Into every generation, there are Chosen Ones. A Slayer will stand against the vampires, the demons, and the forces of darkness. With each Slayer comes a Guardian. They are protectors of the innocent.

Day One

Night - Sunnydale High School - Outside

A man named Philip, in a suit with a briefcase, was walking past a school building at a brisk, determined pace, stopping for a moment, looking around. Behind him to his left a door opened.

A school custodian walked out with a trashcan. "Can I help you?"

Philip nodded. "Rupert Giles. I need to see him."

"Mr. Giles, uh, he's our librarian," the custodian explained. "Next building over, first door on your left." Philip rushed off without a word of thanks, causing the custodian to nod sarcastically as he dumped the trash. "You're welcome."

Philip continued at his brisk pace, finding the outside library door, continuing toward it, but stopping in his tracks when he heard a twig being crushed behind him, turning to look, hearing a moan, seeing nothing, checking the other way. Behind him he heard breathing, turning around, seeing a woman in the shadows. "Oh, God!" The woman was named Diedre. She slowly walked into the light, dead and rotting, her eyes flashing yellow. "Diedre?"

Diedre smiled. "Philip."

Philip quickly backed away, not seeing the curb behind him, tripping over it, falling, dropping his briefcase, scrambling to his feet, running to the library door, pounding on it, yanking at the doorknob, but it was locked. "Help! Help! Somebody, please!" Diedre slowly advanced on him. "God, no. Help!"

∞

Library

(Song:) 3am Eternal - KLF

Buffy, Brooke and Alice were doing step aerobics to a techo beat blaring. Zoey, Carmen, Wyatt and Layla were practicing with powers. Brady was training hand to hand with Giles was sitting at the table with his hands to his ears, not relishing the music, raising his head.

Layla was not thrilled with the music either. "Must we have this noise during our training?"

"It's not noise," Buffy told them. "It's music."

"I know music," Layla told them. "Music has notes. This is noise."

"We're aerobicising," Brooke told them. "We must have a beat."

"Wonderful," Giles told them sarcastically. "You work on your muscle tone and magics while my brain dribbles out of my ears."

(Song Ends)

∞

Outside

Philip was still pounding on the door. "Help! Help! Please!" Diedre continued to advance on him. "Help me, somebody, please!"

Diedre had closed the gap between them. Philip turned to face her with horror in his eyes. Diedre put her hands up to the door on either side of him to prevent his escape. Philip trembled with fear as she moved her hands onto his neck, beginning to choke him.

∞

Library

The training had finished. Wyatt turned the music off.

Layla sighed in relief. "Ah, very good. And the rest is silence."

∞

Outside

Philip fell from Diedre's grip, dead. A moment later, Diedre collapsed next to him. After she hit the pavement, she disintegrated into a puddle of slime. The puddle spread out, into Philip.

∞ Slayers and Guardians ∞

Giles' Nightmare

Giles was flashing back to his youth. He had visions of rituals and tattooing. A vision of a demon.

∞

Giles Apartment - Giles' Room

Giles woke with a start, looking around as he sat up in bed, concerned but relieved to find it had been only a nightmare.

∞

Day Two

Morning - Sunnydale High School - Outside

The girls were sitting on a bench.

Zoey thought for a moment. "I'm on a beach, but not one of those American beaches. One of those island beaches where the water's way to blue, and I'm laying on my towel. And it's just before sunset and Gavin Rossdale's massaging my feet."

"Oh, that's good," Willow told her. "Uh, I'm in Florence, Italy. I've rented a scooter that's parked outside, and I'm in a little restaurant eating ziti. And there are no more tables left, so they have to seat this guy with me, and it's John Cusack."

"Ooh," Carmen told her. "Very impressive. You have such an eye for detail."

"'Cause with the ziti," Alice told her.

Xander, Eric and Brady walked up to them.

"What are you girls up to?" Brady asked.

"Just having a quick game of 'Anywhere But Here'," Buffy answered.

"Ooh," Xander told them. "Amy Yip at the waterslide park."

"You never come up with anything new," Brooke told him.

"I'm just not fickle like you guys, okay?" Xander asked. "I'm constant in my affections. Amy Yip at the waterslide park."

"Hey, Alice," Eric told her. "Do you think Giles ever played 'Anywhere But Here' when he was in school?"

"Dad always told me that he lived for school," Alice told them.

They saw Giles and Wyatt walking toward them.

"Giles is actually still bitter that there are only 12 grades," Brady told them.

Eric smiled. "He probably sat in math class thinking, 'There should be more math. This could be mathier'."

"Come on," Zoey told them. "You don't think Giles ever got restless as a kid?"

"Are you kidding?" Brady asked. "His diapers were tweed."

They chuckled.

"Giles!" Brooke called. "Wyatt!"

They turned to them.

Wyatt looked over the Scoobies. "Oh. There you are."

Giles and Wyatt walked closer.

"Hey, morning," Buffy told them, looking at Giles' jacket. "Say, is that tweed?"

Giles was preoccupied. "What? Oh, uh, yes. Um, now, uh, look, tonight is very important, um..."

Wyatt nodded sarcastically. "Yeah. That's a surprise."

They all chuckled, following Giles toward the school.

∞

Hallway

They all walked through the halls toward the library.

"So, what's on tap tonight that's so important?" Carmen asked. "Uprising? Prophesized ritual? Preordained deathfest?"

"Ah, the old standards," Eric told them.

"A medical transport is delivering the monthly supply of blood to the hospital," Wyatt answered.

"Mm," Alice hummed. "Vampire Meals-On-Wheels."

Buffy stopped at her locker.

"Hopefully not," Giles told them. "Uh, we'll meet outside the hospital at 8:30 sharp. I'll bring the weaponry."

"I'll bring the party mix," Brady told them. "Buffy will bring the slaying."

"Brady too, and Brooke, Zoey, Alice, Carmen and Wyatt will bring their badass powers," Buffy agreed. "And Layla, since it's going down at the hospital that she's working at."

"Just don't be late," Giles told them.

"Have we ever let you down?" Zoey asked.

Wyatt smirked in amusement. "Should we answer that question? Or just ignore it?"

Layla walked toward them, looking at Wyatt, Giles and Alice. "Morning, Englands."

"Oh, hello, Layla," Willow told her. Giles and Layla smiled. Willow looked at Alice and Zoey teasingly, smiling. "Feel the passion."

Alice and Zoey smiled. "Mm-hmm."

"Willow..." Layla trailed off. "Zoey. Alice."

Willow coughed. "Coughing. Not speaking."

Jenny walked toward them. "Hey, Layla. Hey, Zoey."

"Hey, Aunt Jenny," Zoey told her, the same time Layla smiled at her sister, saying, "Hi, Jenny."

"Willow, we still on for tomorrow?" Jenny asked.

Willow smiled, nodding.

"What's tomorrow?" Xander asked.

"I'm reviewing some computer basics for the couple of students who've fallen behind," Jenny answered. "Willow's helping out for extra credit."

Eric chuckled. "Those poor schlubs have to attend school on Saturday."

"9 am okay with you, Eric?" Jenny asked.

Eric's smile faded. Willow bobbed her head in amusement.

Buffy looked at Eric teasingly. "Got a bit of schlub on your shoe there, Eric."

Jenny smirked. "How about the rest of you, too? Buffy, Brooke, Brady, Alice, Xander, Carmen? Wouldn't wanna miss out on spending some quality time with my favorite niece Zoey."

"I'm your only niece," Zoey corrected.

"Why would the rest of us wanna be here?" Brooke asked.

"Well, Cordelia's gonna meet us," Jenny told them.

"Ooh, gang, did you hear that?" Zoey asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "A bonus day of class plus Cordelia. Mix in a little rectal surgery, and it's my best day ever."

The others smiled in amusement.

Layla looked at Giles. "Walk me out?"

Giles smiled. "Pleasure."

Layla and Giles walked away. The others watched them go.

"Look at them," Alice told them.

"A twosome of cuteness," Brooke told them.

"They are soulmates, too, after all," Carmen told them. "Layla and Giles, I mean."

"Wyatt, Carmen, you never told us that Layla and Giles were soulmates too," Xander told them.

Wyatt shrugged. "Whoops."

"Can't you just imagine them getting together?" Buffy asked.

"Probably don't wanna imagine that," Wyatt told them in amusement.

Their expressions all changed to ones of being grossed out, walking away.

∞

Outside

Giles and Layla walked outside together.

Layla smiled. "Oh, thank you so much for loaning me the Forrester book. It's wonderful."

"Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it," Giles told her.

"Yeah, it was so romantic," Layla told him. "So evocative."

Giles nodded in agreement. "That edition was my father's. Alice and I--I--I must've read it 20 times."

"Yeah, you know how you have to dog-ear your favorite pages so you can go back to them?" Layla asked, teasing him. "Well, I mean, I practically had to fold back every single page. So I finally, I just started underlining all the pages I really wanted to discuss."

Giles frowned. "Underlined..."

"But then, of course, I spilled coffee all over it," Layla lied. "I can't even read it."

Giles couldn't believe it. "It's a first edition."

"I'm lying, Rupert," Layla told him, showing him the book. "The book's fine. I just love to see you squirm."

Layla handed the book to him. They both smiled.

"Yes, well, I, uh, trust I gave a good squirm," Giles told her.

"Did anyone ever tell you you're kind of a fuddy-duddy?" Layla asked.

"Nobody ever seems to tell me anything else," Giles answered.

"Did anyone ever tell you you're kind of a sexy fuddy-duddy?" Layla asked.

Giles smiled in surprise and appreciation. "Well, no, actually, that part usually gets left out. I can't imagine why."

"This weekend?" Layla asked.

"Would you like to go out?" Giles asked.

"Mm, no, I think I'd like to stay in," Layla answered.

They looked at each other, smiling, drawing together for a kiss, slow and sweet. They pulled away as the bell rang, sending students to their next classes.

"Uh, this Saturday, then," Giles told her.

Layla smiled. "Saturday night. I'll see if I can make you squirm."

They both smiled, looking at each other for a moment. Layla walked away toward her car to head to the hospital for work. Giles walked inside to head for the library.

∞

Library

Giles walked in to discover a detective and two police officers there.

"Rupert Giles?" the detective Winslow asked.

"Yes," Giles answered.

Winslow introduced herself. "Detective Winslow. You're gonna have to come with me."

"Why?" Giles asked.

"There was a homicide on campus last night," Winslow answered. "The victim had no identification, but he was carrying this slip of paper with your name and address on it."

Winslow held up the slip in a baggie.

Giles set down his briefcase. "My name?"

Cordelia walked in. "Well, evil just compounds evil, doesn't it? First I'm sentenced to a computer tutorial on Saturday, now I have to read some computer book. There are books on computers? Isn't the point of computers to replace books?"

"Cordelia, I'm a little busy right now," Giles told her, pointing out Winslow.

Cordelia stepped up to Winslow. "Oh, great. Can you help me with a ticket? It's totally bogus. It was a one way street. I was going one way."

Giles raised his voice. "Cordelia."

"What?" Cordelia asked innocently. "Why does everyone always yell my name? I'm not deaf. And I can take a hint. What's the hint?"

"To come back later," Giles answered.

"Yeah, when you've visited decaf land," Cordelia replied, leaving the library.

Giles looked at Winslow. "Where do you want me to go?"

∞

Morgue

The coroner opened one of the body storage doors, pulling out the drawer. "Have you had your breakfast?"

"No," Giles answered.

"That was probably a good idea," the coroner told him, pulling back the sheet to reveal Philip's body.

The body was bruised all over, with two especially dark bruises on the throat. Giles looked at him in shock and recognition.

"Do you know him?" Winslow asked.

"Yes, yes, I mean, I did," Giles answered. "His name's Philip Henry. He was a friend of mine in London. I haven't spoken to him in 20 years."

"Can you think of any reason why he might've wanted to contact you?" Winslow asked.

Giles shook his head. "No."

Giles saw a tattoo on Philip's right arm near the inside elbow.

"Do you know what that is?" Winslow asked. "The tattoo?"

Giles shook his head. "No, no, I don't."

∞

Night - Hospital - Outside

Buffy, Brooke, Zoey, Alice, Carmen, Brady, Wyatt and Layla were outside the hospital.

Brady sighed in annoyance. "Don't be late. Sheesh."

The blood van pulled up. The driver got out with his clipboard. Two ER doctors walked up to the driver.

"Hey, fellas," the driver told them.

"Hey," a doctor told him.

"All's well that ends with cute ER doctors," Brooke told them. "I always say."

They watched them go to the back of the van and get out insulated containers and start back with the driver, getting into the van.

"Doctors don't take deliveries," Layla told them. "And I don't remember seeing either of those doctors before in this hospital."

The van blocked out of the ambulance slot. The doctors waved to the driver.

"See you," a doctor told him.

The van drove off, and behind it, a car engine started and a pair of headlights came on. The old convertible pulled up into the light as the doctors set the containers down. One of them opened the lid, taking out a bag of blood, beginning to drink.

The driver got out of the car. "Hey, no sampling the product."

The doctor vampire hissed, putting the bag back down, dropping the lid closer. The others ran closer to attack. Buffy kicked the first doctor vampire down. Brady kicked the other down. Buffy did a roundhouse kick to the driver's face. The first one got up. Brady tried kicking him again, but he grabbed his leg, throwing him onto the hood of the car. Brady scissor kicked him in the neck, making him stagger away and fall. A fourth vampire ran up to the others. Alice and Brooke waved their arms to create barriers of red Guardian energy, making the vampires run into the barriers and fall to the ground. Wyatt jumped onto the car's hood, leaping off to tackle the driver vampire coming at them from behind, punching him in the face, making him fall, creating a whirlwind of magic to throw the vampires to the ground. Carmen made a hand gesture to use her power to freeze the vampires, making it very easy for Buffy and Brady stake two of them dead, and for Zoey and Layla to use their gypsy power to kill two more, and Alice, Brooke and Wyatt to use their power to kill the last three.

"They only ruined one bag," Carmen told them.

"Layla, do you think you could make sure the hospital gets the rest?" Wyatt asked.

"I work here, Wyatt," Layla told him. "Of course I can."

"I'm worried about my dad," Alice told them. "He was supposed to meet us here."

"Maybe he's late," Buffy told them.

"Giles?" Brooke asked skeptically. "Who counts tardiness as, like, the eighth deadly sin?"

"Right," Brady told them. "Alice, go."

Alice nodded, hurrying off.

∞

Giles Apartment - Living Room

Alice returned home, walking in.

"Alice, there you are," Giles told her. "Are you all right?"

"Yeah," Alice answered. "I was gonna ask you the same thing."

Giles nodded. "Yes, I'm fine, fine."

"Dad, did you forget?" Alice asked. "The hospital? Vampires? Handy carryout packets of blood?"

Giles remembered, nodding. "Oh, yes, uh, are you all right? Were you or the others hurt?"

"No," Alice answered. "I mean, their feelings a little. What's wrong?"

Giles shook his head. "Nothing, nothing, nothing's wrong. I'm just in the, uh, middle of something extremely important, and, uh, I'm sorry, but I'm gonna have to say good night now."

Giles walked upstairs of the apartment to go to his room, leaving Alice confused and taken aback.

∞

Giles' Room

Giles was on the phone. "Yes, I'm--I'm sorry to disturb you, and, uh, I realize it's, uh, five in the morning there, but I'm trying to reach Diedre Page. My name is Rupert Giles, uh, she knows me. It's--it's very important. I'm terribly sorry, I didn't know. When did she, uh, pass away? Oh, that recently? Um, yes, um, we were friends when we were young. My condolences."

Giles hung up the phone, staring off into space with his fingers to his lips while he considered and remembered, taking off his glasses, reaching for a drink. The bottle next to it was almost half empty already. Giles gulped the rest from his glass, setting it back down. He thought for another moment, grabbing his pen, crossing Diedre's name off of a list of five names: Thomas Sutcliff, Philip Henry, Diedre Page, Ethan Rayne, Rupert Giles.

∞

Bathroom

Giles walked in, standing in front of the sink and mirror, rolling up his sleeves, revealing on his left arm just above the inside elbow, the same tattoo that Philip had. He reached into the skin full of water, cupping his hands, splashing some on his face. He looked up at himself in the mirror. "So you're back."

∞

Morgue

The camera slowly closed on the body storage drawers. Inside Philip's drawer, he reached up, pulling the sheet off of his face. His eyes glowed yellow.

∞∞

The coroner was going through some paperwork, checking on the bodies, opening one storage bay, checking the toe tag, closing it, doing the same for the next one, then opened Philip's, discovering he was missing. A body bag came down over the coroner's head, who tried to struggle, but Philip was too strong for him, forcing him into the storage bay, slamming the door closed, starting to make his way out of the morgue.

∞

Day Three

Morning - Sunnydale High School - Computer Class

Jenny led the Scoobies and Cordelia into the class, minus Alice.

"This isn't right," Carmen told them. "School on a Saturday. It throws off my internal clock."

"When are we gonna need computers for real life anyway?" Xander asked.

"Hmm, let's see," Jenny told them. "There's home, school, work, games..."

Jenny unlocked the classroom door.

"You know, computers are on the way out," Eric told her. "I think paper's gonna make a big comeback."

"And the abacus," Willow added.

"Yeah, you know, you don't see enough abaci," Xander told them.

They all took a seat.

"All right, guys," Jenny told them. "The first thing we're gonna do is..."

Alice, Wyatt and Layla walked in.

"Alice?" Eric asked. "Wyatt? Layla?"

"Huh?" Brady asked. "Did I fall asleep already?"

"Aw, you miss your friends?" Willow asked.

"Uh, sit here, Alice," Xander told her. "Demilitarize the zone between me and Cordelia."

"Yeah, and delouse him while you're at it," Cordelia told her.

"Actually, we all wanted to talk to you for a second," Wyatt told them.

"Something wrong?" Buffy asked.

"Is there some crisis that requires instant action?" Zoey asked. "Very far from here?"

"It's Giles," Wyatt answered.

"Well, he's all right?" Willow asked. "Isn't he?"

"We don't know," Wyatt admitted. "Uh, he didn't show up when he was supposed to last night. And then Alice went over to their place. She said he was acting, well, very anti-Giles."

"Really?" Brooke asked. "How?"

"He looked really bad," Alice answered. "I think he might've been drinking."

"He was home alone drinking?" Carmen asked in surprise.

"But, tea, right?" Willow asked.

"Wasn't tea, Will," Alice told her.

"Yep, yep, I knew this would happen," Xander told them. "Nobody can be wound as straight and narrow as Giles without a dark side erupting. My Uncle Roary was the stodgiest taxidermist you've ever met by day. By night, it was booze, whores, and fur flying. Were there whores?"

"Alice said he was alone," Wyatt told them.

"Give it time," Xander told them.

"So," Eric said. "None of you guys have noticed anything different lately?"

"No," Buffy answered.

"Not really," Brady answered.

"Uh, you haven't seen anything weird?" Layla asked.

"Nope," Carmen answered.

"No, he seemed perfectly normal yesterday when I saw him talking to the police," Cordelia told them.

Everyone looked at her.

"And you waited till now to tell us this because...?" Carmen trailed off.

"I didn't think it was important," Cordelia told them.

"We understand," Zoey told her. "It wasn't about you."

"Well?" Buffy asked. "What were the police talking to him about?"

"Oh, don't tell me, I know this one," Cordelia told them. "Um... Something about... a homicide."

"That's it," Brooke told them. "Someone should call him right now."

Alice left the room to do just that. Layla rubbed her head with worry.

∞

Library

Alice walked toward the office to get to the phone, stopping when she heard something in the stacks, stopping in her tracks to look. She saw a shadow move across one of the bookcases in the anteroom, going up the stairs, through the French doors, slowly walking down the main aisle, looking around and down each side aisle.

As she passed one, Ethan watched her search, seeing her through a gap in the books, putting his hands against the bookcase to push it over onto her.

Alice looked up, seeing Ethan, using her red Guardian energy as a shield to stop the bookcase from falling on top of her, instead using the energy to push the bookcase over toward Ethan, which made him fall to the floor as the bookshelf landed on his leg. Ethan pulled himself to his feet, trying to make his escape, limping heavily, not able to run because of the bookshelf falling on his leg.

Alice grabbed him by the arm, turning him around. "I know you. You were in that costume shop."

"Oh, I'm pleased you remember," Ethan told her. "You must be the Guardian Alice Giles. Very pleased to meet you."

Ethan tried to run.

Alice stopped him. "You sold us those costumes and nearly got us all killed."

"But you looked great," Ethan replied. Alice punched him hard in the nose. "Ow! So now we're even?"

"I'll let you know when we're even," Alice told him.

Ethan smirked. "You're just like Rupert was when he was your age, Alice."

Alice frowned in confusion, pushing him threateningly. "What're you doing here?"

"Snooping around," Ethan answered.

Alice nodded sarcastically. "Honesty. Nice touch."

Ethan shrugged. "It's one of my virtues." He smiled. "Not really."

"I've got a great idea," Alice told him. "Why don't I just call the police and have you arrested for breaking and entering? And then I can get back to my fun Saturday."

Ethan nodded sarcastically. "Yes, the police. Well, they'll all those questions, and they'll really need Rupert to answer them all."

"You say my father's name like you know him," Alice told him in annoyance.

"I do," Ethan answered. "We go back. Way back. You don't happen to know where he is, do you?"

∞

Giles' Nightmare

Giles saw the tattoo on his arm. Visions of a demon, of Diedre in her rotted state, of eyes glowing yellow. He heard a phone ringing.

∞

Giles' Room

Giles was woken by the phone ringing, stirring at his desk, fumbling with the phone, managing to pick up the receiver. "Hello?"

Alice was still in the library. "Dad, it's me. What's the Mark of Eyghon?" Giles was surprised to hear those words from his daughter. "Dad?"

"Cat got his tongue?" Ethan asked.

Alice slammed Ethan's head on the counter in annoyance to get him to shut up. "I'm in your office with someone who claims to be an old friend of yours. Ethan Rayne?"

Giles stood in alarm, worried about his daughter being with him. "He's there with you? Listen, Alice, you're--you're in grave danger while Ethan's there. I want you to put the phone down and get out of the library as soon as possible."

"I'm not going anywhere until you give me some answers," Alice told him stubbornly.

Philip came crashing through a window in Giles' office at the library. Ethan stepped behind Alice, holding her in front of him.

Giles heard the crash, worried, horrified. "Alice?"

Giles grabbed his glasses, running from the apartment.

∞

Sunnydale High School - Library

Philip came out of the office, straight for Alice. Alice kicked him in the chest, rolling over counter. Philip came through the door and at Alice again. Ethan climbed over the counter as well.

Philip saw him. "Ethan!"

The others ran inside after hearing the crash. Ethan tried to get away.

"Don't let him get away!" Alice told them.

Brady pushed Ethan up against the counter. Ethan ran past him. The doors were held wide open, and Ethan tried to make his escape past them. Zoey kneed him in the crotch, making him collapse, sending an elbow into his back to make him fall down. Buffy, Brooke, Alice and Carmen led Philip toward the cage, making like they were running in. Philip followed them. Wyatt used his power to throw Philip into the cage, magically slamming and locking the cage door. Ethan was still lying in pain on the floor.

∞

Later

Ethan was sitting in a chair at the table, being watched by the others, while they also watched Philip.

"I'm not gonna get close enough to feel his pulse," Willow told them. "But he looks dead."

"Except for the walking and attacking Alice part," Brady told them.

"He's dead," Ethan told them. "Sorry, Philip. Really I am."

Giles ran into the library. "Is everyone all right?"

"Super," Eric told him sarcastically.

"We're okay," Jenny told them.

"Dead guy here interrupted our tutorial," Eric told him. He looked at Philip. "Been meaning to thank you for that."

Philip jumped at him. Eric backed away.

Giles walked over to have a look at Philip. "It can't be."

"Yes, it can," Ethan told him. Giles turned to him. "Hello, Ripper."

"I thought I told you to leave town," Giles told him.

"You did," Ethan told him. "I didn't." Giles approached him. "Shop's lease is paid till the end of the month."

"Uh, why did he call him Ripper?" Carmen asked.

Giles grabbed Ethan by the hair on the back of his neck and lifted him out of his chair. "You should've left when I told you."

"Ohhhh..." Brady trailed off.

"Giles?" Buffy exclaimed.

"You put these people in danger," Giles told him. "The people I care about."

"If you cared so much about them, why didn't you leave town?" Ethan asked, pushing Giles' arm away. "You've been having the dreams, I know. I have. We both know what's coming."

"What dreams?" Buffy asked. "What is going on here?"

"Tell them, Ripper," Ethan told him.

"Giles..." Brooke trailed off.

Philip broke the cage door, throwing it open into Layla, knocking her out.

Xander quickly backed away, pulling Cordelia with him.

"Mom!" Zoey told her worriedly, running to make sure Layla was okay.

Jenny and Giles ran to Layla's aid as well. "Layla!"

Buffy got between Ethan and Philip, kicking Philip in the chest three times, forcing him back against the cage, making him slide to the floor. Philip stood again. Brady punched him a few times. Wyatt, Carmen, Alice and Brooke prepared to use magic and power against him, but before they could, Philip's eyes grew wide as he began to convulse and he collapsed to the floor next to Layla. He disintegrated into a puddle of slime. It began to spread out. Everyone stared.

"Now, there's something you don't see everyday," Willow told them.

"I'm gonna be in therapy till I'm thirty," Cordelia told them.

Brady looked around. "Where's Ethan?"

Wyatt ran toward the door. "Where'd he go?"

The slime oozed its way to Layla, and her hand stirred when it made contact. She regained consciousness.

Jenny helped her sister sit up. "Are you all right, Layla?"

Layla cradled her head in her hand. "Ow."

"Mom?" Zoey asked worriedly. "Careful." They helped her stand. "Easy. Can you stand?"

"I think so," Layla answered.

"This is what happens when you have school on Saturday," Cordelia told them.

Carmen gave her sister a look. "Cordelia. Shut up."

Layla was unsteady. "Mm."

"Lean on me," Giles told her, pulling her close. "It'll be all right."

Layla pulled away to look at him. "Promise?"

"I promise," Giles answered.

"I believe you," Layla told him.

Layla closed her eyes and leaned on his shoulder, hugging him close. When she opened her eyes, facing away from everyone, it was to reveal they were glowing yellow.

∞∞

Giles was at the table stroking Layla's hair as she rested her head against her hand. The others walked in.

"Layla?" Eric asked. "How's your head?"

"Throbbing," Layla answered.

"We lost Ethan," Brady told them. "Giles? What's going on?"

"It's complicated, Brady, and quite frankly, it's private," Giles told him.

"I don't care for private," Brooke told him. "I care for dead guys attacking us. I care for you lost weekending in your and Alice's apartment."

"I wasn't..." Giles trailed off. "I was just trying to find a solution."

"Giles, share," Buffy told him. "What is the Mark of Eyghon?"

"Hey!" Giles told her, staring Buffy and Brooke down. "This is not your battle! And as your Watcher..." He stood, looking at Alice. "And your father, I'm telling you unequivocally to stay out of it." Buffy, Brooke and Alice looked at him in disbelief. "I have to get Layla home."

Giles helped Layla stand.

"Mm, thank you," Layla told him, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Do you need me or Aunt Jenny to go with you?" Zoey asked.

"No, thank you, Zoey," Layla answered. "Help your friends."

"Okay," Zoey told her. "I'm just glad you're okay." Layla smiled slightly. Giles and Layla left the library. "Aunt Jenny, you can go home if you want. We can handle this."

"All right," Jenny told her. "Just be careful, Zoey. I don't want you to get hurt like Layla did."

Zoey nodded. Jenny left the library.

"We have work to do," Wyatt told them. "Willow. Alice. I want you two to find out anything and everything you can about the Mark of Eyghon."

"I'll try the 'Net," Willow told them. "But 'Mark of Eyghon' sounds like Giles and his books sorta deal."

"Then we hit the books," Eric told them. "Me and Xander can help."

"You betcha," Xander agreed. "Brady. How do you feel about digging through some of Giles' personal files and seeing what you can find?"

"I feel pretty good about it," Brady answered. "Does that make me a sociopath? Nah."

Brady jumped off the counter.

"Zoey, wait," Brooke told her. "You pulled off some of your ninja back there. Do you remember everything?"

"I remember," Zoey answered. "But I don't have the strength that I did."

"Eric?" Buffy asked. "What about you? Do you remember the secret agent commando guy fighting?"

"Oh, yeah," Eric answered. "Definitely know how to pull it off again."

"Good," Carmen told them. "That means Zoey has fighting knowledge. On top of being a gypsy. And Eric has fighting knowledge, too. And weaponry knowledge. If you see a threat, find one."

"Aye, aye," Eric told them.

Cordelia hopped off the counter, turning to Carmen, smiling.

"What?" Carmen asked.

"What about me?" Cordelia asked. "I care about Giles."

"Uh, work with Zoey," Carmen told her.

"Carmen, when I say 'care', I mean..." Cordelia trailed off.

Carmen tilted her head. "Cordelia..."

"Okay, okay," Cordelia told her.

They split up to do what they could to help.

∞

Giles Apartment - Living Room

Giles and Layla were together.

"Thanks for bringing me here," Layla told him. "Not quite ready to be home alone just yet." She accepted a drink from Giles. Giles walked around the couch, sitting down next to her. Layla took a drink. "Ooh."

"Layla, uh, I'm so very sorry about all of this," Giles told her, setting down his drink, taking off his glasses. "I, uh, I never meant for you to be involved in this."

"So I got involved," Layla told him, leaning forward. "That's what happens when two people get involved. Especially when one is a Watcher. And the other is a gypsy."

Giles looked at her, smiling. "I really am, however, gonna have to get you home. It's not, uh... I'm not a very safe person to be around at the moment."

"Nothing's safe in this world, Rupert," Layla replied. "Don't you know that by now?"

Layla reached up, stroking his head behind his ear.

∞

Sunnydale High School - Library

Willow and Alice had found something.

Willow smiled. "Ah! Aha! It's not Egyptian. It's Etruscan mistaken for Egyptian by the design pattern. But any fool can see it predates their iconology. Look, the Mark of Eyghon, worn by his initiates. 'Eyghon, also called the Sleepwalker, can only exist in this reality by possessing an unconscious host. Temporary possession imbues the host with a euphoric feeling of power.'"

"Yeah, but what about non-temporary?" Wyatt asked.

Willow read. "'Unless the proper rituals are observed, the possession is permanent, and Eyghon will be born from within the host.'"

"I'm guessing ew," Xander told them.

"Wait," Willow told them. "Hey, listen. 'Once called, Eyghon can also take possession of the dead, but its demonic energy soon disintegrates the host, and it must jump to the nearest dead or unconscious person to continue living.'"

"I still don't get what this has to do with Giles," Wyatt told them.

"I don't know about Giles," Willow told them. "But ancient sects used to induce possession for bacchanals and, and orgies."

"Okay!" Xander said. "Giles and orgies in the same sentence. I could've lived without that one."

"Uh, wait a minute," Brady told them. "The dead guy's all puddly now."

"So the demon's gone," Buffy told them. "There was no one dead to jump into. I mean, we're all not dead, right?"

"No," Brooke agreed. "No one dead."

Zoey realized, horrified. "But someone unconscious."

They realized what happened. "Layla."

∞

Giles Apartment - Living Room

Layla/Eyghon yanked the phone cord from the wall.

"What was that?" Giles asked.

"What was what?" Layla/Eyghon asked.

Giles walked out of the kitchen with tea. "I thought I heard something."

Layla/Eyghon shook her head. "I didn't."

Giles handed her a cup. "Here. Drink that and then I'll drive you home."

Layla/Eyghon took a sip. "You could take me home." She set the cup down. "Or you could take advantage of me in my weakened state."

∞

Sunnydale High School - Library

Zoey was on the phone. "Thank you, operator." She turned to the others, trying not to freak out. "There's no answer at my house. Alice and Giles' phone is out of order."

"I'm gonna go over there," Alice told them.

"I'm going with you," Zoey told her.

"Zoey, Alice, you're not going alone," Wyatt told them. "Buffy. Brooke. Carmen. Brady."

They nodded, running out together.

∞

Giles Apartment - Living Room

Giles moved away. "Layla, uh, I'm--I'm really very attracted to you."

Layla/Eyghon followed. "Good."

"But, um, now really isn't the right time," Giles told her.

Layla/Eyghon smirked. "Oh, there's never been a better time."

Layla/Eyghon pushed Giles onto a chair, climbing onto his lap, kissing him hard.

Giles pulled away. "It's not right. I would be taking advantage."

Layla/Eyghon stood, pacing. "God. You just don't change. Do you?"

"What?" Giles asked.

Layla/Eyghon mocked him. "It's not right. It wouldn't be proper. People might get hurt. You're like a woman, Rupert. You cry at every funeral. You never had the strength for me. You don't deserve me." She whispered. "But guess what? You've got me." She took his head, speaking in a deep demonic voice. "Under your skin." She grabbed his hair, lifting him to his feet, kissing him roughly, pulling back, her face starting the transformation to Eyghon. "Was it good for you?" She smashed his head into the phone on the desk. "Aw. You never had the stomach. But that's okay. 'Cause I'm about to rip it out!"

Layla/Eyghon pulled him back. Giles cried out as he staggered backward into the bar, stumbling to the floor. 

Buffy kicked the door, walking in with Brady, Alice, Wyatt, Brooke, Zoey and Carmen. Buffy and Brady spun around on either side of Layla/Eyghon to kick her from either side, making her back away. Zoey magically threw Layla/Eyghon into the wall, to the floor. Layla/Eyghon stood, walking around the couch, eyeing them.

"Back off!" Brooke told her.

Zoey glared. "Get the hell out of my mother."

Layla/Eyghon stopped, laughing. "Three down. Two to go. Be seeing you."

Layla/Eyghon ran, diving through the window before they could follow. Zoey and Alice ran to Giles' side.

"Are you all right?" Buffy asked.

"Oh, God, Layla," Brooke told them.

"Giles, how do we stop this?" Brady asked.

"Oh, God, what have I done?" Giles asked in horror.

"Talk to us," Carmen told him. "Giles, you're scaring us."

"Alice, Zoey, I'm sorry," Giles told them, horrified, self-loathing.

"Don't be sorry," Wyatt told him. "Be Giles."

"Come on," Brooke told him. "We fight monsters."

"This is what we do," Brady told him. "They show up. They scare us. We beat them up. They go away."

"This isn't any different," Buffy told him.

Giles shook his head. "It is different."

"Because you don't know how to stop it?" Carmen asked.

"Because I created it," Giles answered.

They looked at him in confusion, shock.

∞

Sunnydale High School - Library

Willow, Eric, Xander and Cordelia were still in the library.

"Did you find anything?" Eric asked.

"The most meticulous banking and phone records you've ever seen," Xander told them. "And, um, this."

Xander handed them a picture of a young Giles in a leather jacket playing an electric bass.

Eric looked in shock. "That's Giles?"

∞

Giles Apartment - Living Room

Giles was explaining to the others. "I was 21, studying history at Oxford, and, of course, the occult by night. I hated it. The tedious grind of study, the overwhelming pressure of my destiny. I dropped out, I went to London, I fell in with the worst crowd that would have me. We practiced magics, small stuff for pleasure or gain, and Ethan and I discovered something bigger."

They nodded. "Eyghon."

"Yes," Giles answered. "One of us, um, would go into a deep sleep and the others would, uh, summon him. It was an extraordinary high. God, we were fools."

"You couldn't control it," Buffy told him.

"One of us, Randall, he lost control," Giles explained. "Eyghon took him whole. We tried to exorcise the demon from Randall, but it killed him. No, we killed him. We thought we were free of the demon after that, but now he's back, and one by one, he will kill us all."

Brooke recalled what Layla/Eyghon had said. "Three down. Two to go."

Giles nodded.

"Then it's going after Ethan," Carmen told them. "We better beat it there."

"Someone keep an eye on Giles," Buffy told him. "He's barely mobile. And speed is of a serious essence."

"I'll stay," Brady answered. "You guys are gonna have to split up to find Ethan before Eyghon does."

Brooke sighed. "Yeah. We know."

Giles looked down in shame, shaking his head. "Zoey, I don't know how to stop it without killing Layla."

"We've got the guys working on it," Wyatt told him. "We'll, um, try to contain it until we figure something."

Buffy, Brooke, Zoey, Alice, Carmen and Wyatt walked toward the door. Brady and Giles stayed where they were.

"Zoey?" Giles asked. "Alice?" They stopped, looking at him. "I'm sorry."

Alice and Zoey nodded. "We know."

They left.

∞

Ethan's Costume Shop

Alice arrived, looking around. "Ethan? Ethan, Wyatt tried a tracking spell, but those aren't always reliable without a blood relative or something that belongs to you. Otherwise we would use them more often. Either way, the spell said that you could be at six points in town. So we had to split up to look for you. My father told us everything. Look, it's coming for you."

Ethan appeared behind her. "And you came to protect me?" Alice turned to face him. "I'm touched."

"Don't worry," Alice told him. "It's nothing personal. To protect my father, I have to protect you."

Alice walked past him.

"How does Ripper inspire such goodness?" Ethan asked.

"He's my father," Alice replied.

"Still, lucky me," Ethan told her.

Alice smirked sarcastically. "Hmm. Lucky you."

"Well, we can't run," Ethan told her. "Eyghon will find us." He showed her his tattoo. "This mark's like a homing beacon."

"That's okay," Alice told him. "I'm not much into running."

"Aren't we manly?" Ethan asked.

"One of us is," Alice replied. "You're gonna hide till it's over."

"Excellent plan," Ethan told her.

"Is there a way in through the back?" Alice asked.

Ethan nodded. "Uh, there's a back door. It's locked. I think it's solid."

"We'll set up there," Alice told him. "Let's go."

"Oh, no, please," Ethan told her, indicating she should go first. Alice walked toward the back. Ethan picked up a mannequin arm, hitting Alice across the back of the head with it, making her fall unconscious. "Ladies first."

∞∞

Ethan was humming while he worked on something. Alice was lying face down on a table with her arms tied together underneath, as she woke up.

"Wakey, wakey," Ethan taunted. "You're missing all the fun."

"What fun?" Alice asked.

"Your initiation," Ethan answered, setting down a tray of tattooing instruments.

"You know what?" Alice asked. "I'm not real interested in joining your club."

"Too late," Ethan told her. "I already voted you in." Alice struggled, trying to use her power. "Sorry, your Guardian powers won't work until the anesthetic in your veins wears off. I designed it especially for you and Guardians like you."

Alice rolled her eyes. "Lucky me."

Ethan smirked. "You know, I hope you're not taking this personally, Alice. I actually kinda like you. You remind me a lot of me and Rupert when we were your age. It's just that I like myself a whole lot more than both of you. If you think of it karmically, this is--this is really big for your soul." Alice struggled. "You know, taking my place with the demon, giving so that others may live. Especially since your father is one that helped create this."

Alice glared. "I'm gonna kill you. Will that blow the whole karma thing?"

Ethan chuckled. "Sweet child. So much like your father." He took the tattoo ink and needle. "Now, this may sting a little just at first, but don't worry, that'll go away once the searing pain kicks in." Alice struggled harder. "You can go ahead and scream if you like."

Ethan started tattooing on the back of her neck.

∞

Sunnydale High School - Library

Willow, Eric, Xander and Cordelia were researching books.

"We have to figure out how to kill this thing," Eric told them. "And we need to do it fast."

Willow took a sip of tea.

Xander read. "Uh, 'hot lava.'"

"That's for a heretic," Eric told him.

"Oh, yeah," Xander said. "Yeah, yeah, okay. Uh, ooo, ooo! 'Bury a potato!' No, that's for warts. Who writes this stuff?"

"I've got the solution right here," Cordelia told them. "'To kill a demon cut off its head.' So we just send Zoey with a sword."

"Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah," Eric told her sarcastically. "Zoey will, uh, find Layla and she'll decapitate her own mother. Hey. Layla will be the first headless doctor in this town. You think anybody will notice?"

"Yeah, Eric's right, you seriously think that Zoey's gonna be able to behead her own mother?" Xander asked. "You're out of your mind. You know what you need besides class and a heart, Cordelia? Brains."

Cordelia stood. "That's it. 12 years of you and I'm snapping."

Xander stood. "Right back at you. I don't care if you're a girl or not, I'm throwing down. Come on."

Cordelia walked toward him. "I've seen you fight. And don't think I can't take you."

"Give it your best shot," Xander told her.

Willow had enough, standing. "Hey! We don't have time for this! Our friends are in trouble! Now, we have to put our heads together and get them out of it! And if you two aren't with me a hundred and ten percent, then get the hell out of my library!"

Willow pointed to the door. Eric tried not to laugh.

"We're sorry," Cordelia told her meekly.

"We'll be good," Xander told her.

Eric sighed. "Okay. Now, we've done the research. We just have to figure out how to use it."

"Oh, hey," Xander told them. "Why don't we find another dead body for the demon to jump into?"

"Yes," Cordelia agreed. "At the cemetery."

"Well, that won't kill the demon," Eric told them. "It'll only give it a change of scenery." He realized something. "Oh. Oh!" He smiled. "Oh, I've got it." He ran for the door. "I've got it."

Willow was confused but impressed. "Eric's good."

Willow, Xander and Cordelia smiled, following Eric.

∞

Ethan's Costume Shop

Ethan had finished Alice's tattoo. "Hmm, I think I missed my calling as an artist."

"Ethan, listen to me," Alice told him. "This is a bad idea. You're dealing with something very dangerous."

Ethan rolled up his left sleeve. "But it will get Eyghon off my scent." He picked up a bottle of sulfuric acid. Alice drew a breath of surprise, thinking the acid was meant for her. "Now relax. I'm finished with you. This is for me."

Alice had found an exposed screw on the underside of the table, beginning to scrape her rope against it. Ethan steeled himself for the burn of the acid, slowly pouring it onto his Mark of Eyghon tattoo. Alice looked at him like he was insane, which he was. Ethan did his best not to scream, letting out a few grunts of pain. Alice kept scraping the rope on the screw as Ethan finally screamed in pain.

∞

Giles Apartment - Living Room

Brady was still in the apartment with Giles. Giles was caught by a waking nightmare, collapsing to the floor, unable to remain standing.

Brady stood in alarm, running closer to help him. "Giles? Giles, hey. You okay?" Giles had visions of the Mark of Eyghon, and various friends incarnate of Eyghon, and finally of Alice with her new tattoo, whispering as he had his visions. Brady could understand, horrified, turning to the phone, making a call. "Buffy. Get Brooke, Zoey, Carmen and Wyatt. Meet me and Giles at Ethan's shop. Ethan's giving the mark to Alice so it'll go after her instead." He hung up, helping Giles up and leave the apartment, not bothering to close it behind them. "Come on. We gotta go help Alice."

∞

Ethan's Costume Shop

Ethan wrapped his arm in a bandage. "Well, I hate to mutilate and run, but..."

They saw a diffuse green light shine through the shop windows and the shadow of Layla/Eyghon coming to the door. The door opened.

Layla/Eyghon walked in, well on her way to transforming into Eyghon, speaking in a deep demonic voice. "It's your time."

Alice was almost through the rope under the table. Layla/Eyghon stepped up to Ethan, who looked at her in fear. Layla/Eyghon sniffed a few times, realizing he was not the one that she was after anymore, turning to Alice, her eyes glowing yellow, shoving Ethan aside. Alice got through the rope, rolling off of the table, to the floor as Layla/Eyghon lunged for her. Alice tried to stand, but was still deeply effected by the anesthetic, not able to stand, fight, or use her power.

Buffy, Brooke, Zoey, Carmen, Brady, Wyatt and Giles arrived. Buffy ran closer, jumping over Alice and the table to get to Layla/Eyghon, kicking her away from Alice, making her fall, falling as well. They both stood. Brady and Giles ran toward Alice, helping her stand, getting her away from the fight.

Layla/Eyghon held the table in her hands, rushing Buffy with it, pushing her into some creates.

"Eyghon!" Giles told her. "Take me." Layla/Eyghon tossed the table aside, turning to face Giles. "Brady, get Alice out of here!"

Layla/Eyghon slowly advanced on Giles.

"No!" Zoey told her, running toward them, putting herself between them, facing Layla/Eyghon. "Mom! No. Mom. I know you're in there. Don't make me hurt my mother."

Layla/Eyghon smirked, raising her arm toward Zoey the same time Brooke, Zoey, Carmen and Wyatt raised their arms toward her, using magic against each other at the same time, but Brooke, Zoey, Carmen and Wyatt's magic combined was stronger than Layla/Eyghon, sending her flying back.

Layla/Eyghon appeared next to Giles. "I've been waiting a long time to do this."

Angel ran inside, grabbing Layla/Eyghon, pulling her to the crate, banging her head into it. Angel started to choke her. Willow, Eric, Xander and Cordelia ran in.

Zoey ran to help her mother. "He's killing her!"

Willow held Zoey back. "No! Trust us. this is gonna work."

Angel continued choking Layla/Eyghon until finally Eyghon had to jump and did so, right into Angel. Angel dropped Layla as he was thrown back into the wall, beginning to convulse.

When Layla hit the floor, she was herself again.

Willow let go of Zoey.

Zoey ran to her mother. "Mom!"

Giles and Alice ran closer, kneeling next to Zoey and Layla. "Layla!"

Angel's face twisted and contorted as the demons inside of him fight it out. He was thrown to the crate and hit his head. His face went through a few more contortions when Eyghon suddenly appeared, apparently gaining the upper hand. After a moment Angel's face shifted back to normal, then back to Eyghon, then back to normal again. He was thrown back against the wall. Another a moment's struggle and the demon inside Angel threw Eyghon out. Without a host body to occupy Eyghon quickly crumbled into ashes. Angel gasped and collapsed to the floor.

Carmen ran toward him. "Angel!"

Carmen held Angel up, helping him steady. They held onto each other.

Giles reached out to Layla worriedly as she came to. "Layla?"

"Mom?" Zoey asked worriedly.

"Are you okay?" Alice asked.

"Zoey?" Layla asked. "Rupert? Alice?"

Ethan stood and ran from the shop.

Wyatt looked at Willow, Eric, Xander and Cordelia. "You knew that if the demon was in trouble it was gonna jump into the nearest dead person."

"I put it in danger," Angel told them.

"And it jumped," Buffy told them.

Angel stood. "I've had a demon inside me for a couple hundred years... just waiting for a good fight."

"Winner and still champion," Brooke told him.

"Uh, I think that Ethan guy disappeared again," Xander told them.

"Damn it," Brady told them. "For what he did to Alice, I really wanted to hit him till he bled."

"Well, at least it's over," Eric told them.

They looked over to Giles, Alice, Zoey and Layla, as the four of them embraced in relief now that it was over. Everyone walked out of the shop.

∞

Day Four

Morning - Sunnydale High School - Quad

The Scoobies walked across the quad.

"So, Alice?" Brooke asked. "How does it feel to have to blow your entire allowance to get that stupid tattoo removed?"

Alice groaned, rolling her eyes. They smiled at the reaction.

"Putting that demon into Angel?" Buffy asked. "That was pretty brilliant, Eric."

"I wasn't sure it was gonna work," Eric admitted.

"But it did," Carmen told him.

"Like a charm," Xander agreed.

"Thank you, Eric," Zoey told him. "You and Angel literally saved my mom."

Zoey hugged Eric, which made everyone smile.

"Oh, no, but you should've seen Willow last night," Eric told them.

Xander laughed. "Yeah. She really whooped us into shape."

Wyatt looked at Willow mockingly, sarcastically. "Hey. Maybe you should consider a career as a Watcher."

Willow quickly shook her head. "Oh, no. I don't think I could handle the stress."

"And the dental plan is crap," Carmen told them. "I don't see how Giles does it."

They saw Giles walking.

Alice looked at her father sadly. "He doesn't have a choice."

Alice walked away sadly.

Brady caught up to her. "Hey. You okay?"

"Exhausted," Alice answered. "But thank you for coming to my rescue last night."

"Yeah, well, you have the habit of coming to everyone's rescue," Brady replied. "After everything that went down with Ethan and Giles, are you sure you're okay?"

"Processing," Alice answered. "Dealing. And you? Everything with Bianca still going on?"

"Ex turned vampire on the loose?" Brady asked. "Yeah, we'll figure it out. Never got to thank you for looking out for me when it came to Bianca, though, so thank you. And it is totally okay for you to admit that you were jealous, by the way."

"I was not," Alice replied.

Brady smirked. "Were too."

Alice hesitated, smirking slightly, nodding. "Okay, a little."

"I know that after the last few days, neither of us are in a position to figure out where this leaves us," Brady told her. "So after all of this settles down, then we can figure it out."

Alice nodded in agreement. "Definitely. Thank you for waiting."

"Absolutely," Brady told her.

They smiled, embracing.

∞

Hospital - Waiting Room

Layla was working.

After school, Giles came to check on her. "Uh, Layla?" Layla heard him, turning toward the sound of his voice but couldn't see him. "Layla."

Layla saw him, distant and exhausted after being possessed and then working so much afterward. "Rupert. Hi."

"Uh, I tried to call you last night, see how you were," Giles told her.

Layla nodded. "Yeah, I've been here all night. Working the graveyard shift."

Giles nodded in understanding. "But you're all right? Is--is--is there anything you need?"

Layla shook her head, exhausted. "Mm, no, I'm fine. I mean, I'm not running around, wind in my hair, 'the hills are alive with the sound of music' fine, but... I'm coping."

Giles looked at her sadly in regret. "I would like to help."

"I know," Layla told him.

"Perhaps we could, um, talk sometime," Giles told her. "Um, dinner, or a drink? When you're feeling stronger."

Zoey and Alice were coming by the hospital to make sure Layla was fine, stopping when they saw them talking.

Layla looked at Giles, nodding. "Sure, sometime."

Giles reached out to her.

"Dr. Francis," a doctor called, interrupting the moment.

Layla looked at Giles, taking a step backward, taking a deep breath. "Yeah. Sometime. I better get back to work."

"Yes, of course," Giles agreed.

Layla walked away to get back to work. Giles looked down sadly, turning to leave the hospital, seeing Zoey and Alice behind him.

Zoey looked at him sadly, a bit awkwardly. "Hey. Is she okay?"

Giles thought about how to answer. "Um, the hills are not alive."

Zoey frowned a bit in confusion. "I'm sorry to hear that. I think."

"I don't think Layla will ever really forgive me," Giles admitted. "Maybe she shouldn't. Maybe you shouldn't, Zoey. Or you, Alice."

"Maybe you should," Zoey replied.

"I never wanted anyone to see that side of me," Giles told them.

"I'm not gonna lie to you," Alice told him. "It was scary. I'm so used to my father being a grownup, and then I find out that you're a person."

Giles managed the smallest of smiles. "Most grownups are."

"Who would've thought?" Zoey asked.

Giles sighed. "Some are even, uh, shortsighted, foolish people."

"So, after all this time, we finally find out that we do have something in common," Zoey told him. "Which, apart from being a little weird, is kind of okay."

"We'll see you tomorrow for school and training, Zoey," Alice told her.

"Absolutely," Zoey agreed. "And you know what, Alice? I have just the perfect music." She held up a black CD. "Go on, Giles, say it. You know you want to."

"It's not music, it's just, uh, meaningless sounds," Giles told her.

"There," Zoey told him. "Feel better?"

"Yes," Giles answered. "Thanks. Bay City Rollers. Now, that's music."

Zoey held her hands over her ears. "I didn't hear that."

Giles and Alice managed small smiles, walking toward the exit of the hospital. Layla watched them go from where she was working, looking sad and distant. Zoey walked up to her mother. The two of them embraced. Giles and Alice stopped when they saw this, looking at them sadly, leaving the hospital together.