Relationships

�Oz!� Willow called out, running a few steps to catch up to him. He turned, saw who it was, grinned, and waited.
�Hey.� He grinned his charmingly cute grin at her.
�Hi! Where are you going?�
�Nowhere.�
�You�re just wandering around?�
�Actually, I was looking for you.� Oz leaned up against the locker. The hallway was practically deserted, except for a small handful of students way down the hall.
Willow flushed, a pleased smile on her face. �Well, um, I was on my way to the library, if you want to come. I mean, you don�t have to. It�s kind of, uh, scary to get involved with vampire�s and mosters and stuff.�
Oz pushed off the lockers and started to the library. She stayed in step with him. �So what else have you all had to ward off?�
�Well, there was a giant preying mantis that went after Xander, then these guys who were after Buffy. They were some clan of some sort. Oh yeah! Order of Tirach. Something like that. Anyway, they�re assissin vampires.� Willow paused, clicking each moster off on her fingers. �There was a witch that we had to fight, an invisible girl, lots and lots of vampires, we defeated the master, stopped the world from ending, and well, the list goes on and on.�
�And you do all of this before curfew?� Oz teased.
�No, that�s why we have the round robin.� Willow explained. �We each call our mother�s saying we�re with someone studying, or spending the night. It works like a charm.�
�And no one�s any the wiser?� Oz opened the library door for her and held it open. She turned so she faced him when she answered.
�Nope.� She shook her head, then turned forward again as they went further into the library. �Giles!� She called from the center of the library. She went over and threw her backpack on the table. Oz glanced at her, and gently set his back pack on the floor. Willow grinned at him.
�Oh, Willow, there you are.� Giles emerged from the stacks carrying 3 huge books.
�Need some help?� Willow stiffled a laugh at the older man and quickly she and Oz ran up the stairs to each take a book from him.
�Oh, yes, thankyou.� Giles said, following them down the stairs. �Um, hello Oz.�
�Hey.� Oz raised a hand in greeting after he set down the huge book.
�So, Giles, how can we help?� Willow asked, setting down her own book as well. She jumped up on the table next to them and flipped through one. �This looks promising: Angelus-the vampire.� She read the title of a section. Her head came up slowly to lock eyes with the librarian. Oz got the distinct feeling he was out of place and edged back slightly.
�If Buffy can�t destroy him, we need to find a way to at least stop him.� Giles explained.
�You can�t.� Ms. Calendar appeared inside the library. None of them had heard the door open. Giles� face went stone cold when he saw her. Willow glanced between them. �The only way is to restore his soul.�
�Well, I�ve been told you said you don�t have the knowledge to do that.� Willow said in a very un-Willow like way. �And you�re really not welcome here anymore.�
�I told you all, I�m sorry. There�s nothing more I can say, nothing more I can do. I didn�t stop Buffy from loving him did I? I didn�t take away his soul.� She walked over to the table where they were. Oz took a few steps closer to Willow, as if to block her from Ms. Calendar. He leaned against the table edge in front of her and slightly to the side.
�But you can�t get it back either.� Willow said softly. Ms. Calendar shook her head. �Then we research.� Willow said simply. �We do whatever we have to to get Angel his soul back.�
�How?� Oz turned around to face Willow, a look of doubt, but grim resolution on his face. �What do we do?�
Willow smiled slightly, not missing the we. �We scout the books, find everything we can.� She exchanged looks with the watcher and the teacher, and finally turned back to Oz. �We have to get Angel his soul back. For our sake, for his sake�� She glanced out the window to the sunlight. �And for Buffy�s.� She finished quietly.

�Listen to this: The Romani had an ancient spell book�� Willow stopped as she quickly translated the rest. Everyone in the library stopped to listen to her. Oz was in the chair next to her, his arm less than 5 inches away when they were sitting back, and their elbow�s bumping occassionally when they wrote or turned pages.
Xander was at the head of the table watching Willow with a book resting in his lap. Cordelia sat a few seats over, paying more attention to her manicure than Willow, but listening nonetheless. Giles had come out of his office, and Ms. Calendar looked up from her seat, a few chairs over from Cordelia.
�That was tragically burned in a fire.� Willow ignored the moans of the others. �But one of the Romani�� She translated quickly. �He, he wrote down all their spells that he had put to memory.� She translated some more, then blanched. �Oh my god.� She whispered.
�What?� Xander asked from the head of the table. Oz glanced at him but turned back to Willow.
�Willow?� Oz was concerned. She was too pale.
�Giles, it�s�� She looked up. �It�s the Codex.� Her gaze went to a book on the table.
�What?� Giles snatched a book off of the table and flipped through it while glancing at Willow every few pages. �Are you sure it�s this one?�
�Yes!� Willow nodded emphatically. �It�s, it�s hidden.� She glanced uncertainly at the page where it was written, then stood and took the book from Giles. �See, here!� She pointed excitedly at the pages. �It starts here and it�s coded!�
�Starts how? What�s the pattern?� Giles asked quickly. Willow pointed it out slightly to him, but didn�t finish the pattern. �What�s wrong?�<> �Giles, maybe, maybe it would be better if you didn�t know.� Willow suddenly said.
�Why not?� Giles asked.
�Because, if you don�t know, then you�re safe. But if both of us know, then we�re both in danger.� Willow hesitated. �Do you see my point?�
�Well, then, translate it quickly.� Giles was concerned for her. He liked the young hacker. Willow nodded and sat down next to Oz again with a pad of paper and a pen. She translated as quickly as she could.
�So what do the rest of us do?� Xander asked, glancing out the window at the slowly diminishing sun that was their only solice.
�Call Buffy.� Giles suggested. Xander shrugged and picked up the phone.
�Buffy!� Xander yelped. �Thank god. We�ve got some big news. Yes. Willow found the spell. The one to get Angel's soul back. Yeah. The library. Bye.� Xander hung up. �She�s on her way over.� He told them all. His eyes rested sadly on Willow�s bent over figure as she translated. Oz noticed the look, and looked between the two. His gaze lowered from her face to the table.
�I�ve got it!� Willow burst out. She triumphantly held up the piece of paper and quickly thrust it at the computer teacher. Ms. Calendar skimmed the paper, then looked up. �I have to go home to get these things, but I can do it. Alone.�
�Then go home!� Buffy yelped. She jumped up. �I�ll go with you for protection.� She whirled to face the watcher. �You�ll stay here and keep an eye on them.� He nodded and she and Ms. Calendar rushed out.
�So what do we do now?� Willow shifted uncomfortably. She and Oz exchanged a look and then turned to the watcher.
�Wait.� Giles said weakly. �That�s all we can do.�

�Let�s do this!� Buffy hopped from one foot to another. �Come on!�
�Buffy, calm down.� Giles ordered. She shut up but kept hopping.
Ms. Calendar was dressed in a long robe. Her short hair was down, and she wore no shoes. In the center of the library, where she stood, was a big cauldron and several different plants and herbs. She began chanting, then started to mix the herbs.
The library filled with a black smoke, causing all of them except Ms. Calendar to start coughing. Oz found himself supporting himself and Willow. Xander was practically carrying Cordelia, and Buffy and Giles were coughing, but they remained on their own two feet.

Angel fell to the ground, clutching his head. Luckily he was in his own room, and the others were gone. He cried out Buffy�s name, and passed out on the floor.

�So now what?� Buffy demanded. The smoke had mostly risen to the top, but occassionally one of them would start coughing.
�Now we wait.� Ms. Calendar told her, sinking wearily into a chair. Oz pulled out a chair for Willow and then sat down next to her. Xander sat on the table at the end and Cordelia sat a few seats over from Ms. Calendar. Buffy paced, and Giles leaned up against the railing to the stairs.
�Wait for what?� Buffy burst out. �Why can�t we just go to him?�
�Because it would be unwise.� Ms. Calendar sighed. �I�m 99.9 percent sure it worked, but it�s that point one��
�And this curse, if he achieves happiness again�?�
�Won�t break.�
Buffy sighed with relief. �Thank god.�
Oz turned to Willow. �Now you can add giving a vampire his soul back as one of your many triumphs.� Willow smiled at him.
�Buffy?� Angel�s strained, and pained, voice, came from the doorway to the library. Buffy ran up to him. The other�s stood, keeping their eye�s closely on him. Oz stepped in front of Willow, just in case.
�Angel! Are you alright? Are you you?� Buffy stared deeply into his eyes.
�Yeah.� He swallowed hard. �I-� He was interrupted by her kiss. The other�s looked discretely away. Willow looked up to see Oz looking at her, and their eyes met. She laughed; he smiled. Cordelia and Xander exchanged their own look, while Giles and Ms. Calendar talked quietly. �Buffy�� Angel paused, took a deep breath. �I have to go.�
�What?� Buffy stopped. �Angel, but I-�
�I can�t stay here. Not after what I did. To you.� He looked at her friends. �To them.�
�Angel, it wasn�t you, we all know that.� Buffy pleaded with him. �No, I, I came to say goodbye.� He shook his head and backed out of the room. She followed him.
�Stop!� She shouted. He turned back, a tortured look on his face. �Angel, I have spent this entire time waiting for you to come back. Don�t you dare leave me now. If you do, as yourself, then you�re worse then you were then when you were Angelus.�
That stopped him. He looked down. �Buffy, I can�t stay here. Not after what happened. I can�t guarantee that it won�t happen again.�
�Ms. Calendar can.� Buffy walked over to him. �Don�t leave me again.� �Buffy-� Again her kiss interrupted him.

�That�s so sweet.� Willow commented from inside the library. She stared wistfully out the door. She was sitting on the checkout counter, as was Oz. He grinned as he turned to look at her. She grinned back and bumped up against him playfully.
�So can we go Bronzin�?� Cordelia asked out of nowhere in her �I don�t know what�s going on and all I want to do is party� way. All the eyes turned on her. Suddenly Willow jumped down from the counter. Her smile was directed at all of them, but she turned it on Oz.
�I think that�s the best idea you�ve ever had Cordelia.� She announced. Oz jumped off the counter as well.
�I do have a van.� Oz offered. �I could take everyone.� Willow grinned, hooking her arm through his. He smiled down at her.
�Okay.� Cordelia readily agreed. Xander rolled his eyes at her and followed her after Willow and Oz. Willow turned suddenly.
�Ms. Calendar? Giles? Are you guys coming?� They shook their heads. �Are you sure?� They nodded.
�Yes, yes. Go have a good time. Make sure you have your crosses and holy water.� Giles added some last minute worries.
�You know, most adults tell you to buckle your seat belt and make sure not to drive to fast. Not these adults.� Xander said dryly, but with a bit of humor.
�But that�s what makes them them.� Willow said back. She gave a small wave with the arm that wasn�t hooked through Oz�s. �Bye!� They exchanged goodbye�s and walked out of the library.

Willow was laughing when she and Oz came into the library. Her arm was hooked through his, and she seemed genuinely happy. Buffy was glowing.
�You look happy.� Willow reached out and hugged her friend. Buffy happily returned the hug.
�I am.� Buffy nodded. �This is the best day of my� Well� The second best day of my life.� Willow laughed and tugged on Oz�s arm. They sat down at the table in the library.
�So, Oz, how are you? I appreciate you helping Willow out while I was� Not in the helping mood.� Buffy faltered on words after the �was,� but she quickly came up with something.
�It was my pleasure.� Oz told her honestly. Willow flushed happily and glanced at him. She turned back to the Slayer.
�So, Buffy, is Angel meeting you at the Bronze tonight?� Willow asked in a not so slyly way.
Buffy nodded, pleased. �He�s feeling so bad about hurting me that he won�t stop appologizing! He�s so sweet!� Buffy flushed.
�That�s great Buffy.� Willow was so happy for her friend.
�Yeah.� Buffy grinned back.
Oz looked between the two girls and raised his eyebrows as he bit his lip. He felt out of place.
�Hello happy slayer and slayerettes!� Xander carolled as he and Cordelia entered the library.
�Hey Xander. Hey Cordy. What�s up with you guys?� Buffy looked happy to see them. Willow shrunk slightly inside herself. Oz glanced at her and nudged her slightly.
Xander�s eyes immediately went to Willow, who was starting up a conversation with Oz. �Nothing much.� He heard himself say.
�Well, first of all, my teacher, Mr. Moss, was wearing the most hedious outfit-� Cordelia started.
�Willow can I talk to you?� Xander interrupted her. Willow looked up, her expression darkening and going stone cold. Her eyes shot to Oz, who was watching her. She stood.
�Sure.� She said coldly, following Xander out of the library.
�Wow. I think that after that look, I need to put on another sweater.� Buffy commented. She looked at Oz and Cordelia, confused. �What happened between them?�
�I don�t know.� Oz shrugged. �But it wasn�t good.�
�Hmh.� Buffy watched the doorway.

Xander led Willow into an empty class room. She stared at him, her arms crossed over her chest in a protective way. She was protecting herself from him? He couldn�t believe it.
�Will, about what happened-�
�I don�t want to talk about it.� She interrupted him. �I don�t have anything to say on that subject.�
�Will, you do!� Xander sat down in an empty desk. �We always used to talk and be honest with each other. Why won�t you-�
�Honest?!� Willow shouted angrily, with a look of disbelief on her face. �You�re giving me a lecture about honesty?!�
�Willow, I was going to tell you.� Xander started again. �But-�
�But what Xander? What possibly stopped you?� She suddenly shook her head. �Never mind. I don�t want to know.� She clasped her hands together, her arms limp. A sad expression replaced her angry one. �I never would have thought you would lie to me Xander.� She told him. �I could have handled anyone else lying to me, or hurting me, or something along those lines. But you�re the last person I thought would do this to me.�

�Or just guilt trip me.� Xander snapped back.
�You know what? I�m sorry. I�m so sorry that I didn�t just sit here like the docile girl I used to be. But I�m not going to let you hurt me again.� She told him. �I promise you that.� She turned and started to leave. He grabbed her arm.
�Willow!� He shouted, shaking her slightly. She ripped away, tears in her eyes. �Why won�t you listen to me?�
�Fine Xander!� She shouted back. �I�ll give you your explaining time! You can explain all you want! Will that make you happy?�
�Yes!� He yelled. His voice quieted. �I�m sorry that I hurt you.� He started. She started to walk away but he held fast to her arm. �I�m sorry that you found out the way you did. But you�re my best friend Willow, and I just don�t feel that way about you. I�m sorry.�
�Don�t be sorry.� She replied with a bit of remorse, sadness, and pity. �Just leave me alone for a while.�
�Willow-� Xander tried to get her arm again, but she pulled away. She walked slowly out of the classroom.

�Wow. That�s rough.� Buffy tried to be sympethic. �I�m sorry Will.� �Me too.� Willow said through the telephone. Her voice grew stronger and she closed her eyes, then opened them again. �But I�m going to be strong. I don�t need Xander to be happy.�
�That�s the way to think.� Buffy agreed over the line.
�Yeah�� Willow trailed off. �So, are you and Angel going to meet me and Oz at the Bronze, or what?�
�We�ll meet you.� Buffy answered. �So, tell me about the Wizard of.�
�He�s really sweet.� Willow gushed. �He stopped me from making a mistake, well, not a mistake, but something I wasn�t ready for at the time, but I�m so ready now!�
�Woah. Will, um, could you back up a bit?� Buffy�s jaw was on the floor.
�Oh, sorry. I mean, it wasn�t anything bad or anything. But I like him so much!� Willow squealed. �I love being around him!�
�That�s so great Will! You totally deserve it!� Buffy was grinning.
�Thanks Buffy.� A knock at Willow�s balcony startled her. �I�d better go.�

�Okay. Bye Will.�
�Bye Buffy.� Willow clicked the off button on the portable phone and went over to the door. She pulled back the curtain to see who it was.
�Angel!� Willow exclaimed. �What�s wrong?� She gestured for him to come in, and after a moment of hesitation, he did.
�Something�s going on. I managed to convince Spike and Drusilla that I was Angelus, but they suddenly have their doubts. I think Drusilla might have had a vision or something.� Angel paced back and forth in her room.
�So uh� Why are you here?� Willow stressed the word here. �Why aren�t you with Buffy? I don�t mean that to sound rude or anything. Sorry.�
�Like you have to appologize for being rude.� Angel stopped and offered her a half smile. She pulled out her desk chair for him, and he sat down. She took the bed.
�So what�s going on?� Willow asked.
�I� I think they�re after you.� Angel looked down, then back up at her stricken and surprised face.
�Why me?� Willow wanted to know, her voice faint.
�I�m not sure, and they wouldn�t tell me.� Angel looked away. �But to convince them that I�m still on their side I need your help.�
�My help?� Willow repeated. �Sure. How?�
�Well��

�Willow?� Buffy and Oz gaped at their friend. Or someone that vaguely resembled their friend.
Willow was wearing a short, Buffyish skirt, and a halter top. She wore fishnet stalkings and ankle boots. Her hair was in a ponytail with tendrils hanging around her face. She wore dark makeup that excentuated her features. She looked beautiful.
�Woah.� Buffy�s eyes were huge. Oz had actually stood up and was staring at her.
�Is Angel here yet?� This girl barely sounded like Willow. She sounded so sure of herself. She was� artificial. If you knew her. If not, she pulled it off well.
�Willow, you look great.� Buffy finally managed. Willow glanced between her and Oz. Oz still hadn�t recovered.
�Thanks.� Willow grinned. �Is he?�
�Is who what?�
�Angel. Is he here yet?�
�No. Why?� Buffy looked curiously at her friend.
Oz opened his mouth to speak. Willow whirled on him and put a finger to his lips. �No.� She said. �I am not here dressed like this to impress Angel. I am not interested in Angel.� Oz settled down as much as he could, but he couldn�t help but gape at her.
�So then why are you dressed like that looking for Angel?� Buffy asked.
�We�ll explain in a few minutes.� Angel suddenly appeared. He looked at Willow. �Wow.� Buffy looked at him, a mixture of jealousy and anger. Angel noticed Buffy�s look. �Oh. Uh, Willow, nice job.�
�Job?� Buffy repeated.
�This way.� Angel glanced around and led them out of the Bronze.
�I know this is probably a dumb question, but could I please get a coat from someone?� Willow asked. She sounded more like Willow now. A few seconds later Oz�s coat was draped across her shoulders. She smiled thankfully at him.
�Okay, so what�s going on?� Buffy asked once they were all in Oz�s van.
�I think Drusilla and Spike suspect I�m� Well, me again. For some reason I think they want Willow, but they wouldn�t tell me why. So��
�So you�re going to bring her to them.� Buffy finished. �But why dressed like� Well, no offense Will, but that?�
Willow pulled the coat farther around her. �None taken.� She said cheerfully.
�Because I want them to think that she came dressed like that to see me. We�ve got to convince them that she wants to be on their side.� Angel looked slightly guilty.
�Why?� Buffy�s jaw dropped.
�Because that way they trust me. I brought them one of the Slayer�s most trusted friends. How would they not trust me after that?� Angel looked grim.
�Are you sure you�re up to it Will?� Buffy turned to her.
�Uh, well�� Willow hesitated, then her voice became more firm. �Yes.�
�You don�t have to.� Oz suddenly said. He looked at Buffy and Angel. �Does she?�
�No. Of course not.� Buffy said immediately. Angel quickly agreed.
Willow was staring at Oz with a slow, small, happy smile on her face. �I want to.� She told him. He gulped.
�Now.� Angel said. They walked out of the car and stood on the sidewalk. Buffy kissed Angel.
�Be careful.� Oz turned to Willow.
�I will.� Willow smiled at him. Angel and Buffy were breaking up, and Angel was waiting for Willow. On impulse Willow kissed Oz. It was slow and sweet and everything Oz wanted it to be. And her. It was everything she imagined kissing Xander would be like, only it was more and better because it was with Oz.
�Bye.� Willow said after they pulled away. Buffy was staring with wide eyes at them. Angel was grinning, and Oz looked not only slightly shocked, but was looking tenderly at her.
�Bye.� He said, letting go of her hand as she walked away with Angel. He turned to Buffy. �Do they normally come back?�
�Yeah.� Buffy nodded, grinning. �So Oz, if you�re going to be hanging out with Willow, and in turn me, and in turn those other stupid people, why don�t you tell me all about yourself, starting with how many people have you murdered?�
Oz laughed. �Actually, I used to murder someone once every two weeks, but now I�ve cut it down to once a month.�
�Oh well. Curbing those homocidal tendencies. That�s always good.� Buffy nodded matter of factly. They went into the Bronze together.

�I�m going to appologize right now for anything I have to do.� Angel said, stopping Willow outside his appartment.
�What�s that mean?� Willow asked, startled.
�Well� We kind of have to act�� Angel groaned. �God this is hard.�
�Just say it. Then the worst is over with.�
He took a deep breath. �We have to act like we�re in love. Which leads to-�
�Kisses.� Willow caught on quickly.
�Touching.� He gulped.
�Uh, I�m afraid to say biting.�
�Not biting.� He took another deep breath. �I hope.�
�Oh gee. That�s comforting.� She leaned against the wall. �Okay. I�ll still do it if that�s what you mean.�
�Part of why I�m telling you. There�s more.�
�Oh.�
�They�re coming over in about 15 minutes. I thought it best if they found us in a not so �just friends� like um��
�Oh.� Willow said weakly, catching on. �Right. Okay.� Her eyes were wide. �Yes, I�ll still do it.�
�Good.� Angel seemed to be thanking her. He opened and unlocked his appartment.
�Turn that way.� Willow said once they were inside. He turned around and she took a deep breath.

�Angel�� Spike rolled in with Drusilla without warning. They turned on the lights and stopped, gaping. Angel and Willow were lying in the bed, neither wearing anything.
�Spike? Dru?� Angel looked at them, his eyes squinting through the glare of the lights after the darkness. His voice sounded like Angelus�. �What are you guys doing here?� He looked at the clock on the nightstand. �It�s not time for you guys to be here yet.�
They were still staring at the two in the bed. �Angel?� Willow put an arm around him. �What are they doing here? You promised me that we�d have at least an hour to ourselves.� She lightly trailed her fingers over his arm.
�I know, but I told them to come over. I�m sorry. The clock must have stopped.� Angel kissed her lightly and made a shooing motion towards Spike and Drusilla. "Could you get out of here so we can get dressed? We'll call you back!"
The two vampires turned and left without a word