A/N: Here you go, at last after two years it's finished, I hope you all enjoy it.


The snow was finally falling over New York, when clock struck 2 PM on Christmas Eve. She was lying on the loveseat in Flack's study and was drowsily looking out the window. Everything was covered with snow. Usually grey and gloomy streets were bright and merry. It seemed like a pot of white paint had been poured over the city. It was all very beautiful. This sight reminded her Montana.

She sighed, now she knew what Flack had felt, she couldn't do anything without anyone watching over her shoulder, Don was the only one who acted normal. And she was bored, because there was nothing to do. Usually she would hate to just sit there and do nothing, but something inside her felt like she needed that rest – time to do nothing and think about nothing. After she had been staring out for a while, she realized that she could hear Tom and Jerry's Christmas episodes from the living room. She had no idea what Flack was doing, but because it was one of his favourite cartoons – she smirked – Don was probably sitting in front of the TV like an eager little boy.

When she tried to stand up, the book she had been reading before fell to the floor. She couldn't catch it, because her left arm was still in a sling. The tartan blanket that was on her feet, started to slide down as well, but Lindsay got it with her right hand. While she grabbed the blanket she looked at it and felt like she had to smile. When she had told Stella that she didn't know much about her roots, she had forgotten that her ancestors from father's family line came from Scotland and before their family name was Americanized it was Munro – as one of the Scottish clans. Her great-great-great-great- or something like that -grandparents came to America. When she was little her grandmother had given both her and her sister a tartan blanket: Amy had gotten the Munro one and hers was the Sutherland's – her great-great-great-great-grandmother had been from the Sutherland clan. Lindsay had forgotten that she had taken it with her to NY. But when she got home from hospital she had found it on the bed, Don had dug it out from the boxes.

While she was still smiling, she turned her eyes back to window. Snow outside reminded her childhood and winters in Montana that had been almost like an enchanting fairyland. How she and Amy had played in the snow and their brothers would start a snow fight. Or the numerous times they went ice skating on a local small lake. Or maybe the time when they went altogether to the forest to find a nice Christmas tree, because their dad's little angels only deserved "the best tree out there". She missed them, and frown replaced the smile.

"You know you should not frown…"

"…because you never know when somebody is falling in love with your smile." Lindsay took her eyes from the snow and saw Don standing on the doorway drying his hand into a towel.

"What are you thinking about?"

"About childhood"

"What about that?" he threw the towel on his shoulder and stepped closer.

"I miss the winters in Montana."

"Montana, I would like to go there one day."

"To Montana? Donny, you're a city boy, you wouldn't last a day in Montana."

"Is that so? Well, then I will never meet your family."

"Oh, you will, when the time is right, Smoky."

Don sat down on the edge of the loveseat, "Why are you still calling me that?"

"Because it annoys you and like I told you that day: this creates a nice balance."

"I thought you didn't remember it."

"I do, I remember every detail of that day."

"Is it a good or a bad thing?" he pushed hair away from Lindsay's eyes.

"I don't know. I can't figure it out, maybe it's actually both."

"Yeah, I know the feeling. I would have killed him, you know."

"It's good that you didn't, I wouldn't want his blood on your hands."

"But now I don't know, which is better for April and Sean, whether Patrick is in the jail or the nuthouse… or if he is dead."

Lindsay caressed his cheek, "Darling, imagine what April and Sean would feel if they knew that their uncle, who they love so much, killed their father."

"You're right as always, but now is time to take your medicine."

Don had to smirk when her face screwed up, "I don't wanna...ugh"

"Lindsay Monroe acting like a baby, where is my camera when I need it?"

"Look who's talking, if I remember correctly it was you who whined like one-month-old child."

"But you, darling, should not whine, because from today onwards, you're having some ordinary painkillers, doctors orders."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, my little angel, but now take it in and then go and change your clothes, because we're going out."

"Wait, we are going out?" Lindsay sat up to fast and hurt her shoulder, "Where?"

"Yeah, and don't forget to put a jumper on." He headed to the door again.

"Don't ignore me, where we're going?"

"It's a surprise, angel. Now take your medicine." And he was out.

"Smoky, Don, FLACK!" Lindsay tried to stand up but her legs were tangled in the tartan, "Men, they can be so annoying…."


Lindsay sat on the passenger seat. Don looked at her, "Are you going to be so grumpy for the entire ride?"

"Yes, because you won't tell me where are we going."

"You'll see, be more adventurous," but he could see from her face that her life had been recently way too adventurous, so he decided to just shut up.

Lindsay stared at him, shook her head and then turned her head, looked out the window and snoozed off.

She woke up again when the car stopped.

"We're here." Flack grinned, when he said that.

"Where?"

"Step out the car and you'll know."

Lindsay could not hide how annoyed she looked and stepped out from the car, Flack followed her. Lindsay looked around for a moment then turned and grinned, "I should have guessed… I sometimes doubt your sanity. Only you could bring me to Central Park in midst of a snowstorm."

"And sometimes I doubt yours. You're from Montana and you say this little snowfall is a snowstorm."

Lindsay who had started walking turned her head over her shoulder and stuck her tongue out at Don.
"Don't show it if you don't use it."

"Who said I won't use it?"

"Are you tempting me?"

"Are you taking the bait?"

"Maybe," He grinned and took after her.

Lindsay squealed, it was very lady like squeal not squeal like some of the teenagers do, and ran towards the Central Park as fast as she could. But Flack's long legs carried him faster and he caught her and toppled her gently on to the snow so he would not hurt her shoulder.

"You caught me, what are you going to do?"

"Gaining the price," And then he kissed her, Lindsay couldn't think, there were stars all around her, and the only smell her nose picked up was Don's everything around her was Don. The kiss made her forget everything and at the same time to see everything. If heaven was real, then Flack's kiss, so powerful and at the same time so gentle, was heaven. When Don lift his head Lindsay murmured, "You know, your kisses should be punished by the law."

"Why is that?" Flack asked pulling her on her feet.

"Because your kisses take away the ability to think and they make my knees weak so I can't walk."

"Then your kisses should be punished as well."

"Flatterer," Lindsay smiled.

Flack watched her, the happiness when she walked in the snow. He had almost lost her week ago. And it was his fault. He still felt so guilty about it. How could he have known it was so wrong to trust someone, he had known for all his life. How easy it was to make mistakes. How can he trust anyone now? Every single time he was thinking about Patrick, he would feel his blood pressure rising and breathing became more and more difficult. Anxiety and anger took over.

"Don…Don't think about him."

Don shook the fog out of his mind, when he heard Lindsay's words.

"What?"

"I can see from your face that you're thinking about Patrick. Don't, it will hurt you more."

"I can't do that, angel. He was one of my best friends, a man who I considered as my brother, the father of my niece and nephew. And I worry about them, but I also hope he gets the death penalty."

"Don, that's cruel." Lindsay took his chin between her fingers and looked in his eyes, they told him that he really thought so, "Why, Don?"

"Because I don't want his children the life he offers. April knows that he is in jail, but she doesn't know for what. Camille decided that, when she is 16 and Patrick doesn't get the death penalty she will tell her the entire story and she can decide if she wants to see him, before that Camille won't let her. The same case is for Sean."

"I can understand that," Lindsay walked away.

"You have forgiven him?" He put his hand around her waist.

"No, and I think I never will. But let's not talk about him or that day, it is a beautiful winter evening."

"Yes, you're right, it is a beautiful winter evening," Lindsay smiled and walked to the snowdrift.

"Monroe, what are you doing?"

"What does it look like?" she asked while making a snowball.

"Angel, we aren't going to have a snow fight," Don frowned.

Lindsay winked.

"Oh, yes we a-a-a-are, Smoky," and the snowball hit Flack right between the eyes.

He rubbed his eyes, but only a second later scooped up a handful of snow, "You're so going to regret that," and he ran after Lindsay.

Finally, after they had battled for half an hour, Lindsay landed on pence holding her hands up, "Okay, I give up."

"Already?" Don sat down beside her.

"Yes?"

"Your shoulder?"

"Hurts a little pit, I'm knackered."

"Okay, let's sit for a while. And then we're going."

"To where?" She raised her eyebrow.

"You'll see."

"Again?"

"Yes." Lindsay just shook her head – she was too tired to argue with him – and then relaxed and closed her eyes. She felt a little kiss on her forehead. She sighed, she loved that man so much and no one or anything could take that love away from her.

"Are you ready?"

Lindsay opened her eyes and nodded. She followed him to his car. When she sat into the car it hit her, "Smoky, its Christmas eve. And we don't have a…"

"Tree," Don finished the sentence for her, "oh, that rimes."

"Don, that's not funny, we don't have a Christmas tree. And maybe you just haven't noticed – or I hit those last snowballs too hard… it's Christmas"

"Relax, Sherlock, I got it covered."

"Really?"

"Really."

Lindsay rolled her eyes, Flack was so sneaky. "Where are we going?"

"You'll see."

Lindsay couldn't to anything else but mutter, "I have a bad feeling about this."

"Oh really, Obi-Wan."

Lindsay smirked at that comment, "Be happy, that I didn't tell you: Use the force, Luke."

"I knew it was a bad idea to have the Star Wars marathon yesterday."

"Don't whine and, instead, drive. Otherwise it will be your bedtime soon."

Lindsay laughed and relaxed, Don could be sneaky but she had the feeling she would follow him to the end of the world.

Little later she started recognizing the neighborhood, "We're going to your parents?"

"Yes, it seems like the little CSI in you is working again."
"Not funny. We are really going to your parents' place?"

"Yes, we're going to my parents annual Christmas Eve dinner."

"But we don't have any presents with us."

"It's all taken care of, they're in the trunk."

"When? How?"

"When you were sleeping." They turned on to the driveway.

"Hey, those are Mac's and Danny's cars."

"Yes, and I think, Stella, Sheldon, Adam, Kendall are also here. And Mary, when my mother heard that she was an orphan, she asked her to join us."

"Who else?"

"Colin, uncle Ralf, Camille with children. But Sophia, if I remember correctly, won't come, because it would have hurt too much."

"So basically everyone?"

"Yeah."

"Okay."

Flack took two bags with presents from the trunk and Lindsay followed him inside, first thing they heard was, "You say that you'll do anything to date me, Messer?" Mary asked with sarcastic interest.

"Yes!"

Lindsay took her goat off and muttered to Don, "Did he sound desperate to you?"

"I take a note of that." Mary's voice was heard again.

"He should be, no woman has before fought with him so much, usually he snaps a finger and they run to him."

"He is your best friend..."

"He maybe, but it's always fun to laugh at him."

"You're cruel man, Donald Flack," said Danny from the doorway.

"Look who's talking." Danny couldn't answer because April ran to him, "Uncle Doe."

"Merry Christmas, squint." He picked her up and placed her on his hip.

"Ah, Donny," his father said when they stepped into the room.

"Hi, dad."

"Lindsay, how's your shoulder?"

"Its fine Donald, it only hurts a little bit, but its fine."

"Good to know," Don listened only with half an ear, he knew his father and Lindsay's routine, soon his father will start hitting on Lindsay – all in good fun, as his father liked to say – and then his mother would come and give his father "the look." But his mother didn't come, Don cocked his eyebrow, "Dad, where's mom?"

"She is in the kitchen with Ralf."

Don rolled his eyes: they never learn. Seeing his face April giggled.

"Dad! Mum and uncle Ralf together in the kitchen!"

"Relax, it's only a Christmas dinner, not the first, or probably actually hundredth, culinary war between Italian foods and Greek foods. At least I hope so…"

Flack had to cover his eyes, "Don't you remember last year's red wine stain on mum's white shirt, what didn't come out until St. John's day."

"And year before that."

Colin stated from the corner of the room, where he played chess with Mac, "If I remember correctly, that bump from a wooden spoon on uncle Ralf's head was there for weeks. And I can't find a memory from my childhood or my adulthood where Gallucci siblings would have had a nice quiet Christmas Eve, without biting each others heads off."

"Don't worry; Cam and Sean are with them," Don sr said pouring himself brandy, he remembered those Christmases, but he hoped that his wife and brother-in-law would have grown up.

"Oh, that will help, a woman and two-year-old toddle, they will be just causalities...or living shields…" Don muttered, Lindsay and April who both heard that giggled.

Flack stopped at the kitchen door, his mother had taken an egg and played with it like it was walking on a wall and singing at the same time, "Humpty Dumpty, sat on the wall."

"That's Sean's favorite nursery rhyme, she actually hasn't gone mad…hopefully" Don muttered to Lindsay when uncle Ralf sang the other line, "Humpty Dumpty had a great fall." Sean squealed when his mother sang the third line, "And all the kings horses."

Flack recognized his opening and sang, "And all the kings men."

"Couldn't put Humpty together again." April finished the song. Sean squealed and clapped, then it registered to him that who had been one of the singers; he turned around and yelled "Un-ce," Like every other two-year old he couldn't pronounce l.

"Hi, squirrel." Sean got that nickname when Camille had dressed him as a squirrel for Halloween. Flack put April down and threw Sean into the air, Delanna and Camille gasped.

"What you're afraid of? You know very well that I wouldn't drop him."

"We know dear, but even with that knowledge, we always age ten years, when you do that." His mother raised her eyes from the eggs. Don only smirked to that.

"Santa!" Sean proclaimed from Flack's hip.

Don laughed, "Yes, Sean, Santa will come tonight and bring half of the present here and other half tomorrow morning," Sean squalled from the happiness. Suddenly he got serious he looked at Don and stated, "Unce Doe." Don raised his eyebrow; Lindsay bit her lip so she wouldn't laugh. Flack turned to his niece, "April?!"

"What, uncle Don," Lindsay couldn't seem to stay calm anymore and started giggling hard, April's innocent face was so similar to Dons that it was funny, "You know small children, they pick up everything you say."

Camille sent to her daughter one of those mothers' glares.

"Alright, alright! I taught him that yesterday. All day long, because he couldn't pick it up." At that Flack could only shook his head.

"You know the saying, Donny my boy," Ralf looked his nephew from the stove, "We spend the first twelve months of our children's lives teaching them to walk and talk, and the next Twenty-four years telling them to sit down and shut up!"

"Hey," April crossed her arms.

"Sorry, kiddo, but it's true."

When three of them – Ralf, April and Don - started arguing about that, Camille stepped beside Lindsay. "Could I talk to you?"

They went to Donald's study, Camille sat on the couch. "I wanted to apologize to you."

"For what?"

"You know very well for what… what my husband did to you. I don't know what to say, but I feel responsible."

"Camille, it's not your place to apologizing for your husband's doings."

"I know, but I feel guilty. I knew he was up to something and I didn't do anything. I just thought that maybe he was having an affair... and I was so embarrassed about that. I just wanted to pretend everything was ok, but if I had been braver… I…could have made a difference. It is partly my fault…and… I don't know how to live with my conscience."

"Camille, it is ok. It's not your fault! How could you have known? No-one did and who would have guessed that. He was your husband and Don's friend; I still haven't got any idea how you are actually coping with that. I admire you both and when we all support each other, we will get over it. I'm sure I would be going mad, if it had been Don…"

"No, he wouldn't..."

"We thought the same thing about Patrick… I'm sorry… When was the last time you cried Camille?"

"When guys came to tell me what he had done."

"You should cry. Cry and move on with your life and your children lives."

"I can't."

"Yes you can, and, well, you have to, for your children. Think what you have to go through, when Patrick gets death penalty..."

"I know." And then the tears came. They came so hard, that Lindsay couldn't do anything else but sat down on to the sofa and hold Camille. Strangely at that moment, she understood why Don wanted Patrick to be dead. Before it all had been like a dream for her, something in her wanted to forget and something always remember and now she felt the pain the hurt Patrick had caused.

Lindsay couldn't do anything, but let Camille to cry and it made her sob as well, but she tried to hide it. Camille's tears stopped fifteen minutes later, "Thank you and sorry."

"For what?"

"For listening and letting me use your shoulder to cry on, even when it hurt."

"No problem, my shoulder is getting better; few of your tears didn't to any harm to it." Camille laughed, and then they heard it, sudden whoosh and someone's groaning.

"It seems like mom and uncle Ralf is at it again." But in the living room was a picture they hadn't been waiting for, Danny was on his stomach and Mary was sitting top of him.

"What the hell is going on in here?" That was Don, who had come from the kitchen, he had to smirk at the picture that was in front of him, everyone else was doing the same.

Mary raised her eyes from the TV, "Well, Messer here wanted to teach me to fight, but it seems like he hadn't read my CV, or else he would know, that I have blue belt in karate." And that was it, everyone who had tried to hold back their laughter couldn't anymore. And as sudden as the laugh had began it stopped and everyone looked behind Don with shocked faces. Flack looked at them, then rolled his eyes, he had left his mother and uncle alone in the kitchen, he didn't know if he wanted to turn around but he had to. Behind him stood his uncle covered with flour, "Never, ever argue with your mother which kinds of spices to but into the sauce." He stomped into the bathroom. Everyone looked after him, then Delanna stepped out from the kitchen, "That should show him, ginger is better than cinnamon, yeah right!" And the living room was filled with laughter once again.


Everyone else were gone home, Don and Lindsay had decided to stay at Flack's parents' home. In the house everything was quiet, but outside, the wind had picked up and the light snowfall had turned into snowstorm. Don and Lindsay were lying on sofa in Donald's study before the fireplace. Flames were happily dancing in there when the clock stroke midnight.

Flack took a box out from the pocked, "Merry Christmas, angel."

Lindsay takes the box, "Yours is at home, Smoky."

"No problem, you can give me it later, now open it." Lindsay did like was said, in the box was a bracelet: a silver sword between a silver chain.

"Read the inscription."

Lindsay turned it around and in the other side of the sword were Gaelic words: Calma, dlisteanach, gra, muintearas go deo. She turned towards Flack with a puzzled face.

"In translation, angel, it means: Brave, loyal, love, friendship forever."

"It's beautiful, Smoky."

"As are you."

The snowstorm continued behind the windows, but inside before the fire everything was peaceful.


A/N: Next one you read from me will be the one parter what mjels won, you remember I had the competition who would guess who's the murderer and his motive. I don't know what will be the next fanfic I will write after that, but I have a vague idea, right now on one of my shoulders there is sitting Adam Cartwright and on the other is sitting little Joe Cartwright, who are telling me that I have a story about them in me. And they are threatening me that if I don't wrote a story off them they are staying in my head for all my life: play poker, argue and annoy me. So I'm still thinking about it, because what girl wouldn't want to have two handsome men living in his head. Okay that sounded very crazy. But, yes the one parter will be up soon, I'm writing it right know and I hope to finish it before my lectures start again.