Great story.

Oh I'm coming to this late and at the wrong time of year, but who the hell cares? This was beautiful and it had me crying! And I wish I could tell you this means I'm "back" but...maybe soon. My sister is moving to Des Moines. No guarantee I'll be able to pick up where I left off on those two stories if anybody is even still interested, but I'll give it a good hard try.

I might be reading this late but it's still the perfect Christmas gift. Not just the t-shirts and plaque but the giving of each other. I am so impressed at how you wove the romance and humor together without losing the essence of the characters. This story is a perfect example of what could've and should've been. Thanks for sharing. :)

ahhh I can't believe I didn't see this. very nice indeed.

This was a beautiful story. You managed to keep them both very in character and still write wonderful, romantic Lassiet story and slipling some Psychy humor in it. The dialogue was very easy going and really seemed natural, perfectly lined up with great descriptions. I was actually able to see it all happening on the show, and that only made it better.
My favorite parts:
1. People like his partner. His best friend. His confidant, when he dared. His challenger. His greatest supporter, and his conscience when he'd temporarily misplaced his own.

That they were all the same person surprised him for only a moment.

That he loved her didn't surprise him at all.
2. Juliet dressed as Santa's elf.
3."'It's all fun and games until somebody loses a nut.'
4. Juliet patted his chest after setting the plaque down, letting her hand linger over his heart. "I started seeing you, Carlton. The man you are behind the glaring. I mean… I started seeing how you were with me. When it was just us. I always knew you were the most decent of men, especially after a good cup of coffee—" She paused to kiss his smiling face. "But after you rescued me—and I don't mean the actual moment of you rescuing me, but later, at dawn, when you let me fall apart on you—I started seeing you."

He studied her face, searching her eyes, wondering what she really had seen.

"And I started seeing… us."

Those chills were back.

"Or the possibility of us, anyway. I knew you'd be a tough nut to crack, and besides I still had to put some distance between me and Yin."

"I haven't asked you in awhile," he said soberly, feeling regret. "How you were doing. You seemed to be back but I should have asked."

"You didn't need to, because you read me right: I am back. I'm not the same, but I'm back. And I'm here, Carlton."

Her hair was soft against his fingertips. "But are you sure this is the best place for you to be?"

"It's the only place," she said with certainty. "Here with you, in front of our tree. Our first Christmas tree."
My only comments: 1) damn right, 2) sooooo cute, 3) LOL and 4) aww.
*Applause*

This is the like third time I'm reading this. :) After reading this, I would like to quote Lassiter: Best. Christmas. Ever.

After reading this, I'm not completely convinced that you're not Santa Claus. :)

I keep coming back and reading it over and over. It's the Christmas gift that keeps on giving.

Aww... you and obsessedwithstabler are on a post-Christmas *roll*, and a much-needed one for us (we...?) Lassiet writers/fans. Well done, and very sweet, in spite of the presence of Kenny G ("Zzzzzzz...") and those nasty squirrels. Carlton didn't stand a chance, did he? ;)

OMG YES! That's all I need to say

Awww.. I love those two. Great job. :)

Have yourself a merry little Christmas, indeed!

Besides, there are twelve days of Christmas, so this is well within the deadlines.

In other words, YAY! And wheee! And awwwwwwww...

Fits completely within the parameters of their relationship at that point in the series—it's very easy to imagine this as a direction the writers *could* have gone. Which is what makes fanfic such a very lovely thing. *nods*

I loved this far more than I should have. 3