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jesterladyficTitle: Grace Fills Up Uneven Nature
by Jesterlady
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Willow/Oz, Xander/Anya, slight Spike/Buffy if you squint :)
Summary: A rewrite of BTVS S4, but this time, I'm really focusing on Willow/Oz.
Disclaimer: I don't own BTVS. Some lines are from the show. The title is by George Hebert. This chapter's title is by John Calvin
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four: Abandon Their Own Repose
“I give up.”
It was possibly the first time Willow had ever said that, but she was convinced that it was true. She couldn’t find a
single thing that would help her and Oz with his problems. She’d looked before, but never with such fervor, and still
nothing.
“Don’t be all down.” Buffy looked over from her homework.
It amazed Willow that Buffy was getting more homework done than she was. That and spending all her time at Giles’
questioning Spike. It irked her that Buffy wasn’t helping her research more. But then again, Buffy didn’t really do
research unless it involved one of her own lovers and an unexpected trip back from hell.
“I’m sorry, but this Oz thing is really hard. A boyfriend with evil tendencies is something I hope you can
understand.”
“I really do.” Buffy hopped up and plopped down on Willow’s bed. “But, Will, this isn’t something that can just
go away. You can’t get consumed by this or you won’t be able to live your life. I love Oz, I do, but he’s not worth all
that.”
“How can you say that? If it was Angel…well, if it was him we wouldn’t even be allowed to have this
conversation.” Willow slammed her book and left the room. She could feel Buffy’s stare following her, but she didn’t
care.
Willow slowed down once she’d left the dorm. She had been heading for Oz’s, but now she wasn’t sure she wanted to go there. After all, wasn’t he part of the problem? He was the problem. And as much as she loved him and wanted to fix this, she was still leery of the part of the problem that didn’t involve the supernatural.
She wandered the campus for awhile and ended up at the library. It was late before she got back to the dorms. And she couldn’t sleep. All afternoon she’d been trying to solve her problems, but even her fuzzy pajamas weren’t helping. She guessed they probably never did, but she wanted to believe there was some benefit to positive thinking.
But now there was only one course left open to her. She’d wanted to try this particular spell for some time and
thought now was the perfect opportunity. If a spell to make her will be done wasn’t going to fix Oz than she wasn’t
sure anything could.
She was careful not to wake Buffy. The Slayer had only just returned from patrolling and usually fell right to sleep, but she needed to be careful. Buffy was less than zealous about witchcraft, something else Willow was annoyed about. It reminded her of her mother and a certain almost witch burning at stake situation.
She lit the candles and prepared herself.
***
Oz wasn’t quite sure what had come over Willow. She’d been so gloomy since his recent wolf out, but she seemed almost perky. He liked it, but he distrusted it at the same time.
“So, what’s going on?” He’d answered her knock and been almost pushed over in her eagerness to get inside.
“Sit down, sit down.”
“I’m sitting.”
They sat down on his bed and she took his hands.
“I’ve been thinking a lot and trying to work on the whole wolf thing.”
“I appreciate that.”
“And nothing seems to work. So, I will that it be solved. I will that you don’t want other wolves. I will that the
Hellmouth doesn’t destroy our love.” She beamed.
Oz looked at her, slightly confused.
“I’m getting a vibe that something’s supposed to be fixed, but I don’t get it.”
Willow’s smile disappeared.
“So, you still want to be with her.”
“If I wanted to be with her I wouldn’t have killed her, Willow.”
“No, that’s not what I meant. You want to be all wolfy and kill and stuff.”
“No, but I’m still a wolf. And that doesn’t change just because you want it to.”
“Why not?”
“You can’t just make something like that happen. You know that. What were you trying to do? Magic?”
Willow jumped up and started to pace away from him.
“Oz, I’m just trying to help. Nobody else is and I’m so mad. I mean, Buffy tells me to stop and says she’s
sorry, but she just spends her time with Spike. He’s more important than me. Fine, well, why doesn’t she just
marry him?”
Oz wished he could see her face. She was acting much more nervous than normal and that scared him.
They’d come far since Veruca had entered their lives, but apparently, not far enough.
“Don’t do that. If you’re mad at me or don’t want to do this, I can still go and try to figure it out on my own. I won’t drag you down.”
“No,” Willow said fiercely, “no, we’re going to do this. I guess I’m just not powerful enough. I just need more time. Everyone keeps asking me for things and I can’t be everywhere. Anya wants to have her orgasms with Xander, well, let her. All day, every day. Then I can get something done. Oh, and obviously Giles has nothing better to do than ask me for help, so he needs to get a job and one that takes up all his time. Then you and I can focus on us.”
Oz wasn’t sure, but he wondered if he saw something in Willow’s eyes during her speech which hadn’t made
him feel any better.
***
Giles was feeling quite happy with himself. He could admit he’d been in a slump lately. The loss of both his jobs was something of a downer. But he definitely felt more industrious now. He’d been sending out resumes all morning, managing to use the computer with a dexterity he felt Jenny would have been proud of.
The response had been tremendous and he’d gotten several interviews. He was off to go to the first one and
was messing with his tie when he suddenly remembered Spike. The vampire had been banned to the bathroom
where his snarky comments and constant leering weren’t as much of a problem. There was also more available to
keep him confined. Giles had been reduced to showering at his neighbor’s. It was also a relief because the
obnoxious blonde had been nattering on all morning, asking when Buffy was going to come over and whining about
how he needed to tell her something.
“Bother, bother,” Giles muttered.
He rushed to the phone to see if anyone could possibly come and watch Spike so he could leave. But as he was
dialing, Buffy came through the door.
“Is Spike here?” she asked.
Giles narrowed his eyes.
“Of course he’s here. I wouldn’t just let him go. But I’m so glad you’re here. Can I ask you to watch him for
me? I-I have something I have to do.”
“Oh, oh good. Yes, um, you go. Spike is safe in my hands.”
Giles momentarily wondered why Buffy looked so dazed, but then remembered he’d forgotten to get at least
two copies of his resume.
“Bollocks,” was his parting word and he left, almost running out the door.
***
Buffy didn’t mind that Giles had gone. For some reason she couldn’t fathom she needed to see Spike. She’d been trying to rationalize it all morning and finally gave up.
She went into the bathroom.
“Slayer!”
“Hi, Spike. How are you?”
“Never mind all that. Come here.”
Buffy didn’t know why she sat down. She highly resented his tone.
“Spike, what is it? Please tell me.”
“I have to ask you something important. It’s taken you forever to get here.”
“I came as soon as I could. I had to see you.”
“Buffy…” Spike swallowed “…will you marry me?”
“Oh, Spike. I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes and make me the happiest man in the world.”
“Oh, Spike. Of course it’s yes.”
She leaned forward and so did he but he was stopped by his chains.
“Do you mind, luv?”
“Of course.”
She got the key and released him and then practically threw herself on him as he de-chained himself. He toppled
back in the tub, but she didn’t think he minded. His lips and hands were enthusiastic anyway.
“Here,” he said, rummaging in his pockets as they lay in the tub together. “I, uh, got, uh, this!” He produced a
skull and bones ring.
Buffy could feel her face softening as she looked at it.
“Spike, it’s beautiful.”
He slid the ring on her finger. Buffy watched him and felt the full meaning of what her life was supposed to be. She was the Slayer and she was in love with a vampire. They were going to be married and unlive happily ever after. So long as they didn’t kill each other first.
***
Willow straightened up. She’d been looking at the spell she’d done and trying to figure out why it hadn’t worked. Oz had seen her and guessed at what she was doing from her behavior that morning. The scene that had then occurred was not a happy one. He’d gone off to band practice and she’d returned to her spell. Looking at the clock, she sighed. It was almost six and Buffy was usually home. It made her worried and since she was already upset, her state of mind was not good.
The phone rang and she got up to answer.
“Hello?”
“Willow! I’ve got something wonderful to tell you!”
“Buffy, why aren’t you home? Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m wonderful. After all, who cares what the names are on the invitation? The important thing is you’ll be
together.”
“Uh, I’m not following you.”
“Didn’t I say? Oh, Will, I’m so happy. Spike asked me to marry him!”
“Spike asked you to what!” Why was this ringing a bell in her head?
“We’re getting married. You’ll be my maid of honor, right?”
“Um-“
“Great! Okay, I gotta go. I’ve been trying to call Xander and all his mom will say is that she doesn’t want to go
into the basement since Anya came over. But I've got to tell him!”
“Buffy-“ Willow began, but she was talking to no one. She quickly dialed.
“Yeah?”
“Oz, you were right. Something bad has happened. I don’t know what, maybe it doesn’t have anything to do
with me, but Spike and Buffy are getting married, so…”
“I’ll be right there.”
If nothing else, Oz was always steady.
***
Giles wasn’t quite sure how it had happened, but the interview process seemed to go smoother than silk. He’d been hired after fifteen minutes and on the payroll in the next thirty. He’d signed contracts, been shown his office and introduced to everyone in the building. He’d think something abnormal was going on, but surely not in an office building. They were just too…normal for even the Hellmouth to invade.
He’d acquired a company cell phone and beeper and was trying to use them amidst much swearing, but his
secretary seemed to have a handle on those things.
The best part about his job was that he felt useful. Everyone seemed to need him and whether he knew what
he was doing or not, his large intellect seemed to make up for all that. He’d already received several business cards
that he was quite sure hadn’t been given to him for professional reasons. More than that, his sense of self-fulfillment
was at an all time high.
He didn’t get home until after midnight. He found Spike and Buffy making out on his couch.
“I’m sorry, baby,” Spike purred in Buffy’s ear. “I’ll never mention it again.”
“Good,” Buffy murmured. “Me either. Our past doesn’t matter.”
“We got a bright future as soon as you stop being the Slayer.”
“What! Not going to happen. It’s like my destiny. You don’t stop destiny.”
“Nor do you stop death. Which is me, luv.”
“I know. It’s wonderful.”
“So are you. I love your kicking ass.”
“Especially yours.” Buffy melted back into him for another searing kiss.
But at that point Giles regained his voice.
“What the bloody hell is going on?”
“Ignore him,” Spike said. “He’ll go away.”
“This is my home and why aren’t you chained up?”
“Why do you have a briefcase?” Buffy inquired.
“Do you like it?” Giles held it up eagerly and then remembered himself. “Never mind. Why is he out and why
is there so much…smacking?”
“We’re getting married!” Buffy held out her hand and Giles recoiled from the skull and crossbones.
“How, why, how?”
“We’re in love, Giles. Why are you all dressed up?”
“You’re looking at the new executive advisor for the Sunnydale Gazette.”
Spike burst out laughing.
“Finally got some purpose in life, eh, Watcher? Oh, sorry, Executive Advisor.”
“Yes, I have, thank you very much. I’m going to bed. I have to be at the office early tomorrow. Buffy, can you
handle him?”
“I hope so.” Spike curled his tongue over his teeth.
“Honey, stop that.” Buffy turned to Giles. “Of course I can. Spike is not leaving my side.”
“Never,” Spike assured her, wrapping his arms around from behind. Giles shook his head and headed up the stairs.
“Buffy,” he shouted from the top, “did you see my new beepy thing?”
***
Willow had been trying to get a hold of Xander, but there was no answer. She finally decided to brave going over there. Oz was with her, but it wouldn’t have mattered who was with her. The sight of Xander and Anya…together, was more than she wanted to see. Unfortunately, it also confirmed her and Oz’s hypothesis about what was going on.
“Um, I’ll need one of Giles’ books,” she said to Oz as they averted their eyes and Xander and Anya scrambled
for their clothes.
“We’ll take them over there. Unless we should just leave them?”
“I kinda want to,” Willow said, eying them as they attempted to dress each other and ended up taking more
clothing off. “But something might happen.”
“What’s going on, Will?” Xander asked as he nuzzled Anya’s neck.
“Um, spells. Um, hands please.”
“No fair,” Anya pouted.
She did take her hands out of Xander’s pants.
It was like that all the way over to Giles. It was after midnight but Giles was on the phone shouting something
about last minute deadlines and simultaneously trying to show anyone who would look his new business cards.
Spike and Buffy were visibly restraining themselves from hitting each other and not restraining themselves at all from
long, wet kissing of each other. It shocked Xander enough that he stopped fondling Anya. But pretty soon, he was
back at it again. Willow thought she was going to be sick.
“Enough!” she yelled. “No groping, business dealing, showing of toys, punching or anything else resembling
behavior of the crazy!”
There was quiet. Oz stood beside her, offering her support, yet she could feel the intense talk he was going to give her later. She explained what had happened.
Everyone spoke at once.
Oz quieted them down again while Willow searched for the book she knew had the counter spell.
Oz had to try and forcibly restrain Giles who was shouting about not wanting to lose his new status as Executive.
Willow spoke her words.
There was a flash of lightening and everyone saw her eyes light up.
Xander sat down.
“I’m kinda tired,” he said.
“I’m not,” Anya said.
Spike and Buffy sprung apart as if leprosy was the other option.
Giles looked rather shame-facedly at his new beeper.
“I really don’t even know how to use it.”
Willow dropped to her knees.
“I’m so, so sorry, guys.”
“I’m going home right after I put this thing back in the tub.”
Buffy dragged the scrubbing-his-mouth-out-with-anything-he-could-find Spike back into Giles’ bathroom. She threw
one horrified look at Willow and left.
***
“I know what you’re going to say.”
“Maybe.”
“I’m so sorry. I just wanted…”
“It can’t be done by magic. Not that kind.”
“But then…”
“Then we have to keep going as we are. I’m doing what I can, but the werewolf part I can’t help. You have to
decide if you’re willing to be with me even if I might be one forever. I have to decide how to deal with being one
forever.”
“I can’t lose you.”
“Me includes werewolf.”
“I know, I just don’t know.”
“I get that. But I don’t want you to waste your time if this was just your way of saying you can’t handle being
with me. If you want to fix me somehow.”
“I do, but isn’t that a good thing?”
“Not everyone’s involved in magic for a reason, Will. Power is a terrible thing and people should go into it
lightly. I don’t think you had the best entrance.”
“Maybe not. It was amazing, but I don’t know. Just please, I feel like I can’t even talk to you. I don’t know
what you’re thinking. I don’t know what I’m thinking. I don’t know where we’re going. But I feel like if I lose you, I
won’t last.”
“You’re strong. You’d change, but you’d last. I’m not going anywhere. But I am here under certain restraints.
I’m a werewolf and I gotta figure out what that means.”
“So less fixing, more understanding.”
“Yeah. And talk to me, Will. I don’t always know what to say. I worry about what happened and how you’ll feel
about it. But we gotta talk.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“I love you.”
“I believe you. And I’ve never loved anyone like I love you. You make me so happy. I’m sorry.”
“I get that. You can stop saying it. Let’s get some sleep.”
Willow settled into his arms. There would be major repair work she would have to do in the morning. Until then, she felt almost as if her center had been put back into place.
by Jesterlady
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Willow/Oz, Xander/Anya, slight Spike/Buffy if you squint :)
Summary: A rewrite of BTVS S4, but this time, I'm really focusing on Willow/Oz.
Disclaimer: I don't own BTVS. Some lines are from the show. The title is by George Hebert. This chapter's title is by John Calvin
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four: Abandon Their Own Repose
“I give up.”
It was possibly the first time Willow had ever said that, but she was convinced that it was true. She couldn’t find a
single thing that would help her and Oz with his problems. She’d looked before, but never with such fervor, and still
nothing.
“Don’t be all down.” Buffy looked over from her homework.
It amazed Willow that Buffy was getting more homework done than she was. That and spending all her time at Giles’
questioning Spike. It irked her that Buffy wasn’t helping her research more. But then again, Buffy didn’t really do
research unless it involved one of her own lovers and an unexpected trip back from hell.
“I’m sorry, but this Oz thing is really hard. A boyfriend with evil tendencies is something I hope you can
understand.”
“I really do.” Buffy hopped up and plopped down on Willow’s bed. “But, Will, this isn’t something that can just
go away. You can’t get consumed by this or you won’t be able to live your life. I love Oz, I do, but he’s not worth all
that.”
“How can you say that? If it was Angel…well, if it was him we wouldn’t even be allowed to have this
conversation.” Willow slammed her book and left the room. She could feel Buffy’s stare following her, but she didn’t
care.
Willow slowed down once she’d left the dorm. She had been heading for Oz’s, but now she wasn’t sure she wanted to go there. After all, wasn’t he part of the problem? He was the problem. And as much as she loved him and wanted to fix this, she was still leery of the part of the problem that didn’t involve the supernatural.
She wandered the campus for awhile and ended up at the library. It was late before she got back to the dorms. And she couldn’t sleep. All afternoon she’d been trying to solve her problems, but even her fuzzy pajamas weren’t helping. She guessed they probably never did, but she wanted to believe there was some benefit to positive thinking.
But now there was only one course left open to her. She’d wanted to try this particular spell for some time and
thought now was the perfect opportunity. If a spell to make her will be done wasn’t going to fix Oz than she wasn’t
sure anything could.
She was careful not to wake Buffy. The Slayer had only just returned from patrolling and usually fell right to sleep, but she needed to be careful. Buffy was less than zealous about witchcraft, something else Willow was annoyed about. It reminded her of her mother and a certain almost witch burning at stake situation.
She lit the candles and prepared herself.
***
Oz wasn’t quite sure what had come over Willow. She’d been so gloomy since his recent wolf out, but she seemed almost perky. He liked it, but he distrusted it at the same time.
“So, what’s going on?” He’d answered her knock and been almost pushed over in her eagerness to get inside.
“Sit down, sit down.”
“I’m sitting.”
They sat down on his bed and she took his hands.
“I’ve been thinking a lot and trying to work on the whole wolf thing.”
“I appreciate that.”
“And nothing seems to work. So, I will that it be solved. I will that you don’t want other wolves. I will that the
Hellmouth doesn’t destroy our love.” She beamed.
Oz looked at her, slightly confused.
“I’m getting a vibe that something’s supposed to be fixed, but I don’t get it.”
Willow’s smile disappeared.
“So, you still want to be with her.”
“If I wanted to be with her I wouldn’t have killed her, Willow.”
“No, that’s not what I meant. You want to be all wolfy and kill and stuff.”
“No, but I’m still a wolf. And that doesn’t change just because you want it to.”
“Why not?”
“You can’t just make something like that happen. You know that. What were you trying to do? Magic?”
Willow jumped up and started to pace away from him.
“Oz, I’m just trying to help. Nobody else is and I’m so mad. I mean, Buffy tells me to stop and says she’s
sorry, but she just spends her time with Spike. He’s more important than me. Fine, well, why doesn’t she just
marry him?”
Oz wished he could see her face. She was acting much more nervous than normal and that scared him.
They’d come far since Veruca had entered their lives, but apparently, not far enough.
“Don’t do that. If you’re mad at me or don’t want to do this, I can still go and try to figure it out on my own. I won’t drag you down.”
“No,” Willow said fiercely, “no, we’re going to do this. I guess I’m just not powerful enough. I just need more time. Everyone keeps asking me for things and I can’t be everywhere. Anya wants to have her orgasms with Xander, well, let her. All day, every day. Then I can get something done. Oh, and obviously Giles has nothing better to do than ask me for help, so he needs to get a job and one that takes up all his time. Then you and I can focus on us.”
Oz wasn’t sure, but he wondered if he saw something in Willow’s eyes during her speech which hadn’t made
him feel any better.
***
Giles was feeling quite happy with himself. He could admit he’d been in a slump lately. The loss of both his jobs was something of a downer. But he definitely felt more industrious now. He’d been sending out resumes all morning, managing to use the computer with a dexterity he felt Jenny would have been proud of.
The response had been tremendous and he’d gotten several interviews. He was off to go to the first one and
was messing with his tie when he suddenly remembered Spike. The vampire had been banned to the bathroom
where his snarky comments and constant leering weren’t as much of a problem. There was also more available to
keep him confined. Giles had been reduced to showering at his neighbor’s. It was also a relief because the
obnoxious blonde had been nattering on all morning, asking when Buffy was going to come over and whining about
how he needed to tell her something.
“Bother, bother,” Giles muttered.
He rushed to the phone to see if anyone could possibly come and watch Spike so he could leave. But as he was
dialing, Buffy came through the door.
“Is Spike here?” she asked.
Giles narrowed his eyes.
“Of course he’s here. I wouldn’t just let him go. But I’m so glad you’re here. Can I ask you to watch him for
me? I-I have something I have to do.”
“Oh, oh good. Yes, um, you go. Spike is safe in my hands.”
Giles momentarily wondered why Buffy looked so dazed, but then remembered he’d forgotten to get at least
two copies of his resume.
“Bollocks,” was his parting word and he left, almost running out the door.
***
Buffy didn’t mind that Giles had gone. For some reason she couldn’t fathom she needed to see Spike. She’d been trying to rationalize it all morning and finally gave up.
She went into the bathroom.
“Slayer!”
“Hi, Spike. How are you?”
“Never mind all that. Come here.”
Buffy didn’t know why she sat down. She highly resented his tone.
“Spike, what is it? Please tell me.”
“I have to ask you something important. It’s taken you forever to get here.”
“I came as soon as I could. I had to see you.”
“Buffy…” Spike swallowed “…will you marry me?”
“Oh, Spike. I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes and make me the happiest man in the world.”
“Oh, Spike. Of course it’s yes.”
She leaned forward and so did he but he was stopped by his chains.
“Do you mind, luv?”
“Of course.”
She got the key and released him and then practically threw herself on him as he de-chained himself. He toppled
back in the tub, but she didn’t think he minded. His lips and hands were enthusiastic anyway.
“Here,” he said, rummaging in his pockets as they lay in the tub together. “I, uh, got, uh, this!” He produced a
skull and bones ring.
Buffy could feel her face softening as she looked at it.
“Spike, it’s beautiful.”
He slid the ring on her finger. Buffy watched him and felt the full meaning of what her life was supposed to be. She was the Slayer and she was in love with a vampire. They were going to be married and unlive happily ever after. So long as they didn’t kill each other first.
***
Willow straightened up. She’d been looking at the spell she’d done and trying to figure out why it hadn’t worked. Oz had seen her and guessed at what she was doing from her behavior that morning. The scene that had then occurred was not a happy one. He’d gone off to band practice and she’d returned to her spell. Looking at the clock, she sighed. It was almost six and Buffy was usually home. It made her worried and since she was already upset, her state of mind was not good.
The phone rang and she got up to answer.
“Hello?”
“Willow! I’ve got something wonderful to tell you!”
“Buffy, why aren’t you home? Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m wonderful. After all, who cares what the names are on the invitation? The important thing is you’ll be
together.”
“Uh, I’m not following you.”
“Didn’t I say? Oh, Will, I’m so happy. Spike asked me to marry him!”
“Spike asked you to what!” Why was this ringing a bell in her head?
“We’re getting married. You’ll be my maid of honor, right?”
“Um-“
“Great! Okay, I gotta go. I’ve been trying to call Xander and all his mom will say is that she doesn’t want to go
into the basement since Anya came over. But I've got to tell him!”
“Buffy-“ Willow began, but she was talking to no one. She quickly dialed.
“Yeah?”
“Oz, you were right. Something bad has happened. I don’t know what, maybe it doesn’t have anything to do
with me, but Spike and Buffy are getting married, so…”
“I’ll be right there.”
If nothing else, Oz was always steady.
***
Giles wasn’t quite sure how it had happened, but the interview process seemed to go smoother than silk. He’d been hired after fifteen minutes and on the payroll in the next thirty. He’d signed contracts, been shown his office and introduced to everyone in the building. He’d think something abnormal was going on, but surely not in an office building. They were just too…normal for even the Hellmouth to invade.
He’d acquired a company cell phone and beeper and was trying to use them amidst much swearing, but his
secretary seemed to have a handle on those things.
The best part about his job was that he felt useful. Everyone seemed to need him and whether he knew what
he was doing or not, his large intellect seemed to make up for all that. He’d already received several business cards
that he was quite sure hadn’t been given to him for professional reasons. More than that, his sense of self-fulfillment
was at an all time high.
He didn’t get home until after midnight. He found Spike and Buffy making out on his couch.
“I’m sorry, baby,” Spike purred in Buffy’s ear. “I’ll never mention it again.”
“Good,” Buffy murmured. “Me either. Our past doesn’t matter.”
“We got a bright future as soon as you stop being the Slayer.”
“What! Not going to happen. It’s like my destiny. You don’t stop destiny.”
“Nor do you stop death. Which is me, luv.”
“I know. It’s wonderful.”
“So are you. I love your kicking ass.”
“Especially yours.” Buffy melted back into him for another searing kiss.
But at that point Giles regained his voice.
“What the bloody hell is going on?”
“Ignore him,” Spike said. “He’ll go away.”
“This is my home and why aren’t you chained up?”
“Why do you have a briefcase?” Buffy inquired.
“Do you like it?” Giles held it up eagerly and then remembered himself. “Never mind. Why is he out and why
is there so much…smacking?”
“We’re getting married!” Buffy held out her hand and Giles recoiled from the skull and crossbones.
“How, why, how?”
“We’re in love, Giles. Why are you all dressed up?”
“You’re looking at the new executive advisor for the Sunnydale Gazette.”
Spike burst out laughing.
“Finally got some purpose in life, eh, Watcher? Oh, sorry, Executive Advisor.”
“Yes, I have, thank you very much. I’m going to bed. I have to be at the office early tomorrow. Buffy, can you
handle him?”
“I hope so.” Spike curled his tongue over his teeth.
“Honey, stop that.” Buffy turned to Giles. “Of course I can. Spike is not leaving my side.”
“Never,” Spike assured her, wrapping his arms around from behind. Giles shook his head and headed up the stairs.
“Buffy,” he shouted from the top, “did you see my new beepy thing?”
***
Willow had been trying to get a hold of Xander, but there was no answer. She finally decided to brave going over there. Oz was with her, but it wouldn’t have mattered who was with her. The sight of Xander and Anya…together, was more than she wanted to see. Unfortunately, it also confirmed her and Oz’s hypothesis about what was going on.
“Um, I’ll need one of Giles’ books,” she said to Oz as they averted their eyes and Xander and Anya scrambled
for their clothes.
“We’ll take them over there. Unless we should just leave them?”
“I kinda want to,” Willow said, eying them as they attempted to dress each other and ended up taking more
clothing off. “But something might happen.”
“What’s going on, Will?” Xander asked as he nuzzled Anya’s neck.
“Um, spells. Um, hands please.”
“No fair,” Anya pouted.
She did take her hands out of Xander’s pants.
It was like that all the way over to Giles. It was after midnight but Giles was on the phone shouting something
about last minute deadlines and simultaneously trying to show anyone who would look his new business cards.
Spike and Buffy were visibly restraining themselves from hitting each other and not restraining themselves at all from
long, wet kissing of each other. It shocked Xander enough that he stopped fondling Anya. But pretty soon, he was
back at it again. Willow thought she was going to be sick.
“Enough!” she yelled. “No groping, business dealing, showing of toys, punching or anything else resembling
behavior of the crazy!”
There was quiet. Oz stood beside her, offering her support, yet she could feel the intense talk he was going to give her later. She explained what had happened.
Everyone spoke at once.
Oz quieted them down again while Willow searched for the book she knew had the counter spell.
Oz had to try and forcibly restrain Giles who was shouting about not wanting to lose his new status as Executive.
Willow spoke her words.
There was a flash of lightening and everyone saw her eyes light up.
Xander sat down.
“I’m kinda tired,” he said.
“I’m not,” Anya said.
Spike and Buffy sprung apart as if leprosy was the other option.
Giles looked rather shame-facedly at his new beeper.
“I really don’t even know how to use it.”
Willow dropped to her knees.
“I’m so, so sorry, guys.”
“I’m going home right after I put this thing back in the tub.”
Buffy dragged the scrubbing-his-mouth-out-with-anything-he-could-find Spike back into Giles’ bathroom. She threw
one horrified look at Willow and left.
***
“I know what you’re going to say.”
“Maybe.”
“I’m so sorry. I just wanted…”
“It can’t be done by magic. Not that kind.”
“But then…”
“Then we have to keep going as we are. I’m doing what I can, but the werewolf part I can’t help. You have to
decide if you’re willing to be with me even if I might be one forever. I have to decide how to deal with being one
forever.”
“I can’t lose you.”
“Me includes werewolf.”
“I know, I just don’t know.”
“I get that. But I don’t want you to waste your time if this was just your way of saying you can’t handle being
with me. If you want to fix me somehow.”
“I do, but isn’t that a good thing?”
“Not everyone’s involved in magic for a reason, Will. Power is a terrible thing and people should go into it
lightly. I don’t think you had the best entrance.”
“Maybe not. It was amazing, but I don’t know. Just please, I feel like I can’t even talk to you. I don’t know
what you’re thinking. I don’t know what I’m thinking. I don’t know where we’re going. But I feel like if I lose you, I
won’t last.”
“You’re strong. You’d change, but you’d last. I’m not going anywhere. But I am here under certain restraints.
I’m a werewolf and I gotta figure out what that means.”
“So less fixing, more understanding.”
“Yeah. And talk to me, Will. I don’t always know what to say. I worry about what happened and how you’ll feel
about it. But we gotta talk.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“I love you.”
“I believe you. And I’ve never loved anyone like I love you. You make me so happy. I’m sorry.”
“I get that. You can stop saying it. Let’s get some sleep.”
Willow settled into his arms. There would be major repair work she would have to do in the morning. Until then, she felt almost as if her center had been put back into place.
