LTVS: Plans Laid Bare

*Do not read beyond **this point** if you want to avoid being **spoiled!***

***Layla the Vampire Slayer* episode**

RandomTuesday

Bentham

LittleRedDot

*"I don't know if it helps any, but* he *considers the school his.* His *school.* - Katherine Winters

**Plans Laid Bare** is the forty-seventh episode of Layla the Vampire Slayer and the twenty-fifth episode of Season 2. As with the previous episode, this episode features LittleRedDot as Katherine Winters.

## Synopsis

In the morning after the re-insouling of Katherine Winters, Layla Smith walks over to her desk in her dorm. Katherine wakes up after spending most of the night crying between fits of sleep and walks over to Layla. Layla says good morning and says that she's looking into some things. She gestures at some books on vampires and lineage, intending to research about Thom Huell. The blinds are still closed, and Katherine sits on the bed. She asks if Layla found anything. Layla says she didn't get much done, as she couldn't sleep. Katherine mentions that Thom considered the school, and all who attend it, "his". Layla notes it down and asks for clarification. Katherine thinks that he felt like he owned it. Layla doesn't know who actually owns it, assumes it was the local council. Layla tells Katherine to be careful and recommends she doesn't leave the room. Katherine says of course she can't leave. Layla asks if she wants anything. After some remarks about whether she needs blood or not (they're unsure), Katherine says she's fine.

Layla starts packing up. Katherine asks where she's going, and Layla says she needs to talk to a couple of people. Katherine says she'll try and join them after dark. Layla says that the others will have lot of questions, and recommends she gets prepared for that. Katherine asks what if she doesn't have the answers. Layla says that whatever answers she has will help. Katherine asks what if someone knocks. Layla tells her to not answer or hide, as it's probably an RA. Layla admits that it might happen as she has a record of skiving. Katherine, somewhat hurt, says that it was the only thing she looked forward to. Layla says that's probably her thing. Layla apologises for not being able to do more for her and says that there are plenty of books for her to read or research. The idea of flipping through books makes Katherine glow a bit. Layla slips out and locks the door, which Katherine hears.

Layla goes and knocks on Violet's room. After she's asked who it is, Violet answers the door after moving some books around. Violet appears, a bit bedraggled, and asks if she can help. Layla says she's just checking and asks if she can come in. Violet lets her in. Layla closes the door and says she's here to check up on her and tells her that the re-insouling worked. Layla says she understands why Violet didn't go. Violet says she's fine and had better things to do than worry about Barnaby sleeping with Imogen. Layla asks what she's doing. She looks around and sees anatomy textbooks and notes. Violet says she's doing research on a spell. After a tiny bit of pressure, Violet asks Layla to promise she won't tell anyone. Layla says maybe. Violet says that she used to make lots of deals as demons and insists that Layla promise. Layla says that she might have to depending on the severity, and out of all people Violet can trust her, since she's always been there for her. Layla eventually agrees. Violet excitedly references that "Cat Got Your Tongue" spell.

Layla asks if she did it to her. Violet says it was the witches led by Mrs. Phillips. She implies that she's trying to modify the spell to instead target a gentleman's vegetables. Layla says that's wrong. Violet says that it would walk away for about an hour before it ended. She *thinks* it reattaches itself, and that Barnaby deserves it. Layla says that sometimes, one has to move on. She says that if Barnaby really cared about her and was worth it, they'd still be together. Layla says there's someone out there who'd always be there for her. Violet says that he moved onto Imogen pretty fast. She thinks that Rob was right, and that according to "an eye for an eye" she should move onto someone. Layla sighs. Violet decides that she will get with someone and make Barnaby jealous. Layla fails to dissuade her and tells Violet to use protection. Violet pops her head out and asks Layla to take her reproductive anatomy books back to the library. Layla says fine. Violet cheers up and says she's glad Layla's on her side. Layla tries to deny she's on any side, but Violet closes the door. Layla walks into her room and drops them in a corner. She tells Katherine not to ask questions. Katherine, eyes wide, asks whether she should be researching these.

A bit earlier, Robert is woken up. He's not sure by what, as both Barnaby and Ned are snoring. There's something, a high-pitched whining, inside his head. Robert can see that his radio alarm clock is on, and that the sound is now slightly crackly. Robert reaches over and starts to tune it. The voice constantly calls out to him to help them. Robert asks for more information and apologises for the hole. The voice says he doesn't need to be sorry, as he was used. The voice tells Robert to stop him from keeping it open and to let it close. They say that there's so few of them left. Robert begs for information. The voice tells him to ask the one they turned. The radio dies. It's 6:10, so Rob wakes up. He goes to Layla and Katherine's room. He runs into Layla and explains that he needs to talk to Katherine about the hole in Heaven. He reiterates what he had heard. Layla tells him about what Violet's doing. Violet pops out and asks whether he and Janet are together before closing the door.

Layla says that it would be bad for Violet if Imogen decided to pay retribution upon her. She shrugs and takes Robert to her room. They enter, and Katherine is examining a textbook considering a large and detailed diagram of the male genitalia. On hearing the door be unlocked, she quickly slaps the book closed. Layla awkwardly introduces Rob to Katherine and says he has questions. Robert asks whether she has any memories of being Katherine while Charity was in control. She has the memories of when Charity was in control of her body, but it doesn't feel like she was there at the time. He explains that he made a mistake and was told to seek her out. Katherine asks Layla whether he knows about Thom Huell. They explain the recent revelations to him. Katherine then tells them he's trapped under the school, which surprises the other two. Katherine knows that he can walk around in the tunnels but has never seen him come to the surface. She has no idea what's keeping him there. Katherine mentions that the passages below the school change. Rob, when as Wrath, had some experience of that too. Layla asks why he never told them, and Rob says that they were distracted.

Rob suggests that the shifting corridors could be a way to keep him from coming back up. Katherine recalls that at one time, a boy enacted his plan, which made it more difficult. He specifically mentions that it was a boy, not a witch. Layla and Robert grow increasingly concerned and realise that he's talking about the Heaven thing. Rob tells them that the spirits told him that someone was keeping the Hole open. Thus, either Thom Huell or his vampires are keeping it open. Robert suggests dealing with them and hoping that it'll close itself. He guesses that Thom Huell was expecting Imogen to do it instead of him, which threw a wrench in his plan. Layla suggests they find a way to try and understand how the corridors work, which are either keeping Thom Huell in or them out. Katherine recalls that Charity used to visit him there. but the path was different every time. She was led by one of his minions. Robert wonders whether he uses the corridors to hide and asks why he doesn't leave.

They move on to plans for the day, including transferring stuff from the former Davidson household. Layla asks why Janet and Robert left Imogen and Barnaby alone. Layla says that Ned needs to know about Katherine. Rob offers to talk to him, but Layla says it's not really his forte. Layla offers to take him with her to see Ned, and he agrees. He also thinks Janet understands the situation. Layla turns to Katherine and tells her she doesn't have to read Violet's anatomy books. Katherine denies she was reading them. She says she'll stay here and to let them know if she thinks of anything. Layla leaves and locks the door. Rob wonders if there's a way to deal with the sunlight issue. A cloak would look weird. Layla figures that Katherine could stay at the warehouse. Rob thinks that constantly staying inside can't be fun. Layla's open to any ideas Rob has, though she admits she doesn't fully trust Katherine yet.

Layla goes to collect a package, which she opens up. It's a phone, and she puts a battery in. Immediately, it starts ringing. Layla thinks it might be her mum, but there's nothing. Rob guesses it's for him and he takes it. The voice says he doesn't know where he is now. He asks Rob to ask her why she wanted him. It's more ethereal and echoey, but it's James. James says it's not his fault. Robert apologises. After a pause of 20 seconds, James says he's being called and has to go. Before Rob can get answers, the line dies. Layla asks Rob what happened. They're unsure of Charity's involvement in the event where they met James. Rob explains that he's been getting lots of messages from the dead recently. They hurry to Rob, Barnaby and Ned's room. Layla suggests they talk to Barnaby to get him to talk to Ned. They wake him up; Barnaby's in pyjama bottoms only. They try and tell Barnaby the plan. Barnaby wakes Ned up and tells him they need to get some stuff done before school. Furthermore, there is some stuff he needs to know. Ned immediately assumes that it's about Barnaby and Imogen, but Rob says it's about his family.

They try to explain to Ned that the person who formerly occupied the body of his family's killer is now back in that body, and that the vampire is "gone". Ned is insistent on killing her. He asks why his family wasn't worth re-insouling but Charity was. Barnaby admits it's not fair on Ned, Ned's family or any of Charity's victims. He says that he doesn't have to like it - he doesn't - but they can't have him hurting her. Barnaby and Rob attempt to explain that they couldn't do it for Ned's family and could only do it because Layla made a deal she shouldn't have. Ned throws a swing at Barnaby. Ned says that he's leaving, and they had better not bring her near me. Rob says he's sorry. Ned says that "sorry" won't bring his family back. Rob says neither will it for his mother. Ned walks out, and Layla tries to talk to him, but he stonewalls. Ned says he'd rather be alone than with them. Layla says that with them he can do more. He says that he chooses not to be part of this mess. Layla says that's alright and that they're here for him. Ned pauses and shrugs. After Layla asks whether he'd be hanging out with them tonight, he gives her a middle finger. Layla asks what they said to piss him off. The Davidsons say that there's nothing to not piss him off. Barnaby remarks that she shouldn't have turned her, then leaves to deal with the books. He promises he'll sort it. They offer to help. Layla offers to bring Katherine at night.

Layla calls Janet's house. Janet and Imogen are asleep, and Janet picks up. Layla explains she's got a new phone. Janet asks why she's calling so early. Layla says that they found out who Katherine's boss is, and Janet yells for Imogen to get out of bed. Layla tells Imogen, who agrees it fits and they should have probably figured it out earlier. She tells them everything they've learnt. Janet remarks that it seems weird considering a project she did on the school but doesn't say more. They discuss Ned and the Davidsons' attempt to relay what happened. Imogen is blunt about the Phillips' lives' value. Janet remarks that it's a good think Imogen wasn't there either. Layla agrees. She tells them to be careful as Violet's doing a thing. Imogen says they took a carload to Janet's house last night. Layla says it's probably best if others don't know where they can get them. After they hang up, Janet says that it's good Imogen and Layla are talking. Imogen says that business is easier to talk about, and there's not much to say.

Janet comments that when Imogen and Barnaby were shifting books, they were taking longer than necessary. After prompting, she wonders whether Imogen and Barnaby were doing a thing. She apologises, and Imogen says not to worry. Imogen still doesn't know if they're official. Janet comments they look cute together. Imogen doesn't think that's a good measure. Janet asks whether she's intimidated by Barnaby's reputation. Imogen says no, as she knows what reputations are. She says that they're elaborate lies. Janet thought Barnaby was dating a ballerina last year. Imogen asks how much she's known Barnaby. Janet says since Reception. Imogen says that there's weird stuff doing around, and Barnaby's never dated a ballerina. Janet says that the other rumour was that he was a ballerina. Imogen says that one's true, and then leaves.

Layla goes back to her dorm, where Katherine is now looking at the diagrams of the female reproductive system. Layla pays her no heed and prepares for school. Katherine asks if she's going to class with longing. She asks if she could come along as well. Layla points at the window. She tells her that Rob is looking into something to allow her to let her walk in the sunlight. Katherine explains that currently, she'd need to be wrapped from head to toe in a duvet, and that she'd still be affected. Katherine asks why Layla has the anatomy books. Layla asks why she's reading them. Katherine asks why she delivered them; is she planning to be a doctor? Layla explains that she was going to return them to the library as a favour. She offers to let Katherine borrow them for a few days, checking that the due date is by the end of the week. Katherine remarks that they've been seriously updated compared to her old ones. Her memory is still a bit foggy. Layla starts to tell Katherine about Ned but Violet knocks on the door and asks to borrow Layla's straighteners.

Violet says that she wants them so she can impress Ned in order to get back at Barnaby. Layla closes the door behind Violet. Layla introduces Katherine to Violet, who is unsubtle about asking whether the Slaypire still does the vampire thing. Violet, showing her usual lack of tact, interrogates Katherine on what it's like to have memories of turning Brian Phillips who turned Mrs. Phillips who then had to be killed by Ned. Layla gets Violet to shut up and apologises on her behalf. Katherine says it's okay. Violet says she's a reforming ex-vengeance demon. Katherine asks whether Violet's interested in being a doctor, as she's taken out all these books. Violet explains she was doing "research" on her ex-boyfriend's "package". She explains she was going to do a spell, but Layla stopped her. Katherine asks if Violet just came out of a relationship and is trying to woo Ned. Violet says Layla told her to, and Layla objects. The Slayers strenuously say that you can't make someone care for you. Layla says that she doesn't care for Violet because Violet made her, and if she didn't care for her, they wouldn't be having a conversation right now. She says Violet's making it difficult. Violet asks if Layla cares for her. Layla says she thinks all of them do. Violet is shocked and lost for words.

Katherine asks what's going on. Layla explains that she was recently turned human too, so she's going through a spot. Violet tears up and straight up hugs Layla tightly. Layla hugs back Violet before pushing her away and trying to say that she likes Violet platonically. Violet ignores this and hugs Katherine as well, who is surprised. Violet says that she seemed really nice for someone who used to be an evil vampire who tried to kill them. Katherine says that's really nice and hugs Violet back even more tightly. Katherine asks whether Violet would like to read with her. Violet says she'll tell her all about the spell she planned, specifically saying to Layla that she wasn't going to do it. Katherine also advises Violet against that course of action. Katherine (directed somewhat by Layla's vehement hand gestures from behind Violet) tells Violet that it may be humorous, but it wouldn't be very nice. Violet is a bit put off, but Katherine's interested in how she was going to do it. They bond over diagrams of Barnaby's junk as Layla lies on her bed listening to music and occasionally attempting to dissuade Violet.

Violet spills the beans of her love/sex life to Katherine, including the Imogen-roleplay. Layla turns up the volume of her music. Katherine asks whether Violet considered telling Barnaby to fuck off before she did the Imogen-roleplay. Violet says she kind of found it fun. Katherine asks whether that's true, since she looks so broken. Violet denies it. Katherine's sorry that Barnaby did it to her. Violet admits that Barnaby was rather sweet, and it felt like he cared for her, but wanted to get with Imogen. Violet says it's alright, as she's got Katherine and Layla. Katherine glares over at Layla's direction, who shrugs. Katherine says that it's better in the grand scheme of things that Barnaby's wedding implements did not go on promenade. Katherine asks if they can go dancing. Layla says they don't really have the time. Violet suggests someone wish the night went on forever. Both Katherine and Layla are against that. Katherine says that she and Violet need a girls' night out and invite Layla. Layla says not tonight but agrees to doing something that weekend if something big doesn't come up. Layla says she has a job. Katherine says that it's the same as the one she has.

Layla states that there's a Hole in Heaven. Katherine has no idea what that is. She says that it sounds like she and her friends need a break. Violet quietly says there hasn't really been a break since Barnaby's boyfriend died. Layla says that there will be questions for Katherine about that too. Katherine brings up interrogating one of Thom Huell's minions. Layla says they need more research before that. Katherine suggests that the minions might attend a club somewhere, in order to hunt. Violet thinks that they could dance and do work. Layla says they'll bring it up at the meeting. Violet mentions that she went dancing with a sex robot. She explains to Katherine, after some recollection, that Barnaby, Rob and Ned went dancing with a "sex-robot" while Layla was off patrolling. They tell Katherine's it's a long story and that Janet's good at making robots. Katherine offers to broach the night out thing to the others, but Layla thinks they'd be more receptive if it were framed under looking for a lead on Thom Huell's minions. Violet offers to help Katherine using PowerPoint and proceeds to educate her on it.

As the Davidsons are shifting the books, Rob says to Barnaby that he should have probably taken the punch, since Barnaby wasn't entirely on board with the thing. Barnaby shrugs and says it doesn't really matter regardless. Rob is apologetic over the fact that they could not reach a unanimous consensus and understands Barnaby's perspective. Barnaby says he's fine that nobody agreed with him. The decision's made, and they have to live with it. They drive over to Janet's with a full car of books. Janet opens the door and Barnaby offers her a lift to school. Janet says that she and Rob can move the books, as Imogen needed Barnaby's help for breakfast. Barnaby grabs a box of books and enters the kitchen. Imogen is a mess, trying to brush her teeth while reading and eating. Barnaby asks if that's what breakfast looks like. Imogen says they've had breakfast. Imogen asks why he's shifting books since they only finished at 3:00 am earlier. Barnaby considers it a high-priority job and says he's got research to do. Imogen asks him whether Layla told him about Thom Huell. Imogen brings him up to speed.

She asks about how things with Ned went. She's surprised he let Ned hit him. Barnaby says that Ned was mad because they didn't do the same for his family. Imogen says that Ned's family wasn't as important as Charity. Barnaby is alarmed by this. Imogen says that's the decision they made, since they can't re-insoul everyone. Consciously or subconsciously, they decided she was more important. Barnaby states that he's coming around to that and understands why Ned's angry. Imogen does too. Barnaby says that's why he let Ned hit him. She asks if he's okay, since he's used to making the moral decisions. Barnaby doesn't think it's a matter of ethics, and Imogen says that there isn't often a place for that in magic. He expresses that he'd still like to learn more magic. Imogen goes bright red, drops everything and hurries out. Barnaby begins collecting the books Imogen dropped. She runs back in, quickly makes out with him, then says they have to go to school.

Outside, Janet and Rob discuss the thing between Barnaby and Imogen. Janet points out that Imogen seems happy. Robert points out that Layla and Violet aren't really. He finds it really confusing. Janet and Rob attempt to move the books, and Barnaby comes out with a goofy smile. Janet says he's got toothpaste on his face. She then calls her robot parents out to help. Barnaby awkwardly says good morning to them. Janet comments to Rob that they need some tweaking, but they can help with the books. Robert asks if Janet's alright, and that Katherine isn't Charity. Janet seems fine and asks wasn't that the point that she'd become a completely different person. Robert says that's true, but sometimes it's hard to forget. Janet asks if she was expected to hold her responsible for actions she didn't do. Robert laughs a bit, and she asks him to give her some credit. He says he's sorry, and since she was part of the ritual, she got some justice. Janet says that surely, it's worse to be trapped in your body and forced to fight your own kind. Janet then asks if she can do a really quick test.

Janet tip-toes and quickly kisses him. Rob asks how the results of the test were. Janet says it wasn't as bad as she was expecting. Janet says that she might need to run a proper trial sometime. Rob is on board with the idea. Janet giggles bashfully and runs off. She runs into an equally red-faced Imogen, who realises the mess she left in the kitchen and runs off. Outside, an equally confused Robert has an awkward conversation with Janet's robot parents who are moving books around. Layla spends a little bit of time researching the school. It is owned by the local authorities and has a map and a basic floor plans. She also learns that the school dates from the Victorian era.

Everyone but Ned helps move the remaining books from the Davidsons' former house to Janet's house. Robert asks if Janet is allergic to cats. She is not, only to penicillin, pollen and dust mites. Rob asks if they can move the cats to her house and she agrees, though she says she'll have to program her parents to feed and clean them. Outside Janet's house, Layla brings up Katherine's ability to enter her house. Janet says that in the event she turns against them, they can do that. Imogen says it's a spell. Janet invites Katherine in without issue. Violet arrives and gives Barnaby (and to a lesser extent, Imogen) side-eye. They settle down as Janet's parents offer drinks and snacks. Barnaby is a bit disconcerted by how they address him. Janet says she hasn't updated them in a bit, but she'll do it when she can. Layla starts the discussion on Thom Huell with what she learned earlier.

Katherine asks how old Thom Huell is. Barnaby pipes up that he went on crusade. Layla asks whether Katherine can remember what he looks like. He was bald, with plain grey suit/tunic suit. Katherine's memory is prompted by the mention of a crusade. She says Thom Huell was adamant on her not killing Layla. He said he didn't want to deal with another Slayer. He intended to keep her from the Council. Layla asks whether Thom Huell influenced Charity's bombing of the Watcher HQ. Katherine says there were many reasons but doesn't elaborate. Imogen asks whether he was possibly a Watcher with grudges. She's not sure. He was planning many things and very secretive. For instance, he knows things going on in the school. Robert asks why he hasn't tried killing the rest of them. Layla assumes it's a keeping your enemies close thing. Katherine mentions she stole a tome, *Thoughts and Theories on Enochian Symbology*, before the Watcher HQ bombing, which Charity handed it over to Thom Huell. Layla asks why Charity didn't look at it, and Katherine says that it wasn't in Charity's nature to disobey. Barnaby recalls that he had filed away a copy of that book earlier.

He finds the book. It's about a language of Heaven. They assume there's only one Heaven and it's the one they punched a hole in. Katherine mentions that Thom Huell told Mr. Miller to kill one of them. Barnaby asks Layla to read through it. He thinks he knows of a spell that allows him to see things, in a way like the Sight, so that he can look at the school or at the Hole. Imogen strenuously warns him not to look at the Hole. Barnaby sits next Imogen and asks her what's the matter. She says it was much worse than what she showed him. It was like every nightmare one's ever had. She has flashbacks. Layla gets to reading, and Imogen takes over the unofficial chairing of the meeting. She summarises that Thom Huell wanted a hole in Heaven, using the death of one of them as a motivation to get one of them to do it. Katherine says presumably Imogen. She explains to the others that Thom Huell said there were complications because it was "the boy, and not the witch". Imogen surmises he had a different plan, and the Sins weren't a part of it. Alternatively, the way she would have did it would have been different to Rob's. Layla suggests Mrs. Phillips, but Imogen and Rob think that's too far outside the box, and that she was an unfortunate casualty.

Imogen offers to look into the way she would have done it to see if there were any differences. They wonder what Thom Huell's need for the language is, as the breach had been opened months before the bombing. Katherine suggests that the language was to keep it from closing, as it may have been doing naturally. Rob asks whether it's to do something to Heaven. Katherine, after questioning, suspects that the tunnels are somewhat keeping him there, but he's also using their changing nature to his advantage. She has never seen him leave. Imogen suggests that the tunnels weren't original to the Victorian building. She asks Katherine if Huell has ever tried to open the Hellmouth and asks about his minions. Katherine relates that some of his minions are vampires; others are demons with boils on their face and taloned nails. Charity mesmerised a boy to go down there at one point. As she describes this, Imogen looks over at Barnaby, who does not look happy and rather sullen. Rob whispers "pretty girl".

Katherine asks whether she missed something. Imogen explains that the boy was James, Barnaby's boyfriend and whom Mr. Miller killed. Katherine is taken aback. Imogen relates the brief story and recalls that Penemue was there. He asks Katherine if they were working together. Rob hypothesises that Penemue might have been the original plan, then he moved onto them. Katherine doesn't think Thom Huell was working with anyone. Penemue didn't seem interested in working with Thom Huell. The others recall that Penemue accelerated his brain-draining out of a fear that the gang would go after him. Imogen brings up the possibility of connecting the Hellmouth to Heaven. They are expressly concerned about that but are unsure of the motive. Thinking about crusades and Ra's lack of contacts in Tunisia, Imogen faintly remembers that there was a crusade during the 13th Century there but can't name it. She suggests they figure out who St. Thom Huell was before he became a vampire. Rob thinks back on the stained-glass windows and murals of Thom Huell; there's one of him fighting a dragon, but nothing really jumps to mind and most are modern.

Katherine asks that if Thom Huell, before he became a vampire, was religious and went on crusade, then why does he now want to open access to Heaven. Barnaby wonders if someone Huell loved died. Katherine says that if they research the crusade he went on, they might find Thom Huell's real name. With the amount of stuff they need to research, she decides to cast the intelligence-raising spell. Barnaby offers to help her. She tells him to watch. After a bit, she asks whether the comment earlier that day was genuinely about learning magic. He says yes. Barnaby asks what's wrong and Imogen walks away to prepare for the spell. Layla and Violet are uncomfortable. Katherine is told what the spell is. She asks whether they regularly convene and do this. They explain that they do, but typically research on their own and then reconvene. They go on trying to explain this when Katherine asks whether they fight evil together. They say they do, in their own way.

Katherine asks whether Janet's robot was the sex-robot. Janet blushes furiously and curls into a ball, while Layla defends her. Barnaby protests that he did not bonk Robbie Williams. Imogen does point out that Robbie was alarmingly attractive. Janet says that she was trying to make it accurate. Imogen says that considering his attractiveness people getting attracted to him was a given. Violet asks if Robbie's body is still around. Janet says Robbie blew up then Rob stole it. Rob ignores the fact that he turned Robbie's chassis into a Charity robot that implied that it had sex with him. Katherine says that she gets the feeling that they're all hiding something. Layla says they are, but it's not relevant. Barnaby goes over to help Imogen, as Layla watches them over the edges of her book. Violet makes snide comments about her former sex life. Imogen becomes increasingly uncomfortable. Barnaby yells at Violet to stop. Katherine asks whether they've all slept with everyone, then whether Barnaby has. He says he hasn't. Violet is unhelpful. Imogen tries to explain the love triangle.

Katherine is hung up about the robot thing. After a bit, Janet mentions that her parents are robots. Imogen asks if she didn't notice how awkward they are. Katherine says that everything that's happened to her since her re-insouling has been awkward. Layla and Barnaby apologise. Janet's robot mother asks whether they'd like pizza. The father is at the end of the garden holding the Staff of Anubis. Imogen finishes the speed study spell. They quickly recall that there was the Children's Crusade. An ill-fated commoner-led crusade known for the number of children that followed, those involved were often considered to be taken into slavery. Some were theorised to end up in Tunisia, then under the control of the Almohad Caliphate. They find out that one of the leaders of the crusade, who started it, ended up abducting vast numbers of children, particular girls of a certain age (usually pre-16, from across Europe), was called Thom Huell. Imogen and Layla hypothesise he was trying to get rid of Slayers.

They wonder about whether he was a vampire or an agent of the Council then. Katherine suggests that he was ostracised from the Council, then wanted to get a hold of the Slayers for his own gain. Barnaby asks whether his motive's relevant, as it was a horrible thing to do. Layla recalls the murals in Tunisia. Barnaby takes out the photos of them that he took. There is nothing there, but they recall that there is a stained-glass window at the school. It depicts St. Thom Huell leading the Children's Crusade. They still don't have a motive. The Watchers' Council has origins as old as the Slayer, and they think back to how three beings were depicted as imbuing the Slayer with power. Barnaby suggests asking Percival Waz for help. Robert is bitter about his father being reassigned to France. Imogen imagines that it would have been hard to get to Tunisia with an army of children while a vampire.

They spend a bit discussing who imbued the First Slayer with power. Robert brings up how Penemue brought up the shamans doing things in Africa. Imogen goes and looks up books on notable figures associated with the Watchers' Council. While Thom Huell was never associated with them, she finds that the Watchers' Council have in some cases quietly helped crusaders to fight the Council's enemies. In one case they got a rogue branch of the Knights of Byzantium to get a weapon (the Golem) to use against Thom Huell. Imogen and Layla discuss the fact that they still haven't found out whether Thom Huell was a vampire before he went on crusade, or whether that was his name. After repeated attempts Janet pipes up. When she was researching the school for her project, she looked into the utility lines. She draws out the plans and together, the gas and water pipes result in a pentagram in a circle. Katherine says that the gas lines have to be laid after the school's construction. She asks what's he's playing with his long-term game.

Layla assumes that it's just that a school will allow him to more easily look for Slayers. Katherine asks what if Thom Huell wants to a spell with lots of children. Not potential Slayers necessarily, just female children. They look at Janet's drawing and figure out that the Hellmouth would have been in the middle. Katherine asks whether the school's always been mixed. Layla asks why Katherine came here. Katherine was offered a scholarship, as she came from humble backgrounds. Layla's here because her parents got a business deal. Katherine says that her case may be coincidental. However, the Watchers chose the tunnels under the school for her trial. Consequently, Thom Huell turned her. Imogen comments that a faction of the Council assisted the Knights of Byzantium, so either the rest of the Council didn't know or were complicit. Imogen asks Rob to look up to see whether most of the school scholarship holders are girls.

Imogen asks Layla to expand on why her parents are here in the UK. Layla says that they had a relatively successful marketing firm, but a new investor offered to fund them to set up shop in the UK. She doesn't know who the investor is. Rob finishes getting into the system. For non-special award grants, it's 50:50. There is a significant number of female-exclusive awards and grants, however, making 83% of the people with scholarships or grants from the school being female. Imogen looks distinctly uncomfortable. She asks why Tunisia. They find out that the majority of the children in the Children's Crusade ended up as slaves in Tunisia or died in a shipwreck off Sardinia. They wonder whether there are any other Hellmouths. There is no evidence of a Hellmouth in Tunisia. As Robert's technology was designed to work around Hellmouth energy, in the tomb they entered it did work somewhat. If it was the site where the Slayer was imbued with power, then there would have been a lot of residual energy.

Layla asks Katherine to explain Thom Huell's plans for her. He didn't want there to be more Slayers, and tasked Charity to keep Layla busy. They look back at Janet's drawing. A circle usually denotes a containing area. A pentagram balances energies. Direction of energy would require more than that; normally a Fibonacci spiral would be used. The circle covers the grounds of the school. They wonder whether there's a spiral in the school plans somewhere. Janet and Rob go back into the system. The buildings are along the spiral lines, but not perfectly. The disused building they demolished in the fight against Mr. Miller, who had kidnapped Imogen and held her there, would have started the spiral. Barnaby brings up the Hellmouth and wants to keep everyone in Heaven safe in the event that they close the Hole.

Layla asks how they didn't notice this. Katherine has an idea and points at Violet. She was modifying a spell. Katherine asks if Thom Huell could utilise the rip in Heaven to open the Hellmouth. The Hole would act as the power source. Katherine suggests that if Imogen had done it, then Thom Huell could reverse-engineer the spell to open the Hellmouth; Rob's use of technology left things in a sort of limbo. Violet says that there are usually wards to protect the Hellmouth. Barnaby points out that they seemed to be trying to open the Hellmouth when they bled James onto it. Robert hypothesises that simply being able to access Heaven would be useful to him. Barnaby thinks that Thom Huell had somebody he loved in Hell and wants them to enter Heaven. Violet wonders if he wants to start a war between Heaven and Hell. Layla asks Katherine how she was turned.

*Ten years ago, Katherine Winters wakes up groggily in the tunnels below the school. There is the sound of chains starting to snap. There is panting, feral panting, the hallmark of a vampire. Katherine looks herself over; nothing useful, no exit. Katherine moves to hide, pushing herself into a crevice. There is the sound of a vampire being dusted. A deep voice speaks. It says such a waste and tells her to come out. She does, slowly. She sees a bald man, wrinkled forehead with a duelling scar. Sunken eyes. A tight-fitting grey full collar suit. Faintly above that, the outline of a white clerical collar. He beckons her forward, saying that he has sorted it for her. He says that he has solved her test and killed the vampire she was meant to kill. He explains the Tento di Cruciamentum to her, the trial of Slayers. Katherine shakes her head. She, somewhat confidently, says that the Watchers wouldn't do that.*

The man explains that it's a test to see whether the current Slayer is worth the effort. Katherine asks why he wants to help her. He says that he doesn't believe in the way the Watchers do their work. She can't tell if he's a vampire. The man says that he thinks it's unfair how they use the Slayers like that. He says he'll put an end to the Slayer line, he has a plan. Katherine says that she's part of the line. He beckons her closer, to fill her in. She says she's rather not. However, she makes eye contact with him. Then, she feels like all she must do is fulfil what he wants of her. Katherine's body quakes as her internal self tries to resist, but she moves closer. He leans down by her ear, and she can't hear or feel any breathing. He says he will gather the Slayer line, then he will take it out. He will then use it for something else. He bites her.

Katherine vaguely remembers that after that, she woke up, angry with what the Watchers had done to her, and how they had used her. She and Thom Huell promptly slaughtered all the observing Watchers, confirming her suspicions that it was a test. Katherine grasps at the part of her neck where she was bitten. She says that Thom sired her, but he wasn't working for the Watchers. He killed the vampire that she was meant to kill to save her. Layla says it was to gain her trust. She says he's waging a war with them as pawns. Katherine says that he wants the end of the Slayer line. Layla insists he wants to *use* the Slayer line. Perhaps he wants to turn the entire lineage into vampires. Rob suggests that he might want to take the power of the Slayers instead.

Layla says that she wasn't the Slayer following Katherine. Katherine wonders whether Thom Huell needs three beings to transfer the power out of the Slayer. They understand that Huell has some need for Layla. Layla, Barnaby and Imogen understand from their research that most portals are temporary. Whether constructed for the purpose or as a side effect of a summon, such holes typically close themselves. Summoning consists of a location and a transfer. Consequently, the Hole to Heaven, whether it had been done by Imogen or Robert, should have closed itself. Unless Robert had significantly messed up, something was either keeping it open or going through it constantly (thus keeping it open).

Mrs. Barner walks in with the pizzas. Unlike previous times, they can all hear her. She says that "we're all that's left". He asks what he should do. She tells he needs to stop it. He asks if it's Thom Huell, and the robot shudders. Layla catches her. Robert asks whether he needs to kill him. The robot says that they need to stop sending them. Imogen realises that there are spells to make departed spirits pass over into the afterlife. Spirits trapped in their dimension are being forced into Heaven. They are keeping the portal open naturally. Katherine asks what Thom Huell would want to go into Heaven. Either his army, himself, or Hell. Thus, they need to stop the spell. Barnaby declares that he can do that. He says he can do it with Eye of Newt and something that belongs to Thom Huell, if it's him that's casting the spell.

Katherine asks whether Thom knows she's not Charity any more. They ask where she was going on that bike; she says she was meant to report in. Imogen says that as he has a way of watching the school, he should have figured it out. Katherine offers to lie her way in. They're uncertain as to her ability in this department. Imogen raises the point that they still don't know what his ultimate plan is. While reading the Enochian book, Layla notices something in Barnaby's photos. There is a slight glint in the gems. These match up to runes in the book. Whoever made the mural also did it in Enochian, an old Heavenly language with lots of power. They figure Thom Huell's trying to make his own Slayer army. An army of Slaypires. Enochian only works with Celestial-powered spells, after the Gods became less active. Celestial power must be drawn from another dimension. Layla asks Barnaby about his spell, which Imogen doesn't know. Awkwardly, he says it's called Reverse Witches' Spells. Imogen gives him a pointed look.

She asks him if he learnt a spell in the event that she went rogue or did something horrid. He says no. Violet asks if it was for her. He can't give so firm an answer, saying that he learnt it last week. Imogen asks why he learnt it and didn't tell them. He says he learnt it because he kept being thrown out of windows. Imogen takes that as an admission as a just in case. Layla asks who cares why he did it and urges them to focus on the task at hand. Imogen is withdrawn but concedes. She summarises the situation. Thom Huell is keeping the Hole in Heaven open by a spell forcing spirits to pass over. He is using Celestial magic from Heaven to power the original spell that made the Slayers. The pentagram is either there to empower demons, or an army of Slayers, or he's intending to drain girls. She concludes that ending the Hole in Heaven by stopping the pass over spell, they'll stymie his plans sufficiently. Looking at the murals and the black-coloured gem, the Slayer was empowered using power stolen from a true demon. That explains why *Freddie Mercury*, Janet's robot, thought Layla was a demon. The Hellmouth would be a source of true demons.

Barnaby wonders whether Thom Huell has anything on Greed, Lust or Pride. Violet asks what if he killed the Slayer and tried to intercept it from moving to the next Potential. Perhaps he just wants to be the only Slayer. Violet says that if he can modify the original spell in Enochian, he could divert it. Katherine looks at Layla and says that she cannot die, or else his plan is put into motion. Robert says that Thom Huell will be ready now that he has the book. They all stare at Layla. Rob suggests that either Barnaby's spell, or unconventional usage of the Spell of Anubis, could stop Huell's spell. Layla asks whether he has to be concentrating to cast the spell. Barnaby hypothesises that's why he's not leaving the school. Katherine suggests that he has to stay inside the pentagram for it to remain cast. Violet looks evasive. Layla and Barnaby notice it. They try to talk to Violet while Imogen tries to move onto the next part of the plan. Imogen says that she needs Violet's help right now, to figure out why he can't work on the pentagram. Barnaby says that his spell works on pretty much any spell, so he doesn't think they need to know. Barnaby says that they need to know what's up with Violet.

Violet says that she had sex with Imogen. He is unfazed. Imogen looks at them and tells them not to ask Violet questions, and that it's for their own good. Layla asks why. Imogen says that if she tells them, it won't do anything. She asks them to trust her on that. Layla puts her hand on Violet and asks if she's okay. Violet skittishly says she's okay and that it was good sex. Barnaby thinks that there's a spell, where if it is spoken aloud, something changes. He grabs the book. Imogen uses telekinesis to try and move the pages to the correct page. He comes across the Spell of Secret Protection. He can't fully translate it, but what he can read tells him that it is a spell that fully protects someone and can only be cast at a certain time of the year. If the target knows about it, then the spell becomes invalid and fails. Imogen tells him to trust her. Barnaby says that it was the wrong book and places it back.

Layla's confusion helps them in dodging that minefield. Barnaby helps the misdirection somewhat. Violet says that she taught Imogen something. Layla is grossed out. Rob has no idea what's happening. Diverting back to the matter at hand, they wonder whether the fact that Thom Huell considers the school his fulfils the requirement of the spell. Katherine points out that she was sired by him and asks whether that counts. Barnaby says that the spell needs a personal object. They recall that whatever is at the centre of a spell is where the energy will be directed, so either to him, an object or the Hellmouth. He does not need to stand still. They prepare to research. Katherine has an urge to go and find Thom Huell but knows that he'll probably realise she has a soul. However, even with a soul, they always had a mutual distaste of the Watchers Council. She says she'll go out and either find a minion of his or feed. Robert decides to hack the Watchers' Council to get his father back. As he's doing it, he wonders whether Charity killed the Kelpie as they were messing with the pipes.