"May I see the catalog please?"

Simon looked down at the young woman and paused a second before giving her the book. He may not have approved of how Elena earned it, but her money was as good as anyone else's in town, and he could turn a blind eye especially for the holidays.

She bit her lip in concentration as she thought about what she would get the most important people in her life for Christmas. They would all expected her to get them sleazy gifts, and she wanted to surprise them with her thoughtfulness.

"May I see that when you're done?"

Elena smiled at the sound of the man's voice. It brought back very pleasurable feelings. Ian was the one man in town that she looked forward to seeing. "Maybe." She replied without turning around. "Is there a particular person you're shopping for?"

Ian smiled sly and told himself to play their acquaintance down. He couldn't have anyone telling Meg that he and Elena were chummy. "Actually I'm looking for a gift for Meg Saunders. Know her?"

Elena's smile fell and she turned around to glare at him. "You're buying gifts for Meghan?"

Ian looked around to make sure no one was watching. "Keep your voice down. We don't know each other remember?" He'd always entered the bordello from the back door and he'd always paid extra to wait in a private room until she was ready for him just so no one would know he was there. So far he was successful at keeping their relationship a secret.

Elena glanced around as well then rolled her eyes. "Sorry." She whispered, "But I can't believe you're gonna buy a Christmas gift for Meg, and after you bought her a coat for no particular occasion."

Ian smiled. "A gift which she loved. This gift will be more personal, Luke won't be able to do a thing about it either. It's Christmas after all."

Elena smirked. "I know what I'd give him if I had the chance." She mumbled.

"All in good time, dearest, all in good time." Ian replied as he went to the jewelry section of the book. He found what he wanted and smiled broadly. "I know just what I'm getting for her."

Elena turned to look inside and her jaw dropped. "Luke may very well kill you."

Ian chuckled. "It's a chance I'll gladly take. Maybe Meghan will nurse me back to health."

When Simon came around the counter Ian ignored Elena to talk to the man and order the item he wanted. He knew the money he'd won at the Turkey Trot would come to good use.

Elena went back to searching the catalog and finally found some nice gifts. They would be expensive, but she had plenty of money saved up, and she couldn't think of anything better to spend it on than the people who made up her family. Suddenly she felt like going home, but she pushed the urge aside and mentally summed up the total of her gifts. When she looked up to order them she realized that Ian had left. She wished things could've been different between the two of them. If she couldn't have Luke, Ian was a wonderful substitute but once again Meghan stood in the way.