Chapter Twelve
Surviving The First Week
Serena's first week at Preventers had been going well. Better than the weekend before she officially started working had gone. Serena told herself she would never agree to go shopping with Trowa ever again. It wasn't that she ungrateful for what he had bought, but it had been too much. The amount of money Trowa had spent on her was ridiculous in Serena's eyes. She didn't need half of the items that were purchased, but Trowa had made it clear that she wouldn't be winning any arguments. Even when Serena stared him down at one of the many stores they had gone to. Trowa had only flashed her a smile and instructed her to select the item she preferred more and to stop scaring the saleswoman who had been helping them.
Serena complied in the end, but once they were back at the apartment, Serena spent the rest of the weekend grumbling over the shopping bags that were now sitting in the guest room. At least they were temporarily out of sight, which meant that were temporarily out of Serena's mind. She would have to deal with them at a later date, but once Monday morning rolled around, Serena had bandished the thoughts from her mind. She was ready to work.
Being at Preverters this time around was turning out to be a more pleasant experience than it had been her first time. Serena had her own office, and a computer even though she was convinced Heero had likely come in and set up something on it. She thought about testing the theory, but in the end, Serena decided against it. There was no need to. She still had months worth of reports to review. That was her only focus for the time being. Serena didn't have many complaints as the day went on, other than Duo popping in randomly to see her and Heero checking on her more than she cared for.
Duo had been the easier of the two to deal with. Duo would come in when he was bored, and while he talked her ear off, Serena still had managed to get through more of the reports and findings on ROE. On top of random ones sent to her that had nothing to do with her. Serena had guessed that Duo didn't want to do his work and was willing to see if she would.
Serena had done one report for him, merely out of curiosity, then when the second one came her way, she had made a few notes and then sent it back. By the third one, Serena had looked at it before returning it to Duo with a message stating it had been fun, but he needed to do his work.
But Heero had started getting on her nerves midway through the week. He had checked on her multiple times, asking the same questions each time. Serena hadn't had any headaches, but she knew if Heero kept it up, she would have one by the end of the week.
Serena had been surprised that she hadn't had one of her horrible migraines since she started living with Trowa again. But she knew there was always a chance of it happening, and even though Heero had been annoying, bugging her about her health, she understood why. Which also meant she hadn't had any new memories resurface.
Serena wondered if she would ever be able to remember everything like she once had. There were still so many unknowns. And at this point, it was just a waiting game. Same as her recovery. Her strength still hadn't returned to the levels it was before everything happened. Something that still bothered her. Serena was used to recovering fast. She never had to wait long to heal, depending on the injury. When it came to the gaps in her memory, they were presented to her to fill in those missing times. At least the ones J deemed fit for her to remember.
Now she was on her own. Her body had to heal on its own, and her memories, if they ever fully came back, would have to on their own time. It was a struggle Serena was dealing with, but she knew she just needed to let everything run its course. Eventually, Serena planned to start working out more than a few times a week. Even though she had been exercising daily for months when she was still with Doctor J, Sally had recommended that she start slow and not push herself. But Serena was growing tired of the whole taking it easy. That was all she had been doing for weeks now. Serena figured it had been long enough, plus she wouldn't get any stronger by doing nothing.
She thought about asking if Trowa would change his workout routine so they could go together. But Serena's musing abruptly ended as her favorite visitor came to see her.
Heero had knocked lightly on the door before entering. When he opened the door, Heero saw Serena sitting at her desk, staring at him as her hands hovered over her keyboard. As he closed the door to her office, Heero hoped the conversation they were about to have would change her mood. Considering how Serena was staring at him like she wanted to yell at him. Likely for coming to her office. Again.
As Heero took a step toward her desk, he noticed that Serena had taken advantage of the dress-down day. Although she hadn't exactly been following the rules as far as the dress code went. But neither did the rest of them at times. Serena's hair was down, but she hadn't worn it up all week. She had on a plain dark purple shirt. Her new black Preventer jacket was hung over the back of her chair, and Heero didn't doubt that she had on jeans and sneakers.
Serena had filtered through different uniforms all week like the rest of them. Though, she refused to wear any boots. Serena had told him that she had preferred her sneakers over boots and had made sure to get a few pairs in colors that would go with the uniforms. Une didn't say anything, so Heero figured Serena had cleared it with her.
Not to mention, Heero had done the same when he knew he'd be at the office all day. It was better to be comfortable than uncomfortable.
As he took in her face more, it was a mix of annoyance and boredom. Heero knew Serena had spent the whole week in her office, only coming out occasionally to go to Trowa's office for lunch. Heero learned the two were switching off days on whose office they would eat in. He had found out on Wednesday when he went to check on Serena, only to find Trowa and her laughing while they ate.
"Come to check on me?" Serena asked as she sat back in her chair.
"Yes and no," Heero shrugged. "How are you doing today?"
"Fine," Serena rolled her eyes as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"No headaches?"
"About to get one if you keep doing this to me," Serena frowned. "I've been fine, and you know that. I haven't had one, and if I did, I would've let you know."
"I know."
"Then why are you asking me multiple times a day, Heero?"
"Just making sure," Heero shrugged as he sat in one of the chairs in front of her desk.
"It's getting annoying," Serena glared at him.
"Get used to it," Heero smirked as Serena's glare deepened.
"What do you want?"
"I need you to go to Relena's office." Heero watched as Serena uncrossed her arms, sitting up straighter as a confused look came over her face.
"Why?"
"I have a meeting with the security department, and I need someone to relieve the current bodyguard. He needs to leave early for an appointment."
"And you want me to go?" Serena lifted a brow at him. "Why not send someone else?"
"You're bored," Heero shrugged.
"So isn't Duo. Has he not visited your office yet?"
"Oh, he has, several times now," Heero chuckled. He knew Duo was starting to annoy Serena. She had kicked Duo out of her office earlier and told him not to come back for the rest of the day.
"Then why not send him?" Serena asked.
"You've been in your office all week. I figured you'd like a change of scenery. And I think Relena would enjoy your company."
While Heero didn't want Serena going out to do any fieldwork just yet, he knew, for the most part, she'd be safe in Relena's office. Eventually, Serena would be a part of Relena's security detail, but Heero wasn't ready for her to do that just yet.
"Did she request me?"
"No," Heero shook his head. "She doesn't know that I'm sending you. I only told her assistant that you'd be coming."
"What if I say no?" She lifted a brow, almost as a challenge.
"I'd still make you go," Heero let the corner of his lips turn up. "Go, get out of here."
"I don't have a vehicle," Serena frowned. "Une is still working on getting one for me." Heero reached into his pocket, pulling out his keys.
"Take mine. I'll have Trowa drop me off, and you can go home with him later." Serena took the keys from his outstretched hand. Looking at him, she gave him a puzzled look. "What is it?" He asked.
"I don't remember the layout of the ESUN building," Serena frowned at him again. Heero frowned along with her. He knew before she lost her memory that she knew the layout like the back of her hand. Something he wasn't thrilled with, but it had come in handy when she went against his order to stay in the SUV.
"Do you remember when you went in to go after Watson?"
"A little," Serena shook her head. "I remember people running and then being on Relena's floor, but I don't remember how I got there."
Heero's frown deepened. He knew Serena was still missing specific memories, but this one had been more recent. That was something that concerned him. Serena had been worried about not being able to answer particular questions when speaking to others. But he had yet to see her run into that problem.
Deciding not to push the issue with her, Heero explained the layout to Serena and told her where to go once she arrived at the ESUN building. Once he felt satisfied that Serena knew where she was going, Heero walked her out before heading back to his office before the meeting started.
Relena had been working on a budget proposal for one of the L2 representatives when she decided to check the time. She knew Heero would be arriving soon as the current agent, Greg Hartwell was leaving early, and Heero was to relieve him of his duties for the rest of the day. Greg had reminded her when he poked his head some time ago. Relena liked him overall. He was friendly, and for the most part, he didn't bother her while she worked. Greg would check on her and offer to bring her food or a drink. While he was newer to her security detail, Relena had told Heero that she'd like to keep him on her ever-growing team.
Relena was almost done with the proposal when she heard the door to her office open.
"I'm almost done. Then I can take a break, Heero," Relena said without looking up.
"I'm not Heero." Relena swung her head up. The last person she expected to be walking through her door was Serena.
"What are you doing here?" Relena asked as she dropped her hands to her lap.
"Heero sent me," Serena shrugged as she walked closer to her desk. "He had a meeting, and Agent Hartwell needed to leave."
"Are you a part of my detail now?" Relena asked. Serena shook her head.
"Just here to cover."
"I see," Relena motioned with her hand for Serena to sit. "I just need to finish something. Then we can chat."
Serena shrugged her shoulders again before she started looking around her office. Relena turned back to her computer, but she kept one eye on Serena. While she was pleasantly surprised to see her, Relena found it odd that Heero had sent Serena. What was even stranger was the fact Serena was in more casual clothing, minus the black Preventer jacket. Heero had dressed in one of the regular uniforms that morning. But Relena wondered if it was a dress-down day at Preventers.
Letting the thought go, for the time being, Relena spent the next few minutes reading through everything one last time before she sent it off.
"All right, all set for now," Relena said as she turned back to face Serena. "How has your first week been going?"
"Fine."
"Nothing interesting happened? I know we don't get to talk as much now."
"Other than Duo and Heero being annoying, not really," Serena shrugged. "I've been in my office all week going over reports."
"Duo, I can see being annoying," Relena laughed lightly. "Heero tells me how often Duo randomly comes into his office."
"Every damn day, multiple times a day," Serena said in an irritated tone. "I have no idea how he gets any work done around there." Relena laughed more. Serena's attitude towards Duo's impromptu visits was the same as Heero's.
"How has Heero been annoying?" Relena asked after she calmed herself.
"His persistence with checking in on me is starting to become a little overbearing," Serena said while crossing her arms over her chest.
"He just cares about you," Relena smiled at her. "If you want, I can speak with him about it?"
"You think he's honestly going to listen to you?" Serena's brow lifted.
"Probably not," Relena laughed. "But I can threaten him until he does."
"I can handle him," Serena waved a hand at her. "I'm allowed to carry a gun now." Relena's face fell. It wasn't the response she was expecting from Serena. When she opened her mouth to say something, Relena saw the corners of Serena's mouth turn up into a smirk. "I'm not going to shoot him, Relena. Maybe a few months ago, but then again, at the time no one allowed me to have a firearm for that very reason," Serena laughed.
"Then how did you get one when you came to save me?" Relena asked. Serena immediately stopped laughing, staring at her. Then her eyes tightened as if she was thinking about something.
"I don't know," Serena said after a moment.
"You don't remember?" Heero had told her after their lunch date, when Serena had returned, that there were still things Serena didn't remember.
"No," Serena shook her head as a frown appeared on her face. "I don't even remember the layout of your building. Heero had to tell me how to get to your office."
"Oh," Relena said. "Well, that's okay. You made it here and that's all that matters," Relena smiled at her.
Relena didn't want to make Serena feel any worse than she likely was. Relena couldn't imagine what it would be like to be in Serena's shoes. While Relena didn't remember anything from her childhood or her biological parents, it didn't mean that it was necessarily a bad thing. While Relena wished she had those memories, she still had a wonderful upbringing with two parents that loved and cared for her. But for Serena not to be able to remember something that happened only months ago, was likely difficult for her to deal with on her own. Serena didn't need Relena to rub that information in her face any more than already was.
"Do you have any plans this weekend?" Relena decided to switch topics.
"Not really," Serena shrugged. "Unless you count waiting for furniture to be delivered?"
"Furniture?" Relena raised a brow at her. "Why are you having furniture delivered?"
"Trowa decided we needed a new bedroom set. I still don't understand why. There's nothing wrong with what he has now."
Relena thought about what Serena was saying for a moment. Along with taking in Serena's expressions. It reminded her of when Heero had first moved to the city, then when he moved in with her more recently. Relena had spent around a good month trying to get him to buy a desk. But he had refused. Claiming hers was just fine. She had tried one last time, and finally, Heero had given in. Relena had wanted him to have something of his own in their house. He had left almost everything he had, or what little furniture he had, at his apartment for Duo and Hilde.
"Did it ever occur to you that maybe Trowa is trying to make you feel more at home?" Relena smiled at Serena.
"Yeah, because he told me so," Serena frowned. "Then he took me shopping, and now I have a ridiculous amount of clothes and a handbag that'll probably never see the light of day." Serena's frown deepened as Relena started to laugh. "I don't see how that's funny?"
"Because," Relena tried to calm herself down. "You're too much like Heero," Relena couldn't help herself as she burst into another fit of laughter. Serena had gone from frowning to glaring at her. "I'm sorry!" Relena said after a moment. "But you two are too similar."
"So we've been told."
"I am sorry, Serena," Relena said as she whipped a few tears away from her eyes. "I think it's sweet that Trowa did that for you."
"How is it sweet?"
"Because Trowa cares for you," Relena smiled brightly at Serena. "He wouldn't be going out of his way to make you comfortable being back with him."
"I was comfortable before."
"Yes, but this time it's different," Relena pointed out. Serena looked thoughtful for a moment before she nodded her head.
"I can understand," she said.
"Good," Relena smiled as she placed her chin in her hands. "How about you and Trowa come over Saturday night for dinner?"
"Why are you inviting us to your house? Did you clear it with Heero?" Serena countered back.
"I didn't get to do anything for my birthday. Heero was busy, and while Hilde came over, along with Duo, I figured we could have dinner, and I could celebrate again."
"I'm sorry."
"Why are you sorry?" Relena was taken aback by Serena.
"Because I'm the reason Heero was busy, and why you didn't get to do anything for your birthday," Serena said.
"Stop," Relena held up a hand. "I appreciate the apology, but there's no need to be. But if you feel inclined to make it up to me, you and Trowa can come over and have dinner with us."
"Fine, we'll come for dinner."
"Good," Relena nodded her head. "We'll talk to the guys later and plan a time. But unfortunately, I need to get back to work. I have plenty of books if you'd like to read till it's time to go home."
Serena nodded her head. Standing, Serena walked over to one of the bookshelves Relena had in her office. While most were work-related, Relena had bought some to keep Heero busy if he wasn't working on something while being in her office. Relena watched Serena as she skimmed through the books before selecting one. As she pulled the book off the shelf, Relena shook her head when she saw the cover. At least she knew that Serena would at least have something to entertain herself. Or as entertaining as a technology book would offer her.
Then again, Relena had a feeling it would be for Serena.
Relena let her eyes follow Serena as she made her way over to the small loveseat she had in her office. When she had meetings with certain people whom she deemed friendly contacts, it made for a more personal meeting rather than having someone sit across from her at her desk. With one last look, Relena turned her attention back to her computer. Serena had settled her and had already begun reading.
Relena smiled to herself as she pulled up her email. There was at least one good thing about having Serena there. Relena knew Serena would be quiet while she worked. She was just like Heero, after all. This led to Relena thinking about testing the waters about Heero and Serena's relationship. Heero had told her the previous weekend that he had given Serena her papers and had made changes to his. Serena was now listed as his next of kin till they got married. Relena was happy Heero had taken the initiative to help Serena, but Relena sensed that Heero had done it for other reasons than merely making sure Serena had the proper documentation. The only downside Relena could find was that if she asked Serena, she likely wouldn't say anything on the subject. Much like Heero did when Relena had questioned him.
Relena thought maybe during their get-together over the weekend, she could find a way to bring it up to Serena and see what kind of responses Serena gave her. Then she could figure out the rest of the puzzle pieces. Worst case, she could always ask Trowa his opinion.
Relena smiled again before diving into the email at the top of her inbox about some "crisis" someone was having at not having their bill presented at the next session.
A/N
Happy Chapter Twelve!
I'm still having computer issues which means I get to take this thing apart and try and fix it! Cause working on my phone is hard and I'm over it. I think I said something last week about possibly skipping an upload, I may still do that but for now, if I can edit and get a chapter ready, I'll post it. Hopefully, the format is okay and I'm able to catch any errors. If not, sorry, I'm working with what I got right now.
I hope all of you are doing well and I'll see you soon. Fingers crossed I can get my laptop fixed and get back to writing properly.
-MM
