"..under what tree... (conc)

"..under what tree... (conc)

KaraS -- Kara whispers to Rae

"Yeah, it LOOKS nice but it's still mighty chilly in here. Can you magic up some caulking in those cracks and holes?"

Rae cocked her head as she thought for a moment. Then she closed her eyes and muttered a magic spell. Instantly the cracks were filled with caulking, the broken window was fixed and there were new and weathertight shingles on the roof.

After that, Rae looked a little pale and drained but the temperature in the room started to rise immediately. Now it was a snug little cabin instead of a dilapidated shack.

"Now THAT's a Christmas gift that will last them for awhile. Much more practical than pretty decorations."

artickitten -- “Well!”

Kitten thought as the door to the cabin was shut before she could enter. Turning to Elvis Kitten puffed up her chest and said *Come on Elvis we will find our own tree! We don't want to share it with THEM anyway!* With her nose in the air Kitten began to walk away from the cabin.

"Duh...are you sure you want to go without the others? Ahhh...do you think that's a good idea?" Elvis looked from Kitten's retreating to the cabin and back. "Duh...won't they get mad?"

Kitten spins around *They won't even notice...are you coming or not?* Kitten didn't really want to go alone...it would be scary when it got dark out...if Elvis didn't go she didn't know what she would do. Elvis was her hero...even if he was kinda slow...Kitten knew no one would bug her with Elvis around.

With a look of concern Elvis trotted over to Kitten "Duh...I'm with you. Ahhh...I will never leave you Kitten." He lowered his head and Kitten climbed on. "Ahh...which way?"

Kitten pointed *That way! Let's find the perfect tree for us!* As Elvis began to trot off in the direction she told him too, Kitten reached down and pulled his ears around her to keep warm. Snuggling down she thought *I love Elvis...especially when he does what I want to do!* Soon they were out of sight of the cabin and on their way to a tree hunt.

RagnarRB -- Outside

the winds began to pick up and the sky began to cloud over. Afternoon was drawing on and the dampness of coming snow was in the air. Inside the cabin was becoming cosey indeed. Kara's idea had been brilliant and a greater gift then she might have guessed.

The cabin door was thrown open. There stood a woman, not much older than the kids at first glance and deffinately not much better dressed.

"RUN CHILDREN RUN!" She screamed in a paniced voice as she grabbed a broom and began to swing!

"OOOWWWWWWW!!!!!!!....."

She did after all have to protect her children.

Scorpiodoc -- “OWwwwwww that was my head

" you just smacked" Scorpio cried in dismay...Raegun questioned "Guy's quick what is the number for 911" "But ma'am" Jila said "if you would stop screaming you would see that we are here to help..." WATCH OUT" Cried Kay as she pulled Kara from the line of a Karate chop to the gut.. "MOMMMMYYYYY" Cried both Kids "They are just here to help us" "I know they look a little odd...well flat out weird" the kids said glancing from a Viking, to a Kitten... To a One Winged Angel ,,, To the nice lady who can cast spells.. "But they fixed the place up and look mom.. they made us Hot Cocoa(sp)" The lady looked around at all the scoobs and there big kind hearted grins on their faces...And her heart melted....She looked at the Tree ///That came to their home...She looked at Honey.. the dog was wagging its butt to be petted..

She looked at the crazy girl in the lab coat..And for once after what to her seemed like years..The lady smiled.....

Kaybe0 -- Even with her smile

they could see the look of worry in her face. Kay put her hand on her arm and said, "My name is Kay. Maybe you should sit down for a moment and let us explain. You are certainly in no danger from us. We are only here to help you. You have wonderful children. You are doing such a great job with them. They are very polite." Seeing her face change from worry to confusion, Jila handed her a cup of warm cocoa, which she took with a dainty, but bony hand. The woman could be quite beautiful if she wasn't so thin. Jila noticed she was still shivering in her thin clothing.

"My name is Jila. We live in the mansion over the hill past the woods. So, we are really neighbors. What is your name?"

JilaCosa -- “Danae”

she says, her head down, her flat hair hanging down like curtains on each side of her face. The cup warms her hands which feels wonderful.

"Here kitty, kitty, kitty." Meagan walks around the room searching the corners, going around and past each Scoob. Pandora, having lost track of Jila when the door shut, appears quite unexpectedly and lands lightly on Calen's head.

"Momma, momma! Look! A baby dragon." Calen squeals excitedly. Pandora's eye color whirls brightly as she radiates the boy's emotions

"It's actually a fire-lizard" Jila and Kay say in unison, then look at each other and laugh. "She's just a baby" Jila tells him.

"Don't worry" Kay tells Danae "She wouldn't hurt him for the world.

"True." Jila seconds "Look at her eyes. I think she's rather taken with him." Danae looks at her son and the fire-lizard, and wonders once again about the people inside her house.

"Here kitty, kitty, kitty." Meagan says again.

"Meagan?" Danae says to her daughter. "What kitty are you looking for."

"Oh momma, it's a beautiful tiny white kitty. I think she's our Guardian Angel." Meagan tells her mother softly as she goes to her mother and places both her little hands on her mother's knee. "It gave us this tree. And you know what momma? This tree can talk!"

This, of course, made Danae look around the room at all of the strange people the children had invited in. What kind of nonsense were they filling the children's heads full of? "Trees don't talk honey."

"Actually ma'am, I do." 'Doug' speaks up.

At this Danae inhaled sharply and jumps in her chair. A Tree that can Talk? This was Craziness.

Rae, Mouse, and artic tell her the story about how 'Doug came to sit in her livingroom on this particular afternoon. 'Ghost is still here, but being a ghost and seeing how this woman is reacting to the stranger and stranger things going on in her house remains invisible for now.

An idea dawns on 'Ghost. Perhaps Kitten is still pouting over the loss of the tree. In 'Ghost's invisible state maybe she can sneak up on Kitten and scare her out of hiding. Gliding around the room, under the furniture, and into nooks and crannies, she finds not a trace of Kitten. She floats over to Ragnar and whispers in his ear.

"Kitten isn't here in the house. I'm going outside to look for her."

Ragnar nods his head once, knowing that he was the only one to hear her. Through the wall she goes and out into the forest.

*Where could Kitten have gotten off to?*

RagnarRB -- Uh...how about that one?

Elvis asked for the thousandth time. Kitten, perched atop his head shook her head. That wasn't the right one either. They kept looking and looking but they just weren't the same as the last.

<<Uh...kitten?>> He couldn't exactly see her head shake. She did seem to be shivvering a little. He hoped his little buddy wasn't crying again. He hated it when she cried.

<<<....no...not that one either.>>> She looked around and around. She had a perfect christmas tree and these just didn't compare. She ever tried talking to them but none talked back.

The sky continued to darken and the temperatures dropped. Elvis sure hoped kitten knew where they were.

Mouse2000 -- With the house brightened...

her children happy, warm, and protected, and a beautiful, if talking, Christmas tree, Danae felt a little more friendly towards these strangers who had invaded her small cabin.

"Would you all care for some bread and tea?" She asked, hoping that the small loaf of bread she was able to make this morning was enough for the group. Mouse sensed her unease and said, looking at Spyral and his wing-o-plenty, "Oh, thank you, but we brought some dinner too, right Angel?"

"Right!" Spyral exclaimed, and was about to look thought his wing again, when Twig piped up, "Hey! Like, for sure! But wouldn't you like something a little fresher than what the big guy has in that wing? It's been sitting there for at least, like, a week or something..."

Kay and Scorpio looked at Twig and wondered what she meant. What kind of powers did this little light ball have?

-----------------------------------------------------------

And, as usual, Kitten had gotten herself and Elvis completely lost. The temperature was hovering in the mid 20's, the wind was kicking up, and Elvis was beginning to tire. "Uh, Kitten? can't we find a place to stop soon?" he asked. No response. "Kitten?" KITTEN!!" He shook his head and a very still Kitten fell off into the snow.

Looking around at the rising snow, Elvis did the only thing he could do. He found the bigest pine tree around, sat on the dry pine needles under the huge bottom branches, wrapped himself around Kitten and let the snow be his insulation. Soon the temperature in the little "cave" was rising due to the cocoon of snow around them which kept out the wind, and Elvis' considerable body heat.

SeventhAngel -- Twig fluttered her wings

"GAHH!" Twig said, pointing to the angel. "He probably still has cake left over from the last Halo-Toss Championships in there." At everyones incredulous look, Twig add, "You don't EVEN wanna know! Like you could have just GAGGED on the Testosterone floating around THAT place. HELLOOO!"

"Well, then 'Lil Miss Divine Entity 1991'...." Spyral started.

"..And still the hottest looking contestant that little shindig ever had been Blessed with..." Twig added.

The entire cabinful of 'Scapers, children and mothers rolled their eyes at that one!

Spyral shook his head, as he chuckled in spite of himself. "So whatta ya have in mind 'Lite-Brite'?"

"Well I, unlike One of Us Divine Presences, who I won't name, SPYRAL!!!!, am still in full comand of the Divine Power. Just on Vacation am I!" said Twig.

"Is one of those Divine Powers, Enhanced Speech ability?" Ragnar cracked.

"Actually, I think that's one that she took up there with her," Spyral replied, before Twig could. "We're jsut all hoping that it's just a small contaminent."

"HMPH!" Twig replied. "No Dessert for you two! And maybe jsut a couple of Doggie Bags for dinner too!"

Moving to the center of the room, Twig began to flit in a tight circle, that began to expand as she moved faster and faster, until she seemed to be a continuous circle of light, that became much too intense to look at.

Then at once it stopped and Twig's small voice was head to say, "Shall we Scarf?"

Everyone opened their eyes to see a large feast laying about the floor. Meats, veggies, and breads of all kinds, were mixed with a few oddities like chili-fries, and cinnabons.

"And these are here for?" Mouse asked.

"Like, you have NEVER lived until you've lived on Mall food," Twig pronounced.

RagnarRB -- Ghost drifted across the snowy land

looking for Kitten and Elvis. Night had fallen along with the temperatures. The new falling snow had quickly covered what tracks she had found. Surely they hadn't gotten far.

She drifted onward in her search.

Kaybe0 -- Back in the cabin

The children looked with delight at the food Twig had whisked up for them all. "Come on everyone, lets eat", said Sophia, and settled down next to the kids. Taking this as an invitation, they politely held out their plates to be served. Amid the chatter and bantering, the young family relaxed, and enjoyed the meal with their new found friends.

JilaCosa -- ‘Ghost listens to the sounds around her

The wind sighing through the trees, an occasional bird chirp, but not much more than that. She has no worries about making noise herself, ghost feet don't crunch through the snow. (Not every ghost is shaped like Casper and the Ghostly Trio). Going as quickly as she can, 'Ghost tries to pass over the entire area around the little cabin.

*Where could that dog and kitten have gotten to?*

Suddenly a sound comes to her. It almost sounds like the quiet snoring of a .....dog??? But from where? Concentrating hard she locates the ever growing snowbank that is Elvis and Kitten. She reaches through the snow and her hand passes through Elvis and Kitten. She can feel that they are still warm but for how much longer? She could move the snow, but she can't move the animals. And if she moved the snow and not the animals they'd quickly freeze to death. She knows she needs help.

*I've got to get the gang*

Moving fast, 'Ghost gets to the cabin in know time and immediately appears in front of everyone. Danae Shreeks, and the kids squeal with amazement.

"You've got to come quick" 'Ghost says, concerned only for the freezing animals "I found them, Elvis and Kitten. They're huddle up for warmth under a bank of snow. I'm not sure how much longer they'll last"

The gang jump to their feet, grab their jackets and things, promise poor Danae an explanation in the morning, and run out the door on 'Ghost's heels.

RagnarRB -- Kitten dreamed

...well at least she thought she did. She remembered waking up all stiff and cold...kinda. Several of the Scoobies were using their hands to shovel away the fallen snow to uncover her and Elvis. She remembered being picked up and wrapped in something warm...someones's coat maybe? She'd kind of faded in and out. She even remembered seeing that wonderful christmas tree again and trying to reach out for it only to be caught and held back. She was shivvering and fell asleep again about then...

Ragnar watched as Kitten and Elvis were wrapped up and hustled back to the mansion. Mr. Lee had appeared out of nowhere and with a few tsk, tsk, and a little help from the gang had things under control. He turned back to the tree they had found the two under.

"Well Rae? What about this one? Can we take this one back with us?"

Rae looked at the tree and back to Ragnar. "Your're kidding right? This tree's a monster, it'll never fit."

Ragnar held up the little back he had found with Elvis.

"Shrinking powder I believe." Ragnar replied.

Hmmm....maybe thay COULD shrink it, use it for x-mas and return it later...

Little Twig buzzed about sprinkling glittering light in her wake.

Kaybe0 -- Shrinking the tree

and cutting it off, neatly, the scoobs carried it back to the mansion. After getting it set up, and making it look just perfect, they all went off looking for the decorations, stored in the attic and various places. Kitten stirred and hazily opened one eye. Seeing the buzz around what looked like a tree, she snuggled up and purred in her sleep. What a nice dream. She was dreaming they had brought her tree back home.

JilaCosa -- The Scoobs are scattered from the...

Basement to the Attic searching for the decorations for the tree and the Ballroom.

"Jila, where did you put the decorations last year after the New Years Eve Party."

"I have no idea." Jila sighs "Somebody, or possibly the DRD's, came in,packed everything up and I don't know where it was stored."

So the search continues. In the meantime, Scorpi and Sophie go to Scorpi's room to pick up the special ornaments that Scorpi brought with her.

"Isn't this great?" She hold the ornaments up for her sister to see. "Do you think the gang will like them?" Sophie only shrugs not knowing what kinds of things get hung up on trees here at the mansion in the name of ornaments.

Upstairs in the Attic, Climbing over trunks and boxes, Kaybe is determined to find anything that looks like boxes of Christmas ornaments.

"BINGO!" She yells, crawling though the arc of what might have been an antique sewing machine. "Here they are, back here!" Then, she starts to sneeze. You see nobody comes into this end of Zhaan'sAttic much so the dust gets pretty thick.

"aachoo, aaaacchooooo, achoo," Kay crawls back out the same way and heads for less dusty air.

"While you're out there, find the IQ's will you?" Jila calls, climbing into the space Kay just came from "We're going to need something like a bucket brigade if we're going to get All of these decorations out of here without making a dozen trips."

Soon 8 out of 10 IQ's stand at the attic door waiting to help.

"Just form a line guys." Jila says from the back of the room. "From over here to out the door. There's quite a lot of stuff in here."

"Jila, we'll take care of this." #2 says, feeling chivalrous with the Christmas season. The other IQ's give him a look as if to say *We said we'd help, not do it all* "You go get started down in the Ballroom."

"Ok, if you say so." Jila thanks each IQ as she passes them and heads back down the stairs. Soon all the boxes marked Christmas decorations are into the hall and ready to go downstairs.

Thanks the Powers That Be that there's an elevator

Scorpiodoc -- “hey guys I have an idea

how about we take some of theses old christmas balls,

and with the glitter glue and colored pens on them make ornaments with everyones name on them...Said scorpio coming back to the attic from her room.....

"Good Idea" said some of the IQ's. "We will take 10 red ones" said IQ number 4 ...

"Hmmmm replied Scorpio I think I will have to look for some more red ones..

"But how do you like this one?" questiones scorpio showing the IQ's and Jila one that looked like a space ship...

"Cool" said Jila "take these down to the balls down to the ballroom" she said giving scorpio a big box of ornaments...

"Sure" replied Scorpio..as she took the box and headed down for the ballroom..

All of sudden she ran smack into Honey who was bounding up the stairs..

Kaybe0 -- Honey went one direction,

while Scorpio went another, after they collided. The balls flew in the air, and seemed to come down in slow motion as all the available Scoobs in the immediate area ran to catch them. Amidst juggling acts and mid air catches, all the balls were saved except one which came down directly over Honey who looked up with an open mouth. The ball landed miraculously in her mouth. Among cheers and whoops and hollers, Honey got so excited that she was the center of attention, that she dropped the ornament to the floor to wiggle her excitement. As she did, it started rolling away, and stopped just short of the doorway to the ballroom. "What is all the excitement about?" asked Rae, coming through the doorway, and stepping right on the ornament.

Mouse2000 -- Favorite Carols?

"O Holy Night" and "We Three Kings" are mine. What about you?

KaraS -- Favorite Christmas Carols

The Little Drummer Boy and Silver Bells are mine.

Of course, Christmas At Ground Zero does have a certain charm...

JilaCosa -- Favorite Christmas Carols?

I don't really have a favorite of the ones that are frequently sung. But, if I could find it (if it was actually recorded somewhere) there is a duet sung by David Bowie and Bing Crosby that is wonderful to listen to. One of the songs is "The Little Drummer Boy" and but I can't think of what the other one is. Their voices blend wonderfully.

On the other hand, my favorite Christmas show is "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". Boris Karloff reading Dr. Suess is a great combination. lol.

**Meanwhile, kitten and Elvis lay by the fire wrapped in old blankets. kitten opens her eyes, after sleeping most of the last few days, and looks at the decorated Christmas tree. She sighs as she snuggles further down into her blanket. It may not have her perfect angel on its top but it is a perfect tree.**

RagnarRB -- Ragnar turns off the lights

to the ballroom so only those adorning the tree cast their sparkles and twinkles about the place.

Dragging a couple of beanbags over he gently pats Elvis on the head and gives a blearly eyed kitten a little scratching.

With a pitcher of eggnog and a glass he settles in to simply watch the tree and enjoy the moment. Peacefullness.

Kaybe0 -- As the parents tiptoe into the Ballroom

to lay out Santa's treasures for the little ones, and the big ones, too, They see a very peaceful looking Ragnar sound asleep on the beanbag chair in front of the tree. Smiling, Kay grabs a throw blanket off the couch and drapes it over him. He never stirs as they set about the toys and things. "Wow, he must be exhausted," said Jila. Mouse, giggled, "Yea, you would think he had just delivered the toys around the world himself." Chryse, making sure she had put out two of everything, placed a Santa hat someone had left on the couch, gently on his head. After all was done, they all looked at the beautiful lights glistening one last time, and tiptoeing out, went to catch a little sleep before the excited voices of children woke them all up.

************************************************************

The family in the woods lay sleeping. The children, dreaming of what they so hoped Santa would bring them. The mother, worried about what she couldn't give them. The poor darlings. They were so good, and deserved so much. Waking with a start, she realized a noise inside the house had woke her. Tiptoeing down the hall, she peeked into the living room of the tiny cottage. Gasping she saw a very large man with a beard (That from behind looked suspiciously like the kind man who gave them the tree the other day named Ragnar) leaving quietly through the front door. Her fear quickly gave way to wonder, though, as she saw what lay around the tree. Piles of gaily wrapped presents, and several that were unwrapped, including a boys bicycle and a girls. With tears of happiness in her eyes, she settled down in her bed once again for the most joyous peaceful sleep she had had in a long time. Her angels were going to have a wonderful Christmas after all. When she awoke in the morning, she would also find that the fridge and cupboard were full as well.

Raegun -- Better late than never.....

Rae and Raegun slip into the empty ballroom. Sitting in front of the fire (& basking in the warm glow of the computer screen), the two sing their favorite carol...

Have yourself a merry little (belated) Christmas

Let your heart be light

our troubles will be out of sight...

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,

Make the Yuletide gay,

our troubles will be miles away...

<<Our favorite part>>

Here were are as in olden days,

happy golden days of yore.

Faithful friends who are dear to us

gather near to us once more.

Through the years we all will be together

Hang your shining star upon the highest bough.

And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.

Here we are as in olden days,

Happy golden days of yore,

Faithful friends who are dear to us

Gather near to us once more.

Through the years we all will be together

Hang your shining star upon the highest bough,

And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.

As they finish singing, Rae and Raegun sit in the darkened ballroom, reflecting on the value of friendship and how therein lies the true meaning of the season. Here's to the Scoobs spending many more holiday seasons together!

<<Sorry I missed it, guys. Hope you all had a great one :)>>

SeventhAngel -- Spyral slips into the Ballroom

the warmth of the fire washing over him. A smile comes over his face as he hears Rae and Raegun finish the song. It has always been one of his favorites as well, along with "Winter Wonderland".

"Hey Rae, Raegun," the angel says, settling down beside them, in front of the fire. "Well, looks like we really did some good this time."

"Hey Spy," Rae says. "Where's Twig?"

Raegun mutters something in Sebacion that the angel thinks sounds suspiciously impolite. The pulse rifle, no doubt, a bit jealous now that the angel has taken a bit of Raes attention from him.

"Shopping, Where else?" the angel replied. "She's really going beserk over these after-Xmas sales."

"She's....different," Rae said.

"Yeah, she is that," Spyral confirmed. "But she has a good heart. I think she's gonna stay around awhile too. She seems to like everyone. Although, I won't be surprised to see her and Ragnar butting heads quite a bit. She says 'His fashion sense is like soooooo Neandrothalian'."

"Is that even a word?" she asked.

"In her little world, I guess it is," Spyral chuckled.

"Well, we all have our own little worlds, don't we?" Rae asked.

"I suppose we do," the angel replied. "But I'm glad that we can all share this one at least."

"Yeah, me too," Rae replied.

"Happy New Year Rae" Spyral said. "You too 'gun!"

Raegun, once again, muttered something angel could not catch.

"Happy New Year, Angel," Rae replied.

"WOW!" Spyral said, perking up a bit.

"Well, I jsut thought.... I'm certainly not going to be hurting for New Years kisses this year, yeah?!"

The angel almost avoided the pillow that Rae swung at him playfully, as the two laughed and the pulse rifle only continued to grumble.

Raven-Kat -- Laughing,

Rae pummels Spyral mercilessly with the pillow for a few minutes to prove her point.

"Keep your mistletoe to yourself." Raegun suggests to Spyral as Rae places the pillow neatly back on the couch.

"Boys..." Rae warns with a grin. "Who wants cocoa?"

SeventhAngel -- “Well, Rae....

I guess I can settle for a cup of cocoa," the angel grins sheepishly. "But I DO try and keep a healthy supply of mistletoe in my wing. Just for emergencies and medicinal purposes, mind you," the angel adds with a wink.

Raegun silently wished that he possessed real eyes, just so he could roll them at the angels comments. Attempting to snuggle even closer to Rae, he muttered, his front sight accidentally jabbed into Raes ribs.

"OWW!" Rae said. "I get the feeling someone is a bit insecure?" She laughed as she rose to get the cocoa.

The pulse rifle shuffled around to face the angel, who only gave it a wink and a smile. Another muted Sebacion comment came from the pulse rifle.

If the Angel wanted to, he could have understood the rifles language, as no language is beyond the understanding of an angel. However, the angel decided that it was probably best if he didn't know just what the rifle might be saying.

Mouse2000 -- Mouse waltzes into the Ballroom

to the tune of "The Waltz of the Sugar Plum Fairy" (in her head) and spies Rae, Raegun, Ragnar, and Spyral looking quite cozy and contented in the after-Christmas glow. She slides onto the sofa as she catches the tail end of Spyral's comment about misletoe and medicinal purposes and decides to surprise them all.

and aw, what the heck...

<<SMACK>> to Rae and Raegun too.

"Just what the Doctor ordered. Looks like my Christmas blues are gone!" She says as she smiles to note the slightly goofy grins and the guys and the big smile on Rae.

"You must remember this...a kiss is... just a kiss..." Raegun starts to warble.

That's just a warmup for New Year's Eve, guys!

Raven-Kat -- “Mouse, I didn’t know you cared!”

Rae laughs and scoots over on the couch to make room for Mouse between herself and Spyral (that way, she gets Rag all to herself...)