(A/N: Thanks to the people who have already reviewed my story! You guys have really helped get me off my lazy butt and back on the computer to write more. So, here's a little Christmas gift for you. I decided to make this story winter-themed in honor of Christmas Eve. Happy Holidays!)

Stein had tried to explain how it snowed in Nevada, but Marie just didn't get it.

"I thought people moved to places like this to get away from the cold." Marie complained as she tried to warm her hands. Even under gloves they were cold. "Why would anyone want it to snow?"

"Lord Death thought it appropriate for the holidays. A young witch named Blair was happy to perform the spell. It'll only last a few days after Christmas."

Marie looked up at him. He seemed oddly calm. Usually he'd be irritated because he had to wake up early in the morning, or just plain pissed because he was out of coffee. Now he just stared off into space, his mind obviously somewhere else. She didn't want to disturb him, but something about his face always scared her when he got like this, lost in his thoughts.

"Franken?" she didn't even have anything to ask him. She just wanted to get him back down to Earth. She succeeded and saw him blink and look down at her questioningly. Since last summer he'd gotten much taller. Sure, she had too, but he was just starting to reach his teens and was beginning the awkward "growing-up stage in his life", as her mother had put it when he'd been getting increasingly moody over break.

Soon they reached the school and went their separate ways. Marie was pulled towards a crowd of girls, all eagerly gossiping and giggling. She tried to keep up with the conversation as she walked down the hall towards her first class. Looking back, she saw Stein lazily chatting with a red-headed boy. Marie recognized him but…from where?

Oh. That's right. He was Kami's on-again-off-again boyfriend, Spirit Albarn. The two were laughing and Marie vaguely remembered meeting him once. Stein had introduced him as his weapon. Oh, she remembered it now, Spirit was Stein's scythe. Marie had felt a bit of jealousy at that. Some part of her wanted to be Stein's weapon. But she had shrugged that off and accepted that, because he was a year older than her, that could never happen. They'd never be partners. Stein noticed her staring and winked, smirking.

Marie smiled, blushed, turned around and continued to class, a wide grin on her face.

Stein looked at his partner, still smirking at Marie's wide grin. Spirit had noticed Marie, too. He looked interested. "Who's she?" he asked Stein.

"Don't you have a girlfriend?" Stein asked, a little annoyed.

"Who, Kami?" Spirit shrugged, "We broke up yesterday. I need someone to make her jealous, get her back."

"Hell no," Stein looked Spirit in the eyes, making the red-headed boy uncomfortable, "Stay away from her."

Spirit's expression instantly changed from discomfort to excitement. "You like her!"

"Shut up."

"You actually like her! I can't believe this, you really like a girl!" Spirit kept laughing, as Stein's cheeks became light red. People were staring. He didn't like that. He felt a prick of annoyance at his partner.

Spirit kept going, oblivious. "I never thought you had feelings like that! Let alone looooove!" He wiped his eyes, giggling, until he saw Stein's nearly murderous expression. That sobered him up. "Well, um…it's good that you're in a stable relationship. That's er…great." Spirit looked for a way out of the conversation. Stein still had that angry "I am so going to rip your head off in three seconds" look in his eyes.

"Um…well….uh…looks like class is about to star. Bye!" Spirit hurried off.

Stein sighed, his anger and embarrassment fading. They were going to the same class. He followed Spirit slowly, hands shoved in his pockets. His mind wandered, eventually deciding to focus on Marie. Did he really like her? Did he really have…feelings? For her? They'd only know each other for two years now….

Stein's train of thought halted when he reached class. He took his seat next to Spirit, who looked at Stein warily out of the corner of his eye. Every move Stein made caused Spirit to flinch a little. Stein found it amusing, how on-edge his partner became with fear.

This was going to be a fun class.

(A/N I confess, Spirit and Stein's conversations are incredibly fun to write. I'm going to have to write them in more often.)