Previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
If I'd known you were coming, I'd have baked a cake.
Tell me you love me. I love you.
- Tell me you want me. - I always want you.
Do you even like me?
- It's over. - I've memorized this tune, love.
I'm using you, and it's killing me.
- We're getting married. - Congratulations.
Xander's missing? What do you mean, Xander's missing?
When you were a vengeance demon, you crushed men like him.
I wish we could just go back to the way things were before.
And I wish you were never born.
I'm gonna make you feel it. No! Stop!
Ask me again why I could never love you.
Tara? Oh, God!
Somebody! [ Yells ]
[ Sobbing ]
I love you.
Make me what I was.
We will return your soul.
[ Screaming ]
[ Willow ] When you brought me here, I thought it was to kill me.
Instead you go all Dumbledore on me.
Do you want to be punished? I killed people, Giles.
I've not forgotten.
Something's rising.
Something older than the old ones, and everybody's tail is twitching.
This is a bad time to be a good guy.
It is my great pleasure and privilege to announce the official opening,
on the very ground that it first stood upon,
of the brand-new Sunnydale High!
Are you asking me to be a counselor?
Spike.
What did you do?
My home. I belong here. Always been here.
Cheers for stopping by.
I'll... get back to you.
♪♪ [ Techno ]
♪♪ [ Woman Singing ]
[ Gasps ]
[ Grunts ]
[ Distorted ] From beneath you, it devours.
[ Screaming ] [ Dawn ] Buffy! Buffy!
Buffy!
I heard screaming. That was you.
There was a girl. That would be me.
Uh, no. It was--
Just a dream.
It was just a dream, right? From beneath you, it devours.
That's what she said, and then they--
There's more like her, Dawn, out there...
somewhere,
and they're gonna die.
[ Rumbling ]
[ Squeaks ]
[ Spike ] No. No, no, no, no, no.
Now is not the time. You know it.
I know it.
Making them understand...
is a totally different matter.
No manners is a problem.
Proper breeding. Lack of etiquette.
All of it lacking.
All of it lost on them. [ Rumbling ]
Not the time. Not hardly ready.
Stop! Please stop!
Begging now! Make it stop!
Oh, God!
[ Screams ]
Could you die? 'Cause seriously, speaking for everybody...
who are me in the car right now, we're very excited.
Well, I'm glad for all of you then.
I mean, it's just so cool. You're coming to school with me.
You'll be, like, there the whole time.
You understand you cannot talk to me, look at me or hang out with any of my friends, right?
I doubt we'll even see each other,
assuming I even half understand my fuzzy job description.
It's not fuzzy. You're what? Dealing with troubled kids?
At a spankin' new Hellmouth High.
Please. Outside of drugs...
and violence and unwanted pregnancy...
and the unleashing of hordes of Armageddon...
that comes pouring out of the school's foundation every now and then,
- what trouble could these kids have? - Guess I'll find out.
Those kids are damn lucky having a Slayer and a friend on campus there for 'em.
I hope they appreciate it. I know I did.
Days gone by, huh?
[ Dawn ] I thought you hated Sunnydale.
Yes and no, with an emphasis on the "Yes."
But, at least then I was dating. You could be dating now.
Yeah, um-- I don't know what's not clicking for me right now.
Well, there is that thing with Anya.
The leaving her at the altar thing? Yeah, that one.
It's not something you just bounce right back from. Sure it is.
She bounced back to being a vengeance demon, and I bounced back to being a dateless nerd.
Do you guys talk at all?
I've seen her at The Bronze a couple of times.
I guess there's a lot of scorned women there, making vengeance wishes on their exes.
[ Southern Accent ] It's where I go to get my scorn on.
You guys really need to ease up with the whole dating demons thing.
Hello. I'm sorry. Wasn't that you having a smooch-a-thon with Teen Vampire last Halloween?
See? This is why I don't want you talking to my friends. [ Sighs ]
We'll sort of feel our way around.
Some students will be sent to you,
and others, I'm hoping, will start to come in on their own.
What if they don't? Should I panic?
You'll be surprised, Buffy. You're the youngest and, uh,
least stuffy member of this faculty.
I think the students are gonna want to talk to you,
and when they do, don't evaluate them, just listen.
They need to feel like there's someone around here...
who actually understands them.
Can I give detention?
Okay by me. A little authority can be a wonderful thing.
Just remember that while you are
here to help, you're not here to be their friend.
Trust me. You open that door, and these students will eat you alive.
You heard about Principal Flutie, right?
- Hmm? - Forget it.
[ Bell Ringing ] Okay then.
And, Buffy, relax. There's only three things these kids understand--
the boot, the bat and the bastinada. [ Chuckles ]
It's the-- It's a-- It's a bad joke.
It's the bastinada. No one ever knows what that that thing is.
Wooden rod used to slap the soles of the feet in Turkish prisons,
but if made with the correct wood, makes an awesome billy club.
I think you're gonna fit in just fine.
Is there something else?
Um, yeah. Um, just one more thing.
I was, uh, just curious, you know.
I mean, not that I'm not grateful or anything, but, uh--
I guess I was wondering why I-- Have this job?
- I still haven't finished college. - I know.
Was it my sparkling personality?
Or maybe you enjoyed my work at the Doublemeat Palace?
I'm a vegetarian.
These students need someone around here who understands them.
I need someone who understands these students.
Why? Is there something about you that I don't know that maybe I should?
Nothing I can think of.
[ Groans ] If you'll excuse me. The first catch of the day.
I'll be in my office if you need me. Thanks!
I'm just gonna have a look around. Get to know the place.
Make sure it's all... school-like.
[ Door Opens ]
Spike? [ Squeaking ]
Spike?
[ Thunder Rumbling ] [ Raining ]
The taxi's here. I know.
And keeping with quaint, old British tradition,
you would now be expected to get into it.
I don't know if I can.
Giles, I'm not done here.
That's your fear talking.
Yes, and my fear is a big, obnoxious blabbermouth.
You're the one that keeps telling me to trust my instincts.
True. So? Shouldn't we be listening?
I don't wanna go back home just so I can screw up again.
Why don't I stay?
Not forever. Just long enough to--
I don't know-- make my fear shut up a little, maybe?
[ Horn Honking ]
It's possible, but--
Try to be very specific. What exactly are you afraid of?
Ha. Well, for starters, how about the Hellmouth's getting all rumbly again.
And now I know it's got teeth.
And are those literal teeth, 'cause I don't know if I can handle it.
And what if I can handle it?
Does that mean I have to be a bigger, badder badass than the source of all badness?
And what if I give up all this control stuff...
and I go all veiny and homicidal again?
And what if-- They won't take you back?
Uh-huh.
Willow, we could spend another two years here,
training and practicing and learning to hone your powers,
and still there'd be no way of knowing for sure...
that the friends you left behind you are still your friends.
Oh, sure. I mean, if you put it that way-- Duh.
I'd love to offer you some guarantee...
that you'll be welcomed back to Sunnydale with open arms, but I can't.
You may not be wanted,
but you will be needed.
- That all you got? - For the moment, yes.
Okay.
Guess I'd better--
Trust yourself, and the others might follow.
[ Growling ]
Rocky. Come on. Do your business so I can go home.
[ Sighs ]
I could've gotten a cat, but no.
[ Cracking ] [ Dog Whimpers ]
Whoa! [ Screams ]
[ Loud Growling ]
Uh, hello.
And whatever it was, it was big.
And strong. Stronger than--
I mean, I don't know how it's possible.
You hear things in this town, living here in Sunnydale,
but nobody actually believes them, you know.
You'd have to be crazy, and--
and you guys think that I'm crazy, don't you?
- I don't. - We've seen things too, Nancy.
And we're gonna take care of this. It's your lucky night,
considering, you know, your dog just got all ate up and stuff.
- Hey, can I freshen up your tea? - No, that's okay. Thanks.
So, you say this thing just came up, out of the ground?
I mean, without any warnings or signs or anything?
Just this kind of rumbling, you know, like just before an earthquake.
From beneath you, it devours.
- What? - Nothing.
- Nothing good. - It's sounding "monsterific," all right.
Should we round up the gang?
Good thinking, except this is the gang.
Look, Nancy. We're gonna get into this, and I promise you,
if your dog is alive, we're gonna find him.
The only thing that I need is a little--
What you need is help. Fortunately, you've got me.
- Buffy. - Spike.
Who's that? He's--
- [ Dawn ] It's Buffy's-- - [ Xander ] Ex.
And I'm thinking it's a little more complicated than just that.
[ Xander ] Always is. You've changed.
- I have. - New clothing. Better hair.
Not so much with the crazy. I like it.
Now what do you want? Easy.
If you think I like putting myself here,
surrounded by people who don't particularly like me, you'd be wrong.
If you're uncomfortable, we can make you leave.
I'll be quick. We need to talk. Wanna do that here or privately?
I'm thinking here, in the company of good friends and pointy weapons.
-[ Buffy ] You said something about quick? -[ Spike ] I did.
Before I start, and for the record,
last you saw me, I was a mess,
out of my head-- admitted.
Last week, living in the school basement,
well, you saw me.
You did?
Guys, just a second, okay? Yes, I saw Spike. I just didn't think--
What? You just... forgot to mention it?
Things were insane in the basement. I saved your life.
- We can discuss this later. - Sure.
- [ Xander ] Whatever you want. - [ Dawn ] Right.
'Cause that seems to be the only time you let us in, Buffy, whenever you want.
- Now, in fairness to Buffy-- - Shut up, Spike!
[ Buffy Sighs ] Okay. Guys, give us a second.
Do not start by saying you're sorry. I didn't come here to atone.
- What the hell do you want? - I'm here to help you.
- Help me what? - I was hoping you'd tell me.
You're the Slayer, connected to the visions, long line of worthies, right?
I'm just a guy with his ear to the ground, but even I can feel it.
Something's coming. I don't know what exactly, but something's brewing.
It's so big, ugly and damned, it makes you and me look like little, bitty puzzle pieces.
If I'm wrong, say so. Lovely. No hard feelings.
I'll go out that door. You can lock it behind me with any spell you like.
So? Am I wrong? Everything about you is wrong, Spike.
But something is coming.
You're gonna need some help. Since when did you become the champion of the people?
I didn't. I'm just a guy who can lend a hand if you'll let me.
Ball's in your court, Slayer.
Okay. We're gonna split. Two pairs.
Whatever this creature is, it's burrowing through solid ground.
That means a strength and power that we don't usually deal with,
but we may have to get used to, now the Hellmouth is getting all perky.
Shouldn't we call the police or something? And tell them?
I'll stop interrupting.
[ Buffy ] Xander, take Nancy home. Drive, don't walk.
And try not to stop till you get there. Understood.
Is your girlfriend always this... commanding?
Who?
Buffy?
Oh, no, no, no. See, uh-- I mean, she's--
She's a girl and-- and she's a friend, but she's not my girlfriend.
Xander? A little drool.
Spike and I will check out the scene. [ Xander ] Okay.
In the biggest way, I am not loving this plan.
I'm not loving Spike. [ Softly ] He tried to rape you.
And he failed. I know I can take him.
Xander, take Nancy home. Spike and I will patrol.
I'm command central, so everybody check in with me.
Okay. I'll be here doing my homework, but the other one sounded cooler.
Be safe. Let's go.
Righty-o, then.
Spike?
You sleep, right? You. Vampires. You sleep.
Yeah. What's your point, niblet?
Well, I can't take you in a fight or anything,
even with a chip in your head, but you do sleep.
If you hurt my sister at all, touch her,
you're gonna wake up on fire.
[ Spike ] You're awfully quiet. Wouldn't know what to say.
Fine with me. I was more than half expecting to get an earful anyway.
And when exactly did your sister get unbelievably scary? What are you doing?
What? I told you once, straight up-- I'm here to help and that's all.
Think this here's our spot? How'd you guess?
I don't fancy sticking my head in that.
Well, if something bites it off, that'd be a clue.
[ Sighs ]
So what happened to you?
Well, you saw me.
Those ghostly types in the school basement got in my head.
They made me flat-out, bug-shaggin' crazy.
And I'm not exactly bragging about it, but they were stronger than I was--
made me see things, do things.
And how come you never told anyone you saw me?
I don't know. I guess...
I was partly hoping you were some kind of mirage.
- Sorry to disappoint. - Not your fault.
Hold the torch, will you?
[ Straining ]
[ Sighs ] Look. This-- us working together. It's not a way...
for us to get back together, if that's what you want.
It's not.
Look. I can't blame you for being all skittish.
Skittish? That's not a word I would use for it.
You tried to rape me.
- I don't have the words. - Neither do I.
I can't say "Sorry." I can't use "Forgive me."
All I can say is, Buffy, I've changed.
- I believe you. - Well, that's something.
I just don't know what you've changed into.
You come back to town, you make with the big surprises.
Twice. I don't know what your game is, Spike,
but I know there's something you're not telling me.
You're right. There is.
But we're not best friends anymore, so too bad for me. I'm not sharing.
We've been through things--
the end of the world and back.
I can be useful 'cause, honestly, I've got nothing better to do.
Make use of me if you want.
And there's nothing here. Just a bit of slime.
Mounds of displaced dirt and such.
Whatever our beastie is, he's gone.
[ Sighs ]
Boy. I still can't believe that all of this is happening.
I mean, even with this town's reputation for, you know, unexplained weirdness.
Right. Sunnydale. Come for the food. Stay for the dismemberment.
There's good food?
Well, thanks. [ Clears Throat ]
And that's a couple of levels of lameness right there--
me saying "thanks" after everything that you've done for me tonight.
Well, you could slip me a 20, but then I'd have to act all offended.
Got it. So,
um, do you think I might instead...
give you a call some time?
Just to check in? No, actually I'm hitting on you.
Even better. I'm very listed.
And I'm really pushy, so that works out well then.
[ Sighs ]
Good night. Uh--
[ Rumbling ]
Nancy--
I just got a swell idea.
Run! [ Screams ]
[ Roaring ]
[ Screaming ]
Are you okay? I just--
Dumb question. Are you injured? Are you hurt?
I don't think so. I just--
I don't think that I can take any more of this.
Two attacks in the same night.
I'm starting to think it's not coincidence.
Oh, sure. Why not? A monster trying to kill me.
It's just the thing that was missing to make my life absolutely perfect.
Oh. Ronnie would love this. Boy. Right.
Who's Ronnie? Oh, um,
only my psycho ex-boyfriend that I've been trying to get rid of for the past few weeks.
[ Sighs ] I almost prefer the monster.
Ronnie was, um, trouble.
Uh-huh. And I'm just curious--
Was this Ronnie guy a borrowing money kind of trouble, or...
was he a raising demon trouble kind of guy?
Oh. Ronnie? He couldn't.
He just--
He was an abusive bastard is the catchy headline.
And he'd just show up, even after--
You know the feeling that you get...
when your ex is constantly ruining every part of your life, and it just doesn't stop?
Yes.
And you get so tired of feeling helpless that all you can do is just wish that it would stop?
Wish?
And it's not the fact that he cheated.
It's the way he cheated, you know?
I mean, we could've talked. I could've handled it.
Uh-huh. Uh-huh. I get it. Go on.
You know what he is? He's spineless. Yeah, that's it.
He's-- He's like this spineless little pig.
And you know what I wish? God, do I want to.
You were saying? Um, I want more quesadillas?
Before that. A margarita.
After that. Oh, yeah. God, my boyfriend's spineless.
He should just--
You know, he should just be spineless for real. No spine. Got it. I can do that.
What do you mean? See, honey,
what I'm driving us towards here is sometimes, don't you just wish that--
Oh, penis.
Is this the one you talked to?
I tell you what. Why don't we put a pin in it?
Why don't you go get yourself a drink, and we'll pick it up in a few? Okay?
You guys, I am working here. We noticed.
- It's why we're here. - [ Xander ] Right.
Did you turn this nice lady's ex into a giant worm monster?
[ Chuckles ] Yes.
No way. Are you saying that that thing was Ronnie?
You wish it. I dish it. I thought we were clear on this.
I didn't think you were gonna go all narc on me.
You wished your ex was a worm?
We were just talking.
Anya has a way of making things happen.
I had a quota. The guy had it coming. What's the big?
- I think I'm gonna be sick. - Anya, that thing you created...
burst through solid pavement and ate her dog.
Oh! Puppy! Wait.
That gets your sad noise? People's lives are in danger,
and you give it up for the Yorkie?
- You never understood me, Xander. - Xander, who is this woman?
Anya? She's, um,
Anya, my ex.
Oh. Hey!
- Nobody's bragging here. - Ah, ah, ah.
Hey! Hands off the merchandise, Spike.
You don't get to go there again. Please.
I've already forgotten about our little time together.
I thought you were Xander's ex-girlfriend.
- I am. - But you and Spike--
- Had a thing. - Didn't last.
- But weren't you Buffy-- - Briefly. - Never serious.
[ Sighs ] Is there anyone here that hasn't slept together?
[ Anya ] Look. At least we're all bipeds,
which is more than I can say for Ronnie the worm boy.
Okay, guys. Can we focus here for just a second?
Anya, this Ronnie? He wasn't a worm. Worms are, like, this big.
- This thing was like-- - Sluggoth demon. Am I right?
[ Sighs ] Maybe.
Wait. I didn't wish for that. I don't even know...
what this whatchamacallit demon thing is.
Sluggoth demon. It's a very large, very nasty natural predator,
who died around the Crusades.
Same phylum. It's not cheating. I just embellished.
Well, you can unembellish now.
Bite me, Harris. I have rules to work with.
Vengeance demon codes of conduct.
But you'll never understand, 'cause you're all still so...
human. [ Spike ] I'm not.
Demon, just like yourself, Anya.
Now, you're gonna turn the spell around,
like a good little vengeance demon, or I-- What?
Oh, my God. What are you staring at?
Oh, my God. Right. Let's go.
- How did you do it? - Spike, what is she talking about?
I can see you. Nothing. Let's go. Got some worm hunting to do.
How'd you do it? Shut up!
- It shouldn't be possible! - Shut your mouth!
How did you get it? I said, you shut up!
[ Crowd Chattering ] [ Woman ] Somebody help her!
I am so gonna kick your ass.
Right, bitch. Round and round--
You haven't changed, Spike.
Workin' out some personal issues, are we?
Hey, I guess this'll be first contact, since you know when.
Ooh. Up for another round on the balcony?
[ Chuckles ]
Right you are, luv. I haven't changed. Not a lick!
And watching your face trying to figure me out was absolutely delicious.
- Buffy! - Not now, Xander.
Nancy. She's gone. And out there all alone, she's worm bait.
[ Groans ] I'll go find her.
You stay with Anya. Get her to reverse that spell.
Hey, is that it? A little touchy-feely, then you're off to the batpoles?
Freaks! Why do I surround myself with freaks?
[ Rumbling ]
Oh, God.
God.
[ Grunts ] Oh, somebody help me!
[ Sighs ]
[ Banging ]
[ Screams ] Help me!
What do you want me to do?
Reverse the spell. It's not that easy, Xander.
You can do it. Yeah, sure. The spell part.
What about me? I'm in enough trouble as it is.
Halfrek's all over my case. D'Hoffryn is not pleased with my work.
You don't want to see him angry. Trust me.
Nice friends you got. Nice friends I had.
Chums, coworkers, bridesmaids-- I had the whole package until something fell apart.
What could that be, Xander? You're saying this is my fault?
All I'm saying is none of this happened until you dumped me at the altar.
And sooner or later, Anya, that excuse just stops working.
[ Screams ]
You've had your turn, luv. Leave the real violence to the demons, yeah?
[ Screams ] That's right!
Big Bad's back, and looking for a little death!
[ Screams ] [ Screams ]
[ Ronnie ] Ow.
I'm sorry.
Right. Wrong.
Wrong maneuver. Not hardly helpful. God, please help me.
Help me!
You're not the one who needs help. He's going into shock.
- [ Phone Dialing ] - Too much. Too much. Too much.
[ Buffy ] Yeah, I need an ambulance. Someone's been stabbed.
- Oh, God. Uh, corner of Third and Fairview. - Inside me all the way.
Help is coming. Try not to move. Deep, deep, deep inside me.
- Spike, whatever you're doing-- - Get away! Get! [ Shudders ]
Do it somewhere else! I am through with this!
Oh, oh. Lucky girl. Call it quits. Now there's an option.
If only it were so easy. If only-- If only-- If only--
What the hell are you screaming about? I can hear you.
No need to shout!
[ Chuckles ]
I get it. Joke's on me. Lots of laughs.
Yeah. Hey, bring the wife and kiddies. Come see the show.
This is gonna be a circus. This--
Just the beginning, luv. A warm-up act.
The real headliner's coming,
and when that band hits the stage, all of this--
all this will come tumbling in death and screaming,
horror and bloodshed.
From beneath you, it devours.
From beneath.
Poor Rocky.
[ Sobs Quietly ]
[ Xander ] Buffy!
You.
You did this. What are you?
[ Sighs ]
- She's not calling me. - Okay. Help is on the way. Look after him.
Where you going?
You do know you did the right thing here. Tell him that.
You reversed the spell. It took guts.
I know this is bad, but it could be worse.
Oh, it will be.
[ Door Rattles ]
- Didn't work. - What the hell are you--
Didn't work. Costume. Didn't help.
Couldn't hide.
No more mind games, Spike. No more mind games.
No more mind.
Tell me what happened to you. Hey! Hey! No touching.
Am I flesh? Am I flesh to you?
Feed on flesh. My flesh. Nothing else. Not a spark.
Oh, fine.
Flesh, then. Solid through.
Get it hard. Service the girl.
Stop it!
Right. Girl doesn't wanna be serviced.
Because there's no spark.
Ain't we in a soddin' engine?
Spike, have you completely lost your mind?
Well, yes. Where have you been all night?
You thought you would just come back here and... be with me?
- First time for everything. - This is all you get.
I'm listening.
Tell me what happened.
I tried to find it, of course.
Find what? The spark.
The missing-- The piece...
that fit-- that would make me fit.
Because you didn't want-- [ Sighs ]
I can't. Not with you looking.
I dreamed of killing you.
I think they were dreams.
So weak.
And you make me weak.
Thinking of you, holding myself,
and spilling useless buckets of salt over your...
ending.
Angel, he should've warned me.
He makes a good show of forgetting,
but it's here in me...
all the time.
The spark.
I wanted to give you what you deserve.
And I got it.
They put the spark in me,
and now all it does is burn.
[ Whispers ] Your soul.
A bit worse for lack of use.
You got your soul back. How?
It's what you wanted, right?
It's-- It's what you wanted, right?
And-- And now everybody's in here, talking.
Everything I did, everyone I--
And him...
and it, the other.
The thing beneath-- beneath you.
It's here too. Everybody.
They all just tell me go-- go...
to hell.
Why?
- Why would you do-- - Buffy, shame on you.
Why does a man do what he mustn't? For her. To be hers.
To be the kind of man who would nev--
To be a kind of man.
And she shall look on him...
with forgiveness.
And everybody will forgive and love.
He will be loved.
So everything's okay, right?
Can we rest now?
Buffy?
Can we rest?
Grr! Arrgh!