Title: Christmas Cheers
Series: Winter Tidings
Author: Jmaria
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Joss and Spelling own all.
Pairing: FFA #200 Lorne/Penny Halliwell
Christmas Cheers
"Well, my dear boy, you certainly look blue." The older brunette woman said softly. "No one should be drinking themselves into such a stupor on Christmas Eve."
"Oh, I don't just limit it to Christmas Eve."
"Yes, I know. You've been drinking since Winifred died and Illyria was reborn." Penny Halliwell smiled at the green demon's shocked expression. "You didn't think I knew about that? My dear boy, I've been dead for a good long time. The dead always know more than the living."
"Really? Then explain to me why a sweet kid like Freddles had to be destroyed?" His angry retort was slurred by the excessive Sea Breezes he'd practically inhaled.
"I said the dead knew more than the living, not that we knew everything. Some things are even a mystery to us."
"Fantabulous." His eyes narrowed bitterly.
"Look, you can drown yourself in cheap drinks or you can go back to fighting the good fight." Penny said coolly.
"I gave up that life - I'm not one of the heroes anymore."
"I'm not asking you to be a hero." Penny smiled as she pulled out a small picture of two little boys. "I'm asking you to be a guide. My great-grandsons need a baby sitter before their mother goes insane. Do you think you're up to the job? It starts tonight if your interested. You can be with a family on Christmas."
Penny slid the picture toward him. It reminded him of when - what did it remind him of? He couldn't quite wrap his mind around it.
"They need you tonight, Lorne. What do you say?"
"Well, a little Christmas song by Barbara comes to mind."
"Good, here's the address." Penny thought for a moment. "Ring the doorbell and be polite. I'll try and foreworn them."
A/N: The song (that I couldn't get lyrics to) is The Best Gift I Ever Got . My mom used to sing it to me when I was little (I'm a December baby)