Wow -- huge thanks and cyber cookies to all those awesome folks who reviewed! :D You guys motivated me to get this out tonight. So Voila!

Chapter Eleven

Willow spent the rest of the day coping with her turbulent emotions by burying them under as much historical information as she could dredge up. She worked almost feverishly, plunging her way through everything she could get her hands on, regardless of relevance or not. Giles drifted in and out during the afternoon, picking up odd papers or books and casting slightly worried glances at the furiously working girl.

At four o clock, the librarian interrupted her research. Willow jumped as he laid a hand on her shoulder, drawing her abruptly from the passage she had been absorbed in.

"Willow, you should take a break. You've been reading non-stop all day."

She blinked and re-focused on his concerned face, her vision blurred from squinting at a computer screen and closely at fancy writing for hours.

"Giles. I'm sorry – I tried to get through all the volumes you left out, but I couldn't find anything really helpful about the Guild you were looking for. There was a passing reference of it re-surfacing in Russia in the 13th Century but—"

"That's okay, don't worry. It was a long shot anyway, really. Why don't you come out; I could use some help getting things ready for tonight."

"Oh, okay. Sure."

Willow rose to her feet and followed him out the office. She looked around at the fading light and realised, for the first time, how long she had been pouring through the books. She had managed to fill her head with a lot of information, but nothing they could use.

She and Giles worked in companionable quiet, sorting out the weapons in the book cage and laying out a selection on the big table. The collection had grown considerably from what Willow remembered; times had certainly changed. A steely resolve settled over her as she sat down to sharpen a pile of stakes; she was ready to fight for this Sunnydale. New game, same rules –- that was all there was to it. She could do this.

The others drifted in as darkness began to fall. Miss Calendar greeted Willow before joining Giles in the book cage, where they filled two duffel bags with supplies. Mike then filtered in. He cast a quick look at Willow, who was still seated quietly at the table, fiddling with the rough blade and discovering that carving stakes was not nearly as easy as Buffy had made it look.

"Giles, I just saw Oz – he said he would bring the van around back."

"Oh, yes good."

Willow looked up and offered a tentative smile to the boy who was still sending furtive glares in her direction.

"Hey."

He caught her eye for a moment, as if trying to uncover the hidden threat in her greeting. "Yeah, hi." He answered quickly and ran a hand through his hazel hair, ruffling the slight curls into a casual disarray, as he slowly approached the table. "You coming out with us tonight then?"

"Yes. Well, I'd like to. You okay with that?"

Willow decided polite diplomacy would be the best way to confront the barely concealed mistrust and resentment in his tone. Mike shrugged and didn't look up as he continued to lightly finger the ornate axe he had picked off the table.

"Guess so."

The doors swung again and the last member of their party strode into the room. Giles walked out of the cage, carrying one of the duffel bags, followed closely by Jenny.

"Ah Annie, good to see you."

Her glinting eyes paused at red-head and narrowed almost imperceptibly. Willow shrunk back slightly and lowered her gaze. She was getting pretty sick of the suspicious stares but there wasn't a lot she could do about it.

"Yeah. Are we ready?"

Apparently she wasn't much for small talk. The tension of the coming night was heavy over everyone in the room as they looked to Giles for confirmation.

"Yes, I think so."

There was silence as people began moving. Giles and Jenny led the way through to the back entrance with Mike close behind. Annie grabbed a cross bow off the table as she whisked past Willow; evidently her weapon of choice. The tense assurance in her movements reminded Willow of Buffy when she was focused on a single goal. That kind of single-minded determination was okay for the Slayer, but it could lead to reckless actions in others.

Ha, look who's talking.

A small sardonic smile flitted across her lips. Yet Willow couldn't help the sudden thought that struck her. Was it possible that this blunt, slightly scary, dark haired young woman – could she be a Slayer also? The Slayer of this world, now? Willow slipped on the slightly too big jacket she had borrowed from Miss Calendar, along with the rest of her outfit. After a minute of consideration however, she dismissed the idea with a small shake of her head. Someone would have mentioned it surely. Besides, Willow thought as she slid the stakes and cross into the jacket pockets and ran to catch up with the others, Annie's reactions didn't seem as sharp as Buffy's had been.

o0o

They came out into the night to find Oz's blue van idling in the empty car park. Willow followed the others into the back of the vehicle and settled down on the floor as Annie slid the door shut with a bang.

"Easy Annie! Oz had to weld the hinges just the other day."

"Sorry."

The driver shrugged it off and threw the van into gear. Willow, meanwhile, found herself very distracted by the strong Oz presence that filled the familiar van. His smell, the stray shirts and clothes that lay tossed in a corner and the few dog-eared books that poked out from underneath. She glimpsed an old, faded and torn concert poster for a group she didn't recognise, tacked up on the side across from her; along with various other unique and odd objects of his personality that had found their way in over time. The space where his guitar had usually been, along with the rest of the band's equipment on occasions, was packed up instead with reserve weapons. How many times had she sat in this van with him? Talking across the front seats; just being together here in the back -- enjoying their precious alone time. Willow blushed furiously in the dim light. This had been their place.

"S-so what's the plan? Do you guys just drive around looking for trouble and then - jump in? Not that that's not a good plan! That is the plan right? I should be quiet shouldn't I? Sorry."

Willow knew she was babbling, as she always did when in a stressful situation. So she let her mouth dig her into a ditch, desperate as she was to stop her mind from dwelling on very private memories and the crazy emotions they brought up.

In the front seat, a small smirk curved Oz's mouth.

"Willow, its okay." She felt a hand touch her arm and squinted in the low light at Miss Calendar's reassuring smile. Giles spoke up from the seat next to Oz.

"Yes, I-I'm afraid we can't do much else now. We do know their common hunting grounds though."

Willow nodded and silence settled inside the van again.

o0o

The strain of anticipation on Willow's nerves was just beginning to get unbearable, when the van suddenly lurched to the left. Her shoulder bashed into the metal frame as everyone in the back braced themselves at the abrupt movement.

"Giles?!"

It was Oz that answered. "Undead party kicking off in the park."

He slammed the van to a stop and Annie pushed Willow out the way, reaching for the door handle.

"Show time!" Mike announced in a tight voice, as he followed the young woman out the side door and into the night. Giles had already jumped down from the front, and Willow practically fell out the van as she scrambled to follow the others.

As her eyes adjusted to the dark, she looked across the grass and saw the aforementioned partyers ganged around five teenagers. The vampires had over-powered the easy prey and were already sinking their teeth into their prizes; the sounds of shouts and screaming echoed in the night as the unsuspecting kids were grabbed and devoured. Who would still be stupid enough to be out at night in this Sunnydale?! Well apart from us, Willow thought wryly.

She raced towards them and watched as Annie and Mike barrelled into the group, stakes raised and arrows flying. Annie's shot was on target and a young woman with waves of platinum blonde hair, cried out in surprise as she exploded into dust. With angry hisses, the fanged predators broke apart to confront the attackers. There were more of them than she had first thought. Some scattered into the night, dragging their victims into the darkness. Willow dodged a vamp that lunged right at her and took off after one that was pulling a struggling girl by her neck into the trees. The sounds of fighting filled her ears, but she kept her sights fixed ahead. The vampire suddenly stopped and gripped the girl's head; he'd obviously decided she was easier to carry dead and eat later. In desperation, Willow grabbed the stake in her pocket and flung it through the air, as she had once seen Oz try to do. He was right – it didn't ever work. And Willow's aim was no match for Buffy's, but she didn't need it to hit his heart – just close enough to get his attention. She was lucky; her throw made the vampire recoil to the side as it sailed just wide of his shoulder. His stumble made him drop the girl, who cried out as she hit the ground and tried to stagger to her feet.

Willow was breathing hard as she reached them, and with the crucifix outstretched she quickly placed herself between the vampire and his victim.

"Run!"

The terrified girl didn't need telling twice and bolted as fast as her shaking legs would carry her.

The vampire snarled viciously at his lost meal and rounded on Willow. An athletic kick caught her by surprise and the cross flew out of her hand. Ducking sharply, she narrowly avoided another aimed at her head. Willow straightened and backed away; keeping an eye on the approaching vamp as she slipped another stake out of her pocket. With bared teeth he abruptly rushed forward and the stake jammed into his chest as he knocked them both to the ground. But he didn't explode.

Oops! Not the heart!

The vampire grunted in pain at the non-fatal injury as Willow squirmed and gasped under his weight. This was not good. She jerked her head to the side and glimpsed the cross lying in the grass a distance away from her. She couldn't reach it. Unless…Willow fought to keep his teeth away from her neck and squeezed her eyes closed. Sparks tingled through her arm. Concentrate. His fangs were inches from her skin…Her eyes snapped open as she felt the cross fly into her outstretched hand. Without wasting a second, Willow slammed the object into the side of his head. Flesh sizzled and the vampire cried out, allowing her the chance to grab the stake in his chest and yank it free as he rolled off her. In one movement, she leant over him as he clawed at his head, and rammed the barely removed stake home once more.

Willow coughed and fell back on the grass as the cloud of dust filled the air. There was no time to recover though; the fight still raged on and Willow scrambled up, armed with the cross and stake again and hurled back into the fray. She spotted Miss Calendar falling back from a large bear of a vampire that had to be twice her size, but before she could reach her, Giles appeared out of nowhere. The vamp grabbed the librarian around the neck and lifted him easily off his feet. Willow called out in panic, but suddenly Giles's floundering arm swiped forward and with angry growl, the bear combusted. Willow glanced Miss Calendar helping Giles to his feet, before she had to jump out the way as Annie shoved her attacker over a park bench just behind her.

"Move!"

Willow did, and narrowly avoided an arrow that shot towards the retreating back of the vampire that had struggled to her feet and was making a break for it. The arrow flew wide and Annie cursed. Willow turned around to see a leather coated figure backing into her, as they fought someone else. A loud growl signalled foe and Willow took advantage of their distraction, slamming her stake through their unsuspecting back. Apparently her aim was getting better. Through the sudden shower of dust, Willow glimpsed a ragged Mike who looked slightly shocked at the abrupt disappearance of his opponent. He locked eyes with Willow and opened his mouth, when his eyes suddenly grew round and he shouted out in a heavy breath.

"Duck!"

Willow did as she was told as Mike stepped forward and swung his axe round above her head. More dust rained down on Willow as she slowly stood back up, looking over her shoulder before back at a panting Mike.

"Thanks."

He managed a small smile.

"Oz!"

Both spun round at the frantic cry to see Annie racing back towards the van, where Oz was fighting two against one as he attempted to guard the vehicle. Willow's eyes widened as she saw them throw the smaller boy against the side of the van and lift him up. She was running before she even realised it; dread fastened around her lungs, squeezing the air out of her chest. Oz kicked out forcefully and one of the vampires fell back. Annie beat her there and Willow watched as she dodged under the vamp's arm as he groped for her and seized his jacket, pulling him off Oz. The second got to his feet but was immediately tackled by Willow who hit at him with such desperate ferocity, he could barely get a grip on her. Annie's vampire caught her kick and spun her round, sending her crashing to the hard dirt. He advanced menacingly but upon seeing the others rapidly approaching he thought better of it.

"Bloody White Hats!" he growled vehemently before turning and melting into the darkness.

The vampire Willow had knocked down finally grabbed her flailing fists and flipped them over, crushing her against the ground. It was only then she realised she had dropped her cross and stake in the run over. Oh well done Willow!

The vampire leered over her, yellow eyes gleaming in hunger and victory. Suddenly, they widened in shock and then his weight vanished as it dissolved to dust.

"Willow?"

Giles's concerned face looked down at her as she lay slightly stunned upon the grass. She nodded to indicate she was okay and accepted his hand as he helped her to her feet.

"Is that the last of them?"

Miss Calendar appeared beside them, her hair slightly wild around her dirty face.

"I-I think so." Giles peered about them before clutching his shoulder with a small grimace.

"A lot took off, but all the kids were safe. Well -- alive."

Giles turned as Mike walked up to them; blood glinting off the silver axe hanging limply from his hand. A fresh slash ran along his hairline. He wiped at it, smearing blood across his forehead.

"Last time I saw them anyway."

Giles nodded and cast an eye over the assembled group. Willow followed his gaze to where Annie was huddled next to Oz at the side of the van. They were talking in low voices. Oz's head was turned away from her, but even from here she could see Annie's face was creased in concern, her eyes soft. Willow felt her stomach clench in knots as she watched them. Annie raised a hand to the side of his face and Willow's heart plummeted painfully in her chest. She looked down at her feet, her eyes burning with unshed tears.

"W-well, I think we should head back for now. We all need to recover a bit I think."

Oz and Annie looked over at Giles's voice and motioned their agreement. Annie pulled open the sliding door and slipped inside.

"I guess party crashers are never popular," Oz said thoughtfully, rubbing his arm across the back of his head. Giles looked the boy over.

"Do you want me to drive back?"

"No, I'm fine."

He would never admit it out loud, but Oz was quite protective of his old van. In all its battered and barely working glory. It was home in a lot of ways and it would be a strangely emotional day for him when it finally gave up the fight. But for as long as he could repair it, he would.

Willow stumbled in a daze towards the vehicle. She was glad they were going back; she ached all over. Mike held the door open and let her in ahead of him. Willow shrunk back against the interior and drew her knees up to her chest. Soon they were all bundled back inside and Oz set the van in the direction of the school. Willow stared resolutely at the floral pattern of the skirt she had borrowed from Miss Calendar, not trusting herself to look up and catch sight of Annie in the dim light. She was determined to keep a tight reign on her emotions until she wasn't bottled up in a confined space with people.

o0o

They made it back to the school and filed into the library, rather subdued. The heavy fight had exhausted everyone and they were all worse for wear. Weapons clattered down on the table and people collapsed into chairs. Jenny walked over to Giles who had moved behind the counter to collect the extensive first aid box. She placed a hand on his arm, speaking quietly.

"Rupert, they're getting bolder. We've not encountered quite so many of them all together in some time."

Giles pulled off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I know. There was a lull in activity just after…But now. I-I fear the Master is growing even stronger. The stakes can't be raised much higher."

Jenny squeezed his arm. "We'll find something."

He looked into her warm eyes and was suddenly sure that they would. "Thank you," he muttered softly. She smiled and took the box from his grasp, turning to head back to the table.

Mike and Oz were already tidying the weapons back into the book cage as Jenny approached.

"Here Mike. You should clean up that cut before you head home."

The boy nodded and left Oz by the weapons cupboard to pick up the first aid box and head out to the bathrooms. It was easier than arguing with the stern teacher. Annie was rummaging around in one of the duffel bags and pulled out a roll of gauze. She sat with one leg up on the table and proceeded to pull up her ripped trouser to clean a deep bloody gash just under her kneecap. She wrapped the length of medical gauze around her leg with the casualness of one for whom it was routine.

Willow had retreated to the steps and was currently huddled next to the railing, her fingers gripped around the wooden spindle for support. Her eyes occasionally travelled to Oz and then over to Annie, before falling to the floor again. The image of them was imprinted in front of her and she couldn't stand it. Rampaging jealously and sickening despair stormed inside her, making her dizzy.

Oz and Annie…Willow closed her eyes and fought back the lurking tears. She hadn't even thought of anything like this. Bitter anger suddenly shot to the forefront of her emotions. How could she have been so stupid? So selfish and blind to not even consider that Oz could already have someone in this reality? He wasn't her Oz. A traitorous tear slipped from under her closed eyes and Willow hurriedly wiped it away. She hadn't considered Oz would have fallen in love with someone else. She hadn't considered so much before risking everything and dropping herself into this place, this world where she didn't belong. Oz didn't know her. He hadn't even met her before. He didn't love her…

A broken breath escaped her lungs. She saw so clearly now what an idiot she had been. The boy here wasn't the Oz she had lost. He had his own life, his own history, his own love…and it didn't include Willow. She felt the cruel realisation ripping into her heart, but she forced herself not to turn away. It was the truth. Willow suddenly missed Buffy more than ever. She wished so hard to just be able to talk to her again; tell her what a terrible mess she had gotten herself into; tell her how much it hurt; to have Buffy's understanding face and soothing voice. They had been there for each other through so much. It seemed unthinkable that she couldn't turn to the Slayer now, when she needed her brave and caring friend the most.

But Buffy wasn't there. She was alone; and it was all her fault. Her head fell into her hands and she finally let the tears flow under her closed fingers.

"Willow?"

She quickly rubbed at her wet cheeks before looking up. Miss Calendar frowned at the girl's increasingly pale face and distressed gaze.

"What's wrong?"

Willow wiped at her eyes again and tried to smile at the concerned teacher. "Actually, I-I think I hit my head harder than I thought. I don't feel so good."

"Oh, of course. Come on, I'll take you home."

o0o