[Transcript of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" episode Who Are You? at buffyology.com.]
An ambulance and police cruiser are parked on the lawn, emergency personnel milling about. JOYCE and BUFFY stand outside, talking with a police DETECTIVE regarding FAITH's attack on them. Buffy is wrapped in an old jacket, looking slightly stunned.
Only we know that Buffy is not really Buffy-- that through some magickal process, the essence of Buffy has passed into Faith's body and vice versa.
It's good you called. We've been looking for this girl since she broke out of the hospital.
What's going to happen to her?
We'll get her checked out. If she's in stable condition, she goes to jail pending trial.
I just hope she gets some kind of help.
The first thing is to keep her from hurting anybody else.
Faith is wheeled on a gurney to the ambulance. She looks up at Buffy and Joyce but her vision is blurry.
No...
She's lifted into the ambulance and the doors are firmly shut. The ambulance drives off.
Well, you guys will be safe now. We may have a couple of questions in the morning.
Of course.
Thank you both. I'm glad we finally got the kid.
She's not a kid! (off their looks) I just mean that she's very strong.
Yeah. This Faith chick... definitely dangerous.
The detective walks off and Joyce heads back inside.
She truly is.
Opening credit sequence.
Faith, in Buffy's body, enters looking confused and a little nervous. She's still getting used to the switch in outward identity and not real comfortable right now.
Faith.
Buffy spins around, shocked that Joyce has so easily seen through the deception.
Why do you think she's like that?
Relieved, Faith realizes her secret is safe and just shrugs.
You know. She's a nut job.
I just don't understand what could drive a person to that kind of behavior.
Well, how do you know she got drove? I mean, maybe she likes being that way.
I'll never believe that. I think she's horribly unhappy.
Well, could be things are looking up. I mean, a little stint in the pokey. Show her the error of her ways. I'm sure there's some big old Bertha just waiting to shower her ripe little self with affection.
Buffy!
I'm sorry, mom. It's just when I think about how she might have hurt you, I just-- I can't stand it.
Joyce softens and hugs Buffy. Not used to such open display of affection, Faith abruptly pulls free of Joyce's embrace. Joyce seems hurt by her daughter's rebuff of her affection.
Sorry.
No, I'm just sore from the fight.
I've missed you.
'Cause I haven't visited, right? I knew it.
I know how it is. You have so much in your life now.
I'm a busy little beaver. College and all.
Of course. But maybe we could spend some time together soon? Some night when I'm not being held hostage by a raving psychotic?
Count on it. (beat) I'm gonna take a bath.
Faith enjoys a bubble bath in Buffy's body. She stretches her leg up out of the water, caressing it and admiring its shape and beauty, enjoying the unique feeling of inhabiting someone else. She does the same for her arms and hands.
Later. Faith stands before the bathroom mirror, wrapped in a towel, hair wet from the bath. She closely examines her new body, opening her mouth, sticking out her tongue, examining her teeth, etc.
After a while, she starts mocking and mimicking Buffy's attitude and speech patterns, trying to perfect the illusion.
Why, yes, I would be Buffy. May I help you?
Bu - ffy.
You can't do that. It's wrong. You can't do that because it's naughty.
Because it's wrong. (softer) Because it's wrong. (loud) You can't do that. It's wrong. I'll kick your ass!
I'm gonna kill you.
Buffy is held down by hospital personnel and a cop. The detective is there helping as well. Buffy is confused and angry at her treatment by these people and even more so at finding herself in Faith's body. She sends one of the nurses flying across the room, crashing into the furniture.
Let me go! Let me go!
Get me a sedative now!
Hold her!
I have to go home! She's with my mother.
The doctor injects Buffy with a syringe.
No!
Just lie still.
You don't understand.
Keep holding her.
She's taken my... my body.
Buffy slips into unconsciousness.
WILLOW lies on the bed. TARA sits cross-legged near her feet.
I wonder where she is.
Who? Faith?
Yeah. I wish she would make a move. She's making my stomach all acidy.
But you think Buffy can handle her?
I think so. But that doesn't mean Faith won't hurt someone else.
Well, you should be safe. Nobody knows you're here. I mean, they don't even know I exist, right? I know all about them but--
Willow stops her.
Hey.
I mean, that's totally cool. It's good. It's better.
Tara, it's not like I don't want my friends to know you. It's just... well, Buffy's like my best friend and she's really special. And there's this whole bunch of us and we sort of have this group thing that revolves around the slaying and I really want you to meet them. But I kind of like having something that's just, you know, mine. And I usually don't use so many words to say stuff that little but do you get that at all?
I do.
I should check in with Giles, get a situation update.
I am, you know.
What?
Tara looks at Willow meaningfully.
Yours.
Willow smiles.
Faith adjusts her outfit in the mirror. Her style of dress is a bit more risquÈ than normal for Buffy.
Not too bad.
She opens a drawer and finds Joyce's wallet.
Score.
Faith goes to the bed and makes a phone call while taking Joyce's credit card out of the wallet.
6-4-4-7. (beat) Expiration, 5-01. (beat) Yeah. Ten AM's your earliest flight? I'll take it.
Faith takes some cash out of her Joyce's purse also and sticks it in her pants just as Joyce enters.
What are you doing?
Faith holds up a stack of letters.
Oh, just getting my mail.
Oh. That was Giles on the other line. He wanted you to meet your friends there. Said he had news.
Yeah. I got some time to kill. I'll go see the gang... all my friends. (picks up lipstick) You don't mind if I steal this, right?
Is that the Harlot?
Yeah.
That's the same one Faith picked.
Faith tosses it to Joyce.
Burn it.
Buffy sits in the back of a squad car with a uniformed OFFICER and the detective. She moans softly.
She's coming to.
Yeah.
Man, I want this kid's constitution.
Faith.
Let's move it. I want to get her in before she's 100%.
The officer nods just as an armored car shoots out of a side alley and smashes into the squad car, stopping it cold. Two armed men in black jump out of the back.
COLLINS covers the stunned cops with a pistol while WEATHERBY smashes the back window with an axe and drags an unconscious Buffy out of the car.
By order of the Watcher's Council, you are being taken into custody until such time--
Skip the speech.
They throw her into the back of truck and slam the doors.
Let's go.
Faith enters Giles' home to find GILES, XANDER, Willow and ANYA waiting for her.
Buffy, good.
The Scooby Gang's all here. Willow, Xander, and... (re: Anya) everybody. What's up?
It's about Faith, not surprisingly.
Didn't Joyce tell you? I already kicked that ass.
I feel a high five coming on.
Where is she?
On her way to the big house. Cops took her off my hands about an hour ago. Poetic justice.
How's that?
Well, she did all those crimes and now she's being arrested. (beat) I guess that's just regular justice. It's cool, anyway.
Unless I'm mistaken, Faith is no longer in police custody.
What are you talking about?
Watcher's Council. They sent a retrieval team to capture Faith.
Well, yeah, I mean, 'cause it worked so well when Wesley tried it.
This is a special operations unit. They handle the Council's trickier jobs: smuggling, interrogation... wetworks.
What's wetworks?
Scuba-type stuff.
I thought it was murder.
Well, yeah, but there could be underwater murder with snorkels.
So they're taking her to England?
It'll be a long, long time before she returns.
Faith starts to laugh hysterically. When she notices the others are looking at her strangely, her laughter dies off.
I'm sorry, it's just... I'm happy. Faith is evil.
Yeah. I hope they throw the book at her.
I'm not sure there is a book for this.
They could throw other things.
I forgot how much you don't like Faith.
After what she's done to you? Oh, I wish those Council guys would let me have an hour alone in a room with her... if I was larger and had grenades.
I bet I know what Faith would say to that.
Suddenly Faith whips out her assassin's dagger and rams it into Willow's gut. Willow's eyes go wide in shock and pain as Buffy stabs her repeatedly.
Back to scene. Faith was just fantasizing about using Buffy's body to take out the annoying little redheaded bitch. In reality, she hasn't moved.
So what you're saying is that everything's fine?
Oh, yes.
Well, I'm glad you called us all here because that information could never be conveyed by telephone.
Well, I just thought it was best to convene, in case there were any loose ends or things that we might have forgotten.
Willow notices Faith's odd expression.
What's up?
I'd never let her hurt you.
Willow smiles, not picking up on the quiet menace in Faith's words.
I know.
But if you're keen to go, then please, by all means, go.
We kind of have a romantic evening planned.
We were going to light a bunch of candles and have sex near them.
Well, we certainly don't want to cut into that seven minutes.
Hey.
I believe that's my hey. Hey!
Lighten up. We're out of danger. Everything's good.
We still have Adam to take care of.
Yeah. Adam. What's up with him?
I wish we knew.
Well, don't worry about it. I'll patrol tonight as long as it takes. You guys have your fun. I'll be out there doing my job.
Faith dances with just about every guy in the place. She gyrates wildly, rubbing up against one turned-on guy after another. Eventually, she sashÈs off the dance floor and walks over to the bar. SPIKE stands there having a drink but Faith pays him no attention, having never actually met Spike. He turns around and sees her.
Oh, you.
And you.
What? Are you keeping tabs on me? You're going to give me a hard time now?
Do I usually give you a hard time?
Very funny. Well, you don't have to worry about me drinking... unless you're here to protect innocent beers.
You're a vampire.
Was. And as soon as I get this chip out of my head, I'll be a vampire again. But until then, I'm just as helpless as a kitten up a tree. So why don't you sod off?
Faith turns to go.
Okay.
Oh, fine! Throw it in my face! "Spike's not a threat anymore. I'll turn my back. He can't hurt me."
A light dawns for Faith. She's heard of Spike before.
Spike? Spike. William the Bloody with a chip in his head? I kind of love this town.
You know why I really hate you, Summers?
Faith moves closer and puts her hands on Spike's chest.
'Cause I'm a stuck-up tight-ass with no sense of fun?
Well, yeah, that covers a lot of it.
'Cause I could do anything I want and instead I choose to pout and whine and feel the burden of Slayerness? I mean, I could be rich, I could be famous, I could have anything. Anyone.
She talks to him in a throaty whisper, her voice dripping with sexuality, her lips parting sensuously mere inches from his.
Even you, Spike. I could ride you at a gallop until your legs buckled and your eyes rolled up. I've got muscles you've never even dreamed of. I could squeeze you until you popped like warm champagne and you'd beg me to hurt you just a little bit more. And you know why I don't? (impish smile) Because it's wrong.
She breaks from him just as their lips are about to brush and walks off. Spike is left flustered and nearly speechless.
I get this chip out, you and me are going to have a confrontation.
Count on it.
Spike throws his beer bottle into the wall and walks off, shoving the patrons roughly out of his way in his anger. As he does so, a bolt of agony shoots through his head from the implanted chip.
Four vampires enter their lair to find ADAM standing there silently watching them. The leader of the group, BOOKE, reacts angrily.
It was too crowded. We gotta hold out for a few hours, pick up a straggler, some drunk. Can't be calling attention to... (sees Adam) ourselves.
I've been thinking. About vampires.
This is my place.
You're place. Yes, the sewers. You hide from them, crawl about in their filth, scavenging like rats. What do you fear?
Kill this guy already.
The vampire charges Adam who effortlessly seizes him by the throat and holds him there, dangling helplessly.
You fear the cross... the sun... fire. And, oh, yes...
Adams rips the vampire's head from its shoulders. The head and body fall separately to the ground as they both explode into ash.
I believe decapitation is a problem as well.
The remaining vampires are stunned. Their shock quickly turns to fear.
You can have the place. I mean, we don't have to stay here anymore.
You fear death. Being immortal, you fear it more than those to whom it comes naturally. Vampires are a paradox.
Okay, we're a paradox. That's cool.
Demon in a human body. You walk in both worlds and belong to neither. I can relate. Come. We have a lot to talk about.
The armored truck is parked in the shadows. Buffy wakes up to find herself secured to the truck's interior with chains of tempered steel. Weatherby and Collins watch her from outside the truck's open back doors.
Well, it's awake.
Who are you?
Council. We're taking you back to the mother country. Seems you've been a naughty girl.
Listen to me. You've made a mistake. I am not Faith. I'm Buffy Summers. Faith performed some kind of spell... she switched our bodies.
Congratulations. No one's ever actually tried that one on me before.
You have to find Faith. Call Giles. Just get him here.
Giles doesn't work for the Council anymore. For that matter, neither does Buffy Summers. And what you are, Miss, is a package. I deliver the package. I don't much care what's inside. (to Weatherby) Come on.
He may not care, but I do. The Watcher's Council used to mean something. You perverted it, you trash. We should have killed you while you were asleep.
Weatherby spits in Buffy's face and slams the truck doors closed.
Willow and Tara enter and look around at the raucous crowd.
I can't believe you've never been here. The Bronze is the coolest place in Sunnydale. Of course, there's not a lot of competition. I think the vending machine at Bergen's came in second.
You used to come here a lot?
I lived here. Me, Xander...
Willow suddenly notices Faith and group of guys gathered around chanting "chug, chug, chug" as on guy downs a pitcher of beer.
Buffy. Wow. I didn't think she'd be here. (takes Tara's hand) Come on, I want you to meet her.
The guy fails to completely drain his beer pitcher and Faith pushes him away.
Back off. You're nothing but a disappointment.
Hey, Buffy.
Willow and...
Buffy, this is Tara.
Hi.
So we've never met? Cool. Just have a thing with names.
Tara was in my Wicca group.
Uh-huh.
Faith turns and walks off, heading toward the couches. The girls follow.
So, what's up? Patrol a no-go?
Faith collapses onto the couch, her legs spread wide and resting on the table. Willow seems a bit taken aback.
Got tired. You know, the whole Faith thing. I let off some steam.
Good for you. You shouldn't work yourself too hard.
That's my philosophy.
Anyone want a soda?
Water.
Faith declines and Willow heads off to get Tara's drink. Faith notices Tara watching Willow intently. She leans forward and addresses Tara conspiratorially.
So, you guys been hanging out a lot lately, huh?
Yeah. She's really cool.
Faith nods and grins.
So Willow's not driving stick anymore... who would have thought? I guess you never really know someone until you've been inside their skin. And Oz is out of the picture? I've never seen two people so much in love. She just couldn't get enough of old Oz.
Tara is shocked by Faith's attitude.
She, um, said he w-w-w-w-w-went--
Faith mimics Tara's stutter.
He w-w-w-w-what? You gonna get that sentence out sometime tonight?
Tara is humiliated by Faith's casual cruelty and lowers her head in shame. Willow returns with Tara's water and urgently points out someone across the room.
Buffy, guy in the corner.
Faith sees the guy leading a GIRL toward the exit.
Yeah. Good call.
What?
Vampire.
Wicked obvious.
She sits back for a moment, not intending to do anything about it, before she realizes Willow is waiting for her to be Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She hurriedly hops to her feet.
So I should slay him!
You want help?
Nah, I got it.
Faith strides purposefully out of the Bronze, snatching up a pool cue as she goes.
Faith enters the alley and finds the vampire feeding on the girl. She's gasping in pain as her life drains from her. Faith breaks the pool cue in two drops one half and slams the vampire across the back with the other.
Hey!
The vampire drops the girl, spins around and attacks. Faith kicks the creature in the leg and spins the vampire around. She jams the stake through its back and throws it into the wall as it explodes to dust.
Faith looks down at the girl who is sobbing on the ground, the large gash in her neck bleeding freely.
You'll live.
He was so strong...
Yeah, well, he's gone now.
Faith turns to leave but the girl grabs her hand.
Thank you. (heartfelt) Thank you.
A myriad expressions flit across Faith's face, vying for control. She finally acknowledges the girl's gratitude the only way she knows how: with a nonchalant shrug.
Yeah, it's cool.
Faith drops the pool cue and walks off.
Faith saunters back into the dance club and drops onto the couch.
Everything poofed?
All's well in the world.
Tara's not feeling well. I'm going to walk her home.
Yeah. You give her whatever she needs.
Are you going to be in later or you going over to Riley's?
Faith had forgotten about Riley. Now a sly smile starts to work the corners of her mouth.
The armored truck shakes and groans as Buffy tests her restraints.
SMITH walks toward the armored truck with a syringe.
This'll bloody keep you quiet.
He opens the back of the truck and climbs in. With preternatural speed, Buffy lashes out and seizes him, wrapping the chains around his neck.
How about this? I'll be quiet and you can scream.
Weatherby and Collins appear at the back of the truck.
Now you unchain me, very slowly and politely, or I kill this guy.
When we go on a job, we always put our affairs in order first in case of accident.
Collins...
Sorry, Smithy.
They turn and walk off, leaving Smith at Buffy's mercy.
She's starting to bother me.
Getting her across the border is going to be a lot more trouble than it's worth.
If the Council can even get us passage. I'll call them. It's time for a contingency plan.
Behind Collins, Smith flies out the back of the truck and falls to the floor, groaning in pain.
RILEY sits at his desk working when he and hears a sound and turns, smiling. Faith stands seductively in the doorway.
Hi, baby.
Willow and Tara arrive back at her room.
I'm sorry you're feeling all blechy but we'll get together with Buffy another time. Sometime soon. I think you'll really like her.
She's not your friend.
Willow is taken aback.
I may have overestimated the "you liking her" factor.
No, no. I mean, I don't... I don't think she's... her.
You lost me.
Well, a person's energy has a flow, a unity. Buffy's was fragmented. It grated like something forced in where it doesn't belong. Plus, she was kind of mean.
So you think Buffy's not herself? Like she's been possessed or something?
I'm not sure.
You didn't sense a hyena energy at all, did you? Because hyena possession is just... unpleasant.
Do you have anything of hers?
Of Buffy's? Oh! This ring.
Willow removes the ring and gives it to Tara who takes it over to her desk and pulls a book off the shelf.
I think there's a way we can... the passage to the Nether Realm. There's a ritual. If you can find Buffy there, you should be able to see.
If it'll help her.
Tara sighs nervously.
What?
Well, the Nether Realm exists beyond the physical world. Accessing it is... it's kind of like astral projection. It's very intense. I'd have to be your anchor, keep you on this plane.
I trust you.
It's not like anything that we've ever--
I trust you.
Faith moves toward Riley, oozing sexuality.
You miss me?
I did, actually. Everything's okay?
Everything's great.
What about Faith?
She sits on Riley's lap, facing him and straddling him.
Faith has won a fabulous trip to England and I got the consolation prize, which is you.
So I don't have to worry about Faith showing up? Though I have to admit, I was kind of curious to meet her.
Faith holds onto his arms and leans back, thrusting her breasts right into Riley's face.
Or I was until about thirty seconds ago.
Oh, you wouldn't have liked Faith. She's not proper and joyless, like a girl should be. She has a tendency to give in to her animal instincts.
She kisses Riley and nips his lip. Riley responds but hesitantly, noticing the wide open door leading to the public hallway.
Door's open.
So?
So my fantasies don't tend to include a bunch of Marines staring in at me.
Maybe they could learn something.
She kisses his neck as Riley picks her up and walks across the room with her in his arms to close the door. The strain aggravates his wound.
You're hurt.
Not that bad, actually. I guess the drugs the professor gave me really did make me stronger. I'm healing pretty quick.
Maybe we should take you for a test drive.
I wouldn't say no.
Faith crawls onto the bed on all fours, her near-perfect butt elevated right at Riley's eye-level. She turns and looks back over her shoulder.
So... how do you want me?
How do I?
Yeah. What do you want to do with this body? What nasty little desire have you been itching to try out? Am I a bad girl? Do you want to hurt me?
What are we playing at here?
I'm Buffy.
Okay, then I'll be Riley.
Well, if you don't want to play--
She turns to leave but Riley grabs her.
Right. I don't want to play.
Riley kisses her very gently and she responds.
Willow closes the curtains and Tara touches her thumb ceremonially to Willow's forehead, lips and chest. Then they sit cross-legged, side by side, facing opposite directions and whisper while each languidly waves their outer arm through the air, as if stirring some unseen substance.
WILLOW & TARA
Sightless sea. Ayala flows through the river in me. The inward eye, the sightless sea. Ayala flows through the river in me. The inward eye, the sightless sea. Ayala flows through the river in me. The inward eye, the sightless sea.
A sparkling light forms at their fingertips, leaving a glowing trail as their hands move. Both light trails meet, forming an enveloping circle that bathes them in phosphorescence.
Their hands meet, palm to palm, and they begin to perspire. Their breath starts to come in quick gasps as Willow breaks contact and falls backward in a semi- conscious daze. The luminescence rises as Willow falls. Her respiration is very shallow and quick and she arches her back and moans, as if in the throws of a sexual orgasm.
Riley and Faith lie in bed, having just made love. Riley is on top of her, looking down at her lovingly. His voice is barely a whisper as he stares into her eyes.
I love you.
Faith is suddenly very uncomfortable with the situation. She starts to struggle beneath Riley's weight. Riley is taken aback by Faith's reaction.
Get off. No. No. No! (pushes Riley away) Get off! Off me. Get off!
She climbs out from under him and gets out of bed, extremely flustered.
Buffy... what? What's wrong?
Who are you? What do you want from her?
Should I not have...?
This is meaningless.
You're shaking.
Riley stands up and wraps a sheet around her, concerned. He cautiously takes her in his arms, comforting her.
What happened?
Nothing. Nothing.
She lays her head against Riley's chest as her face drops into shadow.
Adam addresses his vampiric minions, his newfound army.
I have a gift no man has. That no demon has ever had. I know why I'm here. I was created to kill, to extinguish life wherever I find it, and I have accepted that responsibility. You have lived in fear and desperation because you didn't have that gift. But it's time to face your fear.
Booke rises and approaches Adam reverently.
Tell us what to do.
You are here to be my first, to let them know that I am coming.
We're ready.
Then ask yourself: What is it-- more than man, more than anything else-- what is the thing you fear?
Faith puts on a shirt and fluffs her hair. The clock reads 8:25. She looks between the clock and Riley, asleep in bed, then abruptly turns and leaves.
Faith hurries down the stairs as FORREST enters from the main foyer.
Hope you left him alive.
Faith turns to him, confused. She doesn't know who he is.
What?
Boy's supposed to be on the mend. I don't see you letting him get much rest.
I think maybe you should stay out of other people's lives.
We've got a mission here. Back when Riley could still think for himself--
You've got a mission? I've been fighting demons since before you could shave.
Yeah, you're a killer.
I am not a killer! I am the Slayer... and you don't know the first thing about me.
You really care what I think?
Faith pauses a moment, considering.
No. I don't care. (beat, intense) God, I don't care!
She turns and exits through the back door leaving Forrest slightly shocked. Her reaction isn't quite what he expected.
Collins hangs up the phone. He doesn't look pleased as he screws a silencer onto his pistol.
They can't get us passage. They've ordered the kill.
Torch the place?
Get the gas.
Smith isn't comfortable with executing Buffy.
She could've killed me. She didn't.
Collins isn't moved.
Lucky you.
Collins walks over to the back of the truck, gun raised. As he nears the doors, Buffy seizes his hands with her feet and yanks him into the truck hard enough to stun him. She takes the gun and shoots off the locks binding the chains around her wrists.
Smith witnesses her amazing escape and runs off, yelling.
Weatherby!
Buffy shoots off an interior lock and dives into the driver's seat of the truck.
Keys, keys...
Weatherby runs back into the warehouse.
Stop her, you ponce.
Buffy finds the keys as Weatherby rushes the truck. She slams the driver's-side door into him, knocking him out, then returns her attention to the truck's controls.
Okay, I'm good at this.
The engine roars to life and she shifts gears with a grinding sound.
Oh, drive.
Smith shoots at the truck but the rounds just glance off the armored exterior. Buffy jams the gas and the truck smashes straight through the wall of the warehouse and out into the sunlight.
The clerk behind the counter hands a plane ticket to Faith.
Here, there you go.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Giles heads downstairs carrying a plate and some cups. Suddenly the front door opens and Buffy runs in.
Giles!
Giles is stunned speechless for a moment.
God!
Don't move. Okay Giles, you have to listen to me very carefully. I'm not Faith.
Really?
Really.
Because the resemblance is striking.
Giles slowly makes his way toward the telephone.
I know. Giles, you just have to-- stop inching! You were inching.
Look, I know what you're going to say and--
I'm Buffy.
All right, I didn't know what you were going to say but that doesn't make you any less crazy.
Faith switched... I mean, she had some device. She switched our bodies. Giles, I swear it's me.
Buffy runs her hand through her hair, tucking it back behind her ears. Giles pauses for a moment, taken aback by how familiar that particular gesture seems.
If you are Buffy, then you'll let me tie you up-- without killing me-- until we find out whether you're telling the truth.
Giles, Faith has taken my body and for all I know she's taken it to Mexico by now. I don't have time for bondage fun. (beat) Ask me a question. Ask me anything.
Who's president?
We're checking for Buffy, not a concussion.
Oh, yes. All right...
Giles pauses, thinking.
Giles, you turned into a demon and I knew it was you. I mean, can't you just look in my eyes and be all intuitive?
How did I turn into a demon?
Oh! 'Cause of Ethan Rayne! And you have a girlfriend named Olivia and you haven't had a job since we blew up the school... which is valid, lifestyle-wise. I mean, it's not like you're a slacker type but... oh, when I had psychic power, I heard my mom think that you were like a stevedore during sex. (off his look) What? Do you want me to continue?
Actually, I beg you to stop.
What's a stevedore?
All right, let's... I need you to explain everything.
And I will. After we get Faith.
Willow and Tara enter at a run.
Giles!
Will...
Oh, my god!
Willow, wait. You don't understand.
You're Buffy. You and Faith switched bodies, probably through a Draconian Katra spell.
She understands it better than I do.
How did you--
Tara. Tara, this is Buffy, only really this time.
Hi.
Tara's a really powerful witch.
Not really.
No, really. She knew right away that you weren't you. So we connected with the Nether Realms to find out what happened. And we conjured this.
Willow holds out a small box with a luminescent green stone set into the center.
What is--
It's a Katra. Or the home-conjured version. It should switch you back if you can get ahold of Faith.
Oh, thank god.
The telephone rings.
I'll get it. (picks up) Hello.
Do you know where Faith is?
Oh yes, Buffy's here with me. Actually, she's... oh, all right.
Xander. Apparently there's a report on the television.
Giles turns on the TV.
...and barricaded themselves in the church with at least twenty parishioners. One of the few who escaped described the three men as frighteningly disfigured, almost inhuman. So far, one escapee has since died of severe neck wounds.
Faith watches the report on a TV in the passenger terminal.
There is no report on the condition of the parishioners still trapped inside but their assailants have vowed to kill all of them if police attempt to storm the church.
Faith watches, considering the situation in the church. She can help them and miss her best chance at freedom or follow her instincts and turn her back on Sunnydale and everyone in it.
The parishioners cower in the pews as the vampires stride arrogantly up and down the central aisle.
It's hard to believe. I've been avoiding this place for so many years and it's nothing. It's nice! It's got the pretty windows, the pillars... lots of folks to eat. Where's the thing I was so afraid of? You know, the Lord? He was supposed to be here. He gave us this address. Well, we'll just have to start killing off His people, see if He shows up.
Sirens. Two squad cars and an ambulance park outside. Uniformed police and emergency personnel swarm everywhere. Riley talks to the detective in charge.
What'd he say?
He said I should defer command to you.
Then you hold your men until the reserves arrive. This is a military situation.
What? They got bombs in there?
Your men are not prepared to deal with them. Just trust me.
Riley walks closer to the church, taking into consideration angles of approach and fields of fire when he suddenly runs into Faith.
Buffy.
How many are in there?
We think there's three.
I can do three.
She starts to head in but Riley grabs her arm.
Not alone. Look wait for the troops to get here. They're still mobilizing.
How did you respond so fast?
I didn't. (sheepish) I was just late for church.
Faith shakes her head, amazed.
Look, when the troops get here, send 'em in but I'm going.
I don't want you risking--
Don't tell me what to do! I'm Buffy. I have to do this.
Then I'm coming with.
Faith jabs Riley in the abdomen and he flinches in pain.
Ow!
I can't use you. Someone comes out, you get 'em to safety... unless they've got fangs.
With that, Faith turns and enters the church.
Faith walks in and closes the door with a bang. Booke jumps up to face her.
I told the cops, they send any one in, I start the whole massacre thing.
Well, I'm not the cops. I just came to pray.
Now's a good time to start.
You're not going to kill these people.
Why not?
Because it's wrong.
A vampire attacks her from behind. Faith seizes him and throws him across the room. He collides with a solid marble column at high velocity and falls to the floor in a broken heap. He doesn't get back up. The lead vampire takes a step back, no longer quite so cocky.
You're the Slayer.
The one and only.
Giles arrives, driving the armored truck. It stops and Willow, Tara and Buffy jump out of the back.
You people, get out of here!
We've gotta get inside.
The police are handling this. Just back off-- right now.
But we can't... we've gotta... you don't understand.
Listen you have to clear the area.
Giles sees this is going nowhere and decides to create a diversion for the others. He starts pointing and yelling hysterically. While the cop is distracted, Buffy slinks out of sight behind the truck.
Damn it, man! We have to get inside. Our families are in there! Our mothers and tiny, tiny babies!
The lead vampire's momentary fear of Faith has drained away and his bravado has returned.
You think we're afraid of you? We're not afraid of anything anymore.
Then let all these people go and all three of you can take me on.
I've got a better idea.
He launches himself at Faith and she easily dodges, jabs him in the stomach, backhands him in the face and kicks him in the kidneys. He goes down. She kicks another vampire in the gut as he attacks and knocks him back. Then grabs the third vampire and sends him flying across the room again.
The congregation takes advantage of the distraction to start piling out of the church in a blind panic.
Faith drives the second vampire back with a wicked series of punches as the people flee around her. She breaks off a piece of wood from the back of a pew and jams it through the second vampire, simultaneously spinning him out of her way and to the ground as he explodes in mid-air. The third vampire thinks better of continuing his attack, grabs a robe to cover himself and bolts out of the church.
The vampire runs right into Riley. They fall and roll down the steps. As they get up the vampire hits Riley in the face. Riley grabs hold of the robe and pushes the vampire out into the bright sunlight. He screams in agony as he bursts into flame and crumbles into nothing.
You forgot your coat.
Buffy runs up to Riley and hugs him tight. He's more than a little surprised.
Riley!
It's okay, miss. Just get yourself out of harm's way.
Riley, it's me! (off his look) Never mind. How many are in there?
Well... who are you?
Inside, Booke knocks the stake from Faith's grip and slams her back against a pew. He punches her in the face, stunning her.
I have strength you couldn't dream of. Adam has shown me the way and there is nothing--
He suddenly dissolves into dust revealing Buffy standing behind him, stake in hand. Quick beat while Faith absorbs the reality of her presence. Then she leaps to attack. In her rage, Faith seems to have a slight advantage. She rocks Buffy with a vicious uppercut, staggering her but Buffy comes back with an uppercut and knocks Faith backward.
You can't win this.
Shut up! Do you think I'm afraid of you?
Faith grabs Buffy and throws her down, then straddles her, raining blows down on her face and chest.
You're nothing! Disgusting!
Faith grabs Buffy's hair with both hands and bangs her head on the tiled floor.
Murderous bitch! You're nothing! You're disgusting...
Faith winds up for another punch and Buffy seizes her hand in mid-swing. Their palms come together and with a bright flash of light and a jolt of magickal energy, Buffy is returned to her body and Faith to hers.
Buffy falls back exhausted as their hands separate. Realizing what has happened, Faith gives Buffy a hateful look, then leaps to her feet and runs off. Buffy can only lie on the floor and watch her go.
Buffy hangs up phone. She sits on the bed with Riley.
She's gone, not a trace. Giles said the Council guys have cleared out, too.
I don't understand. how could she have... I mean, how's it possible?
Magick.
There was something... I should've picked up on it. I should've just...
Riley looks away, not meeting Buffy's eyes. The realization suddenly dawns on Buffy. She looks stricken.
You slept with her.
I slept with you. Man, would I like to get my hands on her. (off Buffy's look) Not in a sex way!
I don't think she's coming back.
Guess she's had her fun.
Yeah. Fun.
CU on Buffy's face as we
CU: Faith. She stares off into space, her face an inscrutable mask, as she rides the rails out of Sunnydale.