The Spirit of Christmas
Author's note: Hi folks! I'm taking a brief break from my on going story 'Murder is Academic' to present you with a short (well short for me!) two-part festive offering. To all those who are following it, I will be finishing my original story I promise. Nonny's Christmas story inspired me to get seasonal, so here goes!
I hope you enjoy it and Merry Christmas!
The characters of Steve and Mark Sloan, Jesse Travis, Amanda Bentley and Tanis Archer belong to CBS and Viacom. This story is written for pleasure and no profit is being made.
PART ONE:
'And Steve's got this big case on right now, so he's working all hours as usual. Still he's promised to get off for Christmas'. Mark paused and smiled fondly 'Well you know how much Steve loves Christmas, always has done. You should have seen him when he brought the tree in last night – his eyes lit up just like they did when he was a little boy'. Mark chuckled at the memory and then he sighed as he continued 'Carol's not coming home for the holidays this year. She's off to Acapulco with a new boyfriend. She called though, sent her love'. He shrugged his shoulders 'I guess neither of the children have changed much – she always was the flighty one, always off looking for adventure and usually getting into trouble. Steve hasn't said much, but I know he's hurt. He really thought she'd come home this year, what with it being the anniversary and all'.
He paused, looking down sadly, and swiped quickly at eyes that were suddenly moist. Taking a shuddering breath, he pulled himself together and continued, forced cheeriness in his voice 'Jesse is spending the day with us.' He chuckled softly 'He'll eat us out of house and home no doubt! And Amanda said she'll try and drop by with the boys. So you see I won't be alone, not really'.
He sighed 'So why do I feel so alone?'
Sitting back on his haunches, he rearranged the white snowdrops he'd bought from the flower store around the corner. He knew the owner well, he should do, he'd called in regularly over the years and always he bought snowdrops. They were her favourite, and how he used to love buying them for her, especially in the early days of their courtship when he was a penniless medical intern. The brightness of her smile, as if he'd presented her with precious jewels rather than a simple bunch of flowers, had touched his heart immeasurably.
As he looked at the flowers now, their delicate petals a stark contrast to the thick grey slate of the head stone, he felt little joy. In those heady days of young love, he'd given little thought to the future. But in his heart of hearts he'd been sure that they'd grow old together. And yet it wasn't to be. She'd been snatched from him far too early, leaving him alone to delight in their children's triumphs and to comfort them in their disasters.
He pulled his handkerchief from his pocket and as always reached forward to gently dust the little plaque. 'Oh Katherine' he sighed 'Why'd you have to leave me?' Sitting there at her graveside he prayed for a sign, some sort of indicator that she heard him, that she was still there watching over him. But as usual there was nothing. 'And why would there be?' he asked himself harshly 'you're just a foolish old man'. Wiping away a tear he gave himself a shake. This was no time to fall apart, it was Christmas and he owed it to Steve to be happy, even if it was just a show.
He sighed, how they'd used to love Christmas, he and Katherine, watching the kids unwrap their presents, the family dinner and then the 'alone time' when Steve and Carol had gone to bed. Just sitting together under the tree; holding hands and listening to Sinatra on the old '78's. Enjoying each other's company, there'd been no need for words - Christmas had been magical. But this year he was finding it harder to recreate that magic. Mark shook his head sadly, things were supposed to get easier with the passing of time, but this week would have been their 50th wedding anniversary. Try as he might, he just couldn't get into the swing of things. Somewhere along the line he'd lost his faith in the spirit of Christmas.
***
'You know my Dad loves Christmas' Steve said enthusiastically. 'You should have seen his face last night when I brought in the tree'. He grinned proudly 'It looks great too; I got a real good deal this year. Friend of mine from the station recommended this new place, real Norwegian firs – don't drop their needles until at least New Years'.
Jesse looked intently into his coffee cup and Amanda stared at the flowered pattern on the white linoleum floor of the doctors' lounge. Neither spoke.
Steve paused and stared at them closely; a look of bewilderment marring his handsome features 'Okay, guys you're not smiling. Why aren't you smiling?' He frowned suspiciously, the detective in him alert to their anomalous behaviour 'C'mon' he said finally 'what's going on?'
Jesse and Amanda exchanged looks and he nodded to her to go ahead. She pulled a face at him, letting him know she didn't appreciate being the one to have to do this. Jesse shrugged and gave her his 'You're much better at this than me' look. She sighed, how could she put this without upsetting Steve or poking her nose in where it didn't belong? Perhaps she should just let it go. Maybe she'd just been imagining things. But then Jesse had noticed it too. She was surprised Steve hadn't. Perhaps Mark made more of an effort in front of his son?
'C'mon Amanda' Steve said crossing his arms, his impatience growing 'I don't have time for guessing games. I've got to get back to the station. I wanna finish early tonight, put the finishing touches on Dad's Christmas surprise'.
Taking a deep breath she looked again at Jesse who nodded encouragingly, and then forced herself to look at Steve. His clear blue eyes were puzzled, scanning her face intently for some sort of clue. His strong jaw was clenched and she could see a tiny muscle working in his cheek. She shivered; she sure wouldn't like to face off against him in an interrogation. Seeing him every day, she hardly noticed what a big guy he was, but right now his physical presence dwarfed her. She took a deep breath.
'Steve' she said gently 'How much time have you spent with Mark lately?'
'What?' he asked, completely wrong footed. Whatever he'd been expecting her to say it hadn't been that. She looked at him, but didn't repeat the question. He paused considering 'Well I've been pretty busy with this case and he's been busy here at the hospital, so I guess I haven't spent as much time with him as usual'. He looked at her, feeling suddenly defensive 'But why's that relevant?' He paused then rolled his eyes as a thought struck him 'Is he worried about me working too hard again?'
Amanda shook her head 'No nothing like that, although you are working too hard'. He opened his mouth to protest, but she held up a hand to silence him. 'Steve' she said firmly 'We're worried about Mark; he just hasn't been himself lately.'
'What's wrong with him?' Steve exclaimed, a tight knot of fear closing around his heart 'Is he sick?' He looked at both doctors, eyes flashing accusingly 'If there's something wrong I need to know, and I need to know now'.
'Steve, calm down' Jesse said reassuringly, putting a hand on Steve's arm 'physically he's fine, in perfect health in fact.'
Steve let out a breath, sagging back against the coffee table 'Jeeze guys, you really had me worried for a moment there'.
'Steve' Amanda said urgently 'It's not his physical health we're worried about, it's his mental health.'
'His mental health?' Steve scoffed 'Don't be ridiculous, my father has a mind as sharp as a razor and you know it'.
'Steve' Jesse said solemnly 'We're worried that Mark might be suffering from depression'. There, he'd said it. He looked at Steve and held his breath, waiting for the reaction.
'Depression?' Steve couldn't believe it 'Jesse my father is not depressed. I told you I saw him last night and he was in great spirits. We decorated the tree, drank some beer, he played some of his Sinatra CDs, just like we always do this time of year'.
Amanda bit her lip 'We think he might be making an effort for your benefit. Think about it Steve, it would have been fifty years, that's a big anniversary'.
'Amanda, I do know about my parents' wedding anniversary' he replied; a harsh edge to his voice 'And I think I know my own father and I'm telling you he's fine'. He looked at them shaking his head 'I don't have time for this right now and neither does my Dad. I don't want either of you saying anything to him about this, you'll only upset him'.
'Oh Steve, you know we'd never do anything to hurt Mark' Amanda said, her brown eyes showing her concern. Jesse nodded his agreement.
With a final look Steve left, shaking his head as he went. The last thing his father needed was people making a fuss, reminding him of the anniversary. Steve sighed. If truth be told, he really wasn't feeling much like Christmas this year himself, but he was damned if he was gonna show it. He had to push his personal feelings aside and make sure this Christmas was a magical one for his father. He smiled ruefully, easier said than done! Although he personally was doing his best to be cheerful, and to enter into the Christmas spirit, everyone else seemed determined to make things difficult. First Carol had disappeared off to Acapulco and now Jesse and Amanda were acting all weird.
As he took the elevator to the ground floor, he rubbed his forehead irritably. Being the lone cheerful voice was hard work, but it had to be done. He thought of his father's face when he saw the tree and smiled. Moments like that made him realise it was worth it. He had to keep it together. Even if it was just a show, he owed it to his father to seem happy. At least the present he had planned looked like it was gonna work out. It had taken a lot of digging and a little misuse of police privileges, but he'd managed to track down the original members of the barbershop quartet Mark had sung with at med school.
The guy's were all in their seventies, but he'd managed to persuade them to make the trip. They were gonna perform at the hospital's annual Christmas party. Steve smiled, his father would be stoked. He still had a couple of details to iron out, but as long as he finished work at a reasonable hour, he should be able to get it all done on time. He smiled to himself - he might not be able to drum up the spirit of Christmas for himself, but he could make sure it was there for his Dad.
***
'Okay, what's so funny?' Steve growled, looking up from behind the mountain of paperwork that cluttered his desk 'You've been standing there smirking for .. oh, at least the last five minutes'.
Tanis eyed her partner carefully and tried to keep the smile from her face. It was no good. 'I'm sorry' she said with a chuckle 'it's just you're really into …' she broke off to gesture at the decorations that currently adorned the precinct '.. the whole Christmas thing aren't you?'
Steve shrugged, taking in the tinsel around his computer, the miniature Christmas tree by the coffee machine, the strings of cheap coloured lights taped haphazardly from the ceiling 'It's the holidays' he said genially 'everyone gets a little crazy this time of year.'
'I guess so' she said pushing a strand of blonde hair behind her ear 'but I kinda had you down as more 'Ebeneezer Scrooge' than 'Disney Christmas parade'
'Well Sergeant, it's nice to know what you think of me' he drawled.
'Sorry, but the magic of Christmas? Doesn't really go with your tough guy image' she said dryly.
'But Archer' he protested 'Its Christmas, what's not to love? There's the songs, the food, the gifts, the food, decorating the tree, the food …' he smiled, blue eyes sparkling good humouredly 'You get the picture?'
'The family fights, the exploitation of parents by toy manufacturers, the spending of money you can't afford on people you never see ..' she countered 'need I go on?'
'And you thought I was Ebeneezer Scrooge?' Steve said, rolling his eyes.
She shrugged 'Christmas isn't always magic ya know'.
Steve sighed 'I know, but this one has to be'. He doodled with his pen, not quite meeting her eyes 'It would have been my parent's 50th wedding anniversary this week, so I wanna make sure my Dad has a great Christmas'.
Tanis bit her lip and cursed her inadvertent insensitivity 'Fifty years?' she said 'That's a long time'.
He nodded 'I know and they would have made it too if only …' he paused, looking down at the desk in front of him.
'Hey' Tanis said gently 'You okay?'
He swallowed hard and nodded 'I'm fine'. Then he looked up at her and smiled 'But I won't be if we don't finish on time tonight'.
'Okay' she replied, glad he'd managed to regain his composure 'so what are we waiting for? Lets go Lieutenant, we have a smuggling racket to shut down'.
Steve rolled his eyes 'And the only way we can do that is by catching them exchanging the stolen goods. And that's gonna be tough because …'
'because we don't know exactly where the drop is gonna take place' she supplied before he could say anything further. 'If only Eddie the snitch could have been a little more specific'.
Steve nodded 'but it could be worse, at least we know to check out the warehouses down at the old docks and we know its going down sometime this afternoon'.
'Sure' she said 'but the Eastside or the West?'
'You know' he said thoughtfully, as he pushed himself up from his seat and snagged his jacket from the back of the chair 'We could cover both sides if we split up – you take the west side and I take the east'.
'You sure?' she said, raising an eyebrow in surprise 'the east side is pretty rough – you wanna go in there without backup?'
He looked at her, his trademark lopsided smile in place 'Tanis, I'm a big boy now, I think I can handle it. Besides it's only surveillance'.
She shrugged 'If you say so, but promise me you'll maintain radio contact and first sign of trouble you call for back up'.
He gave her a mock salute 'I promise'.
***
'Boy' Jesse wiped at his forehead with the sleeve of his white coat and simultaneously dodged a gurney that was heading in his direction 'it sure is getting busy around here!'
Mark grimaced sympathetically, looking around the hospital corridor. Everywhere he looked, staff were rushing, moving frantically from one patient to the next. 'It's the season Jess; people get a little crazy during the holidays.' He sighed 'you see it all the time, people fighting to get the last parking spots, just so they can go and fight over the last few gifts that are left in the stores'. He shrugged 'Tempers get frayed and they end up in here'.
Jesse let out a breath 'I guess, but there's plenty of people who are friendlier this time of year, you know, go out of their way to help their fellow man – the spirit of Christmas and all that …'
Mark nodded absently, but Jesse could see that he wasn't really listening. He sighed, there was definitely something wrong and though Steve might deny it, Mark really wasn't himself. The Mark Sloan that he knew and loved always looked for the best in people, not the worst. It was time to talk, and if Steve wasn't gonna do it then he would. He reached out a hand and lightly touched Mark on the shoulder 'How's about we grab a coffee, make the most of the break while we can?'
'Huh?' Mark said, focusing on Jesse as if for the first time.
'I said how about a coffee' Jesse replied gently.
Mark gave himself a shake and then smiled 'That sounds great, let me just drop these medical notes in to Amanda and I'll be right with you'.
'Doctor Travis to Trauma 3 STAT! Doctor Travis to Trauma 3 STAT!'
Jesse sighed, the brief but insistent message from the hospital tannoy system had put paid to any thoughts of coffee and at least for the moment, the opportunity for a heart to heart with Mark. There was nothing he could do, he was an ER doctor and it came with the turf. He turned to Mark, regret in his eyes 'guess we'll take a rain check on that coffee huh?'
'No problem Jess, you go see to your patient' Mark said 'I'll go see how Amanda's doing.'
'Okay' Jesse called back over his shoulder, already hurrying down the corridor, his mind on his potential patient. May be Amanda would have more luck?
***
'So you get anything?' Tanis sighed. Her cell phone was crooked between her ear and right shoulder, as she attempted to retrieve her car key from her pocket. The parking lot was deserted save for her own vehicle – seemed that everyone had gone home for the holidays already.
'Nothing' he said 'You?'
Steve's voice came back to her amidst a rush of static and she rolled her eyes – reception here was terrible.
'Zip' she replied, successfully producing the key and turning it in the lock 'So what now?' She asked.
There was a pause and she was sure she could hear him yawning. 'Hey, you still there?' she prompted, listening hard.
'Yeah, I'm still here' he replied tiredly. He looked irritably at the docks that surrounded him. The old wharf was pretty much deserted, save for a couple of old tramps snoozing in the late afternoon sun and a little girl in a violet, knee length party dress and white socks. She was playing with a stick and hoop, skipping happily along the deserted quayside, humming merrily to herself. Steve frowned. She couldn't have been more than ten. A girl her age shouldn't be out alone in a place like this. Her long blonde hair hung in ringlets down her back and the dress looked old and worn. The toy she was playing with looked cheap and roughly made. He sighed ruefully, from the way she was dressed he guessed the poor kid must be from a family down on their luck. They obviously couldn't afford the latest fashions or the video games, DVD's and other expensive gifts that most kids would be hoping for this Christmas. Still down on their luck or not, there was no excuse for leaving a little girl out on the streets. He groaned. He'd have to look into it. It'd delay him a little, but it was Christmas, he couldn't just leave her.
'So?' Tanis' voice broke him out of his reverie. He could hardly hear her - the reception in this place was terrible.
'So I'm beat' he finally replied 'I must have covered at least 5k and wasted an entire inch of shoe leather'.
She sighed 'I was sure you'd find something, Eddie is usually pretty reliable'.
Steve nodded, although he knew she couldn't see him 'May be somebody tipped them off?' He said meaningfully.
At the other end of the line Tanis raised an eyebrow 'You think Eddie is playing us for mugs, cutting deals on both sides?'
'Uh huh' he replied.
'Just wait til I get my hands on the little weasel' she grimaced
Steve grinned 'Now that is something I'd like to see'.
She smiled 'You and me both'.
'But' he continued 'For now I vote we call it a day. There's nothing more we can do tonight. Go home, wrap presents, put up decorations, drink egg nogg or whatever it is you do this time of year'.
Tanis raised her eyebrows incredulously 'Am I hearing this right? Steve Sloan suggesting we finish early.' She grinned 'Are you feeling alright?'
Steve rolled his eyes 'Very funny Sergeant, now get going before I change my mind'.
'And what about you?' she asked pointedly
'I have a couple of loose ends to tie up and then I'm heading home myself' he promised 'So go'.
She didn't need telling twice 'Merry Christmas Steve' she said
'Merry Christmas Tanis' he replied.
After she'd rung off, he pocketed his cell and took a deep breath. One little girl to sort out and then he could get back to his father's Christmas gift.
***
'Mark!' Amanda called, looking over at the older doctor who was slumped in the chair opposite her desk. 'Mark!' she tried again.
'I'm sorry Amanda, what was that?' he asked absently
'You haven't heard a word I've said have you' she admonished him.
He looked at her sheepishly 'I'm sorry honey, go ahead I'm listening now'.
Putting down the autopsy report she'd been reading from, she moved out from behind the desk and took a chair next to him.
'Mark what's wrong?' she asked gently.
'I'm fine' he said with a weak smile 'Just getting a little absent minded in my old age is all'. He looked at her, sitting up straight 'I promise you have my full attention. Now what was it you were saying about Mrs. Rosenberg?'
Amanda bit her lip, it was now or never. Despite what Steve said, she knew there was something wrong. She had to do it, she'd make her peace with Steve later if necessary, but for now Mark was her priority. Taking a deep breath she put a gentle hand on his arm.
'Mark, Jesse and I are worried about you' she said.
'About me?' he said in surprise 'But I'm fine. Steve's got Christmas off work, you, Jesse and the boys are coming round'. He smiled 'Why on earth are you worried about me?'
She looked at him tenderly 'Mark, fifty years is a long time.'
He looked down at his hands, folded in his lap, and didn't reply. For a dreadful moment Amanda thought she'd made a terrible mistake. And then he spoke.
'You know Katherine loved Christmas' he said, his blue eyes shinning. He smiled to himself 'She used to get such a kick out of watching the kids open their presents, even when they got older'.
Amanda smiled, but didn't interrupt him.
'She would have been so proud of Steve and Carol you know' he said 'Oh, she worried about Steve being a cop, but she'd accepted it – we both did'.
Amanda nodded
'I just wish ….' He began and then paused as a tear began to roll down his cheek.
'I know Mark, I know' she said reaching out and taking his hands.
'I'm sorry Amanda' he said 'I'm just a foolish old man'.
'Shush' she quieted him, giving him a hug 'Nobody expects you to be strong all the time'.
'I don't want Steve to see me like this' he said quietly 'He went through enough upset losing his mother. I wasn't really there for him at the time; I was too lost in my own grief'. He drew back from her embrace and looked at her sadly 'Steve doesn't need to go through that again. I have to be here for him this time, give him the Christmas he deserves'.
Amanda sighed; the two men were so alike, so desperate to protect each other. Despite Steve's apparent bon hommie, she knew he was hurting too. Oh sure he was putting on a good show, and if she didn't know him so well she may have been fooled, but his usual cheeriness and enthusiasm were a little forced this year. She'd seen the sadness in his eyes when he thought no one was looking, and the way he picked at his food unless his father was present.
Father and son were usually so close, if only they could open up, share their grief and help each other through it. At the moment it didn't look likely. They were alone in their memories, each putting on a brave face for the sake of the other. She frowned, there had to be something she could do, but right now she had no idea what.
***
Back at the docks Steve shivered and thrust his hands deeper in his jeans pockets. He wished he'd put on a warm coat, instead of the flimsy suit jacket he'd grabbed that morning. The sun was fading now and with it the residual warmth. Even LA got cold at night in December. He glanced at the little girl. She didn't seem to be feeling the cold as much as he was, but then she'd been running up and down. Her eyes were sparkling and her cheeks were flushed a healthy pink from the exertion.
He approached her slowly. He didn't wanna frighten her, but it'd be dark soon, she had to go home.
'Hey honey' he said with a smile 'It's getting awful late for you to be out here all alone'.
She turned and looked at him, her eyes a brilliant blue 'But I'm having such fun!' she said with a smile
'I can see that sweetie' he said his tone gentle, 'but your parents will be worried. You need to go home now'.
'Do I have to?' she said looking at him sadly 'I like playing here'.
'I know that you do' he replied 'but it's going to be dark soon'. He got out his badge and gave it to her 'See this badge?' he said 'Well that means I'm a police officer and I'd like to take you home. Can you tell me where you live'.
She opened her mouth to reply, but whatever her response Steve never got to hear it. As her eyes widened with horror, a sudden excruciating pain in his left side made him cry out. As he turned, bent double, his breath coming in short gasps, he saw the knife dripping with blood, his blood. The tramps who had been dozing in the sun were now very much awake.
'Time to die cop' one of them said, his eyes glittering evilly.
'Eddie told us you were coming' the other said 'but this was even easier than we thought.
Despite the pain, Steve's mind was working over time. These were no tramps; they were the smugglers he'd been looking for. He'd been set up but good. He was outnumbered, wounded and with no back up. He still had his gun, but would he get a chance to use it? Fighting panic, he clutched his side hoping to staunch the freely flowing blood. He forced himself to think, but the thought that came to mind wasn't a happy one. If they were gonna try and kill him they wouldn't want any witnesses. Glancing quickly at the little girl, he summoned up his strength and launched himself at the two men. In the midst of the blows and punches that reigned down on him, he turned to her and shouted desperately
'Run!'
TO BE CONTINUED ……..
PART TWO COMING SOON!