Spoilers: None
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my inspiration.
AN: Wrote this for Lisa for Christmas. It's been up at LJ. I'm just now getting around to updating over here.

Stella sighed quietly. It had been a long week and all she really wanted to do was go home and curl up with some Christmas movies. Somehow though, she had let herself get finagled into going to the bar after work. She blamed Danny. She wasn't really sure it was his fault, but he was an easy person to blame with that shit-eating grin.

"Hey Stel, how'd you wind up sitting by yourself?" Flack asked as he plopped down in the booth next to her.

Speaking of shit-eating grins.

"Uh I think Mac went to find Hawkes who was flirting with some girls at the bar, and Danny and Lindsay had to go relieve the babysitter."

"Ahh… and so you just decided the booth needed holding down?"

She rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile, "Somebody's gotta do it. Smart ass."

Flack flashed her that one thousand watt smile.

"No. I guess I just wasn't really up to coming out tonight. Long week and all."

Flack reached up to brush a curl back from her face. "Yeah, I hear ya. But since we're out you know… we might as well have some fun. Dance with me."

She paused, looking into those blue-blue eyes and wondered… "Okay."

He slid out of the booth and offered her his hand. She took it and let him help her up. Flack led her out onto the floor as the band began to play "O Holy Night."

Stella stretched her arms around his back, leaned in and laid her head on Flack's chest as their bodies swayed with the music.

It wasn't the first time she'd danced with Flack or even the first time they had slow danced, but something about tonight felt different, new. Maybe it was the time of year getting to her head and making her sentimental but she wondered what she would do without Flack. He'd been there for her during some of the worst days of her life. She would never forget that.

Lately, though, she could feel them growing apart. He seemed distracted whenever they talked, and there was something in his eyes she couldn't exactly put her finger on.

The song ended and she leaned back until she found his eyes, and suddenly it hit her. She hadn't let herself see it before, but there it was as clear as day. She reached a hand up and cupped his cheek. He stared back into her eyes, totally unguarded. She furrowed her eyebrows and whispered, "Walk me home?"

He paused just a second before nodding and following her to collect her coat and purse.

----

They had walked in silence the few blocks to her apartment building. Stella's mind was going ninety to nothing trying to make heads or tails of this new piece of information. On the one hand it shocked her… and on the other she was hardly surprised. And it wasn't like she had never contemplated the idea herself but they had been friends for so long.

They stopped in front of her building and she started to speak but he cut her off.

"Just hear me out first, okay?"

Slowly, she nodded.

"I know this isn't exactly expected and maybe it's crazy given how long we've known each other, but I think I'm falling for you. Well, actually I know I am, and I have been for a while. I tried to stay away but that didn't work, and I didn't really expect it to cause you're pretty much the most amazing woman I've ever met, Stel."

She saw the love in his eyes again, took a step toward him, leaned up and gently placed her lips on his for just a second before stepping back and walking up the stairs to the door. Stella then turned to find him exactly where she left him, seemingly stunned. It was all she could do to suppress a laugh.

"We're both off Saturday night. Pick me up at 8. Don't be late."

At that, he grinned. "Yes, ma'am."