Chapter 88: Wild At Heart

Students are sitting on benches talking, looking at a kiosk, milling about.

Behind them Buffy runs as if her life depended on it. She is being pursued by a hungry-looking vampire.

Buffy and the vamp are rapidly leaving behind the heavily traveled path and heading into a more secluded part of the campus.

Buffy checks behind her. Sees that they are alone. And stops. Pulls out a stake - cool as a cucumber. "Thanks for the re-locate. I perform better without an audience."

The shocked vamp barely has time to react before Buffy lunges at him, ready to make with the dust portion of the program. The vamp fends off her blow and they go at it. He's big and strong - but Buffy's in fine form, enjoying the fight...

"You were thinking what, a little helpless co-ed before bed?" Buffy says and throws him. "You know very well: you eat this late—" Vamp comes at her. "You're gonna get," she stakes him, "heartburn."

Vamp clutches his chest in uncomprehending agony.

"Get it? Heart burn?" Buffy says. The vamp dusts. "That's it? That's all I get?" She starts to head back towards the populated parts of campus, blithely complaining. "One lame-ass vamp with no appreciation for my painstakingly thought out puns? I don't even think the forces of darkness are trying. You could make a little effort you know... Give me something to work with, here."

At Payson's P4 Buffy, Willow, Oz and Xander are in the alcove, listening to the music. Oz and Willow are in a cuddly space, as per usual.

"It's more fun here this year, isn't it?" Willow asks.

"'Cause of the gloating factor alone. We're all about college now. We've got heady discourse..." Buffy says.

"Curfew free nights of mom and pop-less hootenanny..." Oz says.

"Co-ed dating prospects who find "townies" sexy and dangerous..." Xander says. "What? I can dream."

"Right... So, if college is so great – what are we doing here and why is it more fun?" Buffy says.

"Because the club is nice and familiar. It's like a big comfy blanky. Besides who can forget being friends with the owner who gets us free drinks." Willow says.

Buffy rolls her eyes.

"I was under the impression that I was your big comfy blanket." Oz says.

"You're my person blanky. This is my place blanky. With all the shock of the new it's nice to know that there's one spot we can come back to where things are predictable and-" Willow says.

"Hello, all." Giles says walking over to them.

Buffy starts to rise, on alert. "Giles. Trouble?"

"Oh no - don't get up Buffy. It's nothing like that. I just thought I'd pop by... Anybody for a latte? On me?" Giles says.

"Latte's, Giles? We don't sell latte's here. Though now that you mention it. I should talk to Piper about adding them to the menu." Buffy says before looking towards Willow. "So much for your predictable blanky theory, Will."

Everyone makes room for Giles. He sits.

"Splendid. It's been ages since I've been out to hear a band..." Giles says. The youngsters can't help but share a look. He catches it. "Don't look that way. I'm quite "with it" when it comes to music - and I have the record albums to prove it."

"But it's your cutting edge 8-tracks that keep you ahead of the scene." Buffy says, bemused.

"Might want to save the scoffing, gang. I've seen the collection, and Giles was an animal in his day." Oz says.

"I guess... If the Stones are still rolling, why can't Giles?" Buffy says.

"Exactly, I think it's brave that you're here." Willow says.

"Well - thank you, all. You've made me feel right at home." Giles says.

"Isn't home that empty place you're trying to escape?" Xander asks.

Giles would reply but he's interrupted as the lights come up on the stage area and a band starts playing a driving, sexual tune. Then Veruca takes the stage. Willow notes Veruca's entrance, eyes Oz nervously. Buffy, also, is keenly aware of Will's discomfort.

"Oh. Yea... Veruca's playing tonight." Willow says.

Oz nods, "Yeah. Every Wednesday. I told you." He gives Willow a quick smile - tries not to notice that Veruca is, once again, directing much of her act to him. But the pull between them is too strong... His glance toward her becomes a stare.

Buffy, protective of Willow, tries to talk over the loud music, "So Oz, what about you guy? When's Dingoes playing here again?"

"What? Oh - we're up next Friday... You already know that Buffy." Oz says.

Buffy nods, she did know that. Piper kept her up with what was going on with the club.

Willow, trying to hold it together, grabs Oz' hand. Squeezes it. "They're good, aren't they?"

Oz guiltily forces his attention back to Willow, "Nothing special."

"Yeah. She's quell' Fiona. Color me bored." Buffy says.

But Giles, nodding along to the music, "Really? I think she's rather remarkable. Such a presence for someone her age..."

Which is about the wrongest thing he could say at the moment. Even more uncomfortable now - the others turn their attention back to the performance. But Buffy steals sympathetic glances at Willow, as Oz and Veruca dial in on each other again...

Willow hurt is trying to pretend she's not noticing.

"Hey Will, I'm going to the ladies room. You want to join me?" Buffy asks. Willow nods and gets up following Buffy. When they're out of earshot of the group Buffy speaks up, "Do you want me to ask Piper to cancel the contract with Veruca?"

Willow looks at Buffy surprised she would even ask, "You'd do that?"

"For you, yeah." Buffy says.

"But would that hurt the club though?" Willow asks.

Buffy smiles, "Probably a little."

"Then I'm going to say no, thanks." Willow says. "I don't want you ruining the club for me. The gesture is appreciated though."

The next day Buffy's heading out after class. Professor Walsh stands near her desk, handing back papers. Buffy, not thrilled at the prospect of a face to face with her, quickly takes her paper and makes for the door.

"Ms. Halliwell. I want you to prepare to lead a discussion group next class on the paper topic." Professor Walsh says handing Buffy her paper. "That was smart work."

"It - I... What do I-" Buffy says.

"You have any questions, bring them up with one of the TA's." Professor Walsh says and sje turns her attention back to her business with the other students, dismissing her.

Now Willow meets up with Buffy - sees Buffy's stunned look as they exit into the hall. "Are you okay? How'd you do?"

Buffy just hands Willow her paper. Willow reads - then looks back at Buffy, thrilled for her. "That's good... I mean, that's excellent!" Her face falls. "You did better than me... This is so unfair." She is thrilled again. "You made me jealous of you - academically! Buffy!"

"I know - can you believe it!?" Buffy asks as they hug. "Piper and Phoebe will be proud of me when I tell them."

"Guess Ms. Walsh isn't so ogrey after all." Willow says.

"Except now she wants me to lead a discussion group next class. Which means more work, right? Shouldn't she have a better reward system? Like a cookie? Or maybe a little toy, like at the dentist?" Buffy says.

"She wants you to lead a discussion group? Okay - jealous again. Jealous, jealous... I'm back. I'm meeting Oz at the café. You want to come? I'll get you your celebratory cookie." Willow says.

"Great. I'm TA bound - but I'll catch up with you guys." Buffy says.

With that they each move happily off.

Later at the Café Oz goes, leaving a wildly uncomfortable Willow and Veruca together.

"I should go too. Good shirt." Veruca says before she bails and Willow looks down at her pink and fuzzy Custo-type top.

"Check the rapid exits. Was it me?" Buffy says.

Willow, crestfallen, looks up to see Buffy standing near her with her coffee. Buffy takes a seat. "Me. I don't speak "musicianese." Why didn't you tell me I look like a crazy birthday cake in this shirt?"

"Oh. I thought that was the point." Buffy says as she can see that Willow is really upset - near tears.

"He thinks she's sexy. He gets this blushy thing going on behind his ears. That's for me only." Willow says.

"It doesn't mean anything, Will. So Oz checks another girl. He loves you." Buffy says.

Willow nods. Trying to convince herself. "I know. I know. And I don't want to be the kind of girl who freaks every time my boyfriend notices someone else - even if she is throwing herself at him like a twenty dollar ho..."

"Please. Ten dollar ho. Fifteen, max." Buffy says.

"I mean, I have wrong feelings for other guys sometimes..." Willow says.

"You have them. But you don't act on them." Buffy says.

Willow nods, "No. In fact, I feel guilty about them. I flog and punish."

"See? I'm sure Oz is flogging and punishing himself-" Buffy says. "This is sounding so wrong before I even finish. Point is - you're both human. But I promise you, in a few days it'll be like - Veruca who?"

"You think?" Willow asks.

"Absolutely. Oz just isn't the type to stray." Buffy says.

"Not tonight, anyway. He'll be locked in a cage..." Willow says.

The next day Professor Walsh and Riley are moving through a busy hall.

"It was unbelievable. Two of them. That I survived at all is a miracle-" Professor Walsh says.

Buffy comes up behind them. "Excuse me, Professor Walsh-"

Professor Walsh sees Buffy and incorporates her into the conversation without missing a beat. "I hope you're being careful when you walk on campus after dark. I was attacked by wild dogs last night."

Buffy takes this in, puzzled. "Wild dogs."

Riley nods, "Two of them."

"Biggest things I've ever seen. The first one, I thought it was... well for a moment, I thought it was a gorilla. My heart practically stopped. I know how it sounds. But crazy is my specialty - and I definitely saw what I saw." Professor Walsh says.

"No. I believe you." Buffy says.

"Did you have a question, Payson?" Riley asks.

"No... Thanks. Just saying howdy." Buffy says.

Professor Walsh nods, "Fine. See you in class." She and Riley move off, leaving behind a fairly puzzled Buffy.

In Giles' Apartment, Giles is at his desk - but he's moved his TV on top of it. He's got a book open, but it's a sham. He's completely in the grip of a Jeopardy type program and talks at the screen, "Treaty of Westphalia!"

"Umm, Yalta?"

"Moron. That dinette set should be mine." Giles says.

Fortunately, the doorbell rings - saving him from himself. He snaps the set off and rushes to answer. When he does, he's just a little too thrilled to see Buffy.

"Buffy. Excellent! Come in." Giles says.

"Hi..." Buffy says.

"Can I get you anything? Some tea? I made an interesting mousaka last night if you're hungry." Giles says.

"Pass on the tea. And the mousaka. But thanks." Buffy says.

"So. You come on business, I hope?" Giles asks.

Buffy nods, "Yep. Lucky for you, people may be in danger."

"I didn't... I only meant - I'm at the ready." Giles says.

Buffy eyes the TV on Giles' desk. Goes over and feels that it is warm on top. He avoids her knowing look. "Clearly - we need to get you kicking some monster bootie, stat. So check it - one of my professors said she almost got attacked by two wild "dogs" last night. Under the light of a nearly full moon."

"Werewolves? Two of them?" Giles asks.

Buffy nods, "Could be."

"I didn't see anything about attacks in the paper or on the news. Have you spoken to Oz?" Giles says.

"He's my next stop." Buffy says.

"Yes. Get right on that. And I'll see what I can find out." Giles says. Buffy starts to go. Giles calls after her eagerly. "And you'll report back to me-"

"ASAP. Promise." Buffy says as she pulls out her cell dialing. "Piper. I need someone patrolling with me tonight. We may have a werewolf problem. Yeah I'm going to see Oz now." She hangs up and flames out.

At a crypt Oz is welding a sturdy new hinge onto his cage door. Now a shadow falls near him. He turns.

Buffy's standing over him. "Got out, huh?"

"Yeah... Any news about attacks?" Oz asks.

Buffy shakes her head, "No. But I did hear about a person being chased by two "wild dogs.""

"Two? Really?" Oz asks as he looks at her - and she glimpses more fear and worry in his expression than she's ever seen before.

"You don't remember anything like that, do you? Another wolf?" Buffy says.

Oz shakes his head, "As soon as the change comes - I'm gone. It's like a total blackout."

"Must be spooky." Buffy says.

Oz nods, "It is." That's the extent of his confession. He turns back to the cage. "Do me a favor?"

"Sure." Buffy says.

"Give this thing a go." Oz says.

Buffy nods. Gives the cage a few good hits and kicks. "Seems good to me... If I find werewolf #2 on patrol tonight - you may have a roomie."

Oz can't muster a smile for that one. "Thanks."

Buffy starts to leave - but stops before she hits the door. "Oz? Are you alright? If possible, you seem even more monosyllabic than usual."

"I'm okay. Thanks." Oz says.

Buffy nods, leaving Oz with his troublesome thoughts...

The next day Willow moves down a street of San Francisco, unable to stop crying. It's a busy day, people and cars everywhere - but she seems oblivious to it all.

Buffy is walking on the opposite side of the street. As soon as she catches sight of Willow, she can tell something is terribly wrong.

Willow unaware of Buffy, moves to cross the street. She steps off the sidewalk - directly into the path of an oncoming car.

Buffy starts to run, ,but she's too far away to help. "Willow!"

Willow turns at the sound of Buffy's voice. Doesn't see the car barreling down on her. She's seconds away from being road-kill when WHOOSH! - a pair of strong hands grab her and jerk her back to the safety of the sidewalk. Stunned, she looks up to see Riley holding her.

"Willow? Are you okay?" Riley asks.

Willow just looks at him. Finally shakes her head - no.

Buffy runs up beside them. Looks to Riley gratefully. "Thank you. I was too far away-"

"She was lucky. She almost got..." Riley says.

"Willow. What's the matter?" Buffy asks.

Willow is silent. She can't talk or she'll lose it again.

"Maybe you should get her home." Riley says. Buffy nods. Riley looks to Willow kindly. "Whatever it is, be more careful - okay? I promise - it's not worth hurting yourself over."

Willow barely nods. Then Buffy and Willow move off, Buffy mouthing a silent "thank you" to a concerned Riley. They walks around a corner out of sight and Buffy flames them out and to the Manor.

Later in the day. Piper, Phoebe, Paige and Buffy have heard the whole horrible tale from Willow about finding Veruca with Oz in his cage. Buffy has been ministering to her... Willow sits on the couch, dry-eyed - but pretty shell-shocked.

"Piper and I have to go. We have to find Veruca before the sun sets." Buffy says. Willow nods. "I will, though. And when I do this thing stops. She's bad news. Can I get you something before I take off? Kleenex? Chocolate-y chocolate anything?"

Willow shakes her head, "Can I get Leo to orb me back to my dorm room?"

Piper nods, "Sure Willow. Leo!" Leo orbs in. "Can you orb Willow back to her dorm room?"

Leo nods, "Yeah."

Buffy nods, "I'll come over as soon as things are taken care of. You just take it easy, okay? Riley was right. The main thing is - put the blame where it belongs. Don't hurt yourself." Willow takes this in. Nods. Buffy and Piper starts to go. "Okay." She stops - nervous mother hen style. "You're okay?"

"I'm fine. Promise." Willow says.

Buffy flames out with Piper.

In Oz's dorm room he is on the phone, finishing a conversation. "You haven't seen her around? Okay. Thanks man." He hangs up, worried.

Buffy and Piper flames in.

"Where is she?" Buffy asks.

"I don't know. I already tried her usual haunts." Oz says. "But - I know the areas we're drawn to, and I'm pretty sure I can follow her scent."

"We'll try that, then." Piper says.

Piper and Buffy starts out. But Oz stops them, "Look. You should just know that-"

"Oz. This might be a good time for your trademark stoicism." Buffy says.

Oz takes this in. Nods. They move out.

Moments later Oz, Piper and Buffy, now armed with a tranquilizer gun, troop through the woods. The light is growing gold and soft as the end of the day nears.

Oz stops, breathes in… Then determines a direction. "This way." He moves off as Piper and Buffy follows. They close in on the scent. "She's right near here. I can smell her."

Piper frowns as she looks at a pile of clothes on the ground, "Or the dirty pile of clothes she left lying on the ground."

Oz and Buffy turns to Piper and sure enough, they are Veruca's clothes.

"They could be from the other night when she-" Oz says. Buffy shoots him a warning look. But he continues. "-turned into a werewolf."

"Unless she wanted to throw you off the scent." Buffy says.

They think for a moment. Look at each other.

"Willow." Oz says.

That's it. They take off running back toward campus, each on slightly different paths… Oz leading a bit…

Putting on the gas. Buffy dodges a big tree and slams into someone dressed in fatigues, who is just as surprised as she is. The impact sends them both sprawling to the ground.

Piper runs up to Buffy, "You okay." She grabs Buffy's tranq gun helping Buffy up." She looks to the commando, "You need to wear orange, something to identify you to other hunters in the area."

In the campus lab Willow and Veruca face off. Willow is shaking with rage and fear, and Veruca is relishing every moment of it.

"Can't say I'm surprised you didn't go through with your little hex. You don't have the teeth." Veruca says.

"You don't know what I have. You don't know anything about me." Willow says. But she knows Veruca is right. Buffy had taught her not to do a spell for personal gain and what she had been planning was personal gain big time.

"I know what you love. I have his scent on me right now." Veruca says. Willow's heard enough. In tears, she tries to dart past Veruca to the door - but Veruca catches her with a vicious back hand. Sends her sprawling. Willow falls hard, dazed. "Go ahead and cry - but you should have seen this coming. You can't tame a wild thing. He's not yours any more. He's in you, he'd be thinking about me - no. Not thinking. It's deeper than that. Why don't you just try to relax now? In a minute or two it'll all be over-"

Veruca would go on but the door behind her is kicked open and Oz enters, breathless and enraged. He and Veruca square off.

"Don't touch her again." Oz says.

"Come stop me. I like it rough, remember?" Veruca says.

The sun has faded completely from the room now and the change begins.

"You want to hurt me, hurt me. But leave her out of this." Oz says.

"How can I? She's the reason you're living in cages. She's blinding you! When she's gone, you'll be able to admit what you are-" Veruca says.

Oz morphs to first stage and when Veruca comes from behind him she too is in first stage. "You don't want to find out what I am."

"You're an animal. Animals kill." Veruca says.

Oz looks at Willow and for a moment there is a gleam of hungry pleasure at her fear. "You're right." He turns to Veruca. "We kill." He leaps at Veruca.

Veruca and Oz fight viciously in their mostly human forms. But before long the full transformation overcomes them both. Willow turns away and shuts her ears against the sounds of Oz and Veruca's bodies as they twist and crack. Meanwhile, Veruca and Oz continue to battle throughout the grotesque metamorphosis.

Willow huddles in a corner. The wolves blocking her exit. This is a bad dream...

As the battle continues and Oz Wolf gains the advantage. He gets a jaw lock on Veruca's neck and violently bites her. She shrieks with pain, a horrible death knell...

When he is finished, and Veruca's body lies inert, Oz Wolf turns toward Willow. His maw is bloodied and his eyes are the cold eyes of a killer - there is no recognition there.

Willow turns - faces the giant beast crouching low in front of her, baring its razor-like teeth. Nearly out of her mind with grief and terror now, she says in a tiny voice, "Oz?.."

She reaches a trembling hand out, as if to stroke him... Without missing a beat – Oz lunges toward her, going for the kill. But he is snatched away from Willow only milliseconds before her certain death.

Buffy and Piper have arrived just in time. Piper holds the tranq gun waiting for an opening. Buffy has Oz Wolf by the hind legs and drags him away from Willow.

There is a brief fight between slayer and wolf. But Buffy manages to kick him upside the head, dazing him long enough for her to get out of the way as Piper uses the tranquilizer gun and sedate him.

Oz wolf stumbles, then passes out. Buffy rushes to Willow and gathers her into her arms. They don't speak, just hold onto each other...

The next day at the Manor Buffy, Piper and Giles sit at the dining room table, having tea. The mood is subdued.

"I'm not sure I understand." Giles says.

"There was so much going on with Oz and Will - there still is - but I thought you should know about this." Buffy says.

"So this fellow in the woods - he was in military garb?" Giles asks.

Piper nods, "And he was toting some serious weaponry... I thought at first that he was a hunter. Then Buffy mentioned seeing some other guys dressed exactly like him on Halloween night."

Buffy nods, "I had assumed they were in costume..."

"But maybe they were working." Giles says.

"I wanna know what's up. Guy got in our way; We almost didn't catch up to Oz in time. As it is, we were too late to..." Piper says.

"You two saved Willow." Giles says.

"I think right now she wishes we hadn't... I've never seen her like this before, Giles. It's like it hurts too much to even form words." Buffy says.

"But you've felt that way yourself, and you got through it." Piper says.

"Well, I ran away and went to hell – and then I got through it. I'm kind of hoping Willow won't use me as a model." Buffy says.

"Fair enough." Piper says.

"I just don't know how they're gonna deal with this." Buffy says.

Neither Piper nor Giles has a reply. They sit in silence.

Oz's room appears empty except for a duffle bag on the bed. There's a knock on the door and then Willow, looking exhausted and scared, pokes her head in. "Hello?"

Oz moves out of his closet, a pile of clothes in his arms. He looks at her evenly - his manner full of pained resolve. "Hi."

Willow, numb with fear, knows exactly what's happening. But she has to ask. Has to hear him say it. "What are you doing?"

"I'm going." Oz says.

"Now?" Willow asks as Oz nods. "That's - that's your solution?"

"That's my decision." Oz says.

"Don't I get any say in this?" Willow asks.

"No." Oz says. "Veruca was right about something. The wolf is inside me all the time. And I don't know where the line is anymore - between me and it. Until I figure out what that means, I shouldn't be around you - or anybody."

"That could be a problem. 'Cause, people? Pretty much a planetary epidemic." Willow says.

Oz stuffs the rest of his things into his duffle bag. "I'll find someplace."

"Well how long –" Willow says.

"I don't know." Oz says and he closes his bag and turns to her. A beat as it sinks in. For both of them. This is goodbye. Maybe forever.

"Oz... Don't you love me...?" Willow says, desperately.

"My whole life, I've never loved anything else." Oz says.

Willow starts to cry. A long beat. It's killing Oz to do this, but it's the only way. Finally, he reaches out to her - tentatively. She doesn't stop him. He kisses her forehead. And then they stay like that, forehead to forehead, for a long time. "Oh God... Oz..."

Finally, Oz knows he won't go if he waits another moment. He kisses her again quickly - one last time - then grabs his bag and leaves.

Willow stands crying exactly where he left her. She then moves to the window and watches as Oz drives off in his van. Her tears stain the carpet... Her heart breaking...