FicWad

A/N: You know I just had to write something like this, right? To be perfectly honest, I don't actually do Christmas 'cause I'm Jewish, but I was just looking out at the Christmas lights in my neighborhood and decided to write this.

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Forty-Five: Christmas Special
Puppet: Keefe O'Kane

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“We don't want to see him back here in a couple of weeks now, Mr. O'Kane.”

I peered at the little rat-faced man with slitted eyes, annoyed and wishing he would stop talking and making me listen to that squeaky, high-pitched voice any more than I absolutely had to. I didn't even know his name; all I knew was that he worked here at the Rimrock Humane Society, and that I didn't like him in the slightest way.

He flinched slightly away from me, startled as I'd wanted him to be by the harshness of my eyes. Satisfied that the other man was intimidated into silence, I shifted my eyes down to the patch of golden brown fur curled sleepily up in my arms. “You won't.” Not if I can help it.

“Excellent!” he squealed in such a way that made me want to punch him, “You and Bandit may leave now. A very merry Christmas to you.”

I nodded stiffly and headed for the door without returning the holiday sentiment, not wanting to give this ridiculous man a reason to open his mouth again. It had been far too loud in there. It was impossible to focus with all the sights, sounds, and smells.

I pushed open the door and stepped outside into the drifting snow outside, glad to have the warm, furry creature huddled against my chest as the cold air bit ferociously at the exposed skin on my face. The air, suddenly free of the sound of dogs barking and cats meowing, as well as the smell of dust and animal hair, was welcome in its stillness. Thank God.

I crunched through the snow in my boots and climbed into my car; the puppy was so small that he could easily sit on my lap while I drove.

I looked steadily at the dog for a long moment. The tiny young German Shepherd/Golden Retriever mix did not stir from the nap it had decided to take in my hold, and even I had to admit that his little black face was something to be admired. It was flabbergasting to me, to think that humane societies around the country had to kill such small, innocent creatures every day.

But it felt good to know that I'd saved at least one from such a horrible, nameless, meaningless death.

I smiled to myself as I started the ignition and started back home. Casey would be so pleased tomorrow. Ever since Mutt passed away a few months ago, she had been complaining that the ranch seemed to be missing something without the big friendly ranch dog. She had grieved for the animal for quite some time, and though I myself hadn't cared much for him, I wanted so badly to make her happy again. My heart ached for her.

I didn't care that most of the animals adopted around this time were usually brought back, as the man in at Rimrock had mentioned. I knew a puppy would do the trick. I knew it. Bandit, who had been born at the shelter, would learn much faster than an older dog.

I knew he could never replace Mutt, but he would bring my baby's smile back.

That was all I really wanted for Christmas this year.

By the next day, the snow was so deep it almost came up to my knees and still falling. Flathead Lake, not too far from here, was said to be completely frozen in some parts and a lot of people had gone skating. Some folks were out building snowmen. Some of them wanted to have a snowball fight. Some of them wanted to go sledding (although I didn't know of any good places to go sledding around here).

Most of the other employees had already left for the holidays, but I wasn't going anywhere.

So, late that evening (after I was sure they'd already eaten dinner), I ventured out into the biting cold again so I could walk down to the headquarters. Bandit, who had behaved himself surprisingly well considering it was his first day in his new home, bounded happily in front of me, tugging on his leash but nowhere near strong enough to be of much bother. I had made sure that a sprig of mistletoe was tucked – carefully, so he couldn't eat any of it – neatly into his collar, and I just couldn't shake the feeling that Casey was going to be overjoyed with my gift.

When I knocked on the door, it was soon opened by a beaming Jack Thane. The old cowboy smiled warmly at me, looking as jolly as Santa Claus himself. “Merry Christmas!” he rumbled, “I had a feelin' you were comin' down sooner or later.”

I smiled and tipped my hat to my boss, trying to hold back the puppy trying to worm his way inside. “Merry Christmas, Mr. Thane,” I said politely, “I just came by to give something to Casey.”

Before the old man could answer a familiar voice came from somewhere inside the house. “Just let him in, Papa! It's cold out!”

Jack laughed and shook his head, standing aside so Bandit and I could come in. He eyed the excited puppy and shot me a knowing, laughing look, but thankfully he didn't say anything and spoil the surprise. “Case!” I called, hoping her brother wouldn't accompany her, “Casey!”

I was expecting to see her coming from the hallway in front of me and was nearly knocked off balance when she bounded up onto my back, laughing gaily with the excitement people seemed to have on Christmas day. “Merry Christmas, Mr. Scrooge!”

I laughed and was tempted to spin her around a little to give her a game, but I was afraid of stepping on the yapping young canine or getting his leash tangled around my feet. It was so good to hear her laugh, even if it was right in my ear. “Bah, humbug!” I growled in mock disinterest, “I don't see anything to be merry about around here.”

Casey slid off my back and rounded to face me, a smile so big that it didn't seem to fit on her face splitting across her features. She looked like she was about to say something when Bandit's barking finally caught her attention.

A sudden calmness took over her, as if she had been suddenly put under a spell. With eyes alight, she knelt down to the puppy's level and held out a hand that he eagerly sniffed and accepted. “This little guy's adorable,” she murmured, glancing up at me, “you didn't just find him out there in the cold, did you?”

I couldn't help but give a soft snort of laughter. “Yeah, Case, I did. I was totally carrying a collar and a leash around with me and just happened to cross paths with a lost puppy.”

Casey blinked, not quite getting it just yet. Her father laughed softly and muttered something I couldn't hear before leaving, closing the front door and finally closing off the cold. With that, the elderly man ambled out into a different room.

Perfect.

I knelt down beside her, ruffling Bandit's small ears as the puppy tried to jump up into my lap. “He was born down at that Rimrock shelter,” I explained, hoping that she could figure it out without me telling her straight out, “when I came in he had the worst puppy dog pout and...I just thought to myself, 'Casey would love him.'”

She only had eyes for the dog, but I could see her face slowly stretched wider and wider as I continued talking. By the time I was done I was afraid that maybe her eyes would pop out of their sockets. “Keefe...” her voice was barely above a whisper, “you didn't...”

I smiled softly at her. “Merry Christmas, Casey.”

At first, I was afraid that maybe Bandit would end up back at the shelter. Her face never relaxed and she made a few startled gurgling sounds; it was hard to tell if they were happy sounds or angry ones. She looked from me, then to the dog, then back again. The only thing that was a good sign was that she was still petting the eager, though surprisingly still puppy.

All doubt was banished from my mind when she finally gave a girlish squeal of delight and threw her arms around my neck, pushing with such force that both of us ended up on the floor. “Oh, thank you Keefe!”

I was stuck somewhere between a coughing fit and laughter, but I couldn't think of a more perfect way for her to show her gratitude. Her weight pressed against my chest made the air – which I already had a small supply of – billow out of my lungs, but I didn't mind. She was happy, and that had been all I wanted for her.

No sooner was I on the ground was she yanking me back up, a smile I hadn't seen for far too long splitting her face in half. “What's his name?” She asked, scooping the golden-brown puppy up into her lap.

“Bandit.” I replied, covering my mouth with the back of my hand so I could cough without hacking in anyone's face. I reached out with my free hand and rubbed my fingers over the soft velvet of the puppy – who was licking Casey's fingers as if they had some honey on them – ears, pleased beyond words that she was happy.

“Bandit!” She repeated in a cheerful laugh, causing the dog's ears to prick at the sound of his name, “Couldn't have thought of a better name myself!”

It was true that the little canine looked a bit like a thief; his fur was sandy brown all over, except on his face. There, a mask of gray-black fuzz lay over his short, blunt muzzle and stretched as far as his eyes, as if he were trying to hide them from someone.

“C'mon,” Casey said excitedly, standing up, “let's go introduce him to everyone.”

Casey and I went through the house and showed off the newest addition to the Thane family. Jack and his wife, Riley, loved Bandit almost as much as their daughter did, and even Dallas had to crack a smile with the puppy pressed his front paws against his chest and licked his nose. I was rewarded with the big smiles and joyous laughter of the Thane family, but I remained a shadow; I didn't mind the family themselves, but I had never done well with crowds of people.

Bandit was a little scared by all the people, too, and eventually decided that it was safe and quiet in the corner by the brightly lit Christmas tree. Jack, Riley, and Dallas eventually peeled out of the living room (which was where we all had gathered), and eventually it was just Casey, myself, and the dog again.

Worn out after taking care of the puppy all day and dealing with the Thanes, I flopped down on the couch, which was conveniently placed in front of a fireplace. A fire, a real fire and not the fake kind my mom used in the city, crackled softly, offering its comforting warmth and familiarity.

“You look tired,” Casey asked with a laugh, “we didn't wear you out, did we?”

I smiled a little and closed my eyes. “A little, but it's nothing you can't fix,” I answered with a flirtatious smirk, “c'mere, baby.”

The tow-headed girl giggled, and a few seconds later I could feel the cushion sink just near my waist. She removed the cowboy hat I'd been wearing, chuckling still, and I opened my eyes curiously. I found myself laughing too at what I saw; she'd stolen my hat for herself! “Hey!” I yelped, reaching up and trying to take it back.

“Ah, ah, ah!” Casey pulled back, tittering like a little bird, “You look better when you're not hiding underneath your hat.”

The hat wasn't worth fighting over, so I just chuckled and looked over at Bandit. It was only then that I remembered the sprig of mistletoe. I wonder how no one else could not notice?

I clicked my tongue and whistled softly to the young dog, and to my surprise he actually responded, pushing himself up onto his short legs and toddling over. I reached down and removed the green leaves, patting Bandit affectionately on the head. “Good boy.”

Satisfied, I tilted my head up to face Casey, a smirk tugging one corner of my mouth upward. I held the sprig in plain view. “Know what this is?” I asked, wriggling my eyebrows playfully.

She knew what it was, all right. Her blue eyes sparkled with the cheer I'd missed so much when she was grieving for Mutt, and all I really wanted to do was marvel at the pretty sapphires. “You thought of everything, didn't you?”

I grinned. “Everything except a way to keep Dallas from telling on us.”

Casey lay down beside me but held her upper body up, her lips temptingly close to mine. I shivered at the heat of her breath, but still managed to keep a hold on the white-berried plant just above our heads.

“Let him tell.”

Her lips were soft and warm against the crook of my neck, the contact deliciously gentle and familiar. Kiss after agonizingly slow kiss, she brought her mouth up to mine, trailing up my jaw. She hesitated when it came time to bless my lips with the presence of hers, but I was still and patient. I closed my eyes in anticipation, a smirk playing about my lips. “C'mon, Case,” I whispered, “you're playin' a losing game if you think you can wait me out.”

Whether it was for a few seconds or an eternity, I was willing to wait.

She blew a chuckle through her nose, but said nothing. Instead, she gave me what I'd been waiting for; a quick featherlight touch on the lips. My heart skipped a beat and I eagerly rose to meet the pressure, for she pulled away just as quickly as she'd come. She giggled tauntingly and kissed me again in a similar fashion, quick and light...not what I wanted.

I gave an impatient growl, not caring that I was proving myself wrong. Need for contact fueling my movements, I reached around with my free hand and pressed against the back of her neck, pushing her to me. Our lips met again, energy crackling between us like the fire in front of the couch. Slowly, tongues brushed against one another in a slow dance to no music. Twirling, swaying, moving forward and receding...

A throaty, cat-like purr of enjoyment rumbled up from my chest and I carefully tucked the mistletoe into the band around my hat. My other hand, free now to do as I wished, combed through her soft, golden hair. A stifled moan came from her, and I was so engulfed in the task of creating another that I didn't notice the new weight on the couch. The tempo started to speed and I was soaring...

A strange, cold wetness poked itself into my cheek and I withdrew, startled. “Casey?”

But it wasn't Casey's face I was looking into. No, most assuredly not. There, where she should be, was a blunt, fuzzy black face of a very curious thief who had stolen the moment away. Bandit pressed a paw against my neck and started to lick my face. “Aw, Bandit!”

I squirmed and tried get the dog off the couch, but he was insistent upon licking Casey's peppermint flavored lip gloss off my face. To think that I'd been just as eager as he was just a few moments ago. “Get off me, ya' little fuzzball!”

Casey, who was laughing so hard that hardly any sound coming from her at all, removed the dog, sitting up and placing the wriggling animal in her lap. Of course, when Bandit realized that she was the source, he was all too happy to swipe that monster of a tongue all over her face. She giggled, pushing his muzzle away and putting him gently on the floor. “Sorry, boy,” she teased, “Keefe gets jealous awful easy...”

She glanced down at me. I looked at her with one raised eyebrow, and before anything could be said she burst into another fit of giggles. I couldn't help but smile, even though I didn't want to. “And yeah, I know the look on my face is priceless.”

She stopped laughing and lay back down, a serene contentment crossing her features. “Merry Christmas, cowboy,” she said softly, “I love you.”

I touched my lips to hers again, giving myself the best Christmas present. “I love you too.”

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A/N: I'll be the first to admit to it; I sort of stole that last scene from Eight Below. Ya' know, the one where Walker and Kate are in the back of the truck making out and Maya joins in? Heh. I thought it was cute and decided to use it.