A/N: So sholio's having a "Happy Distracting Comment Fest" over on Dreamwidth, and st_aurafina posted several POI prompts that caught my eye. This collection may eventually expand beyond my fills for those prompts, but here it is for now; each ficlet stands alone.

The title for the collection, btw, is from a series of Compaq ads from the mid-'80s starring John Cleese.

Prompt: Ice-skating date. Everybody Lives AU. Title from "Christmastime Is Here" by the Vince Guaraldi Trio.

Olden Times and Ancient Rhymes

December 2015

"We're here, Finch," John called as he reached the entrance to the park with Det. Carter by his side. "Where's the number?"

"I'm not sure," Harold admitted. "Ms. Shaw is checking the other side of the park, but he may be on the ice already. It might be wise for the two of you to join the skaters in case the threat is there."

John balked slightly, but Det. Carter, shooting Harold a knowing look, said, "C'mon, John. We can get across the ice faster if we've already got skates on, and we'll look less suspicious that way, too."

John looked suspiciously at both of them but then huffed and smiled. "Okay."

The three of them made their way through the festive crowd to the brightly-lit skating rink, where John rented skates for himself and Det. Carter and Harold found a bench with a good view from which to watch. It wasn't long before his friends joined the other couples circulating on the ice, with the occasional bobble as they got their feet under them. And it didn't take many laps before Harold could hear not only Joss' laughter but also—oh, rarest of treasures—John's free, delighted laughter as well.

Harold's attention was drawn away from them by a steaming cup of cocoa being pressed into his hands as the one person who could make the evening perfect sat down beside him with a smile. His own smile broadened, and he leaned against her slightly in thanks.

"There isn't a number, is there?" Grace asked.

"Oh, there is," Harold replied, marveling anew that she had accepted the truth with such an abundance of the virtue for which she was named. "Ms. Groves and Ms. Shaw are handling it. I just thought... after everything..." He looked out to where John and Joss were spinning each other around and grinning at each other with shining eyes. "They deserve this."

Grace nodded thoughtfully. "Yes. Yes, they do."

They sat and watched and drank their cocoa while John and Joss all but danced on the ice for the better part of an hour until Ms. Shaw reported that the threat had been neutralized. John and Joss spoke to each other for a moment and finished their current lap before stopping at the exit nearest to Harold and Grace, but before they left the ice, John paused and kissed Joss, and she kissed him back.

"Do you have dinner plans?" Grace asked.

"Reservation for four at the Grand," Harold answered, giving her a sidelong look.

"Sounds perfect." She grinned and kissed him.

"Only for four?" Ms. Shaw asked in his ear.

"Good night, Ms. Shaw," Harold replied, shut off his earwig, and kissed Grace back.