Buffy sat up in her bed and stretched. Sunlight flowed from her window and warmed her face. She smiled as smells of bacon, eggs, and pancakes wafted into her room from downstairs and filled her nostrils. Willow, I'm gonna hafta keep you forever, she said as she rushed to get dressed and get downstairs before Xander got there first.

Buffy walked into the kitchen and plopped down on a stool. Willow was standing at the stove flipping pancakes. Around her slender waist was one of Joyce's aprons. Willow smiled and placed some pancakes on a plate. Have a good sleep? she asked Buffy.

Actually, I did, she said, and I think it was the best sleep I've had since--in a long time. she almost whispered the last words.

Willow saw Buffy staring at the apron and immediately she felt guilty. Oh, Buff, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to--I mean I needed an apron--this was all I could find. I'll take it off. Willow started to untie the apron strings.

Buffy looked up at Willow and blushed, No, Willow! It's okay. I was just thinking how I missed this, Buffy pointed at the food. Besides, it looks good on you, please keep it on.

Willow looked uneasy, You sure? Cuz I don't really need an apron, I just-
Will, I'm sure. Buffy smiled, now let me at those pancakes before Xander gets here.

Willow smiled with relief and tied the apron back on.

A shuffling noise brought Buffy's attention to a disheveled Xander walking into the kitchen. His clothes were wrinkled, he'd obviously slept in them, and his hair was sticking out in all directions. He rubbed his eyes while sitting on a stool next to Buffy and yawned.

What happened to you? Buffy was awestruck at Xander's awful appearance. You look like you haven't slept in weeks!

I haven't, and I spent last night trying to come up with gift ideas for you, Willow, and Dawn. Xander yawned again.

Buffy smiled at her sweet friend who had a heart of gold. Xander, you don't have to get us anything.

Speak for yourself, a voice spoke from the hallway. Dawn stepped into the kitchen and smiled widely. There's this blue turtleneck I saw at the mall that has a picture of this cute turtle and it's shell is made of sequins and it looks like the turtle is under the sea cuz of the color of the sweater. Dawn finally took a breath and sighed, It's really cool. She jumped on a stool next to Xander.

Morning, Dawnie. Up for some silly shaped pancakes? Willow set a plate in front of Buffy and another one in front of Xander then smiled at Dawn.

Ooh! Yes, please! With whipped cream and blueberries too? Dawn's eyes shone at Willow.

Of course! How can you eat pancakes without blueberries and whipped cream? Willow glanced at Buffy and Xander who were stuffing their faces with plain pancakes.

Buffy swallowed her food with a sip of coffee and shrugged at Willow before looking at her sister. So you visited a friend last night? Did you have a good time?

Dawn smiled widely again.

Did your friend like your present? Buffy didn't want to pry. She was just trying to show her sister that she was interested and cared. Buffy knew she hadn't spent much time with Dawn and she felt guilty.

He loved it! Dawn's eyes sparkled.

Willow set a plate in front of Dawn. A turtle shaped pancake had blueberry eyes and a whipped cream shell. Willow smiled as Dawn dug in.

Ooh! A he! New boyfriend? How come you didn't tell me? Buffy pouted slightly. She didn't want Dawn to not feel comfortable telling her these things. She was Dawn's sister and wanted to have those girl talks with her. She also didn't want to seem overprotective by having to ask Dawn questions about her love life. She just worried.

Xander suddenly laughed. I don't think you could call Spike her boyfriend.

Buffy choked on her pancake.

Dawn shot Xander a betrayed look and he realized his mistake,

Dawn, how could you? Buffy set down her fork. She had lost her appetite. I told you to stay away from him.

I know you did, but it's Christmas and I thought-!

I don't care what you thought! I don't want you going to see Spike and I mean it! Dawnie, he's sick-!

He wouldn't hurt me, Buffy! I know he wouldn't! Dawn's eyes pleaded with her sister.

Buffy suddenly realized Willow and Xander looking at their food. Both wore guilt stricken faces.

You two knew about this? Buffy's eyes went from one friend to the other unbelieving. You knew and you didn't tell me?

I-I'm sorry, Buffy. I didn't think--I should never have let her go--I'm so sorry! Willow looked hurt.

No, it's my fault, Buff. Xander spoke, I offered to take her to see Spike. I don't like him!--But it's Christmas, Buff. She just took a present to him is all.

Buffy looked at her two friends. Deep down she knew they would not have done something like this if they thought Dawn was in danger. Maybe she just panicked too much.

Xander, you went with her?

Xander nodded, I swear I never let her out of my sight!

Please don't be mad, Buffy. Dawn looked like she was going to cry.

Buffy sighed, I'm not mad, Dawnie. Just please stay away from Spike--and especially the school!

Willow perked up. D-Does that mean Xander and I are off the hook too?

Buffy smiled a small smile. Yes, you and Xander are off the hook too. Now let's finish eating and go Christmas shopping! Buffy bit into her eggs as the tension left the room. Everyone was all smiles.

***

The mall was full of people scurrying to get their last minute shopping done. Dawn and Willow had parted with Buffy at the door and agreed to meet at the food court in two hours.

Buffy pouted as she browsed through store after store. It was impossible to find nice presents for her friends and sister. She wanted this Christmas to be special for them after all they had been through in the last year. She was especially worried about Dawn and how she would react to not having Joyce there for Christmas this year. Buffy didn't know how Dawnie was going to take it.

Buffy was suddenly pulled from her thoughts as a scream echoed through the mall. Immediately Buffy ran towards the cry for help.

Buffy followed the sound to a small crowd. She pushed her way into the crowd. Excuse me, let me through, I can help. The crowd parted and let Buffy pass. Buffy saw a redheaded woman in her late twenties or early thirties holding a baby. Tears stained her face. What happened? asked Buffy.

H-He took my purse! the lady cried.

Buffy stared at the woman. No demons? No vampires? Just a bloody thief? This was ridiculous! Not only did she have nothing to slay, but she was starting to talk like Spike in her head.

Buffy shook the thought of Spike away and decided to help anyway. After all, the lady was still in trouble and it was up to Buffy to help her. Ma'am, what does your purse look like? Did you see who took it? What does he look like?

It's an orange purse w-with a crocodile beanie baby key-chain attached to the zipper. The man was wearing a black jacket--and he had blonde hair! The woman explained every detail she could remember to Buffy,

Did you see which way he went?

That way, the woman pointed straight ahead of her.

Stay here, I'll be right back. Buffy turned and ran the way the woman pointed.

Thoughts rushed to her head. A black jacket and blonde hair? Spike! Buffy immediately tried to put the thought out of her head. He has a soul now--he won't even leave the basement! Besides, he still had that chip in his head and he couldn't hurt anyone or even think of hurting anyone. Anyway, many men have blonde hair and wear black jackets. Suddenly, Buffy had no idea what she was doing--what she was looking for.

Buffy walked past a group of men. Two of them wore black jackets and one had blonde hair. Buffy groaned within herself and let her eyes scan the group. Seeing no orange purse she looked ahead of her again, just in time to spot a flash of blonde and a black turn a corner ahead of her.
Spike! Buffy ran to catch him.

Turning the corner Buffy frowned. Spike was nowhere in sight. In fact, there was nobody in sight. Buffy sighed and turned to go back to the woman. As she turned, something caught Buffy's eye. On a bench near a fountain sat a bright orange purse, a crocodile hung off the zipper. Smiling, Buffy picked up the purse and looked around before heading back to the woman.

When Buffy returned with the purse, the crowd had already dispersed leaving the woman and her child alone waiting for Buffy to return. When the woman saw Buffy with her purse she was ecstatic.

You found it! Oh thank you! Thank you so much!

It was nothing. I didn't see the man, though. I found your purse on a bench by a fountain and there was nobody in sight, I-I checked. I'm sure you could go to the police and file a report, they will find him. As soon as she said the words Buffy regretted them. She pictured Spike in a cold, dank cell sitting alone on a filthy cement floor. It was like the basement, except for the large steel bars locking him in. At least Spike could freely leave the basement. Prison would kill him. What happened to innocent until proven guilty'? Buffy silently scolded herself.

Oh, no, I don't think that will be necessary. I got my purse and no one got hurt. It is Christmas after all.

Buffy tried not to show how relieved those words made her feel. It's your choice, ma'am. Have a good day and Merry Christmas, Buffy smiled and turned to leave.

Wait. I would like to reward you.

You don't have to, it's okay. I'm only happy to help. Besides, seeing you smile is reward enough. Buffy smiled then turned again to leave.

This time the woman gently grabbed Buffy's arm. Please take this, the woman held out a beautiful silver tear shaped pendant with a tiny green gem in the middle. The pendant was on a plain silver chain.

Buffy stared at the lovely pendant almost transfixed by it. I-I can't take that, she stammered.

The woman refused to take no for an answer and placed the pendant in Buffy's hand. May your deepest heartfelt wish come true this Yuletide season. The woman smiled warmly and walked away leaving Buffy stunned.

Well so much for shopping, Buffy muttered as she started towards the food court to meet Willow and Dawn. The two hours had flown by and Buffy was still presentless.