〔𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 ; 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘯〕
〔𝘤𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳.〕

⋆

WILLOW ENTERED THE OFFICE and dropped a Barbie doll into a small box labelled "Toy Drive." Today was the annual Christmas Party, and Willow was absolutely dreading working with the Party Planning Committee for the day. She had no problem with Phyllis, Pam and the others, but obviously she had a little bit of a bias toward the head. Nonetheless, she knew she had to deal with it.

She looked over to reception, seeing Dwight holding a dead goose onto the desk, Pam looking appalled by it.

"I'm not even gonna ask." Willow said.

"I accidentally ran over it! It's a Christmas miracle!"

"Lovely."

"Well get it outta here!" Pam exclaimed.

"Relax, okay? And because this is Christmas, I am going to roast this goose and prepare it with a wild rice dressing. Do we have any cayenne pepper in the kitchen?"

"Merry Christmas, Dwight." Jim said while coming up to the group.

"Jim."

"Wow, what have we got here?"

"What does it look like?"

"Dead goose."

"And circle gets the square. So can you and Willow watch this? I'm gonna get my carving knife out of my trunk." Willow looked over to Pam, both making disgusted faces.

"Oh, Dwight, we talked about this!" the group turned around and saw Toby walking in.

"No, Toby, this is different. He's already dead."

"Do I ask?" Willow whispered to Pam.

"All I'm gonna say is that he brought a duck in."

"He's so weird." Willow felt herself smile slightly, looking over to Dwight.

"He was already dead. And we Schrutes use every part of the goose. The meat has a delicious, smoky, rich flavor. Plus you can use the molten goose grease and save it in the refrigerator, thus saving you a trip to the store for a can of expensive goose grease." Dwight explained.

"Wow, win-win!" Jim interjected.

"Exactly, thank you Jim!" Willow and Jim shared a look of amusement with each other as the conversation continued.

"I like goose. If it's already dead, is it so crazy we eat it?" Phyllis piped up.

"That's crazy. It's crazy." Creed spat.

"Dwight, you cannot keep that here." Toby scolded.

"Okay, that is ridiculous. And totally against the spirit of Christmas." Dwight whined.

"Come on Dwight. We went over this, like for a half an hour."

"It's Christmas, Toby." Dwight pleaded, his voice in a whisper.

"It's a dead animal in an office. You can't..."

"Toby..."

"I'm sorry."

"Please?"

The room fell silent as everyone awaited Toby's final response.

"Clean it in your car."

"Yes!"

"I would like it off my desk." Pam said.

"Oh Pam, take a chill pill." Dwight muttered, taking the goose and walking out of the office.

♡

The day continued on quite slow for Willow (what else is new?). She stood and stretched her torso, noticing Michael's girlfriend, Carol, walking through the door.

"Hi, Carol, right?" Willow asked.

"Yeah, hi. Is Michael around?"

"I think he's-"

"There she is. A Christmas Carol. Hello!" Michael cheered, giving her a kiss. "You're about five hours early to the party. You're such a blonde." He let out a loud laugh at his joke.

"Michael-"

"Hey, everybody. I don't know who you haven't met yet, but I think this is one of them. This is my girlfriend, Carol. This is just the front of her. Show 'em, show 'em the other side." 

"What?"

"Turn around, turn around. Come on." 

"Get outta here."

"No, you get outta here!" Willow looked over to the camera, wanting out.

"Michael, if I may say. She's even prettier that you described her." Andy declared.

'Kiss ass,' Willow thought to herself.

"Oh, ouch. Michael, I don't think there is anything wrong with the way you described her." Dwight interjected. 

"Thank you." Michael said.

"I really need a moment alone with you." Carol murmured.

"Not as much as I need a moment alone with you." the two turned around and headed inside Michael's office.

♡

After about a half hour, Carol left Michael's office, silent. Michael slowly came out, silent and on the verge of tears.

"I'd like everybody's attention. Christmas is cancelled." Michael complained, a sob tugging at his voice.

"You can't cancel a holiday." Stanley sneered.

"Keep it up Stanley, and you will lose New Year's."

"What does that mean?" 

"Jim, take New Year's from Stanley."

"Michael, what's going on?" Pam asked.

"Carol and I split up. Amicably. And I just don't think it would be appropriate to celebrate under the circumstances." 

"Oh, Michael." Willow soothed.

"Will they still air 'Rudolph?'" Jim quipped.

"That's not fair." Kevin complained. The office exploded in complaints, ranging from expletives to demanding to have the party.

"Fine! Have your party. But no guests." Michael surrendered.

"But we invited guests!" Phyllis complained.

"Well, you know what Phyllis? All of your guests would have probably canceled at the last minute anyway, leaving your life a stupid rotten mess." Michael's voice broke, turning around and walking back into the office, slamming the door.

♡

While Michael continued to sulk over his breakup with Carol, Angela gathered the Party Planning Committee to begin planning the Christmas party. Willow, Phyllis, Pam, Meredith and Karen sat at the table, awaiting instructions from Angela.

"Phyllis, I need you to pick up green streamers at lunch." Angela ordered.

"I thought you said green was 'whoreish.'" Phyllis retorted, referring to a time where Angela made said claim due to Phyllis wearing green.

"No, orange is whoreish." Angela said. The group awkwardly looked over at Phyllis, who was, in fact, wearing orange.

♡

"Honestly, I think white is kind of whoreish." Willow jested, referring to Angela's white outfit.

♡

"Um, so I had a couple of ideas to make the Stamford people feel more at home." Karen brought up to the group.

"Ooh, do tell." Willow said.

"Each year we have a Christmas raffle..." Everyone but Angela nodded in approval at the idea.

"It would never work here." the blonde snapped.

"Okay... um, another idea was karaoke-"

"No."

"A Christmas drinking game..."

"Yes!" Meredith cheered.

"God help you." Angela nagged.

"What?" Karen asked.

"These are all terrible ideas and none of them are on the theme of 'A Nutcracker Christmas.' I think you should leave."

"You're kidding."

"You tried this out, and it's clearly not for you. It's time to go." 

Karen exited the conference room in utter shock at what just occurred. Willow raised her eyebrows and looked into the camera, apphaled by what just happened.

♡

"I feel like I've been kinda cold to Karen and there's no real reason for it. I mean, it's not like she's ever done anything to me. So, I think I probably shouldn't be cold to her." Pam explained.

"It doesn't sit well with me how Angela was treating her. I mean, all she was doing was bringing up really cool ideas for the party." Willow added. 

"Mm-hmm." Pam nodded in response.

♡

Willow and Pam exited the conference room and made their way over to Karen's desk.

"Hey, Karen, sorry about that meeting today, that was really crazy." Pam said.

"Yeah, right? I'm so glad you said that. Because, I don't know how those meetings usually go." Karen replied.

"Usually like that, or worse." Willow jeered.

"Does anyone ever stand up to Angela or...?"

"I think one of her cats did once. She came in with scratches all over her face." Pam responded. The three giggled at the comment. "Um, I really liked your karaoke idea, that could be really fun."

"Oh, thank you."

"You guys do a raffle?"

"Yeah, we do a raffle."

"I love the drinking game idea." Willow added

"Oh, thanks. It's usually really fun every year. It's too bad we can't do it, but it's fine."

"Screw that! Wanna just plan our own party?"

"Would we even be allowed?" Pam asked.

"I think so, what's Angela's funding?"

"$200."

"How 'bout we chip in um... $67 each so we have $201." 

"Oh my God, I love this already."

♡

Willow, Pam and Karen walked over to Angela and Phyllis, arguing over a flyer for their party. Pam placed their pink flyer above Angela's white flyer.

"What is that?" Angela asked.

"A flyer." Willow responded.

"The 'Committee to Plan Parties' invites you to a margarita-karaoke Christmas? There's no such thing as the 'Committee to Plan Parties.'" Angela read out.

"There is now. We just started it." Pam declared.

"Well, you just can't start a committee. You have to have funding."

"Oh, we've got funding." Willow said.

"Yep. What's yours?" Karen asked.

"Two hundred dollars." Angela answered confidently.

"What's ours again?" Pam asked.

"Two hundred and one dollars." Karen responded.

"Right."

"Hey, a margarita-karaoke Christmas party, that sounds like fun." Kelly marveled.

"No, that is not a party. There's only one party and it's hosted by the Party Planning Committee and it starts at three o'clock."

"Then why are there two flyers?" Kevin asked.

"Oh, I understand that this is confusing for everyone, let me explain. There's a party that starts at three." Karen explained.

"Right."

"And then there's a way more fun party that starts at two forty-five."

"Right, and if you're interested in the way more fun party, all the info can be found here on our more brightly colored flyer." Pam added.

"It is gonna be a way more fun party. That's the Committee to Plan Parties' guarantee." Willow insisted. Huffing in annoyance, Angela ripped the pink flyer off the wall and stalked off. In retaliation, Karen ripped off Angela's flyer and walked away. Giggling, Willow and Pam followed her.

"I didn't see where it was." Kevin asked flatly.

"Break room!" Willow exclaimed.

♡

Pam, Willow and Karen huddled over reception discussing plans for their party. As they were doing this, Dwight walked over to the three, Angela behind him looking smug.

"Pam, Willow and Karen. I am ordering you to cease and desist all party planning. Immediately." he ordered.

'Aww, she's getting her man to do her dirty work for her!' Willow thought to herself.

"You can't do that." Pam glowered.

"As ranking number three in this office, I am order-"

"Um, I'm number three." Andy piped up. Willow rolled her eyes.

"You're number four."

"Yeah, but I'm number three."

"Uh, no. You must turn over to me all Christmas decorations and party paraphernalia immediately that will be returned to you on January fourth."

"Okay, I think I can help here. As ranking number two, I am starting a committee to determine the validity of the two committees and I am the sole member. The committee will act on this now." Jim came up to the group to try and mediate the issue.

"Okay, this is stupid." Dwight whined.

"Could you please keep it down? I'm in session," Jim went silent as he "mulled over" the validity of the committee. "I've determined that this committee is valid." The three women laughed, pleased with their small victory. Willow glanced over at Angela, smirking at the scowl on the petite woman's face.

"No no, no, wait, wait, wait. Permission to join the Validity Committee." Dwight pleaded, raising his hand.

Jim looked up as if he was thinking about Dwight's request. "Permission denied."

"Damn it." Dwight growled. 

♡

The day went on rather slowly. To try and cheer him up, Andy decided to take Michael out to Benihana for lunch. Dwight and Jim went along with them, much to Jim's chagrin. 

It was just about 2:45. Willow, Karen and Pam have completed planning and setting up for their party. After Willow put up the final decoration, she followed Pam and Karen out of the room to announce their party was beginning.

"Hello everyone. We would just like to announce that our party is starting now in the break room. So... you can come by-" Pam announced.

"I have a very important announcement to make... about... your paychecks. Um... Your paychecks will be arriving as scheduled on Friday. And they will be in the correct amount that they are normally in... Please stand by for a very important announcement... for further regarding your paycheck!" Angela interrupted. She ran out of the office, quickly grabbing her cellphone.

"Okay. Well, we're almost done setting up our party so if you guys want to come, be our guest." Willow responded.

"Trust us, you will not be disappointed." Karen added.

After a couple of minutes of waiting, Angela rushed back into the office. "Also, I would like to inform you that, um, as a special treat, my party will be starting early. In fact, it will be starting right now!" Angela opened the door to the conference room.

"Our party is also starting now." Pam quickly said, opening the door to the break room. Angela scowled at the three. In front of them, Stanley stood. Looking back and forth, he decided to walk into the break room.

"Alright Stanley. Woo." Karen said.

"Good choice." Pam responded.

"You will not be disappointed!" Willow cheered as Kelly dragged Ryan into the break room. Hannah walked toward the conference room, while Meredith stood.

"Meredith, if you don't come to my party, you will be very, very sorry." Angela demanded.

"Is that a threat?" Meredith spat.

"No, it's an invitation."

"We have vodka!" Pam exclaimed.

"Lots of it." Karen quickly added. Meredith quickly shuffled her way over to the break room party. Willow glared at Angela before following Karen and Pam into the break room to begin the party.

♡

The majority of Willow's coworkers luckily attended the Christmas Party in the break room. Everyone was pouring margaritas for themselves, socializing and graciously awaiting the karaoke machine from Ryan.

"So what's the status?" Karen asked the temp, who came into the break room.

"Looks like they forgot the power cord." Ryan responded.

"What?" Pam asked.

"Oh, damn it!" Willow groaned.

"Oh, you're kidding me!" Karen complained. She turned to the group and announced: "Oh, you guys, guys, um... I'm sorry, but there's a problem with the karaoke machine." Everyone collectively groaned in disappointment at the news.

"Well that blows." Kelly sighed.

"Sorry about that!" Willow added.

"Hang on little ladies. You don't need this thing, I'll go grab my synthesizer." Darryl announced. Everyone erupted into cheers as Darryl stood and walked out of the break room.

"Darryl! Darryl! Darryl!" Willow began chanting, getting everyone to chant with her.

♡

Everyone was having a ball at the party. Luckily, Jim came back from Benihana and entered the break room, engaged in conversation with Kevin.

"Hey!" Willow called out, waving her brother over to her spot. Everyone greeted Jim and Kevin as the former made his way over to his sister. "How was Benihana's?"

"I would have enjoyed it if I enjoyed listening to Michael and Andy acting horny and trying to flirt with waitresses. 'Least the food was good." Jim responded.

"Oh wow. Any update with Dwight?" Willow giggled.

"Yeah! A couple sat in between me and him so he was having difficulty hearing Andy and Michael's conversations. And when Andy was talking to one of the waitresses, I told him she needed to know how to 'properly butcher a goose.' And he actually explained it!" The siblings burst into laughter at the story.

"Classic Dwight." Willow quipped as Jim wrapped his arm around his little sister.

Kevin walked over to the karaoke machine and picked up the microphone. Darryl began playing the instrumental of Alanis Morissette's You Oughta Know as Kevin began singing. 

"And I'm here, to remind you, of the mess you left when you went away. It's not fair, to deny me of the cross I bear that you give to me. You, you, you, you, you, you, you oughta know!" Everyone burst into applause as Jim gave Kevin a high five.

"Willow! C'mere! Dwight won the raffle!" Karen called out. 

"I'll be back." Willow told Jim as she went to Pam and Karen. The three walked over to the conference room and opened the door. Willow felt her gaze turn cold as she saw Dwight and Angela let go of each other's hands.

"Dwight, you won the raffle!" Karen exclaimed as she handed him a wrapped present.

"No way! Yeah!" Dwight cheered. He ripped off the wrapping paper with a boyish grin on his face.

"Do you like it?" Karen asked.

"Walkie-talkies! Yes!" Dwight smiled as he marveled the gift.

"Can I talk to you guys for a sec?" Pam asked. Karen and Pam followed the receptionist out of the conference room. "I kinda feel bad about this. Angela looks miserable in there." 

"I guess, but she's been nothing but nasty to us all day." Willow added.

"Come on, it's Christmas."

"Okay, it's fine. Let's ask if she wants to merge our parties." Karen responded.

♡

"Well the Committee to Plan Parties has served its purpose. We're gonna disband. In the name of Christmas." Karen explained.

"In the name of Nutcracker Christmas." Pam added, holding up a Rice Krispy Treat shaped like a star.

"To Nutcracker Christmas." Willow grumbled, holding up her own star.

♡

"Angela, we've been hearing really great thing about  your brownies and we were hoping you'd consider merging into two parties." Karen asked Angela.

"I'm not sure. Does your karaoke machine have Christmas songs?"

"Yeah, but we don't have a power cord."

"Oh, I may have seen it somewhere," Angela stood and walked over to the potted plant. She pulled out the black cord and held it out to the three.

'Of course.' Willow thought, putting her hands on her hips.

"Is this the one?" Angela asked.

"Yeah, thanks." Karen answered, taking the cord.

"We'll go tell everyone." Pam said.

♡

"It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you!"

Willow belted the lyrics to Toto's Africa while downing her second margarita. Tipsy, she began to encourage the group of Dunder Mifflin Employees to sing along with her. 

"There's nothin' that a hundred men or more could ever do!"

Willow felt an arm wrap around her shoulders as she heard Andy singing along with her.

"I bless the rains down in Africa!" Willow locked eyes with Dwight as she continued to sang, feeling a cold stare in her direction, presumably at Andy.

♡

Watching Dwight down on one knee holding the microphone for a singing Angela made Willow's blood boil. As she watched him bob his head up and down, humming the tune to Little Drummer Boy, she clenched her fist in complete rage.

Willow stood up and placed her drink down next to her. She stalked off toward the exit of the office and ran down the stairs, angry tears welling up in her eyes. 

The cold winter air hit as soon as Willow exited the building. Tears fell down her flushed face as cold snow trickled down from the sky. 

Unlocking her car door, Willow stepped in, letting out a cry of frustration. Balling up her fists, she slammed her right hand onto the horn. The loud sound of the horn covered her screams and cries, her anger rising the more she thought about the couple upstairs.

"Why can't that be me?!" the brunette wailed. She honked her horn a couple more times and kicked the side of the door. Inhaling and exhaling, Willow put a hand on her forehead, mulling over her actions and feelings.

She gave up on trying to get over Dwight. Because at this rate, she only felt her feelings for him grow. And with that, her resentment towards him and Angela grew too.