Author: Lilithangel
Website: www.livejournal.com/users/lilithbint
Fandom: AtS/BtVS
Characters: Spike/Angel, ensemble
Genre: Christmas schmoop
Rating/Warning: PG for m/m kissing.
Summary: last year for noel_of_spike I wrote Tree
http://lilithbint.livejournal.com/54701.html this is the follow up. Angel and Spike celebrate Christmas with some phone calls.
* * * * *
“This isn’t a good idea,” Angel said weakly from the sofa.
“It’s a stupid idea but we’re going to do it anyway. If we can make up then there’s a chance with the others too,” Spike said, looking through a notebook.
“I’m not drunk enough,” Angel said.
“Under the sink,” Spike said absently, “bring the bottle.”
After Spike had opened the drawings Angel had done as a thank you they had watched the tree lights and talked about previous celebrations, not wanting to get too emotional with each other. They had finished both bottles of wine Angel had bought when Spike decided that since they were in a reconciliation mood they should call others from their past and wish them a Merry Christmas.
Spike stopped at an entry and looked at it wistfully. “Probably should sort out this book,” he said as Angel returned with the new bottle.
Angel looked over Spike’s shoulder as he sat down and sighed when he saw Fred’s name. “Don’t get rid of them,” he said pouring them drinks, “we only have memories left of them now.”
“Right…” Spike took a big swallow of whiskey, “let’s start with the easy one.” He dialled a cell number and music from Star Wars piped in.
“Oh no, not him…” Angel begged.
“He’s a good kid at heart,” Spike replied.
When the phone was answered there was a long pause and then an excited whisper, “Spike?”
“Merry Christmas Andrew,” Spike said.
“Merry Christmas Spike. I knew you would survive, like a phoenix from the ashes you rise in glorious…”
“Shut up Andrew. We just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas.”
“We?”
“Me and Angel.”
“He made it as well? You are unstoppable.”
“Yeah… look, the numbers you gave me are they all still valid?”
“All except Rupert’s. His changed when he left the Council again. I’ve got a cell number somewhere…”
Spike got the number off Andrew and managed to get off the phone after much gushing and science fiction references.
Looking at his list Spike finished his glass, grabbed Angel’s hand and dialled.
“Hello?”
“Hey Buffy.”
Angel tightened his grip on Spike’s hand surprised he would call Buffy next.
“Who is this?”
“It’s Spike.”
“Spike?” her voice isn’t shocked but there is surprise in it.
“Just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas.”
“You don’t call me in the entire time you’re back and you just decided to call me for Christmas?”
“Time for reconciliations isn’t pet, Christmas? Someone else wants to wish you compliments of the season too.” Spike thrust the phone at Angel.
“Um… hi Buffy, Merry Christmas,” Angel managed. He glared at Spike who was busily filling his glass again and emptying it.
“Angel, you’re there with Spike?”
“We kind of ran into each other and he’s letting me stay for Christmas.”
“Okay, did Willow cast some sort of spell? I know Spike was working with you in L.A., but Christmas? Are you still in L.A.?”
“No. A lot has happened but we just wanted to wish you Merry Christmas. So Merry Christmas.” Angel thrust the phone back at Spike.
“Look it’s getting late so we won’t keep you,” Spike said quickly, “we’ll talk again soon okay?”
“Merry Christmas Spike. And Angel. And you’re right we’ll talk soon mister. I’m glad you’re both okay and aren’t alone at Christmas.”
Spike hung up and poured another drink.
“Why did you call her?” Angel asked.
“Needed to get it over with and I figured it would be one of the easier ones.”
“One of the easier ones?”
“Okay, not easier but I figured she at least knew I came back. Don’t know if they would tell Dawn or bother with the others so I wouldn’t have to do the whole I’m still here bit and why haven’t I called.” Spike sighed and dialled another number. “You can talk first this time,” he said.
“Hello?” a voice answered before Angel could protest.
“Ah, hi Willow.”
“Angel? Oh my god Angel. What’s wrong has something happened?”
“Nothing’s wrong Willow. I… we just wanted to wish you Merry Christmas.”
“We, are you with Buffy?”
“No, I’m with Spike.”
“Spike? Spike’s with you, he came back?” Willow practically squeaked.
Angel threw the phone to Spike. “Hi Red. Yeah, I came back. Was fighting the good fight with Angel in L.A.”
“Oh my god, Spike. We thought you had dusted under Sunnydale. Dawn and I even had a memorial service for you… oh no… Dawn… Dawnie it’s alright… it really is Spike…”
“Shit, Dawn’s there?”
Angel grabbed Spike’s free hand again seeing the worried look on Spike’s face.
“Spike?”
“Hey, niblet… it’s alright Dawn… it’s me… I’m sorry I didn’t call… you’ve got nothing to be sorry about… shhh… it’s alright… I’m okay, I’m even happy…”
Angel squeezed Spike’s hand as he heard that and Spike smiled briefly at him. “I’m in London, Angel’s staying with me. I’m doing okay.”
The conversation continued in a similar vein for a number of minutes until Spike started to relax his grip on Angel’s hand and Dawn stopped crying. Finally after an exchange of numbers and a promise of future calls Spike hung up and let his head fall onto Angel’s shoulder.
“I wasn’t drunk enough for that one by a long shot,” Spike said with a sigh.
Angel risked a quick kiss on the top of Spike’s head in sympathy. Spike looked up at Angel and then kissed him back.
After a few minutes they pulled back from each other eyes wide and pupils dilated.
“Okay, that was…” Spike said.
“Yeah, it was…” Angel agreed in a daze.
“Two more phone calls and then we can get back to that,” Spike said. He laughed sadly, “only four calls, how sad is that?”
“In the end it’s only going to be you and I,” Angel replied.
“Once that would have not filled me with any joy,” Spike said, “but now…”
“It’s not such a bad thought,” Angel finished. “Who next?” he said to change the subject slightly.
“Xander and then Giles.” Spike dialled the next number.
“Hey Spike,” Xander answered immediately.
“Buffy called you,” Spike said.
“Yeah. I kept mum, didn’t want to get bawled out.”
“Merry Christmas, Angel sends his regards too.”
“I bet he does. Can I just say that I’m glad you finally contacted her, it’s going to make life much easier for me. If your planning on calling anyone else I should warn you that Dawn is staying with Willow.”
“Too late,” Spike said with a grimace.
“Ah… She okay?”
“I’m glad she was at Willow’s actually. It was pretty intense,” Spike replied. “Anyway, just wanted to wish you Merry Christmas.”
“You too Spike, give my regards to Angel. You can tell me how that happened another time.”
“Have a good Christmas.” Spike hung up and looked at the expectant Angel. “We ran into each other a few months ago,” he explained, “it was pretty awkward but we managed to talk. Asked him not to say anything until I was ready.”
“He sounded more mature.”
“Everyone’s grown up, those that survived anyway. One more to go…” Spike looked down at the piece of paper with Giles’ number. “Me and Rupert were almost friends once,” he said, “until Buffy came back and things went bad.”
Angel grimaced, “don’t think Giles and I could have ever been friends even before I killed his girlfriend.”
“Well, it’s a time for new beginnings.” Spike quickly dialled the number.
“Hello?” the voice sounded tired and older than Spike had expected.
“Hello Rupert, Merry Christmas.”
There was silence on the phone for a few seconds. “Spike?”
“In the flesh, but I’m guessing you knew that,” Spike said.
“It’s a nice surprise to hear your voice.”
“Yeah well, we decided to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.”
“I am more than surprised that you chose to include me but, Merry Christmas Spike. You said we?”
“Angel’s here with me.”
“And where’s here?”
“London. Home for Christmas and all that.”
Giles laughed briefly. “No matter how long or how far England is always home.”
“Home is where the heart is, Rupert. How have you been anyway?”
“Getting older, not liking retirement, the usual.”
It wasn’t much of a conversation but it was more than Spike had expected and he hung up at the end feeling strangely at peace.
“Now what?” Angel asked.
“Now I take you to bed and we continue what we were doing before,” Spike said.
Angel swallowed nervously, “Okay.”
“We take it as it comes yeah?” Spike smiled, “no hurry.”
“No hurry,” Angel echoed and smiled back at Spike, “we’ve got time.”
And time was the best gift they received that Christmas. Time for new beginnings and second chances.
END
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