Disclaimer: All characters are property of Joss Whedon.

More Than I Deserve: Chapter Six

The sudden ringing of his cell phone pulled Lindsey away from researching his latest case and he breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the name on the screen. "I was wondering when you were going to call."

Buffy smiled at the trace of worry she picked up in his voice and relaxed for the first time all day as settled on her bed. "Sorry. Today's been big with the crazy. This is the first chance I've had to catch my breath."

"The ascension?"

"Mayor turned into a giant snake and he and the school went kaboom!" She let out a sigh as she leaned into her pillows, exhausted now that adrenaline and her emotions weren't running on high. "I can't believe it's finally over."

"Graduation or the mayor's reign?"

"Both. And then there's everything that happened with Faith. God, I wish things hadn't turned out that way."

"Baby, it's not your fault." He hated that they'd been separated for the last nine months, only staying in contact by phone, but it was safer that way. If he didn't go to her, then Wolfram and Hart couldn't have him followed. It was better to stay in contact long distance on a secure line that only she had the number for.

"Isn't it? I mean, it was obvious she just wanted someone to care about her. She tried to open up and I shut her down. I treated her like she was less than me and then I tried to kill her."

"You didn't get there by yourself."

"I know, I just can't help feeling guilty, you know? At one point, we did get along."

"I know and I'm sorry. I wish I could have been there for you."

"So do I." Buffy closed her eyes, wanting nothing more in that moment to be with Lindsey again. She'd missed him so much since coming back to Sunnydale and after the senior year from hell all she wanted was to see him again and be in his arms. Suddenly, she wanted nothing more than to spend the summer in Los Angeles with him, but she didn't know how that was possible.

"Anne?" She'd been quiet for a while and with the day she'd had, Lindsey wasn't sure that was a good thing.

"I'm still here. I was just thinking."

"Yeah? What were you thinking about?"

"How much I miss you. How much I want to be with you right now."

"You could be. You could spend the summer in L.A. again."

"Lindsey, you have no idea how good that sounds, but I can't. I have responsibilities here."

"You deserve a break, sweetheart. Why don't you take one?"

God, that sounded so tempting and she wanted so badly to have a little freedom. And in that instant, her mind was made up. Sunnydale had survived before her arrival and her friends had handled things last summer they could do it again. "You're right."

"I am?"

"Don't sound so surprised, lawyer boy. You're good with the persuasiveness."

He smiled as his eyes landed on the picture of her he'd pulled out earlier in the day. He usually kept it locked in his desk, but he'd known what she was facing today and he'd wanted to feel close to her so he had taken it out. "I know."

"Don't get cocky," she warned playfully.

"Me? Never. So when will you be here?"

"Late tomorrow."

"Where do you want to meet?"

"The place we had our first date."

Lindsey smiled again, remembering how much fun they'd had that night. "Border Grill it is."

"First person there gets a table?" she questioned and couldn't help smiling herself. She was in a much better mood, feeling a little more energized at the thought of seeing Lindsey again after so long.

"Of course."

"Great. I'll see you there."