**Merry Christmas Everyone!

Chapter 3. Far Away For Far Too Long

"Cause you know, that I love you, I have loved you all along, and I miss you, been far away for far too long" Nickleback

Lester stood at the glass window of his office watching as Jenny was overwhelmed by hugs and welcome backs from the team. His attentions were on Danny Quinn especially, who had always flirted with her, as he hugged her and grasped her hands in his as they talked. Jenny made no move to pull away and Lester wondered if his feelings were reciprocated. It wasn't as if he had a right to care who she was interested in, she was a colleague, nothing more.

He sighed and went back and sat down at his desk, having regained his bored composure by the time Jenny entered the office.

"Well, well, well, look what the storm blew in," he commented sarcastically, "Good morning Ms. Lewis."

"Morning James, how are you?"

"Fractionally better now that you're here to keep the press under control,"

"You really know how to make a girl feel welcome James, let me tell you." she joked lightly.

He silently handed her the current press releases that needed to be gone over and she turned to leave.

"Jenny," he called stopping her, "Would you like to have dinner with me Saturday, to ahh… celebrate your return to the team?"

She froze and turned back to face him, her expression a mixture of shock and confusion,

"James Lester are you asking me on a date?"

"Call it what you like, I just simply need a yes or no answer." he replied.

"Yes…what time?"

"Would six be convenient?"

"Sure." she said turning to leave again.

"Oh and Jenny, do you have a problem with formal, because I know this great place…"

"Formal will be fine, I'll see you Saturday at six," she replied with a smile.

Jenny

Jenny hurried to Sarah's office, her head reeling. She knocked and waited for a reply.

"Come in," Sarah called, and Jenny couldn't help noticing her voice sounded a little high.

She walked in and found Sarah, cheeks flushed, lips looking slightly red and swollen in her desk chair, Captain Becker leaning against the desk beside her, hair slightly disheveled and laughing quietly.

"Should I come back?" Jenny asked looking between them.

"Yes." Becker said.

"No, you're fine Jenny," she said swatting him on the arm.

Jenny waited until he was gone and turned to Sarah, eyebrow raised.

"When did this happen?" she enquired.

"A few days ago, he asked me out, I accepted, and well…"

Jenny laughed, "About time you two figured out you were perfect for each other, everyone else has."

"So what's up?" Sarah asked changing the subject abruptly.

"I think James just asked me out on a date," she replied, sinking down in the chair across from Sarah's desk.

"James, as in Lester, the brooding, sarcastic, ass?"

"That would be the one."

"Huh," Sarah replied, looking as confused as Jenny felt.

"Huh indeed," Jenny laughed.

"Well what did you say?"

"I agreed, I'm actually kind of looking forward to it."

"Jenny, you may be the only person that would say that, but I'm happy for you, if you're happy. So where's he taking you?"

"Out to dinner, some formal restaurant."

"Ohh, sounds like a shopping trip," she sing songed.

"Exactly why I came to find you," she smiled.