Christmas Wishes: Thomas Jefferson Kincaide's Wish

The nightmare came again. It always comes this time of year, like the ghost of Christmas yet to come, dark and menacing and filled with dread. Was the demon playing with him, sending the nightmare to plague him? Was he next?

TJ woke once again bathed in sweat, his heart racing, and his mind and spirit in agony. If only he could see her again, he would know what he had to do to get her back, but the demon was too clever for that. He only showed TJ what he wanted him to see, small glimpses into the terror that she must be feeling, and it brought on the agony in his own heart. There was nothing he could do . . . being forced to wait . . . or so he thought.

It was TJ's day off from the precinct. Despite the fact that he could do anything he wanted, all he felt like doing was sleeping, but he didn't dare, knowing full well that if he did, the nightmares would come. If only he could seek help, but everywhere he turned if he told anyone they would think he was crazy. Then he thought about Peter Caine. He remembered handing Peter six silver bullets. Peter gave him a skeptical look, but when Peter returned after that weekend, he no longer had a look of skepticism. He just handed TJ the remaining silver bullets and nodded.

"Maybe if I ask Peter for help . . ." the thought was quickly dismissed. 'I wish . . . ' TJ though could not finish the thought. It was just too painful, and impossible. The demon would make it so, tantalizing him and torturing her. So, the days passed and TJ continued to loose sleep, waiting for a sign that may never come.

As Christmas loomed closer, TJ became more despondent. He turned off his television and radio, not wanting to listen to the music or watch the programs that spoke of peace on earth and Christmas miracles. He declined invitations to parties with his friends and co-workers, and he even declined an invitation from his father.

"Detective Kinkaid," Captain Simms called out. "May I see you in my office."

TJ entered Captain Simms office, leaving the door open.

"Please, close the door and have a seat."

TJ meekly did as he was told.

"Detective, is everything all right?"

"Huh?"

"You seem very distracted lately. And twice you turned down an assignment."

"Did I? I wasn't aware . . ."

"Detective, if the work is too hard for you, we can always transfer you back to the 54th . . ."

"NO!" TJ was taken aback when he saw the stern look on Captain Simms' face and he softened his response. "I mean . . . no, that's not necessary. The work's fine."

"Then what is it? You know I am going to need everyone out in the field when there's a big case. And I need everyone at their best."

"I haven't been sleeping well . . . And I don't think I'd be that effective out in the field."

"Well, if you're having trouble sleeping there is someone who can help you with that."

"Who?" TJ asked.

Karen handed TJ a business card.

"A police psychiatrist?"

"She can get to the root of what's causing you to loose sleep and she can prescribed something."

"I don't need . . ."

"Consider that an order, Detective."

TJ took the card and slipped it into his pocket. He left Captain Simms' office, checked out, then headed down the back stairs. He hadn't noticed that someone followed him.

TJ walked down the block and entered Delancy's. He stepped up to the bar. "Give me a scotch," he ordered.

"Drinking on duty?"

"I checked out," TJ replied.

"You seem troubled."

TJ looked over to see Lo Si, the Ancient sitting beside him. The bartender gave TJ the drink he ordered. TJ took it and slammed it down.

"That will not soothe your troubled spirit."

TJ looked over at the ancient Shaolin and wanted to know what he knew. Then the old priest did something curious. He took TJ's hand, opened the palm and placed something inside.

"She is closer to your heart than you will ever know. You must remain strong. Your wish shall come true."

TJ watched as the Ancient got up and walked out the door. TJ tried to follow him, the object still clutched in his hand, but when he looked for the old priest, he was no where to be found. The old priest had disappeared without a trace. It was then that TJ opened his hand. Inside was a locket, a very special locket. In the center was a cut stone of bright blue sapphire. The carved scroll work that could be seen in the metal formed the shape of two cranes, their necks intertwined to form a second heart that held the stone. It was her locket. How was it that the old man had it? Last time he saw it, the locket was around her neck, even as the demon took her from him. TJ stared at the locket one more time then put it in his pocket.

That night, TJ fell asleep while sitting in his favorite chair, but this time the nightmare didn't come. Instead he found himself walking down a long corridor filled with doors. He pulled on one, but it was locked. He moved down the corridor and approached another door. The door opened and he saw a room filled with the sounds of Christmas. A tree filled with decorations stood in the corner. The room looked familiar, but that was impossible. It was his room, and TJ knew he had not bought a tree.

"Don't just stand there in the doorway, honey. Wipe your feet and come on in. I finished decorating the tree. I knew you wanted to do it together, but I couldn't resist. You know I love Christmas."

Her voice was like music to his ears. "Myranda . . . I . . . I don't believe it." It had to be some kind of dream. He looked around, but this did appear to be his apartment. He could see his favorite chair where it usually sat, but there was a second chair right next to it. He felt something in his hand and he looked down to see that it was the locket, but when he looked toward the woman who stood by the tree, around her neck was the same locket. She seemed to notice that he had been staring and she brought her hand up to grasp it around her neck.

"Oh, honey, I wanted to surprise you so much."

TJ was nearly broken out of his spell when she ran into his arms and kissed him. She felt warm to the touch, as if she was truly there. Then she whispered into his ear.

"Hold tight. Don't let go. Believe. Have faith. Friends are the key. All will be over soon. Two birds can fly as one so long as their hearts are joined."

TJ did not want to let go, but then, she was releasing her embrace and racing back toward the kitchen.

"I made your favorite."

A chill filled the room, and the light appeared to darken for just a moment. The demon was trying to enter, but something was keeping it at bay. A clock struck, the chimes ringing out each hour, and TJ realized it was Christmas Eve, soon to be Christmas morning.

Myranda reentered the room carrying a plate with two cornish game hens. TJ smiled and he approached, took the platter from her hands and placed it on the table.

"I love you," he said, and kissed her deeply on the mouth, wanting to feel her warmth once more. He embraced her again. This time it was his turn to whisper something in her ear. "No matter what happens, I will find you. Your love has restored me."

"I know," she whispered back. She then pressed something into his other hand, something round and metallic. "It will guide you."

They pulled apart then, and TJ and Myranda sat down and ate their meal in silence. Afterward, she coaxed him to sit in his favorite chair and brought him a brandy. He watched her light the fire then she sat next to him, pulling out from somewhere a crotchet hook and some yarn. They were the picture of perfect domesticity. TJ could feel the warmth of the fire creeping over him and he could no longer keep his eyes open. Christmas music played in the background and then it soon faded. A clock chimed and something metallic slipped and fell to the floor. TJ suddenly woke to the sound. The room no longer held any warmth. The tree that had been in the corner had disappeared and the fireplace held nothing but cold ashes. TJ looked on the floor to see a round metal medallion that had not been there before. In his right hand was the locket. TJ reached down and picked up the medallion. On one side was the head of a devil with its tongue sticking out and on the other an unrecognizable script. It was the sign of the demon who took Myranda. And somehow, she had provided him with a clue. It was a sign. It had to be. It wouldn't be long before he would get her back.

TJ's thoughts returned to the Ancient and what he said. Somehow, that sweet, old priest had granted him a wish, one that he would keep in his heart and in his soul. He would not falter again, and this time, he will ask for help.

"Friends are the key," she had said. And now he had a friend who could be his key to returning his Myranda.

Suddenly, light flooded the room with a glow like no other. It was Christmas, the time for miracles. And what happened to him was indeed a miracle.

End.