Chapter 4

"Buffy, I don't want to go to the bronze tonight. I'm tired." Willow complained. Buffy and everyone else for that matter had been telling her to go to the club on this day. Buffy was so persistent that it was actually frightening.

"Will, you HAVE to come! Dingo's Ate My Baby is playing!"

"So? That temp they got to replace Oz is horrible. He has no passion for the music at all."

Buffy sighed in frustration. It had been four days since Oz had come to buffy and Dawn and asked for help. In that four days the news that Oz was back had been spread to all the members of the Scooby gang, and a few other choice people that were also needed in the plan. That is all the Scooby gang with the exception of Willow. If she found out the plan they had thought up it would be nothing but wasted creativity, especially on Oz's part.

"Come on Willow, please. Even Dawn is going!" Buffy cried.

Willow sighed. "Fine. But I'm not staying long."

For the next two hours Willow and Buffy got ready. Buffy took out the most perfect Willow dress she had ever found and told her to put it on. The dress just screamed "Willow". It was silky and baby blue with thin straps. The length went just below the knee. It went perfect with her orange-red hair that was tied up in a cool twisty bun. Soon Dawn, Buffy and Willow were in the car and ready to go. Willow kicked off her black flats, set them in the back and started the car.

When the three of them got to the Bronze they found Anya, Xander, and Giles sitting at a table sipping they're drinks.

"Whoa! Giles? What are you doing here?" Willow asked Giles with concern. He had been verbally bashing The Bronze ever since Buffy had arrived in Sunnydale.

"Oh…Uh…I just thought I'd see why everyone loves this place so

much." Giles stutterd. "Still cant see why…"

"It's called fun Giles. We like it here because of the fun. That's F-U-N." Xander said, as if speaking to a 5 year old. Just as Giles was about to retort the lights went out and a spot light went on the stage, showing Devon the lead singer of Oz's old band. Willow had just noticed how close to the stage they were. They usually got a table in the back.

"I'm Devon and I sing for Dingo's Ate My Baby. Tonight there's going to be a slight change though." Devon spoke with a huge smile on his face. "WELCOME BACK!" he shouted. Just then music started. A guitar. Music full of passion. Then the spot light shifted to a somewhat short guy, with redish blond semi spiked hair and Willow felt her heart race. Then he sang. His voice filled the club.

"As tears roll down a sunken face and blood is turned to led,

With hurt and pain in hazel eyes and pounding in your head.

Telling them that you're alright and wishing that you were and hoping that you soon will be but fate has shown no favors,

So what do ya do when life's so broken and cold that you cant seem to stand on your own?

And now what do ya do when your only true friend is yourself and you lie to that too?

I love you with all of this shattered heart and I know that it starts with these broken words, they may not be worth much but still mean the world.

I'm sorry I hurt you

I'm sorry you cried,

cuz I know it felt like I would die

And sometimes still I wonder why

I would ever leave your perfect side,

But now, oh now I have to ask.

I love you Willow.

Can I have this dance?"

Willow felt the tears roll from her eyes and onto the table. This couldn't be a dream. She could never have dreamed the look in his eyes. He was staring at her with so much love. She felt her legs stand her up and run. She ran onto stage and into his arms. And he held her. She looked at him and said, not caring who heard, "I love you Oz!" He smiled a patented Oz grin and kissed her and she kissed back. All of the sudden she jumped and gasped a bit. Not a gasp of joy, a gasp of pain. Oz pulled back and looked at her concerned. She had a confused look on her face, her mouth was open slightly and her green eyes wide. Then she fell into his arms, giving him a clear view of her back. There was a large dart sticking out from it. Buffy was beside them in a second. She pulled the dart out of the unconscious Willow. It had 4 words written on it: "Welcome home. Love Faith."

This was certainly a very bitter-sweet homecoming. Nowhere but the hellmouth, Oz thought. Nowhere...