A/N: Here you go Hope's Angel especially for you... a quick update! Hope you enjoy, it starts to kick off a bit now.

Chapter 2

It smelt her before it saw her. Her scent was as familiar as its own. Staying crouched in the bushes on the edge of the park the hair on the back of its neck bristled as it watched the girl hurry along the street, her red-hair bobbing with every step.

I'll have you soon.

She didn't notice its golden, feral eyes glowing through the undergrowth as she crossed to a house on the opposite side of the street.

Hesitating at the top of the pathway she took a deep breath and approached the front door.

"Oz?" She called as she knocked on the front door. "Oz? It's Willow." She called cautiously as she went in. "Devon said you hadn't been at practice for the last few nights. I just wanted to check you were ok." Willow pushed on the door. The lights were on, Oz's van was parked out front but all was quiet.

She ventured towards the kitchen. There was a half full glass of juice on the side board and the juice carton was on the table. This just gets more strange, she thought as she turned towards the stairs.

"Just let me know you're ok and I'll leave. I know you don't want to talk to me but I'm still a little worried. You haven't been in school and your van's out front and your front door is open."

Willow trod carefully as she approached her currently-ex-boyfriend's bedroom. She could hear his stereo playing softly.

"Oz?" She questioned softly as she pushed the door. "Oh my….." Her eyes widened in shock as she saw the state of Oz's room. His usually ordered belongings were strewn all over the room. His curtains were hanging in shreds, looking closer she saw some red staining on the fabric.

"Blood." A Deep voice said behind her.

Willow spun round suppressing a yelp. "Angel." She sighed in relief. "How'd you……?"

"Oz and I have had a few chats in the past." The vampire shrugged.

"Oh. What are you doing here?"

"I was patrolling the park and I saw you come in."

"What did this? And where did they take Oz?"

Angel sniffed the air. "This wasn't done by a demon." He looked down at the red-head for the first time and saw the concern in her eyes. "Oz did this Willow, no demon, no supernatural force. Just Oz."

"No, something's taken him. Something has broken in and taken him away. He'd never leave his room like this or doors open.And his van's outside. He never goes anywhere without his van."

"Maybe he's gone for a walk to think. Guys do that especially when they're hurting." Angel spotted a picture of Oz and Willow lying on the boy's bed.

Willow followed his gaze and picked the photo up. "Oz messed up his room on his own?"

"That sums it up. Everyone deals with things in their own way. Oz keeps things quiet. Doesn't yell, doesn't fight. Things are bound to explode sometimes. I'm surehe is fine. Probably blowing off steam."

"But he hasn't been to rehearsals in days." Willow challenged. "That's the thing he loves most and he hasn't been."

"That's not the thing he loves most." Angel said looking at the photo in the girl's hands. Willow gave the vampire a watery smile at his kind words.

"Give him time, if I know how Oz is feeling, he just wants to be on his own. He'll come back in his own time."

"But what if you're wrong and he doesn't?" Moisture pooled in her eyes.

Angel sighed, "Look I'm sure he's ok but I'll keep my eyes and ears open. Oz gets noticed by all sorts being a werewolf."

"Thanks Angel."

"Willow, have you spoken to Buffy about your concerns?"

"Buffy and Xander think I'm overreacting." Willow sadly followed Angel down the stairs.

"What does Giles have to say about it?"

"Same as you. That it's not unusual for Oz to not turn up for school. That he's probably gone walkabout and will be back when he's ready."

Angel stopped in front of the front door allowing Willow to pass through first. "He'll be back." Angel closed the door and steered the girl down the path. "Um… I know I'm not the warmest of people or probably the most likely ear but if you need to talk to someone then you know where to find me. I mean I know how to keep confidences and I will not judge but will try to give the other side of an argument…"

"Did you do that for Oz?" Willow cut in.

"I may have, once or twice in the past. Willow, I will listen if I'm needed and help where I can but I'm not cupid in any way. You're problems need to be sorted between you if they can be sorted. A friend can only do so much."

"Thank you." She hesitated, "Angel, promise me you'll find him. Please, just so I know he's alright. This being the Hellmouth and all…."

"I never make promises. But if I find anything I will let you know." The vampire smiled kindly as the girl gave a small nod and started home. He waited until she was out of sight before returning to Oz's house. He walked through the house locking the front door as he made his way out back. Angel crouched at the back door and ran his fingers lightly over the scratches that marked the door one more time before leaving.

XxXxX

The Slayer's bedroom light was off. Angel stopped and watched the darkened window for a moment before silently climbing the tree in the front garden. Carefully he clambered onto the branch. As always Buffy hadn't closed her curtains. He reached to knock on the glass but stopped himself. What was he going to say? 'You're friend is worried and doesn't believe you care? Another friend of yours has disappeared in unusual circumstances, you're not paying attention and you're making things easy for the nasties!

He supposed he could but he hadn't come for an argument. In fact now he thought about it he wasn't at all sure why he was here at all. Buffy had told him that they couldn't see each other unless he told her he didn't love her, the one thing in the world he could never do. He watched her sleeping. The worries of the waking world that usually troubled her and etched on her beautiful face were invisible as she dreamt. He wished so often that he could take those nightmares away for her but it was impossible, she was the slayer and without her the world would have been destroyed many times over in the last few years. She was the strongest slayer he's ever seen and the longest lasting.

Angel felt a smile creep across his lips as she stirred. He knew it was time to go. The vampire jumped down and slid into the shadows.

XxXxX

She felt him before she heard him. She knew he was watching and it took all her strength not to open her eyes. She longed to see his face, to hear his voice but she'd promised herself and her friends that she wouldn't see him again. She rolled away from the window to take away some of the temptation of opening her eyes and sighed.

XxXxX

Angel stopped in a clearing in the woods.

"The perfect spot." He nodded his approval. He heard the rustling in the bushes. "I was wondering when you would show. They'll be here tomorrow night. I'll make sure of it. You better be here too, or I'll come after you. I can find you anywhere, don't forget it!"

It growled at him, its own golden eyes shimmering as it met Angel's eyes.

A/N: oooo so who's in charge there? and What is Angel up to? hmmmm hehe i know, i know, but i aint gona tell ya!

"Catch ya on the flip flop!"