~*Part 5*~

Three Months Later

June 25, 2001

Oz and Solace sat together on the beach looking out at the water.  Oz was happy, happier then he had been the first month she had

known him.  She could sense it.  Their relationship was moving on so many levels.

Oz was finally moving along, and he knew it.  He was moving past Willow.  As much as he hated to admit it, she was becoming a

thing of the past.  There was differences between Willow and Solace, and he loved them both.  But with Willow it seemed like their

relationship was written in the stars, but she didn't want him, and now it was over.  Their relationship was moving so much faster

than his and Willow's had ever done.  And he wasn't sure if all those things made it better or worse.

She nudged him in the shoulder.  "Oz?  What are you thinking about?"

Oz turned to look at her with a smile on his face.  "Our relationship.  You."

She smiled playfully.  "And how is it?  Do you like it?"

Oz nodded.  "Yeah."  He leaned over and they kissed sweetly.  Oz's hand brushed her stomach, and she laughed against his lips.

Oz pulled back.  "What?"

"That tickles."  Oz smiled, and reached for her stomach again, but she squirmed out of the way.  She jumped up.  "You'll have to

catch me first!"  She yelled as she ran down the beach.

Oz stood up.  "You know I'll get you."

He took off running after her down the beach.  After a couple of minutes she tired down, and Oz caught up.

"Okay.  I give up."  She lifted her hands up, so her stomach was visible below her shirt.  "Go ahead."

Oz looked at her stomach, then looked at her face.  He looked her in the eyes.  All of a sudden, everything became clear.  For both

of them.  They both stepped forward, and lips met lips.  Solace pulled him to the sand with her, and Oz didn't oblige.  Lips were on

lips.  His hands were on her back...everywhere.  They were lost in the moment.

Suddenly, Oz felt different.  Out of mind, out of body.  Then, he realized it was night, it was also a full moon.  What if he was wolfing

out?  He had to stop, he had to get away from her.  He couldn't hurt her, like he had hurt Willow.

Oz pulled away.  "What...What's wrong?"

"I...I have to go.  I can't..."

Solace looked at him upset.  "Is it me?"

Oz was quick to reply.  "No."

"Is it your old girlfriend?"

"No.  It's me...   I just can't...not now."

He stood up and took off.  Why did it always have to curse him?  Everywhere he went.

He could hear Solace running after him.  "Oz!  Wait!"

He stopped.  "I need you to leave me alone.  I'm dangerous.  I can't..."

She shook her head an interrupted him.  "I won't.  That may have worked on your old girlfriend.  But I won't let you do this alone.

You need help, and I will help you.  You just have to tell me what's wrong.  Please?"  Her voice broke.  "Oz...  I love you.  I don't

want to lose you."

She stepped up and wrapped her arms around him.  Oz laid on her shoulder.  He needed someone.