[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, 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." [S2E11] Santa

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. As the gang piled into the car, the

"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." He wanted to talk, but Jess, fearful of

By the time they reached the final, most exclusive party, Jess’s "joy blitz" was starting to feel more like a forced march. She ducked into a quiet corner to catch her breath, only to find Sam standing right there.

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

This story is based on the events of the eleventh episode of the second season of the sitcom New Girl , which originally aired in December 2012.