Act 2
Fade In:
Int.
Watchers Council – Coven Room – Continuous
“Don’t!” Xander yelled to Rose, making both Rose and Willow jump. “Really, I don’t want you to be late for that meeting. You and meetings are like peas and carrots,” he said, doing a bad Forrest Gump impersonation.
“That’s okay, they can’t start without me,” Willow answered. She continued to pick up the pieces, carefully avoiding the glass. Xander made a brushing away motion with his hand that went unnoticed by Willow, and Rose dropped her arms in frustration. Is she here now? Willow asked.
“Really, it’s my fault. I can get it,” Xander answered. Yeah, behind you. She was going to choke you. But she’s okay now…I think. She already tried to choke Dawn in the computer room. Told you, she’s psycho.
Willow looked over her shoulder under the guise of searching for another jar. I don’t see her, she called back.
Finding an empty, jar she brought it down to the floor. Xander continued silently, No one can, except me. She says she was murdered by Vi, but I see no record of Vi having a dead sister, and she’s never mentioned one.
What else should I know? Willow asked, as she and Xander continued to carefully place the wormwood in the new jar.
“I’m sorry about this, Will,” he apologized. Did I mention the psycho part enough?
“That’s okay,” Willow replied with a comforting grin. “No sense crying over spilled wormwood, I always say.” I mean, what’s her plan?
Until Rose is avenged, she’s threatened to hurt other people. I looked some information up on the computer earlier. It should still be there. Other than that, I’ve got nothing.
As the last of the wormwood was returned to the jar, Willow closed up the cap. Xander stood to get a broom. “I’m gonna clean up here,” he told her.
Willow nodded. “Okay, I’ll stop by your place later a-and see how you’re feeling.” She put the back of her hand up to his forehead. “Go have some tea and rest awhile. I’ll bring you something later that might help if you’re still feeling rocky.”
Xander grinned and said, “Thanks Will.”
Willow simply winked at him and left the room.
Cut To:
Int.
Watchers Council – Hallway – Same Time
Vi saw Kennedy some distance down the hallway and motioned her over. Kennedy looked around and then pointed to herself, before closing the distance between them. When she made it over to Vi, however, the other woman still said nothing.
“Yeah?” Kennedy asked eventually.
“I haven’t had a chance to talk to you lately. We’ve been on different schedules ever since…that night,” Vi said.
“Faith’s idea,” Kennedy answered. “Gives us the chance to work with the less experienced gals. Why? Did you want to switch rotations?”
“No,” Vi said quietly. “I just…I’m just gonna ask – do you hate me?”
“What?” Kennedy asked, shock in her voice.
“I shot Gregor. I took him away, and if you hate me now, I’d understand why. And I don’t –”
“Vi, I don’t hate you,” Kennedy said, raising a hand to make her stop rambling. “Hell, I took a shot at him too, remember? I thought he was gonna kill Willow and Faith. And the truth is, he might have.” She looked Vi in the eyes. “So no, we’re cool.”
Vi nodded, but she looked like she was on the verge of tears. “C’mere,” Kennedy said, bringing Vi’s forehead to hers as she cupped her cheeks. “Not all families are blood. We both had a choice to make that night, and we made the right one. So don’t beat yourself up, okay? Besides, we’re the dynamic duo without the goofy looking tights, right?”
Vi gave a small snort and nodded. Kennedy pulled back and took her chin between her forefinger and her thumb. “Now, go rest that arm.”
“Catch you at dinner maybe?” Vi asked hopefully.
“No promises,” Kennedy answered. “But if I don’t, it’s not because of you. Ya got that?” Vi smiled and nodded, then they both made their way down the hall in opposite directions.
As Kennedy continued to walk, she saw Faith coming the other way. “Hey Faith,” she said, motioning her over. “I wanted to talk to you about something.”
“What’s up, Slick?” Faith asked.
“Skye,” she replied.
“You finally getting the vibe too?” Faith asked.
“Not particularly,” Kennedy answered with a sigh.
“Then what’s the problem?”
Kennedy took a deep breath. “Kadin spotted Skye at the Alcove with another girl,” she said in a whisper. “And I’m not sure what to do. I mean…should I mention this to Dawn, or keep quiet? I don’t know the facts, because I didn’t see it and, it’s not that I don’t trust Kadin, but maybe the girl was just a friend of Skye’s. But if she’s not, and Skye’s getting a little on the side, then for safety’s sake maybe Dawn should know, ya know?”
“Well…damn,” Faith sighed. “I’d hate to be in your shoes now.”
“Thanks,” Kennedy said sarcastically.
Faith snorted. “I really don’t know what to tell ya, Slick. But I will say this: I’m still digging, because I don’t think we’ve got the whole story on her. Just sit tight for now, ‘k?”
Kennedy nodded.
Cut To:
Int.
Watchers Council – Conference Room – Same Time
Rowena and Robin sat alone at the conference table in silence, except for the sound of the ticking wall clock.
“So,” Rowena said, sounding bored, “How’s your day going?”
“Not bad,” he answered. “Yours?”
“Can’t complain,” she replied. “Unless, of course, you consider that no one here takes these meetings seriously except for you and I.”
Robin grinned. “Well, Faith did say she had to skip out this morning.”
“She okay?” Rowena asked.
“Oh yeah,” Robin answered. “She wanted to research something, she said.”
“Well, my girlfriend has no excuse,” Rowena replied. “In fact, she was up before me this morning, but…” she motioned around them, “as you can see, no Willow.”
Cut To:
Int.
Watchers Council – Dining Hall – Same Time
For several seconds, Faith watched Skye sitting at one of the tables in the dining hall. Then she made her way over and sat down across from her.
“Feeling any better since you’ve been back?” Faith asked.
“Doing okay,” Skye answered. “Thanks for asking.”
Faith pursed her lips and gave a nod. “Well, it has been awhile, hasn’t it? I mean you came back, what was it, just after Halloween?”
“Yeah, something like that. The days kinda blurred together.”
“Talk to me about blurred when you’re stuck in a cocoon pod for months on end,” Faith teased. Her face, however, showed more suspicion than amusement.
Skye leaned across the table. “Why don’t you tell me what’s really on your mind, Faith?”
Faith simply shrugged. “Just making chit-chat, that’s all.”
“I noticed you’re not eating,” Skye answered. “So why are you here?”
“Neither are you,” Faith pointed out. “So why are you here?” she countered.
Skye motioned to her books. “I don’t study well when it’s quiet, and slayers are always hungry, it seems. I was sure there would be noise here.”
She and Faith continued to examine each other across the table.
“And you’re sure you’re feeling better?” Faith asked.
“Yes,” Skye sighed. “But I do wonder what this is all about.”
Faith rolled her shoulders. “When you got here something felt off about you. Everyone here says it’s because of what you went through.”
“And what do you say?”
“I say it’s something more. You claim you’re getting better, but this feeling I have is getting stronger. And to be perfectly frank, I distrust you about as far as I can throw you. And believe me, that’s pretty far.”
Skye closed her book and placed her hands on top of it. “I’m sorry you feel that way, Faith, but honestly, I think you’re projecting here.”
“Projecting?” Faith asked.
“Yes, it’s a psychology term. You’re thinking that because I went missing, I’m locked in a cocoon somewhere, because that’s what happened to you.”
“Is that so?” Faith answered.
“Mmm hmm,” Skye nodded. “Now, is there anything else I can help you with, because I really need to brush up on this profile of Dana before tonight’s meeting?”
“Please,” Faith said, raising her hands and rising from the table. “Don’t let me interrupt.”
Without saying anything more, Faith left the dining area. Skye watched her with a scowl the entire time.
Cut To:
Int.
Watchers Council – Computer Room – Moments Later
Willow walked into the computer room and saw Dawn sitting, once again, at one of the terminals.
“Hey Dawnie,” she greeted, making the young woman look up. “Do you know which computer Xander was on earlier?”
“That one,” Dawn pointed.
Willow walked over to the computer Dawn had indicated and moved the mouse so the screen came up. She examined the screen for a moment before beginning to type.
As the printer began to run, Dawn walked over.
“What’s up?” she asked.
“I’m not sure,” Willow answered, although she sounded lost in thought. Shaking her head, she turned to face Dawn. “But I hope to figure it out soon. Can you meet me in the library in about an hour? I might need your help researching.”
“Sure,” she answered.
“Good, oh, and be sure you bring everything you can on necromancers.”
“No news on who that guy was, I take it?” Dawn asked.
“No,” Willow replied. “But I think we’ve got a larger problem at the moment.” She pointed to the printer copies that were still coming out of the machine. “Bring those with you, too, when you come.”
“Sure thing.” Dawn nodded.
Cut To:
Int.
Watchers Council – Conference Room – Moments Later
“Maybe she got tied up on something?” Robin suggested.
“Probably,” Rowena answered. “And I’m sure we’ll hear a lengthy reason as to why. She’ll come in breathless and tell us a hundred and one reasons why she’s not here on time.” At that moment Willow entered the room, breathing hard. “And here we go,” Rowena muttered, “in four, three, two, one…”
“You won’t believe the morning I’ve had,” Willow began with a sigh.
Rowena made a motion toward Willow with her palms open and Robin busted out laughing.
“Good call,” he commended.
Willow turned to him confused. “Good call? What?” she asked.
Rowena began to chuckle too, shaking her head.
“Sit down and tell us alllll about it, sweetheart,” Rowena said with a smile. She gestured to the nearest chair.
Cut To:
Int.
Watchers Council – Kitchen – Same Time
Faith walked in to find Andrew putting away the last of the breakfast trays and Bonnie sitting at the counter, flipping through a magazine.
“Where’s your better half today?” Faith asked.
“Oh, Tracey has to go to the school to talk to her counselor about classes for the spring.”
“And you?” Faith asked Bonnie.
“I’m filling in for Tracey,” she answered.
“By sitting on your ass, reading a magazine, eating our food and taking up valuable space?” Faith asked.
Bonnie shrugged. “I tried to help, but he didn’t like the way I dried the trays, so I’m taking a break.”
“What are you, union now?” Faith asked. She brushed Bonnie off and turned back to Andrew. “Look, Andy, you know how the video stuff works, right?”
“Yeah, why?” he asked.
“I need you to pull everything at the Council front entrance from October thirty-first to, I don’t know, let’s say November fifth, and meet me in the surveillance room.”
“Uhh, okay, I guess. What are you looking for?” he asked.
“I’m not exactly sure,” Faith replied, as she walked from the room. “Just buzz me in the gym when you get it all together.”
Cut To:
Int.
Watchers Council – Xander’s Workshop – Moments Later
Xander stood in his workshop, reviewing a list with a perplexed look on his face.
“Now we have to do it this way, Xander,” Rose told him from her perch on a nearby workbench. “Use those ingredients there and do the bloodletting just like I said. One stab to each limb and then –”
“I get it!” Xander snapped. “I wrote it all down the first time.”
“I know you don’t want to do this, but justice is justice,” Rose answered. “And I know you don’t want to admit your new girlfriend is evil. But she’s not the first demon you’ve dated, Xander. You’re a demon magnet. You’ll find another demon someday.”
“Shut up, or I’m calling this off,” Xander threatened.
“You do and I’ll start with that redheaded witch. Then I’ll move on to that other gal you seemed so worried about in the computer room. Person by person, I’ll go into their rooms and kill them, one by one. Every picture you have on these walls.” She motioned to the collage near Xander’s workbench. “All of them will be of dead people by the time I’m through. So, you hold up your end of the deal and I’ll hold up mine. Got it?”
“Y’know,” Xander remarked, “I’m starting to see the reason that Vi killed you. Were you this infuriating in human form?”
“Not funny,” Rose snarled.
“Not meant to be,” he answered. “I’m doing this because I have to. Because it’s for the greater good.”
“Yes, Vi is a monster that should be stopped,” Rose answered.
“I meant, I’m sacrificing one to save many,” Xander said. “Now if you’ll be so kind as to shut the hell up, I need to go over this again.”
Rose plopped down in a chair, looking irritated.
Cut To:
Int.
Watchers Council – Conference Room – Moments Later
In the conference room, Willow and Rowena sat surrounded by books. Robin and Kennedy arrived carrying even more.
“There’s gotta be an answer in here somewhere,” Willow said, closing another book. “That necromancer had to have raised that spirit somehow.”
Rowena got a peculiar look on her face and turned to Kennedy. She opened her mouth and then closed it.
“I know my beauty is awe inspiring, but I have a girlfriend,” Kennedy teased.
Rowena, who was on the verge of saying something, stopped again and rolled her eyes at Kennedy.
“Good for you. Good for all of us, truth be told.” Rowena said loudly. “Maybe Ms. Grumps A Lot will be gone now that she’s getting a little action.” Kennedy frowned and Rowena pointed at her. “I owed you that for the ‘stick up the ass’ comment,” she said, waving her finger with a slight grin.
“Point taken,” Kennedy said, starting to grin herself.
“I was going to ask if you could pull the reports from last night,” Rowena continued. “In particular, Vi and Xander’s, but anyone that was present with them.”
“Sure,” Kennedy replied, as she walked from the room.
“You got an idea?” Willow asked.
Rowena chewed on her bottom lip for a moment. “Maybe, we’ll find out when Ken gets back. Until then, let’s keep working on your Fury hunch.”
Cut To:
Int.
Watchers Council – Kitchen – Late Afternoon
Skye walked into the kitchen and saw Bonnie still sitting at the counter.
“Where is everyone?” Skye asked.
“Out and about,” Bonnie replied.
“Then what are you doing?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I’m working in the kitchen today,” Bonnie said.
“Working hard too, I see,” Skye remarked casually.
She walked over to the silver, metallic refrigerator and opened the door to pull out a drink. When she closed it, she turned back to Bonnie to see the woman looking over at her with a confused expression.
“What?” Skye asked, looking behind her.
That’s when she noticed she had no reflection in the door, but could see Bonnie perfectly.
Bonnie slipped from her chair and began to move slowly toward the door.
“Don’t even think about it,” Skye warned.
Bonnie made a break for it and began to scream. “Somebody!”
Skye raced over and covered her mouth before she could say anything more. Without a further moment’s hesitation, Skye snapped her neck and Bonnie fell to the ground, lifeless.
Skye looked down at Bonnie’s body on the floor. “Son of a bitch,” she swore.
She quickly dragged Bonnie to the supply door and opened it. She propped Bonnie up against the wall, then turned on the light to show the stairs below. She then tossed Bonnie’s dead body down the stairs and watched it tumble down until it came to rest at the foot. Quietly she closed the door and left the kitchen, making sure to pick up her drink from the counter before she went.
Black Out
End of Act Two