She headed through the outer office and entered her own to see A portly gentleman with long curly white hair pulled back in a pony tail, dressed in a dark slacks and a deep green knit sweater; a full beard as white and curly as the rest of his hair, spilled donw his chest. "Nick!" she said in surprise, setting the file on her desk and going to give him a hug. "It's so good to see you! What brings you here? I'd expect you'd be way too busy this time of year for socail calls."

Nick returned her hug then sat back down as she smiled gleefully and pressed her intercom and asked for coffee to be brought it. "Sorry.." she said softly, her eyes sparkling. "I'm still enjoying a few of the perks of the office... having someone bring me coffee while i visit with old friends is definately one of them." she said.

"Actaully, Sylvia... I'm not here just to visit." Nick said, his voice more serious then she'd ever heard it. "I'm afraid I need your help."

Just then the door opened and Ellen appeared with a tray of coffee, which she set on the desk. She glanced at Nick with a smile then stopped. "Oh.. you know.. you look just like..!"

Nick allowed a soft smile and nodded with a wink. "that's because I am.. don't let the clothing fool you, my dear. Thank you for the coffee."

Sylvie shooed a blushing Ellen form the room and moved to sit beside nick rather than across the desk form him. "Alright, Nick... what's going on that's torn you away form the kids and toys this close to Christmas?"

Every head in the reception ares turned and glanced donw the hall towards Kay's office as a sudden shout rang out.

"WHAT!?!" Matt yelled, pushing himself out of his chair and pacing in front of her desk. "No fucking way!" he said, his eyes flashing furiously.

Kay bit back her smirk as she leaned back in her chair idly playing with her pen. "Yes fucking way." she replied easily. "You work for me. I give you a job. you do it."

Matt stopped and jabbed a finger at her. "This is fucking black mail. I won't do it."

"It's not black mail... revenge maybe.. but not black mail." Kay said lightly, her eyes sparkling. "And you will do it. It;s a legitimate assignment and you have no grounds to refuse it."

Matt looked at her and growled, resuming his pacing for a few steps before turning back to her. "No fucking way am I doing this." he said. "I quit."

Kay bit back her smirk. "Fine. you quit.. but you still owe me two weeks notice, so you're still doing it. Youre under contract."

Matt glared at her then resumed pacing, cursing loudly.

Everyone within ear shot of Kay;s office blushed and hurried back to their various tasks, wondering what was going on that was getting such a response from Graves...

Faal smirked slightly as he eyed the bright green bundle nestled amid the tissue paper; the folder tossed ontop of it. "Very funny, Clarice." he said and flipped the lid closed on the box that contained it. "Estehl or Jasmine put you up to this, didn't they? Jasmine.. definately Jasmine.." he said, eyeing the box with a smirk.

"It's not a joke, Faal." Kay said seriously as she watched him.

His gaze flickered fomr the box to her and the smirk faltered. "What do you mean? Of course it's a joke... " he trailed off as he watched the expression on her face. "Sweet Terra.. you're not joking..." he said softly. "You really expect me to ...?" he pointed a finger at the box then stood form his chair. "No. Absolutely not. I refuse."

"Sorry... but, partnership aside, you are listed as one of MY investigators... which means I can assign you to any case that I feel you're suited to." she shot him a wicked smirk and nudged the box towards him . "And this case is so absolutely perfectly suited to you, Dominic."

Faal was quiet for a moment, his eyes locked in horror on the box and it's contents before looking back at Clarice. "This... this has nothing to do with anything... Something this... this..." words failed him as he stared at the box again. "This is personal... what did I do that deserves ... this.." he asked, jabbing a finger at the box on the edge of her desk.

Kay leaned back in her chair, her fingers steepled before her as he watched him, obviously enjoying herself. "I spent most of last night comforting with Lex; coaxing him out of submissiveness to begin with and then calming him down from hysterics afterwards."

Faal paled visably. "Clarice... you know I'd never intentionally...!" he stuttered to a stop. "I love , Lex.. I'd never...." he sighed. "I didn't mean to upset him, little one..." he said softly. "He'd put himself in danger ..AGAIN.. and I was frustrated .. I..." he sighed heavily, his gaze going to the box. "Fine... for Lex..." he grumbled, snatching the box off the desk, looking absolutely miserable as he did so.

Saffron had been perched on the arm of a couch in the reception area, when they all heard Matt's tantrum in Kay's office. He'd raised an eyebrow, glancing down that way, and watched a few moments later as Matt came storming out, looking incredibly pissed. Saffron had stayed perched, watching thoughtfully with a slight smirk.

He'd still been there when Faal had entered Kay's office. After what happened the night before...Saffron had known what kind of state Lex had been in...Saffron realized something was up and hopped off the arm of the couch and went in search of Matt, to find out, hearing the rumor along the way that Matt had quit...

He passed a sullen Lex who was heading for the archives, they exchanged a look, which left Lex with a raised eyebrow and watching Saffron heading off down the hall toward the stairs.

He found Matt down stairs in the garage, leaning against the herse, Iggy sitting on the roof next to him, eating what was left of a hambuger. "So did you quit?" Saffron asked simply, perching on a crate against the wall.

Matt shot Saffron a dark look. "Didn't do any fucking good... " he said, then added in a soft grumble. "Sick twisted sadistic bitch..."

"Heard that."Charli said as she headed past them, wiping her hands off on a greasy rag as she went. "Maybe next time you won't be such an ass during assignments. It's not a good thing to piss off the boss." she paused at the door way and leaned back in, "Oh.. and you might want to let her know you didnt mean to quit... after all.. you did only say it to get out of the job.. and it didnt work..." she added, then quickly ducked out of view, chuckling as she went.

Matt glared after her, wondering how she knew about the job.. because from that laugh and attitude.. she knew... He sighed, his gaze shifting to the ceiling before lookig back at Saffron. "I really fucking hate your step mother when she's evil."

Saffron crossed his legs under him, watching Matt and easily bit back the silent laughter and smirk, though his eyes were sparkling lighter then normal. "It's just a job, Matt," he said softly, though seriously. "Don't let it get to you so much." He added, watching Matt, not so much humor showing now.

Matt snorted and rolled his eyes, then looked at him for a moment. "Aw fuck.. you know too don;t you. Does everybody know about this damned case already?" he asked then sighed heavily. Iggy butted her head against his chin for attention and he idly scratched her ears as he glowered at Saffron. "And its easy for you to say ' its just a job'.. you don't have to wear the fucking suit..." he bitched.

Saffron titled his head to the side and raised an eyebrow. "What suit? I haven't got a fucking clue what the case is about. Though I ASSUMED from the fact that everyone on the floor heard you in her office, that it was something truly torturous..." Saffron replied. "It must be really bad..." He added, eyes sparkling again. "Though really, it IS only a job...don't take it personal."

Matt raised an eyebrow at him then snorted. He grabbed the plain white box off the hood and tossed it to Saffron. "THAT fucking suit... and don;t you dare say not to take it personal... " he growled, Iggy climbing onto his shoulder and tangling herself in his hair. "It IS personal.."

Saffron fumbled with catching the box, but managed and sat it on his knee before lifting the lid and seeing the suit inside. He bit his lip very very hard to keep back the smirk and made a show of smoothing the tissue paper back down and slowly lowering the lid. "You're right...my step mother is an evil bitch." He said softly, getting the need to smirk under control, before looking back up at Matt with an innocent look.

Matt snorted, shooting him another foul look. "It's my fucking ears that gave her the idea, you know... " he grumbled. "Wouldn't have pulled this shit on MacDonnell or Montgomery... but me...?" he snorted and hopped up to lay on the hood of the hearse, his head resting on the roof. Iggy tumbled over his chest, still tangled in his hair and he took a moment to free her. "Think if I'm a complete bastard and get kicked out of the place she'd make one of them fill in?"

Saffron hoped off the crate, bringing the boxed suit with him and crossed over to the herse. He sat the box on the roof and leaned his hip against the side of the front end, watching Matt. "She would have done this to them, if they'd pissed her off as much as you have." He replied seriously. "Didn't you ever hear about the Black Cat case?" He asked with a smirk. "Putting them under cover in a gay S&M club...she made Eire work with Xander. While granted, Nate worked with Lex, neither Nate or Eire got off easy where the outfits were concerned."

Matt raised an eyebrow. "You're fucking with me... that really happened? MacDonnell and Montgomery?" he asked then smirked. "You got pictures...?' he asked softly, then shook his head, eyeing the box. "Fuck... If that really happened... then... damn .. maybe i'm getting off easy..." he muttered softly. " But at least they weren't alone in their torture.. they had each other to suffer with and bitch too..." he shot Safron a smirk. "Want to join me? I bet she can get another suit for you?" he asked, his eyes sparkling.

"Mmm, but I'd look cuter then you in the suit, and then what would you do?" Saffron asked, with a smirk of his own. "Suppose I could see my way through, to pop into the mall and give you moral support though." He added, smirking a bit more and turned, to lean back against the side of the front end of the car. "I DO have some christmas shopping to get done..."

Matt glared at him. "Moral support my ass." he muttered. "You just want to see me in the fucking suit." he said. "Sick little evil bastard that you are.. you'll probably bring a camera." he said, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth despite himself. "Take after your fucking step mother..." he muttered, his eyes sparkling before he sighed heavily. "Fuck.. I have to go visit Candi's shop and let her fuck with my hair... Apparently the blue has to go for this assignment... " he said with a growl. " 'It's not professional' " he said in a snide tone as he slid off the hood and snatched up the box, one hand catching hold of Ig and helping her back to his shoulder. He yanked open the door and tossed the box across the seat. "As if any of this is fucking professional...." he muttered as he got behind the wheel. "At least Dominic gets to suffer with me.. although with my luck, bastard will enjoy it. Get your ass off my car, Azreal." he said with a smirk as he shut him door and started the car.

"Oh sure!" Saffron replied, biting back the smirk and coming away from the car. "I offer to give you support because of my step mother and all you can say is I'm evil too. That hurt my feelings you know." He said, giving Matt a mock pout as he turned and started back toward the stairs. He stopped half way, looking back over his shoulder with a smirk. "And for the record, you might look cute in green and red."

Matt rolled donw his window and flipped Saffron off, smirking as he did so, knowing he'd take it for the joke it was meant as. Iggy settled on his lap as he drove out of the garage and headed for Candies. He eyed the box and was tempted to turn Ig loose on it... but decided Kay would only find one worse. He sighed heavily. "Hate this fucking job... I really realy hate this fucking job... Hate this fucking season..." he snorted heavly. "Hate my fucking ears.." he added.

Lex picked up the phone in the archives, and listened to Eire a moment, then snorted softly. "And he's not happy about it, is he?" Lex replied.

"Oh no, 'course not." Eire snickered. "Natey an' I'll be workin' the off hours, an' keepin' an eye on things from the distance..."

"With cameras, of course." Lex replied, smirking wearily.

"O'course!" Eire snickered even more. They said their good byes, Lex hung up, looking at the phone a moment.

He sighed deeply, deciding he should at least go and see if Faal was considering commiting professional sucide over it. Sitting down his clipboard and work, he pocketed his keys and key card and left the archives, heading Faal's office.

He paused out side the door, looking at it a moment. The fight last night had been a bad one. Not as bad as that had happened in March, but bad enough. And Lex hadn't seen Faal since then, having spent the night at his parents apartment with his step mother having calmed him down. He didn't know where Faal had went.

With a sigh, he decided to be on a professional angle abuot this, instead of personal and tapped on the door, before opening it when Faal called out. He walked around the dividing screen but stopped beside it. "Graves has already tried to quit over this case. I figured some one should check to see if you were considering professional sucide." Lex said, not really looking at Faal.

Faal dropped the hat he'd been staring at in misery back into the box and turned to look at Lex. "No sweetheart... Although my quitting would hardly be 'professional suicide' considering I own a great many business ventures." he said with a wry smirk. "No.... This will be incredibly embrassing and humilating, and if it gets out, may very well damage my profession image...." he sighed softly. "But I deserve it after what I did last night... so I'll suffer through it..."

Lex sighed, looking at him. When Faal looked like that, all pouty and perscutied, made Lex feel guilty, part of that annoyed Lex. It wasn't his fault the bad guys had been after him again last night. He supposed it could have been at blame for almost giving them a chance to get a hold of him. But then it came back to the fact that they'd been after Lex in the first place and that WASN'T his fault.

So he decided to take a leaf out of Saffron's book and decided to make Faal feel guilty for the fight, this job was his punishment after all. "Well it's just a job, and consider the good it'll be doing. But you're not suffering alone." He said, looking at Faal.

Faal sighed and started towards Lex. "I'm sorry for getting upset last night, Dear heart... I wasn't mad at you, I just ..." he sighed again, then stopped, slipping his hands into his pockets. "I'm sorry. I hope you'll forgive me for being such an ass at some point. And what do you mean I wont be suffering alone? Other than the poor man who will have to put up with me as I guard him..."

Lex sighed again, deeply this time while looking at the ceiling, before looking back up at Faal. "You'll be working with Graves. Mum's punishing him too, for a transgression on a previous assignment." He reached out, and began curling a lock of Faal's hair around his fingers. "And I'm still mad at you, so I'm still considering accepting the apology or not. It's not my blood fault the bad guys are always after me, damn it. I'm not PURPOSELY looking to give them a chance." He hissed, tempted to singe the end of the lock of hair as a point.

Faal stroked Lex's cheek tenderly, ignoring the heat he could feel coming off Lex's fingers. "I know, sweetheart... I'm sorry. I just got frustrated over it all... no matter how hard I try to keep you safe.. it's just never enough... " he said then stole a kiss. "I'll have a photo taken while I'm there.. you can hang it on the wall or something. I'll get him to autograph it for you, if you'd like..." he said with a tired smirk. "It;s not like I'll ever live it down anyways. just please.... don;t Let Estehl or Jasmine know about this... I will do ANYTHING if you will do your best to keep them from finding out about this...."

Lex snorted softly, letting Faal kiss him, and looked up at him with a look. "You're giving me wonderful potiental black mail material, Faal, you realize that, don't you. I could hold this over you the rest of our life to gether, just threatening to tell Estehl or Jasmine..."

Faal smirked softly, stroking his cheek again. "I know... and I also know you'd only use it if I was a complete and utter ass and deserved it." he said. "I'm so sorry, sweetheart.. truly I am... Not just for losing my temper and over reacting... but for not being there to help make up for it last night. I should've done my best to make it up to you then..."

Lex sighed softly, taking a step closer to him, and looked up at him. "You know, I hate it when you do this..." He said softly. "Here I am, trying to keep from giving in, and you just make it absolutely impossible...For one, you're absolutely adorable when you're pouty and looking misrable. And you do pouty and misrable almost as good as I do, so I CAN'T help but feel sorry for you and have to give in." He narrowed his eyes and gave the lock he still had curled around his fingers, a tug. "I think you do this on purpose."

Faal raised an eyebrow but barely managed to keep his smirk in check. "I do not. And I am not adorable nor pouty... I am however miserable..." he said, slipping his arms around Lex. "And I am very sorry." he added, stealing another soft kiss. "I completely deserve youre being mad at me... I'll do my best to make up for it. I still have my christmas shopping to do... I've never actually gone 'christmas shopping before'... this is my first year actually celebrating, you know..." he stole anoth kiss. "Feel free to take advantage of my misery and need to make up and ask for extravagant things..."

Lex snorted softly, and leaned against him. "I'm extremely tempted to take you up on this, just because." He replied softly, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. "And you are pouty and adorable." He added, letting a finger run over Faal's lips.

Faal kissed Lex's finger, his eyes sparkling. "No I most certainly am not pouty... I may go with adorable however." he added then sighed. "And yes.. give in to temptation. You never do. I offer and you always refuse..." he kissed his fingers again then sighed. "I need to go make sure this thing fits, I suppose..." he said and glared at the box."And I do not want to hear the word 'adorable' when I'm wearing that damned thing. It's insulting."

Lex bit back the smirk, reaching over and lifting up the lid to look at the costume. "Can I use the word cute?" He asked, looking back up at Faal, his absinthe eyes sparkling wickedly. "After all, I should be intitled to comment on the out fit in some way and I promise, I wont giggle....much."

Faal blushed incredibly before grabbing the box, and closing the lid. "Once... anything else you have to say can wait until we're in private..." he said, heading for the door. He paused and turned to look at him. "Or i'll pout." he added before leaving.

Ho ho ho"

Matt sighed heavily, doing his best to not to glare at the little kids waiting their turn to see Santa. He'd given up on trying to tug the green and red tunic down enough that he didn't feel exposed; the tights had long since driven him insane and the bells on the toes of his boots and his hat had his jaw permantly clenched and had given him a headache that refused to go away. On top of that, the inner pants holster tucked in the small of his back under the tunic felt too heavy and kept rubbing wrong; he was positive he was getting a blister form it.

"Smile, Mattias... the children are watching..." Faal whispered through gritted teeth as he passed behind the 'throne' to get another supply of candy canes to hand out to the kids as they climbed up on Santa's knee. The 'elf' who supposed to do that hadn't bothered to show up that morning, and so Faal got to fill in while Matt stood guard by himself. And now, to make matters worse, the photographer had quit in the middle of the shift and the parents were getting as irritable as the children that they had to wait for the new photographer to show up.

Matt sighed again and forced a somehwat passible smile onto his face. "Have I told you how much I hate Christmas?"he asked in his own gritted hiss.

"Not in the last five minutes, no. Want to swap places?"

"fuck you, Dominic."

"Children, Mattias...children." Faal said with a soft smirk and went back to his side of Santa's chair. Matt watched him go, wondering what he'd done to get on Kay's bad side. Scary when even her business partners weren't safe from her wrath...

Matt sighed again, turning his attention back to scanning the crowds for potenial threats like the good little body guard he was... despite the fact that the constant cheerful mood and the 'ho ho ho'ing was making him want to kill the fat bastard himself...

Some one suddenly snapped a picture. Eire was standing off to one side with a camera bag on his hip, taking pictures with a perminate wicked smirk on his face. Despite the fact he too was dressed as an elf. "Cheer up, Mate." He said to Matt, smirking even more. "Yer not alone." He snickered, moving to where the photographer was supposed to set up, aware Faal was looking his way with a raised eyebrow. "We got the call 'bout the photographer quittin' and the other two elves, so SOME o' us volunteered t' take their places." Eire explained as he started to sat up the camera tri-pod. "Oh an' Natey'll be working the crowd out there...keepin' a low profile but coverin' our ars...rear ends..." Eire smirked more, he didn't doubt Nate had his own camera.

"And what about the other elves?" Faal asked from his spot, handing a kid with a runny nose a candy cane. The kid wiped his nose with his hand, and then used that hand to take the candy cane, brushing the snot on Faal's hand. Faal sighed, that was the third kid to do that so far.

Eire was snickering, focusing on setting up the camera more then looking at them. Faal glanced up. "Eire? Who's taking the other two elves places?"

Some one tapped Faal on the shoulder. "Maybe you'd like a little help..." Lex was standing behind him, smirking, dressed in a short green and white elf dress, with bells on the scalloped hem. And a black belt around his waist. His red hair was loose, hanging down and he had a green and white hat on, drapped over one shoulder. Along with green and white mid thigh stockings with little bows at the garters and green heeled boots with curled toes and bells at the toes. Looked very cute actually, very girly. "If you think I'm cute...check out my...'sister'." Lex said with more of a smirk, pointing.

There was the sound of bells behind Matt. Saffron was standing behind him, restraining the giggle that severly wanted to escape. He'd heard that Kay needed two girls to cover these positions and had offered them to Aiyla and a couple of the seceriteries, but Saffron had grabbed Lex from the archives and gone to their step mother's office and practically BEGGED for the job. That had amused Kay. Saffron explained that he just HAD to be there to watch all this unfold. And not even the costume was going to bother him... it wouldn't be the first time he'd worn a dress...for fun. It helped that he looked so damned feminine along with Lex.

He was dressed in the same style dress as Lex, only his was red and white, with the black belt and the bells hanging from the hem. His own hair was loose, curled slightly, and the hat was titled on his head, and pinned there. He was wearing red and white mid thigh stockings with red bow garters, and a pair of red satin high heels, with curled toes and the bells hanging off the toes.

The dresses actually made them look like girls, they'd played up the looks very well with enough make up, and their already feminine qualities.

Saffron bit back the wicked smirk, but smiled none the less. "Hi." He said simply to Matt, aware Eire was shaking in silent laughter.

Matt knew he was staring but couldn't seem to help it. He let his gaze travel from head to toe for the third time before Faal snorted softly.

"Well.. at least he isn't glaring..." he muttered softly. "You look stunning, Lexine... almost makes this worth it." he said. "I may ask for an autographed photo myself before this is over with.." he said, rubbing his hand off on his leg and grimacing slightly. "We'd better get busy.. the natives are getting restless." he said, handing the basket of candy canes to Lex and going to help the kid off of Santa's lap so the next one could take his place.

Matt half heard Faal, and it still took a minute for him to find his voice. "Saf?!" he finally asked softly. "What the fuck..?!" he asked, actually managing to keep his voice down, more out of shock then anything else. The sight of the Death Elemental dressed as a girl in the cutesy elf outfit was a bit too much to take in... although not in a bad way.. which was mostly what had Matt stunned. He should be finding this very disturbing ; very wrong...

Lex giggled softly, taking the candy canes and postioning himself where he wsa able to give one to each kid that Faal helped up. One little boy that approached was all wide eyed and staring in awe at Santa and when Lex handed him the candy cane, the little boy broke into a beaming smile and threw his arms around Lex's neck.

Eire was snickering from behind the camera. "Take the pictures, E and hush." Lex replied with a smirk, as they boy scrambled up on to Santa's lap and started rattling off his christmas list. "I thought you were doing a wonderful job so far." Lexine said to Faal. "So much better then Graves..."

Saffron heard Lex and smirked a bit more, before reaching over and using two fingers to push Matt's jaw closed. "Snap to it, Matt, you're on the job." Saffron said, eyes sparkling. "Some one had to fill in the places of the two extra elves, Lex and I volunteered." He added, before moving past Matt, not having any problem walking in the heels. He was well aware he looked very much like a girl from behind in the heels and stockings. As if to make that point, someone from near by gave a wolf whistle, Saffron had the feeling it was Eire, who was just doing it to stir things up and embarass Saffron, but unfortunately, Saffron meerly smirked and moved to help Faal usher the kids along.

Matt shot a glare in the direction of the whistler, but his gaze went back to watching Saffron. "Fuck..." he muttered softly, earning a scowl form a nearby parent. "What...?" he growled, straightening his hat before he resumed his spot. Despite trying to keep 'professional', he kept finding himself watching Saffron.

Faal took his place on Santa's other side, only moving to help the odd kid up or down. After the initial embarrassment, he'd just done his best not to think about what he looked like. And prayed to whatever gods were listening that he wasn't recognized by anyone who know him. Kay had forbid him using a glamour to disguise himself and had made him remove the glamour fomr his ears. Both Matt and himself had their hair pulled back to show the pointed ears to advantage; Faal's in a braid and Matt's in a pony tail. Faal still hadn't decided whether or not it was the pony tail that looked wrong on Matt.. or the deep brown hair... He almost missed the blue.

Lex moved close to Saffron's side as he handed out the candy canes, Saffron was taking care of keeping the kids entertained before they got to Santa, with taking pictures with the kids and handing out the little coloring books and christmas novelties. Lex couldn't help but see how absolutely amazing Saffron was with the kids, which surprised him. He'd always thought Saffron would be distant toward kids, but here Saffron was, proving him wrong.

Lex handed a little girl a candy cane and waited for Saffron to stand from crouching next to a little boy about 18 months, who Eire was taking a picture of them. Lex moved over as the boy moved down the line. "I didn't know you were so good with kids." Lex said softly.

Saffron glanced at him with a smirk. "You never asked. I mean, just so you know, I happen to like kids."

"Well I suppose that's true, Devin always seems happy to see you." Lex agreed, handing out more candy canes. "Its nice to see you so good with the kids...and...comfortable in the dress..." Lex added softly. He heard Saffron snorted softly, amused.

"There's a lot you don't know about me, Lexi...I was never UNCOMFORTABLE looking so feminine..." Saffron answered softly.

Lexine smirked slightly and glanced over his shoulder. "And you seem to have some one's absolute attention...not good for a body guard..." He added, looking back at Saffron.

Saffron glanced at him, then turned enough to look over his shoulder back at Matt and gave Matt a rather coy playful smile, before turning back to the kids.

Matt caught Saffron's glance and groaned softly, shifting where he stood so he was facing slightly away form him. The easy comraderie and fast friendship betwen the two of them suddenly seemed very unreal... The chill that embraced them when they were close and their powers reacted to eachother suddenly took on a new light. That and the attraction he'd felt to him from the start... He'd shoved it aside as being another aspect of their powers and ignored it... but now.. seeing Saffron dressed like that... he didnt think he'd ever be able to look at him again...

Eire seemed very happy taking pictures of Lex and Saffron with the children and the Children with Santa and occassionally snapping pictures of Matt and Faal, who both gave him looks, though Matt's were more scowls and silent threats of death, which only made Eire snicker.

Lex and Saffron seemed to be having a lot of fun, with the children, and with Santa. And Eire had spotted Nate a few times amung the christmas shoppers, keeping an eye on things. Impossible not to miss the cowboy hat.

 
The first fifteen minute break of the day arrived, and Saffron hung the little closed sign up on the gate, while Lex went to see about the candy canes and little gifts and toys and to see Faal. Making sure the gate was closed, Saffron turned slightly, looking back toward Matt, and bit his lip, before making his way over to Matt. "Want to get some coffee?" He asked softly, looking up at him.

Matt watched 'Santa' leave safe in Eire's company, Nate following close by. "Sure.. looks like I've been releived of duty for a bit.." he muttered softly, trying not to look at Saffron, although his eyes keep wanting to slip in his direction anyhow. "Any place in particular?" he asked, trying to ingore the the kids waving and pointing at them. He was rather surprised he'd gone almost the whole afternoon without killing anyone... although the day wasn't over yet.

Saffron waved a little boy who'd already been there, but seemed to want to go by again just to see them. He smiled slightly at the boys obivious excitment over chirstmas, before turning to look back at Matt, catching him looking his way again. "I guess Lexi is right, I guess I am distracting you from the obivious job." He said with a slight smirk, teasingly. He some times wondered if Matt was ever picking up on the playful flirting, or not, or if he was, was just chosing to ignore it completely...Saffron didn't flirt a lot with him, not wanting to fuck up the obivious friendship, but he had definitely found himself more and more attracted to Matt, despite everything.

"As for where, there's a little coffee shop just down the hall." Saffron said softly with a nod in that direction. "Inside, with private booths, so you can get away from the stares for awhile...if you're brave enough to walk that far..." He added, with another playful smirk.

Mat snorted softly, trying not to blush at Saffrons comment. "Sure .. out of sight is good..." he muttered, his mind seemingly stuck in a permanent state of distraction now that Santa wasn't around for him to focus on protecting. As they walked, Matt kept finding himself watching Saffron walk; enjoying the way his legs looked in the stockings and heels.. the way the chill flow of power passed between them... He cleared his throat, forcing his eyes away from him, wondering how the hell he'd managed to ignore things betwen them for this long... and how the hell he was going to handle it now that he couldn't..

A sudden burst of cheers and whistles from behind them made Saffron stop, turning enough to glance back to see Faal kissing Lex and smiled softly, shaking his head, and turning back toward the direction they were headed. "Well I guess that means Lex has forgiven him...lucky bastard gets off easy..." Saffron said softly, watching his feet for a moment, noticing he naturally walked in the heels with the feminine flair.

With sigh, he raised his eyes to watch where they were going, and noticed quiet a few guys watching him as they passed, made him smirk wearily. "The first day hasn't been all that bad, has it?" He asked Matt, glancing at him.

Matt didn't know what to do with his hands as they walked. He had no pockets to put them in to keep them out of the way and as it was they kept wanting to reach out to SAffron of their own accord. As he caught his hand about to take hold of his for the second time he sighed heavily and plucked his hat off his head, using it to keep his hands occupied. "If you mean ' not bad' as in the fat man still lives.... sure.. although there were a few points there when I was tempted to kill him myself..." he said rolling his neck. "Fuck I need that coffee... Times like this I wish I drank..."

Saffron glanced up at him, biting the bottom rogue painted lip. He seemed to hesitate a moment, before laying a hand on Matt's arm as they reached the coffee shop, which had a dark interier. He paused, inside the shop just out of sight behind the dark lit chirstmas tree. No one in the coffee shop even seemed to pay them any attention, though there wasn't any one else but the couple who owned the shop and one of their employees, who were all sitting at a back table chatting and drinking coffee, and a few lone patrons here and there at tables or in the booths.

Saffron's hand was still on Matt's arm, the physical contact upping the connection, though it was tempered by the cloth between them. "I'm just saying," He said softly, but seriously. "That things seem to be going well, and it doesn't look like you've traumatized any of the kids yet. Quiet the opposite actually even if you're still standing there. The young lady with her friend and little brother, seemed to think you were pretty cute..." Saffron added with a slight smile.

"Though I think I rather miss the blue..." He added softly, his fingers reaching up to touch a lock of Matt's pony tail that was hanging over his shoulder.

He didn't realize what he'd done until that moment, and blushed darkly, moving his hand away, and turning, moving toward the counter catching the guys checking him out from the corner of his eye, especially the one guy who looked gothic at a back table, his eyes drifting up and down the length of Saffron while he took a sip of his coffee and an appericative smirk in place.

The female owner, an older lady got up from her table, coming around behind the counter. "Saffron! What a pleasent surprise! Are you volunteering with Santa this year?" The lady asked.

Saffron smiled pleasently, with a nod. "Yeah, it was a last minute thing, but my sister and I decided to volunteer, and it's been fun to see the kids so in awe over Santa." Saffron replied.

"Well you've always been a good girl." The lady said pleasently. Saffron smiled, looking properly fushed at the compliment. He was aware he was letting Matt see a glimpse of a life he didn't let any one around the office see. The private life he hid from everyone else. "I also have your schedual, for when you start back here in feburay." The lady said.

"Thanks Carol, I'll pick up later this afternoon. And I've missed working here. I'm guessing you're making the chocolate mint cappucino for christmas..."

"Of course, with a generous scoop of wipped cream and a Christmas cookie." Carol replied. "Shall I make you one? What about your friend there?" She asked.

Saffron glanced back at Matt. "Well, anything special, or just regular coffee for you? They have a very nice columbian..." Saffron said to Matt.

His arm seemed to be burning where Saffron's hand lay on it, and it was getting decided hard to think straight. When Saffron had reached out to play with his hair... gods he'd almost lost it! And the fact that, not only did he look like a girl all dressed up like this, but that people seemed to know him as one already...

Matt concentrated on remembering to breath right, repeating a silent litany in his head ' He's not a girl.. he's not a girl.. he's your best friend, damn it, don't be a fucking ass... he's not a girl..'

Saffron's question broke that chain of that and he blinked for a minute trying to remember what she'd... HE'D, asked. "Oh.. sure....columbian's fine... you know i hate crap in my coffee..." he answered, trying to tear his eyes away form him... then noticed the guy checking her.. HIM out and shot him a viscious glare.

Saffron smirked slightly, shaking his head, before going back around the counter where Carol was. While Carol was making the cappucino, Saffron went about getting the coffee for Matt. He was aware of the gothic guy in the corner, hastily returning to what ever book he was reading and glanced up to see Matt giving the guy a viscious glare. 

He shook his head, and then noticed one of his small bags was under the counter. "I thought I'd left that here..." He said out loud, moving over to grab it. He pulled the mini messanger bag from under the counter and checked the contents while the coffee was being made. A rich aroma of columbian coffee started filling the air. The mini messanger bag had an unopened pack of cigarettes, his good lighter which he'd been looking for and an assortment of make up.

Once the coffee was done and Carol had Saffron's finished, Saffron shouldered the bag and took both coffees coming out from around the counter. "Over there, shall we?" He nodded to a booth in the far corner with high backs, perfect for hiding. He headed that way, sitting the coffees on the table and slid into one side of the booth, dropping the bag on the seat next to him.

Matt followed Saffron to the booth, actually tempted to sit beside him despite his better judgement for a moment... when Saffron set the bag on the bench beside him though, Matt made himself stop staring at the way the dress rode on on his thigh a bit.. and slid onto the seat opposite. " Thanks." he muttered softly, accepting his coffee, wrapping both hands around the cup. "So..." he said, trying to decide what to say, then finally blurting it out. "How long have you worked here? And why the fuck does every one think your a girl?" he added in a hissed whisper, glancing around to make sure the guy wasn't looking at Saffron again.

Saffron snorted softly, swirling the cookie through the whipped cream on the top of the cappucino. Once there was a good amount of whipped cream on it, he brought the cookie to his lips, his elbow propped up on the table next to the cup and was staring absently off across the coffee shop as he licked the whipped cream off the cookie. "A couple of years now, although I only work a few months out of the year. Febuary to April, June to August, September to November. I don't need the money, I just like working here." He answered the first question.

Then sighed and sat the cookie down, looking back at Matt. He shifted, leaning forward some and answered. "Because everyone here already thinks I am." He answered in a soft tone. "This is part of the world I live outside of Chaos Inc, Matt. The world no there, not even my family, knows about. And in this world, I am a girl. Its just easier that way, and I don't have to explain why I look and act so feminine, because my mother was elven and the Daughter of the Seal, and my brother and I got cursed with the connection. No body in this world is the wiser to the fact I'm NOT a girl, because of the way I look, and act. And it give me some measure of peace. This is the world I come to, when the shit in the real world is to much. It keeps me from having a nervous break down, like Lex." Saffron answered, leaning back against the back of the booth. "You're the first person I've let into this world."

Matt had found himself growing increasingly uncomfortable as he'd watched Saffron with the cookie. The knowledge that Saffron had shared such a deep part of himself with him didn't help in the slightest.. nor did the knowledge that the 'Santa's Little Helper' dress... wasn't a fluke and that he probably wore things just as ... intriguing... when he was away form work.

He figured he should say something; after all... Promise he wouldn't let anyone else know about this side of him , at the very least... but he couldn't seem to say the words. His gaze was locked on the bit of whip cream smeared on Saffron's bottom lip... Without conciously making the move, Matt's hand reached out and his thumb brushed along Saffron's lip, removing the cream.. then froze as he realized what he'd done. He blushed darkly and held up the cream smudged thumb so Saffron could see it before hastily withdrawing his hand and grabbing a napkin.

Saffron stared at him a moment, surprised at his move, then blushed, looking away and distracted himself by grabbing his bag and the taking the pack of cigarettes and lighter out. He didn't say anything as he went through opening the pack and lighting one, his eyes focused on that instead.

With a sigh, he dropped both the pack and lighter back in his bag, and dragged the ashtray closer to him, before he looked up at Matt. "I'm sorry if me telling you all this, makes you uncomfortable. I just figured...considering our friendship, I could trust you." He said softly. "I just needed an out... from all the shit dealing with my family and all, and having a different life outside all that, seemed like the logical choice." He added, taking a drag.

"Sure..." Matt said, balling the napkin up and tossing it on the table before wrapping his hands back around his coffee, his gaze on the dark liquid. "No prob... Can understand needing something else..." he said, babbling slightly to distract himself and cover the embarrassement. "And , fuck... I'm a private person too... so yeah, you know I won't fucking tell anyone..." he added before taking a drink.

"Yet another reason I chose to tell you..." Saffron said softly, using the cookie stick to stir his coffee a moment, before picking the cup and taking a sip. He was trying not to watch Matt so much, but he hadn't failed to notice his embarrassement, which made Saffron blush himself.

He liked Matt, a lot, it's just that they were supposed to be best friends...and Matt as seeing some one. Not that seemed to have stopped Saffron from getting a crush on Matt, that only seemed to grow the more he was around him.

The silence was going to kill Saffron, so, sitting his cup down, he grasped for the first subject that came to mind. "So...office gossip says you and S.J. have...fixed things again..." He said softly, tapping the ash off his cigarette, and glancing at Matt.

Matt snorted loudly at his question. " 'Office gossip'..." he repeated. "Fuck.." He swirled the half cup of coffee, watching the liquid. "How the fuck do these people know shit about me and my life?!" he asked, ignoring the blush he could feel burning his face. "Sure..." he finally answered him with a slight shrug. "Guess we'll see how long we can go without her trying to kil me again..." he added with a slight smirk.

"Yep, office gossip. In that office, Matt, who's dating who, is never private. At least not for very long...after all, since both of you work there...that just doubles the chances of some one knowing. Next time, date some one OUTSIDE the office." Saffron said with a slight smile, taking another drag and picking up his cup. "Other wise, no body knows anything...important anyway. So what is this, the third or forth time you've gotten back together with her?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

"She IS someone outside the fucking office... Shit.. we both work on the road.. she spends most of ehr time in another fucjign State... I didn't think she'd even been to the Boston Office since she was fucking hired..." he grumbled, more embarassed than anything and not sure why. He sighed heavily as he realized that. "And.. i think this is four... " he added softly, his gaze locked on the coffee in his mug. He wasn't sure why he and S.J. kept getting back together... they were great in the bedroom but couldn't really get along that great outside it... and while it had never bothered him before, sitting across from Saffron right then.. it really embarrassed him to be in a relationship like that.

Saffron sighed and shook his head. "You know, and I hope you don't take this wrong, because I am saying it as a friend, but maybe you shouldn't be getting back together with her at all..." He bit his lip, there was a lot more he wanted to say, but wouldn't. He snubbed out the cigarette, though it was only half smoked, and tried to keep his side of the conversation on the side of a good friend, and hoping he didn't sound like the jealous female friend... "I mean...how much do you have in common with her? True, I saw her in the office here once, and she's a good looking woman, but...is that the only reason you're seeing her? Not a good basis for a relationship...so they say." He said softly. "Course they say guys usually date girls based on looks and sexual attraction anyway. I wouldn't know." He took a drink of his coffee and scrounged around in his bag a moment, sure he'd left a watch in it.

Sure enough there was a watch and he looked at, seeing that had just a little less then ten minutes left. He should probably find another subject to talk about then, before he made himself out to be that creepy jealous girl-friend type person. His ears felt awfully warm, he must have been blushing again...

Mat blushed furiously. "Yeah well..." he let his answer trail off for a moment as he keep resisting the urge to look at him.. because when he looked at Saffron the way he was right then.. he couldn't think at all. He took a drink of his coffee to buy time, then stared into the cup a bit longer before finally answering. "It's not like there's a lot of women out there interested in dating me... sleeping with me, sure... but dating?" he snorted, hoping he wasn't blushing.

Saffron looked at him, watching him for a long moment, before sighing deeply. "You sell yourself short, Matt." He said softly. "Girls are interested in more then just sleeping with you, unless they're sluts. Sure, from the perspective I have in this world of playing a girl, you're a damn good looking guy. You have a nice ass," He flashed him a cheeky smile, hoping Matt took that as teasing and hoped he wasn't blushing for having said it. "But all girls are interested in dating a bad boy...whether it's to piss off her parents, or the thrill of danger," Saffron shrugged. "They definitely all want to date a bad boy. And there a very few bad boys with good hearts out there." He added with a slight smile.

Matt pushed what was left of his coffee away. "Yeah... and that's so much better..." he muttered, shifting across the seat to get out of the booth. "At least S.J. isn't dating me to impress people, scare people or piss them off..." he said, hoping he wasn't blushing as bad as it felt he was. He stood from the booth, then had to reach back over to grab his hat off the seat. "Must be about time to get back..." he said, softly, anxious to leave the embarassing subjects behind.. Then again, with Safforn looking as incredible as he did .. any subject was liabel to wind up the same way... "You almost done?"

Saffron sighed, taking a last drink of his coffee and grabbed the messanger bag. "Yeah, I'm ready. Sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable..." He said, slidding out of the booth and getting to his feet. And for the first time stumbled in the heels.

Matt had started to deny being embarassed when Saffron stumbled, and he automatically reached out to catch him. He suddenly found himself holding Saffron rather close, staring into two startled deep green eyes and breathing in the most intoxicating combination of Saffrons own scent and the perfume he'd added ontop. Unable to breathe fully, unable to think fully, Matt let his arms slip around him more, the fingers of one hand reaching up to stroke through the silk of his hair. He suddenly found himself leaning in, his lips a breath away from Saffrons, when he suddenly came to. He quickly let go of him, stepping away. He blushed furiously and retrieved his hat from the floor where it had fallen, cursing himself.

Saffron was left standing a bit dazed, staring at Matt with a wide eyed innocent expression better suited for Lex, his lips parted slightly, before he managed to blink, snapping out of it, and looked around. No one seemed to have noticed anything... He grabbed the messanger bag, and moved a little more carefully away from the table, before his confidence returned, and the natural flow of walking in heels came back to him.

But his thoughts were on what had just happened...Sure, the day dream had popped up once or twice before, the idea of Matt kissing him, and it'd left him blushing and flustered and unable to look the Necromancer in the eye fully the next time he'd seen him, for a bit. And of course, there was the dream he had the other night...the blush he had right now doubled, at the thoughts of that dream...It was one he considered unlikely to ever happen...but...had Matt really almost kissed him just then? A part of him actually longed to feel Matt's lips on his. He gave a silent curse, and paused at the door out of the coffee shop, looking back to see if Matt was following.

Crushing the hat in his hands, Matt headed for the door after Saffron, trying not to look at him.. especaily at how good he looked. Saff was his best friend and a guy... plus he already had a girlfriend... kinda... Matt growled softly to himself, trying to force his mind away from Saffron and the way he'd felt in his arms...

Saffron ducked his head, not looking at Matt, knowing he was still blushing. As much as he tried to force the thoughts of the dream out of his head, the more they presisted, a dream that Matt finally realized Saffron was in love with him, and had cornered him...and well, quiet simply had fucked him...Matt would be the only one Saffron would willing submit to in that way, the only one he'd willing allow to dominate him...but Saffron knew better. Matt wasn't into guys...especially very feminine guys who easily passed as girls better then any drag queen or transvestite. Saffron and Lex easily made those two classes jealous...And it was their mother's doing...and the fact that they were so powerfully connected to the Seal...it took both of them, to protect the seal...for the first time in the history of the Seal, it had chosen TWO to be the Daughter of the Seal, twins...

Saffron sighed, and started out of the coffee shop with a wave to Carol and the others, aware the goth guy was again checking him out, but ignored him, and he and Matt started back toward the Santa set up. He chewed on his bottom lip for a while, before saying softly. "I'm sorry...I didn't mean to be so clumsey..."

 
Lex went over to Faal, and leaned up, whispering in his ear. "You do look cute, you know." He said with a smirk, before slipping his arms around Faal's arm, while Eire and Nick had gone to get a cup of hot chocolate, chatting the whole way.

Faal blushed furiously, but managed a smile. " Thank you... I think. You look cute, yourself. You make a rather fetching elf."

"Mm, thank you. I try. Though it rather seems Saff's out doing me." Lex replied with a mock pout. "I thought I was the cute elf girl..."

Faal lead Lex down the ailse away from Matt and Saffron, aiming for a nearest cafe "Sweet heart... I only have eyes for one cute girl elf.. and that's the cutest one there is." he said then stopped walking and pulled him into a deep kiss, earning a few cheers and whistles from shoppers, causing both of them to blush.

Lexine blushed deeply, at the cheers and whistles, but leaned against Faal, with a slight smile, before getting him to move on to the cafe. "Well, that was exciting." he said softly, leaning against him as they walked. "And thank you..." He added softly. "I suppose that means I forgive you..."

Faal slipped his arm around his waist, holding him close to his side as they walked the rest of the way to the cafe. "Only if you believe I deserve it, sweetheart." he said, although his heart felt pounds lighter at hearing him say it. "And you truly do look adorable."

Lex blushed more. "Thank you..." He whispered softly, leaning up to kiss Faal on the cheek as they walked. "And you know I can't stay mad at you for very long..." He added softly, loving just walking with him, he didn't even noticed he fact they were dressed as christmas elves, though he did know he was wearing heels and stockings, he liked the heels, they gave him more height with Faal. "And just so you know, I still intend to take you up on the offer of anything I want for Christmas too." He added. "Are you going to ask why Saff and I volunteered?"

Faal smiled softly, his arm comfortably wrapped around Lex's waist as they walked. "Oh I insist on you taking advantage of me this year. As I said, it IS my first Christmas and my first time buying a christmas gift, so you must help me make it memorable... As for the two of you volunteering... I've honestly been too happy that you're here to wonder why..." he said as they reached the little cafe and slipped inside. "But please, little one...tell me it wasn't to act as damage control for Mattias and myself...."

Lex gave a soft laugh and shook his head. "Actually, I'm not sure if we were sent as damage control or not. It wasn't my idea actually. They got word at the office about the photographer quitting and the other elf never showing up and Sylvie and mum agreed that it was perfect oppertunity to sneak in a few more undercover eyes. She got Eire to drag out his camera, didn't know photographary was a hobby for Eire, but appearently it is. And mum was going to get Aiyla or some of the securitaries to take these parts. But then Saffron grabbed me from the archives and dragged me to mum's office and pratically BEGGED for the job." Lex said by way of explanation. "He said he just had to be here to see all this and the dress didn't matter. That and he promised mum he'd keep Graves from killing any innocent bystandards and such."

Faal snorted softly as he found a small table out of the way and pulled out Lex's chair for him with a little flurish, enjoying him playing the girl far more than he'd ever thought he would. "Actually.. judging by how things have gone so far.. I believe the innocent bystanders are fairly safe... Our dear Father Christmas however...."

Lex shook his head, slipping into the seat. "That may have been part of the deal for Saffron too, to keep him in line there. Mum was very amused by the whole thing, but added that it would get me out of the archives, and that was a good thing. I don't know why.." Lex shrugged, but his eyes were sparkling. "That and I figured...you'd suffered enough on your own and Eire would only no doubt make it worse, so I figured I'd back you up."

"In that case, thank you for coming to my rescue, little one." Faal said with a soft smile as he took his own seat. Little folded cards on each table served as menus, but he made no move to look at them. Instead he reached out to take hold of Lex's hand. "I'll try harder not to be such an ass...." he said softly.

Lex sighed, letting his thumb brush over Faal's fingers and looked at him. "Well no one's perfect." He said softly. "And you're not an ass all the time, so I think I can forgive you for that... As for coming to your recuse...well you're always coming to mine, figured I'd return the favor."

Lex was about to say something else, when someone else spoke. "Well...this is...truly amusing and I think I will have to share this with the others...Though you do look very cute, Lexi."

Lex looked up to see Jasmine lowering her camera, having taken a picture of the two of them. She was decked out in a green outfit, down to the shoes. Standing behind her however, looking a mix of deviously amused and fantastically annoyed and laden down with more shopping bags then Lex thought any one capable of carrying, stood Faolin.

"Hello Jasmine..." Lex said, "Faolin... What are you guys doing here?" He asked.

"Christmas shopping. Faolin 'agreed' to help." Jasmine answered with a smirk, sitting down.

"Agreed my ass! I fuckin' got roped into it! On purpose! With no fuckin' choice!" Faolin replied with a growl.

"Ignore him, its that time of the month for him." Jasmine said simply. "Though I should be asking what YOU Are doing here..." She eyed Faal.

Faal blushed crimson. "Working a case..." he said, shooting Faolin a look, before giving up and looking away from them both. "The rest of the team is elsewhere... As you should be... You're attracting attention to us and as you can see.. we're undercover..." he said, doing his best to stay seated and not snatch the camera form her hands or do anything to draw more attention to them.

What are you giving ME a look for?! I didn't do anything!" Faolin said, in reply to his younger brother's look. "At least I'm not laughing my ass off at you. I could be doing that, like the other brother we have would do...and will no doubt be doing, when he catches up."

Lex was doing his damnedest not to smirk. He glanced at the clock and was glad to see they only have ten more minutes of break time...

"Nonsense." Jasmine said in reply to Faal. "No one is even looking your way. I must say the out fit is rather cute...the shoes...look adorable..." She said, trying to keep a straight face.

Faal groaned at the mention of Estehl, folded his arms on the table and laid his head down on them. "Oh gods... he's here...." he muttered into the table."Clarice planned this, didn't she? She called you.."

Lexine reached over, rubbing Faal's back and glanced at the two. "Is Estehl really here?" He asked.

"Yeah...left him in the last store, paying for Jasmine's sixteen new pairs of shoes..." Faolin replied. "If you think I'm carrying a lot, wait till you see him." Faolin smirked.

Lex snorted softly. "Surely those can't all be shoes..." He said, looking at Jasmine, who was texting some one.

"Oh no, they're all christmas gifts. Estehl's carrying my shoes." Jasmine answered, glancing up from the text with a wicked sparkle in her amber eyes. Lex had a bad feeling about that...

Faal groaned again and looked up at them, his gaze going to Faolin. "If you feel any sort of brotherly love for me... you'll help me here..." he said. "Get her out of here.. get both of them out of here... " He looked back at Jasmine. "Please.. Jasmine... I'm undercover.. you DO know what that means? A man's life depends on my being able to protect him..."

"And exactly HOW would we blow your cover? All we'd be doing is pointing and laughing." Jasmine replied with a viscious but teasing smile. Faolin rolled his eyes, he did feel indeed sorry for Faal... but he was also amused.

"I dont' control her, Faal." He said in reply to his little brother. "But I tell you what, I'll do my damnedest to keep Estehl away from Santa's place...I'll find something to distract him...or stick him in a display some where..." He said with a wicked smirk. "Or have Jasmine distract him in Victoria Secrets..." Jasmine giggled.

Faal snorted softly at Faolin, then sent Jasmine a glare. "I hope every shoe in your collection falls victim to termites...."

Faolin shook his head. "Come on Jasmine, leave the poor guy alone...can't you see the colors are embarrassing him." Faolin said, Jasmine gave him a look.

"You're a kill joy, Faolin." She said.

"No, I'm humane, and that is my little brother you're picking on. Maybe I should dump all this crap on you and make you carry it." Faolin replied with a look of his own. Jasmine sighed dramatically and got up.

"Fine, we'll go...but you can expect company later."

"You didn't?!" Lex gasped. Jasmine just smirked.

Faal looked from Lex to Jasmine and all color drained form his face. "You didn;t..." he repeated softly as he got shakily to his feet. "Oh you... you... " he stuttered. " I hope you enjoy this... because you will never be forgiven. I completely understand Estehl's prediliction to taking his frustration and anger out on your shoe collection.. because I'm rather feeling the urge myself right now..." he said, over come by the sudden urge to run and hide. "Lex... I need to go...."

Oh way to go, Jasmine!" Lex said, getting up from the table. Even Faolin was giving her a look. Jasmine snorted, looking pouty and self important at the same time, a look on Jasmine cuold do and looked away from them, but her eyes were still sparkling.

Lex took Faal's hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. "We've got to get back to work anyway." He said softly. "See you later Faolin." He said good bye to Faal's older half brother, because really, he hadn't cause any problems, he was just in the wrong place, at the wrong time...or right time...or was that right place, at the wrong time... "Faolin, maybe you can see what you can do about this...?" He suggested.

"I don't see how...I'll have my hands full with Estehl...unless I ask for Da's help..." Faolin replied.

Faal groaned at that and shot his brother a lok. "Oh yeah.. let's just drag Caliban into this too while we're at it... bring the entire family in.." he groaned again. "Next time I'll take the profresional suicide..." he muttered softly as he slipped past the two of them, his arm around Lex's waist.

Lex sighed softly and shot Faolin another look, who was looking confused, wondering what he'd said wrong. Lex shook his head slightly. He and Faal left the cafe and started back toward the display, noticing Eire and Santa had already returned, Eire was checking his camera and kids were already lining up.

The Lex noticed Saffron and Graves coming down the opposite hall, and the way they the were acting, the distance between the two, and the misrable expression on his twin's face, and frowned, opening up the link to see if he could find out what was wrong.

Matt spotted Faal and Lex almost at the same time he heard Saffron and sighed. "Don't appologize, kid... you didn't do anything wrong." he said simply, using the old nickname to remind himself this was his best friend. "I did.. or almost did. I'm the one who should be sorry." he added then drew a deep breath as he pulled the stupid hat back on his head and slipped through the gate, going to Eire. He checked with the half shade to make sure nothing had happened during the break... it would be his luck that he'd stand out here all day and the jack ass would make his move during his coffee break...

Even as he spoke quietly with Eire, his gaze went back to Saffron as he came through the gate, and he made himself look away. Spotting Nate chatting up a sales girl as he kept an eye on things form the upper level balcony as he headed back to his post, ignoring Nick's 'welcome back', casting a curious look at Faal who appeared to look almost ill.

Saffron and Lex exchanged a look and Lex wondered over to Saffron's side as Saffron got things ready. "What's with Faal?" Saffron asked softly.

Lex sighed, casting a glance over his shoulder at Faal, then looked back at Saffron. "Family issues. Jasmine is here...along with Faolin, who really wasn't being an ass, but she mentioned Estehl being here, AND mentioned getting a hold of HIM..." Lex replied softly.

"Him?" Saffron rasied an eyebrow.

"Gillorn..." Lex hissed. Saffron shook his head, a weary smirk in place, one that matched Lex's. "What's with you and Graves?"

It was Saffron turn to sigh, then shook his head. "Nothing, Lex. Nothing at all." He said softly. Lex eyed him a moment. "Go on, get back to your job handing out candy canes, it's time to get back to work." Saffron added, with a gentle push.

"Smile then, Saffron, it's Christmas." Lex replied, turning to head back to his place. Saffron snorted softly, but smiled, before opening the gate, letting the kids start to line up and come in to see Santa.

 

Another uneventful hour passed with out any sign of trouble. No sign of trouble that is, aside froim the usual temper tantrums and screaming fits from the kids, another toddler with a nervous stomach that barely missed Santa's boots, and two loud mouthed teen agers yelling what they assumed to be come ons at Saff and Lex. Matt was still pissed off that mall security was close enough to handle them.. He'd been about to tell Dominic to look after the fat man and go over to pound the crap out of them himself...

Still avoiding looking at SAffron too much, Matt nearly missed the blonde leaning on the 'fence' smirking at him. "Aw shit.." he muttered softly and rolled his eyes, waving at her to move along.

S.J. just smirked even more and hopped the fence, striding casually over to where Matt stood, blushing crimson. "Well well well...." she said softly, dropping her bags at her feet and looking him over slowly. "I always perferred ya in black cause it was th' only colour that looked right with th' blue hair.. but.. damn... Reds and Greens look good on ya... Just ... not together" she finsihed with a laugh, ignoring everyone around them as she slipped her arms around him neck.

"S.J. ... I'm working..."

"I like the brown..." she said, playing with his pony tail. " And don;t call me S.J. " she said, giving the hair a tug. "Why can't you call me Ren like everyone else?" she asked then cut off his reply with a kiss.

Lex had elbowed Saffron rather hard in the side, while Saffron was dealing with the kids. "Ow! What?" Saffron snapped with a hiss, Lex nodded in the direction of Matt and S.J. "Oh..." Saffron cut off the muttered curse since there were kids right next to him and rolled his eyes. "Who wants to go point out we're undercover and this isn't the place for public displays of affection?"

Lex gave Saffron a look, before making himself busy passing out the candy canes. Saffron caught Eire snickering behind the camera and shot the half shade a look, before glancing in the direction of Faal, but he was busy with a kid.

Saffron sighed and muttered another curse, before sitting the basket of coloring books aside and heading in Matt and S.J's direction. Crossing his arms, he cleared his throat loudly, breaking up the kiss. "Yeah, I really hate to interupt and all, but this is neither place nor the time. You've got impressionable minds around and parents who are bound to be a little more then offended."

Matt shot Saffron a silent look of thanks as he disengaged himself from her "I told you I was working, S.J... why don;t you go finish your shopping.. you can torment me later.."

S.J. wasn't listening however; she was busy eyeing Saffron up and donw almost as thoroughly as she'd checked Matt out earlier. She narrowed her gaze and then leaned towards Matt. "Who's th' floozy? Voice sound's familiar..."

Matt rolled with eyes with a growl, grabbed S.J. by the arm and 'gently' escorted her to the gate. "The 'floosy'... happens to be my best friend... we're under cover..." he hissed in her ear.

S.J> glanced over her shoulder to see SAfforn following with her bags. "Ya mean.. Safron?!" she asked, a smirk breaking out over her face as she laughed softly. Matt let her go and she turned to take the bags fomr SAffron. "Sorry... though ya were some bimbo puttin' moves on him... ya look damn good, Saff." she said, letting her gaze travel ove rhim again and shook her head slighty "Damn good. So not fair... " she turned and backhanded Matt across the chest. "Behave yourself.. I'll catch ya later." she said, then before he could react grabbed his shirt and pulled him low enough to steal another kiss before slipping away past the line up.

Matt was still blushing scarlet as he turned to go back to his spot, seeing everyone, including Santa watching him. "Sorry... " he said, then caught Saffron's eye. "sorry.." he said softly before he made himself walk past him.

Saffron was watching S.J leave. One kiss had been enough, seeing her kissing Matt again...Saffron had ground his teeth, a hand clenched at his side...part of him wanted to hit her. Where was this jealousy coming from...? He wasn't supposed to be jealous of Matt being with S.J...but damn, he was. For the first time, he was actually jealous.

He glanced up at Matt as he started past, apologizing. Saffron shook his head slightly in response. "Not your fault." He said softly, looking back at S.J departing, before he turned and headed back toward the line of kids. Lex was watching him rather closely with a raised eyebrow and Saffron shot him a look, shaking his head.

Saffron picked up the basket of little toys and coloring books and went to the line of kids. The next kid, to go up to Santa was a little boy about two or three, who was staring up at Santa with wide frightened eyes. He was a very adorable little boy. Saffron smiled softly, before plucking a little stuffed bear from the basket and approached. The kids helped him get things off his mind and ignore the jealousy. He crouched next to the boy, talking to him softly.

The boy took the teddy bear, looking from Santa to the pretty elf girl, and blushed, before hugging Saffron, Saffron hugged him back, smiling. Kids reactions like this, made him feel good. Faal arrived to see the boy up to Santa and Saffron stood, turning enough to watch the boy approaching Santa.

Something caught his eye above, and he raised his head, to see a darkly dressed figure, holding something over the edge of the balcony upstairs, right above Santa..The figure was dressed in a long dark trench coat, sunglasses and a hat that Saffron was sure was stolen from spy vs spy characters. "Faal!" Saffron got the fae's attention, pointing up.

Faal's head jerked up at Saffron's shout and he whirled to se the figure above. The figure panicked, freezing at the shout below, then pulled back whatever he was holding and took off running. For a slip second he was torn over what to do... then Matt was there, and between the two of them they got Santa and the litle boy out of the way as Nate went running around the upper balcony after the guy.

Faal held the little boy, who was now crying, and checke to make sure there was no more danger. "Go help Nathaniel... We've got this end.." he told Matt, who cast him a smirk, slapped Santa on the back hard enough to make him stumble, then vaulte dthe fance and took off for the nearest escalator.

Nick stood a bit straighter, brushing off his suit and exchanged glances with Safron and Faal before returning to his seat and taking the boy from Faal.

Saffron stood near by Santa, helping calm the little boy down, though his eyes were on Matt reaching the second level and heading after the bad guy with Nate. Lex and Eire were busy assuring the parents that everything was okay, and that it was most likely some teenager trying to drop water balloons or something. Saffron hoped that was the case, but rather doubted it.

After a few tense minutes of waiting as as they tried to continue through the line of kids, Lex turned to SAffron. "Do you think they caught the guy?" he asked softly. Saffron cast another glance back up to the second level, before shaking his head.

"No, we would have known if they had...but at least it gives Matt something to do...other then stand around looking imposing..."

"And being kissed by his girlfriend..." Lex added softly.

Saffron shot him a look, Lex raised an eyebrow at his twin and shook his head. "You're jealous..." Lex whispered.

"I am not!" Saffron snapped in a hiss. Lex snorted.

"If you're not jealous, then why did you look like you wanted to hit her, when she kissed Graves a second time?" Lex asked.

Saffron gave him a look, "Maybe because I don't like her...maybe because I can see she's only interested in him for the sex. And frankly is bound to break his heart...I'm his best friend, I don't want to see that happen." Saffron replied in a hiss.

Lex snorted softly. "Saff, we're twins really, and that means we have the creepy twin thing going on, so that means, I know what you're thinking and what you feel...Why don't you just tell Matt you're inlove with him...?" Lex said.

Saffron gave Lex another look, but sighed, shaking his head and picking up his basket, to go to the kids, "Because I don't want to screw up the friendship I have with him and he's not into boys. Even boys who should be girls..." Saffron replied softly, before heading for the kids, and shoving everything out of his mind. He focused on the children, because if he didn't, he'd only end up feeling miserable.

Lex watched his brother, feeling the heart broken saddness coming from him and he had to struggle not to get choked up on the tears, finally understanding Saffron more. He realized, like himself, Saffron would perfer it, if he was a girl...rather wanted that kind of life...was meant for that life...thats why he was so good with the kids. He watched Eire taking pictures of Saffron with various children and Lex realized how very comfortable Saffron was, playing a girl. He didn't think he'd ever seen Saffron so comfortable.

He sighed, and turned, to start back toward the dias and throne with Santa, to stand there to give out the candy canes and be close to Faal, when he noticed standing at the head of the line, waiting to be next to sat on Santa's knee, an odd boy. The boy appeared to be around elven or twelve, a bit old for this, and slightly tall for his age. But it was the way the boy was standing, his hands clasped behind his back and seemed to be rocking back and forth on his feet, with a perminate wicked smirk on his face.

Lex moved closer to the line, around the side, to get a good angle and a good look at the boy, stopping near the dias, and Faal. The boy's hair was a pale blonde, and slightly longer then a normal mortal boy's hair cut. His features were...very familiar. Lex stared a moment, noticing the eyes...It was the fact at the boy looked like a much younger verson of Faal...like maybe what Faal would look like as a kid that age.

And Lex realized the boy wasn't looking at Santa, his gaze was directly on Faal... Lex gasped with a squeak, both hands coming up to cover his mouth and the curse that wanted to escape. This got the boy's attention, who looked at Lex and the smirk increased even more wicked, and he winked at Lex, raising a finger to his lips to indicate silence....

The darkly dressed figure, ran down the hall, through the mass of shoppers who tried to move out of the way. The figure looked over it's shoulder to see Nate and the elf in hot pursuit and turned enough to send the thing it had rolling towards them, a bowling ball rolling out of the cloth bag and tripping a few people, and the figure in the hat, picked up speed, racing around a corner and out of sight into a shop.

Matt ran after the guy, cursing and shoving his way, earning quite a few curses in return. Nate skidded to a halt and eyed the ball warily, before his quick spell confirmed it was just a plain old bowling ball. He snorted, then snatched up the bag and nudged the ball back into the bag in the hpes that they might get finger prints or something off of it. He hoped Matt didn't lose the guy...

The darkly dressed figure slipped managed to slip through the big department store, and gave Matt the slip, hiding in a women's changing room, and quickly shed the coat, hat and sunglasses, all the while muttering curses. Adding a glamour, to appear to be a middle aged no discript woman, it left the changing rooms, walking calmly back out into the midst of the store and shoppers.

Nate snorted softly as he reached the last place he'd seen Matt and heard the loud cursing long before the he appeared. He stalked over to where Nate was waiting with the bagged bowlin bowl and glared. "Why are there no fucking ghosts around when I fucking well need them?! I lost the son of a bitch, gods damn it!"

Nate tried to stifle the smirk.. it was however a serious matter and their suspect had just escaped... but the sight of a six foot three elf dressed in green and red tights and tunic with matching cap and boots, glowering and swearing.. was just too much... He cleared his throat as Matt scowled at him. "Aye.. tha's th' way of it, mate... Cops, pens & any thing else ye really need... ther never there when ye need 'em... an' th' rest of th' time yer trippin' over em.." he fought back his smirk again. "Go on and get back t' yer post.. i'll keep an' eye out fer th' bastard..."

Matt had the presence of mind to collect himself enough that he wasn't cursing outloud or looking like he'd like to kill someone by the time he reached the center court and Santa's spot. Rather then circle around past the kids and use the gate, he just jumped the fence again. Every time he did that, 'Santa' would send him a disapproving look... which is why he did it, of course. He spotted Saffron with the kids and felt a tightness in his chest at the sight and had to force his gaze away. He brushed past Faal on his way to the far side of the chair. "Bastard got clean away... " he muttered to him.

Faal sighed heavily, the hope that they'd catch the guy and he could ditch the outfit really hadn;t been that strong to begin with, but still... he checked to make sure Matt was back on guard before moving to help the little girl off Santa's knee and send her off down to her parents before turning to the next kid. He was so miserable agian that he didn't really notice the kid other than him being a bit bigger then most..which mean that he wouldn't have to help him up or donw and there shouldn';t be any temper tantrums..

Lex was kind of anxious, and he could see the 'boy' was enjoying this very much. Lex bounced on his heels, with a whimper, watching Faal approach to open the gate for the kid. Saffron noticed his twins discomfort and moved up beside him. "What's wrong?" Saffron asked in a whisper.

"That boy..." Lex replied, pointing.

"What about him?"

"Is not really a boy!" Lex hissed, looking at Saffron distressed. Saffron raised an eyebrow, confused, and opened his mouth to speak, but Lex cut him off. "It's Gillorn! He's doing this unpurpose!"

"Oh...boy..." Saffron winced, watching.

Faal had appraoched the gate, to open it to let the boy in to go to Santa.

The boy's smirk grew even more wider and more wicked as he watched Faal. He'd debated on how to do this, and decided, just to go with it, and wing it. So he stepped around inside the little padlock, to approach the dias and paused, looking up at Faal. "Hello...I must say...the outfit is most becoming..."

Faal snorted softly but smiled as best he could. "Thank you... I'll pass that on to ... my employer." he said then stopped, one eyebrow raised. The polite manner was enough to give it away, but the voice... Faal paled slightly as he turned to really look at the kid. "Ahh shit...." he muttered, then turned and walked back to Santa's chair, his face going for pale to bright red.

Matt glanced at Faal curiously, having heard the soft curse. He looked at the kid to see what would've made Faal Dominic swear and saw the look of wicked glee on the kids face.

Saffron rubbed Lex's back, as they'd paused to watch what was happening, before Saffron shook his head, and moved back along the line going about his duties.

Eire had peeked around from behind the camera with a raised eyebrow, looking from the kid, to Faal and back.

The boy seemed to be bouncing in place, before playing along with the whole deal and headed up the couple of steps to Santa. But he paused infront of Santa. "I feel it would be best if we forego the whole sitting on the knee deal. For your sake, and mine. And I really don't have much of a christmas list, so we can skip that as well. But I really am thrilled to have the chance to tell you what a WONDERFUL job you're doing, by far one of the best. " The boy said, holding out his hand, eyes sparkling like mad.

Lex groaned, hiding his face in his hands and shaking his head slightly. Gillorn was just being...Gillorn. He was being very polite and curtouse it was just...the way he was doing it!

Faal rolled his eyes ceielign ward and sighed heavily, doing his best to focus on his job and ignore whatever his uncle was up to.

Nick raised an eyebrow but smiled, shaking the small hand. "Why thank you. I do enjoy my job, as I believe everyone should. But surely you must have something on your Christmas list that you'd like to mention...?"

No, not a thing." The boy said, with a brilliant smile, before giving an elegant bow. Lex choked on the giggle that wanted to escape, and caught the wink the boy sent him. "Good day." The boy added, starting for the exit. Lex playfully offered the candy cane, the boy took it, before grabbing his hand and laying a kiss on it, eyes still sparkling. Lex glanced at Faal, to see how he was handling this.