Originally broadcasted 2/27/07

Fade In:

Int.

Watchers Council – Coven Room – Day

A hand slapped down a comic book on top of a stack of bound hardcover books.

“It’s in,” Andrew said excitedly.

Willow and Dawn walked over to the Coven Room table for a closer look.

“What’s that?” Dawn asked. “Another escape from your drab life in the kitchen via action comics?”

Willow grinned.

“Noooo,” Andrew said, offended. “Okay, so my life does get drab sometimes, yes, but this, my dear Coven-ettes, is the latest double-issue installment of the graphic novel based on the greatest slayer in history.”

“Buffy?” Willow and Dawn asked simultaneously, moving even closer.

“No, you sillies! Faith! Who’s ever seen Buffy slay anything?”

“Oh, you’re kidding,” Dawn remarked with a grin.

“Has Faith seen this?” Willow asked.

“Seen and approved,” Andrew replied. “She didn’t tell you guys?”

Dawn and Willow looked at each other and then said, “No.”

“I’m not surprised,” Andrew said confidently.

“But she told you?” Dawn asked incredulously.

Andrew shifted his feet nervously. “Well, no, she didn’t tell me either, or anyone here, I think,” he finished quickly

“At least I don’t feel out of the loop,” Willow replied.

“I think she’s keeping it kind of hush hush,” Andrew said. “At this point, though, everybody knows.”

“Everybody?” Dawn asked. “We didn’t know.” She motioned between herself and Willow.

“Well, everybody under thirteen,” Andrew replied.

“And you,” Willow teased.

“Hey, I work with those girls in the kitchen everyday. They talk. That, and I saw the last issue at the comic book store a month ago.”

Willow and Dawn both chuckled.

“So, fill us in,” Willow said. “What derring-do does our darling Faith get into with this adventure?”

Dawn picked it up and started to thumb through it.

“I haven’t read it yet, but this is supposed to be the big romance issue,” he replied. “Seems most of the folks buying it are tweens, and you gotta have romance when it comes to adolescent and pre-adolescent girls.”

“I can’t believe Faith would let them do this,” Dawn said. “And look at this outfit she’s in.” She handed the book to Willow. “You can’t slay in something like that. Where would she put her weapons?”

Willow took it with a chuckle and thumbed through it.

“From what Faith told me,” Andrew began, “she only agreed to do it if her proceeds went to the American Cancer Society.”

“Oh, that’s sweet,” Willow remarked as she handed the book back to Andrew. “And thanks to her generosity, I can’t tease her mercilessly about it.”

“You’ll work it in somehow. I believe in you,” Dawn told her with a grin.

Willow smiled. “Well, let’s get started, guys. I’ve got the ingredients all ready, so we can start magically binding these babies,” she said as she motioned to the books. “Dawn, can you get the small cauldron from the workbench?” she asked.

Dawn nodded and picked up the cauldron bringing it toward Willow as the high priestess began a chant. On her way over, her heel broke and she tumbled forward, spilling the contents across the floor.

Andrew, still holding his comic book in his hand, instinctively dropped the book as he tried to catch Dawn before she hit the ground. He wasn’t successful in catching her, and both of them tumbled to the floor. The liquid from the cauldron approached the outer edge of the comic as Willow reached down to help both Andrew and Dawn.

“Are you okay?” Willow asked.

“Yeah,” Dawn remarked. “Stupid heel. I know I…” she trailed off as she saw an orange mist start to rise from the comic book and head toward the three of them.

“Uh oh,” Andrew said.

“Get out!” Willow shouted. “Now!”

Andrew and Dawn, trying to run and hobble at the same time, headed toward the door. They turned back to see the mist closing in on them and to see Willow getting sucked into the book on the floor.

“Oh Goddess,” Andrew exclaimed, trying to pick up the pace. He grabbed Dawn by the arm to try to support her so she could move quicker, but it was no use. The mist grabbed both of them, and with a scream, the two of them also streamed into the comic book.

As quickly as it came, the mist was gone…along with everyone in the room.

Black Out

 

 

End of Teaser