Divided Loyalties- Story 3 {BtVS/Supernatural}

9. Gifts

A/N:  Characters aren't mine, I claim nohing.

Dean knocked on Buffy’s door and shuffled his feet nervously and heard Sam clear his throat. They were both feeling a bit awkward but since they’d promised to come back before leaving town again here they were on her porch. Sam had gotten on the computer the night before and had found a possible lead but when they discussed it they both agreed they couldn’t leave yet. Dean turned to look at Sammy who was dressed the same as him, in a nice plaid shirt and jeans that weren’t too ripped, his shaggy hair brushed back neatly. Sam gave him a crooked smile as the door open and Dean twisted to find Buffy in a red dress, her hair done up in some intricate style. She looked beyond beautiful. He felt the tension and nerves disappear when she pulled him close for a hug, a big smile on her face. She gave Sam a hug too and ushered them inside.

“Mom’s in the kitchen, finishing up everything for dinner, I hope you’re hungry.” Buffy said cheerfully, oblivious to the way Dean watched her. She hung their coats up and led them into the dining room where she’d been setting the table before they arrived. Sam offered to help with the table while Dean went to see if he could help in the kitchen. He wasn’t a cook but he figured he could help with something at least. Joyce smiled at him and kissed his cheek motherly, then offered him the spoon she was holding so he could whip the sweet potatoes. She’d made turkey, ham, sweet potatoes and corn, a casserole of some sort, and had dinner rolls and pie in the oven. Dean’s mouth watered at the savory smells and when he tried to sneak a bite, he got a swat on the back of his head good-naturedly.

They all seated themselves, Dean and Sam across from Buffy and Joyce and said grace, then dug in. There was some light-hearted chatter around the table and laughter as Christmas music played softly in the background. Dean and Sam felt at ease for once, and Buffy smiled at Dean throughout the meal. When Dean went for seconds Joyce caught her daughter’s eye and motioned for her daughter to join her, saying she was going to get some more to drink. Buffy obeyed and followed her mother into the other room, then leaned on the island and heard Sam laugh about something.

“You and Dean seem really close,” Joyce commented. “He’s such a nice boy.” She grabbed a bottle of sparkling cider from the fridge and poured some into a glass. She turned her eyes on her daughter and caught the blush spreading over her cheeks.

“Yeah, he really is.” Buffy agreed quietly. “I’m gonna--,” Buffy jerked her thumb toward the other room and trailed off, not really knowing how to finish that sentence. She escaped into the dining room again and didn’t hear her mother chuckle. The oven timer dinged and she set her cider down to retrieve the pie from the oven when she heard a soft knock on the door. She set her mitts down and went to open the door to the back porch, but found no one. She looked around until her eye caught a movement in the bushes. She started to take a step onto the porch but almost stepped on a small bouquet of flowers that were placed on the mat. There was a box next to them and she bent to pick them up. The name on the box was Buffy’s and Joyce glanced around one more time before retreating back inside the kitchen, closing the door behind her.

She set the flowers and box on the island and poked her head into the dining room, seeing that Buffy and the boys were talking and laughing about something. She got her daughter’s attention and Buffy followed her into the kitchen. Her daughter’s footsteps froze when she saw the flowers and the package on the island and tentatively reached a hand out to touch the box.

Buffy recognized the writing—it was Angel’s. She steeled herself and opened the box to find a cross with a design on it, and 3 stones that matched her eyes. The note simply said ‘Merry Christmas’ and it wasn’t signed. She touched the pendant with a fingertip, and started at the sound of Dean’s voice behind her.