The Nevada air was crisp in Jasper. It wasn't so cold that one would need a jacket, and the sun could still warm the skin as a light breeze blew past. This was one of the warmer days Navada has seen, it could get pretty cold and it recent has been.

School was out for the rest of the year, leaving Jack, Miko, Raf, and Cassidy with all the time in the world with the Autobots. They had gotten themselves in the holiday spirit with lights strung around their area and even a tiny Christmas tree on the makeshift coffee table. The countdown to Christmas began a long time ago, but now that the days until the 25th were in the single digits, the atmosphere was filled with even greater excitement. The Autobots were in a better mood, even Ratchet. The Decepticons had kept activity to a minimum, allowing Team Prime to relax. It was as if Megatron knew what season it was too, which was a bit weird to think about of course.

Currently Cassidy and Ratchet were the only ones in the main room. Miko and Bulkhead were off doing something Miko described as the "Christmas version of dune bashing", Jack was out of town, though he promised to bridge back on Christmas for a bit, and Raf had a bit of a head cold and was at home. Cassidy was curled up in a blanket with some music as she sat on the railing closest to Ratchet without invading his personal space, which she found he got a bit nervous if he didn't have it; something she could understand. She watched as he typed, peaceful Christmas piano music playing quietly in her ears. The base was silent, save for a soft humming of electricity from the computers. It remained that way for a while until Ratchet looked over at her to say something, and she paused her music to listen.

"Cassidy...would you like to go for a drive?"

She blinked in surprise but nodded. If he was offering, she'd take the chance. He extended his servo out to her and she got on, taking her things with her. He walked over to the GroundBridge and typed in a set of coordinates he had discreetly looked up while she had been preoccupied with something else that wasn't watching him work. Ratchet transformed as the bridge opened, and Cassidy landed comfortably in the passenger seat. Ratchet drove through as his heaters kicked on, and she soon started grinning from ear to ear as she realized Ratchet had taken her somewhere with snow. She had seen plenty of snow while in Utah, but this was different, she didn't live in it anymore. She pulled the blanket tighter around her as she let the air from Ratchet's heater warm her. She watched the scenery out the window, which was just snow and trees covered in snow with the sun dipping into the horizon. She didn't know where Ratchet was taking her, but she wasn't worried. It was peaceful.

She didn't realize she had actually dozed off a bit until Ratchet stopped driving, he had pulled off the side of the road and to a cliff overlooking a city decked out in Christmas lights. She grinned as she stared at the lights, which were oddly mesmerizing. Ratchet quietly watched her from his mirrors, pleased with himself. Bee had suggested he do something with her for Christmas eve, and he was pleased he had listened to the scout's advice.

He was snapped out of his thoughts when his door opened and Cassidy scrambled out and fell on the ground, and he adjusted his mirror to see she was making some sort of shape in the snow. She wasn't adequately dressed for playing in such a cold climate, though she was dressed well enough that Ratchet didn't see an immediate need to stop her. She got up and assessed her work, smiling a little.

"Snow Angel", she signed to him to explain what she'd done. She shook the snow out of her hair and brought out her blanket. She was cold, but she didn't regret it. She wrapped it around herself, and with Ratchet's permission, made herself comfortable on his hood as she looked down at the city. It was silent between the two for a while, though not an awkward silence. They enjoyed each other's company. Cassidy was warm enough, Ratchet had left his engine on for her. The silence was eventually broken by Ratchet.

"Merry Christmas, Cassidy."

"Merry Christmas, Ratchet. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

~~~

Picture drawn by the wonderful and lovely Ando_Stain! Reposted with permission, please do not steal. :<

You'll get coal.

Thanks for reading guys! Let me know of any suggestions you have for this book, I hope you enjoyed.

Merry Chrishaunakwanza and a happy new year. :>