Witness by The Rainbow Writers

Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Willow, Tara, Xander, Anya, Giles, Dawn, Spike and all other characters who have appeared in the syndicated series Buffy The Vampire Slayer, together with the names, titles and back story are the sole copyright property of Joss Whedon, Fox and Mutant Enemy. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fan fiction. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the authors. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Please contact the authors for permission to reproduce this story on any other fan fiction site.
Distribution: The Rainbow Writer's Homepage: http://www.therainbowwriters.com/
Mystic Muse: http://mysticmuse.net
Spoilers: Season 6.
Feedback: All feedback is welcome.
Pairing: Willow/Other

Summary: Willow struggles with her rehabilitation in England.

Sue knocked on the door of Ruth's room waiting for a response. She knew by the Manor schedule that the young witch didn't have any other training booked and in such a grand house the best place to start was here.

"Ruth, phone call." Sue pushed the door open and crossed to the bed, she held out the handset to the cordless phone. "I'll come back for it twenty minutes if you don't bring it to me. Okay?" She checked that the young woman could abide by the rules.

"Okay." Ruth frowned and took the phone more than surprised that it was being handed to her. "Mmmm hello."

"Hello. Ruth?" A very American voice came back at her the satellite line hissing a little in the background. "I know this seems weird but I'm Buffy Summers, Willow's friend."

"Oh, Buffy." Ruth knew her face must have looked a sight as she had her nose wrinkled up tight and her eyebrow arched high. "Hello, I'm Ruth."

"Hi Ruth." The Slayer responded again. "I hope it's okay that I called you, it's just I didn't really know who else could help me."

"Help you? You want me to help you?" Ruth checked still trying to get a grip on what was going on here.

"Yes. God that sounded less ominous when I decided to call. It's not anything bad or anything it's just, it's about Christmas." Buffy babbled on a bit. "I mean Giles is all gun ho but I wanted to check that it wouldn't be too much for Willow. I don't want to crowd her but you know we miss her and since she can't come to us."

"I don't want to sound dense or anything but isn't Willow Jewish?" Ruth tried to work out the gist of Buffy's conversation so far.

"Oh yeah totally, but we always celebrate Christmas too." Buffy could have slapped herself for sounding so stupid. "Basically Ruth here's the deal, Giles thinks it would be a good time for us to visit her but I wanted to check first if you thought it would be a good thing."

"We'd like to come and see Willow for Christmas yeah." Buffy didn't quite understand the sudden tone in the witch's voice. "Unless you think Willow wouldn't want that, if that's what you think we won't come. I don't want to make anything harder or encroach on her territory or..."

"You have to come now." Ruth cut Buffy off. "That is for Christmas, not now." She clarified realizing that the Slayer's word jumble was contagious.

"Dawn gets off school on the 18^th, we'd be leaving on the 19^thand get to you guys late that night." Buffy filled in the details. "Wait, does this mean you think it's a good idea?"

"Willow would love it." Ruth replied instantly. "You're going to be so proud of her." She felt her cheeks glow as she talked to Buffy.

"I am... I am already." Buffy's smile was heard in her voice. "How is she doing?"

"She's good, she eats at least one meal a day and she has her smile back." Ruth replied gently.

"I can't wait to see her." Buffy whispered the only response she could at the happy news.

"I was going to phone her later and tell her." Buffy admitted. "Giles said a total surprise on the day might be a little too overwhelming."

"It would be, she'll need time to you know whiz through the emotional roller coaster." Ruth agreed thinking of just how Willow would react to the news.

"No need to whiz, just a visit for a week or so." Buffy worried a little. "We all love her and miss her and just want to see her."

"It's a great idea Buffy, the best Christmas present you could give her." The dark haired witch supported the decision.

"And hey we get to meet you too." Buffy smiled again. "Willow's talked about you lots, how great a friend you are. Thank you."

"Well you know Lo she's prone to exaggeration." Ruth laughed feeling a little strange now that the conversation turned directly to her.

"Ruth, when Willow left here she was completely broken. I was afraid… Let's just say I was afraid she'd never be coming back in more ways than one. I know you've been a big part of her getting better and I thank you for that." Buffy stumbled through her words a bit.

"Is there anything we can bring you? You celebrate Christmas right?" Buffy questioned not sure for a moment.

"Come on, we love to shop." Buffy encouraged. "Give us an excuse." She laughed lightly.

"Small and American?" Buffy repeated and laughed more. "We'll see what we can do." She paused again. "Thanks Ruth, I guess I shouldn't hold you up any longer."

"No worries, take care." Ruth wished the Slayer well and fought down the almost overwhelming desire she had to race downstairs and burst into to training room to tell Willow, instead she took a calm breath and waited to see if Buffy had anything else to say.

"Um Ruth..." Buffy paused. "Do you think a little pre-warning for the roller coaster might help Willow?" She questioned softly.

"I think she'll want you to tell her." Ruth gave her honest opinion, no matter how much she did want to be the barer of good news, Willow would need to hear this from Buffy.

"Okay. We'll talk to you later then okay?" Buffy smiled and breathed a reassured sigh of relief.

"Ok. Thanks for calling Buffy." Ruth hung her finger over the disconnect button.

It had all been fine really. Willow had been reading in the library when Jayne had brought her the cordless for a phone call. She hadn't even flinched really when she realized it was Buffy. She hadn't been anything but happy when the Slayer had told her that Dawn, Xander, Anya and even herself would be coming to England to spend Christmas. She'd chatted with Dawn for a bit about plane rides and Big Ben and what weather to expect. She'd managed to convince Buffy that she didn't know what she wanted for Christmas, even reminding the Slayer yet again that she was Jewish or at the very least Wiccan and not Christian. Everything had gone fine, so the question she had to ask herself now was why was she sitting in the dark in her room shaking like a leaf?

"Willow?" Ruth's voice whispered from behind the secret door to Willow's room. The redhead went to respond but her throat was so dry nothing but a vague squeak came out. "Tara's telling me just to come in, but I was like waiting till you like opened the door."

"Come in." Willow managed to swallow and get her throat to work and was relieved when the effort was enough. Ruth flicked the door open and came in, she was carrying a small candle.

"A gift from someone who loves you." She walked over and put the candle on the table beside the redhead's bed. "It's..."

Willow watched her move and blinked as her eyes tried to adjust even to the dim light.

"Did she tell you?" The redhead's voice was barely a whisper. She knew a lot of people would probably have trouble knowing that their friend could hold constant conversation with your dead lover, but to Willow it was comforting. She knew she wasn't ready to talk to Tara herself but at least this way she knew the blonde was safe and nearby her always.

"Can I just say that I'm not sure extra flamey is a recognized English term?" Ruth smiled as she turned it a bit to give off more light.

"Thank you baby." Willow closed her eyes as she reached her hand up to her heart. "It's a me term." She looked back at Ruth trying to explain.

"It's her way of telling you its going to be alright, Christmas that is." Ruth played with the white wax that spilled down the melting candle.

"They'll all be here." Willow whispered taking the pillow from behind her on the bed and hugging it.

"Come on talk to me." Ruth urged. "We both know I could know what's happening in your head, so easily, but I want you to face it for me."

"I hurt them. I tried to kill them and I know that they say it's okay but it's not going to be the same when they see me. See me standing there and they think oh look last time I saw her she tried to turn me into a slayer puddle or kill me with a fireball." Willow's voice shook as she finally started talking. "And I still do magic... which I know Xander doesn't like. The first time I do any spell he's going to freak out and Anya will make comments..." She shivered. "And it's the first Christmas without Tara." She added sadly.

"You see Willow, despite all of the other fear inside you, you're first thought was you get to see the people you love." Ruth soothed.

"I know but then the other fears all come bubbling up like a big bubbling thing and I get scared." Willow added fearfully.

"But they're not the biggest thing in there Lo." Ruth breathed softly and reached out and placed her hand flat on Willow's body just below her throat. "The biggest thing in here is your heart. The strongest emotion here isn't fear, it's love."

"I just want them to be happy, maybe they need to move on with their lives without crazy witchy me in it." The redhead dipped her head a little.

In a seamless move Ruth lifted her hand from Willow's chest, turned it and cupped the redhead's chin to lift her head back up.

"And maybe they need to come to England for Christmas because they know that their lives can't be complete without it's heart." Ruth whispered holding green eyes.

"I'm just scared too that they don't know me anymore. I'm not the Willow they knew." The redhead whispered back. "I'm not weak, I'm not helpless and I'm not innocent."

"No, you're not." Ruth didn't see the point in contradicting. "But you know Willow." She blinked blue eyes. "Have you ever thought about Little Red Riding Hood?"

"Little Red Riding Hood, you know the girl." Ruth checked and got enough recognition to confirm that Willow knew the story. "Well I always thought hey after she saw all that bad stuff happening she wasn't the same little girl who liked to skip through the woods alone any more, I mean she can't have been, right?" She explained her opinion. "And I told my Dad that."

"And he said, maybe not but she did just fine. So I asked how he could be so sure and he told me because all fairy tales have a happy ending." Ruth smiled softly.

"No, you're Little Red Riding Hood." Ruth reached up and ran her hand over red hair.

"So what do you want for Christmas?" Willow managed a sad smile as she tried to face her fears or at least push them enough to the side so she could breathe for awhile.

"Deck the halls with bows of holly." Ruth ran up behind Willow and looped a long loop of silver tinsel around her neck.

"Ru!" Willow giggled as she almost dropped the bauble she was hanging on the tree.

"Fa la la la laaa la la la la, it's what you're supposed to say." She sung with a laugh.

"Wow, shame on you little Jewish girl." Ru playfully patted Willow's nose. "Knowing the words to Christmas songs and hanging baubles on the tree."

"Well you're little Miss. Christmas, how could I not learn a few things?" Willow teased throwing some tinsel at her.

"Next I'll discover, you have a Santa Claus on your sweater." She dived around and pointed at Willow's chest. "Oh my God." She laughed loudly. "It's worse, Its Rudolf!"

"Rudolph is not necessarily a Christian only character." Willow laughed as she poked the button on her shirt and his nose blinked on and off. "Though I do wonder where you found it."

"Elmo the red haired Wicca, had such shiny reddish hair." Ruth sung gleefully as she sat back looking at the tree.

"Have you been smoking something in Fred's office?" Willow laughed and shook her head.

"Cynic." Ruth stopped her singing and passed her a snowflake to hang on the tree.

"It's nice to see you so happy." Willow commented smiling as she hung up the snowflake.

"Its pine resin." Ruth said with a straight face. "Its like catnip for me. One whiff of a Christmas tree and I'm rolling on my tummy, just begging for a tickle."

"Purr baby purr." Willow laughed as she tickled her more pushing her body to pin the wiggling witch down slightly.

"Ladies." Fred's voice called out from behind them. Willow looked back from her position straddled over Ruth's body as she tickled her. "Elizabeth, Willow's guests are here, it's time we were leaving." He looked from the pair to the tree.

"They're here?" Willow squeaked looking up to the grandfather clock in the corner. "But... it's only..." She started to shake a little.

"Rupert phoned to say they were heading out early in case the traffic was bad, apparently it wasn't." Fred explained. "Ruth." He looked directly at the other witch when she hadn't moved.

"She's staying." Willow shook her head. "Egg nog and cookies and meeting friends." She hated the way her own voice squeaked with fear.

"Perhaps Ruth and I should stay until they are a little settled." Fred offered. "You seem agitated."

"I'm not... I'm nervous." Willow looked down into reassuring navy eyes as she slowly eased back up to stand and offered her hand. Ruth smiled and closed her fingers round Willow's as the strong redhead helped her to stand.

"You have Rudolf on." She whispered when Fred backed out of the room to go and call in the visitors.

"I can meet them tomorrow if you'd rather." The dark haired witch pointed out in a whisper.

"No, please." Willow held tight to her hand. "Just for a bit at least, I'm nervous." She repeated again.

"I know you are." Ruth reached up and tapped the side of Willow's head lightly. "But don't worry Xander's not going to trip over the Christmas tree lights and Dawnie hasn't brought her football player boyfriend with her. Where do you think these things up from?" She added with a grin.

"Oh and there is no way I would give Mr. Giles a Christmas kiss, mistletoe or no mistletoe." She winked.

"No actually that was one of mine." Ruth laughed her bright chuckled carried through the room as the door eased open.

Five figures moved slowly into the room. All stripped of their thick external winter clothing and left in light sweaters and jeans or winter dresses with cardigans. Giles as usual was in a smart pair of pants, but he wore a surprisingly festive green, red and white striped sweater. He was stood on the far side of the group and was the first to break away from it.

"Merry Christmas Giles." Willow whispered as she looked at him filling her vision and moved into the hug.

"You look wonderful." He whispered kissing her cheek. Willow smiled softly as she moved back from him and he stepped away to let her see the others again.

"Ruth." Giles said quietly as he closed his arms around the smaller woman, who tried not to flinch or move away as he did.

Anya was the first of the group to move. She stepped towards Willow, the redhead seeing that her dress was as stylish and as well presented as Willow could have ever remembered.

"It is strangely good to see you even if it is very cold and damp in this country." Anya smiled at her.

"It's good to see you too." Willow shuffled forward a bit not remotely sure if Anya would want a hug or not, though strangely she seemed herself to want one.

"Greetings of the winter season." The demon closed the gap and hugged Willow suddenly and tightly.

"You too." Willow closed her slim but strong arms around the demon and hugged her back.

Willow was surprised when she looked up after Anya moved aside, Dawn was stood right in front of her, pointing to the red nosed reindeer.

"Yeah watch." Willow reached up and hit the button making his nose blink. "Ru bought it for me." She smiled, as everyone seemed to watch the nose blink.

"I'm sure we can get another can't we?" Willow glanced back at Ruth expecting the nod she got in confirmation.

"I missed you Dawnie." Willow moved slowly forward and eased her arms around the teenager. Dawn leaned in tight to Willow nuzzling her head into Willow's neck.

Willow held on with her eyes closed for along time before she opened them and looked up seeing Xander sorta waiting his turn.

The tall man shifted in his place a little pulling at his smart sweater as Dawn moved over and stood near Giles.

"Hi." Willow looked at her oldest friend in the world. "You look smart Mister." She smiled at him knowing in an instant that despite time and separation this was Xander, the same boy who she used to play Barbie's with and watch the clouds.

"I feel, English." Xander laughed. "This is Giles' I didn't realize it would be so freakin cold."

"Oh." Willow felt her body push up to stand up straight. "Do I look different?" She questioned in a soft voice.

Xander silently shook his head and crossed over to her, more or less lifting her up and pulling her into his arms.

"Xan..." Willow sorta squeaked in surprise as she was lifted up but she hugged him back immediately.

"No, no just surprised me." Willow smiled at him. "Merry Christmas." She leaned up and kissed his cheek.

"You have no idea how much happier it just got." Xander ran his hand over Willow's arm.

"I think I do." Willow kept smiling as she was drawn to look past him to the slim figure that was hanging by the door. "Buffy." She tried to find a voice to say the Slayer's name over a whisper but didn't manage much louder.

"Willow." Buffy whispered back she slowly blinked hazel eyes and took a step forward her high-heeled boots clicking on the wooden floor.

"You look better." The corner of Buffy's mouth turned up in the beginnings of a smile. "I have so much to tell you." She took another step.

Buffy stopped as they were a foot width apart, with a shaking hand Buffy reached out and pressed a finger upon the small gold cross that hung on the outside of Willow's sweater.

"No." Willow shook her head just a little her lip trembling. Buffy closed her eyes sending tears spilling over and down her cheeks as she closed the small gap and reached her arms around Willow. "I missed you." Willow choked out as she too felt tears fall over her cheeks and she held the Slayer in a grip that would have crushed anyone else.

"More every day." Buffy agreed holding back just as tightly not even thinking to relax.

"I'm so glad you came." Willow whispered closing her eyes as they stood there for a moment.

"Mrs. Lauder has tea and mince pies for you all in the dining room." Fred slipped into the room and moved around Willow and Buffy to open the other door that led straight into the dining room. "This way." He encouraged pointing to the set table and the steaming cups of tea.

"You must be Ruth." Xander held his hand out to the silent stranger in the room with them. "I'm Xander."

"It's a pleasure Xander." Ruth reached out and took the offered hand hoping to get away with a quick shake.

"We've heard a lot about you from Will, it's nice to finally meet you." Xander shook it enthusiastically.

"And I know a lot about you. You're just how Willow told me you would be." Her blue eyes flicked up to catch his brown ones briefly.

"So tea?" He looked at the long table. "Those two could be a while." He smiled back at Willow and Buffy.

"They could, and tea can actually be quite nice when you get used to it." Ruth smiled and pulled her hand back moving over to the table.

It was a usual ritual as Willow knocked softly on the hidden door that led to Ruth's room and waited for some invitation inside. Since Ruth had shown her the interior halls, they now frequently used them to get around the Manor's strict rules. That none of them were supposed to be in each other rooms after eleven was a strange one and as her friendship with Ruth had grown it had bothered Willow more and more. She couldn't stand being alone in her room for hours and hours when she couldn't sleep, and often just a short chat about life the universe and everything with Ruth put her in a stable enough frame of mind to face a few hours meditation or even some sleep.

"Did I wake you?" Willow pressed the door open enough to slip in and then closed it.

"Mmmm." Ruth struggled to sit up in her bed, rubbing one small fist into a barely awake eye. "Maybe." She said with a smile.

"Sorry. Go back to sleep I'll see you in the morning." Willow came over to the bed. "I just wanted to say goodnight."

"You're not awake, you're one wink away from dreamland." Willow laughed as she sat down and reached up to rub the brunette's scruffy hair.

"Ah but if it was a goldfish wink we'd be here all night and it'd still have not happened." Ruth tipped her head slightly on the side with a sleepy grin.

"And you're throwing off enough happy vibes to make it a great dreamscape that greeted me." Ruth smiled as her head lolled a little to the other side.

"Am I really?" The redhead actually realized she had a grin plastered onto her face.

"You're sure?" Willow checked before and when she didn't get any objection, she darted under the covers to join the other witch.

She was extremely tired, it had been a hard long day of filtering out peoples conflicting feelings and thoughts. She had been almost glad when Fred had asked her half way through the evening to help with something. When that was done she had come straight to bed.

"Well Xander didn't trip on the Christmas lights and Dawnie didn't bring a football boyfriend with her..." Willow laughed as she ruffled black hair again. "And I never understood how much I missed them all until they were here."

"Convinced they miss you too yet?" Ruth queried putting just a little pressure on the redhead's body to ease her back against the pillow and settle.

"I don't know Xander only picked me up and swung me around a half dozen times." Willow laughed lightly as she snuggled down on automatic at the gentle prompting. "And Dawnie, Goddess she's so tall and pretty."

"Buffy cried again when they were leaving." Willow whispered closing her eyes. "She was afraid it was all a dream and I was going to disappear."

"So how are you feeling about Christmas Eve? You get to spend the whole night away from this place." Ruth queried.

"Excited... scared... nervous..." Willow snuggled her cold feet into the pocket of warmth Ruth's body had already created. "Are you sure you don't want to come with me?" She questioned again. "I can get Fred to agree I'm sure of it."

"It's Christmas Lo, we should be nice to him and not give him a hard time and I feel kinda bad that Sandy and Oli are the only two left here you know?" Ruth reasoned. "With me and Mrs. Lauder at least it s big enough to have a Christmas meal. The four of us stuffing turkey and singing carols over and over."

"Yes, but... but don't you want to spend Christmas with me?" Willow questioned as she ignored the logical reasons.

"I would love to yes." Ruth stressed softly. "Of course I would Lo, you're my best friend. You're the Elmo to my cookie monster, in this place at least but..."

"Ru, I'm not just your friend because we're here." Willow felt something inside her start to panic. "You know that right?"

"I know." Ruth reached her hand and pressed it lightly between her head and Willow's body making a mini pillow for herself. "But your friends need Red Riding Hood, not Elmo." She nuzzled close and gave the sleepy reason.

"But..." Willow began to object not seeing how the two images cancelled each other out. "Did you not like them?"

"I don't want you to be alone on Christmas." Willow whispered the reason that was really bothering her.

"I have Elmo." Ruth reached out her other hand and pulled the soft toy out from his place under her covers.

"Why won't you just come?" Willow asked in a tight voice. Nothing that Ruth was saying was making her feel any better, after all how could a stuffed toy take her place? She might be Jewish and not celebrate Christmas but this Christmas wasn't about religion, it was about feeling like she had a place in the world again and a big reason for that was Ruth.

"Stop doing that." Willow pushed away a bit. "You can read what they all want and then pile it over your own feelings."

"Doing what?" Ruth blinked at her sudden forced separation. "It's not like that." She frowned rubbing her eyes quickly again.

"Then tell me why don't you want to spend Christmas with me?" Willow asked her again sitting up.

"Lo, its not that I don't want to, I do. I just know that you need this time with Buffy and the others." Ruth sat up in bed.

"But I will be spending time with them, you'll just be there too." Willow pointed out the obvious.

"Lo, you'll be back Christmas night. We will still have some of Christmas together." Ruth breathed evenly trying not to break her calm focus.

"Oh I understand." Willow felt her lips curl down into a hard frown. "Do you want me to go back to my room?"

"You don't understand, do you? You don't understand at all." Ruth turned and stared at Willow.

"See I knew you didn't." Ruth shook her head softly and sunk back into the pillows.

"It's not my place Willow, being at Mr. Giles' with your friends, laughing and remembering things you have all been through. That is your place, it's not mine." Ruth pointed out. "You and that small group of people around you have lost so much in a short space of time, all of them have like this hole inside of them and you are a big part of the key that fills that hole. I'm not."

"Then you don't understand a damn thing either." Willow didn't quite know what pushed her out of bed as she stood up and looked back. "The biggest part of why I know that I can do that again, why I can believe I might just be strong enough is because I have you in my life. Because you remind me that Tara being dead might hurt forever but it doesn't mean I'm dead too, and I can laugh and I can cry and I can have fun without betraying her. You're the person who reminds me that I can still love her and other people at the same time without forgetting her." She flicked the covers back into place. "And I know none of them understand that. None of them want to know how much it hurts me, see how hard it is sometimes to breathe. But when I look at you I know someone understands, someone understands me with all the dark little places in my soul and still loves me. Or at least I thought you understood."

"I do understand." Ruth replied quickly as she climbed out of the bed, pulling something from under her pillow as she crossed to stand near Willow. "Read it." She requested as she handed the redhead a Christmas card with a white and silver tree on it, the words 'Seasons Greetings' across the top in silver letters.

Willow reached out slowly and took the card, glancing over the front and flipping it open.

"Oh Ru..." Willow felt the card shake in her hand as she read over the flowing script. "Your Aunts going to come by, why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I still wanted to be with you." Ruth whispered guiltily as she reached out and took the card dipping her head ashamed as she retreated to put it back.

"I'm a horrible, horrible Elmo." Willow almost ran after her and engulfed her in a hug. "I've been obsessing over Buffy and everyone coming and I didn't even think."

"I am, I didn't even think, I was just panicking." Willow hugged her tightly. "I'm sorry Ru."

"It's really ok but I've decided I want to see her. I mean I know I might be here all Christmas day and she might not come, but…" She looked up. "I can't not be here."

"No, no of course you can't." Willow agreed easily. "If only we could do both, you know have Christmas with the Scoobies and wait for your Aunt."

"Come on Lo you get the chance to get out of here, even if only for a night or two." Ruth leaned back in Willow's arms but didn't let go. "There is no way I am going to let you pass up on that."

"Christmas isn't where you are, it's who you're with." Willow whispered back. "We'll figure out something Ru."

"How was it, seeing them?" Ruth's voice went soft, as she released the redhead realizing she'd possibly been holding on too long.

"It's... I keep wondering if I'm having a dream and I'm going to wake up alone." Willow pulled back a bit pulling her legs up to sit on the edge of the bed.

"Thank you." Willow looked up into navy eyes. "I couldn't have gotten through this day without you."

"Friends remember." Ruth smiled back. "Now come on I'm cold, get back into bed." She urged softly.

Willow raced down the hallway trying to get the long striped scarf she was wearing to behave.

"RU!" She called as she fumbled into the library looking for the other woman. "Ru, don't make me teleport you." She laughed as she started hunting through the small stacks. "Everyone's waiting downstairs."

"What's the panic?" Ru strolled into the library from the direction of her room. She was sucking on a red and white striped candy stick.

"Really? Looks like you're scrabbling to me." Ruth pulled out the candy cane and pointed it at Willow with a grin.

"Scrabbling?" Willow laughed as she moved over and linked her arm into Ruth's. "I swear I don't know what you're saying but come on we have shopping to do."

"Hey wait, I'm not going shopping." Ru started to walk along without thinking but then faltered.

"Yes, yes you are." Willow nodded. "You haven't picked out what you want for Christmas yet so you are so coming."

"But Lo, this is friends time." Ruth pointed out as she saw the group congregated in the hallway.

"And you're my friend." Willow led her down the stairs towards the group near the front. "And come on, I got you clearance and we're going to go to lunch too. You can even pick what best to serve the Americans."

"That sounds like a rare responsibility Lo." Ruth hesitated as she watched as Rose walked in carrying her favorite jacket, a pair of gloves and a dark scarf.

"It is, you have to keep a whole gang of damn Yankees from taking over the Galleria. I also think you should tempt them to the finer points of jacket potatoes." Willow happily took the coat and held it up to help her put it on.

"Do you want Giles to be in charge of showing us a good time?" Willow whispered in the brunette's ear as she wrapped the scarf around her neck.

"No, no she wants to come." Willow smiled at the teenager and then looked back at Ruth. "Right Ru?"

"What woman can resist shopping?" Xander moved over and hugged one arm around Dawn. "She's raring to go."

"I warn you all, I'm not that good at driving the people carrier we rented." Giles apologized as together the group moved towards the door.

"Ru can do it, she drives the minibus." Willow grinned as she looped one arm into Ru's and followed out after everyone.

Buffy sat down on the small wooden bench and stacked the littering of bags she'd been given to carry as 'the slayer' around her feet. Everyone had pretty much divided up to attack this small arm of the large shopping center and for a moment she sat down to take a much-deserved rest. She caught a glimpse of Willow and Dawn in the small shop across from her and she smiled broadly watching them sinfully for a moment. It was so amazing to see her best friend out in the world again interacting, laughing and well doing the things Buffy had feared she'd never do again. She could tell by Willow's still painfully thin frame and nervous shivers that she wasn't 100% but she also knew that things were getting better.

"I got you a coke." Ruth's soft voice announced as the dark haired witch joined the slayer on the bench. "I thought you would need one."

"Thank you." Buffy breathed a sigh of relief as she took the bottle. "I guess I looked as dehydrated as I am." She smiled at the dark haired witch.

"The super strength means I should carry the bags." Buffy laughed as she guzzled some of the fuzzy drink. "How are you doing?"

"I'm not so keen on shopping, but it's been good, that is I think it has, I hope I haven't you know, ruined the balance." Ruth fiddled with her own drink.

"Oh the Scooby thing. No, we're an adaptable bunch and any friend of Wills is a friend of ours." Buffy shook her head. "I'm glad you could come with us."

"Hey the least I could do was drive the mini van, Mr. Giles looked terrified of it." Ruth admitted with a light laugh.

"He's silly like that." Buffy laughed lightly. "And I know one of us who is extremely glad you're here." She looked up to see Willow admiring Dawn who was trying on something.

"Lo?" Ruth glanced over with a smile. "She just didn't want your Watcher to wrap the rest of you round a tree." She looked down quickly as Willow seemed to look around.

"Lo." Buffy smiled as she looked up and waved back at the redhead that took notice of them for a second. "So have you got all your shopping done? I have it on good authority Willow is getting you something extra special."

"Is she?" Ruth seemed surprised. "I think I am done, this sounds silly perhaps but I like to make people things."

"Do you? That's cool." Buffy kept smiling as she looked at the witch again. "I would but unless that entails killing a vampire I'm not that good with my hands."

"I personally think, that's the greatest gift you could give the world." Ruth said seriously.

"Unfortunately it looks like hell wrapped under the tree." Buffy kept up her usual banter. "How's she doing?" She asked quietly looking up to spy on Willow again.

"Very well." Ruth replied again genuinely. "I think even her therapist is surprised."

"I don't trust that guy. He's got shifty eyes." Buffy spoke her thoughts out loud. "How is the magic?"

"It's ok, though Buffy, you do know that she still practices don't you?" Ruth checked.

"Um, yeah." The Slayer shifted a bit uneasy by the admission. "Giles told me how it's safer for her to get control over the magic than to go cold turkey again. Which I guess I can understand but..." She cut herself off.

"Magic is the reason I almost lost her." Buffy nodded. "You can guess why I'm not all cheers for the magic."

"The problem Buffy is that it would be like someone coming to you and saying we know that you have the power to kill vampires. We know you are super fast and super strong, but well you can't use that power anymore, in fact you have to go and work in vampire rehab, making them into better undead blood suckers." Ruth tried to explain.

"Willow has the power, she knows what it can do, she can't just forget she ever had and move on. What she has to do is learn how that power HAS to change her." Ruth explained further.

"She has a lot of power." The Slayer nodded sipping her drink. "You do too don't you?" She questioned holding navy eyes.

"I have a different kind of power." Ruth didn't look away. "But yes, I have power."

"Did she tell you about Tara?" Buffy reached down brushing out a scuff on her light suede boots.

"Yes, it seems like I missed meeting a most precious person." Ruth said quietly as she too looked away. It was easy to sense that it would be easier for the Slayer if she did.

"She was really quiet but smart and pretty though like Will she used to wear the craziest patterns together but it was sorta her thing and we all..." Buffy sighed softly. "We all loved her."

"Oh I thought the wardrobe choice was just you know, America." Ruth chuckled gently.

"Please. Do I not match perfectly?" Buffy smiled looking at her outfit. "Though I have to admit you guys have gorgeous shoes over here."

"Yes but you are the Slayer, I figured you had supernatural assistance." Ruth laughed a little stronger.

"Watch it witchy woman. You did buy Willow a blinking Rudolph sweater I hear. That's not getting you fashion points." Buffy gave her a mock scowl and caused Ruth to lean back on the bench laughing louder.

"She was fawning over it in the store." Ruth retaliated. "She dared me to buy it."

"Ru! Buffy!" Willow came to the edge of the store and waved her arms. "We need help."

"Oh God." The words pushed out of Ruth's lips as she jumped to her feet, instantly panicked.

It was more the witch's reaction that made Buffy leap to her feet and scan for trouble than Willow's call for help. Oblivious to the panic Willow almost skipped over to them.

"We can't pick what pair of pants." She looked at the two startled women and her face paled a bit. "What's wrong? Is something wrong?" She looked around starting to shake.

"No Lo." Ruth said instantly and without thinking stepped forward and closed her arms around Willow. "Everything is fine."

"Are you sure?" Willow's voice hit the high peaks as she instantly hugged Ruth back and looked at Buffy.

"It's fine Will, just a pant emergency apparently." Buffy watched the interaction and added what she could to calm her friend down.

"Oh... yes." Willow slowly loosened out of Ruth's arms thought she didn't step back. "I say the embroidered jeans are the nicest but Dawnie thinks maybe the black ones with the silver rivets."

"Sounds like a big sister thing to me." Ruth's mind suddenly caught up and dropped her arms fully moving almost sharply back towards the bench. "I'll watch the shopping."

"Actually Dawn will want every opinion she can get." Buffy began picking up bags. "We'll just end up dragging you in so you might as well come willingly." She smiled at the seated witch.

"Opinion on what?" Xander's voice boomed rather loudly from behind Buffy's shoulder suddenly.

"Come with, you're much better with fashion then I am and there's a pair I might buy." Willow held out her hand to Ruth.

"Okay I hate to say it but come on, load the old man and me down with packages, while you go get girlie, we can start filling the car." Xander wiggled the fingers of his free hand as Giles arrived.

"You asked." Buffy started handing off packages until he was straining under the weight. "I'll keep this one, the bag is cute." She kept a hold of a small square pink bag with FCUK on the side.

"Wait till you get your credit card bill." Buffy teased as she looked to Willow and Ruth. "You two coming or what? You heard the man the girlies have to shop more."

Willow adjusted the key piece on the telescope and studied the face of the moon as she listened to Buffy sipping her hot chocolate nearby. She was glad that after a full day of shopping Dawn, Xander and Anya had been happy to be dropped off early while Giles and Buffy brought Ruth and Willow back to the manor. It had been the first time she'd really had any true alone time with anybody other than Giles and it was nice.

"Sorry I'm fidgety." Willow looked up from the telescope. "They try to keep me busy and I've kinda got used to it."

"Not a problem Will." Buffy shook her head and propped her feet up on the side. "So is it astronomy or astrology they got you into?"

"Astronomy." Willow sat down on the edge of the chair. "More just gazing than anything. Did you have a good day?" She reached over and picked up her cleansing brew.

"Yeah it was fun, England's kinda you know, cute." Buffy grinned and chuckled into her drink.

"You seemed to like the shopping." Willow grimaced as she tried to quickly finish the bitter liquid, her day on the town had caused Fred major worries and she had agreed to drink two cups of it by bedtime that was fast approaching. She peaked into the viewer again as she ran her hands down over her knees. "I'm so happy you came." She whispered.

"No." Willow looked up from the eyepiece again. "I mean... I worry but... everyone seems okay."

"Hard, I have to push myself and it's so far from home." Willow whispered holding her hands in her lap.

"But are you learning things, are you better? I mean you seem better, but you know." Buffy sighed and made a small 'oh' noise. "I'm making a mess of asking you if you are okay aren't I?" She smiled at her best friend.

"I'm getting better." Willow smiled softly back at her. "Slowly, it's just... I miss her so much."

"Of course you do, you're bound to." Buffy's looked softened and took on a new level of sympathy.

"Miss her?" Buffy asked looking up and she saw that all Willow could manage was a small nod. "Sometimes, in the morning when I wake up, I could swear I can smell pancakes cooking and for a moment I forget, you know and I get ready to go down and see her there. Usually to find Dawnie already there, sobbing quietly on a breakfast stool." She didn't even stop to think that this might be too much for her best friend to hear.

"You lost her too that day, I didn't really realize that for along time." Willow made the gentle admission. "The whole world lost all her goodness."

"I'm not sure about that, about losing it I mean." Buffy shook her head a little.

"She gave us all so much Will, so much that can't be taken away by just her not being with us anymore." Buffy followed the redhead's eyes. "Do you think she's watching over us?"

"I know she is." Willow's smile grew as she reached out and patted Buffy's hand.

"Maybe." Suddenly bright tears filled the Slayer's eyes and she let them roll down her cheeks. "Maybe she met up with my mom." The Slayer whispered biting her lip.

"She did, they watch over us Buffy." Willow turned and with a steady hand reached up to wipe the tear from Buffy's cheek.

"I'm sorry." Buffy reached up quickly with her other hand to wipe the tears away from the other side of her face. "Some best friend I am"

"Buffy, this is me. I think somewhere along the way we made this we're all strong we don't have to fall apart rule and I've been thinking about it and it sucks." Willow moved around to crouch in front of the Slayer.

For a moment Buffy looked at Willow incredulously and then barked out a short laugh reaching out to stroke red hair behind Willow's ear.

"It does... sucks big time." Willow smiled lovingly at her as she restated the new fact.

"I love you too Buffy." Willow was caught up and wiggled her arms enough to hug the Slayer back.

"Its Christmas Eve tomorrow, what do you want to do?" Buffy asked as they hugged.

"Spend time with the people I love, remember the people who aren't with us anymore but who we still love and laugh at Xander trying to act like nothing is wrong." Willow answered honestly.

"He is, between trying to act like he doesn't love Anya and trying to act like I'm not in magic rehab his head is going to explode." Willow gave a sad but amused laugh. "How is Dawn doing?"

"Am I helping or hurting so far?" Willow asked wanting an honest answer. "I need to know so I can do better if I need to."

"Hard to say," Buffy was honest. "She cried for about two hours last night at Giles'. "But when I asked if she wanted to go home, she said not without you. I tried to explain that you know you might be a while coming back and everything, but you know how Dawn can be."

"I think maybe her and I need a little time." Willow tried to be strong and brave.

"Maybe, I think…" Buffy paused for a moment as if wondering whether to complete the sentence she had started.

"I think I kinda glossed over the effect that being with Tara so long, you know after, when no one else was." Buffy found her mouth drying up "I think that might have done more damage than I thought. She has nightmares and things."

"I can try to help her with those." Willow whispered feeling her hand shake a bit.

"And she misses you." Buffy summed up. "When you're ready you can try." She stressed the wording carefully.

"There's hardly going to be no one here at the Manor from tomorrow morning on, we could spend Christmas here. That way there is room for everyone, and we can all have some time together without all the insanity." She put forward the suggestion very tentatively.

"Well that would be cool, but wouldn't it be totally against house rules or something?" Buffy queried the thought of them all being able to root themselves for a few days as a unit appealed to her more than she could say. Not that they wouldn't all be together at Giles, but his shoe box of a house was filled to the rafters already without Willow and she knew the redhead wouldn't cope long with everyone barking and getting in each other ways.

"It would for anyone other than super witch." Willow pointed to herself. "There'll be a couple of people still her. Mrs. Lauder will love cooking for such a crew and Ru will be so happy she's not left on her own." She started to get a solid plan. "I think so, especially with Giles pushing from his end."

"Ru was staying here? I thought she would be coming with you tomorrow?" Buffy frowned briefly thinking of the presents that they had bought for her earlier that day.

"Her Aunt is going to try to visit, she doesn't see her often and if there's a chance of her seeing her she can't pass it up." Willow filled in the story.

"So you wouldn't mind having Christmas here?" Willow checked before she got too excited.

"No, I mean how cool is having Christmas in a proper English mansion?" Buffy grinned.

"And there are secret passages and a huge gym. I can show you my tai chi lessons." Willow bounced a little in her excitement.

"Just imagine what Cordelia would have to say were she still around." Buffy chuckled.

"She'd be looking for the royal suite." Willow laughed a little as she leaned forward and grabbed Buffy again. "I love you." She whispered the emotion thick in her voice.

"Emotion fully reciprocated Will." Buffy beamed. "Now I should gather the Giles and risk the drive back."

"I'm not sure where he went to be honest." Buffy admitted as she stood up and took Willow's hand smiling as her fingers closed around Willow's smaller ones.

One last look at the bedside clock told Willow it was late, far later than it should be without Ruth coming to say goodnight. Wrapping the long cotton robe around her body she headed into the secret passage and almost moving without the internal lights she made it to Ruth's room.

She waited a few more moments but when no noise came she carefully unhooked the door and swung in back. She fumbled further into the room in the darkness making her way towards the bed.

"Ru?" Willow saw the body that was sideways across the covers, the longer flannel pants she was wearing covering up over the heels of her feet. "Ru?" She whispered again as her eyes adjusted to the dimness and realized that a novel was scattered near the edge of the bed. Apparently her cookie monster had fallen asleep while waiting for the house to be quiet enough to make her trip to say goodnight.

"Oh Ru." Willow smiled as she put the book on the side. "Come on honey, you need to be under the covers." She stroked her hand over dark hair trying to get her to wake up enough to be moved.

"Mmmm." The smaller woman mumbled slightly and flopped over onto her back, her arm flaying out across the comforter.

"Come on cookie, we need you under the covers." Willow tried to roll her around a bit more as she pulled the blankets down.

Whether it was Willow's gentle words or the fact that the redhead actually touched her to move her but something woke the dark haired woman, who blinked a few times and then focused on Willow's face.

"You were late." Willow smiled down at her. "So you owe me two in a row. Now come on cookie time to get under the covers."

"Was I?" Ruth frowned moving on automatic to wriggle under her sheets. "What time is it?"

"11:38." Willow filled her in as she fluffed the pillows under Ruth's head just as she liked it. "Now come on, sleepy time again."

"I'm not you need sleep, you had a big day of shopping." Willow tucked the blanket up under her chin and leaned down kissing her on the cheek. "Only two more sleeps till Christmas."

"Yeah I did find today you know, tiring. Hey watch yourself little Jewish girl." She chuckled. "You're starting to get in the spirit."

"I'm getting in the spirit and besides we lit the candles earlier." Willow smiled. "Was it too tiring? Did you find my friends tiring or just all the running around?"

"I think we should try to find a spell to help you with that." Willow reached up and rubbed her fingers down through short hair over and over.

"And I don't mind so much, I mean it's not as if people do it deliberately." Ruth smiled.

"Well Buffy should be easy though, she's usually a blank." Willow hoped that at least one Scooby was being helpful.

"Oh so I guess the fear of failing, sadness over losing her mom, who I think is called Joyce and the whole guilt, blame bundle she carries about someone called Riley must be to do with a different Buffy." Ruth gave Willow a quirky smile.

"Gifted Ru strikes again." Willow dotted her nose. "You didn't get to talk to Joyce by any chance did you?" She questioned knowing it was a bit unfair but she had to at least ask.

"Though, a query who is Faith and why do I so not want to meet her?" Ruth question over lapped the redhead's.

"I'll tell you all about her one day, but no you don't want to meet her." Willow answered first.

"Well I'm quite glad I got the missing puzzle piece for Joyce really. You see Tara makes reference to her a lot." The dark haired witch admitted yawning.

"She's Buffy's mom, she was the most lovely mother." Willow's face showed the love she had for the older woman.

"Now I have the more substantiated link, I think if she feels there is anything really important to get across she'll feel able to try." Ruth explained to Willow.

"I told Buffy she was definitely watching us, it's good to know now I wasn't lying." The redhead smiled and pulled her robe tighter.

"Did you want to snuggle in and keep warm Elmo?" Ruth suddenly realized Willow was out in the cold.

"So did you have a good day?" Ruth asked as the bed shifted under the new weight.

"I really did. It was so relaxed." Willow snuggled in not even thinking about it as they got comfortable.

"You are going to have a throat infection by New Year." Ruth turned her blue eyes to look into Willow's grinning.

"You just said I'm going to have a throat infection by New Year." Willow laughed. "Sounded like Ru code for I talk too much."

"But I could have meant that your delicate throat isn't used to harsh British winters." Ruth pointed out.

"Sleepy cookie monster." Willow leaned her head on Ruth's shoulder and yawned. "Sleepy Elmo too."

"Sweet dreams Ru." Willow whispered closing her eyes. "This has been the best day."

The stoic British estate was dark. Shadows ran and danced across the driveway into the draped windows, leading through the dank hallways to the upstairs rooms.

There within the dark Willow whimpered as in her nightmare she ran. Her feet felt sluggish as she tried to wade through the waves of blood that pooled around her. Her ears hurt from the screaming that echoed around her over and over.

In the real world the redhead had managed to curl up into a ball, her body shivering against the nightmare that crippled her entire being.

"Lo." Ruth was awake and alert in an instant. She turned on her side and reached out her hand to touch her bed partner stopping just short of the redheads curved back.

A muffled whimper was the only response as the redhead whined against the onslaught.

Closing her eyes Ruth moved her hand gently over Willow's back, never touching the redhead's clothing. The visions and images haunting Willow's sleep flooded into Ruth's mind's eye in full clarity and color making the dark-haired witch wince in horror at what her friend was suffering. Opening her eyes, Ruth watched as Willow's torment continued and then, without a second thought, she closed her eyes again and placed her hand flat on Willow's back.

Within the bloody flood a large sea serpent took chase of Willow, its head pushing out of the waterline to show large white fangs as its tail slapped in the water.

Charging forward on a large white horse, Ruth twirled a large pearlised sword over her head. The white hooves hammered down onto the ground sending blood-colored plumes spraying up over its pure white legs

"Get back beast!" Ruth shouted pulling her steed to a stop between the large serpent and Willow. She pointed the sword tip towards the beast's throat.

"Ru?" Willow was so surprised by the witch's arrival that she stumbled and skidded down on her knees as she turned.

"Sorry for my tardiness." Ruth turned and looked at Willow with a soft smile. "It's time we were leaving Lo." She flipped her sword around and into a scabbard on her back as she turned in the saddle and reached down to Willow.

"We have to kill it. It's hunting." Willow felt a new security enter her once fevered run as she pushed up and did a somersault to gap the distance to the horse and take Ruth's hand.

Softly Ruth pulled the redhead up and onto the saddle behind her reaching back to guide her arms around her waist as she turned the horse and sent it galloping towards a more sheltered spot.

"Us." Willow whispered in a chilling voice as she looked back at the serpent, her body gave a hard shake as she jolted out of the dream to find herself in bed. Her breathing was hard and fast and she could feel the thin layer of fearful sweat on her face.

"It's hunting..." Willow shot up to a sitting position as her mind realized that she wasn't in the strange nightmare anymore. "Us." She breathed out trying to get more of her bearings.

Ruth wasn't as quick to recover from the dream as Willow was as severing the spell link between them took a few moments and then a few more to recover.

"Ru?" Willow finally turned as she put her hand up to feel her heart racing under her ribs.

"Don't do that, please don't do that again." Willow leaned over tracing her fingers over Ruth's cheek. "You could get hurt or worse."

"You needed me." Ruth raised her hand and covered Willow's fingers with her own.

"I need you safe too." Ruth countered she curled her fingers round Willow's hand brought their hands to the mattress. "But I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done it without permission." Her dark head dipped.

"No, no that wasn't my point." Willow lay back down beside her. "Fred says the dreams are manifestations, they could be dangerous. You have to be careful."

"Fred says that we're not good together, he's not right about that." Ruth turned on her side to look at Willow.

"I can't promise not to do it again Lo, I have to help you if I can." Ruth explained softly.

"Any time." Ruth broke their hands apart and looped her arm around Willow's back without thinking drawing her in to rest on her shoulder.

"What do you think it meant?" The redhead asked the question reluctantly as she tried to let all the tendrils of the dream go but the image of the sea serpent wouldn't leave her.

"I'm not sure." Ruth admitted. "If it was a large frog I'd have more of an idea." She tried to lighten the dark mood.

"Do you think I should ask Giles about it?" Willow shivered at the frog image though she knew the humor that Ruth was using wasn't meant to scare her.

"I would." Ruth leaned in and kissed the top of Willow's head. "I can stop them coming back tonight." She offered in a soft whisper.

"It's okay, I probably won't sleep anymore." Willow didn't move though she made the admission. "You sleep and I'll guard."

"You really should sleep some more, it's only just after four." Ruth argued gently.

"I'll try." Willow relented as she closed her eyes gripping her arm over Ruth's stomach.

"Just think, it'll be Christmas Eve when we wake up." The dark haired with pointed out with a smile.

"Nice thoughts, sugar plums and fairies." Willow mused feeling herself relax totally.

"Hey you never know it might snow." Ruth whispered gently nestling her head back into the pillow.

Willow felt her foot tapping into the carpet over and over as she waited for Fred to say something, anything. She looked again briefly to the clock. It was still early but everyone would need to be leaving Giles soon and if they were going to be able to stay for Christmas at the estate and they'd need time to pack.

"Yes but how do you really get notice when you're friends are coming from across the ocean?" Willow looked at him squarely. "And this way I'm in my environment and you said it was better if I kept my routine. Buffy and I can work out, and I can do meditation with Giles. Xander is willing to help fix the back porch while he's here just because he's a crazy carpenter like that."

"I'm not sure it would be fair on Mrs. Lauder for example." Fred pointed out, "Feeding twelve is a lot different to feeding four." The young man flicked through a paper on his desk tapping his finger lightly on the wood.

"Actually I talked to her and she's ecstatic about having a full house. She said something about it being easier to cook for a horde, and Gus the butcher had a thirty pound turkey she was just dying to get her spices at." Willow grinned knowing her face was about to split.

"I'll have to make a few phone calls." Fred mused. "But, I can't think of a reason to say no."

"You won't regret this." Willow bounced up excitedly. "I swear it'll be textbook rules and curfew and Mrs. Lauder will make sure I eat. I'll even eat, see that's how happy I am."

"Please, I said yes already, go call your friends." Fred dismissed her with a slight wave.

"Merry Christmas Freddy." Willow leaned over and kissed him on the forehead giggling as she darted out of the room.

"Fred." He called after her watching until she left, before pushing the door closed and crossing to the phone.

Ruth stuck the last of her silver tape over the join on the end of the brightly wrapped present between her legs. With a smile she picked it up and turned it over rummaging around on the floor for the sticky labels. She'd dropped them on the thick rug in front of the fire that made them a little hard to see.

"Whatcha doing?" Willow stuck her head around the doorframe to the lounge and spied Ruth on the carpet in front of the fire.

"Nothing," Ruth pushed the two other presents still to be wrapped in the plastic bag near her leg.

"Just in case." Willow blushed as she fumbled to sit down in the chair nearby. "Guess who convinced Fred to let her move a half dozen Americans in for Christmas?"

"Guess who convinced Fred that having a few more here for Christmas would be a great idea?" Willow peeked out between her fingers. "Of course if you don't want us..." Her voice trailed off.

"God Lo, you are amazing." Ruth pushed up from the floor and more or less hit Willow in a rugby tackle hug.

Willow made a slight groan as she was smushed happily into the padding of the chair. She hugged back as soon as she could manage to get her arms free.

"No silly, I got you something. So did Buffy and Dawn, even Anya bought you something." Willow giggled as she looked into navy eyes. "I just, I wanted to have Christmas with everyone who is important to me."

"Mrs. Lauder's going to get a bigger turkey, make all kinds of specialties." Willow grinned so happy that she could be the cause of such joy in Ruth.

"No way, we have popcorn to string and Dawn loves to sing Christmas carols. You have the best voice so you have to indulge her." Willow shook her head to the kitchen idea.

"Well I didn't want to push." The redhead winked. "But I had great plans for you and the grand."

"You forget, I'm the magic Lo. I know everything about you." Willow laughed. "So what's in the bag?" She glanced over curious.

"You got them something? You didn't have to get them something." Willow's face lit up with silent wonder and pride.

"I got Dawn the other pair of jeans to the ones she couldn't choose." Ruth pulled over the bag, pulling out the jeans.

"Ru, they were expensive." Willow looked at the black jeans knowing the teenager was going to be over the moon with excitement.

"Oh my." Ruth suddenly exclaimed. "I can put the presents under the tree." She kissed Willow's cheek quickly and then scurried to put the many wrapped gifts that littered the floor under the tree.

"You haven't been peaking at yours have you?" Willow teased as she moved to sit down on the carpet by the fireplace.

"No using that all seeingness of yours to find out what it is." Willow grinned. "And no asking Tara either!" She pointed a finger and wagged it for effect.

"You better not, because if you do then your present will magically turn into something else." Willow looked innocently at the tree.

"So you don't want to touch yours?" Ruth asked as she poked the presents around a little tucking up a piece of drooping tinsel.

"No, I want the magic of Christmas all full and ready for me tomorrow morning." Willow smiled softly.

"I can't believe you are going to be here." Ruth sat back a little looking at the tree and then the fireplace with its Christmas candles and stockings.

"Yep." Willow felt so warm inside as she watched the brunette's continued reaction to the news. "Everyone should be here in about an hour."

"Fresh mince pies to make, more stockings to find and hang around. Everyone has to have a stocking." Ruth listed the first few that came to mind.

"I assure you Xander didn't leave without his and Dawn will have brought hers and Buffy's." Willow crawled over to the brunette and took her hand. "And I don't think they eat mince, well maybe Giles but he'll live if he doesn't get any right away."

"So what do you want to do then?" Ruth questioned squeezing the hand in her own.

"See..." Willow was wide eyed at the soft red and white glow from the tree. "It's beautiful." She held her hand up for Ruth to join her.

Willow sat there in silence for a moment before she shifted over and leaned back again Ruth's body.

"Justin says its one of the bestest trees he's ever seen." Willow whispered as she looked at all the little ornaments.

"He always loved Christmas." Ruth leaned too. "We'd make paper chains for hours."

"Apparently enough to stretch from here to heaven." Willow laughed lightly as she closed her eyes for a minute just enjoying the feeling of 'Christmas'.

"I'm just the little Jewish girl, what do I have to do with Christmas?" Willow smiled softly.

"You two enjoying the atmosphere?" Fred's voice called from the door making both girls jump.

"I just wanted to let you know all the calls are made, and everything is fine. They're free to stay until the 27th." Fred stayed close to the door.

"Perfect." Willow smiled at Ruth. "So when are you off for your holiday?" She looked back at the therapist.

"Now." Fred pointed to the bag at his feet. "Always contactable on the number by the phone."

Willow smiled at his worry as she snuggled back against Ruth. He watched them for a moment before wordlessly he backed out letting the door swing closed.

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Witness

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