Well here as promised is the next instalment of my Christmas tale. I had hoped to post it a bit earlier but my wee girl has been ill so story telling has taken a back seat. I hope to get the final chapter up next week. Enjoy!

Chapter 2

I raced out the parking garage and tried to arrange my thoughts into something constructive. My first stop was going to be Pleasure Treasures, where I had noticed an Elf outfit in the window, one that was even skimpier than the one I already owned. I also needed a large trolley, or a big tub on wheels. I suddenly thought of where I could get one, and did an illegal U turn and headed for Trenton PD.

I got there in record time and called Lula from the car park. I was going to need another favour to get everything done in time.

"Hey white girl" Lula answered after the third ring.

"Lula, I need your help?"

"Where are you?"

"Cop shop." Click. She hung up. Shit wrong approach, Lula hated the police and wouldn't come near this place unless she absolutely had to. I phoned the bonds office instead hoping someone would still be there. Connie picked up after about eight rings. I had visions of her wrestling with Lula over the phone.

"Connie, I need to speak to Lula." I could hear scuffling and squeals before Lula eventually came on.

"I ain't coming near no cop shop on Christmas Eve."

"So if I had been arrested and you were my only phone call, you wouldn't help me out?"

"Have you been arrested?"

"No, but . . ." Click. Shit she'd hung up again. This was wasting precious time, I would just have to do it all myself. I hauled myself out the car and over to the doors. It was getting colder and rain was forecast for later. It didn't look hopeful for a white Christmas in Trenton this year.

I headed over to the front desk where my good friend Eddie Gazarra was standing eating a large doughnut.

"Hey Steph, you needing help hauling in a skip, you should have buzzed the back door?"

"Not today Eddie, is Carl around?"

"He should be down in a minute, him and Big Dog are heading out soon. Last patrol before they finish for the day. Lucky bastards, I'm on till midnight."

"Never mind Eddie you'll be home in time to catch Santa."

"Whatcha needing with Carl anyway?"

"I need a huge favour, does his cousin still work at the hospital?"

"Harry, yeah as far as I know, here he is now you can ask him yourself."

I turned around and watched Carl Constanza and Big Dog as they approached. Big Dog had a coffee in one hand and a Tasty Pastry bag in the other. Carl had a coffee in one hand and something else in the other. Shit I thought as I realised what he was holding, at the same time as Carl clocked me standing there. He ambled over to me quickly before I could escape.

"Steph, just the very person." He stopped short and leant forward to sniff the air. "You haven't been rolling around in garbage have you?"

"No I haven't, I'm not looking for any skips today." I tried to back away from him but Big Dog had circled behind me so there was no escape. Carl stepped forward again into my personal space and held his sprig of mistletoe aloft, a triumphant look on his face. Damned stupid Christmas tradition.

"It's okay Steph, don't look so worried."

"I don't know where your mouth has been recently Constanza."

"I'll have you know the last person I kissed under this mistletoe was your mother."

"My mother! When?"

"About half an hour ago outside the Tasty Pastry, she was in buying an apple pie." This was news to me. I thought my mother baked her own apple pies!

"So you don't need to worry about catching any cooties, I only kiss respectable women."

"And you're carrying that around while you're on patrol?"

"He was hoping to get paired with Robin, but she got borrowed by Morelli for a job they were working on. So he's stuck with me." Big Dog took a step forward making kissy faces at Carl.

"Fuck off I told you I ain't kissing you till you get rid of that attempt at a moustache you've got going on there." Big Dog was sporting a dead mouse on his upper lip.

Carl raised the mistletoe again and I knew I wasn't going to get out of it. I ended up getting kisses from Carl, Big Dog and Eddie. I turned my cheek to Big Dog, there was no way I was going to kiss his big hairy lip either!

"So what you doing here anyway Steph?"

I told him what I was after but not why I needed it.

"I'll give Harry a call, see what I can do." Carl disappeared around the front desk to call his cousin.

"So what are you up to Steph?" Eddie asked. "It's Christmas Eve, what the hell do you need a trolley for?"

"I've just got a awkward present I need to deliver. It's no big deal." Ha if they knew what I was up to they would be asking for front row seats. The police and Rangeman have a professional relationship but I knew they would love to see someone get one up on them.

Just then there was a commotion at the front door as Joe Morelli, Robin and an other man I didn't recognise entered the building. They were dragging Santa Clause behind them! His arms were handcuffed behind his back and his beard was hanging slightly askew. Big Dog and Eddie ran over to help them get him down to a cell. Santa was putting up quite a fight.

Joe noticed me standing there and wandered over to greet me. He leant down to give me a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek. Joe and I had come to a mutual agreement a while ago that whilst we couldn't live with each other, we couldn't live without each other either. So we had split up as a couple and tried out being just good friends. So far it seemed to be working just fine, and we were actually getting along so much better this way. Joe now understood my need to do things my own way, and no longer complained when I got myself into situations that before he wouldn't have tolerated. He was still there to pick up the pieces if I needed him to, but without the usual lectures. Bob now genuinely missed me, and Joe's boys didn't have a say in it!

"Why have you arrested Santa Clause on Christmas Eve? Please don't tell me he's done away with Mrs Clause."

Joe laughed warmly but his eyes were tired. As usual he needed a shave and a haircut but he looked as gorgeous as ever, but he looked like he hadn't had a decent sleep for a while. I made a mental note to head round to his place within the next couple of days to make sure he was okay. He was looking troubled.

"I've been helping vice out for a couple of days. Santa here has been selling to kids outside the mall, and I'm not talking about candy canes or chocolate coins. We've been watching him all morning. He's a nasty piece of work. Some of the kids knew exactly what he was selling but he was also selling to kids who didn't know better. The scumbag will probably be bailed out in time to deliver the rest of his presents tonight though."

"Hey Steph, Harry's got what you need, you can pick it up round the back of the hospital beside the kitchens. You know where that it is?"

"Yeah I chased a skip though those kitchens once. Thanks Carl I owe you one."

"How about another one then?" He came at me with the mistletoe again. Joe laughed and grabbed the sprig from him and held it above my head. All eyes were on us as he planted a smacker on my lips.

"What, just cause we broken up doesn't mean we can't be friendly." He slung an arm around my shoulders and pulled me towards him. We stood there comfortably watching the expressions on the other men's faces. They still hadn't got over the fact we were no longer a couple.

Just then Robin walked into the room. Carl saw his opportunity and grabbed the mistletoe back from Joe and held it up towards Robin. She made a face but accepted a kiss on the lips from Carl graciously.

"What about you big boy?" she said to Eddie. I swear she made him blush as she took the mistletoe from Carl and moved towards him. She leaned up to give Eddie and kiss before moving over to Big Dog and giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"That's it, this fucking moustache has to go, nobody wants to kiss me any more." Big Dog complained. "C'mon Carl I need to go buy me some razor blades."

Carl walked over to give me one more kiss on the cheek. "Have a great Christmas Steph, hope Santa's good to you!"

"Well I better get a move on, lots to do and all that." I pulled away from Joe but his attention was on Robin, who was standing laughing at something Eddie had said to her. Joe had a look in his eyes and I smiled.

"What?"

"You're looking at Robin like you used to look at me!"

"I am not!"

"Get over yourself Morelli, you're in lurve!"

"I am not in love. But how would you feel if I asked her on a date?" he asked me seriously.

"Joe, I couldn't be happier if you found someone you can settle down with. You deserve someone who can give you what I couldn't. If that person is Robin then that's even better. She's lovely Joe."

"Thanks Steph." Joe gave me another hug and a kiss on the forehead. "You still on for tomorrow night though?" Joe was coming round to my parents in the evening for leftovers and some Plum family banter.

"Oh yes, I'll definitely be needing someone non Plum related by then. I'll see you around seven then?"

"Okay. Enjoy your party tonight. Hope Santa's good to you Cupcake!"

I quickly popped in by Pleasure Treasures for my new elf outfit on the way to the hospital. I got to the hospital and only had to wait ten minutes for Harry Constanza to bring my a trolley. It was used to move tubs of laundry around. You didn't think I meant a trolley used to move bodies did you?

Next stop was my mother's where I was hoping to borrow a few things. It was around 2pm now so I had plenty of time to get back and get ready for 4pm. I was a little nervous to how the Merry Men would react when they saw what I had in store for them. I don't think I would ever live it down, and it would take them a while to get over it I'm sure.

I got to my parent's house just as my mother was clearing away the lunch dishes. A half eaten apple pie sat on the table so I helped myself. On another day I might have quizzed my mother on her 'home baked' apple pies but I would let her off today.

"I wasn't expecting to see you today Stephanie. Is everything okay?" my mother asked joining me at the table and helping herself to a slice of pie.

"Everything's fine, just needed to borrow a few things for tonight if that's okay?"

"Sure, as long as you don't break anything. What do you need?"

I told her and she looked at me for a long moment. It suddenly crossed my mind that she would refuse and that would ruin everything.

"As long as you know what you're doing Stephanie, and you return everything by tonight."

"I promise Mom." I finished my pie and jumped up to give my mother a kiss on the cheek. She looked a bit taken aback but softened and gave me a smile.

"Where is everyone?" I suddenly realised how quiet it was in the house.

"You're father is out doing his Christmas shopping, you know how he leaves everything to the last minute. You're grandmother is upstairs having a nap, she says she's determined to stay awake at midnight mass tonight. You will be there tonight won't you Stephanie?"

"Oh I don't know Mom I haven't been for years. You know I normally fall asleep before it. Plus I've got this Rangeman party tonight." I was hoping to be nicely drunk and in the company of friends at midnight, not sitting in church with my family arguing about what we are going to watch on television after our Christmas dinner!

"Well at least try and make an effort. Joseph normally makes it every year so you shouldn't have an excuse."

"Joe only goes cause his Grandma Bella threatens to put the 'eye' on him if he doesn't. I think Joe might have other plans tonight anyway."

"Oh that's good, are you inviting him along to your party tonight."

"No, I just heard that he would be busy." My mother still harbours hopes that Joe and I will still get back together. She can't understand how we can still be such good friends but not be in love with each other. One day soon I hope she will come to term with it.

"Right Mom I really have to go. I'll just go get my stuff" I gave her another quick kiss on the cheek then headed up the stairs to get what I needed.

I got back to Rangeman just after 3.30pm and just as the heavens opened. It was freezing cold and the rain was turning to sleet. Maybe it would snow after all but even if it did it wouldn't lie. The ground was too wet. I struggled to get my load from the back seat of Big Blue. I had to borrow my most hated car as my own car wasn't big enough for the big cardboard box I had got from my mothers and the trolley from the hospital.

I managed to get everything together and retrieved my bags from the front seat. I gave the camera's a wave as I am sure they would have been watching my every move, and entered the elevator hitting the button for the control room.

I exited the elevator and walked out to be surrounded my Merry Men.

"Whatcha got in the box Steph?" Bobby asked trying to take a peak but I slapped his hand away.

"Just some props for tonight, and my Secret Santa present. Tank can I have the key for the Break Room so I can go get changed? I don't want to get interrupted."

"Sure Steph." Tank took a key from a metal box and handed it to me. "You're taking this pretty seriously are you not?"

"It's pretty daunting, having to kiss all you big men. I want to look my best, and I want you all to have a good time too."

"Look Steph, you don't have to go ahead with this, it's just a joke that's gotten all out of control." Tank took my arm and led me away from the pack.

"Tank, it's okay honestly, it's just a bit of Christmas fun."

"I know but if Ranger finds out . . . . ."

"If Ranger find's out then nothing, we're not together Tank, he can't say or do anything to you guys for just having a little fun. Anyway Tank you have Lula so you don't have to worry, you'll just be getting a quick peck on the cheek."

Tank laughed and let me go. "Okay Bomber it's your show."

"Bobby I take it there is definitely no camera's in the Break Room. If you've gone back on your work, you won't be seeing any action."

"I promise Steph, no camera's."

There normally wasn't any cameras in the Break Room so it should be easy enough to spot if they had installed one. It was one of the few spaces in the building that wasn't monitored.

I pushed my load through the control room and felt all eyes on me. I looked over at Lester who gave me a wink. He obviously wasn't sulking any more about sharing me and was probably looking forward to Round 2! I headed through the double doors at the back and through to the Break Room. I checked no one was there before locking myself in. I did a quick scout for camera's but couldn't see anything. I opened the box and got everything out. I had little over ten minutes to get ready.

At exactly 4pm there was a knock at the door. I opened the door and watched the Merry Men troop in. There was Lester, Bobby, Tank, Ram, Brett, Zero, Manny, Hal, Cal, Binkie and Woody. Even Hector had turned up for the show. There was hardly room to move as they all crowded around me, eyeing me up in the Elf's outfit.

My outfit was a short green velvet sleeveless dress which was trimmed with red fur along the hem and across the bust. I had matched it with red velvet 4 inch FMP's and little red santa hat. I was feeling very exposed but also slightly turned on by the attention I was getting. I felt a pang as I thought how Ranger was missing seeing me in this dress but I quashed it. I had far too much to do than think about Ranger.

I had set a seat in the middle of the room under the mistletoe someone had hung from the ceiling. I had my box sitting next to the seat. I walked over to sit down and I watched as all the men nearly drooled as I sat down and crossed my legs.

"Right everyone form a queue to the right of the room please." They all moved away from the door and along the side of the room where the kitchen facilities were, leaving me sitting looking directly at the door. "Oh I think it's a bit bright in here don't you think." I stood up and moved over to dim the lights slightly.

I turned around and looked at the queue of eager faces. "Lester would you mind opening the box for me."

Lester took a step forward and took the lid off the big box. He yelled as the contents leaped up from the box. There was silence in the room, followed by complete panic.

I quickly left the room, locking the door behind me. I had just left the Merry Men in the company of my Grandma Mazur, wearing a 2 piece elf outfit consisting of a red velvet bra with bell tassles, and pair of tiny red velvet shorts. I could hear the shouts of terror coming from the room as they realised they were locked in.

I quickly ran along to the elevator up to my room to get ready for the party. If they hadn't managed to get themselves out in the next half hour I would probably go down and rescue them. My grandmother on the other hand, would be having the best Christmas ever!

Only the party to go now folks. Will the Merry Men escape with their clothes on, and what will they do to Steph in revenge. Please leave a review, think of it as your Christmas present to me.