Chapter 18 - Christmas Shopping!!!!!


"Have you found Relena yet??" Quatre asked Dr. J

" Well, I can track her but it will be a few more minutes." he replied.

The group waited restlessly.

"Found her!" he announced and then his face fell.

"What is it?" Ashley asked.

"She's at colony L5676"

"Come again." Staph asked confused.

"That's where our enemies are located." Duo informed them.

"What?! Was she kidnaped????" Wu-fei practically shouted.

"It looks that way. We have to go and get her. Unfortunately, we can do anything right now. You are needed here."

"In that case, LET"S GO CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!!!!" Steph yelled as she jumped up from her chair.

"Well, I guess it has to be done." Duo shrugged since Christmas was only two weeks away.

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At the mall, the group split up once again. Heero with Duo, Quatre and Steph, Trowa, Kim and Ahsley and Wu-fei wanted to go on his own.

Duo and Heero walked into a jewelry store and looked around.

"These prices are way to expensive." Heero exclaimed.

"Oh, Look!!!!!" Duo said excitedly and pointed to a glass display case. It was the necklace he spotted in the mall before they left.

"That's nice." Heero said studying it. Then a similar locket and chain caught his eye. It was a silver heart-shaped locked with intricate floral designed engraved into it. The chain was long and silver to match the locket.
" I think I'll get this one." Heero said.

"Looks good. I'm sure she'll like it." Duo smiled.

"Great. Let's go. You have to help me with Ashley."

" Two words buddy...Teddy - Bear."

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"Hey Trowa." Kim asked. "Has Heero been hinting at anything lately???"

"Well, there's this hand gun..."

Kim chuckled. "Should have known. So, can you show me??"

"Yah." Trowa led them to a section at the back of the store where guns were sold. He pointed to a shiny silver one.

"That's cool." Kim and Ashley said in unison.

"I guess I'll get it for him. But first a little fun." she said and smiled evilly and ran towards the toy section. She returned a few moments later with a waster squirter in her hand. Trowa sent her a weird look but Ashley just smiled.

"How about Duo?" Ashley asked and picked up a toy gun.

"Um...how about..." Kim thought out loud.

"BOOZE!!!" Ashley shouted triumphantly.
"The boy likes to drink so why not."

"Let's go!" they said and Pulled Trowa with them. "We have to pick something out for you to give us!" they said.

"I'm on a budget remember." Trowa smirked.

"Yah sure, whatever." they said before parting. Ashley ran down the teddy bear isle and Kim ran to the Art section.

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"Well, anything in mind?" Quatre asked Steph.

"I could use a new swim suit." she said and ran off to a fancy department store.

"How about this one???" she asked when she stepped out of the change room in a red bikini and struck a pose.

"That's nice." he said and blushed slightly.

Steph frowned and disappeared into the change room again. She came out a few minutes later this time wearing a more revealing bikini with spaghetti straps and skimpy bottoms and again posed.
Quatre just stared and after a few minutes turned beat red. She smiled and announced that she would take it.

"Thaks Q-man." she cooed and kiss him on the cheek.

"Nice suit Steph." Steph smiled and turned around to meet the faces of her friends.

Quatre bought it and turned to leave, then he remembered something.

"We're not finished yet." he said. The other boys sighed.
"The company is holding a formal this weekend which means the girls will need kimonos."
Quatre finished, smiling.

Quatre led them to a small boutique. The girls looked around and studied each one. They each chose a favorite and went to try it on as the boys waited outside.

They walked out at the same time. Each Kimono fit them perfectly. Kim wore a silk dark blue kimono that fell to the ground. It was trimmed in gold and the sleeves fell to the ground.
Ashley wore a beautiful white kimono that fell to the floor. The belt was red and the sleeved fell to the floor as well.
Steph wore a satin red Kimono with a black obi and a traditional cherry blossom pattern. It fell to her ankles. The boys walked up to them and sized them up. They nodded in agreement.

"Ohhhh. This is sooo pretty." Steph said as she pointed to a shiny hair pin.

"How much do ya got on ya there Buddy?" Duo asked Heero.

"Not that much" he replied.

They had chosen the most expensive and elegant dresses there. Quatre offered to pay for them because he knew that they wouldn't be able to afford them.

"We owe ya." Duo said to Quatre.

"I can't wait to see them try to walk in those things." Trowa chuckled as the guys smiled and looked to the girls.

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That night, after supper, they all went to their rooms to wrap their gifts. When the girls finished, they went to Duo's room where the boys were wrapping theirs.

"Sally's coming in for Christmas this year." Wu-fei said in a cheerful tone.
"Whose Sally?" Steph asked as they walked in the room.

"Sally's...um..." Quatre said cautiously.

"My girlfriend." Wu-fei finished proudly.

"Wow." Kim exclaimed in surprise.

"When dies she get here?" Heero asked.

"She'll be here for the formal." he replied.

Then Kim and Ashley walked up behind Heero and Duo. "So...whadda ya get me?" Ashley asked in a cute voice as she flopped on the bed next to him.

"You'll find out." he said teasingly.

"I guess your not going to tell me either are you?" Kim said to Heero a bit disappointed.

"Sorry but no. You'll just have to wait." Heero said stubbornly.

"Oh well." Kim said and kissed him. He smiled when they broke and wished her a good noght's sleep.

Steph kissed Quatre good night as well and went to bed. Quatre blushed as always.

Duo looked up at Ashley and smiled. He never attempet to kiss her al all even though his heart wanted to. Ashley then placed her hand on his shoulder and stood up.
"Night." she said left after everyone else.

"I like this one!" Kim pointed at a dark blue silk dress that was trimmed with gold and fell to the floor with a small train. It was strapless and fit her like a glove.

"It's nice." Ashley said as she took a long, white, slim fitting gown off the hanger. It too fell to the ground and seemed to sparkle. She studied it sand smiled.

"I want this one." Steph giggled and began to clap. She pointed to a red satin dress with red gloves and chose a pair of red chose to match it.