A big thank you to all my readers and reviewers, especially the ones I can't contact by PM! On that subject: Smithy- would you put your challenge for the story to someone else maybe? I'm quite busy with some other projects I'd like to finish!

December 1971, Thursday, 23rd: Christmas Preparations

After a very restless night, an exhausted Mike took his leave from his two patients. In the course of the night Jeannie had succumbed to the virus as well. On his way to work he checked on Steve who had at least stopped throwing up but was still reluctant to eat or drink in case he provoked another bout of vomiting. He was a bit more alert and had started fretting about bringing the virus into the department and causing all the trouble. Mike was not quite sure if this was a sign of recovery or not, but this thought was soon blown out of his mind when he arrived at the bureau. The dreaded bug had reached Robbery too and, among others, had claimed Roy Devitt. So, on top of everything else, Mike had his own job back- and some.

"Janet, can a man get a cup of coffee around here?" he begged Olson's secretary. "Janet?", he called again, but got no answer. He looked outside and found the woman, pale and sweaty, propping herself up on to the back of her chair. There goes my help with the typing! The unkind thought only lingered in Mike's mind for a split second, before he took control. "We'll have you home in half a tick, but I hope you won't mind us sending you in a taxi. We just can't afford this bug to spread among the black and whites…"

After organizing some coffee for himself, Mike took stock on the sick count. So far only Homicide and Robbery were depleted and he was determined to leave it at that. He hoped that the first victims of the virus might be back on duty by Sunday, but until then things might get worse. So he had to prioritize the cases the remaining staff could realistically deal with.

And then there was Christmas… shopping, putting up the tree, last minute presents, cooking… although he wasn't sure if Jeannie or anyone else would have much interest in food at all. He picked up the phone and dialed his home number. Once he knew that Jeannie and Irene were alright on their own, he would call a meeting with the remaining staff and see how they could cover two departments until Sunday.

At lunchtime Mike managed to rush to the shops and pick up some groceries that might be suitable for his group of convalescents and quickly selected some last minute presents, a perfume for Irene, a bracelet for Jeannie and a book for Steve. Not very creative, but at least there would be something to put under the Christmas tree… if I ever manage to get the tree up!

What could he do but soldier on?

Going home, Mike felt marginally better about the situation. Although the sick toll in Robbery was still rising slowly, it seemed to have come to a standstill in Homicide. Like Mike, Lee Lessing and Dan Healy seemed to be immune to the bug, so maybe between them and with a lot of luck they might be able to cover the department over Christmas. But with my recent track record to attract trouble we'll probably have someone going on a killing spree on Christmas Eve, strangling people with a string of fairy lights….

Only one more call on the way home and Mike could concentrate on his nursing duties for the rest of the evening.


"No way! I could never impose on you like this!" Steve was adamant.

"Steve, for once- just do what I say and don't argue!"

"I couldn't possibly…"

"Do you have to make my life even more difficult than it already is? Just tell me where you keep your stash of pyjamas and come with me!" Mike was at the point of losing his cool.

"Sorry, Mike." Steve's indignation had deflated suddenly and he obediently staggered towards his bedroom and flung a few clothes into a bag.

"I didn't mean to yell at you, but honestly, don't you realise how much easier it'll be for me to have everybody in the same house?" Mike reasoned with his protégé.

Steve looked dejected. "I know, and it's all my fault anyhow…"

"Oh, cheer up, buddy boy; you will be in the company of two charming ladies who agreed to let you have the spare room. It's close to the bathroom, you know. And on that subject, do you want to bring a bowl for the ride or will a plastic bag do?"