Chapter 14

"So…You're a…Wolf?" Willow asked, desperate to break the silence as they walked down the street towards Willow's house.

"Ya. Werewolf." Oz said stiffly. Willow could tell that he was edgy about the subject but couldn't think of anything better to talk about.

"So…your whole family are werewolves? Or just you?" Willow forged ahead.

"Just my cousin and me so far." Oz said. He seamed to relax as they kept walking.

"How does that work?" she asked when he seemed to open up, and relax a little more.

"Turns out my aunt had an affaire, and had my cousin because of it." He eased into his story. He had never opened up to anyone like this before. 'Maybe it's because Buffy and Spike trust her so much or because she's going to be apart of my pack…but I feel like can trust her, like I can open up to her, and she would never judge me…' Oz found the thought comforting and confusing, all at the same time.

"I was baby-sitting one night, and he bit me. Let me tell ya, for a kid with one tooth, he has one hell of a grip." He chuckled.

Willow smiled and nodded at what he was telling her. He seemed to be a lot more open once you got him alone. Plus, she was loving the sound of his voice.

"So what are you?" Oz asked, breaking her out of her trance.

"Pardon?" Willow had to shake her head to clear the fog.

"What are you? I can't smell any demon in you, so what are you?" He asked. He didn't mean to pry, but he was just as curious as about her, as she was about him.

Willow blushed. "I'm a witch."

Oz was slightly taken aback by that. "Really?"

Willow blushed a deeper shade of red at his surprised tone.

"Well that's what Buffy said. I've never done magic. Never even thought much about it. It never occurred to me that there might be something else out there."

"Makes sense." Oz nodded. "I never had a clue before I got bit." He offered. "But if Buffy says something's true, than it's true. Don't bother questioning her."

"So, you understand this whole King & Queen thing?" Willow questioned with hesitation. Oz nodded.

"As soon as your power source has awakened, you'll understand too. For a demon, being accepted by the King & Queen is like…being a favored pet. You get better than every body else. But to not be accepted is like being thrown out side, cold and alone. You do not appose them. Especially the Queen..."

"Why?" Willow interrupted. Oz smiled at her.

"Simple. The Queen controls everything, and everyone."

"But the King…"

Oz gave her a small grin, and chuckled. "I have never seen two people as deeply in love, as Buffy and Spike. If Buffy asked Spike to stop killing, he would. If she asked him to go for a walk in the sun, he would. Even if he still had a sun allergy. He would do anything for Buffy, (And so would everyone else) just as she would for him. Technically, Spike is the King, and so he is the head of the family. But Buffy is like the mother of all of us. And we all know who really runs the family." Oz and Willow laughed together before Oz became serious once more.

"Willow, I have to explain something to you…" they both stopped and looked at each other, Willow, with a slight hesitation in her eyes.

"Buffy and Spike; they are, in essence, your parents, but they are also our masters. You are their friend, their daughter…but when push comes to shove, you don't disobey them. They love you, and will do anything for you, but, if you go against a direct order, you will regret it. Their word is law. And that's just the way it is. You'll understand when you get your power."

Willow became slightly anxious as they started walking again. She didn't like the idea of having to watch what she said and did around her new family. That's what she had now, and that's what she was trying to get away from. She needed a change of subject desperately.

"So…Buffy and Spike are the King and Queen of all thing demon and supernatural?"

"Ya."

"Wow, so they can like…control everything?"

"No. Not everything…" Willow looked at him, confused. "Ok, it's like this. There are good and bad demons, just as there are good and bad people. If everyone listened to Buffy and Spike, then we wouldn't need them. That's why Buffy and Spike were chosen as the King and Queen. There must be a light and dark to preserve the balance. Spike, the Master Vampire, the ultimate Dark. Buffy, the Slayer, the ultimate light. The both of them together create and keep the balance." Willow nodded in understanding.

"When do you think I'll get my powers?" she asked.

Oz shrugged. "Whenever Buffy unlocks them for you."

"She knows everything." Willow said as more of a statement than a question.

Oz nodded again. "It's been said that the Queen is gifted with a direct connection to the Powers That Be."

A comfortable silence descended on the pair as they walked.

"Do…what do you know about 'being part of the family'?" Willow asked, again not liking the silence.

Oz smiled. He noticed that long periods of silence bugged her.

"Becoming a part of the Royal family is the greatest honor a demon could ever hope for." Oz said simply.

Willow sighed. "Yes, but what does that mean?" she asked again. Oz smiled, she was cute when she got frustrated, and ruffled.

"Ultimate privilege, almost ultimate power. You are part of the royal family, a son or daughter of the King & Queen of all things magical and demonic. The only people more powerful that you, are the King & Queen. But, just as they give you power, they can just as easily take it away. Being part of the Royal family is exactly what it sounds like. You become a family. They love you unconditionally, are always there for you. You are never alone in the world. It's the best thing that could ever happen to you, next to having a Mate."

"Mate…As in friend?"

"Mate as in partner. Wife or husband. Only it's stronger than just a vow made, and papers signed. It's blood, and a promise. And the only way to break it is if one of the partners dies." Oz 's voice seemed to grow stronger, more sure of it's self.

He was saying this from memory. And he wanted it all very badly. To not be alone in the world, to truly be accepted, wanted, loved, and understood.

In a sudden act of bravery, Willow grabbed Oz's hand as they turned the last corner to her street.

Both Oz and Willow felt the electric shock go through their hand and into the other, seeming to spark something hidden deep inside of them.

Willow blushed deep red when he lifted his head to look at her.

Losing her nerve, Willow started to let go, but was surprised when he griped her hand more firmly in his.

Blushing, Willow dipped her head, hiding her silly smile.

"So… this is on hold?" Buffy asked innocently.

Spike raised an eye brow at her in question. "Uh, ya luv, why? You want to sit in a round?" he asked.

Buffy smiled smartly at him. "No that's ok…I was just thinking…" Buffy said coyly.

"Ya?"

Buffy grinned. "That maybe you three strapping demons could help unload the moving truck for Mom, and I." Buffy laughed when both Spike and Lorne moaned their reluctance.

"But luv…" Spike wined as he put down the deck of cards. Clem had already stood and was at the door.

"Hey now sweet cakes, I'm not really one for manual labor…you that…" Lorne stated as he to stood up. Buffy laughed at the two of them.

"Thank you." Buffy sing-songed, as they went out the door to start bringing in boxes.

"Well, this is it." Willow said as they reached her front porch, and faced each other.

"Cool." Oz said, looking at the house, than back at her.

"So, umm…when…where…" Willow trailed off, unsure of how to ask her question.

Oz seemed to read her mind. "I'll see you on Monday, in the library with Buffy." Oz smiled at Willow's surprised look.

"You go to Sunnydale?" she asked. Oz nodded.

"Ya." Again Willow looked confused.

"But…I've never see you around before!" Oz shrugged and smiled.

"I blend in." He said simply.

"Goodnight Willow." Oz said, taking a step back, and down her porch.

"Night Oz." Willow said shyly, blushing as she turned to unlock her door, and go in side. She smiled wider still as she watched him walk down her porch, and back to Buffy's house.

This had to have been the weirdest day of her entire life.

But, oh, it was such a good weird. Willow giggled as she shut the door. Causing Oz to smile as he made his way back.

I really must thank everyone who reviewed. Thanks to your encouragement, I have finally begun to push this story forward, faster, and I am just finishing up chapter 17, and I have to say, it's already one of my favorite chapters to date.

Also, I was wondering if anyone had a good idea as to who I should pair Tara up with. If no one has any ideas, I can just create a character, but I was really hopping to keep this as close to cannon as possible. Thank you.

Thanks again