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Buffy and Spike froze as a pale figure emerged from the trees. After a few seconds, Buffy cocked her head and smiled warmly.

Buffy noticed that the erstwhile Scooby was sans clothing, and that he was valiantly trying to cover himself, but her only reaction was a slight lift of her eyebrows.

Spike bristled. Buffy didn't seem to be appropriately shocked at the naked
man who had come out of the woods to speak to her.

Buffy grinned at Oz, nodding at the forest behind him.

Letting the Inner Wolf out to play, eh?

Oz smiled, stepping modestly back into the shadows now that Buffy had recognized him.

Sorry, the Inner Wolf doesn't bother to carry around a change of clothes.

That's okay...my Inner Rat didn't either, remember? Buffy rejoined playfully.

How could I forget? Although Buffy couldn't see his face clearly, she had a feeling the werewolf was smirking.

Spike had just decided that he would have to kill this person who had
apparently seen his Slayer naked when he finally remembered who Oz was. Spike smacked his forehead.

Oh, okay, Oz! Willow's werewolf from before her Wicca lover! Long time no see, mate!

While Buffy considered smacking Spike for his tactlessness, Oz considered Buffy and the blonde vampire who was with her...who smelled like her.

Yeah, about that...

He paused, looking between the pair meaningfully.

Buffy shrugged. You've been gone awhile, Oz. Lots has changed. Again.

Oz flinched. Willow doesn't have a boyfriend again, does she? He couldn't help but ask, even though Willow was not why he was here.

Not that we know of, Buffy answered with a slight chuckle. Still batting
for the other team, Spike added helpfully.

Buffy smiled up at the vampire. Other things have...changed. As if to
underscore her statement, Spike put his arm around her firmly, then turned back to Oz, who was regarding them with a typically unreadable expression.



Buffy turned to Spike. Hey, go get Oz some clothes, please?

Spike frowned. Oz may be an old friend, but he wasn't leaving Buffy alone with any naked man.

Buffy, why don't you go? You know I have terrible taste in clothes, he replied sweetly, gesturing to his own outfit, which was comprised of his standard jeans and t-shirt.

She rolled her eyes, not fooled for a moment, but not bothering to argue about it. I'll be back, she shot at Oz, already sprinting past them and across the cemetery.

After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, Spike took out a cigarette and busied himself with lighting it. Oz kept him pinned under that indecipherable gaze of his, and finally Spike sighed.

he asked lightly, although he knew very well why the other man might be surprised at his presence in Sunnydale, let alone his relationship with Buffy.

Last time I saw you was during the whole Ring of Amara incident, Oz reminded him in his usual forthright manner.

Yeah, well. Like Buffy said, things have changed.

Huh. So...you're not evil anymore? Oz asked casually, as if making small talk.

Spike took a reflective drag off his cigarette, then added, Not
exactly a Boy Scout, either, though. I mean, I am still a vampire.

I hear ya. Werewolf, here. Oz absently scratched his chest.

Kind of hovering in that gray area, right below



After a few more moments, Spike asked, Did you know Joyce died?

Oz's head snapped up. Buffy's mom?

Spike nodded morosely. It was a real hard time.





Oz shook his head; it was always the good ones that got taken early.

Spike regarded Oz with curiosity as a thought hit him.

Did you know Buffy died? You never came back, so...

Oz grimaced, letting his gaze drop to the ground. I heard afterwards. Some of the demons in the area I was staying in were talking about it, but by that time she'd already come back, too.

Spike nodded and changed the subject.

Does Willow know you're here?

The werewolf sighed. No. Not yet. But I didn't come back to see her.

I have a feeling she'd be pretty upset if you avoided her, though. So, why are you back?

Oz was about to reply when Buffy sprinted back into sight, clutching a few
articles of clothing. This cemetery wasn't far from home, and she'd just
grabbed a couple things from Spike's bureau.

She handed Oz a t-shirt and a pair of sweats.

Sorry, it's all we had that would remotely fit you.

Oz smiled his gratitude. That's okay. I can get some stuff now that I'm not naked.

He disappeared into the woods for a moment then came out dressed and
gestured for them to sit down on the grass nearby, then followed suit.

Okay. Short version. I was in Tibet. Something attacked me as it tried to
escape from a hut in the woods. I wasn't sure what it was, but I felt like I
had to follow it. So, I followed it. I lost track of it for a few months, but I got a feeling it was coming here. I hopped a plane and when I got here day before yesterday, I went into the woods and found its trail. It's been here, probably still is. I figure it's some kind of demon.

Buffy frowned. You took a plane, to follow the demon? How did it get here, then?

Oz shrugged. Like I said, I lost it for a couple months. Then I get this feeling, and goodbye peaceful mountain, hello jetlag.

Buffy sighed, completely accepting both his reliance on instinct and his brief explanation.

Crap. Maybe something's on the menu for this week's apocalypse.

She stood, brushing off her pants. Where is this demon now, do you think?

Oz shook his head. I found a trail about a half mile in, he gestured to the woods behind them, but it's a day old at least.

Maybe we better take a look at the trail, then. Start researching it as best we can until it shows up.

I can lead you to it. Oz stood and Spike rose as well, then turned to Buffy.

Listen, Pet. We were supposed to be home to relieve the Wiccas of Dawn duty. There's a few hours until light; why don't I go with Oz to get a look-see at this trail and you get home? We can call a Scooby meeting in the morning.

As she nodded her acquiesence, a thought struck her and she peered at Oz with interest.

Do you know who Dawn is?

Oz stared at her. Of course, she's your little sister. Why wouldn't I know that?

Buffy shot Spike a look, and he shrugged. Monks did their research, pet. Covered all the bases.

Sorry, Oz. A story for another time. She paused. Um. You want me to tell Willow?

Oz nodded reluctantly. Make sure she knows I didn't come back to disrupt her life.

Okay. Meet us at the Magic Shop tomorrow. I'm sure Giles will help us.

Oz cocked one eyebrow. Doesn't he always?

Buffy bit her lip. He's not...I guess...things have changed. He's not in charge the way he used to be. He's more... She looked to Spike for help.

Giles is still her Watcher, but Buffy calls the shots now. Giles sort of hangs back and waits to see what needs to be done. Or, he pours himself another cuppa and reads a book.

Buffy smacked the vampire's shoulder but Oz merely shrugged. Okay. See you tomorrow, Buff. You coming, man? He turned towards the woods, then turned back to witness a brief but passionate kiss between Vampire and Slayer before Buffy broke free and pushed Spike towards Oz.

See you at home! She called out as she trotted out past the last row of graves and onto the street. Spike stared after her for a few seconds, then turned and followed Oz.

Right. Lead on, mate.