Hey everyone :D
As you can tell, this is a new story for the Troop Fanfiction. I've decided to write another story just for you Troop fans for the holiday season!
Hopefully, this story will be done before Christmas or updated on Christmas for you guys to enjoy! So yes, it's definitely a shorter one than There You Go Again- which I have yet to finish!

Enjoy and please review!
inspire-the-writer-x3

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Troop.

SYNOPSIS: As Christmas approaches, the Troop notices various presents disappearing. Putting aside their wants for the festive season, it's up to the Troop to stop this madness in time for Christmas. But what if what you want can't be wrapped up under a tree?

–

Chapter 1: Newsflash

"My present for my mum was like, there and then it was, like gone!"

"One look back and I realised my new bike disappeared. My brother will be so disappointed this year,"

"Whoever stole my daughter's new doll house is going to pay! This practical joke or 'prank' as teens call it has gone far enough!"

"It seems like this holiday season, Lakewood's favourite gift currently is the art of deception. Instead of this reporter finding out the most popular present for all ages this Christmas, it's evident that this year, most of us won't even be getting a present. What is happening to all of the presents of Lakewood? Find out next time as this investigation continues. I'm Chloe Sparks reporting for The Morning Angle News; back to you Robert,"

"Thanks Chloe, now to sports with-"

"Hey! Who turned the TV off? I was watching that!" exclaimed Jake as his head shot up from his reclined position.

"I did and besides," Hayley rolled her eyes, "You weren't even watching it. You were only checking out the news reporter,"

"Well Hayley, it just so happens that I love watching the news and the stories that The Morning Angle News reports!" Jake retorted; getting up to grab a drink from the Troop fridge.

"Yeah right," Hayley scoffed as she walked to Jake, "Tell me, what was your favourite story on this morning?"

"Uhh..." Jake stumbled, "The one where the person talks to the other...oh hi Felix!"

Hayley barely contained a laugh at Jake, as she turned around to see Felix, wobbling through the Troop elevator in the form of a round, old man. She laughed even harder as she saw Jake's face turn almost as red as Felix's Santa suit, from embarrassment to secretly admitting he had a crush on a news reporter.

"What are you doing Felix?" Hayley smiled with amusement.

"I'm dressed up as Santa Clause, what does it look like I'm doing?" Felix replied with a 'isn't-it-obvious' look in his eyes.

"I think she was trying to say, why do you look like you've been wrapped up in 8 coats?" Jake chuckled as Hayley giggled.

"Actually, it's 9," Felix smiled, as he opened his top coat to show what was underneath, "And it's for the Lakewood Christmas Charity Concert on Christmas Eve. I need to get to rehearsals later,"

"Oh yeah, that reminds me- Felix, have you organised the AV club to help out with the lights and special effects for the big night?" Hayley asked as she grabbed a notebook out from her pocket.

"Of course, Hayley!" Felix laughed, "I've got Etienne on the job with the rest of the team. Other tech staff will be helping out too, like the tech stores that are donating their equipment for us to use for the big night. Now if you excuse me, I need to get to rehearsals,"

"Not yet, Felix," Mr Stockley commanded, as all 3 heads whipped around, "It seems we may have a monster problem on our hands. Did anyone else see The Morning Angle New's report on presents going missing?"

"Hayley and I did," Jake confirmed.

"Well, I did. Jake was too busy oogling the news reporter to know what was going on," Hayley snorted as Jake shot her a dirty look.

"Was not!" Jake fought back, shooting daggers at Hayley, who just quietly laughed along with Mr Stockley and Felix.

"Anyway, there have been incidents of presents going missing all around Lakewood. It might not be like the Ickie doll fiasco last year, but the Troop Grid has detected monster activity within the Lakewood area. It seems like this monster is out for other people's presents...which is actually quite peculiar. Felix, have you heard of any monster like this?" Mr Stockley queried.

"Not really," Felix wondered out loud, "It could be the Falapodaur or the Krekitinype but both those monsters absorb energy, like other people's happiness to fuel their powers. Maybe they saw this as an opportunity to be at their strongest?"

"Oh my god, this is like that comic issue of the Revenger- issue 98! A monster comes and feeds off other's misfortunes and in the end, it overtakes the world with its incredible powers! Luckily though, the Revenger comes and saves them last second, using the light sword of hope," Jake shouted; with the occasional sips from the soda in his hand.

"Now that we've established and confirmed that Jake is a geek, let's get on with this monster issue," Hayley smiled sarcastically as Felix snickered and Jake scowled, "I do not want it showing up at my Charity Concert- the one I've worked so hard for in these last 2 months!"

"Of course we will try Hayley but right now, we're not even sure what monster we're looking for!" Mr Stockley said reluctantly, "Ok guys, here's the plan. Felix- do some extra research on the monster database so we can actually identify what we're looking for so we can take it down. Hayley and Jake- check out the mall and look out for any suspicious or monster-related activity. I'll stay here and research if any other Troops are having the same problem. I'll also get any security footage we have available to help us further with the case. Do we have each other clear?"

"Yeah Mr Stockley," Felix, Jake and Hayley nodded as they continued on with the task set.

"I can't believe I'm missing rehearsals though! I finally get to nail my own Christmas sketch instead of doing a Christmas talk show and I can't even practice to make it the best performance of the night!" Felix complained, as he turned his computer on; ready to research.

"I know how you feel Felix," Hayley mumbled, putting a hand on his shoulder, "I would have organised this concert so much faster if we didn't have so many Troop-related missions,"

"Just because you 2 are so committed to the school and the community, I usually get stuck with cleaning the monster's business, so will you please stop complaining and go to the mall with me?" Jake rebuked.

"Why, Jake! Is that your idea of a date?" Hayley smirked innocently.

"As if, Hayley. I just want this mission to be over so I can go ask Lisa out on a date. She's going to be at the concert too right?"

"I guess so, as it is a community event," Hayley sneered; rolling her eyes.

"Whatever, can we just go?" Jake spat back.

"Mr Stockley!" Hayley screamed, "I am not going to the mall with Jake. He is an arrogant, selfish, egotistic jerk and-"

I really, really, really like him. And it scares the hell out of me because I've never felt this way about anyone before. The way his brown eyes sparkle when he's happy; the smile he wears that brightens every dark day I have; the crazy antics he does when he monster hunts, all make my heart beat 3 times faster. And those lips...

Hayley shook her head from those thoughts about Jake and looked up to meet the chocolate brown eyes she had just daydreamed about before. They looked slightly pained but she wasn't sure because his eyes were hard to read and that made him so much more irresistable and unpredictable. But she refused to like him because Jake always seemed to be taken by anything in a short skirt. Hayley frowned as she thought of this and raised an eyebrow at Jake for being so quiet.

"Oh, you're done?" Jake realised arrogantly, but then changed his expression and gave Hayley a weak smile, "How about we call it a truce and actually go to the mall to investigate?"

Hayley nodded and walked past Jake as Felix gave her a concerned look. She grinned briefly at Felix to assure she was alright and went looking for her bag in the other room.

"Dude, what was that? I thought you never gave up without a fight!" Felix remarked to Jake.

"I don't know what happened..." Jake murmured, "I never knew Hayley thought I was all those things..."

"Relax Jake, she was just pissed off that you criticised her commitments again. She takes them really seriously. That's probably why she's on cheer-leading, student council and other all those other co-curricular activities and still manages to get straight A's and stay on top of the school as a popular and friendly girl. You may not know her parents but I do. They're pretty pushy and put a lot of pressure on her to be the best and sometimes, it gets to Hayley. I guess this is why she gets annoyed at you easily- because you're everything she wants to be,"

"You're kidding me right?" Jake laughed out loud, "If it's anything, I want to be Hayley! Surrounded by girls all day, being popular and smart...sounds like heaven to me!"

"You don't get it Jake," Felix sighed, "And I think you'll never get it unless you hear it from her,"

"Alright Oprah," Jake mocked, as he patted Felix on the back, "But thanks for the talk. I didn't know about her parents that much...only that Hayley tried to get her mum and Ickie doll last year and we all remember how that turned out,"

"Who wouldn't remember?" Felix smiled, "Don't give up on her Jake,"

"Ok, what are you on about again?"

"Ha ha, very funny," Felix answered, "I mean, don't stop liking her Jake,"

"Liking Hayley? Me...like...Hayley? Ok, now it's official- you have clearly lost your mind underneath all those sweaters!" Jake exclaimed.

"Alright guys, break it up. What's Felix done now to lose his mind again?" Hayley chuckled as she walked up to Jake with her bag slung over her shoulder and a scarf around her neck.

"Nothing," the two guys blurted as Felix burst into laughter and Jake began to turn red.

"Umm...ok then, I'm going to say it's a guy thing," Hayley smiled politely; trying not to be weirded out by her 2 close friends, "Well we have a monster to capture before the Christmas Charity Concert starts and I do not want to drag my freeze-ray out there as part of the finale act,"

"That's fine with me," Jake laughed, "Let's get out of here,"

"Good luck guys!" Felix chirped, as he turned around and started to type furiously into his computer.

"You too Felix," Hayley grinned, "Tell Mr Stockley we said good luck to him too and to completely disregard what I said about Jake earlier. We can't help it if Jake's an idiot,"

"Will do," Felix agreed, "I'll call you later to tell you if we get anything!"

"Us too," Jake nodded, "And I am not an idiot!

"Yeah right," Hayley scoffed, as they entered the elevator.

'You're right Hayley Steele,' Jake thought, 'I'm an idiot. But I'm an idiot for a different reason than you think. I'm an idiot for falling for you. And the harsh truth is that you'll never feel the same way about me,'

If only he could muster the courage to tell those words to Hayley because frankly, it could and would have made all the difference in the world.

–

"Oh-h-h my-y-y g-g-g-od," Hayley shivered, "It-t-t's-s-s fr-r-reez-z-zing out-t-t h-h-here!"

"Maybe you should have worn more," Jake chuckled as he put an arm over Hayley's shoulders, "Relax Hayley, we'll be in the warm mall in just a few minutes. But just in case you get sick, do you have another coat?"

"H-h-hey! I am-m-m w-w-wear-r-ring j-j-jus-s-st as much-ch-ch as y-y-you a-r-r-re!" she retorted, "I d-d-don't h-h-hav-v-ve an-n-nyth-th-thing t-t-to w-wear-r-r. N-n-now p-p-please help-p-p m-m-me!"

Without thinking or hesitating, Jake took off his woolly coat and hung it on Hayley's shoulders, wrapping it around her body. Hayley looked up to Jake in surprise and he just shrugged.

"Take it or leave it, Hayley, it's your choice," Jake smirked.

"Thanks Jake," Hayley replied, noticing she wasn't chattering like a maniac anymore.

Hayley couldn't stop smiling to herself as she realised Jake had offered her his jacket to keep her from getting sick. The smell of the jacket had a particularly musky but warm essence, which instantly gave her goosebumps- not from the cold, but from the fact that she was actually this close to something really important to Jake.

"Are you cold Jake?" Hayley asked, as she saw Jake shiver a little.

"Nah, I'm fine," Jake whispered, "But I think a monster's around here...the street is deserted; too deserted, yet this is the busiest street in Lakewood. It's right by the car park for the Lakewood Mall,"

"That is true...what do you think is going on?"

"No idea but we're going to find-d-d out-t-t," Jake promised, as he wrapped his arms around himself.

"Did you just chatter?" Hayley accused.

"N-n-no..." Jake responded, but his voice clearly gave him away.

"I think you're lying, Jake Collins," Hayley smirked, "It's ok. I know a way you'll be warm, just like me,"

Jake had never gotten nervous in his life...well until then. He gulped from anticipation as he pondered what Hayley was up to. He imagined cuddling her by a warm fire in a large leather chair at his grandparent's house with two mugs of hot chocolate and his eyes immediately widened. Since when did Jake Collins fantasize about Hayley Steele?

Hayley wrapped her arms around Jake's form and Jake, slowly, returned the warm hug from the beautiful girl standing before him. They were both lost in the moment as they both closed their eyes and enjoyed the company of each other. It seemed the attraction between them had grown from just one touch and it was an even bigger surprise that it was only a friendly hug.

Suddenly, something had crashed near the embracing pair and in the moment, they let go of each other. Jake avoided Hayley's concerned gaze as he grabbed his gun and pointed it aimlessly behind him.

"Who's there?" Jake asked strongly.

Hayley sighed, knowing their little 'moment' had just been ruined and she would have given anything to get it back. She shrugged the whole comforting hug off as it seemed to have Jake to stop chattering. Although she did feel bad about Jake being cold, it seemed like he was fine while she was probably eroding away her teeth.

"You know, Jake, you're just like a reindeer," Hayley commented.

"Excuse me?" Jake scoffed as he raised an eyebrow, "A reindeer? I hope you mean Rudolph as he is the most important and famous reindeer out of the reindeer clan,"

"No Jake, I mean you're useful when we're all together in a group. But without Felix and I, you're like a deer in headlights. I guess you may look all strong and shiny like Rudolph's nose when you're alone but if something was to attack you, you would've been useless like a reindeer pulling a sleigh on its own,"

"Oh and why is that?" Jake mumbled under his breath.

"Well, your shooting stance was poor; you were looking at too many directions at once, and-"

"Shh," Jake hushed, "Something or someone's near,"

"Oh puhh-lease, Jake! I'm smarter than you-"

And as if it was fate, a round image appeared from the shadows and the 2 could only gasp before reality had hit them with a big red surprise.

–

So here's the first chapter! :D
Please leave a review on what you think and if I should continue this idea! I just LOVE xmas!
Writing in 3rd person is hard. I'm more of a 1st person junkie- so be nice to me please(:

inspire-the-writer-x3