A/N: Hey. Chapter three is here! Again, I don't care about reviews. I'll continue writing this story as long as I have ideas, or it is unfinished, which means it could be a little while longer. I know, even if you don't review, some of you are reading this story. Thanks to you, as even if I never know, your reading makes writing this even that much more satisfying. However, thanks to the two reviewers so far. I may not care about getting them, but I love getting complements. Glad you both liked it, and I'm sorry again for the angst. I didn't mean to make it so good, not that I'm now complaining, either.
Note for this chapter: Just to re-iterate everything, I've decided to change the OMWF songs. Various professional recording artists now make them all. I recommend listening to them while reading it, as it gives it more feeling, I find. Just before the beginning of the songs, I will put a note with the performer(s) name(s) and the title. Just as in the 'real thing', the Buffy characters will sing different parts. I will alter some lyrics here and there, too. At the end, I will put up links where you can find the real lyrics to each song. Also, there will be some songs mentioned as in the last chapter that will not be sung. They will also be put at the end with links, as well as artist information. As another note, none of the songs that are actually sung will have existed in the Buffy-verse.
Spoilers: Nothing more than the first 2 chapters had.
Disclaimer: I don't think Joss et al. is dumb enough to waste his time on some lowly creature having fun with his world that he so obviously messed up, so I'm not going to say anything to save me from that. However, because I respect the owners of the site, I'd just like to mention that I got some of my information for this story, and in the first chapter, from www.buffyworld.com/. Thank you guys for your wonderful transcripts, even if the fight descriptions suck! :) Also, none of the songs here belong to me. All belong to their designated owners.
Quick legend: This means thoughts (all Tara's)
Chapter 3: Never Again, With Feeling - Part 2
By: David Armstrong AKA Leafsdude
"Hey. You forgot me." Came a new, but familiar voice.
Tara, being the only one who didn't instantly recognise the new intruder's voice, looked up.
"Oz." It came out as almost a whisper, and Tara's brain was going a mile-a-minute. Why's he here? Maybe he's come here to kill me, like a jealous old boyfriend-slash-Werewolf, would. Despite herself, she chuckled a little out loud.
Feeling Willow move towards her ever so slightly, Tara gave a quick glance over to her to make sure she knew that she was ok. Why would she run to him now if she didn't before? Suddenly feeling the opening words to "Run to You" (*2), crawl up her throat, she quickly stopped her train of thoughts, and focused on Oz.
Being the first to find his voice again, Xander spoke up in typical 'Zeppo' fashion. "Hey, Oz. Great to see you. I was starting to get sick and tired of the girls." Upon the glances from the 3 ladies in the room, he quickly back-peddled. "Okay, m-maybe not, but still, the jokes were not really working well."
As Oz took a couple steps in, Willow now found her voice, no matter how quiet. "Why?"
Knowing her question, and exactly what it meant, Oz quickly responded. "Well, to put it simply, the guys were going here through Sunnydale last night for a gig, and trust me when I say they rocked the place. I mean, Devon's voice will keep the girls around him for days. I know this won't last, and I don't want to get their hopes up, so I checked in with you guys."
Giles now spoke up. "Well, we know nothing as of yet, but it is a good bet that it will be temporary."
"At least if I can help it," Buffy now joined in.
"Well, what can I do?" The newcomer asked.
"How about we send the 'chap' to get us some goods at the Espresso Pump?" Xander supplied, somewhat mocking Giles as he said 'chap'.
"Could be a long day in the books. Besides, the van could use the mileage," Oz agreed.
"I'll come with. With the apparent new magic-maker in town, you'd be rather vulnerable out there," Offered Buffy. With a nod by Oz, they quickly made their way towards the door.
"Why don't you guys put some kind of anti-magic spell on the place, just to be one the safe side?" Buffy called over her shoulder.
"Sure. I'll look into it," Tara quickly replied. She could sense Willow's reluctance to tell Buffy about their earlier discussion. Perhaps it's not the magic part of the conversation she's worried about, Tara thought, chuckling. Upon Willow's glance, she got up to go look for a spell, not wanting to explain.
Xander, with a confused expression, looked at Willow for a couple seconds before using his mouth for, to Tara's knowledge, his favourite action. "What, Willow, deciding to become a Butch after all?"
Quickly coming up with a way to satisfy Xander's mind, Tara responded before Willow even looked up. "Well, we've decided we'll take turns doing these small spells. Today happens to be mine, so…" she quickly fibbed. Pretty satisfied with Xander's new expression, she went back to her search.
As she found the book, she noticed Willow getting up and coming towards her. "Let's go to the back to read this," she said, speaking loud enough so that Xander heard. Obviously, to Tara, there was a second reason why Willow wanted to go into the back, though she wasn't sure exactly what. No. She doesn't do that during working hours. Tara quickly dismissed her first thought.
As they made their way into the training room, Tara quickly turned around, her curiosity getting the best of her. "What's up?"
"We can tell them. I know you think I'm nervous about telling them…" Tara quickly cut Willow off before she could start babbling. As much as she loved it, they didn't have time.
"We don't have to tell them, though. I'm sure living on the Hellmouth you'll get a chance to use something sometime before they get curious, and I think we can find excuses for other things until we're done." Tara knew that part of the reason why Willow's abuse of magicks started was because it was the only way she felt useful. She also knew that she would feel like she was inadequate if the others knew, and so Tara wanted to keep her level headed as much as possible, at least until she felt satisfied with her teachings.
"Alright, but I don't want you making a fool of yourself just to protect me. The second you come up with something lame, we're telling them," Willow returned, mock-stubbornly with what was probably her worst resolve-face ever.
After finding the best spell for the job, which was made to keep any person not in the magic shop as it was cast to cast a spell, and telling Xander that all was safe again, Willow and Tara returned to the training room.
"Why don't we continue that lesson while we wait for the goodies to come?" Willow suggested eagerly.
"Good idea. Wait here." Getting up quickly, Tara went out, and looked for a book. Finding what she was after, she returned once again to find Willow comfortably settled down on a mat. Showing the book, Tara quickly found a spot to sit in front of Willow.
"What, no more bite talk?" Willow said, looking rather disappointed. Perhaps she wants something that she can use to show up Giles, Tara rationalized.
"Sure there's more bite talk. This has very descriptive stuff in it. I don't think I remember it all off the top of my head." Tara reassured her.
"Ah, here we are." Tara spoke up after searching through the book for a couple of minutes. She began to read from the book. "'The International Laws of Magicks, ILoM for short, were not made until after the exact effects of the Uprising, which was a spell our mortal ancestors did to kill all pure demons that walked the Earth, were known in 2130 BC, when one of the last remaining mages was killed after a deadly Black Magic rampage killed an uncountable number of people, including the current slayer, and over 50 villages. After that, all practicing witches and mages were asked to take what is now considered as the 'Lessons Course'. To this date, there are no recorded deaths due to Black Magic use by a trained witch or warlock.'" As Tara finished her story, she heard Buffy and Oz come back through the front door.
*3
Song title: Colorful.
Artist: The Verve Pipe
Album: Underneath.
Lyrics: www.metrolyrics.com
Sung by: Tara (All but last chorus), Willow (last chorus, ending.)
"The show is over, close the story book." Before she could react, Tara was singing. "There will be no encore," she recited, bitterly.
"And all the random hands that I have shook,
Well, they're, reaching for the door."
As she thought about her past, the number of people she had met, talked to and even exchanged stories with, that she never saw again, she couldn't stop herself from singing those lines.
"I watch their backs as they leave single file,"
As she looked up, she saw Willow standing, feet planted in their spots, beaming, and nodding ever so slightly, looking proud.
"But you stood stubborn,
Cheering all the while."
"I know I can be colorful.
I know I can be gray.
And I know this loser's living fortunate,
'Cause I know you will love me either way."
Knowing just how true those words were, Tara smiled widely at Willow, who looked as though she had just won the lottery.
"Most were being good for goodness sake,
But you wouldn't pantomime."
Tara thought about all those people she had chatted to, who she quickly found out were only chatting to her out of politeness and not friendship as she hoped, and then thought about how Willow came by at just the right moment, when she was about to give up on anyone ever staying around her for long. She wasn't there just to talk; despite thinking maybe she was just like the others when Tara failed to see her for a week after running into the Gentleman.
"You are more beautiful when you awake,
Than most are in a lifetime."
Surprised at herself for revealing what she had thought in the laundry room when Willow had collapsed with exhaustion after moving the vending machine, and then waking up with a mutter of "stupid frogs", Tara blushed.
"Through the haze that is my memory well,
You stayed for drama though you paid for a comedy."
Tara couldn't help but laugh at the irony of that line. She sure did pay for a comedy. How did everything after that turn out? Oz's first comeback tour, my family's surprise visit, even my temporary insanity.
"I know I can be colorful.
I know I can be gray.
And I know this loser's living fortunate,
And I know you will love me either way."
While listening to the sudden violin solo, Tara couldn't help but think about the truth of those words. I've been colorful and gray in the time I've know Willow, and yet she still loves me. I certainly am fortunate. How did I ever deserve this?
"Look ahead as far as you can see,
Well, we'll live in drama but we'll die in a comedy."
Once again, Tara laughed. Even in the worst situations, we always laughed, through good and bad. It would only be fitting for us to die laughing.
"I know I can be colorful."
(When we live in black and white)
"I know I can be gray."
(My colors fade away)
"And I know this loser's living fortunate,
'Cause I know you will love me either way."
"I know I can be colorful."
(When we live in black and white)
"I know I can be gray."
(My colors fade away)
"And I know this loser's living fortunate,
And I know you will love me.
'Cause I know you will love me.
And I know you will love me either way."
As Willow finished off in what Tara couldn't only describe as a voice to die for, they shared a kiss that held so much love that Tara would have died in that comedy right then and there. However, a long 'awww' that came from the doorway caused the two of them to spring apart quickly and much too early, at least to them.
"As much as I love smooch-fests as the next spy, we've got some research to do." Dawn announced.
After a quick glance at each other and small chuckle, Tara and Willow walked out quickly, hand in hand. Entering the shop's main room, Tara stole a quick glance at Oz, who appeared to be watching them rather sadly. Looking at Willow, she saw her as she raised her head just in time to look at Oz for a second before he turned away.
He still loves her. Tara thought, realizing something. He never got his closure. Even after 2 years, he still isn't over her, even if he might think he is.
"I can't do this!" Came a sudden shout from Oz. As he walked over to Tara and Willow, he explained. "I thought I had moved on. Thought I could come back and help you guys again, but I was wrong. My torso is gone again." Despite his down tone, he let a small grin escape.
*4
Song title: 5 Long Years (Edited to '2 Long Years' to fit story)
Artist: James, Colin
Album: N/A
Lyrics: www.letssingit.com
Sung by: Oz
"Well I see ya,
Holdin' hands with your lover,
And you're makin' plans with each other.
It looks real good on you."
Oz's voice was dripping with emotion. As he sung, he pointedly kept eye contact with both Tara and Willow.
"Well don't worry,
I didn't come to make things strange,
'Cause there's a reason that things change,
There's nothin' we can do!"
"And it's been two long years,
Since I've seen your lovely eyes,
You girls have grown,
She sees right through my thin disguise.
You know I still love you,
You knew I'd never change.
And it's been two long years and I love you,
Just the same."
"When you see me,
Do you remember the times when I traveled?
South of the borderline when love was young,
Time was on our side."
Suddenly, Oz seemed to drift off, his eyes closing ever so slightly.
"We danced
In the Rio Grande.
And we listened to all the Mexican bands,
Singin' songs of a love,
When our hearts were young,
Yeah."
As Oz's dreamy look faded, he noticed the confused looks on everyone's faces. As the music suddenly stopped, he explained. "Dream." He muttered, sheepishly. Amidst everyone's nodding, the song continued.
"And it's been two long years,
Since I've seen your lovely eyes,
The girls have grown,
She sees right through my thin disguise.
You know I still love you,
You knew I'd never change.
And it's been two long years and I love you,
Just the same."
As background vocals took over, Oz held a distant look.
"Oh, yeah
Two long years
Two long years"
Throughout the solo that played, Tara squeezed Willow's hand as she noticed the tears welling up.
"Two long years,
Since I've seen your lovely eyes.
Things have changed,
You see right through my thin disguise.
She see's right through me, Yeah!
You know I still love you
You knew I'd never change
And it's been two long years and I love you,
Just the same.
And it's been two long years and I love you,
Just the same.
And it's been two long years and I love you,
Just the same!
Yes baby.
Oh yeah,
Two long years,
Two long years."
As the song faded out, Oz walked out slowly. As he reached the door, his eyes said a silent goodbye to Willow.
A/N. OK, not a great place to end it, but I had no idea how to continue. For the record, I'd figure they would all be silent for the next few hours. I mean, what can you say to that?
Sorry if the song choice was kind of lame for Oz, but the 'The girls have grown,' line always makes me think of Oz thinking of Tara and Willow. Don't ask why. Just does.
I'm actually planning on 2 more chapters. This one and the one before could probably fit together, but this one doesn't work well without the cliffhanger, so I had to write them separately. Sorry if that's mean, but that's just how I am…Mean.
As for the songs:
*2 – The 'Run to You' I was thinking of is Bryan Adams, hence the reason why Tara stopped herself.
*3 – Colorful was made by the Verve Pipe, more commonly known for 'The Freshmen'. The lyrics fit, as you can see, and plus, the music is good, too.
*4 – 5 Long Years was written by Colin James, a Canadian. It was, to my knowledge, the only song that he has made that made it onto any charts, and is easily his best. I know the '2 Long Years' edit wasn't great, but either than saying he was stuck in some sort of hell dimension for 3 years, which would be 3 minutes in the Buffy-verse, would have been too simple, plus it would be a useless plot-piece. I'm planning on using Oz for a bigger role, not actually being there, but more in the minds of Tara and Willow. Plus, I always felt Oz left without any closure, and that his role wasn't completed. He needed to come back and make it obvious he had accepted, and given up on Willow.
I'd look for the next chapter out by the end of the week. Thanks for reading!
