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Hi, this is the sixteenth 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 9.16 182. The Dividing Lines
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.
ACT I
Open on a door opening. Three pairs of feet appear in the doorway. Those in the middle belong to a figure being dragged by the two on either side of him/her. The figures all stop next to a cell and the door is opened. The middle figure is thrown in by the other two. The figure hits the ground hard and emits a small groan but doesn't appear to be fully conscious. The door is slammed shut and the other two figures walk away. The figure in the cell shifts uncomfortably. As the camera shows them in more detail it is revealed to be a man in his early 20s. As his face is facing the ground only his left eye can be seen. It opens slowly. It is yellow.
Cut to Paula standing with her arms crossed in an office type room. Heather is stood opposite her looking serious. Harold is seen sat at a desk nearby. Heather glances at him and then at Paula.
Heather: You realise this will accomplish nothing more than strengthening mistrust?
Paula: Our primary concern is that the public are safe. Mutant vampires are hardly something that we want let loose in society.
Heather looks annoyed.
Heather: They're still part of the public. Or do they no longer matter because they happen to be slightly different from the rest?
Harold: Slightly? That's an interesting term to use Miss Marques.
Heather looks at him. There is a pause.
Heather: This is the difference between you and me. Everything is very black and white for you isn't it? There's no room for a middle path.
Harold: Not if we want to save lives.
Heather: You know I heard a rumour that it's the twenty first century.
She says "twenty first century" very bitterly.
Paula: Well Heather I think you're getting too personally involved.
Heather: So I'm meant to stand back and agree to locking up every victim of the vampire "cure" we come across?
Harold: That would be your job yes.
Heather turns to him quickly.
Heather: Not anymore.
Heather takes a coat off a chair and walks to the door.
Paula: Heather don't be so stupid.
Heather stops and turns to Paula.
Heather: That's exactly what I have been for the last few years. I can't be that person anymore. Now I'm sure I'll be seeing you?that is if you're not slaughtering anyone you consider to be even the slightest bit unacceptable to be a member of our perfect, perfect race.
Heather gives them a disgusted look and walks out. She walks down the corridor looking resolute but there is a twinge of worry in her eyes.
Cut to Lauren sat in the Summers' living room. Buffy and Dawn are sat on the sofa nearby.
Lauren: We don't know where else to look.
Buffy looks serious. Dawn stares into space.
Dawn: Maybe she doesn't wanna be found?
She looks at Lauren and then at Buffy.
Dawn: She must know we lied to her?she might not trust us anymore.
Buffy: Either way she shouldn't have to deal with this on her own. I mean we can't even tell that much from the other victims that have been found right?
She looks at Lauren.
Lauren: We don't know if they're going to be permanently affected, no.
Dawn: But they're stuck in between?
Lauren: Basically, yes. Direct sunlight only gives them slight burns, but they have healing abilities. Their eyes are yellow, but there are no signs of other vampire physical features.
Dawn: And Golda's like that?somewhere.
Buffy looks grave.
Buffy: What are the GSPST planning on doing with them?
Lauren: I don't know for certain but?I'm not sure they'll be treated particularly kindly.
Buffy looks serious.
Buffy: I'm gonna have to talk to them.
Lauren: Buffy I'm not sure it'll do much good-
Buffy: I have to do something. I'm not gonna leave them there to face-
There is a blinding light in the middle of the room. Buffy, Dawn and Lauren shield their eyes as the light gets larger and then fades. Buffy, Dawn and Lauren look. The woman from Tactics and Pandora's Box is stood in the middle of the room. But another figure is stood next to her. It's Willow. Buffy's eyes widen. Dawn and Lauren also look shocked. The woman smiles. Willow smiles also and looks a little awkward.
Willow: Hi?
Opening credits.
Starring:
SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR - Buffy Summers
NICHOLAS BRENDAN - Xander Harris
ALYSON HANNIGAN - Willow Rosenberg
MICHELLE TRACHTENBURG - Dawn Summers
KATIE HOLMES - Kelly Rivers
ANNA PAQUIN - Golda Lawowich
ROSAMUND PIKE - Heather Marques
ANTHONY STEWART HEAD - Rupert Giles
Special Guest Star:
CATE BLANCHETT - Woman
HELEN MIRRAN - Althanea
Guest Starring:
CAROLINE CHIKEZIE - Lauren
ALICE KRIGE - Alethea
IMELDA STAUNTON - Paula
ALAN RICKMAN - Harold
Open on Willow standing amongst purple and blue light. The woman appears behind her.
Willow: This place?I remember it.
Woman: What you remember is a dream.
Willow turns to her.
Willow: Then, what you told me wasn't-
Woman: I wish it was only a fantasy. But it remains real.
Willow looks grave.
Willow: Then why am I here?
Woman: The spell you performed is more than a clear indication that your spiritual power has far exceeded your physical purpose on Earth.
Willow: What do you mean? I thought you told me-
Woman: As I said?it remains the truth. But this may be a way for you to escape the consequences.
Willow: How?
Woman: The time has come, Willow. You must choose if you wish to become one of us.
Willow turns away looking uncertain.
Cut to Buffy, Lauren, Dawn, Willow and the woman in the Summers' living room. There is a short pause as Buffy, Dawn and Lauren stare at Willow. After a few seconds Buffy embraces Willow tightly, closing her eyes with relief.
Buffy: Willow, thank God!
Willow hugs Buffy. Dawn looks relieved.
Willow: Sorry to worry you guys.
Buffy pulls back and smiles.
Buffy: Slight understatement.
Woman: I apologise for the method in which Willow was brought to us. If we had had time we would have assured you that she would return.
Buffy looks confused. Willow looks around.
Willow: The others should be here.
Buffy: They should?
Dawn: What's going on?
She looks at the woman.
Dawn: Who are you exactly?
Willow looks at the woman.
Woman: Buffy may remember us.
Even Willow looks surprised at this.
Dawn: What?
Buffy frowns.
Buffy: You're?you were in my dream?The First Good?
The woman smiles.
Woman: In this world?yes we are.
She then looks from Dawn to Buffy to Lauren.
Woman: The evil in this world puts you all in jeopardy. The smallest child, to the oldest woman.
Dawn: The First?
Woman: No.
Lauren: Malachi?
Woman: Precisely. And we may have a way to destroy the threat he poses to you?absolutely.
Cut to Giles walking into the room, some time later. Kelly and Xander have also arrived at this time. Giles looks tired, but also surprised to see Willow and the woman.
Willow: Giles!
Giles smiles as best he can. He and Willow hug for a second.
Giles: I'm glad you're all right.
Willow pulls back and smiles.
Willow: I'm more than all right.
She indicates the woman.
Giles: Ah?yes.
Buffy: Giles you're gonna wanna hear this.
Giles sits down.
Giles: I see.
Woman: As I have explained to the others?we now have the ability to eradicate Malachi Edison, as you know him, and his forces from this world.
Giles looks serious. Xander shifts uncomfortably.
Giles: And how do you propose to do that?
Woman: We have the power. Willow has the power.
Giles: Ah I thought she might be involved with this.
Buffy frowns at Giles' tone.
Buffy: Giles I know it sounds pretty big?and it is, but-
Woman: They have caused you great suffering.
Giles looks sad as the woman stares at him knowingly.
Willow: We know what happened with Siobhan and Julia.
Dawn looks sombre, as do the others.
Woman: This damage cannot be restored?but we can prevent the pure demons from harming this world and its inhabitants further.
Xander: I thought you guys weren't supposed to interfere. Isn't that your big deal?
The woman looks serious.
Woman: It is time that you learn the truth. You have been kept in the dark for too long.
Buffy frowns.
Buffy: What?
Woman: Allow me to explain?from the beginning.
[I]Cut to a silver light surrounded by black space.
Woman VO: Time began?and we were the first creations. The Powers That Be.
Another light spins around it. Then a third, a fourth, and soon there are around twenty silver lights.
Woman VO: Corporeality soon followed.
Cut to one of the silver lights forming a hand. There is still an ethereal element to the figure.
Woman VO: We were created one and the same?neutral?for a time.
The figures walk among the blue and purple lights that Willow and the woman were seen standing earlier.
Woman VO: But evil engulfed even the higher planes, like a plague. Those intent on gaining power and control became twisted?all manner of grace abandoned their forms?they adopted those of demons?and became The Senior Partners.
The ethereal glow of a hand is replaced by the claw of a demon. A close up of two red eyes shows them narrowing.
Woman VO: But the rest of us retained our purity. We strived to maintain balance in the world.
The woman, in the higher planes, smiles.
Woman VO: Many ages past?and there was never a great triumph for the forces of good, evil always overcame it?until one of us defected from the old ways.
There is a close up of Jasmine's eyes flicking upwards to stare at the screen.
Woman VO: Her methods were ruthless?but her aim was admirable. Others soon followed in her footsteps. The Powers That Be were broken by controversy?and that is how our faction came into being.
The woman and several others are seen walking amongst fire.
Woman VO: There was never a voice for triumph against evil?until we made one. We are, for all need?"The First Good".
Cut back to the Summers' living room.
Dawn: So?you all began the same.
Woman: Yes. As did you.
Dawn looks surprised. Buffy looks at her and then at the woman.
Woman: The Key was also a tool forged in the fires of creation. It was not given consciousness?as it would have been too terrible to even conceive of. But now, of course, all is well.
Dawn still looks disturbed.
Buffy: So you can intervene because you're not The Powers That Be?
The woman nods.
Woman: Because we chose not to ignore the pain humans suffer. We do, in essence, seek the same end as The Powers?but it is time we did what we should have done millennia ago. It is time we fought as you do.
Xander: By using Willow?
Giles looks serious.
Woman: Her power used in collaboration with our own will end this.
Giles: In what way exactly?
Woman: Demons?vampires?they will cease to exist in this dimension. As Buffy is aware, The First Evil is already contained in the minds of humans?we can never truly eliminate it. But weakening its children is an aim within our grasp.
The others look serious.
Kelly: Buffy you never said anything about meeting these guys before.
Xander: And you knew The First Evil was back?
Buffy: It never went away. But it can't try the apocalypse stunt again. Not first hand anyway.
Buffy smiles awkwardly.
Buffy: Bad?bad pun?
The others don't respond. The woman looks at them curiously.
Buffy: Look I didn't tell you guys cause I woke up and found the world was crazy. It was kinda overshadowed by the fact that some of the general public wanted us dead. A big "some".
Willow: Yeah I guess it would be.
Willow smiles understandingly. Buffy smiles back thankfully.
Woman: The revelation of yourselves and the demon world has been a great blow to your efforts.
Xander: Understatement.
Woman: Indeed. We may also be able to reverse this?
The others look shocked.
Lauren: How?
Woman: Time can be?manipulated.
Giles: Yes, though I, uh, I'm sure I don't have to tell you that something of the magnitude you're suggesting doesn't just go against everything The Powers That Be stand for, it goes against the natural order of the world.
Woman: The natural order will soon be unmanageable if your enemies achieve what they want. We would not suggest something this drastic if it were not necessary.
There is a pause.
Willow: I know you're all probably worried that something bad's gonna happen?to me, or something bigger. Maybe before I'd be worried about this, but they've shown me so much, I'm surer of what I can do than I ever have been. I can do this. I wanna do this.
Xander: But maybe you shouldn't.
Willow looks at Xander.
Willow: Xander I'm-
Xander: Not just cause of you, Will. But because no one should be able to have that much power. Sure it starts off with saving the world, but it consumes. It corrupts. Remember?
Willow frowns. The others consider what Xander has said, except the woman who smiles reassuringly.
Woman: It is natural for you all to have doubts.
Her smiles vanishes.
Woman: But be rest assured that evil will only continue to flourish and grow in strength and numbers without taking action now. More of those you love will die?perhaps the world itself will fall. We have seen it. Buffy has seen it. You will all see it.
Everyone looks serious as the woman glances around at them all.
Woman: I shall leave you to discuss the proposal. I shall return.
The woman vanishes. Buffy and the others are left in silence.
Cut to Lauren and Buffy at the front door.
Lauren: I'm not gonna say anything.
Buffy frowns.
Buffy: You'd lie for us?
Lauren: I just think?the more people that know about this, the more pressure there's gonna be on you to do it. If people know it's a possibility?how can they resist?
Buffy nods and looks grateful.
Buffy: Thank you.
Lauren: Not a problem.
A car drives up behind them next to Lauren's and Xander's. Lauren and Buffy turn to see Heather getting out of the driver's seat. She looks serious.
Cut to the view of a surveillance camera. It follows Heather as she walks across the driveway of the Summers' house, and she begins to talk to Buffy and Lauren. Buffy can be seen looking surprised.
The view of the scene returns to normal.
Heather: I didn't feel I had any other choice but to come here?and tell you.
Buffy and Lauren stare at her. Buffy looks serious, but not at Heather.
Buffy: Thank you. It's good to know who we can trust.
Cut back to the scene seen through the lens of the surveillance camera. Lauren, Heather and Buffy say a few words to one another before Buffy and Heather head inside and Lauren walks towards her car. The camera follows Lauren and then darts back to Buffy and Heather as the door to the house closes. The view returns to normal as the camera is now clearly seen, hidden amongst the bushes next to the house. There is a wide shot of it, as it goes out of focus. Another tiny camera is seen high above in the tree on the other side of the house, conspicuously concealed as a small branch. It films Lauren driving away.
Cut to several screens placed beside one another, each showing the recordings of several cameras around the Summers' house. Alethea is stood with her arms folded. She narrows her eyes at what she has seen.
Buffy Episode 9.16 182. The Dividing Lines
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.
ACT I
Open on a door opening. Three pairs of feet appear in the doorway. Those in the middle belong to a figure being dragged by the two on either side of him/her. The figures all stop next to a cell and the door is opened. The middle figure is thrown in by the other two. The figure hits the ground hard and emits a small groan but doesn't appear to be fully conscious. The door is slammed shut and the other two figures walk away. The figure in the cell shifts uncomfortably. As the camera shows them in more detail it is revealed to be a man in his early 20s. As his face is facing the ground only his left eye can be seen. It opens slowly. It is yellow.
Cut to Paula standing with her arms crossed in an office type room. Heather is stood opposite her looking serious. Harold is seen sat at a desk nearby. Heather glances at him and then at Paula.
Heather: You realise this will accomplish nothing more than strengthening mistrust?
Paula: Our primary concern is that the public are safe. Mutant vampires are hardly something that we want let loose in society.
Heather looks annoyed.
Heather: They're still part of the public. Or do they no longer matter because they happen to be slightly different from the rest?
Harold: Slightly? That's an interesting term to use Miss Marques.
Heather looks at him. There is a pause.
Heather: This is the difference between you and me. Everything is very black and white for you isn't it? There's no room for a middle path.
Harold: Not if we want to save lives.
Heather: You know I heard a rumour that it's the twenty first century.
She says "twenty first century" very bitterly.
Paula: Well Heather I think you're getting too personally involved.
Heather: So I'm meant to stand back and agree to locking up every victim of the vampire "cure" we come across?
Harold: That would be your job yes.
Heather turns to him quickly.
Heather: Not anymore.
Heather takes a coat off a chair and walks to the door.
Paula: Heather don't be so stupid.
Heather stops and turns to Paula.
Heather: That's exactly what I have been for the last few years. I can't be that person anymore. Now I'm sure I'll be seeing you?that is if you're not slaughtering anyone you consider to be even the slightest bit unacceptable to be a member of our perfect, perfect race.
Heather gives them a disgusted look and walks out. She walks down the corridor looking resolute but there is a twinge of worry in her eyes.
Cut to Lauren sat in the Summers' living room. Buffy and Dawn are sat on the sofa nearby.
Lauren: We don't know where else to look.
Buffy looks serious. Dawn stares into space.
Dawn: Maybe she doesn't wanna be found?
She looks at Lauren and then at Buffy.
Dawn: She must know we lied to her?she might not trust us anymore.
Buffy: Either way she shouldn't have to deal with this on her own. I mean we can't even tell that much from the other victims that have been found right?
She looks at Lauren.
Lauren: We don't know if they're going to be permanently affected, no.
Dawn: But they're stuck in between?
Lauren: Basically, yes. Direct sunlight only gives them slight burns, but they have healing abilities. Their eyes are yellow, but there are no signs of other vampire physical features.
Dawn: And Golda's like that?somewhere.
Buffy looks grave.
Buffy: What are the GSPST planning on doing with them?
Lauren: I don't know for certain but?I'm not sure they'll be treated particularly kindly.
Buffy looks serious.
Buffy: I'm gonna have to talk to them.
Lauren: Buffy I'm not sure it'll do much good-
Buffy: I have to do something. I'm not gonna leave them there to face-
There is a blinding light in the middle of the room. Buffy, Dawn and Lauren shield their eyes as the light gets larger and then fades. Buffy, Dawn and Lauren look. The woman from Tactics and Pandora's Box is stood in the middle of the room. But another figure is stood next to her. It's Willow. Buffy's eyes widen. Dawn and Lauren also look shocked. The woman smiles. Willow smiles also and looks a little awkward.
Willow: Hi?
Opening credits.
Starring:
SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR - Buffy Summers
NICHOLAS BRENDAN - Xander Harris
ALYSON HANNIGAN - Willow Rosenberg
MICHELLE TRACHTENBURG - Dawn Summers
KATIE HOLMES - Kelly Rivers
ANNA PAQUIN - Golda Lawowich
ROSAMUND PIKE - Heather Marques
ANTHONY STEWART HEAD - Rupert Giles
Special Guest Star:
CATE BLANCHETT - Woman
HELEN MIRRAN - Althanea
Guest Starring:
CAROLINE CHIKEZIE - Lauren
ALICE KRIGE - Alethea
IMELDA STAUNTON - Paula
ALAN RICKMAN - Harold
Open on Willow standing amongst purple and blue light. The woman appears behind her.
Willow: This place?I remember it.
Woman: What you remember is a dream.
Willow turns to her.
Willow: Then, what you told me wasn't-
Woman: I wish it was only a fantasy. But it remains real.
Willow looks grave.
Willow: Then why am I here?
Woman: The spell you performed is more than a clear indication that your spiritual power has far exceeded your physical purpose on Earth.
Willow: What do you mean? I thought you told me-
Woman: As I said?it remains the truth. But this may be a way for you to escape the consequences.
Willow: How?
Woman: The time has come, Willow. You must choose if you wish to become one of us.
Willow turns away looking uncertain.
Cut to Buffy, Lauren, Dawn, Willow and the woman in the Summers' living room. There is a short pause as Buffy, Dawn and Lauren stare at Willow. After a few seconds Buffy embraces Willow tightly, closing her eyes with relief.
Buffy: Willow, thank God!
Willow hugs Buffy. Dawn looks relieved.
Willow: Sorry to worry you guys.
Buffy pulls back and smiles.
Buffy: Slight understatement.
Woman: I apologise for the method in which Willow was brought to us. If we had had time we would have assured you that she would return.
Buffy looks confused. Willow looks around.
Willow: The others should be here.
Buffy: They should?
Dawn: What's going on?
She looks at the woman.
Dawn: Who are you exactly?
Willow looks at the woman.
Woman: Buffy may remember us.
Even Willow looks surprised at this.
Dawn: What?
Buffy frowns.
Buffy: You're?you were in my dream?The First Good?
The woman smiles.
Woman: In this world?yes we are.
She then looks from Dawn to Buffy to Lauren.
Woman: The evil in this world puts you all in jeopardy. The smallest child, to the oldest woman.
Dawn: The First?
Woman: No.
Lauren: Malachi?
Woman: Precisely. And we may have a way to destroy the threat he poses to you?absolutely.
Cut to Giles walking into the room, some time later. Kelly and Xander have also arrived at this time. Giles looks tired, but also surprised to see Willow and the woman.
Willow: Giles!
Giles smiles as best he can. He and Willow hug for a second.
Giles: I'm glad you're all right.
Willow pulls back and smiles.
Willow: I'm more than all right.
She indicates the woman.
Giles: Ah?yes.
Buffy: Giles you're gonna wanna hear this.
Giles sits down.
Giles: I see.
Woman: As I have explained to the others?we now have the ability to eradicate Malachi Edison, as you know him, and his forces from this world.
Giles looks serious. Xander shifts uncomfortably.
Giles: And how do you propose to do that?
Woman: We have the power. Willow has the power.
Giles: Ah I thought she might be involved with this.
Buffy frowns at Giles' tone.
Buffy: Giles I know it sounds pretty big?and it is, but-
Woman: They have caused you great suffering.
Giles looks sad as the woman stares at him knowingly.
Willow: We know what happened with Siobhan and Julia.
Dawn looks sombre, as do the others.
Woman: This damage cannot be restored?but we can prevent the pure demons from harming this world and its inhabitants further.
Xander: I thought you guys weren't supposed to interfere. Isn't that your big deal?
The woman looks serious.
Woman: It is time that you learn the truth. You have been kept in the dark for too long.
Buffy frowns.
Buffy: What?
Woman: Allow me to explain?from the beginning.
[I]Cut to a silver light surrounded by black space.
Woman VO: Time began?and we were the first creations. The Powers That Be.
Another light spins around it. Then a third, a fourth, and soon there are around twenty silver lights.
Woman VO: Corporeality soon followed.
Cut to one of the silver lights forming a hand. There is still an ethereal element to the figure.
Woman VO: We were created one and the same?neutral?for a time.
The figures walk among the blue and purple lights that Willow and the woman were seen standing earlier.
Woman VO: But evil engulfed even the higher planes, like a plague. Those intent on gaining power and control became twisted?all manner of grace abandoned their forms?they adopted those of demons?and became The Senior Partners.
The ethereal glow of a hand is replaced by the claw of a demon. A close up of two red eyes shows them narrowing.
Woman VO: But the rest of us retained our purity. We strived to maintain balance in the world.
The woman, in the higher planes, smiles.
Woman VO: Many ages past?and there was never a great triumph for the forces of good, evil always overcame it?until one of us defected from the old ways.
There is a close up of Jasmine's eyes flicking upwards to stare at the screen.
Woman VO: Her methods were ruthless?but her aim was admirable. Others soon followed in her footsteps. The Powers That Be were broken by controversy?and that is how our faction came into being.
The woman and several others are seen walking amongst fire.
Woman VO: There was never a voice for triumph against evil?until we made one. We are, for all need?"The First Good".
Cut back to the Summers' living room.
Dawn: So?you all began the same.
Woman: Yes. As did you.
Dawn looks surprised. Buffy looks at her and then at the woman.
Woman: The Key was also a tool forged in the fires of creation. It was not given consciousness?as it would have been too terrible to even conceive of. But now, of course, all is well.
Dawn still looks disturbed.
Buffy: So you can intervene because you're not The Powers That Be?
The woman nods.
Woman: Because we chose not to ignore the pain humans suffer. We do, in essence, seek the same end as The Powers?but it is time we did what we should have done millennia ago. It is time we fought as you do.
Xander: By using Willow?
Giles looks serious.
Woman: Her power used in collaboration with our own will end this.
Giles: In what way exactly?
Woman: Demons?vampires?they will cease to exist in this dimension. As Buffy is aware, The First Evil is already contained in the minds of humans?we can never truly eliminate it. But weakening its children is an aim within our grasp.
The others look serious.
Kelly: Buffy you never said anything about meeting these guys before.
Xander: And you knew The First Evil was back?
Buffy: It never went away. But it can't try the apocalypse stunt again. Not first hand anyway.
Buffy smiles awkwardly.
Buffy: Bad?bad pun?
The others don't respond. The woman looks at them curiously.
Buffy: Look I didn't tell you guys cause I woke up and found the world was crazy. It was kinda overshadowed by the fact that some of the general public wanted us dead. A big "some".
Willow: Yeah I guess it would be.
Willow smiles understandingly. Buffy smiles back thankfully.
Woman: The revelation of yourselves and the demon world has been a great blow to your efforts.
Xander: Understatement.
Woman: Indeed. We may also be able to reverse this?
The others look shocked.
Lauren: How?
Woman: Time can be?manipulated.
Giles: Yes, though I, uh, I'm sure I don't have to tell you that something of the magnitude you're suggesting doesn't just go against everything The Powers That Be stand for, it goes against the natural order of the world.
Woman: The natural order will soon be unmanageable if your enemies achieve what they want. We would not suggest something this drastic if it were not necessary.
There is a pause.
Willow: I know you're all probably worried that something bad's gonna happen?to me, or something bigger. Maybe before I'd be worried about this, but they've shown me so much, I'm surer of what I can do than I ever have been. I can do this. I wanna do this.
Xander: But maybe you shouldn't.
Willow looks at Xander.
Willow: Xander I'm-
Xander: Not just cause of you, Will. But because no one should be able to have that much power. Sure it starts off with saving the world, but it consumes. It corrupts. Remember?
Willow frowns. The others consider what Xander has said, except the woman who smiles reassuringly.
Woman: It is natural for you all to have doubts.
Her smiles vanishes.
Woman: But be rest assured that evil will only continue to flourish and grow in strength and numbers without taking action now. More of those you love will die?perhaps the world itself will fall. We have seen it. Buffy has seen it. You will all see it.
Everyone looks serious as the woman glances around at them all.
Woman: I shall leave you to discuss the proposal. I shall return.
The woman vanishes. Buffy and the others are left in silence.
Cut to Lauren and Buffy at the front door.
Lauren: I'm not gonna say anything.
Buffy frowns.
Buffy: You'd lie for us?
Lauren: I just think?the more people that know about this, the more pressure there's gonna be on you to do it. If people know it's a possibility?how can they resist?
Buffy nods and looks grateful.
Buffy: Thank you.
Lauren: Not a problem.
A car drives up behind them next to Lauren's and Xander's. Lauren and Buffy turn to see Heather getting out of the driver's seat. She looks serious.
Cut to the view of a surveillance camera. It follows Heather as she walks across the driveway of the Summers' house, and she begins to talk to Buffy and Lauren. Buffy can be seen looking surprised.
The view of the scene returns to normal.
Heather: I didn't feel I had any other choice but to come here?and tell you.
Buffy and Lauren stare at her. Buffy looks serious, but not at Heather.
Buffy: Thank you. It's good to know who we can trust.
Cut back to the scene seen through the lens of the surveillance camera. Lauren, Heather and Buffy say a few words to one another before Buffy and Heather head inside and Lauren walks towards her car. The camera follows Lauren and then darts back to Buffy and Heather as the door to the house closes. The view returns to normal as the camera is now clearly seen, hidden amongst the bushes next to the house. There is a wide shot of it, as it goes out of focus. Another tiny camera is seen high above in the tree on the other side of the house, conspicuously concealed as a small branch. It films Lauren driving away.
Cut to several screens placed beside one another, each showing the recordings of several cameras around the Summers' house. Alethea is stood with her arms folded. She narrows her eyes at what she has seen.
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