Two days till Christmas

There was a knock at the door. Dawn went to open it and what she saw made her laugh. “Giles…is that you under all those packages?” She giggled.

“Yes…now please let me in…before I fall over…” Dawn opened the door wider and let him pass by. She noticed Willow and Tara coming up the walk. “Hey guys!” She called out.

“Dawnie!” Willow said happily hugging the youngest Summers.
~~~~`

Giles walked into the living room and took in the scene. Buffy was sitting in the middle of the couch. Spike was sitting on one end almost hugging the arm of the couch and Joyce sat in the chair across from them. Buffy and Joyce looked quite content. Spike on the other hand looked totally uncomfortable.

“Watcher” Spike nodded to him as he entered the room.

“Spike, Buffy.” He said pleasantly. “Joyce where shall I put these things?” He asked indicating the load in his arms.

“Oh…Uh right under the tree…it's in the livingroom.” Joyce said getting to her feet to help.
~~~~`

Willow and Tara followed Dawn into the living room.

“Hey Guys.” Buffy said looking up at her friends.

“Hey Buffy, Hey Spike.” Willow said perkily.

“H-h-hi Guys.” Tara murmured softly.

“Red, Glinda.” Spike greeted the newcomers. He was looking more and more uncomfortable by the minute.
~~~~`

They all assembled in the living room to await the last couple.
~~~~`

Anya was tugging and pulling on Xander’s arm forcing him to either quicken his pace or fall to the ground. “Hurry Xander…I want presents…” Anya said impatiently.

“Ahn…you know we don’t open our presents from each other till tomorrow…at our own place...what’s the rush?” He asked.

“I know we don’t *open* them…but we can look at them and shake them and rub them.” Anya said with a twinkle in her eye. “I know why your being pokey…even if we get there late…Giles said we have to be nice to Spike...Buffy invited him as a friend.” Anya said

“I know …I just …he’s a vampire Ahn…you know how well that turned out last time…”

“Xander Harris stop being an ass. Spike is nothing like Angel and you know it. I think that’s why you hate him so much…He’s a man who makes the standard raise. He makes women look at him and say…I want my guy to be likm, sm, strong, and sweet at the same time. He’s good for Buffy…weather it’s friendship or …something else. But Xander you know it’s not fair to make her choose. She never made you choose and I know I am not always the most likable person.” Anya stopped and took his face in her hands, she tilted his head so he was looking into her eyes. “She has to choose for herself either to be with him or not. Uninfluenced. Let her be happy. Like you are, And what about Willow? You didn’t go all psycho on Tara did you? No you let Willow make her choice. Don’t you think Buffy deserves that?”

“You’re right Anya. I love you.” Xander whispered kissing her softly.

“Now…let’s hurry and get there so we can leave.” She giggled.

“Wh…what do you mean leave?” He asked.

“Well I think after that speech and saving your friendship with Buffy I deserve a whole *bunch* of orgasms.” She replied happily.
~~~~~`

Xander took a deep breath. He took another, and looked at the door quietly. Xander took a third deep breath.

“Oh for crying out loud.” Anya said as she knocked loudly on the door.
~~~~~`

“Must be Xander.” Buffy said as she went to answer the knock.

“Hey Xand, Anya.” Buffy said embracing them both.

“Sorry we’re late Buffy…I lost one of my shoes and made Xander find it.” Anya made up an excuse on the spot.

“It’s fine. Are you ready to eat?” She asked.

“Hell yeah!” Xander said enthusiastically.


“Ok everyone time to eat!” Buffy said walking into the living room. “Everyone grab a seat in the Dining room. There’s lots of room. Giles will you help my mom and carry the turkey and stuff in?”

Giles nodded and followed Joyce.

Everyone else made their way into the dining room to join Xander and Anya who had already taken their seats.
~~~~~`

Buffy placed a restraining hand on Spike’s arm. “I want to sit beside you.”

Spike nodded.
~~~~~`

“Hey Willow, Hey Tara. And little Dawnie!!” Anya greeted enthusiastically.

“Hey guys.” Everyone took their seats.
~~~~~`

Buffy entwined her fingers with Spikes and they went into the dining room.

“Hey Spike. Merry Christmas.” Xander said when they entered the room.

Buffy’s eyes nearly fell out of her head. ~ What? ~ “Uh…wh…” Buffy mumbled under her breath. Spike turned to her and gently pushed her mouth closed. He gently pulled her arm led led her to her chair.

Buffy sat down gratefully, still clutching Spike’s hand.
~~~~~`

They had just cleared the table and were ready for desert. Everyone was having a great time, joking and having fun. Spike sensed him coming. He stiffened beside Buffy.

“ Spike? What is it?” She whispered.

“Trouble. He’s coming Buffy. I can feel him.” Spike said rage dripping from his whispered words.

“Riley?” She whispered

“Yeah. I’ll Fucking kill him.” Spike whispered back.

“Not if I get him first.” She growled under her breath.

Everyone looked up when the front door was thrown open.

“Buffy?” Riley called.

“Get the fuck out of my house you bastard.” She was standing right in front of him. She was menacing. The anger and hatred dripping off of her in waves. She was almost growling she was so angry.

“Buffy…I need to talk to you…to tell you I’m sorry…I didn’t mean the things I said …” Riley pleaded.

“I don’t want to hear it.” She said taking a step closer.

“Buffy…I don't know what happened...I didn't mean to...it was a mistake…I want to apologize…” He was almost begging.

“Fuck your apology.” Buffy said and she punched him in the face. Buffy heard the satisfying crunch of bone and felt his face shift a little.

Buffy got a delicious tingle up her spine. ~ Fucking hate you! ~ “Do hav have any idea what you did to me? Do you even fucking care?” She screamed kicking him in the stomach.

Sweet satisfaction as he doubled over in pain. Riley turned his head towards her “Buffy. He tried to talk. Buffy pushed him roughly to the ground. “I want my key. N


Riley handed it over. “Buffy…I wanted to tell you…I was sorry....”

“I don't believe you.” She said angrily.

Riley reached out to pull her into his arms.

Spike growled menacingly from the Dining room.

Buffy grabbed his wrist and snapped it like a twig.

"Oh...oh god you broke my arm..." ~ Spike's here? ~ey sey screamed. "You bitch..."

Buffy kicked him out the door as hard as she could. His arm was twisted grotesquely under him.

Buffy leaned her back against the door and closed her eyes. Spike was instantly at her side. “Ok luv, why don’t I take you upstairs…you can wash your face have a minute to catch your breath before you face 'em?” He questioned quietly keeping his back to the dining room where silence permeated the air.

“Yeah…” She nodded and let her Vampire lead her.
~~~~~`

Everyone looked up when the door opened. No one had noticed Buffy was on her way to deal with the intruder.

“Get the fuck out of my house you bastard.”

“Buffy”

Xander got up. He was going to see what was going on.

“Sit down now Xander.” Spike growled raising from his seat. “She has to deal with him.”

Xander sat. He looked at Spike.

Spike looked like he wanted to kill someone. Well Riley to be exact if his gaze gave any indication. Spike watched the scene unfold. He was ready to help if need be. But Spike knew Buffy could squash this fucker if she wanted to.

The instant Buffy shut the door Joyce started to stand. Spike beat her to it and the whole room gaped in shock as Buffy let Spike lead her upstairs.

Dawn sat at the table sipping her hot chocolate with a huge grin plastered on her face. ~ He loves her. He really does. ~
~~~~~`

Well??? What do you think? Please review.