Author's Note: This chapter is more light-hearted than the previous ones but I hope you don't mind and enjoy the balance.
Summary: Spike's promised to make his behavior up to Faye but it seems like he's gotten himself into something much unexpected.
Chapter Four: Sam's Workshop
Faye got out of the car first when they arrived at the location. She was excited. The last time she had celebrated Christmas was so long ago that she hardly had any memories of it at all.
They were at a seasonal outdoors shop where costumers could choose their Christmas trees, have them cut down and delivered to their residence all for a pricy fee of course. Spike wasn't looking forward to this. He knew what kind of girl Faye was. This would be expensive and because he had messed up so badly, he would have to suck it up and pay. Not only that but, he couldn't ruin this experience for her. As uninterested as he was, he tried to fake his excitement.
"Spike, hurry up!" She called to him from the snow. Once Spike accompanied her at her side, he was immediately approached by a goofy-looking middle-aged man with a Santa hat on. He must've assumed the couple was wealthy by the looks of Spike's car.
"Welcome to Sam's Christmas tree lot! My name's Sam but I'm Santa for today. How'd you like to come and sit on my lap?"
Spike raised an eyebrow, "You know normally, I'd be pissed that someone would ask my girl that, but man I sure do hope you weren't talking to me."
Faye smiled and the man continued, "We've got anything you might need to make your Christmas the best it can be. Why, just take a look at these beautiful trees," he pointed just in front of them. Shifting his hand to the right he pointed at a wooden stand, "We've also got all natural decorations for that real touch of nature in your home." The man placed his hand on Faye shoulder and stirred her to the left, "And baby, if you want to tell me what you want for Christmas you can come right over there to my chair and I'll get the fellows in the workshop get right on that list."
Spike couldn't believe his ears. Who does this raggedy woodsman think his is? "And if you want to keep your life expectancy you'd keep your hands to yourself," he threatened pulling Faye to him.
"Spike," Faye tried to brush him off of her, "Stop it; people are going to think we're together."
"With all this money I'm spending we'd better be!"
"I'm sorry, Sam. Spike's sort of a Scrooge. Do you mind if we looked around ourselves for a moment, please?"
"Sure thing, sweet cheeks, can't blame the boyfriend for being a little possessive," he said walking away.
"Damn right, those are my cheeks," he stated grabbing Faye again.
"Really, Spike, you are beyond ridiculous!" she shoved him off again and walked in front of him. Spike followed. "It's amazing how your whole demeanor changes when you see that another guy is interested me."
"Are you out of your mind? That guy's not even competition! He's a slob!"
"You were jealous just like before!" she said turning to face him.
Spike stopped, "Do you mean that other low life from way back when? Because he doesn't count either; he was a crook!"
She turned again to examine a small tree, "You were still jealous." She mumbled under her breath, "Besides, you're an ex convict so there's really no room to talk."
"Hey!" he yelled in defense. "Hence the prefix ex- and don't say that so loud; nobody knows that but me – and you – and Jet."
"Alright already, can we just pick out a tree in peace, if you don't mind?"
"Sure." He agreed putting his hands in his jacket pocket to shield them from the cold and snow. He watched her as she treaded through the white fluff. She really was a deadly beauty.
"Hey, Spike!" she interrupted, "Quit starring at my ass and come look at this tree."
He walked over to her, "I wasn't starring; I was admiring."
"What do you think of this one?
"It's fine." Honestly, he couldn't care less about a stupid tree just as long as she was happy.
"Well go get Sam."
Spike raised his eyebrow again, "If I get Sam, I might hit him."
Faye sighed and rolled her eyes, "Fine, I'll go get him. Stay right here."
As she walked away he realized something. If she goes over to the old pervert, he'll probably try to sneak a quick feel and there was no way he was going to have that. "Wait!" he shouted, "I'll get Sam; you wait here."
"Whatever." She shrugged.
The salesman came down the path with his axe in hand. Spike help to load the tree on the back of Sam's rusted truck so he could follow them home with it. The man turned to Spike and Faye once again with another one of his sales antics, "Now if you guys are interested in some pinecones, I could sell you some for a reasonable fee."
"Pinecones" Faye asked curiously, "As decorations?
"Why sure," he assured her, "it's quite a family tradition to paint pinecones and hang them one the Christmas tree."
Spike looked at him in shock, "Pinecones! What the hell? You want me to buy pinecones to hang on a pine tree? Shouldn't they come with the tree?"
Faye folded her arms, "Oh come on, now. Don't be so cheap. It's a tradition and it could be fun."
"I ain't buying or painting pinecones, Faye! Next this old nut job's going to want me to pay for nuts and berries!"
The man interrupted, "Actually, we sell decorative acorns and cranberries."
"Look here, I'm not trying to grow my own forest; I'm just trying to get a lousy tree."
"Just a suggestion," the salesman stated.
"Just get in the truck and drive." Spike said.
When the men got it up to the apartment, ole Sam got out his handy dandy calculator. "How much?" Spike asked hesitantly.
"Not bad," he showed him the screen.
He pulled out his card and handed it to the man, "Swipe it quick before I change my mind."
Sam handed his card back after the payment went through, "Have a Merry Christmas, Spencer and Faith."
"Yeah yeah, just watch your ass on the way out!" Spike said slamming the door in his face.
"Spike!" she said stunned, "Why do you always have to be so damn rude?"
Too be continued…
Author's Note: Wasn't sure about this chapter but I hoped you liked it anyway. I wanted to add some humor since the last chapter was more serious. Tell me what you think in the comments, please. Thanks!
