LB here...and here it is! The last part of Christmas in Burbank! I hope you guys have enjoyed reading about this Christmas adventure as much as AC and I have had writing it. First, thanks all of you for reading and reviewing! Second, if you haven't, please read Chuck versus the Chuckless Summer: Beth and Chuck versus the Chuckless Summer: AJ. Third (because there's always a third): As of now, our next co-op on the schedule is our full-length piece on Chuck's episode Versus the Ring, which is turning out to be an enormous piece...it will come to y'all in many parts as well. That's all I have to say, so

Enjoy!

Since everyone had gotten to sing once, and no one really wanted to suffer through Devon singing again, Ellie suggested it was time for the gingerbread cookies and asked Beth if she could help her get them. Beth happily agreed, and they headed to the kitchen.

"Alright, how ya wanna do this? You grab the plates and cookies I grab the milk?"

"Sounds perfect." Beth grabbed the cups and started pouring the milk, while Ellie hunted up some paper plates.

"Beth?"

She looked up at the sound of Ellie's voice. A question was gonna be asked; she could tell.

"I know you're still relatively new in town, but I was wondering, will you be one of my bridesmaids? It's only logical—you, Sarah, and AJ are the girls I spend the most—"

Beth didn't let her finish. With a squeal of joy, she launched herself at Ellie for a huge hug. "I'd love to! I'm really honored you thought to ask me."

"Thank you. It means so much to me."

They shared a smile together. Words didn't need to be said; the two women understood each other. Weddings were a time of fun and festivities, yes, but it was a time to rely on others to help you out. Having your closest girlfriends there to see you through it—that was a big part of the celebration. Beth knew Ellie's mom and dad were out of the picture; having her friends there would mean a lot to her. Eyes shining, she grabbed the tray the drinks were on and they headed to the living room, chatting all the way.

The cookies didn't last long; Morgan devoured them like a starved animal and Chuck was hardly any better. AJ ended up dropping one into her glass of milk and Beth and John ended up splitting the last cookie. When the last of the milk had been drunk, the Bartowski siblings went to wash the dishes and AJ volunteered to help bring the plates and cups over from the living room.

She was on her third trip towards the living room when in her haste she ran right into Morgan, who almost dropped the glasses he was carrying.

"Whoops! Sorry, Morgan didn't see you."

Morgan was about to move past AJ when Devon, who had turned towards them at the sound of their crash, said, "Whoa, not so fast, bro. Look up."

She and Morgan both did, as did the others. Mistletoe.

Beth nudged John in the side. "Now that is what my Daddy calls a sight for sore eyes. Morgan, what're ya standin' there for? Ya best be fixin' to kiss her."

Smiling, Sarah agreed. "Beth's right—it's tradition; you have to. Don't be shy, just plant one on her."

AJ turned redder than Beth's Santa hat, and protested, "C'mon guys, isn't this a bit childish?"

"Yeah," Morgan agreed. "We're not even really under the mistletoe. Well, okay, maybe from a certain angle it seems like we are but—"

"Man up, Grimes; kiss her already."

Under the scrutinizing eyes of all of their friends, Morgan and AJ shared a weary look before Morgan planted the lightest of pecks on AJ's cheek, careful not to drop the cups in his hand.

"That doesn't count!" Sarah protested immediately, catching everyone off guard with her outburst. "What? It doesn't."

"She's right," Devon said. "It needs to be on the lips."

AJ opened her mouth to say something, but was cut off by Morgan pressing his lips to hers, his tongue exploring her open mouth, his arms wrapping around her, drinking cups and all. When they parted, both breathless and AJ looking like she had no earthly idea what had just happened, Morgan said to the others, "Happy?"

There was a stunned silence.

After shooting a knowing glance to Sarah, Beth was the first to speak, letting out a low whistle. "Well hell's bells, didn't say ya had to go hog wild, but you certainly did. That kiss was 'bout hotter than two goats in a pepper patch!"

The group gave her a questioning glance, and John shook his head. "Beth."

"Mmm?"

"We aren't in Tennessee."

"Well, yeah, that much is obvious. Cause if we were, I'd actually get some snow on Christmas, and I wouldn't have had to buy our Christmas tree from an import store—we'd have went and chopped one down from the back pasture and—"

"Beth."

They shared a look the others couldn't quite comprehend, and she teasingly nudged him with her shoulder. "You know I can't help it—'sides, you also know I make a very good point."

Morgan and AJ were still standing under the mistletoe, the latter turning a pretty shade of pink, while replying, "You're right."

"She is?" "I am?"

"Well, yeah. I mean, over in Large Mart they're using a palm tree for their Christmas tree. How unfestive is that?"

"You're deflecting, Abbott."

Awesome nodded in agreement, "John's right. That was an awesome kiss, AJ." Turning to Morgan, he added, "I didn't know you had the moves, bro."

Morgan opened his mouth to speak but AJ beat him to it. "He does too have the moves!"

It was about that time that Chuck walked out of the kitchen. "Guys, we've only washed three cups—where are the, oh hey buddy, did you know you're standing under the mistletoe? Why...why are looking at me like that? AJ, you're really red, are you okay?"

Stepping out from under the mistletoe with her hands on her hips and her eyes cast downward, AJ mumbled, "Yeah, m'fine."

Morgan handed Chuck the cups in his hand wordlessly. Looking between Morgan and AJ, and then towards the others, Chuck's eyes widened in realization. "Hey-o! Did I miss something?"

"You think?" Casey said, muttering "moron" under his breath before going back to the living room. Beth, Sarah and Devon followed after him, leaving AJ and Morgan to explain to Chuck.

"Well man, you see—"

"Morgan and I got caught under the mistletoe. No big deal," AJ cut in. "Just following through with tradition. I'm gonna go get the rest of the cups now."

She shuffled off to the living room, pressing her hands to her flushed cheeks and talking to herself in French. Chuck looked at Morgan, and Morgan looked at Chuck.

"Ah, buddy? Just what kind of traditional kiss did you give her?"

Morgan didn't answer, and Chuck was left wondering what caused his two childhood friends to act so oddly. Morgan finally shook his head as if to rid himself of something before commenting, "Here, take these glasses to Ellie; I've got to…go to the bathroom."

Before Chuck could refuse or even comment, Morgan was out like a flash of lightning. Shrugging his shoulders, he delivered the glasses and helped Ellie wash them—after AJ delivered her glasses, she too disappeared.

"Christmas has gone so well, hasn't it, Chuck? We haven't had such a crowd since…well, since before Mom and Dad disappeared."

"I know, El. Even Casey's having a good time. Actually, I don't know if he's ever had such a great time at your Sunday dinners before."

She smiled. "Not until Beth came around. They'd make a cute couple, don't you think?"

"What? They...? No, not Beth and Casey! Beth and Casey? I mean, she's so…fun! And he's…not," he finished lamely.

"That's exactly why they'd be perfect for each other."

Chuck shook his head. "I don't know, I can't picture it. Hey, El, do you think there's something going on with Morgan and AJ?"

"Something like what?"

"I don't know; they were both acting kinda weird just now, I guess they had to kiss under the mistletoe or something—"

Ellie fumbled the glass she was washing. "What? Hmmm, well that's an interesting idea I guess, the two of them. They do spend a lot of time together…"

Chuck laughed. "You have to stop playing matchmaker, sis, Morgan and AJ would never work out. Now, c'mon, dishes are all done."

He led the way back to the living room, where the others were all sitting around talking. They both walked in just in time to hear Sarah say, "Before Chuck, I hadn't actually met their family."

"Met their family for what?" Ellie asked while joining Devon on the sofa.

"Whoever I was dating. Normally, the relationship didn't last long enough for me to meet their family."

"We're glad that Chuck's brought you around—you add so much to the family!"

Sarah's smile turned shy. "Thanks, Ellie, that means a lot."

Looking around at the whole group, Ellie said, "It's been really nice to have a big family Christmas again."

"Yeah, this has been great," AJ agreed. "Thanks so much for having us."

Beth nodded, pulling John up with her as she stood. "I second what AJ said. Now I'm sure y'all are gonna want to relax in each other's company for awhile, so John and I are gonna grab our goods and get outta your hair."

As she spoke, she went around the room, hugging everyone goodbye while John grunted in agreement and picked up their Christmas gifts. He stood at the door, holding the door open for Beth. With one last, "Merry Christmas y'all, and y'all have a good night!" she walked out the door with John following.

"I should get going too," Sarah said, standing up. She too hugged everybody, though without the certainty and familiarity in which Beth had, then allowed Chuck to walk her to her car.

When Chuck returned, AJ said, "Guess it's my turn to get going. Morgan, you still staying at my place for the night?"

"Oh…yeah. Let's go."

The pair said their farewells and headed out. Noticing how awfully quiet Morgan was, AJ commented, "So, I've gotta say, you're a pretty great kisser."

He gave a nervous chuckle. "Thanks. Sorry if I caught you off guard, you know, I just got caught up in the moment I guess."

"Don't worry about it, Morgan; every girl dreams about getting kissed under the mistletoe on Christmas."

AJ unlocked her front door and led the way upstairs. When she got to the guestroom doorway she stopped, turned, and planted a soft kiss on Morgan's cheek. "Merry Christmas, Morgan," she said. "Sleep well."

Before he could say anything, she disappeared into her room, leaving him to press a hand to his cheek and mumble back, "you too," to an empty hallway.

Meanwhile, over at the Casey-Daniels place, Beth was putting up her Christmas gifts, singing to herself after changing into pajamas. Because it was Christmas, and what else did you do on Christmas but sing carols and drink hot chocolate and eat cookies? It was a wonderful day; she'd had more fun than she expected. Even John enjoyed himself. She only hoped he didn't notice how…close she had been to him all night. In retrospect, she probably shouldn't have held his hand so much, or been so forward, but she couldn't help it. He made her feel like she was a woman—he was just so masculine. A strong knock on the door distracted her from her train of thoughts.

"John! I thought you'd gone to your room, or bed or, oh, sorry! —Here, come on in. Sit."

She gestured to the bed while turning back to her closet for a second, chatting all the way. "Sorry 'bout the mess; I haven't moved everything out of the way—the presents and Christmas goods have stockpiled. Lemme just move those boxes, and—"

She turned around to see John staring at her. "Um, John?" Reaching up, she fiddled with her necklace, a nervous habit she couldn't seem to break.

He stood then, and she glanced at him, confused. "John? But you just came in the room, aren't you…"

She trailed off when he stepped behind her, hands skimming on her necklace. Breathe, Beth thought, he was just…well, she didn't know what he was doing, but she certainly didn't need to feel her heart leap like a giddy schoolgirl. For one thing, she couldn't like him like that because he didn't like her like that. And—

"Beth."

John's hands were no longer on her neck…and neither was her necklace.

"But, wha—"

"Don't need to hide here; you live here."

The only thing she could think to say was, "Huh?"

"You're home. Don't need the necklace."

"Oh." She absently touched her neck. Without the necklace, she almost felt…bare. It was a strange sense of freedom, not wearing the necklace. It was as if a piece of her sorrow had melted when he had taken the necklace off. She smiled softly, looking up at him.

"Thank you."

He shrugged off her thanks, muttering, "Don't mention it."

"John, don't just shrug it off—you gave me the best Christmas gift this year."

"What, taking off a necklace?"

She shook her head slowly "No, you gave me a place to call home."

Here it is! Love it? Hate it? Let us know!