Adult-FanFiction.org : Movies

Ashes to Ashes	By : BurneHazard Category: S through Z > Sky High Views: 5389 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Sky High, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 10
- 11
- 12
A.N: Another big Thanks to the two who reviewed twice now. Glad to see this story did manage to be good enough to attract repeat fans like that. And just for you--and because whatever muse hijacked my brain is at it again--here's another update. It's longer than the rest, but I couldn't help it, honest!

Disclaimer: There is an actual song titled "The Twelve Pains of Christmas" but I don't own it or claim it. The title simply seemed to fit this chapter was all so I borrowed it. (I suggest you listen to the song though, it's very funny and very true.)

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`

One week before Christmas. If Warren EVER heard another Christmas song in his life, it would be too soon. Well, scratch that, there were a few that radio stations and the mall did not play due to certain lyrics. Those he could hear just fine. It was when they repeated the same ones over and over that it wore his patience dangerously thin. Another reason why working at the Paper Lantern was nice, they did not observe Christmas.

Still, school was out for the time being and he had to get his shopping done sometime. Even if he thought the holiday was a big waste of money and stress, he had to like some parts of it. He might have been the "big, bad, tough guy" at school but hell with it, he was still human. Not like he ever lived up to what other people expected either. It was his life thus he could act however he wanted to.

He had already gotten his gifts for Ethan and Zach was easy. Magenta was also fairly easy, it took a trip to the nearest Hot Topic though he did wonder if she would like it. If not, well, he had "accidentally" wrapped up the receipt with the gift. Layla's gift was also easy and he had gotten it yesterday from the environmentally friendly health goods store. Of course he had help there from Stronghold who had suggested the generic travel-set of bath goods. What else to get a Hippy?

As for Stronghold...well, that was why he was back in the mall browsing. Warren already knew what he was going to get his mom for a Christmas gift. In fact, the jewelry store was at the far end of the mall. Hopefully it would still be there since they did not have any form of layaway or holding program to reserve their goods. The crowds were almost unmanageable really so he could not hurry at all in the crush.

It was going pretty well despite all the shoves and bumps...or kicks from the crying kids. He ignored the general chaos and noise out of self-preservation. A headache was not something he needed to get here.

"Who's next to see Santa?"

That was a familiar voice. Stopping in surprise, he unintentionally provided an obstacle as another shopper ran into him, then others tripped over the spilled contents from the woman's bags. Turning instantly, Warren muttered an apology and helped pick her things up before they were too kicked around. At least nothing seemed to be broken. The woman huffed off but he forgot her rather quickly to look for the source.

In the center of the mall was a little gingerbread house replica with a fence around it and an actual reindeer munching feed on a bit of green carpeting. At the little gate, sure enough there was Crystal. Warren found himself trying to cover a smirk at her costume. Dressed in a green dress with elf ears, she had candy-cane stockings, curly toed green shoes with bells. The floppy hat was also green though the tip sported another bell instead of a tassel.

She took a clearly sticky hand and led the kid up the short path to the door of the house while the mother wandered over to where several other adults and children were petting the live reindeer. Shaking his head, Warren decided to go up and see just what her reaction would be. One of the dreaded "Santa's Helper Jobs", he wondered how she had gotten it.

After several minutes, Crystal came back into view, leading the bouncing, screeching child out and returning her to her mother. Just as she turned, Warren made sure to step out from the line and catch her attention. She was wearing glasses he noticed and her hazel eyes widened before she rolled them in what translated to a silent groan.

"You just stay right there."

Several of the kids in line looked at him after she pointed and their eyes widened. Aware of the attention, he raised one brow. Crystal's sudden sly-eyed smirk made him suddenly want to groan.

"Mommy, is that guy on the naughty list?" one girl asked.

"Does Santa know he's been bad?" came from a boy behind her.

"Oooh, someone's not gonna get presents!" exclaimed another kid.

"Now, now," Crystal smiled, "only Santa knows just who is naughty and nice..." Her look made one boy fidget. "Actually, this guy here is in trouble with the elves."

"Ohhhh..." came from the kids.

"And everyone knows that's just as bad since the elves make all of the toys."

Gasps rose and the eyes turned back to the fidgeting Warren. Some of the kids looked sorry for him but also worried. Crystal just smiled sweetly.

"Now, who's next to ask Santa for special gifts?"

She escorted the next kid in as Warren stayed put. He knew there was no such thing as Santa, but neither would he crush a kid's belief in the idea. After a few more kids, Crystal came out of the little house and another elf came up to her.

"Ready for your break?"

Warren was suddenly uneasy about Crystal's grin. "Sure, but first I have to take care of a very naughty young man."

Again the sound of awe and worry from the kids as Crystal slid out the side gate to approach Warren. Oddly amused, he ducked his head, looking a little ashamed. Laughing, she just motioned off to the side and he followed.

"So, Mr. Warren Peace. Have you been good this year?"

They were headed for the food court he noticed. In answer, he shrugged. "I suppose you can say that."

"If you want your present this year, you'll keep in mind that I do not enjoy teasing for this get-up."

Despite himself, Warren grinned. "You make a good elf."

Rolling her eyes, Crystal groaned. "I can't stand kids at Christmas."

"Only job you could get?"

"Bingo. Want something to eat?"

He shrugged again though a growl from his stomach answered. "Sure."

The girl smirked before grabbing his elbow--with her clean hand he noticed--to draw him to a slightly clearer spot in the food court. It was...not bad.

"My break is about fifteen minutes so I can't really take my time to be choosey."

"Or pick anything that might leave a stain. Other than candy or chocolate."

"Very funny. Actually, I need to wash my hands. Could you order something spicy for me? I'll pay you back in a minute. Be right back."

She was gone before he could say anything. It was rather different. Warren looked at the menu while waiting his turn in line. Through watching Crystal he knew she liked Mexican food with a passion but did not like tacos. So, he ordered a Mexican pizza for himself and chose to be safe by ordering a grilled steak and bean burrito for her. It would not be overly messy. Paying, he turned and began to search for a table.

By the time he was seated, he glimpsed the elf-costumed girl returning. She spotted him and in a moment they were both seated and eating.

"So, how much does it pay to be one of Santa's Little Helpers?"

Wiping her mouth, she swallowed and shrugged. "Not enough, though we get a great discount with the mall shops for doing it. It's actually about seven dollars an hour, plus hazard pay the closer it gets to Christmas."

Nodding, he picked at his nacho cheese a bit. "So, do you have your shopping done?"

She nodded as she chewed and swallowed another bite. "Yep. I always get it done before December actually. Saves a lot of stress. And then, if a gift does not work, you can return it and often get a discount on purchasing another. It's also sort of a tradition..."

He noted how she trailed off and looked at her. She was staring into the air to one side of the table while sipping her soda.

"Do you do anything special on Christmas?"

Blinking, she looked back to him. "Not really. My dad usually has a sort of Christmas Party the night before Christmas Eve with other veterans, those he knew who served in the war with him or other friends of the family. It's rather boring since they're all...well, older guys that talk about war memories. I mean, it is educational to listen to their stories but...well..."

"There's no one there that you can actually talk to, right?"

She nodded and smiled slightly. "Yeah. I mean, they're great and all, funny and playful but...it does get to be rather boring after a few hours. That and I really don't do crowds. A handful of people is fine but a party is..." She shrugged.

"I think I understand."

"So what about you, anything you do for Christmas?"

Taking a moment, he thought about that. "Not really. Mom always decorates the house and trees. It's usually just me and her unless she's called to work. The S.S.S. has invited me to their houses once or twice for get-togethers on Christmas Eve but..."

Crystal just nodded even as he looked at her to see if she would push him to continuing. She did not and they ate quietly for a moment. Warren debated hard for a few minutes, unconsciously calculating just what he had been told. At last he decided to ask.

"Do you--"

"What about--"

Both of them broke off and blinked. The faint smirks were mutual.

"Sorry, you were saying, Warren?"

"Well...um, just wondering if you...ever did anything with your mom."

For a moment he was actually afraid he had pushed too far. Crystal's look could have caused ice to shiver. "No. She demanded to but I refused."

Nodding, he took another bite. She apparently picked up on the signal he was going to let it drop.

"What about you...your dad?"

He shook his head. "Same story there."

Things relaxed a little at least as they finished eating.

"Well, I'll let you get back to your shopping. Hope my delaying you didn't make you loose anything you came to buy."

"Yeah, and you gotta get back to the little kiddies."

"Actually, it's my turn to watch the dumb deer."

Both stood though he was the one who took the tray of trash to the waste bin. Crystal followed, pausing to reach down and tug something from her stocking. She handed him the money to pay for her food. Thinking for a moment, he shook his head.

"Nah, I got it. You can pay next time."

She looked surprised before hesitating then sliding the money back into the stocking and tugging the skirt down. "Okay. If you ever feel like it, drop by sometime." A piece of paper was put on the trays stacked on the cover of the trash and she turned away.

"Merry Christmas, Warren."

Looking after her, he tilted his head to one side before reaching out to pick up the paper and unfold it. An address was scribbled inside. Despite himself, he was smiling again as he left the food court to head toward the jewelers.
- 10
- 11
- 12
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Ashes to Ashes