Comfort and Joy

By: Elizabeth Dunn

Disclaimers:  Not mine, yeah, yeah, we know the drill :).

Author's note: I was at the mall near my school earlier, and, what with all the Christmas decorations up and the carols playing, I just got in the holiday mood, so just indulge me here.  Or this could just mean that I have to lay off the eggnog  :). 

**********

"When did it happen?"

Casey looked up, surprised by Dan's sudden outburst.  "When did *what* happen?"

"Christmas."

"Well, by my calculations, it happened almost eleven months ago.  And guess what-it's going to happen this year too."

"Not the holiday," Dan said, then turned back to his script as if that statement explained everything. 

Casey sighed and turned off his monitor.  Obviously he wasn't going to get any work done until Dan had worked whatever this was out of his system.  "Then what?"

"The fact that the season starts earlier every year.  Have you noticed that?"

"As a matter of fact I have, but what makes you bring it up now?"

Dan walked to the window and gestured in the general direction of the outside world.  "Look at them out there.  Putting up the decorations and it's not even Thanksgiving yet.  And listen," Dan walked over to their office door and opened it a crack, just enough so the distant melody of "White Christmas" could be heard.  "Christmas carols!  I don't get it."

Casey by this point had turned on his screen again and finished his script.  Picking it up from the printer, he said, "No need to get it, Danny.  It's just a sad fact: the sooner you start to advertise something, the more profits you make off it.  Christmas is just too commercial."

"You sound like Charlie Brown," Dan said, but he was smiling at the same time.

"And you sound like Mr. Scrooge...or the Grinch.  I haven't made up my mind yet.  See you in thirty, at the anchor desk, okay?"

"I might run a little late...depends on if I can finish this script without having to tell Virginia there is a Santa Claus.  Which there isn't.  Does Charlie know that yet?"

"On time, Danny.  Not one second late.  And if Charlie wants to believe there is a Santa Claus, let him.  I don't believe in destroying my child's illusions until he's at least twelve."  He paused, then said, "Besides, you're Jewish.  You're the last person anyone would ask about the existence of Santa."

"Bah humbug to you too!" Dan shouted after Casey, and then turned back to his script, grumbling.

**********

"Hey, Case.  Welcome back."  Dan bounced into his office and stopped when he saw his downcast partner.  "Hey, what's the matter?  Thanksgiving was yesterday, you had the day off, and you're sad?"

Casey looked up at Dan.  "Yes I am.  I spent most of yesterday fighting with Lisa over holidays.  Our original arrangement was Charlie would be with her for Thanksgiving and with me for Christmas, since it was reversed last year.  Now, she calls me out of the blue yesterday morning, early I might add, and said that she decided to go away for Christmas week, and guess what, she's taking Charlie with her.  So I kindly asked if I could take him for today, and you know what she said?"

"You couldn't have him?"

"I couldn't have him!  I mean, come on, it's not like I'm the kid's father or anything."  Defeated, he sank back against the sofa cushions.  Dan turned away, fully prepared to let Casey stay in his funk until he was ready to talk, but Natalie chose that moment to interrupt.

"Guys, meeting in 10," she said, before ducking back out again.  Dan chased after her.

"Wait, run-down's not until 2.  It's only," he looked at his watch, "11:45 now."

"I know," Natalie said brightly.  "Dana wants to start plans for this year's winter holiday party."

"I see she learned her lesson from last year and decided to take the politically correct route."

"Hey, how was she to know that Jeremy would freak when confronted with Santa?"  Natalie chuckled.  "Anyway, in 10.  Be there, both of you."

"Yes ma'am.  What are you, the Sugarplum Fairy?"

"That's me, spreading holiday cheer all over.  Now let me flit back to my enchanted desk to try and find some enchanted sports news for the evil prince sportscasters."

"Hey!" Dan shouted, but she was gone.  Dan turned his attention back to Casey, who showed no signs of having cheered up in the past 5 minutes.  "Case, try to pull yourself together.  There's a special meeting in 5 minutes, and Dana might want you there."

"What about?"

"Winter holiday party."

"Am I to gather from that that Santa will not be making a stop here?"

"Do you think Jeremy's ever going to live that down?"

"Not as long as we work here."

"Just be there.  And be cheery too."

"Bah humbug."

"That's my line."

"I'm borrowing it."

"Just be sure to return it later in good condition."  Dan walked to the door, then turned to regard his friend.  "Hey, cheer up.  I'm sure something will work out.  Just try to be happy.  For Dana's sake."  Dan left the room, not even bothering to hear Casey's reply.  He knew it wasn't over yet.

**********

"Okay, guys, listen up.  It's December, which means a profusion of holidays.  Now to avoid the hysteria of last year--."

"Hey!  Jews and Santa just don't get along!"  Jeremy seemed rather insulted by Dana's comments.

Dana sighed.  "It wasn't only you Jeremy.  Between you, Kim's fear that the menorah would set the building on fire, and Isaac wondering just what the proper dress for Kwanza is, I think we're just going to forget that there are such things as holidays and just have fun.  Agreed?"  She waited for a moment and when there were no objections, continued.  "This is the plan.  No decorations, no fancy clothes, just food and fun."

"Who's doing what?" asked Dan.

"We'll all bring in two dishes and a beverage.  You and Casey can do the punch again-it's about the only thing that went right last year.  Okay, now everyone back to work and back here at two for the rundown."

Dan and Casey walked back to their office; each lost in his own thoughts.  Finally Dan broke the silence.  "Case?"

"Mmm?"

"What do you think?"

"About what?"

"I don't know.  About, holidays, Christmas, people."

"Covers a lot of ground."

"No, Case, I mean it.  Do you think there's a point anymore?  Aren't holidays just an empty sham?"

Casey looked up at Dan, seeing that he was intent on continuing this train of thought.  "No, I don't think so."

"How can you say that?  Look at us.  You celebrate Christmas and you're not actively Christian, and I can't remember the last time I actively participated in a Hanukah celebration.  We just don't do these things.  Nobody does.  And so I was wondering what the point is.  If it's worth pretending that holidays mean anything more than presents and fun."

"I think there is a point.  I know neither one of us is religious, but for me, Christmas has been more about family and loved ones than religion anyway."

"But you're going home *or* going to have your son, and I'm not going home, so they really are empty now.  Neither one of us will be with family."

Casey frowned.  "I was trying to forget about that.  Thanks ever so much for reminding me."

"Any time Case."  They worked for a few minutes, and then Dan spoke up again.  "Casey?"

"Yes Danny?"

"What are you doing?  I mean for Christmas."

"I don't know.  Probably just sitting at home watching 'It's a Wonderful Life.'"

"Well, I was thinking...."

"Don't think too hard."

"Funny.  Anyway, I was thinking, since we're both going to be alone, maybe we should both be alone together."

"You mean spend the day together?"

"Exactly!"

"Sounds good.  Your place or mine?"

"Now *there's* a pickup line."

"Very funny."

"I thought so.  Anyway, I think we should go to your place.  This way I can observe the master of Christmas."

"Danny?"

"Yeah?"

"Bite me."

"Where do you want do be bitten?"

Casey smirked at Dan.  "If you only knew," he said, then, with another look at Dan, unreadable this time, walked out of the room.  Dan sat back at his desk, his script suddenly taking second place to trying to puzzle out the real meaning behind Casey's words and that last look he gave him.

**********

Casey was singing.  This was not good.

Not that he had a bad voice, it was actually pretty good, but he had only sung in the office three times.  Once was "Happy Birthday," off-air of course, and the other two was when he had been drunk.  This was turning into a drunken time.

It was Christmas eve, the night of the winter holiday party, not that Dana had chosen that night because it was a holiday, as she had hastened to explain when she had announced the date.  It was the best night because they all had off Christmas Day, so they could get drunk with good conscience.  And Casey seemed to be taking her up on that offer.  Dan observed him from the other side of the room, shaking his head.  He had actually been having a good time this year, in fine flirting from.  But now that seemed fairly unimportant compared to making sure that Casey didn't do irreparable harm to himself.  And that seemed a distinct possibility judging from the hits he'd been doing from the punch bowl.  Dan shrugged, and then his attention was distracted by an intern, so he turned to give her a dose of the famous Rydell charm, and for that reason, missed what Casey was doing.

Casey had holed himself up in a corner watching Dan.  Watching him throw himself at every eligible woman in the room.  Frankly, Casey was disgusted.  He was jealous too, but wasn't calling it such.  He was trying his best to avoid that train of thought, but he couldn't anymore.  Out of nowhere, the thought came, 'I wish Danny would flirt with *me*.'  Whoa.  Casey decided it was time to get out of there-fast.

After a quick stop in his office to grab his keys, he headed to the elevator.  He almost made it too, but Natalie was stationed there for just such an occasion.  "Hold it Casey," she said, holding out a hand.  "Where do you think *you're* going?"

He held up his keys and shook them.  "Home."

"Not in that condition.  Let me get Dan.  He'll drive you home."

"No!" he said firmly, then softened his tone at her odd look.  "He's...having too much fun," Casey stammered, trying to look for an excuse to avoid being in a confined space with Dan-not now, when he had so much to think about.  "I'm fine.  Honest."

"No, you're not," she said sweetly.  "I'm getting Dan, so you can just wait here."

"All right," Casey said meekly, then immediately pushed for the elevator as soon as her back was turned.  Luck was with him, as the elevator was on the floor.  He got in, and was in the parking level unlocking his car when he heard someone clearing their throat behind him.  He spun around to see Dan standing there, shaking his head at him.

"Case, what am I going to do with you?" he asked as he walked over and took Casey's keys.

"Nothing.  I'm fine.  I got here without tripping over myself, and I'm sufficiently sober to make the trip home, so just go back upstairs and have fun.  No need to baby-sit me."

Dan stared at him, surprised by the shortness of his tone.  "What's the matter with you?  No, don't answer, just get in."

Casey glared at him, then got in the passenger side and promptly pressed himself as far away from Dan as possible while still staying *in* the car.  "Fine, I'm in, let's go already."

Dan started the car and puled out of the parking garage, still puzzled about Casey's odd behavior, but willing to let it rest for the moment.  It wasn't until Dan parked the car at Casey's apartment that the silence was broken again.  Casey looked over at Dan and reached for his keys, saying, "I'll call a cab for you."

Dan shook his head and followed Casey into the elevator.  "Nope," he said.  "We've got to talk, and I'm not leaving until we do.  Besides, we're spending tomorrow together, so it doesn't make sense for me to leave."  He smiled.

Casey didn't say anything until he had got them both in the apartment, then turned to face Dan.  "Danny," he started, then stopped.  With a sigh, he tried again.  "Dan, I really don't want to talk, and I'm sure you don't want to hear what I have to say, so let's forget it."

Dan sat down on the couch.  "Nope," he said.  "Not letting you get away with this.  We're talking Case, so I suggest you start, or I start, or something because I'm not moving until *something* gets said."

"Well then, you better start, because I'm not going to."

"All right.  How about you tell me what exactly was going on in your head when you decided to get as drunk as I have ever seen you?"

Casey sat down on the floor in front of his window and leaned his forehead on his knees.  "Not going to answer that one.  Next question."

"Fine.  Why did you try to leave without help when you knew you were too drunk?  And don't tell me you were fine, we both know that's a lie."

"Pleading the fifth."

"Case, damnit, answer me!"

"Fine!  I had to get away from you!"  Dan's jaw dropped open at the force of Casey's admission, and while he was distracted, Casey escaped to his bedroom and shut the door.

Dan was having trouble processing what Casey had just said.  Running from him...?  He decided to get to the bottom of this, so he went into Casey's bedroom, intent on having it out.  Walking in, he got his second shock of the night.  Casey was *crying*.  The man never cried, at least not where others could possibly see him.  But there he was, crying as if his heart was breaking.  Silently, Dan crept over to the bed and placed his hand on Casey's back  "Case," he whispered hoarsely.

"Go *away* Danny."

"No.  You're hurting and I want to know why."

"Believe me, you don't."

"I do.  I swear."

Casey flipped over and pulled Dan down so they were on eye level.  "I'll tell you, but you better not blame me when you realize that you really didn't want to hear it.  I am hurting, but not for the reasons you'd think.  Do you know how hard it is watching your best friend hit on every girl in the building, and wishing, not that you could get some of that action, but wishing that your best friend was hitting on *you*?  Damn it, it's so confusing, but I can't deny it.  I want you, Danny.  And it's killing me that I can't have you!"  Casey sighed and turned onto his other side, away from Dan.  He didn't think he could bear to face him, to see whatever was in his eyes. "Go now, Dan.  I don't think either of us wants to be around the other right now."

Leaving was the *last* thing on Dan's mind at that moment.  Instead, and completely contrary to Casey's wishes, Dan lay down beside him and wrapped his arms around Casey, rocking him gently.  "Casey," he whispered.  "Case.  I'm not shocked, repulsed, anything.  A little surprised, maybe, but not in a bad way.  You want to know why I was doing so much flirting?  Because I was trying to keep from thinking about *you*.  I found myself watching you and wondering...well, things I didn't think I should be wondering about my best friend who happens to be a guy."  Dan laughed, then said, "You know, in all the years we've known each other, we've never discussed sexuality.  We've just assumed that we fit in the het world.  We should be feeling silly.  But not sad, or upset.  Case, I won't say it.  Not yet.  But I want you to know that I feel just as strongly as you."  He rolled Casey over to face him.  "You've got me now...deal with it."

Casey laughed.  It was the first genuine laugh that Dan could remember hearing from him in awhile, full of joy.  He reached out and wrapped his arms around Dan, just feeling his strength.  Emotion overcame him and Casey began to cry.  But not in fear this time, but of the overwhelming happiness that can have no outlet *but* in tears.  Dan couldn't help crying too. 

Finally, though, the storm passed, and they were once again just Dan and Casey, only more now.  Dan's hands on Casey's back became less soothing and more erotic with each passing second.  Casey shifted closer unconsciously, trying to get as much of his body as possible into contact with the other man's.  Dan pulled back slightly to look at Casey.  "Case?"

"Danny?"

"You want to know something?"

"What?"

"I want you."

"I want you too. And I have you."  Casey snuggled closer.

"No, I want you and me naked. Now.  I want to make love to you."

Casey couldn't suppress the moan that those words caused.  "God, yes, Dan.  I want the same thing."  Their lips met in their first kiss, a kiss both of them privately thought was the best kiss either of them had experienced.

It was very tender.  No roughness to mar the experience.  No pain, only pleasure.  Dan took his time, making sure to touch as much of Casey as possible before giving in to his begging and taking him into his mouth.  Casey whimpered with pleasure as Dan's tongue began tracing patterns over his cock, as he began deep-throating it.  Somewhere in the back of his mind, Casey was wondering just where Dan had gotten so good at this, but the thought was driven away by the imminence of his orgasm.  Suddenly, without warning, he was coming, coming *hard*, and Dan was swallowing.  He knew a brief moment of regret when Casey finished, but it didn't last long, as Casey pulled him up so their lips could meet once more in a soothing kiss. 

Casey's lips soon grew more passionate as he eased his tongue into Dan's mouth and began a thorough explanation of his mouth.  He wasn't happy there for long, and Casey's mouth soon moved to map out Dan's neck and shoulders, then dared lower still.  A long lingering stop at his nipples, taking the time to make sure each was thoroughly licked and sucked until Dan was a quivering mass of nerves and desire.  Finally Casey reached his ultimate goal, and his mouth had barely closed around Dan's cock before he came, the long foreplay making him unable to hold on for long.  Casey repaid the favor, swallowing every bit of Dan's essence.  Sated, the two men, friends turned lovers, curled up around each other and fell into the deep sleep of the just, or the completely fucked.

**********

Dan was the first to wake up the next morning, and at first he couldn't remember where he was.  The glow of a Christmas tree in the other room brought it back though, and he fondly smiled at the man lying next to him.  In sleep, Casey looked at least ten years younger.  Dan thought it was the ten years with Lisa that had been removed from him.  Dan reached out and stroked Casey's soft hair, allowing the tenderness and love to show on his face.  Casey stirred and opened one eye, looking at Dan.  "Been awake for long?"

"Not too long."

"Sleep well?"

Dan grinned.  "You bet."

"Good.  Glad to see I'm not out of practice."

Dan stuck his tongue out at him.  "Be quiet."  Casey sat up and got out of bed.  "Where are you going?  I can tell you Santa didn't come here."

Casey smiled softly at him.  "Maybe he did," he said quietly, and disappeared into the living room.

Dan jumped up and went after him.  Casey was standing in front of his Christmas tree, the lights on it the only lights in the room.  "Case?" he asked quietly, so as not to disturb the feeling of peace.

"Yes?"

Dan walked over and put his arms around Casey.  "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas to you too."  They kissed, gently, a sign of their love.

Dan drew back and said, with a twinkle in his eye, "So, where's my present?"

"Come here and you'll get it." 

The two men walked back into the bedroom, eager to explore the joys of being together and in love a love that would last beyond the Christmas season and for a lifetime.

**********

The End