Two days till Christmas

This is a re-write of Two days till Christmas. I wanted to go back and do a prologue so that there is a reason for the events of the story to unfold. This story is set, at Christmas. Dawn is around, Riley and Buffy have been dating for awhile. Buffy and Spike have a nice friendship, he has his chip, he patrols with her, helps the scoobies and Loves Dawn like a sister. The Scoobies grudgingly accept Spike as part of their unit. Spike is in love with Buffy but hasn't told her yet, and Buffy is attracted to Spike but has no reason to suspect he loves her. Professor Walsh hates Buffy and there was no Adam.


Two days till Christmas - Prologue


"So she walks in and the rules just suddenly break?" Professor Walsh demanded.

"Umm . . . pretty much." Riley shrugged.

"Be careful with her. She reacts on instinct. There's no discipline there. Her loyalties are uncertain." Professor Walsh said softly. ~ Damned Bitch. I won't let her take you away. ~

"You won't be disappointed in her. She's good at what she does. She is the truest soul I've ever known." Riley said with a dreamy look in his eyes.

"Oh, no" She chuckled "Oh, no! Spontaneous poetic exclamations. Lord, spare me college boys in love."

"I'm just saying she'll work out. You'll be proud of her." Riley said hopefully.

"You want to know what I think?" She paused "I think you're probably right." Professor Walsh murmured. ~ I just have to make sure it doesn't get that far. ~
~~~~~~`

"So...You've got a date with Captain Cardboard Tonight?" He growled softly.

Buffy sighed and rolled her eyes. "I don't know what your problem is" ~ It's not like you'd ever ask me out. ~

"He's a git Bu...Slayer." He cringed at almost calling her by her name. "I mean come on, He's on something I swear he is. I can hear his heartbeat, and let me tell you it is *not* normal."

"For crying out loud, we were sparing the one and only time you met him. How can you say that?" Buffy rolled her eyes.

"I'm just sayin...." Spike closed his eyes. ~ Not an argument you're gonna win mate. Should have told her when you had the chance. ~ "It's OK Slayer. I'll take patrol tonight. Just go get all done up. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Thanks Spike." Buffy smiled and walked out of his crypt.
~~~~~`


"She's unpredictable, and I don't want him around her." Professor Walsh growled. "She's an unnecessary risk. Are you going to help or do I have to do it alone?"

"Possibly. How is Riley doing today?" Angleman asked.

"Adjusting nicely. Reflexes, motor-functions. All off the charts, the 'vitamins' seem to be doing wonders." Maggie smiled down at the clipboard in her hand.

"That's what I like to hear. I have an idea. We can use this to our advantage. Just add this..." He passed her a small vial filled with clear liquid. "To his bottled water. It's colorless and odorless." He smiled evilly.

"What is it going to do to him?" She questioned suspiciously. ~ You hurt him I'll kill you. ~

"It's going to fix the problem by it's self, he will be suspicious of things she does and it will cause him to go after her. No interference from us." He smiled.

"It won't hurt him though will it?" She asked. ~ He is like my son. I don't want him hurt, just want her out of the picture. I know if he wasn't involved with her he'd make me proud. ~
~~~~~`

Buffy and Dawn were ready to go by the time the scoobies arrived to pick them up. They headed to the Bronze to meet Riley.
~~~~~`

"So. All right. Fine. If she wants a fight, we'll give her one. I've worked too long. Too long . . . to let some little bitch threaten this project. Threaten me. She has no idea who she's dealing with. Once she's gone, Riley will come around. He'll understand. It's for the greater good. He'll see that. And if he doesn't . . . Well, first things first. Turn her against him, remove the complication from his life...and then see where we are from there." Professor Walsh murmured to herself as she filled a water bottle for Riley and added the clear fluid.
~~~~~`

"Agent Finn reporting." Riley said standing at attention.

"At ease Soldier." Professor Walsh said softly. "I just wanted to see how you were."

"I'm good. Going on a date with Buffy." He smiled softly as he said her name.

"Good. That's good. I like her Riley, I'm glad you've found someone so sweet." Professor Walsh smiled.

"Thanks. It means allot to me that you like her." Riley smiled sincerely.

"Now go. You don't want to be late for your date." She noticed him carrying his water bottle. The one she added her special touch to. ~ Won't be long. ~ She smiled to herself. ~ No not long at all. ~
~~~~~`

Buffy and Riley were dancing slowly together, her head resting gently on his shoulder. "So you staying with me tonight?" He asked.

"No...I...I need to be at home with Dawn...But you could stay with me...you know... if you want." Buffy said shyly.

"You want me to? You want me to stay at your house?" He asked incredulously.

Buffy nodded.
~~~~~`

"Where's Buffy?" Spike asked the assembled Scoobies.

"She's dancing with Riley." Dawn pointed.

Spike made his way over to the dancing couple. "Oi...Slayer we have a problem. I need to talk to you." He glared evilly at Riley.

"Can you excuse me for a second?" She smiled sweetly up at Riley.

"Yeah...I'll go sit with your friends. Come get me when you're done." He glanced at Spike and walked towards the table.
~~~~~`

"There's something going on with that *boy*." Spike growled once Riley was out of earshot. ~ He hurts you I'll kill him. ~

"You came here to tell me that?" She asked angrily.

"No. I came to tell you there's a couple of vamps out there want your blood. They're looking for you." Spike growled. ~ And to break up your snoggin with soldier boy. ~

"There's always *someone* out there looking to bag a slayer Spike. Why didn't you handle it?" She asked. ~ I am trying to have normal here. ~

"Thought you'd want in on the action." Spike growled. He inhaled softly, tasting her scent. ~ Love you so much. ~
~~~~~`

"What's she doing with that vampire *again*?" Riley asked. "Why doesn't she just stake him already, she's the slayer after all."

"I don't like Spike either Riley, but he does help us out, and he's harmless cause of the chip *you guys* put in his head." Xander murmured.

Riley watched their interaction jealously. ~ What the hell is she doing *smiling* at that thing? ~
~~~~~`

Spike's demeanor changed. "You don't want to come out and kick some demon ass with me?" He smiled suggestively. ~ Love the way you smell when you fight. ~

Buffy smiled up at him. "No Spike. I am on a date. I am trying at normal here...like I was told I should..."

Spike smirked. "I never told you that love. You don't do normal. But you want to play you're game have fun."
He turned and started walking away.

Buffy watched his retreating form and was startled when he glanced back and winked at her.
~~~~~`

"So what was so important?" Riley questioned.

"Oh...Spike just stopped by to inform me that there was a couple of vampires out for my blood. I told him I'd be careful." She smiled and slipped an arm around Riley's waist.

"Oh." Riley mumbled. ~ Why the hell did he need tok tok to you alone? ~ He sighed softly. "Is there something going on between you and him Buffy?"

"Me and Spike?" She squeaked. ~ I wish. What? Bad Buffy. ~ She glanced up at Riley and hoped he couldn't see her blush. "A world of No."
~~~~~`

"I'm gonna go check in at the dorm. I'll meet you at your place OK?" Riley said as they were leaving the bronze.

"Oh...OK. Here take my key, just come on in. I'll be in my room by the time you get there." She smiled shyly.

Riley took the key and put it in his pocket. He quickly gave Buffy a kiss and took of towards the dorm.
~~~~~`

This is the prologue, I hope there is some understanding now as to why it happens, I will be changing the following chapters slightly, I hope you enjoy. ;) Az.