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An EFC Christmas: Part Eight "Silent Night"

by Seven

Disclaimer: Earth: Final Conflict and its characters are copyrighted by Tribune Entertainment Company. All rights reserved.

Author's Note: The next part is probably the last. The "Silent Night" variation at the bottom was done by Patrick Williams for Gloria Estefan, and is my personal fave. Listen to it, it's just beautiful.

**********

"I need cocoa," Liam announced as the group trudged into the house. Augur dashed up the hall and slammed the door, and a thunderous "Man!" was heard. Sandoval cocked an eyebrow.

Suzanne limped into the kitchen. "If my feet don't fall off before I get there, I'm making some."

Da'an and Zo'or were slowly removing the unfamiliar outer garments, while Doors was still shaking the snow from his boots. Lili wriggled a little, shook her head, and started to trudge over to the CD player.

As she slipped in a CD, the throaty voice of Gloria Estefan began to come from the speakers again:

I wanna see Christmas through your eyes

I want everything to be the way it used to be

Back to being a child again, thinking the world was mine

I wanna see Christmas, Christmas through your eyes...

Liam, rubbing his hands by the fire, looked up at Lili quizzically. She smiled at him and brushed a single tear from her eye. "Just thinking about what this Christmas has made me feel like."

Liam only smiled, rose and flopped down on the couch.

"Cocoa," Suzanne called, entering the room. "Da'an, Zo'or, you need any?"

"No," Zo'or replied bluntly.

"No thank you," Da'an added.

Doors took a cup of cocoa, and Lili plucked one carefully from the tray. "I'll just take this to 'the professor,'" she said softly to Liam. "After tonight he'll need a pick-me-up."

Suzanne glanced at Liam as Lili jogged down the hall, and a delighted smile spread across her face. She set the tray down near Sandoval and dropped into the seat next to Liam with an expectant look in her eyes. "Liam."

"Hmm?"

"Look up."

He looked up, and frowned a little. "What's that mistletoe doing up there?"

Suzanne sighed, grasped the sides of Liam's head, and kissed him firmly on the lips. Zo'or sat back with a slightly disgusted expression, and Da'an smiled gently. Sandoval sipped cocoa and ignored the two.

The CD clicked into another song as the kiss ended. Liam looked confused, but happy. Suzanne smiled, and hugged him.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

Just like the ones I used to know

Where the treetops glisten, and children listen

To hear sleighbells in the snow...

Doors leaned back in his chair and listened, as Lili and a rather subdued-looking Augur walked in and flopped down by the fire.

I'll be home for Christmas

You can count on me

Please have snow and mistletoe

And presents on the tree...

"It was a good thing your shuttle crashed here," Suzanne remarked dreamily to the Taelons. "Don't tell me you'd be having a better time at home."

Da'an smiled and lowered his eyes. "I will not tell you, since it is not true. I have enjoyed this venture far more than my regular duties."

"That's his way of saying it's fun," Liam whispered to Suzanne, who giggled in response.

Slowly, the circle of friends and enemies slowly grew towards the fire, huddling together as the flames danced. The music continued long into Christmas Eve...

Silent night, holy night

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon virgin, mother and child

Holy infant so tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night

Shepherds quake at the sight

Glories stream from heaven afar

Heavenly hosts sing hallelujah

Christ the savior is born

Noche de paz

Noche de amor

Todo duerme en derredor

Desde los astros

Que espareen su luz

Bella lumbrando

Al ninito Jesus

Brilla la estrella de paz

Brilla la estrella de paz...

****

"Time for bed," Lili announced, pointing at the stairs. Liam moaned a little and buried his face in the pillows. "Come on, the sooner you go to bed the sooner it'll be Christmas morning."

Sandoval gave her an odd look, then rose and trundled up the stairs. Doors sighed and slouched deeper into his chair. "I'm going to have a nightcap, all right?"

"Whatever," Lili said, walking over to the couch and yanking both Suzanne and Liam to their feet. Liam stretched and asked, "Do we have to wear fuzzy pajamas tonight?"

"Yes."

"Rats."

****

Late that night, Lili awoke to hear something thumping around downstairs. Slowly, her hand went to the baseball bat lying by her bed, and she slowly crept out of bed and onto the stairs. There was another thump, louder this time, and a faint "ow."

"This one's for you, you thug," she muttered as she crept down the stairs.

As she emerged into the dark living room, a ray of light from under the basement door alerted her to the intruder's presence. She threw open the door.

"Hey!" Liam shouted, hurriedly pulling a piece of tarp over something in front of him. "What, who'd you think I was, Santa Claus?"

Lili sighed and dropped the bat. "The thought had crossed my mind. Liam, 'not a creature was stirring.' What are you doing up?"

"Nothing." Liam hunched over to keep whatever he was working on hidden from her view as he pulled it into a paper bag.

Lili sighed. "Five more minutes, then bed, okay?"

"Okay," Liam said, smiling back at her as she closed the door.

TO BE CONTINUED