Black-Angel-001: i could've used some more reviews, but at least i got reviews!
I Don't Wanna Wait
It hadn't taken long for Serena to get better. Heero was amazed, needless to say. She'd had a fever of over 100 degrees, and the medicine she had taken wouldn't have gotten rid of her sickness; lowered her fever, sure. Even Sally Po was perplexed by it. Serena slept one full night, then was up the next day wondering about breakfast. Heero didn't ponder to long over it. There were things to do. Namely, outfit his charge with a gun and teach her to use it.
Trowa's circus was in town, so he dropped by to visit. Quatre, having heard about his sister being sick, had also shown up. The two joined Heero and Bunny on their trip out. However, there was a little problem: Usagi took forever to get showered, dressed, and her hair put up.
"I thought she might learn how to be faster and more efficient by living with you, Heero," Quatre mumbled.
"Ha, fat chance, bro," giggled a still slightly wet Usagi.
Heero had never seen her with her hair down; it was always up in some hairstyle, usually ondagos. She had yet to put it up, so it hung freely around her shoulders. It was longer than he had thought, past her waist and almost to her feet, the silver strands standing out in the dim light of the apartment. She was wearing a strapless sundress and white sandles. Heero had to wonder how she managed to brush it. She disappeared into Heero's room for a total of six, seven minutes, then came back, her hair braided loosly down her back. She also carried a floppy hat.
"Do you really find that necassary?" asked Trowa, pointing at the hat.
Bunny frowned. "Yes, it's hotter than usual today, and I burn easily." She pulled it tight on her head.
She was right about that, it was hot. Together they walked down the street, Bunny's arm hooked through Quatre's, Trowa and Heero walking side by side. When she brushed against a man with dark hair, she shivered, leaning more toward Heero than Quatre. Heero didn't register her actions, but knew what she did.
They arrived at a shooting range, a handgun already picked out and ready for Bunny to use. Heero had also gotten her a liscence and permit to carry a gun. Serenity didn't ask how he did it in so short a time, but she knew it had something to do with his computer and forging most likely. Quatre, deciding that he didn't like listening to the gunshots on his ''off'' days, left to find them a quiet little resturant for lunch. Trowa stayed to help Heero teach Serena.
"This is a Glock model 21. It's a .45 auto that's mostly used in law enforcement and carries a 13 round magazine," Heero told her while holding it out in front of her.
"If cops mostly use it, why do I have one?" Serena eyed it warily.
"Because a .45 is best when it comes to self defense and the smaller versions of this weapon hold less rounds."
"Isn't that a good thing?"
"In your case? No."
Heero proceeded to show her the three saftey's, where they were and what to do with them. Then, after putting on the required goggles and ear mufflers, took her into the indoor shooting range and showed her how to hold and fire the gun. Serena did the same. Next, he showed her the better ways to aim before firing. He also warned her that she would feel herself jerk back because of the force of the gun. All of this had to be shouted so he could be heard over the many gunshots. Before long, Serena was practicing shooting, actually shooting. Her marks weren't that great, but Heero told her that she did better than most beginners, which was saying a lot. Serena smiled at his somewhat compliment. They bought more rounds and left.
Lunch was quiet, Quatre and Bunny catching up, Trowa making a comment, and Heero just going through his usual grunts and other noises.
"Oh, before I forget, I've got something for you," Quatre smiled.
Serena squealed in delight at the prospect of a gift. Trowa thought she looked like a small child on Christmas morning. Quatre pulled out a small box, wrapped in delicate pink and white wrapping with a bow. He handed it to her and Serena opened it carefully but hurridly. A velvet box. She opened the lid carefully and gasped. Inside was a beautiful crystal pendant. To her, it seemed as though there was a slight glow emitting from the crystal, and when she held it in her hands, there was a definite warmth flowing through her palms.
"Happy Birthday," said Quatre quietly.
Her birthday? Oh, that's right. Her birthday was today. She gave a huge smile to her brother and threw her arms around his kneck.
"Thank you, Quatre! I love it!" She pulled away after depositing a kiss on her brother's cheek. Serena cradled the pendant in her hands before slipping it around her neck. It nestled against her breast perfectly. Trowa smiled at the girl's happiness, and Heero wanted to smirk. He refrained from that action. Something was bothering him.
"I didn't know it was your birthday," Heero said simply and in his usual voice. Serena looked at him, her smile still there and her eyes bright.
"You never asked," she replied in a kind of sing song voice. That was true enough. So, why did he care? He didn't, he told himself firmly. He didn't care about what she did or did not tell him. After paying their bill, the three got up and began walking around the town for exercise. Bunny walked ahead, chatting happily with her hands clasped behind her back. Quatre and the others lagged behind slightly, talking.
"That looks like an expensive gift, Quatre," said Trowa.
"I know, but it's worth it to see her smile."
"You give in to impulses too much," commented Heero.
"And you don't at all, Heero," replied Qutre.
"What?"
"You don't give in to impulses at all."
Heero knew that. "To do so would mean making mistakes."
Quatre opened his mouth to say more, but Trowa and Heero never figure out what he would say next, because Serena was standing in front of them, her face inches from Heero's. He stopped so he wouldn't run into her and stared into her clear blue eyes.
"I'm sorry."
What? That was it? What was she sorry about anyway?
"For what I said the other day. Y'know..." her voice trailed off and she was clearly uncomftrable even repeating her words.
"Hn." Heero walked around her and continued.
Later, when they got back to Heero's apartment, Serena stated that she was going to get a bath and then go to bed. Heero didn't reply but instead sat down on the couch, turning the conversation he had had with Quatre. Acting on impulses did cause mistakes, mistakes that could cause lives to be lost. For some reason it bothered him that he didn't act on impulse, but why? Sure, some things required impulsive actions, but he couldn't think of anything at that moment...
Serena stepped out of the shower, steam and mist pouring around her body. It looked... enchanting. Heero could have slapped himself. What the hell was he thinking? He wasn't thinking. Serena ran her fingers through her wet hair, little droplets falling. Her nightgown hugged the curves of her wet body, her face flushed from the heat of her shower. She was saying something, but he couldn't understand it. Heero was having an impulsive action and wasn't sure on how to act on it.
"Heero!" Serena was inches from his face again. He blinked up at her. She was frowning. He could smell the lavender and jasmine on her skin. He wanted to shake his head to clear his mind from these thoughts, but he also didn't want to. Heero knew he was out of it.
"You haven't been listening to a word I've been saying, have you?" Bunny straightened and folded her arms across her chest, acting like a child in a tantrum. She opened her mouth to say more, but Heero acted on his impulse before she could.
Bunny felt his mouth on hers and was shocked, then confused, then frightened. She quickly forgot her fear and settled into the kiss. Heero pulled her body against hers and her arms went around his neck. Suddenly, Heer pushed her away and walked away, cursing himself. Serena stared at his back for a few minutes before going quietly to bed.
Black-Angel-001: i thank glock for the information on the weapon ooohhhh heero was a bad boy! not really, but y'know!