"Tara, what on earth?
" Giles asked. She pointed the dagger at him.
"You will find all books containing information and I will watch you burn the pages,
" Tara said in an almost demonic voice.
"Oz, you're driving. You kinda have to be in the van,
" Buffy said. He patted his back pocket.
"Of course. Angel, you coming?
" Oz asked.
"You know, I think I'm going to take my car,
" Angel said, as though he sensed something in Oz.
"Angel?
" Buffy asked, concerned.
"You genuinely worried or feeling a large dose of testosterone?
" He smiled.
"I may need to just take a little detour,
" he said, getting in the car. Oz put the keys in and revved up the engine as a sign for everyone to take their seats.
"Please remain in your seats until the Dingomobile has made a complete stop. Put your hands and arms inside the vehicle because the door does have a tendency to have the doors fly off,
" Xander said in his best operator voice.
"The
"Dingo mobile
"?
" Willow asked.
"Well it really depends. I mean, it's the Dingomobile when Dingoes are on the road, it's the Mystery Machine when we're in it,
" Buffy said.
"Ah. Thank you. I'll be sure to mention that to the guys,
" Oz said. Angel was on his cell phone as usual. Talking to Cordelia. He was nearing the hospital and made a quick check in the review mirror. Oz was not behind him, but he also wasn't in front. He must've taken another street.
"Angel? Are you listening to me? What's up? I was with the girls catching up.
"
"I hear you, Cordelia. I'm just worried. I can't see Oz's van,
" Angel said.
"And this is why you call? Did you know that Kirstie thought you were totally cute? What do you think?
"
"Cordelia, you know how I feel about being set up.
"
"No, I don't. Look, did Oz like paint his van camouflage or something? And Oz always acts weird. I don't think you hold official wiggin's rights.
"
"Uh-huh. Look, he wasn't just acting weird, I don't think it was him at all. And he painted the van black. Oh. Wait. I see him. I have to go,
" Angel said.
"Okay, but Kirsten's really cute… just think about it.
"
"Okay, Cordelia. But if I need you, will you have your cell phone at all times? Good. Okay. Bye,
" he said. He clicked off the cell phone and found a spot in the parking lot. Oz parked quickly as well. He opened the door and went over to Willow's side.
"I thought you were going to be detained,
" Oz said. Angel looked as though he was probing Oz. Oz glared at him and opened Willow's door. The others opened the sides of the van and climbed out. Oz helped Willow out.
"How are you feeling?
" he asked.
"I just twisted my ankle. I'm not exactly peachy,
" Willow said. She smiled. Oz made no response.
* * *
"You were almost as powerful as your sister. I really thought she would go far. At least I didn't go wrong with you. But you know you can't fall in love with a white hat, my dear. I will let you go if you can give me the slayer and her friends,
" Catherine was saying to Tara. Catherine removed Tara's gag so she could speak.
"If I do so, will Willow be unharmed?
" Tara asked. Oz could barely believe what he was hearing, but, after all, evil.
"Of course. In fact, if she were killed it would ruin everything. Since your sister can not be swayed, I need a third. If you can sway Willow, you will be unharmed as well. But if you try anything, you will be executed on the spot. You. Boy. You look like you seem to want to speak,
" Catherine said, and his mouth was loosened.
"The full moon's in three days. I can normally control it, unless I'm hurt or angry - then, I turn immediately. I can keep it in, otherwise. But I seriously suggest that I be kept in a cage from tomorrow on unless you want to be killed,
" he said.
"The bar will hold you. I have a great power with magic, as you forget. Now, my dear, come. You will take the place of your double. When the time is right, so will I,
" she said. She put her hands over her face and slowly dragged them up, revealing Buffy's image. It reminded Oz of those freaky girls in The Craft. Now this is why I was worried about Willow getting into magic, he thought to himself. Tara lurched suddenly and Giles looked strangely at her. Her eyes widened when she saw the knife and she dropped it.
"Oh my God! Mr. Giles, are you all right? I must've been possessed,
" Tara said. Very Oscar-worthy.
"No, no. I'm quite fine, Tara. Of course. Possession. Well, you had better catch up with the others at the hospital,
" Giles said.
"Of course. The only explanation. Thank you, Mr. Giles. Or, should I call you Giles like the others?
" she asked.
"You should go. They're hitting the pizza joint afterwards,
" he said. Then she turned and looked reluctant.
"Oh, they took both of the cars. You can borrow mine,
" Giles said, tossing her the keys. She walked out and opened the door to the ancient car.
"There will be others in the hospital soon enough,
" she muttered happily.
* * *
Oz's double was pacing in the lobby. The others were sitting there watching him.
"Oz, she twisted her foot, she's not in for surgery,
" Xander said.
"What? Oh, you mean Willow. Sorry. I guess I was elsewhere,
" he said.
"Oh. Well she should be out soon, anyway,
" Buffy said. He had been thinking about the plan. Catherine knew what she was talking about. She was also very powerful. She could kill him on the spot for treason. But so could these people. Up in Miller's woods, where the ritual was taking place was the perfect spot. Once everyone was in place and she swore herself to Tara, Catherine would be the most powerful thing ever to touch the face of the Earth. His job was to convince Willow he hated her. It hadn't helped that the real Oz had kissed her. He very well might've screwed up everything. And to think that they'd ever fully capture the slayer and that vampire was ridiculous to him. Willow came out of the hall with a large cast on her foot and a crutch under each arm.
"I can now audition for Tiny Tim,
" Willow said. Buffy smiled.
"Why don't we get the pizza delivered to Xander Central?
" Xander asked.
"Yeah. The alternative to the Bat Cave – the Slob Cave,
" Willow said.
"I need to work on the insults.
" Buffy nodded. Oz felt the knife in his back pocket. Since it was a ritualistic knife, he wasn't going to kill anyone with it – or at least not just yet. Each of the
"Slayerettes
", save for Willow would have the symbol carved into their chests. The rest was up to Catherine. Or, the Harbinger, as he should be calling her. Her masters would live through her and when she achieved her rightful title, she would help them enter this world. This man, who had loved Willow, had so much in him. He could feel it. He wishes he couldn't. This man's every thought penetrated through him. This man's mind was being tortured, but he thought not for himself, but of the fact that the woman he loved was about to be backstabbed by her lover. He had hate in him as well. Sadness. Loss. Pain. And some happiness that mostly revolved around Willow and his family. He had enough empathy to take care of everyone he knew. But he pushed these feelings aside. Betrayal to the Harbinger would result in death. A death more painful than he had ever seen happen to those around him while living on the Hellmouth. Catherine, the Harbinger had been pleased with his fighting skills and had made him one of her
"children
", as she called them. She had only two legitimate children and one, an Amy, had sold out on the Harbinger. Catherine Madison had seen to her daughters fate, however. A spell that only a witch as powerful as the Harbinger could erase. What the Harbinger feared more than anything was that this Willow was trying to erase Amy's fate, and was nearly powerful enough to do it.
"Oz? What's wrong?
" Willow asked, breaking him out of his trance.
"You shouldn't be near me. I can't do this. Look, I need to go,
" he said. Then, as he turned to leave, his mistress, cloaked in invisibility to everyone but him.
"My dear boy, you walk out now I will get someone to replace you. Your attempt to save these freaks will be useless and your death will be painful,
" she said.
"Now, go back and finish what you must. Remember, the blade only needs to touch their skin, not to hurt them, to carve the image in magically. They will not be killed, I just need them for the ritual. You have enough of this boy's feelings in you to pull this off. Turn around right now and you finish this, Christopher,
" she said. Although she had changed herself, she was in her true form as Catherine in order to talk to Christopher Gaines. He, then, spun around.
"I don't know what came over me. I'm sorry,
" he said blandly. He didn't know how much longer he could parade this lie. A great anger built inside him, but this time, it was his own.
* * *
Tara smiled evilly as she pulled into the hospital's parking lot. She parked next to the
"Mystery Machine and/or Dingo mobile
". Her relationship with Willow was nothing compared to what she would be granted by following her mother, the Harbinger of the Wiccan Demons. She knew her mother was proud of her now. To think, she had almost become a white-hat. It disgusted her. It began to rain slowly as she walked out. Then, slowly, the rain started getting harsher and harsher. By the time she had reached the doors she has drenched from head to toe. The rain was pouring. It could only mean that her mother was testing out her powers. She opened the door just as the others were coming out.
* * *
Oz felt his muscles aching. The rain surrounded him but did not touch him. Catherine made sure they were both kept dry. It felt like a tent was over him. He saw the rain splatter above his head but did not touch him. As though there was some translucent cover over him. Catherine was pacing back and forth in-between the ritual's circle. Oz knew he'd have neighbors as the ritual's preparations progressed. If only he could get out of these restraints…
