I think this is the longest chapter by a long way, but I just loved writing it, so please forgive me lol. If anyone can identify the other two film references they will get… um I'm not sure what you'll get… oh yes, you get the satisfaction of knowing that you know more crappy film references than other people lol. Enjoy.

White

The lights were up, the tree was decorated and the wine was mulled. It was Christmas once again in Gotham City but Jim Gordon was not feeling the holiday spirit.

Barbara's mother was sick so she had gone to be with her for the holidays. Originally the kids were to remain in Gotham but there was a thing, someone blew up a tanker in the harbour and there were a whole bunch of missing drugs involved. Jim was snowed under so Babs took the kids to visit grandma for Christmas after all.

Even the blanket of snow that covered the city could not lift Jim's spirits.

The mayor had invited him to spend Christmas with him and his family but he declined. He also declined invites from Bruce Wayne and the rich of Gotham and his old precinct buddies to attend various parties. He didn't want to hang around other people's families and friends. Instead, on Christmas Eve he bought a bottle of scotch and locked himself in his office with a collection of the most depressing Christmas records he could find.

He was a third of the way through the bottle when Lolly switched on the lights.

By the look of her she had been at a party, although the glamour was slightly ruined by the green alice band from which protruded a piece of plastic mistletoe on a metal spring. The white berries bounced in the air above her as she crossed the room.

"You know mistletoe can be deadly if you eat it," he told her matter-of-factly.

"So can too much Scotch," she replied.

"I haven't drunk that much," he said, although she did appear a little fuzzy around the edges. He tried to shrug off the sensation. "Besides, I'm entitled."

She sighed and reached a hand inside her purse, pulling out a long white envelope which she set on the desk.

"Call it an early Christmas present," she said.

He picked it up curiously and opened it. Inside there was a blue and white ticket.

"This is a plane ticket to Denver," he said.

"Yes," she replied. "The last seat. Your flight leaves in," she looked at her watch, "two hours. That gives you just enough time to pack and drink some coffee."

She smiled gently at him.

"If you catch a taxi at the airport you should be there in time to see the kids open their presents."

He stared at her blankly for a few seconds before pulling himself to his feet.

"Merry Christmas," she said, although there was a trace of sadness behind her smile.

"Merry Christmas Lolly!" he told her, pulling her into a massive bear hug. The plastic mistletoe dunted him on the head and she giggled at him. It occurred to Jim that she looked very pretty, giggling up at him like that.

Afterwards he couldn't tell if it was the Scotch or the gratitude or a mixture of both but before he quite knew what he was doing he kissed her. It was not the most romantic kiss he had ever bestowed upon anyone. On the contrary it was slightly sloppy and tasted of Scotch and he was sure his moustache needed trimming and that damn mistletoe kept whacking him on the head but it didn't really matter.

He pulled back and stared down at the girl in his arms as she blinked up at him. He was suddenly filled with the urge to apologise and beg that she not sue him for sexual harassment. But she laughed lightly and gave him a playful shove.

"Definitely coffee before you get on that plane. We can't have you kissing the stewardesses can we?"

She picked up his coat and handed it to him, shooing him out of the door.

"Go, pack, see your family. Tell everyone Merry Christmas from me and I'll see you in a couple of days."

Caught up in her encouragement he dashed out of the door and then dashed back to pick up the ticket which was still on his desk. Rushing out of the door again he paused to peck her lightly on her cheek.

"Thanks Lolly."

"Go!"

Had he paused to look up at his office window as he hailed a cab he would have seen her standing there, watching him, with tears running down her pretty face.