Chapter 13 Christmas Time

A/N: So the last chapter Angel has hit the road on Christmas day and from this chapter Buffy will be celebrating Christmas. But Angel is just days away. Enjoy.

Buffy, Cordelia and Willow walked together up the mountain side to an old mill. Cordelia's father invited them to stay for a while and celebrate Christmas. The three girls brought food for the evening not knowing what was going to be in store for them. But they were excited and the three giggled and laughed together on their way. Willow seemed to be doing much better these days. The three came up to the mill and walked in as there was good fire going. Buffy walked in first followed by Cordelia. The singer of the group Doyle looked up and saw Cordelia and his heart skipped a beat. He couldn't take his eyes off of her as the girls set up the basket of food. The banjo player Oz kept his eyes on Willow and smiled.

The eating and drinking was over and the music started. Whistler played his fiddle while Oz played the banjo and Doyle sung. It had a mix of southern blue grass but a hint of Irish to as Doyle was Irish. When Buffy found that out it made her think of Angel. The dancing started as well and even Cordelia was dancing too. Buffy was smiling as she locked arms with Cordelia and they danced together. It was a simple Christmas party but one they would remember.

"Wake up, gals, let's go to the river. Wake up, gals, let's go to the river. Wake up, gals, let's go to the river. Then we'll join the band!" Doyle and Whistler sung together. "Christmas time will soon be over, Christmas time will soon be over. Christmas time will soon be over, then we'll join the band." Willow danced to the music and she couldn't help but look to Oz and he looked back and then Whistler nudged him.

"Focus," Whistler said smiling as the girls danced. Everyone was happy it was a nice way to celebrate Christmas. Usually for Buffy she would be at huge parties with the fancy people of Charleston. The past three years Christmas was spent alone. This party was very different from the others she's been too and so far this was one was the best.

"Get up gals don't be bitter. Get up gals don't be bitter. Get up girls don't be bitter. Then we'll join the band" The three men sung and Buffy laughed with Cordelia. The song ended and another began and they would just eat and dance the night away. The place was even decorated a little with some holly and mistletoe.

The six of them were quiet now as the night was getting late. Buffy leaned up against a post listening to the band play softer music. And her thoughts dwelled on Angel. It was Christmas and he wasn't home. It was Christmas and he was alone and probably cold and starving. She didn't know where he was and she wanted to be with him wherever he maybe. While Buffy listen to the music Cordelia looked to Buffy's bracelets. They were real gold with diamonds and pretty. Willow looked over to and Cordelia held Buffy's wrist looking at the pretty jewelry.

"I know dark clouds will hover o'er me," Doyle sung and Cordelia went back to watching him. She felt a weird attraction to him but why? One he was short, shorter than most men. "I know my pathway is rough and steep. But golden fields lie out before me. Where weary eyes no more will weep." Buffy took off two of her bracelets and gave one to Cordelia and Willow. Cordelia's never had gold or diamonds before. "I'm goin' home to see my father. I'm goin' home no more to roam." Cordelia looked down to her knew treasure and then looked back up to Doyle as he kept singing never once taken his eyes off of Cordelia. "I am just goin' over Jordan. I am just goin'... over home."

The night was done as everyone was outside ready to part their different ways. The only problem was the cave they stayed in was a few miles and it was cold. For the girls they had less to travel. Everyone bundled up ready to make their way home for the night.

"Merry Christmas Oz." Buffy said and hugged him. "Merry Christmas Doyle nice to meet you." She said and they shook hands.

"Merry Christmas Miss Buffy." Doyle said as everyone said goodnight.

"Merry Christmas darlin'." Whistler said to Cordelia as they shared a quick hug but she needed warn him about something. It was already dangerous for all of them to be together.

"Don't sleep here." Cordelia warned her father and everyone knew why. Riley and his men were on the hunt for deserters everyday or anyone that didn't live here or who they felt shouldn't be here. They killed Willow's brothers and Xander without any remorse and they would do the same to Whistler, Oz and Doyle.

"We won't," Cordelia's father assured her.

"It's dangerous don't sleep here." Cordelia warned them again she lost her father once and now that he was becoming pleasant to be around and acting more like a father she didn't want to lose him again.

"Oh it's bitter," Buffy commented while she put her scarf on. "They could stop one night." She wished they could stay with them at Black Cove they could be one big family.

"They stop one night, they're gonna wanna stop two." Cordelia said with a smile looking to her father and he smiled back and they shared one more quick hug.

"What about next Sunday?" Whistler asked meaning they should have another party. "It'll be New Year." That was another cause for celebration. It sounded like a good idea and they would plan on it.

"Maybe," Buffy said because it was a week away and she still lived day to day she wasn't completely on her feet she was getting there though.

"Gonna be a better one than 1864." Whistler joked and everyone smiled hoping it would be. The last three years have been rough on everyone. People lost something whether it was a loved one or lost something that was a part of them. This war has changed many lives and not all for the better.

"This war's over in a month." Doyle said and if everyone had a nickel for every time they heard that phrase well this group of people would be rich.

"That's what he said a month ago." Cordelia added in looking at her father as they all could tell it was time to head off.

"It started off bein' over in a month." Willow added and Oz smiled as she spoke. He knew her past and wished he could do something about it. The only thing he could do is stand up to Riley. But Riley sounded mean and not easy to take on. But Riley needed to be put in his place somehow. Everyone said good night and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. It was a good night and now it was time for some sleep.

"You're stayin' with us tonight Willow." Cordelia insisted as the three girls were off into the night. The three men walked away but always checking behind them.

"That's my Cordy." Whistler said to the other two and Doyle smiled and looked behind him to watch Cordelia as she walked away.

"She's an original." He said watching her walk off into the night. He hoped to see her again and real soon too. The girls were now walking on the dirt road in the cold night as snow was everywhere. They could see their breath in the night and Buffy liked it. She always liked the snow for some reason. The three walked together in silences and again her mind wondered off thinking about Angel. She looked up into the sky seeing the stars and she hoped Angel was seeing the same night sky she was.

"What kind of name's Doyle anyways?" Cordelia asked and Buffy looked over to her and smiled she had a feeling Cordelia was thinking about him. They were staring at each other all night and not all that discretely either.

"Why do you care what his name is?" Willow asked and Cordelia said nothing as Buffy and Willow wrapped their arms around each other's shoulders. Cordelia still said nothing as they waited for an answer and then she was quick to change the subject and looked up to the sky.

"Hey what do you call that cluster of stars right there?" She asked and Buffy smiled and stopped walking and looked up. "Right there," Cordelia pointed up and all three gazed up.

"Uh…there?" Buffy asked and Cordelia nodded. "That's Orion," Buffy answered. "And that's Gemini and that is Orion's big dog Canis Major." Buffy answered and both Cordelia and Willow looked to her all impressed.

"Listen to her Will," Cordelia started. "She's turned into a regular highland girl." And Buffy smiled looking back into the night sky.

"Nah I could always name the stars Cordy. That was never my problem." And then Buffy looked to her two friends. She had two good friends that could take care of her and she could take care of them. She then put both arms around them as they looked up into the sky. "I love you darlin'." She said to Cordelia. "In case that big old sky falls on our heads." And she kissed Cordelia' cheek and Cordelia couldn't help but smile. Buff then turned to Willow. "And I love you too Willow." She kissed Willow's cheek. "I do." And the three best friends headed off home to get some sleep. Maybe 1865 would be a better year.

And they're the three best friends that anyone can have. They're the three best friends that anyone can have. They're the three best friends that anyone can have and they'll never ever ever ever ever leave each over. Hope you enjoyed that chapter. And guess what in two more chapters our couple will finally meet. More on the way comments and reviews are welcomed thank you for reading.