The verdict was clear and absolute. With two broken bones in his right leg, there would be no delivering presents for Santa. The effort of hauling sacks of gifts and climbing in and out of chimneys would put far too much strain on his leg. Not to mention that the injury itself would considerably slow down his pace.

The emergency room staff, of course, had no idea who Santa was. The official story was that he was Daniel's uncle, visiting from Alaska for the holidays. He gave his name as Nicholas, and when pressed for a surname, supplied after a moment's hesitation, "Saint."

Little was said after the doctor sternly admonished "Mr. Saint" that whatever important outing he'd planned for Christmas Eve would have to be put aside. Santa bowed his head in acknowledgement and silently listened as the doctor instructed him to keep his leg elevated as much as possible until his return to Alaska. Daniel silently glared at Vala, who in turn stared at the ground.

"Well, Vala," Jack smirked, having heard by then about the Santa trap. "Looks like coal to me."