Oz went through the motions the next day at school. Knowing about the existence of this Judge guy seemed to put everything in a very different perspective... < Like school matters at ALL right now? >

After classes, Oz stood outside the library and looked in through the doors. He could see Cordelia and Xanderreading. Willow was sitting at a computer terminal, and Ms. Calendar and Mr. Giles were talking and pointing to a reference in a book. If Buffy was in there, he couldn't see her.

Oz sighed and debated whether or not to go in. They looked busy. And, he believed he made it clear to Willow that if she needed help she could call. He didn't want to be pushy. He didn't want to scare her off. He wasn't sure how the so-called date last night went at all. < Well, she told Xander I was nice. > And besides, Willow had other things on her mind right now.

Oz turned to go home. If Willow wanted him, she'd call. It was all a waiting game now.

Oz jumped as the phone beside his bed rang. < 7:48 pm? I must've dozed off. > He grabbed the phone on the second ring, and lifted the receiver to his ear.

"Hello?" It was at this point that he noticed the drool on his cheek. He wiped it away hurriedly with his hand.

"Um. Hello? Is Oz there, please?" Oz recognized Willow's voice immediately. He furrowed his brow in concentration. She sounded - less vibrant, less Willow-y. Something was wrong.

"Willow, hi. Um, how're things?" < Lame, lame, lame. >

"Angel turned bad. He's lost his soul."

Willow's voice sounded so lost so hurt, and Oz's response was automatic. "Oh, baby, I'm sorry." < Did I just call her 'Baby'?! Out loud?! >

Willow didn't appear to notice. "He uh..he tried to kill me last night."

Oz's hear froze with absolute fear in his chest. He struggled to find the air to speak. "But you're okay, he didn't hurt you?"

"I'll be okay. I'm just worried about Buffy."

"What about the Judge?" Oz asked.

"Druscilla's assembled the Judge," Willow replied. "They intercepted Buffy and Angel last night and stole the box back. We kinda need your help. I know that this is dangerous and all, and if you don't want -"

"Where?" Oz asked cutting her off.

"Can you bring your van and meet me at my house in half an hour?"

"I'll be there."

"Okay. Um Oz?"

"Yeah?" he asked, holding the receiver tightly in his hand.

"Thanks."

Oz let out a tense smile. "I'll see you soon."

Oz pulled up into Willow's driveway and was ready to jump out of the van when he saw Willow, Cordelia and Xander erupt from the front door. < Well, now Cordy looks trampier than usual. >

Oz leaned over and unlocked the side door, allowing Xander and Cordelia access.

Willow opened her own door and sat down in the seat.

"Hi," she said, the corners of her mouth curving slightly. < She's trying to save the world and she's still glad to see me… > Oz tried to reign in his dancing emotions. Her hair was different than the afternoon - all braided closely to her head. It made her look more…innocent. < How appropriate that an angel is trying to save the world from a creature of hell… >

"Hey," Oz replied, nodding to the passengers in the backseat as he spoke as well. "So, what's the plan?"

"We need to go to the armory," Xander said. "I need to get something from there."

"Okaaayyy," Oz said, pulling back out onto the street. A light rain began to fall.

They drove in silence for a moment before Oz's curiosity got the better of him. "So, what are you getting from the armory?"

"A rocket launcher," Xander replied.

Oz's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "No wonder you needed a van."

"Cordy and I'll sneak in and get the package, we'll pass it out to you and Willow, and then we're on our way. Easy." He rubbed his hands together in anticipation.

"This is never gonna work-" Cordy began, only to be cut off by Xander.

"You just don't like it because it's MY idea. If it was YOUR plan-"

"If it was MY plan I wouldn't have had the girl dressed up like a hooker, and then not tell her anyth-"

"Hey, if you've got the moves-"

"Like you'd remotely recognize a hooker's moves-"

"Well, Cordy, you see the interesting part is that you didn't even have to buy NEW clothes-"

"Guys!" Willow shouted, and as Oz looked at her, he noted that her eyes were misty. What was going on here? He glanced in the backseat at the couple and noticed the dancing sparks in the air. Everything dawned on him. Cordelia and Xander were dating. Willow's crush on Xander… . Did this mean that his whole date with Willow yesterday was just a plot to make Xander jealous? To punish him? Oz glanced sideways at Willow and decided that couldn't be the case. Willow was too nice, too sincere. And she'd defended him to both Cordelia and Xander yesterday.

"Just… look, we have to help Buffy here. This is our only chance, okay?" Willow said more quietly.

"Yeah," Xander agreed, forcefully eyeing Cordelia as if to challenge it.

Oz squinted through the rain as they approached the armory. "Where do I--?"

Xander leaned into the front seat between Oz and Willow. "Over there. Okay, now left, down between those… Okay pull up to this one, here, on the right." Xander sat back a little. "Wait here. When you guys see that window open get out the ladder, come up, we'll pass you the package, okay?"

"Okay," Oz agreed.

"Be careful," Willow said, still concerned for them, even now.

Xander opened the van's door and got out. Cordelia followed quickly. Oz sat, his hands tense on the steering wheel as he watched the two of them disappear behind the armory's fence.

Willow and Oz sat in silence for a couple of minutes. Oz saw Willow glance at her watch. "I wish they'd hurry."

Oz tried to think of something to say. This whole Xander-Cordelia thing seemed to have Willow a little upset. Not to mention the Judge and Angel…< Neutral topic, look for a neutral topic. > "So. Do you guys steal weapons from the army a lot?"

"Well, we don't have cable, so we have to make our own fun," Willow replied, the corners of her mouth quirking upwards.

Oz shared her smirk. "I get you."

Oz looked out the window and slightly upwards, trying to catch a glimpse of the window up on the building.

"Do you wanna make out with me?" Willow's question almost made him jump out of his skin.

"What?" he exclaimed in surprise.

Willow looked away, embarrassed. "Forget it. I'm sorry." Oz stared at her. He wanted to kiss her more than just about anything, except breathing. But under these circumstances? Willow shyly raised her eyes to his again. "Well, do you?"

Oz searched for the exact right words to say. If he said he didn't want to kiss her right now, he'd lose her. That just wasn't an option. But at the same time, he just couldn't kiss Willow now. Not when she was mad at Xander and this Judge guy was on the loose. < I'll just tell her the truth. > "Sometimes when I'm sitting in class," he began. "You know, I'm not thinking about class -- 'cause that would never happen. I think about kissing you. And it's like everything stops. It's like -- it's like freeze frame. Willow kissage." He smiled to himself and stared at his dashboard, recalling several moments in the past weeks when he imagined her lips on his. He finally raised his head and looked at Willow. She was smiling at him. That sweet smile which could stop his heart. "Oh, I'm not gonna kiss you."

Willow looked disappointed and confused at his statement. "What? But ..freeze frame!"

Oz carefully chose his next words. "Well, to the casual observer, it would appear that you're trying to make your friend Xander jealous or even the score or something. And that's on the empty side." He looked forward, focusing on some unseen object ahead of him. < How can I put this? > he thought. < How do I tell her that I want her, but not like this? > "See, in my fantasy when I'm kissing you, you're kissing me." He glanced over at her. She was looking at him with wonder written on her face. "It's okay. I can wait." Oz heard a noise directly above the van. He peered out the windshield to see Xander pushing a box out a window high on the building. "We're up."

Oz jumped out of the van and opened the back door. He quickly yanked the ladder they had brought out and carried it over to the window. He set it up and looked around for Willow, who was supposed to hold the ladder. She was sitting, still facing where he had been moments earlier with a small smile on her face. Oz tapped the window lightly. "Willow? Can you give me a hand here?"

Willow snapped out of her reverie and opened her door. She moved over to him and held the ladder firmly in place while he climbed up.

"Fancy meeting you here," Xander quipped, pushing the box out further. "Think you can handle this 'til I get out there, little man?"

Oz ground his teeth together in frustration. "Just hurry up." He held the box in place and waited for Xander and Cordelia to reappear on ground level. And waited. And waited. His arm that had been injured with the bullet was starting to ache.

"Where are they?" he whispered down to Willow.

She looked up at him and shrugged in response. "Maybe they got caught." she whispered back.

Just then, Xander and Cordelia came around the side of the building. Both looked a little disheveled. < They didn't. Please tell me they didn't. >

Willow also took in their appearance and glared at Xander.

Oz tilted the box down towards Xander and between the two of them they got it lowered to the ground safely. Cordelia and Willow got back in the van and waited as Xander and Oz hefted the box into the back and then retrieved the ladder.

Oz started the van. "Where now?"

"The library," Willow replied softly.

Oz nodded once and stepped firmly on the gas. The sooner he got Willow out of the close confines with Xander and Cordelia, the better.

"Does it have, you know, a bomb or something?" Willow asked Xander, craning her head to look into the back of the van.

"It's got two missles. They're not full potency missles, mind you. But we just want to take out the Judge, not a block radius."

The rest of the ride passed in silence until they neared the school.

"Library, right?" Oz asked, beginning to maneuver his way to the emergency exit again.

Willow nodded once and looked out the window as the familiar scenery whizzed by. "I hope Buffy's back."

Oz came to a stop outside the library's door and backed the van as close as he could get. Xander and Cordelia opened their door and spilled out onto the pavement, but this time Oz was fast enough to get to Willow's door before she could open it. He held it open for her and helped her down from the slight height of the van. < World saveage or not, she should have someone treat her with respect. >

Xander had the back of the van open and was tugging on the box. Oz joined him in pulling the heavy crate out of the van and then the two of them awkwardly carried it to the door. Willow had jogged ahead of them and was holding the door open.

Giles looked up from the book he was reading as they entered. Ms. Calendar was sitting quietly in one of the chairs, staring at a spot on the table.

Giles stood as the box emerged into view. "Good heavens," he said, moving to the box.

"Where's Buffy?" Xander asked.

"She's on her way. Is this what… what I think it is?"

Xander nodded, while he and Oz carefully lowered the crate to the floor in Giles' office.

"I've created felons," Giles murmured quietly as he followed them and ran his hand over the box.

"Oh, Giles, don't worry about being grateful. You don't need to say 'thank you'," Xander said. Giles rolled his eyes heavenward. "Think it'll work?"

Giles shrugged non-committally. "Perhaps," he tapped the book in his hand. "It hasn't been tried before..."

Willow sat down at one of the library chairs, and Oz hastened to sit beside her, but his rest was short-lived as Buffy strode into the library.

"What've we got?"

"Well, Xander has an idea that is currently our best plan," Giles began.

Buffy nodded and followed Giles into the library. She stepped aside as Xander and Oz hefted the box onto Giles' desk. Oz turned and left the room quickly. He could hear Xander behind him, "Happy Birthday, Buffy. I hope you like the color."

Oz sat beside Willow again. Cordelia announced she was going to get changed and left the library. She was watching as Ms. Calendar approached Giles' doorway. Ms. Calendar spoke to the occupants of the office for a moment and then she came back to the table. She looked like she had tears in her eyes. She hurriedly gathered up her purse and jacket.

She looked pointedly at Willow, a tear spilling out and tracing a line down her cheek. "I'm sorry." Then she left. The doors swung wildly after her hasty exit.

Oz turned to Willow. "What's that all about?"

Willow regarded him with sad eyes. "Ms. Calendar knew that Angel's curse wasn't permanent. She's part of the gypsy clan that cursed him way back. Buffy's kinda got it out for her right now. She thinks she should have warned them."

Oz stared at the doors as they finally came to a stop. Everything about Buffy was complicated.

Giles backed out of his office and Oz could see Xander pointing out various buttons and switches on the weapon to Buffy.

"What now, Giles?" Willow asked in a quiet voice.

Giles noted the absence of Ms. Calendar from her spot at the table and pinched his nose. "We're, uh, we're going to check out the factory. We're hoping they're still testing the Judge's ah, abilities."

Cordelia came through the doors, wearing a new blouse and jacket.

Buffy and Xander were packing up the rocket launcher again.

Oz stood as they carried it from the office, but Buffy waved him away. "I've got it. Let's go."

They trooped out to Oz's van and loaded the crate. Xander and Cordelia once again hopped in the backseat, while Giles and Buffy climbed into Giles' small car. Willow, of course, sat beside Oz. Giles led the way to the factory, and once they were there, Buffy sprinted from his car and moved ahead of the rest of the group to the door.

With one kick she had the door open.

She stepped further into the room. "I knew it."

Giles followed her and looked around. There was no sign of anyone. "We haven't a bead on where they would go?"

Buffy turned and examined everyone clustered by the door. "I don't know. Uh... somewhere crowded, I guess. I mean, the Judge needs bodies, right?"

"The Bronze?" Willow suggested hopefully.

"It's closed tonight," Xander replied.

"There's not a lot of choices in Sunnydale. It's not like people are gonna line up to get massacred," Cordelia said.

Oz was struck with a sudden thought. "Uh, guys? If I were gonna line up, I know where I'd go."

"Where?" Buffy asked, stepping close to him.

"The movies. You always gotta line up for everything. To buy a ticket, to get in, to buy popcorn. It's just one big line-fest," Oz replied.

Buffy smiled and Willow grasped Oz by the hand. "Then let's go," Buffy said.

The ride to Sunnydale's mall and cinemas was absolutely silent in Oz's van. Xander and Cordelia had even stopped bickering. Oz was afraid to look in his mirror and find them playing tonsil hockey, but when he did glance behind him he saw that they were looking out their own windows, lost in their own thoughts. Willow stared at the scenery as it passed by, content to pat Oz's hand every once in a while as if reassuring both of them that everything was going to be okay.

Oz parked his van as close as he could to the parking elevators. They would have to carry this crate far enough once inside.

Giles and Buffy pulled up a minute later as Xander and Oz were unloading the package. Giles took an end from Oz and motioned for them to carry it inside. They boarded the elevator and waited for the doors to open on the movie theater level.

The elevator opened and Buffy stepped out purposefully. Giles and Xander went next, the crate slung up on their shoulders. Willow followed, nervously checking her bag of vampire supplies and the crossbow Giles had given her to carry. Oz intended on following Willow, but Cordelia stepped out next, so Oz fell into step behind Cordelia. < Maybe it would be better if I brought up the rear and saw how they operated first anyway… >

"Everybody keep back," Buffy ordered. < Is she always bossy in slayer-mode? > "Damage control only. Take out any lesser vamps if you can. I'll handle the Smurf."

< Take out a vamp? Had Willow slayed a vampire before? > Oz made a mental note to ask Willow how exactly to take out a vampire later. If there was a later. Maybe that could be something to talk about on their second date.

Buffy marched in behind an inactive snack bar and climbed up onto the top. Xander and Giles passed the box up to her. Willow handed the crossbow up to Buffy. Oz stood behind the snack bar's counter as he saw the rest of the group do so. He looked out over at the Judge. He had several people immobilized, and he seemed to be drawing power from them.

Buffy took careful aim and let a crossbow bolt fly. It struck the Judge squarely in the chest. The Judge reached to his chest and yanked the bolt out, almost as if it was only an annoyance.

"Who dares?" he drawled in a voice that sent shivers up Oz's spine. He heard ragged breathing to his right and looked at Willow. She had her eyes closed and was breathing deeply. In through her nose, out through her mouth.

"This is gonna work," Oz murmured, trying to reassure her. She nodded once, and looked up to where Buffy stood.

"Think I got his attention," Buffy said softly.

"You're a fool," the Judge said in a mocking voice. "No weapon forged can stop me."

Buffy passed her crossbow to Xander. "That was then." She took the rocket launcher from him and lifted it to her shoulder easily. "This is now."

Oz watched the Judge's reaction as he heard her turn on the launcher. He smirked in confidence. Oz could see panic cross Angel's face as he stood beside the Judge. He began to jump from the top of the stairs where the Judge stood. < Evil he is now, but he ain't no dummy .> Oz thought. The group at the snack bar crouched behind the counter for cover.

Oz heard the Judge ask, "What's that do?" an instant before the rocket shot for his chest.

For a few seconds Oz could see nothing but smoke. Then all he could see little bitty charred pieces scattered everywhere.

"Best present ever," Buffy quipped, handing the launcher to Xander.

"I knew you'd like it," he answered.

"Do you think he's dead?" Willow asked fearfully.

"We can't be sure. Pick up the pieces and keep them separate," Buffy instructed.

"Pieces? We get the pieces? Our job sucks!" Cordelia grumbled as they moved around the counter to gather up the Judge.

Oz poked at a charred piece as he noticed Buffy run down a hall chasing Angel. Just then, the sprinklers went off. Oz looked at the spray above him and then at the bits all over the floor again. "This is the wildest night of my life…" he mumbled to himself.

Willow began gathering up parts of the Judge's armor, stacking it neatly near Giles, who was stealing popcorn bags to keep the Judge's pieces separate.

Oz gathered a few smaller pieces and dutifully returned them to Giles, who was muttering animatedly as he put the pieces in his various popcorn bags. Oz returned to the mess. He was kinda unprepared to see a full arm after so many little pieces were found. < I'm not touching that thing. That's what grabbed Buffy last night. >

He raised his arm uncertainly as he tried to get the attention of someone who might be more .. experienced, in dealing with all this stuff. "Uh," he pointed to the limb on the ground. "Arm?"

"Really?" Willow asked, coming into view with a piece of armor in her hand.

Oz nodded and pointed again.

"Giles," Willow called. "There's an arm over here!"

Giles came over and picked it up delicately. "I'll just, uh, um…"

"Put it in the box with the rocket launcher," Xander suggested.

"Oh, yes, excellent idea," Giles said, moving to do just that.

Buffy jogged back into view, soaking wet like the rest of the group. "Is everyone okay?"

"Yeah, we're just a little busy with our PIECES," Cordelia griped.

Buffy shrugged and began picking up a piece of …was that a leg?

A few minutes later, they had the Judge gathered up, more or less.

"We should go," Giles suggested, "Before the authorities get here and notice the uh, weapon, you uh, borrowed."

"Right," Xander agreed, slamming the lid on the box shut.

Giles began leading the way back to the elevator, numerous popcorn bags thumping together in his hands as he hurriedalong. Oz wanted to chuckle at the sight. Heck, to chuckle at the relief of still being alive was a good idea right now.

Oz grabbed an end of the box and struggled to keep up with the pace Xander set. Willow rushed along behind him.

They got back to the elevators and rode down to the vehicles in silence.

Xander and Oz loaded the box back into Oz's van.

"Now what?" Xander asked.

"You take that weapon back where you got it and then go …go home, I guess." Giles replied.

"You guys can ride with me," Oz offered to Xander and Cordelia. They looked at each other for confirmation and then turned and nodded at Oz as one unit.

"Let's go," Oz said, holding Willow's door open for her. She climbed in and smiled her thanks.

Oz started the van and watched as Giles and Buffy drove away. "Is she gonna be okay?"

"I hope so," Willow murmured. "I hope so."

At the armory, Oz and Xander unloaded the box onto the ground.

"Now what?" Oz asked.

"We'll shove it in here," Xander said, leading Oz over to a fence that had been cut earlier. "They'll find it. It'll be safe. Sunnydale has no terrorists. The vamps more than make up for it."

The shoved the box through the opening and got back into the van.

"Uh, who should I take home first?"

"I need to go back to Willow's house. My car's there," Cordelia answered.

"Sure. Xander?" Oz politely inquired.

"Uh, I'm just gonna catch a ride with Cordy."

"Okaayy," Oz said, glancing at Willow for her reaction. If she was bothered by it, it didn't show on her face.

Oz maneuvered through the dark streets of Sunnydale, heading for the Rosenburg house. The lights were all off as he pulled into the driveway.

Cordelia pushed against Xander to get him to open the door. "Um, well, thanks for the ride."

Oz cocked an eyebrow in surprise. Cordelia thanked him for something. This was officially the strangest night of his life.

"It was a good idea, Xander," Willow said as he stepped out of the van.

"Thanks, Will. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

Willow nodded and watched them walk to Cordelia's car.

"Do you always watch him to make sure he gets in okay?" Oz asked.

"You can't be too careful around here," Willow murmured, turning back to Oz and blushing slightly at being caught."So, um, thanks for coming and letting us use your van."

"It was no problem," Oz said. He took a deep breath. "Besides, it gave me an excuse to see you again."

Willow smiled brightly in the darkness. < I love that smile. > "You're sure you're really okay with all this?" she asked again.

"Positive. I mean, it's not like I'd want to spend every night foiling the forces of darkness…But I like spending timewith you, and if this is what you happen to be doing…. I'm really okay with it Willow."

Willow smiled and touched his hand. "Good then, that you're okay." She smiled at him shyly. "I've enjoyed the timewith you too."

Oz's heart swelled as he looked at her sitting across from him in his van. < If anyone had told me that someday I'dhave an angel sitting in front of me… > "I'm gonna ask you to go out with me tomorrow night," he said suddenly. "AndI'm kinda nervous about it actually. It's interesting."

Willow's eyes danced as she looked at him. "If it helps at all, I'm gonna say yes."

"Yeah, it helps. It creates a comfort zone." A smile toyed on Oz's lips as he prepared to ask his question. "Will you goout with me tomorrow night?"

"Oh! I can't!" Willow exclaimed, biting her lip.

"Well, I like that you're unpredictable.." Oz began, until he noticed that she wasn't playing along anymore. "Really?" heasked softly.

She nodded. "I promised I'd help Buffy with French. She's got a test next Monday. I'm sorry, Oz. I forgot."

"It's okay," Oz smiled reassuringly. "How about the day after?"

Willow grinned. "The day after would be good."

"So it's a date?"

"It's a date," she confirmed.

Oz reached forward and lightly touched her face. "Willow?"

"Hmmm?"

"You said date." Oz grinned as she blushed.