The Christmas Blues: Deck the Halls.
Disclaimer: Since I'm not currently UPN or Fox, these aren't my characters, but the burning gingerbread men are, and the demon.
Spoilers: Up to the episode 'Wrecked' on BTVS, and the episode 'Dad' on Angel, both in season 6.
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"That was extremely rude of them," Cordelia whined, running a hand through her short hair. "I mean, no hello, no how've you been, no get the hell out of my home…" She looked around for a minute or so, "And what a home this is."
"Yeah," Gunn began, "This sure has a touch of Martha."
"Quite subtle, actually," Wesley commented. "I believe those flowers are sparkling."
Cordelia smirked, slightly, and touched the aforementioned flowers. "It's a wacky Winter Wonderland."
"Well, I like the napkins. Look at how they're folded, all neat." Fred chuckled a bit, "They never had napkins in Pylea." "Did they need them?" Cordelia replied, "I mean, it's not as if they ever bathed."
Welsey cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the small group, "So, what do you think they're speaking about?"
Cordelia put on her sad face, mimicking Buffy horribly… "Something like… 'Oh Angel, how can you DO this to me. I'm just the poor defenseless slayer…tasteless; yes, and much too thin. Oh, kiss me Angel!'" She spun around, chucking a bit. "Yep. That or she's kicking his ass."
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"You have to be," He continued, looking right into my eyes… "You have to be because if you aren't, then I can never ever hope to be."
"God Angel, go easy on the guilt trip…" I sniffled, wiping my eyes on the back of my hand. "I really don't think I'll be able to last though this much longer…so can we cut to the chase? You're here, I'm here, your gang and my gang might be playing 'bet on the smoochies', and for all I know Christmas dinner will be ordered from DoubleMeat Palace. Now, to top it all off, I once more get into the muddled mess of my forbidden love, which is something that either, has to get unforbidden, or resolve itself. Would you care to elaborate on that, or possibly explain something so I can stop babbling?"
He looks back up at me after glancing nervously at my feet, his eyes breaking my heart…
"I love you, Buffy."
My breath catches in my throat; I don't know what to say.
Instead,
I hear a loud, British voice echo from the kitchen.
"Wot in the bleedin' hell? Wot are you lot doing around 'ere, don't you have your own city to prance about in? Cause you're cuttin' in on my turf. Now get the sodding hell away from the crystalized flowers and fly away to your hotel nest or what have you. These are my demons, and this is my slayer. Speaking of the cutie, 'ave any of you buggers seen her?"
Once more, saved by Spike.
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I stare at Angel for a few more seconds, then turn towards the kitchen. Spike was there, good old reliable Spike, and I knew he would stay. Even if I don't love him the way I love Angel, I need him.
Sometimes our own hearts can betray us.
As I turn towards the Kitchen to meet Spike, Angel grabs my arm. It seems as if fire is spreading through my body, ignited by his touch, fed by the irresistable desire inside of me. Before I even know what's happening, he has me spun around, his arms around me, his lips on mine.
Oh god, what am I doing?
"Eeeep!" Willow let out a yelp as she once again burned herself on a tiny shiny bulb. Entangled in her own nest of lights, Dawn could do nothing but watch and shift around in the massive mess of bubblewrap, mildewing decorations, and cardboard.
"Xander to the rescueeee!" Sounded an overly enthusiastic voice from behind Willow. She turned, her neck protesting with a twinge of pain, and nearly fell backwards in her effort to save the lights from being trampled. "Rescue me later, Xand…right now I think Dawn is a bit more swamped!" Nodding like one of those strange bobbing-head dogs, he carefully plodded over to the younger Summers and helped her untangle herself.
Then all three heard the sound of exclamation followed by a 'Bloody HELL!'from inside the house.
"Spike." Willow and Xander said in unison, while Dawn merely turned towards the half-assed attempt at a decorated house and raised both eyebrows.
What a pretty, pretty picture.
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"Watch it, mate…you're touching my slayer there!" That's all I heard as I pushed Angel away with a gasp. My lips stung after his enslought on them, and I raised my hands to them, fingertips touching the swollen skin. "Oh…my…" I gasped with all the breath I had left.
Oh god, Summers…what *have* you gotten yourself into this time?
Spike posessively stalked over to me, putting his lean frame between me and the gigantic looming shadow of a very cranky Angel. "Spike." The latter growled, his huge fists balling by his duster-clad sides. "Peaches," My peroxide vampire replied, almost a bit too happily. "Wot grand idea 'ave you got now, Sir Poof? It better not be some pansy attempt at winnin' lil miss Slayer back, 'cause I can tell you now that she's been Broodin' Vampire-free for almost six months, and much 'appier to boot!"
Somewhere in his grand display of macho-ness, Spike had wrapped an arm around my waist, and simultaneously, Angel's eyes had taken on a…shall we say menacing shine? Oh boy. The smell of burned food once again entered my senses as I snapped back into harsh reality with a tinge of unease flooding my mind…my kingdom for an explanation!
TBC…
