::OZ::Thinking With My Heart Again.

[Willow Danielle Rosenberg]

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Willow was out trying to get away for the house for a bit and get to know the town a little more. So she thought that doing some shopping might be a good idea, she had needed to pick up a few things for around the house. As she was waking looking at all the shops she came upon a Wiccan store called pathways. It wasn’t no magic box but it was a really good magic shop, best she seen in the town so far. She had needed to get herself a couple of things for some spells she wanted to try, so she decide to head on in the store to check it out. She was still trying to find away to help Angel, she told herself she wasn’t giving up.

Willow opened the door and headed in, the place was very lit up with bright colors “God I love this place!” Willow said as she looked around the store, “this place kind of reminds me of the one we had in Sunnydale, but still not as good but it will do.” She had not been to a good magic store since the one they had in Sunnydale, the one in Rome was ok but it wasn’t has big as this one was. She didn’t know were to look first for what she was looking for, because the turth was she still didn’t really know what this spell was going to need. But she had to try something, then she found a book that might help.

As Wiilow was standing there reading she felt something in the store, she wasn’t sure what it was but it had seemed like a familiar aura she had felt before. She peek over to see who else was in the store, so far she didn’t see anyone that she knew. But then Willow looked again and saw a man standing over by the register, he was a bit far away from were she was and with store being so big so she wasn’t she if she had knew him. She decided to walk closer to the were the man was, when she got closer Willow knew who it was. “Oz! oh my god! What are you doing here? I mean how have been?” Willow said in shock after seeing Oz, she had missed him after all this time and never though she would see him again.


Word Count- 403
Tagged- OZ
Outfit- Click to see Willow's Outfit.
Note-
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[daniel]

Oz had been in town a week or so. Well since his return anyways. Jordy had used up all his supplies. Or he had used them on Jordy his cousin as he tried to contain the little wolf monster. Now he needed to restock. The woman at the counter had been nice to him his first time through town. She had ordered up a bunch of rather rare herbs and promised to keep them in stock for him so long as he kept coming in to buy them. He picked through the bag she had set out before him and made idle conversation. The woman sniffed, as if slightly offended by him, then mentioned some of the rare herbs being hard to find and their uses being rather sinister. Mostly the Bracken Fern and flowers from the Tung Oil Tree. Both of which were highly poisonous and rarely used for anything but potions, and conjuring things best left alone. For him, when diluted into a tea with the rest of his brew, became toxins that subdued the wolf inside.

He shook his head, ”Not the way I use them.” As monosyllabic as ever he expressed his intentions. He wasn't about to go blathering to this woman about his condition, and how this was one of the few ways he could control it. It wouldn't do to worry her with knowing there were werewolves running about town. Then again as far as he knew he was the only one. He fingered the wolfsbane carefully, rifled through the edelweiss, and touched on the other exotic herbs. Content everything he needed was there he pulled out his wallet. “About 50 you said?” The woman nodded and he handed over the cash.

He gathered his things to leave, when he heard a familiar voice. He took a deep breath and a scent from the past filled his lungs like a caress. She might have changed perfume but his nose was better then it had been before he learned to control his shifting. He could smell her under it. His heart ached and he blinked at the sensation. He knew that voice, and she called his name. He lifted his bag and turned around blinking at Willow in surprise. He had heard she and Buffy were in mystic falls, well he had heard the slayer was and if Buffy was here Willow would not be far behind. He just hadn't expected to run into her so soon. He had planned to drop in on his terms at some point. Show her he was here and then get out of her way. Hell he didn't even know what he was doing here and that alone would be cause for suspicion.

This did not throw off his usual calm demeanor though. He flashed her a lopsided smile and shifted the bag to one arm. The distance was crossed quickly and he looked her over, taking in her new hairstyle, new clothes, new her. She was different but the same in the way a childhood haunt is different when you return. He was different too. He had a look of peace about him he hadn't had since he was bitten. He was more like the old Oz, but there was more too him then that. A clam that spread outwards from him.

Clipped sentences returned her sweet greeting, “Willow. Its good to see you too. I've been good. How about you? You look great.”

His eyes flashed to the shop keeper seeing her ear turned their way in hope for more information about her new patrons. He ignored it and turned his attention back to Willow. He would rather have this reunion somewhere private, but for now this would do. Willow obviously had intended to shop otherwise she wouldn't be here. He shifted the bag and strode forward to embrace her. He hadn't wanted to end it with Willow, a part of him still loved her more then it should. He would never push that want though, she was a lesbian now, or had been last time they parted. She had moved on even if he had lingered with the memory a while. He had once held grand notions of coming back in control and taking her back, but he knew, after he had met Terra, that would never happen. He was a dangerous creature, even if he could control himself. He knew better then to stick his nose where it didn't belong. That didn't stop him from breathing in her perfume before releasing her. Content at the momentary closeness and the relived memory.

[Willow Danielle Rosenberg]

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Willow still couldn’t believe it, Oz was really here in Mystic Falls. She really had actually really missed. They really had a close past, she remembers him being the only one she really could talk to about stuff. (Well Other then Tara) But he was the first that really got to know the real her, and that’s means a lot to Willow.“Thanks I have been doing Ok keeping busy you know how that goes with the gang.” Willow said with a giggle. She had wonder were Oz had been living, the last time she saw him was right before she had gotten with Tara. Which she knows had to have made Oz mad, but Willow was glad that she had gotten with Tara. She loved her so much, but she wishes it would have had to have been that way towards OZ.

Willow then wanted to know more about what was up with Oz, she had really missed him and hated the way they had to end. She looked at him with a cute smile and asked “ so what brings you to Mystic Falls? Are you going to be staying long because it would be great if you wanted to help out the gang again I know they all have missed you too. We all need to catch up.” She hoped that Oz was going to be there awhile, she really wanted to maybe catch and see how he was doing. It had been so long that they talked, she wonder if he really would want to help out the team again.

He really was great when he helped the gang. Willow will never forget how he stayed by her side when she was in the hospital when Angelus was loose, or stayed with her when they though it was going to be the last day on earth. He made her feel safe and that everything was going to be ok, which it was as they stand her now. Oz really was great to her when they were together, it was sad how it all had to fall apart. But maybe now they can really mend and tie back there friendship that they once had again.



Word Count- 370
Tagged- OZ
Outfit- Click to see Willow's Outfit.
Note-
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[daniel]

Oz had been many places on his quest to discover the solution. It was quite the story. He had seen high mountain temples in Tibet. He had walked through a great canyon of carved stone effigies in India. Priests, monks, enlightened souls, anyone who had knowledge and would take him for what he was. A werewolf. It was a hard life, but Oz was not an easily defeated person. He had striven for the best. Then something had pulled him here. It would show itself in time.

”No rest for a scooby.” He stuffed his free hand into his pocket shrugging to her statement. No need to be verbose after all.

He had never needed to and wasn't about to start. “I got a little room I'm renting.” He said rather noncommittally. It didn't make him sound like he was staying or going. He shifted the bag in his hands as he watched her placidly. He watched her ramble on in the way she always had. The moment was nastalgic, as if nothing had happened to either of them. They had been worlds apart, but she had been his first love and that feeling might never leave. He knew she had changed, they both had. A lot happens in just a couple years to people like them. People with gifts, and curses alike.

He wanted to tell her his story, but more then anything he wanted to hear hers. She worked in some crazy circles. Buffy found trouble like a bloodhound, and Willow was ever at her side. It used to worry him, but now he understood she could take care of herself. He had heard rumors of the slayers witch companion, a girl with red hair. Legends out of the mouths of people who knew about the slayers exploits.

“Sure I guess. I could help out.” Once again he gave another non-committal shrug. His eyes roamed the shelves a moment. “How about you grab what you came in for and we talk somewhere a bit more private.”

He was glad to see her, even if he didn't show it much. Oz had never exactly been one for showing wild gestures of emotion. Willow had seen the depth of him, and she was one of the lucky few. He had missed her, and he hoped he could get past lingering feelings. For now he would do his best to keep distant. He didn't know how these emotions would affect his control, nor did he intend to endanger her. Mind you he hadn't seen the full force of her powers at this point, and last she had seen him he had been rather, well not as good at controlling himself. He didn't want to frighten her.

“I heard about Sunnydale. Glad you guys made it out.” He mentioned realizing that warranted saying.

[Willow Danielle Rosenberg]

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"Yeah we dont sleep much that's for sure."It really was true no rest for them, nothing really has changed. The slayer Business wasn’t just a job it was there life, That they all were very well at especially Buffy but no surprise there. Willow had gotten Pretty good at herself and she didn’t always need stakes to do it. Her magic was so much more powerful now then it was then. Oz has no idea ether, won he be surprised when she tells him or shows him even. When they last talked she had just started getting into heavy magic with Tara, not to mention all the dark magic she got in to after losing Tara. But that’s not really a side that she needs to let oz see or know about ever.

Willow did really want to catch up on more with Oz, there was so much about her now that he didn’t know that she wanted to share with him. About how power full she was now, with up and downs with the gang, losing Tara and getting her back, or there epic end of the world battle with the Hell mouth. That might be something he might want to know about, he did help them fight the Hell mouth a dally bases back in the day. So he might really take interest to that. She loved getting to talk and share things with him, he really was a great friend with that. He would sit there and listen when Willow really needed someone, which was why she loved him so much.

“Yeah you so should help out that gang, it be just like old time. But yeah that sounds great lets find a place to get a bite and talk.” Willow begin to walk him out the door in to the direction to were they needed to head, there was a really great sandwich place down the street that she was taking him too. “So you have heard about the Sunnydale hun? Its so crazy that our home is gone isn’t it, I miss it everyday that goes by.”

Word Count- 350
Tagged- OZ
Outfit- Click to see Willow's Outfit.
Note-
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[daniel]

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”I know how that goes. Sleep isn't as easy as it used to be huh?” He still had nightmares, though he would never tell anyone, about the mayor and the hell mouth. It wasn't a good time, and it hadn't gotten any better. He had helped kill demons and vampires every stop along the way at some point. It was hard now he knew how to recognize them, and well he could smell them. Like the lingering smell of ash and death. It was hard to explain to anyone who didn't have the right sense of smell.

Oz followed her lazily shrugging again, ”Could be interesting. If they don't mind a new pet.” He joked once they were out the door. He held his own bag lazily. It was a nice day. The sun poured down on him and left him feeling lazy, not that that was new. He had never been a bolt about recklessly sort of a guy. It just wasn't his vibe. He didn't want to end up dead, which was a real problem for people like him.

There were perks to being a werewolf for the avoiding death thing. He healed faster, and when he shifted he was a good deal stronger and faster then a human. Yet he doubted he was immortal like the vampires. He might have some extended life span, but as far as he could tell he wasn't going to live forever. It didn't matter, in his eyes he had the better side of the coin. In exchange for a couple nights a month, which he weathered in a silver plated cage he had built in his van, he got sunlight, blood flowing, and all the joy of a soul. For whatever all that was worth. In his eyes he was doing alright at this point.

He wasn't at the whims of the world, like many of his kind. He knew how to avoid werewolf hunters and traps. He had even learned to shift mostly painlessly. Some of that came from the brew he had to drink every day, or the effects started to wear off. Not to mention the strict exorcize regime or the hours of meditation. There was a lot to keeping in check. More then he usually let on. He had to, or all his hard work would be lost. That was something he would avoid if at all possible.

He thought back to Sunnydale and all the horrible things that happened there. It had been wonderful, in it's own way. His problems were family born anyways, so he couldn't blame the place for turning him into a werewolf. Many of his memories were fond. Sure people had a habit of dieing, but it had been home for a good portion of his life. It felt so long ago now. He had spent so much time away, so long searching he had almost forgotten it, there were places that stuck firmly, but shop names were fading, and people he had only talked to in passing were fading.

”A bit.” He said carefully. ”Home for me has changed. I'm kind of a nomad you know.”

Besides. The hardest part of leaving Sunnydale had been leaving her, and knowing she wouldn't be there for him when he came back had made it easier to let the place go. His friends, well most of them, had made it out. That was all that mattered in the end. ”You stopped the end of the world, again. At least you're alive.”

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[Willow Danielle Rosenberg]

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It was the truth Sleep wasn’t easy to get at all anymore. But she didn’t mind she looks at it this way, she cant sleep when she is dead. Because with there life god only knows when that could be, with there life Willow’s last day could very well be tomorrow. Even though she really hopes its not, things have been getting so fun and exciting for her lately. First moving to a new town, helping train potentials and now Oz being back. What was going to happened next for them.

She laughed at Oz joke one thing she always loved and missed about him, his humor he always knew how to make her laugh. “Oz you know they don’t mind they all love you, and sure we need a pet in the house actually.” She said joking around back at him. “But really I’m sure its all good if you do, you know Buffy might not care if you even bunk there with us for a while. Do you need a place to stay?” She then wondered how he was controlling his wolf side these days, last he told her he was doing a lot better. “You know in the weapon room we do have cage if you need it. How are you doing with that anyway Oz?”

She remembers in those days how hard it really was for him, he hated how he was and wanted so badly to control it. But Willow didn’t mind helping and taking care of him, it really made her feel needed and she liked that. But she didn’t really like having to shoot and take him down, she could have really done with out that. Now it would be so much easier she could just put him to sleep with Magic, there would be no need for shooting him.

He then had said something about her stopping the world from ending, and by the sound of it he seemed happy that she was safe. “Yeah we all though we weren’t going to make it out , it wasn’t a easy fight. I had to awaken a bunch of Slayers and it was a real rush if I may say so, I loved that feeling of doing that. Buffy really was amazing in that fight or so I heard. But You not going to believe it when I say this but, Spike is a big part of why we are here as well.” She waited to see what Oz would say, while walking into the Restaurant.


Word Count- 425
Tagged- OZ
Outfit- Click to see Willow's Outfit.
Note-
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[daniel]

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Oz glanced down at his feet, watching his worn converse drift over the pavement. It had been a long time since he had just walked anywhere with anyone. Even while training his cousin there had been a lot of time in caves and other places he could contain a pubescent werewolf. The training had gone well enough despite that. Still it wasn't exactly a life of partying. He was just starting to consider getting a band together, if he could find enough members. Life was difficult but he had a feeling he would be here a while.

”Well I do shed a lot.” He returned with a small smile. He was usually rather neutral facial wise, but Willow could bring out his smiles at the worst of times. Well mostly, except where Zander had been concerned, but that was long past and forgiven. Things had changed since he had been a wounded high school boy. Change was the only constant in his life. Werewolves sort of got away without paying taxes so long as they flew under the radar.

He furrowed his brow at the idea, glancing back to Willow. Sure his current place wasn't that great, but it seemed to close. He didn't know if he would be welcome with the slayer for one, he had almost killed a bunch of people, because of Veruka, Willow included. Sure he could control it better, but what happens if someone upset him. He couldn't promise he wouldn't hurt someone. In his world, hurting someone, even a scratch was a big mistake. He didn't want anyone turning on his behalf. It was too much responsibility looking out for his own shifting ass much less someone else.

”I don't know. Weapons and the slayer, plus wolf me seems like a risky operation if you ask me.” He knew Buffy wouldn't hurt him without cause, or he hoped she wouldn't anyways. He just didn't know if he was ready, ”I'll look either way, want to say hi to the gang.” There was no avoiding that. If he didn't go visit Buffy would probably show up and break down his door. Literally.

”Spent all the money I made to get a cage silver plated, well all but the floor anyways. Just the underside of that. Wolf won't touch the sides. Let me tell you, you want to see weird looks, ask someone to silver plate a dog kennel.” He opened the door as they arrived and he stepped inside. The smell of food caused his stomach to rumble. He hadn't realized he was hungry until he arrived.

He paused however at her mention of Spike, ”We are talking about the same Spike right? Tall, blond, hell bent on killing Buffy?” He said it neutrally, however he had bad memories of Spike. That man had more issues then a sociopath and more anger then a bull. He couldn't imagine a situation that would ever put Spike on their side. However he had not seen much more then chipped Spike upon his last return. A vampire who couldn't bite.

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[Willow Danielle Rosenberg]

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Oz was still making Willow smile and giggle something she really needed right now, there had been so much stress in her life she almost forgot how to laugh or smile. “Well good news if you shed we have a maid that comes in every so often to clean. It will get taken care of don’t worry.” she was having so much fun right now joking and playing with Oz, it reminded her of old times back in the day hanging out together in school. When they would go to the bronze and Willow would be a big groupie for his band, those really were the days. She then begin to wonder if he was doing anything with Music at all anymore, or if he kept in touch with his band at all. “So Oz I’m just wounding do you still play music in a band, because when you were in a band you really were good, so I it would be a shame to hear if you didn’t anymore ya know?”

As they took a seat at the restaurant Willow could sense that for some reason It seemed as though Oz was really was unsure about staying at the house with them, which she didn’t know why he was safe with them no matter what he was and he should know that. “Look Oz I know the rest of the Gang would want you to stay with us, we have a room that’s not being used.” She then put her hand on Oz hand in a serious moment telling him. “Look I would really like it if you could stay but if you cant I understand.” The truth was she was getting tired of being alone she needed someone to talk to, it seemed here latly all the witch does is work. But trying to find the spell she was looking for wasn’t easy after all, it was taking a lot out of her. Buffy was always busy with Angel troubles, Dawn we getting use to collage, and Xander was back home. So really lately she had felt so alone with it all.

He then had told Willow about the cage that he had gotten for himself, which she couldn’t lie it did sound scary but a lot better then what he had before. “Wow you really aren’t messing around when it come to stuff like that anymore huh. I don’t think you know this but I’m a lot more powerful then I was back in the day. So maybe I can come up with some kind of a spell or herb that could help you tame it. That is if you want me too.” She wasn’t so sure how Oz felt about magic but if he wanted her to she would love to help him. He had seemed surprised when he heard that Spike had helped them out in saving the would, but it was the truth. “yeah that’s who I'm talking about, and he isn’t hell bent on killing her not anymore he is in love with her now.” She said waiting to see how shocked Oz would be, lord knows they all were. "But the good thing is he had a soul now so"

Word Count- 550
Tagged- OZ
Outfit- Click to see Willow's Outfit.
Note- Aww I'm loving this post with them, i never get to post with Oz. last one we had was you. They are so cute i think she has missed him
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[daniel]

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Oz followed her in grabbing a seat across from her. He placed the bag on the table beside him, not keen on forgetting his brew making supplies. It was minor magic, the sort gypsy's and shaman played with. Nothing more then a small potion. There wasn't even any chanting involved. Just combine in the right order with the right amounts and it worked, well almost. He still had no control at the full moon. Sure the wolf was docile, but that was because he had it drugged, heavily. He took sleeping pills before the shift, and had tried other things in the past none of them having any real effect but to make the wolf agitated and sleepy. When mixed with his brew mostly it slept.

His attention came back at her mention of the maid and he chuckled. He just shrugged and looked away. He still had trepidations about joining the scoobies. He was still a liability. Sure he was better, far better then before. Yet at the worst of times he was unpredictable. At the best, well he had three days a month he didn't play well with others. What if he hurt someone? It wasn't exactly a don't worry about it situation. What if he hurt any of them. God forbid he turn Buffy, that was something he never wanted to see. A slayer werewolf sounded like a creature horrible enough to haunt the nightmares of children and adults alike. He kept this thought to himself however.

The talk of music brought back the wordier Oz, the one who said about five words a minute instead of none, ”Yes, but not in a band. I am thinking about getting one together. You know, since Dingo Ate my Baby isn't exactly getting back together. Still have my old guitar. Not much other equipment though.”

He shrugged, a common gesture for him, and picked up the menu. He was hungry, which made most everything on the menu look appealing. Her return to the subject of his lodging caused his eyes to flick up to her over the top of his menu. His gaze was thoughtful. She seemed a little desperate. Maybe she was lonely. If anyone understood being Lonely it was him. Though his was for different reasons and was more self imposed. He didn't really think he belonged in normal society any more. He saw himself as outside it, as something that should be avoided. As such he had avoided relationships. He had made a few friends, but most of them were short lived, or remained in their foreign countries when he bid them farewell.

“I will think about it. For now I got a months payment on a room. I might take you up on the cage offer though. Could be nice to be in something a little bigger then my travel crate. I'll be sticking around here a while. Whatever the world has planned for me, it want's me here next.” He said in lazy tones. It was clear he was making a joke, though sometimes it was hard to tell. He was rather good at being dead pan, and he used it often.

He looked her over a moment. “I take it very seriously. Can't be to careful. I mean I get sick of me no need to risk more of this right?” He waved to himself nonchalantly. Another subtle jab at himself. It was a joke, but it was made in all seriousness. There was no need for more werewolves. His experiences had been varied and some of them had turned out very poorly. This condition was not one to be taken lightly. You had to respect that the animal you became was far more cunning, and far more dangerous then any regular woodland beast. It wanted one thing above all else, to hunt. If you understood this and took care of the beasts needs, it was calmer and more sedate. Which meant he felt safer around people now.

”As for herbs that is what I was doing in that shop.” He tapped the bag on the table knowingly, ”Still not quite right. You can look at my recipe. I have been making it myself with a bit of help.” Once again Oz the unphasable strikes again.

He cocked his head in reflection and then his eyebrows rose, just a little bit. For a moment he almost wore a genuinely shocked expression. However as quickly as it had come the fleeting moment passed and he returned to his mostly neutral norm, ”I guess that makes sense. He was always a little too obsessed with her. She is one hell of a woman after all. Good for him on the soul though.” And that was all it got.

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[Willow Danielle Rosenberg]

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Willow noticed his bag it seemed as though by the looks of things he had his whole life in there, it then made her worried to how long he been living out of it. Which made her want to give him a place to stay even more, but she knew Oz and she remember he was one who could take care of himself. Another she loved about him, she never really had to worry about him. He would worry more about her before worrying about himself, which to this days she still misses more then he will ever know.

She was happy to hear that he still was playing music, which was good he was so good at it. Plus she would love to come see him play again, it was so much fun when the gang would all go out. They don’t do much of that anymore, which was sad because they all really needed to more often. There are times when the gang would needs a break and just have some fun, especially Buffy, Willow knows that after a while Buffy needs to take a break for the slaying or she will go Crazy if she don’t. kind of like how she is now with Angel.

As for Willow she is use to not taking a break, she is use to working non stop, but that just how she works. She use to work at the magic box, go to collage, take care of Dawn and work her on magic with out even getting tired at all. So everything they were working on now was nothing to Willow, she could handle it all, at least that what she tried to make herself think."Well that's great to hear that you still do want to play music, i hope you never lose that part of you of wanting to play. And when you are back in a bad we will all be there cheering you on again." She said with a smile

It seemed as though Oz was doing fine when Willow offered everything to him, but that was him always ok taking care of things himself. “well I will let you know about the cage when I can, but remember if you ever need a place the offer will always be there for ya, ok.” The red head said with a smile. She felt bad it was almost like he was to sacred of endangering the gang, which was why he couldn’t stay with them. But she knew how Oz was and there was no way of changing his mind.
He was really worried about hurting others it seemed, which she really couldn’t blame him she would be the same way if it was her. All though she didn’t know why he was so worried, he never got the really hurt anyone. Well he never really got the chance. He did how ever get the chance to hurt Willow’s heart. He left her for another werewolf which killed her, she loved him more then anything she hated having to go threw that. Knowing the man she loved more then anyone had been with another. But she could really get mad she was no better and had done the same to him. She just hopes now they can mend things and be close again.

He also begin to tell her about what he was using to help him stop changing, he pulled it out showing it too her. “Wow Oz recipes these that you are using are really good. But still there might be a few thing I can give you to make it stronger if you like?” She love getting to help him with this, now that she was a powerful witch she didn’t feel so small and useless like she was back in school. As she sat there she wondered what he though about that as well, if he noticed and liked the new Willow. She was sure that he had noticed after all in school he noticed her more then anyone else did, which she will always be grateful to him for.

Word Count- 690
Tagged- OZ
Outfit- Click to see Willow's Outfit.
Note-I hope it ok i was really out of it when i wrote this, man i need more sleep LOL
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[daniel]

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Oz was assessing himself, assessing her, trying to focus on the room around him, his breathing. It was all quite a lot to handle. He nodded lazily to her comment on music. That part of him was the part that never would die. Most people had passions for normal things, like baking, or running, or working. He had always found he was at his best when he was playing music. He could think clearer with a guitar in his hands and the familiar strings beneath his fingers. It was how he had survived high school, even if he had been too smart for his class. What with being turned into a werewolf, and then flunking the semester due to scoobie activities. Well music had saved him. He had played a lot on his travels, writing songs in the dead of night, alone in the middle of a forest. He somewhat missed it, but the solitude and loneliness had been unbearable. Even for him.

He nodded, ”Well we will see when my month is up alright?” He didn't want to give her a definite no. After all she had been so very good to him. Then again he had been just as good to her. She had been his first real love. Sure he had girlfriends before them, but they were all... well a little vapid in his opinion. He was a smart guy, and he liked his women that way too. Unfortunately too many women were too busy fusing with their appearances to think about anything else. Well other then boys and that was another thing he could care less about. He liked to talk philosophy and listen to a brilliant woman speak her mind. The eloquence was music in it's own way.

He ordered his food when the waitress came, careful to pause the conversation for a moment until she was out of earshot. He wasn't always such a private man. Well people had always seen him that way because he did not talk much. Now there were so many things he shouldn't be shouting about that he found himself even more tight lipped. He was cautious of people he would have ignored what felt like ages ago. In reality only a few years had passed, but he had spent so much time away it felt like an eternity.

A part of him wanted to reach out and touch her red hair, to let it pool through his fingers as it once had. He had vivid memories of them together. In fact she was the last real relationship he had had. There wasn't exactly a guide book with how to hold a relationship with a normal woman. How did you even breech the subject. 'Hi honey. I am a werewolf. Now if you don't mind lets get dirty.' It didn't exactly set the right tone. Besides, Oz had never been the sort to sleep around, even for company. There had to be something there, a spark that told him it was right. He was in the rare few who believed in making love, not fucking around.

He glanced her over, drinking in the new Willow as he put thoughts of touching her to rest. It was not the time or the place for such thoughts. At this point he couldn't tell if they were just memories making him antsy, a need for companionship after so long alone, or simply a need for closure. He didn't want to find out at the expense of his friendship with Willow, so he would keep his distance. ”It seems like you have been studying, but whats new right?”

He smiled somewhat sadly at her. A smile that spoke of shared moments, and stolen kisses in a distant past. They weren't the same people anymore, but that hopeful boy, and that timid girl would always remain in his thoughts. There had been moments, her and Xander to be frank was one of the worst, but he had made it up in kind with Varuka, even if he hadn't meant to. He had been in the thrall of the moon, and she was in love with the wolf. It had been more her then him, but he had, at the time, wanted it. He couldn't help it. It was why he avoided female werewolves. Not all the women of his 'breed' were crazy, but it wasn't worth risking his hard won control. ”It would be great if you could. We could look into it when I come up by your place to say hay. I have aspirations of being a well trained wolf.”

He paused a moment, letting his gray eyes capture hers carefully. He wanted her to look him in the eye, he knew she used to have trouble lying to his face. Heaven knows with this knew Willow but he could hope that hadn't changed, "Are you doing alright Will? Hows life been, really?"

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[Willow Danielle Rosenberg]

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Willow was more happy right now then she had been in a long long time, so far it seemed like the group was on the right track, Angel was back with them, and now Willow first love was back safe and sound. Things for once were really starting to look up to the witch. She just hoped that they strayed that way she would hate to jinx’s it because of what she had just said. With there luck she probably just did. So she begin to knock on the wooded table they were sitting at for luck, she knew that she had to look nuts to him. “Sometimes I just like knocking on the table, in case you are wondering that is.” She said with a smile.

Willow ordered her food shortly after he did, she was feeling like something light and not to heavy. So she order and Salad and a glass of water, plus for some reason being a around Oz had put butterflies in her stomach. So she though it be best to eat something light for now. She didn’t know why it must have been because of how happy she was hanging with him now, or because of how much she had missed him. It made her wonder if she did indeed still have feelings for Oz. But she couldn’t let him see that she didn’t even know what he was feeling right now. With how well he was doing she was pretty sure he was done and over her. Could she blame him though last she saw him she blew him off pretty much, which she really was sorry for. She couldn’t help what had happened with Tara or how she felt it just happened.

She really wishes he would have never let in the first place, she wanted him so much to stay and not go. Even after what happened she wanted him to be in her life, and maybe just maybe they would have worked on them again. But she knew Oz needed time to after everything and she couldn’t really could blame him or get mad if he wouldn’t stay.

Oz was right all Willow did was study, but it kept her mind busy and off of things. “Yeah I do study a lot, I cant help it what I love to do it keeps me busy. I feel to the more I study the more I learn, and the more I learn the more I advance my magic.” She said with a big smile. She couldn’t lie her magic was really something she did indeed loved. “When you come by I will show you some of what I have leaned since you last saw me, and by the way I cant wait for you to see the house is so epic.”

Oz then asked the big question on how she was doing, she guessed ok even though things really have been stress full and hard. With all of this sometimes she feels like scramming with it all. But she really didn’t want to talk about all that, this was a happy day not a sad one. “Since I last saw you I have been doing ok, it been a crazy ride though that’s for sure. But life’s been good I guess, living in Rome, getting better in magic and helping take care of slayers with Buffy I cant complain.” She really was skipping a lot though, she failed to tell Oz about losing Tara and turning dark with it all. But her being that way isn’t a side she wants him to know about her, ever. Right now she really wanted to know more about him, she really had missed im so. “So Oz after I last saw you what have you been up to? I really worryed for you after you left.”

Word Count- 650
Tagged- OZ
Outfit- Click to see Willow's Outfit.
Note-I hope it ok i was really out of it when i wrote this, man i need more sleep LOL
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[daniel]

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Oz smiled at her little idiosyncrasies. He knew her habits, even now. She had been something he had thought about a lot in the first year he was gone. He knew when she even thought of something that might be bad she knocked on wood. She forgot how close they had been if she thought he didn't understand the gesture, but he let her believe he had no idea what was going on. ”Who knows maybe one will answer one of these days.” He said playfully.

He didn't blame her for Tera. He had made peace with it. There was a part of him that couldn't forgive her for abandoning him like that. He had been faithful, not that there had been many women along his journey, and she had given up on him. He resented it on some deep level. He knew it was childish. She didn't know if he would ever be coming back and h couldn't feel bad she had gone off to find love elsewhere. It had scared his heart, and it still held the hole she left. He had never been brave enough to fill it. Not after he saw what jealousy could make him do. He didn't want that again. It hadn't been worth the risk. Varuca had turned him against other female werewolves so he had been stuck. Afraid to approach normal women, afraid to turn to his own kind, and as such he never really got over the witch.

He had had to go. It was clear he wasn't ready to be around such stress. He couldn't stand himself if he had hurt or turned any of them. Simple fact. It would have killed him. There were too many close calls. Too many times he had almost hurt someone. He felt the animal stir at the memories. One thing that he remembered, that filtered through the fog of darkness, had been Willows voice, softly reading Call of the Wild to him, well minus the parts about rabbits. She had always skipped those. In the early days it had been her voice telling him that story that had held his control long enough to shift back. It was no longer a fond memory, just a bitter sweet one.

”How about tomorrow night?” He asked suddenly. He didn't mean to sound over eager, but he wanted to get it all over with. He didn't want people tracking him down separately and asking him how he had been doing over and over. It would be better to explain it once. He didn't like repeating himself more then was necessary.

”I was in rome for a while. Didn't work out the way I hoped.” He said with a slight scowl, showing it had probably gone quite badly indeed. He had lost his control when a man tried to mug him just outside a small town. He had shifted, chased the man half way through the city, mauled half a flock of sheep, and terrorized the town. By the time he came too, someone had called in a hunter. He had fled in shame, and didn't stop fleeing until he was halfway through Germany. Thankfully no one had died except a few sheep, but it had not been a high point on his adventures. ”Wait slayers? More then Faith?” He sure had missed a lot.

He took a moment to collect his thoughts, wondering where to start. ”Well I went back to Tibet, but the man who had trained me had moved on, so I did to. Went all over the place looking for a cure, or a way to control myself again. China had some great potions, and I met a man who taught me self control.” Not that Oz needed much more of that, ”It was a wild ride, but I'm alive right?” For such an epic adventure he sure could summarize it quite nicely into a few sentences and nothing more.

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[Willow Danielle Rosenberg]

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She couldn’t lie the day she said good bye to Oz she wondered shortly after what he would be doing, she worried about whether or not he was hurt, crying, mad or do something dumb for that matter. She was with Tara spending there first night together which yeah was great and over the stars kind of love, but for some reason that whole time she still couldn’t quit thinking about him. She did days after that even, a part of her even wanted him to show up saying he couldn’t take it without her. But at sametime she was happy he didn’t, because then she would be stuck between the two. As much as Willow did love Tara she still very much did love Oz. She couldn’t help it though, there was just something that she felt when she was with him. A feeling she never gets from anyone else.

He then had asked her about coming over that following day, which she knew the gang was going to be so happy about. They are going to love to see Oz after all this time that had passed. “Yeah that sounds great! You can come over for dinner how does that sound?” she said with so much excitement in her voice knowing she might want to keep it down. “I think Buffy, Giles, and yes Spike would love to have you. You Know Angel and Kathy might even come over as well, I sure Angel would like to see you again. Last I checked you to got along well, I mean you did help him with that whole Gem thing that you had to bring him right?” That whole thing really was crazy, Spike wanted that thing so bad it caused a real pain for poor Buffy. But thank god those bad soulless Spike days are over, at lest for now. With there luck who knows really.

Willow was a bit sad to hear that he was in Rome and she didn’t even know it, she would have loved to have seen him. “I wish I would have known you were in Rome, we could have done something. I got board sometimes.” He then seemed a bit shocked to hear that they were more Slayers then just Buffy and Faith. “But yeah after the whole thing taking on the first, I activated something that awoken all of the Slayers in the world that could be and now they are. Now instead of waiting for the next Slayer to stand down, they just do as well and help.” It really was wild there being all these Slayers but at the sometime it really is cool. You think Buffy would feel sometimes she could take a break but nothing there had changed, now she just has more help. But she still Slays her tail off.

Willow was amazed to hear all that Oz had done, a part of her wished she could have shared it with him. It would have been a really great experience. Learning how to take control in something really is a great feeling, she would know. “Well I did some learning in control myself, I went off with Giles for a while in London to learn some control in magic.” She talked before she thought knowing she was going to have to tell Oz why she went there, something she was trying to avoid doing but she knew it had to come out at some point. She could lie to Oz forever she cared about him to much too.


Word Count- 595
Tagged- OZ
Outfit- Click to see Willow's Outfit.
Note-
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