"Duo! Come back here!"

"No way, Hilde. You have to catch me!"

A scream echoed off the walls of the house, and was followed by a loud thump and a groan. The doorbell rang, but the two roommates were too busy to notice.

Hilde, with her entire body and hair dripping wet, was only wearing a little blue towel. She glared at Duo and punched him in the shoulder. "Don’t you ever do that again!"

The braided 16-year-old boy was busy rubbing the sore spot on his leg. He had accidentally bumped into the coffee table while trying to avoid being strangled by Hilde. Immediately losing his balance, he tried to grab whichever was in the way to keep from toppling over. His hand had somehow found Hilde’s arm and both of them lost their balance due to momentum and collapsed on the floor. Now the front of Duo’s red shirt and black jeans were wet because of Hilde.

"Oh man," Duo sighed. "Now I have to change."

Hilde shrugged and glared at him. "Your fault. You shouldn’t have turned on the washing machine while I was in the bathroom. That’s the second time this week, Maxwell. Keep this up and you’ll be doing groceries for a month."

The doorbell rang again, and Hilde, completely forgetting her lack of outfit, went to answer it. Duo tried to warn her, but held back, imagining the scream from Hilde once she finds out. She looks so cute when she gets mad.

Quatre, with his hands poised to ring the doorbell again, found himself staring at a dripping wet Hilde in a little towel and Duo in the background trying not to laugh. The Arabian boy flushed and stammered, "Um…Miss Hilde…" and pointed helplessly at her body. Hilde, realizing her mistake, started blushing. She ran towards her bedroom, but not before pulling Duo’s braid and yanking him down on the floor once more.

"Um…you too Duo," added Quatre, pointing at the huge wet spot on Duo’s shirt and jeans.

"Hold on and let me change, k?" And Duo quickly rushed to his bedroom next to Hilde’s. He left the bedroom door open so he could still talk to Quatre. "So what’s up?"

"I’m having a Christmas get-together and I was wondering if you and Hilde have any plans on December 24."

Duo pulled on another similar looking black jeans. He quickly discarded his red shirt, but the cloth accidentally brushed against the diagonal wound across his chest. Letting out a hiss of pain, he gritted his teeth together before any other sounds could come out. Quatre stood by his bedroom door with a worried look on his face.

"Duo," he softly whispered. "Was that…"

The braided boy shrugged it off and put a dark purple shirt on. "No biggie. It’s from our last mission."

"You should get one of my sisters to look at that," protested Quatre. "It could get infected."

Duo searched through his closet and found his black leather jacket and put it on. "Quatre, I’ve had similar wounds before in the past." He walked out of his bedroom, with his Arabian friend following close behind. "So what’s this about a party?"

"Just a simple little party," Quatre replied. "I’ve invited everyone to stay at my house for the holiday. That means New Year’s Day too. That way, we can all go ice skating and sledding and skiing together at my family’s lodge. And I’ve even accomplished the impossible."

"Which is?"

"I’ve tracked Heero Yuy down and even got him to agree to come," Quatre grinned. "But what he doesn’t know is Miss Relena is also coming too."

"Quatre Raberba Winner," Hilde walked out her bedroom door and hugged him. "I didn’t know that you had it in you."

"Hello Miss Hilde," greeted Quatre politely. "How are you?"

"Enough with the formalities," Hilde grinned. "We are friends, right?"

Quatre smiled. "Of course." He stopped and turned to face Duo. "Speaking of formalities, that’s what the attire for the party is. That means tuxedo or a sportscoat and the works. Also you Hilde. A dress, I mean. I’m sure you have one, but Duo…"

Hilde rubbed her hands together. "Don’t worry, Quatre. Duo is going to go shopping, right?" She glared at him before he could protest. "Or else grocery duty for a whole month."

Duo sweatdropped and started protesting, "But…but…it’s shopping … euw … nooo!"

"Wait, is that Maxwell?"

"Trowa," Catherine elbowed him the ribs. "Be polite. He looks nice."

"Duo…and he’s…oh my," Trowa raised his champagne glass. "Now I’ve seen everything."

Quatre walked over to the entrance where Hilde was grasping Duo’s tie to keep him from running. She had on a halter-top dark blue dress adorned with shimmering silver stars all over. It softly ended mid-thigh and swayed smoothly with her body. Her dark blue hair was adorned with a matching star clip and silver glitter all over. But what made Quatre gaped was the four-inch dark blue stilettos that Hilde was wearing. Remarkably, she wasn’t even wavering and didn’t look to have any problems at all with them. The Arabian boy switched his attention to Hilde’s roommate and his comrade and friend in arms. He couldn’t help grinning.

Duo was clearly uncomfortable and looked as if he was being strangled by it. Or maybe it was Hilde that was causing him to choke by yanking on his midnight blue tie. He was attired in a black sportscoat with dark blue pants. His white shirt was complementary to Hilde’s outfit because it had silver star-shaped buttons. His tie had also stars patterned all over it. Overall, he was transformed from Mr. Casual-I’ll-never-dress-up to a poster boy for the Rich and Famous. Except of course for his hair.

Hilde made a face and complained, "Duo wouldn’t let me touch his hair. Not even to put a barrette or a silver clip at the end of his braid."

"Well," Quatre nodded his head, "at least you were able to change everything else." Then he leaned in and whispered to them, pointing at some spot in the ceiling. "I have plans for Miss Relena and Heero. There’s a mistletoe right there. I’ve also placed designated others in various places…"

"Why Quatre," Duo smirked, "I didn’t know you had it in you."

"But I don’t think it’s enough," argued Hilde. "Knowing Heero, he would probably spot them when he comes in and destroy every single mistletoe."

"He wouldn’t spot them," Quatre reassured his friends. "For one thing, he was raised by assassins. This would be his first time celebrating Christmas. So he doesn’t know any of the traditions yet. Well, except for the gift giving. But I postponed that until New Year’s Eve." He paused and added, "And all the mistletoes are hidden too. They will drop at precisely midnight." Quatre gave Duo a look. "You know what to do, right?"

"Yeah," Duo nodded. "Get Heero and Relena to dance and get them underneath a mistletoe."

"But where are they?" Hilde looked around.

Trowa and Catherine walked up to them together. She was in a sleeveless, body hugging, floor-length, dark purple dress with white elbow length gloves. Trowa had on a white tuxedo with a matching purple bow tie. They both grinned at their friends and hugs and kisses were exchanged.

"Wow," Duo scrutinized Catherine up and down. "You look great." Looking up, he saw anger flashed in Trowa’s face. But when he blinked, the poker face was back on again. Hmm…maybe…and an evil thought crossed Duo’s mind.

"Psst," whispered Duo to Quatre. "Where are those mistletoes hidden?"

"They’re hidden all over the dance floor. Targeted above the checkered squares. Precisely the silver ones instead of the black."

Catherine smiled and gently pulled Trowa to the dance floor. "You owe me a dance, Trowa Barton."

"As you wish, my lady," Trowa gently kissed her gloved hand as he led her away. Hilde watched wistfully as Trowa and Catherine danced the waltz together. Both were born with natural grace and poised, and they swayed gracefully to the music, their actions smooth and fluid with no awkwardness. She threw a glance back at her roommate and best friend. I wonder if he would dance with me.

Quatre tapped her on the shoulder and said in a low whisper, "Don’t tell Trowa and Catherine but the mistletoes are underneath the black squares instead of the silver ones."

Giggling slightly, Hilde replied, "Quatre, you matchmaker! But wouldn’t that make it harder to get Heero underneath one, with Trowa steering him in the wrong direction?"

Nodding, Quatre said, "I took that into account. Just think how suspicious Heero would be if everyone were trying to push Relena and him towards the silver squares. Knowing Heero, he would then avoid the silver squares and dance…"

"…On the black ones." Duo let out a low whistle. "And you would also get Trowa and Catherine at the same time."

"No wonder you are the brains of the Gundam team," remarked Hilde.

"Hey," Duo pouted. "What about me?"

"Now go on you two," Quatre pushed both of them towards the dance floor. "We don’t want to block Heero’s entrance. Relena is already here. She’s by the punch table."

"This is working out perfectly," squealed Hilde. "This is the seventh time Relena danced with Heero. And in a row too!"

Duo clenched his fist. "Oh, but what about that guy. He’s tapping her shoulder and asking her to dance."

"But she’s turning him down," added Hilde.

"That’s good," he smirked. "Did you see the look on Heero’s face? I think he was about to kill him."

Hilde grinned at him and turned her attention back to the dancing couples on the floor. Without looking back, she lightly smacked Duo on his chest. "Don’t tease him about it later. Or else Heero will also give you that look." She heard a muffled groan behind her and turned around.

Duo was holding his hand over his chest. He was sweating and breathing very hard. "Um…don’t…smack me there…" he gasped out.

"Oh my gosh, Duo, are you okay?"

He straightened up and flashed her a grin, but Hilde could tell he was still in pain. He was still keeping his hand over his chest. "It’s no big deal. Just an old wound, that’s all. Don’t’ worry about it."

"Old? Sounds like you just got it recently." She narrowed her eyes at him and glared, "Did you go on another mission again without telling me?"

"Duo," Quatre rushed to them, with Dorothy trailing behind him. "Are you okay?"

"Maybe his wound is infected," analyzed Dorothy quietly. "You better wash it out and make sure."

Hilde grabbed Duo’s arm and dragged him up the stairs. "Sorry to be leaving Quatre, but as Dorothy said, the wound needs to be treated."

"But…" Quatre hurried up the stairs to catch up with them. "My sister could treat that later."

"No," Hilde shook her head. "Now you and Dorothy go and dance, okay? Besides, you set up the mistletoes so you should know where to avoid them." She nodded to Dorothy, "And I’m guessing you know about the plan too."

Dorothy grinned and pointed. "I even managed to convince Sally Po and Wufei to dance. Quatre told them the wrong information and said to avoid the black squares. And Heero and Relena are dancing on the perfect spot too, well sort of. Heero is on the black square while Relena is on the silver square." She looked back and frowned. "Too bad Trowa and Catherine are dancing on a black square. Two out of four aren’t bad."

"Two out of four?" Duo gave Quatre a look. The blond-haired Arabian boy was flushing and looking away. You little sneak. I never thought you had it in you.

"Shall we dance, Mr. Winner?" Dorothy smiled at him. Hilde noticed that Quatre had panic look for a second before taking her hand and leading her back to the dance floor. And he was biting his lips too and looking nervous.

Hilde gently led Duo upstairs to where their rooms were. She leaned into his ear and whispered, "We escaped Quatre’s matchmaking plan." She opened Duo’s door and pushed him towards the bed. Opening the adjoining bathroom, Hilde rummaged through the medicine cabinet to get the first aid kit.

Duo smirked at her and replied, "Why do you think I did what I did?"

Hilde paused in front of him and frowned. "What, so…you’re not hurt?"

"Well…" Duo sighed and held up his hands. "Now don’t get mad. I do have a wound, and I did go on a mission." He shook his head before Hilde could interrupt. "But it’s not as bad as I faked it downstairs. Quatre saw the wound before, and I knew he would make a big deal out of it. I told Dorothy my plan, because she knew about the cut, and she agreed to try to get Quatre to dance with her if I tell her which squares are the ones that really have the mistletoe."

"Wait, I’m confuse," Hilde held up the antiseptic and pointed to Duo’s shirt and jacket. "Take those off while you explain. And don’t complain. You have a wound, and I am going to treat it and that’s final."

"Well," Duo slowly undid his tie. "Dorothy was talking to Catherine when Quatre pulled Trowa and whispered in his ear. Then Trowa told Catherine and Catherine told Dorothy what Quatre had told him. And basically, it was to avoid the silver squares and get Heero and Relena to dance on them."

Hilde threw her hands up in exasperation at Duo’s slow movements. She pushed his hands away and concentrated on untying the noose on the tie. Duo leaned back and let his best friend do the hard work. It was her fault anyway for making him wear a tie.

"Anyway," Duo paused and tried to sort out his thoughts. "Quatre didn’t know that Catherine told Dorothy about the squares. He was busy greeting Sally Po and Wufei Chang who had come in together. Together!"

She finally had loosened the tie and folded it up neatly on a nearby chair. Motioning for Duo to move, she grabbed his jacket and helped him out of it. She took it and went to the walk-in-closet. Wow, this place is huge. For every single room, there’s a bathroom, a king size bed, and this huge closet. But our place is cozier.

"Hilde, are you listening?"

"Yeah," taking a hanger out of the closet, she placed the jacket neatly on it. "Go on, I’m still listening. So Quatre told Trowa and Trowa told Catherine and Catherine told Dorothy but Quatre doesn’t know that Catherine told Dorothy. I got it."

"Dorothy didn’t say anything to Catherine and Trowa but Quatre told her that the mistletoes were over the black squares."

"So naturally, Dorothy thought that Quatre was trying to get her underneath a mistletoe? Or that he was setting Catherine and Trowa up?"

"No, this is the funny thing." Duo held his breath as he unbuttoned his white shirt. The wound, although it was already a few days old, still stung if anything brushed against it. And Hilde’s smack did nothing but worsen it. "She came to the same conclusion as us. That if someone was trying to get Heero to dance on the silver square, naturally he would avoid it and dance on the black ones. And that Catherine and Trowa would also end up kissing."

"So what’s the problem?" She took the white shirt from Duo and neatly folded it. Hilde then kneeled at the end of the bed in order to get a closer look to the wound. It was already starting to heal but some spots still look tender. Thank goodness there was no sign of infection. But it’s better to be safe than sorry.

"Well, Dorothy talked to Sally and found out that Quatre told her to avoid the black squares. And she knew Quatre well enough that he would also want to match up Wufei with Sally. So it does not make sense why Quatre would tell them the truth and say that the mistletoes are above the black squares. And what if Trowa and Wufei exchange information? There would be a contradiction then."

Hilde quickly interrupted, "But Quatre knows that Trowa and Wufei would not talk, if each thought that the other knew about it."

"Well, Dorothy wanted to make sure." Duo shrugged and grinned. "And she came to me and asked me where the mistletoes were."

"And you said over the black?" Hilde scrunched up her face. "I am so confuse. So where are the mistletoes?"

Duo was too busy laughing to notice that Hilde had already soaked a cotton ball with the antiseptic. Suddenly, a stinging pain shot up from his wound. Biting back a hiss, he looked down and saw his best friend gently blowing in order to lessen the throbbing.

"Yeah, I said black. So that means only Trowa and Catherine would think that the mistletoes are on the silver and dance on the black. And that means that everyone would be spared but them." He paused as he watched Hilde gently bandaged his wound up. Trying to avert his gaze, he focused his attention on the opposite wall and continued, "But that does not make any sense. Why try to go after only one instead of tricking three and sparing one? So that would mean that the mistletoes would be over the silver squares. So Trowa and Catherine would be spared while everyone gets hit. But Heero would avoid the silver squares if Trowa tried to get him to dance on them. So that means Trowa and Catherine, along with Heero and Relena on the black squares, and if we were on the dance floor, Wufei and Sally and us would be on the silver squares.H"

"That’s true," nodded Hilde. She was cleaning up the mess and throwing away the used cotton ball. "So, back to square one, where are the mistletoes?"

Duo started laughing really hard. "I talked to Relena and Quatre told her that the mistletoes were over the silver squares. And knowing Relena, she would pull Heero into the silver squares. So I later found Dorothy and gave her that information."

"And Dorothy reasoned," Hilde said slowly, "that the safest bet is to dance with Quatre for he knows where the mistletoes are." She frowned and started pacing around the room. "But why would Quatre tell Dorothy that it’s black?"

"That way, Dorothy could push and nudge Heero into the black squares. And Trowa would also be pushing and nudging him but towards the silver squares. And the poor Perfect Soldier would be all confuse. Plus Relena would be dancing with him and pulling him towards the silver squares." Duo grinned and pulled Hilde towards him to stop her from walking back and forth.

Not expecting the tug, she stumbled and fell towards Duo. Both were pushed back on to the bed, with Hilde on top of a breathless Duo, who was not wearing a shirt because of his wound. Violet met with midnight blue, endless emotions passing between them. Emotions that could damage their friendship but also…could lead to something more. But they both were not ready, not willing, to risk what they already have for something unsteady.

Clearing her throat and looking away, Hilde quickly broke the eye contact and got up, trying to straighten up her hair. She flushed and stammered, "So…uh…where are the mistletoes?"

"My guess would be all over the dance floor," answered Duo simply. "That’s why Quatre had a panic look to him when Dorothy pulled him towards it."

Hilde suddenly got a wild gleam in her eyes as she looked at her watch. "It’s 11:57. Do you want to go downstairs and just watch from near the steps, and that way, we could watch the liplock between everyone and cheer them on."

Duo rubbed his hands together. "And we get to tease them later."

"Attention everyone," Quatre tapped the microphone and smiled uneasily at his guests. "It’s almost Christmas and everyone is probably wondering where are the mistletoes. I’ve arranged it so that people," and he directed his eyes at his comrades, including a braided boy sitting casually on the steps, "won’t know where it is and therefore wouldn’t be able to avoid it in the first place." He grinned at Heero, "If you are standing underneath a mistletoe, you have to kiss the person you are with."

He pulled out a remote control and took a deep breath. "…5…4…stop fidgeting Wufei…2…1…" Pushing the red button, he waited anxiously for the mistletoes to descend. "Wait a moment…"

"Sorry Quatre," Heero smirked. "You didn’t think that I would not research and try to figure out what you are up to."

"Come on, Heero," Relena bit her lips. "Aren’t you a little bit curious to where exactly the hidden mistletoes are. What are the chances of you standing underneath one?"

Throwing a look at Quatre, Heero replied in a monotone voice, "A pretty good chance."

"It’s Christmas," Trowa commented. "Lighten up, Mr. Yuy."

"Is that why you are trying to push me to dance on a silver square, Trowa Barton?" The Perfect Soldier glared around the room. "Find, if everyone is that curious, here." He flipped open a remote control and pushed the red button.

Gold and silver glitter descended softly like fairy dust. And there were mistletoes all over the ceiling. Including above the stairs…

"Quatre!" Everyone in the room was shocked and stared at the Winner heir.

"Well," Quatre sheepishly responded, "I just wanted to make sure. And it’s on every floor and every room, just in case someone…" and he paused to look at Duo "…tries to escape."

"Well, come here and pucker up, Quatre Raberba Winner." Dorothy grabbed him and kissed him fully on the lips. All he could do was to give in to the emotions that rushed through his body. Leaning more, he deepened the kiss with the blond-haired vixen that had captured his heart. All around, he could hear his friends cheering and whistling.

Reluctantly breaking the kiss, he glared at his comrades and said, "It’s tradition." Reverting his attention back to Dorothy, he realized that she was pulling him in for another liplock. "Um…I just want to tell you…I love you, Dorothy."

"And I love you," she whispered, "Quatre Raberba Winner."

Trowa laced his fingers through Catherine’s and smiled. Pulling her gently towards him, they shared a sweet and tender kiss. She brought her other hand, trembling as it was, to rest on his strong shoulders. Oh Trowa…She could feel his hand softly caressing her back. "I love you, Trowa Barton," she whispered against his lips. She could barely hear his respond, but her heart soared at the trembling words. "I love you…Catherine Bloom."

"Relena," sighed Heero as he tucks a blond lock behind her ears. "I’m sorry…"

She brought her fingers up to still his mouth. I’ve dreamed of this moment for so long. Please…let this be real. "You don’t have to say anything. I love you, Heero Yuy, and there’s nothing you can do to change my mind."

Surprisingly, it was Heero who tightened his grip around her. It was Heero who pulled her towards him. And it was Heero who first leaned in and captured her lips with his own.

"…I’m sorry…" he whispered, "…that…I…never told you how much…oh Relena…I love you."

"Well woman," Wufei disdainfully surveyed the room as he watched his comrades kiss their companions. "I can’t believe that Quatre had planned all this."

"Give the Winner heir some credit," replied Sally. "He should know more about matchmaking than any of us combine. After all, he had twenty-nine sisters who cared for him and taught him everything they knew." She frowned before smiling. "And that includes being deceptive."

Wufei gave a snort in reply. "Of course, when it comes to deception, women are more highly trained in that class than men are."

"Men are better at hiding their feelings though," commented Sally softly.

"That’s true," smirked Wufei. He was quiet for a few moments before getting down on one knee.

"Chang Wufei?"

"Sally Po," he began, taking her hands into his own. His black eyes that used to be so cold now held a certain warmth beneath the darkness. "I, Chang Wufei, of the Dragon Clan, do hereby ask your permission to be my wife. I cannot think of any other woman who could match me in strength and their sense of justice as you do."

Sally’s eyes were filling up with tears. "What about love?"

And before Wufei could answer, she had pulled him up and kissed him on his lips. Before he could react, she broke away from him and smiled. "That’s for the mistletoe." And then, she gently pulled him in again and gave herself up to the pilot of Atlong. "And that is a yes."

"Oh Sally," murmured Wufei. He was speechless for once in his life. Giving in to his emotions, he gently kissed his now fiancée and partner for life.

Duo wrenched his attention away from the kissing action to face his best friend. He looked up and grimaced at the sight of the mistletoes hanging above them. Shrugging, he put his hands on Hilde’s shoulder and pulled her closer…

"Listen, Duo," she stammered, "I…I don’t want to…you know…hurt our friendship."

He pulled her even closer until their lips were barely touching. "Hilde," he whispered. He could feel her breath tickling him. "Are you strong enough to kiss Death and survive?" She nervously licked her lips and her tongue softly brushed against Duo’s mouth. "Don’t ever leave me, please."

"Oh Duo." And Hilde finally threw abandon to the wind. She wrapped her arms around her best friend, the one who called himself Death. To her, he was more of an angel, protecting everyone from the sufferings of war. His hands may be stained with blood, but it was in order to prevent her own hands from being bathed in the crimson pool also. Truth be told, she had fallen in love with him from first sight, and the denied feelings only grew stronger as she watched him continually put his life on the line in order to be Death and destroy others who threatened peace. He was so lost and so lonely. And she needed him as much, even more, than he needed her.

Their lips met, and electricity seemed to jolt between their bodies. Every nerve endings came alive as Hilde Schbeiker finally kissed Duo Maxwell. The passion only increased tenfold as he responded to her touch. Finally, Death received his first kiss. And he would fight to the end to make sure it wouldn’t be their last…