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Chapter -11- Holiday Cheer

December 25, 9:00 am PST San Francisco, California Karla's Yacht, "The Busty Belle"

** Karla blinked her eyes and everything slid into focus.** She groaned softly and rolled into the warm embrace of Eric Loupe. She buried her face into his torso, resting her head on his ribs. Her hand snaked down his tummy, closing over something warm. A smile tugged at the corner of her tired face. "Well ... Merry Christmas to me."

She wiggled down beneath the covers, creeping down along his form.

Eric grinned in reply, placing his palm atop of the bump of her head that traveled beneath the covers. "Again, huh? Seven-thirty wasn't enough?" He chuckled, adding, "You sure you can't just stick to one lover?"

Her words were muffled through the blankets. "You would never be able to keep up with the demand to sate my need to stay alive, lover boy. Else I would in a heartbeat. You're really a genuine man and I like the fact that you've proven me wrong."

"What, that sex doesn't make me fall asleep? I'll admit, I get a little groggy but ... a lot of things have an opposite effect on me. Benadryl makes me excitable and anxious, coffee relaxes me despite the rapid heartbeat. Liquor makes a lot of people goofy ... I just sleep." He drew in a deep breath then sighed long and loud. "God ... I've never slept with a woman as open-minded as you."

"Mmhmm." Her muffled murr caused him to flinch with delight. He tensed up then placed both hands upon the backside of her head, separated by the covers.

Meanwhile, out in the living room...

Evan stumbled on a random shoe coming from his room. He put his hands against a bulkhead and made his way into the living room. With a sigh, he settled down into a sitting chair next to the sofa.

Evan froze then lifted his gaze to a large, glowing Christmas tree, complete with presents neatly tucked beneath the bottom branches. The tree skirt was the same gold color as the illuminated star upon the top.

"That ... was totally NOT there last night before bed." He stood up, walked down the hall and approached Karla's bedroom then froze with his hand just inches from the handle. His face contorted at the sounds emanating from the other side of the door. He pivoted on his right heel and walked back to the living room. "Definitely not a good time."

As he came back up the hall, Reno opened his door and crossed over to the bathroom. Evan waited in the hallway until Nevada reemerged. "Okay, your turn, Ev."

Evan shook his head. "Nah, don't need that. C'mere and look at this." He led Reno back up the hall to the living room and gestured to the tree with his hand. "It's too neat and picture-perfect for one of us guys to have put this thing up. It's enormous."

Reno rubbed his chin thoughtfully with a wan smile. "That's pretty awesome, man. Patience?"

"She's Russian and African. I ... you know, I have no idea if she celebrates Christmas. I can't believe I didn't ask her yet." He rubbed his chin, mirroring Reno. "Karla is a little ... well, Yule is tree-themed. But this is full-on Christmas. I don't know. It just doesn't seem Karla's style, but she certainly has the capacity to bring a tree out here this far. And the abilities to decorate it over night."

"Where'd all the ornaments come from? That's a lot of money on that tree." Reno moved to a nearby chair and slumped into it. "I wish Nicky was here to see this. She'd have liked it."

Evan's voice lowered in reverence. "Yeah. I'm sorry, man. Let's keep a positive attitude. We'll find her. Have you talked to your brother yet in the past day or so?"

"Actually, yeah. Yesterday he called. He said he's come under some sort of supernatural tutorship and feels like he's making a difference and all that yabba-yabba. He confirmed that Karla's pal, Donovan Loupe is showing up in the computer's active directory, so he might be there ... somewhere."

"Yeah?"

Reno shrugged and changed the subject. "Eric and I had a pretty long talk last night after you went to bed. He said he's glad to know his uncle might be alive. Still no word on my fiancée ... Topaz and Fox's aunt. That'd be an awesome Christmas present, though. One can dream."

Evan fidgeted. "I don't know how to respond to this. Do I punch you in the arm and say something manly? Do I tell you my heartaches for you? I just don't know how to behave appropriately ... but I really do hope we find her. You deserve to be happy, especially considering all the work we've been doing to clean up San Francisco in the last week."

"Yeah. Look, Evan, the sentiment is cool. You don't have to show it. Just saying what you've said is more than enough. I appreciate it, man. So ... you talk to your buddy, Johann? You tell him that you and Patience are starting to get serious?"

"I've had no contact yet." He shrugged a little. "Johann is my boy, for sure. I can't wait to tell him I've had my first kiss and that I opened a pickle jar for her. It makes me feel awesome."

Reno chuckled and shook his head. "Pickle Jar. Hell yeah. Women love when they can rely on you for something. They love being able to count on you to do things for them. So long as you remain reliable, consistently, and never let her down ... it'll last forever."

"Man. I'll try my best for sure."

Reno put his forearm across his knee then leaned towards Evan. "Yoda, dude. Freakin' Yoda."

"You're right. There's no try. Only do. You're right."

Reno grinned. "So do it. Kick ass. Stay consistent. Don't mess it up. Right now, she thinks American men are awesome. You've been perfect for several whole days. Don't worry. One day, you'll be married and hate each other like siblings. Fox and Topaz not-withstanding."

Both laughed then slumped back in the sitting chairs next to the sofa. After a moment of silence, Evan added, "That tree is pretty wild, though."

"Yeah, man."

Patience came from her room, adjacent to Evan's, and walked up the hallway in silk pajama bottoms. She wore one of Evan's Incredible Hulk t-shirts, which came down to her mid-thighs.

Patty tilted her head at Evan and Reno, cast in the soft glow of colored lights then turned to the tree and gasped softly. "Oh, it's so beautiful!" A soft smile crossed her features. She turned to Reno and said, "Merry Christmas, tovarich." Then, to Evan, said, "Merry Christmas." She withdrew a small green plant with a piece of lace tied around it. The plant had a single berry attached.

"What is that?"

Reno laughed. "Evan! It's mistletoe, bro."

"...Oh!" Evan reached for the small green plant with the little berry nestled between the leaves. "Just one berry?" He stood up, took the small plant from her and held it aloft, above her head.

"Don't you know, Evan? Young men have the privilege of kissing a girl beneath mistletoe but you have to pluck a berry from it each time it happens. When all the berries are gone, the privilege ceases. There's one berry. You get one kiss."

Reno grinned. "Wow, Evan, she's really in control of this thing."

"Exactly." She reached her palms up, captured either side of his face and kissed him firmly. It wasn't just any kiss ... it was one that caused his toes to curl, his eyes to clench shut and the hair on the nape of his neck to stand on end.

Satisfied that she'd done a good job, she reached for the mistletoe and plucked the single berry. She leaned back with a devious smile and said, "Now you can go. Merry Christmas."

Evan eased back into the chair and licked his lips. "Wow ... that was nice."

Reno chuckled with a shake of his head. "You two are too cute. And neither of you better ever tell anyone I said that. I'll deny using those words. That's not a manly thing to say after all." He stood up and offered his chair to Patience. "C'mon, sit down with your beau. I insist." He mispronounced the word, 'boo,' and moved to the sofa.

Karla and Eric came from the hall, giggling amongst themselves. They stopped in the living room, suddenly quiet. The couple stared at the tree then back at Reno, Evan and Patience. They glanced back at the tree again. "Did you three...?"

"Not us," said Reno.

"I figured it was you, Karla," Evan said.

"Well, there's only two people capable of pulling this off," Karla mused aloud. "Rich-ass Topaz, or Rich-ass Lance." She grinned at Evan and said, "Sorry." The demon turned about and went down the hall to Topaz's room and knocked on the door. In a singsong voice, she called aloud, "Rise and shine, beautiful!" Karla disappeared to the other side of the door.

Eric Loupe offered a frown. "Great. I'm sure they'll be in there for half an hour."

Reno rebutted with a smooth grin.

"What's that look for, Nevada?"

"You ... are jealous."

Eric swallowed then looked around before offering a nod. "A little. I'm falling for her. I know better. But ... I am."

"That's complicated stuff, man." Evan reached for Patty's hand and rubbed her knuckles with his thumb. "Sorry, Eric."

"It's okay." Loupe stuffed his hands into his sweatpants pockets and turned back to the tree. "Man, that thing is awesome. Isn't Topaz usually up doing her workouts at this hour?"

Reno shook his head. "I hate to get all 'World's Greatest Detective' on you guys, but ... Topaz is still asleep. Obviously we can deduce that she stayed up all night working on this tree."

Eric nodded respectfully towards the Christmas tree. "It's wild. Presents, too, huh?"

"Guess so," said Reno with a chuckle.

A moment later, Parker's door opened. Topaz stepped out, wearing one of her father's Raiders' jerseys. The hem came to her knees. She walked up the hall, hair in a sloppy bun. "Morning everyone."

Reno asked, "Did you build this tree?"

"Heh." She blew a lock of hair up out of her face then nodded. "Yeah, no use playing coy. It was me. Yes, I got everyone a present. NO, I don't want anything in return. I'm a master thief, I have everything I want."

Karla came into the living room behind Topaz and goosed the thief's rump. "She wants her _brother _for Christmas."

Topaz immediately blushed, cleared her throat and looked over her shoulder, opposite of Karla, so that no one would see her face. "Stop."

"Oh, is that blush you're wearing?" Karla giggled. "What a becoming shade. You'll have to let me borrow that foundation, babe."

"Oh geeze," Topaz rubbed her face as though trying to wake up, despite being fully awake, now. "I, uh ... so, let's let the Christmas morning festivities commence."

"Is Fox gunna pop out of one of these boxes?" asked Karla.

"Aw c'mon," she said with a somewhat pouty voice. "I see him New Year's Eve, we all get to see our friends on New Year's Eve."

Something rustled the tree. Everyone froze. Karla cut her eyes to Parker and asked, "Is this your doing?"

"No. Something's in the tree."

A green bar made to smell like a real tree dropped from a branch and dropped to the carpeted deck. The branches eased apart and a small orange head slid out from between them. Kuda. He blinked his golden eyes. His nose twitched.

Karla hurried over to the tree and pulled the little fox from within it and held him up in the air, delighted. "Hi baby boy! Oh, I missed you!" She brought the small animal down into her arms and cradled him like a baby. "I know you don't observe Christmas in Shinto-land, but it's so good to have you back." Her tone changed abruptly. "I was worried about you, ya lil' goober."

Kuda hopped down from Karla's arms and trotted up the hall. A moment later, the group heard the sound of paws scratching around in a litter box. Karla's bright smile turned into a wry smirk. "Real ... real nice. 'Hi mom, I'm home. Be right back, gotta poop.' Wonderful."

Topaz gestured to Karla. "Yeah, yeah. Sinopa's minion is home and happily doing his Christmas crap. C'mon. Take your seats, everyone. Let's get this show on the road."

Parker moved towards the tree then turned to everyone and took the hem of her jersey, crossed her ankles and bent her knees. After the pleasant curtsey, she rose again then said, "I know it's usually 'ladies first,' but this year I'm in charge of handing out presents. So." She took a box from the floor and approached Evan and placed it into his lap. The box was about two feet by two feet by two feet. "Just wait one moment," she added then went back for another.

She picked up another box, rather small, and brought it to Reno and placed it into his left hand. "Same with you. We'll all do it together."

Topaz headed back for two more boxes and brought them to Eric and Patience. "You two were harder to shop for, so they're a little generic - I don't know what kind of things you two like, y'know?"

Finally, she went back to another package and brought it to Karla. "Okay, you. Sexy demons get seniority. Open yours first."

Karla looked around the room then said, "So, uh ... is it Krys Monroe's head on a plate?"

"Yeah ... no. I'm sorry she got away. I know that sucks and all. You were the _easiest _to shop for. I know exactly what you wanted."

"Oh yeah?" Karla opened the gift-wrap. The package was a little shorter than the length of her forearm. She opened the top then quirked her brows and sat down on the armrest of the sofa, rifling through it. "Wait a second..." She pulled out a roll of paper and a box of nondescript keys.

Topaz grinned. "Trust me, no one else here will get it, Karla. You and I had that conversation the other night when you were guzzling booze. Remember how I said I remember everything when I drink?"

"I don't even remember what we talked about," Karla said softly, unrolling the pieces of paper in the box. Her eyes widened and she abruptly brought both of her hands to her mouth. "Oh my fucking God are you serious?!"

Topaz suddenly looked like the cat that ate the canary. "Let her have this moment, Evan. Trust me. She told me about this little secret she had, that she didn't tell anyone else. So I decided to make some calls and..."

Karla launched herself into Topaz, throwing her arms around the thief's neck. Without another word, she pressed her lips firmly against Parker's own, nearly causing Topaz to stumble.

Reno and Even looked at one another then back to the affectionate succubus. Eric rubbed the back of his neck and asked, "Karla, what'd she get you?"

Karla turned back to the group with tears streaming down her cheeks. "I..." She lifted her hand up, "One sec."

Topaz beamed with victory. "Damn I'm good. Look who is blushing and unable to speak, now?"

Karla laughed, crying at the same time. She turned back to Topaz and hugged her again, whispering against the girl's neckline. "Thank you. Thank you so much. How can I ever repay you?"

"Oh Karla, I don't know what to do with all this silly money. I just wanted to get things that would make people happy. Outside of this circle, keep it a secret. No one can know I'm nice. I have a reputation to uphold here."

"Okay," Evan said, "I'm dying to know what you got."

Karla swallowed back her sniffles and tears, wiped her face with her palms then turned to the group. She took a deep breath, and then said, "A gorgeous _house in _PARIS, France! It's so ... oh my Christ, I can't even breathe."

"Holy smokes," Evan whispered.

"Dear God," Reno said.

Eric approached Karla and took the paper from the box and unfurled it. "Dear Lord. Look at that thing. Chateau De Karla; it's huge."

"They're still doing the basement," Topaz said. "It's going to be pretty sick." She ran her fingers through the sobbing demon's hair and smiled. "One down, four to go." She waggled her brows and said, "Evan. You're up."

He looked down at the box then licked his lips. "How do I even begin to ... is it going to make me cry like Karla?"

Unable to help herself, Topaz burst out laughing. "You never know! Open it, kid."

He scoffed with a grin. "Tsh. Kid." With a smirk, Evan opened the package, pulled away the gift-wrap then opened the top flaps. His eyes widened, similar to how Karla reacted, earlier. He reached into the box.

Reno folded his arms. "You opening the Ark of the Covenant over there or is there a flashlight in that box, pointing up?"

Evan lifted up comic books. "First edition everything, _Reno. Some of these are thousands upon thousands of dollars. Some of these haven't been in print for decades. OH my _God, _Topaz, how did you even _FIND these, let alone ... how did you find someone willing to part with them?! This is extraordinary. These should be in a museum. Or belong to some sort of private collector or..."

"Dad was a fan. They belonged to my father."

Evan grew silent. "...Wow," he whispered. "These are impossible to find. Some of these are simply legends in the comic community." He paused then pulled out two of the same comic. "Wait ... two?" Then he found another comic that had two issues. "I don't understand?"

Parker chuckled. "One to read and one to never be opened."

Again, Evan's eyes widened. "Are you serious?" he stood up calmly and put the box on the coffee table then approached Topaz and wrapped his arms around her. "You are amazing."

She appeared skittish to receive his hug at first then smiled and wrapped her arms around him. "Yeah, yeah, I knew you'd like it. That took some thinking ... but when I remembered daddy's stash ... I knew it was perfect for you." She released Evan and said, "Reno Nevada. Yours was hard at first. I knew what I wanted to do but I didn't know how to go about it. At least not at first. But there's nothing money can't solve to some degree. Except emotional insanity."

"You got me a shrink in a box?" He grinned. "I probably need one. Maybe one of those self-help psychology books, right?"

Topaz glanced over at Karla, grinned, and in unison they both said, "Moving on!"

Parker continued, adding, "Reno Nevada ... I'm probably proudest of yours. It wasn't easy. I actually had to get dirty to get yours ready."

"Oh my." Reno opened the small package. Beneath the giftwrap was a jewelry-like box that typically held something akin to a necklace or fancy bracelet.

He opened the top. Inside, folded into a square, was photograph paper. Reno lifted the paper out, unfolding them with one hand while pulling out a set of keys with his other. "Wait ... I recognize these keys..."

"Look at the pictures," Topaz replied.

Reno glanced down at the folded paper in his right hand and thumbed them open. His eyes widened. "Wait, the mechanic said it was beyond repair. Cracked engine block. In need of a new transmission, dash panel ... the hoses were no good, the gas tank had dropped from the back and cracked - needed to be replaced. It was basically just a shell needing a lot of work and..."

"Yeah, I pimped your ride." Topaz stuck her tongue out. "I had insulation put into the doors and wrapped around the fuel line that will absorb electrical shock. I had capacitors and resistors or ... some sort of little ... battery thingies put into the doors, as well, so that you can draw off the charge in them. They're charged by an enormous alternator. I don't know how to explain it. I told the guy what to do and he did it. I had the car shipped to Germany and done up so well that The Punisher would be proud. Then I had it shipped back. No, it wasn't cheap; no, cost doesn't matter ... it's officially bad ass now. Just don't wreck."

"He stared at the photos, quietly, listening to her speak.

"It's a lot more torque and horsepower than it was before. The engine stats are all on a piece of paper in the glove box. I had it delivered to me and took it to your parent's house and parked just the way I found it. I know you wanted to tinker with it because it was something you and your daddy used to tinker with when you were a kid but ... like you said, it was a rusted out frame when you found it. So I had it restored so it wouldn't wind up trash. I hope you're okay with that."

Reno laughed in a good-natured way. "Heads Up Display and, is this even legal? Smoke canister deployment? Wait ... what's this thing on the back and front that says, 'Classified,' is it a weapon?"

"Only when you drive it," Topaz laughed. "It's a set of metallic rails. If you charge them, you can send an electrical beam forward or backwards. I told them it was for something we planned to add, and how it would work ... and that it was for an _action movie. _So. No questions were asked. I told him we were going to have a battery connect to them and pretend the battery was the character, so I needed the steering wheel to be metal and make it authentic, so that the metal wheel can filter charge down the steering shaft into the rest of the car. It's all prototype stuff. But it's legitimate. We tested it. Blew up a barn using an electricity generator thing. Burned out the batteries on the device we brought along to act as you. Luckily, you don't have batteries to burn out."

Reno listened to the entire explanation then looked at the pictures again. "Wow. Suede back seats? Classy." He grinned and said, "I'm not going to get all silly like those two did. But c'mere. I really appreciate all the work you put into this and the time and effort and money involved. And I appreciate that you were able to resurrect my father's muscle car. I really do." He stood up, calmly placed the little box on the coffee table, approached her and they embraced gently. He kissed her forehead and said, "Thanks muffin."

Topaz ribbed him gently with her elbow. "Anytime, buttercup."

Karla rubbed her eyes with her thumbs and said, "Wait, you two have pet names for one another?"

"Yeah," said Reno. "We lived together for a few days. We realized we're both masculine personalities. She'll call me bitch-tits," he chuckled, adding, "Sorry Evan, just saying ... anyway, then I'd call her cupcake, then she'd call me pumpkin, so I'd call her poopsie. I have no idea where it all came from."

Evan covered his mouth and laughed through his fingers.

Topaz turned to Eric and Patience and said. "Okay, you two ... so I didn't know how to 'shop' for you guys. Patience, there's nothing money cannot buy, but your present isn't something you can hold. I resubmitted your dissertation. I had it published. You'll get mail sometime soon that proves you now have a bone fide PhD."

Patty's jaw dropped.

Topaz continued, "Eric, again, I got you something that you can't exactly hold. I was persuasive and unlocked your credit history and basically bought your birth records from the Government. It's not much, but you have a legitimate identity again. Everyone should feel like a person. But I still felt bad I couldn't get you something more tangible to hold. So I put something fun in your boxes. I decided to get what everyone wants to some degree. Go on, open it you two."

Patience and Eric began opening their packages. Their eyes widened, same as everyone else. Parker chuckled. "Yeah. Money. Merry Christmas. Now go buy whatever your little hearts desire." She turned to Karla and said, "I feel like I've come out of my shell a little bit over the last few days. You guys are all so very accepting. And then finding out that Vincent is alive. Not to mention I feel like I have a family again. That means more to me than anything, you guys. Thank you. I appreciate feeling like I belong. It's been a long time."

"You're welcome." Karla wrapped her arms around Topaz and hugged her firmly. "Thank you. I've always wanted a home in Paris ... and now I have a Victorian-age mini-manor. It's gorgeous. I can't begin to tell you how happy I am."

Topaz wiggled free then bowed to the room. "I'm going to say this once. I've always known my father had money. I just never knew how much. Now he's gone. I took those swords we found out to the family 'vault' if you want to call it that. I was blown away by what I found there."

"A lot huh?"

She grinned at Evan. "Yeah. I'm not going to sugar coat this ... my father never declared his wealth. And I can't, because I can't count it all. I just found out that my family has been putting all their money into the same piggy bank for generations. So ... who wants an Aircraft Carrier?" she cracked up. "It's only five billion. No sweat."

"Jesus, are you serious?" Reno exclaimed.

"I've given everyone here one million dollars _after _taxes, on top of what I've given them today. T'dah!" Her words caught everyone by surprise. Topaz abruptly walked to the rear door and peered outside. "Just making sure no one is going to attack out of the blue again. I swear I'm not paranoid, it just seems like now would have been the perfect time."

"You mean ... I'm a millionaire now?" Eric asked, incredulous.

Topaz nodded. "Well, technically yes. Spend it wisely. Get a finance consultant. Put the money away, live on the interest or something."

"I don't know what to say other than thank you, tovarich." Patience stood up and hugged Topaz. "At this rate, I think I'll go back to school. I've never had the ability to make educational decisions based on something other than money, but now I can attend any school I want."

Karla giggled. "I have a mansion _and _a yacht! Both bought and paid for! Dear God, I've never had things this good in four hundred years. This is definitely the best Christmas ever."

Reno grinned and stood up. "Okay. Who wants to go with me for a ride in my new car?"

Evan grinned broadly. "Me!"

Eric chuckled. "Count me in. Keep in mind, this is my first Christmas. I don't remember anything else in the past. I appreciate you guys making this one memorable. So ... since all the guys are going ashore and all you ladies are apparently staying here, I assume, is there anything I can bring you three when we come back?"

Karla grinned at Eric. "Sexy time when you get back."

Patience shook her head and said, "Eggnog, homemade and cold. I've never had that until I got to this country and now I can't get enough."

Eric grinned. "You've got it."

Karla smoothed out her skirt then said, "Okay, girls. Let's go get into trouble. Boys, have fun driving around in the middle of nowhere. Go nuts."

Reno grinned. "We will." He stood up again, Evan and Eric joined him. "Guys, let's go find some abandoned barns and blow'em up."

"Heck yeah," Evan said with a bright grin.

"Sounds like fun," Eric murmured. "Should be interesting."

Topaz waved at them. "Take care. Merry Christmas." Everyone exchanged pleasant farewells.

Karla turned back to Patience and Topaz. "Let's go to Paris!"

"For the day?" asked Patience.

"We'll come back tomorrow!"

Topaz chuckled. "I'll get us on a leer jet. Let me make some calls. Karla, get us to Millbrae."

Howard tittered with delight. "Bye boys! See you all sometime tomorrow." She waved a hand. Topaz, Patience and Karla all disappeared.

Evan rubbed his forehead. "Aren't they going to pack clothes or whatever?"

Eric and Reno turned to face him at the same time, both offering a dull glare. Evan tilted his head with confusion in his eyes.

Eric gave Evan a pat on the shoulder then turned for the rear door. "They're women. They're rich, now. Obviously they will go shopping. In Paris. Scary thought."

Reno and Evan both nodded in agreement and fell into step with Loupe.

Eric headed to the stairs and went up to the control deck. He approached the yacht's controls. The shadow apprentice put his hands on the capacitive touchscreen panels and manipulated the controls. "Okay, guys. Let's get this thing back to the marina then get out to the countryside."

"Take us home, Captain." Evan grinned and dropped into a seat adjacent to the control deck. "This has been the best Christmas ever. Johann got to go to Japan, and I got first-issue everything. He's gonna be so jealous." He couldn't help it - he was all smiles.

Kuda came up the stairs and sniffed around the bridge. He sat down on his haunches and gently beat his tail against the deck. The little fox looked up at the three and yapped.

"Do you want to go with us?" Evan asked.

Again, Kuda yapped. He leapt from the floor and scurried up Evan's arm and sat on his shoulder.

"Holy crap. He's never even come near me before. This is awesome. I have a genuine deity familiar on my shoulder."

Kuda curled his tail around Evan's neck, draping it down the front of his left shoulder. He reached up and gently rubbed the miniature fox's head, between his ears. Kuda replied with a delighted chirring sound.

X

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