Christmas in a New York minute



Universe - ATF
Warnings - None, except this isn't beta-ed and I got the idea 10 mins ago!
 
 
It had been a horrible month.  The case that was suppose to last 3 days at most had lasted weeks.  The cars had been damaged and no one was accepting blame.  A pair of night vision goggles had gone missing.  Ezra suspected Buck and JD but he wasn't sure.  And Buck had been injured.  Nothing serious, a badly twisted ankle and some fractured bones in his foot.  Chris had insisted he stay out with him at the ranch.
 
Ezra was driving Vin home.  They had stopped at Starbucks on the way.  Vin was sorting through the CDs when something caught his eye.  Ezra was staggering out, carrying the drinks.  Vin had his gun drawn when Ezra opened the car door.  
 
"What's wrong?  Are you hurt?"
 
Vin took the two pumpkin lattes from Ezra and placed them in the cup holders, his gun in his lap.
 
"Do you realize what day it is?"
 
Vin was confused.  Had Ezra suffered some kind of head wound in the 10 minutes he'd been gone.
 
"It's Friday.  What is wrong with you?"
 
"It' Christmas Eve!"
 
Vin's mouth dropped open.  Christmas eve?  That couldn't be right.  That was what, at least two weeks away.  He looked at his watch.  Damn,  it said December 24.
 
"How did that happen?"
 
Ezra shook his head, picking up his cup to take a sip.  
 
"This case took over our lives.  I guess we all lost track of time."
 
"We gotta do something, Ez."
 
Each year they all gathered at Chris' ranch but this year everyone seemed to have forgotten.
 
Vin saw a smile flicker on Ezra's mouth that soon spread into a grin.
 
"Ya got an idea."
 
"Yes,  here call everyone, except Chris.  Spread the word.  We are on a crusade."
 
Ezra pulled out of the parking lot as Vin began to call the others on Ezra's cell phone.  He was finishing up talking to Josiah as they pulled into a Christmas tree lot.
 
"Ain't much to choose from."  
 
Ezra reached over and patted Vin's knee.  
 
"Fear not, Vin.   Marco here is a friend of mine.  I'm sure he'll have something adequate."
 
Vin smiled.  He knew Ezra would think of something.  He got out, pulling his coat up around his ears.  The wind had picked up.  It had snowed earlier but it was just cold now.  He wandered around looking at the slim pickings as Ezra talked to Marco.  There was lots of gesturing and smiles and then Marco threw up his hands smiling.  Ezra waved him over. 
 
"We'll need to get your jeep.  Marco has the perfect tree for us at another lot."
 
They got back in Ezra's Jag and headed for Vin's apartment. There was another round of phone calls as Vin drove to the next lot.  Vin sat in the jeep as Ezra talked to the man standing by a barrel fire.  Vin glanced around this lot but he didn't see any 'perfect' trees here.  Ezra and the man disappeared and came back a few minutes later.  Vin could barely see them for the seven foot tree they carried.  Perfect wasn't the word.  This tree was magnificent.  Vin got out and helped them get it on the roof and tie it down.  Soon they were headed for the ranch.
 
"Everybody ready?"
 
"Yes,  we are meeting at the end of the road and heading in en mass."

"Knew you'd think of something."

"We thought of something.  You know we are a formidable duo."
 
"Damn straight."
 
They spotted Josiah's car waiting at the end of the road.  They saw JD sticking his head out the window and waving as they pulled up.  A few minutes later Nathan's car pulled in behind them.
 
"Are we ready gentlemen?"
 
They head down the road to Chris' ranch single file.  They cut their lights as they approached.  Chris' house was dark, a thin line of smoke rose from the fireplace.  They cut the engines and drifted quietly in.  Ezra opened the front door with his key.  Silently they entered.  Vin, being the quietest, crept back to Chris' bedroom to close the door and then to the guest room Buck slept in. 
Ezra smiled at Vin as he came back down the hall giving the thumbs up.  JD had wanted to barge in and surprise Chris and Buck but Ezra had vetoed that suggestion. 
 
He was surprised they managed to get the tree up and decorated without waking either man.  Ezra guessed Buck had taken some pain pills but Chris usually slept like a cat.  Nathan and Josiah had put the food in the refrigerator.  They all sat around the tree watching the lights twinkle.
 
"Hey, look.  It's snowing again."
 
JD pointed out the window.  They all got up to watch the snow fall.  Josiah put more wood on the fire.  
 
"I haven't ever seen such ugly elves in my life."
 
They all turned to see Chris standing at the end of the hall, a big smile on his face.
 
"Merry Christmas, Chris."  
 
Everyone shushed JD, who blushed.
 
"I don't think you'll wake Buck.  Those pain pills really knocked him out. I'd forgotten what day it was."   
 
Chris stood looking at the tree.  He noticed there were even presents underneath.
 
"How did you...?"
 
"It's amazing what you can do under pressure."
 
Josiah grinned as he guided JD down the hall.
 
"I think it's time we all turned in.  Santa can't arrive if we are all awake."
 
Everyone said their good nights as they headed off to the guest rooms.  Vin and Ezra sat on the couch watching the fire.  
 
“Didn’t think we could pull it off.”
 
“You doubted Team Seven?”

“No, but Christmas in a couple of hours?”

“Never underestimate the power of the ‘Magnificent Seven’.”  Ezra grinned.
  
"Merry Christmas, Vin.”
 
"Merry Christmas.”
 
 
The End