He saw her when she first entered the mall looking confused and a little lost. Her daughter looking around her with fascination.

He saw her daughter drop her favorite toy and she didn't notice. He rushed to pick it up. She had disappeared by the time he had stood toy in hand. He tucked the toy away and continued. A half hour later he saw her again this time her daughter bawling as she stood slightly helpless in the middle of the flow of traffic looking desperate.

"This might help." he said the toy held out in front of him. Warm eyes met his own green eyes.

"thanks." her voice was sincere.

"You dropped it when you first entered but then you'd disappeared."

"Here Maddie. Look what he brought you." the tears vanished and an excited squeal rang out.

"Do you need help?"

"What?" Suspicion.

"You have an accent. Not from around here?"A warm smile.

"I'm from Canada. And I am totally lost."

"I'll show you around and help you find what you need." he offered.

"I'm not….."

"I'm just doing a kind deed. After all it's a special time of the year." he motioned to the giant Christmas tree that was centered in the middle of the mall.

"I wouldn't want to impose."

"Not at all. I could use the help. It's the first Christmas my wife and I will spend together. This way you can help me find a gift." somehow this stranger put her at ease.

"You have to help mommy. He helped us." Maddie informed her in a serious voice.

"Great."

"What did you need?"

"a computer store a toy store and maybe a store for video games and stuff."

"The computer store is closer." he motioned for her to follow him. They weaved through the foot traffic until they came to a professional clean looking store.

Maddie of course chose that moment to start screaming.

"May I?" he motioned. She hesitated but there was something about those sincere green eyes. As a sales rep came over to help he held the squirming Maddie right outside the door. Every few moments she peeked. After a few minutes he had Maddie giggling about something. She got the new laptop she had wanted and paid. They stuck it in back so she could pick it up when she was finished with her shopping.

"What is so funny?" She asked Maddie taking her back into her arms.

"he was telling silly jokes." Maddie said.

"Can I hear one sweetie?"

"They're to silly Mommy." Maddie giggled.

"Please."

"Fine. DO you know why six is afraid of seven?" Maddie asked her little five year old voice serious.

"No. Why?"

"Cuz, mommy seven eight nine." this sent her daughter off on another laughing fit.

"Where to fearless leader?" she asked.

"the toy store is only a few stores down."

"Wonderful. Maddie was promised a toy of her choice if she behaved the whole ride down."

"and I behaved. Mommy had to drive because daddy stayed home. We came to see uncle Mer since he is in town for Christmas."

Maddie continued telling him about the drive as they wandered the toy store. She chose a toy.

"Alright last store." he led them to the other end of the mall to a video game store.

"A present for my brother to take back to a friend of his." she said picking out the a couple first person shooter games. "He doesn't get a chance to shop much and he might like to play on his down time. He and my brother will be at war by the months end though." she smiled then checked her watch. "Want to grab lunch after we get that present?"

"Sounds wonderful…"

"Jeannie Miller." she smiled.

"Dave."

"Now what did you have in mind?"

"Jewelry?" Dave's voice was hesitant.

"Lead the way." the store he led her to was a high end store. Together they chose a silver necklace.

"You know I've never done this before." Jeannie commented.

"Neither have I. but you looked so lost I couldn't help it. And I really have no idea how to shop for jewelry."

"So what are you in town for?" she asked as they walked to lunch.

"Business mostly. But my brother is in town. We… are fixing things. My wife is flying in tonight and we'll spend Christmas together."

"I'm glad. Did you get him anything."

"I don't know what. He's military. And we haven't really spoken in a long time. I'm not sure."

"Tell me about it. My brother is an astrophysicist and we didn't speak for seven years. Younger or older?"

"younger. Yours?"

"Older."

"Lunch?"

"Cause I'm starving." Maddie's voice said.

"Lunch it is." they sat down in the only actual, not fast food, restaurant.

"So what is your brother like?" he asked as they ate.

"He is brilliant. My parents spoiled him because they didn't understand what he was saying half the time anyway. He is way arrogant but sweet in his own way. The way he says it he saves the world every other day. But he is a superhero. We just don't let him on. Your turn to dish."

"He saves people. He always has. Can you imagine my younger brother protecting me when people teased me. He was tough. Always. He never let his emotions show. My dad wanted us to run the business together. He wouldn't take it. He left. And just never came back. I didn't mind. The business…. Was never him. He was meant to be out their. Saving people. Doing good. He would never have been able to settle behind a desk. He has to much life. He was always the larger than life brother. The one who dove of cliffs and got lost for the fun and adventure. I worry but he always came home safe then. I trust him to do the same now."

"Those brothers of ours. Some days you wish you could just lock them up in a box and declare no more dangerous jobs. Stay home and safe." Jeannie sighed.

"They'd never go for it. That's the reason the have those jobs. They realized there is something more important than being safe. It's insuring the safety of those that worry about them as they are out being hero's"

The two strangers left each other waving goodbye. Friends somehow.

A/N hope you enjoyed. Reviews would be appriciated