A/N: This is another little short story set further down the timeline started in Cells and Serpents. Started out as a one shot, ended up with three chapters! I wasn't planning on writing an X'mas fic, but I've read too many great ones lately to not be inspired shakes metaphorical fist at Cynlee & co… "how can ya write stuff so good it keeps me awake at night with the giggles?. Anyway in an attempt to bring back some balance, here's my little piece of mush.
Disclaimer: I don't own the TMNT, or any related characters (much to their relief, I'm sure!) If there is anything else in this story you recognise from somewhere else, then I don't own that either.
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The lair was abuzz with peaceful activity. Don was suspended from the ceiling, putting the finishing touches to the lights he had rigged up. They encompassed most of the large main room, making the centrepiece of the tree look as if it was stood within a starburst. Leo and Casey were helping, though this mainly consisted of Leo trying desperately to stop Casey from wrecking the display, without letting Casey know his efforts were being hampered.
April and Splinter were busy in the kitchen, the delicious aromas of fruit mince, and warm chocolate battling for dominance as they prepared the treats that would hopefully last the week until Christmas Day. Plans had been made to secretly store a stash of the confection with Leatherhead until the Christmas Party. If the boys did discover the plot with any luck not even Mike would attempt to cross the huge mutant in order to get to the prize.
Tausha was sat at the dinning table amid a clutter of coloured paper and small treats, busy with glue and scissors making bon bons for the tree. She was enjoying the classical versions of carols playing softly in the background, and the rare moment of peace.
The elevator door opened launching a small, ridiculously over wrapped missile that shot straight into Tausha's lap. "Mum! Mum! Mum! I seen Santa! E's big an' red an' hairy AN' I got lollies! LOOK!" Tausha absently pulled back the large red beanie that had fallen forward over Ben's eyes as she peered into his slightly un-cupped mitten. Sure enough there were two small red and green lollipops hidden there, although the sticky residue that liberally coated the wool was testament to at least one that hadn't made the trip all the way home. She couldn't help returning his infectious grin as wide eyed he clutched his treasure back to his chest.
Suddenly Ben's face crumpled to a look of such serious concern it was heartbreakingly comical. "Dad said Santa's not real, 'e is…, isn't 'e?" Before she could answer the elevator doors opened again, this time releasing a heated argument as Raph and Mike lugged in a huge load of shopping bags. "He's just a kid, Raph. It's not gonna hurt 'im to believe." "Mike, when you got kids o' yer own you c'n feed them any bullshit ya want. But 'Santa' is a crock o' crap, an' I'm not gonna lie to my son like that." Raph emphasised his point by dumping his load on the table with a growl.
"HEY! Watch it ya lug!" Tausha objected to her workspace and materials being crushed. The dark look she shot Raph was enough to make him lift the bags and place them on the floor next to Mike's with a mumbled apology. "Tau, tell this idiot that Santa does exist will ya? He might actually listen to you." grumped Mike, the same appeal reflected in Ben's eyes as he looked up at her. "If she were that stupid I'd never have gotten t'gether with her in the first place." Raph turned to address his partner. "Will ya explain to this bonehead that it's impossible for Santa to be real?"
Tausha stood, swinging Ben onto her side to carry him one handed. Her face held no emotion, and she didn't meet anyone's eyes. Slowly she circled the table, thoughtfully tapping her chin as she approached the two. Raph was already smirking. He knew Tausha didn't buy into this crap and he suspected Mike was gonna get ripped for trying to push it on their son. Finally his brother might get his comeuppance for the jolly hell he put everyone through each year.
So sure was he of this prediction that the solid smack on the upside of his head didn't fully register until his fedora hit the bags at his feet. He glared murderously at Mike, then realising he was stood directly opposite, out of arms reach across the mountain of plastic between them turned to Tausha with an incredulous look. "WHAT THE BLOODY HELL DID YA DO THAT FOR?" echoed round the lair. Her expression hadn't changed; she stood frustratingly calm and relaxed in the face of his anger. "Of course Santa exists." She stated plainly, as if it were the most unquestionable truth in the world.
"WHAT!" Raph couldn't think of anything else to say. He stood ridged, hands clenching, his face almost blending with his bandana. Glaring round he spotted Mike trying to suppress a giggle behind his hand whilst taking a step back, the rest of the family paused to watch the scene with a mixture of shock and awe. Except for Tausha, she ignored him completely, turning to the little turtle in her arms with a sickeningly sweet smile as he joggled up and down with excitement. "Really! Dad said you'd know!"
That tore it. With a raucous growl Raph stormed through the lair, kicking at boxes that luckily had been emptied of ornaments on his way. He muttered savage curses condemning a certain jolly fat man and all things related to various levels of hell as he tromped up the stairs. The whole performance ended with his bedroom door slamming like a gunshot. Tausha didn't even flinch.
"Whoa!" exclaimed Mike with admiration. "That was awesome, but you're in the shit now. Hehehe." He was shocked at the dirty look she gave him after the placid way she'd faced off his brother. "What?" He shrugged defensively. She rolled her eyes before shaking her head resignedly "How many times do I have to remind you lot about language? And would you care to explain to me why you let my son anywhere near a stranger?" Mike found himself trapped with his back to the table as she advanced on him with an evil glare.
"It wasn't a stranger, it was Santa. Right Ben?" Mike started warding her off with his hands. One eyebrow shot up her forehead as she ignored the vigorously nodding child. Her expression made it quite clear he was at risk of serious bodily harm if he didn't answer her query to her satisfaction, and quick smart.
"Look, it was just some Christmas party in the Park. There were tons of kids mobbing round so no one noticed him…" In a blink Mike found himself bent backwards over the table, Tausha face so close to his all he could see were her dangerously glinting eyes. "Eeep!" "You let him go up alone?" she hissed. "No! No, I was holdin' his hand the whole time. Think that's why he got a few extra sweets, he was so shy an' scared." "No scared." pouted Ben. Tausha wrapped her spare arm round to cuddle him closer as she returned a little of Mikes' personal space, though her glare was still as fierce.
"You were holding his hand? So where was Raph?" "He'd ducked off to grab something else, didn't wanna tell me what. Think it might have been something for you." She scowled in response to his wheedling. "If it makes ya feel any better, he already clocked me one when he found out." Mike rubbed his shoulder briefly, his puppy-dog eyes begging for sympathy. It seemed to work as Tausha visibly relaxed and released him from her glare. Mike sighed with relief before she swiftly punched him solidly on the same spot he'd just nursed.
"Oowwww!" Mike grimaced, turning to shield the offended limb from further attack as he started to gently rub it again. Tausha guessed rightly that he'd been telling the truth about Raphs' punishment. Despite the thick jacket he wore Mike was gonna be sporting a nice bruise for the next couple of days. "Just don't let it happen again." The point emphasised by her finger jutting within an inch of his nose. "OK, Ok." Mike promised. Stepping back Tausha gave him a brief lopsided grin. "Or at least, wait until I'm there to see it."