(Willow's POV)

I knew that was I was about to do was wrong. And the fact that it would be in my parent's house made it all the more so. I tried to convince myself that it was innocent, people would understand, but I knew at least one person who I doubted would ever understand.

Looking at the clock I realized Xander would be here soon. My breathing was a bit heavy, in anticipation of what was to come, so I tried to calm myself down. I glanced around the room. All the blinds were drawn. Nobody could see in. Nobody would see us.

When the doorbell rang, I let out little YIP. A took a deep calming breath, stood up and walked to the door. I opened it to find Xander holding, (well juggling was more the word) a pizza box, a 2-liter of Coke and a bag of Cheese Chips. I grabbed for the Coke before Xander could drop it and ushered him into the living room.

I told him that I would be right back as I went into the kitchen for some plates and glasses. A small smile passes over my lips as I thought about what would be happening soon. I pushed a brief wave of guilt aside as I thought of Oz locked in the library cage on this night. It was the full moon. I knew I should have been looking after him, but Buffy had volunteered and tonight was just too important.

My reverie was broken as Xander called from the living room. He was growing impatient. I put two plates, to iced glasses and some napkins on a tray and brought it into the living room.

Xander was sprawled on the couch looking anxious. I asked him if he was OK. He smiled a bit and shrugged and said that he was excited and just really glad to be with me.

I set the plates and glasses down and we dove in. As we ate we made small talk. Nothing too specific, no talk of demons or vampires, and most definitely no talk of significant others.

After we were done with the pizza, I took the dirty plates into the kitchen and loaded them into the dishwasher. All the calm I gained while we were eating had left me. I felt a slight tremble over my body I tried a few more deep breaths, but it wasn't helping much. I grabbed the counter with both hands as I tried to remind myself that nobody was going to find out. That thought helped a bit. I took one more deep breath before I turned around and went back to the living room.

By the time I got back, Xander had already lowered the lights. I swallowed hard as I joined him on the couch. He looked at me for a moment. Asking permission I guessed. I nodded my consent. I had come this far. It was too late to turn back now.

Slowly, gently, Xander placed his hand on.the TV remote and turned on the set. And once again, without Ira Rosenberg knowing, I sat back to enjoy "A Charlie Brown Christmas."

~fin~

Notes: Did I have you guessing? <g> BTW, there actually was a full moon the day I originally posted this (December 2, 1998) and "A Charlie Brown Christmas" was really on the same evening as well!