Title: Christmas for Two

Author: Forsaken2003

Pairing: S/X

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: I own none, all belong to Joss Whedon

Comments: Always welcomed

Summary: Spike and Xander have taken over protecting the hellmouth in Cleveland. They are unable to spend Christmas with their family leaving Xander depressed. Spike is determined to cheer him up.

Warnings/Spoilers: Post NFA

Beta'd by: My Sister

Xander has been in a Christmas funk for the last two weeks since he found out he wasn't allowed to go to Scotland for Christmas. Instead he was stuck in Cleveland with a bunch of S.I.T's. Sure he was spending Christmas with Spike who he loved but he wanted to see his family. Giles was sympathetic but in the end saving the world was more important than Christmas. And Xander understood but it was easy for the others to say when they all lived in Scotland. It was Xander's fault though, he asked for more responsibility.

While Spike wasn't much for celebrating Christmas he hated see his Xan-pet so sad. They hadn't seen the Scooby's since they moved to Cleveland back in March. Video calls were better than phone calls and emails but it wasn't the same. Spike was missing them as well but it wasn't the same as how Xander was feeling. He knew he had to do something to cheer Xander up. So operation Christmas was in affect.

Xander spent all Christmas Eve Day in bed. They had an en-suite bathroom so he didn't have to leave their room. Spike made him meals and made sure he ate. Xander not leaving their room made Spike's plan go more smoothly. Spike had some of the S.I.T's helping him prepare his surprise thanking them when they were done and immediately kicked them out. He was happy he'd been teaching them to be stealthy because they didn't make a single noise.

Spike was exhausted by the time he went to bed but if he could make Xander smile for a split second it would all be worth it. When he climbed into bed Xander wrapped himself around him.

"I love you," Xander mumbled sleepily.

"I love you too, Xan." Spike kissed the top of his head. He closed his eyes and fell asleep quickly.

Christmas day and Xander didn't wake up until noon and that was only because Spike wouldn't stop bothering him. It started out with whispers in his ear, then a bit of shaking until the shaking turned into pokes to the ribs.

"Come on, Xan. You can't lay in bed all day."

"I think you underestimate me. I can lay in bed all day." Xander did sit up though when Spike threw the blankets off the bed.

Spike crossed his arms over his chest. "I want you out of bed and in the shower."

"Spike, I'm not really in the mood for sexy time."

"This has nothing to do with sex, Xan." Spike pulled Xander off the bed. "Just because we can't be with the others doesn't mean we can't celebrate Christmas just the two of us. So you are going to take a shower and meet me in the living room. This is non negotiable."

Xander wanted to argue but the look on Spike's face told him he'd just be wasting his breath. With a sigh he said, "okay." His shoulders were slumped as he made his way to the en-suite bathroom.

Twenty minutes later Xander emerged from the bedroom in sweat pants and a baggy t-shirt. Spike was standing in front of a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. "Merry Christmas, Xan."

With a look of utter confusion Xander stood there. Christmas music was quietly playing. Let it Snow. His favourite Christmas song. There were goodie trays on the coffee table and he could smell turkey cooking.

"Cornish hen," Spike corrected even though Xander didn't say anything. "A turkey seemed too much for just us."

"How... why did you do all this?" Xander didn't know what to say.

Spike walked up to Xander and placed his hand on Xander face and his thumb stroked his cheek. "Because even if we can't be with the others doesn't mean we can't still have a nice Christmas. So I had the S.I.T's come and help me because as amazing as I am I couldn't have pulled all this off by myself." He had a soft look on his face. "I just want you to be happy."

Xander pulled Spike into a tight hug. "I've been kind of Grinch-y. I'm sorry." He pulled away. "I just can't believe you did all of this for me."

"I wouldn't do this for anyone else, pet." He pulled back. "Now me and the others got you something."

"You did? But I didn't get anything for you." Guilt was written all over Xander's face.

Spike smiled and took Xander's hand and led him to the couch. "I'm about to get my pressie when you open yours."

That made absolutely no sense to Xander. How was him getting a present a present for Spike? He sat down while Spike went to the tree and plucked an envelope off of it before coming back to Xander and sitting beside him. He held the envelope up for Xander to take.

With a suspicious look on his face Xander accepted the envelope. "What is it?"

"If you open it you'll find out."

Not wasting anymore time Xander tore it open and pulled out two plane tickets to Scotland. The tickets said they leave January 30th. Xander's eyes widened. "We're going to Scotland?"

"We are. I talked to the others and we bought the tickets. I may have made them feel a bit guilty about us not being there with them so Giles splurged for first class." Spike would love to say he laid it on thick but the way Xander has been what he told the others were one hundred percent true. "We're gonna visit for two weeks."

"But what about the S.I.T's? We can't just leave them." Xander wanted to be excited but they had responsibilities here.

Spike gave Xander a look. "You think we haven't come up with a plan? Faith, Robin and Andrew will be coming here and taking over while we're gone. The three of them can handle our bunch."

"We're really going?" Xander asked. Spike nodded and Xander launched himself at Spike causing him to fall back, his head luckily hitting a pillow.

"And there's my present," Spike murmured in Xander's ear.

Xander pulled back and Spike could see the big smile on his face. "I love you."

"I love you too, Xan. I know it's been hard being here without them." Spike understood how Xander was feeling. When Angelus got his soul and left them quickly followed by Darla he felt alone even though he still had his dark princess. Unlife had changed drastically.

"I'm glad you're here with me. I wouldn't be able to do any of this without you," Xander said honestly.

Shaking his head fondly Spike said, "give yourself some credit, luv. You could do this by yourself."

"Maybe but I wouldn't want to do it without you."

"Mushy git." Spike gently pushed Xander off him. "I've got to check the hen. Why don't you find us a Christmas movie to watch and we'll eat some of these goodies." He stood and made his way to the kitchen. The last thing he wanted was to burn their home down.

Xander knew exactly what Christmas movie they should watch. He jumped off the couch and rushed over to his DVD collection. It didn't take long to find it because Xander had his DVD's in alphabetical order. Jingle All the Way. A classic in Xander's opinion.

Sure this wasn't the Christmas he originally wanted but having alone time with Spike was exactly what Xander needed.

The End