PART 2

Oz tossed and turned in his bed then finally kicked off the covers and got up. He walked slowly over to the window and pulled back the curtain to look out at the full moon glowing brightly in the black velvet sky. No wolf tonight. No wolf any full moon now, it was all under control. No-one was around to upset him anymore. No Willow.

With a sigh he let the curtain fall back into place then turned around and walked into the kitchen. He turned on the light and flicked the 'on' switch for the kettle then sat down at the wooden table in the middle of the room. Resting his head against his right hand, he let his mind wander as he waited for the water to boil.

A year on he knew he still wasn’t over Willow but, he also knew that she wasn’t constantly in his thoughts anymore. So, upside. Unfortunately, he couldn’t seem to be able to move on and love anyone else. He frowned; downside. Still, he did like Serena. He felt comfortable around her, they shared the same sense of humour and she seemed to like him too. He smiled; there was that upside again. Maybe he would ask her…the switch on the kettle clicked announcing it was ready and Oz left his thought incomplete as got up to make himself some coffee.

Drink made, he sauntered back to his bedroom and opened the curtains then put his cup on the nightstand next to the bed. He lay down then put his arms behind his head and gazed out at the moon. Smiling slightly, Oz realised that he actually missed the wolf sometimes. His smile faded as he recognised that, in all honesty, what he missed was the fact that Willow had always been there for him during those nights. It had made them even closer until he’d wrecked everything when Verruca had come to Sunnydale.

Oz closed his eyes in despair as he let himself remember how he’d hurt Willow. After all he’d put her through, it wasn’t surprising that when he’d returned she had already found someone else.

Oz opened his eyes and focused on the moon again. A new determination filled him and he reached for his drink as he made a pledge to himself. He wasn’t going to live in the past anymore. Sunnydale and it’s inhabitants were behind him now and he was going to move on. He’d done his penance and grieving for what he’d ruined and lost. Now was the time to make a fresh start. He’d got a great new band and good friends around him and he was going to ask Serena out on a date…

He choked on his coffee at the last unbidden thought and hurriedly put the cup down as a coughing fit ensued. As the shudders eased he tentatively let the thought come again. "I’m going to ask Serena out on a date, " he whispered aloud. "I’m going to ask Serena out on a date, " he repeated louder and a grin spread across his face. His heart lifted and he lay down feeling suddenly sleepy and at peace – this was definitely an upside.

*********************************************

Buffy made her way slowly upstairs and along the passage to Willow’s bedroom. Tara was now safely buried and Giles and Xander had gone to the library to check out what spell she’d been using on Willow and whether it would have any side effects.

The slayer reached the door and lightly knocked. When there was no response she opened it a fraction and poked her head around to check on her friend. The sight that met her eyes made her open the door fully and walk in.

Willow was dressed and placing clothes into a suitcase. Tears were rolling down her cheeks unchecked.

"What are you doing?" Buffy asked quietly.

"Packing."

Buffy watched her friend fill the case and shut the lid. "You’re going to find Oz." It was a statement not a question.

Willow nodded and looked up at the slayer. "You know…the last time I saw him I said that I still loved him on some level." A small smile briefly lit her face before it faded and her lips trembled. "I guess that was the real level, huh?"

She raised her hands to cover her face and abruptly sat down on the edge of her bed as harsh sobs racked her body.

Buffy hurriedly walked over and sat next to her. She wrapped her arms around the distraught girl and rocked her gently. "Shhh, it’s OK," she soothed. "Stop blaming yourself. You couldn’t have known what was happening."

"I just can’t believe I turned him away like that," Willow whispered. Buffy bent her head to hear what she was saying. "I mean, he practically cured himself for me. All he thought about was me while he searched for help and…and…I just threw it all back in his face. I’m such a horrible person. How could I do that to someone I love?"

Buffy shifted her arms to Willow’s shoulders and pushed the girl away a few inches to look into her face. "Listen to me Willow. It’s not your fault, OK? Tara put a spell on you and no matter how much you loved Oz, the spell was always going to be stronger. There was nothing you could do about it." The slayer released her grip and bowed her head. "I, on the other hand, could have prevented this."

Willow wiped her eyes and stared at Buffy in surprise. "What do you mean?"

Buffy shrugged. "Well, I feel sort of responsible somehow. Giles had his suspicions about Tara but I was so wrapped up in Riley at the time I didn’t take as much notice as I should. And by the time I did take an interest, Oz had been and gone." She gave her friend an apologetic smile. "So if anyone’s to blame about this whole thing it’s me and I’m really sorry Will."

The redhead gave her a watery smile and then shook her head. "It’s not your fault Buffy, I should have been stronger. Now I have to find Oz and see if I can repair the damage I’ve done. I just hope I’m not too late."

The slayer nodded. "Where are you going to start looking?"

Willow looked away nervously and stood up. "Uh, I thought I’d…uh…go and see…um…Angel."

"Angel?!"

At Buffy's shocked voice, Willow turned and looked at her. "Yeah, is that alright with you?" she asked in concern. "Because if it isn’t then I won’t go."

"Uh, no, no that’s fine. I just hadn't expected that you'd go to him for help," Buffy explained. She smiled reassuringly and then frowned slightly. "I think you should take someone with you though Will. I don't like the idea of you going off on your own."

Willow sat back down next to her friend. "Well, I was going to ask you but I wasn't sure you could go."

"I can't. But maybe you could take Xander?"

"Xander? But what about Anya? I mean, she won't be happy about me borrowing her boyfriend for a what could be a long time."

"Don't worry, I'll talk to them both," Buffy assured her. "Just promise you won't leave before morning OK?"

Willow smiled. "OK."

Buffy hugged her friend again then stood and walked over to the door. She paused with her hand on the doorknob and looked back at Willow with a smile. "And don't worry Will. I don't think it'll be too late with Oz."

END PART 2