Title: Tin Soldier

Series: Winter Tidings

Author: Jmaria

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: Joss and Jason Katims own them, not me

Pairing: FFA #198 Graham / Maria DeLuca

"What does he do for a living?" The dark blonde woman asked, as she hung up the last of the Christmas decorations over the double doors of the Crashdown's kitchen.

"Since when is that essential information on whether or not you say hello to somebody?"

"Since we started associating with Max, Isabel, and Michael."

"He's a college student and is in the Army reserves once a month." Alex mumbled out that last part.

"He's a soldier?" Images of mindless wind-up tin soldiers raced through her mind.

"Yes. But -"

"No, I'm staying away from the nice government lackey. I'd like to not end up disected, thank you very much." Maria DeLuca hissed at one of her best friends, Alex Whitman.

"Maria, he's not that kind of government lackey - he's a soldier."

"Ok, I'm getting images of guys with guns who assist the suits - like in Men in Black, only with camouflage." Maria tried to yank her arm from Alex but found herself in front of a drop-dead-gorgeous looking man sitting at the counter.

"Maria, this isGraham Miller my cousin. Graham, this is Maria DeLuca."

"Nice to meet you, Maria."

"Yeah, you too." Maria gave a nervous half-smile and turned to Alex. "Can I talk to you over here for a second? 'Scuse us."

Maria dragged Alex back into the kitchen. Liz Parker peeked out of the circular window.

"Who's the hottie?"

"Alex's cousin."

"You have a cousin we don't know about?" Liz asked.

"I'm a man of many mysteries."

"Yeah, and cousin hottie - he's a soldier boy." Maria snapped.

"What?" Liz cried.

"He's only in the Reserves." Alex shook his head.

"Army, Navy, or special alien killing ops, Alex?"

"He's only here to visit my grandparents for Christmas, then he's going back to California. He's not here on a mission, Maria." Alex sighed.

"Yeah, then why didn't he ever visit before now? Don't you think it's just a little too coincidental that soldier boy shows up after all that's happen this year with the -Czechoslovakians?"

"You are crazy. Certifiable, Maria." He raked his hands through his hair, while shaking his head.

"Well, she's kinda got a point, Alex. Has he ever visited before?" Liz asked.

"No, because my grandparents usually go to his house for Christmas. But Nana had her hip replacement this year, and can't travel."

"Oh."

"Now don't two you feel like paranoid crack-jobs?" Alex grinned at them. "And don't you have tables to service?"

Maria stuck her tongue out at Alex as she went to push the door open, only to find her hand on the well-muscled chest of Graham's.

"Hey." He grinned down at her.

"Oh, sorry -I -" Maria jerked her hand away, ignoring the laughter coming from behind her. As she went to duck around him, he put a restraining hand on her arm. "What?"

"You forgot something." Maria felt her stomach hit the floor. Forgot what? What did he know? Until he nodded upward. Then it broke through the floor.

Mistletoe. Damn.

"It's tradition - unless you don't want to kiss a stranger."

"No, it's not that -" Suddenly his lips were on hers and she felt her stomach's butterflies float it up through the floor and where it was supposed to be. "Wow."

"Maybe I'll see you around before I leave." Graham said as he turned to leave.

"Wow."

"Maria?" Liz shook her shoulder. "DeLuca, snap out of it!"

"For possibly being an evil government toy soldier, he kisses pretty good." Maria muttered.

"Then it's a good thing we put the Mistletoe up?" Liz grinned.

"Good bless poisonous Mistletoe." Maria said as she made her way to help the waiting customers.