By Goddess Isa
SUMMARY: Part Six of To Have & To Hold - The Slayerettes are overworked and it's Christmas. Going home is out of the question, but will they even get to celebrate??
SPOILER: Basically, this hints on ALL the Buffy & ANGEL eppys so far, because there will be some flashbacks during the series, I hope. SPECIFICALLY Pangs & I Will Remember You though.
FEEDBACK: Please, I'd hate to have to Slay for it. =P
RATING: TV-14
DISCLAIMER: In case you didn't know, all the characters I'll mention (probably) belong to David Greenwalt and Joss Whedon. I am SO furious at the both of them right now, I cannot even tell you. This stuff also belongs to all the writers that have ever written for both shows. The song is by Mariah Carey.
Buffy grinned. "You know, this role play stuff is fun, but I haven't got time. We've gotta go destroy some demon ass in the sewers."
Angel sat up and yawned. "A Slayer's work is never done. Or is it never fun?" he scratched his head in thought.
"I think both are probably correct." Buffy yawned. "Wanna take a shower?"
"You actually have to ask me that question?"
She gave him an evil grin. "I just like watching you get all excited when you answer."
"You know," Buffy stood back and admired the work Cordelia had done on the room she still somewhat shared with the girls. "It looks nice."
"Duh! And I'm still on crutches!" she said in her defense.
"I've never liked Christmas." Anya said. "No one ever cheated on their wives or girlfriends over the holidays. I never got any work."
"Good." Xander said, slinging an arm around her. "Let's keep it that way."
"I could curb my demonic ways for you," she said playfully. She gently raked her nails over his chest through his wife beater. "Anyone in your room?"
"Empty."
They ran through the doors in a mass of giggles.
"God, get a room." Cordelia said, shaking her head. Buffy and Willow shrugged to each other.
"All right," Giles came in with a paper cup Buffy assumed contained coffee.
"'All right' what?" Buffy wondered.
"We won't have a problem keeping the hotel. Doyle and Angel are downstairs getting some lunch. They said you were all sick of the hotel food so they're getting Taco Bell and McDonald's."
"Fine Irish cuisine," Cordy remarked.
"What about the holidays?" Buffy asked. "See? Tree? Lights? Party! Gifts! It's Christmas tomorrow, Giles!"
"Yes, it is, but we are here to fight a war and so far, all we've done is drastically rid the vampire population."
"I don't think so." Willow said. "They're rapidly procreating."
Everyone stared at her.
"You come up with a better word for it. This isn't like normal vamp development. You can tell these are newbies, they have no technique, I mean, Xander's getting nightly kills."
"On his behalf, I say 'hey'." Buffy smiled.
"Duly noted," Willow smiled back. "I just think we need to look deeper into this." at the worried looks of her friends, she looked at the Watcher and added, "On the twenty-sixth."
"I don't think we can afford to delay the war any longer. We only have a week left and--"
"We've been here a week and we're more than tired of it." Buffy said. "We want out. Now. Just for two days. Forty-eight hours. If you can't give us that--"
"I didn't say I was or wasn't going to give you anything." Giles said, a bit put off.
"Good. I like presents." Cordelia said.
"I simply meant that as the head of this trip--"
"The head of this trip?" Buffy asked. "Who's running things here?" no one answered here. "Cordelia."
She looked up from filing her nails. "What?"
"Who's running this battle? Me or Giles?"
"That's sort of a toss up."
"Will?"
"I don't wanna take a side. Can't I just stay neutral, you know, like Switzerland?"
Buffy smirked at her and turned to Giles. "We'll ask the guys when they get here, but *I'm* in charge and I say we celebrate Christmas."
"Woohoo!" Cordelia said happily as she uncapped a nail polish and began to touch up.
"Lord, that smells awful." Giles said. "I think I'll go in the other room where my nostrils won't be burned."
"Oh, you can't!" Willow said just before he went for the doorknob.
"Why not?"
"People. Are in there." she said quickly.
"Interesting. Why are they in my room?" he yawned.
"It's Xander and Anya. They're screwing." Cordelia said flatly.
After he got over the initial shock, Giles shivered for no apparent reason. "Perhaps I'll go into the lobby and rest there, then."
"Bye Giles." Buffy said.
Thirty minutes after he left, the guys returned with the food. Buffy knocked on the door and yelled to the Phantom Fuckers but didn't do anymore than that. They could get their own lunch for all the Slayer cared. The girls had heard their screams, giggles and the crack of the bed breaking so they were all on edge. And disgusted.
"Ooh, food." Anya said when she entered the room wearing one of Xander's flannel shirts and nothing else.
"Yo quiero Taco Bell," he said as he sat down and grabbed a Nachos Bell Grande.
"You know, I know Giles isn't here, but when he gets back, we should really draw names." Willow said.
"For what?" Xander asked.
"Secret Santa's." Buffy said.
"Those are so tacky." Cordelia commented.
"It's either that or no gifts at all." Buffy pointed out.
"I could write the names down." Cordy offered.
"No, you can't, because then you'll make sure Doyle gets you."
She stuck her tongue out at the Slayer. "Whatever. What's the spending limit?"
"Twenty US," Buffy said. "Have the front desk figure it out for you."
"Or you could ask me." Angel said with a smirk.
"Either one." Buffy took a bite of her Chalupa. "These aren't as good as the commercial says they are."
"I think they're great." Xander said.
Buffy handed it over and reached for a bag of fries from Mickey D's. "Hey, I guess I dropped the Chalupa, huh?"
Everyone groaned.
"Now we've done Secret Santa's before." Willow said as she passed around the hat to draw names. "You can't throw back unless you get your own name and you have to show everyone and prove that you really did get your own name before you can draw a second time. You *have* to buy for the person you draw." she glared at Cordelia.
"What?" she stopped painting her nails to complain. "Why are you looking at me?"
"Because last year you got Oz and you only bought presents for Xander and Giles." Buffy said with a smirk.
"I, um, well--"
"I'm last," Willow picked up the piece of paper then frowned. "Everyone has to draw again." she complained.
"Why?" Angel asked amongst the groans from everyone else.
"Cordelia got her own name and didn't tell and now I drew mine. It's not fair unless we all draw again."
They grumbled about it but they all tossed their slips of paper back. Buffy pouted the biggest.
"I had Angel," she said softly to Willow as she handed her paper over.
"Sorry." she shrugged. When she gathered all the slips and mixed them again, she went around the room, going to Cordelia dead last.
The brunette grimaced when she drew.
"You *have* to buy a gift, Cordelia." Xander told her. "It doesn't matter who you drew."
She swore at him in French and went into the bathroom.
"I didn't know she spoke Irish!" Xander said cheerfully. "I'm impressed!"
On Christmas Eve, the hotel threw its own Christmas party in the ball room downstairs. The gang attended, agreeing to exchange their Secret Santa gifts at midnight before going to sleep. Buffy didn't know or care what everyone else was doing on Christmas Day, but Angel said he had something special planned.
"Merry Holidays to ya all," the DJ said in his thick accent as couples danced around the small room. "We'll be takin' requests all evening so come up here and request somethin' for yer lady love."
"I'll be right back," Buffy said, giving Angel a kiss before leaving his side.
"Who's your lady love?" Xander asked.
"I hope it's not me." Anya threw a potato chip in her mouth. "I'm not into that stuff anymore."
Xander arched an eyebrow. "You used to like that stuff? Tell me about it."
"Oh, *now* you want to hear stories of my past."
Buffy came back to Angel with a huge grin. "The next song is ours," she whispered. She led him to the center of the dance floor and they began to sway to the slow music. The song segued into a faster one and Buffy grinned at him. He wasn't familiar with the pop tune, and he was totally surprised when she began singing the lyrics. Loudly. To him.
//I don't want alot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you can ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas
Is you
I don't want alot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas Day
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Baby all I want for Christmas
Is you
I won't ask for much this Christmas
I won't even wish for snow
I'm just gonna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe
I won't make a list and send it
To the North Pole for Saint Nick.
I won't even stay awake to
Hear those magic reindeer click
'Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do?
Baby all I want for Christmas
Is you
All the lights are shining
So brightly everywhere
And the sounds of children's laughter
Fills the air
And everyone is singing
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Santa won't you bring me the one I really need
Won't you please bring my baby to me
I don't want alot this Christmas
This is all I'm asking for
I just want to see my baby
Standing right outside my door
Oh I just want him for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Baby, all I want for Christmas is you\\
Angel kissed his lover as the song ended. He'd never really heard her sing like that before and she was quite good. He held her close as they danced through the next few numbers and then they separated to eat with the others.
The party flew by and before she knew it, Buffy was upstairs with the girls getting her present wrapped.
"Who'd you get?" she asked Anya.
"Can't tell you. Who'd you get?"
"Xander," she held a piece of ribbon between her teeth.
"Xander? Ugh, that is not fair. Willow, how about you?"
"You guys, these are supposed to be *secret*."
"So?" Buffy asked.
"I got Angel," Willow admitted.
"Tell me what you got him," Buffy said excitedly.
"I can't tell you. You'll see eventually."
Buffy shrugged and opened the door when someone knocked. The guys came in and settled around the room.
"Cordelia!" Buffy knocked on the bathroom door. "Cordy, we're exchanging the gifts!"
The brunette came out looking flushed and tired. "I think I've got food poisoning," she admitted quietly. "I'm gonna go to bed. I got Anya and your gift is on the floor over there." she waved her goodbyes and went into the other room.
"I had you, Buffy." she handed her the present. "Don't open it until you and Angel are alone."
"Thanks," Buffy smirked as Anya pulled a beautiful red scarf out of the box Cordy had had professionally gift wrapped. "I had you Xander. I hope you like it."
He tore into the gift before handing his over. "Wow! A Weird Al Yankovic boxed set! Thanks, Buffy!"
He turned to Doyle and grunted. "I didn't want your name, but I got it, so here. Merry Christmas."
"Thanks for the warm opening," Doyle said dryly. He smiled when he pulled out a nice leather wallet. "This is really nice."
"I figured you'd need it with Cordelia around." Xander smirked.
"How right you are," Doyle said. "And speaking of Cordelia, I had her name. I guess I'll be givin' it to her later on then."
"A ring?" Xander demanded when he saw him toss the velvet box aside.
"Earrings," Doyle replied with a smirk.
"Why do you care, Xander?" Anya asked, a bit jealous.
He grabbed her and kissed her, washing away all her doubt.
"I guess I'll go," Angel offered Giles his gift. "Merry Christmas."
"And to you." the Watcher tore off the paper to reveal a leather bound journal full of scrolls and scrawled writing.
"It belonged to Angelus," Angel explained. "I think it belongs in the hands of a great Watcher."
"I'm no longer with the Council, I'm afraid." Giles said. "Perhaps it belongs with them."
"It belongs with you." Angel said firmly.
He nodded and handed Willow a present. "I suppose you can assume what this is."
She nodded and beamed when she saw the new spellbook. She kissed Giles on the cheek and tossed Angel his gift before becoming engrossed in the book. "Only open the small one," she muttered before studying location spells.
Angel opened it and found a book of poetry. Willow had written a message inside the first page.
"Angel - don't let anything stop you from achieving the happiness you deserve with Buffy. Even if we give you a hard time, just ignore it. You guys should be together and I can't stand seeing her miserable without her. Marry my best friend and get her the Hell out of here where she'll be safe, all right? You're a good guy, Angel, and I'm glad we're friends.
Love, Willow."
Buffy and Angel enjoyed their holiday together immensely. They spent it in bed in their room, making love and playing with their gifts from Anya and Willow. Anya had gotten Buffy a large assortment of glow in the dark condoms and a set of silk scarves that had a tag attached: "If you don't know what these are for, you shouldn't be screwing such a prized piece." Willow had given Angel a pair of boxers that said "Pull down in case of emergency." Not surprisingly, Buffy had several emergencies that day.
The End
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