Sue looked out into the darkness, straining her eyes, hoping to see some sign of him. Turning around and leaning against the window, she surveyed the scene in front of her. Ms. Ruby had Zach's and Anna's rapt attention, weaving a tale of Christmas Eve wonderment, hoping to help them wind down. Mary was resting in the recliner in front of the fire, exhaustion and worry evident in the lines of her body. Everyone had been fed and the fire stoked. Turning back to peer into the night, her mind drifted back to Jack.

"What do you mean you'll be back in a few minutes? Where are you going?"

Warmed by the concern evident in her tone and expression, he took her arm and led her to the entryway. "It's Christmas Eve, Sue. I have some elfing to do."

"L what?" she asked, not understanding.

"E-L-F-I-N-G," he finger spelled.

"I don't think that's a word, Jack. But if it is, what does it mean?"

"It means I have some things to do before Christmas arrives. You know," he added mysteriously, "last minute errands."

"That's crazy. It's close to 9:00 PM on Christmas Eve and a major winter storm has blanketed the city."

"Are you worried about me, Thomas?" he asked with a soft smile. "Cause if you are, I like the feeling. But you don't have to be," he murmured, stepping close and bringing his hand up to cup her face. "I'll be careful."

Blinking furiously at the emotion welling in her eyes, she finally locked her gaze on him as she leaned into his touch. "But what if you don't make it back? What if you get stranded somewhere?"

"Who? Me? Not going to happen," he assured her. "You think I'd miss the opportunity to spend Christmas with you? That is definitely not a viable option!"

She ducked her head and surreptitiously wiped at her eyes. "Okay, Hudson," she said when she again focused on him, "I'm holding you to that. Go do what you need to do, but please be careful."

"I will be. Now you go do what you do so well, make everyone feel at home and comfortable. I'll be back before you know it. And I'll probably be cold and need some serious warming up," he warned her, stepping even closer, and bringing his face close to hers. "I may even have snow on my lips," he added mischievously.

Dragging her eyes away from his inviting lips, she refocused on his eyes, thinking how easily she could lose herself in them. Drawing her bottom lip into her mouth, she worried it for a moment before responding. "I'll keep my eye on the fire. I won't let it go out while you're gone."

Letting a slow breath escape his lips and wash over her face, he closed the distance between them and rubbed his nose against hers gently before lowering it and nuzzling her lips. He pulled away just far enough for her to read him, and waited for her to open her eyes. "There is another kind of kiss I failed to show you," he whispered, lowering his head, intent on rectifying the situation, only to catch her as her legs buckled from the force of Levi's jump.

"Not you too, Levi," Jack groused, helping Sue gain her footing. "Come on, Buddy, you're killing me here," he said as he held the enthusiastic retriever off of his master. "DOOR," Jack signed, letting Sue know why Levi had come running.

"Did you not hear it?" she asked him, stepping around him to see who was waiting.

"I heard," he corrected her, stopping her before she made it to the door. "I was just choosing to ignore it. I had more important things to do," he added, his tongue planted firmly in his cheek. "And don't bother getting the door. It's for me, an elf helper, you might say." Kissing her on the cheek, he gave her a wink and slipped out the door.

XOXOXOXOXOXOX

Dewberry flitted above the vehicle, executing dazzling spirals and flips as she flew, thoroughly enjoying the falling snow. She'd just had a delightful time helping Jack with his 'elfing', a word that simply thrilled her, and was now looking forward to seeing Sue's reactions. She simply loved it when a plan came together.