Throngs of shoppers pressed around him, their shopping bags and purses, and tethered children battering him as he trailed his wife through the enclosed shopping mall. His arms were laden with bags and boxes and a wreath was even looped around his neck. He glanced around at the rushing crowds and chewed on his lip for a moment before carefully stretching his neck over their heads to look for his wife. He swiveled back and forth, spotting her at a rack of neckties.

Ralph returned his neck to normal height and hurried over to find Sue.

"Honey," he called, dodging a crazy woman brandishing fine Italian leather purses at 60-percent-off, "there you are!" "Ralph!" she replied, smiling. "Which one do you think for Booster?" She held up two ties with an expectant look on her face.

"Either one," Ralph said, ignoring both. "Why are we doing this Sue? Let's just go home and have a small Christmas, me and you."

Sue took Ralph's face between her palms and kissed him sweetly on the mouth.

"Oh, honey," she said with a smile. "I haven't even begun shopping for you, yet."

Author's Notes: Ralph Dibney is, of course, the Elongated Man, and Sue is his beloved wife. They were based in Opal City and have most recently appeared in "Formerly Known As...JLA".