Last Tango In ClevelandTeaser

Story by Dan JoslynWritten by CN Winters, Dan Joslyn and Susan Carr

Produced by Susan CarrDirected by CN Winters and Dan Joslyn

Editing by DragonWriter17Sounds by CN Winters

Art Direction by Robert KidmanArtists – Robert Kidman, Zahir al Daoud, Isis, Mattxxx and CN Winters

Cover Art by Robert Kidman

Prelude

Fade In:Int.Lenore's Chamber Occult Shop – Day

Cleveland, October 2007

The bell on the door jingled as Jody, the Bureau Nine guard, entered the magic shop. His clothes were wrinkled, and he looked as if he hadn't slept in days, with dark circles prominent under his eyes. A box resided in his hands; his knuckles were practically white with the force he used to grip the box.

A man in his mid-thirties walked out. "Can I help you?" he asked as he walked over.

"You buy stuff, right?" Jody asked, nervous yet hopeful. "You don't just sell things, but you buy them, too, right?"

The shopkeeper gingerly walked behind his register and pulled out the key, sliding it in his pocket, the gesture showing he was obviously unnerved by Jody's appearance and demeanor.

"Uhhh, yeah, sometimes," the shopkeeper replied.

"There's something here you gotta see," Jody said with a smile as he opened the box. "This," he said as he pulled the Loathestone out and held it in the air. "How much would you give me for it?" he asked impatiently.

The shopkeeper leaned a bit forward, but not too close. He appeared as if he still wanted to keep his distance.

"That's really not anything I'd be interested in," he replied. "It looks like a simple black onyx stone."

Jody smiled. "But it's not," he insisted. "It's magical. It talks to you."

The shopkeeper said nothing for a few beats. Finally he said, "Please leave my store now."

"No, no," Jody insisted. "You really need this. It's got plans – big plans."

"Sir, please go away," the shopkeeper repeated.

"I can't," Jody practically cried. "You-you need to take this. It's telling me that you need to take it."

"I'm gonna count to five, and if you don't leave my shop, I'm calling the cops. One, two…"

Jody looked nervous and then tossed the stone to the storeowner. In reaction to the projectile heading toward him, the shopkeeper caught it. After a few seconds of it residing in his hands, the owner had a look of amazement.

"See?" Jody's head bobbed toward the man with a nodding motion. "I told you. It's talking to you, isn't it? I wasn't lying…So…how much?"

The shopkeeper put the key back into the register and began to empty the bill compartments, putting the money on the counter between them.

"Here," the shopkeeper said, sounding almost hypnotized. "Your reward for a job well done."

Jody smiled as he collected the money from the counter and swiftly made his way out of the door. The shopkeeper didn't notice Jody leave since he continued to stare at the stone.

"Yes," he said. "Yes, I understand…This Tuesday. Usually a young girl from the Watchers Council does some shopping…" The shopkeeper began to grin maniacally. "I promise…I'll be sure you're somewhere she'll find you."

Fade Out

End of Teaser

Act One

Starring:

Lacey Chabert as Skye Talisker, Gale Harold as Jim Pollan, Caroline Dhavernas as Grace Hatherley, Elijah Woods as Jeff Lindquist, Laura Pyper as Casey Pierce, Alexis Bledel as Denise, Tessa Thompson as

Chamique, Steffani Brass as Shannon Matthewson, Rachel Hurd-Wood as Lorinda Sheparton, Mandy Musgrave as Hadley Ramirez, Freema Agyeman as Siobhan Hartley, Helan Shaver as Becca Giles, Laura

Prepon as Lori Carew, Thora Birch as Tracey Hausser, Cote de Pablo as Amira Aziz, Norika Fujiwara as Mia Nakata, and Gary Oldman as Mr.

Jason Felix

Guest Starring:Marcia Cross as Autumn O'Mara, Morena Baccarin as The Voice of Hell, Jessica Beals as Miss. Sanger, Kristy Swanson as Joan Arkham, David

Tennant as Lenore Shopkeeper, Sheila Larken as Autumn's Mother, and Morris Chapdelaine as Kosh

One

Fade In:Int.Federal Detention Center – Visitation Room – Day

Elizabeth Giles sat on her father's lap.

"When are you coming home?" Liz asked Willow, who sat on the other side of the security glass.

"I wish I knew, Sweetie, but I don't," she answered honestly.

"Aunt Ro doesn't smile as much as she used to. I think she doesn't like you living here now," Liz said. "I don't like to see Aunt Ro sad."

"You and me both," Willow replied.

The four-year-old paused for a moment. "That's an ugly shirt," Liz said with deep sincerity.

"Elizabeth," Giles chastised.

Willow chuckled. "It's okay, Giles," she told him. "That's the best laugh I've had in a while." She then looked at Liz. "It is really ugly, isn't it? They make us all wear the same thing here."

"Who's making you wear it? Is it the bloody bastards who locked you up?" Liz asked.

Again, Willow was unable to hold her laughter.

"Elizabeth," Giles corrected again. "It's not proper to call anyone 'bloody bastards'."

"But that's what you called the people who took Aunt Will away," she replied.

Willow still giggled as Giles fumbled through an explanation. "R-regardless of what I said, those aren't nice words t-to use."

"You really oughta be careful what you say around this one, Giles," Willow told him.

"I thought she was asleep at the time," he contended. He then looked at Elizabeth. "But apparently not."

"I'm not allowed to say 'bloody hell' either," the girl told Willow. "But he says it allllll the time."

Willow snorted. "Yeah, he used to say it a lot around me, too, but when you're as old as us, then you can say that stuff, okay?"

"Okay," Liz nodded.

A guard entered the room. "Time's up, Rosenberg."

"Okay," she said. "Just let me say goodbye." The guard nodded, and Willow turned back around. "I gotta go, Sport, but you look after your mom and dad for me, okay?" she told Elizabeth, who nodded. "And keep your Aunt Ro company when you can until I get back, all right? Maybe she won't feel so lonely then."

"All right," Elizabeth agreed. "Love you, Aunt Will."

"Love you too, Sweetie."

"Take care," Giles told her. "I'm sorry about…" He motioned toward Elizabeth.

"Are you kidding? This was the high point of my week," she said and then began to chuckle a bit remembering what Elizabeth had said. "Are you guys driving back tonight?"

"Yes," Giles replied.

"Then be careful okay? Hopefully I'll see you guys soon on the other side of the jail house."

"Again, take care of yourself. We love you, Willow."

"You too, Giles."

Willow blew Elizabeth a kiss, and the young girl caught it with much enthusiasm, making Willow smile.

Cut To:Int.Federal Detention Center – Outside Willow's Cell – Day

As the guard escorted Willow back inside, he motioned to the television on the other side of the wall.

"I know you can't change the channels yourself, but would you like to watch something else?" he asked. "This C-SPAN channel is pretty boring."

Willow grinned as she stepped inside. "I like boring," she told him.

"Hey, suit yourself," he told her as he hit the controls, putting up the barrier.

She walked to the back of the cell and took a seat at the edge of her bed. She absently looked at the screen of a Congress meeting in process and then sighed deeply.

Cut To:Int.O'Mara's Home – Living Room – Afternoon

O'Mara danced around in her demon form to a quiet, piano version of the Shaker hymn "Simple Gifts." Surprisingly, she was really good. Her arms moved slowly in arcs over her head. Her stocking feet were perfectly pointed and moved over the parquet floor as if tracing arcane designs. Her eyes were closed in concentration, her breathing smooth. Her movements were completely controlled.

Her home was exquisite, with expensive-looking, mostly wood furnishings and a wide bay window overlooking the wide expanse of Lake Erie. The sky was pink in the sunset.

She brought one hand forward, extending her fingers as if reaching out desperately for something unseen. Then, suddenly, she was

overwhelmed by the sound of people screaming. Her eyes snapped open to briefly see a flash of a crowd of humans cowering in terror. She gripped her head for a few seconds. Once the screaming stopped, she resumed her steps again only to stop a few moments later.

Smash Cut To:Unknown Location – Unknown Time

Terrified people stampeded in a panic as a fireball closed in behind them.

Smash Cut To:Int.O'Mara's Home – Living Room – Afternoon

Once more O'Mara stopped and gripped her head. But before she could resume her dance steps, her intercom buzzed.

"Yes," she replied, still holding her head.

"Your car is now ready, ma'am," he told her. "Will you be heading out alone again?"

"Thank you, yes," she replied as she walked over and turned off the CD. She picked up her purse and walked over to her desk. Resting the purse on the top, she opened a drawer and pulled out a dagger, putting it inside the purse along with a voice recorder and a pen. After closing it, she touched the Loathestone around her neck. Then she made her way toward the door.

Cut To:Int.O'Mara's Car – Later That Afternoon

She turned her Mercedes off an inner city street and into a parking structure. Weezer's "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived" was cut off when she turned off the radio.

Cut To:Int.Parking Structure – Moments Later

O'Mara squeezed into a spot and exited the vehicle. She then walked to the stairwell.

Cut To:Int.Garage Stairwell – Continuous

O'Mara continued to walk past the first floor landing, coming to a door that said, 'Staff – Do Not Enter.' She pushed open the rusty door. She quickly shifted into demon form before she stepped inside.

Cut To:Int.Garage Sub-floor – Continuous

Rather than a staff area, the place looked more like a bunker. Boxes lined the wall, but so did notes and diagrams. Photos of Council members hung on the wall, note cards under each one.

Cut To:Int.VOH Office – Continuous

VOH made her way to the desk and tossed her purse on top of it as she leaned down to turn on her computer. When she looked back up, she saw her mother there.

"Hello Autumn," the old woman said. "I've been trying to reach you, but having no luck. I thought perhaps I should follow you instead."

"I've been busy, Mother," she replied. "You'll have to go."

Her mother didn't move, and she said nothing at first, but then she stepped further into the small room.

"I've seen you on television. The things you've been saying about the Watchers Council. Although I've never had any personal love for slayers, I've never seen them as an enemy…They don't harm our people because we don't harm them…So tell me, what's this all about?"

"No!" VOH shouted and then whimpered slightly, gripping the stone around her neck.

"No?" her mother asked. "Autumn," she sighed in frustration. "I know I said the world would never accept you as a demon – and although that might be true…I hoped deep-down that I was wrong. I hoped you could make a difference – to show the world that 'monsters' can exist here in the humans' world."

"It's not the humans' world to have," VOH replied, her voice dropping a few octaves.

Her mother took a few steps closer. "Autumn, please. You need to call this off. I don't want to go to the Council with the truth, but if I must…"

VOH began to cry, shifting from her demon form to her human form and then back again.

"I can't control it anymore," she told her mother.

Her mother got a look of understanding as she came even closer.

"Then stop hiding," her mother replied as she opened her arms and pulled her daughter into an embrace. "If you came out to the world and told them how you're truly trying to help – to make things better for everyone – it's possible they'll understand. You can then be yourself, in your true form." The old woman grinned at her. "My little girl who's going to change the world."

"I'm sorry," VOH said as she pulled away. "I'm so sorry…I'm so sorry…" she began to repeat over and over.

"Shuush," her mother said, stepping closer again. "We can fix this, it's not too late."

In a lightning fast move, VOH snatched the dagger from her purse and slashed out.

Her mother stumbled back, grabbing her throat as orange blood poured from between her fingers. Her mother gagged, unable to form any words, as she fell to the ground.

VOH walked around the desk to where the old woman had fallen. Repeatedly, she raised the dagger and lowered it, stabbing her mother countless times. With each swing of the blade, she continued to say, "I'm so sorry," as orange tears streamed down her face.

Cut To:Int.VOH Meeting Space – Moments Later

VOH walked into the room to see a host of demons playing cards. They came to attention when she walked inside, covered in blood.

She turned to the two closest demons. "There's a mess in my office you two need to clean up," she told them.

They nodded obediently and left the room quickly. She then turned to face the rest of the gathering.

"We must prepare for our next assault," she announced.

"Another blood bank heist?" one of them asked hopefully. "The last one shook 'em up pretty good."

"No, something more than just a shakeup," she told them. "A military convoy will be coming along the I-80 turnpike. A general by the name of Voll is transporting something extremely important – something we'll need."

"Weapons?" one of them asked.

"In a way," she grinned at him. "He is one of only a handful of people with authorization to transport nuclear launch codes."

The demons all began to look at one another. Finally, one of them spoke up. "Pardon my ignorance, powerful one," he began, "but wouldn't a nuclear weapon kill humans and demons both? How is that going to help our cause exactly?"

VOH locked eyes with the demon.

"May I talk to you privately, Kosh?" she asked, although it came off as more of a command than a question. Without haste the other demons cleared the room until VOH and Kosh were alone. "You've been having serious doubts about our mission for some time, haven't you?"

"No, ma'am," he replied. "I want to be victorious, but how can we claim victory if there's only a handful of us left?"

She smiled and took a step closer until they were nearly nose-to-nose. She lifted his hand and put it on top of the Loathestone, allowing him to touch it.

"This is the plan," she told him. His face held shock as his fingertips touched the stone. "Beautiful, isn't it? It's a perfect future you're seeing…Isn't it grand?"

The demon's lips curled into a smile, and she pushed his hand away before she began to pace the room.

"We need to discuss strategy because…if we do this right…well, let's just say we can kill two birds with one…enormous…stone."

The demon grinned and then nodded in agreement.

Fade In:Ext.Suburban Woods Along Turnpike – Day

Kosh held a radio control in his hands as he stood near the woods along I-80. Between the trees above the small ridge he pushed the button. "Report," he ordered.

"They just passed us," a voice replied. "ETA – two minutes or less."

"Very good."

At that moment a demon crashed into Kosh's command post at full speed. He nearly crashed into Kosh due to his momentum."My lord, Kosh!" the demon cried in a breathless voice.

The demon picked the smaller one up in both arms and held him out at arm's length. "What, you worthless worm?"

"Slayers, my lord," he replied with fear in his voice. "We've been followed by slayers!"

"Good work, Markium," he told him. "You've been quite helpful."

Markium grinned, but his expression didn't last long as Kosh took him by his upper arms and tossed him over the embankment.

Cut To:Ext.I-80 Turnpike – Continuous

Markium landed in the middle of the expressway with a thud and looked up in time to see a military truck barreling toward him. He screamed.

Cut To:Int.Military Truck – Continuous

Upon seeing Markium, the soldier driving the lead vehicle slammed on his brakes, but he wasn't able to stop. His body jerked forward at the impact of hitting the demon, and he tried to steer left, then right, then left again.

Cut To:Ext.I-80 Turnpike – Continuous

The truck was now in a skid as the other vehicles behind it also applied their brakes, trying to avoid a collision. The lead truck fishtailed, but wasn't able to regain control and ended up on its side, blocking the convoy.

Cut To:Ext.Suburban Woods Along Turnpike – Continuous

Kosh smiled.

"Charge!" he yelled to his troops, and they began to race forward.

Cut To:Ext.I-80 Turnpike – Continuous

The demons tore out of the woods, running up to the stopped vehicles, killing anyone standing in their way. From further down the embankment, a sight made Kosh smile.

Slayers began to emerge, too, rushing toward the stopped convoy.

Kosh continued his steps as a demon tagged along behind him.

"The slayers…" his assistant said in a worried tone.

"…aren't our concern," he told him. "Bring me Voll."

The demon nodded and then broke into a run.

"You know what to do, ladies," Kennedy told her slayers. They broke into three groups as Kennedy marched toward Kosh.

Suddenly, an explosion went off in both directions – her front and rear – yet she continued walking on, unaffected by the noise or commotion around her. Her face showed an intense look of determination.

Fade To:Ext.I-80 Turnpike – Later

Kennedy, with one eye swollen shut and a gash bleeding in her side, released a deep sigh as she looked at General Voll. He was lying on the ground obviously dead as a medic still attempted to work on him.

"One more strike to the Council," Kennedy muttered.

"Could be worse," Shannon told her. "You could be that guy," she said, pointing to the general.

"How bad is it, Shannon, that my first thought is how this is going to look to the press?"

"Maybe you just need a vacation?" Shannon offered.

Kennedy gave her a small grin and patted her shoulder. "Maybe someday I'll do that," she replied.

Marie ran over toward Kennedy, waving something in the air.

"I got it!" she exclaimed.

Kennedy's eyebrows scrunched in examination.

"Got what?" she asked.

Marie came to a stop in front of her.

"A list of numbers and stuff," she said as she tried to catch her breath. She handed it to Kennedy, who looked inside the pocket folder.

"What is this and what do they want with it?" Kennedy asked as she thumbed through it.

Marie shrugged.

"Can't say, but it was enough to kill a general over, or at least it seems that way."

"Guess we saved the day after all," Shannon remarked. "Good job," she told Marie, who nodded her thanks.

Kennedy looked up toward the embankment. "I'm not ready to say we've won anything yet."

Fade To:Int.VOH Office – Later

VOH was sitting in her office, typing something on her computer when her radio chirped. She picked it up and pressed the button.

"Go ahead," she said.

"We don't have the codes," a voice told her. "The damn slayers showed up, and all hell broke loose."

VOH was silent for a moment, and then she pushed the button. "Where are the slayers now?" she asked.

"Tailing what's left of the group," he replied.

"Fine then, put stage two into motion," she told him.

"I'm not sure if that's a good idea," he replied.

"Do it, or die," VOH replied. "It's your choice."

"It'll be done, ma'am."

VOH smiled. "Good answer," she replied and tossed the radio back to the desk. She looked to the doorway to see the two demons she sent away early had returned. "Is it done?" she asked.

"Yes, ma'am – properly disposed of. No one will ever find her, no matter how hard her family might look."

"I don't think that will be a problem," VOH answered. "But thank you for your thoroughness. It will be rewarded."

"Thank you, ma'am," they both said with a nod before leaving.

VOH casually turned back to her computer and began to hum "Simple Gifts."

Fade Out

End of Act One

Act TwoFade In:Int:Limousine – Day

Miss Sanger tapped on the divider separating her from the driver. The driver activated the intercom.

"Yes, ma'am?" he asked.

"Airport," she said. "Now!"

"Right away, Miss Sanger," he replied and keyed off the intercom.

The woman watched as the limousine pulled away from the hotel and then opened her cell phone. After a moment, she yelled into the speaker-phone, "Paul, what the hell is going on?"

"All hell is breaking loose here, Miss Sanger," the harried voice on the other end replied. "We have reports that a demon army is besieging Cleveland, Congress is getting ready to declare war, and the FAA is preparing to go on lockdown."

"Hold them off!" Sanger said forcefully. "Call the airport and get the jet ready. I'm on my way there now."

"You might have time to make it back here, but…" he started, but she abruptly interrupted.

"No, I'm going to Cleveland," she declared calmly.

"I just said it's not possible," the voice at the other end was getting frantic. "By the time you get there, Hopkins will be shut down."

"I don't care," she said. "Find me someplace to land. Any airfield, I don't care. Burke Lakefront if you have to or Youngstown Executive Airport."

"That closed years ago," he said, confused.

"The runways might still be there," she said impatiently. "This conversation is over, Paul. Just do your job."

Miss Sanger closed the phone with a snap and leaned back in the seat with a sigh.

Fade Out.

Fade In:Int.Watchers Council – Buffy's Office – Later

Buffy was squinting at her keyboard, laboriously typing, when Joan appeared in a pop-up window. Buffy looked up at the 'ding' and jumped when she saw her assistant.

"Damn it, Joan!" she snapped. "I told you I hate it when you do that. Can't you just buzz me?"

Joan rolled her eyes and ignored the question. "Miss Sanger from Oversight is here to see you, Chairwoman."

Buffy sighed. "Send her in."

Buffy smoothed down her hair and stood up as her office door opened. She leaned over the desk and held out a hand as the other woman approached.

"Good to see you again, Miss Sanger."

Sanger ignored the outstretched hand and barked, "What the hell did you do, Miss Summers?"

"Me?" Buffy protested. "I'm just trying to keep things from falling apart around here."

"Well, you're doing a lousy job of it," Sanger said.

"Hey, I don't have to take that…"

"Yes!" Sanger insisted. "You do! Oversight has sunk a lot of money into the Council and you – you Miss Summers – have lost control."

"Look, I know that O'Mara is trying to shut us down, but as soon as we can get to our contacts in Congress, I'm sure we can hold her off longer," Buffy said in frustration, as if knowing that she was speaking empty words.

"It's already too late for that," Sanger said. "You've got the National Guard getting ready to come in here with guns to shut you down."

"I don't think…" Buffy said.

"Get your head out of your ass, Buffy," Sanger said with derision. Buffy's jaw fell open, and Sanger continued, "Congress is getting ready to vote to shut you down, and there is nothing you or I can do about it."

Buffy paused a moment to look at Sanger. "You hate this, don't you?" she finally said.

"What?"

"Oversight has lost control of us, and you just can't stand it," Buffy said.

"I don't think…" Sanger started.

"I think that's it," Buffy said. "I think that is exactly it. You hate that you can't control us like you do your other 'outsources.' You're used to having your lackeys ask 'how high' when you say 'jump,' and you can't stand it that we don't."

"I think that's a bit of a stretch, Miss Summers," Sanger said. "We have invested considerable resources in your organization, and naturally we expect a certain return on our investment…oh say, like you saving the world!"

Buffy laughed. "We're the Watchers Council, Sanger," she said. "I don't care how many aircraft carriers or spy planes you put at our disposal or how much money you dump into our coffers, we're still going to do things our way…not yours. So why don't you just go back to your little committee and watch on TV along with the rest of the world as we face the upcoming apocalypse."

The muscles in Sanger's jaw worked as she looked at Buffy. "I came to warn you, Miss Summers," she finally said. "You take the information and do with it what you will."

With that she stood up and stalked out of the office.

Buffy let out a big sigh and rested her head in her hands.

Fade Out.

Fade In:Int.Ginoette's Restaurant – Evening

Jason Felix looked around at the sparsely populated restaurant as the maître d΄ led him and Miss Sanger to an intimate table in a corner of the comfortable decorated room.

Sanger caught his look and remarked, "Looks like most of Cleveland is sitting this one out."

Jason gave a sardonic chuckle. "Xander Harris tells me it's like this every year around this time. He calls it the 'Spring Fever on the Hellmouth' phenomenon."

Sanger didn't respond to his attempt at humor, and Jason cleared his throat as the waiter came by for their order. After he had left, Jason said, "I hear you met with Chairwoman Summers today."

Sanger frowned. "The woman is totally irresponsible, Jason," she said. "She has destroyed Bureau Nine, and the Watchers Council is next."

"I think that's a bit premature," Jason defended.

"This time next week, the Watchers Council won't exist," Sanger said.

"I'm sure that's an exaggeration," Jason said. "The Council has existed in one form or another since the dawn of time. Neither demons nor a congresswoman can stop that."

"Don't be so sure of that, Jason," she said. "Before, the Council worked in secrecy. They gave up a lot of power when they decided to 'come out of the closet,' as it were. Now they have put themselves in a position to where they have to be held accountable for their actions."

"They?" Jason asked. "Aren't you forgetting that I'm a part of 'them' now?"

Sanger looked at him pointedly and then asked, "Did you hear about Mr. Nogura?"

Jason seemed surprised at the change of subject. "Heart attack, wasn't it?"

"Yes," Sanger agreed. "His death comes at a bad time."

"How do you mean?" Jason asked finally, looking at her.

"The last thing the committee needs at this time is an opening," Sanger said. She picked up a bread roll and tore it into pieces but didn't eat any.

"Do you have any candidates?" Jason asked.

Sanger brushed the crumbs off her fingers and looked at him in the eye. "We have some strong prospects."

Cut To:Int.Watchers Council – Xander's Workshop– Late Evening

Xander stood in front of the whiteboard near his main workbench while Lori worked at the laptop. In one hand he held a dry-erase marker and in the other an eraser. A series of codes were written on the board, some of them in different colors.

Lori glanced up as he made a change to one of the codes and then down at the laptop

again. "Why do you bother doing the manual thing?" she asked. "Computers are more efficient."

"Maybe, but I think better this way," he said absently. He picked up another marker and made an additional notation to the board.

"I thought your best friend was a world-class hacker?" she said. "Didn't you learn anything from her?"

Xander looked at her and then held up the marker. "I learned to organize my thoughts with different colored pens. That's good enough for me."

Lori shook her head and returned to work. After a few minutes they both looked up as Felix entered the workshop.

"Jason," Lori said in greeting.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your work," he said to Xander and then turned to Lori. "Can I see you for a moment?" he asked.

Lori glanced at Xander, who quickly said, "Sure, go. We can use a break."

"Thanks, Xander," she replied.

They passed by Buffy on the way out.

"Hey guys," Buffy greeted, but her attention was on Xander.

"Councilwoman," Jason said with a nod. Lori said nothing as they left.

Xander smiled when he saw the slayer and capped the marker he was holding. "Hey Buff," he said and then frowned at her expression. "Okay, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," she said, holding out her hands in a gesture to make him approach. "I just wanted to check on how you were doing."

Xander moved over to her. "Okay, time out," he said and gathered her into a hug. "Nothing's so important that you can't accept a hug from your best friend."

Buffy stood with her arms around Xander while he engulfed her in his and rested his chin on top of her head. After several minutes, Buffy

smiled and pulled away, this time with a more relaxed expression her face.

"Thank you," she said softly. "I needed that."

"I could tell," he said with a pleased smile on his face. He jumped on top of the table and asked, "So what's up?"

"Just really was checking on how you were doing with those codes," she admitted with a grin.

Xander shrugged. "Not much yet," he said with a wave towards the board. "They're military, that's for sure, but other than that, I'm hitting a blank wall here. I wish Willow was around…she'd knock through these like Bessie through the lake."

"Any idea how long it'll take us normal non-computer oriented simpletons to break through these?" she asked.

He chuckled. "No, but I'm guessing it won't be soon enough to divert the Voice of Hell from their evil plans. Especially with that crazy congresswoman on our back…"

"Probably not," she agreed. "Why do I feel like we've been here before?" she asked after a moment.

"Oh maybe because we have been," he said. "Only this time instead of a secret government organization, it's the U.S. Congress."

Buffy nodded and sat next to him. She put her head on his shoulder. "I wish I knew how things got so messed up so quickly," she said. "O'Mara's gonna get the motion passed. Our best friend is in jail. People are getting killed, and that's the worst part."

"That's always the worst part, Buffy," he said and put his arm around her. "But we'll get through it. We always do."

"How do you do that?" she asked. "How do you always manage to believe that we'll get out of whatever mess we're in?"

"Faith," he said.

Buffy looked around. "She's here?"

Xander chuckled. "No. I mean confidence. As in you. As in me. As in us."

Buffy smiled and put her hand up to his cheek and looked in his eyes. "Thank you…again," she said. "I really do feel better now."

Xander moved his head closer, watching her eyes for any sign of rejection. When there was none, he bridged the distance and pressed his lips against hers. She moved her arms around his neck and was just about to deepen the kiss when a knock came at the open door.

A tired-looking Robin stood in the doorway. He managed a little bit of a smile when he saw what was going on. "Uh guys?"

Buffy sighed and pulled away. "What now?" she asked, turning to the watcher.

Cut To:Int.Watchers Council – Jason's Office – Same Time

Jason handed Lori a bottle of water he grabbed from the small refrigerator in his office. She sat on the couch and opened it up.

"I met with Sanger this evening," he said, sitting in a chair nearby.

"How'd it go?" she asked.

"She all but offered me a position on the committee," he said.

Lori's eyes widened. "Really?" she asked. "I heard they had an opening. What did you say?"

"That I'd think about it, of course," he said.

"Will you take it?"

"I don't know," he said. "If I do, it'll be a great opportunity for you. You can continue the transition of B9 into the Council."

Lori thought for a moment. "I think you should stay," she finally said.

He narrowed his eyes. "Why?"

"The Council is in real trouble," she said. "Even more than when they got blown up years ago. They need you, Jason. Yeah, you can do a lot of good on the committee, but you'll be the new guy, and it'll take time before you can be in a position to make the kind of impact you can here."

"Are you sure it's just the Council that needs me?" he asked.

Lori chuckled. "Yeah, I'd like you stay around, too, but the Council – and by proxy the world – needs you more."

Jason nodded. "Good, I just wanted to make sure your opinion wasn't based on something else."

"Like an emotional need?" she said knowingly. "Yeah, I could argue the same about you, but I think we've moved beyond that by now. Don't you?"

"I do," Jason said with a smile.

Cut To:Int.Watchers Council – Kitchen – Same Time

"So what's so important that you had to interrupt the one moment I've had for myself today?" Buffy asked Robin as they entered the kitchen. Buffy immediately headed for the coffee urn; finding it hot and full, she muttered under her breath, "Thank you, Andrew." She poured two cups and placed one in front of Robin.

"How'd you know I wanted one?" he asked, ignoring the chairwoman's question for the moment.

"You've got the look," Buffy said. "Everyone's hustling, giving the old 110 percent, and could I sound more like a football coach?"

Robin smiled. "Thanks," he said as he took a sip of the coffee.

"So, what now?" Buffy asked again, getting back on track.

"I got a call tonight from Gregory Loreto in our Washington bureau. One of the slayers there tonight saved a congressional aide from a neck rupture."

"One of O'Mara's?" Buffy asked.

"No," Robin replied. "But one who's been working on the sub-committee reviewing her resolution against us."

"And?"

"He decided to pass along some information in gratitude for being saved. The sub-committee approved the bill with barely a glance. It'll move to the House floor in the morning." Robin's expression was grim.

Buffy thought a moment. "If I remember civics class correctly, that means the next step is debate through the House. We still have time, right?"

Robin sighed. "I doubt it," he said. "I think this bill is going to pass faster than the Patriot Act."

"Okay, so we don't have much time left," Buffy said, thinking. "Let's assume the worst and figure the bill will pass…and quickly."

"Good idea," Robin said. "I'm sorry, Buffy. I didn't want to interrupt you and Xander, but I thought you should know right away."

"No, that's okay," Buffy said, waving a hand in dismissal. "Just needed a time-out as Xander said."

Robin watched the small smile cross Buffy's face as if the chairwoman was not even aware of it. He quirked an eyebrow. "I noticed it wasn't a solo time-out. So, it seems you two are now at the kissing stage?"

Buffy blushed slightly. "He's a good kisser," she admitted.

Robin smirked. "Isn't this more of a 'girlfriends' conversation?"

Buffy took his arm in his. "Hey, we're girlfriends."

Robin put a hand to his chest in mock surprise. "Why, Miss Summers, I had no idea you cared."

Buffy shrugged. "A very manly girlfriend, if that helps at all."

"It does," Robin nodded sagely.

"Guys…"

Buffy and Robin looked over to the door, where Rowena was standing. Her eyes were very red.

"Everybody wants a piece," Buffy sighed.

Robin saw the look on Rowena's face and sobered. "Rowena, what is it?"

Fade Out.

Fade In:Int.Watchers Council – Coven Room – Early Evening

Buffy walked in to find Andrew sitting upright but asleep at the desk. He was holding a feather pen in his hand, but the pen was dangling above a handmade book of parchment sheets, nearly touching it as he dozed. She sighed and gently laid a hand on his shoulder.

"Andrew," she said, shaking him lightly.

"Wha…?" he jerked awake and blinked. "Oh, Buffy…I'm sorry."

"No, it's okay," she said. "It's late. Have you been here all night?"

He nodded and put the pen in its holder. "Yeah, just trying to get all of these spells straight in my Book of Shadows. I don't know how Willow does it."

"Yeah, well, Will always makes everything seem easy," she said with a shrug.

Andrew rubbed his eyes. "What can I do for you?" he asked.

"I need a favor," she began.

"Yeah, sure," he agreed immediately. "Whatever I can do, you know that."

Buffy thought a moment. "Yeah, I do know that," she said. "I've always been able to count on you." She chuckled. "Boy, have we come a long way from those days of 'guestage'."

He smiled at her making air quotes. "What can I do, Buffy?" he asked again.

Buffy's face grew somber. "I need you to lead the inventory. And fast. Leave the small stuff, but make sure we've got the most important stuff organized. We need to be ready to evacuate in a minute. I'm counting on you. As for the super important stuff, get it moved now – someplace it can't be confiscated."

Andrew's face held worry at her words. "Does this mean we're really getting shut down?" he asked.

Buffy remained silent.

Cut To:Int.Giles and Becca's House – Living Room – Later

Giles had the phone to his ear, nodding. "Absolutely, Andrew. I'll see to it immediately…You're quite welcome."

As he hung up, Becca walked in carrying Martin.

"More end of the world stuff?" she teased. Giles said nothing, and concern took hold of his features. By association Becca began to look serious, too. "What's wrong, Rupert?"

"Andrew called. I'll need to clear space in the attic and the garage – he needs to move as much of the library here as he can."

"So it is the end of the world then?" Becca asked.

Liz climbed into her father's lap holding a stuffed animal that looked like a kitten.

"The world, no," he replied. "The Council…perhaps."

Cut To:Int.Andrew's Apartment – Bedroom – Later

Andrew paused a moment as he left the bathroom, looking at Tracey sound asleep in his bed. Then he crawled into bed next to her. She stirred at his movements.

"Andy?" she asked groggily.

"Hey," he said and wrapped his arms around her as she snuggled into him.

"It's so late," she said. "I'm sorry, I waited up for you, but I fell asleep."

"It's okay," he said. "Listen, babe. I need you to go back to school tomorrow."

She paused a moment and then sat up. "What? Why? I just got back!"

"I know," he said. "But things are about to get crazy – well, crazier – around here, and I need you safe."

"Then I want you to come with me," she said. "Please."

He shook his head in the dim light. "I can't," he said. "I'm needed here."

"Is this it then?" she asked, tears in her eyes.

"No," he said emphatically. "I'll come for you, eventually, but I have to do this."

Cut To:Int.Watchers Council – Outside Buffy's Apartment – Same Time

Buffy wearily made her way to her suite in the early hours of the morning. To her surprise, Sanger was waiting for her outside her door.

"How the hell did you get in here?" she barked.

Sanger smiled. "Can I come in?" she asked, indicating the door.

Buffy looked at her and then shrugged. "Sure, why not," she said and unlocked the door. "Come in, sit a spell...Can I get you a drink?"

"Scotch, neat," Sanger said and parked herself on the couch.

Buffy poured the drink and sat at the opposite end of the couch. "So, Miss Sanger, what brings you here at such an hour?"

"I was about to head for the airport, but I couldn't leave without saying goodbye," Sanger explained.

Buffy looked at her skeptically.

Sanger laughed. "Really. I know you hate me, and you hate my job, but even in light of everything, I've grown to respect you, Miss Summers."

Buffy blinked in surprise. "I don't hate you, per se, but what's nice girl like you doing in a job like that anyway?" she asked. "And that's not a line by the way, just a quirky question."

Sanger shrugged and looked into her glass. "I wanted to save the world, but unlike you I didn't have any superhuman powers helping me along. The committee lets me put my strongest aspect – my intelligence – to good use."

"I can buy that," Buffy said.

"How're things going along with Mr. Harris?" Sanger asked after a moment.

"You don't miss much, do you?" Buffy quipped. Sanger said nothing, so Buffy continued, "Good. When I get a moment to think about him and this thing developing between us, my brain just wants to shut down."

"Why's that?"

"Well, I mean, here's this guy I've known since high school. I think about how he was so awkward and geeky then, following me around like some puppy dog with big brown eyes. And then I think about his brown eyes and how all I want to do is get lost in them, and my insides

melt. I never thought I'd feel that way about him, but I do, and it's the most amazing thing that's ever happened to me."

Sanger shook her head. "Wow."

"Yeah," Buffy smiled. "Wow."

Sanger drained her drink. "I've got a plane burning fuel on the tarmac, so I've got to go. You know how gas prices are these days."

"Thanks for stopping by," Buffy said.

"You're welcome," Sanger replied and held out her hand. "I doubt we'll meet again, Miss Summers, so I just want to say thank you…thank you for saving the world so many times."

Buffy nodded and silently watched as Sanger left the suite. Then she turned and headed for bed as if truly considering Sanger's last words.

Fade Out

End of Act Two

Act ThreeFade In:Int.Watchers Council – Staging Area – Evening

Kennedy was standing outside one of the Council's vans and checking the connection of her Bluetooth ear receiver. The staging area was filled with slayers getting ready to go out on patrol, and the noise was starting to reach the high decibel levels.

Kennedy adjusted the receiver on her ear and spoke into it. "Come in, Control. This is Kennedy, testing."

"Five-by-five, Slayer Kennedy," the operator at the control desk answered.

"Ten-four," Kennedy said and then turned her attention to the weapons bags.

Denise was loading stakes into a duffle bag, and Marie and Chamique were checking on the status of swords and axes. Kennedy looked at Shannon, who was sitting on the open back deck of the van and playing her PSP. The lead slayer scowled and cuffed her on the arm.

"Hey!" Shannon cried. "You made me die!"

"Stop playing Iron Man and get to work," Kennedy ordered. Shannon grumbled, but she grabbed the bag from Denise and stowed it in the van.

Kennedy looked up at the sound of a car entering the garage and watched as Mia pulled into an empty parking slot. The Asian slayer got out of the car and pulled out a backpack from the trunk. Kennedy frowned at the gloomy expression on Mia's face. She raised a hand and caught the other slayer's attention. Mia nodded and walked over after closing her trunk.

"Hey," Mia said. "What's up?"

"You okay?" Kennedy asked. She pulled Mia away from the van and out of earshot of the other slayers.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Mia said. She fiddled with the handle of her backpack.

"Bull," Kennedy pressed. "What's wrong?"

Mia sighed and remained silent for a few moments. Finally she said, "I'm just…this thing with the Council maybe getting shut down. It's just not fair! You know?"

"Yeah, I know," Kennedy nodded in agreement.

"I mean, I was finally starting to get used to the idea that I might have a life of my own that mattered," Mia continued. "Getting kicked out of my home, becoming a slayer, and running with a gang…that's not a lifestyle that makes for longevity. But coming back to the Council, being a real slayer, I started to think that maybe I'd survive. They gave me a good job – yeah, it's dangerous, but they do everything they can to minimize the risk – and now…" She tapered off.

Kennedy continued for her. "And now we're in danger of losing that stability."

Mia nodded. "Yeah, that's it. Stability. Not something I've had in abundance. I mean, even before my parents kicked me out because of who I am."

"I guess I was luckier," Kennedy said. "My parents barely noticed me. But I'm sure my step-mother was thrilled to get rid of me when the Council came, and my father was too busy to even notice I was gone. But my watcher and the Council made me feel secure, at least until the First showed up. It's why I worked so hard to rebuild the Council. To regain that sense of stability."

"And not because of a certain red-haired witch?" Mia teased with a smile.

Kennedy chuckled. "Well, yeah. That too," she said. "But I could have left after we broke up…Thought about it, too."

"You mean it wasn't in the hopes of getting back with Willow?"

"No," Kennedy admitted. "And I'm glad I stayed because I found you."

"Yeah, and now you have Kadin," Mia said. The sadness in her voice was clear.

"Yeah," Kennedy said. "And it's odd…even without all this mess I'm thinking about moving in with her."

Mia looked at the ground and scuffled her feet against the asphalt. "I heard you two got engaged."

"Yeah, we did," Kennedy said, but with a note of happiness in her voice. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean –"

"No, it's okay," Mia said. "You've moved on, and I'm happy for you, really. It's just…"

"What?"

"When I heard, I knew it was really over." Mia took a sudden interest in looking at her feet and ignoring Kennedy's gaze.

"Oh Mee," Kennedy said. "I had my suspicions that you came back for more than one reason, but really –"

"No, I get it," Mia told her. "And really…I am happy for you as long as she's good to you."

"She is," Kennedy told her. "She and I…we fit." The two of them stood awkwardly, and then Kennedy continued. "Look, why don't you contact your parents? Call or go see them or something?"

Mia barked out laughter. "And give them another chance to tell me what a disappointment I am as a daughter? No thanks. I'll pass."

"Are you sure?" Kennedy pressed. "Why not give them a chance? Now that they know you're a slayer, maybe everything else won't matter so much."

Mia laughed bitterly again, but then seemed to think about it. "Maybe," she admitted. "I'll think about it."

"Ken," Chamique called out to the pair over the roar of starting engines. "We're ready whenever you are."

"Be there in a sec," Kennedy called back and then turned again to Mia. "Stay safe tonight."

"Yeah, you too." Mia said. Kennedy started to turn away, but Mia stopped her with a hand on the other slayer's arm. "Ken?"

"Yeah?" Kennedy said as she turned back.

Mia straightened her body and made a formal and graceful bow to Kennedy. "Dōmo arigatō," she said in a sing-song voice.

Kennedy returned the bow and then watched as Mia walked away in the direction of her team. Then she returned to where her team was waiting and said, "Okay girls…let's roll."

Cut To:Int.Watchers Council Van – Short Time Later

Chamique expertly drove down the city street. Sitting next to her was Denise with Kennedy, Shannon, and Marie crowded into the back. The youngest slayer was sitting in the middle. Denise turned up the volume on the built-in CB on the console.

"Team Beta, divert to sector 5-1," Grace's voice said from the speakers. "Reports of vampires in the area. Proceed with caution."

Kennedy looked out through the window at the passing landscape and then slammed a hand down on Shannon's jiggling leg. "Stop squirming, squirt," she ordered.

"Sorry, Shannon mumbled. "But if you won't let me play Iron Man…"

"Forget it," Kennedy said.

"Team Zeta," Grace said. "Have you deployed yet?"

"Negative, Control," Casey reported over the radio. "Still short two slayers."

"Team Gamma, come in,"

Chamique sighed and rested her head in one hand. Kennedy glanced over at her.

"Gamma here." It was Hadley's voice.

"Gamma, since you're short slayers, team up with Zeta and move out," Grace ordered.

"Ten-four, Control," Hadley acknowledged.

"We're losing more and more girls," Marie said.

"Yeah, what about it?" Shannon asked.

"Means we're screwed, that's what about it," Marie said.

Kennedy looked at her. "Got a problem, Marie?"

Marie looked at the other slayer over Shannon's head. "Yeah, I got a problem. This is the final countdown, and those girls are leaving us with our butts hanging in the wind. Don't tell me you don't have a problem with that?"

Kennedy's look was challenging. "So why'd you bother showing up, then?" she asked.

Marie shrugged. "I figure I better kill things while I still can."

Kennedy gave a small smirk and looked back out the window.

Cut To:Ext:Cleveland Street – Short Time Later

Chamique and Marie were walking point while Denise followed with Kennedy and Shannon in the rear. They were patrolling a small commercial plaza in a residential district. The night was quiet, and little traffic was out on the streets.

"What's wrong, Shannon?" Kennedy asked quietly.

"I hate this," Shannon said. "Feeling so powerless. Like everything we do and have done out here means nothing to the people we save."

"We've been powerless before," Kennedy pointed out.

"Yeah, but at least then we still had a home," the younger slayer said. "We had a roof over our head and could make a stand…protect our home. I don't wanna lose that…and god, I don't want to go back to Nebraska!"

"No matter where you are, kid, you'll never stop fighting," Kennedy said. "And don't give up yet. We'll think of something. We've got some pretty smart people in the Council. We'll get through this – we always do."

In the lead, Chamique suddenly stopped and held up a hand. She pointed down an alleyway they were passing, and the team flattened themselves against the brick wall. At the opposite end of the alley a stream of demons were marching in the same direction they had been.

"What are they doing?" Marie asked.

"Something tells me we're looking at the Voice of Hell's version of patrol," Kennedy said and touched the control on her communicator. "Control, this is Kennedy with Team Alpha, come in."

"Go ahead, Alpha," came Grace's reply.

"There's a line of demons travelling south down Taylor Road," Kennedy reported. "Have you heard of any VOH activity?"

"One moment, Alpha," Grace said.

Kennedy sighed and sat down on the curb in front of a closed Middle Eastern grocery.

Cut To:Ext.Cleveland Street – Minutes Later

Kennedy and Shannon hid behind the dumpster of a Chick-Fil-A, a few blocks down the street from where they had been. The other members of the team were nearby, behind cars and bushes. The fast food place's parking lot was lit but empty. They were still watching the demons from afar.

After a few moments, Kennedy's radio crackled to life. "Alpha Team, come in?"

"Ro, is that you?" Kennedy asked. "I thought you were off tonight."

"So did I," Rowena replied darkly. "Listen, we spoke to Skye, and she said the Voice of Hell is supposed to be quiet tonight."

"I'm guessing she was wrong," Shannon smirked.

Kennedy rolled her eyes as she both replied and shook her head at the other girls to let them know what was going on. "Any orders?" she asked.

"Do not – I repeat – do not engage," Rowena said. "Fall back, but keep an eye on them."

"That's what we've been doing," Kennedy told her.

"Good then, keep doing that."

Kennedy sighed. "Ten-four. Kennedy out." She turned to the other girls. "Let's head back to the van and keep them in sight."

"We're not going to attack?" Marie asked.

"No," Kennedy said. "Ro's orders."

Marie stamped her foot in anger. "This is exactly why we're getting shut down! This stupid stand back strategy is why we haven't done anything effective against the Voice of Hell."

"Hey, you got a problem with the chain of command?" Kennedy barked, getting up into Marie's face.

"Yeah! I got a problem with it!" Marie retorted.

"Fine!" Kennedy growled and waved a hand toward the marching demons. "Then feel free to go kill things on your own."

"Fine!" Marie said and turned to head off after the demons.

Kennedy rolled her eyes and grabbed Marie by the arm to pull her back. "Stop acting like an ass and come on," Kennedy said and pushed the other girl in the direction of the van.

Cut To:Int.Watchers Council Van – Short Time Later

This time Kennedy was sitting in the shotgun seat as Chamique slowly drove through the streets. The demons had earlier turned off the main street and eventually on to a dirt road near a copse of dark woods.

"We're near the turnpike," Chamique reported. After about ten minutes she pulled the van to a stop. "It's just on the other side of these trees. This is as close as we can get."

Kennedy nodded and spoke into her headset. "Control, Team Alpha here. The demons are setting up along the turnpike."

"Acknowledged, Alpha," Faith said over the radio. "Stand by."

"Is that Faith? How many people are in Control tonight?" Denise asked from the back seat. Kennedy just shrugged.

The slayers waited in the dark. Finally, Faith's voice sounded again. "Alpha, there's a report of a military convoy headed toward your position. Stand by. Backup is on the way."

"Ten-four, Control," Kennedy said and clicked off the mic.

"What now?" Marie asked. She was sitting on the edge of the rear seat and looking out the side door's window. There was tension in her body language.

Kennedy thought a moment. "We wait. I think these demons are setting up an ambush. At least we've got surprise on our side."

At that moment a demon stumbled out of the bushes and gasped in surprise at the Council's van. The slayers and the demon stared at each other.

"Oh crap," Kennedy muttered before the demon turned and ran back toward the highway.

"So much for surprise," Marie said and then quickly slid the door of the van open.

"Hold still!" Kennedy yelled, but Marie ignored her and jumped out of the van, running in the direction the demon had disappeared.

Chamique quipped, "It's like the students ignoring the teacher on the last day of school."

"Screw this," Kennedy growled and opened her door. "Come on."

The rest of the slayers poured out of the van.

Cut To:Ext.Ohio Turnpike – Moments Later

The westbound lanes of the Ohio Turnpike were completely deserted, as were the eastbound lanes, except for the slowly moving convoy of infantry tanks, half track personnel carriers, armed scout Jeeps and Humvees headed toward Cleveland. The convoy had reached the ambush point.

The ambushing demons were lining the ditches along both the breakdown lane and the median. A demon command post was set up behind a stand of trees on the same side the slayers were approaching. A large group of various demons was gathered around the command post. The demon Marie was chasing finally reached the post and crashed into one of the demons by force of his forward momentum.

"My lord, Kosh!" the demon cried in a breathless voice.

The demon picked the smaller one up in both arms and held him out at arm's length. "What, you worthless worm?"

"Slayers, my lord," he replied with fear in his voice. "We've been followed by slayers!"

"Good work, Markium," he told him. "You've been quite helpful."

As the first Humvee, an olive-drab vehicle with a TOW rocket launcher on its roof, passed the last demon in the line, Kosh swung the frightened demon with a mighty heave out on to the highway. Upon seeing Markium, the soldier driving the lead vehicle slammed on his brakes, but he wasn't able to stop. His body jerked forward at the impact of hitting the demon, and he tried to steer left, then right, then left again.

As if that was the signal, both sides of the highway suddenly erupted into heavy fire. The vehicles caught in the crossfire staggered to a halt. As return fire broke out, many of the demons burst from the ditches and rushed the convoy.

"Charge!" Kosh shouted.

A large number of the demons standing near Kosh moved out on his signal and concentrated on the M577 command and control carrier riding behind the lead Humvee.

After a brief conversation with another demon, Kosh turned to face the slayers. and a smile broke out on his demonic face as Kennedy moved forward.

On the highway, army soldiers began to pour from the personnel carriers, armed with automatic machine guns and rocket launchers. One man was shot as he ran towards the rear of the carrier, his body being flung backward into the arms of another soldier. The soldier laid him gently on the ground and checked for a pulse. Finding none, he ducked down and crawled behind one of the massive tires. He quickly set up the machine gun and calmly began firing at the demons.

Other soldiers were taking positions behind meager barricades as they kept low to the ground. Two from a single squad threw frag grenades at the ditch. Ichor and various demon parts flung up into the air. The

squad quickly ran to take over the position in the ditch. One man slipped on demon goo and was shot as he fell, but the others made it.

The sergeant yelled, "Concentrate on the C&C! We have to get the general out of there!"

The other soldiers began to concentrate their fire, picking the demons off of the carrier one by one. The sergeant grabbed the military phone and began calling for help.

By this time, the lead Humvee was burning, as were several of the carriers toward the middle of the convoy. One soldier, his uniform ablaze, jumped from a burning truck and fell to the ground. As he was rolling, a demon approached and swung down with an axe, nearly decapitating the soldier.

Chamique screamed in rage and tackled the demon, causing the axe to go flying. The pair rolled for a few feet until Chamique was able to get both hands on the demon's head and, with a sickening crunch, she snapped his neck.

Although the tide of the battle was turning against the demons, at the C&C truck the demons had finally gained entrance and were pulling out the men inside. In the ditch, the sergeant screamed at his men, "Hold fire! There's the general. Let's go!"

With that, the squad leaped over the protective barrier of the ditch. Two of the men were immediately cut down, but the rest attacked the remaining demons surrounding the vehicle. Denise and Shannon quickly joined them, and between the soldiers and the slayers, they dispatched the demons, but not before one of them ran off toward the command post. The sergeant kneeled down next to a man wearing four stars on his lapel. He checked the general's pulse and then screamed, "Medic!"

At the command post, Kennedy was struggling with Kosh. The huge demon was easily holding off the slayer. Kennedy's left eye was nearly swollen shut, and blood stained a gash in her side. Kosh smiled as she threw herself once again at him, but he ducked aside.

"Give it up, Slayer," he growled.

As a demon came barreling past the fighting pair, Kosh glanced at him. To Kennedy's surprise, Kosh took off after the demon. She tried to keep up, but after a minute, she grabbed her side and had to stop, resting her hands on her knees, trying to regain her breath. After a moment,

she turned back towards the highway. When she got there, she found General Voll lying on the ground, obviously dead as a medic attempted to work on him.

"One more strike to the Council," Kennedy muttered.

"Could be worse," Shannon told her. "You could be that guy," she said, pointing to the general.

"How bad is it, Shannon, that my first thought is how this is going to look to the press?"

"Maybe you just need a vacation?" Shannon offered.

Kennedy gave her a small grin and patted her shoulder. "Maybe someday I'll do that," she replied.

Marie ran over toward Kennedy, waving something in the air.

"I got it!" she exclaimed.

Cut To:Ext:Ohio Turnpike – Later

Except for the burning trucks, the silence along the highway was chilling as dead soldiers and demons were strewn everywhere. The surviving soldiers were dispatching the wounded demons. Kennedy stood over the body of the general as she looked around at the carnage. She sighed and keyed her communicator.

"Come in, Control," she said. "This is Kennedy."

"Go ahead, Ken," Faith said.

"Convoy secure, but we have dead soldiers and one very dead general here," she replied. "Remaining demons, including the leader, have taken off. However, we found a bit of intelligence that might help us out. I want to get it back to the Council ASAP."

Faith was silent a moment. "Acknowledged, Slick. Hang on a sec."

"Come on, Faith," Kennedy whispered to herself. "Don't leave us sitting here with our butts hanging out. Bring us home."

After another pause, Faith finally said, "Slick, your orders are to follow the remaining demons and engage. Repeat, follow and engage. We'll secure the highway and send backup to rendezvous with you."

"What?" Kennedy said. "Look, that bad ass demon almost had me…"

"Enough, Slayer," Faith ordered in a stern voice. "This is a chance to strike a blow against the damn VOH. Now do your job!"

"Ten-four," Kennedy said. Brow furrowed, she turned to her team. "Let's go."

Cut To:Ext.Cleveland Suburban Cul-de-sac – Short Time Later

Kennedy and the other slayers filed out of the van and looked around the quiet street. A woman holding a pug in her arms looked at them in astonishment.

Kennedy looked at her and waved to the house. "Get in the house, hide and don't come out, got it?"

The woman nodded and then scampered back into the house, slamming the door behind her. The sound of a dog barking could be heard.

"Other than Mr. Yappy, it's too quiet," Denise said.

"Are you sure this is where they went?" Shannon asked.

Chamique nodded. "Satellite intel confirmed it," she said.

"It's too quiet," Kennedy said, and then with an alarmed look on her face, she yelled, "Get down!"

The slayers hit the asphalt as a rocket grenade burst through the metal side of the van. The explosion that followed shattered the peaceful street. A Humvee filled with demons blocked the entrance to the cul-de-sac. Demons were out and firing from behind the protection of the vehicle.

The whine of bullets flying overhead caused the slayers to hug the ground. Marie looked up and then yelled, "This way!" She started crawling toward one of the house lawns that was surrounded by a concrete wall.

Once the girls had taken cover, Shannon asked, "What now?"

"Backup should be here any second now," Kennedy said, panting. "We wait."

"We won't last that long," Marie said. "Once they realize we're not armed with guns, they'll rush." At that, the slayer jumped up and ran along the wall using it as cover. When she neared the Humvee, she vaulted over the wall into one of the demons, pulling his M16 from his hands and using it as a club. The demon's skull shattered, and he fell to the ground.

The girls watched as Marie ran around behind the Humvee and took out the other demon firing at them by clubbing him at the top of his spine, causing him to fall in a boneless heap. The slayer reached down to pull a grenade from the dead demon's belt and, holding it one hand, she pulled the pin.

Kennedy saw the Humvee's front door open and Kosh calmly step out. "Marie! Watch out!" she screamed as Kosh raised an M9 pistol and aimed it at Marie.

Marie looked up and met the huge demon's eyes. Before she could speak or move, Kosh fired, and the slug slammed into her chest, knocking her back and to the ground. The grenade went flying, and a moment later it exploded on someone's lawn, bringing down an old buckeye tree. Shrapnel of metal and wood slammed into the house, destroying its façade.

Unable to move, Marie stared at the sky. "I always was stupid," she whispered.

Kosh walked toward the fallen slayer and cocked his head as he looked down. Raising the pistol, he fired again, this time directly into her head.

Ignoring the mess, the demon turned the dead slayer over with his foot, pulled a piece of paper from her back pocket, and then quickly got back in the Humvee. As the truck started to back out of the cul-de-sac, more gunfire filled the area.

"Oh god, now what?" Denise cried.

Kennedy held up a hand. "It's Black Ops," she said. "Stay down, I don't want anyone hit by friendly fire."

"But Marie!" Shannon said.

"We can't help her now," Kennedy said, the strain in her voice easily heard. "Just stay down!"

A helicopter bearing the Council's crest on the fuselage strafed the street, hitting the Humvee. The gas tank exploded with a whump, and the demons inside poured out, some of them on fire. Squads of slayers poured into the cul-de-sac, firing on the demons with brutal efficiency.

After what seemed a ridiculously short period of time, the gunfire tapered off, and Amira ordered her teams to secure the area. Slayers ran up to the houses to check on the occupants as a medic approached Kennedy's team.

"Any injured?" someone asked over the radio.

"No," Kennedy answered for the rest of them. The medic started to walk over towards Marie, but Kennedy reached out and stopped him. "She's dead," Kennedy said. "Marie's dead."

The medic began to check Kennedy's swollen eye, but the slayer shrugged him off. She walked toward the still-burning Humvee and kneeled down beside Marie's body.

"Well, you certainly killed many things tonight, Marie," she whispered. She pulled off her

hooded sweatshirt and laid it gently over the remains of Marie's head. "You died a hero…I think you would be glad about that."

Kennedy turned at a sound coming from one of the demons lying on the ground. It was Kosh. The demon was flat on his back, and greenish liquid was trickling out of his mouth. She stood up and walked over to him, looking down. Finally she prodded him with her foot, and the demon opened his eyes.

"Where are the codes?" Kennedy asked.

Kosh laughed, more blood bubbling out of his mouth. "On their way to headquarters, Slayer. You're too late. Sorry about your friend, though."

"Bastard," Kennedy said. "You broke the rules, you know that? If you come after us with guns, we'll hit back even harder…Doesn't your precious Voice of Hell know that? Don't you dumbasses realize that for every slayer you kill, we'll kill one hundred of you?"

Kosh smirked wryly. "The Voice of Hell was right, Slayer," he said. "A war is coming."

Kennedy snarled at him. "I've had enough of you!" With that she stomped one heavy booted foot directly on his throat, breaking his windpipe. Before Kosh could strangle to death, Kennedy walked away.

Fade Out

End of Act Three

Act FourFade In:Int.Watchers Council – Robin's Office – Evening

"I – no, we do not consider ourselves a terrorist organization." Robin rolled his eyes and switched which ear he was listening to the phone receiver with. He sat at his desk, clicking through Outlook with his free hand. "We're not vigilantes, either. We have the full

support of local…yes, sir, I'm aware…well, I'm sorry you feel that way. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me…yes, I will. Goodbye."

He sighed and set the phone down in its cradle. He ran a hand over his bald head in exasperation before noticing Faith standing in his doorway. She struck a casually sultry pose, leaning on one hand high up the doorframe.

"Hello," he said in surprise.

"I take it the phone tag ain't turning up much?"

"No," Robin nodded shortly. "The Senate's even worse than the House. Senator Brown says hi, by the way."

"Hello, Senator Brown," Faith said with a grin. She stepped languidly into the room, eyed by Robin every inch of the way, then kicked the door closed with the back of her heel.

"And to what, may I ask, do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

"Well…" Faith sat on the corner of his desk and leaned towards him. "I was thinking, what with the whole Congress situation, that you might not have a desk much longer. Which means we only have a limited time left to…" She ran a hand slowly across the wood. "…test it out."

"Faith, I –" Robin began. She twisted the corner of her lip juuuust right. "Hell with it."

He leaned forward and kissed Faith, hard and long. She fumbled at his shirt buttons, but he suddenly pushed her away. "Wait."

Carefully, Robin picked up his computer monitor and put it on the floor next to the tower. When he straightened up again, Faith grinned predatorily and swept a hand across the remaining items on his desk, causing a clatter as they fell.

Cut To:Int.Willow and Rowena's Apartment – Same Time

Rowena sat alone on her couch, lights dim. Over her shoulder, the twins were finally resting quietly in their crib, their stars and moons mobile tinkling overhead. Rowena looked very, very tired. Her eyes drifted over to a picture propped up on the end table; it was of her and

Willow, each with a baby in their arms. After a moment, she reached over and picked it up. She ran an index finger over Willow's face…

Rowena's cell rang from the kitchen table. With a tired sigh, Rowena willed herself to her feet. She walked over to the kitchen and flicked on the light switch before picking up her phone after several rings.

"Allister."

"Rowena, glad I caught you," Grace's voice answered. "We've got a, um…developing situation down here at Command."

Rowena pinched the bridge of her nose and hesitated for a moment. "Did you call Faith?" she finally said. "It's her night on-call."

"I tried," Grace replied. "Nobody seems to know where she is."

Rowena blinked a few times. "Okay. I'll be down when I can." She pressed 'end', then made a beeline for the crib where Jen was starting to sound a bit fussy.

"Shhhhh…"

Cut To:Int.Watchers Council – Robin's Office – Moments Later

Faith yelled long and loud, vowels and consonants bouncing incoherently off one another as the desk shook violently.

"Faith…" Robin gasped, but she took very little notice. Her eyes were closed, her sinewy spine in smooth motion. She bit her lip and tossed her neck back.

"Faith!" Robin tried again, this time louder and angrier. Faith's head snapped forward, her eyes open. The desk creaked at the sudden halt.

"Dammit, Ace. What?"

Robin inclined his head toward the door, and Faith's eyes followed. Rowena was standing in the open doorway, arms crossed. Her face was a quiet mask.

Everything was silent. Faith made no immediate move to cover herself.

"Hey," she said finally.

"You are on-call tonight," Rowena pointed out. "Is that right?"

Faith's eyes flicked downward. "Yeah, I know."

"Good then." Rowena turned to leave, but spared a single glance over her shoulder. "There's a situation, so get your ass down to Command. You might want to put on some pants first."

Then she closed the door behind her, leaving Robin and Faith staring in her wake.

Cut To:Int.Watchers Council – Robin's Office – Moments Later

Awkward silence reigned as Robin and Faith put their clothes back on. He refastened his belt while Faith slowly buttoned up her shirt. They weren't looking at each other.

"So, what was that about?" Robin asked eventually.

"Oh, you know," Faith said without looking up. "Blondie's still got her panties wedged up her –"

"I meant you," Robin clarified, walking over towards Faith. "You're acting…if you need to talk to me, you can."

Faith brushed him off. "I just needed a good lay. That's par for the course for me, right loverboy?"

"Loverboy?" Robin asked at her use of the term. "I'm not your play toy, Faith."

"Well, I didn't notice you running away, so don't…"

"Enough B.S.," Robin sighed. "Really, what's going on?"

Faith took a few steps away, then turned suddenly to look at him.

"What if we just got married anyway?"

Robin raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"I know we said that we'd wait until Ro and Will could be married, here in Ohio, I mean, but our little protest doesn't look like it's working. Do you wanna get married, Ace?" Faith's voice was plaintive.

"Someday." Robin took a few steps forward and put hands on Faith's shoulders. "But I don't want to rush you into anything, and I don't think you should rush yourself, either."

"I'm not rushing, I just…This is weird, isn't it?"

"What's weird?" Robin asked.

Faith turned away again. "Maybe we should, I dunno, use our influence to get the law repealed."

"The Defense of Marriage Act?" Robin ventured, now thoroughly confused.

"Yeah, that one."

Robin sighed. "In case you haven't noticed, baby, we don't have a lot of influence to go around right now."

"Right…" Faith took a deep breath and looked back over her shoulder. "See ya later, then?"

Robin nodded once. "Yeah."

Cut To:Int.Watchers Council – Command Center – Evening

Rowena spoke into a headset. "You follow them, find out where they're going, but do not engage. Do you understand?"

The room around her was relatively small, but full. Grace was in another corner speaking to another team. One wall had a large video screen showing a map of Cleveland, marked up intermittently with telestrator-type illustrations. Smaller video monitors, some running security footage, clustered in another corner.

"That's what we've been doing," Kennedy told her over the radio.

"Good then, keep doing that."

Kennedy sighed. "Ten-four. Kennedy out." The channel went dead.

Rowena pulled off her headset, set it down on the shelf in front of her, and used her feet to push her chair back on its wheels. She nearly ran over Faith.

The two women looked at each other for a moment. Grace spared the two of them a glance.

"Faith," Grace called. "Glad you could make it."

After looking at Rowena for a moment longer, Faith turned to Grace. "What's up?"

"Demons, lots of 'em," Grace answered as Faith walked in her direction and Rowena quietly pulled her chair back towards its spot. "A team spotted them a few minutes ago…They're walking in one's and two's, but they're all headed the same direction."

"Which is where?" Faith asked.

Grace got to her feet and walked over to the big map screen. "South," she answered, drawing an arrow with her finger. "Or South by Southeast, maybe."

"Towards the Turnpike?" Faith ventured.

"That's one theory," Grace nodded. "Jackson is researching possible reasons why. Rowena just talked to Kennedy…She gave her orders to follow, not engage."

Faith's nose wrinkled. "Really?"

"Yep," Rowena tossed over her shoulder without looking up.

Faith shrugged. "Okay," she said skeptically. She pulled out her own chair and sat down.

Cut To:Int.Watchers Council – Hallway – Later

Rowena leaned down to take a drink from a shiny metal water fountain. She closed her eyes and let the stream run through her mouth.

"Ro?"

She came up licking her lips. "It always tastes rusty."

Buffy stood behind her, hair mussed and eyes tired. "It is Lake Erie water. Do you have a moment?" It was more of a plea than a request.

Rowena tried out a comforting smile. "Yeah."

Cut To:Int.Watchers Council – Library – Moments Later

Rowena and Buffy were far back in the stacks. The place was quiet, though a fluorescent light buzzed as it flickered a few aisles over. The two women spoke in quiet tones befitting the library.

Buffy sighed and moved her bangs out of her eyes. "You've been here longer than I have – I mean at an actual Council. I thought maybe…maybe you'd see something I'm missing."

Rowena hunched her shoulders, trying her best to make herself look very small. "We're doing everything we can. I was hoping Sanger or someone like her might step in, but…that's a call to the angels. Who knows when they'll listen."

"Sanger yelled at me earlier," Buffy said. "She thinks this is somehow our fault."

"She was here?" Rowena sounded surprised.

"Still is, far as I know," Buffy shrugged. "But she's not how we're gonna win this." She hesitated. "Rowena, what if…what if we don't win this?"

"Then we don't." Rowena's throat sounded raspy.

Buffy leaned into the shelves, which creaked in protest. She visibly deflated, shaking her head. "I'm supposed to be the big leader here, the general…I can draw up battle plans, I can punch monsters, but this…I feel helpless. They can just take away everything everyone has been doing for the past five years…"

"No, they can't," Rowena said, suddenly and tightly.

Buffy sighed. "But…they'll throw us out. They'll sic the army on us…"

Rowena gestured wildly. "These walls aren't the Watchers Council! We are the Watchers Council. You and me and Xander and Kennedy and Andrew and everyone else who believes. They're going to have to kill every single one of us, because as long as one person is alive who believes in the idea that it is possible to make a difference without selling your soul, the Council will survive." She was visibly breathing hard.

"Wow." Buffy blinked in surprise, standing up straight again. "That was a lot better than my speeches." She swallowed. "But, the thing is…we have to keep people believing. And what happens when they start taking us away one by one? We're not a very squeaky clean bunch. I mean, they've already…started…" She trailed off, noticing Rowena gritting her teeth.

"You can say Willow's name," Rowena said. "Speaking of which, have you seen her yet?"

Buffy shook her head. "I just…I can't. Sure, throw any 20-foot demon in front of me and I'm fine, but…I'm not strong enough to deal with it. I'll break down, and Willow doesn't need that now. It's the same reason I never talked to her when she went to England with Giles after her Dark Wicca meltdown. I hate seeing her in pain. And I hate not being able to do a damn thing to fix it and make it better."

Rowena said nothing at first. "Maybe that's the key to everything," Rowena said.

"What?" Buffy asked.

"Planning – so we find a way to fix things." Rowena turned around and walked away down the aisle. Buffy silently watched her go.

Cut To:Int.Watchers Council – Command Center – Night

When Rowena walked back into the Command Center, she found activity buzzing. Four people were shouting at Faith at once. A large woman with glasses and an eastern European accent was typing furiously into a laptop while she spoke to someone in the field.

"Put pressure on the wound," the woman explained into her headset, "and you're also going to need some peanut butter. Do not ask what it is for."

Faith put her hands up to the group assailing her. "I don't have anything else right now, okay. If we figure this out, I'll tell you. Right now, my priority is having them catch up to these dumbasses and wipe them out. After that we can deal with the rest, okay?"

Rowena ran toward the group. "What happened? Why didn't you page me?"

"I'm the one on call," Faith said with a shrug. "You were busy."

Rowena sighed. She turned to Grace, who was standing at the map of Cleveland making notes on new team locations.

"Kennedy charged in at the Turnpike without asking and stopped some kind of raid on the military," Grace explained. "They got some codes."

Rowena pinched the bridge of her nose. "Codes?"

"We don't know what they are," Faith said. "Except we got them from the military, so, obviously."

"Please tell me Kennedy was on the same side as the soldiers," Rowena said.

"Yeah," Faith said, "but she said some General guy was dead, so…"

"I feel so much better," Rowena remarked.

"Chunky peanut butter won't work," said the woman at the laptop. "You need the creamy."

"Peanut butter?" Rowena called over to her.

"Kranjac's Harpy Demon attack over on Superior Avenue," the woman called back.

"Oh." Rowena thought about this. "Okay, right. Good. Tell Kennedy to get back here with the codes."

"Actually," Grace butted in. "She's talking to Mia in Beachwood. Also, Faith told Kennedy to chase the demons."

"Really," Rowena deadpanned. She turned slowly to Faith and raised an eyebrow. The other bystanders filtered to the sides of the room, talking on cell phones and radios.

"You have the peanut butter? Okay, this might sting a little, but I need you to…"

"This is our chance," Faith explained. "We have them on the run. We can wipe them out. We can send a message."

Rowena made an exasperated noise in her throat. "What message? Faith, you've been in the same meetings I have. You should know that's not how terrorist organizations work. There's cells. This is one cell. It's probably not even the only cell in Cleveland. She might kill some demons, sure…but I'd give even odds they're walking into a trap. And for what, Faith? We need to figure out what just happened. We need a plan."

"We can't keep waiting!" Faith shot back. Everyone was watching them now. "Every time we try and figure out the V-O-H, it doesn't work. I'm sick of it. It's why we are where we are. We need to stop playing chicken and just kill the hell out of them. All of them. You got a problem with that?"

Rowena licked her lips and looked down at the floor. Grace shrugged.

"Works in theory, I guess," Grace offered.

"In theory," Rowena said quietly. She turned to Faith. "Did you at least ask Kennedy for the codes she found so someone here can write them down?"

"Okay, do not worry," the woman in the glasses was saying. "That is completely normal…"

"And have you called Amira's team in for backup?" Rowena continued.

"I was getting to that," Faith replied defensively.

"Planning," Rowena muttered.

"What?" Faith asked, annoyed.

"Nothing," Rowena replied. "You'll do what you want, so what's the point?"

Faith snatched up the radio. "Ken, do you copy?"

"Go ahead," she replied.

"Got a pen?" Faith asked Rowena. "Blondie wants the friggin' codes," she told Ken. She then turned to Rowena again and asked, "Happy?"

"Delighted, Bitch," Rowena replied and took the radio from Faith. Everyone came to a stand-still as Faith's fingers on her right hand clenched and unclenched into a fist. "Go ahead, Ken," Rowena told the slayer, ignoring Faith.

Faith left the room.

Cut To:Int.Watchers Council – Cafeteria – Night

The cafeteria was wide and empty, Faith's heels clicking as she walked across its floor. She came to glowing, buzzing vending machine in the far corner and stopped. A huge picture of a soda can surrounded by ice glowed from its front.

Faith ran a hand through her hair, looking tired.

"Need caffeine."

She pressed one of the buttons on the machine. Nothing happened. She pressed it again. Still nothing.

"It's out of Mountain Dew. I think the deliveryman might have quit."

Faith did a double take and noticed Dawn unfolding herself from a nearby chair, her face shrouded in darkness.

"You scared me," Faith said. "What are you doing here?"

Dawn bit her lip and looked up at the ceiling. "I'm…trying to remember. I was waiting for something. I'm not sure for what. You know what I've figured out?"

"What?" Faith asked.

"Time is weird when it doesn't end. It twists all in circles on you. It's kinda like a dance, but I haven't figured out the steps yet. You know what I mean?"

"Not exactly," Faith admitted. She collapsed into a chair across from Dawn. "Not ending isn't really my problem."

"I don't know," Dawn said. "You're not exactly at the top of the 'likely-to-die-tomorrow' list anymore, are you? You don't go out on patrol anymore, and in a relative blink of an eye you won't have your powers anymore. You'll have survived it. Slayers never used to survive, you know."

"'Cept for Gabby," Faith noted. "Maybe you're right. I dunno." She leaned forward, rested her head in her hands. "Ro's mad at me for being here, and I'm not even sure why I'm here, y'know? Everyone expects me to step up and run the show…It's like I'm the big, expensive free agent they just traded the star player for, and there's no way I can ever live up to that. The team's going down the tubes, and the fans are leaving and…I took the sports thing about as far as it was gonna go, but the point is, this is all gonna be my fault. All of it."

"You know," Dawn said after a moment's silence, "a lot of people don't get this whole punishment concept. They think living forever would be cool. But not you." Faith looked up at Dawn, who was shaking her head. "You're different."

"Yeah, I'm special."

Fade Out.

Fade In:Int.Watchers Council – Command Center – Night

Faith slipped in over Grace's shoulder, taking a seat next to her. The Command Center was quieter, but there were still just as many people there. It was a thick tension, anticipation.

"A-team has a visual on the demons," Grace told her. "I've got Kennedy on the line, but she's operating under battlefield conditions…"

Faith took a look out of the corner of her eye, not really listening to Grace. Rowena was in the far corner, berating a young watcher about something or other.

"Give me Amira," Faith said suddenly.

Grace nodded, then reached across Faith and picked up another headset, which she handed over. Faith fit the headset around her ears.

"Omega Team, this is Control," Faith said. "How's it look?"

"We are almost in position, Commander Lehane," came Amira's voice.

Faith opened her mouth, hesitated. "You don't need to call me that," she said.

"Old habits," Amira told her. "I apologize."

"Hey," Faith said. "I wanted to ask you…what's your backup plan?" Grace shot her a surprised look. "I don't mean to bring up bad memories, but…I didn't think you had somewhere to go."

"We all move on, do we not?" Amira asked. "I have received offers, I admit. I have not told you of all of them…There is a small private security firm in Switzerland…they have called me looking for a slayer. What do you think?"

"Hey," Faith replied, "we all need to make a living, right?"

"I hope I do not have to do this," Amira said, "but, things are as they are…"

"Yeah," Faith agreed. "Hey, I never said this, but –"

"Whoa!" Grace put a hand to one ear, trying to hear. "Ken, are you there? Ken?" She looked up at Faith. "There's something wrong. I'm putting this on speaker…" She pressed a few buttons, and the incoherent noises of a fight were audible to the entire room.

"Omega Team, are you there?" Faith asked.

"Yes…" Amira said faintly.

"What's going on?"

"I'm not –"

The entire room heard gunshots over the radio.

"Marie, watch out!" someone screamed.

"Amira!" Faith shouted. "You need to be up in there five minutes ago!"

There was no reply. A lot of shouting. No one in the Command Center moved. Rowena and Faith locked eyes. Grace tried to adjust the dial on the radio, but it didn't make things any clearer. Then there were many more gunshots, and they went on for a while. Faith sat back in her chair, her expression blank.

Grace turned to her and spoke softly. "Welcome to Watcherhood."

Then: "Situation is contained." It was Amira.

"Any injured?" Grace asked.

"No," Kennedy's voice replied. "She's dead. Marie's dead."

More static followed. Faith didn't move. Rowena walked toward the door.

"Where are you going?" Faith asked without looking up.

"I'm going to tell them," Rowena said. Then she left.

Cut To:Int.Faith and Robin's Apartment – Later

Faith slammed the front door of the apartment she shared with Robin, kicked her boots off in a single motion, then walked over to the couch and flopped down on it, exhausted. She looked up to see Robin standing over her, arms crossed. He wore a luxurious-looking bathrobe.

"Hello, Faith," he said.

"Hey," Faith replied.

Robin tried to sit down on the couch, but had to move Faith's feet out of the way before he could. After settling in, he said, "I heard that –"

"Yeah." Faith sat up partway, her head leaning on a large decorative pillow. "I've been thinkin', y'know, and I need you to be absolutely clear on something."

"Okay."

"I'm a slayer," Faith said simply.

Robin's lips curled upwards. "I was aware of that, you know."

Faith sighed. "No, I mean…I'm not gonna be something else. I'm not Commander Lehane, or whoever the hell Amira thinks I am. Everyone seems to assume that's the next thing, but that's not where my life is gonna end up. I can't tell where I'm going, but I can sure as hell tell you where I'm not going."

Robin looked at her, then reached out and ran a hand through her hair. "Okay," he said softly.

"Really?"

"You don't have to have your whole life planned out," he told her. "I'll be here to help you."

Faith let him stroke her for a minute in the half-dark. Then she asked, "Do you still want to get married?"

"Someday, sure."

"Yeah," Faith agreed, turning her head away and snuggling into the pillow. "Someday."

Cut To:Ext.Slayer Memorial Wall – Day

The polished granite of the Slayer Memorial shone brighter than usual in the summer sun. Buffy squinted against the light, shading her eyes with her hand. The Watchers Council family sat in front of her, most wearing black despite the heat, in folding chairs arranged on the manicured lawn. Several bouquets of colorful flowers had been left at the base of the wall, and above them one block was covered with a blue cloth.

"Chamique, will you do the honors?" Buffy prompted. Chamique pulled a string and the cloth fell away, revealing that the newest panel in the wall was carved with the name "Marie LeBouchard." Light applause broke out among those present. Buffy clapped as well before stepping up to the simple podium.

"And now, as is tradition, I would like you all to join me in observing a moment of silence for Marie."

Denise sat back in her chair, her black dress blowing in the wind. She reached over and grasped the hand of the man next to her, Niven.

Buffy looked over the congregants. They looked tired, older than they were. Giles was in the back, Liz squirming on his lap. Buffy locked eyes with him for a brief moment.

"I know what you're thinking," she suddenly announced. Everyone looked up at her, a little startled. Buffy waited a moment before continuing.

"You're thinking, is this the last one? The last one of us to make this sacrifice? The last moment of silence? The last name on this wall? Is this really all about to end?" She looked around, making eye contact with as many of those present as possible.

"No," she said. "I'm going to say that to you right now. The Watchers Council will go on. As long as any of us still believes in the same things that everyone whose name has made it up on this wall believed in, the Council will go on. That's what Marie gave her life for. We owe her everything we can do to keep up this fight. I owe her that, and so do you."

She looked down at the podium briefly, then looked back up. "There will never be a last dance."

Cut To:Int.Willow and Rowena's Apartment – Same Time

Rowena wasn't at the Slayer Memorial. She was in her apartment, rocking a baby in her arms, with C-SPAN playing on the TV. The House of Representatives was full on the screen, the members standing to applaud someone or something. Rowena's sweatshirt hung haphazardly on her shoulders, and she wasn't bothering to push her bangs out of her eyes.

Someone knocked on her door, and, rather than get up, Rowena called, "Come in!"

Xander entered the apartment, hands in his pockets. "So I guess I'm not the only one who's been to enough funerals to last me several lifetimes, huh?"

Rowena sighed. "Yeah."

Xander saw what she was watching, but made no comment. He knelt down in front of her and waved to the baby in her arms. "Hey, little guy!"

"You want him?" Rowena asked.

"Yeah, sure," Xander said, and he reached out to take Alex when Rowena handed him over. Alex made a cooing sound when Xander tickled his stomach. "Man, you are getting huge!"

"I assume you're talking to my son," Rowena said without much mirth.

"Well, if that's what you want to tell yourself," Xander replied with a grin. He noticed the evident depression on Rowena's face. "Look, we've been here before. It'll all work out in the end. Trust me."

"Yeah," Rowena nodded. "I trust you." She turned from him back to the TV, not looking especially inspired or convinced.

Cut To:Int.Chamber of U.S. House of Representatives – Same Time

"This is not a partisan issue, or at least it shouldn't be. It resists categorization as red or blue. It's a subject I myself know more than a little about."

Congresswoman Autumn O'Mara cracked a smile, and a smattering of laughs could be heard from the august chamber in which she stood. The ceilings were high and ornate, the packed floor filled with over 300 representatives, and the even-more-packed galleries above now lacked even standing room. O'Mara stood at a relatively simple wooden podium at the front of the room, below the multi-tiered conglomeration that served as the Speaker's platform. She sobered quickly.

"The threat posed by demons and other supernatural entities, whether they be individual rogues or organized terrorist organizations, such as the so-called Voice of Hell, is too great to leave to a group with its own, unknown agenda…an organization that we as a government, and by extent the people of this nation, have little to no control over."

She looked out over her colleagues, a nearly imperceptible gold glimmer in her eyes. Her voice rose. "The founders of this country believed, and set forth as early as in the Declaration of Independence, that the first duty of government is to protect the lives and property of its citizens. It is time for us as a body, and as a government, to stop shirking our duties! It is time for us to draw a line in the sand and take back our own destinies. It is time, ladies and gentlemen, to send a message to all Americans that we can and do stand united in the face of unimaginable evil!"

The chamber burst into spontaneous applause, and the Speaker banged her gavel at the breach of decorum. O'Mara waited for the noise to die down. "Madame Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time and move for a voice vote on House Bill 4839, the Supernatural Defense Act. Thank you."

The Speaker's voice could be heard as O'Mara left the podium and trudged back up the chamber's central aisle. She stopped only a few times to shake hands with other Representatives.

"A quorum being present, the motion is in order. Do we have a second?"

"Second," someone called out.

"The motion is moved and seconded. There will now be a voice vote on HB 4839. The clerk will call the roll."

O'Mara sank into her chair in the back of the chamber. She stared at nothing in particular, resting her chin on one hand. She listened to the officious voice of the clerk as he went about his duties.

"Mr. Abercrombie?"

"Yea."

"Mr. Abercrombie votes yea. Mr. Ackerman?"

"Yea."

"Mr. Ackerman votes yea. Mr. Aderholt?"

"No."

"Mr. Aderholt votes no. Mr. Akin?"

Autumn O'Mara didn't move as the roll continued.

"Yea."

"Mr. Akin votes yea. Mr. Alexander?

"Yea."

BLACK OUT.

"Mr. Alexander votes yea. Mr. Allen?"

"Yea."

"Mr. Allen votes yea. Mr. Altmire?"

"Yea."

Fade to Black

End of Last Tango In Cleveland