Part 10

Sunnydale Memorial Hospital
December 25, 2001
1:30am

Giles guided Buffy down the hall to the waiting room with the other Scoobies. Anya and Dawn are crying on each other's shoulder.

"Are you okay," Giles asked Buffy.

"No. I'm not okay," Buffy said. "I can't be here now."

Buffy walks towards the elevators.

"Buffy," Giles called out. But it was no use. The elevator doors were closed.

Giles saw Willow sitting alone. He takes the seat next to her.

"Why did it have to be him Giles," Willow asked.

"I don't know Willow," Giles said. "Maybe this is what the powers that be wanted."

"But why? Of all the us, he's the best ally to have."

"I know," Giles said. "He may not have powers or destiny, but he still gives it everything he has. I admire him for that."

"I did too," Willow said softly. "I miss him already"

Willow cries on Giles shoulder.

"It's going to be okay," Giles said.

Giles looks towards the elevator.

I hope Buffy isn't doing anything rash, Giles thought.


"Mr. Giles," the doctor said. "I have some things you need to take care of. I would ask his fiancé, but she is in no condition to make decisions regarding Mr. Harris."

"Of course," Giles said. "Are you going to be okay Willow?"

"Yeah. Go ahead."

Giles smiles sympathetically and goes with the doctor.

Sunnydale Cemetery
4:00am

After leaving the hospital, Buffy went to the cemetery to patrol. It was unusually slow, but then again, it was Christmas Day. Most kids were still asleep, anticipating the first rays of sunlight. Buffy missed that feeling of normalcy. Waking up at the crack of dawn on Christmas Day to see what Santa brought her. She hasn't done that since she was 8. Buffy sighs and continues to walk through the cemetery.

"Slayer," Buffy heard from behind him.

She turns around and sees Spike.

"What do you want Spike?"

"I heard about Droopy. Thought you might need someone to talk to. Have a shoulder to cry on, or nibble on. I don't care which."

"Get away from me," Buffy said.

"I don't think you mean that love," Spike said as he walked up to her. "I know what I can do to make your problems go away."

"No you don't Spike."

Spike cupped Buffy's cheek.

"Come on slayer, you know you want to."

"No I don't," Buffy said. "This…whatever it was…is over. If you still want to help fight the big nasties, that's fine. But we are never going to be together."

"You don't mean that," Spike said as he stalked closer.

He stands right up to her, inches from her mouth. Buffy takes out her stake and pokes him with it.

"Touch me again, and I will stake you. Harmless or not."

He looks down and sees the stake ready to puncture his heart.

"Fine," he growled. "But don't come running to me when you want to 'feel' again."

He walks away and disappears into the night.

"Guess I better call it a night," Buffy said to herself.

Buffy's House…

When Buffy arrives, Giles is passed out on the couch. She goes upstairs to check on Dawn. She is sleeping soundly in her room. Buffy goes to her room, opens her window and sits outside. The sun is just beginning to rise. For the first time in a long time, Buffy is watching the sunrise.

Buffy thought. I never really realized how beautiful this is.

Buffy looks up towards the sky.

"Thank you Xander."

Buffy goes back into her room and goes to sleep.

Heaven…

"Congratulations Lorie," Clarence said. "You did an excellent job helping out Miss Summers."

"Thanks C," Lorie said. "But why would you make Xander and Buffy deal with all their emotions if he was going to die?"

"So he wouldn't die angry at her. Besides, your assignment is not quite over yet. You have one more thing to do."

Lorie looks quizzically at him as he walks away.

"What are you talking about," she said as she followed him.

Buffy's House
9:00am

Buffy's alarm clock goes off; Kenny G's version of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" plays. Buffy groggily wakes up and shuts it off.

"I could have sworn I had that thing off before I went to sleep," Buffy said aloud.

"Buffy," Dawn says from the door. "Wake up. Anya needs us at the magic shop to finish decorating before we can start the party."

"What," Buffy asked.

"Come on Buffy…the Christmas Eve party we're having at the shop tonight; you, me, and the guys."

"Chirstmas…I…that…huh?"

"Okay sis," Dawn said. "Grab a shower, and maybe Willow can tell you in smaller words."

Dawn runs downstairs. Buffy remains in her bed perplexed. She grabs her robe, puts it on as she races down the stairs, and picks up the paper off the porch. Her eyes bug out as she sees the date.

"December 24, 2001? That was yesterday."

"Buffy," Willow says from behind her. "Are you okay? Dawn says you're a little…off."

"I'm just having a weird day."

"I'll say. Xander found you sleeping out here late last night."

"Xander's alive?"

"Uh…yeah. Has been for 21 years now."

"He didn't get hit by a car?"

"No. Why?"

"This is really weird."

Willow looks at Buffy like she grew a second head.

"Are you feeling okay," Willow asked.

"Yeah," Buffy said. "Things are looking better."

Buffy smiled and went inside to shower and change.

The Magic Box
December 24, 2001
10:30am

"So what time is Giles going to get here," Tara asked while putting tinsel on the tree.

"Uh…I think he said he'll be here around six tonight," Xander answered as he wrapped a gift.

"That present looks pretty Xander," Tara said. "Who's it for?"

"Buffy," Xander softly.

"Still upset over what happened?"

"A bit. I know it's not exactly my business, but…I don't know why I got so upset."

"Maybe you still have some feelings for her…Willow told me how much you liked her in high school."

"Yeah. I was just a stupid kid back then. I've grown up a lot since then."

Just then, Buffy, Willow, and Dawn came in.

"Hey Xander," Dawn said. "I got the new Spider-Man comic."

"Oooh," Xander said.

He hoped out of the seat and raced towards Dawn and grabbed the comic.

"Hey," Dawn said. "I wasn't finished."

She chased Xander who ran into the training room.

"He seems to be holding up well," Willow said.

Willow and Buffy head to the research table.

"He was hurt wasn't he?"

"Yeah," Tara said from the tree.

"Well, you guys don't have to worry about Spike and me sleeping together anymore. It's over. I woke up with a new perspective on things," Buffy said.

"Good dream," Willow asked.

"I don't know if it was real or a dream or what," Buffy said. "But I'm glad I found it. I think I'll go talk to Xander now."

Buffy stands up and goes to the back room.

Training Room…

Xander is laying on the couch reading the comic, while Dawn is putting up mistletoe.

"Why do I have to do this," Dawn asked. "You're taller."

"Reading comics now. Help later," Xander said not looking up from the comic.

"Dawn," Buffy said from the door. "Can I talk to Xander alone for a minute?"

"Sure," Dawn said as she climbed down the ladder. "I'm all done here."

She mouths behave to Xander as he sits up. He puts the comic down and Buffy sits next to him.

"I'm sorry," Xander said. "I shouldn't have yelled the way I did. When you were with Spike, I just leaned towards postal."

"I know. And I said some things I shouldn't have, that I wish I could take back. But it won't happen again."

"How do I know you can keep your word? You've been lying about this for a month. How can I trust you?"

"I was in a dark place after everything that happened. Spike was the only one that made me feel, but because of something that happened recently, I got some perspective. On the guys, life, and even you."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm not going to push you all away now. I know how important you all are to me…especially you. You have been the biggest influence in my life. If it weren't for you, the world would be in hell. You've always been there for me when I need you, and I've always taken you for granted. I hate that all we do is argue, and fight. I want things to be the way they were, before everything went wrong."

Xander could see the tears welling up in her eyes. He knew she was being honest. Xander grabbed Buffy into a hug.

"So, where do we go from here," Buffy asked.

Xander stood up and walked to the center of the room.

"I don't know. It's gonna be hard to get over the Spike thing, but that wasn't my business. I just don't want to see you go dark like Faith. She gave in to the darkness. I don't want to lose you like Faith. She had a good chance to be good, but she didn't take it. I want you to be the same loving slayer I've always known."

Buffy stands up and walks to him.

"Thank you Xander. And I will, thanks to you. I'll explain it all later, but you're the only one that keeps me from going too dark. You give me balance."

Buffy glances up.

"And you are also standing under the mistletoe."

Xander looks up.

"Huh. Will you look at that."

"So…it is tradition, but you are with Anya."

"But like you said," Xander said with a small grin on his face. "It is tradition."

Xander leans in and kisses Buffy softly on the lips.

"That was…" Buffy started.

"Nice," Xander finished.

Xander clears his throat.

"I…uh…better head to the front. Anya should have the last of the decorations out by now."

He trips over his feet and quickly stands back up. Buffy giggles.

"I'll see you out there," Xander continued.

Xander turns the knob but it won't open.

"Come on, come on."

"Push Xand," Buffy said trying not to laugh.

He turns and pushes the door open and leaves.

"I see you're in a better mood now," Lorie said from behind Buffy.

Buffy turns around.

"Yeah…now what's going on here? Was everything that happened a dream?"

"No. It was real. We just turned back the sands of time to help you get off on the right foot with your friends. Things won't be exactly as it was for a while, but it will happen soon. Just don't push your friends and family away."

"I guess I do need to make things better with Dawn," Buffy said.

"Well, I guess I'll go and watch you from Heaven. If all goes well, I may just get my wings."

"Thank you," Buffy said. "For everything."

"It's what I do. But before I go," Lorie said.

She walks past Buffy into the shop. She sees Xander reaching over the counter; she smiles towards Buffy and pinches Xander on the ass. He turns around and doesn't see anyone. Lorie giggles insanely and vanishes.

The Magic Box
6:15

Buffy and Dawn come into the store with bags of gifts.

"How was the mall Dawnie," Xander asked.

"Crazy. Why couldn't my sister get gifts before Christmas Eve? It was nuts out there."

"So," Xander said as he digs through the bags. "What'd you get me?"

"You'll find out later Mr. Grabby Pants," Buffy said slapping his hands.

"Ow. I'm telling Giles when he gets here."

"Tell me what," Giles said as he came from the back room.

"Giles," Buffy said.

She runs to him and pulls him into a big hug.

"I missed you too Buffy," Giles said.

"So…does this mean we can open presents now," Anya asked.

"Later," Willow said.

"So I take it things are going okay with you now," Giles asked Buffy.

Buffy smiles and glances towards Xander.

"Yeah. I'm feeling a lot better now."

"That's good," Giles said.

Spike comes in from the back training room.

"And that's not good," Xander said pointing toward Spike.

Everyone, even Buffy giggles.

"Oh that's right nice. I come bearing gifts for all, and I get mocked."

"No," Xander said. "If I was mocking you I'd be doing your Nancy-boy accent."

Spike ignores Xander and goes to Buffy and hands her a box of chocolates.

"Is it me or Spike celebrating a religious holiday," Tara whispered to Willow.

"Thank you Spike," Buffy said. "I'd ask you to stay and join us, but I want it to be me, my sister and the original Scoobies."

"And Tara," Willow said.

"And Tara," Buffy corrected.

"Fine," Spike said. "I know when I'm not wanted."

"You're never wanted," Xander said.

"What is it with you and the remarks Droopy?"

"Spike," Xander said. "If you want to go on un-living, I suggest you give me a LOT of time to cool off from what I saw last night."

"Why you…"

Spike tries to advance towards Xander, but Buffy stops him.

"Go Spike."

"Fine."

Spike huffs off and goes out the back door.

"Is it time to open presents now," Anya asked again.

"Fine," Giles said. "Let's just do it now, or she'll ask all night."

Everyone opened and exchanged their gifts. After about half an hour all the gifts were exchanged. Everyone except for Buffy, Xander, and Anya were in the magic shop. Xander and Buffy were sitting at the table. Buffy was reading a book on slayers Giles bought for her and Xander was reading a book about X-Men from Tara.

"Xander, I need to finish the paperwork. I'll meet you and Buffy later at her place later."

"You sure you don't want me to wait," Xander asked.

"Go. This may take a while…holiday sales equals lots of money."

She headed back to the office. Xander closed his book, along with Buffy. Xander grabs a gift from under the tree and heads out of the store. Neither notice the bell didn't ring.

"So Xander," Buffy said as they reached her house. "Who's that gift for?"

"Some one special," he said handing it to her.

They sit on the porch swing. Buffy rips it open and the smile on her face disappears.

"Uh…Xander. This is the music box my dad gave me when I was 10. It doesn't even work any…"

Xander opens the lid and it begins to play "Tis the Season to Be Jolly." A tear falls down her cheek.

"I snuck it out when you were patrolling one night. Got it fixed for you. Thought you might like it."

"I do," Buffy said. "This is so sweet of you. Thank you."

Buffy kisses him on his cheek.

"I guess we better get inside," Xander said. "I'm getting hungry."

"You're always hungry," Buffy said.

"So…what's your point?"

Buffy laughs as they head into the house.

"Hey guys," Willow said. "Tara's adding an ornament to the tree she's had since she was little. That okay?"

"Sure," Buffy said. "I don't mind. What is it?"

"It's just a little silver bell," Tara said. "Hasn't worked in years though."

"Xand," Willow said. "Could you plug in the lights? We can't reach."

"Sure," Xander replied. "No problem."

Xander goes to the tree and plugs it in. Giles shuts off the lights so the can see the tree lights. After Xander plugs in the lights, he moves next to Buffy and the others. They all hear a strange sound coming from the tree.

"What is that ringing sound," Giles asked.

"Sounds like my bell," Tara said. "But it doesn't work."

They move closer and see the bell ringing by its self.

"That is kind of weird and strange," Xander said.

"Not really," Buffy said smiling.

Buffy looks up towards the sky and says, "Way to go Lorie."

"You say something Buff," Xander asked.

"No," Buffy said. "Come on, help me set the table. We eat when Anya gets here."

Heaven

Lorie is looking in the mirror at her new wings. She is giddy with joy.

"I got my wings. I got my wings," she sang.

She waves her hand over the mirror and watches as Buffy and Xander set the table.

"Now why can't those two crazy kids get together?"

Lorie sighs and waves her hand to see the mirror again.

"I guess it'll happen sooner or later."

The End