INT. WILLOW'S DORM ROOM - NIGHT (NIGHT 1)

ANGLE ON: MISS KITTY FANTASTICO

As she runs about and plays on the floor.

TARA (O.S.)
Okay. Once upon a time there was...
um... a kitty. She was very little, and
she was all alone and nobody wanted her.

WILLOW (O.S.)
This is a very upsetting story.

TARA (O.S.)
Oh, it gets better. 'Cause one day
the kitty was running around on the
street and a man came and swooped
her up --

And on that, a pair of arms reach down from above frame and picks the kitty up, brings us up to see Tara (grabbing the kitty) and Willow (under the covers). Tara holds the kitty on the bed as they continue.

TARA
-- and took her to the pound. And at
the pound there were lots of other
kitties, and there were puppies, and
some ferrets.

WILLOW
(sleepy)
Were there dolphins?

TARA
Yes. Many dolphins at the pound.

WILLOW
Was there a camel?

TARA
There was the front of a camel.
A half-camel.

WILLOW
Did the kitty get chosen by some people?

TARA
Well, now you've ruined the ending.
There was a whole exciting middle
part with the French Resistance.

WILLOW
I'm sleepy.

TARA
Yeah... do you mind if I keep the
light on? I was gonna look up
some spells.

WILLOW
That's fine. I don't need to be
snuggled...

TARA
(smiling)
Vixen.

Willow looks at Tara, the sleepiness gone.

WILLOW
You've been spell gal night
and day lately.

TARA
Well, I just wanna keep up with you.
And I'm... I'd like to be useful. You
know, to the gang. I just never feel...
useful.

WILLOW
You are. You're essential.

A beat, with the love. Tara climbs under the covers.

TARA
Think Buffy found anything out tonight?

WILLOW
At the factory? I don't know.
If there was something, I figure
she would've called us.

Tara turns out the light.

INT. DORM HALL/BUFFY'S DORM ROOM - DAY (DAY 2)

Kids go to and fro, carefree college life. Buffy enters frame in a more contemplative mood. She is carrying a box of her stuff from her room, sets it down near some others. She winces slightly. Behind her, we find Xander and Riley moving a dresser (or bookcase) out of her room from the entrance in the cul-de-sac.

XANDER
Okay, just -- ow! Thumb!
Necessary opposable thumb!

RILEY
Sorry. Crybaby.

They get through as Buffy turns to them --

BUFFY
Just leave it by the wall
there for now.

RILEY
Got it.

-- and she heads into her room by way of the main hall entrance, passing Dawn who has a hugely piled box in her arms.

DAWN
I don't need any help...

BUFFY
Just be careful...

Camera follows Buffy into the dorm room, which is being cleared out. Giles stands by the head of the bed, vaguely putting things in a box. Tara is in the closet (no jokes, please), pulling out clothes on their hangers and handing them to Willow, who folds them into a big box. Anya is crossing with a lamp or some such to the cul-de-sac door, complaining:

ANYA
But we just helped her move
this stuff in a few days ago!
(sees Buffy)
And it was fun!

GILES
People help each other out, Anya.
It's one of our strange customs.

Buffy moves to the bed, starts folding up her bedspread and sheets. Mentions to Giles:

BUFFY
I notice you're doing the smallest
amount of helping that can actually
be called helping.

GILES
Well, I see myself in a patriarchal
sort of role. You know, a lot of
pointing and scowling.

He sees something, and quite genuinely points and scowls.

GILES
Stop that, you two.

ANGLE: XANDER AND RILEY

are in the cul-de-sac doorway, in mid wrestle. They don't stop.

RILEY
He started it...

XANDER
He called me a bad name! I think
it was bad; it might have been latin.

ANGLE: TARA

As she watches the exchange with a kind of sweet sadness. What she is seeing is a POV of the scoobie unit, all happy and comfy together.

GILES
Stop. You're going to break
something.

BUFFY
Or I'M gonna break something.

They stop.

XANDER
Still can't believe you're giving up
this cherry corner suite.

ANYA
(crossing back in)
Just a few days after we moved you in.

Buffy glances at Giles, covering:

BUFFY
It's no big. Just, with Mom not
feeling well, I'm hardly ever here
anyway. Might as well save
some money, for the semester,
at least. That's all.

Willow chimes in, misinterpreting Buffy's concern.

WILLOW
I think that's smart.

XANDER
Still, hard to give up. Got the two
entrances, lotta opportunities for
bawdy french farce -- and everybody
loves bawdy --

BUFFY
(suddenly tense)
Where's Dawn?

RILEY
She just took --

BUFFY
(calling out)
Dawn?

Dawn reappears in the cul-de-sac doorway. Buffy masks her relief.

DAWN
Some of your CDs are my CDs

BUFFY
I know. Help me fold.

Dawn comes in as Willow moves out with a full box of clothes, Tara filling another. Buffy leans down to get a blanket from the floor, winces.

RILEY
Starting to feel that fight?

BUFFY
Nothing like getting you ass kicked
to... make your ass hurt.

She throws the blanket out to Dawn, they fold.

DAWN
You'll totally take her next time.

XANDER
'Cause you'll have back up, baby.
She's messin' with ALL of us.

GILES
Yes, we'll find her weaknesses,
and then...

TARA
Yeah, you learn her source and
we'll introduce her to her insect
reflection.

There is a bit of silence, followed by some polite expressions.

TARA
(much quieter)
That was funny if you've studied
Taglarin mystic rites and... are
a total dork...

As she says this last she grabs her box of clothes and heads out of the room.

RILEY
The how come Xander didn't laugh?

XANDER
I don't know that Taglarin stuff.

RILEY
Oh.

She meets Willow just outside the doorway.

WILLOW
You wanna start taking stuff down
to the car?

TARA
I really do.

As she goes down the hall, she mutters to herself:

TARA
Stupid...

Willow waits to make sure Tara is out of earshot, then:

WILLOW
Okay, guys, now remember, you
gotta be at the Bronze by eight.

Again with the polite, as people try to remember what Willow's talking about.

BUFFY
Bronze.

WILLOW
Tomorrow night! Tara's birthday!

BUFFY
Oh, right. Right.

General murmurs of remembrance.

ANYA
We have to bring presents, right?
Birth is a present thing.

XANDER
I got something... picked out, yeah...

WILLOW
You all can still come, right?
I mean, I know there's this new
evil and all...

BUFFY
No, no, we can make it. I could
definitely use a break from all
this craziness.

INT. THE MAGIC BOX - DAY

Giles crosses to the table, where Xander and Buffy are.

GILES
Come up with anything?

XANDER
Well candles, maybe, or bath oils
of some kind.

BUFFY
I saw a really nice sweater at Macy's,
but I really want me to have it.

GILES
And you are talking about what on earth?

BUFFY
Tara's birthday. We're at a loss.

GILES
You're in a magic shop and you can't
think of anything Tara might like. I
believe you're both profoundly stupid.

XANDER
Well, we don't know what kind of
things witches really like. What,
are we gonna get her some cheesy
crystal ball?

GILES
Bloody well better not. I've already
got mine wrapped.

The young man we saw before (his name is DONNY) approaches the table.

DONNY
Are all these magic books?

GILES
Private collection. The books for
sale are along the wall there.

Giles crosses toward the counter. Donny doesn't leave, his hovering presence make Buffy and Xander uncomfortable as they try to read.

DONNY
So all these books got spells in 'em?
Turn people into frogs?

XANDER
Yeah, we're building a race of
frog-people. It's a good time.

DONNY
(to all of them)
So, are you all witches? Hey,
don't do a spell on me...

Anya and Giles look at him.

GILES
Was there something in particular
you were looking for?

Tara and Willow enter, laughing.

WILLOW
'Her insect reflection'... that's
so good...

TARA
I just thought that'd be funny, you
know, if her power was centered in --

DONNY
Well what do you know.

The girls stop. The laughter drains from Tara's face.

DONNY
What's the matter? Don't got a hug
for your big brother?

INT. THE MAGIC BOX - CONTINUING - DAY

Everyone is taking in what they just heard.

WILLOW
Brother?

DONNY
Tara didn't say she had a brother?
(smiles)
I'm a dirty little secret.

He's actually being friendly enough, but there's something off -- most obviously with Tara.

TARA
Willow, this is D-Donny.

WILLOW
Hi.

DONNY
Nice to meet you.

TARA
(indicating the gang)
And these are m-my friends.

They nod politely, murmur hellos.

DONNY
What, alla you hang out?
(to Tara, playfully)
That's more people than you
MET in high school.
(to the others)
Tara wasn't too social back when.
I don't think she spoke till she was
eight --

TARA
How did you find-- I mean, how
come you came?

DONNY
Well, duh, birthday girl. We came
down in the camper, been all over
the campus --

TARA
We?

DONNY
Dad, you know, and cousin Beth.
We went all over campus looking.
They oughta circle back here in a bit.

TARA
(a bit urgent)
No, we should find them.
We could go --
(looks at Willow)
-- I should go meet them.

WILLOW
Yeah, sure --

The doorbell tinkles behind, whipping Tara's head around.

Her father, MR. MACLAY and cousin BETH enter together. Tara moves toward them, as does Donny. Willow stays politely a distance behind.

DONNY
Look who I found...

TARA
Dad! Hi.

MR. MACLAY
Well. There's my girl.

They hug. It's a bit formal.

TARA
It's such a s-surprise.

MR. MACLAY
Yes.

TARA
Hey, Beth.

Beth smiles -- she seems quite meek.

BETH
Hey.

MR. MACLAY
One of your dorm-mates said
you might be here.

TARA
Oh.
(pause)
Oh, these are friends... this is
Mister Giles, he runs the shop.

Willow looks a little surprised at not being introduced.

GILES
How do you do.

MR. MACLAY
Pleasure.
(to Tara)
Well, I don't mean to interrupt your
plans, I know we've come on you kind
of suddenly. But I thought we'd have
dinner.

TARA
Okay.

MR. MACLAY
Why don't I pick you up at six?
And we'll... do some catching up.

TARA
Yes sir.

MR. MACLAY
(to the group)
Forgive me for running out --
we're double parked.

MR. MACLAY
(to Tara)
I'll see you tonight.

DONNY
Nice to meet you all.

He goes out after the others. Willow joins Tara.

WILLOW
That's so weird. Your whole family.

TARA
Yeah.

WILLOW
They seem nice.

TARA
They're okay. You know.
Families are always...

She rolls her eyes a bit, making light of it.

WILLOW
They make you crazy.
TARA
Usually. You wanna get into
research mode?

WILLOW
Sure.

They join the others, Willow not pressing any further.

INT. TARA'S DORM ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON

Tara enters to find her dad standing at her desk, looking at her stuff. She has charms and crystals and volumes of spells on the desk as usual. He turns as she closes the door.

MR. MACLAY
The door wasn't locked.
I was a little early.

A beat.

MR. MACLAY
I suppose you wanted me
to see all these... toys.

He picks up a crystal, looks at it.

MR. MACLAY
You don't even try to hide it
anymore. I'd hoped maybe
you'd gotten over the witchcraft
thing, that if we let you go you'd
get it out of your system. Then
they told me to look for you in
the... that store.

TARA
I didn't... I didn't kn-know you
were coming.

MR. MACLAY
Of course we came. We haven't heard
from you in months, your birthday's
getting closer and closer, you know
what that means...

TARA
I don't think it's... It won't
mean that --

MR. MACLAY
You're turning twenty. The same age
your mother was when... do your
friends even know?

TARA
Y-yes.

MR. MACLAY
Are you lying to me?

His tone is strict but not bullying. She cannot answer.

MR. MACLAY
So they don't know. They
think you're human.

Again, she doesn't speak.

MR. MACLAY
Tara, you're coming home with us.
You know it's the only way.

TARA
Home?

MR. MACLAY
This charade has gone on for too
long. Do you want to put your
friends in danger?

TARA
I would never hurt them.

MR. MACLAY
Tara, you can't control what's going
to happen. You're my daughter and
I love you but you are a demon. You
have evil inside you and it will come
out. And letting yourself work all
this magic is only gonna make it
worse. Where do you think that
power comes from?

TARA
I... it doesn't feel... evil. Sir.

MR. MACLAY
Evil never does.

He heads for the door.

MR. MACLAY
I don't feel much like eating right
now. I'll give you a little time, but
we need to be gone by morning.

He turns back to her.

MR. MACLAY
Your family loves you, Tara, no
matter what. How do you think
your friends are gonna feel when
they see your true face?

INT. TARA'S DORM ROOM - NIGHT

Tara is alone, thinking when Willow enters.

WILLOW
Hey.

TARA
Hey.

WILLOW
Was... dinner fun?

Tara nods unconvincingly.

WILLOW
Well, there's scoobyage afoot. Giles
called a meeting about our spanking
new menace.

TARA
Oh. You should go, they don't need
me for that, you can fill me in...

WILLOW
No no, you gotta come. This demon
chick is supposed to be really powerful
and I was thinking maybe we could try
that spell, you know, the one to find
demons...

TARA
That didn't work.

WILLOW
Yeah, but we only tried it one time.
I think I got the ingredients wrong.

TARA
Well, I'm tired. We can try it
tomorrow.

WILLOW
You sure you don't --

TARA
My family's here, I can't just...
not everything is about your
friends and stuff

WILLOW
(hurt)
Sorry.

TARA
No, no, I'm... there's just so much
going on. I'm just... I'm real tired.

Willow's not quite convinced, but...

WILLOW
Okay.

TARA
I'll see you in the morning and
you can fill me in.

WILLOW
Great. We'll be demon hunters.

Willow lets herself out. Tara watchers her go. As soon as the door shuts Tara's eyes narrow with resolve. She moves to the desk and starts going through spell books. Stops on a particular spell, thinking.

INT. THE MAGIC BOX - NIGHT

The camera moves slowly in at the table as the gang gathers round it. Dawn is at the shelves in the back, poking through books. Willow is just arriving.

XANDER
Hey, Will.

WILLOW
Am I late? Did I miss exposition?

GILES
No, no, and I've nothing earth
shattering to relate. I did have
a few thoughts, though, and I
want to make sure we're all on
the same page.

DAWN
Can I buy one of these?

BUFFY
No.

DAWN
With my own money?

BUFFY
I let you come, now sit down
and look studious.

Dawn joins them. But the camera continues moving in, past her, to show a shadow at the door to the training room.

CLOSE ON: TARA

She stands in the shadows, looking through the crack of the door at the gang. Silent and intense.

GILES (O.S.)
First of all, I want to talk about
safety. This creature could be --

BUFFY (O.S.)
--WILL be --

GILES (O.S.)
--will be coming after Buffy
and possibly all of us. Don't
underestimate her.

BUFFY (O.S.)
I'm not just talking about traveling
in groups. You see a girl you don't
know, you run. Just keep running 'til
you drop. And don't drop.

Tara lifts her hand. There is a small pile of red dust in it. She incants in a barely audible whisper (The voices off screen fading out under it):

TARA
Blind Cadria, desolate queen,
work my will upon them all,
your curse upon them, my
obeisance to you.

She blows the powder from her hand, causing a CGI mist to wend from it toward the group.

We widen to see it settle in the middle of them --

GILES
Now, I think I may have a lead on the
monk Buffy spoke with. There are a
few orders I've read up on...

-- and shoot into the eyes of everyone assembled. They all jerk back ever so slightly.

A beat.

GILES
I'm sorry, where was I?

BUFFY
The monk.

GILES
Yes. I'd like us to start looking
into some of these orders. It's
possible that whatever order this
monk was from was wiped out
entirely, and I'm sure that wouldn't
go unnoticed --

Tara fades back into the darkness, eyes on the group.

INT. TRAINING ROOM - NIGHT

Buffy is stretching out as Willow talks to her.

BUFFY
He's great... he's so considerate,
and he's really understanding about
my disturbing lifestyle, but every
now and then he's mister snappy.
I never know what sets him off.

WILLOW
There's always gonna be a part of
your life he can't get near. That's
just part of relationships that people
have to deal with, even if they feel
shut out and the other person is
acting all weird and doesn't want
them to meet their family.

BUFFY
Behold the cunning segue.
Tara's being funky?

WILLOW
She's just never been like
that before.

BUFFY
Well, families...

WILLOW
So, they're dorky. I feel like...
it's something more. She's
different.

BUFFY
(concerned)
What do you mean?

WILLOW
(blows it off)
I don't know. I'm over reacty.
Pay me no mind. People in
love are always a little crazy.

EXT. CAMPUS - NIGHT

Tara walks back from The Magic Box. She is met by Beth, coming down a different path.

BETH
Tara?

TARA
Beth! What are you --

BETH
I was looking for you.

TARA
Sorry we didn't get to have dinner...
everything was so sudden.

BETH
I just wanted to make sure you were
okay, see if you needed help with
anything... packing...

TARA
Beth, I'm not... I'm n-not
coming back with you.

Beth looks innocently surprised.

BETH
You're not?

TARA
I don't think so.

BETH
You selfish bitch.

Tara steps back, genuinely astonished.

TARA
What?

BETH
I knew it. I knew you were gonna
do something like this!

TARA
Like what? You c-can't just
come here --

BETH
You don't care the slightest bitty
bit about your family, do you?
You dad's been worried sick
about you every day you've been
gone. There's a house needs
taking care of, Donny and your
dad having to do for themselves
while you're down here living
God knows what kind of lifestyle.
Is it true you've been doing magic?

A beat. Tara looks at her, a bit defiant.

TARA
Yes.

BETH
Well then you deserve whatever you
get. Come down here, doing spells...
I can't wait 'til your little friends find
out the truth about you. They will,
you know. Doesn't matter how
innocent you act, they'll see.

TARA
No they won't.

BETH
They will unless you do some
kind of spell on them...
(off Tara's reaction)
You did.

TARA
N-no.

BETH
You did something to them.
I'm telling your dad.

TARA
No! It wasn't anything!

BETH
You think you can just go around
cursing people -- your dad's gonna
pop --

TARA
It was just so they wouldn't see!

A beat, as Tara deflates, busted.

TARA
So they wouldn't be able to see the
demon part of me. Please don't
tell dad. It's harmless.

INT. THE MAGIC BOX - NIGHT

Willow is fetching a volume near the front door. She hears a noise, goes to open the door, thinking it's:

WILLOW
Is that Tara?

She opens the door. The Lei-ach is standing right in front of her, his brethren behind him. Willow looks at them.

WILLOW
I guess not. Thought I
heard something.

In front of her, the Lei-ach smiles. She cannot see him.

EXT. CAMPUT - NIGHT

Tara and Beth continue talking. All of the fight has gone out of Tara.

BETH
Don't you see how out of control you
are? You've been lying to those people
for a year, now you put a spell on them?
Is that right? Is that a human thing to do?

Tara cannot answer.

BETH
Now I'm telling your father. If he
doesn't force you to come home --
and I think he should -- I know he's
gonna tell your friends the truth. If
I were you I'd tell them first. Then
I'd tell them goodbye.

INT. THE MAGIC SHOP - NIGHT

Dawn is by the table near the entrance, looking at some stuff. She is perfectly nonchalant as the Lei-ach comes into frame right next to her. He puts his face close to hers, sniffing her out -- and another comes into frame in front of the table. They move on to the back, followed by the third.

We TRACK along the shop as they move through it, passing the gang who sees nothing, heading for the back room.

ANY
Do I get overtime for this?

GILES
Certainly not. Dawn, shut the door.

DAWN (O.S.)
I didn't open it...

INT. TRAINING ROOM - CONTINUING - NIGHT

Buffy is finishing up working the bag. The demons file in behind her, the lead one in front, the third staying to guard the door. They move slowly so as to be silent.

Buffy stops, her fur up. Listens. She does a slow turn and sees nothing.

The demon pounces -- and Buffy blocks at the last second, takes most of the brunt on her arm, but he still takes her down. She flails, fighting an invisible foe.

BUFFY
Giles! There's something in here!

INT. THE MAGIC BOX - CONTINUING - NIGHT

Xander is closest to the back room. He moves forward -- and something invisible throws him back. He lands hard on his back. His eyes widen as something starts choking him.

Willow grabs a chair and smashes the demon on the back. (We see the demon as it's hit). She pulls the chair back and brings it down again -- hitting Xander.

XANDER
It moved.

Suddenly Willow is thrown back into the bookcase. She lands heavily and doesn't get up.

ANAY
Where is it? Where is it?

She retreats behind the counter. Giles becomes aware of Dawn next to him. He pushes her toward the desk.

GILES
Under there. Go.

She climbs into the tiny desk space, Giles standing with his back to it, waiting.

INT. TRAINING ROOM - CONTINUING - NIGHT

Buffy throws off the first demon as the second grabs her from behind, choke hold.

ANGLE: SPIKE

Comes in from the back, smiles at the tableau. Buffy can't shake number two. Number one gets up, is gonna pounce, number two holding her for him -- he lunges --

-- and Spike flies into frame, tackling him from the side. They tumble into the corner.

With a burst of strength, Buffy flips her demon over her head and slams it onto the ground. She picks it up and throws it headlong into a wall. Its head makes a splatty noise.

Buffy runs toward the shop, not seeing the still struggling Spike.

SPIKE
Uh, you're welcome...

INT. THE MAGIC BOX - CONTINUING - NIGHT

Buffy rushes in to see Giles take a blow to the head from the invisible foe. She runs forward - but it's gone. Everyone's talking:

XANDER
It's over there!

GILES
How many are there?

ANYA
I've already been injured
this month...

BUFFY
Shut up!

Silence. The camera moves in at Buffy as she turns, concentrating, waiting for it to attack.

The door opens suddenly and Tara enters. Sees:

ANGLE: TARA'S POV

The demon behind Buffy.

TARA
Buffy behind you!

Buffy spins as the thing pounces. She tries to hold it off. It throws her over the table, comes at her again.

INT. TRAINING ROOM - CONTINUING - NIGHT

Spike manages to kill his opponent. They never did get off the floor. He sits up, satisfied.

INT. THE MAGIC BOX - CONTINUING - NIGHT

The demon comes for an exhausted Buffy. It grabs her throat -- and Xander makes a game attempt at grabbing for it from behind. It shrugs him off, nails Buffy a couple of times.

BUFFY
Where is it? Tara can you see it?

Tara realizes they can't see it.

TARA
Oh God...

She rushes forward --

TARA
Blind Cadria, lift your veil,
give evil form and break my spell --

The demon turns as she speaks the last -- it pounces on her, slams her down into the counter.

Buffy jumps on its back.

Tara's family rushes in, Dad seeing the beast over his daughter --

MR. MACLAY
Tara!

The beast throws Buffy off and goes for the dad -- he stumbles and falls -- Buffy sweeps its legs out from under it, landing it with its chin slamming down on the top step, just in front of dad. She gets to her feet in a blur, plants a foot at the back of its neck and CRUNCH! -- snaps it brutally.

There is a quiet moment, as everyone recovers from the action. Xander goes to check on Anya. Giles helps Dawn out from under the desk. Buffy stands before Mr. Maclay, who is still on the ground, staring at the body of the last Lei-ach demon.

MR. MACLAY
What in the name of God is that...?

Spike pipes up from the back, entering.

SPIKE
Lei-ach Demon. Fun little buggers;
big with the marrow-sucking.

MR. MACLAY
I don't understand...

BUFFY
I'm not sure I do either.

She is looking over at Tara, who is still hunched by the counter. She is desperately unhappy.

TARA
I'm sorry... I'm s-so sorry...

Willow starts toward Tara slowly, confused.

TARA
I w-was just trying to hide...
the spell went wrong...

WILLOW
Tara, what...

TARA
I didn't want you to see...
what I am.

WILLOW
What you are?

MR. MACLAY
I told you, you try to run from it
you'll put these people in danger.
(re: demon)
And, my God...

TARA
I didn't mean for anyone to
get hurt.

BUFFY
I think you better explain. What do
you mean, what you are?

She is staring at Tara, and she doesn't sound too pleased.

Tara can't get past her stutter before her father speaks:

MR. MACLAY
Demon.

Willow looks astonished at her love, no idea what to do.

MR. MACLAY
The women in our family have...
demon in them. Her mother had
it; it's where the magic comes from.
This isn't something we generally
like to share with strangers. We
came to take her home before...
well, before things like this
started happening.

WILLOW
Tara, you're not... how could you not
say something to me... to me...

Tara still can't answer - can hardly look at Willow.

GILES
You put a spell on us to keep us
from seeing your demon side. That's
why we couldn't see our attackers.

BUFFY
(looking at Dawn)
Nearly got us killed.

Tara rises, trying to steady her emotions.

TARA
I'll go.
(to everyone)
I'm very sorry.

MR. MACLAY
The camper's outside.

WILLOW
Wait! Go? She just did a spell that
went wrong! Buffy, it was just a mistake!

MR. MACLAY
It's not the point and it's not your
concern. The girl belongs with us.
We know how to control her problem.

WILLOW
Tara, look at me.
(she does)
I trusted you more than anyone in
my life. Was all of that a lie?

TARA
No! No...

WILLOW
Do you want to leave?

MR. MACLAY
(to Willow)
That is not your decision,
young lady --

WILLOW
I know that.
(to Tara)
Do you want to leave?

Eyes brimming, Tara shakes her head ever so slightly.

MR. MACLAY
You are going to do what's right,
Tara. Now I am taking you out
of here before somebody DOES
get killed. The girl belongs with
her family, I hope that's clear to
the rest of you.

This registers with Buffy. She looks again at Dawn, then back at Tara.

BUFFY
It is. You want her, Mr. Maclay,
you can go ahead and take her.

She turns to face him.

BUFFY
You just gotta go through me.

MR. MACLAY
What?

BUFFY
You heard me. You wanna take Tara
out of here against her will, then you
gotta come through me.

DAWN
And me.

She stands resolutely by her sister, ready for a fight.

We push in on Tara, a new wave of emotion flooding her.

MR. MACLAY
Is this a joke? I am not gonna be
threatened by two little girls.

DAWN
You don't wanna mess with us.

BUFFY
(points to Dawn)
She's a hair-puller.

GILES
And you're not just dealing with
two little girls.

XANDER
You're dealing with all of us.

SPIKE
Except me.

XANDER
Except Spike.

SPIKE
I don't care what happens.

MR. MACLAY
This is insane! You people have no
right to interfere in Tara's affairs. We
are her blood kin -- who the hell are you?

BUFFY
We're family.

She stares him down. The whole gang does, grouped loosely around Tara and Willow. Mr. Maclay turns away.

DONNY
Dad, you're not gonna let them --

He starts down towards Tara, stopping near Xander.

DONNY
Tara, if you don't get in that car
I swear by God I'm gonna beat
you down.

XANDER
And I swear by your full and manly
beard you're gonna break something
trying.

Donny eyes him... doesn't say anything else.

BETH
Well, I hope you'll all be happy
hanging around with a disgusting
demon.

Anya raises her hand.

ANYA
Excuse me. What kind?

BETH
What?

ANYA
What kind of demon is she? There's
a lot of different kinds, some are very
very evil, some have been considered
to be useful members of society...

BETH
Well, I don't... what does it matter?

MR. MACLAY
Evil is evil.

ANYA
Well, let's narrow it down...

Spike smiles, comes toward the group. He gets it now.

SPIKE
Uh huh... Why don't I make
this simple...

He approaches Tara and POPS her in the nose with a quick jab.

TARA
OW!

The moment he does, he's gripped with wrenching pain.

SPIKE
Gyahh!

WILLOW
(pissed)
Hey!
(gets it)
Hey!

TARA
(hands on nose)
He hit my nose!

WILLOW
And it hurt! I mean, him!

BUFFY
And that only works with humans...

SPIKE
(re: Tara)
There's no demon in there.
(shakes off the last twinge)
That's just the family legend, am
I right? Bit of spin to keep the
ladies in line? Oh, you're a piece
of work. I like you.

TARA
(to Willow)
I'm not a demon.

WILLOW
(smiling)
You're not a demon.

TARA
He hurt my nose.

SPIKE
Yeah, you're welcome.

GILES
Mr. Maclay, I'd say your
business here is finished.

MR. MACLAY
(last ditch)
Tara... for eighteen years your
family has taken care of you
and supported you, if you wanna
turn you back --

TARA
Dad.

She moves to him. Looks at him with quiet strength.

TARA
Just go.

A beat, and he does. He pauses once at the door, looking back at the shop, muttering contemptuously:

MR. MACLAY
Magic.

He exits. Donny folds in behind. Beth is the last to go, looking hatefully at Tara.

BETH
Are you happy now?

Tara's smile answers her well.

INT. THE BRONZE - NIGHT (NIGHT 3)

We open on a pile of presents on a table. Helium filled balloons are tied to the table as well. Camera arms up, to see the Bronze party in full swing. The Scooby gang, Dawn included (but minus Riley), mingle with some other friends (mostly, but not exclusively, wiccans.). In the center is Tara, having a great time.

We see a short series of images.

ANGLE: Dawn running behind the stairs, stopped by Buffy, who scowls at her.

ANGLE: Tara unwrapping her crystal ball, pleased, thanking Giles who's extremely pleased with himself.

ANGLE: Willow and Tara playing pool with Xander and Anya.

ANGLE: Buffy watches the pool game as Riley enters behind her, a present in his hand.

RILEY
Sorry I'm late.

BUFFY
You came!

She beams to see him. He smiles.

RILEY
(softly)
Of course I came.

She pulls him close and they head into the party.

ANGLE: Tara talks to Anya.

TARA
No, see, 'cause your insect
reflection represents your
insignificance in terms of
the karmic cycle.

ANYA
But it's still not funny.

TARA
No, no, it is, but you have to...
understand the...

ANYA
Let's just start again.
You're explaining it wrong.

ANGLE: Dawn sits with Giles and Xander and Buffy and Riley.

DAWN
This place is so cool! Except I have
to have this stupid stamp on my hand.

XANDER
Well, that's to keep you from
boozing it up.

DAWN
Oh please. Only losers like
to drink alcohol.

Riley, Xander and Giles try to look innocent.

ANGLE: Tara is still talking to Anya as Willow approaches. A slow song has come on.

ANYA
So what's an eagle reflection?

Willow takes Tara by the hand, leads her toward the dance floor.

WILLOW
My dance.

She and Tara begin slow dancing, holding each other close.

WILLOW
Good birthday?

TARA
Best birthday.

WILLOW
I still can't believe you never told
me about your family and all that.

TARA
I was just afraid if you saw the kind
of people I came from... you wouldn't
wanna be anywhere near me.

WILLOW
See? That's where you're a dummy.
I think about what you grew up with,
and then look at what you are... it
makes me proud. It makes me love
you more.

Tara takes this in, overwhelmed.

TARA
Every time I... even at my worst, you
always make me feel special. How
do you do that?

Willow smiles.

WILLOW
Magic.

Tara lays her head on Willow's shoulder as they pull closer, turning slowly to the music. The camera pulls back to see the two of them holding each other in the middle of the dancers, floating just above the floor.