*********

Spike sat in the bathtub of Giles' house, listening to the chatter coming
from downstairs. It was Christmas, Spike's favorite holiday, though he'd
never admit it to anyone. He heard the rustle of wrapping paper as it was
torn from boxes and sighed. His Red was down there, laughing and sharing
her Christmas with her friends while he was stuck up here chained to the
bathtub like an animal.

"When did things go so bloody wrong?" Spike muttered. He had come back for
Red, and the Hellmouth. Together they would have ruled it, the Slayer would
be dead or nearly dead and he could finally have her, his fire goddess, his
mate. But the bleedin' commando's had to go ruin all his plans! The witch
slipped out of his grasp once again, to remain mortal and weak for that
much longer.

"When I get this chip out, I'm going to claim what's mine; Red, and the
title of master I lost before." Spike vowed, then the thought went through
his head that maybe he'd never get the chip out. His eyes narrowed at that,
"I *will* get this thing out one way or another, and I promise you Red, we
*will* be together soon enough."

**********

Willow sat in the middle of the mounds of gifts piled around her. Her
thoughts drifted towards the blonde vampire sitting all alone upstairs,
chained to the wall in a bathtub. Sympathy washed over her but Willow
raised her resolve. *I will not go to him. He's tried to kill me so many
times I can barely count them all, why should I feel sympathy?* Then
another thought came. *Because I've been alone on Christmas before too, and
I know what it's like, you feel lonely and sad. I wonder if he feels lonely
or sad?*

"Wills?" Buffy shook Willow out of her thoughts, "Hey come on, it's
Christmas! Be happy, be jolly!"

Willow smiled at her friend's enthusiasm, "I am happy, see me happy?" Buffy
nodded and grinned then moved up to sit on Riley's lap while they watched
Giles struggle with the VCR.

"Do we really have to watch this movie? Why not "It's a Wonderful Life" or
something more appropriate?" Giles puffed, out of breath from sturggling
with the machine.

Xander's jaw dropped, "*Not* watch the South Park Christmas Episode? How
could you even say something like that man?"

Willow nodded enthusiastically, "No kidding! We've watched that episode
every Christmas since Buffy first moved here! It's tradition, now you get
to share it with us, Giles."

"Oh joy." Giles muttered sarcastically and gave a small cry of triumph when
the old VCR sputtered to life.

"Geez, how long has it been since you last used that thing? The stone age?"
Buffy laughed.

They all settled down into silence as the opening theme song started
playing.

********

Spike listened to the conversation going on below him with little interest.
*What the hell is 'South Park'?* Truth is, he was only paying attention
because he could hear Willow's voice drift up to him, the sound soothing on
his frayed nerves.

He closed his eyes and laid his head on the wall behind him, letting his
thoughts go towards what Willow would be like as a vampire. *She would wear
leather, lots of leather. She'd be cruel, uncaring, and cold towards
everyone but me, she'd be a viscious killer without any mercy for her prey.
Hunting them down with cool precision and draining them slowly. She would
be intelligent, *very* intelligent. Enough so to outsmart the Slayer and
the rest of the little gang. Red would be my equal, my fire goddess, my
mate.*

Openening his eyes, Spike stared intently at the wall but that was not what
he was seeing. He saw Willow as he would make her, as the beautiful
vampiress she *would* become. He didn't notice Willow appear in the
doorway, holding the mug of blood for him and he continued to plan their
future together.

Willow cleared her throat nervously. She had seen how intent his stare was
and couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking. Suddenly, the piercing
blue eyes shifted to her and she thought she saw a spark of desire in the
depths but it was gone too quickly to be sure. Willow jumped slightly when
she realized she was staring with her mouth open and hurriedly shoved the
mug at Spike.

"Here, um, it's for you. Obviously. I'm gonna go now," Willow nearly upset
the contents on the mug in her haste to leave, but managed to keep it all
in. As soon as Spike had a hold of it Willow half-walked, half-ran out the
door.

Spike smiled darkly. *Soon, Red. Soon.*

~END~

Sequal

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