Previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
You're never here. You can't even stand to be around me.
That is not true.
You didn't want to come back. I know that.
You want to go away again.
Come in. Ante up.
You're gonna play cards?
I have been called, and vengeance shall I reap.
- [ Gasps ] - Hello.
- Halfrek. - Anyanka?
Ah! Hey!
- How are you? - You two-- you know each other?
Funny, Halfrek. I didn't summon you to kill Xander.
I called to invite you to our wedding.
Tara.
What are you doing here?
Uh, it's okay for you to be here if you have things...
that you have to be here for.
I'm doing better. No spells for 32 days.
Buffy, uh, I promise, there's nothing wrong with you.
There has to be.
Why do I feel like this?
Why do I let Spike do those things to me?
Oh.
- Don't tell anyone, please. - I won't.
[ Sighs ] I'm sorry.
It's okay. No. We're gonna sit down and have a real dinner-- someday.
I hate having to run out in the middle.
It's just, you know, there's this thing out there.
Definitely non-vampire. I understand.
Well, maybe when you get back, we can set up for your party tomorrow.
Yeah. Uh, this could take a while, though. I wouldn't wait up.
Besides, Willow promised to be on birthday patrol, so there's nothing left for us to do.
- Right. - Okay, so finish dinner, homework,
- and don't stay up too late, all right? - Okay.
Okay.
[ Roaring ]
Run off, huh? Afraid to face a true warrior?
Ooh, shiny.
Do you think we should set up lots of candles for Buffy's party tomorrow?
Not if they're that horrible slug kind you keep trying to unload.
I don't know why people get so turned off by slug.
Honey, slugs get turned off by slug.
- Oh, actually, I wanted to talk to you about that. - Slugs?
- No, the party-- or Tara at the party. - Oh.
It's just-- Buffy really wants her there.
It seems important to her, so I told her I'd ask you.
Oh. Yeah. Of course.
She should totally be there. It'll be great.
- Hey. - Hey, Dawnie.
Buffy, uh, out patrolling already?
So anything new about Warren and the nerd herd?
No, just a big monster hunt.
Man, a nerd goes into hiding, he really goes into hiding.
Anybody want to come to the mall with me for birthday presents?
Oh, I would, honey, but I've got my group.
You know, the whole Spellcasters Anonymous thing?
We're still looking for a better name.
Oh, well, yeah, uh, no.
That-- That's good. You should do that.
- So what about you guys? - Stuck in doing-the-books-ville.
I'd love to go, but I gotta finish this new shift schedule for the crew by tomorrow.
Sorry, it just looks like one of those nights, you know?
Yeah.
You okay going on your own?
Yeah. Somehow I'll manage to pull it off.
[ Dog Barking In Distance ]
Buffy?
[ Woman ] If we can come up with things Jim lost...
during his years in Shanghai and things he gained.
Excuse me. Who wants to--
Dawn.
They need you in the guidance office.
[ Woman ] I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to scare you.
Just a follow-up after your, um--
your loss.
Since I'm new here, I thought it would give us a chance to get to know each other.
Great. So I've been looking through your file,
and, um, your grades have slipped a little.
I have really hard classes this quarter.
Yeah. Still, teachers say that you seem a little distracted lately.
I'm not. I'm fine.
Okay. It's just, you know, I know it must seem weird--
[ Chuckles ] talking to a stranger about stuff, but, um,
I want you to know that if something's going on, something's up,
my job-- the most important part of my job-- is looking out for you.
I'm really okay.
I know there's been a lot of loss.
Yeah. Kinda.
I-I mean, yes. People keep--
People have a tendency to go away, and I miss them.
And sometimes...
I wish I could just make them stop going away.
But, seriously, it's-- it's no big deal. I'm fine.
[ Xander ] We're feeding an army.
No, they couldn't make it.
- So who's coming? You invite anyone else? - Just you guys.
Willow, Tara, the gang. Oh, and Sophie from work.
What, like I'm one of those losers
who can't make friends outside her tight little circle?
No. I'm friendly. We bonded instantly.
Peas in a pod. Bonded peas.
Really? Um, what's Sophie's last name?
- Okay. Shut up. - Don't worry about it.
We're all over the "new friend" thing.
- What "new friend" thing? - Well, well, we invited someone for you.
[ Whispering ] A guy.
For Buffy? Really? Ah, don't worry. It's not a setup.
Right. No.
Just an attractive single man with whom we hope you find much in common.
And if you happen to form a romantic relationship leading to babies...
and many double dates with us, so we have someone else to talk to-- yea!
I assume that this was an act of kindness?
That'll help with the not throttling.
Hey, I'm just gonna get this stuff out there. People should be here soon.
Hey, you made it.
Of course, sweetie.
How are you doing? Oh, you know.
Better. Mostly. Sometimes.
So is, um, Spike coming?
No. He may be a chip-head,
but he still doesn't play too well with others.
Besides, I'm definitely not ready to--
- Come out. - Yeah.
I'm all stay-inny.
How are you doing? The word "gulp" comes to mind.
Just remember, we're all here to, uh--
I have to-- With the thing-- That idea-- Coming!
Hey. Hey.
How are you?
Fine. Thanks. I'm-- I'm fine. How are you?
I'm great. I mean, fine.
I'm-I'm Finey McFine fine.
- You look-- - Thanks.
- I mean, great. - Thanks.
- You do, too. Is that a new-- - Oh, yeah.
- It's nice. - Thanks.
I'm-I'm gonna get something to drink.
Oh, yeah. Great. You should. You don't wanna get thirsty.
[ Sighs ]
Hey, how did it-- Yes, please.
[ Knock On Door ]
- Spike. - Yeah. Willow mentioned the shindig.
Figured we're all part of the team.
- Thought I'd swing by. - Wait. What kind of team is this?
Hi. We met once before.
Yes. Yes, we did.
You know, more the merrier. That whole thing.
- Hi. I'm Clement, or Clem. - Tara.
- Buffy, Richard. - Hey.
He was wondering where the best place was to park his car.
- Oh, that's easy. Just-- - Buffy will show you.
Okay. Uh, I'll be right back.
Um, the guy with the-- Skin condition.
He doesn't like to talk about it.
Stupid git.
I don't know. He seemed cute.
W-W-Was he cute? I mean, I'm not a very good judge,
but, I think he seemed cute.
Mmm. Mmm. I think he seemed cute. Yeah.
If we get Buffy, can she start on opening the presents?
It's been enough time, hasn't it? Not yet, sweetie.
I think Buffy's busy right now. Buffy's making a new friend.
A grown-up friend.
What, you mean the guy you invited to set her up with?
Nothing.
It's not like I don't understand why you invited him.
I was there, remember? I can hear you when I'm in the room, you know?
I do understand these things. Yes, you do.
You know I'm in high school, right?
Yes, you are.
You want to slip away for a minute, love? What?
I'll let you blow out my candles. Here? Now?
I don't think so. Oh, what, you worried about Richard?
You don't want to make your new boyfriend jealous, huh?
Shut up. He's sweet.
[ Whispering ] Oh, shut up. He's sweet.
Maybe he's not the jealous one.
You think he'll take you out on his 10-speed, pet?
Maybe he'll let you ride in that little basket up front.
Jealous, my ass.
Uh--
See? It's a battery-operated back massager.
And it's portable, so you can take it with you on patrol.
Uh-huh. It's like instant gratification...
for all your little achys.
Great. Thanks. Uh, what's next?
Here. Do mine.
Okay.
Dawn.
- Do you like it? - It's gorgeous.
I was so nervous. I was afraid you wouldn't like it.
It-It still has the security tag on it.
Huh. That's so weird.
- I can't believe they didn't take that off. - Happy birthday, Buffy!
Oh, my God. Did you guys make that?
[ Anya ] Yes. Well, Xander did the building.
Um, I offered helpful suggestions while observing from a safe distance.
Holds basic weapons,
plus a few nonbasic ones too.
Plus, there's a handsome C.D. holder.
[ Anya ] He wanted you to have something no one else would have.
[ Doorbell Rings ] [ Buffy ] A Xander Harris original.
I love it. Thank you, guys.
[ Tara ] Buffy?
Oh. Sophie.
Welcome. We're somewhere between presents and cake.
There's gonna be cake eventually, right? Hey.
Uh, my mom told me to say "thank you" right away 'cause otherwise I usually forget.
So, thank you. And also,
um, I can't have any-any chocolate or-or peanuts or egg yolks.
[ Quietly ] Is that the friend you brought from work? Yes.
- And sometimes dairy. - No problem.
Our friend is better.
[ Buffy ] We can do official introductions now that everyone's officially here.
Dawnie, you mind getting the door?
Sophie, this is Anya and Willow--
Wish granted.
♪♪ [ Dance ]
Hey. Great party. Hi.
Everyone's having fun. I hope so.
I mean, look what time it is, and no one's even thinking about leaving.
I know I can't tear myself away.
Yeah? Yeah.
Hey, can I get you a drink? Uh,
I-I'm good. Thank you.
Okay. I think I'll just head back in.
Well, I'll look for you. Okay.
Ooh, Buffy.
Can I get you a soda pop? I think I'm in love.
Stop it. Someone's gonna see.
Mm-hmm.
I had a muscle cramp. Buffy was, uh, helping.
A muscle cramp? In your pants?
What? It's a thing.
Right.
- No, you go. - No, you go.
No, you go. Okay.
It's just a beer run. I'll go.
Oh. Well, I can't really drink beer,
'cause, you know, barley, but I'll go with you to get some.
Perfect. Here we go. The beer-gettin'.
This sucks. I'm out.
No way. I think you're doing fine.
- You wanna try poker? - I still say it's weird without the kittens.
No kittens.
- He's quirky. - Look, we've already been playing for three hours.
It's, like, two-something in the morning.
- You can't bail now. - Yeah. Come on, Buffy. Stay. I wanna bankrupt somebody.
Oh, we should totally have a slumber party.
Oh, I don't know.
I guess, as long as everyone's staying up anyway.
Must be some late-night activities to keep us busy till morning.
How's that cramp, Spike? Still bothering you?
What? Oh. Yeah.
Maybe you, uh, want to put some ice on it.
[ TV, Indistinct ] [ Laughing ]
[ Cards Shuffling ]
Hey, Xander, we gotta be at work in a few minutes.
Okay.
- I can't be late today. - [ Spike ] You should definitely go.
Let's find your coat and get you on your merry way.
- Spike. - I don't know why I'm not leaving.
Me, either. Besides, Richie,
you can't skip breakfast, a growing boy like you.
Me? I used to love breakfast.
In the old days, I probably would have eaten by now.
Of course, with that new diet of yours, you wanna be careful...
what you try putting in your mouth now, Spikey.
Yeah? I don't know.
Tummy's making all kinds of gurglies.
Maybe I ought to just feed on whatever's around even if it doesn't go down well.
You, uh, work out? Okeydokey.
Excuse us.
Mr. Passive-Aggressive Guy, you want to take it down a notch or two in there?
What? Poor, dainty Richard can't take a joke?
We do not joke about eating people in this house.
What are you gonna do? Beat me up again?
I should have thrown you out the second you got here.
I was insane to ever think you could just hang out with my friends.
And I was insane to think--
No, wait. You were right. You're insane.
[ Liquid Pouring ] [ Willow ] Oh. Hi.
Hey.
Breakfast. Didn't really plan for a sleepover.
No. Me either.
It's weird. I-- I have class. I know I should go.
I know. It's like I wanna leave,
but I don't want to. Exactly.
I think it's time for you to go. Yeah. Well, can't. Daylight.
Okay. I'll go. I'll get the door.
Fine. Fine.
I'm actually trying to move now. Me too.
[ Sighs ]
Well, this can't be good.
There's something keeping us in this house.
Or someone. Has everyone tried to get out?
What if we just, like,
as a group, got upand threw ourselves at the door?
All right. Count of three.
One, two, three!
Here we go.
Hence the problem. [ Richard ] I really need to go.
- I mean, I have a job to get to. - I have to open the Magic Box.
I have a shift at the Doublemeat. Actually, I'm okay here.
Yeah, I'm-I'm fine.
Willow and Tara have class. I gotta be at the site.
I know. We all have places that we'd rather be.
[ Spike ] Things we'd rather be doing.
I think the first priority has to be to find a way out.
Sure. Of course you all want to leave.
'Cause being stuck in here with me, that would really suck, right?
No, Dawnie. It's just we have more important things to do.
Yeah. I know. Important. Whatever that means, right?
Dawn? What?
Did you do something? Me?
Do you know something? 'Cause we want you to feel like you can tell us.
- What would I know? - Look, we're not accusing you of anything.
It's just you were kind of taking it personal down there.
Oh, okay. So you've all just decided that somehow I'm responsible.
Great. Here's me basking in the love.
No, it's just, you know, you're upset 'cause we all want to leave.
Now we can't leave. Only thing missing is a cornfield.
There-- There isn't a cornfield, is there?
Dawn, it's okay. You know, we're not gonna be mad.
Yeah, only I didn't do anything.
- You sure? - You want me to ask my other self?
- Dawn, we're just trying to figure out what's going on. - Figure it out yourself.
I'm done being talked to like a kid.
Well, 'cause you know, sometimes we do something...
that seems like a good idea at the time like, say, invoke the power of a musical amulet.
And it turns out, you know, not so much.
God! I didn't do anything! I wish I had.
I'm glad you're trapped.
How else can I get anybody to spend any time with me?
Dawn, if you want us to spend time with you--
I don't. Get out. Get out! Get out! Get out!
- [ Anya ] I think she's possessed. - She's a teenager.
The phones are all out. We're totally cut off.
- She's just so angry. - It happens. We all went through it.
I know. I just can't figure out why she didn't come to me.
Well, you have been a little busy lately.
Hey, I don't want to keep you all from the touchy-feelies,
but maybe the encounter group can meet later?
Say, when we're not trapped in a house.
Even if Dawn does know something, she's obviously not gonna help us right now.
We need another way.
I think magic's gonna be our best bet. Something general, you know?
Cast a wide net?
- But, Willow. - No. I'll do it.
It's just-- obviously, I didn't bring any supplies.
[ Buffy ] Well, we don't have any in the house. We got rid of everything.
Actually... not everything.
I, uh, might have kept one or two things, sort of.
Just in case.
That's great!
In a very bad way.
[ Sighs ]
Just bring me what you have, but then I'm doing this alone.
You need to stay away from it.
So we're supposed to just wait? It won't take long.
All right, does somebody want to tell me what's-- what's going on here?
We're trapped in a house by-- By what, some unseen force or something?
Who knows what she's doing in there.
And I have to tell you. I don't think that's a skin condition.
Release.
[ Tara ] Try the door!
No. Can't.
- [ Roars ] - [ Screaming ]
[ Groaning ]
What the bloody hell was that?
That's the demon I killed two nights ago.
The demon you thought you killed.
- It looks pretty bad. - [ Anya ] Oh, God.
Let's get him upstairs.
We need to get him to a doctor soon.
Hey, it's gonna be okay. Just trust me.
I promise we'll be out of here soon.
Oh, God. Oh, God.
Okay, so maybe "soon" was a bit of an overstatement.
So, you ever think about not celebrating a birthday?
Just to try it, I mean? I'm gonna go check upstairs.
Keep an eye on things down here. You stay here, okay?
[ Low Growling ] [ Dawn ] What's that noise?
It's in the walls, isn't it? [ Growling Continues ]
[ Growling Continues, Louder ]
[ Creaking ]
[ Both Gasp ] [ Sighs ]
Sorry.
Why is it so hot in here?
You're just a little freaked out, that's all. It'll pass.
He's gonna die. He's gonna die, and we're gonna watch.
An. We're just sitting here.
Why are we just sitting here? Why aren't we doing something?
We are. We will. We've been through worse.
Not like this. Not trapped like animals.
Seriously, did someone turn on the heat?
I can't breathe. I just-- I just can't breathe.
I can't breathe. An, stop. Stop.
An, stop. An! Listen to me.
You're just freaking out, okay? It's normal.
You're just-- You're just scared.
We all are.
We'll come up with a plan,
and we'll get through it, all right?
We'll do something. What?
I don't know.
Let me get you some water, okay? It'll cool you down.
I'll be back in a second, okay?
Stay here. Don't move.
[ Screams ]
Xander?
Grab the sword!
- Are you hurt? - [ Groans ]
- Here, let me see. - [ Anya ] Xander.
[ Grunts ] It's okay.
I'm okay, see? Shh. It's all right. I'm okay.
It's getting kinda scary. You okay?
Do you care?
Fine. Stay with Spike.
It's not like I meant for this to happen.
I never said that you did.
I didn't want this.
What did you want?
Nothing. Dawn, come on.
No. You don't know.
You have this thing you do. You have all these friends.
You have no idea what it's like.
What are you talking about? I don't know what, what?
Being alone.
You're not alone.
Then why do I feel like this?
I just think we haven't thought of the right way out yet-- that's all.
[ Spike ] We can't stay put like cattle,
waiting for that thing to pop out every time it gets peckish.
I'd say we do another spell, but I think we've tried everything.
That's not completely true, is it?
I mean, not everything. Not exactly.
We're sitting here with an incredibly powerful witch.
Much more powerful than you, Tara, I'm sorry.
Only no one seems willing to say it.
- I can't. - No. See, that's not exactly true, either.
Not can't. Won't.
You don't know how much I hate this.
I don't know if there's even anything I could do.
Yes, and a good way to find out is to sit around and try nothing.
That was sarcasm, by the way.
Look-- It's dangerous.
And so is all of us dying.
Wil, look, I don't want to gang up on you, but Anya kind of has a point.
We brought you back from it once.
We're all here. It's just one little spell.
- Whatever happens, we can bring you back again. - No. I can't.
If I start, I might not be able to stop.
And whose fault is that?
If you hadn't gotten so much of this in your system in the first place--
Hey! You're gonna back off. She said no, and that's it.
You're not gonna make her do something that she doesn't want to, and if you try,
you're gonna have to go through me first.
Understood?
Fine.
If you all aren't willing to get us out of this, then I will do it myself.
I wish you would've told me.
You haven't really been--
What? I haven't been what? Around.
Dawn, the most important job that I have is looking out for you.
You sound like my guidance counselor.
Did she give you a handbook or something?
"Talkin' To the Troubled Teen"?
Counselor? It wasn't my idea.
I didn't even know we had guidance counselors.
She called me out of class like I was a total J.D.
And you'd never met her before?
No. Not until yesterday.
And she got you to start talking about things that bothered you at home?
Uh, yeah.
You didn't, by any chance, happen to express,
like, a wish, or something to her?
Um, maybe just a little.
[ Clattering ]
Honey. Hey, honey. Come on. This isn't the way. Calm down.
She knows something.
We have to find out what it is.
Hey!
An, just stop for a second.
- There's gotta be a clue in here somewhere. - Stop it.
- [ Buffy ] Anya, it wasn't her fault. - Where is it?
No.
[ Anya ] Half this stuff is from the Magic Box.
How could you do this?
I work hard at that store, and I helped you.
I took care of you. This is how you say thank you?
Anya, hold on, okay? Tell her you didn't do this.
Tell her it's a mistake.
No.
- Oh. - Buffy.
How are we supposed to trust you, Dawn?
I mean, you-- you say you didn't put us here, but look at this stuff.
How are we supposed to believe you?
Look, I don't think it's all her fault, okay?
She-- There was someone pretending to be a guidance counselor.
She made Dawn make a wish.
Guidance counselor? You made a wish to someone you've never seen before?
Yeah.
Did she wear a pendant with a dark blue stone?
And little red flecks?
For cryin' out loud. Halfrek!
It's Halfrek, a vengeance demon.
- You made a wish to a vengeance demon. - I didn't know.
Only a vengeance demon can break her own vengeance spell.
Nothing else will work. She's the only one who can get us out of here.
Hallie, get your ass down here! You rang?
[ Gasps ]
I hope you die, you stupid jerkface!
Anya!
The sword!
Her pendant. Get her pendant.
There will be no touching of the pendant.
What? [Laughs]
Did you think I'd be stopped by a sword in the chest? Flesh wound.
Honestly, Anyanka, you used to know better.
How could you? Why would you do this?
I told you I was going to take care of some business while I was here in town.
Yeah, but cursing us? Some of them are in the wedding party.
I just go where I'm--
William?
Hey, wait a minute.
You guys know each other?
Uh, no. [ Laughs ] No.
Not really. I thought vengeance demons...
only punished men who wronged women.
Oh, that was Anya's little raison d'être.
Most of us try to be a little more well-rounded,
and actually, we prefer "justice demon."
Okay? F.Y.I.
Well-rounded, huh? Is that how you explain your thing for bad parents?
It's not a thing. The children need me.
Hmph. [ Coughing ] Daddy issues.
Sling all the little barbs at me that you want, Anyanka.
It doesn't change the fact that this girl was in pain, and none of you could hear it.
I could hear her crying out everywhere I went in this town.
It was unbearable, and none of you knew.
You people deserve to be cursed. Enjoy your time together.
From now on, all you have is time.
Time and each other.
Good luck.
Wait. Wait.
Time and each other. [ Clears Throat ]
[ Sighs ] It's the curse, Hallie.
For crying out loud.
Fine, the curse is lifted. We can all leave now.
Damn it.
Thanks for before,
and for taking this stuff with you.
No problem.
Just so you know, I was never gonna use it.
I mean, not really. I just kept it like a safety net.
'Cause there was always...
this thing in the back of my head.
This, you know, voice, saying, like,
"What if things get bad, really bad,
and what if you can't handle it?"
And it made me panic, so that's why I kept a couple of things.
I kept them, so I didn't have to think about it,
so I could focus on getting better.
I get it. I really do,
but it's time to work without the net, Wil.
You know, I don't know if you noticed,
but it actually did get bad in there.
Really bad, and you still said no.
[ Groaning ] Ow.
You have some weird friends.
News from the file marked "Duh."
We're gonna get him to the E.R.
And then we're gonna talk about payment, and, Dawnie, there are two words...
I want you to get used to: punitive damages.
Think it's worn off? Just one thing to do.
Okay. Who's pushing?
- Oh, look at the stars. - Good party.
[ Xander ] I just wanna run barefoot on the grass...
so I can feel the dewdrops between my-- God, look at the stars!
Grr! Arrgh!