Disclaimer: I don't own Buffy the Vampire Slayer. But if I stayed off the Naught List this year, maybe Santa will put a Spike under my tree... "I Know What I Want for Christmas" is George Strait.

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Spike and Buffy stuck together for Christmas... (Can anyone say warm fuzzy holiday fluff?)

Spoilers: Up through "Hush"

Author's Note: This story takes place sorta between "Hush" and "Doomed," even though the beginning of "Doomed" is like five seconds after "Hush." So, it's in some imaginary block of time after the discussion Buffy and Riley have in her dorm room. And after that, it's all off-canon from there. And for this fic, Spike has yet to find out he can hit a demon, and he never moved out of Giles's apartment. He went back after Olivia left. Everyone clear on that? Good.

Also, this fic is total fluff. I felt like writing a warm and fuzzy holiday fic just cause. Hope you like it. :)

Feedback and Archiving: Feedback is the gift that keeps on giving. As for archiving, I usually allow it, just let me know before you post anything of mine. I like to know where my stuff is.

 Buffy tightened her grip around Spike. "I don't want you to go."

 "I know, luv. I don't want to go either. But I have to. And in case you don't remember, this was your plan."

 Buffy frowned. "I've changed my mind. It's a stupid plan."

 "No. It's a good plan—and it's working. No reason to back out now."

 "I just...I get so nervous when you're away. Anything could be happening to you, and there would be nothing I could do about it. And...and tomorrow's Christmas."

 Spike stroked her cheek with his thumb, delight filling him at the thought that she actually cared about him. "I know. I'll come back tonight."

 "You promise?"

 "Yes." Spike kissed her, gently at first then harder, trying to reassure her in a way words could not. When he pulled away, he looked into her eyes. "You know I have to do this, Slayer. Hopefully, things will go well tonight, and you won't have to spend Christmas day kicking around some big bad."

 "Which would be a step up from last Christmas."

 "Yeah? What happened last Christmas?"

 Buffy looked away suddenly. Had it only been a year since she'd been on that ledge, begging Angel not to give up? A year since she'd walked in the snow with him, so certain her first love would be her only love? "It was...it was nothing. A thing with...a thing with Angel."

 Spike frowned. "Oh."

 Buffy looked at him again, forcing a bright smile. "So you'll be back tonight?"

 "Yeah, I will."

 Buffy wrapped her arms tightly around herself as she watched him go.

 "You are here, vampire."

 "Well, yeah. Where else would I be?"

 Dejira smirked. "I was beginning to wonder that myself. You're late."

 Spike shrugged. "Had a hard time getting away. Didn't want the Slayer to figure out what I was up to."

 "Or maybe you were too busy helping her kill demons my employer sent to spy on her—again."

 "What did you expect me to do? Sit back and let her fight them alone and then explain why I didn't do a damn thing to help? My in with the Slayer depends on her thinking I'm on her side. If I had let those demons get the jump on her, then I could have kissed that goodbye."

 "Then your defense of her was quite convincing," Dejira said with a scowl. "And it killed two of my best assassins."

 "Yeah, well, you know us vampires—hard to curb ourselves when it comes to a spot of violence."

 "Yes. Part of what makes you such detestable creatures."

 "Right. Look, I thought I came here for something other than a chat about things I already know. So let's get to it. How are we killing the Slayer?"

 "Patience—another virtue vampires tend to lack. Still...for a halfbreed, you are an attractive specimen." Dejira ran a finger down Spike's cheek. "I suppose I can see why the Slayer would be easily fooled by your treachery—such a pretty face."

 "Oi—not pretty. Handsome, yeah. But not pretty."

 "Yes, of course. Can't insult your precious masculinity." Dejira moved closer, pressing herself against him. "I don't suppose you'd be willing to prove to me that your heart does not truly belong to that little girl—would you?"

 "Shouldn't there be enough proof just in the fact that I'm a vampire and she's a Slayer? Sorta natural enemies there."

 "Although this particular Slayer has been known to capture the hearts of vampires in the past."

 "Um, actually, it was just the one. And he's a pathetic excuse for a creature of the night—all soul having and whatnot. And he's got this weird thing he does with his hair—sticks right up in the front. Bloody git..."

 "You ramble as if you're nervous. Am I making you nervous?"

 "Me? No." Spike relaxed his stance. "So, you want a little proof I don't love the Slayer? Just tell me how."

 "Bed me."

 Spike's eyes widened. "Excuse me?"

 "If you are not hers, then you should have no problem passing the night in my bed."

 "Well, that's a bit presumptuous, don't you think? Did you every consider maybe I'm not attracted to you?"

 Dejira laughed. "You're a vampire. I'm a body—and a rather beautiful one at that. What more is needed?"

 "Possibly a bit of atmosphere. I'm not much of one for abandoned warehouse throwdowns myself."

 Dejira ran her hand up his arm. "Then we can find a place where we can be more...comfortable. A few drinks first perhaps? Would that get you in the mood?"

 "Depends. What do you have to drink?"

 "It's beginning to sound to me like you love her. Either you prove that wrong, or this is off."

 "I told you, I don't love the little chit! Bloody hell, I'm a vampire. We don't love. We feed and we fuck. Nothing more."

 "Mmm. Then you will be mine tonight." Dejira leaned in, pressing her lips to Spike's.

 The first taste of her mouth made his head spin, and Dejira tightened her grip around him.

 "Buffy, dear, are you hungry? You skipped dinner, and..."

 Buffy didn't look away from the window. "I'm fine, Mom."

 "Honey, I know you're worried about Spike, but he'd want you to eat you know."

 Buffy smirked. "That's a lame attempt, you know."

 "Well, I have to try something. Giles and I are both worried about you out here, just waiting."

 "I can't do anything else. I'm too nervous."

 Joyce knelt in front of the chair Buffy was sitting in. "Buffy, it's Christmas Eve. I know Spike is out there, but he'll be fine. I'm sure he'll be back soon."

 "And then I'll be Christmasy. Right now I just can't think about anything else, okay?"

 Joyce frowned, regarding her daughter for a moment. "You really do care about him, don't you?"

 Buffy looked her mother in the eye. "I do. I know just a week ago I hated him—or at least I thought I did—but something's happened, and now...god, I don't know if I can call it love, but I feel something. Something strong."

 Joyce tucked a piece of Buffy's hair behind her ear. "Just be careful, Buffy. I don't want to see you hurt again."

 "And I don't want to be hurt again. But...but I trust Spike when he tells me he's changing. I can see it in his eyes."

 Joyce stood again. "I can't say I like this, but if Spike is what you want, then I won't stand in your way."

 "Thank you, Mom. That means a lot to me."

 Joyce nodded. "I'm going to go in the kitchen to see if Giles needs anything. Come let me know if you decide you're hungry."

 "I will. Oh, and Mom?"

 "Yes, Buffy?"

 "Stay out of the eggnog."

 Rupert looked up from the text he was reading when Joyce walked into the kitchen. "Is she going to eat something?"

 "No. She won't leave that spot by the window. She's too worried about him."

 "This is insane. He's a vampire. She should be hoping he doesn't come back."

 "It isn't that simple, Rupert," Joyce said, sitting across from him at the small kitchen table. "No matter what the circumstances, when two people share something that's...special...it connects them."

 Giles looked up sharply. "Joyce...I..." Suddenly, he stopped, rising slowly. "Dear lord."

 "Rupert, what is..." Joyce stopped as she turned around to catch a glimpse of what Giles was seeing through the window. "Oh my god."

 "Joyce, get Buffy. Now."

 Joyce nodded, running from the kitchen, the sound of glass shattering behind her as the window crashed in. "Buffy! Demons in the kitchen!"

 Buffy jumped up immediately. "Stay here. I'll go kill them."

 "Honey, there's tons of them."

 "I can handle it. Just stay out of it, okay? And if they come in here, run."

 Joyce nodded, her eyes wide with fear. Buffy ran into the kitchen to find Giles surrounded by grenbreks. "I thought you said they only traveled in groups of three!" Buffy said as she fended off one that attacked her.

 "They do! I'm sure if we were to count these, we'd find that they were numbered a multiple of three." He stabbed a demon with a knife he'd pulled from one of the drawers, cursing as it oozed into the floorboards.

 "Great. Let's ask them to pause for a moment so we can do a quick headcount."

 "Buffy!"

 Buffy froze. "Mom!" She turned back towards the living room, but was stopped when two grenbreks grabbed her, pulling her back. She swiped at them futilely, until suddenly, she felt a sharp pain at the back of her head, and her world went black.

 When Buffy came to, she was lying on the kitchen floor with a splitting headache. She sat up, immediately regretting it as the world began to swim. She clutched her head, groaning, and tried to remember how she'd gotten here. Kitchen...Grenbreks...Ugh. She looked beside her to see Giles, unconscious. She pressed her fingers to his neck, grateful to find a pulse.

 Buffy shook him lightly. "Giles! Giles, wake up! Giles, we have to..."

 She stopped, her face growing pale as she remembered the last thing before she'd been knocked out. Her mother... She got up, ignoring her body's protests as she ran into the living room. "Mom! Mom, please, answer me!" Buffy stopped, looking in horror at the open front door and the bloodied trail leading to it.

 "Buffy," Giles called to her as he stumbled out of the kitchen, clutching his head. "What happened?"

 "They got her, Giles," Buffy said, tears in her eyes. "They got my mom."

 Giles swayed slightly before finding the wall, propping himself against it. "Joyce...no..."

 Buffy swallowed, straightening herself. "We're gonna find her, Giles. Now. They couldn't have gotten far."

 "Buffy, as much as I want to find Joyce, we cannot afford to be rash. We have no idea where they've taken her. If we just take off with no plan we could end up making things worse."

 "Worse? How could things get worse? Giles, demons took my mother—and there's...there's blood. It doesn't get worse."

 "Yes it bloody well does! Dammit, Buffy, I am your Watcher, and..."

 "No, you're not. Remember the whole quitting the Council thing I did? I'm going to save my mother now. You can tag along, or you can sit here and play overly-cautious guy. Either one."

 "You're putting her in more danger this way."

 "Maybe. Maybe not. All I know is I can't sit around here while my mother is very possibly being taken to her death. So are you with me?"

 Giles sighed. "Let's get the weapons."

 Spike woke slowly, a strange feeling tugging at his brain. There was a woman beside him, but her scent told him it was distinctly not Buffy. He frowned.

 "I thought you would never wake. Had you taken any longer, and it would've been sunrise. Bet you would've had a hard time explaining that to the Slayer?" Dejira smiled seductively, running her fingernails down Spike's bare chest.

 "Where...where are my clothes?"

 Dejira giggled, a decidedly strange sound coming from her. "Who knows, the way we were throwing them about. I had heard vampires were passionate, but I had no idea to what extent. Maybe I should rethink my contempt for your race."

 "Yeah, maybe," Spike said distractedly as he attempted to locate his clothing. After a small amount of difficulty, he found them all, dressing quickly. He looked nervously back at Dejira, who was stretched out on the bed, nude. He frowned. "How exactly did we get here?"

 Dejira sat up. "Come now, don't tell me you had that much to drink. Now go on back home to your little Buffy before she gets suspicious." She winked.

 "Right. Sun's almost up and everything," Spike replied, backing away from the bed.

 "Oh, and Spike?"

 "Yeah?"

 "Thank you for your help with our plans for the Slayer. I'm not sure we could have done it without you."

 "What do you mean?"

 "By staying good and distracted while my boys went in and captured the bait for our trap, of course. That certainly would've been much harder if they'd had a vampire to fend off as well."

 Spike snarled. "What did you do?"

 "I didn't do anything, seeing as I was here with you. But my friends, well, they paid your girlfriend a little visit. Oh, and before you come after me right now, just know that when they left her, she was unconscious. Her life could be ticking away right now."

 Spike gave Dejira one last look of warning before running out of the room. He could deal with her later, when Buffy's life wasn't on the line. Or at least as much...

 Dejira lay down on the bed again, smiling to herself.

 That had been all too easy...

 Before anyone freaks on me for this one, just let me say this: Trust me. I promised holiday fluff, and I plan to deliver.

 Review please!

Chapter 10:

 Spike burst into the cabin, relief rolling over him in waves as he saw Buffy. He ran to her, holding her as tightly as he  could without crushing her. "You're alive. Buffy, I was so worried..."

 Buffy let herself relax in his embrace for only a moment before pulling away. "They took my mom," she said, tears  filling her eyes again. "There were so many demons, and I couldn't fight them all, and...and they got her."

 Spike remembered what Dejira had said to him before he left. "They're using Joyce as bait—using her to set a trap for  you."

 Buffy's eyes grew wide. "Is that what you learned tonight?"

 "Yeah. I didn't..."

 Before Spike could finish, he felt someone grab him, pining him against the wall. Spike looked up at Giles in shock,  having been so focused on Buffy that he hadn't realized the other man had come into the room. "You knew what they  were going to do to Joyce," Giles accused. "You knew, and you let it happen."

 "No! I swear, I didn't! Dejira tricked me, kept me out of the way. She only said something about getting bait for a  trap—didn't say it was Joyce—and even that wasn't until the end. Ran back here as soon as she told me what she'd  done."

 Buffy placed her hand on the Watcher's shoulder. "Let him go, Giles. He didn't sell my mother out. He wouldn't do  that."

 "Yes, he would! He's evil Buffy."

 "He wouldn't, and he didn't. Just let him go so we can save her, all right?" With obvious reluctance, Giles dropped  Spike. Buffy nodded. "Good. Now I believe we were going after the demons that took my mother."

 "Buffy, I'm afraid in light of what Spike has just told us, I must again protest your rash plan of action. You will be  walking into a trap."

 "I know I will—but what happens if we don't take the bait? There's a good chance that they've left her alive if they want  to lure me with her, but if we don't hurry, they might kill her. We don't have any choice."

 "You could also be putting her in more danger this way."

 "We don't have time for this!" Buffy turned back to Spike. "Do you have any idea where they may have taken her?"

 "I'm not sure, but Dejira brought me somewhere not far from here. Could be a place to start at least. I think I could tell  you how to get there. I had to find my way back at least partly by tracking a scent."

 "What scent?" Buffy asked.

 "Yours."

 Buffy blushed at his simple answer. Somehow, the thought that Spike knew her scent that well affected her in ways she  hadn't expected. When it had come to Angel, his ability to track someone by their scent had always slightly unnerved  her, but this... Buffy shook her head. This was not the time to go there. "Spike, you giving us directions isn't good  enough. I need you with me for this."

 "Can't. Sun's going to be up soon. Won't do you a lot of good as a pile of dust."

 "This place of Dejira's—did it have a lot of windows?"

 "No."

 "Good. Giles, there's a town a few miles up the road. Go there and get some black paint. We're going to sunproof the  car."

 "Buffy, this is..."

 "Dammit, Watcher, would you knock it off?" Spike yelled. "All your protesting is just wasting time for Joyce."

 "But this is insanity! You have to know Buffy is rushing into danger—hell, you probably set it up that way. Besides, all  the stores will be closed at this hour—and on Christmas no less."

 Buffy rolled her eyes. "Would you quit it with Spike? And if the stores are closed, then just go all Rippery and break in.  We don't have time for you to get all moral on me."

 "Buffy..."

 "Either you go, or I do. Do you have any idea how badly I drive?"

 "Right. Well, I'll be back soon then."

 "Is he always this much of a git?" Spike asked once Giles had left.

 "Sometimes. He can be like a dog with a bone. Especially since he's thinking you're part of the whole trap thing."

 "He's not completely daft in that, you know." When Buffy looked at him in surprise, Spike quickly added, "Not that he's  right. Just if I were in his position, I'd worry, too. Although I don't think I'd be such a damn broken record about the  whole thing."

 Buffy threw her arms around Spike suddenly, holding him close. "I know you wouldn't do anything to hurt me. I...I  trust you. I know I probably shouldn't, but I do." When she felt Spike stiffen in her arms, Buffy looked up. "Is  something wrong? Other than the obvious, I mean."

 "No. Sorry. It's just...been a long day."

 Buffy pulled away, reaching down to give his hand a lingering squeeze as she did. "I'm going to go heat you up some  blood. If things get ugly, I'll need you at full strength."

 "Buffy, you don't have to..."

 Buffy silenced him with a kiss. "I told you—full strength, gonna need it. I'll be right back."

 Spike nodded, letting her go. When she came back, she found him sitting in a corner of the room, avoiding the sun. She  handed him the mug, sitting beside him. "You could go in the bedroom, you know."

 "I'm fine here."

 Buffy rested her head on his shoulder, frowning when he didn't respond to her at all. "Spike, what's wrong? And don't  tell me it's nothing, because I know that's a lie."

 "I'm worried about Joyce."

 "No, it's more than that. What's going on?"

 Spike was silent for a moment before he finally responded. "I let you down."

 "What?"

 "I should've been here, helping you fight those demons. I never should've gone off to meet Dejira. You were right—it  was a bad idea."

 "Spike, this isn't your fault. There were so many of them, I'm not even sure you being here would've made a  difference."

 "How many were there?"

 "I don't know. Some multiple of three."

 "What?"

 "Never mind." Buffy kissed his cheek. "Don't blame yourself for this, please. Just help me get her back."

 "I will. Your mum will be home for Christmas, Buffy."

 "I'm falling in love with you."

 Spike coughed. "What?"

 Buffy looked down at the floor. "I...I don't think I'm there yet, but I'm...I'm heading that way. I just thought you should  know."

 Spike smiled and kissed the top of her head. "Thank you. That's...that's the best Christmas present you could have given  me."

 Buffy nestled against him, taking comfort in his strength as they waited for Giles.

 Buffy surveyed their handiwork, frowning. "I really hope my mom doesn't get all mad 'cause I painted her car windows  black."

 Giles wiped his brow. "Yes, well, hopefully she'll understand it was done in an attempt to save her life."

 "Yeah, that's the outcome I'm hoping for, too. And it'll come off, won't it?"

 "With a little work, yes, it should."

 'I'm going to go in and get Spike."

 "Buffy, I know you won't listen, but..."

 "You're right. I won't listen—because I've heard it. Just go with me on this one, okay? And if I'm wrong, well, then  we'll end up dead, and you can spend eternity in the afterlife nagging me about it."

 Giles chuckled. "Well, I suppose there is some consolation in that."

 "Start up the car. I'll be right back."

 "How exactly am I supposed to drive with almost the entire windshield black?"

 "Carefully?"

 "Yes, of course. How silly of me to even ask," Giles replied sarcastically. He sighed at the look on Buffy's face. "I'll go  start the car."

 "You do that."

 A few moments later, Buffy reemerged from the cabin, Spike running beside her with a blanket thrown over him. Once  in the car, he threw it to the floorboards, stamping out the small fire that had started. "Well then, he said, smoothing  back his hair, "Let's get this show on the road, shall we?"

 Joyce woke to find herself in an unfamiliar room, tied to a chair. A tall, raven haired woman stood in front of her, a glint  in her silver eyes. "What is going on?" Joyce demanded.

 "Mrs. Summers, I see you are awake. My name is Dejira, and let me welcome you to my home. I am so pleased that  you will be spending this holiday here with me, watching me kill your daughter in a slow and painful manner."

 Joyce struggled with her bonds, although she knew that she wouldn't be able to loosen the ropes. "You won't stand a  chance against Buffy," Joyce said, a hint of motherly pride in her voice.

 "Please." Dejira waved her hand. "As if anyone with a name like Buffy would stand a chance against me."

 "Hey! I gave her that name!"

 "And what a silly woman you are."

 Joyce glared. "You obviously don't know my daughter. Buffy is going to kill you."

 "And let me guess—her vampire lover will help?" Dejira laughed. "Although he's not really hers at all. He's mine. Do you  honestly think he just got lucky in finding me the other night, or that he was actually here for a meeting last night?  Please. He's been mine all along, and that pathetic daughter of yours played right into our hands."

 "You're lying."

 "Believe what you want, Mrs. Summers. You'll be dead soon enough anyway."

 Joyce said nothing, only narrowing her eyes. Whoever this woman was, Joyce knew that she had seriously  underestimated her daughter.

 "Are you sure this is it?"

 Spike peered out the tiny break in the black paint, careful not to let the sunlight hit him directly. "Yes. This is it."

 "It was remarkably close to the cabin."

 Spike rolled his eyes. "Well, yeah. My thinking is that's on purpose. This bitch has been spying on Buffy—it would  make sense that she'd be close enough to do that effectively."

 "Right. I guess it would."

 "Giles, come with me," Buffy said from the backseat. "I'm going to make sure the door is open before Spike gets out.  We don't want him burning up on the doorstep."

 "We don't?"

 Buffy shot her Watcher a look. "Stop it."

 Giles muttered to himself, getting out of the car and following Buffy to the front door. She shook the handle a couple of  times before sighing and kicking it in. "Well, I suppose that's one way to open it," Giles said.

 "Spike!" Buffy yelled. "Come on!"

 "Way to be discreet," Giles said. "I'm sure none of the evil things inside know we're here now."

 "Giles, we're here to kill them, not throw a surprise party. The sooner they show up, the sooner I can lop off their  heads and save my mother."

 Spike ran up then, coming inside and throwing the blanket to the ground. "So we killing nasties now?"

 "That was the plan," Buffy said, handing him one of the swords she was carrying. "Let's go save my mother."

 "Do you really think he wants to help you?"

 Spike sighed heavily as Dejira walked out of the shadows. "Bollocks, you are home. I was sort of hoping you would've  thrown yourself in front of a bus since the last time I saw you."

 "Darling, is that any way to talk to me after our night of passion?"

 Buffy looked up sharply at Spike. "What is she talking about?"

 "What, he didn't tell you?" Dejira asked with a smile. "While you were busy with my demons, your vampire was busy  with me." She laughed at the stricken look on Buffy's face. "Oh, you poor, naïve little girl. Did you really think you'd be  enough to satisfy him?"

 "Buffy, I didn't. Please, luv, you have to believe me." Spike grabbed Buffy by the shoulders, looking into her eyes. "I  don't know what happened last night, but I know I didn't sleep with her."

 Dejira walked to Spike, running her hand along his arm. "Tell her the truth, darling. Tell her how you woke earlier this  morning. Was it not in my bed—without your clothes?"

 "Balls," Spike muttered under his breath. "Okay, yeah, that happened—but I didn't shag her. She did something to me,  drugged me some how. She says that we were drinking, and that's why I didn't remember, but Buffy, I don't even  remember drinking, never mind getting drunk enough to want her."

 "That's the best you can come up with?" Dejira asked. "That's pathetic." She looked at Buffy. "Please don't tell me  you're going to believe that load of rubbish."

 Buffy turned on Dejira, a sneer on her face. "Actually, bitch, I am. Because you know, even with Drusilla and Harmony  in his past, Spike still has better taste than you. So answer me now before I hack you into tiny, skanky little  pieces—Where. Is. My. Mother?"

 "Foolish child. You walked into my trap—therefore, you are going to die. It is as simple as that."

 Buffy rolled her eyes. "Apparently, you don't know how this works. I'm the Slayer—and I'm gonna win. So we can do  this the hard way, or we can do it the easy way. It doesn't really matter to me, because in the end, I'm going to walk  away."

 "I don't think so." Dejira snapped her fingers and twelve grenbrek demons stepped into the room. "Kill them, boys."

 Buffy, Spike, and Giles stood in the center of the room, swords raised as the grenbreks closed in on them. "I told you  this was a bad idea," Giles said.

 "Yes, but did you have a better one?" Buffy asked.

 "Well, um, no."

 "Exactly. Now shut up and start killing some demons."

 Giles sighed as the fight begun.

Chapter 11:

 It wouldn't have been that long ago that Buffy would've found the fact that Spike was behind her holding a sword anything but comforting. But now, as they were surrounded by demons determined to make this her last day on earth, there was no one she'd rather have by her side.

 "Slayer! On your left!" Buffy moved as soon as she heard his voice, almost without thinking. She brought her sword down hard, watching as the demon's head tumbled to the ground. She spared Spike a quick glance, their eyes meeting for a second and letting each other know that they were still on top in this fight.

 Giles stepped back from the battle, the demons paying him little attention, not seeing him as the real threat to them. He allowed himself only a moment to observe Buffy and Spike, amazed at what he saw. He'd been certain that Spike would turn on them as soon as they arrived, but he hadn't. Instead, he was fighting at the Slayer's side, and Giles knew that the vampire was not holding back.

 And truth be told, the two of them fighting together was an amazing sight to behold. They moved almost in tandem, each one seemingly aware of what the other was doing without looking. Giles had a sinking feeling that he'd been wrong—that maybe Buffy had been so adamant about the vampire's change not because she was blind, but because she was seeing something that he had not.

 But it wasn't the time to suss any of that out. Joyce was still in trouble, and he needed to find her. He looked at Dejira, seeing that she was busy yelling orders to her demons. He noticed a hall and went down it, checking the first door he encountered for Joyce. He peeked in, frowning when he found it empty. A second door yielded the same results.

 When the third one he tried was locked, Giles knew he'd found her. He banged against the door a few times until he felt the wood splinter against him.

 "Rupert!" Joyce exclaimed with relief as she saw Giles enter the room.

 Giles ran to her, cutting the ropes that bound her with his sword, and Joyce stood, rubbing her sore wrists. "Thank goodness you got here," she said. "I was really beginning to worry. Is Buffy here? Dejira…"

 Joyce grew silent, her eyes wide as Giles grabbed her, pulling her to him for a passionate kiss. After a second of shock, Joyce responded, wrapping her arms around him. When he pulled away, she looked up at him, blinking. "What…what was that?"

 Giles stepped back, taking his glasses off for a cleaning. "I…was worried. They took you, and you could've been dead, and…" He replaced his glasses. "Buffy is fighting in the other room. We should go…check on that. But stay behind me."

 Joyce just gave him a nod, knowing she had to let the moment go. She knew it had been his fear that something had happened to her that had elicited that response, nothing more.

 Still, she couldn't help but press her fingers to her lips as she followed him out of the room.

 With only two of the grenbreks remaining, Buffy knew it was time to move on to bigger things. Spike had the demons under control.

 Dejira needed to find out why you didn't mess with a Slayer…

 Fear was apparent in Dejira's inhuman eyes as Buffy moved towards her. She called for her demons, but they didn't respond, too busy with Spike. Buffy backed Dejira against a wall, pinning the demoness there with her sword resting below her chin. "Care to tell me why you tried to ruin my Christmas?"

 "You deserve death!"

 "I kinda figured you felt that way, seeing as you've been trying to kill me and all, but it really doesn't answer my question. So tell me now—who do you work for, and where is he? I'd like to kill him, too."

 "I work for no one. That was merely a ploy to keep your pet interested enough to want to meet with me again. When I first saw that you had brought a vampire with you, I feared that it would ruin my plan, but then I realized that it would be an advantage. I knew you would send him to me, and I knew I could convince him to meet with me alone. I was hoping that I could cause a little more damage by seducing him, but it doesn't matter now. You're going to die, and the Hellmouth will finally be rid of its irritating little Slayer problem. Oh, and then I can unleash hell on earth, et cetera, et cetera. I have an apocalypse planned for shortly after the new year."

 "You are one crazy bitch. And as for killing me, I believe I'm the one with the sword at your throat."

 "Not for long."

 The door behind Buffy opened, allowing more demons to spill out. Spike tried to run to Buffy, only to be blocked by the demons that now surrounded her. Buffy heard him call her name as a grenbrek grabbed her, throwing her across the room, Buffy's sword falling to the ground.

 Dejira laughed, picking up the sword and advancing on the Slayer. "Looks like maybe things aren't as good for you as you thought, are they? Now, I'm going to kill you. And then, I'm going to kill the vampire." Dejira smiled. "Or perhaps, I should kill him first. Would you like to watch?"

 Buffy looked up, narrowing her eyes. "You stay the hell away from my boyfriend."

 "You aren't in any position to be threatening me."

 Buffy kicked Dejira's hand, sending the sword into the air. She leapt up, catching the weapon in midair, and landing on her feet, back in front of the demon. "How about now?"

 Dejira snapped her fingers, bringing three demons advancing on Buffy. Buffy swung, decapitating two with one long arch before quickly disposing of the third as well. She stalked towards Dejira, reveling in the fear in the demon's eyes. "So you really thought your screwed up little plan would take care of the Slayer?" Buffy grinned. "Kinda looks like you were wrong."

 Buffy thrust the sword forward, burying it firmly planting it in Dejira's chest. Dejira looked at her in shock for a moment before sliding off the blade and crumpling to the floor.

 Suddenly, the grenbreks stopped their attack, filing out of the building. Buffy ran to Spike's side, watching as they left. "Two questions: Where are they going, and should we go after them?"

 "I'm guessing with Dejira dead, their contract with her is void. And as for the second part, I'm voting for no."

 "I'll second that," Buffy said. "I think I've had my fill of holiday slayage fun."

 Spike looked over at Dejira's body and smirked. "I'll say you did. Bitch should've known better than to mess with my girl."

 Buffy reached out, touching Spike's shoulder. "You're hurt. It looks kinda bad."

 "One of them got me pretty good with its claws, but I'm all right."

 "We're going to need to patch it up," Buffy said. "There's not anything in the car, but the cabin isn't far, so…"

 "Buffy, as endearing as you fussing over me is, I'm fine. Really."

 "I'm not…"

 "Buffy!"

 Buffy looked up, the relief obvious in her eyes when she saw her mother running towards her. Buffy hugged Joyce tightly. "I was so worried."

 "I'm okay," Joyce assured her daughter. "A little shaken from being kidnapped, but not too hurt."

 "There…there was blood. I saw a trail out the door."

 "I think one of the demons hit me in the back of the head," Joyce said. She touched her hair. "I have a slight headache, and I'm sure my hair is a mess, but it's not bad."

 "Where exactly did all the demons go?" Giles asked. "This place was full when I went to find Joyce."

 "We killed all those," Buffy said, her arm still around her mother. "But then there were more. They left."

 Giles raised an eyebrow. "Left?"

 "Yeah. Right after I killed Dejira. Spike says they probably took off because their contract is void now."

 "We should do a bit of investigation, make sure…"

 Buffy cut him off. "Giles, I'm tired. It's Christmas, and I just want to go back to the cabin, sit around the tree, and drink some sort of hot beverage."

 "Yes, well, I supposed if there are any more problems, they'll find us."

 "Don't they always?" Buffy said as she walked with her mother towards the door.

                                        *** *** ***

 Buffy sat on the floor beside the fire, resting against Spike, his hands wrapped loosely around her waist. She glanced over to the other side of the living room where her mother and Giles were sitting, talking. She thought for a fleeting second that her mother may be flirting, but then pushed that out of her mind due to the extreme creepiness factor.

 "You know," she said, tilting her head to look back at Spike. "This has been a pretty good Christmas."

 "You spent the first part of it fighting for your life."

 "Well, yeah, but…" She smiled at him. "This part is good. Warm real-wood fire and boyfriend snuggles—definitely of the good."

 "Boyfriend, huh?"

 Buffy blushed. "I, um…that's what you are now, right?"

 "Kitten, I'm anything you want me to be."

 Buffy's eyes lit up. "Oooh. I think I might have fun with that."

 Spike smirked. "With that look, I think I might, too."

 "Oh, I just remembered, I got you a present," Buffy said, moving out of his arms.

 "When exactly did you find the time to get me a present," Spike asked with a frown.

 "Before we got here," Buffy said. "Mom kinda made me. Although now I'm glad she did." Buffy gave him a quick kiss. "Be right back."

 Buffy returned a few moments later, a brightly wrapped package in her hands. "Here."

 Spike looked at it for a moment. "You bought this when you hated me. I'm a bit nervous…"

 Buffy sat beside him. "Don't be. It's not an 'I hate you' present. I promise."

 Spike tore off the paper, his eyes growing wide when he saw the pink and green album cover. "You got me the Sex Pistols?"

 Buffy looked down, blushing a little. "Xander said he caught Harmony burning yours a little while back, and I thought…I thought you might like it."

 Spike grinned, pulling her to him for a kiss. "I love it. Does make me feel a bit guilty that I didn't have the foresight to by my then mortal enemy anything, though."

 Buffy traced the pattern of the grain of the wood floor. "I just didn't know what else to get, and Mom was telling me to hurry, and I saw it, and…"

 "I'll get you something when we get back to Sunnydale," Spike promised, running a hand through her hair.

 Buffy looked back up. "Or you could just promise never to play it around me. That would be a good present."

 Spike chuckled. "I don't know, Slayer. I bet I could convince you of the finer points of punk music."

 "Somehow, I just don't see that happening."

 "Not even if I was the one singin' it?"

 Buffy rolled her eyes. "Please. You probably don't even have a good singing voice."

 Spike pulled her to him, pressing his lips to her ear and singing softly.

 "I'm in love again
 Been like this before
 I'm in love again
 This time's true I'm sure

 Don't wanna end up like no nine day wonder
 I've been hurt so many times before
 So my darlin' I will never leave you
 It's in my blood to always love you more
 Love you more"

 Buffy shivered, his voice rolling over her, setting her on fire. She jumped to her feet, yawning loudly. "You know, all the excitement today has really worn me out. I think I'm going to go take a nice Christmas nap."

 Spike looked at her in confusion for a moment before he caught what she was doing. "You know, me, too," he said, standing up. "Been quite a day."

 Buffy took his hand and pulled him along behind her, ignoring her mother and Giles as she did.

 As soon as the door shut behind them, Buffy tackled Spike to the bed, ripping his shirt from his chest. Spike looked at her in shock. "Buffy?"

 "Shh. I'm unwrapping my Christmas present."

 Spike grinned then. "You like it?"

 "Yep. Just what I wanted." Buffy leaned down, licking Spike's chest slowly, causing him to moan. She pulled up again, pulling off her on shirt then her bra, loving the way Spike stared at her bare chest with unabashed hunger. "So do you see something you want?"

 Spike nodded, loving the way that Buffy was taking charge. She'd been a bit nervous and reserved in their previous encounters, but now she seemed to be relaxing around him, letting the sensual nature he'd known was there break through to the surface. "I do," he said, his voice already rough with need.

 "Guess I better let you have it then, this being the season of giving and all." She leaned down, and Spike immediately caught one of her nipples in his mouth, moaning around the hardened peak. Buffy shivered, grabbing on to the headboard for support and grinding her denim-clad pelvis against his. "Spike," she said after a few moments. "I need you inside me—need it so much."

 Reluctantly, he released her from his mouth, letting her finish undressing. Once he had done the same, Buffy straddled him again, positioning herself above his aching cock. She met his eyes before sliding down, crying out at the sensation of him filling her.

 Spike hissed as her heat surrounded him, grabbing hold of her hips to steady her descent. "Nothing's ever felt this good, Buffy," he said once he was buried fully inside of her. "Nothing."

 "For me, too," Buffy said, bracing herself on his chest. "This…this is perfect." She started to move then, her eyes sliding closed as she found her rhythm.

 Spike watched her in awe, having the sense that she was surrounding him. He felt as if her golden skin, her hair the color of sunshine, should burn him, but instead he was allowed to bask in her warmth. He wondered if she had any idea what she felt like to him, if she knew that every time he slid into her he felt as if he were coming home.

 He was hers, completely—whether she liked it or not.

 Buffy opened her eyes, entranced by the look of wonder on his face. Suddenly, her mind flashed back to earlier, when Dejira had claimed to have slept with Spike the night before. Although she'd been able to see through the demon's ploy—the woman lied worse than Xander—the thought of anyone else touching Spike flooded her with jealousy. He was hers, dammit. She began to ride him harder, her nails scraping down his chest.

 Her name fell from his lips with a whimper as he moved with her. He tilted his head against the pillow, and Buffy's eyes fell to his neck. She felt something pull from inside her, and without thinking she leaned down, biting him hard enough to draw blood.

 Spike snarled as he felt her teeth in his neck, his face changing to its vampiric form. He flipped her over, pumping into her a few times before sinking his fangs into her skin, pulling her blood even as he shuddered with orgasm. Buffy screamed in pleasure, coming in time with him, clutching his body tightly against hers.

 When the ecstasy became too much, her world went dark.

 When Buffy woke, Spike was sitting beside her, his face buried in his hands. She reached out, softly laying her hand on his arm. He pulled away. "Buffy, you shouldn't…you shouldn't touch me."

 Buffy frowned. "What's wrong?"

 He dropped his hands, looking at her in disbelief. "What's wrong? Do you have any idea what I just did to you?"

 "Made me scream?"

 "I bit you."

 "I bit you first."

 "Buffy, I lost control. I…I could've hurt you."

 Buffy sat up, wrapping her arms around him. "Did the chip go off?"

 "No." Spike's eyes widened. "Do you think it stopped working?"

 "No, you silly vampire. I'm saying you didn't hurt me."

 "But I could have."

 "But you didn't."

 "Buffy…"

 Buffy laid her finger against his mouth. "Shh. Don't let this get around since it would so no be good for my reputation, being the Slayer and all, but the biting thing—kinda hot." She grinned. "Okay, really hot."

 Spike looked at her in awe. For the first time since his run in with the Initiative, he was grateful for the chip, knowing he wouldn't have ended up here without it. "You are one amazing woman, Buffy Summers."

 Buffy smiled, cupping his cheek in her hand and pulling him in for a long, lazy kiss.

 Joyce and Giles sat in the kitchen, staring at the table and trying to ignore the noises coming from the bedroom. "So, um, how is your head?" Giles asked.

 "It's fine," Joyce replied. "Doesn't really hurt anymore."

 "That's good."

 An awkward silence filled the room, punctuated by the occasional moan or scream. "More eggnog?" Joyce asked.

 "Please."

 Joyce got up, walking to Giles to take his cup. Her hand brushed against his, and he looked up at her, his blue eyes suddenly dark. He stood, grabbing Joyce to him and kissing her, the cup shattering as it hit the ground.

 Giles scooped Joyce up, carrying her off to the bedroom.

Chapter 12:

Buffy walked out of the bedroom, a small smile on her face. Joyce came out of her own bedroom at almost the same time, glancing over at her daughter quickly with a look of nervousness Buffy didn't quite understand.

That is, until Giles walked out right behind her.

Buffy gaped. "What were you two doing?" she asked before her brain could tell her mouth that she really didn't want to know the answer to that particular question.

Joyce gave Buffy a smug grin. "Taking a Christmas nap."

"Oh my god! I can't…ew!"

Spike came out of the bedroom then, noticing the look of absolute horror on Buffy's face. "What's wrong, luv?"

She pointed to Joyce and Giles. "They were 'napping,'" she hissed.

Spike chuckled, kissing the top of her head. "Come on, lamb. Let's just go to the kitchen."

"But…but…emotionally scared for life here!"

"Buffy, what's that on your neck?"

As soon as the question was out of Joyce's mouth, Giles strode across the living room, pushing Buffy's hair to the side. His eyes flashed with anger, and he started towards Spike, only to have Buffy hold him back. "Giles, calm down!" Buffy said.

"Calm down! I know what those marks on your neck are. He bit you."

Buffy couldn't help but blush. "It was just a little bite. And it didn't hurt…"

"How can you be so bloody irresponsible about this! If he's biting you—which is in of itself a bad thing—then his chip isn't working. He's a killer again, Buffy!"

"Okay, first, I haven't killed a bloody thing since I got this chip." Spike frowned. "Well, expect some demons, but I didn't hear anyone complaining about that. And second…" He punched Giles in the face, clutching his head in pain right afterwards.

"What the bloody hell did you do that for?" Giles yelled, rubbing his face.

"Wanted to show the chip was still working," he said, his hand pressed against his temple.

Giles glared. "You could've been faking."

"Yes. And now I'm enjoying my nice, fake migraine. Berk."

Giles tensed, moving towards Spike but stopping when Joyce grabbed his shoulder. "Rupert, can I speak to you a moment. Alone?"

Giles glanced between Spike and Joyce. "Yes," he said with a sigh, following her back into the bedroom.

"I think we should just let them be."

"What!" Giles stared at her in disbelief. "Do you realize what just happened? A vampire sank his fangs into your daughter's neck and drank her blood. How can you just dismiss that?"

"I'm not dismissing it, I just… I think it's something I'd rather not stick my nose in."

"And when Buffy's dead—or worse, turned—then what?"

Joyce rolled her eyes. "Rupert, really. For one thing, even if Spike did want to hurt Buffy he couldn't."

"He bit her! That's hurting her, Joyce. That punch proved nothing."

"Buffy said the bite didn't hurt her. Being her mother, I really don't want to think about what it did do, but that isn't the issue. I've seen him with her. I've seen him fight to protect her, risking his own life in the processes. I'll be honest. I really don't understand souls or demons or any of that, but I know the look of someone in love—and that's the look Spike has every time he sees Buffy. She's safe with him, Rupert. I can feel it. And if I want to try to ignore what my daughter and her vampire boyfriend are doing behind close doors, please, just let me. For the sake of my sanity."

"I just don't want to end up saying 'I told you so.'"

"I know. I don't want that either, but I also don't see that happening." She ran her thumb over the spot on his cheek where Spike had hit him, noticing that it hadn't bruised. "Let's just go back out and enjoy the rest of Christmas."

Giles sighed, knowing there was nothing he could do to convince either one of the Summers women that he was right about Spike. And as much as he hated to admit it, he was having a harder and harder time convincing himself. He'd seen Spike fight by Buffy's side, effectively making everything Giles had ever thought he knew about vampires blow up in his face.

Although when he thought about it, wasn't that just Spike in a nutshell? Giles had never seen the vampire play by any of the rules. Why would he start now?

"Yes, well, I believe I can do that."

Joyce kissed him softly. "Thank you."

*** *** ***

Buffy sat on the couch with her head on Spike's shoulder and his arm around her, blissfully ignoring the fact that her mother and Giles were in much the same position on the other side of the sofa. She smiled at Spike's quiet toleration of Mickey's Christmas Carol despite his muttered comment of "and they say I'm evil" when she'd suggested it.

Just because she didn't hate him anymore didn't mean she had to pass up every opportunity that came her way to annoy him.

Spike pressed an almost absent-minded kiss into her hair, giving her arm a gentle squeeze as he did, and Buffy smiled, managing to move even closer to him. Despite his cool body, his touch sent a warmth through her, giving her a sense of peace and comfort. Right then, in that moment, she felt like she could belong there, in this man's arms.

Yes, Buffy decided with a smile, this had definitely been a good Christmas.

*** *** ***

That's the end, folks. Hope you enjoyed it.