A/N: Okay, so here's the second installment of chapters. This is the seventh chapter, and I should get through chapter 15 today...if not more.
PLEASE REVIEW
Chapter Seven
Willow was sitting across from Oz at the kitchen table, unable to process that he was right in front of her. She was still in complete shock that he was sitting right in front of her. Andrew had explained to her what Buffy had done. She would have to thank her, soon, but she also wanted to throttle her for not giving her a head's up. Buffy never ceased to amaze her, in the things that she could and would do for her friends. She'd proved it on more than one occasion in the past, her loyalty to her friends; this just proved it once more. Oz was just telling her that he was no longer a werewolf in the permanent sense. She couldn't believe it! She felt so happy for him that he finally got what he longed for most. How was it that when she wished for something so hard a couple of years ago, it was finally happening? She knew that he'd hated being a werewolf, and not being able to control the change. He had always been very wary about the two of them dating, because of the fact. She had been the one to pursue the relationship when it first started because she'd like him so much, and now he was in front of her again...no longer a werewolf.
"So, you really did it? I'm so happy for you, Oz! I know how much you wanted to find a cure. First, you found a semi-cure, and now you've found one that'll stick? Well, that's great!" Oz reddened a little bit, he loved how she gave compliments, because it was almost comical. She knew how to make you blush, that was for sure.
"Well, I did it for you, you know. Wait that sort of came out wrong. I loved you very much, Willow, and I'll always care about you. The fact that I couldn't even be near you, before I'd change, just broke me up completely." Willow interrupted him before he could continue.
"Yeah, but I thought that was because you were kind of mad...about me and Tara." Oz had to look away for a minute.
"Willow, I've got to tell you how sorry I am. I never meant to act like I owned you, because that was never my intention. I was devastated that you had found someone to help you move on. The fact that it was a girl never had anything to do with it. It was just that you had moved on, and I had waited too long. Willow, I'm so sorry about Tara, Xander filled me in on the plane."
Willow smiled sadly at Oz. It didn't hurt so much to talk about her now. She knew that Tara was watching over her, and that she would be happy she'd found Kennedy, and even that she'd found Oz again. She didn't know what to expect from Oz either, what did he want from her? Sure he'd come because Buffy had prompted him to, but was he expecting them to get back together? Did he have hopes that she'd date him again? The scary thing was, the thought didn't repulse her in the least. He'd been her first love in every aspect. When he'd left, she'd been devastated and had almost gotten her friends killed. She felt very deeply for Kennedy, so she didn't know if she could back to being with Oz. He answered her question as if she'd spoken out loud, which she didn't, did she?
"Willow, I'm only here, because I want to be your friend. That's all I would like from you. I know you're in a relationship, and I don't want to ruin that for you. If you can't be my friend, then I'll understand. To get to see you is more than good enough for me." Did he not know how much this visit meant to her? She'd love to be his friend.
"Oz, of course I'll be your friend, I'm so happy to see you! I wish you'd stay here with me, but I don't know if you can do that. Now it's my turn, that came out wrong. What I mean is, I'd love for you to stay in San Diego with me. You know, so we can be friends, and hang out with each other." He smiled at her, but before he could say anything, the door opened. They both looked over and saw Kennedy just standing in the kitchen doorway.
"Willow, hey, Sorry, I didn't know that you were expecting company." Willow walked over to where she was standing. She knew Kennedy was going to feel threatened by this. She'd just have to show her, that she was the only one for her.
"Hi! I wasn't really expecting company; this is sort of a surprise visit. Kenn, this is Oz. You've heard me talk about him. Buffy, had Xander and Andrew go get him from Tibet. He came all this way just to see me. Sorry, I do have manners. Oz, this Kennedy." Kennedy looked over at Oz, and put her arm around Willow.
"Yes, I would be her girlfriend."
Dawn and Andrew were sitting on the couch in the living room. Dawn had her arms crossed in front of her, and a scowl on her face. She didn't like to be lied to, even though it wasn't any of her business what he'd been doing. Why hadn't he just said that to her instead of lying? It was bad enough that her own sister didn't think she was important enough to tell her about her little mission. It wasn't like she'd tell anyone, who would she tell? She looked over at Andrew and some of her anger began to melt away. She really liked him, and didn't want this to ruin it. This was the first time that she'd really liked someone and they seemed to like her back.
"Andrew, I really like you, but I really don't think we can have something if you're already lying to me. All you had to tell me was that Buffy didn't want you to tell me." Andrew couldn't believe his bad luck. Was she going to break up with him already? Wait, they hadn't even gone out yet, but now she didn't want to? How is it possible he'd already ruined things with her before they'd even gotten started? He really wished that Spike was still around to ask for some advice, he really missed Spike.
"Dawn, I'm sorry. I just didn't want you to worry about me. I really like you, and I'm sorry that I lied to you. I just hope you can forgive me." Before he could say anything else, Dawn leaned over and hugged him.
"I was so scared for you Andrew. I didn't want you anywhere near another Hellmouth. We've both been there and done that, and we don't need a repeat in history." Without another word, she got up and put a video in. She went back to the couch, and snuggled up next Andrew and put her head on his shoulder. They stayed that way for a long time, even after Kennedy came home and went straight to the kitchen. Andrew was more than happy to let Dawn use him as a pillow. She was the first girl in a long time who actually treated him like a human being, and not some geek. He just hoped that they could work through things and stay together.
Buffy couldn't believe her eyes. Spike was in touching distance of her, he had touched her. She thought he'd died though, she'd been sure of it, so how was he standing in front of her now? She'd been almost destroyed with the fact that he'd sacrificed himself for her. He'd worn the amulet because of her and she hadn't even treated him decently. Maybe this was her chance to make amends to him. She just hoped that this wasn't some trick and she'd be able to keep him. She'd been torturing herself with the knowledge that he wouldn't pop up and bother her again. He'd always been there, so to know that he wasn't coming back had been so hard. She walked forward and put her hand on his cheek.
"Spike? Wha...how? I thought you were dead. Did you get out somehow? Why didn't you come tell me?" Spike smiled at her, and lightly placed his hand on her cheek.
"Buffy, I did die, and I know because I remember how bloody painful it was. I literally just fell out of nowhere, and I have no idea how I got here." Without her knowing it she started to cry. He walked closer to her, and wiped the tears away.
"There's no reason to cry, love. I'm here, I don't know why, but I am here. I do know another thing too, I'm not going anywhere, and I'll always be here for you." She reached up and put her arms around his neck.
"From now on, Spike, no more risking of the life. I'm serious, if I have to tie you up from now on, I will." Spike smirked at her playfully.
"Didn't we already do that once?" Buffy smiled and continued to cling to him.
While this was going on the only person to realize Angel's pain was Fred. She walked up to him and lightly placed a hand on his shoulder. He didn't say anything to her, but it was comforting to know someone cared. Angel didn't honestly think he could stand seeing them like this much longer. She wasn't supposed to be hugging on Spike like that…it was Spike for crying out loud! She was supposed to be his, didn't she know that? Well, maybe not right now but it had always been an unspoken thing between them. He knew it was kind of petty, but he had to think about something else. Angel abruptly turned around and faced faith.
"So, Faith, what did this demon of yours look like, and we'll get the research team going." This made Buffy look up from Spike. She walked over to where Faith was standing.
"You were attacked? Are you alright?" Faith smiled at her. She liked that her and Buffy were friends now, and that she was actually concerned for her. She just wished that it had come sooner instead of later, but beggars couldn't be choosers.
"Yeah, by this really ugly green demon." This gave Buffy pause.
"Did you say, green? Did it have yellow eyes, and it was about seven feet tall?" Angel looked at Buffy now.
"You've seen it too? Did you fight it?" This made Xander speak up.
"Boy did she ever. It was strong too, and got away. She told me not to interfere, which was probably a good thing, since he used her face to break a wall." Faith looked at Buffy and just then noticed the scratches all over her. Angel walked around his desk and picked up the phone.
"Yes, this is Angel. I need a medic in here right now, and get the research team together. We're going to need to look up a new demon." He put the phone down, and looked at everyone.
"Well, this is just great. We've got a demon that's taken down both of our slayers. So, we'll see how it does with two at once and a vampire." Spike jumped up then.
"Hey you've got two vampires here; you're not leaving me behind." Wes and Gunn stood up, also. This statement caused Buffy to walk back over to Spike and glare at him.
"I thought we'd decided that there would be no more risking of your life! He only grinned at her, and put his arm around her shoulders. She knew that she couldn't keep him from fighting, it was just who Spike was. She just hoped that he was more careful with himself than last time because of how hard it had been on both of them. Wesley stood up then to speak his peace.
"I think we need to take the whole team, Angel. We Might be able to take it down that way. Besides, all of us can take care of ourselves and we're pretty good with swords." Angel thought about it.
"Alright then, we'll all go, well, whoever wants to go. It'll be like old times, all of us together, taking down demons...I like it."
