It took two months before Halt was released from the medical wing and could return home with the stipulation that someone stay with him. Crowley had offered but was (much to his relief) turned down. Halt returned to his cabin alone much to the doctor's displeasure but insisted that he didn't need 'babying.' He sank down onto the chair on his porch easily with a sigh. "You actually thought you could get away with being left alone after just being on the edge of death?!" a voice cut the silence. Halt let his eyes drift shut and smirked not surprised by the voice "a small part of me yes but I suppose I should have known better." Pauline stepped up onto the porch from beside the house "yes you should have… especially around the holidays" she said with a smile sitting easily on a chair next to him. He gave a half grin at her "I am not much for the holidays" he said. "So I've noticed" she said with a soft smile "perhaps I can get you into the spirit this year?" He cocked a brow at her "and how do you plan on doing that?" Pauline's smile broadened "I thought you might be curious… come inside and let's get you settled and I'll show you" she said helping him stand carefully knowing though most of his wounds had healed broken bones were still on the mend.
A few hours later as the temperature dropped and the first snow began to fall Pauline and Halt sat on the small padded sofa in front of the fire place which had a lovely crackling fire in it both of them were nursing respective hot alcoholic beverages. Both were in quite the happy fog as they rested together Halt's feet propped up on the coffee table and Pauline curled happily into his side her head on his shoulder his cheek resting against her hair. They hadn't spoken since they had curled into that position they didn't need to, the embrace was simple but happy and said everything it needed too. Halt nuzzled softly against her hair the whiskey settling into his system giving him a warm tingling inside, he sighed contently. Pauline smiled up at him, how had she tried to run this man away, he was perfect. He looked down into her sparkling eyes how had she let her walk away from him two years ago he should have gone after her. She rested her forehead against his and let her eyes shut just letting him feel how content she was he returned the simple gesture happily he had never felt so close to anyone before she brought out the good in him burying his gruff and grim nature when it was just the two of them like this he would never understand how she did it.
Halt raised his splinted hand tracing the tips of his fingers over her cheek gently his other hand setting his Hibernian coffee on the end table. She could taste the sweet but strong alcohol on his breath as he leaned into her and their lips met. She couldn't help but melt into him maybe that coffee had loosened her mind a bit too because she kissed him like she had never kissed him before deeply and filled with a passion that surprised him but he enjoyed all the same. Perhaps he should celebrate the holidays more often he thought with a smile.