"It's late" I hear his words as he struggles with what to do. I curl beneath the blankets and feel his lips pressing a soft kiss to my cheek as he brushes the hair past my face and slips out of the bedroom.

*****

As morning breaks, I roll around in my empty bed feeling lonely as ever. I let out a soft sigh, "sometimes I can be so stupid" I state glancing out towards the sunlight on Christmas morning.

I let in another breath of air and smell something, coffee? I stand up, glancing down at my wrinkled work attire and grab a scrunchie to pull my hair back with.

I head out of my bedroom, seeing Martin in the kitchen reading the newspaper and drinking coffee.

"Your awake" he smiles towards me, folding the paper.

"Your still here" I state dumbly.

"Merry Christmas to you too."

"Sorry" I laugh and shake my head. "Merry Christmas." I answer politely and then get right back to my question, "You didn't go home?" I question.

"You asked me to stay last night and I was worried after how you've been lately with the holidays and all so I thought it would be best if I slept on the couch in case you woke up during the night." he rambles on.

"Thanks" I respond, feeling a smile tugging at the corners of my lips as I squeeze his hand to calm his nerves.

"I made coffee" he stands up, offering me a cup. "I was going to make breakfast but I wanted to wait a little longer so I wouldn't have to wake you."

"You're so sweet" I smile, feeling at ease with Martin and better than I have in a really long time. I still don't feel on that ultimate high that I got from Jack but it's a start. Maybe things will change into that one- day.

"How's your head feeling?"

"Remarkably well" I smile warmly towards him. "That's a rarity."

"Well I'm glad you're doing better" he stands up. "I was going to make pancakes, does that work for you?"

"Sounds good" I answer, moving closer and pressing a soft chaste kiss on his lips. He looks startled but doesn't seem to move. "Merry Christmas" I remind him, pulling back and grabbing for the pan and the mix.

He stands there eyeing me.

"What?" I question, "that was your Christmas gift from Santa." I laugh glancing out the window and grabbing a bowl to mix the ingredients.

"Santa?" He repeats with a tinge of amusement in his voice. "I thought it came from Samantha which would have been much more enjoyable. Who wants to kiss a bearded old man?" I laugh and shake my head. I feel Martin's body slowly coming up behind me. I glance back to see his hands moving over mine to stir the ingredients. "Let me" he offers.

"I can handle it" I remind him.

"I know but who else is going to learn how to make you breakfast in bed?"

"Oh Martin" I shake my head with a laugh and slip out from under his arms. "You want help with something else then?"

"Go take your shower. By the time your finished breakfast will be ready and then maybe I'll let you open your gift."

"Awww" I whine feeling slightly cheated at having to wait any longer. I head into my bathroom, turning the fan on and then running the shower. I let out a soft sigh, "what am I doing?" I question aloud, although only my own ears can hear the words, and just barely. "I don't love him" I remind myself, although the words are caught on me. Who don't I love? Jack or Martin? I shake my head, "I can't love Jack he's married" I remind myself. "Martin's here" I nod at my reflection, "and he's obviously interested." Why wouldn't he be?

I finish up in the shower, grabbing my robe and securing it around my body. I head into my empty bedroom with the door slightly ajar. I glance around my wardrobe, trying to find something comfortable to slip into. I pull off my robe, grabbing a fresh change of clothes when I hear my cell phone buzzing.

"Shit" I moan out, heading for the phone on my bedside table when I see my bedroom door open and Martin step inside.

His eyes meet my naked form as the features on his face redden. "Sorry" he grimaces, turning his head away and shutting his eyes as he backs out of my bedroom as fast as he came in.

I let out a soft sigh, curious as to why he was even coming in here in the first place and glance down at my cell phone that's stopped chirping. It has Jack's cell phone number displayed. I juggle the phone between my hands, deciding on whether I should call him back or not.

I toss the device to my mattress, letting fate play a role. If Jack wants or needs me, he can call back. Otherwise Martin has my undivided attention, well mostly. I pull on my clothes and head out of the bedroom.

"I'm so sorry" Martin reiterates as I step foot into the kitchen. "I shouldn't have come in without knocking."

"No you shouldn't have." I answer.

"I wanted to answer the phone for you, so you wouldn't be interrupted. The thought that you might not be decent didn't even cross my mind." His eyes are on the floor, looking sheepish as ever.

"It's not like people haven't seen me naked before" I state, "just don't do it again" I eye him sternly. His gaze moves up to meet mine. He nods like a young boy, caught red-handed.

I start in on breakfast and once I'm done I clear the dishes while Martin heads on over towards the sofa. "Thanks for making breakfast" I state, making my way over to sit down next to him.

"Oh sure" he smiles, "anytime. So do you want to open your gift yet?"

"Yes" I answer with a grin. "You've got me curious."

He hands me the box that's been sitting there all night screaming to be opened. I tear at the finely wrapped paper, revealing some sort of exquisite perfume. "Thanks" I eye him with a smile, moving my arms around him to give him a hug. I open the box, smelling the sweet fragrance.

"My sister went to France a few weeks ago. When she was there I asked her to get a box of it for you."

"Wow" I feel dumbfounded. Why would he ask his sister for such a big favor? He starts opening the paper on his gift and I grab his hands. "You don't want this now" I tell him with wide-eyes.

"Of course I do."

"No" I shake my head, "you don't."

"Why not?"

"My gift is horrible compared to yours" I take his hands in mine and grab the gift from him.

"Hey you can't do that!"

"I did," I warn him with a smile, playing keep away with his gift. My phone rings nosily and I place the fairly opened present on the table eyeing Martin not to touch it as I answer the call.

"Hello?"

"Merry Christmas Sam."

"I'm sort of busy" I tell Jack rather bluntly.

"I wouldn't have called if it wasn't important. We're being called in today."

"You're joking" I whine out.

"One of our own has gone missing."

"Who?" I question.

"Lisa Harris" I immediately know who Jack's talking about, my federally funded therapist. My jaw drops as I notice Martin staring at me.

"Everything ok?" He whispers.

"We meeting at the office or on the scene?" I question.

"The office is the scene" he lets out a sigh. "I've called Vivian and Danny already. There's no answer from Martin."

"I'll see what I can do" I offer, not giving in that he's over. I hang up and let out a sigh.

"Who was that?" Martin questions.

"Jack. Apparently Lisa Harris, the in house therapist disappeared sometime within the past 24 hours. Jack didn't give me all the details but this is our first priority."

"So much for Christmas." Martin sighs.

"Tell me about it." I let out a breath, "I should go get changed into work clothes."

"I've got a spare outfit in the trunk" Martin tells me, "do you mind if I change in your bathroom?"

"Not at all" I inwardly smile and wonder if maybe I should walk in on him, but quickly dismiss such childish behavior.

We head into work together, hoping no one notices as we see everyone else already there.