Chapter Fifteen
Making Plans

They were already three days into their trip to L2, and Trowa was already missing Serena. It was the first time they had been apart since she returned. Trowa had tried to get out of it, but Une had refused. Stating everyone else was busy with projects and Duo needed support.

Trowa's job was to make sure Duo stayed on track.

Duo hadn't helped much whenever Trowa would try to sneak away to call Serena. Duo seemed to know and would spend whatever free time they had talked his ear off. While Trowa appreciated Duo for who he was, this was the one time Trowa wished he would shut his mouth.

On top of Duo's bad timing, he and Serena hadn't texted each other much. Between the time difference and the fact they were both working, it left little time for them to have more than a few small conversations. Which usually resulted in them responding with one or two-word answers.

But tonight would be the break Trowa had been waiting for since they arrived on L2.

Duo had left to go pick up their dinner. It was still early evening on L2, and Trowa knew it was a risk considering it was late back on Earth. But he didn't think he could wait another day, let alone the rest of their trip, not hearing Serena's voice.

Locating her number in his phone, Trowa brought the phone up to his ear. Waiting as it rang.

"I'm guessing you've been left alone?" Serena said as she answered.

"Yes," Trowa chuckled. "And hello."

"Hello." Trowa could hear her smiling through the phone. "How are you holding up?"

"As best as I can, considering I'm with Duo," Trowa smiled when she laughed lightly into the phone.

"I don't envy you."

"How are you doing?"

"It's boring here. I haven't done much other than trying to prevent Heero from breaking in and installing his own surveillance system in the apartment."

"He's still asking you to stay with him and Relena?"

"Yeah," Serena sighed. "I've had to check the apartment every time I've come home. If he did break in, he's better than I am because I haven't found anything," Serena laughed.

"I'm sure he hasn't." At least Trowa hoped Heero wouldn't go that far. "Besides, it's only for a few more days. Hopefully…"

"Hopefully?"

"It'll depend on if Duo can focus enough to help fix the cyber security department's issue."

"And this is why Une wanted you to go," Serena sighed. "Isn't Duo the reason they're having issues, to begin with?"

"Yeah," Trowa chuckled. "Before he left to come back to Earth, the L2 branch called him to come to take a look at things. He claimed he fixed the issue and went on his merry way."

"But he didn't," Serena laughed. "If I wouldn't get in trouble, I could hack into the L2 branches database and see if I can fix it from here."

"As much as I want to say yes, I'm going to have to tell you no." Trowa smiled to himself.

"I know, but if Duo doesn't get his ass into gear, just let me know. Maybe we can have the system go down for an hour and then bring it back online with everything fixed."

"Serena," Trowa said in a low voice. "Don't tempt me."

"Isn't that my job?"

"You're going to get us in trouble."

"I never claimed to be innocent, Barton." Trowa could picture her smirking. Giving him a look that meant-

"Hey! I got the food!" Duo yelled as he came back into their room. Trowa cursed under his breath. The next time he had to go on assignment with anyone other than Serena, he would request a separate room.

"I'm guessing you have to go?"

"Yeah, I'll try and message you tomorrow."

"Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere. Only to work, then straight back home. Heaven forbid I go to the store alone," Serena chuckled. "I'll talk to you soon."

"I love you."

"I…" Trowa could hear her taking a deep breath. "Goodnight, Trowa."

"Goodnight, Serena," Trowa said. Moving his phone from his ear, he stared at the screen as its display call ended.

Trowa knew Serena had been trying. He didn't push her, even if he wanted to hear Serena say those words to him. Trowa wondered what it was about saying them that made her so hesitate. Then again, did he need those words of validation? Trowa knew how she felt. Even if Serena couldn't bring herself to say them, she loved him.

They had talked about it here and there. Never for long periods, but Serena would always remind him, even if she hated it, that what she had said in her video to him was the truth, and that was how she still felt. Trowa learned another thing during those talks. Serena wasn't a fan of being called anything but by her name.

The first time, Trowa had playfully called her babe, and the look Serena gave him told him never to do that again. The next time Trowa tried another term of endearment, Serena told him to never call her anything but by her name. When Trowa questioned her, Serena said she didn't like the nicknames. Trowa had a feeling, and he probably should've known better. Considering Serena wasn't a fan of Duo's nickname for her. Trowa thought that maybe Serena would be more accepting if he was the one using a name. He had even thought about using Duo's nickname for her and seeing what would happen. But Trowa hadn't tried his luck there. Maybe he could if they ever fixed the cyber security issue for the L2 branch. Trowa would see how Serena responded when he first got to see her after a week of being away from her.

For once, the Gods were on his side. Trowa had left the hotel early, switching his flight back to Earth for an earlier time. It was still nighttime on L2, but he had been lucky to catch a red-eye. He knew he could nap on the flight and still arrive back home before Serena left for work.

Duo had finally gotten his act together, and within three days, he and Duo were able to resolve the issue. Keeping to the schedule so they would be returning on the seventh day.

But Trowa couldn't wait.

He has only been able to call Serena that one night and the rest of the time, Duo and him had doubled down on fixing the programming issue. Trowa had only texted Serena a few times to inform her that he wouldn't be able to call. Serena had been understanding and hadn't even pushed the issue that they hadn't spoken much. Something Trowa was grateful for, but it also made him miss her more.

Serena was perfect for him. Not only did she understand him, but she also understood the nature of their jobs. The few girls he had dated had been upset when he didn't call if he was away for an extended period. Which was one of the reasons he never dated anyone for long. None of the others understood him.

Trowa knew he could be charming. He knew how to play the field to get what he wanted. But even the handful of times Trowa had tried to be with one woman for more than one night, it never worked out for him. Either the girl knew he was one of Relena's bodyguards from time to time and would only want to date him to say they dated a Preventer agent. Or they weren't interested in him as a person. Some had tried, but he could see through their fake smiles.

It wasn't until he met Serena that he understood what he needed. And it was someone like her in his life. While Serena questioned some things, mainly anything unfamiliar to her, Serena never asked anything about his past, even though she knew everything about it. Serena didn't push particular topics with him. And in return, Trowa didn't pressure her. At least he tried not to. They understood each other, and it helped that they both had similar backgrounds.

The best way he could put it was that she completed him in a way he never thought was possible.

She made him happy and made him want to be a better person. And, slowly, she had broken down more of the walls he had put up. While Trowa had been working on that for some time, trying not to be as stoic as he once was, Trowa knew because of Serena, he could let go easier.

Trowa smiled as he made his way to their apartment door. His flight had been on time, and getting a taxi had been a breeze. Pulling out his keys, Trowa checked the time before putting his keys in the door. His timing was perfect. Serena would be awake and likely in the shower, which meant he could join her.

Inserting his key into the deadbolt, he turned it. Pushing the door open, he removed his key before shutting the door. Listening carefully, Trowa tried to hear if the water was running in the bathroom. When he heard nothing, Trowa started to walk more into their apartment. Nothing looked out of place, and the door to their bedroom was open.

Thinking she had already showered and was getting ready for work, Trowa walked into the bedroom, dropping his bag on their bed. Looking at the bathroom door, Trowa was about to greet her when he noticed it was open. But Serena was nowhere in sight.

"Rena?" He called out as he walked back out into the living room. Getting no response, Trowa checked around the apartment.

The coffee pot was in the sink. Along with a mug Serena likely used that morning. Trowa frowned as he walked back over to the door. Checking the keyring, he noticed her set was missing, and as he looked down to the ground, Trowa noticed her shoes were gone as well.

He debated calling her, considering how early it was, and she wasn't home. But the more he thought about it, the more he figured she had gone to work. They hadn't been speaking much the past week. Serena might have had something going on that needed her attention, which would explain the early start to her day.

Trowa decided to take a quick shower before heading over to HQ. While he didn't need to be there, Trowa knew he wouldn't be able to sit around all day waiting for Serena to come home. Once he had showered and put on a new set of clothes, Trowa grabbed his keys before leaving the apartment.

When Trowa got to HQ, he noticed the lack of vehicles in the parking garage. Only a handful was there, one being Serena's. Parking next to hers, Trowa got out of his SUV before heading inside.

Once he was on their floor, Trowa headed straight for her office. As he reached her door, he wished it wasn't so early. Trowa had initially thought about buying her a bouquet once he and Duo had returned. But that plan changed when he decided to take a red-eye home. He could've stopped at the supermarket, but Trowa wanted to go to the place that was only a few blocks away from their apartment.

Smiling to himself, Trowa knew he could always surprise her when she got home.

Without knocking, he reached for the door handle. Trowa frowned when he started to press it down, only to find the door locked. Lifting his hand, he brushed his knuckles against the door. He waited a moment, listening to see if Serena was in there. When no response came, he turned his head, looking down the hallway.

He thought back to the other vehicles in the parking garage. Smiling once again, Trowa made his way down to Wufei's office. Maybe they had been working on something together. It would explain why Serena was there early, but Wufei was too.

When he reached Wufei's office, Trowa received the same fate he had at Serena's. Wufei's door was locked, and when he knocked, no response came.

"That's odd," Trowa said aloud as he started to head towards the elevators. He couldn't figure out why Serena and Wufei were there or where they had gone.

Taking a chance, Trowa rode the elevator down to one of the lower levels of the building. Stepping off, he turned to his left, making his way to the only other place they might be.

When Trowa reached the door, he slowly opened it before he peered into the room. Trowa spotted Serena and Wufei at the far end of the gym. Stepping inside, Trowa closed the door quietly behind him. He stayed where he was, watching them as they were putting some equipment away.

Trowa lifted his brow when he heard Wufei speaking to Serena as they laid a mat against the wall. But he wasn't talking to her in English. Trowa's other brow shot up when he heard Serena respond to Wufei in Mandarin.

Wufei caught his eye as he turned to face Serena. He said something to her causing her to snap her head toward him. Serena's eyes were wide as she stared at him. Trowa knew that was his cue.

"I'll see you Monday, Lowell?" Wufei asked Serena as Trowa approached them.

"Yeah, sounds good," Serena said, turning her head back to Wufei.

"Barton," Wufei nodded to him.

"Chang," Trowa nodded back.

"I thought you weren't coming back till later tonight?" Serena asked once Wufei left the gym.

"I took the red-eye. I was trying to surprise you," Trowa said as the corner of his lips tugged up.

"Oh," Serena said.

"I see you found a new workout partner. Was I not good enough?"

"You've been gone a week," Serena shrugged. "It was either Heero or Wufei. Figured Wufei would be the safer option."

"And it just so happens you know Mandarin?" Serena shrugged her shoulders again as she started to walk away from him.

"What are you working on with Wufei?" Trowa asked as he followed behind her.

"Trying to keep my hand-to-hand combat skills up to par."

Trowa knew Wufei was the best for that. He had been helping Serena to regain the strength she once had. For the first two weeks, they'd come to the gym three times a week before Serena wanted to work out daily. Remembering what Heero had told him about not letting Serena push herself. Not to mention his one personal feeling towards the weekends with her, they agreed that they'd only go during the workweek. Either before or after work, depending on how they were feeling.

"You know it's still going to take some time till you're back to where you were before?"

"I know," Serena sighed as they walked out of the gym, heading down the hallway. "It'd be nice if everything came back faster, though."

Serena had told him how frustrated she was. Her recovery had taken longer than she was used to, and even though her body had recovered, rebuilding her muscles had been more challenging. She had told him a little more about when she was back with Doctor J. She was forced to limit her activities because of the headaches. Which meant Serena couldn't bounce back as quickly as she once had.

"Are you going home now?" Serena asked as they stopped in front of the women's locker room.

"I could stay, and we could have breakfast together if you want?"

"Okay," Serena smiled up at him. "I'll meet you in your office then?"

"Sounds like a date," Trowa smiled at her.

Serena smiled back before turning to open the door. Trowa stopped her as he reached his arm across to hold the door frame. He had one last question for her before she went to shower.

"You wouldn't happen to know how to speak French, do you?" Serena shrugged her shoulders but offered no response. "Does that mean you've been eavesdropping on my conversations with Cathy?" Trowa looked at her questionably.

"Not intentionally," Serena said, dunking her body under his arm to enter the locker room.

"How many other languages do you speak?" Trowa asked as the door started to shut.

"More than you!" Serena yelled back right before the door closed.

Trowa shook his head as he smiled. Maybe Relena had a point after all, and perhaps it was time for him to learn a new language.

Trowa and Serena sat in his office. Trowa had left to get them some java and breakfast while Serena showered and changed her clothes for the day. It appeared as though she was taking full advantage of another dress-down Friday. At least for agents who would be strictly in the office, granted they had no meetings with anyone of importance.

Serena wore a pair of black jeans that hugged her hips tighter than was likely allowed at work. Her white shirt, on the other hand, was looser. She had one side tucked into her pants, and while Serena had her olive green and brown Preventer jacket with her, she hadn't bothered to put it on. Her hair was down, and she was wearing a touch of makeup.

"You're staring at me, Barton," Serena said as she brought her cup up to her mouth. Trowa smirked, knowing what was coming next. "Don't tell me, 'it's hard not to when it's you,'" Serena quoted him.

"I would've changed it to 'it's hard not to when you're so beautiful,' but I'll accept your answer."

"My apologies then," Serena chuckled as she put her cup back down. She broke off a piece of her bagel sandwich before putting it into her mouth.

"I do have a question for you," Trowa said as he sat back in his chair. He wanted an answer to one he had asked her earlier.

"And that is?" Serena asked after a moment.

"How many languages are you fluent in?" Trowa asked. Serena gave him a questioning look before she sat straighter. Lifting her hand, she pretended to count in her head. "I know you know how many, Rena."

"More than I should," Serena shrugged. "Why is it so important to know?"

"I'm just curious," Trowa shrugged. "I wasn't expecting you to know Mandarin or French, but maybe I should've known better." Trowa reached for his coffee, bringing it to his lips.

"I'm fluent in ten," Serena said. "Give or take," she shrugged after a second. Trowa felt his eyes go wide. He immediately swallowed the hot black liquid before setting his cup back down.

"Ten plus?" He asked, staring at her. Serena only shrugged her shoulders. "How is that possible?"

"I was programmed to." Serena's face fell from the amusement it held moments ago to a darker tone.

"Programmed?"

"I guess J thought it necessary for me to know. You have to remember I was progressively aged. That's a lot of years to have someone come alive and not know a thing about the world or how to speak," Serena said.

Trowa thought about it for a moment. While it sounded crazy, it made perfect sense to him. Serena would have needed to know how to speak when she woke up from her capsule. Trowa knew some information based on what Quatre had told him about all of his sisters. Though Serena was a far cry from a "test-tube baby." A term he didn't care for, and neither had Quatre. But if you had the money, you could hand over your DNA. And a short amount of time later, you would have a child of your own.

Doctor J was a scientist, after all, and he had put a lot of work into creating Serena. Doctor J must have spent hours going over every detail meticulously when it came to her. If Doctor J wanted to, which he likely did, he could fill her brain with whatever knowledge he wanted. But some things couldn't be taught by implanting them into someone's brain.

Serena's emotions were influenced heavily by her training and likely whatever Doctor J did before she awoke. It didn't help that Serena lacked some understanding of the world around her. But he couldn't fault her for that. She hadn't grown up as he had, learning about the world around them. Then again, his views at times were and still might be obscure.

Since Serena had told him more about herself, Trowa took the opportunity to ask more questions. But first, he figured he'd lighten the mood.

"Would you be willing to teach me Japanese?"

"Why?" Serena lifted a brow at him.

"I figured since you know how to speak French, it would be nice if I could speak to you in Japanese."

"I don't know. You barely put any work into learning Italian."

"And this is why I don't want you to listen to my conversations. Cathy hounds me enough about that."

"I know," Serena smiled at him.

"If you know how to speak French, why do you only speak to me in English?" Trowa asked after a moment.

"Would you prefer me to only speak French to you?" Serena asked him in French.

"I wouldn't mind if you spoke more French to me," Trowa said in a low voice. The corners of Serena's lips turned up, making the look she was giving him even more appealing. It didn't help that she had spoken to him in a sensual tone.

"I'll think about it," Serena said, switching back to English. "I have to go to my office now. Thank you for breakfast," she said as she stood. Grabbing her coffee and the rest of her bagel sandwich. "I'll see you later." Serena started walking toward his office door.

Trowa didn't want her to leave, but he knew if she stayed any longer, he'd be getting up to lock the door. He hadn't even kissed her yet.

"I might stay and work on my report for Une," Trowa said, trying to remind himself they were technically at work, and while he didn't have to be there, Serena did.

"Lunch then?" Serena threw over her shoulder as she opened his office door. Giving him a look, he knew all too well.

"Sounds good," Trowa said. Serena smiled at him before she closed the door behind her. Maybe working on his report would help pass the time till he could find Serena for their lunch date.

A/N

Happy Chapter Fifteen!

When I say I'm going to speed up the story... I hope you all have come to learn that it means you still have to deal with more chapters before all the good stuff. Sorry not sorry, but I'm dropping hints as I go, and honestly, I've had some of these written for a while and I don't want to rewrite them and delete everything I had once written. So here we are. Sorry.

I'm in struggle town. Because I'm adding to this note and over the last week... I've wanted just to delete everything and time jump to the fun stuff. I hope I'm not over-hyping shit, but the fuckery I plan to cause makes me giddy. That's the best way I can put it. If anything... there's some stuff coming up in the following few chapters and chapter twenty is "said scene" that is a whole ass chapter in itself.

I hope you all have an excellent rest of your week and I'll be back next week!
-MM

Sorry for the semi-later update, something came up.