AN: Another outrageous story from the past of these two oddballs... ;-)
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Chapter Seven:
It's the Thought That Counts
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You took my feelings
From nothing
Came back at noon
Just meet me
I'm ready
To show myself to you…
You touch my inner smile
--Inner Smile, Texas
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Shane always worked on Christmas. He didn't mind, he had no reason to stay home and he enjoyed giving the others the day off to spend with their families. It was usually quiet, and he had the whole office to himself. He was a vampire who'd been born heathen and dabbled in a variety of religions over the centuries. It was no big deal to him, although of course the townsfolk weren't able to grasp that. He suspected many of them felt sorry for him because he had no family in the area. He always got tons of invitations – and, unfortunately several plates of food were always delivered. One year there had been a drunk cooling his heels in the cell who'd enjoyed the surprise holiday meal. Another, the mutt who hung out behind the station begging for scraps had been treated to a feast fit for a doggie king. This was how he celebrated the holiday – by giving to others.
Shane was mulling over what he was going to do with the stuff this year when he walked into his office and stopped short. There, sitting in the middle of his desk was a huge gaily wrapped box, tied with a big red bow.
He wondered… but then he saw the card attached and recognized Sara's handwriting. He wasn't sure how to feel about it. It was a surprise; he was touched but felt a bit uncomfortable, too. It wasn't like they'd agreed to exchange gifts, and it could be a bit awkward, depending on what it was. After staring at the card for a moment, he sighed and unwrapped the box. Removing the lid, he lifted out the gift – taking an involuntary glance around him even though he knew he was alone. It was a beautiful, glass, multi-colored work of art, obviously lovingly crafted by the artist. It was stunning.
It was a bong.
The ugliest artificial flower bouquet he'd ever seen was sticking out of the top. The card on the inside simply read, "Enjoy your flower vase. SA."
Falling into his chair, he stared at the gift and started cracking up. Only Sara Adams would buy the Sheriff of the town a bong for Christmas. But then again, only Shane Alexander would appreciate the joke. As she knew he would.
He laughed for a long, long time.
XXX
Sara strolled into his office the next day. Shane tried really hard to maintain a serious expression when he saw her, but couldn't hold the smile in.
"Did you like your present?" she asked, looking pleased with herself.
It was hopeless now, he couldn't stop the grin. "It's the best present I've ever gotten," he told her. He reached into his desk and pulled out a folded slip of paper, handing it to her. "Since I didn't get you anything…"
She unfolded the paper. On it he had written:
I O U -- 1 song.
"Pick any song, and the band will play it," he explained.
"Wow. Cool."
Shane could see the wheels turning as she contemplated her choices. He would be bound by whatever she chose, even if it was a heavy metal screamer that would shock the crowd sober and wake the Resurrection's undead. It might be something she loved and really wanted to hear him sing – or just something to shake up the audience.
"It may take me awhile to decide… " she warned.
He shrugged. "That's okay, there's no expiration date."
"This is a really awesome gift. Thanks."
"You're welcome." With that, it was definitely time to change the mood, and subject. "Um, I don't suppose you're hungry? I've got all this left-over food..."
End Chapter Seven: It's the Thought That Counts
AN: sorry if anyone out there isn't familiar with the cultural in-joke. A bong is a water pipe made popular in the 70's permissive recreational-use culture. Many of them are indeed works of art that you can't help but admire for their beauty.
PS: sorry, but I don't know what song Sara picked yet myself. Maybe they'll tell me one day.
