Chaos, Reese and Eire retreated to the kitchen as soon as they could, phone in hand. Reese make the call since he seemed to be fine with who ever's name he got. Chaos and Eire both sat at the table scowling.
Eire turned to Chaos. "Wanna trade?"

Chaos gave him that look. "Charli would kill us........ besides , how do you know I don't have you?"

Eire sighed and put his chin in his hands. He glanced over at Reese chatting away on the phone. "Do you really think it's such a good idea to let him order the food..."

Lex entered the kitchen, looking at the slip of paper in his hands with a pale look. "Who's idea was this?" He asked, waving the paper around.

Eire attempted to snatch it, but Lex jerked back his hand away from Eire with a look. "And who else is involved in this..."

"Kid, do you REALLY wanna know the answer to that?" Came another voice from the doorway. Sands snubbed out his cigarette and shoved his piece of paper in his pocket, but he glanced at Chaos and had to smirk.

"When'd you get here?" Lex asked eyeing Sands.

"Just a minute ago. I think Meeks is still out in the lobby ranting about her pick, who ever it is..."

"Then I imagine Rue and the others'll be along soon enough." Lex muttered and shook his head with a smirk. "Maybe Rue'll get stuck with you, Eire, then you won't have to worry."

"Be nice..." Eire muttered gloomy.

Chaos looked over at Reese, who was still on the phone. He grinned at her and waved, then placed a hand over the mouth piece. "How many people are eating? I mean, shall I order for everybody? Rue's crew as well as ours?"
Chaos glanced at Eire who gave her a rather worried look, but she shrugged. "Sure. Go for it. Just get a variety." she turned and gave Eire a look. "We risk our lives every day and night facing down magic, weapons, nasties, and 'magic weapon weilding nasties'... how bad can Reese's ordering take out be?"

Eire let his head hit the table with a thud. "Next thing you'll be saying is 'let's go shopping after we eat.' "

"Well, actually, it probably would be better to get it over with..."

Eire lifted his head high enough to let it thump back down again."Kill me now, okay? Just.. put me out of my misery...." He lifted his head and peered over at Sands and Lex. "Either of you guys wants to switch?"

"Eire....Charli, remember?"

Sigh.

Thud.

Sands snickered as he plopped down in a chair. "Shoppin' ain't that bad, Eire...unless you really got a doozy on that pick..." He grinned deviously.

Lex snorted. "I think mine's relatively easy...I'm just scared about who gets my name. I mean...what's Spud going to get any one for christmas? A jack hammer? That's his idea of a gift..."

Eire laughed out right for a change. "Yeah, I hear you there..."

"Yeah some people can come up with some scary ass gifts." Sands agreed.

"Are you all in here bitching about the secret santa?" Rue sauntered into the kitchen with a grin. She was removing her hat, and gloves.

"No, we're just praying we don't end up with...say Spud buying our gifts." Lex said as Rue dipped down and stole a kiss.

"It's christmas, Lex...it's the THOUGHT that counts." Rue replied giving him a look. Lex just grinned at her.

Reese finally hung up the phone and announced. "Food will be ready in twenty minutes. Then we send in Turnbul for the fastest delivery around ." He grinned, lacing his fingers behind his head and rocking back on his chair. His cocky pose was ruined by the loud growl from his stomach which started everyone chuckling.. until everyone elses stomach started grumbling.

Finally Eire looked over at Reese. "Dare I ask... what's for lunch?"

Reese shook his head. "Oh ye of little faith." He said. "No worries.... several pizzas are being made for us right now............. all with a different variety of toppings. Something for everyone. and before you ask, yes to the dipping sauces, cheesey breads plus some really good hot wings."

That resumed the rumble of stomachs and made everyone's eyes turn to the clock.

"Well then," Rue said, sitting down in a chair. "I suggest after we eat...I'll take these two with me shopping other wise, they'll never get it done." She motioned to Eire and Lex.

"I'd get it done, just don't...er...that is to say..." Eire snapped his mouth shut and Rue grinned.

"My point."

"I can't STAND going shopping with you." Lex protested. "You're in there for hours..."

"Do you have any idea what you'll be gettting your person as a gift?" Rue asked, giving the fire elemental a look.

"That's an easy one, I've already got it in mind...I may have gotten off easier then the rest of you..." Lex grinned deviously.

Eire reached over and shoved at Lex, knocking him half way out of the chair. "Smart ass." He complained.

Lex just grinned more.

"I wouldn't say you're the only one who got off easy." Sands replied from his spot. "I think I have a pretty damned good idea what to get my person." He winked at both Rue and Chaos.

Chaos scowled. "Well, I guess we might as well get it over and done with. Seeing as how our lobby is currently decorators central, I'm guessing that the roster is fairly empty for the rest of the day. Maybe we should ALL go to the mall. What about it Turnbul? You up for a mass transit to the mall?"

Turnbul grinned. "Think I can handle that. As long as no one minds putting on a show. This many people,.. can't pop out of a closet or anything..."

Chaos snorted. "Gee, I think we can all handle a bit of publicity. As long as it's not too extreme. Don't drop us in the middle of the fountain or anything."

"Who... Me?! Would I do that?"

"Honestly people, it's not THAT bad." Aiyla Meeks said as she entered the kitchen. Her once lime green hair was back to it's long straight original white and in a french braid. Although her eyes were still the light irridencet green, which were scanning the kitchen, most likely looking for Nate. "Besides, it's your chance to give the person you picked, something unusual. I've got mine picked out, though they may not like it." She winked at Rue.

"Who'd ya get, Aiyla? Nate?" Sands asked.

She clicked her tongue playfully, though her eyes sparkled. "Now I can't tell ya that, now can I?"

Lex snickered and his eyes met hers and Aiyla seemed to guess right off who he got. She leaned over him and whispered in his ear, where no one could hear. "If you need help with him, let me know." She winked, patting the fire elemental on the shoulder. Lex snickered more and nodded. Rue looked at them with a raised eyebrow.

Rue gave Lex a look, Lex just grinned back. "How long till the food gets here?" Lex asked Reese,

"Shouldn't be to long." Reese answered.

"Good, I'm starving." Sands replied. "Where's Jack?" He asked Rue.

Aiyla was the one who answered, she answered with a musical laugh and said. "He's still in the lobby, Sienna has threatened to sit on him unless he pulls a name."

Rue giggled at the mental image of the little girl planted on Jack's chest, making him draw a name. "He'll pick if he knows whats good for him." She said, brushing her hair behind her ear.

"Lex, how's your brother?" Aiyla asked him.

Lex snorted. "Saffron said he and dad had some things to take care of this holiday. But if you ask me, Saffron just wants to see Alandra." He glanced at Sands, who was frowning.

"How is your dad and sister, Sands?" Rue asked him.

"Ally hasn't said a single thing about Saffron. And Dad is back in the fae realm, helping plot another rebellion..." Sands rolled his eyes.

"I wish him luck." Rue said with a nod. "How many rebellions does this make?"

"I've lost count...you can't really beat Taliveer, my grandfather...the bastard."

"Well, we don't wanna see Estehl get hurt." Lex said, he had grown to like the crown prince and everyone else was of the same opinion.

"Oh!" Rue seemed to suddenly remember. "Big 'formal' PRIVATE christmas party at the Raven tomorrow night, EVERYONE had better be there, consider yourself all invited. You don't have to come in black tie, but wear something nice, EIRE!" Rue gave him alook, indicating he had to come in something other then jeans and flannel, "And make sure Nate wears something more then denium and leather..."

Nate sauntered into the room, tucking his slip of paper into his back pocket, a smug look on his face. "Anything to eat?" He asked, the noticed Meeks. He headed over to her. "Hey Gorgeous." He said with a wink.

"Hey Nate," Rue said, "Jack still out there?"

Nate chuckled. "Yeah. Sienna has him pinned t' the floor. She's determined she'll make him cry uncle an' pick a damn name." He flicked the brim of his hat. "Kid'll do it too. She's a tough little bagger."

Aiyla stole a kiss, leaning against Nate. "Hey yourself, Handsome." She smiled, and was forced to laugh at what he said about Jack. "If Sienna doesn't get him to pick, then there's no hope for Jack at all."

"Aww. Jack's got a soft spot for kids, she'll have him wrapped around her little finger soon enough." Rue said from her spot.

Aiyla grinned. "Good thing then." She laughed softly. "Lex, you come with me shopping after we eat, we can help each other out." She winked at the fire elemental

Eire snickered at the image of Sienna sitting on Jack. "Gotta love that kid." He said, getting up and moving past Aiyla and Nate. He thumped his best friend in the shoulder, grinning at them. "Oh, Rue says, big FORMAL party at the Raven tomorrow night, you can't wear too much leather." Eire said with a grin.

Jack came in, followed behind by Sienna, who looked triumphant. Jack was eyeing his slip of paper with a sour look and waved to the others. Everyone watched him and snickered.

"How long did it take, Sienna?" Rue asked, leaning on Lex.

"Only a few minutes." Sienna replied with a grin.

Rue laughed. "Good girl!"

Jack sighed and looked at Sienna, then with a slight smile, ruffled her hair, before shoving the paper in his pocket. "So what's to eat?"

Reese suddenly sniffed the air. "FOOD'S HERE!! " He hollered and vaulted over the table, nearly knocking a few of them over as he sprinted from the room. They heard a startled yelp, and Reese sauntered back into the kitchen with his arms piled high with pizza boxes. Turnbul came in behind him and everyone did a double take. no one had even noticed him leaving. He spun a chair around backwards and straddled it. "Geez man. I was bringing it in! You didn't have to tackle me for it.... Share damn you!!"

As the boxes were opened and raided, Chaos stood up and whistled for silence. "Alright! So it's decided... as soon as we're done eating we head to the mall...."

"Yeah yeah...." Eire growled, motioning to Reese. "Toss me some wings, dude!"

Charli smacked Reese's hand away from the box of chicken."You will Not 'TOSS' anything!"

Chaos sat back down with a sigh , reaching for some pizza before it vanished. "Hate christmas shopping...."

Reese & Turnbul By Skye

Reese shifted his bags to one hand as he paid for his coffee and began to wander off towards the rendevouz point. He wasn't in any hurry, he still had plenty of time and he was already done his shopping.

"Don't even think of it, Bull." He said, not even bothering to turn around.
"So not fair!" Turnbul exclaimed, stepping up to walk beside him. He was wearing one of those elf hats with the two foot tail on it to cover his horn. Reese thought he looked like an idiot in it.

"You might as well give it up. you can't sneak up on a werewolf - can smeel you and hear you long before you get any where near me." Reese said, peering over his shades with his trademark grin.

"You done, too?" Turnbul asked, hoisting his bags over a shoulder."Hello.. what have we here? Damsels in distress?"

Reese turned to look where Turnbul was staring and saw two women, a blonde and a bruneete, both very pretty. They were sitting on a bench amoung a huge pile of bags and boxes filled with wrapped gifts. The blonde wa crying and the brunette looked like she might start any second.
Unable to resist a beautiful woman in need. let alone two of them, turnbul and Reese headed over.

Hello ladies. We were wondering if there's anything we could do to help?" Turnbul asked, smiling. "Hate to see gorgeous ladies cry."

The brunette gave them a tired smile. "You got a couple vans ,a bunch of friends and a night to spare? "

Reese raised an eyebrow......"Not the vans. At least not with us. The friends and the night we have though."

Turnbul took his turn. "What's wrong? Why do you need vans?"

The blonde choked back her tears. "We had a stand here in the mall collecting toys and funds to buy toys for little kids stuck in hospitals over the holidays. They're supposed to be delivered tonight to all the hospitals across the city, and our drivers never showed. We can't get a hold of anyone! No one can spare the time or the transportation. Now we're stuck here!"

Turnbul turn to Reese and gave him his impression of a sad puppy dog. "What 'dya say, Reese.... can we give the girls a hand.? It won't take long. We should be back in plenty of time to pick up the others."

Reese took one look at the hopeful looks on the girls faces and caved. "I'm Reese, this is Bull, and we're here to rescue you ladies this evening."

**
The blonde name's was Cindy and the brunette turned out to be her roommate, Jen. They were over joyed for the help and excited to discover that their heroes were supernatuals who would be teleporting the gifts to the various locations. Cindy hauled out a Santa hat and placed it on Reese's head. Apparently Bull's hat was good enough as is. They decide the best way was to work in shifts, so that the pile of goodies was never left unguarded. The girls donned their own santa hats and Reese hefted the first two bags. Cindy picked up a box and Turnbul opened the first portal. Reese and Cindy stepped through loaded down with presents, only to reappear a couple minutes later empty handed.
Cindy beamed. "Oh Jen! this is great! We'll have it done in no time, now! And it feels real funny when you go through ."
Next up Turnbul and Jen hefted their burdens and went off to the next hospital in line.
Two more trips and everything was done. Just as Turnbul's watch beeped at him. "Time to go grab the others, Reese. See? Talk about perfect timing, huh?"
Reese grinned, picking up his owns bags where he'd left them earlier. Cindy smiled and kissed him on the cheek, slipping a piece of paper into his pocket. "Thanks for playing Santa with us, Reese." She said, then turned and gave Bull a kiss on the cheek as well. Jen kissed his other cheek and offer her thanks.

They were half down the hall when Reese checked the paper in his pocket. He grinned and tucked it back in where it wouldn't fall out.
Bull looked over at him with a grin of his own. "You get a thank you note with a number on it to?"
Reese nodded, pushing his shades back up.
"Ahhh" Turnbul sighed, swinging a bag over his shoulder. "A night off work, Christmas shopping completed, babes rescued. Not a bad night, huh Reese?"
Reese just grinned. "Hanging out with you does have it's benfits, Bull."

Meeks & Lex
by Washu

Meeks dragged Lex down the mall's hall toward the western wear shop. "Yeah, this is really gonna work well." Lex said rolling his eyes. "A goth entering a western store."

"A least your hair isn't light green." Meeks answered with a grin, pulling him through the open doors.There were two people behind the desk, both looking at the pair with raised eyebrows. Meeks just smiled at them as she dragged Lex behind her.

"Can we help you?" The man asked, looking Lex up and down. Lex shifted uncomfortably.

"Your cowboy hats, we'd like to see them." Meeks answered non chalantly.

The man came from behind the counter and led them over to the far wall. He stood there, while Meeks eyed the selection then snatched a black leather hat with silver rose decore from the shelf and stuck it on Lex's head. "Now that one looks good on you." She said with a grin.

Lex leaned back and looked in the mirror, He had to admit, she was right, it flattened out the spikes, and even went with the maroon t-shirt with it's orange letters, 'Burn, Baby, Burn' "We'll buy that one for you, but for Nate..." Meeks had a finger resting on her cheek as she eyed he rest of the hats.

"All these are expensive, ma'am." The man said sarcastically.

Meeks waved him off. "Money is no problem, SIR."

"How bout this one?" Lex asked, spotting a black leather one with an antigue silver colt pistol charm on the bridge. He picked it up, handing Meeks the hat she wanted to get him and tried it on, looking in the mirror.

Meeks laughed, hugging on Lex's arm. "I think it's perfect! Especially for HIM." She took both and headed up to the counter, the grumpy man following. Meeks layed the hats on the counter and took out her wallet.

"Who you have to shop for?" Lex asked, leaning on the counter next to Meeks as the woman rang the price up.

Meeks held a finger to her lips and leaned close. "Jack."

Lex made a face. "I'll help you with that... but I need to stop by the music store, there's something I really want to get Nate from there."

"Rock or orcrastra?" Meeks asked as she handed over her credit card, not even grimacing at the price of $180.

"Classical. Hopefully the ass hasn't got this set already..." Lex said rolling his eyes.

"As big a collection as he's got, you'll just have to hope for the best." Meeks took the two hat boxs and handed Lex his. "Now wear it."

"Wha, now?" Lex asked incrediously.

"Yes, now! I think Rue'll find it charming. Speaking of Rue, have you told her yet?" Meeks eyed Lex.

"Told her what?!" Lex asked trying not to blush.

"That you love her, jackass..."

"Aiyla!" Lex did blush as Meeks guided him out of the western store. She took the rose hat out of the box and put it on Lex's head, before shoving the box in the trash and laughing.

"You know this is a girl's hat..." Lex muttered, looking at the tag.

"It looks good on you, gorgeous!" Meeks laughed as they actually ran into the music store.

...tbc........