ABC's of Christmas, Slayer Style
I is for Ice skating
Buffy smiled to herself as she skated smoothly across the ice, avoiding the edges of the rink, where most skaters remained, and instead cutting through and around the center. She felt completely content right now, not only because of the relaxing physical activity she always enjoyed, but also because all those she cared about were with her as well…
She still wasn't sure how she'd managed it, but somehow she had convinced everyone to take an afternoon off to go ice skating with her. It was the only Christmas-like activity that they all agreed to, particularly since not all celebrated Christmas. The rink was crowded, for a good many of the newer Slayers had come too…
Buffy could see Xander moving about in his usual reckless way, often nearly colliding with some of the girls in a way that looked suspiciously deliberate to her. Willow and Kennedy were clinging to the side, with Kennedy patiently coaching the awkward, slightly skittish Willow. Dawn was zooming around easily, with Andrew struggling- and failing- to keep up, falling often and painfully. Even Giles had come, and Buffy was surprised to see that he was actually rather skilled.
And Faith…Faith was there too. She had never gone skating before, but after the first few clumsy minutes she seemed to have gotten the hang of it. For the past ten minutes or so she had been skating at a fairly good clip, even maneuvering around the others.
Just then, as if in response to her thoughts, she could sense Faith coming up behind her a few moments before the other girl grabbed her around the waist, almost making the both of them fall. Buffy gasped a little, putting out her arm to balance.
"Faith! Don't do that!"
"Do what?" Faith grinned, still hanging onto her arm. "Skate with you? And here you are usually all touchy girl…"
"Of course I am," Buffy said, giving her a little smirk. "But someone here still needs a little instruction."
She reached for Faith's hand, wrapping her fingers tightly around it. As Faith squeezed back, a little startled but willing, Buffy began to lead her around the garland-and-lights-bedecked rink. Breathing in the icy freshness of the air and feeling Faith's hands in hers…a perfect combination.