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[j_schuyler]

The voice on the phone wasn't familiar, but my heart was in my throat after she said what she said.

"Hello...is this Jason Schuyler?"
"Who wants to know?"
"My name is Millicient Harper. I work for your mother. Mr. Schuyler...your mother..."
"What...what's happened?"
"She's dying and...there's not much time. She's asking for you."I was on a flight

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[lockless_key]

As soon as class let out, I headed down to Angel's office to tell him about the girls that I'd met. Ran into. Told all of our trade secrets to. Does that count as betrayal? Whatever. They seemed into it, wanting to help and all. And Max said she knew someone who knew Angel, and let's face it, the white hats could always use an extra crew member or two

[j_schuyler]

I was lost in my thoughts the entire way over to Angel's office. Images of my mother swirled in and out of my vision and more than once I had to suck back the tears. In the midst of my grief, I wasn't watching where I was going or paying attention to anything around me. When I reached for the door to Angel's office, my hand and body collided with another person.

I caught her, yes definitely a her, before she slammed against the door jam. She was pretty. No, strike that, she was hot. Her hair was long and brown and her eyes were the most amazing blue. And hot damn, look at that ass. I kept my hand at the small of her back and smiled down at her, "No need to apologize."

Staying close to her, I gave her a smile and said, "Especially when you look and feel the way you do."

[lockless_key]

"Um."

I'm pretty sure I blushed, like, neon pink. I mean, imagine being clumsy enough to completely bowl another person over, having that person be a - wow - really hot guy, and then have that guy hit on you anyway. I don't really get that a lot. The getting hit on part, I mean.

I mean, like, what do I say? 'Okay'? 'Thank you'? What? And his hand was definitely burning a hole in my back.

I settled for "thanks," and a smile. Balancing my books and the coffee in my arms, I pointed my chin at the door. "You're going in?"

[j_schuyler]

Her smile was just as amazing as her eyes, with those full lips and straight, white teeth. I nodded, but kept my hand on her, "Yeah. A couple weeks ago I had a job here. Just needed to make sure I still do." I licked my lips unconsciously and grinned at her again, "Do you work here now, because that's one job perk that I can get...behind."

I grinned more at the flush on her cheeks darkening and said, "I'm Jason. Please tell me you're someone I'll be working very, very closely with." Grinning some more I spread my fingers gently on her back.

[lockless_key]

His words are enough to make me ignore... his other words for a moment and focus on what he said about working with Angel. Selective hearing, that's me.

"Not exactly," I said, grinning in return. Something about his smile was contagious - even though his flirting was kind of intimidating. I mean, it was like this guy flirted for a living. It was intense. But I could feel myself getting my bearings, slowly but surely. "Angel and I go way back. Well, not me exactly, my sister - long story. But I guess I'm sort of working for him now, yeah."

[j_schuyler]

There was a small grin on my lips as I listened to her talk. If I still had a job, I'd be working this gorgeous piece of work. I scented the air around her and caught the smell of flowers, heat, and...lust. She might be blushing, but she liked what I was doing and saying.

I gave her a big smile, "That's exactly what I wanted to hear." My hand moved gently against her back, the tips of my fingers at the edge of her shirt, barely touching skin. Tilting my head to the side, I licked my lips as I said, "Maybe we can be partners....watch one another's...backs." I liked watching and smelling the heat rise in her body. I'd like to see her on her back under me even more.

[lockless_key]

"Yeah, you'd like that, wouldn't you?" It came off a little more challengingly than I would've liked. Oh, well. Let him think that I can take care of myself, that I don't need a big manly man to protect me. I'm not the kind of girl to jump into his arms at the fight sight of trouble.

But who knows, that just might turn him on.

"Thanks, but I work alone. Maybe we'll cross paths, though, you never know." I smile, and raised my chin towards the door again. "You going in?" Good for you, Dawn, no need to fold into every hot, flirtatious guy that came your way, even if he did happen to be working with Angel and have amazing reflexes.

[j_schuyler]

Grinning, I managed to pout at the same time, "Oh...there's no fun working alone. I'll have to work on changing your mind about that. Everything's better when you've got a partner." I shifted my weight, letting my body rest against hers, "Like dancing, hugging, detecting...and of course...sex."

I chuckled softly at her blush and then nodded, "Yeah, I'm going in whenever you want me to let you go...or we could just stay like this a while." I grinned and rubbed against her just a little.

[lockless_key]

I consider pushing him away, but my arms are full of books and coffee, so I settle for nudging him gently with my elbow. Where did Angel find this guy? He didn't seem to be the type that Angel usually worked with. I mean, not that Angel has a type... well, you know what I mean. But considering he's working with Angel, and my type have tended to be the undead and unburied - remember the football player? - something tells me I should be careful.

Not that the attention's not nice, though.

"Woah, down, boy," I say with a laugh, looking up at him. He did have nice eyes... Dawn! Focus, dammit. "I've got work to do. You know, work, job, the thing that pays the bills, the one you were wondering if you still had?"

[j_schuyler]

The grin stayed on my face as I very slowly moved away from her. Making sure she was steady on her feet, the hand at her back slowly slid across her back and around the front of her, letting my fingertips linger on her hip. She was right, but I could resist flirting with her because she was so damn cute.

Glancing in the direction of the office and then back at her I say, "I suppose you're right, but what would you rather do? Go in there and work or stay here and flirt with me?" I leaned in and whispered in her ear, "The blush on your face tells me you'd rather stay here..." My fingertips gently squeeze her hip and then let go, but still remaining on her body.

[lockless_key]

Okay. Breathe. Resist from jumping into the cute guy's arms. Don't appear desperate. Remember that Angel would probably kill you. I mean, dating in the office pool? Never a good idea.

But... cute guy! Flirting! With you, Dawn Summers, and you are never going to forgive yourself if you try to be all cool and professional!

"Okay, if you're done manhandling me," I say, then shake my head. I'm pretty sure I blush harder. Great. "I mean, I really have to get in there. Angel thinks he's like, my uncle or something, so he'd probably try to kill you or something if you hit on me. But," I take a deep breath - discreetly, "if you're brave, maybe we could like, get coffee after?"

[j_schuyler]

The heat from her blush radiates from her face and onto mine. It took all of my self-control not to crush my mouth to hers, but I managed to pull away from her and smile once more.

I slowly move away from her and grin, "I guess I should keep my hands to myself...? I wouldn't want Angel killing me before I had the chance to get coffee with the first pretty girl I've seen since moving here." Winking I pull the door open and wait for her to walk by.

One good thing about being a chivalrous man...you always get to watch the backsides of hot women. "Please...after you."

[lockless_key]

"Thanks," I say with a smile, breezing - breezing! - past him and up the narrow staircase to Angel's office. Good thing I didn't wear heels today, it would be totally like me to lose my balance and fall down the stairs and on top of this guy. Not that it would be a really bad thing, I guess. Just awkward.

That's me, Dawn Summers, queen of awkward.

I knock on the door to Angel's office, and there's no answer. I try the doorknob, and it's open. Glancing back at Jason, I push open the door.

"Hello? Angel?" Stepping into the room, I look around. It looks empty. But why would Angel leave the door unlocked if he wasn't here? Not that there's much to steal - just a really outdated answering machine. Still, I thought he said he'd be here today.

"Anyone?" I call out once again before turning back to Jason and shrugging. "Weird. I guess a job came up."