Title: The Christmas Gift
Author: Carina Scott
Pairing: Warrick/Jim
Rating: FRAO
Summary: Warrick gets a surprise Christmas gift.
Story Notes: The poem featured in this fic was taken from http://www.poemsforfree.com/meani2.html
Author's Note: This is for Tonya. I hope you enjoy it.

~*~

Warrick couldn't believe it. His wife had thrown him out on Christmas EVE! Who the hell did that?

And now he was stuck checking in to a motel, a cheesy one at that considering most hotels had no vacancies because of the holiday. Normally he would have crashed at Nick's, but Nick was out of town visiting his family for the Christmas Holiday. He had called Nick and told him what was going on because he needed someone to talk to. Of course, being the generous friend that he was, Nick, who had given Warrick a key to his condo in case of emergencies, told Warrick to stay at his place until he figured it out. Warrick thought about it, but declined. He just didn't feel comfortable being in Nick's apartment without him being there. Nick tried to convince him that it was cool, but Warrick still refused.

Taking the key the hotel clerk gave him, Warrick picked up his bags and headed towards the elevator. When the doors opened, the last thing Warrick expected to see was Jim Brass. But nevertheless, there he was, exiting the elevator with two other officers. When he noticed Warrick, he frowned.

"What are you doing here? Don't tell me Grissom sent you down here. I told him we didn't need any help the case is open and shut."

"Whoa, Brass. Calm down. Gil didn't send me down here."

"Then what are you doing here?"

Fidgeting in embarrassment, Warrick dangled the key in front of Jim, "I just checked in."

"What? Why aren't you at home?"

"Well, according to Tina I am scum, so she kicked me out. And I really didn't feel like causing a scene, and waking the neighbors, so I left."

"Oh Warrick, I'm sorry," Jim replied. He truly was sorry that Warrick was hurt, but elated that he was having problems with Tina.

"Me too. Anyway, I gotta go, need to get some sleep," Warrick lied. He didn't really want to be alone, but he didn't want anyone's pity.

"Okay, I'll see you Rick," Jim replied as he turned to leave, seeing Warrick push the button for the elevator.

For whatever reason, Warrick felt a slight disappointment when he saw Jim turning to leave. Trying to ignore it, Warrick was startled when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Hey Warrick, why don't you come spend a few days at my house until you sort things out. Nobody should spend Christmas Eve in a hotel. I've already wrapped up my case, and the paperwork can wait another day. What do you say?" Jim asked as Warrick turned to look at him.

"Thanks Jim, but I don't want to inconvenience you. I'm sure you have better things to do."

'And exactly what would be better than spending Christmas Eve with the man of my fantasies?' Jim thought as he shook his head. "Warrick, the only thing I had planned for this Christmas was to spend it alone with a bottle of bourbon and some old Christmas movies. Believe me, the last thing you would be is an inconvenience."

Smiling, Warrick switched his bag to the opposite hand. "Okay Jim, let me return the key, and try to get a refund, and I'll meet you in the parking lot."

"Alright. I'll be waiting by my truck," Jim said with a smile that was threatening to break his face. He might look like a grinning fool, but at the moment he couldn't really bring himself to care.

Turning towards the front desk, Warrick felt surprisingly happy. He had figured he would feel too upset and angry to enjoy an evening with Jim; but the butterflies in his stomach were telling a different story. He was nervous, and he didn't know why.

As he approached the desk he heard the desk clerk talking to a young couple that looked like they hadn't had it all that great this year.

"I'm sorry sir, but this is not enough to cover the room for the night. Maybe you should try a cheaper hotel," stated the clerk in obvious annoyance.

Cheaper? Warrick was certain that any hotel that was cheaper was probably unsafe. And considering the young lady was pregnant, Warrick wasn't so sure that it was a great idea for them to even look at a cheaper hotel.

The couple moved to the side as the clerk dismissed them and turned his attentions to Warrick. "And how can I help you sir?"

"Well, I just checked in, but things have changed and I won't need the room after all."

"I'm sorry sir, but we can't give you a refund for a room unless it's cancelled at least 24 hours in advance," said the clerk.

"That's okay. I don't want to cancel the room. Actually, you see that couple over there, the one you rudely dismissed?" Warrick said as he gestured to the young couple that had moved to stand closer to the door.

Looking rather embarrassed, the clerk blushed as he shook his head, "Yes sir, what about them?"

"I would like you to give them my room for the night. And I would also like you to charge room service for two dinners to my credit card. Think you can handle that?" Warrick asked as he handed his card over.

"Yes sir," replied the flustered clerk as he took the card and began making the changes and adjustments to Warrick's bill for the additional services he had requested. "Is there anything else I can do for you tonight sir?"

"Just have a Merry Christmas," Warrick replied as he placed his credit card in his wallet. Walking over to the couple that was standing near the window of the lobby, Warrick spoke to them quickly.

"The young man at the desk would like to speak to you." Watching them hurry over to the desk, Warrick walked out of the hotel to his car, only to find that Jim was parked next to him in the parking lot, and was sitting in his truck.

Warrick walked over to the passenger side of Jim's truck as Jim let the window down. "Jim, are you sure about this?"

"Warrick, I'm sure. Now get in your car and follow me."

"Okay." Warrick said as he turned and got in his car. Starting the car, Warrick pulled out of the parking lot and followed Jim to his house.

~*~

The last thing Warrick expected when he entered Jim's house was to find a fully decorated tree in the corner of the living room, as well as beautiful Christmas decorations throughout. "This is very nice Jim. Did you decorate it yourself?" asked Warrick, certain that Jim must have had help.

Seeing the look of disbelief on Warrick's face, Jim smiled, "Yes, I did all the decorating. Is it really that unbelievable?"

"Honestly? Yeah, it kinda is. You don't strike me as the decorating type," Warrick replied as he followed Jim into the kitchen.

Grabbing two beers from the fridge, Jim handed one to Warrick. "Well, I used to decorate with Ellie when she was younger. She loved to decorate the tree, even thought she could only do the bottom half. But after I divorced her mother, I hardly saw her during the holidays. I decorate every year to kinda keep those memories of better times alive. Maybe one day she'll help me decorate the whole tree," Jim replied, as he remembered the times before his relationship with Ellie had taken a turn for the worst.

"I hope that happens for you Jim," Warrick said, sensing this was a painful subject for Jim.

Trying to change the mood of the conversation, Jim placed his beer on the counter, "Come on; let me show you where you'll be sleeping before your hand falls off from holding that bag."

With one last swig of his beer, Warrick followed Jim down the hall, spotting the bathroom as he went. Jim brought him to the end of the hall where he entered a spacious bedroom, tastefully decorated in a neutral palette. "Well, make yourself comfortable. If you want to shower, I'm sure you saw the bathroom on the way. There's an extra robe in the closet, it might be a bit short on you, but if you want to, you can use it. Clean towels are in the bathroom cabinet."

"Thanks Jim," Warrick said as he placed his bag next to the bed.

"No problem. Do you like chili?"

"Sure. Is it homemade?"

"If I heat it up on the stove does that count?"

Laughing, Warrick nodded, "Of course, that's how I make it."

"Well, in that case. Yes, it is homemade. I'll heat it up," Jim replied as he walked out of the room, stopping when Warrick called his name.

"Hey Jim. Thanks for letting me crash here. I really appreciate it."

"Don't mention it." Jim said before he made his escape down the hall.

~*~

Fifteen minutes later, Jim had the chili hot, and split between two large bowls. Assuming Warrick was likely finished with his shower, Jim went to the guest bedroom to call him for dinner.

When he knocked on the door, it moved slightly and he could see Warrick standing in the middle of the room. One towel was tied around his waist, and he was drying his hair with the other one. Obviously Jim's knock startled him, because he turned towards the door quickly.

Big mistake. The towel that was around his waist came undone and fluttered to the floor. Leaving him fully exposed.

"Oh shit," Warrick said as he pulled the towel up to cover himself. But it was too late, Jim had already seen everything.

"Umm, I just came to tell you that dinner is ready." Jim replied licking his suddenly dry lips.

"Yeah, I'll be out in a minute. Just let me grab some clothes." When Jim didn't move, Warrick looked at him in confusion. "Jim, are you okay?"

"Hmm? Yeah, I'm fine," Jim replied all the while making his way closer to Warrick.

"Are you sure," Warrick asked, unable to stop his heart from pounding in excitement due to the look of lust in Jim's eyes.

"No," Jim whispered before pulling Warrick to him and devouring his mouth with a deep kiss.

Realizing what he had done, Jim quickly pushed Warrick away, stumbling backwards. "Warrick, I am so sorry. I didn't mean to do that."

"Jim--"

"I know. It was wrong. Look, you can sleep here tonight, but if you want to leave tomorrow, I'll understand. I'm sorry," And with that last stuttered apology, Jim turned to hurry into the living room.

Warrick quickly pulled on a pair of boxers, before running after Jim, who he found standing at the kitchen sink.

Walking towards Jim quickly, Warrick turned Jim to face him. Jim looked as if he were a frightened deer caught in the headlights. Before he could apologize yet again, Warrick kissed him furiously. When Jim opened his mouth to speak, Warrick took it as an invitation and began to explore Jim's mouth in earnest.

Realizing that he was being kissed rather than punched, Jim moaned at the onslaught, and wrapped his arms around Warrick's waist, pulling him closer. They kissed for a long while, before breathing became an absolute necessity. And they broke apart.

Panting, they both looked at one another, as they tried to catch their breath.

Warrick was the first to recover. "So,"

"Yeah," Jim replied, still a little breathless.

Moving back, Warrick leaned against the stove. "Jim, look, I know that this was not something you planned when you asked me over."

"No, it wasn't."

"But I'm still happy it happened. What about you?"

"Are you kidding? Didn't I kiss you first?"

"Yeah, but then you ran like Satan was at your heels."

"Only because I thought you were gonna punch me."

"You really thought I was gonna hit you?"

"Yeah. Until you kissed me."

"Hmm. Well, that was the furthest thing from my mind."

"So, what do you think we should do now?"

"I have plenty of ideas," Warrick said with a waggle of his brows.

Swallowing hard, Jim replied, "Warrick, I can't think of anything I'd love more. But you are still married."

"I know, but it's only a formality. Jim, Tina and I have been having problems for months. I guess I had been trying to ignore it, but obviously Tina didn't feel like doing that anymore. But I understand what you're saying."

"I just don't want this to be a rebound kinda thing."

"It won't be. I've had feelings for you for a long time, but I never assumed you would even be interested. Then I met Tina, and after Nick's ordeal, it just seemed like I needed to find someone to share my life with. I thought Tina was that person, but I was wrong. We jumped into something we weren't ready for. I don't want to do that with you."

"Good, because as much as I want you right now, I think it's best if we take it slow. At least, no sex until after you are divorced."

"I think I can handle that. It won't be easy, but I think you're right."

"Believe me, it definitely won't be easy," Jim said with a smile. Looking at the table, Jim asked, "So, do you still want that chili?"

"Of course. Just let me grab some pants."

"Oh please, don't change on my account."

"You are such an ass," Warrick replied with a laugh, already headed to the bedroom.

~*~

As they washed the dinner dishes, Warrick kept glancing over at Jim, who was wondering why. "What's wrong Rick?"

Drying the last dish, Warrick placed it in the cabinet before answering. "I have a question, it's kinda silly though."

"Try me."

"I know we said we were taking things slow, but does that include kissing."

"No." Jim had barely got the answer out before Warrick was kissing him.

Breaking apart, both men breathless, Warrick smiled, "Good."

~*~

The next morning, Warrick woke to the smell of coffee. He was a little sore, but he was very happy. He and Jim had been watching A Christmas Story the night before, and they had fallen asleep on the couch together.

Warrick hadn't been this happy in a long while, and it was a feeling he could get used to.

"Hey sleepyhead. Figured you might want something to help wake you up." Jim said as he entered the living room, handing Warrick a steaming mug of coffee.

Taking a sip, Warrick smiled, "This is great."

Jim sat down on the sofa next to Warrick and the two men sipped their coffee in comfortable coffee.

Placing his empty mug on the coffee table, Jim turned to Warrick. "Warrick, did you call anyone and tell them you were here?"

"No. I meant to call Nick, but I figured I would wait until today. Why?"

Warrick watched as Jim walked over to the table by his front door picking up an envelope. "When I went to check my mail this morning, forgetting that it's a holiday, I found this on the doorstep. I know it wasn't there last night, but it had your name on it."

"Me?" Warrick asked as he took the offered envelope. Slowly, he tore the envelope open to find a letter. Unfolding the letter, he read:

Meaning has no meaning without love,
Elevating sentience to desire.
Reason has no reason to approve
Revelation unsustained by fire.
Yearn, then, with the recklessness of burning,
Coming hungry to the Christmas table,
Holding tight the objects of your yearning,
Ready to find kings within the stable.
In you there is a love that brings to being
Such beauty as you cannot hope to see,
Too simple and too glorious for seeing,
Making it a sacrament to be.
As love gives wings their will and words their song,
So may it give you faith your whole life long.

Thank you for your gracious gift. May the love you deserve find you this Christmas Day.

Remembering the man and woman from the hotel, Warrick smiled. Looking at Jim, he thought that maybe, just maybe he'd found that love after all.

THE END