AN: Takes place around episode 3.11. These characters are not mine.

Christmas morning, wearing his old terrycloth robe, Tim woke up Lyla bearing a big mug of hot chocolate.

"Merry Christmas, sleepyhead," he said, sitting down on the bed. Since she'd moved in, he'd discovered that she was a late sleeper, especially since she'd been partying more to wash away her troubles – Buddy's finances, and facing the prospect of no college money.

She grunted, rubbed her eyes, and rolled over to crack one eye open at him.

"Is it Christmas?," she muttered, rolling back to curl up with her pillow. "This year, with no family, I don't care."

"C'mon Garrity, I'm your family now," he said, spreading his arms around her and leaning in to nuzzle her. "I brought you some gifts, anyway."

She roused, sitting up on her elbows, finally taking the hot chocolate and sipping it gingerly. "Mmm, that tastes good. Well thank you Mr. Claus."

He pushed a package into her hand. "Open it."

She fussed with her hair and sat up in bed, then ripped the paper off and cracked open the box. She pulled out a red teddy with white trim, biting her lip and eyeing him sideways. "It's adorable," she said.

"Try it on," he urged. She slipped off her old 33 t-shirt, and pulled it over her head, flipping her hair. She beamed at Tim as he smiled at her seductively.

"That was sweet, Tim. I got you something too. But it's out under the tree. Should we go fix some breakfast, see if Billy and Mindy are up? Then you can open your gift."

"Well, just one more thing," Tim said. "Sit down on the bed and close your eyes," he instructed her.

She did as he told her, and felt his knees nudging hers apart slightly. He took her hands and told her to open her eyes.

As she did so, he guided her hands to undo a big red ribbon that now circled his waist instead of his old robe belt.

She untied it, and Tim dramatically opened his robe to reveal red satin boxers. "Ta da!" he sang.

She lifted an eyebrow. "But I gave those to you last year for Valentine's Day, kind of a joke," she said. "What's the gift?"

He slid closer to her, sliding her arms around his waist and pulling her head to his stomach momentarily, before pulling away to look at her.

"The gift is… Me. I am giving myself to you. Completely. As in every fiber, every cell, every thought, every deed. Whatever you need or want, I'm here for you."

He gave her a wicked look that quickly flashed into the most loving look she'd ever seen him make.

"I would not be where I am without your unwavering support, even when no one else believed in me. I love you with all my heart, and now that you're going through a rough patch, I am here for you. Totally, Garrity."

She started to tear up, but not before he pulled her cheek back to his front and hugged her strongly, leaning in to kiss her like never before.

"Merry Christmas, Garrity."

Then the tears flowed.