By the Moon's Light
Timeline: Happens after “Bothered, Bewitched and Bewildered” and before Season 3.
Distribution: Shannon at ShannonWoo@aol.com and Tia at
Tiagirlz@cgocable.net
Author’s Note: Feedback please!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Hey Willow! Will!”Xander shouted as he bounced towards his bestest friend in the world.”Wait up!”
Distracted from her thoughts, Willow turned around and smiled.”Hey Xander! What’s up?”
Catching his breath, he gave her a goofy smile.”Hey, Will. Must have some pretty heavy thoughts, ‘cause that was the sixth time I called you.”
“Nah...just non-thoughts. Going to the Library, wan come?”
“Sure, need my daily dosage of demon lecture update before the week even properly gets started. Shall we, milady?”Xander grinned as he offered Willow an arm.”By the way, can you help me with my chemistry homework? I’m having problems with the chemistry. See? I even got a shiny new nickel for you!”
Willow laughed as she took it, and they both headed to the library.
As they walked away laughing, they failed to notice the sets of eyes watching them.
*****
“Ugh! What does Cordelia *see* in that geek?”Harmony said as her nose curled in disgust.”Look at how he plays up to the nerd girl Willow!”
Another girl craned her neck to see where they were going.”Think they’re going to the Library. Creepy!“
“Probably to hang with that loser-weirdo Buffy,”Harmony sniffed.”And Cordelia’s been hanging with them for lunch! Like really gross!”
“I don’t get it,”one girl mused as she looked at where Xander and Willow disappeared to.”I mean, Willows ultra-brainy as a nerd, Buffy’s ultra-weird as far as weirdoes go, and Cordelia’s, well, ultra-cool. So what’s a geek like him hanging with all the ultras?”
“He’s an ultra-geek? Jeez, Candace, who cares?”Harmony said sarcastically. The other girl gave Harmony a scathing look then looked at the other girls around her.
“Maybe an ultra-geek, but he’s got all these girls hanging with him, and I wanna know why,”Candace said.”Especially if Cordelia’s hanging with him. Later...sheep!”
Harmony gaped as Candace left wagging her hips towards the direction of the library.
*****
Devon watched as he saw Xander and Willow go towards the library. Then he spied Oz, his lead guitarist.”Hey Oz-man!”
“Hey, Dev! What’s up?”Oz said as he made his way to his locker.”How was the week-end?”
“Cool. Yo man, I just saw you girl, Fern go down the hall with a guy,”Devon said.
“Her name’s Willow, Devon,”Oz automatically corrected.
”Yeah, whatever. And they were arm in arm, too. Hanging all over each other.”
“What guy?”Oz said frowning. Devon looked around conspiratorially, and lowered his head.
“It was that dude that Cordelia dumped on Valentine’s Day, then got back together with.”
“Xander Harris?”Oz asked puzzled.”That’s no guy, that’s her friend.”
“Not the way he was looking at her, man,”Devon said as he rolled his eyes.”He was looking at her as if she was an angel from heaven about to take him to paradise.”
“Wow, Dev. That was really a long sentence especially coming from you. You finally discovered two syllable words,”Oz said dryly. Devon got a confused look on his face, then smiled.
“Yeah, those were pretty good words, weren’t they? Look, I see some babe there. Want to come and pick up? After all, if your Flower’s cheatin’, why not you?”
“Her name’s Willow. And I’m going off to the library,”Oz said tiredly.”Where she told me to meet her. Later man.”
Devon watched as Oz disappeared down the hall. < Man, I’d sure like to see what he sees in her! Maybe she puts out for him? Has to be it. Else why date a flat-chested nerd like her? >
*****
“All right, it seems that there’s nothing of import that happened over the weekend,”Giles said as he looked over the table of expectant faces. “Which means several things....”
“It means that I can finally wear nicer clothes when patrolling,”Buffy quipped.
“And I can really concentrate on my cheerleading and go do some heavy-duty shopping,”Cordelia sighed in relief.
“And I can go skateboarding,”Xander quipped.”While Cordy does all that.”
Willow frowned at him.”After we brush up on your chemistry, Xander.”
“But Will, I think it’s unthinkable to do chemistry while there’s no demons in out midst,”Xander protested. Willow rolled eyes.
“In spite of the respite,”Giles continued determinedly.”I think-”
“Hey, people!”Oz said cheerfully as he walked into the library.”What’s up?”
“Hey, Oz!”Willow said as she bounced up from her seat to give him a kiss.”How was your weekend at your Aunt’s?”
“It was cool,”Oz said as he looped his arm around her.”How was everyone’s here?”
“Oh, we’re just peachy, Oz,”Buffy said smiling.”No demon prophecies or portents on its way for the moment. So we’re planning something for the lull.”
“Way cool.”
“Oz, you know that in two days’ it’ll be the full moon,”Giles started.”I may have something for you. Some chains and things to hold you over until we find some stronger ones for you. Problem is that you need someone else hold the key and to unlock you.”
“I’ll do it! I can chain Oz up,”Willow cheerfully volunteered. Giles stared at the young hacker.
“You’ll chain Oz up,”Giles said slowly. Willow nodded.”Not that I am against you chaining...”
“But it sure isn’t a job for a girl,”Buffy completed quickly,”I mean, really Will, putting up a chaining fence.”
Willow looked at her friend in confusion. Then she heard a voice.“Oh, *there* you are Cordelia! Never thought I’d find you here!”
Cordelia looked at the member of her court.”Oh, hi Candace. Were you looking for me?”
“Not really, but Ms.Delcaza was,”Candace shrugged.”She wanted to know if you had your Spanish essay or something.”
“Better get goin’ Cordy else she’d have you singing Spanish operas ‘til Judgment Day or rather a Bad Hair Day,”Xander quipped. Cordelia shot him a look as she got up.
Candace looked over at Xander and pointedly looked at him.“Hey, aren’t you in my chem. class?”
“I dunno, am I in your chem class?”Xander asked puzzled. Cordelia’s eyes narrowed as Candace laughed lightly at that.
“I’m sure I am. Do you remember what the assignment was? I, uh, seemed to have forgot,”she said as she tilted her head at him. Buffy’s eyes met Willow’s and they both had a ‘what’s going on look?’.
Xander panicked as he looked at Willow.”We had homework? Will!”
Willow rolled her eyes.”I’ll help you with it during free. Just bring your textbook, graph paper and calculator.”
Xander shot her a grateful look at pointed to Willow.”She’s the one that knows what the assignment is.”
Candace smiled falsely at Willow.”Well, if you don’t mind if I join in the free-”
“I think not, Candace,”Cordelia said as she grabbed her by the arm.”Willow is supposed to help Xander, Buffy and me with chem, and you can just-”
“Well, well, I see that I came just in time for tutoring,”a voice announced. Everyone looked at the newest person in the library.”Hello, Ivy! Heard you were the person to see about some study help.”
Everyone, except Oz, looked around to see who Devon was talking to. Oz sighed.”Her name’s Willow, Devon.”
“Yeah, right,”Devon said with a shrug.”Anyway I was looking for some help in my Computer Science project, and I heard that you were the little lady that could help.”
“Well, sorta,”Willow said slowly.”But it seems that I’m a bit busy in tutoring. But if-”
“Great! I’ll see you at seventh to help me,”Devon said as he looked at Cordelia.”Hey, Cordelia! What’s up?”
“Nothing,”Cordelia aid coldly. She looked at Xander and said to him pointedly,”You can help me carry my books to my next class, Xander.”
Xander shrugged at her.”You can carry you books yourself,Cordy. I gotta walk with Willow and Buffy to our next class...”
“Xander Harris!”Cordelia said as her hazel eyes grew stormy at him. He merely grinned at her as he gathered his books. She stomped her foot at him.”Xander! I cannot *beleive* that you would not-”
Xander quickly gathered her in his arms, and gave her a quick kiss.”Bye! See you at lunch, Cordy! Later G-Man!”
Xander ran out the Library Doors as Buffy and Willow rolled their eyes. Cordelia stared at him, her mouth open like a gaping fish.”I cannot believe that he just did that! And we’re *all* in the same class!”
“He’s always doing that, especially when it come to books,”Willow said as she tried to hide a grin.”Be someone real special if he carried their books.”
“He ever carry yours?”Oz asked before he thought about it. Willow shook her head.
“Just once in sixth grade. And that was because my arm was broken. I’m merely his Bestest-Thank-God-Please-Help-Me-With-My-Homework Pal,”Willow grinned.”The last time he tried to carry my books, he nearly broke his arm.”
Giles stared at Willow.”What were you reading?”
“I can carry your books for you,Tulip,”Devon offered to Willow. She looked around her to see who he was talking to. Oz sighed and then took Willow’s books.
“I’ll get them for you, Willow,”Oz said as he lead Willow out the doors with Buffy beside them.”So did you miss me this week-end?”
Giles looked at the remaining students, and wondered how he could get him out of his library.“Is there any place that you three must be before the bell rings?”
“I’m gonna find Xander and kill him,”Cordelia said as she stormed out.”AFTER he carries my books to class.”
“Want me to carry your books?” Devon offered Cordelia as he went after her. Candace shrugged after she trailed Cordelia.< HE doesn’t even carry her books? >
*****
Oz stopped as they reached Willow and Buffy’s class.”Well, here we are.”
Buffy quickly said,”See ya, Oz.” as she ducked into the room.
“Well,”Willow said as she looked at Oz.”We’re here. At my class.”
“Yeah, here,”Oz said as he looked at her. Then he looked in and saw Xander seated near Buffy.”So...you sitting near Xander? And Buffy?”
Willow nodded.”It’s my job to poke him awake and mouth answers to Buffy.”
Oz nodded.”Well, I’ll...uh, see you. Later.”
Willow sighed a small sigh.”Yeah. Later. Bye.”
Oz stopped her before she went in. Willow looked at him, puzzled. He gave her a quick kiss on the lips and then gave her a small shove towards the door. Willow’s eyes were wide with pleasure, and then she broke into a happy grin as she stared at him. She ducked inside when the bell rang.
*****
“Man, it was a boring class,”Xander groused at lunch. Buffy nodded morosely as she looked at her lunch.
Willow sat beside Xander and opened her textbook in front of him.”We have fifty minutes to get your chem work done.”
Xander looked at her with pleading puppy-dog eyes.”Can’t I eat first? Please?”
“Xander Harris! You are going to carry my books,”Cordelia announced as she stood next to him. Xander looked at her in puzzlement.”Now!”
“I’m eatin’ Cordy,”Xander said as he pointed down to his plate.”We have no books for lunch. Unless it’s cook books.”
“Well, then after lunch,”Cordy allowed as she sat down next to him.”But you are carrying my books.”
Xander looked at her warily.“Why am I surrounded by books during lunch?”
“Karma,”Buffy shrugged as she picked up a spoon and bravely dug into her lunch.
“Anyway, hurry up so that I could help you with the chem homework,”Willow said as she dug into her lunch bag.
“Hey! Are you doing the chem homework now?”a voice called out. Xander looked up to see the girl from the library stand next to him.”Can I join in?”
Then without a word, she wedged a space and plopped down next to Xander.”I see you got the page ready.”
Willow and Buffy exchanged glances as Cordelia looked coldly at the upstart member of her court.“We’re a bit busy here, Candace. Don’t let us keep you.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t,”Candace said as she looked at Xander.”So what number are you up to? I got as far as two.”
“We’re up to lunch,”Willow said.”And I’m not-”
“Hey, hey! Looks like a party here, Zinna!”Devon announced as he looked over Willow’s shoulder.”Ow! Chemistry! Man, that bites! Only geeks know chem.”
“Try not so show how stupid you are, Devon,”Oz said as he walked up behind Devon. He gave Willow a quick peck on the cheek before pulled up a seat and sat next to her.”So this is lunch time?”
Willow nodded as she offered her sandwich.”I got turkey, lettuce and mayo. Want a piece?”
“Sure,”Devon said as he took a wedge.”Hmm...good. Great sandwich, Iris.”
Buffy stared at the oaf that took Willow’s lunch. Then she looked at Oz’s face, which looked quietly furious. The girl, Candace, was trying to talk to Xander but Cordelia answered almost every question and attempt. Willow and Buffy’s eyes met and they both started to get up.
“Hey! Where you fems going?”Xander yelped. Buffy and Willow looked at him.
“Library,”Buffy smiled, trying to look unconcerned.”I forgot some, uh, books there. And that’s where we’ll, uh...”
“Do the other homework...for math,”Willow said quickly. She then quickly pecked Oz’s cheek.”See you later after classes, Oz.”
Both girls left the table quickly as Xander stared after them, then it hit him.“Homework? Math? Willow! Buffy! What homework?”
“Wait up!”Xander shouted as gathered his bag and he raced after them. Cordelia stared at the running Xander then at her books on the table.
“He did again!”Cordelia said in disbelief.”He didn’t carry my books!”
*****
“Giles! Something’s wrong!”Buffy shouted as she entered the library. Willow hurried behind her and added her two bits.
“Very wrong! Everyone’s acting, weird!”
Giles came out of his office, looking slightly bemused.”What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know, but people have been acting wierd,”Buffy started. Xander raced into the library with Cordelia right behind him.
“What homework?”he asked breathlessly.
“You carry my books,Xander!”she shouted. Giles gave her a stern look, and she quieted.
Buffy continued.”Well, this girl, Candace, keeps hanging around Xander. And there’s this guy, Devon, who keeps trying to attach himself to Willow.”
“And that’s strange because?”Giles asked slightly confused. Buffy looked at her Watcher a bit impaitently.
“Because after what happened on Valentine’s Day,”Willow offered. Then Giles nodded.
“It maybe a residue of the spell that Amy cast,”Giles concluded.”I see.”
“It’s nothing magical about Devon being after Willow,”Oz announced as he came in.”He’s just being a two-faced idiot guy.”
“What?”Willow asked as she looked at him.’What are you talking about?”
“He wants to see why you like me, Will,”Oz explained.”The jerk wants to know what I see when I look at you.”
“In other words, he wants to try Willow out,”Buffy said, understanding.”What a jerk! Why hang with him, Oz?”
Oz shrugged.”He sings well. But is that chick Candace under a spell or not?”
Cordelia snorted delicately.“Not. She probably is after Xander because I’m dating him.”
Everyone looked at her strangely then at Xander. He looked at everybody.”What?”
Cordelia sighed when she looked at him.”She wants my place in the crowd, so she goes after whatever I got. Or had. Clothes. May Queen. Boyfriends.”
“Boyfriends?”Xander yelped.”Please say that she’s not after me. Not after last time.”
“So then they’re not under a spell? They’re just curious,”Giles ventured.
“About Xander and me,”Willow said with a frown.”Why?”
Cordelia snorted. “Because they’re a bunch of-”
“Grapes,”Buffy said quickly.”They want us to know about those red grapes.”
“Grapes? You want to know about red grapes?”Cordelia echoed as she looked at Buffy in disbelief. “Have too many vamps knocked you-”
“Hello, Senor Giles,”said a soft accented voice. Giles looked up from Buffy to the voice. Then he quickly put on his congenial face when he saw who it was.”Hello, Cordelia. Oz.”
“Hi, Ms. Delcaza,”Cordelia smiled. For a teacher, the woman had a great fashion sense. But that jet black hair, Cordelia betted it was straight from a bottle.
“Hello, Ms. Delcaza,”Oz echoed as he stood away from her. He wasn’t sure, but he didn’t like her one bit. Ever since she came two months ago, she always looked at him as if he were some sort of bug under a microscope. And she smelled...wrong.
“Senor Giles, I wanted to know if you knew of any students that was interested in taking extra college credit for writing something on Romance Languages.”
“Does the student have to write it in Spanish?”Giles asked absently. Ms.Delcaza smiled.
“The student doesn’t have to write about the language from my country, Senor Giles. Maybe about France or Italy, and it has to be written in that language. Extra college credit will be given in any language.”
“Extra college credit? French?”Willow echoed. Ms. Delcaza smiled at her.
“Yes, extra credit. And you are?”
“Willow Rosenberg,”she said happily.”Can anyone join? Or-”
Just then the bell rang. Xander jumped up in horror.“The bell! Oh no! Chem homework! Math! Willow!”
“Uh, we gotta go now,”Willow said as she and Buffy laid a calming hand on Xander.”Homework panic.”
She leaned over to kiss Oz.“See you after classes. In the library. Ms. Delcaza, can I see you tomorrow for the information?”
When she nodded, Willow turned her attention to her panicking friend.”Let’s go, Xander. We’ll get this work done.”
“Oh, God! Homework!”Xander moaned as Buffy and Willow led him away.”Why? Why?”
“What an odd boy,”Ms.Delcaza said to no one in particular. Cordelia looked at her hands again and screamed.
“He left without my books again!”
*****
A small wrinkled hand covered with golden rings held an athame above a candle. The robed woman’s sharp eyes watched the athame as it grew heated, and smiled coldly. It had been so long since she had done this, but she still remembered how. After that botched attempt to stop her two hundred years ago, she would make sure that no one would be near her when the ritual took place. Not even that damned Slayer the vampires whispered about.
She looked up at the clear moonless night. Her altar was set for the sacrifices. She just needed the werewolf and his virgin love for the spell to begin. She looked down at her pawed feet, and frowned. After a moment, they returned to their more human shape. Soon she would be a full human again.
*****
“Willow, I’m not sure that I want you to do this,”Oz said as he looked at her. Willow’s face fell as she looked at him.
“Is it because I’m a girl?”
Oz shook his head.”Nope. It’s just because you’re *my* girl.”
“Then I don’t get,”Willow frowned.”You don’t want me to listen to you rehearse because I’m your girl?”
“What if we suck and we ask you how we sound? And you’d lie and say we’re great, and we get out there in a gig, and we really suck?”Oz asked. Willow smiled brightly at him.
“You’ll never suck,”Willow said as she kissed him on the nose. Then a twinkle came into her eyes.”Or bite.”
“No, but I can kiss,”Oz said as he leaned closer to Willow’s face. Smiling, Willow leaned closer to him.
“Hey Oz! Hey Petunia!”Devon shouted as he came into Oz’s garage.”You coming to hear me sing?”
“Nope. I came here to hear Oz play,”Willow said as she looked at Oz and smiled. She didn’t notice the quick frown on Devon’s face.”So do you play an instrument too?”
Devon shook his head.”Nope. I’m just lead singer that attracts the babes with my husky voice and looks.”
Willow nodded diplomatically. ”I see. That’s nice. So where is everybody?”
“Oh, they’ll come in a moment. Say, Daisy, where’s that boy that always hanging with you? The one that Cordelia dumped?”Devon asked slyly. Willow looked at him with a furrowed brow, then it cleared.Who was Daisy? Me?
“Xander? He went home. I think that he’s supposed to be studying his chem. I gotta call up on him later to see,”Willow answered. She looked at Oz and smile.”I can’t wait to hear you play, Oz. Think you could-”
“Write a song for you? Sure I can,”Devon said. Willow looked at him in confusion as Oz rolled his eyes at him.”I can write something about your eyes.”
“Well, thank you,”Willow said slowly. She looked at Oz.”And you’ll make the music?”
“Only for you, Will,”Oz said as he kissed the tip of her nose. He gave Devon a glare.”Why don’t you help me drag the stuff out from the van, Dev?”
“Want me to help?”Willow offered, but Oz shook his head.
“Nah, but we could use some drinks,”he smiled. When she left, Oz grabbed Devon’s shirt and pushed him against the garage wall.”What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Surprised at the sudden attack, Devon looked at Oz.“Hey! What man? Got a problem?”
“Yeah, I got a problem,”Oz shot back as he shoved Devon against the wall harder.”You. Either stop playing you little games and keep away from her or I’ll walk.”
“You can’t walk,”Devon scoffed.”We’re a group. She’s just a girl. Who’s probably putting out for you and that Xander guy. Just a girl groupie.”
“No, she’s *the* girl,”Oz said forcefully.”And she’s *my* girl. So lay off the charm, Dev. She’s not impressed and I’ll walk. Got it?”
Devon looked at his shorter lead guitarist. Often he was easy going, and was a great listener. Oz was more integral to the group than anyone had realized. He had the wheels, the music and the talent. All he needed was the looks and ambition to take over the band. But he didn’t want it. All he wanted, from what he could see, was this little, plain chick called Willow. He looked at the angry eyes of Oz. And nodded.”Got it. Pansy’s yours.”
Oz’s grip laid off. As long Devon wasn’t calling her by her name, it was cool.”Good. Now let’s get the equipment.”
*****
Willow smiled at Oz as he walked her home. It was a clear moonless night as they held hands.”That was a great practice, Oz. You guys are sounding great.”
“Thanks, Willow,”Oz said absently. He looked at her, and for once wished he had the right words to say. To ask what he wanted to ask.”Will?”
“Yeah, Oz?”
Oz stopped to look at her. She was so cute. And sweet. And good.”Is there...was there ever anything between you and Xander? I mean, I know it was kinda settled after that whole Valentines Day fiasco, but...”
“You mean if there’s any kind of love for Xander?”Willow asked gently. She smiled at him.”No. Not the kind that you mean. Not anymore. He’s my friend, just like Buffy is. I love him because I knew him longer, but it’s not the same what I’m starting to feel for you.”
“And how do you feel for me?”Oz asked as he looked at her.
“You make me feel funny. Not a ha-ha funny, but a good funny. Like when you get when you solve a really hard problem on the computer and you get to tell the one person that would understand totally what you’re saying,”Willow said after thinking.”That kind of funny feeling. Where you know you’re not alone anymore.”
“Will...”Oz whispered as his head went closer to hers. Willow smiled as she leaned over to his. Their lips tentatively touched.
“Aw...isn’t that sweet!”a voice called out. Oz and Willow jumped apart from each other. Her eyes widened when she saw Angel leaning at the side of her house.”Here I was, waiting for you to show with Buffy. But instead the geek’s got a guy with her. Ain’t it something.”
“Willow, get back,”Oz said as he shoved her behind him. Angel came towards the two.
“Think you can take me on, little man?”Angel menaced.”I want your little geek to come with me and help me do some work she’s *so* fond of. Slayer work. Being bait.”
“I think not,”a cold voice called out. Angel turned around to see who was it that contradicted him.”I think that you had better leave these two alone.”
Angel swung to see a half-woman and wolf look at him. Her legs, arms and head was wolf. But the rest was human.”What the hell are you? A bad Halloween costume?”
“No. Just something that you shouldn’t mess with!” she said as she launched at Angel with a fierce growl.”The werewolf and his virgin mate are mine!”
Angel raised his hands to his face as she impacted with him. She was about to gorge his neck when Angel lifted his arm up and raked his nails down her neck, leaving a long trail of blood. She howled in pain, jumping off of him. She looked at the vampire with loathing.”These two are mine to deal with!”
“Like hell they are!”Angel growled as he quickly rolled up, and faced her. The Wolf-woman launched at Angel again, but he threw her across the street. He looked at Willow who quickly raised her cross at him. Grimacing at the cursed symbol, he looked at the circling monster.Then he ran across the street as the woman-wolf chased him.
Willow and Oz looked at each other, then raced to her house.
*****
Giles passed a cup of tea to Willow and then looked at Oz. He merely shook his head at Giles’s questioning glance. Buffy looked at her friend with questioning eyes.”Willow? Is there anything else?”
She shook her head.“Not that I know of. That..Wolf-Woman knew that Oz was a werewolf, Buffy. And she said that she had plans for him and me. What plans?”
“Whatever it is, it can’t be good,”Buffy said slowly. She looked at Giles.”Is this Wolf-Woman something like Praying Mantis Lady?”
Giles shook his head.”Not that I know of. And Angel wasn’t afraid of her?”
“Nope. He sorta like did the disappearing thing after she attacked him,”Oz said. Then Xander came bursting into the Rosenberg living room with Cordelia right behind him.
“Willow! You o.k?”Xander shouted, breathless.”What happened?”
“Will and Oz were going to be attacked by Angel, but they were saved,”Buffy started.
“That’s good. Nice work Buffy,”Xander interjected.
“*But* it seems that some other monster is after them,”Giles continued.”A Wolf-Woman.”
Xander frowned.”Is that something like Praying Mantis Lady?”
“What Praying Mantis Lady?”Cordelia demanded.”You’ve been going out with a Bug Woman, Xander?”
“No for the longest time, present company excluded,”Xander quipped.”So what’s going on? What’s the plan?”
“There is none. Except that Oz and Willow must be kept safe from this Wolf Woman,”Giles mused.”Until we know more about what she wants from them, we cannot let her have access to them. But if she’s anything like the Praying Mantis Woman-”
“We won’t know what she looks like until she strikes,”Buffy nodded.”And I’m thinking that it’ll all come to pass when Oz’s a werewolf. Right?”
Giles nodded.“Yes. Willow, Oz, is there anything else that you both could tell us?”
Oz shook his head.”Other than Angel scratching her on her long neck. Nada.”
“So what? We look for a woman with scratches down her neck?”Xander asked.”I can see *that* now. How many smacks will Oz and I get if we approach a woman and ask that?”
“I don’t know how many smacks *you’ll* get from a woman, but *I* know how many smacks *you’ll* get from me if you even try!”Cordelia said sweetly. Xander gave her an alarmed look, and smiled weakly.
“Ahem. Yes, in the meantime,”coughed Giles,”I think that I should see if there are any occurrences of a Wolf Woman.”
“And see if there are any uses for a werewolf and his mate? Was that what she called you, Will? Mate?” Buffy asked.”Nothing else?”
Willow thought for a moment, then nodded.”Though, I think that she said...uh, virgin mate. But I’m not sure.”
Buffy lifted her eyebrow at Willow’s red face. Then shrugged as she turned her attention to Giles,”I’m betting that Will’s a target as well as Oz. She wanted both of them specifically.”
“And we have one night left,”Oz said quietly he said as he looked at Willow.
*****
“Damn that vampire!” the Wolf Woman snarled as she threw a glass against a wall.”I should have killed him when I had the chance! Instead I let him get away from me! ”
The Wolf Woman looked in a large oval mirror. She saw the long scratches that the vampire had left upon her neck. All quite visible to see. She cursed again as she traced her wolf’s head.“Calm yourself, Circe. Calm. In two nights, it will be a full moon. And the boy will become a werewolf again. The Slayer does not know who you are. And by the time she realizes, it will be too late for her little virgin friend. And her wolf mate.”
Then the Wolf Woman closed her eyes. When she opened them, she saw the pretty visage of Donna Delcaza.”And their youth and humanity shall be yours.”
*****
The next morning the Scooby gang all gathered in the library, researching furiously. Then the bell rang, and after classes they returned to research some more.
“Damn! Nothing!”Xander said as he slammed the book shut. He looked up the others. “All that I can find is how to kill a werewolf, restrain a werewolf and lure a werewolf. Nothing on a werewolf and his mate.”
Buffy snorted. “And all that Giles found so far was that the skins of werewolves are considered aphodiasis for love potions or something. And that they’re used as certain potions. We’ve got to keep researching.”
“And we’ve got to find it fast, before tomorrow’s full moon,”Oz said calmly. Buffy looked at him, Willow’s boyfriend. His face was calm, but his eyes darted around worriedly, first at the clock then at the growing pile of useless books. She laid a calming hand on Oz’s arm.
“Don’t worry, Oz. We’ll find out what this Wolf-Woman wants with you and Will before she finds you two,”Buffy said gently. Oz nodded.”Well, speaking of, where’s Will?”
Xander frowned.”She went to see Ms.Delcaza about that thing with the extra college credits. Should’ve been back by now. Speaking of missing, did anyone see Cordy?”
Ignoring Xander’s query, Buffy and Oz looked at each other, then headed out the library doors.
*****
“Well, no. I didn’t see Willow today, only in the hall, when I told her to meet me after school for the information that she needed,”Ms. Delcaza said slowly as she shoved her bag into the back seat. She looked at the two teens and gave them a puzzled look.”Is anything wrong?”
Buffy managed to give a tight smile.”No...she’s just supposed to tutor me in French. And she’s never late.”
“Oh, I see. Well, I’m sorry that I can’t help you,but I’m really late for a meeting.Oz,”Ms. Delcaza shrugged as she got into the driver’s seat. Buffy and Oz stepped back as she started to drive away.
“That woman gives me the major wiggins,”Buffy said aloud. Oz looked at her and nodded. As they walked back to the library, they heard a voice calling out. Turning, Buffy groaned inwardly. It was Candance.”Hi Candace!”
As she came up to them, Candace gave the weird girl and the Oz guy a regal nod.”Summers. Um, Oz. Did you see where Xander is or have any idea where he is? I have a message from Cordelia for him.”
“Uh, no, actually,”Buffy answered as she crossed her fingers behind her back..”But if you’ll tell me what the message is, I could give it to him if I see him.”
Candace merely gave the weird girl a brittle smile.“No, that’s all right. Before she left for home to get ready for a date with Jason Bryers, Cordelia wanted me to tell him something if I saw him. Thanks anyway. See you!”
“Cordy has a *date* with Jason Bryers? The soccer captain?”Buffy echoed as she looked at Oz.”Is that true or is she trying to make a wedge between Cordy and Xander?”
“All I know is that is one determined girl. Are you sure that she’s still not under the love spell?”Oz asked as Candace strode away. Buffy shrugged.
“Got me on that one. Come on, let’s try to find Will.”
*****