War Zone
Teaser
Story by CN Winters
Written by CN Winters
Directed and Produced by CN Winters
Sounds by CSR
Edited by DragonWriter17 and Angie Wilson
Art Direction by CN Winters
Artists – CN Winters, Zahir al Daoud, Sway, Sarah, Humaira, Robert Kidman, Chantal and Elif
Fade In:
Int.
Giles Apartment – Evening
June 3rd, 2005
Becca walked into the doorway of the living room to see Giles sitting on their sofa with a bundled blanket in his arms. She smiled gently, and with soft footsteps she made her way over.
"If you keep holding her all the time, you’re going to spoil her," she warned playfully.
"I intend to," he said softly before looking back down at his daughter who lay snuggled up in his arm. "It’s amazing," he said as he continued to watch her sleep.
"What’s amazing?" Becca asked as she took a seat next to him.
"Her, you…us," Giles said as he turned to Becca with a warm smile. "If someone had told me two years ago I’d be sitting here with Elizabeth in my arms, I would have said they were crazy. Now look at me," he said with a grin.
"Yeah, you’re quite the mushball," Becca teased. "But you’re my mushball," she added as she gave him a light kiss on the cheek before resting her head on his shoulder.
"I’ve been thinking…"
"About?" Becca prodded when he didn’t add more.
Giles hesitated at first. "I’d like to move somewhere else. Get a large place perhaps. Maybe even…maybe leave the Council."
Becca’s head shot up, and she looked to Giles. "Are you serious?"
"Quite," he answered and then looked down at his sleeping daughter again. "This job is dangerous, and I’m not getting any younger."
"True," Becca agreed.
"I already missed her birth," Giles continued, "and I want to enjoy as many years and as many things as I can with the two of you…I’m not sure I can do both."
"Rupert, I-I don’t know what to say," Becca answered. "I’d be lying if I said I was disappointed with your decision but…this is a bit sudden, isn’t it?"
"Well, it’s not as if I’ll pack our bags and be gone next week. Preparations would need to be made, of course, another person put in charge of the Council and so on. But…I think it’s time. What do you think?"
Becca seemed to consider her response. "I’d love to get you out of harm’s way, you know that. But I also want you to be happy. I know being a watcher is what you are, not just what you do."
"I’m a husband and father now too," he countered. "That makes a difference."
Becca paused. "Do you think you can handle retirement?"
Giles shrugged. "I won’t know until I try," he answered.
"Well," Becca began, "you have my full support whatever you decide. I just don’t want everyone here thinking I’m Yoko."
Giles smiled. "I’ll be sure to tell them it was my idea and mine alone."
Becca nodded, and they both went back to watching their daughter quietly.
Fade Out.
Fade In:
Ext.
Iraq – US Army Barracks – Early Morning
It was dark outside as two men in desert camouflage stood outside of makeshift barracks. One man with the name Long on his breast pocket was showing another man Davis photos from his wallet.
"That’s Nora, and that’s Robert Jr.," Long said, pointing as he smiled at the photo.
"You said he was three?" Davis asked. "He’s a big boy."
"Yeah, he’s gonna be a linebacker for the Jets someday," he said proudly.
Suddenly a rumbling that shook the ground brought their conversation to a halt.
"What the hell was that?" Long asked. "Insurgent fire?"
"No type of fire I ever heard," Davis said, checking his M-16. "Let’s go see."
They both ran to the corner of the tent and peered around carefully only to find it vacant.
"Where’s Hutch and Darby?" Long asked.
Another rumbling shook the ground, and the sound of a man’s screams filled the air. The two soldiers quickly raced to the next corner to see one soldier being dragged under the sand while the other one tried to hold on.
"Don’t let me go!" the man slipping under the surface yelled as the other hung on desperately. The free man lost his grasp, however, and his friend slipped below the surface.
Long and Davis rushed forward to help.
"What happened?" Davis asked as they made their way over.
The third solider turned to reply when a serpent-like creature rose out of the sand and swallowed him before it ducked back under the ground.
Long and Davis froze and looked at each other in disbelief.
"Did you see that? What was it?" Long asked quickly.
"I’m not sticking around to find out," Davis answered as he nodded behind him.
The two men broke into a run as the rumbling started again, only this time it was louder. Long ran for all he was worth and jumped up onto a Hummer, hanging onto it for dear life. Sweating and shaking, he looked behind him, but Davis was nowhere to be found.
"Davis?" he yelled out. Not getting a response, he yelled again but more urgently. "Davis!"
The only sound heard was the whistle of the wind that whipped through the darkness.
Fade Out
End of Teaser
Act One
Staring Elijah Wood as Jeff and Helen Shaver as Becca Giles.
Guest Staring Sarah Michelle Geller as Buffy Summers, Rhona Mitra as Alex Neely, Robia La Morte as Lucifer and George Clooney as General Boeing.
Fade In:
Int.
Slayer Gym – Early Morning
Kennedy stood working the punching bag in practical darkness. Willow paused a moment near the doorway before going inside the gym.
Kennedy noticed her approach from the corner of her eye and stopped her workout to turn and face the witch.
"What are you doing up?" Kennedy asked.
"Couldn’t sleep. I’m still a bit wired thanks to the vacation in hell. You?" Willow asked.
Kennedy shrugged. "I didn’t feel like sitting in the apartment alone," she replied.
Willow gave her a soft smile. She pushed a piece of loose hair behind Kennedy’s ear and stroked her face.
"You’ll never be alone, Ken. Never."
"This from another woman who dumped me? Maybe you and Mia can start some kind of club?" Kennedy asked with slight sarcasm but a playful grin.
Willow grinned in response. "You know what I mean…It didn’t work out for us, but I didn’t leave a-and I still want to help. You know, if you let me."
Kennedy wiggled her eyebrows and pulled Willow playfully toward her by the hips.
"You wanna help me, huh?" she asked seductively with a smirk.
Willow let out a nervous giggle and swatted lightly at one of the arms still holding her.
"Again, you know what I mean."
Kennedy didn’t release her hold and simply nodded.
"I know…and thank you," she added sincerely.
The two smiled at each other a moment longer as Rowena rounded the corner. She watched as Kennedy closed the distance between herself and Willow, their lips meeting in a lingering kiss. Rowena’s jaw set for a moment, and she appeared to take a deep breath before clearing her throat.
"Ah-hem."
The sound made Willow and Kennedy both turn to the doorway, and casually Kennedy dropped her hands from Willow’s hips.
"Ro, what are you doing up?" Willow asked.
Rowena didn’t answer immediately. "I heard you leave. I wanted to check on you, but I see you’re doing fine. I’m gonna go."
Before Willow could reply, Rowena’s back was turned, and she was already out the gym door.
"Ohhh, damn it. Look Will, I’m sor—" Kennedy began.
Willow just held her hand up. "Don’t worry about it. You want to have breakfast tomorrow…well, okay, in a few hours?" she asked as she looked at her watch.
"You don’t have to do that," Kennedy answered.
"No, but I want to. Meet me in the dining hall at nine," she said, waving a finger as she backed out of the room. "I’m expecting you to be there."
"Ma’am, yes ma’am!" Kennedy saluted with a smile.
Cut To:
Int.
Willow’s Bedroom – Moments Later
Willow walked inside the bedroom to see Rowena curled up in bed, and the priestess forced down a slight smile.
"I know you’re not asleep," Willow said. When no sound came, Willow waved her hand toward the nightstand. "Igneous," she muttered. Suddenly, the lamp beside the bed went on, and Rowena slowly sat up.
She leaned against the headboard and folded her arms across her chest, cutting to the chase.
"Don’t deny it, Will. I saw you kissing Kennedy."
"Oh Goddess," Willow sighed.
"Praying won’t help you at this point," Rowena said shortly.
Willow shook her head and started toward the bed. She took a seat at the foot. "This is going to sound clichéd, but, it’s not what you think."
"Was it someone else’s lips I saw on yours then?"
"Nooo, it was not," Willow answered firmly. "She kissed me, that’s all. Platonic, no strings a-and I didn’t even kiss back…much."
Rowena chewed on her lip before saying, "You should stop while you’re behind."
Willow seemed to fight the urge to chuckle and shook her head instead.
"I have to admit…this is cute."
"Cute? What’s cute?" Rowena asked.
"You. Miss Cool-As-A-Cucumber getting jealous," Willow replied.
"I am not jealous," Rowena said defiantly. Willow simply looked at her, and Rowena’s resolve fell. "Okay, I am jealous. I’m jealous. There. But I’ve got reason to be. You leave our bed, you go to the gym, and the next thing I see is you locking lips with her. If you want her—"
"Stop right there," Willow said, making her way to the head of the bed. "I couldn’t sleep. I didn’t want to wake you, and when I went for a walk, I heard someone in the gym…It was just a friendly kiss for promising to be there for her. That’s it. Cased closed. Put a fork in it – it’s done."
Rowena didn’t say anything and refused to meet Willow’s eyes.
"Hey," Willow said as she pulled Rowena’s chin up to look eye to eye. "You have nothing to worry about, got me?"
"Do I?" Rowena asked.
Willow looked confused, and Rowena went on.
"Do I have you? Because I know Kennedy’s…adventurous…and I’m…" Rowena stalled as if not sure what to say but simply finished with, "I’m not."
Willow leaned in and kissed Rowena softly on the lips.
"You my dear…sometimes you’re pouring coffee in your PJ’s a-and I want you. Don’t think for a second anyone else would do…okay?"
Rowena began to grin and played with the edge of the blanket at her waist. "I’m sorry," she muttered. "I’m acting like a lovesick teenager," she said, frustrated.
"That’s okay…But realize I’m where I wanna be. I wouldn’t sneak around behind your back, Ro. Cross my heart."
Willow made an ‘x’ motion across her chest, and Rowena took the hand pulling it closer.
"Well," she began shyly. "Since I’m awake now and you’re awake now…"
"Say no more," Willow replied with a grin as she reached over and turned the light off by hand.
Cut to Black.
Fade In:
Int.
Council Meeting Room – Morning
Rowena knocked on the door to see Giles open it.
"Good morning," he greeted her. "Would you like some coffee? Tea?" he asked.
"No, I’m good. You wanted to see me here?" she asked as she walked in and he motioned her to his sofa.
"Yes, well, you see…I-I’m not sure where to begin."
"The beginning is usually a good starting place," she said with a soft smile.
"Very well then…I’m considering retirement," he began. Rowena’s eyebrows shot up, but she said nothing. "I know this might seem sudden judging by your expression."
"Oh no, I’m just surprised that Xander won the pool," Rowena answered.
"Excuse me?" Giles asked.
Rowena blushed. "Well, Andrew was taking bets as to how long it would be from the baby to when you decided to hang it up. Xander said within a week. Everyone laughed, but I guess he nailed it."
Giles shook his head. "Nice to know my life is good for some amusement and illegal gambling. In any regard, I’d like to call a Council meeting and propose that you take over as the Cleveland head. I’m coming to you first because I don’t want to put you on the spot to-to take a position you don’t want. The Council will need to vote, of course, but I want my support to go to you."
Rowena sat slack-jawed. "I-I don’t know what to say. But thank you seems to be in order first."
"You may want to hold your thanks. This is not an easy position to be in, Rowena. And it’s quite possible that a new title could put you in some…direct conflicts with other Council department heads."
"Like Willow," Rowena answered knowingly.
"Yes, like Willow," he went on. "So if you are reluctant, I’ll understand. The situation might present a challenge from time to time, but I believe that you, Willow and everyone else on the Council will see that the decisions you make will be from the head and not from the heart."
"Even after the Mizor incident last year?" Rowena asked skeptically.
"Especially," Giles replied. "You now see it’s necessary sometimes to act for the good of all and not just for yourself and those around you…But consider it carefully and keep this between us for the time being. I’d like to make an announcement in the next few weeks, days if possible."
"When are you leaving?" Rowena asked.
"Not until the Council is in order, I assure you."
Rowena gave him a nod of approval. "For what it’s worth…we’ll miss your presence here."
Giles smiled fondly. "If you truly need me, I’ll always be a phone call away," he told her. "Just try to keep the calls to a minimum, if possible," he added with a raised finger.
"I think we can manage that." Rowena smiled.