12 Days 'Til Christmas...

Larry sighed as he looked down at the list he held, trying to ignore the bustling of the people around him, all intent on finishing their shopping as quickly as possible. He wasn't one for shopping. He didn't like the crowds, the impatient cashiers, the annoying sounds of children's tantrums, especially the fact that Nicky couldn't seem to stay in one place for more than a second before he spotted some toy to check out. As great as Christmas was, sometimes he questioned if it was worth it.

"Nicky!" He yelled, tapping his fingers on the cart handle impatiently. "Hurry up! Or we're leaving!"

"Okay okay!" Nicky said, scampering back to his father.

Larry sighed in a exasperation. He looked down at his list. "Nicky, please. You need to stop running off. We don't have a lot of time. I need to get to work soon-"

"Avengers! Assemble!"

Larry froze, glancing around to find the source of the voice he heard.

"Avengers! Assemble! Avengers-Avenge-Avengers! Assemble!"

Larry clenched his fists, crumpling the paper as his eye began to twitch. If he heard that thing one more time….

"Avengers! Assemble!"

With an angry shout, Larry knocked the Captain America action figure off the shelf, not even flinching as it shattered on the floor. The people around him froze, watching him with judgemental expressions before continuing on their way, too busy handling their own stress to pay much attention. Nicky looked from his father to the broken toy, then back again. Larry sighed.

"I suppose you wanted that?" He asked.

Nicky shrugged, nudging the shattered figure with his foot. Larry sighed again.

"We'll see." He said, pushing the cart onwards. He then glanced down at the now ruffled list. "Okay. First; Ahkmenrah. Any idea what he'd like? What about that?"

Nicky turned to look at the decorative vase. He then shook his head. "That's too boring."

"Well, what do you suggest we get him?" Larry asked impatiently.

Nicky walked over to the board games, and after rummaging around the shelf, pulled out a boxed up chess game. He walked back over to his father and set it in the cart.

"You're giving him that?" Larry asked, raising an eyebrow. When Nicky nodded, he just shrugged.

"Who's next? Atilla?" Nicky questioned, peering over to look at the list.

Larry nodded. "I was thinking maybe a blanket or something. You know how he likes those."

It was true, Larry thought to himself, shaking his head in wonder. The strong, tough Hun had a soft spot for collectable, designed blankets. Larry wasn't sure, but either the Hun had a taste for stiched fabric, or his exhibit was too cold.

"I saw a nice wolf blanket down that aisle," Nicky said, pointing back the way they came. "I'll go get it."

Larry gave his son a small nod, and as soon as he was out of sight, Larry bolted. He ran to the other side of the store, before rushing into the sports aisle. He glanced around at the shelves, before smiling when he saw what he was looking for. He reached out and took the skateboard in his hands, smiling like a drunken polar bear. He'd been looking everywhere for the gift, and now he had it. Nicky would love it for sure.

When he heard running footsteps a few halls down, he quickly hid the skateboard beneath their coats, and turned with a smile as Nicky ran up and threw the blanket in the cart. He then stood panting, leaning against a bike display.

Bad idea.

With a startled yelp Nicky fell back, and Larry watched the bikes fall like dominos onto the floor. Nicky slowly stood up, his father helping him up. The night guard winced as an employee behind him cleared his throat.

"My bad." He said, quickly pushing Nicky in front of him as he hurriedly pushed the cart along as well. He looked over his shoulder as he turned the corner. "Merry Christmas!"

He wasn't sure, but he could have sworn he heard a "Humbug" as he and Nicky walked away.

"Next we have Teddy." Larry said, looking down at the list. "He was pretty specific."

"What does he want?" Nicky asked.

Larry led his son over to a display case that held rather pretty necklaces and bracelets. He then waved for the attention of one of the employees, who pulled out a seashell necklace. He took it with a small nod of thanks before setting it in the cart.

Nicky frowned. "He wanted a necklace?"

"Not exactly," Larry said, pushing on to the next aisle. "He was having trouble finding something to give Sacagawea, so when I asked him what he wanted he said to get something he could get her. But then that would leave him without a gift, so…" Larry reached the next aisle and a rather large, and thick, book on animals native to North America. "We're going to get him something else. And then-" He went to the next aisle and grabbed a small, five dollar sewing kit. "We'll give this to Sacagawea, from us to her."

"Ah," Nicky said, not quite paying attention. He was looking at a small RV boat. An idea popped into his head, and he grabbed it, bringing to his father.

"For Jed and Octavius." He said, placing it in the cart.

Larry frowned. "What can they do with a boat?"

"That aquarium McPhee had installed in the water exhibit, with the fish. They can ride around them."

Larry glanced at the price and cringed. Thirty dollars was a little expensive…

"Come on, dad," Nicky said, a pleading look on his face. "It can double as a gift to me too! I can drive it for them!"

"Well….alright." Larry said, giving a smile of defeat. "I guess they deserve it. Although I'm sure Octavius won't be happy about Jed having another dangerous thing to play with. But he'll manage."

"As long as it's not a motorcycle, I think it'll be fine." Nicky said.

"Yeah." Larry replied, remembering last Christmas' gift to the miniatures. He had never seen Octavius so mad. In hindsight, giving something like that to a slightly reckless cowboy wasn't the best idea.

After grabbing a few things in preparation for Christmas diner, Larry and Nicky headed for the checkout. The end total had been about all of last week's pay, but he knew it would be worth it in the long run. He had managed to convince Nicky to use the restroom before they left, saying that traffic could make the drive to the museum longer. It was really just an excuse to keep him away long enough to pay for the skateboard.

They stepped out into the cold evening air, and Larry discreetly loaded up the skateboard into the trunk while Nicky got in and started the ignition. The night guard finished loading the gifts, making sure to cover his son's, and got into the driver's seat. He sighed as he momentarily held his hands over the heater, mentally taking a breath now that the bustling trip to the store was over. He didn't think he would ever want to come back. Next year, they could just make something.

He smiled at Nicky, ruffled his hair, and drove off down the road.

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"Ahkmenrah! Hey Ahkmenrah!" Nicky yelled excitedly, running off to the Egyptian's exhibit.

Larry followed casually, before making an abrupt turn into Sacagawea's exhibit. The young native woman looked up from her stitching and smiled a greeting.

"Hello, Larry." She said, placing down her handiwork.

"Hey." Larry said, giving a small wave. "Hey, can you wrap these for me?"

Sacagawea looked a little surprised when Larry dropped the bundle of gifts before her, as well as a few rolls of wrapping paper and some tape. She looked up at him.

"Erm, I hope it isn't a problem…" Larry stammered, realizing his rudeness.

"No, it is not a problem. I can do it." Sacagawea said, giving him a smile.

"Great. They're all labelled for who's who, and this one is Nicky's….could you wrap that one first and be discreet about it?"

She nodded.

"Thanks." Larry said. He quickly left the room, switching the bag he was holding behind him to his front.

He began his trek to his office, where he slipped inside, not at all surprised to see Teddy waiting for him.

"Here you go," Larry said, handing him the bag.

"Thank you, Lawrence." Teddy said, grinning. "I thought I was sunk."

"Nah." Larry said, shaking his head. "It wasn't that big of a deal. The necklace is from you and the sewing kit is from Nicky and I. Can you wrap them?"

"Of course." Teddy said, smiling again as he took the jewelry into his gloved fingers. It was perfect.

"Dad!" Came Nicky's voice from outside the door.

Larry sighed and opened it, sticking his head out. "I'm here, Nicky."

"Hey dad! Have you seen Ahkmenrah?" Nicky asked, panting as he skidded to a halt.

"I think I saw him with the minis, in the hall." Teddy spoke up, pushing past Larry to leave.

"Okay! Thanks!" Nicky yelled, rushing off down the hall.

He turned into the exhibit, and stopped beside the pharaoh.

"Hey Ahkmenrah! Hey Jed! Hey Octavius!"

"SHHHH!" Came three annoyed voices, and three pairs of glaring eyes.

Nicky frowned, and was quickly quiet. He noticed the miniatures were hiding with their backs to the bench, Jed taking little peeks behind the leg of the bench. Ahkmenrah was crouched on top of the bench, looking over it. Unsure what the hubbub was all about, Nicky shrugged and looked at the miniature exhibits. Both west and Rome were neatly decorated with tinsel and wreaths, and there was a tree in the center of each civilization.

Suddenly, Nicky turned his head to stare at the floor when he heard a small squeal at his feet. He looked down to see a miniature pig sniffing at his shoes, casually pawing the tile. He watched as Octavius sneaked up from behind the pig, and stood very still when he noticed Jed hiding with a rope behind his other shoe. With a shout the two closed in on the pig, wrestling it to the ground. The Roman held it down while the cowboy tied it up, the pig squealing its discontent.

"Alright Ahkmenrah," Jed said, taking off his hat and waving it towards his exhibit. "Take 'er away."

The pharaoh leaned down and took the squirming swine into his hands, before setting down inside a small, fenced off area, where a few cowboys were ready to untie and release her back with the others.

"What was all that about?" Nicky asked, bending down to talk to the miniatures.

"One of Jedediah's pigs escaped." Ahkmenrah said, looking up at the night guard's son. "We needed to catch her."

"Yup." Jed said, hands on his hips. He closed his eyes and licked his lips for a moment. "Christmas ham's always the best. Wouldn't ya say, Ockie?"

The Roman turned to look at his friend with a start. "Wha- oh, yes. Very good."

Jed smiled, and leaned against the Roman, resting his elbow on his shoulder. "Whatcha thinkin' about?"

Octavius shrugged. "Just...things."

"Ah." Jed said, smiling wider. He then his arm fall to his side. "I know what yer gettin' for Christmas."

"Oh? And what might that be?"

"I ain't tellin'." Jed said with a smile, before turning on his heels and heading to the remote control car. "You comin'?"

"Yes, Jedediah. I will just thank Ahkmenrah for his help…" When the cowboy shot him a thumbs up, Octavius sighed and looked up at the two larger people. "If Jedediah mentions what he might want for Christmas, please tell me."

"We will." Ahkmenrah laughed. "Now run along and have some fun."

As Octavius made his way quickly to the car when the horn was beeped impatiently, Ahkmenrah sat down on the bench next to Nicky.

"So," He said, ruffling the boy's hair. "What can I do for the Junior Guardian tonight?"

"I want to get a gift for dad," He explained, kicking his feet. "But I don't know what."

"Hmm…" Hummed the Egyptian, rubbing his chin. "What does he like?"

"Batteries and light bulbs." Nicky said, shrugging. "But they're boring."

"Maybe I can find him something."

Nicky shoot to his feet, grabbing the Egyptian by the arms. "TELL ME WHAT!"

"Okay, okay! I will see what I can do." Ahkmenrah said, releasing himself from the young boy's grasp.

"Thanks, Ahkmenrah." Nicky said, smiling. "I knew I could count on you."