xander: Oh there'll be some demon out there.
Buffy: Always is.
A car is heard pulling up outside.
Xander: And let's hope that's not one of them.
Dawn opens the front door. The car is revealed to be a taxi.
Dawn: Um, no she looks human enough to me.
Xander: Well you know looks can be-
Buffy: Xander.
Buffy looks serious as she stares at the taxi. The old woman seen getting off the train is seen getting out. The taxi drives off.
Xander: What?
Buffy: (slowly) I think I know who that is.
The old woman walks towards them.
Woman: Uh, hello, I'm looking for Buffy Summers.
Xander: Well you've found her.
Woman: Oh! Good. Uh, now you don't know me, but-
Buffy: You're Vi's grandmother.
Dawn and Xander look at Buffy shocked. They then look at the woman who looks surprised.
Woman: Well?yes, how did you know? Were you expecting me?
Dawn and Xander look worried. Buffy looks pale as she tries to answer Vi's grandmother.

Buffy Episode 9.5 171. The Distance
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.
START OF EPISODE
ACT I
Open on the back door of the Summer's house. Buffy walks through, followed by Dawn, Rona and Chao-Ahn. The stand in the kitchen.
Rona: Well I gotta say, I wish we could stay here longer.
Chao-Ahn: Yes. I enjoyed killing vampires in such a beautiful location.
Buffy: You know I wish I could say I do, but?I don't. But anyway, you know you guys are welcome to stay here as long as you want.
Rona: Thanks. And you know, we probably would, these last few days have been nice. Considering what's just happened.
Buffy: Of course. I guess it woulda been nice for the other girls to stay too, but I think the last invasion was enough for one lifetime.
The others smile.
Rona: But we've got people to see, things to kill. So we really gotta go.
Dawn: Today?
Rona: Soon as possible, yeah.
Dawn looks sad.
Chao-Ahn: We'll come back.
Buffy: Anytime.
Buffy smiles. Chao-Ahn smiles back. She then looks at Rona and her smile fades. Rona notices her looking at her. Chao-Ahn nods. Dawn and Buffy look confused.
Dawn: What is it?
Rona looks uncertain.
Rona: Uh?before we go?there's something you should know.
Dawn: I don't like the sound of that.
Buffy: What?
Rona: Well?a few weeks ago my Watcher got a phone call. It was from Vi's grandmother.
Buffy suddenly looks worried. Rona pauses.
Buffy: Go on.
Rona: Buffy?Vi's dead.
Buffy looks shocked. Dawn does too. Buffy looks Rona in the eyes.
Buffy: Uh?wh-when?
Rona: Last year.
Buffy: Last yeah? How come no one knew before this?
Chao-Ahn: She was fighting a Nerati demon. They are vicious. We fought them once and barely got away.
Rona: They?they eat the bodies of their victims after they kill them.
Dawn: So, Vi? she was-
Buffy: (slowly) Oh god.
Everyone looks sad. Rona looks hesitant suddenly.
Rona: Buffy there's more. There's worse.
Buffy looks at her, frowning.
Buffy: How can there be worse?
Rona: I don't know exactly how to say this?
Dawn: Then just say it.
Rona exhales.
Rona: The day she went missing must have been the same day she died.
Dawn: So?
Rona: It was the day we all lost our Slayer power. The day you tried that spell.
Buffy: What do you?what, no, I-
Chao-Ahn: We don't know for certain that that's why she died, but?it makes sense.
Buffy stares at the floor.
Buffy: First Faith now this.
Dawn: Buffy, if this was the spell, it wasn't?you didn't know ok?
Buffy: No?no we should have. This is exactly like the Slayer spell. I didn't even think.
Dawn: Wait, I'm not gonna let you obsess over something like this again.
Dawn looks at Rona,
Dawn: Why did you tell us this?
Rona: Hey, I just thought you should know.
Buffy: She's right. We should know. Thanks, you guys.
Chao-Ahn: We're sorry.
Buffy: You haven't done anything. Um, if it's ok I just need some time?alone.
Rona: Right, we should start packing anyway.
Buffy nods. Rona and Chao-Ahn smile sympathetically. They walk into the hall. Dawn turns to Buffy frowning.
Dawn: Ok, look-
Buffy: Dawn?please don't.
She walks away looking pale. Dawn looks after her looking worried.
Opening credits.
Starring:
SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR - Buffy Summers
NICHOLAS BRENDAN - Xander Harris
MICHELLE TRACHTENBURG - Dawn Summers
KATIE HOLMES - Kelly Rivers
ALYSON HANNIGAN - Willow Rosenberg
Guest Starring:
IYARI LIMON - Kennedy Elisonne
ANNA PAQUIN - Golda
KRISTY WU - Chao-Ahn
INDIGO - Rona
MARIE STILLIN - Maria
FRANCIS CONROY - Alice
DANNY DeVITO - Tony
Open on a train pulling up at a small train station. The camera shows the feet of two people walk out. The camera follows the third pair of feet. It rises up to show Willow. She looks around looking anxious. She looks to her right and then starts walking over in that direction. She walks up to a conductor.
Willow: Um, excuse me.
The conductor smiles.
Conductor: Well hello miss, what can I do for you?
Willow: Could you tell me the quickest way of getting to Elisonne manor?
The conductor's smile disappears.
Conductor: Well?yes but, why on earth would you want to go there?
Willow: I need to see someone there.
Conductor: Family?
Willow hesitates and then smiles.
Willow: She used to be.
Cut to Buffy in her room. She looks pale and in shock. There is a knock at the door.
Buffy: Dawn I said-
Xander OS: It's Xander.
Buffy: Oh, uh, Xander now's not a great time.
Xander OS: It's ok. Dawn told me what's up.
Buffy: Did she tell you I wanna be left alone?
Xander OS: Yes.
Xander opens the door. Buffy looks round.
Xander: But I figured you were just saying that so someone would come in. And well, here I am.
Buffy: Oh. Well, no actually it was the non-cryptic version.
Xander: Right. But see here's the thing; you need to talk to someone right now.
Buffy: Xander you can't say anything to make me feel better.
Xander: Well I'm gonna at least try.
He walks closer to her.
Xander: I know you feel bad, and I know it's not great timing for you to find out about this. Sure you should feel sad. Hey, we all do. But you weren't the demon who killed Vi.
Buffy: I let it happen. And we don't know Vi was the only one. It could have happened to loads of girls.
Xander: They only lost their power for a few minutes. It's not like every Slayer in the world was fighting at the same time.
Buffy: We don't know that.
Xander: Ok look. Maybe people have died from that spell. But you did it to stop the Rogue Slayers.
Buffy: It didn't work Xander. You know that. Maybe if it had it might possibly have been worth what's happened, but it didn't. So Vi, and anyone else who died from that spell died for nothing. You can phrase what happened any way you want, but it doesn't change that. Nothing can change that.
Buffy gets up and walk out of the room. Xander looks after her sadly.
Cut to Kelly, Rona and Chao-Ahn at Darkley train station.
Kelly: I hope you guys have a good journey.
Rona: Thanks. Compared to a lot of journeys we've had recently, here to Devon's not that bad.
Chao-Ahn: Would you like us to tell Giles anything?
Kelly: Uh, just tell him things are ok. Don't mention the whole Vi thing though ok? He doesn't need to deal with that.
Rona: What about Buffy? Do you think she can deal with that?
Kelly: I'm not sure. Xander said he'd talk to her, but to be honest?I don't think there's anything he can say.
Chao-Ahn: Maybe we shouldn't have told you.
Kelly: We'd have found out sooner or later. And I think Buffy would have reacted the same whenever she found out. When you find out you're responsible for someone's death it goes deep.
A train pulls up behind them.
Kelly: This for you?
Rona: Yeah. Let us know how things turn out.
Kelly: Will do.
Kelly hugs Rona and then Chao-Ahn.
Chao-Ahn: Bye Kelly.
Kelly: Bye.
The walk through the train doors. The camera moves round to show an old woman walk out of another carriage. She has a resolute expression on her face. The train starts moving and Kelly turns around. Cut to her walking along a road. She takes a piece of paper from her pocket that reads "Crescent Hotel, Sampson Lane". She looks up and sees "The Crescent Hotel" above one of the buildings in red letters. She bites her lip and walks towards it. Cut to her walking down a corridor. She stops by one of the doors. She knocks on it. Cut to the other side. A woman opens the door. Willow is stood on the doorstep. The house appears to be a large mansion surrounded by private grounds. The woman smiles slightly.
Woman: Can I help you?
Willow: Yeah, uh, my name's Willow Rosenburg.
The woman's smile fades.
Woman: (disdainfully) Oh. What are you doing here?
Willow: By your expression I think you already know.
The woman walks forward and closes the door behind her.
Woman: Miss Rosenburg, I'm afraid Miss Elisonne is far to busy for personal engagements currently. If you'd like, I could arrange an appointment, however the earliest Miss Elisonne could see you is-
Kennedy OS: Willow?
Willow turns around. Kennedy is walking up the path towards her. Willow smiles.
Willow: Kennedy!
Kennedy smiles back and they hug. Kennedy looks tearful as she does.
Kennedy: It's so good to see you!
Willow: You too.
Kennedy looks at Willow. The woman behind them folds her arms and looks disapprovingly at them. Kennedy looks at her.
Kennedy: Maria cancel the appointments for the rest of today.
The woman (Maria) looks startled.
Maria: Miss Elisonne, you know that's impossible.
Kennedy: Then make it possible.
Maria: The Junior Partners will not be pleased to hear this Miss Elisonne!
Willow looks concerned. Kennedy looks at Maria levelly. She walks up to her.
Kennedy: Do I have to remind you who's in charge here?
Maria: Miss Elisonne I-
Kennedy: The Junior Partners can't make me do anything, and you know it. Right now I have better things to do than deal with demons that need me to get them off the hook, and if the Junior Partners have a problem with that, then you can tell them where to shove it, ok?
Maria glares at Kennedy. Kennedy raises her eyebrows. Maria sighs.
Maria: Whatever you say, Miss Elisonne. But let me just say this. Your predecessors knew what their priorities were, they didn't let their personal lives interfere. Ever.
Kennedy: Well?that must have sucked.
Maria looks angry.
Kennedy: Now, go and, file, or something.
Maria glares again and opens the door before walking inside. She slams it behind her.
Willow: She sounds?
Kennedy: A bitch? Yeah, she is.
Willow and Kennedy both laugh slightly.
Kennedy: So, how are you?
Willow: I'm ok, yeah. And you?
Kennedy: Pretty well under the circumstances.
Willow: Right. Well, uh, the house looks nice.
Kennedy: Yeah it's great. On the outside.
Willow: Oh.
Kennedy: Well you might as well see for yourself. The coffee's at least pretty good.
Willow: Sure.
Kennedy walks in. Willow follows looking content.
Cut to Dawn and Xander in the Summers living room.
Xander: I hope she's ok.
Dawn: I think she just needed some air. Give it time.
Xander: Yeah?I just feel so helpless. I mean trying to make people feel better is kinda my area of expertise, and I can't do that right now. I just wish she'd let me.
Dawn: As long as she thinks she's to blame?it could take a while.
Xander: Not to sound heartless, but I don't see how this is different to the Rogue Slayers. I mean I'm sad Vi's dead, I just don't see why Buffy's freaking so much more over this.
Dawn: I guess because it feels more personal. We all knew Vi. It's harsh but, when it's people you haven't even met, I guess it's easier to live with. Besides, Buffy feels she did this directly. And I kinda agree.
Xander frowns.
Xander: You think it's her fault.
Dawn: Well whose fault is it Xander? The demon?
Xander: Yes. Vi coulda gotten killed by it anyway.
Dawn: But she died because of what Buffy and Willow did. I'm not saying she needs to do anything about it. It was an accident. But at the end of the day, who would Vi's grandmother blame?
Xander pauses.
Xander: Isn't hindsight a wonderful thing?
Dawn: In theory, yeah.
Xander: You know I didn't even think about Willow. Has anyone told her?
Dawn: No. And?maybe we shouldn't. You know how she was when she heard about the Rogue Slayers.
Xander: But that means Buffy gets all the blame. Believe me, I don't wanna see Willow suffer from this any more than you do, but she did cast the spell. Besides I think she'd wanna know. She has a right to.
Dawn sighs.
Dawn: I guess you're right.
Xander looks at her and smiles sympathetically.
Xander: So, how are you doing?
Dawn: Ok I guess. I mean I'm glad we finally know I just?wish it wasn't now.
Xander: Yeah. Me too.
Dawn and Xander hug. The camera moves past them to the living room window. Buffy is stood several metres away looking through the window. She looks contemplative as she sees Xander and Dawn. Dawn looks up and sees her. She smiles slightly and beckons for Buffy to come inside. Buffy smiles slightly and walks in. Cut to Buffy walking through the front door. Dawn and Xander meet her on the porch.
Dawn: Hey. How was your walk?
Buffy: Helpful.
Dawn: Oh. In what way?
Buffy: Just gave me time to think. That I have to be realistic about this. That although I'm part of what killed Vi, I can't dwell on that.
Xander: Well not forever or anything, but we get you have to grieve. If wanna do it on your own it's fine.
Buffy: Nah, I tried that. Kinda lonely.
Xander: Uh huh?
Buffy smiles.
Xander: But seriously, we're here for you. Only if you need us.
Dawn: Totally.
Buffy: Thanks. And I do.
Xander and Dawn smile. Buffy looks around.
Buffy: Kelly still out?
Xander: Yeah. Said she had to meet someone. After seeing Rona and Chao-Ahn off.
Buffy: Right. I should really have gone with her.
Dawn: They understood, don't worry.
Buffy: I see.
Dawn: So, what now? I mean we were kinda planning for the funeral forever and now?whatta we do?
Xander: Oh there'll be some demon out there.
Buffy: Always is.
A car is heard pulling up outside.
Xander: And let's hope that's not one of them.
Dawn opens the front door. The car is revealed to be a taxi.
Dawn: Um, no she looks human enough to me.
Xander: Well you know looks can be-
Buffy: Xander.
Buffy looks serious as she stares at the taxi. The old woman seen getting off the train is seen getting out. The taxi drives off.
Xander: What?
Buffy: (slowly) I think I know who that is.
The old woman walks towards them.
Woman: Uh, hello, I'm looking for Buffy Summers.
Xander: Well you've found her.
Woman: Oh! Good. Uh, now you don't know me, but-
Buffy: You're Vi's grandmother.
Dawn and Xander look at Buffy shocked. They then look at the woman who looks surprised.
Woman: Well?yes, how did you know? Were you expecting me?
Dawn and Xander look worried. Buffy looks pale as she tries to answer Vi's grandmother.
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