So, after watching "The San Lorenzo Job" a couple of times, I felt there needed to be some kind of explanation about how Nate and Sophie ended up in bed together. It's not my best, but I enjoyed writing it. And, it's Christmas, so it's a nice present for all the Nate / Sophie shippers out there who were left with way too many questions after the season finale. Let me know what you think. And, Merry Christmas!

Nate sips on his drink and grins at Sophie over the rim of his glass. He's pleased with the way everything turned out. Moreau is finally taken care of, and everyone is still alive. All in all, it's a lot better of an outcome than he had anticipated at one point. The rest of the team has disappeared. Parker had a determined look on her face the last time he saw her, so he think she's probably going to steal something of Moreau's. He hadn't even seen Eliot or Hardison before he checked on Sophie's memorial. Well, it is actually Rebekah's memorial, but he's not complaining. He likes having Sophie in one piece.

She's singing now. He recognizes the tune and laughs.

"Don't cry for me, Argentina," she lilts out, raising her glass in his direction.

Her hair is down, around her face, and she's smiling. She looks happier than she has in, well, he doesn't remember the last time he's seen her this happy. He likes it. And, he doesn't tell her to stop singing because she's surprisingly good. Sure, her voice is a little rough around the edges, but it's pretty. He pours more brandy into her glass and tosses back the rest of his.

"I like this," she says as she traces a finger around the rim of her glass. "Us, I mean."

"What do you mean?" He pours himself another glass of brandy.

She bites her lip and gives him a small smile. "I like spending time with you. You know, outside of our work. It's nice."

He nods his head. "Yeah."

Her smile widens until her eyes light up. She's beautiful. So, he kisses her. He almost pulls back immediately after his lips touch hers, but she puts her glass down and runs a hand into his hair, holding him in place. He can taste the brandy on her lips, and when she opens her mouth, he can taste it on her tongue along with the faintest trace of vanilla. He's so close to her that he can smell her jasmine perfume. And, he's sure there are warning bells sounding everywhere, but all he can think about is that he should have done this sooner. And maybe that's because he's been chasing her since the day he met her. And maybe it's because he loves her. But, it doesn't really matter right now because she's in his arms, and she lets out a breathy moan when he kisses the junction of her jaw and neck.

They tumble onto the hotel's king-sized bed in a tangle of legs and arms, and somehow, she manages to keep him locked into a searing kiss. When she whispers his name into his ear and rolls them so she's straddling his waist, he grins. This has always been them. Chase. Run. Flirt. A smoldering look; then, it's gone. Small chances that never amount to much. Fear. Argue. Con. Love. And, in the end, it's just Nate and Sophie. Fucked up. Perfect.