Chapter Thirty-Four
Coffee Doesn't Fix Everything

Trowa had been hanging around in the lounge area outside of Une's office waiting for Serena to finish up her meeting. She'd been with Une for some time now, and Trowa was starting to wonder if he should've just returned to his office and waited for her. Though knowing Serena, she would've just walked back down to his office on her own. The other reason he was questioning if he should've left or not was Une's secretary.

Felicia had been talking to him for a while and if Trowa were, to be honest, he got the distinct impression she was jealous of Serena.

Especially when they had first arrived.

Felicia had gone from blushing and stumbling over her words to simply angry before quickly switching back to talking to him sweetly. Trowa had a feeling Serena had caught onto it, but she seemed uninterested in all of it. His suspicions were confirmed when Felicia asked about Serena.

"So… who is she?"

"No one important."

"You're a bad liar," Felicia leaned forward on her desk. "I'm not going to lie, she looks a lot like Agent Yuy, and you two seem pretty close."

"I was just escorting her to Une's office. That's all," Trowa frowned at Felicia.

"Mh-hm. Sure. So who is she?"

"No one," Trowa repeated. Felicia had started to bat her long lashes at him and Trowa wanted to sigh out loud. It wasn't that he didn't mind flirting with someone but Felicia had always been a little over the top. And frankly, not his type.

It's not as if Felicia wasn't good-looking, with long light brown hair and hazel eyes, but something about her didn't appease him. Trowa's thoughts shifted gears as he thought about Serena. She had been aggressive with her flirting and still was. Serena knew what to say and how to say it.

Serena was able to make herself even more desirable. From the way she'd look at him, to the way she'd move her body. Unlike Felicia, who couldn't seem to take the hint that Trowa wasn't interested. Even though he was being polite by having a conversation with Felicia, Trowa tried to keep his responses short.

"Are you busy this Friday night?" Felicia's voice broke through his thoughts.

"Huh?"

"I asked if you were busy this Friday night?" Felicia frowned at him.

"Why?"

"I wanted to see if you'd like to go out for drinks. Then after we could head back to either my place or yours. Doesn't matter to me." Felicia pressed her lips together in what Trowa thought was a poor attempt to persuade him.

"I have plans."

"Oh. What about Saturday then? I'm free that night as well."

Trowa frowned. He didn't want to be mean to Felicia but he simply wasn't interested and had never been. Not to mention, Trowa already had someone else in mind with whom he would no doubt be spending all of Friday night and most of Saturday in bed with.

"I have to work Saturday night."

"Oh, I forgot about the Charity Ball. What about after? I could stop by the hotel and we could go to a bar or grab a late dinner?" Felicia winked at him.

"What Charity Ball?" Trowa snapped his head to the sound of a new voice entering their conversation.

"Serena?" Trowa asked, standing straight. "You're all done with your meeting?"

"Yes," Serena said as she came to stand a few feet away from him.

"Then I'll walk you out. I'm assuming you're leaving now?" He asked. Serena nodded her head. Stepping away from Felicia's desk, Trowa placed a hand on the small of Serena's back. "All right, let's go." Trowa looked up to Felicia, "have a good day."

"But Trowa!" Felicia said standing. "What about my offer for drinks?"

"He's busy," Serena said with a chuckle as she pulled away from him. "Coming, Barton?" Serena asked from over her shoulder once she was by the elevator. Trowa stared at Serena dumbfounded for a moment, but slowly a small smile crept onto his lips.

"Sorry, Felicia, I need to go." Trowa didn't bother to look back as he walked to where Serena was waiting for him.

"Are you serious!?" Relena practically yelled at him. They were fine till they got back to HQ. "You could've just called her! This is ridiculous, Heero! There's no reason to be spying on her!"

They weren't spying. More of… just checking to make sure Serena hadn't left without calling him first.

"She hasn't called me to let me know she left Une's office," Heero said. Relena rolled her eyes at him, slumping back in her seat.

"Heero… Serena is probably still with Une. Trowa's bike is still here and one of these SUVs is his," Relena gestured around with her hand. "You can't freak out over every little thing."

"That's easy for you to say," Heero grumbled as he scanned the parking lot.

"What was that?" Relena turned her head to him. Giving him that look when Heero caught sight of her.

"Nothing," Heero said flatly. He could feel Relena burning holes in the back of his head as he looked to his left. It was safer not to make eye contact.

"Heero, I think you're starting to go overboard. Serena doesn't need a babysitter nor does she need to be watched to the point of spying on her in the fucking Preventer parking lot!"

Heero snapped his head back around. Rarely did she swear and whenever she did it was usually to gain his full and utter attention.

"This is pushing it. Why don't you just call her?"

"Don't need to," Heero said as he spotted Serena and Trowa from the corner of his eye. They had just left the building and were making their way towards Trowa's bike.

"So you have a thing for secretaries?" Serena's smirk widened as they walked out into the parking garage of HQ.

"No, and you're starting to sound more like, Duo," Trowa said.

"I have plenty more up my sleeve, Barton," Serena said, giving him a mischievous look.

As they continued to walk towards his bike, Trowa noticed a change in Serena. Her face had hardened and he had a feeling he knew what was coming. The banter had ended and Serena had every intention of getting down to business.

"You need to tell me about this Charity Ball," Serena said, as they came to stand next to his bike.

"What do you want to know about it?"

"Everything. Why wasn't I told about it?"

"Serena… I-" Serena held up her hand, stopping him.

"I'm not mad at you. I'm just concerned about a possible security risk. If this is a large event, which it probably is, you need to make sure the security is airtight and personally, I don't think that can be done right now. The only thing I see that would make this better is if the event was canceled."

"I understand that, but the event can't just be canceled. The President already agreed to keep it scheduled as planned."

"You're joking right?" Serena's brow rose in question. Trowa shook his head.

"I'm not."

"Where is being held?"

"The hotel near the Capitol building. It's large enough to accommodate all the guests that will be attending and staying the weekend. It was booked in advance and no other guests will be allowed to stay there."

"It's at a fucking hotel!?" Serena's eyes went wide as she leaned in towards him. "Are you fucking kidding me!? Who's fucking brilliant idea was that!?" Serena shook her head. "That's probably the worst place to hold an event like this..." Serena trailed off, grumbling something in Japanese.

Trowa stared at her. He had never seen Serena completely appalled by something before, and he wasn't sure what to say to her at that moment. Though part of him was finding this side of her attractive. Something about the way Serena was standing and the way she was speaking set off an urge to grab her and kiss her senseless.

"What are they talking about?" Relena asked.

"I don't know," Heero said gritting his teeth. The way Serena and Trowa were standing he wasn't able to read their lips. "What the hell!?" Trowa was holding Serena's shoulders before she took one of his hands, leading him around a parked car. Disappearing into the garage more.

"Heero, maybe they're just going back inside," Relena said.

"Yeah, right," Heero snorted. He was about to open his door to get out to go look for them when a knock came on his window. Whirling his head around he came face to face with an angry set of Prussian blue eyes. Slowly Heero lowered the window.

"Next time don't hide in plain sight," Serena said to him. A scowl on her face.

Heero looked over her head to see Trowa standing behind her. Trowa shrugged his shoulders before turning his body away from them. Heero knew Trowa couldn't understand what she had said, but maybe it was a good thing Serena felt the need to keep this conversation private.

"You didn't call me," Heero growled. He may have been caught but he wasn't going to admit it. Especially to her.

"I just got done with Une. I was going to call when I was damn ready to."

"I told you to call me the minute you left her office!" Heero's voice rose.

"I'm no longer under house arrest." Serena's lips curled up.

"What do you mean?" Heero had a bad feeling about what Serena was about to say next.

"I've earned some freedom. That and I do not have to report every hour anymore. I just need to inform someone of where I am and keep my phone's GPS on."

Heero wanted to say something, but he was too preoccupied with his thoughts that he never had the chance to stop Relena as she got out. Heero turned his head in time to see Relena walking around the front of his SUV, coming to stand next to Serena.

"Relena! What are you doing!?" Heero asked.

"I would like for Serena to drive me back to my office," Relena said calmly.

"What!?" Heero and Serena said together.

"For the next fifteen minutes Serena is now my bodyguard," Relena said as she lifted her chin at him before turning to fully face Serena, "I am ready to leave whenever you are."

"You're not going with her," Heero said in a low voice as he got out of the car.

"As far as I see it, I am. Serena is just as qualified as you are." Relena glared at him. "I trust her with my life."

Heero would have rather bitten off his arm than allow Relena to go with Serena. Heero, unfortunately, realized at that moment that he wasn't going to win the argument against Relena.

"If anything happens to her I will personally see to it that-"

"Heero!" Relena yelled, cutting him off. Heero glanced at her briefly before returning his gaze to Serena.

"Straight to ESUN. No stops. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yeah," Serena said.

"Heero, please be so kind as to give Serena your firearm," Relena said while folding her arms over her chest.

"What!? I'm drawing the line there. I'm not handing over my gun." Heero's hands clenched together as Relena tightened her eyes.

"And you're going to allow Serena to escort me unarmed? What happened to the protocol?" Relena's brow rose. Daring him to challenge her. Heero grumbled as he moved his jacket to the side. Unholstering his gun he handed it over to Serena.

"I want this back the second we get to Relena's office," Heero said. Serena took the gun from his outstretched hand. Checking to make sure there wasn't a bullet chamber, then checked the magazine before Serena placed the gun behind her back.

"Here, Serena," Trowa said as he stepped forward. "You're going to need my vehicle."

"Ready?" Serena asked Relena as she moved to stand next to her.

"Yes," Relena smiled brightly at her. Serena moved a hand to the small of her back before Serena started to guide them towards another black SUV.

"How do you know this is Trowa's?" Relena asked with a sidelong glance. Serena's eyes darted around the parking garage and she looked everything like the spitting image of Heero as they walked.

"License plate," Serena said. Relena rolled her eyes playfully. "Why did you do that?" Relena noticed that Serena had turned her head to look at her.

"I just find it funny how much you're like Heero," Relena said. Serena frowned as she unlocked the car, opening the door for Relena.

"You know we're different, right?" Serena asked, still frowning. Relena waved a hand at her, waiting until Serena was in the driver's seat before she responded to Serena's question.

"I'm well aware that the two of you are different. But I have noticed some of your mannerisms are the same. You and Heero tend to do the same things."

"So we do," Serena said, eyeing Relena.

Heero had been observing Trowa while they watched Relena and Serena leave. Trowa wasn't fazed by the glare Heero had sent him. In fact, Trowa almost seemed amused by the whole situation.

"Serena isn't some criminal, Heero. Relena will be just fine with her," Trowa said, turning to finally face him.

"It doesn't mean I have to agree to like this," Heero said. Trowa chuckled as he leaned against the SUV.

"No, but you shouldn't worry. Serena takes Relena's safety to heart as much as you do."

"And how do you know this?" Heero lifted his brow. He wasn't convinced.

"She's told me and it's obvious by the way she acts," Trowa must've seen the doubt written on his face. "You know as well. You're just not willing to admit it. I know you two have talked and I know at least one of those conversations was about Relena."

Heero glanced away, looking out over the garage. Serena and he had talked… more than once about Relena's safety. They had spoken about several things as well. Not just her going through personnel files, but also down to the fact Serena had planned his anniversary dinner.

Which Heero decided to not thank her. Not after what had happened that morning.

Heero was starting to become frustrated all over again. Everyone else around him seemed to trust Serena without even a second thought as to why they shouldn't. But something nagged at him. The voice in Heero's head reminded him who she was. Serena was him, but with different intentions.

"Why don't you stop and grab some coffee for you and Relena. I'm sure that'll help defuse the situation a little. Not to mention the girl time she's having with Serena will have her smiling again," Trowa said. Heero wanted to roll his eyes.

"Already tried that." Trowa lifted a brow at him. "It worked until we got back here. Coffee doesn't solve everything."

"Then maybe some flowers. Women love receiving flowers from their significant others," Trowa said as a smile crept onto his face. Heero shook his head.

"I don't have time to stop. I should go before I make Relena have to wait for me," Heero cursed to himself. "I swear if Serena brings her inside all hell will break loose."

"I don't think you have to worry. ESUN and HQ are two very different places. Serena knows she can get away with walking around here. But there, not so much. I wouldn't worry," Trowa said as stood straight. Heero had opened the door to his SUV before he stopped to look at Trowa.

"Do you know how Serena got into the building in the first place?"

"To be honest, no," Trowa said.

"Fuck," Heero grumbled. "I guarantee you she used the retinal scan to access the door," Heero sent Trowa another glare when Trowa laughed.

"So we now know your eyes are the same," Trowa said after he calmed himself.

"Probably was done on purpose for this very reason," Heero paused thinking it over. If he and Serena's eyes were exactly the same, then there was a chance her fingerprints could be the same. Which meant she would've been able to access anything.

"Heero, I doubt she's used that power to her advantage. This is the first time Serena's left the apartment," Trowa said, breaking through Heero's thoughts.

"Look into it for me if you can," Heero said, climbing into his vehicle. "I need to go." Shutting the door, Heero was about to start the engine when Trowa leaned in towards the window.

"One last thing," Trowa smirked. "Don't always listen to that voice in your head. Serena isn't a bad person and I think you're not letting yourself see that because of who she is. Your girlfriend trusts her, so shouldn't you." Trowa pulled himself away from the door, heading back to the entrance door.

Heero muttered something under his breath as he started the engine. Pulling out of the garage he knew something had to change.

Why was it that Serena could become so trusted so fast when no one knew her? Hell, Heero didn't even fully know her. Was Serena just like him? No, Serena and he had similar characteristics, but she wasn't a carbon copy of himself. Not even the first clone J had created was exactly like him, personality-wise at least. Heero knew this, but what made Serena so different?

When Heero reached a red light he dropped his hands from the wheel as another thought came to mind. What if this was all a part of her plan? What if this was all a part of J's plan for something bigger?

When the light turned green he hit the gas pedal. Heero knew he needed to get to Relena's office and fast. Serena and he were going to have a conversation. Regardless of what anyone else said, Heero needed to know if Serena was truly this trustworthy.

A/N

Happy Friday!

I hope someone at least laughed at the Felica scene. I know that's an old joke, but it was too good to go in and change her name. I still laugh every time.

Isn't it odd that Serena had no knowledge of the Charity Ball? For someone who knows more than they should, it's strange that Serena wouldn't know anything about the Ball itself, considering there are going to be high-ranking officials there. Hmm, was Serena really left in the dark about this event?

Moving on... Trowa and Serena seem to be doing a fantastic job at hiding this relationship. Good job guys! I'm sure no one is going to figure this one out.

Heero and Serena once again are on opposite ends with each other, but this shouldn't be anything new. They're going to keep going back and forth with each other. I'm not spoiling anything there. Maybe one day they'll learn to get along better, though I don't see that happening right now. Heero's alarms are going off and he left the one thing he cares about the most in the world in the hands of someone he doesn't even know if he can trust. Good job, Heero. Someone's very conflicted. Even with Trowa coming to Serena's defense once again, do you think he's figured out something no one else has? Or is he blinded by his feelings for Serena?

As far as Relena goes, she seems to trust Serena just as much as Trowa trusts her. Serena is also very honest with Relena. "I wouldn't trust me either," is a very eerie and honest statement. Is Serena confirming something? Or is she just stating because of the situation, she understands Heero? I'm going to let you all ponder that one.

Monday's chapter is titled Change of Plans. Maybe some more information will come to light in that chapter? *shrugs* There may also be some lighthearted moments too. Gotta balance stuff out... because things are going to start getting a little crazier. (I'm also still going strong with the coffee jokes. I'm not sorry. If you know, you know. If not... there's a meme out there and I am a huge coffee lover. Coffee is life and without it, I would not functions as a human being.)

I hope you all have a great weekend and I'll be back on Monday!
-MM