Disclaimer: I don't own Bones /pout
Guest1: Ahhh I'm surprised I even pulled off subtly not really my forte. It doesn't really get cold enough here to keep all that ice from melting either. They use plastic walls and freezers to keep the temperature at 9 degrees. ;-D All about the problem solving. I didn't understand it myself. I mean yeah it's cool to see the technology they use and to get a sense of what their everyday life is like over there but really it's a bit much for the families left behind.
Guest2: That honestly doesn't surprise me. I wouldn't want to watch it and see the danger. Heck before I realized my friend was over there I didn't want to see it.
Yenyen76:Hmm I'm not sure where you're from but there are ICE! Displays in TN, FL,TX and Washington DC. Jenheir1 told me about the one in TX I didn't even know about that one. From what I can tell it's not like a Waffle House at all. They are a specialty shop in that everything they serve has waffles in it or with it. Their sandwiches aren't made with bread they are made with waffles. Looks like a cool place to eat at least once (if you like waffles that is).
Silver Maker: LOL if you watched the video that I posted a link to on my blog then you'd know it was Trans Siberian Orchestra ;-) but instead of just saying that I described that so people could mentally hear it through their eyes. Actually, that sounds kind of painful. LOL we don't have a patio fireplace but it sounds like fun to grill while there's snow outside. I had the hardest time writing this stuff because I couldn't seem to get in the Christmas spirit when I was writing it. I had music blaring all over the house it was kind of amusing. I'm glad you're liking it!
Nertooold54: Sorry having been unable to eat these kinds of things for the first part of my life I have a tendency to over do it =/.
Jenheir1: You should try living in Delaware. We don't have places like that either. We do have two or is it no it's four microbrewery food establishments. They usually have tasty food.
ArielBrennan: Sure the ice could. As it is they hall in industrial freezers to keep the ice cold here. They just have to kick the thermostat down a few notches for California ;-) Yes but in some cultures consumption is a form of reverence...
Thank you all for your great reviews =D
Chapter 54 - Cupcakes and Christmas Gifts
After a breakfast of Roasted Fuji Apple and Cinnamon Waffles and a Bacon, Egg and Cheese Waffle sandwich, the pair headed over to pick up Andrea and Techie. Michelle waited in the truck while Legates went to get the pair. Her eyes widened and she laughed as the three of them came running out of the building. As they were getting into the truck, Maggs came barreling out of the building.
"Legates, get your ass back here," Maggs yelled, running after them.
Legates threw the truck into reverse after the doors were closed and pulled out of the parking spot. Legates, Techie, and Andrea were laughing as they pulled out into traffic.
"Someone going to tell me what's so funny?" Michelle asked, looking at the people in the back. Legates handed her his phone and she burst into laughter at the picture.
"He seriously shaves his...? Oh my, God. I really didn't need to see that part of Maggs," Michelle said, laughing. She handed him the phone and shook her head.
"So, who are you shopping for, Baby?" Legates asked, driving through the afternoon traffic.
"My mom," Techie responded. Andrea snorted then started laughing at the two of them.
"Cam," Michelle said, smirking at Legates.
"You're not shopping for me?" Legates asked with a twinkle in his eye.
"With you here? I know I'm good but even I'm not that good," Michelle said with a devilish gleam in her eye.
Andrea snickered and shook her head at Michelle. Legates groaned at having to park in a parking garage.
"They're expensive and generally a waste of money," he whined. It wasn't that he couldn't afford it, it was that he hated wasting money.
"You will get parking all day long for two bucks if you show them a receipt for fifty dollars or more. I'm buying a dress for Cam so you'll be more than covered. Unless you want me to pay the two dollars for parking too," she said, smiling devilishly at him.
"No, no, I got it," he grumbled.
Andrea shot Techie a look and Techie smirked in return. The couples climbed out of the truck and made their way to the street. When they entered the closed off street they saw a huge decorated tree tucked between two of the buildings. Music drifted and people wandered from store to store.
"So, where to first?" Techie asked, looking at Michelle.
"Andrea is visiting, she gets to pick," Michelle said, sweeping her hand down the street.
"Well, let's just walk and stop when we see something," Andrea suggested. They were walking down the street when Andrea let out a muffled laugh.
"These people are wearing some of the most God awful sweaters," she said, giggling.
"Yeah, sorry I should have mentioned. There is an ugly sweater competition," Michelle said, laughing.
"Oh, jeez. Wouldn't have mattered. You couldn't pay me to wear Christmas sweaters that ugly," Andrea said, laughing.
"The winner gets a three hundred dollar gift certificate to Calvin Klein," Michelle said, smirking slightly. Andrea swallowed and her eyes went wide.
"Three hundred dollars?" She said in a whisper.
"Yep," Michelle said, stopping in front of Georgetown Cupcake.
"I have to place an order," Michelle said, stepping inside.
The other three followed her into the store and their eyes boggled at the five display cases of cupcakes in every imaginable and some not imaginable flavors. Michelle stepped up to the counter and smiled at the girl behind the register.
"Can I help you?" The girl asked Michelle with a smile.
"Yes, I need to place an order for delivery," Michelle said.
"How many?" The girl asked, pulling out a sheet of paper.
"Two dozen," Michelle said.
"What would you like?" The girl questioned, her pen hovering over the paper.
"Four holiday chocolate lava fudge, four chocolate eggnog, four English Christmas, four white chocolate peppermint and four snowballs," Michelle said. Legates swallowed, seeing the price of a dozen cupcakes.
"Okay, I need you to fill out the information with a star next to it please," the young girl said, pushing the paper across to Michelle.
Michelle took the pen and printed the information in the designated areas. She slid the paper across the counter and pulled out her wallet.
"Your total is 92.80," the girl said, taking Michelle's debit card.
"Sweetheart, you just spent a hundred dollars on cupcakes," Legates said, swallowing.
"I'm aware of that, Josh," Michelle said.
"I have to try one of these if you think they're worth spending that kind of money on them," Legates said, stepping back over to the display case.
"Me too," Techie said, making Andrea murmur her agreement.
"You want one, Baby?" Legates asked, looking at Michelle.
"A white chocolate peppermint, please," she said, smiling. Legates turned to look at the woman behind the counter.
"Are you ready, dearie?" The older woman asked with a smile.
"Yes, I'd like a holiday lava fudge and a white chocolate peppermint. Also two cups of coffee, please," he said, grinning at the woman.
Smiling, she put them on a Styrofoam plate and carried them to the register. After paying for the cupcakes and coffee, he picked up the plate and looked over at Michelle. She walked to where he was and picked up the coffee. He carried the plate to a table with four chairs, set the plate down then sat down.
Michelle sat down next to him and shrugged out of her jacket. They sat waiting for Techie and Andrea to join them. Michelle took a sip of her coffee and grinned at Legates.
"How in the world do you find these places?" Legates asked, looking around the brightly lit bakery that was starting to fill with people.
"Actually, I found this place by watching TLC. The owners have a TV show called Cupcakes on there," Michelle said, carefully peeling the wrapper from her cupcake. Andrea and Techie joined them with a plate with two cupcakes and two coffees.
"These cupcakes had better be freaking awesome if you paid a hundred dollars for twenty four of them," Techie mumbled suspiciously, as he peeled the paper back.
Legates grinned as he peeled the paper off his own cupcake. He took a bite and chocolate flowed over his tongue. Rich, dark, sweet and completely sinful taste of chocolate covered his mouth and slid down his throat.
"I think I'm in love," he muttered.
Michelle snorted and took a bite of her cupcake. Techie took a tentative bite of his cupcake, his eyes slid closed and he heard a low moan from Andrea.
"This is..." Andrea said, after swallowing.
"Orgasmic?" Michelle said, smirking.
"Oh, yeah," Andrea murmured.
"They deliver across the lower forty eight states," Michelle said, taking a sip of her coffee.
Legates' eyes slid to Michelle and he smiled a slow smile. He slowly ate his cupcake, savoring each bite and sipping coffee between. When he was finished, he stood up and walked to the counter. The lady behind the counter spoke with him then pulled out a sheet of paper. Legates spoke with the woman and they discussed his order. After paying, he came and sat back down with a smile.
"I'm done Christmas shopping," he said with a smirk. Michelle shook her head and chuckled.
"See, Justin, these are a good reason to move to Washington D.C," Andrea said, with a twinkle in her eye. Michelle almost choked on the bite of cupcake in her mouth. Swallowing, she started giggling.
"Where to next?" Techie asked, looking down the street.
"Let's see where the wind takes us," Andrea said, standing up after she finished her coffee. Michelle stacked the plates and carried them to the trash. Legates picked up her coffee and handed it to her.
"Have a nice day, dears," the older woman behind the counter called out as they left.
Michelle waved to her and shot her a smile. The four of them ambled down the street stopping at stores here and there. Finally, they reached a store that Michelle headed into. The men groaned at the name Karen Millen. The name screamed women's things and they weren't looking forward to it. Michelle made her way back to the dress section and walked through the racks.
"She's on a mission," Andrea murmured with a grin.
Finding what she was looking for, Michelle sorted through the dresses and found the size she was looking for. Walking to the register, she pointed to the rack and spoke with the woman behind the register. Nodding, the woman picked up a set of keys and walked to the rack. Unlocking the rack, she removed the dress Michelle had been looking at. When the woman lifted the dress out of the rack, Legates saw it. It absolutely looked like something Dr. Saroyan would wear. Andrea was looking at the shirts on the rack near them and swallowed convulsively.
"Justin, this shirt costs two hundred dollars," Andrea whispered, pointing to the maroon lace top.
Techie looked at the top and squinted. Legates' eyes shot to the register total after Andrea said that. He groaned as he saw the total then groaned again when Michelle whipped out her card with no issue. She didn't even blink at the price. Michelle waited as the woman, boxed, wrapped then bagged the dress. Michelle walked towards them wearing a smile.
"Are you going to be able to eat for the next six months, Sweetheart?" Legates asked as they left the store.
"Yeah," Michelle answered, grinning she realized they had never seriously discussed finances.
"You know you don't have to get me anything for Christmas, right? I'll be perfectly happy with you wearing nothing but a few well placed bows," Legates said, grinning.
Andrea burst into laughter and shook her head at his comment. Michelle rolled her eyes then wiggled her eyebrows as a thought drifted through her mind. A wide smile drifted across her face and Techie bellowed as the color of her eyes shifted subtly. Moving down the sidewalk, they ducked in and out of stores including Calvin Klein Underwear, Lush, and another cupcake store called Sprinkles.
As they continued walking, Michelle guided them into what looked to be a store front. When they entered the building after climbing the steps, the others realized it was a shopping mall. They walked up and down the mall stopping in stores but it was in Niccolo that Michelle took notice of Legates actually looking at something. Techie walked over to Legates as Michelle stood with Andrea watching them. Then she saw Legates look at the tag and shake his head. Techie spoke with him, waving his hands as he talked. Michelle smirked and shook her head.
"He likes it but doesn't want to drop that kind of money on the coat," Michelle surmised.
"But he'll drop thirteen hundred dollars on that monstrosity in their room," Andrea said, squinting her eyes.
"Yep," Michelle said, sighing, "Although he previously told me that it wasn't worth it to buy one since they were never there long enough."
"Justin, said it was because you were trapped in the room for a few days," Andrea said, grinning at Michelle.
Michelle shook her head and pinched the bridge of her nose with a sigh. Michelle looked at her watch and waved at Techie. He turned to face her while Legates hung the jacket up, his hand lingering on it just a moment longer than necessary.
"So, we'll come back while they're in class or something. I have another shop you'll want to see," Michelle said, snickering.
"Oohhh a fun one then?" Andrea asked as Techie wove his way towards them.
"Oh yeah," Michelle grinned.
"What's up?" Techie asked as he approached them.
"We need to eat dinner now if we're going to make it to Zoolights," Michelle said, smiling.
"Okay, I saw a couple of places in here," he said, whistling to Legates.
They left the store and Michelle entwined her fingers with Legates'. They headed into A Little Bit of Buffalo and sat down. The restaurant was the typical bar or tavern type restaurant. Looking at the menu, they decided on two plates of wings. Regular hot wings and super extra spicy hot for Michelle.
Michelle snorted as she read the description. Techie nudged Andrea's elbow and smirked at her. They were picking their dinner entrees when Michelle looked at the condiments and frowned. Legates saw the reason for her scowl and lifted his hand to catch the waitress' attention.
"Are you ready to order?" The waitress asked with a wide smile.
"No, but when you bring out our appetizers can you bring a bottle of hot sauce with you?" He asked with a polite smile on his face. Just before their drinks and appetizers arrived, they finally placed their orders.
"So, we're going to the zoo?" Techie said, wearing a grin.
"Yes, we'll make sure and stop by the Big Ape House and visit your family," Michelle said, smirking at him as the waitress slid a plate of hot wings down on the table.
"These...are... the regular hot wings," the waitress said, trying desperately to control her laughter.
"And these are the super extra spicy hot. Here's the hot sauce," the waitress said, sliding the bottle on the table. She set their drinks down in front of them, still struggling to control her laughter.
"You're meals should be out shortly," she said, almost running away from their table.
She flew through the swinging doors to the kitchen, the sound of her laughter trailing behind her. Michelle smirked at Techie and reached for the hot sauce.
"Shouldn't you taste it first to make sure it's not too hot?" Andrea asked, looking at Michelle.
"If it's hot enough for her, they'd make you sign a waiver and there would be a huge warning on it," Legates said, laughing.
Michelle grinned, put some chicken wings on her plate then picked up the hot sauce. Taking the cap off, Michelle started dumping it on the plate. Andrea's eyes went wide as she watched Michelle as she kept putting the hot sauce on.
"Guess she won't be kissing me tonight," Legates rumbled, laughing.
"No, I will. I'll just order a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert," she said, grinning.
"Watch this," Techie stage whispered as Michelle picked up a chicken wing.
Andrea watched in fascination as Michelle picked up a chicken wing and ate it. She set it down and shook her head mournfully.
"I'll start keeping a bottle in my pocket," Legates said with a grin. Michelle shrugged and looked around.
"Aren't you guys going to eat?" She asked, picking up another wing.
"Yeah, I just had to see this. Wilson nearly cried while he was telling me about taking one of your french fries," Andrea said, gingerly picking up a few regular hot wings.
"It was Addison, Honey," Techie said, grinning at Andrea. She sighed and rolled her eyes.
"I have no idea why but I always confuse the two of them," she said, taking a bite of her hot wing.
The guys dug in and by the time the food arrived the chicken was mostly gone. They finished their dinner then their desserts. As promised, Michelle ate a serving of vanilla ice cream. After splitting the bill and leaving the tip, they headed to the truck.
"I thought you said something about Mount Vernon yesterday," Andrea said as Legates drove towards the National Zoo.
"I had forgotten that they sell out of tickets early for that," Michelle murmured.
"Ahhh, maybe next year," Andrea said.
Legates shot Michelle a grin and a wink. Michelle gave him a soft smile and hoped that they'd be still together and able to see it next year.
"Josh, can we stop by a Target, Walmart or something on the way? I forgot to get the donation earlier," Michelle said.
"Sure," he said, shooting her a quizzical look. He pulled into a Walmart and went to open his door to go with her.
"No need, this will only take a minute or two," she said, opening her door. Andrea smiled and threw her door open.
"I can grab something to donate as well," she said, climbing out of the truck.
Michelle shot her a smile and closed her door. Legates watched the pair pick their way through the snow into the store.
"I think, Legates, that we are in trouble," Techie murmured, watching the women as well.
"Why's that?" Legates asked, shooting Techie a look in the rearview mirror.
"They seem to like each other. Those two will be thick as thieves. Which can only spell trouble for us," Techie said, grinning.
Legates thought about it for a minute and couldn't for the life of him see how that could be trouble. Techie snorted as he saw the look on Legates' face. Legates' eyes glanced down to his stereo as a blast of Mannheim Steamroller burst from the speaker.
"Where the hell did that come from?" He asked, seeing it was a CD not the radio. Techie smirked and shook his head.
"You have been in your own little world haven't you?" Techie asked, laughing at his friend.
"Yeah, guess so," Legates answered.
"Michelle bought it at some point during our shopping," Techie said, knowing exactly when but wondering if Legates had seen her buy it.
"I swear, she probably could have bought me a gift and I wouldn't have noticed for all the attention I paid," Legates muttered.
Techie laughed, having seen Michelle buy him some gifts. One of which he'd like to have himself. A few minutes passed and the women came back. Leaving the store, Legates drove to the National Zoo and gaped at the almost full parking lot. Michelle snorted and rolled her eyes. Climbing out of the truck, they headed towards the main gate which had an arch lit up with the words Zoo Lights.
Near the arch there was a table with a woman who was handing out pamphlets and time schedules for the displays. There was a box with the word donations on the side. Walking up to the box, Michelle upended her Walmart bag into the box, taking the receipt from the pile.
"Merry Christmas," Michelle said with a smile. Andrea dumped her bag into the box and smiled at the woman.
"Enjoy your visit," the woman called with a smile as the four moved into the zoo.
Smiling, Michelle grabbed Legates' hand and walked with him up to the Panda exhibit. On the outside of the building that housed the pandas were pandas done in lights that lit one after another and made it look as if there was a panda made from lights pacing in front of the building. Entering the building, they paused in front of the plexiglass that separated them from the two pandas in the enclosure.
"Oh look, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian are here until 2015. They are trying to breed them," Andrea said cheerily. Michelle watched the pandas move with a soft smile.
"They're sending Tai Shan to China at the beginning of the year," Michelle said.
"Awww do you like the bears, Sweetheart?" Legates asked her in a quiet tone. She gave him a smile and nodded.
"They're wild animals but they look so cuddly," Michelle said with another smile.
Legates shook his head and laughed. Moving through the exhibit, they moved past the small mammal's house to the Great Ape House. They entered the building that was brightly decorated with colored lights. Much like one would decorate a home with Christmas lights.
"Look, Honey, Techie gets to see his family for the holidays," Michelle laughed as she pointed to the gorillas sleeping together in the Great Ape House.
"Baby, it's not nice to insult the gorillas like that," Legates said with a smile.
"Har Har Har. Ya'll are just so funny," Techie muttered.
"But, Justin, that one looks just like you," Andrea said with a wide grin, pointing to a gorilla.
"Andrea, that one is female," Legates pointed out with a laugh.
"How can you tell?" Andrea asked, squinting at the gorilla.
"She doesn't have the line of silver hair down her back," Legates pointed out.
"How in the world do you know that?" Andrea asked, looking at him eyes wide with surprise.
Legates pointed to a sign with the information he just gave her printed on it. She put her hands on her hips and laughed at him.
A string of lights that traveled parallel to the O-line connecting the Think Tank and the Great Ape House lit up and chased each other down the string, leading the group away from the Great Ape House.
"Hey look here come some carolers," Andrea said, pointing to a group of singers headed toward them.
Legates started to smirk when he caught sight of Dwayne in the group. Leaning against the split rail fence, Legates waited for them to come closer. Dwayne's eyes shot to Legates' face and Dwayne shot Legates a goofy grin and winked at Michelle. Shaking his head and chuckling, Legates walked with Michelle, enjoying the lit sculptures of animals placed in large grassy areas.
Techie was impressed at the care that was taken to make sure that the lights would not interfere with the animals. As they moved around the Think Tank, Andrea oooh'd at a sign that offered a train ride through the Great Cat enclosure. Michelle swallowed hard and bit back her tears. They didn't need to know about this, she could handle it. Giving Andrea a wobbly smile, Michelle nodded her head and followed the group to the train. They boarded the train and the guide stood leaning against the front of the train.
"Hi my name is Heather and I will be taking you on the tour of the Dr. Andrew Welton Large Cat Enclosure. Dr. Welton was a large benefactor to the zoo and after his untimely passing this exhibit was named after him. This enclosure houses seventeen large cats including seven new lion cubs," Heather said as the train started to move.
Michelle smacked her hand over her mouth and squeezed her eyes shut. What had she been thinking? Could she come face to face with Matilda and not be upset? Legates' eyes jerked to Michelle at the mention of her last name. His eyes widened as he watched the color drain from her face as her hand clapped over her mouth. He saw tears leak from the corners of her eyes.
"Jesus, Michelle," Legates said, wrapping his arm around her.
Techie's eyes jerked to Michelle at Legates' whispered words. He could see Michelle trying to control her breathing through her hand. His mind raced trying to figure out what was causing this reaction.
"Up on my left you will see the Sumatran Tiger exhibit. These tigers are given a very special diet that is strictly regulated by their keepers," Heather said. Michelle groaned and leaned over and buried her head between her knees and began to breathe deeply.
"Is she okay?" Techie whispered.
"This was a bad idea. How long is this ride?" Legates snarled in frustration.
"Another five minutes, I think," Techie said.
"Okay, Michelle, I'm going to move you to the outside seat. I know, Baby, it's closer to the cats but if you get sick you can do it out the window," Legates said gently, picking her up. He shuffled and switched seats with her. Leaning against Legates, Michelle let the tears leak from her eyes.
"What the hell is going on?" Techie whispered harshly, noticing they were drawing Andrea's attention from the passing scenery.
"Andrew Welton must have been her father," Legates whispered in a soft growl.
"You mean," Techie waved his finger around the cat enclosure.
"Yeah," Legates hissed.
"Matilda, a Sumatran Tiger, ate my father," Michelle said in a low tone.
People on the bench in front of them turned and looked at her with disgusted looks on their faces. When the train stopped, Legates used his large frame to push through the crowd to get them off the train as quickly as possible. When they reached the sidewalk, Michelle walked quickly away from everyone and headed to the bathroom.
"Did I hear wrong or did Michelle say one of the tigers ATE her father?" Andrea asked her face twisted in horror. Legates jammed his hands in his hair, sighing in frustration.
"At the Halloween Ball she told me her father was murdered and the squints caught his murder. She didn't say anything other than that. I didn't notice her hesitation to get on the train," Legates growled in frustration. Andrea walked to the dedication plaque on the side of the Great Cat House which was also lit with colored Christmas lights.
"Umm, Justin," Andrea said, waving him over and pointing to a line. Techie's eyes shot to Legates who was standing in front of the restroom building waiting for Michelle to appear.
"So, let me get this straight. Her father, one of the best Cardiac Surgeons in the tri-state area, donated over two hundred thousand dollars over the course of four years. He gets eaten by a big cat and his sole inheritor which is obviously Michelle, sets up a fund so that his donations continue?" Andrea said, chewing on her bottom lip.
"Looks that way," Techie said, shaking his head.
"So, Michelle is rich then," Andrea said, laughing as she realized why three hundred dollars for a dress wasn't a big deal for her.
"It would appear so," Techie agreed, carefully keeping an eye on Legates who was starting to pace.
"Does Legates know?" Andrea asked, looking over to where Legates was pacing and worrying his lower lip with his teeth.
"I'd say no. Can you go check on her? Legates might go charging in after her," Techie said with a smirk.
"Yeah, I'll go check on her," Andrea said, nodding. Andrea walked into the ladies room and found Michelle holding a wet paper towel to her face.
"Michelle, are you okay?" Andrea asked, coming to stand next to Michelle.
"Yeah, just had to stuff that back where it belonged. I have no idea what the hell I was thinking. I haven't been near the Great Cat exhibit since my father died. I avoid it when I come to the zoo," Michelle grumbled.
"Let's go see the reptile house," Andrea said with a wide grin. Michelle looked over at Andrea with eyes that were slightly dull.
"Um, okay," Michelle mumbled, not really wanting to look at anything.
"Justin is terrified of snakes," Andrea offered with a smirk.
Michelle stopped and choked out a laugh at the thought of the big, tough Army Ranger guy being scared of snakes of all things. The ladies left the bathroom and Michelle took a deep breath.
"Sorry about that, guys. I really thought I could handle it," Michelle said, grimacing as she apologized. Legates pulled her away from the others.
"Sweetheart, why didn't you say anything?" He asked in an urgent tone. Sticking her hands in her back pockets, Michelle squinted one eye as she looked up at Legates.
"Look I don't go around introducing myself, Hi I'm Michelle and my dad was eaten by a tiger," she said, scuffing her foot.
"I know but a little heads up before we gotten on the train would have been good," he said quietly.
"Tell you what, Josh, when you tell me about your parents I'll tell you all about mine," she said with a slight snap to her tone.
Legates looked down at her and processed that for a minute. She had a point. How could he expect her to bring up all those painful memories when he wasn't willing to do the same?
"Fair enough," he said with a sigh. Reaching out, she took his hand and led him back to the group.
"Ready?" Andrea asked with a twinkle in her eye.
"Yep, let's go," Michelle said with a matching twinkle.
"This is not good for us," Techie said in a loud whisper.
Legates shook his head and chuckled as they approached a large brick building. Over the door was a tree branch done in lights with a large snake flickering on the branch. The flickering made it look as if the snake was moving out from the branch. Techie groaned and pulled at Andrea's hand.
"You don't have to look at the snakes. We'll look at everything else and you can stand by the door," Michelle said sympathetically.
"Yeah, I'll probably do that," Techie muttered. They stood in front of the Alligator snapping turtle display when Legates hmm'd.
"Snapping turtle is good eatin'," he rumbled. Andrea gave him a horrified look and stepped away from him.
"What?" He asked, looking at her with confusion.
"You eat turtles?" She asked with a look of disgust on her face.
"I forgot you live up by the base," Legates said, scuffing his foot.
"What does that have to do with anything?" Michelle asked, confused by his comment.
"Eating is a little different down where I'm from. At a fish fry you have catfish, alligator, crawdads, turtle, and a lot of things other people don't usually eat," he said with a twinkle in his eye.
"Huh, never had most of that," Michelle commented.
"We'll have to fix that," he said with a smile.
They moved through the rest of the reptile house then back out into the park. Making their way around, they found themselves in front of a bunch of trees lit by Christmas lights. A large triangle of lights twinkled then blinked out. A few moments later, the lights began to dance as music floated from the darkness. They stood watching as The Nutcracker Suite played and the lights flashed, changed colors and danced around the area. When the display ended, Andrea turned to Techie.
"Honey, do you mind if we call it a night. I'm kind of sleepy," she said, smiling at Techie. Techie turned to look at Michelle and Legates.
"Fine by me," Michelle said with a nod. Legates pulled out his keys and swept his hand in the general direction of the gates.
"Let us be off then," Legates said.
After leaving the zoo, Legates dropped Andrea and Techie off at the dorms then drove to Michelle's dorm. After entering the building and riding the elevator, they entered the dorm room. Michelle locked the door and followed Legates to the bedroom. It seemed like moments later they were laying in bed, Michelle drifting in a foggy half sleep state and Legates lying with his mind running a mile a minute. Neither realized when the other fell asleep.
A/N: So now it's on to tomorrow...blankets, snuffling, stirring the paint (yeah I went there), Italian, a mistake, head below the navel, maintaining physical fitness, JW Marriott, Audrey Hepburn, tasty men, four inch heels, curtains, bouncy teenager, Youtube favorites, kick line, short Santa tunics, tears, caroling food drive, dun dun duuunnn Romero, weapons, fish, bargaining, forgotten conversations, weight, Elvis, a mouse, conditions, and a gust of wind.