SUMMARY: Team Bat Pack and Team Scooby meet in Lake Tahoe to celebrate Christmas together.
PAIRINGS: B/A, Cordy/Gunn, Faith/Xand
NOTES: This takes place AU but not in my normal series. There's no curse between B/A. Neither Anya nor Fred are in this verse and Spike ain't a part of the team.
MUSIC: The title is Nine Inch Nails
DEDICATION: To Nate and Cim. My heroes. I love you guys. Trin? Hey Trin? And to the rest of the B/Aers who continue to fight.
MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!

"Mmm, snow," he said with a contented smile. "I like snow."

"If that means your accent is about to return, please God..hate snow," Cordelia Chase quipped, a smirk lifting her lip.

Angel shot her a look, "You know...there is snow in more than just Ireland."

"Right..which is why we're going to Lake Tahoe. To be with the snow," Charles Gunn offered, glancing up from his GameBoy.

"That's not why we're going to Tahoe," Cord grinned. "I think it has something to do with a certain blonde chick.."

"And a roaring fire, "I'm sure," Wesley offered.

"And a wood floor," Faith said, not even bothering to look up from the magazine she was flipping through. "Or something like that."

"Like you have room to talk," Angel replied, albeit under his breath. Faith lifted an eyebrow and glared at him.

"What does that mean?" Cord pressed, leaning over the seat to gaze inquisitively at the dark haired Slayer who had become a member of their team only a few months earlier. Cord had been amazed by the ease with which the once rogue hero had fit in with all of them. Part of the team. Part of the family.

"Means nothing," Faith muttered, using a bit too much effort to turn the page of the Cosmo.

"Hey, easy..mine..you'll rip it with that much aggression..so out with the secret..who are you gonna be making it with?"

Faith blushed. She actually blushed. Cord narrowed her eyes and then it was like a light flicked on. "Oh. Oh!"

Faith looked up sharply, "Oh what? Because whatever you think you know, princess.."

"Xander..you and Xander.."

"Oh..that.."

"Uh huh. You and Xand are planning a love match.."

"Planning?" Angel muttered, glaring out at the car in front of him. He just barely resisted the temptation to slam on his horn to tell the fellow what he thought of his driving skills.

"Ooh...sounds like someone has a secret," Gunn taunted as he jerked the GameBoy to the side and then gazed at it with wilting intensity. "Die evil eye ball, die."

"When we get to Tahoe, that thing has to go away," Angel told him.

"Why?" Gunn said, looking up in shock.

Both Faith and Cordy replied, "Buffy." And then they laughed. Cord decided to elaborate. "Buffy gets obsessed..much like you..Angel wants love..not evil eye guys.."

"Ah. Okay..no problem."

"That's not what I said," Angel muttered, clearly embarrassed.

"But what he meant," Cord assured them all. "Okay, back to Faith..when did..when did this start? I mean really start. I know you guys went out a couple times..but hot sweaty love in Tahoe?"

Faith shook her head, "You're cruder than I am..that's not easy."

"I learned from the best," Cord said with an indelicate shrug. "So, details?"

"Sure..when you dish details about what you and Charlie boy here did in Vegas two weeks ago."

Cord blushed and settled back in her seat, "Point taken. So..are we there yet?"

***

"How many sweaters did you bring?" Willow said with a grin as she watched her blonde friend unpack.

"Only three," Buffy assured her as she folded a sweater into the set of drawers next to the bed.

They had rented a cabin the Homewood region of Tahoe for the week of Christmas. It was supposed to be a nice calm getaway from the insanity of the hellmouth and it's cousin Los Angeles.

And it was supposed to be a week to be spent in Angel's arms. They had long since resumed their relationship on every level but that didn't mean they got to see each other all that often. For all their intent, most of their contact was done through five hour long phone calls at two in the morning.

"God, Will...when was the last time we actually took a vacation?"

"How does never work for you?" Willow said with a dry laugh. "Tara and I went to Burning Man last year but that's pretty much it."

"This is going to be so nice. Waking up on Christmas morning..." she stopped and a look crossed her face. "Without mom for the first time."

Willow touched her friends' back, "Dawn's gonna have it rough."

"So am I...this is nice..but I'm used to mom making hot cider and then watching from the couch as we rip presents..it's tradition and then she makes this huge breakfast and we all gorge ourselves.."

"So we make new traditions," Xander Harris said as he entered the room. He immediately put his arms around Buffy's waste and dropped his head onto her shoulder.

"I know..and I know we will.."

"We all miss her too..Buff..for some of us..she was our mom too.."

"All of us, Will said softly. "I love my parents but your mom..she was like an active mom..a real mom."

"Yeah," Xand confirmed. "It's gonna be weird for all of us but we'll get through this. We're our own family. By circumstance..chance.."

"Being outcasts.." Buffy said with a laugh.

"Whatever," Xand replied dismissively. "Point is..here we are."

"You break into 'We Are Family' and I'll kick your ass," Buffy promised.

"Maybe that's good practice for when Faith arrives," Will grinned. Then she punched Xand on the shoulder. "I'm still waiting on details. You two go to a carnival together and now you're a couple.."

"Something like that," Xand grinned.

"But you're not telling...cuz that's not fair," Buffy said with a pout.

"Aw..poor little slayer..no news for her," Xand laughed, ticking her ribs. She giggled and then jumped on him and dropped him to the floor.

"Pinned your ass. Now talk."

He grinned, "Nope. No way and uh uh."

"You butthead," Buffy hissed.

He laughed, "Now now little Slayer..we can't have everything we want.."

"If I kick your ass..then can I have it?"

"No..sometimes we have to learn when no really does mean no. Consider it tough love."

She growled and then narrowed her eyes at him, "I'd watch your back if I were you, Harris..I got a mean arm with a snowball.."

He laughed. "Bring. It. On."

"Okay, okay..you two. Separate corners," Willow laughed. She put her arm between the two of them. Then she stopped. "Hey..do you smell that?"

Xand's head jerked up. "I smell..I smell chili.."

"That means dinner is ready. That means Giles is done," Buffy said breathlessly. She looked over at Xander, 'Last one downstairs gets the heel of the bread."

"You're on," Xand said, giving her a shove and then racing towards the stairs.

Willow just shook her head.

***

It was just after four in the morning on December 24th when the Caddy pulled into the snow lined driveway of the cabin. There were several other cars in the driveway. Giles' BMW, Buffy's Tracker and Tara's VW Bug.

"I am whupped," Gunn said, standing up and stretching out. "Bed..show me a bed." He reached out and grabbed Cord. "Woman..lead me to the bed.."

She snorted. "Just like a man. A bed and a woman and the world goes round."

"Just now getting that are we, princess?" Faith laughed. She looked wide awake, not at all tired. A true creature of the night. There was little doubt that the first rays of light would bring a complete energy meltdown for her.

Cord shot her a look, "You and I are not done yet. I will find out what I want to know."

Faith purred, eyes dancing. "Mmm. Should be an interesting battle."

"I'm still not in bed," Gunn reminded them all.

"Wes can take you to bed," Angel said absently as he began to remove suitcases from the trunk. With a mighty groan, he set down a massive one that could only be Cords'.

"Angel!" Wesley said, shocked.

Angel looked up, puzzled. Then he laughed. "No..no..that's not what I meant. I don't know what I meant. Cor..take Gunn to bed."

"Now my boss is ordering me to take a guy to bed..no my life isn't weird or anything," Cord muttered. Then she snapped her fingers. "I need my suitcase."

"Woman, do I look like a bellhop to you?" Gunn said, leaning against the car.

"Don't lean..you'll scratch the paint," Angel said, still barely looking up. "Christ Cor..how many bags did you bring?"

"Three," she said simply. "And I need them all in the house." "Gunn?"

"And I repeat..."

Cord grinned at him, "Oh honey..I tip very well.."

Gunn's eyebrow leapt into his hairline. He coughed and cleared his throat. "Right. Okay. Bellhop then."

"Very smooth Don Juan," Faith teased. She shook her head. Leaning across Angel, she plucked up a gym bag and threw it over her shoulder.

"Wes?" Angel said, offering the former Watcher a large gray suitcase. "Why does this feel like there are books in it?"

"Because he's a loser," Cord said with a laugh. "He brought books to discuss with Giles..they're gonna be all dull and English together."

Wes shot her a look, "It's a wonder you've survived..you know this, right?"

"Not really..I just hide behind you and your pile of old dead books..." Cord grinned. Then she looked at Gunn. "Okay..we can go now."

Gunn rolled his eyes, "As my lady says."

***

She was already sound asleep when he slipped into the bed. The soft cotton sheets were up around her chin and she was sleeping in the fetal position; her body curled together to ward off the cold. It was a chilly night and snow was beginning to fall.

"Baby," Angel whispered, reaching out for her. He folded his hands against her ribs, feeling the soft silk of her flesh against his cool palms. She was so warm and vibrant. He kissed her cheek and she murmured in approval. Not really a word so much as an urging. Onwards.

She pulled his arms tighter around his body and then reaching back pulled his head to rest against her shoulder, his mouth nearly against her neck. He breathed in the thick intoxicating scent of her that went hand in hand with the mad seductive pulsing on her heart. It was all too much. Crushing her to him, he nibbled her neck a bit, drawing just a speck of blood. She giggled. "Not tonight. Sleepy."

"Okay," he said with a smile. "I love you, you know that, right?"

"Mm. Not more than me. Go sleep."

He laughed a bit and then kissed her lips from the side. And then just like that, he closed his eyes and let the soft blanket of contented sleep fall across him.

***

"You waited up for me?" Faith said, confusion in her expression. This was all so new for her. So hard to understand.

Xander grinned and nodded. "Yeah. I said I would."

"I know..but it would have been okay if you hadn't.." Faith said as she dropped her gym bag.

"I said I'd be up. You have pajamas? I mean I know you like nekkid but it's freezing.."

"No," she admitted sheepishly. She brushed a loose strand of dark hair from her eyes.

He laughed. "Didn't think so." He crawled out of the bed and went over to the dresser. Pulling it open, he extracted a pair of black and gray flannel pants and a gray tee-shirt. He held them up for her. She shrugged and took them.

"They smell like you." It was a statement, not a question. She didn't bother adding that that fact alone was of extreme comfort to her.

"I wear 'em," he grinned. "So change and get into bed. I'm tired."

"Okay," she said. She knew she was talking quietly and barely resembling herself but this man and his attentions brought out the child in her. The little girl dreaming of prince charming.

She looked back at him once before she disappeared into the bathroom and thought, not for the first time and surely not for the last, "How did I get so lucky?"

***
The smell of cooking bacon began to rouse the sleepy vacationers at just after ten in the morning. Xander was the first to actually find his footing long enough to make his way into the shower.

"Mind if I join?" Faith asked, somewhat shyly.

He grinned at her and then reached around to embrace her. "Don't be shy..be Faith.."

She smirked. "Okay doll." Leaning up, she pressed him against the wall of the shower and kissed him. Hard. He let out a bit of a squeal and then they both tumbled to the floor with a loud thud.

Gunn turned from where he was standing outside the door of the bathroom. "I guess that shower is in use," he said dryly, looking across at his weary girlfriend.

She groaned. Pulling her bathrobe tighter around her body, she began to make her way down the hall towards the stairs. "Has to be another bathroom," she muttered.

"She's truly frightening in the morning, isn't she?" Wes said with a laugh as he exited his room, looking completely put together. He took off his glasses and rubbed the sleep from his eyes but other than that, he seemed to be wide awake.

"You have no idea," Gunn grinned, following after the former Prom Queen. "They make slasher flicks about people like her pre-shower. Hell, they make horror franchises out of it."

"I'd shut up if you want to live," Cord growled, stalking towards the stairs. Her hair flopped up and down, making crude shadows on the wall. She descended the stairs quickly, almost two at a time.

"Is it open? The shower? I'm too afraid to look..she may kill someone if it's in use," Gunn joked, watching her race for the little room hidden at the end of the hall.

"And she's in," Wes laughed as he saw the door slam shut. A few seconds later, the shower snapped on.

"The dragon is sated. We shall live to see another day." Gunn said with a grin.

Buffy came up behind him, "You're really not a smart man, are you?"

"Why? he said with a laugh. "Because I taunt the beast?"

"Many have fallen in the same way," Buffy said, mock seriously. "You are brave and foolish young warrior."

"I'm dating Chase aren't I? Doesn't that already confirm brave and foolish?"

Buffy thought for a moment and the nodded. "May the force be with you young Jedi. You will need it." She was trying desperately to be serious but the small giggled betrayed her.

"You're not so hills are alive yourself in the morning," Angel said, coming up from behind her. He scooped her into his arms and hugged her fiercely.

"Shush," Buffy said, slapping his arm lightly.

"Breakfast is ready," Giles called from the kitchen. "And Dawn is eating all of it. I would advise coming quickly."

"That little rat," Buffy said, breaking away from her vampiric lover. "Dawnie...hands off my bacon.."

Gunn glanced over at Wes and Angel. "You know all of these woman are insane, right?"

Angel laughed. "That's why we love them."

***

"Where's Angel?" Dawn asked, looking up at her older sister. They were waiting in line at the Homewood Ski Resort for the lifts.

"Back at the cabin. Sleeping. He's a lazy dead guy during the day," Buff said with a grin. "You okay on those? They look like they're slipping."

"I'm fine," Dawn said, moments before the skis gave out and she ended up on her butt. She looked up and mouthed "ow". Buffy laughed and offered her a hand.

"I wonder where Cord and Xand are..they went up the hill almost an hour ago," Buffy said thoughtfully as she righted her sister.

"She's trying to find out details about Faith and Xander," Dawn informed her, rubbing her butt.

Buffy squealed. "Ooh..good idea. After this lift, you mind if we go into the lounge? Faith is playing pool there."

Dawn laughed. "No..hot chocolate sounds nice." She wrinkled her nose. "Sitting ever again? Not so nice."

Buffy laughed. "Trust me..been there, done that. See a hottie..you'll forget all about it."

"I wish. I see a hottie and you'll go into hyper-protective older sister mode. The poor guy will be scared off by the Slayer stare of death."

"No. You're exaggerating. I promise..if it makes your butt feel better..no scratch that.."

"See?"

"No..I just don't want any guy making your butt feel better like that.."

"Too much talk of butts," Willow said calming up from behind them in the line. Tara was standing next to her, covered in white powder. "She crashed and burned on the bunny hill."

"Thanks for telling," Tara said with a grin. "Butts?"

"I fell too," Dawn admitted. "Buffy thinks a guy could make my butt feel better."

"I do not!"

"Could Angel make your butt feel better?" Dawn asked.

Buffy blushed. Deeply. "Okay, no more butts. Certainly no talk of Angel and butts. The lift is here. Let's go."

"But.."

"No. No more. Butts bad." She grabbed Dawn's hand and pulled her towards the lift, the colour in her cheeks only deepening. Willow and Tara moved to take the lift behind them.

She pulled Dawn into the seat and reached out for the metal bar on the side. "Dawn? You okay?" she asked, noticing her sister grimacing.

"Yeah," Dawn said with a slight smile. "My butt hurts."

Buffy sighed and dropped her head. It was going to be a long trip to the top of the hill.

***

"So..you and Faith?"

"Uh huh, that's what I thought. Why is everyone so interested?" Xander asked, leaning lightly against the tree. He rubbed his foot and frowned at it. There were bolts of pain ripping up his leg. Best to ignore them. Probably just tweaked it.

"We're just curious is all. Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah..just stunned it a bit. Give me a few minutes to rest and then we'll ski down. Why is everyone so curious? I mean..it's not like we're the only couple? There's you and Gunn and Buff and Angel."

"Buff and Angel are old news. Romantic but already there. Me and Gunn..well..you know.."

"I don't know..but this isn't about you, right?" Xand said with a grin. He punched her shoulder lightly.

"Tell me.." she pleaded.

He looked down and away. "Look..I know you guys are all interested but it's something new right now..something that feels good and nice. I don't want to ruin it."

"How can telling me about it ruin it.."

"Because it means more people know and are involved and right now I like it being just she and I. There's something special in that. I mean I know everyone knows but they still don't know how..for now..that's just between us..and I like that. I'm not sure what this all means but she means something..something strong and inside of me."

Cord sighed, "Okay..fine..make me feel guilty about asking."

"Did it work?"

"Well..I don't feel guilty about much..I don't think I have that gene but I do think that's terribly romantic so I'll let it go."

"Cool. Okay, you ready to head down?"

"You sure your foot is feeling okay?"

"Yes." He stood up, wobbled a bit and then braced himself. "Let's go."

***

"How did you two do?" Buffy asked as she entered the Lounge with Dawn, Willow and Tara at her heels. Will was making hand motions as if she was showing the other two how to do something.

Gunn stood to greet them. "We kicked ass. Faith's quite the shark."

"You're not so bad yourself," Faith said with a grin. She flashed a wad of bills. "Under the table of course."

"Of course," Buffy laughed. "You guys seen Xand and Cor yet?"

"Nah, they went up to the top hill. I'm sure Xand's managed to break his neck by now, "Faith said with a grin. "Either that or Cord's driven him batty with her questions."

"Speaking of.."

"You're wasting your time. Have a beer."

"Non-sequitar much," Buffy muttered. "And you're younger than me."

"Ah but so much more resourceful. As always," Faith laughed as she pushed a mug towards the other Slayer.

"No, no. Way too cold. Buffy want cider." She slid into the booth that Gunn and Faith were sitting at. The others followed suit. "So, why am I wasting my time?"

"Cuz I can shorten it up for you. We meet, we did it, we went separate ways for awhile..now we're a couple."

"Hmmm..I'm getting the bread. I'm tasting the cheese..meat please?" Buffy insisted.

Faith grinned, "Ain't that Angel's job?"

Buffy blushed. "What is with you people today?"

"What can we say..we all know how well you two..heh..work together," Faith said with a laugh. She elbowed her fellow slayer in the ribs causing the blonde to take on an almost purple tint to her cheeks.

"Ok, I'm going for cider..Dawnie..put your hands over your ears and come with me.."

Dawn did as she was told and stood up. Then, looking back at Faith, she lifted two thumbs upwards.

Faith chuckled.

***

"I think we took the wrong path," Xander said with a cough and he dropped into the snow.

"You think?" Cor exclaimed, putting her hands on her sides and looking around. "Path? What path? We're way lost and my toosh is way cold."

"Sorry," he said with an apologetic shrug. "Didn't mean for this to happen."

"I know," she sighed, dropping down beside him. "And I'm still not sure your foot could have taken actually skiing the major slope. It's okay...someone will find us."

"Yeah...there's only one question left then."

"What's that?"

He took a deep breath, "How many of the snakes on your head will have frozen and broken off by the time we're rescued."

She turned and glared at him and then she smiled and very sing-song she said, "That's okay. That's alright. I'll just remember that and when you forget..I'll kick your ass."

He gulped.

***

"How long have they been missing for?" the attendant asked, studying the concerned faces in front of him. These kids were worried.

"About six hours. They went up around 1. We haven't seen them since. I skied the big slope but they weren't there," Buffy informed him.

"Okay..we'll get some people out looking for them. Try not to panic..chances are they just went off the path a bit and got a little lost. We'll find them in no time."

"Thanks man, "Gunn said, shaking his hand. "We'll all be in the Lounge."

"Okay, we'll come and find you as soon as we know anything."

***
"Hey guys," Angel said as he entered the Lounge. He was dressed in jeans and a dark black ribbed sweater. He slid next to Buffy and kissed her cheek. "You okay? You look worried."

"Xander and Cord went missing. They think they got lost off a path."

"Oh," Angel said, a bit concerned. Then he sighed. "They'll be fine. Both of them are incredibly resourceful."

"I know..I know..Faith's freaked.." she pointed over towards where the brunette Slayer was standing. She was gazing out the window, watching the falling snow with an almost scared look on her face.

Xander meant more to her than she was letting on. It was really that simple. She anxiously turned one of the silver rings on her hand, her eyes never leaving the lights shining against the white powder hills.

"She'll be okay," Angel said, nuzzling into her neck a bit. "I know what that feels like to think maybe everything is about to crack apart."

Buffy touched his cheek, "Yeah, I guess we do."

"They found them!" Gunn said, entering the room with Dawn at his side. His voice was loud, his tone excited.

Faith jerked towards him, her mouth opening abruptly. She tried to calm herself. Deep breaths. God, deep breaths. "Are..I mean..they're okay, right?"

"The medic is with them right now," Gunn said. He lifted his arm in a gathering motion, "Well come on."

***

"His foot is broken. We'll need to take him to the hospital to have it set and casted," the medic said, glancing up at the group of kids surrounding him. He was speaking specifically to the tall man in the black sweater who seemed to have an air of authority wafting about him.

"Okay, will you be able to release him tonight?" Angel queried.

"Sure. Both of these kids seem okay. Their temps are down a bit but they're all right. Keep them warm and in front of a fire and you should be okay."

"Good. Okay, Faith..why don't you go with them. We'll meet you there."

Faith paused a moment and then nodded. She bent over and kissed Xand's forehead, brushing her lips lightly over his skin and then rose. "Let's ride."

***

She helped him into the cabin, her arm against his ribs. His left foot was cased in a bright blue and white cast which already had several signatures on it.

"Ow," he said as he moved. "Oh ow ow."

"We already heard it," Faith muttered, depositing him into an overstuffed chair that was positioned directly in front of the fireplace. It was already roaring; orange flames leaping nearly to the ceiling. Cord and Gunn were cuddled in front of it, a blanket around them.

"Be sensitive, honey," Xander urged her. "I'm hurt..wounded..I could die."

"Yes..you could..if you don't stop whining like a girly-man, I could murder you," Faith assured him.

Buffy laughed. She was leaning against the breakfast bar in the kitchen, watching Giles and Angel cook their Christmas Eve dinner. "Faith and bedside manner..hmmm.."

Faith growled, "You're not the one who has had to listen to his pathetic wailing for the last 45 miles. And in three mile an hour traffic."

"Faith, his foot is broken!" Willow exclaimed, handing Xand a blanket.

"And yet he's still doing well enough to ask for sex," Faith grinned, the annoyance suddenly seeping away.

"Whoa..too much information," Dawn said, standing up. "I could use more cocoa."

"Yes, you could," Buffy said quickly. She shot a glare towards Faith.

"She's heard it, B..she sleeps next to you..she's been there when Angel has visited."

Dawn started to hum as she reached out for the kettle with the hot water in it. It wasn't that this stuff was new but talking about her sisters' sex life..bad news. A place best not gone.

"So Giles..by way of changing the subject..how was you and Wes's let's stare at dull books session," Buffy queried.

He sighed in exasperation. "It went fine. I learned some very interesting things...things you doubtlessly have no interest in."

"Doubtlessly," she confirmed. Then she frowned, "Let me guess..Angel.."

"Yes, Buffy...Angel helped. He found it fascinating."

"Well," she sighed. "That's my Angel. Hot, beautiful and occasionally very very dull."

Angel chuckled with equal parts exasperation and amusement. "Love, set the table. Dinner is ready."

***

Giles held up the wine. "I presume we'll all be staying in tonight?" After every nodded, he began to pour it into everyone's glass but Dawns'. He poured sparkling cider into hers. Then he sat.

He lifted up his glass, "Merry Christmas all.."

"To the Scoobs," Xand said.

"And the Bat Pack," Gunn offered.

"To mom and happy memories..past, present and future.." Dawn suggested.

"To family," Wes added.

"And friends and lovers," Cord put in.

Buffy smiled and said softly, thoughtfully, "And to new traditions."

***

"So, did she ask you about us?" Faith asked as she slipped into his flannel pants and then jumped onto the bed. He flinched a bit at the vibration but continued to grin at her with that same doofish smile.

"Yep," he confirmed, leaning over to the desk to take a sip of his water.

"And"

Xand smiled at her and then reached out and pulled her to him. "I told them you and I are temporarily off limits. Until we figure this thing out. I don't want to screw things up."

Faith squirmed a bit. She was still getting used to such honesty. She cupped his cheek. "I don't think I could let you go."

He kissed her nose. "God willing, you'll never have to. Now kiss me, slayer...I'm yours." Then he paused. "Just be gentle of the leg."

She chuckled, "Oh shut up."

***

"The last Christmas I really celebrated was like six years ago..Alonna and I went to a center. They had a big tree and all. Crappy gifts but good food. Of course it got sacked by a bunch of blood-suckers but it was nice," Gunn said, between swishes of his toothbrush.

Cord looked up at him and laughed. "We used to have a huge one. Ten foot tree. Everything."

"You'll have it again," Gunn assured her.

"I miss my parents..I do," Cor admitted. "It just feels like so much time has passed..I don't even know to bridge that gap anymore."

"You'll figure it out when the time comes, girl. You always do." He slid behind her and rubbed her shoulders. "You're still freezing?"

"Yeah..I guess so." She pulled his arms around her.

"Come on," he said, duck-walking her towards the bedroom. "We'll get all curled up and I'll warm you up."

"Ambitious aren't we?"

"Shh...I just want to hold you. You're missing your family. I'm missing mine..I just want you."

She closed her eyes, "Me too. God, me too."

****


"Mmm..you're soft," Angel said, pressing his face against her chest.

"Duh, you're on my boobs," Buffy laughed, pulling his head up so she could kiss him. "This is nice..I was worried.."

Angel moved a bit, adjusting his body so that he holding her instead of laying on her. "Why? We're all family?"

"I know but this is hard. This all feels so good and nice but I still miss mom. About this time she'd be scrambling to get the presents under the tree. Wes and Giles are doing that right now. Tomorrow morning is going to be strange."

"Tomorrow morning will be tomorrow morning. And we'll get through it. And eventually, it will better. That's what Joyce would have wanted. Her baby girls to be okay and happy and loved. And you are."

"I am, aren't I?"

"More than you'll ever know."

She looked up at him and kissed him. "Back at you buster." Then she sighed. "Hey Angel?"

"Yeah, baby?"

"Do..do you mind if I go sleep with Dawn tonight?"

"No."

"I mean..I know you and I were going to spend all of these nights together because we never get to.."

"I don't mind.."

"I just..I just think she shouldn't be alone.."

"Buffy..baby..I don't mind at all. Go, it's where you should be. Plenty of time, okay?" he said with a laugh. "Besides I need to go play Santa Claus myself."

Buffy squealed, "Ooh..I can't wait. Okay..thanks."

"Hey Buffy?"

"Hmm?" she asked, turning back from the door to look at him.

He turned the digital clock to face her. It read 12:05. He smiled. "Merry Christmas my beloved."

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