Previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Hey, got a spare bed for a wanted fugitive?
Hello, Faith.
You've got a rough sitch here.
Trying to turn a bunch of little girls into an army.
They're potential Slayers, just like we were.
- Call me Caleb. - I heard you have something of mine.
I do now.
No!
I work in mysterious ways.
- [ Shouting ] - Xander!
I'm not saying it's a happy scenario,
but we're dealing with a Big Bad that can be any dead person it wants.
At long last.
A Slayer.
We spent all this time worrying about the Seal and the Hellmouth.
The bad guys always go where the power is.
They're protecting the vineyard or something at the vineyard.
And I say it's time we go in and take it away from them.
- How about we don't? - This is a hell of a lot to ask.
And now what? Suddenly you're all acting like you can't trust me?
We have to be together on this. You can't be a part of it, so I need you to leave.
Look, I swear I didn't want it to go this way.
Don't. Whether you wanted it or not, their lives are yours.
"Power to the people"? You sound like a child of the '70s.
- We're in charge of ourselves. - Okay, guys. Let's try not to freak out.
All I'm saying is, now that Buffy's not here,
we finally have some say in how and when we lose our necks.
[ Wood ] Maybe you don't have to be so blunt about the "losing of the necks" bit.
No, let the girl speak the truth. We're all on death's door,
repeatedly ringing the doorbell like maniacal Girl Scouts trying to make quota.
I'm thinkin' that maybe everyone here shouldn't have a say.
W-We just have to find some way of having constructive dialogue without going completely mad.
Do you know the parliamentary procedure?
'Cause that's a convenient way of organizing--
I just wonder if those of us who have been here longer should have more of a say.
...also it wouldn't be so chaotic. Faith, what do you think?
When I was involved with the Model U.N.,
we found the parliamentary procedure to be a total lifesaver.
She's gonna be fine. Really, it's for the best.
Yeah? Then why do I feel like this?
Only we had this system which allowed us to organize our conversation.
- I hear what you're saying, but-- - [ All Talking Together ]
You guys, I think we're wasting time, arguing about how to argue.
- Well, why don't we-- - Please do not mention parliamentary procedure.
- I second that. - Everyone listen to me. Chill.
All right, it's been a long night. I don't know about you, but I'm wiped.
Maybe we should catch some sleep and figure all this out in the morning.
- Do we have time to waste? - Look. I understand you guys are wicked stressed.
Frankly, our situation blows.
We've gotta stay cool. It's the only way we're gonna get through this.
- Can everyone handle that? - [ Girls Agreeing ]
We'll get some rest, and then tomorrow, things won't seem so--
- [ Gasping, Shrieking ] - What's happening?
[ Amanda ] I'll get some candles, if we have candles.
[ Kennedy ] I'll check the fuse box. Don't bother.
All the lights in the whole street just went out.
- Which means? - The people from the power company...
have got the hell out of Sunnydale.
[ Vi ] I think I'm freaking out.
- Okay. I'm gonna get a flashlight. - [ Family Chattering ]
Don't move. Get out of my house.
Hey. [ Sighs ] I thought the place would be empty.
I was looking for a place to crash.
You know, you really should leave.
- You can't just kick me out of my own house. - Why not?
It's what all the cool kids are doing nowadays.
It's not your house.
It's not your town.
Not anymore.
Got any Tab?
[ Sighing ]
I spy with my little eye something that begins with a "T".
- Tapestry. - Hey! Good one. How did you--
Tapestry is the only thing in the whole bloody room.
Ah. So say you, but I say, look deeper.
I'll look deep into your jugular is what I'll look at.
Don't spazz out! I'm not--
Don't say another word.
Rock, paper, scissors?
What's the matter with you? Don't you understand what's happening?
Uh, yeah, we're waiting here till it's night again,
so you can ride on your motorcycle without exploding.
And every minute we're stuck here, the Slayer's out there facing hell knows what.
Come on. What's the worst thing that could happen to her?
[ Growling ]
All right! So, what do we know?
Well, we know we're basically the last humans left in Sunnydale.
And that all the evil in town wants us dead.
- I don't want to die. - Don't worry.
It's far more likely you'll live long enough to watch most of your friends die first.
And then you'll die. We also know...
that Caleb told Buffy that everything's going down at the Seal.
- I think we should head-- - Let's not get ahead of ourselves.
So, we know we've got a lot of enemies. We'll start there.
- Faith, I'm sorry-- - I got this, okay?
So, let's go over our rogue's gallery. Who exactly do we have here?
Well, there's The First, who we can't touch.
And there's our friend-- the Reverend "I Hate Women."
[ Anya ] Who's basically untouchable. There's the 'roid-rage vamps,
who are pretty much the worst-- and the, uh--
Bringers! I think they're our weakest link.
Are you thinking of attacking the Bringers? Maybe or--
- Okay, we could kidnap one. - [ Scoffs ] And what? Hold it ransom?
Yeah, I'll get the magazines and start ripping out the letters now.
"Dear Mr. First, If you want your Bringer back,
"well, we'll be surprised, because you've got, like, three million of them.
So please disregard this letter. Yours Sincerely--"
I'm saying, think about getting us a Bringer and making it talk.
Find out info on The First and Caleb that way.
How do you think we should catch one if they don't want to be found?
Okay. I'm not sure this is such a good idea.
Why try and get information when we already know about the Seal?
Why don't we send a team to the high school, do some recon, and--
- No. - Just like that?
- You're not even listening. - Sweetie, you're pushing too hard.
I thought things would be different now, but you keep shutting me down.
Things are different, because now...
I'm your boss.
Look, you guys, I'm not Buffy. I'm not the one who's been on your asses all this time.
But I'm not one of you anymore either.
I'm your leader, which means I go first, and I make the rules,
and the rest of you follow after me-- is that clear?
So, Kennedy, back the hell off and let me do my job, all right?
Okay. Let's get down to business.
[ Hammer Hitting Stone ]
I was hoping you'd bring me some better news.
And I wish I had some.
Is this gonna do anything? Or is all this just to make the Bringers sweat?
Do the Bringers sweat? Actually, I think they pant.
Like dogs. And I don't know if this is gonna do any good,
but we have to try everything.
You realize what will happen...
if the Slayer and her girls get it, don't you?
They won't. That's right. They won't.
Because you're going to kill all of them.
And everyone they know.
Hallelujah.
I've never been the bait before.
That was, uh, actually kind of scary.
We had your back. You did well.
Your performance as a disgruntled minion was spot-on.
I'm Method. [ Pants ]
Let's get this back to the captain.
Oh, hey. So?
Ah, the Bringer's dumb. Oh.
You were expecting what, a Rhodes Scholar?
- Dumb as in "mute." - Someone ripped out its tongue.
- Oh, gross! - Hey.
I-I've been reading this old Turkish spell book.
There's an old conjuration that the ancient Turks used to communicate with the dying.
Oh, yeah. I think I've read a translation of that.
There's a translation of it?
[ Sighs ] I'm over it.
Um, so this spell is used to communicate with people who can't talk.
Like, if a person was dying, this spell would let them...
say their good-byes, or, you know, gripe about how nobody came to visit them.
Would this help us with Mr. No-Tongue?
Yeah. I think so.
I-I just need to get together a few ingredients and--
All right. Well, cool. While Willow does that, the rest of us can--
- [ Andrew ] We're back! - [ Giles ] Spike.
- Hey. - Hi, everybody. I missed you guys a lot.
Sorry it took so long to get back from our mission mission, but we had to wait out the sun--
Uh, I think our-- our mission went very well.
We, uh-- We rode on Spike's hog, which was very cool,
and played some amusing games.
And uh-- Oh! We got some information--
You know what? I really need to urinate.
He's a breath of fresh air, isn't he? [ Sighs ]
Thank God I don't breathe. So. I think we got a lead.
Where's Buffy? Um, she's not here right now.
When does she get back?
Uh--
While you were gone, we all got together and...
uh, talked out some disagreements that we were having.
A-And eventually, after much discussion,
Buffy decided that it would be best for all of us...
if she... took a little time off.
A little breather.
Uh-huh.
I see. Been practicing that little speech long, have you?
So, uh, Buffy took some time off right in the middle of the apocalypse,
- and it was her decision. - Well, we all decided.
Oh, yeah. You all decided.
[ Scoffs, Chuckles ]
You sad, sad, ungrateful traitors.
- Who do you think you are? - We're her friends. We just wanted--
Oh, that's ballsy of you! You're her friends and you betray her like this.
- Uh, you don't understand. - You know, I think I do. Rupert.
You used to be the big man, didn't you?
The teacher, all full of wisdom.
Now she's surpassed you, and you can't handle it.
She has saved your lives again and again.
She has died for you, and this is how you thank her.
Hey! Why don't you take it down a notch or two?
The time for speech-giving is over, bad boy.
Oh! Is that right?
Yeah, that's right. Save your lack of breath.
All right.
You're pretty sweet on her, aren't you?
I think it's cute... the way she's got you whipped.
Enough!
[ Panting ] Finally got what you wanted, didn't you?
- Where is she? - I don't know!
[ Sighs ]
[ Willow Chanting In Turkish ]
Speak to us.
Maybe I should rough him up a little.
Andrew! Be quiet!
I don't know, guys. That should have worked.
[ Andrew ] I am a drone in the mind that is evil.
Could you just shut up?
I say I'm part of the great darkness. Somebody needs a reality check.
Or a muzzle. Wait.
[ Andrew ] I'm only a fragment of the "we".
We work as one to serve The First.
Okay. What do you-- the "we"-- do for The First?
We work to prepare for the inevitable battle.
How? Tell me exactly what the Bringers are doing.
Kennedy, he can't see the knife.
We can feel the knife.
Kennedy--
We tend to the needs of the infinite evil.
We exterminate girls and destroy the legacy of the Slayer.
We build an arsenal beneath the dirt.
We obey the commands of our teacher, Caleb.
Wait. Could we go back to the dirt thing?
We build weapons to prepare for the coming war.
At the farthest edge of town.
We are everywhere. We are like the ocean's waves.
We watch your efforts and are not scared.
We will laugh at you as you die.
- [ Blade Scraping ] - Hold the bananas!
You are so lucky that you did not just magically decapitate me.
We've got enough here. We need to get Faith in on this.
Xander, gather some maps. We need to find a subterranean space large enough...
to house an armory. I feel used and violated and... I need a lozenge.
[ Knocking ]
[ Knocking Continues ]
[ Door Opening ]
[ Sighs ] There you are.
Do you realize I could just walk in here?
No invite needed?
[ Scoffs ] This town really is theirs now, isn't it?
I heard. I was over there.
That bitch! [ Sighs ]
She all about smiles and reformation when you're on your feet.
But the moment you're down, she's all about the kicking. Isn't that right?
Makes me want-- It wasn't just Faith.
It was all of them.
And it's not like they were wrong.
- Please leave. - No.
This'll change your tune. I came here 'cause I've got something to tell you.
You were right.
Caleb is trying to protect something from you.
And I think you were spot-on all the way.
I think it's at the vineyard. So?
You were right.
Buffy?
I don't feel very right.
You're not foolin' me.
- What do you even mean? - Well, you're not a quitter.
- Watch me. - You were their leader.
And you still are.
This isn't something you gave up. It's something they took.
- And the difference is? - We can take it back.
Sewer tunnel on the north side's closest,
so I guess we'll start there.
Sounds fine. What time shall I tell everyone?
How about... around 7:00?
7:00 sharp.
So, tomorrow we fight.
Tomorrow. Good night, Faith. Faith?
- Yeah? - You're doing just fine.
I'd say better than fine. I'd say you're doing a bang-up job.
- Get out. - [ Chuckles ] Well, gosh.
I think, you know, a "Hello," or a "Nice to see you," might be a little more welcome.
It's the end of humanity, Faith, not the end of courtesy.
You're wasting your time. I know who you are. What you are.
Yeah, yeah-- Nobody's explained to you how this works, have they?
You see, I am part of The First,
as you kids call it, but I'm also... me:
Richard Wilkins III, late mayor and founder of Sunnydale.
Here, I'll prove it to you. Ask me a question only I know the answer to.
Something like-- [ Laughs ]
"Where did I hide the moon pies in my office?"
Or, "Who was my favorite character in Little Women?"
Meg. [ Laughs ]
I know! I know! Most people guess Beth, but Meg, she's such a proper young lady.
Remember when Jo burned her hair? I know what you're doing.
And it's not gonna work. But feel free to keep talkin'.
Because, hell, I could listen to you yap all night. Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!
Language! You're a leader now.
You keep throwin' the "H-E-double-hockey-sticks" around,
pretty soon the girls are gonna pick up on it, then what?
You let me worry about the girls. Of course, of course.
You're doin' a great job with 'em, by the way. Much better than Buffy ever did.
-You were smart to kick her out. -That's not what we--
Buffy got 'em this far. Why are you protecting her?
You think she cares about you? She nearly killed you, Faith.
It's different now.
No matter what you do,
Buffy will always see you as a killer.
Not as a person. And now you have what she so desperately wants.
The respect of these girls. All she needs is an excuse,
and she'll finish what she started when she stuck that knife in your belly.
You stay on guard, Faith. Buffy's dangerous.
If you're not careful, she'll destroy you.
I'm just sayin'!
[ Spike ] No? No.
You mean no as in, "eventually"?
You really have problems with that word, don't you?
You can get them back! Can? Maybe.
Should? [ Sniffles ]
I'm just so tired.
They need you!
Well, I-- It's bloody chaos over there without you!
It is? Yeah! Yeah.
It's, uh-- There's junk.
You know, food cartons. Sleeping bags not rolled up.
Everyone's very scared and, uh, unkempt.
Sounds dire. I didn't see a lot.
I came, hit Faith a bunch of times, and left.
Really? I mean, not that I'm glad, but--
You say the word, and she's a footnote in history.
I'll make it look like a painful accident.
That's my problem.
I say the word, some girl dies.
Every time. [ Sighs ]
There's always casualties in war.
Casualties in--
It just sounds so... casual.
These are... girls.
That I got killed.
I cut myself off from them.
All of them.
I knew I was gonna lose some of them, and...
I didn't-- [ Sighs ]
You know what? I'm still making excuses.
I've always cut myself off.
I've always-- [ Sighs ]
Being the Slayer made me different.
But it's my fault I stayed that way.
People are always trying to connect to me.
And I just... slip away.
[ Scoffs ] You should know.
I seem to recall a certain amount of connecting.
Oh, please. We were never close.
You just wanted me because I was... unattainable.
You think that's all that was?
Please, let's not go over the past. Oh, no, no!
Oh, let's hold on here! [ Sighs ]
I've hummed along to your pity ditty.
- I think I should have the mike for a bit. - Fine.
The stage is yours. Cheer me up.
You're insufferable.
Thank you. That really helped. I'm not tryin' to cheer you up.
What are you trying to say? I don't know!
I'll know when I'm done sayin' it. Something pissed me off, and I just--
"Unattainable," that's it. Fine.
I'm attainable. I'm a-- I'm an "attain-a-thon."
May I please just go to sleep?
You listen to me.
I've been alive a bit longer than you.
And dead a lot longer than that.
I've seen things you couldn't imagine.
And done things I prefer you didn't.
Don't exactly have a reputation for being a thinker.
[ Inhales Deeply ] I follow my blood,
which doesn't exactly rush in the direction of my brain.
So I make a lot of mistakes.
A lot of wrong bloody calls.
A hundred-plus years.
And there's only one thing I've ever been sure of.
You.
Hey, look at me.
I'm not asking you for anything.
When I say I love you, it's not because I want you.
Or because I can't have you.
It has nothing to do with me.
I love what you are. What you do.
How you try.
I've seen your kindness, and your strength.
I've seen the best and the worst of you.
And I understand, with perfect clarity, exactly what you are.
You're a hell of a woman.
You're the One, Buffy.
I don't want to be the One.
I don't want to be this good-looking and athletic.
- We all have crosses to bear. - [ Chuckles ]
You get some rest now.
I'll check in before first light.
You can decide how you want.
Spike.
Could you... stay here?
Sure.
[ Sighs ] That diabolical old torture device, the comfy chair.
- It'll do me fine. - No.
I mean... here.
Will you just hold me?
Deep down, you always wanted Buffy to accept you.
To love you, even. Why do you think that is?
You a shrink now? You keep looking for love...
and acceptance from these people, these friends of yours.
But you're never gonna find it. The truth is,
nobody will ever love you.
- Not the way I love you. - Get out.
- They'll forever see you as a killer. - I said, get out.
I'll always be with you, firecracker. In everything you do.
Faith? You shouldn't sneak up like that.
- I almost took your head off. - Sorry. I knocked.
- What'd you see? - Just you, looking spooked. What happened?
Are you sure you're all right? What?
You wanna rap about my problems now?
Are you looking to be the guy who puts the "pal" in "principal" for me?
Okay. You know what? I came up here to talk to you about weapons.
[ Sighs ] I'm sorry. I don't know what I'm doing. I'm just--
Listen, I'm gonna leave you alone. I didn't mean to intrude.
It was The First.
Well, you're really in the game now, Faith.
The First doesn't show itself unless it thinks you matter.
Lucky me. I'm a player.
Man, look at that. My hand's shakin'!
Demons, vampires, women in the penitentiary system--
- none of that freaks me out! - That's exactly what The First does.
- Find your Achilles' heel. - No, it just talked to me. It does a heal thing too?
Um, it's, um-- It's a phrase.
Your weak spot. Oh.
The school thing.
I was kinda absent that decade.
[ Sighs ] So, who was it?
The First.
He was like an old boss of mine.
Just a boss? And he's got you shakin' like this?
Wouldn't give you a raise, huh?
Yeah, right. [ Chuckles ]
No, it sounds retarded, but he was like a dad to me.
Oh.
It was my mother when it came to me.
And I mean, it was her, right down to the perfume.
Sorry. Yeah.
I'm so pissed off at myself. I knew it was a trick.
So did I. But I still wanted my mother to hold me like a little baby.
In a manly way, of course.
Of course.
Listen, nobody wants to be alone, Faith.
We all want someone who cares, to be touched that way.
I mean, The First deals in figments.
But that wanting is real.
Hittin' things, and... [ Chuckles ] a whole lot of Jack "D" dulls it some.
Among other things.
When it came to you, did The First tell the truth?
- Yeah. - It said to watch out for Buffy.
- That Buffy's dangerous. - And what do you think?
Could be. I mean, we've given her pretty good reason to be pissed off.
You know, the messed-up thing--
The First is tellin' me to worry about her, and I just wish she was here.
In a couple of hours, I'm gonna lead these girls into some serious crap.
- And she's the only one-- - She's not the only one.
You're a Slayer too, Faith.
And I think you're a good leader.
I'm an ex-con who didn't finish high school.
Yeah. Well, I'm the principal of a school where nobody finished.
And I am completely out of my league in this.
Oh. I hear otherwise. [ Scoffs ]
So, um--
Tomorrow, then? Forget about tomorrow.
This is tonight.
Been a while.
Am I out of line?
Hey. You're the leader.
Okay, guys. Giles said Faith wants us to start early in the morning, so--
What happened to the girls?
- Looks like there's only one girl here. - What about the other ones?
With their sleeping bags, and their headgear and their snoring--
They're not here, are they?
Nope.
[ Chuckles ] Well, that's nice.
Hmm? Nice?
Mm. And necessary.
Come here, you.
Foreplay was threatening to turn into "twelve-play."
Something not right?
No.
No, I just, uh--
I guess I'm a little scared.
It's probably stupid to ask why, huh?
Death, war, apocalypse.
Me. [ Inhales ]
[ Chuckles ] I'm just scared that if we--
then I'll--
and then-- And then?
[ Chuckles ] Isn't that the good part?
Good? Yeah, good. Good feeling.
Mm-hmm. But also--
Bad stuff? Like,
unrestrained moaning and screaming with joy?
Well, sort of.
The unrestrained part.
But I just have kind of been in a space where I--
I should be restrained.
I've been controlling myself, and I--
if I lose that control...
and let myself go, I--
I could just go. Hmm.
You're worried you're gonna turn into big, bad Willow?
It's not stupid.
When we first kissed, I--
I turned into... Warren.
It's not stupid. But it's not gonna happen.
I just want you to know that you're safe with me.
Yeah?
You can float around, and I'll tether you down.
[ Chuckles Softly ] You'll be like... my kite string.
Mm-hmm. You be a kite,
and I'll be your kite string, okay?
Okay. Okay.
Mm. Come here.
[ Bed Creaking ] They could show a little respect, you know?
Mm. I mean... [ Moaning ]
they should at least acknowledge the fact that some people...
might not want to listen to an a cappella concert...
of people, you know-- [ Laughing, Whispering ]
moaning and groaning. Mm.
Disgusting, is what it is. A little jealous, huh?
Of course I am. I'm a lot jealous.
I mean, if we're done having sex, then... [ Inhales ]
I think other people should just knock it off. [ Bed Squeaking ]
[ Woman ] ♪ I used to think that I knew what we needed ♪
♪ Just assumed we would always be fine ♪
♪ Now I don't think that we lost the feeling ♪
♪ But we let everything build up inside ♪
♪ It's only love ♪
♪ But love ♪
♪ Should make us strong ♪
♪ It's only love ♪
♪ But love ♪
♪ Has been ♪
♪ Hurting for so ♪
♪ Long ♪
♪ And it's so hard if you ♪
♪ Tear them apart ♪
♪ Only love ♪
♪ And its alternative ♪
♪ Hopin' to learn only ♪
♪ Love ♪♪
I envy them.
Isn't that the strangest thing?
[ Caleb ] Well, it does throw me a tad.
I mean, they're just-- Well, they're barely more than animals.
Feedin' off each other's flesh. It's nauseatin'.
But you?
[ Scoffs ] You're everywhere.
You're in the hearts of little children.
You're in the souls of the rich.
You're the fire that makes people kill and hate.
The fire that will cure the world of weakness.
They're just sinners.
You are sin.
I do enjoy your sermons.
And you're in me.
Gave me strength no man can have.
You're the only man strong enough to be my vessel.
And I know you feel me, but--
I know why they grab at each other.
To feel.
I wanna feel.
I want to wrap my hands around some innocent neck and feel it crack.
Amen.
So, it turned out that all these stone tablets basically said the same thing.
The First and Caleb are protecting something,
and-and we don't know exactly what it is,
but it's-it's something powerful, and they don't want the Slayers to get it.
I'm thinking it could be a weapon, and if we're looking for an arsenal--
- You're not coming. - If one is looking for an arsenal,
what better place to find a-- weapon.
Okay. Got it. Good. Good thinking, Andrew.
It's a pleasure, Faith. Back to you. Okay.
I need you four to suss out the situation on B.
I don't want you talkin' to her, or getting in her way.
Or for that matter, letting her know you're there. Just do a little recon.
And where do you want me, Faith? By your phone.
- I'll call you when I need you. - What are we looking for?
I mean, is there some reason we should spy on Buffy?
We're just makin' sure she's okay.
Those of you who are coming with me to the arsenal, you know who you are.
Everybody ready? Let's do this thing.
[ Caleb ] Shouldn't be long now.
Prophecies say one thing. Brute strength says another.
We'll get it out. [ First/Buffy ] I heard you, Caleb.
We're almost there.
Yes. That's true.
Now, rouse the Bringers. Get them back to work. [ Clattering ]
Hey! Heard you got something of mine.
Well! If it ain't the Prodigal Slayer.
Where's it at? Well, I'm gonna find it, sooner or later.
No, you're not. I lay one hand on you, and you're just a dead little girl.
Lay a hand on me. If you can.
Caleb, this is getting embarrassing.
- Do you have to look like that? - Will you concentrate?
- It's just a little confusing! - Fine. Go. Kill.
Everybody stop. I think we just found it.
Look at all this.
[ Vi ] I don't get it.
Why'd they abandon all this stuff?
- Maybe 'cause they didn't. - [ Sword Being Drawn ]
[ Slashing, Grunting ]
[ Screaming ]
You whore!
You know, you really should watch your language.
If someone didn't know you, they might think you were a woman-hating jerk.
[ Vi ] Is that it? I mean,
not that that wasn't fun, but--
Yo, Faith! Check this out.
[ Chuckling, Giggling ]
[ Clattering ]
- [ Beeping ] - Everybody get down!
[ Screaming ] [ Beeping ]
[ Beeping Continues, Stops ]
Grr! Arrgh!