Chapter 39

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Welcoming a New Pilot

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:Wednesday:

Serena walked down the stairs and walked into the kitchen to get something to eat. When she opened the door Rashid was already there making breakfast. He turned when he heard the door open and smiled warmly.

"Good morning Serena." He said. Serena looked at him at remembered that this was Rashid that always looked after Sammy when he got back from school. She smiled back.

"Hey Rashid." She grabbed a plate that he had set aside for her and was passing the counter when she saw a packet of pictures. "What's this?" She held up the packet for Rashid to see.

He turned around as he flipped a pancake and smiled. "Pictures that I dropped off to be developed. I just picked them up today. Take a look. Maybe you'll remember something." He went back to cooking.

Serena sat down and absently at her breakfast as she shifted through the pictures. The first ones were of only the 5 pilots but as she got deeper into the pile she started to show up more and more. There was a picture of her in the park playing with Sammy. This picture was from a distance like the photographer didn't want to know she was being photographed. There was another one of her sitting sketching in the school yard, the 6 of them in camouflage gear with paintball guns, them at the beach, them at a ball all dressed up. She remembered getting a glimpse of this a while ago. Also pictures of them riding on horses and Milliardo and Relena were there as well. Then there were pictures she actually remembered like when Duo dyed the other guys' hair different colors and then when they retaliated and dyed his hair and made him like a clown and then like a maid. Then their picnic in the park and swimming in the pool. Also when they were at the circus and to see the ballet. And besides those pictures there were just random pictures of her by herself.

"Wow when were some of these taken? I don't remember having my picture taken." She noticed that none of them were posed and most of them had at least one guy missing. Did that mean that one of them was taking the picture? And why didn't the get their attention to take it? When she looked closer she could also sometimes see a pair of violet eyes hidden somewhere. What is that?

Suddenly the kitchen door opened and the rest of the men filed in and grabbed a plate and sat down.

"Hey guys look at this." Serena passed the pictures to Trowa. He looked through them and passed them on until everyone had seen them. They were all smiling when they came back around to Serena.

"Why aren't any of these posed? It looked like they were taken in secret?" She looked at the faces of her friends. They all looked a little guilty and no one answered her.

Rashid looked at the young people sitting at the table then at the clock on the wall. "Shouldn't you kids be getting to school?" he questioned.

Duo looked up at the clock and his eyes widened. "Oh shit we're going to be late!" he yelled and jumped up from the table and out of the kitchen.

"I still need to drop Sammy off." Serena bit at her lip as she thought. "I could do that for you Miss. Serena." Said Rashid from the sink where he was washing the dirty dishes.

Serene turned to him. "I couldn't possibly impose on you like that." "It's no problem. Sammy is my man."

Sammy smiled from his seat. "Yeah."

Serena looked doubtful. "Well, if you are sure. Thanks." She got up and left as well with the others behind her.

As they walked to school the pilots stayed behind Serena and talked quietly. "I e-mailed the doctors Serena's entire file. They agree that she would be a good pilot. They already had a Gundam in the works and they just have to add the personal touches unique to Serena. It should be ready soon. I think after school we tell her and take her to get a gun." Heero looked at the others to see what they would say.

Quatre nodded. "Yeah. That's a good idea." Heero pursed his lips and faced forward. "What are you guys whispering about?" Serena gazed back over her shoulder at the boys, her eyebrows raised. Heero sped up and walked next to the girl. "We were thinking of going to the mall after school." Serena looked up into his Prussian eyes and blushed. "OK."

The rest of the walk to school was done in silence.

Ooooooo

The 6 friends exited the school after a hard day.

"I'm free!" Duo rejoiced as they cleared the front doors. Serena smiled at his antics. "You're so silly D-chan."

"At your service." He bowed to her and grabbed her hand to pull her back to the mansion so they could take the car to the mall. They all piled into the car after Serena said good-bye to Sammy.

Serena stopped when they entered. "This is one big mall!" She exclaimed as she gazed around in wonder. The others smirked at her as they passed. "You've seen it before Sere." Commented Quatre.

"I have?" Serena followed the 5 guys as they took the elevator to the third floor. "Yeah. We came here when shopping for our outfits for the ball at Her Royal Bitchiness's" Duo smiled at his cleverness.

"There is no need for names." Whispered Quatre and looked around like Relena would pop out of nowhere at the mention of her secret nickname.

"No worries Quatre. I bet she's home brewing a love potion for our Heero here." He slapped Heero on the back and smiled.

"Touch me again and I'll kill you." He said in a monotone voice. Duo chuckled nervously and removed himself away from Heero's side.

"So where are we headed." Asked Serena.

"Be patient woman." Said Wufei. Serena turned narrowed blue eyes on him that flashes silver before returning to their natural color. With that look Wufei shut up quickly and averted his eyes.

Heero led the way to a store that was out of the way and walked inside with Serena bringing up the rear. Her eyes widened when she realized where they were. "A gun shop!" she nearly screeched. "What are we doing here?" She tried not to touch anything for fear of being contaminated.

"We are here to buy you a gun." Heero stated calmly. "What?" This time Serena really did screech. "I don't need a gun."

"You will. For protection." Trowa, who was next to her said. She turned to him. "Why?"

"Everything will be explained in time." He continued. "I am tired of being put off like this. I have a right to know why in the world I would need a gun to protect myself. Am I in danger? Is Sammy?" She turned fearful eyes on her friends.

Quatre sighed. "We can't discuss this here. This is a private matter. But after we buy you a gun at return home we will answer your questions. I promise." Serena groaned. "Fine. Let's get this over with. We still have practicing to do you know."

Heero nodded and sauntered over to the counter and leaned over it and whispered with the clerk. He nodded and stepped around the counter and walked to Serena. "Are you right or left handed?" he asked as she inspected her closely. "Is this the first gun you have ever owned? Do you know how to shoot?"

Serena's head spun at all the rapid questions. "I'm right handed and no to both questions." The clerk just nodded and hummed to himself. He left her and pulled out three guns and handed her one.

Serena reluctantly held it and looked blankly at the clerk. "Point it." He looked at her like she was the stupidest person ever to cross his path. She just rolled her eyes and pointed the gun right at his head and smirked.

"That's our Sere." Commented Duo quietly.

"Well how does it feel?" asked Heero as he stepped close to her. The girl inhaled deeply and briefly closed her eyes before snapping them open. "This isn't the one."

"OK." Heero took the gun gently and slowly from her hands and handed it back to the clerk. When their hands touched they both felt a little spark and the both jumped slightly. The clerk gave her the second gun and waited for her to test it out. When that one and the last one weren't right be pulled out one of their rare and unique guns and let her take it.

Serena sighed as she touched it. "This one is it." She looked down at it and saw that it was silver with what looked to be a dragon in front of a full moon. She stared at it and got a flash of a distant memory before she shook her head and looked up. "This one." She said again.

"Good choice." Said t clerk and rang up the gun. After the gun was back in its owner's hand they walked deeper into the shop. "Now to practice." Heero pointed to the booths where other people were testing their guns.

The young blond looked around nervously. "No need to be afraid Serena." Quatre wrapped his arm around her and led her to an empty booth. "I don't have any bullets." She stated, speaking in a detached manor. "That fine. We have some for you." Quatre placed some bullets in her hand and showed her how to load it. He walked away to a different booth and took out his own gun and put on the earmuffs and protective glasses before he started shooting at the target. Serena stared at him in amazement. Sweet Quatre owned and knew how to shoot a gun? Then she looked passed him and saw the others doing the same thing. Who were these guys?

She turned away from them and focused on the target and brought her new gun up, ready to shoot. She was about to pull the trigger when she heard a low voice behind her.

"You're doing it wrong. Pull that trigger and it could pop back and hit you in the eye."

"Jesus!" she shouted as she spun around with the gun still pointed out so now it was pointed at Heero's face. He reached forward and pushed her hand down. "You better be careful. You could shoot an eye out." He smirked.

Serena just rolled her eyes as she turned back to the target and raised her hand again.

"Wait, please let me help you before you hurt yourself or someone else." He said. He walked up closely behind her and wraps her arms around her and grabbed the gun. He moved her arms and hands as they should be and leaned close. "Remember to keep both eyes open and keep your hands steady." He whispered. She licked her lips but listened closely. She braced herself and pulled the trigger and shot at the target.

Heero backed off as he watched her practice. He crossed his arms as remained a quiet observer.

As Serena kept shooting she had a vision of waving something in her hand and then pointing it at them, killing them. She shook her head and narrowed her eyes in determination. "I'll dust you." She whispered. Her crescent glowed briefly before disappearing.

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Soon they were done. The targets moved towards the shooters and Serena looked at her near perfect shots with wide eyes. The others saw as well.

"Are you sure you have never handled and shoot a gun before?" asked Duo. "Because you are sure good."

Serena shook her head. "I've never held a gun before this. It's probably beginners luck."

But when they practiced for another 2 hours she kept shooting straight and true. The pilots looked at her. "I told you." Said Trowa again.

They made their way home and headed down the unused hallway.

"Now where are we going?" Serena questioned.

No one answered her as the pulled open the last door in the hallway and headed down a set of stairs and into the secret hanger. The guys moved away and to their respective gundams and turned to Serena.

She looked around with wide eyes and watched her friends.

"What is this?"

"Can't you guess?" said Wufei.

Serena inhaled as she finally got it but she couldn't get it out of her mouth. They nodded at her recognition.

"Oh my god!" She placed a hand over her mouth.

"Yes. Welcome to the Gundam Pilots. You have passed our tests." Quatre smiled.

"Oh my god!" she repeated.

"Your gundam will be here soon. There are just some last minute things that need to be worked out." Said Heero. She turned to him and looked up at his gundam and nearly cried out. "Heero?" she questioned.

He saw the question in her eyes and nodded. "I am the one that saved Sammy." He whispered. She looked at him because she didn't remember telling him about that. "You told me before you lost your memory. It was one of the first things we talked about." He said.

She nodded and quickly sat in a chair and looked around quietly. "This is so….. overwhelming." She said that before fainting. Her head hitting the desk in front of her.

"Serena!"

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Yes! Another chapter. I am on a roll everybody. I hope you appreciate me staying up until 5:30 in the morning so I could finish this. I would have had this in earlier but wouldn't let me sign in until today. Show your gratitude by reviewing. I'd love some feedback. It makes me write faster.

Ps. if you have any good jokes for Duo's act then please add them to your review. Thanks

Sylver-Tyger