Challenge Answer
by Katherine

Chris stepped inside, shutting the door quietly behind him. He shivered, glad to be out of the cold and in where it was warm. He striped out of his hat, coat and boots before moving further into the house.

The fire, though banked for the evening, provided enough warmth and illumination for him to see the living room clearly. Well the fire and the lights on the christmas tree. The youngest member of the team had insisted they get lights that could be set to twinkle, flash, chase, and God only knew what else. He was pleased to see that someone had set the lights to glow steadily. He preferred that setting to any of the others JD had played with the day before.

Chris pursed his lips as he regarded the tree. It looked good. First one he'd had in some time, and he had been surprised by how much he'd missed the traditional trappings of the holidays. Buck had been like a big kid when Chris had mentioned decorating the house. The whole team had helped make the house over into something festive. Something it hadn't been since Sarah and Adam died.

He shook himself from his reverie and frowned. The tree should have been turned off. Sarah had always worried that the lights might get hot enough to set the tree ablaze, and since her death, Chris harbored similar fears. He started for the tree intent on unplugging it when a soft sigh drew his attention to the sofa.

Ezra lay curled up on his side, the throw that normally covered the back of the couch now covered him. Only his head and face were visible as he snuggled into the couch. Chris paused to study the sleeping man who'd wrot such changes in his life, who gave him reason to want to celebrate again, to reenter the world of the living.

Without conscious thought, Chris changed direction and headed for the couch. He crouched down to put himself at Ezra's level and reached out to tenderly caress Ezra's cheek, taking pleasure in the fact that the younger man didn't flinch or start at his touch the way would had it been some one else. Even in his sleep, Ezra knew it was him, knew he had nothing to fear.

Sleepy green eyes opened slowly. Ezra smiled at him. "You're home."

"I'm home." Chris agreed with a smile, finding the warmth of Ezra's tone to be even more welcome than what the fire provided.