Superhero3

“Here’s something for you to sleep in.” Oz tossed an oversized black t-shirt at Willow, “Have a good night.” He turned to leave, trying to force his mind away from images of Willow’s naked body. Her voice when she spoke caught him off guard.

“I’m not ready to go to sleep yet.” She rolled her neck in an effort to relax. “Actually I think I’m hungry.”

“I’ll fix you something, then you need to get some sleep, it’s been a long day.”

“I told you, we can talk in the morning. I’ll get your food, you’ll get some sleep, and we’ll talk in the morning.” The note of command was clear in his voice.

“Like?” He clenched his fists, trying to control his temper. *She always picks the worst damn times to be curious.*

“I need to know a few things, like where this new attitude of yours is coming from.” She was angry again, he was back to treating her like a child, and it was really pissing her off.

“This whole ‘Leader of the Pack’ thing you’ve got going. It’s not really like you.”

“I am the leader of a pack, my pack.” He took a couple of deep breaths, “This is me, I told you, and things have happened that necessitated a few changes in my life.”

“Well, I’m not part of your pack. Nor is my whole identity tied up in being with you, I happen to have been through some changes as well!” She stalked towards him suddenly enraged by his high-handed manner towards her. “I’m not the little girl that was so shell-shocked by your attention, I was willing to do anything to keep it. I loved you with everything I had and you left me! Not a word for months, then you show up, not because you’d finally gotten the wolf under control and could be with me, no, because Cordelia called you! Now you’re treating me like a child, a disobedient one at that! I deserve some answers!”

He whipped around, closing the small distance between them quickly, “You were hurt? You want answers! Oh boy, the sky must be a lovely color in your world. I left to protect you, I keep telling you that. Do you know why the wolf lunged at you after Veruca was dead? Would you like to guess? It was going to bite you, not to kill you, oh no, it would have turned you right there! No more stress, no more lonely nights, just the two of us. The same thing happened when I finally came back, it wants its mate, and there’s only one way for that to work.” He grabbed her shoulders, ready to shake some sense into her, “Instead because I love you, I set myself up for some continuous fucking pain. I leave, and get to dream about you every night, then when I think I’ve finally figured out a way for us to be together, I come back and find you with someone else! So, I leave again because above all else I want you to be happy and safe. So this time, I come back and the sight of you makes me crazy, but I don’t push it, I get myself under control and I make up my mind to leave if you want me to. Never mind the fact that it’ll tear my heart out, never mind the fact that there’s never going to be anyone else for me. You’ll be happy. I let you bring Tara into my house, and even after she’s out of the picture, I find myself saying I’ll accept you being with someone else. Cause hey, you’re bi and I wouldn’t want to deny you anything. So, I’ll swallow a little more pain, and I’ll try to ignore the fact that once again I’m not enough for you!” He dropped her abruptly, too lost in his pain to notice that he was crying.

“I never...oh please don’t cry, you never cry.” She guided him to a seat on the bed, pulling him into an awkward hug, “I’m sorry, I never thought about it that way. It’s okay...shh...I’m so sorry.” She stroked his hair gently, waiting for the storm to subside. When he finally raised his eyes to hers, she said softly, “I’m going to go downstairs and scrounge up some food, you’re going to take a shower and get calmed down, Then, we’re going to discuss this whole self-sacrificing thought process you’ve got going. ‘Kay”

Oz nodded and forced himself to let go of Willow’s waist, already resigning himself to being tossed out of her life again. His eyes flickered once in pain, then he pushed the feeling away. “Fine.” He decided to allow himself one last look at her, before he let her go for the last time.

Willow saw the expression on his face, and knew she had to make her choice. Oddly enough, it was easier than she’d expected. * I will always love this man, I have been in love with him for years. I can’t ask him to spend the rest of his life alone, not when it would be so easy to make both of us happy.* She took a deep breath, ready to face her fear. “Will it hurt?”

“Will what hurt?” Oz stared at her, he’d missed something in the few seconds he’d spent standing there watching her beautiful face.

“The bite, will it hurt? I mean, we never really talked about it, I know you said the change itself hurts at least a little bit. But we never really talked about the biting, does it have to be deep?, or just a little nick?”

“Umm, I’m lost here. How did we get to this point?” He refused to allow himself to believe she meant what he wanted her to. “I thought...you just said...”

“I asked if the bite will hurt, I’m not really good with pain. You know that.” She watched his face change, the stunned expression gradually giving way to hope.

“You sure? I mean...this is a big step. There’s no going back, you should really think about this.”

“I have, and I made my decision. If it’ll make you feel better, we can wait, I’ll even tell the gang. Xander’s head might explode, but I think the others will understand, especially Buffy. I’ll even give Giles time to have a research party. But, I know the only way for this to work is if I’m a wolf too. I want us to be together, besides it would be nice to go on patrol with Buffy and actually be able to really fight.” Her eyes clouded momentarily, “I can stay here can’t I? I don’t have to move to...where have you been living?”

“Santa Monica mostly, though I drive up to the mountains periodically to cut loose. I can work from here just as easily.” He shrugged, “Most of my clients communicate by phone or e-mail anyway.”

“I design software for small businesses, it’s fun and I can arrange my schedule around the moon. Most of the pack live elsewhere anyway, we usually only get together to hunt.”

“That’s going to be weird, I’m not really a bloodthirsty kinda gal.” She cocked her head to the side, “I guess I’ll get used to it.”

He shrugged, “It’s not a requirement. I’d like you to discuss it with the others. But, only if it’s what you want?”

“I want this, I want you.” She pulled Oz back down on the bed, “Stop trying to talk me out of it.” Clapping her hands once she said, “Now, food is also something I want. I’ll be right back.”

He flopped back on the bed, listening distantly to the sounds of his mate moving through the house. He grinned at the thought of the words. *My mate, mine.* He jumped up, deciding a quick shower was indeed necessary. Relaxing under the warm spray he allowed his mind to drift, towards happy thoughts of the life they would have together.

//”Toy, you’re not behaving properly. We are growing tired of instructing you in the same lessons.” She spun in a circle, looking for something new to hurt me with. “Ah-ha. You’ve got such pretty skin on your back. Have you ever felt the whip? Don’t bother answering, I know you’re a naughty, spoiled toy. Angelus should have broken you properly when he had the chance,” She’s smiling now pleased, “We’ll enjoy teaching you the joys of pleasing your owners.”

CRACK! CRACK! It goes on forever, my voice is gone, so when I try to scream nothing comes out. Eventually her arm gets tired or maybe she’s just bored. “We grow weary of your insolence. Perhaps something else is in order,” She claps her hands and I know what’s coming. “Boys, come greet your new playmate.” I can barely see, one of the times she beat me must have done something to my sight. It’s probably a good thing, if she’s bringing the men in, I’m about to get hurt bad.

“Bring the trainer, she refuses to learn her lesson the easy way.” Something new is being pushed in, I can hear the wheels. A second or two later, I feel my arms being unhooked from the manacles, at least I think I do. One of my shoulders is dislocated so my arms are numb, a fact someone notices, there’s a moment of truly horrible pain, but the feeling is back in my hand. I’m being strapped to a flat surface, my legs spread eagle, and my arms at my sides.

“This is what happens to bad toys, all the other toys have to punish them.” It isn’t until the first one grabs my thighs and slams into me, that I find the voice to scream.//

“Xander, can we go?” Anya rose to her feet, tugging at his hand when he didn’t move. “I’m ready for sleep, and you’ve been sad long enough.”

“I’m not sad, I’m depressed, there is a difference.” He ignored her tugging, content for the moment to sit and drink his feelings away.

Buffy’s scream tore him out of his reverie, he scrambled to his feet, racing for the stairs. Angel made it first, shoving him aside in the process. “Damn it, watch where you’re going!” He snapped at Angel, charging up the stairs after the larger man, intent on helping comfort his friend. He made it to Buffy’s door a few minutes after Angel, Cordelia on his heels.

“You need to go look after your girlfriend, we can take care of this.” She shoved past him, her fingers on the doorknob.

He snorted in response, disdain clear in his voice “You don’t give a damn about Buffy, none of you know her like Will and me. So get off your high horse, and get out of my way!” He made to move past her, but she opened the door first.

And was met by a pair of feral yellow eyes, a loud growl a moment later convincing her and Xander to shut the door quickly, and back away. A quick glance at each others frightened faces, and they moved toward the stairs in unison. “ Or not, I guess we’re not necessary after all.” She shot Xander a look, “I heard that Queen C crack by the way, I’ll think of something rude to call you later.”

“Take your time, I’m sure it’ll come at the most embarrassing moment possible.” As they walked back into the living room he glanced around, “I thought Anya was ready to leave, I guess she changed her mind.” He flopped back into his regular chair, surprised when Cordelia snatched his beer away before he could pick it up. “Give that back.” He lunged forward only to have Cordelia dance out of the way. “What? You thought of something rude to say?”

He shrugged, “I’ll talk to her in a minute, I just want to finish my beer, and then we’ll go home.” At the look on her face he sighed, “I know she’s pissed at me, we’ll have a whole little argument about it later. Trust me, she’ll nag me about it for about an hour after I drive her home.” He pulled out his car keys, waving them at her half-heartedly, “Not a part of the night I’m looking forward to.”

Cordelia rolled her eyes, suppressing a sudden urge to hit Xander with the beer bottle. “Anya already left, and since you’ve got those, I’m guessing she’s on foot. Wanna lay odds on how far she gets? I’m guessing three blocks, but with Buffy laid up it might be less.”

“What?! Eight shades of troll hell! I warned her about that.” He jumped up and ran out the door, seconds later a car engine could be heard.

“And you’re still a white knight. Hope you get to her in time.” She whispered softly to his back.

“So are you.” Giles spoke up from the doorway. “Helping Anya teach Xander a lesson, I’m proud.”

“Don’t be, I think it was a stupid idea. She could get herself hurt, all to make a point.” Cordelia shook her head in disgust, “Xander brings out the idiot in every woman he meets.” She glanced at Giles face, “How’d the whole creepy scene in the kitchen turn out?”

“Spike swears Angel still has his soul, but his behavior towards him suggests he’s frightened. When I questioned him about it, he made reference to some deal they had. One Spike apparently broke, unfortunately I have no idea what effect that and the other events you mentioned are having on him.”

“And the curse? I mean at first I thought he’d adjust, no Buffy, no problem, but now I think the stress is getting to him. Both of them actually, the stuff I felt while I was in Buffy’s head isn’t exactly boding well for her mental health either, we need to figure out a way to fix that.”

“I see you’ve changed quite a bit since you’ve been in L.A.” Giles took a deep breath, “You’ve become a very caring individual.”

“Not really, I’m just better about dealing with my inner bitch.” She yawned and stretched, “God I’m exhausted. I should have caught a ride with Xander.”

“Stupid males, I should have taken D’Hoffryn up on his offer. I could really have made Xander suffer then. Lousy, unfaithful, man! Ooh, when he comes home I’m going to get him, wait better yet, I won’t go home. Let him be the worried one for once, that’ll teach him to ignore me, I’m his orgasm buddy, but she’s the one he pays attention to.” She was so busy ranting to herself she didn’t notice the figure strolling up behind her.

“Out a little late aren’t we? I mean, this is Sunnydale, and you’re not exactly the Slayer.” Anya spun around at the sound of an unfamiliar female voice. “Then again, I can kick her butt too.” A tall blonde woman, in a red silk sheath and spike heels stood there smiling at her.

“Glory?” She started backing away, trying to think of someplace to run to.

“That would be me, in all my wonderfulness. Now, I promised the Slayer a present. I was thinking her mom or maybe the Watcher. But a girl’s gotta kill what a girl’s gotta kill. Be a dear and don’t run,” She gestured at her feet. “These shoes are new and I’d be really pissed if I broke a heel.” She advanced slowly towards Anya, “It’ll only hurt for a minute, if you tell me where my key is I won’t have to kill you. At least not right away, of course if you lie to me, I’ll have to come back and kill you...slowly.”