XxX

Nigel typed away furiously, a pen in his mouth as he rolled between stations, desperately trying to finish his last report. His eyes drifted towards the window, allowing himself a moment to enjoy the Christmas snow, before he returned to work.

Jordan had somehow managed to snag both days off while he got stuck with the Christmas Eve shift. Tonight, she would be having dinner with her father before heading to Christmas Mass, which meant he technically had the night to himself and didn't need to rush since no one was waiting on him. But he had been working double shifts all week and had gotten called in on most of his days off this month, so he was running on near empty by the time big ol' X-mas rolled around. He longed for nothing more than a couple days off to sleep. Ah, beautiful, beautiful sleep! Did he even remember what it felt like to get a whole, uninterrupted 8 hours?

"Nige?" Lily popped her head around the corner, her glittering wreath earrings catching the light and her festive sweater declaring to anyone and everyone what her favorite season was, "Just wanted to let you know that the Christmas party is in full swing!"

"Thanks, luv, just let me finish up here. Be there is a sec." He grinned, trying to hide his tired eyes.

Lily was truly the heart of this place, and he appreciated the warmth she brought to the sterile rooms and cold halls. When he had arrived that morning, anything that wasn't moving was covered in some sort of garland or greenery. Christmas music was blaring over the intercom and window clings were plastered on every room while the reception desk was dedicated to Hanukkah, complete with a corner for the kiddies to play dreidel.

Part of him had worried how it might affect the families who were coming in to identify their loved ones, but he had seen more smiles and heard more laughs today than he ever thought he'd find in his line of work. The cheerful and bright office seemed to serve as a reminder that life went on, that love endured, and brighter days were sure to come. The sun would rise, the pain would lessen, and we weren't in this alone.

"And, fin!" Nigel hit the final key and sent the report to the printer. Once it was tucked safely in its folder on the shelf, he grabbed his jacket and helmet. He was going to drop into the party for a bit, since he couldn't disappoint his Lily-Pad, but he'd head out right after to heed the siren call of his pillow.

The wassail and eggnog were doing their parts to spread cheer while his colleagues milled about in little groups, enjoying the spread Lily had put together.

Lily beckoned him over when she saw him and her smile only grew when she caught sight of someone off his shoulder, "Jordan!"

He couldn't help the flutter in his heart, and he quickly turned to greet her, but his mood dampened when he caught sight of her company. Lily rushed over to Woody and Jordan to usher them in, the perfect hostess.

Apart from Lily, and they assumed Macy, no one knew about their little secret so he couldn't very well show his hand. Instead, he forced a smile and poured himself a drink.

"Hey, Nige." Jordan nervously fidgeted with her coat as she joined him at the table.

Instinctively, he poured her a glass of eggnog, knowing it was her favorite, and handed it to her, "Hey, luv, what have you and the woodchuck been up to?" He tried to banter but she could see through him.

Woody had begun to circle again, getting bolder and bolder with each pass. Nigel wasn't a jealous man by nature, but even the most easy-going ones could only take so much. Jordan had thought it would come to blows last week when Woody wrapped his arm around her, his hand much lower than it needed to be, when they were in Trace one evening. Thankfully, Nigel had settled things by "accidently" spilling some blue dye down Woody's sleeve.

"I just wanted to stop in to say hi to everyone before the holidays, we just got here at the same time and came up together." She said, wanting to reassure him. Jordan let her hand rest on the table beside his, the edge of her fingers brushing his, "Trust me?"

Nigel smiled, his eyes sincere, "Of course."

The party went on for a while, people coming and going as they needed to. Jordan was just about to head out to meet her dad when Woody offered to walk her out. She cast an apologetic look to Nigel, whose smile was sad as he toasted his drink to her.

"Hey, you two are under the mistletoe!" Emmy giggled, not meaning any harm.

Jordan winced when she caught sight of the parasitic sprig. Before she could protest, Woody had snatched her waist and planted one on her. Her hands pressed against his chest in protest, but she was too stunned to do much more. Woody pulled back, quite satisfied with himself, while Jordan wiped her mouth.

"Yeah, don't do that again. Ever." She scrunched her nose, having always hated wet kissers. She turned in search of Nigel, only to see his back disappear through the far doors. Jordan caught herself just before she called out to him and comforted herself by refusing Woody's offer to walk her out and threatening to frame him for murder if he ever even thought of doing that again.

By the time Jordan had gotten to her car, she had already tried Nigel's cell five times. She had started at his office and walked the lot to see if his bike was still there, but he was nowhere to be found. Fear consumed her, knowing how dangerous it could be riding a motorcycle in the snow. And if he was distracted—

"Hey, Nige. It's me, again." She tapped her hand against her steering wheel, "You know, it didn't mean anything. I just…froze." She stared off, "Please call me when you get this, I—" He voice caught, "I love you." She snapped the phone shut and dropped her head against her hands. It was the first time she had said those three little words, and she was pretty sure she couldn't have picked a worse time.

XxX

He drove around for hours, not sure what to do with himself. He knew it wasn't really Jordan's fault, but it had crushed him when she didn't pushed Woody away.

Nigel had started towards his place, but he remembered their plans for Christmas morning. Traffic was sure to be a nightmare tomorrow and he knew if he wasn't there tonight when she got home from Mass that could very well ruin everything, and that was the last thing he wanted to happen. His bruised ego wasn't worth breaking her heart over.

So, after cooling off, he headed down the familiar street towards the familiar brick building. The night was crisp and clear, he could even make out a few stars between the light flurries. He found the lockbox under the hallway table and headed for 311.

He stared down at the key with a bitter smile, "I don't even have my own key." He mused, remembering how just a few weeks ago he had been thinking about how much her place felt like home.

The door opened and he was caught off by the warm light coming from within, knowing no one should be home. His brow knit as he swung the door open, his eyes surprised to find a fully trimmed tree before the fireplace and a table set for two. Candles were tucked around the apartment, basking it in a welcoming, homey glow.

Jordan stood in the middle of it all, dressed in a beautiful red dress with lips to match and her curls cascading around her, "Welcome home, Nigel Townsend."

"How…" Nigel set his helmet down and took a turn of the room. He smiled when his ears caught the familiar tune of The Waitresses' Christmas Wrappings, one of his favorites.

She shrugged, "I might have had some help…" Jordan remembered how Lily had found her crying in her car that afternoon and, once Jordan had calmed down enough to explain what had happened, Lily jumped into action, enlisting the help of Bug and Garret to setting things right. Of course, that involved swearing Bug into their little secret club, which he had only partially grumbled about being the last to know about.

"Did you get my messages?" Jordan chanced, her heart racing.

He looked to her, quite sheepish, "I forgot to charge it last night." Nigel rubbed his neck as he tossed his bag on the couch. He was surprised to see the relief fill her face.

"I—I'm just glad you're alright." She hurried to explain, hiding behind her half-smile. Her eyes wandered to the kitchen, not wanting to ruin the evening by bringing up what had happened, "Dinner should be done soon, hopefully it'll be edible."

Nigel chuckled as another one of his favorites began to play. Donny Hathaway's This Christmas drifted around the small apartment, and he offered her his hand, "May I have this dance?"

Jordan accepted, "You may."

They swayed back and forth on the living room floor, completely lost in one another.

"Nigel?" He hummed in response. Jordan pulled back, her thumb caressing his hand, and nervously met his eye, "I love you."

Never had she seen his face so full, "I love you too, Jordan."

Her pulse eased and she sighed, "Well, that was easy."

Nigel laughed and captured her lips. She savored the kiss as long as she could, gently stroking his neck, "The only lips I want on mine." She whispered as he pulled back.

"Damn right, sweetheart."

She laughed as the buzzer sounded and they fell into their comfortable evening, each knowing they had never had a more perfect Christmas.

XxX