The next morning, everyone munched on breakfast and drank their coffees as people slowly began to make their exits.

Alex was touched by the kind farewells she was receiving from everyone. Even Amanda gave her a big hug and told her she definitely had to come back. She said something quietly to Nick and he laughed, shaking his head.

"OK, Amanda. You're the boss." She smiled at him and then she and Rick left for the airport.

The Dallas Stokes women had made quick appearances before heading off to their respective jobs. Jess had stuck around since she still had a few more days off, but Kathleen and Elizabeth had both hugged her warmly and demanded that she come back to visit.

Jake currently sat on his grandmother's lap as Julia and Brad finished with their luggage. He played peek-a-boo with Nick across the table and Alex once again felt her heart strings being tugged.

She wasn't sure if he'd changed his mind about having kids, but she couldn't deny what she'd come to realize over the last few days in Dallas: She was beginning to think having a baby might be something she wanted after all.And she couldn't imagine having a child with anyone but Nick.

But now she had a better idea of why Nick was uncertain about having kids: His own abuse as a child had undoubtedly tainted his view of having children. Would it be something he could overcome, in the end? She frowned a bit to herself before a new voice broke into her thoughts.

"Well, we're about ready..." Julia entered the kitchen, Brad close behind.

"Ohhhhhh...." Laura stood up slowly with Jake. "I'm going to miss this little one. Are you sure I can't hold on to him for a few more weeks?"

Julia laughed at her mother. "Sorry, ma. I don't think I could handle being away from him for that long." She smiled at her baby boy, then looked pensive. "But you can have Brad for a while if you want!"

"Hey now!"

Brad laughed, giving his wife a dirty look. He shook his head at Nick. "I swear, you sleep through one night of the baby fussing..."

Nick laughed and moved over to Jake.

"Well, buddy... Look's like I'll be seein' ya. You gonna miss me? Huh? You gonna miss uncle Nick?" He tweaked the boy's nose softly and Jake giggled. Nick turned around proudly. "Oh yeah... He's gonna miss me."

Julia moved to give him a hug. "I'll miss ya too, Uncle Nick. Try not to be such a stranger, huh?"

He hugged her back and nodded. "I promise I'll be back to visit more often." He shook Brad's hand as Julia moved to Alex.

"You too, Alex. You come see us again soon, ya hear?"

Alex nodded and smiled happily.

"I'd love to. I'm going to miss everybody." She looked over at Jake. "Especially that little fella right there." She smiled at his little grinning face, drool bubbling on his bottom lip.

Laura handed the boy to Brad as Julia hugged everyone else. Then they were gone.

Butch sighed from behind Alex and she turned to look at him. He smiled up at her sadly.

"Damned kids... Always coming and going."

She grinned down at him. "You're not going to enjoy the return of your peace and quiet?"

He smirked as his wife replied.

"Ah, he's going to miss all the attention. I tend to ignore him when it's just us!" She dodged his hand as he attempted to slap her on the bottom, smiling. Then he looked at his watch.

"Well, I have to get to court before noon, so I better say my goodbyes."

He shook Nick's hand, then pulled him into a bear hug. Alex's brows went up fractionally as he spoke gruffly to his son.

"Don't screw this one up, son. I like her. She's a keeper." Alex blushed and Nick replied.

"Don't worry about it, dad. I'm pretty fond of her myself."

Butch gave her a hug and a peck on the cheek.

"You take care, sweetheart. And keep this one in line for me." He nodded towards Nick, who continued to smile. She nodded, too touched for a moment to reply.

And then he too was gone.

Alex, Jess, Nick and Laura sat around the kitchen table. A short time later Alex and Nick were about ready to leave, and Mike made a last minute appearance.

"Phew, I thought I was going to miss you guys."

He walked them out to the Durango. As Nick loaded up the SUV, Mike turned to Alex.

"I'm pretty sure I'll be seeing you again, Alex."

She smiled. "I hope so. It was great to meet you all."

Mike gave Nick a brotherly hug and then headed back to the police station. Laura and Jess took turns hugging her goodbye and then they both looked a little teary as they stared at Nick. He shook his head and laughed.

"Ladies, I'm only a couple hours flight away. And those fights run in both directions, if you take my meaning."

He looked at Jess pointedly. She smiled and hugged him again.

"I'm coming to visit you guys. I promise."

Laura grabbed Alex's hand and gave it a light squeeze. "I'm so happy you came Alex. I can't wait to see you again. You're welcome back anytime, hon. Anytime."

"Thank you. Thank you so much for having me. I've can't remember the last time I've enjoyed myself so much."

They turned to see Jess whispering something to Nick, who blushed slightly and nodded. Alex heard him say "I know" as he turned away, smiling. Laura gave her son one last mighty hug, then slipped off to the house before she became too emotional.

They climbed into the vehicle and Alex waved at Jess until they were well out of sight. She sighed suddenly and Nick looked over at her.

"You OK?"

"Yeah. I guess I just hate goodbyes." She looked over at him as he drove. "How about you? You OK?"

He smiled fondly. "Yeah, I'm cool. I think I was getting about ready to head back home anyway. But I am going to miss them all."

She reached over to grab his hand as they sped towards the airport.


They got back to Vegas a few hours later. Nick started back to work that night so he went to sleep almost as soon as they reached home. Alex laughed at him as he slipped off to bed grumbling and pretending to be disgruntled.

"I can't believe you still wouldn't try outfor the 'mile high club'. If you really loved me..."

She threw a sofa cushion at his back and he yelped, laughing.


The next few weeks flew by as Nick worked almost continuously and Alex picked up a few solid weeks of casual teaching work.

She was almost relieved when the school holidays started. She was exhausted. She began to wonder how she was going to handle a regular full-time position, once she had one.

Oh well. Everyone says the first year is pretty rough.

She looked down at the mail as she entered the house, surprised to find a large brown envelope addressed to her. It was from Jess. She grinned as she opened it and a Christmas card and a picture fell out. She grinned down at the photo of Nick as a child with his water wings on, sitting in the plastic pool. She ran a finger gently over his smiling face.

What a cutie.

Just then the phone rang and she rushed to pick it up before it woke up Nick. But then it turned out to be Nick.

"Wow, are you working another double, hon?"

He'd been working more and more doubles since they'd gotten back. She wondered what it was about the Christmas holidays that caused people to commit so many crimes. But she knew what it was: money, and the lack therof. That, and loneliness.

"Yeah, I'm afraid so. I'll probably be home around 5 to catch a few hours sleep before I head back in tonight..."

She frowned. It seemed as though she'd been seeing less and less of him since they'd gotten back. Even his days off had been cut short last weekend. She'd tried not to show her disappointment, but Nick had known. And he'd felt disappointed himself. But he knew this busy phase at work couldn't last forever.

Alex had been extremely patient so far, but he knew their lack of quality time together was starting to wear on her, despite her best attempts to hide it from him. And what he had to tell her now wasn't going to make her happy, either...

"Uh, Alex... I just found out...Uh... I may have to push back going to Vancouver."

She felt a surge of disappointment, even though she was uncertain what he was saying. It didn't sound good. "Push back?What does that mean exactly?"

"It's just the way things are going... We're really falling behind right now..." She sighed and he felt a pang of regret as he went on. "But I'm still trying to get some time off. I may just have to come a day or so after you."

She finally felt as if she'd been pushed past her breaking point, but she tried not to let it show.

"Look, Nick... If you can't go, I guess I understand, but-"

"No, Alex... Hold on. I really want to-"

He was cut off and she could hear him covering up the phone as he spoke to someone at work. He came back on.

"Alex- Sorry. I'm going to have to go, but I'll talk to you about this when I get home, OK?"

She sighed. "OK."

"Don't worry. It'll work out. I promise."

"OK. I'll see you when you get home."

She hung up and moved over to the sofa, flopping down heavily. She looked down miserably at the picture of little Nick in her hand.

Speaking of loneliness...

She was beginning to think she'd have to commit a crime before she got to spend anytime with Nick again.


Alex looked out the window of her parent's house and tried not to be depressed. She'd arrived three days earler... Alone.

Nick had swapped his ticket up for a standby seat, and once he figured out when he could come he would try to catch a flight. She remained at least partially hopeful that he'd find a flight, since the Vancouver/Las Vegas trip wasn't that popular...

The trick now was to see if he actually got time off from work.

She sighed heavily. It wasn't his fault. He'd had to bump himself further down the time-off list because he'd taken those days off at Thanksgiving. And she definitely couldn't begrudge him that time, especially since she'd had such an amazing time herself. No, she was just going to have to suck it up and hope he could make it.

It's just that it's Christmas Eve and...

She chewed her bottom lip and sighed.

Stop sulking, Alex. It was never set in stone that he'd make it to Vancouver for Christmas anyway. And he'd be here if he could, you know that.

She took a deep breath. She was determined to sound as upbeat as possible the next time he called, no matter what. He was working his ass off and the last thing he needed was a guilt trip from her.

"Aunt Alex?"

She turned to see the oldest of Maddie's two daughters looking up at her. Lily was 10.

"Mom said to let you know we're all going to pick up uncle Sam soon. Are you coming with us?"

"You bet I am. Let's go!"

She smiled at her niece and followed her downstairs. Maddie looked up at her as she entered the living room, smiling. Alex eyed her suspiciously.

"What?"

Maddie shook her head slightly, then smirked. "Taking some time out of your busy moping schedule to go get Sam?"

Alex couldn't help but laugh.

"OK, OK. You're right. But I'm turning over a new leaf as of right now. All happiness, all the time." She squared her shoulders and looked around at the group. "So who's driving?"


Seeing Sam made it that much easier for Alex to stay happy.

It took a while for him to get through customs, due mostly to the sheer number of gifts he'd brought, but once he placed his feet on free Canadian ground, the little girls were hurtling towards him and he was laughing immediately.

"My fans have arrived!"

He leaned over his tall frame to give them both a massive bear hug as Alex, Maddie and their parents smiled on. He finally made it to the rest of them, the giggling Lily and her little sister Chloe perched atop his luggage cart.

"Hi guys!"

He smiled brightly at the family. Abby Winters hugged her son tightly and started to get teary, so he laughed.

"Jeeze mom, you'd think I was departing instead of arriving..."

She smiled. "I know, I know. But I've missed you, Sam."

"Me next!" Alex wrapped her arms around her big brother and hugged him close. "Man, I've missed you too, Sammy."

"Me too, kiddo. Me too."

Maddie hugged him next and whispered something in his ear. He leaned back and grinned at her in question, and she looked at him intently. He finally nodded and then turned to his dad, who embraced his son happily. They were all laughing as they drove back to the Winters household.

Maddie's husband Gary had returned from work and waited at the Winter's house, and it was like a whole new reunion all over again once they were all inside.

Alex was genuinely happy and realized she'd been acting like a wet blanket for days. She started to feel more like her old self again and grinned a she watched Sam fighting off the girls as he teased them about their Christmas presents. Then he looked up at her suddenly and seemed to remember something.

"I almost forgot. I was missing one bag, and the airport said it should be in this evening. I may need to go back there again tonight..."

"I'll go with you, Sam." Alex wanted to get in some quality Sam time while she had the chance.

"Cool. I'm worried I've forgotten how to drive on the right side of the road!"

Alex laughed and shook her headwith amusement.

"Although... It's starting to snow and I haven't driven on slippery roads for a long time..."


"So what's the story with this Nick guy?"

Alex grinned and looked at her brother out of the corner of her eye. The snow was falling heavily now and she drove more slowly than usual. "What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean. Is this the real deal, Alex? Maddie and mom and dad seem to like him..."

"Yeah, they do."

"And?"

"And what?"

Alex was enjoying dragging him along. He laughed and turned in his seat to face her better.

"Alex."

She laughed. "OK, OK. He's amazing, actually. He's just... Well... I guess I've never met anyone like him before."

"He's from Texas?"

"Yep. Big family. From Dallas."

"You love him?"

She grinned shyly. "Yeah, yeah I do."

"And he's nothing like Darrell?"

Alex laughed, outraged. "God, no! He's about the furthest thing from Darrell you'll ever see."

He smiled. "Then I like him already." He shook his head the tiniest bit. "Man, I can't believe you're actually living with someone. I thought you'd never settle down."

"Hah. Look who's talking, Mr. Permanent Bachelor."

He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Well..."

She glanced over at him quickly before returning her eyes to the road ahead of them.

"Well, what? Don't tell me...?" She looked at him hopefully and he smiled.

"OK, I've met someone."

"Someone?"

"A woman."

Alex laughed. "Well, not that I'd care if you were gay, but I sort of assumed it was a woman. What's her name?"

"Yuko."

"Ah, Japanese."

"Half, actually. She works for the company I have a contract with. She's half-American."

"Hmmm. We have something in common then. Would I like her, Sam?"

"You'd love her, Alex. She's hillarious. We have a lot of fun together."

"Wow. I'm so happy for you, Sam. I've always thought it was a waste that you'd never found anybody."

"Whatever! I could say the same thing about you." He looked thoughtful for a moment. "Will I like him, Alex?"

She smiled, her heart warming up at the thought of Nick.

"Yeah, Sam. Yeah, you will."

Her only hope now was that Sam would actually get to meet him before he went back to Japan.


They moved towards the baggage claim counter on the opposite side of the huge Vancouver airport.

"So what's in this bag, anyway? I swear to God, you already had enough luggage for a couple people, let alone a single guy..."

He laughed. "It's just more presents, I promise. I'm still all manly-minimalist and masculine... Whoh. Try saying that three times fast!"

She was laughing hard now, happy to be hanging out with her brother again. Despite their 10 year age difference, they'd always gotten along extremely well, having the same sense of humour. But most people liked Sam instantly anyway; he was just a genuinely nice, likeable guy.

"So, what's this Nick guy look like anyway? Is he a dreamboat?"

Alex chuckled at their old joke. "Yep. Tall, dark, and handsome with a killer smile. I don't know what he sees in me!"

Sam grabbed her and pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly.

"Oh, kiddo, you're a god-dess. The boys have always loved you."

She hugged him back in amusement. "A God-dess, Sam? Are you sure you're not gay?"

They laughed, still hugging. She spoke into his shoulder. "Whatever. You're biased... And I love you for it."

He looked over her shoulder at the man walking towards them, smiling. Sam grinned back, fairly certain this was the guy Maddie had sent him to pick up.

"Well, Alex, I'm pretty sure you're going to love me even more in a minute..."

She moved back from him, a curious smile on her face.

"Why?"

He nodded behind her and she turned slowly. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw Nick walking towards them from across the hall, his huge smile turning her stomach to mush.

Her feet barely touched the floor as she flew towards him.