Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this story. They are not my own. I only cherish them.

My stories are set in real-time. Dom is a Vietnam vet and String and St. John were in Iraq post 9/11.

This is dedicated to Guest Reviewer. I loved your title. I was planning to write a Christmas story. Thank you for your inspiration.

Christmas: The Way To A Woman's Heart

Chapter One: Mr. Scrooge

Dom looked at the calendar. Was it already a week before Christmas? Where did the time go he thought. He hadn't even started his Christmas shopping. Everret was easy; he always gave him a nice Christmas bonus. Cait was a little harder but he did know a few things he thought she would like. String, now that was a whole other story. Buying him a gift had always caused him a bit of anxiety. Not only did String not participate in Christmas but how do you buy something for a man who had everything he needed and wanted nothing.. He looked over at Cait who was humming Christmas tunes as she decorated a tree she brought in. Things were different since she came into their lives and it was all for the better. She had a way with String that no one else did. She brought out the best in him. Maybe some of her Christmas cheer would rub off on him.

"Dom, I'm done with the tree. What do ya think?" Cait asked with a look of satisfaction.

"It's the most beautiful tree I have ever seen Cait. Now let's wait and see if Mr. Scrooge notices it."

"Speaking of which." Cait turned to look at String as he walked into the hangar.

"Dom, did you pick up the parts I was waiting on?" String said as he kept on walking as Dom answered him.

"Yeah I picked up the parts and good morning to you too Scrooge." Dom said as he followed him into the office shutting the door.

"You know String once in a while you think you could put your bad moods aside and acknowledge that there are three other people who work here besides yourself?"

"Don't know what you're talking about Dom."

Dom threw his hands up in the air. "Don't know what I'm talking about? Cait has been working on that tree all morning and you walked past and didn't even acknowledge her efforts. Would it have hurt you to say nice job or its looks good?"

"What do you want me to say Dom? You know I don't get into Christmas the way everyone else does."

"You know what your problem is String?"

"No but I'm sure I'm going to find out."

"You're darn right you are. Sometimes we need to think about how the other people around us feel and make an effort to see to it that they feel good even if we don't."

"Look Dom, there is nothing in this world I wouldn't do for you or Cait and you know it. Making a big deal over Christmas shouldn't be something I need to do for either one of you."

"OK Scrooge you win, could you just tell her the tree looks nice?"

String took his cup of coffee and headed to where Cait stood admiring the tree.

"Tree looks nice Cait." He said as he hid behind his coffee mug knowing that Cait would see right through the reason he was there.

"Dom busted your chops huh?" she said with a crocked grin.

String gave a sheepish grin of his own. "Yeah, something like that."

"String its ok that you don't feel the same about Christmas as I do. I wish you did but I understand why you don't."

"Oh, you think you know me that well do you?"

"No, but I do know why you don't celebrate Christmas."

String started to ask her to explain but before he could Evan Palmer walked in looking for Dom.

"Hey Hawke, where's that old coot of a boss of yours?"

"I'm right here Evan, what the hell do you want?"

"I just thought I'd stop in and see if Santini Air was going to participate in the Christmas "Miss Aviation" show this year, seein as you now have a female employee. Not that I think you would stand a chance against my Chrissie."

Dom felt his blood boil. Evan owned Palmer Air and had been a thorn in his side for years. He was his biggest rival. For the past four years his office manager Chrissie had won the title of Miss Aviation. Before Dom even thought he opened his mouth.

"I got news for you Evan, Cait was just on her way over to BJ's to sign up. So you better tell Chrissy to prepare to be dethroned this year."

Cait dropped the wrench that she was holding staring in disbelief. She was about to deny the claim when she saw the pleading look in Dom's eyes.

"That true Cait?" Evan asked with a smirk. "I mean you are a looker that's for sure but Chrissie is how shall we say "A little more worldlier then you." "I mean no offence sweetheart but she is going to kick your butt."

Laughing Evan turned to leave. "See you all next week at BJ's."

The three of them stood there for what seemed like an eternity not saying a word until String busted out laughing.

"Cait, I can explain." Dom said rushing over to her. "That guy just gets under my skin, always bragging how he's better than us. I just wanted to one up him for once."

Cait took a deep breath. "You mind tellin me what you just signed me up for?"

"Well Cait, it's like this. Every Christmas at BJ's they have a party with a talent contest. All the money goes to charity."

"That's nice Dom but I still don't know what it has to do with me?"

"I'm getting to that part."

String was now seated taking in the show waiting to see how Dom was going to get out of this one.

"All the hangars here send one of their girls to represent them in a talent contest. They have an applause meter and whichever girl gets the most applause wins the title of "Miss Aviation for the year. There's a big trophy and everything that the winning air service gets to keep until the next year."

Cait was still in shock that he had committed her to such a lie. "Dom, what made you think I would do this. And what talent would I do, fly a plane around the airport?"

"Now Cait I have heard you sing and you're pretty good."

"Dom I don't think singing along with the radio is what they have in mind when they say "talent contest".

Dom's disappointment and embarrassment was all over his face. Cait couldn't help but feel for him but there was no way she was going to enter a contest that involved sexy girls that worked for air services. "Dom you know I love you and would do anything for you but please don't ask me to do this."

"Sure Cait, I understand. I'll tell Evan the truth when I see him before it gets all over the airfield that you're going to enter the contest." Dom lowered his head and headed back to the office.

Cait looked over at String who was doing all he could to keep what he was thinking to himself. "Go ahead and laugh String, I know you're just dying to."

"No actually I was thinking more along the lines of you being chicken. Never thought I'd see the day that Caitlin O'Shannessy would back down from a challenge."

"I'll tell you what String, I'm sure if you wanted to challenge the rules they would have to let you enter the contest. I mean that is discrimination having only women allowed to enter."

"Don't change the subject Cait, you're afraid and you know it." String said as he walked off clucking like a chicken as he went.

Cait couldn't help but laugh at him. He always could make her smile.