Chapter Twenty-Seven
Twenty-Four Doesn't Look Too Bad

November 1, A.C. 204

Heero dreaded the day ahead because he didn't want Relena fusing all day. From the moment he woke up to the time he went to bed. While he appreciated the effort, to an extent, that Relena put into trying to make him feel special. But today was the one day out of the year he didn't care for extra attention.

His birthday.

It wasn't that it was such a horrible day. Heero understood why people celebrated. But for him, there wasn't any point. He hadn't celebrated his birthday since he was a small child. And those memories were vague at best. Once he was with Odin and then with Doctor J, the day had little meaning. Now things were different. Relena made it a big deal. Even when Heero told her not to, Relena never listened. Heero learned to drop the subject altogether. Other than telling her he didn't want anything or to do anything.

The rally had gone without flaw. His team quickly handled any disturbances that arose. A group of harmless protesters, who had been on their radar for some time, made a stance against certain legislation they disagreed with. While Relena had been sympathetic towards them while she was giving a speech, Heero had the group removed from the premises. The group wasn't thrilled, and Relena had spent some time after the rally thinking over what the group had been shouting. Heero let Relena have the time she needed. It wasn't that any of what they said wasn't true, but there was little Relena could do.

Relena wasn't unaware of the issues that had arisen since the passing of new legislation. The legislation was to send a small percentage of products produced on Earth to certain Colonies due to a resource satellite that failed at the beginning of the year. It was a temporary fix to help supplement those Colonies affected until they could restore the resource satellite. Relena hated taking anything away from the people of Earth. But it was her job to help those in the Colonies. Relena had worked with the Minister of Agriculture on a proposal. It had passed in the house. Even with some pushback, at least those in the affected Colonies wouldn't suffer from a food shortage. But it did raise the prices for those on Earth to offset the distribution costs.

It wasn't the best situation at the end of the day. But it was better than the alternative, which was why Relena had made the move she had.

Other than the protesters, Nicolas Thornton gave his speech on how he planned to work hard to keep the current ESUN government moving forward on their plan for ever-lasting peace. Thornton promised to keep open communication with representatives from each Colony cluster. Thornton wanted to develop their relationship and continue to unite the Earth's Sphere and Colonies.

During his speech, Serena had chimed in. Heero found it odd at first that Serena had anything to say. But as he listened to her, he started to understand. Serena had said promises, like the ones Thornton was making, were nothing but pretty words that held no meaning unless Thornton could prove that he could establish those relationships between Earth and Space. Regardless of what the general public thought, there was still tension between Earth and the Colonies. Especially with Relena's help in securing needed resources for the Colonies. It would always be a battle, but Serena was worried that Thornton might be over his head if he over-promised and couldn't deliver. Both the Earth's Sphere and Colonies needed to work together so everyone could live without fear that one or the other would do something harmful.

Heero had agreed with her before their conversation ended when Duo asked what they were talking about. Duo had figured out which channel Serena and Heero had been secretly using to stay in touch if something felt off, but it didn't warrant the entire team needing to hear.

The rest of the day went smoothly as well. The press conferences and interviews flew by, and before Heero knew it, he and Relena were home for the evening. And luckily for him, the night ended the way the evening before was supposed to end.

The following days would consist of working and packing most of their belongings. In one week, Serena and Trowa would be posing as them and moving everything in the townhouse to their new home. Part of Heero was grateful Relena had gone behind his back and asked Serena to handle the move and the security for their new home. Relena had a business trip to America for the week. It was rarer for Relena to go to the American office for ESUN. But every so often, Relena would need to. With Serena staying behind, taking on some of his duties at Preventers, she could handle the move from one home to another.

Heero wondered if this was one of those times the universe aligned just right, and things fell into place.

The securities system Serena and Trowa had installed was already up and running. Heero had been more than impressed. But part of him never doubted Serena's capabilities. Regarding the workload Serena would be handling, Heero was slightly worried, but they had agreed upon it two months prior. While Heero was particular about things, he knew he could check in with Serena and reassure himself that she was handling everything properly.

As Heero made his way to the kitchen, he dispelled the lingering thoughts. There wasn't much he could do about it, and his main goal for the day was just to survive.

"Happy Birthday, Heero," Relena smiled brightly at him as she held a cup of coffee.

"Thanks," Heero mumbled as he accepted the steaming cup of black liquid.

"Don't look so grumpy," Relena playful scolded him. "Today is going to be a good day."

"If I live long enough to see the end of it," Heero muttered.

"What was that?"

"You know I don't like-"

"Stop," Relena held a hand up. "I know you don't like celebrating, but at least try and have a good day. Okay?" Heero sighed. He wondered where the conversation was going. "Heero, I'm not going to make a big deal out of today."

"You're not?" Heero felt like Relena was up to something. It wasn't how she normally was when it came to his birthday.

"No," Relena shook her head. "I only want you to have a good day. Let's take our coffee's upstairs and get ready for the day. You can think about what you might like for dinner, and we'll do whatever you want. Sound good?"

"Sex?" Heero couldn't help himself. Relena had opened the door, and he walked right through. Relena slapped his arm as she walked by him. Reminding him to behave himself, even if it was his birthday.

Heero entered his office after Duo had found him trying to sneak in. His goal to avoid Duo had failed miserably. Closing and locking his door behind him, Heero sighed as he started heading toward his desk. Before getting closer, he stopped, staring at the gift-wrapped box in the middle of his desk.

He knew Relena hadn't snuck into his office. He had dropped her off at the Captial Building before coming to HQ. The only thing Heero could come up with was that if it was Relena, she had Duo involved. But Heero wasn't sure.

Walking closer to his desk, Heero inspected the neatly neutral-colored wrapped box. There wasn't anything that stood out to him. No note or card was attached to it. Setting his laptop bag on the ground, Heero sat in his chair. He carefully lifted the box, feeling its weight. He was surprised to find that the box held some weight to it. Whatever was inside either had to be on the larger size, or it was a decoy-training explosive. Which wouldn't have been the first time he had received such a gift.

Heero dismissed the thought that it was one of Duo's practical jokes as he placed the box back on his desk. He leaned in, listening for any noises that would help identify whether it was a threat. After a moment of not hearing anything, Heero decided it was safe to open. Or at least he hoped it was.

Slowly, Heero peeled back the wrapping paper, being careful. Just to be safe. A simple green shoe-sized box sat on his desk. Carefully, Heero placed both his hands on the lid before removing it from the base of the box. What he expected to see and what greeted his eyes were completely different.

Cushioned between tissue paper lay a Leo figurine. An envelope with his name on it lay on top.

Heero,
I can't replace the things you've lost, nor can I change what has happened to you. But I hope this Leo reminds you of where you came from and all you have accomplished. Remember to enjoy the simple things in life. Because all we have is our memories to hold onto at the end of the day.

Happy Birthday.

- Serena

P.S. Don't lose this one. It was a pain in the ass to find.

Heero laughed as he put the card down. Taking the Leo figure out of the box, Heero examined it. He couldn't believe Serena had found one. Or the fact she had looked for one. The Leo was still in relativity good condition. Considering how old the figure was. Seis Clark, his stepfather, had given him the toy figure of the OZ-06MS Leo because he had been one of the creators of the suits. The irony wasn't lost on Heero. His whole life revolved around the military, and now he was continuing to fight for the peace he helped bring.

Shaking the thoughts away, Heero focused on the toy figure. The feel of it in his hands. At the time, when Seis had gifted it to him, Heero thought the world of it. It had become such an important object that he had taken it everywhere. Until the day he lost his mother and the man who had given him the small toy. At times Heero wished he didn't remember that day. But the other part of him knew if he had forgotten, it wouldn't have shaped him into who he was now.

Serena's note was something they had in common, and it was a reminder that they both needed to enjoy even the simplest of things in their lives. Heero could pinpoint moments where he had let go of everything he was to be just a person, indulging in some of life's comforts. Eating quietly or sitting outside in the sun, breathing the fresh spring air. They were insignificant things in comparison to what he did back then between training, battles, and mistakes he had made. But when Heero thought back it was those peaceful moments, those were the times that kept him grounded.

Serena had done the same. He could recall times Serena had sat quietly, reading or even playing the piano. Those were the times she was the most at peace with herself. But not once had Serena taken any of those moments for granted. She had enjoyed them fully. That was until she lost all faith in not only herself but those around her. Heero frowned to himself. He knew Serena had issues. They all did. Heero only hoped that Serena would return to the person she once was.

Heero had been surprised he was left alone while being at HQ. Those closest to him had wished him a happy birthday, but even Duo seemed more scarce than he normally was. Heero had a feeling that Serena was behind that. But what Heero found strange was when he went to see her before he left to go to Relena's office, Serena wasn't anywhere to be found. Trowa didn't even know Serena had left. It should've sent off some alarm bells in Heero's head, but it didn't. Serena would sneak out of the office to get coffee or lunch for her and Trowa. Heero ended up leaving after, heading to ESUN to relieve Relena of her work for the remainder of the day.

When they arrived back at the townhouse, Relena immediately went upstairs. Heero followed after Relena. Their conversation on the ride home didn't indicate anything was wrong, which left Heero confused by Relena's sudden actions.

"What are you doing?" Heero asked as he entered their bedroom.

"Getting ready."

"Ready for what?" Heero lifted a brow when Relena turned to face him.

"Serena and Trowa will be here in a little to pick us up," Relena smiled at him.

"Relena," Heero growled. "I thought you said we wouldn't be doing anything tonight."

"I lied." Relena kissed him on the cheek before she resumed selecting her clothing.

"Where are we going?"

"To a bar."

"A bar?"

"Heero." Relena pulled her jeans over her hips as she turned to face him. "We're going to have a few drinks with everyone, eat, and then come home. That's it."

"What if I don't want to go?"

"Then I'll have Trowa drag you out of this house."

"Trowa wouldn't," Heero said pointedly.

"You're going. And you're going to enjoy yourself."

"Is this even a good idea? We didn't go out for our anniversary because we didn't want the tabloids to have something to talk about."

"Which is exactly why we're going out for your birthday. I don't want to hear about the risks or whatever you have sitting on the tip of your tongue. We're going out." Heero opened his mouth to refute Relena's statement, but she kissed him again. It seemed she would be winning the argument one way or another.

Heero hated to admit it, but he was enjoying himself. The bar they were at wasn't terrible. The staff had been courteous towards the group. Even the bartender had commented to Heero that no one would know they were there. It probably helped that it was an establishment that he and Relena frequented with their friends often. They had built a rapport with the owner and some of the staff.

Heero was at the bar ordering, what would be his last drink of the evening, when he felt someone next to him. Glancing, Heero saw Serena sitting in the empty chair next to him.

"Relena told me you weren't thrilled about coming out."

"I wasn't," Heero said as the bartender placed his whisky in front of him.

"Yet, you seem to be enjoying yourself." Heero glanced at Serena as he took a sip of his drink. She mimicked him, but the smirk she tried to hide behind her glass didn't go unnoticed by him.

"What are you drinking?" Heero asked, deciding not to comment further on the first subject.

"Same as you."

"You hate whisky," Heero said as his lips turned down into a frown. He knew Serena's dislike for the liquor.

"It's not that bad," Serena shrugged. "Figured I'd learn why you enjoy it so much."

Heero shook his head. Why Serena would torture herself to understand why he enjoyed it was beyond him. Deciding not to ask her more about the topic, Heero decided now would be the perfect opportunity to ask her a question. He had tried earlier in the day when he went looking for her.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Yeah?" Serena turned to look at him. For a moment, she reminded him of his mother. It could've been the low lighting or even the angle of her face, but it caused Heero to flatter before the question resurfaced in his mind.

"How did you find that Leo?" There was a long pause before Serena started to laugh. Heero glared at her. He was genuinely asking her a question.

"It was a pain in the ass," Serena chuckled. "Just like I said in my note. Did you not read it?"

"I did," Heero nodded. "But this isn't something you find every day in stores."

"I found it in an antique shop," Serena smirked. "It cost an arm and a leg to ship here, but I had been looking for months. I was about to give up when I found the one I got you."

"You didn't have to do that," Heero said after a moment. He was taken aback by the fact Serena had spent time looking for one but also spent a good chunk of money on it. And he still didn't fully understand why she had gone through the trouble.

"No," Serena smiled. "But I wanted to." Serena held her glass up. Heero picked him up, clinking it against hers.

"Why did you do it?" Heero asked after taking a sip of whisky.

"Because I wanted to."

"No," Heero shook his head. "There was a reason why you went looking for one. You don't do anything without forethought or reason."

"Not true," Serena shot back. "Pretty sure Trowa was not in my plans. That was without reason."

"That's different," Heero frowned at her. "Everything else you did with reason. Just like the Leo." Serena rolled her eyes at him.

"It was important to you back then." Heero nodded his head. "I wanted you to have something tangible to remind you of how far you've come. And to hopefully never forget your mother," Serena said, turning away from him.

"Why is it important that I remember how far I've come?"

"It just is," Serena shrugged, not making eye contact with him. Heero found it strange and before he could question Serena further, a realization came to mind.

Heero filled in the missing information she wasn't providing. Serena had a reason, one that went deeper than what she had told him. While her statement was truthful, Serena wanted him to remember, but what Serena was trying to do was make something right. She hadn't even been alive, but Serena felt guilty enough that she wanted to right a wrong that was done to him. It wasn't either of their faults. Heero wasn't even sure if there was a way to prevent what had happened that faithful day that changed the trajectory of his life.

Heero nudged Serena, gaining her attention. "You don't have to correct the mistakes that were made against me. That isn't your burden to bear."

"It doesn't mean I can't try," Serena said. Her face had fallen into a mix of understanding and sadness. Heero shook his head.

"Your heart is in the right place, Serena."

"But?" Serena lifted a brow at him.

"You're a pain in the ass." Heero's lips turned up as Serena started to laugh. He was hoping his comment would improve her mood. "We should return to the others."

"Probably," Serena said as she raised her glass again. "Let's hope you survive making it to twenty-five."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Between Relena and I," Serena slowly stood from her seat. "Let's hope neither one of us is the reason you end up in an early grave." Heero frowned at Serena as she laughed.

"You truly are a pain in my ass," Heero said as he stood. "Possibly more than Duo is."

"Isn't that my job?" Serena countered with a smirk. Heero rolled his eyes before they walked away from the bar.

A/N

Happy Chapter 27!

Okay, okay, I know it's been a while! Good news, I think all the sicknesses have left my household. Woot, woot! Anyways, I am just a busy person and while I would love to be doing nothing but writing, that's not particular at the moment. But fear not! I am not abandoning this story. Updates may be fewer for a bit until I can find a good balance going again. I have more stuff to write and an endless amount of editing to do. There are chapters! Just can't post those until we get there, haha!

Anywho, I hope everyone is doing well and I'll see you all again soon with chapter 28! Until then, be safe and take care of yourselves!
-MM