Author's Note: For what is a Doctor Who fanfiction without a Christmas chapter? This is actually a two-part chapter!

Chapter Thirty-Two

"Happy Birthday, dear Mycroft! Happy Birthday to yooooooooou!"

Mycroft grinned as the group finished singing. The Doctor held out the long note, earning a smile from River and an impressed nod from Jack. His voice finally cracked and he doubled over, gasping for breath.

"Not bad," Sherlock laughed.

"Not bad at all," Mycroft agreed, "Thanks, Doctor!"

The Doctor grinned and wheezed, "Go on, then!"

Mycroft took a deep breath and blew out the fifteen candles on the three-tiered triple-chocolate cake that the Tardis had prepared. He resisted the urge to drool. He wasn't about to give Sherlock that satisfaction.

"Before we dive into the cake," Jack spoke up, with a knowing smirk that caused Mycroft to flush, "It's time for presents!"

River cracked her knuckles and said, "Time to go shopping!"

"Shopping?" Mycroft repeated.

"Yep," River exclaimed, "Sweetie, would you mind…?"

"Not at all," the Doctor replied, hitting the button and pulling a lever.

River sighed and said, "You know that it's not supposed to make that noise."

The Doctor stuck his tongue out as the blue box landed. Mycroft and Sherlock eagerly opened the door. Sure enough, they were in a shop. Immaculate suits were on display.

"It's the best place in London to buy a stylish suit," the Doctor cheerfully said. He gestured to himself and Jack, adding, "It's where we shop."

"Oh yeah," Sherlock slowly said, glancing around, "I think that Father once bragged about buying cufflinks from this shop."

Jack muttered something that sounded vaguely like, "He wishes."

The Doctor nudged him.

Mycroft glanced at a price tag and did a double-take, "Bloody hell! Sure, it's great…if I want to take out a triple mortgage on my first house!"

River laughed and said, "Don't worry about the price."

"But…" Mycroft protested.

"Don't worry," River repeated, "This is my present. Your clothes are nice, as it is. I figured that I'd give you the best of the line."

"And…I...I appreciate that," Mycroft stammered, "But…I…I can't…"

River sighed and muttered, "You know, I suspected that you might be trouble."

Without further ado, she pulled out her blaster.

"Are you serious?" Mycroft cried as Sherlock cracked up.

"Quite," River happily agreed, "Now, are you going to try on some suits?"

Mycroft threw his hands up, turned to the Doctor, and growled, "And you're alright with your wife holding me hostage?"

"Yep!"

Mycroft sighed and admitted, "Actually, that one in the corner does look handsome."

Jack was happy to help Mycroft assemble an outfit.

The Doctor leaned towards River and whispered, "You are bluffing, aren't you?"

River merely smiled and the Doctor grew concerned, "River?"

"Come along, Sweetie. Let's help Mycroft pick out a pocket square."

"River?"

She walked away and the Doctor frantically cried, "River, don't blast my companion!"

In the end, Mycroft ended up getting two handsome suits, complete with stylish accessories. Scarves, cufflinks, pocket squares, etc. He felt and looked amazing.

"Very nice," the Doctor complimented.

"You do look rather dashing," River agreed, paying the cashier.

"You're still missing a few things," Jack said with a smile, "Here's my present."

He cheerfully tossed him a Psychic Paper.

"You're joking!" Mycroft excitedly cried, "My own Psychic Paper? Thanks!"

"Don't mention it," Jack chuckled.

The Doctor stepped forward and said, "I'm afraid that my gift isn't that special but I thought that…well…since Sherlock has one…"

Mycroft smiled as he knowingly unwrapped a red bowtie.

"Thanks, Doctor," Mycroft sincerely said, "Bowties are cool."

"And here's mine!" Sherlock eagerly cried, handing over a tiny box.

It was a tiepin in the shape of a sword.

"Oh," Mycroft said, blinking, "Thanks, Sherlock."

"This way you can look 'dashing' while still being able to defend yourself!"

"Defend myself?" Mycroft snorted, "How?"

"Twist the hilt three times."

Mycroft did so and it suddenly expanded into a real sword.

"Blimey!" Mycroft cried, "Remind me not to adjust my bowtie!"

He twisted the hilt three times and it shrank back into a tiepin. The Doctor helped him put on the bow tie and he pinned the tie pin on the corner. Sherlock beamed at the gesture.

"Thanks, guys," Mycroft gently said, "It really means a lot. Holidays were never fun at our house."

"Yeah," Sherlock agreed with a heavy sigh, "That is, unless having money carelessly thrown at you is supposed to be fun."

Jack thoughtfully opened his mouth but River curtly interjected, "Not one comment."

Jack closed his mouth but still smirked.

Mycroft rolled his eyes and explained, "Father would usually just hand us money on his way out the door. It wasn't very exciting."

"Even on Christmas?" River asked, "I knew that your father was cold but I didn't think that he was that cold."

"He worked on Christmas," Mycroft glumly said, "He worked on our birthdays. He worked on weekends…"

"And when he wasn't working," Sherlock added, "He was in his study."

The Doctor gasped and suddenly cried, "That's what we should do!"

"What is?" Sherlock cried, caught off guard.

"Lock their father in the study again?" Jack excitedly asked.

"No, no, no," the Doctor enthusiastically said, "Christmas!"

"Christmas?" Mycroft repeated.

"Christmas," the Time Lord squealed, "Christmas! Let's do Christmas! Can we? Can we do Christmas? Please, Mycroft? Please!?"

Mycroft laughed at his enthusiasm and cried, "I suppose…why not?"

The Doctor turned to River and Jack, kindly asking "Will you join us?"

"Of course, Sweetie," River chirped, "Christmas with you is always fun."

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Jack said with a smile.

The Doctor suddenly became businesslike as he said, "We can eat gingerbread and drink cocoa and eggnog—no, you cannot add anything to it, Jack, so stop giving me that look—and decorate a tree and hang stockings on the console and write letters to Santa and…"

He was happily pacing, rambling about the possibilities.

Sherlock snorted and repeated, "Santa?"

"Santa Claus! Father Christmas! Jolly Old Saint Nicholas! Pere Noel! Jeff! Whatever you like to call him!"

"Doctor," Sherlock assuredly said, "You don't have to pretend that Santa exists…"

The Doctor stopped so abruptly that he tumbled forward. Jack went to catch him but missed and the Time Lord crashed to the floor. Mycroft and Sherlock glanced at one another. The Doctor straightened up, looking crestfallen as he asked, "You don't believe…?"

"I haven't believed in years," Sherlock admitted, "Based on the obvious evidence and scientific reasoning, it was irrational to think that Santa Claus existed."

"That would be a logical thought," the Doctor lightly said, "Except for one tiny detail…"

"What?"

The Doctor leaned forward, smiling as he whispered, "You live in a blue police box!"

He ruffled Sherlock's curls and kindly added, "Otherwise, a brilliant hypothesis."

"The Doctor's right," River said, grinning, "What part of these past five and a half months has been logical?"

"Wait," Sherlock whispered, "You mean…Santa's real?"

"Santa's real," the Doctor softly assured him.

"And the elves?" Mycroft asked, awestruck, "The North Pole? All of that's real?"

"Yes," the Doctor slowly said, "Well…sort of. There is a twist. Everybody into the box!"

The four happily complied and the Doctor rapidly hit buttons. The Tardis trembled and clanged. The Doctor put a finger to River's lips before she could make a sarcastic comment.

When it finally landed, he cheerfully cried, "Welcome to the North Pole!"

Mycroft wrenched the door open and gasped. The Tardis had landed in a beautiful village that looked like something out of a holiday card. The windows of the stone cottages merrily flashed. The thatched roofs were covered with twinkling white snow. Garlands and wreaths were tightly wrapped around the fences…

"Blimey," Sherlock cried, bouncing on his heels, "Look at that! And that!"

The five eagerly stepped out and looked around. Everything was so merry and bright. The colors were vibrant, the carols were harmonious, and the smells were decedent.

And there were elves.

Except…

"Hang on," Mycroft whispered, "W…what…?"

"They're made of snow!" Sherlock gasped.

They were. The elves beamed and waved as the group passed. They all looked like immaculate snow sculptures with details that were simply impeccable. Unlike the snow in London, there was not one spot of soot or dirt anywhere. It snow was perfectly white and sparkled like glitter. They were all beautiful. Everything was beautiful!

"Wow…" Mycroft whispered, "This is unbelievable…"

Mycroft and Sherlock tried not to let their jaws drop as they rapidly spun around, trying to take everything in. River and Jack laughed at the looks on the brothers' faces.

"DOCTOR!"

The five turned and the brothers gasped. The big man himself was walking towards them, grinning from ear to ear. Mycroft squinted and realized that Santa's hair and large beard were also made from snow.

"Santa!" Sherlock squealed, "Mycroft! It's Santa Claus!"

Mycroft snickered and Sherlock composed himself, calmly saying, "He's real."

River and Jack both laughed. The Doctor nodded and gently repeated, "He's real."

Sherlock looked star-struck as he asked, "Do you know who I am?"

"Sherlock Holmes," Santa rumbled, "The brightest child in London."

Sherlock beamed and asked, "So…am…am I on the nice list?"

Mycroft chuckled and Santa quietly said, "Hmm…I'm not sure. It's my understanding that you have thrown your vegetables from the Tardis on several occasions."

Sherlock's smile slipped away and he guiltily stared at his shoelaces.

Before Mycroft could defensively say anything, the Doctor caught his eye and winked.

All at once, Santa let out a booming laugh. Sherlock brightened and Santa pulled him into a warm hug. The Doctor chuckled and hugged Santa as well. Santa then turned to Mycroft and kindly added, "Happy Birthday, Mycroft Holmes."

Mycroft thanked him and awkwardly added, "And…err…Happy Christmas."

"It's not Christmas," Santa said, his eyes twinkling, "Not yet. There's work to be done!"

Five minutes later, they were sitting in Santa's Workshop. It was like they had leapt into a children's story. The elves were racing around, happily creating toys. Instead of being short and cute, however, they were beautiful snow creatures. They received delicious gingerbread, peppermint sticks, and an enchanting mug of hot chocolate.

"Everything's so happy and optimistic," Sherlock remarked.

"Yeah," River yawned, looking bored, "Not a bad thought in this place. That's the point."

"What is?" Mycroft curiously asked.

The Doctor grinned as he happily explained, "The North Pole is the beacon of happiness; it literally thrives on the innocence and happiness of the children in the world. Think about how excited Sherlock got when he realized that Santa was, in fact, real."

Sherlock flushed and the Doctor quickly added, "No, no, don't feel bad, Sherlock. It's a good thing. It's a very good thing. And Mycroft, I could tell that you were also awestruck. Don't give me that look because I'm not teasing you. In fact, I'd be rather disappointed if the two of you weren't excited to be here. There are some things that are just supposed to make you happy and Christmas is one of them."

"Well said, Doctor," a female elf beamed, coming over with more cocoa.

Mycroft couldn't help but to stare. She was breathtaking. Her icicle hair sparkled, her frosted skin glistened, and her eyes twinkled. She gave him a shy smile and walked away.

River leaned over, smirking as she whispered, "And how are you going to be able to swallow the cocoa, with your jaw dropped to the floor?"

"I…I…I…" Mycroft self-consciously stammered before hissing, "Shut up."

River laughed and Jack gave him a heartening nudge.

"Stop," Mycroft pressed, his cheeks flaming.

"I'm not saying anything," River teased.

The Doctor chuckled, leaning back in his chair, as he said, "Alright, you two. Play nice."

"She started it," Mycroft muttered.

"Technically you started it," River said with a smile.

"I'm encouraging it," Jack chuckled.

The Doctor looked confused before suddenly seeming to realize what they were talking about as he shouted, "W…wait! What? You…NO!"

He lurched and the chair tipped. The Doctor flailed for a moment and they watched, amused and not at all concerned, as he fell to the ground.

"I honestly don't know what's funnier," River cackled, "Watching you develop a crush or watching the Doctor react to it."

"It never gets old," Jack admitted.

"At least he hasn't started throwing shrimp at Mycroft," Sherlock snickered.

"And he hasn't gone for my vortex manipulator yet," Jack added, "Always a good start."

"She is cute," River teased.

"I…I suppose," Mycroft mumbled, glancing into his mug.

"Look at you!" River cried, laughing, "You're as red as that stocking."

Sherlock giggled at his brother's embarrassment.

"Yeah, yeah," Mycroft snarled, in good humor.

"Just wait, Sherlock," River said with a smirk, "One day, you're going to meet somebody who causes you to become just as flustered as your brother. Then Mycroft can have the laugh."

Of course, even River didn't know that the first woman that Sherlock will truly get flustered in front of became henceforth nicknamed The Woman. And she didn't know that Mycroft won't be laughing so much as he will be agonizingly burying his face in his hands as he watches an entire scheme crumble.

"No," the Doctor cried, leaping up, "Sherlock Holmes, you are never allowed to date!"

The Doctor also had no idea about The Woman. He was simply being overprotective.

"Don't worry," Sherlock muttered, looking disgusted by the thought.

Jack mirrored River's smirk and said, "Just wait, Sherlock…"

"Okay," the Doctor promptly said, "New rule. When you do start to date—"

"Thought I wasn't allowed?" Sherlock teased.

"—you are not getting your advice from Jack!"

"Oh, you're one to talk," Mycroft teased.

The Doctor stuck out his tongue.

Mycroft bashfully glanced back at the elf.

"Bloody hell, Mycroft!" River burst out with a smile, "Stop drooling all over the gingerbread and go talk to her, already!"

The Doctor quietly spoke up, "Dear, can I talk to you?"

"In a minute, Sweetie," River politely said, "Right now, I'm trying to get Mycroft to…"

"Now," the Doctor pressed and River gave in.

The Doctor gently pulled her to the side, whispering, "Mycroft can't do that."

"Why not?" River innocently asked.

"It's Christmas Eve!"

"Oh, Santa owes you a few," River briskly said, waving it off, "I'm sure he won't mind if one elf misses work for a few hours."

"River," the Doctor quietly repeated, "It's Christmas Eve."

"I know," River softly said, "I know, Sweetie but…"

"But nothing," the Doctor firmly said, "There is a reason that I have 'no dating' as one of my rules. Relationships only lead to heartbreak."

River amusedly stared at him, letting him work out what he had just said.

The Doctor closed his eyes and exasperatedly cried, "You know what I mean! I don't want him to get too close to her…"

"Then you're a hypocrite," River said with a bright smile.

"What?"

"You heard me," River taunted, "Besides, Jack's already sent Mycroft over."

"What!?"

The Doctor spun around. Sure enough, Jack had cheerfully prodded Mycroft in the right direction. The Time Lord raced over and roared, "Jack!"

"What?" Jack asked with a smirk, "You were busy talking to River. Somebody had to give him an encouraging nudge."

The Doctor merely scowled.

"Sweetie, don't make me lock you in the bathroom again," River warned.

"Give me your vortex manipulator," the Doctor demanded, reaching towards the immortal man.

"No," Jack defiantly said, "Doctor, look! They're hitting it off!"

They had! The elf bashfully revealed that her name was Carina. They were now happily talking about their favorite Christmas movies. Mycroft's face had at least gone from scarlet to a gentler pink.

The Doctor groaned and threw his hands into the air, loudly crying, "Fine! Go on! Flirt with an elf! Follow in Jack's footsteps! Who needs humans anyway? We should all mate with elves! Why not? What do I care? Why don't you two just snog it up while you're at it? Just don't come crying to me when you're lips become frozen together…"

He stomped off, still loudly rambling. Sherlock snickered and Mycroft came over, concernedly asking, "Is he alright?"

"He'll be fine," River briskly said, "Go on. Have fun."

"NOT TOO MUCH FUN!" the Doctor screamed.

"Have all the fun in the world," Jack said with a smirk.

"NO!"

"Will you stop?" Mycroft reprimanded, "Before he has an aneurism!"

Jack merely smirked, looking like he was thoroughly enjoying himself.

"…just think of what the children would look like," the Doctor rambled, stomping past them, "But no. No, no, no. Nobody ever bothers to think about that. I have enough problems with physics already!"

"Doctor," Mycroft loudly interrupted, "When you're done…err…imagining things that I don't even want to think about…Might you consider the possibly that you're overreacting?"

The Doctor turned and snapped, "Overreacting? Overreacting! Yeah, maybe I am. A bit."

He trailed off, looking dejected as he murmured, "Still…"

River leaned forward and tenderly whispered in his ear. The Doctor looked stunned for a moment before suddenly looking sentimental. He turned and kindly said, "I'm sorry. I'm afraid that I haven't been quite a rude guest. Of course you are welcome to stay with us."

"Just remember," River said with a bright, "If you break Mycroft's heart, I have a miniature flamethrower in my pocket."

Mycroft choked on a piece of gingerbread and spluttered, "R…River!"

Carina merely smirked and said, "Go ahead! I have an ice blaster in my pocket. Strictly for emergencies only, of course."

River nudged Mycroft and admiringly said, "Ooh, I like her."

Carina turned to the Doctor and began to shyly gush, "I've always wanted to meet you, Doctor. I've read all about you. You're legendary!"

The Doctor proudly smiled and she hesitantly asked, "Do you really have a magical box that can travel anywhere?"

"Yep," the Doctor cheerfully said, "Do you want to see it?"

"Yes!"

The group eagerly went outside where the Doctor and Mycroft proudly showed off the Tardis, which was now sitting beneath a twinkling pile of snow.

"She's beautiful," Carina complimented and the Doctor smiled at the pronoun, "I've always wanted to travel around the world…"

She broke off and thoughtfully whispered, "I could go anywhere…"

As the day progressed, the group grew to love Carina. She was brilliant but shy, funny but modest, beautiful but reserved. She was, in a sense, the perfect match for Mycroft. The six happily strolled around the village, getting into as much mischief as possible. Mycroft was grinning from ear to ear. He and Carina gradually became closer. Mycroft felt the gingerbread in his stomach do a flip when she eventually took his hand.

"Well," Jack finally spoke up, "It looks like Mycroft's found his Christmas spirit."

"Oh shut up," Mycroft mumbled as Carina's silver cheeks turned dark gray.

Sherlock and Jack both snickered at his embarrassment.

The Doctor came over, kindly asking, "Would anyone care for some more hot cocoa?"

Mycroft and Carina skeptically glanced at one another, the latter gently saying, "Err…no thank you, Doctor."

The Doctor looked confused for a moment before crying, "Oh! Right!"

He rushed off to find a cold drink but soon became engrossed in a pile of toys.

"May I make an observation?" Jack lightly spoke up, "Look up, mates."

He calmly walked away and Mycroft realized that they were standing beneath mistletoe.

Carina smiled and leaned forward but the Doctor suddenly cried, "Oi! Look at this!"

He excitedly zoomed over on a rocket powered scooter. Mycroft and Carina laughed.

The Doctor fell off, sprang to his feet, and cried, "Oh, look! Mistletoe!"

He frowned before concernedly asking, "Hang on? Have I interrupted something?"

"Err…"

"Sorry," the Doctor meekly said, "I'll just…be on my way!"

"Hang on," Mycroft curtly said, "Stay right there."

The Doctor stuck out his lip, looking incredibly guilty.

"River!" Mycroft called.

River skipped over, amusedly asking, "What's he done this time?"

"Nothing," Mycroft said with a smile, "Look up."

He and Carina contentedly left as River grabbed the surprised Doctor's bowtie and pulled him in for a tender kiss.

Sherlock had grabbed his violin and was now cheerfully playing Christmas songs. Jack was happily doing something that might have resembled a drunken river dance.

"That's amazing!" Carina sincerely told Sherlock, "Absolutely brilliant! You really are the brightest child in London."

Sherlock puffed out his chest, proudly playing 'Silent Night'.

Mycroft and Carina waltzed around. The Doctor and River joined them, the former dancing on two left feet. Carina wrapped her arms around Mycroft's neck. The two continued to dance, even after Sherlock stopped playing and stuck out his tongue. Everything was perfect.

Which was why Mycroft wasn't the least bit surprised—disappointed but not surprised—when everything went completely wrong. For all at once, the world exploded.