Author's Note(brief): I have been reading stories on this site since SouthOfNowhere was still on tv. I've probably followed hundreds of stories here but none as inspired as those by the R&I fans. For a long time, I'd said I would give it a shot one day. I want to thank all the writers here for inspiring me to do this. There are plenty of directions I wish the show would go in, but I acknowledge that these character's are not my own. They belong to JT and TNT no matter how skeptical i am that the preceding line will protect me from legal action lol.

On the third weekend in December the streets of Boston were relatively quiet. A week-long cold spell had just passed through the northeast, many feared it foreshadowed another "POLAR VORTEX" winter. Luckily for Boston's Finest, icy roads and the below freezing temperatures kept people off the streets and crime stats lower than usual. Although the same retail madness that always seems to takeover between "Black Friday" and Christmas Eve was still there, said span wasn't quite as murderous as usual, and everyone at PD, even the "Grinch-iest" of detectives had to admit they were a tad bored and looking forward to their holiday break. Many were also looking forward to the PD holiday party that was coming up, if not for the chance to flirt inter-departmentally, then for the chance to watch their coworkers do just that.

Brass had been told by the City's HR department that if they wanted to continue holding their annual party without possibly of facing any discrimination lawsuits, it would have to be more inclusive in welcoming all holidays and cultures... or they could just change the name to the more generic "holiday" party. And so it was.

While the last few years' festivities had been held in a nondescript conference room at HQ, thanks to some very meticulous accounting, the police dept actually found extra funds in their "Morale and Miscellaneous" account, that - by law, needed to be used by year end. Brass decided that to thank their employees for their hard work all year long, a more formal celebration would suffice. And renting out the ballroom of the Park Plaza would certainly make for a memorable occasion.

Detective Jane Rizzoli didn't DO Galas. She loved Christmas parties, don't get her wrong, ugly sweaters, eggnog with fresh baked cookies and watching A Christmas Carol for 24 hours straight? For those kind of Christmas parties she was ALL IN. However, getting all dressed up to hobnob with your bosses' bosses, while avoiding that weirdo traffic cop she's pretty sure has the hots for her, and all the while in a pair of ridiculous heels? Not Jane's idea of a good time. But here she was, rifling through her closet anyway. Looking for anything to wear because Maura practically begged her to come along. Never mind that her partner Barry Frost was going, or that her former partner, Vince Korsak would be there as well. Even though Jane's own mother and brother, both employees at PD would be in attendance, Jane still would've chosen the couch. In fact, she wished she could still choose the couch, but her best friend, (and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' M.E.) Dr Maura Isles wanted her there, so Jane was going to be at the party.

Jane didn't have a very wide selection of party dresses, she would've worn her usual work clothes if she could've gotten away with it, but she was sure Maura and her mother would have something to say about her drab pantsuit if she had. Earlier in the afternoon Cavanaugh had given the squad a speech encouraging them to spruce themselves up and really get into the holiday spirit later that night. He added, that basically what that meant was, (looking in Jane's direction)"No jeans".

She'd already ruled out a few dresses that either didn't fit anymore or she just didn't like. Jane found herself having to chose between a black number that she liked but was pretty sure she wore to last year's party (and a few fundraisers with Maura since) and a red dress she didn't even remember buying. Glancing at the clock by her bed, Jane knew she was low on time. Cocktail hour was scheduled for 7:00pm and it was already 7:15. She figured after getting dressed and driving downtown she could still make the 8pm dinner.

Jane had already picked out her glossy black pumps and done her makeup. She was trying out a smoky eye look she saw on you tube (while Korsak was busy cooing over kitten videos). Looking down at the red dress once more, Jane smirked to herself. "Fine, if they want a dolled up detective, that's what I'll give them. Its Christmas after all, I'm feeling generous." She scooped up the red bandage dress, stepped into it and zipped it up. After a quick once over in her full length mirror, she headed downstairs and out the door.

By the time Jane reached the entrance to the Park Plaza, she found herself in an almost joyous mood, the 80s rock and Christmas carols she'd been listening to in the car probably helped with that. If Det. Jane Rizzoli had one guilty pleasure, it was cheesy Christmas music, if she had two, the next was cheesy 80s music. Jane pulled into the valet stand and handed her keys to the young man there. He was in his late teens but was staring at the detective like a 13yr old who'd just snuck into the girl's locker room.

"He- here you go, m- miss. Ma'am.. um.. Mrs?"

"...Detective."

Jane took the valet's ticket and turned to walk inside, so she never saw the poor boy nearly pass out.