Found

Dawn headed out to stay with her friend for the day. The last thing she wanted to do on a beautiful summer day is sit around reading out of books. Homework was for school, and she was on summer vacation. She told the gang goodbye and ran down the street to Janice’s.

Willow went with Oz in his van, while Buffy and Giles took the back seat in Xander’s car. Anya held the donuts on her lap, vowing to not open the box until they all reached the Magic Box. The fighting over the jelly donuts would just have to wait.

“Oz sure has good timing, eh Buff?” Xander asked as he pulled into the street heading towards downtown Sunnydale.

“Do you think Willow will no longer be gay?” Asked Anya. “I mean, she enjoys sex with women now, right?”

“Thanks for the visual.” Xander said with arched brow.

“That’s enough.” Scolded Giles, as he rolled his eyes. He faced out his window, and began to smile when Buffy began to play footsies with him.

“Well, I for one thinks it’s great that Oz is back. He’ll be good for Willow. She could use someone in a couply fashion….I mean….she’s seemed lonely, and especially with everything that has happened with Tara.” Buffy pondered. “Any time would have been good timing for Oz. They both really cared for each other. Maybe they are meant to be.” She glanced at Giles, caught his eye, and he smiled back at her before resuming his gaze out the window. She wondered what was so interesting out there.

“No one has answered me.” Anya blurted out. “Is Willow still gay, or not?”

“Anya, honey, it’s not that kind of decision for Willow, I think. It’s not like a faucet you just turn off or on or anything.”

“Well, I’m confused. I hate being confused.” Anya fiddled with the top of the donut box and sulked.

Buffy decided to try and answer. “Well, Willow once told me that it wasn’t about an orientation or anything…it was just about the person. Willow did love Oz, and she most definitely loved Tara. It wasn’t a female/male thing or a female/female thing I don’t think. It was just the person she fell in love with. Love is like that. You don’t necessarily make the choice. It just happens. Love crosses all bonds. I mean, look at you two. Anya, you were a demon, and Xander…well, you’re just Xander. But you love each other, even if you won’t admit it.” This was turning out to be quite a speech for the Buffster, but she felt all these truths becoming clearer and clearer. “Love usurps everything, including genders. And differences in ages.” She added, glancing down at her and Giles entangled feet.

“Yeah,” said Xander. “Like you and Angel. He was a vampire, and a century or so older than you. That must have been true love.”

Buffy started. That was not what she meant at all. She looked at Giles but could only see the back of his head as he still looked only out at the passing scenery. His foot had stilled beneath her’s however.

“Angel is my past. That is over. And I was very young then.” She didn’t know what else to say, but she wanted to reassure Giles. She took her hand and placed it on Giles’ knee. He kept his face down, but looked at her hand upon him. “A lot has happened since then, and I’ve grown up a lot. I’ve changed for the better, and realized what and who is important to me.”

The Magic Box was coming into sight and Xander pulled into a parking space out front. Oz parked the van right behind them.

Anya opened her door to emerge from the car. “I still don’t understand any of you humans. I hope Willow has plenty of sex with that Oz though. She needs sex.” She said, as blunt as ever.

As Xander climbed out of the car Buffy squeezed Giles knee and he turned his face to look up at her. “I do love you,” she said softly. He smiled at her. “I know. And I love you too. And the jelly donut is mine!” She laughed as they got out and walked over to enter the shop.

Willow and Oz walked over, but Buffy pulled her best friend aside. “Well? How is it going? Are you okay?”

Willow coyly smiled as she watched Oz holding the door open for her. “I’m good. It’s all good.”

“Details,” Buffy whispered as she entered behind Willow. “I want details later girl!”

As soon as they all entered, they knew instantly that something wasn’t right. The door to the training room gaped open, and a song was playing on the radio player.

“Where is everyone? And that’s my CD player going on in back.” Xander slowly walked into the training room, reached down, and quieted the music player. It was eerily quiet.

“This isn’t good.” Buffy said, and glanced at Giles. “Where are they? Where is everyone?”

Willow ran back into the apartment and looked around. The suitcases had been unpacked, and everything looked clean and orderly. However, it looked like to Willow that the beds had never been slept in at a

“

“Hey guys. I don’t think they slept here. This is bad, very bad. I feel it.”

There didn’t seem to be any signs of a struggle.

“I thought Spike was watching them? Where is he?” Buffy knew he wouldn’t have just abandoned his post. “Something must have happened to them.”

Giles was beginning to panic. He ran out to the shop and looked at one of the bookshelves. They had hidden Sulu’s book amongst the other dusty volumes shelved there. It was still there. He pulled it out with some relief. “It’s still here.”

“Well, that’s one good thing then.” Said Buffy. The gang all sat down around the table to try and figure out what had happened. What were they going to do next?

Oz looked around at the faces of his troubled friends. “Willow, can’t you do one of those locator spells or something like you used to do? Couldn’t you find them that way?”

All eyes turned towards her. “I guess so…I could try. It’s just that, I get scared when I use the magic now.”

“Yeah, “ said Xander to Oz. “You didn’t see her. Big time scary evil. And Veiny. Not fun.”

Oz looked at his ex and smiled. “I know you can do it. We’re all here for you. I only know what you told me in the van about this Deidra, but that was enough to know you need to find her.”

Willow took a deep breath.

“Yes, Willow. You can do it. We believe in you.” Buffy got up and hugged her friend. “Deidra needs you now. She needs us. We can’t fail her. I know you’ll find her.”

“Ok. Ok. I’ll do it.” She put on her resolve face and concentrated. The group watched her closely, and tensed, trying to prepare themselves for anything. The donuts sat on the table, untouched by all.

TBC