See Chapter 1 for warning & info

"Mom, this is Lindsey... He's a friend of Angel's."

Joyce Summers smiled and shook Lindsey's hand. "It's good to meet you, Lindsey. I'm Joyce."

"It's a pleasure meeting you." Lindsey met the smile with a charming one of his own.

"Uh, Mom, Lindsey's going to be in town for a little while, and I thought maybe he could use the spare room?"

Joyce's brow furrowed. "The one with the boxes piled on top of the bed and the old furniture stacked in the corners?"

"That's the one. I'll clean it up," Buffy explained to her mother, wishing she could have thought of a different way to keep a close eye on her charge. "And it shouldn't be for too long."

"I wouldn't impose on you like this, but-"

"Don't you give it a second thought," Joyce broke in. "You're welcome to stay as long as you need." The front door opened and she called, "Dawn? Come in and meet Buffy's friend."

The girl heaved a dramatic sigh and entered the room, expression brightening a bit when she got a good look at Lindsey. Her face split in a huge grin. "I'm Dawn."

Lindsey returned the smile. "Lindsey. Good to meet you."

The second he turned to look back at Joyce, Dawn mouthed, "Hottie," to her sister, who rolled her eyes and then glared. Buffy put a hand on Lindsey's arm. "So, ready to go get set up?"

"Lead the way." As they walked upstairs, Lindsey asked, "Since when do you have a sister?"

Buffy looked startled, then shifted uneasily. "It's… it's a long story. She's sort of…"

"She's not your sister."

"Not technically." Buffy pushed open the door at the very end of the hall and looked inside before pushing it wide. "Wow, this place is a sty. No wonder mom had doubts." She grabbed a large box from the top of the bed and heaved it off. "Shouldn't take too long to at least clear you some living space, though."

She reached for another box and suddenly there was a warm body pressed against hers. "Let me help."

"Th-that's okay," Buffy stammered, moving away from Lindsey quickly, heart pounding already from the contact. "I can get it. Slayer strength and all." Carefully avoiding eye contact, she continued moving boxes and chairs, noting that Lindsey followed her movements carefully, moving his share of junk as well. "Looks like we're pretty much done. Feel free to, y'know, shift 'em around or whatever to make things more comfortable."

"Thank you."

"No problem. Nothing like moving some stuff to get the blood pumping."

"I didn't mean for moving the stuff," Lindsey replied with a slight smile.

Buffy could feel the flush in her cheeks and turned to the door to hide it. "No problem. Just… sleep tight."

"You too. Sweet dreams."