The eager hedgehog managed to get home very quietly, slipping past Blaze's room. He was thankful that the front door didn't creak as loudly as it could have. Though she never said a word, Blaze had a small grin on her face. She continued to read in her room, very much aware that Silver had just entered the house. However, being as smart she was, Blaze had realized what Silver was up to. She decided to let him have the small victory of being able to get into the house "without her noticing".

Silver went into the garage, switching on the radio to pay some quiet Christmas music, hoping to get more into the spirit as he prepared his gifts. He dumped the bag with the modeling clay, and carefully set the music box on a little workbench.

"Okay . . ." he mumbled, bobbing his head along to the music. The clay had been laid out on the table – gray and purple were the colors that he had chosen. "Where do I start?" he mumbled, "Hm . . ."

The hedgehog, with great caution, snapped off the two skating figures on the music box. He gently set them aside. "Sorry guys," he apologized to the figures. After Silver struggled to open the packages of clay, he began to mold them into small shapes. It wasn't easy – Silver's fingers kept slipping, not to mention they were fairly big compared to the size of the tiny sculptures he had in mind. No matter what, though, Silver's determination and perseverance was something to be envied. He was able to get the full shape of the first figure done, even if it wasn't quite perfect.

"Heh . . . you actually look a little bit like me," he said to the small gray piece of clay, "Didn't think you would. But I'm not done yet."

Silver had pulled out some small containers of differently colored paints and a paintbrush. The clay dried relatively quickly, enough time for Silver to begin working on the shape of the second one. For this one, he used purple clay and some white clay. The resulting form wasn't perfect, but Silver curled his tongue against his upper lip with creative ambition anyway. There was no way he was going to give up now. Not after everything he'd been through for the past few days. The purple figure started to really look like its model.

"Perfect," Silver whispered with a wide smile. He held the two figures up and then began to change their poses and arm positions as though they were dancing together. The gray one's first arm would curl around the shoulder of the purple one, and they'd both be holding hands with their free hands. Silver let out a chuckle once he'd finished the poses and, just for fun, lifted both of them in the air with his telekinesis. It wasn't too difficult to lift two things at once, but it was slightly more difficult to concentrate on both. Silver's hand glowed with a bright blue, as did the figures. He slowly spun them around as if they were both dancing on the music box.

What a sight it was. Though the two figures had no added details yet, Silver sighed dreamily at the thought. There was no doubt in his mind that Blaze would love this gift, especially since he'd given it that little extra touch; a personal touch. Because what better way to reach Blaze's heart was there than to combine something homemade and something more exquisitely made?

Silver was able to get the gift completely finished much quicker than he'd expected, and left it hidden under a bag in the garage on a shelf. He was certain Blaze wouldn't see it, especially since she never really made use of the garage. Silver brought in the box with Shadow's helmet and announced himself.

"Oh, Blaaaze! I'm home!"

The elegant cat emerged from her room and yawned in a manner that seemed a bit exaggerated, even for her.

"Why, Silver," she said with a little smile, "You're a bit late, aren't you?"

"Am I?" he replied, his confidence suddenly falling the slightest bit. "I, uh . . . I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to keep you waiting!"

Blaze let out a laugh – a soft, purring sound that could easily be mistaken for beautiful music. At least, in Silver's ears that's what it sounded like. His mouth stretched from ear to ear when he heard that soothing sound.

"You know I'm only teasing," Blaze said, gently tapping Silver's nose with two fingers. "I'm just glad you're home. Just in time for supper, too."

Blaze noticed the picture on the box that Silver was holding and furrowed her brow.

"So you've found a gift for Shadow, then?"

"Yeah, and-"

Silver stopped himself. He was about to tell the incredible story regarding the bikers in the shop, but that would have spoiled her gift. Or at least, the fact that he'd only come home with it that day. So Silver redirected his story.

"I thought it was perfect. It even matches his fur coloration!"

Blaze nodded, opening up the box and pulling out the semi-heavy helmet. She held it up and peered carefully around the other side, seeing a beaming Silver.

"Peekaboo," he chuckled. Blaze giggled and handed him the gift back.

"Likewise, I've found a gift for Vector," she said. "Come take a look."

Silver followed Blaze into the kitchen and watched as she opened up a cabinet.

"I haven't wrapped it yet," she said, pulling out a small shopping bag, "but this is what I've gotten him. Do you suppose he'll like them?"

Silver pulled out the gift from its bag – it was a brand new pair of headphones, a bulky green set.

"He'll love them," Silver said without hesitation, "I'm impressed!"

"As am I with your Secret Santa gift," Blaze replied. "Let's have dinner, and then we can wrap, all right?"

"Awesome!" Silver said, "I'm starving, what are we having?"

After eating a delicious supper, Silver and Blaze brought their gifts into the living room. Blaze pulled some wrapping paper out from a closet, along with ribbons, bows, and other miscellaneous glittery stuff.

"I might need some help; I stink at wrapping presents," Silver informed Blaze. The cat cocked a eyebrow at him.

"Practice does make perfect, you know," she sighed.

"I know, I know."

It wasn't long before the two went from wrapping gifts to putting bows on each other's heads, which soon escalated into a competition to see how many times they could bop each other on the head with an empty wrapping paper roll.

"You can't catch me!" Silver taunted, running to the other side of the room as Blaze wielded a roll of wrapping paper. She grinned slyly.

"Just try me," she teased. Silver teleported himself to a different side of the room as she ran to him.

"You're forgetting something," Silver sang, teleporting again, "You can't caaaatch meee!"

He and Blaze continued this for another few minutes, until Silver unexpectedly teleported directly in front of Blaze, and much to her surprise, kissed her on the cheek.

"I win," he said softly, "Now will you return the favor?"

Silver puckered his lips and shut his eyes, waiting for another pair of lips to meet his. Instead, he felt a hollow tube hit his top quill.

"Guess I shoulda been expecting that one," he said meekly. Blaze laughed softly.

"Here," she said, and leaned forward to kiss Silver's nose. Silver sighed loudly.

"Ahhhhhh . . . ."

"Hush, now, Silver," Blaze giggled, "We still have some wrapping to get done, if I'm not mistaken."

"I guess you're right."

The two began their regular wrapping business again, chatting casually. Silver couldn't help but notice that Blaze's cheeks had only become the slightest bit redder as she talked.