dlg6

~Part 6~

"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.

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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.