This cheesy little Christmas story takes place somewhere after the fifth season, but before the sixth season. All wonderful characters are property of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy Productions.
Summers Residence, Christmas morning. Buffy is sound asleep in her room after a late night of patrolling. Willow and Tara are also asleep in their room upstairs (formerly Joyce's room), but a certain sixteen year-old is excited about having the "family" together for the Holidays.
Dawn: (running through the hall anxiously) It's Christmas! It's Christmas!
She turns the corner into Willow and Tara's room, and proceeds to jump up and down on their bed.
Dawn: Rise and shine! It's Christmas! C'mon sleepyheads! Time's a wastin'…everyone gets up early on Christmas.
Tara rolls over on her side to face Dawn, but Willow just pulls a pillow over her face. Tara gently steals the pillow, leaving Willow groaning as Dawn continues her wake-up call.
Dawn: Come on Willow. Wake up! Do I have to sing?
Willow: (her eyes widen at the suggestion) NO! Please no…I'm awake (turns and glances at the clock on the night stand and yawns). Dawnie, it's not even seven; only five year-olds get up that early on Christmas. Besides…(points to herself) Jewish, remember?
Dawn impatiently rolls her eyes and tugs the blankets from the bed.
Dawn: But you have to come see it!
Willow: You do know Santa's not real?
Tara: He's not?
Dawn: Very funny. You have to look outside; it's snowing!
Willow and Tara: What?
The two women finally rise out of bed and follow a hyperactive Dawn to the window, where they see at least three inches of snow have fallen.
Willow: Wow, it's so…snowy.
Dawn: I've never seen snow before. Well, not until four thirty this morning.
Willow: Four thirty?
Dawn: What? (shrugs) I had to pee.
Tara: How often does it snow here? (to Willow) I-I mean, you've been in Sunnydale longer than I have. Have you ever seen anything like this before?
Willow: Yeah, but it was just Hell trying to freeze over, so I don't think that really counts.
Buffy, who's just awakened, joins the three of them at the window, wearily.
Buffy: There'd better be an impending apocalypse with all the noise you guys are making or there is gonna be some serious hel- (looks out the window)-lo it's snowing!
Dawn: I know…isn't it awesome?
Buffy: The last time I remember snow was after that spell (notices both Willow and Tara motioning her to stop before she lets the cat out of the bag) of really strange weather sophomore year.
Dawn apparently bought the story or wasn't really listening; she was still gazing outside in wonder. Buffy quickly changed the subject before Dawn could get a chance to catch on.
Buffy: I'm gonna make coffee; you guys want some?
Dawn: Oh, I already made some.
Willow: She's been up since four.
Dawn: Thirty.
Buffy: Right. I forgot how kids get at Christmas.
Dawn: Hey! (rolls her eyes and puts her hands on her hips) I'm not a kid.
Buffy: Whatever you say (teasingly). So I guess this means you're way too old and mature to go shake your presents and try to guess what they are with your sister.
Dawn: (pretends to ponder this momentarily, but her mind was already made) Race ya!
The two Summers sisters take off down the stairs leaving Tara and Willow gazing at the snow.
Tara: That was a nice thing you did for Dawn.
Willow: You think she liked it?
Tara: Did you see the look on her face? She hasn't been that excited about something since before…
Willow: Yeah, I guess. It was the least I could do; I mean, this first Christmas without Joyce is going to be tough enough on her - and Buffy. Not that snow's gonna make any of that better.
Tara: (Sighs and rests her head on Willow's shoulder, looking at the snow) It's beautiful.
Anya: It's disgusting!
Anya stands looking out the window of her and Xander's apartment. He comes out of the bedroom in his pajamas to join her.
Xander: Ahn, honey, I told you to wait to open that until-
Anya: Stupid white flakes.
Xander: (relieved) Oh, that. It's just snow.
Anya: I know what it is. (gestures towards self) Alive for centuries, remember?
Xander: You saw snow in your demon days?
Anya: Well, vengeance is a cold business. (hopeful) Now what were you saying about opening something?
Xander: Hm? Oh, nothing. You can open your gift when we get to Buffy's.
Anya: Just how exactly are we supposed to get to Buffy's in this mess?
Xander: Willow made a nice path for the Xander-mobile.
Anya: A spell?
Xander: Yeah. Dawn's never seen snow before, so she figured it would be nice since this is her first Christmas without Joyce.
Anya: I miss her.
Xander: We all do.
The two stand in silent remembrance for a moment before being interrupted by a knock at the door.
Anya: I thought we were going to Buffy's.
Xander: We are. (Gently pushes Anya around the corner into the other room) Stay here.
Another knock comes from the door.
Anya: Do you think it's trouble? You don't owe someone money do you?
Xander: Shh! I don't know who it is, but I'd feel a lot safer with you out of their sight.
They hear an even louder knock as Xander picks up a baseball bat and heads towards the door.
Xander: (raises the baseball bat and reaches for door) Who's there?
Spike: It's me.
As Spike opens the door, Xander lunges forward with the bat, unaware of Spike's answer. Luckily, Spike ducks and just barely misses what was sure to be a concussion.
Spike: Bloody Hell! Have you already been into the eggnog?
Anya: (coming from the bedroom) Spike!
Xander: It's all clear honey. No danger…just Santa Fangs.
Spike: Piffle. I'm plenty dangerous when I want to be. Besides, if I was a big nasty coming to eviscerate you, why the hell would I bother to bloody knock?
Anya: He has a point, Xander. He does need to be invited in.
There's an awkward pause; both Spike and Anya give Xander an expectant look.
Xander: What?
Anya: Come in, Spike.
Xander rolls his eyes as Spike walks into their apartment carrying a full, black garbage bag over his shoulder. Both Anya and Xander give him a raised eyebrow.
Xander: What's with the garbage bag, Spike? Going for the ever-popular undead sanitation worker look?
Spike gives Xander a dirty look as he lets the bag off his shoulder and onto the floor with a thud.
Spike: Said the man in the Snoopy pants (looks down at Xander's pajama bottoms). Nice pj's, really.
Xander: (To Anya) You invited him in because?
Anya: Oh where's you're Holiday spirit, Xander? Besides, I bet those are gifts in that bag.
Xander: (Scoffs) Yeah, gifts. Good one, honey. This is Spike we're talking about here.
Spike: Actually…(Looks down at the bag)
Xander: You're serious?
Spike: No it's my laundry…(pauses for effect). Of course they're presents you stupid git; it's bloody Christmas.
Xander: Gifts from a vampire? (In disbelief) I take that back…from a soulless vampire?
Anya: What else would it be? Evil exchange presents at this time of year too, you know.
Spike: I didn't have anything to wrap them in.
Anya: Ooh, I have lots of sparkly paper. Working at the Magic Box this year has made me an expert in wrapping abnormal shapes (trails off as she excitedly runs to get supplies).
Xander: I have to say Spike, you never cease to make me wonder what the hell you're up to.
Spike: What I'm up to? In case you haven't noticed, I've been fighting the good fight just the same as you. Maybe not for the same reasons, but we're on the same side now.
Xander: Now? Gee, that's reassuring. How long is it going to last? Until Buffy lets you down easy? I know this is just another pathetic attempt to get to her, but I have this non-slayer power that she doesn't…I can see right through it. Why should I believe that when she figures out and turns you down that we won't be right back where we started, human vs. vampire?
Spike pauses for a moment before responding. For the first time since Xander has known him, he looks genuinely hurt.
Spike: Right, because I don't have a soul. I just wanted to help Little Bit and her big sis through a rough time…but that's impossible, right? Because I'm soulless. You're absolutely right. (Backs away towards the door). Well, I'll leave you "Scoobies" to your Holiday together.
Anya reenters the room after setting up Spike's bag in the other room with wrapping paper and bows. She sees Xander standing with his arms crossed and Spike backing away with his hand on the door. She's understandably confused by the scene in front of her.
Anya: Spike, where are you going?
Spike: Um, (looks toward Xander who looks at him sternly, then back at Anya, struggling for an alibi) something came up…possible demon I heard. Figured I'd go check it out.
Anya: Oh, we should come with…and call Buffy!
Spike: (Emphatically) No! (Lowers his tone) No, I've got it. She needs a Holiday break. (Pauses before going through doorway) Tell everyone I said Merry Christmas.
Spike exits and Anya turns to Xander with a glare. She senses they're hiding something from her.
Anya: What did you say to him?
Xander: Anya, you know he was just trying to buy Buffy. I just wanted to protect my friend.
Anya: She's the slayer, not to mention a grown woman. It's her choice to make, not yours.
Xander: And what happens when he-
Anya: He got gifts for everyone, Xander…even you. Do you believe me? If you don't, the bag's right in there. See for yourself.
Xander: (In shock) Ahn, I didn't know.
Anya: You didn't even give him a chance.
Anya walks out the door and runs down the hall, leaving Xander standing alone in disbelief. She runs down the hall to find the elevator is on a different floor, so she continues her run down the stairs and catches a glimpse of Spike as he reaches the main exit of the building.
Anya: Spike, wait! (Stops and catches breath)
Spike: What? (Alarmed) Is something wrong?
Anya: I don't care what demon is waiting out there; if I can't get out of Buffy's questionable cooking of Christmas dinner, then neither can you.