A/N: This chapter is a little sappier than usual for me especially towards the end but hey, it is a Christmas story. Hope there's enough romance for you!

o-xxx-o

Christmas Eve:

Sue's pillow moved underneath her and she sighed contentedly when she found herself safely enveloped in Jack's arms. Lifting her head she gazed into sleepy chocolate-brown eyes. "Is something wrong?"

A-L-A-R-M he finger-spelled and she groaned, stretching and sliding her hand up his bare chest to pull his head down for a passionate, good-morning kiss.

"Keep that up and I may just stay here all day."

"As nice as that would be, we need to get up."

"I know," he sighed miserably giving her another quick kiss, or that was what it was supposed to have been until he found himself lying practically on top of her.

"You have to go to work, remember?"

His only response was a deep growl that she felt rather than saw.

"And I..." She wriggled her way out from under him. "...have to go shopping or you'll have a ravenous beast on your hands."

"Promises, promises..."

"I meant Levi!"

"Sorry," he signed unable to keep a chuckle at bay.

Sue stood hands on hips. "You need to shower and get dressed and I have to fix breakfast."

"Good luck with that." He grinned and narrowly managed to avoid a flying pillow.

When he walked into the kitchen almost thirty minutes later, she was sitting at the table looking extremely unhappy, her lithe body swamped in his robe. "I was looking for that. What's up?"

"I've searched everywhere and all I can offer you is black coffee without sugar or black coffee with sugar."

"I did warn you. I'll take it without."

She shook her head in disbelief.

"There's nothing wrong in starting the day with a good caffeine fix, ask Crash, he thrives on it." Walking to the sink he poured a glass of water, popped his heart pill into his mouth and washed it down.

Sue felt a cold shiver along her spine. No matter how many times she witnessed him doing that, she couldn't seem to get used to it. Noticing the strange expression on her face he came over and sat down, lightly touching her arm. "You okay?"

She mustered her brightest smile. "Fine... Is there any chance I could use your car today?"

He gave her an apologetic look. "Sorry, I have to make a couple of stops on the way in."

"Well, I can't exactly carry all the stuff we're going to need," she stated somewhat annoyed. "Maybe Charlie could lend me his tow truck? Or better still, perhaps Troy could steal a car for me."

"Okay, okay... you win. But it means you'll have to pick me up and I'll make my calls on the way home."

D-E-A-L

"And now I have to make a phone call."

"Who..?"

"Bobby, see if he can give me a ride to work."

"Aren't you going to finish your breakfast first?" She inquired sarcastically.

"No, that's okay. I'll get Crash to stop on the way."

"What about me?"

"Sorry."

"You will be..." She called after him as he escaped to the lounge, returning a couple of minutes later.

"Everything arranged?"

"He'll be here in about twenty minutes." He picked up his mug, grimacing when he found his coffee almost cold.

"I was thinking, if I'm picking you up at lunchtime, and by the way you're buying, I'll bring in the presents at the same time and once you've made your stops, we can shop for any last minute bits and pieces."

Jack groaned but agreed. "Gotta go, I'll see you about 12:00-12:30?" He bent to give her a kiss which deepened when she slipped her hand round the back of his neck, their tongues tangling as passion flared once more. Reluctantly, he tore himself away. "Really gotta go."

"Okay."

He sighed wistfully. "Your breakfast's getting cold."

"Funny guy"

"I try. Are you going to collect Levi?"

"...First thing on my list." He came back and kissed her again.

"I thought you had to go."

"I do."

"Well go on then."

"Nag, nag, nag..."

"I saw that!"

"Sorry."

"Would you please get out of here?"

He gave her a boyish grin and, with a wave of his hand, headed to the door.

o-xxx-o

From 11:45 onwards he'd been surreptitiously stealing glances at the clock above the door hoping nobody would notice, but a comment from Bobby told him that he'd failed miserably.

"Don't worry, Sparky, she'll be here soon enough."

"Yeah, I know."

"Finished those reports yet?"

"Just about..."

"What about the last two witnesses?" D asked entering the room.

"Sue's got the car so I'm seeing them on the way home. I'll call you with anything I find out."

"Ahh, the old 'I need the car so I can do your shopping' sting, I remember it well. Welcome to my world." He smiled sympathetically. "Okay people gather round, I have some new intel to pass on about the case."

They all turned towards the incident board, their backs to the door, so they didn't notice when Sue and Levi slipped in quietly and she sat on the edge of Tara's desk. The bullpen was exactly as she remembered it apart from her own desk and it wasn't until that moment that it hit her just how much she missed being part of the Unit. Levi tapped her leg and she looked up not able to mask the sadness on her face.

"You okay?" Jack signed with a worried frown.

"Yes," she lied.

"Ten minutes."

"Okay."

The briefing broke up and the rest of the team finally spotted her, each of them greeting her in their own way, even Myles seemed genuinely pleased to see her. Telling Levi to stay where he was she crossed the room to Jack's desk and put the bag she was carrying on the chair.

"I have presents." Tara squealed in delight as Sue handed them all out leaving Bobby looking somewhat embarrassed.

"Why doesn't anyone ever tell me these things?"

"I think the element of surprise might be lost if we did." Myles observed.

"Don't worry," Sue tried to comfort him. "It's the thought that counts."

"And obviously Koala Boy here thought he'd save himself a few dollars."

"I don't see you with any brightly wrapped packages, Harvard." He snapped back irritably.

"Wrong again, I'm afraid." He reached down, picked up a bottle bag from beside his chair and handed it to Sue. "...For your first Christmas dinner together."

"Thank you, Myles." Her face lit up in surprise

"You're very welcome and Jack, please remember that you're only supposed to sip it."

Sue laughed, earning herself an accusing stare.

"Now I really feel bad." Bobby sulked.

"I'll settle for a Christmas hug." Sue offered.

"That, I can do" He grinned wickedly, scooped her up, spinning her around in a circle and then kissing her.

"I'd like to see him try that on Jack." The Bostonian quipped and everyone laughed.

"Don't even think about it, Crash."

"Wouldn't dream of it mate, I'll just give Sue here yours."

"Okay, okay... Hands off, she's spoken for."

"Yes, but is she happy?"

To get his point across, Jack swept her into his arms and kissed her passionately, steadying her when she staggered backwards.

"Woohoo. That was some kiss, Sparky."

"I'd say she's extremely happy, sorry Bobby." D commiserated with him and the Aussie turned his attention to Levi.

"What about you Buddy? Are you doing anything for Christmas?"

Levi wagged his tail but followed Jack to his desk.

"Looks like that Aussie charm has finally let you down," Myles commented acerbically. "Maybe you should try that Tropical Delight aftershave again? It certainly worked on Toto."

"What's he got that I haven't?" Bobby asked the room in general.

"The list is long and I don't have that much time." Jack smirked. "I'm out of here. Have a Merry Christmas everyone and I'll see you all next year." Putting on his jacket, he returned to Sue's side. "Ready?"

"Almost..." She crossed the room to give Lucy a hug. "I'll call you. Merry Christmas... Give my love to your mom." She turned to the others "Merry Christmas, everyone."

"Merry Christmas" They replied in unison watching the pair as they left.

Bobby leaned back in his chair. "You know for a while there, I thought I'd never hear that again."

"What?" D questioned.

"Jack laughing..." Tara supplied, for once on the same wavelength as her colleague.

"Hold on a minute." Myles interjected snapping out of his reverie. "Did he just say he'd see us next year?"

"He did." The Supervisor confirmed.

"How is it he gets the whole week plus some off, and we have to be back here in four days?"

"It's simple Myles, he asked... and he needs the break."

"Don't we all?" The Bostonian groaned.

"Not as badly as he does." D stated firmly and Bobby's smile evaporated.

"Is Sparks okay?"

"Let's just say he excluded himself from those last two operations for a reason."

"Is he sick?" Tara persisted.

"He's been better but hopefully a week with Sue is all he needs. Now, if everyone's finished here, I think we might as well shut up shop."

"Kerching" Bobby hit the switch on his computer

"You'll get no argument from me." Myles concurred.

"Or us..." The girls agreed.

"Then I bid you all a fond farewell and a Merry Christmas."

o-xxx-o

"Finally," Jack sighed, juggling three shopping bags as he tried to get his keys from his pocket. "You're sure we have everything we need now?"

"I think so."

"We'd better. I don't think there's enough room in the apartment for anything else."

"You're the one who said you didn't want to shop again until the New Year."

Congratulating himself for not dropping anything, he pushed the door open with his foot and stepped back to let her in. Levi immediately walked to the rug and flopped down.

"I know just how you feel, Buddy." Ignoring the scowl on her face he made a dash for the kitchen barely getting there before one of the packages slid out of his grip. "Sue, is something wrong?"

"Not really." She sat down at the table, nibbling on her bottom lip.

"What is it, Sweetheart?"

"I'm sorry about earlier."

"I don't understand." He replied, genuinely confused.

"When you were interviewing that last witness... I shouldn't have butted in."

"Is that what's been bothering you all the way home?"

She nodded miserably and he sat down next to her taking her hand in his. "It wasn't a problem and anyway they were very good questions."

"But..."

"No buts... Actually, it felt like old times."

"It did, didn't it?" Her face brightened a little.

"Do you miss it?"

"Sometimes... I don't think I realised how much until I walked into the bullpen today."

"I do too," he confessed. "It felt good having you beside me again."

"Really..?"

"Really... Now do you want to give me a hand to put this lot away?"

She nodded happily and busied herself with assorted tins and packets before collecting up the presents they'd received and putting them under the tree with the others. "Switch the lights on for me."

"You've had your wish already."

"That was the 'decorating the tree' wish. This is the Christmas Eve wish."

"Another father-daughter thing..?" He asked smiling.

"No... A Sue thing..."

"Don't I get a wish?"

She considered the request carefully. "No, my tradition... my wish..." He looked disappointed and she relented immediately. "Okay, you can have this one."

"That's alright, like you said it's your tradition and besides, everything I'd wish for I already have."

"You're sure?"

"I'm sure. Ready?"

As he watched her close her eyes, an unexpected wave of tenderness washed over him and he kissed her lips softly as he flicked the switch.

"Wow..." She opened them again, her face alight with happiness. "You know that must be the first time I've ever made a wish and had it come true in the same breath. You can do it again if you like."

He closed the gap between them sliding his arms around her. "Your wish is my command."

o-xxx-o

As neither of them had found time for lunch they'd opted for an early dinner and now they were sitting in their usual place on the couch with Sue nestled in Jack's strong arms. Using a single finger, he tilted her chin and kissed her almost reverently. "So, are there any other Christmas Eve traditions I should know about?"

"Only one"

"And what's that?"

"Midnight Mass."

"Okay," he stretched his back and legs, trying unsuccessfully to stifle a yawn.

Sue stroked his cheek solicitously. "You're still very tired, aren't you?"

"I'll survive. I want this Christmas to be perfect so, if you want to go, we'll go."

"No, there'll be other years. Right now your health is far more important. I'm not ready to lose you just yet."

"You're not going to lose me," he assured her, holding her hand tightly in his. "Don't worry, I'm fine."

"I love you, its part of my job to worry." She settled herself against him again and almost fell onto the floor when he sat up.

"What time is it?"

"Just after 7:15."

"Good. Then we still have time if we hurry."

"Time for what..?" She asked confused.

"...Time to start a tradition of our own. Grab your coat, gloves and anything else you need to keep warm."

"Jack..! Where..."

"Go on or we'll be late."

"Late for what..?"

"You'll see."

She sat impatiently in the passenger seat of the car. "You're taking me to work?"

"No... We're parking in the F.B.I car park and then we walk."

"Where to..?"

"Wait and see..."

"If you weren't driving I'd hit you."

"Then it's lucky I am."

"It'll keep." She crossed her arms and stared ahead sulkily.

Parking in his usual spot, he walked round to open the door for her and checked his watch. "We'll have to hurry."

"Levi, come! You're taking me to the White House?"

"Close"

Suddenly it dawned on her. "The Ellipse..?"

"At last... There's a carol concert that starts in about..." he checked his watch again. "Twenty minutes."

"Won't it be packed out?"

"Of course, but Dog B... David isn't the only one with connections, you know."

As soon as they arrived he located one of the Security Team who took them to see his boss. The smile on Jack's face told her they were friends.

"Jack, it's good to see you." The man shook his hand vigorously.

"You too Andy, how are the wife and kids?"

"All fine. You here for the concert..?"

"Yeah, I was hoping we could find somewhere out of the crowd."

"No problem. Who's the beautiful lady?"

"Hi, I'm Sue."

"Andy..." Jack unconsciously slipped an arm around her waist in a possessive gesture.

"You two are..?"

"Yes."

"That's great but it might pose a problem, security and all that."

"Its okay, Sue's with the Bureau too. She's the Senior Investigative Analyst in Counter-Terrorism."

"I thought that was Ray what's-his-name. Did you hear about what went down the other day in..?"

Jack shook his head to cut him off before she could pick up on the conversation. "Sue's based in New York."

"Sorry, I didn't know. We'd better get a move on or you're going to miss the opening."

"We need somewhere close to the action."

Andy nodded. "I'll see what I can do." It was then he noticed Levi for the first time.

"Don't worry, he's F.B.I too..." Sue assured him. "He's my hearing dog."

"Some F.B.I Agent I am! You're the legendary Sue Thomas..."

"That's right."

"Pleased to meet you, come with me."

o-xxx-o

They strolled back to the F.B.I Building hand-in-hand at a far more leisurely pace. "Thank you, that was a wonderful idea and sorry I was a pain."

"That's okay."

The snow began to fall again as they reached the car and the drive back was completed in comparative silence as he concentrated on getting them home in one piece. Standing outside the door they brushed themselves down and Jack laughed when Levi shook the moisture from his coat.

"I'm glad he did that outside."

"Me, too"

After removing their outdoor clothing, Jack sank back down onto the couch.

"...Still tired?"

"Sorry, I don't know what's wrong with me lately."

"I do... Too much stress, too much worry and not enough sleep and it's mostly my fault."

"Don't be silly, you're here now safe and sound and that's all that matters. By the way, did I hear you singing along to Silent Night?" He asked deftly changing the subject.

She nodded. "It's my favourite carol."

"Mine too."

"...Although I usually sign the words at the same time."

"Do it for me?"

"Jack..."

"Please." He looked so worn out that she couldn't bring herself to disappoint him.

"Okay, but first I'll warn you the way I do everyone else... There are an awful lot of notes in this world and I like to use them all."

He smiled and settled back against the cushions. "I'll take my chances."

Jack sat completely entranced till the end and when he didn't say anything she looked at him nervously. "Was it that bad?" She cringed as she waited for his reply and he hastily cleared his throat.

"It was beautiful. You know something, Sue Thomas? It doesn't matter how long we've know each other, you still find ways to amaze me."

The look of sheer adoration on his face took her breath away. "Never boring"

"Never boring"

"I'm going to make myself some hot chocolate, would you like one?"

"Love it." He made a move to stand but she cut him off.

"You stay there, I'll get it."

"Thank you."

Draining the last dregs from her mug, Sue swung her feet onto the floor, "ready for bed?"

"Just about," his hand cupped the back of her head and pulling her down to his level he kissed her, gently at first and then with a growing need until they were forced apart to breathe.

"I thought you were tired?"

"I am, but I could be a hundred years old and drawing my last breaths and I'd still find the energy to make love to you."

"I might hold you to that, especially the living till you're a hundred, part." She stood up tugging him with her and led him to the bedroom.

Sometime later Jack lay on his back, his right arm under his head and the other cradling her against him as she rested on his shoulder tracing lazy patterns on his bare skin while his breathing slowly returned to normal.

"It's Christmas Day."

He glanced at the bedside clock. "So it is."

Sue pressed her lips to his chest. "Merry Christmas, my Love."

He planted soft kisses on her hair and forehead. "Merry Christmas, my Life."

Their mouths met once more and then he reached out to turn off the lamp.

o-xxx-o