Kimberly Shiroma initialed the last of the forms on her desk and sat back with a sigh.  It seemed that the year end paperwork kept growing larger every year.  With the detailed records they kept on all their cases plus the reports Cassian filed, you'd think that there would be nothing left to document.  But no the government loved paper and everything must be submitted on the proper forms and in quadruplicate.  Shiroma rose from her desk and walked over to the small coffeepot she used to heat water.  Maybe a nice cup of tea would improve her mood. It wasn't the endless paperwork that had her so unsettled, it was the season.  She glanced at the calendar; it was December the 24th, Christmas eve.  She had never had much use for this particular holiday.   Oh, she bought the usual gifts for friends and joined her aunt and cousins for Christmas dinner but she never had understood what the fuss was all about.  Not being religious the birth of a supposed savior of mankind held little meaning for her.  As for Santa Claus, well let's just say elves, reindeer, and a jolly, fat man who traveled around the world in one night was ludicrous.  And to perpetuate such a lie to your children, Shiroma shook her head; no Christmas was not her favorite time of year.  She had made the mistake of stopping by the mall earlier.  For a holiday dedicated to the best in man, it sure seemed to bring out the worst.  It was a madhouse with people short tempered and frantic.  No she would enjoy her four-day weekend and stay far away from Christmas and its madness.  A soft tap on the door interrupted her melancholy thoughts.
     Edward Marcase entered the office his arms filled with forms.  Crossing to the desk he lay his stack of paper beside the one Shiroma had just finished.  "Ugh, I hate paperwork.  You about done?"
     "Just finished."
     "Good then we can both get out of here before we turn old and gray.  Besides if we're not tucked safely in our beds tonight how will Santa find us?  You have been a good girl this year haven't you Dr. Shiroma?"
     "You can't tell me you honestly believe in that nonsense?"
     Marcase chuckled.  "Still the skeptic I see."  Suddenly he turned serious.  "Listen Kim I have a favor to ask you."  He glanced down not sure how to frame his request.
     Shiroma was intrigued it took a lot to embarrass Marcase.  Whatever this favor it must be important.  "Edward, I don't celebrate Christmas, how can I help?"
     Taking a deep breath Marcase continued.  "I've never had much family so I spend Christmas helping out a friend.  When my grandfather was alive he spent Christmas Eve and Christmas day offering medical treatment to the indigent.  I've kind of kept up the practice.  A friend of mine runs a shelter for street kids and homeless women with children.  I spend the holiday giving the women and kids checkups.  I usually invite a colleague or two along for the trip.  I...I was wondering if you would like to go."
     Shiroma was touched.  She could tell that this meant a lot to Marcase.  "Edward, I'd love to."
     "Is this a private party or could you use a couple of extra volunteers?"  The unexpected voice caused both Shiroma and Marcase to jump.  They had not heard their colleagues enter the office.
     "Gee Cassian, give a guy a heart attack why don't you.  And to answer your question I'll take all the help I can get.  But aren't you supposed to be with your family today?"
     "There was a last minute change in plans.  The gathering of the clan has been moved to tomorrow night so I'm free to lend my services to the cause."
     Marcase looked at Hailey.  "And what about you Michael?"
     "Well I can't help in the medical department but I'm sure Maggie can find plenty of things for me to do.  I'm in."
     "You know Maggie?"
     Hailey smiled at the stunned look on Marcase's face.  "Doesn't everyone?  Besides I know everything about you Dr. Marcase including where you spend your holidays."
     Marcase shook his head in bemusement.  "No, don't tell me.  I don't want to know."
     Hailey just gave an enigmatic smile and remained silent.
     Cassian watched the by-play in tolerant amusement then brought the conversation back to the subject at hand.  "If you two are through.  I believe Dr. Marcase you were going to tell us your plans."
     "Right, the shelter is called Maggie's Place."  He quickly scribbled down an address and handed it to Cassian.  "Here's the address.  There is a small clinic in the back; I have a couple of sources that donate medical supplies to the shelter.  I usually try to open the clinic up after lunch,
say around two?"
     Cassian nodded.  "I have one last luncheon appointment.  Two should be fine."  He glanced around at Shiroma and Hailey.  They nodded in agreement.  "Well now that we have that settled I have a luncheon to attend."  As Cassian left Marcase marveled that God indeed works in mysterious ways.  Turning to his two remaining colleagues he saw that Hailey too was leaving.
     "And I need to make a last check of the security system before shutting the place down for the holidays."  He turned to Shiroma.  "Would you like a lift to the shelter?"  He glanced at Marcase.   "I know the way."
     Shiroma laughed.  "That would be great Michael.  Pick me up at my place.  I'm done here."
     Marcase took one last look around the office.  "Let's hope this place stays quiet for the next four days."  He motioned toward the door.  "Let's get out of here before the powers that be find more paperwork for us to do."
     As Hailey went off to make his final rounds Marcase and Shiroma made their way to the parking lot.  "I really appreciate this Kim, your helping out and all, I know you're not real big on Christmas but thanks.  It means a lot to me."
     "Thank you for asking me."  Shiroma turned so that she could meet Marcase's eyes.  "I mean that Edward, thank you."  Marcase's smile was all the answer she needed.  She was glad that Cassian and Hailey would be lending a hand but she would always be grateful that she was the one that Edward had sought out.  Marcase did not ask for help often.  When he did it was a sign of trust and respect.  That he would ask her for help meant a great deal to her.  "I'll see you at two."

     Shiroma hadn't been entirely sure what to expect but the tidy two-story building in front of her was a surprise.  The house was old but well cared for.  While many of the other shops and houses in the area sported graffiti and broken windows, Maggie's Place was untouched.  No bear bottles or cigarette buts decorated the lawn and while the paint wasn't new it was all one uniform color.
     "Maggie runs a tight ship."  Hailey had noticed her scrutiny.  "Everyone is welcome but only if they obey the rules.  The local street gangs take it as a sacred duty to look after this place.  Anyone who gives Maggie grief answers to them."
    "I'll remember that."
     The inside of the house reflected the same loving care as the outside.  To the left well worn but comfortable furniture decorated a large living room.  A secondhand TV and VCR occupied one corner of the room while a stately pine tree adorned with handmade decorations occupied a second corner of the room.  A group of young children were grouped in front of the TV watching the lasted Disney movie.  To the right a second room had been outfitted as a game room.   Children of all ages roamed about the room.  Some played video games while others were engaged in card games or pool.  There was even a fierce game of chess being waged at one of the tables.
     As Hailey hung their coats in the hall closet a small woman with curly brown hair and twinkling gray eyes came down the hall from the rear of the house.  "Michael!"  The woman greeted Hailey with a quick hug then turned to Shiroma.  "Hi, you must be Dr. Shiroma. I'm Maggie."
     "Please call me Kim.  This is quite a place you have here."
     "Be it ever so humble, it's home.  I want to thank you for coming.  I know it's asking a lot on Christmas but this may be the only time all year some of these people see a doctor.  Edward has amassed quite a following over the years.  Folks come from all over and he is one of the few doctors that the local gangs trust.  I hope you're ready for lots of business."
     "That's why I'm here."
     "Good." Maggie turned her attention to Hailey. "And don't worry I have a list for you as well."
     Hailey laughed.  "Do I at least get to use tools that work this time?"
     "What's the fun in that?  Come on you two let's go face the rampaging horde."

     The hours flew by as Shiroma became lost in the flow of patients in and out of the small clinic.  Maggie had not been exaggerating.  And endless stream of people came for treatment.  At first they had been wary of her and Cassian.  But once Marcase introduced them as friends the suspicions faded.  This was the strangest Christmas she had ever experienced.  She would never forget the sight of the usually aloof and powerful Dr. Daniel Cassian kneeling on the floor trying to coax a scared three-year old out from under the table.  Or the usually dangerous Mr. Hailey sitting in the floor surrounded by toy parts as he busily assembled bikes and dollhouses.  Yes, Christmas did seem to have a strange effect on people.
     It was late into the evening when the last patient was finally seen and the clinic closed.  The children were all asleep upstairs and Cassian and Hailey had left.  She stood in the door of the living room watching Maggie stuff packages under the tree.  Putting the finishing touches on the mountain of gifts Maggie stood and spotted Shiroma.  "I'm glad that's done.  You about finished at the clinic?"
     "I just shooed the last patient out the door."
     "Great, how about a cup of tea?"
     "Tea sounds good, I haven't had a day like this since my residency. I'm beat."
     "Is Edward back?"
     Shiroma shook her head.  "He left a few hours ago, he didn't say when to expect him back."
Periodically throughout the day Marcase had taken a black doctor's bag and disappeared for a few hours.  No one had commented and no one had asked any questions.  Shiroma suspected that Marcase had gone to treat those patients who wouldn't or couldn't for some reason come in for treatment.
     "Don't worry, he'll be fine."  Following Maggie to the kitchen Shiroma hoped that she was right.  It did seem that many of the local gangs held Marcase in high regard but this was still a dangerous part of town.  Anything could happen.  Fixing herself a cup of tea she joined Maggie at the table.  A few minutes later Marcase entered the kitchen and dropped into a chair.  "I don't know why I do this every year.  I haven't worked this hard since med school."
     The two women laughed and Marcase gave them a sheepish grin.  "OK, so I love it."   Climbing to his feet Edward gave Maggie a hug then turned to Shiroma.  "It's time I got you home.  It's almost Christmas.  We don't want Santa to overlook you."
     "You're hopeless."  Shiroma just shook her head at such foolishness but obediently rose from her chair.  "Maggie I had a wonderful time."
     "You are always welcome here.  Edward take good care of her and try to stay out of trouble."
     "By Maggie, Merry Christmas."

     Shiroma was thoughtful on the drive home.  Everyone around her seemed to find a special magic in this time of year.  Even Cassian and Hailey had understood this season's mystique.  Why couldn't she?  It only seemed like a few minutes had passed before Marcase pulled up to the front of her building and shut off the motor.
     "Kim is something wrong?  You've been awfully quiet since we left Maggie's."
     Shiroma continued to stare out the window.  "It's this season.  I just don't understand it.  It seems like everyone is under some kind of spell."
     "I know you don't believe in Christmas but this time of year is magical to a lot of people."
     "That's the point, I wish I could believe in the magic but I don't."
     Marcase smiled.  "We make our own magic Kimberly.  Long before there was a Christ child or a Kris Kringle man has looked upon the time of the Winter Solstice as a special time of year.  Your problem is you are trying to find meaning in the trappings of the season instead of the spirit of the season."
     Shiroma stared at Marcase in surprise.  "What do you mean?"
     "Christmas is about hope.  It's about looking at the cold barren wasteland of winter and believing that there will be a spring.  It's about looking at the dark side of man and believing that there is light there as well.  Christmas is the time of year we try for just a few days to appeal to the goodness in man.  To try to create for only a few moments the kind of world we want to live in.  This time of year belongs to all people regardless of race or religion.  It is a time to celebrate the hope we all have that good will triumph over evil and that man can outgrow its more basic tendencies before we destroy ourselves.  That is the spirit of the season Kim, all the rest is just a matter or how you choose to honor that spirit.  Some rejoice that a savior was born to redeem man, others use the vessel of Santa to try to teach the joys of giving and thinking of others.  Still others just take the time to reflect and be thankful for the past year and hope that the next one will be better.  We've seen and experienced a lot this last year.  We've seen the best and the worst that man can do.  If you can believe that there is hope for mankind, Kim, then you can celebrate the spirit of Christmas."
     Shiroma was silent as Marcase walked her to the door of her apartment.  As her mind processed Edward's words she felt a weight lift from her heart.  Opening her door Shiroma struggled to find the words to express her feelings.
      "Good night Edward, and Merry Christmas."
      "Merry Christmas Kimberly."
      And for the first time in her life Shiroma understood the true meaning of the season.