Title: A Very Special Christmas part 2/?
Author: Michelle
Date: April 2004
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Buffy/Giles
Summary: It's Christmas Eve in Sunnydale. What could possibly go wrong?
Disclaimer: These are not my characters. They belong to Joss, Twentieth Century Fox, UPN, WB & Mutant Enemy. This is purely for fun.
Spoilers: This story takes place in season four, but I did use some elements from season five.
Distribution: If you want it, you can have it. Just tell me where to find it.
Feedback: I love it, want it, and need it.
Website: http://www.drakeleather.com/bripper/index.shtml
Author's note 1: This is a sequel to Band Cookies and Unexpected Guests, but it can be read as a stand alone.
Those stories can be read here:
http://www.drakeleather.com/bripper/index.shtml/band_cookies01.html
http://www.drakeleather.com/bripper/index.shtml/unexpected_guests.html
Author's note 2: Buffy and Giles are married and are expecting their first child. Buffy is close to her due date. Giles has already bought the Magic Box. Faith never went bad, and Wesley is her Watcher. Oz has left, and Willow and Tara are together. Also, there's no Riley. I use single quotes to denote thoughts.
Thanks to my betas Kathy and Jules. I couldn't have done this without you.
They all agreed that they needed to leave the Magic Box. "It's already dark. We need to leave now." Edward put an arm around Buffy.
"But the money," Anya blurted out. "I'm not done counting it, and I have to finish the paperwork."
Xander glared at Anya. "I'm sure it can wait. I think our lives are a little more important. Not to mention Buffy's baby."
"Oh, alright. Just let me lock everything up," Anya said. "I can't just leave the money out in the open."
Xander turned his attention back to Buffy. She was still in shock from the news. "Let me help," he told Edward as he put Buffy's arm around his shoulder." Anya was ready by the time they helped Buffy to the door.
Xander looked around as Anya locked the door after they were all outside. "Hey, we're missing someone. Where's Kathryn?"
"She went to get our van. I thought it best that we travel in one vehicle." At his words, Kathryn brought the van to a halt at the curb.
Kathryn hopped out of the driver's seat and opened the sliding door. "Where are we going?"
"Revello Drive. You know where it is?" Xander asked.
"I think so, but why don't you ride up here with me just in case."
Xander helped Buffy climb into the van and get comfortable. Then he took the passenger seat while Anya closed the door.
As they took off they saw their first vampire of the night. Kathryn didn't waste any time running it down with the van.
*****
They encountered a few vampires as they drove to the house. Kathryn either hit them or outran them. Reaching the house, they were relieved that none were lying in wait for them.
Xander and Edward helped Buffy into the house as Kathryn and Anya watched for any signs of vampires. Once inside, they guided Buffy into the living room. Edward sat next to her on the couch and let her lean against him. Stroking a strand of hair away from her face, he murmured words of comfort as she cried.
Joyce and Willow emerged from the kitchen when they heard the front door. "You're here early," Joyce started to say. Then she saw Buffy and Edward on the couch and rushed over to them. "What happened? Is she hurt?"
"We got a bad phone call," Xander said.
"What? Bad news?" Willow asked.
"We should go in the kitchen and talk," Xander said.
Edward nodded towards Xander. "Joyce, Xander will tell you everything. I don't think Buffy needs to hear it all again."
Reluctantly, Joyce followed the others into the kitchen. Tara was there starting to prepare dinner. Kathryn and Tara were quickly introduced before Xander ran through a summary of the phone call from Angel.
"Where is Dawn?" Joyce asked.
"She went on patrol with Faith," Anya blurted out. At Joyce's shocked look, she quickly added, "don't worry, Giles and Wesley went along. I'm sure she's fine."
Joyce was seething. "She'd better be."
Before the conversation could go any further they heard shouting outside. It sounded like Faith. "Go. I'll hold them off."
Willow rushed to the front door. As she opened it, Wesley and Dawn hurried inside. Rupert and Faith weren't far behind. As they reached the house, Faith spun around and staked a vampire while Rupert threw a stake at another that was running toward them. They slammed the door shut as they saw more in the distance.
"Is patrol usually like this?" Dawn gasped, trying to catch her breath.
"Not usually," Rupert answered. He turned to see Buffy sitting on the couch, crying on Edward's shoulder. "Did something happen here?"
"Angel called," Willow whispered to him. "Cordelia had a vision about lots of vamps coming after Buffy. He said Buffy would be vulnerable tonight and to prepare."
"How many?" He asked.
"Hundreds of them."
"Buffy will be vulnerable?" Wesley asked.
Willow nodded.
Rupert looked at Buffy before turning back to Willow. "In what way?" he asked.
"Angel didn't know, he's heard a lot of rumors. Apparently, all the vamps and demons are talking about it. Buffy's been like this since she talked to him."
"She hasn't spoken since the phone call," Xander added.
Rupert stood for the moment debating what to do. Rage showed in his eyes. He took a step towards the front door, before he turned, walked into the living room and sat on the couch on the other side of Buffy. Gently, Edward pushed Buffy away and let Rupert pull her into his arms.
"Buffy, I'm here now. You'll be safe." Rupert whispered in her ear as he held her tight.
Buffy sniffed. "We can't defend against hundreds of vampires."
He took a deep breath before speaking. It wouldn't do to let Buffy hear the fear in his voice. "We will find a way, Buffy. Everything will be all right." He pushed her away slightly so he could see her face. He took out his handkerchief and wiped the tears from her cheeks. "You shouldn't worry. The vampires can't get inside the house."
"Rupert...the baby?"
He put a finger on her lips to quiet her protest. "We don't have enough information. The demons and vampires think you will be vulnerable, but that doesn't mean they're right. If something happens tonight, we'll face it together."
"We should let them have some time alone," Kathryn said.
"What's going on?" Dawn asked.
Willow put her finger to her lips in a sign to be quiet. "Everybody into the kitchen where we can talk," she said quietly.
Rupert watched them leave the hallway as he rocked Buffy in his arms. He whispered reassurances to her as his mind raced to understand what he had learned. 'Someone has to be organizing this? Vampires wouldn't be gathering in numbers like that unless they were working for someone or being offered something. Perhaps someone wants us out of the way. I should call and talk to Angel myself.'
While he was thinking, Buffy had cried herself to sleep in his arms. He gently eased her out of his arms and left her to sleep on the couch, then slipped out to join the others in the kitchen. They all turned to him as he walked into the room. He answered their unasked question, "Buffy fell asleep."
Xander started to ask a question, but closed his mouth when he saw the look on Rupert's face.
Rupert looked at Willow. "Do you have your computer with you?"
"Yeah," she answered cautiously.
"Go online and see if you find out anything about these rumors. They had to start somewhere. Someone or something is behind all this." Willow left as he turned his attention to the others. "Anya, Xander, when you left the Magic Box, did you bring anything with you?"
"After I secured the money, I grabbed the emergency basket from the office and a couple spell books, including the one we keep locked up. I thought we might need them."
"Thank you, Anya. That will help us tremendously," Rupert told her.
"Emergency basket?" Xander asked, clearly confused.
"Basic spell ingredients, just enough for a spell or two," Anya explained.
"Wesley, take Tara and Anya and start looking through the books. See if there's anything useful in the books Anya brought. It may not be just vampires that we'll have to fight."
Dawn spoke up, "What can I do? I want to help."
Rupert smiled at Dawn. "You and your mother can take care of Buffy for me. I'll be busy, and she needs someone with her. Try to keep her calm. Stress isn't good for the baby."
Dawn and Joyce left to check on Buffy, taking Kathryn with them. Wesley, Tara, and Anya went about starting their research in the dining room. Anya dragged Xander behind her.
"Faith, I know I don't need to tell you what to do. You know where the weapons are stored."
"I'm on it, G," Faith said.
Edward watched Faith leave before speaking. "Rupert, are you all right?"
"What do you think?" he snapped. He took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to take it out on you. It's just. . ."
Edward laid a hand on Rupert's shoulder. "I understand. We don't know what we're facing. Is there anything I can do to help?"
"If there's anyone you could call, anyone that might know something. . ."
Rupert was interrupted by a shout from Willow. "Hey guys. I think I've got a lead."