First off I own NOTHING, and don't claim to- Constantine and Hellblazer belong to their prospective companies. I make NO money off this once so ever. I'm just writing this story for fun and nothing else.

It's finally here- Chapter 3! SOOO sorry to keep you waiting but I kind of have more things going on right now. OK, in this chapter I will introduce the character of Ron, who you may or may not know is based off another Ron (no- not from "harry potter"). This is probably the longest chapter in the story, but please read it. As always read and review. :)

Chapter three: Chinese food and Korean beach houses

"Well, we can't just mope around here." Chas said after a few moments of thought. This whole night was turning extremely surreal. He hardly believed what happened ten minutes earlier. Any other year their Christmas Eve routine was to enjoy a light meal before their church's midnight mass, followed by larger meal either at their apartment, or a fellow church member's, complete with singing, chatting and a few more gifts. They stood in silence for a few moments, before Chas suddenly rushed back inside the apartment. Ariela was so lost in her own thoughts that it was only when she heard a door close that she found out what happened. She went to follow him when as soon as she took two steps, he came back out the door, followed closely by his mother, who looked quite puzzled.

"Chas! What are you doing?"

"We're going out." Chas said simply, jangling his car keys in the air.

"Chas, leaving your Father behind…" Helen said in protest.

"Yeah Mom, I know leaving him there looks bad, but I can't stick around here doing nothing while dad broods and you two are miserable." Chas said. "I know you don't think it's mature to just up and leave, but we've got some major time to kill before midnight…" Chas said, as he rambled on, saying anything that popped into his head he could use to justify himself.

"Ariela, how much money do you have?" Helen asked Ariela, ignoring her son's ramblings. Ariela furrowed her brow, not knowing whether she meant "How much money do you have in your bank account?" Or "How much do you have on you?" "I mean on you." Helen answered before the teenager could even ask the question. Ariela, laughed a bit nervously, not knowing what to say. Truth be told, she had more money at her disposal than she could probably spend in one night.

"Enough." she said with a coy grin. Being the daughter of a doctor who hated gaudy living and a thrifty artist left a lot of play money for times such as this.

"Great!" Chas said, scanning his own wallet for cash. When he counted twenty dollars, he snapped it shut and jingled his keys again. "Ariela, call your folks to tell them you're 86ing the party, and Neela, ya know, if she wants to come too she can. We're having fun tonight if it kills me." Helen chuckled and Ariela looked over at Helen for approval, who briefly nodded. At that, Ariela opened her cell phone; she had some calls to make.

-----

It took a good half an hour for Ariela to explain what was happening to her parents, but it was too late for them to say no, as the three of them were already in the Chas's car, heading to Neela's, then for a night out. Where they would go on Christmas Eve, they didn't know, but they didn't really care. She knew her folks were disappointed, but knew she would make up for her absence tomorrow. She had attended the Ravenscar Hospital's Christmas party for years and years; ditching the evening one time wouldn't hurt. She had no idea how Neela got out of her obligation but she was waiting outside the house when they pulled up to her house. She lived in a suburb about twenty minutes from where Chas lived. When she entered the car, she was dressed in a festive, but casual outfit, just a red blouse, and black slacks, with a bag. She took one look at Ariela, and scoffed.

"Oh, Air, where are we going to go with you all gussied up like that?" she asked fiddling with a section of Ariela's once exquisitely coifed hair. Chas heard her remark and looked back at her in the rearview mirror. He winced, and wondered if they had bitten off a little more than they could chew.

"Neela, please." Ariela said, not in the mood for formalities.

"It will be alright. Just give me a minute." Neela said as she exited the car just about as fast as she entered. Chas looked back at Ariela for an explanation.

"Clothes run." Ariela said in with an apologetic smile. Chas let out a relieved sigh. At least Neela knew how to make an awkward situation a little less awkward. Within minutes Neela carried a bag filled with various items.

"So…I've got clothes for just about any scenario. Now where are we going?" Neela said, settling in next to Ariela. One advantage of being a similar height and weight was being able to borrow clothes on a moment's notice.

"I think I know a place we could go and get killer takeout." Chas said hopefully, grinning at the sudden surge of an adventure as he revved up the engine. He grinned in his mom direction, which rested her head in her hand, her elbow propped up against the car door. She flashed him a warm smile, one of those "oh, that's my boy" types, and he quickly looked away, as it almost brought a lump to his throat. Suddenly the thought of crying again in front of Ariela embarrassed him. So he revved up the engine, and proceeded to a place he knew would be open. Ariela also made him aware of a friend she knew who owned a stretch of privately owned ocean front property, and owed her a favor.

"Well, Fa, ra, ra, ra to us!" Neela said trying her best to sound light-hearted. The situation was a tainted one. To act carefree while her friends were in pain, was a challenge, but one she wanted to face head on. It was a severing of something so sacred, it left everyone feeling frayed at the edges. They had to find a way to stand in spite of the pain.

Just as he predicted the Chinese place was open with it's glowing red lanterns, and Asian décor with reds, and gold, looked Christmas-like in a awkwardly foreign way but it would have to do. The owner Ming Chen, a middle aged man, recognized Chas's car and walked up to them as they parked in the side lot.

"Hello, Chas," he said, glad but wisely knowing that anyone coming to his restaurant, as good as the food was, on Christmas, had to be having a bad night. That's why he kept the restaurant open on Christmas Eve, as his name Ming Chen meant "bright dawn" he wanted to provide a friendly place in a unfriendly city.

" 'Sup Mr. Chen?" Chas asked giving him a head nod, and bowed from his waist. Mr. Chen was a kind man, but a bit old-school and he'd learned the hard way to bow as a greeting.

"I should ask you that question." Mr. Chen said scanning everyone's faces as they all greeted him with a bow. He then went back on his word, as he saw the blond girl's tear streaked face, and proceeded to get them ready to order. He made sure to turn the small restaurant's radio to a station playing Christmas carols. He had a nagging feeling that given the groups unmatched attire, and weary eyes that they needed the "Christmas spirit".

Ariela scanned the menu; suddenly feeling famished, and found herself trying to choose between two choices. Chas looked over at her, and noticed her dilemma.

"Want some help, Air?" Chas asked, while munching on some shrimp chips Mr. Chen had placed in a bowl in front of him.

"I'm just choosing between a few things." Ariela said, leaning the menu into Chas view. It wasn't enough, so Chas leaned in further. So close she thought she could feel the heat from his body. "Silly girl, you shouldn't be so nervous, the night has been bad enough. Relax, Ariela. He's just helping you." she thought to herself. Despite her best efforts she felt her palms moisten, and her heart begin to beat faster, making her wipe her brow that was beginning to dampen as well. With that movement she discarded the feeling that had well up before. The feeling that said she wanted him closer, that she wanted to have him hold her hand, and make the ache in her heart go away. To let her know he was going to be alright, and that she too would not leave him with scars on his heart.

"You alright Air?" Neela asked from beside her.

"Oh, yeah, Neela, just a little dehydrated I think, all the walking I guess." Ariela said, more trying to convince herself, than Neela. Her friend simply caressed her arm briefly, and went back to looking at the menu.

"Mr. Chen, can we get some water over here please?" Chas asked. He didn't care that his care embarrassed Ariela, who would probably later tell him that his actions embarrassed her. He'd rather error in care than in some macho, nonchalant attitude. Mr. Chen then quickly poured a glass of water, and handed her an almond cookie.

"I thought you should have a cookie." Mr. Chen said smiling slightly. Ariela nodded her thanks, and took a bite of the cookie, then a long swig of the water, and did in fact feel a bit better.

"Soo, you know what you want?" Chas asked again once a few minutes passed.

"I think so, I'm choosing between a few things…" Ariela said flipping the menu over, her eyes darting over prices, portions and items.

"I think I know what you want." Chas remarked.

"Ohh, you do, do you?" Ariela asked suddenly intrigued.

"Yeah, my guess is that you're choosing whether to go for what you really like which is something like a quart of lo mien, when you will order something like the steamed chicken and vegetables."

"Why do you think that?" Ariela said pasting her best poker face on. She wasn't going to give him any hints.

"Well, because you, while you are healthy, of course and want to keep your figure, you think it would be wrong for you to indulge in the lo mien, but you secretly want the lo mien, because it's so different from what you normally eat at home. Am I right?" Chas said, searching her face for any signs. She wasn't giving any, until she sighed. He grinned, and looked at Mr. Chen.

"So I think that's a pint of lo mien for Ariela." Chas said. Ariela elbowed him, but nodded her head in agreement. Chas laughed and made a gesture of victory.

"So…chicken, pork, or shrimp?" he asked with an impish grin painted on his face.

"Chicken, I'm from a Jewish family, remember?"

"Hey, that's not fair, you're from a Messianic Jewish family, and your mom's a Gentile. Plus you don't eat kosher all the time." Neela said, speaking up.

"But it's a holiday."

"Alright Airy. Touché." Chas declared at last throwing his hands up in the air in mock surrender. "Have to admit I was pretty good, huh?" Chas whispered as the others made their orders. He thought he saw her smile, and it would have to be enough for now.

The group ordered their desired food to go, but before they left they heard a stir of commotion in the kitchen. Ariela, being curious peered into the kitchen to see what the matter was.

"Is everything all right back there?" Chas called suddenly from behind her, which made Ariela jump in surprise. They heard someone speaking in quite irritated Mandarin. It was a few moments before they saw Mr. Chen and who they presumed was his wife/cook holding up a Peking duck. Mr. Chen explained that last minute a customer canceled their order, and they were left with a large Peking duck, ready but with no place to go. Ariela then pulled Mr. Chen aside and discussed the remedy.

Chas meanwhile, went back to the front table to wait with Neela and his mother.

"I hope she's not doing what I think she's doing." Helen said, shaking her head. When Ariela came back out Mr. Chen was following her, with the Peking duck.

"Calm down, it's for Ronnie's family anyway, in exchange for using their beach."

"Whoa, Ronnie, as in Ron from my school?" Chas asked.

"Yeah, you know him." Ariela said with a knowing look. She secretly knew that Ron and Chas had been forbidden to see one another after an indecent involving some strange smelling smoke billowing out of Ron's room one visit.

"Yeah, I do." Chas said as he went to pay his part of the bill.

"It's taken care of Chas." Ariela said as she carried her things to the car. Chas sighed, and snapped his wallet shut.

When they were all settled in the car, with the Peking duck, and their belongings in hand, they figured out that since the duck was to be delivered anyway, and that a driver for the restaurant would follow them to Ron's house. Chas then set off down the road, as he now knew where they were going. He sat staring out at the road ahead trying not to be offended by Ariela's generosity. It was good of her, but he didn't like not paying his own way in things. It was just too big a wound to his pride, and besides he wanted Ariela to know he could take care of himself. How was she ever going to be impressed with him if she didn't let him prove himself?

It wasn't long before Ariela noticed the silence and spoke up.

"You're kind of quiet up there Chas." Ariela remarked, looking into the rear-view mirror to catch his view.

"Well, I'm kind of driving here, Ariela." Chas said, saying her full name. Ariela noticed it right away and it made her squirm in her seat. It was the way her mom would say her name if she was in trouble. Helen, and Neela noticed, but Neela beat Helen in responding.

"Hey! What's with the bloody attitude Chas?" Neela said, feeling defensive of her best friend. The night was hard enough without childish bickering.

"Hey, hey guys!" Helen said shouted getting everyone's attention. "Stop this, please." she said, gentling her voice this time. She waited until she knew she had their attention before speaking again. "I think Chas and Ariela here have some problem to work out Neela, and I think its best that they leave it until we get to Ron's house. Then, they will work it out civilly, and be honest with each other."

Ariela nodded, and frowned. She didn't like Chas having any types of problems with her, because she knew if he was unreasonable she could be biting with her words. Chas also nodded, and looked back at Ariela apologetically through the rear view mirror, but was unsure whether she saw or not. He sighed, and made an effort to swallow his pride, as he turned the corner that lead to Ron's house. His parent's owned a beach house with a private beach they were allowed to use even during the night. The house was comfortable, and cleanly decorated, with a deck leading out to the beach. It was nothing horribly extravagant, but felt well cared for.

The lights from the family's house were soon seen, blinking different colors, and contrasting the paper lanterns than hung from the roof, and deck. Music was softly playing, and they all could see people milling about in and outside the house.

Ariela then opened her cell phone, and called Ron's cell. A puzzled voice greeted her.

"Uhh, hi this is Ron."

"Hey Ron, this is Ariela from school. Remember me?" Ariela said, trying to sound chipper, and vague as saying "this is Ariela, from the time I saved you from your parent's kicking you out of your house for pot use." wasn't as politically correct in mixed company.

"Uhhh, yeah, sure. Merry Christmas, but why are you calling here exactly?" Ron said, as he gazed out the window and caught a glimpse of Chas's car driving down the road to the house.

"Oh, well because you owe me a favor, and I come bearing an offering." Ariela said, grinning as she spotted a curious Ron peeking out one of the beach house's many windows. Ron looked around, looking for an opportunity among the festivities to sneak out. A few moments later he found one and snuck out the back door to the driveway where the car was pulling up. Actually, two cars, which made him speak up.

"What's going on here Air?" Ron asked at the car, and into the phone. He heard Ariela chuckle in reply and smiled. He didn't know why he was worried, considering the reputation that Ariela had. Namely that she was a good girl, who didn't enjoy playing games like other girls in his high school.

"I come bearing friends…" Ariela said, stepping out of the car. "…and I hope your family likes Peking duck." Ariela said, gesturing to the delivery driver that it them that would receive the duck. Neela, Chas, and Helen the made their way out of the car, with their dinners, and other items in tow, and walked up to Ron. He noted how they all looked a bit disheveled and how Ariela's fancy attire didn't match theirs' and neither did her face. It was a bit tired looking, and harshly contrasted the way her hair was done, and her evening makeup.

"Uh, yeah, they like it," Ron said with a curious brow. "Thanks, but I still don't quite get why…" Ron trailed off when he saw Chas, and offered him an awkward wave. Chas was happy to see his old friend, but concerned about how Ron's parents would react to him being there.

"Well, we kind of needed to get away tonight, and I thought you could help." Ariela said, her cheerful exterior melting away for a moment. Ron could see that it was a long story, and nodded sympathetically.

"As long as it's ok with my folks you guys are welcome to join us."

"Thanks."

"No worries." Ron said as he gestured for them all to follow him into the house. When they reached the house they were all surprised by quiet but kind reception they received. Chas worried they may still have a grudge against him, but he didn't hear anyone mention anything, or give him any dirty looks. They just greeted him with a smile, and went on celebrating. They seemed more excited to see Ariela, who they practically ran to.

"They've forgiven you by the way." Ron said as he saw the look of surprise on Chas's face.

"Well it would have been nice to know that before man." Chas said elbowing Ron slightly in the arm. "Why are they so impressed with Air?" Chas asked as he saw Ron's mother and father embrace her.

"Well, she promised my parents she'd take me to her church after they threatened to throw me out."

"So she saved your butt, got it."

"And yours, you have no idea how that girl sticks up for you, man." Ron said shaking his head. He ran a hand through his black hair. Chas looked at him curiously.

"Really, man?" he asked looking at Ariela. She was helping the delivery man, and Ron's mother in arranging the duck on a large platter.

"Yeah. She didn't have to then, but she did. Come on man, I'll show you to the beach." Ron said nudging Chas in the shoulder. He then waved to Neela and Ariela to follow, but Neela shook her head. Ron them examined their outfits and decided that they were not dressed too properly for a late-night beach outing. Helen was chatting with Ron's mother, and exchanging greetings with Ron's family, trying to look happy given the circumstances. Ron knew something was up there, but he pushed the foreboding feeling away for the sake of the holiday. A tear of sorrow at a time that was meant to bring tidings of good cheer was hard for anyone to bear.

"I think the girls are going to go change, do you want to change into something of mine?" Ron asked. Chas shook his head. He didn't feel like swimming tonight, he'd rather talk with the girls, and do anything that would take his mind away from his father. He didn't know what would happen once the impact of what happened just two hours earlier really sunk in. He felt the worst for his mom, who loved his father so much you could tell it, hurt her sometimes. It would be up to him now to be the man of the house, and he didn't know how good he'd be at it, not without his dad there to guide him. He watched as Ron's relatives remark about the gift Ariela brought. They were a bit reserved, but when they smiled they showed that they were in fact friendly. He felt a nudge on his shoulder as Ron placed some cold bottle of some liquid into his hand.

"Root beer." Ron said simply. "I think the girls are ready to go outback." Chas nodded and looked behind him to see Ariela now dressed in a casual white blouse and hunter green shorts. To his surprise the fabric in the center was not completely joined and flashed another color underneath. He jumped for a moment until he realized it was a bathing suit, and not bare skin. Ron laughed next to him, and received a harsh look from Chas. Ron handed the rest of his friends a cold drink, while Ariela fetched their dinners.

The breeze instantly enveloped them in salty air as they exited through the home's back patio doors. There was a stone sitting place closer to the water with a stone table in the middle. Neela took a blanket out of her bag and spread it out on the ground, sat, and leaned against the stone, as Ariela passed out their meals. The Pacific's waves were just rough enough to make a gentle crashing noise when they met the shoreline. The whitecaps were illuminated in the sparkling lights from the houses that lined the shore.

Chas sighed as he selected a plastic utensil, and proceeded to eat his meal as eagerly as only a teen of his age could do. He heard his mother chuckle as she watched. He looked up at her, and saw her eyes lined with unshed tears. Seeing it made a lump grow in his throat, and he looked away to suppress it. He tried to focus on the good things the night brought; food that was still warm, his long lost buddy lending a hand at a moment's notice, and two of the prettiest girls Chas had ever knew in person sitting a few feet away on a beach blanket.

Their silence continued for a while. No one was sure what to say, or if words were even appropriate. Ariela wasn't prepared to deal with such pain; her life had been far kinder than Chas'. Neela had no clue what had happened, but she knew that if it hurt two of her friends, it had to be major.

"I'm so not used to this." Chas heard Neela say under her breath. He turned his face to his friend, and shook his head.

"You agreed to come along Neela." he said mirroring her tone. Neela heard her, and looked up at him, as he sat on the low stone wall.

"I know Chas, but I just hate sitting here, avoiding the huge elephant sitting on the beach with us." Neela explained. Abrupt laughter rang out into the air. It was Ron, and Ariela, covering their mouths in order to stifle it.

"Sorry, Chas, I was just thinking about an elephant actually…" Ariela tried to explain before trailing off, a hurt look halting her laughter and speech. She shook her head slightly, and looked back out at the shoreline.

"Don't worry about it guys." Chas said quietly. "I don't know how I thought we escape it."

"It's about your folks isn't it Chas?" Ron asked as gently as he could. His dark eyes searched Chas' face for clues, and the anger that was etched in it told him the answer.

"Ronnie, it's not our place to ask questions." Ariela reminded, afraid of wounding Chas further. Ariela then turned to Neela, and murmured a few words about taking a stroll down to the beach. Neela responded by grasping her by the hand and rushing her down to the water. Ariela matched her pace, suddenly feeling the need to blow off steam, and break past her tension. A few yards from the water, Neela placed herself in position, and propelled her body into a cartwheel, and let out a yell.

Chas watched as the blonde followed suit, and then performed a front flip, nearly landing in the surf. He yelled a warning, and a word of approval. He could see them break out into a humorous dance, and heard their laughter carried on the wind. He hoped that their joyful noise would break through the fog in his brain. The confusion and hurt that filled his heart was almost too much to bear. He watched as the lights from the house highlighted Ariela's light hair, and her white blouse that moved in the wind. She had been so good to him, without asking anything in return. Anger burned in him as he remembered his father's cold, and uncalled for remarks about her. If anyone was worthy of not being trusted it was him, not her. She wasn't perfect, often sheltering herself on purpose to protect herself from the wrong crowd. Sometimes her friendships suffered because of her need to feel comfortable.

"I know it's not fair Chas." Helen said, breaking his gaze on the now gracefully dancing Ariela. A muscle is Chas's cheek jerked, as her words were certainly an understatement. He had never felt such a surge of conflicted emotions before. He went from thinking his family was at least mildly happy, to seeing it shatter into pieces in a matter of hours. The holiday only made the cut even deeper, and jagged.

"Did you know it was coming?" Chas asked. Helen shook her head.

"No, not really. I knew he was thinking about something major, but I thought it was a job offer, or going back to school for something, not leaving, well, entirely."

"He lead us to believe everything was ok, mom. That wasn't cool." Chas said shaking his head. His fist clenched around the takeout container in his hand.

"Is that what you really thought Chas?" Helen asked placing her hand on his shoulder, her green eyes examining his face for clues.

"I just thought it was stress from work, and the holiday, when he forgot to pick me up from school a few months ago, I just thought it was a fluke, you know? I wanted to think it was something like that."

Helen nodded and they discussed it for a while. What his father had told her, and what his father was planning to do. He had apparently saved up money not so much for the holiday, or his college fund, but to fund his own ambitions. He wanted to travel, and explore the world around him, to have new experiences, and not be tied down by the family obligations. It was incredibly selfish, but maybe it would just be a phase, lasting a few months, then he would return home. He had grown discontent with something he couldn't place, despite his love for Helen, and Chas. Something was amiss and he wanted to find out what it was. The stress of the holiday, and a badly timed question made him confess to Helen his intentions. Surprised she tried to reason with him, but was getting nowhere. That's when Chas and Ariela arrived, which broke the conversation short. It didn't help matters that his father was still mad about an incident with a female friend of Chas', and was resistant to trust another pretty girl becoming close to Chas.

Chas listened more than he spoke. He feared that if he opened his mouth that his resistance would break, and he would loose it like he did when his dad first told him the news. His throat tightened as he thought of the holiday he had just about lost from his father's selfishness. He had to make it good somehow; even if the only good was the presence of a few that he loved. He didn't know why Ariela and Neela stuck around, when they could have spared themselves the drama, and awkwardness. The memory flooded back of his offense with Ariela back at the restaurant. He looked back toward the water where Ron was now chasing her around; he guessed threatening to throw her in the water, judging from her yelling for him not too. His mouth turned up into a grin, but was all too soon lost, as a flash of heat came over his face.

"Jealous much?" his mother asked, knowingly.

"Uhh, oh, no. I just don't like him threatening to throw her in." Chas claimed.

"Right. She's after all wearing a bathing suit, and so doing was soo not planning to go into the water at any point."

"Alright, alright mom." Chas said, watching them with more intent now. Guilt mixed with a bit of jealousy, and sorrow was a powerful emotion. If he could do nothing but relieve one emotion, he wanted to do it now. Any more strong emotions might leave him a cowering mess by the end of the night. He got up, leaving his takeout container and mother behind. Ariela was still trying to ward off Ron, until Neela made a mad dash and jumped at Ron's side, knocking him to the sand. Ariela laughed louder than she usually did, even in high spirits. Chas didn't know that laugh, but when Ariela's eyes caught his, hers' seemed to gleam even more in the light cast against her fine face. He saw her bite her lip, and avert her gaze from him. At that Chas made a rash decision, and broke into a run. His eyes stung, whether from the sea's spray or his own tears he didn't know. His attempt to sweep her up, and toss her into the wave was met with her embracing him tightly as his arms encircled her. He felt her chest move erratically, and her cry out, before they leaned too far, slipping when a rogue wave hit them, and sent them falling backward into the surf. The waves was cool, them both like a sound slap. When Chas felt the impact of his body against the sand he was quick to roll away from the girl beneath him, lest they be caught in a more embarrassing predicament. The rogue wave dissipated into the surf leaving them where they landed. Chas saw Ariela lying on her stomach being now soaked through, with her hair dripping with sea water. His heart dropped as he thought the worst.

"Air! You ok?" he said as he reached to turn her over to face him. She beat him to it, and he saw a now makeup-less face, with a liberal sprinkling of sand now accenting her features. Her eyes gleamed but he saw little joy in her expression. Her gaze flitted to him, and then upwards towards the starry sky.

"Look, Air, I'm sorry if I was hard on you earlier." Chas blurted out.

Ariela waved her hand in dismissal, and shook her head. She desperately didn't want to argue. She desperately wanted to understand why she had to go through this with her friend. Her greatest fear was not what she could take, but what the people she loved could take. The human heart was so fragile without a greater power to strengthen it.

"Why?" she finally squeaked out. Chas looked at her, and knew from her gaze that she was not asking him the question, but God. His throat tightened, and a wave of guilt fell over him. He watched as Ariela's lips began to quiver, and she let out a cry. "WHY?! I don't understand." she said louder. Chas looked at her with compassion and extended his arm in case she wanted to take it. She didn't notice him at first, but by the time she did the scene had attracted Ron, Neela, and his mother. They watched in relative silence, their faces solemn. She reached for him then, but it was more for him than herself. She moved her body closer to him, and looked him square in the eye.

"I don't know why this all happened Air, and I don't know if we're supposed to." Chas said, as his eyes met hers. His own words surprised him as he listened to what he said.

"Well whatever it is, Chas, I don't want to give up." Ariela said, steeling herself. She felt foolish for being so emotional, and feeling so helpless, when they were supposed to be recognizing the hope of her world, Christ's birth.

"Me either, Ariela." Chas said, more in an effort to exercise his courage, than a display of it. He felt scared, and overwhelmed, and sad for his friends who were dragged into the situation.

"I think that goes for all of us." Helen offered quietly as her gaze wandered from them to the stars above them. The rest of the company then echoed in their own way their support, while Ariela gazed back up at the sky again. Chas heard her sigh deeply even as the waves of the ocean drowned out most of the sound around them. He then let his gaze wander up and saw what was garnering her attention. The stars. They seemed brighter tonight than other nights. He chuckled to himself as he saw the Christmas lights from the beach houses reflected in her eyes.

"What?" Ariela asked.

"Nothing." Chas said quickly.

"Uh huh. Oh, Chas what time is it?"

"Umm, almost 10:30." Chas said after a glance at his watch. Ariela sighed. "Well it gives us enough time to clean up, and head to the church." Chas suggested, as he absentmindedly drew designs in the wet sand in front of him with his finger. Ariela nodded, and she hesitantly went to stand. Chas beat her, and extended his hand. She chuckled, and took it, murmuring quiet thanks.

"You know what Chas?" Ariela said, as they walked back to the beach house, carrying their belongings, and takeout containers. Their legs worked overtime in pushing through the soft sand. Chas looked her way.

"What?"

"I think I'd almost want to stay near the ocean tonight. It's almost like a cathedral in itself, with calm, a beauty but with some deep, underlying power." Ariela said, with the dreamy look she always got when speaking about something spiritual. Chas offered a sad smile, and nodded. Her words were sincere and seemed to pierce his heart strangely. He thought she would find a church more holy than a private stretch of beach, but maybe that was the way he thought, not she. He sure would like to stick around to find out.

Ron's house was now emptier than when they arrived, with just a few close relatives still lingering, talking quietly, and munching on a few of the remaining morsels of the food provided. They walked in through a side door as to not track too much sand across the decorated house. Neela quietly helped Ariela with her hair, making her stick her head under a running faucet to be rid of the sand and sea salt. The lack of a blow dryer made Ron and Neela pitch in to towel dry her hair, routinely fluffing her blond hair, and squeezing the water from it. They didn't say much in all this, give or take a smart remark about Ariela's sudden high-maintenance needs.

Chas busied himself with loading all their belongings into his car, and stashing the leftover food in the fridge. Chas changed temporarily into spare clothes Ron had stuffed in a backroom dresser. Nothing too fancy, just a white polo shirt, and a new pair of blue jeans. Chas' newsboy cap remained untouched by the water, and sand, and he placed it on his head, as the girls made their way to his car again. Ariela was again in her red dress, and Neela in her semi-formal attire from earlier in the evening. They still looked a bit disheveled but it would have to do for now. The group bid goodbye to Ron, and wished him a Merry Christmas.

"Merry Christmas to you guys. You deserve it." Ron said with a sad smile. It was rotten that they had to endure such a thing when they were supposed to be celebrating. At least in the church, amidst other worshippers, old carols, and the soft candlelight they could.