Willow's face widens into a grin.

"Giles! What are you doing here?"

Giles takes his glasses off and begins to clean them.

"Willow, yes. I came because I have wondered where you have been. You have missed some school days and......"

Her grin slowly disappears.

"I've....umm....been..gone! I decided to take vacation off the Slayerette thing."

Giles frowns deeply.

"Willow, we could have used your research skills on Saturday. Buffy was barely able to defeat the demon. She was almost killed!"

She takes a breathe, and tries not to snap at Giles.

"Are you saying it is MY fault? Did I cause this?"

Giles looks uncomfortable and begins to answer.

"No. Dont even talk to me. Leave, before I make you leave."

Giles turns to walk off, but Willow stops him.

"Do the others blame me? Buffy, Xander,....Oz?"

Willow stares dully at him, waiting for an answer.

Giles shakes his head.

"Oz didnt blame you, actually he was extremely worried."

Willow starts to tremble.

"What about Buffy and Xander?"

Giles starts walking again to his ancient Citroen, and stops again just before entering.

"Yes. They do."

He gets in the car, starts it up, and drives off, leaving Willow to stare after him.

A single tear escapes her right eye, but she wipes it off angrily and shuts the door.

-Oz...I should call him. I need to talk to somebody....now.-

She moves to the phone, and dials his number.

It rings.

And rings.

And still rings.

"This is Oz, leave a message."

Willow starts to hang up, but stops.

"Oz, it's Willow. I'm safe, i'm fine. Talk to you later."

She hangs up the phone, and only then does she start to sob quietly.