[A.N.] Hello everyone! Here is the next installment! I do hope you enjoy it! This has a lot of detail that will lead us into a lot of foreshadowing so due pay close attention! ^.^ Minx and I are continuously discussing new and interesting details that may or may not be right for our girls but of course they like to do as they will and we are along for the ride! Anyway, I hope you enjoy and please do review and let us know what you think! Your comments help fight off Writer's block!

~Vixen

The wind felt so good blowing her hair behind her as her bike sped down the road. Toby sat happily in the specialized side-car which had higher sides and enough room for the gigantic dog to lie down and sleep if he wished. It slowed the speed of the bike slightly, but she wasn't in any real hurry and therefore wasn't complaining. Her loyal canine companion currently sat up, excited; tongue lolling out and huge ears flapping. She smiled. This was the life. The freedom she felt as she made her way back to the villa was unparalleled to any she'd felt. With the exception of the occasional stop for Toby, the ride had been non-stop; something she thoroughly enjoyed. No one was setting her pace or dictating which route she should or shouldn't take. It was just her and Toby and the open road.

She had to admit, it would be nice to have some form of human company. Toby was great, but a conversation with a dog was terribly one sided. It's difficult to bounce ideas off of a canine. So much was going through her mind and the only reassurance Toby could give her were a few sloppy kisses and doggy cuddles-not that she was complaining. She wondered though, how Kit-Kat intended to handle the escape at Preventer and better yet, how the Gundam pilots would respond to the Alpha Initiative.

She imagined Heero Yuy, the current head of Relena's security wouldn't take it well; she just wondered if Quatre would be upset too. The blond diplomat had made it no secret that he held 'Thiana Khushrenada' with little regard and as a result would most likely fight this new partnership. Luckily it wasn't up to him. Whether they liked it or not, however, the famous five would have to deal with the final decision of the council of defense. However, thoughts of the pilots brought him to her mind again.

A quick flash from several years ago: a boy in a gorilla mercenary group fighting a losing battle and she as a young girl saving him from harm. To this day she remembered why she stopped to help him. His deep green eyes had held the same look as her own. Dekim had beaten her within an inch of her life for going against his direct orders, but somehow, seeing that same boy still alive so many years later made it seem all the more worth it even if he had no idea who she was. Trowa Barton, stunt clown at a world famous circus, would currently be meeting with Lady Une and his Gundam comrades to beef up Preventer's lack-luster security.

She tried to think of something else. Thoughts of him always made her feel strange and feeling strange made her feel uneasy. Her thoughts, instead, went to Drizzy. Her friend had been rather disappointed to hear that she was leaving and made her promise to call at least once a week to keep her up to date on everything. Life at the villa, however, was rarely exciting enough to merit overtly long conversations, but Drizzy usually had more than enough to say for both of them. It was good to be able to count Kit-Kat's assistant into her small family. It had been quite interesting observing her friend at work as well as the flirtatious interactions between Drizzy and Romeo and she had a feeling conversations about Kit-Kat's bodyguard would make up most of their calls.

Pulling into a small gas station, she refueled her bike and gave Toby a much deserved chance to stretch his legs and get some water. She, too, decided a bit of refreshments were overdue and helped herself to a bottle of sweet tea she could keep in her saddlebag. She smiled and scratched her beloved dog behind his ears.

"Well, Toby, what did you the city?" Toby looked at her, tongue lolling out of his mouth as he gave her hand a quick lick. "I know what you mean." Standing up, she put her helmet back on and tucked Toby safely into his side-car. "let's go home, boy."

It took her another half day to finally reach the Villa. She had to admit, she would miss being on the road. There was something so thrilling about touring the countryside at her own pace. She pulled the bike into the garage and took off her helmet. She would come back out later and clean the bike, but at the moment, she rather desired a hot shower and a bowl of mint chocolate chip ice-cream. She undid the sidecar and Toby hopped out with a long stretch and an even longer yawn.

As they entered the house she found Treize was sitting in his favorite chair, puffing on one of his cigars he occasionally enjoyed with a glass of cognac and a good mystery novel. Toby wasted no time in letting her older guardian know they had returned by running over and rubbing against his legs.

"Hello Toby." He murmured without glancing down. She snapped her fingers and Toby left Treize alone and instead hopped up onto his favorite loveseat.

"Did you have a good trip?" Serene hummed an affirmative response. "When you're feeling up to it, I want to hear everything."

"Ok." She simply responded. It wasn't that she hadn't missed him. She had. She just wanted a hot shower and a giant bowl of ice-cream. Her trip had left her relatively famished. She walked to her room and threw her bag onto the bed. She reached into the shower and turned on the tap and then pulled out her most comfortable pair of sweats she could find.

The shower had been brief, but was just what she had needed after the long ride. She shrugged into her clothes and made her way out to the kitchen with Toby on her heels. She wasted no time in pouring him a healthy helping of food and filling his dish to the brim, an act that would most likely earn her a slobbery kiss of gratitude. She walked to the fridge to pull out something for her to eat but found the fridge to be depressingly bare. The cupboards and pantry that Kit-Kat kept stocked to the brim was a poor reflection of what it had been. Clearly Treize had had enough in the house for him. It had slipped her mind that Kit-Kat had given some of their stock to Constance and Daniel for their new place as well as had some of it delivered to the apartment in the city. She sighed. She would have to go shopping in the morning. She settled for cooking up macaroni and cheese with hotdogs chopped up into it and made sure to make enough for two: in other words, she made enough for five. Once she made it into the living room, she handed Treize his plate and then made her way to her favorite loveseat where she was promptly joined by Toby.

"How have you been surviving on such a small food supply?" She teased as she settled herself in.

"Not all of us eat for ten in one day, my dear." He joked back.

"Well, I'm going to go out shopping tomorrow. I can't live in a house with no food!"

"Ok, Miss Melodrama; whatever you say." Serene clicked the television on and began her ritualistic channel surfing to check all of her favorite channels. It would have been easier, perhaps, to use the program guide, but she liked the challenge of finding things the hard way.

"I saw on the news that the gala was quite the success." Treize stated. Serene finished her mouthful of food and nodded.

"Yes; Kit-Kat tallied up the pledges from the whole night and found that there should be enough to keep the school going for several years without financial assistance."

"I see." Treize took a bite of his food and smiled. "I heard your sister was there. How did that go?" Serene paused mid-bite. She hadn't expected the subject of Relena to come up this soon though she knew he'd most likely inquire about it.

"She was just as kind as the magazines and news make her seem. She was genuinely interested in learning about me and my interests, although her boyfriend would take some getting used to."

"I see." She continued to regale him with her experience in the city from the restaurants to the dress shops to the many luncheons she had accompanied 'Thiana Khushrenada' to. It all added up to a conversation lasting late into the night.

"It sounds like you had quite the adventure."

"Well, it was a huge change from the quiet living of the villa."

"Then you enjoyed yourself?"

"I guess so." She knew she was masking the excitement she'd felt. The sights and sounds of the city had been thoroughly enjoyable. Little by little she was finally being able to experience what the world was really like outside of a military camp or the safety of their villa.

"Serene, if you enjoyed your time away it won't hurt my feelings. I understand all too well how stifling it can be to stay in one place for too long."

"Don't be silly. Of course I enjoyed my time in the city, but I am truly glad to be home. A lot happened while I was there and I need some time to process it."

"You're referring to your sister?"

"Not just that. Kit-Kat has given me a chance to see what life as her charge will be like living in the public eye. She has presented me with a few options for after I turn sixteen and I have to be really thorough in thinking it all through."

"I see, and what exactly are you thinking?"

"Well," she paused, trying to decide where to start. "I had thought about traveling for a while. I haven't had a chance to see everything I want to."

"I see. Well, I think I have an idea, if you're open to it."

"Okay…?" Treize put his book on the table and took out a brochure with the picture of a university on the front. "Julliard," He said. She took the pamphlet from him and began to page through it slowly.

"A school for the musically and artistically gifted?"

"Yes, and I think it will suit you well."

"But this says you have to have some sort of example to send them."

"I know."

"But I don't have anything like that."

"Yes, you do." He paused and she looked at him. "I know you wouldn't like it, but I had the idea when I heard you playing. I recorded you. It was so beautiful that I listen to it myself on occasion."

"You recorded me?"

"Serene, you are so much more talented than you know. You are incredibly smart and gifted with far more than a weapon. I want you to be able to explore this hidden passion of yours."

"Passion?"

"I know you feel alive when you play; I see it in your movements as your fingers fly across the keys. This is a chance for you to taste life in the real world without the pressure of anyone looking at you as someone's ward. You could make new friends, try new things and see new sights." Serene let the idea run through her mind. It would be interesting to be out on her own for once and she would like a chance to understand more of what she could do that didn't involve hacking computers or loading weapons. She studied the pages pf the brochure carefully and the more she read, the more excited she became. Her hopes were dashed however, when on the final page she saw the due date for applications.

"We missed it." She stated flatly, her stomach heavy with disappointment.

"Missed what, My little fox cub?" Treize asked as he set his now empty plate down on the side-table.

"It's too late to apply. The cut off was last month."

"I know, which is why I took the liberty of enrolling you myself. I received your acceptance letter in the mail last week."

"So you had this planned all along?"

"Serene, I have taught you all that I can. All the books in the world, however, cannot teach you what you really need to know to survive in society. It is time for you to go out and explore a little bit of the world and see for yourself why this universe is truly amazing."

"When do I leave?" She asked, not meaning to sound too eager.

"You leave a month from tomorrow so you'd best get everything you need. I can do a lot of things for you, but shopping is not really one of them—at least, not in this case."

"You really think I can do this?"

"I wouldn't have done this if I did not."

"But Kit-Kat—"

"I have already spoken with Thiana on the matter. She has agreed that it could be good for you if it is what you want."

"Thank you, Treize." The thank you went for so many things. From day one, Treize had known all about her; the missions, the training, her physical capabilities and still he did not fear her. He saw her not as she once was, but as she was now and all that she could be. He supported her, taught her and believed in her as no one had before. She hoped one day she could repay his kindness.

"Of course. Now, you should probably get some rest. You have a lot of planning to do and you said you wanted to go shopping tomorrow." She nodded and stood up, grabbed their dishes and walked to the kitchen where she washed, dried and put them away. Toby, as always, followed her and took his usual spot at the foot of the bed when they entered her room and she settled down for sleep.

She was in a ballroom, surrounded by people, all in masks and beautiful suits and gowns. A waltz was playing; soothing and rhythmic. She tried to dance with the others but her feet refused to move. She tried to speak but no words escaped her lips. She felt she knew some of these people, while others remained a complete blur. The room began to spin and she found herself gasping for air. The dancers froze, the lights dimmed. In the enclosing blackness, one figure stood; a young woman whose features shrouded in shadow.

'You do not belong' The voice boomed like thunder and she felt her skull ache from the sound. The stranger's voice was eerily familiar though she wasn't sure how or why.

"Who are you?!" She tried to shout, but it was as if a soundless vacuum forced her words into the silence of oblivion. Suddenly, she was falls, spinning, drowning in a vortex of the darkness with the laughter of the shadowed woman echoing all around.

Serene sat up, sweat pouring down her face. Toby was immediately on top of her, licking her cheeks to reassure her.

"I'm fine, boy, I'm fine. It was just… a dream." It had been her first nightmare in months. She had read somewhere that it wasn't uncommon for someone to experience strange and even disturbing dreams in times of change. She debated calling Kit-Kat to talk it out, but thought better of it. The older girl had her own issues to deal with. One little dream was hardly something to bother her with. Serene sighed and resigned herself from sleep for the night. She threw off the covers and made her way to the gym where a well-padded kicking bag awaited her inevitable assault. Blow for blow she watched as the stuffed opponent moved from the impact and yet she continued. The shadow-woman's voice still rang in her mind and the harder she tried to forget it, the harder she hit until the supports holding up the bag finally gave out and the bag fell with a deafening thud.

She fell to her knees and just sat there. Time passed, but how much she couldn't tell: minutes? Hours? She had no clue what time it was, but Toby's whimper made her realize she couldn't stay down. She made herself get up, much to her canine's friend's apparent delight and realized he must be ready for his breakfast. Her own stomach gave a small rumble in echo of that thought and she soon found herself heading to the kitchen to fix some ham, eggs and French-toast but not before filling Toby's dish with his required amount of kibble.

After finishing the last bite, she washed the dishes and promptly went to take a shower, hoping that the cleansing feeling of the hot water might help wash the nightmare away. The smell of the lavender vanilla soap did help relax her, but the sense of unease still lurked in the back of her mind. Stepping out of the shower she decided to dress for the warm day out on the town choosing a pair of cargo shorts, a peace t-shirt with a white camisole underneath and a pair of open-toed sandals with a wrap around the ankle She never carried a purse, but her satchel was hardly less than stylish and matched her sandals nicely. Pulling her hair up into a high ponytail she gave herself a one-over in the mirror.

Since the gala she had tried to take a little more pride in her appearance. She hadn't wanted to admit it to Kit-Kat but she had almost like getting dressed up. She was hardly anything near to vain, but that particular night had made her feel pretty, something she wasn't sure she liked but definitely didn't dislike it. She received quite a lot of attention from the men in attendance. Most of them merely glanced at her, some stared, and some had the courage to approach her and her 'guardian' to give compliments to both. She had never really thought about what men would think of her. Back at the military compound the men had been afraid of her and went out of their way to be anywhere but near her. The attention she got at the ball had been unexpected. It was a strange development that she found she had no desire to investigate further.

Her trip to town had proved rather fruitful. She remembered all of the healthy guidelines that Constance had put into place when choosing the variety of foods from vegetables and meats to fruits and desserts. She made sure to pick up plenty of her favorite ice-cream, however, and Treize's as well. Variety may have been the spice of life, but ice-cream was certainly an edible garnish. By the time she returned to the Villa, Treize was fully awake and enjoying his morning dose of Irish coffee. He'd made his own breakfast of oatmeal with fruit and toast on the side; a classy morning meal for a classy sort of guy.

She wasted no time in putting the groceries away and making sure that the preparations for dinner were complete before allowing herself time to sit down and relax in her favorite spot; more than ready to enjoy a good movie with a heaping bowl of mint chocolate chip ice-cream and her ever-present canine companion. With the help of the frozen confection and the magic of celluloid she hoped to enjoy the rest of the day and put the ugliness of her dream behind her. If she was also being truthful the excitement of going to Julliard was starting to become all consuming and (strngely enough) she didn't seem to mind.