A/N not mine, I own nothing but the plot.

I thought that as a special Christmas gift, you all deserved a bonus chapter. Remember, I will be posting a Babe story on Christmas Eve. I have a good reason for waiting until then.

A Christmas Carol, Plum Style

I was shocked by Bobby wanting to spend the day with me, adding Christmas spirit to my sad little apartment. I even tried to explain that I didn't have the money for it. He insisted on buying everything, saying that he would be spending the holiday with me, and didn't want to spend it in such a sad state.

I blindly followed him out to his waiting SUV. Soon we were on our way to Philly and the Christmas shop there. He wouldn't hear of it, when I told him that it was to expensive. Secretly, I was over joyed. I always wanted to go there, but could never afford it. Maybe I would be able to pick up something for Bobby for being such a wonderful friend.

"Sweetheart, we're here," he said while nudging me awake.

I looked up and was amazed by the sights, even the smell of Christmas was in the air. I had to look around for Diesel. Not finding him anywhere I got out of the car and Bobby took my hand.

Once inside the store Bobby grabbed a cart and we meandered our way around, just looking before deciding what we wanted.

"Hey, Stephanie, how about an antique Santa theme for your place?" He asked me.

"I think I like that idea. Are you sure you want to waste that kind of money on me though? It seems a little extravagant."

"There is nothing I wouldn't do to make you smile. Honestly, I may not be as rich as Ranger, but I am well off. Let me do this for you. I need to do this for you."

"But..."

"Anything to make you smile," he said. He then leaned forward and kissed me gently on my lips. It was a kiss full of longing, full of passion, and full of hope. He broke off the kiss and looked at me.

"I've wanted to do that since I met you."

I had no words, he had rendered me speechless. He's smiles and put an arm around my waist as I pushed the cart through the store. We find some beautiful decorations, and my apartment is going to look like the North Pole threw up in it. We grabbed all of our things and went to the register, laughing all the way.

On the way back to Trenton, it struck me that he should be working.

"Bobby! Aren't you supposed to be working?"

"Nope, this is my year to have off until January 7th. The core team rotates the holidays we work. Every four years I get Christmas through New Years off. Face it, your stuck with me until I go back to work. Even then you'll be stuck with me.

"Steph, I'm hoping that you'd be willing to try a relationship with me. We can take it slow and just see where it goes. Go on dates and get to know each other."

"Bobby, I don't know. My heart is pretty tender. Every guy that I have ever loved, has loved someone else more. They couldn't stay faithful to me, because their hearts weren't in it like mine was. I truly love Dickie when I married him, but Joyce. meant more to him. Then there was Joe and Terri. Ranger even found someone. You know the saying, that if everyone is an asshole, it must be you. The same theory applies here. Something must be fundamentally wrong with me. I'm the problem. I'm not worth loving."

"Baby, it's not you. In this case it's truly the men you gave your heart to. They weren't capable of loving like you deserved. Please give me a chance to prove to you that I can be what you need. We'll take it slow, go on dates, meet each others family, and just fall in love with each other."

My eyes widened and all I could do was nod. I haven't been on a real date since Dickie and I were married. He was the only one who ever cared enough to take me out in public.

"I want to take you out for dinner tonight. Would that be okay as a first date?"

"I'd like that, Bobby."

"I'll pick you up at 7, we'll go to Rossini's. Is that okay with you?"

"Perfect."

We got back to my place and put up the decorations, I was right. My place looked like the North Pole threw up. Bobby left at 5 so that we could both be ready for our first date.

At 7 there was a knock on my door. I was ready in my red and green sweater knit dress. I was surprised to see Morelli standing there with Bobby glaring at him.

"Ready for our date, Steph?" Bobby asked me.

"Let's go, Bobby."

"What the hell Cupcake, moving on to Ranger's thugs?" Morelli shouted.

"Ranger moved to Miami, you are negative Terri, who you cheated on me with. You have no say in anything Morelli."

"Bullshit! You were sleeping with Ranger the entire time."

"No, Joe, I wasn't. I was faithful to you," I said softly.

He just looked like a deer caught in the headlights. He lowered his head and walked away. I guess he realized that what I said was true.

Bobby held his arm out for me to take and we were on our way. When we walked into the restaurant it seemed as though the entire place froze. I understand the shock factor, I had never been there out of a group or family. They were staring at us with open mouths as we were seated. The waiter came over and took our drink orders. Bobby ordered a bottle of wine for us to share. Whatever was left we would take home with us.

He also ordered brushetta as a starter. He started to tell me about his family as we waited for our meal. I learned that he had been an alter boy and in the choir as a child. I also found out he cherished Christmas with his family and that this was the first year he wasn't spending with them.

My heart broke for him. He seemed genuinely upset over missing the holiday with his family. I told him about my holidays with my family as a child and how much I looked forward to them. How much of a disappointment I am to my family now. I told him how much MA was like me, and I worried about my family taking away her spirit.

After we both are dessert, shocking I know a Merry Man eating dessert, we went back to my place to keep talking. We fell asleep to the soft twinkling lights of the Christmas tree.