Disclaimer: Still not mine

Chapter Two

Choking back tears, Willow finally looked around only to realise she had wandered into the local playground. Dark and deserted; the round-about stood quietly beside the slide that glowed dull silver in the moonlight, as the swings drifted emptily. It didn't seem right somehow. This was meant to be a place of activity. Of shrieking kids, young laughter, teasing and skinned knees. Well, maybe in any other town. Dropping into the nearest swing, she began to absently sway on the long chains. The rhythmic squeak of the rusty metal was soothing and slowly, Willow felt her breathing even out.

She didn't know how long she sat there, feet scuffing through the dirt. Staring at nothing. Feeling nothing. That was kind of how it felt – hollow. Maybe her heart just couldn't hurt anymore because it was no longer in her chest. Crumbled to dust…

Her eyes fell on the round-about a few steps away and she dimly recognised it. That was where Buffy's mum had found those kids. The tragedy that had turned out to be a demonic trick. That had been a strange (not to mention terrifying) couple of days. When her home life had gotten even weirder. After it was over, she'd gained a new perspective on the hidden blessing that was her parents' general indifference to her life. Being almost burned alive could do that to you.

"Uh, we're here to save you"

Everyone had been devastated by the murders of those fake-kids. Outraged. United in grief. Would anyone even care now? Would anyone even know? Grieve? Another anonymous victim of the Hellmouth. Just another strange disappearance. Inside, Willow already knew that they would all be unsung heroes in the end. Her jaw tensed. What right did the world have to go on like nothing had happened? How could people sleep in bed with their loved ones when nothing could ever be right again? She knew love could be cruel and Sunnydale was even crueler - but somehow, she had always hoped, believed with naïve optimism, that surely…

A fresh wave of agony crashed through her, ripping at her already torn and raw insides. Willow almost collapsed to the ground, her breath convulsing in her chest. She tightened her grip on the chains as her body shivered and burned. Clearly the moment of feeling empty had passed, as she became acutely aware of every tormented thought and feeling that crowded into her all at once, seeping between the cracks in her heart. She never knew anything could hurt this much. Is this what Buffy had gone through?

Rustling sounded somewhere off the right. She didn't look up. Sunnydale in the middle of the night – probably wasn't anything good. She should run. Shout. Do anything really, rather than sit there like an all-you-can-eat meal. But honestly, Willow couldn't find it in her to care. She only held onto the swing and gave in to the scorching tears.

In a flurry of broken twigs, torn leaves and tangled blonde hair, a frantic Buffy crashed through the undergrowth, before abruptly pulling up. In the silence that followed, the ragged sounds of wretched weeping carried clearly through the children's park. Buffy's eyes widened for a second as she swallowed and slowly approached the lone figure, for who she had been charging all over town for the better part of an hour, trying to find.

"Willow..."

Familiar curtains of messy red fell around the down-turned face, hiding from the concerned Slayer. There was no sign of acknowledgment. Buffy hesitated, torn between not wanting to intrude on her friend's grief and her desire to get her off the street and somewhere safe.

Willow felt a hand brush her shoulder as Buffy knelt down in front of her.

"Will," Her voice cracked and fell away. She could feel the waves of sorrow radiating off her best friend. And there was nothing she could do to make it better. "I'm sorry."

Willow raised her head a few inches and met Buffy's gaze. The Slayer's brow crumpled in heart-felt empathy at the pain burning in her friend's lost eyes. She watched as she opened her mouth only to shut it again as more tears fell in place of the words that wouldn't come.

The night was cool on her wet cheeks but Willow's eyes were hot and the tears warm as they marked fresh tracks on her face.

Buffy leaned forward and held the speechless girl in a fierce hug. When Willow didn't respond, she pulled back slowly, worry etched across her features. "I know…I know how it feels," Buffy spoke tentatively as she squeezed her hand. Still she stayed silent. "You feel like you want to die. Or run away. You feel -- broken. But Will, it - it does get easier. I promise."

Buffy felt her own tears sparkling at the edges of her vision as she heard herself repeat the helpless words. "I-I'm so sorry." She watched as Willow shook her head, trying to form words.

"He...I, I–"

Reaching out she gently touched the side of the fragile face before her, her hand running down the red waves comfortingly. "You didn't have a choice, Will." Regret filled her firm voice. "He was–"

"Don't."

The voice was barely a whisper but it trembled with force as Willow sharply locked eyes with the Slayer. Suddenly standing, she looked down at a slightly startled Buffy, eyes shining.

"Don't say it."

Then she was gone.

Buffy leapt to her feet, but faltered. It was painfully clear Willow wasn't going to let them do anything for her tonight, she was hurting way too much. A conflicted Buffy listened to the sounds of running steps as her best friend disappeared into the night again.

After a moment she frowned and glanced down distractedly at her hand.

Traces of blood glistened on the Slayer's fingers.

o0o

"Ah-ha!"

Willow and Xander looked up at the triumphant exclamation to see Giles standing in the door to the office, looking down at the book in his hand, chewing thoughtfully on the tip of his glasses.

"Uh, care to share G-man? 'Cause I was kinda in the middle of appreciating this medieval artwork about a circle of very ample virg…ah, uh… hell-beasts?"

Willow shot a disapproving look at Xander who smiled sheepishly before abruptly snapping the book shut, more than a little reluctantly. Giles however, seemed to have missed Xander's wandering attention span, for he didn't even comment on the loathed nick-name. Instead he crossed over to the table, eyes still scanning the pages before he looked round at them eagerly.

"Here, a Watcher named Hawthorn wrote about a, a vampire sect called Pyer." Giles placed the diary on the table and Willow peered at the tiny handwriting where he gestured.

"You think those are our guys?" Xander asked.

"Yes, I believe so. The descriptions seem to fit the information Angel supplied us."

Giles took out a handkerchief and wiped at his glasses absently, as he continued. "He, he writes about his Slayer running into them back in 1758 in Nottingham, England. She killed two but the others eluded her. But she survived the fight and he gives good details about her experience. Should prove…very helpful."

"Yeah!" Willow beamed enthusiastically at him. "That's great Giles. I mean, if Buffy knows about their fighting style and stuff – she'll be streets ahead of them. Bang-POOF! No problem!"

Giles smiled, slightly flustered under the praise. "Yes well, it's a start."

"So, does that count as a break-through for tonight?" Xander's voice was hopeful. "Not that I don't love spending quality time with the demon-lore but I'm due to fail an English test tomorrow morning and I want to look my very best"

"What?" He exclaimed in response to the looks he was receiving. "Let's face it, good looks are all I have!" He pulled a wounded expression that made Willow stifle a giggle and jab him in the ribs. Xander caught her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, making her stumble as he pulled her into his side.

"Xander!"

"Come on – you know that's why you fell for me all those years ago!"

Willow grinned and nudged him playfully. "Yeah, but it was the Snoopy dance that clinched it! What girl could resist?"

Giles watched the two joking teenagers for a moment with a sense of fond pride. They really were remarkable kids. All of them. Not many could witness all the evils Hell had to offer, let alone fight them, and still retain the ability to laugh and find the rare goodness life still held. The librarian cleared his throat, causing the two friends to straighten up and turn their attention to him.

"Yes, I think you two can call it a night. Head home and get some rest – thanks so much for your help. I'll- I'll let you know what I can gather out of the diary in the morning…Uh, Buffy?" Giles trailed off, looking around as he just noticed the petite Slayer was no-where in sight.

"Patrol," Xander offered.

Giles relaxed. "Oh, yes. Well I think I'll continue my research at home also. Uh, Xander? Could you just give me a hand taking some volumes out to my car?"

"Sure, what's the perk of being young and strong if you can't help out the old and frail?" He announced cheerfully as he followed Giles into the office. Willow could almost hear the Watcher frown and mutter.

"Woah, jeez! I guess the art of travelling light wasn't on the syllabus at Watcher Academy, huh?!"

"Beg your pardon?"

"Seriously, isn't it about time the old Council guys discovered the wonders of electronic documents?! Hey what about a Watcher magazine while you're at it? You'd reach a much larger readership and everything-"

Willow smiled to herself as the conversation drifted from the doorway. Finally Xander staggered out.

"Do you want any help?" She inquired innocently as she watched him re-adjust the box in his arms with a grunt.

"No! No, I can handle it! See you in a minute."

When they had left, Willow turned back to the table and began gathering her stuff together. Picking up the books that lay scattered across the surface, she walked up into the stacks to return them to their proper place. She wished she could've found something better in them; she didn't feel like she had been that big of a help tonight. But Giles's discovery should at least point them in the right direction. Maybe she could do some follow up on the net when she got back home. Try to find out what this sect was after in Sunnydale. Willow perked up at the thought.

The library doors thudded open.

"That was quick!" Willow called as she popped out from the stacks to meet them. "Hey Xander, do you think--"

Willow stopped as her eyes fell upon the familiar figure crossing the library towards her. A wide smile split her face.

"Oz!"

She squealed happily as she hurried down the steps and threw herself into his embrace.

"I was getting worried! Did you have a gig today? We're just finishing up here, Xander and Giles—"

Willow babbled in relief as she snuggled into her boyfriend's shoulder. When she pulled back to look at him, he quietened her with a finger against her lips. Willow looked at him questioningly, as he regarded her with a cool half-smile.

"I missed you too. Come on."

He took her hand and Willow let him lead them back up the steps.

"What's up?" Willow's heart was fluttering. She remembered the last time her and Oz had snuck into the stacks. A warm blush stirred in her cheeks. God, she had missed him.

"Is it cold outside?" She felt the chill of his hand in hers and held it tighter, trying to warm him. Oz didn't turn around.

"Yeah."

She followed him amongst the high shelves as they weaved through the towers of Giles's ancient books. He suddenly stopped them and turned to face her in the dim light, reaching out to pull her close to him. She opened her mouth in a question but was rendered speechless as Oz abruptly crashed his lips to hers in a fierce kiss.

Taken by surprise by the force of his touch, Willow found herself getting quickly pulled deeper into a kiss that was harder and more demanding than any she had ever experienced with her boyfriend. She dug her fingers into his jacket, feeling more than a little overwhelmed, and trying to keep her balance as Oz overpowered her. He rammed them into the stacks behind her and she winced as the sharp shelves cut into her back. Still the kiss went on. Their bodies pressed tight against each other. Oz's hold was strong and possessive, his fingers digging into her skin. It was intense.

And it hurt.

Willow attempted to focus through the haze of adrenaline. His hands gripped her tightly as the rough embrace strengthened. This wasn't just passion. This was something different. Oz had never been rough. Willow tried to break the bruising kiss. It tasted like him...but it didn't feel like him, she realised with a rush of icy fear. She pushed against his chest, dizzy and breathless. She needed air.

And with a sickening dread, she suddenly saw -- that he didn't.

Finally she felt him pull back, though the pressure of his body still pinned hers. She watched with wide eyes, her chest heaving with heavy breaths, as he opened his eyes and smiled. Willow felt a fist clamp around her heart at the sight.

"O-Oz?"

She couldn't bring herself to believe…No. Not him. Please. She searched his face, desperate and pleading. He smelled like her Oz, his clothes were Oz, his hair was the same shade of purple it had been yesterday...but...he wasn't the same. His pale face was even whiter than usual; his half-smile had a cruel lift to it that had never been there before. Inside, Willow was still screaming in denial, until she looked into his eyes once more. His beautiful, intelligent green eyes were glowing with a lustful hunger that made Willow feel sick to her stomach with grief.

"Oz -- please…"

She knew. She wished to God she didn't. Wanted more than anything to ignore everything she'd read, seen, fought, all the knowledge that made the truth inescapable. Why him?! Willow found she could do nothing; couldn't move. His face was inches from hers, and she didn't want to look away. She couldn't bring herself to break his gaze; despite the freezing fear that was crawling up her spine.

"How?" she whispered.

Oz shrugged. "Got jumped last night."

His response was as casual as if she had simply asked about band practice. She pushed back a shudder at the voice she knew so well but refused to recognise.

"I'm-I'm sorry."

The broken words were perhaps the most pathetically inadequate she had ever spoken. Willow looked into her boyfriend's face as he smiled slowly.

"Don't be. I thought just having the wolf inside gave me extra strength, but now…" He grinned darkly, Willow's gut twisted painfully. "The power combined -- it's quite a buzz, Will. I could get used to it."

They were still so close together. Lovers in intimate conversation; not a demon and his victim.

"Maybe…maybe we can fix this. Undo it, or a spell or something!" Willow babbled desperately, clinging to vain hope – to anything. She couldn't lose him. She pleaded with the demon inside to let him live.

He only smirked at her with Oz's poisoned smile. He knew. So did she.

"I-I love you, Oz." There was nothing else left to say. She felt her heart pour into each last painful word as she whispered them between the dark stacks.

"I know." His voice was soft as he held her stricken gaze. For one moment, Willow saw a glimmer of the boy who'd been lost.

"That's why I came to you first tonight."

He ran black tipped fingers through her silky hair, toying with the red strands. Willow shivered at his cold touch. The hunger glinted in his eyes as he leaned in closer to her warm, pulsing skin. Her scent was intoxicating. He needed her. He always had. Willow's heart raced. The demon growled in anticipation.

Willow's fingers slid along the shelf behind her.

"Eternity, Will. You'll never be alone." He breathed low next to her ear.

A tear slipped down her cheek.

"Oz…"

With a snarl she felt his face change. In one movement Willow swung the heavy book around, and felt the crush of impact as it smacked into the side of his head. The unexpected blow sent him staggering, and Willow clumsily dropped the thick book and ran before she could think. She didn't dare look behind her as she burst out of the row of stacks and flew down the steps. Ahead of her, she saw the doors open again as Giles re-entered the library.

"Willow! What—"

"Giles!" Willow yelled as she crashed into him, her eyes wild and terrified. He caught her and tried to calm her, but she was frantic and gripped his arms urgently.

"Giles – its Oz!"

"Wha- Oz? What about- what's happened?"

Giles's worried gaze swept over the distraught girl in front of him, as he tried to get a grasp on this new situation. Something was obviously terribly wrong.

Willow shook her head, tears sparkling in her eyes, and glanced fearfully over her shoulder.

"He's--"

Both were distracted however when a figure emerged from the stacks. Willow spun around and froze. Giles observed with slight confusion as Oz stood casually at the railing. He seemed fine. But then…Giles's eyes widened in horror as the boy leapt over the balcony in one fluid movement and landed on his feet with inhuman ease.

"No..."

He could feel Willow shaking beside him. His heart sank into his knees as he watched the boy stroll closer to them, his corrupted vamped features clearly visible, and fixed on them.

"Willow – go!" Giles shouted, not taking his eyes off the approaching figure. The vampire snarled and charged for them. Giles only just managed to push Willow out the way before he and Oz went crashing to the floor. The small boy was frighteningly strong and dragged Giles to his feet, before hurling him over the library counter.

"Giles!"

He heard Willow yell his name and the Watcher struggled to get back up, grimacing with the splitting pain that ran all along his side where he had struck the hard floor.

"Willow! What—Oz?!!"

Xander. Giles fumbled for a stake amongst the weapons and clutter that had fallen to the floor behind the counter in his tumble. They had to end this, now. They owed him that.

Xander was in shock. Shouts from the library could never be good but he thought he had wandered into a twisted nightmare when he'd bolted through the doors. Willow on the floor, scrambling to get away from—Oz? Only it wasn't. Xander felt anger shoot through his veins as the creature that looked like their friend leant over her, fangs flashing, a hungry growl ripped out his throat as he yanked her up, pulling her head to his mouth, he was really going to…

Xander threw himself on top of the vampire and with every bit of strength in him, flung him off Willow as hard as he could. The creature rolled and with an angry snarl got to his feet, just as Xander pulled Willow to hers.

"Will-"

She looked terrible. He couldn't blame her, but they had no time to recover as Oz lunged for Xander. His movements were almost animal. It made sense in a way, it was almost the full moon and Oz was clearly more able to call on his primal hunting nature now. No more conflict. Just a mutual co-operation between two curses.

Xander dodged and pulled Willow behind him as they circled back around the room towards the big table.

"Oz, man – you don't want to do this!" He knew it was probably a lost cause, but he was hoping he could stall for some time. It was pretty much his strongest defence tactic.

Oz just glared at Xander with deep loathing. It was almost, what? Jealousy. He wanted Willow and Xander was in the way. She was his. Yellow eyes flashed and a vicious growl rumbled through the air.

"Xander-look out!!"

He wasn't fast enough this time, and Oz collided into him. Hard. Xander kicked out and caught him on the jaw. Oz grabbed onto his shirt and hauled him up, slamming his head down against the table. Willow screamed as Xander slumped to the floor.

This couldn't be happening. This was Oz. He was their friend. He cared about them, a member of the Scooby Gang. Oz…her boyfriend. Willow dumbly looked back to see the vampire now wearing his face approaching her. Stumbling, she backed up until she banged into the book cage.

Where Oz spent his wolfy nights…

Over his shoulder Willow glimpsed Giles creeping up. Her eyes widened slightly and in that moment, Oz spun around and tackled the Watcher. Giles slammed a cross in his face and Oz snarled, shrinking back for a moment before he lashed out and latched onto his arms, twisting them brutally until the crucifix slipped from the librarian's grip.

"Willow – run! Get…Buffy!" Giles gasped out as he grappled with the smaller boy. The stake dropped and skidded across the floor as Oz caught his fist and spun him round to slam the Watcher into the wall.

A low groan from the table distracted the vampire and it whirled round to see Xander stirring. In a split second he closed the distance to the boy and bent down to finish what he started. The thrill of the hunt and kill was exhilarating, no doubt extra honed thanks to his wolf instincts. His mouth curved up in a smile. It felt liberating to give in to his animal side, it really was an asset. The power was incredible.

Blood-lust flashed in his feral eyes.

"Oz."

At the sound of her voice, Oz turned round to find Willow's eyes burning into his. He watched as she took a few shaky steps towards him.

"Leave Xander."

Her voice was soft, almost calm and her eyes never left his. Slowly, she raised a hand and pulled down the collar of her shirt, exposing the pale curve of her bare neck.

"You want me."

The demon growled with desire. He dropped Xander and went to her, closing the space between them impossibly fast. He grabbed her trembling body roughly into his embrace. The scent of her fear was arousing, yet she was giving herself to him. He heard her sharp cry as his fangs pierced the creamy skin and slid into her flesh. A muffled moan escaped him as her warm blood filled his mouth and slipped down his throat. She was the sweetest thing he'd ever tasted. He grasped her closer and drank deeply. She would be his forever now.

Willow struggled to catch her breath amidst the searing pain that was shooting through her, and shifted slightly in his hold. From the moment he had walked into the library, she had been lost – blinded in relief, confusion, denial and fear. She hadn't been able to think straight, to fight or protect herself as she knew she could. But she knew she was thinking clearly now. Even if it was just for a moment. Her hand twisted and thrust forward.

She winced as Oz jerked back from her neck. Their eyes met for a single moment. His full of lust and confusion; hers brimming with tears as she soaked in the feeling of his embrace, for the final time. Then he was gone; crumbled into clouds of dust that floated down lazily in front of her. Giles's stake slipped from numb fingers and clattered to the floor at Willow's feet.

She stared at the empty air where he'd just been. Fresh blood ran down her neck, hot and sticky.

He was gone.

Oz was gone.

It hit with a single split through her heart. Willow sunk to the ground, all strength deserted. Anguished sobs broke and shook her body violently as she curled up amongst Oz's ashes. All that was left of him. Her cries echoed round the quiet room, up and down the empty school, as she wept and mourned and was lost to inconsolable grief. Salty streams dripped off her face and fell into the dust that surrounded her. She whispered his name hopelessly, continuing to shudder and tremble with the force of the tears. She felt her eyes stinging, her skin tingled and a thunderous headache set in -- but she couldn't stop.

She clenched fistfuls of ash.

"I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry!" She gasped quietly between choking sobs. She'd...killed him. She'd killed Oz. He was dead. Willow's lungs burned, she couldn't breathe.

o0o

She didn't know how long she lay there, in a wrecked heap on the floor. She didn't hear Xander and Giles get up and slowly walk over.

The Watcher felt his heart break for the devastated young girl before him. His own grief over Jenny echoed from across his memory. He wouldn't have wished that on anyone. And they were so young. They didn't deserve this. Not Willow. She was always so strong and bright. Full of goodness and light, with so much potential. Truly, the best of them.

And she had saved them tonight. But he couldn't help but wonder, at what cost. His chest tightened at the sight of her raw despair, and Giles wondered if they would ever see their Willow again.

Xander didn't know what to do. He'd never seen his best friend in so much pain. He'd only just been coming round when he heard her break down in tears. His eyes drifted to the ash that covered the ground. Oz.

Willow was rocking back and forth; the sound of her sobs tore at his insides. Xander fell down beside her and pulled her into a hug.

"Will..." He stroked her hair and mumbled in ear, trying to ease her hurt if only a fraction. Offering any comfort he could to her broken form.

Willow moaned quietly in his embrace, and struggled against him.

"No!" With a shove she pushed herself away from Xander. She stumbled to her feet and took off. She slammed through the swinging doors; tears streaming down her face, as she ran blindly through the school.

"WILLOW!"

Xander made a break for the doors, but was stopped by Giles.

"Giles! What are you doing? We need to go after her – she can't be out on the streets alone at night!"

"Leave her Xander." The Watcher spoke firmly, though the young man's gaze was insolent.

"I am NOT leaving her out there by herself!"

"She doesn't want us near her at the moment."

"I DON'T CARE!"

Xander had just seen his best friend attacked by her boyfriend-turned-vampire, she was devastated and vulnerable and he would be damned if he left her to fend for herself on the streets of Sunnydale after that. His protective-friend setting was on overdrive.

"Xander!"

Giles almost shouted in his tiredness. He tried to gather his patience, they were all on edge.

"I agree she needs someone looking out for her. But we're not equipped to do it." He gave the teenager a meaningful look. "Call Buffy."

o0o

She heard Xander yell her name but she didn't stop running. She needed to get out. Willow knew Xander meant well, but she just didn't want anyone touching her. The only person she wanted to wrap her in their arms, who could make it alright, was scattered across the library floor.

He would never hold her close. Not ever again. Never run his fingers through her hair, like he loved to do. Never get to make her laugh or smile when she babbled. She'd never hear him play his music; hold his hands; see his warm eyes light up when he looked at her. He'd never comfort her; she'd never fall asleep beside him again. She'd never hear his voice; he'd never kiss her…

Oz was gone.

o0o

AN I have to admit, this scene was a lot of fun to write! Is it very wrong to enjoy torturing your characters? Oh well.

Poor Willow. Cheer her up and leave a review! Thanks for reading!