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Changing Hearts Series - Past Wounds -- by Ruby
Rating: PG-13
Description: Difficult reunion, sequel to New Year's Arrival.
Note: Spoilers -- Wild at Heart, The Initiative.
Disclaimer: Joss owns all.
Willow quickly released Oz from the bear hug and turned to face Spike's amber eyes. Oz took a step forward as the blonde vampire latched onto the redhead's arm and yanked her back toward him. Buffy moved between the two men and shot Oz a look of warning.
"Why are you with him?" the wolf asked Willow.
"She doesn't owe you any explanations," Spike snapped.
"In fact, she doesn't owe you a damned thing."
"Spike, please don't," Willow laid her hand over the one on her arm.
His human features slid into place as he looked down at her, "After everything the sod put you through, he doesn't deserve--"
"Please," she repeated and looked over at Oz. "I'm glad to see you again, but this isn't a good time. I'm tired, and it's crowded and noisy here. Where are you staying?"
"With Giles, for a couple of days, until I can find a place. He told me you were here," Oz answered.
"Willow, there's so much I need to--"
"Not now. I'll call you tomorrow, okay? Spike, take me home?"
He nodded and took her hand, and Oz's eyes followed them as they walked away. He waited until he could no longer see them before he turned to Buffy. "What the hell is going on?" he asked.
She nodded and looked back at Riley, silently signaling him to follow as she led Oz off of the terrace and around to the parking lot. "Let me tell you about all of the fun Willow's been having over the past couple of months," she said dryly.
"Buffy, she wasn't the only one hurting," Oz defended himself.
She stopped walking, and he turned to face her, "All I know is that you dug a hole about six feet deep and shoved my best friend into it before you roared out of town. So, as far as I'm concerned this is NOT about you. If you want to hear, keep your mouth shut and listen because I'm long past giving a damn about your pain."
Oz stared back at her, stunned by the sharpness in the slayer's voice. Her hard eyes glared back at him, and she waited until he nodded before continuing on across the lot.
Willow rubbed her temples as Spike paced back and forth in front of the coffee table.
"Who the hell does he think he is?" the vampire muttered to himself. "Damn it all. What I wouldn't give to be able to tear out his throat."
The redhead groaned softly and leaned back against the sofa, and Spike turned and looked at her pained expression. He sat down next to her and reached for her hand, pulling her over to rest against him.
"You can't want him back," he said, his soft voice edged with dark bitterness. "Not after everything you've been through."
She sighed, "I don't know what I want. I'd convinced myself I'd never see him again. I honestly never expected he'd come back. When I saw him tonight, I just--reacted. I didn't mean to make you angry."
"I'm not angry at you, pet," he told her. "But you cannot hand him the bloody pieces of your heart. Not after you've finally gotten them stitched back together."
"I haven't handed him anything," she said. "But I am going to have to talk to him. I know why he left, but I don't understand why I never heard a word from him. And I don't understand why he suddenly reappeared with no warning."
"Isn't it obvious? He wants you back. He figured he'd find you sitting around, still moping over him."
"He loves me, Spike. I know he does. He must have known his silence was as painful as his leaving me was. Why didn't he let me know he was planning on coming back? Why did he leave me hanging all those weeks and then decide to just suddenly show up?"
The vampire snarled softly and jumped back onto his feet to resume his pacing. He looked over at the redhead and clenched his fists as a tear trickled from her eye.
"I hate this," he growled. "I can't fight him. I can't hurt you--"
"Would you if you could?" she asked.
"To keep you away from him? Probably," he admitted. "Doesn't really matter either way, now, does it? The only weapons I have now are words. I've always been bloody awful with words."
"I beg to differ," she smiled softly.
She got up and walked around to him, and he put his arms around her as she stepped into him. "Want me to leave?" he asked quietly.
She shook her head, "You don't have to, do you? There's still some blood in the fridge. My mind is running like an overwound clock. I know I'm just going to sit here and babble on endlessly. But I need to figure out what I'm thinking before I talk to Oz, and you always seem to be able to help me do that. I need you, Spike. Please don't leave me alone."
She looked up at him, and he brushed his lips over hers and held her tightly for a moment before dragging her over to the sofa and settling her on his lap. "All right," he nodded and grinned softly at her.
"Babble on. I'm listening."
The End
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