A/N: Sorry for the comparatively short chapter today. The next will definitely be longer. Enjoy.

Chapter 10

It was cold. Cold and getting dark. About an hour ago, Major Doss and he had said their goodbyes to the good captain. Johnson had brought them to the bus stop with his car. He had invited them to his house to at least spend Christmas Eve with him and his family, but both men wanted to get back home as soon as possible. They had picked up a few sandwiches and a coffee at a shop, then taken a bus that had dropped them off here. They were waiting for the next bus to take them a good distance further, from where they would take the train, which would hopefully bring them back to New York. Hopefully. Oliver wasn't really sure about the specifics, he left strategic planning to the Major.

So now, here they were, waiting for the bus. They didn't talk much. Oliver Crane wasn't a man for small talk, and while usually the Major did not mind keeping up both ends of the conversation, tonight he seemed a bit lost in thought.

Crane looked at the other man, sitting beside him on the bench, waiting for their transport. The Major looked tired, he realised. But then, considering that he had been abroad, and wasn't expected home for another week. He could only guess at the effort and energy it had already cost the officer to get this far in such short a time. Not to mention that the man had been away from his wife for two months.

Oliver sighed. There had been a time when his wife, Lynn, had been away for a longer period, to help out her sister. Looking back on his behaviour back then made him grateful for the cold, as it hid the shame that coloured his neck. No, he wasn't proud of his behaviour back then at all.

He had made a mistake a few years ago, having been on the start of an affair with another woman, which he had luckily not pursued. He had nurse Nichol and doctor Cassidy to thank for that. Had it not been for nurse Nichol taking those pictures of him, he may have continued on the wrong path. And she wouldn't have been taking those pictures, had it not been for nurse Nichol's dedication to doctor Cassidy, to make sure he'd be able to practice medicine in New York. Yes, he owed them. Not that he'd ever told them of course. Nor did he think he ever would. He had eventually told his wife though. It was still a miracle in his opinion that they were still together.

Suddenly the Major next to him shifted, interrupting his thoughts. Steven tilted his head, and rose. "The bus is coming," he said. Sure enough, a few seconds later the bus turned a corner. Steven made sure the bus driver saw them, and soon they were ready to find a place.

"Ya betta stay 'n front. Heater 'n the back's given up," the bus driver said. They nodded, and after putting their luggage away, they sat down.

"Where's you two goin'?" the driver asked, glad to have some company. At least he wouldn't be drivin' this evenin' for nothin'.

"New York," Oliver answered shortly, still not in the mood for conversation, and definitely not with a bus driver who looked like he was close to retirement. The driver whistled. "Long way to travel still. No wonder you're travellin' at Christmas Eve. Got to get home for Christmas, eh?"

"Yes, we hope to be there tomorrow," Steven said kindly. While the Major and the driver made some small talk, Oliver once again let his mind wander.

Raul raced up the stairs towards Nancy's apartment, where he knew Clint, Nancy, and Nancy's dad would be. Excited, he knocked on the door. Paul opened it.

"Hey Raul," the older man said.

"Hey Mr. Nichol," Raul replied.

"What can I do for you, Raul?"

"It's time for the church service," Raul said, as Paul let him in. "Hey Tippy! I didn't know you were here too!" Raul said, when he spotted the receptionist doing the dishes with Clint. Nancy reappeared from her bedroom, having changed into clothes more suitable for church. All of them greeted Raul. Clint quickly dried the last glasses, and put them away. He didn't have to search where they needed to go, both Tippy and Paul noticed.

"Raul, you can tell Nate and Beverly we'll be right down. Just got to get our coats."

"Ok!" Raul said, running out again. "Don't take too long!" he yelled over his shoulder. The adults chuckled at his energy, but indeed hurried to put their coats on.

TBC