Title: Home Is Where The Heart Is
Author: Geekgrrllurking
Feedback address: Geekgrrl.lurking@gmail.com
Date in Calendar: 15 december 2010
Fandom: Bionic Woman
Pairing: Jaime/Ruth
Rating: G
Word Count: 1180
Summary:
Advertisement: Part of the FSAC:DW10

Author's Disclaimer: Bionic Woman and its characters are the property of NBC and David Eick. No infringement is intended.

Author's Notes: Written for the Femslash Advent Calendar: Dead of Winter 2010. Thanks for letting me play again girls!

Christmas was never a huge deal for me.

Or at least that’s what I would tell people, what I like them to think. It goes with the whole image I maintain at work; tough, calculating, a loner. Over the holidays though, it becomes painfully clear to me that I’m missing out, missing something in my life, or more honestly, missing someone in my life.

I thought for a time that I had found that someone. A scientist for Berkut who got me, understood my world. We would work around our crazy lives and try to spend time together, including over the holidays. And it was really nice for awhile, but like anything good in my life, it didn’t last. I have Sarah Corvus to thank for that, shattering my heart into so many useless pieces when she went on her murderous rampage. If Jae hadn’t put her down, I was more than ready to do it.

I still am.

That’s an unkind thought, especially for this time of year and I know it. I can’t help it though, underneath all the mind games and psychobabble, I’m only human. I take care of those near and dear to me at all costs. Corvus may have taken one lover but I’ll be damned if I lose another to her.

I look up as Jaime Sommers sashays out of my kitchen, two mugs in her hand, humming merrily to herself. My heart clenches slightly and I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. Yes, recent changes in my life have definitely been good for me in so many ways.

“You’re going to love this.” Jaime hands me a steaming mug, the warm scent of cinnamon hitting my nose. I take a sip of my coffee and discover a hint of Bailey’s lurking there too. I smile at her and sigh, content. And that’s when it hits me.

I like this.

I like this a lot.

Watching ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ on television together snuggled under a blanket, sipping our drinks and getting lost in her soft green eyes. I almost want to check my pocket for Zuzu’s petals, just in case. But this really is my life and Jaime is a big part of that.

Jaime sinks down onto the couch and slips beside me. I took so long to respond to her, afraid of hurting her and of getting hurt myself. This woman has been so patient with me, on top of adjusting to her world turning upside down. For the longest time Jaime was just the latest bionic guinea pig, a test subject for me to study and watch. I wanted to make sure she didn’t go all Corvus on us. It didn’t take long and she was my friend and before I knew it she bravely shook my world up and took the next step, becoming my lover. My heart swells just thinking about it.

“That smile looks like trouble…” Jaime’s mouth descends before I can protest my innocence. Sweet and decadent, her kisses are like melted chocolate in my mouth and I can’t resist. Pulling away finally she stops my wandering hands, which somehow had started down her tempting curves.

“We are decorating your tree, stop trying to distract me.” Jaime grins and gives me a stern look. My heart does another little flip-flop, as I treat her with a saucy grin.

We had picked out the small tree at the spur of the moment driving past the mall. I can’t say no to the woman and she knows it, especially when she gives me those puppy dog eyes. Dragging it to my place, it didn’t take long for Jaime to find the perfect spot for it in my living room, in the corner with the window to the left and the fireplace to the right.

The tree is on a bit of a lean to the right at the moment. I had disappeared to my basement to find what meagre Christmas decorations I have and brought up three dusty battered boxes. After an exhaustive hunt for the one blown light to get them working again, we had strung the small twinkle lights on the tree together. Then while Jaime had been in the kitchen making drinks, I had uncovered and put the angel on top of the tree. I forgot how much I adored it until I had it up on the tree, glowing bright.

Now Jaime pulls over a smaller box, tattered and marked with my mother’s handwriting on it. I smile already knowing what is inside, delicate glass balls. Gold, red, green, all of them faded with time, the silver tops precariously attached to the glass, loops of old thick sewing thread knotted over and over to keep them from coming loose. Some had indents of star bursts in silver, or stripes in gold around their middles, with only the occasional scratch in the paint from an overly thrilled cat from back in the day.

“Ruth, these are beautiful.” Jaime gasps, an old golden ball dangling from her long fingers as she holds it up, the twinkle lights from the tree reflecting through the small glass ornament.

“My mother gave them to me when she moved into the senior’s home. We had them for years on our Christmas tree when I was a kid. I think a few have broken in the box over time so watch your fingers for glass shards.” I watch her wander over to the tree and start to place the small balls evenly around. I dig down into the other boxes and pull out long strands of silver garland and start looping it around the tree. At the very bottom of one box is a hand knitted tree skirt my grandmother made years ago, the cheery snowman waving up at me makes me smile every time.

It doesn’t take long and we’re done and snuggling back on the couch together. I’ve turned off all the lights except for the finished tree sparkling and twinkling away. Jaime leans back in my arms, resting snug against my chest, my legs on either side of hers. The overwhelming pleasure and comfort of this moment washes over me and I am filled to overflowing.

“I love you, Jaime.”

Jaime grows very still in my arms and I wonder for a moment if I’ve said too much, too soon, but it is the truth. It’s the first time either of us has actually said it and in this one perfect moment it was the most natural thing in the world for me to say. She turns in my arms and I see tears glistening as she smiles up at me.

“I love you too.” Jaime whispers, moving to give me a soft kiss.

Peace and joy wash over me, like my world has shifted and righted itself. Snuggling closer, she nuzzles along the collar of my shirt, and I drop another tender kiss into her dark hair before we settle and watch the twinkling lights together.

I close my eyes and know that I’ve finally found home.