Chapter Text
3 Christmas days before Christmas Day at Mac and Riley’s place...
Mac is making gingerbread cookies in the kitchen, while listening to the radio. Everyone said his baking is always great but his cooking ? Not so much. “Good evening to everyone who lives in LA. It’s 3 days before Christmas, so we hope you all have got your Christmas shopping done and found the perfect presents for your loved ones. Now, here’s this classic to listen too.” The radio host says. The song Jingle Bell Rock starts playing, with Mac humming and singing along quietly as he makes his gingerbread cookies. 🎵Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock🎵 Mac hums and sings to himself, hoping no one notices but he is sadly mistaken, as Riley exits the bedroom and sees him doing it. She leans against the wall that is next to the kitchen, putting her hand over her mouth as she smiles, watching her boyfriend sing. 15 seconds past before Mac notices her and stops humming and singing. “No, no, please carry on. Watching you singing while baking is sweet, funny and sexy.” Riley tells him. “Really ?” Mac asks. “Oh yeah.” Riley says, as she walks over and kisses Mac on the lips. “So, this is our first Christmas together as a couple. You excited ?” Mac asks her. “I am. I can’t wait to give you my Christmas present.” She says, smiling at Mac. “Same here, Riles.” Mac tells her. They kiss again before Bozer enters through the front door. “Guys, I need your help.” Bozer informs them. “Something wrong at Phoenix ?” Mac asks. “No, much worse. I need help finding a great Christmas present for Leanna.” Bozer says. Mac and Riley shake their heads and both go “Ooh” in disappointment that Bozer left getting his girlfriend a Christmas present late, 3 days before Christmas to be exact. “That does not look good, Boze.” Riley tells him. “Yeah, yeah, I know I messed up but I was thinking the best couple that I know could help me fix this mess and not tell Leanna. The best couple I know being you two.” Bozer tells them. Mac and Riley smile at each other, after hearing Bozer say that. “Sure, man. We’ll help you. Just give me a few minutes to finish these cookies and we’ll go.” Mac says. “Great. Thank you, the both of you.” Bozer says. “Is Leanna coming back for Christmas then ?” Riley asks. “No, she’s still away on a op but I still want and have to send her a Christmas present.” He says. “Well, duh. She’s your girlfriend after all.” Riley replies back. Bozer smiles and leans in his hand for a cookie but Riley quickly slaps his hand away. He looks at her in confusion. “They’re for the Christmas Party in 3 days. You can’t have one.” Riley tells him off, as she smiles.
At a small shopping mall in Downtown LA...
Mac, Riley and Bozer enter the shopping mall. It’s surprising quiet, with not too many people around, considering its Christmas. This gives our heroes a advantage, to quickly look for a present for Leanna. Bozer was worried that he would find a great gift but would have to fight and argue with a elderly lady over it. Mac, Riley and Bozer head over to the jewellery and perfume sections. Bozer finds what he thinks would be the ideal present at both sections but asks Mac and Riley for their opinion. This takes multiple attempts, asking Mac and Riley over and over again, on different presents. This starts to annoy the couple as Bozer is taking his time, time which they don’t have much of left as the mall announces over the speaker that it will shutting soon. Bozer eventually picks out a silver pair of earrings and Leanna’s favourite perfume. He asks the couple once more for their opinion. “Definitely.” Mac and Riley say in sync at the same time. Bozer smiles, as he agrees with them that Leanna will love these presents... finally. They start to head over to the payment area before a big noise is heard coming from the front doors of the mall. Six armed men enter after kicking open the front doors. “EVERYBODY GET DOWN ON THE FLOOR, NOW ! DON’T BE DUMB OR BE A HERO AND YOU’LL ALL GET TO LIVE TO SEE CHRISTMAS MORNING !” One of the armed men shouts. The shopping customers and the security guard near the payment area immediately get down on the floor. Mac, Riley and Bozer who are further away and can’t be seen by the armed thugs, crouch down and find cover. “Who the hell are these guys ?” Bozer asks. “I don’t know but whoever they are, they are well armed and are taking over the place. Riley, can you hack into the security cam...” “Already done it, babe.” Riley says, cutting Mac off before he could finish his sentence. “That’s my girl.” Mac tells her, smiling at her. Riley smiles back at him. “Ok, since these guys are wearing masks, i’ll try running facial recognition through their eyes. See if we can get a hit. Riley does one of the many things she does best at and succeeds. “Ok, facial recognition says these guys are the same guys that robbed the bank in the middle of the city last month and got away with it.” Riley tells them, as she shows her phone to Mac and Bozer. “Feels weird that they decide to rob a small shopping mall, after robbing a bank the previous month, don’t you think?” Bozer asks them. “They may have a safe in the back. These guys could be looking for a quick Christmas score for all we could know. I’ll call Matty.” Mac says.
At the Phoenix War Room...
Matty, Russ and Desi are inside, finishing up on discussing Desi’s latest op, when Matty’s phone goes off. She picks it up. “Hey blondie, what’s up ?” Matty asks. “Matty; me, Riley and Bozer are trapped inside a small shopping mall in Downtown. Six armed men have stormed in, taking over the place and are keeping some customers and a security guard hostage. The three of us are further away in the mall, so the armed men haven’t seen us yet.” Mac informs her, while whispering. “Seriously ?” Matty asks. “Yeah, Riley has already run facial recognition on them. It’s the same guys that robbed the bank in the middle of the city last month. They’re carrying M16’s, so these guys are no joke. I don’t think the LAPD can take these guys.” Mac tells her. “What’s wrong ?” Desi asks Matty. “Mac, Riley and Bozer are trapped in a shopping mall with 6 armed thugs.” Matty tells her. Russ and Desi look at each other in a surprised way. “Ok, Mac, we’ll send in a tac team, setting them up outside. The three of you try to stay hidden and keep watch of what the armed thugs are up to. Contact me if anything happens.” Matty tells him. “Ok, got it.” Mac replies back. Matty hangs up, as she, Desi and Russ exit the war room to go gather a tac team.
Back at the shopping mall...
Mac puts his phone away and turns to Riley and Bozer. “Ok, Matty is sending a tac team to our location. She’s says we should stay hidden and keep watch of what these guys are exactly up to.” Mac whispers to them. “Man, if the three of us were in a tall plaza building and these guys were terrorists, Jack would be so pissed that he missed this.” Bozer says. “Yeah but instead, we’re in a shopping mall with six armed robbers and hostages and there’s three of us instead of one.” Mac says. “And all three of us are John Mcclane.” Riley says in a humorous tone but still with a concerned face .
Continued in the final chapter.