I Love You

by Jaime

Looking forlornly at the framed photo on her dresser, Willow wondered where Buffy had gone. She picked up the snapshot, a picture from just earlier this year. Giles had taken it for her, it included herself, Buffy, Oz, Xander, and Cordelia. She and Oz and Buffy all had their arms around each other’s shoulders, Xander was sitting on the grass, with Cordy on his lap. Everyone looked so happy. < But not anymore. How could she just…LEAVE?! > It wasn’t as much Buffy being gone that made her so sad…although she had shed too many tears about it over the last few weeks. < No. I’m not sad. I’m mad. God, how could she *do* this?! Dammit, she didn’t even….she didn’t even say goodbye. I though we were friends. Now that Xander was with Cordy….BEST friends. But-- > Willow was interrupted from her thoughts by the ringing of her phone. She sat down on her bed, letting it ring. < Mom or Dad can get that. No wait…their not home. Where the hell are they? Oh yah, Texas. Until next Thursday. Nine more days, alone. > She finally picked up the phone, putting the insistent ringing out of it’s misery.

"Hello?"

"Hey…Will?" Finally, something that could make her smile. Oz had been Willow’s only escape lately. Well, at least an escape from her misery. He really seemed to understand what she was feeling. But he hadn’t been with her for over a week now. He was visiting an aunt or something in L.A. He had phoned her a few times, making sure she was OK. < Well, he thought I was OK. At least I hope so. Of course, Oz trusts me. He most likely bought those stories of Xander and Cordy coming over, keeping me company. > Willow snorted, realizing how lame that sounded. < Yah, and me and Cordelia are REALLY bonding… >

"Willow? You still there?" Willow blushed, realizing she hadn’t answered her boyfriend.

"Yah, I’m here. What’s up?"

"Well, I got home this afternoon…I was wondering if you wanted to do something. Or whatever."

"Sure, that’d be great!" Willow replied, trying to sound bright.

"Will, what’s wrong?" *God* Oz could read her like a book.

"N-nothing’s wrong, Oz." Willow stuttered. "I—I’m feeling f..fine.." Willow’s voice broke on her last word, and sunk to the floor, sobbing.

"Willow? Listen, just sit tight, OK? I’ll be right over." < I am so lucky to have him. Oz is so understanding. No one else seems to know what I’m thinking all the time. Well, no one except Buf-- > Will just let out a sob and cried into her hands. She felt angry. She felt sad. But most of all, Willow felt betrayed. Betrayed by Buffy, betrayed by Xander, betrayed by Angel, that mother fucker who had to ruin everything. Willow suddenly started to cry again. It wasn’t like her to think such terrible thoughts about someone. Especially not someone who had once been her friend…

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< I hope she isn’t crying. Oh, god, I hope she isn’t crying. I don’t think I could stand to see my poor Willow cry. I love her too much….oh, god. I love her? I must. Oh, shit, how am I going to tell her that? How…oh, her house. > Oz pulled into the Rosenburg’s driveway with his blue van. Walking up to the front porch, he truly hoped she loved him too. < I am going to tell her. I am. God, I hope she loves me too. > Oz knocked on the solid, wooden door that led into Willow’s house. When no one answered, he checked the locks…the door was open, so he let himself in.

"Willow? Will, where are you?"

"U—up h..h..here.." Willow stuttered. Oz could tell she was crying, and it made his heart ache. He bounded up the stairs, and found his girlfriend sitting on the ground, crying her eyes out. He wasn’t sure exactly what was wrong, but he had a pretty good idea.

"Oh, baby. It’s gonna be OK. Buffy’s coming back. I’m positive she can take care of herself, anyways." He say down on her bed and cradled her head on his lap.

"It’s…it’s not that," Willow sniffled, and slowly got up. Throwing her arms around Oz, she burst out, "It’s just that she didn’t say GOODBYE. She left us all here, to fight off the vampires, demons, and forces of evil. It makes me feel terrible to say it, but from my point of view she treated us like shit."
It felt so good for Willow to finally get everything off her chest. She sat in Oz’s lap and they just held each other. He didn’t say a word, but kissed her on back of her head and let her cry it all out. It felt so good, for her to be able to just sit there, and for Oz to just hold her.

"I love you."

< What? Did he just say that. He loves me. ME. > Willow’s heart bursted with joy. She wasn’t sure what love was, but if it was always wanting to be with someone, and feeling empty without them….then she was in love.

"I…I love you too." The words felt foreign on Willow’s tongue, but right. They looked into each other’s eyes, and met for a tender kiss. Even though she missed Buffy, and she felt as if her whole world was falling apart, knowing Oz loved her made he feel like a hole inside had been filled. Oz completed her. She looked into his eyes and just cried into his shoulder.

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< Oh god. She loves me back. I cannot believe it. How could I have doubted it before? We are so perfect for each other….I really love her. > Oz and Willow just collapsed down on her bed, and stayed in each other’s arms.

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Exhausted from crying, Willow lay with Oz, on her bed. < Omigod. Me. Bed. Oz. Oh, what’s the matter with me. Nothing’s going to happen. But is that what I want? > Willow was so confused, but she was fairly sure that she liked things at the rate they were going.

"Oz…do you ever think about having sex?" Willow regretted the words as soon as she said them.

"Well…yah, I guess so…why…why do you ask?" Oz was clearly embarassed. < Does she think I am trying to take advantage of her or something? >

"I..I guess I was just thinking of us. And how we’re in a bed and all…"

"Oh!" Oz replied brightly, relieved, "yah. But I really like the rate things are going. Don’t you?"

"Yes!" Willow laughed, relieved. "I just thought, well, maybe going slowly was boring you or something."
< Yah, good one, Willow, nice cover. >

"Oh, no. I could never be bored with you."

Willow looked at him, and realized how MUCH she loved him. She suddenly leaned forward and kissed him, hard. They lingered together for a long time, and when they finished, Willow just hugged him.

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Oz looked over Willow’s shoulder, at the clock-radio behind her. It was then when he realized how late it was, and just how tired he was.

"Will….it’s 1:30 AM baby. I should go."

"In the middle of the night. Yah right. Just stay here…" Willow yawned, "and sleep here. I really don’t feel like moving anyway, do you?"

"Well, no. So should I sleep on the floor?"

"Just…" Willow yawned again, "just stay in here. In my bed. I mean, we trust each other, right?"

"Of course. OK, good night, Willow." Oz kissed her one last time, before falling fast asleep. Willow snuggled closer to her boyfriend, burrowing her head into his chest, and fell asleep with a smile on her face.

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Sorry so short, but this is THE END. Or is it?? If you want more, e-mail me. Or write a "part 2" of your own and send it in.

ANY feedback is ALWAYS appriciated!

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