Title: Trouble (1/2)
Author: Dolores Labouchere
E-mail: dolores_l@h...
Summary: Oz makes his choice – but might regret it.
Spoilers: Nothing direct, some vague reference to Seasons 2 and 3.
Rating: NC-17 for m/m slash, language and violence.
Distribution: Lists, diminished ninth, Dolores' Domain otherwise just ask
Disclaimer: They're not mine, they never have been and they probably never   will be.   I promise to put them back when I'm finished although they might   be slightly soiled.
Notes: Part 10, would you believe, of 'Driftwood'.   The title of the fic is   taken from the song on Coldplay's album, 'Parachutes' the words to which are   rather appropriate.
Dedicated as ever to Faithtastic for beta'ing, squealing   when I reveal plot details, and being fabulous.   This is also for Otsoko   (see?   I can use meringues in my fics too) Roz, Selena and puca, cos I like   them very much.

This is an AU where Oz left in the middle of the summer between High School   and college, so he didn't go to LA, didn't cheat on Willow with Veruca, and   didn't find a cure.   Oh, and Tara never got it together with Willow (Xander   did instead).

"This I not a novel to be tossed aside lightly.   It should be thrown with   great force." – Dorothy Parker

***

"So, Amy, when did you stop being a rodent?" Oz asked the raven-haired woman   in an purple dress next to him at his table.   Amy took a moment to finish   the mouthful of meringue she, like the other guests, had been given as   dessert at the reception.

"Willow finally managed to de-rat me I her sophomore year at college.   It   took her long enough.   I tell you, if I never see a slice of apple again   it'll be too soon."   She grinned.   "Mind you, Willow forgot I was still Amy   half the time.   That cage… I've seen both you and Xander with Willow, naked   and…" she stopped abruptly as a blonde girl in a mint green dress sitting   next to Amy elbowed her in the ribs.   Amy glared at her, then addressed Oz.   "Have you met Tara, my girlfriend?"

"No.   Nice to meet you," Oz said, with a nod in Tara's direction.

"Tara's a Wicca too.   We met at the college coven."

"H-hi."

"Oz is a werewolf," Amy told Tara matter-of-factly.

"Oh.   That must be t-tough."

Oz shrugged.   "I'm pretty much used to it."

Tara smiled at him again, then went back to eating her meringue.   Amy   whispered something in her ear, and Tara choked back a giggle at whatever it   was.   Oz's hearing picked up something about Willow's love-pillows, and   decided to screen out from the conversation.

He scanned around the room, the function suite of one of Sunnydale's better   hotels.   As in, it wasn't the dingy motel.   And he was here, at Xander and   Willow's reception.   He'd kept his promise to Xander.   Despite her threats,   Cordy too had stayed quiet.   Xander and Willow had seemed happy, in the   end, so . . . maybe it was the right thing to do.

Confetti littered the floor, and what he supposed was meant to be romantic   classical music echoed tinnily from the speakers on the walls.   The speeches   and toasts were all over, and the guests, in clumps around the room, were   now easing into the night, fuelled by wine and beer and whisky.

He sat in the same tux he'd worn to his graduation – it still fitted after   all, his pale red hair spiked up even more than usual.   The other seat next   to him was vacant, Cordelia haven forsaken dessert ("My figure!") to go and   chat to Giles, who apparently didn't like meringue either.   Oz looked over   to where they were standing, noting that Joyce was draped across Giles' arm   in a midnight blue dress.   They had, apparently, started dating at the end   of Buffy's freshman year and were now talking about marriage themselves.

Buffy, for her part, in a pink bridesmaid's dress, was sitting sipping wine   next to Riley.   The soldier sat stiffly in his chair, looking for all the   world like a waxwork dummy.   Along from the couple was Willow, standing next   to an uncomfortable looking Xander, talking to her parents.   Will was   wearing an understated ivory gown, Xander the traditional tux.

In another part of the hall was Angel, also in tux, talking to Wesley.   After the bachelor party the two had gone back to Angel's hotel room, and   had spent the night just kissing and talking.   He wondered which part of   that people would be more surprised at: them kissing or them talking.   The   vampire caught Oz's gaze for a moment and smiled.   Oz returned the favour,   before Angel was distracted again by the Watcher.

Oz turned as a figure walked past his table.   It was Anya, the ex-demon   who'd taken Xander to the Prom.   She was in a jet back dress, with a veil   draped across her face, dabbing a lace handkerchief to her eyes.

Following his gaze, Amy leant across and, with barely disguised mirth,   whispered in Oz's ear, "She's in mourning for the loss of Xander to Willow.   Apparently she never got over her crush on him at the end of High School."

"She only went to the Prom with him," Oz said, turning to look at her in   bemusement.

"Anya is several Latin phrases short of an incantation.   What do you   expect?"

Oz considered his reply, but before he could answer, a blunt voice hollered   in his ear.

"You.   You're the werewolf?"

Oz looked to the source of the voice and saw it was Anya.

"Not publicly," he stated, with raised eyebrow.

"You used to date the Painted Jezebel over there," she said, indicating   Willow.   "Go take her back."

"Take her back?"

"Xander is *mine*.   He took me to the Prom.   He gave me a corsage.   We   shared *quality* time.   He gave me a hickey!   That meant something.   Go and   declare your love for the Sinful Tramp so she dumps him and then he'll fall   in love with me."   Oz heard Amy and Tara snort behind him.

"I don't think it actually works like that."

"*Make* it work.   I'll pay you. I have contacts." She was speaking very   loudly now, enough so that other guests were beginning to stare.   "I can   give you spells that'll make your hair stand on end."

"It kinda already does that," Oz replied, to giggles from Amy and Tara.

"You must want something?"   Anya pleaded, not realising that Giles and Joyce   were looming behind her now.

"I'm sure he wants left alone by you." Giles' inflection was one Oz   remembered well as his 'teacher' voice.

The ex-demon sun around to face him.   "Look, I don't have to listen to you.   You're a sad, pathetic. . . *high school* librarian.   Leave me alone," Anya   retorted.

It was Joyce who responded.   In an eerily sunny Stepford voice she said,   "Insult Rupert again and I'll slap you so hard your whiny, little jaw will   break in four different places.   Now go away."

Anya silently fumed for a moment then stalked off towards the restrooms.

"Thanks."   Oz got to his feet and nodded greetings to the pair.

Giles dipped his head in return, whilst Joyce leaned over and kissed him on   the cheek. "Oz honey, I'm so glad you got your invite."

"Uh, yeah – so was I."

"I had real trouble tracking down your address, let me tell you."

"That was *you*?"

Joyce preened slightly.   "Oh, yeah.   I was helping Sheila send them all out,   but when we came to yours there wasn't an address.   So, I went round to your   old house and the new occupant gave me your mother's forwarding address.   I   wrote to her, and she sent me on your address in Canada.   Quite an   adventure."

Oz nodded – his mother had moved to Philadelphia shortly after he'd left   Sunnydale; he kept in touch with her, but things were strained.

Giles was frowning.   "That's odd.   After you left we tried to find out where   you'd gone.   Xander went round to your house but he said that there was no   forwarding address. . ." Giles trailed off as he put the pieces together.   "Oh."

"I got the address no problem.   I guess he must have one to the wrong   address," Joyce ventured.

Glancing at Giles, Oz mumbled, "Guess so."

They were disturbed by the sudden cacophony of Amy and Tara fussing over   Willow, who'd seemingly wandered over to their table.   As the other two   women congratulated her, Willow looked up and met Oz's eyes.   She smiled and   gave her excuses to them, then moved towards Oz, Giles and Joyce.

"Willow dear, congratulations again," Joyce said, embracing the new Mrs.   Harris.

"Yes, yes, absolutely," Giles added, giving Willow a hug when Joyce pulled   back.   Then he gestured to Joyce, "I think we should go and speak to Buffy."

"Oh, but I haven't spoken to Willow yet," Joyce replied, a pout forming on   her lips.   Giles cleared his throat and looked meaningfully from Joyce to Oz   and Willow.   Her eyes widened as the penny dropped, and she hurriedly said,   "But, uh, that can wait.   Buffy. . . can't."

The couple then walked off towards Joyce's daughter.   Noticing Amy and Tara   were watching Willow and he with interest, Oz whispered, "Come on," and   guided his old girlfriend away to a quieter part of the room.   Then they   stopped, and turned to face each other.

"I'm so glad you came, Oz," Willow beamed, before wrapping her arms around   him.   "I really am."   Her voice dropped to a bare whisper, "And I'm so   pleased about you and Angel.   I'm stunned – but in a good way."

Oz released her.   "You heard about that, huh?"

"So it's true?   Eek!   I thought Xander might be making fun of me."

He shrugged.   "Depends on what 'it' is."

"Well, you're seeing him."

"Something's happened, sure.   I don't really know what."

"What about the whole curse thing?   I mean, Xander said you'd, y'know, had   sex."

"Xander never did understand the whole 'secret' thing that well, did he?   But. . . it hasn't come up.   I'm not Buffy."   Oz allowed a small, bitter   smile to cross his face.

"He'll only change if he and Buffy. . .?"

"Only if he loves them, truly."

"Oh.   Oh!   Oh."

"Exactly."

She smiled at him.   "Well, I could see if there's any spells that'll maybe   help.   I could ask Tara and Amy, too."

"I don't think gypsy curse were meant to have get-out clauses."

"Well, we'll try," Willow responded, a look of pity in her eyes.

"Will – how d'you think Buffy'll react if she finds out?   It's just that I   prefer Angel not looking like the birdseed in a Road Runner cartoon."

"Oh, I don't. . . she still cares for him, Oz.   She might be. . . upset,   maybe, at first.   But not vampicidal.   Well, no more than is normal for a   Slayer, obviously."

"And you?   You're OK with this?   Whatever it is."   Oz searched Willow's face   for an answer.   Neither of them noticed Cordelia was now making her way   towards them.

After a moment, Willow laughed.   "I think I can get over my ex-boyfriend   being gay."

It was Cordelia who spoke next, "You've taken this awful well.   I mean, I'd   be in hysterics.   If I ever thought any of my significant others might   possibly gay."

Oz tried to direct a warning look to her, tell that this wasn't what   Cordelia thought.   Willow frowned, and said, "Cordelia, I don't see Oz   anymore.   I just want him to be happy.   It doesn't bother me with who."

Oz tried to interject, "Cordelia, not now."

Cordy ignored him.   "It doesn't bother you that he was with your husband?   How very new-age of you."

"Cordelia, Oz is seeing Angel, not Xander!"   Willow obviously thought that   Cordy had her wires crossed.

Oz was desperate, "*Cordelia!*"

A confused look clouded Cordelia's face. "No, Oz cheated on you with Xander,   not Angel."

"But, he's with Angel…" Willow's voice began to quaver, as some pieces began   to slot together.

"Willow, we need to talk.   But not here," Oz said, placing a hand on   Willow's shoulder.

Cordelia regarded Oz, "Wait.   She thinks you're with Angel.   Please tell me   you've made that one up."

"Cordy, will you go away," he answered, not taking his gaze from Willow, who   was now silent and open-mouthed.

"Oh, my God.   You've had sex with Angel *too*.   All that's left is Giles!"   Cordy squealed, and guests now turned their attention to this new argument.

Willow turned to face Oz.   "Oz, tell me Cordy has this all wrong. Tell me   you aren't – you didn't – do anything with Xander."

Oz swallowed heavily, but said nothing.

"Oz. . ." she said, in a pleading voice, tears welling in her eyes.

He croaked, "It was a long time ago."

Cordy jumped in, "And tell me you aren't doing the dirty with my boss."

Oz turned to look at her, flint in his eyes.   "Cordelia, fuck off."

The actress squeaked in indignation, but then her mouth dropped open as   Willow's hand came up in a wide slap to Oz's face.   The watching guests   groaned in response.

The witch said quietly, "Go.   Go now."

"Willow. . ."   This was Xander, who had moved over to his new wife as the   argument had heated.   He shot an accusing glance at Oz.

She whirled round to face him, a tear tracing her cheek.   "Xander, have you   slept with Oz?"   Her voice was loud, and most of the guests were whispering   to each other.

"Uh, well, technically yes, but it was six years ago," he replied, fear wide   in his eyes.

"So you were the one Oz cheated on me with?"

"I guess. . ." Xander trailed off, unable to think of a quip that could save   him now.

She began to cry now, and the betrayed look in her eyes sent Xander's gaze   in another direction.   "All that time you sat and told me you couldn't   believe Oz had cheated on me, how you would be there for me, how you *loved*   me. . . it was all lies."

"Oh, Willow, I *do* love you.   I never lied about that.   And I meant to tell   you – I was just scared."

"Scared I would be upset?   Well, yeah, I think that happened."

"Willow, honey?   What's happened?" Willow's mom Sheila said as she   approached the group.

"Oh, mom…" began Willow, before she was overtaken by more sobs.

"What the hell's going on?" Buffy waded into the crisis, Riley and Angel   following in her wake.

"Buffy. . ." Willow managed, before rushing to hug her mother, weeping into   the yellow fabric of her dress.

It was Cordelia who answered, taking a cigarette out of her case as she did   so.   "It turns out Xander and Oz were fucking each other.   And now Oz has   moved onto Angel."

Angel looked at Oz in surprise, and Buffy and Riley looked at Angel in   amazement.   Sheila gave an outraged look at Oz and Xander, and Cordy lit her   cigarette.

"Look," cried Xander, "it was *six* years ago."

"Oh, well that makes it OK then," Cordy commented sarcastically.

Giles and Joyce now appeared, followed by Ira Rosenburg and Xander's father.  
   All four had different looks on their face, from bemusement to anger.

"You'd better have a brilliant excuse for this," Xander's father warned him   darkly.

Buffy, meanwhile, was looking at Angel, "I can't believe you.   You're seeing   Oz!"

Angel's face creased in annoyance.   "Buffy, exactly when do I have to pass   my girl or boyfriends past you for approval?"

"That's not the point.   I. . .   You should have told me. . ." Buffy trailed   off, looking at the vampire in a look that suggested betrayal.   It was one   Riley didn't miss.

"Why?"

"Because.   You're still. . . well. . ." Buffy realised too late where she   was heading.

Riley looked at his girlfriend with disgust.   "I'm fed up with this, Buffy.   I try to be everything you want me to be, but all the time I know I'm under   *his* shadow," a hostile glare at Angel, "and I can't do anything to better   him.   I think you're more upset he's with Oz than you would be if I was.   Make up your mind.   It's either me or him."

"This is just great.   I don't need this right now, Riley. You know I love   you," Buffy countered.

"More than him?"

"In a different way."

The soldier sighed.   "I can't win.   I need to go think."   He turned on his   heel, and made for the exit, shaking off Graham's concerned presence as he   left.

"Riley!" Buffy shouted after him.   "Stop acting like a baby!"   But he was   gone.

Xander, meanwhile, was talking to Willow.   "Will, I'm *so* sorry.   Please,   I'll do anything."

"Go away!" was the muffled reply.   "Mom, I want to go.   Can we go?"

"Of course."

They made for the door, followed by Willow's father and Giles and Joyce, who   hitherto had just stared at the exchanges in shock.

Buffy looked at Angel.   "I'll speak to you later."   Then Oz.   "Why did you   have to wreck this for her?"

"Buffy, I never meant this to happen."

"You shouldn't have come back then," the Slayer replied, before starting to   walk after Willow.   She turned as Xander made to go with her, "Follow us and   I'll break your legs, Xander.   Leave it for now."

The groom stood, mouth open and silent as he watched Buffy go.   Then his   father came up to him.   "Don't think you're coming home either, you little   faggot.   You're no son of mine."

"Dad, don't, please. . ." Xander began, but the other man was already gone.

Then Anya was at his side, grinning happily.   "This is so good.   The Skanky   Ho has gone and now you're going to fall in love with me."

"Anya, go away and return to the pit of Hell from whence you came."

She shrugged.   "You'll come round. After all, who else is going to want you   after this?   I'll be at home if you want an orgasm."   Then she, too, made   for the exit, leaving Xander alone, the remaining guests staring and   giggling.   Tears brimmed across his eyes, then with a single yelp, he sank   to his knees and hung his head, sobbing silently.

Angel laid his hand on Oz's shoulder.   "I think we'd better leave."

Oz nodded.   "Buffy was right.   I should never have come."

***

Continued in Part 2