A/N Sorry guys, this has been in my head for awhile now, it seemed the time to get it on electronic paper, as it were. Don't worry, WDMC is still in the process, when I have more time to write. =)

The petite, silver headed blonde sat sullenly on the soft butter colored leather couch. It was the newest addition to the home, and had replaced the faded blue love seat her husband had used since he entered college. Now, in his first year of residency, he was making enough to replace all his old beat up furniture, albeit slowly. Unfortunately, he spent so much time at the hospital working for that pay check that his newly wedded wife barley saw him. Serena let out a heavy sigh, stared at the clock for what seemed like the hundredth time, and waited for the consistent phone call from her cell phone that would inform her that her husband indeed would be late this evening as well. So when the house phone, and not her cell phone, rang instead, Serena was surprised enough to forget her recent unhappiness and revert back to her normal, cheerful self.

"Hello, Chiba residence, Serena speaking."

A voice, soft, with an American accent typical of the South, spoke in shaking Japanese. "I'm sorry to bother you. Is Darien Chiba available?"

Serena was a even more surprised now, as those from the hospital would generally call his cell phone, as would Andrew, or any of his other friends. She thought for a moment that the voice might be an admirer, then immediately dismissed the idea, her Darien was indeed the most handsome man in the universe, known or otherwise, but he didn't invite that sort of attention. Perplexed, Serena stared at the phone for a moment, willing the caller to appear so she could identify her, and settle her suspicions. With a mental note to ask her husband who this girl was when he returned, Serena answered "I'm sorry, he's at the hospital at the moment. May I ask who's calling? Perhaps I can take a message?"

On the other side of the line, there was a resigned sigh that almost sounded like a sob. Serena opened her mouth to speak when she heard a sniffle, than a resolute drawing of breath before the caller spoke again, in a stronger voice this time. "No, that's alright. Is there a number I can reach him? I'm afraid it's a personal matter, and I need him to confirm something for me. I'm sorry to trouble you."

"No, that's alright." While Serena's back may have gone up at the mention of a personal matter, her philosophy being nothing was personal in the sanctity that was marriage, she wisely kept the thought firmly behind her teeth, and added to her mental list of questions to ask Darien when he returned home. "Here, let me give you his cell phone number. He may not answer right away, but he'll return the call as soon as he gets a chance." As she rattled off the number displayed on the refrigerator, along with a string of poetic words, some cheesy magnetic from places they vacationed together, numbers for fast food places that delivered, and a shopping list that included laundry detergent, Serena wondered what this southern belle could possibly want with her prince. When she had repeated the number twice, and the furiously scribbling had subsided on the other end of the line, the blonde rearranged some of the poetic words, smiling softly to herself.

"Thank you so much for your help ma'am, and I'm sorry to bother you again. Good-bye."

"It was no trouble. Good-bye."

Serena had another moment of staring confused at the phone, before setting it in its' cradle, and turning back to the refrigerator. Pressing a kiss beneath the string of words that had recently been rearranged, the girl smiled, then walked into the living room to see if there were any good shows on while she waited for her husband to return.

The words simply read 'I love you.'

,.;:+`~ Meanwhile ~`+:;.,

Darien was having a hell of a day. Two car accidents, an overdose, a minor heartattack, and a colon infection after he had started his shift, he was preparing to clock out and spend a much deserved rest at home with his wife. "Great job with the head trauma case, Chiba."

"Thank you, sir."

"Now now, when are you going to stop all this sir business? You've been with us for four months Darien, we're practically family!"

"Yes sir."

The older man sighed, his bald head gleaming under the harsh fluorescent lights, and his eyes twinkling, much like Santa Claus, in undisguised merriment. He muttered something about young people, elders, and requests before a page had him dashing off to perform yet another surgery. Darien chuckled despite himself, entertained by the fact that the only reason he used 'sir' around Dr. Freidmont was because he knew it annoyed him. When his phone rang, he prepared to inform his often overenthusiastic wife that he would be home soon. This required a moment of preparation for the ear splitting shriek that would surely follow his announcement. With a grin, he reached into the pocket of his jeans hidden by his scrubs, when the phone itself rang. Serena rarely rang him at the hospital, and everyone else he talked to save the scouts or Andrew were here or sleeping. He noted the restricted number, and prepared to ruin his good mood by informing whatever credit card, collection company, or political ad campaign that he wasn't interested in whatever they were selling, supporting, or campaigning for.

"Dr. Chiba speaking." There was a moments pause and Darien wondered if maybe they had the wrong number. Then the voice spoke, Japanese with an accent that hinted at magnolia blossoms and sun tea. A questioned was asked, one that startled the otherwise infallible doctor. "No I don't." The voice spoke again. "Wait, really?" A reply. "No, I think we'd better get this straightened out now. There's an Arcade called the 'Crown' on fourth street. Can you meet me there in thirty minutes?" An answer. "Good-bye." A closing. Darien pressed the 'END' button, then dialed another number.

"Serena, can you meet me at the Crown in twenty? I need you."

"Of course, but why? What's wrong Darien?"

"There's a girl. She claims she's my sister."

,.;:+`~ Meanwhile ~`+:;.,

A young woman, because she was considered a woman now by law, stared at the phone in her hand before looking at the four men that surrounded her. She met the eyes of each one. When she spoke it was slowly, and in English. "It is done."

Then, she crossed her arms on the desk and sobbed into them.