Chapter Five
"But I don't want to wait in the RV," Dawn moaned petulantly. Nearly two days of constant traveling had frayed everyone's nerves and the young teen's especially. "This concerns me. I don't want left behind."
"One problem pet, no one under twenty-one gets through the front door," Spike replied, gazing out at the neon.
"It's not fair," she pouted.
"It's for your protection," Cordelia said. "I went in earlier to nose around. I told them I was looking for my cousin, Lindsey but they wouldn't give me an address other than to tell me he works for Stewart, Gravely and Schneider Law Associates. But the customer service rep was nice enough to tell me my cousin has a new band, called Passing the Bar and they'll be playing at the battle of the bands tonight." She shook her head. "This brings back memories of high school and watching Devon play with the Dingoes."
Wesley gave a thin smile. "Hopefully by now that rep is off-duty and didn't think to leave a message that Lindsey's cousin is looking for her so he won't be tipped off."
"And it's dark enough for me and Spike not to worry about it. When did they say the battle of the bands started, Cordelia?" Angel asked, stretching. Even his undead body beginning to feel the strain of long miles in a box on wheels.
"At eight. So we have a half hour to wait. We probably shouldn't just show up on the dot. What are the chances he'll be the first one up?" Cordelia asked.
"We'll go in, in an hour," Angel decided.
"I'm so sick of being cooped up in here," Dawn said as Spike headed for the RV door. "There's absolutely nothing to do. Have you ever seen anything so flat and red?"
"Where are you going, Spike?" Angel asked.
"Hey, I don't have to worry about him spotting me. He doesn't know me I'm going to have a little fun. I'll meet you in the karaoke bar at 8:30," Spike replied, fishing out his cigarettes.
"Stay. Sit."
"I'm not your dog, Angel. Who's it going to hurt if I get a little gambling in on the side?" Spike asked, sounding as grouchy as Dawn.
"We need to stay together," Angel argued.
"Hey, the blood-bags went in by themselves when we were sleeping," Spike said.
"Oh, I really must protest," Wesley said.
"You know, you're even more uptight than Giles and that's saying something," Spike said, sliding out a cigarette.
"Spike, I'm tired of telling you, no smoking in the RV." Angel sighed.
"I need this," Spike grated out, his slim shoulders tensing.
"Fine, outside," Angel gave in.
Spike stalked out. Angel glanced around at his companions.
"How long do we give him before he runs off to the casino?" Wesley asked.
"He's gone already. I don't smell the cigarette and I would from here," Angel said wearily.
"You just can't expect him to be a team player, Angel," Wesley said in a poor attempt at comforting.
"He did it for Buffy," Angel shot back.
"No offense, Angel and not to upset you," Cordy started, holding out a hand. "But you just don't have the same the appeal to Spike as Buffy probably did."
Angel couldn't quite keep from glaring and Dawn snorted. Angel glanced over at her. "It's true, isn't it Dawn?" he asked quietly. "Spike was in love with Buffy." He took in the horrified face Cordelia made at that revelation and Dawn's evasive look.
"I.I didn't want to say anything. You two fight enough," she accused.
"But it's true," Angel said.
"Yes. I guess so. She didn't love him back though.but it didn't matter to him. He helped her anyhow." Dawn gave her head a little shake, thinking on how odd and awkward that had to be. "He can be a team player with you, too, Angel. Just give him the chance."
"He and I were a team for many years, Dawn but it was never easy between us. I don't imagine it'll get any easier now." Angel almost added 'not with Buffy between us' but kept it to himself. He wanted to go into the casino to keep an eye on Spike, not ready to leave him on his own but he knew the risk of Lindsey spotting him was too great. He'd just have to trust in Spike to show up to help them at the appointed time.
* * *
Spike filled his dead lungs with smoke as dollar tokens clanked out of the slot machine. He had helped himself to someone's cup of tokens, lucky enough to make off with it. He shouldn't be surprised as the casino was packed with life. Why he hadn't gone to more of them when he could have culled their ranks, he couldn't even fathom. Hundreds of blood-sacks crammed into every available space, thoroughly zoned by the whirling slots and flashing lights. He and Dru would have had a field day.
He scooped up the tokens, grinning to see he had lucked into a few hundred bucks. He glanced at the watch he had filched from Wesley and saw it was close to the time he was supposed to meet Angel and the others. Just as well, he felt the urge to keep pumping the tokens into the one-armed bandits and knew he wasn't likely to get lucky again. He cashed out, tucked the money away and tried to find exactly which bar had the battle of the bands.
Spike saw Wesley's spindly body before he spotted Angel lurking at the back of the pub. The other vampire was too far away for Spike to easily approach him so he sidled over to the ex-Watcher. He smirked at the taller man seeing that Wesley appeared surprised to see him.
"So has our boy been up yet?"
"Not yet."
Spike shrugged. "At least they let you smoke in here." He lit up just to watch Wesley make a face.
Spike made eye contact with Angel a few times and the other vampire looked somewhere between bored and edgy; Spike knew the feeling. He wished that Cordelia had come into the casino but she was keeping Dawn company. He concentrated on other various female forms until Wesley nudged him.
"That's Lindsey," he said as Passing the Bar took the stage.
Spike noted the odd look on Wesley's face, glanced over at Angel and saw the same puzzlement. He turned his gaze to the stage and was surprised to see five men wearing black cowboy hats, tight black jeans and various western shirts. One of these men could be a lawyer? Spike didn't buy it.
"Which one?"
Wesley pointed to the man with the guitar wearing a black shirt with large red roses sequined down the front.
"The little one? You're kidding? That bloke is a lawyer?" Spike asked.
"Yes," Wesley said, taking stock of the vampire. "And you don't have much room calling anyone little."
Spike glared up at the thin man as the steel guitar started to wail. Spike shuddered as the fiddle and guitar joined in. "Do I have to listen to this crap?"
"Yes. And I should step away from you. Lindsey knows me. We need you to get him close to the RV once he's done here."
"You realize that we'll probably have to wait until all the bands are done. He's not likely to leave here until he finds out if this caterwauling is considered a winner," Spike groaned, looking at the audience as if they had lost their minds as they enthusiastically cheered the first song.
"Hopefully he'll step out for air or something before then but if we have to wait, you'll survive," Wesley said then worked his way through the crowd away from Spike.
Spike suffered through the country music for the allotted fifteen minutes. Spike liked music, considered himself a fair enough singer as well. His tastes, in his opinion, were far more progressive than Angel's, the older vampire still stuck in a time warp or something. But Spike's tastes ran more to punk and heavy metal, not steel guitar and a twang. Still, he had to admit Lindsey had a good voice.
Spike was very disappointed when Passing the Bar, a definite play on words given their signature song had more to do with not passing by any number of country bars than it did with lawyers, left the stage and Lindsey made no attempts to leave the area. Spike was forced to listen to yet another country band with less musical sense than cats in heat and then a band of high schoolers imitating The Backstreet Boys badly. Finally a leggy blonde caught the man's attention and led the lawyer outside. Spike nodded at Angel and followed the couple out.
Spike half-listened to the girl babbling like a typical groupie and noticed the lawyer's eyes were on him not the girl. Spike resisted the urge to smirk. This man was sharp and obviously used to looking over his shoulder for danger.
"Can I do something for you?" Lindsey asked, interrupting the girl.
"I was about to tell you what I can do for you," Spike said. "I represent a small agency from Nashville, scouting for local talent."
"Ooo, like another Garth Brooks. He was from Oklahoma, too!" the girl bubbled. "Do you do modeling, too? All my friends think I'd be a great model."
"Sure, love, but I don't handle that. Head back inside and find a real skinny dark-haired man with glasses and an English accent. He handles the models," Spike said, more than eager to get rid of the girl. .
"Okay. I just love your accent, too," she said and bounced away.
"Who are you exactly, and don't give me another line about being an agent," Lindsey said, still in a defensive position.
"No problem. How's about I was looking for a bite to eat and she seemed too dumb for that. Stupidity might be catching, wouldn't want to take the risk," Spike said advancing on Lindsey, his face morphing.
"I thought I left your kind behind in L.A.," Lindsey growled, backing away.
"No such luck." Spike lunged and Lindsey made a break for it, racing for his truck, knowing he was too far away to make it.
Lindsey slammed into someone who stepped out of the shadows and nearly took him off his feet. He reeled back then realized Spike was closing in on him. Lindsey shook his head to clear it, feeling hands closing on his arm.
"Run, man!" Lindsey said.
"No need."
Lindsey's head jerked up at the familiar voice. He made a face. "You, I should have known. And I'm betting that one is with you." He jerked a thumb at Spike.
"Guilty as charged."
Lindsey pulled free of Angel and surprised the vampire with a punch to the face. "That's for the sign you put on my truck."
Angel grinned, wiping the blood from his lip. "I didn't come to fight. We need to talk."
Lindsey swung again and Angel blocked it.
Spike laughed. "This is fun. Draw a little blood, Angel. I'm hungry."
Lindsey glanced back at him. "You're all really gross, aren't you?"
"You're hurting my feelings," Spike said, still laughing.
"Lindsey, we don't have time for this," Angel said.
"Just finish the little bloke off, Angel before we attract attention," Spike said.
"Shut up." Lindsey whirled and punched Spike.
Spike growled and punched back, knocking Lindsey down. He nearly followed, holding his head and howling.
"It really does hurt you, doesn't it?" Angel asked, scooping Lindsey up.
"No, I just like screaming in pain." Spike flashed his teeth at Angel.
Angel shrugged. "So Dru's told me."
Spike growled.
"Let's get him into the RV, and Spike, Dawn doesn't need to see that face." Angel gestured at Spike's game face as he half dragged, half forced Lindsey toward the RV. They managed to make it to the vehicle without anyone noticing. Spike banged on the door and Cordelia opened it, stepping out of the way as Angel hauled Lindsey inside.
"Is that what lawyers wear in Oklahoma?" Cordelia asked, horrified at the sequins.
Lindsey shot her a glare, wiping the blood from his chin. "Did you bring everyone with you, Angel, or just the really annoying ones?"
"Hey!" Cordy said.
"Cut it out, both of you," Angel said as Spike hopped inside, closing the door behind him.
"He started it," Cordelia groused.
Angel silenced her with a glance. "Have a seat, Lindsey."
"Thanks, I'll stand," Lindsey said, an irritated grimace plastered on his face. "I left L.A. to be rid of your type, you know."
"Hey, Angel's a good guy," Dawn said, getting up and joining the two vampires.
Lindsey lifted an eyebrow at her.
"Lindsey, this is Dawn Summers. Dawn, Lindsey McDonald." Angel squeezed the girl's shoulder. "You know Cordelia and you've met Spike already."
"I'd say I'm pleased to meet all of you, but it'd be a lie," Lindsey said, folding his arms. "Can you just tell me what it was that made you drive half-way across the country to look me up? It couldn't be because you wanted to wish me well in my new job. Let me guess. You got a parking ticket and wanted me to get you out of it."
"Does everyone you know hate you, Angel-cakes?" Spike asked.
Angel cast a glare at the younger vampire then turned his attention back to the other man. "Lindsey, what did Wolfram and Hart tell you about the Slayer?"
The change of subject caught Lindsey off guard. "The Slayer?" he asked, hiding behind lawyer impartiality.
"The vampire Slayer," Dawn said impatiently. "The Chosen One. Into every generation one is born to fight evil?" She put her hands on her hips. "My sister?"
Lindsey was taken aback by Dawn's attack, Angel could tell. "It's okay, Dawn. Give him a chance to answer."
She made a face but subsided, leaning back against Spike, though she crossed her arms in a defensive position. Spike draped an arm around her shoulders.
Lindsey took that sight in for a second, his eyes flickering with surprise, then he regained control of his expression and gave Angel a smile. "The Slayer. Isn't she the reason you lost your soul?"
Angel moved across the small space, grabbing Lindsey by the front of his shirt. "Don't play games here, Lindsey. You won't win. And you know I can hurt people, unlike Spike."
"Oh, give it up, Angel. Let him go. We'll find someone else to help us," Cordelia said. "He's not worth the effort. Besides, he's a lawyer." Her shoulders moved in distaste. "I don't think they even have souls."
"I'd forgotten just how sweet your company is, Cordelia," Lindsey said, pushing at Angel's hands.
She made a face at him and leaned against a counter. "Get rid of him, Angel."
"I'll ask you again, Lindsey," Angel said, turning his attention back to the attorney. "What do you know about the Slayer?"
Lindsey seemed to be about to say another smart remark but dropped it when he looked into Angel's eyes. "What she said. Dawn. The Slayer's one of the white hats. As long as she didn't mess with us, Wolfram and Hart wasn't going to mess with her." He hesitated. "Except for Faith. But you know how that turned out."
"All too well. She tortured Wesley, tried to kill Angel, gave me a black eye." Cordelia stopped at Angel's look. "What?"
He shook his head at her and she subsided. "Do you still consider yourself to be part of Wolfram and Hart?" Angel asked.
He lowered his eyes to his hand. He flexed it, turned it over and stared at the palm, then glanced back up at Angel. "No. You know that."
Angel nodded and took a step back. "All right. Dawn, here, is the sister of the Slayer." He set himself to say the words. "The Slayer is gone. She.died last week. Their mother passed away not very long ago. Dawn needs protection. A guardian."
Lindsey chuckled and broke it off when he saw the ring of serious faces around him. "You aren't joking."
Dawn scowled at him. "Do you think we'd joke about Buffy being dead?"
"I'm sorry, Dawn." Lindsey seemed genuinely contrite. "It's just.a vampire? Protecting the Slayer's kid sister? No offense, but it sounds strange."
"Buffy wasn't your average Slayer," Spike said coolly. "Are you sure he's a lawyer, Angel? He doesn't seem to be all that bright."
"Shut up, Spike," Angel said and the door swung open, Wesley climbing inside, pushing his glasses back into place.
"Oh, good. You found him," he said, puffing a little. "I'm sorry I didn't return sooner. I was accosted by young women who, for some reason, believed I was a talent scout for a modeling agency." Wesley peered at the faces. "I'm assuming that Mr. McDonald has not agreed to assist us."
Lindsey turned back to Angel. "So, you're appointing yourself Dawn's protector. Why does that involve me?"
Angel gestured at the girl. "It needs to be legal. I don't want anyone trying to take Dawn away from me. Not until I know she's safe."
"That'll be a little difficult," Lindsey said, almost to himself. "I don't know much about custody, Angel. I'm more used to corporate law." He studied his hands again. "Plus, you appear to be a single man with no real relationship to Dawn. That'll make it tougher." He gestured to the girl. "What about your father?"
Dawn shrugged, her eyes blazing. "I don't know where he is. We tried to get in touch with him when Mom died, but he's in some other country." She flung a hand in the air. "He doesn't care."
"Temporary custody isn't that hard," Lindsey said, looking to Angel again. "We can draw up the papers, have a judge sign off on them. But full legal guardianship?" He shook his head. "That's tougher. You have to go through a Guardian ad Litem and interviews. Prove that you're capable of taking care of a child. No offense, Dawn."
She nodded, folding up her arms again.
"Where would she have to be in the meantime?" Cordelia asked, worriedly.
"Well, with the temporary papers, she'd be able to stay with Angel," Lindsey said. "Unless someone challenges that, of course. Then it would be up to the courts to decide."
Angel wondered again if it wouldn't have been better for Dawn to stay with Giles. He was human at least, and would have Willow and Xander's help. "How soon before you can get started on this?"
"I'm guessing, if you came all the way to Oklahoma to find me, you want it done now," Lindsey said.
"Good guess," Spike said.
"Stick around for the rest of the show. I'll find you. We'll talk again afterwards."
"What, listen to that crap?" Spike asked. "I think I'd rather go back to Caritas."
"Spike," Angel rumbled.
The blond snarled but subsided.
"How do we know you won't take off, call your old friends?" Cordelia asked.
Lindsey gave her a pitying smile. "You need to work on your trust issues," he said and slipped out the door past Wesley.
"What? I trust people. Just not lawyers who used to work for Wolfram and Hart," Cordy said when everyone looked at her.
"I think that went very well, considering," Wesley said, leaning against the cupboard.
Angel sighed, raking a hand through his hair. "Maybe we should go get some rooms somewhere. We don't know how long this will take."
"Um, Angel?" Cordelia said. "I don't know about you, but my funds are still a little low. I don't know if we can afford rooms."
"You mean we might have to stay in the RV?" Dawn asked, horrified.
"No, we will not have to stay in the RV." Spike pulled out a wad of bills. "We can stay in something that doesn't make us feel like sardines in a rolling can."
"Where'd you get that?" Cordelia asked, her eyes wide.
"Won it at the slots." Spike shrugged. "Don't everyone thank me at once," he added as they all stared at the money.
"Thank you, Spike." Dawn threw her arms around him and gave him a hug.
He awkwardly patted her back. "S'okay, little bit. You need a good night's sleep, anyway."
"But I don't want to wait in the RV," Dawn moaned petulantly. Nearly two days of constant traveling had frayed everyone's nerves and the young teen's especially. "This concerns me. I don't want left behind."
"One problem pet, no one under twenty-one gets through the front door," Spike replied, gazing out at the neon.
"It's not fair," she pouted.
"It's for your protection," Cordelia said. "I went in earlier to nose around. I told them I was looking for my cousin, Lindsey but they wouldn't give me an address other than to tell me he works for Stewart, Gravely and Schneider Law Associates. But the customer service rep was nice enough to tell me my cousin has a new band, called Passing the Bar and they'll be playing at the battle of the bands tonight." She shook her head. "This brings back memories of high school and watching Devon play with the Dingoes."
Wesley gave a thin smile. "Hopefully by now that rep is off-duty and didn't think to leave a message that Lindsey's cousin is looking for her so he won't be tipped off."
"And it's dark enough for me and Spike not to worry about it. When did they say the battle of the bands started, Cordelia?" Angel asked, stretching. Even his undead body beginning to feel the strain of long miles in a box on wheels.
"At eight. So we have a half hour to wait. We probably shouldn't just show up on the dot. What are the chances he'll be the first one up?" Cordelia asked.
"We'll go in, in an hour," Angel decided.
"I'm so sick of being cooped up in here," Dawn said as Spike headed for the RV door. "There's absolutely nothing to do. Have you ever seen anything so flat and red?"
"Where are you going, Spike?" Angel asked.
"Hey, I don't have to worry about him spotting me. He doesn't know me I'm going to have a little fun. I'll meet you in the karaoke bar at 8:30," Spike replied, fishing out his cigarettes.
"Stay. Sit."
"I'm not your dog, Angel. Who's it going to hurt if I get a little gambling in on the side?" Spike asked, sounding as grouchy as Dawn.
"We need to stay together," Angel argued.
"Hey, the blood-bags went in by themselves when we were sleeping," Spike said.
"Oh, I really must protest," Wesley said.
"You know, you're even more uptight than Giles and that's saying something," Spike said, sliding out a cigarette.
"Spike, I'm tired of telling you, no smoking in the RV." Angel sighed.
"I need this," Spike grated out, his slim shoulders tensing.
"Fine, outside," Angel gave in.
Spike stalked out. Angel glanced around at his companions.
"How long do we give him before he runs off to the casino?" Wesley asked.
"He's gone already. I don't smell the cigarette and I would from here," Angel said wearily.
"You just can't expect him to be a team player, Angel," Wesley said in a poor attempt at comforting.
"He did it for Buffy," Angel shot back.
"No offense, Angel and not to upset you," Cordy started, holding out a hand. "But you just don't have the same the appeal to Spike as Buffy probably did."
Angel couldn't quite keep from glaring and Dawn snorted. Angel glanced over at her. "It's true, isn't it Dawn?" he asked quietly. "Spike was in love with Buffy." He took in the horrified face Cordelia made at that revelation and Dawn's evasive look.
"I.I didn't want to say anything. You two fight enough," she accused.
"But it's true," Angel said.
"Yes. I guess so. She didn't love him back though.but it didn't matter to him. He helped her anyhow." Dawn gave her head a little shake, thinking on how odd and awkward that had to be. "He can be a team player with you, too, Angel. Just give him the chance."
"He and I were a team for many years, Dawn but it was never easy between us. I don't imagine it'll get any easier now." Angel almost added 'not with Buffy between us' but kept it to himself. He wanted to go into the casino to keep an eye on Spike, not ready to leave him on his own but he knew the risk of Lindsey spotting him was too great. He'd just have to trust in Spike to show up to help them at the appointed time.
* * *
Spike filled his dead lungs with smoke as dollar tokens clanked out of the slot machine. He had helped himself to someone's cup of tokens, lucky enough to make off with it. He shouldn't be surprised as the casino was packed with life. Why he hadn't gone to more of them when he could have culled their ranks, he couldn't even fathom. Hundreds of blood-sacks crammed into every available space, thoroughly zoned by the whirling slots and flashing lights. He and Dru would have had a field day.
He scooped up the tokens, grinning to see he had lucked into a few hundred bucks. He glanced at the watch he had filched from Wesley and saw it was close to the time he was supposed to meet Angel and the others. Just as well, he felt the urge to keep pumping the tokens into the one-armed bandits and knew he wasn't likely to get lucky again. He cashed out, tucked the money away and tried to find exactly which bar had the battle of the bands.
Spike saw Wesley's spindly body before he spotted Angel lurking at the back of the pub. The other vampire was too far away for Spike to easily approach him so he sidled over to the ex-Watcher. He smirked at the taller man seeing that Wesley appeared surprised to see him.
"So has our boy been up yet?"
"Not yet."
Spike shrugged. "At least they let you smoke in here." He lit up just to watch Wesley make a face.
Spike made eye contact with Angel a few times and the other vampire looked somewhere between bored and edgy; Spike knew the feeling. He wished that Cordelia had come into the casino but she was keeping Dawn company. He concentrated on other various female forms until Wesley nudged him.
"That's Lindsey," he said as Passing the Bar took the stage.
Spike noted the odd look on Wesley's face, glanced over at Angel and saw the same puzzlement. He turned his gaze to the stage and was surprised to see five men wearing black cowboy hats, tight black jeans and various western shirts. One of these men could be a lawyer? Spike didn't buy it.
"Which one?"
Wesley pointed to the man with the guitar wearing a black shirt with large red roses sequined down the front.
"The little one? You're kidding? That bloke is a lawyer?" Spike asked.
"Yes," Wesley said, taking stock of the vampire. "And you don't have much room calling anyone little."
Spike glared up at the thin man as the steel guitar started to wail. Spike shuddered as the fiddle and guitar joined in. "Do I have to listen to this crap?"
"Yes. And I should step away from you. Lindsey knows me. We need you to get him close to the RV once he's done here."
"You realize that we'll probably have to wait until all the bands are done. He's not likely to leave here until he finds out if this caterwauling is considered a winner," Spike groaned, looking at the audience as if they had lost their minds as they enthusiastically cheered the first song.
"Hopefully he'll step out for air or something before then but if we have to wait, you'll survive," Wesley said then worked his way through the crowd away from Spike.
Spike suffered through the country music for the allotted fifteen minutes. Spike liked music, considered himself a fair enough singer as well. His tastes, in his opinion, were far more progressive than Angel's, the older vampire still stuck in a time warp or something. But Spike's tastes ran more to punk and heavy metal, not steel guitar and a twang. Still, he had to admit Lindsey had a good voice.
Spike was very disappointed when Passing the Bar, a definite play on words given their signature song had more to do with not passing by any number of country bars than it did with lawyers, left the stage and Lindsey made no attempts to leave the area. Spike was forced to listen to yet another country band with less musical sense than cats in heat and then a band of high schoolers imitating The Backstreet Boys badly. Finally a leggy blonde caught the man's attention and led the lawyer outside. Spike nodded at Angel and followed the couple out.
Spike half-listened to the girl babbling like a typical groupie and noticed the lawyer's eyes were on him not the girl. Spike resisted the urge to smirk. This man was sharp and obviously used to looking over his shoulder for danger.
"Can I do something for you?" Lindsey asked, interrupting the girl.
"I was about to tell you what I can do for you," Spike said. "I represent a small agency from Nashville, scouting for local talent."
"Ooo, like another Garth Brooks. He was from Oklahoma, too!" the girl bubbled. "Do you do modeling, too? All my friends think I'd be a great model."
"Sure, love, but I don't handle that. Head back inside and find a real skinny dark-haired man with glasses and an English accent. He handles the models," Spike said, more than eager to get rid of the girl. .
"Okay. I just love your accent, too," she said and bounced away.
"Who are you exactly, and don't give me another line about being an agent," Lindsey said, still in a defensive position.
"No problem. How's about I was looking for a bite to eat and she seemed too dumb for that. Stupidity might be catching, wouldn't want to take the risk," Spike said advancing on Lindsey, his face morphing.
"I thought I left your kind behind in L.A.," Lindsey growled, backing away.
"No such luck." Spike lunged and Lindsey made a break for it, racing for his truck, knowing he was too far away to make it.
Lindsey slammed into someone who stepped out of the shadows and nearly took him off his feet. He reeled back then realized Spike was closing in on him. Lindsey shook his head to clear it, feeling hands closing on his arm.
"Run, man!" Lindsey said.
"No need."
Lindsey's head jerked up at the familiar voice. He made a face. "You, I should have known. And I'm betting that one is with you." He jerked a thumb at Spike.
"Guilty as charged."
Lindsey pulled free of Angel and surprised the vampire with a punch to the face. "That's for the sign you put on my truck."
Angel grinned, wiping the blood from his lip. "I didn't come to fight. We need to talk."
Lindsey swung again and Angel blocked it.
Spike laughed. "This is fun. Draw a little blood, Angel. I'm hungry."
Lindsey glanced back at him. "You're all really gross, aren't you?"
"You're hurting my feelings," Spike said, still laughing.
"Lindsey, we don't have time for this," Angel said.
"Just finish the little bloke off, Angel before we attract attention," Spike said.
"Shut up." Lindsey whirled and punched Spike.
Spike growled and punched back, knocking Lindsey down. He nearly followed, holding his head and howling.
"It really does hurt you, doesn't it?" Angel asked, scooping Lindsey up.
"No, I just like screaming in pain." Spike flashed his teeth at Angel.
Angel shrugged. "So Dru's told me."
Spike growled.
"Let's get him into the RV, and Spike, Dawn doesn't need to see that face." Angel gestured at Spike's game face as he half dragged, half forced Lindsey toward the RV. They managed to make it to the vehicle without anyone noticing. Spike banged on the door and Cordelia opened it, stepping out of the way as Angel hauled Lindsey inside.
"Is that what lawyers wear in Oklahoma?" Cordelia asked, horrified at the sequins.
Lindsey shot her a glare, wiping the blood from his chin. "Did you bring everyone with you, Angel, or just the really annoying ones?"
"Hey!" Cordy said.
"Cut it out, both of you," Angel said as Spike hopped inside, closing the door behind him.
"He started it," Cordelia groused.
Angel silenced her with a glance. "Have a seat, Lindsey."
"Thanks, I'll stand," Lindsey said, an irritated grimace plastered on his face. "I left L.A. to be rid of your type, you know."
"Hey, Angel's a good guy," Dawn said, getting up and joining the two vampires.
Lindsey lifted an eyebrow at her.
"Lindsey, this is Dawn Summers. Dawn, Lindsey McDonald." Angel squeezed the girl's shoulder. "You know Cordelia and you've met Spike already."
"I'd say I'm pleased to meet all of you, but it'd be a lie," Lindsey said, folding his arms. "Can you just tell me what it was that made you drive half-way across the country to look me up? It couldn't be because you wanted to wish me well in my new job. Let me guess. You got a parking ticket and wanted me to get you out of it."
"Does everyone you know hate you, Angel-cakes?" Spike asked.
Angel cast a glare at the younger vampire then turned his attention back to the other man. "Lindsey, what did Wolfram and Hart tell you about the Slayer?"
The change of subject caught Lindsey off guard. "The Slayer?" he asked, hiding behind lawyer impartiality.
"The vampire Slayer," Dawn said impatiently. "The Chosen One. Into every generation one is born to fight evil?" She put her hands on her hips. "My sister?"
Lindsey was taken aback by Dawn's attack, Angel could tell. "It's okay, Dawn. Give him a chance to answer."
She made a face but subsided, leaning back against Spike, though she crossed her arms in a defensive position. Spike draped an arm around her shoulders.
Lindsey took that sight in for a second, his eyes flickering with surprise, then he regained control of his expression and gave Angel a smile. "The Slayer. Isn't she the reason you lost your soul?"
Angel moved across the small space, grabbing Lindsey by the front of his shirt. "Don't play games here, Lindsey. You won't win. And you know I can hurt people, unlike Spike."
"Oh, give it up, Angel. Let him go. We'll find someone else to help us," Cordelia said. "He's not worth the effort. Besides, he's a lawyer." Her shoulders moved in distaste. "I don't think they even have souls."
"I'd forgotten just how sweet your company is, Cordelia," Lindsey said, pushing at Angel's hands.
She made a face at him and leaned against a counter. "Get rid of him, Angel."
"I'll ask you again, Lindsey," Angel said, turning his attention back to the attorney. "What do you know about the Slayer?"
Lindsey seemed to be about to say another smart remark but dropped it when he looked into Angel's eyes. "What she said. Dawn. The Slayer's one of the white hats. As long as she didn't mess with us, Wolfram and Hart wasn't going to mess with her." He hesitated. "Except for Faith. But you know how that turned out."
"All too well. She tortured Wesley, tried to kill Angel, gave me a black eye." Cordelia stopped at Angel's look. "What?"
He shook his head at her and she subsided. "Do you still consider yourself to be part of Wolfram and Hart?" Angel asked.
He lowered his eyes to his hand. He flexed it, turned it over and stared at the palm, then glanced back up at Angel. "No. You know that."
Angel nodded and took a step back. "All right. Dawn, here, is the sister of the Slayer." He set himself to say the words. "The Slayer is gone. She.died last week. Their mother passed away not very long ago. Dawn needs protection. A guardian."
Lindsey chuckled and broke it off when he saw the ring of serious faces around him. "You aren't joking."
Dawn scowled at him. "Do you think we'd joke about Buffy being dead?"
"I'm sorry, Dawn." Lindsey seemed genuinely contrite. "It's just.a vampire? Protecting the Slayer's kid sister? No offense, but it sounds strange."
"Buffy wasn't your average Slayer," Spike said coolly. "Are you sure he's a lawyer, Angel? He doesn't seem to be all that bright."
"Shut up, Spike," Angel said and the door swung open, Wesley climbing inside, pushing his glasses back into place.
"Oh, good. You found him," he said, puffing a little. "I'm sorry I didn't return sooner. I was accosted by young women who, for some reason, believed I was a talent scout for a modeling agency." Wesley peered at the faces. "I'm assuming that Mr. McDonald has not agreed to assist us."
Lindsey turned back to Angel. "So, you're appointing yourself Dawn's protector. Why does that involve me?"
Angel gestured at the girl. "It needs to be legal. I don't want anyone trying to take Dawn away from me. Not until I know she's safe."
"That'll be a little difficult," Lindsey said, almost to himself. "I don't know much about custody, Angel. I'm more used to corporate law." He studied his hands again. "Plus, you appear to be a single man with no real relationship to Dawn. That'll make it tougher." He gestured to the girl. "What about your father?"
Dawn shrugged, her eyes blazing. "I don't know where he is. We tried to get in touch with him when Mom died, but he's in some other country." She flung a hand in the air. "He doesn't care."
"Temporary custody isn't that hard," Lindsey said, looking to Angel again. "We can draw up the papers, have a judge sign off on them. But full legal guardianship?" He shook his head. "That's tougher. You have to go through a Guardian ad Litem and interviews. Prove that you're capable of taking care of a child. No offense, Dawn."
She nodded, folding up her arms again.
"Where would she have to be in the meantime?" Cordelia asked, worriedly.
"Well, with the temporary papers, she'd be able to stay with Angel," Lindsey said. "Unless someone challenges that, of course. Then it would be up to the courts to decide."
Angel wondered again if it wouldn't have been better for Dawn to stay with Giles. He was human at least, and would have Willow and Xander's help. "How soon before you can get started on this?"
"I'm guessing, if you came all the way to Oklahoma to find me, you want it done now," Lindsey said.
"Good guess," Spike said.
"Stick around for the rest of the show. I'll find you. We'll talk again afterwards."
"What, listen to that crap?" Spike asked. "I think I'd rather go back to Caritas."
"Spike," Angel rumbled.
The blond snarled but subsided.
"How do we know you won't take off, call your old friends?" Cordelia asked.
Lindsey gave her a pitying smile. "You need to work on your trust issues," he said and slipped out the door past Wesley.
"What? I trust people. Just not lawyers who used to work for Wolfram and Hart," Cordy said when everyone looked at her.
"I think that went very well, considering," Wesley said, leaning against the cupboard.
Angel sighed, raking a hand through his hair. "Maybe we should go get some rooms somewhere. We don't know how long this will take."
"Um, Angel?" Cordelia said. "I don't know about you, but my funds are still a little low. I don't know if we can afford rooms."
"You mean we might have to stay in the RV?" Dawn asked, horrified.
"No, we will not have to stay in the RV." Spike pulled out a wad of bills. "We can stay in something that doesn't make us feel like sardines in a rolling can."
"Where'd you get that?" Cordelia asked, her eyes wide.
"Won it at the slots." Spike shrugged. "Don't everyone thank me at once," he added as they all stared at the money.
"Thank you, Spike." Dawn threw her arms around him and gave him a hug.
He awkwardly patted her back. "S'okay, little bit. You need a good night's sleep, anyway."
