It's the most wonderful time of the year!

It's been a few weeks but it was finally Christmas! My favorite holiday of the year and I couldn't wait for Mom and Sam to come over in Christmas Day so we could all spend it together

I was putting the finishing touches on my Mrs. Clause costume that Adam asked me to wear, and with much holiday cheer I totally agreed

I just finished pulling up my knee length boots when I heard yelled from downstairs, "Mrs. Claus!"

I smiled playfully, making my way downstairs, hopping on the last step, "Ho ho ho!" I giggled

"There she is!" Adam smiles, I made my way towards them as Adam took my hand and spun me around, showing off my outfit

"Okay, I have to admit that outfit is pretty cute," Bree commented, I smiled and then my eyes trailed to the burnt cookies in the counter

I pointed at them, "Uh, who touched my cookie dough?"

"Adam did!" Leo and Bree immediately spoke, pointing at Adam, I gave him a glare

"What? I just used my heat vision," Adam defended, I rolled my eyes

"Now I have to make more cookie dough," I poured, beginning to grab the ingredients out of the kitchen

Suddenly there was a banging on the door and all our heads turn to the door, that's when Chase hopped on in with blinking lights all covered him making me giggle. Everyone laughs at the sight

"That, however, is spot-on." Bree says, pointing to her brother

"Hey! Get back above the roof, you're ruining my display!" Adam scowled at Chase

"You were lucky, a raccoon chewed me free!" Chase exclaimed

I started to make my way over to Chase when an alarm went off on all our phones

"That's an urgent mission alert, we have to get to the lab." Davenport says, walking down the stairs. Adam, Bree, Leo, and Davenport all rushed down to the lab and I sighed, they forgot about Chase, I rolled my eyes and began to unwrap Chase

"Don't worry, Chase, I've got you." I smiled, quickly untangling the lights around him and they fell to the floor

"Thank you," Chase sighed and kissed me on the lips, I giggled and kissed him back

"You're welcome, now we've got a mission alert to attend to," I smiled as we pulled apart, I started to walk ahead when I felt arms wrap around my waist from behind

I giggled, "Chase!"

"What?" He asked, knowing all to well what he was doing

"If you don't get downstairs to the mission alert right now I will cut you off from kisses and cookies."

"I'm going! I'm going!"
~~~~~~~~~
"The alert is coming from Facility X, my research center at the frozen tundra." Davenport says as we enrtered the lab

"Hey, hey, I'm the mission specialist, I'll handle this!" Leo tells Davenport, "The alert is coming from Facility X, his-" Leo pointed at Davenport, "research center at the frozen tundra."

"Wait... The tundra's near the North Pole... Santa needs our help!" Adam gasped in realization, his eyes widening.

"You," he points at Bree, "Wrap," then, he points at Chase. "Tape," he then points between me and him. "You and I'll go hang with the elves!"

"Dr. Evans, are you there?" Davenport asked as he tried to get a call from the other side, on the monitor

"Yeah, I'm here! Although... There's been a major volcanic eruption nearby and we're experiencing aftershocks! I'm afraid if we don't act fast..." Dr. Evans was then gone, due to lack of communication

"Oh, Merry Christmas to you too, Dr. Evans!" Adam scoffs, "Rude!"

"Sorry guys, I know the time's not ideal," Davenport says.

"It's okay, Mr. Davenport, we know what we have to do," Chase reassured Davenport

"Yep. Let's crack open some eggnog and hit it hard after the New Year!" Adam grinned and started to run off, I turn to Davenport

"We'll handle it," I nodded

"You four go, and hurry back. I wanna open Scarlett's present ASAP," Leo ordered, I rolled my eyes and pressed the Phantom ring I had on my finger

Soon my Mrs. Claus outfit was gone and replaced with my Phantom suit, my hair in a curly ponytail

"Let's go!"

"Okay, you have got to show me how you got this tech because I need it."

"You don't need it, you want it to show it off as your own."

"Is there a difference?"
~~~~~~~~~
Adam, Bree, Chase and I got to Facility X, me with my new mission suit on and Adam with a Santa hat on. Suddenly, Dr. Evan's ran out wearing an Viking helmet. I wasn't sure why

"Oh good!" he called, "You made it!"

"Did we seriously just risk our lives to save a guy in a Viking helmet?" Bree asked in disbelief

After explaining about the hat being a TV antenna, Chase asked, "Is everything okay here?"

"Well, the volcano really shook things up, communications are down, and the pizza guy's four years late," Dr. Evans said, "But other than that I'm good!"

"Great," Bree deadpanned, "Another genius with bad jokes, Merry Christmas to me!"

"Wow," Dr. Evans marveled, "I can't believe that I'm finally getting to meet the bionic superhumans I've heard so much about! And Phantom! It is a pleasure to meet you ma'am!" He quickly shook my hand and I smiled

"A pleasure to meet you to, Dr. Evans," I spoke, retracting my hand

"She knows my name!"

"Wait, you know our secret?" Adam gasped, "Oh great, we came to save him but now we have to destroy him! Scarlett, you grab his legs, I'll get the bucket."

"Stop," Chase said, "He's Mr. Davenport's chief scientist! He knows everything about us."

"That's right," Dr. Evans confirmed, "Though I didn't know Phantom worked with you three."

"Well technically I don't but it's Christmas so I'm just doing my part!" I smiled

"Ah," Dr. Evans said, a bit disappointed, "Well, let me show you around. This is my lab, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, that's pretty much it."

"Wait," Bree said, "You live here, all alone?"Dr. Evans nodded, "With no brothers?"He nodded again,"Does this place have a guest house?"

"Hey!" I yelled, "You'll miss them within a week of moving in!"

"This is it, and I'm sorry it's such a mess, things have gone downhill since my hologram wife left me" Dr. Evans said, and we all looked at him weird, "I'm kidding! We actually get along great! Although she's a hologram, she's not really there for me."

All of us continued the weird stares, well, everyone except for Adam. He called over, "Guys, check this out! It's like a giant crystal ball!"

"Adam I don't think-" I started

"Ooh, let me ask it a question," Adam said, putting his hands on a giant glass sphere with green energy inside, "When will Chase start to look like a man?"

"Uh, careful, careful," Dr. Evans warned, running over to Adam, "That's a gamma sphere. It holds the most powerful energy known to man, gamma rays. If we could harness these, we could solve the world's energy problems. Davenport and I have been working on this for years."

"Whoa," Chase interjected, "I was trying to develop a gamma sphere for Mr. Davenport."

"Well I guess I beat you to it," Dr. Evans replied, "Little guy."

Chase looked at me for help, "Don't worry, your perfect to me."

"But don't feel bad. Nobody's perfect," Dr. Evans reassured, "In fact, if they gave out medals for trying, you would get a gold!"

"Are you patronizing me?" Chase asked, pronouncing it as patron-izing.

"No," I said, "He's patronizing you. Like Patrick."

"Crap," he muttered as Dr. Evans laughed."And yes," Dr. Evans confirmed

"You do realize that I'm the smartest person on the planet, right?" Chase asked

"And every time you have to say it it just diminishes it a little bit," Dr. Evans groaned. Bree and Adam were laughing as I was just feeling humiliated for Chase

"Are you watching this?" Bree laughed

"I can't look away," Adam replied

"Luckily the sphere wasn't damaged in the eruption," Dr. Evans said

"It's a good thing to, even the slightest crack could be catastrophic."

"That's right," Dr. Evans said, "What am I thinking? Of course that's right! You have electric abilities! So you must be able to sense its power, right?"

"O-oh! Yeah... I have... electric powers and stuff! Hehe, totally," I spoke nervously

The other still don't know I don't my electric powers are gone, so hopefully Dr. Evans doesn't bring the attention to them

"Are you sure you're not the smart one of this operation?" Dr. Evans asked

"Not, I'm just backup," I replied

"The gamma rays could've blown a hole in the atmosphere and wipe out 20% of the population," Dr. Evans explained

"Well," Bree said, "That is Davenport Industries. Risking the fate of mankind since 1992."

"Come on Dr. Evans, we've got to get you out of here," Chase said

"Well, I can't leave until I've stabilized a few things," he said, "If you all would help me, it shouldn't take long at all."

"Oh, it won't take long," Chase bragged, "Cause I'm smart."

"You said it again," Dr. Evans cringed, pushing his fingers together while Chase just rolled his eyes.

"Ignore him, the sooner we finish the sooner we can spend Christmas together," I whispered to him, he smiled at me

"Thanks babe, I'm glad your here with me," Chase whispered back, lightly kissing my cheek and we went to work
~~~~~~~~~
As we finished securing Facility X, Dr. Evans said, "Thanks for lending a hand guys."

"No problem. Glad we could help. Cause you needed it, " Chase gloated, "Yep! That's right! Brilliant scientist saved by a fifteen year old. You sir, are welcome."

"Chase, that's enough," I said, pulling him away. Then all of a sudden, the building started to shake

"What's that noise?" Bree asked

"Remember that questionable meatball sub I had at that gas station?" Adam asked, "Question's been answered."

"No!" Chase said as we came back over, "That sounded like an-"

"Aftershock!" We all exclaimed as the building started to shake again.

"Brace yourselves!" Dr. Evans warmed as we all ducked for cover

Chase and I made our way to a corner as he hovered over my body, making sure I was alright until the aftershock stopped, and an alarm went off

"You okay?" He quickly asked as he helped me up

I nodded, "I'm fine. Are you?"

"Yeah, I'm perfect," he smiled, I smiled back

"Is everyone else okay? Bree? Adam? Dr. Evans?" I called as Chase and I made our way out of the corner

"I'm good!" Adam yelled as he helped Bree up

"I'm fine!" She replied

"I as well!" Dr. Evans replied as we all regrouped

"Okay, that was not the meatballs!" Adam declared

"Uh, Dr. Evans?" Chase asked, pointing to the gamma sphere as it cracked

"Oh no," Dr. Evans said, running over to it, "There's a crack in the gamma sphere!"

"Oh man, that looks dangerous," Adam said, "Well, we're gonna bounce. Merry Christmas!" Adam started to run off as Bree and I pulled him back

"Whoa! Don't get too close," Dr. Evans warned, "If that crack opens up, those gamma rays will mix with the ash cloud, and say goodbye northern hemisphere!"

"Can we patch the crack?" Chase asked

"Patch the crack," Dr. Evans deadpanned, "Billion dollar technology, unstable energy source, sure, let's put a little chewing gum in and see how that works."

"Starting to see why the hologram wife left," Chase muttered

"Hey, how about I shoot my heat vision at it," Adam suggested

"How would that help?" Bree asked

"I don't know, it's what it do," Adam replied

"What if Phantom uses her electrokinesis?" Chase suggested, my eyes slightly widened

"That's actually not a bad idea," Dr. Evans said, "Phantom can you do it?"

"Well... I—" I began, fiddling with my hands

"Of course she can! She's Phantom, you got this," Bree encouraged, I looked at the group uneasy before looking at my hands, they were shaking

"Phantom?" Chase asked, I snapped out of my trance

"Huh? O-oh, right. Um... I'll try..." I muttered, I turned towards the sphere

"If I've got any electricity left in me, please work now," I whispered, before gulping and looking at the sphere

I held my hands up, focusing all the energy I could, focusing on the familiar crackle I would feel in my hands when my lightning powers came

But nothing worked

"Uh, Phantom? I hate to rush but if you don't do something now we'll all die!" Dr. Evans warned

"R-right! Let's just... give it another go..." I muttered, holding my hands out once more towards the sphere

But again nothing came

"Phantom? What's going on? Why aren't you using you're electricity?" Chase asked

"Because I can't!" I shouted, throwing my hands down in anger

"What do you mean you can't?" Bree asked

"Yeah, just hold your hands out and boom! Lightning powers," Adam spoke, doing a motion with his hands, I sighed

"I can't... I can't do it because... I lost my lightning powers," I muttered

"What?" They gasped

"H-how is that possible? You're suppose to be a hero!" Dr. Evans gasped

"I know! And I've done a really crappy job at being one," I replied

"How did this happen?" Chase asked

"When Marcus and Douglas captured me they put to much Clutioniam in my system. It was killing me because of the electricity in my body, so to save my life they had to remove my lightning powers, and for the past few months I hadn't had an indication they were still there. I... I think there gone..." I explained

"How could you not tell us?" Chase asked

"Because I didn't want you guys to think it was your fault! I was hoping a situation wouldn't arise when I had to use them! But... we can see how well that turned out..." I mumbled

"Look, I hate to break this up, but we have got to do something about that!" Dr. Evans spoke, pointing towards the dangerous sphere, "The more oxygen that gets in that crack, the worse it'll get."

"Wait," Chase said, "Maybe I can temporarily contain it with my force field."

"Right!" Dr. Evans said

Chase faced the sphere and easily encased it with his force field, but after a while problems started, "Guys, the gamma rays are melting a hole in my force field. I don't know how much longer I'll be able to contain it!" Chase warned

"Well you have to," Dr. Evans said, typing on his computer, "Cause I don't have a fix yet."

"Shocking," Chase gloated

"Shut up the hole's getting bigger," I snapped and he returned his focus to the sphere

"Wait, so when the gamma rays escape we'll pretty much be goners?" Adam asked

"Well, we will," Chase replied, "But you'll be find, since your head is full of lead."

"Yes!" Dr. Evans exclaimed, "Lead!"

"Hey! Dr. Smarty!" Adam snapped, "We just met, you don't have that privilege yet."

"No," Chase said, "Lead can contain the gamma rays."

"And Davenport built this building out of lead!" Dr. Evans continued, "To keep everyone from spying on his secret technology! All we have to do is rig enough explosives to implode the lab on the gamma sphere!"

"Great idea!" Bree exclaimed

"Let's get to it then!" I added

"Yeah! Blowin' stuff up on Christmas!" Adam cheered, "It is the most wonderful time of the year."
~~~~~~~~~
"Deck the halls with large explosives, boom boom boom boom boom, boom boom boom boosh!" Adam sang

"Okay," Bree said, "charges are set, so all we have to do is light this fuse to start the implosion."

"We'll only have 15 seconds to get out of the blast zone before the building implodes," Chase added.

"Think we'll make it out in time?" Adams asked

"I know I will," Bree said

"We'll all make it out, let's just worry about surviving first!" I exclaimed

"Okay, adam, light the fuse," Dr. Evans instructed, and Adam lit it with his heat vision. Chase then abandoned the sphere and ran out with the rest of us

"Wow, the rays," Dr. Evans marveled, "they're so beautiful! though i thought they'd be a bit more blinding." I ran back into the room as the rays blinded Dr. Evans

"There's the burn!" he exclaimed as I grabbed him

"Let's go!" I yelled, and we ran out as the lab imploded

"Did it work?" Dr. Evans asked, facing the wrong direction, "I still can't see anything."

"Don't worry," Chase reassured, "it'll wear off. We need to get you out of here. Adam, where did you park the transport?"

"In the garage, under Facility X." Adam replied, "uuuggh!"

"Alright," bree groaned, "Dr. Evans, hop on, you're first."

"Ready when you are missy," Dr. Evans said, trying to climb onto Chase

"Get off me!" Chase snapped

"She's a feisty one isn't she!" Dr. Evans replied

Bree then took Dr. Evans and sped off, while I grabbed Adam and Chase and followed right after her
~~~~~~~~~
"You're back!" Leo cried as we entered Mr. Davenport's Lab.

"It's so good to see you guys, Merry Christmas!" Tasha and Mr. Davenport said, all of us then hugging them

"So," Mr. Davenport said, "How'd the mission go?"

"Yes," Chase replied while nodding unconvincingly

"Well, how's my research facility?" Mr. Davenport asked

"You wouldn't even recognize it," I replied, all of us laughing

"Hey, why are we down here when the presents are upstairs," Adam said, started towards the elevator

"Wait, wait, not so fast," Leo said, "Principal Perry is upstairs. I repeat, Perry is in the house!"

"You know, I'm really tired."

"Yeah I could use some sleep."

"See you in the new year."

"I'll be at my Mom's house."

"Hey," Tasha said, "Look the poor woman is all alone, and it's Christmas. At least we're all together. Let's make the best of it, right?"

"Absolutely not," Mr. Davenport declared, "Enough is enough. We're going to march upstairs and tell this woman 'vamoose lady!' This is our Christmas!"

"Yeah!" We all cheered, starting for upstairs

"Wait," Chase said, "She can't see us with our mission suits."

"Well hurry up and change," Mr. Davenport said, "I'm not going up there with out backup."

"Wait!" Chase called again, everyone groaned

"What now?" Adam groaned

"I think we all need to address a very important issue that happened during our mission today," Chase spoke, looking towards me and my eyes quickly looked at the floor

"Oh yeah! Scarlett was considered the smart one!" Adam laughed, Chase glared at him

"No! What I mean is something happened to Scarlett we all should be aware of," Chase spoke, all eyes turned to me and I slowly lifted my head up

"Scarlett? Sweetie what happened?" Tasha asked as she walked closer to me

I let out a shaky breath, "I... I lost my lightning powers..."

"What?" Davenport and Leo gasped

"How did this happen?" Davenport asked

"When Marcus And Douglas captured us, they injected so much Clutioniam in my system that it was reacting badly to my lightning abilities. So, to save my life they had to remove them. And I haven't gotten them since..." I explained, fiddling with my hands

"So, for the last few months... you haven't had any lightning powers come back? Not even a spark? A crackle? A pop?" Leo asked, I shook my head

"Scarlett why didn't you tell us?" Davenport asked

"Because I didn't want you guys to think it was your fault! I over used my abilities when I knew they were under too much stress for you guys, and I didn't want you guys to blame yourselves for what happened. So I hoped they would come back before you guys could notice... but I haven't felt anything since then," I explained

"So that's why you didn't use your electricity powers to reboot the TV last month," Leo spoke

"Or when the oven wasn't working," Davenport added

"I'm really sorry I kept this from you guys. I know I said I had nothing more to hide but..." I began

"Scarlett, we understand," Tasha spoke

"You do?" I asked, looking around the room to see reassuring smiles

"Yeah, I mean, we understand why you hid it. But you don't have to keep secrets from us. We're basically family," Leo spoke

"Yeah, at the end of day we'll be here for you. No matter what," Bree spoke

"You don't have to hide things from us, Scarlett. We'd always help you anyway we can," Chase reassured

I smiled, "Thanks guys."

"Okay, now get in here! Group hug!" Tasha smiled

We all chuckled and got into a massive group hug, as me parted I spoke, "Thanks guys. I promise no more secrets. Seriously, this time I have nothing left to hide."

"Good, now get changed! I don't wanna face the beast all by myself," Davenport spoke and the three rushed to get into there regular clothes
~~~~~~~~~
I borrowed some of Bree clothes as we got upstairs to see Perry in our kitchen cooking?

Mr. Davenport the spoke, "We smell– food?"

"What are you doing?" Leo asked

"What does it look like? I'm making dinner," Perry replied. She had an entire Christmas dinner set up it seemed like

"Principal Perry, this is amazing," Tasha said.

"Well I didn't see you cooking anything," Perry said, "Though I did find your cookies Scarlett. How'd you make the dough that good?"

I looked around, and decided, "Tell me how you made those mashed potatoes so fluffy, and you've got a deal."

Then realization hit me, "Wait did you eat all my cookie dough?"

"I didn't see anyone else using it."

"Anyways, Principal Perry this is very thoughtful of you," Tasha spoke

"It's a Christmas miracle," Chase says, agreeing with her

"Ah, it's nothing," Perry says. "I figured since I crashed your holiday, it's the least I could do."

"Oh, look how fancy," Tasha observed. "She made a Christmas Goose."

"It's actually a swan from the pond down the street." Perry corrected. "You know you could walk right up to him." That's when there was a meow heard

"Please tell me that's not coming from the oven," Davenport tells us.

"I got it," Perry tells him. "The Christmas tree is one scratching post for those cats," I glanced over and saw that the Christmas tree was shaking

"Come on Dingles! Come on boy! He's usually very, very, good." We watch the standoff between the cat and Perry, I cringed when she jumped on the tree

"This is the weirdest Christmas I've had so far," I mumble to Chase who agreed with me

"I don't know if I want another Christmas after this one." Chase agreed

Suddenly the doorbell rang, I shrieked with happiness, "That's Mom and Sam!"

I rushed to the door and quickly opened it, seeing my family their and we immediately squealed as Sam and I hugged, I gave Mom a side hug since she was holding a dish in her hand

"Holly! Sam! So nice to see you! Please, come in!" Tasha greeted as she walked over towards them, taking the dish from my Moms hand

"Oh it's lovely to see you to Tasha, I hope you don't mind that I brought some Moroccan roasted potatoes. It's a dish my adoptive family made for us when I was younger," Mom spoke

"Oh no! It's smells lovely, thank you! Now come eat! There's plenty for all of us!" Tasha smiles, Sam followed after her

"Oh! Wait!" I told Mom, I rushed and grabbed Chase's hand, and rushed him over to my mom

"Mom, this is Chase. My boyfriend, Chase this is my Mom," I introduced, Mom smiled as Chase held out his hand

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Ms. Anderson," he greeted, a smile on his face as Mom shook his hand

"A long time coming yes? My daughter has told me a lot about you," Mom spoke

"Mom!" I gasped, she chuckled as her and Chase broke apart their hands

"What? I'm just teasing, let's have dinner yes? I'm sure I can get to know Chase more during that time," Mom smiled

Oh please let this go well!
~~~~~~~~~
Once Perry was done wrestling with her cat, we all sat down and ate the meal that Perry made us. As much as I hated her, there was one thing that I actually liked about her and that was her cooking. It definitely made up for not getting Grandma Rose's feast

But my Mom and Chase were getting along really well! And Sam also. I swear I had never seen a bigger smile on my Mom's face

Once we were all done, Tasha said, "Principal Perry, thank you again for this meal."

"Yes, it was magnificent." My mom agreed

"Oh, you're welcome." Perry smiled. She pulled out a of paper and handed it to Davenport. She said, "I'll take that whenever you're ready."

"What's this?" Davenport asked

"Uh, your bill," Perry stated like it was the most obvious thing in the world. I really should've seen this coming

Davenport looked at the bill and said, "I see you included tax, tip, the cost of two extra people, and half the cost of a new tire?"

"Sorry, gratuity is included for parties of three or more. I have no say in that." Perry said to him

"You're actually going to charge us for dinner?" Davenport asked in disbelief

"Well, I didn't make this meal with love. I made it with skill, sweat, and whatever came off the tip of my pinkie when I was chopping veggies." Perry said before showing us a green bandage on her pinkie

We all immediately began to gag and gargle down as much water as we could. Perry was still one sick lady

Once we were all done gargling our water, my mom said, "I think it's time we go. I'm more than happy to pay my share, Davenport."

"Oh no! No, it's my treat. Plus your potato dish was delicious," Davenport smiled

"You're absolutely sure? I wouldn't want us to impose—" Mom began, gesturing to her and Sam

"Mom! This is the one time he'll pay for something without an argument! Just roll with it!" I mumbled, Davenport gave me a glare as my Mom chuckled

"Well, thank you Davenport. If you ever need me to repay you I gladly will, with how kind you've been to my daughter and my family I greatly appreciate it, so thank you. One day I hope I can repay you," Mom smiled

Davenport smiled, "No need. It's my pleasure to help you."

"I'll walk you out," I offered, standing and following my Mom and Sam towards the door

Once we got there I opened the door and Sam whispered in my ear, "Mom thinks Chase is a keeper. Don't lose him."

I blushed as I gave her a look, she chuckled as Mom gave me a nod, I gave her a look to and she smiled innocently

I said my goodbyes as she left, shutting the door quietly as I leaned against it

At least Chase has the mother seal of approval
~~~~~~~~~
After Christmas dinner was over, and kicking Perry out of our house, Chase and I sat in my room, on the couch watching Christmas movies and drinking hot chocolate

"Oh! I almost forgot to tell you, my Mom thinks your a keeper," I told him, looking up at him, I could visibly see his smile in relief

"Thank goodness, I really hoped I made a good impression," Chase smiled, I chuckled and curled up into his side

"I think you made a great one," I smiled, taking his hand and lacing our fingers together, "I'm really glad you did that for me. Since my Mom's opinion is really important to me."

"Of course, I'd do anything for you. You're everything I need and more, we're in this together. I'm always gonna be there for you," he spoke, smiling and kissing the back of my hand that was intertwined with his

"I—" I began, looking up at him

But I froze, my heart beat sped up as I quickly spoke, "I'm so lucky to have you."

He smiled at me and kissed the top of my head, pulling me closer as I laid my head on his shoulder

"Likewise," he smiled

I smiled, but in reality I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach

Why is it so hard for me to say 'I love you'?