Yeah, I loved Gina. She came up with paying him all on her own, btw--that wasn't me. Especially since she was supposed to be younger and she turned into a mother-type. I love the idea that John was a young-ish hunter himself, and would have encountered people who'd mother him the way Sam and Dean occasionally meet mother-figures, and the way they get mothered so often in fic.

Askefrue! What a cool coincidence, huh? I went looking at the beginning of writing this for a real tree-spirit that could also be a Christmas thing, and there she was. So I immediately knew what I had to do, and that I didn't want her to get killed. John talks a good game, but really he's a big softie.

Glad you liked! One more to go....