Title: Holiday Fun

Author: Kerry, aka WinterSun

Disclaimer: If I owned anything relating to Law and Order: CI, we would be watching new episodes instead of Christmas movies, guaranteed.

A/N: This is my first attempt at LO CI fanfic, so if it's terrible, my apologies. Reviews are much appreciated!

Chapter One: Congratulations and Concerns New York City, New York

New York City, New York

"Congratulations, Mr. Turner," she purred, approaching the man from behind. He spun, startled.

"You gave me quite a scare there, Mrs. Turner," he replied playfully. Sighing contentedly, he gazed out over the room. "It's amazing, isn't it?" They stood in the doorway of a grand dining hall; milling about were famous politicians and lawyers Scott Turner would previously only have dreamed of meeting. And yet here they were, not only here to celebrate with him, but to celebrate for him. If he could just bottle how he felt right now…

"It is indeed," she said, slipping her arm around his waist. "But you deserve it." No one familiar with the Turners' case would disagree. Born the son of a New York City mechanic, life had been nothing but a struggle for Scott as he fought to put himself through college, then law school, then into a top position in his law firm. For the last few years, he had been vying for the position he was currently being honored for: the 2006 Republican nomination for a Senator of New York. He had started to think it was never come to pass, and all that his trials had been in vain – how wrong he had been, and he couldn't be happier about it.

"I only wish the girls were here to see this."

"I'm sorry?" Caught up in his contemplation, he hadn't realized Michelle had begun to speak again.

"I just wish the girls were here tonight; it's a shame they have finals next week and can't afford to miss studying time."

"I just wish my father were." Only a month before the nominations were announced, Mr. Turner Sr. had passed away after undergoing cardiac arrest.

"I'm sure he's looking down on you and smiling," she comforted him, raising her hands to turn his face towards hers. He smiled weakly, staring into her eyes.

"You think?"

"Honey, I know." Reaching up, she placed a gentle peck on his lips. "Now go out there and make me proud."

"I'll try." He raised her hand to his lips in a mock chivalrous gesture, then strode up to the podium, greeted by a thunderous applause. When he next glanced up at her after briefly shuffling his papers, this time, his smile reached his eyes.

Amherst, Massachusetts

Mandy Turner gazed out her dorm window thoughtfully. It had only been a week since her father had officially accepted his nomination for Senator, but already she was beginning to feel its implications. A part of her knew it was wrong – she should be overjoyed for him – but she couldn't help feeling a little stifled. Since Mandy had come to Amherst University three years ago, she had become an active champion for women's rights, including the concept of Pro-Choice. However, her father was highly anti-abortion; it was in fact a main facet of his campaign.

"Mandy! You coming??" Her best friend and roommate, Danielle "Danny" Marks yelled from the stairway outside their room.

"Just a minute!" she called back, unfolding herself to grab her over-packed duffel bag.

"Well, hurry up! Vermont is waiting!" With one last look at the place she had come to call home, Mandy locked up and headed downstairs.

Killington, Vermont

"Yeah, yeah," Usher belted out over the loudspeakers the next night, a Saturday at one of Killington's most popular clubs. The atmosphere was overwhelming even for Mandy: deafening music blaring, multicolor lights flashing, girls screaming, and, of course, the packed mass of college students grinding out on the dance floor.

"Hey, baby," her boyfriend of two years approached her from behind, throwing his arms around her and swaying them to the music. "I've been looking for you all day."

"We only got in an hour ago," she replied, spinning on the bar stool to face him. Paul was a handsome man, with jet-black hair and deep green eyes. "How are you?"

"I'd be better if a certain gorgeous young lady would deign herself to dance with me," he answered, a twinkle in his eyes. Grinning, she stood, still in the circle of his arms. "I got you a drink," he added, handing it to her. Downing its bittersweet taste in one shot, she followed his muscular frame out onto the dance floor and within minutes lost herself in the music.

Several Days Later

The ski trip was coming to a close two days later when Mandy, walking through the lodge with Danny, was suddenly pulled aside. Danny couldn't discern anything about the figure through its ski-suit and helmet – not even whether it was a man or a woman, never mind whether it was someone she knew or not. The topic of their conversation looked serious, however, and when Mandy returned it was with a grim expression on her face.

"I'm not going to be able to come back with you guys tonight," she stated somberly.

"Why not?" It wasn't like Mandy to be spontaneous; she was instead the type who kept to a strict schedule and color-coded her notebooks.

"I uh, can't exactly say," she stumbled. "But I'll be back in time for our holiday party on Tuesday, don't worry."

"Okay…" Danny replied, feeling uneasy. "You're sure everything is okay?"

"Oh, yea!" Mandy absentmindedly tucked an escaped strand of hair behind her ear. "You know I'd tell you if it were anything important."

"I know. Just in case, I'll have my phone with me – you know the number, call whenever."

"A privilege I will take advantage of, rest assured," Mandy laughed. "Hey – tell Paul I'm sorry I didn't get to say goodbye to him, but that I'll be back soon?"

"No problem."

"Thanks! I'll see you Tuesday, then." The girls embraced, and before Danny had a chance to say anything further, Mandy was gone.

New York City, New York

"You look tired," Detective Robert Goren of the New York City Major Case Squad commented over dinner over a hundred miles away a few days later.

"How perceptive of you," his dwarfed partner, Detective Eames responded sarcastically, her head in her hands and her eyes half closed. "It's been a long day."

"It's been a long year."

"And almost over, thankfully." Alex lifted her head to meet Bobby's gaze. "I need a fresh start." He smiled, agreeing without words as they both remembered the more difficult cases of the year. "So what are your plans for the holidays?"

"I haven't really decided yet; I'll be visiting my mother Christmas Day, of course." She nodded. "New Years, I'll probably just hang out with some of the guys. You?"

"It's Nicky's first Christmas," she replied, her facial expression one of mixed pleasure and dread. "So I'll be taking countless pictures of a confused baby in a Santa hat." He laughed, but could hear the barely-there bitterness in her statement. It had been nearly a year since Alex had been a surrogate mother for her sister, but Bobby wondered if the emptiness she felt inside since she had given birth would ever truly go away. They never spoke about it; that would be crossing the personal boundary line that had somehow evolved during their partnership. But Bobby could hear it in her voice whenever she spoke about her young nephew; he could see the longing in her eyes.

"Well, should you tire of intimidating relatives and crying children, you're welcome to join us for New Years Eve," he offered. She grinned appreciatively.

"I'll consider it." At that moment, the waitress arrived with their dinners; there was a period of silence while they dug in. Chasing after criminals all day is, after all, hard work, and certainly appetite-whetting. 'Winter Wonderland' played softly in the background; Alex allowed herself to relax for the first time in what felt like forever.

"So-" he began before Alex cut him off.

"You know, Bobby, I really don't feel like talking about work tonight." He sputtered soundlessly for a moment, before settling on:

"How do you know I was going to bring up work?" She gave him a look that clearly said "puh-lease."

"You had that look to your face."

"What look?"

"The big, tough 'I'm gonna crack you' detective look," she teased. "Come on, for one night let's just be Alex and Bobby, two friends out to dinner. We have tomorrow to worry about saving the world." He laughed, shaking his head, and consented.

Apartment of Bobby Goren, New York City, New York

Despite Goren having thrown the phone against the wall, it refused to stop its wailing. Groaning, he dragged himself out of bed, rubbing his eyes as he picked up the receiver. As he did so, he caught a glimpse of the time – 6:40, much too early for human activity, in his opinion.

"Hello?"

"Goren, I hope you enjoyed your ten hours of relaxation last night, because it looks like we're not going to have any for quite some time." It took a moment for Eames' words to hit him.

"We're on another case? I thought we were off – just paperwork for the next few days, then 'happy holidays' and go home?"

"Apparently, God has decided to punish us for celebrating too early. Scott Turner just filed a missing person's claim for his daughter, Amanda Turner."

"Scott Turner…as in the candidate for Senator?"

"None other." He groaned again.

"Excellent."

"And I thought it was my job to be the cynical one?"

"I suppose Deakins wants us in-"

"In an hour."

"Wonderful."

"Really, sarcasm doesn't suit you." Her only response was the clicking of the phone. She chuckled lightly, and for the thousandth time thanked God she was a morning person, unlike her oh-so-charming partner.

Apartment of Scott Turner, New York City

"Shh, sweetie, it's okay," Michelle attempted to console her husband, who days ago had been an ecstatic nominee but had been reduced a quivering bundle of nerves huddled in the bedroom armchair. "I'm sure she's fine; you know Mandy, she can handle herself." She couldn't hide the crack in her voice; fortunately Scott didn't notice.

"How can you possibly know that? You know Mandy never did anything out of the blue-"

"Something probably just came up that she couldn't do anything about; we'll probably get up to Vermont and find her laughing in the lodge, sipping hot chocolate and wondering why we look so concerned."

"Without telling Danny? They've known each other since fifth grade, they tell each other everything."

"Maybe she tried, and couldn't get through," she sighed. At least he was beginning to calm down. "Look, the point is, there's nothing to be gained from worrying about it now. The police will be here in a few hours; we'll see where it goes from there. We don't want to get all worked up about nothing." He nodded; she kicked out the recliner portion of the chair, rubbing his arm soothingly. "In the meantime, you should be getting some rest."

As he drifted off slowly, tears still sliding down his cheeks, she stood and walked to their full-length mirror. In her own reflection, she could see so much of their daughter. She sank to her knees, hiding her head in her hands. "Oh, Mandy," she cried softly, "Please, God, keep her safe…"

Review make me a very very happy Kerry, so please leave one:) Constructive criticism is welcome – but be kind, it's my first attempt at a criminal intent fanfic. Many thanks!!