Misunderstandings: Part 3
by Skittery
I don't own any of the characters. They all belong to Joss, the WB, yadda...yadda...yadda...
SPOILERS: Takes place after Phases, but before Becoming. No really big spoilers.
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Part Three
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Oz opened his locker to put his books from last period away. The school day was over and it was time to find Willow. The smile on his face was the same one he had wore since last night. It had not left, even during his sleep. He'd drempt about her again. This time, his dream was about Willow graduating from college. He had proposed to her at a celebration dinner the night she recieved her diploma. They were at a table in a resturant with Willow's parents, Buffy, Cordelia and Giles. Oz thought it was strange that Xander, being Willow's best fried, wasn't there. Oz had gotten down on one knee and asked her, "Will you marry me?"
Willow had smiled as her eyes filled with tears. "Yes, Oz," was all she could say.
They kissed and hugged for what seemed like forever. That was when Oz had woken up.
Oz shook his head and tried to get back to reality. He closed his locker and turned to see Xander standing only a few inches away.
"Hey, Xander." Oz said, still smiling. "Have you seen Willow?"
Xander replied by punching Oz as hard as he could, feeling satisified when he heard the snap as Oz's nose broke. His hand hurt like hell, but he felt much better. Glaring at Oz once more, he turned and walked away.
Oz leaned against his locker and sank to the floor. Using the sleeve of his shirt, he applied pressure to try and stop the bleeding. He saw someone crouch down beside him.
"Oz!" Willow cried. "What happened?"
"Xander. He came out of nowhere and hit me." Oz told her and she helped him to his feet. "He didn't say a word."
"Your nose...Is it.."
"Broken? Yeah, I think so."
"Come on. Giles has a ton of first aid stuff."
They started down the halls to the library. When they entered, they could see Giles reading an old, dusty book. He looked up when he heard them enter.
"Oz? Are you alright?" he asked, concerned. He came over and looked at the bloody nose. "Good Lord. How did you manage to do that?"
"Long story." Willow answered for Oz. "Just fiz it, please!"
Giles nodded and lead Oz into his office. Willow started to follow, but didn't feel she could look at her boyfriend's blood a second longer. She hopped up on the counter to wait.
A minute later, Xander stormed in, holding an ice pack on his hand. When he saw Willow, he headed towards her. "Are you okay? He didn't hurt you last night, did he? If he did, I'll-"
"What do you think you're ding?" She yelled as she got to her feet. "Why did you hit Oz this afternoon? You broke his nose...there was so much blood. God, what's wrong with you?"
Xander didn't know what to say. He figured Willow would have thanked him for getting rid of Oz before she made a bigger mistake. He hadn't been prepared for her anger. He had never seen her like this. It was the first time he had ever seen hatred in Willow's eyes.
Realizing Willow was waiting for answers, he cleared his throat. "I was just defending your honor. He's a creep for pressuring you and he deserved what he got."
"Pressuring me into what? Going up to that romantic spot so we can be alone? Sure, the first time we went, it was his idea, but since then, I've been the one wanting to-"
"I don't believe you, Willow! Don't you see that he's only after one thing? He's gotten what he wants and now he's gonna use you. He'll spread rumors about you around school. You'll be called a-"
Xander's speech was cut short by a fist connecting with his jaw. Stunned, Xander looked up to see a VERY pissed off Oz, a bandage over the bridge of his nose. The two made eye contact and glared at eachother. Meanwhile, Willow had burst into tears and turned to flee the library. As she went through the double doors, she ran past Buffy, who was puzled over her friend's behaviour. Giles indicated that she should run after Willow. He had to stay there. There was no way he was leaving these two boys alone.
"What is your problem, man?" Oz shouted at Xander, sounding very un-Ozish. "Where the hell do you get off talking to her like that?"
"Now, boys....I think.." Giles tried to cut in.
"Me? I wasn't the one who pressured my girlfriend into something she's not ready for!" Xander yelled back.
"I really think that if you just-" Giles tried again.
"What are you talking about, Xander? I have never forced her to do anything she didn't want to do. Willow's too special. I would never pressure her!"
Giles sighed and rubbed his eyes, trying to figure out how to clam them down.
* * *
Willow blew her nose on the toliet paper Buffy had handed her.
"So, tell me again. What happened?" Buffy asked her once Willow's tears had slowed. Willow had tried to explain, but her sobs had made her hard to understand.
"Xander broke Oz's nose and basically accused me of sleeping with Oz. He was so mean and nasty about it. Where would he get an idea like that, Buffy?"
"I don't know, Willow, but I do know we need to sort this out before your boyfriend and bestfriend kill eachother. I didn't see much, but they both looked ready to rip eachother's throats out. I've never seen vamps that pissed!"
Willow's eyes widen as she realizes that Buffy is right. Together, they race down the halls and back into the library in time to see Oz hit Xander a second time. Giles is still trying to calm them down, but it's been no use. Xander got up and started towards Oz
"Break it up, you two!" Buffy said as she walked between them. "We are sitting down and talking this out! Now!"
Willow took some kleenex from Giles' desk and went to wrap it around Oz's bleeding kunckles. She led him to the table and they sat down side by side. Buffy led Xander around to the other side so the boys were facing eachother.
"Now," Buffy started, "somehow Xander here got it into his head that you two have taken your relationship a little too far. Any idea how that happened?"
Willow shook her head, as did Oz, who was glaring at Xander
"Okay then," Buffy continued, "let start at the begining, Xander."
As Xander started to speak, his eyes never left Oz as they continued their staring contest. "Well, they other day I overheard you and Willow talking about Willow's date with Wolfboy here and....."
* * *
Exactly 36 minutes later, everything had been straighten out. During that time, Buffy had been busy. Willow had started crying again, and more than once she had to stop Oz from punching Xander again.
Oz himself couldn't believe how mad he was. Never in his life had he been this angry with somebody. The fact that Xander believed he would pressure Willow into anything pissed him off royally.
Willow stood up and wiped her eyes dry. "Oz, can you drive me home, please?"
Oz got up and went to her side. "No problem I've got to get home soon anyways. Full moon tonight."
The couple started to leave when Xander stood up. "Hey, guys? I just wanted to say..."
"Xander, I don't wanna hear it right now." Willow said softly, although the anger in her words was apparent. "We'll talk about this when I'm not as angry as I am right now."
Xander sank back in his chair as the doors swung closed behind the pair. When he looked to Buffy for support, all he got was an icy stare that would have beaten Cordelia's in a contest.
"I know. I know" he sighed as he perpared himself for the lecture Buffy was about to give him.
* * *
Willow and Oz sat on a couch in Willow's living room. Oz had a little time before he had to perpare for the upcoming evening, and they needed to talk.
"Oz, I'm so sorry about all this." Willow started. She wanted to say more, but didn't know what to say.
"Willow," Oz began, "you do know that I would NEVER pressure you, right? I waited a while before I asked you out. I waited for you to be sure you were over Xander. I waited TOO long to kiss you, so you made that move. And I can definatly wait to take the next step. I know this is your first real relationship, and although I've dated a few other girls, this is the only relationship I've ever felt really serious about. What we have is special and I don't want to ruin it."
Willow blinked her tears back as she leaned over and hugged her boyfriend. The embrace lasted a while and it ended with a gentle kiss. Oz looked at his watch and sighed.
"I really have to head home. Are you going to be okay?"
"Yeah. I'm going to write all this down in my journal so I can laugh about it in ten years. Then I'm going to bed early."
She walked him to the door and he spoke again. "Talk to Xander, but not until you're ready. Don't be too hard on him."
"I thought you were the one who was using him as a human punching bag."
"That was just the wolf temper in me. I've cooled down now. I was just thinking about how I'd feel if I were in his shoes." She leaned over and kissed him once more They smiled at eachother and Oz turned and walked down the driveway.
As Willow closed the door, she sighed and started talking to herself. "Tomorrow. I'll do it tomorrow."
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