Chapter Eighteen
When In Italy

Serena stared off into the Bays of Naples. It was a place she never thought she'd return to. But here Serena was, on vacation no less. The first time she had come to the Sorrento, she had fallen in love with the landscape. The high cliffs allowed those who visited to see the bay, but Naples, Vesuvius, and the Isle of Capri too. The winding roads along the cliffs showed the beauty of the small towns built along the shoreline.

While Serena had traveled to many places, not just on Earth but in the Colonies, she had found something special about Sorrento, Italy. The history of the town was intriguing. But something about how the houses were built, almost into the cliffs, fascinated her. Historical landmarks were maintained, as best as they could be, after hundreds of years and wars. But Serena could never deny how beautiful they made the Earth look. Not to mention the people. While it was a tourist destination, like many places, the people she had met her first time in Italy had struck a chord with her. They were friendly, warm, and inviting.

During the few days she had been in Sorrento, she had visited some landmarks. Along with a few restaurants that others had recommended. While she was technically there on a mission, it was the first time she had secretly enjoyed every moment. Serena had spent her time asking some locals questions on one outing she had been alone. She was supposed to pick up documents left for her at a cafe. But Serena ended up spending several hours talking to people. When she returned, she was yelled at for not returning right away. But using what would work best, Serena had been able to subside the rage in the man that was accompanying her. From then on, the remaining days were spent with her doing as she pleased until it was time to return to Space.

Serena shook her head. Her mind wandered back to a time she didn't care to think about it. Serena was content at the moment. Trowa had spent the week doing whatever she wanted, even though she had reminded him that it was his vacation too. Trowa shrugged the notion off, and Serena had questioned whether he was doing it on purpose or if there were other reasons for their secretly planned vacation. Either way, Serena had been enjoying every moment they had been there. From sleeping in after a night out on the town. To laying outside in the sun, enjoying the sounds of the waves crashing against the shoreline from the bay. The warm sand and even jumping off a few cliffs into the water.

Not to mention all the food she had consumed.

Serena was convinced she had gained some weight. But looking at herself in the mirror, she couldn't see much of a difference, despite the fact she had been eating more. Then again, it was hard not to. They had been trying different places, even though Serena had asked to get food from the Japanese restaurant they had found several times. It was the one place she had stuffed her face. While they had been tasting all the local foods, Serena knew she would have to eat healthier once they were back in Brussels.

Sighing, Serena rested her chin on her hand as she leaned against the railing. She didn't want to leave the following day. But Serena knew that things couldn't last forever. There was still work that needed to be done. Especially if she ever wanted to leave her damn office. Serena needed to prove to Heero that she was ready to take on other responsibilities. Serena swore if Heero made her spend another week bouncing between her office and Relena's, she would lose her mind. Heero could put her on Relena's security duty. Outside of the ESUN building. At least she could be entertained by observing others.

Standing straight, Serena took a deep breath. It wasn't the time to think about work and her issues with Heero. She wanted to enjoy the last full day she and Trowa had. One last day to relax in the sun, and maybe a nice dinner somewhere.

Smiling to herself, Serena turned around to head back into their hotel suite. She had been standing outside long enough. But the smile faded as she stepped back into the room. Trowa was staring at his phone with a strange look on his face.

"Trowa? Is everything okay?"

Trowa looked up from his phone. Serena was standing in front of the sliding glass door that led out to their private balcony with a worried look in her eyes.

"Huh?"

"Are you okay?" Serena eyed him carefully.

"Oh, everything is fine. Heero just needed something," Trowa said, schooling his face. Serena lifted a brow as the worried look in her eyes was replaced by annoyance.

"I see," Serena folded her arms over her chest. "Heero was checking in. You know, he could at least trust that I'm staying out of trouble. Though with you, that's sometimes hard to do." A smirk formed on her lips as the words left her mouth.

"He just cares about you," Trowa chuckled. Hoping he sounded sincere. Heero may have been checking in, but it had nothing to do with Serena's well-being.

"Yeah, I know," Serena sighed. "I wish Heero trusted me more. He worries too much about someone coming and taking me away. I figured if anyone would be worried, it'd be you. If Heero could still have it his way, I wouldn't be allowed to go anywhere."

Trowa knew Heero's overbearing protectiveness towards Serena had finally gotten to the point where Serena had put her foot down. Especially after the whole Paris ordeal. Heero had eased up, but he still hadn't fully pulled away. This was why Trowa hadn't mentioned to Heero that he and Serena were going on vacation.

Une had agreed not to log anything into the system until they were already gone. Une had been on Serena's side and tried to help push Heero to allow her to do more at the agency, but there was only so much Une could do.

While Heero was beneath Une in rank, Une knew when it came to Serena, Heero wouldn't allow certain things. And he would go to great lengths to ensure Serena didn't do any fieldwork just yet. Trowa knew it was only a matter of time before Une used her authoritative power and made Heero stop his antics toward Serena. But Une had told Trowa that she would wait till they needed Serena before she did that.

"Serena?" Trowa asked after a moment.

"Yes?"

Trowa moved to stand in front of her. Taking both of Serena's hands into his, he looked into her eyes. He had been thinking about it for a while now. And while they hadn't discussed this particular topic, Trowa knew he couldn't lose her again. He had been given a second chance with Serena, and this time, he wasn't going to waste any time. They were leaving Sorrento to start the next chapter in their relationship. Hopefully, at least, but Trowa knew he had to ask Serena. Because he loved her, and there was no one else in the universe he wanted other than her.

"Serena, you're one of the most amazing people I've ever met. You stand by your beliefs. And you're not afraid to fight for them. There is a passion about you that words could never fully describe how truly incredible you are. From the moment I met you till where we stand here, now today, I can still see the burning desire in your eyes for a better world, a better you, and even a better us." Trowa watched as slowly her eyes grew wide.

Taking a deep breath, Trowa released her hands. Pulling the small box out of his pocket, he lowered himself onto one knee. Opening the box, Trowa looked straight up into her midnight blue eyes.

"Serena, will you marry me?" Trowa saw the shock pass over her face as she slowly sank to her knees in front of him. Her lips slightly parted as shaky hands came to rest on his.

"You… you want to marry me?" Her voice was just above a whisper as she stared at him.

"Yes," Trowa said softly.

"Why?" She asked. He could see the mixture of emotions as they flashed across her eyes. Confusion, fear, and a hint of longing. Something he hadn't expected to see.

"Serena," Trowa slowly started as he lowered their hands. "Ever since I met you, I've always known there was something special about you. There was a reason you came into my life. I didn't understand at first until the night I came home and found you in the kitchen. The way you turned to look at me. The smile you gave me, reaching your eyes. You were everything I was missing in my life. You were, and still are, everything I ever needed or wanted. You care about me and don't judge me for my past. You make me a better person because you've allowed me to be a part of your life, and you've become a part of mine. I lost you once. And I never want to lose you again, Serena. I can't picture my life without you. I love you more than anything in this world. I want you by my side. Always." Trowa reached his hand up to brush a stray tear that had fallen from her lashes.

"You want me… to be your wife?"

"Yes," Trowa nodded. "You're the best thing that has ever happened to me, Serena. Words cannot express the gratitude I feel that I've been so lucky to have you."

Serena stared at him, and as the seconds ticked on, Trowa started to feel as if he had made the wrong decision. Even though he had told himself he would ask Serena regardless of the answer. But this wasn't what Trowa had been picturing in his mind when the moment came to ask her.

"Yes," Serena whispered after a moment.

"What?"

"I'll marry you," Serena softly said before she crushed her lips to his. Her hands came up to cup his face.

When Serena pulled away, Trowa could see the blush creeping onto her cheeks as she moved her shaking hands. Slowly he lifted the ring out of the black velvet. Taking her left hand, Trowa slipped the ring on her finger. He couldn't help but admire how perfect it sat against her skin. The diamond sparkled as he turned her hand from side to side.

"It's beautiful," she said breathlessly. Trowa looked up to see her staring at her hand.

"Not as beautiful as you."

Trowa smiled as he buttoned up his dress shirt. Serena was in the bathroom, softly singing while she finished her makeup. After she had accepted his proposal, they spent the afternoon in bed before stepping outside to lounge on the balcony. He had apologized to Serena for them not making it down to the shoreline to enjoy the water one last time, but Serena had quickly dismissed his apology. Stating he could repay her by taking her to dinner. Trowa laughed, knowing full well that Serena would likely slip her card to the waiter. While he had tried to pay for the vacation, including food, Serena found a way around him to pay for things.

Like when he checked his bank account earlier in the day and noticed a large sum had been deposited into his account. Again. It seemed some things would never change.

Making his way over to the bathroom, Trowa leaned against the door frame, smiling again when he caught Serena's eyes in the mirror.

"It won't be too much longer."

"Take your time. I'm in no rush."

"Oh, is that so?" Serena spun herself on top of the counter to face him.

Trowa knew there was a vanity in the bathroom, but Serena still chose to sit on the counter as she did in their apartment. He wondered if she had always done her makeup this way. Or if she started doing it because he didn't have a vanity for her to use.

"Nope," Trowa shook his head as he pushed himself off the door frame. Once he was in front of Serena, he wrapped his arms around her. "Especially if I can listen to you sing."

"Not this again," Serena rolled her eyes.

"I know," Trowa let the corners of his lips turn up. "But I will say it's nice to hear you sing again."

"That's enough flattery, Barton," Serena said as she moved his arms away from her body. "Let me finish, or we'll never make it to dinner."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"It is when I've been craving those damn breadsticks."

Trowa laughed before shaking his head. They were going to eat at the restaurant located next to their hotel. All because Serena had told him that she wanted the breadsticks. Along with a few pasta dishes they'd end up sharing. In Serena's words, she wanted all the carbs.

It didn't take Trowa long to figure out where she had learned the phrase from. He had overheard Relena a few times say the exact words.

"I'm surprised you didn't want to go to the Japanese restaurant again."

"Trust me. I would love their sushi again. But I don't want you hating it because you ate it so many times in one week," Serena said as she applied some eyeshadow to her eyes.

"I wouldn't. Considering how fresh it is."

"Are you saying you want to go there instead?" Serena asked as she stopped doing her makeup to look at him.

"No, I'm just saying if you decided to go there, I wouldn't have been upset." Serena smiled at him before turning back to the mirror. "But if you feel the need to make it up to me for all the times we did eat there, you can sing to me."

Trowa watched in the mirror as Serena's eyes tightened ever so slightly. Serena looked as if she was debating whether or not she would go along with what he said to her. Trowa had only asked her one other time after she returned, but she had refused. But then Trowa noticed Serena humming or singing to herself more when getting ready for work. Or when she would either clean or cook. A few times, Serena would listen to music while working on her computer, and Trowa would hear her stop typing to sing whatever song she was listening to. Whether Serena was aware or not, Trowa enjoyed those moments.

After a few moments, Trowa was about to tell Serena to forget he had asked when Serena opened her mouth. Taking a deep breath, she started singing. Trowa stood listening and watching as Serena continued to apply her makeup. While he couldn't understand any of the words, the melody of the song she was singing made him smile.

"Can I ask you something?" Trowa asked once Serena stopped.

"What?"

"Why do you only sing in Japanese?"

"You're not going to ask me to sing in French, are you?" Serena turned to face him. One brow lifted as she eyed him questionably.

"No," Trowa chuckled as he shook his head. "I'm just curious."

"It's easier," Serena said before turning back to the mirror to finish her makeup.

"How is it easier?" Trowa took a step closer to her. If Serena was willing to talk, he wanted to take the opportunity to learn more about her and why she wouldn't sing.

"Because of my accent and the way I pronounce words."

"Your accent?" Trowa lifted a brow as their eyes met in the mirror.

"You don't notice it?" Serena looked at him in confusion.

"I do, but it only with certain words. And when you get drunk. I can hear it more then," Trowa smirked. Serena's face flushed. "I like it. It makes you, you, Serena. Not to mention how appealing it is."

"That's exactly why I try and hide it," Serena grumbled as her face grew darker. "I can't tell you how many people have asked me to speak with more of an accent because it makes me more appealing."

Trowa realized he had upset Serena. Uninientally. But he wondered if he hadn't asked, would he have learned this information about her?

"I didn't know," Trowa frowned. "I'm sorry. I was just-"

"I'm not upset with you, Trowa," Serena said, cutting him off. "I know you like the way I speak. Especially the way I pronounce your name." Serena moved, looking at him from over her shoulder. "Don't take what I said against you. I just never enjoyed being portrayed as… something."

Trowa's frown deepened. He understood what Serena was saying to him. While it still made him angry whenever he was reminded of what Serena was forced to do. But Trowa had no idea men had sexualized her because of her race or the fact she spoke with an accent. Then again, he should've known better. How many women had fallen for him because he changed his accent to appeal to them?

"I'm not trying to sexualize you, nor would I ever."

"I know," Serena smiled sadly at him. "But not everyone thinks the way you do about me."

"Are the other men trying to sleep with you?" Trowa lifted a brow, hoping to break the seriousness of their conversation. While Serena needed to know he wouldn't treat her like others had. Especially those she was forced to be with. It didn't mean that he wanted their night to end badly. After all, they had just gotten engaged.

"I'm sure there's plenty at HQ who are dying to know if I'm single," Serena laughed. "They're going to be disappointed when we return."

"Probably," Trowa chuckled as he stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her. "Think we could break the rule of 'no fraternizing at work?' Now that we are engaged?"

"I wouldn't push our luck, Barton. It's one thing behind closed doors. It's another to be open about it."

"Fine," Trowa smiled before kissing her. "I'll let you finish so we can eat those breadsticks you've been craving."

"Don't have to tell me twice," Serena smiled.

Serena awoke, feeling like she was gasping for air. But it wasn't in the way she would if she had a nightmare. This time, it felt different. Almost as if her breath had been stolen from her body.

As her mind slowly started to put the pieces together, Serena realized she hadn't had a nightmare. She remembered something that had happened to her years ago.

Sliding out of bed, Serena looked over to where Trowa was lying. His even breathing indicated that he was still fast asleep. Serena walked slowly and quietly over to the sliding doors that led out to the balcony. She grabbed Trowa's sweatshirt from the bench in front of their bed. While she could've found her own, she knew Trowa's would cover more of her body.

Serena stepped out into the cooler air, closing the sliding door behind her. Making her way to one of the lounge chairs, she curled herself on top of it. Serena debated pulling the sweater shirt over her knees. To help keep her warm, but she didn't want to ruin Trowa's sweatshirt. Instead, she wrapped her arms around her legs.

Staring off into the night sky, Serena recalled the memory that had caused her to wake up in the first place. The stars in the sky twinkled, and the moon was still visible enough to cast a light over the water below. The night was beautiful, similar to the first time she had visited Earth. Serena remembered the way the sun looked as it was setting over the horizon. The gold, yellow, and orange tones painted the sky. The way they reflected off the ocean. She had never seen anything like it before.

Nor had she seen what the moon and stars looked like from Earth.

The air had been chilly, similar to how it was now. But that hadn't stopped Serena from sneaking out of the cottage she and J were staying at. It was a full moon that night, and even to the naked eye, Serena could make out different shadows, likely the creators and even some buildings that were built. It had been an impressive sight, but nothing had compared to the thousands of twinkling lights in the sky.

It had taken her breath away. Serena never knew how beautiful the Earth was or even how more beautiful Space was until that moment. Everything she thought she knew had changed during that short trip. Doctor J had told her to remember how she felt while on Earth. But it wasn't just what those feelings had invoked in her during that trip. It was what she didn't remember until now that was so important to her.

Serena shook herself from the memory as she lifted her left hand. Was it just a coincidence? Or was she living a fairytale?

"Rena," Trowa's voice floated to her ears. Serena closed her eyes, savoring the sound of his voice. Trowa had started calling her by the nickname Duo had bestowed upon her. While she still wasn't thrilled with the name, the way Trowa said it changed her view of it. Her body would feel as if it was melting. Becoming relaxed and at ease. The same way only his touch could.

Opening her eyes, Serena turned her head and saw Trowa standing on the balcony by the glass doors in only a pair of shorts. Slowly he made his way over to her. Sitting down, Trowa frowned at her.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Because you're awake, and you're staring at your ring. Are you having second thoughts? If you are, I'll-"

"I love you," Serena said, cutting him off. Trowa's eyes grew wide at her words.

"W-what?"

"I love you, Trowa," Serena said again before she leaned in to kiss him. Pulling away from him, Serena smiled as Trowa cupped her face. Nothing else in the world mattered to her at that moment.

"Feelings such as love have no place on the battlefield. They'll only get in the way and stop you from achieving your mission." Doctor J's words reminded her of what she wasn't supposed to feel or what she was supposed to have. Maybe that was why he had erased that part of their trip to Earth from her memory. But it didn't matter anymore. Serena knew the truth.

"It's always been you. It will always be you," Serena breathed. Trowa smiled at her before kissing her softly.

"Why don't we go back to bed?" Trowa asked as he pulled away from her. Serena looked back up at the night sky.

"Do you want to watch the sunrise with me?" Serena asked as she brought her eyes back to Trowa's.

Trowa looked at her thoughtfully for a moment before nodding his head. Standing, he walked back into their room, and when he returned, he had put on a shirt and a blanket over his arm.

Serena moved forward to allow Trowa to sit down. Once he was settled, with the blanket resting around his shoulders, did Trowa pull her to his chest. Wrapping the blanket around them, Serena felt Trowa settle into the lounge chair more.

"Why do you want to watch the sunrise?"

"Because the Earth is beautiful," Serena smiled as she looked over the horizon. The first signs the night sky would begin to change appeared. The stars above faded in brightness, but what would overtake them would be a wash of colors ranging anywhere from pink to a soft golden yellow. Colors only the sun ascending over the horizon of the Earth could achieve.

A/N

Happy Chapter 18!

Do I have you questioning some things? Are you excited about the development that has happened? Are you happy you learned a little more about Serena, even though we knew some stuff already? Am I asking random questions? Yes, I am.

I was going to keep the dream in this chapter... but I think I hinted enough at what may have happened. Or I'm just confusing everyone? That's fine. It will all work out in the end! I will give you a hint. What Serena says to Trowa is very important. Other than that, I hope my proposal was okay. I struggled with that one. Overall this chapter was meant to be happy, and the following chapters will be all nice and content. Then slowly... things will change, and this honeymoon phase will end.

Until next week, I hope you all are doing well, and please take care of yourselves!
-MM

I forgot to mention that we're getting closer to Heero and Relena's chapter of love!