Happy Holidays fellow Collars. Also for Level Five of the Twelve Days of Christmas Challenge.


Neal sends Peter a Christmas card with a pointalized rendition of a decorations-laden Big Ben against the backdrop of swirling blues and falling snow. It reminded Peter of an old inkjet printer, but even with his limited art experience knew it would be painstaking to reproduce by hand. When did Caffrey have time for stunts like these, anyway?

This was only the second card, and nothing like the one he'd received on his birthday, but he knew who had sent even without confirmation of the identical handwriting inside.

"Christmas card?" Elizabeth asked, coming up behind Peter and resting her chin in the crook of his shoulder.

Peter grunted an affirmative. "From my newest case."

"Wish all criminals were as thoughtful." She smiled and traced the front cover with a fingernail. "It's beautiful."

"I'd settle for less thoughtful and easier to catch," retorted Peter.

"You like the challenge."

"I'd like to be home more."

She knew that wasn't strictly true, that their work made each of them who they were, but rather than argue, Elizabeth nuzzled along Peter's neck. "What'd he write?"

Peter flipped the card open, and raised it so El could see for herself. "Merry Christmas, Peter. As my gift to you, I promise to abstain from any and all crime until December 27th. Spend Christmas with Elizabeth. We see entirely too much of each other," she read aloud, paused, and then broke into laughter.

Peter tossed the card on the coffee table. "Scolded by a card," he grumbled.

Elizabeth collected it. "I like him," she declared, and strode off to tack it on the refrigerator.

"Hm."

The next break in the case came just before New Year's, when a painting is stolen from an Egyptian gallery. In its place is a note: kept my promise. Happy New Year! NC