Title: What? No Welcome Party? 3/?
Author: Beth Squires


Oz started to get up..
'Ok, you're freaked out... of course... who wouldn't be'

'Look, Buff, I understand what you're saying and, really, I'm flattered, but I... I..'
*God, she looks so worried, what do I say, I mean this is definitely news of the good, but I still have Willowy feelings and all I can think about is holding and kissing Buffy... Ok, let's think about this rationally, you and Willow are OVER, no doubt about it, unless Buffy is lying to you... why would she do that?... well she likes you... Oh god..*

'Hey, earth to Oz, you are no longer with us...'
Oz came back to the planet with a bump..
'Right, I'm here... it's just, there's... I'm.. uh. I'll meet you back at my place later OK?'

With that he walked out of the bar and into the bright sunlight of L.A.

*God, you are so stupid. Why did you tell him in a public place? People are looking... must get out of here...*

Buffy stood, shakily and made her way to the door. Squinting against the sunlight, she stumbled out into a familiar face...

'Buffy?'
'Cordelia?'
'Oh my god... what are you doing here? You aren't here to patch things up with Angel are you, because he's getting quite cosy with a lady cop at the moment. How's Xander? Not that I care, and Willow and the old librarian guy ..'

'OK, Cordy, time out ok? I'm not here to see Angel, or you actually. I'm here to see Oz.'

Cordelia feigned surprise..
'Oz.. here? No, I haven't seen him, you should go home, he's not here...'

'Cordy. Quit babbling, I know he's here, I've seen him.'
Cordelia now WAS surprised...

'You have, oh OK, 'cos *he's* good at keeping a secret. God, I've worked so hard at not telling you guys and then *he* tells you.. Geez, guys!'

'Look, Cordy, I'd love to stay and chat, but I need to find Oz, OK?'
After giving Cordelia a hug she set off on her way, leaving Cordy calling after her: "Wait, I thought you'd already seen him... Did you just trick me? Call me and we can do lunch.. Buffy?"

**********************************************

Oz wandered across the park with his hands in his pockets, trying to come to terms with what just happened and weighing things up in his mind...

*On one hand, if i do get together with her I'll be happier than I have been for a while, but I also could hurt Willow if she isn't with this Tara-girl that Buffy keeps on talking about.*

He knew what he had to do, so he crossed towards the phone booths in the park centre.

'Yello!'
'Hey Xander? It's Oz.'
'You've got a nerve, you bastard, calling me after what you did to Willow!'
This was going to be harder than he thought..
'Look Xander, I'm sorry for that, she knows it, Buffy knows it, please try to accept it. We all make mistakes, remember last year in the factory - you and Willow..'
'That's not the same, Oz and you know it.'
'Maybe not, but I know how she feels. Listen to me, Buffy is here in LA with me, she told me something that I want to get straight with you...'
'You're in LA, with Angel and Cordy? How is she? Not that I care.. Yeah, I'm listening, wolf-boy.'

'Is Willow seeing anyone else? Please be straight with me, man, I would be to you.'

Xander tensed and paused, unsure whether to tell him or not...
'Look, Xander, my money's running out, I need to know, now.'
Xander made up his mind..
'Yes, she is, a girl called...'

The phone went dead as Oz's money ran out, but he had heard what he'd needed to hear. He sunk down to the floor of the booth, tears streaming down his face, it was hard to hear it confirmed like that - so harsh, so true...

Next