Claire: *takes the present with obvious confusion* Umm… okay? What's that for?

pico:*still showing his trademark smile* christmas is coming up and besides even though your a bit gloomy or a loner your still my friend and i want to let you know i apreciate that

Claire: Wow… that's incredibly corny. *looks at the big red ribbon on top of the present, smiling a bit* And really cute. *pulls him in for a hug* Thanks, lad. And now yer making me feel bad 'cause I got nothing for ya. *winks* … Yet.

pico:*raises a eyebrow but then shrugs it off as he fiddled with his pocket and grabbed a long but small piece of paper and crosses out her name* their 1 down many to go

Zack:* steppes back from the puddle *…oh boy (ok not good he turned into whatever and his blood is inside me…and if I recall from my knowledge of wierdo's he's likely going to suffocate me with what I just took in all while driving me to rip my ears off with that voice. Its that or he'll reanimate himself any second in a more powerful shape, or its a bluff all entirely. Damn these magic users. Never could tell what their thinking…)*blinks a few times watches the puddle closely making sure its not a trap and nothing springs from it in case he's wrong about his assumptions, sighs and makes a decision*…So what now? have you shed your body for another? are you speakng to me from within my own? I can count more than enough ways this situation go and end. none ending well for me.*proceeds to sit down as he talks to the voice* Look, I'm glad we finally got to do this the right way and fight mage to werewolf like it should have been. However, I don't think we need to go past this point. I know when I'm licked and in check by a better player. *throws his claws up*I yeild, you win. Now please, pull yourself together, manifest a new shape, or whatever you need do, so I can respectfully shake your hand.
SB:(…I also might need a mop)

pico:*after many zot members later* ok next up Doc and Ann*knock knock* hello?

Doc:*opens the door*…yes?

pico:here*shows 2 presents* i got you and Ann somthing

Doc:…that's mighty generous of you. A bit early though don't you think?

pico:well yeah i know that*sweatdrops* but thats not the point.

Doc:Oh I understand. I'llmake sure to put these under the tree till the time is right. thank you pico.

pico:*crosses out their names* there that should do it*teleports back to his room* their are just to many zot members i,ll do the rest another time. hey Mia you ready?!

Mia: almost I just need a moment. can you help me with this one last thing?

pico:sure*helps her with her suitcase* now lets go! wait…*goes in his room and comes back wearing sombrero* now lets go!

Mia: alright…wait did Claire say yes?
Pico: she did.
Mia: is everything set up for Jasmine?

pico:her sleeping bag was dilervered to her as soon as he left*winks*now come on!(i wonder what Claire is gonna do while we are gone play cards? girl talk? pillow fight?)*smirks devilishly at that last thought* demonicpico:(i swear to death Mia i didnt say that!)

Mia: (don't worry I know) well then everything is settled. oop, wait a moment did you book us a room?

pico:it wasnt easy but i got us a nice room at a place called sleep N easy it sounded peaceful plus we get a pool!

Mia: that's perfect. so what are we waiting for?*takes him by the hand and walks to the teleporter with their luggage and teleporting near of the sleep N easy* walks over to the hotel shall we?
Pico: you know the answer.
*the 2 then head into the hotel and check in and get their key*
Mia:*watches him press the top button and smiles* Pico, did you get us a penthouse suite?

pico:*blushes* well like i said it wasnt easy i had to pay $1200 for that room spoiling you is makeing my wallet empty..

Mia:oh Pico…
*the elevator dings and the 2 end up at the top floor heading to their room up top and unpack for the night*
Mia:*kisses him*here's to our first vacation.
Pico:may more come along the way.
*pico get the lights and hops in bed next to Mia. the 2 fall asleep in each others embrace*
*elsewhere*
Jasmine:*lying in the sleeping bag* (it was nice of Claire to allow me to spend a few days with her)*thinks for but a moment*(I wonder what we'll all do together?)*smiles* (I guess time will tell.)
*the next morning*
Mia: *yawns and blinks looking around the room*(so it wasn't a dream. we are on vacation)*looks over to where pico is and smiles*(thank you so much for doing this Pico)*snuggles up close to him and embraces her passed out boyfrirend*(what's a few more minutes?)*yawns*(I can wait a bit longer…)*dozes back off*

pico:*yawns* (todays day 1 of our vacation) *sees Mia stirring*(how do i ask this beautiful woman?…oh well)*pico then leaned to his side and started kissing her* come on wake up beautiful.

Mia: *smiles as she wakes*afternoon. you sleep well?

pico:*smirks* i dont know cause i could of sworn i dreamed this before*pecks her cheek*

Mia: *kisses him back* well then let's not wake up and enjoy this.*smiles and get up* So, what do you feel like doing first?

pico:*quickly gets up goes through his bag and grabs tour guide book* we could start with a dip in the pool or we could check out the town i hear they have a few good things here.

Mia: well how about we star with a tripto town then have some poolside fun later?

- Flash forward -

Almost a year later, Shadowblade sits on his desk in his office and sorts through the mail, as a small letter catches his eyes, simply addressed: To a good friend. The sender described just as cryptically: By good friends. The same day, other letters with the same address find themselves on the floor in front of Pico and Mia's apartment, on a table in doc's lab, in Claire's mail box and on the carpet of DN's castle lobby. All with the same photo: In the background a leaning tower with a surface of black glass shining like steel, amidst serene gardens, before the calm sea on a warm, golden day in early Fall, where most of the leaves are still green. In the foreground and center of the image, two familiar grey hedgehogs in a loving embrace, laughing; the male with a dark grey baby cat with long fur, fuzzy black tufts on the top of her ears and black paws on his shoulder. The duster like tail, as long as the peacefully sleeping kitten itself, is wrapped around his neck and hangs down from his shoulder. The female on the left side carefully holds a little bundle, gently stroked by the male. From the bundle, a small, dark grey head of a newborn sticks out. Under a bold mullet, the shining blue eyes of the boy assess his surroundings in a curious manner. On the bottom right of the photo, DN, Doc, Claire, Shadowblade, and Pico and Mia are named again, this time each specifically, together with the line Thank you. Snow, Val .

____________________________________________________________
(I planned to wait with this until the right moment has come, but that moment keeps getting delayed, so further waiting is futile. I need a break. Seeya. Best wishes.)

pico:perfect*grabs her hand* *a little later* Mia:well this place looks nice pico:a nice hotel now a movie theater? i always thought mexico was all desert with bandits and ghosts. heh oh well wanna see a spanish film?

Mia: sure. Let's go. I'm always up for new things.