Title: Goodwill on Earth

Author: Dontia

Disclaimer: I don’t own anything but the plot.

Spoilers: Bits and pieces from Season 2 but you’d only recognize it if you’ve seen the ep.

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Michael and Tess do the winter holidays.

Notes: Sequel to "Holiday Weekend".

Feedback: It keeps me writing and thinking of new stories.

Dedication: To all the people who read and respond to my stories. This wouldn’t be nearly as much fun without you.

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The morning of December 25^th, Michael wakes up in a position he’s come to expect the last three weeks. He’s lying on his back, Tess in his arms, her blonde head resting on his chest. For the first time since this started happening, he doesn’t immediately get out of bed. Instead, he stares down at her, thinking of the changes her moving in has brought to his life.

About twenty minutes later, Tess wakes up cradled on Michael’s chest. She keeps her eyes closed for a moment and revels in the sensation of being held. When she opens her eyes, she shifts her head and looks up at Michael cautiously. "Morning."

"Morning."

"Have I been sleeping on you long? What I mean is-"

"We usually wake up like this," says Michael as he allows her to pull away from him. They both sit up.

"Oh. All the time?"

"Since the first morning after you insisted we share the bed."

"I’m sorry. Why didn’t you say anything?"

"It’s no big deal Tess, no need to mention it."

"Okay. What time are you leaving?"

"For where?"

"The Evans’. You’re supposed to go over for Christmas dinner."

"I’m not going."

"Isabel said you go every year."

Michael gets out of bed and pulls on a pair of sweats. "Means it’s time to do somethin’ different."

"If you’re not going cause I’m not invited-"

"You mean you were rudely excluded."

"Better to be excluded than spend all day feeling unwanted. From what I understand about this time of year, it’s about spending time with people you care about. Don’t miss out on being with Max and Isabel because of me."

"There’s also a saying for this time of year about ‘Good will toward everyone’. No one wants to remember that one."

"Michael…"

"What would you do if I went?"

"Kyle and his father invited me to share their holiday. They invited you too, but I said you’d be at the Evans’."

"I’m not gonna abandon you."

"You’re not, I’m abandoning you. If you stop and think about the way Max and Isabel have been acting lately, you’d see I’m getting the better end of the deal."

"If you don’t wanna spend today with me, I’ll go."

"You’re my best friend Michael, I’d love to spend the day with you. But they’re your friends too. Maybe you can use today to fix things with them."

"Sounds like wishful thinking, but I’ll give it a try."

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A few hours later, Michael grabs a glass of punch and escapes to the Evans’ front porch. He shakes his head, wondering why he let Tess talk him into coming. He’d hoped to use the holiday to heal the rifts in his relationship with Max and Isabel. But if anything, today’s made things worse.

Max has been hostile towards Michael all day, and making snide comments about Michael and Tess. His attitude is starting to make Michael wonder if Max is jealous.

When Tess moved in with Michael her attitude toward Max changed. She no longer looks for approval or acceptance from Max, and has started questioning decisions Max makes based solely on what Liz thinks. Max is furious that the one person who gave his orders unquestioned support now questions him at every turn.

Then there’s Isabel’s behavior. Michael would do anything for Isabel; for the longest time she was the only person who gave him unconditional love. But the love and gratitude he feels doesn’t give Isabel the right to pick the woman in his life.

All day, every time he gets within two feet of her, she starts in on how he should get back with Maria. Michael knows that the last time she brought it up he was harsh with her. She looked ready to cry when he told her to butt out and he feels guilty about that. But who he’s with is his decision, no one else’s.

Mr. Evans steps onto the porch. "We’re ready to eat Michael."

Michael sighs and looks Mr. Evans in the eye. "I appreciate you and Mrs. Evans inviting me over, but I think everyone would have a better time if I left."

"I noticed things are tense between you, Max, and Isabel."

"Tense doesn’t begin to describe it. We have things to work out. I thought we’d be able to put it aside for the day, but…"

"I understand. Let me get you a plate before you leave."

"Thank you, but I have another invitation. Please thank Mrs. Evans for me."

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Ten minutes later, Michael parks his motorcycle in front of the Valenti home, walks to the front door, and knocks.

Jim Valenti answers the door. "Somethin’ happen?"

"Tess said you invited me to dinner. Is it too late to accept?"

"Not at all, come in."

Kyle looks up from the football game. "Hey man."

"Hey. Where’s Tess?"

"In the kitchen. She’s insisted on making cookies."

"See if you can get her to relax and come watch the game with us," says Jim. "Turkey won’t be ready for another half-hour."

"All right." Michael makes his way into the kitchen. "Hey Tess."

Tess looks up from the cookie dough she’s carefully putting on the baking sheet. "Michael! What’re you doing here?"

"Decided I’d have a better time with you, Kyle, and the Sheriff."

"What happened?"

"Nothin’ really. Max and Isabel didn’t wanna have a truce for Christmas."

"I’m sorry," says Tess, deciding not to ask for specifics.

"So am I. You know Tess, the cookies don’t hafta be perfect. As long as they taste good, we’ll eat ‘em anyway."

"It’s my first winter holiday; Nasedo didn’t believe in celebrating the birth of a being superior to us. I want my small contribution to be perfect. Besides, you taught me to make these, I want you to be proud. Hey, I don’t wanna sound stupid but can I ask you somethin’?"

"Sure."

"I get the concept of celebrating the human savior’s birth, whether you do it by celebrating Christmas, or Hanukkah, or Kwanza, or some other way. I even get the origin of exchanging gifts. But what does football have to do with anything?"

"Football?"

"Yeah, Kyle and Jim said it’s as much a part of the holiday as the turkey dinner. They said it’s essential."

Michael grins, then loses his battle with laughter.

"I knew it’d sound stupid," mutters Tess as she puts the tray of cookie dough in the refrigerator.

"It doesn’t, it’s just…"

"Just what?"

"Come in the living room, I’ll teach you about football."

"Okay, but why’s it so important to the holiday?"

Michael holds his hand out to her. "It’s not somethin’ that can be explained, it has to be shown. Come on."

Tess, happy that the sadness is no longer in Michael’s eyes, takes his hand and follows him to the living room.

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THE END