Buffy kicked a loose stone on the sidewalk, walking back to her room after her last final exam before winter break. Her brain felt like an over-saturated sponge sent through a printing press, spewing out every ounce of information she'd managed to cram in over the past few days.

She was exhausted but still had a lot to do before going home. Ever since the night out with her mother, she had been sticking close to campus, actively avoiding both Giles' apartment and her mother's house in equal measure. The prospect of being home for the holidays with her mother after witnessing the way she'd practically swooned over Giles, wasn't exactly the most appealing idea but rather her only option.

It didn't really help when Giles had called her the day after the "event" to tell her about Spike's newfound ability to kill demons and was practically begging to go out on patrol with her. That had been another reason she'd been avoiding Giles' apartment and had only been there once for a quick Scoobie meeting to discuss the matter in person. It was then that she decided Spike must have also developed some sort of supernatural ability to dampen her panties with nothing more than a heated look.

Hell, even the thought of him was starting to warm her body under her heavy coat and hat. She unzipped her coat, letting the chilly air cool her slightly.

As she neared the dorms the ending notes of a song drifted toward her, immediately followed by an oldies radio station identifier, the DJ continued, promising a half hour of uninterrupted music. A leaf skittered across the sidewalk in front of her just as the first lines of the first song began coming from one of the open windows of the stately building in front of her.

All the leaves are brown

And the sky is gray

I've been for a walk

On a winter's day

I'd be safe and warm

If I was in L.A.

She snorted a humorless laugh, as though L.A. had ever been known for being safe. The idea was laughable and she tried her damndest not to think about her life before Sunnydale, and Angel's modest efforts helping the helpless.

A lance of pain shot through her chest at the thought of Angel and his most recent betrayal. Because what else could she call the events at Thanksgiving? If he knew something helpful he could've easily called, told them what he knew up front and been done with it. Instead, he decided to operate from the shadows, telling everyone of his presence but her. It wasn't fair and it wasn't right. She had half a mind to go to L.A. and tell him as much when her mother had called about their mother/daughter date night. It had been a good call, despite how the night had ended with the British Invasion that was Spike, burrowing into her brain.

The song continued, though this time the voices almost seemed to morph within her ears changing from The Mamas and The Papas to that of Spike. Her overtaxed brain somehow supplied the sound of his surprisingly pleasant voice within her brain.

Stopped into a church

I passed along the way

Well, I got down on my knees

And I pretend to pray

You know the preacher, like the cold

He knows I'm gonna stay

California dreamin'

On such a winter's day…

The song faded as she stepped into the building and a shiver ran down her spine that had nothing to do with the cold breeze that had followed her inside. Her mother would be picking her (and the laundry she hadn't finished) up to spend some quality time at home, knowing full well that she'd be expected to spend a good portion of her time at Giles' place, and with Spike.

This was going to be one hell of a winter break.

Song used: California Dreamin' by The Mamas and The Papas