Title: Santa Isn't Coming to Town
Author: Pooja
E-mail: moonangel_forever@yahoo.com
Disclaimer: I don't own any BtVS or A:ts characters, they belong to Joss. I don't own the Grinch either or the Whos, or Whoville or anything that came from "How the Grinch stole Christmas" It all belongs to Dr. Suess. Everything I say about Dr. Suess in this fic isn't true. In fact I like Dr. Suess books, they're cute. As far as I know, his tales are completely original. And I don't own Santa, Santa belongs to himself. :) (The elves belong to themselves as well.)
Site: Sempiterna Amor: http://www.geocities.com/moonangel_forever/
Spoilers: I don't think there are any spoilers.
Timeline: 6th season BtVS/ 3rd season A:ts
Author's Note: IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ--First of all, all the times given are in Pacific Standard Time. Now, to the important stuff. (There are spoilers about 6th season BtVS in the author's note, but the eps. have already been aired, so if you haven't seen some eps. from this season yet don't read this, but it will be hard to understand the story if you don't.) Okay, Willow never went crazy with her magic. So, she Buffy and Dawn and everyone else are still okay. Tara still left, I don't have a reason for it, make one up if it bother's you, say she's visiting someone. Spike and Buffy never slept together. In fact he isn't even in this. Angel doesn't know about his son. The baby and Darla are out of the picture of this story. Fred, went home to her parents for this story. So, she's not in it, either.
Translations: ostendo = reveal; somnus = sleep
++Xander:Anya's Appartment/Monday, December 17, 2001/3:53AM++
"Anya! Anya!" Xander shook his bride-to-be. "Anya! Wake up!"
Anya was tossing and turning. Xander knew something was wrong. He could feel it.
Then, suddenly, Anya jumped up, "What day is today!?"
"December 17, Monday," Xander answered. "Are you okay?"
"Get the scoobies together. We have a very important mission."
"A mission?"
"Yeah, he told me in my dream. We need help him. If we don't it's lost, forever!"
"Who told you? What dream, Anya?"
"What are sitting there for, call the gang!!"
"Anya! Answer me, what's going on?!"
"It's Santa! And his elves, we have to save them!"
***************************************************
++The Magic Box/Monday, December 17, 2001/7:54AM++
Everyone sat at the table near the back of the store. The whole gang was there, half asleep, but physically there.
"So let me get this straight," Buffy started. "Santa Clause, The Santa Clause came to you in a dream, and told you, he needs your help--"
"Our help, he specifically said 'the slayer and her friends', Anya corrected.
"Our help..., what makes you think the dream was real."
"I met Santa, a long time ago. Before I was a full fledged demon. He sent a few elves to stop me from becoming evil. Even though it didn't work, he was the only male I was truly ever nice to. We kept in touch for awhile, but I stopped writing to him about 500 years ago. I don't remember why.
"So...so, ummm, that still doesn't mean--," Buffy tried.
"How do you know when your dreams are prophecies?"
"I don't actually know, I just feel it."
"Exactly, I feel it too, Santa really needs our help."
Everyone just starred at Anya. The bell on the door of the Magic Box rang. There were customers, so Anya turned away from the gang to go help them. A few seconds later Anya walked back to the gang.
"I have my proof," Anya announced.
"What?" Buffy asked.
"Meet Billy Joe and Billy Bob."
"Where are they?" Dawn asked.
"Look down," Anya replied.
"I don't see anyone," commented Willow.
"Just for a second, play along, say you believe in Santa. Just for a second, " Anya pleaded.
All together, the group said, "We believe in Santa," Willow saying it rather reluctantly.
"Oh my goodness!!! There are little men!!!" cried Dawn.
"I see them too," added Buffy.
"They're elves!" Willow and Xander screamed together.
"Hello, I'm Joe, this is Bob," Joe introduced in a very squeaky voice. "We were sent here by Mr. Clause. Christmas is close to being canceled. We need your help to save it."
"There's a sleigh in the slayer's backyard, but we must leave before the town wakes. Can you help us?"
Everyone stood in shock.
"Ummm....," Buffy was speechless.
"Buffy!" Dawn cried. "We have save Christmas!!!!"
"You mean there are eight reindeer in my backyard."
"No, " started Bob. "There are only three, Donner, Dasher, and Rudolph. The others are resting, getting ready for next Monday night. We only use all nine during the actual night because all of those presents are kind of heavy."
"Rudolph?" Xander asked.
"Of course, how do you think Santa gets around one foggy Christmas Eve?" asked Joe.
"I think I need to sit down," stated Dawn.
"There's no time for that, what don't you understand about us needing to leave to save Santa!!!" Joe and Bob yelled together. "We have to go!"
"Let's go guys," Buffy said normally.
"Buffy?" Xander asked.
"Yeah?" she replied.
"We're talking to elves."
"So, we've dealt with vampires, demons, talking puppets, robots, Snyder and a god. Who's to say there isn't such thing as Santa or...I don't know, the Easter B--" Buffy was cutoff.
"Don't say it, don't finish that word!" Anya yelled.
"I don't know about you guys, but I'm going to go save Christmas. I've saved the world a bunch of times anyway. It's time for a change in pace."
With that said, Buffy left the Magic Box, the elves leading the way. Dawn looked at the gang, then left and ran after Buffy. Anya took Xander's hand and followed.
"Fine," Willow said to herself. "I'm coming, I'll save Christmas. Today's the last day of Hanukkah anyway, I have nothing better to do." Willow locked the Magic Box and started towards Buffy's house.
***************************************************
++In the Sleigh/Monday, December 17, 2001/8:21AM++
The Scooby Gang sat in the enormous sleigh, watching the scenery go by.
"This isn't the way to Santa's place," Anya said.
"We're not going there yet," answered Joe.
"Where are we going?" Willow inquired.
"L.A.," Bob answered.
"Why?" Buffy asked quickly.
"We need more help," Bob replied.
"We're getting Angel, aren't we?" Buffy said.
No one said anything. Soon, they landed on the front lawn of the Hyperion. Everyone filed into the lobby of the hotel. But before Buffy entered, she turned around and looked at sun, which would be hanging high over head in a few hours.
***************************************************
++Inside the Hyperion Hotel/Monday, December 17, 2001/8:33AM++
"What's going on?" asked Cordelia as the others entered the hotel.
"We'll let Bob and Joe explain it," Anya told the L.A. gang.
"Who are Bob and Joe?" Angel asked while reading a book. They were up all night researching a thing Cordelia saw in a vision.
"You don't see them? Gunn asked. "They're right there. Little guys, look like elves."
"You only can see them if you believe in Santa," Dawn added.
"Then why can Gunn see..."Cordelia paused. "You believe in Santa Clause?"
"Why shouldn't I?" Gunn asked. "He's real...right? You best not be tellin' me he's not."
Cordelia looked at Angel, and then at Wesley. They looked at Gunn.
"Wait, I can see them too," announced Wesley.
"I'm surrounded by crazy people! Wes, Gunn you two of all people would be the last two I'd ever expect to believe in Santa."
"I have no reason to doubt his existence," Wesley added.
Someone tugged on Cordelia's jeans. She turned around, then looked down.
"Oh my God! It's an elf!" cried Cordelia. She quickly jumped into Gunn's arms.
"Cor, it's an elf, not a rat," Gunn said as he put Cordelia down.
Buffy walked in, "Guys, we should hurry up," she yelled then walked outside again.
"What about you Angel?" Dawn asked. "Do you see them?"
"Oh, yeah, I met Santa about 73 years ago. He's the one who convinced me to come to the U.S., so I could see Bob and Joe. Bob, Joe, it's been awhile. How've you been?"
"Not so good Angel, we need you guys to come with us," answered Joe.
"I can't," Angel protested. "The sun's up."
"Oh, we forgot," Bob said while pulling out a handful of pixie dust from his pocket. He said a few words then blew the dust on Angel. "There, you can walk in the sunlight for the next ten days."
"Thanks, well I'm ready to go now. What exactly is the problem guys?"
"Can we explain on the way?" asked Joe. "We need to get going."
"Sure, I'll meet you guys in the sleigh."
Angel left the lobby as if nothing were wrong. As if elves walking through your door was an everyday occurrence.
***************************************************
++Inside the Sleigh/Monday, December 17, 2001/8:31PM++
"So aren't these reindeer supposed to be flying faster?" Dawn asked Joe.
"Only when all the reindeer are here and we ask them to use their magic. It's to dangerous for them to be using such magicks all year around."
"Oh."
"We'll be landing in a few minutes."
"Hey, why isn't it cold up here?" Willow wondered.
"We just got a new heating system for the sleigh. It heats everything in the sleigh and the reindeer, but it doesn't melt the snow. Santa is really happy about that."
***************************************************
++Santa's Workshop/Monday, December 17, 2001/8:49PM++
"Joe, they need you in wrapping remember. I'll take them to the boss."
"Okay, good luck guys," Joe said as he turned the other way.
"Guys, we get to meet Santa!" Gunn said clapping his hands excitedly.
"Not Santa, yet at least," Bob told them. "You're going to meet the boss."
"Yeah, Santa," Gunn replied.
"Santa's not the boss, what are you talking about?"
"If Santa's not the boss, who is?" Gunn asked.
"Mrs. Clause, of course. If it weren't for her, there would've never been a Christmas in the first place. Santa delivers the presents. He has this special ability to bring out the kindness in people. That's what makes this season so giving. If Santa is gone, the kindness goes away and the giving stops. If the giving stops, then Mrs. Clause won't have the energy to keep going. Mrs. Clause always makes sure Santa drops the right gifts at the right houses. She makes sure the reindeer steer the correct course.
"One year, Mrs. Clause had a cold. Santa mixed up one hundred presents. Just think about all those upset children. The next night, squad A, B, and C were sent out to fix the mix up."
"Squads? "Willow questioned.
"We have squadrons of elves for such occasions. Squads had never been sent out before that night, and never have since."
"So why didn't you just sent out squads to get Santa back?" Buffy asked.
"Our squadrons aren't trained for such missions. Joe and I are squadron leaders, that's why we were selected to get you guys.
"You don't seem to be convinced yet," Bob paused. "Okay, here it is. She loves him. Mrs. Clause loves her husband. They went into this trade because they are able to spend every day of every year together for eternity. And they get to do something that makes millions of people happy every year. Then, one day you find out you can't. You can't be with your soul mate because someone forced you apart. Just imagine what she must be going through.
"Okay, we're here." Bob opened the door and let the gang enter Mrs. Clause's office.
"Bob, Joe called from wrapping, they need your help," Mrs. Clause said right off.
Bob left immediately.
"Well, first of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming. You don't know what it means to me. Especially you, Miss Rosenburg. I know that you are Jewish, I gives me so much strength to see people of different races coming together to make the world a better place."
Mrs. Clause smiled.
"Now, down to business. At oh-seven hundred hours on Saturday the fifteenth of December of the year two thousand and one, Mr. Kris Kringle a.k.a. Santa Clause a.k.a. Jolly Ol' St. Nick a.k.a. Father Christmas was kidnapped from this compound. We have identified the kidnapper." Mrs. Clause used some white magic to make a picture of Santa appear on a wall. The picture faded away and another picture appeared.
"He looks like the Grinch," Dawn commented.
"That's the demon from my vision," announced Cordelia.
"That, my friends, is the Grinch's twin brother. The Vrinch. He, somehow broke into this very building and outsmarted our defenses.
"The Vrinch is evil because he and his brother were separated one Christmas. That's why they don't like it. It brings back bad memories. But the Grinch found good in all of it. He lives happily with the Whos in Whoville. Squadron C, D, E, F and G have already been sent to find the Grinch.
"We believe the Vrinch will not come quietly. He's been through more than his brother. You must show him the goodness of Christmas, then and only then will he reveal the whereabouts of Mr. Clause.
"When he sees the goodness in Christmas, the Vrinch's heart should grow. Possibly even break the scale, like his brother's did."
"So...Santa is really real, and so is the Grinch. And the Grinch has a twin brother?" Cordelia asked in an I-think-I've-gone-crazy voice.
"Yes, they are quite real. Do you think you can complete your mission?"
"Of course, we'll do everything we can," answered Angel.
They left Mrs. Clause to her work. She was confident that Santa would be back for Christmas. So she kept on with her work, trying to get all the presents right for the right kids.
"Okay, " Buffy said as they walked into the hallway. "I have a plan. First of all, we need to find out where the Vrinch is--"
"He lives in a condo in the Bahamas," Joe said as he walked towards the gang. "Joe has it covered in wrapping."
"Well that makes it easier," Dawn said happily.
"Yeah, it does. Here's my idea. Willow, you learned how to use all the controls on the sleigh on the way here, right?"
Willow nodded.
"Good, Bob I want you to navi---"
"I can't," Bob replied.
"What, why?" Buffy asked.
"I have a lot of work to do here. In fact I need Miss Chase, Mr. Pryce, Mr. Gunn, Mr. Harris, and Ms. Soon-to-be-Harris to help me."
Buffy stared at him.
"With so many squads on duty, we need more help around here. Why do you think we wanted all of you to come. I doesn't take a million people to find a guy named Santa. Look, Slayer, we have faith in you. Why don't you have some faith in yourself?" Bob asked as he walked away with most of the Scooby gang.
"And then there were four," Dawn said quietly.
"Willow, show us how to use the controls on the sleigh. You can navigate us from here. Dawn I want you to come with me and Angel."
"You actually want me to come with you?"
"First, let's go to Sunnydale. I need to get a few things."
"Okay," Willow replied. "They're changing the reindeer. Vixen, Blitzen and Rudolph will be driving you. Get some Santa hats before you leave, they have intercoms in them. I'll be able to contact you and you'll be able to contact me and each other even out of the sleigh."
"That's fine, let's get going," Buffy finished.
***************************************************
++Inside the Sleigh/Tuesday, December 18, 2001/5:04AM++
They had left Santa's Workshop around 9:30PM. They reindeer were flying a little faster to Sunnydale, than the way from there. At this rate, they would reach Sunnydale at about 7:00AM.
Buffy and Angel were sleeping in each others arms with a little blanket over them. Dawn had put it there. She had fallen asleep as well, but woke up and saw them together. So Dawn had gotten up and asked the reindeer if they could slow down so Buffy and Angel could sleep. All of them were tired and it was perfect up there in the sky.
Buffy woke up next and the first thing she saw was Angel. Quickly she pushed herself away from him. Then Angel woke up and saw her.
"What happened? Where--,"He asked.
"We fell asleep, in the sleigh, but I don't remember..." Buffy trailed off.
"You two start away from each other, but as the night when on you got closer and closer. Until you ended up next to each other," Dawn said groggily, still trying to wake up.
Buffy just looked at the floor of the sleigh and Angel watched the sunrise. They avoided eye contact for the rest of the ride.
End of Part one.