CHAPTER FOUR

Buffy had seen Lindsey three weekends running. Halloween was closing in, not to mention mid-terms. Things in her life were odd. There was still the flirtations from Riley to deal with and she couldn't help but return them just a little. Still, the time she spent with Lindsey was too much fun for her to consider other alternatives. He was so easy to talk to. She had told him more than she really intended to, enough that Giles' hair would curl if he knew.

Her biggest work-related regret was that she had gotten no closer to finding the killer and he had spread his web wider. Two magic shop keepers had been killed and one of their stores torched. Someone had been killed outside of Willie's. The bartender closed down for a two week vacation anywhere but here. She didn't know how to handle a non-demon killer and was puzzled how this person was hiding out from her. Of course, the killer didn't leave a trail of slime, glow in the dark or stink as a lot of demons were wont to do so she couldn't give Giles and the research machine much to go on.

Since she was done with classes and had a few hours before patrol, Buffy headed for her room to get some studying in. Willow was there with a huge smile on her face and behind her was a huge bouquet of flowers, purple carnations, orchids and white roses. Buffy's eyes widened.

"Aren't they so romantic?" Willow bubbled. "There's a note."

Buffy took it off the flowers. "They'll never be as beautiful as you. Call me, Lindsey."

"Awwww, so sweet. Angel never sent flowers." Willow's mouth clamped shut, realizing she had overstepped.

Buffy ignored her and flopped on the bed. She picked up the phone and dialed. "Hi, Linds, I'm not calling in the middle of something, am I?...good. Thank you thank you thank you! They're beautiful...spend the weekend in L.A?" Buffy glanced over at Willow whose eyes danced. "I...no, it's not too soon. I want to...just I can't. This weekend I have to study for midterms and then there's Halloween. Can we do it after the holiday? I feel so bad....what? That's okay? Thank you. I love the flowers...no, I understand. You get to work. I've got studying to do. Love you."

Buffy bit her lip as she hung up. She had no idea why she had just blurted that out and she didn't know if she meant it but now it was out there. She wished she could reel it back.

She didn't have time to think about it. Someone knocked on the door and Willow let Ainsley in. She was lugging her text book and lab note book.

"Ready to burn up some brain cells?" Ainsley brandished the books. Her blue eyes widened seeing the huge bouquet. "Did my brother do that?"

"He did. He's so sweet," Willow said for Buffy. "Think when Oz gets here, it'll give him ideas?"

"You can always hope," Buffy said.

"He asked Buffy to stay a weekend with him." Willow bounced in her seat.

"Willow!" Buffy felt her face burn.

"Are you going to do it?" Ainsley sat down at the desk.

"Maybe...after the holidays. I don't know," Buffy said and watched Ainsley's face go serious.

"Just be careful, Buffy. My brother keeps secrets," Ainsley said in a way that made Buffy think they were deep dark secrets at that.

Willow exchanged a look with her. "We're used to men who do that."

They certainly were and Buffy didn't like it one bit.

Lindsey hung up his phone and swivelled around, having heard Lilah's heels clicking into his office. She never waited to be invited in. "Go away, Lilah."

"So, you're banging Angel's ex. If you're lucky, he'll kill you quick." She grinned broadly at that idea.

He scowled. "I'm not banging her, Lilah, as if it were your business. I've been assigned to keep an eye on the Slayer and get information and that's what I'm doing."

"And any rumpy-pumpy you get on the side is just gravy?" Lilah sat on the edge of his desk.

He bit back the urge to throttle her. "What exactly do you want, Lilah?"

"The world on a string? Never having to deal with you again?" Lilah tapped her nails on the desk. "I'll settle for the report on Mr. Hill."

Lindsey shuffled through the files on his desk and handed it to her. "Good bye."

Her fingers trailed over his hand. "You know about your sister, don't you?"

Lindsey looked up into her eyes. "What if I do?"

"Don't interfere, Lindsey." Lilah dug her nails into him.

"My sister is left alone, Lilah, or I'll come for you regardless of who actually hurts her." He smiled flatly, not flinching under her little attack.

She calmly took her hand away. "Ooo, such big talk from such a little man."

Lilah got up, patted him on the head and sauntered out. Lindsey thought for a moment about burying his letter opener in her back. He'd be lucky if she didn't let it leak to Angel what he was up to. He was getting a lot of good information from Buffy about what Slayers could do. She had accidently let it slip at first, and, when he told her he believed in all that kind of stuff, she was more open and honest. The problem was he was beginning to hate playing her. He knew he couldn't really afford to like her but he did. He was dancing barefoot over hot coals now.