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Disclaimer: I don't own them, but I'm going to make them
happy for Christmas! They belong to Joss Whedon and Co.
As she walked by the church, Buffy heard the strains of "Silent Night". She paused for a moment, her back leaned against the rock wall of the church.
She closed her eyes and remembered the Sunday School of her early childhood. She had sang "Silent Night" in a Christmas program, complete with angel wings made of clothes hangers and golden tissue paper, a wire halo on her head. A tear rolled down her cheek at the memory. She wasn't sure why - perhaps because that little girl didn't exist anymore. It was Christmas Eve and she was lonely.
She slipped into the church and sat on the back pew. The Minister was speaking and the choir was preparing to sing again. The minister spoke of peace on earth, good will towards men. She felt relaxed for a moment, she thought of Will and Oz, he had forgiven her for her mistake with Xander, just in time for a Hannukah celebration at her home. And tonight Willow was having dinner with his family. Cordelia had even started to forgive Xander. She had a harder time then Oz, but she was speaking to him now, and in her normal Cordelia way, she had mentioned "that this forgiveness would not come cheap, it was almost Christmas and a wonderful gift from Xander was in order!"
Buffy was happy for all of them, really she was. But she had this loneliness inside of her, it had been several weeks since she had seen Angel. Since, she had told him they couldn't ever be just friends. She longed to see him, to just hold his strong hand in hers.
Angel heard the choir singing "Angels We Have Heard On High", he stopped outside the church, peeking in the partially opened door, he saw Buffy on the back pew. He sighed deeply at the sight of her. She seemed to be enjoying the music, the complete peacefulness of the moment. He told himself, "I'll only watch her for a moment. So, she won't know I'm here." This would be his Christmas gift to himself. He was soon entranced by the music also.
The choir began to sing "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day". One verse struck Buffy as so sad and somewhat true.
And in despair, I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will towards men.
She was feeling miserable for a moment, when they began the next verse.
Then pealed the bells more loud and sweet
God is not dead, nor doth he sleep
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will towards men.
Buffy was now smiling to herself, what a wonderful thought. "The wrong shall fail, the right prevail" The service was ending now. She joined in with the congregation as they sang "Joy To The World". Then, she slipped out as quietly as she had come in. She felt good, she felt peaceful.
Angel knew he had waited to long to leave, he saw Buffy coming towards him. He wasn't sure what to do, so he turned to walk away. He would honor her wish to not see him, he owed her that.
Buffy saw him as soon as she came down the church steps, she wasn't sure what she was going to do - but, she wasn't going to let him walk away. Not tonight! "Angel" she called softly. He turned and looked at her, not sure what to expect.
"Buffy, I...I'm sorry. I really didn't know you were in there." He tried to explain.
She smiled at him, a real smile, the smile she reserved just for him. He was slightly taken aback, hesitantly he returned the smile.
She began to speak quietly, sweetly "Angel, it's Christmas. Let's enjoy it." she said simply and then she reached out her hand to him.
Angel looked in her eyes and saw peace there, he then reached for her small hand, he held it tightly in his own. She smiled at him and squeezed his hand even tighter.
"Merry Christmas, Angel." She said it - happily.
"Merry Christmas, Buffy." He said in return, a smile on his lips, marveling at the feel of her warm hand in his.
And they walked off into the night hand in hand. Everyone in Sunnydale was happy - well, at least for one night!