Ghosts of the past
Prologue
Brüssel was covered in a thick layer of snow. The sun was sinking in the western sky and bathed the city in a warm glow. The first Christmas light decorations were switched on and the people deep below him were rushing to buy their last presents for Christmas.
Each year the same play.
He was sick of it.
Why waste precious time when one could do more important things? If they really wanted to spend the day with their family, have a feast and exchange presents why did the people need a special day for it? Why not do it whenever they felt like it?
Like that it's nothing more than a habit. Because everyone was doing it.
Nothing special at all.
When one has lived through two wars and leading a life as a Field Agent one came to value each day. There was no need for him for a special day to be with his family and show them that he cared for them. In his opinion it was obvious.
His thoughts were disturbed as a distinct outline of a person was reflected next to him in the window. Without turning around he knew it was his field partner.
"What are you looking at, Heero?"
"Nothing. Nothing at all." The young man answered and left their office walking past a confused Duo Maxwell.
***
Times like these were annoying him to no end. All day long he had to endure the constant Christmas music over the Preventer communication unit. Everybody was so caught up in their private lives that they totally forgot about doing their work properly which resulted in piles and piles of papers on his desk. It seemed as the gods were against him. Funny though it was only around Christmas like that. People got careless, overly trustful and in the end it was things like these which led to things like the Mariemaia uproar three years ago.
Wu Fei sighed. He just couldn't understand what was so special about Christmas anyway. Of course each culture had his own traditions but he just didn't tolerate people slacking of with their work with the excuse of Christmas preparations. One has to has priorities and he was a fool to jeopardize their young peace for a week of vacation. He put his pen down and looked to the other desk across the office. Sally wasn't back from her lunch break yet.
He scowled. 'Probably with Noin chatting about the Christmas party tonight.'
Speaking of the devil the blonde woman poked her head into their office. "Hey Wu Fei, Noin is asking if you're coming tonight as well." She asked with a smile.
The Chinese snorted. "No thank you. I have better things to do."
The smile died on Sally's face and she leaned against the frame thoughtfully. "But what could be more important than spending Christmas Eve together with your friends?"
For a moment he looked up to her searching her face. Then he looked back at the papers. "Trust me there are things I can't delay any longer. But there will be always next Christmas."
'I'll be damned if I ever get stuck on one of these annoying parties.' He ignored her and missed so the fleeting look of disappointment on her face. When he looked up again he was alone in the office. 'I'm sorry Sally.'
***
The grand ball room of the National theatre was full with people from all kinds of societies. Beside the Preventer staff one could also meet important business representatives, politicians like Vice Foreign Minister Relena Peacecraft, charity members and so on and on. Each year Lady Une organized a Christmas party were the donations were given to organizations who supported children. This year it seemed to be a full success as well. The ball room was decorated with branches of the fir tree and in the midst was a tall Christmas tree. All in all one could say the whole room had a festive atmosphere.
Still Heero wished it would be over already like he did each year. He had never gotten used to social arrangements. He felt comfortable around the other pilots and his other war comrades but in parties like these he usually felt out of place. He wasn't like Duo who had a natural talent to wrap people around his little finger. Right now the baka was talking to Quatre who had started to laugh about something he had said. Even Trowa the tall quiet ex-pilot of Heavyarms quirked an amused smile at Duo's antics. He didn't had Quatre's pleasant character to converse easily with other people not even Trowa's calming presence or Relena's diplomatic skillful dealing with people.
Heero shook his head. He didn't know why he bothered to make each year an appearance here. Maybe he should do it like Wu Fei and find an excuse to not to be able to attend. Though he doubted the Chinese ever had something else to do he just had a serious dislike against gatherings like this himself. He sighed. Just why was he here in the first place. Definitely not Relena's not all too subtle invitation. His eyes wandered back to his friends. To Duo's hip long braid, Quatre's gentle smile and Trowa's quiet understanding eyes. He knew why he was still here.
***
Wu Fei opened the door of his apartment. He had been working until very late while the others were amusing themselves at the party. The young man slumped exhausted on the couch in the living room. At times like these he wasn't so sure he was doing the right thing. Somewhere along the way after the war he had lost his direction. Sure working as a Preventer gave him something to do and it helped protecting the peace he had fought so hard for. But still there was something missing in his life. During the war he had had a purpose but now were once the wish for justice had claimed a place in his heart was now an empty spot yearning to be filled. The dark haired man shook his head. It was not the time to get into brooding. Wu Fei got up to take a shower. Maybe this and a full hand of good night sleep would make him think clearer. All he could see now were blonde hair and blue eyes.
***
"Hey Heero where are you going? You don't plan on sneaking out on us, or?"
Heero groaned inwardly he should have known his plan wouldn't work. Somehow nothing escaped the attention of Duo Maxwell. It doesn't matter how busy he was or how many people were around him.
Heero sighed. "Duo no baka. I'm not sneaking. I'm retreating."
Duo only shrugged and grinned. "Sneaking, retreating. In the end it's all the same." He latched onto Heero's arm and proceeded to drag him over to Quatre and Trowa. "Wu Fei already escaped me. I'll make sure you're going to stick with us until the bitter end."
"That doesn't sound very appealing, Duo. Aren't the others enough for you to pester?" Heero had gotten used to Duo's antics a long time ago but just couldn't stop teasing his partner from time to time just for good measure. He needed to keep him on his toes or the braided young man would get unbearable.
Right now Duo gave him his teary eyed puppy look. "Heero, don't be mean tonight. It's Christmas Eve after all. Or you won't get your present."
Heero only shrugged. "Actually I don't really care."
"What?!" The tone in Duo's abrupt question made him search the others eyes and the hurt in them made him regret his thoughtless answer. It wasn't so much that he didn't want Duo's present he just didn't care much about it being on Christmas Eve or not. But for that it was too late now. And of course matters got always worse when he needed it the least.
Relena Peacecraft made their way through the crowd to greet them or rather him. Duo plastered a smile back on his face but Heero didn't bother. No matter what he did or said Relena's infatuation knew no limits.
"Good evening Heero." She gave him a pleasant smile and a curt nod to Duo who grimaced behind her back. "Isn't it a wonderful evening? Would you like to dance?" She beamed at him.
"Actually I was just leaving. Give my greetings to the others. Good evening." He turned and left the ball room not wanting to see the surprised and hurt expression on Duo's face. Some things were simply unavoidable. Though he wished they weren't.
***
In two apartments, each at the other end of the city, reigned silence as two exhausted bodies were claimed by sleep. But unknown to them they were expecting visitors and it promised to be a long night. A very long night.
******************
That's the prologue of all in all three chapters and an epilogue. The story will be based loosely on 'A Christmas Carol' and I'll post the remaining chapters the next days. Review if you have any ideas, comments, etc.