Hello! I've finally updated! ...sorry for taking so long.

Disclaimer: Yeah, don't own Tales of Symphonia... but I wish I did.

The sun had begun to rise –sending its golden rays across the pitch-black sky, adding beautiful colors, and telling all the living creatures that it was almost morning. Lloyd opened his eyes slowly and looked outside the window; how long had he been asleep? The young swordsman looked to his left and saw Colette there, fast asleep. A smile spread across his face as he sat up slowly so that he would not wake the sleeping angel. Lloyd stood up and tucked Colette in before heading out the door and into the lounge where something pink and red suddenly popped out and screamed: "HEEEYY LLOYD!"

"Gah!" Lloyd shouted in surprise as he fell back on the floor. "Z-Zelos?"

"Guess what day it is?" Tethe'alla's Chosen questioned.

"I don't know, what?"

"It's Christmas Eve! You know what that means, dontcha?" Lloyd blinked.

"Presents? Spending time with your friends and family?"

"Yeah, and…" Zelos paused for dramatic effect. "PARTY!" Not long after Zelos uttered the word 'party' from his mouth, Sheena came out of the room rubbing her eyes sleepily. "Ah, my voluptuous hunny is awake." Sheena glared at him.

"I'm only awake because your yelling woke me up!" Sheena spat.

"It looks like somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning!" Zelos replied, in a teasing voice. To Lloyd, it looked as if Sheena had reached her breaking point – her hands were in fists, her eyes stuck on Zelos, and the most obvious of all… Sheena's eyes seemed to have a blazing fire in there. Lloyd stepped back, the memory of what had happened still fresh in his mind – the terrible punishment of anyone who provoked her… it wasn't nearly as bad as Raine's punishments, but was still quite painful

Trying to cause Sheena's anger to subside, Lloyd asked," Sheena… is it really Christmas Eve? And are we really going to have a party?"

"Yes, it is. A party? Who said anything about a party?" Sheena asked. From the corner of her eye, she could see Zelos waving… suggesting that he said that they were going to have a party.

"What's with all the noise?" Regal questioned as he came out of his room, looking just as sleepy as Sheena had.

"We're gonna have a party because it's Christmas Eve!" Zelos cried, thrusting his fist into the air. Everyone glared at Zelos, who shrank back into the corner of the sofa.

"A Christmas party?" Regal stroked his chin in thought. "That actually wouldn't be a bad idea. But isn't it kind of late? Most stores are probably closed at this time of day and year."

"Don't worry!" Zelos cried as he climbed out of his corner. "The great Zelos Wilder has many contacts in Meltokio. I am the Chosen One after all." Sheena rolled her eyes, Lloyd coughed, and Regal stood there politely. Then, there was an awkward silence.

"Good morning everyone!" Raine and Genis called as they came out of their room looking fully rested and cheerful.

"Guess what?" Lloyd shouted. "We're having a party!" Raine and Genis' eyes lit up at the mention of the word 'party'.

"Oh, we must buy decorations!" Raine shouted. "And we must have a theme! How about… a costume party celebrating the Triet Desert Ruins? We could all dress up as archaeologists, and –"

"NO…" Everyone replied in response of Raine's idea. Genis sighed.

"There she goes again," Genis said. "I swear, Raine would probably marry the ruins if it were legal…"

"GENIS!" Raine cried as her hand went flying through the air and collided with Genis' head.

"Owwwww…" Genis moaned, his hands over his head.

"Actually, the party already has a theme. It's a Christmas party." Regal said.

"Oh…" Raine replied, a tone of sadness in her voice. A moment later, Colette and Presea came into the lounge.

"Good morning everyone!" Colette greeted in her usual cheerful tone. "I overheard we're having a party!"

"Yes, that is correct," Raine replied. "We'll need quite a few things such as: decorations and food."

"I know!" Colette cried. "We can divide up into groups to do the shopping!" Everyone nodded in agreement to Colette's idea. Colette then began writing everyone's names on pieces of paper and the group tasks as well. When she had finished, Sheena took the papers from her and stuffed them into a bag.

"Since Colette came up with the idea, why don't we let her draw?" Sheena suggested as she stood up and held the bag above Colette's head.

"Okay," Colette replied as she dug her hand into the bag and pulled out a slip. It read: shopping group. Then, Colette pulled out the following names: Genis, Regal, Zelos, and Lloyd.

"I guess that means the other group consists of myself, Colette, Raine, and Sheena," Presea replied. "Which is the cooking group…" Everyone stared at Raine.

"W-what?" Raine stuttered, obviously uncomfortable from all the attention.

"Remember the last time we tried your cooking?" Lloyd shouted. "I nearly died!" Raine clenched her fists in anger and glared at Lloyd.

"Oh yeah!" Zelos cried. "I remember that! We were camping somewhere near… well I don't remember. But anyway, Raine did the cooking and Lloyd took a bite and started gagging and choking, and spitting…" Zelos continued, oblivious to obvious signs of Raine's anger. Regal and Genis (who aren't as… let's just say dense) noticed that Raine was becoming angry and shouted,

"Let's get started on our shopping!" Lloyd and Zelos stared at them.

"Okay…" Lloyd replied as he followed them out the door. "See you guys later!"

"Heeeey!" Zelos desperately cried. "Wait for me!" And without another word, he dashed out the door. There was an awkward silence once again.

"Well, now that the guys are gone," Sheena began. "We can start cooking for our party. Raine, do you have any cooking books?" Raine nodded. "Can you get them?" Raine complied and ran to her room.

"Why don't we start the preparations with the ingredients we already have?" Presea suggested.

"Okay!" Colette replied as they walked into the kitchen. Not long after, Raine came bounding into the kitchen with two books entitled: The Art of Cooking and The Guide to Cooking for People Who's Cooking is Disliked.

"…Raine? Why do you have books like that?" Sheena wondered out loud.

"THEY"RE PRESENTS!" Raine cried defensively. Again, the awkward silence followed.

"Moving on," Sheena said. "There should be enough ingredients to make a simple cake in here…" Sheena rummaged through the cupboards until she found some eggs, flour, milk, sugar, and butter. And so, the girls began to make a cake (and with Raine's skills, attempt to make a cake).

Meanwhile, "What are we shopping for again?" Lloyd asked.

"Streamers, balloons, and food," Regal replied as he looked at the list Sheena had given him.

"Why don't we split up?" Genis suggested. "That way, we can finish sooner."

"Good idea, I'll go with Lloyd!" Zelos cried.

"I'll pass on that idea," Lloyd replied as he took several steps away from Zelos.

"Well, since there is more food to buy, why don't we let Zelos pick out the decorations while we buy the food? We can meet back here in 30 minutes," Regal suggested.

"Okay!" Everyone yelled as they ran off in different directions.

"…Why do I even bother?" Regal said. "I didn't even tell them what was on the list besides streamers…"

"NO! Raine! Curry powder doesn't go in cake mix!" Sheena cried as she grabbed Raine's wrist.

"Why not? It will add an interesting element to the cake! Instead of just sweet, it will be sweet and spicy!" Raine cried.

"I've got the milk!" Colette triumphantly cried as she ran across the kitchen and tripped on, well… nothing. As Colette fell on the floor, the carton of milk was sent flying across the room, but luckily was caught by Presea.

"Hehehe, sorry," Colette said as she stood up and brushed the dirt off her outfit. Presea then walked over and poured the milk into the bowl.

"Okay guys, I think I can do the rest," Sheena said.

"Okay, we're finally done," Regal said. "We can get back to the inn now."

"Hey, why am I the one carrying all of this stuff?" Zelos cried, his face hidden by the large bags he was forced to carry.

"Because you volunteered," Genis replied.

"I did not! Lloyd volunteered me!" Zelos cried. Lloyd grinned sheepishly as everyone walked over to the rheairds.

"Are they back yet?" Raine said impatiently. "They've been gone for nearly 2 hours…"

"On the positive side, our cake is nearly done. It's something they won't expect and we can surprise them tonight," Colette said in a cheerful tone.

"Yeah, I'm sure they'll love that," Sheena added as she pulled the cake out of the oven. Immediately, pleasant aromas began filling the kitchen and leaking out to the main doors – sweet succulent aromas that caused everyone to begin salivating.

"Wow Sheena," Colette began. "The cake smells really good… is it a Mizuho recipe?"

"Yes," Sheena replied as she placed the cake on a cooling rack. "A woman in my village taught me how to make it." Just then, the sound of a doorknob turning could be heard.

"I think they're back," Presea said. "Let's hide the cake." Presea then took the cake off the cooling rack and placed it back into the oven, leaving the door slightly open so that it could cool off without being seen.

"We're back!" Genis called loudly.

"Something smells good…" Lloyd said slowly as he was enjoying the aroma that was wafting from the kitchen. "…Hey! I thought you said you guys didn't have enough ingredients to make stuff!"

"We didn't," Raine answered as she stepped out of the kitchen. "We found just enough to make a small something, it's barely enough for a party."

"Hey! Can someone help me with these?" Zelos cried from behind about 5 bags. Regal quickly took some of the bags and placed them in the kitchen, Zelos trailing behind him struggling under the weight of the bags.

"Lloyd? What are you holding behind your back?" Colette inquired.

"Uh… um, nothing!" Lloyd cried as he quickly stuffed a small bag behind him. "I'm not hiding anything behind my back."

"Yes you are," Colette replied. "There's something there…" Noticing that Lloyd was having trouble, he walked behind Lloyd and took the small parcel and began walking to Lloyd's room.

"You owe me for saving you this time," Genis whispered as he walked by. Lloyd gave a sigh of relief.

Thanks Genis… I'll pay you back, I swear Lloyd thought as he walked over to the kitchen. "You guys need help in there?"

"No, I think we've got it," Sheena replied as she made hand signals for the girls to return to the kitchen. "You guys go decorate the room…"

"You heard the hunny!" Zelos cried as he walked out of the kitchen with another large bag in his arms. "It's time to decorate!"

"Wow, they sure bought a lot of food!" Colette cried as she eyed all the ingredients that lay on the table.

"Yes, they did," Presea added. "Do we really need this much?"

"Of course! If were gonna have a party tonight, we have to have enough food for a feast!" Sheena cried enthusiastically. "So, here's the recipes… let's get started!"

"I think the wreath should go here," Genis said as he held a large wreath, nearly twice his size. He began staggering under the weight.

"Here, let me help," Regal said as he took the wreath from the small half-elf boy and hung it up where Genis had intended to place it.

"The mistletoe goes right… here," Zelos cheered as he hung it right next to the door.

"Why?" Lloyd asked while he was hanging garlands around the room.

"You don't know?" Zelos casually replied. "Well, I'm not gonna tell you. Just wait and see…"

"Colette! Those cookies smell so good!" Raine cried as Colette pulled a tray of hot cookies out of the oven. Colette giggled.

"Thanks! Your um looks… what is again?" Colette asked as she craned her neck to see what Raine was 'cooking'.

"It's a surprise," Raine simply answered.

"Okay Professor…" Colette said as she began to put frosting on her cookies.

"I've finished!" Presea triumphantly cried as she held her dish up. "It's chicken wings and potato salad!"

"Great! Now, place it on the long table outside," Sheena said, not looking up from stirring the contents her bubbling pot.

"Now that were done," Regal began. "What do we do?" The boys sat there in silence.

"Let's go have a snowball fight!" Genis cried. "There's still plenty of snow outside!" Everyone but Lloyd nodded in agreement.

"I have to… take care of something," Lloyd said as he began walking towards his room.

"Are you taking care of that?" Genis asked teasingly. Lloyd blushed and Genis laughed.

"Well, see ya later Lloyd," Zelos said as he followed everyone out the door.

"Now, to take care of that gift…" Lloyd said to himself.

A few minutes later, "Yes! We're all done!" Sheena cried. "Let's go outside and take a small break…" Presea, Raine, and Colette gladly followed Sheena outside, exhausted from cooking all day.

"Wow, it looks like the boys really did a good job decorating," Raine said as she scanned the room. Bright red and green balloons were hanging on anything that you could hang things on, streamers were trailed everywhere, and a large wreath was hung in the center above the serving table.

"It looks like they left a streamer over there." Colette pointed to a small package that lay forgotten near the door. "Let me take care of that." As Colette walked to the package, Zelos came through the door. Colette stopped right under the mistletoe and stooped down to pick up the streamers. Zelos grinned.

"It looks like it's our lucky day, my little angel," Zelos smirked as he stood beneath the mistletoe next to Colette.

"Huh?" At that moment, Lloyd came out of his room, a smile on his face.

"Since were both under the mistletoe and were opposite genders, were supposed to kiss," Zelos said, his grin growing larger by the second. Lloyd stood there, his mouth agape (he doesn't know what to do… poor Lloyd).

"Zelos!" Sheena cried as she stomped over to where he stood. "You can't kiss Colette!" Sheena grabbed Zelos' hair again and began dragging him away from the mistletoe.

"Awww! But my hunny is over there! And, let go of my beautiful flawless hair!" Zelos protested.

"And I thought Zelos was stupid before…" Genis said to himself. Isn't it obvious that he can't even give Colette a friendly kiss because Lloyd is right there? Not only that, but he knows Lloyd likes Colette… and I guess Zelos can't give friendly kisses, what was I thinking? The young half-elf began laughing to himself. Zelos stood in the corner, whimpering as he began to untangle his hair.

"Well, were all done with our tasks…" Raine began, a smile on her face. Genis, who caught what his sister was trying to say, shouted:

"SO LET THE PARTY BEGIN!" and placed began to play some music. Everyone began helping himself or herself to the food and the party began…

"No! Zelos! Get away from me!" Were Sheena's defensive cries.

…Zelos is obviously doing something perverted again Lloyd thought to himself.

"Lloyd? Are you okay?" Lloyd spun around to see Colette standing right next to him.

"Yeah, of course I am." Lloyd looked to his right to see that Genis was (once again unsuccessfully) trying to flirt with Presea and get her to like him.

"You seem so quiet tonight." Colette took a seat on the sofa right next to Lloyd.

"It's really nothing."

"Okay…" Suddenly, Lloyd had an idea.

"Colette?" She looked into Lloyd's eyes. "W-would you like to dance with me?" Colette was speechless, but gave Lloyd a smile. "I'll take that as a yes." Lloyd smiled back and took Colette's hand. The two walked into the middle of the room and began to dance to the quick beat of the song that was currently playing.

"Hey Raine," Sheena called. "Check out those two…" She gestured to the middle of the room where Lloyd and Colette were dancing. Raine smiled.

"Who do you think made the first move?"

"Probably Lloyd, I think Colette's too shy."

"You never know…" Raine replied as she turned her attention to the two. Lloyd and Colette were twirling around each other, huge smiles plastered on their faces. However, Raine noticed one thing – that Lloyd and Colette had a good steady rhythm going; and that they both looked good together.

Colette landed on the sofa, exhausted. Lloyd sat next to her, breathing heavily. "That was fun…" Colette commented.

"Yeah, we really should do that more often… dancing the night away." Just then, Lloyd remembered that he had to take care of Colette's surprise. "Um, I have to do something. I'm going to bed now, okay?" Lloyd smiled kindly.

"Okay, goodnight Lloyd." Lloyd walked down the hall and into his room. He rummaged around his stuff for a while until he came to a small present in red wrapping paper.

Later that night, Sheena and Colette walked into their room. "Colette, I bet you had fun tonight." Sheena smirked.

"Yes I did, the party was wonderful. Your curry was especially good."

"Thanks. But I was talking about you and Lloyd." Colette blushed a deep crimson.

"We just danced together, that's all."

"Yeah? You looked like you were in paradise. The look on your face was so passionate."

"I… well." Sheena laughed.

"Don't worry about it. Night." Sheena pulled the covers on herself and went to sleep. Colette walked over to her bed and followed suit.

"Lloyd…" Colette whispered to herself before falling asleep. "Thank you for tonight."

The door creaked open quite slowly, since Lloyd was afraid of waking the sleeping girls – it also isn't very good if he got caught sneaking into a girl's room; he also didn't want to sink to Zelos' level. Lloyd managed to sneak in the room and walk to Colette's bed. Then, he placed the small parcel by her pillow. "Merry Christmas, Colette." Lloyd whispered. Then, he summoned up all his courage and gave her a small peck on the forehead before exiting the room as quickly as he had came.

Colette's eyes fluttered open. I could've sworn I hear Lloyd's voice. Colette thought. She sat up and noticed the a horribly wrapped package that lay next to her pillow and began to peel the multiple layers of wrapper off slowly. When all the layers had come off, Colette had a small plush puppy laying on her pillow. Colette smiled, and noticed that there was a small card. When she opened it, the card read:

Dear Colette,

Merry Christmas. I know that we all kind of agreed to not get each other presents but I just had to get one for you. I know it isn't much, but I picked it out just for you. You're a really special person to me Colette.

-Lloyd

By the time Colette had finished reading the card, she was blushing. Lloyd really does care about me, or more than I thought he did. She looked down at the adorable puppy laying on her pillow and blushed even deeper when she noticed that it had a small metal heart on its collar. The angel yawned – it really was getting quite late. Colette held her puppy close to her and fell asleep, thinking about how much Lloyd meant to her and how she would always treasure the plush dog; merely because it was a present from her favorite person in both worlds.

Hope you liked it. I just had to do the Christmasy thing! (it's a great chance to add fluffiness). Please review, it'll only take a couple of seconds!

-Hari