TV is full of badass babes who solve crimes and wield guns just like the boys. And, unlike the boys, they manage to do it all while still looking smoking hot.

That's why today's "12 Days of Tube-Mas" feature is all about our favorite TV tough chicks. In honor of all of the great gifts that TV has given us, every day until December 25th you'll get a little something special in your stocking. No lumps of coal here — just fun TV treats to help you pass the time until Santa comes sneaking down your chimney. So sing it with us now:

On the fifth day of Tube-Mas my true love gave to me...



1. Castle's Kate Beckett (Stana Katic)

Detective Kate Beckett has survived her mother's murder, a sniper bullet, and legions of killers who don't want to be caught. She's tough as nails in the interrogation room, but not afraid to show off her softer side to the people she cares about (like a certain crime novelist/partner).

2. Fringe's Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv)

No matter which parallel universe she's currently residing in, Olivia (or "Fauxlivia") is the kind of tough gal that you definitely want on your side. She's a driven, intelligent FBI Agent with a mysterious past that links her to the "Fringe" cases that she investigates, and we trust her to protect us in every dimension.

3. Nikita's Nikita (Maggie Q)

Nikita is out to bring down the Division that stripped her of her identity and killed her fiancé, and she's using any means necessary to do it. Though she's top-notch when it comes to firearms, the martial arts trained assassin can also kick some major butt with just her body.

4. Dexter's Debra Morgan (Jennifer Carpenter)

We definitely wouldn't want to mess with this foul-mouthed tomboy, and not just because her brother is a serial killer. But it looks like things are about to get very complicated for Deb: in the season 6 finale she [**SPOILER**] caught Dexter in the act of murdering the Doomsday Killer.

5. NCIS' Ziva David (Cote de Pablo)

After a stint in the Israeli Army, this badass babe worked as a Mossad assassin. She can speak several different languages, shoot you from hundreds of yards away, and solve crimes with ease. But she still can't seem to admit her feelings for Tony Dinozzo...