AN: New chapter out! Sorry for the wait but this week I have my AP exams (if you don't know what those are, pray you never have to). Hope you enjoy and once again, I'll try to get the next chapter up as quickly as possible ^-^

Though Alastair of course never found out what the conversation had been about, he eventually found out that James had met Kenton. Though deep down he was curious about what had occurred, part of him was afraid of the outcome and he instead safely kept to his ideas of the simple conversation that could have taken place. The only fact that Alastair had eased out of James was what he thought of his brother and the fact that he liked him was really all he needed to know.

Several months later, Christmas Eve had arrived and once again James and Alastair were left with time off. Since this would be their second year in a row, it would probably be sometime before either had the holidays to himself again but both decided to make the most of it.

"Do you want to come back over?" asked Alastair.

His eyebrows furrowing, James questioned him. "Over where? When and where did I come over?"

"I mean like last Christmas Eve. Because Lily goes to her parents house today and you usually don't do anything?" Alastair clarified as he slowly trailed off into a question.

"Oh!" James broke out into a grin and quickly gave Alastair a small punch on the shoulder. "How sweet. You remembered!"

"Whatever, just would you or would you not like to come?" asked Alastair.

"Will your mother be there?"

"What do you think?"

"Right, more importantly will Roxy be there?"

Alastair rolled his eyes again. "Of course."

"Then I suppose nothing else matters! I'm sold," James replied with a grin. "So, when we heading out?"

"When are we heading out."

"Did my grammar get corrected just now by you?"

"Now you're just being cruel."

James laughed but quickly asked, "Seriously though, when are we going?"

"Probably at six."

"Good, that gives me enough time to go by my place then. Want me to meet you at your place or what?" said James.

"I'll drive by yours in about twenty minutes from now. Does that give you enough time?"

"Oh, definitely. I'll see you then!"

They separated and quickly went about their business, Alastair coming back swiftly but right on time to pick up James. When he called him, James asked him to come upstairs to his apartment and when he got there, he saw the other had three presents in hand.

"So these are the throwing stars that I promised Roxy," James opened up with as he raised one higher than the other two. "I figured it would probably be better if we kept them in your car and you give it to her at a time when your mother isn't looking."

Alastair rolled his eyes but he smiled nevertheless and asked, "And the other two?"

"For you actually."

"Really?"

"Why the shocked look?"

"I honestly don't know. After that silly birthday party I guess I should have expected presents but I'm still curious why two and not just one."

"You know, most people would just say thank you and rip them open," James reminded him though he was still clearly grinning.

"What, right now?"

"Yeah! Come on," said James as he shoved them into other's hands.

Shaking his head in exasperation, Alastair did release a small smile as he placed one under his arm and began to open the other.

"That one is kind of from me, Roxy, and Kenton. They at least helped me with the idea," James explained.

Revealing the object beneath the package, Alastair cocked his head to the side curiously until he could see the entire present when his face broke out into a shocked expression.

"Last time I was in your apartment it was kind of empty feeling. I mean, maybe you like it empty feeling, I don't know. I just thought you'd appreciate it. Or maybe not. But uh—"

"It's perfect," Alastair interrupted. "I've been meaning to liven up the place. This is perfect."

"Really?!"

"Yeah, did you take it when Kenton visited?" asked Alastair as he looked at the framed photo.

"Yep! So you really do like it?"

"Yes," stressed Alastair though he was smiling.

"Good! Now open the other one!" James said excitedly like a happy puppy.

Rolling his eyes, Alastair set the one down and started opening up the other.

"This one is just me though. Hopefully I've come to know you well enough that you like it," James said. He hesitated for a split second and then quickly added, "Hopefully you like it."

"It's a piece of paper."

"Turn it over."

"Wait...are you serious?"

"Please tell me that that's a happy question?"

"I mean.."

"Please tell me I didn't like, misread that one conversation and—"

"No! I…I suppose I've been missing Reginald."

"So you'll take him? I don't have to find another home for him or anything."

"No of course not! This is…this is great actually! Well, at least I have to meet her first but no. I've never realized how much I actually missed having a dog until somebody gave me the option of having one. And her name's Josie. She's old, so she won't be jumping around and attacking everything in sight. She just needs a home and I thought of you. Besides, you had a poodle right?"

"Yes, where is she now?"

"Lily's taking care of her, just in case if you hadn't wanted her. I'll get her to you after Christmas," James said with a grin.

"Well, now I feel a bit better about getting you something."

"Wait, you got me a present?" James chuckled.

"Yeah, but I wasn't sure if that was…alright."

"Of course it's alright! Why wouldn't it be?" asked James.

"I don't know," Alastair shrugged. "I've just never really done this for someone before. Outside of family anyways and even with that I usually only try with Roxy's. It's in the car by the way."

"You want me to open it now or later?" asked Alastair.

"Uh…now. Then we'll head over to my parents place."

"Sounds cool to me!" James responded.

Grabbing his coat, James followed Alastair down to his car where he handed him his own gift.

"You mentioned once that you were always looking for something new to read and this seemed like something you'd like so…yeah. It was published just last year."

James hummed thoughtfully as he looked the book over. "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Huh."

"You don't like it."

"I'm still looking at it," James replied with a roll of his eyes and a smirk. "But no, I've heard of these. There's a second one out too. Lily got it for her niece and then started reading them herself. I always thought it looked interesting."

"So you actually like it and I didn't just horrendously mess up?"

"No! God no! Anything that comes from you is worth something and this really does look neat. It's been a while since I've read a good fantasy novel. Everything is just to real nowadays," James said with a smile. "I seriously love this. Thanks."

Visibly easing, Alastair remarked, "Good. Yes, good. You ready to go then?"

"Yep! So when do you want to give Roxy her present?" asked James as he made his way into the car.

"I suppose when I get ready to take you back. Or I can sneak into her room and later say Santa left it."

"Even if she did believe in Santa she'd still figure out who it was from," James said with a snort.

"Yeah but it's the thought that counts and besides, Roxy would probably get a hoot from the idea of Santa delivering weapons to kids," replied Alastair.

Starting the car, they were soon off, heading down the road towards the estate where Alastair's family would be. The drive was pleasant and as they went, it began to snow, layering the land around them in a pure, white blanket.

Upon arrival, Roxy was the first to greet them and the festivities went about as pleasurable as could be expected. Roxy was a joy to talk to as always and like last time, the father was very pleasant when the mother wasn't around. All family members were polite and respectful except for the mother and she honestly seemed to be worse than last year, every little movement setting her off and causing her evil eyes to swivel about.

James had learned to annoy it but as the evening went on, he could feel Alastair growing tenser and tenser at each rude comment or unreasonable command. Much like the first time he'd come, Alastair appeared like he was ready to explode yet he kept his cool and no one else seemed bothered by his curt nods and simple remarks.

Now that James had truly gotten to know him, and understand him, he could see just how uncomfortable Alastair really was getting so without even thinking, he did the first thing that seemed natural.

At one point, when Alastair seemed like he was ready to murder someone, James carefully ran his fingers through the other's hair. A small hitch of his breath and then Alastair was suddenly easing his shoulders and looked a hell of a lot calmer than he had five minutes ago. James was fairly certain that if he hadn't done anything then Alastair would have exploded then and there.

And if that had been the end of it, if the night had continued on like the first time they would have finished the drinks. The family would have gone into the dining room and eaten dinner. There would have been small talk and maybe more drinking afterwards. Roxy would have gotten her present and then James would have been taken home.

As it stood, the night did not continue on like that.

Distracted by Roxy suddenly, James listened to her as she had tugged at her arm. He laughed, and was turning back to see what Alastair thought of her silly idea only to find he wasn't there. Head swiveling about the room, Roxy tugged on his arm and nodded towards a corner of the room.

James noted how odd it was that all these people could be in the same room yet still have privacy. The room was just to large and for the moment, an enemy in a way as James couldn't hear the hushed whispering that escaped the mother's mouth.

She had both hands digging into Alastair's arms and was forcing his bag up against the wall. The look on his face reminded James of a caged animal.

Scared.

Alone.

And very very dangerous.

No one was doing anything. The family had their backs turned away from the scene as if Roxy and James were the only ones aware of what was happening. She tugged on his sleeve once more, her eyes begging him to do something, to intervene.

James didn't even have time to decide what he was going to do when he heard the first hit.

His eyes snapping up, he watched as the mother landed blow after blow, her voice still somehow staying low enough that he couldn't hear. Each hit was weak, uncoordinated, yet the fire and fury behind each one was painful enough from where he was standing. Knowing, that he couldn't just remain a bystander, James launched himself towards the two but before he was even halfway there something occurred.

What he had first thought was simply Alastair cowering from the blows was something much deadlier. He was recoiling, wrapping himself into a ready ball, and when his mother paused for a moment to catch her breath he retaliated. Unwinding like a viper a single slap hit her face hard enough to make her lose her balance and to fall backwards, the sound shooting across the room like the snapping of a Christmas Cracker.

Heads spun and suddenly it seemed like all eyes were focused on the two, James frozen in mid-sprint and unsure what to do.

Opening his mouth, it was hard to say if he whispered something to his mother or just let out a breathy gasp as he spun away, marched over to James, and then suddenly grabbed James and kissed him for all to see.

Utterly stunned, he didn't have a chance to protest or even do anything as it ended almost as quickly as it had begun and suddenly Alastair was dragging James away from the room. James could just barely hear the mother screaming at him to come back, and then for Roxy to come back as well as she followed them out.

At the last moment before they were out the door, Alastair spun back towards his mother, once again catching James off guard and causing him to stay bewildered as Alastair said, "Good bye mother. As it stands I will not be putting up with your bullshit this Christmas. Roxy, you are welcomed to join us as well."

Turning away again, Alastair marched off to his car as his mother screamed, "You can't do this! You can't treat me like this! And don't you dare take Roxanne! Roxanne, do not get into that car! I'll call the police!"

"Don't be so overdramatic," Alastair shot back as he paused before getting into his car. "I'm not kidnapping her and we both know it's a bluff anyways. Wouldn't want the world to know about your fucked up family now would we?"

With that, he got in and slammed the door, both Roxy and James quickly jumping in as Alastair sped off, leaving his home behind in the snow and dirt.