A/N: This chapter is inspired by the song "Baby It's Cold Outside," I decided to use the Idina Manzel, Michale Bublè version. Happy Holidays and to everyone celebrating, have a very Merry Christmas! Special shoutout to my girls Windbound and Zygon24! Thanks for always inspiring me to do my best!

We're curled up on the sofa currently half way through A Christmas Story and I'm trying to think of all the ways I can convince Sara to stay in tonight. I know it's been a tradition for her and the guys to meet up and exchange funny gifts but I'm selfish and I don't feel like sharing her with anyone. Well except Hank. I sometimes worry if Hank had to choose I'd be on the curb before I knew what hit me.

I'm slowly rubbing circles on her hip as I slide my hand upwards, under her sweatshirt. Her skin has always fascinated me. Smooth like porcelain. Sara has just returned from taking Hank for a quick walk around the block and now we've continued with our movie marathon. My hands keep slowly drifting higher till one of hers covers mine and I flinch. Her hands are freezing! It is the coldest December in decades and her hands are a reminder of that. She lets out a giggle as I flinch (not shriek) and in return I reward her by tickling her ribcage. Did I mention that I have learned that Sara Sidle is immensely ticklish?

"I see what you're trying to do," she says breathlessly as I give her a reprieve.

I give her my best innocent little boy face shrugging as if I have no idea what she's talking about.

I really can't stay

(Baby, it's cold outside)

I've got to go away

(Baby, it's cold outside)

This evening has been

(Hoping that you'd drop in)

So, very nice

(I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice)

Gil is trying his best to keep me from going out (I feel the hand resting on my hip slowly creeping under my sweatshirt). Truth be told he doesn't have to try very hard. For the first time since I can remember I have no need for the company of others to distract me from the fact that another holiday season has come to pass and I'm single. He thinks he can successfully distract me but I can't let him know how easy of a job that is so I place one of my cold hands on top of his, getting a shriek in return. I can't help the giggle that slips past my lips at his reaction and it just reminds me of how I'm perfectly content never leaving this couch again.

My second year in Vegas, me and the guys started our own little Chrismtmas tradition. A few days before Christmas, Warrick, Greg, Nick and I would gather for a drink and exchange ridiculous white elephant gifts. Greg's are always over the top but it gives everyone a good laugh. So in about an hour from now I have to start getting ready.

Did I mention that it's currently the coldest December on record in over 50 years in Las Vegas and after walking Hank a few minutes ago I'm in no rush to go back out? In fact, just two days ago there were snow flurries and while they lasted for less than an hour, it was a sight to behold. It reminded me of my first winter at Harvard. I remember the first snowfall. My roommate thought I was crazy just standing out in the winter wonderland with no jacket, but when you grow up in a place with no snow, the first big storm you witness is something special.

So of course the second flurries started falling Greg was already making plans for a snow fort and a grave versus days snowball fight. I pointed out that the snow was likely to last all of an hour and not likely to stick but that did nothing to dampen his childlike enthusiasm.

Back to the present and Gil and I are are snuggled up on the sofa watching a Christmas movie marathon while we munch on homemade peanut brittle and fudge. I have never been the cooking type but Gil has been teaching me and these were two favorites from his childhood that we made together. We finished our first official tree last weekend and I've never had so much fun decorating a tree. I decorated one with my mother once when I was little but my dad tore it down and we never decorated another one after that. I was surprised when Gil took me to a christmas tree lot telling me he wanted us to get a tree. I was honored and tried desperately not to cry when he mentioned he hadn't put one up since his dad died and this was the first time in nearly forty years that he felt like he had something to celebrate.

You can see why leaving our cozy living room with Hank softly snoring at our feet is not high on my list of to dos. I love the guys but for the first time in my life, the holidays are something magical and I'm happy to stay cocooned in our little bubble only leaving for work even if I have no idea how'd I explain my absence, especially to Greg.

My mother will start to worry

(Beautiful, what's your hurry?)

My father will be pacing the floor

(Listen to that fireplace roar)

So, really I'd better scurry

(Beautiful, please don't hurry)

But maybe just a half a drink more

(I'll put some records on while I pour)

I'm determined to have her stay so I'm employing every trick in my arsenal. I refill her glass of hot cocoa and make a heart out of the little marshmallows I put in the mug. Sara is a sucker for cute stuff like that. Next I whistle for Hank. He jumps on the couch curling up at the end, his head resting on her legs. If I can't use my charm to convince her to stay I can always use some loving restraints in the form of our drooly fur baby.

She throws me a look over her shoulder as if to say she's on to me and all I can do is smile while I give her a quick kiss. She leans back against my chest and I realize I'm going to need to up my game. I softly run my fingers through her curls before brushing away her hair from one shoulder. This allows me to place gentle kisses down the side of her neck. She lets out a soft sigh and I can feel victory within my grasp.

The neighbors might think

(Baby, it's bad out there)

Say, what's in this drink?

(No cabs to be had out there)

I wish I knew how

(Your eyes are like starlight now)

To break this spell

(I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell)

I'm desperately trying to remain unaffected by Gil's advances and I feel that I'm failing miserably. He brought me hot chocolate with the little marshmallows arranged in a heart shape and then he even got Hank involved, having him rest his head on my legs. He knows I'm a sucker for that stuff.

I finally get my wits about me when I feel him brushing the hair off my shoulder and it takes all I have in me not to shudder. It takes him a moment to make his next move and at first I feel like that was it until he places a feather soft kiss on the side of my neck. I can't help the sigh that escapes my lips as I melt under his touch. You think the guys will buy that my car wouldn't start?

I ought to say, "No, no, no sir"

(Mind if I move in closer?)

At least I'm gonna say that I tried

(What's the sense in hurting my pride?)

I really can't stay

(Baby, don't hold out)

(Baby, it's cold outside)

Ugh, you're very pushy, you know?

(I'd like to think of it as opportunistic)

My sensual assault on her neck continues as I feel her shiver.

"You simply can't go out in this cold. Why, you're shivering already and you haven't even made it outside yet," I say huskily.

The more I try to convince Sara to stay the more I realize that there is no way I can let her leave now. I was prepared to do my best to convince her to stay, but ultimately I was ready to let her go if I had to. Now there's no way she's leaving, my heart won't allow it. This woman is right where she belongs and I attend to do everything in my power to make sure she stays. Maybe the guys will believe her car didn't start?

I simply must go

(Baby, it's cold outside)

The answer is, "No"

(But, baby, it's cold outside)

The welcome has been

(How lucky that you dropped in)

So nice and warm

(Look out the window at that storm)

As Gil's assault on my neck continues I can't help but shiver. This man is dangerous and he knows it. I had been attracted to the man for years and I just knew that if we ever got together that reality would be far better than any fantasy, but even I was taken aback by how sensual and loving this man is. If I didn't know better I'd swear this man had a PhD in seduction rather than entomology. If I have any chance of making it out the door later I need to take control of this situation. I quickly spin around, taking him by surprise as I straddle his waist giving him my best, I mean business face. Think he'll buy it?

For a minute I think I have regained some control as he remains silent, until I notice him staring at my lips. Then he looks up and his eyes have darkened, now almost navy in color. This is bad. How am I ever going to leave now?

My sister will be suspicious

(Gosh, your lips look delicious)

My brother will be there at the door

(Waves upon a tropical shore)

My maiden aunt's mind is vicious

(Gosh, your lips are delicious)

But maybe just cigarette more

(Never such a blizzard before)

At some point my assault on her neck is thwarted as she spins around effectively straddling my lap. The look on her face means business but I don't think she realizes I'm too far gone to be intimidated. I stare at her lips. Oh those lips. Sara Sidle has the softest lips of any woman I've ever met. She is religious with moisturizer and chapsticks saying the desert sun is brutal if she isn't but it's more than that. From our first kiss I knew that this woman was made specifically for me and I silently curse myself for all the years I made us both suffer because of my foolishness.

But enough of my self loathing I have a job to do. I cup her cheek while slowly caressing it with my thumb before I give her a quick but sensual kiss. Her eyes close and I know she's not going anywhere no matter what she might say.

"Gil," she says in between another kiss.

"Yes?" I say as another kiss graces her lips.

"I really have to go. I have no legitimate excuse for not going. I'm off tonight and they're on so I can't say I got called in before them," she's trying to put up a valiant fight here but I know I've already won the war.

"Just tell them your dog ate your car keys," I say as I go in for a longer kiss this time but her giggles make my job more difficult.

"Oh yeah that will work. They don't even know I have a dog. Imagine the questions? Plus you know Nick will demand to see it because he loves dogs."

She's talking way too much for my liking so I realize I need to up the ante with my kisses here. It works but only for a moment before she's talking again and I sigh in frustration.

"Gil! This is serious."

"I agree," I say, kissing her again.

"Just tell them your car wouldn't start," I say, giving her another kiss.

"Greg will insist on picking me up," she tries to sound serious but her voice is wavering.

"You're sick then. So sick you're worried about infecting others," I say as I continue my onslaught.

"Sick? But I just spoke to Greg a few hours ago and I was fine."

"But you've recently been bitten by the amare cimex and the disease they carry spreads rapidly," I'm holding back a smile at my words waiting for her to figure it out.

"Amare cimex?" She looks puzzled before her high school latin classes kick in and she gives me a dubious look followed by a giggle.

"You want me to tell Greg I was bitten by the love bug?" she says in utter disbelief.

"Their bite is not something to laugh at," I say. "Love sickness is a very serious condition in which you must be closely monitored for the next 24 hours," I mutter as I give her another kiss.

I've got to get home

(Baby, you'll freeze out there)

Say, lend me your comb?

(It's up to your knees out there)

You've really been grand

(I thrill when I touch your hand)

But don't you see?

(How can you do this thing to me?)

So I obviously didn't think my plan through because straddling his waist when he gives me that look is my undoing. Oh I try desperately to seem unaffected but then he cups my cheek before giving me a quick tender kiss and it's all I can do not to melt right then and there.

I make another feeble attempt at regaining some control telling him that this is serious and that I had no legitimate excuse for not going with the guys. In between kisses he tells me to tell them my dog ate my car keys.

I can't stifle the giggles that result from his comment and launch into a tirade of why that won't work. Gil seems to give little care to my predicament as he offers excuse after excuse. My car wouldn't start or I'm seriously ill. That one makes me give him an incredulous look. He knows I spoke to Greg mere hours ago and I was in no way seriously ill. Then he gives me the most preposterous excuse yet. I've been bit by the amare cimex. It takes me a minute to decipher the meaning, calling on my high school latin classes, but when I do I'm filled with warmth. This man is beyond adorable. I just wish he saw himself the way I do. No one sees him the way I do. Initially I wished everyone could see him this way but then I got a little selfish. I'm honored to be the only one who knows the emotional side to this fiercely private man.

At that moment I made an executive decision. I am by nature the antithesis of a selfish person but you only live once and now that I know what it's like to truly live life to fullest I am going to be a little selfish. I push off Gil's lap before heading into the kitchen to grab my cell which is charging on the island.

"Hey Greg I hate to do this last minute but I'm not going to make it tonight," I say into the phone.

Greg of course sounds worried wondering if everything is ok. I told him I had gone to my storage locker in my building's basement looking for something when I got bit. I wasn't sure what it was but it was painful and my hand started to swell and itch. He's very concerned now and urges me to see a doctor. I told him I actually called Grissom and he was able to determine what had bit me.

"He said it was some kind of orb spider and not lethal. My hand would just hurt for a day or two. He advised taking some antihistamines and some pain killers. I'll be fine but I'll likely fall asleep on you guys," I say trying my best to sound convincing which is getting hard since Gil has relocated to the kitchen and has resumed his assault on the back of my neck.

Greg is relieved and thankful Grissom was around to help. I feel bad for lying but considering I usually never do anything like this I'm willing to take the karmic hit.

For the first time in my life I feel really and truly loved and I'm going to revel in it. I'm sure the guys will be asking me tomorrow about my bite and just as sure it will dominate their conversations tonight but for once I don't care.

There's bound to be talk tomorrow

(Think of my life-long sorrow)

At least there will be plenty implied

(If you got pneumonia and died)

I really can't stay

(Get over that hold out)

Baby, it's cold

Baby, it's cold outside

Okay, fine, just another drink

That took a lot of convincing

She hangs up the phone and turns around trying to look annoyed but failing miserably. I kiss her until a bright smile lights up her face and she wraps her arms around my waist resting her head on my chest.

"See that wasn't so hard was it?" I say.

She laughs as she hugs me tighter. When I was a young child the holidays were always filled with such warmth and love. I almost forgot how wonderful that was.

"Didn't you say with my particular illness I needed to be closely monitored?" She says with a gleam in her eye.

I pick her up, throwing her over my shoulder as I make my way to the bedroom. She squeals before asking me what I'm doing.

"I am ensuring you have very close monitoring. In fact I think to be sure the disease isn't spreading I needed to do a thorough investigation of your entire body. For scientific purposes of course."

The laughter that follows lets me know that this year it is going to be a very Merry Christmas indeed.