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Author's Note: Well here is a little story for Christmas. I don't know if I will get it done before Christmas is here, but I thought I would write something different for a change. This story takes place before several of the key people had left the show so Alexx and Eric will be in it. I refuse to allow Jesse or Walter in any of my stories since I really hate how they seem to of taken over the new season CSI Miami. I use to joke that they should have changed the name of the show to the Horatio and Delko show, but now they might as well call it the Jesse and Walter show. Well I'm sorry if I offend those of you that like the new characters, but this is just the way I feel about it. Maybe if they had just introduced Jesse and allowed him to interact with the other CSI without having Walter there all the time I might have eventually liked him, but they didn't so I don't. Well enough of my rambling, on with the story. Hope you like it.
I wish a Merry Christmas or happy holiday (to those who don't celebrate Christmas) to all who visit this story.

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Twas the night before Christmas, and all throughout Miami
Not a CSI was stirring, because the lights were all out;

Their kits and guns were all tucked away with care,
In hopes that the need to use them would not be there;

The CSI were nestled all snug on the break room couches,
While visions of a bright and cheerful Christmas danced in their heads.

And Horatio in his blue suit and the rest of his cast,
Had just settled down to tell stories of Christmas's past

No one was sure why the power went out in Miami, but it could not have come at a worst time. It was Christmas Eve and the whole town was shut down. People were being told to stay off the streets since the street lights were not working. This news was not something they wanted to hear since it meant that any plans for the evening were put on hold. People could go out and try to get where ever they were going, but they risked being pulled over and possibly arrested. The last time this had happened in Miami the crime rate soared to record levels so this time the city was trying to be proactive by telling everyone to stay put.

Luckily for most people who had to work at the station on Christmas Eve, this news came after they had already left. There were only a handful of people that had either agreed to work second shift or just didn't have any need to rush out of here to get where ever they were going.

Horatio was still there when the news came, but his reason for still being at work was not because he didn't have anywhere to be that night, he just hadn't left yet. His plans were to spend Christmas with his son Kyle; something for which he was looking forward to. But he was willing to wait. At least they had lights at the station; that is as long as the generator stayed on.

He walked into the locker room and found a familiar face. "Hello Eric, I'm surprised to see you're still here".

Eric looked up from his locker as he heard Horatio, "Hey H, yeah, I really didn't have any plans until tomorrow so I decided to stay late and finish up a few things. How come your still here, I thought you were going to see Kyle?"

"I was, but it will have to wait until the city declares it ok to venture out".

Eric finished with his locker and closed the door, "I hope it's soon. The last time this happened we were so busy with the aftermath. I think that was a record breaking amount of crimes that happened in those 12 hours so the sooner they get the lights back on the better".

Horatio was just about to respond when the door opened. He turned and saw that it was Calleigh.

Calleigh knew that Eric was still here and was coming to get him, but she was happy when she saw Horatio, "Hey guys, a few of us are having a little Christmas party in the break room since we don't have a clue as to how long we will be here. I expect both of you to come and join us".

Eric gave Calleigh a big smile as he walked over to her, "I wouldn't miss it for the world babe". He looked over in Horatio's direction, "How about you H, you gonna join us?"

Horatio couldn't help but smile at his two CSI, "You heard the lady Eric; we're both expected to come".

Calleigh led the way with both Eric and Horatio following her. When they reached the break room Eric was surprised to see that the room was filled with food and Christmas, "Wow, when you said there was going to be a party you weren't kidding. Where did all the food come from?"

"Well, since no one could go anywhere and they had food in their cars for their own parties later on, I was able to convince them to donate it for this worthy cause".

Eric pulled Calleigh into a big hug, "this is wonderful, it's exactly what we needed tonight". He bent down and kissed her. He normally would not have done that at work, but seeing that the only people in the room knew they were a couple he didn't see the harm.

Calleigh pushed Eric toward the food and then did the same to Horatio, "Ok, now I want you to go and get something to eat. I need to go and get a few more people so I will be right back".

Eric and Horatio watched as she left and then went to help themselves to some snacks.

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Calleigh had already talked to most of the people who were still here and had gotten them to show up to the party, but there was one last person on her list. She knew he had agreed to work the second shift that night and had just arrived at work before the power had gone out, but he could still come and join in the fun. She just hoped she could convince Ryan of that. He never participated in any of their past Christmas events; for reasons she didn't know, but she had to ask

She walked into the lab and found him hard at work, "Hi Ryan!"

Ryan looked up "Hey Calleigh, I thought you had left already".

"No, I was just a few minutes too late and got stuck like everyone else, except for you. I see that you agreed to work on Christmas again".

"Yeah, I don't mind. I like the peace and quiet around here".

"Well I know you just got here, but those of us who are still here are having a little party in the break room and we would like you to join us".

Ryan smiled politely and said, "I'm right in the middle of few tests, but I'll try to make an appearance if I can".

"Ok Ryan, but you better show up, or I am going to come and get you".

"Ok Calleigh, I'll do my very best". He watched as she left and was grateful that she had not been more persistent. He figured the little party was actually a Christmas party, but he was no mood to celebrate. This time of year was never his favorite and he always glad when a new year started, for it meant he ahd made it through another Christmas.

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Authors Note: this story is purely fiction. The characters as portrayed in this story have nothing in common with my other stories I have written about CSI Miami.

I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. Let me know what you think. I hope to get this story done before Christmas.