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Hi, this is the seventeenth 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 9.17 183. Keyhole
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 black screen. A baby making gurgling sounds is heard. Suddenly Dawn's eyes open on the screen. She is lying in bed. She sits up and sees Siobhan holding a baby in her arms. Dawn smiles as Siobhan looks up and smiles warmly. Chris appears next to Dawn and smiles at the baby and then at Dawn. Dawn's smile fades slightly.
Siobhan: Don't worry. She's safe with us.
Dawn's smile disappears completely as Siobhan, Chris and the baby seem to grow more distant from her. She looks and sees a figure in the shadows nearby. Dawn tries to see who the figure is. Suddenly a hand with notably silver skin is clasped around her mouth. Dawn's eyes widen as her muffled scream is heard.
Voice OS: Are you a real girl now?
Green light erupts from around Dawn. Cut to Dawn opening her eyes. She stays lying on her pillow as her expression shows she has realised that this reality. She looks upset.
Cut to Dawn in the bathroom looking pale. She washes water over her face and breathes heavily. She stares into the mirror and frowns.
Cut to Buffy washing dishes furiously in the kitchen. Xander appears at the entrance.
Xander: Need some help with that?
Buffy looks at him. He smiles kindly at her and she tries her best to smile back.
Buffy: I?I've kinda got a rhythm going.
Buffy glances down at the dishes as Xander walks over.
Xander: Oh, right, the uh, the well-known dishwashing therapy. I'm more of a drier myself.
Buffy smiles but her eyes look sad. Xander notices.
Xander: Where's Willow?
Buffy looks down, and slows down washing.
Buffy: She went out.
Xander: Out?
Buffy: To take a walk.
Buffy's tone is fairly cold now. Xander sits down at the table and pauses. He then looks up at Buffy.
Xander: Guess she needs some time.
Buffy turns sharply.
Buffy: Time?
Buffy throws the dishcloth on the floor.
Buffy: She's had months to come to terms with all of this! What about us? Don't we get time?
Xander looks grave.
Xander: It was hard for her. I guess the longer she kept it?
Buffy stares at him.
Buffy: Of course I understand that. But now she has?who knows how long she has left.
Xander stands up. He walks up to Buffy and hugs her. Buffy looks tearful as she lays her head on his shoulder.
Xander: I'm thinking that's on her mind too.
Buffy looks up at Xander sadly. They both turn to see Willow standing at the entrance of the back door. She stares at them sadly.
Willow: I wanted to tell you for so long?
Xander: We know, Will?it's ok.
Willow: I don't think it is, though Buffy, you feel hurt that I didn't tell you sooner right?
She looks at Buffy. Buffy looks speechless but opens her mouth. She closes her eyes and then opens them again.
Buffy: I feel that we're losing everything. We can ?t lose you too Will. I can't.
Willow smiles sadly.
Willow: You haven't lost me so far.
Buffy manages a weak smile but then walks up to Willow and starts to cry as they hug. A tear streams down Willow's face. Xander walks up to them looking grave. He puts his arms around them both. The three of them stand in their mutual embrace.
Suddenly the front door is blasted open. Everyone turns looking shocked. Buffy immediately runs forward into the hallway, only to be hit in the face. She hits the wall as Xander and Willow run in. Kelly runs down the stairs. Buffy looks up to see a bald man with silver skin and wearing a long silver robe standing in front of her, his eyes fierce and determined. Buffy's eyes are wide as the man tries to make his way up the stairs.
Xander tries to stop him but the man holds out his palm and Xander flips in mid air narrowly missing Willow and crashes onto the kitchen floor. Kelly kicks the man in the face from the stairs but he puts his right palm out and she flies towards him. He moves his hand and she moves with it and is pinned to the ceiling as Buffy gets up and Willow runs towards him. The man swings his left arm and Buffy and Willow are both forced backwards. The man runs up the stairs as Kelly falls to the ground. Buffy gets up and her face is overcome with shock as she realises something.
Buffy: (to herself) Dawn?
Buffy runs up the stairs. Dawn comes out of her room hearing the noise to find the man speeding towards her. Her eyes widen as he comes closer and closer when suddenly Buffy throws a piece of a broken vase. It embeds itself in the back of the man's brain and he splutters before falling to the ground before Dawn's feet. Buffy looks relieved as she breathes heavily and stares at Dawn who looks shocked and confused.
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 Stars:
JEMIMA ROOPER - Siobhan
JASON DOHRING - Chris
Guest Starring:
SAMUEL L JACKSON - Malachi Edison
ALICE KRIGE - Alethea
CAROLINE CHIKEZIE - Lauren
IMELDA STAUNTON - Paula
ALAN RICKMAN - Harold
Cut to Kelly massaging her shoulder in the Summers' living room. Xander is sat next to her applying a bandage to her arm. His own face is fairly bruised. Willow is sat in the chair nearby. Buffy walks in.
Buffy: Giles and Heather are on their way.
Xander: What about Paula and her habit of listening in on people's conversations?
Buffy: Heather said she had a secure line. Should be ok.
Xander nods.
Willow: How's Dawn?
Buffy: She'll be down in a minute?I think she's a little freaked out.
Kelly: Aren't we all.
Buffy raises her eyebrows momentarily in agreement. Xander finishes the bandage and then looks from Willow to Buffy.
Xander: I hate to be the one to bring this up, but I'm distinctly getting some Clare deja vu vibes.
Buffy looks serious.
Buffy: I know.
Willow: That woman?when she appeared non-evil, did say Clare was part of a race. Maybe they came to finish off Clare's work.
Kelly stretches her shoulder and her face contorts slightly in pain as she speaks.
Kelly: Why wait until now? It's been almost a year since we screwed up The Judge's game, and Clare was definitely dead as I remember.
Buffy: Uh huh. But what we didn't know at the time was that Clare had connections with Malachi.
Xander: But they're not working with Malachi. Unless I got confused?
Buffy: No, you're right. Clare broke away from her groupies when she was starting with him?
Willow: And they're after Dawn? Why?
Dawn OS: Cause I'm still The Key.
Buffy turns around to see Dawn stood behind her. Buffy looks confused.
Buffy: Dawn you're not The Key anymore.
Dawn: That's what?what I thought I felt, but now I'm not so sure.
Willow: But your power, I mean why would you lose that otherwise?
Dawn: I don't know. But lately I've been having these dreams?
Buffy: Dreams?
Dawn: Yeah. That guy? I think he was in them.
Xander: You think?
Dawn: I have this sense.
Kelly: Maybe they weren't dreams, maybe they were him trying to communicate with you.
Xander: You get a message at all?
Dawn: Not really. But they were pretty weird. And we all remember how Clare was so?
Willow: And she and The Judge needed you for their spell. Maybe they want to try again.
Buffy looks worried.
Buffy: Maybe Malachi too?
Dawn looks at Buffy.
Dawn: The spell was kinda intense. The power needed-
Dawn looks awkward. She glances at Willow who smiles sadly.
Willow: You're right, Dawn. It'd take maybe more than even Malachi to get something like that running again.
Kelly: I guess we just have to hope no more Higher Powers want to tag along with the bad guys.
Buffy: The Powers That Be wouldn't get involved?but Clare's people definitely want you for some reason Dawn, and I'm not gonna find out the hard way like last time.
Xander: What do you think we should do Buff?
Buffy is about to respond when she hears a car pull up outside. Giles and Heather are seen getting out.
Cut to Giles and Heather sat with the others in the Summers' living room.
Giles: I hate to say it, but I do think going to the GSPST with this would be best.
Buffy frowns.
Buffy: What could they do?
Giles: They might be able to protect Dawn better than we can.
Dawn looks worried. Buffy looks at her and then at Giles again.
Buffy: Giles I had to deal with this when Glory was around, I can do it again.
Giles: But Glory was one, admittedly immortal, foe, Clare's people could consist of many more. We might all be in danger if they want Dawn badly enough.
Buffy looks serious.
Xander: They do have a lot of experience in keeping people safe Buff.
Willow: And we don't really have anyway to run to other than with them.
Buffy: Look I know, I understand what you're saying.
She looks from Xander to Willow to Giles.
Buffy: But think about how easily they turned against us less than a week ago. So maybe you'll forgive me if I'm a little precautious about putting my sister's life in their hands.
Dawn: Um, can I say something since I'm the one that's being apparently targeted by these guys?
Buffy looks apologetic.
Buffy: Sorry. Go ahead.
Dawn: Thanks. Well, sure the government are well equipped but Heather you told us some of them could be working with Malachi right?
Heather looks serious.
Heather: It's quite possible. Frankly, I don't think it's a good idea to rely on them with something like this. They can become?overly interested when someone else wants something. Because they want to know why they want to, and what advantage having it can give them. Although I'm not entirely sure how much they know about the uh, The Key. I didn't before you told me yourselves.
Giles seems to be thinking about what Heather has said. Dawn nods to herself and then looks at Heather.
Dawn: So we keep them out of this completely?
Heather: If Clare's people, as Giles suggested, are a great number it may not be possible.
There is a pause.
Buffy: This would be the point where someone thinks of a better idea.
Kelly smiles weakly.
Willow: What if there isn't one? We don't have any way of stopping their kind of power. Look what happened with just one guy?they could probably turn my own magic against me.
Buffy looks serious.
Heather: Are you sure you should be using magic anyway Willow?
Everyone looks awkward.
Heather: Uh I didn't mean to remind everyone of?sorry?
Willow smiles kindly.
Willow: Don't worry. It doesn't really make a difference actually?it's more a physical thing.
Buffy rubs her fingers over her mouth looking upset. There is a short pause.
Kelly: So?should we prepare for another attack? Not that it'll make much difference I guess?
Xander: They could impale us with our own swords.
Buffy looks concerned.
Buffy: I don't know, that guy could have killed us before but didn't.
Giles: Clare wasn't much of a peace advertiser.
Buffy: No, but she never killed us either. She could have, like a hundred times.
Willow: A prophecy?
Everyone looks at Willow.
Willow: It's gotta be.
Heather: We uh, we have copies of quite a lot of prophecies, I've studied quite a few for my degree actually?um I've not seen one with your names mentioned, apart from those that were Slayer related.
Buffy: They can't all be recorded though right? There'd be others?
Heather: Well yes, probably. But if we don't have it that means only a few know about it.
Buffy: The Judge and her gang would be enough.
Dawn: So they're trying to do it again? But they needed Jake last time.
Kelly: Maybe they're gonna improvise.
Buffy: And we have to deal with the same spell that?
She looks at Willow sadly.
Willow: Buffy, if I had to do it again?I would. And maybe I will have to.
Buffy: I can't ask you to do that Will.
Willow: Like I said?you wouldn't have to ask.
Buffy looks defeated as the others look grave. Giles breaks the silence.
Giles: It's always possible there's a second prophecy. Dawn you could still be a use to them even without Jake.
Dawn frowns. Buffy looks at Giles.
Buffy: So what do we do?
Kelly looks worried suddenly.
Kelly: Uh probably get out of here fast.
Everyone turns and then sees around twenty of Clare's people approaching the house. Buffy's eyes widen.
Buffy: Quickly!
Buffy starts to run through the hallway followed by the others. However the back door is blasted open and a man and woman of Clare's race walk in through. Buffy looks shocked and turns back but sees that the rest of Clare's people are nearing the front door where Dawn is. Dawn looks at Buffy and suddenly glows a familiar green colour. Buffy looks confused as the green light engulfs Dawn, the others, and the whole screen.
Buffy Episode 9.17 183. Keyhole
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 black screen. A baby making gurgling sounds is heard. Suddenly Dawn's eyes open on the screen. She is lying in bed. She sits up and sees Siobhan holding a baby in her arms. Dawn smiles as Siobhan looks up and smiles warmly. Chris appears next to Dawn and smiles at the baby and then at Dawn. Dawn's smile fades slightly.
Siobhan: Don't worry. She's safe with us.
Dawn's smile disappears completely as Siobhan, Chris and the baby seem to grow more distant from her. She looks and sees a figure in the shadows nearby. Dawn tries to see who the figure is. Suddenly a hand with notably silver skin is clasped around her mouth. Dawn's eyes widen as her muffled scream is heard.
Voice OS: Are you a real girl now?
Green light erupts from around Dawn. Cut to Dawn opening her eyes. She stays lying on her pillow as her expression shows she has realised that this reality. She looks upset.
Cut to Dawn in the bathroom looking pale. She washes water over her face and breathes heavily. She stares into the mirror and frowns.
Cut to Buffy washing dishes furiously in the kitchen. Xander appears at the entrance.
Xander: Need some help with that?
Buffy looks at him. He smiles kindly at her and she tries her best to smile back.
Buffy: I?I've kinda got a rhythm going.
Buffy glances down at the dishes as Xander walks over.
Xander: Oh, right, the uh, the well-known dishwashing therapy. I'm more of a drier myself.
Buffy smiles but her eyes look sad. Xander notices.
Xander: Where's Willow?
Buffy looks down, and slows down washing.
Buffy: She went out.
Xander: Out?
Buffy: To take a walk.
Buffy's tone is fairly cold now. Xander sits down at the table and pauses. He then looks up at Buffy.
Xander: Guess she needs some time.
Buffy turns sharply.
Buffy: Time?
Buffy throws the dishcloth on the floor.
Buffy: She's had months to come to terms with all of this! What about us? Don't we get time?
Xander looks grave.
Xander: It was hard for her. I guess the longer she kept it?
Buffy stares at him.
Buffy: Of course I understand that. But now she has?who knows how long she has left.
Xander stands up. He walks up to Buffy and hugs her. Buffy looks tearful as she lays her head on his shoulder.
Xander: I'm thinking that's on her mind too.
Buffy looks up at Xander sadly. They both turn to see Willow standing at the entrance of the back door. She stares at them sadly.
Willow: I wanted to tell you for so long?
Xander: We know, Will?it's ok.
Willow: I don't think it is, though Buffy, you feel hurt that I didn't tell you sooner right?
She looks at Buffy. Buffy looks speechless but opens her mouth. She closes her eyes and then opens them again.
Buffy: I feel that we're losing everything. We can ?t lose you too Will. I can't.
Willow smiles sadly.
Willow: You haven't lost me so far.
Buffy manages a weak smile but then walks up to Willow and starts to cry as they hug. A tear streams down Willow's face. Xander walks up to them looking grave. He puts his arms around them both. The three of them stand in their mutual embrace.
Suddenly the front door is blasted open. Everyone turns looking shocked. Buffy immediately runs forward into the hallway, only to be hit in the face. She hits the wall as Xander and Willow run in. Kelly runs down the stairs. Buffy looks up to see a bald man with silver skin and wearing a long silver robe standing in front of her, his eyes fierce and determined. Buffy's eyes are wide as the man tries to make his way up the stairs.
Xander tries to stop him but the man holds out his palm and Xander flips in mid air narrowly missing Willow and crashes onto the kitchen floor. Kelly kicks the man in the face from the stairs but he puts his right palm out and she flies towards him. He moves his hand and she moves with it and is pinned to the ceiling as Buffy gets up and Willow runs towards him. The man swings his left arm and Buffy and Willow are both forced backwards. The man runs up the stairs as Kelly falls to the ground. Buffy gets up and her face is overcome with shock as she realises something.
Buffy: (to herself) Dawn?
Buffy runs up the stairs. Dawn comes out of her room hearing the noise to find the man speeding towards her. Her eyes widen as he comes closer and closer when suddenly Buffy throws a piece of a broken vase. It embeds itself in the back of the man's brain and he splutters before falling to the ground before Dawn's feet. Buffy looks relieved as she breathes heavily and stares at Dawn who looks shocked and confused.
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 Stars:
JEMIMA ROOPER - Siobhan
JASON DOHRING - Chris
Guest Starring:
SAMUEL L JACKSON - Malachi Edison
ALICE KRIGE - Alethea
CAROLINE CHIKEZIE - Lauren
IMELDA STAUNTON - Paula
ALAN RICKMAN - Harold
Cut to Kelly massaging her shoulder in the Summers' living room. Xander is sat next to her applying a bandage to her arm. His own face is fairly bruised. Willow is sat in the chair nearby. Buffy walks in.
Buffy: Giles and Heather are on their way.
Xander: What about Paula and her habit of listening in on people's conversations?
Buffy: Heather said she had a secure line. Should be ok.
Xander nods.
Willow: How's Dawn?
Buffy: She'll be down in a minute?I think she's a little freaked out.
Kelly: Aren't we all.
Buffy raises her eyebrows momentarily in agreement. Xander finishes the bandage and then looks from Willow to Buffy.
Xander: I hate to be the one to bring this up, but I'm distinctly getting some Clare deja vu vibes.
Buffy looks serious.
Buffy: I know.
Willow: That woman?when she appeared non-evil, did say Clare was part of a race. Maybe they came to finish off Clare's work.
Kelly stretches her shoulder and her face contorts slightly in pain as she speaks.
Kelly: Why wait until now? It's been almost a year since we screwed up The Judge's game, and Clare was definitely dead as I remember.
Buffy: Uh huh. But what we didn't know at the time was that Clare had connections with Malachi.
Xander: But they're not working with Malachi. Unless I got confused?
Buffy: No, you're right. Clare broke away from her groupies when she was starting with him?
Willow: And they're after Dawn? Why?
Dawn OS: Cause I'm still The Key.
Buffy turns around to see Dawn stood behind her. Buffy looks confused.
Buffy: Dawn you're not The Key anymore.
Dawn: That's what?what I thought I felt, but now I'm not so sure.
Willow: But your power, I mean why would you lose that otherwise?
Dawn: I don't know. But lately I've been having these dreams?
Buffy: Dreams?
Dawn: Yeah. That guy? I think he was in them.
Xander: You think?
Dawn: I have this sense.
Kelly: Maybe they weren't dreams, maybe they were him trying to communicate with you.
Xander: You get a message at all?
Dawn: Not really. But they were pretty weird. And we all remember how Clare was so?
Willow: And she and The Judge needed you for their spell. Maybe they want to try again.
Buffy looks worried.
Buffy: Maybe Malachi too?
Dawn looks at Buffy.
Dawn: The spell was kinda intense. The power needed-
Dawn looks awkward. She glances at Willow who smiles sadly.
Willow: You're right, Dawn. It'd take maybe more than even Malachi to get something like that running again.
Kelly: I guess we just have to hope no more Higher Powers want to tag along with the bad guys.
Buffy: The Powers That Be wouldn't get involved?but Clare's people definitely want you for some reason Dawn, and I'm not gonna find out the hard way like last time.
Xander: What do you think we should do Buff?
Buffy is about to respond when she hears a car pull up outside. Giles and Heather are seen getting out.
Cut to Giles and Heather sat with the others in the Summers' living room.
Giles: I hate to say it, but I do think going to the GSPST with this would be best.
Buffy frowns.
Buffy: What could they do?
Giles: They might be able to protect Dawn better than we can.
Dawn looks worried. Buffy looks at her and then at Giles again.
Buffy: Giles I had to deal with this when Glory was around, I can do it again.
Giles: But Glory was one, admittedly immortal, foe, Clare's people could consist of many more. We might all be in danger if they want Dawn badly enough.
Buffy looks serious.
Xander: They do have a lot of experience in keeping people safe Buff.
Willow: And we don't really have anyway to run to other than with them.
Buffy: Look I know, I understand what you're saying.
She looks from Xander to Willow to Giles.
Buffy: But think about how easily they turned against us less than a week ago. So maybe you'll forgive me if I'm a little precautious about putting my sister's life in their hands.
Dawn: Um, can I say something since I'm the one that's being apparently targeted by these guys?
Buffy looks apologetic.
Buffy: Sorry. Go ahead.
Dawn: Thanks. Well, sure the government are well equipped but Heather you told us some of them could be working with Malachi right?
Heather looks serious.
Heather: It's quite possible. Frankly, I don't think it's a good idea to rely on them with something like this. They can become?overly interested when someone else wants something. Because they want to know why they want to, and what advantage having it can give them. Although I'm not entirely sure how much they know about the uh, The Key. I didn't before you told me yourselves.
Giles seems to be thinking about what Heather has said. Dawn nods to herself and then looks at Heather.
Dawn: So we keep them out of this completely?
Heather: If Clare's people, as Giles suggested, are a great number it may not be possible.
There is a pause.
Buffy: This would be the point where someone thinks of a better idea.
Kelly smiles weakly.
Willow: What if there isn't one? We don't have any way of stopping their kind of power. Look what happened with just one guy?they could probably turn my own magic against me.
Buffy looks serious.
Heather: Are you sure you should be using magic anyway Willow?
Everyone looks awkward.
Heather: Uh I didn't mean to remind everyone of?sorry?
Willow smiles kindly.
Willow: Don't worry. It doesn't really make a difference actually?it's more a physical thing.
Buffy rubs her fingers over her mouth looking upset. There is a short pause.
Kelly: So?should we prepare for another attack? Not that it'll make much difference I guess?
Xander: They could impale us with our own swords.
Buffy looks concerned.
Buffy: I don't know, that guy could have killed us before but didn't.
Giles: Clare wasn't much of a peace advertiser.
Buffy: No, but she never killed us either. She could have, like a hundred times.
Willow: A prophecy?
Everyone looks at Willow.
Willow: It's gotta be.
Heather: We uh, we have copies of quite a lot of prophecies, I've studied quite a few for my degree actually?um I've not seen one with your names mentioned, apart from those that were Slayer related.
Buffy: They can't all be recorded though right? There'd be others?
Heather: Well yes, probably. But if we don't have it that means only a few know about it.
Buffy: The Judge and her gang would be enough.
Dawn: So they're trying to do it again? But they needed Jake last time.
Kelly: Maybe they're gonna improvise.
Buffy: And we have to deal with the same spell that?
She looks at Willow sadly.
Willow: Buffy, if I had to do it again?I would. And maybe I will have to.
Buffy: I can't ask you to do that Will.
Willow: Like I said?you wouldn't have to ask.
Buffy looks defeated as the others look grave. Giles breaks the silence.
Giles: It's always possible there's a second prophecy. Dawn you could still be a use to them even without Jake.
Dawn frowns. Buffy looks at Giles.
Buffy: So what do we do?
Kelly looks worried suddenly.
Kelly: Uh probably get out of here fast.
Everyone turns and then sees around twenty of Clare's people approaching the house. Buffy's eyes widen.
Buffy: Quickly!
Buffy starts to run through the hallway followed by the others. However the back door is blasted open and a man and woman of Clare's race walk in through. Buffy looks shocked and turns back but sees that the rest of Clare's people are nearing the front door where Dawn is. Dawn looks at Buffy and suddenly glows a familiar green colour. Buffy looks confused as the green light engulfs Dawn, the others, and the whole screen.
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