I choose to start this story now...
Part 4
"So Uncle James is a reasonable guy?"
"Sure is and he's funny," Willow agreed with Gunn over the Chinese take out she was sharing with her co-workers.
"And he spotted Willow and Lindsey within seconds," Angel added with a smirk.
Willow blushed bright red.
"Are you and Lindsey?" Cordelia asked.
"Pelvic? No."
"Interested? Yes," Gunn teased, to be hit in the face by flying rice.
"Anyway I have lunch again with Uncle James next week. Turns out he didn't know about the Hellmouth nor did he know about what his lesser partners were doing with his and his deceased cousins company. So things are looking up. Lindsey is now a full partner and in charge of clearing out some of the old clientele."
"Which will be handed to us to hunt," Angel concluded.
"Cause you know how Kate gets when you mention demons so there's no way we can hand the info to the police," Cordelia shrugged.
They all nodded.
"Oh and Wesley, if you're interested, Uncle James seems to think there could be work for you as a researcher. He claims that any man who can, and I quote, 'learn anything from those tight-assed Watchers and still be a useful member of the community deserves all the breaks they can get'."
Wesley beamed. "I'll have a think about it. Please thank your Uncle James."
"Sure."
"So what happened to Lilah and Holland?" Cordelia asked.
Angel and Willow shrugged.
"It's probably still going on actually." They turned to see Lindsey leaning casually against the doorframe.
"You know, I don't wanna know. I've read up on your Uncle James Willow and the half that's a demon... well it's not a nice demon," Cordelia confessed.
"Mr Hart wanted me to personally deliver this invitation to you Willow. He isn't able to get around very much anymore and it seems I've been taken under his wing." Lindsey bowed as he handed the envelope to Willow.
"A ball? I... I don't dance!"
"You're all invited actually," Lindsey commented.
"I don't dance," Willow fretted as she stared at the fancy invitation. "Well... not the way they'll expect with fancy music and real violins and stuff."
"Willow... I'll teach you. Don't worry."
"I don't want to embarrass Uncle James," she said urgently.
In less than a week Angel had taught Willow and Cordelia all the dances they'd need to get by at what Willow had taken to calling 'Uncle James' shindig'.
The night of the ball came and Willow was extremely nervous. "Cordy, I feel really... weird in this dress."
"You look beautiful and your Uncle will be very impressed, so will Lindsey I'm sure."
Willow blushed and looked at herself in the mirror again. She smoothed the jade green, sheath dress over her hips and thighs again and checked the thin straps were straight on her shoulders. She gently patted her hair again only to have her hands patted away by Cordelia.
"It will fall out if you don't leave it alone. Are you ready?"
"No but I guess now's as good a time to go down there as any," she sighed, giving in.
Cordelia grinned. "You'll do just fine. Come on. Those gorgeous men we work with are all downstairs wearing tuxedos and I wanna see."
Cordelia preceded Willow down the stairs to great exclamations of her beauty. Willow was too busy trying not to trip or fall in her shoes to notice that the men were staring at her and Cordelia stood watching with a proud smile as Willow joined them.
"You are beautiful Willow," Wesley breathed.
Willow blushed and looked at the floor.
"He's right," Angel agreed. Seeing Willow's discomfit with all the praise he said, "Why don't we go? James' car is waiting."
"Angel, you have to tell me where you find these beautiful women..." Gunn smiled as they walked out of the lobby toward the waiting limousine, sent by James Hart.
**
Lindsey excused himself from his conversation when he saw Wesley enter the room. He was half way across the room when she entered. All he could do was stare. Willow looked around but was distracted by a comment from Angel that made her look at the vampire in mild surprise then laugh.
"Willow!" James Hart bellowed, a broad smile on his deceptively aged human face.
"Uncle James," she smiled and moved further into the large ballroom. "You remember Angel? This is Cordelia Chase, Wesley Wyndam-Price, and Charles Gunn."
"Gunn's just fine Sir," Gunn said as he shook James Hart's hand.
"It's a fine name young man. A fine name. You all know Lindsey though I must say I've never seen him at such a loss for words. Any ideas little Willow?"
"None Uncle James."
"Not a one?"
"No Sir," Willow smiled though a feint blush was beginning to creep up her face.
Lindsey smiled at her. "You look beautiful Willow."
The blush grew darker and beside her Angel chuckled, and Cordelia sighed.
"Why don't we leave these two to their stargazing? Why don't y'all walk with me? I'll introduce you 'round. It'll be good for your business."
"I guess you've been busy lately?" Lindsey began.
"Yes. With all the work your offices have been sending our way... we're very grateful."
"Not my doing really. You and your uncle negotiated this."
"I guess."
"Dance with me?" he asked offering her his arm.
Willow nodded her consent and took his arm. "Angel taught me to dance you know."
"I thought he might." Lindsey led them in a waltz around the room.
Angel sipped his bloodwine and smiled as he watched them.
"You have handsome employees Angel."
"Uh... thank you James. But I can't take credit for their genetics."
James chuckled. "I suppose not. They're handsome and useful. That Cordelia is something."
"She sure. I'd be lost without her, but that goes for all of them."
"You're a successful team. Now where has my niece taken my best lawyer to?"
"I think she led him toward the balcony."
James nodded.
"Were you really motivated to leave by what I thought of you?"
"Willow... I've known somewhere in my mind that what I was doing wasn't good. I wouldn't say it was evil but it certainly wasn't right. I realised - there are people who shouldn't have to face these creatures like we do. You shouldn't have to have seen what you did. Holland shouldn't have approached you."
"Are you upset because I look young..."
"No. You fight what I release. What I do in the courtroom shouldn't result in the freedom of those people."
"And my attractive youth reminded you that you're human and have a conscience?" she smiled.
Lindsey had the decency to look embarrassed. "No. Realising that this company will, would go to any lengths. Children, young women - whatever it takes and I'm not prepared to be part of that. Fortunately your uncle has decided that taking an interest in his company is a good thing. Your hair is so... you are so beautiful."
"Enough Lindsey," Willow chuckled. "So, are you still jealous of Angel?"
"Nah. He didn't get to dance with you."
Willow giggled. "The night is still young and he is my boss... sort of."
"Will you be going back to Sunnydale?"
"I don't know yet. I'm useful here and I like the city. Buffy thinks she needs me but I haven't been needed for a long time now. I've missed Angel, even Cordelia which is odd."
"You two weren't friends?"
"I was a nerd. She was a cheerleader. We were sort of comrades in arms for a while, though I'm not sure if we ever really bonded as friends."
"Oh."
"I might transfer to UCLA but then I'd have to find a place to live and a job and..." Willow sighed.
"You already have those Willow, or have you forgotten about Angel Investigations?"
"I'd feel like I was using Angel."
"Never happen," the vampire said as he joined them on the balcony. "I know. I'm interrupting but your Uncle is looking for you both to show you off to everyone. Willow. You are welcome to stay in the hotel until whenever you decide to leave. We can always use more hands and minds in the office and we love having you with us because you can actually make coffee, for which we are all grateful."
"That's probably a good thing you know," she chuckled.
"Why?"
"I've accepted a place at UCLA," she admitted sheepishly. "I know I said 'might transfer' to you Lindsey but I only posted the acceptance today and I haven't left UCSunnydale yet so I could still all fall through..."
"Let's go and tell your uncle you'll be moving to LA. I'm sure he'll insist on announcing the news to everybody."
**
Tuesday morning, Willow stumbled down the stairs looking less than immaculate. "Don't wanna hear it Cordy." She moved toward the coffee machine and poured herself a cup. Willow moved through to Angel's office and sat at his computer to sort through her email.
"'Morning Cordelia. Sorry I didn't bring these by last night."
"No problem Lindsey we were busy anyway."
"Vision?"
"Independent case and an over-worked, under-sexed Police Detective."
Lindsey nodded. "Is Willow here?"
"In Angel's office. She just woke up."
"Thanks for the warning," Lindsey smiled and went through.
Cordelia beckoned Angel to hurry down the stairs quietly. They stood by the door where neither Willow nor Lindsey would see them.
"Hey Willow."
"'Morning Lindsey. You'll excuse the chic sleepy look. Late night patrolling."
"I think you look cute."
Willow blushed and looked back at the computer screen.
Lindsey opened his mouth and closed it twice before he finally asked, "Are you busy on Friday night?"
"Not at this stage. Does Uncle James need me for something?"
Lindsey smiled. "No. I was... would you like to go out to dinner with me?"
Willow fought against the excited giggle she felt rising in her throat and managed to say, "Yes. I would love to."
"7 o'clock? I'll pick you up."
"Sounds great Lindsey."
"Great," he smiled. "I'll, uh, I'll see you then."
"Ok. Till then."
Lindsey almost skipped out of the building, not noticing Cordelia and Angel in the outer office looking at a picture in an upside down book.
"You can come in now you two," Willow called.
"So... a date?" Cordelia smiled.
Willow nodded, "And no I don't know what I'm wearing yet but I was thinking maybe jeans and a sweater."
Cordelia looked horrified until she realised she was being teased. She scowled at Willow, "Just for that I'm going to help you choose what you'll wear and how you'll do your hair!"
"Good cause I have absolutely no idea beyond thinking clothes are a good place to start," Willow smiled.
Cordelia poked out his tongue.
"Lunch with James today Willow?" Angel asked.
"Yeah, at 1 as usual. Anything you want me to take with me?"
"Those two envelopes there if you don't mind," he said pointing to the large envelopes beside his computer.
"Sure thing boss man. I'm going to get some study done then I'll go to lunch and be back before you know it," Willow smiled and stood up.
**
Willow bounced out of the top floor office. "I'll see you next week Uncle James. Same time?"
"Certainly little Willow!" He waved to her from the middle of the floor's lobby. Lindsey came to stand beside him. "Go after her Lindsey and you treat her right or I'll find out and it won't just be the Slayer and the vampire you'll have to worry about."
"No sir, there's the two ex-watchers, the ex-cheerleader, the vampires grand-childe, an ex vengeance demon, a childhood friend and a couple of ex Initiative members, as well as the Slayer, the vampire and you Sir."
James chuckled as Lindsey caught up with Willow at the elevators.
-Fin...
