A/N- So many questions!

Mouse: Kal and Allie's story can be read at www.raveninthefog. but the site's currently fucked up. I don't have anything on it past Chapter Three, so I'm planning on posting it here (after this and Jason's story . ).Note-that story is set in modern times. And Jason's not pure evil (unlike my wonderful Kal), just a little disturbed. So there IS a little hope for him… it depends on my mood. (I know, I'm so mean ) And he has tried the spell, and it didn't work. So that's why he's scheming up something that involves Liz. And as for Marie…well, I won't spoil anything. But I will give a hint- everyone has seen her (except Jason).

Back to writing! And sorry for the delay (again). I got sick.

The day before Christmas, Elizabeth felt as if she would go out of her mind with boredom. There was nothing to do! Gabriel had retreated to his room to work on "something" (he hadn't said what, just "something"), and she wasn't in the mood to read, for once.

Hence the reason for why she now suspected she would wear a hole in the carpet with her pacing.

Back and forth, back and forth…! God! This is going to drive me insane!

And she still hadn't figured out what to give Gabriel for Christmas. He had told her earlier that she needn't bother with him, but she wanted to get him something anyways. He'd saved her life more than twice, and a gift was one way she could show her appreciation.

I've been here three months, and I still don't know what he likes!

Not true, she scolded herself. He can spend days in the music room, and you've seen how well he can paint!

But what does that help? And even if I did decide what to give him, where would I go to get it? I never want to go back to the village…ever.

Oh, stop whining! She told herself, then smacked her forehead with the heel of her palm. Maybe I am driving myself insane…

Maybe you shouldn't get him a gift…why don't you plan something? Maybe a party…

Oh, bon idée, Liz! Who would you invite? Jocelyn and Pierre? They're in Paris! A few people from the village? You may not find Gabriel frightening, but I'm sure they would have different notions than partying should they accept an invitation! Notions that would most likely involve the rest of the village, pitchforks, and torches.

Besides, they never liked you, anyways.

Hey, the librarian did! She shrugged that off. Everyone had probably forgotten about her.

Well, who says there has to be a bunch of people? It could be just you and Gabriel…

She paused in her pacing. Yes, that might be fun…not that either of them were the type that went to celebrations often. What would they do, read?

And I've never been to nor planned a party in my life!

She sighed. I'm going to need help with this…face it, Liz…you're hopeless!

"Fraya? Ella? Mirei? Can I talk to you three for a moment?" she called into the empty bed room.

They materialized out of thin hair. Fraya had horse hair down the front of her dress.

"I was grooming Star," she explained. Elizabeth grinned; the faery had taken a great liking to the chestnut mare. As Fraya had said, "I prefer horses to people any day."

"So what is it you wanted to talk about?" Ella asked, She was the most direct of the three. Behind her, Mirei stayed quiet, but looked faintly curious.

They all sat down on the bed as she told them of her idea, and then they began to plan.

Gabriel sat in front of the balcony, canvas and easel in front of him. A half-finished oil painting was propped up on the easel, and there were streaks of paint on his hands, shirt, face, and, for some reason, in his hair. He had woken up with the urge to paint. So, he collected his art materials from their box in the corner, and began.

As with all his paintings, this one reflected his mood, and what he was thinking about, consciously or unconsciously. So it was really no great surprise when he saw Elizabeth appear in the painting.

Unlike the sceneries he usually preferred to paint, this one was of Elizabeth in one of the rooms that had been abandoned long before his curse: the ballroom. It was easily double the size of most traditional ballrooms, and, was decorated in red and black (his mother's preferred colors). On one end, there was a long banquet table, and the rest was empty space for dancing. He himself had had dance lessons in their as a child, but hadn't set foot in there since. He suspected that it was probably in a state of abandon; broken windows, dust everywhere, perhaps a few small creatures living here and there.

But it was looking as it had did in his youth in the painting…well, the sketch did anyways. He hadn't started on the background. Instead, he had focused on the person standing in the middle of the dance floor; Elizabeth.

She was wearing a dress made of pale blue silk(in the painting), the bodice laced up with lavender ribbon. The sleeves flowed down past her hands; her shoulders were bare. Her hair wasn't in its customary horsetail; instead it flowed freely down her back, held back from her face with a few pins. She wore that locket he had seen before on her, since she had told him she never took it off. It was a gift from her mother before she died, and Jocelyn had a matching one.

And he had taken artistic license to add something that would normally not be seen on Elizabeth: a pair of soft, feathered, white angel's wings. They framed her body like a white aura, and were slightly spread. A few stray feathers floated in the air around her. In another painting, on another person, it would just look as if the painter had added wings out of humor. But to him, and on Elizabeth, it looked as if they belonged on her, like they were a part of her.

He shook his head and smiled self-mockingly. You're just hopelessly lovesick, aren't you Gabriel? You had better his this painting when you're finished; if she saw it, she'll wonder if you've been drinking absinth. Or are ready for the nuthouse.

He set down his paints and brush. He had working on the painting ever since Elizabeth had finished her breakfast that morning. He vaguely remembered telling her he had something to work on, then went to his room and started the painting.

I'll just go for a short walk, then I'll go see how she's doing. She often gets bored on days like this. He checked the winter sky; the sky was cloudy, but he was sure it would be nothing to worry about.

Really, Gabriel, try some irony for lunch…it's good for you.

Jason watched as Gabriel left the castle and headed towards the woods. Alone…that's a pity. This would be more amusing if your precious "angel" were with you…no matter..

He began making small circles in the air with his index finger. As he did so, the wind outside immediately began to pick up. He left it at that for now. There was enough snow clouds that could, with a little gale, start an appropriate snow storm.

A little pre-Christmas present for you, Gabriel! You should be happy I'm in a good mood.

Changing the weather was a harmless child's trick…in fact, he had learned it when he was seven.

He leaned back and broke his gaze from the orb.

Jason had listened in on their conversation from yesterday; and he rather liked the idea of Elizabeth leaving the castle for a few months…anything could happen in that time. Who knows? She might even fall for a handsome "stranger".

And at the same time, "Gabriel" might happen loose his temper, now that his Elizabeth wasn't there to suppress it, and "Gabriel" might reek a little havoc on the village.

Ah yes, what fun that would be! A pity it would have to wait nine months…but hey, everyone needed a vacation once in a while. Especially himself. All that evil scheming was horribly exhausting.

"Master, your lunch." Another goblin appeared in front of him.

Déjà vu…only this time, I think I'll spare the goblin. My last meal had goblin ashes scattered all over it, and tasted rather unpleasant.

He waved a dismissive hand. 'You may set it down, I'll eat later."

The goblin put the tray down on the table and bowed quickly, vanishing after he did so.

Yes, for now, he would take a little vacation…July and August would be very busy!

Enjoy what time you two have together…because I can assure you, it will not last!

"Okay, who's ready for a lunch break?" Ella asked. They had been discussing about the Christmas party they would throw for Gabriel for nearly two hours. There was a lot to plan, and they only had today and a little of the next day to do it. The three faeries were the only other people coming; Elizabeth wanted to invite Alison and Kal, but they had no idea how to contact them, and by now, they were surely far out of the country (and not eager to come back).

Elizabeth's stomach growled embarrassingly loud. "Me!"

They all broke into giggles. 'We might as well all go to get it," Fraya said, meaning her, Ella, and Mirei. "Anything you would like in particular, Liz?"

"Not really…just get whatever looks good, and we can all pig out on it."

"Good idea," Ella said.

"See you in a few minutes, Lady Elizabeth," Mirei said quietly, and they all disappeared.

Elizabeth stretched out on the bed. "This is going to be so great!"

"What is?" Gabriel asked curiously. He walked into the room, looking wet. Really wet. His fur and hair was soaked and matted, and his clothes clung to him damply.

"Ummm…nothing. I was just thinking out loud," she lied, sitting up. Time for a change of subject. "So why are you all wet?" She waited a beat, then added "You have paint in your hair."

He shook his head and smiled ruefully. "I was foolish enough to think the weather was going to stay nice, and I caught in a snowstorm. The paint's from a picture I was working on."

"Really? What is it?" She had seen some of his pre-curse pictures, and, of course, the roses.

"Nothing interesting," he said quickly. "Just…fooling around a bit with my paints."

"Like how you 'fool around' on the piano?" she asked sarcastically, smiling.

He shrugged and then (like she'd done), changed the subject. "So…tomorrow's Christmas."

"Yeah."

"Would you…like to spend it with your family? Or perhaps your friend, Jocelyn?"

"No!" he wasn't actually thinking of sending her away, was he? Did he want to spend Christmas alone? "Why, do you want me to?"

It was his turn to looked surprised. "Of course not! I mean…I was just wondering."

"Well stop wondering. I don't ever want to go back home. My father sent me away to be married to an idiot." She crossed her arms and looked away.

"You can't possibly be mad at him forever," he said.

"Watch me."

"He's been worried about you, you know," he admitted, then looked as if he hadn't meant to say it.

Elizabeth felt a little guilty at that. "He has? I didn't really mean to…hey, would you know?"

Gabriel backtracked quickly. 'I meant…that he probably is. You are his only daughter."

"You're right…"

Gabriel exhaled gratefully. "Then why don't you visit him tomorrow? Set his mind at ease."

Well…I guess I could. I'd be back long before the party…if it can be called that (it was going to be at night). "Maybe…but only for a few hours!" That's all. I didn't like the village before I came here, and I don't like it now. If it was up to me, I'd stay here for the rest of my life.

And why do you think that is, Liz? Just because of the village? Or is it because of Gabriel?

Yes, he's my friend.

Don't lie to yourself…so you really only think of him as a friend?

She squashed the voices and repeated "Only for a few hours, then I'm coming back. I'm planning on spending Christmas here, and no-where else."

Was it just her imagination, or did Gabriel looked relieved? Is he still worried that I'm going to leave? If I was going to, I would've done that a long time ago!

Poor guy…he's just so used to everyone leaving him.

"If that's what you wish, ange." He bowed then moved toward the door. "I'm gong to finish the painting I was working on…call me if you need anything."

"I will. And dry off! You'll catch a cold." Did I actually say that! God, Liz! Now he's going to think you're treating him like a child!

Or are you just saying that because you don't want anything bad happening to him? Face it, Liz, you lo--

Shut up!

"Thank you for your concern, ange." Smiling faintly, Gabriel left her room, closing the door on his way out.

"We're back!" They re-appeared on her bed, each carrying a basket holding various types of food.

Ella peered at her. "What's the look for?"

"What look?"

She shrugged. "Dunno. You just look…zoned out."

"Stop bothering her." Fray poked her in the ribs, but smiled. Fraya and Ella were sisters. Mirei was their friend.

"Going back to the thing tomorrow night," Mirei spoke up, "what are you going to wear?"

"Well, there is this pretty nice dress I found…" Within moments, they were all shoveling down lunch and trading ideas on what to wear and how they were going to do their hair. The conversation she and Gabriel'd had troubled her.

What would Giles do when she returned?