Office party

Ted looked around the office, delighted with the decorations. The tree dominated the office as Pat draped tinsel over the computer monitors as Brian and Danny walked back into the room.

"Nice tree." Brian looked at the six foot pine that had been daubed in tinsel and fairy lights. "Esther wanted one like that when our Mark was little."

"It's fake." Danny shrugged. "No pine needles. Good choice, has anyone heard from Sasha?"

"Yeah. She's on her way in." Gerry huffed. "Some of us are doing our jobs. You know? Detectives, detecting crimes."

"Humbug." Ted pulled a face.

"It looks lovely." Sasha stated as she walked it, pulling her coat off as she did. "You do this, Pat?"

"Ted said you lot needed a bit of Christmas cheer. I think e was right and all." Pat kissed her cheek as Sasha smiled. "Miserable sods you work with."

"They're OK. You get used to them." Sasha smiled.

"Don't think I want to." Pat sighed. "Pass me that mistletoe." Sasha handed him the plastic green plant.

"It's fake."

"Well, the berries on the real thing are very poisonous to dogs and you have little Scampi here." Brian smiled as the dog barked once, reminding them of his presence. Pat smiled. "Can't have anything dangerous with that little one running around."

"Appreciate it." Brian sighed.

"Are you ready for Christmas? Brian?"

"Esther does that."

"Cooking and stuff yeah. But you buy her a present?" Gerry leant back; clearly deciding that he was going to get into the spirit of the season. "Don't you?"

"Yeah. Well, she tells me what to get."

"Brian." Sasha folded her arms, "What was the last thing you went to the shops and bought Esther a present that she didn't tell you to buy her?"

"I."

"Go on." Gerry smirked.

"Er, does it matter."

"Yes!" Sasha laughed. "Jack would have bought Mary something." She stated as Sandra and Jack walked back in. Jack raised an eyebrow.

"What was that about my Mary?"

"You bought her a Christmas present that she didn't ask you to buy." Sasha stated. Jack smiled.

"Mary loved Christmas." Sandra squeezed his arm before shrugging her cost off. "Of course I bought her something. Her birthday was the 23rd." He looked away sadly.

"So Brian should do the same."

"Yes. Clearly." Sandra stated. "What's that?"

"A Christmas tree." Ted explained.

"Right." She headed towards the kettle, deciding after a disastrous interview and returning to find her office had been turned into Santa's grotto coffee was in order.

"The Merry Widow did it. I'm certain of it."

"Sandra." Gerry raised an eyebrow. "She was ruled out of the initial investigation."

"Well? I'm ruling her back in." She poured milk into a mug of black coffee. "All this." She waved her hand to indicate the office decorations.

"What?" Ted asked.

"We've never bothered before. Why this year?"

"Because." Ted paused. "It's Christmas, my first with you bunch o miseries and we're alive and together. After what happened to Steve and Hollie this year I thought we all had something to be thankful for."

"Aw you soppy sod!" Gerry teased.

"Yeah, you're right." Sandra smiled. "But no Elf on the Shelf. Bloody creepy if you ask me."

"Gerry junior loved it."

"Horrible things." Dan agreed. "It's the eyes."

"So, er." Sasha raised an eyebrow. "The case?"

"Bloody Nora!" They turned to see Steve smiling in the doorway. "Looks fantastic! Well done mate." He shook Pat's hand. "Now Secret Santa?"

"it gets worse." Gerry huffed. "Och! Don't be listening to Scrooge Standing there. It's Christmas, Charlie and I know the bairn is ok and that we're having a girl. There's plenty to celebrate." Sandra crossed the room, hugging her friend.

"Congratulations."

"Thanks, let's just hope I don't mess up this time."

"You won't." Gerry got to his feet. "Pub?"

"Pub." The resounding answer led to them all getting to their feet. Pat smiled as his husband approached him, unnoticed by the rest of the team.

"You did great."

"Glad you approve."

"Pat. I'm sorry about yesterday. It's just, you know." Ted shrugged. "I'm an idiot."

"Yes, yes you are. But God forgive me you're my idiot. He smiled as Ted kissed him. "What was that for?"

"Mistletoe." Ted explained as Pat laughed.

"That wasn't for us. You know that."

"Yeah but it's tradition. Plus, someone has to test it out. You know, check it out before Sandra and Gerry find it." He smiled as Pat nodded.

"You think it'll work?"

"It's Christmas." Ted took his hand. "Anything can happen."

"Oi!" They jumped as Gerry peered round the door. "You pair coming or what?"

"Yeah, ok." Ted answered before ushering the other man out of the room. He hoped his plan worked. With only a few days to Christmas time was running out.

Xxxxxxx

A/N is anyone reading this? Please review