A/N: Later again. I'm sorry. Rehearsals. Caroling. Sick. AP. Chrismas. Aaaah. Just a quick little thing for you today, in slight preparation for tomorrow's story I suppose. Enjoy!

Chapter 17: Jolly Old

Jake, Cassandra, and Ezekiel walked through the mall, carrying gift bags and Starbucks cups. They'd been through a long day of shopping, and were waiting to meet up with Flynn and Eve, who had gone off on their own.

While they were walking, they came upon the mall's Santa display, clad with plastic trees and glittery snow.

"Ooh!" Cassandra squealed. "We should take a picture with Santa!"

"What?" the boys said in unison.

"Oh come on! It'll be fun!"

"Yeah for the children it's designed for!" Ezekiel complained.

"It's 'designed' for families Ezekiel" Cassandra snapped back. "So I think it would be nice to get a picture together!"

"Eh why the hell not" Jake conceded. "Could be fun" Cassandra gave a silent cheer.

"Oh no!" Ezekiel shouted. "You're not just taking each other's sides again. I'm not doing Peru all over!"

"I'm not taking her side just for the hell of it Jones!" Jake argued. "I really think it would be nice. Besides, my sisters have been asking for current pictures of me"

"Perfect!" Cassandra exclaimed. "Let's go!"

"Well if you two want to go so badly go!" Ezekiel argued. "I'm staying right here"

"Fine" Jake said. "Come on Cassie let's go before the line gets too long"

Cassandra seemed confused, but Jake knew how to handle this. He'd faced it more times than he could count with his nieces and nephews back home: reverse psychology: works every time. He turned confidently and Cassandra followed him reluctantly, but quickly none the less.

"What are you doing?" Cassandra whispered.

"Wait for it"

Moments later, Ezekiel jogged up behind them.

"Alright mates fine" he said. "One picture"

Cassandra and Jake smiled at each other.

Fifteen minutes later, the LITs approached Santa's chair, where he was waving to the young child who had just left his lap.

"Hi Santa!" Cassandra exclaimed. She was really getting into the spirit. "I hope you don't mind. We just wanted a picture"

The old man looked confused at first, but soon a jolly smile filled his face. True to character, his cheeks were a bright rosy shade.

"Ho ho ho" he said. "Of course! Santa loves to see everyone on Christmas!"

Cassandra skipped up and Ezekiel leaned in to Jake.

"So both the commercial and the real one speak in the third person" he whispered.

"Shhh" Jake scolded.

"Come on you guys!" Cassandra said, now standing right behind the chair.

Jake and Ezekiel chuckled shyly and walked over to join her. Jake stood behind Cassandra. Their arms brushed as he was placing himself.

"Sorry" he said nervously.

"It's fine" The two Librarians stared at the floor, the moment made awkward.

"Would you two smile for the camera already?" Ezekiel shouted. "You're the ones who are forcing me to take this picture!"

Jake rolled his eyes before looking at the camera and smiling. Despite where the lens was placed, he could not help but let his eyes shift to Cassandra, admiring the bright smile on her face.

The photographer indicated that she was finished, and the next group readied to approach.

"Bye Santa!" Cassandra called as she began to walk away. "Merry Christmas!"

Jake was walking away when the old man touched his arm to stop him.

"I just wanted to say" he whispered. "Santa knows what everyone wants for Christmas, but he cannot always be responsible for bringing them."

Jake couldn't help but look back at Cassandra again as he tried to figure out what was going on. The old man leaned in closer and switched out of his character voice, speaking at an ever lower volume.

"Don't be afraid to take a leap" he said.

Jake stared at him, starting to understand, but shocked at what was happening. The man nodded his head towards Jones and Cassandra, telling him to go. Slowly, Jake walked away, his eyes still locked on Santa, who was already lifting up the next child in line onto his lap.

When he arrived back with the group, they were waiting in line at the photo counter. Eve and Flynn approached, arm in arm, weighed down with gifts of their own.

"What are you all doing here?" Eve asked.

"We got a picture with Santa!" Cassandra explained. "Come help us choose one"

Eve laughed and walked with Flynn to join the Librarians on line. Flynn noticed the dazed look on Jake's face and stopped.

"You okay Stone?" he asked.

"What…yeah, yeah I'm fine"

He shoved the experience with Santa back into his pocket for now, and joined Cassandra behind the computer monitor.

A/N: You always know a big moment is coming tomorrow when I won't reveal the chapter title! Farewell LITs! Thank you so much again for your love and support. Until tomorrow!