Project of Passion

Prologue

By: Ariel Wiegmann

11/19/01

Author's note: This is my first attempted fanfiction. I've never even tried to write something this long before, so bear with me. I also tried to keep the characters' personalities the same as much as possible, but I have to have a little imaginative room, so don't get all angry about the differences. It's not like I'm turning Heero into Quatre or anything. Last but not least, Kendra, Jacob, and Stephanie are original characters. There, I'm done now. Without further adieu, you may read the story.

Disclaimers: Gundam Wing is not mine, never has been, and probably never will be. So don't sue me, unless you want my pocketful of lint, because I'm not making any money off of this.

Prologue

"10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… HAPPY NEWYEARS!!" roared the small crowd in Relena's manor.

Duo's voice could be heard above the other's, "MERRY CHRISTMAS!!" Then, the sound of Duo being whacked over the head.

"Itai… Hilde-chan…" whined Duo.

"It's New Year's Eve, not Christmas, Duo," Hilde said in a low whisper.

Heero gave Duo his infamous slow and painful death glare.

"You're drunk," stated Heero in a matter-of fact tone.

"Yeah, so what? At least I didn't come to this party claiming that I only came to "act" as security, Mr. Protector."

Heero's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing.

"You're the only person here who isn't having fun. Look,"

Duo pointed at Wufei, who, in a drunken state, had bet Sally that she couldn't out dance him.

"Even Wufei is in on the fun."

Heero just continued glaring at Duo. The almighty god of death, just sighed and gave up for once.

"You're gonna die young ya know if you keep up this no fun diet your on."

"Who says I…"

Everyone stopped talking when a loud THUD was heard. They turned to see Wufei, on his back looking up at Sally.

"So I'm JUST a woman, eh?"

Wufei nodded in reply.

"Well, we'll see about that."

She jumped on Wufei, began trying to tickle him. When nothing seemed to be working she stopped.

"Here, "Noin tossed Sally something.

She grinned maliciously.

"It ALWAYS works with Zechs."

Zechs promptly cringed. Sally looked at the item she was now holding. She looked at Noin, a sinister smile on her face.

"Thanks."

With that, she grabbed one of Wufei's feet. He just sat there calmly.

"Woman, nothing you can do is going to make me laugh."

Sally waved the object in front of his face, "Oh really?"

Wufei's eyes grew into large saucers, and he began trying to get free, as he saw that she was holding a brush. Sally turned back to his foot, and began vigorously rubbing the pointy end across the soft flesh of his foot. The Gundam boys gaped at Wufei, in all-out shock. Wufei was near tears, he was laughing so hard.

"This… is… an... Inju…justi..ce… I.. won't.. for..give!!!!" gasped Wufei between peals of laughter.

Sally finally stopped and got off him. Hands on her hips, she smiled down at him.

"So am I still just a woman?"

Wufei glared up at her.

"Yes. Your tactics are completely unfair. No less than I would expect from a weakling, and women are weak."

The pilots began to sneak off, grabbing every brush in sight. If a brush could incapacitate Wufei, then it could definitely bring them down, and none of them were up to that kind of torture. Hilde grabbed Duo's braid.

"And just where do you think you're going with that, mister?"

Duo put the hand with the brush over his shoulder, and behind his back.

"Me? I don't have anything. I was just going to get another margarita, Hilde-chan. "

"Duo, you're glass is full, and in you're hand. I know better."

With that she lunged at him. Duo dropped his glass in an effort to stop her. Hilde pretended to grab with her left hand, but grabbed the brush with her right instead.

"HAHAHA!!!" She laughed maniacally. "I have you now!!"

Soon all the boys, except for Wufei, were on their backs, laughing fervently. True, it took Noin, Sally, Zechs, and Wufei to get Heero down, but he was down and laughing like the rest of them none-the-less.

*~*~*~*~

Several taxicabs arrived at Relena's manor in the wee hours of the morning, to escort the completely sloshed party members home. Slowly, the circle of friends broke apart, stumbling to the taxis. Hilde and Duo were the last to go.

"Seee ya *hiccup* aroun' *hiccup* Releena-sssssama," slurred Duo.

Hilde, not much better off than Duo, chose to remain silent, and gave her a hug good-bye, instead of words. They climbed into the remaining cab together.

*~*~*~*~

An old homeless man, clutched his bottle of whiskey, a New Year's gift from a stranger, as a taxi slowed to a stop in front of the apartment. He watched as two people staggered out of the vehicle. One dug into their pocket and pulled out a wad of cash, throwing the money at the driver before stumbling up the stairs. He heard the jangle of keys, then a quiet whisper.

"Can you hurry up please? It's freezing out here."

"Sure hold on a minute."

The old man smiled. 'It must be nice to be able to spend the holidays with loved ones.'