Title: I'm Thankful
Author: Elixie
Contact: Elixie@bronzeshelter.com
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Joss and his gang of usual suspects own everything. I'm just a poor (emphasis
on poor) fan who wants them to enjoy a holiday for once.
Spoilers: Season six I guess. Everything is hunky-dory in Willow and Tara land and Giles has
decided to stay, until after Thanksgiving at any rate.
Distribution: As with all my fics, if you want it, take it. Just let me know where and if you
need anything else.
Feedback: Always welcome. There is no such thing as a flame. Just an opinion that I find
horribly, horribly wrong.
Note: This is in response to Wenchie's challenge. Hope it doesn't give anyone food poisoning.
Included in this are: A turkey, autumn leaves, Pangs reference, and a memory, as per
the mandatory list. And from the two or more list: Stinky cheese (It's part of the
memory), a bottle of wine, a reference to Joyce, David Bowie, and Giles shocking the
hell out of everybody. (Isn't that what happens when he makes a pop culture reference?)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Giles looked at the pieces of paper in his hand. When Buffy had suggested everyone write down
what they were most thankful for, he somehow knew that he'd be elected to read them.
The others had to then guess whose it was. The smell of turkey filled the room as he stood
and looked across the table at them. Buffy sat at the other end, trying to keep Dawn and
Spike from flinging peas at each other, while Xander was busy keeping Anya's hands on the
table and Willow and Tara just seemed content to be near each other. Dawn and Tara had
decorated the room with autumn leaves and apples, and Buffy and Willow had made most of the
food, though Buffy did tear up a little while making the stuffing. "Mom always made the worst
stuffing in the world." Buffy had said, "God I miss it." He could hear the CD player change
discs in the background and the soundtrack to 'Labyrinth' started playing. Dawn had chosen
the music, and since she loved the movie, she had insisted on putting it in. Giles had
secretly always felt the song "As the World Falls Down" described his feelings for Buffy
perfectly.
"Anytime now, G-man" Xander said, bringing his thoughts back to the present moment.
"Yes. Of course." He answered as he adjusted his glasses. "The first one says..."
"Wait," Willow interrupted "What do we get if we guess right? I mean after all, don't
guessing games usually have prizes, like stuffed animals, or cheap plastic thingies, or
something?"
"How's this" Buffy answered, "For everyone you guess right, that's one less compliment you
have to make up about my cooking."
"I can be thankful for that." Dawn said as she shot another pea across at Spike, who was
there because of Dawn's insistence.
"Well, now that we've settled that, I'll start shall I?" Giles cleared his throat and read
the first one. " ' I am thankful that tomorrow is Black Friday and I will be making lots of
money.' "
Everyone smiled and looked at Anya. "I was going to write orgasms, but Xander didn't think
it would be appropriate to say at the table." Dawn stifled a giggle as Xander turned red and
slid down in his chair.
"Yes, Well...Um... The next one reads 'I am thankful that I'm not tied to a chair and being
shot with arrows this year.' "
Buffy smiled at Spike. "The night's still young. It could happen."
"You can tie me up anytime, Slayer" Spike leered back. "I was talking about the arrows."
Giles tried to hide his grin as he read the next one. " 'I am thankful that my dad isn't
here with his Limburger and beer feast.' "
A collective 'eeeww.' went around the table. "That must be Xander's." Willow said.
"Yes it is. "Xander replied, "And I am eternally grateful that I don't have to spend
another Thanksgiving near an open window just so I can breathe." Giles felt a moment of anger
towards Xanders dad at the memory of what the boy had gone through, but forgot it when he
saw what was written on the next one.
" 'I am thankful that I have someone to love and that she loves me back.' "
It was obvious who wrote it, because Tara immediately blushed and looked down. "Aw honey, that's
so sweet." Willow said as she put an arm around the shy blonde.
" 'I am thankful that I have a cool sister that lets me borrow her clothes, even if I forget
to ask first.' "
"Dawnie, have you been in my closet again!"
Giles smiled and moved on to the next piece of paper. " 'I am thankful that my friends forgive
me when one of my spells goes wrong.' "
"Willow!" everyone said together and it was the redheaded witch's turn to blush. "That only
leaves Buffy and Giles." She said trying to divert attention from herself.
Giles read the last piece of paper in his hand. " 'I am thankful for my friends and Dawn and
Giles and, of course, Mr. Pointy." Everyone looked at Buffy.
"Well. You've all been there for me even when I didn't deserve it."
"Yeah, but Buff, Mr. Pointy?" Xander asked.
Buffy just shrugged. "He's a friend, too. Besides I wanted to keep it from getting too mushy."
Giles poured himself a glass of wine from the bottle that Anya had brought and sat down.
"Giles, you didn't tell us yours." Willow reminded him.
"Yeah, Giles." Buffy asked, "What are you thankful for?"
"That I've managed to get through the day without being knocked unconscious." He said,
then grinned broadly and added, " And that's my final answer."
End I'm Thankful
