I know that I'm evil. I'm sure you guys will think that at the end of this chapter. I'll just tell you not to worry about it. All you have to do is trust me. I needed something after all and writer's block is always a problem. I'm trying to bring as much people into this as I can. Well, thanks for the reviews. I'm glad you guys liked what I did in the last chapter and I really hope this one won't disappoint.


Chapter 22

Buffy didn't know what to think as she stared at Spike in a Santa Claus outfit. He spoke to the boy in the elf costume next to him and said that he would be taking an early break. He then walked over to Buffy and pulled her away, so they could have some privacy. "What are you doing here?" He wondered and Buffy finally spoke after a few seconds.

"I should be asking you the same question, but I guess it's obvious what you're doing here. Is this why you've been acting all weird?" Spike took his Santa hat off and ran his fingers through his hair. He also removed the beard and Buffy once again thought about how cute he looked in the outfit. Red definitely looked good on him.

"I needed a part-time job and this was the only thing I could get." He told her and Buffy nodded, but there was something she still didn't understand.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He shrugged and thought about why he didn't tell her.

"I guess I was embarrassed. I was going to tell you, I just never found the right time. I didn't want you to see me like this." Buffy was just really relieved to find out that Spike wasn't cheating on her. She should have known that he would never do that.

"Spike, you didn't have to be embarrassed. You could have told me. I mean, you look really good in that outfit. Do you get to keep it?" Spike laughed and rolled his eyes.

"No, but I'm really glad you're okay with this. I just didn't have any money for gifts this year and I wanted to get you something special. The good news is that I'll only have to keep at this for a few more weeks. It's bloody hot in this thing." Buffy smiled and gave him a peck on the lips.

"You still look incredibly sexy." Spike wiggled his eyebrows and gave her a longer kiss. They were then interrupted by someone clearing their throat. Spike pulled away to look at the irritated elf behind him. He sighed and turned back to Buffy.

"I should get back to work now. I'll see you later, love." Buffy nodded and gave him one more kiss.

"Yeah, I'll tell you what I want then." She said with a smile.

"Will you sit on my lap?" Spike responded with a leer and her smile got even bigger.

"You can count on that." She replied with a wave and then went to find her sisters. Spike watched her go and then turned back to the elf, who was also watching her walk away.

"Dude, your girlfriend's hot." He said and Spike glared at the short man.

"Eyes off, mate." He told him and the man raised his hands in surrender. Spike only rolled his eyes and then got back to work. He couldn't wait for the day to be over.

"So, that's what you guys wanted to show me? You could have just told me instead of making me come here." Buffy said once she found her sisters.

"Yes, but this way was much more fun." Dawn commented and Harmony didn't even seem to be paying attention to them. She was looking off in the distance.

"Does anyone else agree that Spike looks damn good dressed like Santa?" She said and then noticed the expressions on both of their faces. "I'm just saying. Don't worry, I'm totally over him. He's not really my type anyway." She explained and Dawn rolled her eyes. Buffy didn't have anything to say to that and then noticed that Harmony's attention was now on something else. She turned to see what her sister was staring at and saw Cordelia. She guessed things still weren't that good between them. They have been friends practically since the beginning of high school. It was weird not seeing them together all the time. Harmony took a deep breath as Cordelia walked over to where they were. She stood in front of them and looked like she didn't know what to say.

"Hey," was all she managed to get out and Harmony was just glad that she said something.

"Hey, how are things going?" Harmony replied and Cordelia shrugged.

"Not so great. I'm not with Angel anymore." She explained and Harmony felt even worse.

"I'm really sorry. I hope you guys didn't break up because of me. It didn't mean anything." Harmony told her and Cordelia let out a sigh.

"It wasn't because of you. Things just haven't been working out with us lately. I told myself that he would change, but it doesn't look like that will be happening. He didn't just sleep with you. I found out that he has been cheating on me with Darla Thompson for a few months now. I couldn't be with him anymore after that. She's a major whore, there's no telling what diseases I would get." Harmony was shocked and had no idea.

"I'm sorry, he was a jerk anyway. You deserve better than that, Cordy." Cordelia gave a small smile and realized that she missed her friend.

"Thanks, you wanna get out of here? I would suddenly rather be elsewhere." Harmony thought about it and then looked at both of her sisters, who have been quiet since the other girl walked over to them.

"I'm with my sisters right now. We had more shopping to do." She said and both Buffy and Dawn were stunned that Harmony would rather spend time with them instead of Cordelia.

"That's fine; could I hang with you guys then?" She wondered and they all nodded. Cordelia smiled as they started to walk away in silence. She spoke again a few seconds later. "Did you guys check out that Santa? You can tell he has a nice ass under all those clothes. I wonder who it is." Buffy and Dawn tried not to laugh and Harmony smiled at her friend.

"That ass belongs to Buffy." She said as she gave her sister a wink and Cordelia was confused now.

"Okay, I have a feeling I missed something here." They nodded again as they continued their shopping.

"Damn, I never knew Santa was so hot." Spike turned around at the familiar voice that he hasn't heard in years. He was finally ready to go home when she appeared.

"Faith?" He said and she gave him a huge smile.

"What, you don't have a hug for your old girlfriend?" Spike returned her smile and went to do just that. He lifted her off of the ground a little in the process and she laughed at his antics. He then put her down and still couldn't believe that she was there. He hasn't seen her since he left England all those years ago.

"What are you doing here?" He asked and she shrugged as she pulled on his beard.

"I figured I would look you up; see what you've been doing. Besides, London was starting to bore me. I see you're doing pretty well." Faith said as she looked him up and down. "I'm not even gonna ask." She stated and he was grateful for that.

"How did you know where I was?" He wondered as he got a good look at her. She still looked the same as he remembered, not much for change.

"I stopped by your house and Giles was kind enough to let me know. So, you happy to see me?" She asked and he hugged her again.

"You have no idea." He whispered and couldn't remember ever being so happy to see anyone. He knew Faith since he was little and they were always so close. He didn't know how much he missed her, until now. They still kept in touch, but it wasn't the same. Spike then grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the Mall. They had a lot of catching up to do.