Buffy closed the kitchen door behind her and saw Willow making a sandwich.

Ooh! Peanut butter and jelly! Yummy! Buffy pulled her jacket off and hung it on a chair.

Willow smiled as Buffy sat on a stool at the counter. Would you like one? I have a whole plate of them in the fridge. I could get you one.

A whole plate? Buffy asked with surprise.

Willow blushed. Uh-yeah-I kinda got bored. I thought maybe you or Dawnie would like a snack or something and so I started making sandwiches--I guess I got carried away.

Well lucky for you I'm starved! I'll take two please. Buffy smiled a small smile then glanced around the kitchen. So where is Dawn anyway?

Willow pulled the plate of sandwiches and a carton of juice out of the fridge then closed it with her foot. Oh, she went to deliver a gift to a friend. I told her to be back by ten? Willow looked at Buffy questioningly.

Buffy smiled and took a sandwich. It's okay, Will. You did good. Buffy bit into the sandwich and mmmed with pleasure. Wow! This is good! Maybe you can be the mom from now on! I'll go out and slay and--and you can stay home and cook!

The girls laughed and glanced at the door as Dawn walked in with Xander in tow. Immediately Xander's eyes fell on the plate of food.

You ladies interested in sharing your peanut butter and jelly goodness with a very much hungry me in return for, perhaps, a few good Xander jokes or maybe some juggling?

Willow smiled, Help yourself.

Buffy almost shouted. No Xander jokes needed. She said with slight desperation.

What? You don't like my jokes? I'm hurt. Face twisted with pretend disgust, Xander bit into a sandwich. He forgot about his act with the first bite. Wow! Will--I--wow!

I know! Good huh? Buffy nodded.

Ooh! Peanut butter and jelly? Dawn asked with anticipation.

Yep. Just for you, Dawnie. Willow beamed as everyone sat enjoying her simple concoction. This was better than anything she could ask for.

After the plate of sandwiches was emptied and the juice was drained, the stuffed Scoobies said their goodnights and headed to their beds.

Buffy had made up the spare room for Xander, who sometimes felt his apartment too lonely without Anya. Xander had started staying overnight more often than not and Buffy secretly worried.

Buffy crawled into bed and sighed as she hit the pillow. Christmas was less than a week away and she had no idea what to get for her friends or for Dawn. Deciding to think about it in the morning, Buffy dozed off.

***

A present. I have to get her a present or she won't want me anymore. Spike sat the same way he had when Dawn found him only this time he was rocking back and forth. I have to get her the perfect present-I-I have to get it or she will hate me. Spike sat still and suddenly looked immensely worried. Oh dear, oh dear, he moaned, what do you get a slayer?