Later that evening, Pauline was cooking them dinner she had run Halt out insisting that she wanted to do something for him. He was sitting on the couch with a cup of coffee he enjoyed watching her dart about she had a glow about her from their earlier activities. He smiled at that settling into the couch comfortably sipping the dark black liquid. She walked over to him kissing his cheek softly "it'll be ready in a half hour" she said settling next to him. He smiled softly "smells good" he said. She smiled at him and leaned into him as he held her close. "How will we do it?" She asked softly. "I thought we already did... A couple times in fact" he teased. She elbowed him slightly "you know what I mean... How will we get married?... There is a ban in the corps..." She said. "You let me handle that" he said kissing her jaw lovingly. She eyed him as if to say 'not good enough.' He sighed "I'll talk to Crowley I'll tell him I can still work and be married... But you need to know, being married to me comes with risk" he said softly. "Halt I've practically been married to you for the past several years I have been there through the risk. I've worried about you coming home every day you are gone for the past 11 years. I've seen you hurt physically and whether you like it or not I've seen you hurt emotionally. Halt I love you no matter what the risk. No matter what happens I'll always love you" she said light tears in her eyes as she stroked his cheek. He smiled and kissed her tenderly. "Halt... Are you sure you want me?" She asked. He looked at her surprised "what kind of question is that?" He said looking at her. "Halt... I can't give you what a regular wife can... I can't be a housewife I can't give you children..." She started. He stopped with a finger to her lips "Pauline...you are more than I could ever ask for in a wife. You have been with me through thick and thin I love you. And you have already given me a child, our beautiful daughter. I know she wasn't long a part of this world but she was ours and she was perfect" he said nuzzling her again tenderly. Pauline let happy tears fall as she hugged the man she loved close "I just wish I could give you more" she said softly. He kissed her again tenderly this time letting his lips linger. After the kiss broke they drifted apart slowly. "Do you smell come thing burning?" He said softly. Pauline jumped up suddenly "our dinner!"
Pauline managed to save dinner just in time for there to be a knock on the door. Halt looked at the darkness outside the window. "Who in blazes?" Halt said softly. Pauline looked at him "I take it you weren't expecting anyone for the holiday?" Halt shook his head and walked to the door Pauline caught his hand "hold on" she said with a smirk and ran her fingers through his hair smoothing it down their earlier activities having tousled it more than usual "ok" she said. Halt smirked and walked to the door.
He opened it "Happy Yuletide!" Crowley said stepping in "oh... Sorry didn't realize you had company,... So late..." He said sheepishly. Halt tried not to show embarrassment and fumbled for words. "I'm just helping Halt get resettled in and stayed to make some dinner. Would you like some I'll set an extra place?" Pauline said. Crowley nodded regaining his composure "sounds lovely" he said entering the cabin he eyed in the bedroom and saw the rumpled sheets and smirked 'settling in alright.' Pauline served out dinner sitting down with the gentleman close to Halt's side. Crowley smirked "so how is being back home treating you?" He asked Halt. Halt nodded "well enough always good to be home" he said, under the table Pauline's hand rested on his thigh. Crowley looked at them "Having a woman to come home to helps I'm sure" Crowley tried o get him to say something. Halt silently nodded keeping his facedown not giving Crowley the satisfaction, holding Pauline's hand under the table. Pauline smirked inwardly seeing the look on Crowley's face. The table was silent for a while Crowley studying the two across from him finally he set down the mug "Gorlog's beard just say it!" He exclaimed suddenly. Pauline looked surprised at the sudden outburst and Halt looked at his friend his eyebrows raising. "What are you on about?" Halt asked. "You! And you!" Crowley said indicating one then the other "how long are you going to skirt around this?" "This?" Halt asked tormenting his friend and slightly concerned at the same time. "You two have been at it for years how long are you going to hide this" Crowley said. "How did you?-" Pauline started. "I saw you in the hospital wing after Halt got hurt... And beds don't usually get rumpled before bedtime between friends" Crowley added. Pauline blushed and Halt went a little red himself. "How much trouble am I in?" Halt asked. "How long has this been going on?" Crowley asked studying the man. "11 years" Pauline said resting her hand on Halt's arm on the table now seeing no harm in it now that Crowley knew. Crowley looked at them surprised "well you get credit for keeping it a secret... I think he worst punishment you did to yourselves" he said. Pauline looked at him curiously "I'm sorry?" "Why didn't you say something sooner?" Crowley asked. "I know the rules the corps places in relationships... We kept it a secret" Halt said knowing the conversation was taking a more serious turned. "Those rules are in place for a reason... Halt. Pauline. I see you both as friends. This... Is complicated... And ordinarily Halt would have to be punished for breaking a Corp law" Crowley said. Pauline squeezed Halt's hand, Crowley saw the action he could feel the love passing between the two "but given the circumstances I'm going to pardon it..." the couple looked up surprised. "You are?" Halt said surprised. "Yes... Just for the love of the gods marry the woman I think you have made her wait long enough" Crowley said. Pauline smiled and looked at Halt who looked surprised but happy as well. "I fully intend to" Halt said smiling at the woman beside him. Crowley nodded "good then you two can get to making all the little couriers and rangers you want just hang a sign on the door so I don't come knocking" he said. Halt's face quickly shaded over but Pauline wasn't as quick as the ranger. Crowley saw the reaction from them "or don't have children... I meant no offense." Halt looked at Pauline who nodded slightly. "There is something you need to know" Halt said.