Act 2


 

 

Fade In:
Int.
Watchers Council – Library – Evening

The room was completely silent. Everyone seemed either too disgusted or too shocked to speak, but the quiet lasted for only a few moments.

“Damn,” Faith said, “That’s…harsh.”

Oz just nodded mutely, fighting back the tears behind his eyes. “She’s not like that anymore, though. She’s…she’s changed.” He looked up, panicked. “I swear…she’d never do that to any of you, or to anyone for that matter. She’s good now.”

Willow placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “It’s okay, Oz. We know…and we understand.”

“We all have a past,” Rowena added, “and we all have to live with it…no matter how dark it may be.”

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

“Well, Camille, I don’t really know what to say,” Mia said finally. Camille just closed her eyes and nodded, the tears almost falling. “Except…” the Slayer said, placing her hand on Camille’s, causing her to open her eyes again. “I won’t judge you. I’ve done things that I’m not proud of, too.”

“No,” Camille answered automatically. “Not like me.”

“Maybe not. But it stings just the same,” Mia replied. After a moment, she stood up. “Get some rest now. I’m gonna go sit outside.”

“What about your story?” Camille asked.

Mia gave her a sad grin. “Mine’s a lot shorter. I kill humans for the greater good. I’m just not sure if it’s the greatest thing to do, is all. It’s like, there’re two different sides of me, each pulling me in opposite directions. Do you know what I mean?”

Camille nodded ruefully. “More than you realize.”

Mia gave an embarrassed grin. “Yeah, I guess you would.”

“Maybe we’re not such strangers after all,” Camille told her.

Mia nodded and then quietly slipped from the room.

Camille watched her leave and then turned her eyes back to stare up at the ceiling. After a few moments, she reached over with her right hand and traced the scar on her side through the thin fabric of her hospital gown.

She lay there, idly tracing it for a while, before sighing and throwing back the covers.

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

Willow looked around the room for some support.

“Yeah, I’m all for helping,” Faith nodded after a pause, “If there’s anyone that can understand what it’s like to overcome a dark past, you’re lookin’ at her.”

“Us,” Willow corrected.

“Right,” Faith said dryly, motioning between herself and Willow. “Us.”

“Well,” Giles said tensely, as he rose to his feet. “What does all this have to do with the Van Helsing bloodline? I’m assuming Kadin is a part of that?”

Kennedy chuckled. “You know, for a brainy type, you sure are dense sometimes. I mean, isn’t it obvious that’s what’s happening?” Giles looked over at her with an unbelieving stare, but the slayer just sighed and rose to her feet as well. “Camille was the werewolf that took the chunk out of the father in the story, wasn’t she?” Kennedy asked Oz.

They all looked to Oz for confirmation, and received it with a slight nod.

“See? It makes sense,” Kennedy said. “I mean, if someone, or in this case, something, ripped out my father’s throat out right in front of me and I was helpless to stop it…” She paused to contemplate her next words, then continued. “I know that there isn’t a force on this planet —in this universe — that would stop me.”

Rowena and Willow gave each other an uneasy glance before looking to Oz again.

“She’s right,” came the strangled voice from the door. Everyone turned to see Mia standing there, with Camille leaning against the frame of the door, dressed once again in her own clothes.

“Camille?” Oz said as he rose and walked over to his wife. “What are you doing out of bed? You need your rest.”

He pulled her into his arms, and she leaned into him more heavily than she wanted. Mia looked at Kennedy for a moment and then slowly turned, leaving the room. Kennedy took a step forward. as if to follow her, but stopped.

“I couldn’t let you face them alone” Camille told him. “…not with my dirty little secret.”

“Oh, no, Camille,” Willow said as she got up from the table and walked around to face the couple. “We know people do things they regret.”

Camille smiled at her kind words. “Oz said you were a sweetheart.”

“One of the best,” Oz said affectionately.

Both Willow and Oz blushed at the words, before Camille went on.

“What I’ve done…the pain that I’ve caused her…She deserves her revenge. The least I can do is give it to her.”

“No, Camille, no,” Willow said, shaking her head. “If there is one thing I’ve learned from my past, it’s that revenge doesn’t make the pain stop. It doesn’t make the bad, hurtful memories go away.” She placed a gentle hand on the woman’s arm. “It just makes new ones.”

Kennedy cleared her throat nervously. When everyone turned to look at her, she swallowed the lump in her throat and struggled to sound firm. “Look, I’m sure this is a whole big thing that needs to be talked out, but I say we leave the talking to you watchers, while me and Faith take a team out to see if we can find this Van Helsing chick.”

Faith nodded. “I’m with Slick,” she said as she stood up. “Giles?”

The watcher nodded his consent. “Yes. I do believe we need to find her and try to reason with her. Perhaps we can convince her to come in for a discussion.”

Camille just laughed. “Yeah, and maybe you can offer her some Earl Grey tea and some blueberry scones. You know, to sweeten the deal.”

Giles looked hurt at her words, and her face showed she instantly regretted them.

“I’m sorry,” she sighed. “But you don’t seem to be getting the point here. She doesn’t want to talk, she doesn’t want to discuss…she just wants my blood. And if you get in her way, she won’t hesitate to take yours too.”

Faith cracked her knuckles and smiled. “Oh…I’m countin’ on it. I’ve just been itchin’ for a round two.”

She pulled her jacket from the back of her chair and started to put it on.

“I think me and Ken’ve got this one. You just have a team standing by at the front doors in case we have to bring her in a little…less than willing.”

Giles nodded, and the two slayers quickly exited the room. He looked over to Willow and the two watchers shared a nervous stare.

“Those two are the best you got, right?” Camille asked from her place in Oz’s arms.

Willow nodded. “Yep. The finest.”

Camille nodded. “Good…’cause Kadin won’t go down without a fight. I just hope she doesn’t hurt them…like she did the last slayer.”

Willow and Giles both turned to her at the exact same time.

“What?!” they exclaimed.

Cut To:
Int.
Watchers Council – Kennedy’s Apartment – Moments Later

Mia threw her jacket onto the closest chair and plopped down into it. She ran her hand over her face and sighed. She looked around the apartment for a few moments, then picked up the remote and clicked on the television.

She just sat there, staring at the box uninterestedly. She glanced down at her watch and sighed.

Cut To:
Int.
Watchers Council – Skye’s Dorm Room – Same Time

Dawn and Skye lay on the bed watching T.V., the brunette snuggled comfortably in her girlfriend’s arms.

“I don’t get that,” Dawn said suddenly. “Why would she even run into an abandoned meat factory?”

Skye chuckled. “It’s a horror movie, Sweetie. The beautiful girls always run into the abandoned meat factories.”

Dawn lifted her head from Skye’s shoulder and looked at her with a raised brow. “So, you think she’s beautiful?”

Skye swallowed nervously. “Well, yeah…but nowhere near as beautiful, gorgeous, breath-taking and absolutely stunning as you,” she finished with a smile.

Dawn laughed and leaned in to kiss her softly. “I was only teasing, but thank you.”

“Any time,” Skye replied huskily.

The two girls stared deeply into each other’s eyes for a few moments before Dawn leaned back in to capture Skye’s lips again, the horror movie temporarily forgotten.

Fade In:
Ext.
Cleveland Graveyard – Later that Night

“So, what’d ya get from your honey for Christmas this year?” Faith asked, as the two slayers made their way through the headstones.

Kennedy just shook her head. “Nothing special.”

“Well, it had to be better than what ya got last year,” Faith said with a smirk.

“You know, Faith,” Kennedy said, stopping to face the other slayer. “I’m really curious as to why you even care? I mean, what’s with the sudden interest in my love life?” she said angrily.

“Whoa there, Slick,” Faith said, backing off. “It was just a question. You know, a little convo among best friends,” she smiled hopefully.

The younger slayer sighed and took a seat on the nearest headstone. “I know, and I’m sorry. It’s just…a touchy subject for me right now.” Her shoulders slumped and she stared down at her hands.

“Damn, Ken,” Faith said, taking a seat beside her, “I didn’t know things were so bad between you two.”

“They’re not,” she replied. “Not…really.”

“Either they are…or they aren’t. Which is it?”

Kennedy looked up at her with wide, vulnerable eyes. “They are.”

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

“She…she hurt a slayer?” Rowena asked, slowly standing up. “Slayers aren’t evil, well, usually.” Rowena turned to Willow. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe she is a psycho.”

Camille shook her head. “No,” she answered. “She’s not crazy. She just sees killing monsters as her birthright. If someone stands between her and the target…let’s just say, it’s not pretty.”

“I’m all for helping out our furry pals on this one,” Xander said, “but, it’s like they say…”

“Hell hath no fury like a vengeful monster hunter scorned,” Robin finished with a tiny smile.

“Yeah, something like that,” Xander chuckled. “My point is, I’m not so sure this is a fight we can win.” When he saw the confused faces of his fellow watchers, he clarified. “What I’m trying to say is that this time it’s not some big scary demon just out for a kill and it’s not someone chaining up our staff to make some easy money. We can’t just go out, cap her, and call it a night.”

“I think we’re all aware of that fact, Xander,” Willow said curtly.

“Hey, I’m just saying,” he said, putting his hands in the air, “We need to consider this carefully. Where does the line between saving humanity begin and end in the Council? Is Kadin versus Camille our fight?”

“Xander!” Rowena and Willow yelled.

“No, no, he’s right,” Camille said, pushing herself off her husband. “This is my fight, and I’m not going to put all of you in harm’s way. Not because of something that I did when I was…”

“No, Camille,” Willow said after the woman trailed off. “We’ll help.”

“Thanks, Willow,” the woman said smiling. “But I can’t have innocent people get hurt. I’ve done enough of that for one lifetime already.”

“We just have to find another way,” the witch insisted. She sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. “Xander is right about one thing. We can’t just go out there and duke it out with her. We have to appeal to her rational side.”

“Providing she really does have one,” Xander said sarcastically, “Of course, the best way to do that is to send Faith and Kennedy after her. I’m sure the first thing our two strongest and most temperamental slayers are gonna do is sit down and have a relaxing discussion with someone who might try to kill them.”

Willow let out a deep breath and frowned. “Damn.”

Cut To:
Ext.
Cleveland Graveyard – Later that Night

The two slayers walked along the graveyard in silence. Faith stared straight ahead, while Kennedy watched her boots crushing the frozen ground.

“New boots,” Kennedy said suddenly, breaking the silence.

Faith flashed an amused smile. “What about ’em?”

“The answer to your earlier question,” Kennedy said, looking up. “Y’know, what Mia got me for Christmas. New boots.”

“Oh,” Faith said, glancing at the other slayer’s feet. “They look…nice.”

“These aren’t them,” the younger slayer said. “The ones she got me were the wrong size. Too small.”

“So she got the wrong size,” Faith shrugged. “You got some obsessive thing about shoes or something?”

“What size does Robin wear?”

“Thirteen,” Faith answered. “But…”

Kennedy sighed, placing her hands in her pockets. “The size matters.” When Faith smirked, Kennedy raised a hand. “Don’t even start,” she grinned. “You know that’s not what I meant, anyway.”

“Well…what do you mean?” Faith said.

“Eight and a half,” she answered.

“Huh?” Faith asked as confusion showed on her face.

“Willow’s shoe size,” Kennedy said, turning to face the other woman with a sigh. “It’s eight and a half.”

“Kennedy,” Faith said, her voice suddenly growing very serious. “You can’t keep doing this. I thought you were over all that…over her?”

“I am,” she said, playing with the button on the bottom of her jacket. “But that’s the point.”

“I still don’t follow you,” Faith said impatiently. “Shoe size is kinda trivial, if you ask me.”

“It’s not,” Kennedy interjected. “I’ve been in a relationship with her for a good while now, and she doesn’t even know what size shoe I wear.”

“Oh, I see,” Faith said, finally understanding the other woman’s point. “Okay, but why do I get the sense this is about bullets and not about…vampires?”

Kennedy shook her head. “Vampires? We were talking about

“No, get down!” Faith shoved Kennedy out of the way as a pair of vampires came charging at them out of nowhere.

The younger slayer looked up from her spot on the ground just in time to see Faith being tackled by one of the vamps.

“Faith!” Kennedy said, springing to her feet, but just as she reached out to help her friend, another vamp tackled her from the side.

Cut To:
Int.
Watchers Council – Kennedy’s Apartment – Moments Later

Mia’s head suddenly jerked up from the armrest of the chair. She yawned widely and wiped the sleep from her face, then glanced down at her watch.

“Damn,” she said, slowly standing up. She turned off the T.V. as she walked by on her way to the bedroom.

She took one last look at the apartment door, before sighing and turning out the lights.

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

Everyone had resumed their places at the table, Camille taking a seat next to her husband.

“So, what’s the plan now?” Robin asked.

Giles just shook his head and continued to stare down at the table. “I’m not certain.”

“Oh, Oh,” Rowena said excitedly, raising her hand, while eyes stayed focused on the book in front of her.

“Oh, what?” Robin asked.

“I think I found something…” she continued. “If it’s correct, I have an idea that’s either really, really brilliant or really, really bad.”

“Let’s hear it,” Giles said.

Rowena slid the book over to Willow and pointed. As Willow began to read, her eyes lit up and she looked at Rowena with an expanding grin.

“Oh gods, let’s all wish this is true,” Willow said hopefully.

“What is it already?” Robin asked.

Rowena and Willow both turned to him and smiled.

Cut To:
Int.
Cleveland Graveyard – Moments Later

Suddenly and inexplicably, the vampires pulled themselves away from the slayers and desperately tried to get away, falling over each other in the process.

Faith looked over at Kennedy, both of them still on their backs.

“Damn,” Faith said, pleased with the vampires’ sudden retreat. “We must be really getting good at this.”

Just as the two slayers flipped to their feet and turned to give chase, two crossbow bolts whizzed by their heads and embedded themselves in the vampires’ backs, instantly turning them to dust.

Kennedy and Faith turned to see Kadin Van Helsing standing a few feet behind, reloading the crossbow in her hand.

“Hey, you nearly took my freakin’ head off with that thing!” Faith yelled.

“You shoulda ducked,” Kadin replied with a smug grin. She placed the crossbow back onto her hip and pulled her duster back over it. She gave them both the once over, then her expression turned cold. “Next time, stay outta my way. Those fangs nearly got away ’cause of you.”

“‘Cause of me?” Faith repeated, taking a step closer. “I’ve spent a big chunk of my life riddin’ the world of blood suckers like them. You’ve been at it…how long?”

Kadin stared down the slayer. “All my life.”

“She’s, ah…she’s got you there, Faith,” Kennedy chuckled from behind, causing the other slayer to shoot some daggers her way. “Sorry,” she mumbled, but continued to smile.

“Well, as much as I would love to stand here freezin’ my ass off and chattin’ you up,” Kadin said, checking her watch, “I’ve got a date with a pool table and some easy money.”

She flashed the slayers a sly smirk and turned to walk away, stopping to look back over her shoulder. “I’m still coming for the beast. You better be ready.”

And then she vanished into the night once again.

Faith started to take off after her, but was stopped when Kennedy placed a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t.”

“But…” Faith said, motioning to where Kadin disappeared.

“Just wait,” Kennedy said, stepping in front of the other slayer. “Go back to the Council and tell them to get ready.”

“Why? What are you gonna do?”

“I’m gonna go talk some sense into her.” Kennedy looked off to where the monster hunter vanished and started to walk.

“You?” Faith asked to Kennedy’s turned back. 

When Kennedy didn’t look back, Faith just shrugged and walked in the opposite direction.

Fade to Black

 

End of Act Two

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