A/N: Hi guys, sorry it's been so long since i last updated. Had computer troubles. So when we last left Oz there was something very wrong with the way he was thinking. Well on with the show!

Chapter 4

"Ok what happened?" Buffy asked her lover when they were out of earshot.

"I got to the park and he was pinned down by two Vamps as a third beat him senseless. Buffy, this wasn't a normal attack. You know full well that vamps rarely hunt in packs; means there's less to go round. But they were making no attempt to feed and they left a message as they ran off they said 'the Slayer better keep her eyes open.'" Angel's face betrayed his worry for the Slayer and her friends.

"So they were sent? But why did they pick on Oz? I mean I know he's part of the gang and we love him but why go after him? Why not Willow or Xander or Giles? I'm closer to them than anyone."

Angel winced inside at her words. There was a time when they were closer to each other than anyone else in their lives.

"It could be that he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. We don't know it was on purpose. As you just pointed out, Oz isn't the most obvious target. But if there was a reason we'll find out when who ever planned it is ready."

"This is completely my fault. I should have been patrolling instead of making with the smoochies with you." Buffy covered her face desperately wanting to lean on the vampire for support and comfort.

"You couldn't have known this would happen. Even if you had been out there you can't know that you would have been able to stop it. There are few times when I agree with the boy, but Xander was right, you can't be everywhere at once. Some things are meant to happen. You can't save everybody. Oz is going to be ok." Angel soothed itching to reach out and stroke her worried face.

"How can I look at him or Willow again knowing I was bunking off instead of doing my job?"

"I'm to blame for this too. If I hadn't come to see you we would've have both been out there. But it's done, Buffy. You can't change it. No one can. All we can do now is be there for them and find out whom, if any one is behind it."

XxXxX

"So, how'd it go?" His voice had its usual sing-song tone.

"Five-by-five boss. Although the target changed."

"Oh? Who was the lucky recipient?" He rubbed his hands with a wet cloth as he watched her from behind his desk

"The wolf. The Slayer and the Vampire were together all night so there wasn't a moment to get to either of them. And you said it had to be done tonight …." The girl rambled, nervous at what her boss might say.

"Well I can't say I'm not disappointed but the new target is even better." He smiled at her.

"It is?"

"Absolutely. Why make a huge entrance in the front when you can sneak in the back and do damage before they even know about it?" He cackled.

"So what's the plan now?" Faith gave him a half smile, enjoying the fatherly way he treated her and the glee he exuded, it was contagious.

"We sit back and play the game."

"The game?" Faith was all ears. She was liking the sound of this more and more.

"Viewer interaction. It's all the rage with the kid nowadays." He pulled out a box, beckoning her over. "You've heard of 'Big Brother'?"

"The T.V Show? Sure, who hasn't?" Faith smiled a little confused as she made her way to the desk.

"Actually I was thinking of George Orwell but it's the same principle. Big Brother watches and controls those below. So….." He opened the lid.

"It's like a T.V Only without Dawson's Creek on all the time."

"Right you are and the best part is we control what we see. Watch. He should already be feeling the effects of the spell. Soon we'll be ready to give him his instructions."

"So we're taking over his mind?" Faith leaned closer to see the mess the vampires had made of the boy's face. "Cool"

"Not quite, his mind is still there he still has his own thoughts, they just aren't connected to the rest of his body."

"Kinda like when you un-plug the VCR from the television?"

"Right, it'll still play, stop and rewind but you can see it on the screen."

"You're a genius boss."

"I know. Torturing him at the same time as them. A pleasing kind of similarity to it. Wouldn't want him to miss out on all the wacky fun."

"So when do we start?"

"We don't want to arouse suspicion too soon. We'll have to bide our time until tomorrow."

"Is it going to matter?"

"Hell no….. It just prolongs my enjoyment of destroying the fantastic four."

"Uh boss? Isn't there six of them? Well without Oz, five."

"Yes, but that Harris boy is by no way the brains of the outfit."

XxXxX

A/N: So what ya thinkin'? Comments? questions? Suggestions? All welcome, you know the drill :-)

"Catch ya on the flip flop!"