Chapter two: Christmas time is here

Disclaimer: see previous chapter

since Vanessa had come to visit Artie had changed considerably. He was happier and less grouchy; much to the teams happiness

Vanessa had not only helped Artie heal physically but emotionally.

It was finally Christmas and as usual Pete was the first to wake up. "Mykes!" he banged on her door. "come on Mykes, it's Christmas morning!"

Myka opened the door to her bedroom. "Okay, Okay, jeez your worse then a little kid."

The brunette wore black weat pants and a forest green tee shirt.

"you start breakfast and I'll wake everyone else up." Pete exclaimed and dashed off down the hall towards Claudia's room.

As soon as he knocked on the door it flung open to reveal Claudia wearing grey sleep shorts and a white tank top. "way ahead of you, Pete." she said with a smirk and stepped into the hallway. "I need coffee before we dig into the presents."

Pete nodded and went to the room that Artie was staying at so he could be closer to Vanessa.

"Artie, old boy, rise and shine." he knocked once but there was no answer. "Artie, it's Christmas morning!" still no answer.

"Yo Artemis, I know your not the fastest guy on the planet but your starting to worry me." Pete called after knocking on the door a few more times.

Finally, after a few seconds wait the door opened a crack and Artie poked his head out. "I'm coming." he closed the door again and while Pete waited just a bit longer Artie came out. He was dressed in grey sweatpants and a black t shirt.

"Ok, Ok, please tell me there is coffee and breakfast."

Pete nodded. "Yup, Myka is making breakfast and Clauds got coffee brewing.." Pete stopped when Vanessa came out of Artie's room. "uh…" was all the agent could articulate.

"Merry Christmas Pete." the doctor said with a smile.

Pete seemed frozen to the spot. Vanessa was wearing one of Artie's blue dress shirts;,it covered her completely and hung loosely on her slim frame.

"uh… Merry Christmas." Pete managed to say.

He ran downstairs to Myka and Claudia, Steve was already there having started breakfast soon after Myka arrived in the kitchen.

"guys, you won't believe what I saw. Vanessa spent the night in Artie's room.. she's wearing one of his shirts and nothing else"

Myka nodded as she flipped a pancake. "yeah so, they are both adults who love each other Pete, what did you think they were doing?"

Pete stuck out his tongue as Claudia laughed at him. "thats like walking in on your parents…" he didn't finish his sentence. "yuck, I don't need that in my head."

He shook his head and gagged.

Claudia rolled her eyes. "I think it's cute, Artie is happy and thats all I care about."

"Yeah, I guess," Pete said. "yum, bacon." he said as Steve heaped the breakfast meat onto a plate.

After breakfast the small family was gathered around the Christmas tree, Vanessa had changed before breakfast so as not to..upset Pete.

"I have a gift for you, Vanessa." Artie said after he took a sip of his coffee. "something I've wanted to give you for a long time."

Vanessa smiled which made Artie smile.

"I wonder what it could be."

Artie, who was sitting next to his girlfriend, handed her a small, brightly wrapped box.

Vanessa's eyes lit up when she opened it. "Oh Artie." she exclaimed. "It's wonderful, I love it." she held up the small bike bell for the rest of the team to see. "This means so much to me, thank you." she kissed him.

Claudia squealed and whipped out her cell phone to take a picture. "aw, thats adorable."

"You have to send that to me." Pete told her. "gonna use that as my caller ID for the old boy."

Artie sighed. " please excuse the children, my dear."

Vanessa laughed. "I always do." she kissed Artie again. "anyway, I think it's cute; you know they tease you cause they love you."

Artie nodded. "I suppose."

he smiled at her. "I'm so glad your here Vanessa. "

the doctor took Artie's hand and smiled back. "so am I Artie, so am I."

A/N: thats it, just a sweet little Christmas fix, please review if you liked or didn't like it; but remember it's the holidays so some nice reviews would be a great gift :)