Blue Christmas
Story by: CN Winters and Susan Carr
Written by: CN Winters
Directed by: CN Winters and Susan Carr
Produced by: CN Winters and Susan Carr
Edited by: Kate
Sound Department: Steff
Art Director: Chris Cook
Artists: Chris Cook, David Zahir, Chantal, CN Winters
Video by: Track 6 and CN Winters
Teaser
Fade In
INT
Willow and Kennedy's Apartment – Night
Kennedy walked into the foyer of their apartment and took off her coat, carelessly tossing it on the sofa.
"Hey Will? You still up?" she called out.
When she got no answer she walked into the kitchen, going to the refrigerator. She pulled out a water bottle and took a few chugs before putting it back. Looking to her left she saw the cat shaped cookie jar and lifted the lid, inspecting what was inside.
"Oooo," she sighed. "Willow Hanukah cookies."
She pulled one out and began to chomp away. She reached for a glass with one hand and poured some milk with the other as she balanced the cookie in her mouth. Putting the gallon jug back she closed the door with her foot and left the kitchen.
Kennedy walked toward the television in the living room when she noticed a dim light creeping from under their bedroom door. With a peculiar expression on her face, she went to investigate. Putting the cookie back in her mouth, she slowly opened the door and peeked her head inside.
The cookie promptly fell into her milk when her jaw suddenly dropped.
"Wondered how long it would take you," Willow teased. She sat on the corner of her bed in her sexy blue, lace lingerie patting the edge. "You lost your cookie," she added, pointing to the glass.
"Huh?" she muttered. It took a moment for Kennedy to catch up to the conversation and she looked down at the milk in her hand. "Forget the damn cookie," she added as she put the glass down on the dresser.
"Thought I'd surprise you," Willow said casually.
"It worked," the Slayer smiled. "Looks like Santa came earlier this year and left some good stuff for me."
"Well you have been a good girl…although naughty at times but only in a very good way."
Kennedy crept closer to the bed. "So..." She paused and licked her lips. "Do I get to unwrap ya?" She wiggled her eyebrows for emphasis and Willow chuckled.
"Only if you unwrap yourself first," Willow countered.
In one smooth movement Kennedy lifted her t-shirt over her head before claiming Willow's lips, pushing her back to the bed.
Cut to
INT
The Finish Line Sports Bar – Night
Two men dressed in Santa suits sat at the bar drinking beers.
"What a rip!" one of them exclaimed as they watched a broadcast on the screen above them.
"Oh come on, Fred," his companion, Ray, complained. "Think about it. What was the chance that Ohio State would win the National Championship two years straight? Like, what, a million to one?"
Fred just sighed and took a drink of his beer. "Hell, forget Ohio State. It's all rigged now if you ask me. The best teams don't even play in the Rose Bowl anymore and who gets to do the judging for the National Champs? A bunch of Ivy League reporters who don't know a damn thing about the game. Look at their football teams – Harvard, Yale…Oh yeah, they're real powerhouses in the sport." Fred finished by rolling his eyes and shaking his head.
"Well, I gotta agree with ya there. Seen lots of teams that should have been the champs get snubbed. But the Buckeyes were out long before my Wolverines wiped 'em up and down the field," Ray chuckled.
"You're a traitor, you know that, right?" Fred asked as he threw some money on the bar.
Ray laughed, "Oh come on. Don't leave all mad. I was just jokin'. Have another one on me."
"That's almost an offer I can't refuse. But I gotta go. Promised Mrs. Claws I'd be home early," he explained making a shredding like gesture with his hands.
Ray laughed again and patted his shoulder. "Well try to stay out of trouble. If I don't see ya before then, have a merry Christmas pal."
"You too," Fred told him as he put an extra five on the bar. "Have one on me in the spirit of giving."
"Thanks!"
Fred waved to the bartender. "See ya later Eddie!"
Eddie looked up from washing his glass and gave a wave.
Fred paused a moment once he was outside, buttoned up his coat and then stuffed his hands in his pockets. He walked down the street a few yards and began to look behind him.
Nothing was there so he started on again. After a few moments he heard laughter, almost like children would make. He stopped again and looked back. Again, nothing. Shaking his head he started on his way to the end of the block.
Suddenly at the alley corner five elfin like people jumped out at him. He blinked his eyes dramatically.
"I can't be this drunk," he said to himself.
Their features suddenly shifted as if they aged dramatically in three seconds time.
"What in the world?" Fred muttered.
All five of them jumped him at once, dragging him kicking and screaming from the deserted street.
Fade Out
End of Teaser
Act One
Guest Starring:
Michelle Trachtenberg as Dawn Summers, Nicolas Brandon as Xander Harris, Lindsay Felton as Skye, Elizabeth Anne Allen as Amy Madison, Thora Birch as Tracey and Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summers.
Fade In
Int.
Willow and Kennedy's bedroom – Early morning
Willow rolled over in bed to find Kennedy still deeply asleep. With a perplexed look on her face she brushed a lock of hair behind Kennedy's ear. The Slayer didn't even stir. Taking a few more moments to examine her sleeping lover she slipped from the bed.
After she finished pulling the long sleeved shirt over her head, she picked up the forgotten milk glass and grimaced as she looked inside at the milk-soaked cookie at the bottom. She then went to the kitchen and tossed it down the sink, rinsing the glass before she started the coffeemaker. Grabbing a new cookie on the way out, she headed to her small office and brought up her computer screen with a move to her mouse. After a few clicks, the printer began to run and she returned to the kitchen.
She was reaching for her coffee mug when she felt two arms snake around her waist, making her jump.
"Little jittery this morning?" Kennedy asked resting her head between Willow's shoulder blades.
"Yeah, I guess I'm a little on edge," Willow answered.
"Mmm, if you come back to bed," Kennedy offered, "I've got a cure for that."
"Uh, yeah, thanks but…no. I got a feeling I'm gonna be swamped today. Wanna get a jump on it."
"You're too much of an early bird, Will," Kennedy said with a smile as she pulled her orange juice from the refrigerator.
"Yeah well you're too much of a night owl," Willow countered.
"Occupational hazard as a vamp Slayer. Maybe I can transfer to the daytime demons department. We got one of those?"
Willow grinned. "No, unfortunately. Demons don't punch a time clock."
"Well if this Presidium is as organized as we think it is then they very well might," she joked, taking another drink. "Speaking of which, how's your Harry Potter doing?"
"Good, all things considered. In fact it might have been a good wake up call for him. Not that I wished anything bad on him but…when you're 16 you think you're gonna live forever until you get faced with your mortality. I think he's got a greater respect now, for lots of stuff."
"And how's his mom? Did she chill at all?"
"Lily's doing better." Willow nodded. "I think she sees that staying is the best thing for Jeff so we'll see. But so far, all's right in the Watchers Council."
"Cool but what I really wanna know –."
"You're awfully talkative today," Willow cut in.
"What? I can't talk?" Kennedy challenged.
"You didn't talk much last night," Willow countered.
"No. More moaning and groaning than anything else and if you remember there was some talking…or would that be considered begging?" Kennedy paused in thought with a satisfied grin.
Willow just sighed and shook her head.
"Anyway," Kennedy continued, "What's the story on Giles? He got a honey now or what?" she asked conspiratorially.
"Three times this week they went out," Willow countered with a smirk. "Of course he said he was just making sure she was okay with the recent vampire attacks at her store," Willow added knowingly.
Kennedy just laughed.
"He really likes her," Willow said with a smile as she poured herself a cup of coffee.
"What gave it away? The fact he constantly smiles now or that he whistles every chance he gets?"
It was Willow's turn to laugh. "Actually it's the way he babbles when you mention Becca's name."
"He does not," Kennedy disputed.
"Oh yeah? You watch today. I'll bring her up and you see what happens. Betcha five bucks," she said offering her hand.
"Deal," Kennedy said shaking it.
Willow tried to let go but Kennedy refused and pulled her closer, giving her a kiss on the lips.
"Mmm, sure you don't wanna blow off Watcher training this morning?"
"I can't," Willow told her pulling away. "Rowena and Giles are gonna crash course me again while the troops are home for the holidays. And I've got the rest of the things I want to get together for the Yule celebration tonight."
Kennedy shrugged. "Well can't say I didn't try," she answered, sounding defeated.
"I'm sorry," Willow told her. "But I –."
"Got stuff that needs done. I know…Since you're not coming back to bed I'm gonna sleep a couple more hours. Will you get me up before you head off to breakfast?"
"Sure, Sweetie. I promise to type quietly," she replied with a soft grin.
"'K. Night or…morning…whatever." Kennedy smiled. "I'll see you in a few."
Willow watched Kennedy return to the bedroom. Once the door was closed she released a heavy sigh and picked up her coffee mug, heading back to her computer.
Cut to
Int.
Watchers Rec Room – Later that morning
Willow walked into the room and saw Rowena watching a television press conference with the police.
"What happened?" Willow asked.
Rowena pointed to the television. "Another worker from the Santas-4-Rent Company disappeared last night."
"Gee," Willow said sarcastically. "Do they suspect a connection?"
Rowena gave a light chuckle, "Well the press asked if we have a Santa Killer on the loose and the police, of course, were quick to point out that no bodies have been recovered. They're just missing."
"So we have a Santa-napper technically?"
Rowena grinned. "It would appear so."
Willow shook her head, "And what will all those poor gentile children do on Christmas day? Maybe get presents from people that love them instead of fictitious, mystical figures?"
"Ouch!" Rowena chuckled. "Did someone leave coal in your stocking one year or what? You've got Santa issues."
"I was born Jewish. I have Santa envy. There's a difference," she said with a raised finger.
Rowena chuckled but then got a far off look in her eyes. "You know, I always wondered…"
"What?"
"You don't hear any good Hanukah songs. I mean there's no 'White Hanukah' or 'It's beginning to look a lot like Hanukah'. Why is that?"
Willow shrugged. "Couldn't tell ya. But in the Jew's defense, there is that dreidel song and we got presents for eight nights instead of all at once so that was kinda cool."
"Well I was raised Christian so we did the mistletoe and eggnog and tree trimming. But we never went to church or mass or anything."
"So you celebrate Jesus' birthday?" Willow asked with a playful smirk.
"Yeah but I'm really a student of all religions. I think anything that brings people together for the greater good – be it Christians, Jews, Muslims or say…Wiccans," Rowena paused with a knowing smirk, "It's a good thing. It's just the fanatics you gotta look out for and every religious sect has them."
"Speaking of that," Willow told her. "Well, not the fanatic part but the Wiccan part. We've having a Yule celebration tonight."
"Oh, that's right. It's Winter Solstice."
Willow did a double take and began to grin. "Yeah, I was going to invite everyone tonight to the study or maybe see if Giles wants to hold it at his apartment. Both have the fireplaces…So you do know all about Jewish and Wiccan traditions."
Rowena chuckled. "I wouldn't go that far. But like I said, I've studied many religions. True, our Slayers fight with crosses most of all, well, that and pointy pieces of wood, but it helps to know a little bit of everything."
"Jack of all trades and master of none?"
Rowena paused. "Yeah, that about sums me up," she chuckled.
Upon hearing someone enter they looked and saw Robin walking over.
"Hey Robin," Willow called over to him.
"There you guys are. Everyone's upstairs and ready to start the meeting."
The two women began to walk toward him. "Oh shoot!" Willow said handing the morning report to Rowena. "I forgot to wake Kennedy. Can you-?"
"Got it covered," Rowena said, waving the folder.
"Thanks." Willow smiled and walked in the opposite direction.
Fade Out
Fade In
Int.
Watchers Council Meeting Room – Moments Later
Willow and a half asleep Kennedy entered the room as Robin was speaking.
"Sorry," Willow said meekly, trying not to interrupt.
"Woulda been here sooner but someone forgot to wake me," Kennedy added.
"Ya know, Brat," Faith said with a grin. "They have this wonderful invention – it's called the alarm clock. You set it to what time you want it to go off and it makes a buzzing noise so you get up! Amazing, huh?"
"I'll look into that," the dark-haired Slayer told her. "Smart ass," she muttered as she and Willow took a seat. Faith just beamed across from her but didn't say anything.
"We were just discussing the missing Santas," Robin told them.
"Yes," Giles added. "It doesn't appear to be mystical in nature but we'll continue to keep tabs on it should it continue."
"Any connections other than employer?" Rowena asked as she went through the folder.
"Just one," Willow offered. "From what I read this morning every man left the business in his uniform."
"So they looked like Santa?" Kennedy asked.
"Right," Willow nodded.
"Boy, this time of year these missing guys will stick out like a sore thumb, huh?" Faith remarked sardonically. "So what should we do, question every Santa on every corner?"
Kennedy gave a light chuckle. "Maybe we can get a photo from Miracle on 34th St. and ask 'Have you seen this man'?"
"Yeah," Faith joined in laughing too and put on a masculine voice. '"Sure I seen him – at the department store, at the charity kettle, at the –."
"Okay, enough," Giles said with a smile. "Now we know it will be difficult at best but let's just keep our eyes open for anything unusual…Well more unusual than average." When no one said anything more Giles asked, "Any other business this morning?"
"Yeah," Willow said lightly nudging Kennedy, "What are you and Becca doing today?"
Giles blushed and grinned. "Well, I-I..T-To be honest we-we –."
Willow began to chuckle and held out her palm to Kennedy.
"Damn it, Giles," Kennedy said reaching into her pocket pulling out some ones.
"What is this about?" he motioned to them.
"I had a bet you don't get flustered when you talk about Becca," she replied as she slapped the greenbacks into Willow's hand.
"I most certainly do not," Giles answered.
"Yeah you do," Willow argued. "And it's cute."
"Yeah, what's up with that?" Faith asked. "You're with that woman constantly."
"I'm not supposed to have a private life?" Giles asked.