Cassandra poked her head into the archives. About an hour ago, Jacob had written a few things down on a notepad, printed a page out and disappeared behind the door. From the looks of it, he still hadn't found what he was looking for. She sighed, letting herself be disappointed once more, but then she looked at him. He was muttering and moving papers around, she could make out "I just saw it, I'm so close." This wouldn't do. This man needed a break.

"Okay," she said clapping her hands and walking up to the desk. "Let's go. Get your coat."

"What?" he blinked up at her. "I'm so close, Cassie, I just need . . . ."

"You need a break. Fresh air and a fresh perspective. That's what you need."

He looked at her and slowly nodded. "Yeah, actually my brain is kinda fried. I could use a break."

She beamed at him. "Good, come on. The neighborhood is beautiful this time of year, I need a walk outside myself."

They got coffee and split a bag of delicious spiced nuts from a street vendor. Jacob was laughing as Cassandra twirled around looking at the lights.

"You should try it!" She laughed back at him, "it makes the colors look like stars."

He chuckled. "I'll just take your word for it." He looked at her, so beautiful, looking happy, taking in the beauty around her. He'd always remember her this way, his love, the love that had come much too late, but this memory, he knew would last him for the eternity that awaited him. "Cassie? Can I ask you a question?"

She shrugged, "sure."

"You've seemed . . . well, you've seemed a bit down. Today, you're so happy, despite everything. Has something changed?"

Cassandra smiled softly at him. "I've changed. Or rather, I've become myself. I ran out of hope and faith. But you, you showed up. And you gave me hope. Christmas came back to me, with all the hope and faith and joy. So thank you, Jacob Stone."

"Even if I don't find anything?"

"I have faith that you will. But if you don't . . . " Cassandra looked up at the building coming up ahead. "If you don't, then we tried everything we could to save it. And that's all my mom and Uncle Gale would have wanted." She looked over at him and smiled. "And knowing that I've done my very best, it means I can move on. I'm at peace with it now, one way or another."

Jacob stared at her for a moment, realizing this was really what his mission was. Saving the library? That was a bonus. But his real mission had to be helping Cassandra make peace with potentially closing a door behind her and regaining her Christmas spirit. He half expected Jenkins to be standing in front of him, telling him it was time. But it wasn't, not quite yet. Even so he felt . . . he felt good. Energized. And he knew just where to look now.

He grabbed her hand, at her look of shock, he said, "I've got it! C'mon!"

Fifteen minutes later, he was handing her a bundle of papers. "I can't promise you that it will completely save the library, but it'll give you a stay and a court hearing. Which means it'll be tied up for months before they can tear it down."

Cassandra laughed, with joy. "You did it Jacob, you did it!"

"All thanks you to you, you inspired me."

They beamed at each other for a moment and what was intended to be a celebratory hug, turned into something more. The kiss of joy and celebration turned into two more, than three, before Cassandra gently pulled away.

"I need to show my director these papers," she smiled at him. "But umm would you like to get a drink after that?"

Stone had forgotten everything in the bliss of kissing her, so he said yes without a thought, giving her one more kiss before she slid out of his arms and quite literally bounced out the door.

That's when he heard the noise behind him and reality crashed in. He slumped against the desk.

"Jenkins, no . . . .please no. I love her, give me more time."

He could hear the other man's sigh. "I'm afraid Dr. Stone, that it's time. I don't make the rules . . . For what it's worth, I am sincerely sorry."

Jacob bit his lip and turned to Jenkins. "Will she be okay? "

"What you have done will save this building that's meant so much to her. She's made peace with her mother's death. And in time, she'll find the love that you made her realize she wants. You . . .you did good, Jacob Stone."

"Right . . . ."

Jenkins wisely allowed Stone a moment and went through the door first. Jacob looked around and whispered. "Good bye, Cassie, I love you."

Then he stepped through the door toward his fate.