Author's note: all usual disclaimers apply.

It is a tad early for a Christmas story but if you are like me next week will be crazy so I am posting mine now in four chapters over four days.

Thanks for reading my stories and commenting or PMing me throughout the year. I have fun writing my little tales and get great pleasure when I read that you have enjoyed reading them.

May the festive season, however you celebrate it, be a happy time for you and your families. I hope you all have a wonderful 2016. May it be a year of tolerance, understanding and peace.

"Cheers," Tommy said as he clinked his glass against Barbara's beer. It had been a long week. Despite being Saturday, they had just finished the last of the paperwork for the unicyclist murder and were now on leave until early January. They were free to relax but Tommy was tense. The pub was noisy, and so crowded that they were forced to huddle near the centre of the room.

"When do you leave for Howenstowe?" Barbara asked the Inspector, almost shouting to be heard above the hubbub.

"Monday I think, unless someone goes on a murderous rampage and we get called back in."

Tommy was bumped by a man weaving through the crush trying to reach his mates. Barbara laughed at the savage look her boss gave him. "You sound almost hopeful."

Tommy lifted his beer away from a woman who pushed between them. "More like tempted," he replied as he steered them towards the safety of the bar. "Do you have any idea how boring it is attending the Nanrunnel Christmas Fair? I have to smile and talk to everyone and be interested in all their small town gossip. I feel such a fake."

"Nah, you love it Lord Asherton, your own little town on your estate; your own serfs to do your bidding."

"They are not my serfs! They are my tenants." He knew she was teasing him but it irritated him that after all these years she still had to harp on about his social status. "We've always tried hard to look after them. I should have known this'd turn into an argument about class politics. I just wanted a quiet drink with my favourite...sergeant."

"It was a joke Sir." Barbara grinned at him but seemed to sense it was best to retreat. "I know you care about the town. That's why it surprised me that you don't sound enthusiastic. I thought you enjoyed Christmas at home with your family." Barbara was elbowed by a man big enough to play front row for the Barbarians. "Oi!"

"Sorry love," the man said. He turned to stare at her. "You have the most beautiful eyes. You with him?" he said flicking his eyes at Tommy.

Tommy stood his full height but still looked small before the giant. "Yes, she is," he replied defiantly.

"Lucky man. Well if toffy-pants here isn't enough fun I'm over in the corner." He smiled generously at Barbara and gave Tommy a light punch on his arm.

"Toffy-pants?" Tommy repeated indignantly.

"Kinda suits, don't you think?"

"No! It makes it sound as if I have hygiene issues."

Barbara nearly choked on her last sip of beer. "Well it gives you something funny to tell your family next week." Barbara was jostled into the bar by a drunken woman waving mistletoe around wildly.

"We should leave," Tommy said taking her empty glass and putting it beside his on the bar. "It's too crowded here."

They threaded their way through the throng with Tommy tucked in close behind Barbara; his hand on her shoulder to ensure they did not get separated. He was trying to find a quiet place to talk to her. Tonight was the last night they would have together before Christmas unless he could convince her to go to Cornwall with him.

"Brrr! It's freezing!," she said as they stepped onto the narrow footpath. The air was frosty and Barbara's breath misted as she spoke. "That's the worst part about Christmas, drunken idiots everywhere and crowded buses. Well thanks for the drink Sir. Drive safely and I'm sure the Fair will be fine. Remember me to you family."

"I'll drive you home," he said firmly.

"You sure? I mean...I don't want to keep you late or take you out of your way."

"I've nowhere to be and you said it yourself, public transport is hopeless this time of year. Besides we only had one drink. Perhaps we can toast Christmas at your place?"

Barbara gave it a nanosecond of thought. "Thanks Sir, that'd be great. So big Christmas dinner then with turkey and all the trimmings?"

"No, I won't see the family this year. Mother has already left for Judith's place and Peter is still finding himself overseas somewhere."

"Oh, so you'll be there by yourself for Christmas?" she asked with a touch of concern as they walked to his car.

Tommy shrugged. "I haven't decided yet, it depends."

"On what?"

"Whether or not you agree to come with me," he said quietly.

"Sorry?"

"I said whether or not you agree to come with me."

"I heard you. Why would I want to go to Cornwall for Christmas?"

Tommy's heart sank. Her reply had been physically painful and he felt asinine. "I just thought...no of course, you probably have plans already." Tommy floundered for the right words.

Barbara looked at him with a worried expression. "Sorry Sir but I have to be here for Christmas Day. I...I have made a commitment."

They reached the car and quickly hopped in. "Yes, yes of course. I mean you have family and friends. It was just silly idea. I thought seeing we were both alone..." Tommy stopped talking. Even he could hear how pathetic he sounded.

"Won't you be lonely down there?" He winced at seeing her concern expanding into pity.

"No...no I will take the horses out perhaps. Actually I'll probably come back to London on Christmas Eve. It is better up here I think when you have no...so much more jolly here than in a musty old pile."

"Sir, it'd be nice to have Christmas together but I promised people." She sounded apologetic.

"It's fine Barbara," he said with fake cheerfulness. "It's only another day after all but still...maybe you would like to come over in the evening? I have a pudding ordered. We could eat that and watch TV or something." Now he sounded desperate.

"Sorry Sir..."

"Yes, yes of course. I shouldn't have suggested it. No pressure. You have friends and traditions no doubt. You're not sitting at home waiting for me to come along."

"Actually Sir, it's not like that," she said quickly, "I'll probably finish around eight. I could come over then if you like. But I won't be dressed."

"Now that is an interesting prospect Havers," Tommy chuckled. He was trying too hard to indicate her rejection had not hurt him.

Barbara flushed despite the cold. He watched as the tips of her ears turned red. "No! I will be dressed, just not dressed up as such. I'll be in jeans and a tee-shirt under my usual coat probably."

"I don't think there are dress rules for eating christmas pudding. I can check with the pudding makers guild if you like."

Barbara laughed with him. It was a soft, companionable laugh. "Very funny."

"You could still come to Cornwall with me, if I promise to get you back in time for whatever you have planned for Christmas Day. You could keep me sane at the fair."

"Every time I go there someone gets murdered. I think Nanrunnel is safer if I stay home. Thanks for the offer though Sir."

Tommy pulled into a parking space near her flat. "I will miss you. It's a long time until Christmas night."

"Oh." Barbara looked uncertain as she fumbled in her bag for her house-keys. "Only six days. You make it sound so dramatic."

Lynley decided to change the subject before he made a complete hash of everything. "So what do you have for a Christmas toast?"

Three hours later, after dissecting the case while they sat close together on her uncomfortable couch, Tommy decided he should leave while he still could. The more he sat talking with Barbara the more unprofessional and inappropriate his thoughts became. "I'll call a cab. I can pick up my car in the morning. Wouldn't do to spend Christmas in gaol."

"I'm sorry about Christmas Day. It would have been fun to have lunch together but I do this thing every year and they sort of count on me to help."

"Can I ring you on Christmas morning?" he asked hopefully.

"Yeah, of course. You can ring me any morning if you want to. On the twenty-fifth I'll be here until about nine thirty before I head over to the shelter."

"Shelter?"

Barbara's face turned red. She bit her lip and looked down at the floor. "Yeah, I help out serving Christmas meals at a homeless shelter in the city."

Tommy was not really surprised. It was very like Barbara to give back to others like that. He put his arm around her shoulder. "That's a wonderful thing to do."

"They have no one and nowhere to go. We give them a meal and some company. Most come for lunch but some come in for dinner too. I can't cook so I help out pouring the gravy and serving. I like sitting and talking to them. Some of their stories are so sad. There are alcoholics and gamblers but quite a few are just mentally ill and not getting treatment. The last few years there's been a lot of Afghanistan veterans. Most of them just want someone to talk to who isn't social services or a doctor. So I can't back out now just so I could enjoy myself. I'm sorry Sir."

Tommy admired her passion. "And you think you'd enjoy spending Christmas with me?"

"Yeah, I think I would." Barbara looked up at him. Her emerald eyes were boiling and he had to look away. He still had his arm around her shoulders and it would have been too easy to pull her closer and kiss her.

"Tell me how you got involved."

Tommy was only three-quarters listening to Barbara telling her story. The rest of his thoughts were wandering. She had made no attempt to move away and had even snuggled slightly into his side. It was peaceful and comforting, a feeling he wanted to last much longer than one night. He wondered how he could move their relationship from friendship to something more without it being embarrassing for either of them.

It had been guilt about her parents after her mother had died that had driven her to look for some way to help others. Tommy tried to focus on her words. "...so most of it is funded by corporate sponsors. This year though our pudding sponsor has gone bankrupt so we are just going to serve icecream."

"Hmm, a shame," he agreed, "but I'm sure they'll enjoy it." The temptation was becoming too great. "I should go. I've enjoyed our evening. Much better than that pub."

"Me too. Call in when you pick up your car tomorrow. I might be about. If not enjoy Howenstowe and your fair."

"It's not too late to change your mind. You could come with me."

Barbara hesitated and Tommy tried to win her over with his most endearing smile. "Thanks Sir but I don't think so. I will come over for that pudding on Friday though."

"I'll look forward to it. I think I might head down tomorrow then. I will probably get an early start so I won't call in. Text me before seven if you change your mind, otherwise...Merry Christmas Barbara." He leant forward and gave her a light peck on her cheek. It left his lips tingling.

"Safe travels and Merry Christmas Sir." She returned his kiss much lower on his cheek, very close to his mouth. "I'll miss you."

Tommy paused, searching for the words to change her mind. With a meek, "me too," he turned and walked into the night.