Week of Hell

FANDOM: Buffy, impotent Willow/Oz
DISCLAIMER: Oz and Willow belongs to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, etc.

Araceli lay down her head on her desk with a thunk.  She was tired, and had a headache.

“I’m going crazy.”  She mumbled to herself.

She was watching a video in US History class on the Great Depression.  She looked up momentarily and saw a very old man with his hair spiked up.

“He looks like Oz.”  She thought to herself.  She shook her head.  “No, no, no.”

Everywhere and everything reminded her of Oz and Willow.  They were everywhere.  They had even been in her dreams the night before.  She didn’t remember how, she just had a  feeling they had.

She knew that when she got home, all she had to do was click on the internet, and she could know their whole fate.  But she wasn’t going to, even if it meant going insane.

Last night she had been on a no-spoiler high (trying to resist spoilers), but today it had worn off leaving her very tired.  As long as she didn’t think about the preview, or the episode, or Buffy…she’d be okay.

Oh, look the teacher was putting in a movie.  She watched as the credits went by:  Lindsay Crouse.  She stopped.  “Wait, don’t I know her?”  The movie continued and out popped Professor Walsh.  Araceli screamed.  *In her head of course.  She can’t scream in the middle of class.*  “Buffy!  They’re all coming to haunt me!  Willow, Oz, all of them!”

Later at lunch, when she had mostly calmed down, she realized something. “Oh, no.  I lost my lunch ID card.”  She ran all the way back upstairs to her US History room hoping it would be there.  She breathed in relief as she saw it on the floor beneath her chair.  But what was this?!  The Willow/Oz picture was sticking out in plain view, taunting her.  She quickly ran back down stairs, trying to erase it from her memory.

As soon as she got home she ran upstairs and onto the computer screaming all the way.  They were all against her.  Everything and everyone was Willow and Oz.  They were everywhere.  “Only 29 hrs left!  Only 29 hrs left!”

Somewhere in California Joss Whedon laughed knowing the pain and suffering he was causing and going to cause across the nation.  “Those dumb Oz supporters, they don’t know what they’re getting into.  They’re in for the ride of their life tomorrow.”  Joss continued laughing as his laughter faded into the background.

THE END

Finding Me

FANDOM: Buffy, psychotherapist Willow/Oz
SPOILERS: Season 4
DISCLAIMER: Oz and Willow belongs to Joss Whedon, web Mutant Enemy, etc.
NOTE: Title and story inspired by Finding Me by Vertical Horizon

Part 1

“So, I’ll… I’ll see you tomorrow?”

Willow smiled. “Of course. We still have a lot of things we can still do with the new spell book you found.”

Tara nodded and opened the door letting Willow out of her room. As Willow walked down the hall, she watched her and slowly slid the door shut. Tara leaned back against the door, closed her eyes, and slid to the floor.

She looked around her room. “When am I going to be able to tell her?”

She got up and opened her desk drawer and took out the one of two items she had from her childhood. The other item was a rose quartz that Willow and she had been using lately for different spells. But this item was different, this item contained her whole soul, and Willow could never see it. Not yet anyway, the time wasn’t right.

Tara stared at the faded photograph. “I miss you,” she whispered. “I need your courage. I need your help. I can’t do this.” She closed her eyes, and a single tear came streaming down her face.

******

When she finally fell asleep she found herself dreaming. Except this wasn’t one of one of her usual dreams she could control. This was like a nightmare. Faces were zooming in on her with voices she recognized, but the faces were distorted.

She cried into the darkness. “Leave me alone! I can’t help you!”

“Then you’ll die.” Echoed throughout the darkness.

“I don’t care anymore.”

“But you promised.” Echoed in her head again. Then the voice changed. “Honey, I know you’re scared. But you know I’m counting on you. I need you to help me.”

Tara cried and lay in the person’s lap. “I’m not strong enough. I’m not as strong as you.”

The person stroked her head softly. “You are, and you have to be. You are a part of me.”

******

Tara awoke from her dream and sat straight up. She slowly looked toward the glowing rose quartz on her desk. She knew what she had to do.

Part 2

Tara finished making her bed, and noticed something on the floor. It was her photograph. Sometime during the night the photograph and a spell book had fallen off her desk. Tara picked up the photograph, and put the spell book on top of it on her desk. Then, she heard a knock on the door. Forgetting about the photograph and book she went to answer the door.

Tara opened the door and was surprised to see Willow. She looked at her watch. “You’re early. I… I mean, not that I mind.”

“Yeah. I didn’t have anything else to do. So, I thought. Why not go a little early.”

Tara let Willow in and motioned to the book on her desk. “There’s the book, and the rose quartz. I’ll be right back.” Tara hurried to the bathroom, and Willow got to work.

Willow sat on the bed and took the rose quartz in her hand. She could sense there was a lot of power in it, but they still hadn’t figure out how to use the crystal for anything. She stood up and looked down at the spell book and noticed something. It was a picture of… Oz! Why would Tara have a picture of Oz? Then she noticed something else. Oz was smiling, and in his arms was Tara. What was going on?

“So, are you ready to start?” Willow slowly looked up and stared hard at Tara. “What?” Willow looked back down at the picture and Tara noticed what she was staring at. No, this couldn’t be happening yet.

Willow noticed the look on Tara’s face that she had been found out. Willow grabbed her jacket and ran to the door with the rose quartz still in her hand and yanked it open. But Tara was close behind and grabbed Willow’s arm pulling her back inside, and slammed the door shut. Then, she locked it. The rose quartz glowed.

******

*Far Away*

Oz was restless. He hadn’t gotten much sleep the last three nights because of his wolf condition. He thought he could get some sleep tonight, but he was wrong. He was dreaming about Willow just as he had done many other nights. He was dreaming about her smell, the feel of her in his arms, and many other things. But somehow this was different. Willow was afraid, and it was making him afraid, and Oz didn’t like it. The dream felt too real for comfort. Then he saw Willow very visibly, in her dorm room. She was with someone Oz didn’t recognize. A blond. The blond was kissing Willow. Then he could feel Willow growing weaker.

Oz woke up breathing heavily. He wiped his eyes, and looked outside. The sun hadn’t risen yet. He’d never had a prophetic dream before. But this dream felt too real. Oz jumped into the driver’s seat and started the engine. He was going home. He just hoped it wasn’t too late.

Part 3

Willow and Tara stared at the glowing crystal which had been calm just a few minutes ago. In the back of her mind Willow knew it had something to do with her and Tara holding the crystal together with all their combined emotion. They both watched, entranced as the glowing got brighter, and the crystal started to heat up. Willow instantly dropped the crystal as it burned her hand. The rose quartz landed on the ground with a thunk, and Tara let go of Willow’s arm.

Willow instantly backed up to the opposite side of the room from the door and Tara. “Willow, I can explain this.” Willow just stared with no reaction. “This picture, uh… It was taken last year. Oz and I… We knew each other. We were friends, nothing else.” There was more than friendship in the picture. Willow didn’t believe one word, and Tara knew she didn’t. “Okay. You’re right that’s a lie. I…”

Willow cut her off. “Tara let me go.”

Tara looked into her eyes and realized that if she said anything else, it would only make the problem worse. She needed Willow to trust her if she was going to do what she came to do. Tara unlocked the door and stepped aside. Willow hurried out of the room as fast as she could.

Tara sighed. Everything was going wrong so far. Except one thing. Thank the Goddess she didn’t see what was on the other half of the photograph. The spell book had covered the truth, for now.

******

*Later That Night*

Willow turned in her bed. She had been trying to fall asleep for the last half hour, but couldn’t. For the last hour she had felt really sick, like she had the flu. She just needed some rest she convinced herself.

Out of the corner of her mind she realized someone was knocking on the door. Her first thought was Oz. But then she remembered Oz was gone.

“I’m coming.” She said weakly and she slowly walked to answer the door. When she answered, she was surprised to see who was there. “Tara?”

Tara pushed by. “Willow I need your help.”

Willow barely heard her, and responded a little while later. “Tara what are you doing here?” She asked as she rubbed her head and closed the door.

Tara stopped. “Willow, are you okay?”

“I’m… I’m okay. I’m not feeling well.”

A look of shock went across Tara’s face. “What DO you feel?”

“I don’t know. Weak, like I have the flu, and a stomach ache. Why?”

“Willow, I can help you.”

“What? Tara what’s going on.” Willow was confused.

“I can’t explain. Just let me…”

“Tara. No.” Willow started feeling a little better. “I’m not sure what happened today, but I don’t know if I trust you anymore. I think you should leave.”

“I’m sorry Willow. I can’t.”

Tara put her hands in the air, and started chanting.

Goddess romano Fortuna, invito il thee per contribuire a regolarsi che cosa è errato. Dalla vostra saggezza nel destino, prego per aiutare il salice ad essere forte.

Suddenly Willow couldn’t feel the ground beneath her feet, as she fell to her knees. All she was focused on was Tara slowly coming towards her. Tara was moving her lips towards her. They both didn’t notice the pounding on the door, they were so focused on each other.

“Willow!” Oz broke through the door, and realized what was going on. He thought for a split second on making sure she was really in danger, before he broke in. But decided it was too risky. He grabbed Willow by the arm pulled her up and they backed up to the wall. She laid against his chest. Then, she broke out of the spell. She then realized who she was looking at.

“Oz?” She whispered with love, and a lot of emotion.

From across the room Tara realized it too. “O – oz?” She asked sounding like she knew him.

“Do I know you?” Oz wondered aloud. All of a sudden Willow collapsed in Oz’s arms and cried in pain. Oz lowered her to the ground. “Willow? Willow?”

Willow didn’t reply as she stared feverishly past him.

Part 4

“Willow?” Oz got louder. “Please answer me.” Oz quickly looked at Tara who was still staring in shock at them. “What did you do?!”

“I… I didn’t do anything I swear.”

“Do you know what’s happening? Who are you?”

“I…”

Then a voice broke through the confusion. “Oz?” Oz looked down with love. “Oz. It is you.” Willow smiled and started to get up to hug him.

“No, you need to lie down.” Oz started to push her back down.

“I’m fine.” Willow wrapped her arms around him and laid her head on his shoulder. “I’ve dreamed of this day. I missed you.” She whispered.

Oz wrapped his arms tightly around her. “I missed you so much.” His voice broke. “I’m so sorry.” Now that he was in her arms all his emotions of the past months came loose. He backed up and looked into her eyes. “How are you feeling?”

“I’ve been better.” She didn’t taker her eyes off him.

“What’s wrong?” Oz asked worriedly.

“I don’t know. I was sick earlier. Then…” Willow gasped in pain again.

Oz looked around for any cause or help to Willow, but found nothing. He was helpless.

Tara suddenly pushed Oz aside. “Let me try.” She looked up, closed her eyes, and put her hands on Willow. Willow could suddenly feel heat and pressure, then the pain fading.

Willow sat up then looked at herself and then Tara. “Its gone.”

“For… For the moment.” Tara responded warily. “I… I don’t know what’s happening… But I may be able to help.”

Oz asked the question on both his and Willow’s minds. “Who are you?”

Tara stared at both of them next to each other. “I… I…” She stammered, then took a deep breath. “I’m… I’m…” She paused again. “I’m your daughter…” She said quickly.

Part 5

“My… my daughter?” Willow asked in wonder.

Tara nodded. “Both of you.” She smiled.

“But how?”

“This rose quartz we’ve been using.” She took it out of her pocket. “Rose quartz is used for love… But you already knew that…” She paused. “And quartz is used for time. You know? Like in watches.”

Willow smiled as she understood. “You used my love for you in the rose quartz to travel back in time?” Tara nodded. “But why?”

Her face became serious. “To help you.”

Oz had been quiet the whole time, and staring at the opposite wall. He suddenly looked up. “From what?”

“I’m not sure. As a safety mechanism when time traveling, nature removes all memories that aren’t important. But I do know I came back to save Willow, but I don’t know from what.”

Oz took this new information in. “So, you’re saying nature doesn’t think KNOWING what is happening to Willow is important?!” Tara was shocked. She’d never heard her dad yell at her like that.

“Oz, its not her fault!” Willow reminded him.

Oz realized what he’d done. “I’m sorry… This is just a lot to think about in one day.” He rubbed his eyes. “I’m on edge.”

Tara nodded. “Its okay.” She stood up. “I have to go now. Besides, you two need some time to yourselves. I’ll continue trying to figure out what is going on.” She left and closed the door.

Oz stood up. “So… Its…”

Willow interrupted. “Don’t. Oz I missed you, and yes I still love you. But you took yourself completely out of my life, and I was left with only memories and pictures. And it hurt, Oz. I missed you every second. And I don’t know where we stand anymore. And until I figure out where that is, I can’t be around you, wanting you with me.”

Oz nodded understanding. “If you need me. You know where I am.” He left and the door slowly closed shut.

Willow collapsed on her bed and cried.

****** Oz walked slowly along the forest next to the college campus and back to his van. He was lost in his thoughts and didn’t realize at first that somebody was following him. He stopped and heard footsteps all around. He realized he didn’t have a stake or any other defense. He would have to make a run for his van. Oz broke into a run for his life, hoping he would make it. Suddenly he was surrounded on all sides.

“Freeze!” Someone yelled out, and all guns were focused on him.

Oz lifted his hands up. “I’m not who you want.”

One man fired his taser and Oz flew backwards onto the ground. He shook as the electricity from the taser dissipated in his body, and he was unconscious.

“Hostile captured.”

Part 6
Rated R

Oz smiled as he pinned Willow down on the sand. In the darkness of the evening, the only sound was the crashing of the waves on the shore.

The scene shifted to Willow’s room, two days before graduation.

“Panic is a thing people can share in times of crisis. And everything’s really scary now, you know, and I don’t know what’s gonna happen. And there’s all sorts of things that you’re supposed to get to do after high school, and I was really looking forward to doing them, and now we’re probably just gonna die…”

Oz stopped listening and realized what it would be like if one of them died. All of a sudden he felt empty. If there was any chance… He couldn’t risk never showing her his complete love. She deserved that. ‘Till death do us part.’ In one quick movement he leaned forward and kissed her slowly.

She closed her eyes. “What are you doing?”

Oz told her the first answer that came to his head. “Panicking.”

The scene shifted again to four days before he left.

Oz pushed the door to his room open with his back as his hands roamed all over Willow. They’re kissing got more and more passionate. He quickly slammed the door shut. Thank god the guys were at some party.

Oz quickly took his shirt and pants off as Willow laid down on the bed and took off all her clothes from the waist down. He threw the laundry from the bed to the floor then he positioned himself over Willow as they continued kissing.

Oz tried to take Willow’s shirt off, but she stopped him. She smiled and pushed him over, then she got on top. She quickly pulled her shirt and bra off, and pulled his boxers down, as he got a condom out of the drawer and put it on.

They continued kissing, then she slowly lowered him into her. She moved up and down, then quickened the pace, going stronger and stronger. Oz moved with her, and suddenly all her muscles tightened and she shook with pleasure. She gasped his name, and she could feel him shake with her as he grabbed her tightly keeping her with him.

She slowly got off and laid next to him. She shivered. Oz grabbed a yellow shirt from the floor, and she put it on. She turned around, and Oz wrapped his arms around her. Holding her close.

As Oz started to awake he realized that was the last time they had made love, and the most important. Oz started to become more awake as voices echoed in his head.

“Oz don’t you love me?”

“My whole life, I’ve never loved anything else.” He kissed her on the forehead. Then he was gone.

Oz slowly awoke to a piercing pain in his arm. He tried pulling away from the source of the burning in his blood. He struggled and thrashed around trying to stop it.

A man shouted in his subconscious. “Stop him!”

Suddenly something was put over his face and he began to fall back to sleepless hell. Just before he felt pain that he only felt on the three nights of the full moon. It was endless, and he screamed in pain.

Somewhere else, in a dorm room, Willow also screamed as she grabbed her stomach and fell to the floor.

Part 7

Tara jumped awake from sleeping on her desk. Her heart pounded. She rubbed her eyes. She had been up all night researching and fell asleep. All she had was a healing spell that might or might not work. But it was worth a try. The spell required someone close to the intended recipient. She figured she was the one in mind. The spell would also divulge the problem if unknown.

Tara left in search of Willow and Oz. Goddess she hoped this worked. She was lost in her thoughts when she bumped into someone coming from Willow’s room.

“Buffy? What’s wrong?” She asked noticing Buffy’s face.

“Its Willow. She is in the hospital. The ambulance just took her away.” Buffy explained as she continued walking.

“Where’s Oz? He wasn’t there?”

Buffy stopped and Tara noticed she had no clue he was even back. “He came back last night. I left them alone and went home.”

Buffy continued walking. “If he hurt her…”

Tara grabbed Buffy by the arm. “I don’t know where he is, but Oz would never hurt Willow.”

Buffy pulled away from Tara’s grasp, and continued walking out the door. “He’s done it before.”

Tara didn’t know what to say. “I’m coming with you.”

******

Oz slowly awoke with a dull pain in his head. He felt oddly weak and didn’t know where he was. He was in some kind of white room. He sat up to take in his surroundings, and started to stand.

“I wouldn’t do that if I where you.” The voice sounded oddly familiar. Oz turned around. Then his capturer noticed the same thing. “Oz?”

“Riley?” Then, he noticed the army uniform Riley was wearing. “What’s going on? Where am I?”

“You’re in a containment room, for demons, monsters… You’re a werewolf, and dangerous. So we have to keep you here.”

“No, its okay. I lock myself up on the full moon nights. I’m not a danger.” Oz thought to Willow. “In terms of attacks… You can let me go.”

“I’m sorry Oz. I can’t do that.”

Part 8

Oz thought Riley would help him. What was he going to do now?

Riley looked directly at Oz. “So. I bet you want to see Willow again?”

Oz nodded.

“She misses you. She’s been watching and waiting for you. Always watching.”

Oz slowly looked Riley in the eyes. He swore he could see him blink. Riley’s eyes wandered, and Oz noticed something gray out of the corner of his eye. Of course, a video camera.

Oz understood. “I’m sorry I couldn’t have been there. But I’m here now. So, how do I get her to stop looking?”

“If she can’t find you… She can’t see you.”

The door behind Riley opened unexpectedly, and a doctor followed by two guards came inside the room. The doctor had a needle filled with anesthetic, and the guards had taser guns.

The doctor spoke. “Hold him down.”

The guards rushed forward and held him down on his stomach, as the doctor came from behind.

******

Tara and Buffy sat in the cold waiting room chairs of the hospital. They were waiting for something on Willow’s condition.

A doctor came into the room, and Buffy was instantly alert. “Ms. Summers?” Buffy stood up and they shook hands. The doctor turned to Tara. “Ms..?”

“Tara… Tara Smith.”

Buffy continued on. “How is Willow?” They all sat down except the doctor who remained standing.

“We ran some tests, and we don’t know what is making her sick. We do know she is slowly losing using the energy to live. She’s dying. I’m sorry. We’re going to continue to run different tests, but I don’t think she has much longer. I suggest you call family, and friends.”

“Can we see her?” Tara asked.

The doctor nodded. “In about twenty minutes, a nurse will come out and show you to her room.”

Buffy sat in silence staring out the window.

“Buffy?” She slowly turned and acknowledged Tara’s presence. “Do you have a phone number I can use to try and get a hold of Oz? Where he lives…lived?”

Buffy slowly nodded. “555-9466”

Tara smiled. “Thanks. I promise, Willow will be fine.”

Tara went over to the pay phone in the hall, and dialed the number. A groggy voice picked up the phone.

“Hello?” Tara recognized her dad’s best friend Devon as the voice. She smiled, and realized she hadn’t seen him in a while.

“Hi, this is Tara. May I speak to Oz?”

“Is this a joke? I haven’t seen Oz in five months. He doesn’t live here anymore.”

“I know. He’s back in town. I thought might have gone home. So, you haven’t seen him?”

“No.”

Where could he be? “Okay. Well, can you give him a message if you do see him? Tell him that Willow is at Sunnydale Hospital, 3rd floor.”

“Is she okay?”

“I don’t think so, Devon. But I’m going to do whatever I can. Thanks, but I have to go. Give Oz my message.” She hung up.

Devon sat down on the couch. Oz was back in town? Wait, how did she know my name? Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Devon opened it, and Oz ran in and slammed the door shut.

“You are back…”

Oz just went back to the door, and looked outside to make sure no one was following him.

“Oz, someone just called for you. She said you had to go to Sunnydale Hospital, 3rd floor. She said her name was Tara, and its about Willow.”

Oz turned around at the mention of Willow. “Is she okay?”

“I don’t think so. How did Tara know my name?”

“I have to go.” He opened the door, stumbled outside, and fell to the floor. Oz swimmingly tried to stand up, and make it to the car outside. “They drugged me…”

Devon ran out and helped him up. “I’m driving.”

******

Twenty minutes later Devon and a sleepy Oz arrived at the hospital. Tara and Buffy were just about to go into Willow’s room.

Tara felt the presence of her father, and turned around to welcome him in a hug. She smiled. “You made it! Come inside, you can come in, too, Devon.”

Oz looked at Devon’s surprised face. “I’ll tell you later.”

“I think I may have found a spell to help Willow. I’m going to go into the astral plane, and try to help her from a different level. And see what’s causing this.”

“Are you sure that’s not too dangerous?” Oz questioned.

“You want to come with me?” Oz nodded, and they sat down on the floor. “Okay. Close your eyes, and breathe in and out slowly, focus on Willow. Only her. Push aside all other thoughts.”

Part 9

Oz and Tara slowly opened their eyes, and found themselves in a black abyss. Their surroundings twinkled with stars. They stood up, and looked around.

“Willow?!” Tara called. Then she heard moaning. Oz and Tara ran, but only took one step before their thoughts brought them to Willow and she suddenly appeared in front of them.

Willow was sitting down on blackness, on no visible feature. Dust was swirling slowly from her, and she appeared to be getting smaller. Tara closed her eyes and held out her hands Energy started to accumulate in her hands, and she spoke.

“Magick mend and sickness burn, sickness end; good health return.” The dust stopped, and information from the astral spirits filled her mind. Willow slowly began to grow back to normal size. Tara opened her eyes. “I know what’s wrong. There is a demon feeding off her life energy. He’s attracted to werewolves. The bigger the werewolf, the more he’s attracted, and the less it takes to kill them. We have to get you out of here.”

Willow slowly started to gain consciousness and disappear from the astral plane back to they physical one. Tara blessed her spirit back to the physical plane. The demon started to awaken now that Willow was no longer there for him to feed off. His attention turned to Tara.

“Wait, Tara. Why is he attracted to Willow? She’s not a werewolf.” Oz realized.

“I know. Its..” The demon launched itself in the form of a wolf at Tara. She grabbed Oz’s hand. “Run!” They ran together. “Now count backwards from 10, and at 1 open your eyes.”

“10…9…8…7…6…5…4…3…2…” The demon landed on Oz’s back, and his grip on Tara’s hand momentarily slipped. Tara looked back and only saw Oz, she grabbed his hand again and pulled him to his feet. “1…”

They opened their eyes to find themselves back in the hospital room. Willow was just starting to awaken. “O-oz?”

Oz grabbed her hand, “I’m here.” Everyone smiled relieved to see everything okay. Oz breathed in and suddenly realized he couldn’t. He gasped for air, and fell backwards onto the tile floor.

Willow screamed his name. “OZ!”

Devon ran out into the hallway. “Nurse! Nurse!”

Two nurses came in and hurriedly checked his pulse and breathing and started CPR. They checked his pulse again.

The nurses stopped, and one of them looked up at everyone. Buffy sat next to Willow, who had tears rolling down her face. Devon was leaning against the wall for support. And Tara sat down staring at Oz’s body on the floor. “I’m sorry. He’s dead.”

Part 10

Devon spoke first. “He…can’t be.”

Tara looked at everyone going from one side of the room to the other in slow motion. Everyone was shocked. Was this her purpose? To save her mother, at the price of her father? No, he had to live.

“His spirit hasn’t left, yet.” Tara started to go in a trance. She would find him.

“What is she doing?” The nurse asked. “I’m calling the doctor.”

Tara could no longer hear anything. “Oz? Dad?” She called out, and the darkness shook with the vibrations of her thoughts. “Dad?!”

She tried to think of some memories of her father to draw herself to him, but nothing was coming to mind. Her memories had been erased because of the time travel. What was she going to do? Wait, she did have some memories. Memories of the last two days. She tried to conjure all of them in one thought, and closed her eyes. When she opened them she was blinded by a bright light. There was a figure moving towards it. She started to panic, but then remembered she had to stay in control.

“Dad! Oz!” The figure turned at the emotions in the thoughts.

“Tara?”

She nodded. “Dad come back. Don’t move towards the light.”

He looked back at the light. “Its so peaceful. Its calling me.”

Tara realized the light was winning. “I’m calling you! I need you. You still have things to do in this world.”

“The pain is leaving. I feel…nothing.”

“Dad!” He started walking towards the light again.

******

Willow looked at Oz laying on the floor and Tara frozen in a trance beside him. “I hope they’re okay.” She looked back at Buffy and Devon who were holding the nurses in the corner of the room.

******

She had only one more idea to try. She sent thoughts of what she had learned from the spell to save Willow. Reasons he had to stay.

Oz stopped and turned away, and the light vanished. Tara wrapped him in a hug and held on tight. She whispered into his ear, knowing what she had to do. “Tell her. And Dad, I love you both.”

The demon already powerful from feeding on Oz instantly jumped into Tara as Oz woke up in the physical world.

Tara fell dead, and so did the demon.

******

Willow lay on the grass next to the tombstone. She didn’t know how long she’d been laying there crying.

She sat up at the sound of crunching grass behind her. Her face was wet with tears. Oz kneeled down next to her slowly, he was still weak from the encounter with the demon. He wrapped his arm around her.

Willow sniffled. “I don’t understand. How could I send her back, if I knew she was going to die?”

Oz looked at the tombstone. “I don’t know. Maybe you didn’t know when you sent her back. Or maybe her death has a different meaning.” He paused and looked into her eyes. “Or maybe she’s still alive.”

Willow looked at him questioningly. “What do you mean?”

“Tara told me when she saved me. She told me why you had been so sick. Why the demon attracted to werewolf blood was attracted to you. You’re pregnant.” Willow was astonished, and looked down at her stomach. “You’re six months pregnant.”

Willow continued looking at her stomach. “How?”

“Remember the last time? Before I left, when the condom ripped?” Willow nodded. “The demon was taking the baby and your energy, and that’s why it didn’t show, but it will now.”

Willow looked back at the tombstone. “This is…”

“I have something else to tell you.” Willow looked back at him. “Actually, something I’ve been wanting to ask you for a while now. Willow, will your marry me?”

Willow smiled and broke into tears. She wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his shoulder. “Yes, of course.”

In the air a song played.

I don’t think you notice
When you see my face
I guess you’re waiting
To spin me around again

Wheels I guess are turning
Somewhere inside my head
I know that this is
Deeper than you get

But you’re coming back again
You don’t mean to waste my time
But you’re coming back so

Chorus
Don’t tell me
How to be
‘Cause I like some suffering
Don’t ask me
What I need
I’m just fine
Here finding me
Me

I’ve already given
Up on getting through
I never question
Who I’m talking to

Oh so much for nothing
But nothing means so much
I know it’s touching
But I’ve been out of touch

And it’s all that I can do
I’m a sight for my sore eyes
But it’s all I am so

Chorus

I don’t think you notice
When I can’t reach out
I guess you’re waiting
On somebody else again

Oh so much for talking
It’s all been said before
I’m hearing something
but I wish you’d just say more

But you’re going off again
When I try to just hold on
But you’re going off so

Chorus

THE END

Crash and Burn

FANDOM: Buffy, information pills Willow/Oz
SPOILERS: Season 4
DISCLAIMER: Oz and Willow belongs to Joss Whedon, buy viagra Mutant Enemy, etc.
NOTE: Title and story inspired by Crash and Burn by Savage Garden. Parts in quotes is part of the song, so if you have Savage Garden’s CD, ‘Affirmation’, stick it in and put it on song 5. The song, ‘Crash and Burn’ by Savage Garden follows exactly with the story. The lyrics are there for anyone who can’t listen to the song. Otherwise, just read the story. 😉

Willow sat in her dorm room looking at a picture. It was a picture of her and the person she missed most in the world, Oz. Except today she missed him more. Today was his birthday. Not only that, but she remembered what he had told her on his last birthday, when they were alone together.

“Willow, I… I love you. Always and forever. I’ll never leave you.”

But in less than a year, that’s what he did. Her tears escaped out of her eyes. How could she live without him?

‘When you feel all alone’

She missed him more than life itself.

‘And the world has turned it’s back on you’

It was days like these, anniversaries of important moments for them, when she felt helpless.

‘Give me a moment please to tame your wild wild heart’

She knew she had hurt him, when she kissed Xander, but she never truly realized how it felt until now. She never guessed it could hurt this bad.

‘I know you feel like the walls are closing in on you’

They had worked it out, and everything was well again. But there was no one here now to work it out with. She desperately wanted him back. She felt like she would give anything. She wanted her soul.

‘It’s hard to find relief and people can be so cold’

Everyone assumed she would get over him, but how could she? How can you recover when a piece of you is missing?

‘When darkness is upon your door and you feel like you can’t take anymore’

Willow held the picture, and looked into his eyes, then at the complete picture. They were so innocent together. How could anything ever go wrong? She loved him.

‘Let me be the one you call’

Someone knocked at the door.

‘If you jump I’ll break your fall’

And Willow dried her tears.

‘Lift you up and fly away with you into the night’

Who could it be? She opened the door but no one was there.

‘If you need to fall apart’

She started to close the door, but noticed a piece of paper on the floor.

‘I can mend a broken heart’

She quickly picked it up and read the writing.

‘If you need to crash then crash and burn
You’re not alone’

“I love you, Willow.” Who was it from? Then she noticed the writing on the back. “- Oz”

Willow’s heart pounded, was it really him? Could it be? Was he back? She recognized his writing. It had to be him. She loved only him.

‘When you feel all alone’

“Oz?” She whispered his name and looked around.

‘And a loyal friend is hard to find’

Suddenly a door shut down the hall. She wouldn’t let him go this time.

‘You’re caught in a one way street’

She ran as fast as she could.

‘With the monsters in your head’

Down the stairs and outside into the night.

‘When hopes and dreams are far away and’

She ran for her life. Feet pounding. Heart pounding. Mind pounding. All of it.

‘You feel like you can’t face they day’

She saw the back of his head.

‘Let me be the one you call’

She ran after him.

‘If you jump I’ll break your fall’

She needed him.

‘Lift you up and fly away with you into the night’

She stopped and fell to the ground.

‘If you need to fall apart’

She couldn’t catch him.

‘I can mend a broken heart’

She couldn’t even keep him.

‘If you need to crash then crash and burn
You’re not alone’

Oz watched from a distance. He wanted to hold her again.

‘Because there has always been heartache and pain’

He didn’t want to, but he was hurting her again.

‘And when it’s over you’ll breathe again’

He had wanted to beg for forgiveness. All he wanted was her.

‘You’ll breathe again’

But the thought that she wouldn’t want him, held him back. He never could tell her when something was wrong. It was this fault that got him in trouble when he found out he was a werewolf, and later with Veruca. It was all his fault.

‘When you feel all alone’

Suddenly Willow sat up.

‘And the world has turned its back on you’

She heard the sound of a bush moving right next to her.

‘Give me a moment please’

She grabbed a branch, and pulled it aside.

‘To tame your wild wild heart’

Oz stood up. It was now or never.

‘Let me be the one you call’

He stepped out of the bushes.

‘If you jump I’ll break your fall’

Willow blinked, and wrapped her arms around him.

‘Lift you up and fly away with you into the night’

He was with her at last. He fell to his knees and cried.

‘If you need to fall apart’

Willow cried, too.

‘I can mend a broken heart’

The only thing she wanted was here.

‘If you need to crash then crash and burn’

She held his face in her hands. And she moved towards his lips.

‘You’re not alone’

They kissed and united their souls forever. This was how it was meant to be. Them. Together. No one else. They both had dreamed of this since they left eachother. Some things needed to be resolved, but not now. Now was the time for love….

THE END

Tied Up

FANDOM: Buffy, decease Willow/Oz
SPOILERS: Season 4
DISCLAIMER: Oz and Willow belongs to Joss Whedon, pharm Mutant Enemy, etc.

Oz sat on the cold floor in a cave. His thoughts were on Willow, as they always were. What was she feelign or doing right now? Did she miss him? Stupid question. Of course she did. The same way he missed her.

His thoughts went to how he hurt her. I couldn’t help it. It wasn’t my fault. Oz’s mind quickly attacked. But it was your fault. You wanted Veruca, while still human, remember? Oz covered his ears. Then you left Willow, remember? Then you sent for all your stuff, didn’t even call her, and made her think you were never coming back. Oz couldn’t stop hearing the thoughts in his head. They were echoing throughout his mind, and even the cave.

Oz’s voice echoed throughtout the cave. “No! I didn’t mean to.” He paused for the ringing in his ears. “She didn’t even give me a chance to explain.”

All the noise stopped and Oz dumped out a sheet of paper and a pencil from his bag, and began to write a song.

“Put these chains over me.” Oz looked helplessly at the chains around his wrists and the inevitable landscape outside. He wanted desperately to be home. He needed Willow. To make him feel whole. “To make me feel I’m alive.” Why?! Why did this happen? Everything was fine.

His sorrow went against everything in his mind. He did the unthinkable and blamed Willow. It was all her fault! He couldn’t figure out how, but it had to be. I loved her so much, I had to leave, and now I’m hurting because of it. You didn’t even believe me when I tried to explain after the night you found us. That’s because it wasn’t true, his mind intervened. Oz went on, “I want to feel you’re faith, but you’re never on my side. I want to feel your faith explain that I never tried.” I tried, Willow. I tried to resist, I swear. Oz’s mind echoed. He quickly continued to write, willing the voice saying “No you didn’t.” away.

“I don’t care for change. Tied again.”

Oz got out of the chains from the night before. He felt horrible. He needed to get out of the cave. He dove forever until he got to his home, for now.

“Everything was overturned.” He couldn’t think straight. He just needed her to believe him. “I want to see your face explain that I never tried.”

A tear came from Oz’s eye. “I never wanted. I don’t care. I never wanted change. I never wanted… I don’t care… I never wanted…” Oz sighed. “Tied again,” he said aloud.

He would go back to Willow. He just needed time. Maybe only time was on his side… Oz shook his head. No, Willow was on his side, too. And he’d come back to show her he knew.

TIED UP
by Four Star Mary

put these chains over me
make me feel I’m alive
i want to feel you’re faith
but you’re never on my side
i want to feel you’re faith explain
that i’ve never tried
i dont’ care for change
other worlds won’t explain

tied again

see these cars on the road
all these cars overturned
i want to see you’re faith
but you’re never on my side
i want to see you’re face explain
that i’ve never tried

i don’t care for change
other worlds other days

tied again

when i see them tied again
when i see them lie

i never wanted
i don’t care
i never wanted change
i never wanted
i don’t care
i never wanted

tied again

THE END

Island of the Mind

I ran dodging fallen trees, and bushes. What was I running from? I did not know, but I knew I was too scared to stop running. Finally, exasperated from loss of breath, I turned around. There was nothing there… Another thought occurred to me, where was I? I looked around; I was in a jungle, with birds, and many trees.

I slowly walked back the way I came, this time hopping over fallen trees instead of jumping over them. I was tired from all the running, and trying to remember. I walked for at least an hour until I got to the shore. Does this mean I am on an island? My mind was still not clear as to what I was doing here. I searched my mind while walking around the land I did not know; I went all along the shore until I came back to the same spot I had started on before. I was on an island! To make matters worse, something was chasing me, and I did not know what. I did not know what I was doing here. In addition, I had not seen any signs of civilization at all.

I heard a growling sound. I looked up at the sky and I saw a flying leopard… Was I delusional? I looked down at the ground and blinked, but when I looked up it was still there. It started to land on the shore, but I ran away before it got the chance to land. I ran back through the woods again-I had now gone through that same spot three times-and hid behind a tree. I watched the leopard land and seven little plastic army men jumped out of the leopard. Okay, now I know I am delusional. The little army started to run into the forest, one of them saw me, so I ran away. Apparently, not fast enough, because one of them jumped on me.

I thought it was all over. I was done for. Instead of attacking me, the army man called his friends and they all came. Three of them held me down, while the rest looked at me. Slowly the army men began to change into real people. What was going on? The leopard began to change into a helicopter. I felt myself float above the ground, and slowly, but surely, I began to hear voices. They assured me that I would be all right. All right from what? I did not know.

Ten days later, I was well on the way to recovery. They had found me unconscious on an uncharted island. I was the only survivor of a plane crash, the doctors had said that before the plane hit the ground I had found a parachute and jumped out of the plane. The heat and blast of the plane hitting the ground had catapulted me to the opposite side of the island, than where the plane crashed. The weird thing is that after I hit the ground, I was unconscious the whole time until they found me, so they say. They all assumed it was brain trauma, and nothing else, everything I had seen had never happened according to them. I still remember all the memories of being on the island, and walking around on the island. After I was out of the hospital, I found out that they were making plans to chart the island. Yours truly asked if I could help. It took me about a week to chart the island, and I never even went on the island again to do it. I used my memories, and when some scientists went to the island, my map was 100% accurate.

Sadness

My tears stream down my face.
Glistening white pearls,
They sting as they come rolling down.

I squeeze my eyes shut,
Waiting for my final breath.

I rasp.
I gasp.
I choke.

The raindrops outside my window,
They represent how many thoughts go through my head.