Hello all,

This also, was posted as a challenge response in Romancefanfiction quite a few years ago. Resurrected here :)

Will be quite short. Hope you enjoy. As always, please forgive grammar, English is not my native tongue.

Rating M (very mild)

Let It Snow

Oh the weather outside is frightful

But the fire is so delightful

And since we've no place to go

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

The tinny broadcast of the popular carol was certainly appropriate for their own weather forecast. It didn't show signs of stopping. Traffic was snarled, planes grounded and trains overcrowded as potential travelers were forced to put their holidays on hold. There was no doubt; they wouldn't be getting through tonight. They'd have to make the best of it here and try again in the morning. Turning to his companion he smiled apologetically and said:

"There is no use for us staying here." He sounded tired and annoyed. "We're not moving anyway." He turned to the taxi driver, happy for the first time that his car was still in the garage. "Is there any chance you can get us out of this mess and get us back down town?"

The driver snorted. "No way, man, if you want you can try on foot but I think I'm stuck here for tonight, got some food if you want to hang around."

He turned towards the woman beside him and raised his eyebrows at her frustrated face and bright eyes. "Are you alright?"

She sighed, her hand moving to wipe her eyes. "Yes, I just wanted to get home." She shrugged her shoulders. "If planes are still flying in this weather then mine just took off ten minutes ago."

"The storm is pretty bad." The driver said. "I doubt anyone is moving anywhere tonight."

"Well, I'll take my chances outside." He said decisively. "There should be a hotel about a half an hour walking from here. How much do I owe you?" he asked.

"Drop it, man, we hardly drove at all."

He shook his head and gave the driver twenty dollars. "For the gas." He said when he tried to argue. He got out from the taxi and pulled his suitcase from the trunk. He turned to walk when he remembered the woman who sat at the backseat. He hesitated for a moment before going over to her side and knocking on the window. She opened the window and he smiled at her, his blond hair flying around his face. She tried to hide it but he saw the panic in her eyes when she looked at him. "You're not from around here." He stated and she nodded her head slowly. "Come along, there is no use staying in that taxi." He said.

She hesitated, glancing between the two of them before nodding her head. "Thank you."

He helped her out and they headed towards the side of the road, walking side by side. He was surprised to see that she didn't have any suitcase, but he didn't ask any questions. They walked quietly, stumbling on the frozen ground and heavy snow. His suitcase was getting heavier and he stood for a moment, catching his breath.

The woman stood beside him, she carried her bag on her shoulders and he found that he envied her for being able to use her hands while he stumbled around like a fool. She was petite woman with brown eyes and dark skin, like she stood in the sun for too long. Her hair was tucked under a scarf that she tied around her neck. Her hands were tucked in the pockets of her heavy coat and yet she seemed to freeze as they stood at the side of the busy highway.

"We shouldn't stand for long." She said and it was the first time he noticed she had an accent. "It's snowing again.

He gave a frustrated sigh before he started walking again. She reached out for his suitcase, helping him by holding the other handle. He gave her a grateful smile. "Where are we heading to?" She asked.

"A small boutique hotel just beside the highway." He answered. "I know the manager; he'll be able to find us some place to spend the night in."

"Is it far to go?" She asked, raising her head towards the sky as the snow grew heavier.

"At that rate…yes."

He felt her walking faster and he chuckled. She seemed to be a resourceful young woman and he appreciated the fact that she was helping him with his suitcase. He seemed to encounter a friendly spirit. He smiled at her. "Thank you again for sharing the taxi with me." He said and she laughed.

"I was standing there trying to get a taxi for at least a half an hour and when finally, one stopped you came barging in. Frankly, I wanted to kick you."

He laughed, recognizing the fake anger in her voice. "And you were right, I didn't see you when I came rushing in."

"You kinda pushed me." She said and he looked mortified.

"I did?"

"I'm short, you're tall." She said. "Do the math."

"I apologize." He said and she shrugged her shoulders. "It was still very nice of you to share." He repeated.

"You're welcome." She said. "I'm sure you would have done the same."

He laughed. "I wish I could be as confident as you are."

They walked in silence for a long time; the heavy snow gathered around them, making it difficult to see and move. Her hands were shaking so hard he felt his suitcase moving from side to side. They couldn't talk because of the wind that blew all around them. It was starting to get dangerous, he noted, they had to get somewhere warm before they'll freeze to death. He could barely see with all the wind around him, but he smiled when he realized they were getting closer.

It took them another half an hour before they collapsed inside the dark lobby. When the shaking of their bodies finally calmed a little he realized they were alone and he groaned with disappointment. The owner must have closed the small hotel for the holidays, the establishment made for businessmen and the season holiday obviously reduced the quantity of reservations. He sighed and glanced at the woman beside him. She sat on the floor, her arms wrapping her knees as she shook from the cold. He touched her shoulder with a shaking hand of his own. "Are you alright?" She nodded her head. "I'll see if I can find some keys, or someplace to sleep in."

He walked behind the counter and opened a drawer. He took the only set of keys that was in it. They needed to get somewhere warm and fast. He hoped they still had the water tank warm up twice a day. He helped her to her feet, a smile of victory on his lips as he showed her the keys. "There's only one key unless you want me to break one of the doors."

"I'd rather share the room." She said. "This place is kinda creepy."

He had to agree. The empty hotel seemed eerie and quiet despite the heavy winds that blew outside. They climbed the stairs towards the second floor and he opened the first door on the right, revealing a small room. He turned on the lights and immediately reached for the heater, turning it into maximum. He smiled when he heard her gasp of wonder as she looked out the window.

The small hotel was on the freeway that led towards the airport but offered clean view of the Washington monuments from the small hill that he stood upon. She gaped at the sight in front of her. The falling snow and the shining lights were magnificent. The window shook when a gust of wind blew outside and she jumped backwards, her gaze finally resting on her companion.

He sat in front of the heater and took off his boots, warming his legs. His eyes were closed as he hugged himself, breathing slowly. She wondered briefly what she was doing, alone in a deserted hotel with a man that she didn't know. He could out power her in seconds; he was tall and lean but seemed to have an inner strength. Somehow, she knew he wouldn't harm her.

She joined him in front of the heater, removing her coat and bending to remove her shoes. She wasn't cold anymore and smiled gratefully. "Thank you." She said. "If it weren't for you I would have stayed in that cab."

He shook his head. "I took quite a risk. It took us too long to get here."

She touched his forearm. "We're alright. The storm will pass by morning."

He nodded his head curtly before a hint of a smile traced his lips. "Did you like the view?"

She nodded, her bright smile illuminating her face. "I never saw the city like this."

They sat some more before he rose from his position on the carpet and reached for the phone. He frowned when he realized the line was dead. "Probably because of the storm." He said, pulling his cell phone from his pocket. His battery was dead and he put it into the charger before facing her again. "There is a small church by the lobby. Do you mind if we go there for a while?" she hesitated and he continued. "Maybe we could light some candles, I'm sure I could find the light switch."

She wasn't too keen on the idea but the thought of staying alone didn't appeal to her either so she nodded her head. "Let's go."

He smiled. It was Christmas Eve and although he wasn't very religious he felt that this year he needed to visit the church. He had a lot to pray for, a lot of questions he needed to ask. He wouldn't be home for the holiday but he might be able to understand the mess that went inside his mind. He might be able to understand the frustrations and anger that filled his heart lately. He might be able to find some peace and quiet in the storm that held him captive.

He found some candles and lit them quietly. The church was very small and not decorated for the holiday. He preferred it that way, it gave him the solace he needed. His companion sat far away from him, allowing him some privacy with his thoughts. Sometimes, he felt very much alone. He had no one to share his thoughts, no one knew about the events that shook his world. He found himself willing to talk to Sue; the deaf woman was one of the best listeners he knew. But he didn't want to bother her with his problems. She represented life and love and he felt he was the opposite of it.

His father called him two weeks ago. He had no desire to speak with him, his actions alienated him and he planned on never speaking to either of them ever again. But his story shocked him and revealed information that was hidden from him for so many years, hidden from all of them. The shock turned his heart into stone; he hung the phone in his face, cursing loudly. The next call came from his mother; she cried for an hour but he offered her no comfort, angry at her behavior.

Memories from his childhood surfaced as he sat in the quiet and holly place. He didn't remember celebrating Christmas with his family. The celebration was there but the spirit of the holiday always took a leave of absence. No wonder he hated the holidays. The presents were always expansive, all the right people came to the party but Christmas was never there.

He heard the woman beside him getting up and leaving the room quietly. He appreciated her silent companionship and felt very alone when she left the room. He sighed. The last call came from his sister, she was crying and he couldn't refuse her. He booked his flight the next morning.

But now he was stuck here in the dark with a stranger and the answers still wouldn't come. The loneliness he felt was ripping his heart and the sudden need to find the woman and finally ask for her name caused him to rise from his seat and search for her.

He never expected to see her there, lighting a long candle as she spoke quietly. He was half way to their room when he noticed the door was open. He never been there before, the room small but comfortable, long benches and one woman who prayed quietly. His mind didn't grasp the meaning of her presence until he indeed realized that she was praying.

"Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam shehecheyanu v'kiyimanu v'higi'anu laz'man hazeh. Amein." She lit one candle with another one she held in her hand. He allowed her a minute of peace before he coughed softly.

She turned to face him, embarrassed smile on her face. "I felt out of place." She said.

He approached her with a smile, looking around him. "I can relate to that. I thought Chanukah is tomorrow."

She raised her eyebrows. "That's a piece of information I never expected you to know." He shrugged his shoulders and she turned to face the menorah. "It's already tomorrow back at home." She whispered.

The look of surprise on his face was priceless and she chuckled. "Now I know why you have an accent." He said. "Israeli? That's a first for me."

"Do you mind if I stay for a while?" She asked, her voice turning more and more bewitching as he started to notice the small intonation her accent created.

He shook his head and sat beside her, willing to keep her company like she did. He offered her his hand. "I'm Myles."

She smiled and nodded her head. "Hadar."

"Ha…what?"

She grinned. "It might take you a while, but I think you'll manage to express it…eventually."

She had to sigh real loud to get his attention. It almost like he was asleep and she snorted at the sudden memory of a rabbi who fell asleep at the synagogue in the middle of a prayer. But when she looked at him, she saw he wasn't asleep, instead he seemed to stare into the flames, blue eyes turning into gold as he gazed somewhere far away. She sighed again and this time he turned his head, smiling sheepishly.

"Something tells me you've been sighing a lot in the past few minutes."

She bit her lips. "Is there any chance to find food in this place?"

He looked at his watch. "Well, it way past dinner." He muttered. "I know my way around; we should find something to eat in the kitchen." She followed him outside and down the stairs to the kitchen. He started to open the large fridge while she moved over to the cabinets.

"Empty." He said. "There's ice cream, if you want." He joked.

"Wonderful, we could eat it in front of the heater." She answered, winking at him as she passed by him with a bag of popcorn.

She put them in the microwave and searched for more food. "There's nothing here, not even instant soups. I got some crackers." She announced happily. "I'm starving."

Myles found a treasure in one of the drawers; he pulled it out and waved the packet in front of her. "Chocolate is always good." He also found a bottle of mineral water.

They walked towards their room, the hotel was starting to grow very cold and Myles could have sworn the temperature wouldn't stop falling. He turned the heater on again and they drank some of the water while munching on the popcorn. She sat in front of the heater, her face tilted towards the window as she watched the raging storm.

He stood by the window and wrapped himself with his coat. His reflection on the cold glass showed him a tired man, his eyes had dark circles around them and his features were too pale even for him. He knew Hadar was watching him, he could see her reflection as well. He kind of enjoyed the fact that she didn't ask any questions and he decided to ask some questions of his own, deciding that he had done enough brooding for tonight.

"So, tell me about Chanukah." He asked, turning from the large window to face her.

She shrugged. "What do you want to know?" He grabbed a handful of popcorn and sat beside her on the bed. "If you're looking for religious facts you're staying with the wrong person." She chuckled.

"You're not religious, then." She shook her head. "And yet you knew the blessings."

"Chanukah is not a religious holiday. It's not even mentioned in the bible, the Old Testament. It's funny, you see, back at home I don't keep kosher and I barely celebrate the holidays but when I'm…away from home, it seems important to keep the customs."

"I never met anyone who celebrated Chanukah." He said, removing his coat and tie and tossing them on the carpet beneath him.

"I'm sure you met them, you just didn't know they were Jewish." She stared at the view again. "Chanukah is a light festival; it has a different meaning for different people. You know the story behind the menorah?"

"The oil that lasted for eight days." He recalled, remembering reading the story once. The Jews fought for the right to worship their god. They opposed King Antiochus who oppressed them. The Jews fought the Greek king and eventually won, their temple rededicated.

"The story tells that while the maccabbim rebuilt the temple they had only the amount of oil that could last for one night. But the Menorah was supposed to burn every night, throughout the night. They lighted the menorah and the oil lasted for eight nights and that is the miracle we celebrate."

"The victory of battle." He said quietly and she shook her head.

"No, we celebrate the miracle not the military victory. It's very different." She hesitated before continuing. "Chanukah is a family time, for me, time of hope and comfort and miracles…" She smiled wistfully.

"You're not religious and yet you believe in miracles?" He chuckled.

"David Ben Guriun, who was our first prime minister, said that in order to live in a country like Israel, you must believe in miracles."

He smiled; her opinions on the holiday were refreshing. He knew the story but never actually talked to anyone who celebrated the holiday. "I didn't even know there was a synagogue here." He said.

"Well, since I told you all about Chanukah I think you should tell me about Christmas." She said, eyeing the storm outside again. "It doesn't look like we're going anywhere tonight." The snow stopped falling but heavy rain replaced it and the winds seemed to be picking up speed.

"I don't think I'm the right person to tell you about Christmas." He shrugged and then rolled his eyes when she pouted at him. "Alright, Christmas marks the birth of Jesus Christ." He said and then frowned when she rolled her eyes.

"Don't lecture, Myles, tell me what it means for you."

"I can tell what it should mean." He said quietly and she saw the shadow that loomed behind his eyes. She waited for him to continue. "It supposed to be a celebration of the heart, celebration of peace and love and home. But I wouldn't know for sure." She opened her mouth to ask something and then closed it again, allowing him to choose if he wanted to continue. He hesitated only for a moment before he spoke again. "I always received the gifts I wanted." He said. "I always attended the perfect parties. You know those silly movies where you see a family decorating a Christmas tree?" She nodded her head and continued, venting on. "My family never did that. We never sat together on Christmas day to open our presents, we had a tree, it was usually magnificent and tall but it was not meant for presents, it was meant for the impression." He sighed, rising from the bed to start pacing the room. "Why am I telling you this anyway?" bitterness filled his voice.

"Maybe, because it's easier to tell someone you don't know." She shrugged her shoulders.

"Last year, I had a wonderful holiday; I spent Christmas Eve with my colleagues." He positioned himself in front of the window again, backing away when the wind shook it forcefully. "Is that pathetic?"

"No." He saw her smiling at him. "It means you found your family, it's a good thing."

"Maybe." He shrugged his shoulders. "This is proving to be an interesting holiday as well." He said, smiling at her reflection. She laughed and the bitterness that flowed through his veins seemed to disappear.

"Hadar." He started and then laughed at the way the name seemed so foreign when it came from his mouth. She laughed with him.

"You need to put more stress on the last syllabus." She said and he tried again, smiling when it seemed like he was getting it right.

"Hadar, what brings you to Washington?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "I'm between assignments." She said. "I have two weeks off and I wanted to be home for a while. I haven't been there for over a year."

"It must be hard." He said. "What do you do?"

"I work for the government." She said and he chuckled.

"That's a coincidence. I work for the government too."

She snickered. "No talking about our jobs then."

They sat in comfortable silence for a while; he unbuttoned his vest and considered folding it neatly before deciding to toss that piece of clothing on the carpet as well. Folding would mean that he remembered everything he was taught back at home and at that very moment, he had no desire to be cynical or hide behind the mask of arrogance he was so used to. She was a good listener; he glanced towards her as they sat side by side. The words stood at the tip of his tongue, he couldn't stop himself.

"My father is dying." He whispered.

It took a millisecond for her small hand to grasp his, intertwining their fingers together. Her eyes were wide open, staring at his as she waited for him to continue.