Chapter Nine
Can't Hide Forever

Trowa had woken up to voices. Turning over on the cot, he looked around for the source before his eyes landed on the computer monitor. Sitting up he looked at the screen where Heero and Serena were talking. None of which he could make out. They were once again talking to each other in Japanese. But from what he could tell they were being civil. Heero was standing against the wall while Serena was sitting on her bed.

He watched for a few minutes before deciding he needed some java. He figured if they hadn't killed each other yet that it would be fine to go get some. Standing up he grabbed his Preventer jacket, throwing it over his shoulder as he left the room. Trowa stopped in front of the door to her room, he could hear them talking but their voices weren't loud. Satisfied that they'd be okay he continued walking.

Once he had gotten his cup of java, he made his way back to the Medical Facility. He had grabbed a snack for Serena, even though he didn't know if she was hungry or not. He made it back to her room and as he stood outside the door, he couldn't hear any voices. Lifting a brow he swiped his keycard allowing him to open the door. As he walked into the room he was relieved to see her sitting on the bed with her eyes closed.

"Sleep well?" Serena asked without turning her head to face him. Trowa smiled to himself.

"How'd you know it was me?"

"The way you walk. It's easy to distinguish the difference between you and someone else," she said as she lifted her head, opening her eyes to look at him.

"You have good hearing," he said as he walked over to her. Handing her a bottle of water. "I would've gotten you some java but I didn't know if you enjoyed it."

"Java?" Serena lifted an eyebrow at him as she took the water from his hand. "I do enjoy coffee but water is fine."

"Next time I'll bring you one. How do you take it?"

"Black," came her reply as she opened the water bottle, taking a sip.

Nodding his head, "I'll remember that. I also brought you this," he pulled an apple out of his pocket handing it to her. "I wasn't sure how hungry you were."

"Thank you," she said as she closed the water bottle. Setting it on the bed, she accepted the apple from him.

"Here," Trowa said, holding his hand out once more. Her brow lifted as she stared at the knife he held out to her.

"How do you know I won't try anything?"

"I trust you," Trowa chuckled.

Serena's eyes widened for a second before she schooled her features. She slowly lifted her hand, taking the knife from him. Her fingers lightly grazed his skin as she pulled the knife away. Turning her attention back to the apple, she sliced a piece before putting it into her mouth. Slicing another piece she turned, offering it to him. Trowa looked at her for a moment before he took the offered slice. Serena adjusted herself on the bed, making room for him to sit next to her. Sitting down, he watched as she sliced into the apple again. Taking another piece for herself before slicing another for him.

They sat quietly as they shared the apple. While he was enjoying the quiet moment with her, he decided now was a good time to ask her something.

"Can you tell me something?"

Serena was getting the last slice of apple removed as she responded, "sure." She offered the last piece to him, but he declined. He watched as she put the slice in her mouth.

"Why the name Serena? It's Latin correct?"

"Yes… it's Latin. Why do you ask?" Serena looked at him with a confused look on her face.

"You took the name. I was just curious as to why. It means tranquil, serene. It became a popular name at one point in time before it slowly died off. Most would refer to it as being Italian."

"I'm surprised you know," she lifted a brow at him.

"It's not a name you hear a lot anymore. I was intrigued to know why you took it as your own."

"At the time it seemed appropriate," Serena shrugged.

"I think it's a beautiful name," Trowa smiled at her when she blushed. "Does Lowell have any meaning to you or did you just pick it at random?" Still blushing, she smiled at him.

"Yeah, it does."

It had been almost a week since Serena had come to be at Preventer. Heero and Trowa took turns watching over her, but it was starting to wear on them. Une didn't know who she could trust enough to be her guard. She didn't want word getting out that they had Serena in the building. Une had removed the agents that were stationed on her floor to watch Serena's room when their curiosity became too much for her liking. While there weren't many people who went down to the second level of the medical facility, Une was still worried about someone finding out. If word got out, it would spread like wildfire. Either people would want to see her or they'd question Une's judgment as to why someone like Serena was still there and not locked up in a jail cell.

From what Sally had been reporting back, Serena's injuries were healing and she hadn't done anything to warrant them to question her intention on staying. Serena moved about the room but had yet to try and leave. She and Heero hadn't had any conflicts since their first meeting. Most of the time if they were together they kept to themselves. Une's understanding, from what she was told, was that Heero and Serena had only had one real conversation.

Heero had been trying to work on breaking the encryptions on the two flash drives but when he was on guard duty for Serena, he chose to watch her instead of doing anything else. Which wasn't helping them get any closer to finding out what was on them, nor was it helping their investigation as a whole. Une knew she needed to do something. Work needed to be done and she needed her top agents working and not babysitting all day long.

Deciding once her meetings were over for the day, she'd try to go speak with Serena. She wanted to know more about her and also gather her own opinion of the girl. She'd have to see what Heero truly thought about her. He had reported any new information Serena had freely given to him, but since they didn't speak much, Une hadn't learned a whole lot.

They had been trying to find time to set up a meeting so the three of them could sit down and discuss what Serena knew. Une had noticed that Trowa seemed to trust Serena. He'd spend his time speaking with her and if they weren't talking he'd sit and just watch her. But he had more interaction with her than any of them.

He's too comfortable with her, but maybe there's a reason for that.

Une thought to herself before her musing was brought to a halt when one of the Ambassadors asked her a question. She shook herself mentally before smiling at her computer screen. She needed to get through these meetings without distracting herself. They were in the middle of discussing the upcoming Charity Ball that was going to take place soon. High-ranking members of society along with many ESUN officials would be there. They were currently going over security measures to ensure a safe night for all who were attending.

Une quickly addressed the question which seemed to please the gentleman. Now only if she could get through the day without her mind wandering. She reminded herself that for now there wasn't anything she could do until after her work was done.

Duo had been wondering what was going on. Especially the last few days. Heero and Trowa would disappear at random times. If one went, the other one would show up. And neither of them had spoken to him. Any time he went looking for one, he'd find the other. No one had updated him on what they were to do next after what he considered a failed mission.

Une had asked for his report which he had sent in. Then she had him doing random things since. He was asked to stay longer on Earth as they needed extra security for the Charity Ball. He had agreed to stay but only if Hilde could come down and stay with him. Une had agreed before sending him on his way to do paperwork.

Which ended up being the most boring job in the world.

He was on day four of doing paperwork and Duo had been trying to entertain himself. Whenever he'd go to see one of his so-called friends, they were either gone or too busy to talk. Wufei had wanted nothing to do with him. Only telling him to go bother someone else.

After giving up on trying to do any more work he left HQ. He had gone to see Relena who wasn't the happiest camper around. She learned from one of her bodyguards that they had returned and that Heero was fine but he had yet to contact her. Duo got to hear the brunt of her anger as she informed him that if "Heero's pompous ass ever wanted to see her again, he better contact her."

They had been keeping their relationship a secret but it wasn't like some people didn't know. They were all well aware the two had finally given in some time ago and had been dating since. But at that moment Duo thought it was hysterical. Heero was doing probably one of the worst things any guy could do.

Not calling your girlfriend for several days.

Normally this wouldn't be an issue, it was normal to go days without speaking to each other or even seeing each other. But since the mission was over there wasn't any real reason for Heero not to call Relena. Duo had quickly agreed when she turned fiery blue eyes on him for laughing at the situation. Relena told him to go find the "pompous ass" and inform him of her demand. Duo had quickly left her office after that.

"Geez Heero. You fucked up big time, buddy," Duo said to himself as he drove back to HQ. "I wonder what your excuse is going to be?" Musing random ideas over in his head, some just weren't like Heero. But then an idea hit him.

Trowa had been missing mostly during the day and Heero would be busy then leave then come back to leave again at night. "So if they're both switching times when they're actually in their offices..." Duo wrinkled his brow as he thought. "I wonder if it has something to do with that girl Trowa bought in… but if it is, then why hasn't anyone said anything to me? Does Wufei even know?"

Duo continued to think as he pulled back into Preventer. He didn't have a clear answer but if he had to bet, he was betting that it had something to do with her.

"Well we'll just go see for ourselves, won't we? And they think I don't pay attention," Duo laughed to himself as he got out of the SUV. Turning a grin on his face he skipped as he made his way to the side entrance of the building. Whatever was going on, he was going to find out and he had a feeling he was going to enjoy doing so.

Once inside Duo debated going to see who was in their office and who wasn't. But after a moment he decided to head down to the medical facility. He figured he'd find out once he got there.

Stepping off the elevator onto the first floor of the medical wing, he figured if he found Sally, she could help him find either Trowa or Heero or even the girl if he played his cards right. He walked up to one of the staff members hoping they could point him in the right direction. While the medical wing was mainly for Preventer agents who were sick or injured, it also provided medical care to their families. There was always staff available. Even at night. It was a nice perk working for the agency.

After speaking with the staff member she directed Duo to check the second floor of the medical wing. Sally had said that she needed to go to her other office for something. Stepping back onto the elevator, Duo swiped his badge allowing him access to the second floor. If Heero could gain access so couldn't he. He found out that Heero had reprogrammed his badge to allow him entry into all areas of Preventer. It wasn't long before he did the same and he didn't doubt that Trowa and Wufei had done so as well. Once the elevator door opened again he stepped out into the hallway. Looking around he spotted Sally walking out of a room and heading towards another, carrying a tray with some medical supplies on it.

Ahh, I might just get my answers sooner than expected.

A/N

Happy Monday! I hope yours is going better than mine. I had a very fun morning... I blame it on the fact that we just had daylight savings and the fact that it's just Monday. Regardless, I do hope yours is going well. This was chapter nine. Chapter ten is ready to go and will be uploaded on Wednesday. I'm going to try and do maybe three uploads a week unless I get too giddy and upload two chapters back to back. Be on the lookout. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and the next one will be loads of fun. Guess who finds out about the newcomer? I'll tell you now that the chapter title is "Chatty Cathy." Sometimes I have good titles... there are a few, later on, I'm pretty proud of... the rest.. they're just there... hanging out.

Anywho, have a great day!
-MM