A/N: We hope you enjoy this one! Merry Christmas in October!

Thanks for reading and reviewing!

I don't own CSI, iTunes or iPod. I do own an iPod and hundreds of iTunes, but, sadly, not Apple.

December 2003

Sara stood in the staff room, staring at the schedule. She had looked at it at least five times a day for the past week. Her first glance at it had been to determine her own shifts. Her second had been to determine with whom she would be working during those shifts.

That was the point when she became obsessed with studying it.

She was working on Christmas Eve. This was not unusual; she always volunteered to work that shift, knowing that Catherine would want to spend it with Lindsey and that Nick would take the entire week off to go home to Texas to visit his family for the holidays. Sara's voluntary request to work was more a formality than anything; she and Grissom both knew that he needed her to work and would schedule her regardless, but the gesture on her part was kind.

She was scheduled to spend her Christmas Eve with Grissom, Warrick and a CSI borrowed from day shift.

Again, working with Grissom and Warrick on Christmas Eve was rather normal. None of them had children or spent the holiday out of town; it had become something of a tradition to begin their shift with nonalcoholic eggnog. Although Sara despised eggnog, she always drank it with them in the spirit of camaraderie.

But, this year …

Things had been so odd between her and Grissom. They had gone from friends to something more to a former couple to … Sara wasn't really sure what they were to one another at this point. She did know that they were working their way back to the friendship they had shared. She also knew that, if given the chance, she would be more than willing to become romantically involved with him again. Although it had not worked out the first time they tried, she knew that they could make it work if given another chance. And, his current attitude toward her was so much friendlier, so much more what it had been in years past … It made her think that it could provide a solid foundation for the something more that she craved.

And, maybe, Christmas was the time to let that something begin to build. Maybe …

She looked at their names and scheduled hours yet again. The familiar nervousness shot through her, but a new hopefulness accompanied it.

Maybe Christmas would indeed be the perfect season for a miracle.

December 2015

"Hi."

Jake looks up as Molly approaches his desk. He glances at the clock; there are still two minutes before the bell will ring and their history class will begin. He sighs, knowing there is no way to avoid being social.

"Hi," he says.

She smiles. "How have you been?"

"What, you mean since you stopped talking to me?" The words are ruder than he had intended, but he can't stop them.

"It's almost Christmas, Jake," she says quietly. "I just thought …"

He sighs and runs his hand through his hair. "I'm sorry, okay? I didn't mean to be like that."

She nods. "Are you going to the Snow Ball on Friday?"

"No."

"Why not? It'll be fun. It always is."

"I don't have a date," he replies.

Molly shrugs. "You don't need one. Not everyone takes a date to the Snow Ball. It's not like it's the prom."

"Who are you going with?"

She bites her lip. "No one."

Jake's eyebrows shoot up. Molly is a pretty girl, and he's heard the other boys talking about her. He's sure she was asked to the dance by several of his classmates. "No one?" he repeats incredulously.

"Well, just a couple of the girls," she elaborates. "We're going together."

"Oh."

She bites her lip again. "I'd really like it if you'd go," she says quietly, her cheeks turning a lovely shade of pink.

The bell rings and she scurries back to her seat before Mr. Anderson has time to mark her late.

"Guess what?" Anna exclaims as Jake enters the kitchen for dinner.

"What?" he asks.

She grins. "Guess."

He sighs. "You finished your homework before me … again."

"Nope."

He raises his eyebrows. "You didn't finish it yet?"

"Yes, but that's not what you were supposed to guess."

"Oh. Um … you added more things to your letter to Santa?"

"No."

"Um … your dad let you make dessert tonight?"

"No! That's three guesses!"

"Will you tell me now?"

"Mommy and Daddy are going out on Friday, so Uncle Nick is coming to stay with us!"

"Oh," Jake says.

"You aren't very excited."

"He doesn't know Uncle Nick like you do, sweetie," Sara says. "I'm sure he'll be excited once he gets to know him."

"Okay," Anna agrees, sitting down at the table.

"Is that okay?" Sara asks Jake as they, too, sit down. "You don't mind staying with Nick and Anna, do you?"

"Not … really."

Sara frowns slightly. "What's the problem?"

If Jake has learned one thing during his time with them, it is not to ignore or attempt to deflect a direct question from Sara. Grissom has been away from law enforcement and with students long enough that he can be put off without incredible difficulty, but Sara will not accept anything but bitter, painful, honest answers to her queries.

"There's this … dance," Jake admits. "At school. I wasn't going to go, but now that it's almost here, I …"

"Want to go," Sara finishes for him. She looks at Grissom.

"What time does it start?" he asks

"Seven."

Grissom nods. "We can take you to the dance if you want to get there right around seven, and then Nick can pick you up later."

"You're sure?" Jake says. "I don't have to go if it's a problem."

"It's not a problem," Grissom says.

Sara can barely hide her smile. "Not at all."

December 2003

Sara entered the lab on Christmas Eve feeling more nervous than she had when she went to work the day after she and Grissom had ended their relationship, and she wanted to shake herself for it.

You're being silly. It's just work. Like it's always been.

She sighed and trudged on to the locker room. It wasn't just work. She had far bigger plans for this night. She could only hope that Grissom would go along with her

"Hey, girl!" Warrick said, pausing as he passed the locker room with a stack of plastic cups in his hand. "Merry Christmas Eve! Eggnog in the break room in five!"

"I'll be there!" Sara called, glad he was gone before he could see her grimace.

Once again, she would choke down the eggnog … for her friends.

December 2015

"Okay, we need to strategize," Grissom says.

Sara giggles. "It's just the mall, Griss."

"Yes, but we only have three hours from when we'll get there until they close," Grissom reminds her. "We want to plan for maximum purchasing."

"You do realize that we still have time before Christmas, right? We can plan a second shopping trip later in the week. I'm sure Nick will stay with the kids again – or Greg or even Lindsey will help out."

Grissom's expression is pained. "I'd rather get this done in one shot."

Sara laughs. "Okay. What are you thinking we should get for Anna?"

A knock on Grissom's office door ends their conversation.

"Come in," he calls.

Jake slowly opens the door and comes into the room. He is wearing khaki pants and a light green dress shirt; his tie is hanging around his neck.

"Hi," he says awkward. "Um … I was wondering if maybe …" He holds up the ends of his tie.

"A newcomer to ties?" Grissom asks. "Come with me. I'll show you how it's done."

Looking relieved, Jake follows Grissom to the master bedroom. Sara watches them go with a smile, thinking that Jake is finally learning to trust them.

Grissom takes Jake to the bedroom and disappears into the closet. He returns a moment later holding a tie.

"Come here, in front of the mirror."

Jake obeys and watches as Grissom puts his tie around his own neck.

"Just watch me the first time, then we'll do yours."

Jake nods silently. He watches carefully as Grissom ties his own tie, providing constant narration of his process.

"Make sense?" he asks when he's through.

Jake nods.

"Okay. Give it a try."

Jake attempts to tie his own tie, but fails miserably. "Oh, man. I'm sorry."

"Hey, don't apologize," Grissom says. "If you already knew how to do it, you wouldn't be here with me right now. Let's do it together."

Four attempts later, Jake's tie looks perfect. He gives Grissom a smile.

"Thanks for helping me," he says. "I guess most guys learn how to do that when they're little …"

"Not really," Grissom replies. "I think I was about your age when I learned."

"Did your dad teach you?"

"No," Grissom says. He pauses, considering his options. "My uncle Herb did," he says at last. "My father died when I was little."

"Oh," Jake says, his eyes rounding in surprise. "I'm sorry."

Grissom shrugs slightly. "It was a long time ago."

Jake nods.

"You're braver than I was at your age," Grissom comments.

"What do you mean?"

He smiles slightly. "Even after Uncle Herb taught me to tie a tie … I didn't go to any dances."

Jake flushes a bright shade of red. "Well … it's just …"

Grissom smiles. "A girl?"

"She said she really wanted me to go."

Grissom's smile widens. "Ask her to dance."

Jake looks horrified. "I don't know how to dance!"

"Ask her," Grissom says, still grinning. "I really don't think she'll care if you can dance well or not."

Jake sits silently in the backseat as Grissom drives them to the MGM Grand, where the dance is being held. Sara glances back at him, knowing that nerves are keeping him from speaking.

"Don't go up to a hotel room," she says, only half-joking. "Just stay in the ballroom where they're having the dance."

Jake nods.

Grissom drives up to the hotel, stopping and waving off the valet. He puts the care in park and turns to look at Jake.

"Remember what I said, okay?" he asks.

Jake blushes and nods.

Grissom winks at him and grins.

"Have fun," Sara says. "Nick will be here to pick you up at ten. Call him if you want to leave sooner."

"Okay. See you."

Jake climbs out of the car, and Sara turns to Grissom.

"What did you say to him that he has to remember?"

Grissom smiles. "He's only going to this dance because a young lady told him she wanted him to be here. I told him to ask her to dance."

Sara laughs. "Some advice, coming from you! It took you long enough to ask me to dance."

"But, I've learned from my mistakes, dear."

Sara smiles and leans over to kiss his cheek. "That you have."

Grissom turns to kiss her lips. "Come on, love. Let's go Christmas shopping."

The room is practically shaking with music when Jake enters. Teenagers are milling around; most of them are chatting, but a few have stepped onto the dance floor. After searching the crowd for a few minutes, he notices Molly. She is with several girls, including Shannon. A wave of dislike washes over Jake. He cannot forget the way she turned Molly against him when he first started attending their school.

Molly looks around and notices him. They make eye contact, and a beaming smile lights her face. She waves; Jake returns the gesture, trying to smile back. Molly pulls away from her friends to join him.

"Hi! I can't believe you're here! I didn't really think you'd come!"

Jake smiles slightly. "I guess I'm full of surprises."

"I guess you are," she replies. "What do you think of the dance? Have you ever been to one like this before?"

"No, I haven't," he admits. "My old school didn't let anyone who wasn't in high school go."

"Didn't you have middle school dances?"

Jake shakes his head.

"Oh, wow," Molly says. "We had tons of dances in middle school. Like one a week."

"I guess you were lucky," Jake says, not because he believes it, but because he can tell she does.

"Yeah," she agrees. The song changes and her face lights up. "I love this song! Do you want to dance with me?"

He doesn't, not at all, but Grissom's words come back to him. "Okay," he agrees.

Molly can see the reluctance in his eyes and giggles. "I'll show you want to do," she promises.

"Okay," he says again.

The song is fast; Molly guides Jake to put his hands on her hips and gyrate to the music with her. He is surprised how easily he can find the rhythm of the music, and even more surprised by how easily he can follow Molly. Her hands are linked behind his head; she slowly pulls them closer and closer together. Before the song is over, they are close enough for him to smell her shampoo. Jake can feel his breath becoming shallow.

"See?" her voice is in his ear. "It's easy, right?"

"Right," he agrees.

"Do you like this song?"

"I do," he says, even though he's sure he's never heard it before. "It's great."

Molly giggles. "I knew you'd like it, too."

The song ends, and Jake takes his hands from her hips. Molly looks at him in surprise.

"Where are you going?"

"I thought – you said you liked that song – I just –"

"I like to dance," she corrects him. "Will you stay and dance with me some more?"

Jake clears his throat. "Won't your friends mind?"

Molly follows his gaze to her friends, who are glaring at them. "They'll get over it."

"I don't want to cause problems between you and them …"

"Don't worry about it. Just … dance with me some more."

Jake nods and falls back into the rhythm of the music with her.

"Okay," Sara says. "So, a dollhouse for Anna, a fancy phone for Jake, and a new Wii for them to share, along with an assortment of games and clothes. Good enough?"

"We were good three stores ago," Grissom replies. "I know I didn't get this many Christmas presents when I was little."

"Yes, dear, but times have changed."

Grissom laughs. "And, you like to spoil them." His eyes begin to shine. "And, next year, we'll have another little one to spoil."

"Yes," Sara says, her own eyes shining. "What do you want? A boy or a girl?"

"A girl," Grissom says promptly.

"Really? I thought you'd want a boy this time."

He shrugs. "We have a boy and a girl already. Anna wants a sister, so … why not?"

Sara leans up to kiss his cheek. "I love you."

"I love you, too – both of you."

The next song is a slow song, which sends Jake into a moment of panic. Molly smiles as she moves closer to him.

"I love this song," she says.

"You love every song," Jake replies.

Molly grins. "Yeah, I do. My parents always yell about how much money I spend on iTunes, but … music is my thing, you know?"

"Yeah," Jake says quietly, thinking of the number of times he had blasted his iPod just so he could hear something other than his parents' fights. "Yeah, I totally get that."

"Molly! What are you doing?"

Molly looks away from Jake to see the towering, very attractive sophomore standing behind him. "Evan! Hi!"

He looks at Jake for a moment, then back at Molly. "I thought your parents wouldn't let you come to the dance with a boy."

She pulls her hands away from Jake's shoulders; he releases her.

"They won't," she says. "I didn't come with Jake. We're just dancing."

"Huh." Evan looks at Jake again. "Mind if I cut in?"

"Be my guest," Jake mutters.

He walks away from Molly and Evan and takes a seat at the most shadowy, hidden table he can find.

Of course Molly would rather dance with Evan. He's just like her. One of them.

And, Jake … is not.

When Grissom and Sara arrive back at home, Nick is alone in the living room.

"Where are all the bags?" he asks. "I thought you two were out shopping."

"In the car," Sara says. "We thought the kids might be up with you, celebrating their first night of holiday break."

"Nah," Nick replies. "Anna fell asleep in the car on the way back from picking Jake up, and he just went straight upstairs when we got home. I assume he's in bed."

"Did he have fun at the dance?"

"He wasn't talking to me," Nick replies. "You'll have to ask him yourself. Or … maybe you should wait for him to tell you."

Sara nods. "That's probably the wisest idea."

Christmas morning arrives, and Grissom and Sara are still in the dark about the dance. Jake has not mentioned it, and, taking Nick's advice, they have not asked him.

Anna awakes them all earlier than they would like, squealing about the presents under the tree. Sara buries her head in her pillow.

"Can't you tell her that Mommy is tired?" she asks.

Grissom laughs. "Merry Christmas, love."

"Merry Christmas," she replies.

Grissom touches her still-flat abdomen. "Merry Christmas, baby."

Sara giggles. "She says merry Christmas to you, too."

"Come on. Let's go see if Anna has waited this year."

They pull themselves out of bed and wrap up in robes before descending the stairs. Anna, as they expected, is dancing around the tree. Hank bounds around with her, barking at random intervals.

Jake, who came downstairs as soon as Anna ran down, is standing rooted in place, staring at the glittering tree. Anna has already turned on the lights, adding to the spectacle of it all.

"Merry Christmas," Sara says as she and Grissom stop next to Jake.

He turns to look at her with wide eyes. "I – I've never …"

"Yeah," Sara says quietly. "I know."

To her great surprise, he throws his arms around her in a tight hug. "Thank you," he whispers. "Thank you for giving me Christmas."

Sara hugs him back, feeling tears dangerously close to the surface. "Thank you for sharing it with us."

"Jake, come on!" Anna exclaims. "We've got to open presents!"

Jake pulls away from Sara, and she nods. He joins Anna on the floor, and they begin picking up gifts and reading the name tags on them, giving Grissom and Sara theirs and tearing into their own.

Sitting there, around their Christmas tree, watching Anna and Jake open their gifts, Sara feels a warm sense of contentment wrap around her. Grissom sits down beside her on the sofa; his arm snakes around her waist.

"Happy?" he whispers, kissing her cheek.

She nods, not trusting her voice to speak. She can't remember the last time she was so happy on Christmas.

December 2003

Even though their Christmas Eve had included a double homicide, Grissom insisted that they leave promptly at the end of their shift. It was Christmas, he said, not a time to pull a double. The work would be there for them upon their return.

Warrick took his words to heart and, kissing Sara's cheek, was off like a shot. Sara lingered at her locker a bit longer, trying to work up the courage to do what she had promised herself she would. Finally, she managed to talk herself into what felt like an impossible task. She left the locker room and went to Grissom's office.

As she had expected, he was seated at his desk, going over some paperwork. She leaned against the doorframe and watched him for a long moment.

"Hi," she finally said.

He glanced up at her. "Hi. Why are you still here?"

"Why are you?" she countered.

"Just finishing up a few things," he said. He smiled at her and returned to his work.

"Want to grab some breakfast?" Sara asked.

Grissom looked up from his paperwork. "Where are you and Warrick going?"

"We – no, Griss, Warrick already went home."

He frowned slightly and took off his glasses so he could see her more clearly. "So … it would just be you and me."

Sara nodded, unable to force any words past the mounting dread in her throat.

"Sara …"

"It's just breakfast, Griss," she managed.

He shook his head slowly. "No. With us, it's not just breakfast. We both know that."

"So, you're turning me down?"

He nodded slowly. "I guess I am."

She could feel pressure against the backs of her eyes, and exhaled slowly, trying to maintain control.

"Sara," he began, but she held up her hand to stop him.

"No, it's fine. Great. Fantastic." She could maintain her control, but she could not keep the sarcasm out of her voice. "Merry Christmas, Grissom."

She turned and nearly ran away from his office, leaving Grissom sitting at his desk in stunned silence.

She couldn't remember the last time she had been so miserable on Christmas.