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Chapter 2


A couple of days after the decision had been made to celebrate Lucia, Dawn, Buffy and Tara were standing in the kitchen at Revello Drive, contemplating a list of baking instructions. The recipe was for some traditional saffron buns which were to be the highlight of the Lucia goody tray.

“Dawn, you know me and baking are very un-mixy things. I think I should go help Willow and Anya make the wreath instead,” Buffy said while Tara pulled bowls and ingredients out of the cupboards.

“You tried that remember? You burnt yourself on the candle because you insisted on lighting them to see if the wax really did go into the little holes in the center of the candle,” Dawn huffed as she meticulously checked each item off the ingredients list and measured out the quantities.

“Well, I wanted to see if the wax really went into the little holes. You’re the one who insisted I should be Lucia. I need to know that I’m not gonna get wax all over my face,” Buffy walked around the counter to perch on one of the stools, happy to observe rather than participate.

“You insisted on being Lucia and Anya agreed. She said you were the only blonde, and I was too young. Not that you’re really blonde,” Dawn said with a trace of bitterness. Dawn didn’t care about being a ‘maid’ instead of the head of the procession. If her plan worked, it would allow Buffy to finally get that nudge towards Spike that was totally needed. They were made for each other, Dawn and Tara both knew it, and this may just be the perfect way of getting them to finally realize it.

“Yeah, whatever,” Buffy said, focused on watching Tara as she quietly sifted flour into a bowl.

“It’ll be fun, Buffy. You’ll see,” Tara smiled at Buffy who rolled her eyes in response.

“I’m going to check on what Willow and Anya are doing.” Buffy hopped down from her perch and proceeded into the dining room where the two women were preparing the wreaths and candles needed. Tara had already acquired the necessary nightgowns and red ribbons and had sewed beautiful embroidered collars onto each of them.

Willow and Anya were busy discussing the best way to attach the wreath to the steel frame of the Lucia crown which Anya apparently found somewhere in the various boxes at the Magic Shop.

“You’re supposed to tie it on with thread, not ugly white sting you use for chickens,” Anya stated bluntly. She watched as Willow tied the greenery using the aforementioned kitchen string. “You’re not supposed to see it!”

“Well the thread kept breaking!” Willow cried, clearly frustrated by her efforts.

“Let me do it,” Anya huffed and took the crown away from Willow, untying all her hard work in seconds. As she started retying the wreath, Willow looked up and acknowledged Buffy’s arrival.

“How’s the baking going?” She asked when Buffy sat down.

“Oh, you know, it’s going. Buffy’s not allowed in the kitchen either. Maybe I’ll go slay something,” Buffy said, thinking aloud.

“It’s not even dark yet,” Willow said gently, starting work on decorating the candles.

“I know,” Buffy said glumly. “I just can’t help any of you. I’m all banned-Buffy. Not allowed to do anything.”

Willow smiled sympathetically, but wasn’t about to offer her anything to do. It was too much of a risk allowing Buffy near any of the preparations. Instead, she waited for Buffy to get bored and go back into the kitchen. At least she could get a treat there to keep her occupied.

Sure enough, Buffy soon left the pair in the dining room and went back into the kitchen. Dawn had moved on to the gingerbread cookies that were also supposed to feature on the goody tray.

“So, I thought we’d practice the songs once these are in the oven,” Dawn looked up at Buffy from where she was cutting out various shapes in the dough.

“I’m not singing,” Buffy remarked flatly.

“Yes, you are,” Dawn said matter-of-factly, standing straighter in preparation for facing off against the Slayer. “You have to sing. We all do.”

“Well, I’m not singing,” Buffy replied, eyes flashing with determination.

“Yes, you are,” Dawn replied crossing her flour covered hands across her chest.

“No,” Buffy whined. “I don’t wanna!” she continued sounding like a spoiled child.

“Buffy, it’s a part of the whole thing. You agreed to do it and you have to sing,” Dawn chastised with her own version of Willow’s resolve face. She glared at her sister, waiting for Buffy’s resolve to crumble.

“I-it is a b-big p-part of it, Buffy,” Tara said gently, looking up from her own work. “And you have a beautiful voice,” she finished with a soft smile.

Buffy grumbled something under her breath, looking down at her hands. Dawn looked over at Tara and smiled. Tara’s nature tended to yield itself to persuasion mainly because she was so difficult to resist. No one wanted to disappoint the benevolent blonde witch.

“Fine,” Buffy said finally. “I’ll sing if it’ll make you all happy.” Tara smiled at Buffy looked up at her again. Buffy knew then she was fighting a losing battle and decided she was better off watching TV and sulking in the other room.


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


It didn’t take long for the baked goods to be ready for the oven and Anya and Willow had finished up the last of the costume preparations. Dawn led the group in a song rehearsal, having found the translation from a traditional Swedish song into English on the internet. Buffy grumbled at the beginning but when she was allowed to choose which English Christmas carol they would sing in addition to the Lucia song, her mood picked up again.

When they had practiced long enough for Dawn’s liking, after short pauses to switch trays in the oven, the whole house smelled like saffron and gingerbread. Buffy couldn’t find any more reasons to complain and actually felt like she was enjoying herself. It had been a while since she’d felt this lighthearted. Further arrangements were made with Anya who had to leave to return to the Magic Box. Anya offered to drive the girls to Giles’ house after starting in the Summers’ residence with Willow and Tara.

“I have to go check something with Janice. Is that okay, Buffy?” Dawn asked as Anya prepared to leave.

“Sure, just be back before dark,” Buffy said absently, trying to sneak off into the kitchen for some freshly baked goodies.

“Thanks! I promise I will be,” Dawn smiled and raced out the door. She hurried across town to Restfield cemetery. So lying about going to Janice’s wasn’t really something that would get her on Santa’s ‘nice’ list, but she had an important matter to attend to.

When she reached Spike’s crypt she knocked loudly before cracking the door open. She was sure he’d be up already getting ready to watch Passions.

“Hello, bit,” Spike said from his seat on the sofa. Predictable as always, Dawn smiled to herself.

“Hi Spike!” she greeted happily and collapsed beside him on the sofa. “Whatcha doing? Getting ready for Passions?”

“Yeah,” Spike replied suspiciously. Dawn was a bit too chipper to be here for a casual visit. “So what brings you to the Big Bad’s crypt in the late afternoon?”

Dawn scoffed at the mention of ‘Big Bad’ eliciting a low growl from the vampire. “Oh, nothing,” Dawn replied. “Are you going to be home tomorrow morning? Early?”

“What’ve you got planned, nibblet?” Spike asked, glancing in her direction. Now he knew he had a reason to be suspicious.

“Just answer the question, Spike,” Dawn looked over at him, daring him to do anything else.

“Well I don’ know. I had some evil plan cooked up. I may need incentive to stay on the path to goodness,” Spike winked at her and waited to see if his ploy would work.

“I’m not telling you anything, so don’t even try it, mister,” Dawn grinned at him, knowing he hated being out of the know. “Just be home tomorrow morning, early, while it’s still dark. I guess that’s really today for you huh?”

“Leave a vamp hanging why don’t you?” Spike returned her grin, curious what she had planned. A thought struck him, “This isn’t some teenage rebellion that will get me another broken nose is it? Cuz I’m not coverin’ for ya with your sis.”

Rolling her eyes at his panicked expression, Dawn said, “No, she’s in on it.”

“Oh really?” Spike’s mouth curled up in a smile. Now he was definitely intrigued.

“Yep, and pretend to be in bed too,” Dawn said, blushing deeply after realizing the potential innuendo. “Not in that way! It’s just we’re supposed to be waking people up and you have the whole backwards sleeping thing… Just do as I say,” she finished glaring at him when he laughed at her.

“Sendin’ your sister to me gift wrapped?” Spike couldn’t resist teasing Dawn further.

“Eww! Gross Spike. I’m so not thinking about you and her and anything, yuck!” Dawn hopped back up to her feet, knowing she had to hurry home. “So, we have a deal?”

“Sure, bit. I’ll be here, tucked away in bed like a good lil’ vamp,” Spike said. Dawn smiled and rushed off into the fading light. Spike sat back wondering what on earth was going on. If Buffy was involved in the whole thing, he supposed it couldn’t be that bad, maybe he’d try to catch up with her on patrol and see if he could get it out of her. As Passions flashed onto his muted screen, he sat back and hoped this night would bring him some answers.





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