By SuperCarrot
Author's Note: Ok, I happen to someone who is very for the W/O uberhappiness thing but in this story there is some major sadness. But for those of you who feel the same way as I do it is worth reading. Thanx to *beep* for “editing” and to Pixie for her inspiration. This story takes place after Lovers Walk and in it Willow and Xanders friend Jesse, from The Hellmouth/ Harvest, was not vamped.
He and begged her to stop to listen but she wouldn’t. Not a word had slipped of her pouted lips. With a terrified and hurt look crossing her she had faced him tears soaking her tender cheeks. But the anger and hate that she displayed had obviously conquered the love she had for him because she quickly turned her back on him and left.Oz walked around in a daze. Voices were slurred and bodies invisible. Without Willow nothing mattered nothing existed. Only the anger she had shown the night before linger in hi mind. He and made a mistake a big one. But how was he to right the inevitable?
Reaching his locker Oz flung it open, contemplating what to next. If only she’d let me explain I could just-Oz felt a light tap on his shoulder. Hoping it was Willow he swiveled around on one unsteady foot only to find Buffy standing happily at his side.
“Hello Oz!!” The slayer said bouncing around. “Have you seen Wil of Jesse?” Oz starred at her in amazement. She doesn’t know. “Oz are you alright?” “She doesn’t know, shit. “Ok.. um.. I guess I’ll-“
No.. I ..um sorry…. I just…” Oz stuttered. What am I going to tell her? “Home” Oz managed to murmur. He slowly walked away in a daze, leaving Buffy a bit confused.
Willow couldn’t face him. So despite her perfect attendance she decided to stay home. But perfect attendance was the last thing that Willow really cared about. The heart wrenching pain she was suffering from was the unbearable thing. As Willow sank further into the cloud of blankets that surrounded her she found the previous nights playing over and over again in her mind. This only made her cry harder. But her tears were tears of anger and pain, not sorrow. Anger at Oz at Xander and at herself. How could I’ve been so…so stupid? No Willow don’t do this, XANDER! He can’t even control his friggin’ hormones…God. But Willow knew what she thought was wrong, she had kissed Xander back. With this conclusion she had only one more person to blame, Oz. Oz, yes. If he hadn’t been so stupid and irresponsible Jesse might still be-Willows thoughts were interrupted be the ringing of her phone.
“Hello?” Willow shakily questioned as she held the phone to her ear.
“Wil? You ok? ‘Cause Oz isn’t, well of course he’s not you cheat-”
“Buffy.” Willow sobbed in anger.
“Sorry.” Buffy murmur innocently as she realized her mistake. “How you holding?”
“Jesse is dead.” Willow announced bluntly. Silence on the other end. “Oz he… I hate him… Buffy, how could he do this?” Still nothing. “Buf?”
“Jesus.” The slayer quietly whispered. “This all my fault. I shouldn’t have…. I should have gone not you. This isn’t…” Buffy trailed off. Willow silently swore. This was the last thing she needed. She had enough problems.
“No Buf. You can’t blame yourself for this. It’s Oz.. that beast.” Willow could hear Buffy crying on the other end. “Buffy, please don’t do this.” Willow pleaded. After a moment there was a reply.
“Ok. You don’t blame Oz and I won’t blame myself.” Whispered Buffy through sobs.
“Deal?” Willow was silent. Buffy sighed. “I’ll call Xander.” The line went dead. Never, I’ll never forgive him for this.
Despite Oz’s mood he decided to go the gig Dingoes Ate My Baby had that night. He strummed the right cords starring mindlessly out into the mob of people beneath him. He searched the Bronze for her fiery red hair. She wasn’t there. But Xander was there starring up coldly at him, Oz shuddered. The whole day had gone by in a haze but now it was all too real. The band finished the song and filed off stage.
Buffy looked up from her usual set at the Bronze to see Oz. He quickly held up his hand as if to shield an unthrown punch.
“Wait. Buffy, please. I know you must hate me but I can explain.” Oz pleaded. “I was gonna-”
“Oz.” Buffy quietly interrupted. “I don’t blame you and I don’t hate you for what happened.” Oz looked at the slayer in awe. “It’s my felt really. I should have….” Buffy trailed of as tears slid down her cheeks. Oz sat down beside and Buffy felt him put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. She faced him. He looked awful. She could tell he was experiencing a lot of pain.
“You know,” Oz started, “I keeping thinking something’s wrong with. Its like I can’t except what has happened. Willow and Xander…………….Jesse.” Buffy could see Oz’s eyes dropped at his words. “I keep telling myself ‘It’s a dream you’ll wake up soon’ only I know I won’t wake up.” Oz paused and faced Buffy with confusion in his eyes. “The worst part is the tears won’t come. The worst possible thing that could happen to me does and I can’t even cry, let it all go.” Buffy could feel Oz searching her for an answer to his unasked question but she had none. After some thought Oz spoke again. “Buffy this isn’t your fault. If it’s anyone’s it is mine,” Buffy shook her head at this, “Or it is just a consequence.”
I don’t believe in consequences.” Buffy mumbled, “Or leprechauns.” Oz sighed deeply.
“Well. I hate to ditch this uberly exciting pity party but I’ve gotta pursued Willow to talk, or at least listen to me.” The slayer grinned.
“She’s a stubborn mule.” Oz managed a polite laugh. “Oh! Quick leave before Xander gets over her! I believe he wants to pound you.”
“What an ass. I could take him on any day.” Buffy smiled and Oz left quickly taking her advice.
Willow fluttered in and out of sleep that night, unable to put the past few days out of mind. She was now awakened by the breathing of an other. As Willow slowly opened her eyes she found that a tall and slender figure stood over her. The woman was fondling a silver chain with the most beautiful ruby Willow had ever seen dangling from it. The woman instantly noticed Willows interest.
“It’s yours.” The voice was soft, musical.
“Mine?” Willow asked hopefully.
“Jesse wanted me to give it to you.” The lady smiled pleasantly. “It was to be a gift, for your birthday,” She added.
“Jesse? You know…knew…..” Willows voice cracked and she felt the familiar wet tears trickling down her cheeks.
“Oh, you poor dear.” The ladies face was full of understanding care. “You’ve been through so much. But don’t worry, Jesse is safe and happy.” Willow couldn’t help but question this.
“How would you know?” She spat coldly. Willow instantly regretted her bitterness for the woman’s magnificent smile faded. “I…I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have.”
“No it’s ok.” The lady smiled again. “Here, I think this belong on you.” Willow shyly took the necklace and clasped it around her neck. “It looks beautiful on you.” Willow sighed.
“This shouldn’t have happened. I could have prevented it.”
“No.” This was said sternly. “What of that boy, Oz?” Willow understood.
“I hate him. I wish…” Willow paused.
“Go one.” The lady exclaimed with an anxious glint in her eyes.
“…I wish that Oz would suffer the same pain Jesse went through when he was savagely ripped apart!” Anger flashed through willows tear blotched face. The woman slowly got up from her perch beside Willow and headed towards the window. “Where are you going?” Willow questioned helplessly. At this the woman swiveled around. Yet she was no longer human. Horns of the devil extended from its head and its face was slimy and distorted.
“Your wish is to be granted.” The demon evilly grinned and then disappeared through Willows open window.
Willow awoke with a start. The dream she had had been so real, too real. At the though of Oz Willow felt her gut turn and she steamed with anger. Mrs. Rosenburg quietly poked her head in her daughter’s room.
“Willow, honey? You going to school today?” Willow starred at her mother contemplating the issue. She majorly needed to bitch at Oz.
“Sure. Why not.”
Oz walked down the dreaded school corridors gloomily. He hadn’t slept all night. A friendly face was what he needed. So Oz went to the library in search of Buffy.
When he entered the library Oz found Willow standing near on of the stacks. When he heard her mumble his name his heart leapt with joy and he ran towards her. Only Oz could now see that Willow wore a cold and bitter mask.
“What’s with the excitement? You think I’d actually for give you?” This was the first time Oz had realized those words sounded. Her forgive me? “Well you are way wrong. I hate you more than anything in the world right now.” Oz was shocked at Willows words. “You are nothing but a irresponsible, cold blooded, savage murderer.” She was crying now. “How could you? How could you be so….so stupid to forget to lock yourself up?” Oz no longer wanted to hold Willow with these words said. He could feel his own anger rising.
“Oh!! So this is all my fault? Wasn’t it you who cheated on me?”
“That has nothing to do with this!” Willow spat.
“Oh but doesn’t it? The only reason I didn’t come to the library to lock myself up was because I didn’t want to see you!” Tears were streaming down Oz's face as he recollected his pain. “So I thought, ‘You can just lock yourself up at home’ So that’s what I did.” Horror crossed Willows face as she realized the truth. “Yup you guessed it! If you hadn’t come to my house and interrupted me than Jesse would still be alive! So now whose fault is this?” Oz was out of breath.
“No….” Whispered Willow meekly.
“Yup. The cheating bitch standing right in front of me. You!” Oz couldn’t stand the pain and anger anymore. As he flung through the library doors he could hear Willow whimpering his name. To that cry he once would have ran straight into her arms but now..…now things were different. He didn’t care.
Oz arrived home in mid afternoon as quickly as he had left school. His house was even less welcoming than Willow could stare. Although there was a felling of emptiness Oz sensed the presents of another human. Or inhuman. Oz shook his head and quickly dismissed the thought. Slowly he crept his way throw the kitchen.
“Hello? Who’s there?” Oz boldly questioned.
“You…..” A voice chanted, “Are gonna pay.” Oz sighed, it was the deep voice of a man, Xander.
“I’m sure you find this quite amusing.” Oz said annoyed as he walked towards the voice. “You know, Xander you’re really-” Oz received a hard blow on the side of his head and fell to the floor. The last thing he remembered before blackness surrounded him was a figure with large horns.
“I have come to avenge…..”
“Willow looked at her tear blotched face in the bathroom mirror. How could I have been so wrong? Willow knew with all of her heart that what Oz had said was true. The thought of the blame she had subscribed Oz with was unbearable, but even worse was the thought of loosing him. With a slight cry of pain Willow sank to the grungy floor grasping at her chest for air.
That’s when she noticed the silver chain with a small ruby that hung around her neck. All at once Willow thought of her dream. No Willow, not a dream.
“Oz.” Willow whimpered recalling the wish she had made the night before. “Your wish is to be granted.” Willow murmured remembering the demons words.
Buffy had been in the library training with Giles when Willow came running in. Tears were streaming down her cheeks as she had attempted to explain her problem. After they had calmed her down Buffy and Giles pried Willow what was wrong. What she told them placed horror on their faces.
Now it was research time. Buffy skimmed through books containing everything imaginable and unimaginable for a picture identical to the necklace Willow had happily given up. Oddly Willow had gone to do the “fighting” and Buffy was stuck with the books. Xander refused to help Oz.
“Ok. Nothing in The world underneath.” Cordelia flopped the large book onto the table. “You do realize that I am sooo not doing this for Willow or anyone else except Oz.” Cordelias hair swung around energetically as she talked. “Because that bitch is way to low on the animal chain to even-”
“Cordy, do us all a favor and shut up.” Interrupted a pissed Xander.
“Ah-ha!! I found it, I found it.” Buffy excitedly announced. “Ha ha Giles I beat you. Yes, Buffy's on a role.”
“Buffy.” Giles sounded annoyed.
“Yeah?” Buffy replied meekly. Giles nodded towards the book in her hands. “Right.” Buffy looked at the book and started to read.
Oz had woken up chained to the wall in his basement. How familiar, he had thought. The last 20 minutes had been complete torture. Now he limply coward before his tormenter, who somehow knew what happened.
“I always love it when they request for torture,” It growled. “Doesn’t require magic just strength.” Oz barely had enough strength to talk.
“Request?”
“Oh yes! That cute little red head, she wished this upon you.” The demon grinned with pleasure. Oz was horrified. How could Willow want this? “Oh now don’t you worry.” Exclaimed the demon seeing Oz’s hurt look. “The best part is she didn’t even mean it.” A voice came from behind the demon, meek yet strong and full of power.
“Darn tootin.’’
Willow could see that Oz was slipping away, fast.
“Willow.” She heard him murmur. How could I have done this to him?
“Please Oz, you have to hold on.” Willow couldn’t loose him now not after everything they had been through, not after Jesse.
“How exciting! Look wolfboy we have a visitor.” Amusement glittered in it eye.
“I wish Oz well and alive!” At this the demon laughed hideously.
“Fool! Wishes are only granted with the necklace.” The demon took a swipe at Oz, slashing his claws through his chest. Willow hid her face. “Don’t hide its fun to watch” The demon snickered. Willow couldn’t take seeing Oz in so much pain.
“No!!” She screamed as she charged into the demon pounding her fists into it and knocking it over.
“Hey! Clam down.” The demon exclaimed wiping of Willow and getting up. “I thought a little company would be fun! Guess not.” With one mighty blow Willow was knocked onto the floor unconscious. “You’re not welcome anymore.”
“The demon Tantitious comes to those who are in pain and seek revenge…” Buffy quickly skimmed the pages.
“Yatta, yatta, yatta.”
“Buffy the spell. How do you reverse the spell?” The slayer looked at Giles and slammed the book down.
When Willow awoke Oz’s body lay lifeless on the cold concrete floor. The demon was towering over him.
“Yes my little friend the time has come…” A wicked smile spread across Tantitious’s face, “…For you to parish.” Willow tried to scram but nothing came out. The demon raised his hand for one last blow….
Buffy snatched the necklace, which was clenched in Giles hand.
“Piece of crap.” She murmured as she smashed it with a vase.
“Oz awaited the fatal blow but it never came. He slowly opened his eyes. The demon hovering over him was twitching with pain.
“What the hell,” He heard it say, as it started to wither away. Stream sizzled from its rotted skin, giving off an awful stench. Then it was gone and an angel was hovering over him.
“Wil…” He mumbled lifelessly. He could feel her arms wrapping around his limp body. All strength had seeped from him.
“Oz, I’m so sorry. Sooo so sorry.” Her fiery red hair was blurring. “Oh God please don’t leave me. I need you.” Oz attempted a smile but was too weak.
“I love you.” He whimpered.
“No! Don’t say that. Please Oz hang on. Just a little longer. An ambulance… on its way.” But Oz was so tired, so weak. Her shakily stroked his angel’s cheek and closed his eyes. Willow shook him and with her voice fading pleaded with him. “No… Oz please… Oz.”
“Buffy came to the hospital as soon as she could. When she arrived she found Willow curled up on the hard couch.
“Wil?” Buffy shook her friend.
“Hum?” Willows eyes fluttered open. “Buffy.”
“How’s Oz?”
“Oz?’ The Wicca questioned. “Oh Oz.” Her head dropped. She shrugged her shoulders. “Dead or alive… They won’t tell me.”
“You need anything?” The slayer asked with concern.
“No thanks.” Buffy sat down next to Willow and said no more. It wasn’t until 30 minutes later that the doctor came.
Willows heart jumped with nervousness when her name was called.
“Is there a Willow Rosenburg here?” A voice questioned.
“That’s me.” She announced shakily.
“You’re friend-”
“Is he ok?” Willow interrupted.
“He’ll be fine.” Willow sighed in relief. “It’ll take a couple of weeks or even months before his strength is fully regained. Sure was lucky though. One last blow to the head would have been fatal.” Willow was anxious.
“Can I see him?”
“Go on in.”
“Oz?” Oz’s head jerked up at his name. In the doorway stood Willow, the light from the hallway illuminating her features. Oz smiled. “How are you?”
“Needing you.” He replied. Willows face lit up at this. “Come here baby.” Willow walked over glowing.
“Oh God Oz…. I” The tears started to flow. “I can’t believe… I almost k..killed you.”
“No baby, you didn’t know,” Oz hated to see her in so much pain. “I am sorry about Jes-”
“Don’t. Please don’t.” Willow was sobbing.
“Wil, please don’t cry.” Oz pulled Willow into his arms. She clung to him.
“To think that I almost lost you…”
“Don’t think then.” Oz kissed the tears on her cheek.
“I love you.” He cradled Willow in his arms.
“I love you too baby.”
The End.
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