Parts: 11-20
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~Part: 11~
Willow looked around the imposing room that was inside the equally imposing house. William had drug her through the city and to an area where she was certain that the people would never lower themselves to even admit they knew where Whitechapel was. She stared into the dark fireplace, still filled with remnants of an extinguished fire. She wrapped her arms around herself for warmth and decided she had to move or risk freezing to death. Okay, so it was a slight exaggeration, but still, she couldn’t sit there any longer.
She explored the darkened room, noting a few books lying about, but nothing of any major interest. She then moved to the hallway. Silence, punctuated by an occasional pain-filled groan. She headed toward the sound, her only intention to see if there was anything she could do to help.
As she neared the door to the room the sound came from, it opened and she was snatched into the room. Before she could even identify who had her, there were fangs buried in her throat. “No!” she screamed as she struggled against the arms that held her tightly. It was no use. She was no match for the vampire’s strength. The fangs tore at her throat and she could feel the room beginning to spin around her. “Please, help,” she called weakly. Now that she was too weak to do anything, she remembered a spell that would increase her strength, but it was too late to cast it.
“Let her go!” William’s voice bellowed just before the fangs were ripped from her throat.
##
William was certain his unbeating heart had begun to pound again when he walked in the house and smelled blood accompanied by the sound of Willow’s soft cry of pain. When he saw her in the arms of a minion, it was nearly his undoing. Snatching the young vampire away, he plunged a stake through its heart and grabbed Willow before she hit the ground.
He glanced toward the bed and saw that Angelus was still unconscious, even though the scent of fresh blood was making him restless. He turned his attention to the woman in his arms. “Why didn’t you stay in the sitting room?” he asked softly as he carried her to his rooms.
He settled her on the bed before hurrying out to find one of the minions. Once he’d given his orders, number one being the next one to lay a hand on the redhead would cost them all their lives, he returned to his rooms. He could count on the others to get Angelus the blood he needed. Right now, he had to take care of his little witch.
##
Willow’s eyes refused to open. Her body seemed to weigh ten times what it should. It did respond sluggishly and allowed her to try to sit up, but a pair of cool hands eased her back to a reclining position.
“Easy, pet. You need to rest,” a soft voice murmured as a blanket was tucked around her. “I shouldn’t have left the house,” he whispered.
“Spike?” she groaned, trying to open her eyes again.
“No, luv. It’s William.”
“William. Yeah, that’s what I meant,” she mumbled as her eyes cracked, then closed quickly. She was exhausted. Suddenly her hand rose to her throat and she began to tremble.
“You’re safe, pet,” William assured her. “Just rest.”
“I wanted to check on Angelus, but he--”
“No, Willow, it wasn’t Angelus. I left a minion with him. I forgot to mention that you were here and off limits,” he explained as he stroked her hair.
“Good,” she breathed. “Uhm, where is he? Angelus, I mean.”
“Angelus is resting across the hall.” The bed dipped as he stretched out beside her. “The one who did this,” his finger brushed the wounds on her throat, “is gone. He’ll never hurt you again.”
She couldn’t help the shiver his touch and his soft words caused in her. “Oh. Angelus… he’s alright?”
“Yes,” he hesitated a moment, then continued. “Will you be alright if I go across the hall to check on him? I promise not to be gone long.”
“Sure. I mean … it’s not the first time I’ve gotten bitten by a vampire. I can think of twice right off the top of my head,” she told him with a slight upward twitch of her lips. She kept the fact that the most recent bite was the closest she’d come to actually dying from a vampire to herself.
“Rest. If you need me, call for me. I will hear you.” With those words, his weight shifted off the bed and his steps crossed the floor. She assumed in the direction of the door. A quiet squeak from the door and the sound of the latch catching behind him let her know she was alone in the room. “And I thought I had to worry about the Ripper,” she groaned. This was William the Bloody. Half of the Scourge of Europe, and she was getting lightheaded from his touch?! Okay, so the lightheaded could actually be from the blood loss, but it got worse when he’ d touched her throat, so that meant something, right? Even if it really shouldn’ t.
~Part: 12~
“Red? Pet? Willow?” William’s voice called her out of the haze. “I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to wake up. You bloody well sleep like the dead.”
Willow opened her eyes and glanced around Giles’ living room. “William?”
“Yeah, well haven’t gone by that in a century or so,” he said with a shrug.
“But I wasn’t here. I was… Where is everyone?” she asked, noticing how empty the apartment seemed.
“We’ve been looking for you, pet. You’ve been missing for a couple of weeks. Even Soldier Boy’s been helping. If you call forcing his tongue down Slutty’s throat helping.”
“Be nice,” she muttered.
“Yeah, well it’s bleeding miserable around here without you. So I’ve been searching all over. Even thought about calling Peaches.”
“You missed me?” she asked, surprised.
Spike rose, grabbing his duster off the back of a nearby chair and rummaging through his pockets before pulling out a pack of cigarettes and lighting one.
“ ‘Course, I did, luv. I--”
~Part: 13~
“ I’m worried about you, Willow. Wake up. You need to eat.”
Willow groaned as she opened her eyes to see worried blue eyes looking into hers. “Spike?”
“No, luv. It’s still William. If you’ll tell me where this Spike is, I’ll go and get him for you,” William replied quietly as he turned away.
“No, I don’t—I mean you look like him. It just, I guess I’m more out of it than I realized. I didn’t mean to upset you,” she whispered, watching as he fussed with the tray that sat on the bedside table.
“Are you thirsty?” he asked as he turned back to her with a cup in his hand. She nodded, not sure she wanted to know what was in the cup. She took it and as she drew it near, realized it was tea. From the smell of it, it was tea with honey, just the way she liked it. She meant to take a dainty sip and ended up guzzling it down. She didn’t realize just how thirsty she was.
“You should eat as well,” he murmured handing her a steaming bowl of soup and taking the now empty teacup.
“Thank you.” She took the bowl and cuddled around its warmth. The delightful smell of chicken soup wafted up to greet her.
##
Angelus was stalking around the sitting room when William walked in. “How is she?” he asked as the younger vampire dropped into an armchair by the fire place.
“A bit dizzy and a little weak, but she’ll be alright. I’ve threatened to stake the lot of them if anything else happens to her,” William assured his Grandsire.
“Good. I was about to go out again. I need to feed to regain the rest of my strength,” Angelus muttered, then shook his head. “If you’re certain she doesn’t need anything,” he paused, waiting for William’s nod. Once he received it, he continued, “then I’ll be back soon. If you go out--”
“I’m not bloody well leaving her alone here again,” William muttered his interruption.
“That’s my boy,” Angelus chuckled. “Take care of what’s yours.” The younger vampire’s eyes widened for a moment before he slouched back in the chair.
As Angelus reached the door, William’s voice floated to him causing him to stop in his tracks. “What happened? I didn’t think much, if anything, could get the drop on you?”
“Couple of demons. Didn’t hear them coming,” he murmured. “I don’t think I’ve run into them before, and I’m not sure I could even tell you what they looked like. They were fast and strong. If it had just been one, I don’t think it would have been able to do much damage.”
“No idea what stirred them up?”
“I was checking some leads. I’d heard someone was asking about your spitfire,” he replied. “I came out of a bar and they attacked.”
William was at his side, “Could they be after Willow?”
Angelus grinned as he looked at him, “If they are … they’ll have to deal with both of us and it’s not likely they’ll catch me unaware again.”
~Part: 14~
William stood outside his room. He’d put Willow there, knowing it would be where she’d be safest. The idea that demons capable of surprising Angelus might be after his witch made him feel things he didn’t think he’d ever felt before. As quietly as possible, he opened the door and slipped inside. The fire was dying. Since it wouldn’t do for Willow to catch a chill, he stoked the fire and moved to sit at her bedside.
“No. No frogs. Toads… run,” she murmured, stirring in her sleep.
William chuckled to himself. So the witch was scared of frogs and toads. A smirk stretched across his face as he wondered if the sight of them would send her into his arms. He might have to take her for a walk near the pond soon.
“No Xander. No frogs. Don’t,” she cried softly, twisting in the bedding.
“Shh, luv. No frogs about. Not certain what a Xander is, but I assure you it’s not here either. It is just William. Sleep pet. You’re safe,” he murmured, stroking her hair back from her face.
“Safe,” she breathed, nuzzling her cheek into his hand.
William closed his eyes as her warmth soaked into his chilled hand. He sat there unwilling to move. She seemed content to snuggle against his hand. He watched her, losing himself in the rise and fall of her chest with each breath, the soft beating of her heart and the fluttering of her eyes beneath their lids.
He didn’t know how long he’d sat there before Willow’s voice caused him to realize that her green eyes were staring into his.
“William? Is something wrong?” she asked softly, her voice still heavy with sleep.
“No, pet. Just making sure you weren’t too cold,” he replied, pulling his hand back as he rose and tucked the covers around her. He could feel Angelus returning and entering his rooms across the hall.
“Oh. Okay. Thank you,” Willow murmured as she snuggled down beneath the sheets.
“I’m going to find a place to sleep. If you need me, call out. If I don’t hear you, Angelus should. He’s just across the hall.”
“What do you mean find a place?” Willow asked, sitting up in the bed.
“I gave you my bed, luv. Figured you’d be safest there.” He smiled; it was obvious the girl wasn’t totally awake. Her eyes were still clouded with sleep and not really focused on him.
She seemed to look at the bed then began to climb out of it.
“What are you doing?” he asked, hurrying back to her.
“I can’t take your bed.”
“You aren’t taking it. I’m giving it. Now, back to bed with you. You aren’t ready to be up and about.”
Willow protested weakly as William began tucking her into bed again. “None of that. Now, you get some rest.”
“Don’t go,” she sighed as she laid back. “I—I mean—please?”
He stared at the chair he’d brought to her bedside earlier and sighed. He had slept in worst places. “Alright, pet. I’ll stay,” he agreed as he locked the door and settled into the chair.
He watched as Willow drifted off to sleep, again. And again, he lost himself in watching her. He glanced around the room and realized he hadn’t missed Drusilla since she’d gone dress shopping with Darla. He shook his head and corrected himself; he had missed her… until he met the redhead that was currently resting in his bed.
“William,” a sleepy voice called, “lots of room.”
He turned his eyes to the form on the bed. She was still sound asleep. He leaned forward and brushed his hand over her hair, “Hush, kitten. Sleep.”
He was surprised when her hand captured his and tugged him toward the bed and whispered, “Come to bed.”
He thought about it for less than a moment, before he slid into bed behind her. He couldn’t contain his smile when she snuggled back against him. He just hoped he woke up before she did or she might stake him for being in her bed.
~Part: 15~
Willow snuggled against the hard form at her back. Her sleep-addled brain barely registered the weight that rested around her waist. Part of her really needed to get up and find a bathroom, but the rest of her didn’t really want to move. She didn’t know why she was so very tired. It wasn’t like she had been doing very much, had she? Her mind was too fuzzy to remember. She began to stretch but quickly stilled when she was pulled closer whatever was behind her.
Suddenly, the events of last night came back with startling clarity. The vampire pulling her against him and sinking his fangs into her throat, hurting more than ever before. Now she was being pulled back against him, again. She sat up screaming in terror as she struggled to get away.
#
William woke to Willow’s terrified scream and was on his feet snarling at the danger. He stilled as he scanned the room. It was empty. He caught sight of Willow, trembling as she forced herself between the chair and the wall, still crying. The scent of her fear was filling the room. If he didn’t get her calm soon, every vampire in the place would be waking and coming to investigate.
“Pet, it’s William. You’re safe, luv,” he called softly, afraid to move toward her.
With a resounding crack, the door to the bedroom was forced open and a very angry Angelus stood in the doorway, his eyes golden as they roamed the area. “Willow,” he called softly. His eyes landed on Spike and he growled, “What happened?”
“I’m not sure,” William replied. “Woke up to her screams. Was trying not to make it worse by grabbing her and scaring her more,” he added, glaring at the shattered door.
Angelus sighed and then moved into the room towards the panicking redhead. “Spitfire. Willow. It’s alright,” his rumbling Irish brogue filled the room. “If William did something to ya, all you need to do is tell me and I’ll be sure he’s punished.”
William glared at his grandsire for a moment before he turned his attention back to Willow. She seemed to be coming back to wakefulness at last. “Willow, please love, are you alright?”
“William?” her wavering voice called as she slid out from behind the chair.
“Yes, luv. It’s me,” he assured her as he stepped around Angelus and held his hand out to the girl, who bypassed his hand and flung herself into his arms. He glanced down at her and hugged her to him. “What frightened you so?” he asked softly as he held her.
“Nightmare,” her reply was muffled against his chest, “thought that other vamp was getting me again.”
Angelus growled quietly enough that even William barely heard him, before turning and leaving. “Call if you need anything,” he ground out over his shoulder.
William hugged her again as he led her to the chair by the fireplace and settled her into it as he began to build a fire. “I told you that you were safe,” he murmured before sighing as he tossed a log in and glanced at her. “You were frightened of me.”
“No!” Willow exclaimed, “It wasn’t you. I thought I felt something pulling me toward it and I just knew I was – It hurt so much more,” she finished in a whisper.
William moved to kneel at her feet. “What hurt?” he asked, concerned that perhaps in his sleep he had done something to harm her.
“The bite. It’s never hurt so much before,” she whispered, looking into his eyes. William began to question her about the previous times she’d been bitten. He wanted to rip that Harmony person to shreds. She mentioned another attack, leaving out a name, but she did say ‘she bit me.’ “So, luv, the vampires that bit you were all females?” he asked.
She thought for a minute, “Yes, at least as far as I can remember.”
“Females tend to have thinner fangs. That’s not saying it doesn’t hurt or that a male vampire will always hurt, but if this was worse… that could be the reason,” he explained, then smiled at her look of surprise.
“No one ever mentioned that before.”
“So you go talking about vampires a lot, luv? People sit around and discuss their physical attributes where you come from?” he teased.
~Part: 16~
Willow blushed as she remembered some of the nights she and Buffy had actually done just that about a few select vampires. Mainly one vampire… Angel. “No… not really. I—I just meant I’ve read a lot about vampires and the watch— stuff I read didn’t mention that.”
William went still as he stared at her. “Where have you found information about vampires to read?” he asked quietly as his blue eyes drilled into her own.
She stilled, wondering what had possessed her to open her mouth about that and to almost say watcher diaries… that was possibly the stupidest she had ever done.
“Willow, where did you find the books?” he asked, his voice completely void of any emotion.
“I—please, William. It doesn’t matter. They aren’t where anyone else can get to them,” she assured him. The only ones that could get to them were the ones that needed to.
“Luv, do you have any idea how dangerous it is to have those books?” he asked as he rose and began pacing. “I’d heard the watchers had books on most of the more well know vampires, Angelus for example, but I didn’t know there were oth--” He stopped mid-sentence and turned to face her. “You’ve seen the Watcher’s Diaries,” he breathed, glancing toward the door. He seemed to be listening for something.
“What is it?” she whispered.
“Cor, luv, I don’t know what to do,” he admitted. “I should be torturing you until you tell me where the diaries are and how in the hell you got your hands on them,” he shook his head and began to pace again, unaware of Willow’s fear.
“I can’t,” he murmured as he passed her. “Don’t want to… won’t do it,” he growled, then turned to her again. “Do not mention this to anyone. I mean no one.”
“I-I won’t,” she stuttered. “I didn’t mean to tell you. I promise no one here can get them.”
“Don’t mention them again,” he warned, then sighed. “How did you get your hands on the watcher diaries?” he asked again then returned to tending the fire.
“I can’t tell you,” she whispered, watching as he stilled and slowly turned toward her.
“You realize any other vampire--”
“Would have killed me a few minutes after they met me.”
“Willo--”
“Don’t Willow me… I’m willing to lay money on the fact that that’s just what you and Angelus planned to start with but something changed your minds… and I am thankful for that but… don’t even try to make me think I wasn’t dinner when you first saw me.”
“I wouldn’t lie to you, pet,” he whispered.
“I’m probably stupid for believing you … but I do,” she admitted as she leaned back in the chair and pulled her feet up underneath her.
“You’re not stupid,” he informed her. “And you’re probably right, luv, but I’ve given my word… and so has Angelus… you won’t be harmed again if we can do anything to stop it.”
Willow didn’t know what to think. Here she was in 1888, in London with Spike of all people and she actually felt safe. “No one here can reach those boo--” She was silenced by his hand over her mouth.
“Someone is in the hall,” he breathed and when she nodded, he removed his hand as started toward the door.
~Part: 17~
“Did you two not learn your lesson earlier?” Angelus asked as he flung one Kracken demon across the alley as its twin tackled him. He struggled against the weight of the bile green creature. He was fairly certain this was the same pair he’d knocked out less than an hour ago, of course with Kracken’s it was hard to tell. They all looked pretty much the same, the only difference was in the patterns of scales on their heads. That usually meant only another Kracken could tell them apart. Of course, there are rarely more than six in a town at a time. They don’t get along with their own very well, except their twins, of course.
As the second one joined the first in pinning Angelus down, he decided on something, same pair or not they were going to die. All he had been doing was talking in one of the few local demon bars. It wasn’t even like he had heard anything new. When he walked out, he was jumped. This time he was ready and he heard them before they even reached him.
Kicking the pair off, he grabbed a piece of a broken wooden crate as he pulled a small dagger out of his great coat. When the foolish Krackens attacked again, they fell, one after the other as Angelus stabbed his weapon into their oddly placed hearts. He pulled his dagger from the demon’s side and wiped it off on the cleanest part of its clothes before putting it back into his pocket and heading toward the next stop.
~~~*~~~
“Angelus! Where have you been?”
Angelus cringed as Demetri, a young Russian vampire that had been pestering him for the last few decades, bellowed over the rowdy crowd of demons. “I’ve been around,” he growled as he moved toward the bar.
“Have you heard?” the black haired vampire asked as he settled onto the barstool next to him.
“Heard?”
“Those murders… one of us did them and--” he leaned in with a conspiratorial tone, “I heard there is a witch about that he’s after.”
“Oh and where have you been hearing this?” Angelus asked, his Irish brogue thickening slightly. He smiled as the young vampire began to tell all he knew.
~Part: 18~
"William... I can't wear that," Willow protested as she stared at the emerald green gown that was carefully laid across the bed.
"Why the bloody hell not?" William asked, confusion written on his face. "It's your size. I made sure," he grumbled under his breath. Couldn't the woman accept a gift without all the protests?
"It's too nice."
"You're not serious?" William gasped. "Too-bloody hell woman! It's a sodden dress! Now put it on so I can take you to dinner!" He bellowed as he turned on his heel and stormed out the door.
Angelus chuckled. "Problems, boy?"
"Sod off!" He muttered as he stormed down the hall.
~~~*~~~
Willow stared at the door in shock. The dress had to have cost a fortune, she couldn't accept that expensive of a gift. Of course, pissing off a vampire wasn't exactly smart. So she took a deep breath and went about trying to figure out how to get into it without help.
After a few minutes of attempting it by herself, she broke down and went to call for help. She cracked the door. "Anyone there?"
"Did you need something, little one?" Angelus called.
"Uhm, well... yeah. I mean yes," she murmured. "William wants me to go out with him and ... I kinda.. well.. Ineedhelpgettingintothedressandwilliamsmad atmecauseIsaiditwastoonice."
Angelus chuckled, "I'd be more than willing to lend a hand... although I am much better at taking dresses off than putting them on."
She was beet red... she knew it. She could feel it. "Well... uhm.. I-"
"It's alright, Willow," he laughed. "I'll get one of the girls to give you a hand," he assured her. He bowed slightly, turned and headed down the hall bellowing for someone named Virginia. A young blonde vampire stepped out of a nearby room and Willow watched as Angelus spoke quietly to her. The woman's eyes widened and she nodded vigorously, before heading toward Willow and the room.
"Master Angelus sent me to attend you," the young woman murmured as she curtsied before her. "My name is Virginia."
"Hi, I'm Willow. Uhm.. I just kinda need some help getting into the dress William gave me."
"Yes, Ms. Willow," Virginia replied in a hushed voice.
She sighed, this was going to be interesting. "Just Willow."
"Ms?"
"Just call me Willow," she replied.
"But Master Angelus said to treat you like you were a Master."
Willow was stunned, and it was obvious the young vampire was a bit surprised too. From what she knew of vampire society, a mortal was never considered to be on the same level as a vampire. Even the lowliest minion would be higher than most mortals. They sometimes kept human pets, but it was rare for those to be classed higher than a minion. "Well.... just call me Willow."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Oh please don't call me that," she laughed as they closed the door and made their way to the bed where the dress lay. "I'm afraid I--"
"First the corset." Virginia announced as she began to strip Willow out of her dressing gown.
Willow blushed and babbled as the young woman deftly took off her clothes, and then began to dress her. She managed to stutter through a conversation with her. She discovered that Virginia had been a lady's maid until Angelus had taken a liking to her and had his way with her... then at the last minute turned her. Now she helped to run the house, being the only minion with the slightest idea of what had to be done.
Virginia was chattering away, talking about the things they'd done and what she'd seen since she became a vampire four years ago. As she knelt before Willow buttoning the redhead's boots, she continued to talk. "You're much nicer than Mistress Darla." She stilled and looked up at Willow, fear shining brightly in her eyes. "I--"
"It's alright," Willow whispered quickly. "I won't say anything." Then she smiled, "I'm much saner than Dru too."
Virginia relaxed slightly and smiled, "Much."
There was a knock at the door and before Willow could move Virginia was up and at the door. "Master William, Mistress Willow is almost ready."
"Mistress Willow?" William murmured.
Virginia bowed her head, "Master Angelus told me--"
William nodded, "Good. Go."
"Thanks, Virginia," Willow called as the girl hurried out the door, then she turned her attention to William. "Well... is it okay?" She asked, smoothing her hands over the front of the blue dress.
William smiled warmly at her. "No, luv, it's not." She lowered her head in shocked surprise, uncertain why it hurt when he said that. After all, it wasn't like she was a beauty like Buffy or Cordelia nor had ever given her the time of day before. "It's not just okay. You look bloody beautiful."
"Thank you," she murmured turning away as tears began to gather in her eyes.
"Bloody hell, you cry because I like how you look?"
"Yes. No. I-- I don't know," she sighed.
"We should be going," he murmured. "They will only hold the table for so long."
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see when we get there."
Willow frowned, "You don't give straight answers ... do you?"
"I'm a vampire, luv," he reminded her proudly.
~Part: 19~
Angelus found himself sitting there listening to Demitri for the second night in a row. The younger vampire had wanted to join the Scourge of Europe for several years now but Darla despised him and Drusilla muttered about him being sticky and rotten. He fought to keep from growling as the now drunken vampire tried to impress him with his tales.
"And last night... I found him. Said he'd been having a right good time," the Russian vamp laughed doing an awful imitation of a British accent. "Said he's smelled her a few weeks ago. Saw the flash of her power, or something, and was going to get her if he had to rip through every bangtail in Whitechapel."
Angelus froze, but quickly covered it. "Really? And who would this be?" Demitri's face scrunched up as he tried to pull the information out of his drunken brain. "A vampire."
It took all his control not to bash the young fool's head in. "Did you know him, Dimitri?"
The black haired vampire shook his head. "No, but he was older than me." He looked at Angelus hard for a moment. "Maybe older than you."
Angelus nodded and paid for another round for the drunken vampire before rising and heading for the door.
~~~*~~~
"If we follow it... we find her," a young man whispered to his companion.
"True... if we don't get killed by it! You saw what it did to those two demons we sent to follow it."
The first figure shook his head, "They didn't follow... they attacked. Now we have to have that witch for this to work. You know how hard it is to find a real one. This girl is the only one in London!"
"So you say... if she is a witch, why is she working in Whitechapel?" the younger of the two muttered.
"Well, there is no doubt you're a Giles," the first man muttered. "Just glad I've got more brains than you."
"Travers," the young Giles growled. "I'll show you just who has the brains, you wanker." With that, he set off to follow the vampire.
Travers chuckled, maybe tonight they would have the last ingredient, and they could do what he needed to get what he deserved.
~Part: 20~
Willow smiled nervously. What in the world was she doing? Going to dinner with a vampire... Spike, er ... William actually, but still. She shook her head as William helped her out of the coach. "William, I could have found something to eat in the kitchen."
"Actually, pet," he replied, pulling her to his side, "There isn't anything fit for you to eat in that place, trust me."
She was suddenly plagued by visions of men and women hanging from chains in the kitchen. "Remind me to not go to the kitchen," she whispered, shuddering.
"Luv, it's not that bad," he assured her as he led her up a series of steps. "I just meant, we've been in that house a while. If there is any food left... it is probably far past the stage you could eat it. Even if Charles does eat like a pig... I don't think anything edible is left in there."
Before Willow could catch a glimpse of a sign, a man dressed in a suit met them at the door and ushered them inside. "Everything is as you requested, my lord."
William nodded, "The lady is hungry, so ... don't dawdle."
The man paled, and then scurried away.
"I'm not that hungry," Willow whispered.
"I hear your stomach growling," he whispered back as he escorted her to a table in the middle of the room and helped her into her seat.
She flushed with embarrassment, "I didn't- I mean -- "
"It's fine, luv."
Willow glanced around, noticing that they were indeed in a restaurant, a very nice one at that, but that they were the only occupants other than a rather small staff.
"I guess you're wondering why we're the only ones here?" He smiled when she only nodded. "Well, the owner ... owes his life to Angelus and I. He's a demon... had a bit of trouble with a demon hunter. We ... took care of it for him."
"But this is the not demony part of town."
"Actually, pet, there are several demons in this part of town, they just look human."
"Oh... interesting," she murmured.