Ray and Lucy were standing outside of the Conwing's, still dressed in their Windian High uniforms. The two had gone to the library after school to study and check out a few books for some of their classes. The couple had spent atleast an hour at the library before Lucy finally mentioned that she should be heading home, and Ray had escorted her. Now, outside of the Conwing's front door, Lucy had stopped and turned to Ray, waiting for the dragon to continue talking. He had stopped her before she opened the door, a question in his voice as he called her name.

"Yes?" Lucy clutched her school books carefully in her arms as she studied Ray's face, waiting for him to continue with his question. The dragon simply rubbed the back of his neck uneasily, turning slightly red as his gaze shifted to the ground.

"Um... I was just wondering... I mean, I know it's kind of early, we've only been back in Windia for not even a week now... and... we're all kind of having a weird time adjusting but..."

Lucy felt herself grinning just slightly as she watched Ray's face get redder and redder. She could almost guess at what his question was going to be since the dragon seemed to be so embarassed to ask it. With patient amusement she waited as the blue-haired teen continued to trip over his words.

"But... I dunno... I guess it would be kinda nice... and fun... and well, maybe it would make you feel better a little, I mean, since well... you know... Brandon and all... maybe if you did something to get your mind off of it for a bit... and well, tried to have some fun and..." Ray's face was scarlet now and he was still rubbing the back of his neck uneasily before he finally turned his green eyes hopefully up to look at Lucy, slowly managing out his question. "But I was wondering, if something, I dunno, maybe you might wanna try and go out somewhere together?"

Lucy snickered just lightly to herself. "You mean like a date?"

Somehow, Ray's face managed to get two shades redder as his gaze darted back down the ground nerviously. "Yea... like a date... since we are kinda..."

"A couple?" Lucy chuckled, an actual smile forming on her face. He's so cute when he's this nervious. Slowly her expression turned back to the emotionless one that Lucy Conwing was so used to wearing and she nodded. "I'll think about it. I don't know... there's still a lot on my mind."

"But it would do you some good if you loosened up a bit." Ray's skin was finally turning back to it's normal color as he looked up at Lucy again. "Maybe it'll cheer you up a bit."

Lucy nodded and gave the dragon a weak smile. "I'll think about it." With a wave and a light kiss on the dragon's cheek, the windian walked into her house. Wow... she sighed to herself. For a moment there... I almost felt like Nina again... The raven-haired windian hadn't honestly smiled and laughed like that in years. Sure it had only lasted a few seconds before she had faded back to her normal emotionless expression and tone, but for a moment... Lucy headed upstairs to her room, setting her books down on her bed. Something about being with Ray just seemed to slowly be bringing out the honest feelings that Lucy had not experienced in years.

* * *

Ray was still rubbing the back of his neck as he made his way home. Well... atleast I managed to get the question out... He had been hoping to Landon that Lucy would have said 'yes,' but her reply of 'I'll think about it' sat uneasily in his mind. Then again, I guess now really isn't the best time... Lucy was still slowly getting over the loss of her brother, and Ray's big concern was helping her with that. The dragon glanced up as he saw his house come into view and his thoughts changed to that of his little sister.

Good thing I sent Jason to go pick her up. I didn't expect to spend that much time in the library. Having the red-haired windian around to help out with Britney had loosened up Ray's schedule a bit. Most of the time Kristeen wasn't home to go pick her up, and Ray had to keep his schedule open directly after school incase he had to go get his sister. Stepping up to the door and placing his hand on the knob, he thought once more about Lucy before opening the door and stepping into his house. I hope she says yes...

"I'm ho-"

*FWUMP*

The dragon's traditional entering-the-house call was cut short as something cold and wet slammed into his face. Ray stopped in his tracks as his mind tried to put together what just happened. Reaching up and slowly brushing off the cold dampness that had startled him, Ray finally finished his sentence as he glanced around the room, eyes wide in surprise. "-ome... um... Brat? What... what happened in here?"

Britney giggled as Ray finally got the rest of the snow brushed off of his face and then from the shirt of his uniform. The little dragon had managed to hit her brother with the snowball as he had stepped in the door, and she had done her best to hold back her laughter as she noticed the confusion on Ray's face. As it was, the entire living room was covered in a blanket of snow, and Britney was standing next to what looked like a little snowman that she had been packing together.

"Isn't it neat? Phen did it!" Britney giggled again happily as she went back to her snow sculpture.

"Phen?" Ray turned his confused gaze to his sister. "Who's Phen?" A sudden 'wee-ho!' from behind Britney caught his attention and Ray turned to look at what seemed to be another snowman hiding behind his little sister. "Um... Britney? What's that?"

"It's Phen!" Britney gave happy squeal. "He made all the snow! Go on, Phen! Show him!" She poked the little JackFrost demon lightly and he chuckled.

"Hi-ho! Of course, ho!" With that, the little creature hopped into the air and used a quick Chill spell, causing more flakes of snow to appear and settle to the ground in a small blanket. Britney giggled again.

"Isn't he neat?"

"Um..." Ray cast an uneasy glance around the room. "Brat? Does Kristeen know about this?" Britney shook her head.

"Kristeen's been gone. Come on, Ray! Build this snowman with me!" With a happy laugh, Britney and Phen then went back to playing. Ray rubbed the back of his neck.

"Oh boy..." He sighed loudly, noting that even his breath was visable in the cold air circulating through the living room of his house.