After that day, the weeks that followed seemed to fly by, Aaron would learn that the reason that Mike and his crew didn't show for the game they had scheduled was not because he was trying to psych Aaron out…but was simply because Mike and one of his non baseball playing pals had gotten arrested for shoplifting and apparently wouldn't be seen in the neighborhoods for a long time something about military school or something of that nature as a way for his parents to get him to clean up his act, the shoplifting incident being just one of many on the list of trouble Mike had been getting into. Aaron would also learn that a guy in Rocky's math class, though very shy and quiet, was slowly making his way to ask Rocky out, which at first Aaron was a bit jealous of, but he soon began to realize that he had to let her go, it was time for him to head back to Paris, his dad could be back any day and he wanted to be there when that day came, and he knew that if he didn't leave the Casale's soon, he would never want to and had to go when he knew it was time.

Mema and Mrs. Casale convinced him to stay at least until after a large thanksgiving dinner during which, Aaron was able to meet the entire family, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and even the twin's great grandmother on their father's side, all together stuffed into a small house in Norfolk Mass belonging to Mrs. Casale's sister and brother in-law.

A few days after the large feast, the family drove to the Airport to see him off. After goodbyes were said between Mrs. Casale and Mema, Aaron and the twins walked towards the gate, so the three friends could say goodbye properly. Tony gave Aaron a big bear hug that threatened to rival one from his grandmother, and after making Aaron promise that they would keep in touch, he left Aaron and Rocky to say their own goodbye.

Unlike the last time they had parted, Rocky wasn't crying she seemed calm and content and Aaron had a deep suspicion that she simply believed that this goodbye was like the last one it wasn't forever.

"So I guess I'll see you around?" Aaron said softly, Rocky nodded and they hugged each other tight, they slowly pulled apart and stared into each others eyes, Aaron leaned in to kiss Rocky on the cheek, but instead of her cheek they both timidly allowed their lips to touch a second or two passed before Aaron pulled away from her "Rocky," he said softly "I'll always care 'bout you, but I cant be with you all the time…least not physically, don't set your sights out on someone who cant be there for you whenever you need…aim higher Rocky, ok? You know that if you ever need me all you hafta do is call me and I'll do whatever I can for you, I'll be here" She looked at him obviously confused, but she didn't answer that…

"Send you a letter next week?" she said, he sighed not wanting to argue instead he nodded

"You better" he replied putting on a false grin "I want copies of the pictures Tony took at the dance, so I can show my dad and my uncle." He paused "they'll never believe me otherwise."

"You got it," she said punching him lightly on the arm "see you soon," Aaron didn't even bother arguing with it…he grinned and nodded, and with a wave goodbye to Rocky, and her family, he boarded the plane to take him back to Paris…back to the church…away from a family who had taken him in and loved him as their own.

Though he hadn't realized it, Aaron was actually a little bit homesick for Paris, the food, the language, he couldn't believe it but he even missed doing chores at the church. So being thrown back into that was actually welcomed by the young highlander, even the early morning wakeup calls he didn't mind, because all of these meant he was technically home.

Darius was obviously happy to have Aaron back; the church as he had stated had been quiet in the few weeks that Aaron had been gone and he missed the noise and chaos that accompanied having a twelve year old living there.

November passed into December without much notice, least not in the little church, even Aaron's birthday passed without much notice aside from a birthday card from the Casale family and a birthday well wish from Darius. Aside from those, Aaron didn't even notice as he became another year older, because he spent the day sitting alone in a pew of the great Notre Dame Cathedral, thinking about and praying to his mother as he did every December the eighth, his birthday and the day she died.

But the closer Christmas Eve came, the more work around the church there was. This being the second Christmas Aaron had spent in the church with Darius; he knew exactly what needed to be done in order to get ready for the very important mass. It wasn't until the 24th, that Aaron was able to take a break and relax, this relaxing involved a heated game of chess with Darius and later reading some of the books that littered the office.

Though Aaron had promised Darius that he would attended the service he wasn't obligated to it and he in reality was only going for the old priest. Aaron lit the candles just as the first service began, there would be another one at midnight and that would be the service he would go to. Christmas had never been a day of presents or Father Christmas or whatever people called him; in fact most Christmas's Aaron spent alone inside a church; he had never met a minister or priest who would throw a kid out into the cold especially on one of the holiest days of the Christian calendar, but that didn't make those ministers good company, in fact it was a very lonely way to spend ones time and nine times out of ten would result in a very early morning wakeup call requiring Aaron to bolt from the church, because the priest or minister would have called someone to "help" Aaron and find out why he was on the streets in the first place and give him a place to live. Aaron had learned what an orphanage was very quickly because of that, and had tried to make it a point to stay in warmer countries during the Christmas season so he wouldn't have to spend the night in a church to stay warm.

As the evening continued on, Aaron sat in Darius's study, partly listening as the eight o'clock service neared ten and Darius was saying his final words sending the parishioners off. He heard the sound of dozens of footsteps parading past the door leaving the church. A few moments later the door to the study opened and Darius poked his head inside.

"Still sitting in here?" he asked.

Aaron looked up from his book that he really hadn't been reading at all, he was still opened to the first page of 'King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.' Which he had started reading before he had left for Boston and now that he was back, was hoping to finish it…unfortunately he was only three or four chapters in…after all this particular version was in French, a copy of Three Musketeers lay waiting on the desk, his plan had been to finish King Arthur, then go right to the Three Musketeers, but at the rate he was going it was going to be months, not days by the time he got to that book.

"Yeah, trying to get this finished before the New Year," he replied with a grin.

"I thought you were going to come out for the service,"

"I am, the midnight mass," Darius smiled his knowing smile "what?"

"What's the matter two services to much?"

"I…er…uh…well…" Aaron stuttered trying to find the right words,

"You are so serious Aaron," Darius finally said patting the boy on the back gently "it is Christmas eve after all,"

"I know,"

"You are missing your friends in Boston aren't you, Tony and" Darius's knowing grin expanded across his face "Rocky," Aaron's ears turned red with embarrassment as he ducked his head and nodded.

"Just a little," he admitted, Darius nodded and patted Aaron on the head again.

"Well I must go get things ready for the midnight service; you will be at that one I trust?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Aaron said with a sly grin that Darius had come to know all to well. Instead of returning a remark he simply smiled and left the study shaking his head leaving Aaron to try and continue his book.

Eleven came and passed and as it neared ten of twelve, Aaron put his book down and ventured up to his room to change into a shirt and tie, figuring if he was going to go to this he might as well dress up a little. He was just straightening his tie when he heard parishioners begin to enter the church, sighing loudly he fixed the tie one last time and bolted down the steps.

Out of respect for Darius Aaron sat in the front of the church, but on the outside row, his gut was telling him that he needed to sit there and not somewhere in the middle, and Aaron had learned over the years sometimes it was better to listen to gut feelings then it was to ignore them.

"Welcome," Darius said as the service started leaving Aaron to only half pay attention. He could not get rid of the nagging feeling that something was up and when he felt another immortal around not long after Darius had welcomed everyone, he knew he needed to check it out, even if that meant his leaving during the service. He exchanged a look with Darius, concern swept over the priests face as Aaron nodded that he'd be ok and quietly walked towards the study to get his sword.

Quietly going through the side entrance to the church, Aaron made his way to the front, he saw a tall figure standing in the shadow, obviously debating whether or not to enter the church.

"Hey…can I help you?" Aaron said softly just barely above a whisper, the figure slightly turned listening to him. "Look man, this isn't a good time for a fight, it's Christmas Eve and you know I know that may not be important and it's not a good excuse to not fight, but come on it's just outta respect. 'pecially here, there aint no one to fight you 'cept me and Christmas eve is my night off." Inside Aaron could hear the service continuing and Darius's words echoing in his mind as they were spoken.

"Christmas is a time before the New Year, it is a time for new beginning and for celebrating the old, it is especially a time for family and friends to come together and share a special moment that units them. Christmas reminds us of that each year," now the figure turned even more so their face was no longer hidden in the shadows. Aaron raised his sword defiantly, then lowered it; his eyes growing wide as the figure came into the light and as he recognized the tired figure…

"DAD!" He exclaimed his sword clattering to the ground

"Aaron…" Duncan said dropping his own things and picking his son up and holding him tight, he held the back of Aaron's head rocking back and forth Aaron still in his arms. Aaron, who had not expected not only his father to be back so soon, but for him to pick him up like this, was a little surprised, but couldn't help but welcome it, because it proved to him that he wasn't dreaming.

"Gee Dad, miss me much?" he said softly joking, Duncan put Aaron down and then knelt down on one knee so he was looking up at his son, his hands on the boy's shoulders.

"You have no idea," Duncan said, Aaron looked into his father's eyes and he could see the war in them and he could see what his father had been through in the year and a half and understood Duncan's reasoning behind picking him up.

"I think I do," Aaron answered, he paused and didn't say anything for a moment or two, "'cause I missed you too," Duncan nodded and smiled a little bit before pulling Aaron back into another hug. "Happy Christmas dad,"

"Happy Christmas to you too Aaron,"

Inside the church, while continuing his service, Darius gave a knowing smile, imagining the joyful reunion that was occurring just outside, the most perfect Christmas present one could ever ask for…being reunited with their family.