In the communication room, Buffy had finally got through to the castle in Edinburgh. Faith had answered the phone and had ran to get Dawn who was apparently in the library with Giles.
"Buffy? Hey!" came her voice over the line.
"Oh, Dawn! I'm so glad to hear your voice!" Buffy gushed.
"Were you able to get a ride home yet? If you leave now I bet you'd get home Christmas Eve!"
Buffy's heart sank and she squirmed uncomfortably in the desk chair she sat in. "That's why I'm calling, we can't get out until the 27th."
"After Christmas."
"Yeah," the disappointment in Buffy's voice matched her sister's. "I'm so sorry Dawnie. I know I said we'd be home—"
"Don't worry about it, Buffy, I'm already on it! I—" Before Buffy could hear what her sister was going to say, the call dropped suddenly.
Buffy slammed the phone down in frustration, tears burning the back of her eyes. "Call dropped-" she hissed. "-at least I got to tell her we won't be home," she turned to Sam. Buffy's good mood from earlier was rapidly evaporating. She took a deep breath. Sulking wasn't going to help. "I think I just want to go back to the cabin, I'm pretty tired."
Sam patted her shoulder sympathetically. "Sure, let's go."
They were both silent as they walked back to the cabin. Buffy opened the door to find Spike and Riley sitting with a nearly empty bottle of scotch between them.
"Humm… what am I seeing here? Since when did you two become drinking buddies?" Buffy asked.
"What?" Sam asked incredulously as she came in behind Buffy. "Is that the scotch your dad sent you?"
"Hey Hun— hummm, yeah you want some?" Riley slurred.
Buffy and Sam exchanged looks.
"I think I'll take Sam's, that's probably not good for the baby," Buffy answered.
"Oh right! Sorry, honey," He apologized to his wife as he handed the bottle over to Buffy.
She took a drink and turned to Spike who sat there with an amused look on his face. Sam went over to her bed and started taking off her outer layers, hung up her parka and peeled off a sweater and sat down on the side of the bed to remove her boots. "Ri, why don't you come to bed before you get yourself into any more trouble?"
"Yes, Dear," he agreed drunkenly as he got up, staggered over to his bed and flopped down next to his wife.
Spike laughed heartily.
"Are you enjoying yourself?" Buffy asked him as she took another swig and handed him the bottle.
He tipped it in appreciation and took another drink himself. "Immensely, he's surprisingly funny with a few drinks in him."
"You looked like a cat playing with his food when we came in here."
"Just havin' a laugh, I wasn't going to eat him," he smirked. "Did you get through to the Nibblet?"
"The call was cut short, but I got my point across."
He handed the bottle back to her. "You need this more than I do, Love ."
Buffy took Riley's vacated seat next to Spike. "Thanks, Hun. I was actually planning on going to bed."
"Little nightcap will help you sleep, Goldilocks."
"Here's to spending Christmas in Nepal," she snorted, taking another swig, passing it back to him.
"Cheers, Pet," he took a drink and held it up. "Not much left in the bottle, you finish it."
"Merry Christmas," she said, downing the rest of the bottle.
"Aww, now come on, Love , let's get you to bed. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, we'll do what we can to make the best of it, promise."
"If you say so," she grumbled.
Buffy shed the rest of her outerwear and went over to their camp bed.
Spike followed her. "How about I tuck you in?"
"Humm… k," she yawned snuggling down onto the bed.
Spike pulled the blankets over her, tucking her in like a small child, placing a sweet kiss onto her forehead. "Night, Love."
"You're not coming to bed?"
"The night is young, Beautiful. Nah, I already finished all of Sam's books, I thought I'd take a walk."
"Don't be too long, okay?"
"No worries, nowhere to go really," he grinned.
Outside Spike, lit a cigarette and looked up at the full moon. It was a beautifully cold still night. He looked around the compound, everything was quiet as he took a drag on his cigarette and proceeded to walk around the compound, which took him less than ten minutes. Boredom was going to be the real danger tonight.
He frowned a little thinking about his promise to Buffy to make it the best Christmas possible. He didn't really have any idea what he was going to do. He didn't have any presents for her here. There was no tree, no lights, no stockings… Then an idea hit him. He might not have much to work with but there was a lot of snow; particularly a large pile of it smack dab in the middle of the compound.
Spike took a long drag of his cigarette as he assessed the mound of snow. With a little work it could potentially make a decent Christmas tree.
With that thought, he went back into the cabin quietly grabbed a large bowl and some cutlery to use as tools. He quickly got to work, adding, subtracting, and moving snow precisely where he wanted it. He was no sculptor, however, when he stepped back from his creation, he was reasonably certain it was recognizable as a large Christmas tree. He really wished he had something he could use as decorations but this would have to do. He shrugged and turned away from his work, intending to snuggle up with Buffy and reread one of the books in Sam's collection.
He stopped in his tracks when from the edge of the camp he saw three figures approaching. Two of the figures were small, roughly Buffy's height and build, but the third was much larger.
As they drew closer into the light of the camp, Spike realized the two smaller figures were Imay and Shalva. Imay was gripping Shalva's arm tightly as they navigated the snowy path. The figure behind them was unmistakably a Yeti.
It was a massive creature, eight and a half feet tall and at least half as wide, covered in thick pale-blue-gray and white fur. It was carrying a glittering jewel encrusted battle ax over its shoulder and a small box in one massive hand.
If it hadn't been for the two monks leading it into the camp, Spike might've been readying himself for a fight. As it was, he strode a few steps towards them. They stopped a few feet away, all three bowing to him respectfully.
Spike bowed in return as it seemed like the appropriate thing to do. "What can I do for you gentlemen this fine evening?" Spike asked, in an attempt to sound as polite as he could muster.
Imay spoke first. "Greetings, Shanshu. We have brought a guest who is eager to meet you."
Spike raised an eyebrow. "I noticed."
Monk Shalva spoke, as Imay began translating "This is Afjal, the Chief of the Yeti tribe. He has come on behalf of his tribe to thank you for defeating the Demon of Ice."
"Oh eh yeah, you're welcome," Spike answered awkwardly, pausing to let Imay translate for him.
Monk Shalva shifted towards Afjal speaking in a series of growls that Spike could only assume was the Yeti's language, and couldn't help thinking that it really did sound a lot like a Wookie.
Afjal stepped forward, presenting both the battle ax and the box to Spike. The Yeti had made both look remarkably small, yet, as he accepted the gifts from him, Spike realized the ax was nearly as tall as he was and the box was more like a large jewelry chest.
Spike opened it carefully, to find that it indeed was a jewelry chest, filled to the brim with uncut gems of all types.
Spike gaped for a moment before composing himself. "This is an incredibly generous gift, thank you."
Afjal responded in his growling language, beginning the translation train again like a game of telephone with Shalva translating for Afjal and Imay translating for Shalva. "Afjal says he can not express enough gratitude for what you have done for his tribe. Not only have you stopped the killing of the livestock and restored peace with the villagers, but you have also broken the curse that has been on his tribe for centuries. You have restored their magic to them and he is forever in your debt, great Shanshu," Imay bowed as he finished, then standing up, he seemed to relax a little. "Unofficially, Afjal also wants to know what in the name of the mountain are you doing here with the snow," Imay chuckled, pointing to Spike's attempt at a Christmas tree.
"Oh, I eh—" Spike stammered, rubbing the back of his neck as he attempted to explain what Christmas was and how upset Buffy was by being unable to celebrate with her family and friends and how the "tree" was his attempt to cheer her up.
After they had gone through the torturous process of translating, Imay finally responded. "Afjal is touched by your efforts to please 'The Warrior Bride' and is asking if you could create a vivid picture of this 'Christmas tree' you described within your mind and allow him to touch your forehead."
Spike shrugged more than a little uneasily, but figured he was in no danger, so he tried his best to do as he was told. He took a moment to picture the largest grandest most glittery Christmas tree he could ever remember seeing and nodded once.
Afjal reached out one huge hand and placed a single finger onto Spike's forehead. With the other arm the massive yeti stretched out a gigantic hand towards the tree Spike had been working on.
Spike opened his eyes, watching as the tree took on a more defined shape ice crystals formed into pine needles, radiating and converging to create beautiful, sparkling ornaments that adorned the branches. Real icicles appeared glittering like tinsel and a large sparkling star appeared at the top of the tree. The entire thing looked as though it was carved from fine crystal and covered in diamonds.
When Afjal was finished, he spoke again making a sound that Spike hoped was a laugh as he waited for Imay to translate. "He says to make sure your Bride knows that although it was your vision, it was he who made it. He wants to make sure she knows who gets the credit for such a beautiful masterpiece." Imay chuckled.
Spike cracked a smile. "She's too smart for that, she knows I'm not that talented."
Afjal let out a deep rumbling laugh, once Shalva had finished and Spike was surprised it didn't wake the whole camp. It was then that it occurred to him that there could possibly be some sort of a spell in place that would muffle sound.
Imay interrupted Spike's musings. "Afjal says it sounds like your bride is a worthy choice of mate. He extends his blessing upon both of you." There was another quick exchange of words before Imay spoke again. "Afjal, Monk Shalva and myself extended our gratitude and a wish for your safe travels. A good night and good luck, Shanshu. Peace be with you and yours," with that they all bowed once more before the monks and the Yeti chief turned, strode out of the camp, leaving Spike alone. He turned back to look at the tree, it really was quite spectacular.
After several minutes, Spike made his way back inside the cabin. He took off his jacket and boots, making himself comfortable with a cup of tea in front of the woodburning stove, contemplating the last few days. The tree wouldn't fix anything of course but he hoped that in some small way it might make her Christmas a little brighter.
Spike looked at the clock and realized with a jolt that it was already the morning of Christmas Eve. The sun would be up soon but it would take longer for it to come over the mountain and decided to let her sleep a little longer before waking her.
Once Buffy and the Finns were awake, Spike sat them all down at the little table to tell them about his night time visitors. Spike handed over the battle ax to Buffy. "Wow…" she breathed reverently, examining the jeweled handle. "That's amazing."
"Quite the collectible, ain't it?"
"No kidding…" Buffy rasped.
"That ain't all, pet, got something else to show you. Get dressed, you three, think you'll all want to see this."
Five minutes later the three of them were outside standing in front of the cabin gaping up at the glittering tree as the sunlight started to make it sparkle, while Spike stood in the protection of the doorway.
"The Yeti made this?" Buffy asked, awestruck.
"Let's say he put on the finishing touches. I got the general shape then he did the rest with his fancy new powers. Team effort."
"Go team…" she blinked several times, feeling happily overwhelmed. "Wow Spike, it's beautiful. Thank you."
"My pleasure, Love, and the Yeti of course," he added with a chuckle.
"Well of course," she grinned at him.
Shortly after, Sam decided it was time to raid the kitchen and see what they might be able to whip up for Christmas. She insisted that Buffy and Riley come with her while Spike got some sleep.
Between the three of them they were able to cobble together a decent batch of sugar cookies from memory. They weren't exactly like Buffy's mother's but they were close. Unfortunately they didn't have cookie cutters so they had been forced to use a drinking glass. They also didn't have any powdered sugar so they hadn't been able to decorate the cookies but that didn't seem to matter much.
The cook had announced he was making a roast using the rest of the goat that hadn't been used for the curry the other night. It might not have been what any of them had planned but they were making due. Which meant it was shaping up to be a pretty decent Christmas Eve in Buffy's book.
That evening, once Spike had come outside, they ended up having a snowball fight between them and the other few people on the base. They had also appreciated the Christmas tree and the cookies. One of the guys started singing Christmas carols prompting a few of the others and the Finn's to join in. Buffy and Spike hung back just listening. "I know it's not what you wanted but it's not bad is it?"
"Not bad at all," she squeezed his arm. "I wonder how long they'll keep this up."
"Hard to say, sounds like they're making a right little party of it," Spike answered.
"You want to get out of here?"
"Hell yes," he said as he kissed her roughly.
Buffy let out a purr of contentment as they made their way back to the cabin. Once inside all bets were off, along with their clothes. They didn't even make it to their camp bed. Buffy threw him down roughly onto the floor. Spike grinned, he knew what was coming next. It was the first time they had been together since they had arrived in Nepal (even after Spike's defeat of the Ice Demon) and it was as though they had been going through withdrawal from each other.
Buffy joined him on the floor, sitting to straddle his knee as she leaned forward to stroke his cock with her tongue. Spike hissed with pleasure, digging his fingertips into her hair as she took his tip into her mouth flicking her tongue over him and tasting the moisture beading at the tip with a moan. His hips jerked as she sank further down on him, hollowing out her cheeks as she pulled back slowly. She let her mouth stretch open, taking his cock into her mouth as far as she possibly could before she started to work him into her throat.
Spike cradled the back of her head tenderly as she moved to take him deeper. "Shit, Buffy," he gasped as her lips strained to wrap around the base of his cock, the muscles of her throat nearly strangling him as she struggled for breath. Just when he didn't think he could take any more, Buffy pulled back completely. She dropped his glistening cock from her mouth before she was moving her body up to straddle his hips, working herself down onto him with slow rolling movements as she let her body devour him with a moan.
"I missed feeling you like this," she rasped.
Spike growled, meeting her with his own thrusts. Buffy clenched around him, gripping him hard as her thighs began to shake, and she collapsed down over his chest, as she fell over the edge with her release.
Spike wrapped his arms around her, anchoring one hand on her hip and rolling them to lay on their sides as he continued to push into her on the rug covered floor and catching her mouth in an electrical kiss that made him growl as she pulled at his bottom lip with her teeth. In answer, he rolled them once again, so that Buffy was on her back pumping his hips relentlessly as she wrapped her legs around him, driving him harder.
Spike kissed her like a drowning man seeking air. "God I love you, Buffy!"
Buffy shuddered with ecstasy when a second wave crashed over her, pushing him over the edge along with her.
They were still wrapped up in each other when the door opened. Spike grabbed a plaid blanket from their bed and threw it over them just before Sam poked her head in. "Hey, where'd you two— alright then, I'm just going to— we're going to have a fire. You two feel free to join us when you're- you know, not so naked," she stammered awkwardly.
As Sam closed the door behind her, Buffy and Spike both started laughing.
"Is there anyone left who hasn't walked in on us?" Spike chortled.
"Willow, I don't think Willow has," Buffy giggled.
"Give it time, Pet. It'll happen sooner or later."
"We really should lock doors," she said, wiping away tears from laughing so hard. "You would think we would know by now."
"Come on, Pet, let's get— Bloody hell, where did my sodding pants get to?"
It took longer than expected before they both managed to find all their clothing and make their way back outside. The fire wasn't large but the singing had picked back up again. Someone had pulled a guitar from somewhere and was strumming along.
The air was starting to get colder now and the few people left soon dissipated along with the fire. Some went to relieve others from their shifts and others went to bed.
Spike, Buffy and the Finns made their way back to the cabin. None of them were sure what they were going to do for Christmas, but at least Christmas Eve had turned out to be a pretty nice after all.
Per usual, Spike had been sitting up rereading one of Sam's paperbacks with Buffy curled up practically on top of him again, when a sound outside caught his attention. He disentangled himself from Buffy as gently and quietly as possible, threw on some warmer clothes and went out to investigate.
"Bloody hell— First monks and a Yeti, now what?" he mumbled to himself as he picked up the new battle ax. When he opened the door he couldn't believe the sight before him.
"But what too my wandering eyes do appear…" he uttered under his breath, and set the ax back down.
He walked out, awestruck, into the crisp air to get a better look at the very large red sleigh hitched up to eight of the largest reindeer he had ever seen in his life. These were not typical reindeer. Spike walked up to the sleigh taking in the high gloss cherry red finish.
"It can't be…"
"Can't?" said a rich booming voice from behind the sleigh. "I assure you, it can."
Spike spun towards the speaker "What the— s-Santa?"
"Ho, ho, ho! That's just one name of many. I'm sure you know how that is, William."
"How do—" Spike trailed off, feeling like his mind might short-circuit.
Santa chuckled, striding past his sleigh to check the harness on one of the reindeer. He didn't appear quite the way Spike had pictured him. Rather than "a jolly old elf" he looked more like an aged Viking with a muscular build hidden beneath layers of red leather and fur.
"How do I know your name, Mr. Pratt? Simple, really. Magic," Santa smiled.
"Watch it there, Jolly-"
He turned back toward Spike, suddenly menacing with a warning look in his eye, leaving Spike with no doubt that the man could handle himself, and his reindeer. "No, you watch, young man. You do not want to be on my Naughty List."
Spike took a step back. "Sure, yeah, alright but I rather figured I had a permanent spot on the Naughty List."
Santa relaxed his broad shoulders, regaining his jolly demeanor. "Only creatures with a soul get counted, Mr. Pratt. You made the Nice list soon after you got yours. Closing a Hellmouth doesn't go unnoticed, dear boy."
"How— and could you please stop with the Mr. Pratt bit? Just Spike or—"
"I think 'William' suits you best, son," he winked.
"What are you anyway? You're not human," Spike hedged.
"Certainly not, although I'm often in a more human form. No, I'm a demon, half demon I should say." He twisted his neck slightly, transforming his face in a similar way a vampire could. Except he was no vampire. Instead he had taken on more goat-like features. Two rams horns, similar to Steve's, curled closely to his head, nearly blending in with his white curling hair. His nose was much more like a goat's now, as were the pupils of his bright blue eyes. "As I've said, I've gone by many names."
"Krampus?" Spike gaped, suddenly feeling an odd mixture of reverence and amazement.
"That was a rather dark time for me, yes, before I went through a similar transformation as you and your soulful little family," he peered down at a silver and gold watch on his wrist and shook his head. "As much as I'm enjoying this little chat, it's not why I'm here."
Spike's stomach began doing little flips and he suddenly wished Buffy was standing next to him."Bloody hellI- alright you got me, why are you here?"
"To answer a Christmas wish of course. I got a very interesting letter from one of my favorite correspondents, I think you know her rather well actually. Miss Dawn Summers. Delightful girl. She's been writing to me year round ever since an ex-demon friend of hers told her about me. It's been refreshing to get letters from someone who just wants to be a penpal rather than get something all the time," he answered with a sigh, looking over his shoulder at the sparkling Christmas tree behind him.
"Dawn's been writing you letters?"
"Oh yes, and it would seem that all little Dawn wants for Christmas this year is to be reunited with her family. I thought it was an interesting request, especially when I realized who she was talking about. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to meet you in person," he pulled a letter out of his pocket and handed it to Spike. "I think you'll find everything in order. Dawn is a good girl, a little trouble with the stealing there for a while but she's pulled through. Buffy has always been on the nice list. You young man, are an interesting case," he replied with a smile.
"Humm thanks," Spike said as he looked over Dawn's letter not really reading it but taking in her familiar handwriting.
Santa scratched one of his reindeer behind the ear, gently catching its antler in his other hand before it had the chance to poke him in the eye as the furry beast leaned into him affectionately. "Well that's enough of that; we really must be moving along. Best I let you get Miss Summers," Santa patted the reindeer on and checked his watch with a curt nod. "Better wake Mr. and Mrs. Finn as well. I think I can add them to my list of deliveries this evening if we hurry. Go on now, chop chop!" he added clapping his hands.
Spike was more than a little stunned but he found himself doing as he was told. Kneeling down beside the bed, he shook Buffy awake. "Buffy, Sweetheart? Come on, wake up, Love."
"Huhh? Spike? What's wrong?" Buffy mumbled groggily as she sat up, resting on her elbows. "What's going on?"
"Just get dressed and come outside, Love. Warm as you can. We got a ride home but we have to go now."
"Now? But…" she looked around at all the things they had accumulated in the short time they had been there. The Napali goods and the gifts from the Yetis.
"Just get ready alright? I got to get these two up too. Make it quick, yeah?"
In a few minutes the four of them stood outside, taking in the spectacle that was Santa and his sleigh in front of the enormous glittering Christmas tree.
Spike nudged Buffy in the side to get her attention as she stood opened mouthed in wonder. "Buffy, I'd like you to meet Santa Claus."
She nodded slowly, closing her mouth and shifted her gaze from Santa to Spike and back.
Santa had adopted his human face again and came over to greet them. "Merry Christmas! Miss Summers, it's a pleasure and an honor. Mr. and Mrs. Finn, a pleasure to meet you in person. Always a joy to see the two of you on the Nice List, I must say Mr. Finn you had me worried you might not get back on for a little while. Eggs, really…" Santa shook his head in disapproval while Riley mearly gazed dumbly. Santa shrugged his massive shoulders in a relaxed gesture. "Please don't worry about your personal items, I'll have my elves take care of them. They'll be along in about a day. I'm afraid they don't move as fast as I do but they are certainly reliable and trustworthy."
"I- humm, Mr. Claus-" Riley said tentatively. He seemed to have only just snapped out of his stupor and find his voice.
"Oh, please call me 'Santa' I'll have none of this Mr. Claus nonsense."
"Okay… but what's going on?"
"Didn't William fill you in?" He shot Spike a reproachful look. "Miss Summers' little sister here wrote to me, told me all about the situation and asked that I bring her sister and William back home for Christmas. I figured while I'm here I might as well take the two of you. Your time here is officially over is it not? I was under the impression that officially you are on vacation."
"Yeah that is technically true but how—"
"Don't even try, Spike said as he interrupted Riley. "He knows things, mate."
Riley nodded, looking to catch his wife's eye. Much to his surprise though, Sam was no longer standing next to him, instead she was already climbing up into the back of the sleigh behind Santa's seat.
"Sam? What are you doing?"
"What's it look like? I'm not passing this up! How many people can actually say they got to ride with Santa!?"
Santa let out a roar of laughter. "Well said, young lady! All aboard!"
Buffy smiled widely as she grabbed Spike's hand and pulled him aboard with her. They took the front with Santa.
Riley took one look back at the little cabin. "You're sure your, ehh… elves can handle all that? We could grab our go-bags."
"They are quite capable, I assure you. They are already at work on it. It's best if you don't disrupt them," Santa answered.
"I didn't see anyone go—"
"If there is any creature in the world that hates being seen more than me, it's the elves, and maybe Nessie. Your things will be along shortly. Now climb up, we don't have all night. Lots of deliveries to make before we get to Edinburgh and even more before we get to Iowa.
"Do you do this sort of thing often?" Riley asked as he climbed into the back of the sleigh with his wife.
"Not exactly, no. But I'm always willing to help those who help the helpless," he answered, settling into his seat and taking up the reins. "Welcome aboard my sleigh. First, a few ground rules: If you're on the sleigh you're a helper and I ask that you please mind your basic amusement park ride rules when we're in motion. We'll be going pretty fast and it gets cold, you are all pretty bundled up but there are extra blankets under the seat in the back. Any questions?"
Buffy grinned at Spike then turned to Santa on her other side. "Where to first, Santa?"
He merely chuckled. "Buckle up and hang on tight. There aren't too many stops in this part of the world but we still have to keep to our schedule boys and girls." With that he flicked the reins powerfully. "Yahhh!" Santa shouted to the reindeer merrily as they flew out of sight.