A/N: Quick excuse here. I know Christmas has long passed, but this ficlet was never finished in time. It was intended to be three chapters long- Apparently; writer block had an excellent defense. My logic in posting this now is that if I don't do so, this will rot in my computer for another full year. I'd hate to see that happen to a fic idea that inspired me so!

GS Dragono

Small fair flakes danced through the air, blanketing the rest of the world in an icy, yet gentle caress. A pale sun peeked over the horizon, casting faint cherry and lavender hues to the clouds. A few small finches fluffed their feathers for warmth shortly before poking the scarce tuffs of grass for insects or seeds, determined to get a head start on the day. The world was slowly and steadily awaking to a perfect winter wonderland snapshot.

. . . Much to the dismay of the pale prodigy of Caduceus.

As a grumbling Victor Niguel trudged through the door to his sanctuary in bulky winter garments, a broadly grinning face looked up.

"Enjoying the fabulous morning, Boss?" The fellow asked in a taunting voice as he finished cleaning the lab from his nightshift. "Still not heeding the Director's warnings about your overtime hours seriously cutting into our budget?"

"Shut up, Feld. It's too bright, cold, and I've lost enough daylight as it is."

Lance Feld cocked an eyebrow at his superior, glance out the window skeptically. "Sir, its 5:30 in the morning. Three points. One, the sun isn't fully up yet. Two, it's the middle of December. Of COURSE its cold and it should have to take a genius like you to come to that blatant conclusion. Three: Again, the sun hasn't risen. There's no daylight to burn!"

A venomous scowl silenced the researcher. Lance huffed, gathering empty beakers into his arms. It wasn't long before the silence was shattered, and rather 'elegantly' at that.

To a reclusive Dr. Niguel, the day had kicked off on the wrong foot, if on its feet at all. Naturally, the divine forces of the universe decided that, enough… was defiantly not enough.

"What the HELL happened to the cultures?!" Victor practically shrieked from the other side of the room, distressing over his ruined experiments.

The corner of Lance's mouth twitched to an amused smirk. "Walker accidentally spilled his coffee on 'em. Every single drop, in all of the cup's 32 oz. glory." It took all of his restraint to refrain from hysterical laughter after his boss' tormented groan.

"Alright. Fine. Start the damned experiments over." Victor grumbled his head in his hands. "This day can't get any worse…"

A sharp, collective shattering signaled the misfortune of the glass beakers. As thick silence engulfed the room, neither figure moved. The bane in Victor's voice spoke more for itself than the actual words did.

"Feld, I highly suggest you sign your time card and flee before I turn around."

Feet scuffled in a panic before the lab fell silent. With another growl, the Chief Researcher stalked from his sanctuary.

And apparently, to the deities above, three was the lucky number.

Victor gazed upwards, completely horror-stricken.

"Oh, GOD no!"

Above the elevator, a small bunch of mistletoe dangled, firmly secured into place.

'It' had begun.