The Great Adventure
by Audrey Brackett



Chapter I: I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

November 30, 2000

'Deck the halls with boughs of holly...fa la la la la la la la la...'Tis the season to be jolly...'

Jennifer DeSoto hummed along with the Christmas carol as she taped another end of a red and green paper chain to the wall. Station 51 was buzzing with Christmas cheer...at least the members of its A-shift were. She looked down at her partner, holding out her hand for another of the decorations.

Liz Kenzington was singing her own version of the song. "Deck the halls with normal saline...oh, here, Jen." She grinned charmingly, and grabbed another of the paper chains--graciously donated by the children of Mrs. Jaime's third grade class. "I love Christmas."

"Who doesn't?" Mike Harris asked, from his position on the couch, with the station mascot--a miniature Golden Lab named Woody. (It was short for Dagwood, as in the male counterpart to Blondie.)

"The Grinch, maybe?" Gary Rivera, Mike's partner, suggested, grinning widely. His dark brown Latino eyes sparkled with mischief. "Hey, any of you see that movie? I liked it!"

Liz stared at him in absolute disbelief. "You saw it, Gary?"

"Yeah...you got a problem with that?"

"No...I'm just glad to know I'm not the only one!" The dark-haired woman grinned dazzlingly, and began singing again. "You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch..."

Jen shook her head softly, climbing down from the ladder. "Oh, don't get me started, Liz. Chris is coming to town for the holidays, and his kids are going to watch it a million times. I'll never get that song out of my head again if you start now!"

The paramedics were enjoying a rare moment of relaxation...as the holidays got nearer, the citizens of Los Angeles got stranger. This year, the shift had lucked out...they had Christmas Eve and Christmas off, by the sheer luck that their 48 hours off happened to fall on those two days. Thus, the Christmas planning was well underway...Liz was, as usual, going to spend the holidays with Jen and her family...Mike was meeting his sister in Sacramento...Gary's plans were still not definite, although he joked about making a run for the Mexican border and seeing how they celebrated Christmas these days. The engine crew was out on a run and had missed this conversation...but Danny Watkins, their engineer--and also the only married member of the shift--was bound to be with his family...Tom Dixson was probably going to go with his brother's family for the day and spoil his niece to death...Matthew Phillips (who, while not exactly the Phantom, was proud to be their resident prankster) could have been up to anything.

As for their captain...everyone knew where John Gage was going to be. Same place he'd gone for holidays for the past twenty-plus years...with Roy DeSoto and his family...and other assorted people. Holidays had gotten more and more interesting as the years had gone by. Chris DeSoto was now one of New York City's finest...he tried to make it home every year, and when he could, he of course brought his wife and their two children along. When you added Chris's partner, Graham Leach (Grey to family and friends) to the mix...with that maybe people in one house, the results were always unpredictable! But the unpredictability was part of the charm.

In addition the the planning for the actual holidays, there was also the little matter of Rampart General's annual Christmas party to worry about...or, rather, the dodging of it. It was the next night...and was really more of a formal banquet than a party. A stuffy one at that. No one really wanted to go...but no one who had to worry about going really had a choice in the matter either. It was one of those things that one simply had to be seen at.

The engine arrived back at the station shortly. Johnny signaled for his paramedics to join him at the table. Once there, they began to talk.

"Now, about tomorrow's party..." Johnny began, but was cut off by the arrival of a visitor to the station.

Sophie Brackett strolled in, looked at the group gathered around the table, and grinned. "Oh...is this the planning session for 'what are we going to wear to the Christmas party?'"

Jennifer offered her a cheeky grin. "No...actually, this is the planning session for 'how are we going to get out of the Christmas party?'"

Sophie pulled up a chair. "In that case, count me in."

Johnny grinned at her. "Knew we could count on you." He sighed. "I think I've finally gotten out of it...and then Kate needs someone to go with her. I mean, I can see her point...we dated for like 6 years and we're still real good friends...but..." He sighed. "Social ties."

"Social ties?" Sophie asked, tossing her dark brown hair over one shoulder. "You think that's bad? I got family ties to worry about. The rest of my family has to go to this thing...so therefore I have to make an appearance too."

Liz chuckled. "Well, even if I weren't a paramedic, your family ties would have me tied...Jake needs someone to go with."

Sophie raised an eyebrow, taking the bait. "Since when is it my fault that you're dating my brother?"

"You know, I really don't understand you guys," a voice interjected, sounding amused. They looked up to see Matthew Phillips standing behind them. "Usually, you all like these parties and stuff...yet you're scheming to get outta this one. I don't get it!"

"This one," Mike replied, "isn't exactly what I would call a party. It's more like a banquet. A stuffy, formal, and incredibly boring banquet dreamed up by the hospital administrator...who is usually the only person there enjoying it."

"And the congregation said, 'Amen!'," Liz chimed in. "Not only do I have to wear a formal...I don't get to have any fun doing it!"

"Now, Kate's party is usually pretty fun," Gary allowed. "I'd rather be going there than to the thing tommorrow night."

"I think we all would," Jennifer agreed. She picked at the end of her hair's braid for a moment, and then turned back to the rest of the gang. "Who throws the Christmas party on December first, anyway? Why not the eighth, if you're bent on having it early?"

"Because admin was late in securing the ballroom," Johnny explained, "as usual. Kate was telling me about it the other day."

"Figures," Mike muttered.

By this time, Matthew had lost interest and wandered off.

Sophie grinned. "Seems to me that there's no getting outta this thing. Guess we'll just have to live with it and hope we're working on the night they hold it next year."

"You're working?" Jen asked, smiling. "You're a freelance journalist. You set your own hours!"

"I can find a second job by next year," Sophie replied, shrugging. "Or at least find a pressing deadline."

Johnny shook his head, standing up. "I wouldn't doubt it, munchkin." He used his pet name for her, affectionately teasing. Sophie was not a tall woman...5'4" or so...so he still felt perfectly justified in using the term of endearment--and old habits died hard. He'd been calling her that since she was 7 months old, why change now? "You always were the creative one in your family."

"Go ahead, say it." Sophie laughed. "Say I'm the black sheep. Lord knows I know I am. I mean, look at me. I'm a freelancer, and the rest of my family is medically involved. I suppose it's just as well...I hate needles."

Chuckling, Johnny bent down to pat Woody on the head, and glanced at the CD player sitting on the dayroom table. "Hey, whatcha guys got there?"

"A Christmas CD," Tom Dixson informed him, looking up from the couch. "It's a pretty good one too..."

"Well, then turn it on," Johnny said He looked at the pile of remaining paper chains sitting on one of the chairs. "We'd better finish putting up these decorations anyhow."

Jennifer chuckled. "Yeah, we should. And then I can go home tommorrow...and put up the decorations for my parents too, because Lord knows Daddy hasn't."

Johnny grinned. "That two-day pre-Christmas irritation thing again?"

The blonde nodded. "Yep. He goes through this every year. After Thanksgiving, he's irritated by anything Christmas-y for two days or so...and then he relaxes and gets into the spirit of the holiday. It's become something of a tradition; I swear."

"Yeah," Johnny agreed. "Don't I know it. He's been doing that for a long time, kiddo." He chuckled himself. "You should have seen him that one time I decorated the squad!"

Liz's head snapped up at that. "You what?"

Jen shot Johnny a pointed glance, although she couldn't hid a tiny smile. "Please. Don't give her any ideas. I'll have Christmas lights wrapped around the steering column when I drive!"

"A perfect reason to let me drive!" Liz pointed out.

"Sure, dearie." Jennifer batted her powder blue eyes playfully. "Maybe for your Christmas present." She was the senior partner, and like her father, almost always the one that was driving the squad.

Liz rolled her eyes, wrapping a curly lock of raven hair around her finger. It wasn't quite black, but was so dark brown that many thought it was. "I swear, that's it. I'm changing my email address to JuniorPartner@iwannadrive.com."

"Aw, Lizzie, don't take it too hard." Johnny grinned that trademark lopsided grin of his, and patted the paramedic's shoulder. "I've been there. Now, come on, you guys. We really do need to get these decorations up...I hear Mrs. Jaime's third graders are working on some paper snowflakes to go with them."

*********************

Soon, they were being serenaded by Bing Crosby's velvet voice as he crooned the words to an old Christmas classic...much to Jennifer's frustration.

'I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...with every Christmas card I write. May your days be merry and bright...and may all your Christmases be white.'

Jen sighed. "You know, I think it's almost sadistic to play that song when we're here in Los Angeles and it's 65 degrees out there! I've never known a white Christmas! The only snow i'll see this year will be that given to us by Mrs. Jaime's class!"

Liz smiled reminiscently. "Oh...the fun I had growing up. Billings, Montana...snow capital of the world. Or at least the US."

"Yep," Johnny agreed. The reservation he had grown up on was near Billings. "The snow's great...if you can stand the bitter cold."

Jen rolled her eyes. "You two are evil, you know that? Pure evil. I've never seen snow...not really. I mean, I've seen some a few hours north of here...but I'm talking snow! You know...where are you can see is white for miles and miles...and it's knee-deep, and..." She sighed. "You know, winter wonderland-type stuff!"

"Sounds like Montana," Liz said, as the CD changed songs. A lively, upbeat tune began to play...the three of them (who had lingered in the dayroom while the boys went out back to play basketball) recognized it immediately. Jennifer snickered, Liz grinned...and Johnny cringed.

"I hate this song," he muttered. "Scared somebody's gonna try to pull it off."

Liz's grin widened. The CD player, unaware of Johnny's sentiments regarding the track, played on.

'I broke my bat on Johnny's head...somebody snitched on me. I hid a frog in Sister's bed...somebody snitched on me. I spilled some ink on Mommy's rug; I made Tommy eat a bug; bought some gum with a penny slug...somebody snitched on me.'

"I tell ya, that is one evil little kid!" Liz exclaimed. "The spilling of ink and the penny slug I could deal with...but bugs? Breaking bats on heads?"

"Johnny's head," Jen pointed out, giving Johnny the cheekiest grin she could muster.

Johnny just shot her a dirty look. "And you say I'm evil." A thought occured to him. "Hey...you know how we have that vacation time that has to be used...and we can't use it on holidays and all?"

"Yeah?" Liz asked, not sure where he was taking this.

"I've got a week...and if I've followed it, you've both got about the same."

"Yeah?" Jen asked, getting intrigued.

"So let's take it," Johnny suggested. "A little trip down memory lane, Liz...sound good? And if you want snow, Jenny, we'll give you snow!"

"Are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting?" Liz asked.

"Yeah!" Johnny exclaimed. "Let's go to Montana. I grew up near Billings...you can see your mom again, Liz...visit some old haunts, relive a few memories...and Jen here can get all the white stuff she wants! I'll check into it...see if we can go a week or so before Christmas. We'll fly back into LA the 23rd or so...plenty of time to be back here for Christmas."

"I love it!" Jen all but shrieked, getting excited. "It would be so much fun!"

"Me too," Liz seconded. "I say we do it!"

Johnny's chocolate eyes twinkled. "Then let's! It might be tough to pull it off...but I'll see if we can. Might be a little odd...but I doubt there's anything against regs. So let's see what we can do."

*********************

December 15

The gang had managed to survive the dreaded Christmas banquet and the various other problems of the holiday season. Johnny had called in a few old favors and pulled a few strings to be able to secure the coinciding week off for himself, Liz, and Jen--the three of them were leaving for Billings in the morning. Before they left, they were making the rounds to say goodbye--in between runs, anyhow. The 15th was their last day at work until the 26th...they got off at 8:00 the next morning and were leaving on the 11:00 A.M. flight to Montana. Fortunately, most of the people they needed to say goodbye to (that they would not be seeing the next morning at the airport) worked at Rampart General Hospital. There were certain benefits to working in the world of EMS...even if the rescue segments 10:00 news did seem oddly similar to watching a home movie of all your friends and family.

Jen smiled at Kate Michaels as she strolled up to the nurses' desk in Rampart's emergency department. "Hiya, Kate. Dr. Morton around?"

Kate grinned back. "Am I my doctor's keeper?" She chuckled. "Actually, I'm not sure where he is...he should be back by here soon, though. As long as we're on the subject, where's Liz?"

"In search of a certain third-year medical student," Jennifer replied, trying not to grin as widely as she wanted to. "Even if he is coming to the airport tommorrow."

"Now that goodbye I'd like to see," Kate speculated, raising an eyebrow. "She and Jake are practically joined at the hip! Kinda makes me wish I was working the night shift tommorrow. Ah, well. Lemme know how it goes, all right?"

Jen nodded. "Sure." She smiled with amusement as Kate continued to file paperwork...unconsciously adopting the exact same manner as Dixie McCall had done the task in during her time as Emergency's head nurse. "Do you have any idea how much like Dixie you are?"

Kate laughed. "You know, I get that a lot. I guess it figures...she taught me everything I know about this job. I don't mind it...actually, I'm flattered." She grinned again, and glanced around. "Hey, is that good-looking captain of yours coming in or do I have to swing by the station tonight after my shift?" She and Johnny had not actually been a couple since 1992 (when they had mutually decided that since neither of them were the marriage type, their relationship would never go to the next level), but they still flirted like crazy...those who didn't know that they had called it off 8 years ago would have been fooled.

"Well, you're perfectly welcome anytime...but I think he is gonna come by if he gets a chance."

Kate's smiled widened. "Okay, I'm happy." She looked around. "Ooh, speak of the devil...Johnny Angel!" The last bit was directed toward Johnny himself, who had just joined them. She had begun calling him "Johnny Angel" while they were dating...the nickname had just kind of stuck around. As had his nickname for her.

"Hiya, Katie-pops." Johnny leaned across the counter to give her a quick, friendly hug. "The boys wanted to see how Edwards and Harrleson were doing...so I figured I'd swing by and see ya before I left." Larry Edwards and Andrea Harrleson were two firefighters who had been badly burned in a fire about three weeks before. They were well on their way to recovery now, but everyone in the department was still behind them 100%. It was just another of the better parts of the job...your colleagues were extended family almost. It didn't matter who they were...an injured firefighter was still one of your own.

"Well, I appreciate it," Kate replied. "And they're doing great, by the way. Word has it that they should be released sometime next week."

"That's wonderful!" Jen exclaimed. "They'll be home in time for Christmas."

"Yep," Kate agreed. She idly played with the end of her ponytail. "And you'd better be home in time for Christmas, too." She gave Johnny her best "pathetic" look. "I'll get lonely without my angel."

Johnny chuckled. "Don't worry about that. Our plane's due back at LAX on the 23rd. We'll be home in plenty of time." He looked around them. "Liz still hasn't found Jake yet?"

Jen spread her hands in front of her in mock helplessness. "I don't know...I never know about those two. We're called in as available, so I know I'll find her eventually."

It didn't matter, though...Liz came strolling up to them a few moments later, Jake Brackett only a few steps behind her. She reached out to hold his hand as the two of them reached the nurses' station...which, as usual, had become the focal point of the gathering. "God, I'm gonna miss you."

He squeezed her hand, and half-grinned, looking much like a very young version of his father at that moment. "Ah, we'll survive, babe. Somehow. It's only a week...I'd go with you, but you know how school is and all."

"Yeah," Liz agreed. "I know. I just hate leaving you."

"I don't like it either...but we'll live. One way or another."

The others had been observing this exchange with a rapt, amused interest. Jake and Liz were dead serious, which was the really funny thing about it.

"Ah," Kate sighed, a bit melodramatically. "Young love."

Jennifer had to try really hard not to burst out laughing. Liz just tossed her a look.

"Oh, c'mon, chica. One day you'll get a man too and you'll underatand."

"I'm happily single, thank you very much."

Liz waved a hand dismissively. "Ah, why do I bother?" She kissed Jake's cheek. "I'll see you at the airport tomorrow, love...we'd better get back to the station."

"All right," he agreed. "See you then."

Kate chuckled. "You three take care of yourselves, you hear me? Don't break anything, and try to stay in one piece otherwise. But enjoy your vacation."

"In other words, have fun and be safe?" Jen asked.

"Exactly."

"I'll see you Christmas Eve, all right?" Johnny promised. "You're working then?" She usually did, which was why he'd asked.

"Yeah," Kate confirmed. "Mike and I don't have a family or kids that need us that night, so it works out quite well for us to take the Christmas Eve shift. But, man, do we see some weird things. Women claiming to be giving birth to the Christ child...men that look like Santa Claus...men that think they are Santa Claus...and, of course, the usual mixed bag of nuts."

"As always," Johnny agreed. He chuckled softly. "See you around, Kate."

"You too."

The others made their goodbyes as well. Jen and Liz headed out for their squad, while Johnny went to retrieve the rest of the engine crew so they could head back to the station. He was counting down the hours until the vacation began...it was promising to be a lot of fun. Little did he know just how much of an adventure it would turn into.

*********************

Chapter II: Let It Snow! (Or Not.)

December 16

Jen and Liz and Johnny were comfortably settled on the flight from LAX to Denver, Colorado, where they would catch their connecting flight to Billings, Montana. Jennifer hadn't stopped grinning over Jake and Liz's extended goodbyes at the airport...the way they were acting, you'd have thought they'd never be seeing each other again. Ever so often, Liz would shoot a look in Jen's direction, daring her to say anything about it. Finally, Jen gave in.

"I'm sorry, Liz! It's just that I've known Jake his whole life and I never thought I'd hear him say he'd 'try not to die of loneliness'! At least not being serious."

Johnny just watched them, amused. "Thank you for flying Air West, and have a great flight," he teased, imitating the stewardess. "We certainly paid enough for the tickets."

"For real," Liz chuckled. "I mean...with these prices, you'd think you did still have to dress up to get on a plane."

Johnny smiled with nostalgia. "Yep. Suits on planes...I'm glad that went. I like comfort, thank you very much. People don't wear suits on planes, nurses don't wear those white dresses..." He trailed off, grinning speculatively. "Now those I kinda miss."

"Why?" Jennifer asked. "You mean, so people who don't know the difference in the colors of scrubs can tell who's who and all that?"

"No." Johnny shook his head, a sly grin creeping across his face. "What I mean is, when Kate used to wear 'em, you could see her legs. And she has got some damn good-looking legs."

Jen laughed. "Oh, so that's it. You never change, Johnny, do you?"

"Nope," he agreed. "Something's gotta stay the same. I mean, we've got jeans on planes, nurses in scrubs, computers in the home, phones that'll fit in your pocket...everything's changed. Gotta have some constants in life."

"So you stayed a skirt-chaser to keep the balance?" Liz teased.

"Naturally."

Jennifer ruffled Johnny's hair affectionately. He would always be her "Uncle Johnny", even if she had grown up. "You're still crazy after all these years."

"What do you mean, crazy?" Johnny asked, feigning indignance. "I am not crazy! Eccentric, maybe, but not crazy."

"Whatever." Jen laughed and tossed her hair over one shoulder. "I just can't believe that in a few hours I am going to be surrounded by snow! Lots and lots of snow!" She grinned, her blue eyes blazing like a little girl's. "I can't wait!"

"You'll love it," Liz assured her. "We can have snowball fights...and build snowmen...and make snow angels...and all that fun wintery stuff! We can even ski...even though you can do that in California. But that snow's not the same. It's...it's different. Sure, there's the snow, but go an hour from the ski resort...and it's gone. Montana...you drive in any direction, an hour later, you'll still find snow."

"That's what I want!" Jen exclaimed. "I've never seen that...I've never made snow angels...built a snowman on the beach once, and that was pretty cool...but it wasn't the same." She began to sing softly to herself. "And since we've no place to go...let it snow, let it snow, let it snow."

As their plane began to land at Denver International Airport, the blonde checked their tickets and the itinerary. "Just a few more hours and we're in Montana! But, um...why did they fly us to Denver then Montana? I know a direct flight is more expensive, but what about stopping over in Las Vegas instead? Or something on the way? It just doesn't make sense...Denver's a bit outta the way."

"Airlines never make sense anymore," Johnny told them. "It was the cheapest ticket, though...and there were three seats left on the flight. It's so hard to find tickets this time of year! You practically have to book a year in advance!"

Jennifer grinned, pulling her bag from the overhead compartment, and getting ready to deboard the plane. "Makes sense, I suppose...in a twisted way. Hey, you think Denver's got snow?"

"They're in the middle of the Rockies. It'd be amazing if they didn't."

"Good. You think we'll be able to see it from the airport windows?"

"Just get off the plane, Jennifer."

*********************

They arrived at Billings Logan International Airport several hours later, tired from the travel, but also excited. Jennifer, usually the more calm and reserved of the two paramedics, was nearly bouncing.

As they went to claim their luggage, Johnny checked a piece of paper in his hand. "Okay...we've got our reservation at the Clarion Hotel...it's only about 5 miles from here. We'll head over there and get settled in before we do anything else..."

They continued to chat idly as they walked toward the exit of the airport, anxious to get outside and see Montana...and its snow. Jen paused to zip up her parka, and followed them out. She soon discovered the reason why Johnny and Liz had stopped in mid-step upon getting outside...and were staring.

Around them, there was Montana in all its beauty...except there was maybe an inch on the snow--if that. It was certainly cold enough to snow--the temperature could not have been above 30 degrees-- but the snow itself was noticeably lacking.

"What the hell...?" Liz began, staring. "This is December! This is Montana! There is supposed yo be snow! Lots and lots of fluffy, white snow!"

"Maybe it's an off year..." Johnny speculated, glancing around. He shrugged. "C'mon, you two, let's just get to our car. It's freezing out here...maybe I've just been living in California too long."

"Maybe it's just freezing," Jennifer hissed through chattering teeth. "Let's get to the car...before I turn into an icicle!"

Liz shook her head. "Well, it is cold...but we warned you about that. Snow and cold are kind of a package deal, chica!"

Before his two paramedics could debate the matter further, Johnny headed to their rental car--well, van. It was a 1997 Nissan Quest, white. He unlocked the doors, and climbed into the driver's seat. Jen took the passenger's-side captain's chair, and Liz claimed the first of the two back seat rows.

Johnny ran a hand through his short (somewhat spiky) raven hair...although the years had sprinkled a good bit of silver into it. "C'mon, ladies...let's get this show on the road. Next stop, the Clarion Hotel."

Liz giggled despite herself, and snapped off a mock salute. "Whatever you say, mon capitane."

Jen shook her head, reaching out to turn the van's heater up even further. "Liz...partner, I love ya...but you're a nut."

"I am not."

"Yes, you are," Jen countered. "But you're friendly."

"Oh, so now I'm a friendly nut?"

"Yeah."

"Well, that's a heck of a thing to say about your partner! The chick you work every shift with! Trust your life to!"

Jennifer grinned evilly, baiting her. "Who said anything about trusting my life?"

As Liz tried to come up with something to top that, Johnny just shook his head and kept driving. He glanced at them, and smiled, remembering his younger days. This conversation was unnervingly familiar. Their playful banter was just that--playful and affectionate. They never doubted each other's trust...it was always there. Although...he wasn't exactly convinced that Jen didn't doubt Liz's sanity from time to time. But that was all part of the fun, now wasn't it?

*********************

December 18

Two days had passed since the trio's arrival in Billings. Still no snow in sight--or even on the horizon. Well, there was the snow that was already there--but as Jen had so aptly pointed out, she could have gotten that in California if she'd felt like driving an hour north. Liz and Johnny were a bit disappointed as well. After returning to their homeland of Montana, they had been ready to have some fun with the snow they'd been missing. They'd been ready for a white almost-Christmas. But, the best-laid plans so very often go astray. It seemed that snow wasn't in the cards. But that didn't mean there was any reason for them not to have any fun. There was plenty of fun to be had, if they knew where to look.

First, they decided to pay Liz's mother a visit. The last time they had seen Mrs. Kenzington had been just over a year ago...and under less than pleasant circumstances. Johnny still cringed when he remembered having to make that phone call--to tell Liz's mother that her daughter had been in a car accident...caused by a drunk driver who couldn't have cared less. Fortunately, Liz had pulled through that all right...but it had been a harrowing few days. For everyone involved.

They knocked on the door of the small ranch-style home. Jen was standing just behind Liz on the porch, doing something of a small dance to keep warm, and muttering about the cold. Johnny was slightly to the side of her.

Michelle Kenzington opened the door, and broke into a wide grin. "Lizzie!" She looked behind Liz, and smiled a little wider. "And Jennifer, too!"

Liz returned the grin. "Hi, Mom. She followed me home...can I keep her?"

Michelle laughed. "Sure, sweetheart. Just be sure to feed her and give her water everyday."

"I'm not sure how I feel about you guys acting like I'm a pet..." Jen mused, then followed Liz and Michelle into the house.

Michelle smiled again when she saw Johnny. "Captain Gage! It's lovely seeing you again."

"Please, Mrs. Kenzington," Johnny began, "call me John. Or Johnny. There's no need to be formal."

"All right, John," Michelle agreed, "but only if you call me Michelle."

"Deal."

"So, how are you enjoying being back home?" Michelle asked.

"Home," Johnny mused, "is a relative term anymore. I love Montana...but my home is really in LA now. Besides, I may love the state of Montana itself, but the rez left a hell of a lot to be desired. And that's where I grew up, really, so in all technicality that would be 'home', but..."

"I understand." Michelle nodded, and smiled over at Jennifer. "You like it here?"

"It's a pretty state," Jen started, "but it's too cold. If it's gonna be this cold, it should snow." Johnny smiled to himself. The thick, fur-hooded parka somewhat dwarfed Jennifer--she looked incredibly petite despite her medium build (she stood about 5'6" or so). Standing next to Liz, who was a very tall woman (she was 5'10") was well as lanky, Jen looked positively tiny. And adorable, but that was beside the point.

They continued to chat for hours...Michelle entertained Johnny and Jennifer with stories of Liz's childhood, and they in return told stories of some of the odder rescues in LA. Liz even finally got to recount a tale from her mother's younger days...it involved Michelle, a few friends, a batch of brownies--and Jen and Johnny had to swear to secrecy (Michelle was somewhat worried about FBI involvement if the story were to get loose).

It was a great visit...and more than enough to make up for those two nerve-wracking days they'd spent together after the accident the year before. As they left, Liz sighed in a melodramatic sort of way. "Family and fun...that's what Christmas is all about, huh?"

"Yep," Johnny agreed. "Joy and peace and love. Those are the basics. I suppose stress and fighting got thrown in when we humans didn't know how to handle a good thing without screwing it up somehow."

Jennifer nodded, considering his words as she climbed into their van. "That's very profound."

Johnny grinned widely, unable to resist quoting the legendary words of his own captain, once upon at time. "'Now, now...let's not have any profundity around here. It'll ruin our image!'"

*********************

Chapter III: Please Come Home For Christmas

December 19

In a small LA lounge club known as the Roadside Rendezvous, Kelly Ireland was in the middle of a concert. Of course, as it had gotten closer to Christmas, she had thrown more and more Christmas tunes into her performance.

"Feliz Navidad...prospero ano y felicidad...I wanna wish you a merry Christmas; I wanna wish you a merry Christmas...I wanna wish you a merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart."

She was a sensation, as always. Jake smiled fondly as she decided to take a break, and strolled down off the stage to join him at the table he'd chosen. Her shimmery red dress glistened in the light as she walked, and her dark hair was done up in an elegant bun. Even he had to admit that she looked good.

"Why, hello, Miss Ireland..." Jake greeted her. "Descended from on high to mingle with the commoners?"

She laughed, sitting down. "Come on, Jake, don't knock it. Picking up a stage name isn't uncommon. I mean, who ever heard of a lounge singer named Sophie Brackett?"

"Who ever heard of a jazz singer named Dixie McCall?" Jake countered, baiting her. Their mother had done some singing in jazz clubs while in school...and a few scattered performances here and there as the years went by. Sophie had inherited her voice...she used her talents to pick up a little extra cash now and then.

"That's exactly why she went as Marie Ireland." For her own stage name, Sophie had opted to combine her mother's stage name with her father's first name...something a little different, yet with a hint of the "family tradition" left. Something sentimental, yet unique. She glanced across the table at her twin brother, and ruffled his dark hair playfully. "What's got you so down?"

"I miss Liz. And you're the only one left I can really talk to around here."

"You don't have friends?"

"Well, I spend most of my free time with you and Jen and Liz...you've been busy and they're in Montana."

"There's no one from school?"

"They're not from LA...they went home for Christmas. I'm alone."

Sophie shook her head softly. "Oh, Jacob Michael...the things you get yourself into." She grinned. "You've been moping ever since Liz and Jen and Johnny left."

"I miss her!"

Sophie chuckled. "Jake, Jake, Jake, Jake..." She stood up. "I'd better get back up there...but I'll sing a song for you if it'll make you feel better."

He assessed the look in her grey eyes, and began to get the tinest bit suspicious. "You're not, uh, planning what I think you're planning...are you, sis?"

"You'll see."

"You're evil!" he called after her. She just smiled back.

After Sophie spoke to the man in control of the music, a Christmas song began to play. Jake rolled his eyes--it was exactly the one he'd suspected she'd use. And he knew she was doing it to tease him...after all, she was his sister.

"Bells will be ringing the sad, sad news...oh, what a Christmas to have the blues. My baby is gone...and I have no friends to wish me greetings...greetings, once again."

The medical student shook his head, knowing his sister was simply doing it at that moment in time to bait him. But he'd play along with her. He wouldn't show any reaction at all.

"So why don't you tell me you'll never more roam...this Christmas and New Year's will find you home. Please come home for Christmas...please come home for Christmas. If not by Christmas, then by New Year's night."

Okay, so this not reacting was harder than he'd thought. But at least playing this little game of one-upmanship took his mind off missing Liz for awhile. Partially, at least. Well, she was coming home in time for Christmas...there was that to be grateful for...

*********************

"What's wrong, Liz?" Jen asked, dismounting the horse she'd been sitting on--a golden-colored thoroughbred named Nutmeg. She was still cold...but she'd found that activity tended to produce body heat. So she stayed quite active while outdoors.

Liz looked up from the bench she'd sat down on. "I miss Jake."

Jen almost laughed. "It has been what, three days?"

"I still miss him."

"You'll be home in time for Christmas."

"I still miss him."

"I'd swear you two were married."

"We would be, if I could get him to say a certain three words."

"You'll be lucky if you get him to go from 'same here' to 'same here, Liz'," Jennifer advised. "It's kinda like that whole 'ditto' thing from Ghost." She walked back over to Nutmeg, and nodded with her head to the sable horse beside her. "You wanna ride Windsong, Liz?"

Liz shook her head, indicating the negative. "Nah...I'm really not in the mood to ride. It's not about Jake, it's just...it's been awhile..."

Johnny rode up to the two ladies on a horse named Dreamchaser, so named for his speed. "Hey, girls. C'mon, saddle up. We've got a trail to blaze." They were just outside the city...where there were miles and miles of nothing. A friend of Johnny's owned the horses, and was more than happy to loan them for the day. Only Liz hadn't actually gotten on horseback yet...she seemed hesitant.

"I'm ready," Jennifer protested. "It's Elizabeth here that needs a little encouragement."

"It's...it's been awhile..." Liz repeated. "I, uh..."

"If you don't know how to ride, that's okay," Johnny assured her. "Just say so."

Liz looked down. "I don't know how to ride," she admitted softly. "Everyone thinks I do...cause I grew up in Montana. Truth is, last time I was on a horse, it was a Shetland pony at the county fair. I was six years old."

"That's okay," Jen told her. "You can get on Nutmeg with me...just hang on. It'll be fun."

"Well..." Liz considered. "I don't know..."

"I promise, I won't let anything happen to you," Jen vowed.

Eventually, Liz was persuaded. She climbed gingerly up onto Nutmeg's back, and wrapped her arms around Jennifer's waist from behind. "All right...but if anything goes wrong, I'm blaming you, chica."

"Aw, don't sweat it, Liz. It's easy enough once you get the hang of it."

"Then why do I keep having Gone With The Wind-like visions of disaster?"

"Huh?"

"Do the words Bonnie Blue Butler mean anything to you?"

"Just hang on, and you'll be fine."

There was a trail through the woods up ahead. While none of the three of them would have liked to have walked it, it was perfect for the horses. Dreamchaser and Nutmeg were more than willing to comply...and Windsong was perfectly content to stay behind and relax. Johnny lead the way into the brush...remembering his earlier words to them about blazing a trail, Jen began to hum a tune softly.

She had gotten about halfway through the chorus, when Liz finally began to sing the song her partner was humming. Jennifer quickly joined in...they were having fun.

"We're following our leader...into the glorious unknown...This is a life like no other--this is the great adventure."

Johnny just shook his head as they started in on the next verse. While the vacation wasn't all they'd originally hoped it to be, it was still a lot of fun. And when Jen wasn't worried about the temperature (although he couldn't blame her too much...the girl was climatized from living in California her whole life) and Liz wasn't worried about missing Jake...it was about as close to perfect as he could have probably expected it to get. Well, without the snow.

"Come on, get ready for the ride of your life..."

*********************

December 23

After a week in Montana, it still hadn't snowed. But they'd had a great time anyhow...enough to make up for it. Outside the hotel, Liz scooped up a snowball, and threw it at Jennifer. She giggled with girlish delight as her projectile hit its intended target...but then looked down at the streak of grass left behind. She rearranged some of the snow with her foot to cover it...and noticed a snowflake on her sleeve. And another. And another. The brunette nearly cheered with excitement. Amazing! With only four hours left until they had to catch their plane home, it had finally seen fit to snow.

She ran inside the room she and Jen were sharing, where Jennifer had retreated after the snowball incident. "It's snowing!"

The blonde looked up from beneath a pile of blankets, trying to warm herself. "Really?"

"Yeah!"

Jen ran over to the window. "It is! It is snowing! Wow...it's so pretty!"

Johnny had also been in the room...he smiled. There was something about someone seeing their first snowfall...no matter how old they were. The phone in the hotel room rang. "Yeah, John Gage," he answered, picking it up.

The female paramedics watched as Johnny had a conversation with whoever it was. He nodded a lot, and muttered "mmm-hmm" and "I see" a lot too. Once he hung up, he turned to face the girls. "Ladies...we have a problem."

"What's that?" Liz asked.

Johnny gestured toward the window. "The snow is the problem. A blizzard is in the forecast...so they don't want to fly any planes in...it's too risky. And in Denver, a huge storm just hit, so everything's froze up there. Our flight's been canceled...and the next available one is on the morning of the 26th." He headed back toward the phone. "I'd better call the gang back in LA and let 'em know."

*********************

"They said what?" Roy DeSoto demanded over the phone. Joanne looked up at him in alarm. "They can't do that! They did? Ah...figures. You're sure there's nothing earlier? Oh, well...I guess these things happen. I really wish you guys could be here for Christmas, though...but I guess there's nothing complaining can do about it."

Back in Montana, Johnny sighed. "Yep, Pally...exactly what I told the girls. But at least I've got good company here..."

"Yeah..." Roy didn't seemed convinced. Johnny didn't blame him.

Johnny looked back over to Jennifer, who was back huddled under her blankets...and he knew she had two sweatshirts on underneath that. A perfect opportunity to lighten the moment presented itself. "Hey, Roy?"

"Yeah?"

"Your daughter looks cute when she turns blue!"

Roy did chuckled softly. "She's still cold, huh?"

"Baby, it's cold outside," Johnny joked--although not about the temperature. "You have a good Christmas, Pally."

"You too, Junior." Roy sighed. "We'll call you Christmas Day."

"Sounds good...I'll let you talk to Jenny now."

"Thanks." Back in the DeSoto household, Roy looked to Joanne, the unspoken words in that glance telling her that they needed to talk. She nodded, and went back into the living room. Chris and his wife Emily were sprawled out on the floor with their daughter Kristen. On the couch, Grey was tickling little Brandon. The 11-month old squealed with delight.

Upon seeing Joanne enter the room, two-and-a-half-year old Kristen stood up and toddled over to meet her grandmother. "Gramma...where's Aunt Jenny?"

Joanne smiled wistfully, and glanced back into the kitchen at Roy on the phone. "Kristen, sweetie...I think your grandpa would like to know the same thing."

*********************

In Billings, the snow kept falling at a steady pace. There were about 4 inches of it on the ground when Johnny suddenly looked up with inspiration. It was nearly 7:00 P.M...but he'd been hit with sudden inspiration. He leapt up from the bed, and placed a phone call.

Meanwhile, Jen and Liz were discussing not being home for Christmas. They had taken some time time to play in the snow...they'd made their snow angels, but they wanted to be home. Johnny suddenly showed up, grinning.

"I secured the van for us another couple of days...and we can return it to a store of the company in Los Angeles."

"Huh?" Liz asked. She understood getting the van for longer...but was he merely teasing them about LA? Thoughts of Jake filled her head.

"We're going home," Johnny explained. "But we'd better move fast...the snow's coming down, and we wanna get out before it's too dangerous to drive."

"We're driving back to LA?" Jen asked.

"Yeah? Any major objections?"

"No," Liz replied, "just a question. Will we be home in time?"

"If I can help it, we will. You and I can take turns driving til we're past the ice and snow...Jen's never driven in those conditions before, and I don't want her to start now. Pack up your bags...I'll go check out, and we'll hit the road. I wanna make some decent time...it's gonna be a long drive."

*********************

Chapter IV: O Little Town of Bethlehem

December 24

It was about 10:00 A.M. on Christmas Eve...and Johnny and Liz were both very tired of driving. Actually, they were all (including Jen) just plain tired. It was very difficult to sleep worth a flip in the van...even though they'd wanted to drive it straight, they decided to pull off the highway at the next small town exit they came to. After all, losing a few hours of driving time was much better than crashing the van because the driver fell asleep at the wheel. As Ellen Griswold had best put it in Christmas Vacation..."I don't want to spend the holidays dead!"

Johnny didn't even look at the name of the town as he pulled off the interstate...he just knew they were in Oregon. Once in the small, quaint-looking town, they stopped at a nearby gas station (open til 3:00 P.M. on Christmas Eve) and asked for a good motel recommendation.

The man pointed down the street. "The Bethlehem Inn's right down that way."

Johnny tried really hard not to roll his eyes. He was very tired, and not in the mood for Christmas Eve jokes. "No, man...I'm serious. Where's a good hotel?"

"I'm serious, too," the man insisted. "The Bethlehem Inn's one of the best in town."

It vaguely occured to Johnny that outside of "Oregon", he had no clue where he was. "Er...what's the name of this town, anyway, sir?"

The man shrugged, as if he got that question a lot. "Bethlehem, Oregon."

That would explain the Bethlehem Inn. He smiled graciously at the man. "Thanks for your help."

"Anytime."

Johnny shook his head as they walked back to the van. "We're stuck in Bethlehem...on Christmas Eve. Does anyone else find that amusing somehow?"

"I might if I weren't so tired," Jen said.

"Yeah, for real," Liz agreed.

"Well, let's just get to this place..." Johnny sighed. "We can get a few hours of sleep, then get back on the road."

It took them maybe about two minutes to get to the inn--it really was close. As Johnny walked inside, he shook his head. "If this place is full...I'm sleeping in the van. I'd be too afraid they'd offer us the stable or something."

There was a room available...but only one. It didn't much matter to them at this point, so they decided to share the room...there were two beds in it, and Jen volunteered to sleep on the floor. Johnny watched as they wrote his name on the registration form. The person behind the desk had misheard him and written down "Joe Gage" instead of "John Gage". It wouldn't have been a big deal otherwise...but Johnny was stressed...and extrememly tired. Within seconds, he had hit one of his famous "Gage Rants".

"My name is John!" he informed her, gesturing widly with his arms as he spoke. "John! Not Joe! My name is not Joseph! Do I look like the stepfather of God to YOU?"

"Er...I'm sorry, sir..." the lady managed, not quite sure how to handle this one.

Without acknowledging her, Johnny spun to face the two women standing behind him. "And neither one of you had better spontaneously have a baby tonight or anything...because I am OFF-DUTY and I do NOT like shepherds!"

Having finished his tirade, he calmly picked up the room keys, and walked out of the lobby.

"Um..." Jen stammered, "don't, uh...don't mind him. He hasn't had a lot of sleep...and he's been kinda stressed."

The woman behind the counter nodded, offering a sympathetic smile. "It's okay...I've seen odder things here on Christmas Eve."

"I'll bet," Liz chuckled., noticing the nametag. The lady's name was Noelle. "Hey...could you put in a wake-up call for us in maybe 5 hours? We really need to get back on the road."

"Sure. Making it home in time for Christmas?"

"I hope so."

*********************

Five hours later, there was a knock on their door--their (personal) wake-up call. Johnny yawned sleepily, waking up. He pulled his arm away from his eyes, and eyed the door suspiciously. "If it's the three wise men...tell them to leave the gold and go away."

Jennifer got the door, thanked Noelle for her time, and stretched out. "Oy. Wow...that did not seem like five hours. But I feel better now."

Liz grabbed a brush, and went to work at taming her dark curls. "Me too...and I think we've still got time to make it home for Christmas. What time Christmas, I don't know...but we should make it for at least a good part of the day."

"We should be able to," Johnny agreed. "Now, come on. We gotta get home...and, besides, this place is a little too Christmas-y weird for me."

"Well, what did you expect from Bethlehem?"

"That's true," the captain allowed. "But if we have to deliver a baby to a couple named Mary and Joe...I will freak out."

Jennifer laughed. "I think that would be a bit much for even me."

*********************

As they drove, they retold stories of some of the more interesting holidays they had worked. Liz's story having to deliver the baby of a woman who swore she was having the next Christ child was pretty funny...and of course, they'd all seen their fair share of guys who looked like Santa. Which was how Kate had seen so many at Rampart...the paramedics had brought them in!

Johnny paused, then grinned, ignoring "The Twelve Days of Christmas" on the radio. "I got one who can top you. The year grandma got run over by a reindeer."

"What?" Jen asked.

"Do tell!" Liz insisted.

"All right," Johnny agreed. "It was while I was captain over at 36. Unknown rescue...we get there to find this little old lady lying in the street. And the whole time, she is swearing up and down that she had been run over by a reindeer! I mean, she's even giving us the line about not giving a license to men who drive sleighs and play with elves. And, remember, I had Jansen Murphy as a paramedic back then. And he'd been a psychiatrist before he hit that whole early midlife crisis thing. So he's trying to reason with this woman and analyze her...it got pretty funny."

"Any incriminating evidence?" Liz teased. "Hoof prints on the forehead? Claus marks on the back?"

"No...she'd really just had a syncopal episode...if you ask me, she had been drinking too much eggnog, though."

Jennifer shook her head softly. "The things we 'medics go through...and strangely enough, we love it."

"Yep," Johnny agreed. "I still miss it. But being captain at 51 isn't a bad deal either. I couldn't believe that Captain Stanley retired at the saame time the department was transferring me out of 36's. The odds on that..."

"Would have to have been out of sight," Jennifer finished, understanding. "But 51 was always your lucky number."

Johnny chuckled. "Yeah. Got me and your dad that trip to Vegas that one year. Which, when I think about it, was a better deal than that waterbed.

"Huh?" Liz and Jen asked at the same time.

"Oh...long story. I'll tell you some other time."

*********************

Chapter V: The Wrap Rap Rag

"You'd think I'd have learned!" Sophie hissed to herself, dashing through the mall. She'd been wrapping gifts...only to discover that she had run out of wrapping paper. It was only the gifts for her parents she had to wrap still...but she did want them wrapped. She'd already been to Wal-Mart and K-Mart...they were fresh out. The mall's dollar store was her last hope. As she hurried towards it, a high-tech electronic version of "Jingle Bells" began to play, from inside her purse.

Never skipping a beat, she grabbed her cell phone, and answered the call. "Talk to me."

"Hiya, sis," Jake answered from the other end of the line.

"You're not still sulking about Liz being stranded in Montana?"

"Well...yes, I am...but I need your help. Badly."

"What'd you do to yourself this time, Jake?"

He sighed. "I can't wrap this stuff. It's just not working...nothing folds right...the tape won't stick to anywhere but my face...the bows won't stay!"

Sophie raised an eyebrow at the mental picture her twin had just created for her, simultaneously searching the shelves for a stray roll of wrapping paper. "So...um, just out of curiousity...how did you manage all those years before?"

There was a long pause, while he debated whether or not he wanted to admit this to her. "I, uh...I got Mom to do it."

Sophie laughed. So there was his secret. "Aw...don't sweat it. If the truth is to be known...I did all of Daddy's wrapping for years."

"Really?"

"Yeah...but don't tell him I told you. He still thinks Mom doesn't know."

"Does she?"

"Well, of course she does."

"What are you doing, anyway?" Jake asked, hearing the noise in the background.

"Working on Christmas presents..." Sophie replied, finally finding a roll. "For Mom and Daddy."

"Maybe if you moved out of their house?" Jake suggested, pretending like he was simply trying to be helpful. After the fateful accident last year, Sophie had moved back in with her parents as she continued to. She just hadn't moved back out yet.

Sophie rolled her eyes. "I have the gifts; I'm getting the paper."

"Oh. Well get it and get over here."

Sophie smiled despite herself. "Sure, Jake. But you owe me for this one."

"Okay, okay! I'm desperate enough. Just get here." He hung up.

Sophie put the phone back into her purse, and paid for the wrapping paper. As she walked back out to her car, she began to sing softly to herself...a song she hadn't heard since 8th grade Music Appreciation class. But it was just one of those things that, for some reason or another, always stuck with you...a cute little song to the tune of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town".

"You buy ribbons and tape, boxes and bows. Tags tied on string and paper that glows...wrapping presents can be a drag." She wasn't 100% sure the words were in the right order, but she didn't really care. "The paper cuts your fingers...the tape sticks to your face...the tags tied on the strings get lost and the bows don't stay in place. So, take my advice. Just use your head. The thought is what counts, so give that instead...thoughts don't have to be wrapped at all."

*********************

Joanne DeSoto sighed, but smiled at the same time. She didn't understand how Brandon and Kristen had gotten themselves into this mess...but it was cute. Chris and Emily had already taken several pictures of the kids tangled up in the ribbon...there was about 6 feet of it. Emily had been wrapping some last-minute gifts, and Brandon had started to play with it. Kristen had joined in...and, well, one thing had led to another. Now the task was to untangle the little ones from the red ribbon. She left Chris and Grey to figure it out, and walked back into the living room, where Roy was holding a handmade Christmas wreath in his hand. It had been made from green and red construction paper and a paper plate...the name "Jenny" was written across the bottom in a 5 year-old's scrawl.

Joanne knew what was wrong right away. "Oh, Roy...I know you want her home..."

"I want all of them home," Roy sighed. "Her and Johnny and Liz...but it's the first time Jenny hasn't been home for Christmas. I mean, maybe not at this house...but she's always been in LA. We've always been able to see her."

"I know," Joanne sympathized. She sat down, wrapping an arm around her husband. "It's hard letting them get out on their own...accepting that they're adults now."

"You're sure right about that." She snuggled closer to him, rubbing her hair against his cheek. "So call them. You'll feel better."

"I tried. The phone's out at their hotel...must be some blizzard."

Joanne nodded. "Well, maybe it'll be up by tommorrow. Besides, doesn't Johnny have his cellular phone with him?"

A slow smile spread across Roy's face. "I hadn't thought of that." He went for the phone, but got only the annoying message from the phone company. "The SunComWest customer you are trying to reach is currently unavailable..." He hung up, frustrated.

"Don't worry," Joanne soothed. "The blizzard is probably wreaking havoc with the satellite system or whatever it is that makes those things work. You can try again tommorrow...I'm sure it'll have let up."

"Yeah," Roy muttered, not convinced. He slunk off, back to the living room. With the rest of the family, he was a real, animated person...happy and involved with them. But Joanne knew how much it hurt him that three certain people couldn't be there...Jen and Johnny, it was obvious. And they'd both pretty much unofficially adopted Liz as their daughter...she was certainly like a sister to Jen. Truth was, it hurt her too. And, silently, she prayed for a Christmas miracle.

*********************

Chapter VI: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

December 25

Jen had drifted off on the first of the van's two back seat rows. She woke up hearing Johnny singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". Liz, in the seat just behind her, woke up as well. Sleeping in the van wasn't easy--or comfortable--but they really couldn't spare any more time off the road.

Johnny look behind him to grin at them. "Well, merry Christmas, ladies. It's December 25, it's 6:00 A.M., and we just passed San Jose. We'll be home soon enough. Either one of you want to drive now? I was gonna stop for breakfast in a minute...there should be a Denny's open around here someplace. We can spare the time."

"I've drive," Jen volunteered. "Since we are back on my turf now..."

"Sure," Johnny agreed.

"Hey!" Liz announced from the back seat. "I found your cell phone, Johnny!"

"Really? Where was it?"

"Under the seat."

She handed it forward to him, and he slipped the phone into his back pocket, turning it on. He turbed on the radio as well while he was at it, and fiddled around with the knob until he found what he was looking for. "Might as well get in a few Christmas traditions as best we can, huh?"

Jennifer listened, and smiled. Her father had read from Luke 2 every Christmas since she could remember. The man on the radio might not have been Roy DeSoto, but in this case, they had to take what they could get.

"For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord..."

*********************

Roy smiled at the sight of his two grandchildren curled up together, asleep under the Christmas tree. It was only 11:30 A.M., but they'd been up early, and the excitment had just plain worn them out. The look was completed when Grey took one of the bows from a discarded piece of wrapping paper, and placed it on Kristen's head.

Roy walked over to the phone, and dialed Johnny's cell phone number. His heart lifted when he heard it ring.

*********************

Johnny was comfortably relaxing in the passenger's-side chair of the Nissan when he yelped in surprise, and nearly jumped a mile.

"It's your phone," Liz and Jen said in unison. They knew Johnny well...and they also knew that while he had come to regard his cell phone as a necessity, he also hadn't quite gotten used to the vibrate feature on it. Every time the thing rang, it scared the hell out of him. It was pretty funny, actually.

Johnny sighed, took the phone out of his pocket, and pressed a button to activate it. "Hello?"

"Johnny." The relief in Roy's voice was evident. "I've been trying to reach you since yesterday!"

"Sorry," Johnny apologized. "I kinda misplaced my phone...stupid thing's so little, it slipped under the seat of the van and I didn't notice. Merry Christmas, by the way."

"Merry Christmas, Johnny. So when are you three getting home?"

"Oh..." Johnny drawled, "soon." At the moment, they were turning onto North Lincoln Drive, where Roy and Joanne had lived since 1968.

"That's good," Roy replied. "Christmas is weird without you. It's like I expect you to pop out of nowhere all of a sudden. And Jake is apparently driving Sophie up the wall."

"Well," Johnny answered, "he can rest assured that Liz misses him just as much. You talk to Kate?"

"Yeah...she says to tell you, and I quote, 'You missed a real hot time in the 'ol ER last night.'"

Gage laughed. "That's my Kate, all right." They were in front of the house now. Quietly, the trio slipped out of the van. Surprise was half the fun of Christmas, and they wouldn't let their homecoming be any exception.

Roy chuckled. "You know, Junior, twenty years ago, I could never have pictured myself saying this, but I can't wait to see your face again. And I definitely can't wait to see Jenny and Liz."

They were in position. Johnny grinned his trademark lopsided grin, and allowed for a dramatic pause. "Then open your front door."

"What?"

"You heard me, Pally...open the front door."

"All right..." Roy agreed, sounding somewhat skeptical. "Gimme a minute." Johnny could hear him putting down the phone, and turning the door handle.

The look on Roy's face when he saw them standing there was priceless. That made their two-day trek home worth it all.

"Johnny! How in the...what on earth...huh?"

Jennifer laughed at her father's confusion. "We drove home, Daddy! We didn't want to miss Christmas with you!" She paused, tossing a teasing look in the direction of her partner. "Besides, Liz here would simply have died of loneliness without Jake."

Roy grinned, hugging her, then Johnny and Liz. "Well, don't just stand on the porch...get in here!"

Chris heard the commotion, and he and Emily came to investigate. "Jen? Johnny? Liz?"

"We're here!" Jen exclaimed, crossing the room to hug her brother and sister-in-law. "Now where are those two beautiful babies of yours?"

Emily smiled. "Asleep under the tree."

"Awwww!" Jen smiled herself, and went to see.

Joanne entered the room as well, Grey not far behind her. The reunion scene prelayed itself over again, never getting old. Liz ran to the phone to call Jake and give him the news. Homecomings, family, joy, hope, love...that's what Christmas was all about. And never had that lesson been more near and dear to their hearts. It truly was a merry Christmas.

*********************
Chapter VII: Another Auld Lang Syne

December 31

Grey was singing, slightly off-key, his own words to "Auld Lang Syne".

"Should auld aquaintance be forgot...make some new ones and move on..."

Chris rolled his eyes. "C'mon, Grey, you're going to scar my children for life."

"The new words aren't that bad. Or is it my voice?"

Chris's blue eyes sparkled. "I plead the 5th."

"Too much Law and Order, Christopher," Jen teased. "And, Grey...have some respect for Robert Burns. Please. Scotland's greatest poet deserves better."

"I can see where I'm not wanted."

The New Year's Eve gathering this year was at Kel and Dixie Brackett's townhouse in Pasedena. No one quite understood the seemingly inside joke between them regarding the holiday, but no one lost any sleep over it either. But, still the same, it only took mentioning New Year's Eve 1975 to get the two of them to grin, and share a meaningful look.

"Twenty-five years, Dix," Kel sighed, having stolen a moment alone in the kitchen with his wife. "It was one hell of a night, wasn't it?"

"Oh, yeah," she agreed. "I wish I could remember more of it."

"Hmm...your memory's slipping in your old age, is that it?" he teased.

She smacked him playfully. "You watch it. And you were as out of it that night as I was!"

"Alcohol tends to do that to a person..."

They laughed, and continued to recall (as best they could) the infamous night.

In another area of the house, Jake and Liz were talking.

"I really missed you," Jake told her. "I didn't know it was possible to miss someone that much."

"I know," Liz agreed. "It would have been so great if you'd been there."

He reached into his pocket, searching for something as he talked. "Liz...I had a lot of time to consider it. I don't want to take the chance that you could ever get away from me. I've found the best thing I think I'll ever have, and it's with you." He pulled a ring from his pocket, and looked deep into her eyes...not hard, since she was about his height. "I love you, Liz."

Her eyes misted with tears. Those were the words she'd waited so long to hear. She was about to say 'I love you too', when she had a better idea. "Yeah...same here."

He laughed, though his own eyes were watering too. "Liz...I want you to marry me. Will you?"

"Yes," she whispered. "Oh, God, Jake, yes."

He leaned forward to kiss her, slipping the ring onto her finger at the same time. When they pulled apart, he slipped his arm around her waist. "Come on. Let's go give everyone the good news." A mischevious grin played upon his lips. "Looks like my parents aren't the only ones with a New Year's Eve secret anymore."

*********************

As expected, everyone was thrilled with the news of the engagement. Dixie was trying, in vain, to convince herself that she was not old enough to have a child old enough to get married...but she was one of the happiest of all about it. She adored Liz, and she was glad Jake would have someone around to smooth those rough cowboy edges of his...he was so much like his father.

Joanne and Roy sat together, watching the Times Square celebration on a taped delay with the rest of the gang. It may not have been Christmas anymore, but a line from a Christmas song came to mind.

Through the years we all will be together...if the fates allow...

The fates had allowed so far, and for that he was eternally grateful. As he kissed Joanne at the stroke of midnight, as 2000 became 2001, his New Year's wish was that fate would continue to be so kind.

*********************

END NOTES: Well, here I go again, finishing holiday fic at the last minute! Hehehe--this was fun, though. I should be packing for my own Christmas vacation...Hope you enjoyed it, drop me a line and lemme know! For the record, I made up Bethlehem, OR (as far as I know). Most all other locations (except the Roadside Renezvous) actually do exist where I said they did. :) Thanks so much to everyone who helped me on this fic. Steph--your ideas and encouragement helped me SO much! Rose, thanks for the rez info. I didn't use it like I thought I would, but it helped me establish a few other things! Roy's "two-day pre-Christmas irritation" mentioned earlier in the fic is from the story of a friend of mine, Jaina Winston. I believe it's called Carol of the Klaxons...watch for it among the holiday fics! If you read a prior fic of mine, Unexpected (with Stephanie White), you know what Kel and Dixie's New Year's secret is. That's also the fic to introduce Sophie and Jake. If you'd like to read it, it's posted on my site: http://www.angelfire.com/ca6/dixbrackett.

Merry Christmas, everyone! (Or whatever your holiday of choice is!)

Audrey
12/20/00