'Twas the morning of the children's visit.

Cait had told String and Dom to get to the hangar early as they still had presents to wrap and Cait wanted to put the finishing touches to the grotto before the children arrived. They were already there when she got there.

"I have to say Cait, you've done a great job with this grotto." said Dom.

"Thanks Dom, I just need to get the lights on and decorate a chair for Santa to sit on and then it will be done. How's the present wrapping going?"

"Well, I've left it to String to finish, he was getting angry with the sticky tape dispenser." laughed Dom. "that boy can fly the most sophisticated helicopter at mach 1 and outsmart just about anyone but he can't work a tape dispenser."

Dom was roaring with laughter as he headed out into the hangar. Cait thought she had better go and see if String needed a hand.

"Hey, is there anything I can do to help?" said Cait popping her head around the door.

String looked up grumpily.

"Whose idea was it to say we would wrap the presents anyway."

"I don't recall Sister Monica giving us much choice."

Cait so wanted to laugh but knew she had best not. String looked adorable surrounded by bits of wrapping paper and half wrapped presents. He had a parcel bow stuck to his arm and was trying to find the end of the sticky tape.

"I'll swap ya, how about you go and make the coffee and I'll finish the wrapping."

"You're on Cait." said String.

Cait had almost never seen him move so fast. As he passed her in the doorway he gave her a little kiss on the cheek. Cait removed the bow from his arm.

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It was half an hour before the children were due to arrive. Sister Monica had dropped off the Santa costume and Dom had gone to get changed.

"String" shouted Cait. "I'm just going to get changed myself OK, keep an eye out in case the children arrive early."

"Sure Cait."

Dom walked into the hangar in his costume. String had to admit, he made a very fine Santa.

"Hey kid, this feels pretty good you know, I think I am going to enjoy this."

"I figured you would Dom." smiled String.

"I had better go and sit in my grotto so the children don't see me." said Dom.

String watched Dom as he disappeared through the curtain of paper strips that Cait had cut and put across the doorway to the grotto.

"Any sign of them yet Hawke?" asked Cait.

String turned to answer Cait and found himself a bit lost for words. Cait had changed into an elf's costume, which consisted of a short green dress with red stockings and a hat with a pom pom. She finished the look with a pair of heeled ankle boots. Cait hadn't set out to get such a revealing costume, but it was all the shop had left and besides she doubted the kids would mind.

"Cait, you look…."

"Now don't you go teasing me Stringfellow Hawke" interupted Cait waving her finger at him. "it's all for the children, which reminds me….."

Cait walked over to her purse, which was by the side of the desk, so meant leaning over in her short dress. String found himself leaning too, so that he could see more from where he was standing. He wasn't quite quick enough to overt his gaze before Cait turned back towards him and she caught him staring at her. She had reached into her purse for a Santa's hat which she proceeded to put on String's head. She was expecting a battle, but he was surprisingly compliant.

"Hey, you look really cute in that." smiled Cait, standing back to admire her handy work.

String couldn't help but smile back at her. Not half as cute as you look in that elf costume he thought to himself.

The children arrived right on time and each took their turn to see Santa. Cait stood by the door of the grotto to make sure everything went smoothly. She could tell that Dom was having a ball and even String had kept his hat on. He was letting the kids have a sit in the Jet Ranger after they had seen Santa and he found he positioned himself so that he could watch Cait. For some reason he was struggling to take his eyes off her.

Once all the children were safely back on the bus, Sister Monica came back into the hangar to collect the Santa costume that Dom had now reluctantly changed out of.

"Thank you, Dominic, you did a fine job."

"That's OK Sister, I enjoyed myself, hey put me down for next year if you like." said Dom with a big grin.

Cait and String had wandered towards the office and could hear Dom and Sister Monica talking.

"I might just take you up on that. Now, having had all those children tell you what they are hoping to get for Christmas, maybe you would like to tell me what you are hoping for?"

"Me? Oh, well I suppose today has reminded me that I would love to be a Grandpa someday. I know, I know, it's not very likely, but you did ask."

"I'll put in a good word for you Dominic." smiled Sister Monica gathering up the Santa costume "and a Merry Christmas to you."

"And to you Sister, and to you."

"Thank you for your help Cait, Mr Hawke, the children have all had a lovely time."

"I'm pleased Sister and I enjoyed it too." replied Cait.

Cait and String watched the bus go and waved at the children.

"Right, I had better go and get out of this ridiculous outfit and get back to work." said Cait.

Realising this was going to be the last chance he got to admire Cait as an Elf he watched her until she disappeared from view.