A/N: Sorry if its OOC and suckish... I try. Review gentle, this is still new to me.

It was just like any other snowy day in December before Christmas. Marlene had woken up a bit later than usual, remembering what Tifa had told her last night about today.

"We'll be heading off early tomorrow morning to do some Christmas shopping, and you're going to stay here with Vincent, okay sweetie?" Tifa said, smiling down at the little girl.

"Yes, Tifa," Marlene replied, smiling in Vincent's direction. The brooding man was seated in a dark corner of the inn, his crimson eyes glowing in the shadows. He nodded to her and she giggled back.

Marlene began her usual morning wake-up routine. She put on her white shirt and matching skirt, brushed her brown hair, and was about to put her pink ribbon in, the very one Cloud had said just the other day reminded him of Aeris, but she couldn't tie it properly. Remembering that Vincent was the only one home, she was hesitant to ask for help with it. But, being the courageous girl she was, Marlene Wallace bounced out of her and into the hall, about to dash for the stairs, when all of a sudden a cheerful sound hit her ears. It took her but a few moments to realize that Vincent Valentine, dark, broody, mysterious Vincent Valentine, was downstairs whistling 'Deck the Halls' merrily to himself. Marlene nearly exploded out laughing, but instead she held it in, and skipped down the stairs, to see Vincent sweeping the floor, dancing a little with the broom as he whistled. Marlene decided that she would act like nothing was wrong and see what Vincent would do. "Hi Vincent!" she greeted him. Vincent froze in horror at being caught doing such an act, dropping the broom and his jaw at the same time. Marlene exploded out laughing, while Vincent snapped his mouth back together and picked up the broom.

"Yes Marlene?" he stated flatly, returning the broom to its place against wall.

"Will you tie my ribbon? Pwease?" Marlene shot Vincent the puppy dog eyes, her bottom lip quivering a bit as she tried to convince the darkly clad man to help her.

"Don't wear that one...wear this one..." Vincent pulled out a ribbon from one of the hidden pockets in his tattered crimson cloak. Handing it to Marlene she examined it. It was pink with silver sequins along its length, and purple butterflies embroidered on it.

"Vincent!! It's BEAUTIFUL!!"

"So...you like it?"

"Yes!!" Marlene glomped poor Vincent in thanks for her new ribbon, clinging to one of his legs while he desperately tried to get away. She felt a gentle tug on her hair as Vincent tied the new ribbon into it.

"Marlene?..." He called her name after a few minutes more of her clinging.

"What?" she asked, her face buried in his pant-leg and cloak.

"Can you let go?..."

Marlene giggled, releasing the gunman. "Vincent, can you bend down for a minute?" Vincent obeyed, crouching down next to the little girl. Then without any warning, Marlene planted a sloppy kiss on Vincent cheek. Vincent turned an immediate dark crimson, standing straight up again. "Merry Christmas, Vinny!"

"Merry Christmas, Marlene...and...Marlene... don't tell a soul you found me singing Christmas carols downstairs... not a soul..."

Marlene giggled, before grabbing onto his pant-leg again. "I won't Vinny."