It all started with a little mistletoe

Been awhile since my last update. Being busy is an understatement. I'm going to re-watch the first movie for inspiration.

Gordon hated Christmas. Even more, he hated Christmas parties as a recovering alcoholic. Every year, Mr. Duckworth would throw an enormous Christmas party for the entire firm. There was always lots of food, booze and girls. Especially girls.

Now that Bombay had at least given up alcohol publically, he had to watch silently while everyone else got to have a good time. He was ready to head home after his third coffee when he spotted Tracy talking to Duckworth. For a brief moment, their eyes met. Quickly, Gordon shifted his eyes away and stared at his shoes. Once Gordon looked up again, Duckworth was standing right in front of him with Tracy.

"Merry Christmas Gordon," Ducksworth said. "I'd like you to meet Tracy. She will be taking an internship at the firm this year. She will be working as our media spokesperson. I've told her all about your plan regarding having the team named after the firm. It's brilliant. Just brilliant. The newspapers are eating it up."

Gordon couldn't believe what he was hearing. He would be working side by side with Tracy once his community service was over.

'Merry Christmas Sir," Bombay managed to mumble. Gordon paused. "Tracy.

"Good. Good. I see you know each other already," Mr. Ducksworth said.

"I used to report on a few of his cases," Tracy explained.

"You did?" Ducksworth asked. "Gordon is one of the best lawyers."

"So I've been told," Tracy said dryly.

A man in a suit approached Ducksworth. "Sir, Senator Marchant is here."

"I have to go meet with Senator Marchant. You look good Gordon."

Mr. Ducksworth rushed over to meet with the senator leaving Tracy standing there with Gordon.

"I thought you were in law school," Gordon asked. "And you were taking an internship as a court reporter."

"I was," Tracy said. "Law school is just not for me. I can't be a successful lawyer and still sleep at night."

Gordon laughed. If he had heard one lawyer joke he had heard a hundred. "But working as a media spokesperson defending the actions of said lawyers is better?"

"I never said I was perfect."

"Gordon snorted. "So you've come over to the dark side."

"Kinda. A court reporter doesn't make much money." Tracy opened her mouth to say something. Then she decided not to. "So how is coaching going?"

Gordon's eyes lit up. "It's going great. I took the team last week to Hans Sports Shop. You should have seen them when I told them they were all getting brand new hockey equipment. It was like Christmas morning."

Tracy had to smile. Then she looked really sad. "It was probably was Christmas morning for them."

Gordon turned somber. He understood what Tracy meant. They probably got more worth in hockey equipment that morning then they would get in presents on Christmas morning.

"I know," Bombay said.

"I think it's a really great thing you are doing for those kids," Tracy said. "It means a lot to them."

Gordon raised an eyebrow in disbelief.

"I'm serious," Tracy said. "Even if they don't end up winning a single game, it shows them that someone cares enough about them to do something. That's the important thing."

"Thanks."

There was a long pause before Gordon spoke. "So, how's….Tommy."

"Um…We're no longer together."

"Oh."

The silence was deafening. "Listen, it was nice seeing you again but I don't feel like staying anymore."

"Neither do I."

Gordon shuffled uncomfortably. "Would you like a ride?" Gordon asked.

Tracy didn't say anything at first. "I guess." Tracy shrugged. Then she laughed. "Let's blow this joint."

Bombay nodded in agreement. They both made their way towards the exit. Bombay held open the door for Tracy. Tracy stopped.

"What?" Bombay asked.

"Um…" Tracey looked up. Between the two of them was a single piece of mistletoe hanging from the door way.

"Oh." Bombay chucked nervously.

"What the hell?" Tracy said." It's not like I haven't seen you naked before."

Gordon immediately felt uncomfortable. But before he could say anything, Tracy kissed him.

"It's been a long time since we've done that," Tracey laughed. Then she was serious. "Too long."

Gordon could taste the alcohol on her breath. "Have you been drinking?" Gordon asked.

"A little," Tracey admitted.

"Gordon sighed." Let get you home."

Luis drove both Tracy and Bombay back to his apartment. During the entire ride back, Tracey could not keep her hands off Gordon. Before leaving the limo, Luis shot Bombay a look that he didn't like. Despite appearances, Bombay believed that he was a changed man.

Bombay helped Tracy up to his apartment and laid her gingerly on the sofa.

"Good night," Bombay said.

Tracy kissed him. When she realized that he wasn't returning the kiss, she pulled back.

"What's wrong?" She asked. "It'll just be like old times."

Bombay was going to say something but stopped. He was still a red blooded male in his late twenties. Since he had his license taken away, there was next to no women coming around to his place. He had needs and she was willing to fulfill them.

Bombay returned the kiss and started to take off his shirt but something didn't feel right. He was almost thirty and she was in her early twenties. Bombay started again and removed both his tie and dress shirt. He had a nagging feeling in his gut but ignored it. He had slept with her and many other young beautiful women before. Why should now be any different?

Tracy sensed Bombay hesitating. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know what's wrong. It's not like we haven't…done it before."

Tracy thought for a moment. "I know what's wrong."

Gordon raised an eyebrow as Tracy dug though her purse. Finally, she produced a bottle of scotch.

"You know I don't drink anymore," Gordon sighed.

"Was that a condition of your probation?"

"No…but I'm going to AA."

"So don't drink all of it," Tracy said. "Just enough to take the edge off."

Tracy handed the bottle to Bombay. Bombay studied the bottle. Trying to make a decision.

"Let me make this easier for you," Tracy said.

Tracy started to unbutton her blouse seductively. That is all it took for Bombay to take a swig. Tracy took Bombay by the hand and let him to the bedroom.

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

Gordon Bombay's eyes flew open. Bombay threw on some clothes and answered the door. It was Mrs. Hall.

"Umm…Hello." Bombay yawned.

"Hi," Mrs. Hall started. "I was just dropping by to see how things were going and…."

Mrs. Hall was heard a thud and a loud "I'm gonna be late!"

In the bedroom, Tracey rushed around to get dressed and pushed past Bombay and Mrs. Hall and out the door.

Mrs. Hall watched as Tracy departed. Tracy didn't look a day over eighteen.

"Um…." Gordon was lost for words.

Mrs. Hall turned her attention back to Bombay. "I'm not here to judge you on your personal life."

"Well, you'd be the first," Bombay admitted.

Mrs. Hall decided to change the topic. "I'm glad to hear that you are doing better."

"I am...for the most part." Gordon admitted. He remembered the night before. "Sometimes it's hard."

"No one said it was going to be easy," Mrs. Hall said. "My son told me that you got your hockey team all brand new equipment."

"Your son? " Gordon asked. He did not remember mentioned anything about coaching hockey at the AA meetings. Gordon thought for a moment. "You're Jesse's and Terry's mother?"

"I am. The last time I spoke to him on the phone he was so excited. Haven't heard him that happy in a long time."

"I managed to convince my boss to sponsor the team," Gordon said. "Now they can compete."

Mrs. Hall ignored what Gordon said. "He also told me what an asshole you have been."

"Oh."

"He also said it's like you are a complete different person."

"That's what I'm trying to do. Every time something is hard, it's just so easy to go back to the bottle. How do you do it?" Gordon asked.

"No one says that it's supposed to be easy," Jade explained. "I've been recovering for almost three years now. The trick is not let something possibly more destructive take its place."

"More destructive?"

"Cocaine, prescription medication, heroin, meth, you name it. Even if you don't become addicted to something else, you completely change. Not for the better either."

Bombay adjusted his shirt. The conversation was making him uncomfortable. He wanted her to leave but couldn't bring himself to shut the door in her face.

"Listen, "Mrs. Hall started. "I'm the last one who is going to judge you. Believe me. "

Bombay thought back to when he first started coach. He chuckled at the memory. "You know, your son was the first one to accuse me of being a drug dealer when we first met."

"Wouldn't surprise me. Jesse has always been very distrustful of everyone."

"He's not the only one." Gordon paused. "If you knew that I was his coach, why didn't you say anything?"

"I wanted to. Believe me. But if I said anything..."

Gordon was taken aback. He had defended many criminals with drug problems. But none of them were as kind and lovely as Mrs. Hall.

"I don't even have custody. I have visitation. I get one call or visit a week. And only if my ex-husband feels like it."

Bombay was speechless. "I'm sorry," Gordon said quietly.

"So am I. But I'm doing better," Mrs. Hall said. "This week."

There was a pause between the two of them. Finally, Mrs. Hall spoke.

"I suppose it's time that I should be going." She paused. "Look out for my boys, would you?"

"I will," Bombay promised.