A/N: Okay so first off, big thank yous to everyone who has reviewed on this story. Second, for all you E/P fans, here's a special Bonus Extra Scene, just for my lovely fellow shippers to squee over (I'm hoping it'll be squee-worthy for you all! lol). Its short, but it needed writing, so here it is!

(For disclaimers, etc. - see chapter 1)

Bonus Extra Alternate/Extended Scene/Chapter

It was late in the evening, and it had been a wonderful Christmas Day. The team that were as much a family as anyone ever could be had gratefully received gifts, all helped out with making a delicious dinner under the supervision of Head Chef Eliot and then played the most ridiculous games until none could breathe for laughing.

They settled down across the couch and comfy chairs, in front of the huge vid screen, to watch a movie then, and now it was nearing midnight as the final scenes of It's A Wonderful Life played out, the little girl declaring that every time a bell rings a fairy gets its wings.

Sophie was practically in tears curled up beside Nate with his arm round her shoulders. Even Hardison looked moved and had long since put down his games and gadgets to pay proper attention to the Christmas classic. Eliot was smiling in spite of himself as Parker leaned into him, her head on his shoulder as he absently stroked her hair. Immediately the credits rolled and the movie ended, she yawned.

"It's been a long day" the hitter noted as she sighed against him.

"True dat" Hardison nodded, rubbing his eyes, "I should really be gettin' home" he declared as he tried to figure out how he was going to manage it - he was just so comfortable, full, and warm.

"You can stay over again, Hardison, it's fine" Nate assured him, "You all can, if you want"

"Hmm, that sounds like a plan" said Sophie as she looked up at him, her eyes shining.

The others tried not to think about the implications as 'Mom and Dad' went off to bed.

"You think we could leave the clean up til the morning?" the hacker asked his friends, even as Parker almost dozed off on Eliot's shoulder.

"I can get started now, you can help finish tomorrow" he agreed with the hacker, "Go get some sleep, man" he urged him.

"Thanks, bro" Hardison said thankfully, wishing them both a final Merry Christmas before he disappeared into the bedroom.

"C'mon, sleepyhead" Eliot urged the thief beside him to move, though honestly he was so damn comfortable here with her he almost wished she wouldn't, "Can't stay here forever"

"I could" she argued, with her eyes still closed, leaning into him all the more if it were possible, "I could stay in this day forever; it's been perfect" she smiled, looking up at him then with wide innocent eyes that Eliot was sure a man could drown in.

"Parker..." he began but got no further as the urge to kiss her got the better of him and he did just that.

The lack of stabbing was good. She didn't even struggle to get away, in fact, Eliot was pretty sure that Parker was kissing him back after a moments pause. When they parted he wasn't sure how she was going to react even then and was surprised when she laughed out loud.

"Ha, that mistletoe stuff really works" she chuckled, pointing above their heads.

Eliot was momentarily confused until he glanced up and realised they were indeed underneath a clump of the very plant she mentioned. It wasn't why he had kissed her though it concerned him now that it might be the only reason she responded.

"Yeah, that's why we kissed" he muttered, feeling dumb and moving away fast before he made an even bigger fool of himself.

Parker either didn't notice he was acting strange or didn't care as she grabbed up fallen wrapping paper and food packets from the floor and brought them over to the trash bag on the counter. She watched Eliot for a moment as he wrapped up leftovers to put in the fridge and dumped used plates and cups into the sink. Without a moments hesitation she rounded the counter then with an over-zealous swing and grabbed Eliot from behind hugging him tight.

That same strange feeling went through him that had happened when she handed him his gift earlier. This had happened last night too, in the view of a possible happy future that he might have. Parker had come and hugged him just like this whilst he was working in the kitchen. He had wondered at it then and was just as confused by it now.

"What's this for?" he asked, craning his neck to see her better.

"I don't know" she shrugged, "Christmas?" she guessed at her own behaviour, "because you're weirdly huggable for a grumpy person?" she giggled as he turned around and glared at her, albeit she was pretty sure he was just messing around, "Because I wanted to see if it felt as good to kiss you when there was no mistletoe?" she offered up what he guessed might just be the truth then.

Without bothering to think about it, he pulled her in close before she had a chance to argue and kissed her tenderly on the lips. Parker melted into the moment until just as quick as it started it was over, and she sighed.

"Yup, just as good" she declared, making Eliot smile as he pushed her hair out of her face and let his fingers run down her cheek.

"What is this?" he asked, as his hand came away with no small amount of silver glitter stuck to it, "It's been coming offa you all day"

"Oh, that?" she said, looking shifty for a moment as she stepped out of his embrace, "Fairy dust?" she offered with a smirk that just would not be repressed.

Eliot didn't get a chance to ask for further explanation as she planted another kiss on his lips and then darted away.

"Nah, they couldn't've..." said Eliot to himself, "Could they?"

He thought about the possible explanation running through his mind for all of ten seconds before deciding he honestly didn't care. Parker was right, today really had been as close to perfect as any day could get. From now on Eliot intended to ensure that every Christmas was like this, for the sake of himself and his team/family and most of all for Parker, as he echoed those words she had said before and meant so much it seemed;

"God bless us, every one"

The End

(for real this time!)

A/N2: May I wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings, as is appropriate to you and yours :-)