School is evil. I've only been in it for like a week and a half and I already have two projects due, three tests and two quizzes and a stack work of homework. –sigh- But on the bright side, THREE DAY WEEKEND! –does a jig- Anyways, here's the fourth chapter. Enjoy!

It was a sight to see Edward Elric coming to work with a new persona, and a jolly atmosphere about him that was good enough to replace the real Santa Clause. He greeted everyone he saw with a warm smile, or a friendly wave.

But the one thing that really blew Al, Roy and Riza away was just seeing Ed singing in public, and boy, could he carry a tune. People had tossed him coins, others clapped at his performance. Winry even joined with him, and the two became an elf-duet as they sang songs that blew everyone away. If a manager was around to see them, they could have gotten a record deal. But record deal or not, Ed and Winry looked, well… happy together.

The stunned trio didn't know what brought on this sudden change, but there were a few possibilities:

Hell froze over.

Pigs sprouted wings, and learned how to fly. (A/N: Flying bacon! XD)

The sky turned purple.

The fat lady sung and hit the Billboard charts.

Or, it possibly meant that their plan was going remarkable well.

Roy, Riza and Al were pleased at how everything was turning out. It had only been a few days and they were already predicting smooth sailing.

Little did they know that trouble was lurking in the waters.

"Deck the halls with bells of holly," Ed sang as he entered the locker room. "FA LA LA LA LA, LA LA LA LA!"

"Oh, no! It's the end of the world!" Roy cried loudly, running around in circles as he waved his arms around. Al laughed, and began screaming like a wild banshee, yelling, "Brother's singing! It's a sign of the Apocalypse!"

Ed scowled lightly but continued belting out notes, acting as though he were the only one in the room. Roy and Al stopped and exchanged bemused glances. Ed not yelling at us? That's something new.

"Baby, all I want for Christmas is you," Ed sang, throwing his costume in his locker before sauntering out, his voice drifting off in the distance.

Al and Roy stared after him.

"Al, what did you do?" Roy incredulously asked.

"I didn't do anything," Al replied. "I just took them ice-skating yesterday."

"Ice-skating?" Roy mused. If ice-skating was all it took to change Ed, the You-mess-with-me-I'll-kick-your-ass type of guy into an I'm-so-happy-so-very-happy singing machine, then just imagine what would happen after a little more than a week.

"Oh, Riza told me something about a present-giving thing," Al suddenly said as he shut his locker. "Is it part of the you-know-what?"

Roy slung his coat over his shoulder, smirking as he replied, "Tis the season to be jolly."

"We're having secret Santas?"

Riza nodded her head as she put her camera away in her case. The whole concept was her idea and Roy decided to spice things up by rigging it so that Ed and Winry would end up getting each other. It wasn't a complete guarantee that it would turn out that way, but everyone kept their fingers crossed.

"I wonder who I'll get…" Winry mused, not noticing the smirk on Riza's lips.

"Oh, you'll see," she replied. Al and Roy showed up minutes later, a Santa hat was clutched in Roy's hand, which contained their names on scrap pieces of paper. The five of them gathered together.

"It's Santa-picking time," Roy announced, shaking the hat a bit to slightly mix up the names. "Remember, no telling who you got and you can't exchange persons."

Everyone nodded in agreement as Roy shoved the hat towards Ed. "Fullmetal. Pick."

Ed stuck a hand inside, pulling out a piece of paper. He opened it, shielding it away fromview as he read the name inscribed on it. Winry. He smiled to himself, pocketing the paper in his pants.

The hat was passed onto Winry and she closed her eyes, sticking a hand inside. She fished around until she grabbed one. Eyes now open, she unfolded it.

Hyperactive shrimp boy, a.k.a. Edward. She suppressed a giggle, sneaking a glance at the braided-boy next to her.

The picking went on until everyone had chosen their secret Santa. Lucky enough for Roy, he had chosen Riza, who had picked Al, and Al chose Roy. By the unwritten law declaring to keep things hush-hush, their lips were sealed for a week and a half.

Oh, what an interesting week and half awaited them.

Ed cursed under his breath as a whip of cold air hit him in the face, causing his hair to fly in front of his eyes. He shook the stray strands away, wishing he had been more prepared for the bitter weather.

"Goddamn it's cold," he said through chattered teeth. "Stupid Mother Nature."

"You didn't have to walk me home," Winry said as she wrapped her coat closer around her. "I could make it alright."

"Yeah well, Al took the car to pick up something from his friend Fletcher's house, and you live right next door anyways, so I might as well walk with you," Ed slipped on his white gloves. "Besides, can't risk the chance of getting mugged."

Winry smiled. "Aw, you're cute when you're thoughtful."

"Huh?" Ed said stupidly, his cheeks warm despite the chilly air. She shook her head, still grinning. "Never mind."

The snow crunched underneath them with each step as flakes of white fluff fell to the ground like a soundless gift from the sky.

Gift! Present! Ed didn't know what to give Winry for a Christmas present. He wasn't exactly the best gift-giver in the world. Gift cards were usually the one thing he used, but he knew he had to throw that option aside. Just thinking of what gift would be perfect enough made him frustrated. So he began to think of what Roy would suggest.

Ed shook his head. On second thought, he didn't want to know what Roy would suggest as the right gift.

What would Al advise? Jewelry? No, that would be too cliché. Besides, Winry wasn't the type of girl who was interested in stuff like that. So what would I give?

"Hey, can we stop by the flower shop?" Winry piped up suddenly, snapping Ed back to the present. "I want to see something."

Before Ed could reply, she had taken him by the sleeve and led him to a nearby floral store. A bell dinged above the door as they entered inside, a sweet scent lingering in the air around them. Bouquets of assorted flowers of every kind and of every color decorated the room in a bright array.

"Oh, wow. Look at these!" Winry pointed to some red roses. "Aren't these lovely?"

"Yeah, yeah," Ed said airily.

"Did you know what red roses stand for love?"

"Fascinating," he replied, although he was highly uninterested in the subject.

"Blue stands for someone special, white for sacred love, pink for a crush, and yellow for friendship."

"Thanks for the floral lecture. Can we go now?" he asked sourly, tapping his foot rhythmically on the floor, arms crossed, patience wavering. Winry glared at him. Why does he always get like this?

"God Ed, your patience is as short as your height. Oh by the way, how's the weather down there?"

She had crossed the line and knew exactly what would happen next.

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO SHORT HE CAN BE USED AS A LAWN GNOME?"

"I never said that!" Winry shouted, temper rising. "You need to get your ears checked."

"And you need to see the eye-doctor," Ed spat. "Because you clearly cannot see that I am average height!"

"Yeah, average height for a girl!" Winry scoffed.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY!"

"Um, is everything alright here?"

They turned to see a girl with pink bangs, violet hair streaming down her back. Her velvet-blue eyes looked at them questionably. She wore a red work apron with a nametag reading, "Rose." (A/N: Rose is tending to roses, haha… corny huh?)

"Yes, everything is fine," Winry said, shooting Ed the evil eye.

"Ok, but if it gets too loud in here, I might have to call the police," Rose informed, standing nearby the telephone.

"Well, there's no need to do that because we're leaving." Ed grabbed Winry's hand and tugged her out the door, the small bell dinging in their wake. The argument picked up where it left off, the both of them bickering and fighting as they made their way on the sidewalk. People looked at them oddly; others thought there were a couple, arguing like some old married twosome.

"Aw, look at those two," an elderly man said as Ed and Winry past them.

"Don't they remind you of us when we were younger, dear?" the old chap's wife cooed back.

The fighting lasted up until they reached the front of Winry's porch, both red in the face. The argument had lost its purpose but they were still throwing senseless insults and remarks at each other.

"You're such an insensitive jerk!" Winry shouted, throat hoarse from so much yelling.

"Me? Insensitive? What about you?" Ed shot back. "You're the only who's always commenting about my stature!"

"Don't you ever think that people are just joking with you?"

Ed crossed his arms over his chest. "Yeah, well, I'm not laughing."

Winry rubbed her forehead; she could feel a headache blossoming with holiday joy. "Edward…"

"Winry…"

She sighed. What was she to do? He was as stubborn as a mule with a lit-fuse temper ready to detonate at any wisecrack comment. He was impossible to deal with, and now she was starting to wonder if it would be impossible to be something more than just a friend…

They were so busy fuming; they didn't seem to notice how incredibly close they were to each other. Their noses were almost touching; she realized if she tilted her head a bit, she could-

Winry suddenly noticed a plant hanging above them, its leaves an evergreen color with a sprig of waxy white berries. The heated argument vanished as she realized just what exactly was hanging above them.

M-mistletoe? Her mind started buzzing. But that wasn't there when I left!

Ed took notice of the mistletoe as well, staring at it as though it were something of pure evil. "Is that… what I think it is?" his voice was a pitch higher, sounding as though his underwear were a size too small.

Winry gulped and nodded, too afraid to open her mouth to give a reply. Nervousness started to take its toll on the both of them. Despite the weather, palms grew sweaty, cheeks blushed a violent scarlet. They stood there with no idea of what to make out of the awkward situation they had gotten in.

Surprise hit her in the stomach when Winry saw Ed leaning in, closing the distance between them. At first, she didn't know what to do- someone had turned off the switch in her mind, leaving her clueless. But then she saw how inviting his lips were, so soft, so… kissable.

Instinctively, she closed her eyes, waiting for the touch of his lips on hers. Her stomach was tingling from excitement and anxiety. Now I'll see if this is just like everyone says, fireworks with that magical spark.

They were getting closer, leaning farther in, distance becoming less and less… the warmth from his breath tickled her skin… Damn, it's too late to pop a mint into my mouth Winry thought… Ed was so close now and getting closer and closer… nearer and nearer… almost there…

Until-

"Hey, watch out!"

Ed and Winry snapped their attention towards the voice, jolting away from each other as a stray snowball whizzed past them, colliding into the door and smashing on impact.

"Watch where you're throwing those things!" Ed snarled at the two dark-skinned boys on the sidewalk, scowling at them angrily.

"Sorry!" the younger of the two replied, grinning an apologetic smile in which a tooth was missing.

"Nice one, Rick," the older one whispered as they stalked off in the other direction.

Ed turned to Winry, their eyes meeting in a locked gaze. An uncomfortable silence passed them, both wondering What now?

"I… I'm going in now," Winry abruptly said, face flushed. "Thanks for walking me home."

"Wait, Winry." Ed grabbed her hand, not sure as to why and reddened in embarrassment. "I… well, um… Goodnight." He let go of her hand, shoving his own into his jacket pockets for better use of them.

"Night," Winry smiled softly and rushed inside. She leaned against the door, exhaling a breath she had been holding. I… I almost kissed Ed… She put a hand to her racing heart, closing her eyes and sighed. Too bad it was an almost though…

"Winry, is something the matter?" She opened her eyes to see her Grandma Pinako, pipe in hand, looking at her curiously.

"No! No, nothing's wrong, really!" Winry chuckled and dashed upstairs. Pinako shook her head.

"Teenagers these days," she said, blowing a smoke ring.

You guys must hate me for messing up Ed and Winry's kiss. I'm sorry! It's too early in the story for them to be doing that. I'll make it up to you guys, promise! And about the "trouble lurking in the waters" deal, you'll see what I'm talking about next chappy.

Oh, and those two boys that accidentally threw the snowball are supposed to be those two Ishbalanbrothers that appear in that "Bonding Memories" ep. I couldn't remember if Rick-if that's even his name at all- was the older one or the younger one, so I put him as the younger brother. Sorry if I got that wrong.

Ok, onto some review replies!

Alchemys-Shortstop: Lol, I feel like a 12 year old just writing this! All the Christmas stuff brings backs memories! Thanks for the review!

InuBebop1016: I'm glad you thought the last chapter was funny, and I'm even glader that you thought it was excellent. You're so nice. –smiles!-

crazyanimefreak15: Haha, thanks for the review! You're ubberly and completely awesome!

unexpection: I'm happy to hear you liked it a lot. Yes, the butt-calling thing was weird, and really RANDOM. Idk where it came from actually. Anyways, thanks for the review!

EdWaRd E WoRsHiPpEr: Yes, I think you reviewed the first chapter. And thanks for reviewing the last one! I'm happy that you left a review!

WildfireDreams: -smiles!- Yay, glad you thought it was cute! Muchos gracias for the review!

edward's-love: I feel so loved! I will keep writing fics until I see a pig fly. Thanks for the R&R!

Miko Maleficus: Tee hee hee, happy to know that you liked my "Look at the shiny button down there" thing. I love snow scenes too! Although it doesn't snow where I live –is sad- But thanks a lot for the review!

TennyoAkana: You're bloody brilliant! Thanks SOOO much for the Secret Santa idea! Thank you thank you thank you! It fits perfectly in this story. You're so awesomely awesome! Thanks for the review too!

silent:tears:fall: Haha, lol! Happy happy to know you thought it was a great chap! Thanks a bunch for reading and reviewing!

Inu-KagomeFan: Lmao! If you're going to write a one-shot about Ed looking at her butt, I SO wanna read it! Thanks for R&R!