A/N: Hi all! I promised you seven days and here we are at the seventh. Thank you to everyone who has taken time oot of their holiday to read and especially review, I'm so pleased that you enjoyed my story. As a bonus, I'll be adding one short chapter tomorrow just to finish things off.
o-xxx-o
Tuesday 27th December:
Outside the scene was bleak, almost depressing, as the rain turned the snow to slush and the people of the city went back to their jobs. Inside the apartment the mood wasn't much better as Jack and Sue ate breakfast unenthusiastically without speaking, in the end it was Jack who broke the silence.
"I meant to ask… How is it you have today off?"
"D arranged it with the powers-that-be as a reward for working so hard to finish up all our case work before the end of the year."
"That was good of him."
"We thought so."
The conversation died again as they poured themselves some fresh coffee.
Sue smiled at him wistfully. "I've had a great time."
"Me too, in fact I don't…" He shook his head not willing to voice his thoughts aloud.
"I know."
"What time do you need to go?"
"Any time, although I really should get back for dinner, I ought to spend some of the holiday with Lucy and her family." She stated guiltily.
"Will you help me take down the tree before you leave?"
"Isn't it a bit soon?"
"Maybe… But we'll be back at work tomorrow, Christmas will be pretty much over and Crash knows I'm due back this evening… If he comes by it could be a little difficult to explain."
"True. Okay, I can do that."
It had taken them close to an hour but the baubles and ornaments had all been carefully wrapped in tissue paper and re-boxed and Jack had returned the guard to its owner. They shared another coffee and a sandwich but in the end, neither of them could find an excuse for her to stay any longer as much as they both wanted to. She walked out of the bedroom with her bags, a sad look on her face.
"I guess I'm ready."
"I don't think I am."
"I know but it's time to return to reality and pick up our lives again."
"I know that, I just didn't realise how hard it would be."
"Me neither."
"You want me to give you a ride home?"
"Not a good idea. Chances are we'll run into Lucy and you know what she's like, she'll jump to all sorts of conclusions and then everyone will know. I want to keep this a secret, if you don't mind. It's been far too special to share."
"Really..?"
"Yes, really..." They gazed at each other for a while, their eyes betraying the feelings that neither of them were prepared to voice and then she called Levi to her side.
"I'll walk you to the elevator."
"Okay." They strolled down the hallway and Jack handed over her shoulder-bag as she reached out to push the button and then he caught hold of her arm.
"Sue, one more thing before you go..."
"What's that?"
He pointed above her head and when she looked up she saw a strategically placed sprig of mistletoe. Hands on hips, she looked at him accusingly.
"That wasn't there before."
"Are you sure? I could have sworn I noticed it yesterday." He gave her a wide-eyed innocent look. "You didn't see it?"
"No…" Her eyes narrowed as she debated whether to believe him or not.
"Honestly, I didn't put it there but it is another of those Christmas traditions you believe in so much and you wouldn't want to risk bringing us bad luck by breaking it, would you?"
"Jack…" He gave her a look which reminded her of Puss in Boots from the 'Shrek' movies and she was lost. "Just one and behave yourself."
"Me..?"
"Yes… you."
"Cross my heart."
Closing the gap between them he reached for her, his hand cupping the side of her face as he tilted her chin with his thumb and index finger. His eyes locked with hers and then closed as he brushed her lips with a soft and gentle kiss that held the promise of so much more; the contact telling her everything the rules at work wouldn't permit him to say and asking if it was possible that she could feel the same way. He eased away slowly leaving them both breathless.
"Now that really was my Christmas wish."
"It was?" Her eyes sparkled with a mixture of happiness and mischief and she quickly looked over her shoulder to make sure the elevator was behind her before taking hold of the material of his sweater and pulling him back to her.
"Sue..?"
Before he could finish her mouth covered his, answering his unspoken question, her hand sliding round the back of his neck, fingers playing with the hair that rested at the nape. She increased the pressure slightly when he started to respond and then, without warning, broke away and stepped back into the lift, grinning at his stunned expression and giving him a wave as the doors closed between them.
o-xxx-o
