Chapter Twenty-Nine
Date Night

Heero grumbled to himself as he adjusted the tie around his collared dress shirt. He had been struggling to understand how he'd fallen victim to Serena's influence. She knew how to wrap herself around everyone, including himself it seemed. But how did Heero allow such a thing to happen to him?

Duo would rant and rave about how much he liked Serena and how she had completed their group. As far as Heero saw it, their group was already fine with the five of them. Six if he had to count Zechs, but that was still up for debate.

Trowa had told him that Serena was a good person and that he should appreciate the work she had been doing for them. It did lighten the load on trying to look for the ROE members considering Serena was their inside source. Though that was something that still bothered Heero about the whole situation. Trowa had grown closer to Serena, but how close were they?

Une and Wufei had kept their thoughts to themselves. Wufei had stayed out of many conversations surrounding Serena, but he did hold some respect for her. Which was hard in itself to gain from Wufei. Une hadn't said much other than thanking Serena, which Heero had learned from Relena. And as far as Relena went, she had become attached to Serena, maybe too attached. But that was something Heero didn't know how to go about dealing with.

Relena had been talking to Serena every day, sometimes for an hour or more. Most of their conversations were about random topics and he'd just end up leaving the room, not wanting to listen in. Heero didn't care to hear about new fashion trends or the latest products out on the market. Then he'd wonder what they talked about when he wasn't around. At one point Heero was half tempted to bug Relena's phone, but he knew that it likely wouldn't end well for him if he did.

Heero wasn't stupid though. He knew Relena had called Serena the day before when he went to go get her the coffee. The coffee she wanted so badly from the cafe next door. Relena had been eyeing him all morning. He never looked up to meet her gaze but he knew she was watching him. Waiting for the perfect moment to call Serena.

It hadn't taken him long to get Relena's coffee, so Heero ended up waiting around outside of her office for a few minutes. Allowing Relena to have the privacy to place the call. Even though he knew damn well it was to Serena.

Whatever Relena wanted to speak about with Serena was between them and them only. Which only made Heero question why he had done any of it in the first place. Shouldn't he be monitoring their conversations?

Then, not even a half-hour after he had returned, Serena had called him. Before Heero could even ask a single question, Serena told him to keep his responses vague. Right away the red flags started waving. Despite the warning, Heero had allowed Serena to speak, even against his better judgment.

"Relena told me your anniversary is tomorrow," Serena said. Heero wanted to say something but reframed, knowing full well that Relena was listening.

"Congratulations. I know you don't like when I meddle in your personal life, but it's hard when Relena calls me daily. And don't go saying anything to her. I'm sure you've noticed how happy she's been." Heero couldn't deny the fact that Relena had been happier. "I think you should do something nice."

"What do you mean?" Heero asked. Hoping it sounded like they were discussing something work-related.

"Take her out to dinner. That restaurant, the one she's always talking about. The one off of Wilson Street," Serena said. Evidently, Relena had been telling Serena a lot. Heero glanced at Relena to see if she was watching him.

"Yeah, what about it?"

"Just surprise her. If you want I'll make the reservation and even pay for dinner."

"That's not necessary. I can handle that myself," Heero felt stupid for the way he sounded. But it seemed Serena picked up on it.

"Relena's listening isn't she? Heero, look I just want you to be happy… For the both of you to be happy. You both deserve it. Just think it over and if you need any help just let me know, okay?"

Trowa had been fiddling with the small box in his hand as he paced around the living room. Serena had told him that she'd be ready in a few minutes.

Three minutes had passed since then and though it wasn't normal for him, Trowa was nervous. It had been a whIle since he had been on a date and even selecting clothes had been difficult for him. He had settled for a pair of black slacks and a hunter-green dress shirt.

Usually, if Trowa was looking for the date to end well he'd do the small gestures. Flowers were normally his go-to and always seemed to work well for him. Unless it was a one-night stand, then he'd just skip the flowers altogether. But this time Trowa went a different route.

Which was why he had booked their reservation for later. It gave him enough time to stop and pick up the small gift before heading home.

Trowa slowed his pacing as he heard a door open. He glanced at the hallway that led to the guest room and bath. Slowly Serena stepped out of the bedroom. Her head was lowered as she pushed a soft curl behind her ear. His breath caught as he took in the full sight of her.

The white dress laden with flowers hugged her body in all the right places, showing off her hourglass figure. The neckline of the dress revealed a small amount of cleavage without it being overly done. Serena had on a pair of black high heels that added three more inches to her height.

As his eyes traveled back up to her face, Serena had finally lifted her head to look at him. Her hair was curled loosely, framing her face. She was wearing makeup and while he had seen her with makeup on, it wasn't overdone. Enough for an evening look. Her long lashes fluttered as she blinked, but what got him the most was the light wash of red on her lips. Making her lips look even fuller than they normally did.

Her hands twisted as she held onto the small clutch she was carrying. Her gaze had dropped from his and Trowa realized that Serena was just as nervous as he was.

"Do I look alright?" Serena asked as she brought her gaze back up to him. There were so many words he could have used to describe how she looked. But Trowa chose to go with one he felt perfectly described her.

"Stunning," he breathed. "But there's one thing missing," he said, as he came to stand in front of her.

"What do you mean?" She asked him, confused.

When he was close enough to her, he could smell the light perfume she was wearing. It was sweet with a hint of floral. Trowa decided then that it would be the scent he'd remember her by. It drove his senses crazy as he took in another breath. Slowly he lifted the box he had in his hand.

"This," he said as he opened it.

"Trowa… I…" she shook her head. Trowa's lip curled up slightly at the corners.

"You don't have to say anything, let me put it on you," Trowa said as he removed the small silver tear-shaped pendant on a matching silver chain from the box.

Slowly Serena turned around, moving her hair out of the way as he draped the pendant around her neck. Turning back around, Serena looked up at him.

"You're truly beautiful," Trowa said as lowered his head. Brushing a soft kiss against her lips. When he pulled away her eyes were still closed. When she finally opened her eyes he took another moment to admire her beauty. Even without makeup, she was beautiful but he couldn't help but appreciate how the makeup enhanced her natural features more.

"We should get going," he said softly while pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

Heero couldn't believe he had let Serena help him. That alone shocked him the most. Heero wouldn't allow Serena to pay for their dinner but he did ask her to see if she could reserve them a table. Heero knew it'd be tricky for him to do so being around Relena, taking the chance he left things in Serena's hands. And from the looks of it, Serena had outdone herself.

The upscale restaurant was difficult to get into, to begin with, but Serena had somehow gotten them a private table, in a secluded room.

The candlelight along with the pristine white linens made for a more intimate setting. A complimentary bottle of champagne had been brought to them and was chilling on ice. Heero knew Serena had to have asked. It was too obvious when the waiter brought it and asked Heero if it was the bottle he had selected.

Heero shamefully went along with it. He was, after all, supposed to pretend like he had planned the whole evening.

"Just make sure to act like you've planned everything," Serena's words reminded him.

What shocked Heero the most was that not once had their waiter, or even the hostess said anything about who Relena was. That and two other agents had been stationed at the restaurant. Heero wondered how did Serena manage to pull it off?

As Heero brought his eyes up from his menu his breath caught again. Relena looked stunning from where she sat just across from him. Her hair was curled and pulled into a half updo. A few strands fell around her face, framing her face. She had opted to go light with her makeup but enhanced her lashes with mascara. Making them long and thick. Her lips were the perfect shade of pink from the gloss she had chosen.

Relena knew what he liked and knew what would drive him crazy. She had chosen to wear a little red dress that hugged her curves in all the right places. Heero hadn't seen it till she took off her coat once they arrived at their table. Relena also had picked the black heels that brought them closer in height. The ones he loved seeing her wear. Preferably when they were at home, alone.

Heero watched Relena as she brought her hand up to push a strand of hair behind her ear. The diamond bracelet he had given her earlier reflected the candlelight. Along with the small diamond pendant that hung around her neck.

Relena had worn the necklace every day since Heero gave it to her on her birthday a year ago. While Relena had always said she didn't need gifts from him, he still made sure he got her something. Even if it was something small. The smile he would receive from her was all he ever needed in return. Heero didn't need gifts of any kind, just Relena and her smile.

The bracelet had been Serena's idea. Heero wanted to get Relena something nice, to show his appreciation for everything Relena did for him. Taking a chance, once again, he asked Serena if she knew anything that Relena might like.

Serena suggested jewelry. From what she understood women enjoyed receiving it as a gift. Heero knew this but when he dug deeper, Heero was able to learn that Relena wanted to look into getting a matching bracelet to go with the necklace he had given her. It was all the information Heero needed before he was able to locate one he liked.

It was perfect in his eyes and Serena's information had held up. Relena had been over the moon when she opened the box. Relena didn't wear a lot of jewelry, especially diamonds, but Relena had admitted to him that she wanted a few nice pieces for when they went out.

Heero wondered briefly if he should thank Serena for setting the evening up for him and let her know that Relena had liked the gift.

Trowa wasn't sure at first if his subtle hints at dinner were working or not. He had enjoyed the evening with Serena, even if he couldn't quite read her. They had chatted lightly while they ate and Serena had even allowed him to lightly graze his fingers over her. But Serena wasn't giving any hints as to how she wanted the night to end.

He had started with Serena's hand before moving to her arm as they sat close together. From there Trowa took a chance and grazed the skin of her thigh. Her skin was intoxicatingly soft and Trowa couldn't help the fact that he wanted to feel more.

Serena seemed to respond to his light touches. She even leaned closer to him when his hand came to rest on her leg. Her blue eyes shone with a look Trowa had never seen before, and her red lips made him want to kiss her as they sat mere inches away from each other.

It wasn't until they were back in his SUV that the lines between what they were before and where they were going crossed.

Trowa had just gotten back into the driver's seat when he turned his head to look at her. Serena was facing him with her back to the door. But the look in Serena's eyes was different than it was at dinner.

Her eyes were turning a darker shade of blue and at that moment, Trowa saw some kind of emotion flash through them right before Serena threw herself at him. Pushing her lips to his.

Trowa wrapped his arms around her as Serena's hands came up to tangle in his hair. Her kiss was urgent as if she had been frantically waiting all night for it.

When Serena broke away from him, she kept her face just inches away from his. Trowa could still taste her mouth on his as he stared deeply into her eyes.

Heero had been enjoying the evening with Relena. Without the stress of everyday life hanging over their heads, it seemed like for once, in the last two months, they were able to relax. They had talked about a few things. Nothing work-related. They had both agreed that for one night the world didn't need them.

Relena had asked if he would officially move in with her. Heero had surprised himself, again when he agreed. But It only left one problem. Heero's lease wasn't up for another six months or so. Relena had been quick to suggest that Duo and Hilde take over the rent till the lease was up and that it would give them more time to find a place of their own.

Heero had agreed to think over the idea. It wouldn't hurt since he wouldn't be there and Relena was right about it helping out the Maxwell's. Heero slowly realized that at the end of the conversation, he felt even more relaxed and happy. Relena's smile only added to the feeling.

Heero knew deep down that he would eventually move in with Relena. She had purposely bought the townhouse with him in mind. Even with putting himself on permanent security duty, it somehow felt right to take the next step with Relena.

Ironically, the timing of everything couldn't have been better. Their relationship had blossomed more over the last six years, even if they had only been dating for four of those years, Heero knew he had already spent a lifetime with Relena. But Heero wanted to spend eternity with her.

Relena was his everything and he was hers.

A/N

Happy Monday!

I just want to preference that these dates are happening on the same night, at two different places and chapter 30 will be similar... lots of back and forth, but I like this better than how it originally was.

Let's discuss a little about what's going on. Heero has allowed Serena to plan his anniversary for him. While I did share some of the convo they had from the previous day, I left out certain things. Basically, Serena is trying her hardest to prove to Heero she's trustworthy. Heero wasn't planning on going out, because of what's going on, but Serena convinces him that they should still have a wonderful evening. It just so happens to work out in her and Trowa's favor as Heero will be busy. Timing is everything! Heero may be angry at himself for letting Serena do this for him, but he won't be in the next chapter. I had Heero ask Serena for help when it came to a gift for a reason. It wasn't like he wasn't planning on buying something, but it was more of a way for them to bond a little more. Heero know's Relena talks to Serena, so who better to find out some information than to ask someone who's close to that person?

Hopefully, Heero won't regret agreeing to move in with Relena either. He won't don't worry. I only did this to show some more progression within their relationship. It's a natural next step in any relationship, not to mention if you or your significant other are spending more time at one another places. Four years and many sleepovers later and these two are finally moving in together. Haha.

As far as Trowa and Serena... well it's obvious where things are going. I think overall, their first date went pretty well. I don't have much to say on this in all honesty. Chapter 30 however... I will have lots of talk about. I will try and keep my note short but Wednesday is going to be great. Not to mention it's Hump Day!

I hope you all had a wonderful week and if you celebrated Easter, I hope you had a great Easter with friends and family. I'll see you all on Wednesday!

-MM