12 Days of Christmas- Sam finds Melissa's list of her things to do for her Christmas Preparations. Sam's point of view. December 1st.

I walk into the mission to find Hetty alone downstairs. She, Nell and Eric will be the only ones in work so far. Melissa is usually in with Nell but she's making her own way in today with G apparently. I head straight for the bullpen after greeting Hetty. I'm in a cheery disposition as today is December 1st and that means the countdown to Christmas has officially begun. The joyous time of family and friends, random acts of kindness and unfortunately usually glitter! It's the most wonderful time of the year…

The bullpen is eerily quiet and I savour the rarity that is me first being in. Melissa is an early bird and can be often found first in and head down in files when G and I saunter in. It took a while to get used to the idea but now that it's routine it feels weird for me to be first in at all. I look around at the empty bullpen at my teammates and friends desks and count myself lucky. G is like a brother and Kensi like a sister, Deeks is the joker that people tolerate and Melissa is the go to girl who somehow puts up with us and all with a smile. I look at the files in my inbox and immediately feel a little disheartened. I should have soldiered on last night and got a few more done but Melissa was waiting for me to drive her home so I dodged them. Melissa, who's inbox is somehow empty except for a piece of lined paper with a list on it marked Christmas Prep list in bright red pen. It makes no sense how all four other inboxes can have at least 5 or 6 files in yet Melissa's never fills past 3 or 4. I don't know how that girl does it! I'm intrigued though what does Melissa consider Christmas Preparations? She has no children that I know off and only her father and Aunt to buy presents for family. I look around the bullpen and towards the entrance trying to gauge whether any of my teammates are about to arrive and if I have chance to peek at the list without them knowing. The argument in my head is that Melissa would have hidden it if it was personal but it still feels wrong that I want to read it. I decide to just take a peek…

Christmas Preparations List 2016

Attend at least 1 Carol Service

Learn to make Eggnog

Christmas Bake List- Tick off 3

Donate a hamper of food to the homeless

1 Act of random kindness

Write a letter to Santa

Go Ice-skating

Watch A wonderful life (Need to see) and at least 1 other Christmas film

Send a soldier a Christmas Card

Letter to Marco

These are actually really selfless, I mean donate to the homeless, 1 act of kindness, write and send a card for a soldier? The Ice-skating and carol services are a general one and the baking list is definitely a Melissa thing as is writing the annual Christmas letter to her friend Marco who is again serving this Christmas. I'm unsurprised by her selflessness or that there's even a list. I've noticed she loves her lists especially when preparing for something.

I quickly place back the list as I hear G and Melissa approach. G and Melissa are discussing the date and I hear G remark that he invested in an advent calendar this year. Melissa laughs as she says it won't survive until Christmas Eve and I'm inclined to agree with her. G is a junk food addict which does nothing for his field work.

'Why would you say that?' G smiles as I turn to face them with a smile at the bullpen entrance.

'Junk food junkie.' Melissa comments smiling as she flounces over towards the steps to OPS without turning away from us. I will never know how she can flounce so gracefully backwards never mind not fall over.

'Am not!' G tries to defend himself only for Melissa to look at him and he yields before shrugging that she may have a point as she starts up the stairs to visit OPS and Nell and Eric.

'See you guys in a bit.' She laughs as she disappears from view.

'So what was interesting on Melissa's desk?' G asks as we head for our respective desks.

'You saw?' I look over at him surprised.

'Yes, so spill big man.' He answers as he sits down and sets up his laptop.

'It's her Christmas Preparations list.' I answer realising that was what she was writing last night while waiting for me to take her home. I had wondered….

'She does one of those?' G asks surprised but unsurprised at the same time.

'Shouldn't surprise us, she loves lists.' I laugh. 'She is a conundrum even now.'

'So what was on the list?'

'Just the usual, carol service, films and something about a baking list?'

'We'll be spoilt if she does that.'

'If she does what?' Melissa appears in the bullpen entrance as G finishes his sentence. She's smiling which makes me think she's only heard the tail end of our conversation.

'Baking list of yours, you got a Christmas one yet?' G saves me by asking if there is one although I think it's actually to see what delights we may have to look forward to. Last year it was cookies, gingerbread men and mince pies and they were all delightful. She even did a batch for Kamran's school fete which was a godsend. No doubt I'll be lending her baking skills again this year.

'Thinking Christmas Cookies, Gingerbread men, Mince pies, Peppermint Creams, Yule log, Pumpkin Pie and Fruitcake.' She answers G's question easily.

'And we'll do some carolling' Deeks sing songs as he enters the bullpen in a festive greeting. Melissa rolls her eyes but I notice her smile. Nobody can fault Deeks festive cheer.

'Morning Deeks.' She laughs. 'Somebody knows it's December 1st.'

'Heck yeah, day one of free chocolate for 24 days…. What's not to love people?'

Am I the only one without an advent calendar? Is that all my friends can think about? Well I know of one who has their priorities right….Even if she doesn't realise I know how selfless and kind she actually is.