A/N: I own nothing of the Whedonverse nor any fairytales and I am not profiting from this work.
Chapter 20
Previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Oz and I kind of, well, broke up
Glinda, sweet girl
You're not a witch at all
"Dinner was quite a success, if I might say so myself." Buffy reclined in an armchair after her hard day of basting. Willow had left to walk the shy new addition, Tara, home to the dorms.
"Yeah, thanks to the intervention of Spike and Mom." Dawn muttered under her breath causing her older sister to glare at her.
"Hush, niblet. You'll ruin Thanksgiving." Spike was sprawled on the ground at Buffy's feet drinking a glass of sparkling cranberry in solidarity with the two younger Summers.
"Thanks for helping, Spike." Buffy said with a pointed look at Dawn.
"Never mention it Slayer. I mean it. I'll lose the last shred of my manly pride."
"I think a man who can cook is very attractive." Anya said as she half watched T.V. and half listened to the others.
"Hey, I can make Kraft dinner." Anya patted Xander's knee in reassurance.
"I know sweetie. It's only seldom slightly crunchy." She smiled at Dawn as Xander put on a half hearted sulk.
"Alright," Mrs. Summers pulled herself from the couch and looked at the creeping seconds of the clock. "I for one am ready for some rest."
"Ooh, Xander and I are going to the mall for Black Friday. The shops open at one a.m."
"That's great dear. Anything you are going for in particular?"
"Well there is the wonderful sale at Frederick's of-" Xander grabbed her hand while Dawn snickered.
"Okay everyone, happy Thanksgiving. Thanks for having us Mrs. Summers. We'll see you at some point over the weekend to discuss the Mirage thingy. Bye."
"You'd think he'd have the decency to at least go 'meep meep' as he left the Whelp shaped hole in your door." Spike stood and started straightening the living room up so Joyce could head up for some kip.
"Yeah, I didn't realize the human face could get that color." Dawn stood and yawned.
"It was an alarmin' shade of red wasn't it?" He headed for the basement as Dawn walked up the stairs. She stopped at the landing.
"Hey Spike?"
"Yeah, Nibblet?"
"If you went shopping, you know, for fun stuff?"
"Yeah?" The word held a hint of weary suspicion.
"What would you go out to buy? You know like shoes or stuff?"
"Oh, right. I'd try to buy one of the records I used to have."
"Records?" Dawn looked thoughtful for a moment. "Like vinyl?"
"Yeah. Dru had her dolls and I had my records. I kinda lost 'em last time we split. I think I'd like to start up again."
"Cool." The teen turned to hop up the last few steps.
"What would you get?"
"You know, makeup. Shoes. Discman. Obligatory teen girl reference. Night Spike." And she went into her room.
"Good night nibblet." Spike turned with a shake of his head.
"Testing the waters for Christmas huh?" Slayer was standing in the foyer.
"Yeah, and Chanukah. Gotta get something for Red." They both walked into the kitchen to put away the last load of dishes.
"Lucky duck with eight nights of prezzies." Buffy pouted slightly as she put away the plates.
"Hey, it's usually just the one gift each night. 'M sure you got more than eight on christmas morning." Spike wiped down the countertop and put the detergent away.
"Yeah, but I was spoiled and an only child at the time." She turned on the backlight and double checked the door was locked.
"Ah, how times have changed." He headed toward the basement door.
"I wouldn't have them any other way." Buffy smiled at him from the doorway as he went to his cot. He waved at her and she waved back. As she closed the door and turned she froze with wide eyes at what was standing there.
"Are you so very certain of that?"