DISCLAIMER: Something something something.
Hi Midii! Of course you can post this (don't know why, but you can!)! I haven't seen Colin yet in 'Earnest', I have to wait for it to come out on dvd, grrr… ^_^ Hi funniebones2k! Sure I'd love to critique! I can't do it well, but I will try! ^_^ Hey MJ! Just post it anyway, without the prequel! (write that later!) ^_^ To everyone else who reviewed!! THANKS!!! Every review is like a Christmas gift! ^__^
No Red Letters!
A GW Christmas tale…
Chapter Two: Fa la la la la la la - Oh Nevermind!
"But sir - "
"Urgent Preventer business." Wufei gritted out for what seemed like the twelfth time. How many more times would he have to flash his Preventer badge, before this oily faced, high pitched teenage boy got the message?
"I understand sir, but I can't let you park in the store!"
Wufei death-glared him but it didn't seem so dangerous since he was sitting atop a pale pink Vespa scooter that had the initials R.D. emblazoned on the front in girly gold writing. "Listen this scooter does not move from this spot or I will personally have you fired and never allowed a hundred metres within this department store. Understood?"
The check-out boy was about to protest again when he thought of all those gifts that he had bought that were depending on him keeping this job to pay them off. His girlfriend wouldn't be pleased if she had to get her diamond ring repossessed.
"Ok sir, but you have to come back in an hour, my shift finishes then."
Wufei nodded impatiently and parked the scooter in between a red and black scooter. "Fine." He said curtly before heading out of the department store's automobile section. He looked at the thousands of people milling around. He craned his neck upwards looking at the nine floors of shops that made up Cinq's biggest department store. This was going to be a nightmare. 'Damn you woman.' He thought,
'If she had just not gotten him anything, then he wouldn't feel honoured (never guilty) to give her a gift back as well.' He needed to find something Sally would like. 'What did Sally like?' Wufei wondered suddenly. They'd known each other for years now…what had he gotten her last year? He shuddered as the unwanted memories came back. 'Don't think about that Wufei! Get that stupid onna a gift and get out of here!' As he passed a window full of elves singing 'Santa Claus is coming to town'…
"Wufei?"
Wufei turned around surprised. "Quatre? What are you doing here?"
Quatre looked as surprised as Wufei. "I was about to ask you the same question." He smiled warmly at his long-time friend. "It's great to see you again, Wufei."
Wufei nodded in agreement and shook his hand. "Good to see you too, Quatre." Then a little light bulb went off in his head. "…Say Quatre, you know a lot about women, right?"
A perfectly confused expression lit Quatre's face. "Uhh…what?"
"I mean you know what they want, right? What they need?"
Suffice to say, all men have dirty minds and Quatre's no exception, so his face automatically turned red. "W-What?"
Wufei looked at his friend like he was the dimmest person alive. "Presents, Quatre! Gifts! You know things they keep telling us not to get them but they're actually telling us TO get them!!"
"Oh…OH! Presents! You want help with buying gifts?" The red tinge was slowly leaving Quatre's face. "Let me guess, Sally, right?"
Wufei nodded glumly. "That onna got me a gift, when we specifically said we weren't getting each other anything. So now I need to get her something or she'll have the advantage!"
Quatre looked at Wufei's reasoning sceptically. "Sure, Wufei. Whatever you say." Wufei was about to protest but Quatre continued, "I'd love to help but I need to find this girl who's taken my doll."
A perfectly formed eyebrow arched, as Wufei tried to comprehend what Quatre had just said. "You won't help me because a girl took your doll?"
Quatre nodded. "Yes so - "
"A girl took your doll?!" Wufei exclaimed incredulously.
"Yes! I bumped into this girl and our packages got mixed up and she took my doll for my niece by mistake!" Quatre said exasperatedly. "And now I have a box of plastic singing reindeer!"
"I see." Agreed Wufei, glad his friend hadn't gone off the deep end, as he had expected when he said 'a girl took my doll'. A plan formulated in his mind. "How about I help you find this girl and along the way you can help me find a gift for Sally?"
"Ok sure. I need someone's help, there's just too many people here." Then Quatre proceeded to tell Wufei exactly what the girl looked like.
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Meanwhile on a different department level…
"Dorothy! There you are, c'mon, there's these Christmas singing sling-backs that I think would make a wond - Are you listening to what I'm saying? Dory?" Bethany waved a hand in front of her cousin's face. No reaction. She stared at what Dorothy was staring at. It was a red off-the-shoulder evening gown. "That's a nice gown but I thought Relena preferred pink?…Dorothy? Will you stop staring at that gown! Answer me!" By this time, Bethany had grabbed Dorothy by the shoulders and had spun her around to face her. This movement finally caused Dorothy out of her stupor and shake away from her cousin's grasp. She pointed to the gown.
"Do you know what that is?!" Her voice was a low growl and her ice blue eyes made Bethany feel like she had frostbite.
"Ummm…A nice dress?" Bethany felt suddenly silly for shaking her cousin.
"A nice dress? A nice DRESS?" Dorothy made stabbed her finger into the material. "This is EXACTLY the same dress I had tailor-made!" By this stage, she didn't care who heard her scream, and one of the sales assistant's looked like they were calling security.
Bethany looked around nervously, "Uhh…Dory…that's not possible…Ummm…maybe you should get some fresh air." She began to drag Dorothy away from the offending dress. "Lets go to the food court, and have a sund - "
"I don't want to go to the food court! I want to know how my $ - " the amount of the dress was drowned out as the live band playing Christmas carols reached the apex of 'Deck the Halls'. Dorothy's rant had continued throughout the chorus, " - in this claustrophic hellhole! AND how could it only cost $ - " The chorus again drowning out the rest of what she was saying.
Bethany tapped against her ears, as Dorothy's tirade finally finished. "If you didn't want a sundae, you could've just said no."
If anyone had taken a photo of Dorothy right then, they would have wondered if the camera had been broken since she seemed red all over.
"Excuse me, miss? What seems to be the problem?" Her angry rant was stopped short as two burly security guards stood in front of her.
'Oh, this is not going to be good.' Bethany thought, trying to figure out a way from Dorothy hurting one the security guards. "Oh! Hello officers! Problem? No problem! My cousin and I were just heading to the food court! Weren't we, cousin dear?" She shot a meaningful look at Dorothy, who had regained some of her self control but was very much on the edge of lashing out.
"Yes." A very angry sound of teeth grinding together made Bethany hasten her dragging of Dorothy.
The two security guards just looked at each other and shrugged at the two blondes heading down the escalators. Each thinking, 'Blondes.'
Behind them sitting unnoticed, next to the red gown was a plastic bag containing an unwrapped Christmas gift.
"Calm again, cousin?" Bethany ventured to say after ten minutes of complete silence between the two (well actually, only from Dorothy as Bethany was humming "Hark the Angels sing").
Dorothy gave a withering look but no reply. 'It's only a dress. It's only a dress.' She repeated to herself like a mantra. Only, her mind would come up with other things that disturbed her concentration, like 'You're going to wear a dress that's been bought in a department store.' 'Your dressmaker will die' and 'You spent fifty times more than it's actually worth.'
"I know what'll cheer you up!" Bethany rummaged through her plastic bags for the Christmas gift she had bought Dorothy. "Now where is that…" She muttered, not finding the box of singing plastic reindeer. The realization dawned on her. Her eyes grew wide and she shrieked in Dorothy's ear. "That man! He stole my present!"
"What are you talking about?!" Dorothy said in a vicious tone, not entirely directed at her cousin.
"When I went to look for you a bumped into this cute looking guy - but he STOLE MY PRESENT!" Bethany knocked over the chair she was sitting on as she got up. "I can't believe this! He stole the perfect gift, that I got you!"
Dorothy stood up more slowly, a painful plan formulating in her mind. "Do you remember what he looked like? Good. I'm in need of some venting. Lets go find this thief."
Several people sitting around them in the food court felt their insides churn at the way Dorothy had said that. Someone was going to be eating food through a straw for the next few months, that's for sure.
"I bumped into him on the fourth floor, lets start there!" Bethany glad her cousin had temporarily forgotten about the designer gown that she had bought that wasn't actually a designer gown. Though, at the back of her mind she felt slightly guilty for blaming that cute blonde guy she had bumped into.
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This was ridiculous. Absolutely, positively, horribly ridiculous. He was Heero Yuy, perfect soldier, the man who landed on his head from a fifty feet drop and still survived to kick ass. Why couldn't he tell Relena to just wear one of the hundreds of other gowns she had in her closet? Relena beeped the horn at the car behind her for beeping at her for cutting into their lane while coming from a no turning right sign. This was why. Relena was frightening when she was angry. More than frightening - downright bone-chilling-peeing-in-your-pants frightening; that was Relena angry. So Heero sat quietly in the Diablo as Relena gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles devoid of blood as they headed towards the only department store open on Christmas Eve. At least this was a marked improvement on fifteen minutes ago…
Fifteen minutes ago…
"WaJB Partners. We don't decorate we create. Our business hours are weekdays 9am to 5pm and Saturday 12pm to 5pm, Sunday closed and on all public holidays we are closed. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!" The receptionist at the front desk of the National Building (which housed several businesses), stopped the recorded message just as it started playing 'Gloria'. She smiled apologetically at the couple in front of her.
"I'm sorry Miss Darlian, it seems the company has no one on this holiday's - "
"Would it be possible if you could connect me to the CEO of WaJB Partners?"
"Well, ma'am, those are private lines and - "
"Do you know who I am?" Heero stared at Relena in surprise even he couldn't contain it. This was the first time Relena had ever used her position like that.
"Yes, ma'am but I - "
"Please, Miss - Partridge - think of it as me owing you a favour. I could get you anything you want."
The receptionist looked a little uncertain but you could tell she was coming round to the idea. "Well…"
"Anything you want, Miss Partridge."
The girl finally nodded and she lifted up the vid screen so Relena could see. "They said only in emergencies…This I an emergency, right?"
"Oh definitely." Relena looked at the screen as it lit up. A man wearing a straw hat came into view.
"What? Partridge! This better be an emergency!" screeched the old man, in the background you could hear the ocean.
"Mr Wander."
"Miss Darlian! What a surprise! I trust you're calling about the wonderful 'White Christmas' décor?"
"Not exactly Mr Wander. I ordered 'Traditional Christmas' décor this year. Last year was 'White Christmas'." Heero rather admired how Relena seemed so civil when moments ago she was barely able to control the seething.
"What? We are never mistaken at WaJB! You ordered 'White Christmas!'"
"No I didn't. You have somehow mixed my order. I need 'Traditional Christmas' by tonight. I want - "
"Huh?! Impossible Miss Darlian! You can not back out and swap just because you don't like it last minute!"
"How can I back out if I was never in?!" Relena had lost the calm voice and was now looking ready to throw the vid screen at the wall.
"You ordered WHITE CHRISTMAS! I have the order right here!" (Mr Wander showed his pocket organiser to the screen) "Nothing about traditional Christmas!"
"Relena - "
"WHAT?!"
Heero took a step back as Relena went back to her conversation with WaJB Partners CEO…
Back in the car…
It had taken one angry phone conversation, a broken vid screen and a sobbing receptionist for Heero to finally found out why Relena was so livid about the decorations…her designer gown was the same colour as the table-cloth they were going to use in the ballroom. So here he was, heading towards Cinq's largest department store to protect Relena (more like protect people from Relena) as she went to get a new evening gown for tonight's Christmas ball.
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"Where is everyone?" Hilde asked for the third time. 'Everyone' being Relena, Heero and the old gang. She and Duo had been walking around the hallways of Peacecraft Mansion for the last ten minutes and everyone was either busy shuttering around preparing for tonight's Christmas Ball or just not there. They finally reached the ballroom and were surprised at the familiarity of the decorations. Even right down to the song, 'I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas' being played through the speaker systems.
"Isn't this what they had last year?"
"You know I thought the same thing but I haven't seen Relena to ask her about it."
The couple turned around to face the woman who had spoken to them.
"Sally!" Hilde hugged the older woman while Duo planted extravagant kisses on both her cheeks.
"Hilde, Duo, its wonderful to see you guys again! How was the trip?"
"As pleasant as it can be. They mixed up our luggage though, but it'll be here by six."
"Hey! Is that the catering?" Both women watched Duo's face light up as he waved an excuse about making sure all the food was good to eat. Hilde watched in exasperation as her husband began to terrorise the caterers. She turned to her female companion, "How have you been, Sally? We haven't seen you since October. Where's Wufei?"
Sally smiled as they started to walk around the ballroom. "I've been great; Lady Une assigned us to paperwork duty after the raids in November. Wufei didn't take it well but he's happy that he's working tonight, though."
Hilde didn't look surprised at this. "I guess he hasn't gotten over last year's Christmas? Duo packed a few 'things' for Wufei; even I couldn't talk him out of torturing Wufei. Duo thinks it's a Christmas tradition now."
"Well Wufei deserves what's coming to him."
"Ah, I'm guessing Fei did something?" Hilde hid a small smile, as Sally nodded in confirmation.
"Sometimes I don't know why I bother. Oh great! It's not here."
Looking down at what Sally was looking at, Hilde found that they had walked to one of the tables being set up for the dinner. She looked at the taller woman, "I didn't know you were looking for something?"
Sally smiled apologetically, "Sorry Hil. I left my Palmtop organiser here when I gave Wufei his gift. I was half way home when I realised I had left it here. That's why I'm here now. But it looks like someone's taken it. Great." She sighed and looked upwards, "what a perfect start to Christmas, hmm?"
"Maybe someone just took it to security? Let me get Duo and we'll find it together."
"You already have me, honey." The two women turned to face Duo, who wrapped an arm around Hilde. "Find what, Hilde? Did you lose something? Sally?"
"Her palmtop organiser's gone. It was just here."
"Was it shiny black Yoshiba with silver lining?" asked Duo seriously.
Sally nodded in surprise, "You've seen it?"
"Yeah, Timmy - one of the caterers - had it, he's gone to return it to his manager. I think he thought it was his manager's organiser. He's just in the back."
"Well, lets go find him then. Thanks Duo." Said Sally; Duo beamed at her and the trio followed the crowd of caterers going in and out of the doors leading to the kitchens. From the head cook, they discerned that a large plate of seafood had been dropped and Timmy had gone to their main supplier to get more and to return the manager's organiser. Since the couple had nothing to do with no one home and their luggage still in the air, they decided to accompany Sally to find Timmy at the main food supplier that happened to be happily situated at the centre of the food court at Cinq's largest department store.
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"Welcome to the City of Cinq. We at Cinq Airlines hope you've had an enjoyable flight and wish you the Merriest of Christmas' and the Happiest of New Year's! We wish you a merry Christmas, a merry Christmas, a merry Christmas - " and on and on it went as people started to disembark Flight 1225.
Catherine stretched luxuriously in her first class seat. 'What an enjoyable trip.' She thought, as one of the flight attendants smiled cheerfully at her and handed over her carry bag. A few 'Merry Christmas's' and 'Happy New Years' later she was in the waiting room looking for her brother and his girlfriend. She spotted Trowa first since Midii was sitting down, looking slightly green. "Trowa! Midii!" She walked over to them, hugged her brother and looked at Midii concernedly. "I really enjoyed that flight, are you ok Midii? I have some air sickness tablets, if you want some."
Midii nodded a negative, stood up albeit shakily and gave her a smile. "I'm fine, I think I just need to get some air."
Trowa made a move to go with her but she waved him off telling him to stay with Catherine and she'd meet them at the luggage area.
When she disappeared into the crowd, Catherine gave her brother a once over. "Did she get sick? Is that why you changed your pants, Trowa?"
Shaking his head, he was about to tell her what had happened (minus the bathroom incident) when a little girl and her mother walked by.
"Mummy, I want a double cheeseburger!"
Catherine could see her brother pale slightly, like he was thinking of something unpleasant. "Are you ok, Trowa?"
He nodded and she didn't press the matter.
"There's yours!" Catherine pointed out to a medium-sized suitcase, as she and Trowa were now standing near the luggage conveyor belt, getting their luggage and waiting for Midii to meet them there.
"I'm back." Catherine smiled at Midii's slightly healthier complexion.
"Are you ok?" Trowa beat his sister to the question.
Midii just nodded, looking at Catherine's concerned face, searching if she knew about what had happened on the plane. Finding that Catherine's face betrayed no knowledge of what had transpired she felt lighter. "I'm ok, Trowa, Catherine. Hey, is that your suitcase, Cahtie?" Distracting Catherine momentarily, Midii and Trowa shared a look of understanding. They weren't going to tell her; they were just going to have to find a new airline to fly on.
A large black suitcase tumbled down the belt; underneath it was Midii's suitcase. As it got closer to them a stench drifted to their noses, Midii suddenly pictured a little girl but there were no little kids with weak stomachs around.
"Urgh. What is that smell?" Catherine waved her hand to and fro, in front of her face. A small group of passengers gathered around morbidly curious about the offensive odour.
"It's
not my bag." Midii huffed defensively behind a cupped hand. Two workers from Cinq Airlines signalled for
the belt to stop and they looked at the black suitcase with uncertainty.
"Looks like something's leaking from the bag. Can you see the name tags?"
The other worker shook his head. "Get a trolley we'll put these two bags in quarantine."
"What? Wait can't you just take the one on top? That's my bag underneath it! I can assure you, that smell is NOT coming from my bag!" Midii said indignantly.
"Sorry ma'am but we'll need to put these in quarantine." He pointed to a few other bags around the main one. "Take these as well."
He started to shoo people away from the belt, "Sorry, ladies and gentlemen. We will endeavour to get this under control as soon as possible. Please if you see your luggage being taken please follow me to the Cinq Airlines office."
Midii motioned to her two other companions that she would go ahead, sort this out and meet them outside. As the black suitcase was wheeled away from the scene, more dripping…goo rubbed away what was on the written nametag. It now resembled - 'UO AX LL'.
Midii kept her head down, trying not to make eye contact with any Airline worker just in case they had been on her flight.
"Hello ma'am, sorry about the delay. Which one was your suitcase?" A friendly woman with her nametag covered in green thistle, which obscured her name. The woman looked at what Midii had been looking at. "Oh! You like my little Christmas decoration? It hides my name though. I'm Carol." She smiled again and pointed again to the luggage behind the glass window.
"Its that one, Carol." Midii smiled back, glad that she had not seen any flight attendants from her flight yet.
"Ah, I see." She looked down at the clipboard she was carrying. "I'm sorry, Miss - "
"Midii Une."
"Miss Une. Your luggage has seemed to be damaged the most. Whatever was inside that bag - " She pointed to the big black suitcase, " - completely soaked through into your suitcase."
Midii pressed her forehead against her hand and leant forward. This was not how she had pictured Christmas Eve to be like. "Are you sure? I really need my suitcase."
"Positive, ma'am. I believe your entire contents have been ruined. BUT Cinq Airlines will gladly compensate you for whatever you have lost."
'Great, just great.' Midii glared at the offending black suitcase. She silently cursed the person who owned that bag and wondered how much worse could the day get.
"Ma'am if you would follow me, I'll bring you to our manager's office to fill in compensation forms - "
"That's ok, Carol. I was just wondering if those forms could be sent to where I'm staying? I can't wait a few weeks to get compensated, I need certain things today."
Carol nodded, "Of course, ma'am. We at Cinq Airlines endeavour to make this as trouble-free as possible. If there is anything else we could help you with…?"
"Actually yes, there is. Can you tell me if there are any clothes stores open today?"
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Person who does realise that Christmas is over:
I can still write xmas fics after Christmas, right? ^_^ Is there a plot to this? Yes, I just like to ramble on! Lol, I''ve got the next part nearly finished (big shock) I'm hoping for this to be finished by New Year!
R&R, C&C, all that…
Oh! And Season's Greetings to everyone!!! ^__^