"Hail Mary, full of grace-" Giles mumbled as the car finally squealed to a stop at the drop off zone in front of the airport. The only thing holding him back from hitting the dashboard was his seatbelt.

"C'mon Giles let's go!" Cordelia ordered as she got out of the car and ran around to the trunk. Despite her rush, she did shake her head as she thought about Giles and his silent awe and fear as she sped towards the airport. She was sure his hair had become slightly grayer in the twenty minutes it had taken to get to the airport. Eh, served him right.

"Giles, get your butt over here now!" She barked as she closed the trunk, having taken out his bags. She'd be damned if she was gonna drag both of his bags to the ticket counter.

She swore under her breath as one of the suitcases toppled over onto its side and she had to lean out to lift it up. A car horn blared and she turned around to see a blond Cameron Diaz-lookalike glaring at her from inside a silver BMW.

Cordelia shot her a 'whatever' glance, turning back around to pick up one of Giles' bags. The chick blew her horn again and Cordelia whirled around, matching the girl's glare and raising her some.

"Cordelia." She turned her attention back to Giles who had recovered from the drive and was now standing in front of her. "I cannot thank you enough for getting me here, not only in one piece, but also on time."

"Yeah, well if you had given me the right time in the first place instead of-" she whirled around at the sound of the girl's horn, and muttered a very unladylike word under her breath.

"Yes, well, that was my fault." He bent down to pick up one of his bags and she picked up the other, dragging it up the curb. They pushed them off on a skycap.

"Okay. You got your passport and wallet and plane ticket and bags and Olivia's gift. Right?"

He nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes," he muttered as he patted down the front of his coat and eyed his luggage as the skycap threw them on a cart.

"Okay. I'll go park and find you at the terminal," she said breathlessly and started to go back to the car.

"Cordelia," she felt him grab her arm. "By the time you park and get back up here and find my terminal I'll be on the plane." He sighed. "We'll have to say good bye here."

"Oh," she said with undisguised disappointment. They stared at each other for a moment, not awkwardly but with a definite air of hesitation. Finally she leaned forward and hugged him quickly, but fiercely.

Good grief it wasn't like he wasn't coming back or anything. He was going on holiday.

A long holiday. Out of the country.

And she was gonna miss him.

She pulled back to look at him sternly and pointed a finger at him.

"Now have fun. Be good-not too good. Be careful. And relax. Buffy and Sunnydale will still be here when you get back."

"What about L.A.?"

"It too."

"And my car?"

She gave him a half smile." No promises on that one. If I get a better offer-say a geo metro-I'm takin it."

He blew out a breath, shaking his head at her. "Take care of yourself," he said seriously. "Don't spend all of the holiday hanging out with Dennis. Go out with friends. Or Angel and Wesley if you're desperate. But don't tell them I said that."

"Yes, sir," she saluted and clicked her heels. "Okay," he sighed and glanced towards the airport and then back at her. "Merry Christmas, Cordelia."

She felt herself flush at his warm smile and smiled in return. "Merry Christmas Giles. Tell Olivia I said 'Hi'" He gave her a slight nod as he turned and quickly entered the airport leaving Cordelia behind, standing on the sidewalk.

And that she's a damn lucky woman, she sighed to herself.

"Hey! Are you going to move your piece of crap car or am I gonna have to ram it out of the way?"

Cordelia whirled around, shooting the girl a disgusted look. She glanced back at the door Giles went through, but he was long gone.

Turning around, she trotted to the car and ignored the Cameron Diaz look alike-at least she thought she was a look alike- got into the car and drove off towards home.

 *******

"Home, sweet, home," Cordelia mumbled as she closed the door behind her, making sure the lock was in place to protect her few belongings. She let out a tired dejected sigh as she walked into the living room, dumping her mail on the hall table as she headed towards the kitchen.

Dropping the box of cold pizza on the kitchen table, she went over to her refrigerator and opened it. Letting out another dejected sigh at the pitiful contents, she pulled out a coke and slammed the door.

"Perk up, Cordy. At least now you have a car at you disposal. A car in L.A. now that's something to get all happy-"

She sighed disgustedly and shook her head. No sense in keeping on the happy face. Giles was gone. Off to England for his vacation. And she was happy he was gone. Happy he was happy with his girlfriend and friends over in England.

Still though it would have been nice…

She picked up the pizza box and carried it and her coke to the living room. Seeing no flashing light on the answering machine, she took the phone off the hook and plopped down on the sofa. Setting the box down beside her she flipped open the lid and lifted up a slice up, not caring that it was cold.

"Well Dennis. Just you and me as always," she sighed. She waited for the television to flicker on. It didn't.

"Hey Dennis? Friend? Buddy? Nagging ghost boy? T.V. on?"

Nothing but silence.

"Great," she mumbled. First Giles leaves, now Dennis. She leaned over to pick up the remote from the table, but it moved away from her reach.

"Dennis?" the remote moved again. "So you are here? What's with the attitude?" she stood placing a hand on her hip. She got nothing but silence again.

"Dennis, what are- nevermind." She leaned over to pick up the remote but it floated up and out of her reach.

Now she was getting pissed. "Dennis!" she jumped up to try to grab the remote, but it hovered out of her reach. She jumped again and again but having no success since he was a ghost and could make things, well, hover.

She blew out a harsh breath, and pushed her hair away from her face. She was really tempted to just let him have it, let him just get it with both barrels and was about to when she glanced over at the TV.

"Fine. Take the remote," she muttered stomping over to the tv. She leaned down to press power when the tv suddenly jerked back.

"Dennis, I've had about enough of this. I want to watch tv and eat my pizza in peace. Now go read my Victoria's Secret catalogue or something." She leaned over to press the power button again when again the tv jerked back.

"Dennis!" she shrieked. She just stood in front of the tv, knowing that if she tried to make a move, he'd jerk it back. She crossed her arms in front of her, an irritated, pout on her face.

"Why are you being so mean to me?" she grumbled. "I remembered to take out the trash, didn't I? I don't know why it's such a big deal with you anyway, ghost boy, it's not like the smell should bother you- HEY!"

She rubbed the back of her head. Something had hit her and then clattered to the floor.

"Oh, you are so lucky that you're already a ghost." She looked down at the floor and saw what had hit her.

It was a small box. She bent down to pick it up.

A small Christmasy looking box.

She had a present.

"Aww Dennis," she shuffled uneasily as guilt flooded her. "I'm sorry I- This is really nice of you but -"

She stopped as she watched a small envelope float towards her. She took it from the air and flipped it over. It had her name on it in Giles' handwriting.

She walked back over to the couch and sat down, placing the box on the table in front of her. She quickly opened the envelope, took out the letter, and sat back on the couch.
 

Dear Cordelia,

As much as I hope that you are out enjoying yourself and this holiday season, I'm almost positive that you are at home, watching television, and having Dennis wait on you hand and foot.

In short you're moping.

Which is why I instructed Dennis to head off your pity party by giving you this letter as soon as he saw you withdrawing into your apartment.

This has been a hard year for you, especially the last few months and I certainly understand the appeal of brooding incessantly over everything that you feel is wrong in your life. It's a very easy trap to fall into, to just sit there and allow all of that to close in on you.

I'm asking you to resist that temptation.

Instead focus on what's right, what's good. I'll list but a few things to keep in mind.

Remember that you have faced and persevered over obstacles that others your age and older would have allowed to defeat them. Instead of giving up you pushed forward, having become a stronger and wiser person in the process.

Remember the lessons that your mistakes have taught you and remember the lessons that your successes have taught you as well. You haven't made anymore mistakes than the next person, it just feels that way. What's done is done, move on from it and take what you've learned with you.

Believe me, I understand how it can be with parents. The relationship is hard to maintain during the best of times. At the worst of times it is practically impossible. Parents make mistakes, sometimes gross mistakes, because they, like everyone else, are human. I know that things are complicated between you and yours, and I understand that it's frustrating and confusing to know what to think and feel. I can't tell you how to feel, I doubt there is a right way for one to feel about these things. But know that in the long run, when everything is all said and done, they do love you. I cannot imagine how they couldn't.

Doyle is still a big part of your life. Remember the man that was your friend, who was instantly infatuated with a beautiful, lovely woman with whom he left such a great responsibility. I understand your fear, I understand your confusion and I assure you that, yes, this too you can handle. It's another challenge for you to face and conquer. Another experience to make you even stronger and wiser in life.

And finally, know that you are not without friends. Whether you realize it or not, there are those in Sunnydale that do care about you, and no I am not talking about only myself.

I understand from personal experience that despite time and distance, some feelings don't fade quite so easily, both fond and not so fond. I'm not asking you to forget all that has happened, but I am asking you to forgive. I have to ask that of you for your own sake. No good can come from holding on to the bitterness. It would only serve to ultimately destroy you, and that is something that I would be saddened to see. You deserve so much more than that Cordelia. So much more.

True friends are hard to come by, you more than anyone realizes that I suspect. And discovering these rare finds takes time-some fall in your lap, others are hidden where you least expect them. Who would have guessed that I would find one of my closest friends in May Queen? I didn't and I'm sure you didn't either. But I can honestly tell you that our relationship, our friendship, is one that I value immensely.

And so here is where I express my sincere and profuse apologies for not spending the holidays with you. Yes, I know I spend enough time with people half my age and yes, I know I need a vacation and should pay a long overdue visit to my family. But Cordelia, you're not only my friend, you're also family. And I wish I could be with you to celebrate the holiday. It's just my bad luck that I can't be with everyone I care about at the same time.

So that's where the little gift, or bribe if you want to call it that, comes into play. It's just a little something to remind you that I'm there with you, even when I'm not. That someone is thinking of you and cares. And also it was pretty and I thought you'd like it.

Good Lord, I suspect you're weeping now, and that was most certainly not my intent.

I hope that you take what I've written to heart. My intention is not to preach or lecture you about your life, or tell you what to do, but instead be a helpful, supportive friend-who just happens to have almost thirty years experience over you and learned many (read MANY) lessons over the years. I'd rather that you not have to learn things the hard way if it can be helped. Leaves you more time for living and enjoying your life.

Have a Merry Christmas, Cordelia. Know that my thoughts are with you.

Rupert.

There was not a sound in her apartment. You didn't even hear her breath as she lowered the sheet of paper to her lap and stared at the wall across from her.

A tissue appeared out of nowhere and she smiled a grateful smile before taking it and pressing it against her wet face.

She couldn't stop crying. She just couldn't stop.

"Oh God Giles, Thank you, thank you, thank you," she whispered.

If he had been standing there right then, she'd hug him like there was no tomorrow.

She couldn't even put into words what she was feeling, what he made her feel, but alone was not one of them. She was definitely not alone.

She glanced down at the box in her lap and dropped the crumpled up tissue on the sofa, her tears rendering it useless. Lifting the box into the palm of her hand, she stared at it, savoring it for a moment, and then tore off the paper and opened the box.

"Oh my God," she breathed. "Oh my God," she covered her mouth with her hand.

It was a gold cross. A small beautiful gold cross with a small emerald in the center.

It was the most beautiful thing anybody had even given her.

And not because of what it was, but what it represented.

She lifted it out of the box and held it up, staring at the small cross as if swung back and forth on the gold chain. She sniffed and wiped her face with the back of one hand before taking a breath. She began to pull her hair to one side, when she felt it lifted completely off her neck.

"Thanks, Dennis," she smiled as she undid the clasp and put the necklace on. The gold chain was long enough to allow the cross to fall a bit below her collarbone. She got up from the sofa and went over to the mirror that hung on the far wall.

"How do I look?" she asked softly as she looked at her reflection. A smile lit up her face as she felt a gentle stroking of her hair and Dennis' light touch as he caressed her cheek. She nodded slightly and took a deep breath.

Turning around, she quickly walked over to her phone and placed it back on the hook. Thinking a moment she snatched it back up and dialed. Finally the line picked up.

"Hi Wesley, it's Cordelia. Yeah, um-How are you? Good, good. Um. Wes, don't take this as my asking you out on a date -or anything-"

She was cut off as the phone was jerked away from her mouth and she played tug of war with her ghost of a roomate.

"Give….it….BACK!" She jerked the receiver from him and grabbed the phone base, protecting it from her nutty roommate.

"Hi, Sorry, Um. What I meant to say is," she sighed. "You wanna hang out? I mean as friends, hang out? I have pizza here and-" She was still a moment and a small smile came to her face. "Sure ,um. A video sounds great-uh-not a documentary or historical thingy-right?" She relaxed and smiled again. "Great. So how about around seven? I need to clean up a bit. Great. See you later. Okay, Bye"

She hung up the phone and blew out a breath at the sudden chill in the air.

"He's not that bad, Dennis," she scoffed.

She watched as the television flipped through channels at lightning speed to finally settle on an animal documentary.

She squinted and walked closer to get a better look and suddenly erupted into a fit of giggles as she saw a ugly little weasel scurry around on the screen.

"You are so bad," she wiped her eyes and suddenly looked down at her cross. "But I love you anyway," she smiled.

She blew a kiss out to the room and then set about tidying up for her guest.

FIN