****Think of this as a Christmas Special. Because it probably won't make the final cut. Merry Christams guys!****

I wake up wrapped in warmth, my nose full of pine, wood smoke, and something sharp. My ears full of a beating heart and a steady breath. I tighten my arms around Aiden's waist and his arms pull me closer against his chest. His chin rests on my head and his fingertips gently rub my shoulder. Two different blankets are pulled over us. The sheet is somewhere on the floor. The only pillow that managed to survive is folded under Aiden's head.

He smiles at me. It's a small smile, an enduring smile. His eyes aren't wild, but they are full of something. He pulls me closer and kisses me. His lips linger on mine and slowly pull away. The want that filled me before is still there. Less than before but I feel it brewing low in my stomach.

I smile back at Aiden.

A part of me cannot believe what I've just done. The other part wants more.

"You know," I say, my smile turning to a smirk. "I never really invited you back to this bed."

He raises his eyebrows. "No?"

"Pretty sure."

He sniffs. "I assumed it was an unspoken invitation."

"Oh I see."

He smiles. "I can leave."

I slip my hand around his neck and kiss him. I do it because I can. I do it because he wants me to. I do it because I want to. I pull away, "I want you here."

"I thought so," he says quietly. He kisses my chin and neck.

"The fire has died Aiden."

He pulls back his arms drop from my body. "Oh."

I hit his chest and roll my eyes. "Not like that you idiot, I mean the actually fire. It's cold in here."

"Well I think we could manage to stay warm."

"Oh no you don't, go feed the fire. I'm not stepping out of my bed into a cold room." I pull back, taking one of the blankets with me and point to the living room. He rolls his eyes and slips off the side of the bed, taking the other blanket with him. I can't help but admire the way his back looks when he walks away.

I drop back onto the pillow and close my eyes. I want to process what's just happened. What is happening, but my brain isn't with me. I should feel something other than this warmth but there isn't anything.

No fear.

No regret.

No anything.

Just warmth.

I smile, because maybe I've made it out the other side unscathed. I open my eyes and slide off the bed. I wrap the blanket around my body and slip to the bathroom while Aiden tries to bring the fire back to life.

When I finish I look at myself in the mirror. My eyes seem larger and my face is flushed. My hair is tangled and my scars on my shoulders are exposed. But I only see me, I actually see the Adie I used to look at every day. I've changed but I see myself staring back at me. And I like what I see.

When I come out Aiden is waiting outside the door. He slips past me and turns right when the door is almost about to shut. "Don't go anywhere." The door clicks and I shake my head.

The fire is popping and growing in the hearth. I grab our clothes off the floor and toss them into the bedroom. Then I glance out the window. The sky is darkening and the world is nothing but white. I'm not sure how long the storm will last, but I find that it doesn't matter. Aiden and I aren't going anywhere.

I grab a trail bar from the cabinet and go back to bed. I pull the comforter back on and toss the pillows up as well. I take my blanket off and lay it over the comforter then slip under the covers. Aiden comes in a few seconds later. We resume our previous position and both take a deep breath.

Silence.

"You're getting crumbs on my chest."

"Are not."

"Are to."

I lick them off. "Are not."

"EWW, girl germs."

"Sorry to break it to you, but I think you have a lot of those."

We both laugh and Aiden breaks the end off of my trail bar and eats it. We lay there in silence, I listen to the storm rage outside and the fire pop, but mostly Aiden's heart beat. I can help but smile when I notice it speeds up whenever my fingers move to a different spot along his skin. I trail over one of his scars, his heart pounds but he doesn't say anything. He doesn't try to kiss me. He just holds me and I let him.

Winter goes by slow. The snow is high, the temperature is low, but Aiden and I manage to pass the time. I practice moving the snow and water in new ways. I try to add creativity to my theory of instinct. I feel I'm on the verge of a discovery, but it eludes me. Aiden is practicing too, but it's hard. Unlearning is harder than starting from scratch and he's had a lot of practice. He gets caught up on the details. I see it on his face whenever he fails, it's frustrating him.

On a sunny day we both walk out to the gorge. The air is crisp and the snow is crunchy beneath our feet. But the sun feels good and we listen to the river as it roars down below us. I shield my eyes and look out on the horizon. It's like a fairy tale. The green trees and the snow covered mountains, Aiden steps closer and wraps an arm around my waist.

"I think it's almost Christmas," Aiden says.

"Really?" I look at him.

He nods. "I mean, I might be off by a few weeks or maybe it's already passed, but it's probably around that time."

"Huh," I say and look back at the mountains. "I didn't get you anything."

"Me either." We both look at each other and grin. His hair has gotten longer, I'm not sure if I like it. I find myself pushing it back often so I can see his eyes.

"Maybe Santa will surprise us."

"I don't know. I haven't been very good this year," I tell him. He wraps his other arm around me so we're facing.

"Oh yeah?"

I nod. "Yep."

He kisses me.

"Besides," I say, pulling back, "We're just two misfits. I'm not even sure Santa gives presents to misfits."

"You've got a good point." He kisses me once more then steps back. "Shall we go practice while it's still sunny out?"

"Sure." Together we head back to the boulders to practice. But while we do, the thought of having presents still tugs at my mind.

Later that evening Aiden cooks us soup for dinner. "Hey I'm going to step outside for some air; I'll be back in a little bit."

"Is everything OK?"

I nod. "It's fine. I just need some air."

He nods, but doesn't look convinced. "I promise."

"Alright."

I slip outside and follow the path we've carved away from the cabin. As I walk any extra snow that's fallen moves out of the way. It's become almost thoughtless for me now, almost like breathing, yet when I think about it I can feel the connection.

I walk to the gorge. The moon illuminates everything and woods are silent. I'm amazed at how quiet it is. Sometimes I think back about Henry and the farm. I miss the smell of wool and the sound of the sheep. I miss the creaky floors and even Gretchen's meals. But that life is gone. I'm with Aiden now.

I sit on the edge of the gorge and place my hands on my knees. I close my eyes. I breathe deep.

Civilization. A single word and my desire sends my consciousness shooting across the snow and over the mountains. The sensation is dizzying and thrilling all the same. I feel weightless, like I'm flying. I travel through the snow each flake connected to the next over hundreds of miles. But it takes me to a house where I suddenly stop. The snow covers the roof and porch. I see it through the snow's eyes, a small home on the outside of town.

I melt the snow into the earth where the plumbing is buried. I travel up the well and through the pipes. I push the water out of sink and up the wall. The kitchen is dark, a dishwasher whirls somewhere below me. I see a light on down the hall, I can hear people laughing and talking.On the counter, there is a knife set sitting on the counter in a wooden holder. I see what I'm looking for. The water drops onto the counter and trails over to the knives. I reach for the kitchen shears. The water wraps around the handle and pulls it out of its holder.

I drag it back along the counter. But I'm at a loss, how am I to get the scissors back? It takes me a minute, but then I realize I'm relying on detail. I clear my mind, keeping the connection. Bring them to me. I need the scissors. Please bring them to me.

I push my emotion into the water and I thought I keep the connection I allow the water to fuel off my emotions. The water rises against the kitchen window, pushing it open just a crack. The scissors get push out, and fall into the snow. I watch as a ball forms around it and shoots into the air. I travel over the tops of trees and over frozen rivers and creeks. I travel over the mountains and then I see myself through the snow. It lands on the rocks and I open my eyes.

There is a moment of blurred reality when I return to my own eyes. The world spins and I feel as though I could be sick. My stomach feels flipped but when I look. There is a pile of new snow splashed against the rock, and a pair of kitchen scissors. I smile and wrap my fingers around the handle.

"There you are," Aiden says when I open the door. "You were gone for a long time."

"Not that long." I keep the scissors hidden behind my back and push my shoes off with my feet. When Aiden turns around I take off my jacket, wrapping the scissors inside. I sit with Aiden at the table and together we eat soup.

"I can't wait until we eat real food again," I say.

Aiden nods. "I thought it would be worse than it is though, we're doing really well considering everything."

"True."

We finish eating and I wash the dishes. Aiden leaves to get more firewood and I grab a kitchen chair and fetch the scissors. I stand behind the chair facing the door and wait. When Aiden comes back he stops in the doorway.

"Adie?"

"Put the firewood down and come over here." I motion to the chair. Aiden closes the door and does what I say. When he sits down I pull water from the sink and wet his hair.

"What are you doing?" He asks.

"Giving you your Christmas present," I say. I've never cut anyone's hair before. But I take my time. I take small amounts off at a time and watch as Aiden's dark hair falls to the floor like dark snow. When I finish I run water through his hair then over the floor to scoop up any loose hair and dump it all outside in the woods. When I turn around and face Aiden, he looks his normal self again.

"Where did you get those scissors from?"

I shrug. "Santa dropped them off."

"Adie I'm serious."

"It doesn't matter."

He sighs and points to his lap. "Come here."

I sit down and he puts his arms around my waist. "Tell me you didn't do anything dangerous or stupid."

I kiss him. "I haven't gone a mile from this cabin, I swear." Aiden presses his forehead against mine.

"What do you want for Christmas?" He asks.

I shrug. "I just like having your hair shorter again," I say. "You look hotter." He smiles and looks at me, shaking his head. "What?"

"Maybe this was really your Christmas gift?" He asks, pointing to his hair.

I smile. "Maybe you're right. So now what am I supposed to give you?"

"I mean you said it yourself. I look hotter...." He raises his eyebrows.

I shake my head. "You don't have to say another word."

I kiss him.