I choose to start this story now...
Part 3
Part 3
Willow stumbled out of the bedroom wearing one of Lindsey's old college t-shirts. "Lindsey? Can you get some things from the store on your way home? I'd like to cook dinner but you... well your fridge isn't very healthy."
"It isn't?" Was all he could manage while his brain battled between 'she's gorgeous' and 'don't think about it'.
"Nope. It's starving," she yawned.
Lindsey chuckled. "Write me a..." A list appeared in his hand and he put his coat on. "I'll get it on my way home. Back tonight." He kissed her forehead before he quickly ducked out the door and into the safety of the hallway where only his mind taunted him with images of Willow's long legs and barely covered by his t-shirt body. "Should have bought her a pair of pyjamas," he scolded himself.
Lindsey was holed up in his office all day with client meetings and paperwork and didn't see any other staff members until he was on his way out of the building.
"Lilah. Any luck finding the little girl?" he asked as he caught up with her on her way to Holland's office.
"No. She's completely disappeared."
"Oh. Well I haven't heard anything either..."
"Are you sure? I mean..."
"I haven't really been listening for it Lilah. Good luck you know. The senior partners can't be reasoned with," he said as the elevator doors closed.
He stopped at a corner store on his way home and got the food on Willow's list, chose plastic, handled bags and continued his Willow-bound journey.
Willow was laying cutlery and crockery on his small, seldom used dining table, wearing the green sundress when he came home. "Hey you," she smiled.
"Hey Willow. Got what you asked for."
"I hope you like lasagne. It's my speciality," she grinned as she took the bags from him. He sat at the kitchen bench and watched as she quickly prepared everything and had the meal in oven and on the stove. In less than an hour she laid the food on the table.
They discussed his day and her distaste for daytime soaps as they ate. They'd just finished taking the dishes to the sink when the phone rang.
"Is it safe?" a dark voice asked.
"I think so," Lindsey responded.
"See you tomorrow." The other person disconnected.
Lindsey hung up and looked at Willow. "I'll take you back to Angel's tomorrow."
"Thank you Lindsey, for everything," she smiled.
**
Lindsey helped Willow into the sewers and followed her to a door. "Why don't you come in with me?" she asked him.
"I don't think I should."
"Why not mate? We can always use another pair of hands and someone who can read," Spike said from the open doorway. "Going back to Sunnydale pet. You want me to tell anyone anything?"
"Nah. They can use the phone," she smiled.
"Take care of her mate," Spike growled at Lindsey as he walked away, calling out that they'd arrived and that he was leaving.
Willow led Lindsey into the outer office after closing the door and sat in her favourite chair where her laptop had been set up in anticipation of her return. Lindsey remained quiet and sat in a shadowed corner where he hoped the eyes would ignore him.
"Are they new jeans Willow? Are they Calvin Klein? Where did you get the money for those?"
"Ah... I didn't have any clean clothes. Lindsey bought them for me," Willow blushed.
Angel stood up, picked up another book and walked over to Lindsey. "Thanks for keeping her safe and everything." He handed Lindsey the second book.
Lindsey took the book and nodded.
"Looking for details on the Straap demon," Angel informed him.
Willow sent Lindsey a reassuring smile before returning to her computer. Lindsey worked quickly and moved through several books as the day progressed.
Angel was preparing his weapons for the nights hunt when Willow cleared her throat and spoke.
"You'll never guess what I found out today Angel..."
Lindsey looked up from the corner he sat unobtrusively in.
"My mothers mother is a woman named Issard, Ruth Issard as a matter of fact and she had a sister named Jane. Jane married a man named James. He's a half-demon. No specifics unfortunately. Can't imagine they'd be too hard to get though."
"That's very interesting Willow but what does this have to do with the case?" Angel asked.
"James and Jane's last name is Hart... James is *the* Hart in Wolfram and Hart."
Angel started to laugh. "You're great uncle is one of the senior partners?"
Willow grinned and nodded. "Uh huh. Shall I make a call to mum and get his number?" Angel waved her toward the phone.
"Hi mum. I've come to LA to visit Cordy and thought I might visit Great Uncle James while I'm here. I was wondering if you have his home phone number?... uh huh... uh huh. Thanks mum. Bye." Willow grinned wickedly and looked down at the piece of paper she held. She picked up the phone and dialled the number. "Hello. I would like to speak with James Hart please," Willow told the efficient voice who answered the phone. "My name is Willow Rosenberg. I'm his great niece. His wife was my grandmothers sister.... Thank you. Hello Uncle James... Well I was here in LA and thought, if you don't mind that is, that I could come by and see you?... That's great!... Tomorrow at 1pm is fine. Thank you Uncle James... Thanks. Bye." She turned to Angel who was still chuckling. "This is going to be fun. Wanna help me plan clothes Cordy?"
**
Willow stepped out of the overcast weather and into the lobby of Wolfram and Hart, boldly walking up to the reception desk. "My name is Willow Rosenberg. I'm here to see James Hart."
"Your companion is a vampire Miss. I'm afraid he can't come into this building."
"Uncle James won't be happy you've refused my bodyguard but if that's the way it's to be..."
"U-uncle James?" the guard stammered.
"Yes," Willow nodded. "My grandmother is James Harts wife's sister, therefore my great uncle."
"Please take these visitors passes and I'll personally escort you to Mr Harts office," the guard continued when he saw the name Willow Rosenberg on his list to see Mr Hart that day in 10 minutes. "John, please let Mr hart know I'm bringing his guest and her companion up now," he said to the other guard.
Willow smiled at Angel as they were led to the bank of elevators.
"Stop!" their escort guard shouted at the anti-vampire equipped men that descended on them. "This is Mr Hart's great niece and her bodyguard." The other men lowered their weapons but kept their narrowed eyes on Angel who winked at them. He wiggled his fingers goodbye to them as the elevator doors slid shut. They were taken to the topmost floor for this elevator, which was the same level as Holland's office. Willow squeezed Angel's hand for courage as the doors slid open, then let it go as they stepped out and followed the guard.
"Stop that woman! And what is that man doing in here. He's a vampire!" Holland blustered.
Willow blinked at him. "I'm here to see my Uncle James. Hey Lindsey," she smiled and waved past Holland at the young man.
"Hey Willow," he smiled back. "Angel," he nodded.
"Uncle James?" Holland asked.
"Why does everyone repeat that?" she asked Angel. "Yes Holland. Is it so impossible to believe that I have relatives? Your senior partner James Hart is my Great Uncle James."
Holland blanched.
"So I am. Little Willow it's been 16 years since I last saw you," a hulking great man bellowed good-naturedly as he approached from a darkened corridor. "And who is this vampire you insist is your bodyguard?"
"This is Angel Uncle James. I know he's caused your firm some... harm but he's a friend and considering some of the past treatment I have received from members of your firm, I thought it best to not come alone."
"Past treatment?" James' eyes turned from bright blue to a shade of red as they narrowed. "Who would harm my family?"
Willow schooled her features to show none of the glee she felt as she raised her arm and pointed at Holland. "Him," she replied shortly. "But Lindsey protected me from both Holland and Lilah for which I was very grateful, especially when Angel's building was attacked when they tried to get to me."
James' skin started to glow and change from a natural human colour to a pale shade of grey.
"We didn't know, Mr Hart," Lilah began.
"Ignorance is no excuse! Family histories are not difficult to trace. You and you," James pointed a clawed hand at two guards, "Take them out of my sight. I will deal with them after lunch with my niece." James seemed to shake off the rage as Lilah and Holland were dragged, screaming obscenities at Willow in Lilah's case, away from them. He turned his elderly human features on the witch and the vampire. "You say Lindsey protected you?"
"Yes sir. Took me into his home knowing he might be risking his job."
"Tosh! Just earned himself a promotion," James exclaimed as he slapped an arm around Lindsey's shoulders.
"I mean no disrespect Sir... but I'd much rather be allowed to leave the firm."
"Leave?"
"I, uh... I don't like what I do Sir. Setting human-killing demons and humans free... I don't think that makes me a very good person Sir, and your niece certainly doesn't think so. She fights vampires and the like on the Hellmouth you know."
"The Hellmouth?" James asked.
"Sunnydale Sir."
"You're friends with the Slayer?" James turned toward Willow.
"She's my best friend... although I didn't know that when we first became friends but when one of your childhood friends is turned and then tries to kill you... Well it's kind of in your face."
"Granted. Well, this is all very interesting. Why don't you bring your vampire up to my office and we'll discuss this some more?" Willow smiled and nodded. "You'd better come too Lindsey. Can't leave my niece's crush standing around wondering what's going on. You'll get nothing done till you know she's out of the building and even then it probably won't be much."
Willow and Lindsey blushed.
"Angel!" James seemed to shout and slap the vampire's back. "Angelus, Scourge of Europe right? Bit before my time I'll admit. Sounds interesting. Shame about the soul..."
