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A/N: I made an adorable moodboard-gif for this idea way back in October of last year, you can check it out on my tumblr! :)

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Nigel sat at the bar, smiling into his pint as a very drunk Bug belted out Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree. It was the annual morgue Christmas party, a mandatory and highly anticipated event of the year. They were sure to have a memorable story to tell and retell over the next 365 days to the amusement of all. Currently, it seemed that Bug was gunning for that honor.

Oddly enough, however, Nigel wasn't in a very festive mood, even though this was his favorite time of year.

This twelvemonth felt almost unending, filled with one dark season after the next. Between trying to restart a relationship with his father, which left him feeling even more like a burden, the whole mess with Sarah and the planned kidnapping-staged murder, and hundreds of cases, each one somehow more tolling than the previous one, Nigel was more than ready for this year to take its final bow.

A laugh caught the edge of his hearing and he turned to see Jordan taking a turn with Woody on the dance floor.

Nigel's heart grew even heavier.

Of course, he knew he cared for the rogue M.E – he cared about everyone at the morgue, since they were the closest thing he had to a family – but it wasn't till this year that he'd realized how deep his affections ran for her.

He tried to force a smile as Jordan and Woody made their way over to order a couple of beers.

"Hey, Nige!" Jordan greeted with her wide smile, clapping him on the shoulder and leaning her head against his as she caught her breath.

He popped his brows up in acknowledgement as he downed the pint. Just then, Woody pushed his way between them, spilling the last sip down Nigel's face and shirt as he offered Jordan her drink.

Woody settled against the bar, making sure the attention was on him, "Ready for another spin?" His smile was sickeningly sweet.

Jordan's nose wrinkled slightly as she gave her impish half smile and shook her head. She pulled out some napkins and handed them over to Nigel who smiled a thanks.

"I'm going to sit this one out."

Woody snapped his fingers, turning his hands into play guns as he stepped back, "Your loss!" A second later, he was on the prowl, part of him hoping he'd find just the girl to make Jordan jealous.

Jordan waved him off and spun her stool back towards the bar. She took a large swig and rolled her eyes.

"Trouble in paradise, luv?" Nigel asked, always the loyal friend.

Jordan sighed, "He just…I…" Her eyes finally met his and Nigel nodded, knowing her better than anyone.

"It hasn't even been two months yet." Nigel dropped his head, recalling the fateful night of the plane crash that had claimed one of their own. Devan had a nails-on-chalkboard personality, being one of the few who could easily get under Nigel's skin, which was not an easy feat by any means, but when such a young, bright soul was stolen too soon, the cut was always a bit deeper.

Jordan took another sip of her beer as she nodded, her thoughts running a mile a minute.

Her and Woody had been doing this bizarre mating dance for years now and she had always assumed her mother, or her commitment issues or some third thing that might have to do with roleplaying murders, kept her from saying what he wanted to hear, but the truth was that she knew Woody wasn't the one. Of course, this truth was buried so deep that she hadn't uncovered it yet, but Jordan knew something was wrong even if she couldn't name it yet.

"I'm tired of being the fallback." Jordan admitted the one thing she did know, her eyes lingering on her hand as she slowly tore the bottle's label apart, "It's my fault, really, a guy can't just hang around with nothing to show for it after so many years, but I—I'd like to be first, ya know, for once. Not a means to an end, not a reliable fling, just, first." She shrugged; her smile sad.

"Don't worry, you'll find that. Some day." Nigel promised with a soft smile, his heart going out to her.

Quickly, she wiped away the tears before they could fall, forcing a smile as another song picked up, "Oh, I love this one!" She hopped up and Nigel chuckled, knowing her too well. Jordan couldn't keep company with dark thoughts for too long; most of her life seemed to have been spent searching for a distraction from them.

Surprise captured his face when she turned back to him and took his hand, "Dance with me?"

Nigel grinned, giving her hand a squeeze, "Sure, luv."

The beat wasn't an easy one to find, it was hard to determine if it was better fit as a slow song or rave, but as the chorus picked up, they found their steps and fell into the music together. Jordan's laugh was bright and full as Nigel spun her around, happier than he had been in a long time when she returned to his waiting arms.

"I just want you for my own, more than you could ever know…" Nigel sung along without even realizing it, completely mesmerizing his partner, "Make my wish come true…All I want for Christmas is you…"

Jordan followed Nigel's lead with ease, amazed how effortlessly it came when she knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that she could trust the arms that held her.

Both Nigel and Jordan had always thought they were too tall, too gangly, but paired off together they were just the right fit. And they made a handsome match. At least, that is what a few lingering bystanders, two of which was their gruff boss and the perky grief counselor, thought when they saw the pair tucked away in the middle of the floor, completely lost in each other.

The song began to peter off and with a final spin, their dance was finished.

Nigel rubbed the back of his neck, the nerves getting the best of him, and he scurried back to his place after he quickly mumbled an excuse. Jordan remained a bit longer, not sure what to make of his flight. Her eyes lingered on the corner Nigel had claimed, trying to make his gangly form as small as it could be.

"He picks up on hints about as well as you do." Garret sighed, swirling his Scotch.

Jordan's smirk was playful, "I will try not to be offense by that."

"Well, you can either stand here with me, two pathetic individuals drowning their missed opportunities in their drinks, or you can try again. Your choice."

"Thanks for the pep talk, boss." Jordan clapped Garret's shoulder before nicking his glass and downing it as she headed for the bar. She relished the jump Nigel gave when he noticed she was the one to claim the seat beside him, "I never knew you were so smooth on your feet."

He gave a timid smile as he sipped his drink, "You aren't so bad yourself, luv." He chuckled, trying to find himself again.

Jordan grinned, thanking Garret for the liquid courage even if he hadn't really offered it to her, "I'm actually getting a bit claustrophobic in here and need some air, and I was wondering if you'd like to keep me company? I was thinking, I don't know, maybe we can walk around and see the lights or whatnot."

Nigel's gaze was weighted, not sure what her game was. Thus far, their relationship had consisted of him playfully flirting with her over the years and her replying with a quick retort. The tables were reversed now, and he wasn't sure he wanted to tread on this unfamiliar territory, scared what it might cost in the long run.

"Nige?" Her heart raced. Yes or no were really the only options here, and she was terrified of them both.

Finally, Nigel eased into his full smile and nodded, "Sure." Jordan returned the gesture and the pair bumbled towards the door to get their coats before venturing out onto the freshly fallen snow.

"You plan this?" Lily asked, her expression knowing. Her smile grew when she saw Nigel hold the door for Jordan, whose face was bright and in love.

Garret sipped at his drink, not saying a word, as he smirked.

Who was he, after all, to take credit for a bit of Christmas magic?

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