Major Redemption Time

Lindsey awoke with a pounding headache. He wondered if Willow and Cordelia were okay. He then wondered how long he'd been out. Now was the time to open his eyes and assess the situation.

"Oh good, you're awake." A voice said.

"You've got to be kidding me." Lindsey replied as he looked at the person who had spoken.

"Surprised?" The voice asked.

"More like repulsed." Lindsey answered. "Is this the best you can do, Gavin?"

"Oh, I know what you're thinking, Lindsey." Gavin replied. "And this isn't about you. You just happened to be there. Which, by the way, is an extra added bonus."

The ex-lawyer rolled his eyes and sat up. "Gavin, I know that when you grow up, you want to be like me, but it's not gonna happen. So why don't you go back to the real estate division and continue to be the puppet that you are."

Lindsey saw Gavin's eyes flash with even more hate as he spoke the next words. "Lindsey McDonald. You had it all. You were the Wolfram and Hart golden boy. And what did you?" He asked as he stood before Lindsey. "You pissed it all away."

"And you can't take my place no matter how hard you try." Lindsey replied. Gavin glared. "So, what little errand does Wolfram and Hart have you on this time, Gavin. Because, I know you didn't come up with an original idea."

"Believe it or not, this has nothing to do with the firm." Gavin replied with a sinister smile. "Call it a little side project that some clients of mine want done." He started walking slowly around the sparsely decorated room. "Your little red head has a lot of power. Did you know that?"

"Touch her and you'll wish you had to deal with the senior partners instead of me." Lindsey threatened. "Now, where is she?"

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

"What do you mean, 'gone'?" Xander asked his ex-fianc�.

"I mean gone." Anya replied warily. "I went to Willow's to see if she and Cordelia wanted to do breakfast. Her door was partially open and no one was around."

"Did you check Lindsey's apartment?" Angel asked.

"No, Angel I never even thought that they might be with Lindsey." Anya replied sarcastically. She then turned to Giles. "It looked like Lindsey hadn't even made it to his apartment. And there was evidence of a struggle."

"Which means they were taken last night after we left." Connor stated.

"So what do we do now?" Xander asked. "These evil guys have Willow and Cordelia, and nobody has any idea of what to do?"

"Xander, calm down." Buffy tried to reassure the carpenter. "We'll figure out a way to find them."

"You're damned right." Angel said with barely repressed anger. "If those assholes hurt Cordy or Willow, I'll rip 'em apart."

Anya stood and headed towards the door.

"Anya, where are you going?" Dawn asked.

"Someone needs to tell Spike."

"May I go with you?"

"Sure, Dawnie." The two left in search of the bleach blonde vampire.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Willow opened her eyes and quickly shut them again. "Ow." She said softly to herself.

"At least you're not in super reinforced chains against a wall."

"Cordy!" Willow said happily. "You're okay!"

"Yeah. For now." Cordelia replied.

Willow sat up and found her ankle chained to the cot she was on. "Where are we?"

"Dunno." The seer answered. "I'm pretty sure it's not a happy place."

The door opened and in walked a man in a suit, two vampires, and a demon they didn't recognize.

"Ladies," The man in the suit said. "I'm glad to see that you're both awake."

"That's the best line you can come up with?" Cordelia asked. "You really need to buy the 'Kidnapping for Dummies' book. It would've given you a better opening line than that."

"Miss Chase." He said as he walked to the new half demon. "I didn't expect for you to be here."

"Well, that proves that you don't know what the hell you're doing, Gavin. Because any Wolfram and Hart employee would've looked at the backgrounds of everyone involved in this little game and noticed the connection." Cordelia replied.

Willow could see that this man was becoming angry. "What do you want?" she asked, trying to take the attention from Cordelia.

"Quite simply: you." The demon that had remained silent the entire time finally spoke. It sent shivers of terror through both Willow and Cordelia.

"Where is Lindsey?" Willow continued to ask.

"In a safe place." Gavin replied. "You'll get to see him once more before they have their way with you." He gestured to the red and gold demon that had just spoken.

"You stupid little piece of shit." Willow said in a confident, even tone that still signified her anger.

"No matter what happens from this moment on, just know that you are going to pray for death before I'm finished with you."

"Careful, Miss Rosenberg. I don't think you're in any position to make threats." Gavin replied.

"It wasn't a threat." Willow replied as her eyes flash black for a second.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Part 16:

The two vampires paced back and forth crossing one another's paths repeatedly. Angel had called Gunn to let him and the others know what happened. The good-looking young warrior had a brilliant idea and was en route at this moment with the necessary supplies for his plan.

"Are you sure this is going to work?" Xander asked.

"Yes, Xapper." Spike replied dryly. "Just like we're sure exactly where Red, Mac, and the cheerleader are."

"Then why are we even considering this plan?" Buffy asked.

"Oh, sorry Buff." Angel replied with mock sincerity. "What was YOUR plan to getting us any kind of lead on where they might be?"

The blonde glared at her ex and sat on the arm of the sofa.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

"Nice try, Miss Rosenberg." Gavin said as he stepped forward to unlock her shackle, while one of the vampires unlocked Cordelia's chains. "But, this room is protected from any kind of magic."

Willow quickly brought her knee up and smiled as it connected with Gavin's chin. The lawyer's head flew back. She then elbowed him behind the head causing him to fall to the floor in a boneless heap. "Who said I was talking about magic?" She asked the now unconscious man.

The two vamps held Cordy, while the red and gold demon seemed to appear next to Gavin's comatose form as it stood over the redhead in an intimidating manner. "I will not have any more trouble from you, will I?" He asked. The hacker stared at him defiantly, but did not argue to the contrary. "Very well." The demon continued. "Because I promise you I'm not as polite as the unconscious Mr. Park." He then motioned for the 2 vampires to release the seer and they went to pick up Gavin. In a flash, the demon had moved from his spot facing Willow, to the entranceway of the room.

"Wait!" She screamed. It turned and looked at her in expectation. "If you can move that quickly, why didn't help him when I was hitting him?"

"Because he deserves it." The demon turned once again to leave.

"May we PLEASE see Lindsey?" she asked, swallowing her pride. "I just need to know if he is okay."

"I will grant your request only because you are an honorable witch." He nodded to the vamp that had returned. The vamp took off down the hall. The demon then exited the room.

Willow then made eye contact with Cordelia and both girls let out the breaths they'd been holding. "That means he's okay, right?" Willow asked.

"He's fine, Will." Cordy assured her friend.

Just then, the door opened and in walked the vampire and Lindsey. "Willow!" he said, relieved to see his girlfriend. She ran to him as the vampire closed and locked the door. The two hugged and when the hug ended, they pulled apart, but kept holding hands.

"Lindsey," Cordelia said. "Not that I'm not happy you're alive or anything. But, do you know what the hell's going on here?"

"Gavin Park is here." He answered.

"I know. He was just in here." The seer said. She then turned to Willow and beamed with pride. "And Wills knocked him out with brute strength!"

Lindsey laughed and marveled at how this unpredictable redhead could want to be with him. "Well, I guess he came to see me first." Lindsey said. "He told me that this isn't a Wolfram and Hart deal."

"So, he's branching out and freelancing?" Cordy asked.

"Apparently." Lindsey continued. "If the people at Wolfram and Hart find out�let's just say that employee termination does not mean that you have to find another job."

"Any idea what these guys want?" Cordelia asked.

"Willow."

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

"Holy shit." Xander said, stunned.

"Angel, that's a person." Giles added.

"Naw, it's a Wolfram and Hart employee." Gunn replied as they all looked at a bound and gagged Lilah Montgomery.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Part 17:

"Why would you think I would know anything about Lindsey McDonald?" The brunette lawyer asked the group sitting around her.

"Gee, Lilah, I don't know." Angel said sarcastically. "It could be that your firm wants him dead." Gunn said.

"Or, that you're all just plain evil." Spike added. "Not that I mind, normally. But you see," He said as he got closer to the woman and shifted into 'game face'. "Red and Mac are my friends. And I do NOT take too kindly to pieces of shit like you trying to hurt them." At this point, the blonde vampire was an inch away from Lilah. Blue eyes met gold.

"Look, I don't know what you're talking about." She replied in anger through clenched teeth. "And even if I did, you wouldn't hurt me. Not with soul boy over there." She finished with a smug smile.

"What exactly do you think the chances are that there are TWO vampires with souls in the same room?" Spike asked. A low growl erupted from his throat as a carefully planned drop of drool dripped from his fangs.

"Yo, fang boy, back up a second." Gunn said to Spike as he tried to suppress a chuckle at the obvious fear the woman now had.

Anya caught on and added. "But, you promised evisceration!" She whined. "You ARE still going to eviscerate her, right?" She asked hopefully.

"In a minute, demongirl." Spike replied, but still backed away a few inches, 'game face' still in place..

"Tell us what you DO know." Angel said as he moved forward and took a menacing stance next to his grandechilde.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

"Guys, don't get freaked." Willow said she sat up from her snuggle position with Lindsey.

"When you say that, I sort of have to." Cordelia replied.

"Ditto." Lindsey added with a smile.

"Okay, I'm thinking about a time last year when�well�astral projection was involved."

"But Will, didn't they say this place was magically protected?" Cordelia reminded her.

"Wait a minute." Lindsey said, as an idea formed in his head. "What if she doesn't 'magically' do anything?"

"Huh?" The females said.

"Cordelia, you're part demon now, right?" Lindsey asked, trying to get his point across.

"Your point being�." Cordy responded.

"Didn't you say that you got into Connor's mind that time and figured out why he was so angry and hurt?" He continued.

"Ooooh!" Willow jumped in. "She can try to reach one of the gang!"

"Tell them Gavin Park is responsible." Lindsey advised.

"I bet I can reach Angel!" Cordelia finished. She took a deep breath and concentrated. "Okay, think: vampire with a soul, vampire with a soul, vampire with a soul�"

"Uh, Cordelia�" Willow started.

"Ssshhh!" The seer replied. "It's working."

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

"So, what has happened in the past few days that's different?" Buffy asked. She was sick of standing on the sidelines.

"Was that before or after I was kidnapped?" Lilah asked the slayer.

"Why you�" The slayer started.

"Somebody want to chill that slayer out?" Gunn said.

"Buffy, please." Giles tried to placate her. The slayer sighed and sat down, but continued to glare at the lawyer.

"Maybe we're going about this all wrong." Angel said as he stood and started to pace.

Spike has slipped back to his human fa�ade by this time and quickly shook his head. "Who in the bloody hell is Gavin Park?"

"Gavin Park?" Lilah asked.

"He works at Wolfram & Hart." Gunn offered.

"Gavin Park is on vacation." She got a devious look on her face. "Or not."

"The senior partners aren't going to like him doing freelance work, I'm sure." Angel added.

"I still want to know what the hell put that name in my head." Spike said, not liking the invasion. "It was almost like those times Red�" he stopped mid-sentence and smirked. "That's my girl."

"You no longer have to force me." Lilah announced. "If it'll bury Gavin, I'll help you find him."

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Part 18:

"Well?" Buffy asked as she paced her living room.

Lilah hung up the phone. "Not only is he *not* vacationing in Mexico," the brunette began. "He's right here in Sunnydale."

"Oh, this just gets better and better!" Angel said to no one in particular.

"He's not after Lindsey." She added.

"And I was wrong." Angel muttered.

"He's after Red?" Spike asked.

"Is she a really powerful witch?" Lilah asked.

"That's putting it mildly." Xander replied.

"Then, that's who they want." She replied.

"Why?" Gunn asked.

"I honestly have no clue." Lilah answered truthfully. "But, we need to find out where they are and fast."

"It's going down soon, isn't it?" Gunn asked.

"Does anyone here have any connections on how to find a Xarct demon?"

"Here? In Sunnydale?" Giles asked.

"I thought they were benevolent." Angel said.

"Not to mention extinct." Giles added as he headed towards a stack of books and immediately picked up the one he wanted. "Spike, do you think you could�?" But the bleach blonde vampire was already closing the door behind him in search of the necessary information.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

"Are you sure it worked?" Willow asked.

"For the 50th time, yes. It. Worked." Cordelia glared at the hacker. "The only thing was that it felt like I wasn't talking to Angel."

"Well, you DID say 'vampire with a soul' over and over." Lindsey replied. "You didn't say which one."

"Are you telling me that I established a link with SPIKE?" Willow and Lindsey nodded, trying not to laugh, but failing miserably. "Ewwww!"

"Hey, it could be worse." Willow said.

"Yeah, it could've been Drusilla." Lindsey added.

"That's just�mean!" the seer replied, and then started laughing. "Who in the hell would want to be in that loony bitch's mind?"

The door unlocked and opened, revealing Gavin (with a nicely swollen nose), two vampires, and the Xarct demon. "Well, you seem to be in awfully good moods considering the fact that you're going to die." The demon rolled its eyes, but remained silent.

"Honestly," Willow replied. "Just the thought of beating the shit out of you has kept me going." She said with a big, innocent smile.

The man glared at the redhead, turned on his heel, and walked out of the room. The demon looked at her and smiled.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

"I know where they are!" Spike said, two hours later as he hurried through the door. He took a piece of paper out of his jeans pocket and sat it on the coffee table. Dawn picked up the piece of paper. And immediately dropped it. "Eww! What's on it?"

"Gak demon blood." Spike replied.

"Okay, that's just nasty!" Xander cried.

"Ponce." Spike said to the carpenter.

"I agree." Angel added.

"Would someone just PLEASE tell us where they are?" Anya and Buffy screamed.

"Right behind you." A voice at the door said. Everyone turned to see Willow, Cordelia, and Lindsey looking very amused.

"Are you telling me I just went through all of that CRAP for nothing?" Spike asked. "Oh, bugger!"

"Glad to see you still care, William." Willow said with a smirk.

"Cordy!" Angel finally came out of his shock and ran to his seer. He engulfed her in a huge hug and twirled her around.

"I'm okay!" She cried. "Would you please put me down?" The dark haired vampire looked extremely hurt and disappointed as he set the seer on her feet.

Xander ran to Willow and hugged her fiercely. "Xander�oxygen�please�" the redhead managed to squeak out.

"Sorry," Xander said as he released his friend.

"Um, why is a Wolfram & Hart employee here?" Lindsey asked.

"Oh, I kidnapped her so she'd tell us where you guys were hiding since we figured that's who took you." Gunn explained.

"Actually, this time, it wasn't Wolfram & Hart." Cordelia said. "Just that little toad Gavin."

"By the way, stay out of my head, Cheerleader." Spike said. Cordelia rolled her eyes and looked at Lilah.

"Won't YOU be happy to know that Willow here kicked Gavin's ass?" Cordelia finished.

"That's music to my ears." Lilah replied. "And since my work here is done," she announced as she stood and headed to the door. "I'm going back to LA to inform the senior partners of Gavin's little side project."

"Um, you might also want to let them know that it was for the side of Good." Willow added.

"Huh?" Everyone in the room asked.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Part 19:

"How�is that possible?" Xander sputtered. He was the first to get his voice back.

"Stick around, Lilah." Lindsey told his former co-worker. "You're going to love this."

After the gang had settled into comfortable sitting positions, Willow started. "Okay, let's start with Cordy's vision. She said someone or something was draining me of my powers. And she was right. That's what would have happened."

"Am I the only one here who doesn't understand?" Buffy asked.

"Spike." Angel warned as his grand childe started to make a comment.

"Apparently, if Gavin hadn't been so incompetent, the Xarct demon would have done a ritual to strip Willow of her powers, ultimately killing

her." Lindsey informed the group. His grip tightened around the redhead's waist as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"But why didn't it?" Dawn asked.

"He thought I was evil." Willow answered softly.

"Until he saw how she handled Gavin." Cordelia said with a smile.

"You see," Lindsey continued. "He figured any one creature with that much power would wreak havoc on the world."

"The Xarct are benevolent and would never just go and try to kill someone for no reason." Willow explained.

"So, when Gavin kept trying to solicit his business, the demon told him of an outside project in which he would be paid handsomely." Lindsey added.

"Of course the little weasel accepted without first looking into it." Lilah added.

"Exactly." Willow replied. "He just assumed that since it was a demon, it had to be evil. And, after our last meeting with Gavin, the Xarct realized that the world was in no danger from me anymore."

"Thank goodness." Cordelia interrupted. "That thing was scary looking." She paused as if in thought. "But, he was really nice to us."

"Yeah, we all talked and told him everything that's happened in the past year." Willow continued. "He told us about the fears of the 'non evil' demon community and why they took me."

"They wanted to make sure last May wouldn't happen again." Angel said quietly.

"And it won't." Willow said to the brooding vampire.

"On the next new moon, myself, someone from the Xarct's community, and-I'm hoping-Giles will do a ritual to share all of the power so that nothing like that will happen again."

"Smart move, Red." Spike said sincerely.

"But what happens if any of you is destroyed?" Anya asked.

"Way to go, tact girl." Buffy said.

"It's a valid question." Lindsey answered. "It will be passed on through offspring."

"But, it will never be transferred to any of the others who already hold the power." Willow finished.

"Well, I suppose that makes sense." Giles mused. "And yes, Willow. I'm honored that you thought of me."

"So," Cordelia said, breaking the moment. "Now that everything is explained, I'm in need of a long, hot bath. Gunn, can you give me a ride to Willow's?"

The young man looked at Angel and then to Cordelia. "Do you need his permission?" She asked.

"Okay, let's go." He said, desperate to escape the mounting tension in the room.

"Cordy, we can give you a ride." Lindsey said. "We're leaving in a few minutes."

"Nah, you two need some alone time." Cordy replied. "I'll see you two later." She headed for the door followed by Gunn.

"Are you out of your bleedin' mind, Pouf?" Spike asked. "Go after her, you dimwit! If you don't, you'll lose the only good thing that ever happened to you." He paused for effect. "And I'LL make a move on her."

"Don't even try it, my boy." Angel replied as a slow smile spread across his face. "I need to plan for something big that's going to make her see how much I love her." Then, as an afterthought, he smacked his grand childe across the back of the head as he exited the house, followed by Connor.

"Well, now that that's settled, I'll just head back to LA." Lilah announced. "And Lindsey, I'll make sure you get all the details of Gavin's...termination." With that, the brunette was out the door.

"Since Cordelia's using my tub, may I borrow yours?" Willow whispered to her beautiful blue-eyed boyfriend.

"This is the part where you say 'hell yes', Mac." Spike stage whispered.

"Damn vampire hearing." Lindsey mumbled. Then, he turned to Willow. "Only if you let me scrub your back." The redhead smiled.

"I thought you'd never ask." She replied.

"Finally!" Spike and Dawn said.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Part 20:

The aftermath of the infamous kidnapping was full of interesting events. Lilah went back to LA to plan her 'surprise' for Gavin Park.

Cordelia spent the day focusing and training when she wasn't having 'girl time' with Willow and Anya.

Angel and Connor decided to train, as well. Afterwards, Connor spent the day walking around Sunnydale with Dawn while she gave him a history lesson on his father, her sister, and their friends.

Gunn went back to Fred in LA to handle things until Angel returned.

Our favorite bleach blonde vampire had taken up writing again. Only this time, it wasn't bloody awful poetry. It was more of a journal of sorts where he wrote about all that has happened to him since the chip. He took this time to sit and chronicle the events of the past few days. He was especially happy to not have inherited the broody attitude with the soul, so his journal entries were actually interesting.

Willow and Lindsey got the nice, hot bath they deserved. And then some. The two made love all night and into the morning, where Lindsey proceeded to make Willow breakfast in bed, before she went to spend time with Cordy and Anya.

Once the redhead had gone, Lindsey did some serious thinking. He knew he'd made the right decision to move to the Hellmouth. He needed to be on the side of good, and he was happy about it. Fighting the monsters and aiding the Slayer and her friends was the best decision he'd ever made. Now, he just needed to get a day job.

And then there was Willow. Who knew that someone so incredibly astonishing could ever fall for him? The beautiful red hair, the dark green eyes, and she knew what went bump in the night! Yes, things were definitely looking up for him. He would never disappoint his Willow. She was the light in his usually dark existence. He smiled, and walked over to the phone to make a call.

As the next evening approached, everyone decided to meet in a rather neutral place: the park. They all figured: 'What idiot would try to attack a slayer, two master vampires, a vengeance demon, two powerful practitioners of magic, and people who fight evil because they want to?' Lindsey and Giles brought their guitars. Hell, even Spike had Dawn bring his. After all, it wouldn't do for anyone to see William the Bloody walking around with a guitar.

Before the evening's events got underway, Angel was the last to show up. "Cordelia," he started. "Don't say anything. Just listen."

Everyone in the group was dead silent and listening to what the dark vampire would say next. "I'm so sorry I was such an idiot." He began.

"And?"

"Spike, hush!" Dawn elbowed the bleach blonde in the ribs.

Angel rolled his eyes and continued. "I love so much, I can hardly believe it some times. You are the best thing to ever happen to me." He kneeled in front of her. "I'm actually happy to be with you. I get butterflies just knowing that I'm going to get to see you. You are my heart. You are my life. Please forgive me. I will NEVER be that much of an idiot again, I swear." Before his grand childe could comment, and without taking his eyes off of his seer, he added. "Shut up, William."

What Angel hadn't noticed was the look on every female's face in the group. There wasn't a dry eye anywhere to be found. Hell, even Giles and Xander had let a tear or two slip. Lindsey had definitely gained a new respect for the vampire. He still didn't like him. But, after this display, he would learn to tolerate him.

Dawn was the first to speak. "Oh. Wow." The teen said between sobs.

"That was so sweet." Willow said as she snuggled closer into Lindsey's arms.

"Why didn't you ever say stuff like that to me, Xander?" Anya added.

"Cordy." Angel continued. "You are what matters to me. I love you. Please don't leave me."

"What the hell are you waiting for, Cordelia? Jump his bones!" Buffy said excitedly.

Cordelia shook herself out of her shock-induced haze and focused on the vampire kneeling before her. "If you ever do something like that to me again," she said. "I'll kick your ass." He then enveloped her in a hug that would've probably killed a normal human.

"Hip, hip, bloody hooray." Spike said. "Can we drink and sing now?"

"Yes Spike." Lindsey said. He still couldn't believe that this was William the Bloody. "After one more announcement."

"You're not getting married, are you?" Angel asked as he released Cordelia and sat next to her. Lindsey smiled and flipped him off.

"Anyway, I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm staying in Sunnydale." Lindsey said. "And, I'm the newest history teacher at Sunnydale High School."

"Lindsey, that's wonderful!" Willow could barely contain the excitement as she threw her arms around him. "I'm so happy for you."

"I still wanted to see his muscles ripple while he did construction." Anya commented. There was then a round of congratulations to Lindsey.

That night, the group decided to always fight evil and to always stick together.

Two days later, Gavin Park walked into the Wolfram & Hart building where he was escorted to Nathan Reed's office, along with 10 others, including Lilah. The ever-present mind readers were there as the procedure began. Nathan needed to make sure that Ms Morgan was indeed correct. Lilah made it a purpose to stand as close to Gavin as possible. Finally, the mind readers walked over to Nathan and whispered to him.

"Thank you very much, ladies and gentleman. You are all free to go." The group began to walk out, but not before Mr. Reed said, "Oh, Gavin, Lilah. Will the two of you wait just a moment?" The two stopped walking and faced Nathan. "I really didn't want to believe it." He said as he started to pace. "Not only did one of our employees betray us by engaging in�extracurricular activities, but they also did it for the side of Good." He spat the last word out.

"Mr. Reed, to what, are you referring?" Gavin asked.

"Don't insult my intelligence, Gavin." Nathan snapped. "And don't underestimate the power of the mind readers. Not only did you take on an outside project," he continued. "But, you managed to help one of the 'good guys'." He sighed. "What were you thinking, Gavin?"

Before an answer was given, a gunshot was heard as Aaron the security guard fired his weapon.

"Thank you for the information, Ms Morgan." Nathan said. "This will not go unrewarded."

"Thank you, sir." Lilah replied as she walked out of Nathan's office and headed to her own with a smile on her face.

The End