DISCLAIMER: Generation X are Marvel's. Santa is a free being. Sparks and Xanta Claws are mine. The concept of Christmas is currently being fought over by the religious groups and the big businesses. Credit for the chihuahuas goes to my sister Diamonde, but the beagle is mine (you'll know what I mean when you get there). I am writing this out of sheer goodwill, and am making no money.

Note: There is a tiny continuity blip here. Sparks will join the team during the upcoming Gencat, 'Where Kittens Come From', which is still in the works, and takes place before this one. *sigh* She was in Pizza Dreams, remember? Look I'll explain when we get there, I promise. WARNING: there is no conflict in this story. It is a happy holiday story with lots of feelgood stuff and everything goes fine. E-mail me!

"On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to meeee, a partridge in a pear tree..."

"F'r cryin' out loud, Jubilee, shut that bloody thing off. Never mind the partridge, we've got kittens in the Christmas tree ter worry about." Jono glared at the two fluffy blue faces three feet above his head. "You two get down here right now!"

~Why? Leech and Artie are having fun!~ squeaked a happy little voice. ~Can see everything from up here.~

~And not get stepped on.~ Artie added, gazing reproachfully at Everett, who was arranging the fire.

"Look, guys, I said I was sorry! I couldn't see over all the wood I was carrying. You know I didn't do it on purpose."

"What're you complaining about, Jono? That is a very traditional Christmas type song, and what do you mean kittens in the- oh." Jubilee looked up at the unrepentant explorers and sighed. "If you guys knock any of those ornaments down, you are in so much trouble."

~We won't, Ju-bee.~ they chorused.

"Then I guess ya can stay up there for a while. At least you'll be out of the way." Artie stuck a small pink tongue out at Jono. "O'course, that means ya won't be able ta help Hayseed set up the Nativity scene..."

~We help, we help!~ they mewed hurriedly. There was a flurry of activity, then a short silence. ~Ju-bee?~ came a hesitant voice.

"Yeah?"

~We can't get down.~

"Oh, great. Hang on a sec." Jubilee stuck her head out the door and yelled. "YO, STRIPES! QUIT OGLING THE TURKEY AND GET IN HERE!" After a moment, Angelo, in cat form, stalked into the room. He glared at Jubilee.

~What?~

She pointed up into the tree, "The fuzzballs are stuck. Ya wanna reach up there and grab 'em?"

~Not really. That is a pine tree, J. It scratches.~ He changed form, and shook his head a little. Changing always did strange things to the vision. "Guess I have to, though, since the muchachos can't celebrate Christmas in the tree. But no scratching!" He stretched one distended hand up, scooped the kittens into it, and deposited them on the floor. "Now change and go help Paige, she's waiting for you." They scurried out.

"How's the fire coming, Ev?" Jubilee wandered over to her boyfriend. He straighted up, and gave her a quick hug.

"All set up and ready to go. What about the dining room?"

"Table's set, decorations are up, and Monet is now doing everything again 'cause I can't possibly have done it right." Jubilee pouted. She looked adorable, Everett thought. The others looked at the mushy expression on his face, and diplomatically left the room.

* * *

"Deck the halls with boughs of holly, falalalala-lalalala! 'Tis the season to be jolly, falalalala-lalalalaaaaa!"

Oh, shut up. Emma thought crossly. If I hear one more carol I'm going to scream! She was having a little trouble getting into the spirit of things. Joyous celebration just wasn't Emma's style.

 "What's up, lass?" asked a familiar irish lilt, as a warm flood of love and concern washed over her, easing her bad mood away. She turned to see Sean Cassidy leaning in her doorway.

"Nothing, really. I just...don't really feel like celebrating." He walked around her desk and scooped her up in strong arms. She sighed, relaxing into the hug, then looked up at him with troubled eyes.

"I was thinking about the Hellions. Well, Catseye mostly. I never really understood her, Sean. I just couldn't think the way she did then, but I can now, since we were - changed. I miss her. I miss all of them." She turned in his arms to look out of the window. "But I don't feel guilty any more. I did the best I could for them, and I have to accept that, and get on with my life. I have new students now, and while they will never take the Hellion's places, that doesn't mean I don't love them just as much. I suppose..." she sighed. "I suppose I feel guilty for not feeling guilty. I feel as though I'm abandoning them. Does that make any sense?"

"Aye. It makes a lot of sense. I know ye, Emma. Ye canna let go of anything or anyone without a struggle. But it's time t' let go now. Let th' Hellions rest, and dinnae feel bad about it, they'll no' hold it against ye."

"I know." She snuggled against him. "I suppose we should go down and see what the children are up to."

"I suppose." Neither moved.

*I love you, Sean Cassidy.*

*I'm a wee bit crazy about ye too, Emma Frost.*

* * *

"OOOOOOHHH, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the waaaayyyy..."

"Doesn't that gel ever shut up?"

"Ah'd settle for hitting the right notes." Paige winced. "Still, at least she's singing the right words now."

Jono grinned at her, enjoying the ability. "I dunno, that bit 'Jingle bells, Cyclops smells, Angel flew away, Bishop lost his favourite gun and Psylocke's going grey, hey' was fun." Jono cringed as a particularly flat note drifted out of the kitchen. "Not that fun, though."

"You can say that again. Are you going ta sing for us tonight?" She smiled up at him.

"Maybe. If I get the right incentive." He wiggled his eybrows at her and leered. She hit him with one of the Wise Men. "Ouch!"

"Serves you right. You'll sing and like it, you will!" She giggled at his melodramatically pained expression.

"Paige? Where do you want these?" whispered a shy voice. They turned to see Penance hovering in the doorway, clutching a bunch of delicate white flowers from the biosphere. Penny had gained a measure of control over her powers with the 'change', as it was often referred to, and was slowly opening up to her fellow students.

"Raght over here, Penny. In the vase, that's it." Penny smiled happily at them.

"If yer head into the kitchen, gel, I reckon Jubilee might spare yer a mince pie 'r two." Jono offered. He and Paige had stepped in as Penny's surrogate friends/protectors/older siblings, and it was generally agreed that they spoiled her rotten. But then, so did everyone else, so that was all right.

"All right." Penny whispered. As she turned, the kitchen door flew open, allowing Jubilee to forcibly propel Mondo out of it. At least, that was what it looked like, although considering their relative sizes such an action probably violated several laws of nature.

"OUT!" she shrieked, waving a wooden spoon under his nose. "If ya pinch any more before dinner, there won't BE any dinner! Go play with the kittens or something. Hey, Penny, c'mere!" with which she grabbed her friend and disappeared back into the kitchen so fast that it was like watching a Jack-in-the-box in reverse.

Mondo smiled serenely at Paige and Jono and wandered up the stairs.

* * *

"Right, is everyone here?" Sean asked. They were seated around the long table in the formal dining room, preparing to mount an offensive on a huge, luxurious, and privately catered Christmas Dinner. The odds on much of the food surviving the encounter were slim to none.

"Leech wishes that Sparks could be here." Leech said sadly.

"So do we all, Leech." Emma comforted him. "But you know that it's important for her to spend this Chistmas with her father. She'll be here next year." She breathed a private sigh of relief. Danae was friendly, intelligent, and terminally cheerful, and everyone was fond of her, but her presence would most likely have spelled disaster. There were theories going around among the students that Danae's ability to attract disaster was actually a mutant power, and, combined with her at best marginal control of her electro-magnetic abilities - well, the sound generally associated with her was 'BOOOOM!!! Ooops.' She and Jubilee got on quite well.

"Everyone is here, Mr Cassidy." Mondo smiled. "Can we begin now?"

"First, a moment of silence to give thanks for our good fortune, and tae remember those who, for whatever reason, cannae be here tonight." Everyone bowed their heads. "Long enough. Dig in, kids!"

They dug.

* * *

Jono twitched and yawned. Had he heard something? He reached for his water glass, and realised with irritation that it was empty. He'd had a mouth for nearly six months now and he still forgot sometimes. Bugger.

Oh well. Now was as good a time as any to stick his presents under the tree, and he'd get some juice or something while he was there. Grabbing the various parcels, he sneaked out of the dorm and into the main house.

Ten minutes later, he stood back and admired his handiwork. The space under the tree was piled high with brightly wrapped gifts, but he'd managed to find good places for his. He really hoped that everyone liked what he'd gotten them - he'd put a lot of thought into his shopping this year. Grinning evilly, he adjusted the package containing Angelo's handmade cat raincoat, with matching bootees. The real present was a watch, but Angelo was going to have to take the other things out of the box first. Jono couldn't wait to see his face.

As he turned to leave, he noticed a large package with his name on it. From Jubilee, eh? Maybe...nah, I won't peek. Feeling rather virtuous, he headed into the kitchen to get himself a drink.

As he came out of the kitchen, he heard a faint noise coming from the sitting room. Someone else dropping off their loot, eh? Wonder who. He tiptoed down the hallway, and peeked around the door. Then his jaw dropped, and he stared.

A large, white-haired man dressed all in red (And no, it wasn't Magneto. Get with the season, peoples!) was carefully hanging nine red stockings with the names of all the students from the mantlepiece, but Jono wasn't looking at him. His gaze was riveted to the huge white cat with a red bow around its neck that was just finishing the row of small parcels on the hearth that seemed to correspond with the stockings. The two looked at each other.

"Nice place, this. Nice people too. You about done there?" Santa Claus asked.

~All finished. You?~ Santa nodded.

"Best get going then." Santa helped himself to a cookie, tipping some of the milk onto the plate for his companion, who lapped it up quickly.

~Right. Busy night ahead. After you, my friend.~ The two disappeared up the chimney. Jono stood staring at the presents for a minute, then raced outside. Gazing skyward, he saw a sleigh lift off from the roof, drawn by a team of miniature reindeer. After a moment, another, smaller sleigh rose and sped away. This one appeared to be drawn by a team of Chihuahuas, with a small beagle out in front. In a moment, both were gone.

Jono rubbed his eyes. He pinched himself. He went back inside and looked at the presents. He pinched himself again. Then he shrugged. He'd been turned into a cat, and seen people raised from the dead. At least life was being consistent.

He went back to bed.

* * *

"Joy to the woooorld..."

"WAKE UP, MR CASSIDY! IT CHRISTMAS!!" Sean opened one bleary eye to see two eager faces, one pink and one green, staring at him expectantly from approximately one inch away.

"Wha time 'sit?"

"Big hand on twelve, little hand on four. Just when Ju-bee tell us." Leech said happily.

"Jubilee, eh?" he looked at them and sighed. "A'right, lads, I'm up. Go wake the others. But remember, ye cannae touch the presents until everyone's there."

Eventually, everyone had congregated in the big sitting room. Most were bleary-eyed, and Angelo-cat was curled up half asleep beside Jubilee, who looked disgustingly cheerful. Obviously her inability to wake up in the mornings did not extend to holidays.

Banshee frowned at the cheerful row of stockings. "Santa brought them." Jono explained. Sean looked down at the little row of presents under them. "There was this big white cat..." He looked carefully at his teacher. "Umm, Santa?"

"Er - aye, lad. We'll just...put Danae's stocking aside, shall we?"

By common consent, the presents from Santa were opened first, then the free for all began.

"A RAINCOAT? If you think you're getting me into this, Starsmore -"

"Yay! New blades! Thanks, Ange!!"

"Toys! Thank you, Miss Frost!"

"Oh, Jono. It's lovely." Paige looked at the bracelet with shining eyes.

"HEY GUYS!!" Jubilee shrieked, breaking the moment. "ANGE AND FROSTY ARE UNDER THE MISTLETOE!!!"

Emma looked up. Oh dear. She looked around the room at seven grinning faces and one that was at least making the effort. She looked at Angelo. He smiled. Ummmm... Still smiling, Angelo bowed and kissed her hand. Everyone applauded.

Whew.

Slowly, the group paired off as more personal gifts were exchanged, and an unobtrusive queue formed by the mistletoe. Penance and Angelo joined the kittens as they played with their new toys.

A Merry Christmas was had by all.