Disclaimer: None of these characters belong to me.
Following Viola & Sebastian

Twist of Fate
By Imzadi
Fred looked at the beautiful silver bracelet on her wrist. Her brother had given it to her while they were at lunch. It had her real initials, WSM, for Winifred Susan McDonald, and her date of birth. She was so happy to have found her brother. Angel and the rest didn't seem to be too crazy about him, however, except for Lorne and Wes.

Wes loved her; she hadn't known that. What was she going to do now?

Lindsey was happier than he had been in a long time. He had found his sister; now he had someone to love. Eventually Cordelia would be his. After all, he had to be smarter than a big lug, or rather a Groosalug, from Pylea. And Angel would be too worried about the curse to do anything as far as acting on his feelings. Cordelia was beautiful, smart, and sexy as hell. What more could he want?

"We know what you really want," one Oracle whispered to the other. "True love."

"It's time for him to discover that," the other Oracle whispered back.

Right now the answer to that question was easy. He wanted something to eat. It had been a long time since he and Fred had had lunch, and he hadn't eaten much there. Tacos were not among his favorite foods. There was a diner on the corner that looked clean and bright. Maybe he'd stop in for a sandwich.

Entering the diner, which was as clean as it had appeared to be from the outside, he slid into a booth and picked up the menu from the holder on the table. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a flash of yellow. Must be the waitress. He looked up and found his jaw dropping open from amazement. "Detective Lockley!" She wore a yellow uniform and carried a small pad. She couldn't be a waitress here, could she? Must be a stakeout.

Kate Lockley shook her head. "Lindsey McDonald. Slumming?"

"Just eating, detective. I'm not with the firm any more. I left them almost a year ago. And I'm sorry if I blew your cover. Hope I didn't ruin your setup."

"And I'm not a detective any more. I've been off the force for a long time. Now can I take your order, please?"

"What happened? You were born a cop. You were good. One of the best. I can't believe you're not on the force any more."

"Believe it," she said bitterly. "I'm working here because I need the money. So please let me take your order. We do a really good turkey sandwich, and we make our soup here. It's vegetable beef tonight. There's a special, cup of soup, sandwich, and coffee, $5.95."

"Make it a bowl of soup, turkey on whole wheat with lettuce, tomato, and mustard, and a glass of fat-free milk. How are your desserts?"

"They come from a family bakery down the street, and they're excellent. One thing about working here is I get to eat free, and the food is good. I recommend the chocolate fudge cake highly."

"You don't appear to be busy now. Can you sit down and talk? I'll buy you a piece of cake."

"After I get your order, I think I'll be able to. Let me go put this in & get your soup and your milk."

Lindsey shook his head as he watched her retreating back. If he had ever known anyone who should be a police officer, it was Kate. What had happened to her? And she shouldn't be wasting her intelligence and training waitressing. It wasn't fair. However, he didn't even have a job, and he was running low on money. At least this seemed a reasonably inexpensive place to eat.

A minute later Kate appeared bearing a tray with his soup and milk. Placing them on the table in front of him, she went to pour herself a cup of coffee. "He'll call me when your sandwich is up. So what brings you here?"

Lindsey looked at Kate. "I was looking for the last members of my family. I walked out on the firm almost a year ago, just after I was promoted to Holland's job. Lilah would have been fired, and I mean that literally. But I knew I had to leave, so I gave them a board meeting they'll never forget, gave the job to Lilah, and walked out. I went to Oklahoma and found my kid brother dying in prison."

"Stabbed?"

"No, he contracted AIDS after being raped. Poor Joey. Anyway, I traced my sister Winnie to L.A., where she had been going to school before she disappeared. You'll never guess where I found her."

"Don't tell me. That would be too ironic. With Angel and his crew?"

"They had found her in another dimension where she had been hiding out as a runaway slave. I saw her for the first time today. Last night I was in a bar when Wes came in. He told me, not knowing that his Fred Burkle was originally Winnie McDonald."

"Winifred Burkle? The name sounds familiar. Didn't she disappear from a library?"

"Yes, evidently she was reading an old manuscript and somehow opened a portal. It's the place Lorne is from originally."

"Caritas Lorne?"

"That's the one. Here's something interesting. There are three holy books there, each bearing the picture of a different animal: a wolf, a ram, and a hart."

"A hart? What is that, some kind of deer?"

Nodding, Lindsey continued, "Evidently their influence reaches farther than you could imagine. I hope the ‘insurance' I took when I helped Angel rescue the three children Vanessa Brewer was supposed to kill is enough to keep me safe. So far it seems to be."

"Kate, your turkey sandwich is up!" the cook called. She went to the counter and put the sandwich in front of Lindsey, who was just finishing his soup.

"This soup is really excellent, Kate. And the sandwich looks good, too." He took a large bite and nodded, a smile on his face. "Do you want to tell me about yourself now?"

"Not much to tell. I got kicked off the force because they thought I was crazy. You know, all this supernatural stuff I believed in! I wouldn't go to counseling, so I was forced to quit. I tried to kill myself, and Angel saved me. I had nothing to do, nowhere to go, and I saw a Help Wanted sign here. Tony, the owner, is a nice guy. He pays me well, the clientele is friendly and tips well, so I'm not too miserable." Her face belied her words.

"Kate, I am so sorry. I truly am. Can I do anything to help?"

"Can you cook?"

"As a matter of fact, I'm an excellent cook. Why?"

"Tony wants to take his wife & go on vacation, but there's no one to cover the kitchen. And his wife is a waitress, so they'd be really shorthanded. As I said, they've been very good to me. It would be two weeks."

"I seem to be the only customer here now. Why don't you get us our cake and see if he wants to talk to me. I think I could even find a temporary waitress for him."

Kate came back with two big pieces of chocolate cake and the check. Lindsey was amazed to see that $10 covered the check, the tax, and a 20% tip for Kate. Handing her two fives, he waved away her offer to get him change. "This cake is fantastic. You're right."

Just then Tony, a large swarthy man, joined them at the table. "Kate tells me you can cook. How would you like to work with me a few days so I can see what you can do? If I'm happy, you've got a job, at least until I come back."

"I think I can find you a waitress, too. When do you want us to come?"

"Six tomorrow morning. Be prepared to work hard. Everything is made fresh here. Tony Demetrious is proud of the food he serves."

"You should be. I'll be here, and I'll see if I can get you a waitress, too."

Extending his hand, Tony said, "I'll see you then. Katy, take the rest of the evening. I can handle it. You'd just have another fifteen minutes anyway."

"Thanks, Tony." Wiping her lips on her napkin, Kate rose to get her handbag.

"May I give you a ride to your place?"

"It's just around the corner. You can walk me home if you'd like."

Kate's place was just around the corner in an old building. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow if you can take the heat."

"Don't worry, I'll stay in the kitchen. And you can meet my sister Winnie if I can convince her to come. Good night, Kate."

"Good night, Lindsey." She entered the building and started up the three flights of stairs to her tiny apartment.

Lindsey got in his truck and headed for the Hyperion. When he arrived, he looked around for Angel and Fred. "Angel, I need to talk to you."

"Now what is it, Lindsey? I don't remember giving you an open invitation to come here. In fact, if it weren't for the fact that Fred is your sister, you wouldn't be welcome here at all."

"I love you too, Angel. I really need to talk to you. Have you ever been to Tony's Diner over on 15^th?"

"Do they serve blood? Then, no, I haven't."

"I just met the most interesting waitress there."

"Spare me the details of your love life. Oops, it's you. Make that your lust life."

"Neither, Angel. The waitress was Kate Lockley."

"Kate? Waiting tables? You've gotta be kidding."

"I'm not. She didn't have anywhere else to go. The owner seems like a nice guy who treats her well, and the food is really great. Good down-to-earth food. Nothing gourmet, soup, sandwiches, that sort of thing, but really excellent. But I'm getting off the subject. Kate shouldn't be a waitress. Her intelligence, her training, it's wasted there."

"Funny. You sound as if you really care."

"I do. I don't know why, but I do. It's not right to see her in that uniform. I thought at first she was on some kind of stakeout. I couldn't believe she was off the force. And then she told me you had saved her from committing suicide."

"Let me see what I can do to help her. Okay, anything else?"

"Yes, I want to see Winnie. I mean Fred."

"She's taking care of Connor. I'll get her." Angel went upstairs and came back a few minutes later, carrying Connor. Fred followed. "Lindsey! How nice!" She ran to her brother and hugged him.

"Hey, Pooh Bear. How'd you like to try your hand at waitressing for a few weeks?"

"Well, I guess it might be fun. Tell me what it's about."

"It's a favor for a—well, a friend, I guess, although I had never thought of her that way before."

"When do you want me to go?"

"I'll pick you up at 5:30 tomorrow. Wear comfortable shoes!" Kissing his sister on the cheek, Lindsey left the Hyperion. As he was leaving, Wes was coming in. He gave Wes a conspiratorial wink on his way out.

True to his word, Lindsey was at the Hyperion at 5:25 the next morning. Fred appeared wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and a pair of tennis shoes. "Cordelia said there's no such thing as a pair of comfortable shoes. Shoes are made to be attractive, not comfortable."

"She's wrong, Pooh Bear. You're going to be glad you're wearing those!" Taking her hand, he led her to his truck.

"Tony, this is my sister Winifred, but we all call her Fred. She's never waitressed before, but she's willing to learn."

"I really didn't think you'd come, let alone bring someone else. Young lady, I'm pleased to meet you. Go into the bathroom and put on this uniform, please. My wife Marina will help you with your hair. We can't allow hair to get into the food. As for you, Lindsey, here's an apron and a cap. We need to get started."

Marina, Tony's wife, was a gorgeous dark-haired woman who resembled the Star Trek actress with the same first name. She helped Fred pin up her hair & cover it with a fine net. Then she handed Fred a pad and reviewed the menu with her. Meanwhile, Lindsey found himself setting up the kitchen for breakfast.

Not long afterward it was bedlam as the breakfast crowd appeared. Lindsey had cooked for himself and at the fraternity, but he had never been a short order cook before. It was completely different from anything he had ever done. He found himself watching eggs, bacon, sausages, and pancakes all on the grill at the same time. "Watch out, Lindsey. Don't let the bacon burn. And here comes the wheat toast." Tony handled things with such ease. Lindsey was running himself ragged. Finally about 9:30 the crowd thinned down to a dribble. Lindsey wanted to sit down, but Tony informed him that they all had things to do while it was quiet. Marina instructed Fred in the art of wrapping silverware in napkins and loading the dishwasher. Tony & Lindsey chopped vegetables for the soup. The beef & chicken that had been simmering on the stove were ready to be cut up for the homemade soup. The grill needed to be cleaned. Kate came in, put on an apron, and began to set out the sandwich fixings for lunch.

"I can tell you've cooked for yourself. You have potential. And you've cooked for a crowd, too. But now instead of cooking one thing for ten people, you're cooking ten different things for ten people. I think you'll get the hang of it shortly. Your sister is doing a good job so far, too. We'll give it a week or so and then, if you want to stay for a while, Marina & I will take a trip to Greece. We've been wanting to for a long time."

"I'll stay, and so will my sister."

"Good. Now sit down and eat quickly before the lunch crowd comes." Lindsey slid into a booth with Fred and Kate, who had hit it off really well. He brought each of them a tuna sandwich and a soft drink. Marina was sitting at the counter eating with her husband. Lindsey liked the way they looked at each other. They seemed to have something very special.

Tony was right about eating quickly. Lindsey had barely finished his sandwich when people began coming in for lunch. Burgers seemed to be the thing for lunch here, and soon he could flip them right along with Tony. He was glad they had cut up tomatoes and peeled off lettuce leaves before the rush. Still, it was hectic because Tony insisted that the buns be toasted so the sandwiches wouldn't get soggy. Kate, Fred, & Marina were rushing around, as Tony didn't like to keep his customers waiting.

About 2 there was another short break in the activity, and Lindsey sat with Tony over coffee and the best cherry pie he had ever eaten. Kate and Marina had walked to the bakery to get more pies. "Lindsey, you're a hard worker. You're doing a fine job."

"Thanks, Tony. I can't say I've never worked this hard in my life, but I haven't worked this hard in years."

"Marina and I have dreamed of our own place, and soon Alexis will be old enough to work here. She comes after school to help, so you'll meet her today. She rolls silverware in napkins and cuts up vegetables, that sort of thing. Theo is too young to do that. He has to stay in day care until one of us gets home."

"This is a really nice place, Tony. Everything is top quality. You can't say that about most places nowadays."

"I serve my customers nothing I wouldn't put on my own plate. That's why I had you do the lettuce so carefully. No big chunks of lettuce in my salads, and no rusty lettuce. No pink tomatoes, either." He suddenly jumped up and opened the door for Kate & Marina, whose arms were full of pie boxes. Lindsey looked around. Where was Fred?
She was in a back booth, her head on her arms, sound asleep. He poured her a cup of decaf and sang softly in her ear, "Wake up, little Suzie, wake up!"

Alexis, a beautiful ten-year-old with curly black hair and huge dark brown eyes, arrived about 3:30 and set to work filling salt and pepper shakers, replacing packets of sugar & sugar substitutes where needed, and rolling the silverware. After she had done everything her parents asked, she went to a booth and sat down to do her homework.

Lindsey pulled out his cell phone and called the Hyperion. "Wes, come by for dinner. If you come around 6:30 or so, you can take Fred home."

The dinner crowd was large and friendly. People continually asked Marina or Kate about the new cook and waitress. At one point, when an order was up, Lindsey, without thinking, called, "Pooh Bear, your meat loaf is up." From then on, customers started calling Fred Pooh or Pooh Bear. Wes arrived, to Fred's surprise. He told Fred he'd wait for her and drive her home. At the end of the day, the three waitresses sat & pooled their tips. Marina divided them equally between Kate and Fred. "I don't keep my tips because Tony & I own the restaurant. But I need to record them for your tax purposes. That way you have an exact figure, not a government estimate." She had Fred & Lindsey fill out their government withholding forms before they left.

Lindsey walked Kate to her door again and then drove to the cheap motel where he was staying. He hoped he'd get paid soon. Maybe he'd ask Angel if he could move into the Hyperion for the time being.

Fred fell asleep in the car on the way home. Wes carried her in and took her upstairs to her room. Removing her shoes, he laid her on the bed & covered her gently. Then he kissed her forehead and left.

The next morning Lindsey was back bright and early to pick up his sister. "You look as if you've slept in your clothes, Pooh."

"I guess I did. I don't remember going up to bed at all."

"Wes probably took care of you. I know he took you here. By the way, where's Cordelia?"

"She & Groosalug went off together. They'll be gone a week or so." Angel had come in without their realizing it. He did not look happy.

"Oh, I see. Well, we'd better get going." Lindsey took his sister's arm and led her to his truck.

I wonder why Gunn didn't come by, Fred mused.

Marina took one look at Fred and hustled her into the bathroom for a clean uniform. "These will have to be washed & ironed, Fred. I want my waitresses to be immaculate."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to fall asleep in my clothes."

Marina smiled. "The first day is the hardest. It gets easier."

That night Gunn was waiting when Fred came back to the Hyperion alone with Wes & Lindsey. "Where have you been?"

"Lindsey & I have been working at Tony's Diner. I'm a waitress! Come for breakfast in the morning. Lindsey makes great pancakes."

"You're cooking there? Unbelievable!"

"He's quite good, Gunn. The food is excellent there. Fred is doing a good job, too, and so is Kate."

"Kate Lockley?" Gunn was amazed. "The police officer?"

"Ex-police officer," Lindsey said. He still couldn't believe it although he knew it was true. "She, Fred, and the owner's wife are waitresses. Tony and I cook." He saw Angel entering the lobby. "Angel, I really need to talk to you."

"And I need to go to bed, but first I have to wash and iron these uniforms."

"If you show me where your washing machine is, I'll do it for you, Pooh. I had to iron for myself for years." Lindsey took the dirty uniform. "Get out of that one, please."

Wes took it from him. "I'll wash them if you'll iron them." Fred went upstairs to take off her uniform.

"What is it, Lindsey? How is Kate doing?"

"She's okay, but, as I said, it's not making her happy. She's not doing what she wants or needs to do. It's a stopgap, even though she's well treated."

"Maybe David Nabbitt might have something for her. I'll talk to him. Was that it?"

"No. I'd like to move in. I'm running out of money. I can't afford the motel much longer."

Angel thought a minute. "Okay. But I'm just doing it for Fred."

"As if I thought you'd do anything just for me. But I can put my pride aside. Thank you." He went out to the truck and brought in his duffel bag and guitar. "I moved out. If you'd said no, I'd have slept in my truck."

"Go pick any unoccupied room. And you're welcome, I guess."

Lindsey took his things upstairs to an unoccupied room and came down carrying Fred's other uniform. "Let's go wash, Wes."

When Fred woke up the next morning, she found two clean and nicely pressed uniforms hanging in her room. Dressing quickly, she and Lindsey headed for Tony's.

After about a week, Marina took a day off so Tony could see how Kate and Fred could handle things if they left for Greece. They managed, although it was hard. Marina had been much more experienced than Fred. Then another day Tony took off and left Lindsey as the only cook. That didn't work out quite as well. "You still need some help, Lindsey. You're not quite experienced enough."

"I think I can get some more help, at least for breakfast and lunch. I think Wes could come, and maybe Gunn too."

"Marina and I really would like to take our children home to Greece. Our kids have never been there, and my mother's sixtieth birthday is next month. See if your friends will help. I'm bringing two cousins back who will help me when we get back."

The next day found Tony and Lindsey instructing Wes in the fine art of short order cooking. He would work breakfast and Gunn would do lunch. Both of them would come in for dinner, one to cook and the other to help Kate & Fred wait tables.

After a week watching the Angel Investigations team plus Lindsey and Kate work the diner themselves, Tony, Marina, and their children took off for their dream trip to Greece.

Cordelia and Groo finally came back from the trip they had taken together. Lindsey was surprised to discover that he didn't really care. He was actually beginning to enjoy working at the diner, although he knew that it would just be until Tony and Marina returned. He had to find something else. In spite of the way he had perverted his career at Wolfram & Hart, he had enjoyed being a lawyer. Could he find another firm? Would anyone even look at him if they knew he had worked for Wolfram & Hart? Maybe this is my future, he thought.

Lindsey walked Kate home every night, and Wes, Gunn, or both took Fred to the Hyperion. One night Lindsey asked, "Kate, would you like to see Lord of the Rings?"

"I'd love to, but I don't like to go to the movies alone. And I'm so tired in the evening."

"Maybe when they're back. What do you think?"

"Maybe we can take an evening off. I just don't see how they do it." They had arrived at her door. "Lindsey, would you like to come in for a few minutes?"

"I'd love to." He held the door for her. The apartment was tiny and sparsely furnished, but clean. She went into the kitchen and returned with two cups of coffee.

"I'm really surprised you're sticking it out, Lindsey. I wouldn't have thought this would be for you."

"It's not, really, but I'm doing it for Tony and Marina. They're good people. Maybe doing nice things for people will help me make up for the bad things I've done. And, to be honest, I'm enjoying it. You've become quite a good waitress."

"Somehow I can't see either of us spending our lives doing this."

"Neither can I. This coffee is decaf, I hope."

"Of course. Would you like another cup?" Lindsey nodded, and Kate went to the kitchen to pour him one. When she got back, he was asleep on her sofa. She got a comforter and covered him, and then she quickly undressed, put on a long nightshirt, and got into bed. He did look so handsome when he was sleeping.

In the morning Kate awoke to the smell of coffee brewing. "Let's go, Katy. We're needed." She dashed into the bathroom to dress, grabbed a cup of coffee, and set off with Lindsey for Tony's. "I'm sorry, Kate. I hadn't meant to fall asleep on your sofa."

"At least you don't snore! You were exhausted. You and I both need a night off."

"Not until they get back. After all, we're responsible."

Lindsey, Kate, and Fred, helped by Wes, Gunn, and even Cordelia & Groo, managed to keep the restaurant going smoothly while Tony & Marina were gone.

The night before Tony & Marina were due back a familiar figure came into the restaurant. "My God, it's true. I couldn't believe it when I heard what you were doing. How have the mighty fallen!"

Lindsey looked up from cleaning the grill. "Lilah. Did you find a good parking spot for your broom?"

"Very funny. And look, it's Detective Lockley, or should I say former detective Lockley? And the cave girl!"

"Get out, Lilah." Kate came up beside her. "We don't serve your kind here."

"I was under the impression that this was a public restaurant. If you don't serve me, I'll file a discrimination suit. And you know I can."

"I'll take your order. Maybe I can draw it in pictures as I did on the wall of my cave!"

Fred was not smiling. Neither were Gunn and Wes, who had just come in.

"No, I don't think I'll get anything here. Who knows what the evil hand might put in my food. Goodbye, Lindsey. Detective. Cave Girl. And Angel's minions." Lilah rose and left.

"Well, guys, I'm sorry. I think we're going to have to stay late tonight. We'd better make sure there's nothing at all that the health department could complain about. I'm sure she'll send them in the morning. That's the kind of vicious witch she is." Lindsey looked troubled. "I can't let her hurt Tony and Marina."

"I'll call Groo and Cordy. Angel, too. Lorne can stay with Connor."

The restaurant was already spotless, but they scrubbed, scoured, and polished until it shone. The next morning, as Lindsey had predicted, the health department came.

"I don't know why that woman called us," the inspector said. "I wish every restaurant was this clean. So you all are filling in for Tony and his wife?"

"They'll be back from Greece today," Kate answered.

"They're lucky to have such good help. You got a perfect score. Now let me get a piece of that cherry pie and a cup of coffee and I'm on my way."

Tony and Marina came in the next morning with their cousins Irene and Costas. "You'll be able to leave in a few days, Lindsey. Of course, you can stay as long as you like, but you'll have more decent hours. Costas will be cooking and Irene will serve. You, too, Pooh Bear."

"That'll be great, Tony. I'd like to take Kate to a movie one night."

"Go tonight. We'll cover for you. You, too, Fred, if you'd like."

Fred looked over at Kate and Lindsey, who were looking at each other in a very special way. "I'll go another night. I think they want to be alone."

Lindsey walked Kate to her apartment so she could change, and then they took off in his truck for the nearest theater that was showing Lord of the Rings. "Did you read these books in high school or college, Lindsey?"

"And the Hobbit, too. I loved them. Do you want popcorn?"

"A movie's not a movie without popcorn and soda!" Lindsey purchased a tub of popcorn and two large diet sodas. As the movie had been around for a while, they found good seats and thoroughly enjoyed the show. The popcorn disappeared quickly, leaving them with buttery fingers. About halfway through, Lindsey's arm found its way around Kate's shoulders. She moved a little closer. By the end of the movie, her blonde head was on his shoulder. He picked up their trash from the next seat, took her hand, and they left, dumping the trash in the receptacle.

At her apartment building, she put her arms around him and kissed him. "Would you like to come in?"

"You know I would, Kate. Please." His arms tightened around her and he returned the kiss. Then they reluctantly broke apart and he followed her upstairs.

They had hardly made it inside the apartment when they were in each other's arms again. His tongue slid between her lips and entwined with hers in a soft exploration. One of his hands stroked her soft blonde hair. "Katy," he murmured. Then he broke away.

"What is it, Lindsey? I know you want me. I can feel it."

"I want you so badly, Katy. But I wanted our first night together to be beautiful. I wanted to take you to dinner, give you roses, have chilled champagne and beautiful music, satin sheets, everything just perfect."

She put her finger gently to his lips. "We don't need anything else for perfection, Lindsey. Just each other. You're a romantic, and I am too, but I've wanted you ever since you came back to the restaurant that first morning. I think I love you."

"I know I love you, Katy. You have me thinking total commitment, marriage, kids, the whole enchilada. This is not a one-night stand. It's the beginning of forever. At least it is for me."

"Forever. I never heard such a beautiful word in my life. Forever." She slipped into his arms, her head on his shoulder. Then she raised her mouth to his for a kiss.

"Forever." He kissed her again and again. Slowly they sank onto her sofa. "There may not be satin sheets or champagne, but it will be the way I saw it in my dreams. Slow, perfect, beautiful."

"I do love you, Lindsey." And she showed him how much she loved him.

Contact Imzadi.

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