CHAPTER TWO

Buffy fluffed her hair as she looked around the cookie-cutter college bar the Dingos had a gig in. Oz was on stage with Willow pressed right up against its lip swaying, watching him adoringly. Anya and Xander had been on the dance floor but Buffy didn't see them any more. Knowing their hormones, Buffy could guess where they might have gone.

She felt at loose ends. She was still reeling from the Parker debacle, humiliated by him and frustrated and heartbroken over Angel going to Los Angeles. Buffy wasn't sure she was ready to look at boys. However, she had noticed Riley in her psych classes. She thought he might like her but he was older. Okay, she knew that was a joke compared to Angel but Riley was a T.A. and they were supposed to be off limits. Something felt a little off in pursuing him. Still, he had a cute smile. At the moment it didn't matter that she thought Riley was cute. He wasn't here. She was alone, and, as happy as she was that her friends had someone to love, she was tad jealous.

"Hi. It's a little crowded in here. Mind if I sit down?" someone said at her shoulder.

Buffy glanced over into bright blue eyes. The young man wore an easy, pretty smile. She wasn't keen on sharing with a stranger, and, as much as she might want a man in her life, she didn't feel like being hit on just now. Her life would chew this man up and spit him out. He was also older than her. She could see that much. The hell with it. She indicated for him to sit. "It's always crowded."

"College bars always are." He sat at the table. "I'm Lindsey."

"Buffy." She raked her gaze over him, trying to place his face and decided he was a total stranger. She hadn't seen him on campus or in town. He could be a masters student or maybe even a professor. That would put a damper on any flirtation. "You're new in town?"

He nodded, his brown hair flipping into his eyes. "I'm down from L.A. My sister is going to Sunnydale University. I was going to surprise her but I forgot how busy college students can be. I have yet to hook up with her."

Buffy gauged his face. He seemed honest but she had reservations. She wished she knew why. Maybe it was the murders on campus. It had all the girls on edge. She wished she could get a handle on the killings. They seemed non-demonic in nature. Buffy didn't think this man had anything to do with it but she couldn't dismiss it. Buffy was all too aware of the crime stats at college thanks to Willow. Hadn't Ted Bundy been a handsome young lawyer-type when he was killing in Florida? "Maybe now's not the best time to be surprising anyone," Buffy said.

Lindsey drummed his fingers on the table. "I'm aware of the murders. That's half the reason I'm here. I just want to see for myself my sister's okay."

"So why surprise her?"

Lindsey shot her a sheepish look. "To be honest, I haven't been in touch with my family for a few years. I'm not sure she wants to see me. I know how bad that sounds."

Buffy dragged her hands through her hair, thinking, 'Is this guy is fishing for information on some girl or trying to put me off guard or is he serious?' "I know what you mean. It's sort of like that with me and my dad." She clamped her lips shut, wondering why she had told this stranger that. Maybe because he was so open with her. He seemed non-threatening. Willow's warnings rang in her head but she pushed them out. She could take care of herself.

"Would you like another soda?" He pointed to her empty drink.

Buffy smiled, deciding to take a well-needed plunge. She was the Slayer. She could afford to throw caution to the wind just a little. A normal human wasn't much threat to her. "Actually, I'd like to dance."

Seeing his wide smile, Buffy felt her spirits lightening. His smile was utterly endearing. Angel, on his best day, couldn't smile like that. The vampire always looked goofy when he smiled, not that it wasn't endearing. Lindsey's hand when he took hers was warm and soft, something she wasn't used to. There were hints of callouses like maybe he had once been used to harder work than whatever he did now.

It felt good to let go and just have mindless fun. School was harder than she thought. She lost herself in the slaying, trying to forget Angel was gone. It hurt to see the subtle relief in her mom's eyes, in her friends', over Angel's departure. She need to have nights like this one. Lindsey could move well and wasn't afraid to fast dance, unlike Angel, Lindsey was good at it. She worked up a good sweat, enough to be squicked about it, by the time the Dingos took a break. Buffy went back to her table and settled in. Lindsey didn't sit.

"Want that drink now?" He grinned.

"That would be good." Buffy brushed a sweat-slicked lock out of her eyes. "Root beer, please."

"I'll be right back."

Willow and Oz came to the table. Willow's smile spread ear to ear as the couple sat down. "Who's the cutie, Buffy?"

"His name is Lindsey." Buffy felt a similar smile blossoming on her own face.

"He's, um, a little older," Willow's eyes followed Lindsey's path.

Buffy sighed. "I know."

Several long moments clicked by before Oz offered with his usual lack of facial expression. "Not as old as Angel."

"Good point." Buffy's eyes canted up as Lindsey came back with two sodas.

He arched his eyebrow seeing her friends. "Here you go. Hello, I'm Lindsey. I like your sound." Lindsey offered Oz his hand.

The musician shook it. "Thank. Oz."

"I'm Willow," the red-head piped up with a cheery smile.

Lindsey shook her hand, too. "Pleasure to meet you."

"Looks like you two are having fun." Willow smiled shyly.

"A nice change of pace." Buffy looked over at Lindsey. "Things have been kinda tense."

"I understand," Lindsey replied. "I wasn't expecting to have much fun when I..." He trailed off, looking into the crowd.

Buffy followed his gaze to one of her new friends. Ainsley threaded the crowd towards Buffy's table. "Hey, Ainsley." When Ainsley paused, her eyes widening, Buffy added. "What's wrong?"

Lindsey got up. "Ainsley."

The pixie-like girl's mouth worked wordlessly as she shook. Finally, she stammered out. "L-L-Lindsey. Oh, my god. Lindsey." Ainsley jumped on her brother, wrapping her arms around him tight.

"I'm so glad to see you, Ainsley." Lindsey kissed her cheek.

"It's been years." Ainsley abruptly stepped back. Her eyes narrowed "It's been years." The repeated statement went up in heat. She slapped him. "Why has it been years?"

Lindsey rubbed his cheek. "I'm not a good man sometimes."

"I'm guessing this is your sister," Buffy said wryly, watching the scene.

Lindsey nodded. "My kid sister."

"His forgotten sister." Ainsley had obviously moved into the aggravated arena.

Lindsey hunched up. "Sorry."

Ainsley shoved him. "Like a Christmas and birthday card once a year cuts it."

"Sorry," Lindsey repeated helplessly. "But I'm here now."

"One has to wonder why." Ainsley plunked down at the table, staring up at him defiantly.

"Because I just found out you were here. I had no idea you were in school on the west coast." Lindsey sat between Buffy and Ainsley.

"How did you find out?" Ainsley pursed her lips. "Did Dad give in and tell you?"

"Actually, I work for the company that gave you your scholarship, which I had nothing to do with in case you're wondering." Lindsey's face wrinkled. "Not even sure if it's a conflict of interest or not."

"Well, they haven't noticed so you keep your lawyerly nose out of it. Don't you lose me my scholarship." Ainsley poked him in the shoulder.

His lips quirked up. "I won't."

"You're a lawyer?" Buffy's mouth flopped open in total shock. Willow looked just as shocked. "I knew you were older than me but I didn't think you were that much older."

"You make me sound like I'm sixty." Lindsey's blue eyes reflected hurt.

"He's not all that old, Buffy," Ainsley said. "Lindsey skipped a couple of grades in high school then fast tracked law school."

"Okay, now I'm feeling not smart enough to be with either of you, lawyer and vet." Buffy pouted.

"Don't be silly," Ainsley said. "And I'm not a vet yet."

"I've no doubt you will be." Lindsey patted her hand.

"No kidding, she's all over that bio class of ours," Buffy said.

"Maybe you two want to be alone for the family thing," Oz said, looking rather embarrassed at being witness to the scene.

"Good point. Can we got back to your room, Ainsley? Or my hotel?" Lindsey asked.

"My room's good." Ainsley wore a wry grin. "My roommate never drags in before midnight."

"I remember roommates like that," Lindsey replied.

"You were the roommate like that," his sister shot back.

He smiled sheepishly then turned to Buffy. "I feel bad running out on our evening. Let me make it up to you. Dinner tomorrow, wherever you'd like to go."

Buffy grinned. "I'd like that. I'll meet you at Ainsley's tomorrow."

"I'll be there at seven." Lindsey got up and left with his sister.

"Buffy's got a date with a lawyer," Willow sing-songed.

"Hush." Buffy pushed her gently.

"He's cute though," Willow said.

"Nice smile." Buffy sighed, wondering just what she was getting into. Another man she couldn't take home to Mom. All Mom would see would be the older man. It's only a date she told herself. No sense tossing Mom into the mix yet. She and Lindsey hadn't really spoken yet, just danced together. All action, no talk. They could go to dinner and hate each other. Either way, the prospect of dinner was exciting.