Hilde Schbeicker tossed her backpack up on her shoulder and headed for the door. Several of the other workers waved and wished her a good night. She was almost to the door when a hand on her other shoulder stopped her.

"Are you sure you don't need me to walk with you? It's really late, Hilde."

Hilde smiled at him and Reached up and patted his hand . "Thanks, Thad. It's not that late and I'll be fine. Besides I have to stop at the church."

Thad frowned at her, "You've been stopping at the church every night this month."
"Yep, it's something I do every Christmas."

"But , don't you go on weekends any other time?"
She nodded, "Yep, but Christmas time is special and it's something I have to do."

"Well, I guess if you're OK with it....."
"Thad, I've walked home this way every single day of my life! I have friends who watch out for me! "
He nodded and smiled slightly. Hilde slipped out the door and hurried down the street before he could change his mind and follow her. She walked past the little stores with their quaint decorations in the windows, and heard the piped in Christmas music. Not that she minded, Christmas music always made her feel a little warm. She smiled and let her thoughts drift back to the shelter.

She shook her head and wondered why a rich kid like him was volunteering in the shelter anyway.

He must be doing it for community work. She giggled and looked up at the sky. "Oh, You're so bad, "She spoke aloud , to no one in particular. The sky was overcast with a threat of snow. She sighed. * No stars to wish on, tonight, * She thought, * But if I had just one wish, I would wish for someone to spend Christmas eve with. * She giggled. * That was so selfish. I would wish for someone to love but that's a big request, especially for me. Ha! Like that would ever happen! *

Her thoughts were interrupted as she got to the church. She ran up the steps and into the warm foyer. She slipped to the corner where the prayer candles were and gently set down her bag. She kneeled in front of the large display of candles, some already flickering in the pale light. She Reached for one of the long matches and scraped it along the rough edge. It flared to life and she touched the wick of one of the small candles. "Merry Christmas , Mom and Dad."

She leaned over and lit another one. She closed her eyes and said "And you, too. Amy and Andy. God, I miss you guys." She blinked back a few tears and stood. "I'll be back tomorrow. "

She threw away the match and picked up her bag. As she crossed in front of the statue of Christ, she genuflected and made the sign of the cross. Then she was out the door, back in the cold damp air, on her way home. She looked up and felt a wetness on her cheek. Snow! It was snowing! The air had a new feel to it and she smiled.

As she walked she saw several young lovers walking in the winter air, enjoying each others company. She sighed. * Maybe that will be me someday. *

She shivered as she fumbled with her keys and finally got her door open. She was hit with a blast of warm air. She dropped her bag and shrugged off her coat. After tossing it on a chair she went to the knapsack, wondering what the girls had stuck in there tonight. She smiled as she pulled out a small carton of milk and two ham sandwiches. They always rewarded her that way for her help.

Hilde plugged in her small Christmas tree and ate her supper. She looked thoughtfully at her tree and the lack of presents under it. She would have to do something about that.

Meanwhile....at the same time across town.................

Duo Maxwell watched his friend/ room mate finish packing his duffel bag. He sighed and leaned against the door frame. Heero Yuy turned and looked at him.
"You know you can come along. I know Relena wouldn't mind."

Duo straightened up and waved his hand in front of him. "No way! I'd just get in the way. I'm not going to be a 5th wheel! Besides, you and Relena need to spend some time together, Alone. You haven't seen her in ... what.. 3 weeks! You miss her don't you?"

Heero looked at floor and barely nodded.

"See!" exclaimed Duo. "You don't need me around!"

Heero looked up and sighed, "I hope we can have some time alone....Millardo may have...."
"Lou will keep him out of your way, wait and see."
"Well, Duo, If your sure... "
"Get out of here already! I'll be just fine." * It won't be the first Christmas I've spent alone. *

After Heero left, Duo flopped down on the couch and flipped on the TV. He grinned as he thought of Heero's face when Relena had invited him to come and spend Christmas with her. At first it was shock and then happiness , then pure terror. Duo had almost laugh out loud, but had held it back. He sighed and leaned back into the couch. What he wouldn't give to have someone to spend Christmas with. A friend would be nice, but a girlfriend would be better. He could have gone with Heero. Relena would not have minded. She may be even expecting him to come, but there was no way he would get in the way.

It was better to be alone then mess up someone else’s happiness. He tossed down the remote and stood. He went to the door and opened it. He looked up at the sky and made a wish. He couldn't see one star but wished anyway. He shook his head, Such a childish thing to do, wishing. Wishes didn't come true at all. He stepped back into the house and looked around. You would never know it was Christmas in this house. There was no tree and no decorations at all.

Well, tomorrow he would change that. He smiled to himself and went back to watching TV.

Somewhere high in the sky, a star twinkled, and seemed to die out, and then come back.... almost as if a wish was granted.

Christmas eve:

Hilde sighed, It was Christmas eve and the shelter was busy. It may have been due to the fact that it was one of the coldest nights of the year, so far. Homeless people came in on their own, several came in by the police. It was nice to know the police were helping get everyone in on this cold night. They had fed everyone and Hilde's shift was over. She could hear Thad complaining about have to work on Christmas eve and her supervisor, Anne telling him if he had stayed out of trouble he would be home, with his parents.

She had been right in her assumptions. Poor little rich boy. She smiled, her parents had left her a substantial amount so she was able to help here full time. She liked helping. She finished buttoning her coat and picked her knapsack up. She wished everyone a Merry Christmas and went into the cold. She gasped as the cold air nipped at her skin, taking her breath away, temporarily. She had to stop at the church and light one last candle. She looked at her watch, after nine already.

She wasn't paying attention as she ran up the steps to the church. She felt her face connect to something solid. She bounced off the object and ended up her butt on the cement steps. She blinked as tears spilled from her eyes, more form pain than any thing else.

"Oh, shit! I'm sorry , Miss."

She looked up and blinked. All she saw was a pair of violet eyes through her tears. She blinked again. Was he an angel? Did her wish come true?

Duo looked at the girl he had knocked down. She was beautiful, even with the black eye he had given her. He blinked. Was she the one he wished for? He shook his head.

"Oh man, you're gonna a nasty shiner! Come on! We got to get some ice on it." He pulled her to her feet, picked up her bag, and practically carried her to his house. He opened his door and pulled her in. He pushed her on a chair and rummaged through his freezer. He turned around, holding a bag of ice, allowing Hilde to see him for the first time. He was so handsome.
He put the ice in her hand and moved it up to cover her eye. She frowned at him, because he had blocked her view with the ice. He stepped back and said," Oh, I'm Duo Maxwell !Sorry to be so abrupt, but we needed to get some ice on it. I'm really sorry."
Hilde smiled, "Hilde Schbeicker. It wasn't your fault. I should have been paying attention."

She stuck out her free hand. He reached for it and they clasped together.

"Nice to meet you, even if I tried to knock you out."

Hilde giggled and said, "Nice to meet you too. " She stood. " I guess I should go. I'm sure I'm keeping you from something. Thank you."

Duo looked at her as she stood. Something screamed at him not to let her go." No, not really."
Hilde looked at him. * Another lonely soul ?* "Oh."
"Hey, Listen, if you don't have anything to do, do you mind...?"

"I'd love to."
"Cool! Have you eaten?"
She shook her head.

"I'll call for pizza!" He disappeared from the room. A few minutes later he returned, smiling. "It's on it's way!"

Duo came close and pulled the ice from her eye. He gently touched it. "I'm so sorry, Hilde. You're going to have a terrible black eye. What a terrible Christmas present."
Hilde smiled, looking at him. "Oh. I don't know. I met you."

Duo smiled back, "Yeah, I met you, too."

As they ate pizza and watched TV, Hilde stole little glances at Duo. Her thoughts were jumbled all together. * Is this real? Am I really in this room with him? Do I believe in love at first sight? What about wishes. Yes! I believe in both! *

She closed her eyes. It didn't matter. She had gotten her wish. She was spending Christmas eve with someone, maybe some very important to her.

Duo looked over at the girl sitting next to him. He wondered all the same questions Hilde had been wondering. Did he believe in love at first sight? He glanced at her and thought, * Yes, I do, because she already captured my heart! *

Duo and Hilde sat comfortably on the couch watching TV and eating pizza. Soon the clock stuck midnight and Hilde looked up.

She sighed. " I should go home."
Duo looked at her, "You know you don't have to. Hey, it's Christmas!" He leaned over and captured her lips with his.
Hilde leaned into the kiss and partook of it hungrily. When the kiss broke, they turned away from each other and blushed. Both spoke "Sorry " at the same time. With that the tension was gone and they laughed.

"Merry Christmas, Duo!"
"You too, Hilde."


One year later:

Hilde sat on the couch watching Duo as he finished the tree. He came over and sat beside her.

"Do you remember One year ago, today?"
"How could I forget! I had that shiner for a week!"

She leaned in and kissed him. "And things have just gotten better and better ever sense."
"Yeah." He pulled out a small box and looked at her." Hilde, " He said, as he dropped on one knee and opened the box. "Will you marry me? I love you and I can't live without you!"
Hilde looked at the box in shock , and then through her arms around him and Whispered, "Yes!"

He pulled the diamond from the box and put it on her finger.

"Merry Christmas, babe!"

Hilde wrapped her arms around him and whispered back to him, "Merry Christmas, Duo and I love you!"

He pulled her into his lap and held her close.

Hilde snuggled into his embrace. She smiled as she leaned against Duo.

Who would have thought she would be here one year ago today. All because she had not been paying attention and gotten clobbered. Was it fate or the wish she had made? She decided it had to be the wish, Christmas was just so magical. Regardless of what happened. It was fast becoming her very favorite Holiday.

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