"That sounds so ominous," Amy mused as we showered the next morning.

"I mean I know geese aren't exactly known to be that cuddly but God."

"I know," I smiled leaning forward to kiss her shoulder as she washed her stomach. I reached around and took the soap from her leaving a soapy trail where my hands had touched. "Plus who knows where to start looking."

"There can't be that many geese in the city," Amy answered as I used her hips to turn her to face me.

"Yeah but there isn't really a directory of geese either," I pointed out setting down the soap and kissing her neck gently. "Not to mention she doesn't seem to be limiting herself to the real thing."

"Yeah," Amy whispered, tipping her head back and tangling fingers in my hair to draw me closer. I moved down her neck, kissing my way to one breast kissing gently around her nipple as the water ran over her before taking it into my mouth and sucking gently, flicking my tongue over it. Amy moaned and suddenly all the worries about Faire were far from my mind.

"Mim!" Michal burst into the bathroom and I jumped away from Amy like she had the plague.

"Michal wait outside, you know better then to barge into a bathroom."

Amy slipped flawlessly into mom mode.

"But Mim," Michal whined.

"Outside, give us two minutes."

"Okay," Michal gave in and the door shut.

As soon as he was gone I was trying to get out of the shower, but Amy pulled me back for a quick hug. "I love you," she kissed just below my ear and pushed me out.

"I hate you," I answered as I dried off. "That was really not cool"

"Oh the teasing can't go both ways?" She asked with a laugh as the water stopped.

"No it really can't," I answered with a grin. I handed her a towel as she got out, hoping to quickly cover her up and stop the thoughts racing through my head.

Instead of dressing she slipped into a bathrobe and headed out to check on Michal. Seconds later she was opening the door again.

"You have to come see my dad."

I followed her out. Poor Tommy had obviously dozed off with the morning news and I'm sure with Ruth's encouragement Michal had painted all his toe nails bright purple with a marker.

"Michal," I laughed loudly and Tommy started awake.

"Huh? What's going on?" He asked, wiping away a bit of drool.

I was saved from having to answer as my phone rang.

"Hello," I answered.

"Morning, Sunshine," Scud answered with a grin. "Thought you might like to know we came up with a solution for our geese problem."

"What's that?" I asked.

"Got all the junior DEBS out looking, Max is giving us all the day off."

"Serious?" I asked, more than a little surprise.

"Guess the grinch hasn't stolen all of Christmas huh?" Scud answered.

"She's going to call later with any results, have us all come down to the office."

"We'll see you there then."

"See ya."

"What's up?" Amy asked as I closed my phone.

"Max has the juniors on the case," I answered absently. "Gave us the day off."

"That's great!" Amy smiled and kissed me happily, running to tell her parents.

"Yeah great," I answered, but I couldn't help worrying how not Max this all was.

The recruits shifted uncomfortably as Max paced in front of them. I could understand their unease; she was imposing enough when she wasn't a higher ranking officer then you. Finally she favored them with a small smile. Even at the back of the room I could tell she was enjoying this.

"You all did well today," I swear I felt the tension in the room evaporate just a bit. "Our top squad today however is Mary Bakers team."

I was surprised to see the girl from the day before stand up with three other girls for the applause. She blushed and nodded to everyone before quickly sitting down again. I leaned over to whisper in Amy's ear.

"That blonde reminds me of you."

"Really? Should I watch you around her?" Amy teased. I smiled and took her hand. Up front the blonde turned to look back at us; she smiled and gave a little wave. "Oh I guess I should," Amy raised an eyebrow.

"Please, she's just a kid," I scoffed at the idea.

"None of you should feel bad though," Max continued, still pacing.

"This was a needle in a haystack assignment. Simply for participating you are all gaining a star in your record book, which will be a boost when you're looking for stationing."

There was a murmur of delight through the room. It didn't sound that exciting to me but whatever.

"In addition you're Christmas holiday starts tomorrow, but those of you willing and able to stay longer will be given five extra free days in the coming semester with no need for excuse and no consequence in grading."

This time I understood the excitement. "Those of you interested please see me now, the rest of you are dismissed." Max finished.

Only a handful of girls stayed behind, the blonde was one of them.

After speaking to Max she walked shyly towards Amy and me.

"Hey," she gave a small wave. "We met yesterday, but I didn't get a chance to tell you my name. It's Mary."

"I'm Amy," Amy put out her hand before I could react.

"You two are like my heroes," Mary grinned stupidly. "To let your love triumph over everything and still help the force out is just amazing."

I saw Amy's distrust of the girl soften a bit.

"Well Lucy was worth it," Amy squeezed my hand and gave me a loving look.

"Well anyway I guess I'll see you again," with another little wave Mary hurried out the door with the other recruits.

"Alright not for you all," Max began to pace in front of the small group of us. "I hope you enjoyed the day off cause I don't see another one coming."

"Max we're not juniors," Janet pointed out.

"Sorry," Max shook her head. "I get on a roll." She flipped a chair around and sat facing us. "On to the next clue."

"Where did they find the swans?" Amy asked.

"Near a manger display in Queens," Max answered. "Six geese a laying in wait for baby Jesus."

"See, not ominous," I smiled at Amy.

"So the next clue," Max gave me an annoyed look. "Seven swans a swimming pool."

"Well that should be easy enough," Scud leaned back in his chair.

"It's got to be the name of the place right?"

"Already looked it up," Max confirmed. "No pools, so not sure what to try next."

"Central park zoo," Amy interrupted. We all turned to look at her.

"Huh?" Scud asked.

"When I was there with Michal and my parents; they have a 'Seven swan's pool' with the geese from the park."

"Alright," Max nodded. "Let's head out, maybe we can catch her leaving the clue and be done with this all."

With a general mutter of agreement we all followed her out.