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Changing Hearts Series - Action and Reaction -- by Ruby
Rating: PG-13
Description: Oz takes Anya's advice, sequel to Lighting the Fuse.
Note: Spoilers -- Wild at Heart, The Initiative.
Disclaimer: Joss owns all.
Anya and Oz stood several feet behind the tree under which Willow was studying.
"I'm not sure she's ready to listen to me, yet," he said quietly, not wishing to attract the redhead's attention.
Anya shrugged, "Maybe you're right. She and Spike have gotten pretty close. She probably doesn't even care what you think anymore."
"I can't believe that," he responded harshly. "I know that I hurt her, but I can't believe she's completely shut me out. Even if that bastard has managed to get her into his bed, I know it only happened because she's been alone and confused. I know she still cares about me."
"Well, you know her better than I do. Come on," she tugged him further away from the tree. "I have to get going. Xander and I are have sex at four o'clock."
Oz froze for a second, still unused to her embarassing bluntness. He shrugged his shirt sleeve out of her grasp.
"No. I think I should talk to her. She's already spent too much time with Spike. I need for her to know how I feel."
"Okay," she nodded and turned away, a smug grin forming on her face as he headed toward Willow.
"Sorry I'm late," Willow said as she came through
Spike's door and banged it shut behind her. The vampire rose from his chair and followed her into the kitchen. She opened the fridge, and he leaned back against the counter beside it as she took out a can of soda and slammed the door shut.
"What is it, ducks?" he asked.
"Believe me, nothing you want to hear about," she scowled.
He removed the can from her hand and set it on the counter, then took her arms and pulled her in front of him, "Yes, I do."
"Ohhh," she grumbled, leaning her forehead against his chest. "Everything's going along just fine, and then all of a sudden--wham!"
"Luv, what are you talking about? What happened?"
She took a deep breath and released it, "I was sitting outside on campus, studying my notes--well, I was doing more thinking about you than studying, really--"
He smiled and slid his hand through her hair and softly rubbed the side of her cheek with his thumb. "And all of a sudden, Oz appears beside me," she continued. "He started in on how sorry he was, and I told him--again--that 'I'm sorry' doesn't undo all the pain that he caused. And then he said he just wanted a chance to prove it to me, and he missed me so much all the time he was gone, and he would never want to be with anyone else. And he went on and on until I almost started feeling sorry for him. And then I got angry at myself for feeling that way. And the more he talked, the more I didn't know _how_ I felt. So I grabbed up my things and practically ran away from him. And then I stormed into the dorm room and just about tore Buffy's head off, and she probably hates me now."
"I doubt that," Spike said, fighting a smile as the little redhead breathed heavily in the wake of her outburst.
"Oh, Spike. I don't know what I'm feeling. I just know I love being with you, and I've come such a long way."
"Yes, you have," he agreed softly. "A very long way."
"And I don't want to go backward. I can't," she insisted.
"You know what you need?"
She looked up at him, "A dozen tranquilizers?"
"No," he chuckled, reaching for the can of soda and taking her hand.
He led her to the living room and sat down, pulling her across his lap and cuddling her close to him. "You need this," he told her and lowered his mouth to hers.
The kiss was slow and fervent, and she relaxed against him as she was drawn into it. He pulled away and watched the smile that curved her reddened lips.
"That is what I need," she said. "Only a lot more."
He laughed softly and tapped a finger against the soda. "This will go flat."
She took it from him and set it on the floor in front of the sofa.
"I hope so," she whispered before drawing his mouth back to hers.
The End
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