Christmas. It was Christmas Eve and Vin was a long way from home. Not that home meant anything any more.

Kojay was dead.

The Melhers were dead.

His mother was dead.

He had no one.

No who cared if he lived or died.

No one to miss, or toast, or give a gift at Christmas.

Vin tipped his beer to his lips with an angry snort.

A hand settled on his shoulder. Vin glanced sideways. Buck smiled and his chin bobbed in encouragement.

While Buck probably had no idea what he was thinking, the older man had a habit of just sensing when Vin needed reassurance.

“Chris and Nathan should be back soon,” Josiah stated.

“Yeah,” Vin mumbled.

“You’ve had more than you usually do.”

Vin shot Josiah a look that shouted, ‘back-off’!

Josiah smiled. “Not looking for a fight, Kid. If we get orders to move tomorrow, you really don’t want to be on the chopper with a hangover. Been there, done that. Not good.”

Vin’s anger died. Why was he angry? Who was he angry at? Certainly not Buck and Josiah. He felt incredibly fortunate to be a member of Special Tactics Force 1. They were good men and he had bonded with all of them immediately -- especially with Chris.

There was loud, forced laughter on the other side of the smoky room. Vin’s eyes narrowed. General Yumin -- without a doubt the ugliest man Vin had ever seen. His face wasn’t truly in proportion. His brow was extended and hung over his sunken eyes. He was the leader of the small Chinese contingent to recently join the UN forces.

Yumin was an ass. He was shooting his mouth off and had just started insulting a couple of the indigenous soldiers. That didn’t sit well with Vin – not well at all.

For years, these people – Nathan’s people -- had been fighting for freedom. Freedom was something everybody deserved and these ‘kids’ who had picked up arms to fight for their rights, didn’t deserve to be the target of the obnoxious General.

General Yumin toasted the objects of his amusement and made another sarcastic comment in his thick Asian accent that made it almost impossible for the Katinese soldiers to understand.

Vin placed his beer on the table. He’d had just enough alcohol to drown his usually placid nature.

Josiah gripped his arm. “No.”

“He needs to be taught some manners.” Vin yanked his arm free and rose.

Buck stood and blocked his path. “No.”

“Get out of the way, Buck.”

“Kid, Chris gave me two instructions this evening. The first was not to upset General Yumin. The second, was not to let you upset Yumin. Yumin wields power. If you start something on those kids’ behalf, once we’re gone, Yumin will finish it. Besides, if he steps out of line, I’ll do something. For now, he’s just acting like an ass. Ignore him.”

“Get out of the way.”

An amused smirk flashed across Buck’s face. “Don’t make me sucker punch you, son. We’ve know each other for five weeks. You know I’ll do it.”

Josiah reached up, grabbed Vin’s arm and yanked him into his seat. “Long way from home at Christmas?”

“Nothing for me at home,” Vin dismissed, trying to wrench his arm free of Josiah’s vice-like grip.

Josiah released Vin’s arm. “Then it’s damn lucky you’re here.”

Vin sipped his beer. “How do you figure that?”

“Here, you’ve got people who care.”

Vin snorted loudly.

Buck sighed and re-took his seat. “This war has taught me that there are only two things that are really important. The health of those you love and having someone who gives a damn. I’d say you’ve got both. Makes you one of the lucky ones.”

Vin eyed his two new friends and guilt washed over him uncomfortably. They were right. His attention swung to General Yumin – ugly in face and ugly by nature. Vin wondered if Yumin was mouthing-off because wasn’t ‘one of the lucky ones’.

Josiah followed his gaze. “You should feel sorry for him.”

Vin raised an eyebrow.

Buck nodded solemnly. “Yumin suffers from Egsackery Syndrome.”

Vin sipped his bear. “Egsackery Syndrome? Never heard of it.”

Buck and Josiah exchanged wide grins and then Buck, sporting an Asian accent said, “Face egsackery like butt.”

Vin looked from one to the other of his friends and then burst out laughing.

Buck winked. “Merry Christmas, Kid.”

Vin raised his glass. “Merry Christmas, Buck.”

I would really love to know what you thought.
You can drop me a note here.

© December 2006 Brigitta B. : This relates only to the creative property in this story. The distinctive way the story unfolds, the specific dialogue and unique situations are mine. I acknowledge that some of the characters and settings belong to DC comics and I thank them sincerely for turning a blind eye so I can borrow them. (g) No infrigement of copyright was intended and no profit has been made from this story... so, please don't sue me. It wouldn't be worth your while.