She had let North and Aries talk her into heading up the 'Valentines Day Party' committee, which meant taking care of everything for the party...from decorations, to food, to invitations. And, with her being the good friend that she was, she proceeded to shame Aly and Shadoe into helping her. Although they were highly ecstatic about the whole idea, nothing they said or did could lift Trace's spirits.

North had originally suggested the idea of Trace heading up the party committee, as a way of getting her out of her recent *blue mood*. But, the strategy had not worked. Although, down deep, Trace was touched by North's concern for her, and because of this, considered North a true and dear friend.

As Trace stood in the middle of the room, reflecting upon her current predicament, she was jolted from her reverie by the entrance of Aly and Shadoe. They both came through the door at the same time, laughing boisterously. But, when they saw Trace, they both covered their mouths, and tried to act normal. Trace, knowing these two way too well, squinted her eyes, and shook her finger at them.

'Okay you two, what are you up to?' she demanded.

Aly and Shadoe looked to each other, then back to Trace. When they did, they tried to display looks of innocence. But the whole look was disrupted by thier constant attempt to keep from laughing. As they stood there, Aly finally spoke up.

'Up? What would make you think anything was up?' Aly asked, covering her mouth to hide her mischevious grin.

'Yeah! Just because we are in a good mood and all...' Shadoe offered, the trailed off as Aly poked Shadoe in the ribs with her elbow.

Before Trace could question further, both of them walked across the room, and began to look in the party supply boxes, sitting in the middle of the floor.

'I say we get to work,' Aly suggested, 'we only have a little over two hours to *transform* this place for the party.'

Shadoe nodded in agreement. Trace, knowing there was no use trying to get something out of the two of them right then, walked to the door.

'Okay...you guys get started on the decorations. I am going to run down to the kitchen and make sure the caterers are finding everything okay.'

Trace then turned, and walked out the door and down the hallway. As she did, Aly and Shadoe watched her go. When they were sure that they Trace was well out of ear shot, Shadoe opened up her small cell phone, and pushed a series of numbers. After a few moments, the connection was made.

'North? Yeah...its Shadoe. Yeah, she has no idea. Are the plans a go?' Shadoe waited a few moments, then a smile formed on her lips. She then said goodbye and closed the phone.

Aly looked expectantly at Shadoe. 'Well, what did North say?' Shadoe smiled broadly. 'The *mission* is a go. Everything and everyone is in place.'

Aly rubbed her hands together in anticipation. 'Great!! She has no clue!! This will her best Valentines Day ever!!'

Shadoe only nodded in response, as the two friends continued to smile.

==============

Checking off her mental *checklist*, Trace left the kitchen, and the food for the party, in the capable hands of the caterers. As she walked out the doorway, she bumped into North.

'Hey Trace!! Ready for the party?' North asked enthusiastically, smiling brightly from ear to ear.

Trace just smiled back at her friend, and shook her head.'Yeppers!! Everything is a 'go'. The lounge is decorated, the invitations were sent out two weeks ago, and the caterers are waiting for the signal. I say all in all, a success already.' Trace replied.

North nodded, still smiling brightly. 'Good, then it should be a fun night. So, who are you bringing to the party?' North queried.

Trace looked down at the floor, and shifted her weight. North, sensing her uneasiness, gave Trace a moment to answer.

'I won't be bringing anyone. My date had to cancel. There was a mission on deck, and it went green earlier than expected.' Trace explained. As she did, it was everything North could do, to keep herself from smiling.

'I am sorry to hear that. But you will be coming anyways won't you?' North asked.

Trace shook her head. 'I don't know. I mean, everyone has dates. You have Egran, Aly has Michael, Shadoe has Operations, and...well...I will feel like the odd person out. I think I will just stay in my room, and maybe put in an appearance towards the end.'

North shook her head, the smile now gone from her face. 'I really wish you would reconsider. You have worked so hard to put this thing together, that it would be a shame for you to not get to enjoy it all.'

Trace smiled up at North. 'Thanks North, but I am adamant about this. But, you all have a great time, and I will check in with you all later.' With that, Trace moved around North and down the hallway.

As North watched Trace leave, her heart momentarily felt heavy. But, when she reminded herself once again of the plan that she, Aly and Shadoe had put into motion, the smile once again returned.

============

Walking down the quiet hallway, Trace rubbed the back of her neck with her hand. What had started as a slight headache that morning, had progressed into a serious thumper. Now, after having double checked everything, and giving the caterers the 'all clear' on distributing the food, Trace had decided to call it a day.

As she pushed the door to the stairway access, that led up to the second floor of CLHQ, she turned and looked back over her shoulder. Soft music, and cheerful laughter poured out of the lounge, and into the somberly quiet hallway. Trace smiled, thinking what a good time all her buds were having, and satisified in the knowledge that she had played some part in their fun.

Then, turning around, she pushed the door open, and stepped through. As she climbed the steps, taking them one at a time, the door clanged shut. Once at the top, she opened the door, and stepped through. Silence and shadows were all that greeted her. The hallway was dimly lit, and as quiet as a tomb. The music from downstairs was not able to penetrate the second floor, so there was no sound at all. Well, there was the sound of Trace's footfalls echoing off the walls, but other than that, nothing.

Coming up to her door, she reached down, and started to turn the knob. It was then she heard the low, rythmic beat of the music. Music that was coming from within her room. But, she did not remember leaving her CD player on.

Slowly turning the knob, and opening the door, she was stunned by the sight before her. There was a large table, sitting in the middle of her room. Walking in, and silently closing the door behind her, she walked up to the table, and looked down.

The table cloth was made of the whitest material she had ever seen. And the silverware shined from the candlelight playing across it. And in the center of the table, there was a vase, holding a single yellow rose. Trace plucked the rose from the vase, and placed it under her nose. She inhaled, deeply, revelling in the heady fragrance of the flower.

Then, looking back at the table, she saw a small white envelope. It had the simple letter T written on it, in fancy script. Picking it up, she turned it over, and ran her finger under the flap. Then, taking out the note and opened it up, read it...

Roses are yellow
Loves in the air
I know you were sad
Because I wouldn't be there.
But arrangements were made
And the dye has been cast
And for once in a long while
We have this time together at last.

So if you are willing
And feel so inclined
Just open the door
And see what you will find.

Trace looked up at the closed door, and then back down at the note, intrigued. Thinking to herself *what have I got to lose* she walked over to the door, and opened it. When she did, she had to cover her mouth, to keep from bursting out in laughter.

The person on the other side of the door just looked on in confusion, their brows furrowed in a stupor. Then, after a few moments, they spoke.

'This was all North, Aly's and Shadoes idea. They knew how much you had looked forward to us spending the holiday together, so they made the arrangements to get me off of the mission.'

Trace just continued to cover her mouth, shaking all over from her attempt to keep from bursting out in complete laughter. Then, pointing to the person's attire, she spoke.

'And who praytell, was the costume the idea of?' Jurgen looked down at himself then back up at Trace. When he did, he smiled seductively.

'Oh, now that was my idea, love...all mine.'

For, standing in the hallway, just outside Trace's room was a grown man, dressed in nothing but a diaper, and holding a bow and arrow... thinking he was Cupid. Trace broke down in laughter, and sent out a mental thank you to her friends.

*Yeah, this was gonna be one Valentines Day to remember* Trace thought to herself, as Jurgen moved over the threshold, closing the door behind him.

She stood slowly, and glanced around the room. No one was looking in her direction, and no one seemed suspicious. Sitting back down, she placed the book in the drawer, and closed it slowly. Then placing the rose down beside her keyboard, she began her work again, a smile on her face.

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I would like to thank Nikita507, Aly, and Northstar for making this Valentines Day a little more memorable for all of us on the list. Your stories were delightful, and just what the *doctor* ordered...the LOVE doctor that is!! LOL!!