A/N: I can't help wondering if it's actually a good idea to be writing this story (especially instead of an essay, which is due in two weeks, but shhh), but it came to me and doesn't want to stop nudging me to get written. There is still some time left until Christmas, but I hope to finish it by then, so I have to start early! I hope you're going to enjoy this seasonal dose of fluff from me! :)

CHAPTER 1

Jack couldn't do much more than sigh, when he arrived at the airport and looked at the departures board. He wasn't surprised to see that his plane was delayed, just like all the others to Wisconsin and other northern states. He was prepared to see that; it wasn't like he wasn't aware of the heavy snowfall, which managed to ruin plans for Christmas of a huge number of people, who weren't able to travel to their families, because of the cancelled flights. On his way there, he still had a tiny little bit of hope, but now it was completely gone. He was staying in D.C. and spending Christmas on his own, as most of his friends left for holidays.

The only person, who stayed in the area was Myles, but he decided to spend the time with his sister. However, even if it wasn't the case, he would be one of the last people, who Sparky wanted to spend this time with. He liked the man, he couldn't deny that, but he was afraid that being in his company for too long could be a little too much. Bobby was in Australia, Tara in Idaho, Lucy with her grandmother and Sue with one of her older brothers. It was, at least, what he thought, until he went to the park, where she was always walking Levi.

He didn't even know why he actually went there, especially that she wasn't supposed to be there. There weren't many people around; everyone was generally hurrying home to their families to finish preparations or doing very late Christmas shopping. He didn't have the need to do either, and it was in a way his heart, that led him to this place. Just like they always seemed to be doing whenever he didn't have anything to focus on, his thoughts drifted off to his beautiful blonde friend and this place, other than her apartment, the bullpen and their favourite restaurants, was one of those, where they were spending the biggest amount of time together.

Ever since her decision to stay in D.C. a couple of months earlier, they almost haven't been spending any time apart. Whenever they weren't working on the case, they would go to Montrose, to the Little Bookworm club, to a hockey match (it wasn't that she didn't like the sport earlier, she has just never really been a huge fan, and she was surprised to realise that she turned into one because of those outings), to the restaurant for a dinner or simply to Jack's place with some take-away, but always together. The only exceptions were the days, when Hudson was attending ASL classes, which she was surprised to find out he was going to for about two years now. On the other hand, now she understood how he managed to make such a progress in her first language, when she really wasn't teaching him THAT much. Still, those were the evenings, which she spent with her flatmate, who wasn't sure whether she should be happy or frustrated by the turn of events.

She would surely be ecstatic if it was all the result of or followed by confession of love on Jack's part, but even now, so many months later, they were still 'just friends'. It was unbelievable in her opinion; they seemed to have grown even closer during those months and yet, they still haven't made this one tiny step. Whenever she suggested that they could have a girls night and heard that her flatmate has already made plans with Hudson, she couldn't help wondering if it wouldn't be easier if Sue just moved in with Jack, as she was at his place way more often than at their. Yet, she could see that her friend was happy and as long as there was the hope, that Mr. Turtle was going to voice his feelings one day, she was happy as well.

Sparky knew that it was the way Lucy felt, because she didn't hesitate to drop him hints that he could finally reveal his feelings, and there were moments when he wanted nothing more but to do that. He was afraid, though, that if she didn't feel the same way, he would lose her and it was something he didn't even want to think about. If there was one thing he was certain about, it was that he couldn't imagine his life without her. There were moments when he thought that she did reciprocate his feelings and he was right on the edge of making them known, only to be stopped by her doing or saying something, what made him see that she saw them as friends, nothing more. He didn't know what to think about it and it made him confused, but as long as he got to spend time with her, he wasn't going to complain.

It was nothing surprising for him, that one of the first thoughts that slipped into his mind after realising that he was stuck in D.C. for Christmas, was that he wished he could spend this time with her. It was, however, a huge shock, when he was slowly walking down the path, which they usually took, and saw her sitting on one of the benches. He blinked a couple of times, thinking that it was impossible at first, but he quickly realised that he wasn't just seeing things. She was sitting there, with Levi at her side, the canine's head resting on her lap and his heart skipped a beat, because he knew that something was wrong.

He didn't waste time approaching her, and sat on the edge of the bench, gently touching her arm to get her attention. She jumped and gasped in shock, turning around with a surprise and fear mixed in her eyes. The latter was soon replaced by recognition and her panic lessened, although her heart was still beating quite furiously.

"Jack!" she exclaimed. "You scared me! What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same question. Weren't you supposed to at your brother's place by now?" he asked, watching her carefully, worried by the hint of sadness reflected in her eyes.

"My nephew brought measles from school and since I've never had it, me and my brother decided that it will be safer for me not to visit. What about you? Weren't you going to your parents?"

"My plane was cancelled because of the snowfall, and it's a little too late now to drive to get there on time, so I'm stuck here." she nodded, remembering the forecasts for the region showed in all the news as well as his hopes, that the weather would improve by now. It obviously hasn't and he was in a situation a little similar to hers. She sighed, lowering her gaze to her lap, but soon found herself forced to look at him again, when he gently raised her head with his hand. "What is it, Sue?" he asked, not withdrawing his hand, but using his thumb to gently caress her cheek. Her behaviour confirmed his worries that something was wrong and he really wanted to know what it was, so that he could find a way to help.

"Danielle, my brother's wife, is pregnant and it turned out that she wasn't immune… She's still early in her pregnancy and the doctors say that it's very dangerous for the baby at this stage… They do whatever is in their power to prevent it, but the doctors say that it may cause a miscarriage, birth defects and other problems…" she sighed, blinking a couple of times to prevent tears from coming to her eyes. "They were both so happy when they found out that they're going to have another baby and it'll kill them, if anything happens to it… It must be so difficult for them and I can't even be there to help somehow…"

Just a couple of months earlier, Jack would have just took her hand in his and squeezed it, trying to give her as much support and reassurance as possible this way, but at one point their relationship had taken a step forward, at least when it came to where the border for physical contact between them was. Now, he didn't hesitate to wrap his arm around her shoulders and pull her close, holding her in his arms, gently caressing her back and hoping, that it would make her feel at least a little bit better. And it did, much more than he probably suspected; it was why he has quickly become the person, who she was going to when she needed consolation. There was nothing, what made her feel better than his embrace, the feeling of safety it brought and the awareness that he was there for her whenever she needed him. So, she didn't put up any resistance this time either, just leaning to him and hiding her face in the crook of his neck.

Neither of them had any idea how long they just sat there, but they were soon brought back to Earth by the sound of Jack's phone ringing, which startled the man and made her withdraw. Drawing a circle on his chest with his fist, he reached to his pocket and wasn't surprised to see that it was his mother. He tried calling her earlier but she didn't answer, and he suspected that she must have been busy with his nephews and nieces or last-minute baking. She has probably just seen the three unanswered calls from him and was naturally calling him back.

"Hi Mom." he spoke, answering the silent question in Sue's eyes and stopped her, when she started to stand up. He knew that she probably just wanted to give him some privacy, but he didn't really feel like he needed it. "Yes, my plane's been cancelled. Tell them I'm sorry, I really hoped I'd get the chance to see them as well. Mom, I'll be fine. I've been taking care of myself for the last twenty years of my life." he narrowed his eyes, when he noticed Sue chuckle, when she guessed what his mother was telling him. "Actually, I'm not gonna be on my own; Sue was forced to stay in D.C. as well. Yes, I'm certain that she'll make sure I'm not going to eat a microwave pizza for Christmas dinner. Yes, I'll call tomorrow. I love you too. Bye."

"Is it your way of inviting yourself to me, Mr. Hudson?" she asked, although leaving him no doubts that she would have told him to come anyway. Christmas was the part of the year, which shouldn't be spend alone and she was actually quite happy (as much as it was possible under all the circumstances), that while she wasn't able to be with her family, she would get to be with her best friend.

"I see no problem with you and Levi coming to me, although I have to warn you that I do not have much food in the fridge besides the microwave pizza and some other ready meals. It's not like I've been shopping, when the plan was for me to be in Wisconsin."

"It's a good thing I've been aware I'm staying for the last two days then, or your mother's fears would come true." she smiled a little, but the smile quickly faded when she noticed his face expression.

"You've known for the last two days? Why didn't you say anything? I would have taken you to Wisconsin with me!" he frowned, when he realised that it wasn't true as they would have been both stuck here because of the weather. Still, she wouldn't have been staying home with the thought of spending Christmas alone.

"That'sexactly why I haven't said anything and forced Lucy not to do that, either. I knew that you would have insisted on me accompanying you and the last thing I wanted was to impose on your family." she admitted and when she refused to meet his gaze, he cupped her face again.

"Nonsense! They would have been happy if you had come with me!"

"It doesn't matter now, anyway. Let's go, though. It's starting to become quite cold and I'll make us a hot chocolate to get warm." she said, as she didn't really feel like fighting about it with him and after quite a long time spend on this bench, she was really starting to feel the low temperature. He nodded, standing up, and they were soon on their way to Sue's apartment.