{"id":387,"date":"2014-12-30T07:38:04","date_gmt":"2014-12-30T07:38:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/?page_id=387"},"modified":"2022-01-01T20:35:16","modified_gmt":"2022-01-02T02:35:16","slug":"part3","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/episodes\/episode11\/part3\/","title":{"rendered":"Part 3"},"content":{"rendered":"

A 00Carter Christmas<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Act I: Twelve Hours Before Christmas<\/strong><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

As I looked out the window of our private jet,<\/em><\/span>
\n I couldn\u2019t help wonder if we were there yet.<\/em><\/span>
\n The last time I flew somewhere cold was due South,<\/em><\/span>
\n With K\u2019s country cousin and his smart-aleck mouth.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAre we there yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

K\u2019s head whipped around so quickly that Nick wouldn\u2019t have been surprised if he\u2019d given himself whiplash. He flashed a big, cheesy grin in response to the familiar look K shot him — \u201cThe Dirty Brow,\u201d they\u2019d taken to calling it around HimTak. K was not amused. \u201cDon\u2019t you start,\u201d he warned Nick dangerously, wagging his finger. \u201cDon\u2019t you dare start, 008, or I\u2019ll pull you off this mission and put you on a plane back to Nevada before you can say \u2018Are we there yet?\u2019 again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick raised his eyebrows. He was tempted to test that theory but sensed it would be wiser not to push his limits this time. K had been in a downright foul mood ever since Pearl had unleashed the K-Bot. \u201cBah humbug,\u201d Nick muttered under his breath instead, making a face at K\u2019s back as he turned to face forward again. Bored, he glanced out the small window of the agency\u2019s private plane, but he could see nothing but a sea of gray clouds. It would be cold in New York, and Nick hated the cold. But at least it would feel more like Christmas than it ever did in the desert or his native Florida. Nick loved Christmas and all the fun that went with it — Christmas trees, mistletoe, snowball fights, hot cocoa (shaken, not stirred), and especially Christmas carols. Christmas was the one time of year that he could sing and count on others to sing along instead of giving him strange looks. He decided to test this theory instead.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me,\u201d<\/em> he started, winking in Diamond\u2019s direction.<\/p>\n

She beamed back and sang, \u201cA partridge in a pear tree.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOh no,\u201d Nick heard K groan as he continued on to the next line.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cTwo turtle doves,\u201d<\/em> sang Diamond and Lancy in harmony, Diamond\u2019s sweet soprano voice blending nicely with Lancy\u2019s deep bass. \u201cAnd a partridge in a pear tree.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNick\u2026\u201d K growled, but Nick ignored him.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThree French hens,\u201d<\/em> Pearl joined in via the video feed on Nick\u2019s watch. \u201cTwo turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m warning you, 008\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOn the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cFour calling birds\u2026\u201d<\/em> Red\u2019s face now appeared alongside Pearl\u2019s on the tiny screen. \u201c\u2026three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cSo help me, I will turn this plane around!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou say that every time.\u201d Nick grinned, calling K\u2019s bluff. \u201cOn the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cFIIIIIIVE GOLDEN RINGS!\u201d<\/em> belted Jay, bumping the ceiling as he threw his arms into the air.<\/p>\n

K gave him an incredulous look as if to say, Not you, too!<\/em><\/p>\n

On and on it went until even sullen Emerald was singing along. With all of his agents counting down the twelve days of Christmas and the gifts given on each, K had no choice but to join in the caroling. \u201c\u2026and a partridge in a pear tree,\u201d<\/em> he finished grudgingly, much to Nick\u2019s glee.<\/p>\n

\u201cSee how singing helps to pass the time?\u201d remarked Nick, clapping K on the shoulder. \u201cLet\u2019s do another one! Ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall, ninety-nine bottles of beer\u2026<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOHH, no, Carter, no way!\u201d K cut him off quickly. \u201cYou keep that up, and I\u2019m going to duct tape your mouth shut.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick grinned. \u201cI\u2019ll still be able to hum!\u201d he announced and did a demonstration by humming the tune he had just been singing.<\/p>\n

\u201cKnock it off!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the song that never ends\u2026 yes, it goes on and on, my friends!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m serious! If you don\u2019t stop now, I\u2019m sending you home\u2026 in a body bag!\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick snickered. K was frowning so deeply, his brow had started to twitch, almost like Dr. Rough\u2019s eye. Not wanting to give his boss a stroke for Christmas, he stopped singing and looked out the window again. The clouds had started to part, and he could see patches of ground far below. \u201cHey!\u201d he exclaimed. \u201cI think we\u2019re almost there!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Moving on, anyway, K soon did announce,<\/em><\/span>
\n That we\u2019d arrived in New York, and it was time to bounce,<\/em><\/span>
\n We took a few moments to sit down and think,<\/em><\/span>
\n Of where we might next find that evil eye\u2019s wink.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Upon landing, they took a shuttle into the city and checked in to the Plaza Hotel, one of New York\u2019s finest. Nick had to hand it to K and Jay — the powers that be enjoyed the finer things in life and had spared no expense in ensuring that their stay in the city would be comfortable. \u201cMerry Christmas to me,\u201d said Nick when he saw the fully-stocked mini-bar in his room, realizing anything he charged would be on HimTak\u2019s dime.<\/p>\n

But there was no time to enjoy the cushy accommodations. Nick had barely set down his suitcase when his cell phone rang. Seeing \u201cGrandma\u201d flashing on its screen, Nick groaned. \u201cI just saw you five minutes ago in the lobby, K. What now?\u201d he answered, annoyed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if you\u2019d listened five minutes ago in the lobby, you would have heard me tell the group to meet in my room in five minutes. Which means NOW, Carter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m coming, I\u2019m coming.\u201d Nick hung up, then had to call back to find out K\u2019s room number. When he finally made it to K\u2019s suite, the rest of the agents were waiting.<\/p>\n

\u201cTook you long enough,\u201d sneered Emerald, back to her usual Grinch self.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m here now,\u201d Nick said with a shrug. He flopped down onto one of the loveseats, draping his long legs over the arm of the couch and dropping his head into Diamond\u2019s lap. \u201cSo what\u2019s up?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cK was just saying that we need to figure out Dr. Rough\u2019s next move, find out where FANS plans to strike next,\u201d Diamond said, stroking his blond hair. \u201cIt\u2019s Christmas Eve, so if he is planning to steal Christmas, tonight\u2019s the night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have intelligence that there\u2019s been an increase in home invasions and robberies on Long Island in the last two weeks,\u201d added K. \u201cOne witness described a Hispanic man dressed as Santa Claus who broke into her house and tried to steal her family\u2019s Christmas tree. The police sketch looks remarkably like Dr. Rough — lazy eye and all.\u201d He showed Nick a drawing of a man with dark eyes, one of them half-closed.<\/p>\n

Nick nodded. \u201cSo when you say he plans to \u2018steal Christmas,\u2019 you mean literally STEAL?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat seems to be his plan, but this is How– I mean, \u2018Dr. Rough\u2019 we\u2019re talking about,\u201d Jay reminded them, \u201cand he dreams big. Just robbing a few houses won\u2019t be enough for him. That\u2019s too small, and we all know \u2018Dr. Rough\u2019 hates anything small. He\u2019s got to have something else up his sleeve, something huge. I think the Rockefeller Christmas tree is a target, but K thinks he might have something more in mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike what?\u201d asked Nick, looking at K, who also appeared to be deep in thought. \u201cI mean, you can\u2019t really steal<\/em> Christmas, so all you can steal is the stuff that goes along with Christmas, like the big tree\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the gifts that go under the tree\u2026\u201d added K, and that was when the idea came to Nick.<\/p>\n

\u201cTOYS!\u201d he blurted. \u201cHe\u2019s going to rob a toy store!\u201d<\/p>\n

A rare smile spread across K\u2019s face. If there was one thing Nick Carter knew, it was toys. \u201cI think you\u2019re right,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd not just any toy store\u2026 but the best toy store in New York. Agents\u2026\u201d K looked around the room at the most trusted members of his staff. \u201cI\u2019m counting on you to save Christmas. Jay, I want you and Lancy to go to Rockefeller Center to run surveillance on that tree. Emerald and Diamond, I\u2019m sending you to scope out Radio City Music Hall, in case he tries to take out the Rockettes. And Carter, you\u2019re coming with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are we going?\u201d wondered Nick, his heart accelerating in anticipation.<\/p>\n

K actually laughed. \u201cRight across the street.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Then it hit me at once, like a ton of fruitcake,<\/em><\/span>
\n If it\u2019s Christmas he\u2019s after, it\u2019s the toys he\u2019ll take!<\/em><\/span>
\n So off we all rushed to the biggest toy store,<\/em><\/span>
\n Little did FANS know they\u2019d be leaving there sore.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

After crossing the plaza, for which the hotel was named, Nick found himself looking up at a giant, waving teddy bear, who was holding three massive toy blocks with the letters F, A, and O. The two-story, glass-fronted FAO Schwarz flagship store on Fifth Avenue was dwarfed by the skyscraper set beside it, but in fact, it was quite huge itself, housing fifty thousand feet of fun inside. As they walked through the front doors, ushered in by a living toy soldier, Nick looked around and realized K had brought him to his own personal version of Heaven.<\/p>\n

In his Heaven, there was an ice cream parlor and a candy store, chock full of sweets. And, of course, there were toys — toys, toys, toys, and more toys! Looking around, Nick saw walls of stuffed animals smiling down at him from their shelves. A life-size stuffed giraffe towered over the other animals as it stood, sentry-like, in front of the display. Around the corner was the Puppet Park, where he could create his own puppets and put on a show. There were dolls, toy cars, model trains, board games, books, Legos, and an entire department devoted to Star Wars. Forgetting entirely about his mission, Nick decided he was never going to leave this place. He would live and die in FAO Schwarz, then haunt the toy store for the rest of eternity.<\/p>\n

But there was work to be done. \u201cTime for some recon,\u201d K whispered to Nick as they walked around the store. \u201cLet\u2019s split up and start scoping the place out. Look for signs of weakness — possible entry points, opportunities for security breaches — and listen for any information about FANS\u2019 whereabouts or what they\u2019re plotting. Got it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick nodded. \u201cGot it,\u201d he replied, though he\u2019d only heard half of what K had said. He was distracted by the elevator in the center of the store, which looked like a robot. The digital sign over the elevator doors read, Go-2-Floor-2<\/em><\/strong>. Reading it out loud, Nick chuckled to himself. \u201cGo-2-Floor-2\u2026 that\u2019s awesome.\u201d<\/p>\n

Following his line of sight, K\u2019s eyes narrowed. \u201cI\u2019ll go to Floor 2,\u201d he decided. \u201cYou stay down here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAww\u2026 but!\u201d Nick looked at the signs overhead, directing them to the second floor. \u201cThe big piano\u2019s up there!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI took piano lessons as a kid. I\u2019ve got this,\u201d K insisted. \u201cLet\u2019s meet by the clock tower in one hour.\u201d He pointed to a tall display of trains, topped by a smiling clock face.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright.\u201d With a sigh, Nick watched K board the robot elevator and ride up to the second floor. Then he turned and wandered back into the stuffed animal section. The lifelike quality of the plush toys impressed him. Maybe he\u2019d buy one to take home as a souvenir — or several to give as gifts to his many Carter Girls. He slowly browsed the selection, wondering what each of his ladies would like most. For Diamond, he decided on a white tiger — exotically beautiful but equally deadly. For Red Jewel, a dolphin — sweet, sensitive, and smart, like her. For Pearl, he needed something more offbeat, innovative, and unique. He chose a platypus — unusual in appearance and equipped with a secret weapon, venom-shooting ankle spurs. It was the perfect pet for Pearl.<\/p>\n

As he poked through the bins of plush animals, picking out his presents, Nick started to get the sense that someone was watching him. Several times, he turned around but saw nothing out of the ordinary. The store had been busy when he and K had first arrived, but since then, the crowds had started to thin as shoppers headed home to enjoy their Christmas Eve celebrations. There was no one else in this section of the store — no one alive, anyway. Or was there?<\/p>\n

Nick\u2019s eyes narrowed as they panned across a row of plush gorillas. They looked so lifelike, from their soft, black fur to their dark, deep-set eyes, gleaming in the soft glow of the colored lights on the ceiling. They gave Nick an eerie feeling. Then he saw that someone had placed a green elf hat on one gorilla\u2019s head, and he relaxed, smiling. \u201cAww\u2026 what a cute little Christmas ape,\u201d he cooed, reaching out to chuck under the gorilla\u2019s furry chin. The fur was coarse and warm, like a real animal. And if Nick hadn\u2019t known better, he would have sworn he could feel the gorilla\u2019s breath on his fingers. But that was silly. Stuffed animals didn\u2019t breathe. He was probably just standing under an air vent.<\/p>\n

But as he withdrew his hand and took a step back, he suddenly stopped. Had he just seen the gorilla blink? He bent down, peering directly into its eyes. And that was when he realized: he wasn\u2019t staring at a stuffed animal. He was nose to nose with another person\u2026 a person who looked remarkably like a gorilla\u2026 and also somewhat familiar. But Nick knew better than to react right in front of the imposter. \u201cMerry Christmas, Mr. Gorilla,\u201d he said cheerfully, forcing a smile onto his face, and straightened up. He turned and walked away slowly from the stuffed animal display, the platypus, dolphin, and tiger tucked safely under his arms. But the moment he was out of sight, he let the stuffed animals fall to the floor and reached for his cell phone.<\/p>\n

\u201cK!\u201d he hissed once K had answered his call. \u201cI saw something! One of Dr. Rough\u2019s minions is here, hiding among all the stuffed animals.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich one?\u201d asked K.<\/p>\n

\u201cI dunno\u2026 the one that looks like a gorilla.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat would be Wood,\u201d said K at once. \u201cGood work, 008. Stay where you are, and don\u2019t let him out of your sight. I\u2019ll be down shortly.\u201d<\/p>\n

With that, he ended the call, leaving Nick to wait and watch for any sign that Wood would try to escape. But he wouldn\u2019t; Nick knew that. No doubt, Dr. Rough had sent the minion to hide inside the store until it closed. Then he would be perfectly positioned to let in the rest of the crooks after everyone else left. It wasn\u2019t a very original plan, but it just might have worked had Nick not spotted him. \u201cWhat now?\u201d he asked K, once his superior had come back downstairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we really have two choices, don\u2019t we? We could apprehend him now and haul him in for questioning. Or we could wait to see what he\u2019ll do and hopefully catch him and the rest of the culprits in the act.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI say we wait,\u201d Nick suggested, seeing the potential for fun. \u201cI\u2019ve got the perfect plan.\u201d<\/p>\n

They had only an hour until closing, but it was enough time. As K used his credentials to ensure cooperation from the store owner and the New York Police Department, Nick scoped out the rest of the store, plotting and scheming. Once the last shopper had been escorted out, he put his plan into action.<\/p>\n

He tied buckets of Play-Doh to jump ropes and rigged them over the escalator. He strategically parked Hot Wheels cars on the second floor and stacked piles of cardboard bricks near the balcony. He slathered the floor of the ice cream parlor in a coating of chocolate syrup and caramel and filled his pockets with jawbreakers from the candy shop, FAO Schweetz. When he\u2019d finished setting the rest of his booby traps, Nick took a brand new Red Ryder BB Gun out of its box and loaded it with BBs. Armed with the toy rifle, he made his way downstairs to meet up with K.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll shoot your eye out,\u201d said K, smirking at the BB gun.<\/p>\n

Nick grinned back. \u201cI may shoot someone\u2019s<\/em> eye out, but it won\u2019t be mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis gentleman\u2019s about to lock up for the night.\u201d K gestured to the kindly old manager, who had allowed them free rein of his store in exchange for catching the crooks who planned to rob it.<\/p>\n

The manager nodded. \u201cAgain, I want to thank you both for what you\u2019re about to do,\u201d he said, shaking both of their hands. \u201cYou see that tree there?\u201d He pointed to a Christmas tree near the entrance of the store. \u201cTo show my appreciation, I\u2019m going to let you select an object from that tree that you can take home with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor free?\u201d Nick asked eagerly. K elbowed him in the ribs.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor free,\u201d said the manager with a smile. \u201cAnd if I might make a suggestion\u2026\u201d He led them over to the large tree and plucked a pair of small, ceramic, white birds from its branches. \u201cTake the turtle doves.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick\u2019s excitement grew. \u201cWe could have two??\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, two turtle doves. And I\u2019ll tell you what you do: You keep one, and you give the other one to a very special person. You see, turtle doves are a symbol of friendship and love. As long as each of you has your turtle dove, you\u2019ll be friends forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWow\u2026 I never knew that,\u201d said Nick. \u201cI thought they were just part of a song.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey are. And for that very special reason,\u201d said the store manager, as he handed them to Nick.<\/p>\n

\u201cWow\u2026 thanks!\u201d Nick turned the turtle doves over in his hand, wondering which special person he would give the second one to. Diamond Divine\u2026 Red Jewel\u2026 Professor Pearl\u2026 Opal Odyssey\u2026 Sapphire Siren\u2026 so many special ladies in his life. He simply couldn\u2019t decide, so after the shopkeeper left, he put the two turtle doves back on the tree and chose a pink flamingo in a Santa hat instead. It reminded him of the holidays he\u2019d spent in Florida while growing up. He didn\u2019t have many good memories of childhood, but this time of year, he missed his family more than ever.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t need that,\u201d K chided him, trying to take the flamingo away, but Nick put it in his pocket.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou heard the man; he wanted us to take something!\u201d he insisted.<\/p>\n

K rolled his eyes. \u201cYou\u2019re such a child. But I guess I should be grateful — only a kid could come up with something this creative.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, that\u2019s right.\u201d Nick grinned, looking around at his booby traps with glee. K didn\u2019t seem to realize he\u2019d stolen the idea from a movie, but it was better to let his boss think he\u2019d come up with this all on his own.<\/p>\n

K shook his head, smiling in spite of himself. \u201cYou frighten me sometimes, 008.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s 00Carter,\u201d Nick corrected.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

My creations — they twinkled! They all looked so merry!<\/em><\/span>
\n K said my idea was so brilliant, it was scary.<\/em><\/span>
\n Though it made me quite happy, getting credit where due,<\/em><\/span>
\n I wasn\u2019t sure if he noticed this was so 1992.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Once the store was locked and all but the emergency lights had been shut off, Nick and K snuck up to the second floor, where they could spy on the stuffed animal department from the balcony.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope they\u2019re not gonna wait till midnight to strike, or my ass is gonna go numb from sitting on this cold tile floor,\u201d griped Nick, rising to his knees so that he could rub his butt.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith all that extra cushion you\u2019ve got?\u201d joked K, watching him with amusement. \u201cPatience, 008.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c00Carter,\u201d Nick grumbled again.<\/p>\n

Thankfully, he didn\u2019t have to be patient for long. They had been waiting less than an hour when they heard the first sign of life: the sound of someone\u2026 singing??<\/p>\n

\u201cDude, do you hear that?\u201d asked Nick, looking at K, who was frowning.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2026 but it sounds like it\u2019s coming from this floor. Do you think there could be more than one of them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Dr. Rough\u2019s anything like you, he doesn\u2019t send his minions on solo missions either.\u201d Nick smirked at K, who ignored him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen again, we are on the doll floor. It could just be one of those dolls that talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick shrugged. \u201cMaybe — but then, who set it off?\u201d<\/p>\n

K\u2019s eyes met Nick\u2019s, his eyebrows raised. \u201cWho indeed?\u201d he mused, a smile spreading slowly across his face. \u201cCome on, 008. Let\u2019s go investigate.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick didn\u2019t even bother to correct him that time. He scrambled to his feet, grateful for the opportunity to stretch his legs.<\/p>\n

The agents drew their guns and crept through the darkness, following the soft strains of the song. That was no doll, thought Nick, a sense of anticipation swelling in his stomach as the singing grew louder. It was definitely a human voice\u2026 or voices. He couldn\u2019t tell. There seemed to be two of them, one male, the other female.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a blonde bimbo girl in a fantasy world. Dress me up, make it tight, I\u2019m your dolly,\u201d<\/em> sang the woman.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re my doll, rock and roll, feel the glamour in pink. Kiss me here, touch me there, hanky panky,\u201d<\/em> added the man.<\/p>\n

Following the sound to its source, K suddenly snapped his fingers and pointed. Following his finger, Nick spotted a pink plastic playhouse sitting in the center of the Barbie section. There was a light on inside, and he could see the silhouette of someone moving around. The two agents snuck closer, surrounding the playhouse.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can touch\u2026 you can play\u2026 if you say I\u2019m always yours\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Nick peeked into a window of the playhouse. A man was sitting inside, his long legs folded like a pretzel so he could fit. Even so, it looked like a tight squeeze. He held a doll in each hand and waved them around as he sang, alternating voices. \u201cI\u2019m a Barbie girl\u2026 in a Barbie world,\u201d<\/em> he sang in a high-pitched voice, making the Barbie doll dance and flip her long, blonde hair. \u201cLife in plastic\u2026 it\u2019s fantastic! You can brush my hair\u2026 undress me everywhere\u2026 Imagination, life is your creation.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Barbie, let\u2019s go party,\u201d<\/em> he had the Ken doll sing in a deep voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I\u2019m having so much fun!\u201d Barbie squealed from the minion\u2019s right hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Barbie\u2026 we\u2019re just getting started\u2026\u201d said Ken in his left.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I love you, Ken!\u201d<\/p>\n

Then the minion brought his hands together and pressed the plastic bodies against one another. After Barbie and Ken had made out for a few seconds, he pulled Ken back. \u201cSorry, Barbie, but I think I love men.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re gay?!\u201d screeched Barbie. \u201cBut Ken, how could you? How could you lead me on like that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Barbie,\u201d Ken said again. \u201cIt\u2019s just that everyone expects so much of me. They expect me to be all tough and manly. If Dr. Rough knew he had a gay minion, he\u2019d kick me out of FANS for sure…\u201d<\/p>\n

The minion sighed and hung his head, letting the dolls hang lifelessly at his sides as his shoulders slumped, but not before Nick had snapped a picture of him holding them with the secret camera inside Pearl\u2019s watch.<\/p>\n

The flash caused the minion to look up, startled. Nick was ready, his Red Ryder BB gun raised. \u201cHello,\u201d he said and pulled the trigger.<\/p>\n

\u201cOW!\u201d screamed the minion, dropping the dolls as he clapped both hands over his eye. \u201cYOU SHOT MY EYE OUT!\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick pumped his fist. \u201cYES! Yes! Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!\u201d He leaped to his feet and raced away, counting on the minion to seek revenge. He ran back to the balcony and ducked behind a display, hoping the minion would assume he had gone down the escalator. Hidden out of sight, he held his breath as he heard the minion approach.<\/p>\n

The minion didn\u2019t even hesitate before stepping onto the stopped escalator. Nick smiled in anticipation, knowing his plan had worked. As soon as the minion\u2019s foot touched the top step, it slid out from under him. He went down hard on his back and bounced all the way to the bottom of the escalator.<\/p>\n

\u201cNice,\u201d a voice whispered in Nick\u2019s ear. Nick turned to find K standing next to him, peering over the balcony at the broken body on the floor below. \u201cWhat did you put on the escalator to make it slippery?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick grinned. \u201cBubble bath.\u201d<\/p>\n

K raised his hand, and Nick slapped him a high-five. It was as if his boss had forgotten all about the K-Bot — a Christmas miracle!<\/p>\n

\u201cThat you, Knight Rider?\u201d<\/p>\n

The two agents looked down in time to see the second minion, the one that looked like a gorilla, scampering over to his fallen friend. He was dressed like an elf from head to toe, which made him look slightly less ape-like, but Nick was still surprised his knuckles didn\u2019t drag on the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cJon! You okay, bro?\u201d He reached out his hand to help up the first minion, who was also clad in an elf costume. \u201cWhat the hell happened to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

The minion called Jon cracked his back painfully, still holding his wounded eye. \u201cIt was 00Carter. He\u2019s here in the store. He shot my eye out with a BB gun!\u201d<\/p>\n

Yeah, that\u2019s right, bitch!<\/em> thought Nick, smiling to himself. I\u2019m Carter\u2026 00Carter. Remember my name and fear it!<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you shittin\u2019 me?! How the hell did he know we was gonna be here?\u201d asked the other minion, Wood, in a thick Boston accent.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeats me, but our plan\u2019s a bust if we don\u2019t get rid of him before we do anything else.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, where\u2019d he go?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI dunno, Danny. He\u2019s down here somewhere, I think.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe gotta find him! Spread out. I\u2019ll go this way; you go that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

The pair of evil elves took off in opposite directions, nearly colliding with each other in their haste. Watching the chaos play out below, Nick couldn\u2019t help but snicker.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We waited and waited, \u2018til seven that night,<\/em><\/span>
\n No Rough did appear, just two elves in our sight.<\/em><\/span>
\n One had a narrow face and the other a goatee,<\/em><\/span>
\n One called the other Jon, the other Danny.<\/em><\/span>
\n They were dressed like morons — I mean, jolly old elves,<\/em><\/span>
\n And I tried not to laugh at them, in spite of myself.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

He watched as Jon limped to the front of the store, still clutching his eye. The minion stalked among the shelves, walking up and down the aisles, searching behind each checkout counter and around every display. He inspected the Christmas trees at the entrance, ruffling their branches and poking at the ornaments. Nick\u2019s breath caught in his throat as he saw the minion\u2019s fingers close around one of the turtle doves.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

My heartbeat grew faster as I watched from above,<\/em><\/span>
\n As that dumbass Jon reached for the two turtledoves.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Nick heard the kindly old store manager\u2019s voice in his head, saying, \u201cYou see, turtle doves are a symbol of friendship and love. As long as each of you has your turtle dove, you\u2019ll be friends forever.\u201d<\/em> He knew he couldn\u2019t let a villain take something so pure.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m up here, you morons!\u201d he shouted over the balcony. \u201cCome and get me!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNick, what are you doing?\u201d K hissed.<\/p>\n

Nick just smiled. \u201cWatch and learn, K.\u201d<\/p>\n

Within seconds, both minions were standing below the balcony, staring up at him. He had them right where he wanted them.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s kill him!\u201d growled Jon, but Danny caught his arm and pulled him back.<\/p>\n

\u201cHold on, pea brain,\u201d Nick heard him say. \u201cWe been busted before because we underestimated that blond bundle of misery.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBundle of misery?\u201d Nick laughed back at them, reaching for one of the cardboard bricks from his pile. \u201cI got a bundle of misery for ya!\u201d And he lobbed the brick over the balcony.<\/p>\n

The brick struck Jon smack dab in the forehead, over his already-injured eye. He staggered backward, clutching his face.<\/p>\n

Nick grinned at K. \u201cDirect hit!\u201d<\/p>\n

Danny glared up at Nick. \u201cOkay, prick! You wanna throw bricks? Go ahead! Throw another one!\u201d<\/p>\n

So Nick did. It, too, struck Jon in the head, knocking him to the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you can\u2019t do any better than that, you\u2019re gonna lose!\u201d taunted Danny, beckoning as if to say, \u201cBring it on.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cDanny\u2026\u201d Nick heard Jon\u2019s weak plea, but that didn\u2019t stop him. He threw another brick, connecting with his target once again.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou guys give up?\u201d he called down to the minions. \u201cOr are you thirsty for more?\u201d<\/p>\n

With a growl, Danny charged at the escalator, ignoring Jon\u2019s feeble warning.<\/p>\n

\u201cDanny\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Danny made it halfway up the escalator before he encountered the slippery bubble bath, but the effects were the same: his foot shot right out from under him, and down he went, head over heels, all the way back to the bottom.<\/p>\n

\u201cWatch out,\u201d whimpered Jon dazedly, \u201cthe stairs are slick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, thanks for warning me!\u201d grumbled Danny, kicking Jon in the face as he struggled to his feet. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, there\u2019s another escalator in the back. Let\u2019s go!\u201d<\/p>\n

This was exactly the move Nick had been counting on them to make, and he was prepared for it. As the minion elves disappeared beneath the balcony, hightailing it for the back escalator, he raced across the second floor, knowing he would beat them there. Here was where he had tied buckets of Play-Doh to long lengths of jump rope. Hidden behind a display at the top of the escalator, he held one of the buckets tightly and listened for sounds of the minions approaching. When he heard them scrambling up the escalator, bickering and cursing the whole way, he swung the bucket of Play-Doh out from behind the display and gave it a push.<\/p>\n

\u201cHeads up!\u201d he heard Danny shout, but the loud smack and thump that followed told him someone hadn\u2019t ducked in time. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Jon, I\u2019ll get him for ya!\u201d Danny vowed, but Nick had already unleashed his second bucket. The \u201cOW!\u201d he heard let him know he\u2019d hit his mark again.<\/p>\n

\u201cYES!\u201d Nick hissed.<\/p>\n

But the minions weren\u2019t about to give up yet. As they cautiously climbed the escalator, eyes searching the ceiling for falling objects, Nick dodged the fleet of Hot Wheels cars he\u2019d arranged on the floor and hid himself long enough to watch them step on the toy cars, which skidded out from under their feet and sent both minions flying backwards. They slammed to the floor, landing flat on their backs. Sure that the wind had been knocked out of them, Nick snickered to himself and took off running again.<\/p>\n

The minions chased him, but he tripped them up with handfuls of jawbreakers, which, when scattered on the floor, were more than just a choking hazard. Once again, the bumbling elves wiped out on the hard floor. Their bodies had to be aching by now, but they were nothing if not determined. They pulled themselves up again, and the chase wound its way through the second floor to the center of the store, where Nick allowed himself to be seen stepping into the elevator.<\/p>\n

When he exited on the first floor, Nick turned around and shouted, \u201cDown here, you idiots! Come on and get me before I call the police!\u201d<\/p>\n

Little did they know the police were already in on his plot. All they were waiting for was the signal from K to bust in and arrest the two crooks.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get him!\u201d cried Jon, turning to run back the escalator, but Danny grabbed his arm and stopped him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait, wait. That\u2019s just what he wants us to do, is to go back downstairs through his funhouse and get all tore up. Come on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jon balked as Danny punched the button for the elevator. \u201cElevator? I\u2019m not taking the elevator!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, Jon, you afraid?\u201d Danny taunted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if he cut the cable?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe just saw him go down in it, dumbass! If he\u2019d cut the cable, it would have crashed!\u201d yelled Danny, smacking Jon upside the head.<\/p>\n

Of course, it had occurred to Nick to cut the cable, but he\u2019d never seen a robot elevator before. Go-2-Floor-2 was just too cool to break.<\/p>\n

Danny convinced Jon to take the elevator down, and the chase continued on the first floor, where the minions skidded across a sticky layer of caramel and chocolate syrup in the ice cream parlor, then followed Nick into Puppet Park, the muppet workshop. Hopping a tripwire stretched between two low shelves, Nick hunkered down to wait and watch his most intricate prank play out.<\/p>\n

The two minions stormed in behind him, not bothering to look down until they had already tripped the wire. The wire pulled the triggers of two hot glue guns, one on each side, which doused their heads in piping hot glue. As the glue dripped down their faces, scalding their skin, a bag of stuffing was unleashed over their heads. Feathers and bits of white fluff rained down upon them, sticking to the glue. Even the gorilla-like Danny looked more like an ugly bird than an elfin ape now.<\/p>\n

\u201cNOW YOU\u2019RE DEAD!\u201d Danny screamed, but Nick just laughed and ran off, counting on them to keep chasing him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now covered in feathers and buckets of tar,<\/em><\/span>
\n They must not have realized that they wouldn\u2019t get far,<\/em><\/span>
\n \u2018Cause onward they went, all through the shop,<\/em><\/span>
\n Finding more of my traps at every last stop.<\/em><\/span>
\n I looked down from above as they walked under my feet,<\/em><\/span>
\n Now it was time to choose which one to beat.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThink they\u2019ve had enough?\u201d K asked Nick as they stood on the second floor balcony, watching the minions battle through another one of Nick\u2019s booby traps down below.<\/p>\n

Nick grinned. \u201cIt\u2019s never enough! But if you wanna call the cops, go ahead. They\u2019ve already tripped most of my traps.\u201d<\/p>\n

K shook his head. \u201cYou are one of a kind, 00Carter. Who knew your childish antics would come in handy one day?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick\u2019s heart — and head — swelled with pride. \u201cWho knew you\u2019d finally get my code name right one day? Thanks, K!\u201d<\/p>\n

K rolled his eyes, then placed the call to the NYPD, who were already stationed outside, surrounding the store. Once they got the signal, the police stormed in and quickly overpowered the battered, bedraggled, beat-down minions.<\/p>\n

\u201cWow, this is great,\u201d whispered Nick as he watched Dr. Rough\u2019s minions being led out of the store in handcuffs. He and K took Up-2-Floor-2 downstairs and were about to follow them out when K suddenly stopped.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Nick, wait a sec,\u201d he said, just inside the entrance of the store. As Nick watched in confusion, K wandered over to the Christmas tree and took off the two turtle doves. \u201cI thought we should take Mr. Schwarz up on his suggestion,\u201d he said, handing one of them to Nick. \u201cYou take that one, and I\u2019ll keep this one. As long as each of us has our turtle dove, we\u2019ll be\u2026\u201d K swallowed. \u201c\u2026friends forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFriends forever?\u201d Nick repeated, raising his eyebrows. \u201cYou mean you\u2019re not still mad about the K-Bot? Or about my singing on the plane? Or about that time I wrecked the Cartermobile in Canada and rented a yellow Hummer? Or the time I got you shot at Disney World? Or the time I messed up Pearl\u2019s lab playing with that machine gun bra? Or the time I sneezed and almost got your cousin killed in Antarctica? Or the time I accidentally shot a barrel of Phoenix Suicide and destroyed Drums?\u201d<\/p>\n

K\u2019s eyes met Nick\u2019s, looking serious. \u201cI got over it,\u201d he said. \u201cAll of it.\u201d Patting Nick\u2019s shoulder, he added, \u201cI know I\u2019m hard on you, Nick, but it\u2019s only because you\u2019re one of my best agents, and I expect the best out of you. And I\u2019ll admit, though your methods are unorthodox, you usually deliver.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick smiled. \u201cThanks, K,\u201d he said, running his finger down the turtle dove\u2019s smooth back. \u201cThanks a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

K smiled back. \u201cYou\u2019re welcome.\u201d Then he added, \u201cYou\u2019d better get started on cleaning up the mess you made in here. I promised Mr. Schwarz we\u2019d leave his store looking the same way we found it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick\u2019s mouth dropped open in disbelief. \u201cWait, WHAT?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMerry Christmas, Nick!\u201d K called over his shoulder as he walked out of the store.<\/p>\n

Nick jogged after him. \u201cAren\u2019t you at least going to help me?\u201d<\/p>\n

K shrugged a shoulder. \u201cThis was your<\/em> idea. We could have just detained them on the spot and been done with it, but no, you had to go all Home Alone. Never can do things the easy way, can you, 00Carter?\u201d<\/p>\n

Not even the correct use of his nickname could keep Nick from pouting. \u201cBut\u2026 my childish antics are part of my charm!\u201d<\/p>\n

K didn\u2019t take his eyes off the squad car into which the two minions were being forced. \u201cYou\u2019re certainly behaving like a child who doesn\u2019t want to clean up his room, but somehow, I don\u2019t find it charming.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick rolled his eyes. It was then that he caught sight of something strange in the sky. He did a double-take.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As we watched while the cops hauled our crooks far away,<\/em><\/span>
\n I looked up and saw a really strange flying sleigh.<\/em><\/span>
\n It was black with red trim and a ferret on the side,<\/em><\/span>
\n And who should it be but Drums steering this ride.<\/em><\/span>
\n My laughter unleashed as he lowered his flight,<\/em><\/span>
\n With antlers on his head and his nose all alight!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDude\u2026\u201d Nick elbowed K in the ribs and pointed. \u201cIt\u2019s Drumzy the Red-Eyed Reindeer.\u201d<\/p>\n

K snorted and shook his head. \u201cYou have got to be kidding me. Where does that guy get funding for these over-the-top gadgets? I mean, a flying sleigh? Really?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick grinned. \u201cThis is great,\u201d he whispered again, raising his wrist to capture video footage with his watch. This seemed to really rile Drums, who leaned over the side of the sleigh.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He frowned and he glared as he shouted to us,<\/em><\/span>
\n \u201cYou won this time, jerks, but you\u2019ll still eat our\u00a0dus\u2019!<\/em><\/span>
\n We\u2019ll be back for ya all and ya better beware,<\/em><\/span>
\n \u2018cuz when we\u2019re through wit\u2019 you, ya won\u2019t\u00a0gots\u00a0a prayer!\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cY\u2019all say that every time, but you haven\u2019t beat us yet!\u201d Nick shouted back, but Drums didn\u2019t hear him. With a burst of flame from the back of his sleigh, he flew off into the night, disappearing between the skyscrapers. \u201cDamn!\u201d Nick swore. \u201cWe should have shot that asshole out of the sky while we had the chance!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I was pissed that he sped off in such a bright flash,<\/em><\/span>
\n But K grabbed at my arm as I started to dash.<\/em><\/span>
\n \u201cIt\u2019s not worth it, Carter,\u201d he called out to me,<\/em><\/span>
\n \u201cIt\u2019s already Christmas; let\u2019s go home to our tree.\u201d<\/em><\/span>
\n Although very surprised at K\u2019s jolly advice,<\/em><\/span>
\n I had to agree, and for now it sufficed.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Part 4<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A 00Carter Christmas Act I: Twelve Hours Before Christmas   As I looked out the window of our private jet, I couldn\u2019t help wonder if we were there yet. The last time I flew somewhere cold was due South, With K\u2019s country cousin and his smart-aleck mouth.   \u201cAre we\u2026<\/p>\n

Read more<\/span><\/i><\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":147,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"templates\/template-onecolumn.php","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-387","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/P5xaHX-6f","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/387","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=387"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/387\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1001,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/387\/revisions\/1001"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/147"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=387"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}