Chapter 10 "Merry Christmas"

Jessie and Olivia were walking down the street on their way back to the station house, after using their lunch hour for Christmas shopping. The only time the split up (Jessie would get lost if she didn't stick close to Olivia) was to buy one another their presents.

Olivia got a kick out of Jessie's almost childlike curiosity of the city. A man stood on the corner, preaching about how the end of the world was well on its way. Jessie stood and listened to the curbside preacher for a good five minutes before Olivia pulled her away.

Jessie even got excited about getting a hotdog at a stand they found outside of a shop.

"You're one of the toughest cops in New York but you get excited about a hotdog?" Olivia laughed and Jessie smirked.

"What'd you buy the guys?" Jessie asked Olivia on the way back to the station.

"I got Munch a book of poetry by someone I'd never heard of." Jessie cocked an eyebrow. "He needs some hints on sensitivity." Olivia added.

"I got Elliot some new cufflinks in case he wants to try that fancy dinner with you again. Got Casey and George new stationary. I got Fin some cologne he's complained of running out of lately and I got Don what I get him every year." Jessie raised an eyebrow. "A tie and brass polish." Olivia grinned.

"What'd you get everyone?" Olivia asked Jessie.

"I got John the two Blue Collar Comedy Tour DVD's." Olivia shrugged.

"Never heard of it." She said. Jessie laughed and continued with her list.

"I got Elliot a new watch. His is so old that the leather is about to snap. I got Casey a jazz CD I thought she could relax to and George a book on mythology. And I got Fin a blue dress shirt and Don a picture frame and…a tie." Jessie smiled sheepishly.

It was three days until Christmas Eve and they set up a small tree in the squad room to put the presents underneath. When Olivia and Jessie returned, Jessie went up to the roof to wrap gifts, and Olivia locked herself into the janitor's closet.

"So, what did you get me?" John asked Jessie as she placed her gifts underneath the tree.

"Like I'm gonna tell you." She replied. John picked up his gift from her and shook it. Jessie slapped his hand and commanded he drop it.

"I hate surprises." John grumbled.

"Tough," Jessie said.

They didn't have any other major cases within the next few days. Just a few open and shut cases and a lot of time for everyone to get their last minute shopping done.

Jessie had a good time helping Elliot shop for his kids. He'd told them he was dating someone but left out a few things… especially the fact that she was only seven years older than his oldest daughter. He would spring that on them when they all met her the week after New Years. That's the date Elliot and Kathy had agreed on so the kids to stay with their father to exchange gifts.

Jessie couldn't help but feel a swell of pride when Elliot signed the gifts From Dad and Jessie.

"Am I dressed alright for this?" Jessie asked Elliot nervously. They had to leave in thirty minutes to get to the party on time. Elliot rolled his eyes.

"I'm wearing jeans too. No one dresses up for this party."

"Well I've never been so I don't know how I'm supposed to dress!" Jessie mumbled, pulling on her black boots.

Jessie was dressed in a pair of faded boot cut blue jeans, her black boots, black belt, a white shirt tucked in, and a pink pearl snap as an over shirt. She looked nice but not too nice.

Elliot sat next to her on the bed and kissed her cheek.

"You look great." He said sincerely. This earned him a smile and a kiss on the cheek.

A half hour later they were standing in the squad room laughing and having a good time with their co-workers. Jessie stood off to the side, sipping on her glass of water, when Fin and John (the last to arrive) came through the doors, arguing about something or other.

"Now that everyone's here why don't we open presents?" Don suggested. Every year he got a new tie from nearly everyone in the squad and he was always thankful. He had to wear a suit so much that it was good for him to have a variety.

While Olivia sat on the floor separating gifts according to person, Fin walked over to Jessie to say hi. He was dressed fairly casual, in some baggy blue jean and a nice black shirt. Jessie nearly blushed as she caught herself thinking how hot he looked.

"What happened to your date?" Jessie asked casually, taking a drink and casting him a suspicious look.

"Um…well…" He stammered. He was surprised she'd even remembered he was supposed to have a date. "I felt sorry for John so I decided to go stag too. Plus, she and I just didn't click." Fin shrugged. Jessie rolled her eyes and laughed, nudging him with her elbow.

"Uh oh you guys," Jessie heard John say as he started to laugh. "Look who got stuck under the mistletoe." Jessie looked around to find everyone staring at her and Fin.

Jessie and Fin both slowly glanced up at the ceiling, and sure enough, there was the mistletoe tacked to the ceiling. She shut her eyes and shook her head.

"Shit," Fin muttered.

"You know the rules. Get to it." Don said laughing. Jessie gave Elliot a desperate look, hoping he would protest. He just smirked, shrugged, and took a drink of the beer he was nursing.

Jessie turned to Fin, leaned up, and kissed him on the cheek. Everyone groaned simultaneously in protest.

"No dice," John said. "Here in this precinct we have a rule about mistletoe. If you're not observant enough not to get stuck underneath it then you must pay the price." Fin knew these "rules" all too well, being someone who'd been caught underneath the mistletoe many times.

"I don't kiss in public," Jessie said flatly. "It grosses me out." John gave Olivia and Elliot a questioning look. They both nodded, knowing what he was thinking.

"Fine, we'll allow some privacy, but only if you swear on your badges not to cheat." Jessie rolled her eyes.

"Are we all not adults here? Don't you think this is a tad immature, John?" She asked.

"Even adults have to act like kids every now and then." John pointed out. Jessie couldn't argue. "Interrogation room." John said sternly, pointing the way. Jessie rolled her eyes again and handed Elliot her water.

"You okay with this? Please say you're not." Jessie begged. Elliot laughed.

"Sorry, but I'm fine with it. I've been stuck underneath the mistletoe tons of time and I'm sure I will be again." Jessie glared at him and sulked off toward the interrogation room, Fin close behind her.

Jessie was nervous and she wasn't going to waste energy trying to hide it either. She didn't go all the way into the room, just leaned on the doorframe. Fin leaned against the other side of the door, putting his hands in his jeans pockets.

"Sorta awkward, ain't it?" He mumbled.

"You're tellin me." Jessie kept her gaze on his face as steady as possible.

"Elliot ain't gonna try to kick my ass, is he?" Fin joked. Jessie laughed.

"No reason. It ain't like I'm his property." Fin chuckled nervously.

"Nah, but you are his girl…" Fin looked down at the floor a little sadly.

"Look, we don't have to…well, you know. I wont tell if you wont." Jessie smirked.

"Man, I understand not wanting to kiss me cause of Elliot, but damn, am I that unattractive?" Fin teased but Jessie's eyes automatically hit the floor.

"It's not that Fin…" Jessie whispered. Fin pulled his hands out of his pockets and stepped a little closer.

"Then what?" He asked, his voice low.

"I'm afraid I want to kiss you a little too much then I should…" It was true. Though she was with Elliot, and had been for nearly a month, she still hadn't been able to shake her feelings for Fin completely…okay, at all.

Jessie ran a hand through her shoulder length hair and kept her gaze down. She knew she shouldn't still have these feelings for Fin. She knew it was wrong… but at the same time, she just couldn't let it go.

Jessie saw Fin's feet move and she thought he was going to walk away. Great, he doesn't even wanna kiss me, she thought. But then she saw that he wasn't stepping away…he was moving closer.

Fin stepped closer Jessie. He moved his hands to her cheeks, willing her to look up at him. She nervously moved her gaze from the floor to his eyes. His gentle eyes, she thought.

Fin ran his hands down her neck, across her shoulders, down each arm till he reached her hands, and then laced their fingers together.

Fin was so different from Elliot. Fin was slow, lingering, and soothing to the touch. Elliot's movements were aggressive and sharp. Jessie just felt herself getting lost in Fin's eyes until she saw them close.

Fin leaned down slowly and Jessie closed her eyes too, waiting for contact. He paused and they were so close she could feel his breath on her lips. Finally, she leaned up just a little and closed the tiny gap and their lips met.

Fin's kiss was slow and tender. He couldn't believe how soft her lips were. He moved his body closer to her, as close as he could get, and his hands went to massage her neck, running his thumbs across her jaw line.

Jessie shakily placed her hands on his chest and felt his heart begin to race like she knew hers was also. Fin pulled back just a moment, letting out a shaky breath, and then leaned back in, deepening the kiss right away.

Jessie couldn't believe it was happening. She'd secretly wanted to do this since the first day she laid eyes on Fin. There was just something about him, some spark that they had both shared from the moment he'd chased her up the fire escape. It was something Jessie knew in her heart she wasn't going to be able to make go away.

The kiss seemed to only last a moment and yet forever at the same time. They both just seemed to be lost in one another. When Fin finally pulled back they were both short of breath and lacking words to say.

Fin stared into her eyes for a moment. He'd never felt this way for a woman before. Yes, he'd loved his son's mother at one time, but he'd never felt this pull in his stomach before. He'd never wanted to make someone his so much!

But she wasn't his… she was Elliot's girl. And there he was, holding her captive in his arms. He quickly let go and backed away. Jessie gave him a confused look but he only gave her a fake smirk.

"Damn girl, that's the best kiss I've had all week." Fin said, straightening up a little and then leaning back on the doorframe.

"All week?" Jessie cocked an eyebrow.

"Yeah, what can I say?" Fin grinned. "I just got it like that." Fin knew what he was saying wasn't true. He hadn't kissed a woman in months. He hadn't wanted to till that night.

But it didn't matter because there was no way she was feeling the same way that he was. She was probably just curious. Fin felt like he had to be a jackass to save face.

Jessie glared at him. She could believe what she had just heard! Jessie shook her head and began to walk out of the room.

"You know," Jessie stopped but didn't turn around. "I really thought you were different. Now I think I was right about you when I first met you. You're nothing but a bastard." Jessie spat and walked out of the room.

When Jessie walked back into the squad room, Fin walking slowly behind her, everyone began to clap and whistle. Jessie walked over to Elliot, who put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close.

"So, how was he?" He teased.

"Oh, you know…" Jessie gave a fake laugh.

"Okay, time to open presents." John said excitedly, tossing Jessie a somewhat heavy package that said From John to Jess written in nearly unreadable handwriting on the front.

Jessie mentally shook herself. How dare Fin say those things! After kissing her like that! And making her feel that way! What a jackass!

Jessie realized everyone else was ripping open gifts while she stood there, in a daze, staring at John's package. Jessie pulled up a chair next to her designated pile and began opening also; John's being the first.

John had gotten her a book on conspiracy theories by an author she'd never heard of.

"That author is wonderful," John praised. "Funny too." Jessie smiled and thanked him, then opened another random gift.

Within the next ten minutes Jessie had opened a beautiful new pair of earrings from Elliot, a cute dress she'd been eyeing at a thrift store a few days before from Olivia, an extensive map of New York City from George (which Jessie was very grateful for) an address book (that she found had all the numbers and addresses of all her co-workers written inside) from Casey, and a new shoulder strap for her gun from the captain.

Jessie hesitated before unwrapping Fin's, which she'd put off till the last present. Luckily for her Casey wanted to hear her new CD that Jessie had given her, and soon some soft soothing jazz filled the squad room.

Elliot pulled her from her chair. Jessie didn't dance often but she was enjoying being closely held right at the moment. Elliot could make her calm when she was upset or angry. It was because of the firm way he held on to her… like he'd never let her go.

"What're you thinking about?" Elliot whispered. Jessie smiled at him.

"Just how much I love being in your arms." Elliot gave Jessie a small smile and their eyes locked. She leaned against his shoulder and felt a kiss to her forehead.

Jessie will never quite understand why she said it… She wanted to just chock it up to impulse but she had to admit it was something more than just that. Maybe it was because of the rejection she felt from Fin or maybe it was because she truly felt something similar… either way, it was a mistake.

"I love you Elliot." She whispered, so quietly that she half hoped he didn't hear. As soon as the words left her lips she regretted them.

Elliot touched Jessie's cheek lightly. He thought his heart was going to burst. He hadn't wanted to tell her he loved her first in fear of scaring her away… but now he could be open.

Elliot had never met anyone like Jessie. She was truly one unique human being. There were so many qualities that she possessed that were so rare in the world they lived in. He wanted to constantly be with her, to hold her, and protect her. She was the best thing to happen to him since his divorce.

"I love you too Jess."

The couple didn't notice Fin watching them. He glanced at the unwrapped gift still sitting on Jessie's chair. He wasn't an expert but he could read lips well enough to recognize "I love you" when he saw it. He put on his coat and headed for the door.

"Hey, where the hell are you going?" John asked, following him out the door. "You're my ride!" John exclaimed as Fin boarded the elevator.

"Call a cab." Fin frowned, pressed the down button, and the doors closed in John's face.

When the dance ended Jessie went back to her seat and picked up the package, feeling her gut form a knot. She glanced down at it, shook it, and decided it was clothes.

Jessie slowly unwrapped the package, opened the box, and was shocked by what she saw inside.

There, lying in the box was a new blue jean jacket. It still had that department store smell. Jessie felt the inside, which had inside pockets and was lined with fur like material that she thought would be very warm.

"Fin?" Jessie hollered out, looking around the room.

"He left." John said flatly, plopping down in the chair next to her.

"Why?" Jessie asked. John stood up and glanced down over his glasses.

"Because," John sighed. "Fin, like the rest of us, can somewhat read lips." And with that john went to go call a cab, seeing as the party was winding down.

Jessie glanced back down at the jacket and noticed something sticking out of the pocket. It was a card. On the front was a beautiful smiling Angel. Jessie gasped as she read what was on the inside.

To a beautiful Angel. This is the only way I could think of to make sure I could always keep you warm at night. Love, Fin.

Jessie shook her head. Maybe she'd been wrong… No, she thought sternly. You heard what he said! There is no way this card is sincere! You just told Elliot you loved him! There's no turning back now…

An hour later Jessie and Elliot were unloading their gifts from the car and stacking them in the living room. When they were done they both went up stairs to get ready for bed.

"So, what did Fin get you?" Elliot asked, taking off his shirt.

"A jacket." She answered shortly. Jessie turned to Elliot and smirked. He looked really good shirtless. She walked slowly to him and kissed him deeply.

"Wow," Elliot said, his voice husky. "What was that for?"

"Cause, I love you." Jessie whispered, and at that moment, she made herself believe that she meant it.

Elliot gently pushed Jessie toward the bed, expecting her to stop him, but she didn't. He looked into her eyes, her smiling shyly and unbuttoning his jeans.

Needless to say Jessie let Elliot open a very special gift that Christmas Eve.

Authors Note: Falalalalalala... Heh, Merry Christmas indeed. Anyone else smell major drama about to happen? WELL, within the next few chapters things ought to start taking shape. Thanks a TON to those who have left me reviews and please please please continue to do so! Let me know how you think things are gonna' go!