Spoilers: Through "Something Blue"

"Stop complaining," Buffy chided Spike as they walked through the mall. "I can't believe I was engaged to you."

"I can't believe I haven't killed him," Riley said, shaking his head. "I'm supposed to capture him, not take him Christmas shopping."

"Sod off, both of you," Spike muttered through clenched teeth.

"Why didn't you just have Willow take you shopping?" Riley asked. For some reason, the vampire and the witch got along exceptionally well.

Spike sighed. "Believe me, I did ask," he said. "But she's watching "A Christmas Story" with Xander. I guess it's some sort of tradition."

Buffy frowned in confusion. "They're watching what?" she asked.

"A Christmas Story," Spike repeated.

At Buffy's continued look of confusion, Riley spoke up, trying to jog her memory. "You'll shoot your eye out, kid," he quoted. "His friend touches his tongue to a freezing flag pole, and gets stuck there?"

Buffy shook her head. "Never seen it. And stop looking at me like that," she protested when both Spike and Riley stopped to look at her as if she'd grown antlers and a shiny red nose.

Breaking out of his shock, Spike glanced at Riley, who was still speechless. "You've never seen "A Christmas Story?" How is that possible?" the vampire asked incredulously. "Where have you been every Christmas for the last sixteen years?" he teased her.

Hitting him on the shoulder, Buffy changed the subject. "Come on, we've still got a lot of shopping to do for you," she said to Spike, taking Riley's hand and leading them towards the nearest store. "I can't believe you waited until Christmas Eve to do all of your shopping," she muttered, loud enough for the blond vampire to hear. "You're never going to get it all done in time."

*~*~*~*~*

An hour and ten stores later, Spike had finished. Which was good, because the mall was closing.

The threesome parted outside the mall entrance. "Don't forget, we all have to be at Giles' in three hours for the party," Buffy reminded the two men, then they all headed their separate directions. Buffy went to her mother's house. Riley went back to Lowell House, which was practically deserted this close to Christmas...even Professor Walsh had gone to visit her family for the holidays. Spike went to the mansion. He had moved into Angel's old place on Crawford Street once Giles had decided that he posed no threat to humanity.

After showering and heating up a quick meal, Spike sat down at his kitchen table and began wrapping presents for the Scooby Gang. When he was done, he packed everything into his car and drove over to Giles' apartment.

*~*~*~*~*

He was early. The only person there was Giles, which was fine with Spike. After bringing everything in from his car, Spike helped Giles finish setting out the food and drinks, which right now consisted of Chex party mix and a lot of alcohol.

"Did you find something for Willow?" the ex-librarian an Watcher asked conversationally. He knew that Spike had been having trouble finding something the redhead would like.

Spike nodded. "The Slayer helped me pick something out," he said. "Which reminds me, I got something extra for you, mate," Spike added, handing Giles a bottle of his favorite scotch.

"Thank you, Spike," Giles said gratefully, taking the bottle from the vampire and placing it on top of the bookshelf. "That was very thoughtful of you."

"Yeah, well I had a feeling you might need it later," Spike replied with a grin. "Just don't forget to share."

"Quite right," Giles said dryly. "That's an excellent point. Perhaps we should start drinking now," he suggested.

Spike's grin grew as he moved towards the drinks. "I just adore the way your mind works, mate," he said, then turned to Giles, a bottle in each hand. "What's your pleasure?"

*~*~*~*~*

Willow, Xander and Anya arrived twenty minutes later, with Buffy and Riley following close behind. Seeing Spike lounging comfortably on Giles' couch, Willow walked over and bumped his leg with her hip.

"Hey you," she greeted him with a grin. "Can you get up and help me, please?" she asked him sweetly.

Spike looked up and saw her precariously balancing several plates of cookies. Being careful not to throw off her balance, he stood and took all but one plate from her and moved them into the kitchen.

"What else did you need, luv?" he asked her after placing the cookies on the counter.

"There's a cake in Xander's car. Could you go get it for me?" Willow asked.

"Chocolate?" Spike asked hopefully.

Willow smiled, her eyes twinkling. "Chocolate," she confirmed, then laughed as his eyes lit up and he practically flew outside to get the cake.

Buffy watched as Spike rushed by her and out the door, Willow following behind him at a much more leisurely pace. "What did you do, Wills, point him towards the chocolate?"
Buffy teased.

The witch nodded. "He's so predictable," she giggled on her way out the door.