The next few weeks are hectic. Phil and Grant spend their time trying to close a deal that will make big bucks for the firm while Sky actually manages to get a lot of studying in for her finals in January, so they hardly get a chance to see each other, and if they do it's only ever briefly in the morning, because the rest of the time is spent working or sleeping.

It's the firm's Christmas party and it's the first time they've all been in the same room together for more than a few swift moments. Phil's chatting away to his receptionist who Skye had always thought he had a thing for and she was sure the feelings were mutual. It was about the one thing that was managing to make her smile. She loves the idea of christmas; snow, christmas tree, lights, decorations, hot chocolate with marshmallows, presents and practically eating for two (well that's what her and Phil's christmases have always looked like, even in the beginning) but that wasn't how things always had been and there's still a melancoly sadness surrounding the holiday.

"Not your usual annoying self today," he sits down on the chair next to her lightly grazing her shoulder with his own, it's not a malcious joke by any means, they're past that it's just that he's never known how to get through to her (sober) without some sort of quip. She laughs with a hint of sarcasm but it's short lived.

"Christmas is stupid."

Grant chuckles as he puts a piece of sushi in his mouth from his plastic plate. "I agree."

There's slight amusement in her laughter this time as she nicks a cracker off his plate, Grant does nothing to protest.

"My mum died around the christmas period..." she chokes and turns away from him, she finds it hard to open up to anyone let alone to Grant for some reason, she doesn't quite understand.

"Hey it's okay I'm not going to make us play chinese whispers and tell everyone your business," he nudges her gently and gives her slight playful smile.

Skye laughs, a short one but it's there. "It's almost been 5 years, and I have a great life now it's just... my mum had been sick since I can rememeber, the medication helped but then she'd stop taking them and take them again, I thought she was okay though, the episodes hadn't been that often but then one day I think she lost all control, walked out in the road without shoes on and just a night gown, the driver said she didn't look and it was too late... We planned to buy a christmas tree that day," she looks up to try and keep it together, bites down on her lip but she's unable to stop the tears from falling.

Grant wraps his arm around her and presses a kiss to the corner of her face. "Do you want to ditch?"

Skye nods, "What about Kara?"

"I'll message her in the care."

"That's a really good boyfriend move," she nudges him.

Grant shrugs, "It'll be okay, she knows that you're important to me."

A slight tickle runs up her neck and she squirms it away, she doesn't understand herself sometimes.

"One hot chocolate with 100 marshmallows," he put the cup down beside Skye as he comes to sit next to her with a milk-less coffee in hand.

"Dude you gave me like 5" Grant laughs and blows on his on coffee.

"I find it hard to trust people, you probably know that by now..." her teeth rack over her lip. If they're going to have a heart to heart she might as well pour it all out.

"yep, I did," he nods and nudges her playfully, to which Skye smiles and then carries on.

"I didn't want Phil to get hurt, for some guy to come into his life that had altria motives. You came in with your posh suits and your arrogant persona and for all I knew you could be some kind of spy here to destroy the firm." Grant chuckles and then Skye joins in.

"I'm defintely not a spy."

"I think I know that now double O, 7," she nudges him playfully.

"I was jealous too... Phil is my one good thing, Jemma kinda but Phil is my constant good and I've grown to really love him."

"I've grown to like him a lot too." Grant nods.

Now it's his turn to open up.

"I know I look rich, well I kind of am but it's not been easy. I don't know what Phil's told you, but I was adopted by a military man, born in money, he wasn't the good kind... that's maybe why I seem like I can't relax or I'm arrogant. I could never relax and I needed to be tough. He's got dementia now, I visit him once a month even though I used to hate his guts he did do a lot for me too, but I do also resent him, I have done for years after realising his way wasn't the only way..."

"I guess we can be resentful together," she gives him a small sincere smill.

"Guess so... Skye, I'm sorry about your mum."

"I'm sorry about your crappy military father."

Grant shrugs, "he taught me to be strong."

Skye nods, "You make a mean hot chocolate by the way."
Grant grins, "thanks."

They chat amongst themeselves, mugs in hand and things are almost jolly until they're not.

"Hello... we'll be right there."

"What is it?"

Grant runs his hands over his head.

"It's phil we need to go"

So much for the good.