bbb12

Chapter twelve

"You know what it is. He loves that blonde bitch." Willow watched the traffic out the side window. "He's always obsessing over the damned blondes." Turning to Douglass she touched a strawberry blonde curl. "He'll probably start fantasizing about you." She grumbled.

Douglass laughed, "Yeah I can see that happening." Checking her rearview mirror she changed lanes. "And that fight. What was that all about? I couldn't tell if you two were going to start throwing blows, or start making out." Looking at the redhead from the corner of her eye she could see the tell tale signs of a major blush happening.

"I mean after I had to tear the two of you apart, neither of you could determine a course of action to take. You both had other things, or should I say other people on your minds. That's why I slipped him your cell number, and the number to our private line."

Willow groaned. "Please tell me that you didn't. What if he really calls? What am I going to say to him?"

"Well, I think that the first conversation will be filled apologies to one another. So you don't need to think of anything all that witty to say." Douglass tried to change lanes again, only to be stopped by a blaring horn. " I hate driving. I hate driving in traffic more." Douglass checked her mirror and tried changing lanes only to get cut off by a silver Mercedes. "You are driving next time. I will *never* drive in this city again."

Willow couldn't decide what was worse. Angel having her number, and never calling. Or Angel having her number and calling. If he had it and didn't call then it was a dead give away that he really didn't care. If he called it might just be out of obligation to say sorry, or give info on any findings. What she wanted was for him to call because he wanted to talk to her.

The girls drove the rest of the way to the old bank in their own worlds. Willow thinking of the brooding Vamp. Douglass in a world of growing road rage.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"And these are the pants I got for her." Cordelia pulled a pair of soft black leather pants out, to show her captive audience her new buys. "Do you think Doug will like them?"

"Do you think Douglass is the...ah leather type?" Wesley nervously twisted in his seat. Trying not to imagine the young woman in the pants.

"Pfft..Yeah. Have you seen her body? It's made to wear leather. Just the right curve to her hips, and her waist is so tiny. Plus for someone who's a tad on the short side she does have long legs." Stopping to look at the guys seated around the desks, she noticed their discomfort. "I'm not gay and I noticed. So I'm sure you guys know what I'm talking about."

"I just hope she doesn't plan on wearing them around the office." Gunn mumbled.

"I agree not really a professional look." Wesley added.

"No you weirdo's. These pants are screaming, `take me clubbing'."

"I agree." A voice stated from the entrance starling the small group. Everyone turned to see Lindsey McDonald standing casually, hands in pockets. As though he belonged there.

"Oh look if it's not Mr. Born Again. Here to collect your doubt?" Cordelia glared at the handsome lawyer.

"Ah Cordelia, not that I want to point this out, but when he helped us he was professional. I think we owe him the same." Wesley touches her arm to get her attention.

"Whatever." Cordelia muttered. "I meant to say. `Gee, sure is great to see you again Lindsey. Gosh, things have been quiet around here without you here. How goes the evil these days?" Flashing him a saccharine sweet smile.

"Missed you too Cordelia." Returning a fake smile of his own. "Where is everyone?"

"Spike went to Sunnydale. Douglass won�t return until later tonight, and Willow should have been here. I'm sure she just ran out to get something." Wesley ignored the glares from Cordelia and Gunn. He wasn't going to sink to Lindsey's level. The sooner the debt was paid, the sooner Lindsey was out of their lives.

Lindsey nodded; "I'll wait a few minutes for Willow to join us." Cordelia shoved her purchases into the scattered bags on the floor, and walked to the elevator.

"Call me when she gets here. I want to wrap Douglass's gifts."

"You forgot these." Lindsey picked up the leather pants and held them out to Cordelia, who snatched them from his grasp.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Finally." Douglass parked her Jeep in the small lot next to the old bank. Taking the keys out of the transmission she handed them to Willow. "I will *never* drive in this town again. Take my keys. The Jeep is as good as your."

Willow laughed and took her friends keys. She knew Douglass wasn't joking. She hated driving. When she had lived in Denver she avoided driving like Spike avoided the sun. Douglass only had the Jeep for when it was necessary.

"Hey isn't that the Mercedes that cut me off?" Douglass walked over to the silver car, and around the back to look at the license plate. "Fate is beautiful."

Willow was shocked to see the car. She knew who owned it. Lindsey McDonald. He must be ready to call in his favor. Thank Goddess they had filled Douglass in on the lawyer. Everyone agreed that Douglass deserved to know everything. It had become a big rule with the group. No matter how bad, telling the truth to each other was a must.

In return Douglass insisted that she would help with what ever the favor was. It was because of her they had to go to such lengths.

"Doug, what are you doing?" Willow watched her friend let the air out of the rear tire.

"Oh, nothing. I'd just thought I'd teach little Mercedes a lesson." Douglass winked at Her friend. When she was finished, she wiped her hands on her pants. "Ready? I want to see everyone."

"I should tell you," Willow nodded toward the silver car, "that's Lindsey McDonald's car."

A huge grin erupted on Douglass's face. "Even better. I take it he's inside?"

"I guess. I mean why not, this day just keeps getting better."

Douglass pretended to look hurt, "Hey I came home today."

"That's true. Maybe this wont be too bad." Willow doubted it though.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You know we could just call you when Willow gets here." Gunn looked over at Lindsey, who had taken it upon himself to find a seat at one of the empty desks.

"Gunn is right; we can call you when she returns. She could be gone for hours." Wesley was cut off by the two young women entering the lobby. "Douglass, when did you get in?"

Lindsey's eyes darted to the door. He saw Wesley lean over to hug the girl, stepping back only to have Gunn embrace her too.

"Damn girl. You're looking better and better every time I see you."

Lindsey was astounded by the sound of her laughter. "You sure know how to charm the girls don't you Gunn?" How long had it been since he had heard genuine laughter. Not the mocking, snide kind he heard at work.

Douglass stepped away from the males, and Lindsey got his first good look at her. There was no doubt that she looked much better than the last time he had seen her. Her complexion had a rosy glow. Blondish-red corkscrew curls were in a wild disarray around her face. She was shorter than the redhead, who was stuck to her side. Douglass dressed for comfort, cargo pants and a long sleeved tee. Hugging her curves in all the right places. Looking back at her face he was shocked by slate blue, cat-like eyes that had such an impish expression, he knew this girl was going to be a whirlwind of trouble.

Douglass was impressed by Lindsey's physical appearance, and the cockiness that radiated off him just added to his appeal. He was dressed in a suit she was sure cost more than her limited wardrobe. What she would give to see him in faded jeans and a nice fitting tee, ` he�d look yummy.' She thought, and forced herself not to lick her lips. `Pity he's evil.'

"Ms MacArthur, I'm Lindsey McDonald." He offered his hand with practiced grace.

She raised her brow at him, finding his attempt at being charming rather humorous. "I'd like to say nice to meet you. But we both know this isn't a social call." Lindsey let his hand drop, and felt rather embarrassed. He spent his days around people who tried to belittle him; he took their barbs with out a problem. How could just one raised brow make him feel foolish.

"Douglass!" Cordelia rushed forward from the elevator and hugged her new friend. "I'm so happy you're back. I didn't think you'd be here until later."

"Can we start?" Lindsey asked a little louder than he meant too, still slightly put out by Douglass's ability to make him feel foolish.

Everyone's smiles dropped as they turned to look at him. Taking their seats around the lobby, they waited for Lindsey to redeem his debt.

"I think you'll find what I'm asking is pretty lenient to what I could be asking." Walking over to his briefcase, opened it, and pulled out a stack of pictures. He continued talking as he handed each person a copy. "I'm sure most of you are familiar with my co-worker Lilah. She's been sabotaging my projects lately. I know she isn't intelligent enough to do this on her own and I have a feeling that Darla and Dru are assisting her. I don't have proof of this. I need to know how they are getting information from me. I need for you to do some surveillance. Find out if it is the two vampires she's getting help from. If not from them, then I need to know from who. Plus obtain information on any new projects she's working on."

"Why don't you get one of your guys to do this?" Gunn looked at Lindsey.

"They're busy." Lindsey grinded his teeth. His men where looking for the contact that might have Darla's book.

"Will we be able to take Darla and Dru out?" Willow questioned, shocking the group by her non-Willowy question.

Lindsey nodded, "Only after I have the information I need to take Lilah down. Then they are all yours."

"Count me in." Willow tossed Lilah's picture on a near by desk. Silently agreeing with Douglass's earlier comment. Fate was beautiful.

Douglass grinned, "First day back, and I already get to start fieldwork."

Wesley cleared his throat, "Actually Douglass, we think that you should wait. You're still recuperating from your ordeal. I think it would be wise to start you with some strengthening exercises. Then have you train a little before you start the field work"

Before Douglass could protest, Lindsey cut her off. "I have a different assignment in mind for you Douglass. I need someone that can deliver any information to me, without causing too many questions. You're going to pretend to be my girlfriend."

There was a long pause, as though they were waiting for the punch line. Douglass's laughter echoed through the lobby. "Please tell me that is your bad attempt at a joke." She asked.

Lindsey swept his hand threw his hair in aggravation. `What did she find so ridiculous about this?' "No, it's not. I need someone to be able to come and go, with only a little attention. I can't have Cordelia do it because... of the mess with the scroll. We'd kill each other in seconds." Cordelia snorted her agreement. "Willow would never work because I really don't need Angel going all psycho on me." Willow blushed, when the group turned to look at her with raised brows. "And as comfortable I am with my sexuality I really don't think anyone is going to buy me having a boyfriend." The guys grimaced at the thought. "So Douglass that leaves you and me. This way if I ever need to come here, anyone watching me would think I'm here to see you. "

"Define girlfriend." Douglass's disapproval of his idea was evident.

"You would accompany me to various Charity balls, Dinners, and other social events that I have to attend for Wolfram and Hart. I wouldn't hurt to be seen occasionally outside of the firm�s social obligations."

Douglass groaned. "You mean having to get all dressed up, and socialize with obnoxious people."

Lindsey smirked at her, getting over his earlier rejection from the young woman. "Yes."

"Fine, so what's our story?" Douglass looked at the handsome lawyer in front of her. She was going to have to spend time with this guy, sometimes alone. When they were in public was he going to treat her like a real girlfriend? Hold her hand, open doors, kiss her? Her eyes darted to his mouth, and suppressed a groan, as she felt her cheeks turn bright pink.

"Story?" Lindsey was confused. `Why is she looking at me like that?' Giving himself a shake he tried to focus on the question.

"You know, the one we'll tell the Grand kids one day." She paused, getting annoyed by his blank stare. "The people you work with are going to want to know why it is you're dating someone from the enemy camp. I don't think telling them that it's all part of the plan, is going to work."

"We'll tell them that we became friends when you found out that I helped your friends." He answered without skipping a beat. "There's a Charity Ball this weekend, we'll say that it's our first official date. It gives you two days to find a dress"

"If you take a look around we're not really rolling around in money here Lindsey. We can't afford to buy me a new outfit for all these social occasions." A glimmer of hope was in her grasp. She might be able to get out of this after all.

Lindsey pulled his wallet out of his jacket pocket, took out a credit card, and handed it toward her. "Use this when you need to get a new dress...or whatever. Make sure you dress with taste. There are very important people I need to impress at these functions. Just give me the receipts."

Douglass wouldn't take the offered card. "How Pretty Womanish of you." Grasping her slender wrist, he shoved the card into her hand. "Take it." Stepping away from her, and back to his briefcase he took the rest of the information he had on Lilah, placing it on one of the desks.

"This should get you guys started. Her address, phone number, email addresses, and places she frequents."

"What if she's doing this stuff at Wolfram and Hart? It's not like we can get in there." Willow asked as she started leafing through the papers. Knowing it would be a breeze for her and Douglass to hack into the email accounts.

"You're the private investigators, not me. Investigate." Picking up his briefcase he sauntered to the door. "Douglass I'll be here at five to get you Saturday. I'm in charge of the event, and need to be there early." With that he was gone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I just want to express how much I really do not want to pretend to be his girlfriend." Douglass stood and stretched. "I hate having to get all dressed up in uncomfortable clothes, stand around with a fake grin, and laugh at stupid jokes."

Willow tried to think of something positive to say; "Maybe it won�t be that bad." She paused, "Think of it this way, you have a chance to get into Wolfram and Hart and maybe snoop a little. Plus take notes on all the evil people at these functions." Starting to get excited she was almost bouncing in her seat. "Oh, and if you have to go to one of the evil lawyers homes for dinner and stuff you can get a lay out on the home."

Douglass laughed at Willows enthusiasm. "Plus you get free clothes." Cordelia pointed out, waiving the discarded plastic.

"I have to admit what he's asking us to do, isn't all that bad. Lilah is someone we'd go after anyhow, plus we might get to take out two deadly vamps." Gunn sat back in his chair, flipping through the pictures of the female lawyer.

Lindsey barged through the doors again, his face flushed, "Can I use your phone?"

"Why don't you use your cell phone?" Cordelia narrowed her eyes.

"The battery is dead. Someone let the air out of my back tire." Lindsey shifted from foot to foot, hating to ask them for this favor.

Willow and Douglass exchanged glances and burst out laughing.