Date: December 22nd.

Christmas season had arrived in 2fort. It was the only time of year that the RED and BLU teams could put down their arms and settle down to celebrate the holidays. Gifts were given, carols were sung, and no one felt even the slightest urge to wield a firearm. They were all too busy decorating Christmas trees and wondering what Santa might bring them this year. No matter how old or sophisticated or grumpy people were, it was the time of year everyone was tolerant and happy. Even BLU team.

"It is a beautiful winter this year, no?" Spy asked the medic, both sitting by the fireplace in the BLU base drinking hot chocolate. "It certainly is. It reminds me so much of my time back in Germany. I used to be quite the skiing fan before I took up medicine." "I see. When I was but a child back in France, I would go tobogganing with my mother and father near daily." Spy's voice trailed off as he reminisced about his childhood, building snowmen and tobogganing with friends and family. "Sometimes, I wish I could have kept that childish love of the winter weather growing up, like those three have." Spy said, motioning towards the window. Medic glanced over to see Heavy and Scout outside, building a snowman, and Sniper, building what looked like a snow fort. The three friends looked like they were having the time of their lives. "As do I, my friend. It is a shame that men like us just seem to suddenly outgrow the joy of playing in the snow." Spy nodded in agreement as he sipped his drink.

The pair's discussion was cut short when Heavy burst through the door. "Doktor! Doktor!" Medic got up and had to cover his ears due to Heavy's volume. "Ack, what is it, Heavy?" "Doktor, we need help to finish snowman!" Medic leaned over to look at the snowman, who was now holding Heavy's minigun and had a rather angry expression. "But, isn't it finished?" Medic asked. "Oh no. We make doctor snowman for heavy snowman now, and it wouldn't be the same without REAL doctor helping!" Heavy's grin stretched from ear to ear. "Hmmm, I would love to join you, but..." Medic was cut short by Sniper, slipping past heavy and in the door. "Come on out, doc. Lighten up a little, it'll be fun!" Medic turned back around to look at Spy. "Go ahead, we'll talk later." "Danke, Spy." Medic said happily as he reached for his winter cap hanging on the rack. "Let's go, team!" The quartet laughed happily and heartily as they started rolling snow that would soon act as the medic snowman's body. Spy sighed, closed the door and retreated inside.

In the resupply room, the resupply locker had been taken down, since no one was going to be needing it any time soon, and replaced with an oven, fridge, and all kinds of other food related devices. The smell of Christmas turkey radiated under the sliding door and seemed to pull all who passed by inside. Rather than resisting, spy let his nostrils lead him right under the door and into Engineer's Christmas domain. "Hello, Engie. How's dinner coming along?" Spy inquired, reaching into the fridge to pull out a small can of soup. "Woowee, Spy. How does chowder sound to you?" Everyone was sceptical of Engie's claim that his cooking ability was as great as he believed, but everyone always loved his Christmas meals anyway, and why downsize his ego if it's good either way? "Magnificent. By ze way, have you seen Pyro, anywhere? I'm his secret Santa this year." Spy said, pouring noodles and broth mix into his pan of boiling water. "What'cha get Im', pardner?" "Flame decals, for his flamethrower. Please don't judge, I'm not great with gifts. Especially to the allied counterpart of my worst enemy." He felt a tiny bit of regret for saying that last sentence, but then went back to watching his noodles. "Well, shucks, it's creative, I'll give ya that. I'm sure he'll be fine with it. Last I heard, he was outside decorating the front of the base with Soldier and Demo." Engie replied, "Thanks, mon amis. Could you be a friend take those off the stove when they're done? That's probably my lunch today." Spy flicked his cigarette into the ash tray by the door as he walked out and towards the battlements, that for the rest of the month, was just the front yard. "Can do, pardner!" Engie shouted from the kitchen.

"A little to the left, lad! It's off center!". Demoman's was the first voice Spy heard as he stepped outside. Soldier really hated taking orders, but it was Christmas, and he was willing to tolerate. "You've told me left 5 different times now! Are you sure the lack of depth perception is helping?". Soldier frustratingly moved the Christmas wreath farther left. "You got it laddie! Right there!" Soldier's frustrations suddenly all vanished. "All right! Pyro, pass me the nails and a hammer!". Pyro sprang up and handed him multiple nails and a hammer, and Soldier quickly hung the wreath from the center of the wall. The 3 stepped back to admire their handiwork. The front wall of the base was now fully adorned with bells, wreaths, and paper snowflakes, made by Pyro in his spare time. "We did good, men." Demoman said as he admired the fesitized wall. "Excuse me, if you're finished with decorating, could you turn that ladder over here?". The three turned to see spy, waiting on the upper balcony. "Oh yeah, sure mate!". Demoman and Pyro grabbed the ladder and turned it towards the right balcony, and let spy climb down while they held it steady. "Many thanks. Pyro, if I may have a word?". Pyro obediently followed spy inside the large front entrance. "Good. If we may cut to the chase, I was your secret Santa this year. Surprise!" Spy smiled as he held out the red and orange flame decals that he kept in his suit. Pyro took them from him, eyed them, and let out a muffled chuckle before reaching out to hug Spy. Spy just smiled and hugged him back. "It is a beautiful winter this year," he thought.