Part 4

Willow sat across from her supervisor and nervously chewed her bottom lip. She watched as Agent Williamson read her report. It was her last "official" report from her final solo mission. After this she was on her own. She would no longer be a recruit but an active member of the agency. After Agent Williamson read this report he would place her within the agency and she was anxious as to what they would have her do. Surprisingly she loved the undercover work. Whistler had been correct, it was much easier to play a part when you stuck as close to the truth as possible.

Agent Williamson wasn't really reading the report but watching Willow through lowered lids. He had been impressed with her abilities both in harnessing her power and in working deep undercover. He had read the reports on her and the others of the so-called Scoobies that the Government kept on them prior to her recruitment. Her potential had been noted back in high school as had Alexander Harris. When Harris had gone feral as a hyena and a year later became soldier guy at Halloween he had attracted the attention of the Marines and Special Forces. They still kept an eye on him and if the need arises he might also be approached.

Just that morning a Verok demon had filed a report on the rise of a powerful demon. It was one of the higher-ranking demons, much higher than the Master who had been mid-level. The Verok demon thought he was making a move to insinuate himself higher up. Unknown to others outside the agency and those that needed to know, there was a Council of Demons that ran the underworld and the other dimensions. Even the demons were unaware of this until one of the operatives stumbled upon it accidentally. The Agency caught a lucky break and has been trying to identify those on the Council. The Verok demon felt that the Nazul demon that was beginning to make his move wanted a seat on the Council.

He had just the assignment for Rosenberg. It was perfect for her level of witchcraft and that she was a relative unknown in the demon community. Graham Miller had returned to active assignment when Rosenberg started her solo missions. They worked well together in tight situations and Miller blended in well as a human mercenary for the demons. His persona that he had perfected over the years.

"Nice job, Rosenberg." Agent Williamson snapped the report closed and leaned over the desk with his hand outstretched.

Willow looked at his hand for a moment she was stunned. No nit picking like he normally did. Showing her all that she missed and where she had gone wrong on her assignment. Williamson cocked his eyebrow and waited. Willow smiled and shook Williamson's hand, "Thank you, Sir."

"I'm placing you in deep undercover work. There will be a briefing tomorrow morning on your new assignment. You'll also be given your partner tomorrow." At Willow's look of disappointment he continued, "All agents are partnered. You don't go solo in deep undercover, there is always backup. Before you get too excited you should think about if you really want this assignment. Deep undercover is just that. No one outside this agency and those with a need to know will know you're undercover. Friends, family, those that you knew in the demon community will not know you're undercover. They will think you are that persona that has been picked for you. You will be isolated from them. Not that you won't be able to see them but you can't be two people, Willow. You can't be the Willow they know and the character you're portraying."

Willow nodded, "I understand. I left my friends when I left Sunnydale that won't be a problem."

"And Angel?"

Angel. Buffy had called Angel after the intervention and it was discovered that Willow had left town. She thought Willow had gone to LA and she wanted Angel to know what had happened in Sunnydale.

He had surprised her one night while she was training with Graham. They had met unexpectedly at a nightclub called Caritas II. Who knew that Angel was such good friends with the owner Lorne? If she had known she would have avoided the place but she hadn't and she had run into him. Literally. He had been supportive but hurt that she hadn't come to see him since she was in town. She explained she wasn't living in LA but on the East Coast and was here just on a short vacation. Graham had "rescued" her and they left the nightclub after the mission had been accomplished but not before Angel got suspicious and almost blew her cover. Graham had signaled ahead and had a limo waiting for them to take them to the private airstrip. Angel had stood in the doorway and watched as Graham escorted Willow into the waiting limo.

The mission always had top priority. Just like Buffy being the Slayer. It was a part of who she was not just what she did. With the lives of her fellow operatives at stake and not to mention the Earth's with the many apocalypses that demons seem fond of, she could definitely stay in character.

Williamson watched the emotions play across Willow's face before a mask settled over her features. That was one of the many reasons why she was picked for this assignment. She had a very expressive face when needed and it could be closed off when needed.

"Won't be a problem, sir. Once in character I can stay in character."

Williamson smiled and walked around his desk, "Didn't have a doubt, Willow. I'll see you at 0700 tomorrow."

Willow mentally groaned she hated early morning briefings. Williamson seemed to delight in them especially after a long night in the demon underworld. She thought he had a sadistic streak in him and this was his way of exercising it.

"Good night, Sir."

Willow wondered if Riley and Sam had returned from their assignment. They had gone to Japan to help rid a small town of Ghost Eaters. She wanted to celebrate her 'graduation' from recruit to agent. Oh well, if they weren't there she hoped they'd be able to celebrate before she left on whatever assignment she was given.

Willow was deep in thought as she opened the door to her room. That was the only excuse she could think of as to why she didn't notice the people in her room until she was pelted with Silly String and they all yelled, "SURPRISE!!!"

Willow laughed as she parted the string from her face so she could see the banner and her friends smiling at her.

"I'm thinking she should probably go back through training if she didn't even notice her room had been compromised." Riley said over his shoulder to Sam as he dragged Willow into a hug.

"It's because we're so superior in what we do that even someone of Willow's capabilities didn't notice." Sharkla, the Talaka demon she met on her tour of the facility, said as she winked at Willow.

"You keep telling yourself that." Sam smiled at her as she gave Willow a hug, "Congratulations, Willow. You'll make a fine agent. Have they placed you yet?"

Willow peeled the string off and smiled over at Graham, "Seems the student has followed in the steps of the teacher. I'm going into deep undercover."

Graham smiled at Willow and then turned to wink at Riley, "That's twenty bucks you owe me."

"You were betting on the outcome of Willow's training?" Sam mock glared at Graham.

"Well look at it this way, Sam. Your husband bet in favor of you. He thought for sure she was going into sweeps because of her magick and the hand to hand that you taught her."

"You keep digging yourself in deeper, Miller." Riley said with a smirk.

"What?! What'd I say?"

Willow took pity on Graham when Sam and Riley just laughed at him, "You basically just said that you thought you were be a better teacher than Sam since you bet against her training. And I might add that you thought my undercover work was better than my fighting skills."

"Wellllllll, now that you mention it Rosenberg your fighting skills could use some work."

Graham was surprised when an appetizer floated in front of him and tapped against his lips. He automatically opened his mouth and began to chew.

There was a giggle and then Marci's voice, "Here, put something else in your mouth for a while instead of your foot."