A/N- thanks to Dark Ninja for pointing out the dialogue mistakes…I tend to forget which time period they're in occasionally, 'cause I'm working on another book at the same time that's set in the present…anyways, confusing. But I will pay more attention to said dialogue now.

Gabriel yawned and looked around confusedly. How had he gotten on the floor…? His eyes traveled to the chair and easel next to him. Ah. Now he remembered…he had stayed up late working on the painting…I must have fallen asleep. He pushed himself up off the floor and stood slightly unsteadily, rolling his neck around. Sleeping on the floor had left him stiff, and the fingers on his right hand ached from holding the paintbrush for such a period of time, but at least it had paid off. He stared at the painting critically. There weren't that many faults, considering that he was out of practice with painting people.

Something brushed against his ankle and he almost jumped, looking down. There, right next to his foot, was a small orange kitten. There was a red ribbon tied around its neck, but despite that, it was rather scrawny. He guessed it to be around two months old.

Gabriel knelt back down on the floor and picked it up; it fit perfectly in the palm of his hand. "Bonjour, little one…how did you get here?" It blinked its almond-shaped eyes and him and meowed. Gabriel examined the bow closer and noticed that a small scrap of parchment had been tied to it. Tugging it loose, he set the kitten on the ground and read it. The note was written in Elizabeth's neat cursive.

I found her wandering in the garden yesterday…I thought you might like a companion who is as furry as you!

Merry Christmas,

Elizabeth

Gabriel laughed after he finished reading the note. "Do you have a name, little one?" he joked, stroking the kitten's head with a finger. It (or she, rather) purred the walked off to his dresser, tail held high. She stopped in front of it and batted one of the painted roses with a small paw.

"Rose it is, then." Gabriel walked over to Rose and picked her up. She stared curiously at him, then swiped at a strand of his hair. "You're not afraid of me either, I see."

She meowed and continued her playing with his hair.

"Let's go find Elizabeth, Rose," he said, the crossed the room and opened the door with his free hand. It struck him odd that he was talking to a cat, but then again, he had done much odder things in his life. Yelling at the piano was one of them, talking to himself was another, cursing the roses when they pricked him was yet another.

Face it, Gabriel, you're just an odd person.

By the time he had reached Elizabeth's room, Rose had decided that she would much rather sit on his head than be carried, and Gabriel had let her, seeing no harm in it. He knocked on Elizabeth's door, opening it after she yelled a muffled "Come in!"

"Merry Christmas, ange," he greeted her. She looked over from where she was, near her wardrobe, and burst out laughing.

"Is there something-" he started, then remembered that the kitten was still on his head. "Oh." He reached up and lifted her off, which earned him a small nip on his hand as a token of Rose's annoyance. Clearly, she did not like being moved from her spot.

"I see you two have bonded quickly!" She fastened her cloak ties; she was already dressed warmly, in a plain but warm dress. "Have you named her?"

"Actually, she named herself: Rose." Hearing her name, the kitten looked up at him and meowed.

Elizabeth smiled. "I'm going outside to say hello to Star…come with me?"

"Of course." Unless his memory proved him wrong, he had put his gift next to Star's stall.

Elizabeth smiled and approached them, petting Rose on the head. "And what about you, Mademoiselle Rose?"

Rose purred happily. "She's pretty tame for a stray," Gabriel observed.

Elizabeth nodded. "Let's go then, shall we?"

Elizabeth smiled at Rose as the approached the stable; she had chosen a new spot, this time on Gabriel's shoulder. She was glad that she had found the kitten. Gabriel seemed quite fond of it already. Every once in a while, he would reach a hand up to pet her or steady her if he thought she would fall.

I can't believe I was once afraid of him! She grinned and shook her head. Oh, if only Giles could see Gabriel now… She ran ahead of Gabriel and trotted over to Star. "Bonjour, Star! Merry Christmas!" She didn't care that some people would think that talking to her horse was odd; she had done so ever since she had gotten her.

Star nickered happily, as if replying. Elizabeth opened the stall door and stroked her horse's neck. "Hey, girl, how are you?" Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted something next to Star's tack. It was covered with an old blanket, but she thought she could make out the shape of a saddle. Leaving Star (and closing the door halfway behind her, so she wouldn't get out), she went over to the saddle rack and removed the blanket.

She'd been right, it was a saddle. A really new saddle, made of polished brown leather (and it was English; she'd never learned how to ride Western). There was a soft red saddle blanket under it, and draped over the saddle was a new halter, reins, and lead rope.

"Do you like it?" Gabriel asked from behind her. She turned around. Rose was busy walking from one shoulder to the other, like an acrobat.

"Yes! Thank you!" She stepped forward and hugged him tightly, then steeped back. "Star! Let's see how it looks on you, girl!" She picked up the saddle and reins with almost no trouble; despite her delicate appearance, she had strong arms from helping her father out with horses, and she had been tacking and un-tacking them ever since she could remember.

Star stood patiently as Elizabeth put her new tack on; first the saddle blanket, then the saddle. Unlike some horses, who took a breath to expand their stomachs and prevent the girth from being cinched all the way, Star obediently stood motionless as Elizabeth finished securing the strap. Then came the reins and bit. After she finished, Elizabeth took the reins in one hand and lead Star out of her stall, then took a step back to admire her.

"What do you think?" she asked.

Gabriel smiled. "She looks very beautiful, but nowhere near as you."

"Now, should I be flattered that you think I'm better-looking than a horse, or offended that you compared Star to me in the first place?" She out her free hand on her hip and glared at him with mock-anger, keeping a straight face.

"Whatever you wish to feel, ange," he replied humbly and bowed, keeping Rose steady with one hand.

"You can't just argue with me, can you?" she laughed.

"Of curse not, ange. It would be impolite to do so. But may I suggest something?"

"It depends," she joked.

"Why don't you spend the day with your father, then return for supper? Star is ready to go, after all."

She groaned. "I was hoping you had forgotten about that."

He grinned impishly. "Not a chance. Christmas is about family, is it not?"

"Well, if you're going to keep pestering me about it…" she lead Star out of the stables and mounted her, hiking up her skirts so she could ride comfortably. Elizabeth never had wanted to learn to ride side-saddle like "a proper lady". And, being brought up almost entirely by her father, never had to worry bout having to. After all, who was going to teach her? Him? They had laughed at the thought.

"I'll come with you until we reach the edge of the forest," Gabriel said.

"Why don't you just put your cloak on and stay with me the whole time?"

"I don't want to get in the way of father-daughter time," he said simply, and earned a glare from Elizabeth, and then they were off.

Gabriel stopped as soon as the town came into view. "This is where I'll stop, ange."

"Are you sure you don't want to come with me?" she half-begged, tugging gently on the reins to stop Star. A part of her wanted to never speak to her father again; another part of her wanted to introduce him to Gabriel. He was her closest friend, after all (except for Jocelyn, of course), and him being around might make the visit tolerable.

"I'll see you at nightfall. And I'll come right back to this spot to walk you back to the castle. Deal?"

"Deal, she sighed. She held out her hand, and he shook it. "Au revoir, Gabriel. And you too, Rose." She turned her head toward the village before she could change her mind and nudged Star into a walk, then a trot. Behind her, Gabriel melted into the forest as if he had never been there in the first place.

Elizabeth guided Star around other people's carts and other people. Nothing at all had changed; it was the same, dull, boring, repetitive town she had grown up in. A few people (and there weren't that many, since most were in their houses) looked at her curiously, then went back to there work. As she was a woman, they probably saw her as now threat, and her hair was covered by the hood of her cloak. A few even bid he good-day, and she returned their greeting politely, since impolite "strangers" stuck in the villagers' heads.

Hah, impolite! Filthy hypocrites! They think that not returning a greeting isn't polite, and they are the very same rotten-excuses-for-people who nearly killed a demon and a sorceress for just being who they were! I can't believe I used to live here!

Star arrived at her old house in no time at all, escorting herself to her father's barn. Elizabeth dismounted and led her into a stall, then left and closed the barn doors behind her.

Might as well get this over with…and I'm sure he won't mind if I stay in here the whole time. No way will I go back into town…if Giles saw me… she shuddered and broke off her train of thought. Focus on what's happening now, not what might happen!

Elizabeth waded through the calf-deep snow until she reached the cottage door. She knocked on it five times, then waited, wondering why she was knocking to be let in to her own home.

It's not my home anymore. It ceased being "home" after I was married to Giles…and then was sent to Gabriel. If home is where the heart is, my heart certainly isn't here.

Oh, really, Liz? Then where is it? Back at the castle with Gab-

The door swung open. "Elizabeth?" Her father stared open-mouthed at her. Before she could answer, he stepped forward and hugged her tightly. "Oh my God! I thought you were dead!" He let go of her then stepped away from the door. "Please, come in!"

Elizabeth walked into what had once been her kitchen. Unlike the village, it had changed quite a bit; once neat and organized, it was now in a state of chaos. Dirty dishes crowded the sink, the floors were dirty, and the remains of a meal (from God knows when) was on the table.

Her father himself looked three years (or more) older, not three months. There was more grey in his dark hair than she had remembered, and more wrinkles around his eyes. Speaking of his eyes, there were also dark circles under them, a sign of poor health along with lack of sleep.

"Here, here, sit down!" he said quickly. She pulled out one of the two chairs and seated herself at the kitchen table. He sat down from across from her, then began asking question in rapid succession, making her fell as if she was being interrogated. "Where did you go? What happened to you? Why did you go? Are you alright? Giles said-"

"I'm glad to see you too, Father."

Her father froze, then began to laugh. It wasn't happy laughter, more like sad and resentful laughter. "I'm sorry, my little girl! Sorry for everything! It was all my fault-!"

She cut him off. "I didn't come here for your apologies."

"Then why did you? And how did you come? They were all saying you were held captive by some monster!"

"I ran away, that is all," she said quickly, clenching her fist. He had no right to call Gabriel that! None! "That fop over-reacted. He was drunk at the time."

"Then why didn't you contact me? I was worried sick!"

Elizabeth snapped right then. "Serves you right! You were the one that caused me to run away! If you hadn't set me up with--how could you have engaged me to him in the first place!"

Elizabeth's father stared at her in shock. She had remembered him always as a very reserved man, but now his eyes were beginning to look rather wet. "I only wanted you to have a good life…you're right, I made a mistake…a terrible mistake."

Her anger resided, being replaced resignation. You probably would have done the same thing to your child, Liz. If there was a wealthy and popular family, you might have betrothed your child, so that they could've had the same comfortable life.

"You're forgiven, Father," she sighed.

And right again, Gabriel: I can't stay mad at him forever. This was the man who raised me.

"Thank you, my little girl…you know, you look so much like your mother." He smiled at her, seeing two people in his daughter's body. One was her, and one was her mother.

"I know."

"Are you going to stay here?"

She shook her head. "I'm only staying for the day…I found a new place to live. With lots of friends. And books," she added.

"All that matters to me is that my daughter is happy." He suddenly shot out of his chair. "I forgot! I have something to give you!"

Elizabeth shook her head again, this time in amusement. This was the father she preferred; forgetful, a little eccentric, but still caring and happy.

Still, I can't wait to get back to the castle! There's still the food to set out, and my clothes to get ready…and Gabriel still doesn't know yet! God, I hope he likes it!

She looked curiously at the box her father was holding as he re-entered the room. "your mother wanted me to give you this when you were an adult…and I think you're more matrue now than any of the adults in the village!"

He handed her the box and stared anxiously at her as she opened it.

Gabriel stood motionless behind an old tree, watching Elizabeth as she left the small house, drawing her hood over her head. She looked happy…well, more happy than she had been when she's left for her old home.

Gabriel, after running at breakneck speed to the castle, had left then returned to the village as quickly as he could, after donning his coat, boots, gloves, and heavy cloak. That, and returning Rose to his room, was his only reason for leaving. He couldn't just leave Elizabeth alone! Maybe he was being paranoid, but he doubted it. If that pathetic cad Giles even thought of laying a finger on her-!

Calm down! Don't start panicking. See, Elizabeth is going into the book store, and no-one else is in there, except the librarian. Alone and perfectly safe…

Wait until Giles shows up. Then you can panic.

Gabriel shifted slightly to see better into the library window. Elizabeth was smiling and talking to the librarian, who looked incredibly happy to see her. She laughed at something he said, then moved to look at the book shelves.

He sighed in relief. No-one had noticed her return…yet, anyways. Or, maybe they noticed, but didn't care.

As long as she's safe. And that's what you're here for, to make sure she stays that way.

Gabriel leaned back against the trunk and looked at the winter sky. Good weather today…only a few clouds, none of them bringing bad weather. The sun was small and pale, as it was in the winter, but gave sufficient light.

Which would make remaining hidden more difficult, since he usually lurked in the shadows, but the tree he was hiding behind had nothing behind it, and a good amount of distance between it and the packed-down snow that served as a road.

Looking at nothing in particular, he almost missed the group of three people that had gathered outside the library. One was obviously the leader, and, strangely enough, Gabriel thought he knew him.

I could swear that I've seen him somewhere! The man's hair was a light, sandy brown, and he wore expensive, fashionable clothing. He stood out from the other two, who looked like they might be farmers. One had black hair, the other had brown, and they both cheap, home-made clothing.

And, at the man's right hip, hung a sleek rapier.

Giles! It was him! The person who had fought him, then gave Elizabeth as a penance for his own worthless life! Gabriel growled softly under his breath, using all his willpower not to run over there and throttle the man. That would make you no better than him!

He would not move unless he was sure Elizabeth was in danger.

Elizabeth walked out of the library and turned back toward her house, almost running straight into Giles and his group. Giles laughed cruelly then grabbed her forearm roughly, causing her to cry out. He said something to her that made her struggle to break away. Giles shouted something to one of the men standing beside him, and Gabriel heard it, this time.

"Lock her away!"

And that was more than enough to qualify as danger to Gabriel. He jumped out from behind the tree and raced towards them.

Don't worry, ange, they won't lock you away anywhere! Within a few seconds, he had stopped in front of the group, receiving looks of fear and surprise from the men, and relief from Elizabeth as he forced Giles's hand off of her arm and stepped in front of her, whispering "Get Star and hide in the woods."

He saw her nod out of the corner of his eye and she ran off in the direction of where she had came, unnoticed by Giles and the two other people, who were all staring at Gabriel, or to be more precise, up at Gabriel.

Recognition flickered in Giles's hazel eyes.

It seems that he remembers how you are, also, Gabriel thought, before Giles drew his sword from its sheath.

"Kill him!"

A/N- uh-oh, cliffhanger! Muahahahahahahahaha.