Title: Before Xmas
Author: callisto24
Rating: FRT
Disclaimer: I don ‘ t own anything!
Type: little, harmless Xmas story, Slash
Fandoms: 24, Charlie and the chocolate factory, Lola rennt... historical figures included
Author’s Note: Takes place in Bj Jones Sylum Clan Universe after “Eye of the Storm”!
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Somewhere in Europe.a few days before Xmas

 
The snowflakes whirled around, filled the air with increasing density until it became clear, that it wouldn ‘ t take long anymore until the mass of snow tumbling down from heaven would prevent them from moving on, sooner or later. Darkness fell quickly upon the pittoresque mountain scenery leaving the distant surfaces glimmering and glistening when the last streams of the golden sun were reflected by millions of icy crystals. “Damnit, what are we doing here?” Jack growled, when the car came to stop. “Hey Daddy, it was you, who insisted on getting some special candies for Angelas Christmas plate. We could sit comfortable on the plane, on our way back home, after we ‘ d talked to Schindler in Weisheit Manor. And then, to me the temperature seemed to be really refreshing, I mean, after spending a week in deserts and jungles listening to lectures in African History by Stephen Biko.” Jack turned to him. “You ‘ re impossible young man! I ‘ d never heard more interesting stories from someone, and the heat wasn ‘ t so much different from the one in L.A. Besides, to Ghost and Darkness Clan contain the most fascinating persons, I mean, vampires, I ‘ d ever seen. We should care more about them.”
“Right!” Chase sighed. “But now we ‘ re stuck in here in the middle of nowhere with no single soul around. You shouldn ‘ t believe, that Europe is called kind of crowded.” They remained silent for a while, watched the snowflakes dancing around them. The full moon rose slowly and the stars started to twinkle in the sky. Jack laid an arm around his mate and for a short, but unforgetable moment they admired the miracle and the beauty of nature surrounding them, before Jack kissed him softly with cold lips and tenderly urged him to leave the car.
“I know, where to go, “ he stated. “It isn ‘ t very far away anymore. We ‘ ll care about the car tomorrow.” Chase nodded in agreement and together they plodded through the deep snow beneath the huge, dark and mysterious pines. The trees looked as if they were already decorated for the holidays covered by heavy silver snow , little invisible elves were busy throwing like glimmering lights over the forest.
“Here we are!” Jack sighed relieved and glanced at the huge building rising in front of them. “Let ‘ s hope, he ‘ ll hear us.”
“Who is it?” a muffled voice from inside appeared.
“Uhm, Jack Bauer and Chase Edmunds. We ‘ re here to see Willie Wonka, he should expect our arrival.”
They waited impatiently stepping from one foot to another. After what seemed to last an eternity the gate opened and a grinning Manni welcomed them joyously.
“Chase and Jack! Nice to meet you two. Come in and warm up. We have hot chocolate with cinnamon and fancy Christmas cakes. So, make yourself comfortable, please!”
A cozy fire flared, sent its warmth around the in natural colours and with old-fashioned furniture set up room, emanated the herb scent of dry wood mixing with the sweetness of steaming chocolate.
Contently the two sank down on the soft couch, met the friendly smiles by a handful of other Clanmembers from the region.
“Where is Willie?” Jack asked curious, when he had figured out, that their host remained absent. Wilhelm Tell shrugged. “You know him, Jack, when he ‘ s working in his laboratory he forgets time and space around him. He let us in and hurried back at once.”
“The guy is always busy, “ Lola added. “You might think inventing new recipies for candies would be the most important thing in the world.”
“And what are you all doing here?” Chase asked innocently.
“Well,” Andreas blushed. “You see this?”
He pointed to the small Christmas tree in the corner. A tender melody created by thousands of soft bells crossed the room, developed ist magic, when they began to notice it consciously, created enchanted sounds from unknown spheres far away.
“It ‘ s as if I could hear the angels singing,” Chase whispered astonished and stared into the tree as if he ‘ d expect the filigree, golden sparkling figures starting to move.
“Sometimes the weirdest persons get on well with the mysteries in our world.” Manni smiled and embraced his mate.
“What ‘ s the matter here?” A hidden door suddenly swang open and Willie stepped out, looking extremely confused.
“Willie, man, you invited us, remember? It ‘ s already decembre, Christmas time!”
“Yeah, I know... .” Willie ruffled through his hair and blinked, recognizing the decoration on the walls. “That late in the year, again?”
Andreas grinned. “I assume, we can ‘ t expect from you to know the year.”
Willie looked at him contemptuously. “Would it make any difference?”
“Oh boy, be glad, that we ‘ re here to tell you in which century we live, I mean... exist.”
“Not so important. I have other things in my mind.”
“We know that.” Lola laughed. “What about Charlie?”
Willie stared at her absent mindly. “Huh?”
“Charlie, your mate!”
“Sure, I know who Charlie is.” Willies features lightened up. “The boy has so much work to do, young people, you know? He ‘ s controlling the cocoa cultivation, making sure that the fair trade concept spreads the world. I still can ‘ t believe that the chocolate industry doesn ‘ t notice, that only fair traded ingredients could be used to create the perfect delight. But... ,” he looked around smiling brightly. “When I ‘ m already talking about it, let me show you my newest inventions.”
His gaze turned to Jack and Chase! “Guys! Welcome from far away! Don ‘ t worry, Angelas basket is waiting for her to enjoy it. The little girl should have the Christmas of her life!”
He glanced around, eyelashes fluttering. “It ‘ s nice to have you here, let ‘ s celebrate this special time of the year together, let ‘ s learn what these days will mean to us.”
And deep in the mountains, in a hidden place, some vampires were in the mood to let the unmistakable spirit of christmas into their hearts, while the snow fell down, covered the roof, under which they stayed happily, but couldn ‘ t prevent the love and peace existing between them rising into the sky, flying to the ones they would be able to see soon.