This is going to be great!! I can't wait!!

Thank you, Trecebo and Only Me, I am so enjoying this!!!

Joy

Too bad there's no video clip to accompany the next post !!!

oh this is exciting...

Indeed

...or even audio! Any chance of an mp-3 file somewhere?

Karaoke! It's going to be fantastic, just a shame it's got to be left to the imagination without any further visual or audio input!

Sairs

I wish I had audio and video of what we have planned but alas, you will have you use your creative minds and imagine the fun...but first...

* * *

Dewberry watched the sun set in a pink wash over DC, her mind working overtime. She then glanced around the city, zooming in on where various people were getting ready to meet at MacGill’s. I’m sorry to spoil a team outing, she thought, but this needs to be done…

Zap!

At the Gans house, Davy was just coming down the stairs. “Mom? I don’t feel so good.”

“What is it?” Donna moved to touch his face. “D, he’s got a fever. I think maybe we’d better stay home tonight.”

…


Zap!

At Sue and Lucy’s apartment, the phone rang. “Whoa, there, buddy! I got it.” Lucy grabbed Levi before he could get Sue’s attention. “Hello?” she said as she brought the receiver to her ear. “Oh, hi Gram. What’s—?” She listened for a moment. “Ok, don’t panic, I’ll be right there.”

She hung up just as Sue was coming out of her bedroom. “I can’t go,” Lucy said. “Gram just called. One of the pipes under the sink just burst; she’s got a kitchen full of water, and I’ll be lucky to find a plumber this time of night. So it’s ‘Rosie the Riveter’ to the rescue.”

“I can’t go, either,” Sue replied. “I just got a relay call from a friend who needs some help tonight. I’ll call Tara—”

“I’ll do it,” Lucy said. “No sense tying up the phone line twice.”

…


Zap!

Jack Hudson was headed for his car when his phone rang. “Hudson. Hey, Tulley, where you been, man? I haven’t heard from you in months. You used to treat old school buddies better than—” He listened for a minute. “You’re kidding? Rinkside for DC/Toronto? Tulley, you are a prince among lawyers…” He drew in a breath. “Yeah, man, you’re on, I’ll be there in ten minutes.” Sorry, Bobby – seats like these and an old school chum flanks karaoke night anytime…

…

Dewberry smiled. Just the three of them now…

Oh, clever, clever!!

I can't wait to read about this!!!

Joy

Okay, the rest of them I can see, but JACK! Where's your priorities, buddy??? Oh well, I guess the Wonder Twins will have to take care of Miss Tara by themselves....

SSSWWWWEEEETTTT. Dewberry, you rock!

Now.....it's just the three of them!!! Can't wait to listen in on this!

Jill

Why is Dewberry spoiling the party???? Or is she just regrouping for something better...and it was pretty mean of her to make David sick -- she better tell santa to put something extra nice in his stocking on Christmas Eve!!!!

kav

Dewberry is really cheeky and brillant

Good thinking, Dewberry! Be sure to let Santa visit Davey and Grams especially for helping you!!!

Can't wait for the fun !!

* * *

Tara walked into McGill’s and found only Bobby and Myles at a table. “Where is everyone?” she asked.

“Dunno about everyone, but Jack bailed on us over a pretty face— well, if you consider hockey sticks in your face pretty.” Bobby leaned back in his chair. “It’s still early.”

Myles was just re-pocketing his cell phone. “That was D; Davey’s running a fever, so they won’t be coming, either.”

The bartender wandered over. “Either of you Williams?”

“That's me,” said Tara.

“Some chick named Dotson wanted me to tell ya that she and Sue won't be able to make it. Some water emergency and stuff.” The burly tattooed man looked appalled at having to deliver the news.

“Looks like you're stuck with us, sheila,” Bobby grinned.

“Though we're not that bad of company, are we?” added Myles.

Tara rolled her eyes. “Since I don't have anything better to do..” She trailed off at the hurt look in the Aussie's blues.

He slowly got up and went to the stage, quickly picking a song and taking center stage. Well, sheila, I know we aren't Mark or David but we're doing our blooming best. Here goes.

* * *

As the strains of 'All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth' started up with Bobby in full Elvis mode, Dewberry looked on thoughtfully. This is harder than I thought. She looked over at Tara, who was watching Bobby, the first trace of a smile reappearing on her face, and Myles, who was covertly watching Tara with a thoughtful expression. She’s not making this easy. Why can I see a bond here, but they can’t?

Bobby was giving it his all, to the delight of the crowd gathered. Tara couldn’t help but smile. “He’s having fun, I’ll give him that.”

“He reminds me of Dave – pick the silliest possible song and make it seem like you’re headlining in Vegas.”

Myles raised a brow. “He is at that.” Now he looked over at her directly. “You ever do this? Participate, I mean.”

“Karaoke?” she queried. “I…” she broke off, blushing a little.

But he heard what she hadn’t said: “Mark always drags me up there to sing ‘I’ll Be Home for Christmas’ with him… just not this year.” He could feel the sadness in the undercurrent of her unspoken thought.

Wild applause broke out as Bobby wound up the silly song, doing his swivel hips and playing Elvis to the hilt. As he exited the stage, several people in the audience rush him in true fan style. Myles rolled his eyes at the Aussie’s antics while Tara clapped and wolf whistled. The next act took the stage and the tall agent rejoined his friends.

“Only you could mix that children’s song and Elvis and make it look…” The Bostonian searched for an appropriate word.

“Right.” The single word from Tara rang in their ears.

“Exciting. Happy. Wondrous. Joyful.”

The blue eyes aimed in her direction caused her to blush. “What? It’s true!” Her lips pulled back in a smile, revealing a feeling that was slowly bubbling up from her heart.

“Why are they surprised that I find joy in this? It’s true!”

“Maybe you’ll sing with me then, sheila. We could do ‘Blue Christmas.’” Bobby’s grin was blinding.

At her wide-eyed, startled look, Myles was smooth in his interjection. “Surely, you would not want to subject our fair friend to the ire of all the other ladies in the audience, Elf-is…” A blonde brow arched meaningfully.

“I think you may be right there, mate.” The other man pretended to think. “Not that I wouldn’t enjoy you singing with me, Tara, but the ladies…” He trailed off, looking abashed.

She laughed, the sound coming straight from her heart. “Oh, of course.” She nodded knowingly. “Can’t upset the fangirls, now, can we?”

“Who knew these two could be so fun?” A small tremor of joy emanated from the petite agent, traveling up the blue bond lines, touching both men deep in their souls.

Finally, Dewberry sighed. Finally.

ah

more, please!

That was so sweet. Please tell me Myles is going to do the "I'll be Home for Christmas" with Tara next. PLEASE!

That's it, Dewberry!! Keep it up!!

Joy

Ah........progress!!!

Jill

* * *

It took another round of drinks, where he had discreetly asked the waitress to put just a bit more Scotch in his soda, before Myles got up the nerve for what he was about to do. Not only was it extremely out-of-character for him, as far as the team was concerned, at least, but it wasn’t something he was particularly comfortable with in the first place.

The audience had been most insistent that “Elf-is” make a reappearance, so Bobby was up on stage again, this time doing the more traditional “Blue Christmas.” Tara was smiling genuinely now; he’d felt the joy in her clear out to his skin. There was just something about knowing they’d been part of the reason for it that made Myles want to add to it.

He remembered the underlying sadness that Mark wasn’t here to drag her out of her shell and join him in a beautiful carol. “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” no longer brought a measure of peace to his own heart, but this year he thought that maybe it could come from helping someone else find comfort. He downed the last of his drink and made her jump by dropping his hand over hers.

"Myles, what...?" Tara's amber eyes widened at the look on his face.

“You know,” he said casually, “it doesn’t seem fair that ‘The King’ up there get the sole credit for upping the cultural image of the Bureau. What do you say we show them we’re not all blue suede shoes?”

"Wait, no, I can't..." She tried to loosen her hand from his, but the pull of his blue eyes was hard to resist.

"Can I do this? Without Mark? Is it possible without my family?"

Myles heard the hesitation loud and clear. Oh, no, my dear… if I can do this, you can. He squeezed her hand lightly and turned the “puppy dog blues” on full force. “You wouldn’t make me brave that barren-looking stage and this vicious audience alone, would you?”

"Wellllll...." "Maybe...."

“You’d make a Leland beg, wouldn’t you?” He added a slight pout to the expression, the one she hadn’t seen since the Michael-Kobe ticket search. “Come on, Tara. I hate to admit it, but this might actually be the highlight of my holiday season.”

"Ah, come on, Tara, don't make the bloke suffer. Go sing with him." Bobby gently tilted her chair, causing her to slide out and stand up. A tug on her hand had her on stage with a mic in no time.

Myles pointed her toward the list as the audience cheered encouragement. “Pick something comforting,” he said softly. “I trust you not to embarrass us both.”

Biting her lip, she scanned the list that Bobby had pulled up. As she selected one, the music cued and she glanced at her teammate. "It's my favorite," she explained.

He smiled slightly and nodded. "Then it's my wish for you this year," he replied, not without wondering if perhaps he'd had a little too much Scotch, to be so open with her.

Bobby’s smile lit clear to the stage as their voices, alto and baritone, began to blend…

I’m dreaming tonight of a place I love,
Even more than I usually do.
And although I know it’s a long road back,
I promise you:

I’ll be home for Christmas,
You can plan on me.
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents under the tree.
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love-light gleams;
I’ll be home for Christmas,
If only in my dreams.


As they started through it again, her thoughts wandered with the words, and the two men saw into her heart a bit more…

I’ll be home for Christmas, you can plan on me…

“Not always…that’s the only problem with this job. I never know if I’ll be home or not.” The loneliness behind the thought struck a chord, and Myles wondered what it would be like to be able to truly look forward to warm family gatherings.

Please have snow and mistletoe and presents under the tree…

At the table, Bobby thought about his parents, half a world away, and wished he were able to see them more often.

Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love-light gleams;
I’ll be home for Christmas,
If only in my dreams.

Dewberry smiled as she watched the blue light of the bonds between the three grow brighter. Now we’re getting somewhere, she thought happily.

Lovely! Dewberry's so mischevious but with a heart of gold!

Sairs

great post!

Warm and fuzzy. Big sigh. Just right!!!


Jill

Way to go Myles! Now that's a friend!

What a great set of friends. That was fantastic!

that was wonderful!! Kudos to Myles!!!

Joy

This is Great! i love that Myles and Bobby can hear Tara's thoughts! Keep it up!

What amazing friends.....

Beautiful post! I'm loving this story!

Myles and Tara singing a duet -- who would have thunk it! Brillant!!!!

kav

* * *

“I can't believe you got stuck with the ‘Trouble Twins’ last night.” Lucy reached for another book of stamps. “You poor thing.”

Tara smiled and opened her eyes wide. “Oh, no. You wouldn't believe how much fun I had.”

“I bet it was great to see Bobby doing Elvis again,” Sue added, switching pen colors just for the fun of it. “But I can't see Myles doing karaoke.”

“I can,” Lucy said cheekily, “And you don't want to see it, believe me.”

In response, Tara started humming, a contented look on her face. “So, what was the water emergency, Luce?”

“Would you believe Grams was setting me up?” Her brown eyes shone brightly at the thought. “Phillip Garner.” She sighed dreamily as she fingerspelled the name for Sue.

“That cute plumber who was there a couple months ago?” Sue asked. “Wow, you got a treat out of disaster.”

Dewberry blew on her nails and buffed them on her collar. Grams had been planning that for weeks. I just helped it along.

“Yes, I did,” Lucy purred. “I have a date tomorrow night, one that hopefully includes a little mistletoe. And it wasn't exactly a disaster— Grams embellished a little to get me over there.”

The two blondes looked at her in amazement and then laughed alongside their friend, the joy of being together bubbling from within.

When she could catch her breath, Lucy sobered momentarily and asked, “What about Jo? Is she okay?”

Sue nodded. YES, she signed. JO O-K. FRIENDS ME GOOD TIME. WE TALK, LAUGH, CRY. “It was a treat I don't get very often, just because we're all so busy.”

CRYQQ Tara raised a brow in question as she signed it, but her grin was wide. M-O-N-O-P-O-L-Y JO WIN AGAIN, YESQQ.

Sue sighed, smiling in return. “She's a shark.”

The flash of blue light that wove from woman to woman was unseen but felt in each heart. Dewberry grinned delightedly and a tear came to her eye. I never knew a wish could move so powerfully among friends. It's just like love. She thought a moment. It is love.

Love is in the air and Dewberry is doing her magic!!!

Joy

Bobby, Myles and Tara singing ... so beautiful and touching


The girls together ... wonderful friendship

Ahhhhhhhh.... That was so sweet. All women need a couple of girlfriends to share things with.

Great job!

Lovely post.

Sairs

* * *

Myles hated surreptitious entries; there was always too much chance of a neighbor poking their head out at the wrong time. And, having been attacked by a purse-wielding grandmother or two in his years with the Bureau, he’d learned from Bobby the art of picking a lock in record time.

He noted the absence of the wreath on the door; it had been there a week ago when he’d had to come roust her at 4 a.m. for a case. That will be the finishing touch, he smiled to himself as the lock clicked and he swung the door open.

He glanced around for Tara’s cat; though the feline seemed to take better to him than any of the rest of the team, it was still even odds that a furball with claws would land on his chest at any second.

There you are, you little menace… The gray tabby poked its head out from under Tara’s computer desk, took one look at the Harvard grad, and made a beeline for the bedroom. Myles chuckled as he closed the door. “You’ll have plenty of new things to explore when I’m finished,” he promised the cat.

He glanced around the apartment; he’d forgotten how small it was, and he knew he’d probably ordered too much. But Melisande would give him a refund on what wasn’t used.

Twenty minutes later, a sharp rap at the door grabbed Myles' attention. The knob turned slowly and a dark head poked through the crack. “Where's Cujo Kitty?”

“Tucked safely in the bedroom,” Myles reassured him. “It's clear.”

Breathing a sigh of relief, the dark-headed Aussie pushed the door open with a knee, his arms loaded with many bags and boxes. “Good. Last thing I need is the bloomin' cat tryin' to eat me while I help you play Santa Claus.” He staggered toward the living room couch and nearly fell when his toe caught the area rug.

Myles rescued the bag that slipped from Bobby's grasp. “A little care, if you don't mind,” he chastened.

“What? I have bags hanging off of bags— I feel like a bloomin' octopus!” His tone belied the care he took unloading the precious cargo he carried.

“You could have made more than one trip from the car.”

“And draw the attention of Miz White from the third floor? Don't think so, mate.”

Myles laughed. “All right, you've done your pack mule imitation; you're free to go.”

“You sure? I can stay and help.” Merry blues looked at his fellow agent, a grin playing about his lips. He wiggled his fingers and reached for a fancy looking garland peeking from a design house bag.

The blond agent shook his head, the blue-grey eyes going solemn for a moment. “No,” he said quietly. “You did her desk and set up the karaoke night. This one is on me. Just make sure she stays out of here for a couple hours. Take her to lunch or something if she runs out of stuff to do with Sue and Lucy. I'll call you when it's clear here.”

Bobby studied Myles for a moment, the two silently contemplating each other. With a nod of understanding, the Aussie slapped his legs and turned toward the door. "Right then. Distract, divert and dessert. I can do that." He slipped out without further comment, leaving the Bostonian to his task.

As the door closed, Myles turned to survey the apartment again. Haul out the holly, he thought with a smile, and began humming “Deck the Halls” as he dug into the bags.

these guys are just fab....

indeed

Wow, what a great Christmas present...I guess.... We'll just have to see what Myles is up to.

KB2 sticks her nose down into some of the bags to check out the goodies and starts singing..."have a holly jolly Christmas...."

I'm proud of Myles and Bobby!! Little elves at work!!!

Joy

Those guys are true friends to their little Tara. Great job!

I sure hope so, cause it looks like Myles has a lot to do!

* * *

“...so he finished ‘Blue Christmas’ and the next thing I know, Myles and I are on stage singing ‘I'll Be Home for Christmas.’” Tara paused to take a breath, backing out the Post Office door. Her way was blocked by a large object, causing both Lucy and Sue to giggle at her attempts to go around it.

“Eh, watch it, sheila. Precious cargo coming through.” Bobby lifted his brown-wrapped box over the petite agent's head and pushed by her.

“Well, well,” Lucy said with a smile, her dark eyes dancing as she teased him.. “If it isn't the 'King' himself. And what is that, a late present for your mom?”

He feigned shock. “How did you know?”

FUNNY YOU. Sue wrinkled her nose at his playful cheer.

“Mind if I join you when I get done here?”

Lucy glanced at Tara and a sly smile appeared. “I think we can use an extra hand at the shelter, don't you?”

“Oh, yes.” Amber eyes glinted with laughter. “I think we can find a perfect spot for 'the King' among his adoring fans.”

“Yes. I think the kids will love him.” The Aussie hid a grin. He loved kids and knew he could keep them, and Tara, entertained for a good long while.

“Well, lead on then, ladies.” He draped an arm around Sue and Tara, and grinned at Lucy. “Let's not keep the 'King's' fans waiting.”

* * *

Myles stood back and surveyed his handiwork. Not bad, for three hours' labor. And she'll never know how it happened. He'd been very careful to not overdo the “extravagance quotient” of the design, and the small apartment looked cozy and warm and festive... and Tara.

A low growl-yowl caught his ear, and he remembered the cat. He opened the bedroom door, and the feline bolted for the living room, skidding to a halt and eyeing the new decor.

Myles leveled a finger at the feline and warned, “I expect it to be in the same condition I left it when your mistress gets home.”

He picked up the last box and set it just outside the door, then lifted the new wreath into place. Perfect, he thought with a smile. He pulled out his cell phone and made a very short text message, then locked the door and headed for his car.

In the apartment, Dewberry sat cross-legged on the kitchen counter and smiled brightly. I'd have never guessed you could reach that far into yourself, Agent Leland, she thought. I'll make sure Santa gets notes.

She started slightly when the cat jumped up beside her and began to purr, curling up in her lap and staring at her with great round green eyes. “And you,” she said sternly, “will behave yourself, or find no catnip in your stocking.”

I can so understand Myles...
my boyfriend have four cats (4!!!) and I keep on having discussions
with them to keep the room as I left it...they never listen.. and they
love my scarves and hair pins way too much!!!

I'm very proud of our two agents, they make a good team and doing
a wonderful job!!

Wow........talk about Christmas Spirit!!!! With a CAPITAL S!!!!!!!


Jill

I find it does no good to threaten felines. They tend to sashay around like they own the place they live in...hehehe

gorgeous.....i am adoring this

wko knew myles that had truck load of spare christmas cheer tucked away in him!! i love reading this story - especially seeing myles and bobby working together for tara, it is so lovely