Major Liam Kincaid - Protector to the North American Companion - took in a deep breath to steady his nerves. He could do this. He was strong. He was brave. He was cunning. Why then, could he hear the sound of his own heart beating in fear?
The doors to the mall opened and the mad rush of last minute Christmas Eve shopping began. Gentle housewives, parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents suddenly turned into a ravaging horde that would have terrified Genghis Khan. This was the domain of the frustrated shopper... mere mortals entered at their peril.
He was a professional and he was armed - he could cope. He had one last present to buy. Gritting his teeth, shouldering through the crowds and trying not to feel guilty, Liam manfully finished his Christmas shopping. Just the present for the Volunteers left to get.
He should have had the last week off. He was scheduled to have the time off.
He'd worked double duty last year - he hadn't had anything else to do. In the aftermath of the 'assassination attempt' and 'Lili's death', Augur hadn't felt like celebrating and he hadn't known Renee long enough to make any plans, so he'd volunteered for Christmas duty to free up Companion personnel that actually 'had a life'. This year, in a rare moment of generosity to one of his subordinates, Sandoval had authorised him to take time off this year as thanks.
Fate had intervened.
It wasn't Sandoval's fault that he'd been injured. In fact, all credit to his father, his quick action during the 'incident' at the conference centre had saved dozens of civilian lives. It had also resulted in injuries that had confined him to a hospital for the past couple of weeks. It had taken till today for the cover Sandoval had arranged to be in place.
The result?
His remaining Christmas shopping had to be done on Christmas Eve... amongst the hordes... not a task for the faint of heart.
Christmas Eve, 5.00 p.m.
Sitting in his apartment, Liam surveyed the small pile of presents in front of him with a sad feeling in his heart. Not enough. Not enough by far. Was it his failing that he had so few friends or was it the world he lived in?
Six presents, that was all...
One for Melissa, one for Julianne, one for Augur, one for Street, one for the Embassy staff and one for Renee... he'd buy one for his father if he could but Sandoval would question why and, as yet, he'd never managed to think up a reasonable explanation as to why he would buy a present for somebody he supposedly hated.
His gaze swept over his dimly lit apartment with a resigned smile. He'd kept his promise to Lili. The apartment was decorated with a delicate hand, tasteful garlands, a small but 'happy' tree, and, in pride of place, the one and only Christmas gift he'd ever received from Lili - other than her boundless affection - a huge, antique snow globe. The scene inside was of a Victorian Christmas scene; carollers singing with joy, he loved it. He looked at it and it reminded him of her. Her joy in her humanity, her love for life...
Liam gazed at his watch... time to go. He had presents to deliver and invitations to give out...
He gathered up the envelopes for Street and Julianne, as well as the parcels for the others... Augur's he'd post on the way. It'd arrive late but he'd sent the cyber guru a message to let him know which of his mail drops it was being sent to; Augur would get it eventually.
His first stop was the Washington Embassy. The Protector assigned to temporary duty in his place, David Caine, took one look at the hamper of confectionery that he dropped off and murmured a sarcastic thank you. "Bored Volunteers on a sugar high... You're too kind, Kincaid." Liam grinned, winked and left quickly.
Conveniently, Melissa and Julianne were both on duty in the same medical facility this month. He dropped in to see them, handed them their gifts and shyly made his invitation before beating a hasty retreat. Somewhat stunned, the two doctors watched as Liam strode off. In his short life, Christmas had become something of a non-event. He was always on duty, they'd thought he wanted it that way.
Glancing at each other, Julianne and Melissa shared a moment of silent communication. As one, they ripped open their gifts.
Melissa stared in disbelief at her copy of Watership Down. It was not a first edition, but it was a signed copy by the author. Melissa felt a grin of delight tug at her lips, it had been one of her favourite books as a young child.
Julianne bit at her lip in an effort to contain her emotions. Liam had given her tickets to the symphony. More than that, he'd invited her to accompany him to the upcoming visit by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. They were playing a series of Beethoven symphonies, amongst them Symphony No. 9, the Ode to Joy. It had been one of her daughter Joyce's favourite pieces.
Long after Liam had left her, Juliette Street still stared in disbelief at the piece of paper in her hand. It was not often that she was surprised, but... her eyes re-read for the hundredth time, the message written on the paper:
My Christmas gift to you, my friend, is nothing that you can hold in your hand.
It is a promise. Pick the time, and pick the place. Presuming I can get away from work then I'm yours for the day.
I'll take you anywhere in the world you want to go, try whatever crazy stunt you want to try. For that day, I'll be yours to command.
Your friend,
Liam.
Sitting in her office at Doors International, Renee Palmer undid the wrapping paper around her present. She hadn't been sure how Liam would act this year. She'd bought him half a dozen gifts and, changing her mind, had sent them all back. She had eventually settled on something, she'd spent the last three days on tenterhooks trying to decide if she should give it to him or just forget the entire idea as stupid. His actions had just answered that question - she'd give it to him tomorrow.
Carefully, she opened the lid of the box... Her breath caught in her throat at the sight that greeted her eyes. Fingers fumbling, she reached for the piece of note-paper placed inside the box and opened it out, her eyes never leaving the exquisite figurine in front of her.
It was hand-blown glass, the detailing was incredible. It had to come from Venice. It was the only place she had ever seen workmanship to match it. Reluctantly tearing her eyes away from the glass angel, she turned her attention to the note.
I saw this last month when I was in Venice with Da'an. I immediately thought of you.
Renee, you're my best friend and I wish you peace and joy in this festive season.
Love,
Liam.
Christmas Day dawned cool, crisp and perfect. Liam dressed in comfortable black jeans and a green shirt that Lili had once teasingly told him brought out the green in his eyes and made him look even more gorgeous. She'd loved saying things like that. She said that she loved being able to tease a grown man and making him blush like that. She'd had an evil streak... he missed it. He missed her. God help him, he missed the teasing. Banishing sombre thoughts from his head, Liam had a quick breakfast and headed out.
To his delight, Julianne, Melissa, Street and Renee were all at St. Christopher's waiting for him. They hugged him and kisses were liberally spread around. With smiles on their faces, they attended the carol service before they all willingly pitched in to the Christmas parcel delivery to the old and infirm of the local community. Gifts of joy and love from the congregation to those unable to get to the Christmas service.
Next stop was one of the main shelters in Washington DC. There were not as many homeless as there had been before the Taelons had arrived, that did not mean the problem had been eradicated completely. There were shelters in every city on the globe, though. Food and comfort were readily available to those that wanted it. The disparate group of five spent the next couple of hours as volunteers in the food kitchen and helping those less fortunate than themselves.
Christmas concluded with an amazing dinner at Liam's apartment, cooked by the man himself. The four women looked at each other and shrugged wryly. Added to the list of things they knew about the man was: gourmet chef.
At the end of the meal, Liam offered one final toast.
"To my friends and the ladies in my life. Thank you for spending this day with me. Merry Christmas to you all."
At Renee's request he'd waited till everyone had all gone before opening the present she had given him. With questing and curious fingers, he opened the exquisitely carved wooden box and peered inside. There were two things there. A note and a blue velvet bag. He opened the note first.
This was not an easy gift to pick, Liam.
I know, though, that you treasure your Irish heritage. I know too from Augur that you were unable to keep the one thing of your mother's that you wanted above all the others; that her family in Ireland requested they be returned.
I offer you these instead. A gift from me. You're my best friend, Liam. It was the most appropriate way I could think of to say thank you for that friendship.
Love,
Renee.
Smiling softly, Liam tipped out the contents of the velvet bag into one of his palms... hand-crafted, exquisitely carved runes. It was the best gift he could have wished for.