Hopeless

The snow fell lazily, almost as an afterthought, from the fraught gray clouds overhead. Afternoon in the park boasted only happy, family-types this day before Christmas. Fathers, charged with keeping the children out of the way, pushed swings and stood at the foot of slides and threw balls in the company of their progeny. Teenagers stole last minute meetings with their friends before being consigned to the doubtful felicity of family celebrations. Couples strolled, hand in hand, oblivious to all others, enjoying the festive, holiday atmosphere of the small neighborhood park.

Noah Blaire observed it all with seemingly bored, impassive eyes. But in reality he was searching for a familiar head of sleek brown hair. He scowled at the happy atmosphere around him and scuffed the slick ice covered sidewalk irritably. He hated coming here, but most of all he hated himself for not being able to stay away.

It was on this day four years ago when Noah had seen her. He had been in town to visit family for the holidays. Being an only child resulted in his family often visiting faraway relatives nearly every Christmas. For this reason Christmas annoyed Noah. He didn't hate it, he loved spending a quiet Christmas with his mother and father, but it was just too much when he was cramped in a three bedroom house with twenty other people. They usually ignored him, which was fine with Noah, but the noise was just to much.

He had managed to escape the horror that was his Aunt Marie's cooking that Christmas Eve and had run out for some fresh air. Honestly, he was almost as bad at cooking as Chef was. Noah actually shuddered at the thought of good old Chef Hatchet attempting to bake a fruitcake. He only intended to take a breather from his relatives, but soon found himself walking down the street. Eventually he had come across a small park not to far from his relatives house. It was more crowded then, but even through the swarm of people he had recognized her. Granted Noah almost walked right past her without noticing her.

Courtney was sitting on a bench near the center of the park. Noah almost walked right past her without recognizing her, but he did a double take once he saw that familiar scowl on her face. She was reading a book, and evidently something she read seemed to tick her off. She was so engrossed in the book she didn't even notice Noah standing three feet away from her. His stomach had clenched, as had his hands in his pockets. He attempted to say something to her only to have his throat, like his stomach, clench up effectively trapping the words. With that he had turned tail and trudged back to his relatives house in the ankle deep snow.

Looking back on it now, Noah's fists clenched in memory of his cowardice, and he did another visual sweep of the park. Though he had never seen Courtney again since that day she had made him look forward to visiting his relatives every year. The trip had become an annual event for Noah, as he hoped against hope to see her again, in the very park on Christmas Eve.

"And for what." He muttered to himself shoving his hands deeper into his pockets. "It's not like I have the guts to talk to her now anymore than I did then. This is hopeless!"

Ignoring the odd looks people shot his way, Noah continued his trip through the snow.

Gutentag! It is I, the Silent Assassin, writing a Christmas story of all things! With my favorite couple that isn't DxC, Noah and Courtney. Thanks go to my friend Blacktwist for writing some of the descriptions. But shh, don't tell her this is a NxC story. She thinks its DxC and absolutely hates anything non-canon. XD! She wouldn't help me if it wasn't canon. This is my first attempt at NoahxCourtney so be gentle. They're probably OOC, but hey, that's my speacialty. So keep reading to find out if Noah finds what hes looking for! And don't forget to review.

Happy Holidays,

Silent Assassin