Buffy turned her head into Oz's chest. "Oz, would you lose respect for me as
a slayer if I just fainted right now?"

The Mayor took a step forwards. "I understand that you had a little bit of
trouble. Now, I don't want you to get the idea that Sunnydale is a rough
town. We take firm measures to keep the more unruly members of our
population under control."

"Richard," the woman behind him said with an unmistakable note of loving
exasperation. "Forgive my husband. He's the Mayor of our little town and
sometimes forgets that he doesn't need to make speeches at home." She
mock-glared at her husband before turning to face Oz and Buffy, frowning. "I
don't think the lady should be out of bed yet, young man. She had a nasty
shock."

Buffy felt Oz's arms tighten around her and a low, subvocal growl begin in
his chest. "So did Oz, and if he let me down, I'd show you that I'm good.
Oz," she stressed the last word, adding a pinch when it didn't look like Oz
was going to do anything. His arms tensed, then he let her down slowly. She
slid out of his arms, standing in front of him with her hands resting on his
shoulders. They stood like that for a moment, before a loud cough from the
Mayor made them jump apart.

"I think both of you could do with a hot bath and a nice meal. Now Mr..."

"Oz," Oz filled in automatically.

"Mr Oz should let the young lady get washed and dressed while he does the
same." The Mayor's voice hard a note of determination in it.

Oz and Buffy exchanged looks, before Buffy nodded, signally that for now they
should go along with the Mayor. The Mayor smiled and Edna-May moved forwards
to stand between Buffy an Oz, separating them. "My wife will show you the
way."

Edna-May put a steering hand on Buffy's back and began propel her forwards.
Oz moved forwards instinctively, only to feel a slight pressure on his arm,
pulling him back. He turned to glare at Martin, holding him back. He let
enough of the wolf show in his eyes to make Martin drop his hand. He dug his
fingers into his palms, feeling the nails flex and grow slightly before
getting them under control.

"Mr Oz, I'll show you back to your room," Martin said standing safe distance
away.

They walked back to the bedroom. Oz could smell Martin's fear as something
thick and not-completely unpleasant brushing against his skin. "Sorry 'bout
that," he said eventually as they neared the room. "I was worried about
Buffy."

Martin smiled, obviously pleased to have a simple explanation. "I
understand. I know you said you weren't romantically involved, but I can see
why you might feel protective of her."

"Yeah. I mean, she's tough and I know she can take of herself, but..." Oz
shrugged.

Martin nodded, a little thrown by the idea of the frail-looking Buffy as
'tough' but willing to agree to the general statement. "Here's your room.
There are some spare clothes in the wardrobe, and dinner will be served at
six. Someone will come for you, but your time is your own until then. I
would recommend you get some sleep before then."

Oz thanked Martin and shut the door to the room behind him. He dressed as
quickly as he could, looking for simple clothes and not bothering to attempt
anything more complicated than trousers and shirt. The shoes on offer were
too small and he couldn't so his own so after a moment's thought he shrugged
and walked out of the room barefoot.

Buffy's scent was a low, familiar note against the background smells of the
house. It took only a few minutes before he found his way back to her room.

He raised his hand to knock when the door opened and Buffy dragged him in.
Her hair was damp and she had a large, linen towel wrapped around her. She
looked pale, slightly battered but he could feel the sense of focus swirling
around her. "Oz, get in here. What's up with you? You're being very
un-Ozish. I'm being the calm one here, and that's just too bizarre."

Oz contemplated asking whether he should come back when she's got dressed but
didn't for several reasons, starting from the fact that he'd already seen her
in less so it'd sound a little stupid to ask her to dress when technically,
she was all covered up. And the part of him that was quite happily enjoying
the Buffy-almost-naked aspect had nothing to do with it.

"Wolf rattling at the cage," he said by way of explanation. "So,
time-travel. Mayor. Slime monster. At least two of those things worry me."

Buffy sighed and sat down on the bed. "And the only guide we have to
situations like this is Star Trek. I never thought I'd be grateful Xander
made me sit through those specials." She rubbed her throat and Oz realised
that her voice still sounded croaky.

"The Mayor. Are you... he killed a lot of people, Buffy," Oz said.
"Remember Larry? I know he might not be evil yet..."

"He is," Buffy interrupted. She gave a crooked half-smile. "Trust me on
this. He might be human right now, but he's messing in the dark end of the
pool."

"You can sense that?" Oz asked.

"Faith told me the Mayor built Sunnydale as a feeding ground for demons. You
take a look out the window? It's not LA, but it's growing and it's settled.
Edna-May told me that he's inviting people to come here. Families, people
with kids."

Oz sat down next to her, feeling the bed tilt under their shared weight,
knocking them together. Buffy sighed and leaned against him. "I don't know
what to do. If I stop... if I kill him now it'll change everything. I've
watched too much Sci Fi channel not to know a temporal paradox when I'm
dropped in to it." She tilted her head to look at him. "So you're the smart
guy, you're the one who actually listened in math and was taking that
Advanced math and physics course. Shouldn't you be the one handling big
quantum moral paradoxes. Paradoxii. Whatever."

"I don't think they cover that 'til the second year," Oz said. The gesture
was so casual, neither noticed Oz's arm slipping around Buffy to secure her
against him. "I think we're stuck with Star Trek and Doctor Who for advice
here."

"Xander's parents met here," Buffy said, half under her breath. "So did
Willow's. I can't do something that might stop that." Oz winced in sympathy
at a difficult decision made. Buffy straightened slightly and Oz could feel
the sense of strength and focus in check, waiting for a trigger. "We need to
find a way home. They'll be coming to take us to dinner soon, so I need to
get dressed." She looked down at herself, noticing for the first time Oz's
arm around her. "Umm, I've got to..." she stood up, moving to the dresser
nervously, one hand securing the towel in place even though it was in no
danger of slipping.

Oz nodded and walked to the door.

"Oz?" Buffy's voice stopped him as his hand started to turn the doorknob. He
turned to face her. "I'm glad you're here."

***
End Part 6.