Disclaimers: I don't own GW or its characters (licensed by Bandai Entertainment and owned by Sunrise, Sotsu Agency, etc, etc). Song is from unknown source, heard it on a tv show and thought it appropriate. No money made, etc. yadda, yadda…
Warnings: R rating, 2+4; 1X2X1(implied), ?X4(guess) Light Lime, angst, sap (from the Christmas tree most likely), Yaoi, language, violence, Multi-part.
I took some liberties with the boys' ages making Quatre a little younger and with the characters, somewhat OOC
This is my first Gundam Wing fic….doesn't follow canon faithfully so consider it a parallel universe (not AU) or whatever you like….
CHRISTMAS STAR
By Katreve
Part IIStar up in the Sky
Will Never Know
How lovely is the light
That Shines Below
It's always there
It never fades
Without it's magic light
How would we find our way
A few days later, Quatre rose just before dawn and logged on to his laptop to check his plans…everything was in place. He giggled to himself and quickly dressed.
He ran into Duo's room first, "Ne, Duo-chan wake up. We must get ready for a mission…."
"What the hell…we're not supposed to have missions…"
"Yes, Duo it's 'Mission Christmas'. Pack some warm clothes…appropriate for snow. You said white Christmases were best. Hurry up…we leave in an hour."
Duo jumped out of bed and snatched the blonde pilot as he tried to run back out the door,
"Just what are you up to, you little trickster?"
"Nani, Duo? You're the one who loves pranks. This is not a trick…it's part of my Christmas surprise for you, my friend and brother, and for the others. Get yourself packed…I've got to wake the others."
Duo let Quatre go and watched as he fairly danced with excitement and ran out the door, pausing just long enough to throw a very Duo-like wink back at the braided boy.
Duo grinned and grabbed his duffle bag.
Somehow or other Quatre gathered the group of Gundam pilots downstairs within the next 45 minutes.
Wufei was grumbling, Trowa was yawning, Duo was grinning from ear to ear and Heero was looking quizzically at the smiling blonde.
"Now, I hope you packed warm clothes…you will need them. You three aside from Duo may not be very enthusiastic about Christmas, but whether or not you want to have Christmas with Duo and I, you are going with us to a place that only I know about. You will see when you get there. If once there, you still don't want to take part, fine, there will be rooms you can retreat to and Duo and I will leave you in peace. But Duo and I are going to have Christmas….our first Christmas together and I hope you all join in. Ready….let's move out."
Duo had to laugh at Quatre's taking command as he did. Heero usually led them, but Quatre was clever and even Heero had admitted he had good ideas about strategy and tactics. And now he was in charge of his own mission, one he had planned for Christmas. Duo hugged the boy briefly before they climbed into the limousine waiting outside.
They were whisked to an airport and then on a private transport owned by the Winner family.
The others were quiet and said little, but Duo could tell even they were becoming curious about what Quatre was up to.
Three hours later they landed in a cleared airfield. Snowy mountains surrounded the airfield and the field itself was almost too small to allow the larger Winner air transport to land. But Quatre was piloting and pulled it off with aplomb.
"Hn…good landing on a strip so small," commented Heero looking out the window.
"Yes it was," Wufei acceded almost grudgingly.
Duo had been sitting up with Quatre, co-piloting, though Quatre never let him know where they would end up. Duo could see the heading though and was not surprised at the snow-covered mountains. But then Quatre had told him to expect a White Christmas.
Two jeeps were waiting in the hanger. Quatre retrieved the keys from a bearded man and tossed one pair to Trowa. "Follow me," he said gleefully, then sobered, "I hope I know how to drive snow-covered roads. I am mostly familiar with desert and…"
"Baka," Duo laughed. "Give me the keys and tell me where to go. I do know how to handle snow. And boy I can't wait to show the rest of you, especially you Quat-chan. You're going to be so kawaii playing in the snow."
Quatre frowned at him for that last comment, but Duo just laughed and took the keys from the boy's hand.
Duo drove the first jeep with Quatre and Heero in it.
Trowa followed with Wufei.
Quatre consulted his map again, though he had studied it before, since he had intended to drive. After about an half hour of following the mostly snow-cleared road, he directed Duo at a turn off. This road was more narrow and fairly covered with snow. Duo shifted into low gear and drove carefully. Trowa followed his lead.
Rounding a bend after about three miles, they came upon a lodge nestled against a hillside.
At the sound of the jeeps, the door to the lodge opened and a man and a woman came out. Smiling, they waved at the boys.
Quatre hopped out of the jeep and went forward to greet the couple.
As the others came up, he turned and introduced the couple as Mr. and Mrs. Berenson, old and very discreet friends of the Winner family, who had recently purchased the lodge. He emphasized the discretion attribute while looking at Heero as if to reassure him and quiet his suspicious nature.
He then turned to the pilots, "This is Duo, Heero, Trowa and Wufei. We five are your only guests for Christmas, ne?"
Mr. Berenson laughed a hearty laugh. He had a short white beard and white hair but looked strong and fit for his age. "Well, Quatre, you did rent the lodge for just yourselves. And it's not that big for a lot of guests anyway. Come…come …in so that we can show you your rooms."
"No…oh, that's fine in a little while." Quatre raised his hands, "But first, is the….uh…in the large front hall?"
"Yes, young man," now Mrs. Berenson smiled, "Everything is as you asked."
Quatre grinned, "OK, before we find our rooms and get settled, follow me."
"We seem to be following and doing everything the Arab says today," mumbled Wufei. But he nevertheless moved right along with the others.
In the large front hall of the lodge Quatre stopped for a second and then walked forward to a large Scotch pine tree that was standing in front of the huge window at one end of the room. At the opposite end of the room was a huge fireplace where a fire already blazed merrily.
Quatre stopped at the tree and pulled off a glove to touch a limb and then leaned forward to sniff. He turned back to the other four pilots who waited in the entryway, "Duo it smells heavenly just like you said. But it has no decorations yet. After we get settled and eat, we have to decorate it, ne? And you'll show us how. The Berensons say they have plenty of decorations and…if you want to string popcorn we can. And we can have hot cocoa. and…"
Duo had moved forward as Quatre's voice spoke excitedly. He caught him in a bear hug and cut off his words.
"Quat-chan. You're something else. Now…I am going to show you and these other bakas how great Christmas can be. And you…" he moved Quatre back to look at the flushed face of the blonde Arab, "you did this based on all I told you about the best Christmases. You pulled it all together. Thank you…" Duo's voice cracked with emotion and he just pulled Quatre back in his arms for another bear hug, though even tighter.
Wufei moved over to the tree and leaned over to sniff hesitantly then said, "It does have a pleasant odor."
Duo laughed again, and turned with his arm around Quatre to head back out of the hall, "Come on you bakas. Let's find our rooms, change and get back down here. We have some decorating to do."
Mrs. Berenson laughed at the boys and said, "I will have hot cider and sandwiches for you to boys to eat before you get too busy decorating. And if you want popcorn, we have that too and plenty of string."
"Better and better…" Duo was ecstatic.
An hour later the boys were actually decorating the tree. There was quite a bit of laughter from Duo and Quatre and even Heero and Trowa were caught smiling just a tiny bit. And finally Wufei allowed his mask to crack slightly when Quatre handed him a special ornament he had brought with him. It was a Chinese symbol and it meant friendship. Then he brought out an ornament in the Japanese symbol for friendship for Heero, a silver bell with "Friendship" written in red for Duo and a gold bell with "Friendship" written in green for Trowa.
And you don't knowHow beautiful you are
If your eyes could see
The Love that's in your heart…
Quatre shyly handed each boy their ornaments and said, "No matter what happens, I just wanted you all to know I am so glad I met you and …I would like to remember my time as a Gundam pilot fondly, not the fighting of course, but getting to know all of you. I…" he stopped, tears starting unbidden and turned away quickly. "Excuse me…I have to…go to the bathroom," he left the room suddenly.
All four pilots grew quiet as they turned back to the tree. Each one found a place for their ornament.
Duo's voice shattered the silence, "Whether he stays as a Gundam Pilot or not, the scientists are not getting him back to try and torture that part of his soul out of him that makes him Quatre. They may have trained us to be robotic killing machines, especially have they done that to you Heero, but they are not going to ruin Quatre like that."
Duo glared at Heero waiting for his challenge, for Heero always followed Dr. J's instructions.
Heero just looked at Duo and then turned away.
Wufei and Trowa stood not looking at either Duo or Heero, unsure at the tension now in the room.
But then Quatre was back, smiling and cheerful. "Well let's finish the tree…what are you all standing around for? We have to finish it this afternoon. Tomorrow we will go into this little mountain village where I am told by the Berensons that we can obtain presents…even if not practical, it will be fun trying to find them and purchase them, ne? Then we return and wrap them. We'll have to get wrapping paper, ribbon….boxes…maybe we can find something practical as gifts too, who knows?"
"You're rambling, baka," said Wufei but his tone was not as cold as it usually was.
"Am I? Sorry," answered Quatre. "I just think this is so exciting. And I want everyone to have a good time. I am so glad you three, what was it Duo called you the other night, oh yes, you three 'scrooges' have joined in. I know you're going to have fun even if you do not want to."
Trowa moved over and gave Quatre a hug then pushed him back to look down at him, "Well who can resist you when you chatter and pester and all but kidnap us and bring us here and toss us in front of a tree and say 'decorate it.' But I blame Duo's influence."
"And so you should," Duo said nonchalantly.
Quatre's giggle was infectious.
When the tree was finally decorated, Duo and Quatre talked the others into going outside to play in the snow. It was late afternoon, but the sun was still up and bright though it was heading for the mountains in the west. They found a few sleds and tried the hill behind the lodge. They had a snowball fight and finally tumbled back inside wet and tired but happy, just as the sun disappeared behind the mountains' rim.
Mrs. Berenson served them hot soup and crusty bread for supper. And afterward, Quatre told Duo to light the tree. They had checked the lights and their placement during the day as they decorated, but until it was night and no other light was in the hall but the fire from the fireplace, it was just not the same.
Duo moved behind the tree and found the plug. The tree was suddenly alight in glorious colors and Duo moved quickly back to admire it along with the other pilots.
Quatre's mouth was open in awe and his eyes glittered as they reflected back the twinkling lights, "It's so beautiful. Oh, Duo, you were so right about how special Christmas can be."
"And," Mrs. Berenson brought a large tray with mugs of cocoa into the room, "Come over by the fireplace and PaPa Berenson will tell you the story of the first Christmas. It's only right to remember He who is the reason we celebrate this time…"
The boys moved to sit around the fire on the bearskin rug and Mr. and Mrs. Berenson sat on the sofa and told the boys about that night long ago when a baby was born and there was a special Star in the sky….
The boys were silent at the finish of the Christmas story. Finally Quatre sighed, "That's wonderful This is so much more than even you told us Duo. Thanks for wanting us to celebrate Christmas with you."
"And thank you, again, Quat-chan, for making it all the more special." Duo smiled at the boy who sat next to him. "And now would you play something on your violin? I know you brought it with you. While you may not know any Christmas music, I would like to hear your play."
Quatre blushed slightly but then nodded and rose to his feet and hurried upstairs to retrieve his instrument. In just a moment he was back with his violin case. As he took the violin out and prepared it to play, he spoke quietly to Trowa, "Trowa, did you bring your flute and, if so, do you know the Pastoral Symphony by Handel?
Trowa smiled at the blonde Arab pilot, "I did bring my flute, but I'm not that familiar with that piece. You play it, little one, and perhaps you will teach me the melody another time, ne?"
Quatre returned Trowa's smile gently, "Hai, Trowa, I would like that."
Quatre then lifted the violin to his shoulder and raised the bow. He closed his eyes for just a moment, then the elegant melody began, the sweet, almost tender notes floating throughout the great room and hall of the lodge.
Mr. and Mrs. Berenson smiled at each other and moved together, Mrs. Berenson laying her head on her husband's shoulder.
Heero found himself watching the boy play, he was as graceful as the melody he seemed to coax from his violin so easily. Heero turned his eyes to the fire and listened until the notes gradually died away.
Quatre slowly lowered his violin and bow.
No one moved or said anything for some moments. It was as if any movement or sound might splinter the beautiful aura that seemed to hang in the air even as the notes still seemed to echo somehow.
Then Mrs. Berenson with tears sparkling in her eyes moved to embrace Quatre and whispered, "Quatre that was lovely. Thank you, dear boy."
Quatre smiled at the lady and nodded.
Duo stood and went over to lay his hand on Quatre's shoulder, then he turned to the other pilots, "Now my children, it's time to go to bed."
Then with eyes twinkling, a grin spread over his cheerful face, "Don't forget, tomorrow we go shopping. Oh, and be sure and buy a large stocking to hang by the fireplace. That's part of Christmas too."
"What for?" Wufei wanted to know as he too rose to his feet.
"You'll see," Duo's grin grew even broader.
The other two pilots rose and Trowa and Wufei said Good Night to their hosts and started upstairs. Heero remained for just a moment, then walked over to Quatre and said quietly, "I enjoyed that very much, Quatre. I've always ….liked your …uh…music." A frown played over the usually impassive face, then he tried a smile and nodded to Quatre and Duo, turned to Mr. and Mrs. Berenson and repeated the gesture. Then he hurried upstairs.
Duo lingered while Quatre placed his violin and bow back into its case. Then the two friends climbed the stairs together.
^^^^^^
The next day after a late breakfast, they found the small mountain village easily enough. There were some shops with clothing and gifts. There was a bakery with Christmas sweets and a store that had stationery and wrapping paper and ribbon, all that they would need. Quatre insisted the boys separate so that they could buy their gifts in secret. He said even if they should run into one another, they were on their honor to ignore whatever might be in each others' packages or shopping bags. They would meet at the village inn's coffee shoppe for lunch and then head out again to finish up their shopping.
"And don't forget the stockings for the fireplace," called out Duo as the boys separated. Even Wufei, though he had made token objections as to this "foolishness" finally gave in and decided to enter into the spirit of things.
^^^^^^
The two mercenaries watched as the boys separated to go their different ways. The one in the brown hat, elbowed his companion to get his attention, "There he is, the blonde one."
"That's the Winner heir?" Asked his bearded companion, who was carrying a large shopping bag.
"Yes. Good thing my sources at the World Bank picked up the fact that he rented the lodge for the holidays for just himself and his friends. They're all a bunch of school boys from the looks of them, but we're taking no chance of raiding the lodge. The fewer people that see us the better, even with our disguises. We'll follow him, inconspicuously of course, wait for our chance, push him into one of those back alleys, use the chloroform to subdue him and the blanket to cover him up. Then we get away quickly and silently. No fuss, no muss. We'll make the ransom demands to his sisters, since his father died a few months ago." The mercenary rubbed his gloved hands together, grinning nastily to himself at the thought of the money that he was sure would soon come his way. The boy was slightly built and looked fragile. They should have no trouble chloroforming him to keep him quiet and kidnapping him, especially while he was alone and separated from his friends.
TBC….
