Using the toe of one shoe, John pushed open the door to Tina's suite while he juggled two mugs in his hands. Normally, they would have fixed coffee, tea or some other hot drink using the microwave or coffeemaker in her room, but seeing that they had other things to be concerned with at the moment, Biebe said he'd run down to the hotel restaurant and get them something hot.

He quietly slipped inside, closing the door with his shoulder, and he smiled as he surveyed the suite. For a moment he flashbacked to the evening he and Maximus brought Tina here for the first time -- had that really been seven months ago? -- now, little by little, she had added her own personal touches to make it all hers. Now he considered, smiling broadly, it was all Tina; he felt her in every inch of the suite, and that always made him feel more at home than he did in his own apartment. Christmas was no exception. She was not into the "Vegas" look or "Martha Stewart" to the point of being ostentatious. In November, when she had decided she would be spending the holidays with him, she told John exactly how she wanted to decorate -- a soft, simple elegance highlighting two of her favorite Christmas colors, white and purple.

Biebe was about to speak when he heard something coming from one corner of the sitting room, and he paused. The stereo was tuned to a local station performing "music to decorate by," and an instrumental version of 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' was currently on. But a voice accompanied it, a soft mezzo-soprano that caressed each note and phrase with obvious emotion. Cocking his head as he moved forward a little more, the Alaskan could see Tina sitting cross-legged on the floor near the balcony and the spot where their tree now proudly took its' place. She had not heard him enter, and her back was to him as she concentrated on removing some ornaments from a box she held, so the only audience as far as she knew was herself. John smiled. He remembered the numerous times he'd caught Donna doing the same, especially during the holidays -- whether decorating the house or cooking -- and he did as he was right now, standing quietly and listening, and thinking that the voice was as lovely as the woman behind it. He shut his eyes, momentarily visualizing himself back in his old Mystery house, but this time Tina was there with him and the boys, and she was whispering some happy news in his ear while the kids unwrapped their presents. Something about another Biebe....

John shook himself to reality. Funny he would think of that now. He needed to be satisfied with what he had, and stop fantasizing. What he possessed with her in the present, and possibly the future, was and could be even better than anything he'd had before arriving in the CrowesNest. Yes, there were aspects of his old life he still longed for: his sons, the Saturday game, but he couldn't deny it. He was happier now than he ever thought he would be again. Because of Tina....

She continued to sing, still unaware of his return. However, when the song came to the ".... through the years we all will be together if the fates allow...." part, he noticed that she stopped, bowing her head. John watched her hand move to wipe silent tears off her face as she composed herself, so by the time the song concluded with "So have yourself...a Merry little Christmas...now," she was able to finish, albeit choked.

Promise yourself something, John...Promise you'll make this extra special for her. She's given up a lot and gone through a lot to be here. You owe her that much buddy!

"That was a rendition of one of my favorite carols, 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,'" the DJ said over the last measure of the song. "Made famous by the incomparable Judy Garland in the movie, 'Meet Me in St. Louis'. This is Delilah and welcome to my music to decorate by, just a little something to help you pass...."

"Hot chocolate as ordered, mademoiselle," John announced now that there was a lull. Tina maneuvered to face him, jumping to her feet, pretending that nothing was amiss.

"John...I didn't' know you were back," she said, hurrying to help relieve him of the large mug. "Why didn't you tell me you needed some help?"

"Darlin'...it's just two little cups. If I can't handle that..." he joked, leaning over some to accept her quick kiss on the mouth.

"Thanks. I'm sorry the place is such a jumble," she apologized, nodding to all the shopping bags and decorations which now filled the room. "I just brought some coffee with me that I thought you might like to try. John Conti...doesn't know if you've ever had that brand or not. It's based in Kentucky. God knows which bag it's in though."

He shook his head, following her to where she had been sorting out ornaments. Once more, Tina sat on the floor, and the sheriff sat across from her, taking a sip of his own drink. "Don't think so, but then Annabella brings in so many different kinds I lose count. Starbucks, something from Sweden I think -- begins with a "G"...."

"Gevalia Kaffe. Oh that's fantastic coffee."

"Well like I said, I've lost count," he chuckled. "Hey, I'll settle for anything as long as it's good. Just don't care for that instant crap." Tina laughed, taking a drink of her chocolate. John smiled as he watched the marshmallow froth outline her lips, then the way she playfully licked it away. He sucked air through his teeth as he gazed at the innocent action.

"Sweetheart...you should have let me do that."

"Huh?...Oh...Oh," she swallowed, giggling as pink coloring tinged her cheeks. Self-conscious, she used the side of one hand to finish wiping her mouth. "Thanks but...John...you know if I'd let you, we'd never get finished decorating. We'd be otherwise...distracted."

"Not a bad distraction," he admitted, grinning as he scooted nearer, first placing their cups aside, then allowing his lips to press against hers. His tongue sought sanctuary within her mouth and gently danced with her tongue. Large fingers traced patterns along her collarbone, and Biebe heard Tina moan softly in response. "Darlin'," he whispered, breaking away only long enough to seek out the hollow at her throat's base, allowing his tongue to flick at it with feathery lightness.

Tina shook the haze from her mind as she drifted deeper into the pleasure of her sheriff's touch. "John," she finally managed.

"Eh?" a grunted reply came, his hands massaging the full breasts accentuated beneath the cream colored, high collared, sleeveless sweater.

"John...if we miss Andy and Arthur's grand event, they'll never let us hear the end of it and you know it." Biebe broke off, looking at her. "Do you really want that?"

He chuckled, joining in her calm laughter. "We won't hear the end of it, will we?...Okay...um...Okay." He laughed harder, glancing at his watch. "Guess we'd better get back to work then, hadn't we?"

"Yep...we've got about four more hours to get all ours done." She kissed his cheek. "I think we can get it all done...as *long* as we don't have any more distractions," she teased.

"I get the hint. I promise - I'll be a good boy. So, what do we need to do next?"

"Well," she said, reaching for her cup, "I want to finish this before it gets cold."

"Mmm, I'd better get mine, too." Biebe retrieved his own cup. "So..." he continued as he took a big swig, letting the hot liquid coat his dry throat. "You having fun so far?"

"I am having a fantastic time, thank you very much. And I didn't tell you..." She moved to his side, patting one of his knees, "how exciting it was to watch you at work this afternoon."

"Eh? Oh you mean..."

"Your negotiating skills, Sheriff Biebe. I was very impressed."

John raised an eyebrow, smiling as he did. "Were you now?" He shrugged. "Comes from years of haggling I guess. I used to watch my dad do it every Christmas until it should have been an Olympic event. He was quite a master. Hey, I like those," and he bowed his head towards a box containing a dozen white, nearly translucent round ornaments.

"Thanks. I brought these from home. A lot of 'em I've had for years; just kept adding to them as time went on until I had the ones I liked."

"Well," John admitted, "I definitely like what you're doing to all of this. I was checking out the wreath on your door."

"You liked that huh?"

"Absolutely, darlin'," he complimented her, recalling the green artificial wreath which was enhanced with not only a large silver and gold bow, but the pastels of silk flowers including her beloved white roses, Southern magnolias, and sprigs of heather among other silk duplicates. The wreath had a lovely, welcoming warmth to it. "Okay, now what was I...Oh yeah, my dad. He could do it with the best of 'em. It was always a thrill seeing him deal, and he said he learned it from his father."

"Sort of a Biebe family tradition, huh?" John chuckled as he finished his coffee. "Well, it was like watching haggling in a Middle Eastern market or something."

"Hell, he was going to have to come down if he wanted to get that lot cleared. The day before Christmas Eve, and he's still trying to charge full price. It just isn't done, darlin'."

Tina smiled, recalling how the talkative, condescending salesman - who called her 'Hon' and 'little lady' a lot, and kept calling John 'sir' - did all he could to keep the price at $30.00. Biebe eventually winked at Tina when only she could see it, and announced that he knew of another vendor in a town ten miles away. It might be worth the short drive to see if they could do better there. With that, the price went down to $10.00.

"I used to always wait 'til Christmas Eve to get my tree," Tina said, removing another cushioned box from the shopping bag beside her. "Sometimes they were so desperate to unload them, they were giving them away. I just usually was so tired by then, I was lucky the tree got decorated."

John smiled. "Well this year will be different, darlin'. You have help this year. At least - I hope I can be helpful."

Tina leaned over and gave him another peck on the mouth. "You already have been, more than you realize. I need someone tall to do a lot of these things."

John gave a pretend grimace. "Nice to know I'm wanted." They both laughed.

"You are very wanted, Sheriff. I have to remember whenever I go car shopping to bring you along with me. Damn...your negotiating skills would almost outshine Terry Thorne. He'd better watch out."

Biebe reddened a little at the compliment then covered his embarrassment with, "Ooh...it's getting very deep in here." The technician gave him a playful slap on the arm. "Okay...what's next, sweetheart?"

"Hmm...." She was thoughtful as she looked about the suite, which was beginning to show all the aspects of the season. "Okay, the light sets are all new, so we don't have to worry about trying to unknot a bunch of them. I always did hate that. We'll just plug them in and make sure each string works."

"That'll work. So...we'll get the lights on first, and work our way out from there, right?"

"Right."

"And," he said, looking about at the tree decorations she had spread out before them, "I see you're staying away from that...what do they call it?...that silver tinsel stuff that you can never get vacuumed."

"Oh yeah. Yeah, I used to use that quite a bit in the past, but then I decided to quit what with my cats and everything."

"Oh? The cats eat the stuff."

"Yeah they did, no matter what I did, and believe me, there's nothing worst than watching a cat who has been to the litter box have a little piece of tinsel hanging from her...." She paused, realizing what she was saying, and both of them burst out in a hearty laugh.

"I can see it now."

"Oh me too, especially when sometimes I had to.... Never mind, John. I'm not going where you're trying to take me." He chuckled. "Well, back to the topic at hand. I think we already have a good start. It's really coming into shape, and thank you for helping with the draping." She nodded towards the sheer fabrics - almost transparent, but catching the tiny white lights in a way that caused the purple and cream colors to glisten - adorning the doors to the sitting room's balcony.

"Not at all." His voice now adjusted so that he sounded more like an Old West character. "The sheriff's just glad to be helpful, ma'am." Tina giggled, but she grew quiet when Biebe's humorous expression changed to one more serious. "Hey...while I have it on my mind, there was something I wanted to ask you, darlin'."

Tina lay down the silvery white beads she had been holding. "What?"

"Well, I was wondering...I wanted to see if you would attend Christmas Eve services with me?"

Her eyes sparkled at the question. "Christmas Eve services? Where? In town?"

"No, no...uh...here...here at the Nest. They do have a service at the little church there, but no, the one I was thinking about is what we have. Peaches said that Cort has been conducting services every Christmas Eve since he arrived. It's non-denominational, but we have a form of vespers and communion; there's singing - we usually manage to get Arthur to sing a solo -- and the whole thing is by candlelight."

"How wonderful."

"And like I said, it's non-denominational, but it's a way for those of us who would rather not go into town, but would still like to get-together for a short worship service." Tina moved nearer his side while he spoke. "You know, celebrate the reason for the Season as they say. So I thought - if you'd like to join me - we might...."

"What time?"

"Eh?"

"What time does it start?" She was smiling broadly at him, and he returned the look, seeing the glow in her eyes.

"Seven. It starts at seven, and we should be out by eight or a little after so we can have the regular Nest partying. Cort doesn't like to make it long and drawn out. After all, it's supposed to be a celebration, not a preaching marathon."

Tina laughed softly. "Not that I'm not used to preaching marathons. Remember, I grew up in a Pentecostal household, but for Christmas Eve, I'd rather not spend the whole evening in one."

"So you'll come with me?" The Alaskan was beaming.

"I'd love to go to candlelight services with you, John. I've always wanted to in the past, but just never managed to make it."

"Well, like everything else this year," he said as he sprang to his feet, hurrying to where a tan gym bag sat on a nearby chaise lounge. Opening it, he removed a small, gift-wrapped package and rushed back to his companion's side. "Like everything this year," he repeated, "you're in for a big change." He relaxed beside her once more, placing the parcel in her lap. "I had hoped you'd say yes about the service, but I still intended to give this to you as an early Christmas gift, regardless of whether we attended or not."

"John...."

"Just open it, darlin'."

She eagerly did, and once the wrapping was removed, revealed a thin volume she could easily carry. "Oh my.... John," she whispered, flipping through the pages of what was entitled 'A Book of Judeo-Christian Prayers: From the Old and New Testaments, King James Version' on its' white binding. "John...it's lovely. I've never owned anything like this."

"Well, I just thought it would be easier to carry than a normal Bible. I've got one myself, and it has...the 'Twenty-Third Psalm,' 'The Lord's Prayer,' some you're familiar with, some you may not be."

Her voice grew quiet as she ran a finger over the gold lettering on the cover. She opened the pages again, looking at the splendid illustrations on each page, some taken from the art world and others based on the art designed in monasteries. "Thank you, love."

"No, thank you. Thank you for coming with me tomorrow night. Last year I attended but...." He paused, feeling one of Tina's hands caress both of his. Without speaking the words, she knew what he was attempting to say. Last Christmas would have been his first in the Nest, so she could only imagine how traumatic it had been for him.

"It'll be an honor to be at your side, Sheriff Biebe." Their lips met in a gentle kiss, and after they parted, John sighed, letting his fingers trace her jaw.

"Four hours you said, right?" Tina nodded. "If we don't have any distractions?" He looked around at the numerous decorations and the seven foot tall Scotch pine that was anxious to be fully clad. "Guess we'd better get started. That tree's looking awfully sad."

"Yeah it is," Tina admitted, tenderly placing her first gift on a nearby surface, then picking up a box of one hundred lights. "Okay...let's get to work then."

---

Colin stood at the top of the stairs, gazing down at the bar, where Michelle sat waiting for him, unaware she was being watched. She and Jeffrey Wigand were joking over something and the sound of her sweet laughter filled the otherwise empty room. He could have just watched her for hours, savoring the way her face lit up when she smiled, the way her cheeks flushed as she laughed. They had spent the morning hidden away in Michelle's suite, and he had made love to her like she had been gone for several weeks, not just a couple of days. Visions of her face, her flushed cheeks and her passion-filled eyes as she came beneath him, filled his thoughts.

He shook his head, leaning against the banister as he continued to watch her. Touching the wood, his thoughts wandered back to that night, several months back, when he'd almost lost her completely. Never again... never let her go again, mate.

Midori's face suddenly crossed his mind, taking him off guard and making him realize how much things had changed since he had left her in the world that was his movie, Heaven's Burning. The concept of various worlds, the real world, the world of the CrowesNest and his movie world, still seemed strange to him, even after over three years. He had called it "real love", what he had felt for Midori over the short time that they had known each other. It had only been a few days, but they had had a connection that he had never had the chance to fully explore before they had meet their end. And when he'd arrived suddenly at the CrowesNest he'd felt not only disoriented and bewildered, but completely empty. He'd kept to himself for a long time, watching the others as they went about their daily routine, clinging to his memories.

The soft ring of Michelle's laughter brought him to the present and he signed contentedly. He'd felt alone until he'd seen her walk through those front doors and from that moment everything had been different. Especially now, after all they had been through, he loved her more and every second he was away from her, his longing for her grew.

He descended the staircase, two steps at a time and came to her side, pulling her into a warm embrace as the good doctor looked on.

"G'day Jeffrey." Colin smiled at his elder brother after he planted a kiss on Michelle's cheek.

Jeffrey nodded a greeting, "Michelle was just telling me about your morning."

Colin looked down at the woman in his arms, "Chelle? You didn't tell him everything, did you?" He grinned wickedly, running his hand down her back, until it rested on her waist. "All the intimate details... like how you love it when I touch the small of your back..." Michelle shoved him away, blushing furiously.

Chuckling, Jeffrey shook his head. "A true lady like Michelle would never divulge such information, young man. But she did tell me how you two managed to sneak off for a walk down on the beach during the lunch hour."

"Yes..." Colin wiggled his eyebrows, "But did she tell you what happened down at the beach?"

"Honestly Colin! I can't take you anywhere!" Michelle's hand made contact with Colin's stomach and he doubled over in mock pain.

"'Chelle, love... I would have been more than happy to spend the rest of the day with you in the your suite. But you insisted on being sociable... after all, you said... it's Christmas."

"You are my witness, Jeffrey... to what I have to put up with! He's insatiable!"

"Only because you're so irresistible, love..." He nuzzled her ear as Michelle's cheeks reddened.

Jeffrey glanced away, his face turning a slight shade of pink. He coughed and rubbed absently at the counter with his bar towel. "So... what have you two got in mind for the afternoon then?"

"More of the same, mate..." Colin spoke first, before Michelle had a chance to reply and she buried her face in his shoulder as he embraced her, laughing softly.

Shaking his head, Jeffrey continued, "Well... do you think you could hold off long enough to take over the bar for a while. Wendy's arriving in about an hour or so and I need to get myself cleaned up."

"Sure thing, mate... Chelle and I'll look after things. I don't think they'll be busting down the door for drinks this afternoon, not with the way everyone's been getting into the Christmas spirit around here."

"It's beautiful... The Nest looks gorgeous. I've never seen anything like it. And from what I've heard, I've got a lot to look forward to...."

"It's really something. I'm looking forward to it as well. Last year was a bit much... I'd only been here for about a month and a half..."

"But everything's different this year, mate. Like alot of us, you've got a lovely lady at your side and there's nothing better than that." Colin stood up, squeezing Michelle's hand as he stepped behind the bar. "Now, go on and get yourself ready for her. We'll look after things around here."

"Thank you. Zach starts his shift in an hour. Oh... I almost forgot. Liz wanted me to set up the last of the decorations. They're in the box under the bar. She's been hiding them from Sid. I lost track of time and never got around to them."

"No worries, mate... we'll look after it." With a pat on the back, Colin sent Jeffrey on his way, leaving him alone with Michelle.

"Just keep it up, you cheeky bastard..." She broke out in giggles as the towel struck him in the side of the face. Colin smiled demurely at her before bending over to pick up the piece of cloth. He straightened, spinning the towel in his hand. Michelle watched him warily as it tightened into a spiral weapon.

"Colin... no... don't...." Michelle gave him a warning glare as she slithered off her stool and backed away from the bar. Colin darted out from behind the counter, holding the taunt towel in his grip. "Colin! This is not fair!" Michelle squealed as he leapt towards her and let the weapon fly. She yelped in surprise as the towel clipped the back of her thigh.

He stung her three more times before Michelle managed to control her laughter long enough to grab the end of the cloth and tug it from his grip. She twirled it easily around in her hands and started towards him.

Seeing the revenge set in her eyes, Colin retreated quickly behind the bar, realizing too late that he had cornered himself in the tiny space. He lifted his hands in surrender. "Now Chelle, love... don't do anything you're going to regret later...."

"Too late for that, darlin'." Michelle gave him her sweetest grin before attacking with a couple of good strikes across his chest that would have made Maximus proud. But her assault was short lived as Colin quickly tackled her to the floor behind the bar, tickling her mercilessly. Michelle screamed, pleading for him to stop, but to no avail. Soon she lay beneath him, writhing in his arms as his breath tickled the sensitive area of her neck.

Finally, when she was at the point of bursting, Colin relented and kissed Michelle's breathless mouth as he rolled of her. They lay side by side on the floor for several minutes, catching their breath between remnant giggles.

"Anyone here?" A deep Australian accent echoed through the room and Colin sat up suddenly, scrambling to his feet. "Oh there you are... what were you doing, O'Brien? Cleaning floors or something?"

"Uh... something, Terry..." Colin greeted the newest incarnation to the CrowesNest. As they shook hands, and saw Terry watching him carefully, he hoped his cheeks weren't flushing too much, a common characteristic among most of the brothers.

"Uh-huh." Terry looked skeptical as he released Colin's grip and settled onto a bar stool. Colin stepped carefully around Michelle's body and leaned against the counter, trying to look as nonchalant as possible.

"What can I get ya, mate?" Colin gestured towards the stock behind the bar. "How about some VB? Peaches imports it direct from Oz. Nothing like the taste of home, I say."

"Sure thing... sounds good. Care to join me in a glass? That is if you can drink on the job." Colin smiled, accepting Terry's offer and poured them two tall glasses of Victoria Bitter.

Michelle watched from below as the two men sipped at their beers over small talk. She could not see Terry Thorne, but from the sound of his voice and Colin's movements she knew that he was just on the other side of the bar. And it seemed to her, that Colin had no intention of making her presence known to his new brother. A wicked thought crossed her mind and she smiled. Staying low to the ground, she slithered close to Colin's feet, her face inches from his ankle. His leg flinched as she pushed up the material of his jeans to reveal bare flesh. Her fingers brushed across his skin and he kicked her gently away.

Biting her lip in concentration, she tried again. Moving quicker this time, she lifted his pant leg and let her tongue flick across the exposed skin. Colin practically leapt out of his boots and Michelle stifled a giggle as he moved about a foot down the bar, nestling himself into the corner.

Colin blushed a deep red as he scooted farther down the bar. He glanced down to see Michelle grinning up at him.

"You alright there, mate?" Terry gave him a curious glance over the edge of his glass.

"Yeah... I'm... fine... There's a loose board there... I promised Peaches I'd look after it today..."

"Oh..." Terry nodded. "So that's what you were doing when I came in..."

Michelle crawled along the floor, repositioning herself next to Colin's leg. He tried desperately to brush her aside, but she gripped his leg with both hands and attacked with a vengeance. Colin gasped outloud as her mouth met his skin again and he leaned against the bar for support.

Terry watched Colin gasp and saw his eyes widen before he collapsed against the bar. "Mate?" The negotiator rose off his stool and leaned over the counter. His concerned look broke out into a smile when he saw Michelle nibbling at Colin's ankle. "I should have known, mate... It's not a problem with the boards, O'Brien... you've got mice, big ones."

"Make that a rat...." Colin groaned, shaking his head. A giggle erupted from below the counter and Michelle's grinning face appeared at counter level.

"Hello Terry."

"G'day Michelle... How are you today, love?"

"Doing great!" She stood up and leaned over, giving the Australian a kiss on the cheek. She reached for Colin's half finished glass of VB and took a generous sip. Giving a sigh of resignation, Colin wrapped a hand around her waist, pulling her against him.

"Looks like you've got your hands full there, mate." Terry smiled at the young couple as he set his empty glass on the counter.

"Yeah... well if you can't beat 'em, join 'em." He briefly nuzzled Michelle's neck from behind, and she squirmed in his grip once again before he released her and moved to give Terry a refill.

"So how are you finding things Terry..." Michelle pulled herself up on the counter and turned to face the two men. "This is a crazy time of year to arrive at the Nest... I hope you're settling in okay."

"Thanks love... and I am. It has been an overwhelming three weeks and I'm still trying to understand all the workings of this place...."

"Don't even try to understand it all, mate..." Colin interrupted as he set Terry's full glass back on the counter. "You're never going to be able to... I've been here for over 3 years now. I still don't get everything. And it's only these last few months that I've really felt at home." He reached for Michelle's hand, squeezing it gently.

Terry nodded slowly, taking a long drink. "Yeah... I know it's going to take a while. And Liz has been wonderful, y'know. Trying to guide me where she can. Everyone's been helpful...."

"Good to hear, Terry." Colin patted his brother on the shoulder, "That's what we're all here for... any time."

"Thanks, mate..." Terry ran his finger around the rim of his glass, his thoughts suddenly lost somewhere else.

Michelle frowned and reached out to touch his arm gently. "You miss him, Terry... your son?"

Terry's eyes met hers and he nodded slowly, "I think about him all the time, I wonder how he's doing.... I'm used to jumping into unusual situations, but this..." He took a deep breath and continued, "Not everyone has to get used to the idea that they are a creation of a bloke named Russell Crowe and that they have 21 brothers that they never knew about, never mind that they all look like you. But more than anything is that fact that life as I once knew it... no longer exists." He took another long drink, finishing his glass of beer for a second time. Colin moved to refill it again, but Terry shook his head, covering the top of the glass with his hand.

"No worries, mate... you're going to come out alright. You're settling in here just fine. All of us guys went through what you're going through. I feel badly for some of the earlier ones, like young Jack or Johnny... who had no one else here to help them through all this crazy stuff.... through the culture shock."

"True enough, and there's nothing like jumping into the fray of things with all these Christmas celebrations."

"It's going to be wonderful, Terry... it's my first Christmas here too." Michelle gave him a reassuring smile.

"Yeah, I'm actually looking forward to it..." He glanced absently at his watch, "Speaking of which, I should probably get back to Liz... she and Peaches are still doing some last minute set up at the Hotel. See you both tonight?" Terry stood slowly, straightening his light sports jacket as he did so.

"We'll be there, mate..." Colin replied. Terry shook Colin's hand and planted a light kiss on Michelle's cheek before he exited the building.

---

"Ready?" John called out from where he stood in one corner of the sitting room.

"Just a sec," Tina replied. "I have to make one more...Okay, one more adjustment...and...There, I think that'll do it."

"Ready?"

"Ready, Sheriff."

First all the lights in the room were extinguished, and moments afterwards, the darkened room was aglow with the now decorated Christmas tree. With both of them working together - and no distractions except for the phone ringing a couple of times when Laura arrived, and again when Trisha called to see when they were all hooking up in the kitchen to cook desserts - they had managed to complete the job within a couple of hours, and now it was time to see if it had all been worthwhile. Biebe could only see part of the tree from where he stood, so he was uncertain how it really appeared until he heard his companion's gasp.

"Sweetheart...everything okay?"

"John...You have to see this. Come here."

He hurried to her side, and he smiled broadly as he looked at their creation and whistled. "I'll be.... Darlin'...this is beautiful."

Tina nodded. "It's the best tree I've ever had." She placed an arm around John's waist, squeezing it tightly. "Thank you for helping me out."

John gave her a kiss on the forehead, laying a cheek against the top of her head. "It was my pleasure, darlin'. I had a great time...and the tree...I think we both did a fantastic job on it."

"We did."

She tried to analyze each branch, even reaching forward to straighten one piece that wasn't hanging just right. She had seen the lighting design in a magazine she was perusing at a bookstore, and it had inspired her to do it with her own tree when the time came. Miniature white lights surrounded the top third and lower third of the Scotch pine, while the center was wrapped in tiny purple bulbs, so the contrast was amazingly beautiful. Ribbons of similar colors were tied into bows and placed every few inches. The ornaments however numbered about four dozen, and varied both in size but design as well. Crystal icicles hung as if real from the top branches. A few were solid globes - violet, pink, ivory, silver - and cut with intricate designs or tiny, raised rosebuds and vines. Several were silverplated Lenox, collected for 1997, 1998, and 1999; the fourth, dated 2000, was engraved with the script for 'Our First Christmas Together' and had been selected by the couple a few weeks before. About a dozen more - again in her chosen colors - were simple round ornaments seen on numerous trees, but because Tina had collected them over the years as her tastes changed, they meant something to her. The remainder consisted of crystal doves in flight, each one sparkling like stars. Strings of beads in purple, white, pink and ivory draped the tree like pearls caressing a woman's throat.

"This is one gorgeous tree, darlin'," John softly said, and Tina nodded. "Especially for our first one together."

"Yeah, sure is. Absolutely gorgeous," she whispered, her eyes unable to leave it. "I just have a couple more things to add to it -- one old, one new." She pulled away from him, going to pickup a small bag and a medium sized box. Removing something from the bag, she sat on the sofa, carefully unwrapping the two small items she'd withdrawn. A curious John stood before her, watching, as at last, two chubby, clear glass birds were revealed.

"Darlin'--"

"I just got them," she said admiringly, holding them up for him to better see. "There's a little place in Louisville that sells all sorts of glass items at these unbelievable prices. I mean, you name it, they have it: bowls, glasses of every shape and size, ornaments--"

"They're very pretty, sweetheart," he admitted, noticing the cut detail so that one could see actual wings pressed against the little bodies. "Very pretty."

"They're our lovebirds, John."

"Our...lovebirds?" He smiled. He had heard that word before, from someone other than Tina. "Lovebirds, lovebirds -- lovebirds! That's what Steve's always calling the two of us -- lovebirds."

"I know. I was going to get these anyway, but then I remembered Steve and his joking around and calling us that. But the second I saw these," she stood again and moved towards the tree, "I had to have them. I thought...they'd be appropriate." Then with the greatest solemnity, Tina lifted each of the thin ribbons attached and with the utmost care, positioned the birds so that their beaks touched almost in a kiss. She stepped back then stood perfectly still, studying them, making certain everything looked just right, when she felt John's arms encircle her waist as he kissed her right temple. He tenderly rocked her while laying his chin against the crown of her head.

"Steve can be an ass sometimes," John muttered, recalling the first time he'd heard the photographer use that term. It was the first occasion he had taken a picture of the couple, and as they relaxed their pose, Steve had called out: 'Come on you two lovebirds -- give me a big smile!' He had been calling them that ever since.

"I know," Tina replied to the sheriff's comment.

"Sometimes that teasing and joking of his gets on my last freaking nerve."

"I know." This time John noticed that her voice was becoming softer.

"I can just hear him if he saw these. 'Okay John...which one's you? They're both a little chubby.'"

"I know."

John shook his head and gently turned her around to face him, noticing tears streaming down her cheeks. "Tina...darlin'...I...what's wrong? Your lovebirds are beautiful." She nodded in agreement. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she said in a choked whisper. "Nothing...I'm just...I'm just...happy."

The Alaskan grinned. What was it about crying and being happy? "So why are you crying? I was scared I'd done something--"

"No...No...you haven't done anything, John. Don't be paranoid, love, you're fine.... I'm just...so happy," she managed, letting one hand touch his face. Swallowimg hard she continued, "I don't feel like I deserve any of this."

Biebe drew her into an embrace. "Of course you deserve this. You deserve even more...probably more than I'll ever be able to give you, but I'll do my damndest to make you feel the happiest you've ever been. If anyone deserves a stress-free holiday, it's you, darlin'." He gave her another soft, brief kiss then on breaking away asked, "What's the other -- the other thing you mentioned?"

She was gazing at him, feeling herself become lost in those blue-green eyes. Returning to reality, she smiled. "Oh...um...it's a star. I bought it a couple of years ago at an after Christmas clearance sale. I would have bought another tree topper, but I just haven't had the time, but I think it'll work."

"Well...are you dead set on using the star, Tina?"

Shaking her head, she looked puzzled. "Well, no, not necessarily. I mean, the tree needs a star or angel or something to finish it up, but...."

"Then let me show you a little something I picked up the other day." He quickly returned to where his gym bag was, but this time, he was picking up a rectangular box that he had also brought with him. She had asked what was inside, wondering if it was some type of present, and he had nodded in response. "Now if you don't think it'll work, let me know -- that's no problem."

"I thought you said that was your gift for Laura and Max."

"Oh...I haven't brought that from my room yet. No darlin'...this is for you. Just didn't want you snooping around."

She laughed. "Snooping...Okay Sheriff Biebe...what's the big secret, eh?"

"Have a seat," he told her, grinning, and she hurriedly relaxed on the floor right in front of the tree, while he sat beside her. Handing the long box to her he said, "Go ahead. Technically it's not a Christmas gift even though it's for Christmas."

"Thanks a lot," she joked, removing the ribbon from around it then tossing the lid to one side. She pushed apart the pink tissue paper...and John heard her emit a loud gasp then "Oh my God!" as she looked back at him, tears forming in her eyes.

"Well?"

"Well?" she barely whispered, undoing the twist near the box's back which held the item in place. "John.... Oh, John." She finally was able to remove it, and with the greatest delicacy, she lifted the contents so that both of them could see it. Clothed in a rich Renaissance styled gown of white satin and silk, the sleeves and bodice dotted with tiny faux pearls; her undergarments done in silver brocade, and the dress sewn in silver threads, the two foot tall figure had outstretched, delicate hands as if making a grand announcement. Her wings were white and nearly spread full, its' feathers as realistic as those of a dove. Tina ran a hesitant thumb over the soft moldings which formed the angel's features, touching the natural feeling hair as the shoulder length curls fell about the shoulders in a cascade of reddish golden blonde. The figure was neither Caucasian nor African-American, but had a light almost gold complexion, which stressed a biracial heritage. That was when the sheriff heard Tina gasp again, and he smiled, knowing she had finally realized what made it so special. For a second after the gasp, he heard a sob then her tears flowed more heavily. She managed to say: "It's...me. You...You...She looks like me."

"I had her customized for you, sweetheart. There's a lady in town who does the most amazing things with doll designs, and after you said you wanted a tree here at the Nest, I thought..." He shrugged, starting to redden a little as he watched his companion wipe her eyes, her hands quivering with excitement. "I took her one of your pictures and asked her if..... Well obviously the answer was yes, cause here it is. I wanted something beautiful for the top of your tree." Tina looked at him, tears continuing to trickle from her eyes. "I...none of the other angels I looked at were what I wanted, and then I thought about Mrs. Burberry and the work I've seen her do and...." Lowering his head, he was beginning to feel awkward under Tina's gaze. "I wanted something beautiful, and to be honest...the most beautiful thing I could find was an image of you. The one out in the garden. You were so happy and relaxed when Steve took the picture, and...." He paused on feeling Tina's trembling lips capture his, one hand caressing the back of his head, and he caught the taste of salt water as her tears ran across his mouth. When they parted, he held her for a silent moment, thanking God He had brought Tina to him, and that this year, Christmas would be different for both of them.

Tina could only look at him when he let go, unable to speak as she held her gift to her bosom. "Let me darlin'," John indicated, and she handed the figure to him. Standing, John very easily placed the angel on the highest branch, adjusting her wings so they were extended to their fullest. In the glow from the miniature tree lights, she appeared as if she was floating, translucent. Tina came to stand beside him, and John drew her closer as they gave the tree a final once over. He heard her sigh contentedly, an action that made him smile. "An angel for my angel," he told her, which elicited a kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you," she whispered. "Don't let anyone ever tell you that you're not romantic. You are so romantic."

"Well, a few people might have a difference of opinion about that, here and back in Mystery: Steve, Sid definitely, Skank...."

"They're all a bunch of jealous asses. Don't bother listening to them." She sighed again. "Are we done?"

"I think we're done, darlin'. We have to be sure to get a picture of this."

"Oh absolutely. I brought my 35mm with me." They watched it in silence for a few more minutes, the tree looking brilliant against the room's darkness, and then Tina suddenly snapped her fingers. "I just remembered...." She wiped her eyes, then maneuvered past the tree and out onto her balcony, grabbing up a small plastic bag from a tabletop as she went by. "Have to check my bird feeder. I haven't done that today."

"The birds will appreciate that, Tina," John said, smiling as he followed her. As she filled the little feeder - which had the words 'Welcome Friends' imprinted on it - the sheriff studied the skies, watching as they grew dimmer with the coming of dusk. He chuckled, an action that made Tina ask what was wrong. "Snow clouds, darlin'. Those are snow clouds."

"Huh?" She looked to where he was pointing. "Snow clouds?" John nodded. "Are you sure?" she asked, nearly giggling for the coming night seemed clear enough, and most importantly, it was still quite warm. "It's about seventy degrees out here."

"Those are snow clouds, Tina. I'd know them anywhere," he insisted, a wry smile on his lips.

"But...."

"Sweetheart, I've seen snow clouds my whole life, and *those* are definitely it!" John chuckled. "It wouldn't surprise me if by the time Arthur and Andy have their little Light Up CrowesNest, we don't see a dusting on the ground...maybe even a 1/2 inch or so."

"A half...." She paused, smiling, realizing that after all, John Biebe was an expert when it came to winter weather. "Okay...you're the expert."

"You'll see," he said, winking, and easing an arm about her shoulders. "Now...you want to put the presents under the tree now, or wait until later?"

"We can wait until later. Guess I'll need to dig out my coat and boots if we're expecting snow," she joked, easing ahead of him.

"Just keep it up, Ms. Stewart. What do you want to bet we get snow this evening? I'm not saying a white Christmas, but snow tonight."

"A bet? Okay, I'll think about it," she replied. "Maybe breakfast in bed for the next month."

"Uh-huh." There was that enchanting smile all the incarnations possessed.

"Or...you get to be my slave for a month, performing your mistress' every desire," she teased, taking him by the hands and tugging him back inside the suite. Once in the sitting room, she wrapped her arms about his neck. "Now, what do you want if *you* win the bet, and you're not going to win."

"Hmm...what do I get if *I* win?" John sighed as Tina began to caress his long auburn hair, allowing its' softness to drift between her fingers. He appeared momentarily thoughtful, his head tilted to one side. "Have to give that some thought, Ms. Stewart. I like the sound of the slave for a month. How about that? The beautiful slave," and he lifted her off the ground, listening to her shrieks of delight, "who performs her master's every need."

"Yeah, well you can dream about it, but dreaming's not getting Sheriff Biebe," Tina joked, managing to slip out of his embrace, then watching her step, moved backwards a few feet.

"We'll see," John replied, following her. "So is it a bet? Is it?"

As an answer, Tina screeched and took off running through the enormous room, heading towards her bedroom, John chuckling as he took off behind her. He caught her beside her bed, and as they both laughed, the couple ended up pressed against the bottom right post, their hands drifting over one another's bodies as their lips met. Tina felt large fingers press against the outline of her leggings, moving from her rear to her more intimate area, lingering there until she groaned, squirming with pleasure.

"John..." was all she could manage as he lifted her again, cradling her in his strong arms. She allowed her hands to stroke his biceps, simply savoring the feel of them after a two-week absence.

"How long do we have?"

Nearly faint with desire, she glanced at the clock on her nightstand. "Ninety minutes."

"More than enough time," he muttered huskily, carrying her towards the bed.

"But I need to shower and change...."

"We'll shower together, darlin'," came his answer and he laid her on top of the mattress, then positioned himself above her so that he was supported on his arms. "We have plenty of time."

Looking into his eyes and growing lost in them again, she ran her tongue over her lips and pulled him nearer. "Plenty of time, love...."

They both became lost in their desire for the other. So much so that neither noticed the snowflakes drifting outside the windows as the temperature declined....

Colin pulled her towards the edge of the bar and she wrapped her legs around his waist. "Yeah, and some of us more than others, I'm sure. I was lucky when I came here. Unlike Terry or John... I didn't have any kids...." The solemn look on Colin's face tugged at Michelle's heart and she ran a hand over his face.

"I'm sorry Colin..."

"Hey... let's not start this again, love... We've been through this." He smiled tenderly, "We both know it was never meant to be for me... If any one should be feeling badly, it's me... for you." Michelle placed a finger on his lips and he fell quiet.

"We have talked about this and you know I want nothing else but to be with you."

Embracing her tightly, Colin pressed her against him. "God, I love you Chelle. More than I could have ever thought possible. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't come along. I would never have found my soul mate, or my own soul for that matter."

Michelle stared into those beautiful blue-green eyes, feeling herself drowning in their depths. But before she could reply, Colin released her and reached under the bar for the small box of decorations. "We had best get these decorations up and then I intend to make you pay for that little biting episode." He swatted playfully at her leg.

"I didn't bite!" Michelle came to her own defense, jumping off the counter and following him. "Besides, admit it... you loved it!"

Colin laughed softly, "I admit no such thing." He turned his back to her and concentrated on opening the box.

"You lie, lover boy." Michelle pressed herself against his back and slid her hand around his waist, resting it at the button of his jeans. A low groan escaped Colin's lips.

"You are an evil woman..." he hissed between clenched teeth.

"Admit it," Michelle repeated and she smiled to herself as she felt his arousal growing underneath his tight jeans. Her other hand moved to caress his upper thigh and she giggled when he groaned again. Suddenly he turned, capturing her hands in his as he pushed her back against the wall. He moved his head to kiss her but she pulled away, teasing him. "Not until you admit your weakness..."

"Never." Colin stared down at her, lifting one hand to rest it on the wall above her head. "Besides, I have my ways of making you cooperate."

"Oh really." Michelle raised a skeptical eyebrow. "And just what might that be?" He directed her gaze upwards to where his hand held a branch of mistletoe over her.

Michelle shook her head, "You're not getting it that easily..."

"No?" Colin pressed his arousal against her stomach and brushed his lips over hers. She gasped as he left her wanting more.

"Damn you, Colin O'Brien."

"Never buck tradition, love." He claimed her mouth fully this time, running his tongue over her lips before he entered her, seeking the warmth of her tongue.

"Please, spare me!!" Gagging sounds and Sid's sarcastic tone filled the room. Colin continued the kiss, pulling away only when both he and Michelle were breathless.

"Did you hear something, Colin?" Michelle rested her head against his chest, sighing contentedly.

"Ha-ha... very funny. Your words cut right to my heart, Michelle, ma belle."

"You have no heart, Sid. Don't even try..." Colin turned to face his brother and Sid gasped in mock pain at the insult. His eyes remained focused on Michelle, but she held his gaze as she stepped out from behind Colin.

"Alright alright... Don't get your briefs all tied up in a knot, O'Brien. I just came to get this little box and then I'm out of here. He leaned across the counter, reaching for the cardboard box.

Remembering Jeffrey Wigand's words, Colin beat him to it. "I don't think so Sid... Jeffrey left this in our capable hands... we're taking care of it."

"You looked a little preoccupied to me, mate." Sid rolled his eyes.

"Just testing out the product..." Colin picked up the box and passed it to Michelle. She looked up at him, confused until she lifted the lid to reveal a box of mistletoe.

"Planning to have a little fun with this, Sid?" Michelle gave him her best unimpressed look.

"Only hoping for a kiss from you, ma belle... for old times sake." Sid smiled broadly, winking at her and she felt Colin stiffen beside her. She set the box down behind her and leaned against the counter. An idea had come to her mind and she rose up a silent prayer that it would work.

"It would take more than mistletoe to get a kiss out of me, Sid. If you're up to the challenge...."

"A challenge? You would challenge me, Michelle? You obviously don't know me very well."

She ignored him and continued, "We have to get these decorations up. Zach's going to be here in about half an hour to take over the bar and it has to be done by then."

"So what's the challenge?" Sid asked, growing impatient.

"You and Colin have to set them up... and I get to watch. You each get the same amount. The first one done gets my lucky kiss AND he gets to help me dress up Christmas Eve Special." Sid's eyes widened as she spoke.

"And the loser?"

"The loser gets nothing."

Sid's gaze narrowed and he smiled seductively. "You mean, when I win... you kiss me and...."

"And you are there to help me get trussed up on Christmas Eve."

"You're on baby." Michelle gave an inward sigh of relief as Sid agreed. She avoided Colin's look as she reached for the small box. "Give me half of those twigs and I'll be done before dumb boy here can count to three."

She handed Colin the first batch of mistletoe and a handful of tacks, winking at him as she patted him on the ass. "Go on love... and do me proud." She gave the second batch to Sid and watched as they both scurried around the Tavern. They placed the 'twigs' strategically around the room, hanging it in doorways, from light fixtures and Colin even set one over the bar, so that the bartender was guaranteed a kiss each time a lovely lady approached the counter.

"What are you doing, Chelle?" Colin asked her as he finished the one by the bar and moved down a couple feet to set up another one.

"Don't worry Colin... you're going to love this," she smiled at him. "Hurry up, and don't let Sid win by too much." She winked again as he gave her a confused look. The fireside door slammed shut and Sid skidded across the room.

"Done!" Sid grinned triumphantly as he noticed a couple of twigs still in Colin's hand. He stepped towards Michelle to claim his prize.

"Hold up there...." Michelle held out her hands. "I have to inspect your handiwork first. I don't want to find a pile of them hidden all in one corner." She walked slowly around the Tavern, counting up all the mistletoe, including the two in Colin's hand, until she came up with the same amount that she had doled out.

"Satisfied, my dear?"

"Very impressed Sid. Tastefully done."

"So..." Sid gestured impatiently and Michelle cast a quick glance towards Colin. He was watching Sid very closely and she was thankful that he seemed willing to go along with her little charade.

"So you get a kiss from me, and you meet me here around 11 pm Christmas Eve. Deal?"

"Deal!" Sid's eyes sparkled with visions of what awaited him. Michelle stood up slowly and positioned herself in front of him.

"Close your eyes, Sid, and no hands." she whispered.

"Why? You had better not try anything..."

"Give me some credit Sid! Close your eyes and keep your hands off me." She shoved him back against the stool, forcing him to sit. Chuckling, Sid shrugged and set his hands in his suit pocket as he closed his eyes. With a deep breath, Michelle gave another quick look to Colin. This would all be worth it in the end. Closing her own eyes, she imagined that it was Colin before her and she sealed Sid's waiting lips with a strong kiss. He moaned underneath her and began to complain immediately when she pulled away too soon for his liking.

"That wasn't a kiss! That was a peck on the lips!"

"That was a kiss, Sid... and it will hold you until Christmas Eve. Now go... Colin and I have to finish up here." She stepped back, finding safety next to Colin again.

Sid rolled his eyes and stood up, "Alright.... I know when I'm not wanted anymore." He watched Colin wrap a protective arm around Michelle's shoulder. "Until 11 pm Christmas Eve, Michelle, ma belle. I look forward to our rendezvous."

"Chelle...." Colin whispered in her ear as they watched Sid walk out the door with a smug smile on his face. "What are you doing?"

"Trust me, Colin please." Michelle exhaled and found her hands shaking.

"Love, I trust you completely, it's that bastard that I don't trust."

"After tonight, Sid's never going to accept another challenge from me, ever again." She leaned into Colin's ear and whispered her ideas to him. His eyes widened as she finished and he pulled her onto his lap, giggling.

"You are absolutely brilliant, my love..." He set a piece of mistletoe in her hair and kissed her slowly.

"Oh shut up," Tina joked, rubbing her gloved hands together as she shivered a little.

"I told you," the sheriff tried to continue, smiling then laughing when his companion gave him a slight shove.

"I heard you the first time, Mr. Alaska. Don't rub it in." She kicked at the snow she was standing in, letting her boot toe drag across the soft white surface so as to draw a long line.

"What's the matter?" The question came from Laura as she and Maximus walked up to the couple, the latter wearing his wolf's fur cloak, which was then partially draped around his partner.

John beamed, rocking back and forth on his heels, while Tina rolled her eyes in mock exasperation. "I told our little evidence technician here...."

"John...."

".... that it was going to snow, and she was *very* skeptical -- so skeptical in fact that we placed bets. Guess who lost?" He chuckled heartily when Tina gave him another playful shove, then grabbing up a handful of snow, threw it at him. John ducked, thoroughly enjoying it.

"You never should have bet against him, my dear," Max commented, and Tina nodded, forming another snowball in her hands.

"Max...it was seventy freaking degrees a few hours ago. I wasn't doubting his expertise, but none of it made sense."

"I know; that's what I told Max. But I guess we should learn to expect the unexpected around here, girlfriend."

"I...guess," Tina said thoughtfully, taking careful aim and landing her snowball at the intended target as he maneuvered to the left, trying to fake her out. When it hit, John charged at her, listening as she squealed and took off running across the snowy lawn in front of the Tavern. Laura and Max laughed as the two made a complete circle, every now and then managing to get a snowball thrown in the other's direction.

"This is John's kind of weather," Max chuckled. "He's like a child in this."

"Well I guess snow and Christmas brings out the child in all of us." They turned on hearing Lachlan loudly complaining. "Well, most of us anyway."

"This is bloody ridiculous," the Australian pilot was telling anyone and everyone. "We almost froze our asses off trying to run back to the Tavern."

Young Johnny laughed. "Guess nobody checked the Weather Channel this morning."

Brynn shook her head. "I don't think it would have mattered whether we did or not. This crap just came out of nowhere."

Lachlan was still in complete amazement. "I mean, no bloody warning at all, mate. None! We're out in the water having a nice swim, just relaxing, enjoying a beautiful warm day at the beach! A *warm* day mind you," he said a bit louder for everyone to hear, "and it starts snowing. Snowing! And me just in bathing trunks and Brynn in a swimsuit. The bloody temperature must have plunged forty degrees in a matter of minutes!"

"I heard John say he saw snow clouds right before it started," young Johnny admitted, watching as Biebe and Tina continued their snowball battle.

"John...should have made a freaking announcement then," Lachlan muttered, but his mood was beginning to lighten as Brynn gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "We usually have some sort of warning, hon. It's never done it like this before -- just start snowing and...."

"It doesn't matter. It's Christmas. You expect to have snow, Lach," Brynn told him, wrapping an arm about his waist. "But I'd rather not get caught out like that again. We could have gotten frostbite."

"Yeah, who do we complain to?" the pilot joked, looking in Peaches' general direction as Johnny and Brynn laughed.

Tina was busy attempting to shove snow any place she could on the Alaskan's body - which, considering his height was often difficult - and having a wonderful time as she did. The two were concentrating so hard on seeing how much snow they could get on the other, they barely heard Michelle and Colin as they walked up to observe the proceedings.

The mechanic cleared his throat. "Excuse me. Is this a private party or can anyone join in, mate?" The couple paused...and Tina giggled with delight as she and Michelle met one another halfway to embrace. The men rolled their eyes, shaking their heads. "John...I feel left out, mate," he jokingly complained. "Want a hug?" He opened his arms as if intending to, watching as the sheriff stepped backwards, chuckling.

"No insult intended, O'Brien...but I think I'll wait for Tina or Michelle there. Both of them are a lot prettier."

Colin snorted. "Sure, fine mate. But I'll bet neither of them kiss as good as I do."

John almost choked. "Oh Lord...."

Michelle turned on hearing the words, giving her companion a 'Please behave' stare. "Colin...what did I tell you before we came outside?"

"To behave.... Yes Mommy," he added with a wink. "Oh hey, John -- Michelle and I saw Tina's tree -- you can see it just as clear from outside. Very nice."

John nodded. "Yeah, we were commenting on Chelle's tree too. Beautiful."

"Like the lady behind it, mate." He sighed, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jacket as he studied the two young women who were greeting each other after a two-week absence. "Tell me again John." It wasn't a question -- it was a statement.

"Tell you what, Colin?"

"Tell me again what a couple of lucky bastards we are to have them," and he nodded towards Michelle and Tina, both of whom were chattering away as now, Laura joined them. More feminine laughter ensued as the hugging started again.

Biebe's mind went back to several months before, when it appeared that not only their own personal worlds, but the existence of the Nest was collapsing around all of them. There had been moments when he honestly believed that what he and Tina had started out with were at an end; and he realized O'Brien felt the same in his relationship with the lovely Canadian. John never again wanted to go through that angst when he had come so close to losing Tina. He raised his bowed head to look at Colin, his expression solemn. "We're a couple of lucky bastards. I'll never break Tina's heart again like that -- or mine."

"Tell me about it, mate." Colin smiled in agreement, although his eyes gave way his own inner fears. He and Michelle had come so close to losing what had made them special. "Do you remember...I think I said something about soul-mates just being something made up by the greeting card companies for a bunch of saps?"

John's cold breath caught in his throat as he swallowed hard. He wanted to forget, but could not: the two of them intoxicated -- the Aussie more so than him -- and becoming ridiculous in their talk. Some of those bitter, ugly words made him close his eyes in disgust. "I remember," he whispered.

"If you ever hear me make another comment like that again....."

"I'll kick you in your ass, O'Brien -- that's a promise."

Colin grinned. "I was hoping you'd say that, John. Thanks."

"Don't mention it." They went back to watching their respective companions, no other words necessary.

"When the hell are they going to start this shit?" Bud complained, stomping his feet while Loria and Trisha -- both of whom were on either side of him -- made "Aw poor baby" comments. His voice grew louder. "Will somebody please tell Arthur and Andy to get their asses in gear?!" Those that heard him started laughing. "I'm serious! Geez....some of us didn't grow up in Frosty the Snowman land," he said, staring over at John Biebe. "Look at him...He's not even cold -- son of a bitch!"

"Oh Wendell, give it a break," Trisha said, playfully shaking the arm linked with hers. "It's Christmas!"

Bud shook his head, his annoyed look hardly playful, and his voice took on a high-pitched whine. "It's Christmas, it's Christmas! How many more times do I have to hear that?"

Loria giggled. "Until you learn how *not* to be an old Scrooge. Bud...come on, relax. It's...."

"I know -- it's fucking Christmas!...Will somebody *please* go find Baskin or Andy and tell them to come on! Why the hell can't we have a nice warm holiday like we had in L.A.? We could decorate freaking palm trees instead."

A few yards away, everyone saw Arthur nervously run by, making a brief announcement that at nine, the proceedings would begin, and he hoped everyone would be patient another fifteen minutes. Although this was not directed at Bud White, the cop muttered something under his breath about the whole Nest crew spending Christmas in the Caribbean next year.

"Bitch, bitch, bitch," Terry Thorne ragged as he and Liz walked past him, and Bud -- whose teeth were clattering -- could only call out, "Fuck you, Thorne!" in response, then "Aussie bastard! Where the hell did he come from?"

Meanwhile, Tina, Michelle and Laura were clustered together a little ways from their Boyz, their heads practically together as they talked excitedly.

"So why did you agree to the bet then?" Laura was asking, sympathizing herself with Bud's plight. She may have grown up in Chicago with its' rough winters, but she hated that kind of weather.

"Why did I? I don't know why," Tina admitted, partially frustrated with herself for having done so. "I mean...if the man said those were snow clouds, why didn't I listen, right?"

"Of course," Michelle admitted, a twinkle in her eyes, "I guess there are fringe benefits to being John's slave for a month...depending on what kind of slave you're going to be."

"Fringe..." Then Tina broke out laughing, as her girlfriends joined in, the threesome glancing back at Maximus, Colin and John. The men were also clustered together and in conversation amongst themselves. "That's probably why I agreed to the bet."

Laura smiled. "See...That was floating around in your subconscious when you told John you were on."

"I see, Doctor Freud -- thank you...Hey, I need to ask both of you something," she continued, her voice now taking on a tinge of seriousness. Michelle and Laura stopped laughing, realizing that Tina appeared a bit perplexed. "I...I need some advice."

Laura looked concerned. "Advice? Advice about what? What's wrong?"

The technician glanced around, then indicated the two women should follow a short distance so they could not be overheard. "Nothing's wrong...It's not life and death, that's what I mean." She nervously crossed her arms. "I just wanted to ask you two something...about you and Max, and you and Colin."

"What?" Michelle asked, seeing that her friend was trembling even harder...and the cold didn't have all to do with it.

"This...is getting awfully personal, I know...and if you don't want to answer, you don't have to, but I just need some guidance." She paused again, looking back and forth at the two and their anxious faces. "Do...you...two...ever.... Do...you...two ever..." and the last words came out in a flurry, "perform oral sex on Max or Colin?" She glanced up to see four wide eyes and two open mouths.

Laura almost laughed, then stopped. "You're kidding, right?" She saw the desperation in her friend's eyes. "You're...not...kidding." Tina slowly shook her head.

"You and John have never...."

"Oh...No, I mean...John has...on me. He loves it; I love it but...." She stopped.

"You've never done it to him?" Michelle asked, already knowing the answer.

"I was going to...once...but I couldn't. I couldn't, and John's never pressed me."

"Well he's a gentleman, Tina. If he knows you're shy about it," Michelle admitted, "he's not going to force the issue. But I don't get it. Why are you thinking *now* that you want to do this?"

"Because...Because...Well, I had been thinking about it anyway, before this silly bet, but I just thought how nice it would be if I could do something that.... Well, I know it would be pleasurable for him. I just thought what a nice surprise it would be...."

Her friends giggled. "It'll be a nice surprise all right," Laura said, happy to see Tina laugh to release the tension, then the three grew quiet again. "You don't have a clue...."

"None. Well, I sort of do, but I don't. I'm just guessing I suppose."

"Oh boy," Michelle said as they all looked at each other. "Well, this will be an interesting way to spend Christmas -- teaching Tina how to pleasure her soul-mate...."

"The oral way," Laura chimed in, and the three laughed again. "I guess we could start with a cucumber or a carrot." Their laughter increased when Tina's eyes almost popped out of her head. "A cucumber might be best."

"A nice, big cucumber," teased Michelle and they were nearly in tears now.

"What are you ladies up to over here?" the unmistakable baritone of Rome's greatest general was heard to ask. The women saw that their companions were walking over to them.

Without missing a beat, and uncertain how much of the vegetable discussion had been heard, Tina calmly answered, "Oh, we're just talking about some recipes...Then you slice up the cucumber, put it in some vinegar -- I prefer white vinegar...green onions and maybe some dill, and there you go. My grandmother used to fix it all the time to go with like green beans. Hey, and tomatoes would be great with it too."

"Sounds delicious," Michelle replied as if nothing was out of the ordinary. "I'll have to try that sometime myself."

The men looked at each other, certain they had just interrupted another of those "women's conversations" but decided not to pursue it.

"Come on, Chelle darling," Colin said, going to her side. "I think this little extravaganza's about to begin. About time too." As he passed Tina, he stopped long enough to take her by both hands so as to pull her close enough to give her a gentle kiss on the mouth. "Sheila...you're looking beautiful. I was just telling John how lucky we are to have you two."

The comment caused Tina to bow her head, a blush creeping into her cheeks. "Thanks Colin - it's nice to see you again too. Merry Christmas."

"Same to you." He slipped an arm around Michelle's waist, starting to guide her off. "So I guess if you three are finished discussing..." He winked at John and Max. "...'recipes' we'll be finding a nice spot for this thing. See all of you in a bit."

"Ready, Laura?" Max asked, taking her hand. As he led her in behind Michelle and Colin, he was heard inquiring, "I didn't realize you did all that much cooking to share...recipes."

"It's Christmas. Everyone shares recipes."

"Why does everyone keep saying that: it's Christmas, as if that was some type of excuse...."

The remaining couple smiled at each other, Tina silently accepting John's hand as they walked up the incline, moving towards the main area of the lawn where everyone was gathering. There were times, she thought, when it seemed that neither of them had to say a word for the other to understand. She was uncertain if it was connected to their link as soul mates, or because they knew the other so well now. Perhaps it was a little of both - it no longer mattered.

She glanced at the Alaskan on hearing him laugh quietly. "What's wrong?"

"Recipes," he said. "Yeah right."

"Okay, be a know-it-all, Sheriff Biebe. Just don't ask for any of my chocolate mousse after I fix it."

"I thought you were discussing cucumbers."

Tina nearly choked, trying not to laugh as she considered what she and her girlfriends had chatted about. Why did she suddenly have a feeling she would never again pass a cucumber in the produce section without -- "Michelle wanted to know about salads, and I got to talking about what my grandmother used to do: bread and butter she called it. I'll whip it up for you sometime if you like."

"I think my mother used to do that. Sure, sure that would be great." He squeezed her hand. "That's all you talked about, eh?"

Tina smiled, stopping long enough to stand tiptoe to kiss his cheek. "That's all we talked *about* yes...I love it when you say that."

"Say...what?" He looked puzzled, then good-naturedly annoyed. "Why is it that almost every time I say 'about' around here, someone either smiles or laughs? I never had that kind of reaction in Mystery."

The technician pulled him close, reaching up to tweak his nose. "I just think it's because no one around here ever said the word as charmingly as you do, John Biebe." John's only response was to burst out laughing, straightening Tina's woolen scarf more protectively about her neck and face as they hurried along.

---

"Everything set?" Andy asked.

Baskin nervously nodded as he rushed to the bartender's side. "All of them are lit, Andy," he answered, speaking of the small gold bags that lined the main walkway from the Hotel to the Tavern. Each one was filled with playground sand, then a votive candle placed inside; those had now been lit so that a subdued, golden radiance encompassed the whole area. Nearly everyone who had seen it was lavishing praise on the young Aussie and the Welsh accountant. "We're...We're ready." He cleared his throat. "More than ready, Andrew."

"Great. Okay, here we go." He now spoke louder so as to get everyoneâs attention. "Thank all of you for coming," Andy announced, and the two positioned themselves near a large control panel that was almost flat to the ground. "Thank you. We honestly weren't expecting snow, but it adds to the holiday spirit here at the Nest, doesn't it?"

His question received a few cheers as well as some applause. John and Tina were among the last to arrive, and easing past a bored looking Kim - who still had the two unknown lurkers with him - the couple found an empty spot near Kath and East. The technician waved at her Welsh friend, having not seen her since arriving, then returned her concentration to the little presentation..

"We know it's only a couple of days before Christmas," Andy continued, rambling a bit again, "but we're hoping that this helps add to the festivities, and we want to thank all of you again for coming - both Arthur and myself - and thank those 'brothers' of ours who helped in the decorating. Give yourself a nice round of applause. You've done a great job."

Once again there was clapping, and Stef - full of proud Texas bravado - called out, "Way to go Boyz! Way to go! Woohoo!" She was joined quickly by the other female guests, and a few of them took the opportunity to proudly kiss their respective partners.

Andy continued: "We know so many of you ladies are here for the first time, and some of you may have sacrificed a lot to be here at the Nest with us, but know from the bottom of my heart - and most of my brothersâ hearts as well - that we appreciate what you've given up."

"Come on, Andy - let's get on with it!" Bud exclaimed, rubbing his arms. His words earned him a swift punch in either arm by Loria and Trisha. "Ow! Shit girls, that hurt."

"Well, seeing that we're all looking forward to getting back inside - Arthur, are we ready?"

"Read...Ready, Andy," Baskin announced.

"Okay everybody - on the count of twenty. Twenty - nineteen..."

The countdown began as the two young men began to throw switches like something out of Dr. Frankenstein's laboratory. A slight hum was heard at first, then it grew louder by "Fifteen!" The excitement was honestly building as the numbers decreased, some of the participants feeling very childlike. And when they finally reached "One!" the last control was yanked and in an instant, it seemed that every tree, bush, fence, walkway and building at the Nest was aglow in the white or gold lighting. On the lawn at both the Hotel and the Tavern, the displays situated on each also came to life: complete Nativity scenes with realistic figures; in another area, Santa and his nine reindeer - even Rudolph taking prominence - were either about to take flight or already on a 'rooftop'. There were small herds of reindeer - Andy having finally fixed the deer which had suffered antler problems; several scenes from 'The Nutcracker'. And amazingly, it was all done with such taste and without excess or clutter that there was a certain beauty to the whole display.

A few moments after the lights came on, the young men hit a couple of additional buttons on another platform - and a series of strategically placed rockets were fired high into the air at a safe distance, while two small spotlights crisscrossed in the forefront. Gold, silver, purple, red, green and blue bursts of fireworks formed against the snowy night sky, sometimes making star designs, pinwheels, and others simply exploding into a shower of color which often overlapped. The air was filled with "Ooo's" and "Ah's" from the onlookers as the pyrotechnics discharged around them. For the grand finale, there was one final series of simultaneous Roman candles and other fireworks- this time from down near the beach so that they ignited safely over the ocean. Ten minutes later it was unfortunately over. The spectators applauded, cheered and stomped their feet, a few of them jumping up and down, as Andy and Arthur blushed, then beamed at the exultation of their fellow Nesters. The boys took a deep bow, then patted one another on the back.

"All of you helped out!" Andy announced as he and Arthur applauded as well. "Merry Christmas - I'm glad everyone enjoyed it!"

"That was so beautiful. Guess we can go in now?" Tina softly asked John, the two linking arms.

"Guess we can. So what did you think? They definitely outdid themselves this year."

"Well, if this was outdoing themselves, I can't imagine what last year's was like." The couple started to move, but then paused when Tina motioned with her head that Biebe should look off to their left. They noticed Mannie, his arms wrapped about Norma Jean - who stood before him - as they gazed out towards the water as if still expecting more fireworks. Or perhaps they were preparing to light up the evening for themselves. Whatever the case, they finally started to leave, but not before sharing a brief kiss. On turning and realizing that John and Tina were present, in the light, they could be seen to blush slightly.

"Hi Tina, John," Norma Jean said softly, moving forward to greet her friend. The two women embraced. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas, hon," Tina replied. "I'm sorry I hadn't been in touch earlier but it's been so hectic since I arrived. John and I went to pick out a tree...."

"Oh, no apologies, Tina." She looked over at Mannie, who was patiently sharing a few words with the Alaskan. "We've...been busy ourselves getting things organized." Her voice dropped a bit. "This is the first time Mannie's really participated in the Nest's Christmas goings-on."

"That's what John was telling me."

"So we want to make it a bit more special." She took a deep breath of the cool air. "Wasn't everything wonderful, Tina?"

She nodded. "Yes it was. I loved the fireworks -- I usually get so burnt out on those."

"Yeah...Tina...I...I know this is your first Christmas at the Nest."

"Mine, Laura's, Michelle's...a lot of us."

Norma Jean paused for a moment, glancing in Mannie's direction where he and John were sharing something humorous, for both were laughing. "Are you happier now than you have ever been in your whole life?"

Tina detected tears in her voice, and she nodded again, feeling a dampness in her own eyes. "Happier than I've ever been in my whole life."

They only spoke for a few more minutes, then Norma returned to Mannie's side, and the two strolled towards the Tavern, the former promising that she'd see Tina in a while in the kitchen.

"Norma okay?" John asked as he and his companion took a moment to watch the decorations without so many people about.

"She's...happy. She's very, very happy." Tina bowed her head, rubbing the bridge of her nose as she forced back her tears. "The happiest she's been in her whole life, she said."

"I'm glad. So's The Man." Tina looked at him, smiling. "He says he can't even imagine life without her now...Sort of like me." He placed a comforting arm around Tina's shoulders, and the two started off in the Tavern's direction...

"You guys have made a lot of we ladies very happy."

"Hey, the feeling's mutual, darlin'. A lot of us finally met our soulmates this year." He was thoughtful for a second, until Tina asked him if he was all right. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking about Norma and Mannie."

"They were sweet together, weren't they?"

"Yeah -- although I'm not sure on how Mannie would feel about being called 'sweet'." Tina laughed. "Mannie was saying he hopes that he and Norma Jean can be as happy as you and me; that Norma uses us as a model. Us; Chelle and Colin -- but she hopes that since they've been through their hard times, they can just be happy together."

"I hope so."

"I know one thing. Seeing them together and hearing the way they talk about us...geez, I feel like some old-timer, and the two of us have only been together seven months."

"Don't you use the word 'old' around me, fella, or I'll have to kick you in your behind."

John grinned. "Yes ma'am. I know better than to mess with you."

"Mannie said that? They want us to be their model?" The sheriff nodded, and felt Tina pull him a bit closer as they continued to walk.

"Guess that means we'd better mind our p's and q's then?"

"Absolutely -- don't want to set a bad example to the young ones." In the lighting, the technician could see a twinkle in her beloved Alaskan's eyes as he said it. As an answer to his comment, she maneuvered around him and throwing her arms about his neck, drew him down to her so she could kiss him passionately on his mouth. She felt John's arms tighten about her figure, his hands stroking her back. When they finally parted, both sighed contentedly, and without another word, moved inside the Tavern.

The remainder of the evening would be spent in a load of activity. A few of the guys were going to finish packing the boxes for the donation the Nest was making as they had done for the last five years. Each Thanksgiving and Christmas, canned goods and staples, in addition to winter clothing was packed and delivered to some needy families in one of the nearby towns. These would be distributed Christmas Eve morning, along with some toys and clothes for those families with children. For this year, with the addition of so many new participants, the Nest had managed to raise about $2000 for that purpose, a new record.

In the meantime, those that enjoyed cooking were meeting in the Hotel kitchen to spend some time whipping up their favorite dishes to be eaten both at the Christmas Eve party and also for Christmas dinner. Annabella, although reluctant about handing over her kitchen, knew those participating had as much a love for cooking as did she, so she overcame her initial fears. Besides, some of the dishes sounded fantastic, and she was looking forward to seeing how each person prepared them.

"So you're making...." John was asking as he handed Tina a mug of hot cocoa.

"Jam cakes...so much better than fruit cakes; and my patented chocolate mousse I've been fixing since I was about sixteen."

"Sounds great, darlin'." Their attention was briefly drawn towards the bar where Wendy was teaching her Jeffrey and also Lachlan how to fix her specialty, a Red Rooster, a combination of vodka and cranberry juice.

"When do you think you'll be able to get there?"

"As soon as we finish the boxes. Shouldn't take much longer. And then I'll show you how I make the famous Biebe cheesecake. It'll melt in your mouth, trust me."

"I can't wait," she answered, sipping the hot drink. She noticed the soft way the sheriff was watching her, and she asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing...Just...Just...thank you...Thank you for spending the holidays with me."

Tina smiled back. "You're welcome," was all she could manage, and the two shared a brief kiss before walking over to join the others at the bar.

"Sheriff!" Colin called over to his brother, directing them towards a free set of chairs. "Quite the spectacular evening. The best Christmas show yet, I'd say."

"I was saying the same thing to Tina earlier. " John pulled out a chair for Tina and waited for her to get comfortable before seating himself next to her.

Michelle rested a hand on Colin's thigh, clasping his hand in hers. "And to think this is just the beginning of the festivities..."

"In other words, you ain't seen nothing yet, love..." The Australian laughed softly as he kissed her cheek.. "And speaking of which... have either of you tried Michelle's rum balls yet?"

"I haven't had the pleasure..." Tina grinned at her girlfriend. "You making them for us this Christmas, Chelle?"

"You better believe it. And Colin's going to favor us with his infamous eggnog recipe." The others nodded their approval as Lachlan arrived with another pitcher of hot cocoa. The conversation continued for several more minutes, as they talked about everything from Christmas recipes and the light show to what their plans were for the following day.

It wasn't long before the activities in the bar began to slow down, as everyone grew more relaxed, enjoying the warmth of the room and one another's company. About ten-thirty though, someone announced that before everyone started to doze off, perhaps they'd better get busy. They all had a busy night ahead of them. With a final peck on the cheek or lips to their respective companions, Tina and Michelle joined a couple of the others as they made their way up to the Hotel.

Both had been promised that as soon as the donation work was completed, John and Colin would hurry along, and that was it. The two men stood and watched as their partners exited, the last thing they heard was Kel announcing that she fully intended to bake enough of her famous chocolate chip cookies to choke the Nest.

As the Tavern grew quiet once more, both men only glanced at each other and smiled, their thoughts unspoken but known to one another. With a pat on each other's shoulders they moved into the fireside room and started gathering the last items to place in the hampers, making them ready to carry out to Johnny's truck for special delivery.

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