Authors Note: OK gang...I know it's been a very long time since I updated this series...but with Oz gone I just haven't had a lot of inspiration. I realized that this is the time you need the willow/oz loving most, so I'm reviving the series. PLEASE, PLEASE, send feedback...I desperately need it to keep the dream alive.

Disclaimer: as always, the charachters belong to the big guy, Joss.

part 6

Willow sighed contentedly, wrapped in her boyfriend's arm. No matter how much she tried to kid herself, mushy movies were way better when you had someone to be mushy with. Before she had met Oz, Buffy and her would go to these types of movies and say that they were each other's dates. They would kid around and throw popcorn at the couples making out and sometimes Buffy would make orgasmic noises when the sexy leading man glided onto the screen. But there was always a sort of sad wondering about the whole thing. It was mostly pushed aside by outbursts of high-pitched female laughter, but part of it was always there. Now she knew, not that Buffy's antics were at all unwanted. Willow had invited her to come along tonight, but she politely refused. She said she had other plans and didn't thrive on being the third wheel. So Willow had thought much more about it until now. Buffy had been having a lot of "other plans" lately. She wouldn't say that she felt abandoned, but more like left out. And she hated feeling sorry for herself, because that made her feel guilty. So now she had all these emotions running through her and she was having trouble deciding which emotions she was allowed to feel and which emotions would make her the devil.

"Something's wrong."

"What do you mean?"

"I've been watching you," her neck tingled. What had happened? "You haven't been watching the movie." He kissed her neck and realization hit her. * Did he give me a hickey?! *

"Oz," she said slowly. Feeling his nose nuzzle into her neck again she sighed again. "You haven't been watching the movie either," she said between breaths. She felt his lips graze the tingling spot and breathed in sharply.

"A little bit," he mumbled through her hair.

"Oz," she breathed out. She pulled away suddenly leaving Oz frozen in shock in the same position. "What did you!" she shouted. An old couple a few rows in front of turned around and shushed them. "Sorry," she whispered. "Oz," she looked at him expectantly.

"I, ah…um" he looked around as if searching for an excuse. His eyes settled on her, "I'm sorry baby, really." She scanned his face, looking for some sign of insincerity. She settled back into his arms cautiously.

"This doesn't mean I'm not mad at you, it just means that I'm plotting my revenge." He smiled slightly, trying to keep a straight face.

"Whatever you say baby, just as long as you don't hate me for the rest of our natural lives." Satisfied with that she rested her head down on his shoulders and returned to the movie.

*******

"So, was that movie like popcorn?" Willow asked as she and Oz were leaving the theater.

"Pardon?"

"Well, you know. Our first date. You said you didn't remember the movie because it was kinda like popcorn." He shot her a puzzled look. "You don't remember," she said quietly. He looked at her for a few seconds and then nodded.

"Yeah, yeah I remember now," she gave him a heart-braking, disbelieving smirk. "No, no I do. I was looking at that cool trophy. And yeah."

"Yeah what," she said her face lifting.

"Yeah, it was kinda like popcorn." He leaned in and placed a firm kiss on her forehead.

"Willow."

"Did you hear that?" she asked Oz, looking around.

"Willow," she turned her head in the direction of the voice and saw her bouncy blonde friend making her way through the parking lot.

"Hey," Willow called to her. "You missed it."

"Missed what," Buffy said sliding into place by her friend and breathing heavily, a huge smile plastered across her face.

"The movie. It's just ending." A smile automatically forming on her lips.

"Oh, no. I'm here for the 9 o'clock show."

"Oh," Willow's smile departed.

"That's what my other plans were, why? Is something wrong?" Buffy replied quickly.

"Hi guys," the sweet voice flowed out from behind Buffy. Willow's face dropped and her grip on Oz's hand tightened.

"Hey Odessa," he responded, a little to quickly.

"Hey are you ok," Willow said, grateful to turn her attention from the flowing blonde to the man at her side. "Your hands are all sweaty." He gave her a small nod in affirmation.

"We better go," Buffy said looking at her friend cautiously. "I'll call you tonight, ok." Willow pushed forward her best supportive best friend smile.

"Have fun, bye guys." Buffy and Odessa turned and walked into the theater, and the brief thought of them laughing and throwing popcorn at the couples made her cringe. * No bad emotions, I feel no sympathy for you Willow Rosenburg. And I sure as hell don't feel guilty about having no sympathy for you; I mean no guilt because you have sympathy for you? Huh? * She shook herself out of her confusion and let her mind focus on the small guitarist leading her to his van.

************************************************************************

"That was such a chick flick," Buffy said doing her best tough guy impression as they walked out to the car.

"Chick Flick?" Odessa inquired still giggling a little. Buffy shot her an odd look.

"Yeah, as in Titanic, Sleepless in Seattle. All that good stuff. You've never heard that expression before?"

"Right, Titanic. Most popular movie of all time. Started Leo mania. Is it really that good?" Buffy's eyes widened.

"You've never seen Titanic," she paused and stared at her friend in shock. "Are you kidding me?" Odessa's eyes widened a little also and then she shook her head quickly.

"No, uh, no…are you serious. Everyone on the planet has seen that movie. I just meant, does it really deserve all the hype." Buffy relaxed and laughed a little.

"Yeah, I guess. Hey how come the girl was the only one we got to see naked?"

"Buffy," Odessa elbowed her slightly and nodded her head in the direction of the senior citizens behind them.

"Oh, oops," she responded less than interested. "I mean c'mon, if I'm gonna pay six bucks for a movie, I'm expecting a little male nakedness." Odessa stifled her laughter and placed a hand over her eyes to shade her from the passing stares. "Just one shot of his ass, is that to much to ask."

"Buffy, you're shouting." Odessa mumbled under breath.

"Am I?" Buffy waved her hand around nonchalantly. "I'm sure all these people agree with me."

"Whatever you say," Odessa laughed again. Her voice flowing out through the night air as she and Buffy climbed into her 1990 ford escort.

********

Oz shot up straight in his bed. Cool sweat running down his cheeks. He had taken Willow out for ice cream and then straight home after the movie. It had been a long week, and he had been experiencing a small case of insomnia lately and was looking forward to a few extra hours of sleep when he heard it. It was clear and unmistakable in his quiet room. It was a familiar sound, but not a sound you would normally hear in the middle of the night in your darkened bedroom. He looked around and raised one arm to wipe away some of the sweat tickling his nose. He had almost convinced himself that it was his imagination and was about to lay back down when he heard it again. This time there were no excuses. He had heard her laugh. There was no doubt of who it was, her voice was like any other. It was usually cool and light, but soft and soothing. Tonight however, the voice bubbling through his room scared him more than he could imagine. Not so much how it got there or why it was there, but why it gave him such an overwhelming sense of excitement. Why just the thought of her tied his stomach up in knots of anxiety. It was a strange, but not entirely unwanted feeling. He sat in the dark for a few minutes, making sure that the sound wasn't coming back and then slid back down under his covers. Maybe there was a logical explanation for him hearing voices. Then again, this being Sunnydale, what were the odds of that?

"Hold on dream away your my sweet charade."

Part 7

"There's absolutely no logic or order to the Native American literature section," Willow paused and looked up from the pile of books in front of her. "I could organize it for you, if you want."

"Yes, um that would be wonderful. If you have the time." Giles muttered between emptying out a box.

"Oh I've got all the time in the world," she replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"And Oz, where is he?"

"He is at practice," she replied flatly.

"And Buffy?"

"Couldn't tell you. Probably out with Odessa." Her voice dropped at the mention of the girls name and she sighed.

"Odessa did you say," he paused and got a glossy look in his eyes. "Long journey," he smiled slightly. "Ine omorphi glossa." Willow waved a hand in front of his face to bring him back to reality.

"Once more, in English."

"Oh, sorry. I, uh, well I said what a beautiful language." He removed his glasses and looked at her.

"Sometimes Giles, your just a little too ecentric for even me."

**********************************************************

"Dessa, babe, where are you tonight?" Devon's voice shook her out of her thoughts. She shook her head and realized that she had been standing on the stage, micrphone in hand, staring off into space. Oz grabbed her shoulder and turned her towards him, and glanced her over.

"Odessa," he tried to make eye contact, but she was a million miles away. He shook her slightly. "Are you okay?" His thumb brushed against her neck and his eyes widend in surprise at how cold she was. Almost freezing, her pale skin felt like ice to him. "Odessa," he whispered, "what's wrong?" Her eyes met his, full of fear, she turned away.

"I have to go," she said shakily. "I'm sorry." She jumped of the stage and ran to the door.

"Where are you going?" Devon called after her. "What did I tell you about having a girl in the band?" He asked, turning to Oz. Oz stood staring after her untill his attention was brought to his thumb which was now tingling fiercly and had turned a light shade of purple. *I've gotta talk to Giles*