Once they had finished eating, it was time to open the gifts. A good-natured argument ensued as to whom would be the first to open a gift, until Chris finally intervened, indicating that JD would start.
"Why me?" JD asked.
"'Cause you're the youngest," Buck said, nudging the younger man in the ribs.
JD made a face at Buck, but picked up his gift nonetheless. He tore the wrapping off quickly and stared at the contents for a moment, before hiding it quickly in his lap, his face flushing pink with embarrassment.
"What is it?" Buck demanded, his curiosity piqued by JD's reaction.
"Um, it's, uh..." JD trailed off, not knowing how to explain without embarrassing himself further.
Josiah began to laugh, and Buck impatiently snatched the gift from his young friend's lap.
"Buck!" JD reached for the gift, but Buck held it in the air, out of his reach, until the young agent slumped back into his seat, accepting the inevitable teasing that would result.
Buck lowered his arm and studied JD's gift, a wide grin breaking out on his face. "Well, well. This ought to come in handy."
"What is it, Buck?" asked Vin.
"The Kama Sutra," Buck answered, opening the book and flipping through the pages. He whistled aloud. "Damn! I've never seen that one!" He showed the illustration to JD, whose eyes widened in awe.
Vin reached across the table and grabbed the book. He looked at the picture, turning the book sideways. "I didn't know that was possible," he commented with a grin.
"I might want to borrow that sometime, JD," Nathan said as he flipped through the pages with interest.
"Uh-oh, maybe we'd better warn Rain," Buck chuckled.
Nathan blushed and passed the book to Ezra, who studied it with interest. "The authors certainly were... imaginative." He passed it to Chris.
"No thanks," Chris said, taking pity on JD and handing him the book.
"Thanks, Josiah... I think," JD said.
Josiah chuckled.
"Whatever inspired you to make such a purchase?" Ezra asked the large agent.
"Well, I thought it might be useful to broaden our young brother's horizons," Josiah replied.
"That'll broaden 'em, all right," Vin agreed, snickering.
"You're next, Buck," JD blurted, attempting to shift the attention from himself.
"All right!" Buck lifted his package and shook it, trying to discern the contents before opening it. It remained a mystery, though, so with a shrug, he tore open the wrapping.
"What'cha got, Bucklin?" asked Vin, curious at the look on Buck's face.
"It's..." Buck trailed off.
JD grabbed the package, eager to return the teasing he had received, and burst out laughing. "It's an Inflatable Playmate!" He displayed the package to the rest of the men.
"Guess that's for those nights when you ain't got a real date," Vin said, laughing at the embarrassed flush on Buck's face.
"You might even practice some of those moves from JD's book," Nathan observed, grinning broadly.
The rest of the table erupted with laughter. Buck suddenly grinned and snatched his blow-up doll from his roommate's grasp. "Hell, I can use her to drive in the carpool lane! Thanks, Nathan!"
"You'd better not," Chris warned with a smile.
Buck stuck out his tongue once Chris had turned away.
"I saw that, Buck," Chris said.
Buck rolled his eyes then turned to Vin. "Come on, Junior. You're next."
Vin eyed his package with trepidation, but then realized that JD had probably not gotten him anything too embarrassing. He carefully stripped off the paper, a wide grin breaking out on his face when the giant Super Soaker water gun was revealed. "Cool! Thanks JD!"
"We'll have to try it out later," JD said eagerly.
Chris groaned. "Just don't use it at the office. Travis is still pissed about the time he walked into the middle of that shootout you guys were having in the hallway."
"Yes, Mom," Vin said, making a face.
Chris shot a glare in his direction, but gave in and smiled ruefully when he realized it was being ignored. "Nathan. Your turn."
Nathan picked up the rectangular box and opened it slowly, delicately prying away each piece of tape.
"Sometime this year, Nate," Buck complained, impatient to see the gift.
Nathan frowned at him and continued at his sedate pace. Finally, the gift was opened, and Nathan's rich laughter filled the room.
"What is it?" JD asked, craning his neck to see around Buck, who was leaning halfway across the table in an effort to see what had inspired Nathan's reaction.
"Operation!" Nathan said, displaying the game to everyone. "Thanks, Vin! I loved this game when I was a kid!"
"Me, too," Buck said. The others at the table, with the exception of Vin and Ezra, added their comments about the game.
Ezra shrugged, never having seen the game before.
Vin was the only one who noticed that Ezra's voice had been silent, since he himself was not participating in the reminiscing that was occurring at the table. They hadn't had too many games or toys in the foster homes in which he had stayed, so he was as unfamiliar with the game as Ezra appeared to be. He had bought it for Nathan, figuring that the medical aspect would be good for a chuckle or two, but hadn't realized that the game qualified as a 'classic'. Shaking his head slightly, Vin tuned back in to the conversation around him.
"I bet Nate would kick our butts, what with all that medical training he has," Buck postulated.
"Nah, Vin could probably beat him," JD said. "You gotta have real precise aim."
"We'll just have to find out, won't we," Buck said, grinning in anticipation.
"Did I hear the word 'bet'?" Ezra said, a sly smile lighting his face.
"Never mind," Nathan said with a sigh.
"Hey, Josiah," JD called to the big agent. "Open yours next!"
Smiling, Josiah unwrapped his gift, wadding up the paper, which he then sent flying toward JD's head. A short paper-wad battle broke out and was quickly ended by Chris's high-pitched whistle.
Josiah chuckled at his friend's antics and lifted the lid off of the plain cardboard box, peering inside curiously. He burst into laughter as he lifted out a book, a roll of duct tape, a wrench, and a container of oil. "'Car Repair for Dummies'," he said as he passed the book around the table.
"How appropriate," Ezra remarked.
"Yeah," Nathan concurred. "Now maybe you can fix that rolling junkyard you call a car."
"It's a classic," Josiah retorted.
"A classic what?" Vin said with a grin.
"This will come in quite handy," Josiah said happily, ignoring the disparaging remarks about his vehicle. "Thank you, Chris."
Chris nodded. "You're welcome."
"Come on, Ez," Buck urged. "Open yours."
Ezra felt suddenly self-conscious as he started to open his gift. He hoped it wouldn't be too embarrassing, but considering that it was from Buck, he didn't expect that to be the case. He carefully peeled the paper away from the slim box and lifted the lid.
"What is it?" JD asked eagerly.
Ezra lifted the item from the box, displaying it to the rest of the men, who promptly burst into laughter at the sight of the loud necktie with a Christmas tree design, complete with flashing lights.
"Push on the star, Ez!" Buck prompted.
Shooting the ladies' man an evil look, he did as requested and was rewarded with an electronic rendition of 'Jingle Bells'.
"Cool!" JD said with a grin.
Ezra rolled his eyes, looking appropriately horrified.
"You can wear it when you see your Ma," Buck suggested.
The thought of his mother's reaction to such a tasteless accessory brought a smile to Ezra's lips. It might have been worth the embarrassment of wearing it, if he were actually going to see her this holiday season. "I think my mother would find it... interesting," he said with a chuckle. "Thank you, Mr. Wilmington."
"So is she coming here?" Vin inquired curiously.
"No," Ezra answered quickly. "She wished to remain in London."
"London at Christmas with Maude," Josiah said with a wistful sigh. "Sounds wonderful."
"I bet it'll be fun, huh Ez?" JD said as he reached for the chocolate cake.
Ezra forced a smile. "Quite."
"Hey, someone hasn't opened his gift yet," Buck said, wagging his finger at Chris.
Chris shot him a look, but reached for his gift anyway, tearing the paper off quickly.
Ezra watched apprehensively, wondering what kind of reaction his gift would garner.
Chris opened the plain cardboard box and stared inside with a blank look on his face. Slowly, he reached inside and withdrew the gift.
Buck broke the silence with his loud guffaws as he took in the brown teddy bear, dressed like a cowboy, all in black. The rest of the men followed, with the exception of Ezra, who favored his boss with a weak smile.
Chris turned the bear around slowly, his expression revealing nothing. He found the button on the back of the stuffed toy and eyed it curiously. The team leader raised his eyebrow and looked at Ezra, who shrugged innocently. Chris pushed the button.
"Freeze! ATF!" Chris's voice emanated from the toy.
He pushed the button again. "Don't you have work to do?!"
"You're under arrest!"
"Let's ride, boys!"
The men collapsed in fits of laughter. Buck, who had been drinking some coffee, nearly choked, snorting coffee through his nose.
Chris finally succumbed to the mirth and began to laugh, much to Ezra's relief.
"Where the hell did you get that?" Buck asked finally, once the merriment had died down somewhat.
"I, er, found a shop that creates such customized items," Ezra explained, slightly embarrassed. "I merely provided a tape that I culled from some of our operational recordings."
"Edited for content," Josiah added with a chuckle.
"Thanks, Ezra," Chris said quietly.
"You're welcome," Ezra replied, pleased that he hadn't just received a fist in his face.
"That was cool, Ez," Vin complimented.
"Thank you, Mr. Tanner," Ezra answered, surprised by the accolade.
"Ain't too many people can surprise Chris like that," he said with a grin.
"Well, it is my job to deceive people," Ezra agreed.
"Yeah, I guess it is," Vin said thoughtfully.
"Who wants cake?" JD called as he sliced into the confection.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Merry Christmas, everybody!" JD said cheerfully.
"Have fun in London, Ez. We'll see the rest of ya at Christmas!" Buck said as he and JD left the office.
Ezra waved at the departing pair and returned to his desk, putting his papers in order before he left for the holiday. He gathered his papers and placed them neatly into his briefcase before shutting it with a snap.
"You ain't taking work with you this weekend, are you?" Vin said, aghast at such a thought.
"Of course not," Ezra lied smoothly. He always found that work distracted him from the loneliness, keeping him busy so he wouldn't have the time to think about it and end up wallowing in misery over his pathetic lack of a social life.
"Uh-huh," Vin said doubtfully. He suspected the man was lying to him, but he couldn't figure out why he would do so over such a trivial matter.
"I have things much more interesting than work in mind for this holiday," Ezra insisted.
"I would hope so," Josiah said, clapping Ezra on the shoulder as he passed.
Ezra stood, donning his coat as he prepared to leave. "Gentlemen, I hope you enjoy your holidays."
"You too, Ez," Nathan said. "Have a good time in London."
"I always do," Ezra intoned with a smile. It wasn't a lie. He did enjoy visiting London.
"Merry Christmas, Ez," Vin said.
"Merry Christmas, Mr. Tanner," Ezra replied. "You too, gentlemen."
"Happy holidays, son," Josiah said warmly. "Give my regards to Maude."
Ezra nodded. "I'll do that, Mr. Sanchez."
"Have a good one, Ezra," Chris said with a smile.
"I shall endeavor to do so, Mr. Larabee," Ezra replied, feeling suddenly uncomfortable with all of the warm wishes and cheer being sent in his direction. It made him feel almost guilty about hiding the truth from them. "I hope your holiday is enjoyable as well." His smile faltered briefly, but he recovered quickly and tossed his standard two-fingered salute before exiting the office.
Vin watched him leave, frowning slightly.
"Something wrong, brother?" Josiah asked, noting the odd expression on the younger man's face.
"Not sure, Josiah," Vin said quietly.
Josiah nodded sagely, accustomed to the Texan's strange moods. He would be sure to make himself available if Vin wanted to talk.
* * * * * * * * * *
Ezra shut the door behind him, placing his briefcase on the table as he entered his apartment. After hanging his coat in the closet, he returned to the table and opened his briefcase, withdrawing the package containing his gift. With a wry smile, he pushed the button on the tie, setting off another tinny rendition of 'Jingle Bells'. As it played, he carried the box across the room to the small decorative table that sat against the wall of his living room. He flipped a switch, and the lone decoration in his apartment came alight.
The small ceramic Christmas tree was the one holiday tradition he had never ignored. His Aunt Grace had made it one year when she had attended a ceramics class with two of her fellow teachers, and had given it to him when he went away to college, claiming it was small enough to fit into any dorm room. Ezra knew that it was her gentle way of ensuring that he didn't completely ignore the holidays. He treasured it and had always brought it out at the holidays, even when he had no desire to celebrate. It often gave him the only measure of happiness he would enjoy during the Christmas season. It had pleased his aunt so much to make it for him, and now that she was gone, he looked to it as a reminder of the good times they had shared.
Ezra deposited the tie beside the tree, next to the four Christmas cards he had received. It wasn't much, but it was enough to make him smile. Extravagant decorations and true holiday cheer were for others. He would have his own simple celebration, with a gourmet meal prepared ahead by his favorite restaurant, a bottle of well-aged brandy, a few videos that he had been wanting to watch, and a good book to read by the fire. What more could a man ask for?
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