"Christmas Eve Emergency"
Summary: Harm didn't plan to brave mall traffic on Christmas Eve.
Note: If this story were in real time (ignoring everything from Hail and Farewell forward), Mattie would be 16 and therefore have her driver's licence. Thank you's go out to my wonderful reviewers for the past few chapters: hermiine, Navy Babe, KJFlygirl87, littlemaccyd, bloodredcherry, and starryeyes10. Merry Christmas to all (including all of you lurkers)!
Disclaimer: Harm, Mac, etc. are not mine, so don't sue me because I have an imagination and too much free time.
Written 24 December 2004
Harm pulled up to the mall entrance and waited. A minute later, two warmly bundled figures dashed out into the slushy parking lot. He followed them at a safe distance until they stopped in front of an SUV, their breath coming out in puffs. Bringing his Corvette to a halt, he rolled down his window.
"Remind me again why I had to come out here in the snow?" he asked the two shoppers.
"Because you had some last-minute presents to buy?" Mattie suggested, peeking out from under her hat.
"No, I distinctly remember telling you all that I was done with my Christmas shopping and was looking forward to spending the day at home where it was nice and warm."
"Harm, can you just unlock the car?" Jen pleaded, "I can't feel my toes anymore."
"You girls owe me," Harm told them as he pushed a button on the keyless entry remote for the Lexus.