I dunno what to say anymore other than beat me with something hard… Christmas Stetler one-shot. Enjoy.
Thanks for reviewing xAlysandra, Jag Lady, speedfanatic05, PunkPrincess145, daxy, FernClaw, Hope06, CSIBabs, Mac-a-lacka, Scorpii
37. Santa
Ho-ho-ho-ho- OH NO.
"You up for a trip to the mall?" Ray asked Kyle, walking out of the crime lab and shivering as a gust of wind blew down on them. "Your dad said we should drop by the Miami Center to check out a gift for my mom. I think I have a good idea of where to go."
Kyle winced and twirled the keys on his finger. "Do we have to go to this ladies' lingerie place? Last time I went in there, all the girls looked at me weird and crap. Honestly, if you're not going in there, then you're not getting Yelina's gift. I am not paying for a bra or underwear or other various pieces of women's undergarments…"
Ray smiled mischievously. "Now hold on a minute. I didn't say that we were going to a Victoria's Secret. I said 'a trip to the mall.' Doesn't mean we're going to drop by that place." He held up a camera, his eyes twinkling. "Uncle H gave this to me a few days ago. He said my least favorite man on Earth is hanging around there sometimes. Maybe we can find him there today."
The other teen shrugged. "Okay…"
The Christmas spirit was in the air, as evidence by the various men and women dragging around their bags and crying children by the hand. Ray cringed as a particularly loud three-year-old in a stroller passed them, his hands gripping the camera. "You'd think the moms and dads would bring pacifiers or something to keep them calm."
Kyle nodded, wincing as a screaming baby passed him as well. "Agreed."
The two boys walked over to a map in the center of the mall and studied it for several long seconds. Ray fiddled around with the camera in his hand and glanced behind him, nudging his companion in the side and grinning. "Hey. Check out Santa this year."
His friend looked over to the man sitting in the chair and felt his jaw drop. Sitting on the chair and bouncing five-year-olds on his knee was a seemingly-jolly "Santa Stetler," smiling for the camera and completely oblivious to the two teenagers coming into the line and looking ready to empty their wallets for what was possibly going to be the new face of Christmas cards this holiday.
Ray laughed quietly. "He's going to kill Uncle Horatio for sending me here."
"He knows?"
"Stetler knows everything," Ray muttered, making a rather large waving gesture with his hands. "He acts like he's all knowing or something."
Seeing it was their turn in line, Ray and Kyle walked up to "Santa" and grinned cheekily, Kyle holding up what seemed to be a list, and Ray was just snickering at the look of horror on his face. "Hi, Santa."
His eye twitched. "You boys been good this year?"
"We've been really good, Santa," Kyle replied, winking in Ray's direction, who was failing to hold in a laugh. "I did have a list, but I'm pretty sure you already know what I want this year." He sat down next to the once-happy older man and grinned. "Can we have a picture with you?"
"Santa" kept a disgruntled smile on his face. "I'd love it."
The camerawoman fussed around with seating and the stand while Ray and Kyle sat on both sides of the male, who ground his teeth. "You boys are dead if you buy these pictures."
Kyle glanced up at him. "I'm sure he'll love the new crime scene in the mall and an enraged Santa wielding a candy cane with blood on it."
"Smile for the camera, boys!" the woman squeaked.
Two teenagers had their mouth curled into wide grins.
"Santa," however, didn't.
Expect a sequel. Just... expect it. I can't leave it off here, and you know it.