Back at the Summers' Residence, the Christmas music is interrupted by the ringing of the doorbell

Willow: I'll get it.

Willow opens the door to reveal Giles waiting on the front porch with arms full of gift boxes. The falling snow is settling on his head and shoulders and causing his glasses to fog up.

Giles: Please tell me this bloody weather is your idea and not another apocalyptic weather pattern.

Willow: (Quietly) Shh! Awn-day doesn't know about the pell-say. (Blatantly loud so that the whole house can hear) Merry Christmas to you too.

Giles: (sarcastically) Well, if she didn't suspect anything before…

Willow: (Closes the door behind him and helps him carry the gifts) Don't be such a Scrooge.

Giles: (playfully) Bah Humbug.

Willow: (calling to the rest of the house) Giles is here!

Giles: Where is everyone? (He follows Willow into the living room and sets down the gifts.)

Willow: In the kitchen.

She continues into the kitchen and Giles does likewise. Tara is standing by the stove, Dawn is sitting on a stool at the counter, and Buffy greets them as they come around the corner.

Buffy: Well, all this food isn't going to make itself.

Buffy gives Giles a hug, clearly happy to see him for reasons other than slaying.

Giles: Merry Christmas everyone.

Willow: (still considering Buffy's comment) Well actually, I could have the food done in a second with a-

Tara: (interrupts, knowing exactly where Willow was headed) But where would be the fun in that?

Dawn: Tara helped me make pumpkin pie last night (hops off stool and leads Giles to the refrigerator). See. You do like pumpkin pie…right?

Giles: (Nods) It looks wonderful. (Looks around) Xander and Anya aren't here yet?

Dawn: Anya called earlier, said they'd be running a little late.

Tara: They should be here any minute.

Giles: Probably got caught in this weather.

Buffy: Or last minute shopping.

Dawn: (Casually) No, they just had to wait for Spike.

Everyone looks over at Dawn in stunned silence

Buffy: What?

Dawn: He…uh…needed to wrap presents still.

Buffy: Spike's coming? (Doorbell rings) Spike's here? (Turns to Willow, accusingly) Did you know about this?

Willow: (Raises her hands in innocence) I know nothing…(turns and leaves the room for a moment, but then pops head back in) about this, that is. I mean, I know things, but not "Spike things." Um…I'll get the door (leaves to do so).

Buffy turns to Tara, expecting her to answer the same question.

Tara: (Calmly) Buffy, (glances at Dawn out of the corner of her eye) I'm sure Dawn had no idea that you didn't know he was coming.

Buffy: Did you know?

Tara: (Confesses) Well, I did talk to Anya for a minute (Buffy rolls her eyes). She insisted that I needed to be in the kitchen taking care of dinner instead of you.

Buffy: So you knew he was coming and you didn't tell me? (She pauses for a moment, processing Tara's final comment) And what's wrong with me making dinner?

Tara: Oh, nothing. It's just…(reaching) she didn't want you to be stressed about having to make everything.

Buffy: Yeah, (with snark and sarcasm) because Spike coming will more than make up for that.

Spike: (Peeking around the corner) Did I hear my name?

Dawn: Spike! (Runs and gives him a hug)

Spike: Hey Little Bit. You mind if I have a word alone with your sis for a sec?

Dawn leaves the room to go greet Xander and Anya. Tara stands with her arms folded for a moment, then decides to leave the room as well. She walks past Buffy as she heads toward the living room.

Tara: (to Buffy) I'll make sure Anya doesn't shake the presents (gives Buffy a little reassuring smile, then leaves).

Buffy slowly walks around to the other side of the kitchen, letting the island counter create space between her and Spike.

Buffy: So, you're a Christmas-kind of vamp now, huh?

Spike: Look, before you say anything-

Buffy: I thought I just did.

Spike: Buffy, I know your friends don't believe me –you probably don't either- but I didn't come here because I expect something from you.

Buffy: Why are you here?

Spike: Nowhere else to go.

Buffy: Well, I'm glad you felt the need to share that.

Spike: Buffy, I know what it's like to lose. And I know that you're putting on your bravest slayer face for your friends and your little sis, but you can't fool me; I know you're hurting. You've given me so many chances; let me help you this time.

Buffy: You can't help me, Spike.

Spike: I can listen. (He pauses; Buffy's eyes begin to well with tears, but she bites her lip). You can tell me anything; the soulless can't judge.

Buffy: Spike, please, I can't talk, not now.

Spike: Not to me. Do you want me to leave? If it would be easier…just say the words and I'm gone.

Buffy pauses and Xander comes into the kitchen. Buffy quickly wipes her eyes and give him her best fake smile.

Buffy: What's up?

Xander: You might want to come open presents soon.

Spike: Little Bit getting anxious?

Xander: Dawn and Anya are sniffing the gifts.

Buffy: Sniffing?

Xander: Like bloodhounds.

Spike: That's new.

Xander: Yeah, apparently shaking is so five minutes ago.

They pause for a moment to hear Anya and Dawn call from the living room,

Anya: Xander! Are they coming?

Dawn: Hey Buffy, I think you got something leather!

Xander: Please, save us.

Buffy smiles a little at Xander's comment, then looks over at Spike, making her decision.

Buffy: We're coming!