Winter Wonderland: Chapter Three
By Alecto

"And then you put the balls on top of each other, like this," Relena said, putting her snowman together. "See? Then you decorate the snowman, adding a face and arms, maybe a scarf."
Heero and Trowa looked on in interest. "It seems pretty simple. Why was Cathy so excited?" Trowa asked under his breath.
Heero shrugged. "Beats me. I guess it's just one of those tradition things." He looked over at Relena, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "Let's make one."
"Alright."
Duo sighed. "Those two. You practically have to force 'em to have fun! Right, Quatre? Quatre?"
"He didn't come, Duo," Noin said. "Quatre and Maremaiya are back at the house. Her legs still get some twinges in the cold weather from that gunshot wound. And Quatre can't understand why anybody would prefer a cold, wet place like this to desert."
"He's not the only one," Wufei muttered. "Why are we out here?"
"Because you lost our chess game, and therefore our bet," Sally said. "Got your sled?" She had a red metal disc sled under one arm.
"Of course, Woman." Wufei was dragging his sled, a long purple affair built for at least two. "You do realize this -- *this thing* -- is entirely ungainly. It'll tip over the instant it starts moving."
"Not if you go fast enough," Duo said. Both he and Noin were equipped with innertubes. "C'mon, Wu-man!" Duo turned and ran up the snow-covered hill.
"Don't call me that, Maxwell!" The rest of the group followed him. It took a good three minutes to climb to the top of the slope -- it was steep with icy patches. When they had reached the top most of the group decided to rest for a minute. Duo immediately sat down on the innertube, poised at the edge of the slope.
"Duo, we just got up here. Are you really going to fly back down so fast?"
"Yes, Wufei. That's the entire point. Now give me a push!"
"If only to get rid of your incessant chatter," Wufei said as he gave Duo a hearty push. Duo whooped as he sped downhill.
"Yippeeeee! Oh . . . uh ooooooooomph!" Duo's sled was veering dangerously toward the region of half-finished snowmen. His last yell was stifled as the sled hit a bump, flew into the air, and hit Relena's snowman. The snow settled to reveal Duo sitting on top of a popped innertube, his face embedded in the snowman's severed head. Relena and Hilde were both laughing histerically. Heero walked over and yanked Duo out of the snow by his braid. Duo grinned nervously at Heero's death glare.
"Ummm . . . . oops? Sorry about the snowguy, Princess." Back up on the hill, the remaining sledders stifled giggles as Duo resolutely brushed off sticks and rubber shreds and began to walk back up the hill.
"Aren't you done, Duo?" Sally called when he was closer.
"Heck no! I'm just getting started." Duo reached the top and gave Sally a sweeping bow. "May I request use of your sled? Mine has been . . . . toasted."
"We all noticed that, Duo. What about somebody else's sled? I haven't even gone down yet."
"I don't trust anymore innertubes," Duo said resolutely. "And how can Wufei go sledding without a sled? I'm not gonna share sleds with him. He pushed me into a snowguy!"
"It's a snowman, Duo. Allright then, take mine."
Duo and Noin were both sledding downhill in seconds, aiming for a landing place devoid of snowfolk. Sally turned to Wufei.
"Hurry up and go down, then I'll walk down."
"You can't do that. The hill's too icy, you'll fall walking downhill. Take the sled."
"No way. I came up here to watch you sled. You aren't getting out of this, Wufei."
"You can't walk down."
"You already said that!" He was right, too, and Sally knew it. "Do you have another suggestion?"
Wufei gestured grandly to the sled. "Hop in. I'll give you a ride." He sat down then looked up at her, waiting.
Sally sighed and settled behind him, arms wrapped tightly around his waist. "You just think this is hillarious, don't you?" she sighed. "You better not crash us."
"Stop whining, Woman!"
They pushed off and began to slide downhill. Out of amazing luck, the sled stayed upright, jolting and bouncing down fast and finally coasting to a stop in front of a snowdrift. The two sat still for a minute, their breath sending cloudy puffs into the winter air.
"Good job. You didn't crash."
"This is infinitely easier to pilot than Nataku, Woman."
"I'm sure. Do you see why people like sledding so much?"
"A little." Wufei had been nonplussed at the swift, bumpy ride, but he was becoming unbearably aware of Sally's breath fanning his cheek. If I turn my head, I could kiss her . . . her arms are already wrapped around me . . .
Stop it!! an inner voice commanded. She may be attractive, but she's Sally. Your partner, remember? So don't even think about turning around, or holding her, or . . . oh damn.
"We have stopped, you know," Wufei blurted out. "You can let go now." Sally colored slightly. She suddenly realized that she didn't want to let go of Wufei, which was a disturbing, if not surprising thought.
"Oh. Right." There was an uncomfortable silence as she got up. Sally gestured vaguely toward the hill. "You'd better hurry up. Here to sled with Duo, remember?"
"You won't let me forget," Wufei said. He began to drudge back up the slope with the sled in tow.
****************
Wufei's sled hit a bump, flew in the air, and dropped Wufei into the snow. He scowled as he got back up.
"That does it. I've been down five times. Obviously, that's enough to fulfill my bet. Only an idiot could enjoy sledding."
Up on top of the hill, Duo waved and yelled down. "Look out guys, the God of Death is coming! Yee-haw!"
Wufei sighed. "I rest my case."
"Loosen up, Wufei," a familiar voice said. Arms snaked around his neck, then Sally casually flipped a snowball directly in Wufei's face.
Wufei spluttered with anger and snow. He spun around indignatly, grabbing Sally's waist in case she tried to run away.
"Woman, how dare you! It is already cold and you . . . " Wufei trailed off as he realized just how close her face was to his. He leaned in closer, tightening his grip on her waist. They were just about to kiss when Duo, with typical timing, sledded to a stop a few feet away from the couple. The two were showered with snow. They instantly broke apart, startled.
"Uh, sorry, you guys," Duo said as he stood up, dragging his sled behind him. "I think I'll head in now."
"Good idea," Sally said quietly.
"Right." Wufei turned away. The three walked back in silence.

A\N: Finally, another chapter's out. The snowball thing was inspired entirely by a picture on Orla's website, which I'm pretty sure is by JMi. Oh, and a disclaimer: neither characters, pictures, or sleds belong to me. Except for a nice little red disc which I take out whenever it snows. ^__^ PLEAZE, read and review!!!