Chapter Forty-Seven
The Incident

Heero and Duo drove in Heero's SUV while Trowa and Quatre took his. Trowa had agreed for one drink then he would leave, hoping to make it back home at a somewhat decent hour.

Trowa had sent Serena a message informing her of what was going on before climbing into his SUV. Once they arrived at the bar Duo suggested, Trowa pulled out his phone to see if he had gotten a response back from her.

Frowning, Trowa put away his phone. Serena hadn't responded to his last two messages. Which concerned him a little. Trowa knew it was late, but Serena would likely still be up. The only thing he could think of was that Catherine was keeping her busy and maybe Serena hadn't checked her phone in a while.

"Everything okay, Trowa?" Quatre asked. Trowa turned his head to his long-time friend.

"Yeah, why?"

"I saw you take your phone out before we left the hotel and now you're checking it again," Quatre smiled at him. "Not to mention throughout the night I saw you on your phone," Quatre paused. "Are you seeing someone?" Trowa felt his eyes go wide for a moment.

"I was just checking to see if Catherine sent me a message," Trowa said, collecting himself. It wasn't a complete lie.

"You're dodging my question. You're seeing someone, who is she?" Quatre's smile widened.

Trowa didn't know what to say. How could he explain this when it was obvious Quatre knew something was going on? Luckily Duo knocked on Quatre's window.

"You guys coming?" Duo asked loudly. Quatre turned back to look at Trowa before opening the door.

"We'll talk later. But I want to know who she is."

The group made their way down the street. They were only about a half-block away from the bar Duo told them about. Getting closer to the door Trowa saw two females stepping out, arm in arm as they laughed.

They turned to go in the opposite direction, but something about them looked familiar. Then two men stepped outside after them and began to follow the two females. When the street light lit their figures Trowa was able to see a woman with curly reddish-brown hair and one with straight dark brown hair.

"Hey doesn't that look like-" Duo started to say.

"Catherine," Trowa said.

"Serena," Heero growled.

Serena had sensed the two men behind them. She knew they had been followed when Catherine and she left the bar. Serena kept laughing and talking with Catherine to not scare her.

Serena tried to pick up their pace to put some distance between them and the two men, but the amount of alcohol they had consumed that night only made their pace slow and unbalanced. Then Serena felt someone grab ahold of her shoulder at the same time she felt Catherine's arm being ripped away from her.

Serena didn't have time to react before her head collided with a brick wall. When Serena opened her eyes, the man who had grabbed her was grinning ear to ear.

"Little late to be out by yourself. Pretty little thing's like you shouldn't be alone," he said, pushing her up against the wall more.

"Fuck off," Serena growled. The next thing she knew, a hand hit her hard across the face. Serena's head snapped to the side from the blow.

"Bitch! Don't think you can talk to me like that!" He yelled at her. Serena turned her head back, tasting blood in her mouth. One of the guy's hands came to wrap around her neck. "Just behave yourself and you won't get slapped again."

"Fuck you," Serena chocked out as the guy brought his other hand up, and tightened his hold on her throat.

Serena brought her hands up, trying to pull his hands away. Her breathing was starting to become strained and her vision started to cloud. Serena could hear Catherine yelling, bringing her back to the situation at hand.

She needed to formulate a plan. She could break away from him, reach for her gun, then go help, Catherine.

When Serena was about to make her move, she saw two hands grab ahold of the guy, pulling him off of her.

Heero and Trowa broke out into a run as they neared the girls. The two had been separated and Catherine was on the ground trying to get herself away from one guy while Serena was pinned against a wall by the other.

Heero pushed himself to run faster as the guy holding Serena had his hands around her neck.

As Heero reached to grab the guy, he saw something flash through Serena's eyes. Pulling the guy off of her, Heero balled his fist, sending it into the guy's jaw when he was turned enough to face him. The guy stumbled back holding his jaw.

"What the fuck man!?"

Heero didn't give him another chance, sending his fist into the other man's stomach, causing him to hunch over. Pulling him up by the collar, Heero glared a death threat into the man's eyes.

"Leave," Heero growled at the guy before releasing him.

The man stumbled backward before running to where the other guy was running down the street. Glancing at Trowa, Heero saw him helping Catherine up off the ground.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing!?" Heero spun himself around to face Serena.

"I could've handled it," Serena said as she wiped some blood away from her mouth.

"How much have you had to drink?" Heero asked her hotly. Serena narrowed her eyes at him.

"That's none of your business," she said. Heero growled at her before taking a step closer to her.

"Do you have any idea what could've happened!? How much more hurt you could've been!?"

"I can handle myself, Heero!" Serena yelled at him.

"You're drunk. How could you have handled yourself!?"

"Why do you care what happens to me!?"

"Serena," Heero said her name in warning. "You could've been seriously hurt, then what?"

"What is it to you?" Serena shot back.

"What would we do if you were hurt or worse killed!?" Heero's voice rose as he leaned toward her.

"We? Ha! Tell me something, Heero, are you just concerned because if something happens to me there goes your only connection to ROE? Or do you actually care about me!?" Serena's voice rose to match his.

"This isn't a fucking game, Serena!"

"I'm being serious!" Serena yelled. "Tell me!"

Heero leaned back, staring at Serena for a moment before ranking a shaky hand through his hair. Heero hadn't even noticed he had been shaking. Why was he so upset with Serena? Was it because he was angry over the situation? Was it because of the intel Serena possessed? Or was it because he did care about Serena?

"Go home, Serena, we'll discuss this later when you're sober," Heero said closing his eyes for a moment.

"Discuss it later!?" Serena took a step towards him. "You can't even answer my question! Is it because you only see me as the key to taking down this group?" Her eyes bore into his. "How hard is it to be honest with me!?"

"Serena," Heero tried to keep the anger out of his voice. "Just go home." Serena took a step back from him. Anger mixed with pain and sorrow filled her eyes.

"Whatever, Heero," Serena said before she brushed past him to stand next to Trowa.

Quatre and Duo had been watching the exchange between Heero and Serena. Quatre couldn't believe his eyes as he stared at Serena.

Dark brown hair, deep blue eyes. Serena looked so much like Heero, but from where he stood, Quatre could make out the differences between them. Serena's facial features were softer. Her cheekbones sat higher on her face than Heero's. Her jawline was slimmer, and her nose was smaller. If Quatre didn't know, Serena could easily pass as a sibling. But it was impossible, Heero didn't have any siblings. Which only left one thing.

Serena was his clone.

"I'm guessing that's Serena?" Quatre asked as he turned to face Duo.

"The one and only," Duo said with his arms crossed over his chest. Quatre turned back to look at Serena who was looking directly at him. Something gripped Quatre at his core as he stared into her eyes.

Thousands of thoughts and feelings passed through Quatre. When Serena finally turned her eyes away from him, did the grip loosen.

Serena was hurting and conflicted about something. There was also a great deal of sadness in her. Quatre couldn't make sense of everything at that moment but part of him wanted to help her. Serena needed something, but what that something was he didn't know.

Quatre's eyes shifted to Trowa. They made eye contact for a brief moment before Trowa looked at Serena.

She must be the girl.

Quatre tried to wrap his head around everything but he still kept going back to that one emotion he felt from Serena.

She's hurting but what's causing her to feel that way?

Quatre continued to think of some reasons as to why. Turning his attention back to Trowa he could sense the worry. Whether it was for Catherine or Serena, Quatre didn't know.

As Duo and he started walking towards the group, Quatre watched Serena closely. Trowa had put his arm around Catherine, steadying her as she swayed on her feet. Serena was next to Trowa, standing still with her arms folded over her chest. Quatre willed her to look at him again as they came to a stop, but Serena kept her head down.

"Let's go," Trowa said quietly as he guided Catherine, Serena following alongside Trowa.

Quatre saw Heero move to help Serena when she fell into step next to Trowa, but when Heero reached a hand out to her, Serena jerked away, muttering something under her breath.

Heero pulled his hand away before dropping it to his side, a mask overcoming his face, but Quatre could feel that Heero was upset by whatever Serena said.

"Well, that was something," Duo said as he turned to Heero after Trowa drove away. "You two had one hell of an argument huh? Serena looked pretty pissed at you, man."

Heero stood silently with his hands still shoved in his pockets.

"I need a drink and you're buying," Heero said to Duo after a moment. Turning on his heel, Heero headed for the entrance of the bar.

"Whatever Serena said to Heero must have gotten to him. Geez, wonder what it was?" Duo turned to look at Quatre.

"It was enough to make Heero think that's for sure. But Duo," Quatre turned his head to look at him. "I'm more worried about Serena, she's-"

"Yuy, yeah I know. Kind of scary but she's nice," Duo cut him off with a shrug of his shoulders. Making his way towards the door, Duo called out to Quatre. "I'll fill you in, but we better get inside before Heero comes looking for us."

Quatre shook his head.

That's not what I'm worried about. I understand that but I'm worried Serena is hiding something. It has to be the only reason why she would be feeling like that.

Shaking himself again, Quatre headed to where Duo was standing holding the door open for him. Maybe he could find some answer when speaking with Heero and Duo.

Nick had been following Delta and the redhead who was with her as they went from one place to another. When they finally left the last bar they had been at, Nick gave them a few moments before heading out after them. When he made it outside Nick saw two guys. Each one holding one of the girls. Out of the corner of his eye, Nick caught sight of two men running past him.

"Shit!" Nick cursed under his breath. He recognized Barton and Yuy as they ran by him. Before he knew it Maxwell and Winner were in front of him as they made their way toward the others. Cursing again Nick turned, heading down the street in the opposite direction.

Glancing over his shoulder he saw the two guys that had been trying to get Delta and the redhead running down the street, away from everyone. Stopping, Nick stood off to the side watching the rest of the group. Delta and Yuy were in some heated argument from what he could tell. Pulling out his phone, Nick made a call.

"Gavin, we have a problem," Nick said the second Gavin picked up.

"What is it?"

"Delta is with the other pilots."

"What!?" Gavin yelled into the phone.

"She's with Yuy, Barton, Maxwell, and Winner," Nick said as he kept watching. "Yuy and Delta are arguing about something."

"Shit," Gavin said. "Stay with her. We need to know where she's going."

There was a pause before Nick spoke again.

"With Barton, it seems."

"Barton?"

"Yeah, they're walking this way. I'll follow and find out where they're going." Nick didn't wait for a reply as he ended the call.

Staying in the shadows Nick walked towards his car. He had been lucky the girls ended up going past the hotel he had parked at. It gave him an advantage if Delta was left alone he had planned to take her. Nick waited till the SUV started driving away before following them.

Trowa had finally gotten Catherine inside the apartment with help from Serena. When he shut the door, Serena took Catherine to the guest room to help Catherine change and get her settled into bed. Trowa was grateful Serena had taken over the task. He didn't mind helping his sister but some things he just wouldn't do.

Once Serena had disappeared with Catherine, Trowa made his way into the kitchen to get some water for the both of them. Based on the car ride back to his apartment Trowa learned just how intoxicated Catherine was. There was no doubt Serena had consumed just as much. Catherine had rambled on about their night and had gushed about Serena.

From the looks of it, the two had a pretty good time together aside from when they left the last bar they went to. Serena had been quiet though. She had her eyes closed the whole time they drove and by the time they got to the apartment the effects of alcohol were starting to show. Serena had swayed when they rode the elevator but from the looks of it, she was holding her own.

Trowa started walking to the guest room with a water bottle when the door burst open. Catherine flew out to go into the bathroom. Serena came out after shaking her head. The two waited patiently till Catherine came out of the bathroom.

Trowa stepped in to help Catherine back to the bedroom leaving the water bottle on the nightstand. When he came out, Trowa saw the door to their room open and the light on. Trowa made his way back to the kitchen, grabbing another bottle of water from the fridge before heading to the bedroom.

Closing the door behind him, Trowa saw Serena standing in the bathroom. She had removed her shirt and was staring at her neck. Serena was turning her head side-to-side as her fingers ran over the bruises that had formed, but the one thing Trowa had noticed the most was what he saw in Serena's eyes.

It was a faraway look, one that concerned him. Trowa had seen her deep in thought before, but this one was different. He couldn't tell if Serena was angry or hurt. Her face kept changing till it landed on sadness before Serena dropped her hand from her neck.

"Are you okay?" Trowa asked once he was close enough to the bathroom. Serena snapped her head around to look at him.

"How long have you been there?"

"Long enough," Trowa said. Stepping into the bathroom he placed the water bottle on the counter. "Let me take a look," he said as Trowa reached for her chin.

"It's fine," Serena said, stepping away from him. Reaching out, Trowa grasped her shoulders.

"Please, let me look."

"I was choked and there are bruises, there's no need for you to examine them."

"Why do you have to be stubborn?" Trowa stared at Serena. "I know you're fine, but it doesn't mean I don't want to look and reassure myself that you're going to be okay."

"Fine," Serena said after a few moments. Serena turned herself to face the mirror.

Trowa stepped closer to her, lifting his hand, Trowa pushed Serena's hair over her shoulder. Looking at the side of her neck, that she was allowing him to see, Trowa could make out the finger marks from the asshole who had held her against the wall. There was no doubt in Trowa's mind that Catherine likely had some bruising as well from being thrown to the ground, but like Serena, Catherine was acting normal after her nerves had settled down.

Or it was the amount of alcohol Catherine had drank that evening.

"Does it hurt anywhere? Anything that leads you to believe there's more damage than just on the surface?" Trowa asked. After a moment with no response from Serena, Trowa turned his head. She was staring into the mirror again with a faraway look. "Serena?" Trowa waited another moment. When Serena still didn't respond, Trowa tentatively turned her chin to face him. Hard blue eyes stared at him. "Serena, are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

Trowa wasn't buying her answer but he knew an argument wasn't worth it. Considering how evident it was that Serena was intoxicated.

"How much did you guys have to drink tonight?" Trowa asked as he stepped away from her.

"A lot."

"I can tell," Trowa said while Serena walked past him, back into the bedroom. Serena's walk wasn't as stable as it was when he first saw her that evening. "You should drink some water and lie down."

"I can handle the amount I drank. Catherine on the other hand, not so much," Serena waved a hand at him, making her way over to the dresser, grabbing a t-shirt out of one of the drawers. "Why were you out? I thought you were still at the Ball?" Serena asked as she dug through another drawer, looking for something.

"Duo wanted to grab a drink with everyone so we went out." Trowa frowned as he continued to watch her. "Didn't you get my message?"

"What message?" Serena asked as she turned to face him.

"The one I sent you telling you that I was going out."

Serena turned away from him before making her way over to the bed. Dropping the t-shirt she had in her hand and grabbing her cellphone.

"Damnit," she said aloud.

"What's wrong?" Trowa asked as he came to stand behind her. Serena spun around to face him. Trowa frowned more the longer he looked at her. Her whole appearance had changed. "Are you sure everything's okay, Serena?"

"Yeah, everything's fine," Serena said. Trowa could hear the waver in her voice. Even though her face was masked, Serena's eyes betrayed her.

Trowa took a step closer to Serena as he reached up to take her cell phone before placing it on the nightstand. Turning back to her, Trowa lifted both of his hands, cradling Serena's face.

Nick had been sitting outside of an apartment complex. He had followed Delta in what he assumed was Barton's vehicle.

"So she's staying with him," Nick said to himself. "Gavin's going to find this very interesting that Delta's found herself a nice little place to stay. Wonder what will happen when they find out who she really is?" Nick laughed as he made another phone call.

"Nick, do you have more news for me?" Gavin asked.

"She's staying with Barton from the looks of it."

"Interesting. Get your team and keep watch. We need to wait till she's alone before you move in and take her."

"Understood, sir."

Nick smiled to himself. It would only be a matter of time before they had Delta back in their possession.

Quatre had been watching Heero out of the corner of his eye while Duo filled him in about Serena. Quatre listened intently to Duo trying to pick up any hints as to why he felt such an emotional struggle from her but nothing Duo had said indicated something was wrong with Serena.

Then there was the question as to Trowa and Serena's involvement with each other. Quatre was pretty sure that Serena meant something to Trowa. Trowa had been checking his phone all night long and when Serena went to stand next to him, Quatre felt something from Trowa before he locked eyes with Serena. Quatre decided that the following day, he'd pay both of them a visit since Duo had told him that Serena was staying with Trowa.

Turning his attention back to Heero, Quatre could feel Heero waging his own war in his head. Heero hadn't once looked up at them nor did he add anything to Duo's story about Serena.

Quatre could only guess it had something to do with what had happened earlier. Heero and Serena's argument had been heated after all. Whatever was said was affecting Heero deeply but unfortunately, because everything was spoken in Japanese, Quatre didn't know what was said.

Heero finished his beer, placing it back on the table. Looking up, Quatre and Heero locked eyes. Everything Quatre was feeling from Heero amplified when they stared at each other. It was only for a moment, but it felt similar to what Quatre had felt when he and Serena had looked at each other. Both Heero and Serena's emotions were strong. On the outside, they could mask everything they were thinking or feeling, but on the inside, the turbulence they were feeling was intense.

From the brief encounter, Quatre had with Serena, Quatre knew that he needed to speak with her. Quatre knew he wouldn't get anything more from Heero, but there was a chance he could learn more about Serena and piece together everything.

Heero stood, breaking Quatre from his thoughts and everything he was feeling from the other man.

"Are you two ready to go?" Heero asked. Duo spun around to face Heero.

"What do you mean? We've only had one beer!?"

"I agreed to one drink and one drink only. Now it's time to go," Heero glared at Duo as he grabbed his jacket.

"What!? C'mon man!" Duo threw up his hands.

"No, Heero's right, Duo. It's getting late, we should go," Quatre stood grabbing his coat. Duo turned to look at him.

"Not you too?"

"Next time we'll plan something okay?" Quatre smiled at Duo. Duo finished his beer before setting it down.

"Fine, but next time Yuy's paying," Duo jabbed a thumb in Heero's direction.

"You can walk back to your hotel if you want, Maxwell," Heero said. Turning on his heel, Heero made his way to the door.

"Ease up on him, Duo. Something is bothering Heero. Just try and be a good friend," Quatre said as he turned towards Duo.

A/N

Happy Friday!

Well... there is a lot to discuss and a lot happened in this chapter.

Quatre figured stuff out. In more ways than one, but I will get more into that in a little. I will just say that Trowa cannot hide from Quatre. Nor can anyone.

Sadly, it looks like Catherine and Serena's girl's night has come to a close and ended kind of badly. Serena may be drunk, but at least she's trying to stay aware of their surroundings. Serena also didn't leave the apartment without making sure she had a way to protect not just herself but Catherine as well. This is something to note, especially when Serena's being held up against a wall, she's trying to formulate a plan in her head on how she can get herself free, but also go to Catherine before something worse happens. This leads to the next part.

Heero goes running towards Serena, not Trowa. Though given the fact that Trowa has to decide between girlfriend and sister, do you think Trowa had to make that decision quickly? Or was it because Trowa knew Heero would go for Serena, given the fact that Heero would likely think that Trowa would go to save Catherine? Have I confused you yet? I did that on purpose. Just like I had Trowa speak before Heero did. In truth, both names were said at the same time, and normally you go in alphabetical order. Hahah. It also was meant to have a more powerful meaning behind it. Heero saying Serena's name was some foreshadowing, which will come into play in the next chapter.

Anyway, Heero goes running to Serena, getting the guy who's holding her against a wall away. After, we see that some tensions are very high, not to mention some emotions as well. Heero's livid, and Serena's standing there defending herself. They're getting into this heated argument and it all comes to a head when Serena asks one question. Does Heero care about her? This takes Heero aback and I don't think anyone can blame him for that, but what I want to focus more on is the fact that Serena is almost pleading with him to answer her. Why is it so important to Serena if Heero cares about her or not? Why is Serena so desperate to have Heero's approval? To have validation from him, that Heero does care about her? While we're not seeing this from Serena's POV, it's made clear that Serena's feelings towards Heero go deeper than she's ever let on. And it also seems as though Heero's feelings towards Serena may be changing more than he even understands.

I want you all to remember that, and the fact Serena tends to open up a lot when she's been drinking. Blame it on the alcohol. Hahaha.

Moving on to Quatre. In the few moments Quatre is witnessing the argument between Heero and Serena, Serena herself, and then Trowa and Serena, it's clear he's figured out WAY MORE than one has. Quatre has not spoken a single word to Serena, nor does he know anything about her other than one, she's Heero's clone, and two, her name is Serena. He has NO background knowledge of her or how she came to be with them. But somehow, because Quare is magical in some way, hahah, I had to joke about that there, Quatre has figured out that Serena is hiding something big. There's something very wrong and all Quatre knows is that he needs to help Serena in some way. Not just because she's upset with the conversation she had with Heero, but because there's a deeper pain and sadness to her. You'll get to see more of this and Quatre's thoughts in the coming chapters. Hehe.

As far as Nick and ROE go, this devolvement of Nick learning that Serena, aka Delta, has found herself with the Gundam pilots has probably shocked not only Nick but Gavin and possibly someone else. If you all remember correctly, Serena was never supposed to meet them! The fact that Nick is now learning that Serena (Delta) has been spending some time with the others is very interesting. Especially the fact she's leaving with Trowa no less.

Speaking of Serena, once Trowa gets the girls home, and at least Catherine into bed, Trowa finds Serena looking at herself in the mirror in the bathroom. The faraway look Serena is having could be from what happened earlier, the conversation she and Heero had, or could it be some sort of memory she's recalling in her mind? Or is it all of the above? Either way, it's affecting Serena deeply. And once they're back in the bedroom, it does become clear that whatever is going on in Serena's head is weighing on her. Trowa sees this but what happens after Trowa tries and be a good boyfriend? Aww. Well, you'll find out lol. Just not right now.

I do like that Duo just brushes everything off and is like "yeah, this is Heero and Serena and this is how they act all the time. But Serena's cool shit, and you'll like her." Hahaha, and btw if you're all wondering why things are getting brushed off, well... the girls are safe now, Heero needs a drink, and what else are they supposed to do? Go back to the hotel? Where's the fun in that!?

Finally, I'll end my note with Quatre being filled in about Serena. But how much information is Duo telling Quatre? Quatre isn't getting the impression from Duo that anyone knows that there's something more going on with Serena. But Quatre knows that in some way, Heero might, but he's not talking because Heero's having his own battle. But then again, Heero could be thinking about the exchange he had with Serena, and Heero is likely doing that. Quatre is also questioning the relationship between Trowa and Serena. This is why I said above that Quatre has figured out way more in a short amount of time than anyone else. Though we know that Duo, Hilde, and Relena know something going between Trowa and Serena and Heero has an idea, he's not voicing it... yet. This also once again is showing that Trowa is horrible at hiding his feelings for Serena. Or is it because the people around Trowa know him better now because of the years of being together? Either way, I think Quatre is going to try and get to the bottom of things.

I'll see you all Monday with chapter 48, Confessions! Oh, wonder what that's about!?

-MM