Turning a Blind Eye
Disclaimer: Don't own anything.
Chapter One: Blind Date
"I can't believe you've talked me into this." Serena said as she smoothed her blue dress.
"You need to get out of the house more often." Mina countered as she grabbed one of Serena's black jackets.
"That doesn't warrant setting me up on a blind date!" Serena reminded.
"As absurd as it sounds, I have to agree with Mina. It'll be good for you to get out of the house for a change." Amy said as she checked Serena's purse for everything she would need. "Sere, where's your pepper spray?"
"I don't think I'll need that Amy." Serena smiled as she took the purse from her friend, "We're meeting at the restaurant."
"I guess." Amy mumbled as she looked down, trying to figure out an argument against Serena's logic.
"Ames, you know Darien. He wouldn't hurt Sere." Lita commented from the doorway to the room, throwing a kitchen towel onto her shoulder as she spoke, "Or better yet, I know Darien and he knows Sere and I are friends. He also happens to know that I protect my friends." Lita added with a smile.
"You didn't threaten him yet did you?"Mina asked as she held the jacket out for Serena.
"No, but he was there when I threatened Max about hurting you and Darien also happened to come across Joey after he cheated on Amy. Well, I guess he would since he works at the hospital." Lita smirked.
"I'm still not sure how you all know this guy, know he's great; yet I've never seen him before." Serena mumbled as she put on her jacket.
"Yeah, well, as I've said before, it'll be good for you to get out." Amy repeated, "Since the break up you haven't been around lately and that's when we all happened to meet Darien." Amy then said, pushing Serena toward the door.
"I guess. But, just for the record, since my break up with Danny, I've had a lot of other stuff to deal with. I'll be back early and try not to burn the place down." Serena said as she walked out the front door.
"Have fun!" Mina yelled through the closed door, making Serena smile as she found her car keys and unlocked her car.
Dinner, split the check, it was nice to meet you Serena reminded herself of how the night was going to go. He's not Danny and deserves at least a pleasant meal.
Serena continued to remind herself on how the night was going to go as she drove to the restaurant that they had agreed to meet at, only stopping her mantra a few times to hum or flat out sing to a song on the radio.
Serena parked her car under one of the many street lamps in the parking lot and got out of her car, locking it once she shut her door. Taking one last deep breath, Serena headed for the front doors of the restaurant.
"Hi, welcome to Sakura." A hostess said from behind the podium as Serena walked in to the crowded waiting area.
"Hi; reservation for Shields?" Serena asked as she approached the woman.
"Yes, right this way." The woman said as she made a mark in the book on the podium, picked up two menus and turned to lead Serena through the restaurant.
"Your waitress will be Ann, she'll be with you in a few minutes. Enjoy." The hostess said as she sat Serena at a table near the back of the restaurant.
"Thank you." Serena smiled at her as she left to return to the front room.
The restaurant was quiet except for the soft Japanese music the floated through the air, helping to keep conversations muted and private. The lights were dimmed low to make each table feel secluded though they were all in the same large room and the décor was classical Japanese restaurant.
"Hi, I'm Ann, can I get you something to drink while you wait?" Ann asked.
"Water's fine for now." Serena answered.
"Ok, I'll be right back with that." Ann smiled quickly before she hurried off to another table.
Serena continued to look around the restaurant, admiring some of the Japanese paintings the hung on the walls when she noticed that the restaurant became suddenly quiet. Glancing to the door, she saw why. One of the most eligible and wealthy bachelors of the area; Dr. Endymion Chiba, Chief of Medicine at Amador Memorial had just walked into the place.
Serena may have been living under a rock since her break up with Danny, but even she knew about this man. Not only was he rich, but he was attractive. At only 28, he was Chief of Medicine. His black hair was trimmed neatly in a boyish bowl cut sort of way, short on the bottom and slightly longer on the top, though no one would mistake this for mom's quick cut on the house driveway. He wore a black button down shirt that was open at the throat showing off his tanned skin. It was a little obvious that he had come straight from the hospital to the restaurant because of his lack of coat and the fact that his black slacks had slight smudges where he must have whipped his hands after taking off latex gloves and the cornstarch had rubbed off his palms. It was too dark in the restaurant for Serena to see his eyes, but at the moment, she didn't care as sudden fear gripped her.
No, the guy I'm meeting is named Darien Shields. It's just a random happenstance that the Chief of Medicine and another doctor are going to be at the same place tonight. This is a popular place to eat. Serena told herself as Dr. Chiba walked to the same hostess Serena had. This time the woman smiled a lot more then she had before.
Serena was able to take a deep breath as the hostess took Dr. Chiba through the restaurant a different path then she had taken. Serena could see a couple of other woman in the restaurant who were still sitting alone sit up a little more and smile as they began to make their way through the tables.
I guess blind dates aren't a dead ridiculous practice. Serena smiled to herself as she watched one of the women deflate as Dr. Chiba passed them by.
Not wanting to gawk at the poor man who was probably used to it, Serena reached toward her feet and grabbed her purse to check her cell phone for the time and if she had any missed calls; though she knew the latter wasn't likely. Darien didn't have her cell number and the girls wouldn't think of ever calling her tonight; especially since they set up this date. Her phone flashed the time as she pushed one of the side buttons, 7:05. He was only 5 minutes late.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." A voice said from above her head as she tucked her phone back into her purse.
Oh no. Serena thought as she straightened. Only one man had walked in and could have been escorted to this table in the time it took her to check her phone.
"Serena?" the voice asked again as Serena turned her head to meet the dark blue eyes of Dr. Endymion Chiba. The wealthy, single Chief of Medicine of Amador Memorial.
"Are you Serena Tsukino? Friends with Mina Aino, Lita Kino, and Amy Anderson?" he asked again when she gave him no response.
"Uh, yes, I am. But, wait. Darien Shields?" Serena asked, then realizing she didn't really ask a question.
"Yeah, I prefer being called Darien rather than Endymion and when making reservations I use Shields. Just so that any single woman wouldn't see my name and flock to the place. It's happen more than once and I have learned my lesson." Darien smiled as he sat down across from her.
"I can only imagine how that must have went." Serena mumbled as she opened her menu to hide her shocked face.
"It was bad. Especially since the meal was with the board members of the hospital." Darien commented as he opened his own menu.
Serena didn't answer or respond as she continued to look at the menu. Dinner, pleasant meal, just friends, split the check Serena thought then giggled. She couldn't help it.
Darien tilted his menu down and sent Serena a frown.
"Sorry. I was just thinking, give the guy a pleasant meal, leave just friends and split the check. I guess I don't have to worry about splitting the check." Serena blurted out before she could stop herself.
"I knew having a good paying job would work in my favor at some point." Darien smiled at her, "We haven't properly introduced ourselves. I'm Endymion Chiba, as if you didn't know. Please call me Darien." Darien then said as he reached over the table and offered her his hand.
"Well, since you're giving your full name, Serenity Tsukino. Everyone calls me Serena, nice to meet you." Serena said as she grasped his hand.
"So, have you been here before?" Darien asked, trying to create conversation.
"A long time ago." Serena answered, trying to give him a sweet smile but failed.
"Not a good memory?" Darien asked, noticing her façade.
"The actual meal was fine; the person who I had it with on the other hand was not." Serena answered simply.
"I see. For me, this visit is already better then the last one." Darien changed the subject smoothly.
"How so?" Serena asked, intrigued by his latest comment.
"Well, the last time I was here, they had to shut the place down. In fact, there used to be a night club across the street which is no longer there, but none the less it was the last time I came. If you haven't noticed this is one of the nicer places to eat. Though they don't have a dress code, per say, you're expected to dress appropriately. The club, however, did not have such a dress code and when word spread that I was dining here with a woman who was not a candidate for marriage, woman came from all over." Darien said with a grimace, "I'm surprised they let me sit down."
"Well, I think it might be clear that you're with someone. That should deter some proposal seeking women." Serena smiled as she pictured the restaurant that they sat in filled with club attired women.
"I hope they do." Darien muttered, "So what are you thinking about having?"
"I'm not sure yet. The girls, I mean Amy, Lita, Mina and I just had sushi the other day for lunch." Serena pondered as she looked at the menu again.
"That's why Amy rushed me out of her office the other day. We were reviewing a chart when she looked at her watched and practically threw me out of her office and said she'd talk to me later. Probably cause right before that she had convinced me that I spent too much time at the hospital and needed to get out more." Darien smiled as he remembered the day, "Don't tell her I said this, but it was fun watching her struggle to throw me out."
"If you think it's funny for Amy to throw you out, imagine how hard it is for me to throw Lita out! You know, they said almost the same thing to me. Switch hospital with house and it's exactly the same. I wonder how long they've been planning this…" Serena began to think about all the times the girls had hinted to her to get out more.
"I would say it started about 6 months ago. That's when Amy started to have lunches with Lita and Mina." Darien commented, "I only know that because that was when she began to actually leave hospital grounds for lunch." He then added on.
"Those little mischievous….. things!" Serena said, keeping her voice down as to not attract attention but smiling through her anger.
"My feelings are mutual. Though I have to say, this has already been one of best dates I've been on in a long time." Darien admitted.
"We barely started talking, how can that be so?" Serena asked, amazed that he would admit that to her.
"You're not being overly pushy about dating me or trying every trick in the book to get me to like you. You don't brag about who your friends are or how we'll be a good match for the next magazine cover. You're not dragging your chair closer to mine to get close to me and, thank whatever you want to, you haven't suggested we skip dinner and go to bed together. In fact you stated earlier that you're not expecting anything other than friendship out of this." Darien said as Ann walked up.
"Darien, it's good to see you. I see we're not experiencing any difficulties tonight." Ann said as she put Serena's water down.
"No and thank goodness for that." Darien smiled at her.
"What can I get you to drink?" Ann then asked Darien.
"Water and green tea, please. Serena, would you like something else?" Darien then asked.
"Green tea sounds good." Serena smiled at Darien's thoughtfulness to ask her.
"Ok, I'll bring your water right out and I'll start a kettle of tea for you two. Do you need another minute before you order?" Ann asked as she scribbled on her pad.
"Yes please. And tell Alan that I'm not expecting any problems tonight." Darien told her quickly.
"Dare, you never do. I'll get your water." Ann smiled at him as she turned and walked to the kitchen, she stopped before she went through the curtain that separated the kitchen from the dining area to talk to a man with brown hair that looked to be about Darien's height. He smiled then looked toward the table and shook his head, a smile on his face as he followed Ann into the kitchen.
"Friends of yours?" Serena asked as she turned back to Darien.
"Yeah. Alan and I were in the same undergraduate program." Darien smiled, "Ever since that incident we now call 'Club Night' he has always joked that he could buy Ann a new car by just saying that I would be here in the newspaper."
"He's right you know." Serena pointed out with a smile at the fondness she heard in Darien's voice.
"Yeah, but I would never admit that to him." Darien said as Alan set a glass of water before, two empty tea cups and a kettle down on the table.
"Darien, long time." Alan said gravely but was unable to keep his smile hidden.
"Right, Alan. I was here for lunch three days ago. Alan, meet Serena Tsukino. Serena, this is Alan Granger." Darien introduced them quickly.
"Serena it's nice to meet you and whatever this guys says about me isn't true. Unless he's admitting that he cheated off my tests, that's true." Alan smiled as Darien shook his head at his friends antics.
"Don't worry, no stories have come up. Yet." Serena added the yet with a smile.
"That's my queue to leave. Enjoy your dinner. Oh, and Darien, I wanted to tell you congratulations personally. I'll see you this weekend." Alan said as he walked to the front of the restaurant to check in with his staff.
"Congratulations?" Serena asked.
"I'm going to be an uncle." Darien smiled proudly, "My sister and brother-in-law just announced it."
"Congratulations then." Serena returned his smile, "I think we better figure out what we want to eat or we'll never leave here."
"You're right. Let's see what looks good tonight." Darien muttered as he opened his menu again.
Serena returned to looking at the menu, trying to decide what to eat, "I just can't decide. It all sounds good." Serena muttered.
"I know. The sad part is that both of us just ate Japanese recently, this really should be easier." Darien responded, "How about this, you want to get the Sakura special? It's meant to feed two and comes with an appetizer and dessert." Darien offered.
"That sounds fantastic." Serena smiled as she put down her menu, "Now, you said it's meant to feed two, how many times have you eaten it by yourself?" Serena asked.
"More often than not." Darien admitted as Ann came by and took their order.
"And why is that?" Serena asked once they had decided on a sashimi plate as an appetizer and tempura ice cream for dessert and Ann was on her way back to the kitchen.
"I tend to skip or miss lunch during the day. I normally take over doing rounds for the different staff when they're sick or on vacation or taking lunch themselves and just forget to eat. Amy has yelled at me about skipping meals and recently been reminding me about eating. She's gone as far as bringing me food when I tell her I don't have time to leave the hospital for lunch." Darien answered easily.
"I do that too. I'll get caught up with something or someone and not eat. Mina is my Amy, she does for me what Amy does for you. Scolding included." Serena smiled, "They really did match us up pretty well. At least on the part where we're workaholics, like the same foods or at least Japanese food, and, well, to be honest, I like talking to you." Serena added on, hoping the dim lighting would hide the blush that now stained her cheeks and neck.
"I thought you were only looking for friendship." Darien commented, obviously noticing her blush.
"I am. I don't think I'm ready for a relationship right now. I was just saying that you're easy to talk to and you understand me, that's all." Serena reasoned away what Darien was insinuating.
"Right." Darien scoffed with a smile as a server put down a plate of sashimi between them and gave them each a small dish for wasabi.
"So, it's rather obvious you know what my profession is, what's yours?" Darien asked as he mixed some wasabi with soy sauce.
"I'm a secretary at a law firm in town." Serena answered as she mixed her own wasabi and soy sauce.
"And how do you like it?" Darien asked, genuine interest in his voice.
"It pays the bills." Serena smiled.
"You don't like your job?" Darien then asked after her short answer.
"Well, it's not my dream job, but it fits my needs in life right now. It pays me enough to get by in life with some comforts, has reasonable hours, I get weekends off and is close to home. I don't have to commute for more than twenty minutes to get there or home; so over all, I do like my job." Serena answered honestly.
"I see. What is your dream job?" Darien asked as he grabbed a piece of sashimi.
After a pause, Serena answered "Well, for a while it was to be a teacher, then it turned into writing and now, I'm not sure. I'm happy where I'm at and that's good for me for now." Then took after Darien's lead and took a piece of sashimi as he took in her answer.
"But if you could have any job, what would it be?" Darien asked.
"Well, I know I would be sick of it after a month or so, but if I could do anything and not have to worry about bills and what not, I'd say be a stay at home mother. I would like to care for my house and kids. But at the same time I know I'd get sick of it. I like being productive, not that stay at home mother's aren't productive, I just know that I would never be able to do it. As weird as it sounds I like filing and answering phones and just working in general. Other than that for a while, I don't know. Maybe owning my own business would be nice. Lita and I always say we should open a restaurant together. She'd be the chef and I'd keep the place running." Serena smiled at the thought of it.
"I can see how you would want to be a teacher then. Having summer and winter break to do you stay at home mother dream then go back to work when it would feel like you need to do something different. I can see you doing well with children. As for writing, I'm not sure I can see you hunched over a keyboard or notepad by yourself writing, you seem more of a people person. As for running your own business, that would work well for you. And a restaurant with Lita as the chef, well I'd eat there every day!" Darien said with a laugh.
"You didn't mention your thoughts of me as a stay at home mother." Serena pointed out.
"Well, I can see you as a mother. As I said, I can picture you working well with children." Darien said with seriousness, "Wow, we polished that off quick." He then said, looking down at the now empty plate.
"Yeah we did. I guess we're both hungrier than we thought." Serena agreed with a smile.
As the meal continued, Serena and Darien continued to talk. They talked about a lot of things, about their education and how Serena graduated with a BA in English from a state school while Darien had his BS in Biology and Chemistry, his PhD and Medical License and is currently working on a MA in Physics. They talked about how they survived school, Darien mainly. Serena talked about her friends and how they were her rock during her break up, though she didn't go into details about her break up. By the time they had finished dessert they had traded enough information they almost felt as if they have been friends for the past month instead of the past few hours.
"I really had fun tonight" Serena commented as she reached for her purse after Ann placed the check on the table.
"I did too. And I hope you're only checking your phone." Darien commented as Serena put her purse on the table and began to pull out her wallet.
"Darien, I can't let you pay for the whole meal. You may make more than I do, but as I said before. I have a job that allows me to have some comforts in life and this is one of them." Serena said as she reached for the check to see how much her half was.
Darien snatched the check before she could grab it and looked at the total, "How about this, I'll pay and in return we have drinks later this week." Darien said, trying to compromise with her. Knowing she'll argue with him about paying the entire check.
"Will I buy my own drinks?" Serena asked.
"We'll decide that then." Darien answered.
"In my mind that means no. Darien, I can support myself. I don't need you to pay for this." Serena said, a little bit of bite in her voice.
"For some odd reason I have a feeling that your ex accused you of not being able to take care of yourself." Darien muttered as got his wallet out and pulled out his credit card.
"Something like that. Now please, tell me how much." Serena admitted.
"Fine, dinner Tuesday night." Darien answered as he handed the check and his credit card to Ann, "You said yourself that you didn't have to worry about splitting the check." Darien smiled at her.
"Tuesday? I'm not sure. Can I get back to you tomorrow about it?" Serena asked with a sigh, giving up on paying for half the meal.
"Of course." Darien answered as Ann gave him back his card and the receipt to sign.
Once Darien had signed the receipt and put his card back into his wallet, both Serena and Darien rose from their seats and prepared to leave the restaurant. Darien helped Serena into her jacket and pushed in her chair. As they walked toward the front of the restaurant, Darien noticed all the paparazzi mulling around outside.
Stopping before they hit the main waiting area where windows were everywhere, Darien held out his had to Serena.
"I really enjoyed dinner. Amy has my cell number or you can stop by the hospital to let me know your answer for Tuesday. I would walk you to your car, but I think it's best if I go out first and draw away the vulchers." Darien smiled as they shook hands, "Do you want me to see if Alan can walk you to your car? How far did you park?" Darien asked.
Serena smiled at him, "I didn't park that far, I'll be fine on my own. Thank you for your thoughtfulness though. I'll get in touch with you about Tuesday. Good night, Darien." Serena said as she let go of his hand.
"Good night, you should be able to go in peace in a few minutes." Darien said as he turned to go, a smile still on his face.
"Dr. Chiba, did you just have dinner with a possible marriage candidate?", "Are you dating?", "Is it someone from the hospital? Patient or co-worker?" Serena heard the reports ask as they flocked around him as he walked to his car.
Serena had to admit that he handled the press well. He didn't push them away from him, but didn't answer any of their questions. The smile on his face was polite but not friendly, it most definitely wasn't the smile that he had shared with her. Darien got into his car; a red, sports car, Serena pointed out to herself and drove away; leaving the reporters alone in the parking lot. It was then that Serena noticed that none of the staff of the restaurant took notice to spectacle outside and though some of the guests did look over, they didn't run from their tables to watch what was happening in the parking lot. In fact, she was the only person who did watch what had happened.
"Everyone's used to it. Darien comes here a lot and a good portion of the guests are regulars. The ones who aren't don't want to make a spectacle of themselves by rushing to the window." Alan said from behind her, reading her thoughts as she glanced around the dining room.
"I guess you guys should be used it." Serena responded as she dug through her purse for her keys.
"Let me walk you out. I just got off the phone with Darien and he asked to me to escort you out, just in case some of the reporters are still out there and harassing anyone who leaves here for details of Darien's meal here. Also, he wanted me to tell you that he would like you to call him once you get home. Just so he's sure you made it there safely." Alan then said.
"Ok, but I don't…" Serena began to say as Alan handed her a card with a number on it.
"I didn't put his name on it, but it's his cell number." Alan answered as he opened the door for her.
"Thanks." Serena said with a smile as she tucked the card into her purse and walked to her car with Alan beside her.
Alan only found one reporter hanging out trying to get information from anyone who Alan promptly had leave the property. As they continued to walk Alan explained to Serena that many of the reporters knew better then to try and hang out outside his restaurant and harass his clientele
"Have a good night." Alan said with a smile as Serena got into his car, though he didn't turn to leave until she had shut the door, started her car and locked her doors. The last at his insistent look at her and signaling her to do so through her window.
Serena smiled and waved at Alan as he turned to go back to the restaurant and she put her car into drive and began to drive out of the parking lot. On the drive home Serena again sang a few songs that caught her attention on the radio and in no time was parking in her driveway. Serena got out of her car and locked it while she walked up to her front door. As she unlocked the front door, she heard a shuffle on the other side and footsteps running around, wondering what was going on she pushed open the door.
"Lita, what's…" Serena began to ask when something ran into her legs.
"Mommy I had bad dream!" A pink haired toddler wailed as Serena bent to pick her up.
"It's ok baby, mommy's got you." Serena said soothingly as she picked up the toddler and closed and locked the door then turned out the porch light.
