An: I'm sorry for the lateness, work is kicking my ass. I'm just going to leave this here and run away now.

December 8th

Jane sat in her cruiser with a deep scowl, elbow on the window ledge holding her chin in her hand.

"Hey partner, are you alright over there? Even your scowl is scowling. What gives?"

"Huh?"

"Earth to Jane, we're on a stake out, focus."

"I'm sorry, it's just I'm a little tense."

"Aww come on Jane the doc's been gone for like three days. Are you going to get like this every time?"

"It's not that, it's just, well we had plans. And now I'm stuck out here."

"What do you mean you had plans? She's in another state, what could you possibly have pla- Wait,"

"Finish that sentence and I'll finish you. Eyes front."

Frost had to bite into his knuckle to suppress his grin. Feeling her phone buzz in its holster Jane pulled it out knowing exactly who was trying to get a hold of her.

[Hey, your laptop rings off on video chat. Are you still at work?]

[Hey you. I'm sorry, we got a lead on a suspect, me and Frost are stuck in my freezing car on a stake out. I get the feeling I'm going to be here for ages.]

Instead of replying Maura decided to call and was pleasantly surprised when Jane answered.

"So you're stuck in the car with Frost?"

"Yea huh,"

"And I'm all alone in my hotel room,"

Jane choked on her words at the tone in her voice. Frost turned his head with a questioning look, the glare he received told him to drop it.

"Yeah that, uh, that sucks. Any joy on your test results?"

"You and I both know that's not what I called about."

"No I didn't think that was it either."

"I just sent you something, you should get a new message shortly."

"Maura! This isn't a good time," Jane hissed down the line as a chime in her ear denoted a new email. She jumped when a finger prodded her shoulder,

"I'm gonna go get some coffee, you want some?" With a blank look she nodded her head.

Frost grumbled to himself as he walked away, "Like hell I'm going to listen to some nasty phone sex."

Jane fumbled with her phone at the reprieve and opened her emails, sure enough a new message from Maura was in her inbox. Clicking it open she bit down on a closed fist at the picture. The doctor was (barely) dressed in a lingerie styled Santa outfit, even down to the hat. Squinting she noticed something near the blondes navel, zooming in she laughed out loud.

"That wasn't quite the reaction I was going for Jane,"

"Shit I almost forgot the phone was still connected. It's just, is that mistletoe on your panties?"

"Very observant detective,"

"Look Frost has ran off for some coffee, he'll be back soon. I can't exactly, y'know?"

"Oh I know, I just wanted you to know what was in today's box."

Jane slouched down in her seat, her breath misting in the cold air of the car.

"So when you said before, about when you used to call me at work, are you, um?"

"Oh yes Jane, very much."

"Shit Mara!" She rubbed her eyes as she noticed her partner coming back to the car. "Fuck, Frost is back, I can't really be on the phone."

"It's ok Jane,"

The detective went to say her goodbyes but the line was already dead. Climbing in the car he offered her a steaming cup, she nodded her thanks.

"The doc doing ok?"

Jane looked up at him like a deer caught in headlights. He just smiled and shook his head, an unspoken understanding passed by them. He knew, but they weren't going to talk about it.

A few minutes passed before her phone buzzed silently in her hand,

[Thinking of you x]

A second text followed shortly with a picture, the restraint she showed by not spitting her coffee over the dash was admirable. A picture filled her screen of Maura's hand beneath her festive panties.

[You're making it very hard for me to maintain a level of professionalism over here.]

Frost smirked at the ashen look on his partner's face. Maura on the other hand was sporting an outright grin. It wouldn't be the same as before if she called Jane, now that she knew what she had been doing every time they spoke. Instead she was happy to tease her detective mercilessly.

"Do I need to step out and give you two some alone time?"

"Get bent. How much longer have we got to sit out in this frozen hell hole?"

Frost looked at his watch, they had been sat out here for hours in the freezing cold.

"I'll call it in, see if we can get out of here."

Rubbing her hands together she tried to warm them up, she rolled her eyes when she felt her phone buzz again in her pocket.

[I'm going to send you something, I suggest you either open it at home or mute your phone! x]

"Hey Jane, hello over there. Lieutenant says to wrap it up, get the engine on and warm my frozen ass up!"

She nodded and without a word started the ignition, whacked the heat on full and pulled away.

An hour or so later she checked the time as she pulled into the driveway, it would be way too late to call Maura back now. She knew she would just climb into bed too, but her curiosity about what the doctor had sent her was winning over exhaustion. Kicking off her shoes before locking up the house she headed straight to their bedroom. Quickly changing out of her work gear she climbed into bed in just her underwear and a tank.

"Ok Maur, what has your genius, yet filthy mind come up with now?" She opened the email.

Dear Jane,

I didn't know what time you would be home so I made a little video for you. Stay warm, stay safe.

Love Maura x

Opening the video she was somewhat surprised when she saw Maura sat on the bed dressed in her robe, no sign of her scant Santa outfit in sight.

"I know this isn't what you expected to see Jane, and to be honest when I thought about sending you this video it isn't what came to mind to me either. But I want you to keep this video for times when we are apart, after all it does happen more than either of us wants it to.

I wanted you to have something you could go back to when ever you are alone, something to remind you of something you already know. Jane, I love you, so very much. I have done for so long, and will continue to love you for a long time to come. I love your jokes, even if I am only just learning your sense of humour. I love your commitment to everything you do, your work, your family, and with me.

Our time together hadn't exactly been easy from the start, but as long as I could stand with you I knew we could press forward. So when you have your harder days I want you to remember, you are strong, you are loved. I will see you very soon Jane. Sleep tight."

Jane rubbed at her eye, cursing the misty ness there. No it definitely wasn't what she expected to find in her inbox that night, but it was something that was always going to stay there no matter what.