Nick puttered around the house checking the kitchen and the hall. He even checked the ridiculous pineapple tray they used for keys. Juliette saw it at Color-Me-Mine and fell in love.

"The car." he almost smacked himself for not realizing. Sure enough, it was in his car. He glanced at the passenger's seat and grabbed the box. Why watch when you could do?

He dropped the phone and box on the coffee table and was trotting up the stairs. He knew that there was a box of Christmas cards somewhere. He could do a hand writing analysis, just like he was taught at the academy. On impulse, he grabbed the text book while he was at it.

Nick started pulling out the notes.

Today was just strange. 10-28-11

Argh.

WHY?

I hate him.

Not really hate.

I guess we're friends.

I think I like him..

We're getting along.

"This person is falling in love," Nick thought to himself. Then, it struck him. The writer was certainly female and not Juliette.

Rosalee smelled like herbs all the time, mint might be one of them. Rosalee had to be careful. And who could it be but him that she hated? And it was no secret that she liked Monroe and Monroe reciprocated it.

I think I love him.

His phone interrupted that train of thought. Monroe.

"Hey, Nick, you left your jacket at my place. Do you mind if I drop it off?" He paused before explaining. "A couple wesen have been sniffing around and I'm kind of worried about how they would take it if they found it."

"Really? I'm at home and I don't' mind. Oh yeah, Rosalee left a box in my car. Do you mind giving it to her?" There was the short pause from Nick as the engine started on the other end. "Do you want me to take care of the situation?"

Monroe was silent and the engine idled. "Not really, I'm already on the road. I can take care of myself Nick." Monroe hung up and Nick was sure he had at least ten minutes.

He shoved-down the remainder of the lasagna and started repacking the notes and cards. He put the last on in when he had an idea. He tore out a page form his not book and scribbled on it. Then, he stuffed it into the box. The Christmas cards went under the couch with the useless textbook.

The door bell rang. "Nick?" Monroe was at the door already. Nick opened it and was almost tackled by the excited blutbad.

"This is the inside of your house?" Monroe surveyed the hall. Nick realized despite how many times he had eaten dinner, slept on the couch, and imposed upon early mornings at Monroe's, Monroe had never been in his house.

"Yeah, come in." He ended up giving Monroe a grand tour. Monroe was surprised by the change and shuffled nervously for the first few minutes. The house was "very Nick", he said.

"No way." Monroe stared at a clock. "Can it touch it?" Nick nodded. It was a grandfather clock in a glass case. Nick had gotten it from Aunt Marie but he never found out how to work it. Who better to ask than a clock doctor?

"You recognize it?"

"Do I?" Monroe started rattling off skeins of information only a clock enthusiast would understand. Nick listened politely watch Monroe as he talked.

The Enthusiastic Monroe was very different form the normal Monroe. The normal Monroe seemed like he was on a leash. That he knew that if he made a mistake a shock collar would zap him or something. But the animated Monroe was happy. His hands moved with his speech. His eyes glittered with intelligence and contentment. His mouth ran a mile a minute and he was never silent, even when he bothered to breathe. Nick realized the last time he saw Monroe like this, at the dragon's lair, he had been to tense to observe anything. The time before that, he was investigating a brutal murder. The time before that he was completely put off by all the Christmas decorations. Now seeing Monroe in his element, he couldn't help but feel the contagious euphoria.

"Sorry, I'm rambling. You have no idea what I just said." Nick shook his head.

"Take it with you and fix it up." Monroe jolted out of his blush.

"No way, really?"

"Yeah. Send me the bill." Monroe shook his head.

"Not possible. I'd bill you double for all the stuff you've put me through. This one's on the house." Nick nodded and clapped Monroe on the shoulder.

"Thanks." Monroe grinned like an idiot as he carefully wrapped the clock in newspaper. Nick remembered why Monroe was over in the first place.

"Here you go." He held out the box. Monroe looked at the box for a beat. "Don't ask why but it's important." Monroe pocketed it slowly.

"See you next week?" Nick nodded.

Watching Monroe's back as he walked away, Nick smiled. Rosalee was a lucky girl.

Wall of Disclaimers is up.

I had to insert my pineapple candy (as it was originally meant for)/ key (as it is now converted thanks to my mother) dish. I'm just glad no one ever looks on the mantle.

This was a birthday gift to me from a friend. I received an empty mint box because I couldn't think of anything else to ask for that was immediately on their person. Sure, I got a few weird looks, but I explained it afterwards.

Anyhow, I hope you like it. If you do, please tell me.