An hour later everyone had opened their gifts and had cleaned up the mess. Dawn sifted through the big pile of clothes she had gotten, wondering which outfit to wear first. She looked around at the others, all examining their gifts. Each of the girls had piles of clothes and jewelry like her, Wesley was immersed in several books at one time, not knowing which one to read first, Oz was plucking a tune on the brand new and very expensive guitar Angel and Spike had bought him, Lorne was looking over his new wardrobe as well, as were Harmony, Clem, Clarence and David. Even Anya, who had been an unexpected guest, found quite a few 'lovely things' as she put it.. Dawn smiled as Cordelia leaned over and gave Doyle a long, sweet kiss. She held up her finger, showing the ring he had given her.

"Did you guys see....?"

"Yes!" Everyone chorused for the 10th time.

"Sorry. I just love it so much." Doyle beamed at the praise, glad he had pleased his Princess.

Dawn walked over to the two vampires, wrapping them in a hug. "Thank you so much for all the clothes and stuff. This was the best Christmas ever...even without the gifts."

"So you want us to take them all back, niblet?" Spike teased.

"Oh, you better not!" Angel and Spike laughed at the girls protest. "So, Cordy how did you manage to find the time to shop for all these clothes when you were with us most of the time."

"Me? I didn't buy them."

"You two picked out everything yourselves?" Dawn asked the two vampires who nodded.

"Can't have our family walking around without the latest fashions on now can we?" Spike asked. Cordelia nodded.

"If we want this company to do well, we have to make the right impression." She started going through her stack, smiling brightly. "These are gorgeous."

"Yeah, you two have the most amazing taste." Dawn agreed.

"And it's wonderful how you managed to keep our own personal tastes in mind when you bought them." Willow added.

"Although some people who will remain unnamed will look much better in these clothes than their old ones." Cordelia glanced at Doyle and Xander, who glanced up from the video game he was playing long enough to look offended.

"Xander, I think she's talking about us." Doyle told him.

"Thinking? I know she is. I'll have you know that I had....have....really, really bad taste in clothes." Xander admitted.

"Your taste wasn't that bad, Xander." Angel reached out and patted Xander's shoulder, knowing that the taste in clothes was mostly due to the fact that he couldn't afford any better.

"Angel's right. You and Doyle have your own style, which is cool. I just meant that it'll be nice to see you both wearing clothes that actually fit you. I don't know why you two want to walk around in baggy clothes all the time when you have such great bodies. You should show off your ass...ets more." Cordelia quickly amended.

"I so totally agree." Dawn nodded, smiling at the two red faced men.

"Count us in, too." Willow said as Spike started to reconsider dressing his boy up.

"Maybe we shouldn't have gotten ...."

"No taking them back, Spike." Cordelia warned him. "Besides, these are great. You two have like a gay man's taste and that's saying something."

"Cordy, honey....think about what you just said." Doyle told her.

"Okay, maybe they are dating each other but they've dated women, too. That makes them...bi-sexual. Anyway, I love everything so much. You two are the best." Cordelia stood and walked over to Angel and Spike giving them a hug. "Thank you." Everyone else started following suit, hugging each other and passing thanks for their gifts.

"So all of you had a good Christmas then?" Angel asked, wanting his family to be happy.

"You're kidding, right? Of course we did! Didn't all the squeals of delight give any indication of that?" Willow asked.

"I guess. It's just...well, we thought you might have been trying to make us feel good."

"No, that's what you guys did." Dawn pointed at the stacks of weapons and leather lying next to Angel and Spike. "But in our defense...it is kinda hard to figure out what to give two vampires who've been around for over a century."

"What are you talking about, niblet. We did like our gifts. I wouldn't have said so if I didn't. Angel would have, but not me."

"Yeah, right. Cause you're evil. How could I forget?" Dawn teased while the others laughed.

"That's right. I am...and you'd better not forget it." Spike warned, his smile softening his words. He glanced at Xander who had sat down next to him, fingering the leather coat he was wearing. It was shorter than theirs, a soft, black leather and he looked gorgeous in it...just as they had imagined he would. However, the boy was quiet, which was never a good sign.

"Xander, what's the matter? Didn't you like your gifts?"

"I love it all, especially this." Xander pointed at the leather jacket before finally taking it off.

"Then what's the matter?" Spike asked, taking the coat and laying it over the sofa before taking the boy's hands in his.

"I...well, I....I haven't given everyone my gifts and now I'm kinda ashamed to do it."

"Why?"

"Because they're not nearly as nice as this stuff. They're hand made." Xander whispered, as if ashamed of that fact.

"You took the time to make everyone something?" Xander nodded. "All those times you went to David's house, am I right?" Angel asked.

"Yeah. I thought it was a good idea at the time but maybe I should have gone with traditional stuff...."

"Where are the gifts, Xander? I can't wait to see what mine is." Spike encouraged the boy while everyone else joined in. Xander's face lit up.

"You guys are really excited about seeing them?" The gang nodded, realizing how much this meant to Xander. He jumped up, grabbing David and pulling him towards the hallway. It was five minutes before Xander had the covered gifts in the room. He picked up one of the gifts and read the name on it. "Dawnie." He held it out to the girl who excitedly snatched it out of his hand, tearing the paper back.

"Xander, it's beautiful." Dawn held it up for everyone to see. "It's a lockbox to put my diaries in...and look...he even put 'the Dawnmeister Chronicles' on it...that's what he always called them. I love it, Xander. Thank you, thank you, thank you." Dawn gave Xander a big hug before returning to her other gifts, her fingers tracing across the wood.

"Okay, next is Clem, Harmony and Anya." Xander handed out the keychains, having made Anya one after finding out that she was attending the party. They also oohed and ahhed over their presents. "Clarence." The demon came up, taking the package. He nearly cried when he saw the poker kit.

"Thanks, Xander. This is going to be great for my weekly games." He started to hug Xander but one glance at the vampires made him stop and shake Xander's hand instead.

"Willow, Tara and Cordelia." Xander handed out the gifts. "They're all the same, except there's something different inside." The girls unwrapped the jewelry boxes, all three of them gasping at the beautiful handiwork. They opened up the boxes and found the lockets tucked inside. All of them smiled as they saw the pictures inside. "Tara, if you want to take my picture out and replace it with----"

"No. I love that you would put a picture of yourself in here. It makes me feel like we've bonded."

"We have." Tara gave him a hug, tears in her eyes.

"I've never had so many friends before...this means a lot." She turned to her girlfriend who was crying now. "WIllow, honey, are you alright?" Willow nodded, showing her the pictures inside. "That's us...the three muskateers. Me, Jesse and Xander." She passed it around for everyone to see. Angel and Spike couldn't help but smile at the image of a younger Xander and Willow.

"You two were cute even then." Willow blushed and Xander smiled at them. Willow walked over to her best friend, holding the locket out.

"Would you put it on me?" Xander nodded, showing Willow the inscribed 'my friend, my heart' before fixing the clasp and turning his friend around. They stared at one another before taking each other in their arms, the hug lasting for quite a few minutes as they remembered their long lost friend. "I'm never going to take it off." Willow whispered, giving Xander a kiss.

"I'm never taking this off, either." Xander held up his finger showing Willow the ring she had gotten him. It was his birthstone...on one side there was an X on the other side was a W.

"Okay, let's see...David." David jumped up, practically falling over his own two feet in his haste to get his present. He was overwhelmed by the attention he had gotten this Christmas. He quickly opened the package, his mouth opening in awe. "Xander, it's gorgeous. Look everybody, an Oijui board."

"Yeah, and I'm gonna have Willow and Tara put a spell on it so it'll really work. Can you do that?" Xander asked, proud of himself for thinking about that one.

"We should be able to find something that'll work." Tara assured Xander as David hugged him, holding the board to his chest as if it were sacred.

"That'll be great. I can't wait to take it to my next Board of Director's meeting. And I'll wear my new cape Spike and Angel got me. Everybody will be green with envy." David stopped in front of Lorne. "Uh...sorry. I didn't mean anything by that...it's just a saying."

"It's alright, pumpkin." Lorne told the flustered young man, patting him on the shoulder. "Besides, I've heard worse. Do you know how many Lorne Greene jokes there are?" Everyone looked puzzled...except for Angel and Spike. "What? No one's heard of Lorne Greene?"

"Come on guys....Bonanza?" Angel prompted them, making the kids stare at him in surprise. "I have watched television before."

"In what alternate universe?" Doyle asked, Xander finally catching up with the conversation.

"Oh, yeah. I remember that show. Which one was Lorne Greene? Ben, Hoss, Little Joe or Adam?"

"Ben." Spike answered, seeing the frowns on the groups faces. "You lot never watch TV Land?"

"MTV." Dawn and Oz chorused, both of them laughing.

"Lifetime." Willow added.

"Or the Discovery Channel." Tara offered.

"Oh, did you see the show with the monkeys on it? I loved that one." Anya joined in, Tara nodding her head.

"Personally, I like the sci-fi channel." David chimed in, Xander agreeing with him. They turned to Cordelia and Doyle.

"We...uh...get a lot of pay per view." Doyle told them. Spike smirked at the couple.

"I was always partial to 'Debbie Does Dallas' myself."

"Can we get on with the gift giving?" Cordelia asked. "God, you people are so weird." Xander grinned at her.

"Okay, fine. Oz, you're next." Oz stepped forward, taking the gift and unwrapping it. "This is great. My new guitar will fit perfectly in this. And look....it's got my name on it. When the guys in the band see this they're going to want you to make them cases for their instruments."

"No go. Only for you Oz. I wanted you to have something different...A Xander Harris original." Xander picked up another gift, handing it to Lorne. Lorne unwrapped the sign, smiling at the words.

"It's going to go right on the wall as soon as you enter the club, for everyone to see." Xander's smile had broadened at each compliment and he was beginning to realize that his friends did appreciate the home made presents. He walked over to the larger gifts which were covered with blankets.

"I'm sorry I didn't have enough wrapping paper to wrap these. They were too big." He peeked under the first cover. "Doyle, this one is for you." Doyle pulled the cover off his present, laughing at the words inscribed..."beer when it's near, brandy when it's handy"...sounds like me. Thanks, Xander." Xander went on to the next gift.

"Wesley, this one's for you." Wesley pulled back the cover, everyone gasping at the beauty of the bookcase.

"Dear Lord....this is...this is magnificent, Xander. Now I have a place to put my new books." Wesley noticed the inscription at the top and he read it aloud. "Wesley, a friend who watches over me." His eyes misted up and he took his handkerchief out of his pocket, dabbing at his eyes. "Allergies." Everyone laughed at Wesley's excuse, knowing how much the inscription had meant to him. He gave Xander a hug before sitting next to the bookcase. Xander approached the last gift and Angel and Spike could sense the nervousness once again.

"Uh, Angel, Spike, this gift is for you. I didn't know what to get you...I tried to make it as personal as possible...of course, it's nothing like the picture you two gave me...but I hope you like it."

"Of course we'll love it. A piece of you, remember?" Spike gave Xander a kiss before he and Angel pulled the cover back. Everyone oohed and ahhed at the beautiful cherry cabinet with Spike's name on one side and Angel's on the other.

"See this way you guys won't have to fight over the weapons anymore. And I started you out with these." Xander pointed at the axes, which Spike and Angel picked up. "I know they're not much and you better test them before you go into battle, but I saw them in an antique store. The blades were really...bad...so I shined them up and sharpened them. The wood was terrible so I made the handles myself." Angel and Spike showed the others the inscriptions on the handle. "I was going to try to draw an angel but after Cordy's cards...well, I opted for the 'A'."

"Good idea. Angel wouldn't know a picture of an angel if it bit him on the ass." Cordelia told him. Before Angel could reply Xander picked up another gift.

"This one is for the AI gang." He unveiled the picture. "I thought we could hang it up in the office."

"Yeah, right behind my desk." Cordelia told him, taking the picture.

"Why yours?" Angel asked, snatching the portrait out of her hands.

"Because my desk is the first one that everyone sees when they come into the office. Besides, I look good in this picture." Cordelia took it back.

"But I'm the boss and I look good in it, too. If you want to look at yourself, buy a mirror. I can't...reflection problems, remember?" Angel once again grabbed the picture.

"Well, that's not my fault now is it? And I'm the secretary....and the secretary always gets to do the decorating. Which means hanging pictures where she wants to hang them." Cordelia tried to take the picture but Angel wouldn't let her, both of them pulling on it.

"Hey, if you two don't stop tugging on it like that there won't be a picture to hang up." Doyle told them. He took it away from them, placing it against the wall. "We'll figure it out later, 'kay?" He hugged Cordelia close as Spike and Angel turned to Xander, giving him kisses for their present and assuring him how much they loved it. Spike turned to his family.

"There's one thing I don't understand. After all the fuss of trying to peek in your stocking how come you haven't....." Spike was cut off by Dawn and Cordelia's squeals.

"Our stockings!"

"How did we forget that?" The group got their stockings down, taking a place on the floor so they could dump the goodies out. Harmony sighed loudly.

"How come no one told us to bring ours?" She asked Clarence, Clem and Anya. Angel grinned at the four of them.

"Don't worry. We have something for you as well. Just let the others get through looking and we'll hand them out." He started laughing when he saw Xander sitting to the side, his stocking still as full as his mouth was. The boy had stopped when he came to the chocolates, not paying attention to the rest of the items. He poked Spike, gesturing towards their lover. Spike rolled his eyes, yelling at the boy.

"Oi! Whelp! There's more than food in that."

"Yeah...but it's been forever since I had a Chocolate Hurricane. I love these bars." Xander said through a mouthful of candy. By now the rest of the gang had found all the Cd's, DVD's, perfumes and after shaves.

"Hey, Spike! I'm guessing you picked out the CD's." Dawn held up the Ramones and the Sex Pistols.

"It's about time you lot listened to some good music for a change." Cordelia held up a toy car.

"What's this for? Did you buy us a race car set?"

"Yeah, something like that." Angel told her, waiting for Xander to finish looking through his stash. "Now that everyone's done...we'll hand out the main presents. These are not only from Spike and myself but David as well. David, do you want the honors or do you want us to do it?"

"You can." David smiled shyly. Angel reached into his pocket taking out several pieces of paper. He handed some to Spike before he began.

"Okay, first let's give Harmony and Anya their gifts. Ladies, there's a salon that caters to demons called 'Lady Lorraine's'. These gift certificates entitles you to a weekend there. You can do whatever you like...have your hair done, get your nails...well, you get the meaning." The girls squealed with delight, running over and giving Angel, Spike and David a hug.

"Clarence, Clem....these are tickets to Las Vegas, where you can spend a weekend at a hotel of your choice and you can gamble until you run out of money." The two demons raced over, repeating what the girls had done earlier.

"Lorne, we know how much you've been wanting to fix Caritas up so here's a gift certificate that's good at any store. Get whatever you need to fix your bar up just the way you want it."

"Guys, I...well, I don't know what to say. This is a demon's dream come true." Lorne's eyes filled with tears. He hugged the two vampires and the young man before returning to Oz's side. Now Spike began to hand his out.

"Dawnie, these are gift certificates to be used on six tickets to the concert of your choice. There's also a blank check to cover expenses...you know food, hotel, whatever...just no alcohol. Willow and Tara have promised to go with you and your three friends....wherever the concert may be and your mum has already okayed it." Dawn started hopping up and down, running over and squeezing the vampires tight. She did the same to David, who blushed.

"This is so great! I'm gonna be the most popular girl in school. Everyone's going to be nice to me now....just so they can go."

"As the rest of you know Angel and I worry about you guys when you're out and about, working on cases, going to auditions, driving us crazy wondering if you're okay. We decided to make our lives a little easier. Oz, we know you love your van as much as I do my DeSoto so we got you a gift certificate at that auto place down on Main and 3rd. Take your van down there and have it redone from top to bottom. New brakes, new tires, wheel alignment, whatever. They'll fix anything that's wrong with it, make it safe to drive and there's enough there to detail it...whatever you want to do." Oz took the certificate, giving both vampires and David a hug.

"Thanks, guys. This is great. I've been wanting to change some stuff and the van needs a lot of work."

"Not anymore. Wesley, we know you like that little bike of yours but we don't like you galivanting all over town in it..."

"Especially when you make me wear the pink helmet," Angel grumbled, remembering the time he had had to ride with Wesley to a client's house.

"Well, you did look gorgeous." Wesley teased.

"Angel always looks gorgeous....but that's not the point. We want you in something safer. Which brings us round to what those toy cars are for. Cordelia and Doyle, Tara and Willow....yours is to share."

"What's ours to share?" Willow asked, as Cordelia gasped.

"You got us a...no, I don't believe it. Did you?" Spike and Angel nodded, laughing when Cordelia jumped up and started screaming like she had won the million dollar lottery. They turned to see Xander sitting, mouth open, toy car in hand.

"You bought me ...." He made a motion with his hands like he was steering a car.

"A new Toyota 4Runner and it's red...blood red...just like the one in your hand." Xander sat in shock while the others looked at theirs.

"Oh, my God! A black Ford Mustang." Willow screamed, holding up her and Tara's little car.

"Look what we got. A green Chevy Cavalier." Cordelia showed them.

"I can't believe this...well, this is just too much. A silver Honda Civic." Wesley's eyes misted over and again the handkerchief came out. "Damn, these allergies are killing me." Everyone converged on the two vampires and David, giving them hugs and kisses as they excitedly discussed their cars. When they were done, Spike and Angel noticed that Xander was still seated.

"Xander...luv, what's going through that brain of yours?" Spike asked.

"Do you honestly think I can form a thought right now?" Xander answered honestly. "I can't....no one has ever....this is the best....even without the..." Xander showed Spike his toy car, "have family...you and Angel....this is too much....should have gotten you more...don't deserve this." Spike put his finger to Xander's mouth, stopping the boy's babble.

"You deserve everything you got and more Xander. Hell, I'd give you the world if I could. Everything you had to endure growing up...the lost Christmases from before." Spike kissed Xander before turning to the others. "All of you...deserved better than what you got and Angel and I wanted to make sure this Christmas was special....as special as all of you. That's all I'm going to say on the subject. Now enough with the mushy sentiments cause it's ruining my reputation. Did you like them or not?"

"Well, yeah....that is when I actually get the one that I'm going to be driving. Not that I'm not grateful but I seriously don't think I can fit behind the steering wheel of this one." Doyle said as everyone laughed.

"Sorry about that mate. The cars weren't ordered until late...they're being double inspected to make sure everything is in perfect order and then they'll be shipped out. Shouldn't be more than a couple of days. Red and Glinda should have theirs to drive home."

"Really, we shouldn't take these. I mean it's a sweet idea but they're just so expensive." Tara worried.

"They weren't that bad. Like we said, David helped. He had a friend who got us a good rate...made it a fleet of cars for a business so that helped. Tax write offs and such. And Angel and I have been saving money since long before any of you were born so what better way to spend it than on keeping our family safe."

"You guys are the greatest!" Cordelia wrapped her arms around the vampires and gave them a hug before turning to David. "That includes you, mister." David blushed as the pretty girl hugged him as well. A frown crossed her face. "Wait a minute! You guys have money and you didn't tell me? You let me worry about the bills and our salaries and you didn't tell me that---I want a raise."

"It's emergency money, Cordy. In case we need it...like we did with these cars. Spike and I were tired of everyone running around Los Angeles without a good means of transportation. Having to watch taxi drivers make passes at you, watching Xander and Doyle walk to work not to mention loaning out our cars. Now we won't have to worry so much when ...."

"You can't hover over us?"

"We don't hover." Angel protested.

"Oh, you hover alright. And by the way, what happens if Willow and Tara break up. Who gets custody of the car?" Cordelia asked.

"Me and Tara? Break up? I don't think so." Willow told her, hugging her girlfriend close. "What about you and Doyle?"

"No way. I'm keeping him for a long time. And, if we ever did....you know then the car would be so old I wouldn't want it anymore and Spike and Angel could buy me a new one." Cordelia assured them, hugging Doyle. There was a smile on his face, but a sadness in his eyes when he looked at his friends that they understood. He was still worried about Cordy's reaction to him being half demon.

"So problem solved," Spike told them, giving Doyle a direct look. "Angel and I figured that neither of you couples would break up unless one of you did something stupid and we know that's not gonna happen, right?" Doyle gave Spike a small nod while Cordelia turned and smiled.

"Of course not." Everyone thanked each other for their gifts. Angel and Spike told Oz whenever he wanted to get rid of the van they would buy him a car and assured Dawn that when she was old enough she could have a car as well. Dawnie was hugging them close while Oz vigorously shook his head, saying nothing could part him from his beloved vehicle when suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door. "I'll get it," Dawn started towards the door but Spike grabbed her, pulling her back.

"I better do it. Don't know who that could be seeing as how everyone is here." He walked towards the door, his new weapon in his hand. He glanced at Angel, both of them nodding...prepared to protect their loved ones from whatever was behind the door even as Cordelia assured them it was probably the caterers. Spike opened the door, surprised to see who was behind it.

"Where's Xander?" ************************************

"Can we come in or are you just going to stare at us all night?" Gunn asked, trying to look beyond Spike to catch a glimpse of Xander. The vampire nodded, allowing him, Alana and another young boy to enter the room. Xander's face lit up and he quickly crossed the room.

"Hey, Gunn...Alana...and some kid I don't know. How ya doing?"

"We're...okay." Alana told him, shaking his outstretched hand. "Oh...this is Joey."

"Glad to meet you." Xander shook the young boy's hand and noticed that Dawn and Wesley had made their way over to stand next to him. He saw the interested looks Wesley and Dawn were giving their guests and he tried to contain a smile as he introduced them. Xander could understand their interest. Alana was a very beautiful, young girl and the boy was nice looking, too. Dark hair about the color of Xander's that hung down to his shoulders, light blue eyes and a nice smile.

"Xander, we need to talk." Gunn told him, not sounding happy.

"Uh, Dawn...Wesley...why don't you take Alana and Joey around and introduce them to everyone else while I talk to Gunn."

"Xander..."

"It's okay, Alana. I get the feeling Gunn's not happy. Don't worry...go on and meet the gang." Alana gave her brother a warning glare before following the others. "So what's up?"

"Who do you think you are? Some kind of modern day Santa Claus? We don't need your hand outs, Xander."

"Never said you did."

"We were doing fine before you came around and we'll keep on doing fine after you give up on us and move on to your next charity case."

"Is that what you think you are?" Xander asked, a surprised tone in his voice.

"Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about. I know your kind."

"And what kind would that be?"

"Do gooder types. Trying to make yourself feel good by helping out a brother. Give the poor kids something for Christmas and then forget about us the rest of the year. Using us to try to pay your way into heaven. It ain't gonna work." Gunn held out the keys to the truck David had sent over. "Stuff is still in the truck. I let the crew eat the food seeing as how it was already cooked and everything but you can take the rest of the shit back." The two men glared at each other, Xander refusing to take the keys and Gunn trying to make him take them.

"What's going on?" Angel asked, stepping up behind Xander as Spike came to join them. Both vampires and their friends had been stunned into silence, none of them knowing what was going on between the two angry men.

"Seems I made a mistake...it's nothing I can't handle." Xander told them, his eyes never leaving Gunn's.

"Damn straight you made a mistake." Gunn dropped the keys on the floor, kicking them towards Xander. "Alana, Joey, let's go."

"Wait a minute. You had your say now I get to have mine. I'm not trying to pay my way into heaven as you put it and I'm not going to forget you guys. My mistake wasn't doing what I did....it was thinking that you would be happy about it. I forgot what a big chip you carry on your shoulder but to tell you the truth I thought I had knocked that off....or at least made a dent in it." Xander turned towards Alana, who hadn't moved from Wesley's side. "Alana, does everyone agree with Gunn? Do you think I was trying to...."

"No. I thought it was a really sweet thing to do but..."

"I said let's go." Gunn interrupted his sister. Xander gave him a determined look.

"The truck will be back at your place in an hour. I'll bring the stuff personally this time and anyone who wants what's on that truck can have it. Got it?"

"I said...."

"I don't give a shit what you said! You have no right to make everyone's decisions for them!"

"I'm their leader!"

"Well, you're not a very good one." Xander saw the punch coming and ducked. Gunn was ready to follow with another when he felt steely, cold fingers grab his wrist.

"Wouldn't try that again if I were you, mate." Spike saw Gunn's hand inch towards the stake in his pocket. "Don't pull that out or you're going to have a problem." Gunn stopped, remembering how vicious the two vampires had been in the warehouse. "I'm cutting you some slack on account of your brother but don't push me."

"Tell your boy to keep his nose out of my business or it's gonna look worse than it does already." Gunn told him, trying to get free. Spike gave him a look that made it clear if Gunn tried anything else he was going to be sorry before he released the young man's wrist.

"Xander, what did you do?"

"Nothing. Well, nothing bad anyway. David and I....where's David?" Xander scanned the room, looking for his partner in crime. Just then the bedroom door opened and the man in question jumped out, sword in hand...his new cape wrapped around his shoulders. He ran over to where Xander and the others were standing.

"Demons of the Underworld, beware! You're time on this earth is drawing nigh!" He swung the sword, making the four men duck. David smiled at them before pointing the sword at Gunn. "Identify yourself, traveler. Are you also a fellow demon killer?" Gunn knocked the sword out of David's hand.

"Who is this guy?"

"David Nabbit, meet Gunn. Gunn...David." Xander introduced them.

"Pleasure's all mine." David told him.

"You got that right." Gunn muttered, his mouth falling open when Anya walked over and gave David a steamy kiss. He couldn't believe a beautiful girl like Anya would pay attention to a nerd like the guy standing in front of him.

"Oh, David, you're acting so forceful. Is anyone else getting warm?" Anya fanned herself, the other girls hiding smiles behind their hands as they shook their heads. "David, can you wear that cape tonight when we..."

"Anya!" Xander yelled, interrupting what he knew was coming next. He had heard it often enough when they had been together. "Gunn, this is the guy that helped me get everything together. And we didn't do it because we thought of you or any of your crew as charity cases. I did it because I thought we had become friends...he did it to help me who is his friend. Are you grasping the concept here? Friends....helping friends."

"Yo, where do you live?" Gunn asked David. When David told him Gunn smirked. "Rich white dude. What, you think you can use us as a tax write off or something? How did you become a billionaire? By being a 'good citizen'?" Xander was really getting angry now. It was one thing for Gunn to put him down for trying to help but David was an innocent. Xander stepped up, getting in Gunn's face.

"How did you become such a bigot...and one with a bad attitude, too. Weren't you listening to me? David was helping me...a friend...something you probably don't have too many of with your personality. But that's old news and we've covered that. As far as how David got his money, he made his first millions developing software that helps blind people surf the web. Plus, he set up a foundation that donates twenty million dollars to a bunch of charitable causes."

"That's so sweet." Alana told him, smiling at David who started blushing again.

"Yeah, well you let me know when some of his coin starts trickling down to my part of town." Gunn snapped.

"What's your problem? First you come in here, ranting and raving because we tried to help you and your crew and now you're dissing him because you don't think he's giving anything to your community? Make up your mind why don't you." Xander told him.

"I've already made up my mind. We ain't taking the stuff."

"Which proves I was right....you really aren't a leader. A real leader thinks about his crew, his family, whatever...first. You don't. You put your pride and your fucking stubborness in front of what's best for them. I saw the way you had to live...stealing food so you could eat, squatting in some cold warehouse so you can catch pneumonia. How do you expect your crew to fight against demons and vampires when they're starving or sick? Hell, it's hard enough to do what you guys do when you're healthy. That's why I got all those cots and blankets, the clothes, the food. I wanted you guys to be able to concentrate on staying alive without having to worry about starving or getting put in jail for stealing. And we've even found a place for you to live. See, there's an old apartment building about two blocks away from where you are now so you can stay in the neighborhood and there's enough empty units for you and your crew. The owner said you guys could move in as soon as you want to...so if you want, we can just keep the beds and stuff on the truck until...."

"Hold up. I come in here and tell you I don't want clothes and beds and now you're trying to get me to move into some apartment building I haven't even seen yet? Are you tripping? How many times do I have to tell you...we don't need anything from you."

"Yes, you do. They do." Xander gestured towards Alana and Joey. "I don't know why I like you Gunn but I do. I think you're a good man who's had a hard life. A man who's trying to do something good for his neighborhood and the people in it instead of going the other way. A man who's lost a lot but instead of turning bad....well, you're trying to honor your lost friends...and...and...brother," Xander was having a hard time talking about Bobby, the memory of not being able to help the boy still fresh in his mind, "by helping others in need. I understand that...I respect it and I want to help. And it's not all charity...the owner of the building said you could live there rent free on the condition that you work for him. Take care of the place, keep it running...make it safer. So what do you say? Will you help him?" Gunn stared at Xander for a long moment, trying to figure this kid out. He glanced at Alana and Joey, who seemed thrilled with the idea of finally having a real place to live. "Come on Gunn, say yes. Don't drag them down to hell with you because you think that's where you deserve to be."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Gunn asked. Xander turned to face the others.

"Hey, guys...why don't all of you take Joey and Alana into the kitchen and get some of those brownies Cordelia's making. I think they're done."

"No they're not. They've still got...." Cordelia glanced at her watch...." five minutes." They heard the distant sound of a buzzer going off...the timer on the oven. "God, Xander how did you know?"

"I live for food." Xander tapped his nose. "I can smell when something's done." Everyone laughed as they took the two newbies into the kitchen. Gunn was staring down at his shoes.

"That smell is her brownies? Damn, I thought I stepped in something on the way here." Now Xander, Angel and Spike laughed. Gunn looked at Xander. "So what was you talking about earlier?"

"I know you're hurting over Bobby. You're probably still blaming yourself over his death when it wasn't your fault. You want to hurt yourself...to suffer...maybe even die too. I can't change your mind about what happened...you have to deal with that yourself but don't make Alana and the others pay for whatever mistakes you think you might have made. Don't drag them down into your self made hell cause they definitely don't deserve that." Gunn's eyes misted over.

"Alana does deserve better."

"Yeah, she does. So how about it? Want to go check the building out? See if you guys like it...if you want to work for the guy? It's up to you Gunn...I don't want to pressure you...I just want to help." Xander saw that he was getting to Gunn so he continued, "Gunn, you might not agree but I think we're a lot alike. Both of us want to help others...not because we want the attention...or to get paid...but just because we want to keep innocent people safe. There's not very many people like you in this world and I want to make sure you stay around for a long time. We can't afford to lose any more good ones....that's all I'm trying to say." Xander shrugged while Angel and Spike stood back, proud expressions on their faces.

"Are you sure that's all? This isn't about Bobby?" Gunn asked. Xander stared at him, brown eyes filling with tears.

"I'm not going to lie to you, Gunn. Some of it is. I can't help but think if I had done something differently...if I had been stronger, or quicker I could have...."

"You're doing the same thing you just accused me of doing, Xander." Gunn's voice had taken on a softer note and he gave Xander a small smile which Xander returned.

"I guess I am. Let's quit blaming ourselves for what happened and put the blame on the ones who were really at fault...those vampires. And let's honor Bobby's memory by keeping up the good fight. What do you say?" Xander extended his hand. Gunn looked at it for a moment before shaking it.

"Deal. If anyone deserves to be honored it's my kid brother. He was a good one."

"He was a great kid." A few moments passed between the two men before Xander jerked his thumb towards the kitchen. "Want to stay and have some brownies?"

"Thought you wanted to keep me around for a while." Xander laughed.

"Well, supper's coming soon." The four of them started towards the kitchen.

"All these women folk and you're having food brought in? How come?"

"Wait till you taste Cordy's brownies and all things will be answered." ***************************************

"So when do you want to go see the place?" Xander was asking as they entered the kitchen.

"You're going to accept his offer, Gunn?" Alana asked hopefully. When Gunn nodded, she hugged Xander.

"Thanks for talking some sense into him."

"Wasn't me. He's doing it for you...because he loves you." Alana's eyes misted over as she hugged her big brother.

"Oh, now don't go getting all teary on me." Gunn groused, but he returned the hug, showing his sister how much he loved her before addressing Xander.

"How about tomorrow?"

"Great. I'll come by the warehouse and we can leave from there." Angel and Spike were just about to tell Xander that he wasn't going without them when they heard Wesley's voice.

"Yes, this a great knife. Angel and Spike got it for me."

"Cool." Joey stared at the knife with admiration before setting it on the kitchen table. Cordelia was getting the brownies out of the oven.

"The recipe was handed down to me from my mother who got it from her housekeeper plus I improvised a little. You guys are gonna love them." She told the gang. "Well, except for Angel and Spike of course." Wesley frowned.

"Why doesn't Angel and Spike have to...I mean get to try any?" The two vampires gave him a dirty look.

"They're brownies full of nutty goodness, not red blood cells."

"Yeah, but Spike eats human food."

"Don't know if this would qualify, " Spike whispered to Angel as Cordelia tried to cut the brownies, barely making a dent in them.

"Maybe if they'd branch out into the solids, they'd keep a decent knife around." Cordelia threw the kitchen knife down and looked around before picking up Wesley's brand new knife. She started cutting the brownies as Wesley jumped up from his chair.

"That is not appropriate! It's for killing extinct demons. Angel, Spike....make her stop."

"Cordelia...." Angel began but was interrupted by Wesley's tirade.

"That blade is very old...who knows what kind of corrosive effect your cooking may have on it." At Wesley's words everyone started to back away from the two of them. Cordelia turned and glared at Wesley, the knife in her hand.

"Corrosive effect?"

"Guys, do something before Cordy stabs Wes." Xander whispered. Angel spoke up.

"Cordelia, just put down the very sharp knife."

"Well, they don't smell right." Wesley continued.

"I think Mr. Too Much Cologne is the pot calling the kettle stinky." Cordelia said, hands on hips.

"I do not wear too much cologne." Wesley argued. "And how could you smell it over all the perfume you put on?"

"Cordelia....Wesley, do we need to give you a time out?" Xander asked.

"Oh! Why doesn't Spike and Angel ground them." Dawn suggested.

"We're way too old for that, Dawnie." Cordelia told her.

"Cordy, if you don't behave....I'll withhold sex for a week." Doyle tried a different approach.

"As if. You wouldn't be able to last the night much less a week." Cordelia replied. "And why are you picking on me?"

"What? I'm not, Princess. I just wanted you two to quit arguing. What was I supposed to say? I wouldn't have sex for a week with him?" Cordelia grinned at her boyfriend while Wesley started turning red.

"I guess not. Besides, we weren't actually arguing....Wesley and I bitch at each other all the time. It's what we do." Cordelia took a bite of her brownie, frowning before spitting it into a napkin. "Forget the brownies. When's the real food getting here?" As if on cue, someone knocked on the door. Angel answered it this time, signing for the food while Doyle, Lorne and Cordelia started bringing it in and placing it on the table. Wesley and Xander gathered up chairs, setting them around the table.

"Well, we best get going. See you tomorrow, Xander? Say around 12:00?" Gunn asked.

"Yeah, that's fine. But I thought you were going to stay and eat with us. There's plenty to go around."

"Yes, stay. I'm quite sure there will be enough for the next three or four days. Besides, I'd...we'd like to get to know you better." Wesley added, looking at Alana. The young girl nodded her head.

"Come on, Gunn. It would be nice to hang out in a real home for a while...it's been so long and...you didn't have anything earlier. "

"I wanted to make sure everybody else got fed." Gunn stared at the food, knowing he was hungry but not quite sure that he wanted to share a table with two vampires. Plus, he was getting the feeling his sister was flirting with the skinny English guy. But he saw a smile cross his sister's face...the first smile he had seen in days, so he nodded in agreement, taking the seat next to Xander who was sitting on Angel's lap. Spike sat down on the other side of the boy while the others found a place to sit.

"Good it's settled then. Everybody dig in." Gunn watched as the group interacted, laughing and talking about anything and everything, teasing each other and having a good time. Spike and Xander were having a contest to see who could stuff the most mashed potatoes in each other's mouth while Angel laughed at them and Gunn was once again surprised to see how loving the two vampires could be. Not only to Xander but to the rest of their family. Spike tickled Dawn, teased Willow and Tara and debated what the best English beer was with Wesley. Angel listened as Xander and David discussed which video games were the best and laughed at Cordelia and Doyle's jokes. Gunn shook his head, feeling as if he were in another dimension. But a nice one. And when Anya leaned over to ask him if he shaved his head or was just prematurely bald, Gunn laughed....the first real laugh in what seemed like forever.


Chapter Forty-Five

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