Part 11

The only indication that Willow needed comforting was the lazy circles that Graham was rubbing on the back of Willow's hand as she absentmindedly looked out the plane's window. Who knew demons owned private jets?

Now that Zelana was on the Council their jobs were to maintain his position. They still took the odd jobs while working for the Nazul demon but for the main part their role was to keep the peace for Zelana.

Which is why Graham and Willow were in the Nazul's plane on their way to Los Angeles. There was some big high-powered meeting taking place there and they were to secure the area. Make sure the lower level demons stayed out of the way.

Willow didn't doubt that Angel knew she was coming to Los Angeles. She was sure word on the street would have spread about Hunter and Red Death traveling ahead of the Council. The meeting was being held at Wolfram and Hart, there was no way Angel didn't know she was coming.

A light bing and the flashing of the cabin light preceded the captain's voice, "We are now entering LA airspace. We will be landing in five minutes at the appointed runway. Please fasten seat belts and prepare for landing."

Graham gave Willow's hand a slight squeeze before letting go and settling down for the plane's arrival.

Anyone looking at Red Death would have seen a bored expression on her face as she settled back and waited for the pilot to land the plane. Internally, she was going through her calming exercises. This would be the first true test for her deep undercover work. She knew it would never be the demons that caused her role to slip it would be meeting those she cared about. Intellectually she knew she could meet Angel and the others and stay in character but emotionally she prayed her control didn't slip at the first sight of Angel.

Willow mentally shook herself and thought about the greater good that she was doing. That would be her shield against Angel. She just hoped it didn't crack.

Graham allowed the mask of Hunter to fall into place as the plane's landing gears locked into place. He did a weapons check one last time before exiting the plane.

Lilah leaned against the side of the limo as she watched the Lear Jet taxi to a standstill. Normally this task fell to an underling but she was not going to miss the opportunity to meet Angel's witch.

She knew he was watching from the shadows and she wanted a front row seat to what promised to be a very entertaining reunion.

The plane door opened and the stairs were lowered to the ground. Lilah cocked her head to the side when she noticed the doorway was empty.

A small female hand emerged and her voice carried in the darkness, "Inlucesco". Suddenly the tarmac flared bright as day.

Angel stepped further in the shadows so the sunlight wouldn't touch him.

Lilah smiled ruefully as two of her guards turned to dust.

Willow and Graham exited the plane and Lilah pushed away from the limo to greet them.

Lilah held out her hand, "I'm Lilah from Wolfram and Hart. Welcome to LA."

Willow shook Lilah's hand and Graham just nodded in acknowledgment.

"Nice magick trick. You know now I'll have to hire again."

Willow shrugged, "One can never be too careful in the night."

Lilah smiled and nodded her head over to the shadows. "I think you have an admirer that is too shy to come over and say hi."

Willow's lips quirked, "Angel is many things but shy is not one of them." Willow turned to where Angel stood among the shadows, "Come to see the prodigal return?"

Angel stepped out of the shadows. He had just been planning on watching Willow, seeing how she acted before he approached her. He definitely didn't want to have the reunion in front of Lilah.

"Lilah."

"Angel." Lilah smirked knowing that Angel wanted her to leave but she wasn't about to miss this.

Willow never took her eyes off Angel. God she wanted to fling herself in his arms and get a comforting hug. She wanted him to look into her eyes and know that it was a mask she wore. To know that she was still Sunnydale Willow underneath it all. But all she saw was disappointment.

Willow ruthlessly tapped down her emotions and raised an eyebrow, "Uh oh, I'm in wicked trouble now. Time to lecture me on the right and wrong of life's choices?"

"The Willow I know wouldn't need the lecture. She once gave it to Faith."

Angel's words cut like a knife but she wasn't going to let him see her bleed. She smiled but it didn't reach her eyes, "That Willow, she was weak and she let her friends dictate what she would or wouldn't do. But you see THAT Willow no longer exists. The light bulb finally went on over her head when the Scoobies kicked her out of their club. A new, stronger Willow was born when she found a new home." Just like Whistler told her, stay as close to the truth as possible and give nothing away.

Graham stood behind Willow and wrapped his arms around her, "I happen to like the new and improved you. It wasn't until you left Sunnydale that I noticed you." He kissed the top of her head while looking at Angel. "You must be Angel. Riley told me a lot about you, of course none of it was flattering considering he was Buffy's boyfriend at the time. I believe he called you assface."

Willow tampered down her feelings and went for the jugular, figuratively. "No I think he calls her new lover that, not Angel." Never taking her eyes off Angel, "I believe you know him… Spike."

"Spike!?" Angel couldn't help the disgust from showing.

Lilah smiled, this was better than she thought it would be. She knew the long history between Angelus and William the Bloody. And now to find out that Angel's soulmate, love of a lifetime was doing him. Oh this was rich. First Cordelia does Angel's son and now he finds out that Spike is Buffy's new lover. It doesn't get much better than this.

Lilah looked down at her watch and sighed. Damn she'd have to cut this short. "You know as fascinating as all this is and everything I'm afraid I'm gonna have to interrupt this touching reunion. You know places to be, people to kill."

"This is not over, Willow."

Willow sighed, "I didn't think it was, Angel. You're nothing if not stubborn. A hundred years of brooding proves that." She turned to follow Lilah to the waiting car.

Graham stayed back and watched as Willow left. Without turning to Angel he said, "Willow has learned an important life lesson that you would do well to remember. It's all about the power and who has the guts to wield it."

Angel didn't acknowledge Graham's comment but instead watched as Willow followed Lilah to the car. There was something off but he couldn't place what it was. He would run the reunion through his mind until the pieces fell into place.