Chapter 9 Cover Ups

The patrons of Willie's bar took notice when the Slayer came bursting through the door. Her attention was focused solely on the nervous man behind the bar. Jerking the bar keeper across the bar by his collar she demanded, "talk to me Willie".

"S-slayer what can I do for you?" The nervous man stuttered.

"Information on Angelus and his crew." Buffy responded as she released her grip on his shirt.

Straightening his shirt he cast a wary look around the room. "Sorry blondie."

The slayer punched him in the nose breaking it. "Don't play games with me. He's kidnapped a friend of mine. I want answers."

"I haven't heard anything honest. They've been keeping a low profile." Willie gasped out as he tried to staunch his bleeding nose.

Defeated Buffy left the bar unknowing that shrewd eyes had been watching the exchange.

Willow sat in the garden with Drusilla who was braiding her hair and humming softly. She could see Angelus and Spike deep in conversation with a man she didn't recognize.

The minion shifted his gaze to Angelus who was impatiently awaiting his report. "The slayer was in Willie's tonight roughing him up for information on you and the clan regarding the disappearance of . I followed her to the Bronze where she met her friends they seemed unconcerned about the problem."

Angelus was in disbelief if anyone was going to be affected over the loss of Willow the whelp Xander would be something wasn't right. "The boy was in good spirits?"= "Yes, master", the minion replied quickly.

"Someone's keeping secrets from the rest of the bloody gang." Spike interjected laughing.

Angelus dismissed the minion turning his attention on his blond childe. "Seems that way Spike my boy."

Shifting his gaze to the women engrossed in their own play Spike asked. "So what do you plan on doing?"

"Send her home. Willow won't shut me out now not after our time together. The slayer is pretending she isn't missing she'll have to keep up the pretense."

"Why not just leave town we could go somewhere Slayer free", Spike suggested.

Angelus sighed taking a seat on the fountain's edge. "We're bonded. She'll want nothing more than to be with me soon enough."

Spike almost choked as he inhaled smoke into his dead lungs. "You mated with her! Does she know?"

"No, it's not like I planned it. It happened in the heat of the moment." Angelus smiled at Willow who watched him with bright eyes.

The two men were silent as they joined their lovers. Drusilla had tired of playing with Willow's hair, and had lured Spike off to their bedroom.

Sitting down behind Willow he stretched his long legs on either side of her then pulled her back against his chest. "It's time for you to go home Little One. Buffy is beating up harmless snitches trying to find you."

She went stiff in his arms. "Oh no Xander", the reality of the situation came crashing down on her.

"It seem Buffy is somehow hiding your disappearance from the others." Angelus murmured in her ear.

Willow frowned at his words. Why would Buffy neglect to tell her friends? Part of her was more concerned over why Angelus was willing to let her go.

Feeling the subtle shift in her mood Angelus kissed his mark on her neck. "Nothing changes between us. You can come here anytime baby, and I expect another invitation into your bedroom." He smiled as he felt some of the tension leave her body.

Willow woke to the sound of her phone ringing. She was exhausted Angelus had spent the night in her bed bringing her to the brink of ecstasy time after time. Groggily she answered the phone, "hello".

"Wills are ya feeling up to doing the school thing today?" Xander had been worried about the redhead for days despite Buffy's assurances that she was on the mend.

"Yeah I'm feeling much better. Thanks for checking on me." After finishing up the call she rose and dressed dreading the day to come.

Buffy sat in French class talking to Amy while students made their way to their seats. Her mouth dropped in shock as Willow entered and took a seat next to her.

"Willow we've missed you", Amy whispered as class started.

"We were lost without you", chimed in Buffy.