Masane looked around the café, happy at the work they had put into it. A decent sized tree stood in the corner, decorations adored the evergreen. Green and red lights hung around the line between the ceiling and walls, the feeling of the holiday taking root. She hadn't seen Salcito all day, and she was actually getting worried.

Rihoko had wanted to get something for her, and Salcito offered to take her shopping. She knew Rihoko would be safe, but she still didn't like that she was with him all day. Most of the other residence had been out getting things for the party later that night, each of them splitting up the tasks. Michael was in charge of getting plates and utensils, Mariko not wanting to use all her dishes for a house party. Nor her drinks, so she was off getting ones specifically for the party. Tazawa and Cho had been charged with food, all of them hoping that they wouldn't get crappy supplies. And Naomi was getting presents for everyone, considering she could tell what people wanted.

Masane sighed as she thought back a couple of months, when the café was attacked. If it hadn't been for that, the people here would never have believed him. Masane was glad it was behind them and they could continue their lives. Masane plugged the last of the lights in when a car pulled up to the front window. Salcito got out of the vehicle and quickly headed inside.

"Hey, Masane, Rihoko doesn't want you to see your present. She wants you to go upstairs and wait until its finished being wrapped," Salcito asked, Masane shaking her head.

"Oh really, and why isn't she telling me this?" Masane asked, trying to get some answers. It was her daughter after all.

"Because she's holding your present, she didn't want to let it leave her sight until it was wrapped," Salcito explained.

"Fine, but only because Rihoko wants me to," Masane said, walking up the stairs and towards her room.

Masane shook her head at how well the Spartan was able to interact with Rihoko. She didn't completely trust him, considering he felt himself invincible, but she knew she could trust him when it came to Rihoko. She checked her phone and it still had the message from Director Takayama, telling her to enjoy the Christmas holiday and to be careful. She sighed, knowing he only told her that because the future soldier told him to give her a holiday. She didn't mind, but knew Takayama wouldn't do it on his own free will.

"Okay, you can come out now," Salcito yelled from down stairs.

Masane came back down and saw the first box under the tree. It had red and green stripped wrapping paper, with a red bow on top. Rihoko had a massive smile on her face, one that Masane knew to be of pride. Salcito had his phone to his ear, talking to someone on the other end.

"Yes, I know what today is," Salcito said, pausing as the other person on the phone talked.

"I wish I could be there too, but I still have a job here."

"…"

"Don't worry; I have a surprise for you. Call me when you get it. Love you," Salcito finished, hanging up the phone and replacing it in his pants pocket.

He wasn't wearing his heavy armor, or normal trench coat. Instead, he was wearing a very festive sweater and blue jean. He actually seemed like a normal person, if by normal you mean six feet, nine inches and bristling with muscles. He looked at Masane, she giving him a questioning look.

"What, you never talked to wife on phone?" Salcito asked, giving Masane the same look.

"No, considering I don't have a wife," Masane answered.

"Okay then, don't judge me," Salcito said, pretending to be hurt.

"Maybe I will," Masane joked back, able to mostly tell when he is joking too.

"Are you two fighting?" Rihoko asked, unable to tell with the two adults.

"No, we are actually joking with each other. Why don't you show mommy what I got for you?" Salcito said.

"Oh, no. What did you get her?" Masane asked.

"Look mommy!" Rihoko said, excitement evident in her voice.

Rihoko pulled out a watch, one that was big enough for her wrist. It had a digital face on it, telling the time and the date. It had a pink finish on it and used Velcro to remain on her arm. Masane was a little surprised at the gift, wondering why Salcito thought it important to give her that.

"It's a digital clock and calendar, able to show the time in both a twelve hour and twenty-four hour time; and show to current date number and day. There is also a GPS chip inside, so you can always know where Rihoko is," Salcito informed Masane.

"Can't other people use the GPS chip and track her as well?" Masane asked, thinking about the NSWF.

"No, the signal is on a frequency that cannot be read by modern tracking. I have a tracker here that is set to the frequency in the chip," Salcito said, pulling out a PDA looking device. "This thing will show you where you are, she is, and the distance needed to travel to get to her. Very advanced, won't be on the market for another ten years."

"How did you manage that?" Masane asked, crossing her arms.

"Because I made it, the U. N. doesn't even know about to this yet," Salcito answered.

Masane unfolded her arms and moved back down to Rihoko. The two hugged and Rihoko asked if there was anything she could help with. Masane didn't have anything for her, until she heard Tazawa's pulling into the garage.

"You can help cook, because that should be the food," Masane told her daughter.

"Okay mommy," Rihoko agreed, running over to help Tazawa and Cho with the groceries.

"You're raising a good kid," Salcito complimented.

"Thank you, but I thinks more she's raising me sometimes," Masane admitted.

"Maybe, but children will have effect on you. I don't yet, but I'm sure I will soon," Salcito told Masane, his phone ringing. "She got my present."

"How do like it?" Salcito asked into the phone.

"I love it," a voice said loud enough for Masane to hear.

"Okay, I'll see you in a few hours. Love you," Salcito said, making a kissing noise before hanging up.

"What was that?" Masane asked, confused by the actions of the super soldier.

"Oh, right, we're going to have another guest for dinner," Salcito answered.

"And you thought it was a good idea not asking anyone here if it was a good idea?" Masane question.

"Yes," Salcito answered. Masane just shook her head, giving up on try to figure out the man's logic.

"Whatever, are you going to help in any other way?" Masane asked.

"Looks like you got everything done already, what do you need my help for?" Salcito asked back.

Masane just stayed quiet, not wanting to argue with the super-soldier. She went behind the counter and started to wash the dishes that had been placed from that morning. The was fast, but it was long enough for Salcito to leave and find something else to do. She sighed, knowing he was already going beyond his job description by helping her with Rihoko. She was about to find something to do when the rest of the occupants arrived back.

Everyone then went to work getting tables together and setting them dinner. Presents started to fill out the underside of the tree, giving a deeper feeling of the holidays. As everything was finishing up, the sound of an engine could be heard coming from the roof. Everyone ran to the elevator and ascended to the roof. They found a machine descending onto the roof, a jet of high-tech design.

As the vehicle touched down, Salcito climbed up onto the side of the cockpit and proceeded to assist the rear occupant out of the vehicle. He held the person, obvious to being a woman who was pregnant, and jumped down from the jet. He made sure she was steady on her feet before waving off to the pilot. The guy nodded and took back off into the air, reaching altitude and taking off at super sonic speeds in but a few seconds.

The vehicle was gone and everyone now acknowledged the occupant. She removed her helmet and revealed her face, slightly scared but still maintaining her feminine features. She shook her head slightly and allowed her dark hair to fall out of the bun, it reaching only the top of her shoulders. She looked at everyone and smiled, acting as though she has known all of them.

"So these are the people who you live with?" The woman asked Salcito.

"Yep, everyone, this is Captain Samantha Morantz. Sam, these are the people who live here," Salcito said, everyone quickly realizing who was standing in front of them.

"Hello," she greeted them, speaking almost perfect Japanese.

"Hi, are you Mr. Salcito's wife?" Rihoko asked, her being the social butterfly.

"Why yes I am, and you must be Rihoko. Salcito has told me a lot about you, I'm happy to finally meet you," Samantha said, kneeling down so as to talk to Rihoko on her level.

"Thank you, it's nice to meet you too," Rihoko replied, smilng the whole time.

"Well, I hope I have a little girl just like you," Samantha complimented.

At this time, everyone was out of their stupor and ready to greet Samatha. As each person greeted her, they were very surprised at how well she spoke Japanese.

"Well, who do you think had to teach him?" Samatha asked, joking slightly.

"Well, at least we bought enough for everyone," Tazawa commented.

"How about we head back down and eat, I think I speak for all of us when I say we're hungry," Salcito said, everyone agreeing with him.

They all headed down and started to fill up the table, a new set of plates and utensilsutensils set out for Samantha. She had removed the flight suit she was in and eveyone could see that even though she was pregnant, she could still take down a trained veteran. She sat next to Salcito and once everyone was seated the food was served and dinner commenced.

The conversation was kind and friendly, everyone in a good mood becausebecause of that holidays. Drinks flowed from cup to cup, each time passing Rihoko and Samantha. The night started to get later and later, the time closing till the new day. Rihoko was the first to start to ssleep, follwed by other occupants not that far behind.

Eventually only Salcito and Masane were awake, the latter barely able to stand. She stumled up the stairs, only making it to the second floor. She was about to get up and try to move when she tripped again, only to be caught before her head could hit the railing.

"How am I supposed to protest you if you keep trying to hurt yourshurt?" Salcito asked, draping an arm over her to help steady her.

"Shut...*Hic*...up," Masane tried to argue, but knew she couldn't.

"Come on, let's get you off to bed," Salcito said, half carrying Masane to her room.

He placed her in her bed, Masane mumbling some form of thanks. Salcito just shook his head and left the room, Masane already asleep. With all the occupants asleep, Salcito got to work placing out the gifts her got in secret.

Christmas Morning

The people in the apartment were used to a quiet morning, so a little girl running from room to room waking everyone up was unheard of. Rihoko was excited, not having a holiday with so many people before. The first thing made was coffee, as it was the only thing able to wake the adults.

They were groggy, and it seemed a miracle that they could actually make it down. Rihoko passed around everyone's presents, them all not really paying attention. As sleep was washed away, the spirit of the holiday returned and everyone once more enjoying themselves.

The day was peaceful and kind, as were the next few days. As the holiday official came to a close, things started to return to the semi-normal life that the people were mostly used to. With the holiday over, the Ex-cons would once more be on the minds for both the Witchblade and the Spartan.