Santa Versus the Snowman
This was written as my SeSa for sondheimmcgeek and her prompts were these:
Quote sondheimmcgeek: "Just a couple of ideas rolling around in my head. One is maybe a Christmas party or outing that finds the team in the middle of a hostage situation or some other kind of danger. Another is Tim maybe going undercover as Santa (I love Santa!Tim ). As long as it features Tim and has some suspense to it I'm happy, so if you've got another idea that fits those requirements, I'm all for it!"
As I'd already gone the hostage situation road for last year's SeSa (Snow Angels) for megeesgeek, I chose to come up with something different for this year's. So Santa!Tim it would be!
Chapter 1: Strange Encounters in the Park
A sharp whistle brought the big German shepherd's head up instantly, ears pricked and tail wagging in recognition of his master's voice. There was no denying this command and he broke off his pursuit of this other gorgeous specimen of...German shepherd.
Jethro had seen her at the park many times before and it wasn't the first time he'd shown an interest in her. His training had him respond to his owner's every command without complaining which was why Tim didn't really need to bother with keeping him on a leash at the park.
Jethro gave the other dog one last longing look before pivoting and bounding towards Tim, turning a happy circle around him, barking as if he had loads to tell his master...a possibility which wouldn't seem as far fetched.
Tim went down on his haunches and held out both his gloved hands to rub his dog around the ears. "Good boy, Jethro! Goooooodddd dooooggg!" He then cast an appreciative eye at the young woman who always jogged around the park at this time of the day, accompanied by the other shepherd. Looking back down at Jethro who sat faithfully beside him, panting, he could see how his companion still hadn't let go of the other dog which he kept following with his eyes.
"She is beautiful, isn't she?" Tim observed ruefully, remembering another time when he'd lost his heart to a girl only to see the relationship end.
A short bark was Jethro's affirmative answer, albeit it for the four-legged companion trotting beside the jogger.
They both walked on for a while until they'd reached the point where they usually made the turn towards home.
Someone came running from behind them but neither took notice of it, as there were many joggers exercising here on a regular basis; Tim being one of them to keep in shape, only not this time.
Then, there was loud, erratic breathing and the fast approaching steps were devoid of any regular rhythm. Now that was odd for a jogger. Tim turned his head toward the person, stepping aside just in case...and not a second too soon.
Years of training as a federal agent, he had the reflex to look at people; actually look at their faces, checking for signs of some particular and suspicious behavior and he was quick to recognize a man under influence of alcohol or...drugs!
Jethro had been a trained dog...until he got involved in a murder case and got shot by his present owner for attacking him – mauling Tim! - having been doped to his eyeballs with cocaine. Now, his sensitive nostrils instantly caught the whiff of the very familiar smell of narcotics. But the years of training had him patiently waiting for his master's approval to take off after the...fleeing Santa!
What the...?
Still running rather erratically, Santa was casting off various articles of clothing. First to go was the red and white brimmed hat, soon to be followed by the beard, the jacket. The padding also was sent airborne to land in the wake of the running man.
Tim couldn't believe his eyes but when the man started on his bulky pants, he got into action and, trusting his own eyes and Jethro's sharp senses, he gave Jethro the go-ahead and went into pursuit himself.
So, running over the grassy knoll when dusk was falling, one could see the silhouettes of...a streaker Santa in the process of some frantic undressing, a dog hard on his heels and finally a lanky man sprinting to catch up with the two ahead.
The doped Santa, of course, proved no match to a German shepherd. As he was trying to shake the pants off, he stumbled into another jogger who tumbled to the ground. Cursing after an exclamation of surprise, he was intercepted and brought down by Jethro.
Tim, seeing how Jethro was in charge of his catch, slowed down, panting, and went to help the other jogger back on his feet.
Her feet.
His ex-girlfriend's feet of all feet!
"Uhm... Hey, Max..." He couldn't feel but a little awkward at the encounter.
"Tim. Well! That's quite a novel way of starting an acquaintance! Or picking up where we left off..." Maxine laughed, quite unfazed at having been run over by a Santa on drugs.
"Yeah...Well... Hi..." Tim blushed and, telling her with his eyes he first had more pressing matters to attend first, he pulled a by now hysterical and half naked Santa to his feet again and, as a precaution, bound the man's hands with Jethro's leash.
The man swayed dangerously and Tim quickly let him sit down.
He dug out his cell and made a call to the local law enforcement office to explain the odd situation and how best to get the man to the station. It was agreed the officers would join them pronto and bring the man in. Only after finishing his call did he turn to Maxine who'd been patiently waiting.
"Uhm..."
"Well..."
They'd both started talking simultaneously and now waited for the other to start. Eventually, Tim, with a wave of his hand, motioned Maxine to go first.
"Ever the gentleman, eh Tim? Anyway, that was impressive, but not near as impressive as when you saved my life when they shot at me in my own apartment," Max concluded.
Tim merely shrugged and stared at his feet.
"You know I was just doing my job, Max."
To his surprise, Maxine stepped closer and then raised her hand to touch his cheek, looking into his eyes.
"You're an amazing man, Tim," Maxine softly said.
He swallowed. "Then why did you walk away?" He couldn't quite hide the slight tremor in his voice.
This time, it was her turn to shrug. "Guess I wasn't ready..."
"Look, Max. Uhm...Gotta turn this guy over to the local force. Uhm..." He hesitated and was about to continue when she spoke.
"Time for a drink?"
He laughed. "Is that an invitation?"
She smiled. "What else does it sound like to you?"
"Uhm...Jethro, too?" Tim asked expectantly.
"Jethro, too."
Meanwhile, a police car had stopped beside them and Tim handed his prisoner over to the authorities.
"Maxine. We'll have to go down to the station to give a statement. It won't take that long," Tim said apologetically.
"That's okay, Tim," she reassured him.
With a curt nod, Tim turned towards the agent nearest to him who, by placing his hand on the prisoner's head, was helping the man duck lest he hurt himself. The other policeman had picked up the last of the Santa's garments which, after having bundled the items into a bag, he tossed in the booth before slamming it shut.
"We'll walk. See you at the station."
"No problem, sir." The officer got into the car and drove off.
Tim looked back at Maxine. "So... Right..." His eyes were alight with pleasure and hope. Keeping his eyes locked on Maxine's, he gave a slight bow, placing the palm of his right hand over his heart. "I gladly accept the invitation."
BTW, I don't mind feedback, you know? ;D
