Title: Bad Girls rewrite follow-up
Author: Marissa
Pairing: Giles/Jenny

Notes: Here's the follow-up to my little re-write of "Bad Girls". The origional transcript was by a guy who calls himself Alexander Thompson, and I am not making any money off the work that he has done, or the work of anyone at Muntant Enemy. Everything belongs to Joss.

The Sunnydale High School library. Buffy is sitting on the study table and Faith is sitting in a chair at the table. Wesley paces. Giles is sitting at the far end. He seems kind of distant.

Wesley: I want you to look into this. Find out everything you can about the murder of the Deputy Mayor.

Buffy: (nervous and confused) But that's... I-I mean, that's... That's not really our jurisdiction, is it?

Faith: (eerily calm) It's no big, B. We'll get into it if he wants.

Buffy: (looking for back up) Giles?

Giles: (looking up) Hm? What is it?

Buffy: What do you think about the murder? Slayer territory?

Giles: Um, Of course it's not. The Deputy Mayor's murder was the result of human malice. There's nothing supernatural about it.

Wesley: We don't know that for certain. (brightly) I say it merits investigation.

Giles: (gets up, walks around the table) You would.

Wesley: And just what is that supposed to mean?

Giles: (taking out his bad mood on Wes) That you don't know what the bloody hell you're doing. If you ask me there are better uses for the slayers' time.

Wesley: (snootily) Ah. But I don't believe I did. (holds the daily paper out to him) Ask you. And you forget that I am the one the Watchers' Council deemed most capable of handling this assignment.

Giles: (yanks the paper away) Considering the success of your previous adventure...

Cordelia walks into the library. Giles looks over at her.

Cordelia: Don't let me interrupt. Wait. Let me interrupt. I'm in a hurry. (raises her eyebrows)

Giles: What do you want?

Wesley turns to see who has spoken, and is immediately taken by her beauty. He stares at her with his mouth agape, looking her up and down.

Cordelia: Jeez, someone woke up on the wrong side. I need books for psych class. Freud and Jung.

Giles walks off to find the books without respondeing.

Cordelia: (notices Wesley, smiles) Check out Giles: The Next Generation. What's your deal?

Wesley: (stammering nervously) Uh, I, uh... Well... (swallows) I'm a...

Faith is quite amused. She leans forward on the table.

Faith: New Watcher.

Cordelia: Oh.

Wesley: (turns to Buffy, irritated) Does everybody know about you?

Buffy: She's a friend.

Cordelia: Let's not exaggerate. So... (steps closer) You're the new Watcher.

Wesley: (summons his poise, holds out his hand) Wesley Wyndam-Pryce.

Cordelia: (takes it) I like a man with two last names. I'm Cordelia.

Wesley: (smiles) And you teach psychology.

Cordelia: I *take* psychology.

Giles walks behind Wesley with Cordelia's books.

Giles: She's a student.

Wesley immediately drops Cordelia's hand.

Wesley: Oh, well. I, uh... (swallows) Yes. (squares his shoulders) In fact, I am... here to watch... girls. Uh, uh, Buffy and Faith, to be specific.

Cordelia: (steps closer, smiling brightly) Well, it's about time we got some fresh blood around here.

Wesley: (laughs nervously) Well. Fresh. Yes.

At the checkout counter Giles stamps the due date into the books.

Giles hands the book to Cordelia.

Cordelia: (to Giles) Thanks. (to Wesley) So, welcome to Sunnydale.

She gives him a bright smile and goes to retrieve her books. On her way out she makes sure to put just the right amount of swing in her hips.

Wesley: (watching her back admiringly) My. She is cheeky, isn't she?

Faith: (still amused) Uh, first word: jail; second word: bait.

Wesley: Ahem. (pulls out his handkerchief) Well, uh... (dabs his mouth) Where were we?

Buffy: (slips off the table) Done. I mean, we were done, right?

Faith: (stands up) Uh, yep. Off to patrol. So we'll see ya.

Wesley: (draws himself up) One moment, girls. I'm your commander now, and on the matter of this murder, I am resolved. Natural or super, I want to know.

Faith: Fine by me. Always ready to kick a little bad guy butt.

She touches her hand to Buffy's shoulder, and the two of them walk out. Wesley smiles beatifically after them.

Cut to an empty classroom. The Slayers walk in. Buffy pulls the door closed behind her. Faith checks the other door to make sure it's closed, which it is. They meet in the center of the room.

Faith: (challengingly) So, you gonna rat me out? Is that it?

Buffy: (imploringly) Faith, we have to tell. I can't pretend to investigate this. I can't pretend that I don't know. If-if we don't do the right thing, it's only gonna make things worse for you.

Faith: Worse than jail for the rest of my young life? No way!

Buffy: Faith, what we did was...

Faith: (ominously) Yeah. We. You were right there beside me when this whole thing went down. Anything I have to answer for, you do, too. You're a part of this, B. All the way.

Faith walks out of the classroom, leaving a shocked Buffy behind.

Cut to the hall. Buffy comes out of the classroom and walks toward the student lounge. There she sees Willow and Jenny, talking, and goes to them. Neither of them notice Buffy.

Jenny: … so then he says, "How long were you planning on keeping this a secret?" As if I like keeping things from him. (sighs) We haven't talked since then. (runs her fingers through her hair) I don't know what to do.

Willow: He'll come around. It was probably just the shock. (allows herself a smile) After all, it's not every day you find out you're going to have a baby.

Buffy: (nervous about talking to Willow) Hey. (realizing what she just heard) Wait a sec.

Willow and Jenny turn to Buffy, surprised.

Jenny: Buffy! Hi.

Willow: Hey.

Buffy: (to Jenny) You're having a baby?

Jenny: (with a weak smile) Uh, yeah.

Buffy: (stunned) Omigod. (the news sinks in) Omigod! (hugs Jenny) That's great! Congratulations! (hugs Jenny again).

Buffy sits down across from them. Willow is kind of awkward. Jenny is cheered somewhat.

Buffy: Does Giles know yet? `Cause he sure wasn't acting like it.

Jenny: (cheer evaporating) He knows.

Buffy: (furrows her eyebrows) Is he being stupid?

Jenny: No. We had a fight. Really it was just as much my fault as it was his.

Buffy: Oh yeah, I'm sure. Finding out you're going to be a parent is something people usually get really angry about. Do you want me to talk to him? Or hit him? I can hit him and make it look like an accident.

Jenny: I don't think that's necessary.

Willow: I'd better get going before I'm late meeting Michael.

Buffy: You're going?

Willow: We're working on de-ratting Amy.

Jenny: Let me know how it goes, `kay?

Willow: Okay.

Buffy: I'll see you later, right?

Willow: I don't know. We'll see. If you're not too busy with Faith.

Willow walks off. Jenny looks uncomfortable. Buffy watches her friend leave.

Jenny: Things aren't so hot between the two of you, huh?

Buffy: No.

Jenny: Willow's not helpless, you know. She's got serious talent, as a wicca.

Buffy: That's not the problem.

Jenny: She seems to think it is. You and Faith have a little Slayer club, and all of a sudden she's left out.

Buffy: I didn't want her to feel that way! It's just that… Faith made everything seem… different… and now it's all messed up, and I just want to talk to Willow again. (beat) And who are you to talk? You and Giles aren't speaking to each other half the time. Haven't you run out of things to argue about yet?

Jenny: Hey! What does that have to do with anything?

Buffy: If you can talk to me about Wil, then I can talk to you about Giles.

Jenny: Fine. Whatever. I'm sorry I said anything.

Buffy: Fine.

They sit in silence for a while.

Buffy: Don't you have a class now?

Jenny: My sophomores are on the zoo field trip.

Buffy: Oh.

Jenny: What about you?

Buffy: I'm on spare.

Jenny: Mm.

Silence

Jenny: You're right. This is stupid.

Buffy: I'm right? What?

Jenny: (getting up) I'm going to go find Rupert.

Buffy: Oh. Okay. Uh, good luck.

Jenny: Thanks. (she leaves)

Buffy sits alone on the couches. Xander comes bounding over and plops down next to her.

Xander: Hey, Buffster! What's up?

Buffy groans and leans back.

Cut to library Wesley is lecturing Giles, much to the latter's chagrin.

Wesley: You're simply not suited for this assignment anymore. What is needed from the Watcher is someone who is young and fearless-

Jenny comes in.

Jenny: Hey, wuss-face, take a hike.

Wesley: Uh, right! (he scurries off)

Jenny turns to Giles.

Jenny: Hi.

Giles: Hello.

Silence

Jenny: This is going well so far.

Giles: Yes.

Awkward silence. Jenny takes a deep breath before she begins, but Giles beats her to it.

Giles: I'm sorry for the way I acted last night. My behaviour was inexcusable.

Jenny: It's okay. I should have been honest with you from the beginning. I mean, you'd think I would have learned that by now.

Giles: No, it was completely understandable why you acted the way you did. I was far too harsh a-a-and I shouldn't have jumped on you like that.

Jenny: I don't mind you jumping on me.

Giles: Still, I… (sees her smiling at him) oh. (he smiles a bit and looks down, completely thrown off).

Jenny: Are we finished?

Giles: I guess so.

Jenny: Good.

She leans over and kisses him. This goes on for awhile, until she breaks it off.

Jenny: We have to start thinking about baby names!

Giles: I guess so. (smiles at her)

Jenny: No typical Watcher names though.

Giles: What does that mean?

Jenny: Think about it: "Quentin", "Wesley", "Rupert"… I want our kid to be, you know (she plays with the collar of his shirt) … cool.

Giles: (indignent) Why does my name get stuck with "Quentin" and "Wesley"?

Jenny: Rupert, it's the name of a cartoon bear.

Giles just looks at her, kinda hurt, kinda glaring.

Jenny: Well, on you it's cute. (Giles is somewhat placated) But you're all tweedy and Englishy. Our child is going to be American, and-

Giles: When did we agree that he would-

Jenny: -or she-

Giles: - or she would be American?

The camera begins to pull back

Jenny: We're in America. It's kind of a given.

They continue to talk as the screen fades to black.

Night
Cut to Willow's room. She's at her laptop doing research. She hears a tapping at her French doors, and goes to open them. There she sees Buffy looking in sadly.

Buffy: Hey.

Willow: Hey.

Buffy: I need to talk to you.

Willow: Good. (Buffy comes in, closes the door) 'Cause I've been letting things fester. (goes to her bed) And I don't like it. (sits) I wanna be fester-free.

Buffy: (smiles weakly) Yeah. Me, too.

Willow: (stands up) I mean, don't get me wrong. I-I completely understand why you and Faith have been doing the bonding thing. You guys work together. You... You should get along.

Buffy: It's more complicated than that.

Willow: But, see, it's that exact thing that-that's just ticking me off! It's this whole 'Slayers only' attitude. I mean, since when wouldn't I understand? You, you talk to me about *everything*. I- it's like all of a sudden I-I'm not cool enough for you because I can't kill things with my bare hands.

Buffy suddenly bursts into tears. Willow is aghast at this result.

Willow: (regretfully) Oh! Oh, Buffy! Don't cry. (hugs her close) I'm sorry. I-I was too hard on you. (lets go) Sometimes I unleash. I- I don't know my own strength. I-i-it's bad. I-I-I'm bad. I'm a bad, bad, bad person. (looks for forgiveness)

Buffy: (tearfully) Will, I'm in trouble.

Cut to later, after they've calmed down and Buffy's explained. They sit on Willow's bed.

Buffy: And Faith acts like she doesn't even care. The way she talks, it's like she didn't even make a mistake.

Willow: (takes it all in) Do you think she's, like, i-in shock?

Buffy: (sighs) I don't know. And I think that detective knows more than he's saying. I think he knew that I was lying.

Willow: (decisively) You have to go to Giles, Buffy. He'll know what to do.

Buffy lets out a deep breath, knowing that her friend is right.

Cut to the library. Buffy comes in quietly and walks past the counter.

Buffy: (troubled) Giles?

She stops when she sees him come out of his office.

Giles: Buffy.

Buffy: Uh... (exhales) I don't really know how to say this, so I'm- I'm... I'm just gonna say it. I know I've kept things from you before, but...

Giles turns his head slightly as Faith comes out of his office, too. Faith gives her a steely look, like she expects Buffy to keep things quiet.

Buffy: (fumbling) But, um, but I-I've been blowing off my classes. You know, in-in the sense of not attending. And, uh...

Faith: It's okay, Buffy. I told him.

Buffy: (surprised) You told him?

Faith: I had to. He had to know what you did.

Buffy: (confused) What I did?

She realizes that Faith has told Giles a bold-faced lie.

Buffy: Giles, no. Tha-That's just not what happened.

Giles: (upset) I don't want to hear it, Buffy.

Buffy: (shocked) No! It...

Giles: I don't want to hear any more lies.

Buffy: (frantically to Faith) You can't be serious! You're setting me up?

Giles: Get in my office, now. Faith, I'll talk to you in the morning.

Buffy: (imploringly) Giles, please, you have to...

Giles: (sternly) Now!

Buffy can't believe what's happening. Faith walks around Giles. Buffy goes into his office. Faith stops and faces him.

Faith: Um... Sorry.

She leaves at a brisk pace.

Giles looks down for a moment, then goes into his office. Inside Buffy faces him.

Buffy: (desperately) Giles, I didn't do this. I swear. Look, I know that I messed up badly, but the murder, i-it... it was...

Giles: (interrupts) Faith. I know.

Stunned, Buffy realizes he was just playing Faith's game.

Giles: She may have many talents, Buffy, but fortunately, lying is not one of them.

Buffy: Oh. Oh, God. (sits) I thought...

Giles: I'm sorry. I needed her to think that I was on her side. I don't know how far she'll take this charade.

Buffy: Try far. Like, all the way.

Giles: You should have come to me right off. (sits facing her)

Buffy: I know. Well, I, I wanted to.

Giles: But Faith wouldn't hear of it?

Buffy: It's not all her fault, Giles. We both thought it was a vampire. I-I only realized it a second before.

Giles: Buffy, this is not the first time something like this has happened.

Buffy: (confused) It's not?

Giles: The Slayer is on the front line of a nightly war. Now, it's, it's tragic, but accidents have happened.

Buffy: W-what do you do?

Giles: Well, the Council investigates, um, metes out punishment if punishment is due. But I... I have no plans to involve them. I mean, it's the last thing Faith needs at the moment. She's unstable, Buffy. I mean, she's utterly unable to accept responsibility.

Buffy: She's freaking. So, so then we just have to help her deal, right?

Giles: She's in denial. There *is* no help for her until she admits what happened.

Buffy: (uncertainly) I-I could talk to her.

Giles: (sighs) Perhaps.

Buffy: Or maybe I'm too close. Maybe, maybe one of the guys could.

Giles: We should meet. It-it may be that they're seeing a different side of her.

Buffy: Okay.

Cut to the main area looking into the office. The camera pans past the window.

Giles: In the meantime, no one else is to know. Understood?

Buffy: Of course.

The camera keeps panning until it comes to rest on Wesley, who is standing by the counter, arms crossed and listening grimly.

Giles: I mean, this is... extremely delicate. If we scare her off now, we may lose her forever.

Back in the office

Buffy: So, that's the plan for now? Meet and talk?

Giles: Yes. We have to approach this carefully.

Buffy: Good. (beat) I'm glad you're here. I don't know what I'd do without you.

Giles: I… I'm sure you'd…

Buffy: No, really. If you weren't here to help me…

Giles: (shrugs, self-depreciating) It's what I do.

There is silence. They share a moment.

Buffy: Ms. Calendar told me the news.

Giles: (surprised) She did?

Buffy: Or, I heard her talking about it with Willow and asked her about it. Have you two made up yet?

Giles: (amused at Buffy) Yes.

Buffy: Good. Congratulations. You're going to be a real family man now.

Giles: It's difficult to imagine.

Buffy: Oh, come on. You're a good father. (catches herself) I mean, you'll make a good father. You know, with all the practice you've had.

Giles: Thank you.

Another moment.

Giles: Uh, we, uh, we were talking about-about names today. If it's a girl, we decided on Anastasia, or-or Ani for short. We, uh, wanted something with "Anne" in it.

Buffy: Really? As-as in my middle name?

Giles: Well, "Buffy" is such a, a, um, distinctive name, it really only suits you, so…

Buffy: I don't really know what to say. (beat) Anastasia's really pretty. (beat) What if it's a boy? You're not going to name him something Watchery, are you?

Giles kinda glares at her.

Cut to Wesley's apartment. He picks up the phone and dials an international number.

Wesley: Yes, hello. Mr. Travers, please. Quentin Travers. (listens) Wesley Wyndam-Pryce calling. (listens, confused) The code word? Monkey. (listens, exasperated) M-o-n-k... Just put him on, will you? This is an emergency.

Willow: Well, maybe we should all talk to Faith together.

Cut to the cafeteria. She, Buffy, Xander, Giles, and Jenny sit among the tables, which have the chairs inverted on them for the night.

Giles: No, Faith is too defensive for a confrontation like that. She'll respond better to a one-on-one approach.

Xander: Well, *I* can be the one... on her one. (gets confused looks) Let's rephrase. I think she might listen to me. We kind of have, um, a connection.

Buffy: A connection? Why would you think that...

Xander: (interrupts) I'm just saying it's worth a shot. That's all.

Buffy and Willow exchange a look.

Giles: No, I don't, I don't see it, Xander. I mean, of, of all of us, you're the one person arguably that Faith has had the least contact with.

Jenny looks down, uncomfortable. She feels like kicking Giles, but thinks that Xander needs to realize that his relationship with Faith really doesn't mean much.

Xander: Yeah, but we hung out a little... recently, and she seemed to be, um... responsive.

Willow picks up on that, and figures it out. She looks sadly off into space.

Buffy: When did you guys hang out?

Xander: Oh, she was fighting one of those, uh, apocalypse demon things, and I helped her. Gave her a ride home.

Buffy: And you guys talked?

Xander: (shakes his head) Not extensively. No.

Buffy: Then why would you... (figures it out also, widens her eyes with surprise) Oh.

Giles: (gets it, surprised) Oh!

He looks to Jenny, who still looks uncomfortable. He and Buffy both look at Willow, concerned. She notices and looks up.

Willow: I don't need to say 'oh'. I got it before. They slept together.

Buffy is genuinely sorry that she had to hear it like this. Willow looks back off into space. A long silence follows. The tension in the air is very thick. Giles finally breaks it.

Giles: Fine, fine, let's, let's, let's move on.

Buffy: Alright. Look, I-I know that you mean well, Xander, but, um, I-I just don't see Faith opening up to you. (gently) She doesn't take the guys that she has a... 'connection' with very seriously. And they're, they're kind of a big joke to her. No offense.

Xander: (guffaws, sarcastically) Oh, no! I mean, why would I be offended by *that*?

Giles: However, i-if you still want to be of assistance, I, I, I need some help with research. There's still the business of the Mayor and Mr. Trick to attend to.

Buffy: Yeah, they, they seemed pretty cozy the other night.

Giles: Yes. Uh, Willow, c-c-can you, um, access the Mayor's files?

Willow: (comes back to Earth) What? Oh, uh, sure. I can try.

Giles: (stands up) Good, yes, because clearly we, uh, (picks up his chair) we need to take a harder look at him. (turns it over) He's, he's, um, he's obviously up to something. (sets it on a table)

Buffy: What about Faith?

Jenny: I could try to talk to her. We did spend all that time together when I was helping her move into my old place. We talked a lot.

Giles: No. She-she's too unstable. I don't want you putting yourself in danger.

Jenny: I'd just be talking to her.

Giles: I said no.

Xander: Jeez, over protective much? What are you, her father?

Jenny: Actually, I am pregnant.

Xander: Oh, alright then. (looks around) Am I the last one to find out about this?(no response) Guess so. Man, nothing beats that out- of-the-loop feeling.

Jenny: Xander, please, not now.

Buffy: Okay, not to over step my bounds or anything, but I think Ms. Calendar may be our best bet for reaching Faith. (to Jenny) I mean, she seems to actually respect you. And no offence or anything, but you're also really good at playing your cards close.

Jenny: Yeah, (to Giles) and if worst comes to worst, I can always do the "keep back" charm. You've seen how well that works.

Giles: (reluctantly weighs the pros and cons of letting Jenny go) I suppose that's true.

Jenny: Good. (gets up) I can go now.

Giles: N-now?

Jenny: Yeah. I can say that you're dealing with Buffy and that I thought she might need someone to talk to.

Xander: So you're going to keep playing that little game of hers?

Jenny: Well, yeah. I think it's better if she decided to confess on her own, don't you? And if she doesn't, then I can tell her we know. So I'll talk to you in a bit. (she turns to go)

Cut to Faith's apartment. She's lying on the couch, idly watching TV. She hears a knock at her door. She gets up and goes to answer it. It's Jenny.

Faith: What?

Jenny: I heard about what happened. I thought you might need someone to talk to.

Faith: There's nothing to talk about. Buffy's the one who killed the guy, not me.

Jenny: I know. Rupert's with her now. (silence) Can I come in?

Faith: Whatever.

Faith steps away from the door, going back to the TV. Jenny comes in, looking around at her old apartment, which looks like a tornado just hit it.

Jenny: Wow. It looks like you're really at home here.

Faith: (keeping her eyes glued to the TV) It's better than the rat hole I was gonna stay in.

Jenny: Are you keeping up with the rent?

Faith: More or less.

Jenny sits down at the opposite end of the couch from Faith.

Jenny: Whatcha watchin'?

Faith: I dunno. You keep interrupting my concentration.

Jenny: Look, Faith, I know that you don't feel like talking right now-

Faith: That sure isn't stopping you though.

Jenny: -but you might want to later. And I want you to know that I'm here.

Faith: You're not getting it. There's nothing to talk about.

Jenny: You don't have to pretend with me.

Faith: (defensive) What do you think I'm pretending?

Jenny: That you aren't upset by it all.

Faith: There's nothing for me to be upset about. Buffy's the one who should be upset. She's the killer.

Jenny: But it could have just as easily been you.

Faith: (gets up) It *wasn't* me.

Jenny: (not missing a beat) I know it was.

Faith: What?

Jenny: (stands) It wasn't Buffy. It was you.

Faith: So? What are you going to do about it? Turn me in?

Jenny: No! I want to help you.

Faith: You can help by keeping your mouth shut. Nothing happened, understand? (turns to walk away)

Jenny: Even if you can escape from the police, it won't change the fact that you killed a man. You have to deal with that. You can't-

Faith: (turns) I can do whatever I want. (she approaches Jenny menacingly) Want me to prove it?

Jenny: (holds her ground) Faith, you made a mistake. It's happened before. We understand and we can help you, if you'd just let us.

Faith: I'm not the one here that needs help. (grabs Jenny by the throat) Too bad there's no one around to give it to you.

Jenny holds out her hand, her palm facing Faith, and gasps out some words in Rumanian. Faith flies back against the wall. She struggles to get away from the wall, but is held back. Red energy crackles around her when she moves.

Faith: Is this how you're going to help me?

Jenny: I'm sorry.

Jenny picks up the phone and dials, keeping her eyes on Faith.

Cut to Angel's mansion. Faith is chained to the fireplace mantle. She rubs her wrists.

Faith: Finally decided to tie me up, huh? I always knew you weren't really a one-Slayer guy.

Angel: (plays with a bat) I'm sorry about the chains. It's not that I don't trust you... Actually, it *is* that I don't trust you. (sets the bat aside)I bet you're not big on trust games, now, are you, Faith?

Faith: You gonna shrink me now? Is that it?

Angel: No, I just wanna talk to you.

Faith: That's what they all say. And then it's just, 'Lemme stay the night. Won't try anything.'

Angel: You wanna go the long way around, hey, I can do that. (stands up) I'm not getting any older.

He turns his back on her and walks out into the atrium. Buffy waits there, and stands up when she sees him.

Buffy: How's she doing?

Angel: It's like talking to a wall. Only you get more from a wall.

Buffy: But you'll keep trying, right?

Angel: Sure. We're just getting started.

Buffy: So, what do I do?

Angel: Look, right now, there's nothing that you can do.

Buffy: Well, this could take awhile, right? (goes to the stairs) So, I'll just go to Faith's and I'll get some of her stuff. That way she'll see that we're on her side.

Angel: That's a good idea.

Buffy: Okay. (glances at Faith) I'll be back.

Angel: Look, I... I don't want you to get your hopes up, Buffy. She may not want us to help her.

Buffy: She does. She just doesn't know how to say it.

Angel: She killed a man. That changes everything for her.

Buffy: (shakes her head) Giles said with counseling, they might not even need to lock her up.

Angel: That's not what I mean. She's taken a life.

Buffy: I know.

Angel: She's got a taste for it now.

Later… Cut to Angel's mansion. He paces past Faith.

Angel: I know what's goin' on with you.

Faith: Join the club. Everybody seems to have a theory.

Angel: Hmm. (faces her) But I know what it's like to take a life. To feel a future, a world of possibilities, snuffed out by your own hand. I know the power in it. The exhilaration. It was like a drug for me.

Faith: (looks up at him, sarcastically) Yeah? Sounds like you need some help. A professional maybe.

Angel: Hmm. (goes to the coffee table) A professional couldn't have helped me. (sits on it) It stopped when I got my soul back. My human heart.

Faith: Goody for you. If we're gonna party, let's get on with it. (holds out her wrists) Otherwise, could you let me out of these things?

Angel: Faith, you have a choice. You've tasted something few ever do. (stands up, paces) I mean, to kill without remorse is to feel like a god.

Faith: (struggles angrily) Right now, all I feel is a cramp in my wrist, (yanks at the chains impatiently) so let me go!

Angel: (crouches) But you're not a god. You're not much more than a child. Going down this path will ruin you. You can't imagine the price for true evil.

Faith: Yeah? (sneering) I hope evil takes MasterCard.

Angel: (smiles) You and me, Faith, (straightens up) we're a lot alike. Time was, I thought humans existed just to hurt each other. (sits next to her) But then I came here. And I found out that there are other types of people. People who genuinely wanted to do right. (looks at her) And they make mistakes. And they fall down. You know, but they keep caring. Keep trying. If you can trust us, Faith, this can all change. You don't have to disappear into the darkness.

Suddenly there is a loud pounding on the door. It is broken in, and Wesley strides straight toward them, holding a large cross and flanked by three others. Angel rushes to head them off, but has to step back from Wesley, who nervously holds the cross in his face. One of his cronies blindsides Angel with a right hook, and he falls to the floor. Another quickly throws a net over him, and the third starts to beat him with a crowbar while the others tie Angel up. Wesley goes over to Faith and removes the shackles from her wrists. While she rubs them and watches Angel get whaled on, Wesley pulls out a set of heavy cuffs and chains, and before she knows it her wrists are bound once again.

Faith: (confused) What?

Wesley: By the order of the Watcher's Council of Britain... (lifts her up) I am exercising my authority and removing you to England, (guides her out) where you will accept the judgment of the disciplinary committee.

One of the men helps hold Faith, and they all leave the mansion, leaving Angel behind entangled in a mass of net and rope.

The streets of Sunnydale. A stepvan drives down a boulevard. Cut inside. Faith is chained to a bench on one side. Wesley and one of his men sit on the bench opposite her.

Wesley: I'm sorry for the extreme measures. Unfortunately, this is a rather extreme circumstance.

Faith: Whatever.

Wesley: Please believe nobody is rushing to judgment. The first priority of both myself and the Council is to help you.

Faith pulls at the ring holding her to the bench.

Wesley: Ah, now, none of that. (to his crony) Tighten her restraints. Faith, there's no point in fighting this.

Faith kicks the man in the knee, and he falls to the floor. She presses down on his face with her boot.

Faith: Have to disagree with you on that one. Now unlock these or I'll pop this guy's head like a grape.

Wesley hesitates, then spies a wrench on the floor. Faith sees it, too.

Faith: Don't even think about it.

She holds up her cuffed wrists for him to unlock. He gives in, stands up, pulls the keys from his pocket and steps over to set her free.

Wesley: Faith, you can't keep running.

She punches him hard in the jaw, and he falls onto the wrench. He grabs it and tries to swing at her with it, but she grabs his wrist.

Faith: Wrong again, Wes.

She grabs his jacket with her other hand and headbutts him hard. He falls down unconscious. She goes to the doors, kicks them open and jumps out onto the street. She rolls a few times before coming to a stop and watches the van drive away. She looks around to get her bearings and makes her getaway.

Cut to the library. Giles, Jenny, Willow and Xander are all there with Buffy and Angel.

Angel: It was the new Watcher. He had a couple of guys helping him.

Willow: Then he figured it out?

Giles: Which means that Faith will be soon on her way back to England to face the Watcher's Council.

Buffy: And then what?

Giles: Most likely they'll lock her away for a good long while.

Jenny: I'm sorry I couldn't get to her.

Giles: You tried.

Buffy: But she's not gone yet! We can still head them off at the airport and stop them.

Willow: Can I... I-I'm just wondering. Why? (gets a look from Buffy) I'm not the most objective, I know. I kind of have an issue with Faith sharing my people. (looks at Xander, who closes his eyes) But she murdered someone and accused Buffy. Then she tried to kill Jenny. I hate to say it, but maybe she belongs behind bars.

Giles thinks about that.

Buffy: She's out of control, I know. But Angel was getting somewhere with her. She was opening up. If we could just stop Wesley.

Wesley walks into the library.

Wesley: That's no longer an issue.

Giles: You let her get away?

Wesley: 'Let' wouldn't be the way I'd phrase it, but... Yes, she escaped.

Giles rolls his eyes and takes off his glasses. Jenny stares at him in disbelief.

Angel: That's good work. (walks across the room) First, you terrorize her, then you put her back in the streets. (sits on the table)

Wesley: That was hardly my plan. I was trying to save her.

Buffy: (accusingly) But you didn't! You probably destroyed her.

Giles: (interrupts quietly) Buffy, that's enough. (puts his glasses back on)

Jenny: No, it's not enough! He's an incompetent, ignorant little twerp, who just waltzes around fucking everything up, and- and- (to Wesley) and Goddess, I hate you!

Wesley is frozen with fear. He thinks Jenny's about to incinerate him. He starts sputtering something incoherent.

Giles: Jenny- (she ignores him)

Jenny: What the hell do you think you've accomplished here so far? You're lucky no one's been killed because of you!

Buffy: Not yet, anyways. I better find Faith before she does any more damage. (stands up) We're gonna need to split up. I'll check the docks. That's probably where she is. Giles, Ms. Calendar why don't you go to her place? Xander, Willow, her haunts and be careful.

They all get up to leave.

Angel: I'll try the airport. (goes)

Everyone walks past Wesley on their way out. He flinches as Jenny walks by. He manages to pull himself together enough to speak before Buffy goes out the door.

Wesley: What can I do? I want to help.

Buffy: (resentfully) You still got your ticket back to the mother country?

She follows the others out, leaving him standing there alone.

Cut to the docks. The camera closes in on an old, rusty cargo ship and across to the dock. Buffy walks along it watching for Faith. She passes underneath the gangplank and stops when she hears Faith behind her.

Faith: You don't give up, do you?

She's on the ship at the top of the gangplank.

Buffy: Not on my friends, no.

Faith: Yeah, because you and me are such solid buds, right? (walks down the gangplank)

Buffy: We could be. It's not too late.

Faith: (disgusted) For me to change and be more like you, you mean? Little Miss Goody-Two-Shoes? (stops halfway, leans on the railing) It ain't gonna happen, B.

Buffy: Faith, nobody is asking you to be like me, but you can't go on like this.

Faith: (grins evilly) Scares you, doesn't it?

She climbs over the railing and hops down to the dock.

Buffy: Yeah, it scares me. Faith, you're hurting people. You're hurting yourself.

Faith: (approaches Buffy) But that's not it. That's not what bothers you so much. What bugs you is you know I'm right. You know in your gut we don't need the law. We *are* the law.

Buffy: No.

She turns her back and walks away. Faith follows right behind.

Faith: Yes. You know exactly what I'm about 'cause you have it in you, too.

Buffy: No, Faith, you're sick.

Faith: I've seen it, B. You've got the lust. And I'm not just talking about screwing vampires.

Buffy stops in her tracks.

Buffy: Don't you *dare* bring him into this.

Faith: (taunting her) It was good, wasn't it? The sex? The danger? Bet a part of you even dug him when he went psycho.

Buffy: No! (continues walking)

Faith: (follows) See, you need me to toe the line because you're afraid you'll go over it, aren't you, B? You can't handle watching me living my own way, having a blast, because it tempts you! You know it could be you!

Buffy has had enough. She stops, faces her and backhand punches her in the jaw. Faith comes up smiling wickedly.

Faith: There's my girl.

Buffy: (tries to get away) No. I'm not gonna do this.

Faith: (doesn't let her go) Why not? It feels good. Blood rising.

Buffy hears a noise above, looks up and notices a palette of crates above them, falling directly at Faith. She shoves her out of the way, but gets struck herself and goes down. She is dazed, but not out.

Faith gets up and goes to help Buffy, when Mr. Trick and three other vampires suddenly attack. Faith spins around when she hears them roar, but is soundly punched in the face by Trick, forcing her body to snap to the side. He and another one grab her by her jacket and throw her to the ground. As Faith tries to get to her feet, the second vampire roundhouse kicks her in the face. She blocks it and drops a bit, but manages to get up and block an uppercut from the third one by grabbing his hand. She backhand punches him in the face, making him step back to keep his balance, and turns to face the second vampire. She high blocks a wide swing from him and punches him, making him fall, but the third one behind her flat hands her in the back and she stumbles.

Buffy starts to come out of her daze.

Buffy: (whispers) Oh, God...

The third vampire holds Faith with her arms behind her back. She tries to get free by snapping her heel backwards and striking his kneecap. That has no effect, so she snaps her head back and butts him dead in the nose, but the vamp still doesn't let go of her. The second vampire launches into a half spinning hook kick intended for Faith, but she ducks it and the demon holding her takes the blow, lets go of her and goes down. Faith flies into full spinning, jumping out-to-in crescent kick, hitting the second vampire hard in the face and sending him spinning to the ground. The first vampire runs at her, but she sidesteps him and shoves him into the third, who was just getting up. He isn't knocked down, though, and comes at her. She grabs him and pulls him with her toward the water, and throws him off the dock.

Buffy is out of her daze now, and with difficulty pulls her legs out from under the pallet of crates that fell on her. She gets to her feet, but is immediately punched by Mr. Trick. She falls spinning onto the crates and rolls off onto the concrete. She gets to her feet as Trick approaches and tries to backhand punch him, but he middle blocks it, so she punches him in the gut instead. Her jab is weak, though, and has no effect on him. Trick does a painful right hook to her face. Buffy stumbles backward. Trick advances and swings again, this time snapping her head back with a powerful uppercut, making her fall onto another pile of crates.

Faith does a half-spinning hook kick, connecting with the second vampire's jaw. He falls onto an open barrel and struggles not to fall in. The first one comes at her again, but she has her stake out now and jams it home. He explodes into ashes. She looks over and sees Buffy struggling with Mr. Trick. He wraps a cord around her neck and begins to choke her. But Faith isn't finished with her fight yet. The second vampire throws off the barrel, only to become intimate with her stake and burst into ashes.

Faith sees Trick yank at the cord around Buffy's neck and pull her off of the crates. He pulls her up and swings her around into a pallet leaning against still more crates. She hits it hard and falls to the pavement. Faith looks around, trying to decide what to do. She sees Trick pick Buffy up again and slam her against the huge crates. Buffy struggles to get loose, but the cord around her neck is too tight.

Trick: I hear once you've tasted a Slayer, you never wanna go back.

He opens his fang-filled mouth wide and moves in for the bite. Buffy struggles to keep him away, but can't. Suddenly Mr. Trick stops and looks up in wide-eyed shock.

Trick: Oh, no. (shakes his head) No, this is no good at all.

He begins to fall and explodes into ashes as Faith pulls her stake back. The two Slayers look at each other uncertainly for a long while. Faith lowers her stake. Buffy massages her neck.

Cut to the library. Buffy sits at the table while Giles pours her some coffee from his thermos.

Giles: So she saved you. (walks slowly around the table)

Buffy: She could have left me there to die, Giles, but she didn't.

Giles: She opted to come back to town with you. That... That bodes well. (sits) She still has a lot to face before she can put this behind her.

Buffy: I'm not gonna give up on her.

Giles: (pours himself a cup) Then I think she stands a chance.

Cut to the Mayor's office. He pulls on his overcoat, getting ready to leave for the night. He looks down at his desk and adjusts the angle of the penholder, gives a satisfied nod, picks up his briefcase and heads for the door. When he opens it he is surprised to see Faith standing there, arms crossed.

Faith: (accusingly) You sent your boy to kill me.

Mayor Wilkins: (unfazed) That's right, I did.

Faith: He's dust.

Mayor Wilkins: I thought he might be. What with you standing here and all.

Faith: (steps brazenly into the doorway) I guess that means you have a job opening.

The Mayor steps back to let her enter and closes the door.

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