"Pardon me, Hank" The voice comes from Allison Blaire, on Hank's left side. "I didn't get to see you over Christmas, but I wanted to give you a little something." With that she leans down and gently kisses his cheek. "That's the first gift. The second one is inside this box." She holds up a lab-safe box marked "Rare Materials. Contents: 5 Kilograms Zeperion." Allison smiles. "Hope you enjoy it, and have a great year."
"Ali! It's been entirely too long." Hank makes a move as if to turn and sweep her off her feet in a hug, but for once in his life, his agility is no match for a determined Dazzler, and he finds himself with a kiss to the cheek, earning a blink and a smile.
"Oh my stars and garters . . . well, now you make me feel positively Grinchly that I haven't your presents to hand. You should have told me you were going to pop by." Beaming now, he gently takes her hands into his own, much larger, furrier, bluer ones, and squeezes affectionately. Even as he does, he's pondering.
"Perhaps a down payment, in the form of a poem? Would that be suitable for wishing my favourite pop star a meritorious New Year and a belated Merry Christmas?"
















