IT LIIIIIIIVES.

Yeah, sorry I've been gone, but hopefully this chapter is worth the wait. I worked hard on making it well-executed. And this is the best time to upload it!

Happy Holidays, everyone, as late as it is!!

Chapter 4

Holidays & Secrets


"Silent night, holy night…
All is calm, all is bright,
Round yon virgin, mother and child,
Holy infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace…" a young, nine year-old Selene sang gently, bringing forth a round of applause from those she called her family, both biological and spiritual. All of them were engulfed in a perfect holiday scene. A triangle tree of green pine was standing not too far from the gently cackling fireplace, golden and silver ornaments dangling from it as they showed the reflections of the variously-wrapped gifts under it. Mistletoe was hung at every doorway, so the children among the group made sure to go through individually to avoid the affectionate consequence. The modest but large crowd consisted of her own father, mother, and brother, but also contained Barnaby and Guinevyr Jordan, along with their five children, Leigh, Lynn, Ralph, Basil, and Miri. In the kitchen was the Jordan's beloved maid, Mrs. Judson, preparing the last of the chocolate-chip cookies for everyone. The youngest of them all, Miri, was clapping her hands wildly as she giggled in laughter.

"Again, again!" the five year-old chanted.

Both the Skyhavens and Jordans laughed heartily, and Selene walked to the tiny beige-colored mouse with bright blue eyes, patting her on the head. "If you'd still want me to, I'll do it for when you go to sleep, okay?" the young white mouse said warmly. Denying the poor thing some pleasure would forever give Selene guilt if she turned it down. Miri was just too cute.

Said cute mouse's eyes lit up like bright blue fire. Having looked up to Selene as a second sister for all her life, receiving the privilege of getting a specially-sung lullaby on Christmas Eve was like heaven to her. To the innocent mouse, no gloriously jewel-encrusted present could compare to knowing that Selene truly cared for her, and was willing to show it in her own special way. In her moment of extreme gratitude, Miri bent over and hugged Selene's waist fiercely, earning a shocked but soon relaxed reaction from her idol. "Thank you, Seli! Thank you, thank you!"

Selene smiled at her, and wrapped her arms around the tiny mouse. "No problem…Cheesecake." Miri looked up questioningly at her, tilting her head to the side slightly.

"Cheesecake?"

"Mm-hm!" Selene smiled and nodded vigorously, "You have light fur, and a nice wavy head of blonde hair. You look like a cheesecake to me, Miri."

"Does that mean we can eat her?" Apollo teased casually as he was leaning on the sofa that his best friend, Basil, had already been sitting on.

Said best friend glared at him playfully, before smacking the golden mouse upside the head. "Bad Apollo."

Crossing his arms and mimicking the good-natured glare, Apollo made a huff. "Fine, I'll get the second bite."

"Good Apollo!" Basil mocked jovially, something the normally serious youth didn't take to too often around his family.

Lynn, the same light brown color as Basil, observed this, her amber eyes glittering with sadness. "What is it with Apollo and Selene, to make him so carefree?" she whispered to herself as she gazed at Selene jokingly defending Miri, threatening her brother and brother's friend that if they dared to eat Miri, they'd have to go through her first. Brushing her black hair out of her face, she smiled sadly as she realized the trick to it all. "They're the perfect foil to his normal seriousness…I suppose it helps him relax." The seventeen year-old had to admit; the Jordans were a happy, healthy, but stern family. Each of the children, except for Miri, who was still too young to make a decision, had already decided on a good career that involved much discipline, to themselves and others. Basil's career choice didn't require as much as being a doctor, nurse, or teacher, but Lynn supposed he was the way he was because of the three eldest siblings' influence. She was glad that Miri hadn't turned out that way yet.

"Attack Seli!!" Apollo commanded suddenly, bringing Lynn back to reality to witness Selene having a fake horrified look on her face as she was soon chased by her older brother and Basil, with Miri waddling after them in entertained delight.

The four parents looked around wildly, wondering what trouble the trio were causing, as they usually did. They soon got their answers when they heard a surprised yelp from Mrs. Judson, only for the children to suddenly rush out of the kitchen, calling "Sorry Mrs. Judson!" simultaneously. Apollo finally was able to pounce on Selene, with Basil following, and the three tumbled into the center of the living room in a fit of roaring laughter.

Barnaby and his wife Guinevyr were struggling to contain their mirth, as they had never seen their youngest son act so ridiculously happy in their lives. Also, the way the three had presented themselves was just too adorably hilarious to ignore.

Rita Skyhaven, a spitting image of Selene, except obviously older, looked at the sterling-furred Artemis Skyhaven with a stern look, although her eyes were under-toned with the laughter her husband was struggling to stifle. "I swear, they get it from you, Artemis."

Her husband sighed in vague hopelessness, like he'd heard the comment a million times before. "Hey, it's not my fault. Not entirely, anyways, Miss Troublemaker. Might I remember that when we were children, you yourself would play pranks on the neighborhood bullies?"

Looking away in a mixture of mock innocence and nervousness, Rita couldn't help but let the light pink blush tinge her cheeks, sending the other three adults into a laughing fit.

Ralph, a normally quiet but friendly thirteen year-old mouse with chocolate brown fur, dark brown hair, and green eyes, felt the corners of his mouth twitch as he saw his parents' awkward – they must not have been used to laughing so hard – but happy faces, sending him chuckling mad. The eldest of the children and Lynn's twin brother, Leigh, looked at his younger brother with confused interest.

"What's so funny?" Leigh – with the same eyes and hair as his twin Lynn but with red-brown fur – asked as Ralph was soon pounding on the couch with his fist, the outburst from his normally pleasant brother starting to make him uncomfortable. Ralph continued to laugh his tail off, barely gasping for breath two minutes later.

"Hahaha…the way they just tumbled in here…come now, Leigh, you know it's funny!!" With that his laughter escalated.

It began to make even the corners of the ever-serious Leigh's mouth twitch upwards. Snickering soon followed, the chuckling, and the a stream of laughter echoing throughout the halls. Stunned, Lynn looked curiously at her twin brother. He never laughed. Not even as a baby; even if he had, Lynn certainly couldn't remember it; Leigh was always a serious one. Perhaps it was because their father was "getting on in years," although she still believed him quite young, and that Leigh had assumed the role of being the family's future leader a bit too early in life. He was merely seventeen. Though seeing him actually laughing, it made her burst into giggles as well. Mouse after mouse, the whole room turned into a concert hall of laughter, their sounds resonating through the house halls with warmth. And Selene was the first to stop and take a look around at her.

"So this is how Christmas is supposed to be, like they make it seem in the stories," she whispered, and Apollo and Basil were the only other two that heard it, and ceased their chuckles to smile with Selene, the rest of the room oblivious to the infamous trio. Apollo came up to her and grabbed her hand while the slightly taller Basil grabbed the other. Normally she didn't allow anyone outside the family to touch her, but Basil was a good exception.

She looked at Apollo, who had a grin on his face that was his devilish trademark. "You're right, Seli," he whispered.

"This is how Christmas is supposed to be," Basil finished.

Selene woke up from her daydreams, eyes wide as she fervently turned her head in all directions, remembering that she still had to return to Baker Street before Basil undoubtedly worried his tail off. If it wasn't Apollo, which obviously it wasn't, then Basil would assume the protector role. Except now, he could probably have enough power within London to burn the city to the ground if it meant finding her. Come to think of it, Apollo would do the same. A harsh jab was made at her heart by an unseen force called grief. Being in the middle of a street sure could bring some emotional pain. Reminding herself again that she needed to know where she was, she turned towards her back and saw a sight that nearly made her scream in pain.

A toy store, one that she, Apollo, Basil, Miri, and sometimes Ralph would go to often, just to see what the new toys would be like. On display was a Christmas scene much like the one she had just remembered. A large family. Playing. Laughing. Singing.

That forsaken rat that had barged into her house took it all away from her.

Even though everyone was alive, she hadn't spent a Christmas like her reverie scene in over fourteen years. She had Juliana, Richard, Molly, and the whole Guild to spend it with…but they weren't her real family. She missed that feeling, that true, unconditional love. Where did it all go? Tears sprang towards her eyes as her fingers grazed the cool glass. She nearly dropped her suitcase, she was overcome with such grief. "Apollo…" she whispered. "Stay here with me. Why didn't you stay here with me?" He'd left her. Why did he?

Merry Christmas!!a joyous voice rang in her ears. Selene was certain it wasn't the carolers strolling about the London streets. She knew who it was.

Blimey, it's not even the Eve yet. Why do you bother saying it now? she grumbled mentally.

Because I couldn't wait to say thank you for helping me and your brother!

Has anyone ever told you that you're quite annoyi – wait, what about you and Apollo?

First: Yes, people have told me I'm annoying, but like I give anything. Second: I was in a coma while contacting you, and you responding positively in your letter woke me up! Your magic did that. Selene quirked an eyebrow at the thought that she had actual magic flowing in her veins.And Apollo couldn't be more than grateful. Third: I was wondering why you're so gloomy on such a joyous holiday?

…There's nothing 'joyous' about Christmas anymore. Not for me.

Why?

I was alone for fifteen Christmases. My first Christmas being a thief, I couldn't stop crying. Christmas was my favorite holiday, and then it was all taken away from me the night our parents died. Sad memories weaved themselves through her mind, the memories of before and the memories of after that night. There hadn't been a Christmas where she was cold until the Christmas without her family. And I had believed every Christmas that Apollo was dead in a ditch somewhere, never to come find me.

But they're all alive.

I don't care!! Leave me alone! Leave me alone, whoever in the blue blazes you are!!

My name is Veronica Cromwell.

Veronica, I hate talking about Christmas.

Oh, Apollo wishes you a –

A Merry Christmas, naturally. Anger started coursing through her blood, the emotions running through her head too much for her mind. My brother still isn't here with me. He wasn't here with me! What's a Christmas when you're alone. I have Basil, and that's great, but I want my brother!!

You know he can't be with you because –

"LEAVE ME ALONE!!" Selene shrieked, so loud that people turned their heads toward her from a good fifty feet away. She instantly covered her mouth, her suitcase landing on the ground with an earsplitting crack and let her sobs wrack her body, wanting nothing more to die of embarrassment or grief. Either would be fine with her. As long as she got to die. She couldn't hear Veronica's voice in her head, but she could've sworn she heard someone say I understand. Goodbye. Here's my early Christmas favor before a golden light surrounded her and she gripped her suitcase handle again, before she closed her eyes and let the light take over her.

When she opened her eyes, she was across the street from her new home. Home. Something that hadn't occurred to her since a few hours ago was that she now had officially had a home. She nearly started crying again, but after a few moments of holding it in, she let it all out. Basil wasn't going to see her cry. She wouldn't allow it.

So she stood there, letting the tears fall as they came, staring at her new home with nostalgia.

Veronica's red eyes snapped open, breathing slightly heavily. The others in their troupe noticed and gathered around her quickly. Instead of a cold, dank cave on the coast of Ireland, they were now in a hotel room in Germany, with Veronica on a bed as she still needed to properly heal from her coma, and the trip to Germany had been taxing. "I'm fine, I'm fine," she told the group readily, but then snapped her gaze on Apollo. "I wonder, oh great leader, if you realize how much you have emotionally and perhaps mentally scarred your sister!!"

Everyone's heads averted to Apollo, who stared at her as he gasped. The young golden mouse was more than a little confused. "…You spoke with my sister?" he asked quietly, more or less because his mind was still trying to figure out exactly what Veronica meant.

"And received a good tongue-lashing in return," the albino said curtly. "Poor girl…because of you, you leaving her alone out there, not bothering to send a letter to her, letting her suffer all those fourteen Christmases alone!!!" This was a horror not even Copper had ever witnessed. Being a calm, genial, friendly, but spunky spirit, no one ever thought Veronica would lash out at anybody. Especially not Apollo. Besides Copper of course, Veronica had always had a respect for the golden mouse. But whatever respect that had been there was gone now, that much was true. "You should've been there to feel the pain, Apollo. It was one of those cases where I would kill to not have my empathy."

Immediately the troupe flinched; when Veronica says she didn't want her empathy, the emotional trauma of a person must be bad. Apollo hadn't thought Selene would be one of those cases. Veronica had the talent to be both in a person's mind and feel what that person feels, so of course there could be a handful that had such a powerful emotional burden. But for Selene to have that… "How could I have sent a letter to her, Veronica, if I had no clue that she was still even alive? I only found her a mere two weeks ago, remember?"

The albino mouse sighed. Her eyes averted to the ground, her head bowing. "I suppose you're right…" she sighed. "But I think we should do something to make it up to her."

"What're you suggesting, Roni?" asked Clarisse, who, along with Ben and Copper, had remained silent. "A Christmas present aimed to make up for fourteen lonely Christmases?"

"Seems farfetched to me," Ben added.

Contradictory to his normal sarcastic, negative behavior, Copper merely smiled and nodded. "I think Veronica has good intentions. But they're right, love," he walked over, sat beside her, and wrapped an arm around her waist, "What on earth could we do with that?"

"Perhaps something practical," Clarisse suggested; she was always the type to value things over how many times it could be used. However, her older brother had a different opinion on material possessions.

Said big brother laughed and shook his head. "Something practical would be hard to make memorable, Clare-Clare." The cream mouse flinched at her black as night sibling, her royal blue eyes boring into his matching ones; she absolutely hated the nickname he'd given her as children.

Before another sibling argument broke loose, Copper intervened. "How about we compromise. Something you could use, say for comfort, therefore making it – in a sense – practical, yet something very memorable, personal. Remember, even though her practicality, given that she is a thief, is the same as Clarisse and Veronica's, but, from what I know of women," Clarisse and Veronica their eyebrows at him dubiously, "If you give them something practical after not seeing them in fourteen years, then they're inclined to think 'What in the blue blazes is this junk? Surely, after all these years, he'd give me something so worthless, with no emotional meaning? I thought he was my brother!'" During this mimic of the female train of thought, he'd heightened his voice pitch, making both Apollo and Ben laugh heartily on the impression.

"As much as both Clarisse and I want to bash your face in, I'm afraid I'd have to agree with you, Copper," Veronica growled, crossing her arms as Clarisse just grimaced slightly but nodded.

"Well, what could we use?" Apollo asked.

Silence ensued in the room as all five of them were in deep thought. But as soon as it began, it ended, as everyone seemed to have a light-bulb click above their heads.

"I'll fetch the camera," Veronica ordered quietly.

"I'll find the ink pens," Ben followed.

And with that, the quintet scattered across the room, finding the appropriate materials for their gift, smug grins on their faces as they knew that their emotionally-traumatized patron would absolutely love the gift they were planning for her.

Flowing tears had finally begun to cease, and so Selene spent only a few moments in the cold winter air for her face to appear normal, as if she hadn't been crying at all. Given her strong will, it didn't take long, so the white mouse bravely picked up her belongings, scarce as they were, and trudged down the road to get to the door. Sighing to make sure her breath wasn't wavering whenever she spoke as it often did when one chose to cry for an extensive period of time, she placed her fist above the door, and knocked thrice.

Almost immediately the door was opened to reveal Basil's smiling, eager face. Selene found it hard not to be somewhat suspicious. "Welcome home, Selene," he said warmly, nearly making all her fears melt away into the street, swept away by the rain. Quickly, her old friend ushered her inside, away from the harsh weather and into the warmth that she would have to get used to. It had never been this warm at the Guild; not just the temperature, but it felt warm. Like the feeling she would always get when her mother would hold her in her arms, trying to get her to sleep soundly. Like love. Yes, the atmosphere felt like love.

Would she feel like that, when Basil found out her true identity? Would she? Would Basil reject her, for being the ruffian that was giving him a hard time for a good few months? Would he have the heart to forgive her? She tried to step out of her thoughts and look around, but when she looked up, she found that she'd been blindfolded! "What in the -?" she sputtered, and a smooth chuckle that sent shivers down her spine sounded.

"Relax. It's me. We have a surprise for you," Basil said, and led her into the room further, until she felt like she was in the center of the living room. "Ready?" A bit apprehensive, she nodded, and partially expected to see the police ready to come take her in. That was Basil's normal piecing-together time. However, the sight that she met when her detective friend lifted his hands from her face was much more appealing than anything she had ever seen.

Candles smelling of cinnamon and peppermint lighted the room to make it look nearly heavenly, the way their shining emissions bounded off the walls like round, elegant fans. Olivia and Ms. Judson were barely finishing a third plate of cream-cheese gingerbread mice. But what really got to Selene was the large pine tree at the center, tinsel of silver and gold twinkling as it was draped over the green needles like elegant theatre curtain, but was outclassed by the glorious Christmas angel adorning the very top of the foliage, looking down at her with more love she had ever seen in someone's eyes, except her parents. For comic relief, she seemed, Dawson was barely contributing one red-wrapped present to fit under the lovely addition to the living room. That was when Selene came to realize three things.

Basil knew she had loved Christmas.

Basil knew she had been lonely.

Basil knew, and shared her idea…

This is how Christmas was supposed to be.

Her previous plan of appearing fine foiled, Selene let the crystalline drops of water fall across her cheeks again, this time of pure happiness, relief. Instantly, she turned around and held out her arms, looking at Basil. Getting her signal, the bigger mouse almost lifted her off the ground as he swung her around his warm arms, before hugging her close to him as she buried her face into her old friend's chest, sobbing. "Than you…" she said shakily. "Thank you, Basil…you gave me Christmas again."

"You deserved it, Selene," he spoke slowly as he rubbed her back gently. "You must've been alone all these years, without Apollo, or Artemis and Rita…I thought you could use a good Christmas this year." He laughed to himself, "In all honesty, this is the first time I really celebrated Christmas, after I thought you had all died."

She looked up at him, like a small child. "Really? Basil, why?" Why would he give up such a holiday, for her and her family's sake?

He smiled down at her, something about his smile making her warm and fuzzy. "That last Christmas, Selene, was my most magical. And I believed that you and Apollo made it that way. So when I thought you were dead, the memory became painful, and I didn't want to celebrate this holiday ever again, because although it brought me to near tears, I wanted to hold onto the memory of that one Christmas."

Selene's eyes widened. That was how she had felt, all along. She didn't want to have a Christmas after their last one that had been filled so much by family and love. It still shocked her how much she and Basil were alike. "Thank you." They stayed like that, wrapped in each other's arms, for a few lingering moments, before they looked down after hearing a small child clear her throat.

Olivia giggled at them joyfully before pointing up above them.

Both grown mice looked up, and saw the mistletoe that someone must have hung mysteriously, causing them to turn beet red. Thanks to their light fur colors, it was noticeable on both of them. Everyone else chuckled, knowing full well the tradition. Selene sighed and smiled lopsidedly, nervously. "Well, what are you gonna do, right, Basil?" she asked. He mimicked her smile and shrugged.

"I agree." That said, they both leaned in, and laid their lips together. Selene hadn't expected the surge of happiness that ran through all the veins of her body, sending continuous shivers down her spine. It was nearly contagious. Somehow, she wanted more. She leaned into the kiss, savoring every moment.

Olivia, Ms. Judson, and Dawson all saw where this could be getting, so they all escorted themselves to their respective rooms, deciding to come out in the morning. Ms. Judson quickly foiled the cookies before she left last.

Basil hadn't expected to enjoy this moment as much as he did. He loved it, and he too wanted more. Wrapping his arms tighter around Selene's waist, her body was brought closer almost willingly. Overcome from this feelings he hadn't felt once in his life, he didn't even notice when he slipped his tongue into her mouth. Selene was caught by surprise, since his actions wouldn't be considered appropriate, but didn't seem to mind, and returned the gesture. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing herself closer to his body.

After a few more moments, they finally came up for air, breathing heavily and still locked in the other's gaze. Selene barely remembered exactly what they had been doing. "Oh my," she breathed, and struggled to free herself in embarrassment, but Basil nearly held her still, attempting to calm her down with "Shh, shh." The white mouse looked at him, bewildered at his actions. "Basil…?" she barely whispered.

He looked at her in an almost pathetic way. "I suppose you didn't enjoy it one bit, then?" he asked. Selene was visibly taken aback; she had never, ever heard Basil ask a question like a child. Not like a child that had been hurt in a way that seemed unimaginable.

She shook her head fervently, "No! I…I did…I…" Her cheeks were getting hotter than she thought possible. "I…I loved it, Basil, I did." More confused she was sure she had ever been, she yanked his arms away from her, and took a few steps back, grabbing her stuff hastily and heading off upstairs. She ran more quickly than she ever had to on the nights she wound up getting chased for some short minutes, and she could barely breathe by the time she made it upstairs, not aware the Basil was quickly following suit. Looking around frantically, she looked for the least likely place she would go, and ran into Basil's room, slamming the door as hard as she could, dropping her bags, and falling on the bed in a curled ball. What just happened…? her mind reeled. Did we…did we really kiss? Did I just kiss my brother's best friend? No…oh, no, no, no. "He deserves so much more than me…" she whimpered.

Unbeknownst to her, and frankly, Selene didn't really care, Basil had already opened the door a tiny crack, just in time to hear her last statement. Almost instantly Basil was appalled; how could Selene not believe she deserved him? In fact, Basil believed he didn't deserve her.

"What am I? I'm a thief…" she whispered, causing Basil to gasp. "I'm the thief, the thief that's been robbing London of all its riches, just to feed herself." Tears freely flew down her cheeks. "I'm pathetic! PATHETIC!!" she sobbed, grasping onto her stomach. "And now…oh, Apollo…Apollo, I have to help you," she murmured, reaching inside her mother's dress and protruding the pendant that she had received that fateful night. "I have to help you, but even getting Basil's help causes me so much pain," she whispered, staring at the blue crystal sadly, "Being with him now, it…it's painful to realize…that the Lunar Thief could never be together with the Great Mouse Detective."

Basil nearly fell to the floor. Selene…the Lunar Thief. Suddenly, by that one fact, everything came together. The thief guild – he didn't think that they would let children go away Scott free. No. Selene would have had to join, if the thieves hadn't wanted to be found out. And she had to have had made a living somehow, that was what she meant when she had said that "I'm able to keep myself going." A thief, even a great one such as Selene, could only afford so much for themselves. But she pulled off bigger heists than most of the professional thieves; she must have a lot of responsibility, the job of feeding more than just her, if she had to steal that much, and maybe more. This would also explain the new skill and grace she had displayed in the short time of their reunion; Selene hadn't been the clumsiest child, but she wasn't at all graceful. Everything but one thing made sense: why Apollo needed help.

Detective or not, he cared for Selene.

Lunar Thief or not, she was still Selene Skyhaven, even though she herself probably didn't believe it.

He'd make this work for her. He'd make her pain go away. "Selene."

A loud gasp sounded, and Selene rolled over to hit the floor on the other side of the bed. She had just said everything out loud! What was wrong with her?! I've never been such a pathetic big mouth! she cursed, growing more angry with herself every minute. Normally she was so discrete, she was so good at keeping secrets, especially her own. So why had she just blurted out her whole fourteen years alone to the world?! Or at least given plenty of clues about it! Suddenly, she started trembling more than she had when she'd first been carried off by Richard and Juliana…

She knew she was going to lose everything she loved.

"Selene, I heard it all," Basil went on, his footsteps coming closer, until he was right by the bed, standing above her. She felt so pathetic; she didn't find the strength to even stand, that's how scared she was. She only looked up at him with fearful green eyes.

But Basil never wanted to see Selene look at him like that again. It nearly made his heart break. But he managed to crack as kind a smile as he could. "You've become quite the thief, haven't you?" His grin widened when Selene was obvious caught by surprise. "I must admit, if you hadn't just talked to yourself right now, I would have never figured it out. But that's all over now." The fear came back and it hit Basil's heart hard. "So… you're expecting me to turn you in, I suppose?"

A weak nod.

"And you expect me to hate you?"

Another nod.

Basil knelt down, even laid down next to her, just to make sure that they both had eye contact. Selene tried to turn to the other side, but Basil just held her as she was. He wouldn't let her go. Not again. "Selene Celesta Skyhaven," he whispered. "You have no idea how much I hate…what you just said about yourself." He saw her eyes widen in shock, the way he'd expected them to. "You are not pathetic. You do deserve happiness. You are not the Lunar Thief. I will make sure you are not."

Her brows knitted together slightly, obviously befuddled. "What do you mean…?"

"The police have no clue what you look like. We can make it look like you've died. Then you can live without the stress of hiding it from people."

Selene's eyes narrowed even more. "That's downright naïve. I…I can't step away from thievery. It's become too much a part of life for me." He let her turn away from him, still on the floor. "Basil…I can't be an honest-living person anymore, as much as I'd like to—"

"—You can't be an honest-living person because you say you can't be!" It took all of Basil's willpower to not raise his voice louder. Selene flinched visibly. Guilt-ridden, the older mouse wrapped his arms around her waist, and to his surprise, she didn't protest. He pulled her closer, so that they could feel each other's warmth. He really could've just stayed there for eternity and a few days. "Selene, for all the sacrifice you've made, you deserve to be the best person you can be. I'll do whatever it takes. But please, Selene, just please trust in yourself. Never mind trusting in me, all you need to do is believe in that you can do it."

"…You sound so warm…"

"What?"

"I got the feeling that you'd become cold after all these years. I was wrong. You're still warm." She turned over and gazed into his eyes shortly, before she scooted closer to him, her head inside his chest. "…You haven't changed, Basil. I'm happy."

He smiled. He had turned cold. To Dawson, to Mrs. Judson, to Olivia. To everyone, he'd come off as unfriendly. That had all happened after Selene and Apollo had disappeared. But now one of them was back. "You're wrong. I was ice before I found you yesterday. These two days, short as they were…they've made me feel so much better. It makes me want to be 'warm,' as you put it." He stroked her back slowly, sending shivers down her spine. Happy, content shivers. "I'm happy, too, that you still make me want to be better than I am. So please, don't go away again." For once, Selene saw crystalline tears begin to form in his eyes. "…When I saw the fire, burning…I started crying…crying rivers, really. Mother had told me I couldn't help you. After it died…I thought part of my heart had been turned to ashes like everyone thought you and your family had been. And…and I know now, with that secret being revealed, you probably want to leave and never see me again. I won't stop you, but…I wouldn't like that at all…I—" He was cut off when Selene thrust her mouth onto his, trapping his lips into their second kiss.

Passion coursing through his veins, he instantly pulled her closer to him, letting their tongues fight for dominance. He hadn't realized that he had pulled her on top of him, her arms wrapped around his neck, fingers digging through his hair. They stayed like that until she pulled away, her eyes and smile glowing. "That shut you up," she joked, giggling. Before he opened his mouth to respond, she put her finger to his lips and giggled again. "I'll be saying it first, thank you," she said, and took a deep breath, "I love you, Basil Reginald Jordan."

Tears burst from his face. Neither had expected that, but Basil kept smiling anyway. "I love you too, dear Selene. Will you stay? Will we figure out what to do with the Lunar Thief? What to do with your new, honest life?"

"Yes, yes to all," she whispered. "But…we need to help Apollo."

"Could Apollo wait? Surely, he's not in danger." He didn't want to leave so soon; he wanted Selene and him to be here for awhile, to be alone…when one excluded Dawson, Mrs. Judson, and now Olivia. But she would only be with them for a month. That was good enough. His white mouse looked concerned.

"Apollo, knowing what he's been through already, could wait a little longer. He's not in danger right now, I don't believe." A sigh of relief came from Basil, and they embraced again, lingering there for the longest time, basking in each other's very being.

Just then, a golden light appeared in between them, and they were forced apart. The light floated to Selene, and she, eyes wide and always bewildered, held her hands up so that it looked as if she were supporting the tiny orb. Basil looked on with amazement as the light expanded, taking on a rectangular shape, before the light began to dwindle into the center, slowly but surely revealing a photograph of a whole group of mice all hugging and smiling together, like another family, despite all their physical differences.

Selene scooted next to Basil so that he could take a good look at the photo as well. Simultaneously, they both gasped as they recognized a face they remembered all too well. "Apollo…" they whispered, as Selene traced his face tenderly. "He's so grown up," she whispered. "Well, I suppose we all are…but I never really realized it until now." He looked so handsome; golden fur, brown eyes, the white crescent… "His MoonMark," she whispered, "It's changed."

Basil looked over her shoulder, and nodded immediately. "It's a circle now. Is there a name for that…?"

"A SunMark," Selene whispered. His affinity is to the sun…why am I surprised? We're both named after sun and moon gods. So was Daddy, and we both shared moon powers. So this isn't surprising. "And who're these people?" She flipped the card over, and saw a message written in Apollo's unmistakable handwriting.

To Selene and Basil –

Basil, old friend, I'm forever grateful that you've taken Selene out of the life of a thief. She doesn't deserve it. I hope you've acted on your feelings already, because I remember you were way too shy to when we were boys. And if you haven't, I might as well beat you with a stick, you prude! Haha. You know I'm merely joking…okay, not really. Anyways, please forgive me for leaving Selene alone. I know as well she didn't deserve it. All will be explained to you, I promise, my old friend.

Selene, sister, here's to another Christmas apart. But I opted to get you a gift this year. It's a photo, obviously, of me and the group that I've been traveling with for over a year. The big black brute at the end is Benedict "Ben" Maxwell, and his sister Clarisse Maxwell is the one I'm hugging – I'd figure it be appropriate, I hope to marry her one day, so say hello to your new sister-in-law – the other two embracing are Veronica "Roni" Cromwell and Copper Jones. They're engaged. You remember Roni, right? I would think so. Anyways, we all wish you a Merry Christmas, and we all love you (even Copper, the sourpuss) as much as I do. I hope you feel my voice, my energy, as I do yours whenever you write to me. It feels so joyful whenever I feel that connection to you again.

Forgive me, Seli; I've been a horrible brother. But I want to make it up to you, starting now, with this gift. You'll get a better one, your late birthday present. But that's when I find it.

I love you, will all my – our – heart.

Your idiotic brother,
Apollo

There were other signatures under his:

And your idiotic brother's friends,
Benedict Maxwell (You're a good kid, I can already tell. Merry Christmas!)
Clarisse Maxwell (I'll keep your brother in shape for you. I hope we become good friends.)
Veronica Cromwell (I gave him the idea of sending this to you, FYI.)
Copper Jones (For a laugh, my middle name's Smith. Yes, because Apollo's a cruddy brother, I decided to make you laugh.)

MERRY (early) CHRISTMAS!!

Selene sniffed back tears as she laughed at Copper's comments. She turned the card over, and she was amazed that all of these mice had the Marks. She gazed at Clarisse, knowing she would have to be able to get along with her whenever she met her. She's pretty… she thought, and then looked at the other three. Who really stood out was Veronica; an albino. She's beautiful, though, she thought. Copper had a very wry look to him, making him look charming. Ben had a tough but sweet look to him, and Selene found it adorable. "…Oh, Pollo…" she whispered. She rested her head on Basil's shoulder. "I've been wanting to see what he looks like now…he looked exactly how I imagined him."

"He looks the same to me, actually." Selene shot him a look, but Basil shrugged. "What? I'm allowed to say that; I'm the bloke's best friend." The look disappeared as she laughed. Basil chuckled slightly before he got up, helping Selene up as well. "Well, what do we do now, Ms. Skyhaven?" he asked teasingly.

Selene looked at him mischievously. "I don't know, Mr. Jordan…it's whatever pleases you." Basil smirked and wrapped his hands around her, and she instantly hooked her arms around him, right before they fell to the bed, Basil on top and Selene on the bottom, as they both met their lips together steamily.

Holidays really looked better now. She had nothing to be so sad about.

She had Basil, and Basil had her.

This was going to be the…most exciting Holiday she was going to 'celebrate.'

Kinky, no? ;3

Hey, at least I let the night end right there! Well, I hope this was good. It was hard to write all the emotions running through this whole chapter. Especially Selene's mental breakdown-scene. I tried to capture it well enough. I have to work on describing emotions. Hehe.

But this is for you to enjoy as you like.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Love,
Gabby