"Whoa."
Stella rolled her eyes. "You have a comment you'd like to share, Detective?"
He looked her up and down, taking in the short elf costume she was wearing, the green stockings making her legs look even longer than usual.
"I was just regrettin' my decision to turn down the role of Santa this year."
"You turned it down?"
Flack nodded. "Conflictin' engagements."
"Oh yeah?"
"Sam's been sober a month now," he said quietly. "We're havin' dinner to celebrate."
Stella's expression softened. "That's really great, Don."
"Yeah. I'm pretty proud of her."
She reached out and squeezed his arm. "I gotta go. I'll see you later?"
"Yeah. Have fun, Stell."
She smiled. "You too, Don."
***********************************************
Hours later, she knocked on his door, still wearing her costume.
"Stell," Flack greeted, his eyes wide in surprise. "Whatchya doin' here?"
She shrugged, holding a box in her hands. "I wanted to give you your Christmas present. I'm not interrupting, am I? I mean, Sam…"
"She left about twenty minutes ago. C'mon in."
She followed him in, turning as soon as he had the door shut. He smiled at her, and they stood there for a minute before Stella blushed and handed him the box.
"Merry Christmas," she said quietly.
Don took the box from her. "You didn't have to get me somethin', Stell."
She shrugged. "I wanted to."
Slowly, he unwrapped the box and removed the lid. When he saw what was inside, his eyes widened and his breath caught. Reaching out, he brushed his fingers against the cover.
"Oh, Stell," he breathed.
She shrugged nervously again, shifting her weight. "I remember, when we had that case that took us to that book dealer…you saw it in the case, and I saw the way your eyes lit up…"
Taking it out of the box, Flack stared at the book. "The Velveteen Rabbit," he whispered. He shook his head. "There were only a few of these that are illustrated by this artist…" Lifting his head, he met her eyes. "It's too much."
Stella smiled. "You deserve it."
Looking back down at the book, Flack sighed. "I used to read this to Sam every night. I'd ask her if she wanted somethin' else, but it was always this." He paused. "Thank you, Stell. I mean that."
Reaching out, he pulled her into a tight hug. Stella smiled as she sank into his embrace, glad that she could get him something that made him so happy. When they pulled back, she kissed him softly on the cheek, letting her mouth linger next to his skin.
"You're welcome," she whispered.
She felt him shiver slightly, and then he was moving his face, bringing his lips to meet hers. Stella let him kiss her, her arms looping around his neck as she pulled him closer.
"Stay," he murmured.
She smiled. "On one condition."
"Okay…"
"You give me something to change into? I'd rather not sit around in my elf costume."
Flack's eyebrows rose. "No? I certainly wouldn't object."
Stella smacked him on the arm. "None of your Santa's little helper fantasies are getting fulfilled tonight, Detective."
"I didn't suggest any such thing."
"Please, I saw the way your eyes popped out of your head when I came out of the locker room in this outfit."
Flack smiled, wrapping his arms around her again. "Maybe that's just 'cause I got a thing for you, Detective."
Stella just rolled her eyes. "Are you going to get me that change of clothes or not?"
"Of course." He turned and headed to his bedroom, but looked over his shoulder before ducking into the room. "You rent that costume or buy it?"
She couldn't help but grin. "Bought it. Don't worry, Don. Just because we're not fulfilling those fantasies tonight doesn't mean I won't keep it handy."
His eyes widened and his ears turned red. Trying not to swallow his tongue, he nodded and continued into the bedroom.
