Summary: Oz comes back to Willow, after his
absence.
Spoilers: Through Wild At Heart... Or at least what I imagine might happen
through there. If you don't want to be spoiled at all, don't read.
Disclaimer: Joss made the characters. I like to think he did it so I could
mess with them on occasion.
Rating: PG13.
Feedback: I'll beg and weep and bribe people for it.
Thanks to Laura, for beta-ing. :)
This is to appease Karen, though I will *never* stop with the W/X or W/G.
Muahaha!
by: Amy
* * * * * *
"Home is where the heart is,
the soul's bright guiding star.
Home is where real love is,
where our own dear ones are."
--Anonymous
* * * * * *
"I'm leaving in the morning," Oz said gravely.
Veruca looked up, startled. "What did you say?"
"I'm leaving," he repeated.
"Oz, be serious." She brushed her hair out of her face, a gesture of
annoyance. "It's just a week until the mating ritual." Her intense blue
eyes stared up at him and he felt suddenly sad for what she was missing;
for
what she didn't even know she was missing. "You know how much you've been
looking forward to it," she continued.
"I haven't, though, Vere," he denied. "It's all been you. I told you in the
beginning, when we left, that I wasn't interested in... the sort of things
that you were. I wanted to know about my nature. I've learned. I'm not too
happy about it. So I'm leaving."
Veruca smiled slowly and stood, approaching him with a lazy swing in her
step. She touched his chest lightly with her forefinger, letting it slide
down to his stomach. "Are you saying you don't want me?" she whispered.
Oz's body screamed for her, but he knew that it was the wolf inside him
responding to the wolf in her. And he wouldn't let himself be ruled by
something that wasn't entirely human. "I'm saying that I'm not going to take
you, Veruca," he said seriously. "Wolves mate for life, you should know
that."
"Exactly," she breathed, her lips touching his ear. "So, what's wrong?"
"I've already done that," he murmured, pulling away from the temptation she
provided. She looked at him indignantly, placing her hands on her hips.
"Where do you think you're going, then?" she demanded indignantly.
His eyes met hers for the briefest of moments. "Home."
* * * * * *
"Oz?" Willow whispered, her heart tightening. He looked at her for a long
moment, then opened his arms. Willow smiled brilliantly, running into them
enthusiastically. He kissed her hair, inhaling. Willow looked up at the
full moon in thanks. She started crying.
"I'm sorry, Baby," Oz whispered, scattering more kisses over her skin.
Willow shook her head against his shoulder, denying his need for apologies.
She pulled back for an instant to look into his eyes, his beautiful green
Oz-eyes. They were dark and on her, and she leaned closer for the kiss that
she knew would come, anticipation making her heart pound against her chest.
She tightened her arms around his shoulders and closed her eyes.
Sharp teeth scraped her lower lip and she smiled. Then a growl came.
Her eyes snapped open.
Oz's face was now part-wolf. He smiled darkly at her. "Do you like what
I've become? Did you miss me?"
"O- Oz," she stuttered, telling herself not to be afraid of Oz, to never
be
afraid of him. He wouldn't hurt her, right? Not ever. They loved each
other too much.
"He'd hurt you if I told him to," Veruca, She-Wolf-Bitch, Willow called her,
interrupted. "It's like a command," she continued. "You know, like fetch
or
stay or sit. He does whatever I say. It's really fun to order him around,
you should just see it."
Willow turned her eyes away from the smirk on Veruca's face, looking at Oz
for guidance. He merely stared back at her, waiting for her command. Willow
shuddered, trying to step out of his arms.
"I took him from you," Veruca whispered viciously. Willow flinched,
frightened as Oz refused to let her leave. "He's never going to come back
to
you. He's mine now," the comment ended in a snide laugh.
"Oz," Willow pleaded, trying to get through to him. His eyes were blank,
his
face unreadable. "Oz, I love you!"
"Oz," Veruca said evenly. "Kill her."
* * * * * *
Buffy shook Willow's shoulder. Willow sat up in bed, her hair clinging to
her face, her hands clutching the pillow. She glanced around tensely,
panting. Finally her eyes met Buffy's, and her face crumpled with tears.
Her back shook silently.
Buffy sighed, worry taking over her expression. She sat down next to Willow
on the bed and wrapped an arm around her, holding Willow close as she cried.
"It's okay, Will," Buffy whispered softly, stroking Willow's hair back.
"It's okay to miss him and to cry. I promise."
After a few minutes, Willow got her sobs under control and she looked up,
wiping away her tears with her fists. She gave a last, hiccuping sob and
looked at Buffy gratefully. "I'm sorry, Buffy," she mumbled. "I just..."
"You miss him," Buffy said sympathetically. "He's been gone for almost three
months. Did he call this week?"
"He didn't call any of the weeks," Willow said miserably. "I've been sitting
by the phone as much as I could... Even if he did call and wasn't going to
leave a message, I probably wouldn't have missed it. I haven't been
anywhere." She gulped. "But, Buffy... I don't know what I'm going to do
without him. Remember when, after the... Xander thing, I told you that I
didn't know that there was any part in me that could feel so bad?"
Buffy nodded sadly.
Willow continued, looking down. "Well, I was wrong, even about that. And
that was horrible. He told me once that I was like a piece of him, and it's
the same for me. I feel so empty without knowing that he's here... Or maybe
it's just knowing that he doesn't want to be in my life anymore. I hate it."
She sniffled.
Buffy rubbed her back gently. "It's going to be okay, Will. I think you
just don't have closure, either way. If you guys aren't meant to be
together, you won't be. But on the flip side, if you are, you will. And
nothing can stop that. Nothing can change that. It's just the way it is."
Willow looked back up, her eyes red and her face a little more relaxed.
"Thanks, Buffy. You're pretty good for me."
Buffy laughed, standing up. "I know. You're pretty damn good for me, too,
Will. You think I could be half as good a friend if it wasn't to you?"
"Yeah, I think you could," Willow smiled. "And I also think that we're going
to be late for psych if we don't hurry. Sorry for making you late."
Buffy grinned sunnily. "Don't ever be sorry about that."
* * * * * *
"Come in," Xander called out. Willow opened the door and walked down the
steps to meet him. She forced a smile, but he picked up on the tension the
moment she did. "What's wrong?"
"Bad dreams," she said heavily, sinking onto the mattress next to him.
He threw an arm around her, crushed her to his side. "Oz again?"
"Oz always. I'm having a really hard time, Xander," she whispered. He
stroked the top of her hair, then kissed her temple gently. "Buffy says that
things will happen the way they're going to happen but... That's not what
I
wanted to hear."
"You wanted to hear that he's going to come back and that things are going
to
be the way they always have been," Xander stated wisely.
Willow nodded, her eyes sparkling.
"I can't tell you that, Wills," he said regretfully. "But I do know that
if
he loves you as much as he's said he does, then it'll be okay. Do you think
he loves you that much?"
"I think he used to," Willow murmured. "I don't know about anymore. What
if
he loves her so much more because she's the same kind of person, or
non-person, that he is? Short of becoming a werewolf myself, I can't do
anything to compete. And I *hate* her. I know I'm saying that all the time,
but I hate the thought that he's kissed her and touched her and... been with
her."
Xander held her closer. "All I know is that it'll turn out okay in the end.
Maybe you'll get over him, and that's why it'll be okay, or maybe you'll
live
happily ever after and that'll be the reason. I don't know. But everything
is going to get better."
She gave him a trembling smile. "Thanks, Xander."
He grinned. "Sure. If you didn't come to me with things like this, then my
genius would be wasted."
She leaned over and hugged him tightly, kissing his cheek. "I love you."
He smiled against her neck. "I love you too, Wills."
* * * * * *
Xander looked up at the knock; Willow had been gone for only ten minutes,
what would she have come back for? He stood in concern, walking to the door
and opening it quickly. His mouth dropped open, and he closed it quickly,
looking at his visitor coldly.
"Oz," he greeted coolly.
"Xander." Oz hesitated. "Can I come in?"
"Sure, if you're not a vampire or someone who's broken Willow's heart, be
my
guest," Xander invited with a sweep of his arm.
Oz stayed still. "Does that mean I can or can't come in?"
"It was a sarcastic remark to inform you what you've done. But you can come
in anyway."
Oz stepped in uneasily. "You didn't need to inform me. I know."
"So," Xander said brightly, the sarcasm flowing thick and heavy, "How ya
been? Busy with werewolf-y rituals? Killing people in the streets? Not
contacting Willow to at least let her know you're alive and haven't been
gunned down by a bounty hunter?"
Oz's lips tightened. "I get it, Xander."
"I don't think you do," Xander said calmly. "I don't think you get that
Willow's been having nightmares about you coming back with your little bitch.
I don't think you get that she cries herself to sleep every night. I don't
think you get that you took away most of her faith in love, which as you
know, was what made Willow so special. I don't think you get any of that,
Oz."
"We..." Oz licked his lips. "We decided that it would be okay to see other
people. For a while."
Xander let out a sharp laugh. "I thought *I* was supposed to be the dense
one in the group."
"You are," Oz deadpanned. Then he sighed. "Look. Can you just level with
me? I'm back, I'm home, and I'm here because I need to see her. Is she...?"
Xander looked at him for a long moment. "With me?" he finished. Oz
flinched. "No. We tried it, because she thought we should, since you were
getting on with your life. It didn't take. We're friends. That's it and
all."
"Does she...?"
"Hate you?" Xander asked perceptively. "Sadly, no. You could probably walk
all over her, again, if you wanted. Which I don't suggest you do because
then not only would I be kicking your tail, but so would Buffy. And Giles,
and probably Angel. I bet we could persuade him to come back for the
event."
Oz lowered himself into a chair. "You're waiting for me to get defensive
on
you."
Xander blinked. "Yeah, sort of."
"I'm not going to. I deserve it. I said I forgave her with what happened
with you, and I did, but I used that against her as a reason I should leave
for a while. I was selfish and angry that she wasn't trying hard enough to
understand, even though she was. And I hurt her. So I deserve it all." He
looked up. "Should I just leave her alone?"
Xander blinked again, unaccustomed to hearing Oz string together so many
words at once. He stared at the older boy for a long moment and then shook
his head.
"No. She wants to see you. But I swear, Oz, if you end up hurting her
again..."
"I won't," Oz said firmly, standing up. "Not again."
Their eyes caught and held for a moment, and they both understood the lengths
they would go to for the small red-headed witch who had both of their hearts
in different ways. Oz nodded finally, and turned to go.
Xander's voice stopped him. "And Oz, for the record?"
Oz turned in question.
"You're back, yeah. But you're not home."
Oz lifted his head wryly. He knew what that meant far too well.
* * * * * *
Willow tumbled around in bed restlessly. Glancing at the clock, she sighed,
realizing it was only half past midnight. She licked her lips, knowing that
she was afraid of going to sleep. The dreams had been getting worse lately.
"I wish Buffy were here," she whispered. But Buffy wouldn't be home for two
hours at least; she was out with the busy task of Slaying.
Willow shook her head. "I wish Oz were here," she murmured sadly, brushing
away a stray tear.
"Is that an open wish?" came a voice from the door.
Willow sat up in bed. "Oz?"
He smiled gently. "I didn't think you'd be in bed. And I was going to call
first... I thought I'd come see you tomorrow, but I found myself walking
outside your dorm. I don't know how I got here."
Willow slipped out from under the covers and stood, intending to run to him.
Mid-step, she remembered her dream, and she hesitated, fear filling her eyes.
He looked down, ashamed. "Baby, I don't expect you to forgive me... But I'm
sorry. I wish that I could do enough to let you know how sorry I am.
Without you it's like... there's nothing. Worse than no torso. No heart."
Willow's eyes filled with tears. "No heart?" she whimpered.
His eyes met hers; the sorrow was obvious in them, and Willow let a shred
of
hope fill her heart that this was real, that this wasn't a dream, that he
really had picked her when it came time to choose. "Nothing," he said
again.
She took a halting step toward him. "And... You missed me?"
His mouth flickered up at the understatement. He nodded, walking closer,
keeping his eyes on her. "I missed you."
"I missed you too," she said softly.
With three long strides, he came across the room. Willow stared at him for
a
moment and then flew into his arms. He encircled her waist tightly, hugging
her, smelling her, being warmed by the warmth of her. She sobbed brokenly,
for what she had thought was lost.
"Shh... I'm sorry, Baby. I love you," he murmured roughly, kissing her
earlobe, then her neck, then her mouth over and over.
"No more leaving each other," she mumbled raggedly between kisses. "Promise?
'Cause I can't live like this."
"Like this?"
"Without you," she explained quietly, leaning her forehead against his and
looking into his eyes.
"Isn't this quaint?"
Willow gasped in horror and broke away from her boyfriend, looking at him
accusingly. Her eyes snapped to Veruca, who stood smirking in the doorway.
Veruca sauntered in, her face relaxed, but her eyes angry and bitter.
"So, how is our little witch?"
"Veruca," Oz said warningly.
"She's fine," Willow gritted, straightening her spine. "She's perfectly
fine, now that she has your fingerprints in her apartment and can put a nasty
little spell on your ass."
Oz's eyes whipped to Willow and then back to Veruca. The two females seemed
to be staring each other down.
"Well, I hope you do it before the next full moon," Veruca smiled, "Because
I'm not going to tie myself up, and I just might let myself tear off those
pretty little magic welding hands of yours."
"Oh really?" Willow spat. "You mean you'd have a choice? You mean have have
*any* self control? I didn't know that self control was something that sluts
possessed."
Veruca growled, low in her throat, her eyes flashing.
Oz stepped between them quickly. "Listen, as amusing as I'm finding Willow
beating you at this little game you're playing, Vere, let's just not.
Okay?"
Veruca glared at him hatefully for a second, and then regained her composure.
She smiled sweetly, widening her eyes. "But, we're the same, Oz. You can't
deny you feel it. You can't deny that your body doesn't want me right now."
She let her finger trail up his arm, and he trembled.
Oz looked at Willow, who was staring at the ground.
He smiled. "I never was a guy who let his body rule over his heart. And
that belongs with her," he said, gesturing to Willow. Willow's head jerked
up and she looked at him uncomprehendingly. He took her hand and continued.
"So I'd appreciate it, Veruca, if you didn't make me hurt one of my own kind.
Please leave. I'd like to be alone with Willow."
Veruca's mouth opened in silent fury. Glancing at them angrily, she spun
on
her heel and stalked for the door. When she reached it, she stopped and
looked back at him. "You're never going to make it with her, Oz. You need
us too much. The witch can't help you with what you really want."
"But the bitch can?" Willow retorted, glaring at Veruca.
Oz laid a hand on her arm, and she turned to him to see his smile. "Thanks,
Will, but hold on." He looked at Veruca. "She can help me, Vere. I suggest
you try your hardest in finding someone like her. Or else you're going to
be... the way you are for the rest of your life. I don't wish that on
anyone."
Veruca huffed silently and disappeared into the hall, slamming the door
behind her.
Willow drifted closer to Oz in amazement. "You picked me. You picked me
over her."
"I always will," he said quietly. "I just needed to understand that. And
I
shouldn't have needed to figure it out by leaving. I'm sorry."
"But you *chose* me," she said, still impressed. "You even defended me to
her!"
He smiled, chuckled. "You did a pretty damn good job of defending me too."
Willow's face fell. "But I'm not a werewolf."
Oz lifted her chin with his thumb, and smiled warmly. "I don't know about
that. You were pretty good at marking your territory. And I kind of like
being the territory that you've marked."
Willow blushed, then smiled back. "I like you as my territory," she
whispered, falling into his eyes.
Oz leaned forward, gathering her into his arms, and kissed her lightly. She
buried her hands in the short hair on the back of his head and pulled him
closer, pressing her mouth to his in the loneliness built up over months
and
months of missing him. He kissed her back, firmly, and then bordering on
roughly, plundering her mouth with his, licking and sucking on her lips
greedily, like a dehydrated man who's just found an oasis in the middle of
the desert. Willow moaned against him.
Finally, they pulled away from each other, and Willow smiled with her tender
mouth. Oz smiled back.
They drifted toward the bed and fell on it.
Covering them both with the blanket, Oz touched her lips gently. "Just...
sleep tonight." He kissed her briefly. "Okay?"
"Yes," she sighed, happy. "Sleep. With you."
She snuggled into his arms and closed her eyes.
Oz watched her for a long time, until her breath became shallow and her
eyelids fluttered a bit with dreams. He smiled. This was home to him.
This, being with her, made him truly home.
Because she was where his heart was.
The End