AN: I am so sorry. I can't even begin to explain the last couple of weeks, so all I will ask is if you still care and are still reading please let me know. Due to a snow day in Toronto I finally had some me time and got this written. Huge thanks to JenRar for the fast edit so I could post right away.

I really hope it was worth the wait. Harlie

December 23, 2010 2358 North Pole time

Santa's Workshop, North Pole

Ole St. Nick was feeling especially spry as he headed for his sleigh. Holly had given him an extra special wake up call this morning, along with a kiss goodbye that was certain to keep his toes curled until long after he was done delivering gifts in Australia! His decision way back in November to finally grant the wish of Penelope Garcia had definitely brought with it some pleasurable fringe benefits.

Although he knew the route he took annually to drop off gifts like the inside of his eyelids, this year, he had the overwhelming urge to do North America first; the fact that it was barely the middle of the day on Christmas Eve not withstanding. He was excited, and who could blame him?

Derek and the other officer injured during the takedown and subsequent death of Locklin Gomes had been released from the hospital the day before. Both would require weeks to get back to their pre-shooting selves, but they were alive and with their families for the holidays.

Just as Santa was about to call out to the reindeer for take off, his head elf came running. "Santa. Hang on. You forgot these." He held out a red silk sack trimmed in gold gifts shaped embroidery.

"Ho, ho, ho. I'd have had to turn around for this. Thank you, Fagen."

Fagen gave a little wave and headed off, as Santa gently placed the parcel in the seat beside him. It was far too important to be in the back with all the other toys. Not that they weren't important, but these were going to be the icing on the cake of the night's sweet enjoyment.

Satisfied, Nick sat down, gave a little wiggle to find his sweet spot in the sleigh, and then yelled out, "Dasher! Head straight. Dancer! Not quite yet. Prancer, always ready, and Vixen, stop distracting Comet. Cupid, it's your night. Donder and Blitzen, lift off."

In an instant, the sleigh was off the ground, and Santa was off once again to fulfill the wishes of boys and girls worldwide while they slept.

DMPGDMPGDMPGDMPG

December 24, 2010 1345 EST

Temporary Morgan residence, Toronto, Canada

Derek had caught sight of the eternity ring on Penelope's left hand the minute she walked into his hospital room two days before. It was hard to miss a ring he'd had custom made to represent them and the children he hoped they would one day share. Regardless of the significance, he suddenly wasn't certain how to broach the whole topic of his love for her after she'd had to listen to him be shot. Even as he was losing consciousness and hearing the dying words of Locklin's madness, his thoughts had been of his Baby Girl.

He'd thought of the plan he'd had to whisk Penelope off to Chicago to spend the holidays with himself and his family. He'd thought of what he'd anticipated her reaction would have been to his gifts waiting for her. He'd thought of what he'd hoped her reaction would be when he dropped to one knee and begged her to let him be her friend, Hot Stuff, lover, and husband for the rest of their lives. But then, the blackness had consumed him instead, and none of that had come to fruition.

Seeing the ring on her finger and the pendant around her neck, he wondered why she didn't say anything about this year's gift. That's when he realized; she likely had yet to open it. His Penelope was conscientious to a fault, and so regardless of her level of curiousity, she'd wait until Christmas day to open his final gift. Only problem, he no longer felt worthy to give it to her. He loved her. God knew he did. But fear had him by the gut now. What if Gomes' arrow had been a bit more true to target? Penelope, his mother, his sisters, and the team would have been burying him, instead of bringing his weakened ass to a rental house for the holidays.

Despite the feeling of holiday cheer all around him, Derek was now feeling decidedly despondent and bitter, and he had no idea what he was going to do in the morning when Penelope opened his gift and expected him to set their individual lives on a path of togetherness.

TBC…