Adult-FanFiction.org : Buffy

Violently Happy	By : marksandspence Category: BtVS Crossovers > Misc - Het - Male/Female Views: 3215 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-Part1a
- 2-Part1b
- 3-Part1c
- 4-Part1d
- 5-Part1e
- 6-Part2a
- 7-Part2b
- 8-Part3a
- 9-Part3b
- 10-Part3c
- 11-Part4a
- 12-Part4b
- 13-Part4c
- 14-Part4d
- 15-Part5a
- 16-Part5b
- 17-Part5c
- 18-Part5d
- 19-Part5e
- 20-Part5f
- 21-Part5g
- 22-Part5h
- 23-Part6a
- 24-Part6b
- 25-Part6c
- 26-Part6d
- 27-Part6e
- 28-p.s. Flight of Fancy
- 1
- 2
SETTING: Buffy Season 5 (post-Crush); Angel Season 2
RATING: Mostly PG-13/R for language and violence; some NC-17 (explicit sex)
SUMMARY: Sunnydale has a new resident and LA a new sometimes visitor. She's smart, cute, and not human. She likes swords, shoes and a certain blonde vampire whom she'd first met more than a century ago. Sex, mayhem, love, angst, hilarity and redemption ensue.
DISCLAIMER: Spike, Angel, Buffy, Anya, Xander, Willow, Tara, Giles, Dawn, Glory, Gunn, Cordelia, Wesley, Darla, Drusilla etc. are all owned by Mutant Enemy. I have no affiliation with ME and I am incredibly indebted to them for creating such fantastic characters for me to use and abuse! Also, the character of Duncan MacLoud and the Highlander universe is the property of Davis-Panzer Productions, Inc. and Gétéve (I think). However, the characters of Miranda, Alex, Joseph, Phil, Trachys, Jimmie, Father Dunn and pretty much anyone else you don't recognize from BtVS or AtS are entirely my creations. If you want to use them in your own story, please contact me first.
FEEDBACK: Please. It makes all the difference...
AUTHOR’S INTRODUCTION/DISCLAIMERS:
I conceived all the main events of this story in a fairly short period of time during Season 5 of BtVS. I had two things in mind when I conceived of this story—To introduce a character into the buffyverse who was not human, but not a demon (= not necessarily evil) and to give Spike a love interest who wasn't Buffy. Thus, Miranda was born. Though I created the personality of Miranda from scratch, I did not have the energy to create what she was. Therefore, I borrowed from the Highlander series and decided to make Miranda an Immortal. PLEASE, all you Highlander fans out there take note: At the time I conceived of this story, I had only watched a handful of episodes and had never seen the films. I went to a few websites and that is ALL. I took what I found in my very brief research and then made up the rest, so I am CONFIDENT that I have seriously violated the Highlander dogma. I apologize and mean no offence! For me, it was a simply a convenient starting point. So please don't flame me for any Highlander blasphemies I have committed. It will only make me sad. I mean no disrespect!
Though the story is finished in the sense that I've written the final scene, complete with "The End" stuck at the bottom, there are some holes in the text. You'll find sections where I've provided a summary instead of writing out a scene [did I mention it's in screenplay format?] and there are a number of 'writer's notes' stuck in here and there. I would call it a 'draft', except that I probably won't take the time for extensive re-writes. Basically, I conceived of the story in its entirety in my head before ever putting pen to paper--many things got left out due to time/energy constraints.
I conceived of the story during Season 5, but didn't start writing it until after Season 6 and now the show is over. Certain things about Spike's past have come to light since Season 5, but I did not back correct. I left the story pretty much as-is, regardless of future and/or past events.
Though primarily a love story, there's a fair bit of action and adventure to move things along. But, the emphasis is definitely on relationships and character development, so I spent very little time trying to come up with clever plots and new and exciting monsters. I also focused almost entirely on the primary characters (Miranda and Spike) and so don't look for extensive character development of Anya for example or even many scenes in which neither of the primary characters appear. Finally, the story spends a lot of time exploring Miranda's character—in truth, it is mostly her story set in the buffyverse. But she's very cool and she and Spike make a stunning couple :)
Finally, the story was originally written as a serial, which I doled out to three readers/friends on a weekly to monthly basis. It was intended as an experiment in writing for me (not to mention a very fun little hobby) and I had not anticipated making it available to a wider audience. But, my readers were amused and entertained enough to encourage me to share and so here I go. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE feedback---positive, negative or whatever so long as it's constructive. I'm also happy to clarify things or answer questions or whatever.
TIMING: To get the appropriate setting, I’m going to have to go with a hypothetical time that is somewhere in season 5 (post-Crush). So Buffy knows that Spike is in love with her AND YET, he’s kinda-sorta a functioning part of the scoobies, i.e., everyone is dealing with the situation…Spike has toned down his ‘plays’ for Buffy’s affection (given up hope?) but still hangs around and everyone else just tries not to think about it. Everything else is as it was…Giles is still around and owns the magic shop. Xander and Anya are still together (but not engaged) and so are Tara and Willow. Oh, but Joyce is dead and so Buffy is having to do the parenting. I think that is most of it. Oh, and one more disclaimer. I wrote this first scene BEFORE having seen Dead Things. Really.
**Please note: I have recently updated and reorganized these pages. If you find a broken link or some other kind of screw up, please let me know by sending me an e-mail. Thanks! **
Scene 1: First contact
Setting: Edge of a graveyard bordering a wooded area. Buffy and the gang (Willow & Xander) are taking on a surprisingly large gang of vamps. There didn’t seem to be so many at first, but then more keep showing up. Buffy et al. are able to stay on top of things, but it is rather chaotic. Suddenly out of no-where, there is what appears to be a lightening bolt, which strikes a bit off into the distance in the direction of the woods. Everyone (including the vamps) stops for just a moment until the lightning is over. Immediately after, fighting resumes and the gang dusts what they think are the last of the vamps. As this is Sunnydale, and nothing is never quite what it seems, they decide to venture in the direction of the woods to check out the site of the lightning strike. As soon as they enter the woods, however, another group of vamps jump out from behind some trees. It’s looking a bit sticky, as the scoobs were caught by surprise and it’s very dark. Then Spike shows up and things begin to get back under control. After much fighting, Buffy stakes the last one (she thinks) and they’re all just about to take a breath. Then in a beat, another stumbles out through some bushes and Buffy reflexively stakes it straight in the chest. This time, however, no dust…when Buffy pulls out the stake, the body simply falls backward. Oh crap. Everyone freezes in amazement.
Spike: “so NOT a vampire, then.” [stating the obvious]
Willow: “Surely a demon of some sort….right? [she offers hopefully, seeing the look of horror that has now crossed Buffy’s face]
They all walk over to the body.
Xander: [a bit taken aback] “Wow. Quite a hottie….[scolding look from Willow]….I mean, for a demonand all. You’d think she was…”
Buffy: [now kneeling next to the body, taking the pulse] “She IS human. She’s warm…and bleeding. [she looks up at everyone…major freak-out pending] No pulse.”
Spike: [a bit flippant] “Not terribly surprising—stake-to-the-heart usually stops it beating.”
Buffy: [pleading] “What can we do? CPR? Does anyone remember? God, why did I skip health class so much in high school?”
Spike: “Yeah, not really going to fix the big gaping hole in her heart, now is it?”
Frown from Buffy.
Xander: “I hate to say it, but Spike’s right. I don’t think there’s much we can do.”
Everyone just looks at each other, not knowing what to do.
Willow: [confused sympathy] “We can’t just leave her here…..it might rain….I mean, there was that lightening…s’pose if you’re dead you don’t care so much if you get wet, but still….I…”
Buffy: [eyes filled with tears; voice shaking] “We’re NOT going to leave her here. Let’s….uh….let’s take her back to the house. Giles is staying with Dawn. He’ll know what to do.”
Not TERRIBLY logical, but they’re all kinda freaked and not thinking clearly and so are relieved at the idea of ANY plan. Spike starts to scoop up the body (not really looking at her) with one hand behind her neck for support and the other under her knees.
Spike: [suddenly grimacing] “Ow. Bloody hell.” [quickly yanks his arm out from behind her neck and her head drops down to the ground] “She’s got a cross ‘round her neck; someone want to move it?”
He sucks on the burnt indentation of a cross on his hand.
Buffy: “Careful!”
Spike: “She’s DEAD; not like she’s gonna suffer from a bump on the head; [looking around] some help here?”
Willow, looking a bit annoyed walks over and moves the cross charm from behind the dead woman’s neck to the front, stopping for a moment to look at it before tucking it into her (the body’s) shirt to prevent it from falling back again. It’s a celtic looking cross, with a red stone in the middle (a ruby?).
Willow: “There.” [Looking a bit sad as she glances at Spike and walks on.]
Spike scoops up the body again and they head off. They arrive and decide to send Xander in before waltzing in with the body (lord knows, Dawn has seen ENOUGH dead people!). Xander, in his usual trying-too-hard-to-be-casual style convinces Dawn that Anya needs her at the magic shop RIGHT AWAY. She shrugs it off, knowing on some level that they’re trying to get rid of her, but still heads off with Xander. The rest of them come in, Spike takes the body upstairs and puts it in the bathroom tub (minimizing the future clean-up). They tell Giles what happened. Giles suggests that the first thing is to try and figure out who she is. They decide to send Spike back to the woods to look around for identification and/or clues to her identity. Much discussion ensues…Buffy worried about losing custody of Dawn if they go to the police….blah blah blah…Willow suggests making the body ‘disappear’…more angst and discussion…Tara shows up; Xander comes back….still more angst and discussion…
MEANWHILE, upstairs. The ‘body’ opens her eyes. She looks around, then looks at her wound. Although still a gaping hole in her chest, it is obvious that it is beginning to heal. Tiny flashes of light move around the wound, like little electrical maggots. She weakly gets up out of the tub. Noticing that she’s in a bathroom, she opens up the cupboards, looking for bandages. Next we see her tip-toeing into a nearby room, where she takes off her bloody, torn shirt and rummages through a closet looking for a replacement. She finds something very cute and, pleased with it, puts it on (it’s a bit small; she frowns in the mirror; but will do). She investigates the windows (a way to sneak out), but decides there is no easy way to make the jump in her current state. She stands at the top of the stairs, listening. She sneaks down a few stairs to hear a bit better. She hears the emotional discussions going on downstairs. Scene switches to the living room again, where Buffy is saying…
Buffy: [crying, being comforted by Willow] “It was an accident. We’ll take the body to the station. The police HAVE to understand that it was a mistake…I mean….there were witnesses, right? I….”
Xander: “Mistakenly plunging a wooden stake through someone’s chest may just be a little too much for our town’s finest to comprehend. [feeling bad] I’m just saying.”
Everyone looks worn-out. Giles is looking particularly solemn and distressed. It’s clear he doesn’t think the police will understand.
Miranda/the body: [walking slowly down the stairs, but trying to look strong] “No need for tears—no body, no worries. [pause] Right then. If someone will give me a clue as to where I am, I’ll be on my way.” [English accent; rather posh; she’s speaking in a rather flippant/cheerful tone]
[WRITER'S NOTE: As the story is written in screenplay format and YET is not actually on the screen, I figure that many of you will be wondering what Miranda looks like. It's a difficult question, because I don't have a specific vision, i.e., I haven't chosen an actress who I think would encapsulate what I have been vaguely imagining. But I'll have a go. Miranda is on the tall side of average—5'7" to 5'8". She has reddish brown hair, wavy, about shoulder length or sometimes a bit longer. She's rather shapely, in the sense that she has more of a woman's figure than a girl's figure—i.e., more like Cordelia or Lilah than Buffy or Fred or Faith or Eve or...you get the picture. I guess I would describe her as pretty in a rather classical way. I've been trying hard to pick an actress that is most similar to what I'm imagining and the only one that comes to mind is Connie Nielsen (played opposite Russell Crowe in Gladiator)—it's not a perfect fit. I see Miranda as having slightly softer/rounder features. Hopefully that's enough to give you an idea and you can let your imagination fill in the rest. As mentioned in the story, she's english and her accent probably resembles Wesley's or Giles' more than Spike's, though she does use a bit more in the way of informal slang. She has a strength and confidence about her that is immediately noticeable, though not in an arrogant or overly masculine sort of way—A nicely feminine strength and power. She also has the propensity to be quite maternal, particularly around children and young adults (like Dawn).]
Everyone looks up. Astonished, confused babbling ensues.
Buffy: [standing up] “But you were dead…I…”
Miranda: “Don’t be silly. It was only a flesh wound [in a voice indicating she’s quoting Monty Python]. Really, I’m fine. A map is all I need. I’m rather new in town.”
Buffy: [almost mildly annoyed] “You had no pulse. I put a stake through your heart...I mean, I’m sorry, but I THINK I know when I’ve killed someone.”
Miranda: “Oh, so THAT’s what it was. Explains the splinters [as she looks down at her now covered wound]…nasty little weapon, really. Effective, I suppose, when wielded by someone of your strength, but HONESTLY, I’ll be picking the wood out for weeks, I’m sure.”
Buffy: [looking guilty now] “I’m sorry. I mean, I didn’t mean to hurt you….uh…it was a mistake…I thought…”
Miranda: “yes, yes, I’ve been eavesdropping…got the gist. From the sound of things, you’re some kind of specialized demon hunter and in the heat of battle you mistook me for a vampire, ergo, stake to the heart. [as if speaking to herself] who knew I’d moved to the bloody hellmouth. Come to think of it, who knew something called the ‘hellmouth’ actually existed….and in California no less. Well, I guess that part’s not too surprising…[back to speaking to the scoobies] So anyway, an honest mistake…certainly ruined my evening and perhaps the next few days, that’s for sure, but no hard feelings. I’ll just be on my way.”
She starts heading towards the door, but then is overcome by weakness and almost falls over. Giles moves over quickly and steadies her.
Willow: “Shouldn’t we get you to a hospital? [looking at the others] shouldn’t we take her to a hospital?”
Miranda: “Not much of a hospital person, me. Dreadful places. Spent enough time in them already for one lifetime…No, I’ll be fine.” [not looking particularly fine]
Giles: “You obviously are not fit to be walking all over town. Why don’t you sit down for a moment. Can I fix you a cup of tea?”
He’s giving looks to Buffy et al., indicating that they should keep her here as long as possible—what kind of being is she? Why is she here?
Miranda: [an exasperated sigh. It’s true. She probably wouldn’t get very far walking] “I suppose you’re right. Tea would be lovely [a beat, grimacing as she attempts to move]…although I’d prefer a whiskey if you have it.”
Giles smiles at this as he walks her over to the couch. She sits back, obviously in some pain.
Giles: “I doubt if Buffy keeps whiskey in the house. You’ll have to make due with tea for now, I’m afraid.”
Miranda: “Fair enough. Though if I am going to stay for a few minutes, could I trouble you for some painkillers? [to Buffy] Surely someone in your line of work must have a stash of something.”
Tara: “I think I’ve got some Advil in my purse.” [she offers, helpfully]
Buffy: [seeing the obvious disappointment on Miranda’s face] “I think I’ve got something a bit stronger upstairs.”
She goes upstairs; Giles is in the kitchen making tea. Miranda closes her eyes for a moment as she leans back into the couch. When she opens them, she sees that Xander, Willow and Tara are all staring at her, questioningly.
Miranda: “Go on then” [as she thrusts out her arm, wrist up; they look puzzled] “Pulse? You’re all wondering if I have a pulse….go on.”
Xander reaches out and feels for a pulse.
Xander: “Got one all right and it’s really REALLY fast…is that…normal for…uh…someone of your…uh….that normal for you?”
Miranda: [frowning] “Not especially. [suddenly thinking about what she SHOULD say] Only when I’m healing.”
Buffy returns with the pills; Miranda takes them (all of them). Giles comes out with the tea. Miranda takes a cup. They all sit down in silence, watching her as she sips her tea. Rather awkward silence.
Giles: [trying to break the silence] “So what part of England are you from?”
Miranda: “Just west of London, actually, although it’s been years.”
Giles: “Yes, for me as well. Do you miss it?”
Miranda: “It’s funny, I….”
Buffy interrupts.
Buffy: [exasperated sigh. To herself] “Where’s Anya when you need her” [to everyone] “So, don’t mean to rush through the small-talk here, but can we get to how you were dead a few minutes ago? Because that’s really the question of the moment. In my opinion.”
Miranda: “Right. I have a suggestion. Since I’m the injured party here, why don’t we start with you [to Buffy]….and your friends here. You tell me who YOU are and I’ll jump in.”
Buffy looks at Giles. He gives her the nod/shrug.
Buffy: “I’m Buffy…” etc. etc. [brief explanation ensues; everyone introduces themselves]
Miranda: “Ok, let me make sure I’ve got this straight. Buffy, you’re something called a slayer, which compels you to fight vampires and other demons and monsters, of which there are many different kinds. Giles, you’re job is basically to help Buffy fight these various kinds of demon by knowing important details about them, including, but not limited to how to kill them. Xander, you’re a carpenter of sorts who is friends with Buffy and who helps her on occasion with the ‘saving of the world’ business. Willow and Tara, you’re friends of Buffy who also happen to be witches, which comes in very handy from time to time. And you all went to high school together.”
Xander: “Except Tara.”
Miranda: “Right. Except Tara”
Willow: “But we all go to college together”
Tara: “Well, except Xander”
Miranda: “Right, Xander, the carpenter. Ok, then. Is that it?
They nod and shrug, indicating yes; Just then, Anya comes to the door, knocks and peeks her head in. Xander waves her in.
Anya: “Hi. Dawn got bored dusting the books at the shop. Dusting didn’t quite sound urgent enough, but it was all I could think of. I took her to one of her little friend’s houses for the night. [beat; looks at Miranda] Who are you?”
Miranda: “I’m the lucky girl that Buffy accidentally staked tonight. And you are…another college mate, I suppose?”
Anya: “Oh, so you’re the dead body. [grumbling/frowning at Xander; to him: “She doesn’t look dead to me. I mean, she’s talking and all”]. High school, sort of. I date Xander.” [She grabs Xander’s hand possessively.]
Miranda: “Good for you. Where were we? Hm. [Miranda takes this all in and says to no-one in particular] Well, I’ve dealt with witches before, so that’s nothing new. [seeing the ‘concerned’ looks on W/T’s faces]. Oh, I mean, in a positive way. I’ve done…business with witches before. Always found them to be very amicable [a smile to Willow and Tara]. And I’ve seen a vampire once before, so I knew of their existence. Had no idea that there were other sorts of demons and beasts roaming around. Interesting. [Thinking for a moment—An idea flickers across her face; looks at Giles]. What about dragons? Are there dragons—you know of the flying/cave-dwelling/fire-breathing kind?” [She asks, hopefully]
Giles: “What? No, not that I’m aware of. Why would you…?”
Miranda: “Oh. [disappointed] I’ve just always hoped there were real dragons. I mean if there are witches, slayers, vampires and demons of various kinds I thought there might be a chance of dragons. Quite disappointing, that. [a pause as her mind wanders off; realizing awkward silence] Sorry. [suddenly aware] Must be the pain medication kicking in.”
Giles: “And you are….?”
Miranda: “Miranda” [They’re all waiting expectantly for her to say more. She doesn’t. She’s off in her own world (meds?). After a moment, she notices that they’re all waiting for her to say something more] Oh, right. Um, yes, well you’re not crazy. My heart did stop and now it has started again. It’s happened before. The wound should heal entirely in a couple of days, although that may depend on a number of things.” [She’s off again, thinking of something.] “Did you happen to notice a sword?”
Buffy: “No. We weren’t really in state to notice anything, having just killed you and all. We sent someone back to look around. He should be back by now. I wonder what’s taking him so long.”
Xander: “Yeah, I’m sure hurrying back here to help out is tops on Spike’s priority list. We shouldn’t have sent him alone.”
Giles: [To Miranda] “So you have regenerative powers. Anything else?”
Miranda: [thinking about how much to say and how to say it] “Is it true that vampires are immortal? That they don’t grow old?” [nod from Giles] “I’m like that as well—minus the teeth.”
Giles: “And yet your heart beats. That’s very unusual. [Miranda shrugs; somewhat distracted]. I don’t believe I’ve come across a species of demon like you before. Are there others?”
Miranda: [rather incredulous] “Demon? ….Species? Don’t know what you’re on about; s’not bloody Animal Planet—I’ll have you know that you’d be hard pressed to find ANY differences between me and you. Even a doctor couldn’t tell.”
Giles: [confused] “So sorry. Didn’t mean to offend, it’s just, well, if you’re not human and you’re not a demon. What sort of being are you?”
Miranda: “In answer to your previous question, yes. There are others like me. As for the next question, I don’t quite know how to answer that.”
Giles: [curious, and perhaps a bit suspicious] “What is you business in Sunnydale, if you don’t mind my asking?”
Anya: [interrupts, blurting] “Are you a good guy or a bad guy? I think that’s what everyone really wants to know [looking around], right? Good or Evil. [explaining to Miranda] They don’t deal well with ambiguity.”
Miranda: [Obviously annoyed by that question. Takes a deep breath.] Listen, I don’t want to be rude. You all seem like very nice people and I have no intention of interfering with your business here in Sunnydale. But at the moment, I am in considerable pain and rather moderate danger, so might I suggest we continue this little chit-chat another time?”
Giles: [a bit disappointed] “Yes. Yes, of course. Shall I give you a ride home?”
Xander: “What’s that with the considerable danger? That just for you specifically, or should we be mobilizing the troops right about now?”
Willow: [to Xander in a low voice] “I’m pretty sure she said considerable pain and moderate danger, which I think is definitely less scary.”
Miranda: “That would be moderate personal danger. Not to worry.” [contemplates for a moment] “Is there a church or a temple nearby?”
Everyone looks around, confused and perhaps a bit embarrassed that they don’t have a quick answer.
Buffy: “Sure. There’s one just up the street from here.”
Miranda: “Denomination?”
Buffy: “Unitarian, I think. Why?”
Miranda: [frowning] “Never been clear on what they’re all about. Um what would be the second closest church?”
Buffy: “I think there’s a catholic church about a mile from here.”
Miranda: “Perfect. I’d be grateful to get a lift from one of you. If your friend finds my sword, have him bring it to me there. I’ll wait ‘til morning if necessary.”
Buffy: “You’re welcome to stay here. I don’t see why….”
Miranda: [interrupting] “Cheers, but I’ll be safer there—long story—definitely not in the mood to explain.”
Willow: “Yeah, um that might be a problem. I mean, Giles can give you ride to the church [to Giles:“I mean, that’s not a problem, right?”] but the Spike dropping off the sword part…uh, he’s not exactly the church-going type.”
Buffy: “Spike’s a vampire. Long story…definitely not the time to explain.”
Just then, a knock at the door. Buffy goes to answer it. It’s Spike. They talk at the door.
Buffy: “What took you so long. Did you find anything?”
Spike: “I talked to some…people. Found someone who can get rid of the body quickly…without a trace. Just say the word.”
Buffy: “Oh right. Um ‘NO’ would be the word I’d say to THAT suggestion, but actually there isn’t a body anymore.”
Spike: [confused] “Willow already take care of it? Thought she might be able to teleport it or something…”
Buffy: “No…NO [annoyed]. She’s not dead. She’s Ok.”
Spike: [disbelieving] “What do you mean she’s OK? She was DEAD. Vampire, remember? I think I know a dead person when I see one.”
Buffy opens the door, so that he can look in. The back of Miranda’s head is visible from the door. She’s being helped to her feet. They (Giles and Miranda) move towards the door.
Buffy: “Listen, it’s late. I don’t have time to explain this now. Did you find a sword?”
Spike: [shrugging his shoulders as if to say “whatever”] “Two of ‘em. Nice, too. Well made and kept. One had…" [he’s cut off]
Miranda: [interrupting as she steps up to the doorway] “You found my swords, then. Brilliant.”
Spike: [still looking at Buffy] “Yeah, quite a pair. Both yours?” [glancing over to her]
Miranda: [as Spike looks up and they lock eyes for an instant, a puzzled look crosses Miranda’s face. No time now, but…hm] “You can have one if you like. See it as reimbursement for your trouble.”
She gives him a look; she’s hiding something—what was he about to say to Buffy?
Giles: “There’s no need for that, right Spike?”
Miranda: “Oh, but I insist. I only ask that I choose which to keep.”
Spike takes the swords out from his jacket. Hands the first one to Miranda. Gives her a look as he reaches for the second.
Spike: “This one had a bit of mud on it.” [He says as he wipes the blade on the inside of his coat as he pulls it out; hands it to Miranda.]
Miranda: “Thanks. [looks them both over; tosses one to Spike; he catches it; Hands the other to Giles (he almost drops it…very heavy)] Time to go, then?”
They walk through the door, Giles supporting Miranda. Once they’re to the car, Spike makes a move to come inside Buffy’s house. She closes the door in his face as she says “good night”. He hesitates for a moment, shaking his head. He turns to go, admiring his new acquisition.
**
Some time passes (couple weeks?). I see Miranda becoming friends with the scoobies, in part because she’s new in town and they are the first people she meets, but also because she is intrigued by their world. She never goes out on patrol with them, but instead helps Giles out with research…her specialty is languages and encryption. She’s also not bad with computers, as she’s taken a course or two to bring her up to speed on the ‘new’ technology. Not surprisingly, she’s in the antiques business and is in the process of opening up a shop in town. It’s not quite clear what the hold-up is (to be explained later) and now she is mostly just ‘hanging’ out with these new and interesting people she’s found. She doesn’t say much about her past or much else about WHAT she is; she’s been a rather passive participant. I envision that Giles takes a bit of a liking to her, as she’s very smart and witty (and English, of course). Even though she physically looks to be only 20+ years old, she dresses more maturely and so appears a bit older than the rest (plus she has a slightly more mature ‘air’ about her, not surprisingly as she’s 130+ years old). She doesn’t encourage him in any sort of flirtatious way, but they do probably spend a bit more time together initially than the rest due to common interests. As she is not out on patrol with the ‘gang’, she hasn’t at this point run into Spike again.
Scene 2: The magic shop
[Everyone but Xander is there. Anya is doing business type things. Giles, Willow, Tara and Buffy are sitting at a big table full of books working on something. Miranda walks in the door with a computer case.]
Miranda: “Lovely evening, isn’t it?” [As she puts her bag on the floor and begins to set-up her computer; Mutual greetings from the group. Giles’ demeanor changes every-so-slightly upon her arrival. He tries hard to hide it, but he’s quite happy to see her.] “I think I may have made some progress on that text you showed me the other day.”
Giles: “Let’s have a look.”
Buffy: [noticing something; looking at Miranda] “I have a shirt just like that.”
Miranda: “The operative word is HAD—it’s the one I took from your house the night we met. Looks fantastic, don’t you think? The rest of my wardrobe is so old.”
Buffy: [looking a bit worried] “Oh. Right. Borrowing. Sure.”
Miranda: “ooh, ‘bit of a misunderstanding there. Yeah, I’m keeping it.”
Buffy: [pouty, but not all that serious] “But it’s one of my favorites…and you can’t just TAKE things…and I wanted to wear that today…it goes with these pants.”
Miranda: “aw, Buffy, where’s your World Cup spirit? Exchanging shirts after battle sounds perfectly reasonable to me.”
Buffy: “Yeah, but the one you left was all ripped and bloody.”
Miranda: “Oh, but I guess it wasn’t so much a battle as you jamming a wooden stake through my heart. Yeah, I’m keeping the shirt.”
Buffy: [guilty] “Works for me.”
Miranda turns her attention back to her computer to show Giles what she’s been working on. Just then, Spike walks in. They all look up. Miranda, still standing, tries hard to go back to what she was doing on the computer—Giles is looking over her shoulder at the screen—but she is distracted and keeps looking at Spike. There’s something familiar. He doesn’t really even notice her (focused on Buffy, as usual). He saunters up to the counter and sits.
Buffy: [to Spike] “You’re a bit early [for patrolling]. Wasn’t planning on heading out so soon.”
Spike: [to everyone] “Thought you should know that certain segments of this town are BUZZING about some BIG EXCITEMENT heading this way in a few days.”
Giles: “Dammit. [rubbing his eyes We really must figure out the meaning of this text as soon as possible if we’re going to be able to understand what’s going on. [to Spike] I don’t suppose you’ve been able to find anything a bit more specific about the upcoming events?”
Spike: “Sorry. Everyone’s being especially tight lipped about this one…and they don’t exactly open up to me like they used to, you know.”
Giles: [to Buffy] “I think it would be best for you to stay in tonight until we have a better idea of what’s going on.”
Buffy: “Fine by me. I could use a bit of couch-time…[seeing Giles’ face]…I mean, time here on the couch at the Magic shop, helping out with the research.”
Miranda, failing to focus on the computer, suddenly looks up, confidently, as if she’s just realized something; Noticing, Giles says…
Giles: “Did you find something?”
Miranda: [to herself] “of course” [now looking directly at Spike; she exclaims confidently] “William Manning of Stockbridge Lane.”
Everyone looks up; Spike turns to her, looking more closely now.
Giles: [confused] “What”?
Spike: [bemused/curious] “Been a while since I’ve heard that one”
Miranda: [smiling now; excited to have figure it out] “It IS you, isn’t it? Or WAS you, or…[confused; turning to Buffy] Do they remember? Do they remember their life from before?
Buffy: “Sometimes, I think. You know, he’s sitting right there, why don’t you ask him?”
Spike hops off the counter and leans against it instead. Looks at Miranda expectantly. Well?
Miranda: “Oh right [a bit flustered]. Sorry. [to Spike] Do have memories from your life before?
Spike: “Yeah. [beat] a bit”
Buffy knows it’s more than a ‘bit’ but doesn’t say anything.
Miranda: “You don’t remember me, do you?”
Spike: “Give me a bit of context, love—it’s been a while”
Miranda: “My name back then was Sumner; Miranda Sumner. We were neighbors, sort of—I lived at Beallton Estate. Your older sister, Sarah, was my best friend.”
Spike shrugs, trying to be nonchalant, as if to say “maybe I remember, maybe I don’t”. He’s trying hard to pretend that he IS NOT a bit uncomfortable, being not terribly proud of who he was before.
Willow: [disbelieving] “Spike had a sister?” [everyone seems to find the idea of this quite amusing]
Spike: [mildly offended] “What’s so funny about THAT?” [Not truly understanding that to the scoobies, he isn’t a person at all and so to THEM it seems ridiculous that he would have had a family of any kind.]
Miranda: “Sarah was lovely. Best friend I’ve ever had. [thinking back nostalgically] Ah, she was clever—perhaps a bit too smart for her own good…quick witted with quite an acid tongue if you pushed her. [back to Spike] I can’t believe you don’t remember me. Quite a blow to a girl’s ego—I had always assumed you had a bit of a crush on me—following your older sister and me around all the time, making a right pest of yourself back when you were a boy. [shrugs] Oh well. No matter. Still, small world isn’t it?
Tara: “Wow. I can’t believe you two knew each other. I mean, what are the odds that you’d both end up here…in Sunnydale.”
Willow: “And lets not forget the whole immortality thing, which is perhaps the MOST unlikely of the unlikelies.”
Spike is still being a bit coy about the whole business. Not letting on how much he remembers. Goes to light a cigarette, but glare from Anya stops him.
Miranda: “Actually not as unlikely as you might think. [a bit mischievous now] Speaking of which, [back to Spike] even if you don’t remember that far back, surely you remember the last time we met?”
Giles: [sarcastically] “Yes, please, do tell…I’m sure we’re all very curious to know because we have absolutely nothing of importance to do.”
Buffy: “Oh, come on. Sounds like it could be juicy.”
Miranda: [To Spike] “I’ll give you a little hint. It was London; theatre season. It was a week before my 22nd birthday and I was meant to be shopping for wedding clothes…”
Shot of Spike’s face while she’s talking; suddenly remembering something, he stiffens and starts inching towards the door.
Spike: [interrupting] “Yeah, about that, I really don’t think anyone here would be particularly interested and you heard what the ol’ watcher here said…important things to figure out and such…I’ll just be heading off then…”
Buffy: [guessing; to Spike] “you DIDN’T”
Spike gives a bit of a shrug, not quite wanting to admit it, but not quite denying it either. Buffy shakes her head and rolls her eyes in disgust. Spike is obviously not happy with her reaction. Crap.
Spike: [To Miranda] “This isn’t some sort of vengence thing, is it? ‘cause you know, that was such a long time ago…and….uh…” [more inching towards the door]
Willow: “You bit her? When she was shopping for her wedding…that’s just…”
Tara: “RUDE”
Willow: “I was going to say WRONG, but RUDE works”
Spike: [defensive] “Come on now…I’d been a vampire for about a week. Vampires BITE people—it wasn’t personal.”
Giles: “It’s actually quite common for vampires to initially kill those closest to them…family, friends.”
Anya is sitting down eating popcorn, engrossed in the conversation.
Anya: [to no one in particular] “This is getting really good. Can’t WAIT to see what happens next!”
Miranda: [ignoring everyone else] “You misunderstand me. I’m not angry with you for biting me. Quite the contrary, I owe you a great debt.”
Spike: [skeptical] “How’s that then?”
Everyone is now engrossed; Anya seems a bit disappointed.
Miranda: [thinks for a moment…how to explain it? To everyone:] “Immortals—others like me—are not born immortal. We grow up as other children do, susceptible to disease and other natural human deaths. We only become invulnerable to these things—and aging—once we’ve ‘died’ the first time. And it can’t be just any death—it must be violent. Which might explain why there are so few females of my kind roaming about. Most immortals were formed during wars or conflicts of that sort—things women are traditionally barred from. So, many of those destined for immortality never achieve it. They live out their lives or die of some dreadful disease and no one is the wiser. Thanks to Wi…Spike, I became what I was meant to become and not only that, but get to live out eternity in the body of a 21 year old. Can you imagine how dreadful it would be to get shot or something when you were 80 and have to live out eternity as a wrinkled old bag? No thanks. So I am most certainly NOT out for revenge. I think it is simply a fantastic coincidence running into you again.”
Pause. Everyone is just waiting to see how this will play out—they’re all looking at Spike.
Spike: “Right then. No hard feelings. I’ll just be off…”
He abruptly heads out the door, pulling out his pack of cigarettes on the way.
Miranda looks a bit disappointed. Everyone just seems to shrug it off.
Giles: [totally ignoring the Spike business] “So you were born to human parents?”
Miranda: [distracted] “No….I…we’re all foundlings. Adopted. Don’t know if we’re actually born at all. Immortals can’t have children.”
Willow: “Wow. That was pretty intense [referring to the whole interaction]. You really don’t hate him for killing you—I mean, even temporarily?”
Miranda: “No, of course not. It’s not like he could help it—he’s a vampire—that’s what they do, right? And besides, if you’re going to go, it’s really not such a bad way. Better than a stake to the heart, for one.”
Buffy: [humorously defensive] “ok, ok, now many times do I have to say I’m sorry??”
Miranda: [small laugh] “Just a few more, really, and I’ll be done with it. [friendly smile directed at Buffy] Sorry, but I’m feeling a bit worn out. Giles, if it’s all right, I’ll just put the file on a disc for you to look over and head home.”
Giles: “Do you need a lift to your flat?”
Miranda: “No thanks. It’s a lovely night.”
Miranda packs up her things and leaves. As she starts to walk down the sidewalk towards home, she notices Spike a few yards off down the alley smoking a cigarette. She walks by, then stops, takes a breath and turns back. When she’s a few feet away, she says
Miranda: “Spare a fag?”
Spike offers her a cigarette from the pack. She takes it and then he offers her a light. She lights it and takes a drag.
Miranda: “Thanks. No one smokes anymore. SUCH a nightmare.”
She starts to walk off after another nod of thanks.
Spike: [he calls after her] “Miranda. [she stops and turns around; pause] I DO remember. A bit fuzzy…like a dream or something, some of it. S’just a bit of a thing talking about it with all of ‘em sittin’ there.”
Miranda: “Yeah, sorry about that. Hadn’t meant to be so public about everything”
Spike: “Fourteen”
Miranda: “What?”
Spike: “I did have a bit of a crush—when I was fourteen and you were sixteen. Before I understood who your family was.”
Miranda: [with a bit of a smile]. “Thanks for that. [starts to head off] You going to be around Saturday?”
Spike: “What’s Saturday?”
Miranda: “They think that’s going to be the day whatever-it-is is going to happen. Plan is to meet at the shop to uh…make a plan or something.”
Spike: “Yeah, I’ll probably be there.”
Miranda: “I’ve got something for you.” [She says as she turns to walk off down the street.]
Intrigued look on Spike’s face as she leaves.
End scene.
Scene 3: Saturday afternoon. Back at the magic shop.
It’s only Willow, Buffy and Dawn at this point. Anya is in the basement doing inventory or something. In walks Miranda through the front door, a tad out of breath and looking disheveled.
Miranda: “Sorry I’m late. Did I miss anything? God, spent the last few hours crawling around this storage room I’ve got outside of town. You’d think they’d have better lighting or something—you’d be lucky to find an elephant! Took a bit longer than expected.”
Buffy: [nonchalant] “It’s cancelled. We left a message on your machine.”
Miranda: “What? The big ‘impending doom’ thing? Cancelled just like that?
Willow: “Giles had the date wrong. He’s still working on it. Thinks it might be NEXT Saturday.”
Dawn: “But next Saturday is Valentine’s Day! There’s a dance at school. Please can I go?”
Buffy: “Assuming the world hasn’t ended.”
Miranda: [disappointed] “Huh. I was quite looking forward to helping out with the impending doom…. Even wore my fighting shoes." [looking down at her feet]
The shoes don’t exactly look like what one might think of as ‘fighting shoes’; they’re very fashionable black leather boots with a decent heal.
Buffy: “Nice. Let’s hope you won’t need them. Want to come to the Bronze with us later? We’re heading off for a bit of dancing fun once Xander gets off work.”
Miranda: “Thanks for the offer. Maybe. Not convinced that I’m up for a ‘big crowd’ sort of place at the moment. Has Spike been around at all?”
Dawn: “No. [hopefully] Why, is he supposed to be…around?”
Buffy: “He’s almost never supposed to be around. He just is”
Just then, in walks Spike, up from below (It’s before dusk and so he came in through the tunnels/basement).
Buffy: “Speak of the…”
Spike: “Really don’t think anything’s brewing for tonight. I just don’t feel it. What’s the word from watcherboy?”
Willow: “Cancelled.”
Spike: “Right then. Could’a slept in a bit. We really should work out some sort of communication system for this sort of thing.”
Buffy: “Like you have lots of other important things to do.”
Spike: [defensive] “That’s right. If it weren’t for the fighting, d’you think I’d choose to spend my Saturday night with you lot?”
Buffy: [sarcastic] “Oh, and we’re always thrilled to be in your pleasant company.”
Spike: [frowning slightly] “S’pose I’ll push off then. Soon as the sun is down. [explaining] Tunnels are full of some stench tonight.”
Buffy: “Happy Day, a few more minutes with the peroxide king.”
Dawn gives Buffy a nasty look and kicks her under the table.
Spike: [hopping up on the counter; to Miranda] “So what’ve ya’ got for me then?”
Miranda: [with a smile] “So you were paying attention? I shouldn’t have said anything—wasn’t sure I still had it [searching through her bag]. Took me AGES to remember where it might be and then finding it was another task. [pulling an envelope out] But in the end, there it was.”
She starts to push it across the counter towards him, then stops.
Miranda: [To Spike] “Actually, this requires a bit of an explanation. [indicating the others in the room] Should I tell you now?”
Spike: “Now you’ve got my curiosity up, go ahead.”
Miranda: “After the….uh…incident in London, I knew I couldn’t go back, especially since I’d already been identified as being ‘dead’ by someone who recognized me at the morgue. I needed to get back to Beallton to sneak in and pick up a few of my things while my parents were still in London. I managed to make my way there and afterwards I decided to sneak in one last visit to Sarah before I left for good. She was shocked to see me, of course, after hearing just hours before of my death. I didn’t explain what happened, just that I was running away and that she musn’t tell ANYONE. I also made her promise NOT to make the trip to London in case my parents decided to have the funeral there. In fact I made her promise to avoid London altogether this season. I was afraid…I didn’t want…[pause; a nod of understanding from Spike]. I thought it best that she not make the trip. She resisted at first, as news of your disappearance had reached her and she somehow thought that she might be able to help find you. In desperation, to keep her from going, I made something up. I said that I’d run into you, accidentally, and that you were packed and on your way to the docks. I made up some reason why you were leaving the country. Don’t remember exactly what I told her, but I was quite convincing. Made it clear that you wouldn't be back, ever. She might have believed the truth, but it seemed hurtful to tell her—what good would it do? Anyway, she made me promise that if I ever saw you again, which she deemed likely as we were both going to be living the life of gypsies, I would give you this [indicating the envelope]. I nearly threw it away many times, knowing the truth. Something compelled me not to and what do you know, here we are over a hundred years later."
Miranda pushes the envelope to Spike. It’s a letter-sized modern manilla envelope. He picks it up, opens it and dumps out the contents: a letter, folded neatly and tied with ribbon and a silver locket. Spike picks up the locket, turning it over. It’s rather big and ugly. He opens it and quickly lets out a quiet, knowing laugh. Inside, instead of a picture is a cartoon drawing of a girls’ face—she’s sticking her tongue out as if an angry little girl.
Dawn: “Can I see?”
Spike passes her the locket and then pulls off the ribbon holding the letter. He’s oblivious to the fact that everyone is watching him as he does this. Dawn passes the locket around, as everyone is curious. Spike opens the letter. It’s not quite clear what he is feeling. He puts the letter down and pushes it towards Miranda.
Spike: “Read it for me? It’s short. Her handwriting was always pathetically illegible.”
Miranda: “All right” [Not quite sure why he wants her to read it out loud. Could he actually feel something? Could he feel sadness? She takes the letter and after giving it a quick scan she frowns slightly as she tries to decipher the chicken scratch.] In Sarah’s defense, she did only have a few minutes to write….”
[she reads]
Dearest William,
You insufferable swine [everyone laughs at this; breaks the somber mood]. I cannot believe you have left me alone with our mother! You selfish, beady-eyed hamster. I am so upset, I cannot even construct a decent insult. Miranda is obviously lying to me about your whereabouts—[embarrassed frown from Miranda]—I don’t believe for a minute that you’d join some band of explorers even if it meant getting you out of this dreadful place. No, I’ve decided to imagine that you have finally come to your senses and given up on that dreadful Cecily and run off with some beautiful dark-haired gypsy-woman—you always did have a soft spot for brunettes. [Buffy and Willow crack up at this (because of Drusilla); Miranda stops reading for a moment and says in response to the laughter “Did I miss something funny?” They shake their heads.] I hope you’ll be very happy and have lots of dark-haired gypsy babies. I, unfortunately, will now have to marry that dreadful Mr. Jones. Which brings me to the locket. Is it not the ugliest locket you have ever seen? Courtesy of Mr. Jones; a birthday present. I will simply tell him that I lost it riding in the woods or some such thing. I can only hope he doesn’t choose a replacement. I didn’t have a picture of myself to give you, but thought the drawing would be sufficient to remind you of me during your travels and more importantly of how cross a I am with you for leaving me. Oh William, who am I going to talk to now? You and Miranda were the only two clever people in the entire COUNTY and now you’re both gone off to have adventures. I suppose that I cannot stay angry with you for long—so please come back to visit if you can. I won’t tell mother, I promise. Do not worry about me; Mr. Jones is not a bad man. He is simply dumb as a brick. Mother loves him. I will be fine. Please take care of yourself. I’ll be thinking of you.
Your loving sister,
Sarah
Everyone is silent. Miranda folds the letter and hands it back to Spike. He puts it back in the envelope, along with the locket. He folds the envelope carefully so that it will fit in his coat pocket. He’s taking it all in.
Spike: [Sincerely, to Miranda] “Thanks. For everything. [beat] So did she marry the brick chap, then?”
Miranda: “Yeah. Kept him waiting another year or so but finally relented. And I think in the end she was quite happy. I’d check in on her every now and again over the years. They had 6 children! Lived to a ripe old age.”
Just then Giles walks in the door. Greetings abound.
Giles: “I think I’ve found something else that will help with the decryption. [to Miranda] Do you have some time now to help me with it?”
Miranda: [a bit disappointed—wanting to continue the conversation] “Yes of course. So you still think something important is in the works?”
Giles: “Most definitely. If I’m right, things might start to get a bit wild this week. Buffy, I don’t think you should patrol alone for the next few days. We can take it in turns backing you up.”
Buffy: [to Spike] “Think you can put your big Saturday night plans on hold?”
Spike: [distracted] “What? Oh right. Yeah. I’ve got a few things to take care of first if you don’t mind. Be back in a couple of hours.”
He leaves. Giles is showing Miranda the scroll he has. Buffy looks at Miranda.
Buffy: “You know it’s not really him, right? He’s not the William you knew?”
Miranda: [with confidence] “Absolutely. [Buffy looks pleased; Miranda adds] I was never very interested in the old William anyway.”
Buffy’s not sure how to take that. Decides not to push it.
End Scene
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Violently Happy