Note: This story is my Christmas present to that legendary author of CHiPs, lifelong fan of a certain Puerto Rican patrol officer, and a great friend, Ponchygirl.

The date was December 23. It was a Friday night. The police station was cheerily decorated with evergreen garlands, wreaths, twinkling lights, sleigh bells, and miniature Christmas trees. Sergeant Getraer was sitting in his office, watching the weather report on TV. The weatherman promised ten to twelve inches of snow to fall that evening. Getraer grew worried. Earlier that day, he arranged for one of his officers to go over to the hospital and entertain the youngsters who weren't fortunate enough to be at home for Christmas.

Meanwhile, Bonnie was trying to get Ponch into a Santa Claus costume.

"No," he said, "I'm not wearing that. I'll look like a fat fool!"

Bonnie rolled her eyes. "No, you won't. Everybody loves Santa Claus, Ponch."

"Well, I don't like him," Ponch said, "I'm always on his 'naughty list'."

"Do it for the sick and injured children who can't be with their families for Christmas," Bonnie said, staring right into his bottomless brown eyes.

"Don't look at me that way, Bon-Bon."

"Will you be Santa Claus?"

Ponch considered the idea. He imagined what he would look like marching down the hallways, donned in a fat, red suit and a white beard, dragging around a heavy bag of presents. He pictured the giggling nurses and staff. He thought about the ribbing he would get from his fellow patrol officers. "Where's my present, Ponchy Claus?" they would say.

"I can't do it, Bon-Bon," Ponch said, slightly ashamed. "I wish I could."

"Fine," Bonnie said, "I guess I'll have to be Santa Claus then."

Ponch's eyes widened. "You?"

"There's no reason why I can't." With that, Bonnie went into a back room with the costume and made a quick change.

She came out wearing the full suit…fat red coat, thick white beard, and tall black boots. Little strands of her golden hair stuck out from the red hat.

Ponch smirked as he eyed her up and down. "You're the prettiest Santa I ever saw."

"Never mind that," Bonnie said, as she began stuffing a burlap sack with colorfully wrapped presents for the children. "Will you drive me to the hospital, Ponch?"

"Sure thing," he replied, "It's the least I can do."

"You got that right."

Moments later, Ponch and Bonnie were on their way. Ponch was driving and Bonnie was in the passenger seat. The large sack of presents was in the trunk. They listened to cheerful Christmas songs on the radio as they inched along in the holiday traffic. Along the way, Ponch stopped at MacDonalds for dinner. He order a hamburger and fries and then asked Bonnie if she wanted anything. "Just a black coffee," she replied.

As they pulled back onto the highway, the traffic eased up and they were able to drive a little faster. Snow was falling steadily and the roads were caked with white powder. It was pitch black outside now. The only source of light was the high beams on the car.

"Ya know, fast food is the worst thing in the world for you, but it's also the best tasting," Ponch spoke with his mouth full.

The song 'Away in a Manager' came on the radio.

Bonnie sipped her hot coffee and listened to the soft Christmas carol.

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,

The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.

The stars in the sky looked down where he lay,

The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay…

"Sometimes I order chicken nuggets but I try not to find out what's in them," Ponch continued, chewing. "It's best not to know things like that, you know what I'm saying? Do you want some hamburger?" He extended the burger towards her and dribbled ketchup and mustard on her lap.

"Keep that away or you'll stain my outfit."

"The kids won't mind," Ponch assured her. "All they care about is getting loot. Are you sure you're not hungry?"

"I'll be fine. Just keep your eyes on the road."

Ponch chomped down on his juicy burger and used one hand to hold the steering wheel.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay

Close by me for ever, and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in your tender care,

And fit us for heaven, to live with you there.

"PONCH, LOOK OUT!"

A deer ran across the road and Ponch grabbed the wheel with both hands and swerved out of the way. The car spun out of control on the icy road and went tumbling off the highway, landing in a ditch with a thunderous crash.

Blackout.

Ponch woke up to horrible pain in his right arm. He tried to move it but it hurt too much. He opened his eyes and looked around. Red and blue lights were everywhere. Police cars and ambulances had come to their rescue. He was lying on the dirt and being attended to by an EMT.

"Wh-What happened? I...I must have crashed."

The EMT ignored his words and continued his work.

Ponch looked up and saw Bonnie being carried away on a stretcher by ambulance attendants.

"OH NO! Oh, crap! Bonnie! Is she alright?! Where are they taking her?! Tell me where they're taking her! I have to see her now! I have to see her!" Ponch shouted, trying frantically to sit up.

"Snap out of it!" yelled the EMT as he slapped Ponch's already bruised face.

"OW!" Ponch cried, grabbing his cheeks and falling down on his back. "This…this mess is all my fault. I was the one driving. I was the one who refused to be Santa Claus. I should have been Santa Claus…I should have done it as a favor to her. But I was too proud. I was too selfish. And now she's hurt and it's all because of me. I'm not a man. I'm a worm."

"I agree," said the EMT.

Ponch and Bonnie were both taken to the hospital…ironically, the same hospital that they had been driving to when they crashed. They were put in separate ambulances so Ponch still didn't know how badly she had been injured. She looked unconscious when he saw her on the stretcher. Ponch wanted to throw himself in a lake, but he knew that would be impossible because all the lakes were frozen this time of year. All he could do was sit in the ambulance and let the EMT bandage his broken arm. Ponch kept asking about Bonnie but the EMT ignored his questions. Ponch received no support or encouragement from any of the attendants on the ambulance. His guilt consumed him and made him nauseous. He wanted to call Jon but he couldn't do that until he arrived at the hospital. This evening had become a nightmare.