[s2e11] Santa -

As the gang piled into the car, the tension wasn't just coming from Schmidt. Jess was feeling the weight of her own complicated romantic life. Her ex, Sam, had been blowing up her phone. He wanted to talk, but Jess, fearful of getting her heart broken again, was determined to hide behind a mask of festive franticness.

Jess smiled, finally feeling a bit of that genuine holiday peace. "Yeah. And I think I'm ready to take the antlers off now."

Nick caught Jess’s eye as they walked to the car. "So," he said, "Seven parties. We survived." [S2E11] Santa

She took a breath, the smell of pine and expensive cologne filling the air. "Okay," she said softly. "No more running."

"One night, guys! Seven parties!" Jess announced, adjusting her reindeer antlers. "It’s a holiday blitz. We are going to spread joy until it hurts." As the gang piled into the car, the

Jess looked at him, her antlers slightly crooked. For all her talk about holiday magic, she realized she’d been using the festivities as a shield. Beside her, Nick was watching from a distance, a rare look of genuine concern on his face.

"Jess, stop running," he said, his voice quiet. He didn't look angry; he looked exhausted. "I don't want to play games. I want to be with you. For real." He wanted to talk, but Jess, fearful of

The loft was a chaotic flurry of red velvet and tangled tinsel. Jess was in her element, vibrating with enough holiday cheer to power all of Los Angeles, while Nick looked like he’d rather be anywhere—preferably a place where "Wonderful Christmastime" wasn’t playing on a loop.