Episode 11 - Valentine: Part 2
ACT FOUR
EXT. WOODS - NIGHT
The Scoobs have reached a clearing in the woods. They
all look very wary. Willow still leading the way.
ANGLE : THE GANG
from someone's POV, hidden in the trees. We see a
crossbow come into frame, aimed directly at Willow.
ANGLE : SASHA
hidden in the trees, crossbow raised. A smile on her
face. She takes aim.
ANGLE : BUFFY
sensing something. She turns towards the trees to her
left.
ANGLE : THE TREES
from Buffy's POV, we PAN left, then back right as
Buffy searches the trees. She sees something moving.
BUFFY
Willow!
Buffy leaps forward and tackles Willow to the ground
as Sasha shoots. The bolt misses. Willow loses control
of her bag as several vials spill from the bag,
hitting the ground but not breaking.
WILLOW
The vials!
Willow begins to crawl forward to retrieve the vials.
ANGLE : THE GENERAL
as he makes a signal.
Suddenly, six vamps emerge from the woods and charge
towards the Scoobs.
Xander and Christopher raise their crossbows and fire.
Two vamps get dusted.
As the remaining vamps rush in, Buffy and Giles step
forward with their stakes. Christopher expertly flips
his crossbow around to attack a vamp with the sharp
end of the weapon. Anya hangs behind the group.
ANGLE : XANDER
as he flips his crossbow around as a vamp rushes in.
Before he can do anything with it, the vamp knocks the
crossbow out of his hands, sending it flying away. The
vamp swings again with a sword but misses a ducking
Xander. Xander manages to punch the vamp, sending him
to the ground.
Anya, sees all this.
ANYA
Xander. Catch!
Anya throws Xander her stake, with pin-point accuracy
for a change. Xander catches the stake and stakes the
incoming vamp.
ANGLE : BUFFY AND CHRISTOPHER
taking on two vamps, one with a sword and another with
an axe. The two expertly avoid the vamps' attacks,
ducking and weaving with speed and agility. They then
counter impressively with perfectly executed kicks and
punches.
ANGLE : WILLOW
still on the ground. As we see feet coming in and out
of frame in the foreground from Buffy and
Christopher's fight, we see Willow reaching out to
gather the remaining vials. She manages to gather the
last one in just before an errant foot steps down on
where the vial was located. She hurriedly sticks this
last vial in her coat pocket.
ANGLE : GENERAL AND SASHA
watching the fight from the trees.
ANGLE : BUFFY AND CHRISTOPHER
The two fights backing towards each other. Buffy
backing towards Christopher while both are fighting
their vamps. They spot each other out of the corner of
their eyes. Just as they are about to back into each
other, they both execute a quick 180 degree spin move
at the same time and both stake the other's vamps.
ANGLE : ANYA
rushing over to pick up Xander's crossbow.
ANYA
(to herself)
Okay, take two.
ANGLE : GILES
grappling with a vamp. They are both holding on
desperately to an axe. Giles finally manages to trip
up the vamp. The vamp releases the axe as he falls to
the ground. Giles lifts the axe and slams it down on
the vamp, beheading it. Dust.
We PAN over quickly from Giles to another vamp as he
raises a throwing axe over his head, ready to throw it
at Giles.
ANGLE : ANYA
facing right, as she takes aim and fires. We TRACK the
bolt as it whizzes from left to right, right into the
vamp, dusting him.
ANGLE : GENERAL
turning to his left and making another signal.
ANGLE : ANYA
from in front. She looks at the crossbow in her hand.
ANYA
Hey! I got one! Did everyone see? I
got one!
ANGLE : THE REST OF THE GANG
as they turn back to look at Anya. All the vamps have
now been dusted. Xander smiles at Anya. The smile
suddenly turns to a look of great concern. Similar
looks from the rest of the gang.
ANGLE : ANYA
While Anya beams in the foreground, we see a whole
mess of vamps emerge from the woods behind her,
charging in her direction.
ANYA
(oblivious)
What?
Xander rushes towards Anya and drags her away as the
Scoobs take off, rushing away from the oncoming pack
of vamps, numbering about twenty or so.
ANGLE : THE GENERAL
as he, Flix, Trix, Sasha, Solomon and Tarwin emerge
from the woods and join in the chase.
ANGLE : THE SCOOBS
as we TRACK them as they run from left to right of
screen.
ANGLE : WILLOW
as we TRACK her running and holding on to the bag for
dear life.
ANGLE : XANDER AND ANYA
as we TRACK them running.
ANYA
No fair. They were sneaking up from
behind us!
The gang reaches another clearing. They are now
running into an open area, though the forest still
surrounds them.
Suddenly, we hear the fizz of a bolt flying through
the air.
BUFFY
Everyone down!
The Gang grabs some dirt as a bolt flies over their
heads, striking a tree behind them. Buffy takes a look
over her shoulder from the ground.
REVERSE ANGLE :
Sasha calmly loading her next bolt into her crossbow.
The army of vamps waiting patiently behind her. We
also see two or three of those vamps are now raising
their crossbows.
The Gang quickly scamper for some cover. Xander,
Christopher and Anya behind a large tree in the center
of the clearing while Giles, Buffy and Willow take
cover behind a large boulder just to its side.
Christopher sticks his head out to aim with his
crossbow but another bolt comes flying through the
air, striking the crossbow out of his hands.
ANGLE : SASHA
with her crossbow raised, just after firing her shot.
Smiling triumpantly.
ANGLE : XANDER, ANYA AND CHRISTOPHER
behind the boulder.
CHRISTOPHER
Well, that isn't going to work.
We hear the sound of more bolts flying through the
air, hitting the tree and the boulder as the Scoobs
make themselves as small as possible.
ANGLE : BUFFY, GILES AND WILLOW
BUFFY
(to Giles)
We're pinned down.
GILES
(looking to his side at
the dense forest a few
metres away from the
clearing)
Perhaps we can make it to the cover
of the woods.
Buffy sticks her head out to look at the vamps.
Immediately, she sees Sasha launching another bolt at
her, the bolt hitting the tree inches from her head.
Buffy quickly ducks back.
BUFFY
Don't think so, unless you want to
fulfil that lifelong dream of
finding out what it's like to be one
of those ducks in a shooting
gallery.
ANGLE : GENERAL AND THE VAMPS.
With his main cadre of vampires around him, the
General signals his foot-soldiers to advance. The
twenty or so vampires do so, slowly advancing towards
the gang with weapons readied. Sasha and two other
vamps still with their crossbows raised, pinning the
gang down.
ANGLE : WILLOW
as she looks down at her feet. She sees the black bag
containing the vials.
WILLOW
We don't have time for this.
Willow begins chanting, her eyes filling with
blackness. She gets up.
BUFFY
Will, No!
Willow steps out into the open before Buffy can reach
her. She raises a hand
ANGLE : SASHA
taking aim with her crossbow.. with a smile.
ANGLE : WILLOW
As we see a fireball form in her hands. Before her
spell takes effect however.. BOOM. A loud crashing
sound and a blinding white light just to the side of
the Scoobs and the vamp army. The ground shakes and
Willow is thrown to the ground. Everyone turns to face
the sound.
Another blinding light, as we see trees falling, one
by one as something approaches. The last two trees on
the edge of the clearing crash to the ground to reveal
Tara, floating out, her white dress billowing slightly
in the wind. She floats out into the clearing, in
between the Scoobs and the vamps.
ANGLE : WILLOW
looking up from the ground, eyes now clear. She looks
at Tara, a little stunned, as she slowly gets to her
feet.
ANGLE : SOLOMON
looking similarly stunned
We see Tara float out to the middle of the clearing,
arms straight by her side. She slowly spins around to
face Willow and the gang. Her skin and hair are now
very white. Her eyes remain black.
ANYA
What happened to her?
Willow takes a step forward towards Tara.
WILLOW
Tara?
Tara looks dispassionately at Willow.
ANGLE : BUFFY AND GILES
as Buffy looks at Giles, then down to the black bag
containing the vials at her feet. Giles follows her
gaze.
WILLOW
Tara.. Baby? It's me.
Tara cocks her head and stares at Willow for a beat.
We PAN down to her arms, then to her hands as she
raises her palms.
We see Tara spin slowly around to face the vamps.
FLIX
Uh oh.
The vamp army stands still, unsure of what to do.
Behind them we see Sasha, Solomon, Tarwin, Flix and
Trix all loosely surrounding the General.
ANGLE : TARA
as she focuses menacingly on the vamps.
TARA
(quietly, calmly)
Splinter.
ANGLE : VAMP ARMY
The vamps stand around, expecting the worst. Nothing
happens for a beat. Then we see a lone leaf float down
gently onto one of the vamps. Followed by another,
then another.
ANGLE : TARA
still floating off the ground, arms by her side, palms
raised. We see leaves now floating down gracefully
around her. A pretty scene.
Suddenly, we hear the sound of branches cracking then
BOOM. Two trees just behind Tara, to her left and
right, explode into thousands of tiny pieces and fly
towards the vamps. The massive force of it blowing
Tara's hair and dress forward as it passes.
More trees explode next to the vamps, splintering into
sharp splinters and rushing towards them.
ANGLE : THE VAMP ARMY
as the splinters reach them, striking each and every
one where they stand. One by one, they are dusted in
quick succession.
ANGLE : GENERAL AND HIS CADRE OF VAMPS
Tarwin, Sasha and Solomon quickly step in front to
protect the General, Flix and Trix who cower behind
them.
The splinters arrive, striking Tarwin, Sasha and
Solomon's armour, unable to penetrate. Some of the
splinters do hit the unprotected parts of the three
vamps however; primarily the hands and legs.
The splinters pass. The General emerges from behind
his cover, glowers at Tara.
THE GENERAL
Get her!
Sasha, Solomon, Tarwin, Flix and Trix begin to march
forward.
ANGLE : TARA
raising her palms again.
TARA
Hold.
Vines shoot out from the ground and entangle each
vampire, looping and tightening around them and
holding them to the spot.
TARA
Stone.
The vines turn to stone, trapping each vampire.
ANGLE : TARA
slowly looking to the sky.
TARA
Let my blood and voice,
be carriers of doom.
Blacken the sun
and flame the moon.
ANGLE : WILLOW
looking up into the sky.
REVERSE ANGLE :
The full moon, slowly turning black.
ANGLE : WILLOW
from above, the camera looking down on her. She is
looking upwards towards the camera, the sky. We stay
on her as darkness envelops her. FADE to blackness.
ANGLE : TARA
as we FADE UP from black to reveal we have changed
shots to one on Tara looking up. Something else is now
providing light.
REVERSE ANGLE :
to reveal a tiny ball of bright light, appearing in
front of the now darkened moon, slowly getting larger
and larger. The light getting more and more intense.
ANGLE : GENERAL
looking up, then away as the light gets brighter. He
looks down on his hands which are starting to sizzle.
ANGLE : WILLOW
as night turns into day, she looks away from the giant
ball of light and turns to look at Tara.
ANGLE : TARA
still looking up at her creation, straining to sustain
the spell.
REVERSE ANGLE :
the ball of light, now impressively large and bright,
like a sun in the sky.
ANGLE : TARA
as she begins to shudder. Blood begins to seep from
her nose.
WILLOW
(not turning back)
Buffy.
Buffy turns to look at Tara and sees what Willow sees.
She takes a quick look at Giles. They then reach down
into the bag to grab some vials. Xander joins in.
ANGLE : SASHA AND SOLOMON
still trapped in stone, starting to burn up. Solomon
starts to cry out in pain.
ANGLE : THE SCOOBS
as Buffy takes the first vial, looking like she's
ready to throw it.
CHRISTOPHER
(to Buffy)
Wait! It's working.
Buffy pauses to look at the vamps.
REVERSE ANGLE :
we see all the vamps starting to smoke, all straining
to get out from their cages.
ANGLE : TARA
where we see her now in obvious pain, still looking
up. Blood seeping from her nails.
WILLOW
Buffy! Now!
Buffy throws the vial and it flies through the air
towards Tara.
Tara senses it coming. She quickly looks away from her
ball of light and shoots her hand out towards the
vial. The vial explodes in mid-air.
At the same time, the giant ball of light dissapears.
We are plunged into sudden darkness, as if someone
just turned off a giant spotlight. We find ourselves
back in the night, the moon restored.
The vines of stone disintegrate. The vamps free
themselves and retreat. Solomon taking one last look
at Tara before dissapearing into the trees.
Xander, Giles and Christopher throw the remaining
vials in the bag at Tara. Tara picks each one of them
off effortlessly, all exploding in mid-air.
WILLOW
Tara. No!
Tara raises a palm. All the Scoobs are flung away by
an invisible force. All except Willow.
Willow turns to look at everyone on the ground behind
her. They are groggy and remain on the ground. Willow
turns to look back at Tara. She begins to slowly walk
forwards towards Tara.
WILLOW
Tara. I know you're in there. I know
you remember.
Tara, still looking angry, stares back at Willow.
WILLOW
You're stronger than this. Please
let me help..
Tara raises a palm, a ball of flame emerges and
strikes at Willow's feet but not hitting her.
WILLOW
(looking down at the fire
at her feet, then back up
at Tara)
I know you won't hurt me.
She steps around the flame and continues to walk
towards Tara.
WILLOW
(as she walks, in a calm,
warm voice)
His grandfather told him that many
princes had tried to penetrate the
hedge, but they had gotten stuck in
the thorns and had been pricked to
death. "I'm not afraid of that,"
said the prince. "I shall penetrate
the hedge and free the beautiful
Briar-Rose.
ANGLE : TARA
as we study Tara's face, a faint glimmer of
recognition. Her face then hardens again.
She releases another two fireballs, striking just to
the left and right of Willow. Willow doesn't stop.
WILLOW
(as she walks, eyes firmly
on Tara)
He went forth, but when he came to
the thorn hedge, it turned into
flowers. They separated, and he
walked through.
Willow steps past the flames licking at her feet.
ANGLE : BUFFY AND THE REST OF THE GANG
some unconscious, some slowly and groggily coming to.
WILLOW (O.S.)
All the attendants were asleep; and
still further, the king and the
queen,..
ANGLE : WILLOW
WILLOW
it was so quiet that he could hear
his own breath.
ANGLE : TARA
dropping her palms. Her face softening considerably.
We see a tear forming under her black eyes.
Willow is now very close to Tara, continuing to walk
steadily forward. She reaches Tara, and stands in
front of her.
WILLOW
Finally he came to the old tower
where Briar-Rose was lying asleep.
Willow reaches up with her hand and gently touches
Tara's cheek. She wipes Tara's tear away.
WILLOW
(emotional)
The prince was so amazed at her
beauty that he bent over and kissed
her.
Willow leans in and kisses Tara gently on her lips.
She hugs Tara, her head over Tara's shoulder.
ANGLE ON : WILLOW'S COAT POCKET
as we see Willow's hand reach in and take out the last
vial.
ANGLE : WILLOW
over Tara's shoulder, emotional.
WILLOW
At that moment she awoke.
ANGLE : TARA
her head over Willow's shoulder, eyes still black but
her face much softer, almost recognisably Tara.
ANGLE : BUFFY
getting up from the ground to see Willow hugging Tara.
ANGLE ON : THE VIAL
as Willow releases it from her hands (in SLO-MO)
ANGLE : BUFFY
BUFFY
(calling out)
Willow!
ANGLE ON : THE VIAL
in SLO-MO, as it falls to the ground, shattering at
Willow and Tara's feet.
A bright yellow light envelops the two of them for a
beat. The Scoobs, now all up, have to shield their
eyes from the light.
The light dissapears and we see both Willow and Tara
collapse to the ground. The rest of the gang rushes
over.
ANGLE : WILLOW AND TARA
on the ground. Tara recovers, getting up to her knees.
We see her eyes are now normal, her skin with a lot
more colour but her hair still white. She takes a
second to get her bearings, then sees Willow laying
still on the ground. She scampers over on her hands
and knees, panicked.
TARA
(shaking Willow, panicked)
Willow! Willow!
Giles arrives and kneels over Willow. He feels for a
pulse and puts his ear next to Willow's mouth,
listening for a breath. We see a faint look of relief
on his face.
ANGLE : TARA
still looking very concerned.
Giles gently lifts Willow up to a sitting position and
gently touches her face.
GILES
Willow?
We see Willow slowly come to, still very groggy and
out of it.
WILLOW
Giles? What happened?
Giles smiles. The Scoobs, all gathered around, smile
with relief.
ANGLE : TARA
the tension leaving her body but she still looks very
stunned. She sits back, trying to take in what just
happened. She takes a deep breath, as if it's her
first.
EXT. SUNNYDALE HOSPITAL - NIGHT
to establish.
INT. SUNNYDALE HOSPITAL ROOM - NIGHT
where we see a tired Willow up and awake, propped up
in bed. She is in a hospital gown. Dawn is sitting in
a chair next to her. The rest of the Scoobs are
gathered loosely around.
WILLOW
Guys, I really don't need to be here
cause, you know, not comfortable
with the whole drafty fashion-wear.
GILES
Well, let's not take any chances
shall we? They'll just keep you
overnight for observation.
DAWN
Yeah, and you'll totally be back in
the mix tommorow, joining us in yet
another wacky Scooby adventure.
XANDER
Plus.. free jello. Wobbly, greeny
jello.
ANYA
(as if to a child)
Mmmm. Yum.
WILLOW
Anya, I was concussed, not
lobotomised.
Buffy takes a step forward towards Willow, taking
Willow's hand.
BUFFY
Gave us a scare there Will.
WILLOW
(smiles)
I'm fine.
(turning to Tara)
We're fine now.
Buffy turns to Tara.
BUFFY
(to Tara)
Tara, you sure you're okay?
ANYA
Yeah, I mean, you're not floaty,
destructo girl anymore right?
(nervous)
Not that there's necessarily
anything wrong with that. Some of my
best friends used to be..
TARA
I'm good.
(rubbing her wrists)
Creaky wrists, but other than that..
DAWN
(smiling)
I'm glad we're all together again.
A few unsure looks around the room.
GILES
Perhaps we should go and let Willow
get some rest.
The Scoobs begin to get ready to go.
TARA
I'll stay a while longer.
GILES
(to Willow)
I'm glad you're back.
(then turning to Tara)
I'm glad both of you are.
Giles and Tara share a smile as Giles holds Tara's
hand for a beat.
GILES
(to Tara)
I'll wait for you outside.
Scoobs hug Willow and Tara and exit, leaving Tara and
Willow in the room by themselves. Tara sits in the
chair next to the bed.
WILLOW
Happy Valentine.
Tara smiles a little. Willow runs her fingers through
Tara's hair which is still white. Tara takes a look at
her hair.
TARA
How do you like the new look? And
hey! No colouring required.
WILLOW
(a tired smile)
I hate it.
Tara takes Willow's hand and kisses it. She continues
to stare at her hand as she speaks.
TARA
Will, this thing that happened. It
can't ever happen again. I won't let
it. I have to be strong. I'll do
what it takes to keep you safe, by
whatever means necessary. Even if it
means.. I mean, this is all
happening because of me, and I..
Tara can't complete that last sentence, too painful to
even say out loud. Tara looks up at Willow to see her
eyes closed.
TARA
Willow?
Willow wakes up.
WILLOW
(groggy)
Huh? I'm sorry. I must've nodded
off.
(half falling asleep as
she talks)
I'm just so sleepy.
TARA
That's okay honey. You close your
eyes. I'll stay with you till you're
asleep.
WILLOW
(smiling, closing her
eyes)
Stay with me forever.
Tara doesn't answer. She simply teases Willow's hair
with her hand, a look of concern on her face.
ANGLE : WILLOW AND TARA
in a wide shot. We slowly TRACK away from this private
moment, as Tara speaks softly and gently to a sleepy
Willow.
TARA
(to Willow)
A king and queen had no children,
although they wanted one very much.
Then one day while the queen was
sitting in her bath, a crab crept
out of the water onto the ground and
said, 'Your wish will soon be
fulfilled, and you will bring a
daughter into the world.' And that
is what happened.
BLACKOUT
END OF SHOW
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