Title: "Holiday Spirit" Pairing: Chad Michael Murray/Jeffrey Dean Morgan Rating: PG Summary: Shopping at Christmas is a dangerous business. Disclaimer: Never happened. I have no idea if Jeff even has a sister, let alone if he has nieces or nephews. That's why it's fiction. Notes: For Kate, because, eventually, I pay my debts. The request was Chad/Jeff, 'scarves'. So much for the holiday spirit, Jeff thought, as a harried mother up the aisle told her son that if he uttered just one more syllable, dammit, she was going to leave him here and he could go work for the elves. Oddly enough, that didn't seem to pose much of a threat to the kid. At least, if the continued screaming for the Nerf Master Blaster on the shelves was any indication. And Jeff's sister wondered why he hadn't had kids. Jeff's sister was the reason he was here, actually. Here being the Target at the West Hollywood Gateway – gateway to hell, more like, but Jeff was a sucker for his family, so here he was, Saturday before Christmas, hunting for gifts. Nothing like waiting until the very last minute, but 15-hour days on set didn't leave much time for shopping, and he refused to let his assistant pick out his gifts for his family. He wasn't that far gone. Thankfully, he hadn't been accosted by any fans – it probably helped that he was clean-shaven now, and wearing a ball cap. This particular shopping center seemed pretty relaxed anyway – he'd spotted Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams in Housewares and no one had even glanced twice at them. And, it had been awhile since Denny's spectacular death. Hopefully everyone had moved on to the next big thing. God knew he had. There didn't seem to be anything on this aisle that screamed 'buy me', so he dodged another family and stepped into the main aisle. And ran smack into a cart. Pain shot up his leg in wicked sharp spikes as he spun back, clutching his knee and trying not to curse out loud. "Fuck, man, I'm so sorry." So much for not cursing. Jeff waved off the apology and straightened, plastering a smile to his face. His gaze collided with the contrite face of teen heartthrob, and Jared's best friend, Chad Michael Murray, who seemed to be in the same incognito get up of baggy jeans, t-shirt, jacket, and ball cap. But the outfit didn't do a damn thing to disguise those trademark baby blues, currently crinkled in consternation as he took a step forward, then stopped. "Are you, uh, y'know, okay?" "Well, I don't think I'll be running any races, but, yeah, I'm fine." "Good." Chad let out a relieved breath, and stuck out a hand. "Chad, by the way. Jared's mentioned you about a billion times." "Jeff." He took the offered hand and shook, pleased with the firmness of Chad's grip. So many guys in the business had no idea how to shake a man's hand. "Jared's talked about you, uh, well, a lot." Chad seemed to perk up at that, and he gestured at the madness around them. "Crazy, huh? Makes me wish I'd bought everything online." "I heard that." Jeff danced out of the way of another cart, and decided it was safer to stand next to Chad and let his do all of the blocking. "So, uh, what brings you out to the madness?" Chad ducked his head – was he blushing? – and cleared his throat. "Uh, would you believe I forgot to buy my sister something?" "Ouch." Jeff nodded in sympathy. He didn't even want to contemplate the consequences if he'd ever forgotten to buy his own sister a present. Then he looked down into Chad's cart. "Is, uh, it that what you're getting her?" "Yeah. Uh, why?" "Really, dude, a scarf? For your sister?" His own sister would have beaten the ever-loving shit out of him. Chad scuffled his feet, and peered at Jeff from beneath shaggy bangs. "Well, y'know, it's, uh, cold where she is, and I thought it'd be –" "Practical," Jeff finished. Then sighed. "And to think Jared mentioned you were married." "For five months. Not like I'm an expert." "Yeah, but you've known your sister longer than five months, and...alright, listen," he said, when Chad just pursed his lips and glowered at him, "tell you what. You help me pick out something for my nephew and I'll steer you towards something shiny and very impractical for your sister." In truth, he'd be happy to have the company. And the second opinion. Jared was always going on about what a big kid Chad was. Maybe he'd know of some wicked cool new, uh, something, that would make him The Coolest Uncle Ever. Chad's frown cleared into a smile. "Alright, man. Sounds like a date." "Nah." Jeff's answering grin was lightning-quick. "If it was a date, I'd make you buy me a hot chocolate. With whipped cream." "Starbucks in the courtyard." Well, well, well. Chad Michael Murray was totally flirting with him. Jeff wasn't sure if he was more amused or flattered. Flattery – and curiosity – won out. "Starbucks' hot chocolate sucks, man. But there is a Coffee Bean on Beverly not too far up the street." "The one by El Coyote with the fireplace?" "That's the one." "You're on." And that smile was definitely flirtatious. Jeff returned it easily, and steered Chad down the Electronics aisle. Maybe Chad could help him pick out a PSP game or something. If he was anything like Jared, then he was a damn expert. "Now it's a date," he said, and grinned when Chad laughed. If you enjoyed this fic, please leave feedback here. Thanks!