Heart of Christmas... Chapter 2

Tarzan awoke at dawn and lay staring at the ceiling of the atrium. He lay on a king size futon that was positioned in the corner by the windows so he could see the night sky. Tarzan stood and stretched his nude body to release his muecles, then he bent and reached for the thing his Aunt called " sleep pants". He liked the feel of the soft material against his skin ,but not when he slept. He wandered to the closed french doors and looked outside, but he really did not see anything that was out there... his mind saw JANE. He had not touched her in several days and he longed to feel her skin beneath his hand and to feel the touch of her mouth on his. But he was no longer sure that Jane wanted him. In the Jungle he knew what to do. He protected the females no matter the pain or anguish he suffered because of it. Jane did not want him to protect her. She was not his, she had told him so.

A maid brought him a breakfast cart and he smiled his thanks, but the food sat there and grew cold. Opening the french doors, Tarzan walked outside to the patio wall. His Aunt had been up here with him last night and told him about "Christmas". Today was Christmas Eve, But Tarzan did not understand. Santa Claus, presents, christmas trees, a Christ child. None of if made much sense. He did like the Christmas lights. Last night after the household had gone to sleep. Tarzan had traveled the rooftops to Jane's apartment, stopping several times along the way to stare at the lights. He has watched outside her apartment till he saw her lights go off and he knew she was safe. Then he had returned to the atrium. Jane did not want him to protect her, but it was all he knew how to doA cold wind blew his hair back from a face that was sad and haunted. He stood there till his feet started to ache from the cold. His eyes darkened when he finally made his decision, his teeth clenched and his jaw set . A deternined look came to his face, much like the look on Jane's face that night in the alley. He went quickly back into the atrium, pulled on a Statue of Liberty T shirt and a pair of pants his aunt had bought, then he reached under his mattress and retrieved something before returning to the patio and climbing to the roof.

Nikki sat on her bed, looking at her closet, trying to decide what to wear for Christmas Eve. Tonight would just be her and Jane , but tomorrow they had been invited to the Clayton mansion for Christmas day . Nikki wanted something new , but Jane had been too busy to take her shopping and she had NOTHING to wear.

Tap tap tap... Nikki spun her head and saw John on the window sill. She felt really glad to see him. Nikki had been afraid that something was wrong between John and Jane. She had not heard the bedpost hitting the wall the last couple of nights and Jane was walking around looking like someone shot her puppy.

Nikki had trouble with the window until John balanced on his toes and helped her open it.

"Hey John, long time, no hear' Nikki laughed at her private joke

" Huh?" John grunted at her , a confused look on his face.

" I will explain it to you sometime" Nikki said as Tarzan jumped into the room " why are you here ?"

Smiling a quirky half smile at Nikki, Tarzan held up a credit card , John Clayton Jr was stamped in the plastic

" I need help Nikki, will you help me ?"

" I will be glad to help you John, as long as there is more that $25.00 available on that card" Nikki chirped

" My Aunt said this is "unlimited", is that what you mean Nikki ?" Tarzan asked

Eyes wide and a big grin on her face, Nikki reached for her coat. " John, if that is a unlimited credit card in your hand then I will be glad to help you !" Nikki exclaimed as she pulled John away from the window. She would be glad to help but only if they were taking a Taxi... NOT the Tarzan express by way of the roof !

Tarzan enjoyed his time with Nikki. He explained what he wanted to do while they were in the cab and Nikki chimed in with several good ideas of her own. They spent the afternoon at the mall, which was way more time than Tarzan wanted to be there. He was ready to pick Nikki up and carry her out bodily when she said...

" we really need to do something about you"

" whats wrong with me?" Tarzan asked looking down at his tshirt and pants.

Nikki did not answer, but pulled him into the nearest mens store. Nikki was amazed that he let her take him in there.

She was also amazed at his generosity. Before they left the mall, she had a new outfit for Christmas day and new jeans and a new sweater for tonight. And not from Penny's either, but from The Buckle ! Tarzan had never asked the cost of a item or blinked a eye. He simply told her to pick out what she wanted and not to worry. With each purchase, he handed the clerk the credit card and smiled cause Nikki was so happy, then he carefully signed his name, and smiled again over his accomplishment.

The last interesting thing the mall held for Tarzan was a food court. He decided he needed a snack, which for him was 2 cheeseburgers, a huge slice of pizza and a order of breadsticks, and a plate of chinese food with lots of water to drink. Nikki had nachos and cheese and a coke. As they ate, they talked. Tarzan found himself telling Nikki about Jane. Nikki knew all about his life in the jungle, he had always allowed her to ask whatever she wanted to about it.

" In school, we were taught that apes have a leader called a "alpha male", you were that leader for your family, right ?"

" yes" was all Tarzan responded

" I think Jane is a alpha female. She has always been responsible for me. Even mom and dad depended on her in some way. She has always had to be strong" Nikki stared at John, she wanted him to understand so badly. She loved her sister and knew her sister loved this man. Tarzan sat and stared at the remnants of his meal. Nikki had no idea if he understaood what she was saying, or not. He made no comment.

Nikki and Tarzan were quiet on the taxi ride back to Jane's apartment. He helped Nikki get her packages to her room then hugged her and thanked her for helping him. Then Tarzan did something he had never done before. He took a taxi home.

Jane opened the door to a quiet apartment and wondered where the noise was. Nikki usually started begging to open just one present. " NIK!" Jane yelled as she walked towards Nikki's room. A yellow slip of paper was taped to Nikki;s door. All it said was " I'm at the Clayton Mansion"

Jane stood for several minutes , the crumpled note in her hand. She knew they were invited to the Clayton masion tomorrow but what was Nikki doing there now. Suddenly a mass of nerves, Jane headed to her bathroom. She showered , grabbed jeans and her new sweater and slammed out the door.

Jane stood for a few seconds in front of the mansion... Tarzan was inside and she had no clue what to say to him but she was going to take Sam's advice and talk to the man. With a determined stride she closed the distance between herself and the huge front door and pushed the buzzer. Seconds later, a maid opened the door.

" Nikki..." Jane started, but stopped when the maid simply pointed upstairs.

Slowly Jane walked up the curved staircase, her heart starting to pound. "How bad can it be if Nikki is up here too?" Jane thought to herself. " Nikki always makes Tarzan laugh, she will break the ice"

clack, clack..Janes shoes hit the tile outside the atrium, then she opened the double doors

Eyes wide with shock, Jane stood in the doorway. amazed, she walked farther into the room.

The whole atrium was alight with thousands of twinkling white christmas lights. Every branch, every bush, every leaf held a light. The room seem to glow. Everywhere she looked there was a tiny light. Never had she seen anything as beautiful...

Until Tarzan stepped from between the leaves, to stand in front of her...