The strident ringing of the telephone drew Xander out of his much-needed slumber. Grumbling softly, he worked a hand out from under Spike's cool body and fumbled around until he found the handset.

"Um.hello?"

"Xander, it's Giles. I've returned from the conference. How went patrolling?"

Xander remained silent for a moment. He wasn't fully awake yet, and a burst of annoyance rushed through him. He did have a life, and it didn't always revolve around slaying. Sighing, he answered the Watcher. "It went fine. No major baddies, just minions and the like. Nothing Spike and I couldn't handle."

"Good, good. Well, I must be going; I have to stock these new books. I'll be seeing you at the meeting this evening?"

< Oh man. > "Um, do I have to?" Xander did not want to go to the meeting in a very big way.

"I suppose not." Giles sighed quietly. "Perhaps the next meeting, then?"

"Yeah, sure. It's on what, Friday?"

"I believe so. Until Friday, then." Giles broke the connection.

"So, why're you ducking out of the meeting, pet?" Spike asked.

Xander hadn't realized the vampire was awake. "Just don't want to go, I guess. Rather stay here with a certain blonde." Xander leered, pulling Spike back on top of him.

"No complaints here." The vampire bent his head to the brunette's neck, sucking hard enough to leave a dark mark. "None at all."

.......

"I have to go to work, Spike." Xander said, wrestling his jeans from the vampire. It was the Monday after Thanksgiving, and he absolutely had to go to work. "I'd love to stay here with you, but I can't."

"You're passing up a good, quick shag for work?" The vampire said disbelievingly, letting go of the garment. Xander staggered back a few steps when the pants suddenly flew into his hands.

"In order to keep my job? Yes." Xander said, pulling on the jeans. "Look, I'll be home this evening. Besides, aren't vampires supposed to sleep all day?"

"I'd put off sleep to shag you, pet." Spike said, pouting. It was obvious, however, that Xander would not be swayed. "Can't bleedin' believe you." The blonde stomped off to the living room, flinging himself on the couch.

Xander smirked at him as he drank his morning coffee. "Well, I'm off. Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone, lover." With that, Xander slammed the door behind him, leaving the vampire to stew by himself.

Spike remained on the couch staring at the telly, steadfastly ignoring Xander when the mortal returned from work. The vampire was no longer tiffed about being denied his nummy treat that morning, but he wanted to make Xander squirm a bit. So, instead of the usual greeting, Xander was faced with stony silence.

Xander smirked as he went into their bedroom to take a shower. He knew Spike wasn't really angry at him. < Wants to play? > Xander could play. Starting the shower, the mortal stripped off his clothes and stepped into the hot spray, leaving both the shower stall and bathroom doors opened.

The blonde heard the sounds of bathing and shifted uncomfortably on the sofa. He'd like nothing better than to join the whelp in the shower, but he'd resolved himself to play with the boy's mind. He could stand a bit of discomfort, particularly when relieving it was so much fun.

Xander propped himself up against the tiles and reached for his half-hard cock. He knew just what to do to get at Spike. The vampire would be able to smell him doing this. It would drive him crazy. He began to stroke himself, setting a brisk pace. The brunette closed his eyes, envisioning Spike's cool tongue where his warm hand was.

The vampire bolted up before he fully realized why he'd done so. Then the pheromones drifting from the bathroom slapped into him. < Bloody whelp's tossin' off! > Spike stalked to the bathroom, peering around the doorway. Xander was leaned up on the wall, fisting himself with abandon.

Xander opened his eyes with surprise when the sheet of hot water that had been pelting his chest suddenly stopped. In front of him was a soaking wet, furious vampire. Limp, blonde hair was plastered to Spike's face, directing rivulets of water down the ridged demonic visage. < Oooh. Really got to him this time. > Xander tried for nonchalant, not quite making it.

"Um, correct me if I'm wrong, but even vampires take their clothes off before showering, don't they?" Xander gestured at Spike's wet black clothing.

"That's mine." Instead of responding to the mortal's jab, Spike grabbed Xander's erection, swatting away the human's hand. Growling, he pressed himself against his misbehaving lover, claiming his mouth. In striking contrast to the rough thrust of his body, Spike's possession of Xander's mouth was decidedly tender. Sucking on the mortal's tongue, he began stroking the hot cock in his hand, squeezing cruelly.

Never breaking the kiss, Spike moved his free hand to Xander's chest, sliding a finger under the ring there. He tugged gently, eliciting a muffled scream from the mouth he was so carefully invading. At the same time, Spike sped up his hand, jerking Xander off at a now brutal pace.

Xander gave up to the assault; Spike had him sandwiched so tightly between his body and the wall that he did not have to try to stand up. The combination of sensations he was receiving was overloading the mortal's brain; the almost painfully rough treatment of his cock was an exquisite mirror for the tenderness of Spike's mouth and the sharp sensation of the tugging at his nipple.

Spike could feel Xander shuddering uncontrollably, his muscles clenching. He knew the lad was very close; within seconds he would either come or pass out from lack of oxygen. Sensing that the latter was more likely, Spike quickly released Xander's mouth, nipple and cock simultaneously. Shifting to his human face, he fell to his knees, grabbing Xander's hips in a tight grip as he swallowed the mortal's cock to its base.

His mouth free, Xander gasped for air and immediately screamed. Spike's cool mouth and throat were rippling around him, sucking him down. His entire body felt like jell-o, quivering under the assault. With another shout he came, shooting into the vampire's cold mouth.

After a moment, Spike stood back up, still holding Xander upright. He returned to the human's mouth, gently prodding open those tender lips with his tongue. Deepening the kiss, he shared Xander's fluids with him, swirling the rich liquid through both their mouths. Pulling back, he waited until Xander opened his eyes.

"You did that on purpose." Spike accused. Xander said nothing, but a blush crept over his face. "Hmm.very naughty." The vampire dropped a hand to Xander's groin, cupping the young man's testicles and limp dick. "These are mine, you know." He gave a proprietary squeeze. Xander mirrored the action on the vampire, holding him through his sodden clothing.

"Yeah, and these are mine." The human grinned down at his lover. Spike smirked back at him.

"Not getting a tattoo, though." Xander barked in laughter as he pulled away from the blonde and reached around, turning off the water. Getting out of the shower, he picked up a towel, throwing another one at Spike, who was peeling off wet clothes.

Xander got dressed as Spike draped his clothing over the shower. The vampire emerged from the bathroom, naked but dry. He walked to the dresser, pulling out new clothes. He heard Xander moving about, and when he turned from the drawer, he found the mortal just inches from his face.

"Hey." Xander said, taking the clothes from Spike and pitching them onto the bed. Spike raised an eyebrow in question, but before he could say anything, Xander had fallen to the floor, engulfing Spike's cock and sucking, running his tongue down the length. The vampire came to full hardness and staggered back to lean against the dresser, gasping.

Xander pulled back briefly, saying, "Told you-mine." Spike managed to grin happily as his lovely boy resumed his suckling. < Yours, pet. All yours. >

.......

"Where are we going, Spike?" Xander asked as the duo sauntered down the street. They were in a part of town Xander had never frequented until he got involved with the vampire.

The vampire grinned widely. "Little shop I know." He wanted to enjoy the surprise on the lad's face when they walked into Sunnydale's only sex shop. The blonde was sure Xander had never been there; after all it was located on the same street as Carey's in the nonhuman part of town.

Xander eyed Spike warily as the vampire pulled open the door. The place was brightly lit-not what the brunette would have expected for a shop Spike willingly frequented. Realization struck as the mortal took in the nature of the establishment.

Spike watched in glee as Xander's face went pale, and then blushed a deep red. < There it is! > "Come on, mate. Y're blocking the door." The vampire tugged on Xander's arm, leading him to the back wall. The mortal was focused on the merchandise-harnesses, latex clothing, chains. He had no idea there were that many different types of condoms.

"Spike?" Xander asked tremulously.

"Yeah?"

"Why are we here?"

The blonde's grin threatened to crack his face in two. "What, you don't like it?" Xander turned to glare at the vampire. "Thought you might want a toy or two, to replace the ones I pitched."

The brunette's jaw dropped. "This is where they came from?" Anya had purchased all their sex toys. He'd always wondered where they came from.

"Only place in town, pet." Spike busied himself studying an impressive display of chains while Xander gawked at nearly everything. The boy was fascinated by the dildos, pumps, books, and videos. Once his initial shock wore off, Xander explored the store energetically.

"Oooh, pretty." Xander said, admiring the shackles Spike was holding. "Tie me up?"

Spike blinked. < He's kidding me. > He looked at Xander, who was grinning maniacally. The scent of arousal around the boy had peaked when he'd seen the restraints. No, he was being serious. "No."

Xander's face fell. "No? I thought you'd jump at the chance." < Weird. Guess I figured that wrong. >

"Right. Well, found anything?"

.......

"Did you get the stamps?"

"Yes, and the gold and silver calligraphy pens, and the envelope seals, and the wrapping paper, and the boxes, and the half-inch wide translucent satin-textured cellophane tape." Xander said, mocking the vampire. Spike had taken to his 'Christmas presents as revenge' idea with gusto. It was insightful for the human; he could easily see how Spike managed to cause serious mayhem for a century; once he latched onto an idea, he really ran with it.

"Great. Oh, did you get tissue paper?" Spike asked, not looking up the list of names and addresses he was studying.

"Yes, Santa, I did." Xander waved several packages of gold tissue at the blonde, who snatched them distractedly and threw them on a growing pile of supplies. He didn't notice Xander until he felt something on his head.

"Oi! What's that?" Spike reached up, retrieving a pointed Santa hat. "Bloody hell. Get that thing away from me!" He tossed it behind him, where it caught in the light fixture, dangling gaily over the living room.

"You're no fun!" Xander said, flopping down on a barstool beside the vampire.

"Don't shake the bar; I'm trying to write here." Spike had opened the calligraphy pens and was carefully transcribing the messages they'd created for each of their acquaintances. Spike had spent more than an hour in Hallmark shop, selecting and discarding cards while Xander tried to keep up with him, replacing the ones he'd rejected before the staff kicked them out. The human had to admit that Spike had good taste, though.

Shaking his head at the supposedly vicious vampire, Xander opened a package of boxes and began wrapping presents. Once again, Spike's exacting standards had to be met, and the boxes were gold and cream striped, matching the gold tissue paper and the gold and cream wrapping paper. Wide satin ribbons in dark burgundy, green, navy and gold were scattered around the kitchen, waiting for the blonde to tie them into complicated bows. Xander was an expert at wrapping packages, a skill he'd picked up at one of his many jobs, but bows were beyond his capabilities, particularly ones made of fabric. The vampire had categorically rejected any bow with sticky tape on its reverse side, so they had raided a fabric store for the 'required' satin tape.

"Did you take the price tags off?" Spike asked, switching cards.

Xander rolled his eyes. "Yes. The price tags are taped to the back of the receipts, which are in envelopes in the file cabinet, sorted by year and recipient, along with a written description of each gift." He moved to another item. "You know, I never would've pegged you for the obsessively organized type."

"'M not. It's for the poof."

"How so?"

Spike sat back. "When he comes up here all stuffy and righteous and demands to know where we stole all that stuff, we can just shove the evidence up his arse."

"I see." < Whatever. > "Can I ask you a question?"

"Yeah." Spike shifted uncomfortably at the serious tone of Xander's voice.

"Why do you hate him so much?"

Spike snarled. "Other than the fact that he turned me, broke me, remolded me however he liked, then abandoned me for a bloody century, and when he finally shows back up he tortures me?"

"Spike." Xander said softly, taking a seat next to the blonde. "I'm serious here."

The vampire sighed needlessly. "Fine. Remember when you wanted me to tie you up?" Xander nodded, blushing. "I wouldn't. You know why?" Xander shook his head. "Cause my bleedin' Sire used to do that to me." Spike growled. "Only it wasn't fun, or even bearable. He'd leave me tied there for days." The vampire's voice dropped to a whisper. "Until I broke again and I begged for it. For whatever he'd give me. Blood, sex, pain. It didn't matter."

Xander reached for his lover, embracing the shaking vampire. "I'm sorry, Spike. I didn't mean to dredge up bad memories."

"'S ok. Not your fault I'm a weepy girl, now is it?" Spike said, laughing harshly.

"You're not a weepy girl." Xander shot back. "I don't see a single tear. Nope, not weepy at all." Spike snorted, and then proceeded to kiss Xander senseless

.......

"Sun's down." Spike announced, pulling on his duster. Xander emerged from the bedroom, jacket in hand.

"Have you seen my lighter?" The brunette asked, digging through the Christmas mess on the counter.

"Left end table." Spike said, pulling several stakes and blades from the box they'd stashed in the utility closet. Xander retrieved his lighter and a pack of cigarettes, and then accepted several items of weaponry from Spike, storing them in his coat.

"Let's go then."

The walk to the Magic Box was silent. Both men were wondering what would happen when the gang figured out that they'd gotten together. Xander had told Spike that he didn't want to hide their relationship, which greatly pleased the vampire. Still, getting staked wasn't on his 'to do' list.

.......

"Xander!" Willow squeaked, jumping up from the research table. She grabbed him in a big hug, squeezing him tightly against her. "How was patrolling all alone?"

"Spike was there. Besides, nothing happened. This time." He said, grinning down at his hyper friend. "Any reason why you're so.jumpy today?"

"Just happy to see all my friends, that's all." She said, releasing the boy from her grasp. She returned to the table, settling back down beside Tara.

"Xander informed me over the phone that nothing of note occurred in town while we were gone." Giles said to Buffy, who was occupied with Austin.

"Ok." She mumbled back at him.

Spike rolled his eyes and grabbed Xander, directing him to a chair across from the witches. He pulled another seat next to Xander's, placing the two of them almost on top of each other. "What big nasty is on the plate for today?"

"Nothing. We are still behind, though, on prophesy research." Giles replied, thrusting a tall stack of books at the pair. Sighing softly, each man took a book and a legal pad and began the arduous task of summarizing the texts.

An hour later found most of the gang still slogging through obscure prophesies. Willow dropped her book on the table and leaned back to relieve aching back muscles. The sound of her spine popping brought everyone's heads up from their books.

"Coffee break?" Xander said, smirking at the red haired witch.

"Tall mocha." Buffy said from Austin's lap, throwing a five dollar bill at the brunette. She and Austin were the only ones who hadn't done any significant research that evening, being too caught up in themselves to notice how everyone else was working.

Xander grimaced at the money, but picked it up anyway. "Anybody else?"

"Xander." Willow began, but was cut off by Spike, of all people.

"No matter. Speak now or go without." The vampire stood with Xander, mentally noting the various orders. The witch watched in surprise as the blonde accompanied Xander to the coffee shop.

Willow turned toward Tara, confusion on her face. "Tara, did Spike just."

The blonde witch smiled knowingly. "They finally got around to it." Their auras were beautiful; clear, bright colors swirling together even more than hers and Willow's did.

The redhead's confusion only grew. "Got around to what?" She whispered.

Tara's smile grew and she blushed. "You never noticed how.close they were?" She thought it had been obvious for some time now.

Willow closed her eyes, replaying the last few months. < Goddess! > Tara was right! Spike and Xander had been practically inseparable for most of autumn. "You're sure?" She said shakily. She wasn't sure she liked the idea of her best friend being involved with a vampire, even a chipped one.

Tara nodded. "Very sure. You aren't mad, are you?"

"Just concerned, that's all." She grimaced. Xander had a habit of attracting homicidal people of the nonhuman sort.

"Don't be. Spike's been protecting Xander for a long time, you know."

"I know. But I have to worry about him. He's my friend."

Their whispered conversation was halted by the arrival of their subject, carrying steaming cups of coffee. Willow's eyes widened when Spike pulled Xander into his lap after he'd returned to his chair. She was even more shocked when Xander, after a moment, relaxed back onto the vampire and sipped his coffee contentedly.

The witches weren't the only ones to notice, though. Giles looked up from his coffee, only to choke on the mouthful he'd been swallowing. "Oh dear."

Xander looked over when he heard Giles sputter, ignoring the satisfied smirk on Spike's face. He knew the vampire had done it to rattle the gang, but he didn't mind. They needed a little shake-up occasionally, especially when the Slaying was slow.

Giles felt Ripper clawing to the surface. The staid Watcher was concerned for Xander's physical and emotional well-being. Vampires weren't known for their gentleness. Ripper, however, wanted to crow in laughter and pride. The audacious blonde had scored the ultimate coup against the Slayer-he'd won over and bedded the most devoted of her followers. It would knock Buffy down a peg or two to see that her little group didn't always revolve around her.

"So." Giles began, not sure where to go from there.

"We had a lovely Thanksgiving, you?" Spike said casually, hiding his grin behind Xander's shoulder.

"Ah, mine was very productive, yours?" He replied, only afterwards realizing what could be said in response to that question.

"Oh, very.rewardingly productive." Spike said, insinuating more into those words than Giles thought possible. He nearly dropped his coffee when Spike pulled Xander around and captured his mouth in a long, open-mouthed kiss.

The witches watched in aroused awe. Xander and Spike certainly had chemistry. Major chemistry. Willow glanced at Tara, who had a satisfied expression on her face. How had she missed this developing?

Buffy picked that moment to notice what was happening around her. She turned back to the table, and then screeched in horror. Xander was on Spike's lap, playing tonsil-hockey.

"Xander!" Buffy shouted.

The brunette reluctantly pulled away from Spike, turning to the outraged Slayer. "Yeah?"

"What the hell are you doing?" She screamed, still unable to completely grasp what she'd seen.

Everyone winced at the obnoxious sound of her voice. "Um, kissing my boyfriend?" Xander offered. Willow, Tara and Spike all smirked as Buffy's mouth dropped further.

"Boyfriend?" She shouted, even louder than before.

Xander closed his eyes for a moment, willing himself more strength. "Yeah, you know, male person you spend time with, care for-"

"Shag senseless on a regular basis?" Spike interjected. Xander elbowed him, and then turned back to the Slayer. It was obvious that the situation was beginning to sink in.

Buffy's face contorted in fury. "You.you.how could you do this?" She screamed. "Why can't you leave me alone?" She couldn't believe it. She knew that Xander was obsessed with her, and angry that she preferred Austin, but this was low. Xander was straight-he never even looked at guys. And he hated, absolutely hated, vampires. Particularly Spike. This was revenge, an attempt to humiliate her in front of everyone. Well, it wasn't going to work.

"This isn't about you, Buffy." Xander said, watching the violent emotions flicker across the Slayer's face. Giles and the witches weren't oblivious to the inner turmoil either. They sat up straighter, prepared to intervene if Buffy did something stupid.

"The hell it isn't! You are not gay! You don't even like guys, you hate vampires, and you really hate Spike!" She said, pacing the floor. "You're just doing this to get back at me, you know. And it isn't going to work. God, Xander, why are you so immature? Just get over it already. Can't you see it?" Buffy fumed, waving her hands menacingly.

Giles listened to Buffy's hateful words, a trickle of cold beginning in his mind. Get back at her for what? Get over what? He looked over at Xander, who was taking her words surprisingly well.

"Buffy, is it so hard to imagine that I might meet someone and fall in love with them, and that they might happen to be a guy?" Xander said calmly. Willow, Tara and Giles blinked at the word 'love,' but kept listening silently.

"Love? No way, Xander. There is no way. You are straight! Straight, as in you go for girls. Females with cunts, like Faith and Anya and me! Not guys!" The Slayer was back to screaming at the top of her lungs.

"You?" Giles whispered, that cold feeling growing. He looked over at Xander, then at Buffy. His eyes then caught Willow's. It was obvious she was having the same thoughts he was. Buffy had slept with Xander.

"You didn't, Buffy. Tell me you didn't." Willow said, standing up from the table.

"What?" Buffy said distractedly, still steamed over Xander's little games.

"You slept with Xander!" She cried. "You did, didn't you? You waited until Anya left, then you..jumped him!"

"Huh?" Buffy said. Then she realized what Willow was talking about. "It wasn't like that, Wills. We just."

"You seduced him!" The redhead snarled. "You waited until he broke up with Anya, until he was a wreck, because you knew that if he wasn't weak he'd never go for it, because he knew you didn't really want him. Why'd you do it, Buffy?"

The Slayer blanched under her friend's harsh words. "It wasn't like that, Willow. Tell her, Xander!"

"Yes, why, Buffy?" Giles said. He'd also stood up and was now standing threateningly close to Buffy. It was obvious to Spike that Ripper was very close to the surface.

Buffy paled at the anger in her mentor's words. "Xander? We just.look, it just happened, ok?"

"Just happened? How long ago, for how long? Why did neither of you say anything?" Giles asked.

Xander stood, Spike behind him. "Right after the battle at the Hellmouth. For a couple of weeks, until Buffy met Austin."

Willow gasped. She'd introduced Buffy to Austin."I'm so sorry, Xander. But why didn't you tell us?"

The brunette stared hard at the Slayer. "Buffy knew that you'd be mad at her for fucking me. It didn't matter anyway. It was just sex, nothing more."

Buffy whirled on him. "Yeah, it was just sex. So why are you doing this? The whole 'now I'm a fag' thing? Trying to mess with my head? Ha ha, Buffy, look at me I'm taking it up the ass from the Big Bad now? You fucking asshole!"

Spike had remained quiet the entire time, offering silent support to his lover while Buffy ripped into him. These last words, however, were too much. "Watch it, Slayer." He growled, moving next to Xander.

"How'd you talk him into it, Spike? Tell me how." Buffy said, brandishing a stake. "He's not smart enough to think of it on his own. He's pretty good in bed, isn't he? Gives good head, probably sucks you off in record time." She advanced on the vampire, only to feel restraining hands on her arms. Giles and Willow were holding her back. "Let go of me! He's Spike!"

"Yeah, and he's one of us now." Willow said placatingly, revolted by the Slayer's language. "Look at them, Buffy. Look. This isn't about you. I doubt it ever was."

"It has to be about me!" Buffy snarled. And there it was, laid out for all to see. Everything had to be about Buffy. Giles snapped.

"Xander's not the type of person to cheapen himself just to get back at you, even if you rather richly deserve it, Buffy." Giles spat at her. "What exactly should be the punishment when one seduces their best friend without any care for their heart, knowing that that person practically worships them, then casts them aside for the very next offering?"

"It wasn't like that, damn it! Xander ended it, not me!" Buffy said, stepping back from her friends when it became obvious that they wouldn't let her near the growling, snarling vampire.

"Why?" Willow asked softly.

Xander turned to her. "I prefer exclusivity, and Buffy wanted Austin for public display and me on the sly." The cruel but accurate words sliced deeply into the Slayer's heart.

Willow turned back to Buffy. "Why, Buffy? You had to know how much it would hurt him, hurt all of us. Why did you do it?" The witch was past the shock and was now shaking in anger.

Buffy turned on Xander again. "You bastard. You fucking, cocksucking bastard. I hope you're happy. You won, everyone's on your side now." She stalked back to where Austin sat staring blankly at the scene in front of him.

"Is that what you think? That we've taken sides?" Willow said, her voice deadly calm.

Giles joined her. "You are the Slayer. We help you fight. We do not, however, have to approve of your behavior. Hells, we don't even have to like you, which is good, since right now you are quite possibly the most reprehensible thing I've ever encountered."

Buffy laughed insanely. "I'm the most 'reprehensible' thing you've ever encountered?" She mocked. "What about them?" The Slayer pointed a stake at Xander and Spike, and another one at Willow and Tara. The vampire wrapped an arm protectively around the human, while Willow moved in front of Tara. "My two best friends in the world." She let out another spate of sick laughter. "One's gone muff-diving and the other plays bottom-boy for the undead. And you find me disgusting?"

The silence that filled the store was deafening. For a long moment, no one moved. Then Willow stepped forward, stopping directly in front of the Slayer. Buffy cocked an eyebrow, sneering at the witch.

Willow had intended to demand an apology for all of them, but the expression on Buffy's face enraged her. She extended a surprisingly strong arm, made stronger by anger. The slap rang through the shop, echoing off the walls. A second later, another slap followed it.

Buffy stared at Willow in astonishment. The witch had managed to push the much stronger Slayer back several feet and leave a pair of angry red handprints on either cheek.

The redhead took in several calming breaths. "One was for Tara and me. You will never, never utter such degrading, revolting trash in front of us again. Do you understand me?" She didn't wait for the Slayer to respond. "The second one was for Xander and Spike, because Spike can't hit you and Xander won't. It's obvious to everyone in this room but you that they're in love, and had any of us bothered to pay attention to them over the past months, we would have noticed it."

"Furthermore, Buffy, I have known Xander since we were toddlers, and the type of sick, twisted games you think he's playing are something he's incapable of doing. Oh, I'm not saying he can't exact revenge, because he can. I've seen him do things that would no doubt impress Spike. But Xander has enough respect for himself not to whore out his body just to piss you off."

Giles took over for the witch, who was still shaking in anger. "If you weren't so caught up in being yourself, Buffy, you would know these things. You would have seen that Xander is more than an errand boy, and that Spike is more than a convenient punching bag. As it is, you are a self-absorbed, self-important little bitch who never learned to share." The Watcher paused, taking in the states of the people in the room. "I believe it would benefit all present if you left now to patrol, Buffy. We will resume the meeting next week. It is my greatest hope that you will have developed some reason and understanding by that time." He said pointedly.

Buffy's mouth opened and closed a few times in a striking imitation of a fish. She silently tugged Austin out of the shop, not bothering to look back at her angry and disappointed friends.

.......

Willow turned to Xander, who was once again ensconced in Spike's lap, the blonde vampire providing as much comfort as he could in public. "So, Xander, spill. How'd you two hook up?"

"Yes, do tell." Giles added from behind the counter. He took a seat at the table, distributing glasses to each of the occupants. The Watcher opened a decanter of amber liquid, dispensing healthy doses of liquor to all present.

Xander took a large sip of the scotch, focusing on the burn of it as he swallowed. "You know, Wills, weird things always happen to me on Thanksgiving." He closed his eyes, savoring the rumble in Spike's chest as the vampire laughed in memory of the holiday.

The redhead looked surprised. "That's not very long ago. I kind of thought you two were maybe."

"Together longer?" Tara finished, speaking for the first time since the fight.

"We flirted for a while." Xander said, still lying back on Spike.

"How long?" Giles asked, pouring himself more alcohol.

Spike grinned a Cheshire-cat smile. "Remember when the wrecking crew took out the crypt?" The group nodded. "That was when Slutty was still coming by regularly." They scowled as a group at the mention of her name. "Xan never even noticed."

The brunette sat up, dislodging Spike's arms. "Hey! I noticed, I just thought you were being your usual annoying self."

Giles sighed, the scotch relaxing him greatly. "I don't suppose you need me to remind you of the dangers inherent in becoming involved with vampires?"

"Nah. Well, unless you're also going to tell Spike about the dangers of becoming involved with humans." They all laughed at the idea of counseling Spike on anything.

"Well, you're cute together." Willow said, deciding that Spike was much better for Xander than anyone else he'd been with. Her best friend certainly seemed more content and happy with the vampire, despite the last hour's emotional turmoil. "But dating the undead doesn't get you out of the Christmas-Hanukkah-Solstice party, so don't even try it."

Xander had turned his face toward Spike's neck, so no one saw the evil grin there. "I wouldn't miss it for the world, Wills, but you have to invite Spike now."

"Bloody hell." Spike swore, although Xander could feel laughter just below the surface of his words. The vampire was looking forward to the holiday for the first time in more than a century.

.......

Spike watched the love of his unlife mope around the apartment. He'd fully expected this after Buffy's little tirade. As much as she'd hurt him, she was still Xander's friend, and the words had hurt. "Right, then." Spike stopped Xander's pacing, drawing him in for a hug.

Xander relaxed against the vampire's cool body, feeling secure once again. "Sorry, Spike."

"'S alright, Xan." He pressed a kiss on Xander's forehead, rubbing his back soothingly. "It'll get better. It's not your fault, though. Remember that."

"I know. It's not that. I feel like I never knew her. The things she said were so.ugly."

Spike sighed. "Anger does that." He pulled Xander onto the couch, flipping on the Christmas lights along the way. The apartment was filled with the cheerful glow of the Christmas tree that Xander had insisted on getting. Spike would never admit it, but he had had fun picking out decorations for the thing, particularly since both he and Xander were in agreement on what a Christmas tree should look like.

Of course, that look was tacky. They'd purchased the brightest glass ornaments, lights, and tinsel they could find. The result was blinding. The vampire had shared in Xander's disbelief when the boy had unearthed glass ball ornaments in fluorescent lime green, but into the buggy they had gone, as had electric blue tinsel and multicolored racing lights-2000 of them for a five-foot tree. The tree topper was the clincher, however. It was an angel, dressed in iridescent silver foil. Xander had picked it over Spike's vehement protests, hiding the thing somewhere in the house until the tree was arranged. When he brought it out, Spike fell on the floor in laughter.

Xander had 'redecorated' the horrid thing. The angel's once-long blond hair was chopped into a punk hairdo, with a wide purple stripe down one side. A pair of red horns curved up from its temples, and a pointed red tail emerged from its voluminous robes. Small drops of blood dripping from the corners of its Cupid 's bow mouth completed the image of a punk-vamp-angel. Spike loved it.

The tree was surrounded by presents, all wrapped elegantly with their wide satin bows. With any luck, the Christmas cards they'd sent Angel and his minions would arrive this weekend, and the presents as well. Spike wished he could be a fly on the wall when they got opened.

"Penny for your thoughts." Xander said, watching Spike stare off into nothing.

"Just thinking of the holidays."

"Thinking of Angel and what he's going to say, aren't you?" Xander grinned. He, too, was looking forward to that.

"Maybe I am, love."

.......

Willow stiffened when she saw Buffy approaching her on the campus green. She and the Slayer had not spoken outside of the magic shop since Buffy's harsh words.

Buffy stopped near Willow, steeling herself. "Willow?"

The witch looked up at the blonde. "What?"

"Can we talk?"

Willow sighed. "What do you want to talk about?"

"I wanted.I wanted to apologize." Buffy said, sinking to the ground.

"Why?" Willow was unwilling to simply take an apology.

"What I said was mean, and wrong. I wasn't thinking at all, and I regret it." Buffy replied softly.

"Do you regret what you said, or that you said it?" Willow remarked.

"What?" Buffy said confusedly.

Willow snorted. "If you meant what you said, then what you regret is that you said it, not saying what you said. There's a difference. I want to know what you're apologizing for."

"Oh. I didn't mean to hurt you and I don't really have a problem with." Buffy stalled.

"With what? The fact that I'm not straight, or that maybe Xander isn't either?" Willow spat. "You can't even say it without being offensive." Willow stood, gathering her things.

"That's not true!" Buffy cried. "I'm trying here, Willow. I really am. I know what I did was cruel and uncalled for. I know that Xander wasn't trying to hurt me, I just."

Willow sighed. Buffy was trying. "I know, Buffy. But you have to say those things to Xander as well."

"Friends again?" Buffy said hopefully, holding out her hand. Willow stared at it for a moment for before taking it.

"Friends. But Buffy?" The Slayer looked over at her. "If you say things like that to any of us again, it's over. No one deserves that kind of treatment. No one. Not even your enemies." Willow walked off to class, leaving the Slayer to think about her words.

*****