The Perfect Present

Hello all !

This is a Christmas Fic
I never got around to posting
on time for the holidays.

Oh well, better late
than never !


Not really R , there's mention
of sex but nothing overt .
More romance than anything .

Hope you enjoy !

Moon







" So , first Christmas together coming up soon , eh ? Got the perfect
present all picked out yet ? "

Drake gritted his teeth and forced a smile , turning . Six- foot- two of Dee leered back at him , grinning from ear to ear . Drake wanted to smack that smug , my-shopping's-already -done look off his best friend's face .

"Oh yeah , man , " he lied , averting his eyes to the coffee pot where he stood , mug in hand . " Got JJ's present picked out weeks ago . "

Dee waited until after he'd taken a sip to clap him on the back . " You go , tiger ! Glad to see you've got everything under control . Man , there's nothing more important to a relationship than your first Christmas together ."

Drake listened with polite attention as Dee launched into a recitation of the gift he'd given Ryo for their first holiday together so long ago . A diamond and gold necklace Drake vaguely recalled seeing around Ryo's neck more than once .

I hate you , he thought inside , smiling at Dee . How the hell was he
supposed to afford anything like that ?

" I say it's a ring , " Ted supplied helpfully . The red head , drawn to the break room by the smell of fresh coffee , filled his cup , adding a liberal amount of cream . He grinned toothily at Drake .

Dee made a face . " It's too early for that , " he argued, leaning his lanky frame against the table top . " They've only been together a few months . "

Ted waved him off . " They're practically married already ! All shacked up in that fancy townhouse ; got a new car and all . " He turned to point a finger at Drake . " Make an honest man outta the kid , why don't you ! He's gonna be thirty soon , and you aren't getting any younger yourself . " Satisfied , he took a healthy sip
of brew .

Drake was tired of being teased about his age, and having his love life dissected right in front of him .

" Why don't you get a ring for Janet , too , " he snapped . It came out nastier than he'd intended , but it had the desired effect .

" Well--hey--" Ted sputtered , his fair skin flaming . " It's not the same thing ! We just only started dating ..."

Drake tuned out the rest of Ted's explanation , slouching back to his office with a coffee mug in each hand . He was heartily sick of all the speculation surrounding the impending holiday . Never , in all his years of dating , had he felt pressure like this .

Maybe because this is more than just dating , a portion of his brain nagged . The stakes are a little higher than that .

JJ was on the phone as he entered their office . The younger man flashed him a smile as the steaming mug was set on his neatly arranged desk . Drake took his own seat at the opposite table , brown eyes scanning the papers laid out before him . He was absorbed in the rather graphic details of an autopsy report when he heard JJ hang up at last .

" That was Jim , " JJ explained . Drake figured as much . One only discussed causes of death with the station's coroner . " The lab work came back a few hours ago . Seems your hunch was right . Our John Doe didn't OD. There was nothing in his system stronger than an OTC cough medication and a bronchodialator . "

JJ picked up his cup and drank , closing his eyes briefly . " Ummm , this is great ; Sweetie ; thanks . "

Drake smiled . " He just looked a little too healthy for a junkie . Well , " he amended , " healthy for a corpse , that is . "

JJ chuckled . " I guess you were right . So , what else does the autopsy report say ? "

Drake turned back to his papers . For the next hour or so they discussed their latest case . The body of a mid -thirties male hispanic had been found , nude , in Van Cortlandt Park two days ago . Old tatoos suggested gang ties , but the body was otherwise free of scars , track marks or recent wounds . There was no evidence of sexual assault . Due to the time of year , the body had
been frozen nearly solid . No word on the streets as to who he might be , no records on the tatoos he bore , no ID or family to claim him .

As the day progressed , however , the case bittersweetly solved itself . Drake surfed his laptop for missing persons reports throughout New York City and found a probable match . JJ used the name to call up secretary of state records, and found their John Doe's face on a drivers liscense . He made the call to the man's wife -widow , really -- shortly after .

By two- thirty pm , Rita Sanchez arrived at the station with her teenaged son . Tearfully the grieving woman accompanied JJ to the morgue while Drake gently occupied the frightened boy . John Doe had an ID at last . Zeferino Sanchez , thirty-four , husband to Rita and father of Jorge .

Rita confirmed what coroner Jim Campbell had already suspected . Sanchez had a history of asthma , and used a rescue inhaler during the winter months . He'd been staying with friends in the Bronx while looking for a job . One morning he'd cut across the park to a construction site , never to return . It wasn't clear whether
he'd had his inhaler with him when the asthma attack that had killed him hit . His body and effects had been stripped bare by whatever homeless park dwellers had come across him after he'd died .

Jorge led his crying mother from the station , glassy eyed . He was by default the man of the house now . Mrs. Sanchez carried a baggie with a lock of her husband's hair , snipped by the understanding coroner at her request . The station had a pauper's
fund ; JJ had managed to procure a check for five hundred dollars for the little family . They would need it to pay for the mans' funeral .

JJ was uncharacteristically quiet as Drake drove home later that day . It was a friday , they had the weekend off , and Christmas was in two weeks . By all rights , they should have been celebrating .

" Hey , " Drake said as they stopped at a light . He reached over to stroke his lover's soft blonde hair . " Whatcha thinking ? "

JJ turned toward him with a wan smile . " Just about that woman and her son . Mrs. Sanchez hugged me before she left , did I tell you ? She thanked me ; for the money , and for finding out what happened to her husband . " He sighed , and looked bleakly ahead again . " The light's green . "

Drake turned his attention back to traffic. " I know it's a tough one , Babe , " he said . He spared a glance . His normally happy-go-lucky lover looked so lost . He gestured with his right arm , and JJ scooted across the seat to him . Resting his head on Drake's shoulder , they huddled close the rest of the drive home .


All weekend , most of it spent quietly at home away from the Christmas rush , JJ remained preoccupied . Even for men like themselves , who dealt with death on a daily basis , some cases were harder than others . JJ had dug a little deeper into Sanchez' history using his laptop . Seems the man had been involved with gangs as a youth , but had never been convicted of anything more than petty theft and larceny. He'd gone to a boot camp for juveniles that
had straightened him out ; married young and had a son . His job record was spotty , though , and the family lived in a poor section of Manhattan near Harlem . The loss of their main bread winner , so close to the holidays , would be devastating to the new widow and her son .

" How will they even afford a funeral ? " JJ wondered aloud , frowning at his computer screen late Saturday afternoon . " A measley few hundred bucks won't even pay for a stone . "

"The church will take care of it , " Drake said absently . He was watching the headlines on CNN .

" I just wish we could have given them more , " JJ sighed , powering down the computer . He stretched the kinks out of his neck and went to join Drake on the couch .

" What about the Christmas Family the station sponsors every year ? "
Drake suggested .

" Already picked out , " JJ answered moodily . " Face it , Drake , it's too late for that now . Everybody's already given what they can . Nobody has any spare cash two weeks before Christmas . "

Spare cash . Drake worked to keep his expression neutral , but JJ
wasn't looking at him . Thankfully , he was absorbed at last in the news .

Drake knew he shouldn't feel guilty , but he disliked having secrets
from his lover , even neccessary ones . For months now he'd been squirreling away every spare cent he could in a bank account JJ didn't know about .

Ted was right . JJ was getting a ring . But not yet . Not at Christmas time . Drake wouldn't have enough money until after JJ's birthday next year . With luck he'd be able to give JJ the ring for their first anniversary in May .

Drake hadn't wanted to achieve a goal this badly since he applied to
the police academy after the Marine Corps when he was twenty-five . It was a good thing , too . Drake was historically lousy with money , and only sheer determination had kept his paws off the tidy sum he already had tucked away .

Which is why this whole Christmas present issue had become such an
ugly dilemma .

He wanted something nice for JJ now , too ; but dipping into his fund
would make the ring an unattainable goal later on . Add to that the fact that JJ already had everything --clothes, jewelry , etc . --all nicer than Drake could afford anyway . He knew JJ wasn't expecting a lavish gift , and would appreciate anything as long as it came from Drake . As the days inched closer to the holiday , though , Drake fought the urge to panic . What the hell was he going to do ?

Monday they were both on second shift so they spent the morning--
Christmas shopping . The crowds were slightly less hectic now the
weekend rush was past . They dashed from shop to shop , armed with
ideas and coffees and bundled against the winter chill . Their list was relatively small , two for Drake's family , two for JJ's , and two for secret Santa's at work .

Blessed with the gene of efficiency , JJ made short work of their task . Friends first . At an upscale grocery store they found wine for Ryo ( from Drake ) and a selection of cookies for the chief ( from JJ ) .

At Macy's they found glasses to match the set JJ's sister and brother in law owned , the store taking care of the delicate shipping . JJ's mother got a beautiful set of loungeware for the beach . Drake's family was huge , and wisely chose names at thanksgiving for their Christmas exchange . JJ was delighted to have been included this year as well . Drake had drawn his brother in law Phil; JJ , Drake's
five year old nephew , Toby .

Phil was blessedly predictable . A trucker by trade , each year he needed a new set of winter overalls . Drake and JJ made their way through the mens department to select his gift . Drake took note of JJ's interest in some handsome cashmere sweaters with delighted relief .

The bulk of their shopping done , JJ turned to Drake with a gleam in his eye . " Now comes the fun part ! " he grinned .

Drake smiled , pleased to see his lover's happy mood return for the first time in days . They rode the escalator to the toy department ; JJ shot off the steps and started examining eveything at once . Drake stood back and watched him ,laughing to himself .

" Oooo-- Look at these ! " JJ excalimed .' Super delux air powered nerf assault battle guns ', the garish package proclaimed . JJ hefted the gaudy weapon to his shoulder and sighted in

" Think I can hit that giant stuffed panda over there ? "

" Only if you want to get us kicked out , " Drake laughed , examining a set of minature drums . " Let's get him these ! "

JJ made a face . " Your sister will kill us , " he sid flatly . " Oooo, look at that ! " and he was off again . Drake saw he still had the rifle in his hand , and made a mental note of that , too .

In the end , they bought Toby a tricycle . ( Fully assembled ; that
brother in law was a lot bigger than Drake and he did not want to piss him off ) . JJ had the brilliant idea at one point to get Toby a puppy , but was vetoed by Drake . Angie and Pete really would kill them then ...

They had time left over to grab lunch at the store's cafe and retrieve their goods at package pickup . Then , stuffed into a cab , gifts , tricycle and all , they hurried home to change for work .

Their shift at the precinct was quiet , spent going over their latest cases and picking at research on their laptops . Dee was off today ; Drake was almost sorry he wasn't there to razz him about his gift , now that he really did have the perfect present in mind .

Ryo stopped in around five . His shift was over he was going to the range for practice , and invited JJ along . Drake waved them both off with a smile . As the two officer's departed , he used the free time to call the store and order JJ's gifts .

The content , satisfied feeling that only comes from a job well done
carried Drake throught the rest of the week . JJ seemed happier too ;
he still mentioned the Sanchez's but appeared to have come to terms
with things as time went on .

They were on afternoons all that week . They spent their mornings idling over breakfast , going to the gym or making love . The tree was trimmed ,the presents wrapped , the fridge was stocked with food . As far as Drake was concerned , all was well with the world .

Wednesday the following week was the precinct's multi-faith holiday luncheon . Drake and JJ brought frosted sugar cookies they'd decorated the day before ( and each other , for an impromptu frisky session on the kitchen table ) . All day the staff dropped in and out of the break room , munching swedish meatballs and drinking punch , snacking on fudge and party mix .

JJ received a new cookbook from Janet ( " Rachel Ray ! I Love her ! She could almost turn me straight ! " ) . Drake got a set of Three Stooges DVDs from Ted ( " Thanks , Bud ! " ) . Little work was done that day , but with the Chief happily munching cookies in his office , no one cared .

Saturday was Christmas Eve. Drake and JJ took their time getting out of bed ,( and getting into each other ) , enjoying their holiday off . JJ spent nearly an hour talking to his mother and sister , who were celebrating together in California . Around 1:00 pm they showered, packed their car and drove to Drake's parents home in upper Manhattan .

The two story house was bursting with Parkers of all ages and descriptions . The family went to 4:00 Mass , then returned home to eat , exchange gifts , eat , visit , eat , play games and...eat !

Toby had gotten a puppy after all , a chocolate lab from Grandma and Grandpa . "Watch him chase me , Unca JJ ! " Toby squealed , riding his tricycle around the living room with the puppy yipping at his wheels . Drake watched fondly as JJ spent the rest of the evening on the floor , with child , puppy and wrapping paper all around .

At 10:35 they departed for home , stuffed to the eyebrows, laden with gifts and the food trays Drake's mother had wrapped up for them . In the trunk was a large package for Drake . JJ had stashed the present at his parents house for safe keeping ( " so you don't snoop and find it at home ! " ) . Drake had picked up JJ's gifts the day before and had them hidden in the trunk under a blanket as well .

" I am so full , " JJ sighed , patting his belly . " Your mother is the best cook . How you didn't grow up fat is beyond me . "

Drake chuckled . They were driving through the lower end of his old neighborhood near the Harlem line . The night was black but crystal clear ; stars glittered overhead and the half-moon cast its light on the snow covering the city below.

" I had two older sisters , that's how , " Drake explained . " I was always running away from someone growing up . "

JJ giggled , snuggling into Drake's shoulder . " Yes , I imagine you were quite the little terror growing up . Just like Toby . " He sighed wistfully . " God , he's the cutest little kid . Makes me want one of my own someday . "

" Yeah ? "

" Mm-hmmm..." JJ sighed again . Drake looped an arm around him and held him close . " If I wasn't a cop . It's too dangerous , you know ? "

" Hey , my old man was a cop . Didn't stop them from having all of us . "

" You're Parkers , Drake , " JJ said . " Nothing stops you from having kids . "

They both laughed . They drove in silence another block , when Drake ventured , " You really want kids someday ? "

JJ was thoughtful . " I don't know . I think about it ; yeah . Maybe adopt , or something . it's gotten easier for gays to do it nowadays . "

Drake smiled into the darkness and squeezed him tight . " That'd be nice , " he said softly . " But a little girl . Boys are too wild . "

JJ laughed . " A little princess, huh ? "

" Yeah , " Drake said , then paused . " ...With two daddies to spoil her . "

JJ turned and pressed a kiss to his cheek . " I love you so much , " he whispered .

" Love you too ; Merry Christmas , Babe . "

" Merry Christmas , sweetie . " JJ yawned . " I'm so tired ; shouldn't we be home yet ? "

" Just cutting through , " Drake answered. " That'll get us closer to our turn-off. "

But JJ had suddenly come awake . " Oh ! Do you know where we are ? "

" Yeah , " Drake said , looking around , " right where we don' t wanna be for any longer then we have to ; this area's pretty run down --"

" No ! " JJ exclaimed , " this is where the Sanchez's live ! "

Geez , Drake thought , what a lousy neighborhood . The place had gotten a lot more neglected since he had lived here as a kid .

" Oh , do you think they're okay ? " JJ went on worriedly . " I mean , do you think they have any kind of Christmas waiting for them tomorrow ? "

" Dunno , JJ , " Drake answered truthfully . He hated to see JJ's mood shift from peaceful to miserable again so quickly . Then he noticed JJ scanning addresses , and muttering under his breath . Oh please , he prayed , not here , not now ....

" There it is ! " JJ pointed . " Stop, Drake ; you just went past it ! "

" JJ , it's the middle of the night --"

" Please ! " JJ turned to him , eyes huge in the dark . " Go back , please ! "

Drake stopped , sighed , and put the car in reverse and backed up . JJ had his hand on the door almost immediately .

" Wait a minute ! " Drake hollered , grabbing his arm . " It's almost 11 o'clock ; it's pitch black and it's twenty-five degrees outside ! Are you crazy ? "

" Please , Drake , " JJ begged , glancing into the backseat and then at his lover . " We have so much food , you know we'll never eat all of this . Can't we give it to them ? "

Drake hesitated only a moment , knowing this was an argument he was not going to win ." This is the right address , I hope , " he growled . " If we're going to wake up a stranger
in the middle of the night , this better be the right house ! "

" Oh it is , I remember the address perfectly ; 17561 , see ? " JJ said , waving his arm in the direction of the delapidated front porch . " Oh thank you , sweetie , you won't be sorry ; I promise ! " He went on chattering excitedly as they climbed out of the car in the dark .

Probably not sorry , but shot , Drake thought , staring uneasily around them . JJ had the back door open and was piling platters of saran wrapped mashed potates and turkey in his outstretched arms . Grabbing the cake and pie , JJ led the way to the darkened front door .

The house was pitch black , Drake's toes freezing and JJ had been knocking for over five minutes . Why, oh why do I let him talk me into these things ? Drake seethed . This woman will probably call the cops herself --

A light went on inside the house . Mrs. Sanchez , a worn housecoat pulled around her shoulders , peered cautiously out the front curtain . Drake could just see the handle of a baseball bat in her hand . Great , he thought , I'm gonna be beaten to death on Christmas eve by a 125 pound woman I scared out of bed...

" Hola, Senora Sanchez ! " JJ called cheerfully , blithely ignoring the bat . " It's detectives Adams and Parker from the 27th precinct , remember ? We were in the neighboorhood ( hah , thought Drake ) and brought you and Jorge something for Christmas ! "

The door opened and Mrs. Sanchez stood there in disbelief . From the stairway behind her a lanky fourteen year old boy with sleep tousled hair peered curiously .

" Food , Mama ! " he cried suddenly , racing down the steps . " It's Christmas dinner ! "

The stunned woman put her hands to her mouth , tears forming in her eyes . Stammering her thanks , she ushered the two interlopers into her house , shutting the door to keep out the winter chill . The bat rested innocently against the wall .

JJ was chattering away again , making his way to the kitchen with the food . Jorge followed in his wake ; he'd already torn into the pie and inhaled a piece bare-handed . Drake looked silently at the bleak surroundings .

The only decoration was a picture of the Sacred heart and a rosary hanging on the stained living room wall . A small palm-frond cross was stuck above the picture frame . There was a rickety table in the kitchen with no chairs . A couch with a hand knitted afghan,
and a TV sitting on two milk crates filled the tiny living room . The wood floors were bare , save for a small throw rug by the front door . A prayer card , likely from Mr. Sanchez's funeral mass , was stuck to the refrigerator door .

There was no tree , no decorations , and certainly no presents .

Mrs . Sanchez was crying her thanks , kissing Drake and JJ as they helped her load the food into her fridge . It held a carton of milk , a stick of butter and a half opened package of cold cuts . Most likely, Drake thought dully , the woman and her son were planning on getting christmas dinner at one of the local shelters of parishes; after standing in line with scores of other poor and homeless unfortunates .

" You see , Mama , " the boy enthused , eyes shining . " I told you Santa would come ! Papa sent them , from heaven . "

Drake's trained eyes swept over the boy , who was gazing at JJ adoringly . Still a child at fouteen , no tatoos or colors yet , though the neighborhood was splattered with graffiti . How his father must have labored to keep him out of the clutches of the local gangs . How would the boy survive without that influence now ?

Mrs. Sanchez looked at the two officers . " How can we thank you ? " she asked in broken english . " I have nothing for him , and then you come . "

She hugged her son , who was murmuring , " Don't cry, Mama ; it's Christmas , " into her hair .

" There's more , " JJ blurted suddenly . " We have presents , too . "

Drake looked at him quickly . What presents ? He wanted to ask . JJ stared at him , eyes wide , biting his lip , and suddenly Drake understood .

" Of course there's presents , " Drake agreed . " We'll just get them from the car . "

They dashed outside . JJ emptied his wallet of cash and hurriedly stuffed it into a card envelope from one of their gifts . Drake pulled his wallet out and handed over his last thirty dollars as well . He grabbed the gloves , scarf and hat set that his niece had
given him . JJ reached for the box of aftershave and cologne from Drake's sister .

" Not much , for a teenaged boy , " JJ said uncertainly . He looked longingly at the box he'd wrapped for Drake .

" Go ahead , " Drake offered.

JJ looked at him , eyes full with unshed tears . " I'm sorry , " he whispered .

Drake grinned from ear to ear . " I'm not , " he said , and he meant it ; suddenly incredibly happy .

It was harder to say who was more delighted . Jorge , yelling aloud as he tore the wrapping off a new XBox 360 and NFL football game ; or his mother , speechless at the beautiful cashmere turtleneck sweater she recieved . Thank God JJ was small boned , and the style unisex, Drake thought . As the woman held it up in front of her , it looked like it would fit her perfectly .

" Now you have something pretty to wear to Mass tomorrow , Mama , " the boy said over his shoulder . He was setting up the game system with the rapid fire expertise that only a teenage boy has . Drake smiled fondly at him . He'd be up the rest of the night , by the looks of it .

Mrs. Sanchez managed to pry him away long enough to see their guests
to the door . " Thank you , officers , " the boy said with quiet politeness . " Thank you for our Christmas . "

JJ had taken Mrs. Sanchez aside and was quietly giving her the envelope of cash . Eighty-five dollars wasn't much , but the expression on her face made it seem like a fourtune .

Drake used the moment to lay a hand on the Jorge's shoulder , holding his gaze . " Police officers are supposed to help people , son . You remember that . "

The boy's huge brown eyes looked at him solemnly . " Si , mister . "

Mrs. Sanchez hugged them both again , and they were gone .

Drake took a deep breath of the chilly night air , as JJ took his arm . They walked quietly back to the car , each absorbed in his own thoughts . They'd eat for a day , Drake thought , but what then ? He sighed . He and JJ hadn't changed the world for this little family tonight . But at least they'd given what they could , on a holiday when already so much had been lost .

Back in the car , Drake was surprised when JJ suddely engulfed him
in a sweet , open mouthed kiss .

" I love you so much right now , " JJ whispered as they pulled appart moments later . "This is the best Christmas I've ever had . "

Drake grinned , started the car and glanced at the dashboard clock . " Hey , you're right , Babe . It's nearly midnight . Merry Christmas , JJ . I love you too . "

They kissed again . JJ pulled back with a contented sigh . " Thank you for my beautiful sweater , " he said drowsily . " It's perfect . "

Drake caressed the silky hair by JJ's ear , rubbing the lobe so that his lover purred , melting in his arms . " Well , I love my XBox , too . I'm sure it'll get played with non-stop . "

JJ's smile broadened , and Drake pulled away from the somewhat less lonely home , tires crunching in the snow .

They still had another twenty minutes drive home . JJ resumed his usual snuggle against Drake's shoulder , Drake's free arm holding him close . Between the cars heater and his full stomache , JJ was asleep within five minutes .

Drake smiled down at his lover , happy to see him at peace at last . Besides , he'd need his strength for tomorrow . Drake had one more present they both could share .

He couldn't wait to play a game of Super Deluxe Air Powered Nerf Battle Assault tomorrow morning, when JJ unwrapped his final gift . Might be fun to see who had the better strategy ; JJ with his SWAT training , or Drake , who'd grown up dodging six brothers and sisters .

Hmmm.... A game of naked hide , seek and shoot might be a fun version for Christmas morning . Winner takes all . Literally....


Fin




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