AN: This is set the Christmas after Every End is a Beginning concludes, but will make sense even if you haven't read it.

MACGYVER'S RESIDENCE

LA

Mac shot Riley a thumbs-up as he finished stringing up the last of the Christmas lights along the front of his house. He stepped down off the ladder as Riley grinned and ran the code that she'd just finished (quick and easy, but definitely awesome, even if she said so herself) on her laptop. Mac took a step back to admire their handiwork and grinned as the lights blinked in a very definite pattern.

Riley had coded the lights to flash messages like Merry Christmas, Get Your Jingle Bells On and Stop Here, Santa! in Morse code.

Most people won't get it.

They'll just see the pretty flashing lights and enjoy the show.

But I know one guy who'll be able to read this like a book…and I know Riley knows that.

It goes without saying that she knows that guy too.

Mac's grin widened a little, and he shot Riley a double-thumbs up as the hacker grinned proudly.

It also goes without saying that she probably had him in mind when she wrote that program.

Mac stepped closer to where Riley was perched and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, a gesture she returned, as they both grinned and watched the Morse-code Christmas lights.

Jack's going to love this.

After dinner, they all went out front to admire Mac and Riley's light display on the front of the house in the dark, and the light show's creators watched as Jack gazed up at the lights for a whole cycle of the Morse code flashes, before reaching out and putting an arm around each of them.

'Love what you did with the lights. It's classy and dignified and intimate in the sense that, you know, most people won't get it and all…' Jack made a face, seeming to realize that he was rambling slightly nonsensically. 'I'm gonna stop talking now.' He gestured at the lights again and smiled very fondly at both of them, squeezing their shoulders a little tighter. 'I love the lights.'

Mac raised an eyebrow at his partner, though he too was smiling affectionately.

'You, stop talking?'

Riley snorted, and squeezing Jack back just as tightly, leaned over him to stage-whisper to Mac.

'I think Matty did spike that egg nog…'

Jack did sound a little drunk. The older man nodded wryly, the nod also looking a little drunken.

'If you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth…'

Mac and Riley exchanged another glance. Riley spoke, her voice reflecting their mutual surprise.

'Did Jack just quote Sherlock Holmes?'

Mac shook his head at Jack, equal parts long-suffering exasperation and deep affection, love.

'Matty spiking your egg nog was not an improbable event, Jack, though the spirit of the quote is certainly appropriate…'

AN: #AccidentalKidAcquisition #ExceptThey'reNotActuallyKids #ButTheyMakePinkiePromises #AndPlayTruthOrDare

Tomorrow's ficlet: 'Hey, Patty. Don't tell me you've got a last-minute assignment for me…'

Again, this one is probably also obvious…