“Spike, let the wolves finish this. We need to get moving.” The blond vamp dropped another one of the demons they’d been fighting to the ground. He spared the wolves still doing battle a glance before moving to join the group running pell-mell through the rain.

I’m back in my body now, it’s ...I’m in shock. Have to keeping thinking of myself in the here or I might slip away again. Not sure how I know that, but I do. I can’t see her but Ligeia’s yammering at me, and suddenly I don’t want her to just shut up and let me die. I want to kill her, and not in some fast, merciful stake to heart kind of way. I want her to hurt, to cry, beg, scream like all the demons ever dreamed of are after her, I want to bathe in her blood, and string a Xmas tree with her entrails. *Whoa, Buff you’re starting to sound like Dru. Never a good thing, especially when you consider Dru’s need of serious time in a straight jacket, like oh say forever.* I forced my mind away from any other thoughts of vengeance, those could wait. Right now I needed to stay alive, even with her screeching, I could hear the sound of fighting outside, somehow my friends had made their way into the bowels of the house.

 

“Oz no........!” Willow’s voice, panicked now...Wait, did she just say Oz?

 

“Delia ! Which way?” A man’s voice, deep with a bit of an accent.

 

“First door to the left.” A few seconds later something hits the door hard, I can hear growling now and Willow’s crying, then the door splits, one of my favorite axes peeking through. I feel someone’s hands on my hair, and I know without trying to turn my head that there’s a knife in one of them. Earlier, before I let myself wake up, I saw most of the men leaving the room. But I can feel the presence of more than one person, I’m guessing there’s probably about twenty of them, and I try to make my throat work, try to make the noises necessary to warn my friends. Then it doesn’t matter, the door’s hanging off its hinges, well part of it is anyway, the rest is on the ground. A body comes flying through the air, other figure’s strolling in brandishing weapons. Several of them I recognize as mine, I close my eyes then, I don’t want to see their faces when they see me. I’m naked and bloody, and any nitwit can see what’s coming next. They’re going to be shocked and horrified, and someone’s going to be disgusted. I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to handle Xander being disgusted, but if it’s Giles...well, that’s going to make me wig. And if it’s Angel...well I’m not going there. Anyone else I don’t know, so, the first voice I hear is a real shock.

 

“Get your hands off my daughter!” *Mom? Maybe, I’m ready to join Dru after all, because there is no way my mom is here.* “Buffy, it’s Mom, we’re going to get you out of here sweetie.” *Oh fuck, what the hell ...Aaagh!* The knife is in my side now, or maybe that’s just the cracked ribs I’m feeling. Either way it hurts, and I’m pretty sure I just screamed, but I could be wrong.

 

“One move, just one, and your precious little girl will die right in front of you. She’s not much fun for us now, so we’ll make you a deal. Give us our pretty red witch, and we’ll give you back this broken little doll.”

 

“No.” Giles hefted his crossbow, taking aim at the woman’s throat.

 

“Ah ah, you don’t want to do that. We’ll have her, before you can pull the trigger.” Ligeia was grinning now, pleased with herself.

 

“Giles, it’s okay. I’ll do it.” Willow didn’t just say that, she couldn’t have. I want to tell her not to be so stupid, but I can’t really breathe, and I seem to have forgotten how to talk. All I can do is fling my head wildly, I hope someone recognizes it as a no.

 

“You must really love your friend, admirable,...of course true devotion always is.” Ligeia could have hugged herself, she was so pleased. “We’re going to have such fun, now walk over here next to us. That’s a good girl, nice and easy.”

 

Anya bolted past Willow, aiming some spray at Ligeia’s face while she was distracted. Ligeia screamed, clawing madly at her eyes. The man standing over Buffy never had a chance, the bolt from Giles’ crossbow catching him high in the throat. Angel was moving then, too fast for the eye to follow, the first two men he killed were still falling when he reached Buffy. He stood next to her killing anyone that came near them. Joyce headed straight for her daughter, pausing only to strike at anyone who got in her way. Spike...Spike who’s chip should have prevented him from doing anything to the humans in the room, took one look at Buffy’s ravaged form, and lost his mind for a while. The first man he killed made his head hurt, but by the third or fourth, the pain in his head was a dull roar compared to the pain in his heart. Giles allowed himself one glance at his ‘daughter’, then the Ripper took over. Gunn and the others made quick work of the remaining men in the room, although most of them were already badly injured, Xander kept himself between Anya and the men. He couldn’t make himself look at Buffy, he knew if he let himself think about it, even for a second, he’d snap. Thoughts kept flashing through his mind, of what he would do to anyone who laid their hands on Anya like that. In the end he reached Anya and Willow’s side, Dawn and her guard wolves right behind him. The young girl hadn’t done anything but cry and kill from the start. She’d shown amazing accuracy with it, and now she leveled her own crossbow at the groveling woman. Willow yanked a hair from Ligeia’s head, twisting it and a ribbon she had around her finger together,  she started chanting, tying little knots in the two as she went. She pulled out a small dagger using it to prick her finger, smearing  blood on the ribbon she continued chanting.

 

I bind thee Ligeia, bind thee from doing harm

Harm against others, harm against yourself.

I bind thee Ligeia, bind thee from doing harm

Harm against others, harm against yourself.

I bind thee Ligeia, bind thee from doing harm

Harm against others, harm against yourself.

 

“That stuff you sprayed? What was it?” Xander whispered to Anya, not wanting to break Willow’s concentration.

 

“A little mixture I remembered from before, think of it as sorceress repellant. A little hemlock, some belladonna, and a few other things. I’ll tell you all about it after... “ She kicked Ligeia, hard. “First, this...” A few more kicks, “needs to die. I nominate Spike for the job, but only if I get to help. On second thought, who needs Spike?” She picked up a nearby pole, hefting it casually in her hand. “This feels like a good place to start. I wonder, did you use this on anyone I know? Did Ashtaya scream when you got her with it? Or how about Eslinkyr, did he?!”

 

“You never mentioned she’d gotten to friends of yours. I’m sorry to hear that, now why don’t you just let me take over?” Xander kept his voice low, trying to soothe her rage. She’d mentioned several horrible stories in the time they’d been together, watching a live demonstration just wasn’t high on his list.

 

“They weren’t friends exactly, not the way you and the others are. But they were worth something to me. They didn’t deserve what she did, nothing deserves that.”

 

Willow couldn’t stop shaking, but she took Anya’s hand anyway “I know a spell, it’s on the dark magic side of the equation, but I think it’ll satisfy everyone’s spirit.” Her face changed then, ”And I owe her for Oz.

 

“Not yet Willow, I have a few questions for that.” Giles gestured at Ligeia’s huddled form. “As soon as Oz’s friend finishes checking Buffy’s injuries, we’ll see about getting she and Oz to a hospital.

 

“Will, Oz is asking for you. Kai says he’s going to be fine, but she wants to get him and Buffy to the hospital.” Tara had screamed for both Rebecca and Kai, when Oz went down. He’d tried to assure all of them he was fine, after all the sword wasn’t silver, and it missed his heart. Neither Tara nor Willow had been inclined to agree, especially when you considered the fact that sword’s point had been meant for Tara. If Oz hadn’t leapt in front of her, the sword would have taken the blond witch’s head off. As it was he had been badly wounded, so Willow just nodded and after helping Xander tie Ligeia up, she hurried to Oz’s side. Tara trailing behind as usual. Cordelia had already snatched Rebecca away from Oz, shoving her into the room with Buffy as soon as the worst of the fighting passed.

 

“She’s pretty out of it, no broken bones that I can see, and her reflexes are good, but she’s lost a lot of blood, we need to call an ambulance.” Rebecca reported softly.

 

“Can we afford to wait that long?” Gunn’s voice was rough, he’d seen things that day he’d never thought possible. The girl on the table looked about half a step from death, she’d had what looked like a convulsion a while back, but she hadn’t moved since the fighting started again.

 

“He has a point, besides any ambulance driver’s going to ask questions, not to mention wanting to call the police. In all actuality we shouldn’t really take her to the hospital, not until we’re sure everything has been handled. Between the dead bodies and the property damage, there’s going to be a lot of questions we can’t answer, unless of course you think moving her ourselves will injure her further?” Wesley asked quietly.

 

“No, but she’s been...assaulted. I’m not sure how she’s going to react to people touching her. We’re not exactly familiar faces. At least the paramedics would be in uniform, we’re complete strangers and none of you are in any shape to carry her.”

 

“And then there’s the whole naked thing you’ve got going.” Xander pointed out quietly, “As for us not being able to carry her, I think that sitch has just been handled.”

 

They turned to see Angel kneeling beside the table, removing the last of Buffy’s bonds. Spike took off his duster, handing it to the other man. “Here mate, wrap this around her.”

 

“Thanks, Buff it’s me baby, I’m going to wrap something around you, then I’m going to pick you up okay?” He kept his eyes averted throughout, not looking at her until she was safely ensconced in his arms, “I’m taking her out of here, when you all get through chatting you can meet us at Joyce’s.”

 

“We’re just trying to determine the best course of action, Buffy needs medical attention.” Giles kept his voice gentle, trying not to upset anyone further.

 

“Oz’s friend is a doctor, she can check Buffy out. Right now I just want her away from this hellhole.” Angel replied as he headed for the door. Joyce and the other Scooby’s hurrying to catch up with him.

 

“Hey.”

 

“Hey yourself.” Willow wasn’t really surprised to find herself crying again. For one horrible second she’d thought Oz was gone, and all she’d been able to think about were the things still unsaid. *Not going to make that mistake twice.* “We’re going to get you and Buff to the hospital, okay?”

 

“If you want, I’ll be fine either way, one of the perks of the whole werewolf thing, anyway how’s Buffy?” He’d changed back shortly after he was injured, and one of the others had found a blanket to lay across him. He pulled it back to show her his wound was already healing.

 

“I don’t know, Rebecca was checking her over when Tara sent me out here. She’s not dead, but I suddenly understand that urge people talk about to kill someone. Buffy looks...she looks really bad, and that bitch needs to pay for it.”

 

“Willow Rosenberg, did you just use a bad word?” Oz had a little smile on his face, as he spoke.

 

“You know a better word? You haven’t seen her yet, she’s all broken looking and that thing hurt her right in front of us. And you’re hurt and it’s all her fault, she’s got to pay for what she did.” She was shaking with suppressed emotion and Oz took her hand gently.

 

“Baby, we’re okay. In a minute we’ll go home and everything will be fine. I promise, trust me?” Just as he finished speaking Angel strode past, Buffy in his arms. Kai jumped up and ran to catch up with him and the others.

 

“She needs to go to a hospital, but he won’t listen to me.” Rebecca snapped.

 

“I told you I’m taking her home, she hates hospitals. Besides she’s a Slayer, so she’s healing already, you’re a doctor you can check her out.” Angel whirled to face the tall black woman.

 

“He’s right, besides if she goes to a hospital in the shape she’s in now, whoever brings her in is getting arrested. “ Oz had hauled himself to more or less a standing position, leaning heavily on the wall. Willow helped him position himself, then ran over to Buffy and Angel.

 

“How about we take Buffy outside and lay her in the back of the van, Kai can check her out. I’ve got some St. John’s Wort for the cuts and some arnica for the bruises, and if Kai says she really needs a hospital, well, we’ll think of some story, all right?” She gave Angel her best puppy-dog look, his response was a small nod.

 

 

“Your lupa’s creams will help her friend, but you need to convince them that she’s going to need some  professional help. Some kind of counseling certainly, and regular HIV testing for at least the next two years, I can write her a scrip for emergency contraception, but...” The black woman’s face was calm, her eyes were a different story.

 

“You’re worried, you’d prefer a hospital and you’re thinking about how to kill the men in that house all over again.” Oz’s voice was calm, but his eyes told the same story. Angel had allowed Kai to check his girl over twice now, first in the van, and again at the house. That had been his first clear look at his friend’s wounds, he’d lost it for a minute, tried to kill Ligeia right there. Willow had to stand between them, pleading with him to snap out of it. Rebecca had been surprised by how fast the Slayer’s wounds were healing, but she still wasn’t convinced. Initially she’d argued for Buffy’s immediate admission to a hospital, but Buffy had regained consciousness just after the first exam, and croaked out a flat refusal. She’d only been awake for about five seconds, just long enough to insist on going home and to ask if Willow was okay, at Kai’s affirmative response she’d slipped away again. After they’d gotten back to the house, Kai and Willow had cleaned and dressed Buffy’s wounds, Angel standing guard outside the whole time. He hadn’t moved from her side since, he and Joyce keeping watch.

 

“That about covers it. I’ve never seen anything so twisted in my entire life.” She sighed, and flopped down next to Oz’s chair.

 

“Yes, speaking of which, where’s the puta we took out of that filthy place?” Maria asked from her perch on the side of the couch.

 

“She’s with Spike, he insisted on taking her back to his place. He said he can keep her locked up for a bit. Between Willow’s binding spell and Spike’s chains, she’s not going anywhere.” Giles responded.

 

“What are you going to do with her? I mean, since you didn’t just kill her outright? Which, and I’m kind of amazed I’m saying this, would have been my vote.” Xander asked.

 

“Mine too.” Oz murmured.

 

“Actually, that hasn’t been ruled out, we’re just waiting for Buffy to regain her full faculties. I believe having a say in the decision might aid her healing.” Giles explained.

 

“What about counseling? And getting tested, she needs medical attention Mr...”

 

“Giles, I’m Buffy’s watcher, and rest assured she will be getting medical attention. Ordinarily I would have agreed with you about her going into hospital immediately, but this is Sunnydale, and our hospital might not be the safest place for an injured Slayer. As soon as I’m sure Ligeia wasn’t working with any of Sunnydale’s other denizens, we’ll get Buffy to the hospital. In the interim, Buffy’s healing abilities should take care of the worst of it. Of course if her condition suddenly takes a turn for the worse, then we’ll take the risk. As for counseling, I know she’ll need it, as soon as she’s awake again I’ll ask her some questions and I’ll try to find her someone she’s comfortable with. How’s that?” He had taken his glasses off during his reply, now he put them back on, cocking his eyebrow questioningly.

 

“It’ll have to do.” Kai’s expression had calmed somewhat, and at the look on Oz’s face she shrugged and nodded her acquiescence.

 

“Umm...Oz, Willow and I w-wanted to talk t-to y-you.” Tara stammered from the doorway.

 

“Sure.” He rose slowly, his jaw tightening a little at the pain in his side.

 

“Oh, w-we don’t h-have to t-t-t-talk now, I didn’t m-mean f-f-for you to hurt yourself.” She was staring at the floor now, her fingers twisting the edge of her shirt nervously.

 

“No big, Kai told me I need to move around. It helps keep scar tissue from forming. Right?”

 

“Got it in one boss.” Her eyes were on Tara’s face, and for a second the blonde was almost sure she could hear her thinking *You owe him.*

 

“Sweetie, its mom can you hear me?” Joyce had just been sitting next to her daughter’s bed trying to ignore the man sitting across from her. Intellectually she knew he’d just saved her daughter’s life, but right now all she wanted was to carry Buffy away somewhere safe. Someplace where her baby wouldn’t always be the one getting hurt. Even though the doctor had already explained that Buffy’s condition was relatively speaking, better than should be expected, Joyce knew she wouldn’t feel better until her baby’s eyes were open.

 

“I think she’s asleep, her heart has settled down to about its usual rhythm.” Angel whispered.

 

“How do you know?...Oh, of course this is one of those things your kind can do isn’t it? Wonder how many times you were around when she was asleep?” She flung her hand up in a *stop* gesture, “Don’t answer that, I have a feeling the answer would disturb me beyond all rationality.”

 

“Alright, I just didn’t want you to worry if she didn’t respond right away. She’s always hated that, it’s one of the reasons she tried so hard to keep secrets from you. I remember taking her to buy body make-up to cover up a bunch of bruises once, she was so afraid of worrying you.” He took one of Buffy’s hands gently, “She was so scared you’d be upset, it would have been cute,...if it weren’t for the bruises. I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you this time baby, don’t worry though, I’m pretty sure we can find you some more make-up. Just be okay, please?”

 

Joyce watched Angel’s face as he spoke, his eyes were hollow and she noticed suddenly the large gash down the side of his shirt, “You really love her don’t you?”

 

“Of course. I’ve always...” He clutched Buffy’s hand a little tighter, “She means everything to me, if it hadn’t been for Buffy’s faith in me... I don’t know what I would have done. You know, she’s the only person I’ve ever met who truly believes I’m worth something.”

 

“Not anymore. You saved my baby, and I just realized why she was able to keep the truth from me for so long. You were always there to protect her, to make sure she came home in one piece. We used to argue about the difference between you and the demon, now I can see what she meant. If you’d been here, you would have done whatever you had to, to get her home safe. Oh god, I helped drive you away, and my baby paid for it. This is my fault...” Joyce was moaning now, clutching at the light blanket on her daughter’s bed.

 

“Shh, that’s not true and you know it. This isn’t your fault, the responsibility lies squarely on Ligeia’s shoulders.” He moved around the bed to hug the weeping woman, “An evil woman committed a horrible crime, okay?”

 

“But...”

 

“No buts, Buffy got hurt and someone is going to have to pay for that, but it’s not you. Now,” He helped Joyce stand, catching her as she reeled against him, “ Why don’t you go take a shower? Willow should be done by now, and with Cordelia and the other’s scattered between here, Giles’, and Oz’s house, this is probably your best chance at privacy. Besides I’m sure Dawn could use a break from Wesley, and the two of you could both use a little sleep.”

 

“I’m sure you’d love to get cleaned up too?” Joyce let Angel’s presence soothe her briefly before stepping back, she got a good look at his side as she did so. “You’ve got one hell of a nasty cut, God why didn’t you say something?! I’m going to get one of the medics to check you over!” He caught her arm before she made it to the door.

 

“It’ll be fine, it’s not very deep, besides werewolves usually don’t like spending too much time around me.”

 

“Oh, well how about I get you something to eat?” At his arched eyebrow she shrugged, “Spike has eaten in this house more than once, and I’ve gotten into the habit of watching bad soaps with him as well. There’s probably something in the fridge, if not I’m sure I can call the butcher and have something delivered.”

 

“If it wouldn’t be too much trouble?” He struggled to hide his feelings of shock at Joyce’s abrupt change in attitude towards him.

 

“None at all, I’ll even heat it up for you.” She opened the door, “Coming?”

 

“I’d rather just stay here for now, I’ll get something to eat later.”

 

“What about that cut?”

 

“My side will be fine soon enough.”

 

“I’m still going to send Giles up to take a look at it, and I’ll bring you a pillow too, sitting like that isn’t going to help that cut heal any faster.”

 

One look at her face convinced him this wasn’t an argument he could win, “Yes ma’am.” He replied softly, before returning to Buffy’s side.

 

“Where’s Will?” Oz queried, glancing around the small front hallway

 

“Oh, she’s upstairs taking a shower, she was feeling kind of icky.” Tara responded softly, her gaze drifting towards the stairs next to Oz. “I s-sort of lied, I’m r-really the one who had something to say.”

 

“What did you want to talk about?”

 

“I w-wanted to t-t-thank you for what you did. You saved my life, and I owe you for that.”

 

“Least I could do, after all I almost ate you, then I was a complete jackass last night. Way I see it, you don’t owe me anything.”

 

“Y-yeah I do, you could have died,...would have died if you weren’t a wolf. It was one the most selfless gestures I’ve ever seen.”

 

“It wasn’t like that at all, I didn’t think, I just reacted.”

 

“I didn’t mean it that way, I know you just reacted like the good person you are, that’s the worst part.” Tara gave a short bitter laugh, then said sharply, “But of course you’re a good guy, why else would Willow still be so wrapped up in your perfect Oz-ness?”

 

“Hunh? What are you talking about?” Oz responded, trying to figure out how Tara’s mood had swung so sharply.

 

“Oh, like you haven’t noticed? What am I saying?, of course you have! You’ve been working on her ever since you first got here!” Her voice rose, her voice suddenly laced with a mocking hint of venom “I’ll leave if you want, after I help rescue Buffy, Buffy, your very best friend, the only woman you’re willing to drop everything for. Not to mention all the times her friends mention you, especially Xander, her other very best all-important friend! Between him and his super-freak girlfriend, I never hear the end of how useful having a werewolf around was, not to mention their complete lack of interest in anything to do with my life! But I’ll bet they can’t wait to hear all about what’s been going on in yours!” The blond witch’s whole demeanor had changed, gone was the stammering, shy little wimp of a girl, in her place a very angry, very, very jealous woman stood.

 

“You know the whole green-eyed monster bit, it’s never really attractive, least of all on a true disturbo like you.” Xander’s voice was calm, but Oz could hear the contempt bleeding through, “To be honest, you’re not very attractive, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.”

 

“Oh look, it’s the homophobic peanut gallery! What a surprise!” Tara snapped.

 

“Xander’s not homophobic, if he doesn’t like you, chance’s are he’s got a good reason for it. I didn’t dislike you either, at least until about five seconds ago. Now, I’m thinking there’s a story here, one I’m probably not going to like.” Oz had kept silent during Tara’s tirade, mainly giving her time to get whatever she had to say off her chest. Now he moved to stand squarely between her and the stairs, some inner instinct warning him.

 

“Of course it’s my fault, none of you could ever be anything but perfect heroes! Never petty or mean, not even lonely, because you’ve always got each other.”

 

“Let me guess, here we go with the poor misunderstood Tara bit. ‘No one likes me Willow, let’s just hang out alone. What do you mean you want go by yourself? You can’t do that, if you leave I’ve got no life of my own!’ God, I’m sick of that one! I get so sick of you whining, you want to know why I don’t like you? Because you’re like a damn vampire, actually you’re worse, at least Angel had the courtesy to go away during the day! You’re always around, 24-7, if you’re looking for Willow it’s almost guaranteed you’ll find Tara!”

 

“Like you and Anya aren’t joined at the hip!” Willow’s voice was caustic, and everyone jumped in surprise.

 

“Hey.” Oz responded, he could smell the sweet freshness of clean Willow. Rather than embarrass himself by gawking or worse, he settled for sniffing the air and not turning to look at the beautiful red-head.

 

“What, are you people doing? Buffy’s upstairs trying to sleep, and from what I’ve heard of this little interlude, the rest of you could use a nap.”

 

“It’s not what you think...” Tara and Xander exclaimed simultaneously.

 

“No?, you and Tara aren’t out here sniping at each other, again... You’re not acting like two jealous, childish jerks. I’m tired of this little routine, and Oz, I’m shocked you’re participating in this little fiasco.”

 

“He’s not, Tara brought him out here to yell at him, and call me homophobic, you know her usual ‘I’m so insecure’ diatribe.”

 

“Oh, and you rushed out to defend him?”

 

“No, I was actually on my way to get food, this, “He gestured at Tara and Oz, “is just an added bonus.”