Okay, I couldn't get to updating my main story in time. So I present you with this, one last Christmas one-shot featuring little Tony. I hope you all have a very merry Christmas! Thanks so much for reading! =D

I worriedly glanced over at the six year old in the back seat. Tony hadn't said anything since he found out his parents wouldn't be home for Christmas. It was Christmas Eve and they couldn't make it back from one of their many business trips. He tried his best to make it seem like he didn't care but I knew better. So in an effort to cheer him up I was taking him to see Santa at a local Christmas village thing. I know he didn't really believe in Santa, he was too smart for that but he played along for me. But this year he just didn't seem to care, at all. The whole ride he looked like he was about to cry and I just couldn't take it. So that was why I couldn't shut up, singing with the Christmas music on the radio and spouting off random Christmassy facts.

"Tony look, see that? That's mistletoe, it grows in bunches in the tops of trees."

I looked in the rear view to see him, he glanced out the window and nodded but didn't say anything. I sighed as we pulled into the parking lot. I hope this brings that smile back, he just didn't look right without it.

"Okay, we're here lets go."

For it being Christmas Eve it was strangely empty. Where there would usually be long lines, there were only a few people milling around. At least this way I wouldn't lose Tony in a crowd, I hope. I turned around to make sure he was still behind me.

"Tony? Where are you?"

In the seconds it took to get out of the car he had disappeared. Thankfully he hadn't gone far, he was standing under the tree I had pointed out on the way in. I walked over and crouched down by him.

"Hey T, whatcha looking at?"

He didn't look at me.

"It looks different on TV."

I frowned.

"What does?"

He pointed up.

"The mistletoe, it looks funny."

I laughed and ruffled his hair.

"TV isn't always right Tony. Now come on lets go."

He turned around and looked at me. It was heartbreaking, his eyes were filled with tears and his lower lip was trembling. Without hesitation I pulled him into my arms and hugged him tight.

"Why can't they come home? Is it not important?"

Inwardly I cursed Howard and his workaholic tendencies. Maria was no better, she went along with it all. No I shouldn't think that, it won't help anything.

"Oh Tony, of course it's important! Sometimes things just can't be helped, I know if they could they would be here."

"But it's not fair!"

He was right, it wasn't fair. I have to word this right or I could bring on a full out tantrum. And I did not want that.

"That's just it Tony, life isn't fair. Believe me I know. A lot of times things won't go the way you want, but you have to learn to roll with the punches. But I can promise you one thing."

"What's that?"

"I will always be here for you, I promise."

He sniffled and wiped his face with my scarf. A tiny smile on his face.

"Pinky promise?"

I grinned and held out my pinky.

"Pinky promise, Tony."

A real smile appeared on his face as we locked pinkies.

"Now are you ready to go have fun?"

"I guess so. Race ya!"

Then he took off, towards the entrance.

"Tony, wait for me!"

As the day progressed a few more people trickled in but with the exception of a few families and the odd couple we had the place to ourselves. I was just glad Tony was in a better mood, watching him run around and laugh was gift enough for me.

"Hey Lisey!"

I walked over to the hot chocolate stand where he was.

"Yeah, what's up T?"

I picked up a cup myself, it was getting chilly.

"Why don't you have a boyfriend?"

I almost spit my hot chocolate out.

"Where did that come from?"

He pointed at something behind me. I turned to see a happy couple kissing under the mistletoe.

"Why don't you have someone like that? They look really happy."

I sighed, wondering how I got myself into these situations, at the same time wishing (not for the first time) that Tony wasn't so observant.

"Well, I'm so busy taking care of you I haven't had time. The right guy just hasn't come along yet. Besides I'm perfectly happy right now."

That wasn't exactly true. Of course I loved being Tony's nanny but I can't say that I wouldn't like to find the person I was meant to be with.

"So you just need the right person?"

I can't believe I'm discussing my love life (or lack thereof) with a six year old.

"Tony, don't worry about it. Oh look there's Santa, why don't we go over there."

His attention sufficiently averted, I smiled at the thought of Tony worrying about finding me a boyfriend.

Just as we got to the spot where Santa was, a man came up to me.

"Excuse me Ma'am are you driving a blue Capri?"

I nodded confused.

"Well I think you left your lights on."

"Oh thank you very much!"

I groaned as he walked away, this wouldn't be the first time I'd done this. I couldn't let the battery run down again, I had to go turn them off.

"Hey Tony, I left the lights on. Do want to come with me or will you stay here?"

He rolled his eyes.

"Again? No, I'll stay here."

I frowned, the last time I left Tony alone something caught fire. I still don't know how he managed to do it.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'll be right here when you get back. Hurry up and get back."

"Alright, you'd better be right there when I get back."

Reluctantly I made my way back to the car.

I watched her until I couldn't see her anymore. Then I ran over to where 'Santa' was sitting, I knew exactly what to ask him for. Good for me there wasn't anybody else there so I wouldn't have to wait.

"Hey there little guy, come on up."

Santa helped me up into his lap and I stared at him. The beard was so obviously fake, but he had to at least be old.

"So, what do you want for Christmas?"

"I want my sister to find the perfect boyfriend."

His eyes widened in surprise.

"Your sister? You don't want anything?"

I laughed at him. Like Santa would be able to get his hands on an advanced circuiting set.

"I already have everything I want, and I can get whatever I want anytime."

His eyes narrowed.

"Sounds like you might be on the naughty list."

I rolled my eyes.

"I know that, but Liesy isn't. She's the nicest, so can you help me? You must have a grandson or something."

I looked closer at him and upon further inspection I saw that he wasn't even old. I frowned and pulled his beard down.

"Hey!"

He yanked it back up quickly.

I almost started to laugh, this guy was Lisey's age! I looked behind me to make sure she wasn't back yet, seeing she wasn't I started to question him.

"Do you have a girlfriend? Did you go to college? Why are you Santa, you're so young? Where do you work? What's your name? Do you like redheads?"

"Whoa, slow down! What's with all the questions kid?"

I sighed, well at least he wasn't smarter than me.

"I already told you."

He glanced to see if there was any other kids around before pulling the beard back down.

"My name is Steve, the guy who is regularly Santa was sick. I couldn't let all the kids down so I offered to fill in."

I smiled, so far so good.

"I'm Tony, I don't really believe in Santa anymore but it makes my sister happy so I pretend for her."

"Nice to meet you Tony, you're pretty smart for…"

"Six and a half. And I know, Lisey says I'm the smartest kid on the planet."

He looked surprised, well of course he was I'm a surprising kid.

"Sounds like your sister loves you very much."

I grinned.

"She does, she's the best! Now answer the rest of my question."

"Well, I was in the army."

"Why are yo-"

"I was honorably discharged, I got hurt and couldn't fight any more so they sent me home."

He looked down with a frown. I felt a little bit bad for him, he sounded sad.

"Hey its okay, life doesn't always go the way you want it to. You have to roll with the punches."

"Thanks Tony, you're right."

"Lisey told me that."

He smiled at me.

"Your sister sounds like a very smart lady."

"She is, now keep going."

He chuckled.

"Alright, let's see. I work at the police station, filing and paperwork mostly. But next year I'm going to try and get into the academy."

He seemed to be loosening up a bit.

"So what about school?"

He started to rub the back of his neck.

"I went to art school for a year, then I enlisted."

I stared at him appraisingly.

"So what about a girlfriend? Do you have one?"

I smirked, he looked uncomfortable.

"Uh, no, I don't have a girlfriend."

"Last one, what do you think of redheads?"

"They're great I guess."

Hmm, well he's not perfect but no one would be. I guess he'll have to do.

Before either of us could say anything, I heard my name.

"Tony! I'm back, where are you?"

Both of us turned around, to see Lisey looking for me. I grinned and waved at her.

"Over here!"

She looked over and smiled.

"Oh good I thought you'd run off. Did you tell Santa what you want for Christmas?"

I elbowed Steve, who had gone silent.

"Uh, yes he did."

I climbed off his lap and ran over to hug her.

"Oof, careful Tony. What did you ask for?"

I glanced at Steve and then back to her, an idea forming.

"Catch me and I'll tell you!"

Then I ran off, laughing at her.

I sighed, I knew this would happen.

"Tony! Come back here!"

The only answer was his childish laughter. He was soon out of sight.

"Um, do want help? Finding him I mean."

Startled, I whirled around. It was Santa, but without the beard and hat I could see that he was around my age and very cute. He had short blonde hair and striking blue eyes, I quickly realized I was staring so I looked away.

"Oh, yes that would be great. Wait, don't you have to stay and be Santa?"

He smiled sheepishly.

"There's not many kids here today, and it's about time for my break anyway."

He was much taller than me so I had to look up.

"If you're sure, I'd love the help..."

"Steve, and I'm positive, let's go."

"Thanks, I'm Anna by the way."

So we walked in the direction Tony had gone. The awkward silence was killing me, so when he spoke I was thankful.

"So you're Tony's sister?"

I smiled.

"Yeah I am, well not technically. I'm really his nanny but he's like a little brother to me."

"He loves you a lot, I can tell."

Just as I was about to respond I heard Tony.

"Lisey! Come on, you're faster than that."

Both of us looked for the source of his voice. But I couldn't spot him anywhere, I tried my best not to get worried when I didn't see him.

"Tony where are you?"

"Come on Tony, don't worry your sister."

We had reached the end of the village and Tony wasn't anywhere.

"Just a little further."

Not thinking I grabbed Steve's hand and to my surprise he squeezed it. Still holding hands, we continued to walk forwards until Tony stopped us.

"There stop!"

I was getting frustrated now.

"Tony, cut it out. Come on out."

"Okay look up."

I looked up and gasped, Tony was hanging from a low hanging tree branch. He had a devious smirk on his face and in his hand was a chunk of mistletoe.

"Now you have to kiss."

I felt my face slowly turning a bright shade of red. I looked over at Steve to see his face was flushed as well.

"Tony come down right now!"

He just grinned wider.

"No, not until you kiss."

I put my hand to my face and sighed, when he made up his mind there wasn't a thing I could do about it. I looked up when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"If it's alright with you."

Clear blue eyes met mine, asking a silent question and I found myself smiling.

"It is tradition."

We both leaned forward until our lips met. It was a soft innocent kiss, tender and sweet. Here I was kissing, basically a stranger and all I could think was how perfect it was.

I pulled away and put my hand to my lips, why did I feel this way?

"Wow, I uh."

I couldn't meet his gaze.

"Yeah, me too."

Tony's laughter interrupted whatever he'd been about to say. I glared at him, not really angry.

"Now get down from there before you fall."

It was like my words made the tree mad. Right then a sharp crack was heard and Tony's amusement disappeared. A look of fear crossed his face as the branch started to break. Then he fell.

"Tony!"

Steve moving quickly, darted over and caught him before he could hit the ground.

"Gotcha, are you okay?"

He nodded, still a bit dazed.

I rushed over and checked him over to make sure he was alright before I grabbed him into my arms.

"Don't scare me like that! If Steve hadn't caught you, you could have seriously hurt yourself."

He pulled out the puppy dog eyes and his I'm-so-adorable-don't-be-mad-at-me-pout.

"Sorry Lisey."

I sighed, I couldn't stay upset at him.

It's alright, I'm just glad you're okay."

He grinned and wiggled out of my arms and took off again.

"Meet you at the hot chocolate stand!"

I pinched my nose and called after him.

"Just don't go anywhere else."

"Mind if I join you?"

I glanced over at Steve and smiled.

"Not at all."

He held his hand out and I grabbed it, grinning all the while. He laced his finger between mine and on a sudden whim I pulled him down to my height and pecked him on the cheek.

"What wa-"

"Thank you, I don't know what I'd do if anything ever happened to him."

"Any time. Hey what are you doing New Year's Eve?"

Smirking I looked up at him.

"Nothing that I know of, why?"

Rubbing the back of his neck with the hand not holding mine, he laughed nervously.

"Well if you weren't busy, I was wondering if you wanted to come watch some fireworks with me."

On the inside I was freaking out, but I tried to play it cool.

"Yeah, I'd like that Steve. Tony can do without me for one night."

His face lit up.

"Really? Great, I'll come pick you up. You'd be okay with riding on a motorcycle right?"

"I've never ridden one before but I'm sure I can manage."

We came up to the stand where Tony was busy loading up his cup with marshmallows. He looked between us and then to our joined hands with a huge grin on his face.

"I think you've got enough there T."

"If you say so Lisey."

I ruffled his hair and smiled.

"Lisey, is that a nickname?"

I winced as Tony glared at Steve. Poor guy, he had no idea what he'd just done.

"Nobody but me calls her that! No one, got it!?"

Steve, shocked by his outburst just nodded.

"I'll be by the car."

We watched as he stalked off, shoveling marshmallows in his mouth angrily.

"Does he always react like that?"

I laughed.

"No, usually it's much worse. I think he liked you, so it wasn't nearly as bad. He claimed that name day one and according to him no one else can call me that."

"Understood. What is it short for?"

"Annalise is my full name. Most people call me Anna though."

He grinned at me.

"Well I'll never make that mistake again, that's for sure. See you later Anna."

"Yeah, oh here."

I handed him a scrap of paper with my address on it.

"Bye Steve, see you later."

Smiling I followed Tony back to the car, excited about New Year's Eve for the first time in a long time.

For my super cool awesome friend AvaWa, I hope you enjoy! Merry Christmas!