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Happy Friday, everyone! Another Slayers story to tell, but before my next story connected to 's "Experimentation", I wanted to bring you a sweet holiday story set just before the merriest day of the year. It's also a little bit before my recent story "The 411"!

This follows up both my amazing co-creator 's "The Return" and my story that spun from that epic, "Coming Home"...a gutsy blonde wants to give someone she holds more sacred than life itself something really special, and with a little inspiration from a friend, she gives the DJ she loves a gift beyond any price...!

(By the way, you might have noticed I didn't touch the art that goes with this story like usual...I had to keep it 'clean'! :3 )

---
"Holiday Flight"

--1--

Porte Charlotte, a couple of days before the most wonderful holiday of the year.

Jessica Carlyle did not feel merry and bright, but she managed to keep her feelings hidden even from those closest to her, even her lover Adam Hara and her beloved Taeko Hara. But there were times, alone, that Jessica couldn't help but look as despondent as she felt. Whatever she felt was getting to be too much, and inevitably someone had to notice.

That someone was the Vanquisher Initiate Rika Tsukino. Just yesterday, Rika had helped a girl named Tokie Takamaki and delivered the runaway to the refuge on the Low End Docks. It was good timing that Rika entered the otherwise empty room and saw Jessica sitting by herself. The expression on the blonde's face alone made Rika stop everything and go to the former (and hopefully future) First Responder. Rika said, "Jessica...?"

Jessica was almost startled with surprise...yeah, she was that distracted by whatever she felt. Rika asked quickly, "Are you okay??"

The blonded managed, "No."

"What's wrong?"

"I...I'm not sure if it would even help to talk about it, Rika."

Rika reached her and gently urged, "I'm sure it wouldn't hurt, either. You look as low as someone can get." The girl began, "I know you really want to get back to your First Responder work...!"

Jessica shook her head. "It's not that. I mean, that means everything, but that's not it." The young law enforcer was in a nasty kind of limbo, unable to follow her desire to protect the innocent and enforce the law in a district that for a long time was devoid of law and any real order. She thought about the damned Oes and how they took the First Responders and transformed them into the corrupted Ground Society through pure intimidation and terror. They became accomplices in that godforsaken family's evil, some willing, most including her commander definitely unwilling. And Jessica still held it against herself that they were collectively spending their holiday season in jail awaiting trial.

Rika gently asked, "Then what's wrong...?"

Jessica looked at the floor and she quietly answered: "I...I still feel like shit for abandoning Taeko for so long." For nearly a month, she had been absent from the sprite's life for pure and necessary reasons...but she and Adam had brought the girl they both adored so much pain without meaning to.

Rika frowned. "Taeko did forgive you, remember? By the way, so did I. I got worried for you, too!" Her expression softened again. "Jessica, I haven't seen Taeko so happy since you and Adam returned to her. Please don't be so hard on yourself...!"

Jessica moaned, "I can't help it, Rika. I owe that girl everything, and I..." A tortured moment of silence. "I...I want to give Taeko something special, I mean really special. I want to give her something to show her how much I love her! But I've been racking my brain trying to figure out what to give her...a-and I can't give her much...!"

It was only a couple of days before that special day, and Rika understood. She urged, "Well, don't beat yourself up over this! Maybe I can help you figure out what to give her...?"

"R-really??"

"Really." Rika began to give it some thought. "If you want to give her something special, it doesn't have to be expensive. Heck, it doesn't even have to be a gift she'll need to unwrap! Maybe...it can be as simple something you can do for her." Jessica looked at Rika with quiet surprise; she hadn't thought of that. "Has there ever been anything Taeko has really wanted to do, or wanted to see?" She shrugged. "Um, is there anyone that girl has ever wanted to meet...?"

Jessica quickly blurted, "Y-yeah! Yeah, she's only the biggest fan ever of the Masked Angel."

Rika looked at Jessica as a slow smile crept across her face. "No kidding?"

"I couldn't kid about that, Rika. But the guy's a damn celebrity and he's so busy doing his Slayer thing...the only way I could reach him is if I knew him...!"

Rika asked, "Did you know that me and the Asagi sisters know the Masked Angel?" In fact, they both knew him by his real name, Evan Black. (That was kind of a secret so he'd have a private life outside of his work for the Slayers Organization, of course!)

"Holy shit, really?! Sigh, I wish I could say that, I'd ask if he could pay Taeko a visit. That would make her so happy...!"

The Initiate said warmly, "You don't have to wish at all, Jessica. I'll talk to him and see if he can come visit Taeko."

Jessica stared at her with wide eyes...she managed neutrally, "Oh gods, please don't be joking with me about this...!"

"I wouldn't. I promise."

"Oh, Rika...! That would be incredible if he could...b-but do you really think he can???"

Rika smiled and said with confidence, "For Taeko? I'm sure he'd set aside some time to come see her...!" And there was a good reason why she was sure!

--2--

It was the eve of that merry day, the afternoon. It was all set up. Rika insisted that if Taeko ever asked, that this was all the blonde's idea. Jessica would have wanted to say she had the Initiate to thank for a chance like this, but Rika told her, "This was still your idea, Jessica. This is what you wanted to give to Taeko, so you don't have to give me credit at all!" Jessica still felt kind of bad!

But at that right time, Jessica found Taeko in her room...she felt more nervous as she did that night she saved a couple of amazing young boys who had been kidnapped. She said, "Taeko? I need you to come with me for a minute, please?"

Taeko Hara immediately left her laptop where she was making music and went straight to Jessica...the sprite said, "Okay, just lead the way!" Her eyes really looked at the blonde. "Jessie, is something wrong? You look kind of weird!"

Jessica smiled and reassured, "Oh, I-I'm okay. I ah, I just wanted you to meet someone. C'mon, honey." She offered her hand...without hesitation, the DJ took it.

The girl loved and trusted Jessica completely. "Okay! Who is it??"

"You'll see." The two of them went out to the pier right behind the soup kitchen, holding hands. Gods, it was so hard to keep a straight face...

...but the moment they were outside and Taeko saw who was waiting for them, Jessica didn't even bother anymore. The young DJ couldn't help but freeze in total shock the moment she saw him. Her expression slackened with surprise as her eyes turned big!

Because the Masked Angel was there, his wings spread but relaxed behind him, and he was looking down at the sprite with glowing, benevolent eyes. Evan nodded deeply and greeted, "Konichiwa, Taeko!"

The girl was floored in EVERY way...if she could have, she would have melted into the wood under her feet! The first thing Taeko managed to say was, "...Are you kidding me...???"

Ev couldn't keep the smile out of his voice as he said, "Jessica told me you're my biggest fan, young lady. I had to come see you!" His friend Rika made him promise not to say anything about her, either. The Initiate wanted all the glory to go to Jessica for this...but right now, he had to wonder if the DJ was going to lapse into a coma from pure shock!

But Taeko was a lot stronger than she looked...she did look like she had trouble catching her breath as she looked at her beloved Jessica and then back to the Masked Angel...she thought, Oh GODS, Jessica, thankyouthankyouthankyou! Taeko managed to recover and suddenly, the most wonderful smile spread across her face as her big eyes took in every inch of the hero. With greater strength, she moaned, "Holy shit...!" A few beats later, the girl squealed, "HOLY SHIT! Shitshitshit -- ! Oh...ohmyGODS, you're...y-you're...!" The poor thing damn near lost it, and she was trembling as she felt so overwhelmed, so unworthy...oh gods, the Masked Angel was here and talking to her!

Taeko began to cry as she finally moaned, "Oh, I think you're amazing...!" Jessica felt like her heart would burst from her chest...she felt so blessed too seeing how the girl felt...!

The Masked Angel took a few steps closer to Taeko and lowered to one knee...a keening sound issued from the poor girl as she felt even more than ever. Evan had never wanted to put so much stock in the fact he was a celebrity. Hells, the idea of it made him want to gag at first! But seeing how he had such an incredible impact on Taeko was NOT something he took lightly...in fact, he hoped this darling girl would calm down or she'd faint! He wanted to help her relax and he said, "Easy, young lady. I'm not that special at all, honestly. I think you're pretty awesome, though!"

Taeko blinked and asked, "Whu-whu-why???"

"Well, you are DJ Take-Away, right?" Ev honestly told her, "I'm a fan of yours, too!" That was something Ev and Taeko's mutual friend Rika knew as well, and that's why she knew he'd want to see the sprite!

Taeko was stunned! "Ruh-ruh-really?!?"

"Uh-huh! You make great music I like to dance to!"

Jessica was more than a little surprised then...but it took all of her self control not to say anything. Holy shit, she didn't know the guy liked to dance! But it didn't surprise her so much that he loved the DJ's music. A lot of people did!

For another few minutes, the hero and the DJ talked...even though she calmed down a lot from her initial shock, the sprite felt like she was in the clouds up above. Jessica couldn't and wouldn't interrupt these awesome moments. And then the Masked Angel offered, "Do you feel like going for a ride?"

Taeko stared at him and stammered, "Wh-what do you mean??"

"I mean you and me...up in the sky!" He pointed upward for emphasis! "What do you say, DJ Take-Away?"

Floored thoroughly again, Taeko looked at Jessica...the law enforcer grinned and said, "Don't look at me, honey! It's up to you!"

It took a long moment before Taeko gathered herself and she answered softly, "Yes, please...!"

Before she knew it, the girl was lifted and cradled into the hero's arms...and she cried with complete glee when the Masked Angel took off, taking DJ Take-Away with him!

Jessica Carlyle couldn't restrain herself as she laughed and watched the two of them ascend toward the Heavens...

　
The End

---

This one is absolutely for the one and only !

Giving credit where it's due!

XNALara created by Dusan Pavlicek; XPS by Dusan and XNAaraL

Models:

The Masked Angel and Taeko Hara by !

Description

Happy Friday, everyone! Another Slayers story to tell, but before my next story connected to 's "Experimentation", I wanted to bring you a sweet holiday story set just before the merriest day of the year. It's also a little bit before my recent story "The 411"!

This follows up both my amazing co-creator 's "The Return" and my story that spun from that epic, "Coming Home"...a gutsy blonde wants to give someone she holds more sacred than life itself something really special, and with a little inspiration from a friend, she gives the DJ she loves a gift beyond any price...!

(By the way, you might have noticed I didn't touch the art that goes with this story like usual...I had to keep it 'clean'! :3 )

---
"Holiday Flight"

--1--

Porte Charlotte, a couple of days before the most wonderful holiday of the year.

Jessica Carlyle did not feel merry and bright, but she managed to keep her feelings hidden even from those closest to her, even her lover Adam Hara and her beloved Taeko Hara. But there were times, alone, that Jessica couldn't help but look as despondent as she felt. Whatever she felt was getting to be too much, and inevitably someone had to notice.

That someone was the Vanquisher Initiate Rika Tsukino. Just yesterday, Rika had helped a girl named Tokie Takamaki and delivered the runaway to the refuge on the Low End Docks. It was good timing that Rika entered the otherwise empty room and saw Jessica sitting by herself. The expression on the blonde's face alone made Rika stop everything and go to the former (and hopefully future) First Responder. Rika said, "Jessica...?"

Jessica was almost startled with surprise...yeah, she was that distracted by whatever she felt. Rika asked quickly, "Are you okay??"

The blonded managed, "No."

"What's wrong?"

"I...I'm not sure if it would even help to talk about it, Rika."

Rika reached her and gently urged, "I'm sure it wouldn't hurt, either. You look as low as someone can get." The girl began, "I know you really want to get back to your First Responder work...!"

Jessica shook her head. "It's not that. I mean, that means everything, but that's not it." The young law enforcer was in a nasty kind of limbo, unable to follow her desire to protect the innocent and enforce the law in a district that for a long time was devoid of law and any real order. She thought about the damned Oes and how they took the First Responders and transformed them into the corrupted Ground Society through pure intimidation and terror. They became accomplices in that godforsaken family's evil, some willing, most including her commander definitely unwilling. And Jessica still held it against herself that they were collectively spending their holiday season in jail awaiting trial.

Rika gently asked, "Then what's wrong...?"

Jessica looked at the floor and she quietly answered: "I...I still feel like shit for abandoning Taeko for so long." For nearly a month, she had been absent from the sprite's life for pure and necessary reasons...but she and Adam had brought the girl they both adored so much pain without meaning to.

Rika frowned. "Taeko did forgive you, remember? By the way, so did I. I got worried for you, too!" Her expression softened again. "Jessica, I haven't seen Taeko so happy since you and Adam returned to her. Please don't be so hard on yourself...!"

Jessica moaned, "I can't help it, Rika. I owe that girl everything, and I..." A tortured moment of silence. "I...I want to give Taeko something special, I mean really special. I want to give her something to show her how much I love her! But I've been racking my brain trying to figure out what to give her...a-and I can't give her much...!"

It was only a couple of days before that special day, and Rika understood. She urged, "Well, don't beat yourself up over this! Maybe I can help you figure out what to give her...?"

"R-really??"

"Really." Rika began to give it some thought. "If you want to give her something special, it doesn't have to be expensive. Heck, it doesn't even have to be a gift she'll need to unwrap! Maybe...it can be as simple something you can do for her." Jessica looked at Rika with quiet surprise; she hadn't thought of that. "Has there ever been anything Taeko has really wanted to do, or wanted to see?" She shrugged. "Um, is there anyone that girl has ever wanted to meet...?"

Jessica quickly blurted, "Y-yeah! Yeah, she's only the biggest fan ever of the Masked Angel."

Rika looked at Jessica as a slow smile crept across her face. "No kidding?"

"I couldn't kid about that, Rika. But the guy's a damn celebrity and he's so busy doing his Slayer thing...the only way I could reach him is if I knew him...!"

Rika asked, "Did you know that me and the Asagi sisters know the Masked Angel?" In fact, they both knew him by his real name, Evan Black. (That was kind of a secret so he'd have a private life outside of his work for the Slayers Organization, of course!)

"Holy shit, really?! Sigh, I wish I could say that, I'd ask if he could pay Taeko a visit. That would make her so happy...!"

The Initiate said warmly, "You don't have to wish at all, Jessica. I'll talk to him and see if he can come visit Taeko."

Jessica stared at her with wide eyes...she managed neutrally, "Oh gods, please don't be joking with me about this...!"

"I wouldn't. I promise."

"Oh, Rika...! That would be incredible if he could...b-but do you really think he can???"

Rika smiled and said with confidence, "For Taeko? I'm sure he'd set aside some time to come see her...!" And there was a good reason why she was sure!

--2--

It was the eve of that merry day, the afternoon. It was all set up. Rika insisted that if Taeko ever asked, that this was all the blonde's idea. Jessica would have wanted to say she had the Initiate to thank for a chance like this, but Rika told her, "This was still your idea, Jessica. This is what you wanted to give to Taeko, so you don't have to give me credit at all!" Jessica still felt kind of bad!

But at that right time, Jessica found Taeko in her room...she felt more nervous as she did that night she saved a couple of amazing young boys who had been kidnapped. She said, "Taeko? I need you to come with me for a minute, please?"

Taeko Hara immediately left her laptop where she was making music and went straight to Jessica...the sprite said, "Okay, just lead the way!" Her eyes really looked at the blonde. "Jessie, is something wrong? You look kind of weird!"

Jessica smiled and reassured, "Oh, I-I'm okay. I ah, I just wanted you to meet someone. C'mon, honey." She offered her hand...without hesitation, the DJ took it.

The girl loved and trusted Jessica completely. "Okay! Who is it??"

"You'll see." The two of them went out to the pier right behind the soup kitchen, holding hands. Gods, it was so hard to keep a straight face...

...but the moment they were outside and Taeko saw who was waiting for them, Jessica didn't even bother anymore. The young DJ couldn't help but freeze in total shock the moment she saw him. Her expression slackened with surprise as her eyes turned big!

Because the Masked Angel was there, his wings spread but relaxed behind him, and he was looking down at the sprite with glowing, benevolent eyes. Evan nodded deeply and greeted, "Konichiwa, Taeko!"

The girl was floored in EVERY way...if she could have, she would have melted into the wood under her feet! The first thing Taeko managed to say was, "...Are you kidding me...???"

Ev couldn't keep the smile out of his voice as he said, "Jessica told me you're my biggest fan, young lady. I had to come see you!" His friend Rika made him promise not to say anything about her, either. The Initiate wanted all the glory to go to Jessica for this...but right now, he had to wonder if the DJ was going to lapse into a coma from pure shock!

But Taeko was a lot stronger than she looked...she did look like she had trouble catching her breath as she looked at her beloved Jessica and then back to the Masked Angel...she thought, Oh GODS, Jessica, thankyouthankyouthankyou! Taeko managed to recover and suddenly, the most wonderful smile spread across her face as her big eyes took in every inch of the hero. With greater strength, she moaned, "Holy shit...!" A few beats later, the girl squealed, "HOLY SHIT! Shitshitshit -- ! Oh...ohmyGODS, you're...y-you're...!" The poor thing damn near lost it, and she was trembling as she felt so overwhelmed, so unworthy...oh gods, the Masked Angel was here and talking to her!

Taeko began to cry as she finally moaned, "Oh, I think you're amazing...!" Jessica felt like her heart would burst from her chest...she felt so blessed too seeing how the girl felt...!

The Masked Angel took a few steps closer to Taeko and lowered to one knee...a keening sound issued from the poor girl as she felt even more than ever. Evan had never wanted to put so much stock in the fact he was a celebrity. Hells, the idea of it made him want to gag at first! But seeing how he had such an incredible impact on Taeko was NOT something he took lightly...in fact, he hoped this darling girl would calm down or she'd faint! He wanted to help her relax and he said, "Easy, young lady. I'm not that special at all, honestly. I think you're pretty awesome, though!"

Taeko blinked and asked, "Whu-whu-why???"

"Well, you are DJ Take-Away, right?" Ev honestly told her, "I'm a fan of yours, too!" That was something Ev and Taeko's mutual friend Rika knew as well, and that's why she knew he'd want to see the sprite!

Taeko was stunned! "Ruh-ruh-really?!?"

"Uh-huh! You make great music I like to dance to!"

Jessica was more than a little surprised then...but it took all of her self control not to say anything. Holy shit, she didn't know the guy liked to dance! But it didn't surprise her so much that he loved the DJ's music. A lot of people did!

For another few minutes, the hero and the DJ talked...even though she calmed down a lot from her initial shock, the sprite felt like she was in the clouds up above. Jessica couldn't and wouldn't interrupt these awesome moments. And then the Masked Angel offered, "Do you feel like going for a ride?"

Taeko stared at him and stammered, "Wh-what do you mean??"

"I mean you and me...up in the sky!" He pointed upward for emphasis! "What do you say, DJ Take-Away?"

Floored thoroughly again, Taeko looked at Jessica...the law enforcer grinned and said, "Don't look at me, honey! It's up to you!"

It took a long moment before Taeko gathered herself and she answered softly, "Yes, please...!"

Before she knew it, the girl was lifted and cradled into the hero's arms...and she cried with complete glee when the Masked Angel took off, taking DJ Take-Away with him!

Jessica Carlyle couldn't restrain herself as she laughed and watched the two of them ascend toward the Heavens...

　
The End

---

This one is absolutely for the one and only !

Giving credit where it's due!

XNALara created by Dusan Pavlicek; XPS by Dusan and XNAaraL

Models:

The Masked Angel and Taeko Hara by !