It was the 14th of December. Zaf had whooped triumphantly when he was drawn again from the advent raffle, opening the tiny paper door with little interest, instead rewarding himself with a couple of chocolate biscuits hidden in his desk drawer. Malcolm's makeover was complete and colourful decorations glowed from every angle of the Grid. And rumour had it that on Saturday night Ruth and Harry had got together for dinner. The Christmas spirit was truly influencing everyone.
"The big day is nearing, Portman, and yet I haven't seen any Amazon packages in the post," Zaf commented.
"Maybe I didn't buy your present online," suggested Jo innocently, but secretly she was worried. She still hadn't thought of a present to get for him. Jo wanted to buy something meaningful, but nothing that showed too obviously that she was into him. Work was the most important thing, and she wouldn't jeopardise it for a relationship, especially as the other person probably doesn't even feel the same way.
Little did Jo know that behind the cheeky facade was a guy who genuinely cared for her. Zaf spun round on his swivel chair, smiling when he thought of Jo's reaction when he handed her a pair of dainty gold earrings. They had cost him a bomb, but he couldn't resist.
Ros, on the other hand, was far from the relationship spectrum. Of course, there had been the odd male in the past that she toyed with the idea of having a relationship with, but she knew it wouldn't work. She pretended she couldn't care less, but under the bulletproof skin Ros had genuine feelings - but she wouldn't let them show to anyone. In this business, who could you trust?
Evidently not Ruth; she had told Harry that Ros had Zaf for Secret Santa. Well, this was what she could assume, as Harry had said, 'Bottle of champagne; it'll be gone by the New Year, but he'll appreciate it' whilst passing her desk this morning, referencing the fateful gathering which revealed Zaf's tendency to get ridiculously drunk. To be fair, the party had been the stereotypically awkward and awful gathering put on by HR each year despite how obvious it was that everyone despised the whole charade. A measly Christmas dinner was served, an old album of cheesy carols blared loudly and when people actually started getting up to dance, Zaf had decided that enough was enough. It was Ros' first Christmas party at Thames House and she hardly knew him, but found a smudge of respect and amazement beginning to grow as she watched him efficiently down a bottle of cheap champagne and subsequently become too sloshed to sit sensibly until the evening was over. After standing on his chair for his fourth enthusiastic rendition of 'Jingle Bells', Harry shoved Zaf into a taxi. He probably woke up with the mother of all hangovers, but at least he got to leave early.
This year, Adam had decided that enough was enough. The entire team was going to his house for a less awkward gathering, where they wouldn't have to eat dry mince pies with the odd chap from the Foreign Office or be forced into singing 'Silent Night' whilst the overly-enthusiastic elderly lady from Reception brutally assaulted the piano keys with arthritic fingers. Ros suppressed a shudder at the memory and called Jo over to her desk.
"I don't know what to get Zaf," Ros admitted in a whisper.
"Me neither," confessed Jo. "I was gonna get him a present, just because we're flatmates, you know..." she tried to explain. Ros nodded, although she knew what was going on.
"I thought maybe a new jacket; he's quite into his clothes," continued Jo.
"Good idea. Maybe I could get him..." Ros tailed off, shaking her head. "I think just a massive box of chocolates will have to do." She had officially given up.
"That's a great idea, actually." Jo surprised Ros with her remark. "He's always snaffling the food from our flat," Jo explained further.
Ros laughed a tad sardonically. "Chocolates it is."
...
Once again, Harry tried to focus on work, tried to force himself to ring Juliet (with the phone that he had made Zaf reconnect), but he couldn't bring himself to. She was always particularly short-tempered at this time of year – it seemed that she was allergic to any form of festive fun.
Harry was grateful for a knock at the door. "Come in, Malcolm. Is there a problem?"
"Well, yes," admitted Malcolm. "I'm having some... trouble, with the Secret Santa."
"Hells bells, this is driving me crazy," muttered Harry. "Don't worry: you're not the only person who's struggling. Who do you have?"
"Ruth," replied Malcolm. Harry felt a fleeting surge of jealousy. He had seen a beautiful necklace that he knew she'd love, but had to resist the urge to buy it. For a second Harry pondered giving Malcolm his suggestion, but knew that he wanted to give it to her himself, see the smile on her face.
"Perhaps some... earrings?" Harry suggested. Yes, Ruth did like jewellery.
Malcolm looked surprised. "I didn't know she was really into jewellery."
"Oh yes, she'd love them," reassured Harry.
Malcolm left the office, his mind finally put at rest from Christmas' stress.
...
"Adam, you know Ros quite well..." Jo had cornered him during lunch. "Look, I know it's supposed to be a Secret Santa, but I have no idea what to get her."
"I hope your secret keeping abilities will drastically improve in the New Year," Adam commented with a roll of his eyes.
"Come on, you knew anyway – we both drew up the list," she argued.
Adam held up his hands. "Okay, okay. Well, she's into shoes. That's all I can say really. High heeled shoes are the way to go."
"What size is she?"
"Seven," said Adam.
"Okay... shoes." Jo knew just the place and would go there after work. Secret Santa sorted.
...
Turns out, buying for Harry might not be as simple as Zaf first thought.
He had been told by Adam that his plans for typically old person presents, although amusing, wouldn't be well received. Zaf sighed. Back to square one.
Harry liked whiskey. After difficult operations they often met at bars and talked stuff through – Harry was a great boss like that. Adam was right: Zaf needed to get him something more thoughtful. A bottle of aged whiskey from Scotland seemed like a perfect fit, though. Harry was something of a whiskey connoisseur and Zaf knew he would appreciate it. Sorted.
...
Harry dodged some boring office work by heading down to the archives, passing Adam on the way. Damn it – he still hadn't thought of a bloody Secret Santa gift for him.
"Shouldn't you be meeting with your asset?" he called, realising that the officer wasn't where he should be.
Adam spun around. "What time is it now?"
"Twelve fifty three. He was expecting you fifty three minutes ago."
"Shit," Adam muttered, picking up the pace and hopping up the stairs two at a time.
Harry shook his head – his Section Chief had been a little lost recently.
The sudden realisation that this would be Adam's first Christmas without Fiona made Harry wince.
Then again, perhaps a good watch would encourage some better time keeping in the future. All assets would get met promptly, and this Secret Santa trauma would finally be over.
Harry made a mental note to finally expel HR from his annual Christmas card list. Secret Santa would not be happening in his section next year, as long as he was still breathing.
...
The stress of Secret Santa was now over. It was the 20th, the day of present giving. All gifts were left in Harry's office anonymously with simply with the recipient's name.
"Everyone, collect your present," instructed Adam.
"This is marvellous," said Malcolm, admiring the handy box.
"What a gorgeous scarf!" exclaimed Jo, glancing slightly at Ruth with a grin.
"These shoes are lovely," complimented Ros, shooting a smile at Jo.
"Chocolates!" yelled Zaf, punching the air triumphantly with a cheeky wink to Ros.
"Good quality whiskey," Harry said in Zaf's direction. Adam soon realised that the presents weren't as anonymous as they should have been.
"You all know who they're from?" he said, exasperated.
"Yes," admitted Ruth. "Thank you, Malcolm, by the way. The earrings are lovely."
Adam rolled his eyes, unwrapping his gift which he knew to be from Harry. A smile spread across his face.
"This is fantastic," said Adam, taking the watch from the box and buckling it around his wrist. "Thanks, Harry."
"Pleasure. Maybe you can start meeting your assets on time now," Harry suggested drily.
Adam grinned sheepishly. "Right, you lot. Seeing as the festive season is upon us, perhaps I can forgive the lack of secrecy in this present-giving, commercialism-fuelled nightmare, but I hope you all understand its importance in an operational context," he lectured jokingly.
"What was that mate?" said Zaf through a mouthful of chocolate.
Adam could only roll his eyes.
...
A/N: I am now in something of a quandary as this appears to be a logical place to end the story. However, I have written a few extra chapters involving Adam's Christmas party and Christmas itself and so it's basically up to you whether I should post a bit extra or leave it how it is. Once again, thank you very much for reading and/or reviewing! :)