~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 

"Buffy calm down"

Willow watched, as her friend got excited beside her.

"What do you mean Willow this is what you've been waiting for, and I am calm"

Smiling Buffy watched as her friends smile grew even more, looking at the letter again, Willow couldn't believe
this was happening, how could a letter change so much
 

   "Dear Willow,
                          I'm sorry I haven't written for a while but I needed to think, I hope you understand. Well I was thinking the other day about how much I love you and miss you, being in LA has not been as good as I expected although the band is doing well I still miss my Willow. All I have been thinking about is you and although I cant move back there for another couple of months I was wondering whether or not you could come out here for a while even it is for a trip for a few days. This would mean so much for me. Ill phone you in a few days, I would've phoned sooner but were touring like mad just at the moment so I haven't had the time, that is why I'm sending you this. Hope you will think about it, I miss you so much

                          With all my love
                                 Oz xxx"

Willow had read the letter about fifty times since it had arrived yesterday, she couldn't believe that oz still wanted her, after leaving to further the bands career he had said she should try to get on with life because he didn't know when he would get back, but it looked like it was sooner then what he had originally thought. What to do she couldn't decide, all the Scooby’s had told her to go for it, maybe if she went to LA for a while they could put what was past behind them and move on. Willow didn't know if she could just pack up and go what about college.
 

"But Buffy what about college, my classes, you guys I would be leaving everything behind"

The slayer walked over to her friend and gave her a hug.

"You wouldn't be leaving you would be moving on, come on Willow there are more then one colleges in America and we could visit you every other weekend, this is what you have been waiting for Will"

The red head looked at the blond, maybe she was right get out of Sunnydale for a while, and she would be coming back in a couple of months that what the note had said, could she do it.

"I suppose if I didn't like it I could always come home...right?!"

"Of course…oh I'm soo excited for you Willow"

Buffy hugged her friend then grabbed her bag and went to the door.

"I've got to patrol now but when I get back I’ll help you pack…. OK"

Willow nodded at Buffy as she went out the door with a bounce in her step. Willow stood for a second then sighed.

"So your going are you pet?"

Willow turned to see spike walk into the room, he had came back to Giles house after Riley and the rest of the Iniatives had found out where his crypt was. Shrugging willow walked over to him

"I guess so, I mean by the way Buffy was talking I'm packing tonight"

"That's a bit fast isn't it love"

Willow nodded and watched as spike went into the kitchen and grabbed a bag of blood and places it into the microwave. She walked over to the dining table and sat on it swinging her legs over the side, Spike went and stood beside her, resting his hands on her legs he looked at her. Both of them had become close after Spike had been "neutered" and had tried to turn her, she trusted him more now and he was becoming one of her best friends, they would spend hours just talking, whilst Buffy had Riley and Xander had Anya, Willow thought it was only a matter of time till she became better friends with the blonde vampire.

"Well I've been waiting for this, I mean I love him and he's decided that he loves me, and the change of scenery would do us good"

Spike looked down at willow <god I'm going to miss her> she sat looking at her hands twisting them together, Spike placed a finger under her chin so she would look at him, he smiled when he saw her trying to think about what she had to do

"Willow… you have to do what makes you feel best, if that means going to live with him or staying here and waiting for him to come back here, it is your decision not mine, not Buffy’s, just yours. It's your life"

Willow smiled at this, her decision it was her life after all, looking at spike as he reached for his mug, she decided that she was going to live her life to the fullest, what did Buffy used to say carpe diem, yes she was going to seize the day

"Yes, it is my life isn't it? Yes I’ll ring oz tomorrow and tell him ill be moving there… thanks Spike"

She jumped up and gave spike a hug and kiss then ran to the door yelling goodbye and thank you to the vampire that still stood in the kitchen holding a mug of warm blood. Spike looked at the door that the red head had just ran through and whispered, "Yeah goodbye pet." and downed the mug.

2
After Buffy had came home after patrol she had helped Willow pack of the things she would be taken to LA, they both had finished packing at about 2 in the morning and both of them collapsed on their beds sleep already over them. It would a long day tomorrow, Willow would be leaving and everything would be changing.

Waking at 8 Willow rolled over and looked at all the suitcases lined along the wall of her and Buffys dorm room, well if she was going to get anywhere today she would have to move now. Standing up willow headed to the showers. After getting washed and ready she went to collect her bags, Buffy would be here soon and she wanted to be ready to go once the slayer returned. At 6 o'clock Willow, Riley and Buffy were traveling to Giles house, which was where they were going to meet with Oz. Once they arrived Oz had not yet arrived so everyone sat in Giles lounge, Willow Buffy, Riley, Xander, Anya and Giles all sat and chatted about what was happening. Willow looked around but couldn't see where Spike was. At 8pm Oz eventually arrived and went to grab Willows bags, everyone was crying and hugging each other as the bags were loaded into the van. All the time Willow was watching out for Spike

"Where is he?"

"What was that baby"

Oz walked over to Willow and hung his arm around her waist.

"Oh nothing just looking for Spike, I thought he would be here to say goodbye"

"Is that all, come on we have to go now, hopefully it wont take us long to get "

Oz pulled on Willows arm towards his van, Willow hesitantly followed him

"Well I thought he would have at least said goodbye"

Willow was just about to get into the van when she saw Spike running up the road; he reached the van and rushed up to Willow

"Sorry I'm late, but I was getting you a going away present"

Spike reached into his pocket and pulled out a little velvet box. Willow took it and carefully opened the lid, inside was a silver charm bracelet with a Willow tree on one side and a engraving on the other side, Willow read what Spike had written

"W
       Thank you
                         S"

Willow read this and the tears that she had been trying to keep from falling, fell down her face, seeing this Spike gave Willow a big hug and whispered into her ear.

"I'm always here for you pet"

Willow pulled away and sobbed a few more times before giving Spike a small smile, joining Oz in the van, the friends all waved goodbye as the van headed towards LA.

3

A few weeks later Willow was just arriving home from working at the local diner. She had had to put off going back to college when the band took a couple of weeks off due to Devon getting sick, the bills still came in so Willow had went and got a job. Oz wasn't pleased with this but as long as she was bringing money into the apartment he wasn't complaining. Willow opened the door to the apartment and walked into the kitchen to get a drink, opening the fridge she looked at the empty shelves.

"There is never anything in here"

Slamming the fridge closed she walked over to the sink and rinsed a glass then filled it with tap water, taking a long sip she walked through the small kitchen to the lounge area, this place was a tip, it was too small even for two people and clothes and rubbish was all over the place

"I told him to tidy this place up"

Bending over Willow began to pick up all the dirty clothes and flung them into a basket, to take to the cleaners later. After that was done, she began to pick up all the rubbish that was on the floor and under the couch.

"Oh eww this is disgusting"

Making a face she places the rubbish into rubbish bag and puts it into the kitchen, she would get Oz to take it downstairs later once he got home. After moving the rubbish and clothes out of the lounge she stood and looked around the apartment,

"Well I suppose it could be worse"

She dropped onto the couch and placed her feet on the table in front of the couch, she reached over and looked at the pile of magazines that were on the end of the couch. Nearly all of them were Oz's but a couple belonged to her, she grabbed one of the computer magazines she had brought with her from Sunnydale and began to read, soon her eyes became heavy and she felt herself falling asleep.

Willow awoke with a start, hearing a bang she quickly jumped to her feet to see Oz bump through the door, he stumbled through to the kitchen and went to the fridge, Willow watched as he flung his bag on the floor, his shoes and jacket soon followed this. Willow walked towards the kitchen until she stood next to Oz.  He looked for a beer in the fridge, when he couldn't find one he slammed the door shut and pushed past Willow.

"Oz?"

"What!"

Oz snarled and turned to face willow, she flinched as he staggered towards her

"Where have you been it's… two in the morning."

Willow stood and wiped at her eyes, her brain still drowsy from sleep

"I've just been around, is that a problem"

"No it's just…."

"No it's nothing Willow shut up…now where's all the beer that was in the fridge"

Willow looked at Oz then at the fridge

"Oz there wasn't any beer left, anyway don't you think you've had enough for tonight"

Willow walked back towards the lounge and went to pick up the clothes that Oz had dropped earlier, Oz staggered over to her and grabbed her wrist pulling hard on it until she was looking up at him, pain clearly seen on her face.

"Oz you're hurting me"

"What do you think I'm doing."

He squeezed hard on her wrist she could tell already that it would bruise, she dropped the clothes what she had been holding and tried to get his hand off her.

"Oz please, stop it."

Willow could feel the tears starting to form; she looked up to see Oz looking down cruelly at her

“I've had enough of you, I come home to find you've moved all MY stuff, then you take all my beer and then you have the nerve to tell me what to do…well Willow I think you need to know whose boss in this house"

Willow never saw it coming but felt it when Oz turned and plunged his fist into her face; Willows head snapped back as the tears began to fall. Willow pulled her arms up as she felt Oz kick her in the ribs, after a few more punches and kicks he stormed out of the apartment leaving Willow huddled in a corner with tears in her eyes.
 

4
The next day Willow woke up and went to get ready for work, looking into the bathroom mirror, she could feel the tears form as she noticed the black eye and bruises over her body. Her ribs ached when she moved and she felt like her head was going to explode, she headed to the kitchen and searched for some aspirin, finding some under the sink she washed it down with some water then continued to get ready, she used extra make up to hide the bruise on her eye, she then fetched a cardigan to wear so that her arms were covered. Once she felt that she had covered herself appropriately she headed out to work.

        Oz woke up, his head was pounding and his mouth was dry, what had he drank the night before, he ran his fingers through his hair as he turned and got out of the bed.

"Oz? Where are you going?"

Oz turned to look at the groupie who had just woken up

"Home…why?"

"Oh…. I thought maybe we could do something together, I mean we met up late last night"

The girl stood in front of oz naked, her blond hair wild from sleep, she was 17 but looked ten years older. Oz walked over to the girl and pulled her over to him.

"And why should I stay"

"Umm I don't know but I think we could think of something"

The girl smirked as she ran her hands up and down Oz's chest, that did it Oz grabbed the girl and flung her on the bed, landing on top of her his headache was soon forgotten.
 

It was 11pm when Willow got home, she had went shopping and bought some beer for Oz. After picking up the clothes from the cleaner she began to place the food into the cupboards. The door opened behind her and Willow stiffened. Standing up slowly she watched as Oz went to the fridge and took out a beer. He didn't say anything but went and sat down on the couch. Willow went back to packing the things away when Oz called out to her

"What am I having for dinner, I hope its better then that crap you made last week"

Willow walked into the front room, she folded her arms across her chest as she saw Oz, at least he was sober than he was yesterday.

"Well I was waiting till you got home, I mean what would you like I went shopping today so we have food,"

"God stop babbling woman, I’ll have anything just hurry up"

Willow rushed into the kitchen and looked through the cupboards, what could she make? She spotted a packet of frozen curry. It would only take a couple of minutes in the microwave that would be quick enough. Emptying the contents of the packet onto a plate she placed it into the microwave as she continued to clean up the kitchen. The microwave beeped and she took the plate out. Placing it on a tray with a beer, she took it out to Oz who was almost asleep on the couch

"Oz, here you go"

Placing the tray on his knee Oz looks at the plate then at Willow

"What is this?"

"What…you like curry"

"I asked for something to eat, proper food not this"

"But, that was the quickest…"

"I don't care if it was quick I wanted a meal this isn't a meal"

"Well I’ll make you something else then"

Reaching for the tray Oz notices the bruises on Willows arms, grabbing her wrists to get a better look, Willow gasps as he touches the tender flesh

"I hope you didn't show anyone these"

Shaking her head Willow pulls her arm back

"No, I never showed anyone…it was an accident right?"

Oz stands up and follows Willow into the kitchen, he corners her against the cupboards and his body.

"Well no one better find out about these, their our secret OK"

Willow nods, as Oz runs his fingers over her black eye

"I mean you wouldn't want to get me mad would you, you're a good girl right"

"Yes I’ll be good"

"Good, now I'm off to bed, and remember I will not eat anymore of that"

Oz points to the curry on the bench then walks to the bedroom, Willow slides down the wall as the tears fall down her face, what had happened to her.

5
In Sunnydale Spike was reading the letter over and over again he couldn't believe it, he had told the others and their were getting ready by organizing a party to celebrate the return of Willow and Oz back to Sunnydale. Without Willow, Spike had become lonely, he hated this place without the red head around to stop the others from bickering about him. She always made
sure he was okay that was what he missed the most, she was so kind that she cared more for other people then for herself. It had been six months since he had last seen her and he couldn't wait for her to come home.
 

Walking up the front steps to Giles house Oz turned and looked at Willow.

"Now you keep your mouth shut OK, the sooner we get out of there the better okay"

Willow nodded and kept her head down, her hair had grown quite a bit since she had last been there, it now hung on her shoulders, she walked up the steps, her hair was loose and framed her face. The fading bruise on her eye covered by that clever thing called make up, she wore a long black skirt and baggy jumper. Although it was warm outside Willow found she always felt cold, it didn't help that she had lost a lot of weight since she had left Sunnydale.

        Oz knocked on the door and walked into Giles's when the door opened, as Willow walked in she jumped as all her friends jumped out and shouted surprise. Willow couldn't help but smile she was home.

"Hey guys"

Buffy ran and gave her friend a hug, Xander soon followed. All her friends were crushing Willow but she loved it.

"Umm guys I still need to breathe you know"

"Oh of course Wills, how are you, have you lost weight?"

Willow thought Buffy would collapse soon the slayer had not stopped to take a breath since Willow had arrived. Willow was smiling as she watched her friends open their presents from LA, Oz sat quietly watching the commotion, Willow decided not to look at her boyfriend, she was going to enjoy the evening, she was sat on the floor listening to all the things she had missed. She laughed when she heard Xander had been so desperate for a job he had worked for a sex phone line, Buffy had explained that he got fired because they used to ring him up and pretend to be someone else. Willow couldn't believe how happy she felt, her face hurt from smiling and her sides hurt from laughing too much. She had been laughing so hard that she didn't even notice the blond haired man that walked into the lounge.

"So the wanderer returns eh pet"

Willows head shot around and she smiled when she saw Spike leaning against the doorframe, standing up she ran up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Hey Spike miss me"

"Just a bit, you've been gone for bloody too long"

"Well I'm here to stay me and Oz got a little apartment across town, so I guess you are all stuck with us now"

Willow smiled as Spike gave her another hug

"Hey I would be stuck with you anytime pet"

Spike wiggled his eyebrows suggestively at Willow, who started to laugh again. There was a cough from the corner then Oz stood up.

"I think we better be going now, we need to get back to get things all ready for the party"

"Oh Oz cant we stay just a bit longer Spike just got here"

"No we've stayed long enough, Willow you can see everyone tomorrow, and when we have the house warming party come on"

"Oh please Oz…5 more minutes…pleeaasseee"

Oz looked at the faces of the people in front of him; Spike was the first to break the silence.

"Oz why don't you go home, I can make sure Willow gets home OK"

"See Spike can take me home please"

"Okay but don't stay out to late"

Oz walks over and kisses Willow then walks out the door.

"So pet tell me all the stuff you did in LA"

The night went quickly and Willow found herself still at Giles at 12 o'clock

"Oh god have you saw the time Oz will be going crazy"

"Come on then pet I’ll take you home"

6

It took Willow and Spike half an hour to get to Willows apartment, once he had walked her to the door; Spike gave his friend a hug and kissed her on the forehead

"Well were home"

"Thanks Spike, I forgot what Sunnydale’s like at night"

"No problem pet, its been nice just to walk and talk, I would be lying if I said I had not missed you, now get inside, there are some nasty things out at night"

"Yeah I know"

Willow laughed as Spike left and she opened the door to the apartment. Being careful to be quiet, Willow carefully took off her jacket and shoes, then started walking to the bedroom to get ready for bed, she was so tired she didn't notice the shadow watching her from the doorway to the lounge.

"Willooowww"

"Oz? Where are you"

"In here…what time do you call this"

"Oh I'm sorry, everyone was so busy catching up we didn't notice the time, if I had known we were going to be this late I would have made sure to leave earlier"

"Yes and I'm supposed to believe this?…"

"Well Oz I haven't seen these people for months, I’ve really missed them"

"Does that include Spike?……. Have you missed him too?”

"Of course after you left he was there for me…"

Oz walks over to Willow, he's wearing a pair of sweat pants with no top on, Willow notices the look on his face and backs away as he gets closer

"After I left you…you mean you and him were together…my replacement"

"No Oz… we were friends…. Nothing more…he listened to me when I was down"

"When you were down…when you WERE DOWN"

Oz caught willow squarely on the cheek with his fist sending her flying against the wall, hitting her head. Willow raised a hand to feel the bump forming on her head, she wasn't going to cry, that only made things worse. Willow watched Oz walk over to her again, his face full of anger, he lashed out again grabbing the wrist that was trying to shield her body and kicked her in the stomach

"Remember who you belong to Willow…you are mine…and if I see you with Spike again…. You'll get worse…OK do you hear me?"

The red head nods her head slowly and waits till she can hear Oz leaving, slowly getting up she goes into the bathroom and puts the light on, a new bruise is forming on her left cheek and her wrist was swollen. Willow placed her wrist under the cold water as she grabbed a towel and began to wash her face, looking at the mirror again, the bruising on her face clearly visible now; she slowly falls down the side of the bathroom wall. Hopefully tomorrow would be better.

7
 

"I'm thinking we have a picnic what do you think everyone"

Buffy went to search through Giles cupboards looking for the ideal picnic food, that's what Willow needed a picnic with all her friends

"Buffy, would you please leave my cupboards alone, why not wait till Willow and Oz get here then we can decide what we are going to do"

The watcher walked over to the slayer and pushed her out of his kitchen. There was a knock at the door, so Xander went to answer it, Oz was the first to enter followed by Willow. With the whole gang there, Buffy went back to looking in Giles cupboards.

"So Willow what do you want to do today, I'm saying a picnic would be good"

"I'm not bothered Buffy whatever you want"

Willow sat down on the couch careful not to touch or bang her side in the process, looking around the small lounge she noticed the whole gang was there again, everyone except Spike, where could he be? Oz saw Willow looking around the room, edging closer to her he places his arm around her waist, Willow gasps as Oz touches the bruise on her side and moves closer beside him. The friends sat around talking until 3 in the afternoon until there was movement heard from upstairs, Willow felt Oz's arm tighten around her waist when he heard the noise, bending over near to her ear he whispered

"Remember what I said…stay away from him"

Willow kept her eyes on her friends as she listened to Oz tell he to ignore her friend.

"I think we should be going now… dontcha think Oz"

Turning her head to Oz, her eyes pleading to leave before Spike got downstairs, she didn't want to sit and ignore him, she would rather not be there then to see the hurt on his face, when he realized she was ignoring him. Rising up careful not to pull her side she turned and watched as Oz slowly rose from the couch, turning to face Buffy and the gang Willow quickly said her goodbyes and left as Spike came downstairs.

"Was that Willow?"

Spike looked puzzled as he saw a flash of red hair pass by the window. Buffy stood and walked over to Spike

"Yeah she was here for a couple of hours, I think she's still tired though from the move"

"Oh… ok, ill go and see her later I guess?"

Spike went into the kitchen to get some blood; the rest of the Scooby’s went back to the normal chitchat.

8
Willow and Oz had been back in Sunnydale for a week, and apart from staying away from Spike everything had been going OK, she had found information about getting back to college, she had helped research a demon for Buffy, and found herself a part time job. Working in the diner wasn't that bad, but she couldn't wait to get back to college so she could begin learning again, that's what she had missed most when she had first left Sunnydale.

        Coming home from Jenny's diner one night, Willow didn't notice the shadow waiting next to her apartment. Reaching inside her bag for her keys the shadow came closer, the door was flung open and the shadow disappeared into the bushes near Willow and Oz's home. Spike watched as Willow was grabbed by the hair and dragged into the apartment, the vampire growled as he saw the tiny red head being pulled through the door then it being slammed shut. Spike wondered what was going on so he walked over to the window, he made sure that he was still hid in the shadows. What Spike saw shocked and hurt him more then anything he had felt in a while. Inside of the apartment Spike saw Willow being dragged into the lounge by her hair by Oz who was slapping her as he went. Using his supernatural hearing Spike leant forward toward the window; he could just make out what was being said.

"Where have you been bitch"

"Oz,… I was at work…I had to stay behind"

"You expect me to believe a liar like you…you must think I'm really stupid"

Letting go of her hair Oz threw the red head to the floor, Willow backed away from the fuming man.

"Oz…please…. I didn…"

"Oh shut up…your always whining"

Willow backed away till she felt the wall against her back, keeping her mouth shut, she pulled her legs up to her chest and hung her head low, using her arms to shield her face. Oz saw how the red head tried to get away, stalking towards the shivering form in the corner, he pulled his foot back then swung it towards her ribs.

"Oz…please…your hurting…"

"What did I say …shut the hell up or do I have to shut that little mouth up for you?"

Outside Spike watched as the wolf took all his frustrations out on the little red head. Growling Spike banged on Willows front door, he was going to stop this. After a couple of minutes, Spike watched as Oz answered the door, the vampire noticed the wolfs bloody knuckles and silently growled even more <this dam chip>

"What do you want Spike?"

"Is Willow in?"

"She's in bed, ill tell her you called tomorrow…if that is it ill be seeing you"

Oz went to close the door when Spike put his foot in the door and opened it up again

"Can I speak to Willow please?"

"Spike she doesn't want to see you"

"I know she's in there WILLOW …WILLOW"

"She's asleep, come back tomorrow"

"Oz, its OK ill get rid of him"

Oz and Spike both turned around to look at Willow who was standing at the bottom of the stairs. Spike looked at the way the red head stood, Willow was standing with her arms folded holding onto her sides, she wore a big baggy jumper and sweat pants. She had lost some weight since leaving for LA, her hair hung loose around her shoulders and the new bruise that was forming had been quickly covered with a dab of concealer. Oz looked at Spike then at his girlfriend; she would pay for disturbing him, giving her a look Oz walked into the lounge as Willow walked over to the door where Spike was.

        Willow stood outside and closed the door behind her, looking at Spike she smiled; she had missed him since Oz had said she couldn't talk to him. He looked the same, dressed in the same clothes and his hair looked like he had just had it bleached again. God she had missed him.

"Hey"

"Hello pet"

"So…"

"How are you…is it just me or have you been ignoring me?"

"What?!!…I mean no…I’ve just been very busy"

"Yeah it looked like it…I mean I think it would be hard talking when there’s a fist in your face"

Willow looked at Spike startled; eyes wide and her mouth opened like she was about say something.

"What did you say?"

"Have the beatings affected your hearing"

"What are you talking about"

"What just happened in there"

Willow stood speechless as she listened to Spike talk about the way Oz treated her.

"What are you talking about Spike?"

"What am I talking about, Willow I just watched you get a fist in the face and your asking me what I'm talking about…how long has this been going on?"

Willow looked at Spike then at the door, what was she going to say to him. Out of the corner of her eye Willow could see Oz staring at her from the window, why was this happening to her, taking another glance at the window where Oz was, Willow turned around and looked up at Spike who had stopped asking what was wrong long enough to see Willow had stopped talking

"I have to go…"

Willow turned to walk back inside when she felt Spike grab onto her arm, Willow flinched as she felt his fingers dig into a old bruise, biting back the tears, she didn't look at the blonde vampire

"Please Spike…. I have to go"

"I'm not letting you go back in there until you tell me what has been going on"

"Spike please…"

"You heard her Spike let her go"

Willow looked up at the new voice, Oz stood at the door and looked at Spike then let his gaze stay on Willow, Spike noticed how Willows shoulders slumped and the tears she had been holding back fell down her face.

"Spike what have you done to her"

Oz moved forward and took Willow into his arms, staring fiercely at Spike.

"Tell me what you did to her, she was fine till you came"

"What… you're the one who’s been beating the crap out of her"

"Spike. Just leave ……please”

Spike looked at the pleading look in Willows eyes, letting go of her arm Spike shrugged then  backed off, Spike watched as Oz pulled willow into their home, then slammed the door close.

Willow stood just inside of the door and watched as Oz stormed up the stairs to their bedroom, taking a deep
breath, she ran a shaky hand through her hair and started up the stairs after her boyfriend. Walking into the bedroom Willow watched as Oz banged around the tiny room, without even looking at the red head Oz turned the light off and went to bed. Willow stood for a while then went to lie down, when she had gotten under the covers, Willow felt Oz move closer and wrap
a arm around her waist,

“Goodnight oz”

The red head whispered, Willow had just closed her eyes when she felt Oz move beside her,

“Why don’t you listen to me?”

Willow had been hoping Oz would have just left the subject closed, opening her eyes Willow watched as Oz positioned himself on top of her,

“Oz…Please…I didn’t know he was there”

“You expect me to believe that…what do I have to do to make you see you belong to me”

He looked down into Willows scared eyes, Willow winced as she felt his fingers in her hair

“Oz please… Not tonight…please”

“What’s wrong Willow I thought you loved me”

Oz bent down and kissed Willow fiercely, he didn’t let her breathe till he felt her start to struggle, backing off Oz continued to stare into Willows eyes, he began to run his hands down her arms. Willow began to struggle, but under his weight didn’t achieve much.

“Please Oz…I don’t want to…stop…. Please”

“No Willow you are mine and I take what ever is mine got that”

Willow started to panic, grabbing the lamp off the side table she flung it over his head, Oz groaned and moved off of the shivering red head.

“What the hell was that for”

“Oz please I told you to stop”

“What!”

“I’m sorry…please…I didn’t mean it”

Willow watched as Oz picked himself up and walked over to the door

“Where are you going”

“Out”

Oz stormed out of the apartment and left Willow crying in their bed.

part 10

“Good morning willow”

Giles walked into the lounge carrying a cup of tea, Willow had decided to go to the watchers house after realising that Oz had still not returned home, he had left the night before and had left no clue to Willow to where he would have went.

“Hey”

“Willow may I ask you something?”

Willow looked at the man she thought of as a father figure, noticing the pained expression on her face

“Yes of course what’s wrong”

“well,,,,,emm,,,,,if there was a problem you would tell me wouldn’t you”

“What are you talking about Giles”

“Well,, if you were in any trouble you know you could come and talk to me don’t you”

“Yes of course I do”

“Good”

With that Giles sat down and drank his tea, he had picked up a book and was reading it when he heard a cough from the red head.

“emm….Giles”

“Yes Willow”

“Why did you just ask me that”

“What??”

“Who said that I had anything wrong”

“Oh no willow, I mean if there was a problem you know I am here”

“OK, so no ones said anything then”

“Why would they willow, is there a problem”

“Oh no”

Willow gave a quick smile then let her gaze fall on the teacup in her hands. Standing at the bottom of the stairs Spike stood and watched as the watcher and Willow talk. When he saw that Giles had went back into the kitchen Spike walked out and sat down next toWillow, Willow kept her gaze on her tea cup, twirling her finger around the rim she waited for Spike to say
something. Spike watched as she ran her finger of the rim of the cup, her whole body had tensed since he had sat down and he could hear her heart beat had risen, was this girl afraid of him, the vampire would’ve laughed if he didn’t know the truth. Without looking up he whispered

“How are you pet?”

“Fine…why wouldn’t I be?”

“I’m only asking pet”

“Well I think you should keep the questions to yourself…I’m going”

Willow left a bewildered Spike on the couch and headed for the door, shaking his head Spike jumped up and hurried after the red head

“Willow”

Without turning around Willow stopped walking and looked at the ground

“Willow…why are you running from me”

“I’m not running from you”

“Yes you are…what are you doing now”

Willows head shot up and she gazed at Spike, he moved closer until he was standing next to her, placing his hands on her shoulders he gazed into her eyes, his brow creased as he saw the hurt and pained expression in them. Blinking back the tears Willow looked into his blue eyes, how she had missed their little chats and how he always made her laugh, god she had missed
him

“I’m not running Spike”

“Then what ARE you doing…because to me it looks like your scared and running away from something…what happened to that strong girl that I used to talk to and laugh with after Oz left…. You’re not that girl anymore”

“Spike…. I am that girl its still me…. I’m still me”

“No your not, you’re a scared and hurt little girl that is running from something that she feels she cant control…but you can control this Willow…your strong or you were”

“I don’t know anymore Spike….I want to be strong but…..”

“But what Willow…you can tell me”

“I can’t tell you…. It hurts…”

“What willow….tell me….I wont hurt you”

“I…oz…he.”

“Yes willow”

The door to Giles home crashed open and Oz barged in looking first at Spike then letting his gaze fall on the teary eyed Willow. Quickly walking over to the red head he wrapped his arms around the girls waist pulling her away from Spike.

“Baby here you are…I’ve been looking for you for ages”

Willow looked up at her boyfriend, she could tell that he was angry but was smiling towards the vampire, she felt the mans arms tighten around her waist, looking up into his eyes she forced herself to smile and answer him

“I’m sorry but I thought maybe Giles needed my help….he doesn’t so I was just leaving”

“OK babe…. We’ll go straight home…bye Spike”

Oz smirked at Spike as he pulled Willow out into the street and along to their apartment. Once they had arrived Willow quickly made her way towards the kitchen, if she made him something to eat he would hopefully forget what he had seen at the watchers house.

“Willow”

Cringing at the sound of her name she made her way towards the lounge. Walking in she saw Oz sat on the couch with his back towards her,

“Yes Oz”

“How is Spike?”

“What?”

“You heard me, answer the question”

“I suppose he’s OK…I only saw him for a second”

“Oh that’s good…what did I tell you”

Willow stared at the ground her voice low and trembling

“Not to talk to Spike…but..”

“Speak up bitch I cant hear you”

“You said that I wasn’t allowed to speak to Spike…But I didn’t know he was there…That’s why I was standing I
was going to leave”

“Your saying that if I hadn’t have arrived that you would have left…alone”

“Yes I wouldn’t want to upset you Oz…. I know you don’t like me near him”

“You don’t want to upset me”

“No Oz…I love…”

“Don’t you dare say you love me…you showed me up in front of him…HIM”

“Oz…please”

Willow walked further into the room and reached forward to touch his shoulder,

“You touch me and ill break that hand of yours”

“Oz…Please don’t be like this”

Oz jumped from his seat and pinned Willow under him on the floor. Willow looked at his face and gasped, his teeth had become sharp and his eyes had went black, taking a quick glance outside she noticed that it was almost a full moon. Although Oz had learned to control the werewolf he also knew how to activate it, she must have really upset him to set it off, she felt his
breath on her cheek as he leant forward

“Oz please”

“Is it the danger that you like…or is it his fangs…coz I’ve got some if that gets you going”

Willow cringed as his teeth elongated even more, crying out in pain she felt his fangs enter her neck,  she felt the blood begin to drip down her shoulder and onto the carpet, struggling under him she felt his hand grab onto her face the other digging into her
side. Willow was beginning to feel light headed from the blood loss and knew that if she didn’t do something soon she knew that she would be in trouble, bringing her knee back she kicked between his legs full force. Crying out in pain Oz pulled back dragging his nails along her cheek and fell onto the floor. Seeing her chance Willow dragged herself to her feet  and ran as fast as she could along the street. Taking a glance behind her she saw that Oz had recovered and was running after her.  When she had ran to Giles house she banged on the door. Taking deep breaths she knocked on the door again, Oz would be coming round the corner soon and she didn’t want him catching her. When no one answered she banged on the door again as the tears fell down her face. The door swung open and Giles was stood with a axe in his hand whilst spike was standing closely
behind.

“Oh god willow what happened…. Come in”

Willow staggered into the watchers home and slammed the door shut, falling to the ground the red head pulled her knees to her chest and let her face fall onto her knees. Spike barged past Giles and wrapped is arms around the girl. Giles went to fetch some water and bandages leaving the other two alone for a while, when he came back he noticed that willow was now
sitting on the couch. Walking over Giles sat down in front of willow and examined the scratch on her cheek, it was rather deep and ran from the corner of her eye to the side of her mouth. Taking a damp cloth he gently ran it over the wound cleaning all the dried blood off, he cringed when he felt the young girl wince.

“Willow…”

Looking up through tear stained eyes Willow looked at the watcher

“Willow…who did this to you”

The red head didn’t answer but looked down at the ground, Spike placed a cup of coffee in her hands, using shaking hands she raised the cup to her lips and let the hot liquid burn down her throat.

“Willow please I need to know, do we have to call the police”

“No.”

“Pardon…speak up a little please Willow”

“I said no police…it was a accident”

“An accident pet what happened”

“Nothing just a accident ill be fine tomorrow…really I just need somewhere to stay tonight”

“Of course willow…you know you can stay here…..What about oz shall I ring him and tell him that you are here”

Both the watcher and spike noticed how the girl tensed when Giles had mentioned Oz’s name, looking at Spike, Giles went to fetch some more clean water leaving the vampire alone with the red head. Giles had noticed the way Spike and Willow had been getting closer before Willow had got back with Oz. He was actually quite surprised that she had went back to the werewolf .Willow and Spike had spent most of their time together after Oz had left and he knew that the vampire had really grown attached to her. Giles didn’t really like the vampire but he knew that when Spike was around Willow he behaved better and was easier to trust, he thought it was a shame that Willow and Spike  would probably never get together.  In the living room Spike had kneeled down in front of Willow and was dabbing the cut on her face with a piece of cloth. Taking this time to really look at her he noticed that she was a lot thinner since leaving for LA, her face was gaunt and the cut running down
her face made her look older, even after all the years on the Hellmouth she had kept that innocence about her. What had happened to this girl that her innocence had went?

 Willow looked up into Spikes eyes, noticing the hurt and confused look in his eyes, she let her eyes fall to her fingers in her lap, she jumped when she heard Spike whisper

“Pet…. What happened”
 

“It was a accident…ill be fine tomorrow”

“Why don’t I believe that”

Willow looked down at her lap, when she spoke spike had a hard time hearing what she had said

“Because I don’t”

“What was that?”

“Nothing I’m fine really I don’t know why I came here, I’m getting to be a right nuisance aren’t I”

Willow smiled then went to stand up only to be pulled back down by the vampire, who grasped her hands in his own

“Willow…. Please…I know what he does to you”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about?”

“Willow….i’ve seen him….hurting you….hitting you…you don’t deserve this”

“Spike leave me alone…I’m fine…. Really”

“Willow I don’t believe you”

“Well I’m not yours to believe in…am I”

Standing up willow pushed Spike away and limped into the kitchen, watching from the ground Spike could see the hurt in the reds body and soul, he had to help her.

~ the next day ~

“Is Willow here?”

Giles looked down at Oz and motioned for him to come
in

“Yeah she was attacked last night, she didn’t want to alarm you that’s why we didn’t call”

“Attacked…how?”

“Not really bad but shell be in pain for a while”

“Where is she”

Giles walked Oz upstairs into the guest room where Willow was sleeping. Closing the door behind him. Oz sat down next to the sleeping red head and stroked her hair away from her face. When he felt that Giles had made it downstairs Oz leant forward until his mouth was close to Willows ear and lightly blew on her lobe

“wiiilllloooowwww”

“mmmm”

“Wake up willow”

Willows sleep frazzled brain shot awake when she felt the fingers run along the cut on her face, when her eyes found the man on her bed she flinched as his  fingers wound around her throat

“Good morning Willow…. sleep well?”

The red head nodded her head cringing as the fingers tightened.

“I asked you a question Willow!”

“Yes I slept well….I didn’t tell them about the fight”

“I know…you were a good girl…no need to be punished I think. But you did hurt me.... So what I’m thinking is how are you gonna pay me back?..hmm?”

“i..I…I don’t know”

Spike was stood out side of the red heads room trying not to listen to the conversation that was going on between the couple inside <what had she done to him?> hearing Willows stuttering voice he decided to break up the little talk the "lovers" were having, when he walked into the room he saw Oz leaning over willow with his hand around her throat and his other hand
pulling her head back by the hair.

“What are you doing you pillock….she’s hurt you know”

“Spike…. Please can you go out for a minute”

“No willow…he’s hurting you”

Oz stood up and went over to Spike, looking up at the vampire he opened the door for him to leave

“She asked you to leave think you should listen…. She is hurt you know?”

Spike took note of the smirk on the tiny werewolf and growled, taking a quick glance at the cowering red head. Taking his eyes off Willow in the bed Spike returned his attention to Oz as he pinned the smaller man to the wall

“Yeah I know….i just hope it doesn’t happen again that’s all I’m thinking”

“Yeah shell have to be careful wont she?”

“Will she?”

“Yeah…..”

“STOP IT!”

Both men turned to see Willow sitting up in bed, Spike loosened his hold on the smaller man and went to walk over to the bed that Willow was sat on.

“No”

“What pet…look I’m sorry”

“Spike why don’t you leave Willow alone…she’s with me”

“Is that through choice…eh Oz”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Both of you stop it…get out”

“Pet?”

“Willow!”

“No both of you get out before I get Giles to throw you out”

With resolve face on willow watched a sad looking vampire and angry looking were wolf leave the bedroom <what am I gonna do now> slowly she got up and looked in the wardrobe that was beside the bed. Looking through she found a shirt she could wear so she could take her own bloody one off.  After Willow had put her trousers back on and one of Giles shirts she went back downstairs. Slowly limping down the stairs she hoped that there was no one downstairs, she really needed to think and she knew that if Oz was still there then she would not be able to. When she reached the bottom she saw that only
Giles was there reading a book in his favourite chair. Willow coughed to make her presence known, when she saw that Giles had heard her and knew of her presence she walked into the room.

“Don’t worry their not here”

“I feel awful….I mean they were both worried and I yelled at them like it was there fault”

Giles looked up from his book to stare at the young girl who sat opposite him, he noticed how much older she looked sighing he knew he had to let her know what he knew about her.

“eemmm…Willow when Spike and I were talking last night when you had went to bed,  he brought something up”

“Yeah”

“Yes he said something’s about you and Oz….now if these are not true then I’m really sorry for bringing up such a matter but if they are true then please trust me enough to tell me”

Willow stiffened, had Spike told the watcher about her, did he blame her?

“I trust you”

“I know you do, but if I ask you something will you tell me the truth”

“I guess”

“Does oz hurt you?”

Giles watched as Willow stiffened and quickly lowered her eyes to the floor.

“Willow…its OK you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to”

Willow looked up with tears in her eyes, Giles walked over and gathered the trembling girl in his arms

“Oh Willow I’m sorry”

“I cant do it anymore Giles…I try to be strong but it hurts”

“Why are you still with him Willow”

“He loves me”

“What about you?”

“I’m not important…as long as Oz is happy then I am”

“Willow your not happy…look at you, your terrified, you look ill and your crying, you do not look happy”

“But Oz…he needs me”

“No man who treats a women…and you are a young women….Needs you to look after them”

“But I can’t leave him”

“Give me one good reason why”

“I don’t think I can leave….I cant do it by myself”

“Willow you’ll never be by yourself, you’ll have me and Spike, and you can always move in here until you get sorted”

Willow used the back of her hand to wipe the tears from her cheeks, and looked up at Giles.

“You think I could do it?”

Giles chuckled at the hopeful eyes that gazed up at him <maybe I got through to her?>

“Willow you’ve lived on the Hellmouth all your life, your friends with the slayer and you’ve killed demons of the night before and your asking me whether or not your strong enough to walk away”

“Yeah”

Willow gave a weak smile and stood up

“Oz should be with the band just now…. Would you be able to help me get my stuff”

“Of course I will…maybe I should try to find Spike to help”

“I don’t know, I sort of yelled at him before”

“I don’t think he minded”

“Maybe”

“Are you coming then”

Willow quietly opened the door to her and Oz`s apartment opening the door so that Giles could bring the boxes in she quickly climbed the stairs to her bedroom and started to grab her belongings. Meanwhile Giles was downstairs getting all Willows books that were lined up on the shelves, when he was carrying the pile over to the box a couple of books fell off the pile onto the floor. After placing the rest into the box, Giles went back to pick up the fallen books when he noticed the bloody stain on the carpet near the couch. Running his fingers over it he realised it was quite new but had dried, he jumped when he heard the
voice in the doorway

“Lovers tiff”

“Oh willow”

“Its fine just a little hard to be here after what happened the other night”

“Are we nearly finished I think we can come back later for the other stuff as long as you’ve got the important things”

“Yeah just…”

Willow was cut off as the front door opened and an angry looking Oz barged into the house

“WILLOW!”

“Oz what are you doing here…I thought you would be with the band”

“I was but they heard about you and gave me the day off”

“Oz I’m fine I’m just going to stay with Giles for a while”

“No your not…your staying here with me willow…your mine or didn’t I hit it into you the first time”

“Oz…what’s wrong your acting strange”

“Yeah well I’ve been around you for too long…god I don’t know why I put up with you”
 

Giles was about to step in when Willow motioned for him to be quiet, watching the red head Giles fought the urge to go and hurt the man who was yelling at Willow

“Oz…have you been drinking again”

“No I haven’t been drinking…willow shut up”

Willow closed her eyes as Oz came face to face with her to yell into her face. She couldn’t smell any alcohol on his breath so she opened her eyes and looked at his arms, putting on her resolve face she pulled his sleeve up and looked at the track marks in his arm, letting his arm fall willow started to back away

“Oz what have you done”

“What have I done, this is all your fault if you acted the way your supposed to then I wouldn’t have to calm myself down with this all the time”

“I’m leaving”

“No you’re not!”

“Oz you can’t stop me”

“Cant I?”

Oz turned on Willow and was about to slap the red head when Spike came running in and grabbed Oz before he could get to her. Spike held him tightly and looked at the red head that looked quite calm even though the tension in the room unnerved him.

“Willow you and the watcher get out and ill hold on to the dog here”

“Thanks Spike”

Smiling at the vampire Willow went to grab her things and leave when she heard Oz speak up

“Hey Spike keep talking like that and the slut will make it worth while…that’s all she’s good for a quick lay and even then I wouldn’t say she was experienced”

Oz laughed cruelly as he saw the girl tense, he knew that she was trying hard not to cry. When he saw her turn around, he thought that he had won and that she was coming back. What he didn’t expect was to see the look on her face <what is that…pity> walking slowly back towards Oz, Willow glanced around, Giles had some of her boxes in his arms and was looking at her with a questioning look in his eyes, Willow smiled to reassure him that she knew what she was doing. Willow
then turned and looked at Spike who was holding onto Oz who had stopped struggling and was just standing watching the red head slowly move across the floor, when she was finally in front of Oz she stopped and slowly looked at the smaller man in the vampires arms.

“Why did you hurt me oz?”

“I never hurt you…Well nothing you didn’t need”

“What?….you think I needed a black eye…why?”

“Because you’re my girl, you belong to me and you will obey me always Willow”

“Maybe at the start but…Oz I cant do this anymore I’m leaving”

“Willow you’ll never leave me ill find you and drag you back!”

“Oz shut the hell up i don’t love you…. And I never did”

The last part of the sentence was screamed at the wolf in the vampire’s arms. The red head let her hand slap against his face, and punch against his chest, Giles stood forward and took a hold of the red head, both turned slowly around and grabbed some of the boxes and began to leave. Willow stood out side and fought against the tears that were trying to fall., as she
heard Oz cry out from the blows he was getting from Spike. Once Willow had stepped out of the room with Giles, Spike had pushed the wolf to the floor and was using his foot to kick dints into the smaller mans ribs.

“Spike…stop”

“What?!”

“Stop this…..get off me”

“Why did you do it, what could she have done to make you hurt her?”

“I didn’t hurt her…she only got what she deserved”

“Deserved!!”

Spikes foot connected with Oz’s jaw, the small man cowered in the corner, some of his ribs were broken, his eye and lip were cut and blood was pouring down his face. Oz looked up at Spike and lowered his gaze as he saw the pure hate in the vampires eyes.

“Spike I don’t think you want to do this”

“Oh I think I do this”

Spikes demon roared as he heard the loud screams coming from the wolf. Oz winced as he felt the vampires boots hitting him from every angle, he knew he wouldn’t be leaving this room alive, the thought frightened him as he let out another blood curdling scream.

Willow jumped as a hand touched her shoulder, turning around Willow let Giles arms fall around her in a comforting hug

“Thank you Giles. I don’t think I would have been able to do that alone”

“Willow you know me and Spike will always be there, we’ve always been there for you, I’m just glad that you eventually decided to tell us”

“I’m sorry”

“Why? You’ve done nothing wrong, none of this is your fault, the only one to blame here is Oz”

“He’s got a point you know Willow”

Willow pulled out of Giles grasp and walked slowly over to Spike who had just appeared at the door

“Thanks Spike”

“No problem pet…I never really liked the dog anyway…he wasn’t good enough for you”

“Oh and I suppose you know who is good for me”

 “Of course pet”

“…Well?”

“Doesn’t mean I’m telling you”

Both Willow and Spike began to laugh, wrapping his arms around the red head, Spike leaned down and whispered in her ear

“I love you pet”

Willow looked up surprised at the vampire and smiled, pulling his face down she kissed him before muttering the words against his lips

“Love you too Spike”
 

read the sequal 'When Love Heals'

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