A/N: TheScoobies have been rounded up, what's gona happen to them now? Is Angel good or bad? Is Oz ever gona show up? all this and a little more to come in this,the second to last chapter. :-(

Chapter 7

"I don't see him." Buffy worried a little as the wolves crept from the shadows. "Remind me how this was supposed to go again?"

"Grab our wolf and run" Xander pitched in.

"Oh come on! Five of you! That's hardly fair!" Buffy yelled as the pack surrounded them. Two wolves launched themselves at Buffy.

"You've fought with more than five demons before!" Willow called as she swiped at another of the animals with a discarded log.

"Werewolves are stronger than other demon's" Giles ducked Willows weapon as it neared his head.

Before they knew it the pack had separated Willow and Xander from Buffy and Giles.

"This isn't good." Buffy muttered as she tried to watch all five animals.

The animals guarding Willow and Xander growled at them and snapped at their ankles.

"There's something else in the bushes." Giles whispered.

"I know. I'm not sure what but I think we'll soon find out if we're meant to." She replied.

The watcher kept his eye on the bush behind Willow where he'd seen movement.

"Oh look, the gangs all here!" The Slayer retorted as a familiar figure emerged beside her.

"OZ!" Willow cried. "Oz, help us, please!"

The werewolf snorted at her, dragging his gaze across the gathering. He moved towards her and circled around them. He could smell the fear coming from them.

XxXxX

Soon, soon it'll all be over. Soon it'll be the way it should be! Steady boy, be careful the Slayer's a tricky one. She'll be on you before you know it. He thought from the bushes. He wanted to join in, to help, to get his hands dirty again but he couldn't, if he did everything would be ruined.

XxXxX

"What's going on?" Buffy whispered, she felt like someone was holding her back.

"I believe it's some kind of holding spell. I've heard about them but never felt one. It appears there's more human in the werewolves than we realised."

"I don't like it Giles. I don't like it at all. How are they doing it? What are they up to?"

"Now is not the time Buffy, just concentrate on the others."

XxXxX

"Oz, buddy, look. I know you're upset, I mean I would be too but this really isn't…." Xander got cut off when one of the wolves jumped at Willow.

They braced themselves for the impact but it wasn't what they expected. Xander never felt a thing but Willow was launched into the bushes behind. As Xander opened his eyes he was staring at Oz's naked back. The young wolf had saved them, protected them from the other wolves.

XxXxX

He caught the redhead as she flew into his bush.

"Nice of you to drop in." Angel gasped as the air he didn't need rushed from his lungs. Amazing, even though he'd been dead for over two hundred years his body still reacted to things like that.

He clapped his hand over the girl's mouth before she could make a noise.

"Now listen very carefully, ok?"

Willow nodded and whimpered.

"I'm not gona hurt you. Oz is still in there, he just saved your life now you've gotta return the favour." Angel uncovered her mouth.

"How?" She whimpered.

"I can't tell you that, it would defeat the purpose of this whole thing. Giles is right. You've been brought here by design. You are the only one with enough power to save Oz but you have to solve the puzzle."

"Why are you here?"

"Back up."

"For who?"

"What? Who'd you think?"

"Well we never asked you to come and yet you're here, hiding in the bushes."

"Buffy mustn't know I'm here, that's why I'm hiding." Angel's gaze dropped to the ground.

"So you're really on our side?" Willow whispered

"Always. Now get back out there and save our werewolf." He gave her a gentle nudge. They thought I was the bad guy. The thought hurt but didn't surprise him after all it was only natural for them to be wary of him still. Pulling himself from his self-pity he repositioned himself so he could see how events played out.

"Come on Willow, you love him and he loves you. You know how to save him. Just think and listen to your thoughts." God I'm beginning to sound like Giles!

XxXxX

Willow stumbled from the bush, Oz and the wolf that attacked her were circling each other. He was barely recognisable as the man she loved, his face distorted by the werewolf fighting to escape, the line between the two was blurring even further right before her eyes.

"Oz? Please stop. Oz?" Willow called his name nervously.

Buffy gasped as all the wolves' attentions were transferred to the witch. The animals padded closer to her stopping a few feet away, all golden eyes staring at her.

"Uh, Will? What are you doing?" Xander stumbled over his words as he hesitantly shuffled away from her and headed towards Buffy, earning a few growls from some of the animals but no other reaction.

"Oz, please listen to me." The witch looked into her wolf's eyes. "I know I hurt you. If I could change the past I would. I'd change it so it had never happened. I love you more than anything and I hate seeing you this way. If I could change what you are………. Well I wouldn't. And I know that sounds crazy but what you are is part of you and I know that you hate being the wolf but it makes you even more of a spectacular person. Please try to come back to us. If you give in to them you'll be lost and the dingoes need you. We need you. I need you. Oz……….. I love you and I always will. Come back to us, please." Her voice cracked with emotion as the enormity of what was happening finally hit her. He could turn completely and she would never see him ever again.

Buffy shifted uneasily as the wolves began to howl almost as if they were in pain.

"Wait a minute, Xander, you moved! We can move?" Buffy started towards her friend just as Giles grabbed her arm.

"Buffy wait. I believe Willow may be on to something. Look at them." Giles stood behind her watching Willow, the animals and the bush behind them. Something happened in that bush and he had a fair idea what. He resisted the urge to sigh at the guilt he felt for doubting Buffy and Angel.

It wasn't as if they didn't have good reason but it didn't make him feel any better.

XxXxX

Willow stood staring at Oz she couldn't take her eyes of his, it was like a magnet. The howling made her flinch. Without warning Oz dropped to the floor and the other animals crowed round him, protecting him from any that might try to hurt him.

"What are they doing?" Willow whispered.

"Protecting the weak member of the pack." Angel's voice came from his hiding place behind her.

They all watched as one at a time the wolves collapsed on top of each other, covering Oz completely. A silvery glow surrounded them, blocking them from view of those around them. Buffy, Xander, Giles and Willow shielded their eyes.

XxXxX

Angel stayed crouched in the bush. Come on, enough waiting. Just get on with it! Angel looked to the sky. Watching from the shadows was frustrating him beyond belief and his knees were beginning to ache. He wasn't sure if it was staying so still or if it was because he was itching to jump out and have some fun He almost sighed with relief when the silver mist descended. Shrinking back farther into the bush to avoid the shine of light, he forced himself to just watch events unfold.

A/N: What's happened to the werewolves? Are the scoobies going to come out of this ok? Well you know what happens in the wish so...

Well next week will finnish the tale and i'm a bit sad really cause i really enjoyed writing this one, and becasue i've gota find something else to write about. ANy way if anyone would like to review, please do. It's really nice to hear from people.

"Catch ya on the flip flop"