The Santa Incident
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of LO:SVU or any other show mentioned here. I don't own the rights of the songs either. I'm making no money out of this whatsoever. Don't sue me, I have no money.
14
Over the entrance to the SVU bullpen hung illuminated fir branches and holly, decorated with silvery balls and cones. Inside of the squad room, a big Christmas tree squeezed into a corner and stretched its branches over half of John's desk. Two other desks were decorated and filled with all kinds of specialties to serve as buffet.
It was the obligatory Christmas party of the squad. Almost every clerk and officer was gathered in the middle of the room, together with their wives or friends, some with their children, too. One of the clerks played guitar, accompanied by a colleague who sang Rudolph. Some folks joined the chorus.
Bells jingled outside the squad room door. They became louder and someone was trampling towards the bullpen.
"Ho, ho, ho!" shouted Santa Claus and burst through the door. "Meeer-ry Christmas!"
He was tall with a big belly under the red, white brimmed coat, and a long white beard. Dark eyes sparkled from out under the hood. Behind him on a handcart sat a big brown sack.
"Ho, ho, ho," he yelled again, waving with the bell that called everyone to become silent. "As I can see, everybody's waiting for me. That's real fine. And I also see milk and cookies standing over there on the buffet… my favorites!"
Someone could not help his giggles.
"It's always a very special pleasure for me to come to New York's Finest! You're doing a damned fine job down here. I'm proud of all of you."
He sat his bell onto one of the desks and reached into his coat pocket to pick out a paper. With big gestures he unfolded it, theatrically placed glasses on his nose and read with the head held high, squinting down under raised eyebrows.
"We have several children here, too," he said and stuffed the paper back into the pocket. "Will you come to me?"
The older kids were the first to join the Santa, while some of the younger ones needed persuasion. Among the group also were the three girls and the boy of Elliot.
"Hello, kids," the Santa said. "It's a pleasure to meet all of you. There's not a single one on my list who has not been good over the year. Well, there may be one or another who could do a bit more in school…" he dropped his voice and squinted over the upper rim of his glasses, letting his view wander over the group, "…or could help at home… But you all have earned a decent surprise."
With that he made a few steps back, behind the handcart, and opened the knot on the rope that held the sack closed. For each of the kids was a parcel and a stocking inside. While the parcel held a paperback book according to age (red parcels for the younger kids, blue for the older) a sketch book and crayons, the stockings were filled with peanuts, small oranges and chocolate cookies.
"Here you go," the Santa said when he gave the last parcel to Richard Stabler.
"Thank you, Santa," Richard replied, grinning over the whole face. His eyes sparkled like the ones of his father.
Some of the grown-ups laughed as they recognized it. The kids left to unwrap their presents. Just a few moments later they were bartering the books.
"So, there still are many names on my list," Santa shouted as some people wanted to turn and leave. "My sack is still filled."
He fiddled with his belt and removed it. Some folks gasped. Olivia and Elliot exchanged foreseeing glances. As they saw the red wrapped legs they were almost sure.
"No!" they yelled as the Santa opened his coat…
...to reveal a second one.
"It's still very, very cold outside. So I had to wear two coats. But you have it comfortably warm here."
Most of the officers laughed. Three of them clapped their hands and laughed almost their heads off as they watched Olivia and Elliot flush. John, Fin and Don knew all-too-well who hid under the Santa costume.
"One of these three must have hired Mr. Bradley," Olivia whispered into Elliot's ear. "Funny, isn't it?"
"Yeah, really funny," he whispered back and glared at them.
In the meantime the Santa had begun to distribute presents. He called every single one to him and handed out the parcel. Whoever hired the Santa gave him the presents the cops used to exchange by picking a colleagues name out of a box.
"I'm not sure if I pronounce this correctly… Odafin Tutuola." Expectantly he surveyed the crowd.
Fin passed a group and went to the Santa to receive a big parcel, wrapped in brown package paper. Unceremoniously he ripped it open… to reveal a pair of scarlet boots in Scandinavian style. He frowned and scanned the room for his partner. Beneath the boots he also found two DVDs. "That's okay," he said but put the boots on nevertheless.
"John Munch?" the Santa shouted. "Where is John?"
"I'm here," he replied and stepped forward. Even if this was not his tradition he participated not to be the only one left aside. He could live with the exchange of gifts. There were two parcels bound together. When John unwrapped the smaller one he found a… plastic violin and a foam pipe. "Very funny," he grumbled. "Thanks, Fin."
"You're welcome, Sherlock," Fin teased from behind the crowd.
In the bigger box were a lot of Styrofoam chips and a thick book – The conspiracy theories of 20th Century. "And I almost bought this. Thanks for stopping me, Olivia."
She nodded at him, grinning.
"Why do you encourage him?" Fin demanded to know. "He will discuss all this stuff with us!"
"I'm not responsible," she said. "I just gave a hint to the one who picked his name."
The Santa continued until Don Cragen stepped forward.
"Don," the Santa said. "You have a great bunch of detectives under your command. Yet, it certainly is not easy to control them. You have to be admired for your ability to keep the squad going on maximum level. Everyone wishes you Merry Christmas." With that he gave him a really big pack.
Don hesitated to take it, but he had no other chance as the Santa released his grip. He unwrapped it and a wooden helm appeared as well as a nautical captain's hat. In the middle of the helm sat an engraved plate. It read:
To our Captain
who is steering our ship safely
through the rough sea of our duty.
Our most honest respect.
Your squad.
Don had to swallow. "Thanks…" was all he could voice. He put the hat on and held the helm up to show everyone before he went for his office.
"That was a great idea," someone whispered to John. "He was really touched." Several others nodded.
"Okay," the Santa announced. "Now we have one of the rare ladies, Detective Olivia Benson."
Olivia went to meet the Santa. To her surprise he wrapped his arms around her to hug her. "Mr. Bradley?" she murmured. He giggled in response before he released her and dove deep into the sack to get her gift.
"This is for you, honey," he said and winked at her.
"Thank you, Santa," she replied and made a mock curtsey. Then she tore the wrapping open. Two hardcover copies of her favorite series of books came out. Between them was an envelope. When she opened it, she paled. She did not hear the Santa continue. Frantically she searched for Elliot. When she found him, she pulled him aside and showed him what she got.
"No," he murmured.
"Obviously, yes," she whispered back.
"He's dead." Elliot eyed the two identical photos with a deep frown. One for each of you, was written on the envelope. "I will kill him."
"No, I'll do."
"Let's do it together." They were searching for Fin, but he had vanished.
"Well, last but not least here is a parcel for a Detective Elliot Stabler." Santa declared and looked around searching. The detective went to him.
"Oh, here you are. But first... As I already told the kids to show a bit more discipline, I can only say that their parents should go ahead with a good example. Merry Christmas to you, Elliot."
Elliot flushed even though he accepted this remark as a joke.
A small bag was attached to his parcel. He opened the wrapping first and found a sampler named All time jazz with ten CDs. A glance at the titles confirmed that it was quite a special collection. He smiled.
When he picked up the pouch he had a suspicion what the content could possibly be. Elliot fiddled open the ribbon and reached inside. He could feel a number of small pearls, all on a string as he noticed. Without to have a look at it he knew what it was and who gave it to him. His gaze searched for Olivia. When their eyes met, she smiled genuinely at him and he returned it.
Thank you, his lips formed silently.
You're welcome, she mouthed equally silent and grinned. She could see the surprise and open incredulousness in his eyes. And that he was really touched.
Don returned from his office.
"Now that we've all been given presents we shouldn't waste our time. All I can say is that I thank all of you for this surprise. It's great. Merry Christmas. – And the buffet's open now."
Murmurs and shuffling started as the crowd headed for the buffet.
Olivia just got a cup of punch and turned to return to her desk when she ran into Elliot who tried to flee from the encounter with an office clerk dressed like a Christmas elf. Everyone was cheering and they realized, that they met each other underneath the mistletoe.
His courteous smile changed into a mischievous grin whereas her grin turned into an embarrassed smile.
"Ki-iss, ki-iss," roared the crowd.
How, in God's name, can there be such blue eyes, Olivia thought when she looked up to her partner. Even though she knew he was forbidden ground, she suddenly felt drawn to him, as she looked upon him as the undeniable attractive man he was. It was not only that they worked together – Cathy and the children were just an arm's length away at the buffet.
That's the wrong one, flashed through Elliot's mind when he felt the kiss-cheers hit him right into the heart. Still he was grinning, but it faded fast. His stare locked with Olivia's and it sent shivers down his spine. He was not entirely sure if it could be visible in his features. He glanced at Cathy.
Get it over with as fast as possible! Olivia leaned forward to kiss him on the cheek when he turned his head towards Cathy.
It was just then, that he had the same idea. But instead of their cheeks their lips met.
Bolts of lightning seemed to hit right with the unsuspected tender touch and flashed through their entire system. Olivia gasped and both went rigid as they realized what was happening. Yet, they were unable to split up. Their lips ever touched so lightly that they barely met. Nevertheless it was thrilling like the proverbial rollercoaster ride.
No, she thought.
No, he thought.
In the squad room deadly silence fell for about two heartbeats. After an eternity that only had lasted for three seconds, everyone was cheering again.
They both backed off. She saw him turn crimson with a sheepish look on his face. Considering the heat in her cheeks she had to adopt the same color.
Fin slapped Elliot hard on the shoulder. "Lucky man," he laughed at him and grinned at Olivia. "When do we meet under the mistletoe?"
"How about now?" she said, grabbed his arm and pulled him to her chest.
Olivia did not know exactly why she did it, but it seemed to be the best reaction in this instant. The whole crowd was cheering again as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him fiercely on the mouth. She waited for the bolt, but nothing happened.
Shocked, Fin did not react at first, then he wrapped his arms around her, too, and lifted her up from the ground when their lips met. He never had thought about Olivia as something else than a colleague, but when she kissed him he was on fire.
Elliot, on the other hand, felt a hot sting of jealousy pierce his heart. No, no, no, he thought. That's not good. He turned from the scene in front of him and made it out of under the mistletoe in time to avoid the Christmas elf, who tried to get hold of him for a kiss of her own.
When his gaze fell on Cathy and his children a familiar warmth filled his heart. Nothing but a short-lived passion, he thought, due to the latest events. We almost lost everything and that's the after effect. The love he felt for his family made him smile wholeheartedly. When he reached the five of them he embraced Cathy and kissed her softly but passionately on the mouth.
"Whoooo," made the children. "Should we stay with grandma tonight?" Elizabeth asked innocently.
Her parents stared at their youngest daughter in surprise. Elliot flushed again and Cathy grinned embarrassed. He leaned in on her. "Wouldn't be the worst idea," he whispered into his wife's ear and she giggled like a school girl.
"I can call her right now," she whispered back. Then they kissed again, soft, groping, exploring.
"If Dad can wait such a long time?" Kathleen mused. "You heard what Santa said: He lacks discipline…" The kids laughed.
Yeah, that's right. Inwardly Elliot sighed, deciding to ignore his daughter's remark. Let's call her…
When they finally split up and looked again at the scene under the mistletoe they were in time to see a very puzzled Don Cragen in the embrace of the Christmas elf.
"She's stopping at nothing," Cathy laughed out.
"We should shove John in her path," Elliot grinned. "Where is he?"
He looked around the squad room and found Fin and Olivia instead. They sat at his desk, drinking punch, and were absorbed in their conversation. Whatever Fin might have said, Olivia doubled over with laughter.
Cathy pushed him in the side and pointed to a far corner. He followed with his gaze and discovered John, with a woman on his knees, cuddling and kissing.
Elliot smiled. He opened his arms to invite his family to an embrace and hugged them all.
From the radio echoed Alison Krauss…
O, listen to me dear
remember Christmas only comes one time a year
Say, I wanna be a gentleman's lady
You alone can bring me cheer!
END
A/N: The song title is Only you can bring me cheer ( Gentleman's lady ) by Alison Krauss (Album: A very special acoustic Christmas ).