Disclaimer: Joss owns them, Joss ignores them, and Joss should be the one that gets blamed. I bring you joy!
Rating: PG
Author's Notes: I'm feeling the Christmas spirit. It's my fave time of year, and "Amends" is my fave ep, so I would imagine I'll be putting out many Christmas-themed fics! Oh, by the way, it's going to snow in this fic, which I know is impractical for CA, but ask me if I care. No? I didn't think so!
Songs: "Face of Love" (By Jewel)
Dedication: Merry Christmas to all the B/A shippers, CandyGirls, and DreamGirls! (Keep the Faith!!)
Timeline: In season five.everything's the same, Dawn's here, and all that. Plus, yes, Riley is alive. I know, sheesh.but it fits for the story. Oh, but no brain tumour!!

Snow fell. And carollers sang. It was a joyful time, and as Buffy Summers looked out her window as she packed a small bag, she felt the familiar happiness well inside her.

Soon. That was all she could think. That small word, that filled her up and made her smile. Soon, soon, soon.

Grabbing a red wrapped package from under her bed, she placed it in the bag and zipped it up, slipping into a white belted coat, and tying her long blonde locks back into a messy ponytail.

"Buffy?"

She groaned inwardly, but turned and looked at her boyfriend of a year and a half. He frowned and questioned, "Where are you going?"

"Trip to Dad's," she reminded him gaily. "You know I always make the jaunt on Christmas Eve."

Riley stared at her blankly and then said, "I guess I didn't. But, have a good time."

She flung her bag over her shoulder and smiled at him, anxious to leave. "I will. Merry Christmas."

He kissed her lightly, whispering, "I love you Buffy."

"Bye," she murmured, and kissed him back, leaving the room with a little wave. As she crept down the stairs, she saw her mother and Dawn decorating the tree and smiled.

"Hey girlies," she chirped and Dawn looked up, smirking at her.

"Someone's in a good mood," her sister said snarkily and Buffy laughed, ruffling her hair fondly. Joyce stood up to kiss Buffy and said, "Have a good time at your father's honey. Although I wish you could stay."

"I'll be back tomorrow," Buffy said gently, kissing her mother's cheek. She knelt down to hug Dawn and then left the room, going outside to the snow and shivered. It had never used to snow on Christmas, until one night so many years ago.when the snow fell for redemption. Now it snowed all over CA every December.

As she sped along the freeway, she turned on the radio and Christmas music filled the warm car, the melodies caressing her ears, making her sing along.

She reached LA two hours later, drove in, finding the hotel without trouble. Climbing out of the car, she grabbed her bag and stood still for a moment. The snow blanketed her hair, it's icy crystals brushing her nose as she licked her cold lips and walked up the steps, going around the back way. When she knocked on the door, it opened almost immediately.

"Hey," she said softly.

"Hey," Angel responded, smiling at her tenderly. "Come in. You must be freezing."

"Strangely not so much anymore," she teased and walked in to the heated warmth of his room. She hadn't seen it yet, and found that it looked like a typical hotel room with a few personal touches.

He eased her coat off her shoulders from behind and she smiled her thanks, walking over to look at the small Christmas tree he had set up over by the window, it's branches glistening with the kind of decorations she liked. All in cream and gold and glass, they shimmered against the pine, and she turned, grinning. "You membered what I like."

"Always," he said softly, with his half-smile and nodded to the kitchen he had built in to his room. "Want some hot chocolate?"

She nodded, "That'd be nice. Anyway, Angel.I wasn't sure if you still wanted me to come this year-"

He laughed quietly. "Are you kidding? I've thought of nothing else all month. Cordy keeps telling me that I have to realize there are other people in the world besides myself. She says I'm in.I can't remember what she called it, oh yeah, 'perma-brood'."

"That's all right," Buffy giggled. "She once told me to spank my inner moppet."

"Sounds like Cordy," Angel grinned, setting the kettle to boil and assembling the milk, sugar and cocoa.

"Where is she?" Buffy inquired, sitting down on the couch and looking out the window pensively. He poured the hot water into the mugs, added the milk, cocoa, and extra sugar for Buffy's, and came over.

"She, Wes and Gunn went out for dinner. They don't know."

"What'd you tell them?"

"Same I told them last year," he took a sip of the chocolately drink. "I need time alone at Christmas. You?"

"That I was going to Dad's. I hope they never call him," she said, almost laughing at the thought. "I think Mom was a little disappointed, but Dawn will probably enjoy having her all to herself."

"And Riley?" Angel asked in a neutral tone, his features betraying nothing. She nodded, gulping down her hot chocolate.

"Mad. And confused. We weren't that close last Christmas so he doesn't understand."

Angel shook his head. "He wouldn't understand even if he knew."

"No," she agreed. "He wouldn't. And that's why we're keeping it a fun little secret just for us."

He lay his hand over hers. "What happens when it gets too hard to let each other go after Christmas is over?"

"I don't know," she sighed. "God, Angel, it's already too hard. I mean, we've only done this once before and that time it was tough. What's it going to be like this year?"

He closed his eyes briefly, and then stood up, holding his hand out to her. "Dance with me?"

She smiled softly, standing up and letting her fingers be enclosed by his. He drew her close, and one of her arms wrapped around his back, head resting on his chest, their hands clasping.

~~until tonight
my heart was just half full
I never knew
The fruit, which fed the soul
And now I see what may put to rest, my longing
For I have seen the face of love.~~

His breath whispered against her ear as they danced to a silent song, their bodies pressed together longingly and with a hunger each was finding it harder to deny. Buffy wondered why they had started this in the first place. Although she knew it was her fault. She had been so lonely the Christmas of her freshman year and called Angel. Although at the time it had probably not been the most intelligent move, he had told her to come up immediately. And she had, on Christmas Eve, spending that and the morning with him. They had danced, drank hot chocolate, went for a walk in the snow, and then fell asleep in each other's arms, content to simply comfort each other. When she had left the next morning she had promised that she would come back no matter what happened to them that year. And she had.Snuggling her face closer to his chest, she felt his lips brush her forehead and sighed. They hadn't kissed in so long, it felt like forever.

"Angel." she murmured.

"Yes, love?" he replied quietly and she caressed his fingers with her own.

"I'm happy I'm here."

"Me too," he responded softly, twining his fingers tightly around hers.

~~if you were a flame
I'd allow myself to be consumed completely
Were you the wind
I would wish you to pass through me
For now I know
That the skin just veils the soul
For I have seen the face of love~~

He tilted her head up and as if it was the most natural thing in the world, he pressed his soft lips to hers. Buffy whimpered and tears slipped from her eyes as they kissed, their arms around each other, as the snow fell outside and inside, a flame raged that had never burned out.

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