Here we are at chapter TWENTY-FIVE!!!! WOOOOHOOOO!!! Yeah, I know, my excitement is contagious. Oh, and did you notice that I am doing chapter "25" for "December 25"? Yeah, I thought that it worked out perfectly. Thanks to all my reviewers, we are now presenting this chapter in high-definition… you just can't tell that it's high definition. Er, anyway, here's the next bit!

Chapter 25: Christmas Day

"Dodge…"

Someone was whispering into the Dodger's ear. He saw a lit match and then a lit candle.

"Dodge, pleeeaaase!" someone was tugging at his sheets.

The Artful Dodger turned over and mumbled something.

"DODGER!" Charlie repeated loudly into his ear.

Jack jumped up immediately and decided that the best way to start the morning would be to strangle Charlie.

Charlie pushed the sleepy Dodger off of him and started looking for something to defend himself with. Eyeing the present that he had bought for the Dodger, he held it in front of him like a peace offering.

The Dodger just stood there and stared at him confusedly through one eye. He finally spoke, "Charlie… what are you doin'?" He searched through his overcoat, which was lying on the floor. Finding his pocket-watch, he moaned. "Charlie! It's three thirty-six in the morning!"

"Yes… but it's Christmas!"

The Dodger stared at Charlie in disbelief. "I'm sorry," he shook his head, "but 'Christmas' in my mind don't start 'till nine-thirty!"

"Nine-thirty!" Charlie moaned. "But you usually wake up at seven-thirty!"

"Well, today's a hol'day so wake-up time changes to nine-thirty!"

"But," Charlie put on a hurt look, "don't you want to open the present I got you?"

The Dodger's strong-willedness momentarily crumbled, but then his resolve hardened as he thought. "Charlie… you only want me ta' open my gift… so's you can open your gift!"

Charlie looked guiltily down at his feet. The Dodger glanced at Charlie, walked over to his bed, and once again settled underneath its warm covers. He lay there for a few minutes, completely silent. Charlie fussed with the bow he had tied on the Dodger's present. Then, the Dodger sighed, pulled off his covers, and walked over to Charlie. After taking the present Charlie was holding, he handed the present that he had bought to Charlie who grinned excitedly.

Dodger shook his head and smiled.

They each read the cards that were place on top of the presents.

To: Charlie From: The Artful Dodger Hope you like it. After all, it IS "the best present ever." Merry Christmas! (Don't show this gift to Fagin!)

To: The Artful Dodger From: Charlie This is (no doubt) the best present ever, so enjoy it! If you don't, I will be forced to enjoy it myself! Merry Christmas! (Don't show this gift to Fagin!)

When they opened the boxes, both their mouths dropped open in shock, then Charlie burst out laughing and the Dodger grinned widely. They had each bought each other large bottles of whiskey.

"Well, least we're 'greed on what 'the best present ever' is," the Dodger smirked. "How 'bout you an' I go an' look for a bottle-opener?"

Charlie nodded in agreement and grabbed the candle.

Still clutching their presents, they tiptoed down the stairs. The Dodger, who was in front, scanned the room from right to left. Glancing at Charlie, he motioned that everything looked clear. They both walked across the room and over to the kitchen. Opening a drawer, Charlie smiled with excitement. "Here it is!" he whispered excitedly.

The Dodger nodded and motioned that he thought they should go back upstairs.

Once they got back upstairs, the opened their bottles of whiskey.

"Here's to us!" Charlie proclaimed.

"To us!" the Dodger echoed. They both took a large swig of their whiskey.

As they drank more and more, their toasts became more and more extravagant.

"To Fagin's underpants!" Charlie proclaimed.

"Ah!" cried the Dodger. "To Nancy's underpants!"

"Hear, hear!"

They both drank for a few moments.

"To pickpockets world-wide!" the Dodger suggested.

"And to pickpockets who aren't that fat yet!" answered Charlie. They both laughed loudly.

Below them, Fagin was roused from his sleep. He heard a large amount of laughter.

"To world peace and the fools who think it'll ever be accomplished!"

Fagin glared up at the ceiling and raised himself out of bed.

Back upstairs, they were becoming even rowdier. After an exceptionally large burst of laughter, the Dodger and Charlie both cried, "To every shapely inch o' Guinevere!"

They both stopped their merriment abruptly. Charlie looked at the Dodger in shocked amazement. The Dodger glared at Charlie. They both put down their bottles. Charlie moved towards Dodger with anger in his eyes. The Dodger crossed his arms and raised his eyebrows. The next thing they knew, they were in the middle of the equivalent of a girls' "cat-fight"…

Uh, oh! Do boys ever stop fighting? I suppose we'll see, won't we? Master Bates is obviously unable to comment at the moment. I hope they don't kill each other… Well, please REVIEW!