by Pattyanne A

"I don't want a lot for Christmas There is just one thing I need I don't care about the presents Beneath the Christmas Tree" ~~~~~ "So...what do you think?" Buffy smiled at her sister, who was perched on the top of an aluminum ladder she'd dragged out of the garage earlier that day. Stepping back a few feet, the slayer cast a critical eye over the enormous pine tree in her living room. "The star's too far left. Push it a little to the right...too far... perfect." She winced as Dawn jumped down off the ladder, without bothering to use the rungs. Preparing to scold, she was thrown off course when the girl suddenly flung her arms around her and hugged her fiercely. Buffy returned her sister's affectionate embrace. It was hard to stay angry at Dawn for very long. She was too good natured and affectionate to resist. Especially since.... She pushed the sad thought firmly away. This was their first Christmas without their mother. It was going to be difficult enough as it was, and certainly wouldn't be made better is she started to cry. "So, come on," Dawn asked again. "What do you think of the tree?" "I think," Buffy said sincerely, "that it's the nicest tree we've ever had. Not to mention the biggest." The Douglas fir that Xander had wrestled into the house that morning was almost eight feet tall. It towered over the Summers girls like a redwood over Lilliputians. Buffy turned off the lamp, leaving only the sparkle of colored tree lights to illuminate the room. Joining her sister on the sofa, she slipped one arm around Dawn's shoulder and pulled her close. The girls snuggled together in companionable silence as they watched the lights twinkle. Then the peace of the room was abruptly shattered when the front door suddenly swung open with a bang. "Where in bloody hell did THAT come from?" The two on the sofa turned their heads simultaneously as Spike strolled into the room. With his hands jammed into the front pockets of his jeans, he stopped in front of the tree. "Xander brought it," Dawn answered. "Isn't it beautiful?" Spike looked the tree up and down, then up again. "I wouldn't say that." Removing his jacket, he tossed it over a nearby chair. Dawn moved over on the sofa, opening a space between her and Buffy, who gave him a cool look as he sat down. "Well, what WOULD you say?" she asked tartly. "I would say...gaudy. Messy. And.." He tilted his head slightly, "the star is crooked. Should be farther to the left," he informed her with a smirk, reaching for her hand. "Shall I go on, luv?" Buffy scrambled away, managing to shove her heel into his abdomen as she did. "No," she replied, balancing on the arm of the sofa. "And don't touch me," she added, kicking at the hand he'd extended. "Hey!" he protested, retrieving his hand. "Is that any way to treat the man who loves you?" The slayer turned her back and stuck her nose in the air. "You don't love me." Spike slid down to the end of the sofa. "Yes, I do." "Do NOT!" "Do SO!" "Huh!" She folded her arms across her chest. "A likely story." When she felt his hand on her hair, she leapt off the sofa completely and began fiddling with the tree ornaments. Sighing, Spike caught Dawn's eyes, then glanced at the stairs, silently requesting cooperation. After trying to avoid his gaze, she gave him an "Oh, all RIGHT!" roll of her eyes and complied, taking the stairs two at a time. He waited until he heard Dawn's bedroom door close, then stood up. "Now," he said, following Buffy as she circled the tree. "Why are you saying that I don't love you. I know you don't believe it...but why are you saying it?" "Because, if you loved me, you wouldn't insult my Christ- mas tree." She turned on him, hands on her hips. "I happen to like Christmas trees, and...and Christmas cards...and Rudolph!" "Rudolph?" Spike frowned. "Who the hell is Rudolph?" "Rudolph," Buffy explained. "Red, shiny nosed reindeer. Flies through the air and...so on." Spike snapped his fingers. "Oh, THAT Rudolph," he said, grinning. "The one out in front guiding all the other near sighted reindeer on their yearly breaking and enter- ing jaunt around the world." Buffy nodded. "He guides Santa's sleigh on one foggy Christmas Eve." He just looked at her, completely charmed. "How old did you say you are?" "When it comes to Christmas?" Buffy made a face at him. "About six and a half." "Isn't that sweet?" he said, watching her as she puttered with the tree. "So, um...what do YOU want for Christmas, little girl?" he asked softly, inching closer. ~~~~~ "I just want you for my own More than you could ever know Make my wish come true All I want for Christmas...is you." ~~~~~ She sniffed, sidling away from him. "A boyfriend who loves me." "Oh, bad luck, sweetie," he commiserated. "That part's already been cast. How about a puppy?" Buffy stopped moving away from him. "What kind of puppy?" Spike stepped directly behind her and slipped both arms around her waist. "What kind would you like?" he asked, kissing the side of her neck. She felt herself getting very warm all over as he nuzzled her. "Well, I always wanted a...wait a second, no!" Shaking her head to clear it, she shoved him away. "Knock it off and go away!" "Now, baby," he scolded gently. "You know you don't mean that." No, she didn't. But... "I do SO mean it," she insisted. "I'm...I'm breaking up with you...and I don't ever want to see you again, so just....get lost! Shoo!" He held out his hands plaintively. "But, baby...at least tell me why." Buffy turned her back and shrugged. "Because we have no- thing in common," she grumbled, resuming her exam- ination of the lights and ornaments. "Buffy." Spike shook his head slowly. "You know that's not true. Give me one good reason why you believe it." A pause. "You're a vampire...and I'm not." "That's a fact, not a reason," he said, following her on her travels around the tree. "Okay. You're a vampire and I'm a slayer." Spike nodded agreeably. "A technicality," he said, catch- ing her when she tripped over an extension cord. "What else?" She tried to think as his arm tightened around her. "I'm a day person and you're a night person." He just smiled. "You're a night person, too, you silly little girl." "I" she announced with finality, "am Christmas cheer and YOU are bah-humbug." She threw herself down on the sofa in mock despair. "It's hopeless." Spike plopped down beside her. "Oh, I don't know. I can think of a few things we have in common." Buffy frowned and pointed a finger at him. "Don't talk dirty in front of my Christmas tree." He gazed into her eyes, trying to repress laughter. "You can be totally infuriating and completely adorable all at the same time. How do you DO that?" "It's part of my charm," she replied airily. "There's no explaining it." "Hmm." He pulled her onto his lap, a little surprised that she allowed it so easily in her feisty mood. "I wasn't talking about anything we do in bed...or out of it, for that matter." She looked skeptical. "Oh, no?" "No," he said firmly. "And, frankly...I'm a bit hurt by your implication. Bed isn't all we have in common." Buffy folded her arms across her chest. "Do tell." He thought for a moment. "We both like chocolate." She sat up straight in his lap. "You don't like chocolate!" "Course I do," he insisted. "I've always...." "Hold it!" She raised one hand, cutting him off. "When I baked brownies for Dawn's science club bake sale...you told me that you hate chocolate...that it makes you nauseous." "Right." Spike had the grace to look slightly ashamed. "I did, didn't I? Well...actually..." Buffy gasped, her eyes as round as silver dollars. "Why, you rat! You big...RAT!" "Now, baby..." "Don't you "now, baby" me!" She pointed an accusing finger, jabbing his chest with her nail. "You don't hate choco- late! You just didn't want to eat something that I made!" "I'm sorry," he tried to explain. "I didn't want to hurt your little feelings, baby." He lifted his hand to touch her. Buffy slapped it away. "But you wouldn't even try them!" "Ow!" He snatched his hand back. "Look, I didn't need to try them," he said in his defense. "Even I know that you don't bake a pan of brownies for two hours." "I did NOT bake them for two hours!" "Buffy...the smoke alarm went off." "I...but you.." she sputtered. "Oh, shut up!" There was a long pause as she sulked. "You know," she finally said, "that just proves you don't love me." "WHAT?" He stared at her, exasperated. "How the HELL d'ya figure that?" She poked him in the chest with her finger again, right around the area where a stake might go. "Because, IF you loved me, you would have...you should have...." "Choked it down?" he offered. "Yes!" She nodded emphatically. "That's what people in love do for each other!" Spike felt her preparing to bolt, and tightened his hold on her. "So, let me understand. You're telling me that the next time we dine together and I have...extremely rare meat...you're just gonna join right in?" Buffy looked at him, trying not to smile. "As long as it's not still mooing." He smiled back at her, delighted with her humor. "See what I mean? Totally infuriating and completely ador- able." Sliding one hand behind her neck, he pulled her towards him. "Now, kiss me and tell me you love me." She allowed his lips to almost meet hers, then turned her face away. "I don't think so." "Hey, that's not nice," he said, wrestling her lower on the sofa. She freed one hand and punched him in the stomach. "Not very 'spirit of Christmas' m'love." "What do YOU care?" she demanded, smacking the hand that was trying to sneak up under her shirt. "You don't like Christmas anyway. You," she grunted, trying to dislodge him, "are a very...bad...man!" "Yeah," he leered. "And that's just how you like your men, isn't it, Slayer?" Calling up all her strength, Buffy shoved him as hard as she could. Spike held on, and they both rolled off the sofa, landing on the floor with a loud 'thud'. A door creaked open upstairs. "What was THAT?" Dawn yelled. "Nothing," the pair on the floor answered together. Dawn wasn't satisfied. "Are you guys fighting?" "No!" Buffy shouted. "Go to bed!" There was a long pause. "Ohh," Dawn said, sounding very "I know what YOU'RE up to" and closed her door. In the living room, Buffy stared down at the vampire cur- rently stretched out beneath her. "You give?" Spike thought it over. "I might." She pushed down harder. "Don't make me have to hurt you." He laughed and lunged at her, pretending to bite. "But, baby, you hurt me so good." Buffy gave him the most seductive smile she could pro- duce. Leaning closer, she waited for him to relax his hold, then jumped to her feet. Placing one small foot in the middle of his chest, she held him prone on the floor. "You know what?" she asked with a smirk. "There's something very appealing about you in this position. Flat on the floor. Beat down. Under my...HEY!" Her voice rode up the scale when he wrapped his fingers around her foot and yanked it out from under her, bringing her to the floor in a graceless heap. "Nice try, baby." Keeping a firm grip, he pounced and began tickling her without mercy. "No, stop...cut it out..." She was dissolving in helpless laughter. Spike knew where every sensitive place on her body was located, and he laid siege to them all. "To quote a famous slayer...I don't THINK so." "But I...I can't breathe...I'm...not kidding.." she panted. He released her then, watching with a huge smile as she rolled away and climbed back up on the sofa, holding the sides of her ribs. "That was SO not fair," she gasped. Spike stood up and tucked in his shirt. "Well, you're a pretty tough little cookie, cookie. I have to take my ad- vantages where I find 'em." Pushing his hands into the front pockets of his jeans, he leaned against the wall. As her body began to settle down, Buffy stared thought- fully at the Christmas tree, seemingly hypnotized by the colored glow and sparkle of the lights. ~~~~~ "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." ~~~~~ Spike was the first to break the silence. "You're gonna be sorry that you were so mean to me." He walked around the back of the sofa and stood directly behind her, taking a small black velvet bag out of his right front pocket. Buffy continued silently contemplating the tree, until a heart shaped pendant dangling at the end of a fine gold chain appeared in front of her, and she gasped. "Spike...?" Leaning over, he whispered, "Happy Christmas, sweet- heart," and kissed her lightly on the cheek. "Do you fancy it?" "It's..oh, it's just..." Buffy caught the pendant in her fingers. There was another short chain hanging at the bottom of the heart, less than an inch in length, with a heart shaped ruby on the end of it. "Turn it over," Spike suggested. Buffy did, and saw the words engraved on the back of the pendant, 'Together forever', in delicate script. He took the necklace and undid the clasp. "Hold up your hair," he said, placing a light kiss on the nape of her neck when she obeyed, and raising goose bumps on her tender skin as he fastened the chain. Buffy jumped up. "I want to see it!" she squealed, running to peer into the mirror by the front door. After a moment, she turned and launched herself into Spike's waiting arms so hard that she almost sent them both back down to the floor. "It's beautiful...thank you," she said, lavishing him with affectionate kisses. "I love it...and I love you," she grinned. "Not necessarily in that order." "Love you, too," he said, tightening his arms around her. "And you're welcome." Scooping her up in his arms, he carried her back to the sofa and sat down with her in his lap. "Comfy?" "Very," she nodded. "Then you can go on thanking me." ~~~~~ "I just want you for my own More than you can ever know.." ~~~~~ Buffy smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Thank you," she said sweetly, placing a feather light kiss on his lips and laying her head on his shoulder. "It's the nicest Christmas gift I've ever had." The room was quiet for a while, then Buffy suddenly climbed off Spike's lap. "Be right back." He reached for her hand. "Where are you going?" But, she evaded his touch. "I have something for you in the kitchen," she explained, her eyes alight with mis- chief. "The kitchen?" he repeated. "What's in the..." His words trailed off as a moment of clarity smacked him right between the eyes. "You didn't...you wouldn't...not again." "Oh, wouldn't I just?" Spike glared at her for a moment, then stood up. "I just remembered something I have to..." "Tough." Buffy placed one hand on his chest, and pushed him back down. "You even THINK of leaving that sofa and I will nail you to it." He watched her retreat into the kitchen. Mentally evaluating his chances for a successful get-away, he began to stand up slowly, hoping she wouldn't hear the creak of the sofa springs. "SIT DOWN!" came out of the kitchen. With a long sigh, Spike did as she said, trying not to think about what kind of horrible concoction she'd be bringing him. "The things I do for love," he growled. Buffy emerged from the kitchen with a plate heaped high with, as he'd feared, brownies. "For you," she announced, presenting it to him with all the flourish of a waiter in a five star restaurant. Spike studied the plate with an utter lack of enthusiasm. "Do I have to?" "You love me.." Her eyes narrowed. "DON'T you?" "Passionately," he assured her. "But I think I'd almost rather be staked than eat one of those things." "Keep it up with the wise cracks, and that's exactly what's gonna happen to you." When he still hesitated, she said, "Oh come on...it's not like they can kill you." "So YOU say." He tried to stall. "How come you made these...things...if you thought I hated chocolate?" Buffy shrugged. "I changed the recipe. Now, try one." Seeing that he couldn't distract her long enough for him to shove it between the sofa cushions, Spike selected the smallest brownie he could find and brought it slowly to his mouth. Buffy sighed impatiently, shifting from one foot to the other. "You know, if you take this long to eat all of them, we'll be here until judgement day." "What do you mean, ALL of them?" He looked hor- rified. "Why do I have to eat ALL of them?" She was done arguing. "EAT IT!" she yelled at him. "I'M EATING IT!" he yelled back. He took a small bite, then looked at her in honest surprise. "This isn't bad." Buffy smiled widely. "Ha!" she said, and stuck out her tongue. "Put that back in your mouth unless you're planning on using it," Spike said automatically. He took another bite of the brownie, his eyes opening wide when a familiar taste filled his mouth. "You put BLOOD in these. That's how you changed the recipe." "Uh-huh," she nodded, pleased with herself. "You like them?" "Very much," he said, smiling at her. "My clever little girl." Setting the plate down on the coffee table, Buffy resumed her place on Spike's lap. She picked up another brownie and fed him bites of it, laughing when he nipped at her fingers. "You should probably label those," he said. "Someone else is liable to eat one by mistake." "Too late," she sing-songed. Spike saw her eyes light up with humor. "Tell me." "Well," Buffy said, pointing at the table. "These are my second batch. I made the first one this morning and...remem- ber when Dawn told you who brought the tree?" He could see it coming. "Yeah." She nodded. "Put it this way...Xander never met a piece of chocolate he didn't like, and before I could stop him..." "He ate one?" Spike asked, trying to hold back explosive laughter.... Buffy shook her head. "He ate three." ....and failing completely. When the belly laughs had died down to soft chuckling, Spike attempted to get himself in some sort of control. "Did...did you tell him?" "Well, of course." She made a face. "NOT!" "Let me do it," he begged, squeezing her affectionately. "Please." Buffy shook her head. "Absolutely not." "But why?" he whined. "Because you'll enjoy it too much," she said. "I won't," he insisted sincerely. "Cross my non-beating heart and hope to you-know-what." "Yeah, right," she scoffed. "Now tell me another one." Spike kept pressing. "If I promise?" "You'll never be able to keep that promise in a million years," she said. "And you know it." There was a long pause. "If I promise to TRY?" Buffy presented him with her chocolate smeared fingers, grinning as he licked them clean. "Let it go, honey." Laying her head on his shoulder again, she sighed with com- plete contentment when she felt him stroking her hair. They stayed that way, in companionable silence for a while, and Buffy began to feel drowsy. She closed her eyes and was nearly asleep, when Spike gave her a gentle shake. "Hey, it's gone past midnight," he said. "Happy Christmas, luv." "MERRY Christmas," she corrected him, sleepily, lifting her face. "Love you." "I love you, too." He obliged her with the kiss she was asking for. "Mmmm...wonderful," she murmured. Working his arms beneath her, he stood up. "Even better." Her head dropped back to it's rightful place on his shoulder, as though it had suddenly become too heavy for her to hold up. "Now," he informed her, "it's time for all good little girls to go to bed." "Really?" she asked, without opening her eyes. "And where do all the bad little girls go?" "Anywhere they want." He carried her upstairs, and placed her in the exact center of her bed. Sitting down, he tugged off his boots and crawled up the bed towards her, stretch- ing out on top of her, supporting his weight on his forearms. She gave him several long and intense kisses, then suddenly placed her hands on his chest and pushed him away. "Get up." Spike was confused. "What's wrong? Am I hurting you?" "No," she said. I just have something to show you and I want to get it before we...." He smiled wickedly. "Before we...?" "Just get up," she said again, with a slightly harder push. Spike obediently rolled off her, watching as she reached for something under the bed. Rummaging around, Buffy pulled out a battered white sneaker. "THERE you are," she said, tossing it to one side. Groping around agan, she brought out a stake. "That's not it," she mumbled under her breath. "Christ, I HOPE not!" Seeing her slide further over the edge of the bed, he grabbed her hips to keep her from taking a nosedive onto the floor. "Ah-ha!" She came back up, clutching a plastic bag. "Be right back." She bounced out of bed and went into the bathroom with the bag. "Close your eyes." Spike started to say something, then sighed and leaned back against the pillows, arms crossed behind his head, eyes closed. "You can open your eyes now." He did, and it felt as though his heart actually skipped a beat at the sight he was being presented with. "Do you like it?" Buffy stood framed in the doorway, one hand on either side of it, posing for him. Spike was having trouble thinking clearly. "Yeah," he finally managed to say. "What's not to like?" "Black is still your favorite color...isn't it?" "No," he said, watching her intently. "The color of your eyes is my favorite, followed closely by the color of your hair." She was immensely pleased at the compliment, and she smiled for him. "Although," he continued. "You can never go wrong with black. 'Specially," he added, swallowing hard. "black lace." "I thought you'd feel that way." She strolled casually around the bed, keeping herself just out of his reach. "I bought it with you in mind." "That so?" he said, a delighted grin on his face. "Well, thank you." Buffy took a step closer. She gazed at him flirtatiously from beneath her lashes. The bodice of the nightgown she had donned was made of snug lace, with a neckline cut nearly to her navel. Supports built into it lifted her breasts, pushing them slightly together and causing a deep cleavage. Spike's eyes were riveted on those curves, and he wondered idly just how the flimsy material was keeping her breasts inside of it. They seemed so eager to burst out of their lace prison and be free, and he was very willing to provide assistance. The lower part of the gown was a full skirt of black satin with lace trim. It fell all the way to the floor, and swished around her legs when she walked. "So, um...are you my present, then?" Spike asked, watch- ing every move she made. "You're not gonna make me wait until tomorrow morning to unwrap you, are you, luv?" He crawled to the end of the bed on his hands and knees, and frowned when she stepped back. The impatience on his face made her smile. "Tell me you love me," she said. Spike sighed and shook his head. He was ready...MORE than ready...to make love, but apparently, baby wanted to play, and he knew what his role in the game was. "I love you." Buffy placed her hands on her hips. "How much?" "More than ANYONE.." He paused for effect. "ever has or ever will." She tilted her head appealingly. "But do you love me more than you've ever loved anyone else?" "You know I do." "ANYONE?" Spike clenched his jaw. "Yes! Anyone!" he said, holding out one hand to her. The answer pleased her. He'd told her many times that he loved her far more than he'd loved Drusilla, but Buffy never got tired of hearing it. She placed her hand lightly in his, and his fingers closed around it possessively. "Do you think I'm pretty?" she asked. "No," he replied, tugging gently on her hand, and smiling when she pouted. "I think you're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen." "Am I sexy?" She slid her free hand down the front of her thigh, gathered a handful of black satin, and began slowly pulling it up. Spike watched as she bared the peaches and cream skin of her thigh. "Incredibly sexy, luv," he assured her, looking at her with eyes darkened with desire. He rose to his knees, still pulling on her hand, moving her closer. Buffy licked her lips enticingly. "Am I a good lover?" Dropping the material of her gown, she placed her hand on his cheek, her thumb tracing the arch of his cheek bone. He automatically turned his head, pressing a lingering kiss into her palm. "You're a wonderful lover," he said, locking her gaze with his. "Best you've ever had?" She began to unbutton his shirt. "Christ...YES." Sexual arousal made his voice drop into a lower register. He placed his hands on her waist molding her upper body against his. "No one compares to you, baby." Buffy shivered all up and down her spine at his tone, taking in a sharp breath when she felt him begin to kiss and nuzzle the side of her neck. "What are you waiting for?" she whispered. "Unwrap me." Spike didn't hesitate. Tightening his embrace, he turned her in his arms and lowered her to the bed. After moving her a little higher up the mattress, he reached for one strap of her gown. Buffy lay beneath him, and his world was rocked at the look in her expressive green eyes. So much love, and it was all for him. She had placed her heart in his hands, and was trusting him to keep it safe. ~~~~~ "Make my wish come true Baby, all I want for Christmas is you.."

"How do you go about Tying a bow about love? Where is a package sold So big that it'll hold love?" ~~~~~ Tugging her up onto her knees, Spike peeled the black lace down, helping her pull her arms from the straps. When he was finished, she was bare to the waist, the skirt of the gown spread around her like a black rose in full bloom. Buffy reached for the buttons of his shirt and undid them, one by one, slowly. As her fingers dallied, he amused himself by playing with her hair. Smoothing it down with his hand, he gathered it in two handfuls and brought them around to her chest, arranging it so that the honey colored tresses covered her breasts, then brushing it aside and replacing it with his hands. He squeezed and fondled her soft curves, rubbing his thumbs back and forth across her nipples until they were hard and Buffy's breathing sped up. "That feel good, baby?" he asked, a smug grin on his good looking face. Buffy smiled. "Yeah," she replied, sliding his shirt down his arms and off. She tossed it onto the floor, then copied his actions with her hands on his chest. Wetting her index fingers in her mouth, she teased the flat copper circles until they were as hard as hers. "Does that?" It felt so good that he developed an instant erection, and had to loosen his pants. She intercepted his hand and did the honors herself. The top snap of his jeans popped open, and she grasped the zipper tab and started pulling it down, smiling when the pressure being placed on it from the other side caused it to part on its own. "My, someone's eager to come out and play," she said. Spike slid his hands up and held her face between them. "Kiss me," he demanded roughly. Quite willing to do anything he asked, Buffy parted her lips and moistened them with her tongue. A soft growl from her lover's throat punctuated her action, then his lips covered hers with an urgency that made her dizzy. ~~~~~ "Love's what you're getting for Christmas That's what you'll get from me The only thing I wonder is how to put it under Your tree....Christmas Morning." ~~~~~ As they kissed, Buffy slipped her fingers into the sides of his jeans, then began tugging them down over his slim hips. Spike broke away from her long enough to rid himself of the remainder of his clothing, then yanked her back into his arms. Turning, he fell backwards onto the bed, taking her with him. "Oh, God...baby," he whispered against her throat. "You feel so damn good." Buffy placed her hands on either side of him and straightened her arms. Hovering over him, she smiled and offered him her breasts. Spike took what she was offering, holding the soft mounds in his hands and caressing them, using his thumbs and forefingers to play with the hard tips. After a few moments of this play, he wanted more. "Come on, luv," he coaxed her. "Let me taste." Buffy hesitated for a moment, as though she was thinking it over, then lowered herself just enough to feel the tip of his tongue on one nipple. "More," he demanded harshly, grabbing her shoulders and pulling her down. Buffy's eyes drifted shut as he opened his mouth and took her breast in, sucking it gently as he swirled his tongue around the hard peak in his mouth. "Mmmmm," she moaned. "That's my baby." She arched her back, pushing more of her flesh into his mouth. Spike changed his tempo, and began sucking harder, nipping her with his teeth. He moved from one breast to the other, making sure to caress whichever one he wasn't sucking. He broke away long enough to issue a demand. "Spread your legs." Buffy obeyed, distributing her weight onto her knees. Spike's hand moved down her back and over her rear. Squeezing it firmly, he began to pull her gown up until it was gathered around her waist. With one hand cupped over her ass, he sent the other one back around front, delving between her legs. His first touch was light. Spike moved one finger, locating her clit, and rubbing it. "Spike!" she gasped, enthralled by what he was doing. "What?" he asked. Buffy clenched her teeth. "More!" "More of what, love?" She tried to move her hips down, seeking what she wanted, what he was teasing her with. "Damn it!" she hissed. "I swear...if you want to live to see your next metaphorical sunrise...you'd better give me...what I...want!" ~~~~~ "Can't write to Santa and Just ask the man to send love There's no shop to drop in For last minute shoppin for love." ~~~~~ Spike slipped his finger in, probing deeply as he rubbed her clit with his thumb. "That better?" Buffy's face was slack with pleasure. "Mm-hmm," she murmured. She could say nothing more, too steeped in the erotic rush of sensation to make much sense. A few moments later, Spike withdrew his fingers from her. Without missing a beat, he rolled them both over until she was beneath him. Before she could even squeak, he began licking his way down her body. Lingering for a moment in the shallow cup of her navel, he made her giggle by running his tongue around it. Continuing his way down, he made himself comfortable between her splayed thighs, slipped his hands under her bottom, and lifted her sex within reach of his nimble tongue. Buffy's entire body jerked with the first rush of sensation. She began to slowly raise and lower her hips, encouraging him in his ministrations with her soft whines and purrs of pleasure. "My baby likes that, doesn't she?" he murmured. "She likes it when I eat her pussy." Buffy nodded. "She loves it when you eat her pussy," she corrected him. "Drives her...crazy." Lowering his head again, he licked her roughly several times, then eased his tongue slowly inside of her, probing deeply and sucking at the same time. "Mmmm," he moaned, giving her the extra bonus of vibration. Panting, Buffy's fingers began to play with his silky curls. "Oh, yes," she whispered hoarsely. "More, baby...feels so good...so good..." Spike sped up the thrusts of his tongue, until he was literally fucking her with it. Harder and faster, he plunged it in, then pulled it out, pausing sometimes to suck at her clit. "Spike..." Buffy choked. "I'm gonna come, baby...yes..ah, God....Yes!" He broke away just long enough to say, "Do it, babe....come in my mouth. Want to taste it." She bucked and gyrated beneath him, as heat burned in her groin. Her head thrashed on the pillow, as she ground herself against his eager mouth. Climax erupted within her core, then spread through her like an out of control forest fire. She could hear ragged whimpers and soft screams, and knew that they were coming from her throat. When it finally began to subside, Spike sat up and wiped his face with the back of his hand. His erection was throbbing, almost to the point of pain. "Buffy?" Her hazy eyes opened and she looked at him, holding out her arms. "Come here, honey." He fell into her embrace, kissing her wildly. "You do it," he panted in her ear. "Put me inside you." Smiling, she reached down between their bodies and took hold of his cock. Placing it in position, she rubbed the head of it against her labia, eliciting a harsh grunt from her lover. "All the way in, baby," she demanded. With one thrust, Spike gave her what she'd been aching for. His cock slid into her wet passage, and when he was completely sheathed in her, he paused to grind it into her, rubbing his pubic bone against her sensitive clit. They were too aroused to start off slowly, so Spike didn't hesitate. He began to pump into her, hard and deep. Their bodies merged and separated with a moist slapping sound. Giving up his attempt to hold himself up, he lowered his weight onto her, burying his face against the side of her neck. "God...baby," he moaned. "You feel so good...so fucking tight and wet...unh...yeah...fuck me...come on, baby...fuck me hard...that's my girl...make it tight...YEAH!...that's the way...such a tight pussy...so wet...unh..unh.." He kissed her lips and her neck, licking the sweat off her shoulders. Bending his head, he sought the lush curves of her breast. His tongue swirled wetly around her nipple, then he took it into his mouth and began to suck. Buffy felt every pull of his mouth as her sex contracted, clamping down even tighter on his shaft. She dug her nails into his back, and the slight sting spurred him on, made him pound in even faster. When Spike sensed that she was on the verge of another climax, he couldn't hold back. Five deep thrusts later, he exploded inside of her, grinding it in as he ejaculated copiously. He collapsed on top of her, panting for unnecessary air and telling her over and over again that he loved her, that he would always love only her. ~~~~~ "Love's what you'll get for Christmas Christmas morning you'll see A beautiful present of love wrapped up in me." ~~~~~ "Happy Christmas, Slayer." "MERRY Christmas. How many times do I have to tell you? Merry is for Christmas and happy is for new year." There was a long pause. "Season's greetings, Slayer." "Same to you, honey."

She's an out bound, mellow downed Easy feet on garden ground Sunny weathered good time child." ~~~~~ "Come on, sweetie...wake up!" "No, thanks." Spike gave her shoulder a gentle shake, then swatted her lightly on the behind. "Hey! You're gonna sleep right through Christmas." Buffy rolled over in bed. "I was dreaming," she mumbled, her voice slurred with sleep. "Then YOU gotta come along and wake me up right when I'm getting to the good part." "Come on." He prodded her insistently. "Time to go downstairs and see if Santa was good to you this year." "Santa was pretty good to me last night." She gave him a sassy smile. "And he also gave me a beautiful necklace." Rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, she stretched and sat up, surprised at what she saw. "You're already dressed." "Yeah," he nodded. "For a couple of hours. Now...it's your turn." Buffy looked him over. He even had his boots on. "Did you go somewhere?" Spike ignored the question. "Get your lazy arse out of bed, Slayer." "Well, what's the hurry?" she whined. "You got a bus to catch?" He whipped the blankets off of her, leaving her only the sheet. "Up!" "Oh, come on," she said teasingly. "Wouldn't you rather come back to bed? I'll give you an early...." Spike cut her off. "I'll take you up on that offer later. BUT, if you're not out of that bed and getting dressed by the time I count ten...I'll take you downstairs the way you are, Morning Glory." Pretty sure that this was no idle threat, and considering the fact that all she had was her new necklace and a big smile, Buffy did what she was told. Rolling reluctantly out of bed, she pulled on the sweater and jeans he tossed to her, grumbling under her breath about bossy vampires who were dumb enough to piss off a slayer. "It isn't the first time," he said, steering her out of the room and down the stairs. "Doubt if it'll be the last." ~~~~~ "She's got a sweet, warm, break the storm Custom tailored, angel form Unrestricted open smile." ~~~~~ In the living room, the tree lights were glowing cheerfully, and there were several packages under it that she hadn't placed there. But, her eyes were drawn to the mantle over the fireplace. A large, red velvet stocking hung in the middle of it, a stocking that she'd never seen before, and in that stocking was... Buffy gasped, her eyes wide with surprise. "Oh...look at that." Crossing the room quickly, she lifted out a small and squirming bundle that was peeking it's head out of the stocking. Cuddling the puppy against her cheek, she looked back at Spike. "Is that where you went this morning?" she asked. "To get this puppy?" "Yeah. Red took care of her for me last night," he said. "I had a hell of a time getting her to give it back." Buffy laughed. "So, when you asked me last night if I wanted a puppy...you'd already gotten it?" "That's right." "And just what were you gonna do if I hadn't wanted it?" "Oh, come on, Slayer," he grinned. "Every little girl wants a puppy." ~~~~~ "Everyone around her Is hung up on space and time But still she stays a bright eyed child With Christmas on her mind." ~~~~~ The tiny dog began wriggling in Buffy's arms, making her giggle like the child he'd just mentioned. "D'ya fancy her, luv?" "Are you kidding me?" she asked in disbelief. "I already love her. I always wanted a dog, but my mom thought it was too much responsibility for me." Spike slipped his arms around her waist, laying his chin on her shoulder. "What are you gonna name her...and don't even suggest it," he added when she opened her mouth to speak. "Suggest what?" "What you were about to suggest. I may not be the demon I was once, s'pecially after falling in love with you, but I draw the line at having a poodle named after me." He grinned and kissed her cheek. "Now, if it was a pit bull..." Buffy sat down on the floor, placing the puppy on her feet. ~~~~~ "She doesn't have to talk a lot Ain't you glad for what you've got Pollyanna country dream. She's not above temptations of Cloudy, deep November love Or pennies in a gum machine." ~~~~~ "She's so cute," Buffy said. "So tiny and delicate." Watching the dog gambol around the room with it's clumsy puppy bounce, she suddenly snapped her fingers. "I know! We should give her a really fierce name like "Killer" or something, so the other puppies will know better than to push her around because she's small." Spike appeared to be pondering the question. "This reminds me of something, what is it? Cute..tiny..fierce name hinting death..don't mess with her if you know what's good for you," he mused. "It's right on the tip of my tongue, but I just can't..." "Very funny," she said, giving him a push. The puppy trotted by, and she scooped it up in one hand. Lifting it to her cheek, she laughed when a little pink tongue darted out and swiped her with a doggy kiss. "You need a name, don't you? Hmm? What sounds good to you?" ~~~~~ "Even in the summer She can see the signs That keep her on the honest road With Christmas on her mind." ~~~~~ The puppy yipped loudly, and a door flew open upstairs. "What was THAT?!" Dawn came pelting down the stair- case. "It sounded like...oh my GOD!" she squealed. "It IS!!" Buffy smiled at her sister, framed in the doorway. "Isn't she adorable?" she asked, holding the puppy up for inspection. Spike joined them on the floor. Leaning back against the sofa, he crossed his arms over his chest and watched fondly as the two people he loved most in the world played with their new pet. In the end, it was Dawn who came up with the perfect name. "What about 'Christmas'? We could call her 'Crissy' for short." Buffy was agreeable, and Spike was happy the decision was finally made. "Christmas it is then," he said firmly, handing the puppy over to Dawn. "There's a bag in the kitchen with dog food and some toys. Why don't you take her and see if she's hungry, then come back and see what else Santa left for the Summers girls." He turned and looked directly at Buffy. "Who have been SO good all year." She smiled and winked at him. ~~~~~ "She goes down points of view On anybody's avenue Looking for the sweeter side. She's a knock on wood, look for good Crimson ribbon riding hood Movin on the downhill ride." ~~~~~ Dawn had barely cleared the doorway when her older sister jumped into Spike's waiting arms. "I HAVE been a good little girl, haven't I?" Spike nodded. "Yes, you have, luv...and last night..." He growled in her ear. "You were spectacular." Buffy dropped her eyes in a show of modesty. "I'll bet you say that to all the slayers." He was about to kiss her, when the doorbell rang. "Who the hell is that?" he frowned. "That's our company," Buffy explained. "Christmas day, remember?" He just looked at her. "Honey...we went over all this," she said. "It's all about friends and family." Spike rolled his eyes in obvious frustration. "The exchange of gifts," she went on. "The having of dinner." The doorbell buzzed again. "The NOT leaving them outside in the cold. Sound familiar?" ~~~~~ "Weaving through the arguments In delicate designs With rainbows at her open door And Christmas on her mind." ~~~~~ "Fine," Spike said. "Let the festivities begin." He grabbed her hand as she began to stand up. "Keep in mind that I have another "present" for you, and if you unwrap it in front of everyone, it could be embarrassing." Her cheeks tinted with a pink blush, Buffy slipped out of his arms and stood up. Bending at the waist, she cupped his face in her hands and kissed him, long and hard. "Then I'll unwrap it later, when I can thank you for it properly," she said sweetly. "I think you'll find that I can be a VERY grateful girl when I'm treated right." He caught her hand to keep her there. "Baby," he said seriously, "I'm gonna treat you right like you have NEVER been treated before." She had to kiss him for saying it, and she did just that as the doorbell rang...and rang...and rang... ~~~~~ "Yes, rainbows at her open door And Christmas on her mind." ~~~~~ ~The End~