blah update not happy with this one.. blah all disclaimers etc.
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She felt the stinging in her back as she hit the stones the bottom of the creek with Oz’s weight on top of her. She couldn't’t see through the murky water and instant panic made her wonder if he had dropped the knife or not. She had to think fast and she hopped if she let go of his jacket that he would think the knife went deeper then it felt like it had. Maybe it would be better for him to think he had killed her, so many thoughts went through her head as she felt him shove off of her and move away. Most likely to the bank if she could just hold her breath a little longer and use the current to help her get down stream she would have a chance to not have to fight him. Praying she could do as she planned with what little breath she had left she started down stream as far as she could.
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“So really Buffy that’s all there was to it, I went to get some thinking done and there she was.”
“Okay Will I really get it, I mean after the fourth time I got it but still, are you sure she isn’t evil?” I can handle that better then Oz has completely lost his yellow crayon from the pack.” Buffy says while still looking shocked.
“Hey no yellow crayon jokes! That was very traumatic thank you”
“Oh so sorry I forgot, fear of horses, frogs and yellow crayons but will take on vampires and zombies. Your resume is getting almost as crazy as mine Will” Buffy says while trying to joke with her to lighten the mood. “So what’s the plan with Oz?”
“I don’t know Buffy; I have asked him for space, I have tried to push space, well not in the literal sense of space pushing because well hello can’t really do that. Or at least I can’t but I hear some really good witches can manipulate stuff to...”
“Willow, I for one love Willow babble, but when you start going all magic Willow babble my brain kind of shuts down and becomes all mushy, like mashed potatoes begging for BBQ sauce”
“Sorry Buffy, I don’t know maybe try to avoid him for a bit and see if that helps? If it comes to it run? I have tried the nice approach, just seems to be hitting a brick wall” Willow sighs.
“Maybe you should try the slayer approach?”
“I really appreciate it Buffy but I don’t want him to think we have all turned on him. You know even I don’t know what all goes on in that brain of his. I just don’t want anyone to get hurt. So maybe we can keep this between us, at least for a little bit?”
“If you think that’s best, but I swear one more bruise and he is getting my boot all over him followed by a matching pair of my fist. I promise you Willow even you and your mojo won’t be able to stop me.”
“I know Buff, let’s just hope it doesn't come down to that.”
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Nox rested on the bank after pulling herself out of the water for what seemed a lifetime. After making sure that Oz was no where in site she had made sure that the gash on her stomach wasn’t going to leave her spilling out anything important. While she could use a few stitches in some spots she was surprised that the cut hadn’t gone deeper. “Pure luck I twisted when I did. Otherwise this would be a mess, and I can’t afford that at the moment.” She had decided to wait there till dark, that way she could move across the town easier without being detected. Leaning against a tree and closing her eyes she prepared for the images that haunted her sleeping moments.
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“Okay so what you are saying is that basically this soul sucking fiend is coming to town after that Nox person and there is nothing we can do. We can’t even throw it a welcome to town party?” Xander was desperately trying to understand why this was so different then any other time they had faced evil.
“Her name is Nox, not ‘that Nox person’ Xander.” Willow gave him a stern look.
“Very well then” Giles started seeing the look of protectiveness in Willows eyes “It seems really there isn’t anything we can do without putting Nox in danger. The Soul collector will only be looking for her. It will not be a danger to anyone else.”
“But, it will try to kill her?” Willow asked apprehensively.
“Well, yes I assume that the two that you seen her in the alley with was its trackers. Usually the Soul collector only arrives at the place the trackers tell it that the soul is staying. I am guessing that she was buying time for some reason and by killing them she knew that more would have to be sent out.”
“So how long will that be Giles?” Willow asked.
“I am not sure, it could be days or weeks, it all depends on how well she covered her tracks to here. But I am sure that she has dealt with this before Willow and am also sure that she has a plan” Giles said reassuringly.
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She awoke more refreshed then she had felt in years instead of the vicious and bloody dreams, another set of dreams had come to her. Dreams of a red head who spoke freely and whose smile was like a dawn sun on a cold winter’s day replaced the nightmarish dreams for the first time since her curse. As she started to rise she felt the throbbing from her stomach increase. She felt the dull burning of her cut and knew that infection was setting in. With all that had happened she hadn’t had the chance to properly take care of the wound. While she wasn’t going to die from it, she knew that the infection would get worse before it got better and she would be feeling it full force in the hours to come. It was dark, she wasn’t sure what time it was but she knew she had to find Willow. If Oz had come after her, he may also go after Willow. Making her way toward town Nox looked up at the clock tower in the middle of the town. Quarter to eleven, didn’t Willow say she was going to be at the magic Box till eleven?” she asked herself.
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“So since there is nothing we can do, I guess I will go out for patrol anyone wanna come with?” Buffy said hopefully.
“Well Buff, I think I just want to go home, kind of tired and need to think and all. Is that okay?” Willow asked her.
“Sure thing Will, and you Xander? You want to tag along and act as helpless bait?”
“Sorry Buffy unless everyone wants cranky Anya tomorrow I think I should head home as well”
“Why would Anya be cranky tomorrow if you didn’t go straight home?” Willow asked “OH! Never mind please don’t answer that, I really don’t want to know. Did I mention that I really just want to go home now?”
“Fine, I’ll be okay by myself I don’t need company. I won’t pout; see this is me not pouting. No pouting here at all” Buffy said while sticking her bottom lip out some.
“Well seems its Slayer against, well whatever is out there tonight. Sounds do able.”
“Well very well then, I will continue to research and see if I can find out anything more. Until then I think we should just continue as we are. Possibly meet here again tomorrow if needed?” Giles said while once again cleaning his glasses of spots that were never really there.
“Alrighty then I will walk you home Will and then head out to patrol.” Buffy says while going toward the door.
“Thanks Buff, I appreciate it.”
Making their way to the street Willow and Buffy watched Xander and Giles pull off.
“Well sure you aren’t up to a fun filled night of poking vampires? Oh that so did not come out the way it was supposed to”
“I am sure it didn’t so I will just ignore the comments that I could make and simply say no. I really think I need to go home Buffy.”
“It’s okay Will; I know you need some rest and stuff.”
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Nox watched them all walk out of the Magic Shop and then Willow and the slayer say goodbye to the two males. Why were they not driving Willow home she wondered. Granted she assumed that the slayer was more then capable of protecting her, but could she protect her from someone that she considered a friend. She wasn’t willing to take that chance. Stepping out of the shadows she thought she caught a movement in the alley across the street. But before her mind could process the shadow the site of Willow engulfed her whole mind. She could feel the warmth in her chest grow a little more, she didn’t understand its purpose or meaning, but she once again knew that as long as she breathed no one and nothing would ever hurt the red head again.
“W-Willow? Can I talk to you please?”
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At the same time a blonde stepped away from the steps of the bus with a new found hope in her eyes. This was where she had come to get away from all the pain, where she could start a life of her own. A place where all her dreams could come true.
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I just kidnapped myself.
If I do not receive $1 million dollars within 24 hours you may never see me again. You have been warned.
Edited by: RaVeN at: 8/29/04 12:16 am