I'm addicted to bolba

If you're wondering what I'm talking about, it's this drink that has these tapioca ball thingies. I ordered one the other day at this restaurant called ChowKing and now I'm HOOKED. They're so freaking good. If you haven't tried one, go get one now! Lol, jk. Sorry, too much sugar. Sugar + me you're worst nightmare –spins around in a spinnable chair- sssqqqquuuueeee!

Anyway, sorry for the wait on this one. How long has it been? A week? Two? Almost three? Oh, boy. SORRY! I'm a horrible updater and I'm even worse since school started. School sucks. That's all I have to say about that.

Ok, that's enough jobber-jabber for now. I'll shut up so you can read the chapter. Have fun! –goes back and spins around in the chair- WWWWWEEEEEEEEEE!

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"Are you my Secret Santa?" Roy asked, nudging Riza on her side playfully. She nudged him back, or rather, elbowed him hard in the stomach, causing him to stagger a few paces.

"If I told you, then it wouldn't be a secret," she replied coolly, kissing him on the cheek apologetically. "You better get back to work. The children are waiting."

Roy looked over at the eager kids lined up and sighed. "Can I play Santa in five minutes? My feet hurt."

"No," Riza sternly replied, thinking this was just one of his "excuses" to slack off from work. He groaned as he put his hat back on, stalking to his chair with a put off "Ho… ho… ho…"

Meanwhile, Al was trying to figure out why Ed and Winry were acting strange. Everything had been awkward between them: conversations, glances, silences. It got so bad, they tried avoiding each other all together, brushing past one another as though they were mere strangers.

"Brother, what's wrong with you and Winry?" Al asked inquiringly, ushering a child down the line. "Did you guys get into another fight?"

"No," his brother bluntly said, not bothering to elaborate.

"Then what is it?"

Ed shook his head. "It's nothing."

"Uh-huh, sssuuurrreee," Al threw in some sarcasm and raised an eyebrow. "It's always something when you tell me it's nothing."

But Ed didn't hear him. He was looking over at Winry as she passed out some candy canes to the last of the children. He instantly felt stupid about the whole scene yesterday. I almost kissed Winry he mentally kicked himself. What the hell was I thinking! What if she didn't want me to kiss her! God, she must hate me now…

He didn't realize he had been staring until he saw Winry glancing back at him. Coming back to his senses, he quickly turned away, acting as though he hadn't looked at all. She sighed.

Ed must hate me now she thought sadly. I'm so stupid- Why did I bail out of the kiss like that? She wanted to slap herself right then. Stupid! Stupid! STUPID!

She was too busy stomping the ground furiously and cursing herself for her stupidity that she didn't see the person behind her. On accident, she stamped her foot on the person's shoe, crushing his toes and causing him to cry out slightly.

"Ah, sorry!" she wheeled around to see who she had taken her frustration out on. "Mr. Hughes!" she exclaimed as she bowed apologetically. "I'm so sorry!"

Ember eyes glinted behind square spectacles as Hughes smiled congenially. "It's ok, it's ok. Lovely costume by the way, but you know what's even more lovely?" Winry watched apprehensively as he started fishing through his pockets for something. Pulling out a photograph, his somewhat serious demeanor had vanished with the gushing outpouring from his mouth.

"Look, it's my daughter Elycia!" he exclaimed happily, shoving the picture at Winry. "Isn't she just ADORABLE! She's only three and already knows how to tie her shoes in the best knot in the history of knot-tying. Then she can sing the alphabet in the most angelic voice that'll make you think you're in Heaven!"

"…Uh, sounds like you have some daughter, Mr. Hughes," Winry chuckled without anything better to say.

"Hughes!" Roy appeared out of nowhere, still in his Santa suit. "What're you doing here?"

Maes blinked, narrowing his eyes as though he were trying to recognize the man behind the beard. No luck. "Who are you?"

"Maes, it's me." Roy pulled off the white beard and hat. Winry took this opportunity to sneak off and dashed into the girls' locker room.

"Oh, wow!" Hughes said incredulously. "Roy, I shall tell you now: never ever try pulling a Santa look when you get older, ok?"

"Alright, deal. So what're you doing here?" Roy quickly changed the subject before Hughes could pull out that infamous photograph.

"Oh, just stopped by to tell you that Gracia, Elycia and I can't come with you guys to the trip to the mountains."

"Why not?" Mustang asked, frowning slightly.

"We're going to Disneyland!" Hughes exclaimed in a happy tone.

"…Disneyland?" Roy had never heard of it before. In fact, he never knew such a place existed.

"Yeah, it's in America. According to their commercial, it's supposed to be the happiest place on earth. Anyway," Hughes looked at him apologetically. "I'm sorry, Roy."

"It's fine Hughes," Roy earnestly said. "You, Gracia and Elycia have fun at this Dizzyland place."

"Thanks," Maes said, a look glazing over his face. Anyone could tell what exactly was going to happen next. "Speaking of Elycia, I have a picture!" He waved a photograph up Roy's face as the obsessed father began to gush again. "Looky! Isn't she as cute as a button?"

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"Come on, tell me!"

Al cried, following his older brother around and poking him on the shoulder. He wanted to know what happened between Ed and Winry to make them act so weird, and dangnabbit, he was going to find out. Ok, so maybe he was being nosy, but hey, he was the younger brother. It was his job.

"Nothing happened!" Ed yelled, slamming his locker loudly.

"You mean something happened," Al corrected. "Now tell me, tell me, tell me!"

Ed grunted. Al sighed. "Fine, I'll guess…" he put a finger to his chin, looking philosophical as he thought. "…You… you and Winry got caught under some mistletoe and… the both of you are embarrassed because something interrupted you. Thus, the two of you did not end up kissing… am I right?"

Ed gaped, looking upon him as though he had just done something miraculous. "H-how did you-?"

"Call it younger sibling intuition. Or you can just say I'm psycho," Al proclaimed loudly.

"You mean psychic," Ed corrected with a snort.

Al waved the comment aside. "Look, why don't you just talk to her about it? It might clear things up between you guys." When Ed did not respond, he continued. "How about you think of it like this: it won't be the last chance to kiss Winry. You'll have a better opportunity next time-"

Ed glanced over at Al, brow furrowed questionably. He sounds so sure about that. It's as if he knows, like he's plan-

"- anyways, I'll see you at home later," Al abruptly stated, slipping on his jacket.

"What do you mean later?" a smirk spread across Ed's face in realization. "Ah, you're going to see Julia, eh?"

"Yes, I mean no- I mean…" Al reddened, stomping out of the locker room. "Good bye!"

Ed chuckled and watched him go, a sudden thought coming to mind. Al's got a girlfriend, an image of a certain blue-eyed girl flashed in his head. Perhaps I should get one too.

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"Riza, I'm sad," Roy pouted, clad in his usual attire.

"Aw, my poor baby," Riza hugged him, patting his head affectionately. "What's the matter?"

"Hughes can't come with us on our trip to the mountains," he replied, sniffing as though he were shedding real tears.

"Oh, speaking of which," she said, suddenly remembering something. "Havoc, Fury, Falman, and Breda called- they can't come either."

Roy frowned. "Why not?"

"They didn't say, "Riza shrugged.

"First Hughes, now them?" Roy was disappointed. He was hoping to spend the Christmas weekend at the cabin he and Riza were renting, surrounded by close friends and his lovely girlfriend.

On second thought, a smile crept on his lips. Staying in the huge cabin… alone… with Riza wouldn't be too bad after all.

"We could always invite Ed, Al and Winry," she suggested, wiping away the boyish grin on Roy's face.

"Why?"

"To help us with 'the thing'" Riza made quotation marks with her fingers.

"Oh yeah. That," he felt put off again.

"Hey, the whole 'Secret Mission' was your idea," she reminded, a sly smile evident on her face. "But just because three other people might be coming doesn't mean we can't have our own little fun."

Roy laughed, leaning into a kiss. "Oh, I love the way you think."

Before their lips could touch, an unfamiliar heap of bright blonde hair caught their eyes. It belonged to a boy who was chatting animatedly to Winry about something, bangs draped over one of his light sapphire orbs.

"Who's that?" Roy and Riza asked simultaneously, exchanging questionable looks. Whoever he was, they had a feeling if Ed saw him, things would take a turn for the worst.

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Swinging his tousled braid over his shoulder, Ed walked out of the locker room, Al's words echoing in his head.

Why don't you talk to her... you'll have a better opportunity next time…next time… next time…

Furiously shaking out the repetitive voice out of his mind, he wondered how his brother had gotten so damn perceptive. It was as though Al had suddenly obtained some strange omniscient power that was good enough to get him a job for a psychic hotline. But he's right you know, another voice entirely of its own said. You should go talk to Winry.

That's what I'm going to do right now, Ed shot back hotly as he neared the girl he wanted to speak to. However, she was not alone. Standing next to her, rather closely he couldn't help but notice, was a tall figure. Instantly, he knew who the stranger was.

Russell Tringham, Ed's academic competitor and arch-enemy since grade school. He never liked the guy and nor will he ever in his lifetime. Russell possessed an if-you-can-do-it-then-I-can-do-better attitude that got on his nerves, and was constantly putting himself up against Ed just to see who reigned supreme. What was worse was Russell, Ed noticed one day, had taken an interest in Winry. Every time he saw him near Winry, Russell was constantly flirting with her and of course, our favorite chibi Fullmetal did not like that one bit.

Ed stomped over to the two of them, placing himself in the middle as he glared his Daggers of Death at his aimed target. "Tringham," he snarled with a taste of poison.

"Elric," Russell snarled back. Winry sweat dropped, unconsciously taking hold of Ed's arm as though to prevent him from beating his rival to a pulp.

"What're you doing here?" Ed asked, narrowing his eyes.

"I'm picking Winry up," Russell said as a matter-of-factly.

"What for?" he looked over at Winry. This was not his idea of getting around to talk to her again.

"We're going to the movies," she replied, not meeting his gaze.

"What!" Ed burst out more loudly than intended. Going to the movies? As in a date!

"No need to yell," Russell hissed with a roll of his eyes. "We can hear you from down there short man."

Fists clenched, temper dangerously rising, Ed was ready to beat his opponent to the floor, but a tug on the arm had held him back. A victorious smirk plastered its way across Russell's face.

"Ed, don't," Winry said almost pleadingly as Russell started leading her out the door. "We're not even on a date, ok?"

But Ed didn't hear her. A monster unleashed its wrath and gnawed on his insides, wanting to take control and hunt down that Tringham. He stared after them, stunned and outraged to his spot without the ability to do anything else but to rant and rave.

"Whoa Fullmetal, what's up?" Roy asked as he popped out of nowhere. Riza magically appeared by his side, looking upon Ed questionably.

"And who's the guy?" she asked.

"Russell Tringham," Ed said through clenched teeth. "He's taking Winry to the movies, the bastard."

Roy took out his car keys, twirling them around his finger as a diabolical plan formulated in his mind. "Ok Ed, let's go."

"Go where?" Ed asked, peering at Mustang with a suspicious look.

"To the movies- we're going to do a little spying on Miss Winry."

"Spy!" Ed proclaimed eyes wide. "You're not serious are you!"

Riza pulled Roy down by his sleeve, whispering cautiously into his ear, "We can't do that! It's not a good idea."

"Look, I don't want this Russell guy messing up with "the thing." And yes it is a good idea since I came up with it," Roy haughtily whispered back. "Besides, it'll be fine. She won't even know we're there."

Don't be so sure. "… Alright, but if we get caught, I'm blaming you."

"Deal," Roy straightened up and looked at Ed. "So, what do you say?"

Ed really didn't know what to say to any of this. Should I spy or should I just hope that nothing happens between them? An image of Winry and Russell sucking each other's faces off flashed in his mind and jealousy began brewing in the chambers of his temper.

"Ok, fine Mustang," he said, reassuring himself he was just going to make sure that nothing would happen between Winry and Russell. "Let's go."

Roy and Ed started off towards the car, Riza following reluctantly behind them. "This isn't going to be good," she muttered. "Not good at all."

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Whoa ho ho, bet you guys didn't see that coming! But if you did, then you must be "psycho." (Tee hee hee, silly Al for making that cute little mistake) Initially I wasn't going to have Russell in the storyline at all, but I thought it'd be fun to stick him in here. Yeah I know that he's a year younger than Ed and Winry, but just for this story's sake, please pretend he's the same age as them.

Anywho, I'm going to have a few more characters make a cameo appearance. So far, I've had those two Ishbalan boys, Rose and Hughes- next up Envy and Gluttony. I'm thinking of sticking Shezcka, Armstrong, Lust, Scar and possibly Izumi, Ross and Broche (that's his name right? I can't seem to remember) sometime later, so don't be surprised if they're mentioned. If you want to see any other characters make a small cameo, don't be hesitant to suggest! I don't bite.

Ok, so onto review replies: (You guys totally rock my friggin socks off)

crazyanimefreak15: Yay, thanks for agreeing with me about the whole it's too early for them to kiss thing. Oo, and thanks for clearing up for me which Ishbalan bro was the younger! And another million thank yous for the R&R!

TennyoAkana: You have more ideas? Please tell! Just email me any other suggestions and stuff you might have! I know, this is getting me into the Christmas mood too! –starts singing X-mas songs- Thanks for the R&R!

Inu-KagomeFan: Lol, sorry about that- I'll make them kiss on other chapter, cross my heart, hope to fly! Can't wait to read your one-shot! Thanks for the lovely review!

WildfireDreams: Rick's the older one? Whoopsy-daisy. Oh well. Ah yes, mistletoe- can't have a Christmas fic without it! Thanks for the awesome review!

MetalWing Alchemist: I'm glad to hear that you like this fic and Four Seasons- makes me feel happy and fuzzy and warm and stuff inside. Thanks a bunch for the super review!

silent:tears:fall: Lol, yeah I'm thinking of putting Scar in here somehow- possibly with Lust like you mentioned. XD makes me laugh just thinking of it. Yay, you spotted my foreshadowing hint! Thanks for the R&R!

edward's-love: Lol, darn those Ishbalan brothers! –snaps fingers- Yes, be very prepared. You'll never know what weird idea's going to come into mind XD. Thanks for the R&R!

InuBebop1016: Lmao, sorry for the long wait for this chap! Yes, Fullmetal before everything! But stupid school gets in the way, curses! I promise on all the mocha frapuccinnos in the world- I just llloovvveee those stuff- that they will kiss by the end of the story! Scouts honor! Thanks for the R&R!

NekoRaven: Aw, thanks for saying that! I don't think that I write the best Ed/Winry, but it makes me happy that you think I do –smiles!- No need to apologize! Lol, thanks a lot for the divine review!

Prong Paper Dork: -snorts very unlady like- Fer-fer, you're such a dork! XD But that's ok 'cause you're just the bestest lil sis out there! But just where on earth did you come up with those names? Anywho, thanks for the review- I'll cherish it forever.

fullmetal annoyance: Lol! Whoops, thanks for catching my careless typo there! I can't believe I put 'pant' instead of 'plant.' –shakes head sadly- Thanks a lot for the R&R!

MastahChibeh: Oh, I want an Ed doll! I agree- there needs to be more EdWinry stuff out there! Thanks for the R&R!

f-zelda: Thanks sooo much for the review!

tennis-tensai: Thanks for letting me know that everyone was still in character! And thanks even more for the review!

Stay tuned for next chapter: Ed spying, Winry yelling, and Envy name-calling? Oh my!

Oo, I spy with my far-sighted eyes that lovely square button thingy right there.