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"

[ACT IV]

INT. Magic Box – NIGHT

Open on XANDER and ANYA sitting at the work table. XANDER is clearly uncomfortable, shifting in his chair every few seconds or so. ANYA stares at him somewhat quizzically, and even amusedly, some might say, as she enjoys how uncomfortable her presence makes him. A slight smile plays along her lips, as she idly twirls a strand of hair between her fingers.

JONATHAN leans against the counter, trying not to look too bored as he plays with the vial of blue liquid. As he is attempting at juggling the vial, he inadvertently loses his grasp and none-too-subtly jumps out to catch it. XANDER eyes him, annoyance oozing from his persona.

XANDER: Hey, watch it, Ru Paul. You break that, and Buffy's gonna go postal on me. Come to think of it, why are you holding that? Give it here.

JONATHAN reluctantly hands the vial over to XANDER, scowling.

JONATHAN: You know, I didn't have to help you guys. A little gratitude wouldn't hurt.

XANDER: Gratitude. You want gratitude? Correct me if I'm wrong, midget boy, but wasn't it you along with two other losers who put Buffy in this mess in the first place?

JONATHAN: It wasn't my idea! I swear. All we were supposed to do was get girls, and suddenly Warren's all, 'Let's kill the Slayer'. I don't even know how it got like this. It's like he's obsessed with her, or something.

ANYA: (muttering) Him and the rest of Sunnydale.

XANDER: What?

ANYA: (innocently) Oh, nothing. I was just commenting on the increasing number of men in Sunnydale currently obsessed with Buffy Summers. Say, Xander. You wouldn't happen to be on that list, would you?

XANDER: (confused) What? Where is this coming from Anya?

ANYA: Oh, I don't know. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that you left me on our wedding day.

XANDER: And you think that has something to do with Buffy?

ANYA: What else could it be? You're always defending her, and treating her better than me. And don't-

XANDER: (softly) Anya. I swear to you, me leaving on … that day had nothing to do with Buffy. I'm just going through some stuff right now. And as soon as I figure out how to explain it all, I will. But enough of you being insecure about … Buffy!

XANDER jumps up as BUFFY enters the Magic Box.

XANDER: So, did you stake … Spike?

SPIKE appears behind BUFFY, looking quite out of breath for a creature that doesn't breathe.

SPIKE: OK, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to lose me on that last turn there.

BUFFY: You're just slow. (to Xander) Ready to go?

XANDER: (gesturing to Spike) What the hell happened?

BUFFY: (exasperated) Later. Let's just say he wasn't trying to curse you.

ANYA: Where's Hallie?

BUFFY: Later! Now, Jonathan, let's go.

JONATHAN: Wait a minute. Nobody said anything about me going too.

BUFFY: You're coming. That's the end of it.

BUFFY grabs JONATHAN by the shirt and drags him out the door as XANDER, ANYA, and SPIKE follow suit.

INT. Geek's New Lair – NIGHT

Open on the MYNSPIRE, it's arm extended as it holds WILLOW by the throat in the air. DAWN desperately tries to free herself from the chains as ANDREW looks on in awe. WARREN looks at WILLOW, a malicious grin plastered across his face.

WARREN: You see, witch? I told you. You're going to do this whether you want to or not.

A low moan escapes WILLOW as DAWN takes notice.

DAWN: NO! Stop it! You're hurting her!

WARREN: She had a choice. She chose … well, rather stupidly. Now, time to start with the festivities.

WARREN holds up the piece of paper he has been holding. As he speaks, the MYNSPIRE echoes his words, sounding as if they are reading in unison.

WARREN and MYNSPIRE: Osirus, audio mei placitum

Accept my offering

Hear my plea

Have that which was stolen

Return to thee

Enter BUFFY, JONATHAN, SPIKE, XANDER, and ANYA, via means of breaking down the door. Cut to BUFFY, who doubles over in pain. Just as the Scoobies take notice, the five THUG DEMONS surround them. BUFFY manages to kick one out of the way before doubling over in pain again. SPIKE looks over at BUFFY with concern and then back to the approaching THUG DEMONS.

XANDER: What the hell is wrong with her?

WARREN: You're too late. It's already started.

WARREN laughs as he continues to read.

WARREN and MYNSPIRE: Osirus, audio mei placitum

I call to you

Send your dark minions

To take back that which does not belong in this world

Ghost-like creatures begin to rise from the ground and float around BUFFY. BUFFY watches in horror as one touches her and her flesh in that spot is reduced to the decomposed state it had been before she rose. She tries to run away from the creatures, but they keep coming, scarring her wherever they brush up against her.

XANDER turns to SPIKE.

XANDER: (nodding to the THUG DEMONS) You think you and I can take them?

SPIKE nods and immediately starts trading blows with the closest one to him. XANDER does the same as JONATHAN cowers in the doorway. ANYA grabs the nearest weapon she can find, a large bone sitting on top of a nearby table.

JONATHAN: Hey! That's my magic bone! Put that back!

ANYA looks at it closely, shrugs, and konks the nearest demon on the head with it. The demon is stunned, but only for a minute. It starts to advance on ANYA. ANYA proceeds to beat the bone over it's head over and over. She tries a different angle, swinging the bone upwards, sending it crashing up through the demon's chin. It falls backward, onto the floor, where it doesn't move. ANYA looks at the dead demon and then back at the bone, smiling at herself in satisfaction.

ANYA: I just kicked it's ass!

SPIKE has finally got the upper hand in his fight, having twisted its arm around its back and smashing down on it. He grabs it by the neck and twists quickly, breaking it. Another THUG DEMON throws itself at him, and he falls to the floor.

XANDER continues to punch his demon, but it is only somewhat effectual. The demon starts pummeling him, pushing him back into a wall.

BUFFY is now collapsed in a heap on the floor. The ghostly creatures completely surround her, creating a bubble.

The last THUG DEMON starts to attack ANYA.

Cut to WILLOW, who is visibly draining. Her body lays limp in the MYNSPIRE's grasp. WARREN glances down nervously at the paper in his hand. ANDREW is starting to look worried at the progress SPIKE, XANDER, and ANYA are making.

ANDREW: Hurry up, Warren!

WARREN: Shut up!

SPIKE slams his fist through the THUG DEMON's chest, throwing it clear across the room. XANDER, while pinned against the wall, reaches into his pocket.

XANDER: Spike!

SPIKE whirls around to find the blue vial being hurled at his head. He quickly catches it, looking at it questionably.

XANDER: Throw it on the living flame! It'll stop the spell!

SPIKE nods and runs to the living flame, emptying the contents onto it. The fire begins to fizzle, and then turn into a thick black gel.

WARREN: Oh, fuck.

The bubble around BUFFY disappears instantly, however, she remains crumpled and unmoving.

WARREN and ANDREW both take a step back when SPIKE looks up at them. The MYNSPIRE quickly drops WILLOW to the floor and grabs SPIKE from behind, throwing him across the room.

WARREN feels a tap on his shoulder. He turns to find JONATHAN's fist in his face. JONATHAN quickly pulls the charm off WARREN's neck and puts it on.

The MYNSPIRE immediately turns its aggression to the THUG DEMON attacking XANDER. It crushes the THUG DEMON's windpipe almost effortlessly, before moving onto the one attacking ANYA.

XANDER and ANYA, now free from battle, run to WILLOW, who is weakly trying to get up. XANDER puts her arm around his shoulder to steady her. WILLOW notices Buffy on the floor, still unconscious.

WILLOW: Oh my God … Buffy.

SPIKE, having recovered from his not-so-graceful flight across the room, rushes over to BUFFY, who has still not moved. However, he is relieved to see that the marks the ghostly demons had inflicted are no longer present.

DAWN screams as the THUG DEMON that SPIKE threw across the room starts to approach her. SPIKE grabs the Geeks' TV and crashes it over the THUG DEMON's head. He then runs the demon's head through the window located directly next to DAWN. A huge spear of glass juts out from the bottom frame. SPIKE lifts the THUG DEMON in the air and crashes it down, directly over the glass. The THUG DEMON hangs half-way out the window, the spear of glass sticking out the top of it's mid-back. DAWN smiles at SPIKE weakly.

DAWN: Thanks. Gross, but thanks.

As SPIKE helps DAWN out of her chains, cut to JONATHAN, who, by help of the MYNSPIRE, has WARREN and ANDREW backed into a corner.

WARREN: You fucking asshole! You sold us out!

ANDREW: (lamely) Yeah!

JONATHAN: You guys don't get it, do you? This is crazy! You can't just go around trying to kill people.

WARREN: I knew you could never be one of us, Jonathan. You're such a pathetic loser.

The MYNSPIRE takes a step closer.

JONATHAN: If I were you, Warren, I wouldn't piss me off right now. Now, Andrew. Call the Mynspire back to its own dimension. And if you try anything funny, like calling more demons, I'll just tell my demon friend here to break your neck.

ANDREW reluctantly takes out his pipe and plays a few notes. Once again, the room is flooded in bright white light, and the MYNSPIRE steps into it, disapeering. JONATHAN quickly grabs ANDREW's pipe and throws it on the ground, stamping it hard with his foot. ANDREW gasps as it breaks in half.

ANDREW: You little shit!

ANDREW decks JONATHAN, knocking him to the floor. He is about to pummel him when WARREN grabs his arm. He gestures to the Scoobies.

WARREN: We have to get out of here.

ANDREW nods, casting one last look of disgust at JONATHAN as he and WARREN quickly run out.

Cut to BUFFY, who is now surrounded by WILLOW, XANDER, ANYA, and DAWN. SPIKE hangs back, feeling out of place around her friends. BUFFY is shakily sitting up, looking at her surroundings warily.

XANDER: Are you okay?

BUFFY: (nodding weakly) I will be. Just …

BUFFY's eyes roll back into her head, and she passes out in XANDER's arms.

DAWN: Buffy!

SPIKE quickly runs to assist XANDER, holding one of BUFFY's hands in his. DAWN stares quizzically at this, and when he realizes he is being watched, SPIKE drops her hand.

XANDER: OK, I think we need to get her home. Spike, can you take her out to the car?

SPIKE nods and proceeds to throw BUFFY over his shoulder as if she's a bale of hay. DAWN follows him.

JONATHAN makes his way over to the Scoobies, concern edging its way into his features as he takes in the Slayer's immobile state.

JONATHAN: What's wrong with her?

XANDER briefly glances up at him, not trying very hard to mask the contempt that threatens to spill over.

XANDER: (bitingly) Nothing to concern yourself with.

JONATHAN: I can't believe this! I helped you tonight. Without me, you wouldn't have known what Warren and Andrew were doing at all. Buffy would be dead right now, and probably Willow too.

XANDER: (softening) Hey, man, I didn't mean to … well, yes, actually, I did. But, I guess in all fairness, it wasn't your fault that this happened. (looks around) Hey. Where did Warren and Andrew go anyway?

JONATHAN: Andrew punched me, and then they ran out of here.

XANDER: Any idea where they might be off to?

JONATHAN shakes his head dejectedly. XANDER turns to WILLOW and ANYA.

XANDER: You guys ready to go?

WILLOW and ANYA nod simultaneously. ANYA takes one last look at the demon she killed and smiles slyly. Suddenly, she remembers something, and turns to JONATHAN.

ANYA: Here's your magic bone. It was quite useful.

INT. Buffy's Bedroom – NIGHT

BUFFY sits up in bed, staring out her window. Her eyes are more focused, and she seems infinitely more aware now that she is home.

A small knock on the door shakes BUFFY out of her musings.

BUFFY: Come in.

WILLOW steps in shyly, closing the door softly behind her. She smiles wanly at BUFFY, and sits down on the edge of her bed. BUFFY looks over at her friend carefully, trying to gauge just how badly the MYNSPIRE hurt her.

BUFFY: Did we make it there in time, Will? Are you going to be ok?

WILLOW nods shakily.

WILLOW: I think so. It kind of feels like I got run over with a steam roller, but other than that, I'm just peachy. (looking at Buffy closely) And you? What happened to you while the whole spell thing was going on?

BUFFY closes her eyes and shakes her head.

BUFFY: I don't know. It felt like something was pulling me in 10 different directions. And then there was just darkness for awhile. It was after that that I woke up. I'll be ok. Don't worry.

WILLOW peers at BUFFY through narrow eyelids.

WILLOW: It doesn't look like you're ok. Did you … (softly) not want to come back?

BUFFY: No, it's not that. I'm just … tired, I guess.

WILLOW tries not to look hurt as she gets up from BUFFY's bed.

WILLOW: Ok. I get it. Just let me know when you want to talk.

BUFFY: Willow … please don't be like this. I just can't talk right now. I don't even know … I …

WILLOW: It's ok. Really. But … promise me something?

BUFFY: What?

WILLOW: If you need me, talk to me. I'm ok now. I won't break. You don't have to do everything on your own, you know.

BUFFY: I know. (smiling slightly) Thanks, Willow.

WILLOW: I'm gonna go check on Dawnie.

BUFFY: Ok.

Once WILLOW exits the room, BUFFY slowly inches her way to the side of her bed.

INT. Summers' Living Room – NIGHT

XANDER and ANYA are sitting on the sofa. XANDER leans forward, his arms resting on his legs. ANYA's knees are pressed to her chest, and she clasps her arms around them protectively.

ANYA: You think they're going to be alright?

XANDER: Yeah, they'll be fine. I heard them talking in Buffy's room earlier.

ANYA: (quietly) And us?

XANDER looks into her eyes, and the pain he caused her reflects back to him. He winces, looks away, and licks his lips.

XANDER: I don't know. Do we just pretend like we were never getting married, continue where we left off? Is that what you want?

ANYA: Even if that was what I wanted, I don't think it would be possible. Too much has happened.

XANDER: Yeah.

ANYA turns away so he won't see the tears shining in her eyes. She has spoken the truth when she says she doesn't think it is possible to go back, but a small part of her is hoping he would disagree. She has just resolved herself to get up and leave when he turns to her, grabbing her hand in his.

XANDER: It doesn't mean that I don't love you. I always have, and no matter what happens, I know a part of me always will.

ANYA smiles slightly at this, and she settles back into the sofa.

ANYA: It's a start.

The camera pans out on them as ANYA curls up next to XANDER, putting her head in his lap as she tries to fall asleep.

EXT. Summers' Residence Back Porch - NIGHT

BUFFY exits the house through the back door and slowly makes her way to the steps. She winces as she sits, and takes a deep breath. As she does so, she smells something, and rolls her eyes.

BUFFY: Geez, stalk much? I know you're there.

SPIKE steps out from the shadows and slowly walks toward her, tossing a cigarette in the grass behind him.

SPIKE: I was just checking up, you see. I know you're not in the habit of being all that forthcoming with your chums, and you didn't look like you were in the land of living last I saw you.

BUFFY: Well, as you can see, I'm fine. Back to trading insults in no time, I promise.

SPIKE hesitates and then sits next to her. BUFFY shifts awkwardly.

SPIKE: Listen, about what you walked in on-

BUFFY: I don't want to talk about it.

SPIKE: It wasn't what you thought.

BUFFY: How do you know what I thought it was? Don't you get it, Spike? It doesn't matter anyway. It's not like we're together, or ever were, for that matter.

SPIKE is silent, looking down at his boots. BUFFY sighs in exasperation.

BUFFY: How could you sleep with HALFREK!

SPIKE: (rolling his eyes) Here it comes.

BUFFY: Yeah, I know I broke up with you, but come on! It was like, TWO WEEKS AGO! And then, you like, barely know her, and she's … icky! And you don't see me getting it on with anyone right now. You want to know why? Because it still hurts to even think about it. And it's not because I love you or anything, so you can just stop that thought from even taking place. It's just … we were … intense, you know? And for you to just … do that, like it never even happened-

SPIKE: Stop. Just stop right there. You know why I did it.

BUFFY: Spike, if you were really doing it for Xander-

SPIKE: I didn't do it for Xander, you stupid bint! I did it for you! Everything I do is for you!

BUFFY: (mock happiness) You slept with someone else for me? (sarcastically) Be still my heart.

SPIKE: (smiling wryly) You know what? I don't know why I even came here. Why I even care.

SPIKE gets up to leave, sauntering about half way across the yard before he whirls around again. BUFFY rolls her eyes dramatically.

BUFFY: I thought you were going.

SPIKE: (ignoring her) You know what your problem is, Summers?

BUFFY raises an eyebrow, feigning indifference.

SPIKE: Everything is black and white to you. You can't admit even to yourself that maybe, just maybe, I'm not all that bad for you. Maybe, I'm just a little bit good for you.

He stops, inches from her face. She pushes him back defiantly and stands up. He starts laughing.

SPIKE: Look at you, all uncomfortable. What are you afraid of?

BUFFY: I wasn't … I'm not … oh forget it. Just leave me alone.

SPIKE grabs her shoulders, pulling her to him so that their faces are almost touching. He looks in her eyes, and she tries to wrest herself away.

SPIKE: (in a low voice) No. Just stay.

They stand there for a minute, just staring at each other, inches away from touching. Gradually, BUFFY's defenses drop, and she inadvertently moves closer.

SPIKE: (seductively) You see? It's like a magnet. Drawin' us closer. S'like we have no free will.

He slides his hand down her arm.

SPIKE: Don't you ever just want to stop fighting? Just give in?

BUFFY closes her eyes and then looks at the ground.

BUFFY: (distantly) You want to know what I thought when I saw you and Halfrek together?

SPIKE says nothing, but BUFFY interprets his silence to mean to continue.

BUFFY: I thought, I've single-handedly managed to drive away every man that has ever loved me.

SPIKE: (softly) Buffy-

BUFFY puts a finger to his lips to stop him.

BUFFY: And then I got so incredibly angry. At you, at myself. This is crazy, Spike. And … it's not that I'm afraid. I just know in my heart that this can't work.

She searches his eyes, in hope of finding some semblance of understanding. He takes a deep breath.

SPIKE: Right then. (smiling shakily) Well, there's only one thing to say to that.

He looks at her seriously.

SPIKE: I need to leave.

BUFFY: (protesting) Spike-

SPIKE: You and I both know that this has been coming for a long time.

He steps closer, taking both her hands in his.

SPIKE: (quietly) It's the only way, love. I'll never get over this if I don't leave.

He presses one of her hands to his lips, and starts to turn to go. In spite of herself, BUFFY reaches out to him, pulling him to her. She gazes up at him, and slowly pulls his mouth to hers. The kiss is soft, careful, and heartbreakingly bittersweet as a single tear rolls down BUFFY's cheek. It is good-bye, and both of them knows this as they cling to each other desperately. SPIKE finally pulls away quietly, smiles slightly, and turns to go. BUFFY covers her mouth as he leaves, tracing her lips, as if remembering him there. She watches him retreat into the darkness, and he doesn't turn back once.

[END ]

Read the sequel, "Full Circle"