Shadow and Ace...First Christmas

~SHADOW~
*Christmas eve.. For the first time in a long time she had actually decorated for Christmas. Smiling she slipped a few last minute gifts under the tree.. She hoped Ace and Lyta would like their gifts. She had thought long and hard on what to get them.*

~ACE~
*the young girl, the cynic, the fighter... she wandered down... she`d gotten Lyta something, and even Shadow.... besides the files.. neither was a case of being useful... both humorous... she had tucked them away in her room.... she sighed*

*Hearing someone come down the stairs she calls out.* Come on in? *She had set up the tree and everything in the library. She hadn’t gone overboard on presents, but she had gotten everyone something. Glancing over at the boxes towards the back of the tree she hoped Ace would like what she picked her up.*

*she slipped into the library* Hey Shad. *she noticed the tree.. and raised her eyebrows* You have a tree? *she blinked* Maybe I should get my presents to put there then.

*Chuckling she nods* Yeah.. I don’t know what happened.. I was on my home from the gallery last night passed a lot with trees and ... *Shrugs she just smiles.*

Shad? Just stay here for a moment. I have to run and get something... or two things actually. *she moved quite quickly from the room, for the first time since Shadow had met her looking like what she is.... a young girl... a girl at christmas... it was never totally lost, there was still that /hint/ of cynicism... but it wasn`t as strong as usual.... she soon came back, carrying a present under each arm... as she placed them under the tree, she also placed two other presents, removed from her belt, quite lovingly under the tree*

You too.. *Sitting back she looks over at Ace.* I can’t remember the last time I really celebrated Christmas.. *Seeing the presents she peeks over at them trying to see if her name was on one of them. While she was doing that she points to a large box towards the back and several small ones.* No shaking...

*wryly* I`ve never celebrated Christmas to tell you the truth. You don`t get much of a chance on the streets. *on one of the larger parcels her name was on.. as well as on one of the two almost identical parcels.. Ace raised her brows* For me? Wow.. I only got you and Lyta two quite cheap things each.

*She eagerly reached for the package with her name on it.* Don’t worry about it Ace.. I’ve got all the money sitting in Swiss banks that I need to do something with... *Grinning slyly she knew Ace would understand.. It made it nice to not have to worry about what she said.*

*she mock slapped at her hands* Not even waiting till Christmas day... well I never. *she snickered... letting Zora know it was a joke.. and she chuckled* I`ve never really had the money to bother with that. Or when I have... circumstances have conspired against it.

*Nods* I understand.. I’ve got the money, but that was never the reason I did what I did. I’ve started to use some of it now. *Since joining with the R.UN.ners she had started to use money there.* I thought though it would be fun to do Christmas this year.

*wryly* Our areas of expertise are different anyhow. You`re a much better thief than I ever was, even without your shadow powers. At least... a much better physical thief. *checking around briefly... more out of habit* However, I can do things with the computer... well, I can steal as much information as you can steal valuables, without as much chance of getting caught.

*Laughing she moves over to sit in one of the chairs.* You know if we teamed up we would be a very dangerous pair... Did you want to wait for Lyta to open presents? Or do you want to go ahead and open them now?

*she got a wicked gleam in her eye* Don`t I know it. Pity I`ve reformed isn`t it? *an innocent note in her voice... there is no doubt that she may not be the hardened criminal she once was... she still has the skills, and still practices* I say we open em now. I don`t think Lyta trusts me, and if she sees I`m here she might decide to go somewhere else. *she sighed.. and reached for one of the gifts for Zora* Here.. I dunno if you`ll even /like/ this Shad, but it`s useful.

*Laughing she shakes her head* Pity.. *While she didn’t say it she did imply that she wasn’t reformed. Getting up she moved to the boxes that had Ace’s name.. * Which one do you want first? *There where three packages. One rather large and two smaller.*

nono... you open yours first. *she nodded quietly* *snicker* And then one of the smaller. Save large gifts till the end. More exciting. *and as an afterthought* And you`re right. We`d make a devastating team... *was it... a challenge... an offer... an inquiry?*

All right. *Eagerly she reached for the package ripping the paper off of it. She had never been one to take her time.* Any time you want Ace..

*in it was a knife... with a difference... it was quite obvious that, much like the typical sci-fi movie knife, it slid inwards... an electro-knife some called it...* Even if you`re caught, you`ll still have one weapon. I know you`re not much for weapons Shad... but I think everyone should have at least one weapon to defend themselves with. *whispers* It`s what I got Lyta as well. *she then spoke normally* Of course, I also got you both another present. But I think it`s my turn now. *giggling*

Thanks Ace.. Now I just have to learn to use it.. I’ve never had to fight before.. It’s something I’m having to learn.. *She knew her weakness in fighting. Her ability to move in the shadows had always been her defense. Jumping she moves over to get the presents for Ace.* Ok.. Which do you want? *The two small packages where about the same size.*

I`ll teach you. My skills are rusty, and nothing like teaching to get you back in the swing of things. *she peers at the packages* err.. the one on the left? *snickers... from the look of things, one was as good as another...*

Sounds good to me. I know you have been practicing a lot in the gym. I’ve almost joined you a few times.. *She hands over the present.*

*she chuckles* I`ve had to be careful in the gym. Don`t wanna hurt the equipment. *she quite carefully unwrapped the present, obviously being the sort to save old wrapping paper..*

*She waited rather impatiently for Ace to open the present. When she finally got it unwrapped she would find a palm top computer. Top of the line.* I figured you could use it.

oh wow Zora... I dunno what to say. Thanks.. I sure could use this..thanks a lot. *giggling she grabbed the other present for Shadow..* Here. Hope you enjoy it..

I’m glad you like it.. *She hands Ace the other present as she takes the present from Ace. She tried to take her time unwrapping this present.*

Oh I love Shad... *again the girl slowly unwrapped her present, savoring the moment... Shadow`s other present was a book... obviously humorously titled, and not meant to be taken seriously... `thievery in the world of technology`*

*Blinking she read the title twice before she burst out laughing.* I love it Ace!! *Sitting inside a small box was a gold card, a real gold card. It was a membership to an exclusive gun club.* I know you need someplace to practice.. This place is very private and doesn’t ask any questions.

*snickers* When I saw it, I just couldn`t help myself... *as she sees the card a look of utter /awe/ crosses her face..* Oh my... thanks a lot...

Your welcome. They won’t ask any questions about the weapons you use. *Smiling she hugs the book* Can’t wait to read through it.. Now.. The last present.. *She moves to slide the last box over to her.* I hope this will work for you...

Well that`s important.. *she chuckles.. and her previous patience dissipated in an instant.. this was a big thing... and she had her suspicions about it anyhow... and the wrapping paper was ripped off*

*Laughing she moves back to give Ace room.. The box actually contained 3 smaller boxes.. Grinning mischievously she moved well out of Ace’s reach.*

Oy... what is this... pass the parcel? *she eagerly looked inside the smaller boxes, unpacking them, trying to find what she`d got..*

*The larger of the boxes had a new color printer. Another had a new laptop. The last box had a zip drive.* I know it isn’t up to the levels your use to, but if you need anything to adapt it...

oy Shad.. you really didn`t have to you know... *a wicked gleam in her eye all the same*

I know I didn’t have too, but with the equipment you can do a lot more.. *She noticed the gleam in Ace’s eyes. Smiling she wondered how long Ace’s reform would last.*

*in reality Aces `reform` only lasted as long as no-one really /wanted/ her to help them in her... specialized way*

*Moving over to sit in a chair she looks over at Ace.* You can still use the table top comps, but I figured you would want a laptop for your personal use..

yeah thanks Shad. *she chuckled slightly* Wish Lyta would get here though...

*nodding* I know.. I’m not sure where she is.. I haven’t seen her all day.

*standing, she gathered her things* If she turns up, tell her I said happy christmas. *she shrugged, and started making her way off*

I will.. You have a nice Christmas as well.. *She leans back in the chair to read the book Ace had given her.*