Friday December 2, 4:59 p.m.

“As the ambassador of Bullpen Good Cheer I gather you all to the first and hopefully annual Christmas Spirit meeting,” Tara who was decked out in a Santa hat announced striding across the room, the bells on her shoes jangling merrily. Her destination: the garland festooned white board she had been busily decorating earlier.

Jack glanced at the clock. “Now?” he asked in a tone very close to a whine.

“Ah, Tara, luv, its closing time on a Friday…” Bobby gently pointed out as he headed for the door.

“Freeze Koala Boy. As Head Elf of Good Cheer I expect your full cooperation,” Tara told him firmly, fixing him with a look that was anything but cheerful.

“Who appointed you head elf?” Myles asked suspiciously.

“I’m elf-appointed,” Tara said, tipping her nose in the hair to make her short frame measure up to the two agents who were now glowering on either side of her.

“She thinks we’re going to let that one slide by,” Myles observed in an unusual show of solidarity with Bobby.

“Well if she’s elf-appointed head elf, then I’m self-appointed Scrooge. And since I’m bigger and meaner, I win out. Who’s with me for weekend kick-off at Clancy’s?” Bobby asked eagerly.

Tara ignored this remark and the pointed glare she shot around the bullpen silenced anyone else’s protest.

“Sue would you be a dear and hand these out?” Tara asked sweetly, passing her a glittery gift bag.

Sue peeked cautiously inside, but pulled out the plush Santa hats with a wide grin on her face. Each one had a name etched in gold glitter.

“It has come to my attention, that more than one of you has not embraced the full spirit of the season,” Tara said in a shocked stage whisper.

“It’s a bit early on yet to…” Jack began to protest, but was silenced by a glance from Sue. He threw his hands up in resignation. “Go on, give us your best shot, Williams.”

Tara beamed and nodded to Sue. “Distribute them, please.”
Sue stood up and walked over to Lucy who gamely donned her hat at a jaunty angle. “Very becoming.” Sue complimented her roommate before heading for the two agents who were still trying to make a timely getaway. “Myles, Bobby,” she dangled the hats in front of them.

“I’m not wearing that,” Myles sniffed, refusing to even pick up the fluffy concoction in a garish shade of red.

“Come one, give it a try,” Sue coaxed, “it will match the colour of your nose when you leave Clancy’s later this evening.”

“It’s a mandatory uniform for all bullpen elves,” Tara said sternly from where she was fussing with the whiteboard.

Grumbling under his breath, Myles grabbed the offending article of clothing out of Sue’s hand and clamped it on his head.

“Tsk. Tsk, Myles. I think any more talk of that nature will get you a lump of coal in your stocking,” Sue teased, enjoying the aristocratic agent’s discomfiture when he remembered, too late, that she could read every word.

“Ohhh – you’ll have to fill me in later, Sue,” Tara said with avid interest.

“Bobby, you haven’t taken your hat yet,” Sue prompted, but the Aussie agent stubbornly folded his arms across his chest and shook his head. “Well, if you’re sure,” Sue said with a wink directed at Tara who had quietly climbed up onto the desk Bobby was leaning against. Sue threw the hat to Tara who promptly plopped it down over Bobby’s head, nearly blinding him in the process.

Jack, who had been laughing at his friends’ expense, soon sobered when Sue approached him next. He tried to ward her off, but she anticipated his reluctance and compensated for his maneuver. Unfortunately this threw her off balance and though Jack did end up wearing the hat he also ended up with a furiously blushing Sue in his lap.

“Whoohoo, way to go Sparky – a hat and the girl, talk about helping your elf,” Bobby applauded.

Jack ignored the office humour, well aware that all eyes were on them as he reluctantly helped Sue off of his lap. His hands lingered a tad longer than necessary at her waist and he hoped that fact would go unnoticed. Sue laughed good-naturedly, her cheeks flaming nearly as red as the hat she placed on her head.

“There’s one more, Sue,” Tara prompted.

“For D?” Sue asked, looking inside the bag. She felt a tap on her shoulder and looked up to see D standing next to her.

“Actually, I was lucky enough to get mine earlier today,” he pointed to the pompom festooned hat with Chief written across it. “Supervisor has some privileges,” he explained with a grin.

“Then who?” Sue fished into the bag and pulled out a smaller version of their Santa hats. “Levi!” she exclaimed excitedly. “Come here boy, Tara got you one as well.”

Levi obediently trotted over and allowed Sue to tuck the elastic under his chin. The girls gushed over him: “Doesn’t he look cute?” and “Red is his colour!” while the men cast him conciliatory looks.

“Now – our meeting can officially come to order. Please make sure you wear your uniform to each Christmas Elfploration meeting. They’ll all be held each Friday in advent, starting with today.”

“Elfploration?” Bobby asked in resignation. “What does that mean?”

“I would have thought it would be elf-explanatory,” Myles chided in his superior way.

“Don’t be elfish, Myles, share.”

“Will you two clowns cut it out? You’re cutting into refreshment time,” Tara said crossly.

“Tucker? I didn’t know there would be tucker at these meetings. All right then – let’s take it on the road. To Clancy’s – minus the hats.” Bobby made a beeline for the door.

“Manning!”

She has a loud voice for the little bit of a thing. And an imposing presence, he thought as he stopped his retreat and plunked down into a chair next to Jack’s.

“Did you put her up to this?” he asked suspiciously.

“Nah! I was trying to keep the holidays on a low key so we didn’t set her off,” Jack whispered back. “I think it might have started with the Christmas Carols Lucy played at lunch yesterday.”

“Don’t blame me for this, Hudson,” Lucy said frostily, “I wasn’t the one humming O Come All Ye Faithful all afternoon.”

“Your music put it in my head,” Jack protested, “and I don’t hum.”

“Does he really hum?” Sue asked with interest.

“Tunelessly,” Myles agreed. “He is not blessed with the vocal pipes of a virtuoso or the rich baritone of a…”

“Oh and you are,” Lucy said rolling her eyes in disbelief.

Myles glared at her haughtily. “I’ll have you know I have an excellent ear for music and excellent pitch.”

Their banter was interrupted by the piercing moan of an inexpertly played bugle.

Tara wiped her mouth on her hand; her lips were still buzzing from her attempt to bring the meeting to orde. She fixed the team with her best ‘bad cop’ stare.

“I’ve been thinking,” she began.

“That’s definitely not a good sign,” Myles muttered to Bobby.

“I thought she was too busy with her computer to think. Why doesn’t Jack give her more stuff to look up so she doesn’t have time to think?” Bobby complained, eyeing Jack irritably.

Jack threw up his hands in resignation. “Why is it always my fault?” he complained.

“Because it usually is?” Sue teased with a wink.
He grinned back, enjoying the merriment in her eyes.

“If I can have your attention…I don’t want to keep the elfkies waiting much longer. It’s got to be nerve wracking,” Tara announced worriedly.

“What’s an elfkie?” Lucy asked in confusion.

“The refreshments,” Tara said, indicating a cookie platter of gingerbread elves, all neatly lined up in a row.

“They’re so cute!” Sue squealed.

“Too cute too eat. I out did myself,” Tara moaned. “It’s a new recipe and it turned out to be quite successful. Look at their sweet little faces and their little belly buttons and they’re cute little mitts and….Bobby!” Tara looked like she was going to cry.

“What?” Bobby asked unrepentedly through a mouthful of elfkie. “Tasty little blighter, you outta try one.”

“You’re supposed to eat their faces first so they don’t see you nibbling at their appendages,” Tara told him mournfully, clearly shattered at the barbaric demise of one of her first born ginger babies.

“Tara you made them for us to eat,” Lucy pointed out reasonably.

“Well, that was before I got so attached to them…”

Bobby was beginning to feel a little guilty about devouring the cookie.

“Tara, what’s the purpose of this elfploration?” Sue diplomatically turned the conversation to safer ground.”

“Oh, right, well, as you know Christmas is four weeks away and I got to thinking that especially in our kind of job, it’s easy to become cynical at this time of year. So I took to heart the sermon at church last week when Pastor Wilkes talked about Peace in these troubled times. He asked a lot of thought provoking questions and I thought they bore closer examination…by all of us,” she glared at Bobby in particular. “So I’ve prepared a thought-provoking question for us to examine each week.” She ignored the audible groans from around the bullpen. “Your assignment is to take a journey into elf-discovery by pondering all week the answer to a simple question. This week its,” Tara turned and quickly wrote on the whiteboard in cheery red marker: What would peace look like to you?

She turned back to them beaming. “Simple, isn’t it? I guarantee if you choose to take this elfploration into elf-discovery with me this advent you’ll be astonished at what you can discover. That’s it for this week…we’ll share our observations next week when we met again. Now, you might as well put the rest of these poor blighters out of their misery,” she ended cheerfully, passing around the elfkies.

*********************************



Bobby crunched into an elf head and under his breath to Myles said, “She’s completely nuts”.

“You don’t have to tell me that. She has me wearing a red felt hat with gold sparkling metal thingies on it.” He mumbled around a cupped hand. Jack snorted at the side as he took a drink of some punch.

“It’s called glitter” came the anger voice from behind “and if it is so bad then you don’t have to participate” she shouted, “No one has to do this if they don’t want to. I was just wanting to instil some personal growth in this team” she spun on her small heel and stormed out of the door, huffing and growling as she went.

Bobby and Myles had the good nature to appear sheepish. They shared ashamed looks at the same time as Lucy smacked them on the side of the head with a file. Myles ducked but alas was not quick enough as the folder came down for round two.

“I can not believe you two.” She spat out before storming out as well in search of Tara her face etched with anger.

Sue stood there glaring at them, her eyes narrowed making them each feel uncomfortable including Jack and D.

“Tara is right, you don’t have to get involved but I warn you if you mock this again your punishment will be far worse than a folder. Mark my words” she turned to grab her bag and Levi’s leash. As she turned back she came face to face with a nervy looking Jack.

“Sue I was wondering if you wanted to grab a pizza or something tonight?” he said shyly.

She raised an eyebrow, “not tonight” she said sleekly before tugging the leash and leading Levi out after the other two.

D slapped Jack on the back, “sorry, it looks like a lonesome night for you. Me I am going home to the wifey” and with that he jaunted out whistling, ‘jingle bells’ waving as he went.

“Clancy’s?” asked Myles slipping the hat off his head and turning to face the other two. Bobby nodded sadly at the same time Jack said, “sure” and with that the three abandoned men shuffled out.

Myles Bobby ouch, what ever you do, your going to have to do it big. Show Tara how much you care . .. not only about her, but about christmas

Ails, I am already hooked on your story! I have laughed from the first sentence!! I love the banter and Tara is priceless!!

Now, to serious things, I hope they all think about the question of the week. Maybe Jack and Bobby can get some insight to things closer to home!! And, Myles, he needs to think about the true spirit of Christmas!!

Don't worry about D - I think he's figured it out!!

Joy

Oh, my God...this is fantastic allready....you do realise you will have to post like a hundred times a day to keep us satsified!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love it...can't wait for more!!!!!

I think those guys need to be hit with something a bit harder than a file !!!

“Can you believe him?” roared Tara as she slumped onto the sofa. “That man is impossible. He is so full of himself it is disgusting at times. I mean it’s Christmas, where is his spirit, his passion” she said flinging her arms into the air as she leapt from the chair and started to pace the room. “That man is….is….”

“Cute” injected Lucy as she sat down flipping the white bobble over to the other side of her head.

“Pardon” stuttered Tara getting flustered while her face reddened. “Cute never, I mean Bobby is tall and handsome with amazing deep dimples and amazing eyes. With a sexy accent and a kind heart but cute never, I mean I could never…”

“Me thinks someone dos protest to much” chuckled Sue tossing the cardboard pizza boxes onto the table with some napkins.

“ME” shrieked Tara. “I mean…I mean” her face going a brilliant shade of pink.
The laughter from the other two halted her stuttering and instead she sent a cushion missile towards them both.

“Sit down” laughed Sue “before the pizza gets cold”

After only a few minutes Sue unconsciously sighed making the other two face her. A string of mozzarella was suspended in mid air between a slice and Lucy’s mouth when Sue said, “I would what Jack, I mean the guys are doing tonight”

Lucy quickly chewed while Tara sighed and said, “I wonder”.

“Ladies this is a girls tonight, no talk off men well not of those men. Let’s talk about guys we know we can’t have…like…Brad Pitt, Orlando Bloom, Johnny Depp…”

“Mmmmmm Brad Pitt” giggled Sue as she slid down onto the floor, “Now he is delicious”

“I wonder if he can dance” joked Lucy digging Sue in the side.





The guys sat together around a small table while the game played behind them. Too ashamed off their earlier actions their minds were focused not on their reason for coming to this place in the first place. Bobby placed with his bottle sighing occasionally while Jack stared into the midst of nothingness. Myles just felt so alone. The sight of the three men was depressing to the eyes of the passer-by’s. However they did catch the eye off one lady. She shimmered off the stool and straightened her red sparkly dress before she swayed over to them making sure the sprig of mistletoe was safety tucked behind her ear.

“Hi” she said seductively wafting her long dark eyelashes, “My name is Mindy care of I join you guys? I just hate to be alone” she purred sliding into the spare seat. Leaning forward she flashed her ample bosom and waited for the usual response she would receive from men in bars. And she waited….she flipped her glossy brunette locks and pouted her glassy cherry red lips and she waited… she tried to make idle talk while shifting in her seat and yet she waited… Finally boredom and shocked spurred her to get up on her feet grabbing Myles hand she yanked him onto the small dance floor.

“Dance with me sexy” she purred winking at him, grabbing his hands and placing them on her tiny waist and sashing her hips. Myles gulped and looked over to the table he had just been forcibly made too vacate and saw Bobby and Jack leaning over the table in fits of laughter. He narrowed his eyes and vowed to extract revenge on them.

“So do we have a name handsome?” she said with another wink.

“Myles, Myles Leland the third”

“Oh a third. How wonderful. I love a man with a number” she said huskily leaning into his chest. Myles over the top of her head mouthed Help to the guys along with please.

Jack and Bobby shared thoughtful glances while they considered their options. Do they come to the aid of a fellow worker, friend and man or leave him to the she- wolf that looked hunger. The decision was a tough one. They shrugged at each other. Bobby bellowed across the room as the music faded.


“Myles the wife is on the phone”

Mindy stepped back and glowered at him. Before he could comprehend what was coming next her palm had collided with his cheek. She huffed before she pushed past him and made her way to another table that had just filled with sailors.

Myles touched his stinging cheek as he glared at his friends, “now was that necessary” he asked sitting down beside them.

“Got rid of the lady in red didn’t it” said Jack with a grin.

“I got slapped”

“And that was our bonus” smiled Bobby

“I am going,” said Myles standing up. “See you guys on Monday”

“Bye mate” cheered Bobby and Jack.

“I think I am going to go as well” said Jack, “kinda tired, it’s been a long week. Bye”

Suddenly Bobby felt himself all alone with his thoughts, thoughts filled with the image and voice of one special lady. He felt guilty for hurting her today, he knew his actions and words were cruel and unkind and he wished he had swallowed them rather than uttering them. Finishing his drink he decided that he should head home but first he might make a stop….

Wife's on the phone !!!



Jack ... make the right stop ...

Bobby ... maybe you should consider making a stop too ...

all i can say is.

MORE MORE MORE!!!

Ah.......the lady in red!!!

Too Funny Ails!

Jill

Bobby fancies Tara!!!Me thinks they need to get some strategically placed mistletoe in the Bullpen!!!

I can see it now


Bobby and Tara sittin in a tree
K-I-S-S-I-N-G!!!


Sorry but i love Bobby and Tara pairings!!!


And Jack stop by the girls apartment please!!!And tell Sue you will do anything in the name of christmas!!

Vickie

I agree with Vickie...i think some mistletoe around the bullpen would be a good idea!!!! loving this story....more please

I want more, no, I need more!!!

I just love it!!

Finally! A story I can start from the beginning; and it's a good one too! I can't wait to see Tara smack some Christmas spirit into Bobby!

Jack and Bobby, both of you need to stop at Sue and Lucy's on your way home!!

I'm going to buy the mistletoe and have it strung all over the bullpen by Monday morning!!!

Please, please, please, Ails, give us more!!!!

Joy

I just have to say, that the guys had better not of drained the christmas spirit out of Tara. That tommorrow morning she had better not come into the Bullpen and act like its just any other day.

The wife is on the phone! Those guys -- you can't leave them alone for a second or they're up to mischief!!!! Love it ails, can't wait to see where you take this.

kav

I hope it's a stop to Tara's...or I mean Sue's and Lucy's...

I love the way you have led us into Bobby's thoughts, without tpping the whole hand. Great Job!

Jen

That whole lady in red scene had me ! I like how once Bobby was alone, he had to deal with his own thoughts.

I'm hooked. Ready for more.

I love when the guys banter.........they are such MEN!!

Jack flopped onto his king size bed and ruffled his tousled hair.

“What does peace look like to me?” he asked himself out loud. Screwing up his face he tried to clear the spinning thoughts that was tumbling around in his noggin’. However whenever he tried to focus on the matter of peace one image, or it should be said one face kept monopolising his inner sight. Her golden hair flowed like clear mountain springs as they make their way to the sea. Her skin reflected fresh morning dew and her eyes sparkled like polished diamonds. She was his every thought, his every desire; she was and is his future and sanity all rolled neatly together. He covered his face and screamed softly into his hands as he rubbed his tingling skin. Sitting up on his elbows he looked around his bachelor room-taking note of the pictures that covered one whole wall as well as his bedside table, Pictures of friends and families, pictures of special occasions and everyday life. His eyes eagerly sought out the one at his bedside, the one that he stared at each night and smiled at each morning. The one that give him hope on the hopeless days, the one that made him feel positive about the world and all that he was doing to make it a better place. He sighed as he noted the tumbling golden locks and the sweet angelic smile. Reaching over he took the picture into his hands and stared down at it, wishing that he could find the courage within to reveal to her just what she meant to him. He lovingly stroked the glass imaging he was tenderly touching her creamy skin. Sighing he replaced the frame and got out of bed. He knew sleep was evading him at the time being, he hoped doing something productive would invite Mr Sandman back.



Bobby stood outside her front door nervously wringing his hands. The icy wind tickling his nervy skin he reached out and knocked on the door. Digging his hands deep within the confines of his jacket pockets he slouched down to stop the winds assault on his bare neck and waited.

Tara jumped out of her skin when she heard the knocking on her door. She rolled over and checked the time; seeing that it was 01.45am she started to untangle herself from the bedcovers. The battle was fierce and brutal but eventually she won victoriously she was free from the restraints of the cover. Grabbing the throw that was slung over the rocker chair she pulled the fleece material tightly around her shoulders as she slipped her feet into her reindeer slippers with the bells on them and rubbing her tired face shuffled down to the front door. Peeking thru the peephole she was both shocked and pleasantly surprised to see Bobby standing on her doorstep. She quickly unlocked the door and pulled it towards her.

“What are you doing here Bobby?” she asked, “Is everyone okay?” she particularly shouted as fear gripped her heart.

Bobby face froze with unexpected emotions as he stared down at the most beautiful creature he had every seen. She stood before him free of makeup with bed hair that resembled a small birds nest. Her blue fleece Pj’s with white and yellow daisies made her look so sweet and delicate. Her pink fleece throw with bright yellow stars just made her shine he thought.

“Bobby!” she shouted, “Bobby”

“Huh?” he replied

“What are you doing here at nearly 2am?”

“Well I ummmm…wanted to ummmm…say sorry for my behaviour earlier on. Sorry! But on hindsight I think I could have waited until morning, so sorry for waking you” his flushed with embarrassment.

Tara giggled at his sweet stance and totally bad timing, “Well it is morning”

“Well I should have waited until the sun had risen,” he said still keeping his focus on a spot on the ground.

“I am never going to go back to sleep for a good while now” said Tara grinning.

“Sorry” he muttered, “I should go…”

Before he continue Tara butted in, “You look cold while don’t you come and get some hot chocolate. I have five different flavours including a new Christmas one. Orange and Cinnamon with a hint or praline and of course I have mini marshmallows.”

“I don’t want to keep you up” he replied

“You won’t be and I would like the company that if you are not too tired”

He turned to face her and smiled, “Orange and cinnamon with praline sounds interesting”

“Okay then” she said standing back and ushering the man in. “The living room is just thru there. I am going to go and put on a jumper. Be back in a minute” and with that she bounced off up the stairs while Bobby made himself comfortable.

Smiling to himself he slipped off his jacket and turned the fire on to heat up the cold room. Soon she was back down looking snug. And not much time later they were both sitting face-to-face sipping steaming hot mugs of hot chocolate, the soft light of the flickering fire and the back lamp providing them with all the light that was necessary. The conversation remained light and soon Tara noted that Bobby was drifting somewhat. She smiled as she watched sleep claim him. Gently she uncurled herself from the sofa and walked over to where he sat. She laid the mug on the coffee table and picking up a tartan blanket that sat over the back of the sofa she draped it over his body and tucked him in. She lowered the fire and switched the lamp off. She stood in the doorway and smiled at the sight before her, her heart hammering in her chest. Bobby Manning was asleep in her house. She tiptoed over to him and cautiously kissed him in the forehead. She watched in amazement as his eyelashes flickered. Her eyes darted over his handsome face taking more and more mental pictures for her collection. Sighing she resigned herself to never feeling his lips again, that past kiss haunting her dreams. Sighing once again she gathered herself together and headed for bed.

Fuzzieeeeesssssssssss!!!

GREAT START!

Fabulous start...


gracie

The guys trying to deal with their emotions and feelings ... so sweet !

hey great job so far more please!

*sigh*

I just love the scene you painted with Bobby and Tara!

Ails, you seem to have our guys down to a T!! Only Bobby would go to Tara's house at 2 a.m.!! And, Jack always ends up thinking about Sue!!

I can't wait to see what else you have in store for us!!

Joy

I love the Ail's that writes fuzzies, you are so good at it....

I bet your as bad as Tara when it comes to christmas aren't you??!!


Looking forward to more


Vickie

Bobby yawned as his eyes slowly opened to the glistening sunshine that filtered into the living room. His body instantly went on to alert as the unfamiliar surroundings became clear around him. He pulled the blanket off and stood up yet keeping crouched over. And then he heard it; the sweet voice that was drifting towards him from what he presumed was the kitchen as a heavenly scent was drifting along with it. With this he straightened up as the memories of the previous night can back to him in a flash. He slapped his head and muttered “Doh” as he made his way to the kitchen, following his ears and nose and perhaps his stomach.

“Tara” he said quietly as he entered and once again the sight that befell was one that made him stumble outwardly and inwardly.

“Hey” she said shyly pushing some cinnamon toast across the worktop towards him.

Bobby gratefully accepted the food and sat down on one of the stools. “I am really sorry,” he said thru mouthfuls.

“I know,” she said grinning at him over her shoulder as she finished up the dishes.

“Thank you” he said bowing his head.

“Well don’t do it again or I will set Lucy on you” she said wiping her hands dry with a wink.

“Anything but Lucy” he replied standing up holding his hands up, “I’ll behave I promise”

Tara found herself laughing heartily. “So what are you up today?” she asked hopefully.

“Playing basketball with some mates of mine and contemplating peace” he said sadly wishing he didn’t need to leave.

“Sounds busy,” she said. “Me I am doing some Christmas shopping.”

“Sounds horrific,” he said with a shudder for added effect.

She stuck her tongue out and handed him his jacket. Reluctantly he took it and slipped it on.

“I’ll see you Monday morning then?”

“Yes you will,” she said waving him goodbye.

Closing the door she leaned on it and closed her eyes and sighed.

I think there might be a bit of Christmas magic going on here!!

Joy

Yep! I can totally picture this!

Ahh bobby i know you got plans but gees you stayed over night, and then ate at her place and just ditched her gees

men . . . P

Took the words out of my mouth.

Bobby, never heard of ... change of plan???

What a fantastic start to this Christmas story, I'm now feeling all Christmassy! Not that we haven't been learning Christmas carols and songs at school for the past three weeks and we're heavily into rehearsals for our Christmas performance! I love the way you write both Bobby and Tara and I can't wait to find out what each member of the team decides is their definition of peace.

Take care

Sairs

Bobby!!! Change your plans now!

Ails, I thought I was just behind in posting, but apparently I am behind in reading too! You're a speedy little writer

Loving this story!!! I always love your humor and reading your fuzzies puts a goofy grin on my face that sticks around for hours! (In case you're wondering, that's a cleverly disguised hint for more! )

I just love the warm fuzzies.....thanks Aileen!

I love this -- and Bobby -- Christmas shopping might not be so bad if you went with Tara! Or maybe Tara could join the basketball game!

kav

Monday morning 10.00am



Tara sat behind her screen her eyes every few seconds darting up to watch the tall Aussie across the room. She loved being able to stare and from her position no one could tell that she was doing this. His long broad body filled with muscle and sinew took her breath away. Sighing she returned her attention back to the report she was writing.

Lucy leaned back in her chair and watched the romantic comedy unfolding before her. Chewing on the end of her pencil she hummed some random Christmas tune. She watched as Jack would peek up over his file and sigh as his sight fell upon Sue. Equally Sue would pretend to be looking around for something in the room while her eyes remained solely on Jack. And then they were Bobby and Tara. Bobby would frequently stretch his arms above his head and cock his head to the side and stare briefly at Tara, with a crazy smile on his face. While Tara would sneak looks around her screen something Lucy was sure she thought that no one could she her doing. She was sitting in the midst of some Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks movie.

The electricity in the room was surging and very much alive thought Myles as he shifted in his seat. He puffed at the immaturity of his fellow co-workers. This was a place of work not a dating agency or some disco. His ice blue eyes glared at each victim one at a time. Maybe if they just hook up then this unsuitable behaviour could end and peace and quiet and work could return. Seeing Bobby once again stretching and rocking on his chair he snapped taking an eraser he took aim and fired it.

Bobby let out a yelp of pain as it hit him squarely between his eyes, however more was to come when the chair went from beneath him. With a crash and a bang he landed in a heap on the floor. Before the laughing could start Tara was up and out of her chair and over by his side.

“Are you okay?” she asked crouching at his side.

“Sore pride” he muttered rubbing his rear.

Seeing he was okay Tara started to chew her lip trying to keep the laughter at bay.

“Go on” he said motioning at her to laugh.

“You look so funny” she coughed out between bouts of laughter as she helped him up.

“That is why we don’t swing on chairs boys and girls,” said D from the doorway with an unsubtle grin on his face.

“Sorry teach,” said Bobby returning the chair to the upright position and plonking down on it.

Tara headed back to her chair giggling as she went. Bobby grabbed a file and buried his face into it trying to drown out the remnants of laughter.

The day continued in an uneventful manner, such looks still were passed between the two weary couples. Myles and Lucy continued to watch them closely. Evening approached and Jack grabbed his jacket from the coat rack. He shrugged it on and tentatively approached Sue.

“Sue”

Levi gently nudged his wet nose against her knee. Sue smiled down at him before turning her eyes up to face Jack.

“Good evening Jack. What can I do for you?” she asked smiling up at him.

His eyes twinkled as he leaned forward on the desk and whispered for her ears only, “Fancy some Chinese?”

Scrunching up her face she pretended to ponder the decision, “are you buying?”

“Well only is a beautiful lady joins I”

“Well I think I could be tempted” she said getting up. Collecting her stuff smiling all the time. She quietly followed Jack out of the room a glowing sensation within her chest. Lucy chuckled as she waved her best friend goodnight. She then watched her other friend quietly slip out of the bullpen. Her eyes instantly sought out Bobby who was busy on the phone to notice Tara’s departure. Sighing she got herself ready, tonight she was going to seriously consider peace.

Stupid phones, distracting us from what is really important. LOL

Yup i had a teacher who would knock the legs out from under us if we did that to the legs on our chairs. Until one kid caught him doing it, and well got him back.

Love the banter in the office. But enough electricty in there to run the office with out out the aid of the power plant. )

Myles.......you sound like Scrouge!!! Better go contemplate!!!

Jill

Do we have couple #1 on to something ???

Bobby ... phone calls are overrated ...or at least you could keep in eye in the bullpen while you're at it ... on the other hand ... you could always stop by later !!!

D's reply was priceless !!!

Funny that only Myles and Lucy notice the powersurge ...

A short one here...trying to keep those characters under control....


Lucy curled up on the couch, carols playing softly in the background she pulled out her worn copy of the CS Lewis classic the Lion, the witch and wardrobe. Finding herself soon lost in the world of Narnia a probing thought kept getting in the way. Finally she marked her page and tossed the book onto the table. Pulling the blanket around her legs she looked out the window where some fine snow was falling. Leaning her head against the back cushion she allowed her mind to enter the realm of peace.

“What does peace look like to ME?” she said quietly. “What is Peace?”

She allowed her mind to delve into the subject matter. She was finding it hard to define. Finally she got up and headed to find a dictionary. Reading allowed she said

“Peace- a state of quiet; calm; repose; public tranquillity; freedom from war; concord. Well that doesn’t exact narrow it down.”

Tossing the dictionary onto the table next to Narnia she grabbed the blanket and sat at the chair next to the window. There she sat and watched in awe as flakes twirled and swirled there way down to earth. Watching them go about their journey she found herself feeling small compared to the world. Yet along with this she realised that despite feeling so small in the grander surroundings she could still have an impact on the world. That she Lucy Dotson could indeed make a difference. Grinning at this powerful and significant realisation she jumped off the chair and hurried to find her laptop and soon she was connected to the World Wide Web.



D entered the house to the exploding racket around him. The mixture of screaming and music battered his senses and he sighed wearily. For the last three weeks Davey and Tanya had been at it non stop. Every second of the day they were insulting one another or going out of their way to make the other one life miserable. Shaking his head he went in search of his beautiful wife and found her looking very tired sitting in the kitchen.

“How long?” he asked accepting the mug of coffee from her.

“Since they both got in. my head is pounding”

“This has to stop,” he said angrily

“Do you remember the time when we had peace in this house?”

“That was before the children right?” he asked with a twinkle in his eye as he headed towards the door to go and do his fatherly duty.

Climbing the stairs his he could stop muttering, “peace”

At the top of the stairs before facing the battling siblings he said, “right now peace would look like one big happy family.”

With that he marched into the Tanya room and bellowed.



if you want to try and think of a definition of peace- tis hard to do!!!!

As I have been reading your post, I have been thinking about peace!! This is definitely a tuffy!!

Jack and Sue seem on the right track!! We still need a little work on Bobby and Tara. And, I guess all good families need a Scrouge!!!

Loving your story, Ails!!

Joy

D ... It's called the joy of fatherhood ... which I don't believe is a synonym of peace

Love everyone's reflections, Ails...and their various struggles with the definitions. Still, it's getting them thinking and I'm sure that's what Tara intended.

kav

I agree, Peace . . . you got them all thinking. YOu have them all looking at what they have in front of them. What is there. What some don't have and what we all should be greatful because we do have.

I can just picture D bellowing at his kids