Spellbound, by darkravine
Rating- Strong PG-13, mostly for language
Pairings- some X/A, B/S

Spoilers: Everything up until "Hell's Bells"

Summary: The Troika discover the spell used to bring Buffy back. "Every spell can be ended"

[TEASER]

INT. Summers' Residence – DAY

Open in DAWN's bedroom. BUFFY and DAWN are sitting on the edge of the bed, side by side. Both are silent for several moments, clearly uncomfortable. BUFFY finally stands up, at first facing the window, looking longingly out, and then skittishly returns her gaze to her sister.

BUFFY: (clearing her throat) Okay. We can do this.

DAWN: (smiling plastically, a little too upbeat) Right! We've survived worse. (Pauses, and her look becomes questioning) Right?

BUFFY: (nodding emphatically) Uh huh. There was that whole . . . Glory thing, and then, being dead for a little while. Oh! And there was that stupid day at the Magic Box that wouldn't end. (Frowns) Well, I guess you weren't there for that part. But believe you me, it sucked big time.

DAWN: I believe you.

BUFFY paces around the room.

BUFFY: It's all about putting mind over matter, facing up to your responsibilities. Now, I don't know about you, but I don't like being all irresponsible and stuff. (She nods quickly) Let's go.

DAWN: (suddenly fearful) I don't want to, Buffy.

BUFFY shakes her head and grabs DAWN's hand, effectively pulling her from the bed and out the door. DAWN groans.

BUFFY: We have to.

EXT. Cheap Motel Room – DAY

Open on BUFFY and DAWN standing outside the motel room. Both frown at the door, before BUFFY finally timidly knocks on the door. After a few moments, the door opens slowly, revealing an extremely disheveled XANDER. He glowers at them, putting his hand to his eyes to keep the sun from hitting them.

BUFFY and DAWN: Hey, Xander.

XANDER closes his eyes.

DAWN: We've come to cheer you up.

XANDER slams the door shut in their faces, leaving BUFFY and DAWN to look at each other confused.

INT. Xander and Anya's Apartment – DAY

Open in the living room, where ANYA is sitting on the sofa, hugging her knees. A sad song plays on the stereo. She stares wistfully out the window, eyes red from crying. A knock on the door startles her out of her thoughts, and she slowly rises to shut the stereo off and answer the door. HALFREK, appearing in human visage, stands on the other side. She smiles sympathetically at ANYA, who stands by, gesturing for her to come in. HALFREK walks over to the middle of the room as ANYA shuts the door.

ANYA: (A little tiredly) What's with the door, Hallie? Never knew you to be so polite. Usually, you just shimmer yourself in.

HALFREK: (softly) This is different.

ANYA nods and then begins to cry again. HALFREK crosses over to her and throws her arms around her.

HALFREK: It's alright, Anyanka. There are ways to fix this.

ANYA stiffens and shrugs herself out of HALFREK's arms.

ANYA: If that's why you came here, then you can just leave. I don't want to curse him. I just want him dead. (Pauses, considering her words) Okay, maybe I don't want him dead, I just … I just don't know what I want anymore. I'm having all these confusing thoughts and they keep telling me different things and I don't like this love stuff anymore. (Pleading) Please help me, Hallie.

HALFREK: I'll do my best. But you have to do something for me as well.

INT. Geeks' New Lair – DAY

Open on WARREN, sitting in front of a computer, vigorously typing. ANDREW and JONATHAN are to his left, playing a video game. WARREN rolls his eyes unceremoniously as ANDREW and JONATHAN fight over video game tactics. Suddenly, his eyes light up as something appears on the computer screen.

WARREN: I've finally done it.

JONATHAN and ANDREW stop playing the game and look up at him.

ANDREW: Did what?

WARREN: (smiling) I've figured out a way to kill the Slayer.

JONATHAN: We've heard this before.

WARREN: (snapping) Really? So you've heard the part about the Slayer already being dead then?

JONATHAN and ANDREW exchange looks of confusion.

WARREN: That's right, boys. It seems our little Slayer hasn't been very forthcoming about her plane of existence. She was dead, for months!

The other two continue to shoot dubious looks at WARREN.

WARREN: (angrily) You don't believe me? Look here! (gesturing to the computer) These are emails, to be specific, Willow's emails. To her girlfriend. All about how Buffy's different since she came back FROM THE DEAD and how maybe the spell went wrong. Now, these are dated months ago, but I think I've found something more recent. Where is it (scanning the screen) Oh yes, here it is. This one is actually from Willow's girlfriend. (Smiling wickedly) It's all of the details of the spell that brought her back.

ANDREW: (snorting) What's so great about that, oh wise one?

JONATHAN closes his eyes and puts his head in his hands.

WARREN: Every spell can be ended.

[End TEASER]