Author's Note: ~ "text" ~ indicates telepathy

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It was the day before Christmas and Stephen couldn't find Cara. For the past few days, he had noticed she seemed to be avoiding people and keeping to herself more and more. Since she wasn't responding to his mental inquiries, he searched for her and found her at the Lair. She was sitting on the steps in the training room. He thought she might have been crying.

"Hey," Stephen said as he slowly approached her. "What's with the disappearing act?"

"Oh, nothing," Cara responded as she quickly wiped her eyes. "Just needed some alone time."

She tried to smile at him, but failed miserably. Stephen came over and gave her a hug.

"Okay, what's wrong?"

"Just remembering the past ... what we would do this time of year. I know he's not dead," Cara said as the tears started to slowly fall again. "He's alive and that's what matters, but ... it still feels like he's ... gone."

Stephen didn't need to read her mind to know who she was talking about ... John. He closed his eyes and hoped he could find the right words to comfort her.

"Why don't you go visit him? It would probably help to see him," Stephen finally suggested.

"No, I don't have time," Cara replied. "I really should get back and help with the preparations for tomorrow's party."

"But you have time to hide out in the Lair?"

"Well, it was only going to be for a few moments then I was going right back," she said as she checked the time. "I guess time got away from me."

Cara stood up and said, "I really need to get back." She then teleported out of there before Stephen could say another word.

He stayed behind mulling over the situation and concocted a plan. He was going to need some help, but was sure he would be able to find it.

Tomorrow's party was for the whole of the Refuge ... the former Lair people and all of the new ones. Tonight he was going to make it special for the core group. He wanted a Happy Holidays for everybody, plus they needed the time to re-connect. Ever since the Founder was defeated and the influx of Tomorrow People, he hadn't had much time for the ones that were there at the beginning of it all, which wasn't even a year ago. He couldn't believe how much has happened in that short amount of time.

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Stephen only had a couple of hours to make arrangements. Luckily, he was able to get Russell and Astrid to help. Within the hour, the three had met up at the Noodle Shop to have a quick planning session.

Russell would handle food and decorations (if needed), while Stephen found the location and helped Astrid get the right people at the right place at the right time.

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Dashing home, Stephen found his mother and brother talking at the counter.

"Hey," Stephen said, trying to be casual but there was urgency in his voice. "What are you guys doing?"

"Nothing," Luca responded.

"Trying to decide our plans for the night," Marla replied. "Wrap gifts or bake cookies?"

"Could you maybe make other plans, so I could use the house for an impromptu party?" Stephen decided it would be best to just tell them the truth. "Why don't you go see the Christmas Show at Radio City Music Hall or check out the decorated windows? Just take a couple of hours and be somewhere else."

Luca's eyes brightened at the prospect of watching the world-renown Rockettes. "Yeah, Mom," he said. "Let's go to the show!"

"How many are coming to this party?" Marla directed the question to Stephen, ignoring Luca's enthusiastic comment.

"Just Astrid, Cara, Russell and John," Stephen replied. He thought about it a moment longer then said, "yeah just them. Ever since everything that happened with Dad and the Founder, it's been crazy and we haven't had time to just hang out."

"Okay," Marla consented. "Just don't let it get out of hand. We'll be back by 8. Have fun."

"Thank you, Mom," Stephen said as he gave her a peck on the cheek then turned and teleported out of the house.

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Stephen met up with Russell to help in acquiring some more decorations and the food. There was already a tree up and a few other decorations, but they thought a few more lights would add to the ambience. They then parted ways again so Stephen could work on freeing up Cara and Russell could acquire a few more lights.

~ "Man, lights are just not easy to get at this time of year" ~ Russell complained to Stephen after about an hour and not having much luck. ~ "Too many people around to use the 'no-finger' discount." ~

~ "Here's a crazy idea ... what about the D chips?" ~ Stephen suggested.

~ "D chips? Really?" ~ Russell sent.

~ "Well, they light up and we wouldn't need to use our powers" ~ Stephen explained. ~ "Those would make it a human party, which wouldn't be all that bad considering ..." ~

~ "Considering John is human now" ~ Russell finished. ~ "Sure, let's do it." ~

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Since it was Christmas Eve, John didn't have to work. He had the day off and wouldn't need to be back to work until the 26th. He really didn't know what to do with the time off. While he had some plans for tomorrow, today was wide open and the loneliness set in.

This was the first time in years that he was truly alone. In foster care, there were usually a couple of other kids. At Ultra, there was Jedikiah and the other recruits. In the Lair, he had his Tomorrow People family. Today, he was a bit lost.

Thinking about the Tomorrow People usually led him to thinking about Cara and he didn't want to go down that road right now. Instead, John tried to focus on the recent memories of going to Santaland with Astrid and then taking Charlotte and Irene.

He had just started tinkering with a toaster he was fixing for a neighbor when there was a knock at the door.

Thinking it was his neighbor checking on his progress, he walked over to the door saying, "yes, Mrs. Johnson, I'll have your toaster fixed today."

He opened the door and it wasn't Mrs. Johnson.

"Astrid?" He was startled to see her. "What are you doing here?"

"I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd see what you were doing," she replied with a smile.

There was something in her voice that made John suspicious. "Well, I was going to work on this toaster, then go grab a bite for dinner."

"Good, you're not busy then," Astrid stated. "Grab your coat and come with me."

"And where are we going?"

"Well, my parents are at a Christmas party, Stephen was busy with his family, so I thought we could spend some time together ... you're by yourself and so am I, so let's go."

John couldn't dispute that logic, so he tossed the screwdriver on the table next to the various parts of a dismantled toaster and grabbed his jacket.

Passing Mrs. Johnson in the hall, he let her know he might not get her toaster fixed today. She was very understanding and told him to not worry about. She wished them a Merry Christmas and waved goodbye as they left.

While they were discussing where to go, Astrid's cell phone went off.

She dug it out of her pocket and answered, "hello? ... Oh, hi, Stephen ... yes ... sure ... I'll be right over.

"Stephen needs me to pick up ... something, so I hope you don't mind if we swing by his place."

"No, but I thought he was busy with family," John responded.

"Oh, he is, but he just found something of mine that I needed. It shouldn't take long."

John's suspicions increased, but he was grateful for the company so he let it go.

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Arriving at the Refuge, Stephen quickly found Cara and ran up to her.

"Come on, Cara," he said, partially out of breath. "There's an emergency."

"What kind of emergency?" Cara grabbed Stephen to support him.

"No time to talk ... explain when we get there ... let's go."

He grabbed her and teleported them both out of there and to his house. They landed in the living room where Russell was already helping himself to some Christmas cookies. Just as he took a big bite, he noticed Cara and Stephen. He just nodded and waved at them then walked over and got comfortable on the couch.

Once Cara realized what had happened ... well, let's just say it was a good thing that their powers didn't include looks that could kill.

"Stephen, what's going on?" The deadly serious tone of her voice made Stephen come clean very quick.

"Sorry, but I had to get you out of there and couldn't think of anything better," he responded meekly. "The others have it covered and we need this short break. We haven't had a moment to just get together and hang out."

"Yeah, this was long overdue," Russell piped in from the couch.

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"This shouldn't take too long, John," Astrid said as they arrived at Stephen's and she started up the stairs.

"I'll just wait here for you," John told her. He had stopped at the foot of the stairs and turned to watch traffic. Something made him uneasy about being there. It had been awhile since the Founder had been defeated and everybody had been figuring out their new roles - Stephen and Cara leading all of the new Tomorrow People and John settling into his human life.

"Come on, just say hi," Astrid encouraged. "Really, it won't take but just a moment."

"No, I'm good," John said, keeping his focus on the passersby.

Astrid rolled her eyes in frustration at John's stubbornness then turned and rang the doorbell.

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"So, it's just the three of us here?" Cara looked around.

"Not exactly," Stephen replied as the door bell rang. "Russell, take care of the extra decorations."

Russell raced around the room and activated all of the D chips, while Stephen went to answer the door. Cara, dumbfounded, just stood and watched the scene unfold. She still had an uneasy feeling about what exactly was happening.

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Stephen opened the door and greeted his friend with a huge smile then a look of confusion as he noticed someone missing.

"Where's John?" Stephen said.

"Oh, he decided to wait down there," Astrid responded as she motioned to the bottom of the stairs.

"Ah," Stephen replied then whispered to her. "I'll take care of this."

"Hey, John, good to see you," Stephen called down to the strong-willed man.

"Hi, Stephen," John said as he quickly turned and nodded at him.

"Why don't you come in and have some Christmas cookies," Stephen asked.

"I'm fine," John replied.

"John, get in here out of the cold." Stephen ordered.

John sighed and hesitated, then finally relented. He was cold.

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Finally finding her voice, Cara started to ask, "Why are there ..."

The words died in her throat as Astrid walked in. Then the reason hit her. She barely had a moment to process that when John stepped through the door.

"John!" Cara rushed over and wrapped her arms around him. The action momentarily startled him, but he eventually returned the hug. "It's so good to see you," Cara said, although it was slightly muffled as it was said into his chest.

"It's good to see you, too," John responded, returning the hug then glanced up to see Russell.

"Hey, buddy!" Russell said as he came over and made it a group hug.

Until that moment, John hadn't realized how much seeing them would mean to him. He had avoided them because he thought it would be too painful, but, here and now, it was just good to be with his closest companions from the past few years.

Astrid and Stephen just stood to the side and let the other three have their moment. It was one of the main reasons for the party. Astrid may have shed a tear or two at the sight.

As the trio slowly broke apart, John noticed the unique lighting.

"What's with the D..." he started to say, pointing to them, but was interrupted.

"What? Are you criticizing my superb decorating skills?" Russell interrupted. "They add just the right glow ... there's a ... simplicity to them."

John smiled. "Yeah, I see what you mean. They're perfect."

Stephen couldn't take it anymore and broke up the little reunion.

"Okay, this is supposed to be a party," he said. "Let's get it started!"

Astrid sighed and shook her head then walked over and turned on some music. Russell took another trip to the food table to grab a couple of slices of pizza and a few more cookies.

John walked over to Astrid. "You knew about this, didn't you? You probably helped plan it too?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about," she said innocently while surveying the area.

John leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "Thank you."

"Really, what are you going on about?" She finally looked him in the eyes. "You're welcome."

They smiled at each other then Stephen came over, put his arms around them and guided them over to the others.

"Okay, tonight is about relaxing and having fun," Stephen told the group. "No talk about recent events.

"Who wants to play a game?"

The night was filled with games, dancing and laughter. Even when Marla and Luca returned home at 8, the party continued for a couple more hours with the two of them joining in the fun.

"Stephen, you were right," Cara whispered to him at one point. "It does help just seeing him. I really needed this. Thank you."

"You're welcome, Cara," Stephen replied with a smile and put his arm around her. "Merry Christmas."

At the end of the night, John shook Stephen's hand and said, "thank you, Stephen. You didn't have to include the D chips, but the gesture was appreciated."

"Just trying to level the playing field," Stephen replied. "You're welcome, John, and Merry Christmas!"