A/N : Hiya all *waves* I'm still new to the SM fandom. I have been reading SM ff for years now but have only just recently begun to pen my own stories. I have one longer one-shot uploaded to this account called "His Secret". Check it out :) Hope you enjoy this story! I am having A TON of fun writing it. Ahhh. Love Darien and Serena and the girls so so much. Please review down below and tell me everything. What you liked, disliked, and any tips or suggestions for future chappies :) I believe this will be ten to twelve chapters long.
Ciaaaao xo
Chapter One
Serena's mouth fell open. "Uh - Boss, you wanted to see me?"
Her boss - frumpy, red-faced Mr. Mosher - had been tipping back an entire bottle of Jack Daniels. The liquid brown gold sloshed around the emblazoned bottle, clearly a special edition.
"Ms. Tsukino!"
The bottle fell to his desk with a clunk, liquid slopping over the slim top.
This didn't bode well, she thought, grimacing. Edging away from the doorway, Serena began, "If this is a bad time . . . "
"No!" Spittle flew from his mouth. "No. Now is the perfect time. What better time than the present? Right?!"
Serena raised an eyebrow, her hands coming down to smooth her black pencil skirt. Was Mr. Henry having a meltdown? Where the heck was the resident psychologist?
"Alright. Erm - shoot."
His eyes nearly fell out of his head. "I don't want to shoot anyone! I want to be shot."
Serena nearly face-palmed in that moment. Her boss clearly was having a mid life crisis. The office smelt of old take-out from last week. Sniffing, she raised her left eyebrow. It was most definitely orange chicken.
Mmm orange chicken. Maybe on her way home from work she'd stop by Ghenta's and pick up some lemon sesame chicken AND orange chicken. She did get paid that week. It was her first pay not going towards her student loan.
Cause she was FINALLY done paying that damn -
"Ms. Tsukino, I'm - uh, sorry but we have to . . . let you go."
That explained the expensive whiskey.
A flush of heat rose, goose-pimples breaking out across her bare arms. Blinking, she stared at her boss whose face was morphing from red to plum purple.
This was her first big girl job since graduating university. What was she going to do? With such short notice?
"You see Ms. Tsukino, we've been in debt now for . . . "
Blood rushed in her ears as Mr. Mosher prattled on about how their independent publishing house in New York City - Dreamcatchers - had been struggling with lower sales for the previous year and dealing with copious amounts of debt from the previous owner. Finally, Serena raised her hand out - interrupting his depressing tale of the company's imminent downfall.
"So, how long do I have, sir?"
Tipping back more whisky, he let out a grunt. "One week."
"One week." She repeated back dumbly.
Why hadn't they said anything sooner? Her eyes sought out the crusty bottle of whisky on his desk, suddenly feeling a dangerous urge to either snipe it, finish it herself, or bounce it off his shining forehead.
Just when things were going good too!
Serena heaved that thought aside and stuck her hand out to Mr. Mosher. Already the anger was receding into its dark cave, her insides sore from the unpleasant acidic anger. He was a kind man and she was grateful to him for even hiring her, the naive blue-eyed nineteen year old, fresh out of a summer editing program.
"Good luck, Mr. Mosher."
He regarded her for a moment longer, his almond eyes soft. "Good luck, Ms. Tsukino. I wish you all the best."
"I'd slow down on that whisky - save it for the others you need to tell." She sang before side-stepping out of his office.
Hot tears prickled in her eyes. She was going to miss this place. As a managing editor, she'd been able to employ her skills and make a pay-check. A measly pay-check but it was something. And of course, it hadn't been her dream job - freelance writer - but she'd enjoyed it just the same.
"I'll even miss the soapy coffee."
Sturdy cardboard boxes were littered all throughout the office. Sandra, a fellow editor, was mindlessly shoving books and trinkets inside a smaller box, her shoulders shaking. Poor Sandra. She had three young girls at home to take care of. Serena swept into her office, her own thoughts beginning to muddle together.
The calendar that hung over her messy desk was blotted in red and purple ink. Her eyes carelessly passed over the dates. Today was Wednesday. Hump day.
Serena suddenly brightened. Wednesday was salsa night at Tryst.
Tonight would be the perfect night to go out! Flipping open her clunky, old Samsung, her fingers danced across the phone's smudged keyboard.
Date tonight. Tryst? Much needed. S.
Straightening, Serena glanced around her small office room. Cerulean eyes settled on the overflowing bookcase underneath the bay window overlooking Central Park in all its leafy, green glory.
"Have to start someplace." Sliding to her knees, she began the HUGE task of packing her little office away.
Tryst was a favorite for the girls. Located in SoHo, drinks were reasonably priced and you could find a mix of business casual, artists, and hipsters in the unassuming niche.
Tugging at the hem of her turquoise knit top, Serena glanced around the bar. Red hemp lamps hung from the ceiling. Candles were sprinkled across the room in black twisted holders, cascading the room into a soft glow. Waiters adorned in all black attire flitted back and forth from the bar to booths, liquors, beers, and colorful cocktails balanced on silver trays.
A grin formed at her lips. She couldn't wait to see the girls. Panic hadn't set in about the loss of her job. Numbness stilted the panic for now. And besides, something would come up.
Right?
Catching sight of the girls, she weaved through the labyrinth of people, oblivious to an appreciate stare from a silver-haired man.
"Thanks for coming." Serena sat down and slid her face into the palm of her hands. "You won't believe what happened today."
Rei waved a hand. "Spill."
"Have a sip of this first." Mina chirped, sliding her rosy cosmopolitan towards Serena. "I haven't had one of these in ages. I forgot how yummy they are. And strong."
Serena took a massive gulp of the pink liquid, burning as it went down.
"Dreamcatchers went under. Mosher let me go. I have one week!" Taking another hearty gulp, she continued, "I don't know why they didn't tell us before. You know, a little heads up would have been nice."
"Oh boy." Lita swung a hand through her wild brown hair. "So you're out of a job for now. Hmmm."
Ami tilted her blue-rimmed glasses up. "I know they are accepting applications for a research assistant position at the hospital. That may be an option - you did get a degree in psychology."
"Thanks Ami, but . . . I hate statistics! That degree was nearly the end of me."
"You were the one who always left studying for that class to the last minute." Rei rolled her eyes. "You just need to find something new to do."
"I want to write!" Serena winced. "Sorry."
Mina laid a heavily braceleted hand on Serena's forearm. "I lucked out with my fashion connection through Cam, otherwise I don't know what I'd be doing. Why don't you help out for a bit at some shoots? It's something temporary. Besides, free strawberry doughnuts at break! They are divine."
Lita piped up, "You could pick up some shifts at my juice shop. We're getting busier because Christmas is just around the corner."
Mina waved a hand in front of them. "I have the perfect idea - I think you would be perfect for modelling. I have some contacts. We could get you a gig!"
Serena's eyes widened in horror. Lita tried to suppress a grin but failed as Rei snorted. "Serena, model? She's about as graceful as a work-horse."
"Hey!"
A server paused at their table. "Can I get you a drink, Miss?"
"Another one of those. Please." She pointed to the cosmopolitan she'd returned to Mina - two inches of the drink remaining in the pink-frosted martini glass.
"So it's going to be one of those nights. Alright. In that case, I'll have another one as well."
"I'm fine." Ami smiled tentatively up at the waiter who winked. He swept away and Serena watched his retreating figure to the bar.
Wait. Her heart stopped and she rubbed her eyes. Was she really seeing him?
Squinting, she let out a loud moan. No, no, no!
"Oh my, the sexy intern himself is here." Rei clicked her maroon nails on the glass table and glanced over at Serena, a smirk at her lips. "Your night is only getting better."
Damn Shields, she thought, cocking her head to get a better view. He was dressed in a pair of indigo jeans and a long-sleeved olive tee paired with tan desert boots. His clothing choices had definitely improved since their high school days. Their relationship hadn't. She still found him infuriating and cocky.
Grimacing, she said to the girls, "I can't handle him tonight. If he tries to say anything rude I'll pop him one in the face. All those Muay Thai lessons could come in handy."
"Serena, you can't assault him here. At least wait until we're outside." Mina glanced over the rim of her glass. "Besides, you should try giving him the time of day. Maybe he isn't the prick he used to be."
"Hmph. Somehow I doubt that. You remember the last time we saw each other?"
The other three girls grimaced as Mina tried to hide a smile. They had been invited to a mutual friend's birthday party at Andrew's apartment. Serena and Darien had been there for five minutes and had begun arguing like old times - voices quickly escalating.
Rei had broken the two up, hissing at both of them, exclaiming how embarrassing they were to be around. That they weren't kids any more.
"Rei really tore into us that night." Serena snorted as her feisty friend flashed her a look.
"Yes, well, why can't you get along like normal human beings?"
"Shields is not normal!" Serena sighed, eyeing him. "Maybe he is. I don't know. But every time I'm near him I regress back to my fifteen-year-old self and end up acting ridiculous. You think we would have gotten past this already."
"Oh, regress, nice word."
"Maybe I'm being too hard on him. Maybe he has changed."
Ami winked. "It sounds like you've been thinking about this a bit, Serena."
"Not really."
Lita blew a wisp of brown hair from her eyes. "Did I tell you that Cole wanted to stay in tonight? B-o-ring. It's beginning to feel like we're an old couple."
Mina nodded sympathetically. "It seems like guys are brainless when it comes to keeping things exciting."
"You're right about that." Rei shook her ebony head. "They get us and then all the flattery, exciting dates, and expensive flowers are - poof! Gone."
"I don't have time for dating." Ami smiled at the girls sympathetic expressions. "Other than seeing some of the other interns at the hospital . . . Well , I really just don't have the time to maintain a relationship with a significant other."
"Aw, are we your significant others, Ami?" Mina preened. "I feel so special!"
Lita tipped her glass. "Aye."
Serena took a gulp from the rosy cosmopolitan the waiter deposited in front of her. Her eyes were locked with a silver-haired guy. Her heart thumped lightly inside her chest.
Deciding to play coy, she turned away from him and tapped Rei lightly. "How about you, Rei? Any luck lately? How are you and Sei?"
"Split up."
"What?" Mina squawked. "You didn't tell us!"
"Just happened yesterday. You won't believe what he asked me. He started to push for sex and offered to pay me after I refused a number of times. We were on our third date! And I mean, who asks to pay?"
A horrified expression skittered across Serena's face. "Wow. Yuck. You're better off without him. What's with guys these days? There aren't any good ones left."
She glanced back to the bar, shoulders slumped forwards. The music had tilted to a smooth tango tune. Alluring for the nearly intoxicated. Her cerulean eyes slid to Darien, seemingly stiff and uncomfortable to be there. He kept tapping his long fingers against the edge of the bar, his eyes flitting to and fro.
"What's with him?"
Lita shook her glass, clinking the melting ice cubes. "Oh Shields. He certainly hasn't changed."
"No. No, he hasn't." She replied absently, watching the visibly uncomfortable Darien.
Fingering the stem of her chilled martini glass, she tipped the liquid back. Placing the now empty martini glass on the table, she winked at her friends.
"I'm going to go over and talk with him. Maybe he has changed since we've last seen each other. Highly unlikely but you never know!" The last bit came out sing-songy and Ami cringed.
"Serena-" Rei began but the blonde-haired pixie had already slipped away.
Lita's lips curved upwards. "Oh boy. Shields doesn't know what's coming for him."
"Let's wait for awhile before we intervene." Mina tipped her glass at Lita. "Could be entertaining!"
Darien Shields, she thought, Who are you?
Serena couldn't fathom why she was reflecting on this particular question as she weaved her way to the crowded bar - but to be honest, Darien Shields really was a complete mystery to her. Some guys were easy to figure out. He was not one of them.
And maybe she was shooting herself in the foot by going up and chatting with him, but something about him kept her coming back, no matter how infuriating he could be. Something jelled between the two - although they would never openly admit it.
The musky smell of sour odour and spilt beer weaved in the air. Wrinkling her nose, Serena moseyed her way through the crowd of people holding onto their precious gin martinis with plump olives and slim green bottles of beer.
Andrew was chatting up a curvy brunette and Darien was still alone, gazing out at the crowd, his face expressionless.
Sweeping her heavy blonde hair behind her, she stepped forcefully through the crowd, smiling apologetically at the tall woman she bumped into.
"Serena?"
His look of surprise was priceless. Her insides warmed triumphantly as he looked her up and down, lingering on her bare arms then back up to her eyes.
"Darien! I mean - Shields. It's been awhile." Serena smiled impishly up at the taller man. "You look good."
Darien raised an eyebrow, a coolness to his sapphire eyes. "What's gotten into you, Serena? Had a bit much already?"
Her insides seized. Why did he always have something provoking to say? Serena leaned back on the bar. She saw him watching her carefully from the corner of her eye, his full lips twitching upwards.
"You are infuriating."
"Come on Tsukino, where's that spark I remember?"
She locked eyes with the handsome medical intern. Oh, how she wished she could show him exactly how much she had. One swift kick to the groin and he'd regret saying that. On second thought, she probably would get banned from Tryst for assaulting Darien.
And she did not want that to happen.
Inhaling deeply and taking the yogic route, she flexed her pale white hands, concentrating instead on the satisfying crackling sensation.
Darien cocked his head. "No insulting comeback? Physical assault? What's happened to you?"
Serena let out a breezy sigh. She couldn't get over her restraint - she deserved a healthy pat on the back! Or a hot sundae. Her eyes glazed over as the delicious dessert appeared in her mind's eye. A pungent scent of sour body odour interrupted her fantasy. Wriggling her nose, she glanced up at Darien with a playful glint in her eyes.
"Don't you think it's time we grew up? We don't always have to be at each other's throats, you know."
"Right. Somehow I think that's easier said than done." His eyes glittered darkly.
She swat him on the arm. "Well, if you have that cynical attitude, of course it is."
"Tsukino, you don't sound like yourself."
"Come on Darien, people grow up and realize a few things."
The coolness in his eyes softened. Darien smiled down at her and she felt her lips mirroring his. Maybe they could be civil towards each other! Brushing a sweaty hand through her blonde tresses she powered forward.
"I have some bad news. I got fired today."
Darien shifted positions so he was facing her. "Oh. Sorry to hear that."
"What? You feel bad for me? This is a first! We're growing leaps and bounds here."
He smirked. "Oh Serena, you stay around long enough and we'll-"
Whatever he was about to say, Serena didn't catch - although part of her was happy because she was starting to feel a strange magnetism towards Shields. Too much, too soon.
"Hello, sorry to interrupt but I was wondering if you'd like to dance?"
The exotic silvery-haired man stood before them and had spoken in a throaty accent. Eyes the color of cold steel, he was dressed in all black except for his silk mint green dress shirt. Serena shivered as their eyes locked. Who was this guy?
She caught Darien clenching his jaw. His sapphire eyes slide over to her, expression impassive.
Inwardly, she cursed the timing. For once, her and Darien had been getting along civilly. But the guy was smoking, and besides, a dance wouldn't be too long? It was salsa - which she was miserable at - but how could she refuse this demi-god? Her and Darien could catch up more later.
Now that that's dealt with, she thought, a coy smile playing at her lips.
"I'll be back!"
Darien didn't return the smile but instead nodded curtly.
Coolness seized her insides as she accepted the stranger's offered hand, leaving Darien at the bar watching them.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt there but if I didn't say something I know I would regret it."
That throaty accent again. Serena neck warmed as she glanced up into his steel eyes.
"That's okay. Has anyone ever told you, you have the most beautiful eyes?"
He laughed. "Oh yes."
Maybe she should have been put off by his cockiness but instead she felt drawn to him. Perhaps it was the quick gulping of the cosmopolitan martini, she thought to herself with a rueful grin.
Weaved into the throng of partners dancing amidst the sweaty, aromatic air, Serena couldn't help gazing through the crowd back to the bar. A shapely red-head had engaged Darien in conversation, and as she saw him laugh she felt an uncomfortable prickle of jealousy.
Swallowing tightly, she turned and slid into her dance partner's arms. "Just a warning. I haven't danced salsa in ages." Erm. More like never.
"Well it's a good thing I'm an expert." His husky voice oozed all around her seductively. Oh boy.
And suddenly they were dancing. He whirled her, spun her, to the left and to the right. Serena found herself unable to talk as they pressed to and fro amidst the other dancers, the salsa music quite intoxicating. As intoxicating as this gorgeous man.
The song slowed, changing to a more sensual, slow dance. Serena sighed in relief. She was wondering how she had made it through that fast tango. He had to have been an incredibly experienced dancer, her eyes roved across his lean figure.
Blinking, she said, "My name is Serena. Yours?"
"Right. I'm forgetting myself. Diamond." His hand pressed into the small of her back. "Do you come here often?"
"It's a favorite spot for my friends and I. We don't normally come on Wednesday but I got fired from my job today. It was necessary."
"Fired?"
"Unfortunately."
They were silent for a few minutes, pressed together, engulfed in the music. Serena inhaled Diamond's cucumber scent appreciatively. Whatever cologne he wore was exquisite.
"I asked because I've never seen you here before - I know I would remember you."
Warmth trickled into her cheeks. A sardonic wave filled her stomach at the cliché line. She could forgive him for that one line, couldn't she?
The song ended in an exaggerated tempo of drums and bass notes. Serena untangled herself from him, alarmed to notice she was sweating heavily, beads dripping down the side of her cheeks. They were silent for a moment too long and she glanced around, suddenly grasping mindlessly.
"That was nice!" Ergh. But he surprised her with his next question.
"Would you like to go out some evening, Serena?"
Serena quelled the giddy butterflies that were rolling through her stomach. "Yes, I'd like that."
Diamond leaned in to peck her on the cheek but she turned around just at the wrong time, his face getting smacked with a thwap of thick blonde hair.
Trilling loudly, cheeks stained red, she smacked him on the shoulder. "Sorry about that! Here's my number."
He gave her a perplexed look and then looked to the number she had typed into his phone. "I'll be . . . in touch."
Wow, that was awkward. We'll see if he actually calls, she thought, making her way back to the bar. A surprising wave of relief washed down her insides when she saw Darien alone this time.
"You're still here!"
Darien's expression was cool. "Umhmm."
"What's got you in a twist? Wait, I know, you're upset because foxy red-head didn't give her number to you." She teased, eyes shining. But her smile faltered at the frigid look he sent her.
"Don't stand there and pretend to know what I'm feeling. We're old school acquaintances if anything. You don't know me."
Serena bit back her sharp retort. Hurt was flitting through her body and familiar anger bubbled to the surface. Fists tightened at her waist.
"You're the same old Shields! Always putting people down. And I thought you had changed."
He laughed humorlessly. "Get it through that thick skull of yours, people will disappoint you."
She blinked up at the ebony-haired intern. "You're right about that!"
And with that, she whirled on the heel of her silver flat and left him at the bar, watching her go.
The crisp winter air was a welcome relief from the now crowded and heavy atmosphere swimming in Tryst. It was a little past eleven and heaps more people had arrived. The girls decided to duck out as they all had work the next morning. Well, except Serena.
"I cannot believe him!" Serena fumed, hands clenched into fists at her side. A yellow taxi whizzed by, beeping erratically.
New York was indeed the city that did not sleep. Pedestrians were spilling out of bars in SoHo, happily drunk and scouring out for a late brunch or Chinese restaurant to fill their bellies.
Sighing, she tilted her head to the side, her eyes taking in the majestic beauty of the city. Inhaling deeply, she shook her head, lips pressed together.
"Don't waste your energy on him." Lita interjected. "Besides, Shields is just battling his own issues. He's probably regretting saying that to you."
Ami nodded. "There's a lot of pressure on him. He's in his final year of interning and he has to decide his area of specialization. It must be very stressful."
Serena let out an exasperated sigh as they walked down Lita's street. "Yes, but that doesn't give him the right to treat me like that! What is with guys these days?"
Her eyes glazed over suddenly and she let out a goofy giggle. Not all guys were complete arses.
"You won't believe what happened . . . "
"Does it have anything to do with that silver-haired cutie?"
"He asked me out on a date!"
Rei shook her head. "Serena, really, you have all the luck."
"I want our first date to be exciting! I don't want it to be the boring standard dinner date, you know?"
Ami grinned. "Right, don't want anything too close to the book. You need to do something out of your comfort zone. Both of you."
"Whoa, expert here." Lita joked, banging elbows with Ami who blushed.
"Oh . . . "
In Serena's drunken haze she suddenly had a brilliant and wonderful idea - an idea that could possibly bring her from unemployed to employed.
"That's it! I've got it!"
"Got what?" Mina eyed her slightly tipsy friend with a smile.
Serena paused, rubbing her goose-pimpled arms and then continued passionately, "Well, I was surfing the web this afternoon and found something. There is an opportunity at Glow NYC where you can propose your idea for a bi-weekly column. They usually are looking for something wacky and unique. I could write a column about experimental dating. What if I tried out wacky, new first dates and inspire other women and men to do the same?"
"This is beginning to sound too much like an overdone self-help book." Rei drawled but Serena shook her head fiercely.
"No, this will be innovative and fresh! I'll show you." Her eyes were glowing and hands trembling from the adrenaline coursing through her.
"That's a great idea! You could start with an intimate class of yoga for two." Mina chirped up. "I've always wanted to try that out! Imagine how much fun that would be on a first date."
"Awkward." Rei muttered.
Serena clapped her hands. "But that might be the point. It would break down the barriers so quickly, that you could almost jump straight ahead."
"Oh, like more intimate matters?" Mina joked.
"I'm so excited!" Serena squealed, her eyes bright, Darien quite forgotten. This was it!
A/N: Whoop! This should be fun ! :) Let me know what you think and please leave suggestions for potential awkward but fun first dates :D
L xo
