"Now that wasn't so bad, was it?"

He leans on the counter with both hands staring at her. "What did she say to you?"

Winona smiles and shakes her head. "You stood right there the whole time listening. You're smart enough to figure out what she said from what I said." He hangs his head and she rolls her eyes. "Don't worry, Raylan, she didn't tell me any secrets about you."

He follows her into the living room, still looking worried. She turns, hands on her hips. "Is there some embarrassing story from your youth you're afraid she revealed in the five minutes she talked to me?" She's being mean teasing him like this, but it's so rare to see him flustered that she can't resist. "Did you write love notes to your fourth grade teacher? Were you Prom King?" She taunts, impishly.

"Winona..." his voice is practically a whine.

"She told me to make you happy," she says softly. She moves close and puts her arms around him, molding her body to his. "And I told her I intend to do just that."

-o-o-O-o-o-

The lights of the Christmas tree twinkle in the dark living room. She stretches and reaches onto the floor, pulling the blanket up over them. Raylan stirs beneath her and she brushes the hair from his face and kisses him.

"Merry Christmas," she whispers.

His arm goes around her. "Is it morning?" He asks without opening his eyes.

"No, it's still dark. I don't know what time it is."

"You wanna go in to the bedroom?"

"I like it here. The tree is so pretty." She's lying half on top of him on the narrow couch and now she moves her thigh, rubbing it against him suggestively and lowers her mouth to his ear. "Unless you're uncomfortable."

"Didn't you get enough last night?" The corner of his mouth turns up but his eyes remain closed.

"Oh, Honey, don't you know by now? I can never get enough of you."

When they wake again later, sunlight is streaming through the window. Raylan strokes her back and she lifts her head to kiss him. "Now it's morning."

"Merry Christmas."

"Do you want your presents?"

"I think I already got a couple."

"I did let you unwrap early, didn't I?" She grins at him.

"Twice."

"Well...you didn't exactly have to unwrap the second time." She holds the blanket around herself and walks over to the tree. "Let's see what Santa brought."

"I hope Santa wasn't watchin' last night 'cause you were pretty naughty."

She laughs. "Well, I'd say you were a very good boy. Here. Catch." She tosses him a square box and he catches it in midair. "I hope you like it."

She watches him tear open the package as she slips into her discarded pajamas. She plops back down on the couch beside him as he takes the lid off the box.

She'd been happy when she picked it out, anxious for him to open it. Now, though, she's unexpectedly nervous, hoping the gift doesn't seem impersonal. "The saleslady tried to talk me into one of those heavy silver bands, but I liked the leather better. It looked like you."

He holds up the watch. "It's great, thank you." He leans in and kisses her. "Your turn." He doesn't bother covering himself with the blanket, he just strolls naked to the tree and picks up an oblong box. He sets it in her lap and pulls on his boxers and jeans.

The box is fairly heavy and she can't imagine what's inside. She slips the ribbon off and rips through the paper. She stares at the metal case. It looks oddly familiar, and she remembers her explorations of the drawers in Raylan's old apartment. She feels his eyes on her as she clicks the clasps open.

"A gun? You bought me a gun?" She really shouldn't have worried about the watch being impersonal. She hadn't been expecting some kind of romantic present, Raylan isn't that kind of guy, but the gun strikes her as an odd Christmas gift and she can't help laughing slightly as she looks at him.

"It's a .22," he explains. "It's what I should've started you with in the first place. The 9mm was a mistake. It had too much recoil and made you flinch. This is smaller and it'll fit your hand better and there's practically no recoil..."

She holds a finger to his lips. "Okay. That's good. Thank you."

"We can go to the range later."

"On Christmas?"

"Sure. It's open 365 days a year."

"You're kidding."

He shakes his head. "At least it is when you've got a key. The guy who owns it is a friend of Chuck's, since we keep odd hours he gave us all access codes so we can go anytime." He notes her doubtful expression. "What, you don't want to go?"

She laughs full out. "It's fine, Raylan. I'm sure it will be a wonderful way to spend Christmas afternoon."

He cocks his head and looks at her. "You bein' sarcastic?"

"A little," she admits. "But honestly, I'd rather be at the shooting range with you than anywhere else alone or with someone else. This Christmas is much better than last."

"Where were you last Christmas?"

"Oh, I went home with Katie, but Greg was there and I felt like a third wheel all day. Her parents were nice and all, but..."

"I was workin'."

"On Christmas?"

"Brett invited me but I didn't want to horn in on his family, so I caught up on paper work. Did some'a his, too." He smiles at her. "You're right. This year is better."

She puts a hand to his face. "I love you."

There are other presents, the shirt and CDs for him, for her, a pair of earrings from the same shop where he bought the birthday necklace, and some perfume she'd tried on at the mall that he'd liked. She saves the picture for last. She doesn't tell him that the photo she chose came from the first rejected strip. Winona had vetoed the shot because they weren't looking at the camera. Trina pointed out that they were looking at each other and pronounced it perfect.

Raylan is silent staring at the picture.

"It's for your desk at work."

He nods and swipes a hand across his mouth, then pulls her close and buries his face in her hair.