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Status: Complete
Pairing: Fred/Wes
Rating: PG-13
Season/Series: Series Four, post Orpheus
Summary: Fred receives an unexpected Christmas present
Disclaimer: All publicly recognisable characters and places are the property of Joss Whedon, Warner Brothers and The Fox Network. This piece of fan fiction was created for entertainment not monetary purposes and no infringement on copyrights or trademarks was intended. Previously unrecognised characters and places, and this story, are copyrighted to the author. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
It had been a lovely day. The meal had turned out pretty good if she did say so herself. The only thing marring it was the distinct absence of Wesley. Although Angel had been willing to accept him back into the fold Wesley had remained unwilling, not that it really seemed to bother any of the others all that much especially not Charles. He still blamed Wesley for the disaster their relationship had turned into. He was so quick to blame Wesley he didn’t even seem to consider the mistakes he and Fred had made. They had been the ones in the relationship, not Wesley. Except for that one kiss, the little voice in her head reminded her.
She sighed gathering up the remains of the wrapping paper lying strewn across the floor and dumping them in a large black bag.
“I’ll do that.” Angel offered kneeling beside her. “You’ve already done more then enough Fred. Everyone seemed to love dinner.”
She shook her head, “It was nothing really. If anything they should be thanking my grandmother, it was her recipe.”
“Did you have a nice day?”
“Yeah. It was…great. I was happy to see you and Connor getting along so well.”
“Yeah. I think we’re really getting somewhere.” He glanced over at where Connor was checking out the weapons with Gunn.
“I’m really happy for you.” Fred touched his arm lightly a genuine smile on her face.
He turned back towards her and held her eyes for a moment. “I’ve got something for you.”
She blinked at him surprised, “You already got me something Angel. That perfume is lovely.”
“This gift isn’t from me.”
“Oh?” he grabbed her arm and led her to the office. She could feel the heat suffuse through her face and looked around her seeing if anyone noticed them before Angel closed the door behind them and seemed to produce a package from nowhere.
He handed it to her and squeezed her hands. “Merry Christmas Fred.”
She didn’t even notice him leaving; her gaze was fixed on the rectangular shaped parcel in front of her. The bright red wrapping paper with golden angels looked up at her wrapped with gold curly ribbon and a gift tag with ‘Fred’ written elegantly across it in neat perfectly formed handwriting.
She felt her hands shake so she left the box on the table and sat down on the chair her hands in her lap but her gaze never straying from the gift waiting for her to open it.
She didn’t know how long she sat there but eventually that little voice in her head started screaming at her to open it. It wasn’t going to open itself she told herself.
With barely shaking hands she pulled lightly on the ribbon and it seemed to melt away. Carefully she undid the wrapping, underneath was a pristine white box with a little gold rim around the outside. She opened it intrigued and pushed the cream tissue paper aside.
Her eyes widened when she saw the small leather-bound book inside. Her fingers lightly traced the gilded god lettering on the cover. Carefully she lifted it out. The leather creaked as she opened it and turned the creamy aged paper tinged with yellow. Finally she found what she’d expected.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare first edition. Her heart thumped wildly and she put the book back in its box before she dropped it. She ran her palms down the side of her trousers, her hands suddenly seeming sweaty. Quickly she grabbed the box and ran out of the office and upstairs.
“Fred? What the….I don’t care what anybody says that girl is still living in cuckoo land sometimes.”
Fred didn’t pay attention to what Cordelia was saying. She left the box on her bedside locker and grabbed her keys off the dressing table looking at herself in the mirror. She could do this. No problem.
Right. At the moment she could barely hear herself think her heart was thumping that much. Hopefully by the time she got there it would have subsided.
She said a silent prayer and ran out the door.
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She knocked purposefully on the door and it opened a jar, the interior looking black and cold.
“Fred?”
“Hi Wesley.”
He opened the door wider and stepped back allowing her to enter. She stepped passed him and paused looking around her at the less then festive living room.
“What can I do for you Fred?” she spun around as he moved from the door to the couch and indicated for her to take a seat. Nervously she sat down and pushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
“It’s Christmas Wes, I just came to see how you are.”
“I’m fine. How is everyone?”
“Oh you know, Cordy and Lorne argue over the decorations, Charles argues with Angel over who gets to carve the turkey, yadda, yadda, yadda.” She rolled her eyes and he smiled sadly.
“Sounds like fun.”
“Not really.” She paused for a moment gathering her courage about her. “Christmas is meant to be about family and giving and love. It’s just not the same when a member of your family isn’t there.” She reached over and took one of his large hands in both of hers.
He tried to pull away but she gripped all the harder.
“Fred….”
“I got your present.” She said shyly looking down at their interlocked hands.
“Oh? Did you like it?” he asked slowly his thumb beginning to stroke her palm.
She nodded and looked up at him from beneath her eyelashes. “I love it. It’s beautiful. It’s my favourite Shakespearean comedy.”
“I thought you might like it.” He smiled warmly at her.
“I’ve got something for you.” She whispered, “Close your eyes.”
He did as she requested and closed his eyes. He could hear her movements as she leaned forward and suddenly the velvety softness of her lips were on his and he stopped breathing, stopped thinking and just savoured the moment.
Eventually she pulled back and he felt the cold run through him that had nothing to do with temperature. He opened his eyes and she sat before him her face a little flushed. “Merry Christmas Wesley.”
He pulled her forward and her eyes widened startled as she collapsed against his warm chest. He tilted her head up and looked into her eyes. “Merry Christmas Fred.” His warm breath fanned her face before he leaned down and his lips met hers.
~~Finis~~
© 2003 Copyright held by the author.
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