Be My Friend?
Chapter 7: Ballad of Fallen Angels (Unbetaed)
Kattie
Note: I'm sorry I always take so long to write another chapter. I'm on Winter Break now though, so I'll try to get a few up in the next couple of weeks.
Another Note: I really need a beta reader! Takes longer to update if I have to beta myself and I really hate it . So if anyone has the time!!! ::sniff sniff::
Disclaimer: ::takes deep breath:: Ahem. ::Starts to sing:: All I want for Christmas is my Gundam Wing. My Gundam Wing, see my Gundam Wing! Gee, if I could only have my Gundam Wing, then I could wish you "Merry Christmas".
^^* (I had to find the lyrics online 'cause I only knew the main line. ^^*) (And I don't celebrate Christmas.) (Go ahead and laugh at me ^^* I'm a strange fool.) (And I don't own Gundam Wing.)
Warning: Future chapters will contain extreme angst, violence, and thematic elements. Profanity may go beyond a minimum amount. Possible dark scenes of great depression that are not appropriate for children. Rating will change to R when appropriate time comes. Edited versions rated PG-13 will be available at that time upon request. Parental screening suggested for children under the age of 13.
Dedication: Dedicated to the wonderful Kira, who runs a beautiful and lovely website! ::glomps:: Go visit her site please if you have the chance. www.animism.net. She works really hard, so I hope you'll check it out ^.^
Quatre didn't notice when his feet left the ground or when his face hit the pavement, leaving a long gash down his right cheek. Everything had gone numb, mentally and physically, so that all remaining thoughts were focused on the emotions swimming through his being.
His own emotions and that of those who were hurting him. A mixture of fear and pleasure.
Forcing his head clear, Quatre tried to scream, but found he couldn't. His throat was pressed against the icy cement, so hard that he could barely breathe. All that came out was a slight groan.
"Keep him quiet!"
There was a sharp pain to the back of his head before everything faded as his eyes became less and less focussed until finally he couldn't see at all.
"Hurry up!"
He didn't even feel the second hit. After the impact, he was no longer aware of anything.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Duo panted as he tried to regain his breath. He sat on a molding wooden bench, leaning back to look at the sky. He'd searched for miles, but Quatre was nowhere to be found.
'He's probably fine,' He told himself, 'He's probably at his office working. I'm worrying over nothing.'
And then he heard the sirens.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"We did it! We pulled it off!"
"Don't be stupid, we haven't done anything yet."
"But he didn't see us!"
"No, but someone else might have. We aren't safe until the crime scene investigation is over (1)."
"They won't catch us."
"Fool, I ought to have your head for your stupidity. We still have more tasks to complete. Even if we manage to keep from being placed this time, we might be unlucky the next."
"..next?"
"Of course, we can't end it here. We have to keep going. This is far too fun to stop now."
"..damn it.."
"Something wrong?"
"..nothing."
"That's what I thought."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Shit," They removed their hat and threw it across the room, letting it slide onto the floor, "I still have my next turn. Don't deny me that. The final blow shall be mine."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Ignoring the pain in his chest, Duo raced towards the flashing red lights of the ambulance. He followed it, falling more behind with every step, trying desperately to keep up. 'Run faster!' He screamed at himself, 'That could be Quatre!'
After what seemed like decades, the ambulance came to a stop, setting itself next to a large group of people gasping, crying, and showing other signs of having just seen a horrific picture. Police officers asked them to step back, circling around what they were watching.
Duo couldn't see what it was. Slowly, he pushed his way through the crowd, sliding past person after person to get to the front. He could hear the people's comments as they clung onto each other, not daring to leave but afraid to stay.
"So young.."
"There's no way he could survive.. All that blood."
"Who could be so cruel?"
"Horrible.. How horrible!"
"Damn.."
Growing aggressive at their comments, Duo pushed people out of his way, growing panicked as he made his way to the front. 'Oh God. Don't be Quatre. Please don't..'
Some prayers aren't meant to be answered. Duo learned this as he found himself close enough to view the scene. "Oh my God.." He threw himself past the officers and to the side of the victim, "Quatre!"
"Quatre? As in Quatre Winner?"
"You know this man?"
"Quatre.."
"It's all right, sir. He'll be fine."
"Get him on the stretcher!"
"Go with him!"
"That's really Quatre Winner?"
"Quiet! Don't worry, sir."
".. Never thought I'd see something like this.."
"No one should have to."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Quatre's Dream
A strange, black cloud loomed over the city of lights, casting a shadow in the deepest corners, but causing no distraction to the people in the city. They didn't notice even when the darkness spread to cover its whole, nor when it began to rain.
Quatre walked forward, holding his hand out in a cup to catch the water droplets. He wore only a white dress shirt and gray slacks and they were drenched from the rain. Water dripped from his bangs onto his face and down to the ground, joining the already abnormally large puddles.
It had just started raining and yet it seemed as though it had been there forever. Everything was wet and cold, losing life as people hurried off of the usually crowded streets.
Raising his eyes to the sky, Quatre tilted his head back and let the droplets slowly fall onto his face and into his near-dead eyes. "Don't cry," He said, his voice becoming one with the wind, "There's no need to cry."
The wind picked up with his words, tousling his hair and pulling at his shirt as it clung to his body in its wetness. The small water drops on his body joined with the wind, blowing around in a circle around him. It grew faster and faster, the wind picking up to a cutting speed.
"It will be all right."
It cut his arm with its ferocity, ripping his sleeve in the process. A redness dyed the white shirt, staining it eternally. Another cut followed, this one on his left cheek. And another and another, continuing on as the wind grew angrier.
"There's no reason-"
Quatre stopped and looked into his hand. It hadn't been touched by the wind's knife and yet it was covered in blood. He could barely see but what his bleeding eyes could fix upon told him all he needed to know.
The sky was bleeding. It was no longer rain, but blood.
"Please, don't.."
A hand reached out and took his. "Come with me."
He could feel arms around him and a new warmth. "No.. I can't."
"You have to come."
"No."
He was picked up, taken off of his feet and kept in the stranger's arms. "You must come."
"No."
"It doesn't matter what you think."
"NOOOOOOOO!"
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The machine beeped spastically. Duo watched through the window as the doctor's hurried around grabbing tools and holding Quatre down. A nurse inserted a needle into his arm and injected a strange, clear liquid into it.
"We're losing him!" He could hear a doctor yell.
He didn't understand much of what was said next. He could only hear people yelling and hurrying about, speaking in the language of medicine, catching a word here and there. Duo's eyes couldn't leave Quatre. His heart began to race, seeming to match Quatre's own rapidly beating heart.
His breathing quickened and he could feel heat rise around him. "Quatre.." He whispered.
"We got him!" A nurse cried as the beeping began to grow less constant.
'Thank God,' Duo thought, leaning against the window, 'Thank God..'
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Gooooood evening and welcome to Teen Spot! Today's top story: Quatre Winner, Teen Spots Most Eligible Bachelor 3 years running, has just been placed in a hospital this evening! Apparently on his way to his Level Four Colony Cluster office, he was attacked by two unidentified persons. He is currently in critical condition and the medical staff cannot confirm whether they believe he will survive or not. For more information, visit Teen Spot online at.."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Hiiro couldn't understand what Duo was saying. He was speaking so quickly that all of the words jumbled together, forming one very long sentence.
"HiiroyouhavetocometothehospitalrightawayQuatre'sbeenhurttheydon'tknowifhe'l lbeallrighthemightnotlastthenightdamnitHiirotheyhavehimonrespiratoryIdon'tkn owifhecanmakeityouhavetogethererightaway!"(2)
Taking a moment to blink and try to sort out where the words began and ended, Hiiro took a deep breath, "..What?"
"DamnitHiiroyougottalistentomethisisimportantQuatre'shurtyouneedtogetherenow !"(3)
"Slow down," Hiiro said calmly, "What is it?"
He could hear Duo take a deep breath. "Quatre's hurt."
Hiiro could feel his heart stop in his chest. "How badly?"
"..It's pretty bad, Hiiro. They don't know if he'll make it.."
"He's being treated?"
"We're at the hospital."
"I'll be there in five minutes."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"E-excuse me, miss?" Duo tapped the exhausted nurse at the counter on the shoulder. "Is there any way I can find out..about how my.. Friend..is.."
She looked up at him and began rubbing her weary eyes. "I'm," She paused to yawn, "Sorry, sir. I'm not informed of the status of the patients."
"Thanks."
"Where is he?"
Duo hadn't even seen Hiiro until he was right beside him. Hiiro was followed closely by Trowa and Wufei. He seemed taller than usual..
"They took him to the ER." Duo explained, leaning against the counter to take some weight off of his pained feet.
"How is he?"
"I don't know. They won't let me in the ER."
"..So we just have to wait."
"..Yes."
"I hate this."
End of Chapter
You probably hate this too. Evil cliffhanger ::whaps on head:: Bad cliffhanger. I'll try to update on the 24th. Sorry for the long waits.
(1) Ah... I don't own CSI ^^* But I'm sure it is a great show.... not that I was referring to it.... just all I could think of to describe the situation ^^* eheh... ^^******
(2)Translation:"Hiiro, you have to come to the hospital right away. Quatre's been hurt.... They don't know if he'll be all right. He might not last the night..... Damn it, Hiiro! They have him on respiratory! I don't know if he can make it.... You have to get here right away!"
(3)Translation: "Damn it, Hiiro. You gotta listen to me, this is important! Quatre's hurt! You need to get here now!"
Funeral People-
Bouken- Quatre's brother-in-law who got the pilots out of trouble but smiled far too much than is natural at the funeral. Has something unnatural on his desk. Hm.. Wouldn't it be nice to know what it is? Also has said he "loves" Quatre. Is this brotherly love, or is a dark plot being conjured? ::gasp:: Or is Kattie trying to make you paranoid? ::nod nod:: It's true, more fun this way ^_^
Jiei- The bodyguard who almost threw the pilots out. Doesn't seem to be in the story right now, but will he become important? Bwo hohohoho! (I'm still figuring this out myself ^^*)
Nitki- Quatre's sister and Bouken's wife. Seems to have figured something out about Bouken, but can't remember. Is she being poisoned by Bouken?
Work Associate (will be associates soon)-
Wesley- A young, unsure secretary at Winner Corporation. He once worked under Mr. Winner and attempted to quit 25 times in two years. Seems to have actually liked the man, but can we be sure? Has formed a small friendship with Quatre, but that may have been ruined by him admitting he knew that Quatre was a pilot. Hm. but did he really find out by "cleaning"? Could he possibly be "Mysterious Voice #1"'s minion?
Mysterious People-
Cigar Person- Although the gender is uncertain, this figure hated Quatre's father and hopes to kill someone else close to him (or Quatre himself). Seems to be either in love or lusting after Quatre. Also appears to be a chain smoker, smoking cigars because.. ^^* Kattie thinks all super evil baddies should smoke cigars ^^*. Seems to already have put his/her plan in action. But when? I didn't catch it, did you? (Maybe I forgot ^^*)
Mysterious Voice One- The leader of the voices gang who claims that Quatre is "Perfect" for their plan. Has a sadistic sense of humor and is violent in language. Wrote some of the many letters, which were sent to Quatre. Has recently attacked Quatre and sent him to the hospital, where he is now in critical condition. Also has a contact somewhere in Quatre's midst. But where?
Mysterious Voice Two- The follower in the voices gang who is unsure about what they are doing and dislikes the idea of using Quatre for their plan. A very uncertain person who spends the majority of his/her time being pushed around by MV1. Sent the death threat to Quatre. Has become quite the pushover. Does not wish to continue their "tests" on Quatre. Will he be able to rebel against MV1?
Tracks:
Sakura Saku- Love Hina
I, Shinji- Neon Genesis Evangelion
Both of You, Dance Like You Want to Win!- Neon Genesis Evangelion
Koko ni Iru Kara- Yoake no Kaze o Kikinagara
Anata no Yume wo Mita Wa- Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon
Rinbu Revolution- Revolutionary Girl Utena
First Love- Utada Hikaru
Please review!!!! ::Glomps:: ::takes a deep breath:: Merry Christmas! Cheerful Yule/Winter Solstice (tomorrow!)! Joyous Ramadan! Blissful Kwanzaa! Cheerful Hanukkah! Happy New Year! ::takes another deep breath:: Have wonderful holidays! (Sorry if I messed up the spellings!!!!)
Chapter 7: Ballad of Fallen Angels (Unbetaed)
Kattie
Note: I'm sorry I always take so long to write another chapter. I'm on Winter Break now though, so I'll try to get a few up in the next couple of weeks.
Another Note: I really need a beta reader! Takes longer to update if I have to beta myself and I really hate it . So if anyone has the time!!! ::sniff sniff::
Disclaimer: ::takes deep breath:: Ahem. ::Starts to sing:: All I want for Christmas is my Gundam Wing. My Gundam Wing, see my Gundam Wing! Gee, if I could only have my Gundam Wing, then I could wish you "Merry Christmas".
^^* (I had to find the lyrics online 'cause I only knew the main line. ^^*) (And I don't celebrate Christmas.) (Go ahead and laugh at me ^^* I'm a strange fool.) (And I don't own Gundam Wing.)
Warning: Future chapters will contain extreme angst, violence, and thematic elements. Profanity may go beyond a minimum amount. Possible dark scenes of great depression that are not appropriate for children. Rating will change to R when appropriate time comes. Edited versions rated PG-13 will be available at that time upon request. Parental screening suggested for children under the age of 13.
Dedication: Dedicated to the wonderful Kira, who runs a beautiful and lovely website! ::glomps:: Go visit her site please if you have the chance. www.animism.net. She works really hard, so I hope you'll check it out ^.^
Quatre didn't notice when his feet left the ground or when his face hit the pavement, leaving a long gash down his right cheek. Everything had gone numb, mentally and physically, so that all remaining thoughts were focused on the emotions swimming through his being.
His own emotions and that of those who were hurting him. A mixture of fear and pleasure.
Forcing his head clear, Quatre tried to scream, but found he couldn't. His throat was pressed against the icy cement, so hard that he could barely breathe. All that came out was a slight groan.
"Keep him quiet!"
There was a sharp pain to the back of his head before everything faded as his eyes became less and less focussed until finally he couldn't see at all.
"Hurry up!"
He didn't even feel the second hit. After the impact, he was no longer aware of anything.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Duo panted as he tried to regain his breath. He sat on a molding wooden bench, leaning back to look at the sky. He'd searched for miles, but Quatre was nowhere to be found.
'He's probably fine,' He told himself, 'He's probably at his office working. I'm worrying over nothing.'
And then he heard the sirens.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"We did it! We pulled it off!"
"Don't be stupid, we haven't done anything yet."
"But he didn't see us!"
"No, but someone else might have. We aren't safe until the crime scene investigation is over (1)."
"They won't catch us."
"Fool, I ought to have your head for your stupidity. We still have more tasks to complete. Even if we manage to keep from being placed this time, we might be unlucky the next."
"..next?"
"Of course, we can't end it here. We have to keep going. This is far too fun to stop now."
"..damn it.."
"Something wrong?"
"..nothing."
"That's what I thought."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Shit," They removed their hat and threw it across the room, letting it slide onto the floor, "I still have my next turn. Don't deny me that. The final blow shall be mine."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Ignoring the pain in his chest, Duo raced towards the flashing red lights of the ambulance. He followed it, falling more behind with every step, trying desperately to keep up. 'Run faster!' He screamed at himself, 'That could be Quatre!'
After what seemed like decades, the ambulance came to a stop, setting itself next to a large group of people gasping, crying, and showing other signs of having just seen a horrific picture. Police officers asked them to step back, circling around what they were watching.
Duo couldn't see what it was. Slowly, he pushed his way through the crowd, sliding past person after person to get to the front. He could hear the people's comments as they clung onto each other, not daring to leave but afraid to stay.
"So young.."
"There's no way he could survive.. All that blood."
"Who could be so cruel?"
"Horrible.. How horrible!"
"Damn.."
Growing aggressive at their comments, Duo pushed people out of his way, growing panicked as he made his way to the front. 'Oh God. Don't be Quatre. Please don't..'
Some prayers aren't meant to be answered. Duo learned this as he found himself close enough to view the scene. "Oh my God.." He threw himself past the officers and to the side of the victim, "Quatre!"
"Quatre? As in Quatre Winner?"
"You know this man?"
"Quatre.."
"It's all right, sir. He'll be fine."
"Get him on the stretcher!"
"Go with him!"
"That's really Quatre Winner?"
"Quiet! Don't worry, sir."
".. Never thought I'd see something like this.."
"No one should have to."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Quatre's Dream
A strange, black cloud loomed over the city of lights, casting a shadow in the deepest corners, but causing no distraction to the people in the city. They didn't notice even when the darkness spread to cover its whole, nor when it began to rain.
Quatre walked forward, holding his hand out in a cup to catch the water droplets. He wore only a white dress shirt and gray slacks and they were drenched from the rain. Water dripped from his bangs onto his face and down to the ground, joining the already abnormally large puddles.
It had just started raining and yet it seemed as though it had been there forever. Everything was wet and cold, losing life as people hurried off of the usually crowded streets.
Raising his eyes to the sky, Quatre tilted his head back and let the droplets slowly fall onto his face and into his near-dead eyes. "Don't cry," He said, his voice becoming one with the wind, "There's no need to cry."
The wind picked up with his words, tousling his hair and pulling at his shirt as it clung to his body in its wetness. The small water drops on his body joined with the wind, blowing around in a circle around him. It grew faster and faster, the wind picking up to a cutting speed.
"It will be all right."
It cut his arm with its ferocity, ripping his sleeve in the process. A redness dyed the white shirt, staining it eternally. Another cut followed, this one on his left cheek. And another and another, continuing on as the wind grew angrier.
"There's no reason-"
Quatre stopped and looked into his hand. It hadn't been touched by the wind's knife and yet it was covered in blood. He could barely see but what his bleeding eyes could fix upon told him all he needed to know.
The sky was bleeding. It was no longer rain, but blood.
"Please, don't.."
A hand reached out and took his. "Come with me."
He could feel arms around him and a new warmth. "No.. I can't."
"You have to come."
"No."
He was picked up, taken off of his feet and kept in the stranger's arms. "You must come."
"No."
"It doesn't matter what you think."
"NOOOOOOOO!"
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The machine beeped spastically. Duo watched through the window as the doctor's hurried around grabbing tools and holding Quatre down. A nurse inserted a needle into his arm and injected a strange, clear liquid into it.
"We're losing him!" He could hear a doctor yell.
He didn't understand much of what was said next. He could only hear people yelling and hurrying about, speaking in the language of medicine, catching a word here and there. Duo's eyes couldn't leave Quatre. His heart began to race, seeming to match Quatre's own rapidly beating heart.
His breathing quickened and he could feel heat rise around him. "Quatre.." He whispered.
"We got him!" A nurse cried as the beeping began to grow less constant.
'Thank God,' Duo thought, leaning against the window, 'Thank God..'
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Gooooood evening and welcome to Teen Spot! Today's top story: Quatre Winner, Teen Spots Most Eligible Bachelor 3 years running, has just been placed in a hospital this evening! Apparently on his way to his Level Four Colony Cluster office, he was attacked by two unidentified persons. He is currently in critical condition and the medical staff cannot confirm whether they believe he will survive or not. For more information, visit Teen Spot online at.."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Hiiro couldn't understand what Duo was saying. He was speaking so quickly that all of the words jumbled together, forming one very long sentence.
"HiiroyouhavetocometothehospitalrightawayQuatre'sbeenhurttheydon'tknowifhe'l lbeallrighthemightnotlastthenightdamnitHiirotheyhavehimonrespiratoryIdon'tkn owifhecanmakeityouhavetogethererightaway!"(2)
Taking a moment to blink and try to sort out where the words began and ended, Hiiro took a deep breath, "..What?"
"DamnitHiiroyougottalistentomethisisimportantQuatre'shurtyouneedtogetherenow !"(3)
"Slow down," Hiiro said calmly, "What is it?"
He could hear Duo take a deep breath. "Quatre's hurt."
Hiiro could feel his heart stop in his chest. "How badly?"
"..It's pretty bad, Hiiro. They don't know if he'll make it.."
"He's being treated?"
"We're at the hospital."
"I'll be there in five minutes."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"E-excuse me, miss?" Duo tapped the exhausted nurse at the counter on the shoulder. "Is there any way I can find out..about how my.. Friend..is.."
She looked up at him and began rubbing her weary eyes. "I'm," She paused to yawn, "Sorry, sir. I'm not informed of the status of the patients."
"Thanks."
"Where is he?"
Duo hadn't even seen Hiiro until he was right beside him. Hiiro was followed closely by Trowa and Wufei. He seemed taller than usual..
"They took him to the ER." Duo explained, leaning against the counter to take some weight off of his pained feet.
"How is he?"
"I don't know. They won't let me in the ER."
"..So we just have to wait."
"..Yes."
"I hate this."
End of Chapter
You probably hate this too. Evil cliffhanger ::whaps on head:: Bad cliffhanger. I'll try to update on the 24th. Sorry for the long waits.
(1) Ah... I don't own CSI ^^* But I'm sure it is a great show.... not that I was referring to it.... just all I could think of to describe the situation ^^* eheh... ^^******
(2)Translation:"Hiiro, you have to come to the hospital right away. Quatre's been hurt.... They don't know if he'll be all right. He might not last the night..... Damn it, Hiiro! They have him on respiratory! I don't know if he can make it.... You have to get here right away!"
(3)Translation: "Damn it, Hiiro. You gotta listen to me, this is important! Quatre's hurt! You need to get here now!"
Funeral People-
Bouken- Quatre's brother-in-law who got the pilots out of trouble but smiled far too much than is natural at the funeral. Has something unnatural on his desk. Hm.. Wouldn't it be nice to know what it is? Also has said he "loves" Quatre. Is this brotherly love, or is a dark plot being conjured? ::gasp:: Or is Kattie trying to make you paranoid? ::nod nod:: It's true, more fun this way ^_^
Jiei- The bodyguard who almost threw the pilots out. Doesn't seem to be in the story right now, but will he become important? Bwo hohohoho! (I'm still figuring this out myself ^^*)
Nitki- Quatre's sister and Bouken's wife. Seems to have figured something out about Bouken, but can't remember. Is she being poisoned by Bouken?
Work Associate (will be associates soon)-
Wesley- A young, unsure secretary at Winner Corporation. He once worked under Mr. Winner and attempted to quit 25 times in two years. Seems to have actually liked the man, but can we be sure? Has formed a small friendship with Quatre, but that may have been ruined by him admitting he knew that Quatre was a pilot. Hm. but did he really find out by "cleaning"? Could he possibly be "Mysterious Voice #1"'s minion?
Mysterious People-
Cigar Person- Although the gender is uncertain, this figure hated Quatre's father and hopes to kill someone else close to him (or Quatre himself). Seems to be either in love or lusting after Quatre. Also appears to be a chain smoker, smoking cigars because.. ^^* Kattie thinks all super evil baddies should smoke cigars ^^*. Seems to already have put his/her plan in action. But when? I didn't catch it, did you? (Maybe I forgot ^^*)
Mysterious Voice One- The leader of the voices gang who claims that Quatre is "Perfect" for their plan. Has a sadistic sense of humor and is violent in language. Wrote some of the many letters, which were sent to Quatre. Has recently attacked Quatre and sent him to the hospital, where he is now in critical condition. Also has a contact somewhere in Quatre's midst. But where?
Mysterious Voice Two- The follower in the voices gang who is unsure about what they are doing and dislikes the idea of using Quatre for their plan. A very uncertain person who spends the majority of his/her time being pushed around by MV1. Sent the death threat to Quatre. Has become quite the pushover. Does not wish to continue their "tests" on Quatre. Will he be able to rebel against MV1?
Tracks:
Sakura Saku- Love Hina
I, Shinji- Neon Genesis Evangelion
Both of You, Dance Like You Want to Win!- Neon Genesis Evangelion
Koko ni Iru Kara- Yoake no Kaze o Kikinagara
Anata no Yume wo Mita Wa- Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon
Rinbu Revolution- Revolutionary Girl Utena
First Love- Utada Hikaru
Please review!!!! ::Glomps:: ::takes a deep breath:: Merry Christmas! Cheerful Yule/Winter Solstice (tomorrow!)! Joyous Ramadan! Blissful Kwanzaa! Cheerful Hanukkah! Happy New Year! ::takes another deep breath:: Have wonderful holidays! (Sorry if I messed up the spellings!!!!)