Title: Bad Girls rewrite
Author: Marissa
Pairing: Giles/Jenny

Notes: Okay, while I am aware that Riley is already doing a kick-ass job on her own version of "Bad Girls" I had to do one of my own, which, I think, is considerably different. And, I couldn't think of a cool title like Riley did. Again, it fits in the timeline altered by "More Than Anything", and has to do with the birth of Anastasia (or Ani) Giles and Jenny's daughter that I made up. What I did was copy the transcript I found on www.buffyworld.com and change what I wanted to.
Disclaimer: Joss owns everything. No one makes money from this (as if they could).
Rating: PG

Sunnydale High School.

Xander: Willow, what are these?

Willow: They're early admission packets.

Cut to the student lounge. Xander and Oz are sitting on one of the couches across from Willow and Buffy on the other. The table between them is piled up with college acceptance letters and application forms. Xander goes through a stack of them, reading off the university names.

Xander: Harvard... Yale... Wesleyan... Some German Polytechnical Institute whose name I, uh... (tries to read it) I can't pronounce. (drops the packets, leans back) Is anyone else intimidated? (looks at Oz) 'Cause I'm just expecting thin slips of paper with the words 'No Way' written in crayon.

Oz: They're typing those now.

Xander: (nods) Hmm.

Willow and Buffy are paging through some of the brochures.

Willow: (smiling) I'm so overwhelmed! I-I got in! To actual colleges! And, a-and they're wooing me! They're pitching woo!

Buffy: (smiles) The wooing stage is always fun.

Willow: (sighs) But it's weird. Now, rejection I can handle 'cause of the years of training, but this...

Xander: I feel your pain, Will. Like right now, I'm torn between the fast-growing fields of appliance repair and motel management. Of course, I'm still waiting to hear back from the, uh, Corndog Emporium, so...

He crosses his fingers and then holds his hands together in a sarcastic gesture of prayer. Buffy gives him a giggle.

Buffy: Well, I think it's great. Early admission. (to Willow) Now there's nothing standing between you and a brilliant future.

Oz: Well, if I may suggest, graduate. Gettin' left back: not the thrill ride you'd expect.

Cordelia approaches from behind the boys.

Cordelia: That's so cute! Planning life as a loser? (Xander glances up at her) Most people just turn out that way, but you're really taking charge.

Xander: The comedy stylings of Miss Cordelia Chase, everyone. (looks up at her) Who, uh, incidentally, won't be needing a higher education when she markets her own very successful line of hooker wear.

He checks out her outfit, which is typically revealing.

Cordelia: Well, Xander, I could dress more like you, but, (in mock sympathy) oh, my father has a job.

She immediately leaves. Xander watches her go, once again having nothing to say.

Xander: I'm not gonna waste the perfect comeback on you now. (points at her) But don't think I don't have it. (miffed) Oh, yes! Its time will come!

He turns back to the group and pretends Cordelia doesn't exist.

Willow sees Jenny walk by, jumps up.

Willow: Hey, I just gotta talk to Jenny, be right back.

She runs off.

Oz: That was sudden.

Buffy: Wonder what's so important?

Cut to Willow catching up to Jenny in the hall.

Willow: Ms. Calendar!

She comes up next to her.

Willow: Hey!

Jenny: (distracted) Oh! Willow! I didn't know you were there.

Willow: I was yelling your name.

Jenny: Sorry. I was thinking.

Willow: (highly interested) I'll bet! How'd-

Jenny: (interrupting) You hear back from any Universities yet?

Willow: (excited) Did I! Harvard, Yale, the list goes on! They're pitching woo at me!

Jenny: (genuine) Wil, that's great! I always knew you'd be recognized for your genius.

Willow: You mean in a way other than being asked for study help?

Jenny: (smiles and enters her class, which is empty. Willow follows) Being wooed is much more gratifying, right?

Willow: (smiles) definitely. (realizes) Hey, so did you not want to talk about-

Jenny: (serious) Just not in the hallway. (she sits at her desk)

Willow: Oh! Right. (she pulls up a chair to sit next to her. She's excited) So? What happened? Are you...?

Jenny closes her eyes, nods silently, very sober. Willow practically squeals in response.

Jenny: Willow!

Willow: Sorry! It's just such great news! You and Giles having a baby... (her smiley expression fades as she realizes that Jenny is somewhat less than enthused about it) And, you're not acting like it's great news... Is something bad?

Jenny: Oh, no, it's just... well, I still haven't told Rupert-

Willow: Oh.

Jenny (cont.): -and I have no idea how he's going react. We never so much as talked about it before. (looks up sharply) You haven't said anything about this to anyone, have you?

Willow: No! My lips were sealed and continue to be so. (beat) (worried) But, you know, I can blurt things out unexpectedly from time to time. You should probably tell him soon.

Jenny: I will. (takes a breath) He's going to find out one way or another, I just have to get it over with.

Willow:(reassuring, smiling) I'm sure he'll be happy!

Jenny: I know. ...but now is just such a bad time, (bitterly) after he was fired from the council-

Willow: -Oh! That reminds me, Giles wanted me to tell Buffy he wants to see her. (She gets up)

Jenny: (worried) Has something happened?

Willow: Erm... you could say that.

Cut to the library. Giles is sitting on the study table facing the doors with his arms crossed and looking very bored while a somewhat foppish, well tailored young man goes through some books in a box on the table.

Wesley: Of course, training procedures have been updated quite a bit since your day. Much greater emphasis on field work.

Giles: (very bored) Really?

Wesley: Oh, yes. (walks around to another box) Not all books and theory nowadays. (reaches in for some books) I have, in fact, faced two vampires myself. Under controlled circumstances, of course.

Giles: (uncrosses his arms) Well, no danger of finding those here.

Wesley: (looks up) Vampires?

Giles: Controlled circumstances. (sees Buffy enter) Hello, Buffy.

Wesley overhears, looks at her and smiles condescendingly.

Wesley: Well... (steps to the head of the table) Hello. (smiles smugly)

Buffy gives him a quick look up and down.

Buffy: (to Giles) New Watcher?

Giles: New Watcher.

Wesley takes a step toward her and holds out his hand in greeting.

Wesley: Wesley Wyndam-Pryce.

Buffy makes no move to return the gesture, but continues to eye him critically. A moment later he steps back again.

Wesley: It's very nice to meet you.

Buffy steps over to Giles, never removing her eyes from Wesley.

Buffy: Is he evil?

Wesley: (perplexed) Evil?

Buffy: The last one was evil.

Wesley: (thoughtfully) Oh, yes. Gwendolyn Post. We all heard. No. Mr. Giles has checked my credentials rather thoroughly and phoned the Council, but I'm glad to see you're on the ball as well. (takes a secretive step toward her) A good Slayer is a cautious Slayer. (steps back)

Buffy: (to Giles) Is he evil?

Giles: Not in the strictest sense.

Wesley: Well, I'm glad that's cleared up. (walks around the table) As I'm sure none of us is anxious to waste any time on pleasantries, (picks up his Watcher diary) why don't you tell me everything about last night's patrol. (flips to a blank page)

Buffy: Vampires.

Wesley: (inquiringly) Yes?

Buffy: Killed 'em.

Wesley: (fishing for details) Anything else you can tell me?

Buffy glances at Giles. He nods that she should cooperate.

Buffy: Uh... (thinks) One of them had swords. I don't think he was with the other two.

Wesley: (something clicks) Swords?

He sets down his diary, goes back to his box of books and begins to rifle through them.

Wesley: Swords...

He finds the book he wants and begins to leaf through it.

Wesley: One long, one short?

Buffy: Mmm. Both pointy. (to Giles) With, like, jewels and things.

Giles: Sounds familiar.

Wesley: (comes back with the book) It should.

He holds it out in front of Giles, who takes it and reads.

Giles: El Eliminati. Fifteenth Century...

Wesley: (interrupts) Fifteenth Century duelist cult, deadly in their day. Their numbers dwindled in later centuries due to an increase in anti-vampire activity and a lot of pointless dueling.

Buffy and Giles both look up at him, surprised by his rudeness.

Wesley: They eventually became the acolytes of a demon called Balthazar, who brought them to the New World, specifically here.

Giles: (closes the book, hands it back) You seem to know a lot about them.

Wesley: I didn't get this job because of my looks. (goes back to his box)

Female voice offscreen: I'd believe that.

The three of them turn to the doors to see...

Giles: Jenny! (He's pretty glad to see her. Some sunshine on a gloomy day) I thought you had a class?

Jenny: I left Willow in charge. She told me about... (nods towards Wesley) (she walks over to Giles, all the while regarding Wesley coldly.)

Giles takes her hand and smiles at her softly.
Wesley is eyeing her suspiciously.

Buffy: Wes here was just giving us the history of some vamps with swords.

Wesley: (correcting) El Eliminati.

Jenny: (at the same time) Was he?

Wesley: (to Jenny, quite rudely) Who are you?

Giles is visibly angered by Wesley's tone, but says nothing.

Jenny: Jenny Calendar.

Wesley glares at her.

Buffy: (sighs) Some people know about the Slayer thing. They help out and everything. Ms. Calendar's one of them.

Wesley: Yes, I met, er, Willow earlier. But the Slayer is supposed to work alone. And I have to say (to Giles) I think it highly irresponsible on your part to allow outsiders to become involved.

Jenny: If anyone here's an outsider, it's you.

Giles: (calmly) There were extenuating circumstances.

Wesley: (with a disparaging look at Jenny) I'm sure there were. (The way he says it, you can't be sure if he's insinuating anything about how Jenny became involved or not.)

Tensions rise. If looks could kill, Wes would have died a horrible, painful, painful death. Giles looks like he's about to do something violent. Buffy notices this, and, not wanting anyone to do anything they might be sorry for later, tries to get things back on track.

Buffy: So, these Eliminati guys. If they've been around so long, why'd they only turn up now?

Wesley: They were driven out a hundred years ago. Happily, Balthazar was killed. I don't know by whom.

Buffy: And they're back 'cause...?

Wesley: Balthazar had an amulet purported to give him strength. When he was killed, it was taken by a wealthy landowner named... (sees their looks) I don't want to bore you with the details.

Buffy: A little bit late.

Wesley: ...named Gleaves. It was buried with him, and I believe the few remaining Eliminati are probably looking for it. For sentimental value.

Giles: A-and you don't think that this, uh, amulet poses any threat?

Jenny: Yeah, the story sounds kinda sketchy to me. You don't know who killed Balthazar? Or how? How are you sure he's dead?

Wesley: (steps back to his box) His death has been recorded by several sources. Nonetheless, we may as well keep the amulet from them. Buffy, you will go to the Gleaves family crypt tonight and fetch the amulet. (reaches in)

Buffy: I will?

Wesley: (pauses) Are you not used to being given orders?

Buffy: Whenever Giles sends me on a mission, he always says 'please'. And afterwards I get a cookie.

She grins at Giles, who smiles back modestly.

Wesley: (comes back) I don't feel we're getting off on quite the right foot.

Just then they hear footsteps, and look up to see Faith walk in.

Wesley: Ah. This is perhaps Faith.

Faith stops and critically looks Wesley up and down.

Faith: New Watcher?

Buffy and Giles: New Watcher.

Faith: (snickers) Screw that.

She turns right around and walks out. Wesley feels put off.

Jenny: I like that girl more and more all the time.

Buffy: (to Giles) Now, why didn't *I* just say that?

Giles: (gently) Uh, Buffy, would you...

Buffy: I'll see if I can get her back. (slips off of the table) Don't say anything terribly interesting while I'm gone.

Before Buffy can leave, Willow comes in. Wesley starts.

Willow: (to Jenny) There's a problem in the lab. The class was working on programming, and one kid wrote a virus by accident.

Jenny: (sighs) Okay, I'm there.

She leaves, glaring at Wesley as she passes him. Willow notices this.

Willow: (a hint of a smile curls her lips, but she surpresses it quickly) (after Jenny has left, to Wesley, seriously) y'know, maybe you should make more of an effort to get along with her.

Wesley: She's the one who insists on not getting along. I don't see why I should bother.

Giles scowls at him behind his back.
Willow raises her eyebrows in surprise.
Buffy is just leaving.

Willow: Don't you know who she is?

Buffy stops. She looks at Willow, puzzled. Giles does the same.

Wesley: (unsure) I believe she said her name was Jenny Calendar.

Willow: (scoffs) That's just what she calls herself. (impressively) She's Janna of the Kalderash.

Buffy and Giles are both interested to see where Willow is going with this.

Wesley: I don't understand.

Willow: You call yourself a Watcher? She's only THE most powerful gypsy sorceress in over a century!

Wesley: (nervous) I-I thought that clan had lost most of its powers?

Willow: So did they. Until Janna came along.

Buffy gives her a "Willow! You bad girl!" look.
Giles gives her a disapproving look, which is pretty ineffective, because he's also trying not to smile.

Willow: (gravely) I'd watch out if I were you.

Wesley gulps, and turns to Giles for confirmation. Giles pretends to ignore him.

Giles: Buffy . . .

Buffy: Faith. Gottcha. (Buffy leaves)

Cut to the quad. Buffy catches up with Faith as they come walking around a corner.

Buffy: Faith, wait. Look, I know this new guy's a dork, but... (pauses) Well, I have nothing to follow that. He's pretty much just a dork. (snickers) You should have seen him just now. Willow told him Ms. Calendar's this super powerful sorceress or something, and the look on his face... (off Faith's look) what?

Faith: You're actually gonna take orders from him?

Buffy: That's the job. What else can we do?

Faith: Whatever we want. We're Slayers, girlfriend, the Chosen Two. Why should we let *him* take all the fun out of it?

Buffy: Oh, that would be tragic, taking the fun out of slaying, stabbing, beheading.

Faith: Oh, like you don't dig it.

Buffy: (shrugs) I don't.

Faith: You're a liar. I've *seen* you. Tell me staking a vamp doesn't get you a little bit juiced. Come on, say it.

She stops and folds her arms, waiting for Buffy's answer. Buffy can't help but smile, and looks down to hide it.

Faith: (laughs) You can't fool me. The look in your eyes right after a kill? You just get hungry for more.

Buffy: (shakes her head) You're way off base.

Faith: Tell me that if you don't get in a good slaying, after a while, you just start itching for some vamp to show up so you can give him a good (grunts and punches)!

Buffy: Again with the grunting. You realize I'm not comfortable with this.

Faith: Hey, slaying's what we were built for. If you're not enjoying it, you're doing something wrong. (starts to leave)

Buffy: (sighs) What about the assignment?

Faith: (looks back) Tell you what: (points) you do the homework, and I'll copy yours. (grins and goes)

Later that night. Buffy and Faith are on assignment.

The library. Wesley is at the study table going through a mass of books. Giles paces nervously.

Wesley: These are all the diaries, then? Yours included?

Giles: (in a worried tone) That's everything. Knock yourself out. Please?

Wesley: (flips through Giles' diary) Oh, yes! Here's your first entry. 'Slayer is willful and insolent.' (smirks) That would be our girl, wouldn't it?

Giles: (continues pacing, takes off his glasses) Well, you have to get to know her.

Wesley: Mm. (reads) 'Her abuse of the English language is such that I understand only every other sentence.' (looks up) Oh, this is going to make fascinating reading.

Sound of the door and footsteps. Giles looks up anxiously. It's Jenny. She walks right up to him, not noticing Wesley at all, she's so psyched up. Wesley jumps.

Giles: Jenny! I thought you'd gone home.

Jenny: I did. I came back. I have to talk to you…

She becomes aware that Wesley is watching her nervously. She stares back at him coldly.

Jenny: (to Wesley) Why don't you find your own hangout?

Wesley: (scared) Well, er, honestly? (after all, she might know he's lying) I-I'm not certain that Buffy and Faith would make much of an effort to see me if I did.

Jenny: That's not a bad thing.

Wesley: Yes, well, um, (thinks that maybe it would be best if he just got out of her way) I think I'll take a walk. (He deeks out of the library).

Jenny: Hm. That was easy.

Giles: (trying to keep a straight face) You want to talk about something?

Jenny: Uh, yeah. Um… (She had the whole thing planned out, but Wesley threw her off). (looks around, notices something) Uh… hey, shouldn't Buffy be back by now?

Giles: Yes, she should.

Jenny: But she's not?

Giles: No.

Jenny: Oh. (great. He doesn't need more to worry about) You know what? Now's not a really such good time after all. I'll talk to you at home.

She turns and walks out leaving a very confused Giles. He puzzles over things a while. Eventually, Wesley pokes his head in the library.

Wesley: Is she gone?

The next day
Wesley has the amulet in hand and inspects it under a magnifying glass.

Wesley: Well... Looks authentic enough. (looks up) Of course, there are tests to be made before actual verification.

Buffy: How about verifying that your 'nearly extinct' cult was out in magnum force last night? Faith and I got into a serious party situation.

Giles: Are you alright?

Buffy: I had to lather, rinse, and repeat about five million times to get the sewer out of my hair, but otherwise, I'm of the good. Thank you for asking.

She gives Wesley a look, making it very clear he should have asked as well.

Wesley: Perhaps there were a few more than we'd anticipated, but I'd expect you to be ready for anything. (looks her in the eye) Remember the three key words for any Slayer: preparation... preparation... preparation.

Buffy: That's one word three times.

The school bell rings. Buffy gets up.

Buffy: I have a chem test. So sad that I'm actually happy about that. (starts out) Giles, we need to talk.

Wesley: (stands up pompously) Buffy... (she stops, but doesn't face him) I must ask you to remember that I am your Watcher. (she faces him) From now on, anything you have to say about slaying you will say to me. The only thing you need discuss with Mr. Giles is overdue book fees. Understood?

Buffy: (turns to Giles) We'll talk.

Giles: Of course.

Buffy leaves for her test.

Wesley: (to Giles) You're not helping.

Giles: (dripping with sarcasm) No. I feel just sick about it.

He takes off his glasses and goes into his office. Wesley is incensed.

Cut to hallways
Jenny is walking with Willow.

Willow: So? D'ja tell him?

Jenny: Not exactly...

Willow: Oh, come on!

Jenny: It's not like I didn't try! It's just that he has a lot on his mind right now, and I didn't think I should give him more to worry about. Besides, Wesley was there, and he just threw me off completely.

Willow: He really makes you that mad?

Jenny: Have you seen him? He's completely inept! And the Council thinks *he* can replace Rupert? It's an insult! Although, last night he *was* more polite than the first time I met him… (thinks about what he said that first time) jerk. (Jenny looks over to Willow to see that she's laughing) What's so funny?

Willow: (stifling her laugh) Nothing. Oh, here's my class. I'll talk to you later.

Jenny: Alright. Good luck on your test.

Willow: Thanks. And Jenny?

Jenny: Hm?

Willow: Tell him.

Jenny: I will.

Willow smiles and goes into her class.

Jenny: (to herself) I will.

Cut to that night.
Giles' – and now also Jenny's – apartment. Jenny is sitting on the couch, tapping away on her laptop. Giles comes through the door, clearly worried about something. Jenny looks over her shoulder at him, sets her laptop on the coffee table, and gets up to greet him.

Jenny: You're home early. (she's a bit anxious, thought she would have had more time to prepare herself)

Giles: Yes. Er, Buffy never showed up.

Jenny: (looks worried) That's weird. Do you know where she was?

Giles: Willow said she went off with Faith somewhere, hunting. She said she left right in the middle of class.

Jenny: That doesn't sound like Buffy at all.

Giles: I- I know.

Jenny: They can both handle themselves, though. I'm sure they're fine, wherever they are.

Giles: Mm-hm.

Jenny: You know, uh, this probably isn't the best time to bring this up, but, uh…

Giles looks at her expectantly. Jenny wavers.

Jenny: (cont.) I've been researching this Balthazar guy on the net, and he may not be as dead as Wes claimed he is.

Giles: (between being worried for Buffy's sake, and glad that Wesley was wrong) Really?

Jenny: Yeah. It's mostly just conspiracy theories, but there's a lot of them. Most say he was just badly wounded, and that the guy reputed to have "killed" him claimed Balthazar was dead was dead anyways, for the prestige it would earn him.

Giles: That *is* interesting. Can you show me where you found this?

Jenny: Yep.

She sits on the couch with her laptop. Giles sits next to her and looks on.

Cut to
The next day
the Mayor's office. He poses with a troop of young Boy Scouts. They all have huge smiles on their faces. The photographer snaps the picture.

Mayor Wilkins: There we go.

The Scouts all file out of the office.

Mayor Wilkins: Thanks a lot, fellas. Thanks a heap.

He goes to the window, where the blinds are open, letting in plenty of light.

Mayor Wilkins: Hey, have fun on that camping trip, now. Don't forget to roast a wiener for me.

Allan shoos the last of the Scouts out and closes the door securely. The Mayor chuckles as he closes the blinds, then walks to the other window and closes them there, too.

Mayor Wilkins: Here we go. Alright, you can come out now.

The door to his private bathroom opens, and Mr. Trick comes back into the office.

Mayor Wilkins: (shakes his finger at the office door, smiling) Backbone of America, those little guys. Seeing the hope and courage on their bright little faces, I swear I could just, I... I could just eat 'em up. (chuckles, heads for his liquor cabinet) So, any news about the Eliminati?

He opens the cabinet, and out jumps Vincent. He grabs him by the neck, pushes him back and down over his desk and holds up his sword to attack.

Vincent: In the name of Lord Balthazar, DIE!

Before he can do anything else, Mr. Trick punches him in the forehead. Vincent falls backward onto the floor, unconscious. The Mayor coughs as he sits up on the edge of the desk and straightens his tie.

Mayor Wilkins: Thank you, Mr. Trick. That was very thoughtful of you.

Trick: Why do they always gotta be using swords? (picks it up, tosses it to Allan) It's called an Uzi, ya chump! Could have saved your ass right about now.

Allan would rather not have the sword, and looks down at Vincent aghast.

Mayor Wilkins: (to Allan, arms crossed) You know, it's curious how he could've gotten all the way into my liquor cabinet. (Allan looks up at him) Allan, don't we have, don't we have security working in this building?

Allan: (scared and nervous) Sir, I... I had no idea. I-I...

Mayor Wilkins: There's no need to swoon, Allan. But try to keep things secure. (looks down at Vincent) Lock him up. (goes to his chair)

Trick: He wakes up, he's just gonna try and kill you again.

Mayor Wilkins: (sits) (smugly) Yes. Yes, I expect he will.

Cut to the packing warehouse. One of the Eliminati lifts the ladle and pours the water over Balthazar. The camera shifts focus onto the new leader of the Eliminati.

Balthazar: Vincent made a noble effort. Man to man, as befits a true warrior. (wheezes) He had courage... He had honor... AND I HAVE *JACK* TO SHOW FOR IT! (calms a bit) It's been a hundred years since my enemy crippled me. Now ultimate power is within his grasp. And I shall *not* let it be! Forget about honor! Forget about everything! But getting my amulet! Bring the Watchers to me! Find the Slayers and kill them! Kill everything that gets in your way! GOOOOO! GOOOOO!

Cut to Buffy's house.

Buffy: Mmm.

Willow: You like it?

Cut to Buffy's room. She and Willow are sitting on her bed. Buffy is sniffing a small black felt pouch that Willow gave to her.

Buffy: It smells good. What is it?

Willow: (smiling proudly) Just a little something we witches like to call a protection spell. Jenny just taught me how to make them.

Buffy: Good deal, protection. (sniffs) I'm surprised, though, 'cause usually spell stuff's more...

Willow: Stinky. Yeah. That's why I added lavender. That's my own special touch. Give me time, and I may be the first wicca to do all my conjuring in pine fresh scent. So what's the plan?

Buffy gives her an inquiring look.

Willow: For tonight's slayage. We're going, aren't we?

Buffy: (wanting to avoid the subject) Yeah.

Willow: (knowing there's more) Great!

Buffy: (realizes she can't hide it) But... there's a 'but'. And that's 'but you shouldn't come... tonight.' Is that cool?

Willow: (slightly hurt) Well, sure. Makes sense. You know... You'll be facing big, hairy danger.

Buffy: (tries to justify it) Uh, b-biggest and very hairy.

Willow: (fishes for more information) You'll be risking your life.

Buffy: Right. And why risk yours?

Willow: (glances down, then back up) Because I'm your friend?

Buffy: I know, Will, and that's exactly why I don't want you going. It's, it's too dangerous.

Willow: (protests) But I-I've done this sort of thing before! Like, a million times, and I can totally handle myself. Besides, (holds up her own felt pouch) minty fresh protection. So?

There's a knock at the door. Faith opens it and comes in.

Faith: Ready? Time to motor. Hey, Willow.

Willow: (unenthused) Hi. (faces Buffy) Uh...

Faith paces back toward the door.

Buffy: (stands up, apologetic) I really should... But we'll hang out later, right?

Willow: (trying to hide how hurt she is) Yeah. You, you go ahead. I'll just get my stuff.

Buffy wants to say something, but changes her mind and just looks at her friend, giving her felt pouch a squeeze, and follows Faith out of the room. Willow watches her go, then looks down at her own pouch.

Willow: Stupid...

She throws the pouch down on the bed.

Cut to an alley near the packing warehouse. Buffy and Faith come walking around a corner. Faith has the compound hunting bow with her, and gets an arrow ready.

Faith: You're quiet tonight.

Buffy: I just wanna get this done.

Faith: Yeah. (smiling) I'm dying to test out the longbow. I think it might be my new thing.

Buffy: I can't believe you went back for that stuff.

Faith: Hey, how do you feel about getting some ribs? You know, after we're done?

They are surprised by an Eliminatus doing a front tuck from above and landing in their way.

Cut to Giles' office. Wesley checks out some of the pictures on the wall while Giles sits at his desk fidgeting with his glasses.

Wesley: I didn't say you had emotional problems. (turns to Giles) I said you had *an* emotional problem. (condescendingly) It's quite different.

Giles: (enunciating clearly) My 'attachment' to the Slayer is not a problem. In point of fact, it's been a very...

Wesley: (interrupts) The way you've handled this assignment is something of an embarrassment to the council.

Giles: (miffed) If you want to criticize my methods, fine. But you can keep your snide remarks to yourself. And while you're at it, don't criticize my methods. (puts on his glasses) And the fact that this demon of yours may not be dead after all doesn't worry you?

Wesley: (waves his hand dismissively) Hearsay. The fact is, that while you may have a "fan club" among those who know of Buffy's status as the Slayer, you're no longer qualified to act as Watcher. (paces behind Giles, condescendingly) It's not your fault. You've done well. It's simply time for somebody else to take the field. (turns around)

Giles looks at him, then past him through the window to the main area.

Giles: Now's a good time to start.

Wesley turns to look as well, and there they see four Eliminati come to take them to Balthazar.

Cut to the alley. The vampire roars and comes at Buffy. She sidesteps him, grabs him and shoves him into the back of a truck. He comes at her again and does a front snap kick at Buffy, which she blocks. She returns with a roundhouse kick to his gut, knocking him to the pavement. Buffy jumps on him, and they begin to struggle. Another vampire joins in as Faith struggles with her bow, but they are in too close of quarters for her to use it against him.

Faith: (to herself) Screw it!

She drops the bow, but holds on to the arrow. She ducks a roundhouse kick from the demon, and the momentum of the kick without a hit makes him keep spinning before he lands. Faith does a side-kick to his side, and he staggers into the side of a truck. Faith comes at him with her arrow and plunges it home as he turns around to attack again. He bursts into ashes. Buffy gets up holding her stake, having just dusted hers as well.

Faith: I think we've got more comin'!

They start quickly in the direction of the packing warehouse.

Buffy: We're never gonna make it to the warehouse.

Faith: If they keep coming one at a time, we got a shot.

Suddenly another Eliminatus lands in front of them and thrusts at Faith with his short sword. She reacts instantly, catching his arm and shoving him into a crate, then pulling him off and swinging him backward onto a pile of several chords of wood. Buffy steps right in and stakes him. He crumbles to ash. The two Slayers continue along the alley at a brisk pace.

At the end of the building an arm reaches out and grabs Buffy by the shoulder. Instantly she grabs the man and throws him against a dumpster. Faith jumps right in to stake him. He slumps down to the ground, hurt by the impact against the heavy steel container. It's Allan, but Faith is too caught up in things and doesn't realize he's human.

Buffy: FAITH, NO!

Faith swings down with her stake and plunges it into Allan's heart, then pulls it out. Allan grabs his chest in pain and surprise. Blood pours out freely, pumped out by his now punctured, beating heart. Faith backs away as Buffy quickly gets down beside him to try to help him. Allan pulls his hands away and looks down at them covered in his own blood, shaking hard as he goes into shock. Buffy looks at the wound and sees its severity.

Buffy: Don't move!

Faith: (shocked) I didn't... I didn't know. I didn't know.

Buffy: (to Faith behind her) We need to call 911, NOW!

Faith is paralyzed with fear. Allan shakes even harder as the blood loss increases. He looks up at Buffy.

Buffy: (to Allan) Don't move, i-it's okay...

She tries to apply pressure to the wound, but the blood just keeps coming.

Buffy: (to Faith) I-I need, I need something to stop the...

Allan begins to convulse. His eyes go wide with the fear of death as blood begins to trickle from the corner of his mouth. He tries to say something, but can't get the words out. Buffy can only watch in despair, unable to help. Allan looks down at his chest one last time, then reaches up to Buffy, but his arm never makes it. It falls to his side, and his body relaxes against the dumpster, finally dead. His eyes remain wide open, staring up into nothing. Buffy stares back at him in open-mouthed horror.

The alley. Allan lies dead against the dumpster. Faith begins to panic.

Faith: We gotta go!

She grabs Buffy and pulls her up.

Faith: Come on, we gotta go!

They run from the scene. The camera cuts to Allan's face, still blankly staring into space, and pans down to his blood-soaked shirt and jacket.

Cut to the Slayers running down an alley. Buffy stops to look back. Faith grabs her arm to get her to follow.

Faith: Come on.

She climbs up on some crates and jumps over a wall. Buffy decides to continue down the alley to a fence, and climbs over it instead.

Cut into another alley. Buffy waits for a car to pass on the street and walks into the alley. There she is surprised by Angel coming out of the shadows.

Buffy: Angel!

Angel: Buffy, I've been looking for you.

He notices that she's stressed out, then sees the blood on her hands. He takes one and holds it up to see. Buffy jerks it back.

Angel: Your hand.

Buffy: It's okay.

Angel: I've just been to the warehouse. I was waiting for you. They got Giles.

Buffy's face instantly washes over with worry.

Cut to Allan's body. Faith slowly steps up to it. In the distance a police siren can be heard getting closer, then further away. Faith kneels down beside Allan and reaches out for the wound. She touches it and immediately yanks her hand back. She looks at him, her expression full of guilt and horror at making the worst mistake she possibly could: killing a human.

Cut to the packing warehouse. Wesley and Giles are being held before Balthazar, but he's ignoring them for the moment as he insistently instructs the vampire with the ladle.

Balthazar: The front! The front! Moisten the front!

He groans as a ladle full of water is poured across his chest. Wesley and Giles watch in disgust.

Wesley: (very nervous) Oh, God! (looks around desperately) Oh, God!

Giles: (calmly) told you so.

Wesley: (trying not to panic) Stay calm, Mr. Giles. We have to stay calm.

Giles: (brimming over with sarcasm) Well, thank God you're here. I was planning to panic.

Wesley: (looks at Balthazar) What *is* that thing?

Giles: That would be your demon. You know, the dead one?

Wesley: There's no need to get snippy.

Balthazar finally turns his attention to the Watchers.

Balthazar: Bring them closer.

Two of the Eliminati grab them and shove them closer.

Balthazar: You know what I want.

Giles: If it's for me to scrub those hard-to-reach areas, I'd like to request you kill me now.

He is hit hard in the back for his insolence.

Giles: Ow.

Wesley: (beginning to panic) Are you out of your mind? This is hardly the time for games!

Giles: Why not? They're going to torture us to death anyway.

Balthazar: (snickers happily) You're not wrong about that. (wheezes)

Wesley: Now, hold on. We-we-we can deal with this rationally. We have something you want. You have something we want.

Balthazar: Hmm... A trade. Intriguing. (considers) No. Wait. Boring. Pull off his kneecaps!

Two of the vampires grab him.

Wesley: (horrified) NOOO! No, no, no! (they let go, he caves) The Slayer g-gave it to someone. A tall man, a friend... a friend of hers. I can tell you everything.

Giles: (under his breath) Quiet, you twerp! They'll kill us both.

Wesley: (panicked) But I'd like to have my kneecaps.

Balthazar: You will tell us everything!

Wesley: Yes! Sir.

Balthazar: What is this friend's name?

Wesley: (at a loss) I didn't actually catch it.

Giles: (tries to fake him out) Look, um, tell you what, let Captain Courageous here go, and I'll tell you what you need to know. How's that deal?

Balthazar: THERE IS ONE DEAL! YOU WILL DIE QUICKLY, OR YOU WILL DIE SLOWLY! THE MAN WHO HAS MY AMULET! WHAT IS HIS NAAAME?!

Angel: His name is Angel.

He walks into their midst sporting his game face, and immediately grabs the two Eliminati holding Giles and Wesley, pulling them away and slamming one of them into a wall, the other into some metal shelves. Another one moves to take their place holding the Watchers, but Giles headbutts him, and he falls.

Buffy jumps in now, too, coming from the other direction, backhand punches one vampire and punches another in the face. The first one raises his sword and tries to attack, but she blocks him and grabs his arm. She brings it down and knees him in the gut, making him drop his sword. Giles sees Buffy catch it, and turns his tied hands toward her. She swings the sword in a high arc and brings it down on the ropes binding his wrists, slicing them cleanly. The pieces fall to the floor as Giles grabs Wesley and pushes him out of harm's way.

Buffy swings the sword back at the Eliminatus, but he catches her hand and swings the sword down against the edge of Balthazar's pool, forcing her to drop it. He does a backhand swing at Buffy's face, making her trip forward, but she returns with a back kick at him, and then shoulder rolls onto a large crate to avoid being sliced by another one's sword.

Balthazar: (flailing his arms in a tantrum) Un... (sputters) Unacceptable!

Angel ducks a swing from an Eliminatus and then does a right hook to his face and punches him hard in the gut. He turns around and backhand punches the one behind him, blocks a return swing and punches him again.

Balthazar: (very displeased) UNACCEPTABLE!

Out of the way of the fight, Giles unties Wesley's hands. Behind him a vampire roars, and he looks back in time to see and duck his sword. It hits on a shelf, and Giles grabs the blade and back elbows the vamp in the face, taking the sword from him. He swings it around and jams the hilt of the sword into his face as well, then spins around in time to take on another one.

The Eliminatus swings his sword at Giles, who parries it with his own. The vampire swings again, and again Giles blocks it. The demon spins around and swings down from above, but again Giles has his sword up in time to block. He swings his arms around and down, forcing the Eliminatus' sword to the floor and making him bend down with it, and then knees him in the face. The vampire jerks backward and falls to the floor, dropping his sword.

In the meantime, the one whose sword was taken away by Giles grabs Wesley from behind, pinning his arms behind his back.

Wesley: Giles!

Giles raises his sword and starts to swing it.

Giles: DOWN!

Wesley bends over fast, and the blade catches the vampire on the neck and slices through. The beheaded Eliminatus bursts into ashes. Wesley stands back up, shocked at what just happened.

Buffy gets to her feet on a raised area of the floor. An Eliminatus comes at her with a sword, but she grabs his arm and pulls him past her over a crate and into a barrel. Another one swings at her, and she middle blocks him, punches him in the gut, ducks another swing and then backhand punches him in the face. He falls to the floor. Buffy picks him up and sends him spinning into a huge pile of rope. As he tries to come at her again, she does a full spinning wheel kick to his face. He quickly regains his balance and tries to punch her, but she redirects his fist and holds onto it while she elbows him in the face. She swings him around and throws him into a bunch of stacked oil barrels.

Angel delivers a side kick to his attacker. Another one tries to front kick him, but he grabs his leg and throws him into a back layout.

Another one comes for Buffy. She just grabs him by the arms and throws him from the raised floor to below. She blocks a roundhouse kick from another and nearly gets punched in the face. She punches him in the gut, and he doubles over, backing away a bit. This gives her room to fly into a double spinning out-to-in jumping crescent kick. The vampire flies upward spinning fast and lands hard on a crate, then rolls off onto the floor below.

An Eliminatus gets Angel in the face with a jumping out-to-in crescent kick, but he's not fazed. Angel blocks a high punch from him, punches him in the gut, grabs onto him and throws him through the air and into a wall.

Balthazar has had enough and holds out his arms. The air between him and Angel becomes disturbed, and Angel finds himself being sucked back toward him. He lands on his back on the edge of the pool. Balthazar seizes his head in both hands. Angel struggles to get away, but the grip is extremely tight. Buffy sees what's happening and looks for a way to help. She spies an electrical cable hanging down from a lamp directly above Balthazar. She grabs it and yanks hard, and the lamp falls from the roof with sparks flying right into the pool. Balthazar immediately lets go of Angel and writhes in agony as he is electrocuted. Giles and Wesley stare in amazement. Soon Balthazar seems dead and the circuit breakers shut off the power. Buffy rushes over to help Angel. He's shaken but fine. She looks at Balthazar and is startled when his eyes whip open and he takes a sudden breath.

Balthazar: (weak and wheezing) Slayer! You think you've won. (chuckles and wheezes) When he rises... you'll wish I'd killed you all.

He lets out his last breath and dies. Buffy looks at Angel, wondering what he meant.

Cut to a room at City Hall. Mayor Wilkins is kneeling in an inverted pentagram with his hands out to his sides. Five candles are burning at each point. He recites a spell.

Mayor Wilkins: Potestatem matris nostrae in tenebris invoco.
Maledictum filium tuum abomni periculo custodias nunc et in saecula!

Translation: Our mother of darkness, I summon thee. Curse now your dangerous accursed son and protect him into the new age!

The building begins to shake. The Mayor remains still with his eyes closed and moves with the quake. Mr. Trick looks around nervously, as does Vincent who is locked in a cage. Soon it's over, and the Mayor opens his eyes and checks his watch.

Mayor Wilkins: I don't understand why Allan would miss this. He's usually so punctual. (stands up)

Trick: (wide-eyed) Did it work?

Mayor Wilkins: Let's find out. Open the gate.

Trick: You sure?

Mayor Wilkins: Oh! Hold on.

He trots over to Trick, takes Vincent's sword from him, sets it tip- down on the floor and lets it fall through the cage bars into Vincent's hands. The Mayor takes several steps back.

Mayor Wilkins: Okay. Now we're ready.

Trick steps around to the front of the cage, unlocks the padlock and removes the chains. The Mayor watches and waits calmly. Trick pulls open the door, and Vincent rushes out, heading straight for the Mayor. He raises his sword high and brings it down hard on the Mayor's head, slicing it in two. Amazingly, he does not bleed. The flesh inside just shimmers as Vincent pulls back his sword. The two halves of the Mayor's head pull toward each other and seal themselves together. He stands before Vincent as though he was completely untouched. Vincent can't believe his eyes and backs away. Mr. Trick waits behind him and stakes him through the back. He explodes into ashes.

Mayor Wilkins: Well!

He reaches into his jacket, pulls out his daily planner and opens it to today's list. Some of the things included are:

Greet Scouts
Lumber Union Reschedule
Call Temp Agency
Become Invincible
Meeting With PTA
Haircut

He puts a check mark next to "Become Invincible" and puts the planner away. Trick comes up to him.

Mayor Wilkins: This officially commences the Hundred Days. Nothing can harm me until the Ascension. (smiles wide and laughs) Gosh, I'm feeling chipper! (keeps laughing) Who's for a root beer?!

He turns around and leaves the room. Trick can't help but smile and follow him.

Cut to
Giles comes home to his darkened apartment. He takes off his coat and goes upstairs. He pauses in the doorway of his bedroom, watching Jenny sleep. He goes in to get his pajamas and housecoat, and then goes back down to the washroom to shower. Jenny's eyes open, she sits up in bed and turns on the light. She sits there, thinking and worrying.
15 minutes later.
Jenny is sitting in the living room, sipping on a mug of warm milk, when Giles comes out of the washroom in his pajamas and housecoat. He smiles when he sees Jenny.

Jenny: I made you some tea.

He sits down next to her, pours himself a cup.

Giles: Honestly, you know me far too well.

Jenny: (moving closer to him) I'm your number one fan.

Giles laughs.

Jenny: What's funny?

Giles: It's just that Wesley said before that I have a fan club.

Jenny: Ugh. Don't talk to me about him. (She sees Giles is still laughing) Okay, why is everyone always laughing at me when I say anything about him?

Giles: Uh, well, Willow sort of told him that, uh, well, that you're a- a, um, a gypsy sorceress.

Jenny: She didn't.

Giles: He thinks you're going to curse him or something.

Jenny: Oh, for… and you went along with it?

Giles: You're not mad, are you?

Jenny: Well, no… (she herself laughs).

She has finished her milk and sets the empty mug down on the coffee table. She snuggles closer to him and he wraps his arm around her. She runs her fingers along his forearm.

Jenny: You had a rough night?

Giles: Awful. You were right about the demon.

Jenny: (groans) Oh no. Is it-

Giles: Buffy killed it, yes. That little blighter almost got the two of us killed first, though, pathetic excuse for a man that he is. And I have no idea where Faith was or even what she's been up to the past few days.

Jenny: You worried?

Giles: Yes… (he turns his head towards Jenny, who is looking up at him with concern. He laughs at himself) I'm sorry.

Jenny: For what?

Giles: I must get very tiresome.

Jenny: Not to me you don't.

Giles: Do you remember when we last spent time alone together, not talking about demons or magic?

Jenny: I like talking about demons and magic. (off his look) I don't remember.

Giles: Precisely. Why don't we go on a proper honeymoon? (with a smile) We could take a week or two off, go somewhere nice, and spend the entire time in our hotel suite.

Jenny: That sounds nice… (but…)Do you really want to abandon Buffy to Wesley?

Giles: (sighs) I know. I couldn't do that.

Jenny: Mm. (snuggles into him, half asleep) You'll make a good father.

Giles: Excuse me?

Jenny: What?

Giles: You-you-you said… you said that I'll… that I'll make a good father.

Jenny: Did I?

Giles: You did.

Jenny: Oh. Well, you will.

Giles: It's an odd thing to say.

Jenny: (sits up to look at him) What's so odd about it?

Giles: I-i-it's just strange that you would be thinking about it.

Jenny: Why should it be strange? You've never thought about having kids before?

Giles: N-n-no. I-i-it j-just never, uh, occurred to me.

Jenny: Well, what do you think?

Giles: (nervous) What do I think?

Jenny: Mm.

Giles: Uh, I-I-I-I don't know. Besides a general sense of fear?

Jenny: (gets up) Oh, Goddess, I don't believe you!

Giles: Well, what do you expect me to say?

Jenny: Oh, I don't know. It's just… (sighs) I'm pregnant.

Giles just stares at her. Jenny waits for his reaction. The longer she waits, the more uncomfortable she becomes.

Jenny: Do you have to stare at me like that?

Giles: (blinks and looks away) Sorry.

Jenny: Is that it? Is that all you're going to say?

Giles: Just- just give me some time, alright?

Jenny: I don't see why you need any time, you either like the idea or you don't.

Giles: Well, it's all rather unexpected, isn't it?

Jenny: It is if you've never thought about it before.

Giles: I didn't think I had to. Weren't you taking some-some sort of- of–of pill or something?

Jenny: (not liking the direction of their conversation, or rather, argument) I stopped.

Giles: What?

Jenny: I stopped taking it.

Giles: (waits a bit for her to explain, but she doesn't) When? Why didn't you say anything?

Jenny: I've been off them for almost a year now-

Giles: A year?!

Jenny: -ever since we were possessed by those ghosts and you shot me. The bullet damaged a-a… (not wanting to go into the details) my chances of being able to get pregnant were cut in half. So I decided to go off the pill.

Giles: Why didn't you tell me any of this before?

Jenny: You were feeling guilty enough as it was, I didn't want to make things worse.

Giles: For God's sake, Jenny… how long have you known about-

Jenny: Just a few days. I've been carrying for a couple of weeks, though. Probably since just after you were fired.

Giles: And how long were you planning on keeping it a secret?

Jenny's very hurt by this comment, really by his entire attitude.
It's too much for her.
Giles realizes too late how harsh that was.

Jenny: I tried to tell you, okay? (tears spring to her eyes) I tried last night, and the night before, but you were so preoccupied with Buffy, and I didn't want… Goddess, I was afraid you'd act like this.

She turns away before she starts crying, and storms up the stairs to their room, and slams the door. Giles watches her, knowing he's made a mess of things, but too tired and too upset to do anything about it. He leans back on the couch and shuts his eyes.

Giles: (mutters to himself) Oh, good show Giles. Bloody hell…

Cut to Faith's hotel. Cut to her bathroom. She is scrubbing at her shirt in the sink when she hears a knock on the door and looks up.

Buffy: Faith, it's me.

Faith leaves the shirt in the sink and goes to answer it. Buffy breaks a long moment of silence.

Buffy: Hey.

Faith: Hey.

She walks back to the bathroom and continues scrubbing the shirt. Buffy comes in, closes the door and follows Faith to the bathroom.

Buffy: So, I, uh... (sees Faith scrubbing) How are ya doin'?

Faith: (still scrubbing) I'm alright. You know me.

Buffy: Faith, we need to talk about what we're gonna do.

Faith: (looks at Buffy) There's nothing to talk about. I was doing my job.

Buffy: Being a Slayer is not the same as being a killer.

Faith has nothing to say. She's finished scrubbing.

Buffy: Faith, please don't shut me out here. Look, sooner or later, we're both gonna have to deal.

Faith: (looks the shirt over) Wrong.

Buffy: We can help each other.

Faith: I don't need it.

She pulls the plug from the sink, walks into the room and pulls open a drawer on which to hang the shirt to dry.

Buffy: Yeah? Who's wrong now? Faith, you can shut off all the emotions that you want. But eventually, they're gonna find a body.

Faith: (faces Buffy) Okay, this is the last time we're gonna have this conversation, and we're not even having it now, you understand me? There *is* no body. I took it, weighted it, and dumped it. The body doesn't exist. (turns away)

Buffy: (shocked) Getting rid of the evidence doesn't make the problem go away.

Faith: (faces Buffy) It does for me.

Buffy: (very concerned) Faith, you don't get it. You *killed* a man.

Faith: No, *you* don't get it. (smiles daringly) I don't care!

She turns away again to tend to her things. Buffy is speechless with disbelief.

FOLLOW-UP