Lunar Phases Chapter 9, a buffy: the vampire slayer fanfic

Hey all! Back once again… ahh this chapter we leave the forest! This makes me excited, because no matter how much I love and miss writing wolves in the forest and hello half naked Oz and Jay in the forest! I have so many ideas running around my head for how this thing will play out I feel like I'm going to explode. Good for you. Bad for my head.

I do have a question for those of you who are seasoned on as I am. Everyone who has read this fic knows the first chapter's spacing SUCKS, it's driving me crazy. Does anyone know if I can replace that chapter with-out having to replace the whole fic, cause I haven't saved the chapters separately and it wouldn't be worth fixing the first chapter if I had to re-post anything. Does anyone know if I can JUST replace the first chapter. If you do can you review or message me?

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing, it makes me sad, so I continue to write. This makes me happy although not rich. Which sucks. I also don't own anything to do with the band Creed, including lyrics and the song 'My Own Prision.'

I OWN JAY, SASHA, JAKE AND THE VILLIAN! They are also not making me any money, cause they are fictional. That's what the lawyers told me to say… in my own words… -glances behind her shoulder at stern looking lawyers- yeah, they got my back.

THANKS AGAIN TO THE REVIEWERS AND MY WONDERFUL FRIEND AND BETA, EVERGREEN-BABY! YOU GUYS MAKE THIS AUTHER SOOO HAPPY!

CHAPTER 9: WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS.

They didn't even bother packing up before they left, they just got in the van, half naked, and it didn't matter anymore. Willow was only wearing a T-shirt, no bottoms and nothing underneath. The ride was silent for at least a mile. The clouds overhead loomed like gray giants as they drove. It was so quiet, so surreal, so fragmented. Oz waited until he got to the interstate before he spoke up. "What's happening?" he asked finally. He didn't even bother taking his eyes off the road; Willow's heart sank.

Jay explained the situation, slowly, with as much detail as he could give without making himself feel uncomfortable. Which was more than enough to make Willow uncomfortable and Oz numb with emotion. He understood the reasoning behind not telling him, but he was mad. There was nothing he would have given for the feeling from the night before to comeback, freedom, wholeness, his heart soaring. He was however, disappointed, disappointed about letting himself get so carried away; so carried away that his best friend wouldn't trust him to have told him about this sooner. Then he remembered the monks.

The monks, the ones that had started all this shit from the beginning. He couldn't believe people could do that to the ones loyal to them. They were so strict with their policies that they took in a killer as their own and rehabilitated him to full health so that he could reap havoc on the world once more. Oz sat and simmered for a long time in silent thought. Jay and Willow stayed quiet in the back, not knowing what to say to make Oz more comfortable. Oz pulled over, they needed food, and gas. The change always left them deprived of energy and he knew everyone would have to eat soon. They pulled into a gas station and both Jay and Oz got out. Willow stayed inside and searched around for a pair of pants. Oz looked over at Jay and nodded for him to go inside and buy some food, while he pumped gas.

Willow watched both men head off to their respectable duties. Both were only wearing jeans. Jay's tattoos were in full view, she had noted them before and pondered what they meant but now they were just another piece of skin. She was so numb. Jay was having a hard time; the clerk at the counter of the shop was motioning profusely at the sign above the door reading 'No Shirt, No Shoes No Service' Jay turned towards her and winked before going back to the clerk and Willow frowned. She then began scrambling around the back of the van until she found a pair of Oz's old jeans in a heap in one of the corners. They smelt clean enough and she pulled them on before entering the passenger's seat and waiting patiently for Oz to finish pumping the gas. When he had the pump in the tank he turned away to check to see how Jay was doing with the food and Willow's breath caught.

There lay the physical reminder of the last battle Oz had fought with Blade. Scars criss-crossed his entire back, they were huge, in the shape of a whip, and some were circles, gashes long healed that had sunk deep into his flesh. Willow couldn't believe what she was seeing, never had she seen scars this extensive and her mind reeled with ideas of spells that she could use to aid the disfiguring abrasions. Her heart lurched at the sight she might have seen if those wounds were fresh. She then did something she hadn't done in almost eight years. She prayed, she prayed to God, she prayed to the Goddess, she prayed to anyone that would listen. She prayed that Buffy would be alright and that she wouldn't be tortured the way Oz was until she got to them.

She glanced down at the studded bracelets that he had yet to take off and shuddered, he had changed so much in the time she was with Tara. Was he starting to feel the same way about her that she was feeling about him? It wouldn't work, not now, not after Blade had made his return to finish the job. But he wasn't going to get the chance this time; at least she hoped.

Oz's chest shuttered for a second and he coughed, hard. He covered it up quickly but Willow heard the weakness in his lungs. His chest heaved and his body shook. She could see the pain he was in and yet she could do nothing with out acknowledging the fact that she could see it.

Oz turned around and when he saw her pale face, gave her a weak smile before pulling out the nozzle and placing it back on the pump. Jay came back with a jog, almost spilling the three coffees and breakfast sandwiches as he dodged the pumps and trucks that were pulled into the gas station. "Back, are we all finished?" He asked handing around coffees. "Yeah." Oz said running a hand through his hair and walking over to the passenger's side. Willow slid out and allowed both men to get in. They were just about to head out again when Jay's phone rang yet again.

Oz gave Jay a look as he picked up his phone. "Yeah?" Jay asked into the phone, sounding exasperated. It was Jake. "We have a bit of a situation man." Jake answered. "No kidding Jake." Jay said in a low voice. "Blade took a hostage." Jake explained. "I know; we're on our way." Jay said shaking hair out of his eyes as he held the phone to his ear. "You do realize there's one more lunar phase to go yet, right?" Jake asked referring to Willow's change; not the least bit surprised.

Jay glanced over at Willow and Oz in the front seat; both were listening intently before nodding. "Yeah, but you guys need us there." He said with a sigh. "If you don't mind me asking, how did you know before I called?" Jake asked. "Spike gave us an eleven am drunken wake-up call." Jay supplied. "Shit. He hasn't left his room since they got back. I arrived and no one was here. He's pretty broken up." Jake explained. "Keep up moral, I know that's not normally your suit but we're four hours away." Jay said glancing up at the two in the front seat again. Jake agreed reluctantly.

"Any luck on getting more people up there?" Jay asked, changing the subject. "Not really, none of the C.W.'s would talk to me, I flashed Faith here this morning, and Nika and Cray wanted to help but they were in a jail in Singapore. They said they would get out of there A.S.A.P. Don't ask about the whole jail thing. Let's just say Cray was pissed and Mike had already started to hack the system." Jake explained, Jay could almost see him cracking his knuckles with restlessness.

"Damn, I was hoping they could get out here." Jay said realizing once again how out numbered they were. "No kidding, I offered to flash them out but the phone cut before they could tell me where they were." Jake was interrupted by a loud crash and Jay told him he should go and they both hung up. Jay threw his phone into the back of the van, where it broke in half and then cursed, he then glanced up at the two in the front who were giving him severe looks, before digging into his sandwich. Oz started the van and they were off again, speeding down the interstate to get to the 'Dale'.

They ate in silence as rain started to fall from the cloudy sky. Soon Willow was lulled to sleep by the rhythmic sound of the wiper blades.

When she woke up Jay was shaking her shoulder gently. "Sorry Will, but we're here." He said softly. Oz looked over Jay's shoulder and smiled slightly as well. "Xander's here." Oz added. Willow yawned and nodded sitting up slightly, it took a few seconds before the blur of sleep escaped her eyes and she could see regularly again. She was in the back of the van, the rain had stopped and sunlight was beginning to break through the clouds.

Xander had the sliding door of the van open and was smiling. God it was so good to see him. She jumped up and gave him a big hug. "Hey," she whispered. "How are you?" Xander asked his eyes filling with concern. "Okay. How are you?" Willow asked pulling back and wiping some stray tears from her eyes.

"Hanging in there Will." Xander answered frankly. Willow nodded. "Hey guys!" He added with a wave to both Oz and Jay, who both nodded in return. "Where's Jake?" Oz asked looking around. "Oh yeah! He's uhh, hanging out." Xander said with a frown. He pointed to the backyard, he then lead the way and they followed him into the yard.

Willow was used to things hanging from the large tree in Xander's backyard, bras, beer cans, Mr. Harris's entire wardrobe, but never a person. There hanging tied up from the tree upside-down was a person, a sleeping person. Well he appeared to be sleeping. "What the…?" Willow stopped when the guys eyes opened.

He had yellow, blond shoulder length hair that was hanging over his head held back only by a black, corduroy 'paper boy' cap. He wasn't wearing a shirt and his pale chest was slightly muscled and was regularly built. He was wearing a pair of black jeans and was wrapped up in a rope attached to the tree above.

Jay walked over looked him over and then exclaimed, "What the hell Jake!" he asked. Apparently hanging from a tree wasn't a regular occurrence for the blond. "What? I'm the hostage, we're practicing." He stated with a shrug. "And you failed to tell them you could get out of that quite easily?" Oz asked raising an elegant eyebrow and stepping beside his friend. "Well, now they know." Jake proposed a smirk spread across his face.

His eyes were greenish hazel one had some blue in it. "Get down from there." Jay said shaking his head and backing up. Jake eyed Willow wearily, "She's good right?" he asked. "Yes Jake, she should be fine with it. Maybe if you stopped making a big deal about it we could just get on with it, hmm?" Jay asked cocking an eyebrow at his friend.

Jake sighed and there was a shuffling sound from behind his back and then a loud snap as the ropes snapped and Willow almost had the wind knocked out of her. Wings. Huge, charcoal black, feathery, angel wings. They were at least two and a half meters on each side.

He landed on his feet and tucked his wings in behind his back before walking over to her and giving her a once over, apparently seeing her lack of bra. "I believe we've met already on the phone, I'm Jake." He said with slight exasperation as if he wasn't used to niceties. Willow shook her head in an attempt to clear it and took his hand with a warm smile. "Nice to meet you in person." She said lightly. They shook hands and stepped back.

They were then interrupted by Dawn, Giles and Faith came around from the corner of the house; all of them were armed with cross bows. Greetings ensued.

Faith walked straight over to Jay, a smile wiped over her face as she inspected his bare chest. "Hey, nice to see you again." She commented, not bothering to look up at his face. "Nothing you haven't seen before Faith." Jay said shaking his head, hair fell into his eyes.

Willows eyes followed Faiths to Jays skinny, very well defined torso. She could see why girls found him hot. His abs looked like they had been chiseled by gods. He was tall, dark eyed, and sported gorgeous naturally curly, mahogany hair. "Speaking of which, we should go get changed." Willow said looking down at her oversized blue and yellow T-shirt and jeans made for someone that was male and four inches shorter than she was.

"Yeah, it looks like you all had a rough night." Dawn said an eyebrow rising. Faith, Jake and Jay all laughed. "We did, just not the way you're implying." Jay said between chuckles. Oz looked over towards Xander, "Can I borrow some clothes man?" He asked. Xander nodded and lead the way. Willow glanced over at Dawn, who nodded as well and they both followed Xander and Oz.

Jay glanced over at Jake who laughed, "Forget it, everything I got is way too big for you." He said pulling on a denim jacket, it covered his wings and it made his back look humped. Jay sighed and went back to the van.

"So this is what it's come to? You and me the fashion re-jects." Jake said looking over at Faith. "Speak for yourself plus size, they can't handle these digs." Faith said showing off her skin tight, leather pants, denim jacket and painfully low tank top. "Who are you calling plus size? if I were to be wingless I would be a small." Jake drawled with a scowl. Faith snorted.

Oz had been slightly surprised to be the one voted on to go and talk to Spike, he barely knew the guy, even less, he didn't know him on the side of the light. Things once again had changed. He knew they could use another pair of fangs in this shit but he wasn't sure he wanted to be the one to find the bleach blond vamp.

Oz sighed and walked down the stairs of Xander's house and into the basement, and came face first into a locked door. He was very aware they were at Xander's house instead of Buffy's; Blade apparently knew where that was. The whole town had left once again, it was so normal for everyone to just pack up and get out of town. Oz wasn't even sure if they were fully aware of what was happening, they just left, without a word and that was fine by him.

He suddenly felt very weary of what was behind the door. Spike; the second vampire with a soul and now a broken heart. He hadn't left the basement since Buffy had been taken and from the sound of his voice on the phone, he had drowned his sorrows in as much hard liquor as he could get his hands on.

Oz understood the feeling; Spike was going through the same thing he had been going through with Sasha. Well, he wasn't sure if Buffy and Spike's relationship was at the same level as his had been with Sasha, but he was sure Spike was in some kind of torment. He had been more than a little surprised when Willow had informed him of their relationship, but again, lots of things had changed since he had last been in Sunnydale.

He didn't bother knocking, not with someone like that; he would probably be turned away before he could get a word in edgewise. Contrary to certain beliefs, he was weary of the vampire as well as the mess he might find him in. He reached out and turned the doorknob, he felt the lock stop his progress and with a tight twist of his wrist broke through. Werewolf strength had its perks, until you put too much grip on the ketchup bottle and it promptly exploded on you.

He opened the door and was hit with the heavy scent of whiskey; lots of whiskey and cigarette smoke. Careful not to let the waning daylight into the room Oz slipped in, blinking a few times in order for his eyes to adjust. Spike was sitting in a corner, his head was down and he had a half empty bottle of amber whiskey in one hand. In the corner was a pile of broken glass Oz linked to the sounds on the phone. Needless to say the glass had once been more liquor.

A lit cigarette was balanced precariously on a dresser above his head the smoke snaked up to the ceiling of the almost black room. Spike didn't even seem to notice Oz as he walked in. Music played softly in the backround, Creed. Oz thought glumly. "Spike?" he asked seemingly unsure into the dark room.

Spike looked up and raised his eyebrows slightly; he blinked a few times as if trying to match the face. "Wolfboy?" he asked finally, his voice cracking. A slow amused smile crossed his face, although his eyes remained blank. "Thought they'd send Red down here." He added taking a long swig of whiskey before looking back up. Oz watched as the vampire drank expertly, leaving the alcohol in his mouth long enough to feel the burn before it slid like butter down his throat.

A court is in session, a verdict is in
No appeal on the docket today
Just my own sin
The walls are cold and pale
The cage made of steel
Screams fill the room
Alone I drop and kneel
Silence now the sound
My breath the only motion around
Demons cluttering around
My face showing no emotion
Shackled by my sentence
Expecting no return
Here there is no penance
My skin begins to burn

Oz just watched, before long Spike looked up again and their eyes met. Spike's eyes went back to the floor in shame. "I was supposed to be there. To protect her. To keep her safe to make her feel like she was safe with me. I was helpless and couldn't do anything but watch them take her away. I made a promise to keep her safe forever and they just ripped that promise away like it was nothing at all." He croaked silent tears sliding down his face.

(And I said oh) So I held my head up high
Hiding hate that burns inside
Which only fuels their selfish pride
(And I said oh) We're all held captive
Out from the sun
A sun that shines on only some
We the meek are all in one

Oz was taken aback, never in a million years had he ever thought that he would watch a vampire cry, out of shame. "Been there man." Oz stated trying to find a way out of the room, he was very uncomfortable. Spike looked up and cocked a scarred eyebrow. Oz mentally sighed. He was going to have to tell the story yet again. He could see no other way out of it; well other than running, the way Spike was looking at him, that maybe an option yet.

I hear a thunder in the distance
See a vision of a cross
I feel the pain that was given
On that sad day of loss
A lion roars in the darkness
Only he holds the key
A light to free me from my burden
And grant me life eternally

Oz allowed himself to get absorbed by the music before beginning to tell his story, once again. Spike listened quietly, not interrupting. Oz was thankful for that. He had to stop a few times, especially when he came to what happened in Blade's compound. He knew what Spike was thinking, and Oz thought with a sinking feeling, soon the story may repeat it'self again. He could have thrown up right there, in the darkness of the room.

Should have been dead
On a Sunday morning
Banging my head
No time for mourning
Ain't got no time

When Oz had finished the room remained silent for a second and Oz looked up Spike was staring at him incredulously. "Bloody hell…" Spike mumbled. "Yeah," Oz agreed quietly. "We have to get her out of there!" Spike exclaimed looking panicked, he tried to scramble up but ended up back on the floor. "I couldn't agree more." Oz said quietly, he had started to doubt whether or not they had the power to get her out. There was one way, he thought slowly…

"You need to fill me in on what happened." Oz added finally. Spike nodded and picked up his smoke from the dresser and taking a drag. Before resting it in his hand. Oz wished he wouldn't, it stank. With his extra smelling capability it was even worse. Finally Spike let out a shuddering sigh and snubbed out the smoke on the windowsill above his head. "Buffy, Xander, Bit and I were out patrolling, east cemetery… erm, Sunnyside; I think. It doesn't matter. Bit was arguing with Buffy about a drivers license or something when I caught scent of about four vampires. It was like any other night really. Until things went wrong." Spike stopped apparently trying to remember what happened next.

I cry out to God
Seeking only his decision
Gabriel stands and confirms
I've created my own prison
I cry out to God
Seeking only his decision
Gabriel stands and confirms
I've created my own prison

"We were jumped, one landed on my back and hit me with a shovel. It wasn't a vampire though, it was a wolf. It had me pinned on the ground before the rest found out about the attack. Xander took Dawn and ran while Buffy held the rest off. I managed to get the wolf off my back and got into it as well. We did as well as could be expected armed with only a stake. But they all rushed at me and while I was fighting one of them knocked Buffy out and carried her away. I tried to get her back but I couldn't there were too many."

Oz nodded, "Understandable." D Oz searched Spike's face, guilt was predominate over the rest of his feelings and Oz could smell the unease coming off him in waves even through the booze and cigarette smoke. He had never felt such emotion coming off a vampire before. It was surprising to say the least. Anger picked away at his insides once more. How could someone so insignificant make so much pain.

"Is there a plan yet?" Spike croaked looking up into Oz's eyes. Oz shook his head. "Everyone is tired, we need to have a meeting and plan there, They're all kind of spread out right now." Oz said getting up from the floor and heading slowly for the door. "The sun should be going down soon, so we should probably round everyone up before that. Willow's gonna change again tonight." He added. Spike shook his head, "How is she doing?" He asked. "Good." Oz answered cocking his eyebrow in the vampire's direction. Spike ignored the eyebrow with a flick of his hand and got up. They both headed for the door to go round up the troops once again.

Should've been dead on a Sunday morning
banging my head
No time for mourning
Ain't got no time…

Willow walked through Xander's house, wondering what she was going to do with herself. She could feel the moon on it's way to the sky above. She could hear Dawn crying in the room upstairs and Xander pacing around the room beside Dawn's stopping every once and a while. Giles was doing what he did best, researching as much as he could about Blade himself. Anya was out getting supplies.

Finally she decided on going upstairs to go see everyone. She wasn't sure what she was going to do once she got there but she needed someone around. She longed to be back at the cabin, sitting on the comfortable porch with a view of trees. Sipping lemonade, beside Oz, listening to Jay talk about music or that time they had fell down that gorge.

Instead all she got was the looming feeling of doom and the pull of the wolf into her consciousness. She closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh before ascending the stairs. She stopped as she heard a gun being cocked in Xander's parent's bedroom. The door was opened slightly, not wanting to pry, she just took a peek between the door and the wall and found prominent black feathers.

She heard Jake clear his throat and sigh before he used his foot to swing open the door lightly and glance over his shoulder at who was behind the door. He was shirtless once more and facing the other way; his wings took up a large part of the room even folded neatly at his back. There was a large sniper looking rifle grasped in his hands and barley visible over his large, wingspan. Large brown cardboard boxes filled the room, likely holding more weaponry. Dirty rags lay forgotten on the large desk before him, tools including a welder and an assortment of different pipes were scattered haphazardly throughout the room.

"You lurked?" Jake said turning back to his work, his long yellow shoulder length hair turned with him. Willow frowned, not sure what to say "I was just going," Willow started and Jake turned around, "Listen, before you go and decide what you think about these," Jake stated motioning towards his wings, "let me tell you something, I've been called everything from a messiah of Christ to Lucifer himself, I've been seen as a sign from God or an omen of up coming apocalypse. Personally I think I'm just a regular guy, living in New York trying to make a name for himself, hell, maybe not even that. I'm stuck on this plain and that's all." Jake explained shaking his head as he turned to look Willow in the eye.

"And before you ask me where I came from I can tell you right now, I can't remember, all I remember is landing in a dumpster looking around and being partially blind for a few days." He added as a second thought. His voice had an edge to it she had also noticed he had an interesting accent. "I'd really prefer not to talk about what I am. Can you dig it?" He asked. Willow nodded and thought for a second before adding, "Me too." Jake cocked an eyebrow questioningly. "Well. I'm Jewish, but I'm also Wiccan. I'm; well, a werewolf now, and a lesbian, who at the moment is falling for her ex, who may I add is a male and lacking in boobs." Willow bit her lip, "Just uhh, don't tell him that." She added a flush falling across her cheeks.

Jake stared for a second and then started to laugh, "You really are confused aren't you?" He asked with a grin falling easily onto his face. He grabbed the rag he had left on the table and wiped the black grease off his hands. Willow nodded and smiled at him for a moment before motioning to the boxes. "More of those?" She asked then motioning towards the gun he had resting on the workbench. Jake nodded, "Gotta have something other than crosses and stakes." He said opening one so that she could see.

Willow nodded and excused herself by motioning towards the room beside his, 'Yeah like silver bullets…' She thought glumly as she exited the room. She heard Dawn sniff again and knocked softly. "What?" Came the glum but muffled answer. "Can I come in?" Willow asked quietly. "Willow? Yeah, come on in." Was Dawn's choked answer.

Willow opened the door slowly and entered the room getting hit full in the face with the smell of salty tears and lavender hit her in the face. She found Dawn sitting on the window seat, taking in the sunlight, a vase of dried roses sat covered in dust beside her. Dusty knick-knacks filled Xander's long gone grandmother's room, some items still glinted slightly under the blanket of dust. Everything in the room looked so fragile, like it was balancing on the eye of a pin; including Dawn. Her eyes were red and puffy. She kept her legs tucked under her as she stared out into the street, her eyes shining with emotion.

"C'mon Dawnie, it isn't that bad." Willow tried, coming over and sitting beside her. "You don't know Willow, you haven't been around for a while." Dawn explained, not bothering to look Willow in the eye. The way she was talking to her wasn't cold, just weaker than the way Dawn would have normally said. "I know…" Willow whispered, her voice slightly hurt. She hated seeing Dawn in so much pain. Worse, she had missed the whole thing.

It was silent in the room for a few seconds and more tears fell from Dawn's eyes and dripped off her nose. Willow watched in silence, temporarily speechless. She wasn't used to Dawn acting this way, most of the time it was Buffy; however rare that was in itself. "I can't loose her again Willow." Dawn whispered, she wrapped her arms around herself. She was helpless, there was no way she could get her sister back, and she didn't have the strength.

Willow frowned at the girl in front of her. "We'll get her back. I promise." Willow said wrapping a consolidated arm around Dawn's shoulders. She was so cold, Willow observed with a frown. Her heart sank, and she closed her eyes and let out a long sigh. She had all this newfound power and was afraid to use it now. She didn't have control; once again she had something she needed to use this power for, and found herself unable to do shit about it but wait. Needless to say this was frustrating. But she had learned from her previous mistake and continued to tell her self to stay grounded.

"How do you know?" Dawn asked turning to towards her for the first time, and looking her straight in the eyes; fire burned behind them as the anger she felt towards the people who took her sister became evident for the first time. "Because we have a house full of people willing to help get her back Dawnie." Willow said, her thoughts landing on everyone who had jumped into action as soon as thy learned that they had needed assistance. Dawn nodded, her mind put at ease slightly but still her eyes contained more emotion that Willow felt comfortable with, and she scrambled to find more comforting words to could bring to the surface and found none. She couldn't really say she could help. The night would bring with it the monster that she had become. Then again, it was less of a monster and more of something out of place.

She hated the feeling and respected it at the same time. She glanced up at Dawn and for the first time since she had been bitten she found herself felt like she was looking at a different species. It brought a chill to her bones and she shuddered. The feeling was unbelievable; nothing in the room seemed to be what it had been before. She was so confused. She glanced over at Dawn again but instead of seeing her, she saw a wolf, a big gray wolf staring right back at her. She gasped and snapped her eyes shut trying to stay calm. She kept them shut for a moment and made sure they stayed there.

She felt a cold hand on her shoulder and snapped her eyes open again. Dawn was looking at her with a worried expression on her face her hand rested on her shoulder. "You okay, you seemed well…" Dawn's voice drifted off into the silence of the house. Willow nodded, and held back the tears that had been threatening to fall, the room was silent again for a moment.

There was a soft knock on the door that made them both jump slightly. Dawn strode across the room and opened the door softly. Xander was standing there both hands occupied with steaming cups of hot chocolate and a soft smile. "I though my two favorite girls could use a good dose of steamy, chocolaty goodness." He said handing out the mugs and stepping into the room, closing the door with his foot as he went. He the kicked his foot up and landed with a thunk and groan of springs onto the bed.

Dawn smiled softly "My hero." She said taking a sip and allowing the heat to flow through her entire body. Willow nodded in agreement and took a sip also, savoring the chocolate heat. "How are we holding up?" Xander asked the room. Both women averted their eyes immediately. "Okay, I can take a hint…" Xander said shaking his head. "You know, she's tough, we'll get her back sooner than you can count the syllables in Echinacea." Xander said allowing them a tight smile.

Willow smiled back and Dawn tried and failed before taking another sip of the hot liquid. Willow sat down in the chair beside the bed and waited for somebody to say something, glancing out of the window at the sun which was three quarters of the way through it's cycle. It was crunch time. She shuddered as she looked around the room again, the cold feeling she had had before returning as she looked around the room. Her eyes scanning her best friends, they are so different, she thought after a second… then corrected herself, no I'm different. She hadn't noticed before, she had been living with wolves; Oz and Jay were the same as her.

She glanced at them who were now watching her as well, and sighed and jumped as her stomach gave a particularly large growl. Her friends, she thought again. It was silly thinking of them as a different species, they looked the same, spoke the same, smelt the same. She closed her eyes again and let out a deep sigh, one that was supposed to relieve the tension that had just built up in her shoulders. It did nothing but bring her back to the same result as she took in new breath her brain automatically swept the conclusion of human. Shouldn't she be that conclusion as well.

She was shaking slightly now, the tingling that had plagued her had returned harder than ever, someone moved and she jumped off her chair, a snarl escaped her mouth before she could bite it back, sweat beaded down her legs and face. Both Xander and Dawn paled considerably and Willow blushed. "Sorry," she apologized looking down at her hands, folded in her lap. Xander reached out and took one of those hands, concern creased into his forehead. "You okay there Will? Your eyes went kinda weird there." he stated truthfully searching her face with his dark amber orbs.

Willow nodded and licked her lips, "Yeah," she lied, "Just have a bit of a headache that's all." She said getting up and excusing herself from the room; hot chocolate all but forgotten.

Jay had decided to train a little bit before dusk fell. He had a lot on his mind and needed something to do to relax the call of the hunt looming over the back of his mind. He felt kind of bad that he had sent Oz down the 'stairs of doom' to go visit Spike. But after what had happened at the bar a few nights ago he had decided that the best thing he could do was avoid the bleach blond.

Jake hadn't wanted to mess around with Spike either. He probably would have exploded right there. The guy had a temper one shouldn't be on the wrong side of. That and he hadn't met Spike yet, probably made his good comrade even wearier of the vampire. Him and demons never really mixed, then again, Jay thought grimly he didn't mix with humans either. Superstition, no matter how dead most people made it out to be still took the best of most beings, among both demons and humans. Jay had buried the hatchet before the hatchet was made, considering the way he had been brought up. Sasha had introduced Jake to both Oz and himself, neither of them thought much of the wings at the time.

Jake took out his Katana from the back of Oz's van. He then took the stereo out of the back and put in one of his own personal disks, nice thrashy heavy metal. Walking back through the yard, sword in hand. He got to the middle of the yard and unsheathed the thin silver blade, it was sharp, and he could cut through bone without a second thought. Silver to remind him of his own mortality, to remind him to be cautious before taking the blade out. It had taken nineteen years to get the blade in monk times and he was proud of it. Well he had been proud of it. Now he wasn't sure what to make of it, but he had been trained as a swords master and it was the only weapon he felt totally comfortable using. Like an attachment to his own arm, he weighed the hilt into his arms, feather light, the molded metal falling in his hands like a liquid, forming to the exact shape of his hand. It had been custom made just for him and it was perfect, he couldn't help but be proud of it.

He kicked off his shoes and flexed his toes in the thick cool grass; he pulled off his shirt, which was newly found, and tossed it over the tree. The soft sound of his feet hitting the grass comforted him and his thoughts enough to get some training in and put some peace to his busy, overloaded mind.

Clearing his mind of all thoughts he held up his sword in the fighting position and took in a deep breath.

Faith watched Jay go through his training from the balcony. His almost bronzed skin glistened with perspiration and his hair shone in the mid afternoon sun. A solitary tattoo on his left shoulder, it was in a different language, maybe sand scrip, he had two others on the under part of his upper arms, both also in a different language.

He went through the fighting motions with lightning speed and she thought he would never slow down when he finally stopped for a breather. "Enjoying the view Faith?" Jay huffed, he had both hands on his knees and was bent down. A small smile crossed Faith's face and gave him the finger before he went back to training, while she observed from above on the balcony.

She heard someone come up behind her and turned around to see Giles coming up beside her, a book in hand. Typical watcher. She couldn't help but shake her head before turning back around and picking at her black cherry fingernails. She looked up abruptly when she saw a flash of silver in the sun, as Jay raised the sword again. His jeans had fallen down ever so slightly and now showed off the beginning of his 'landing strip to ecstasy.' A small smile crossed her face.

Giles was staring at her and she turned around. "What?" She asked finally. "Oh nothing, I'm not ruining your view am I?" He asked, his voice contained no sarcasm, but his eyes said the opposite, and were glittering with mischief. That pissed her off.

"What's it to you?" Faith said turning around and facing the watcher. Giles cocked an eyebrow but said nothing. Faith sighed and ran a hand through her waist length chestnut coloured hair; her eyes averted from his and onto the ground. "I still owe you an apology." She said quietly. Giles took off his glasses and wiped them, still weary of the twenty-two year old. He hadn't agreed to her even coming to help in the first place but Jake had insisted and so he had given in.

He glanced up at her through blurry eyes and saw her cheeks reddening with every second that slipped by. He then realized how sincere the apology really was and found himself slightly in awe at how much the young woman had changed. Giles replaced his glasses and put a hand on her shoulder. She looked up slowly and he nodded. She nodded, turned on her heel and left the porch. Giles hand fell back to his side and he bit the inside of his lip as he watched her go. Sighing he went back to his book and leant on the balcony.

He heard a snort and glanced over his book and at Jay, who was grinning up at him. "That was huge for her. You realize that right?" He asked twirling his sword between his fingers. Giles shook his head, speechless. "The woman has more pride and arrogance than she knows what to do with. It's just the way she was brought up, everything she had to do had to be right, so if she messed up she made it so the mistake was right in her eyes." Jay explained.

Giles nodded. "She just dug herself into a bigger hole. The question is, what is it that changed that and how long will it last?" Giles asked. Jay grinned and wiped a bead of sweat off his face. "Aren't we the optimistic." He commented. Gile's jaw set, "It's happened before." He grumbled. Jay smiled, "Angel changed it, for good. I think it will last as long as she lives. She did jail time and everything." Jay explained. Giles eyebrows raised and then he had a thoughtful look.

"Couldn't we bring Angel here to help?" He asked finally. Jay grinned. "I've said it before and I'll say it again. I like the way you think man." Jay said reaching over to the tree and grabbing his shirt. Giles watched slight distaste as he wiped the shirt on his forehead to get rid of the sweat.

At this point they were interrupted by Jake coming out of the two doors underneath the porch and announcing that it was just about time to have the meeting and to get to meet in the kitchen.

Oz was uncomfortable. Something wasn't right. He heard movement on the second floor and went to go see who was up there. He really was supposed to be rounding up people to get to the meeting anyways. He rounded the corner passing smiling pictures of Xander's family on the wall and towards a row of bedrooms. The whole hallway was dark and windowless with the doors closed. The only light came from spare sunlight coming from the cracks in the bottom of the doors. A faint smell of lavender and chocolate came from the second door. He heard Xander and Dawn clearly behind it door and knocked softly.

The door handle turned and light flooded the dark hallway, Oz blinked. "Hey Ozmeister, what's happening?" Xander asked beckoning Oz into the room. "Not much, meeting down in the kitchen in a few minutes." Oz explained, as he glanced around the dust filled room, Willow's scent lingered in the air. Dawn's eyes were puffy and red but she gave him a faint smile to which he returned. "You guy's haven't seen Willow around have you?" Oz asked.

Both occupants of the room frowned deeply. "Yeah she left a few minutes ago, she wasn't looking too good. She said she had a bit of a headache and left." Xander explained with a stretched look spreading across his face, concern filled his eyes. He hated the idea of not knowing what was happening to his best friend. "Her uh, eyes also flashed a greenish colour." Dawn said biting her lip. Oz nodded mirroring the concern. "I should go find her." Oz stated nodding to them both and exiting the room.

Oz exited the room with Dawn and Xander at his heels but they went their separate ways as Dawn and Xander headed down the stairs and to the kitchen. Xander held 3 mugs that still smelt faintly of the hot chocolate that had filled them moments before.

Oz strolled further down the hallway following Willow's frantic scent. Soon he found himself looking up towards a latch in the ceiling and sighing. Slowly he reached up towards the hanging string and pulled it down revealing the stairs and walked up through the shower of dust that had been released when the stairs came down from the ceiling.

Sunlight pooled down on top of him as he walked upwards. He heard a sniff and found Willow sitting in a corner surrounded by dust. Her hands were wrapped around herself and she was rocking back and fourth with each sob. The room was covered in furniture draped in white sheets and dust covered the floor. A grubby window gave off a dim light and shadows were cast from overturned chairs stacked beside it. The room smelt musty and old, most of its contents were broken. Right now that included Willow.

When he came in Willow didn't even glance up to see who it was. She just kept her head buried in her arms. Oz walked over to her slowly and sat down beside her shuddering figure. His heart was breaking seeing her like that. He then realized how hard this probably was for her, she was going to change again tonight, one of her best friends had been stolen away, was in danger and she couldn't really do anything about that. Not to mention she was changing inside as well, she was no longer human and had heightened senses. She was different, not like her friends, different. The word echoed in her head over and over and she felt like she was sinking once more into the darkness she had been desperately trying to escape.

He remembered how he had felt, scared, angry, frustrated… different. He drove off and left them all behind. Got all depressed and wouldn't let anyone in; yelled at anyone who tried to help. It never felt like it was him. Her situation was even worse than his was, he thought slowly, she couldn't control enough to be much wiccan help during this thing, but what does she do? She hides her feelings, She's trying to be strong, for everyone else. He realized. He slowly put his arm around her and felt how cold her body was. "Hey…" He whispered softly. She put her head on his shoulder, D but said nothing. He stroked her soft hair as he thought, remembering his past with her, all the Manillo and her eyes shining up at him during gigs. He inwardly sighed. He had no idea what to do to help her.

Finally, he spoke the words that came from what seemed to be the very core of his existence. Things were so rough lately, and he hadn't helped much by trucking her out here so early in her new life because of something that had since turned into the past. Two years had passed and he still felt like it was yesterday. Dwelling was never something he had done in the past, but this was the past he was dwelling in. He was drowning in it. How was he supposed to help her if he was drowning? He would find a way.

"I'm sorry…" He whispered, using a knuckle to wipe away newly formed tears from her eyes. She looked up at him and met his soft eyes with her own puzzled ones. "For what?" She asked, her voice so rough it was barely a whisper.

"For… everything lately." Oz stated shaking his head. Willow searched his face. "I should have waited and checked the rest of the options, instead of driving us all out here. I-I kind of forgot how hard it is. You know, culture shock." Oz supplied. His only reply was more tears and silence.

Oz's heart fell even more and he stroked her hair again. "Care to share? I know I may not be number one on your list to talk to right now, but I've been there." Oz spoke softly, it had been his fault Buffy had been taken. Willow let out a shuddering sigh and pulled away to look at his face. "They were just so different. I tried not to think about it but…" Willow looked away, fresh tears already streamed down her already tear stained face. "It's okay…" Oz tried. "Give it time, you'll get the hang of it. The nostalgia factor goes way down." Oz assured. "I hate it!" Willow stated roughly scratching her arm.

Oz put a gentle and warm hand on her icy one to stop her from hurting herself. Willow let the heat of his hand spread through her body and penetrate her icy core. Oz sighed, "I know, but you'll get there. We'll find a way for you to help." Oz said knowingly. Willow allowed a small smile before cuddling up in his warm arms, enjoying his pine needily scent and the comfortable silence that came with it. She leaned into his warm chest and tried not to think of what had happened in the other room.

Finally Willow looked into Oz's eyes. "Dawnie needs a way to help too." She said resolutely. Oz nodded and couldn't help but plant a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I've got a few ideas." He stated calmly, although that wasn't what his heart was telling him. Willow nodded. Another shiver raked her body as the wolf sensed a change in her emotions. "Good" she agreed with a pout. "And," she added as a second thought. "You are my number one to talk to you." She said placing a hand on her cheek. Oz's heart soared.

Oz smiled lightly. "Oz?" Willow asked after a long moment. "Yeah?" Oz asked. "Did I really eat a rabbit last night?" She asked scrunching up her nose. Oz chuckled and pulled a hand through his hair, "Yeah," Willow sighed a long sigh. "I guess immortality has its down side." She commented, glad she wasn't a vegetarian. Oz smiled, "I guess you could look at it that way." He said, glad for the change in topic.

Willow allowed a smile to creep up on her face and she turned slightly to stare into his calm sea foam eyes, his eyes may have been calm but his heart rate was way up. It took her a while to realize hers was doing the same. She leaned over softly and slowly brushed her lips against his. He looked surprised for a second before he deepened the kiss by kissing back. His tongue hit her teeth, begging for entry which she approved, finally they both pulled back. Willow was wearing a smug smile and a piece of her coppery hair floated into her shining eyes. Oz reached up slowly and pushed it behind her ear. Well she wasn't cold anymore… and she had KISSED a boy!

Jay paced the kitchen. Everyone was there minus the two he was the most concerned about, minus Buffy. Even Spike had managed to dredge himself up from the basement, and was sitting, legs sprawled on the counter, sipping blood out of a bright yellow, ceramic mug that read, "Sunnydale High Honour Student." When Jay cocked an eyebrow in his direction, he just shrugged before using a finger to open the cupboard beside him. Inside there was one other mug, it was darkblue and read "Jesus Loves his Little Children." He hooked a finger around the handle and brought it down beside his own mug. He weighed them in his hands, cocked a scarred eyebrow and roughly putting the dark blue mug back and closing the cupboard with a slight bang. Jay grinned.

It was silent for another few seconds before Jake sighed and Xander finally spoke up. "I don't want to be one to nag but shouldn't we be talking about how to save the Buffmeister?" He asked glancing around the room. "Everyone should be here." Faith said somewhat accusingly; after getting a few choice looks she shrugged. Jay sighed and cleared his throat before running a hand through his curls and deciding to speak up. "Giles and I were thought maybe we should get the Angel squad down here as well." He said glancing questioning at Jake who shrugged.

Spike let out a frustrated theatrical sigh but remained silent, Faith shook her head and spoke up. " I got a call from the 'Firm' yesterday saying he was down in the Caribbean checking out vampyric birds or something…" She explained noting the curious looks and shrugging. "He keeps me posted." With that she pulled herself up on the counter beside Spike and lit a smoke. Jay's shoulders sagged. Angel had been his last bet.

The room was silent for another second before Jake said in a husky voice, "Connor." Jay grinned. He had met Angel's son in a bar. He was the lead singer of the band that was scheduled to play before them. Angel had showed up to watch them play, he hadn't like the music much, preferring his really oldies but Jay sure had." He should be working by now." Jay stated, glancing up at the clock above the stove, still very pleased someone had thought about his friend. "He still works at that coffee place right?" Jake asked as he slipped on his coat. Jay shrugged "I guess we'll see." He said with a wink in Anya's direction. "Right." Jake stated checking his pockets and finding nothing. " Be right back." With that he completely disappeared leaving an empty space in the kitchen where he had been standing. The kitchen remained silent.

Jay waited for a second before he said, "Well, I'll go get those two troublemakers upstairs shall I?" Dawn spoke up for the first time, "How do you know they're upstairs?" She asked. Jay grinned ferally, " The same way I know you had hot chocolate without me." He said holding his heart and wiping away a mock tear. When she finally grinned he pointed to his nose, "A werewolf always knows." He stated before leaving the kitchen to their own thoughts.

Willow and Oz both looked up when they heard footsteps coming down the hallway. "Its Jay." Oz said getting up and walking towards the door. "Hey guys!" Jay exclaimed as he ascended the stairs. "Decided to skip the meeting and bribe someone off for the notes later?" He asked raising his eyebrows. "Willow needed to be alone for a while, so naturally I crashed the party." Oz stated. "Luckily I took the notes." Jay said sincerely. He looked over at Willow and nodded his understanding. Willow smiled and got up as well. "Nothing much has happened yet, Jake went to flash Connor down here. That's it." Jay explained.

Willow frowned ignoring the fact she didn't know Connor she asked "Flash?" She frowned up at Jay. Jay grinned, "You'll see if we get there quick enough. If you can." He added as an afterthought, he smiled gently; but Willow was already half way past him and heading towards the door. Jay laughed, glanced over at Oz and they headed out the door behind her.

Willow, Oz and, Jay had just entered the kitchen and sat down, before there was a burst of wind from somewhere and two figures appeared out of the middle of nowhere. Willow gasped and some people blinked, but that was the only reaction Jake got for his expert teleportation.

Most people were busy staring at the newcomer. Connor was wearing a dark green coffee house apron. "You never told me about the party. I could have brought dip." Connor commented looking around at all the bodies. "Ha-ha." Jake smirked, dripping with sarcasm. When no one else gave a response, he recoiled a little bit with a little smile and waved slightly at the room of people, whose eyes were all intently fixed on him. It was quiet for a long moment "Hey Connor, what's up?" Faith spoke up from the corner. Connor grinned, "Not much. Third time this week I skipped out from work though. When I don't go in tomorrow they'll probably boot me out." He commented smiling slightly, although his voice had more of a serious note to it.

Oz walked over and they bumped knuckles, "Thanks for coming man. We owe you." He said stepping back, "No prob. Might as well embrace the fighting machine I am." Connor replied mock flexing his arms. Spike snorted. "And who may I ask, snorts the great Connor?" Connor asked turning around to face Spike. "That's Spike. He no speak English too well." Xander supplied helpfully. Spike glared at him and took a sip out of his mug.

Connor ignored Xander, "The Spike? As in William the Bloody, scourge of England all of last century?" he asked. Spike cocked an eyebrow. " I like him. He knows his stuff." Spike decided out loud. " History major. Not to mention my dad knows and loathes you." Connor said with a wide grin.

Spike frowned, "Who's your dad?" He asked noting for the first time that the kid really did look familiar. Connor gave him another grin. "Angel." He stated, it was one word that explained so much and so little at the same time. Spike, however laughed "You're what seventeen?" He asked through a chuckle. "Nineteen" Connor corrected smiling at Spike's reaction. "Not to mention Angel's fishes are dust." Spike said shaking his head. It was silent for a minute as the room watched both Spike and Connor as the question and answer session began. Heads bobbing back and fourth to the speaking contestant as it was their time to talk and whipping back to see how the other person would receive and respond to the new information; Like a tennis match.

"Who was your mother then? Unless Angel got pregnant." Spike stopped at this idea and thought for a second. A large grin spread across his face as he mentally pictured a severely pregnant Angel and decided it could happen. He mentally hit himself for not being there when it did. If it happened again, he would be there. He decided confirming it with a yet another sip of the ruby red as he waited for an answer. "Darla." Connor stated crossing his arms. Spike choked on his blood (which was difficult considering he was dead and didn't need to breath) and spat it back out, spraying Anya, Oz and Dawn. All of them looked utterly annoyed.

"She's dead!" He exclaimed, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, leaving a red/orange stain over his pale hand. For Willow the smell was all too tempting, Connor smelt very strongly of coffee which smelt heavenly as well, so she promptly chose the latter and began to busy herself making coffee. When Connor saw what she was doing he raised his hand and began making it for her with a little, almost too knowing, smile. Willow nodded and absently wondered why she didn't smell anything supernatural about him, but shrugged it off, she was still new at this. She went back to Oz and grasped his hand. Oz smiled over at he and she put her head on his shoulder. Jay and Xander both noticed and cocked eyebrows at the two. Then they cocked eyebrows at each other.

Finally Connor elaborated, "Back when Wolfram and Hart was owned by the evil lawyers, they resurrected her and her and Angel had a one night stand. Which in turn created me, the prophesized child." Connor stated with a shrug. Spike raised his eyebrows. " But Angel wasn't in L.A. nineteen years ago." He commented pointedly. He raised his eyebrows, still looking skeptical. "That's because I'm only about three on this plain." Connor explained. Heads bobbed his way and he met everyone's eyes before continuing, "This guy Holtz-" He glanced up at Spike, "you might remember him; came through a portal and took me when I was about a month old and jumped through another portal and into a hell dimension. Needless to say dad was mad, Darla died giving birth to me. So Holtz raised me for the first time and time passed quicker there so three days was seventeen years before I broke out. Holtz died." Connor explained, knowing it wasn't the full version but it would do for now.

Connor glanced over at Spike who nodded, deeming the story acceptable, maybe not believeable but acceptable all the same. "I knew I didn't like you." Spike commented shaking his head. Then he thought of something. "You aren't vamp. Though you smell human." He commented confirming Willow's guess. "Nope, I'm human, just really strong." He explained, most of the room nodded.

"So enough with that lets figure out how to save Buffy." Dawn said dismissing Connor. Connor ignored her, "So that makes you my little nephew." Connor said grinning at Spike who looked up incredulous. "How in the name of all bloody hell, did you get that?" he asked standing up. "Well, Darla sired Angelious, who sired Drusilla who sired you. But you already know that. Anyways, if you look at it this way, Darla had sex with her son, and had me, therefore, I'm Drusilla's half brother, Drusilla sired you, who is her son, kind of. So I, being Drusilla and Angel's half brother, racks me up as your uncle. But that gets pretty kinky, considering that you're one hundred and one years older than me. So, I've I'm giving you permission to call me Connor. Uncle Connor is just too formal." Connor said waving away the comment. Spike looked pissed, "It's not like-" Connor raised his hand, "I know, that's what dad said but he was more pale. That's just the way I think about it." Connor said grinning. Spike grimaced when he heard Connor call Angel 'dad.'

"Anyways," He glanced over a Dawn "Sorry, what's happening with Buffy?" He said looking apologetic. Jay sighed and explained the situation. "Well, Blade wants Oz so he can destroy his life like Oz did to him, so he found some monks that are on a karma bent mission to teach him a lesson for going against orders." Connor summed up, the whole room nodded solemnly. "I'm in." Connor said removing his apron and running a hand through his long hair.

"What are we gonna do though, they're hiding in the high school. They have the place locked up like fire works before the fourth of July." Xander asked looking around the room. It was silent for a long moment except for the sound of Giles taking off his glasses and cleaning them. When he placed them back on his head, Oz finally decided to speak up; releasing Willow's hand as he did. "There's only one way. Give them what they want. Me…"

By now you should all know I like cliff-hangers. I can't help it. TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK!