"Lady Darklaw!" Zacharias said catching up to his superior. "I mean Miss Eve." Eve turned as she was about to go around the street corner.

"Is something the matter Zacharias?" Eve said.

"I have something to talk to you about," Zacharias said looking to the side. His arms were behind his back.

"Can it wait?" Eve said. "Espella and the others are waiting at the bakery. They've just arrived for the holidays."

"I realize this Miss Eve," Zacharias said face turning red. "However this is best said in private." Eve sighed as they sat down on a bench in the town square.

Silence settled in as they stared at the knights decorating the town tree. Eve smiled as it has felt like forever since she saw a Christmas tree. But as the silence dragged on the more impatient she became.

"Are you actually going to say something Zacharias?" she said. Zacharias flushed.

"Well you know," he said. He turned to look at her eyes. "We have worked together for a long time. And you are quite the admirable woman." Eve blushed. "I'll admit when I became your subordinate, you were admirable but you were cold inside. Then after that case you were warm. And as time went on the more I came to respect and want to protect you even more."

"Zach," Eve said, cheeks red.

"So it took some time however I finally managed to get the two items to show my feelings." He handed her a gift. Eve smiled as she opened it.

"It's a flower pot," she said a little confused.

"Yes," Zacharias said. "Within the soil are seeds for a certain kind of tree."

"Sugar plums?" Eve asked. Zacharias shook his head.

"P-pear," he said softly.

"I remind you of a pear?" Eve asked not knowing if she should be flattered or offended.

"Well it would make more sense with this," Zacharias said handing her the other present. This one was a plain box with holes across the top. "Merry Christmas."

Eve opened it. When she did she was fairly confused.

"It's a bird," Eve said. Zacharias smiled brightly. Eve smiled weakly. He moved a little closer. "It's a very nice bird. But how does this show your feelings?" Zacharias looked like a popped balloon. He flushed.

"Oh no Zach," Eve said regretting her question. "I love the bird. It's just-"

"There you two are!" someone said. Their heads snapped forward. There stood Espella and the others.

"We were wondering where you went off to," Maya said putting her hands on her hips. She noticed Zacharias's face. "You ok?" He avoided eye contact. Maya looked at Eve's lap.

"Oh my god!" Maya said stepping back. Phoenix caught her. "Mr. Barnham did you give those to her?" Zacharias nodded his eyes still finding his shoes interesting.

"So what's in the flower pot Miss Eve?" Luke said admiring the craftsmanship.

"Pear tree seeds," Eve said. The group stared.

"Of all the gifts," Phoenix said in disbelief.

"Interesting way of showing how much you care," Layton said unable to hide his smile.

"It's so romantic!" Maya squealed in joy.

"What are you getting at?" Eve asked looking at Espella for some information that she was apparently missing. Espella just smiled.

"Isn't it obvious Eve?" Maya asked. Eve shook her head. "He got you a partridge and a pear tree!" Eve stared before widening her eyes. She looked at Zacharias who slightly looked up.

"Zach you-"

Zacharias didn't let her finish as he kissed her. Eve smiled after the situation set in.