Author's Note: Please forgive me for the terrible rhyme at the start of this little series. I couldn't resist.

I decided to put together some Christmas/winter-themed prompts as a gift for the fandom. It's been a little over a year since I first published "The Crystal Ball Raid," and it's hard for me to express my shock and happiness at how well my weird little ideas were accepted. Here's to another year of the Rats and Dietrich (and, of course, everyone's favorite talking, magical Egyptian cobra, Anah) going on crazy adventures through the desert and beyond.

Day 1

'Twas the hour after Thanksgiving, and all through the ranch, a few creatures were stirring, mostly birds on a branch. In the house, the leftovers were being organized and put away. Another holiday come and gone. Sam Troy, usually not one to be trusted alone in any kitchen, could at least carve up what was left of the turkey so it could actually fit in the refrigerator.

He was quite proud of that turkey, having gone out into the cold that morning to shoot it in the woods behind the ranch. Snow and ice hardened the branches of the trees outside. Naturally, he had no desire to go out for the rest of the night, especially since it was dark and probably even colder than that morning.

Troy's wife, Shauna, entered the kitchen, carrying a stepstool. "Now that Thanksgiving's over, we can start getting things out for Christmas."

"Sweetheart, it's technically still Thanksgiving." Troy gave her an incredulous look. "You want to get the Christmas stuff out now?"

"Yes. Why not? Thanksgiving was late this year, so now we need to get the Christmas stuff out so we can enjoy it."

Troy shook his head, muttering something in Greek and rolling his eyes. Then again, he figured if Shauna was just getting out the Christmas table décor and jars, it was fine. It made her happy.

Shauna worked around him while pulling out the Christmas kitchen and dining decorations from the cabinets, pausing every so often to kiss or nuzzle her husband. Once the decorations had been taken out, Troy figured that would be it for the night. He was looking forward to just cuddling up with Shauna in front of the fireplace.

He wiped down the counter after the last of the Thanksgiving leftovers had been stuffed in the fridge. At least most of this is going with Moffitt, Hitch, Tully, and Dietrich when they stop by tomorrow before going home. He looked out into the living room, and saw Shauna putting her coat and boots on. "Uh, sweetheart? What're you doing?"

"What does it look like I'm doing?" Shauna held up a saw. "I'm getting the tree."

"It's nearly eight o'clock at night. Almost bedtime."

"So?"

"It's really cold, and Thanksgiving's technically not over. We're not getting the tree until the first of December."

"Nonsense! Thanksgiving is over, therefore we can go get the tree."

"No, we're waiting until December first, sweetheart. Take your coat off."

"I'm getting the tree, Sam."

Troy wasn't sure it was wise to argue with his wife while she was in possession of a saw. He continued anyway. "Look, it's cold, it's dark, there're wild animals out—"

Shauna picked up a Springfield rifle she had laid on the couch and slung it over her shoulder.

"Okay, I'm happy you're prepared, sweetheart, but you can wait a few days for the tree."

"I am getting the tree, Sam."

Troy gave up. "Alright. Go… Go get the tree. Please be careful. Stay within sight of the ranch."

Shauna didn't say anything more. She was clearly a lady with a mission and wasn't quitting anytime soon. Troy watched her leave the house and trudge through the snow to get the garage. A minute later, she was leaving the garage with a sled behind her. He would worry, but he had known her long enough to have faith in her ability to handle anything that was thrown her way.

As another way of showing his conceded defeat, Troy got out the Christmas tree stand, and set it up where they usually put the tree every year—by the window closest to the fireplace. When Shauna didn't return after nearly an hour, Troy started to worry. It hadn't started snowing yet, so her tracks were still out there. He waited ten more minutes before he grabbed another rifle from the basement, and started getting ready to go see if she was alright.

Troy was putting his jacket on when the front door opened, and in came Shauna dragging a freshly-cut evergreen. Her face was covered in scratches.

"You okay?" Troy asked. "You look like you got in a fight with a squirrel."

"I did get in a fight with a squirrel!" Shauna snapped.

I meant that as a joke. Troy winced a little. "Oh. Still… you okay, sweetheart?"

"Yes. Let me set this up—oh, you got the stand out. Thank you, Sam."

"Yeah, yeah. I'm not a complete Scrooge. Go get cleaned up. I'll set up the tree for you."

"Sam, you don't—"

"You went to the trouble of getting the tree, I'll set it up, okay? Go clean yourself up."

Shauna kissed him before taking her jacket off and heading upstairs to take a hot shower. After setting up the tree in its stand, Troy decided to add on another layer of love, and made a cup of hot chocolate for his wife when she came downstairs.