Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this story, they're Joss Whedon's and everyone else who has rights to them. I am simply borrowing them for entertainment purposes. Some scenes might bare some resemblance to "Phases," but I made a whole lot of changes overall, and those are mine.
Distribution: Sure... just ask first(I'll probably say yes) and tell me where it's going.
Author's Notes: This is the sequel to "The Way It Should Have Been," my alternate ending to "Surprise" and changed "Innocence." I shouldn't even have to ask, but please let me know what you think about this. This has the same plot as "Phases" with the whole werewolf thing, but it has added scenes with Buffy and Angel and a different ending to the whole thing. Remember dinner at Buffy's?
Oz was leaning down in front of the trophy case at Sunnydale High. Slowly, he moved his head to one side and then to the other, watching one of the trophies with attentive eyes.
"Hi," he heard a voice from behind.
He turned around to face Willow Rosenburg. "Oh, that's what I was gonna say," he said with a smile.
Curiously, Willow looked at the trophy. "What are you looking at?"
Oz turned around to look at the case. "This cheerleading trophy," he answered while once again moving from side to side. "It's like it's eyes follow you wherever you go. I like it."
Willow nodded as he straightened out and turned to her again. Together, they started walking down the hall. "So did you like the movie last night?" Willow asked.
Oz looked pensive for a few moments. "I don't know," he said. "Today's movies are kinda like popcorn. You forget about it once it's done. I did like the popcorn, though."
Willow smiled. "Yeah, it was good. And I had a really fun time with the rest," she said, winning a confused look from Oz. "I mean the part with you."
"Oh, yeah," Oz answered. "My time was also of the good."
"Mine too."
They kept walking and the settled into awkward silence. "Uh, well..." Willow trailed off.
Oz didn't say anything and raised his eyebrows, waiting for her to finish. Willow looked past him and noticed Buffy down the hall.
"Oh, there," Willow said pointing at Buffy. "My friend."
Oz nodded. "I'll see you then. Uh, later."
Willow took off after Buffy, who had stopped to wait for her. Oz turned to walk the other way, and noticed Larry and some of the other jocks making his way over to him. Larry bit into his fist.
"Oh, man!" Larry said. "I'd love to get into some Buffy and Willow action, if you know what I mean!"
Oz nodded. "That's great, Larry. You've really mastered the single entendre."
Larry noticed a pretty girl walking down the hall and ignored Oz momentarily. As she walked by, he knocked her books out of her hand. "Hey!" she cried out.
"Oops," Larry said, non too apologetic. She bent down to pick up the books while Larry and the other jocks stared at her legs. "Oooh! Oh, thank you, Thighmaster!"
The girl glared at them and left.
"So, Oz, man," Larry said. "What's up with that? Dating a junior? What, is that little schoolgirl thing just an act?"
"Yeah," Oz answered. "She's actually an evil mastermind. It's fun."
"Oh, come on. What do you do, talk?" Larry laughed. "'Fess up... how far have you gotten?"
Oz rolled his eyes and walked away, leaving Larry and the other jocks standing there.
******
Buffy and Willow walked together outside in the sun. "Nowhere!" Willow was saying. "I almost worked up the courage when we were getting that rocket launcher, but Xander and Cordy interrupted."
"So, does this mean you're finally over Xander?" Buffy asked with a smile.
Willow frowned slightly. "I think so. I guess somewhere along the line when I wasn't looking, I grew up. Plus, now that he and Cordy are an item, and let me just add an 'ew' here..."
Buffy giggled. "I second that!"
"He won't even give me a second glance," Willow finished. "I guess he'd rather be with someone he hates than be with me."
"Don't say that, Will," Buffy said. "Cordy's changed, and a person can't control their feelings for someone. I should know!"
Willow nodded. "Yeah, I know. I just wish Oz would kiss me."
"Well, I think it's nice that he's at least not being an animal. You know, like Larry?"
"I think it's very nice," Willow replied. "I think he's great! He's a lot of fun. But I wan't smoochies!"
"Have you dropped any hints?" Buffy asked.
"I've dropped anvils!"
Buffy put an arm around Willow's shoulder. "He'll come around, you'll see. What guy could resist your wily Willow charm?"
"At last count?" Willow muttered. "All of them. Maybe more."
"Well none of them know a thing. They all get an 'F' in Willow."
"But I wan't Oz to get an 'A'!" Willow exclaimed. "And, oh, one of those little gold stars."
They neared a bench and sat down. Buffy laughed. "I'm sure he will."
"Well, he better hurry," Willow answered. "I don't want to be the only girl in school without a boyfriend."
Buffy shook her head. "Oz likes you, I can tell," she said. "Plus, there's nothing bad about not having a boyfriend."
"Hey, speaking of boyfriends," Willow said. "Have you talked to Angel about dinner, yet?"
Buffy rolled her eyes. "You won't let that go, will you?"
Willow shook her head stubbornly. "Nope."
With a sigh, Buffy answered. "I told him that I needed to talk to him tonight. I promise I'll ask him tonight."
******
Buffy stood in front of Angel's door, her hand raised, ready to knock. Abruptly, though, the door opened and Angel stood on the other side. He wore long black pants and a silk, button-down burgandy shirt with long sleeves.
"I heard your footsteps," he explained.
"Oh," she said with a smile. "May I come in?"
"Oh, sure," he said standing aside. "My manners fly out the window when all I wanna do is stare at you."
Buffy blushed a little. Angel continued, so as not to embarrass her. "You said you wanted to talk?"
Buffy nodded and grimaced slightly. "Angel, can you eat?"
Angel blinked in surprise. "What?"
"Can you eat?" Buffy repeated. "Normal food, I mean."
Angel shrugged. "Well, it's been some time since I have, but I think so, yeah."
Buffy sighed in relief. "Okay, you remember when you walked me home the other day? You kissed me goodnight on my front porch and my mother saw us."
When Angel nodded, she continued. "Well, my mom wants you to come over for dinner sometime so she can meet you."
Angel chuckled. "It's been a long time since I've had to charm a woman's mother," he said with a smile.
"I'm sure you can charm my mother perfectly well," Buffy answered. "I mean, she loves art. You like art, right?" When Angel nodded, she continued. "Well, see? Something in common."
"Are you trying to convince me?" Angel asked.
Buffy nodded. "Is it working?"
Angel stepped forward and put his hand to her cheek. "You don't have to convince me to do anything, you know," he replied. "I'd step into the sunlight if you asked me to."
Buffy grinned and put her arms around his neck. "Nah," she said. "I don't think it'd go well with your skin. I wouldn't be very pleased if I had to fit you into an ashtray. Then I wouldn't be able to do this."
She closed the distance remaining with their mouths and kissed him. Angel responded and wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her close to him. He pulled away after several minutes, only with respect to the fact that Buffy needed to breathe.
Angel nodded with mock seriousness. "You're right. It'd be very hard."
Buffy laughed and pulled him close again. After they separated the second time, Buffy spoke. "So, you're coming over?"
"Sure," Angel said. "When?"
"The sooner, the better," Buffy said as she pulled away from him. "Tonight?"
Angel raised an eyebrow. "Don't you think that's too short notice?"
Buffy's lips formed a pout. "Fine, tomorrow?"
"Sure," Angel said. "You better ask your mother, though."
Buffy started to nod, but then stopped and snapped her fingers. "Oh, shoot," she replied. "Tomorrow is the day my mom works late at the gallery."
Angel pulled her close again and kissed her forehead. "Well, you talk it over with her and let me know. We also have to make up some story."
"Yeah," she sighed. "I'll talk to my mom and set a date. So, what do you like to eat?"
"Anything," he said with a shrug. "Actually, I haven't eaten lasagna in some time."
"Lasagna it is, then," Buffy answered with a laugh.
******
Cordelia and Xander sat in Cordelia's car that night, making out. Suddenly, Xander broke off. "What could she possible see in him?" he said.
Cordelia rolled her eyes. "Willow again? I'm sorry, Harris, but we didn't come here to talk about Willow. We came here to do things I could never tell my father about cause he still thinks I'm a good girl."
Xander continued as if he hadn't heard her. "I just don't trust Oz with her. I mean, he's a senior, he's attractive-- okay, well maybe not to me, but-- and he's in a band. And we know what kind of element that attracts."
"I've dated lots of guys in bands..." Cordelia stated.
Xander nodded in satisfaction. "Thank you."
Cordelia looked slightly hurt, but then frowned. "Do you even wanna be here?" she asked.
"I'm not running away."
"Because when you're not babbling about poor, defenseless Willow," Cordelia continued, "you're raving about the all powerful Buffy!"
"I don't babble!" Xander defended himself. "I occasionally run-on, and every now and then I yammer..."
Cordelia held up a hand. "Xander?"
"Yeah?"
"Look around. We're in my daddy's car, it's just the two of us, there is a beautiful, big full moon outside tonight. It doesn't get more romantic than this," Cordelia said. "So shut up!"
Xander leaned forward and the started making out again. After several minutes, Xander pulled away again. "Do you hear that?" he asked.
Cordelia sighed. "What is it now?"
"I thought I heard something."
"What?" Cordelia said sarcastically. "Is it some distress signal from Willow that only you can hear?"
Xander frowned. "Huh."
Cordelia leaned forward and they began to make out again. A second later, Xander once again broke off. "Okay, now I know heard something!" he exclaimed.
"Alright, you know what? That's it," Cordelia said with exasperation. "Your mind hasn't been her all night! Maybe I should just..."
She was drastically interrupted as a hairy arm with claws broke through the top of the convertible. With a scream, Cordelia scrambled for her keys.
"Get us outta here!" Xander cried out.
"Where are the keys?" Cordelia screamed as she kept looking.
"Come on!" Xander yelled as he, too started searching for the keys.
"Oh, I got them!" Cordelia cried as she finally found the keys and started the ignition.
Cordelia hit the gas pedal and the car went back in reverse. She screamed as the creature got slammed out from on top of the car. She set the car on 'drive' and started forward again. This time, she managed to get away from the creature.
"Told ya I heard something," Xander muttered.