Buffy Logo 'Lover’s Walk'
Story Code '3ABB08'

by Dan Vebber
Buffy

The gang receive their S.A.T. scores, and everyone gets what they expected - except Buffy, who has actually scored brilliantly high. That evening, Spike arrives back in Sunnydale, after having split up with Drusilla. Xander and Willow agree to try and forget their feelings for each other, so that they can concentrate on their relationships with Cordelia and Oz. Buffy is forced to think about her future, as her high scores mean that she can now go to University. After Giles leaves for a druidic retreat, Willow decides to perform a ‘de-lusting’ spell on herself and Xander. However, Spike overhears and decides to follow Willow to the school; he kidnaps her and Xander and threatens to kill them unless Willow performs a love spell for him. After being notified of Spike’s appearance in the town, the Mayor decides to get rid of him, thinking that Spike could ruin all his plans. Willow agrees to Spike’s demands, but tells the vampire that he must obtain the supplies she needs. Buffy is joined in the library by Oz and Cordelia, who tell her of Willow and Xander’s disappearance; they find signs of a struggle, and so Buffy instructs them to go to the retreat and bring Giles back. She phones her mother, but is horrified to hear Spike’s voice in the background; Buffy rushes home to find Spike telling his sob story to her mother, while a horrified Angel is unable to enter the house due to the ‘de-invitation’ spell. Spike tells them what he has done with Willow and Xander, and they reluctantly agree to help him get what he needs for the spell, on the understanding that he will then leave town. Oz and Cordelia are on their way to the woods when Oz picks up Willow’s scent. Realising that they cannot deny their feelings for each other, Xander and Willow kiss once more, unaware that Oz and Cordelia have just arrived to rescue them. Distressed, Cordelia runs off, but the stairs collapse, - she falls through and is impaled on a steel rod. Meanwhile, Spike, Buffy and Angel are trapped in the magic shop, where they are under siege from a large group of vampires sent by Mr. Trick. Spike taunts Buffy and Angel, reminding them that they are in love with each other, but cannot do anything about it. Spike’s love of death is reawakened by the battle, and he decides to forget about the love spell, planning to win Drusilla back using good old-fashioned torture. The next day, everyone is upset by the events; Oz refuses to talk to Willow; Cordelia tells Xander to stay away from her; and when Buffy goes to the mansion she informs Angel that she will no longer visit him anymore because Spike was right - she can never have what she wants from him. Everyone is unhappy... except Spike, who speeds off to win his woman back.

Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia Chase), David Boreanaz (Angel), Seth Green (Oz), Anthony Stewart Head (Rupert Giles), Kristine Sutherland (Joyce Summers), Harry Groener (Mayor Richard Wilkins III), James Marsters (Spike), Jack Plotnick (Deputy mayor), Marc Burnham (Lenny), Suzanne Krull (Clerk)
Directed by David Semel

TX (US): 24th November 1998
TX (UK - Sky One): 7th October 1999
TX (UK - BBC): 1st June 2000

Notes:
*Featuring Buffy, Xander, Willow, Giles, Oz, Cordelia and Angel