A/N: Welcome to the "New Adventures of Kris Marx", if you haven't read my Protégé Series from the beginning then you'll get lost. My advice is that you should read everything if you want to understand everything. To my other readers who have read it, welcome back!
A/N 2: You know I couldn't escape the Christmas one shots.
This is set after 'Baby Mine'.
Disclaimer: I don't own Rizzoli and Isles because if I did, I would have sent Pike somewhere else. He is so annoying!
"You hope and I'll hurry/ You pray and I'll plan/ We'll do what's necessary 'cause/ Even a miracle needs a hand…" - Even a Miracle Needs a Hand from 'Twas the Night Before Christmas'
Secret Santa
Jane's POV
"Sir, you can't have me work Christmas. It's the twins' first Christmas," I pleaded to Cavanaugh.
Cavanaugh sighed, "Jane, I know it's important but everyone else took over. I don't have anyone else who is willing to work Christmas."
"But…I can't."
"Unless you find someone who's willing to switch with you," Cavanaugh informed me. He patted my shoulder, walking back to his office, and left me in the bullpen. I took in a deep breath before I kicked hard at my desk.
"Whoa," I looked over to see Kris entering the bullpen. She gave me a curious look and inquired, "Everything okay?"
"I have to work Christmas," I growled as I sat down.
"You're kidding?"
"Yeah, I'm kidding about working on Christmas like Ebenezer Scrooge."
"At least you're not saying 'Bah Humbug' but have you tried asking someone else," Kris inquired as she sat down at her desk.
I shook my head, "Who would be willing to switch days with me? Everyone is either out of town or won't answer their phones." I ran my hand through my hair, "I have to tell Maura." I then stood up and walked toward the elevator.
As I went down, I was trying to form the right approach to tell Maura. It was going to crush her and soon I would have to tell Ma. Now that was going to be hell on earth for me. I exited out of the elevator and walked over to Maura's office. I peered inside to see Maura humming, placing some papers in her bag, which caused me to smile gently. I knocked on the door causing her to turn around and smiled, "Jane, good timing. I'm all set and we can get going for our vacation."
"Maura, about that…um…"
Maura's smile dropped, "What's wrong?"
"I'm sorry, Maura but…" suddenly I heard my cell phone ring. I looked down at it and noticed that it was Cavanaugh. I gave a surprise look as I answered unsurely, "Sir?"
"Rizzoli, you're in luck. It seems Detective Crowe is willing to work your shift early."
"Um…that's great."
"Merry Christmas, Jane. I'll see you at the party."
"Sir, how did it happen? A few minutes ago I wasn't," I inquired with confusion on my face.
"Well, it seems your Secret Santa did it. But anyways, have a vacation."
"You too," I looked up at Maura and closed my phone, "I'm all set when you are."
"What was that about?"
"Just making sure that I'm off Christmas," I retorted with a smile. "I'll meet you at the café." I hopped onto my elevator; going up to lobby and I noticed that Kris was sitting in the café with a small cup of hot chocolate with her satchel on her. "Hey," I called out to her.
Kris looked up at me and greeted, "Hello Ms. Grinch."
"Not anymore, I'm off on Christmas. Crowe is taking my shift." Kris gave a shock expression and I nodded, "I know but someone got him to switch shifts and I don't know how."
"Christmas miracle," Kris answered as she picked up her cup, taking a small sip.
"Yeah…"
Or a certain protégé did it and won't acknowledge it.
R&I
The next day…
"Will someone help me get this damn tree inside," I complained as I held the Christmas tree at the doorway of the house. Maura, Kris, the twins, and I went out to the Christmas tree lot to pick out a Christmas tree and to my delight, I found a perfect Noble. But now I was standing here, waiting for someone to come and help me while my ass freezing. "Hello, is anyone going to help me," I called out. "Someone…"
"Ma," I looked over my shoulder to see Kris behind me with her glasses peering over her nose.
"Thank god, I thought I was going to freeze." Kris rolled her eyes then laughed as she helped me bring the tree inside. "Little bit to the left," I said to Kris, "You know what? Never mind, a bit to the right."
"Which way, Jane? My back is about to go out here."
"Okay right there," Kris and I released the tree with a loud thud and Kris smiled widely. I smiled back and asked, "Do you really think that this is a good tree, Kiddo?"
Kris patted my back and smiled, "It looks great, Ma."
"It's wonderful, Jane," I looked over my shoulder to see Maura walking in with the twins. She smiled at us then kissed both of our cheeks before she began to remove their winter jackets. Once she was done, she looked up at the tree and gushed, "I think this year's tree will be the best."
All of the sudden, the door opened and we all heard, "The tree's here!" Soon, we heard the footsteps running over and Kris leaned up, lifting TJ over her shoulder spinning him around. "Kris, put me down," the four year old giggled as Kris lowered him down.
Tommy smiled and kissed both our cheeks while Kris went to open the ornament box for TJ. "Thanks for letting him do this," Tommy said to us.
"Kris insisted and we love him over," Maura smiled.
"Yeah…"
I noticed the sad expression on my baby brother's face and touched his shoulder. "What's wrong, bro," I inquired softly
"It's nothing, Janie."
"Tommy…"
Tommy sighed and looked away. He then pulled Maura and me toward the side as he whispered, "I can't afford to get TJ any of his toys then some kid told TJ that Santa wasn't real."
"Oh fuck," I sighed.
Though Maura wasn't raised in believing in Santa Claus but once TJ was born, she joined in. She enjoyed and loved every moment of it because it was something she never experienced as a child. However, hearing those words, I could see Maura's heart break from it. She touched Tommy's shoulder sympathetically, "What did you say to him?"
"I couldn't say a thing and just said that Santa was real. I don't know what to do guys," Tommy panicked a bit.
"We'll figure something out."
"Just don't tell Ma, Janie," Tommy pleaded. "It will crush her and I just…I want to provide something to my family like you do for Kris and the twins." We all looked over to hear TJ release a loud giggle as Kris lifted him up to place an ornament up. He placed the ornament on then Kris lowered him down which made Tommy smiled sadly before he pleaded softly, "Janie, promise me that you won't tell Ma or you don't do anything."
I looked at Maura who frowned. She didn't want to do such a promise because knowing her; she would go out and buy many gifts for TJ. However, we took it easy and got him a fire engine that he requested but it crushed Maura and well as myself to hear this.
"I promise."
Maura's POV
KNOCK! KNOCK!
Tommy looked up from our chess game and gave me a curious look, "Who else were you guys expecting over?"
"That's my guest," Kris smiled as she slid across the wooden floors to the front door.
"Kris, careful on the floors," I quietly scolded her.
"At least, Bass didn't trip her this time or Jo Friday," Jane chuckled.
I waited for Kris to comment about that but instead Kris ignored it as she opened the door. I noticed Kris' smile broadened as it revealed the bundle figure that was her girlfriend, Gabriella. "Hey love," Kris greeted as she brought her inside, helping her remove her scarf and jacket.
Gabriella smiled and kissed Kris' lips gently. Maura grinned while I rolled my eyes but held my smile at the couple. Gabriella pulled back and placed her hair in a ponytail before she pointed out, "Nice tree."
"Ma picked it out this year," Kris informed her.
"Gabby," TJ ran over to Gabriella and hugged her. Gabriella laughed softly and hugged him back, giving him a small kiss on his cheek. He blushed and pulled Gabriella into the living room with Gabriella greeting Aly and Liam with small kisses on their foreheads.
It was the second year Kris and Gabriella would be celebrating Christmas together. However, it was their first Christmas together as a couple which made me think about Jane and my first Christmas together as friends and also as a couple. "Maura…Maura," I snapped out of my thoughts and looked over at Tommy who gestured to the chessboard, "it's your turn."
"Oh sorry, Tommy," I apologized.
"Gabby, can you I ask you a question," I heard TJ inquired from his seat on the sofa.
I looked over to see Kris on the floor with Liam and Aly who were lying on the floor. Jo Friday approached them with Aly pulling on her ears. Jo didn't flinch but laid on the ground while Liam messed with her tail and I let out a small giggle before Kris picked up the dog and placed her into her lap.
Gabriella looked over from the tree and sat down on the floor next to Kris. "Of course, TJ," she answered him.
TJ climbed off the sofa and sat down with them. He picked up one of the babies' toys and handed it to Liam as he asked, "Is there a Santa Claus?"
A loud clash came and I looked over to see Tommy tipping over several chess pieces with a shock expression. He looked at me before he looked at Jane who had a worry expression on her face also. I looked at the couple to see an uneasy expression on Gabriella's face but a calm look on Kris', which made me wonder why she looked so calm.
"Is there a Santa Claus?"
"Well," Gabriella bit her lower lip then twisted her ring before she asked, "what do you think TJ?"
"I think he's real but Freddie says he isn't and that it's Daddy and Mommy who bring presents," TJ retorted. "Is Santa real?"
"I…"
"TJ, it's time to go home," Tommy called out. TJ sighed and kissed Gabriella and Kris' cheeks before he walked over to his father. He kissed Jane and I goodbye then soon walked over to the door with Tommy saying to us, "We'll see you at the party tomorrow."
I nodded and looked over at Gabriella and Kris. I walked over and lifted Aly, placing her into my lap while Gabriella said to us, "I didn't know how I was going to answer that."
"No one does because Tommy is having financial problems right now," I explained softly.
"But it's not fair to TJ. He believes so much in Santa and then someone dashes it away," Gabriella shook it away. "He doesn't deserve it. We need Christmas miracles and Santa."
"No one does but it happens to some of us."
"Yeah," Kris answered softly. I noticed the sad expression in her blue eyes before she shook it away and kissed the top of Gabriella's head. She then stood up and grabbed her leather jacket, walking over to the door.
"Kris, where are you going?"
"Small errand, but I'll be back," Kris informed me.
Gabriella stood up, "Do you need me to come with you?"
"Nah, I'll be fine," Kris then opened the door and walked out with her car keys.
As Kris walked out of the house, Gabriella looked over at me and asked, "Can I ask you a question?"
I smiled, "Of course."
"Do you know what I can get for Kris? I want to get her a perfect gift." I smiled at the young girl's comment before I kissed the top of her head as she continued, "Kris keeps telling me that she doesn't want anything but…there has to be something."
Jane chuckled, "Kris always says that every year. She's a very simple and giving person but I think she just does good deeds."
"How so?"
Jane bit her lower lip and stated, "I was suppose to work Christmas and I thought I would have to tell you, Maura. But," she looked over at Gabriella, "somehow I was able to get the day off with someone calling Detective Crowe and persuading him to work that day since he's just watching a basketball game. He didn't tell me who but I have a feeling I know who it was."
"Kris," Gabriella and I both said at the same time. That young lady amazes me still…
Jane nodded, "Kris never asks for anything, Gabby and truthfully, there's no perfect gift. If you discover it, I give you total props."
"So you don't know anything?"
I shook my head, "I'm afraid so, sweetheart."
Gabriella huffed, "Great…now I'm so unsure."
Poor girl, Kris was always difficult when it came to Christmas presents.
R&I
Christmas Eve…
"I'll be back soon," Kris shouted. I looked over at her to see her sliding across the room.
"Kris, where are you going at this hour," I inquired as Kris grabbed her jacket.
Kris gave a sheepish smile and answered, "I totally forgot that I need to grab some pie for desert."
"Can it wait for later?"
"Mom, you can't wait on pie," she leaned over and kissed my cheek then I noticed that she was wearing an old pair of her glasses. I gave a curious look and she noticed it, "What?"
"Is there a reason why you are wearing your old glasses?"
"Oh, these," she gestured to the wire. She shrugged, "My other ones broke but look at the time, and I got to go." She soon opened the backdoor and quickly left which made me raise an eyebrow and shook my head.
What are you up to Kris Marx?
"Maura," I looked over to see Jane coming down the staircase halfway. She looked over at the door, "Did Kris just leave the house?"
"Yes, why?"
"Damn it, I needed her to grab the chocolate pie."
"You forgot to get the pie, Jane Rizzoli- Isles."
"No…well, maybe."
Gabriella's POV
I didn't know what to get Kris. Sure, I got her a scarf last year but this year, we were a couple and I just wanted to get something perfect for Christmas. However, Kris being her normal self told me she didn't want anything. I knew she got me something and I didn't want to feel bad that I didn't get the love of my life anything.
Besides this dilemma, I noticed Kris was acting strangely since yesterday. I sensed that she was up to something and she wasn't planning to tell anyone including me. I think it crushed Kris a bit to hear TJ because a majority of the family and myself knew that Kris had a soft spot for kids especially for Liam, Aly, and TJ.
"Not too much chocolate, Jane," Maura told her wife. I looked over to see TJ giggling with Jane and Frankie who were eating chocolate.
I giggled at the sight and canvassed the whole room. Frankie's date, Rose was talking with Frost and Korsak while Maura and Angela were holding the twins as they talked with Tommy and Lydia. I enjoyed the family and I was happy that they brought me into their life. Truthfully, I had to thank Kris for that.
Speaking of Kris, where is she, I wondered as I looked around. I walked over to Jane and Frankie, giving TJ a small kiss on his cheek as I asked quietly, "Jane, have you seen Kris?"
Jane looked around, "No, I haven't. I thought she was with you."
"Kris told me that she was getting a friend for me," TJ answered.
"What do you mean, TJ?"
"Ho, ho, ho," I suddenly heard. Everyone gave a curious look and soon, a loud door knock came after. Maura handed Liam to Angela and walked over to the front door, unlocking it to reveal a man with a while beard and a red suit. "Merry Christmas, Doctor Rizzoli-Isles," the man greeted.
"Um…Merry Christmas," Maura said back.
The figure popped their head through the door and greeted, "Merry Christmas."
"Santa," TJ shouted and quickly ran over, passing Maura. Santa picked TJ up and a small laugh came, which caused me to raise an eyebrow. It was throaty but it was a fake throaty, which made me wonder. TJ hugged Santa tightly as he said, "Kris told me you would come!"
"Well, I was driving my sleigh and Kris made a special call to me to visit you and your family. I have your gifts right here," Santa placed TJ down and opened his red sack to pull out two large gifts for TJ. Tommy stood up and walked over to the door with Lydia watching as Santa greeted him, "Thomas, good to see you."
"Um…Santa, I didn't expect you," Tommy retorted in confusion.
"Oh yes, I have something for you," Santa then pulled out a small envelope. Tommy opened it and looked up with a wide expression as Santa said, "Merry Christmas."
"I…I can't."
"Don't let pride get in the way, Tommy," I then noticed a small smirk form and soon, I recognized it. Tommy nodded and hugged Santa who handed Maura the red sack. "This will have the rest of the family's gifts," he informed.
"Thank you," Maura smiled.
Santa bent down to TJ and touched his shoulder, "Don't let people stop you from believing in magic. As you grow up, people will tell you that I don't exist but remember that I exist in your heart and the magic lives on in there, okay?"
TJ nodded then asked, "You brought Kris something?"
"She already got her gift, TJ," Santa smiled. He then stood back up and looked at me with our eyes locking. I noticed the sky blue eyes and Santa winked at me causing a smile to form. "Merry Christmas," he finally stated before releasing a hearty laugh and disappeared into the night.
Maura closed the door with Jane asking Tommy immediately, "What did Santa get you?"
Tommy wiped the tears and smiled, "It's…it's a temporary job at an animal shelter. It's paying good money."
"Daddy, look what Santa got me," TJ showed his new police car and bulldozer.
Maura, Jane and I looked at each other for a moment before we heard the backdoor open to reveal Kris. She combed her hand through hair and I noticed a small white ball was coming from her pocket until she tucked it away. "Sorry that I'm late," Kris announced casually, "what did I miss?"
"Santa came," TJ shouted.
"Oh really?"
"Kris," Kris looked up at Maura who was leaning against Jane, "where's the pie?"
"Oh," Kris frowned but then smiled gently as she answered, "they ran out."
I leaned against the wall watching Kris until she looked up and gave a wink at me. I sighed and smiled, She just gave ma another reason to love her.
Kris' POV
"It was you, wasn't it," Gabriella inquired as I was placing the food away while Maura and Jane were putting Liam and Aly to bed.
I looked at her to see her gazing at me from the little photo album I gave her. The questioning look made me turned back around and shrugged, "Don't know what you are talking about."
"Krislyn Gabriel Leo Marx Rizzoli- Isles," Gabriella sighed. She then closed the fridge and turned me around, making me look at her. Our eyes locked and she wrapped her arms around my neck as she pointed out softly, "You were Santa Claus. You persuaded Detective Crowe to take Christmas Eve, you gave TJ the gifts and Tommy the temporary job-," I was about to argue about it until she placed a finger over my lips and whispered, "Don't argue it because I know my own girlfriend's blue eyes."
I let out a soft sigh and whispered, "Fine, you caught me."
I pulled out of her hold, turning back to the last bit of eggnog that I was allowed to have. I took a small sip of it while Gabriella sat in my lap and asked, "Why?"
"Because…because we all need some Christmas miracles in our lives like you said. It's the twins' first Christmas and they can't experience without Ma and Tommy needed some help because I wasn't going to let TJ lose belief in the small Christmas magic…"
Flashback…
I watched Jane leave the office and I bit my lower lip. I then picked up my office phone, dialing a quick number. "What," grumbled Detective Crowe.
"Crowe, it's Marx. Can you switch your day off on Christmas with Jane," I inquired.
"No way, I'm going to miss my basketball game."
"Crowe, please can you switch and not be a Scrooge. It's Liam and Aly's first Christmas."
"Not my problem, Marx. Goodbye."
"I'll do all your paperwork when you get back from vacation," I told him quickly.
After a small pause, I heard Crowe smiled and asked, "All of it?"
"Yes…just tell Cavanaugh that you will and just say that Jane's secret Santa did it."
"Yeah, yeah."
R&I
"Tommy, hold up," I called out to Tommy who was placing TJ in his car seat.
He back up as I moved closer and sighed, "Kris, I got to get going and-"
"I know but I just want to say bye to TJ," I smiled gently. Tommy gazed at me for a moment and I felt like I was looking at Jane for a moment before he patted my shoulder. As he walked away, I leaned my head in to see TJ holding his toy police car. "Hey bud, I just wanted to say bye and tell you that I'll see you tomorrow," I whispered to him.
"Kris, is Santa real," TJ asked.
I sighed gently. That damn question wasn't going to be out of poor TJ's head and every time the question was asked, I felt my heart break a bit. I bit my lower lip and looked over my shoulder to see Tommy wiping the windows of the snow. I looked back at TJ and answered, "You know what? Yeah, he's real."
"He is?"
I nodded, "He is and sure, kids will tell that he's not real but I learned that believing is seeing. I know it is in my heart." I gently patted my heart then patted his causing him to giggle. As he laughed, an idea came to my head as I asked, "Did you know I'm friends with Santa?"
"Really," I watched as TJ's eyes widened.
"Yeah and so, you can't tell anyone but I'll make sure Santa drops by."
"Pinky promise?"
He placed his pinky out for me and I smiled, taking his pinky with mine. "I promise," I told him before I kissed his cheek. I looked over at Tommy and said softly, "I'll see you tomorrow."
Tommy nodded and stepped into the car, and closed the door. He then started the engine, driving out of the driveway before I took in a deep breath and glanced at my watch. There was only a couple hours left in the day and I decided that I needed to do something. I pulled out my cell phone and dialed until I heard the answer, "Cinnamon, how ya doin' this fine snowy day?"
"Rondo, I was wondering if you have any Santa suits"
"Of course, I do. What do you got in mind, Cinnamon?"
"Just a small thing. But can you get for me before tomorrow night?"
"No problem."
"Christmas is a time to believe in the smallest of things," I explained softly. I released Gabriella, walked over to the Christmas tree and gazed upon it as I continued, "When I was a kid, I always wrote to Santa and I never stopped even when it was the darkest of times."
"Adrian…"
I nodded, "Christmas is a time for family and magic also. That's why I did all of that."
I felt Gabriella wrapped her arms around me and kissed my shoulder blades. "You know you have a big heart," she whispered. I turned and wrapped my arms around her waist, looking down at her as she smiled at me, "But I understand what you mean…that we need to believe in the small things. I asked Santa for a gift last year…"
"That would be?"
I noticed a small blush form on her face as she confessed, "I asked for…for you."
"Me?"
"Yes and it came true. But this year, I wasn't sure what I was going to get for you then I realized something." I gave a questioning look that signaled her to continue on, "Your parents told me that every Christmas, you never ask for anything. You do things for others instead and never expect anything back. All you want for Christmas is for the people you love to be happy. That's what you meant when you told TJ that you got what you wanted."
I smiled and shook my head, "You're too smart, you know that?"
"You love me for it."
"That I do and we should go to bed because I know my family, I'll be up by six in the morning."
In a quick swoop, I lifted Gabriella up, walking toward the staircase until Gabriella whispered, "Kris, hold on."
I gave a confused look and suddenly, Gabriella pulled me in a passionate kiss. I kissed her back immediately before I pulled back and whispered, "What was that for…not that I'm complaining."
Gabriella gestured up and I looked to see mistletoe hanging from the ceiling causing a small laugh to escape passed my lips. She kissed my lips again and whispered, "I love you."
"I love you too."
I kissed her forehead as she rested it on my shoulder. As I resumed walking up the stairs, Gabriella asked softly, "What did you ask Santa for this year, Kris?"
I kissed the top of her head once more and whispered, "That each year would be like this."
Merry Christmas and happy holidays! Please review, PM, comment, give ideas, etc! I hope you enjoy your holidays! Thanks!