A Gunsmith Cats 'Fic
Volume 8
By- Talis13
Standard Disclaimer- Most characters are not mine, but Kenichi Sonoda's.
Summary- Christmas at May and Rally's house! Was that a mouse? Or a burglar?
Rally topped the red package with a big gold bow. She stood up from her bed and walked to the closet, getting her other presents out and setting them on the bed as well. There was a small stack on the bed; she grabbed as many as she could after opening her door and walked down the stairs towards the living room where she and May had a tree set up. She glanced over the packages towards her goal of the tree. Suddenly, she hit the edge of the coffee table against her shin and hissed, falling sideways, packages getting strewn across the floor. She started cussing the table out as May stepped into the living room with a grin. "Boy Rally, that doesn't sound very festive!"
Rally glared at May. "It hurt. That table deserves every word it gets."
May giggled at her friend as she picked up some of Rally's presents, periodically shaking any with her name on it. Rally watched a moment. "Hey! What are you doing?!"
"Helping you clean your mess up." She stated with another shake.
"Hey! Quit shaking those damn it!" Rally yelped.
May giggled happily and pushed the presents under the tree after a final shake. She smiled. "Isn't it great! Its Christmas Eve!"
Rally put the presents from her hands under the tree and looked up with a smile. "It is amazing. Ken's coming over, right?"
"Uh huh. Bean?"
"Yep. He said he'd be late though; he has a job he's finishing." Rally stated as she walked into the kitchen.
May trailed into the kitchen after Rally. She looked surprised. "On Christmas Eve?!?"
Rally shrugged with a grin. "You know how attached Bean is to the green May. He probably would have worked on Christmas too if I didn't threaten him with bodily harm."
May rolled her eyes. "Figures. He's such a workaholic."
Rally shrugged noncommittally as she grabbed a mug and dumped a pack of cocoa mix into. She turned to the coffee pot that was filled with water and poured that into her cup, grabbing a spoon to stir it with as she walked back out to the living room. It took a moment but May followed a couple of minutes after, mug in hand as well. She looked out the window, pulling the curtain back. "I hope it snows soon. I want a white Christmas."
"Well, let's watch White Christmas until the guys get here." Rally stated as she popped the tape into the VCR and hit play. They both settled into their chairs to watch the holiday classic.
Around six o'clock, May jumped up when there was a knock at the door. She swung it open with a smile. It looked like Ken; sort of. He was holding several wrapped boxes. May grinned. "Ken! Come forward, the door's open!"
He slid in the door sideways so he could see. He walked over to the tree and set the presents, still in their neat stack, under the tree. May, being helpful of course, pushed them under the tree, shaking all of hers. He rolled his eyes. "Merry Christmas May."
May jumped up and kissed him. "Merry Christmas! Wait!" she pulled him under the doorway between the kitchen and living room and kissed him again.
Ken looked at her confused. "What was that about?"
May pointed up at the mistletoe above the door. Ken smiled at her, wrapping an arm around her waist. She looked up happily. "Merry Christmas Ken!"
Rally came down the stairs waving. "Hey Ken! Merry Christmas!"
He waved back. " Hey Rally. Merry Christmas."
She smiled at him and then headed into the kitchen. "You want some hot cocoa?"
"Sure." He stated, trailing into the kitchen, May still attached to his arm. Rally handed him a cup. He looked up after taking a drink. "Is anybody cooking?"
"Nope." Rally began with a wink. "I'm ordering the whole thing in tonight. It should be here soon."
Ken laughed. "Okay, that's one way to take care of it I guess!"
Rally and May joined in his laughter as well. After it died down some, Ken looked back up after another drink. "Bean coming too?"
May rolled her eyes again. "Rally said he was working today! Can you believe that?! Christmas Eve even!"
Ken shrugged, cup in one hand, other around May's waist as she sat in his lap. "He seems a little attached to his money you know. So, he won't be here then or-"
"He's just going to be a little late." Rally jumped in when May rolled her eyes again.
May stood and started tugging Ken up to his feet. "Let's go finish White Christmas!"
Ken followed silently after her, cup held to the side as not to burn himself or May. Rally trailed after the two after placing her mug in the sink. They settled into seats and May flipped the television and VCR back on. After White Christmas was over and May had changed the tape to Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Rally got up to answer the knock at the door. She opened the door and the cold wind gusted in. A young lady stood holding a clipboard. She smiled. "Hi. Rally Vincent?"
"Yes. Cater?"
"Yep." The girl smiled and held the clipboard out for a signature after Rally handed her a check. She went out to the van and she and another young girl carried trays and boxes in, leaving them in the kitchen. After they left and Rally was just getting ready to start opening the cartons, her cell phone rang. "Rally Vincent speaking." She stated as she propped the phone on her shoulder and opened a box with the ham in it
"Rally? Its Bean."
Rally arched an eyebrow. "Bean? Is everything all right?"
"Well, yeah, but I ran into a problem." He began.
"But you're all right?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. But, like I said, I ran into a problem and probably won't be able to come over tonight."
Rally closed the box and grabbed the phone with her right hand. She paused before speaking quietly. "I…I see. Well, I guess it can't be helped then."
"I'm sorry Rally. I'd be there if I could, you know that." He stated. "Hopefully I'll get there tomorrow."
"Uh, yeah, tomorrow is fine Bean." Rally sighed lightly. "Um, well, I'll talk to you later then Bean. Have a nice Christmas Eve."
"You too Rally."
She nodded even though he couldn't see her and both hung up. She folded the phone over and looked down, telling, no making, herself not cry; it was silly. Something he couldn't get out of, just one of those things. She heard May come into the kitchen silently and look in the fridge getting out the eggnog before looking at Rally. She set the carton on the counter and hurried over. "Rally? What's wrong?"
Rally shook her head and set her phone on the countertop. "Nothing."
"Rally, come on. Even I know better than that. Tell me what happened. Maybe I can help." May urged as she sat across from Rally at the table.
"That was Bean on the phone." She began as she wiped a hand under her eyes. "Um, sounds like he can't make it tonight."
"Aw honey, come on, its alright." May hugged her friend as Rally started to cry silently. "I'm sure he had a good reason. He knows how important it is to you." She ran a hand down Rally's hair before rethinking that. "And if he doesn't have a good reason I'm gonna shove a May Special so far up his-"
Rally giggled damply. "Don't go to the trouble. Maybe its just because he's not a big Christmas fan is all."
"Oh? Why not?"
Rally shrugged as she boiled some hot water. "I'm not sure. Last year before we were going out, he mentioned he just didn't do Christmas. He never told me why exactly."
May thought a moment before patting Rally on the shoulder with a smile and then grabbing her hand. "Come on! I'm hungry!! Let's get all of this together!" Rally nodded and both got to work. May broke into singing a Christmas carol as she arranged food on the countertop. Rally smiled as she heard Ken join in from the living room and then she herself began to sing as well; Deck the Halls to lift the spirits. May looked over to Rally who was still singing with Ken in the other room. "I'm going to the bathroom!"
Rally nodded and continued her preparations as she sung along. May smiled and then went into the living room where Ken was singing as well. She looked down and watched him with a smile. "Ken?" she whispered. Ken looked up and she continued. "Rally said Bean had called and said he probably won't be over tonight."
Ken looked up confused. "Aw, poor Rally. She all right?"
"Yeah. Just don't mention it, okay?"
"Sure." Ken replied.
May smiled. "I'm calling the big ox to see exactly why he can't be here."
"Good idea. I'll go and help Rally." Ken replied before launching into Jingle Bells, Rally following his lead from the kitchen. May smiled and then bounded upstairs. She turned into her room and pulled out her phone as she sat on the bed. It rang four or five times.
"Bean Bandit."
"You stupid son of a bitch! Do you know how unhappy she is?!" May hissed into the phone.
"Nice to hear from you too May." Bean snorted. "Now, what?"
"Rally's utterly heartbroken stupid! That's what! I want to know exactly why you're not here." May ordered, glaring at the phone.
Bean sighed dejectedly. "I don't know."
"You told her you would be, if you recall."
"Yes I know that May! Its not that I don't want to be there but-"
"But what?"
"I just don't like Christmas. It was never some magical happy time for me, okay? I don't want to ruin it for you guys is all. I'll basically be an equivalent to a stick in the mud, okay?"
May was hurt. "So, in other words, you'll hurt your girlfriend because you're not willing to share a great holiday with your closest friends? That's pretty cold Bandit, even for you."
"May-"
"She's unhappy that you aren't here Bean. All it would take to give her a happy Christmas is for you to appear on our doorstep. That's all." May stated quietly as she played with a tassel on one of her jackets lying on the bed.
She heard Bean sigh deeply; in other words, feeling pretty guilty. It took a moment for him to respond. "Fine."
"Fine what?"
He sighed again. "I'll be over in a few, okay?"
May smiled brightly. "Fantastic Bean! You just made her day and she doesn't know it yet!!"
"See you in a few." Both hung up and May trotted to the bathroom before heading back downstairs.
Downstairs in the kitchen, Ken and Rally were setting out silverware on the table; only the three place settings though. May smiled and then set out the fourth anyway. Rally looked up. "What are you doing May?"
"Let's put the fourth out anyway Ral'. You never know, he might show up."
"I doubt it." Rally mumbled before she grabbed her cup of hot tea. She walked back into the living room as Ken arched an eyebrow at May. May winked and he eased into a smile. They walked after Rally into the living room to wait for a bit.
At the end of Rudolph, Rally thought she heard a knock at the door. She cocked her head towards the door before getting up and stepping nearer to it; yep that was a knock that was turning into a 'beat the door down' thump. She opened the door and it flung open with a gust of wind and snow. Rally looked up into chocolate eyes and she grinned and squealed. "BEAN!!" she jumped and hugged him, which he returned energetically. He set her to the floor amidst giggles. "I didn't think you'd be here!"
He smiled as she let him in and he carried a few boxes in with him, which May graciously took of course. He watched with an amused smile as May shook hers before setting it innocently under the tree. He turned back to Rally. "Well, I didn't want to ruin Christmas for my angel." He leaned down kissing her.
Rally smiled brightly at him afterwards, and she took the leather jacket he wore; it was the one she had bought him for his birthday. He brushed snow out of his hair that splayed everywhere. May grinned. "HEY! IT'S SNOWING!!!"
Bean grinned. "Yeah. It's actually getting a little nasty out there."
May was trying to go out the door, but Ken wouldn't let go of the back of her shirt. "You are not going out there May Hopkins!"
She whined at him. "Awwww, Ken! Come on!"
He smiled. "Its too dark anyways. You ready to eat?"
She smiled again. "Actually, that's a really good idea!"
They all tromped into the kitchen that Rally and May had decorated. Bean walked into the kitchen, and stopped. He looked around. The center of the table had a large round, red candle on it setting in the middle of waxy holly leaves. Each place was set with red napkins and sparkling silverware and a Christmas placemat. He looked at the lights they had strung across the top of the kitchen, all sparkling clearly. His observations were cut off by Rally putting a hand behind his neck and pulling him down for a lengthy kiss. After she broke it he looked down with a smile and arched eyebrow. "I'm not sure what that was for, but thank you."
May giggled and Rally winked, pointing up above him. He looked up and caught sight of the mistletoe. He shook his head as they all sat at the table amidst most of the food. Ham was passed as was potatoes, dressing, bread, mixed vegetables, cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes. Even Ken was surprised. "I'm impressed Rally. Whoever catered this did a great job. But I bet it cost a fortune!"
She took a bite of vegetables before answering. "I planned far in advance and saved my money. So, its no biggie really."
They all began eating afterwards, May being most energetic. She looked up thoughtfully. "So, when are we opening presents?"
"Christmas DAY." Rally stated before anybody else could get a word in.
May pouted. "Come on Rally. Let's open one tonight! Pleeeease?!"
Rally shook her head. "Nope, sorry May. You've got to wait."
"Should I do what I did last year?"
Bean looked over at Ken. "What did she do last year?"
Ken swallowed and looked up. "She opened all of her presents the night of Christmas and had them rewrapped before anybody else was up."
Bean arched an eyebrow. "Huh. That's pretty damn impressive sprite."
May smiled at the nickname for once. "Thanks!"
"May, just wait for once!" Rally pleaded. "It's just a twelve hour, if that, difference!"
Ken looked over as well. "Come on May. Wait just this once. For me?"
May rolled her eyes; the magic words. She grumbled as she pushed food around on her plate. "I suppose I can wait this year."
Rally smiled. "Thanks May!"
May continued to pout into her sweet potatoes and Ken leaned over kissing her temple. "Thank you sweetheart."
"You're welcome." She mumbled.
Bean had just been watching the entire exchange with arched eyebrow and fork in motion. Was this how a normal family acted? Maybe 'family' was stretching it a bit. He hadn't had anybody to call 'family' for a long while now. Hell, maybe 'normal' was stretching it a bit. But, he continued to watch the other three at the table curiously. May was giggling hysterically as Ken danced two rolls towards her like Johnny Depp did in the movie Benny and Joon. She found it amusing to no ends and was begging him to quit playing with the food. He placed the forks and rolls down on the table unhappily and she laughed harder at his whipped puppy expression. Rally was giggling periodically until she also caught the puppy face and her laughter broke like a silver bell in the room. Bean shook his head, smile edging across his features at the people he considered his friends as they laughed merrily.
Bean continued to eat fairly quietly and felt someone give his knee a squeeze. He looked over at Rally's blue eyes twinkling and she winked at him, smiling. He returned the smile and grabbed her hand under the table, keeping her there. She didn't seem to mind. Eventually the laughter died down, only sporadic bursts as the meal slowly came to a close. Rally hopped up and brought out a dessert to finish with. She pulled it out of the fridge happily and May got plates for everybody. She pulled out a large knife and cut the decorative cake into slices, making sure everybody got a piece. Ken looked at it quizzically. "What's this called?"
"Orange Bonbon Cake." May read from the tag. She looked at the cake. It had a pale frosting all over four divided layers with candy slices around the bottom.
Ken nodded and took a bite. "Wow. This is really good." All agreed, it was in fact a tasty dessert.
Rally looked up at the clock after everybody was done; nine o'clock. "Yow. It's late. Gee May, you better get to bed before Santa comes."
May smiled snidely. "Funny Rally Vincent. But I want to watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas; it's on Cartoon Network."
"Really? Great! I want to watch too!" Rally jumped up and grabbed everybody's plates, piling them in the sink. May skipped out of the kitchen, Ken following her, while Bean hung back waiting for Rally. He watched as she cleaned up the table. The Christmas lights giving her hair a highlight as well as emphasizing her deep blue eyes. She turned towards him with a bright smile. He smiled and she stepped up grabbing his hand. She kissed the back of his hand and winked at him, pulling him into the living room.
Ken was sitting in the bigger chair as May sat sprawled across his lap, nose inches from the television. Bean sat on the far corner of the sofa and Rally sat near him and then laid her head back on his lap, looking up at him with a smile. He brushed bangs from her bright eyes with a smile. Both turned when May started laughing as the movie started, familiar Grinch theme music playing in the background. All watched quietly until the first commercial break which turned into 'bathroom break and snack food time' for most occupants. Bean nudged Rally after Ken and May went respectively to the kitchen and bathroom. She was out; head tilted towards the television, eyes closed and lips slightly parted. May stomped back down the stairs just as Bean was leaning back watching Rally sleep peacefully. She stopped when she noted Rally asleep. "Awwwww. Aren't you guys cute!"
Bean looked up with a smile. "Ah, she's just tired."
"Sure, but she was making fun of me earlier you know!!" May stated hands on her hips.
He grinned and shrugged. "Ya got a point, but still."
May rolled her eyes and then looked at the tree once more before turning back to Bean. "You gonna leave her there or take her to her room?"
Bean looked down at Rally peacefully asleep in his lap. She turned her head in sleep, 'looking' towards him. He brushed hair from her eyes again and shrugged. "Guess I can take her upstairs."
May looked at him a moment. "What's wrong with you Bean? Normally you'd jump at a chance like that."
"Nothing." He replied as he started to move Rally over to get up. May stopped him.
"Nu uh. Tell me what's up Bean. Otherwise I swear I will wake Rally up by screaming bloody murder. And I know she's packing." May finished with a cheerful smile.
Bean looked up at green eyes. "Where would she be packing-"
May stopped him. "Don't ask questions you already know the answer to Bean. You've undressed her enough to know what she can hide. And where."
He was about to respond when he remembered; she had a point. He shrugged instead. "All right. Point again sprite."
She glared at him. "Stop calling me that! And tell me what's wrong!!"
He sighed and leaned back in the couch. "Fine."
"Fine."
"Okay. Well, I guess I feel…guilty? Yeah, that sounds about right." He shrugged.
"Why?"
"Well, I pretty much lied to her before about coming."
"Ah." May looked up thoughtfully, hand under her chin. "Well, how about telling her the truth when you get her upstairs."
"I guess I could."
May rolled her eyes. "Stop being the stupid guy Bean! Of course you should tell her the truth. And just to make sure she understands, tell her why you didn't feel comfortable coming. She'll forgive you. She's forgiven you already actually."
"How would she forgive me if she doesn't even know-"
May held up a hand. "She thought it might have had something to do with you not being a big Christmas fan. She's not sure why, but she was kind of hurt. And she forgave you as soon as you came to the door. Probably before that."
He sat looking thoughtfully at May. As much as she acted like a kid, she made some really good, solid, adult comments on occasion. She looked back at him green shining. He smiled. "All right then. You've got a deal spri- er…May."
"Thank you." She replied as she rolled her eyes and Ken came back in toting a really big bowl of popcorn. Bean smiled as May attacked Ken and his popcorn and they wrestled as quietly as they could for a minute. He readjusted Rally and then picked her up, heading up the stairs. He just hit the landing when she woke up, blue eyes fluttering slightly. "Ugh. Where am I?"
Bean chuckled. "You were asleep. I was just gonna drop you in your room."
She smiled, wrapping her arms around his waist. "You don't have to carry me you know. I could have just walked."
"But I like to carry you. And I don't mind." He smiled, eyebrows arched.
Light giggling came from her. "Fine then! I know when I'm beat."
He opened her door and walked in, setting her at the head of the bed between her two stuffed animals. He himself sat at the edge, boots crossed on the carpet. She looked up expectantly; he was mulling again. Bean turned towards her. "I wanted to explain to you what I was thinking earlier. That and apologize to you."
"What for?"
"For lying to you earlier. About not coming here sooner." She tilted her head, listening so he continued. "I am sorry for lying to you. I was getting finished with my job when I called you, but timing wasn't off. So, I'm…sorry, about that." He shifted uncomfortably.
Rally watched a moment. "So, what changed your mind about coming? Oh, and why didn't you want to come?"
Bean chuckled. "You try having a riled Minnie May call you a son of a bitch and see if that gets you going. She's a spitfire when she's angry."
"Yes I know." Rally replied with a smile. "And sorry she called you that."
He shook his head. "No, I should have been here. She was right in that." Bean took a deep breath, remembering. "And, now I want you to know why Christmas has never been a favorite of mine."
"Sure Bean. Whenever you're ready. I'm here and listening."
"Well, I've never really given you a lot of my past, admittedly. There's a reason for that. But, I will tell you about Christmas, but that's it for now. You okay with that?"
"As long as you get to the rest later, of course I'm okay with it." She squeezed his hand comfortingly, casting a soft smile over him.
He nodded. "Eventually. I promise this time. Well, I actually liked the holidays when I was younger; much younger. Like the age of seven younger. But, when I was…um, probably about nine years old I think, my dad had started messing with this car he had bought. It was a 1975 Corvette. He was fixing it up to drive; it was a really sweet car. He was explaining to me what he did even though I was only nine. I remember him saying it 'would come in handy later on', which I have to admit played true in this case. He had almost all of it restored. Painted candy apple red. Well, my mom and him decided to take the car to storage since they wanted to go out of state for the week of Christmas."
Rally sat silently listening and felt her stomach start to knot up for some reason; maybe it was his tone. He continued. "Well, I was at a friend's house while they took it out. I remember talking to my friend; Ryan. Well, his mom came into his room where we were and she seemed really unhappy, I guess." Bean shrugged. "She kneeled down and hugged me. I obviously was confused as hell. Then she grabbed my hand, told Ryan to stay where he was and took me into the hallway and then down to their parlor where the Christmas tree was set up. Then she gave me the news; my parents had spun out on the way to the storage place, slid across the road and right into a pole. My mom was gone on impact. My dad had been taken into the ICU. He had a lot of internal bleeding. Well, Ryan's mom took me down to the hospital and we waited to see what was happening. I hadn't cried to that point, mostly because my dad was still there and it just hadn't sunk in yet."
Bean looked down, Rally's hand still in his. She felt him grip her hand a little harder. "He was in surgery for awhile. After he was out, I was basically bawling wanting to see him; we were there for hours. I mean, it was my dad!" he took a deep breath. "Well, finally I got to see him. He was hooked up to a lot of machinery and everything. He didn't say much obviously even though I was talking to him the whole time. I never held it against him though. Ryan's mom left to take care of her family and I begged with the nurses to let me stay. And they finally gave in. One of them gave me this silly little bear to sleep with in a cot next to my dad. I didn't like it, but I still held onto it all night. When I woke up the next morning, my dad was actually talking a little bit. I jumped up and ran over, still grabbing that bear and asked him if he was all right. He didn't even know I was there all night and I told him. He asked about mom and I didn't know what to tell him. I was just kind of…there. Quiet. I think he understood. He hugged me with the arm that wasn't in a sling, crying just a little. Very quietly. He said it was all right. That hopefully I'd be fine. I was confused, you know? Wondering what he was talking about. He had a friend come in to get me and take me to his house. But, before the guy got there, my dad was talking to me. He basically tried to cram a whole life's story into like half an hour. The stuff I remember most though, was his love of cars. He said it was the best thing next to sex and he mentioned I'd figure out exactly what that meant later." Bean chuckled as Rally smiled.
"I just really, really remember that talk about cars. He went through the list he had. Told me which were 'the best' and what to look for. The last thing he said before I left though, was to try and be happy no matter what happened. He made me promise him that. And I did even though I wasn't sure why. He smiled and then ruffled my hair, told me to be good, and his friend Bill came and took me to his house to eat and get cleaned up. I went to school that day and when I came back that afternoon, Bill's wife gave me a hug, told me to remember to be happy like my dad asked and then told me that he was gone and not to forget him." Bean sighed deeply, eyes still looking straight out, but not seeing. "So, a week before Christmas and I was left by myself when I was nine years old. It was a complicated mess after that. I had to go to a foster home and everything. Shuffled around a lot as a kid and developed a hell of an attitude because of it. But, I'm ready to stop here."
Rally sat quietly, watching him, tears rimming her eyes. "Um-"
"Pity's not welcome or wanted."
"Its not here. I'm just sorry such a bad experience happened to you is all." She reached across the bed, enveloping him in a warm hug. "I want you to be happy too Bean. I really do."
He reached strong arms around her. "You're definitely helping that Miss Vincent."
She made him turn and face the opposing wall behind them. There was a vanity mirror there, showing them both. She leaned her head on his shoulder, waiting for him. He just watched their reflections a moment. She gave him a small smile. "I just want you to know what you have. You have me here for you. Always. Please don't forget that Bean Bandit."
He nodded and gave her a small smile in return. "Thank you. That means a lot to me Rally."
She closed her eyes with a smile, chin still propped on his shoulder from behind. He watched her for a moment, feeling her heartbeat behind him and her easy breathing near his ear. Taking a deep breath, Rally opened her eyes. "You ready for bed?"
"Its only like ten o'clock." He replied looking at her alarm clock.
She smiled. "Has that ever stopped us before Bandit?"
He turned a wolfish grin towards her. "You got a point babe. Thanks for the sweet little reminder." Pulling his face near hers, she gave him a more physical reminder that he rather enjoyed.
Ken looked up the stairs. "I thought he was just dropping her in her room."
May rolled her eyes and stuffed a handful of popcorn in her mouth. "Are you joking? Number one; they were going to talk I know. Number two; this is Bean and Rally. They have sex as much as we do. Like, whenever they're left alone in a room."
He shrugged. "Okay. But she was asleep when he went up."
May giggled. "Hell Ken, I know that didn't last long. She was awake when he hit the top landing up there."
He shrugged again. "Hm. Maybe they've got the right idea. You want to go to bed? I'm getting tired."
Dropping the bowl on the table, May looked over with a smile. "Sure! Let's go!" she grabbed his hand and trotted up the stairs dragging him behind her. She pointed at Rally's room with a wink before turning towards the left hallway and her room.
Around two in the morning, Rally woke up at the small red flash on her dresser. She sat up with a smile. "All right! People in the house!!" she jumped up to grab a handgun and looked down. Oops. More intimidating when you have clothes on. She grabbed a pair of shorts and a tank top, putting them on. Skipping happily towards her gun cabinet, she flung the doors open with gusto after flipping on a small light in the cabinet. She pulled out a round of ammunition and a small handgun; a SIG P220. She whistled lightly as she loaded the magazine and started towards the door, beginning to whistle a Christmas tune. She snuck silently down the hallway when she noticed May already waiting at the top before the stair opening. May looked up happily, brightly decorated grenades in hand. Rally rolled her eyes and leaned down as well. "I don't think you'll need all of those."
"Never hurts to be prepared." May stated with a wink.
"Do you know how many people are down there?"
"I think I saw three."
"Hm. Where are they at?"
"Kitchen I think."
"Okay. When they come out," Rally began before cringing. "Toss a confetti bomb down there, okay? No smoke though! Takes months to get that out of the upholstery."
May nodded, waiting for the first to emerge. He came out of the kitchen followed by two others. They weren't carrying much; just a couple of Rally's handguns. They started near the Christmas tree and May snarled. She tossed three confetti grenades to the floor. As they landed, one man looked at them, his eyes widening considerably. "HOLY SHIT GRENADE!!!!"
They went sprawling, but not quite quick enough. The grenades exploded in succession, sending pink and purple confetti and streamers everywhere with a bang and scaring the living daylights out of the three would be crooks. One dropped to the floor sobbing, while the other two tried to climb over each other towards the door. May was about to toss another but Rally jumped down the stairs, three at a time and landed with a grin at the bottom, gun aimed at the two near the door. "FREEZE! I've got you covered!"
May hopped down the stairs, handcuffs retrieved from under the coffee table. She cuffed the one still crying as Rally continued to cover the two. May was still on the floor when she heard one of the guys move his jacket out of the way and quick draw a handgun; Ruger 85. Rally managed to tag the gun out of his hands, blowing away his trigger finger, while just missing getting hit in the shoulder by an oncoming bullet. The man was screaming by that point as May and Rally both grinned like cats. The third man decided to just stand still, much to his own benefit.
May looked up from cuffing the crying man when she heard both Bean and Ken comes running down the stairs; she guessed as the equivalent to a pack of elephants. Bean looked like he was about ready to kill somebody. He had his jeans on, no shirt and hair ruffled beyond belief. Ken was still in his shorts, also looking ruffled himself. Bean snarled. "What the fuck is going on!?"
May giggled hysterically as Rally bit down her own laughter. "Um, nothing Bean. We've got it taken care of. See?" May stated amidst giggles as she cuffed the last one.
Rally lowered her gun and went to get a first aid kit as May called the police. Rally looked up from the bandages she grabbed as Bean stalked over to the one yelling about his finger being shot off. Arms crossed, and being in a less than pleasant mood, Bean looked very much like an intimidating figure. The man that was yelling abruptly stopped. He whirled on Rally who was approaching, and taking her Christmas whistling back up. She stopped abruptly, looking up at brown. "Yes?"
"Why the hell didn't you get me up Vincent?"
She rolled her eyes as she kneeled next to the one man and cleaned his hand up. "Why Bean? May and I handled it just fine. We weren't going to trouble you to over something we can do ourselves is all."
May looked up after hanging up the phone. "They'll be over soon Rally."
"Great. Thanks May." Rally stated before looking back up. "Nice work by the way."
"Thanks!" chirped happily.
Ken rolled his eyes. "Well, you guys have this covered. And I don't think I want the cops to see me. So, I'm going back to bed." He finished before walking sleepily back up the stairs.
May took a seat on the couch, watching as Bean continued to glower over Rally from her place on the floor. She finished cleaning the man's hand and then bumped into Bean's crossed arms as she stood up. She arched an eyebrow. "Yes?"
"You should have gotten me up Rally. What would have happened if you'd have gotten hit?" he stated, pointing at the wall where there was a new bullet indention.
"May would have been calling an ambulance too I guess. I don't know Bean, what do you want me to say? I knew we could deal with this. We have before; a couple of times actually. We were fine. But if it'll make you feel better, I'll get you the next time it happens, okay?"
He nodded but still didn't look very happy. May grabbed a handful of cold popcorn with a laugh. Rally looked over. "What's so funny?"
"You just might want to get more clothes on before the cops get here Rally." May giggled into her popcorn.
Rally grinned and spun, handgun out to the side. "What, you don't find this nice?"
Both May and Rally giggled before she turned back to Bean whom was still being a not-nice bump on a log. He turned and began to stalk back up the stairs. "I'm going back to bed Vincent."
She turned; he was pissed for some reason. "Um, okay. I guess."
May watched with a glare as she stuck another handful of popcorn in her mouth. "Oh, don't worry about him Rally. He's just so damn overprotective of you is all."
Rally shrugged before sitting down as well. The man that was still bleeding some looked up at the two. "Nice boyfriend you got there. Real social, I can tell."
Rally tossed a piece of popcorn into her mouth and turned towards him. "Yeah, he's very social. Real polite too. Especially when he's gotten up at the ungodly hour of two in the morning. Considering he's about as far from a 'morning person' as you can humanly get. You might want to remember that."
The man sat quietly as May and Rally continued to eat cold popcorn. May sat watching Rally as she looked at the tree. "So." Rally turned listening. "Did you guys talk?"
"Yeah. We talked quite a while actually." Rally stated with a sigh. "At least he explained to me why exactly he didn't like this holiday. He had it rough as a kid."
"I know you can help him with that Rally. He knows it too, otherwise he wouldn't have even told you." May stated after another bite of popcorn. "Hopefully we can all turn Christmas into a happier time for him. At least I know you can Rally."
"I want to for him."
May just nodded as they finished off the cold popcorn and flipped on the television. Around three o'clock the police finally came. Officer Reggie came in and helped haul the three out to a car. He turned towards the two, questioning look. "You two handle this all by yourself?"
"Of course we did!" May chirped. "We're big bad bounty hunters!"
Rally had to choke down a chuckle. She was using that 'cute kid act' again. "Yes sir, we're fine. But thank you for asking."
"Sorry for the trouble ladies. Have a good night and a nice Christmas."
"You too officer!" Both girls replied with smiles as he went out the door. Rally turned with a sigh, leaning back against the door. May looked back. "What's wrong Ral'?"
"I don't want Bean mad at me."
"Oh, I'm sure he's just mad he was left out of the action is all Rally. Don't worry too much." May waved as she started up the stairs. "I'm going to bed though. See you in the morning."
Rally nodded as she leaned against the door in the fairly dark room. The only light was the tree sparkling near the wall colorfully. She sighed and just watched the tree for a bit. After a couple of minutes, she slowly walked to the staircase, hand trailing up the railing as she cast one last glance at the tree before morning. Easing the bedroom door open quietly, she snuck over to the bed and stopped. Bean was on his side, facing away from her; she rolled her eyes. He just pouted like a ten year old sometimes. She lay down on the bed, pulling the blankets up around her, and then threw an arm up over his broad shoulder, her cheek resting against his shoulder blade. "I love you." She whispered.
She heard him sigh and grab her hand. "I love you too Rally." She smiled, arm gripping him a little tighter. They both fell asleep fairly quickly after that.
The next morning, Rally just lay back against her pillow watching the sun come up through the closed blind. Bean had her wrapped up against him and she could hear his easy breathing behind her ear. She smiled as she grabbed his hand. She could just barely hear May stomp quickly out of her room, hesitate at the door and then it being swung open. "Merry Christmas!!"
Rally giggled as she tried to turn around, but his grip wasn't loosening much. "Merry Christmas May. I take it you're ready for Christmas morning, 'eh?"
"Yeah! So get that big ox up and let's move!" she replied as she pointed enthusiastically downstairs.
"Who the hell are you calling a big ox squirt?" Bean grumbled against Rally's hair, which caused the giggles to start again.
"We'll be down in a minute May." Rally replied and then saw as May shrugged and shut the door.
"You get five minutes!" came through the door.
Rally laughed brightly. "Come on Bean! Up and at 'em!"
She could hear some indistinguishable mumbling behind her once more amid, "Too. Damn. Early."
Rally laughed again and tried to sit up but he wouldn't let go. "Come on! If we don't go May'll have the tree demolished!!"
He groggily let go and rubbed his eyes. His head still back against the white of the pillow case, his black hair gleaming, and Rally thought he was the most handsome man; even more when his eyes were open. She thought that anyway, but sometimes he was just more so than others. She smiled and leaned down kissing him. He wrapped an arm around her waist, keeping her stationary for the time being. She pulled away with tinkling laughter. "Merry Christmas Bean."
She saw a smile arc over his dark features. "Merry Christmas Rally."
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Rally pulled on a pair of blue socks; the floors were a tad chilly. She turned and started pushing on Bean's side, trying to get him up; it wasn't working too well. He started laughing as she edged him slowly towards the edge of the bed. He sat up, blinking sleep from brown eyes. She smiled and threw the blinds open, blinding him momentarily. "Shit Vincent! I'm not even half awake yet!!"
Silver laughter floated through the room as she spun in the middle of the floor and ended with a flourish of a bow. "And now you are."
"Oh, funny girl." He had his hands over his eyes. Rally rolled her eyes as she stood in front of him. "What would it take to get you to go in the morning Bandit?"
"Large pot black coffee." He mumbled before grinning at her. "Or you. Whichever."
She leaned down, looking in brown eyes. Smiling, she trailed kisses from his brow, down his jaw line and neck and then to his collarbone before his eyes shot open. "Okay Vincent. Damn girl, calm down, far enough."
Rally opened her eyes with a grin. "Ready to go now?"
He rolled his eyes before mumbling. "That's one way of putting it…"
She smiled as he stood up, stretched, tugged his long jeans back on and grabbed her hand, heading out the door. They walked down the stairs, Rally looking out at the tree and May sitting expectantly, all presents addressed to her spread in a small circle. Ken sat on the chair, watching as she rearranged the boxes once more. May looked up with a smile as Bean pulled Rally into his lap on the sofa. "Bout time!! I could hardly wait! What the hell took so long?!"
"Rally's somewhat unusual wakeup technique." Bean replied as Rally leaned her head against his chest, winking.
May arched an eyebrow. "I think I'll leave that one alone for right now."
Ken stood up, walking to the tree. "I guess I'll play Santa than." He grabbed boxes and started passing them to everybody but May; she already had all of hers. By the time he was finished, everybody had at least five presents. Bean looked at the pile addressed to him with arched eyebrow; like it was some extremely foreign object. Rally smiled and whispered. "Yes, those are yours lover."
He looked down at her; he rather liked that whole 'lover' term. "Hm."
She smiled and sat up. "Okay! I guess May should go first as she was waiting all night."
"Yeah!" May grabbed a box with a subtle shake. She read the tag. "To Minnie May; From Rally". She ripped the paper to shreds and opened the box a grin emerging. "Wow!! Thanks Rally!!" She pulled out some slinky green lingerie with a wink towards Ken. "Sexy, sexy! How ever did you of all people find this?!"
Rally smiled at May with a grin. "I reveal not my secrets my dear."
May shrugged. "But thanks Rally! I love it!"
"I love it too." Ken added as May threw a wadded ball of wrapping paper at him.
Rally giggled and then turned towards Bean. "Your turn."
He looked at her for a moment. She smiled in return and handed him a box. He read the tag. "To the Big Ox; Love May" He grinned at her. "Thanks May. Really heartwarming." He opened the box slowly, peeling back the paper and then opening the actual box. He pulled out a tan dress, almost khaki style, button down shirt and new blue jeans. "Hey, hey! This looks pretty nice. Did you get the right sizes though?"
May grinned. "I just had Rally come with me honey."
He held his hands up in defeat with a grin. Rally laughed. "We figured it would look hot, so, naturally, I convinced May to buy it."
Bean chuckled as he looked at the shirt; it was very nice. He smiled. "Thanks May. I appreciate it."
Rally smiled and looked at Ken. "Your turn!!"
Ken smiled and picked up a box reading the label. "To Ken; From Rally." She smiled as he peeled back the paper with muffled enthusiasm; he was almost as bad as May at Christmas but had to hide that fact as well as possible. He lifted the lid off of the box smile spreading across his face. He pulled out gift card and read it; it turned out to be for sixty dollars at Suncoast Video. He grinned. "Thanks Rally!"
She smiled. "I wasn't sure what movie you wanted to get next, so I figured this would work."
"Nah, its perfect! Thanks!"
"You're welcome Ken."
May turned and pointed at Rally. "Your turn!!"
Rally smiled, grabbed a box and read the tag. "To Ral'; From Minnie May!"
May nodded happily, clutching her next present until Rally finished. Rally peeled the paper back quickly and shook the box. It was light and smelled perfumy. She arched an eyebrow and opened the box; she laughed. "Thanks May! This is great!" she pulled out a matching bra and panties set from Victoria's Secret; they were almost see-through and dark blue. May cheered enthusiastically. "Glad you like it Rally!" she grinned. "I was gonna get something from the sex shop, but Bean informed me you guys have plenty of fun on your own."
Rally threw a ball of wrapping paper at her friend and then punched Bean's arm as he chuckled at her blush. She set the box to the side as Bean hugged her to his chest and May tore into the next box. "To May; From Ken."
She pulled out a pretty sundress with a light flowery print and a matching silver necklace of a daisy. She squealed and held it up to herself. "Look at this!! Isn't this the cutest thing you've ever seen!!?!"
Rally clapped her hands together with a laugh. "You'll be adorable May!"
May laughed as Rally pushed another box towards Bean to open. He grabbed it looking at the tag. "To Bean; From Ken" He tore off the green paper and bow and looked at a small box. He shrugged opened that and pulled out an envelope. He opened the envelope with a smile as he read the certificate; it was a gift certificate to Corvette America catalogue. He grinned. "I can always use this man. Thanks."
Ken nodded. "They said you had a pension for 'Vettes. But, glad you like it."
The rest of the present swap went quickly until both couples separated to exchange more personal presents privately. May drug Ken upstairs and left Rally sitting quietly in Bean's lap. Both looked at the tree sparkling back at them. She placed a hand at the back of Bean's neck, playing with his longish black hair. She smiled and then hopped down to the tree, pulling out a couple of boxes from underneath. She sat back down next to him and handed the larger of the two to him with a quirky smile. "I'm not sure if you'll like this, but it won't hurt I guess."
He arched an eyebrow and opened the box anyways. Opening the box, he shuffled tissue paper around until he found the contents. He laughed; boxer shorts; very colorful ones. One pair was metallic red another was black with yellow smiley faces and last was black silk. "Thanks. Are you trying to tell me something Vincent?"
She giggled. "Like I said, it won't hurt! You need a little more color anyways Bandit." She winked at him as he shook his head.
Smiling, Bean handed her a small box and leaned back in the sofa waiting. She grabbed the box, turning it between fingers, mentally trying to guess the contents. She shrugged and pulled the paper off revealing a long velvet box. She looked up and slowly opened the box. An almost surprised smile came over her face. He grinned and took the necklace from her fingers. She sat with closed eyes and a smile as he let the fine silver chain slink around her neck and he clasped it in the back. She reached fingers down to the small blue gem on the chain and then looked back at him. "Thank you Bean. Its beautiful."
He nodded and reached over, trailing kisses from her temple, down her neck and then her collarbone; turnabout was fair play. She giggled and pushed him back a little. "Down boy!"
He smiled as she handed him the second box. It was smaller, but still wrapped nicely in red with green ribbon trailing off of it. He pulled the paper and bow off in one sweep and sat, looking at the box. It was a plain white, squarish one; in embossed letters was JK Jewelers and he arched an eyebrow. Lifting the lid carefully off of the box, he parted the tissue paper covering it and sat gazing at the contents. It was a beautiful pocket watch done in silver. The watch face was covered with a silver cover that was etched with vines on the outside circle and letters in the middle in script; B.B. He smiled as he pulled the watch out, the chain trailing over his long fingers, and flipped the watch face open. The face itself looked like parchment with black numbers over it as well as the date. He looked up at Rally who was holding her breath; afraid he might not like it. She almost fell forward waiting judgment. Bean smiled at her. "Wow. This is fantastic Rally."
She rolled her eyes and took a nice, deep breath. "Woo. I thought you wouldn't like it." She turned a smile towards him once more. "I'm glad that you do. I even got it engraved. I think it looks pretty." She pulled the watch from his fingers into her own hand, looking at the scripting across the front once more as a smile arced across her dark features. Bean pulled her closer, kissing her temple as she handed the watch back. "Thank you Rally."
"You're welcome!" she chirped as she gave up the watch.
Bean turned and handed her another box; this one a bit smaller than the last. She looked a moment and then ripped the paper off, it falling to the floor. A smaller jewelry box; she opened it as gems caught the lights nicely. Her eyes widened slightly as she looked up in question. He grinned. "No, it's not what you think."
She let out a silent sigh; she was not ready for that quite yet. Smiling brightly, she reached in and pulled the small ring out. It was made of white gold with small white and blue crystals circling the whole band. "This is sooo pretty Bean." She breathed as she slipped the ring onto her ring finger on her right hand. Hand out in front of her, she saw the jewels catch the light, and turned back to him.
Bean sat watching her face; her lips curled into a smile with blue eyes twinkling merrily. "I'm glad you take so much joy in this holiday Rally, although I'm not sure how you do." He mumbled still looking at her.
She looked into brown troubled brown eyes, biting her lip in thought. "I know that you've had a rough time with Christmas Bean. But, it really is a wonderful holiday when you have a family, this family," she pointed upstairs and then to herself. "to share it with. We want you to like it again, because it really isn't bad. I especially want to you to find the joy in this holiday. You get to be with family and friends, eat food, and swap presents, the whole nine yards. I just want you to be happy Bean."
Rally sat looking solemnly at him, waiting to see if what she said made sense to him. His thoughts trailed back to a past he was trying so hard to forget. A father that wanted his only son to be happy, no matter what; even making him promise he would. Up until that point really, Bean hadn't been making too much of an effort. He looked back up at Rally, meeting deep blue velvet eyes waiting for his answer. He nodded, once, quickly, and reached out embracing her. Rally returned the hug with a smile; glad he was going to try.
May sat at the top of the stairwell and sniffled. Ken sat next to her, and handed her a tissue. "Thanks." She sniffled before blowing her nose. "It's like watching some romantic play or something."
Ken looked down at the two on the couch thoughtfully. "Yeah. Let's just hope it's not a tragedy in the end."
May looked strangely at the thoughtful look on his face. She nodded and looked back down before passing the tissues to him. "I hope not. Shakespeare himself would be crying if it were." Ken just nodded in agreement.
Author's Notes- Kon-wa. Glad you made it this far. So. What did you think? I hear people mumbling about it being way, way too mushy back there, but hey, that's the whole intent. G This particular story was especially important in establishing a little of Bean's history in my stories. I think it did okay in that aspect myself, but then I'm a little biased. Feel free to tell me what you thought. Next- Moving on to Chapter 9!