Disclaimer: These boys don't belong to me and maybe it's a good thing as my house isn't big enough.

Story: Building a Better Mousetrap 101

Warnings: Not much in this chapter, except dumb founded pilots

Being a Mouse doesn't mean you're helpless or weak.

Current Pairings: 1xR, 2xOC, 3x4, 5xS, HxOC, 6xN and OCxOC (past 1x2)

Chapter 20 – Preparations for the party

December literally flew by for the students of Rochester University. The semester was coming to a close which meant studying for final exams, finishing projects etc…Plus not to mention the excitement of the upcoming long holiday break over Christmas and New Years, which was kicked off every year by a ball like gala unoriginally called the Christmas bash by the student body.

Now as expected of the highly intelligent ex-gundam pilots and their group of friends, Finals, classes and projects were not a real big issue, especially as this was only their first semester in college and they had all taken a mostly pre electives to get them out of the way. SO the girls were more focused on the upcoming dance and it was not unusual to find them huddled together planning what they were going to wear, or how to do their hair, and more importantly make sure their dates were presentable.

Fall had made its way into winter, the old cherry tree was bare now and it was usually too chilly for the students to stay outside for very long, especially a former L2 street rat who hated the cold. So Duo and his Mouse didn't have as much alone time as they used too, staying either in the cafeteria after lunch with their friends or perhaps trying to find a little peace and quiet by hanging out in the library. I know what you're thinking Duo? Quiet? But when he was with Mouse he didn't feel the same need to fill the silence like he did with others. And of course the library was a great place they discovered to cuddle, among the old stuffed chairs. Typical teenage behavior, those chairs had seen many a teenage couple cuddling and canoodling in their day. Duo and Mouse were no different.

Mouse of course was still just flat out blown away by just about everything going on in her life. Duo was more attentive than ever since the Thanksgiving break, to the point that if she had minded, which she didn't, she might have thought he was being overly possessive. Every once in a while she would actually pinch herself to make sure this wasn't all a dream. I mean COME ON! This was like 'the' hottest guy in the entire earth Sphere as far as she was concerned, and he 'wanted' her? Right. Fortunately her hormones had joined forces with her constantly vacationing brain cells and they were all too busy partying and enjoying the constant attention the beautiful chestnut haired violet eyed male was giving her. Her heart had gone AWOL several weeks ago and she was no longer the boss of it whatsoever. Despite the fact that she continually warned it that this had to be too good to be true, it had stubbornly gone and fallen completely in love with the braided menace.

When she wasn't trying to talk some sense to her misbehaving hormones or her AWOL heart, she gave herself completely to the madness that was fast becoming her life. Joining Relena, and the others in their big plans for the Christmas Bash. Dresses were ordered, hair styles played with, shoes tried on again and again. Until finally everything was chosen, and the big event was at hand. The guys had it easy, because of all the formal events the boys normally attended either by invited or as security for Relena, they all had their own tuxes, so all they had to do was drop them off at the dry cleaners and make sure they were wearing matching socks. It was SO not fair. Even Duo just braided his hair for the event, wearing a tux was hot enough, a thick curtain of hair past his ass would have only added to the heat.

The party itself was being held in the regal and old Hilton Hotel just downtown of Rochester University. Between Relena, being who she was and Quatre being a Winner, they had managed to get the whole top Penthouse floor to themselves. A pair of two bedroom suites mirrored each other off the single hallway. One door on each side of the hall lead to each suite. Walking into a suite you found yourself in a large comfortable living area with a small kitchenette and wet bar, off to each side was a French door that lead to one of the suites two bedrooms, each with their own luxurious bathing facilities. This meant a total of four bedrooms, in one suite was of course Relena and her Heero, Relena had insisted that Duo and Mouse take the other bedroom in their suite, which only made sense as across the hall in the other suite, Quatre and Trowa took one room, while Wufei and Sally had the other. This way all five ex-Gundam pilots were on the same floor. On the floor below them was Rick with his date, the no longer clueless Mike Phillips, and next to them was Hilde with Mike's twin sister Gloria. The rest of the rooms on that floor were filled with the Maganac Corps. Talk about over kill on the security, but someone had put Une in charge and she tended to go over board when it involved Relena and any of her boys, as she called the pilots.

The girls, including Hilde and Gloria, had all taken over Relena's suite to get ready for the dance, leaving the boys to spruce up over in Quatre's suite of rooms. This wasn't an issue until the boys realized they were ready to go and the girls claimed they still needed at least an hour maybe more before they would be ready. The boys trying to be gentlemen thought to wait, but after impatiently waiting for 30 minutes they gave up, and with the blessings of their female counterpart's, descended to the party below in the great hall. This of course was exactly as the women had planned it. Grinning Hilde cleared the off table of the deck of cards they had been using to pass the time. The truth was, the girls were basically ready except for actually putting on their dresses and a few final finishing touches. They had planned all along to 'Make an Entrance' and totally Wow their friends and dates. As Hilde and Gloria were each others date they were the exception, though that hadn't stopped them from wanting to "Make an Entrance' they were still girls after all.

In less than 30 minutes they were all ready to go and headed downstairs to the Great Hall. The Formal Ball room of the grand old hotel had an elegant small staircase that lead from the main entrance onto the floor. A fact, that had been cased out well in advance for Maximum Entrance Making. At the door was an overly serious Butler who loudly announced any and all new arrivals. This had also been included in the Maximum Make an Entrance plan. As planned Hilde and Gloria entered first, this way the Gundam boys would have a heads up that their woman folk were on their way, and they had best be paying attention... or else!

Hilde looked very dapper in a form fitting black tuxedo, while the lovely and delicate blue eyed blonde Gloria was wrapped in a light baby blue dress. The striking dark and lightness of the couple drew lots of oooohs and Ahhhhhs as they descended onto the main floor and joined their waiting friends. As planned the appearance of Hilde and Gloria alerted the ex-Gundam pilots that their girls had 'arrived'. Wufei and Heero smirked sure they were in for a treat, knowing their mates had obviously planned the whole thing. Duo was grinning like and idiot, so he was basically normal. Though he couldn't wait to see Mouse in her party dress, if it was anything like what she had worn to Zechs Halloween party they might end up upstairs sooner rather than later. Well if she let him, girls were funny that way. Now if there 'was' an extra sparkle in his glorious amethyst eyes that night, then that might have to do with what he did have planned for later. Q had helped him set up a romantic escape in their room for after the party. That big softie Rashid was taking care of the details now that the girls had finally left the suite.

The next to make an appearance: 'Major Doctor Sally PO'

Duo's grin grew even bigger, Waffles looked like someone had hit him over the back of his head with a 2x4. Wufei just blinked as the lovely statuesque honey blonde made her way down the staircase and to her speechless fiancée. She was dressed in retro old Hollywood style, The strapless gown was a deep rose that showed off her golden tan skin and honey blonde hair to perfection. Heero smirked , Wufei was soooo whipped, there was no wa……

"Miss Relena Darlain-Peacecraft (droaning titles blah blah blah)"

Heero's mouth fell open and stayed that way. Duo's eyes flickered between his best friend and the Former Queen of the World. Relena had certainly out done herself tonight if the stunned expression on Heero's face was anything to go by. Personally, Duo had always liked Brunettes better. (wink wink) But he had to admit Relena did look good, like the Princess she was, in a blue silk gown that exactly matched her eyes. The gems encrusted chocker around her neck is what held the gown up. It was a very grown up gown, much different that the childish ones she used to wear during the wars. Walking over to Heero she gently closed his open mouth with a finger.

"Why Heero Darling, You would think you've never seen me dressed up before."

"Hn" The ever wise 01 pilot closed his mouth and a few seconds later a couple of his brain cells started functioning again. So he tried talking again.

"Relena you look magnificent, but where Mouse?" Duo had started to wonder the same thing, why had Mouse come down before Relena? But Relena just smiled and pointed to the entrance where once again another beauty was making an entrance.

"Miss Lisa Johnson, of the 'Johnson and Johnson' Family."

A few people in the crown blinked at the name not recognizing it, having called her Mouse from day one. Ah, why did 'Johnson and Johnson' sound so familiar? Well never mind, they realized soon enough who the dark beauty was. She was a vision in silver cloth that flashed in the lights of the hall and showed of her full curves to perfection, as she took a step to start descending the stairs the slit cut up the front flashed her shapely leg off to a tee. The spaghetti strap style of the dress left a significant amount of cleavage open to the worlds view, and Duo hadn't even seen the fact that the dress was basically back less, the sparkling straps crossing her trim back. Everyone in the room watched as she slowly descended the stairs, Duo's mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. Relena was counting to herself in her head…3…2 and.. Duo leapt over a couple of tables and raced to Mouse and tossed his tux jacket over her shoulders, 1.

Oh too funny, Hilde had been absolutely correct. Duo was very possessive of what was his, as he had always had so little, and he definitely considered Mouse his and his alone.

"Where the HELL is your dress!!"

"Jackass this is my dress."

"No it's not, there not enough material there to make a dress." Duo kept trying to put his jacket over her shoulders and she kept shrugging it off. Finally she grabbed his braid and wrapped it around her wrist gave it a tug.

"Maxwell, I suggest you put you own jacket back on."

"I –um, but everyone is looking at you."

"That's the idea moron, now if you're a good boy, then you'll be the only one who gets touch. They only get to look and be jealous of you." She winked at the handsome violet eyed male. Duo being Duo tried one last time.

"But um aren't you , you know cold, I'm just being a gentleman, offering you my jacket and all." He flashed her one of his patented 1000 watt grins. Didn't work damn his bad luck.

"Duooo."

"Fine, fine I'm putting it back on, see you win. Naaaa" Duo stuck his tongue out at her, Mouse just grinned at him. But that didn't stop Duo from wrapping an arm about her waist and keeping her by his side for the rest of the night. Yeah, yeah he knew she was his, but that didn't mean some asshole wouldn't try to make a play for his girl, and he hadn't told her yet. So she didn't know how much she meant to him.