27 CH.27

Back in the outside world, Ryan stood up and leaned over shaking Faith awake. Smiling at everyone he raised his hand and the shield fell. When he saw her waking up he walked back over to the girls.

Faith woke up and jumped to her feet. When everyone else saw this they got ready to defend themselves. Faith burst out laughing.

"Hahahaha, you should see yourselves! Haha!"

Straightening up she sobered after a few minutes and asked. " So, how long have we been gone? Because, we would all be dust if it was the same time passing out here as in there."

Everyone looked at her for a second the Giles answered for them." You woke up almost as soon a you went down."

When they looked at Ryan for confirmation he explained." We spent what she would feel was about two million years in her mind and mine. She's a lot more mature then you would remember her and yet still a kid at heart. Like Xander or drunk Buffy though maybe not as bad as cavewoman Buffy. I helped her confront her past and settle her mind along with giving her time to grow as a person and know herself. Other then giving her a college level education I didn't do anything else so what you see is all her. Speaking of have you decided on my offer?"

Faith quieted and looked solemn."I'll take the lawyer and the chance at a fresh start and when you need me you can call."

Nodding his head he mentally told Lyndsey he had a client. After a few moments he came in the front door. " Lyndsey McDonald, I'll be your lawyer from here on out. All the fees are waved and it's considered pro bono work. I'll need you to sign some paperwork and then we'll see about getting the charges on you dropped and dismissed."

They headed for the dining room and sat down every else grabbed beers and mixed drinks and cheered up. Drinking the night away. When Lyndsey left he took Faith with him to a safe house until he could get the charges dropped and her appeal to the courts ready. He assured her that with him backing her no court would dare convict her.

Giles and Jenny took a spare room and everyone else went to theirs. Riley followed Buffy into hers. Smiling he looked outside and saw half the yard had been take over by mistletoe and wondered. Shaking his head at a stray thought he followed the girls to his room. That night the house rocked about with moans and screams.

A three days later, Willow got a call from her old coven members. Jonathan, and Andrew called to ask if they could meet.

She told them her current address and an hour later they showed up on her doorstep. When she invited them in they noticed Ryan was there waiting with Tara.

They all sat down together and Willow explained what happened." So, Ryan here is the one that suggested we join together as a group and when he was banished to a hell dimension the people responsible replaced our memories with what it would have been like without him. And when he returned, he broke their spell and forced everyone to remember him again that's why you have two sets of memories."

Jonathan looked at him and said pointedly. "Life without you sucked, don't leave again, please!"

Andrew went a different route." So you Anakin'd yourself and came back as Darth Vader?"

Shaking his head jonathan told him. " No you idiot he was phantom zoned and erased from record then freed and brought with him the source code."

Seeing the two fight Willow stepped in saying." A little less Star Wars and Superman and a lot more H.P. Lovecraft."

Nodding their heads in understanding she sat back and asked." So where do you want to go from here? Both of you are smart enough and talented enough to go to college and start your own covens."

They both looked at her and asked." We were kinda hoping you would tell us. We need a coven to go farther in our studies and we kinda didn't show up to classes on time because of the excessive bulling and those few other incidents so we failed to get scholarships and we don't have enough money to pay our way through."

When they heard this Willow and Tara turned to Ryan who shrugged and handed over his credit card and mentally sent a message to Lyndsey to help smooth their way in. When Willow took the card she got up and ran to get her phone and hour later a realtor showed up asking to see her. By the time he left she returned with a smile.

" You both have the house two doors down. The deed is in my name and you'll get it as a graduation present to the first one to earn a degree. The runner up gets this house when we move out, or graduate." She smiled handing Ryan his card back.

Shrugging he watched her smile for a little while longer dazed at her beauty. -That smile was worth every penny and more.-

They got down to the house rules till it was late in the evening. Willow finally finished saying. " It's late right now and all three of us have class in the morning and you two are meeting the dean. One of you can sleep in my room and the other can sleep in Tara's, we sleep in Ryan more often then not anyway."

With that Ryan called for pizza that showed up at the same time as everyone else. Luckily Xander had the sense to order chinese takeout that he picked up on the way home.

Buffy ate everything that was left over so there was at least one positive to a slayer roommate. Everyone headed to bed to get ready for a long day tomorrow.

The next morning when everyone was getting ready to leave Jonathan and Andrew came out of the girls rooms. Was snickering to himself about finding Willow's panties on the floor and when Ryan caught it he asked." Are they so important that you would risk your future kids on them?"

Andrew paled and shook his head. Ryan continued."Good, because that's what you risk if she hears you, now drop it or lose possibly everything."

He noticed Willow smiling when he said that. Everything was smooth sailing from there the boys got their schedules and the tri-couple went to their classes. By the end of the day they were set to move out of their parents houses and into their new dorm houses.

When they had shared evenings free they would join the girls or visit Giles and Jenny for direction magically. Ryan gave his demonnotica to Giles and the spells and rituals to Jenny and had them study themselves.

When they asked were he got them from he told them the truth and at first they wanted to flip out but then he pointed out he couldn't kill them without killing millions of humans and he didn't make any deals with them.

To him they were mosquitoes annoying at worst and he had their brand of bug spray. They calmed down and had a good laugh at the fact that one of the many major powers in this world bent over backwards to get him out of their city.

A couple weeks later Buffy and Riley woke up some angry ghost children with their lovemaking. When he heard this Ryan grabbed Willow and Tara and proceeded to attempt waking their own. Giles, Jenny,

Andrew and Jonathan were called in by Xander to help get rid of the major poltergeist that was forming.

By the end of the night everyone was exhausted. Ryan walked out of the room beside Buffy and Riley's, carrying both Willow and Terra. Both of whom couldn't walk straight. It was so bad even he stumbled a little trying to not embarrass himself in front of everyone.

When Giles asked why he did it he replied." I took it as a challenge to outlast the ghosts and Buffy and Riley. We won by the way. They stopped half two hours before us. There asleep right now. Besides I prevented anyone from dying when I arrived. I figured you guys would take care of the rest."

Both Tara and Willow snorted at his proud tone so he lightly smacked thee butts which had them whimpering until he set them down in his car.

Giles took off his glasses and started polishing them." That was severely irresponsible of you, the ghosts were sucked into a powerful poltergeist that was trying to drag the entire neighborhood into a phantom plain."

Laughing Ryan shook his head." Never would've succeeded."

Jenny reaches up for Jules and told him." Let it go, take me home and let's raise some spirits of our own."

Giles sputtered out knowing he lost to his girlfriend and not the mad Titan.

Ryan drove the girls home and helped both of them into nice hot baths. The fell asleep as he cleaned them and put them to bed. He had to stop himself several time from waking them up for another round until he took his own hot shower and followed them into dreamless sleep.

The next morning Oz showed up with a girl called Bayarmaa or Bay for short. He turned notice someone coming and turned back to his girlfriend saying." Whatever happens next don't interfere got it?" After seeing her nod he turned back only to be greeted by a fist. He cleared to porch and the front lawn only to bounce off the side of his van.

Ryan continued walking towards him saying. "That was for tearing our her heart and ripping it to shreds. When Oz went to stand back up he was greeted again by another fist. This time Oz kissed the ground. "That was for breaking your oath to always protect her from harm."

He went to swing again but stopped when he felt Willow touch his arm. Turning to her he saw the look in her eyes and sighed. He reached down and picked up Oz carrying him in. Willow had everyone follow him inside. He dropped Oz on the sofa and headed for the kitchen.

Grabbing a case of corona and some limes out of the fridge he got to work. A few minutes later he came back in the living room and set an ice chest down next to a towel. Seeing this Bay growled. Ryan barked out a laugh shaking his head he bent down and pulled out beers passing them around to everyone currently conscious.

After that he pulled out a half gallon of Smirnoff vodka and took a swig. Looking down at Oz he poured some in his had and splashed it in his face, waking him up like his ass was on fire. Seeing this Bay went to move from her position but stopped, his head was on her lap, so she just growled again saying. "Some friend you are".

Shaking his head Ryan laughed again. He sat down between Willow and Tara and explained." The vodka was to wake him up and for you to clean his wounds with. The fresh clean towel is for the blood on his face. There are ice packs in the cooler next to you for the swelling. The nature energy in the air is thick around here so he will heal soon enough. As for the beating, he knows damn well what it was for and why I did it."

Leaning back, he heard Tara and Willow whispering healing spells. Xander came in a moment later in his work shirt looking for the cause of the commotion. When he saw Oz he turned back to Ryan and said." You let him off easy." Before grabbing a beer and sitting down to see what would happen next.

Ryan felt both his girls desperately trying to heal unnoticed from across the room and sighed. Leaning back into the cushion he grabbed their hands and bolstered their healing spells with his power.

Moments later they felt him helping their healing and smiled knowing he had forgiven Oz for their feelings. After a few more seconds the spells to hold unnoticed by anyone else. Oz sat up holding his healed head and asked . "Did anyone get the number of that truck that ran me over or the buss that parked on my head afterwards?"

Ryan barked out another laugh now. Moments later he heard the female wolf whisper." Are you sure these people are friends? They seem very hostile to you! Are you sure they can be trusted?"

Oz laughed and answered her out loud so that everyone could here."Bay that guy that sent me into the shuttle program, then planted me like a tree, can here better than either of us. And if he wasn't my friend I'd be dead right now.

And all the packs around the world together couldn't save me if I was his enemy. As for Willow and the girl on his other side, their either witches or sleeping together either way their sleeping with him. And if Willow didn't stop him I might be a werewolf throw rug by now. As for Xander over there he might still take his pound of flesh but I deserve nothing less. I knew what I was getting myself into when I suggested this trip."

Ryan raised an eyebrow at the longest sentence he'd ever heard Oz say. When Oz caught this he told him."Things change."

Ryan shrugged." Huh."

Seeing that it was pretty much over Xander stood up and reached Oz in a second punching him in the face re-breaking his nose. Bay growled and went to lunge at him when Oz stopped her with a hand. He grabbed the already blood-soaked towel and put it back on his nose.

Ryan smirked." I'm still waiting."

Oz saw his barely controlled body and turned to Willow saying. " As I was about to tell you earlier before hulk godsmacked me into my van, I'm really am sorry for hurting you Willow. I could make a bunch of excuses about my inner wolf and Veruca breaking his natural state but I'm not. At the end of the day, I hurt you bad and I don't know how I can apologize and let you know I mean it. As for you Ryan, all I can say is I forgot about you like the rest. And when I remembered you id already left and I'm ashamed to say I was a coward. I was afraid of what would happen if I came back. As for you Xand- "

Xander interrupted him saying." Save it, I forgave you the moment I saw your face and broke it again. And so long as Will forgives you that's good enough for me. What you need to be worried about is the pissed off Watcher and his Slayer."

Ryan reached forward and violently realigned Oz's nose and passed him the vodka. Oz smiled a little and took a drink." I can live with that."

Hearing this Ryan chuckled." Well, we're about to find out because here she comes."

Buffy strode into the house on a mission. When she laid her eyes on Oz she looked at his face then to the blood soaked towel then to Ryan who shrugged and pointed to Tara and Willow.

Seeing this she went towards Oz grabbing him and taking him to the basement. Bay tried to follow but was curiously stopped by a pesky barrier spell. After seeing her make a few more attempts Ryan asked her." Why don't you come back over here and have a beer and tell us how you met Oz. Their going to be awhile and worrying won't do you any good."

Leaning back in his seat he watched her make up her mind and come back sitting down. When she avoided the alcohol he had a stray thought. He listened in for a minute confirming his theory.

Then he opened a link between his, Willows and Tara's mind and told them his conclusion and and not to say anything. Both girls choked on their beers. Smiling he leaned back and wandered out loud in their collective thoughts what it would be like to see both of the pregnant.

Another round of choking and spluttering later and he pulled both closer to him and sent the an image of both pregnant in wedding dresses with flowered wreathes on their heads. They turned an interesting shade of pink at that.

Musing on it for a while both girls sent him a message of their own. All three of them on a beach naked laying on towels. When he mentally pictured a question mark the image closed in on their ring fingers. He chuckled out loud signaling their win. Xander and Bay looked at him for answers. He spoke up." I'm about to tell Giles to head over."

Xander smiled in understanding and Bay looked confused. Ryan pulled out his cell phone ant texted Jenny telling her to bring Giles over ASAP. When she texted back. Why? He sent one word. Oz.

Fifteen minutes later Buffy and a very bruised and frightened Oz came back up. She sat down beside Xander and grabbed a beer asking." Who told Giles and how long ago?"

Xander pointed to Ryan." He did fifteen minutes ago."

Ryan laughed at her accusing glare." Hey I knew you were nearby when it all started."

Sighing she turned to Oz asking." So what have you been up to?"

Oz spoke up relieved for a break in the awkward silence." I went to Tibet and met a teacher there who taught people to be at peace with their inner wolves. I can sort of change whenever I want now and I don't have to change on the full moon. That's where I met Bayarmaa or as she likes to be called Bay."

Buffy as blunt as ever asked." So why'd you come back? I have to assume you knew what was going to happen."

Oz swallowed and went to speak when he was interrupted by the Ripper. Gile walked right to him and grabbed him by the shirt.

Buffy sighed." The basement is open. The weapons are out as well."

As if a lightbulb went off in his head he dragged Oz their with Jenny hot on his heels.

This time Bay stayed in place.

Buffy turned to her and asked." Do you know why Oz would risk coming back here because I gotta be honest if Ryan or I had seen him before Willow he would've disappeared."

Bay growled a little and covered her stomach. Seeing this both Willow and Tara giggled. Buffy certainly wasn't dense enough not to notice. When she caught on she murmured. "Awww."

Both Willow and Tara got up and went over to sit with Bay. Buffy joined not long after. Xander turned to Ryan and asked." Did you notice a change in the atmosphere?"

Smirking Ryan went to stand up but was bombarded with the image of them on the beach. Shaking his head he laughed out loud when he heard Willow whisper the explanation to Buffy and Bay. The girls looked at him expectantly.

Snorting he sent them an image of graduation night. Them sitting in a hot tube and him handing them glasses with champagne with rings at the bottom.

Tara whispered his answer while the other girls awed at it. While they were distracted he moved quickly and sat down beside them grabbing the vodka bottle. When he seen Xander sitting alone he raised the bottle in salute and downed half of it.

Anya came in a few minutes later and sat with him, until she realized what the girls were whispering about, then she kicked Ryan back to the other couch. Xander smirked at Ryan when he headed back over minus a bottle.

Not to give in he grabbed the ice chest and took it with him. Though he had to stop and give the girls another beer a piece. Back to the couch with him it was. He entertained himself listening to Giles threaten Oz then Jenny actually beat him. With a final kick to the kiddy pool he heard Oz go down.

Before Giles could say anything more he sent him a mental message telling him what the girls are talking about and what he got back pissed him off. Giles sent him an image of him picking out an engagement ring and buying it. He even sent a picture of a Calendar with March 20 circled and May 1 circled as well

-Damn the spring equinox and Beltane.-

Sweating a little he sent him his plan. After a bit he got Giles message of approval which in this case was a solemn nod. Suddenly he felt so much better about sending the girls a lie.

When Giles stopped threatening Oz for a bit to long Jenny lost her patience with him and let him go. Oz limped up the stairs a few minutes after Ryan finished his conversation with Giles. When he came back in Oz noticed the girls together so he headed over to Ryan and sat down beside him.

Instinctively, Ryan passed him two beers. Xander saw this and was about to say something when Oz put the first one between his legs. The knowledge dawned on Xander as he caught on to the first thing he noticed all day.