Prologue
Buffy looks up from her monitor as Giles knocks on the doorframe and enters her office. "Hey," she greets with a smile, tilting her head in question when she notes his telltale unsure posture: shoulders hunched, head tilted down, and hands shoved firmly in his pockets. "What's up?"
"I… erm… I haven't heard back from you…"
Confusion washes over her face as she frantically tries to remember what deliverable she might have missed. She's been busy processing the large group of new Slayers Willow had identified and Xander had collected and brought back to London over the last month. Securing housing and educational facilities for all the Slayers over the past year hasn't been easy, never mind having to deal with the addition of a group of sixteen newbies months ahead of the finished renovation of the Academy near Bristol.
"I'm sorry?" she finally asks, unable to figure out what he is talking about.
"The party…" Giles leaves the clue hanging as he slowly approaches her desk and sits down in the chair opposite.
"Oh… oh! The… uh… sweater thing!"
He nods and rubs the back of his neck. He's clearly uncomfortable. She'd completely forgotten about the invitation. "Yes, a-a Christmas jumper party, or as you Americans would call it, an ugly sweater party. It's become tradition recently… well, not my tradition… although, I-I suppose now it could be should people enjoy it… but I thought perhaps as…" He looks away to gather a little courage before resuming, "I thought as Head Watcher and Slayer we could-"
Buffy smiles brightly at his fumbling about. He's nothing if not adorable when he is all shy and unassuming.
"Hey, Giles," she interrupts. "I'd love to help you host and be your plus one. What time should I show up to help with the prep?"
His relief is palpable and his smile lights up his face. "Does six work for you?"
"Perfect."