Chapter Twenty-One
Scheming

August, A.C. 204

Heero was sitting at his computer, viewing some of the reports Duo had sent to him and Serena. Duo was questioning whether or not a large shipment, which appeared to be firearms, was linked to Edwards. Regardless, they would have to look into it deeper. Duo had also sent them information regarding large quantities of drugs being bought and shipped to various places. It wasn't something they generally looked into unless asked to, but Duo had jokingly added in his comments, "wonder who's throwing a party? Probably will be pretty epic."

Serena had sent Duo a message, cc'ing Heero, telling Duo that they needed to look into this over the firearms. Stating how it would be interesting to see how grand of a party it would be and how much fun they would have showing up, and instead of busting them, joining them.

Heero wasn't pleased, and it didn't help that the two went back and forth for a while before Heero put his foot down. What Duo didn't know was that Serena had tried to overdose once. It had been an attempt to take her life. To end the suffering she had felt from having to deal with Edwards. It had been a rough few days after, and Doctor J had scolded her, but he did what he had to do to clear out her system. And once again, the microchip had worked flawlessly, keeping her alive. All Heero knew was that Serena regretted it, but not because of how sick she was, only because it didn't work. Heero had tried to talk to her about it, but like any other time she had tried something, Serena would stay tight-lipped about it.

Serena never willingly did drugs. Over the years of being under Edwards's control, she only drank when she was in the company of others. She knew how much she could handle while staying clear-minded enough to do whatever she needed to make it through the day or night. Whatever the case was. It was a different story when it came to Edwards, but Heero tried not to think about it. And neither did Serena. He knew Serena hated how she felt when Edwards drugged her, which was why she stayed away from any substances. It was at least one thing he didn't have to worry about that with Serena.

While alcohol wasn't any better, Serena was always conscious about her consumption. Other than the night she and Catherine went out. She was responsible enough that Heero didn't need to worry or monitor it. Even when she and Trowa would come to his and Relena's house for dinner, Trowa would have one, maybe two at the very most, depending on how long they were planning to stay, drinks. Serena would limit herself unless Relena gave her more. But Serena was never drunk to the point that it was concerning. Heero had also noticed that Serena would manage to drink water in between drinks.

Heero was reading over an e-mail Serena had sent him, apologizing for her and Duo's banter, when a knock came on his door. Heero was surprised to see Trowa enter after he granted whoever was on the side permission.

"What can I do for you, Barton?" Heero asked, sitting back in his seat.

"Where's Serena's favorite place to go? Other than Italy?" Trowa asked as he sat in one of the chairs in front of Heero's desk.

"Why are you asking? Shouldn't you know that?" Heero found the question odd. He didn't understand why Trowa was coming to him to ask for information regarding Serena of this nature.

"I do know of some places Serena has visited, but you know her better than I do," Trowa said. Nonchalantly.

"Why do you think I know her better than you do?" Heero countered back. He wondered if Serena had told Trowa about what had happened with the ZERO system. He hadn't told anyone, not even Relena. They may bring it up often, but they had agreed never to inform anyone about what occurred.

"I know she's told you more about her past than she has me."

"I'm sure you know her better than I do," Heero said, trying not to confirm anything. Trowa lifted a brow while crossing his arms over his chest. "I know some things, but she doesn't tell me everything. I'm sure she's told you more about what she likes and dislikes." Trowa seemed to weigh his words before masking his face. Heero wondered if Trowa would push the subject more.

"Serena's birthday falls on a Friday this year. I would like to plan something nice for her," Trowa said. "That's why I came here to ask if you knew other places Serena likes."

Heero turned his head, pulling the calendar on his computer. August twenty-third did fall on a Friday. He should've known that. But with everything that had been going on, he hadn't bothered to pay attention to the dates.

"Are you trying to plan something for that evening or the weekend?" Heero asked as he brought his eyes back to Trowa.

"I would like for us to leave that night and spend the weekend somewhere," Trowa said.

"Are you looking to include others?"

"I did say us, after all," Trowa smirked. "I think Serena would benefit from having everyone there. It'll remind her that others care about her, too."

Heero nodded his head in understanding. It seemed Trowa had picked up on Serena's uneasiness. While she had been doing better, there were still times Heero questioned if Serena was regretting her decision to return. Even after she and Trowa got engaged, there had been an instant where Heero swore she was thinking about things. He had caught her staring at her engagement ring, but her eyes said something other than happiness. Serena hid it well, but if Trowa had an inkling that something was bothering Serena, Heero knew he needed to try and help.

"Serena loves going to the beach. It was the first place J took her to when he brought her to Earth for the first time." A memory that Heero knew wasn't his surfaced at the forefront of his mind.

August of A.C. 198

"Why are we going to Earth?"

"There's something I want to show you," Doctor J said as he settled into his seat. "Did you set the coordinates?"

"Yes. I did," Delta nodded.

"Whenever you're ready, we may leave."

Delta turned back to the computer screen and hit a few buttons before the shuttle roared to life. Delta strapped herself in before she took hold of the controls, easing the throttle as they made their way through the shuttle port.

Doctor J was pleased with Delta's piloting skills. The flight to Earth had been smooth and almost relaxing. Delta had tried to continue to do her studies, and while Doctor J appreciated her willingness, he had told her to focus on taking some time and rest.

They had talked and even played a few card games while their shuttle was on autopilot. It was a pleasant time overall, and Doctor J was content spending time with Delta.

When they arrived in the late afternoon on Earth, Doctor J had a private driver meet them at the private Spaceport. While Delta was capable of driving them, Doctor J didn't want to risk them being stopped by a police officer and having to explain who Delta was. While he had falsified paperwork for her and had gone over the information with Delta, it made things simpler.

Once they arrived at the small cottage on the coast, Doctor J had Delta bring their bags inside and put them in their rooms. Tipping their driver, Doctor J sent the gentleman on his way. Delta stood in the small kitchen waiting for him. From what Doctor J gathered from the expression on Delta's face, she was waiting for further instructions. Besides the first one, he had given her.

"Why don't we step outside on the back porch?" Doctor J asked. Delta nodded before she moved to the glass sliding door.

Stepping out onto the porch, Doctor J watched as Delta scanned the area. Something she had been doing since they first landed on Earth. Trying not to read too much into it, they walked to the set of stairs that led to the beach. Delta stood staring out of the sand, looking at the ocean as small waves crashed along the shoreline.

"Take your shoes and socks off," Doctor J instructed her. Delta turned, giving him a strange look. Doctor J nodded, and slowly, Delta kicked off her shoes before removing her socks. "Go down the stairs."

Delta stood, staring at the stairs. While there weren't many she had to travel down, Doctor J saw the hesitation in her eyes. But there was also some curiosity. Slowly she made her way down until she stood on the last step.

"Go on," Doctor J urged Delta. Delta eyed him from the corner of her eye before stepping off the stairs.

"It's warm," she said, looking down at her feet in the sand.

"During the day, the sun warms the sand. But it can become hot, especially on a hot summer's day," Doctor J said. She turned around to look at him. "Go explore. I'll be here when you return." Delta stared at him a moment longer, nodding her head before she walked away from the house.

A few hours passed before Doctor J found Delta sitting in the sand in front of the tiny cottage, watching the sunset over the ocean. Once the sun had gone down, did Delta return. Her pants were rolled up and had wet stains, showing that she had been walking along the shoreline. Doctor J smiled as she passed by him, heading to her room.

The following morning, Doctor J had awoken to an empty house. The morning light had started to show itself. Figuring Delta would be back later, Doctor J made himself a pot of coffee and breakfast as he waited for Delta. An hour later, Doctor J headed out the back door. He found Delta sitting on the porch. Sweat clinging to her body.

"I see you went for a run this morning," Doctor J said as he approached Delta. She turned her head to look at him. "What do you think of Earth?

"It's beautiful," Delta said, turning her head away to look at the sky. The sun had just come over the horizon.

"That it is, my dear," Doctor J nodded his head.

"I like it here," she said as she leaned back on her hands.

"Would you want to live here? On Earth, if you had the chance?"

"Possibly," Delta said thoughtfully. "I like Space, but not so much the colonies. They're the same no matter where you go." Doctor J chuckled, earning him a strange look from Delta. "It's the truth."

"I know, dear. The Earth has many beautiful places that you have yet to see. While the Colonies are nice, they cannot replicate what the Earth has."

"I'd like to see more of the Earth," Delta said, turning back to stare at the ocean.

"You will, one day."

They had gone silent, enjoying the rising sun and the sounds of the once when Delta spoke.

"I don't understand humanity."

"What do you mean?" Doctor J ventured. Delta turned her head to look up at him.

"I saw so many people, families, that we're happy. Walking around so carefree, enjoying life." A complex look came over her face. Doctor J understood that Delta was trying to understand a new array of emotions and thoughts.

"Unforentally, not everyone sees things the way those people do. Peace has finally settled over this world, but will always be at risk."

"Why?"

"Power, my dear," Doctor J frowned. "All of humanity is weak, including yourself." Delta frowned at his words. "But there are those who seek power, to control. With that power comes the destruction of others. If, for nothing else but to control what humanity can't, the unknown. Those are the people that need to be stopped. At all costs."

Delta stared at him. Her face had fallen in a mask. A year of training her to understand the importance of who she was. Should the world need her, it would have her. Doctor J could only hope that things wouldn't come to that. But he needed to make sure she was ready for if the time came.

"Do not forget how you felt while you were here on Earth. Always remember those feelings," Doctor J said. Delta nodded her head. "Now, it's time to get ready. We have one last stop before we head back to L1."

"Where are we going?" Delta asked as she stood up.

"You'll see," Doctor J smiled at her. Delta didn't know it yet, but there was a reason he had brought her to Earth. Especially with how close it was to her creation date. But more importantly, because there was something he needed to confirm.

"That makes sense why she wanted to spend so much time by the bay when we were in Italy," Trowa nodded his head. "I knew she loved the beach and ocean, but she never told me why."

Heero mentally shook himself. He hadn't meant to fall back into the memory, but Heero knew it was important to Serena, but he still didn't understand why. It wasn't just her enjoying the Earth for a day. Seeing how others lived peacefully. There was another reason behind that trip. Something was missing, but Heero couldn't put his finger on it.

"Do you want it to be a surprise? Or were you planning on telling her?" Heero asked.

"I'd like to surprise her. I know Serena enough that she'll be like you and try and blow the day off," Trowa smirked.

Heero nodded. Trowa wasn't lying. November 1st was one of his least favorite days of the year, but Relena had and continued to make a big deal out of the day. One year Heero had blown off the day, which was a mistake. One he regretted once he returned.

Relena had planned a dinner for him and invited everyone, and he never showed up. He had come up with some poor excuse as to why he couldn't attend, even though Relena had begged him to come. When he returned from his impromptu visit to Space, Relena refused to speak to him for days. It wasn't until he cornered her, asking her what was causing her to avoid him did he learn that he had hurt her.

Relena had cried and yelled at him for being selfish. Heero hadn't understood how he had been selfish until she told, correction, yelled at him that she had spent weeks planning it. To show him that she cared, loved him, and so didn't their friends. She understood he didn't like to celebrate the day, but she wanted to. Because to her, it was a big deal. Had he never been born, she wouldn't have found her purpose in life, and she wouldn't have found him and fallen in love.

It had been the first time Relena had confessed her love for him. He had known. Even before they officially started a relationship, she was in love with him.

"I'll contact Quatre about his beach house," Heero said, turning his eyes to Trowa.

"Why would you do that?"

"I owe her," Heero smirked. "Just make sure you call your sister, and I'll keep Relena's schedule open for that weekend. The only other thing you'll need to do is make sure you get Serena there without her figuring it out."

"I want to know why you owe her?" Trowa looked at him pointedly. "Serena has never mentioned anything about…" Trowa trailed off. "Your anniversary, last year. Serena was acting strange a few days prior."

"How do you know what day my anniversary is with Relena?"

"Everyone knows," Trowa smirked. "I did lose the bet, though."

"What bet?" Heero had a feeling, but he wanted to confirm his suspicions.

"The bet Duo set up to see who could correctly guess when you and Relena would get engaged. Lost a hundred bucks."

Heero wanted to say something, but he held his tongue.

September, A.C. 203.
Preventer Headquarters

"This is impressive. Your engineering knowledge is remarkable as well," Trowa commented. "Do you mind if I take this? I'd like to show Quatre what you've come up with," Trowa asked, turning his head to look at her.

"Do whatever you want with it," Serena shrugged her shoulders.

"Thanks," Trowa smiled softly at her before looking back at the paper in his hands again. After a few minutes, Trowa turned to look at her. The smile faded from his face and a worried expression replaced it "Everything okay?"

"Yes..." She slowly started as she leaned into him. Trowa watched her carefully as she entered his personal space. "Tell me something, Barton." Trowa's brow lifted. He seemed to enjoy it when she said his name with a playful note to it. "What's the deal between you and Relena?"

Trowa's eyes went wide as Serena smiled at him. Their faces were only inches away from each other. She was so close, it would've been too easy to-

"We're just friends."

"Just friends, huh?" Serena clucked her tongue. Hoping to get more of a reaction out of him. But Trowa's face fell into a mask.

"Relena is a friend, has always been a friend. Not to mention, she and Heero have been dating for some time now."

"Ah, yes." Serena pulled away from him. "So I've been told." Trowa frowned slightly.

"It's not a secret. Everyone knows. Even if they deny it."

"Yes, almost four years now," Serena smirked.

"Guess I lost that bet with Maxwell," Trowa chuckled lightly.

"You had a bet going?"

"Yes, on how long they had been dating. I should've known better. Duo has his ways of finding out this information." Trowa crossed his arms over his chest as he smiled.

"I see," Serena paused. "Duo wasn't the one who told me." A grin started to spread across her face. "Though, if there's another bet. I'd like to be in on it."

"Heero told you?" Trowa lifted a brow at her. Serena continued to smile at him. "I'm even more impressed with you." Trowa shook his head before dropping his arms. "The next one is on when they might get engaged."

"What is the going rate for that one?"

"Hundred dollars."

"Within the year," Serena said. "I'll double it. When should I transfer the money?"

Serena had known about the bet. She had even placed a wager herself. Serena had been closer to the correct date, telling Trowa it would happen within the year. At the time, it had been a guess. Heero didn't think Serena believed it. She had done it for the fun of it. Heero recognized it as Serena trying to bond with Trowa. While some of her actions had been to gain Trowa's trust, there were times Serena had acted like herself. That and Heero reviewed the video footage every day Serena had been staying at HQ. It was another reason Heero wasn't happy when Une approved Trowa taking charge of Serena.

"I wish I hadn't asked. I'll work on the plans for Serena's birthday. Don't forget to call your sister," Heero said before turning his attention back to his computer.

"Okay," Trowa said as he stood. "Thank you for your help with this."

"You're welcome," Heero nodded his head.

"One last thing," Trowa said, gaining Heero's full attention. "Serena won the bet. But you already knew that."

Heero opened his mouth to say something before he quickly shut it. Either Trowa was testing him on something. Or Trowa knew he had known about the bet in the first place. Either way, Heero wasn't going to say anything else.

A/N

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays and took some time to rest! I know I did because I had a cold, lol. I will say that I did spend an entire day writing so it wasn't terrible my week off recovering from everything lol. Let's break this chapter down because I know I need to explain a few things.

First and foremost, did I mention this story gets darker in some aspects? I think I have. Thus the beginning of this chapter and well.. the prologue for this story. Just remember some of that information Heero shared with us about Serena. Keep it in the back of your mind. Also, don't do drugs. Just say no kids.

Next, and probably the most important thing I need to explain the flashbacks! For the first one, with Doctor J, did anyone notice whose POV we were in? Did it trick you? Good, there's a reason we were seeing J's POV and not Serena's. Hehe. That is the first little taste that during certain flashbacks... may not always be from the current person's POV. We may be seeing the other side of whatever memory is being recalled. They say there are two sides to a coin, after all. Also, can anyone guess why that trip to Earth was so important?

The last flashback was a bonus. I've had it sitting and it was in a different chapter, but I figured why not throw it in this chapter? While Heero explains things very well and basically what we saw in the flashback... it was nice to take an OG scene (that got cut) from TC and rewrite it to work with this story. Fun fact, I rewrote it from Serena's POV. Regardless, these bets... may or may not come back into play. Wink wink, hint hint.

Anywho, I will leave you all with that as I debate turning this into a trilogy... Oh did I mention I have so much material that I'm pretty sure I can end this story when shit hits the fan and then pick it back up in a third story with everything I have already written? We know something happens. The prologue tells you all so. And hear me out here... what if I end it a little after the prologue takes place and the third story picks up after that? I can promise that is where the focus changes to more of Heero and Relena and some stuff. That I can't share. It's just an idea, but the more I'm writing and looking at all my notes... the more this is becoming a possibility and it makes me excited. The only downside, it changes everything I said about this story ending somewhat happily. If you can call it that? Either way, it's an idea and as I continue to write, I'll know for sure if this story ends with Trowa losing his shit. *shrugs*

Until next time... next week? Yeah, I guess I can upload chapter 22, which has no title because I'm changing my mind about it, haha!
-MM