Willow gave an inward sigh and finally pushed Spike away. He looked deep into her green eyes, his own questioning.
"What's the matter, Red?" he asked, holding her at arm's length.
She shook her head, "I-I'm sorry...I can't do this..." she said, avoiding his gaze.
"Why?!" he exploded, "It's him, isn't it?"
"Yes...and no..." she whispered, "I just need time to think..."
He nodded, his mouth a firm line, "I see."
Willow watched him sweep out the door and collapsed onto the bed, letting hot tears roll down her cheeks and onto her pillow.
***
Buffy marched onward out of Giles's, her arms crossed and her brow furrowed. She was so involved that she didn't notice the shadowy figure advancing on her in the dark until it tapped her on the shoulder. She jumped up and did a spin kick into their stomach.
"Ump!" grunted the figure.
"Yah!" she yelled, raising her fists, she circled the person. She gasped in shock as they stepped out into the light of the street lamp.
"Riley!"
"Hey, Buffy..." he said warily, "Nice kick," he added with a small, pained smile.
"Omigod! Riley...I'm so sorry!" she gasped, running over and hugging him gently, "did I hit your wound?"
"Yea...but I'm okay," he said, relinquishing in the warmth of her embrace.
"I was going to come for you, " she started, "how did you get out?"
He shrugged, scratching his head, "it still confuses me...they let me walk out."
"Really?" she said, stepping back.
"Yea...it was odd, I don't know what they have in mind," he said.
"Well, c'mon, lets go back to Giles's and see what we can do," she commanded, taking his hand and leading him back down the street.
***
"I've never had this problem before..." Willow said with a laugh, "I mean, two guys fawning and fighting over me," she shook her head and sighed, looking into her cup of coffee. Her eyes focused back on Tara who sat attentive across the table from her, "I'm so sorry...I mean, you probably don't want to hear all this and-"
"No, no, really...it's okay," her fellow Wiccan said with an energetic smile, "I mean, hey, what're friends for."
Willow couldn't help but give a small smile. But her thoughts were troubled...not just about Oz and Spike, but about Buffy too. Before, it would've been her and Buffy talking like this...but she and the Slayer had seemed to have drifted apart somewhere...
"Excuse me," Willow said, standing abruptly, "I-I have to go...didn't notice the time...I'm sorry."
She headed toward the door of the dorm room as Tara followed, "Oh, no, it's okay, " said the blond hostess, "I understand."
Willow nodded slightly and walked out into the cool night air, her mind flooded with thoughts and confusions.
***
"So...Exactly what do you have in mind?" Xander asked, carefully analyzing the werewolf. The map on the table was forgotten as Giles left the room to get some more tea.
"I don't know...I just know that I have to get her back," replied Oz, his voice tight, "and I'm never going to give up..."
TBC