It's gotta be Boxing day somewhere in the world. ANYWAYS, here it is, just as promised. I hope it's not boring… REVIEW PLEASE. 2 CHAPTERS LEFT AND AN EPILOGUE! Woo!
Thanks to all my betas and reviewers for the helpful comments. I'm now beta free and checking my own stuff, so if you notice the editing in this one, blame the writer. THANKS FOR READING!
DISCLAIMER: I still own nothing, want a proper disclaimer, see older chapters. Song is by Snow Patrol; it's called 'Open Your Eyes' and it's from their new CD. Check it out.
Chapter 15: Healing.
Willow awoke slowly, her head giving off a bit of a buzz as she did. The wolf pulling her back into consciousness, it was a new experience for her, but it was also a welcomed change. She felt whole for the first time since she was bitten and the feeling was more comforting than her blurry mind could put into words at the moment.
Turning slowly, still without opening her eyes, she wondered vaguely where she was, the last thing she remembered was Chiyo. She wondered what had happened during her absence and which side had won.
Considering she was lying on a bed, she decided she had survived and was no longer 'in between.' Where she was however, was another matter altogether. Dreading opening her eyes was only one factor in her charade; it was far too comfortable in the warm bed. She let out a slight sigh.
"Willow, open your eyes…" Xander's voice filled the room and un-filtered relief spread through Willow's body, she hadn't even realized how worried she had been. She promptly opened her eyes and spotted Xander sitting in a chair beside her, luckily she was in her own bedroom.
He smiled at her and she felt a grin fall upon her lips. "How're you feeling?" He asked grinning back. "Tired." Willow drawled, cuddling into her pillow. "Considering how much drugs Dr. Jay pumped you full of." Xander commented, a grin sliding onto his face.
Willow groaned, "My head hurts…" She commented. Xander got up and closed the blinds, "Jay said you had a concussion." Xander explained with a frown. Willow nodded, having one's head kicked so hard you died, could do that to a person.
"How is everyone?" Willow asked glancing over at the sheer curtains, glowing pure white with filtered sunlight and to Xander's turned back. Xander turned from the window. "Alive." He stated somberly, he walked back to her bedside and grabbed her hand. "Buffy's in rough shape but she's doing quite well, as long as she gets some rest. Jay has a bullet wound in his stomach, but that's pretty much healed, both Faith and Connor have gashes and cuts that are pretty bad, Jake's bashed up also and he has a concussion, Dawn got shot in the leg as well as cuts and bruises, Spike's got whatever Spike has, Giles has a stab wound of all things, and everyone has cut's and bruises, some sprains." Xander showed off his sprained ankle. Willow let out a shuddering sigh.
"It's not your fault, we'll heal Will." Xander said a rueful smile spreading across his face. "Do you think you can eat?" Xander asked changing the subject. Willow frowned, "Not even this?" Xander left the room for a second and came back with a steamy glass, the smell of chocolate filled the air.
"Noticed you never finished the last one." Xander commented smiling wryly. He held it up to her nose, "C'mon Will, extra marshmallows, the good kind, the mini ones…" Willow grabbed the mug and used her fingers to fish out the hot chocolately marshmallows, she popped one in her mouth and sighed with content.
"Well, that didn't take much prompting." Xander said poking the ticklish part on her stomach, Willow laughed, almost spilling her hot chocolate and feeling 5 in the process.
Then a thought stuck her like thunder. "What about Oz, you never mentioned Oz." She said putting down the mug with more force then she meant to and did spill some in the process this time. Anxiety filled her chest, and soon that warm comforting feeling was all but a memory.
Xander's smiling lips turning into a thin line, his eyes hardened and he squeezed her hand. "Tell me Xander. You couldn't have kept it from me for very long you know, if you wanted that to happen you sent the wrong person." Willow stated shaking her head. "Well you know me, never the brainy one; I was missing that side of the team." Xander commented. Willow bit her lip. "Tell me." She asked again.
"Jay's kept him in a chemical comma. If Oz wakes up, he might die from the pain, the silver spread through his system Will" Xander explained quickly, like he was ripping off a band-aid. Willow's breath caught, like something heavy had just landed on her chest. Her heart raced. She sat bolt up right in the bed, ignoring her spinning head and stood up.
"Which room is he in?" Willow asked urgently. Xander stood also, "Joyce's old room." He stated, watching her with concerned eyes. "I'm okay Xander." Willow stated, starting out of the room, Xander picked up her hot chocolate with a sigh and brought it with him.
Jay was just leaving the room, seemingly on his way to go check on her, he reminded her of a bee buzzing around a hive, he glanced up to look where he was going and saw her through a forest of mahogany curls. He stopped and they made eye contact, seemingly frozen.
"Um, good morning…" Jay stated running a hand through his mop. "What time is it?" Willow asked, caught off guard by the statement, she must look terrible... Jay stopped for a moment and checked his watch, "Err, 2…" He stated frowning. Willow took a step forward and was wrapped up in warm arms. "Good afternoon then…" Jay mumbled. Willow hit him. "What was that for?" He asked stepping back. "Getting shot you dummy." Willow stated dodging him again and walking towards Joyce's old room again.
With Jay and Xander following her now she got to the closed door and placed her hand on the knob, fear struck her like lightning and she froze. Pushing on, she took a deep breath and turned the handle. She walked into the room slowly, her bare feet hitting the worn carpet with slight slapping noises. The wolf inside of her automatically told her another werewolf was in the room, and her heightened sense of sight saw through the darkness of the room and directed her to a small lump under the covers of the queen sized bed.
The lights flicked on behind her and Jay walked into the room alone, holding her forgotten hot chocolate. Apparently he had talked Xander out of coming in the room as well, deciding to play the doctor as well as the best friend at the moment.
He walked over and handed her the hot chocolate again. A lump rose in Willow's throat and she walked over to the side of the bed, placing the hot chocolate on the bedside table. He looked so small under the covers; his face was bruised and pale. The new green and yellow bruises making his familiar face almost alien.
All this feels strange and untrue
And I won't waste a minute without you
My bones ache, my skin feels cold
And I'm getting so tired and so old
Multiple tubes were situated in his arm and a breathing machine had been installed to help him stay alive. Willow felt her arm move up towards her mouth. His chest moved up and down slowly and jerkily, his breath came in shuddering gasps and his whole body shook as it came and left. His blue hair was caked with dirt and dried mud.
The anger swells in my guts
And I won't feel these slices and cuts
I want so much to open your eyes
Cos I need you to look into mine
Tears threatened to fall down her cheeks. Jay came up behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder, his face grim and pale. "He won't last too much longer this way." He stated hollowly. Willow gagged and almost threw up. She grabbed one of Oz's pale hands and squeezed it tightly, hoping to God that he would some how magically squeeze back.
Tell me that you'll open your eyes
Hot tears started to fall down her tired cheeks, as his ice-cold fingers stayed limp in her hands. She wanted to scream, to run out of there, and never come back, her chest heaved and her heart turned to ice. She turned back to Jay, her eyes flashing with fury, waiting for an explanation.
Get up, get out, get away from these liars
Cos they don't get your soul or your fire
Take my hand, knot your fingers through mine
And we'll walk from this dark room for the last time
They must have flashed with the wolf, as he paled and took a step back. Willow felt tears dripping off her chin and she sighed, ramming her fingers through her own messy hair.
Every minute from this minute now
We can do what we like anywhere
I want so much to open your eyes
Cos I need you to look into mine
Jay bit his lip, as the tension between them became that of the tension between strangers. That's what it felt like now. Finally he opened his mouth, willing the words to flow, wishing he could have been anywhere else at the moment. "He's on life support for now. We had to steal a machine from Sunnydale Memorial. We didn't want to let him go, because you weren't awake." Jay's voice broke.
Tell me that you'll open your eyes
Willow reached for his hand and he walked over and grabbed it. Willow could smell his tears hit the air, and watched as a couple ran down his cheeks. "It's t-that bad?" Willow asked quietly. Jay looked into her eyes, his own chocolate brown orbs shining and nodded. Willow let out a sob and covered her face, not being able to bear look at Oz's pale face anymore.
Tell me that you'll open your eyes
Jay rubbed her back, attempting to deal with his own emotions. It was silent for a while as both friends grieved. After what seemed like hours Jay sighed and checked his watch… "I guess it would be pointless to ask how you're feeling?" He asked glancing up at Willow's pale face.
Tell me that you'll open your eyes
Willow let a ghost of a smile twerk her lips up ever so slightly, but it never reached her eyes. "Do you want some Tylenol? You can have some now if you need it." Jay asked searching through his pockets and pulling out a small bottle of extra strength Tylenol, travel sized, just like he had back in the forest, her first morning after a change. The memory brought a smile to her lips and the friends indulged in a good memory for a second, until reality hit again, they would never again walk into a living room, scare and wake up the sleeping lump on the couch.
All this feels strange and untrue
And I won't waste a minute without you
The same sleeping lump was lying on the bed in front of them, not able to wake up, or even breath on his own. Willow quickly grabbed the pills and swallowed them dry. The silence threatened to burry them up again and Jay wouldn't have it, he couldn't just sit in silence anymore.
"Xander, Xander said that you might be able to help Oz more than I can. Just like you did back in the woods." Jay started cautiously running a hand through his hair. Willow nodded, an idea striking her like lightning. "Yes, I think that would be a good idea, I just have to grab my books." Willow started. Jay nodded, "Do you think you're strong enough, I don't want you to hurt yourself." He asked sincerely. Willow nodded eagerly, now that she had the wolf 24/7 she had double the power that she could tap into, so right now she had about the same amount of power she did regularly.
"Before all the fighting started I was pushing around ideas on how to fix the scars on his back, I realized I probably could make it less visible, I'm not sure about how the muscles are but I wanted to try anyways, it was just a matter of getting him to sit through it…" Willow sombered, "I guess we don't have to worry about that anymore." She finished quietly.
Jay nodded silently. "Can- Can I see what it's like?" Willow asked swallowing the lump that had risen in her throat. Jay nodded and stood from where he was seated on the bed and slowly pulled back the covers on the bed, plastic pads lined his scarred chest. Willow examined it with untrained eyes, but eyes filled with concern instead.
Red dots on Oz's chests were scattered through out his rib cage area, over the bruises. "What are those?" Willow asked pointing them out to Jay who frowned. "Those were there when we put him here yesterday, I thought they were just scratches from when he had jumped off the roof and into the bush, but those should have healed by now." Jay commented with a frown.
"He jumped off the roof." Willow asked back tracking for a second. "Yeah, him and Sasha made a run for it…" Jay stopped, "It's ok, I know my body wasn't dead as long as I was." Willow re-assured, saving Jay from an awkward conversation. Jay looked confused, "You were both in there?" He asked paling.
Willow frowned slowly. "No, they put me in between, where I met a monk named Chiyo and had some tea and a swimming lesson." She explained. Jay paled, "A-a swimming lesson…" He stated running a hand through his hair, his eyes widened.
"Yes." Willow stated wondering if he knew what she was talking about. "Chiyo…" Jay said again. "Yes." Willow said. "As in the first leader of the C.W's. The guy that figured out how to bring man and wolf together, the man who…" Willow cut him off. "Yes Jay. The Chiyo." She said finally.
"Hahaha! Nice dream Willow, seriously, you really had me going there." Jay stated, "Where did you read that?" He asked. "No where, do you really think I would have time to read up about Chiyo, during the three nights I knew about the C.W's, no chance." Willow exclaimed.
Jay thought for a moment and then realization struck his face like lightning. "Swimming lesson… You did meet him. I knew there was something different about you, and when your eyes flashed earlier I thought it was just because you were tired. You learned how to work with it…" Jay stated amazed. Willow nodded.
"That's amazing…" Jay exclaimed walking over to Willow, and giving her a hug. Willow nodded, and then looked back at Oz's deathly still body. The moment was bitter sweet; she wished Oz could have been awake to hear her say that. With a shuddering sigh she went back to examining the damage to Oz's body. Jay watched, mixed feelings clouding his thoughts like a shadow.
"What do you think those could be?" Willow asked Jay glancing back at the still beaming man, he sombered again. "I don't know, it could be a sign from the body that the lungs are finished, it could be spare shrapnel from a silver bullet, it could be anything…" Jay said shrugging, "We would need a proper X-ray to really see what the internal damage is and deal appropriately, but we can't get into the hospital as people have already come back and are getting the hospital up and running again. I can only treat the symptoms as I see them." Jay said desperately.
Willow sighed once again, and thought about the words Jay had spoken all of them so true. Reality was coming into play, and life wasn't going to get any easier. Suddenly she had an idea. "What did you say about silver?" She asked frowning.
Jay stared for a second. "I said he might have been hit by some spare shrapnel… why?" He asked confused. "I was doing a silver summoning spell the night of the fight…" Willow said biting her lip. "You think you might have gotten the stuff in…" Jay's voice trailed off and a smile spread across his face. "Willow you genius! You think that the silver summoning spell you did got some of the silver from his lungs to come out from the surface of his skin…" Jay said getting up and pacing. Willow nodded at him.
"It makes sense too, the silver should have spread a lot less than what it did when he did all that physical stuff, I just thought that it had been worse than before or that there had been silver in the bomb he had been hit with. I mean I had no way of knowing, he's been unconscious since we got him home. But, that makes sense, since the summoning spell got some of the silver out of his system probably got the rest in his blood stream." Jay thought out loud.
Willow nodded, feeling kind of bad that she had made it worse. "But would a concentrated spell work? And could you do it? I know the healing time would take a little longer than usual because the cuts were formed with silver, but in the long run…" "He would be cured." Willow finished. "I could concentrate the spell, and I could probably do it today, again, I just have to check my books…" Willow said, feeling a little better, things seemed to be looking up.
"The only problem is, his body might not be able to take anymore stress, even the slightest bit, there's a real chance he might die." Jay started seriously. "But he'll die either way. At least we tried." Willow whispered more tears forming.
Jay studied her seriously with his mahogany eyes, "We can do this…" He said frowning. Willow nodded, her stomach flopping nervously. She was sure she wanted to do this, she just wasn't sure if she could deal with killing him, she loved him, she loved him more than she wanted to confess to herself at the moment.
"Dawn just took over in the kitchen, you guys might want to head downstairs to get some grilled cheese before she starts putting crazy shit in there again." Faith commented as she stepped into the room. She stopped to observe Willow for a moment and a small smile quirked her face. "Morning sleeping beauty. How's the head?" She asked. Willow smiled, "Painful." She stated. Faith nodded, "Mine too, hurts like a bitch. You guys gonna eat?" She asked. Jay glanced over at Willow and gave her a meaningful look before grabbing both shoulders and pushing her towards the door.
"Looks like I have no choice in the matter now." Willow said sending Jay menacing look as she was shoved out the door. "You do remember I'm a doctor. You do also remember, Dawn is cooking." Jay commented cocking an eyebrow. "I do remember Oz telling me you were trained to be a doctor but skipped the exams." Willow stated cheekily, "Hence still not a doctor." She added.
"Would you rather suffer in pain… remember, I'm the one with the shiny drugs." Jay stated pushing her out of the door again. Willow held on to the door frame, now being able to use her werewolf strength for fighting back. "Whoa, you might have werewolf strength, but I work out." Jay stated smirking and grabbing her arms from the doorway. Willow sighed and gave in and they both walked down the stairs for lunch.
"You aren't serious. You do realize that's kind of insane." Jake exclaimed after Jay had explained what Willow was planning on trying. "For once I agree with Jake." Giles started running a hand through his hair. He turned to Willow, "You died Willow, you need more than a one day's rest to recuperate from that before even thinking of doing any magic." Giles cautioned softly.
Willow shook her head, glancing around at all the eyes watching her in the room. Dawn and Connor were sharing a chair in the full kitchen. "I'm strong enough to be able to do the spell tonight, I don't know how long he's going to last the way he is." She added quietly.
"Then you should do it Willow." Dawn stated nodding. "If you feel like you can do it then you should. We can't lose him. He saved all our asses. He deserves another chance." Dawn stated shaking her head in agreement.
"A lot of people deserve another chance Dawn." Giles said quietly. "So your saying that just because a lot of people never get a second chance we shouldn't give Oz one. Even though we have the ability to give that chance?" Dawn asked her eyes flashing dangerously.
Giles shook his head "I'm simply saying that I don't think Oz would like the idea of Willow… dying to try to save him." He tried to explain. "I'm not going to die!" Willow exclaimed, frustrated. "I'm fine." She said louder. She raised her chin and glanced around at the faces in the room. He resolve face plastered firmly on.
"There's no use arguing with her, she's gone…" Spike stated from the corner, his arms crossed. Willow walked out of the room, sandwich still in hand and heading towards her bedroom. She rubbed her temples, the booming thud in her head doubling as frustration hit. With a sigh she sat down at her computer and turned it on, glad Xander had had a chance to fix the power again. It hummed pleasantly as it woke up from it's 5 day hibernation and cooperated.
She knew she had stiffed her friends, but she was on a mission and she wouldn't stop until it was over. She loved Oz, more than she had thought possible, and she had learned that in the basement waiting to change. She needed to try. She needed to do something.
She quickly logged in and went into her e-mail box, ignoring he 60 new e-mails and logging on to her forum. Slowly she typed out what she was attempting to do in her Wiccan forum and then started consulting her books to find out a way to make the spell less rough and more concentrated.
She had just cracked open her second book when she heard soft footsteps coming up the stairs, knowing immediately it was Giles she frowned at the door as she waited for that much anticipated soft knock. It came and even though she knew it was coming she still jumped at the sound.
"Willow, we need to talk." Came Giles's soft accented voice. "Come in" She stated
Surrounded by a circle of pure white salt, Jay and Willow sat each on one side of the bed Oz was lying in. Jay was making sure the machines kept Oz alive during the procedure, as well as moral support for Willow. He was also maintaining the drug dosage and was there to make sure nothing happened to either Willow or Oz. He gave her a supportive smile as she adjusted the long sleeves on her loose fitting dress.
With a slight sigh she began once again to go over the spell components in her head, checking off her mental checklist of things she needed to fix. She decided it would be a long process, a long exhausting process.
Willow sighed and let the magic of the earth and the magic of her self co-mingle with each other for a few seconds, a rush of newfound energy hit her and radiated off her in the form of a glow. Slowly she raised her chin just enough to see Oz's motionless body in the golden silhouette of the candles that surrounded them both.
Slowly she lifted her hands enough for them to be situated just above his body and allowed her magic to act as a second pair of eyes and seek out what wrong with him. They indicated both old wounds and new ones with a level of detail even a lover or mother couldn't imagine.
Taking a deep breath she allowed the calming lavender incense to do the trick and then beginning the spell, slowly chanting the Latin words she used her hands as a truncate for the magic, she watched as a glow filled her eyes, his aura was a very strong blue green like his eyes, it looked faded now like an old pair of blue jeans, like an old painting left in the sun. The magic slowly began to pull her in.
It was a slow process, she could feel him inside of her, she could feel her lungs completely in tune with his, soon she couldn't even open her eyes, she was one with his body, it was an amazing feeling, but the pain was horrendous, she had to fight to stay conscious, it took a long time, how long she couldn't tell, as clocks weren't allowed within the room where magic was cast.
Finally, after what seemed like forever, she could feel the blood pump through each vain in his body, the air flow through his lungs and feel the sheets covering his body. Slowly she prodded around deeper and located ever piece of silver in his body.
The chanting died away, turning from a loud voice to a ghost of a whisper, then there was nothing, and slowly she began to weave with her hands creating a net over his body for safety purposes. Then she began to slowly work the spell…
Jake was sitting alone on the front stoop of the Summer's house, sipping an amber liquid in a mug. The sun had disappeared over the horizon just over an hour ago and a waning moon hung just above the horizon. A warm wind blew in the air but Jake paid no attention to it, as he was deep in thought.
Sighing he took a drink of his Jack Daniels and crossed his legs, not bothering even blinking. This wasn't the norm for him, sure he was used to being alone, but he wasn't used to thinking in his solitude. Silence engulfed the suburban streets as they were still deserted and he was content just to sit and think.
He jumped when he felt a hand ruffle his hair and looked up to see Faith standing over him. "Don't touch the hair, seriously, you have no idea the hell I go through to get it this pretty." Jake mumbled cradling his mug and not bothering to move over so that she could sit.
She sat anyways, mock kicking his butt over to make room for her own. "You've been quiet lately." She stated glancing his way in an attempt to make eye contact and not succeeding, instead she looked out at the moon. A frown creasing her forehead, she pulled out the rest of the bottle of J.D. and took a sip from it directly. "Spike'll be pissed we're putting it down but screw it, I'm not going all the way to the liquor store just to get what I need, damn." She stated. Jake remained quiet, which didn't really seem to bother her.
"Worried about Oz? She asked glancing over at him with soft brown eyes. Jake sighed, "You aren't going to go away are you?" He asked shaking his head. "Nope, unless you want to physically remove me, and that might prove difficult." Faith stated. Jake inwardly kicked himself for not finding a better place to flash.
"So you gonna tell me or am I gonna have to take you?" Faith asked. Jake looked away. "Christ you're hard to deal with, and that's saying something, I've had to work with watchers." Faith commented taking another drink and offering the bottle to Jake who poured himself a refill.
"Sasha said something to me up on the roof…" Jake started slowly, he wasn't sure why but he felt safe telling Faith what was going on. Now that was a feeling he wasn't used to.
Faith frowned and nodded, "Something about Oz or the Scoob. Troop?" She asked. When Jake shook his head her eyebrows shot up. "Well, it's got you thinking, what did she say?" Faith asked. Jake shook his head. "That's just the thing," He said slowly, "It wasn't in English…" His voice trailed off and he took another sip of the alcohol. "Well, that's what the Internet is for, hell even Giles knows at least seven languages." Faith cut in. "No, that's not the problem, I understood what she said…" Jake commented looking her in the eye for the first time since she had come outside.
"Well, then what's the problem?" Faith asked, "I don't speak any other language. I've only ever known English." Jake said with a sigh. Faith remained silent, she didn't know what to say, she knew parts of his story, but he had never told her any of it, she had had to learn from Jay and Sasha. He had just been found one day in a dumpster, blind, naked and burnt. Not able to speak a word, and when he finally did, he had amnesia. A lone nun had taken him in, as doctors wouldn't treat him. The wings brought back the superstition of the human race. He liked to isolate himself from the believers and the non-believers as much as possible, hell he liked to isolate himself from everybody.
The silence between them was uneasy and lingered longer than either of them felt comfortable with. The wind a constant friend tickled between them, the only sound the fluttering leaves in the trees and the slight shuffle of feathers. "We can find out what it is, we can… research…" Faith commented shifting slightly.
Jake shook his head, "Maybe you could say it, I'm not multi lingual but I can recognize the different languages… Comes in handy…" Faith commented. Jake hesitated, not wanting to say, embarrassed, "I don't think I can pronounce it right. I don't even know how it goes…" He stated uneasily.
"Hey man, just say it, I'm not judging you. Hell, I tried to speak French once… long story short… never doing that again." Faith stated solemnly. "Then why do you think I would want to do that?" Jake asked cocking a blond eyebrow in her direction, before chuckling slightly at the prospect of Faith and a bad French experience.
"Hey shut up. I'm not the one that was sitting out here pouting in the dark" Faith commented socking him in the arm. Jake sighed, and rubbed his now throbbing arm, "Ouch, may look super human here, but no, not really…" Jake mumbled
"Say it, what do you have to lose, seriously?" Faith frowned. Jake sighed, defeated "Ok, here goes…" Jake opened his mouth and seemingly mouthed the words. Faith watched, a crease sliding over her forehead. He stopped "There." He said looking defeated. "There what? Was that the silent practice one?" Faith asked sarcastically.
Jake frowned, "I just did, it was perfect… somehow" He commented quietly. "I didn't hear anything Jake. Nothing, did you whisper or something?" Faith asked, wondering if she missed something.
Jake frowned, "No! I just said it, loud enough." He exclaimed stubbornly. Faith shook her head… "Nothing. I heard nothing." Jake swore. "Well at least we know I'm not hearing things right?" He asked bitterly. Faith snorted and took a sip out of the bottle.
"What did she say in English anyways?" Faith asked put the bottle down and Jake stood up, his bare feet clinching in the grass and walked over to the nearest tree, an oldish elm in the front yard and leaned on it, bathing in the silver moonlight. His wings were folded at a comfortable angle. Faith watched, knowing this was one of the only times she could look at them without receiving a glare or harsh words.
They were truly gorgeous. She waited patiently for an answer and it never came. She watched with quiet reverence and waited as seconds turned to minutes. Slowly Jay opened his wings simultaneously. The sight took her breath away, she had never seen them open before, he never allowed anyone to see them open. Sometimes it seemed like they were so much of a burden for him to have them, but right now, seeing him in his entire splendor she knew the opposite was true.
She knew it must hurt him to keep them folded all the time and she watched as he stretched them out. She heard muscles pop, and he gave a soft sigh, his blond hair flew slightly in the spicy night air. Faith's heart went out to the guy, she just wished that one day, he would see what she saw right now. Watching him now she just wanted to see him take off and fly away on his own power, not by flashing, but how he was meant to do it.
It didn't seem long enough that he had them open before he closed them once more, she watched as a visible wince went through his body as they were folded back in. He didn't bother turning around, but if he had she could have sworn that he was uncomfortable, and still in deep thought. She waited un-naturally patient for his answer, and it came quietly,
"She said… There was another and that she was waiting." Jake spoke to the grass. Faith bit her lip. "Another what?" She asked standing. "One that came from where I did…" Jake finished turning and walking past her and into the house, without looking her in the eye. Faith sighed when she heard him stop at the door frame, his hand tensed on the door knob.
"I've been searching since I got here, for someone like me… And now that I know there is one, my heart is breaking. My mind may not be able to remember where I came from, but my heart still does, it still calls for better places, sadness still fills me, longing still makes me bitter… Where ever she is, I hope she's coping better than I am." He whispered softly. He then looked up from the ground, turned the door handle and entered the house, without so much as a glance behind him.
Faith stared at the spot where he had been standing, amazed at what he had just said. Wondering how much Jake really felt inside and how much more he could take. Something about him made her heart go out to the man, she just wished he would open up more. She wished she could help him ease the burden inside of him, even if she didn't know what it was.
Willow was in a deep trance, and barely breathing, perspiration made her pale skin glow and her red hair stick and curl. A soft glow emanated from her hands and Oz's chest. He hadn't seen anything happen but the glow, this made him uneasy. Jay watched with a locked jaw as he wondered if he should stop her. He had never seen anything like that before.
He hadn't moved since she had started, uneasy at even interrupting the air he was breathing, but now he licked his dry lips and tore his eyes off of his best friend and the young woman trying to save his life. Glancing around the room he noticed a book sitting on the corner of the bedside table beside him. He glanced at the machine to his other side and made sure Oz's vitals were stable before cautiously reaching his hand out and grabbing the old leather band. Keeping his eyes glued on Willow as he did, for any signs that he should stop moving, but none came, she didn't even blink.
Taking up the heavy book in his hands he opened it and flipped through it, taking in the pictures, but not reading much. Until he got to a diagram of the moon… It took up an entire two pages and according to the book the moon was waning tonight, Jay wondered if the meaning had anything to do with Willow being so anxious to get the spell going tonight.
He quickly cross referenced the meaning and found that it meant dispelling negative influences and new ties… he hoped the moon would aid her now even more than it did before as she was now one of it's children. Sighing he looked up and almost jumped. He had been so into reading that he didn't notice that she had stood up, Willow was working hard, her breathing was hard and she was still sweating, but her hands, the ones she had been holding over his chest were still firmly weaving a pattern, an intricate dance of crackling power over his best friend.
He stood in awe, something about her tired face made him think of a warrior, her dress floated with natural wind and her hair blew from an unknown source. Jay wasn't sure whether to panic or bow down to her. The candles that surrounded them had already burnt to the bottom of the wick, were suddenly blown out, shrouding the room in darkness.
The only light came from the salt circle, which was glowing eerily and the blue green glow coming from the spell. It lit the protection spell around them and made it feel like he was in a human fish bowl and then the real magick started happening, Jay was pushed back to his chair with the force of the magick that hit him.
Willow concentrated everything she had left on the silver floating around in Oz's blood, it had taken what seemed like hours to find it, and now that she had, she had to find a place, she decided that the space between his stomach and his ribcage would be as good as any, it was now only a matter of collecting it in one spot.
It happened quicker than she had anticipated, and the room filled with an eerie green glow, praying it wasn't his soul escaping she bit back her fears and pushed on, determined to finish what she had started. Slowly she began calling the silver out of his pores, it followed her commands without a problem and she watched with weary eyes as soon small droplets of silver floated up to just above her open palm, like backwards rain.
The skin surrounding the pores smoked and burned but Willow ruthlessly continued, as minute by minute the silver made it's journey from it's host to the palm of her outstretched hand.
The moon now shone through the open window as it made it's endless cycle through the sky, now Oz's body was surrounded with white light, the liquid silver shone like fresh tears as it came out of the un moving body. She waited, sweat dripping off of her face as one last drop of silver pushed it's way out of the already red area, sizzle and burn his skin slightly and join the rest over her palm.
Taking up some blessed water she poured a few drops on the silver to clense it of blood and evil spirits before bringing her hand up and spreading the fingers. Slowly, deliberately she began to form the silver, stretching it and contorting it to the right shape. She then took up the amethyst crystal she had used as a spell component and fitted it in the middle. She was no artist, but it looked ok.
She then took up a chain from her dress pocket and attached the pendant to it, creating a necklace. She cooled the silver quickly and hefted it in her hands for a moment, chanting a protection spell, she en-spelled it with protection and healing. She then baptized it in lavender smoke.
She glanced up at Jay for the first time since she stared, he was starring at her transfixed with the process. A small smile threatened to quirk her lips as she noticed him with her book clasp firmly in his large hands.
Their eyes met and Willow nodded before reaching over and placing the cresent moon necklace with the purple stone making it full; around Oz's neck and closing the protective circle. With the last movement she slumped down to sit on the side of the bed. Feeling light headed and sore, her energy all but drained. She hadn't realized how much power she had used. But it was finished now.
"Do what you can Jay…" She managed to whisper. Before slumping down onto the bed, eyelids drooping with a weight she hadn't noticed before. Jay nodded, "You did good." He commented dryly. "And I will, don't worry… first though, you need to get some sleep." She heard him comment. She then felt his warm arms surround her and pick her up off the bed, the movement of his walking lulled her to sleep as he exited the room.
She heard voices talking, but was too lazy to figure out whom they belonged to. Jay's voice was assuring as he made his way to her room. He shushed them after a moment and moved her slightly in her arms.
She then felt a hand on her shoulder and she fluttered her eyes open for a moment and saw Xander smiling down at her, before they shut permanently and she felt herself being put on her bed, covered up and then sleep took her.
"How's he doing?" Jake asked as Jay closed Willow's door. Jay shook his head, "I don't know yet, it's hard to tell what's happened. He's still alive, but I should go back in there and keep watching him." Jay commented glancing around at the group of apprehensive faces.
"You should get some sleep Jay, you haven't slept since you got back from the cabin. I'll watch Oz for a while, while you get some sleep." Xander volunteered. Jay opened his mouth to decline but Xander raised his hand… "You can be in the room even, if anything beeps I'll wake you up." Jay was going to decline again when he noticed how inviting the inside of his eyes looked, before finally nodding. Xander offered him a small smile and everyone went to bed.
Willow woke up to the sun in her face once more and hushed voices coming from the room beside hers. It took a moment for her to realize what had happened the night before. Yawning she sat up and rubbed her eyes, still tired, but ready to face a new day. She had drained herself far too much the night before, she had never felt so weak after doing an earth spell.
Hopefully it had been worth it, hopefully Oz would be… Oz… She had to know what had happened. She got up and changed this time, hoping that the people in the house hadn't noticed the lack of clean clothes she had built up since she had gotten bitten.
She ran a brush through her hair hurriedly and just about ran out of the room. The house was eerily quiet considering it should have been full of people, but she didn't think to much on it, her head was even worse today than it had been the day before.
Again not much of a surprise, last night considered. Willow reached Joyce's old room and lingered at the door for a moment weary of what she would find behind it. Finally she decided to knock, tentivly she reached out her hand and knocked softly.
Jay answered the door and raised his eyebrows at her. "That was a fast recovery." He commented beckoning her inside and shutting the door behind him, a smile playing on his lips. The first thing Willow noticed was Xander sitting in the second chair beside Oz's bed, he grinned at her and gave her a thumbs up.
Willow frowned at him and then glanced over at Oz under the covers, the bruises on his face were gone but he looked like he was still unconscious. "How is he?" she asked walking over to where Xander was sitting, he scooched over to make room and they shared a chair. Jay walked back and sat on the chair across from him.
"Alive. Which is more than I could have hoped yesterday." Jay stated trying to hide the smile on his face. Willow nodded. "We took him off the ventilator, he's breathing on his own." He added grinning he then winked at her. Willow's mouth turned from a frown to a large O and then she grinned.
"He's a lot better Willow, he should be waking up really soon." Xander started. Willow nodded, "When do you think he'll be able to wake up?" Willow asked glancing at Jay who smiled. "Soon, some time today maybe." He offered taking a sip of something he had in a mug.
They sat in comfortable silence for a while soaking up the sunlight pooling into the room through the small window across from the bed. A moan came from the bed and all eyes shifted to the small form underneath it. Oz turned himself over and got more comfortable in his sleep apparently. Jay grinned, "That's a good sign, that's the first time he's moved from that spot since he was put in the bed." He commented.
"Oz?" Willow asked examining his sleeping form. Oz's eyelids twitched, and a small smile formed on his lips. "Sasha…" He mumbled, barely audible. Willow's heart fell from her chest and she had to stand. "Oh God…" She stated backing away from the bed, tears threatening her eyes. Her mind buzzed as she realized how stupid she had been, turning she left the room at as fast a pace as her tired body could go.
She heard both chairs being slid out of behind her but ignored it, tears were falling now and she felt a wave of nausea hit as she rounded the hallway and skidded into her own bed room, she made sure the door was locked before she collapsed onto the bed releasing a sob.
Maybe he hadn't wanted to be brought back from the dead; maybe he had wanted to die, to be with her. Her name had been the first name he said as he came out of the coma. The two of them had beaten Blade together, almost gotten married, almost had children together, he had spent 3 years in a forest just to get over her. He had sacrificed everything to get her back, and now she had just denied him an eternity with her. Who was she to decide his fate?
But… she loved him too. Sasha wasn't the only one completely devoted to Oz. She loved him, at points she couldn't stand not being around him. He was the only person that made her feel okay enough to face the world, when she was feeling alone and segregated. He was the only one who could make the pain of the change tolerable, the only one who could take her fears and burn them from existence. Even then it was selfish of her to keep him for herself, she knew that, she let out another sob and covered her tearstained face.
She knew now, she knew why Giles had been so hesitant to let her perform the spell, it was as much for her well being as it had been for Oz.
"I know you're quite capable of doing this spell Willow. But, think about what you're doing, you're changing someone's fate. I just don't want you to get hurt, all of you are my responsibility, more importantly, all of you are like my children. I love you all, I feel what you all feel, when you are all hurt, I'm hurt also. I know that doesn't sound like much, but that's all I can do to help you, all of you stay safe." Giles looked up at her with soft eyes.
Willow had understood, and she had been touched by his fatherly words but, she still had remained defiant, she hadn't understood fully, she hadn't understood the depth of what he had said, and now she had to face Oz, and tell him she was the one who had ripped him from his destiny.
Xander had followed Willow to her bedroom, but hesitated at her door as he heard her crying. He had known her since kindergarten and had only heard her cry like this a handful of times. It broke his heart inside as he thought of what had just unfolded in the bedroom. He brought his hand up to knock on the door, but past experience with her told him to leave her alone for a while to gather her thoughts before storming in there only to get his head torn off.
Instead he backed away from the door and headed down the stairs to inform everyone of the… news. His mind stayed neutral on whether or not it was good or not for the moment, that decision was one that would need time.
Jay had stayed behind to see if Oz was going to come to or not. There was a fifty-fifty chance, it could have just been a dream Oz was having. Sighing Xander reached the first floor and motioned for everyone to meet in the kitchen.
"You really made a mess of things man." Jay stated at Oz's unconscious body. He shook his head, a frown creasing his forehead and had another sip of the milk he had in the only clean mug he had found in the house.
Oz's motionless body stayed that way and Jay let out a sigh. "You do realize you're forcing me to have a one sided conversation with myself. Do you realize how humiliating this is?" Jay asked. Nothing, no movement not quirk of a smile, Oz gave him absolutely nothing to work with.
"You made Willow cry you know. That wasn't very nice. Sure it may not have been your fault… but you could have showed some sort of appreciation, she saved your life and you just decide, oh, I think I'll have a dream now. Jeeze." Jay kept talking, partially to quirk Oz's brain to wake up and partially because it was fun, he had no way of talking back. He then realized how sad that was and shut his mouth.
He was lucky to be able to even talk to his still-breathing friend after the condition he had been in the day before, Oz had been on the brink of death, literally hours away from losing his life, until Willow had stepped up. Willow had been absolutely the most amazing thing he had ever seen. The memory of that night, with the green glow and the making of the necklace, would stay with him forever.
She had almost killed herself for him, for someone who had walked out on her on a chase for something she had felt wasn't necessary; she had almost sacrificed her life, for someone who had come back only after the wounds he had caused her had healed, and she had to tear him away again. In a sense they didn't even have a chance, both of them had a choice, life, and instincts had made it impossible to stay together.
But now they had another chance. They could be together now; it was just a matter of letting go of what had made such a profound impact in their lives. Sounded easy enough… Jay rolled his eyes at his own thoughts.
Oz moaned and turned over again. "Where am I?" Came a weak but extremely familiar voice. "Buffy's house." Jay answered coming over to check Oz over. Knowing full well that his lack of oxygen over the last few days could have given Oz brain damage. Grabbing his wrist Jay took his friend's pulse, whilst counting he wanted to make sure his friend stayed conscious. "You don't have to hold my hand you know… I'm a big boy" Oz mumbled.
"So you know who you are?" Jay asked, starting the regular, 'protocol' questions. "No, I'm completely ignorant Jay." Oz mumbled. "What's your age?" Jay continued, a smile quirked his lips. Oz opened his eyes to retort but closed them, "Turn off the sun." He commented covering his head with the blankets. "After you answer the age question." Jay stated stubbornly.
A hand reached out from under the covers, and they shook on it. "Well…?" Jay asked quirking an eyebrow. "I'm 97, close the curtains now." Came the answer. "But that wasn't right…" Jay stated crossing his arms. "Our agreement wasn't on the credibility of the answers, just on the fact that I gave you an answer." Came the voice from under the bedspread.
Jay gave him an over exaggerated sigh, before complying and closing the windows. "Remind me to be more specific next time." Jay mumbled. "Be more specific next time." Oz stated quietly, he then proceeded to pull down the covers and glance around.
"A day and a half." Jay answered Oz's unspoken question. A long sigh resounded from the room then a look of surprise fluttered across Oz's normally stoic face. "What the…" He started, "Willow figured out how to fix that…" Jay stated a smile gracing his face. "and I helped." He added a bit sheepishly.
Oz stared for a second. Then a smile broke his face. "Whoa…" he commented. "No shit man." Jay stated running a hand through his thick hair. "You should have been there man, it was amazing…" Jay stated going all dreamy eyed. Oz watched him for a second, counting down the seconds. "Well, I guess you were there, but you should have been conscious." Jay added frowning.
Oz nodded, "I should have." He agreed, then a thought struck him. "How is she? Where is she?" He asked hurriedly, he sat up and then slumped back down again. "Ouch…" He added.
"Take it easy man. Hold on for a second." Jay stated checking his watch and taking out his tell tale bottle of Tylenol, "Take two and I'll explain." Jay commented switching back and fourth from best friend to doctor with relative ease. "She didn't hurt herself did she?" Oz asked slowly, concern filling his eyes. He took the pills in his hand and swallowed them dry.
That's when he noticed the necklace. He looked up at Jay who shrugged. "You should remember that, it lived in your lungs for a couple of years. The rock's new though." He commented. Oz cocked an eyebrow at it. "Willow made it, supposed to bring you luck or something." Jay commented.
Oz sighed then nodded expectantly at Jay. "She's fine, she recovered with a night's worth of sleep and she came to visit this morning. How she is mentally however, is a different story." Jay stopped to take a breath and Oz raised another eyebrow, worry filling his thoughts, his empty stomach clenched.
"She was sitting in here with Xander and I when you turned around and mumbled Sasha, and she broke down." Jay explained. Oz swore inwardly. "How long ago?" Oz asked quietly. Jay glanced at his watch. "Bout twenty minutes." Jay stated cautiously.
Oz attempted to get up again succeeding this time. "I'm gone…" He stated attempting to get up. "I wouldn't do that if I were you. You haven't been up and about in days." Jay warned in an empty voice. There was no point in arguing with him about it. No one listens to the doctor.
Oz gave him a look and he shrugged. "You weren't going to listen anyways. What do I know, I'm only a trained physician." Jay commented rolling his eyes. "Then swim the other way and help me up." Oz commented ignoring his rant and sliding his legs over the side of the bed.
A small smile floated over Jay's face and he walked over to help his friend.
A soft knock beckoned her to open the door but she ignored it and kept her head buried in her pillow. "Willow…" came a weak but determined voice. A voice that was still supposed to be unconscious, "Oz?" She asked raising her head from the pillow to frown up from the door.
"Yah?" Came the voice. Willow's heart sank, "Come in, the lock stops working after the third try. Spike broke it." Willow commented quietly. The door knob wiggled for a second and Willow had to look away from the door as he walked in, not wanting to face him. Shame filled her chest.
Oz walked into the dark room and was hit with the scent of Willow and tears. Blinking as his eyes adjusted to the gray light filtered through the sheer curtains. He closed the door and glanced around the room, stopping at pictures of the group, some of Tara and even a few of him that donned the walls and shelves, dried flowers filled a vase to the left and a dressing mirror and dresser was in the corner, necklaces and rings were splayed across it among some light make up and some rose water.
An old 'Dingoes' poster was hung in the corner as well as a few stuffed animals on shelves. A chest held spell components and other stuff he was guessing. Shaking his head to clear his muffled thoughts he turned his attention to the woman lying on the bed, not facing him.
Her red hair splayed over her pillow like a bloodstain, and she had her head in her hands. He stood there, just watching for what seemed like forever, "I'm sorry." She mumbled from the bed through tears.
Oz hobbled over to the bed and sat down, placing a soft hand on her long hair. "For what?" He asked softly. "You probably didn't want to come back…" She mumbled curling up. "Why would I not want to come back?" Oz asked, knowing full well why.
"Cause, you have Sasha waiting for you." Willow whispered in a voice barely audible. "And you have Tara waiting for you. But you don't want to die do you?" Oz's voice of reason resounded through the silence. Willow shook her head slowly and turned over to look Oz in the eye for the first time in what seemed like a long time.
"Thank you…" Oz stated softly. Willow sat up and they shared a tight embrace. "I was so afraid I was going to lose you as well." She whispered into his ear. Oz held her thin frame for a long time before he took her soft hand and pulled back. "Sasha was a huge part of my life Will, and I love her a lot, but it would be condemning her memory to let myself die, I have to live to remember the good times." Oz spoke knowingly.
Willow nodded, tears forming in her already shining eyes. "I'm sorry." She commented quietly. "Don't be. It's done, we all need to just move on." Oz stated simply. Willow glanced around at all the pictures donning the walls and her eyes fell on her favorite one of Tara, taken at a park located close by, she had been wearing a red flowered dress and was smiling up at the camera.
"What if I don't know how? I still try to hold her hand in bed, I'll wake up and wonder where she went. Oz, I don't know if I can. I love her so much, and she's been gone over three years now." She whispered tears falling like diamonds off her cheeks. Oz squeezed her hand and for the first time realized how much she must miss her girl friend. "Then I'll help you." He offered with a smile in her direction. Even without a shower or a hairbrush, she was still one of the most beautiful people in the world.
Willow nodded and gave a bit of a sniffle before enveloping him in another hug. He ran his hand down her back and hair and felt her breathe. "Willow, I love you. I love you more than I thought I could ever love someone ever again." He whispered into her hair.
"I love you too…" Willow stated. "Good to know." Oz stated offering a bit of a smile, he took his knuckle and placed it under her chin to look into her bright green-hazel eyes. "I guess I'm trying to ask is, I'd still if you'd still." Oz spat out finally. Willow chuckled a little bit, "I'd very still." She stated nodding.
Oz sighed a bit of relief and realized how much he had really changed. He could breathe. He was healed. He got up slowly and walked over to the mirror and turned around slightly, taking off his shirt. His heart jumped with surprise as most of the scars had disappeared and the residual was smooth skin, he didn't know what to think, surprise hit him like a slap in the face and he almost lost his wobbly footing.
It seemed like every reminder he had of the compound where he had been held had disappeared. It was scary, and somehow in his heart he felt like it needed to happen. The residual scars were the worst of the bunch and he would keep those forever as a reminder of what had happened to them, and how he lost her.
He glanced over at Willow who was watching him from her bed. "That's the best I could do." She stated with a frown. Oz couldn't help but break out in a big grin. "Willow, I don't know what to say. Thank you, thank you so much…" He exclaimed coming over. "This is amazing. You are amazing…" He whispered into her ear. She pulled back, "That's the best I could do." She repeated.
"I'd be scared if you could do more." He stated, his eyes still wide. It was silent again for a while and then Oz got back up to examine his back, not believing it was real. He wasn't normally a cosmetic type of person, ever, but those scars had only reminded him of the pain he held in his heart, they were a physical reminder of how Blade had fucked up his life. Now he only had a little reminder to make him thankful for what he had; and he would never forget.
Looking at his reflection again he noticed the necklace again. "Thanks for the jewelry." Oz commented pulling at it. "No problem." Willow commented getting up and wiping her eyes. It was quiet for a second as Willow thought, biting her tear salted lip. "I have to leave town for a while Oz, I need to get out of the memories, I can still feel her here Oz, I need to not feel her anymore. Every time I run into someone wearing her perfume in the street or who resembles her at all I just… She's still mine, she's still here behind me haunting my shadow." More tears fell, but she ignored them.
"I'm tired Oz, I'm so tired of mourning her, I feel so bad saying it, but I can't do it any more. But… I-I don't think I could stand saying good-bye. I never even gave her the Wiccan ceremony when she died, even though I knew she would want it…" Willow's voice died away. All the pain pent up in her heart finally came to the surface, she couldn't hide it anymore and she couldn't mourn anymore. She loved Oz with all she had, but she couldn't forget whom she had loved before him and how she died. The memory needed to stay cemented in her mind forever, but the pain needed to leave so that she could honor that memory the best she could.
"When you're ready, we'll do the ceremony and leave town for a while, promise." Oz stated softly, he came over and rubbed her shaking shoulders as she held in sobs. "I promised someone I'd go get her canvas down in Miami anyways." He commented looking down on her.
"Look. I'm all soggy." Willow motioned towards herself and a small smile appeared on her lips, even though it didn't show in her eyes. Put an arm around her shoulders. "It'll be ok. I promise." He commented, quietly.
For the first time in a long time, she believed the person who said that phrase.
Jay had just come downstairs and announced the awake-ness of Oz and how he would be coming down the stairs, much the surprise and delight of the occupants.
Upon hearing the news Dawn, who was sitting on the couch with Connor, turned to him " Hey, do me a favor" Dawn asked Connor after Connan had finished; Connor looked over at her and raised her eyebrows.
"What is it?" He asked after a few seconds. Dawn tried to make it like it wasn't a big deal. "I just need you to wait until you hear Oz coming down the stairs and turn off the TV. Then in a loud-ish voice go, 'That sure was a good episode of Nwad' That's all, ok?" Dawn explained, hoping Connor would agree.
"This isn't going to get me in trouble right? I mean, Oz isn't going to suddenly lash out with anger and bitch slap me or something right?" Connor asked. Dawn sighed, "Since when does Oz lash out in anger?" She asked. Connor still looked skeptical. "Hey… isn't Nwad Dawn spelt backwards??" Connor asked a smile playing across his face now.
Dawn simmered, "No questions just do it!" She exclaimed glaring. "But…" Connor was about to complain until he felt soft lips on his and opened his eyes to see Dawn firmly kissing him, he was surprised, yes, but pleasantly.
When they finally pulled away, Dawn watched him, still slightly annoyed it had come to this. "I'll do it." Connor said hastily. They sat in silence for a while as they waited for Oz to appear.
"So is there a pay as you go feature for holding the information, before using it?" Connor asked wiggling his eyebrows. "For you?" Dawn asked sarcastically. "You've got to be joking. Unless you can somehow morph into Johnny Depp and take me to the ship." She stated stubbornly.
Connor opened his mouth to retort when she grabbed his arm and motioned towards the stairs. Sure enough there was Oz, on his feet, coming down the stairs. Willow was by his side.
With an over exaggerated sigh, he used an abnormally large hand gesture to turn off the TV, and true to his word exclaimed in a slightly girly voice. "WOW! That was an excellent Nwad episode!" Before putting down the remote, rolling his eyes at Dawn before getting up and dramatically leaving the room.
Oz finished his trek down the stairs, raised an eyebrow at Dawn, who tried to look natural (and was failing horribly) and walked into the kitchen with Willow. By the time he got out of the room Spike stepped out of the shadows and raised a scarred eyebrow at her. "Take me to his ship…?" He asked a sly grin spreading across his face.
Dawn glared daggers. "Shut up!" she exclaimed leaving the room, with a look of contempt, simmering with annoyance.
IMPORTANT: The Faith/Jake part was foreshadowing for a novel I'm in the process of planning. What did you think? If you were in a book store looking for a book, would you consider one with the story board I gave Jake? Would that story boad interest you?? PLEASE GIVE ME AN ANSWER!!!
Two more chapters left, and an epilogue! I hope this chappy wasn't terribly boring. Tell me what you think. New chapter soon, I'm hoping to finish this fic before I go back to school on January 8th. More W/O coming promise! PEACE:
W-B-D:)