Author's Note: I'm still here. I know I haven't posted hardly at all this year and Chasing Dreams still needs updated. I've been on AO3 a lot writing Garcy fics like my life depends on it.

Not Beta'd. I struggle with typos so if you're looking for perfection this isn't it.

Rating: T

"Thank you so much!" the woman standing in front of Nancy sobs. She wraps her arms around her and squeezes tightly.

"It was my pleasure," Nancy responds smoothly. She grimaces at the lady's grip but forces a smile when she looks toward her.

The woman sniffs and backs up into her husband's arms. "We would have been lost without you."

"I'm just happy to have been here," Nancy answers politely.

She waves goodbye to the happy couple thankful she could bring someone happiness this Christmas even if it doesn't touch her own soul. Nancy trudges through the snow back to her car and heads for home. By the time Nancy walks to her front door, she's thoroughly exhausted. She grabs the small package waiting by the door before barging in. Nancy collapses on the couch basking in the darkness of the room.

Except there's a light coming from the corner.

Nancy has years of training, and most people agree she is an outstanding detective. Yet, somehow in her dark mood, Nancy misses the bright Christmas tree shining in the corner. It's about seven feet tall with small twinkling lights. An antique angel rests on top mirroring the one from her childhood.

"Wait," Nancy mutters and looks at the angel closer. Her breaks into a grin. Of course. "Bess." Nancy steps back and admires the work her friend has done. She warms knowing how much her friends and family care for even when she hides away in her home. She texts her friend a picture and her thanks before heading to the kitchen to grab a bite to eat.

She grabs a sandwich from the fridge and walks back to sit on the couch with a large bowl of caramel corn she knows she doesn't need. Nancy picks up the package from the front door nonchalantly and rests into the cushions peeling away the brown paper. Under the paper is a small white box. She lifts the lid to see a card and a pocket tornado toy. Nancy eyes it with curiosity shaking it and watching it swirl. She's not sure who could have sent her such a random gift, and she opens the letter with slight anticipation. What she reads astonishes her.

"Nancy,

It's been fifteen years since you ruined my plan in sabotaging my own team and riding off into the sunset with enough cash to last me a long time. And for that, I offer my thanks.

I am neither richer or better loved in my community, but I am a much happier man for it. I was consumed with bitterness for so long sometimes it takes rock bottom to begin to crawl back. You are the reason for that, and I wanted you to know.

Please accept my small gift as a token of a gratitude. Merry Christmas, Nancy, and thank you.

- Scott Varnell."

Nancy stares at the letter in her hand dumbfounded at the words she's just read. She's been thanked by countless of grateful families and victims throughout her years as a private investigator but never, ever by someone she locked behind bars albeit temporarily.

She reaches across the couch for her phone resting on the side table. Nancy pulls up a few websites searching through personal records until she finds Scott's name. She hovers over his name before clicking on his number and typing a message. "Thank you for your letter and gift. I'm glad to hear things have gotten better for you. - Nancy."

Nancy sets the phone down going back to her caramel corn. She's surprised when she hears it buzz a minute later. The phone screen lights up with a new text message.

"Glad to hear it made it. Merry Christmas, Nancy."

"Thanks, you too," she responds.

Nancy sits the phone down again and munches on her snack flipping through the channels. She doesn't see much peaking her interest. Her eyes drift back to her phone, and she finds herself typing in another message. "Any plans for Christmas?"

"No," comes his response.

Nancy rolls her eyes. Time has really changed his conversation skills, she thinks. Then her phone buzzes again. "What about you?"

She smiles softly at his addition. "I'm going to my dad's house in the morning."

Her phone is silent for several minutes before it lights up again. "That's good. It's important to have someone this time of year."

Nancy sits staring at her phone not sure how to respond. She looks up at the mantle, sees her wedding photo, and feels her heart hurt. She then wonders about him and his "no" with plans. Does he have someone to spend the holidays with?

"Yes, that's very true," Nancy responds finally. "Or you'll be like me eating a giant bowl of caramel corn alone on Christmas Eve."

Scott sends a laugh emoji, and she really shouldn't find it as adorable as she does.

"I'd take caramel corn right now," he adds. "Only have candy corn left which I don't believe is edible anymore."

This time Nancy sends her own laughing emoji. "Sorry you're not here, or I'd share."

"I know," he texts. "I remember you offering candy every day while you were here."

"Lol," she responds. "And I remember your rejection to chocolate. Crazy!"

"I have many flaws," he answers.

Nancy shakes her head. "Bad s'mores experience you said?"

"Something like that," Scott replies.

"And you hate cats?" She adds. "Tsk!"

"I actually love cats," he corrects. "But I can't breathe around them."

Nancy sends a cat emoji, and he responds with, "And that's as close as I can get."

The clock chimes suddenly, and she realizes it's midnight. "It's officially Christmas here," she types. "Merry Christmas, Scott."

"You too. Take care."

Nancy looks down at her phone digesting the conversation she's just had with a former villain. She shakes her head heading for her bedroom knowing her friends will be calling at an unholy time in the morning. She's almost to her room when an idea crosses her mind. Nancy grins then rushes back to her phone.