Title: Hot Chocolate

Author: Forsaken2003

Pairing: S/X

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: I own none, all belong to Joss Whedon

Comments: Always welcomed!

Summary: A Christmas gathering

Warnings/Spoilers: Season 5

Beta'd by: Unbeta'd

Christmas music was playing in the background Spike was the first one to show up at Xander's for his small Christmas gathering. Giles wasn't coming because he flew back to England to spend with Olivia. Buffy, Willow and Tara were running a little late due to family obligations. Buffy. Dawn and Joyce were driving up to Los Angeles the next day for shopping and hopefully a visit with their father so Joyce wanted to make sure they were all packed and ready to head out early. Willow's parents had surprised her with an invite to their house so they could get to know Tara a little better. While they didn't celebrate Christmas they wanted Tara to fill welcome and went all out for Christmas dinner.

Spike sat on the couch the music wasn't very loud and Die Hard was muted on the television. "So you bailed on your family get together?"

"If bailing means I wasn't invited than yes," Xander replied as he set down one of the many goody trays he had bought. He wasn't much of a baker but you needed chocolatey treats for Christmas.

"You're parents didn't invite you for Christmas?" Spike asked, shocked. How could they not invite their only child to spend Christmas with them?

Xander plopped down beside Spike. "Are you really surprised? I mean you did live in the basement with me for a few weeks. You heard them. Why would they want their disappointment of a son in their house?"

To Spike it sounded like Xander actually believed that. "You're better off without them."

"By spending Christmas alone?" It was the twenty-third, Buffy would be in LA for the next week and Willow and Tara were going on a Wicca retreat.

"Well it just so happens that I wasn't invited for Christmas with my family either," Spike casually said.

Xander imagined Spike and Angel spending Christmas together. He doubted that they'd watch A Charlie Brown Christmas and go carolling. Would they give each other their favourite type of blood as presents? "If you don't mind Chinese food for dinner and stuffing yourself full of chocolate you're more than welcome to come here. Home Alone and Home Alone 2 will be watched."

"Really?" Spike asked sitting up. "I can spend Christmas with you?"

"I'd rather spend Christmas with you than my own family so..." Xander shrugged. "You have to bring the beer though." He looked at the clock. "The girls should be here soon. Why don't I make you a special hot chocolate?"

Special hot chocolate? Spike's instinct was to say no but stopped himself. Xander just invited him to spend the holidays with him it would be rude to refuse. "Sounds great."

"If you don't like it I'll buy the beer," Xander said confidently before walking into his kitchen.

Spike was intrigued. What did Xander have in store for him? He was shaken from his thoughts when the front door opened and Buffy, Willow and Tara all walked in.

Buffy stopped when she saw Spike. "What are you doing here?"

"Was invited," Spike answered. He turned his attention back to Die Hard.

"Ho, ho, ho, my lovely ladies!" Xander walked back, carrying a mug. "Who wants hot chocolate?" There was a collective of yeses. "Great." He placed the mug down on the coffee table before disappearing into the kitchen again.

Spike reached for his mug but Buffy's slayer speed beat him. "Oi! That's mine!"

"You can have the next one," Buffy stated. "Oh! Little marshmallows!" She placed the mug against her lips and took a sip. A weird look took over her face as she pulled it away. "That is not normal hot chocolate. Is that cayenne?"

"Yup," Xander answered as he walked in with a tray of hot chocolates. "And blood."

Thanks to Spike's quick reflex he caught the mug that fell from Buffy's hands preventing a mess. "I told you it was mine." He looked at it debating on if he wanted slayer cooties. It would be a waste of blood if he didn't drink it.

"Why did you put blood in it?" Buffy asked as she dragged her tongue across a napkin.

"Because it was for Spike and I wanted to make him something special." Xander handed Buffy a regular hot chocolate. "That will also teach you to take other people's things."

Spike suddenly felt all warm inside. He wasn't sure if it was the because of his hot beverage or because Xander did something just for him. He downed the rest of his chocolatey goodness. "Delicious, pet."

Everybody stared at Spike because of the term of endearment.

"That means you're bringing the beer," Xander said with a smile.

"What's happening?" Willow asked confused. When Xander first invited Spike to their shindig everyone was baffled including Spike. Now Xander was making special drinks for him and talking about beer.

Everyone sat down getting comfy. "Spike and me are going to spend Christmas together since neither of our families want us."

"Spike doesn't have family," Buffy stated.

"What do you think Angel and Dru are, ya daft bint," Spike said annoyance clearly in his voice.

Buffy blinked realizing she had forgotten that. "Right."

Spike shot Xander a look as if asking why he was friends with her. Xander ignored it.

"Yeah, so we're going to order take out and watch Christmas movies together." Xander turned to Spike. "I've also got Black Christmas. You'd probably like that one."

Buffy stopped herself from questioning Xander's sanity by stuffing her mouth with a peanut butter ball.

"I-I'm glad that you guys won't be a-alone." You could always count on Tara to be supportive.

"Thank you. It's going to be fun!" Xander said excitedly. This was probably going to be the best Christmas he's had so far.

Willow smiled. "Are you going to introduce Spike toSnoopy dance?"

Spike was offended. "I may be a vampire but that does not mean I don't appreciate Charlie Brown."

"You're a weird vampire," Xander commented. He saw Spike's demeanour change, his expression darkened. Xander shoulder bumped Spike. "I like it. It means you have personality. You're way ahead of dead boy."

Willow stuffed a cookie in Buffy's mouth when she saw her face go red.

Silently thankful that vampires could blush, Spike said, "Just for that I'll bring those store bought soft sugar cookies you like so much as well,"

Tara smiled she could see Spike's and Xander's auras were starting to blend. She guessed by New Years they'd be a couple. Spike was doing the right thing to get to Xander's heart and that was going through his stomach.

Xander became excited. "I'm keeping you to that!"

"You just keep my belly full of this hot chocolate and I'll keep your full of sweets," Spike replied, as he stuck his finger in his mug scrapping out the left overs before sucking it into his mouth. Not only did he hear Xander's heart speed up but felt it. If Spike was lucky he was going to have a very Merry Christmas.

The End