SNOWBALLS

"Jensen Mitchell!! I'm going to kill you for this!!" Lori screamed as the massive snowball began to slide its way down her shirt. The coldness was unbearable and she brushed furiously at the slush that was swiftly and silently dampening her underclothes. Lori tore off her jacket despite the freezing temperature and tried to salvage any dryness she could by pulling her shirt out of her waistband and letting the unmelted remnants of the frosty projectile fall to the snow covered ground below. "If I wasn't a girl, I'd bloody your nose, you creep!" She tried not to think of just how cute his nose was.

Jensen stood a few feet away laughing hysterically at her fury. "You looked... so... funny!!" He gasped between fits of laughter. He stumbled backwards a few steps, doubled over, his laughter making him weak-kneed. He thought she was so beautiful when she was mad.

"OOoooOooh! Are you going to get it! STOP LAUGHING!" Her eyes sparkled ferociously as she quickly zipped up her jacket to avoid the cold. When he didn't stop laughing but rather laughed all the harder, Lori decided she'd had enough. "That's it! YOU'RE DEAD!" Bending down to capture a handful of snow, Lori began to approach him very slowly.

Jensen realized her intent and sobered quickly. "I'm sorry, Lori... Really, I am." She continued her advance. "Seriously, Lori, I was just playing around..." His first reaction was to turn and run, but remembering the track metals Lori had on her shelves in her bedroom, Jensen decided that his best bet was to plead... and not to turn his back on her. After all, she couldn't throw, could she?

Lori saw a certain smugness settle over his features and knew in an instant what he was thinking. They'd grown up together, and there was rarely a moment when she couldn't guess his thoughts. Right now, if her guess was accurate, he was thinking that because she was a girl, she wouldn't be able to land a throw. Well! She'd cure him of that mistake! "Hey, Jensen? Did I ever tell you about the softball throwing contest I won back in 4th grade? Yeah, I had to throw a softball fifty feet through the hole in a car tire. I won first place. The ball went clear through...." She smiled, thinking how much she'd like to kiss the face that had just gone white.

Dang! There was no other recourse but to run. Or, you could try and catch her instead. At least that way you could try and tell her how you feel about her. But being the chicken that he was, Jensen quickly turned on his heel and sprinted towards home. Lori packed the snow and began her wind-up.

Just keep running, Jensen!! You'll make it! He breathed. The anticipation of a frosty snow glob hitting him in the back made him run faster.

Keep your eye on him, Lori... it's just like the contest... a few more feet...NOW! She launched a mighty throw.

Just when Jensen had thought he'd made it, something large, cold and wet smacked him in the back of the head. He stood there for a moment in defeat, wondering what his next move should be, then decided to make a long held dream come true. Staggering a few steps, Jensen clutched his head with his hands, fell down into a nearby snowbank and lay unmoving.

Lori ran up to him in triumph. "How'd you like that, Jensen!! Right smack dab in the back of the head! Didn't think I could... do.. it... did you... Jensen? JENSEN?" She walked around him cautiously. "Jensen, is this a joke?" He didn't answer. "Jensen?" She leaned closer, dropping to her knees. Jensen didn't move. His eyelids didn't even flutter. "Ohmigoodness... what did I do?" she whispered. "Jensen?" She nudged him in the shoulder. No response. "Jensen, I'm so sorry. Please wake up!" Laying a hand on his forehead, she tried to urge him awake.

Now, Jensen... NOW! Jensen thrust his arms around her waist and pulled her to the ground. "JENSEN MITCHELL!!" She roared. "You are just pushing your luck today! Let me go!" She struggled against his arms, feeling the cold snow begin to saturate her clothing.

"Naw... I think I'm going to hold on for awhile." He shifted and Lori found herself on her back in the snow, Jensen's face looming above her as he held her close. His arms tightened around her, and Lori looked up at him shocked and a little afraid, her rapid breathing making tiny clouds in the cold air. Jensen felt a sudden rush of tenderness.

"I could get used to having you in my arms, Lori," he whispered, and buried his face her in hair, planting a soft kiss on her earlobe.

Lori tried to still the beating of her heart, but couldn't. Not with him so close. Not when she was so close to having her dream come true. "Jensen, I...." She went silent when he raised his head and looked her in the eyes.

"Lori, I've never...." His gaze dropped to her lips, and he couldn't restrain his longing any longer. He looked at her in agony and apology, then slowly let his lips find hers.

Lori gasped at the sensation. At the touch of Jensen's lips she felt her entire being defrost. His kiss was gentle, then turned more insistent as he deepened the kiss. Lori moaned a little at the pleasure and began to kiss him back, his gentle persuasion melting any hesitation she'd previously had.

When Jensen broke the kiss, Lori was breathless and speechless and warm. Her jeans were soaked clear through to the skin, but she didn't feel any chill. Not with Jensen holding her.

Jensen struggled to gain his senses as he smiled at Lori. "I've wanted to do that for the longest time."

Lori answered shyly, "And I've wanted you to." A strawberry pink stained her cheeks, an interesting contrast the whiteness of the snow that surrounded them, and she ducked her eyes in embarrassment.

Jensen got to his feet, and pulled Lori up beside him. " Want go get something to eat? You look cold." His voice was full of concern.

"I'm not." She grinned at him, her joy erasing any previous awkwardness. "Who could be after a kiss like that?"

Jensen chuckled low in his throat and Lori's knees nearly buckled. He took her hand in his and walked her through the blanket of snow and the landscape of pine trees. She was his now, and he need never let go again. Well, except to get her back for that last snowball.... Jensen grinned to himself as he formed a plan... As Lori walked a few paces ahead of him, Jensen stooped and scraped up a handful of snow. "Hey, Lori!"

"Wha-mmph!" Lori had turned just as Jensen forced the snowball into her mouth, cupping his hand over her lips to keep it there.

Lori's eyes widened, and she began to struggle as the cold started to sting her teeth.

"Cold?" Jensen asked with a grin.

She nodded furiously, her eyes begging him to end the torture.

"Are you sorry for hitting me before?"

Again, she nodded.

"Need some relief?" He laughed as she let out a indignant shriek. "Guess that means yes." He smiled at her. "I know of a great way to melt that thing, but it might take awhile," he suggested, and Lori's eyes began to sparkle. "Want me to show you?" She nodded enthusiastically, just as Jensen's mouth swooped down to capture hers in a frosty, but snow melting kiss.