A/N: Back to the Brigade as we see what happens after Kyon opens the door at the end of the movie. Enjoy.

2: After the Hospital.

1 month before.

On the day I popped in to the Brigades Christmas party my mind was still reeling after what I had gone through and what it took for me to return. But as I came in the clubroom it was a certainly different tone then the one I'm used to.

"Welcome back Kyon."

Koizumi led the way as Nagato and Mikuru applauded my reentry. I looked around wondering the obvious but the esper stood at the ready.

"She's picking up the gifts."

"We're we supposed to get gifts?"

"No, its not an exchange, whatever you mentioned to her in the hospital really stirred something up inside her. So for once she decided to repay our kindness for being in the brigade."

That actually seemed interesting. So I took my seat waiting for the daily opening of the door. Mikuru's Santa outfit along with the elf hat the Nagato was wearing brought out the festive nature of the day. Not a bad thing at all. Until I heard the bump on the door.

"Guys?"

Yep that was Haruhi, as I got up Nagato broke from her book and went over to Mikuru while whispering something to her. I paid no mind as my hands got the door opened and showed our fearless brigade leader on the ground with two bags.

"Hey you need any…"

"Koizumi give me a hand."

There goes the kindness as once again I get left in the dust. She and him grabbed the bags and set them on the table.

"Ok, guys welcome to our Christmas Party!"

The applause was immediate as well as the cider passed around by Mikuru. Nagato whistled out Jingle Bells and that got me to chuckle as I received my glass. Then of course our leader raised her hand up silencing the mood.

"Before we get to my gifts I'd like to have a toast. The time I've spent getting to know you guys in the past year has been some of my best moments in school. I never pictured the brigade founded by Kyon and I would ever get the traction it has. But almost like magic we've had quite a few adventures I'll never forget. So if you would…"

My mind was absolutely blown as we raised our glasses. Haruhi being this considerate and generous. My only hope was that she put as much thought into our gifts as she did these words.

"From the bottom of my heart thank you guys. Like someone in a movie I watched once said the most important in my life will always be the people in this room, right here, right now. Salud mi Familia and Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas." We all belted in unison and drank. After that she got Koizumi to hand out the boxes to each of us. All identical in blue wrapping paper and white bow. Haruhi turned to me and smiled.

"Kyon you have first right to open."

"Ok…"

My hesitancy was apparent as I lifted the box open but what I saw was even better than I could have pictured.

"A photo of the 5 of us."

There we were just goofing around between our mission and having fun in this room.

"Look below Kyon."

Below that I did notice a band underneath. Like the one Haruhi wears but this one looks a little bit nicer. It was only what a noticed on top that got me emotional.

"The Brigade logo?"

Yep there it was the logo of the SOS Brigade in cloth from. I got a little weld up and that made Haruhi's usual self shine through.

"Oh, don't cry about it, otherwise I can take it back. Besides you got a promotion."

That made me wonder as I flipped the armband over to reveal the symbol for deputy written twice.

"Deputy Deputy?"

"Well yeah, Koizumi will always be the number 2 for our brigade but in light of recent events you deserve an upgrade so in the event he can't fulfil his duty you'll be called upon to do his."

As I barely got the words thank you out of my flustered mouth, Well my head turned to the esper in shock and confusion and he sparingly mustered the words he thought of usually.

"I'm just happy with what I got Ms. Suzumiya."

"Glad to hear it, now starting with Koizumi you guys may open yours."

As the 3 opened the identical boxes the smiles filled their faces Mikuru put her band on which complimented the Santa outfit even more than I was expecting.

"Mine says receptionist, is that bad?"

Not at all as far as I'm concerned, same couldn't be said for Nagato as she gendered at hers.

"It says statistician, my knowledge goes beyond mere numbers and figures."

We gasped in shock but 30 seconds later Haruhi laughed it off as we got down to serving the food. For the next 2 hours, I was interspersed between the group while noticing the snow starting to fall outside which got me thinking. There is a part of me that would love for this to go beyond the four of us as Tsuruya usually likes to hang out with us. But seeing the happy smile on Haruhi's face was indeed well worth it. While the girls got a fashion, show going I stood back with Koizumi in the corner for a little private discussion.

"Are you seriously going to enforce the whole under deputy thing?"

"Only around her, otherwise we're still good. But speaking of that there was something I know Haruhi wanted to do before we made our shrine visit next week."

"What was that?"

"You'll have to find that out from her when she calls."

I chuckled while Nagato got our attention letting us know the turkey was being served. One meal later and we brought our party to a close. Haruhi showed us out while she got to work cleaning up the place. I stayed back a bit looking on wondering why she sent us on our way.

"Hey, you coming…"

"No, go ahead, my family's picking me up in 15 minutes. You got yours to get back to Kyon, so go…"

"Ok, then Feliz Navidad?"

"What did you say…"

"Its Spanish for Merry Christmas, you said Spanish earlier when you quoted Vin Diesel.

"Who?"

"Never Mind, I'll see you next week."

"No, we got our shrine visit on boxing day so clear your schedule."

Before I could say a word in edge wise she shooed me out. Tonight, was weird and fun at the same time as my armband hung over my jacket my mind was on our fearless leaders wording about clearing my schedule I was wondering how much my hospital stay personally affected her.

"This isn't how she usually acts."

Little did I know what my words would truly come to mean.

A/N: Oliver joins Rip for the start of his journey in Chapter 3: Wave Rider Subscribe for more.