A Wolf & His Mate

Title: A Wolf & His Mate

Part Four-A

Author: Tygerlily

Angelusblood@yahoo.com

*//Flashbacks// {Dreams} ~Thoughts~


*Riley and Buffy aren’t together in my world in fact Riley isn’t even present. Also Buffy and Riley never slept together


PART 4a -- BRONZE CHAOS AND ESPRESSO PUMP FUN!


*-----*
Buffy's POV
*-----*

As I came out into the living room I saw Oz waiting on the couch looking at a picture on the side table. It's a picture of just the two of us. The sun was shinning down on us and Oz had his arms around me. The reason for this was because he was caring me toward the water to get back at me for splashing him earlier. I remember that day, one of the best days I ever had. Oz, myself, Xander and Willow were down at the beach one afternoon walking along the sand when Xander decided to take a candid shot.

I sit down next to him leaning my head on his shoulder. "You actually have this?" he asked me

I look over and smile at him. "Of course I have it. Look just because you made a few mistakes doesn't mean you're banished from our lives, my life...my heart." The last part was barely a whisper

He looked to Buffy with a shy smile on his face. "Banished?"

"Self imposed exile then," she corrected.
"It was best for yoneyone."
"Maybe, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t miss you. That I didn’t miss you."
At that he gave a small smile and took her hand in his. "So feel like accompanying me to the Bronze ght ght Miss Summers."
She smiled. "I'd be delighted Mr. Osborne."
As they walked out of the apartment and down thll, ll, their laughter could be heard the whole way.

*-----*

We left for the Bronze around 6; though it was early the band still had to set up. Besides I could always do a quick sweep after Bronzing it with Oz...right?

Anyway...

So we walk into the Bronze around 6:15 and the guys began to set up. I helped out a bit...Slayer strength and all but Oz had the rest of the guys finish while I sat off to the side. I think the real reason Oz had me sit it out was because the Devon kept staring at me. I think it might have been my low rider blue jeans and simple black tank that showed a bit of my toned stomach.

*-----*

It's now 8 and Oz and the guys are wrapping up the first set of the night. I flash a quick smiowarowards the stage...mainly Oz and I can't help but think about how he looks really good in the simple dark blue jeans and T-Shirt he has on.

I then head for the bar.

As I'm walking back to the stage I see her walk into the club. Willow.

Of course I do only thing I could do. I sink back into the shadows to stay good and hidden. It seem Oz noticed all this from the stage because when the band took their first break of the night he pushed his way through the club to get to me.

He comes up to me placing his hands firmly on my hips and looks at me with concern clearly written on his face.

"What's wrong Buffy, you were coming to meet me at the stage and then..." he trails off looking for me to fill in the blank.

I look down at the hands placed firmly on my hips. He gives them a gentle squeeze trying to get my attention again. "Hey what's going on in that head yours?" he asks softly.

I look up and pull him closer to me; I then rest my head on his shoulder. He turns his head to the side and places a gentle kiss on my hair. I sigh and just continue to let him hold me. All the while knowing that eventually I'd have to tell him who I saw.

He speaks softly into my hair all the while trying to lighten the mood. "So what has my slayer all upset?"

I look up at him with a bit stunned. Only because he called me *his.* I try to ignore the flutter in my chest and the sheer contentment I feel at being called his. I slightly shake my head trying to gather a coherent thought and respond to the man in my arms.

I take a breath. "I kinda just saw Willow and..." I just stop there not really knowing what else to say. Worry clearly written all over my face.

He looks at me with a small smile on his face almost as if he knows what it is that is troubling me. "Buffy, I've been trying figure out how to tell you something for a long while now." He pauses but I know there is more so I let him continue. "and well I think now is as good a time as any."

I just look back at him, a curious expression upon my face. "Um Ok, what is it?" I try to ignore the hope in my heart at what his next words m be. be.

He pulls me over to a darkened corner where there is an empty couch. He pulls me down to sit next to him. He then turns me so that we're facing one another.

"Ok we're good friends, right?" At my nod he continues. "and I think we've become really close over the time that I was gone." again I nod confirming that he's correct. "I mean we've helped each other out during various points in life and I've come to really care about you."

At that I respond. "I really care about you to Oz...but where exactly are you going with this?" I look at him intently waiting with for his answer.

He inhales sharply and then a faint smile plays on his lips. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that I like you Buffy and that somewhere along the way I think I might have fallen in love with you." With a little laugh he corrects himself. "No, I know that I've fallen in love with you." He looks at me with hope, fear and mostly love in his eyes.

I take a breath and close my eyes. When I open them he still looking at me waiting for my response but before I can even answer Devon comes over saying they need to get back up onstage. He stands and nods and says he'll be there in a minute. He looks back at me.

I look up at him and then stand also. Then my lips are on his. I then gently flick my tongue over his lips asking for entrance, which he grants. I know we'll have to talk later but now I try to pour all that I feel for him in this kiss. Finally when we part we look at each other both gasping for breath. He just smiles and pulls me in for another quick kiss. With that he heads back toward the stage.

*-----*

It's now 10:15. I decide it's time to take a trip to the restroom. As I come out of the stall who do I see there?

Willow.

As soon as she sees me huge smile forms on her face. First how she could not have noticed Oz was back was beyond me. Well then there is the fact that maybe she's over him...

YEAH RIGHT!?!? Wul tul thinking on my part.

I mean he's been playing all night, how could she not notice him but what really got me was the fact that I have done a spectacular of avoiding her all night.

Now that I'm in the homestretch, she sees me.

Of all the rotten luck!

I'm pulled from my semi-brooding by a very bouncy Willow.

"Oh my god! Buffy did you see that Oz is back...I mean at first when I saw him I was upset but then he probably knew that I was here and wanted to surprise me and...Oh god I'm babbling, I am so sorry. You know you really need to stop me when I do that."

I manage a weak smile. "Yeah I noticed and like I said once before...'People underestimate the value of a good babble'."

Once again she is bouncing up and down. "Wow, I can't believe this. I really want to talk to him but I don't know if tonight is a good time." After a slight pause a small smile graces her lips and in a soft voice. "I kinda just wanna be with him...you know spend time together."

Why d whd what I did next I'll never know. "Well after this Oz and I were going to go to the Espresso Pump...If you want you could come also. I mean I think Devon and the rest of the guys are coming too but it could still be fun."

At first she just looks at me with a blank stare and then her eyes narrow slightly. "Why would you go with Oz to the Espresso Pump without me...and how did you know Oz was back?"

Oh shit. Good job Buffy. I scold myself. First I've never told Willow that Oz and I kept in contact while he was away and then for her to find out that not only did I know he was coming home but staying with me. This is very, very BAD!!! Think fast Summers or your toast. Newbie witch or not Willow can do some serious damage.

"Oh well after his first set we ran into each other and got to talking. So we thought it would be cool to catch up. I know Oz and I have never been really close but he is still a friend. I care about him." The last part came out softer and more tender than I intended but it seemed that Willow hadn't noticed and excepted my answer.

"Oh, Okywayyway I guess I better get back out there." After a moment of looking me over she smiles a little and slips out the door.

All I can think is 'Dear God, what have I gotten myself into. I've fallen for my best friends ex-boyfriend, whom she still in love with. Oh no my life isn't too complicated.'

Those as my last thoughts I stepped out of the restroom and back out into the club only to be hit by the sounds of Dingoes Ate my Baby.

*-----*

END OF PART FOUR-A

Title: A Wolf & His Mate

Part Four-B

Author: Tygerlily

Angeulsblood@yahoo.com

Disclamer: All belong to Joss and co. but since I asked nicely he said I could play with them for awhile for your enjoyment!

All the other good stuff like Disclamer, summary etc. look to previous parts :-)


PART 4b -- BRONZE CHAOS AND ESPRESSO PUMP FUN!


*-----*

The three friends walked into the nearly deserted pseudo Starbucks. Devon and the rest of the band were already back at the house more than likely spending some 'quality' time with the few girls that had been throwing themselves at the band members all night long.

As Willow headed toward a booth, both Oz and Buffy recognized the danger in this and they made for one the tables off to the side. The red try trying to mask the disappointment shinning in her eyes at not being able to be closer to Oz turned to follow her friend and once and hopefully soon to be again boyfriend.

Taking their seats, Buffy and Oz shared a glance, silently conversing with one another. Oz then turned to Willow asking her what she'd like to drink, requesting a Cappuccino Oz then headed towards the counter to place their orders. This left Willow and Buffy alone at the table.

Willow finally taking notice that Buffy didn't order anything decided to ask her about it.

"Hey Buffy you didn't order, don't you want something?"

Buffy looked up, startled for a second then smiling she said. "Nah its cool, Oz knows"

At this Willow looked puzzled and couldn't help think. 'How on earth would he know what *Buffy* likes to drink, he doesn't even know what *I* like to drink’ Deciding that she had to have misunderstood, she once again tried to get the blonde's attention.

"What do you mean 'Oz knows'. wou would he know what you normally like to drink" the red head ask with a curious expression on her face.

Buffy began to panic not really knowing how to talk her way out of this one, when Oz was walking back towards them with two mochas and one cappuccino.

He then placed the cappuccino in front of Willow and the other mocha in front of Buffy before taking his seat. An awkward silence settled over the table before the witch broke it.

"So Oz how long are you in town for?" silently hoping that the now blue haired wolf wouldn't be leaving anytime soon

At first Oz wasn't sure on how to answer. He knew eventually that Willow would've found out that he was staying in town... indefinitely. Let alone his growing relationship with Buffy. Of course he didn't want to hurt her but he already moved on.

In many ways he still cared for Willow and always would, just as Buffy would always love Angel. When it came down to it both of their respective partners hurt them and their relationship beyond repair. So he decided to give the most non-committal answer he could come up with on short notice,

"Dunno, awhile. Indefinitely would be the best thing to say." his face giving nothing away a wha what he was thinking or feeling, not that you could ever really tell anyway.

Willow smile lit up the room though she instantly got it under control. All the little witch kept thinking was that this was her second chance to make things right again. No more lone wolves or life long best friends to get in the way. All the while across the table from the witch and directly next to the wolf, the Slayer was silently fuming.

Buffy knew she had no right to claim him, but damn it he was supposed to be conversing and kissing and paying attention to her. 'Ok calm down girl there is no need to get jealous.' thought Buffy. 'I can not and will not let the green eyed monster loose'

Willow threw Buffy a sideways victory smile. Buffy tried to return it but all she kept thinking was 'what if he hasn't gotten over her and that kiss earlier meant nothing. Oh God, worse: what if it was a mistake'

The blue haired man looked to the women next to him; he could sense the distress she was in. It was coming off of her in waves. At first he thought it might have been because there was evil brewin' near by. Soon after he realized it was because of Willow. Concern for his friend immediately took precedence over Willow any of her feelings.

“Hey Buffu oku ok? You don’t look so good.” Concern clearly etched on his features.

Buffy looked up and found herself under the piercing gaze of her two friends. At first she didn’t even realize that she was being spoken to. Suddenly the red head’s voice broke through her musings.

“Buff…Buffy, Oz asked you a question” Willow looked at her friend with confusion and concern. She wasn’t sure what was going on with Buffy and Oz but she was determined to find out.

The blonde shook her head trying to shake off her troubling thoughts. “I’m fine, I guess I’m just tired…I think I might skip patrol tonight just head in early. Hopefully Giles won’t rag on me to much”

Willow looked at her friend sympathetically. “Then maybe you should head home Buffy, you know what they say; a sleepy Slayer is a cranky Slayer”

Buffy smiled slightly as she began to shrug on her coat. Oz’s thoughts were in turmoil by this point; he basically only had two choices and neither looked ahat hat appealing. One: Go with Buffy, leaving Willow hurting her and revealing his secret relationship with Buffy in the process. Two: Stay with Willow; probably have an angry Slayer on his hands and most likely messing up any chances of ever being with her. Things were just not looking good for our werewolf.

“Yeah and no one wants that” said in reply while looking somewhat pointedly at Oz.

Oz caught Buffy’s eye and what he saw there made the decision for him. He knew now that Willow was his past and Buffy was his future.

So to Willow surprise and dismay, Oz began to rise and help Buffy with her coat. “I’m gonna walk with her, I’ll see ya Wills”

As the supernatural duo walked out of the coffee shop, Willow could do nothing but look on and wonder just what was going on between those two.

*-----*

END OF PART FOUR-B

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