Daddy's Little Girl

Author: RRFC (chrissy)

Classification:L/C W/A

Spoilers: A little of this a little of that. AU, I am picking what I want to be true

Feedback: No not at all. Well yes of course I want to know if this sucks or not

Distribution: Just ask

Disclaimer: I'm not intelligent enough to create superior characters such as these. They belong to Joss, duh

authors note: Someday I will finish a story before I start a new one.

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Chapter One

Life was great. Lindsey sat staring out the window of his corner office, a smug smile on his lips. He was making more money than he ever dreamed possible. The senior partners loved him. He just bought a new sports car, that purred under his touch. And just recently moved into a penthouse apartment, with an unbelievable view to the ocean. As an added bonus, he hadn't been bothered by Angel and his little groupies in over a month.

Yes, life was great, and it could only get better.

"I don't wanna get out of the car." The little girl whined, gripping the door handle in a death grip.

"Sophie *honey*, this is where your Daddy works. Don't you want to see your Daddy?" The underpaid, and highly stressed social worker was losing her patients with the four year old girl. After what the little hellion had put her through the last couple days, she was ready to dump the kid with her father without looking back.

"I don't wanna see my Daddy. I want my Mommy back." Sophie kicked out, connecting with the social workers jaw.

"I know sweetie, but your Mommy is up in heaven." The words were gritted out, lacking any real sense of compassion. Taking the small girl by the waist and pulling, the girl was pried from the car door, and not wanting to take any chances by putting the precocious four year old on the ground, it was decided that the little one would be carried.

Lugging the child up the steps to the sleek law firm, Janice (the underpaid social worker) prayed that the little girl's father was in his office today. Walking across the entrance way to the receptionists desk, Janice placed the young girl down for a moment.

"I'm here to see Lindsey McDonald."

"And your name please?" The young woman asked, a false smile plastered on her face.

"I'm Janice Thomas." Looking down at the spot where Sophie had been last placed, Janice was relieved to find the girl still there.

"Do you have an appointment?"

Janice held her breath. No, she didn't have an appointment. "No, I don't."

The young receptionist rolled her eyes. "Mr. McDonald is a very busy man. I can make you an appointment. How does next Thursday at one sound?"

Janice gripped the desk and leaned over. "There is no way that I am waiting until next Thursday. That little girl has kicked me, bitten me and almost set fire to a hotel room. How about I leave her here with you until next Thursday sound?" The young receptionist sat back, her gaze flickering to the toddler who was at the moment pulling on one of the leaves to a large plated plant.

"He can see you now."

"That's what I thought." Turning to the young girl. "Sophie come." Janice grabbed the little misfit that was making faces at one of the stern looking security guards.

Lindsey stood gathering the folders he would need for his meeting that afternoon. Shoving them inside his briefcase he started to head to the door when his secretary appeared looking rather frazzled.

"I'm on my way out Kelly, what ever it is can it be put off until tomorrow?" Kelly bit her lip and was ready to reply, when a middle aged woman stormed into his office. Lindsey was so started by the woman's appearance that he almost didn't see the young girl that was being drug from behind.

Rage seared through him at the mistreatment of the tiny tot. "That is no way to treat your child." Lindsey strode over and glared the woman in the eye.

"This is certainly not *my* daughter. After spending the last forty-eight hours with her, I will probably never have children."

Lindsey looked back in confusion. "I'd like to be able to blame her mother, but since the poor woman has been dying of cancer for the last four and a half years I can hardly fault her now can I."

"I'm lost. Why are you here?" Lindsey looked back down at the girl again. There was something there that triggered his memory, as though he should know the tiny girl. She was simply put beautiful. Her hair was a chestnut brown, that curled at the ends. Her eyes were a a smokey blue framed by black lashes that went on for miles. Little lips were formed into a pout that brought out her deep dimples.

Janice shoved a folder at him. "All your answers are in the folder. Her name is Sophie Marie Logan. She turned four a month ago on September sixth." Lindsey felt the name Logan bounce through his head, the echoes taunting him.

"You said her last name is Logan. As in Molly Logan's daughter." Lindsey felt a slight flush around his neck, as it became harder to breath.

"Yes, The legal papers are all signed-."

"She's dead?" Janice watched the younger man slump down in a chair, his face white.

"Yes, I'm sorry. I suppose I could have delivered the news a little better. Molly found out she had cancer four months into her pregnancy. She refused to give up Sophie." Lindsey nodded mutely, as though he understood. But really he didn't.

Molly, dead? His home town sweetheart that was the only happiness he had ever known in his life was gone. The girl that befriended the social outcast, bringing him into her little world of sunshine and perfection. The girl that became a beautiful adolescent, and still stood by his side. She helped tutor him, push him to do the best that he could so he could have a future was gone.

When was the last time he saw her? Almost five years ago. It had been Christmas time, right before he started working for Wolfram and Hart. They had made plans for their future. He would work for Wolfram and Hart for a year saving his money, then come and take her away from the town that had treated him so poorly. But it had only taken a month of working at the law firm  to know that Molly would never tolerate such evilness. That the sweet and mild mannered young woman she had become would never fit into his new world. So he did what he thought he had to, he let her go. Stopped calling or writing. When he moved he didn't even leave a forwarding address. He cut his sunshine out of his life completely.

Now she was gone, and Lindsey had never felt so alone.

"Mr. McDonald, I am sorry. But I am a very busy woman and need to go. I had clothes for your daughter, but she set fire to them yesterday." Janice turned to leave.

"Wait where are you going?" Lindsey stepped in front of the social worker.

"I have a flight back to Oklahoma in a couple hours." Janice tried to skirt around the young lawyer.

"You don't understand, I can't take care of a little girl or boy for that matter. My lifestyle, my job has no place for something so innocent."

"Sacrifices Mr. McDonald, it's called sacrifices. It's what all parents have to learn. Have a good day and congratulations, you're a Daddy." Janice swept past Lindsey out the door. Leaving Lindsey shocked and bewildered in her wake.

"I gotta go potty." A little voice brought him back to earth.

Lindsey looked down at his small package not sure what to do. Sophie had her legs crossed, and was bouncing. "Huh?"

"Potty I have to go." She cried. Lindsey groaned knowing that the Gods were surely laughing at him now.
 

Chapter Two

"You don't understand, I don't even know if she's mine." Lindsey hissed into the phone.

"Sir do you have reason to believe that Miss. Logan lied about the paternity of her daughter?" The highly annoying voice replied from the other end of the phone. Lindsey looked at the little girl who was curled up asleep on the couch in his office. Had it been another woman he would definitely have some serious doubts. But not Molly. Rubbing his temples he let out a long breath.

"No, I don't think that Mol- Miss Logan would lie. But I don't know anything about raising children." Lindsey was at his limit. He knew he wasn't cut out to do this. So far little Sophie had peed on him when he tried to rush her to the bathroom, colored on some very important contracts, and kicked Lilah in the shin. Lindsey lips tugged a little at that. The look on Lilah's face was priceless.

"Sir there is another guardian mentioned if you were...unfit to be a parent. A Mr. Henry and Mrs. Judith McDonald. Any relation?" Lindsey felt his stomach lurch. Any relation? Just slightly since they were his parents.

"Why?" Lindsey croaked.

"It seems that Miss. Logan named Mr.-." Lindsey lost his patients.

"No why would she name a second set of guardians? Why them?" Lindsey realized that he was slightly insulted that it would be assumed that he wouldn't be capable of being a parent. It was rare that there was two sets of guardians, and he knew that Molly had doubts of his abilities. Though he deserved it, it still hurt. She had named the two people he blamed for his sorry upbringing, to raise his child should he be unable to.

"I really don't know Mr. McDonald. If you'd like I can contact them and let them know that-."

"No, don't bother. No child should be raised by those two." Slamming down the phone he winced remembering that Sophie was asleep on the couch. Damn, damn and double damn. Molly had to have had a reason to have done what she did. She could hardly stand his parents, so why put them as back up guardians.

"Mr. McDonald I'm going home for the evening. Was there anything else that you needed." Lindsey looked up at his assistant Kelly.

"You have kids right?" Lindsey questioned.

Kelly nodded slightly. Everyone in the office knew about Lindsey's newly arrived daughter, and where other laughed she actually felt bad for him. "Yes, sir."

"I have no idea where to start." Lindsey knew he sounded pathetic, but what else could he do?

"Well, she'll need clothes, a roof over her head and love." Kelly answered honestly. Smiling at her employer she turned to leave.

"I can do the clothing and roof part." Lindsey muttered, rubbing his temples. "Never been all that great at the loving part."

"This is secretary abuse you know." Cordelia whined into the cell phone. "Why doesn't Wesley ever have to run to get office supplies?" Weaving in and out of the crowed mall, Cordelia headed to the office supply store.

"He's researching the latest murder Delia, and I can't just jump onto my car in the middle of the day and rush off to the mall." Angel's voice was laced with amusement, that grated on her nerves.

"It's *not* the middle of the day, it's just a little before sunset." She rolled her eyes. "What about Gunn? I know he wouldn't be consumed by a fiery death if he had to do this." Cordelia stopped and watched a little girl playing near one of the water fountains. She was a beautiful little thing. Her chestnut brown hair reached her shoulders, curling at the ends. She was leaning over trying to look into the water.

Angel was saying something about Gunn and his others responsibilities, but she was only half listening. Looking around for the little girls parents she wondered why they would allow such a little thing be so close to the water without any supervision. Stupid irresponsible parents. Keeping an eye on the child Cordelia tried to listen to Angel list off what they needed, responding now and then.

The little girl boosted herself up, using the toes of her shoes to get leverage. Almost to her goal a tiny foot slipped, scraping her knee. Cordelia gasped almost able to feel the pain, and waited for one of her parents to come at the sound of her tears.

One..Two...Three... Cordelia counted to herself and headed to the rescue. "Angel I gotta go." Hanging up on her boss in mid-sentance, Cordelia hurried over the crying girl.

"That comes to three hundred twenty-seven dollars and fifteen cents." The lady smiled over the counter at Lindsey as he stood in shock.

"You are joking right? I only bought five outfits and pajamas for a four year old. There's hardly any material to them." The sales clerk stared blandly back at him, and Lindsey yanked a credit card from his wallet and handed it to the women.

They had been in the mall for only an hour and so far he had spent over six hundred dollars on stuff he was told by smiling clerks that he just had to
have. His head was throbbing, and all he wanted to do was go home and go to sleep.

Sophie was constantly on the go. Besides the blissful half hour nap she took, she just went nonstop. He could barely get her out of one mess when she was on to another. She was stubborn, and refused to listen to a word he said.

The sound of a crying child could be heard from the busy mall as Lindsey gathered Sophie's purchases. Looking around for her, he realized it had been some time since he had seen her last. Dread filled his entire body as he rushed around the store, looking under clothing racks, and in the dressing rooms. He was about to question the clerk that had helped him when an announcement came through the mall intercom.

"Will the parents of a little girl by the name of Sophie please come to the customer service desk located in the middle of the mall." Lindsey felt a flood of relief wash over him. Hurrying to the middle of the mall, he now knew why parents had leashes for their children.
 

Chapter Three

"Pink bubble gum just what the lady ordered." Cordelia handed the little girl the child sized ice cream cone and sat down next to her. Cordelia couldn't help but smile as Sophie ignored the ice cream and tried to dug out the gum pieces. As a child she had done the exact same thing.

"Thank you Cowd...Cowd...Cowdea." Sophie grinned.

"Why not call me Cordy, its what all my friends call me." Cordelia grinned back at the little girl. 'How could someone lose such an adorable little girl?' She thought bitterly. Not even her own parents had been that neglectful.

"Sophie do you remember what store you were in?" Cordelia asked, wiping ice cream from the four year olds face. Sophie shook her head.

"Do remember what you came here to buy?"

"My new Daddy said we needed to get me cloths." Licking her lips clean, she attacked the cone again.

Cordelia frowned and reflected at the odd statement the little girl made. "Your new Daddy?"

Stopping her assault on the cone Sophie nodded her head. "My Mommy is in heaven, and the mean lady said I had to live with my Daddy." Cordelia silently nodded as though she understood what Sophie was saying. But a part of her tore at the thought that someone so young had to already experience death.

Lindsey rushed through the mall. He hadn't had Sophie for a day and he had already lost her. How was he supposed to be a Father? He couldn't even  ommit to a brand of shoes. Now he had a four year old to care for, and Lindsey had no idea where to start. 'Well, first I need to find my daughter.' Lindsey mumbled to himself.

What was he supposed to do with her while he was at work? It wasn't as though he had the most convenient working hours. Most days he was in the office by ten and worked until well past midnight. Then there was the fact that once the senior partners found out he had a daughter, they would have an additional thing to threaten him with.

'I have to make this work,' he thought. 'I can't allow Sophie to be handed over to my parents if I fail. She deserves better than that.' Finding the customer service desk Lindsey made a promise to himself that no matter what he would fail Sophie. He may not be able to be the loving Father she needed. But she would be well taken care of.

A young blonde was standing behind the counter, and Lindsey approached her for help. "I'm Sophie's father." The blonde looked him up and down and flashed him a big grin.

"She sure does look like you." Lindsey waited impatiently for the girl to tell him where Sophie was. "She's over there." Lindsey looked in the direction that the blonde pointed. "The lady that found her bought your daughter some ice-cream." Lindsey spotted Sophie sitting with a brunette that he couldn't make out her facial features.

"Thanks." He threw over his shoulder as he rushed over to where Sophie was sitting eating her ice-cream, laughing at something the female had said. "Sophie?" The little girl looked up and froze when she saw him coming toward her.

Cordelia froze also when she heard the masculine voice from behind. She knew that voice, but just couldn't place it. Turning in the direction that Sophie was staring in Cordelia's mouth dropped open. Lindsey.

Lindsey stopped in his tracks when he saw the face that belonged to the woman that found Sophie. Cordelia. Of all the rotten luck, it would have to be Angel's Seer that would find Sophie. This was one added complication that he didn't have the energy to even think about.

"Don't think for one-second that I am going to believe that you're Sophie's Father." Cordelia stood up, a furious sense of maternal protectiveness gripped at her.

"Ms Chase I don't have the time for this. It's been a long day. Sophie we need to go." Cordelia stepped in front of Lindsey's path, a wild look in her eyes.

"Over my dead body. What's the game Lindsey? Is she a clients daughter, or perhaps she has some sort of powers that your firm wants to get hold of?" Lindsey stared at Cordelia looking around as they were causing a scene. Reaching out and gripping her arm Lindsey pulled her close.

"I don't answer to you Ms Chase. This is none of your business." Shoving her aside he walked over to his ice-cream covered daughter. "Sophie we need to go." Waiting for the little girl to get up and leave with him he was startled at the tears that fell from her blue eyes.

"You were mean to Cordy." Sophie's wails increased.

Cordelia brushed past Lindsey shooting him a glare for causing the little one to start crying again. "Shh, Sophie it's okay. Is this your new Dadd...Your new Father?" Sophie nodded wiping at the tears with her hand.

Cordelia bit her lower lip, unsure what to do. Her entire being shouted that she take Sophie and run. But if Lindsey was indeed this little girls guardian there wasn't much that she could do. Giving the girl a shaky smile, Cordelia wiped the rest of the ice-cream form the girls chubby little cheeks. "Well it was nice meeting you Sophie." Stroking the light brown curls Cordelia stood up with one last smile in Sophie's direction.

Turing toward Lindsey she leaned in and whispered. "I'm telling you this, you hurt her and I will have Angel cut off your other hand and beat you to death with it do you understand?" Not waiting for a reply Cordelia turned to wave good-bye again to the little girl and walked off.

Lindsey let out a deep breath. Knowing for certain that this wouldn't be the last time he and Cordelia would cross paths.
 

Chapter Four

"Angel!" Cordelia shouted as she rushed through the hotel's entrance doors.

"ANGEL!" Walking past Wesley, Cordelia peered into Angel's darkened office.

"Cordelia did you have a vision?" Wesley questioned following Cordelia around as she searched for the dark vampire.

"No, I need to find Angel though. Where is he?"

"He's in the kitchen warming up his bloo- dinner." Wesley was concerned. Cordelia never behaved like this unless there was something horribly wrong.

Absently nodding her thanks to Wesley Cordelia practically ran to the kitchen. "Angel!"

"I'm right here Cordy, no need to yell." Angel walked out of the kitchen, sipping his meal from a coffee mug.

"You have to do something about Sophie. I know she's in danger and if don't we don't do anything to help her she could get hurt." Cordelia twisted her hands in front of her, and started pacing. "I'd bet a years salary that he's not her father."

Angel watched Cordelia, his mug frozen half way to his lips in confusion. What had happened since the last time they talked in the phone of the unfairness of her having to be the one to get office supplies to now. "Well, don't just stand there. We have to do something." Cordelia snapped.

Angel looked to Wesley for help. The former watcher shrugged. "I'm lost here Cordelia, you need to slow down. Who is Sophie?"

"This beautiful little girl. She's four, and has the prettiest blue eyes I have ever seen. And the lashes on that girl go one for miles. When she smiles she gets two cute dimples on her chubby little cheeks." Cordelia smiled at the image of the little girl in her mind.

"And what is the danger this girl Sophie is in?" Wesley questioned.

Cordelia turned from Angel to look at the Englishman. "I know that there is *no* way that he is her Father. I mean I know that evil can reproduce. But there is no way someone that vile could have had such a perfect little girl."

"Who?" Both males nearly shouted, frustrated that they had to pull the information out of Cordelia.

"Lindsey. Haven't either one of you been listening?" Cordelia started pacing again. "We need to find out what he's up to. It has to be no good. We can't let him hurt Sophie."

"Cordy I think you need to start from the beginning." Angel led her to the office, listening as his friend and Seer told the story of how she met Sophie when the poor girl had scraped her knee on the mall fountain, to the confrontation between herself and Lindsey.

"So you see we need keep her safe." Cordelia pleaded to her friends.

"We could look into Lindsey's past. See if indeed the little girl is his, or perhaps find out why he has her." Wesley suggested.

"We could get Willow to come here. She's a whiz at stuff like that." Cordelia sat forward in her chair reaching for the phone. Angel placed a hand over hers, stopping her.

"I'm sure that Willow is busy. They have their own demons in Sunnydale and she's needed there. Plus didn't the semester just start?" Angel reminded
Cordelia.

"I'm sure that they can manage without Willow for a day or two. She could come for a weekend."

"Angel's right. We've been doing fine without their help." Wesley shifted in his chair.

"You two are being such ninnies. Anytime Sunnydale the slayer or any of the others are mentioned you two get all defensive. This is Willow we're talking about, the one person we all like. And face it, between the three of us we can barely turn the computer on, much less hack into secure places." Seeing that the two males were close to caving, Cordelia did what she knew she must. She cried. Big fat tears fell from her face. "If you guys could've just met Sophie you would've fallen in love too. Please?" Angel looked over at Wesley and sighed. Releasing Cordelia's hand he let her make her call.

Not giving either the chance to change their mind, Cordelia snatched the phone off the cradle and made her call.

Lindsey pulled into the parking garage and looked over to the passenger seat to where Sophie was sound asleep. He couldn't help but smile at the small angel curled up asleep in the seat next to him. It had been a rough day for both of them, and what they needed was a good nights sleep.

Opening his car door, and walking to the trunk he grabbed a few bags. The rest could wait until tomorrow. Circling to the other side of the car he opened the passenger side door as gently as he could, so not to disturb Sophie's sleep. Shifting the bags to his newly regenerated hand, Lindsey reached in and unbuckled the seat belt, pausing for a moment when Sophie started to stir. Convinced that she was asleep, Lindsey scooped the tot up with his free hand cuddling her up against his body.

Sophie shifted a little to get comfortable, and placed a thumb into her mouth. Lindsey smiled slightly, remembering that his little sister used to suck her thumb until she was seven. Stepping into the elevator, and barely pushing the button to his floor, Lindsey started to recall his own childhood.

His parents may not have been the most competent of humans, but there had to be one or two things that they did right. But the problem was that he had made himself forget about his years with his parents that it amazed him how he had to struggle remembering the basic everyday things that he had lived through for seventeen years. So there was the basics. Breakfast in the morning, lunch at noon, and dinner at night. He could do that. Then there was daily baths, and teeth brushing. Check not a problem.

The elevator stopped on his floor and Lindsey stepped out, still outlining the basics that Sophie would need. Maybe it wouldn't be so hard. Hell he had made Jr. partner in five years, he could take care of one little girl. Stopping at his door he placed the bags on the ground, and fished in his pockets for his keys.

'With some careful planning and perhaps a Nanny, I can do this.' Lindsey unlocked the door to his apartment. Feeling once again in control of his life.

Willow paced her dorm room. A magnitude of feelings swarming inside her. Never in her life had she felt this way. She was Willow, Nerd extraordinaire. She was supposed to love school, researching through ancient tomes finding the secrets that were hidden within. Doing extra credit homework was supposed to give her a rush. But she no longer felt any of this.

Not even helping Giles with his research was giving her the sense of accomplishment anymore. Everyday seemed to bleed into the next. Go to school, study, help Giles and Buffy, kill a demon or two. Blah Blah Blah. Maybe it was because she really hadn't had a social life since Oz left over a year ago. Sure she occasionally went out with Buffy, Riley, Xander and Anya. But was being the perpetual third wheel wasn't really having a social life.

It was barley four months into the semester and Willow knew that she hated it. Hated the inept teachers at SU, the students that she didn't feel connected to at all anymore. She felt as though she and Spike had more in common than her peers.

Stopping she walked over to her desk and looked at the packet that had arrived that day. It was an information packet from Boston University. She could put in her application now, and if she got excepted she could start after winter break.

So here she was trying to decide what path she should take. Not an easy decision when so many counted on her. That was when Cordelia called. Willow saw it as her way out, maybe for just a few days. But maybe this was the break she needed.
 

Chapter Five

Lindsey was dreaming. Like every night, nightmares controlled his sleeping hours. It was just one of the prices he paid for his six figure salary. Most people would dream of sick and twisted demons chasing after them. Not Lindsey, he dreamt off losing everything he achieved within seconds. Of being forced back into a life he had detested, a life where food was scarce. Bills were never paid, and homes were taken away. His dreams were filled with sickened siblings he had to watch die night after night. Never being able to help them as the gasped their last breaths.

To Lindsey being poor meant more than not having the funds to just survive, but not being in control. Being so powerless that he had to stand by and watch as the people and things that Lindsey loved were ripped from him.

Thrashing around Lindsey twisted in his bed, the midnight blue silk sheets wrapping and twisting around his bare waist. He hated these dreams and the harder he fought against them, the worse they would get. It wasn't until an unfamiliar cry broke through the haze of his dream state that allowed him to break free of yet another night of torment. The cry echoed through his head again, and something started nagging at the back of his mind. It was the head splitting scream that brought Lindsey jumping out of his bed, dazed and confused.

Stubbing his big toe on the edge of his nightstand, Lindsey let out a steady stream of curse words. Another scream echoed through the Penthouse and it dawned on Lindsey that it was his new little guest. "Sophie." Hobbling to the guestroom, Lindsey tried to clear his head of the dreams that held him captive every night.

Walking into the room and turning on the light, Lindsey was relieved to see he had stopped Sophie just as she was filling her lungs to let out another ear shattering scream. Tears streaked down the little girl's face, and it made Lindsey's heart skip a beat when he saw the terror in her little blue eyes.

"You turned the light off!" Sophie glared at Lindsey and sniffed back her tears. Lindsey looked blankly back at the little girl, sure he had in some way done a great injustice to the tiny tot, but for the life of him couldn't figure out what.

"You were sleeping." Lindsey took another step toward the bed; afraid if he got too close she'd start screaming again.

"Mommy always kept a night light on." Sophie looked so lost in the huge king sized bed, and Lindsey felt like slapping himself upside the head. Of course a four-year-old would have a nightlight. Especially seeing that she was in a new place.

Looking around to find something to use to light the room slightly, Lindsey walked to the walk in closet and turned the inner light on. Shutting the door slightly. "How's that?"

"I want a nightlight!" Sophie wailed. "Mommy got me a pretty horsy nightlight." Tears started forming again in her eyes.

"I'll buy you one tomorrow, okay?" Lindsey started to leave but Sophie stopped him again.

"Will you sing for me?" Lindsey groaned and looked over at the little girl.

"Sing?" Sophie nodded and patted the spot next to her on the bed. "Mommy used to sing to me." 'She would too.' Lindsey thought. Molly had the prettiest voice. He used to sneak into her choir practices at the local church just to hear her sing.

"What do you want me to sing?" Lindsey gave in; knowing the quickest way back to bed was to just sing to his daughter.

"I want... umm." Sophie put a small finger to her lips. "The Wheels on the Bus."

"The what on the huh?" Lindsey looked back at her puzzled. "Maybe I should pick a song." Sophie thought about that for a moment then nodded. Lindsey thought a moment of a song suitable for someone so young. His mind drifted back to songs his mother had once sang to him. Of her voice that would sooth him to asleep.

Sitting on the edge of the bed he started a little unsure, with a song his mother once sang. After the first few lines the words started coming back to him, and he got so wrapped up in the song he was surprised to see that Sophie had drifted off again.

Reaching out tentatively he brushed the chestnut locks off her face, and smiled to himself. Relaxing against the headboard Lindsey continued to stroke the little girl's head. Within minutes both father and daughter were asleep. Both slept without nightmares.

Willow stepped into the hotel lobby well after three in the morning. She'd had first stopped by Cordelia's place when she arrived in LA, and had been surprised to find the apartment empty. So Willow thought she had three choices. One stay here at Cordelia's doorstep, in the middle of the night, in the middle of LA until the missing brunette showed up. Two try to convince Cordelia's ghostly roommate to let her in, but seeing that this was her first time here she really wasn't up to an encounter with Cordelia's ghost alone. Three go to Angel's hotel and see if for some reason Cordelia was still there. Three won out and here Willow was staring at Cordelia who was surrounded by newspapers, engrossed in some article.

Could this really be the former May Queen that she was staring at? The girl from Willow's High School days that had tormented her at every given breath. "Cordelia?"

Cordelia jumped at Willow's soft voice, and looked in the direction that it had come from. "Willow? I thought you were coming tomorrow." Standing from her position at the table Cordelia stood to welcome the little redhead.

"Well it is actually tomorrow." Willow smiled as Cordelia tried to rub off the black residue the ink from the papers had left on her hands.

Cordelia looked back at Willow a little puzzled then looked at the clock hanging on the wall next to Angel's office. "I guess I let time get away from me." Looking back at Willow Cordelia couldn't help but smile at the other slayerett. "Look at you! I must say Willow you're all grown up. See you stopped shopping at Sears."

Willow looked down at herself, at the printed wrap skirt and matching top. To her this was how she'd been dressing for over a year now, but the last time she and Cordelia had seen one another Willow was still donning the pastel fuzzy sweaters, and overalls. "Yeah, Buffy threatened me will violence if I didn't let her help pick out my wardrobe for college. So liking my health the way it was I agreed."

Cordelia nodded and shifted a little uncomfortably. It was the first time either girl had stood face to face since Graduation Day. Sure they had talked on the phone, and emailed on another. Cordelia had convinced Willow that the whole Xander thing was water under the bridge. Willow forgiving the major bitchy ways of Cordelia's School days. But that had been over the phone and internet. "Thank you for coming. No one else
seems to think that this is some big deal. They all left hours ago. Gunn and Wes went to some party in Gunn's old neighborhood. Angel is on patrol."

Willow walked to the desk Cordelia had been working at. "So what kind of evil are we fighting?" Cordelia beamed at Willow, thankful to have someone there to help her.

Picking up a picture, Cordelia handed it to Willow. "This vile and pathetic loser."

Willow let out a low whistle. "Wish the demon population back in Sunnydale looked like this. Fighting the forces of evil would be a little less... icky."

"What do you mean?" Cordelia looked back down at the picture of Lindsey, trying to see if there was something she missed.

"Have you lost your eyesight?" Willow's eyes popped open. "He's not bad on the eyes."

"Lindsey? Well I guess he's not the ugliest thing walking on two legs, but that's pretty much all he has going for him. He's evil Wills, that evil with a
capital E. Lindsey Aaron McDonald works for Wolfram and Hart. The unholy corporation I've been telling you about. In fact he's the guy that helped bring Darla back...the one that Angel chopped the limb from. He's bad Willow."

Willow laughed. "I said he wasn't bad on the eyes. Not that I want an introduction. "

Cordelia made a face at Willow and plopped back down at her desk. "Anyhow, I ran into this really adorable little girl today at the mall. She had been playing by the water fountain alone."

"Where were her parents?" Willow took a seat at the empty desk near Cordelia's.

"That's what I thought! So I was talking to Angel about his abuse of my shopping abilities when the little girl hurt herself. I was the only one who
seemed to care. Oh Willow she is so small and sweet. Her name is Sophie and she said that she was four. Well at first she said nothing but that her Mommy said that she shouldn't talk to strangers, but I warmed her up with an ice-cream cone."

"What kind?"

"Huh?"

"What kind of ice cream?" Willow slouched down in her chair, enjoying seeing a different side of Cordelia. Who would have thought that her friend liked children?

"Pink bubblegum." Cordelia imitated Willow and got more comfortable in her chair.

"That used to be my favorite!"

"Mine too and Sophie eats it just like I did by picking all the gum pieces out first. So anyways the mall security had announced that Sophie was missing, she and I were near the fountain again. She said that her Mommy was in heaven, and that she was with her new Daddy."

"New Daddy?" Willow fought the drooping of her eyelids.

"That's what I asked when next thing I know evil-lawyer-boy shows up. It tore me apart to let him take her. I don't even know if he is her Daddy... Father. Willow we have to make sure that nothing happens to Sophie." Cordelia yawned and barley registered the sleepy agreement from Willow's
direction as they both fell asleep.

An hour later Angel found the two girls asleep in the chairs in awkward positions. Walking over to them, he crouched down beside Willow and watched her sleep for a moment. She had always had such a peaceful expression while she slept. On his nightly rounds back in Sunnydale he had always made it a habit to check on each of the slayerettes, making sure that they were all alive and well before he turned in at night. He even checked in on that idiot boy Xander, knowing that if anything happened to that loud-mouthed obnoxious teen the others would be heartbroken. Willow was always his last stop. He loved to stand and just watch her face. He needed help.

Standing he couldn't decide to wake the girls up, or leave them be. "I saw that you know." Spinning in Cordelia's direction, Angel liked ashamed at getting caught staring at the redhead.

"Saw what? I haven't seen her in awhile." <Stupid, that was just a plain stupid thing to say. >

Cordelia smiled knowingly at Angel and stood up to stretch. "Well just as long as you don't get all broody I can deal. I mean the powers have super glued that soul of yours to you.  So at least there's no Mr. Tight-Leather pants to worry about. And after the last two blondes Willow is an improvement."

"Cordy, it's not like that, we're talking about Willow here. Sweet innocent Willow." Angel looked annoyingly over at his Seerer.

"You want her." Cordelia pulled on her jacket. "Now do I tell her that you were staring at her, or do I..."

"What do you want?" Angel asked.

"I want your help in keeping Sophie safe until we find out what Lindsey's up to ."

"Deal." Angel took one last look in Willow's direction, and disappeared before Cordelia had a chance to wake her.
 

Chapter six

"She peed on me." Lindsey repeated himself through clenched teeth. Lilah's throaty laugh could be heard over the line and Lindsey regretted telling his co-worker anything. He had awoken that morning, late, to a warm wetness on his leg. He had jumped out of bed with a curse that in turn woke Sophie.

"That's too much." Lilah couldn't stop laughing.  "So where is she now?"

"I put her in the bath."

"As you were saying before you got peed on."

"I don't have anyone to watch her. I called Kelly and she said that she doesn't spend enough time with her family as it was, and that she couldn't watch Sophie today. When I threatened to fire her... so she quit." Lilah was gasping for breath now, enjoying that her competition had such a huge set back.

"I'm so sorry to hear that."

"I bet you are." Lindsey wracked his brain for a possible solution to his latest crisis. "Doesn't Wolfram and Hart have a daycare?"

Lilah stopped laughing. "Are you insane? Sure they *had* one for maybe three months, no one was stupid enough to bring their kids to work. That would have been murder."

"There has to be another daycare that I can take her to." Lindsey knew he was grasping at straws now.

"Maybe if it wasn't Saturday, and if your name was on a waiting list for about a year. Lindsey finding good daycare is harder than getting your golden anniversary watch from the firm."

Lindsey groaned. He knew deep down what the outcome was going to be, he was going to have to pass up on the meeting and let Lilah go at it alone. Not good for someone trying to get promoted through the ranks. "You're going to have to go without me you know."

"Don't worry Lindsey, I'm a big girl, I can handle this one without you."

"That's what I'm afraid of." Lindsey muttered back before he hung up the phone. Sighing he swiped his hand through his hair. Hearing splashing coming from the bathroom Lindsey headed in that direction to make sure that Sophie was all right. What else could go wrong? He lost his secretary, got peed on, and now had to give up an important meeting. He had to get in control, or everything was going to blow up in his face.

He was only feet from the bathroom door when he was hit by an overwhelming smell. Hurrying the last couple of steps he stopped open mouthed at the sight of a bubble covered Sophie standing in her bath, squeezing what looked like the last of his fifty dollar shampoo into the water. The conditioner bottle was lying on the floor next to the tub, squeezed to the point that it had caved in on its self. The bathroom counters had shaving foam from one end to another, and his after-shave was on its side leaking out and mingling with the foam.

Lindsey had no idea what to say, or do for that matter. He was sure that a punishment was needed, but his mind couldn't function at the time. "Sophie what are you doing?"

"Making bubbles." She answered sweetly with a dimpled smile.

"But you had bubbles."

Sophie sat down and splashed some more, sloshing water and bubbles onto the bathroom tiles. Lindsey jumped from where he was standing slacked jawed acting like an idiot, and picked the bubble nymph from her bath. "I'm not done!" She shouted and tried to wriggle from his grasp. Lindsey tucked her under his arm and grabbed a towel, wrapping it around her.

"Trust me, you're done." Walking back to her room he sat her on the bed, and went through the bags to find her some clothes to wear. "I'm going to get you dressed, then you can watch some TV.  I have to take a shower, and then we'll go get something to eat."

Sophie pouted, crossing her arms across her chest and turned her back on him. Lindsey mentally moaned. He was the boss here, the one that was supposed to be in control. So far he had had no say in what happened for the last twenty-four hours. "Sophie if your a good little girl I'll get you some toys today, how does that sound?"

He waited for a moment until the tiny tot turned around smiling at him again. And it was on this day that Lindsey McDonald had truly learned the meaning of a bribe.

Willow opened her eyes and sat up straight in bed not sure where she was. Going over the last twenty-four hours in her mind the little witch calmed down when she remembered that she was in LA to help Cordelia. Kicking the covers from her feet, Willow slipped out of bed and stretched. She felt a sense of rejuvenation not being in Sunnydale.

Frowning slightly Willow contemplated that perhaps in her hasty escape from her hometown she had left her friends high and dry. She hadn't even left a note, which was very un-Willow like. Maybe she'd call sometime that day, just to let them all know that she was all right, and not to worry. Having made that decision Willow made her way to the bathroom, and was nearly knocked over by Cordelia.

"Good morning." Willow yawned.

"About time you got up. Get ready, I found out where Lindsey's new place is, I thought we'd check him out today. See what his patterns are. Then tonight you can show me your talents on how you hack into stuff." Willow looked closely at the brunette and realized that her friend was showered and ready to start her day.

Cordelia rushed about the apartment, shoving things into a backpack. Willow watched in wonder as the one person she had always known as the most non-morning person, buzzed back and forth through the apartment at neck breaking speed. "Cordelia you aren't possessed are you?"

Stopping, Cordelia looked over at Willow. "I know I'm acting all freaky. But you're the only one who's willing to help, and you have to leave at the end of the weekend. We need to get as much done as we can."

"Why do I have to leave at the end of the weekend?" Willow was slightly impressed at Cordelia's obvious concern for the little girl that she had only met once. It was a huge change from the self-absorbed girl that had ruled Sunnydale High School with an iron fist.

"Hello? School, remember that place that you love to go? Not to mention the fact that little Miss Buffy is going to throw a fit."

"I'm here as long as you need me Cordelia. To tell you the truth I was looking for an excuse to get out of Sunnydale anyways."

Cordelia beamed a huge grin and hugged Willow to her. "You're the best." Letting the redhead go Cordelia got her no nonsense look. "Now go get ready, we have a little girl to watch over."

Willow smiled back and quickly obeyed.
 

Chapter seven

"So this is where rich and the evil live huh?" Willow craned her neck to get in the impressive building. "Times like these *really* makes me appreciate my honesty and good intent."

"Yeah kind of sucks that we do all the good deeds, saving lives, the world etcetera, and we're stuck in cramped apartments and dorm rooms while people like Lindsey are living our Champaign wishes and Caviar dreams." Cordelia lowered the binoculars, and let out a sigh. "Well at least we have Angel's car, I couldn't imagine having to put up with the heat while waiting for Borne Again to leave."

"Yeah it was nice of Angel to let you barrow his baby, how'd you manage that?" Willow adjusted one of the air vents and relished at the sensation that the cool air on her skin created.

"I know where he keeps his keys and left a note. With any luck we'll be long back before Angel wakes up." Cordelia ignored Willow's guppy face.  "Besides this is for the good of the cause. That and I signed your name to the note too."

"WHAT!"

Cordelia rolled her eyes. "Listen nothing is going to happen. Calm down. One would think that you're the Drama Queen, talking about drama queens how's Xander?"

"He's fine. Him and Anya have a new apartment. Anya is helping Giles with the magic shop; it's amazing how well that girl can make money. Xander has been working at the same construction company for the last six months. I think it's a record for him."

Cordelia felt slightly proud of her high school boyfriend. "So are they still...?"

"Humping like rabid bunnies? Yes, it's almost nauseating."

"Not that I really care but how's Sl--Buffy? She and GI Joe still going at it?"

"Yes, they're living together this year." Willow voice caught slightly. Cordelia sat back and started to do the math. Xander plus Anya...Buffy plus
Riley...equaled Willow out in the cold...again. Something Cordelia knew a lot about.

"How's school?"

Willow shrugged. "It's school. Teacher, books, homework."

Cordelia nearly dropped the binoculars in shock. "We are talking about the same thing here right? At one time the subject of school used to get you into a verbal frenzy."

"I don't know, I'm just not really into it anymore." Willow shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "What about you? How have things been in your life? We talk through email, but never about what's going on here in LA for you."

"Nothing to tell. I work, we patrol, and I go home. I've had a few auditions, but they never really pan out."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Face it Willow my purpose in life as Angel's seer leaves little room for normal things."

"You consider acting normal?" Willow flashed Cordelia a huge grin.

"Well no, but it just isn't to be. Then there's my lack of a social life. You try having a date with three over protected males breathing down your neck, well four if you count Dennis."

Willow's heart went out to her formal High School enemy. From her own experience she knew how lonely it was not having someone special to curl up next to at the end of the day. "Okay this is getting depressing, I say we change to another topic... and hey isn't that your guy that just walked out of the building with the little girl?"

Cordelia pressed the binoculars to her eyes again. "That's him. Hurry, we can't let him get away and I really think he'd notice Angel's car following him as he walked down the block." Opening the door and slipping out, the redhead followed the brunette that was already in pursuit.

Lindsey took a deep lung filled breath of car exhaust trying to calm his taunt nerves. His head was still racing trying to figure out what he was going to do now he had a four-year-old in his life. At the back of his brain he kept questioning himself as to why Molly hadn't tried to find him when she knew she was pregnant with his child, or when she found out she had cancer. The hell she must have gone through, and alone.

But where did his parents fit into all of this. Why would Molly get herself involved with them? Rubbing his forehead trying to clear out some of the tension in his throbbing temples Lindsey stole a glance down at the girl next to him that was skipping in time with his step. She was his, made of his own blood. He needed to figure out a way to make this all work.

Stopping in front of a cafe that was just up the block from his building, Lindsey was unaware of the two females following him. Walking inside and finding a table toward the back, Lindsey situated Sophie in the seat across from his. Picking up a menu, he scanned the choices, pausing to wonder what a four-year-old would want to eat.

Nothing really seemed to be catered to a child. Finally deciding on a scrambled egg and toast with orange juice for Sophie and a muffin and coffee for himself he waited for the waitress.

"Here." Cordelia shoved Willow in a both near by and put the menu in front of her face; taking looks over the top.

"She's so cute." Willow whispered.

"Isn't she?" Cordelia drank in the sight of the darling girl, taking inventory of the girl's physical appearance making sure there were no marks.

"And he's a lot better looking in person." Willow wiggled her brows.

"Focus here Willow." Cordelia let here eyes wander to Lindsey and silently agreed with the redhead. Lindsey was one fine looking man. His hair was in need of a cut, but it looked utterly sexy the way it would slip in front of his eyes. His shoulders were broad, promising that the rest of his body hidden underneath the clothing to be just as adequate.

"You're drooling."

"Am not...okay so he's okay looking." Willow snorted. "Okay he's the best looking male we know, but he's evil."

"Maybe not the *best* looking." Willow said under her breath.

"What was that?" Cordelia dipped her menu to see Willow's reddened checks.

"Nothing." Willow held the laminated menu in front of her face.

Reaching over and taking the barrier from the redhead's hands she gave her friend a questioning look. "Who do you think is better looking than that?" Nodding in Lindsey's direction

"Oh come on Cordelia think about it. You work with him everyday. He's tall dark and handsome."

"Gunn?" Cordelia teased.

Willow frowned. "I've never met him...Angel."

Cordelia eyes sparkled. "You think Angel's good looking?"

Willow made a face over at Cordelia and grabbed her menu back. "Please like you never noticed."

Cocking her head to the side Cordelia studied the blush creeping up Willow's throat and spreading onto her cheeks. "You have a thing for Angel!" She yelped. Some of the near by tables looked over at them, reminding Cordelia that they were supposed to be under cover.

"Gee Cordelia you're really good at this cloak and dagger thing aren't you." Willow's face was in full bloom. "And no I don't have a *thing* for Angel. I was just saying that he's good looking."

"Uh huh." Cordelia grinned and looked down at the menu.

"I don't." The redhead tried to convince her friend.

"Oh I believe you." Smiling brightly at Willow, she tired not to laugh at the sour look the witch sent her way.

"Cordelia bite me."

Cordelia snickered, and let the subject drop.

"I don't like eggs." Sophie pushed the plate away, her little nose crinkled in disgust.

"Everyone likes eggs." Lindsey lamely tried to convince the little girl.

"They're gooey." Tears started to form at the corner of her eyes.

"Sophie there isn't anything else here to eat." Lindsey pleaded for the four-year-old to understand.

"They're yucky." Sophie's voice was rising.

Lindsey clenched his teeth together. "What is it that you want?"

"Cookie Crisp."

"They don't have that here. Eat your eggs and maybe we'll get some Cookie Crisp for tomorrow morning."

What started as a small whimper turned into a loud wail. Lindsey looked around helplessly as the other restaurant patrons looked his way.

"Okay see his evil, he just made her cry." Cordelia's sneered. Starting to stand, Willow's hand shot out and pulled the brunette back into her seat.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"He made her cry. That's all the proof *I* need." Cordelia pulled her arm from Willow's grasp.

"Four year olds do that Cordelia. I'm pretty sure it's not a sign of child abuse." Cordelia looked unsure as Sophie's wail grew. "Fine would it help if I went over there?" Cordelia thought about it and nodded.

Willow stood and made her way to the small table, stopping by Lindsey's chair. Smokey blue eyes looked up at her; panic was the only way she could describe the lawyer's expression.

"May I?" Willow stammered not believing that she was doing this, but knowing that if given the chance Cordelia would come in guns a blazing. Lindsey nodded.

Going over to the little girl's side Willow crouched down next to her chair. Sophie kept wailing, but when she saw the stranger next to her she started to wind down. After a few seconds Sophie was sniffing back her tears starring at the redhead.

"Hi, I'm Willow." Sophie stared at her, and Willow searched her mind on how she was going to do. "What's your name?"

"S-Sophie."

"Oh I like that name. Why are you crying?"

"I don't want ucky eggs." Sophie gave a short glare in Lindsey's direction.

"Yeah I used to hate eggs too." Willow nodded to the little girl. "I used to through the biggest fits."

"R-Really?" Sophie looked at the grown up next to her, not believing that such a big person would cry.

"Yup, until one day my friend Xander..." Sophie giggled at the strange sounding name.

"Xander that's funny." Willow grinned at her and nodded.

"Well he told me that girls weren't supposed to eat eggs."

Sophie's brow puckered, "Why?"

"Well he said that only boys should eat their eggs, because they are stronger than girls are, and they need them to get muscles."

Sophie's jaw dropped in outrage. "That's not true!! I'm stronger then any dumb boy."

"I'm sure you are. But what if they eat all the eggs and get stronger than you?"

Sophie looked at her plate; her face set in determination. Picking up her fork she tested a small piece of egg. After a moment, she took another small bite. Willow smiled and stood. Lindsey reached out and stopped her from leaving.

"Thank you, you have no idea what a miracle worker you are." Willow could see the gratitude in his eyes. "I'm new to this."

Willow nodded dumbly. Her job here was done. What was she supposed to say to the man in front of her? "No problem." Turning to leave again, Lindsey stepped in front of her.

"Would you join us?" Willow's eyes popped open, and held back a groan. Lindsey prayed the young redhead would say yes. After Sophie's little performance he was actually a little nervous at being alone with her.

"A-Actually I was getting ready to leave...I'm a...I have a job interview." Willow started backing up.

Something clicked in Lindsey's mind. "How about a nanny position?"

Willow stopped her retreat. "Huh?"

"I need a nanny, and well you're so good with her." Lindsey held his breath.

Willow's eyes flicked over in Cordelia's direction. What better way to find out more about this guy then being behind the lines? Willow thought a moment. "You don't know anything about me."

Lindsey stopped and realized she was right. He had just offered this girl a job watching his daughter, with out knowing a thing about her. "Fine bring a resume and some references on Monday."

Willow nodded and tried to smile. She knew she was going to regret this. But the little girl was so important to Cordelia. "Okay."

"Great. Hold on." Looking around for something to write with Lindsey stopped one of the waitresses. "Here's my address. Is eight okay?"

Taking the paper Willow nodded, taking the paper. Turning to Sophie she smiled at the little girl who polished her plate. "See you soon Sophie."

"Bye Willow." The little girl smiled back. Willow walked away from the pair and outside. Walking a few feet from the cafe's door she waited for Cordelia to join her. Oh Goddess what had she gotten herself into?
 

Chapter eight

Cordelia gripped the steering wheel tight enough to turn her knuckles white. Taking a deep breath she turned her head to Willow. "Okay no big deal. You just wont need to show up at Lindsey's on Monday. See all fixed." Looking back at the road she took a big gulp.

"I thought you'd be thrilled to have an inside person.  It makes finding out what Lindsey and his firm is up to all that much easier." Willow knew that sure it was a little unnerving to be that close to the enemy but Cordelia was acting as though some huge catastrophe had just happened.

"Noooo...what I wanted was to make Lindsey hurt for making Sophie cry, not get you employed by that evil bastard.... Oh Angel is going to blame me for this, you know that right? I said let's get Willow to come down to help. He said no, Willow is needed in Sunnydale. I whined...I pleaded...I even *cried*." Willow bit the side of her cheek as Cordelia threw a fit.

"So I'm a nanny for a little while, so what. Just think of all the information I can get." The uncertainty she had at the young lawyer's request for
her to come work for him actually started to sound good.

"Nah uh. No can do. Aint no way it's gonna happen. Hacking, a little research...that's okay. That's at a distance. Working for Lindsey is just too close to enemy lines. Besides Angel will have you packed to go home if he even had a clue you and Lindsey were in the same room together." Cordelia pulled up outside the hotel and put the car in park.

"Angel can't make me go home." Willow kept her aggravation in check. "I haven't seen him in quiet some time and the last time I checked I was still a free human being." Something clicked in her. She now knew what it was that had her so disheartened in Sunnydale. She felt as though for the last five years she had other people calling the shots in her life. Buffy telling her and the others what to do and how to do it. Passing up on so many opportunities to stay in Sunnydale because of the knowledge she had of the evil that lurked at night. For the first time in her life she wanted to do something because she said so.

Cordelia grabbed her purse and grumbled. "I'm going to fired; I can just feel it."

Angel blinked a few times listening to the little escaped the two girls had been on that morning, but wouldn't show any other signs of life. Willow and
Cordelia exchanged looks, and Willow continued.

"So after I calmed her down Lindsey offered me a job.-"

"Absolutely not." Angel answered, his voice low barely above a whisper.

Willow paused, "Excuse me?"

"No." Angel stood up from the desk he had been leaning on. He was expressionless, but if either girl looked closely they would've seen the vampire's nostrils flaring.

Willow's looked over at Cordelia who only shrugged; giving a 'I told you so' look back. The redhead could feel her face redden as her blood began to boil. "Funny I didn't think I was asking for your permission."

Angel's gaze locked on Willow's, displeasure now written all over his face. "It's not safe." He spoke slowly as though he was talking to a three-year- old. Willow gritted her teeth. "Willow you have no clue as to how dangerous Lindsey is or the firm he works for can be."

"I'm well aware of all that Angel. I do talk to Cordelia on occasion." Willow felt her heart slamming into her rib cage as her blood pressure mounted. She had had it with being told what to do.

"I won't allow it Willow." Angel took a step forward not missing the angry expression on the witch's face. "Besides what about school?"

Willow paused. This was not something she wanted to talk to Angel about. He wouldn't understand, no one would. She had always been labeled the smart one, the one that would make something of herself. No one liked being proven wrong. "I'm taking a break."

Angel looked startled for a moment. "What?" He looked over at Cordelia who had been inching her way out of the room for assistance.

"Oh don't look at me." She threw her hands up. "Wow, was that Gunn I heard?" Cordelia hurried the rest of the way out of the office leaving Angel and Willow alone.

"I don't understand what's happing to you that you'd want to leave school." Angel sounded more like an irritated father than like a friend and it rubbed Willow the wrong way.

"Sorry, didn't think to ask you first. Angel you'll always be my friend, but really...we haven't spoken in awhile and you weren't the first person that came to mind when I was making the decision." Willow refused to let what happened in Sunnydale happen here. She needed to let him know that she was in charge of her life.

Angel sighed seeing the stubborn look on her face, there would be no reasoning with her tonight. "You're going back to Sunnydale tomorrow." Angel turned his back on her ending the conversation.

Willow turned stalked out the office, she was five feet from the door when she chanted a few words and the door to Angel's office slammed shut, knocking pictures off the walls. "We'll see."

"Do you think I should wear this tomorrow?" Willow showed Cordelia another outfit, a little navy business suit that the redhead had purchased earlier that day. "Or this?" Willow picked up a golden colored wrap shirt and matching top. Cordelia sat in the middle of the bed and grasped her hands into her lap.

"This won't work." Cordelia gushed; her eyes wide open as she leaned forward toward Willow. "Angel is going to find out one way or another that you didn't go back to Sunnydale. I know that he's male and all that but sooner or later old Sherlock will put the clues together."

Cordelia couldn't believe that she was going along with this. Willow had hounded her for hours, telling her this was the only way until she, Cordelia Chase caved. She never caved. If it weren't for the fact that they didn't any further digging into Lindsey's past she would've told Willow that this wasn't one of their smartest plans...ever.  For one thing Angel didn't know that Willow was absolutely determined to apply for the position of nanny to Lindsey's four-year-old daughter. The redhead had argued several times that it would give them better access to the lawyer's life so they could figure out what in the hell Lindsey was up to.

Meaning that the soulful vampire wouldn't be in his usual place lurking in the shadows just waiting for something to go wrong. Plus there was all the sneaking around they were going to have to do to make sure that no one else in the fang gang knew that Willow got off the bus heading for Sunnydale just one stop away, only to double back to LA.

"Are you sure your references will hold up?" Everything inside Cordelia's being screamed that she talk Willow out of this. Sure she wanted to keep
Sophie safe but not the expense of Willow's life. There had to be a better way to get this done. But no one else was taking this seriously. Sure the guys would poke around a little, but none of them believed that figuring out how little Sophie fit into Lindsey's life was all  that big a deal.

"Cordelia calm down...yes to answer your question. Mr. Lindsey Aaron MacDonald can research his heart's desire through my little masterpiece and wont find one thing out of place." Willow tried to sound more confident than she felt. Her insides were cramped with worry. She worried that she'd let Cordelia down. That she'd be found out before she took one step into Lindsey's penthouse. But most of all she worried that Angel would find out. But Willow knew she had to do this. To prove to herself that she didn't need one of the others watching over her at every turn. That when she made a decision that she didn't need to run it by everyone for their approval. What she needed was to feel like she was a grown up, in control of her own life for once. Not someone who was governed by a mass of people telling her how to do it, when to do it, and where to do it at. She may have Cordy there to help, but in no way was the brunette censoring her.

"Okay, but I want you to call me the second you get a chance." Cordelia nibbled on one of her perfectly manicured nails, a habit she had broken during childhood.

Willow saw Cordelia's trepidation and sat down on the edge of the bed. "If things start to go too far I'll back out. I promise, nothing will happen."

"I know Willow. It's just we've never *really* done anything on our own. We've always had either Buffy, Angel, Giles or Wes and Gunn watching our backs. We're on our own, and a little girl's life could be on the line."

"Do you think that he'd hurt her?" Willow bit her lower lip, starting to worry again.

"Lindsey?...No, honestly I don't think he'd harm a hair on her head. It's those bastards that he's controlled by that might hurt her. I know that
lawyer-boy is a complete jackass, but that time we worked with him to save those blind kids I really had the feeling that he could've fit into our little happy family." Cordelia climbed off the bed, her face a twist of confusion. "But then he stabbed us in the back blah... blah...blah."

"Okay, see at least we know Sophie isn't in any physical danger from Lindsey." Cordelia grinned as the old Willow from their High School days came back, trying to point out the silver lining.

"The wrap skirt. The little navy number is too formal." Willow nodded, taking a deep breath. She sure hoped they didn't fail.
 

Chapter nine

Lindsey leaned his head back against his newly stained beige leather couch. Damned those stupid sippy cups they  were supposed to be leak proof, what a crock of shit. And what the hell did they put in Kool-Aide?

He was tired, no scratch that he was exhausted, wiped out, completely and totally drained of all energy. Never in his life had he ever been so utterly depleted. Toys littered his once pristine apartment and he didn't have the energy to even contemplate how long it would take to put things in order.

Moving his head enough to stare at the folder sitting next to him on the couch, Lindsey groaned. He had so much that he should have gotten done that weekend and didn't even get a chance think, let alone get any work done.  There had been no time. The second he'd get Sophie situated playing with a toy or taking a nap, he'd try to sneak in a little work. But without fail, within minutes there'd be a crashing sound of yet another of his possessions being broken. Having Sophie in the penthouse was like having a force of nature living under your roof. There was no stopping the
chaos, and the mass destruction left in her wake.

Taking a deep breath, enjoying the precious silence Lindsey prayed that the small redhead from the cafe showed up in the morning. He needed someone to care for Sophie while he was at work, and his choices were limited on such short notice. Plus Sophie seemed to really like Willow, but unfortunately not as much as she liked Cordelia.

Lindsey swore if the little girl asked one more time if she could go and see her friend 'Cordy' he was going to throw a fit. How could his daughter become so attached to a person she only spent moments with? And the questions the little girl would ask about Miss Chase was nerve wracking. Was she his friend? Where does she live? Did he ever play with her?

Lindsey smiled at that last question. He had been trying to clean the Spaghetti O's out of the carpet when she laid that one on him. Did he play with her? Naughty images of the beautiful brunette ran through his mind, the different ways that he'd love to be able to 'play' with Angel's Seer. But those images were quickly replaced with images of Angel beating him within an inch of his life.

Cordelia Chase had defiantly been an interesting study. She was a woman of contradictions. From the limited information he had gathered from her years in Sunnydale , and the little information he had gleamed of her life in LA. Surprisingly there was little on her years in the demon infested town. But he did know she was a child of wealth. That in her youth Cordelia Chase had what she wanted when she wanted it. She ruled her school, leaving students in disregarded heaps when they were no longer useful to her. In the end her family did end up losing everything in a very poorly executed attempt to deceive the IRS. Now what Lindsey couldn't figure out is how one spoiled brat went from queen of the hill, with faithful  servants at her feet. To being concerned about helping others, to the point that she risked her life for them on a daily basis.

Lindsey shook his head, he didn't have time to sit around and analyze Cordelia. What he needed to do was figure out what line of crap he was going to dish to Holland Manners. He missed half a day of work on Friday, and missed a very  important meeting with a potential client yesturday. Mr. Manners could care less that Lindsey was thrown a side ball and been caught off guard. Problems outside of work were of no interest to the firm.

Reaching for the folder next to him, Lindsey was fast asleep on the couch before he had a chance to read the first page.

"You've got your cell phone?" Cordelia gripped her hands together, her nerves threatening to eat a hole through her stomach lining.

"Check." Willow help up her portable phone.

"Lap top?"

"Check."

"You remember the secret code we came up with for you to call and let me know there's trouble?"

"Yes, Cordy really everything is going to be fine." Willow put her jacket on, hoping that her friend was done playing twenty questions. "The second anything goes wrong I'll call.  Okay?" Cordelia nodded. Taking a deep breath Willow headed toward the door. "I'll call before I come home, that way if Angel and any of the others are here I can go somewhere else until they leave."

"Willow be careful, please? I know that Lindsey has helped us in the past, and that he probably wouldn't kill you...willingly. But the place he works..."

"Cordelia I know. Wolfram and Hart is an evil and vile place. I'm going to be fine." The two girls hugged each other tightly.

"If Angel asks if I talked to you what should I say?" Cordelia let go of the redhead.

"That he can bite me."

"You know that he was just worried that you'd get yourself hurt." The words sounded lamer spoken out loud, then they did inside her head.

"No, Angel likes the control he has over people. Too bad for him that I'm sick to death of being told what to do."

"Either way, we are going to have one enraged vamp on our hands if he finds out your still in LA." Thinking back to the night that Willow and Angel got into their little tiff, Cordelia couldn't remember the last time she felt such electricity around two people. It was like the room pulsated with it. And the sorrowful voice Angel had the two times he called since he dropped Willow off at the bus station made Cordelia wonder... nah.

Angel slammed down the phone. She had lied. Willow had never gone back to Sunnydale, in fact from what Buffy had just said, Willow had called yesterday saying that she was needed in LA for awhile and not to worry. He had called to make sure there weren't any hard feelings between them, that they were still friends. He needed to make Willow understand that he cared for her and  was just worried about her welfare when he took the upper hand and ordered her home.

"Women!" Angel yelled in frustration. Willow never intended on backing down meekly. He'd bet a years blood supply that Cordy was involved in this as well. Now he needed to decide what to do. He knew what he *wanted* to do. He wanted to grab Willow tie her up and drag her kicking and screaming if need be back to Sunnydale. She belonged there, was needed there. He already worried enough about Cordelia's safety that he didn't need the added stress of the redhead as well.

"A-Angel is there something wrong?" Wesley stuck his head into the office.

"Nothing much except that Willow never went back to Sunnydale." Angel muttered walking around his desk and sitting down.

"I thought you took her to the bus station ." Wesley asked confused.

"I did." Angel nearly growled. "But it looks as though she never made it there."

"Oh...OH. So where is she?"

Angel balled his large hands into fists. "My guess?...At Cordelia's, but mostly likely at this very moment she's on her way over to Lindsey's."

"Oh dear. What are we going to do?" Wesley frowned.

"What can we do?" Angel bit back.

"What's going on?" Gunn strode into the office, reading the angry undercurrents in the room.

"Miss Rosenberg never made it to Sunnydale." Wesley muttered.

"Red's missing? Damn I liked her, she had spunk. What do you think happened to her?" Gunn leaned up against the doorframe.

"Nothing. She never planned on returning to Sunnydale." Angel's mood got darker. "I swear when I get my hands on her..." Gunn and Wesley exchanged amused looks.

"So what's the deal? She's at Cordy's." Gunn shrugged.

"She lied to me." Gunn laughed at Angel. "She's a woman Angel, they do that. Besides did she lie to you, or did she trick you?"

"She's not a woman, she's still a girl." Both men stared at Angel.

"Angel Miss Rosenberg hasn't been a 'girl' in quiet some time." Wesley hesitantly replied.

"What English said." Gunn nodded. "Because trust me, from where I was standing Red was all woman to me."

"Her name is Willow." Something about the way Gunn talked about Willow being all woman didn't sit well with Angel.

"Fine...Willow. So now what? Are you going to rush in there, all snarling? Throw her over your shoulder and force her back to Sunnydale?" Gunn challenged the vampire.

"No."

"NO?" the other two males replied in shock.

"No, if Willow and Cordelia want to play this little game then I'll let them. We'll just keep an eye on them, and when they finally get in over their heads we'll help them out." Angel stood grabbing his jacket. "Don't let Cordelia know that we're on to them."

"So now we're supposed to lie to Cordy?" Wesley frowned.

"We're not lying to her, we're *tricking* her." Angel threw back Gunn's words and walked out of the office.
 

Chapter ten

"Willow." The relief was evident in Lindsey's voice as opened the door wider and allowed Willow inside his home. "I wasn't sure that you'd make it, so I took another day off of work."

Willow looked around the penthouse in amusement. Cordelia had said that Lindsey McDonald was always under control, no matter the situation. He could be facing death's door, and his Armani would still be wrinkle free, and not a hair out of place. It seemed then that being at Death's door, and having a four-year-old under his roof were two separate categories.

"Oh you didn't need to do that." Willow looked around for Sophie, "Where's Sophie?"

"She's in the bath." Lindsey combed a hand through his hair and led the way over to an overstuffed beige leather couch, with a huge red juice stain.

"Is it okay to leave her alone in there?" Removing her backpack and jacket, Willow took a seat next to Lindsey in the couch.

"Probably not, but I don't have anymore shampoo or conditioner to dump down the drain." Trying to force a smile at the redhead, he prayed that Willow would take the job. He didn't know how Wolfram and Hart would react if he had to take another day off. Holland had sounded slightly perturbed, a tone that he had never really heard before from the older man.

"Oh," Willow smiled. "I won't ask." Opening the bag at her feet she pulled out the file that she had taken hours writing and handed it over to Lindsey. They had stuck to the truth a lot. From past experience they had learned that the easier to remember that most likely they'd stand a chance at succeeding.

"Let's see here Miss Rosenberg. You're twenty-one, you're taking a break from your junior year at Sunnydale University..." Lindsey snapped the folder shut and glared up at Willow.

"What game are you playing here? Did he send you here? What, he thought that I'd fall for some cute little innocent act and let you into my home." Taking a deep breath Willow was expecting this, had counted on it.

"I have no idea what you are talking about. You asked me to come here, and I did." Yanking the folder from his hands, Willow shoved it back into her backpack and stood back up.

"Right, Angel has nothing to do with this?" Lindsey smirked; his once friendly eyes now had a hardness about them.

"Who's she?" Inside she was really laughing. But Lindsey looked ready to snap as it was and it probably wouldn't be to her benefit to laugh in his face.

Narrowing his eyes at her, Lindsey fought to control the anger eating at him from inside. "What about Cordelia Chase?"

"Cordy! You know that bitch? She made my years in school a nightmare. She teased me to tears everyday, always making fun of my clothes my hair, everything. In high school she stole my childhood friend away from me. I can't work here if you're friends with her." Willow wished that she could shed a tear, it would seal her performance. But Cordelia was the actress, not her.

Turning to hurry out the door, Lindsey followed from behind. "I'm not friends with her. It's just Angel and Cordelia have caused a lot of problems for me, and I just thought..." Lindsey looked into the emerald eyes that were staring back. Those weren't eyes that could lie. "I'm sorry. I over reacted. Can we start all over again?"

<Score one for Willow, zero for lawyer boy. > "I guess."

"Great. So tell me why you came to LA?" Lindsey sat waiting for her to answer. He needed proof that the redhead knew nothing about Angle and Cordelia.

"My aunt got ill, so I came out to take care of her... She died about three weeks ago." Willow looked down in her lap.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. She was old and had lived a full life." <I always thought that line sounded like a copout, and now that I've said it out loud I realize it is. >

"So what do you know about children." Lindsey jumped yet another crashing sound coming from the bathroom.

"You should never leave them alone for long periods of time." Willow got off the couch and headed in the direction of the noise. This job was so hers.

"Cordy, you're here early." Angel smiled at the brunette; he was sitting behind her desk waiting for her.

"Angel, its noon." Looking over at Wesley and Gunn she was puzzled when her two friends looked away without saying hello.

"Like I said...early." Looking down, Angel started typing on the keys of her computer, his eyes glued to the screen.

"Ummm, Angel?" Setting down her coffee and walking around the counter she walked over to see what Angel was doing.

"Yes?"

"It's noon, a time of day that you're usually all tucked up in your bed. You're on my computer, when you have one of your own... what's going on?" Cordelia looked back over her shoulder at the two other men who were listening to the conversation with way too much interest. As soon as she locked eyes with them, Wes and Gunn looked in different directions.

"I was looking for more stuff on Lindsey, and since you have all the places you've used to find information on him book marked, I though it would be
easier to just use yours." Angel flicked his eyes at her for a millisecond then looked back down. "I want to give Gunn and Wes a few leads before I leave for a few days."

Crossing her hands over her chest, Cordelia narrowed her eyes at the vampire. "Where are you going?"

"To Sunnydale. I feel bad that Willow and I left things so tense between us. I wanted to make sure that she knew I was just worried." Pushing the print icon, Angel got up from the desk and headed to the printer. "You can come to if you want."

Cordelia literally felt her chin hit the floor. "I umm, I talked to Willow last night and she sounded pretty angry still. I think you should give it a few
days."

"Cordelia I've learned from past experience that if you let angry simmer it can lead to bigger problems down the line." Patting her on the shoulder, Angel walked past her. "Besides this is Willow we are talking about. How long can she stay mad?"

"That's an interesting idea." Clapping her hands in front of her, Cordelia flashed her boss the biggest fakest smile she could muster. "Let's just say you don't go to Sunnydale, and we see how long Wills can stay mad at you."

Turning around to give Cordelia an odd look, Angel looked at his puzzled. "Why would you want Willow mad at me?"

"Angel really does it matter if she's mad at you or not? It's not like you're good buddies with her. You've barely talked to her while you lived in
Sunnydale, and since you been gone? Pfft, face it you don't even know Willow anymore." Cordelia knew that she had to talk Angel out of going to Sunnydale, he'd find out that Willow never made it back there. He'd put two and two together and it would be a big old 'let's blame Cordy day.'

Angel paused as Cordelia's words penetrated him. "Are you saying that you don't think that Willow and I are friends?" The words tasted bad coming out of his mouth, not to mention the sick way his stomach felt.

"No!" Cordelia could see the sudden hurt expression in his eyes. "It's just that..."

"I worry about her, about all of them in a way. Just because I don't call everyday doesn't mean that I don't consider Willow my friend." Angel sat down in one of the chairs nearest him.

"Angel I know she cares about you too, in that 'I haven't seen you in a long time and you ran me out of town,' kind of way."

Being reminded of Willow and Cordelia's lie Angel was able to pull it together. "That's why I need to go see her. Apparently there's a lot I need to say sorry for."

Cordelia blinked at the turn of conversation. "No, we need you here. Call her!" Running over to her desk Cordelia wrote down Willow's cell phone number on a piece of paper and handed it to Angel. "I don't think she's ready for a face to face conversation right now. Take baby steps." Nodding and flashing Angel another smile, Cordelia grabbed her purse and headed to the door.

"Where are you going?" Gunn asked as she passed him.

"Umm... out, it's a girl thing." Pushing the hotel doors open, Cordelia squinted into the bright afternoon sun. Oh this so wasn't going to work.

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