The third Christmas after Connor moved into her flat, Abby found a small stuffed Apatosaurus toy on her bedside table, with a note tied to it by a bit of string. She knew it was an Apatosaurus not because she'd suddenly absorbed Connor's dino-babble into her brain, but because in her flatmate's handwriting on the outside of the note was the species of dinosaur.

With a smile and a warm feeling in her heart, Abby picked up the stuffed toy and untied the note, opening it.

Abby;

I know you barely tolerate me sometimes, and this probably isn't the christmas present you were expecting, but I hope you like it anyway. Merry Christmas, Abbs.

~ Connor

"Apatosaurus was always me favorite dinosaur. Me mum gave me one just like that when I was five." Abby turned around at the sound of Connor's voice. Her smile faltered slightly at the somber look in his eyes. "Me dad'd died just b'fore that christmas. The toy w's me dad's, 'n mum told me he'd always be there for me, 's long as I had it. My cuddle buddy when I got sad or lonely, 'specially on Christmas time. I figured you could use some comfort of your own, since you're not away with family 're anything…"

Abby put down the Apatosaurus toy and the note and ran to Connor, enveloping him in a hug. He hesitated, and then put his arms around her and returned the embrace.

"Thank you, Conn. It's the best Christmas Present ever." She murmured in his ear. "I mean it."

Connor buried his face in the junction between her shoulder and neck, clinging more tightly to her. For a moment, he could have sworn her felt her press a kiss to his cheek.

She pulled away after a little while, and studied his face, tilting her head slightly.

Some words stuck in her throat, didn't make it past being thoughts, I have a family to celebrate with: you -and the team- are my family. I love you. You're the sweetest man I've ever met. I'm so so sorry your dad died when you were so young. Can we be cuddle buddies too? We have a matched set now. I want to kiss you. I want to protect you. Will you tell me more about your dad? About yourself? I want to know. You don't annoy me, not really. I wish that we have mistletoe. Merry Christmas…

That last one she could say out loud, that wasn't something she was afraid of saying, it was safe and it encompassed all the other things she couldn't bring herself to tell him, to say.

"Merry Christmas, Connor." Abby said, and wiped away the tears on his cheeks. His tentative smile was enough.