The song Hero by Enrique Iglesias

This chapter was beta by Lena. Thank you so much Lena, you are truly a lifesaver,

Chapter 21

"I don't bite," he smirked.

"Wha-what?" she was startled.

"I am not going to hurt you Buffy." He smiled gently at her and pulled the car

to a stop.

"Come outside."

They left the car and he directed her to the near street. It was a small quiet

street, with few people walking by and an ice cream shop.

"Wait here."

He returned moments later carrying two cones of ice cream. He gave Buffy one.

She hesitantly licked the ice cream, smiling as she tasted the familiar vanilla

flavor.

"How did you know?" she asked, amazed.

"I guessed."

He directed her to a bench a little ways away. They sat quietly for about an

hour, eating their ice cream and simply thinking.

Eventually, she had to know.

"You called me Buffy, before, at the party, have we met?"

Lindsey sighed, he knew this was coming but he had a lot of thinking during

their ride here, he knew how to proceed.

"I think it would be best if we leave it as that." He stated.

She thought for a minute, tasting the sweet vanilla, "I don't-" she started

protesting, "can you tell me who you are?"

"Can you tell me who you are?" he asked, daring her to reveal herself.

She looked into his blue eyes, no deception there, mystery, hiding secrets yes,

but nothing cruel or malicious.

She reached her hand to him and he took it questioningly, "Hi I'm Buffy Anne

Summers."

He smiled, a smile that lightened his face, at her suggestion of a friendly

start.

"Nice to meet you Buffy. I'm Lindsey MacDonald."

"So Linds, can I call you Linds? Good. What can you show me here beside the ice

cream shop?"

"Well-" he started, an idea formed in his head. He stood up and pulled her with

him.

"What, were are we going?"

"A surprise, I hope."

They drove for fifteen minutes and stopped outside a small building. She

hesitated to go out, and he held his hand for her to take.

"Trust me."

She looked into those blue eyes again and felt safe. She took his hand and let

him lead her inside.

They approached a man in his fifties and Buffy waited$A0 to the side as Lindsey

talked to him.

"It's ok. Let's go in."

"Um...Linds, where is "in" exactly?"

"You'll see, I hope you'll like it."

He switched on the lights and revealed a huge ice-skating rink.

Buffy smiled slightly. Lindsey saw it and smiled as well.

"I take it you like ice skating?"

"Like it? I love it! I used to skate a lot before-...anyway, I can't skate with

this evening gown."

"Oh, come on Buff, I'm sure you'll manage."

She smiled slightly then waited for Lindsey to bring her the skating shoes.

"Here you go Buffy. Show me what you are made of!"

She smiled as she put on the skates and starting to warm up. Lindsey watched her

from afar fascinated by her movements, the way her hair float behind her, the

light pink dress was lighted by the pale lightening coming from the ceiling all

together she looked like an angel dancing in heaven.

He couldn't forget what Angel did to her, how he forced himself on her, how he

viciously taunted her with his words and actions. His thought never came from a

want to revenge, not to hurt Angel, but from a deep growing concern for this

slip of a girl. He didn't know where it came from, he wanted to take her away

from Angel, to be with her forever; to protect her and see her dance, just like

now, a dance of freedom.

Would you dance

If I asked you to dance?

Would you run

And never look back?

Buffy flew to her own rhythm, her thoughts far away. It had always happened to

her when she skated, forgetting everything and everyone around her, her body

moving to imaginary music floating through her mind. All she could feel was the

brush of wind as she moved. Deep down, inside, she thanked Lindsey for this

gateway, even if it was only for little while. She knew he was watching her,

but she didn't know his thoughts. Was he sorry for her? Did he know what Angel

did to her? Would he be her friend? Was he trying to save her?

Would you cry

If you saw me crying

Would you save my soul tonight?

He wanted to feel her in his arms, to smell her vanilla scent again. To wrap

his arms around her and melt in her golden hair. He wanted so badly to kiss her

lips, to taste what sultry heaven it could be.

Would you tremble

If I touched your lips?

Would you laugh?

Oh please tell me this

Now would you die

For the one you love?

Hold me in your arms tonight

I can be your hero, baby

I can kiss away the pain

I will stand by you forever

You can take my breath away

He knew for a fact that Angel would never let her go. He wouldn't give her up,

not for anyone, and especially not for Lindsey. But he had time, plenty of time

to make Buffy see how he could love her, how she could be with him, how she

would want to be with him, only a matter of time.

Would you swear

That you'll always be mine?

Would you lie?

Would you rub in mind?

Am I in too deep?

Have I lost my mind

I don't care you're here tonight.

He had definitely lost his mind. He had only seen her tonight, and all these

crazy thoughts that ran in his mind had nothing to do with Angel. He knew that

even if she wasn't involved with Angel she would still be his desire, every

man's desire. But wasn't she already?

Am I in to deep?

Have I lost my mind?

Well, I don't care you're here tonight

He would be her hero, her life, and finally her love...

I can be your hero, baby

I can kiss away the pain, oh yeah

I will stand by you forever

You can take my breath away