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by Chris Kenworthy (scoobyhq@fcmail.com)
Disclaimer: I don't own Willow, Xander, Buffy, Oz, Faith, or any of the other characters created by Joss Whedon or writers on the Buffy show.
Willow's face fell. She tried to speak, but at first she couldn't find the words. Then, "Xander!"
"What?" Xander looked shocked, and he cast a sidelong glance at Buffy, standing nearby, before returning his attention to Willow.
"I... we just..." Just then, Oz entered the library, carrying a handful of flowers.
"You what?" Xander asked again.
Willow took a deep breath. "Oz... just took me back."
"Uh-oh." Xander frowned. "So... that thing I just said... probably wasn't said at a very good time, huh?"
"Yeah!!" Willow almost cried out.
"I think that's our cue to leave," Buffy said, dragging Faith out of the library with her and leaving the three to their discussion.
"Oh, man, I never get to see anything fun," Faith grumbled as she was led away.
"So, uh, what happens now?" Xander asked uncomfortably.
"Well, that depends on what I missed," Oz said.
"Xander just asked me to the dance," Willow said.
Oz's eyes narrowed. "I thought you said..."
"I did say!" Willow hastily confirmed. "And he said. This is the first time he's said something different!"
"Well," Oz considered. "No offense, Xander, but it seems to me you got to the point just too late. Willow and I are going steady again, and to me that means..."
"No, Oz," Willow said. "I'm sorry, honey, but I can't just say 'sorry, you missed your chance' to Xander. I'm gonna have to think about it and make a choice based on my heart." She turned to look over at Xander. "Unless you want to withdraw your invite, under the circumstances?" Her face was a mix of uncertainty and faint hope.
Xander almost said it. He had meant what he said, but more than anything he wanted to make Willow happy. Taking it back, telling her she didn't have to choose, would make her happy, he knew that. But somehow... "No; I'm really sorry, but I don't think I can do that."
Willow's face fell into a disappointed composure. "Okay. I'll try to let you both know as soon as I come to a decision." She turned away from both of them and walked out of the library.
Oz turned on Xander with barely restrained anger as soon as his Willow was out of sight. Xander was quite surprised to see the normally inflappable Oz so worked up, in spite of the fact that he knew how deeply he cared for Willow. "Why did you have to..."
"I'm sorry, man," Xander said. "It was lousy timing I know, in more than one way. But it's out there, finally. I love Willow. If she picks you, knowing that, well then fine; that'll be the end of it. But I had to let her know."
Oz stared at him for a second, a perplexed expression on his face. Then he shoved Xander lightly back into a chair and stormed out of the library himself.
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