A/N: This is my first Jamko holiday story. There will be three more parts taking us through different stages of Jamie and Eddie's life. Please read and review. I apologize in advance if I missed any major typos. I've been sick but I am trying hard to keep thing going.

December 20th

Jamie pulled his scarf tighter around his neck as he crossed the street in the cold New York afternoon. He had planned a flight to California to see Dana, but it had been overbooked. Jamie graciously gave up his seat to a young husband so he could spend the holiday with his wife and young children. Jamie knew Dana would be disappointed but she would have her friends and her family to keep her company and he would have the company of his own family.

Jamie reached into his pocket for his keys and turned toward the nearly deserted parking lot. There only appeared to be a score of other vehicles in a lot that was usually full to capacity. He quickened his pace as the wind grew colder and whistled by his ears. On the rush of wind he heard a soft sound come from a nearby car. He slowed his step and listened more closely.

"Ow, damn it!" the voice swore again. "It's too cold for this!"

The voice belonged to a woman and she appeared to be distressed. Jamie zeroed in on the car, Silver Porsche. Eddie. The voice belonged to Eddie, it had been distorted by the wind. He casually moved closer to the car and it's small yet irate owner. "Hey, Eddie. What's wrong?"

The sound of his voice startled her and she immediately took a defensive posture. She reached into her pocket for her off duty when she realized it was Jamie. "Reagan, what are you doing back here? Shouldn't you be half way to Los Angeles?"

"Flight was overbooked so I volunteered to stay home, it's okay. It wouldn't feel like Christmas anyway with palm trees instead of the Scotch pine my grandpa always gets. What's wrong with your car?"

"Flat tire," Eddie griped. "Getting a jack up under this thing is a pain in the ass."

"Then let me have a look, perhaps I can get the car jacked up so you can be on your way."

They'd been partners for four months now, and while they were becoming friends Eddie was still wary around him. His careful, easy tone calmed her down from her earlier ire, and she nodded, "All right, I'd like your help. Thank you."

Jamie moved closer to examine the situation, "Do you have your flashlight?" he asked stooping on the cold, wet ground.

"My good one is in my locker and I don't think the bulb in the one in the car works," Eddie replied through clenched teeth as she shivered in the cold.

"I have a light in my car," Jamie said rising from this crouched position. "Why don't you get in the car and fire the engine up, get out of the cold until I get back?"

"You can't jack up the car with me in it?" Eddie sighed. "It's all right you can go, I'm sure you have somewhere to be."

"Actually, yes, I do," Jamie replied. "I have to be over at my car so I can retrieve my flashlight and get you on your way. Sit in the car, get warm."

"By the time that car throws any heat you can change all four tires, I'll walk with you. Keep the blood pumping."

Jamie met her pretty blue eyes and smiled, "Good idea." She fell into step beside him. She respected her partner since the day they first met, his manner and presence defined a gentleman.

The night seemed to descend upon them quickly as they made their way from one end of the parking lot to the other. Neither spoke, the wind would drown out their voices, but their steps were perfectly in sync with one another until the heel of Eddie's fashion boot hit a patch of ice disguised as plain water. Her ankle twisted painfully forcing her leg out from under her. She hit the ground hard with a squeal of surprise and an unceremonious thud.

Jamie paused at Eddie's cry and turned quickly to see his partner lying on the wet ground. Her soft blue eyes were closed as Jamie dropped to his knees and removed his gloves so he could place his hand on Eddie's cheek, "Eddie," Jamie said urgently. "Eddie, can you…"

Eddie opened her eyes and focused on Jamie's face. She blinked slowly then began to sit up.

"No, don't," Jamie urged. "Stay still."

"It's freezing and now I'm soaking wet," Eddie argued. 'I want…"

"I know," Jamie soothed. "Just please let me help okay? Does anything hurt? Your head or your neck?"

Everything hurt, Eddie thought but replied, "Not really, just a little where I bumped it."

"Did you black out at all?" he asked placing two fingers beside her neck to check her pulse. "Your pulse is racing? Does your chest feel tight? Lie still, I'll call a bus."

"No," Eddie insisted. "To all three. I'm all right, really."

Jamie sighed, "All right, sit up slowly," he instructed placing one hand behind her neck to help her "All right? Any pain or dizziness?"

Eddie shook her head, "No the only thing that hurts is my ankle, the left one."

Jamie shifted his attention to Eddie's ankle. He pressed his fingers against the joint and Eddie cried out at even the slightest touch. "Okay," Jamie sighed. "Let's get you checked out." He moved near her upper body again, "Put your arms around my neck."

"You are not carrying me," Eddie insisted. "Just help me stand."

Jamie was fairly certain Eddie's ankle was broken but if she wanted to try to stand he would help her. That's what partners did.

Leaning heavily on Jamie, Eddie managed to get to her feet, but winced and fell against him the moment she tried to take a step.

"Eddie, I think you fractured your ankle. You need to see a doctor," Jamie told her firmly. "Please let me help you to my car, I'll drive you to St. Victor's."

"I'm not going to the hospital three days before Christmas," Eddie insisted. "I'm sure I'm keeping you from something or someone."

Jamie shoved it off, "No matter, Eddie. I'm your partner, you got hurt. On the job or off the job, I'm going to be here if you need me and it seems to me I'm needed right here, right now. Now please, put your arms around my neck before this air drops another degree, all right?"

Eddie blushed but slid her arms around Jamie's neck. He stooped and in seconds had her off her feet and held securely in his arms.

Half an hour later, Jamie sat beside Eddie at the always busy hospital ER and waited for her name to be called. Eddie wasn't sure why Jamie was staying but part of her was grateful he was. She learned very young not to trust people, especially men but there was something about her partner that made her feel almost dare she say it, safe though their silence was tense.

Eddie tried to break it, "You don't have to stay with me Reagan. I can get the X-ray by myself."

"I know you can but we're partners and I though at least we were becoming friends. We go to happy hour and stuff…so why are you acting all standoffish now? Is this cause of what you said about your dad?"

"Partly," Eddie sighed. "Truthfully, I don't like this time of year very much. I usually spend it alone or I volunteer to work whatever job, but this year I didn't."

Jamie sighed, "I'm sorry, Eddie. That's terrible, but look I am your partner and I really want us to be friends okay. I am exactly where I want to be, with my partner…"

Before their small talk continued a nurse called Eddie's name. Jamie helped her to the wheelchair the nurse provided then followed as she was taken to a cubicle. He waited while she had her vital signs taken and listened as a baby faced medical student took her medical history before informing Eddie he was going to remove her boot so he could examine her ankle and get an X-ray.

Jamie kept his eyes fixed on Eddie's face as the "doctor" unlaced her shoes then pulled and tugged this way and that failing with each maneuver to get it off. Through the entire ordeal Eddie never made a sound though Jamie knew what she was going through, it had to be painful. She stayed brave biting her lip until it bled but she never once cried out. After nearly ten grueling minutes Jamie's patience for the student's inexperience wore thin and he spoke, "Excuse me, I'd like another doctor to take a hand at that. You're hurting her and still having no success. Please give it a break."

"Sir, I have to get her shoe off so I can…" the student began but trailed off when met with the cold stare Jamie was sending in his direction. "I'll ask the Chief Resident to have a look," he stuttered and was gone.

Jamie reached over to the bedside cart and used the water pitcher to moisten his handkerchief before handing it to Eddie. She looked at him perplexed.

"For you lip," he replied. "It's clean. It's a grandpa thing, always have a clean handkerchief."

"Thanks," Eddie replied accepting the gesture.

A few moments later, the new doctor arrived and immediately determined Eddie's boot would need to be cut off due to the swelling in her ankle. Again she said nothing, though as the doctor worked on removing the shoe a tear slipped out of her eye. Jamie placed a comforting had on her shoulder and gave it a soft squeeze.

Eddie was soon taken to X-ray. Jamie was instructed to wait in her cubicle until she was returned. The test as over quickly and before either of them knew it the staff orthopedist arrived to deliver the results.

"Well the good news is that it's not broken, it's just a bad sprain, but the bad news is that there is an extreme amount of swelling, so Eddie, you are going to have to stay off your feet and keep that leg elevated for a few days."

"How many days?" Eddie asked. "My apartment is a walk up. I'll be stuck in the house not able to get in or out for the holidays."

"Probably three days," replied the doctor. "You'll need someone with you. You should not put any weight on that leg if you want it to heal quickly and get back in the field."

"But I don't…" Eddie began but was cut off by Jamie.

"Doctor, will you excuse us please?" he queried.

The physician nodded, "Certainly, ask the nurse to page me when you've made the necessary arrangements."

Once Jamie and Eddie were left alone, he stood in front of her. "I'll stay with you, or better you can stay with me, my building has an elevator." Jamie had no idea where that came from but there it was on his lips.

Eddie shook her head in shock, "Jamie, I…There is no way I can accept your offer, we don't know each other well enough…"

"We have been partners four months, we have each other's back every day in the field, and we take care of our own, Eddie. You are staying with me."

Three Days Later

Jamie held the step ladder for Eddie as she placed the brightly colored star on top of his Christmas tree. Eddie told him she had not had a Christmas tree of nay worth since she was 15. He had no idea how bleak Christmas must be for her, he only knew his desire to change that.

"There," Eddie announced securing the star on the highest bough of the tree. "That's perfect."

"I wish you let me do that. Your ankle is still swollen. You might fall," Jamie worried.

"If I do, you'll catch me," Eddie laughed. "There isn't any fun in decorating a tree if you can't put on the star."

"I see," Jamie agreed. "Well, be careful coming down. Watch your step."

Eddie easily stepped off the ladder as Jamie hovered near her. Once she was safely down on the floor they stood back and admired the tree, "It's beautiful," Eddie murmured. "Thank you for doing this with me. It means a lot to me."

"My pleasure," Jamie smiled. "I like the company, I like your company."

Eddie offered Jamie a bright smile, they had gotten so much closer sharing space for the last few days. Eddie sat down heavily on the sofa, "You know for a guy as handsome and as smart and sweet as you are, I'd think you'd have more than an on again off again girlfriend. I'd think you'd have a wife and a family by now."

Jamie sat down, "Never found the right girl." He grabbed a couple of beers and sat down beside her. "I was engaged, but I told you that. I suppose what it really is for me…marriage it's for life," Jamie confessed. "I'll have to be really sure before I made such a firm commitment."

"So few people are like that," Eddie commented. "And sometimes, those that do believe that need to reconsider. People change, not always for the better."

"You mean like your parents?" Jamie asked gently.

"Like a lot of people," Eddie sighed. "Everything is great when things go smoothly but when you add life into the equation, family responsibilities, job pressures, everything changes."

"Of course, everything changes, honey," Jamie sighed the endearment slipping from his lips. "But anger, hate, violence, the capability of that is always there below the surface ready to explode or it isn't because you are not capable of that emotion."

"I'm fairly certain I am capable of those emotions,' Eddie sighed. "I've felt them toward my dad for years."

"What happened to you growing up, what you had to endure those last high school years, it's not fair," Jamie soothed. "You should be angry at your father for what he did and your mother for not supporting you and giving in to the shame. Still our own experiences shape us and you are the strong, beautiful, intelligent woman you are because of that."

"Jamie Reagan and his silver linings," Eddie chuckled lightly before checking her watch. "I should be going. Thank you so much for letting me help you…"

"It's not even eight o'clock," Jamie objected. "Sit there I have some apple cider in the fridge. I'll heat some up for us."

"You don't have to go through so much trouble," Eddie protested as Jamie rose.

"It's no trouble," he assured her. "I'll be a minute."

As Eddie rested her ankle on the sofa and waited for Jamie to return she thought about the path her dreams had taken recently. Eddie had never wanted a family, no husband, no children, but the past few days spent with Jamie changed her mind. Those previously foolish ideals ow seemed important if unattainable for she knew her handsome partner did not share her feelings or her thoughts or permanent romance.

A few minutes later, Jamie was at her side placing a fragrant cup of warm apple cider in her hand. "Here you are. I added extra cinnamon, I remember you especially like cinnamon."

"I do thank you," Eddie replied. "It's the one spice you can't seem to overdo." She took a small sip. "This is excellent."

"I'm glad you like it," Jamie replied slipping a smartly wrapped package across Eddie's lap. She looked down startled.

"What is it?" she asked.

"You'll have to open it to find out," Jamie replied.

"I don't have anything for you," Eddie blushed embarrassed.

"That's not why people give presents," Jamie countered. "Go on. Open it."

Eddie slowly unwrapped the gorgeous package Jamie had given her. He had used a very thick foil paper not the usual thin style so it held shape very well around the box it concealed. Eddie slide the tissue paper aside and revealed a pretty angora scarf, hat, and glove set in her favorite color, light blue. "Oh Jamie," Eddie smiled. "It's lovely, just perfect."

"I'm glad you like it," Jamie smiled. "I tried to get a scarf made out of soft enough material so it wouldn't irritate your skin. I noticed it is especially sensitive near your neck."

Eddie leaned forward as she thanked Jamie and pressed her lips to his cheek. They had never been this close to each other, not since she fell and he carried her to his car. Jamie felt his heart quicken as the lovely scent of Eddie, vanilla, lavender, and musk teased his nostrils. He'd wished for this moment, this closeness an now here it was. Jamie gathered all his strength and courage then in a split second turned his head to the side so he could capture Eddie's luscious lips with his own.

Eddie startled at first at the spontaneity of Jamie's actions, but recovered quickly and began to respond. She opened her lips a touch so Jamie could slide his upper lip between both of her lips effectively giving him full control over the kiss. He moved his mouth easily and gently varying the pressure ever so slightly from time to time cautious to give as much as he was taking.

Eddie wasn't sure who began the movements that brought the pair closer to each other but soon she found her arms looping around Jamie's neck while his arms encircled her back his hands moving slowly up and down in a soothing motion as the kiss deepened and their tongues danced a timeless dance.

All too soon Jamie pulled back from Eddie to catch his breath. Eddie's lips were red and swollen from his attention, her cheeks flushed with arousal and her overly expressive eyes were fixed on him shining with a combination of excitement and apprehension.

Jamie was perhaps more astonished by his actions than Eddie. She was a rookie, his partner. This course was unacceptable, he had most certainly overstepped his boundaries.

Jamie shot off the sofa desperate to become distant from Eddie. He covered his mouth with his hand and gasped, "My God, Eddie, I'm so sorry."

Eddie was confused. What was there to feel sorry about in this situation? "For what, Jamie?" she asked gently.

"For kissing you like that. It never should have happened," he sighed. "I am truly sorry."

"Well, I'm not," Eddie replied. "That's all I wanted you to do since the day we met." Eddie rose from the sofa and moved closer to Jamie very slowly.

"But it's wrong, Eddie," Jamie argued. "I'm your partner. That has no room for romantic entanglements. It shouldn't have happened."

"But it did happen and you can't fight it," Eddie pointed out as she reached for his hand. "Can you? You feel it too, Jamie. The pull between us, you can't ignore it and we'll both be miserable if you try."

Jamie squeezed Eddie's hand. "I've never…Breaking the rules has never been who I am. I always went by the book and I…" He moved closer and cupped Eddie's cheek and brushed a stray tear drop from it. "I want this, Eddie. I want us, but…we can't be partners anymore, you know that. You might resent me for that later and…"

"Later is later," Eddie sighed, leaning into his touch. "And now is now. All I'll ever resent you for is not trying this when we both know it's what we want, what we need."

Jamie gave a slight nod and leaned in for another kiss too announce his decision to which Eddie gave a contented sigh.