Quatre smiled and shook hands as his guests found their way around his yacht for his masquerade New Year's party. He had invited many people of great wealth, but he also invited those people who were closest to him. Wufei was there, he had shockingly brought Sally as a date at the last minute, and Quatre knew that they would last together. Duo and Hilde, now happily engaged, were inseparable nothing could pull the two lovebirds apart. Heero was there somewhere, no doubt watching Relena from the shadows instead of joining the party. And Trowa.

Trowa was there, he looked so beautiful it squeezed the empaths heart to see him talking with another woman, or man. Two days after Christmas, when they were supposed to be exchanging gifts they had fought. Trowa had opened his gift and tried to return it, saying that it was far too extravagant for someone who had never had a name. Quatre wanted him to have it, it was a gift from him, from his heart-and he said so. Trowa stood up, and left without another word. Tears had rolled down his face as he watched Trowa drive away from his home. They had not spoken since, and Trowa had merely nodded when he arrived at the party with Heero and Relena.

A pat on his arm woke him from his musings. "Quatre, would you care to dance?" He turned and looked at the woman standing behind him. Her brown hair was piled in a bun, showing off her elegant neck and the short black dress she wore. Her long legs ended in impossible high stilettoes, and an ankle bracelet. Still, she seemed very short.

"Of course." He took her hand and led her down one deck and down to the dance floor. His string quartet was playing a waltz, and the two soon fell into a comfortable dance.

"You seem quite distracted tonight, Quatre, you have not noticed any of the young ladies asking you to dance. May I ask what troubles you?"

"My heart." He stared at her, trying to picture her without the blue feathered mask.

"Your heart? Dear, I hope it is not serious?"

"Matters of the heart are always serious. I am in love, and I am afraid the affection is not returned to me."

The woman laughed, a full body laugh that had her shaking and other dancers staring. "Not returned to you? Oh, dear sweet naïve little Quatre, he returns his affections. Why else would he wear your scarf?"

Quarter froze. The laugh was familiar. "Keep dancing, Quatre, you are drawing unwanted attention." He looked around, several couples were staring at them, the indifferent masks looking on. He started to dance again.

"Kristen? Kristen Norton?" She smiled and nodded. "How did you manage to get on here? If Heero sees you he will kill you!"

"I was invited, and Heero will not see me tonight, he has other stars to gaze upon." A shadow covered her eyes for a moment, and Quatre felt his heart squeeze. "Now, listen to me Quatre. It is almost midnight, there is a tradition that you kiss your sweetheart as the clock strikes twelve. It think, you should find Trowa, and you should kiss him. Show him that you love him, maybe you will be surprised."

"I couldn't! No one here knows that I prefer male company, it would be a scandal!"

Frustrated, Kristen stopped dancing and led Quatre from the dance floor. She walked him to the highest deck, really just a lookout, and stood against the railing. "A scandal? That is what you are worried about?" She sighed, pulling the mask from her face. "Quatre, if you do not do this, if you choose not to start a brand new year by kissing the one person you love, you will regret it."

"I…I don't want to be hurt."

"Oh, Quatre." She walked over and kissed his cheek before hugging him. "Love is a totally irrational emotion, you know that, I know that. But we are both in love, you know it. The way your heart races when they touch you, the way they speak your name. Tell him."

"I will." He hugged her before pushing away. "Are you still going to kill Relena?"

She shook her head. "No, not if I can't help it. I found a loophole in the contract, and if everything goes will in the next few months. I can get away with just attempting to kill her, and failing. I don't think I will see the end of the new year, so please don't worry about anything."

Quatre nodded. "As you wish."

"Good! Now I need to find a certain someone, and give them a kiss! I think Trowa will be here very soon. Good luck!" Before Quatre could speak, she had walked back down the stairs. He sighed, and leaned against the railing, staring up at the stars. He took the mask off, rubbing his tired eyes. His back straightened, someone was walking up the stairs. He turned around to see…

"Trowa. What are you doing here?"

"I'm looking for you. Who was that woman?"

"Hmm? Oh, just a uh, friend. So, are you enjoying the party?"

Trowa didn't respond, just stared at Quatre. "Are you enjoying your party? It is almost midnight, why are you not with your guests?"

"I did not feel like talking to them. I…I just wanted to be alone."

"Quatre, please do not lie to me. Are you angry at me? Because I refused your gift?"

"No! Not at all. I just…you are wearing it?"

Trowa blushed and brushed his hand over the royal blue cashmere scarf. "I am, I love it. I am sorry for making you believe that I did not love it."

"Please, Trowa, do not worry. I understand, and I know our friendship is worth more than anything else."

"No." Trowa walked forward and held Quatre's hands. "I was wrong, when you said the gift same from you heart, I was scared. I did not want to believe that I could actually have something that meant so much, from the man I love."

Quatre gasped. "You love me?"

Trowa smiled, running his knuckles along Quatre's cheek. "Of course I love you; you are everything I could ever want."

Behind and below, they could hear people shouting out the countdown. Ten…Nine…Eight…Seven…Six…Five…

"I love you, Trowa."

Two…One…Happy New Year!

Fireworks were shot into the sky, people cheered on the decks below while Trowa and Quatre shared their first kiss.

Heero scowled at Relena, who was smiling and singing Olde Lang Syne with a young baron. He looked around the crowd, and the fireworks. Silhouetted against the fireworks was a couple in a loving embrace.

"They are quite charming together, aren't they?"

Heero turned to look at the woman who had approached him. All he saw as long legs, a short black dress, and a blue feathered mask.

"Who?"

She motioned with her drink to the couple who was now walking down the stairs. "Trowa Barton and Quatre Winner. They both took my advice, and acted on their feelings for each other. Are you watching over Relena tonight?"

"I am yes, I'm sorry do I know you from somewhere?"

The woman laughed, holding her hand to her chest. "God Heero, you really don't remember me?" She moved to stand right in front of him, running her hand down his chest. They locked eyes behind their masks as the woman leaned in. She closed her eyes and kissed him lightly, their lips barely touched. She took a step back and drained her drink, looking over her shoulder; she saw Trowa and Quatre walk towards them. "I am afraid I must leave you now, goodbye Heero Yuy. We will meet again."

Before Heero could open his mouth she walked away and melted into the crowd. "Heero! Who was that woman? It looked like you were enjoying her company!"

"I…I don't know. She said she knew me, but I don't remember her." He lightly brushed his lips.

"You mean, you didn't recognize her? At all?" Quatre frowned.

"No, should I know her?"

"Heero, that woman was Kristen Norton."

"What? Relena!" he left Trowa and Quatre, searching frantically for Relena. From across the room he saw Relena, and she was talking to Kristen!

He walked slowly through the crowd, trying to not draw attention. Almost there…

"Heero! Did Trowa and Quatre get to talk to you?" Duo and Hilde were suddenly in his way.

"Yeah, now move."

"Woah, He-man, what's up your but?"

Heero didn't respond, he moved around them and walked the few feet to where Relena now stood alone. "That woman you just talked to, where did she go?"

Relena shrugged, "I don't know, she just gave me this letter and charming bracelet. Look!" She held up her wrist to show the simple silver chain, and the single silver eye. "She told me it is an amulet of protection, and that I should always wear it. The letter though, it is for you." She held out the small white envelope.

Heero took it, tearing the edge and pulling out the paper.

Happy New Year Heero.

Meet me at the Jade Owl, February second.

No guns.

We have much to discuss.

Loves.

Happy New Year everyone!