Ch 7 The Holidays Disclaimer: Still don't own Gundam Wing or its characters.
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Off to Join the Circus!
Chapter 7 ~ The Holidays
By West Wind

Around mid-November the circus traveled south and set up at their "winter retreat." Every year between mid-November and mid-January, the circus took a break for the holidays. They set down in one place. It gave those with family elsewhere a chance to visit them and time for the performers to work on new acts without the interruption of constant moving. Lisa was excited about the upcoming holidays. Christmas was her favorite and she wanted to get her new family gifts. She had been saving the small amount of money she made performing, and after the past few months, she thought she had enough with what she brought with her to buy them presents.

As Christmas neared, she and Catherine went to town to go shopping. Catherine and Lisa wandered the festively decorated mall browsing through the stores. They did more looking than buying.

"Do you know what you are getting anyone?" asked Lisa.

"Not really," responded Catherine. "I have a few ideas, but I am just not sure. When I see the right gift I will know."

They entered a department store and strolled through the cluttered walkways. Lisa never understood why the stores would layout nice wide walkways and then fill them with display tables so barley one person could squeeze around it. It was one of the things she hated about shopping.

They next entered the toy store just for fun. They admired the fancy dolls and tested the stuffed animals. There was one bin full of bean filled plush toys of various animals. Lisa riffled through the bin curious. She came across a little lion. He looked so cute. She held it up for Catherine to see.

"Do you think Trowa would like it?" she asked knowing his fondness for the large felines.

"I think he would," smiled Catherine.

Lisa carried it around the rest of the store. As they meandered the aisles, Lisa's attention was caught by the selection of model kits. She had never been into such items, but when shopping for others one had to look outside of one's norm. There were many varieties of cars, rocket ships, and such. She browsed the shelves with Catherine behind her. There were models of mobile suits. One specific line was called Gundam. It meant nothing to the two girls, but it looked like something Duo might like. He enjoyed putting things together.

"Which one?" asked Lisa as they examined the boxes.

"This one," said Catherine selecting one named Deathscythe, "and let's get him a set of paints to go with it."

The girls paid for the items and headed to the next store.

They slipped into the book store and looked at the current top ten titles. As they progressed farther into the store the were pleased to find the store was large and had a wide variety of books. Catherine came across one on Chine's swords.

"I think Wufei would like this one," she said as she flipped through the book then located the price. "A bit more than I am wanting to pay though."

Lisa looked at the price and agreed.

"Maybe Trowa and Duo would chip in too. Then we would have enough."

"Maybe," cautiously said Catherine as she set the book where she had found it.

"We can ask when we get back," said Lisa.

They bought gifts for the rest of the family members and an assortment of hard candies to give out to others at the circus.

That evening the girls asked Duo and Trowa if they would go in with them to buy Wufei the book. They agreed. The next day Duo and Lisa returned to the bookstore and purchased the book as well as a gift for Catherine.

~@~

Christmas Eve, the circus gave a free performance as a gift to the people of the local towns. It also gave the performers the opportunity test out the new routines they had been working on over the past month and show them where the snags were. The stands were loaded with children and their parents as they anxiously awaited the show.

Catherine and Trowa had added moving targets in their act for her to hit. Things like swinging bulls eyes and rotating wooden figures. They keep Trowa stationary, even if he would not have said a word at being spun around while she hurled the sharp knives at him. Duo had suggested it, but Jeff informed his children that was not to be tried.

Lisa was still working on mastering juggling and was ready to give up. She and Duo continued to preformed the tight rope act without it.

At the end of the show, all the circus performers came out, bowed, and tossed candy to the crowd wishing them a Merry Christmas. The performers filed back out and the ringmaster thanked and dismissed the spectators.

Duo and Lisa shuffled out with the other performers. Once out they tried to locate the others in the mass of moving people.

"Duo," called a light feminine voice. "Duo, Lisa …"

Carra lightly grasped Duo's arm before slipping a small gift into his hand.

"Merry Christmas," she said mostly directed at Duo, but she flashed Lisa a warm smile. "I will see you at tonight's party?" she inquired.

They both gave there affirmative.

"Good," she said before disappearing as quickly as she had appeared.

"I think some one has a crush on you," sing-songed Lisa as Duo examined the package in his hand.

"Don't blame her. I am one of the best looking guys around," he bragged.

"Really?" said Lisa questioningly. "And, you would not happen to be biased in any way, dear brother?"

"Nope, not one bit," he answered as they continued walking.

"You know, she is hoping to get you under the mistletoe for a kiss at the party tonight," Lisa pointed out.

Duo groaned. Carra was a nice girl, but just not the girl Duo wanted for a girlfriend, which is what she and others would assume she was if he kissed her. Then he would hurt her when he told her he did not want to date her. In fact, he did not want to date any of girls at the circus currently. He had always flirted with all of them, but never dated any of them. In such a small community, Duo did not feel it was wise to make enemies out of ones co-workers. It could result in intentional accidents during practice.

"I will just have to stay out from under the dangling plants then," he pointed out nonchalantly.

"There you are," called Catherine as she, Trowa, and Wufei approached them.

"What's that, Maxwell?" asked Wufei pointing to the gift in Duo's hand.

"This is what is called a present, Wufei. People give them to each other on special occasions like Christmas," said Duo patronizingly.

"I know that," growled Wufei disgustedly, "What's in it?"

"I don't know," said Duo.

"Carra gave it to him," Lisa informed the others with an innocent expression on her face.

"Oouua!" came from Catherine as she got ready to give the longhaired boy a hard time.

Trowa only stood there with a hint of a smirk on his face, and Wufei was ready to join Catherine in giving Maxwell a hard time, one of Wufei's favorite pastimes. They did not give Duo a moment peace all the way back to their homes.

~@~

There was a knock at the Barton trailer door. Jeff opened it and invited the young man in.

"Trowa, go tell your sister her date is here to take her to the party," Jeff told Trowa who was sitting on the couch waiting for the others.

Trowa nodded and made his way down the short hall to Lisa and Cathy's room, while Jeff offered Mark a seat. Trowa and Lisa came back down the hall and informed them that Catherine would be here in a moment. The group exchanged pleasantries while waiting. There was a second knock at the door and Lisa answered it. Wufei, Beth, and Robert stood outside. Lisa ushered them in while Catherine entered the crowded room. She smiled warmly at Mark as he stood to great her.

"You look wonderful," said Mark.

"Thanks," said Catherine modestly.

"Shall we go?" Mark asked.

"Sure. See you guys at the party," said Catherine.

The two exited the trailer. Jeff watching her as she went.

"She looks like her mother," commented Jeff with a sigh.

"That she does," added Robert. "I still miss her."

"So do I," agreed Jeff, "but she left us two priceless treasures," he added with a warm smile at his son "to bring joy to our lives."

Robert nodded his agreement.

"Are you ready to go to the celebration?" asked Beth.

"We are still waiting on Duo," Jeff replied.

Wufei grumbled something about the braided baka and worse than an onna under his breath.

"You can go ahead, and I will wait for him," offered Lisa.

Trowa and Wufei said they would stay too. The adults went on leaving the three to wait.

"What is taking him so long?" demanded Wufei before stomping to Duo's room prepared to drag him out by his braid.

Lisa watched Wufei stomp off before glancing at Trowa. He seemed to be a bit more withdrawn than normal. Before Lisa could explore the issue further, there was a cry of pain from Duo and the two entered the room.

"What crawled in your pants, Wufei!" demanded Duo. "You are more annoyed than normal."

"Nothing," Wufei barked. "I just want to get to the celebration, and you are holding us up."

Lisa had to agree with Duo. Wufei was slightly out of kilter tonight too. First Trowa then Wufei. She only hoped they would get better as the evening progressed.

The four entered the tent through one of the openings. Tables had been set up and were covered with food and drinks. Music was playing in the background and some people were dancing. Most were talking, laughing, and/or playing games. As the small group stood there scanning for the other members of their family.

"Your under the mistletoe," pointed out someone.

The group looked up, and sure enough over their heads was suspended a green twig with berries on it. Duo got an evil grin on his face as he turned to Wufei. Before the Chines youth could react. Duo placed his hand over Wufei's mouth and kissed the back of his hand to make it look like he was kissing Wufei. Those around them laughed and whistled at Duo's stunt while Wufei became more enraged. Duo pulled back and winked at Wufei before taking off as fast as he could from Wufei, grateful Wufei did not have his sword with him. Even if Wufei did, Duo though it would be worth it for the look of shock and disgust on Wufei's face.

Wufei started after Duo but was halted by Lisa. He started to pull out of her grasp.

"I have a better way for you to get back at him," promised Lisa.

Wufei halted his struggle and arched an eyebrow at her. Lisa pointed over to Carra standing in the opposite way Duo had bolted. That was all the suggestion Wufei needed. A devilish grin spread across his lips as he headed off to talk to Carra. Lisa smiled. She and Trowa continued to search for Jeff and the others.

Lisa was having a wonderful time as she mingled with the other performers. She had seen Cathy and Mark dancing at one point in the evening. Duo had been here and there like a bee collecting pollen. Wufei and Carra were waiting to execute their plan. Lisa glanced around again and noticed that she had not seen Trowa for some time. She took a guess where he might have gone and wandered out to the animal area.

As she approached a solitary dark form looked up from its position at the lion's cage. Lisa sat down quietly beside Trowa.

"What's wrong?" Lisa asked after a period of silence. "You have been more distant than normal."

The lanky brunet did not respond or acknowledge that he heard.

Lisa gently placed a hand on the side of his face and made him look at her. She looked into his green eyes and almost came to tears with the sorrow she saw there. In the short time she had known the slender boy, he had never expressed strong emotion, and it shocked her to see it there now.

"Why are you so sad?" she whispered slowly.

Trowa looked Lisa in the eye. His sorrow filled eyes quickly shifted to unemotional before he looked to the ground.

"I'm your friend. I want to help," offered Lisa as she took his hand in hers.

They sat that way for some time before Trowa said a word.

"I don't remember her at all, and it's because of me she is dead," murmured Trowa.

Lisa stopped herself from asking who he was referring to as the evenings earlier conversation was remembered. Lisa pondered how to respond. If his mother had not given birth to him she could not have died after he was born. Lisa could not tell him that his coming into the world did not bring her end, but she could try to assure him he was not at fault.

"If she had not conceived me, she would still be alive today," bemoaned Trowa after a pause. "Dad would still have a wife, Robert a sister, and Catherine a mother."

Lisa found herself getting mad at Trowa for the self loathing that was eating at him.

"Trowa," she said a bit more forcefully than she intended, "you don't know that! The possibilities of what could have been are endless. Some might seem better than what is, while some could be much worse. Trust me, you can't dwell on what ifs. I tried after I lost my second set of parents."

Trowa looked at her mildly shocked. Lisa paused as she realized what she had just given away. Since she ran away, she tried to let as little of her past life be known as she could. The fewer people who know hidden facts, the less likely it is for the facts to be discovered by others. Now, it was out, but she trusted Trowa. He was a keeper of secrets, many only he knew. Plus, she wanted to get her point across to him so she pushed on.

"After they died, I wondered if it was something I had done. I often wondered, did my brother and I carry a curse with us when we came to live with them? They had been out of town for the day. I had wanted them to be back to watch my favorite show with me. We always watched it together. After the funeral, all I could think was I caused them to die because I wanted them home. It was my fault they were driving back in the dreadful rain storm.

"Over time I came to realize that it was not my fault. I had no control over the weather, what rout they took, or when they left. They were coming home because they loved me, and that is what I cling to.

"Trowa," said Lisa softly as she glanced at Trowa's profile before placing her other hand on his, sandwiching it between both of hers, to emphasize her point, "No matter what happened, I am sure your mother loved you very much and would have done nothing different if given the chance. She would not want you blaming yourself for her death. You have no more control over your conception than I do of the weather. Let it go. You are the only one holding it against you. Your family loves you and needs you. Don't let your self-inflicted torment get in the way."

Lisa took a deep breath as her tirade wound down. A smile crossed her face as Trowa looked at her in contemplation.

"If you weren't around, who knows what would have happened to me," she teased. "The lions might have eaten me."

There was a slight movement at the corners of Trowa's mouth and his green eyes softened.

"Thanks," he whispered before giving her hand a squeeze.

"And what are you two doing?" inquired Duo as he came across the pair. "Should I be playing the role of overprotective brother?" he continued as he sat down beside Trowa eyeing him challengingly before breaking out in a broad smile.

Lisa laughed at Duo's suggesting statements. Their current position could be taken for a romantic moment she realized.

"Lisa was just helping me put things in the proper perspective," answered Trowa as he turned slightly toward Duo.

"Oh?!?" said Duo.

"What are you doing out here?" asked Lisa before Duo could pry. "I though you would be enjoying the party until they through you out."

"Carra," came Duo's one word answer.

"You can't handle one girl," said Trowa baiting Duo.

"It's not just her," he said defensively. "She and Wufei are in cahoots. He managed to maneuver me under the mistletoe while she was laying in wait. Luckily I recognized the danger while I could still get away."

"And now you are hiding from her," summarized Lisa.

"You bet!" Duo confirmed.

The three opted to go back to the quiet trailer, make hot cocoa, and enjoy each others company.

~@~

Christmas morning arrived. Duo sprang out of bed and woke the others. Since coming to the circus, Christmas was Duo's favorite holiday. He loved getting and giving gifts. Much to Duo's disappointment, the family opted to eat breakfast first and Trowa went over to see if Robert and his family were up and ready to eat.

The entire extended family gathered in the Barton trailer for breakfast and to open gifts afterwards. They sat around the small living room with a table top tree in one corner surrounded by carefully wrapped packages. Jeff started handing out the gifts one by one. The first gift Duo received was from Catherine and Lisa. He opened it and his eyes widened in awe.

"This is so cool!" he exclaimed as he examined the model box.

The two girls grinned.

"We thought you might like it," said Lisa. "Catherine picked out which one to get you."

"I love it," said Duo. "Open mine next," Duo insisted as he presented Lisa with an awkwardly wrapped gift.

Lisa removed the bow and stuck it on Duo's head with a smile before unwrapping the box. Opening it reviled a photo album with several narrow photo strips from a photo booth at the mall.

"I thought you needed a picture of me," said Duo as she picked the strips up to examine them.

The first one was a very good photo of Duo sitting there casually. As she continued down the strip the pictures became sillier. The last one was of Duo with hands extended at the side of his head like antlers, his tong sticking out, and his eyes crossed. The other strips followed the same pattern only he managed to get Trowa and Wufei into the booth with him.

"The pictures are great!" said Lisa.

"There is more in the box," Duo informed her.

Lisa moved the album and found a box of hair dye. She laughed.

"It is something I know you can use," said Duo with a wink

They opened the rest of the gifts. Lisa received a camera from Robert, Beth and Wufei so she could take pictures to put in her album and from the Bartons a dress and a shirt. She had not brought many cloths with her, and even though she had bought a few items since she came, she did not have a dress.

Wufei was speechless when they gave him the book they had all chipped in for, and Trowa liked the toy lion, which before the day was over became an item to be tossed around the house.

After exchanging gifts, Christmas day was spent eating, playing, and just relaxing for the family.