Disclaimer: This story was written by a fan only for the enjoyment of other fans, without any monetary compensation. Gundam Wing and its characters are registered trademarks of Bandai Entertainment Inc.™ and Sotsu Agency. All rights reserved.

Happy Holidays 2013

Weihnachtsgans Augustus

Prologue

"So, what are you guys planning for Christmas?" Treize Khushrenada asked as he and Alexander moved the last of the paper plates and leftover pizza from the living room into the kitchen while their friends set up the new Creationary game Trowa and Quatre had brought along for the game night. "You are visiting your sister, Trowa?"

"No actually," the young man replied. "Her company sent her and a couple of co-workers to some seminar in Germany. It starts on the 14th and ends on the 19th. I told her to take her vacation time, stay there over Christmas and New Year and enjoy herself, rather than hurrying back here on my behalf."

"I see," the professor nodded. "Then you will be staying with Quatre and his family, I assume?"

"Nope," Quatre answered instead. "My father decided to take the girls on a 1 week cruise to Alaska. The idea of spending Christmas with hundreds of others on a huge boat didn't sound appealing to me. So we decided we will stay here for the holidays, this year; together with Wu, Duo and Heero."

"You are not going home either, Wufei?" Milliardo had broken out the instruction manual and handed it off to Quatre to read through it.

"Nah. Apparently some aunts and uncles are visiting. They will be staying at our house. Mother told me I was welcome to come, but I would have to share my room with a cousin or two. I'd rather not… Duo and I met them last summer when we went to China."

Duo nodded, and the expression on his face suggested that it wasn't the most pleasant memory.

Treize, returning to the living room, raised one curious eyebrow, and the braided youth grinned wryly.

"Well, let's just say…"

"No reason to sugar-coat it, Duo," his friend interrupted. "They are spoiled little brats."

Duo shrugged as if to say 'his words, not mine.'

Milliardo laughed.

"What about you, Treize?" Heero asked. "You are flying home to your mother's house this year?"

"No," the professor huffed. "I have been officially informed that Mother will be spending the holidays with a 'gentleman' friend, was how she put it. She wasn't even sure if they will be staying at his house or hers." Another huff. "'Gentleman friend'… she never even introduced him to me yet."

"Treize! It's your mother we are talking about." Milliardo pointed out.

"Exactly! I do have certain responsibilities. What if he is after her only for her money?"

"Give her a little credit, will you."

"So, Milliardo…" Duo added. "Seems like you are the only one who hasn't been abandoned by their family this Christmas."

"Think again," the blonde snorted. "My parents suddenly decided to take a second honeymoon, and Relena is spending the break with friends in Aspen."

"Well then…" Quatre looked up. "Why don't the eight of us spend Christmas together?"

"Eight?" Duo echoed as he looked around the room counting heads.

"We can't leave out Alexander, can we?"

"Oh…right."

"Well, actually." Treize exchanged a look with his fiancé. "Milliardo and I were thinking of going somewhere. Maybe renting a cabin in the mountains or something."

"Why don't we all go together?" Heero suggested. "Unless of course…" he paused. "You guys want your privacy."

"No, no that sounds great." Milliardo insisted. "Doesn't it, Treize?"

"It does," the older man confirmed.

"Great," Quatre exclaimed. "It's settled then. We are going on a trip. When and where?"

"Slow down, Cat," Trowa stifled his friend's excitement. "This will take a bit of planning, you know."

"Absolutely," Treize agreed. "We need to consider arrangements for transportation, lodging, meals…"

Milliardo nodded. "I'd suggest we stay locally. Some place we can reach by car. I hate to have to depend on airplanes during the winter and risk getting stuck on an airport somewhere. Besides…" The young man looked in the direction of their ghostly housemate. "No offence, but I feel safer on the ground when Alexander is involved."

Nobody in the room could argue with that.

"How about Snowshoe or Wintergreen?" Heero suggested.

"Actually," Treize replied. "I was thinking something a little more private, away from the main resorts, if you know what I mean."

"I like that idea." Quatre nodded. "Why don't we make a list of all the arrangements that need to be made and split it up. Trowa and I could take care of renting the cabin."

"Great idea," the professor nodded. "Make sure it has at least 4 bedrooms."

"…and they allow dogs." Milliardo pointed out. "I'm not leaving Cabal in a shelter over Christmas."

"…and ghosts." Duo added with a grin.

"Got it."

"I think we should take care of food and stuff," Heero made a gesture that included his two housemates. "I had planned on cooking Christmas dinner for the five of us anyway and have already come up with a menu and bought some things."

"Sounds good." Milliardo replied. He had ripped a piece of paper from a notepad and was starting to make a list. "May I ask what said menu consists of?" he asked, knowing that Heero was probably the best cook amongst all of them.

"Considering that we all probably had turkey and ham for Thanksgiving I was going to make a goose and some sea food…Trowa's sister…ummm…I mean his sister Leia…translated some recipes for me for original German potato dumplings, rotkraut and Black Forest Cake."

"That sounds delicious." Treize agreed. "It's settled then. You three are responsible for food and drinks, and Trowa and Quatre take care of our accommodations."

"What does that leave for us?" Milliardo looked at the professor.

"Well, transportation for one. We are going to need at least 2 cars. Heero do you have snow chains for your Jeep?"

The younger man nodded. "Somewhere."

"Alright, then we will rent a second vehicle. I don't think either my BMW nor your sports car are large enough to transport everything we will need. And I'll look into renting some snowmobiles or something that we can use during our vacation."

"Speaking of need…" Duo threw in. "We will need a Christmas tree."

"Absolutely," the professor nodded. "Lights and trimmings as well."

"No problems. We can use my parent's," Milliardo suggested. "Don't think they will mind since they won't be using them. Treize and I can pick up a box or two and get a Christmas tree the day before we leave."

"Sounds good," Quatre agreed. "Only one more thing to decide on…When are we going and how long will we be staying?"

TBC

Author's note: