~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Once she’d calmed down, Willow took off her engagement ring and started to gather up everything Lindsey had ever given her. She knew she needed to call Buffy and the others to let them know she wasn’t getting married, but she couldn’t deal with their drama yet.
She was going through the office when she came across one of Lindsey’s journals. Her first thought was to destroy it, but morbid curiosity won out and she opened it.
…It gets stronger every day, this feeling inside. I can’t really describe how she makes me feel. It’s like Willow has torn down every wall and barrier I’ve ever had and rebuilt them so that it’s not just me fighting in the darkness. She’s in there with me and doesn’t even know it.
She’s my everything.
If I were to lose her, I know I wouldn’t survive. I wouldn’t want to. There wouldn’t be a point. Oh, I know it’s unhealthy to be so invested in another person, but without my redheaded goddess I’m nothing but an ex-lawyer with an evil hand, floundering in my own sea of moral ambiguity. I could give a shit less what the world thinks of me as long as I have her by my side.
That’s why I’m going to L.A. I’ve got to stop Wolfram and Hart from rising again. That kind of power is too seductive. I won’t allow myself to be pulled back in. I know I’m on their list if they ever gain a foothold in this plane again. I can’t let that happen.
I’m not going to tell her why I’m going. Maybe it’s selfish, okay, I know it’s selfish, but I want her as far away from this as possible. It’s not because I don’t think she can’t hold her own. God knows she could probably stop this thing before it starts. I need to do this for myself. I need to prove to myself once and for all that they have no power over me.
Angel said he’d put me up and not say anything to anyone. Hopefully, I’ll be home soon. I’ll finally be free of the last of my past and Willow and I will start our future together.
The journal fell from Willow’s numb hands and she sat down abruptly. She stared at the wall without seeing for a long time before she blinked and picked up the book again. She looked at the date of that last entry and saw that he’d written it the day before he left.
Willow took a few shaky breaths and willed herself to calm down. There were way too many thoughts jockeying for position in her head. The most persistent one being that she was going to throttle one Lindsey McDonald when she finally got her hands on him.
Something had to have gone wrong. She didn’t care if he’d gone to the dark side again. He’d come back from that a couple of times, just like her. She could help him do it again if need be. She even understood him wanting to do this on his own. She didn’t like it, but she understood it.
No, what had her so infuriated was that he’d tried to make her so mad that she wouldn’t even fight him. He’d almost succeeded too. Willow Rosenberg did not give up so easily and it was time her fiancé learned that once and for all.
She marched back into the living room and scooped up her engagement ring. She settled it back on her left ring finger and kissed the stone. She whispered, “You’re not getting rid of me that easily, dumbass. If you’ve gotten in over your head, I’ll get you out. Then you and me are gonna have a serious talk, mister.”
Willow snatched up the phone and started calling in reinforcements. Obviously this wasn’t a one or two-person operation. She had some research to do.
~*~
Lindsey heard the sounds of fighting, but couldn’t bring himself to move. It hurt too much. Reading about Angelus’ sadistic tendencies and experiencing them first hand were two very different things. He’d lost track of time and had no idea how long he’d been at the vampire’s tender mercies. It felt like a lifetime.
He kept a tenacious grip on the picture in his mind of Willow as he’d last seen her. His light in the darkness. They’d gone on a picnic and the sun was turning her red hair to flame and the smile on her face was so full of love and joy and life that it took his breath away. That mental image was his last link to anything resembling sanity.
The door opened behind him, but he didn’t acknowledge it. He heard a gasp and knew it wasn’t Angelus. Maybe some clueless lackey had wandered in by mistake.
“Oh, baby, what has he done to you?”
Lindsey blinked and frowned at the voice. He knew that voice and it shouldn’t be there. He forced himself not to flinch at the light touch to his shoulder. It was warm, not cold. Human.
“Lindsey, baby, can you hear me? It’s Willow. You’re safe now. No one is going to hurt you ever again. I promise.”
With an effort Lindsey opened his eyes and met Willow’s tearful gaze. Black and white swirled in her pupils and slowly bled from her hair, leaving it its normal vibrant red. His girl had used some serious power. He frowned and swallowed. Not his girl. Not anymore. He gave her up to keep her safe. Why was she here?
“You-“ His voice cracked from disuse, but he tried again, “You have to go. He’ll kill you. Please go, Willow. I can deal with this as long as I know you’re in the world.” He slumped down and closed his eyes again, those few words draining what strength he had. He was so tired.
“And who says chivalry is dead, misguided though it may be? Angelus can’t hurt me. He can’t hurt anyone ever again. Come on, baby. It’s time to go home. Well, home by way of the hospital. You’re in pretty bad shape here. And don’t think your current physical condition is going to get you out of a good talking to. Oh no, mister. We are so going to have words about why you tried to make me hate you…”
Lindsey smiled faintly as he let the wonderfully glorious sound of Willow-babble wash over him. He should have known she wouldn’t give up on him. He should have known she’d figure it out and come for him.
She was his light in the darkness. His everything.
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You Don't Get To Do This To Me by Danielle
Author's Notes:
Carla said, “Sequel?” and my mind supplied it. I guess I didn’t like leaving my favourite witch and evil lawyer like that. This is unbeated. Any and all mistakes are mine.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.
All original works are the property of the author. Please do not borrow, take, or othewise make like it is yours.