Author's Note: Chapter 3! This one basically wrote itself, once I started. I seem to be writing a lot of Oliver, all of a sudden, but I'm making up for a lack of him in my previous fics...anyway, I hope you enjoy!

Me: Guess what, Myrnin! It's your turn this time!

Myrnin: My turn for what?

Me: To sing! You get to sing this line!

Myrnin: I do?

Me: Yes! Now hurry, the readers are getting impatient.

Myrnin: Oh, alright...

On the third day of Christmas, the Founder gave to me...three ancient vamps

X

Amelie sighed. Her assistant had just let her know that Oliver was there, and wanted to speak with her immediately. She had no idea what he wanted, but she was highly doubtful this was a simple cordial visit.

The expression on his face when he entered her office enforced her assumption.

She put on her best ice queen expression, and said "Oliver, this is an unexpected surprise. May I ask what you've come to complain about?"

He scowled at her, though his tone wasn't as gruff as it could have been when he asked "Why do you assume I've come here to complain?"

"So you didn't come here to discuss something?" she said sceptically. Oliver almost looked embarrassed.

"Well, as a matter of fact, I did have something I wanted to speak with you about-"

He had barely gotten the words out when Myrnin came busting through the door, looking windswept and panicked. "I need help!" he cried, rushing forward to the front of Amelie's desk. "Amelie, you're a woman, aren't you?"

Amelie scowled at him. "Myrnin, how many times have I said you do not have free rein to come crashing into my private quarters whenever you please? And what on earth do you mean, 'Am I a woman?' I should hope you would know that, after all these years." she said briskly.

"And I was talking with her, can't your mad ramblings wait until I have finished?" snapped Oliver.

Myrnin carried on as though Oliver hadn't spoken. "Of course I'm aware of your gender, it was a rhetorical question. I need a woman's opinion on something."

"If it is on your wardrobe, I'm afraid you're beyond help." said Amelie, sitting down in her chair.

"A blind man could have told you that," muttered Oliver. Myrnin continued to ignore him.

"What? No, why would I want your help with my clothes?" Myrnin asked, his brow furrowed in confusion. "I need help with a gift!"

"Beg pardon?" said Amelie, looking slightly surprised. "Are you actually going to ask what I want for Christmas this year, instead of giving me some atrocious item I do not need?"

Myrnin sat down and waved his hand in a dismissal manner. "No no, I've already gotten your gift. It's Claire's I need help with."

"You came crashing in here as though you were being chased by an angry mob with stakes and torches, just to ask her that?" Oliver demanded incredulously.

Myrnin frowned at him. "When did you get here?" he asked. "And I'm trying to talk to Amelie, don't interrupt."

Oliver glared furiously at him and opened his mouth to snap something when Amelie interrupted him. "You're asking me for help with a present for Claire?" she asked. "I thought she was angry with you?"

"Oh, she got over that days ago. And yes, that's what I'm asking. You're a woman, what do you suggest?" said Myrnin.

"Excuse me, but are you really going to help this fool with his petty problem?" snapped Oliver. Amelie gave a graceful shrug of her shoulders.

"Not that it's any of your business, but he won't leave me in peace until I do." She turned back to Myrnin. "I'm sure you know her better than I, Myrnin. What do you think she would want?"

Myrnin ran his fingers through his hair. "If I knew that, do you really think I would have come all the way here and asked you?" he said, agitated.

Oliver threw his hands in the air, then sat down in one of the vacant chairs, muttering to himself.

Amelie rolled her eyes, still making the gesture look lady-like, and said "Perhaps you should get her a nice book. I'm under the impression she enjoys them."

Myrnin shook his head. "That's what I gave her for her birthday, and she reads in the lab all the time. I would rather the gift be something a little less...mundane."

"Then perhaps something that would be of use to her?" suggested Amelie.

"Such as?" Myrnin asked.

Oliver sighed loudly. The other two vampires ignored him.

"I suppose money is always an acceptable gift, if pressed." said Amelie.

"Yes, but that seems rather impersonal. I was hoping for something a little more...thoughtful." said Myrnin carefully. Oliver rolled his eyes.

Amelie raised her eyebrows. "Are you, now?" she said as Myrnin colored slightly. "And yet you come to ask me for help?" Myrnin scowled at her. She smiled and shook her head, chuckling lightly. "How about some perfume, then?" Myrnin wrinkled his nose.

"Without knowing how it will react with her body chemistry? I think not, I'm the one who has to be cooped up in the lab with her if it smells unpleasant." he said. "Perhaps I should get her a coat? She complains it gets cold in the lab some days..."

Both Amelie and Oliver looked alarmed at that. "No, no clothes." said Amelie hastily. "How about a sweet of some sort?"

"She does like donuts, but I get those all the time."

"What about chocolate?"

"Certainly, why don't I get her flowers, as well?" said Myrnin sarcastically.

"Why not? That would be thoughtful, and you seem to be trying to get her attention, that would certainly work." said Amelie crossly, with a heavy dose of sarcasm herself. Myrnin sat up straight in his chair, a touch of anger in his posture. "Just what are your intentions, Myrnin? You've never cared about the horrible gifts you give before."

"I'm just trying to be nice! And I have no idea what you're talking about, I have given you wonderful gifts, it's not my fault you already have everything." Myrnin said with a huff. "And you're not the least bit helpful. I have no idea why I talk to you."

"Perhaps because you have no one else to ask, with the exception of Claire. Why don't you ask her for advice on what to get me? She'd do better than anything you could possibly come up with." said Amelie pointedly.

"Why do you keep bringing that up? I told you I already have your present, and that doesn't help me with Claire!"

"And I told you to get her something useful, or some nice perfume, you're the one not listening." sighed Amelie. Myrnin shook his head violently. "She smells fine, and I don't know what she would find useful-"

"Just get her some jewelry!" Oliver shouted in frustration. The other two vampires stared at him.

"You're still here?" Myrnin asked in surprise. "Wait, what did you say?"

Oliver growled. "Just get her jewelry! Something shiny and preferably expensive looking. It has worked on women for centuries, and as far as I can tell, it hasn't changed." said Oliver, throwing his hands in the air. "Just get her a necklace or something of the sort, and for the love of God, don't pick anything silver." Myrnin and Amelie gazed at him for a minute, before Myrnin started nodding slowly, his face brightening.

"Yes...yes, that could work! Why didn't I think of that before?" he said, jumping out of his chair. "Yes, that's what I'll get her. I'll be off, then." And without another word, he was out the door.

Oliver scowled at the door after him, muttering "Finally, the infantile fool." He turned back to Amelie, who was staring at him with an eyebrow raised.

"Been working on women for centuries, has it?" she asked.

He shrugged. "I speak from experience."

She smiled slightly, then said "So what was so important, that you wished to speak with me?"

He scowled at her again, then sighed. "Did you know that the director for the theater production made an announcement today?"

Amelie smiled suddenly, knowing what this was about. "Why, yes, I was aware. It was my idea. I thought it would help embody the spirit of the season." said Amelie pleasantly. Actually, it had been Claire's idea, but Amelie had found it amusing, and it had seemed like a pleasant thing to do.

Oliver's face became a neutral mask. "Are you also aware that I was expected to participate, and also drew a name out of the hat?" he asked.

Amelie smiled with delight. "Why, yes, I would assume so. That would be the right thing to do." she said, smiling wider. Oliver dropped the mask. "So, Oliver, who's Secret Santa are you?" she asked. Oliver glared at her, then dropped a piece of paper on her desk.

It read Claire Danvers.

Amelie looked up from the paper and asked "Do you need gift ideas?"

He stood up and stomped out, leaving the paper behind. She would have to badger him on this, now that she knew it annoyed him. She shook her head and smiled to herself. Old friends always managed to surprise her.

X

Two nosy boys

And a play I hope no one will see!

Myrnin: That was fun! I do enjoy singing. Can I do it again in French?

Me: Uh, yeah, sure, whatever you want.

Myrnin: Goody! (Begins singing in French)

Me: Er, anyway, next chapter: The Bosses and Boyfriends! (If you don't know what the means, just go read and see!)

AN: And there you go! Once again, I'd like to apologize for any mistakes (spelling, grammar, or otherwise), and hope it doesn't distract any from the story!

My song recommendation for this chapter is: 'Carol of the Bells' (Once again, any version, though I think the Trans-Siberian Orchestra does a rocking version) I couldn't help but picture this playing as Myrnin ran through the streets in a panic, trying to figure out what to get, heh.

Please read and review, it's what keeps me going!

Edit (December 2014): Just some general cleanup, mostly sentence structure and punctuation errors. Not much done on this chapter, really.