Hey guys! Hope you like this one. I'm enjoying writing it so please review!


The Scent of a Storm

"Oh no! Seiya why didn't you wake me?" Serena screamed and jumped out of bed throwing all of the blankets on the floor.

"I thought you might like to sleep…"

"I have to work you idiot!" She snapped and rushed into the bathroom so she could shower and get ready for her day. Damn it! I'm going to be late and it's only my second day! She panicked and quickly managed to dress and rush out to the bus stop where the bus was just pulling away. "Damn-it!" She yelled making the small group of people at the stop jump. "What?"

"Meatballs?" The sound of Darien's voice surprised her. "Little aggravated?"

"What do you think Shields?"

"Hostel, hey, I didn't do anything." He smiled making the women behind her sigh. "Miss your bus?"

"Obviously!"

"Not a problem. I'll give you a ride if you want." He peeked over his dark sunglasses and locked onto her eyes. "Unless… you'd rather be late."

"No! Um… I mean…" She looked at the rumbling Harley and gulped. "Aren't those dangerous?"

"Not at all for someone who knows how to ride." He offered her a helmet. "How about it?"

"Well… I…"

"No sense of adventure huh?"

"Take that back!" She snatched the helmet away from him and snorted. "Let's go!" She buckled the helmet and sat behind him on the bike.

"Okay, you might want to hold on though." He smiled as she wrapped her arms around his waist; he then took off at, what Serena thought, was an unreasonable speed. Her hair trailed behind the bike in long ribbons as they navigated through the cars stuck in traffic until they arrived at the building fifteen minutes before she had to be to work.

"Thanks!" She shouted, tossed him the helmet and rushed inside.

"You're welcome…" He sighed and put the helmet back into the holder he had it in.

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"I saw that missy!"

"What?"

"He gave you a ride to work? I thought I told you…"

"Where's your accent."

"I figured you'd appreciate if I talked normal for you."

"I like you the way you are Selma."

"Fine! I thought I told Ya to stay away from that no good sack a…"

"He saved my ass. I would have been late."

"So? Ya let him start cartin' ya to work an' he'll be tryin' to do other things too."

"Selma. It was a one time thing." She shook her head and sat down. Soon, she was reflecting on what it had felt like to ride on a motorcycle. The wind had tossed her clothes but she felt refreshed by the thrill of the cars whooshing by and her hair whipping behind her.

"Ya liked it didn't ya?" Selma asked seeing the starry look in Serena's eyes.

"What?"

"Bein' on that death trap with him."

"No! I mean… sort of… the ride was fun…"

"I don't want ya to do that again. I guarantee you that he's wanting you to ride more than just the motorcycle."

"Selma! Does everything need to be about sex with you?"

"Not with me. With them! Them men always think about that."

"Seiya doesn't."

"Who?" Selma's eyes went wide.

"My fiancé. His name is Seiya."

"Seiya? That's… an interesting name."

"Yeah, he's an artist! He's sweet and sensitive…"

"Exciting?"

"What?"

"Is yer man exciting?" Selma raised an eyebrow.

"Well… he can be."

"No. On an everyday basis does he excite you?"

"Well… no."

"Wonderful." She shook her head and shut her mouth.

The day wore on with the slow tick of the clock. Serena was beginning to nod off when Darien suddenly appeared in front of her with an impish grin. "Hey… no sleeping on the job. Look at that. Momma hen leaves you for fifteen minutes and you're napping!"

"What business is it of yours?"

"Funny you ask. See, I need a phone number that I was told that only the receptionist has so… here I am, asking."

"What number is that?"

"Yours."

"Excuse me?" Serena jumped awake and stared at him open mouthed.

"Your number. The way I see it I ought to have your number and vice versa just in case another incident like today happens."

"I don't think that's necessary."

"I do… plus, what if we wanted to go out kareoking together?"

"We won't."

"Why are you being so nasty?"

"Because! You see this?" She thrust her left hand in his face holding up her ring finger with her engagement ring. "I'm not interested!"

"Who said anything about that? I just want to be friends. Holy shit. Plus…" He squinted his blue eyes and took her hand into his to examine the ring. "This isn't very big."

"It doesn't have to be." Serena blushed and pulled her hand away.

"Doesn't make a lot of money huh?"

"That's none of your business."

"He doesn't does he?" Darien partially laughed and rested his head on his crossed arms.

"What are ya doin' to the poor girl?" Selma boomed.

"I'm talking to her."

"I don't think you need to do that."

"Hey! I can talk to who I want."

"Fine, but talk to someone else."

"Fine. Hey momma, what you doing this weekend?"

"Shut up."

"No, really?"

"I'm goin' to visit my daughter."

"Have fun with that… yeah you're boring. Meatballs what you doing?"

"None of your business." Serena rolled her eyes and turned away from the overly attractive man. He was almost a complete opposite from Seiya in personality, looks not so much. Seiya was artistic yet boring and Darien was mechanically oriented and exciting.

"You know… there's an old Swahili proverb that I think may apply here. Want to know what it is?"

"No."

"Tough, Ajabu ya shingo kukataa kulala kitandani; it means something odd is happening when someone who normally loves something denies any interest in it."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Whatever you want." He winked and walked away.

"Selma…"

"Don't get me involved in this… you're the one who invited him into your world."

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"This guy is really bugging me at work!" Serena yelled as she stepped into the house after work on Friday. "I can't seem to shake him."

"What do you mean?"

"He's just being an asshole! He calls me meatballs!"

"Meatballs?" Seiya raised his eyebrows and peered at his disheveled girlfriend.

"Apparently it's from my hair… the other guys are starting to catch on… it's not right."

"No, it's not."

"Yeah! And he flirts with me constantly. I showed him my ring and said I was unavailable and he actually laughed at me. LAUGHED!"

"Who is he?"

"He's just a salesman and a mechanic."

"Both?"

"I guess he's the golden child around there."

"He sounds like one of those smooth talking jocks from school who always got his way because he was good-looking." Seiya sneered.

"I hope he starts to lay off." She sighed. Secretly she knew she liked the attention., Darien was definitely the kind of guy who would travel the world with her and always keep her laughing but at what price? She was engaged to be married to Seiya… sweet, safe Seiya.

"I'm sure he will Serena, just keep turning him down and eventually he will give up."

"Okay."

"Well, what do you say we go upstairs and have a romantic night in?"

"Sounds great." She smiled and took hold of her fiancé's outstretched hand. With that they walked upstairs together so they could be together.

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"What the fuck is her issue?" Darien asked his best friend with an exasperated tone.

"Maybe she's just not interested."

"That's not it. She's definitely interested, I know that because she got on the bike."

"Dare, that doesn't mean anything!"

"It does when this girl is so obviously bored with her life that she's just looking for an excuse to break a rule… She's obviously a momma's girl who never bothered to test her limits. She's always played it safe and now she's going to trap herself in a marriage."

"Is this a pity pursuit?"

"I don't know maybe… what if it is? Would you really care?"

"Yeah, if you really want to pull this girl away from her husband-to-be you can't just view it like that. You have to like this woman."

"The funny thing is that… well, I sort of do." Darien smiled and stretched out on the soft couch in his living room.

"Then don't you think you ought to work more on that?"

"Perhaps… we will see."

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When the alarm buzzed Monday morning Serena jumped and groaned. This was her first day without Selma and already the thought of having to ward off Darien all by herself made her shudder… simply because he was the only thing she'd thought about all weekend, in fact, a few times she had caught herself transposing Darien's face over Seiya's; it was something that both disturbed her and soothed her at the same time.

The bus ride had become the main doldrum of the job, and even though she'd only been at her job for a week she resented the boring, and slow ride to the street her work was on, then the long walk to the front doors.

"What time did you leave your pretty little town house Meatballs?" Darien's voice interrupted her self pitying thoughts in the parking lot.

"Why do you care Shields?"

"We could commute together if you'd like? You'd get to sleep in a little and spend less time in traffic."

"I'd rather not die a horrific death because of your recklessness and inability to drive sensibly."

"Sounds like you're looking for an excuse."

"Excuse for what?" Her blue eyes flared with anger and frustration.

"For avoiding me."

"If only I could."

"Avoid me?"

"Bingo! My life would be perfect then."

"So… it's not perfect now?" He smiled and nodded confirming his thoughts.

"What?"

"Your life's not perfect now? Why?"

"You keep bugging me that's why?"

"Okay, so why do I bug you so much?"

"You're annoying, arrogant, reckless, and you keep flirting even though I'm engaged."

"You know you like it." He smiled his pretty boy smile and unzipped his black leather jacket this time exposing a tight fitting white beater that was actually black.

"No, actually I don't." She hesitated and labouringly pulled her eyes off of his muscular torso.

"So, how about it then?"

"How about what?"

"Commuting to work?" He pulled his sunglasses away from his eyes and stared her down knowing full well how uncomfortable she was feeling.

Serena stared at the large building in front of her as Selma's words rang in her head. Ya let him start cartin' ya to work an' he'll be tryin' to do other things too. With a sigh she nodded and turned back to Darien. "I'm sorry Mr. Shields but I cannot so that. I'm too concerned about my safety."

"I've never once crashed my bike." He stepped closer to her.

"There's always a first time." She turned and began walking toward the front doors.

"Is it really that you're worried about your safety? Or that you're worried about your boyfriend getting nervous about you on a motorcycle with a better-looking, and more fun guy?"

"Excuse me?" She spun on her heels and glared at Darien.

"You heard me."

"I heard you. How dare you talk to me like that! You are way out of line!"

"But I'm right. Let's face it little girl, I bug you so badly simply because you want me but then again you don't want to leave your safe little life to explore the world around you. I'm betting you want to be a world traveler and he doesn't. I'm also betting that when you just want to spend time with the guy he's busy with work."

"That's not true… why am I arguing with you?"

"You're trying to convince yourself that you don't want to be stuck with this guy. I'll tell you what. Next time he's ignoring you and you just want to do something call me. I'll come and meet you wherever and we can just chill together. Okay? No pressure or anything just two friends hanging out."

"You're not my friend Shields."

"Sure I am." He smiled and held up a card. "Just take the number." He slipped it smoothly into the pocket on the front of her shirt being careful to not touch her. "Have a great day meatballs." He turned towards the building and walked into the shop leaving her in the parking lot with her mouth agape and a pink blush on her face.

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He's not right… I'm not looking for excuses or trying to convince myself of anything… he's an asshole and an idiot. A reckless, stupid, jerk! So what if he's hot? That doesn't make up for his attitude and nonchalant rule-breaking… sexy… no! Stop that Serena. You're engaged to Seiya. Seiya, the only man who's ever truly loved you and bothered to care… I mean yeah I wish he could be a little more adventuresome but… he'll change eventually. I know he will. Serena was bitterly preaching to herself as she watched Darien work throughout the day. The way his muscles flexed as he lifted things and managed so effortlessly to manipulate the large mechanical monsters around him drove her crazy. With each passing moment her thoughts began to wander into places she only thought Seiya belonged. By the end of the day she was exhausted from all of her mental battles and slowly sulked out of the office and to the bus stop where she found the bus halfway down the road without her on it. Why me? Why now? She asked as the clouds started to sprinkle little water droplets on her. With hesitationg she pulled her phone out and dialed her friend molly's number hoping that the girl would be nice enough to come and fetch her.

"Hello?"

"Molly?"

"Hey Sarenah! Watcha doin'"

"I need a ride… can you come and get me?"

"Sorry I can't Melvin's got the car right now."

"Oh, thanks… I'll call you back later maybe."

"Kay! Talk to ya later." Molly's voice chimed then the phone began to click telling Serena that molly had hung up. Serena sighed and looked down at her front pocket. Damn it Seiya. Why did we have to give up the car? She cringed and picked the stiff piece of paper out of her pocket and dialed the number.

"Hello?" Darien's deep voice filled Serena's ear making her relax a bit.

"Shields?"

"Meatballs? Didn't you just leave a bit ago?"

"Yeah… I missed my bus." She said reluctantly and listened as he chuckled on the other end of the phone.

"So, now I'm saving you?"

"You know what? Never mind. I'll walk!"

"No, I'll be there in a second." His voice was full of amusement as he hung up the phone. Now I've got your number. He smiled and grabbed his leather jacket off of it's coat hook. Saving a damsel in distress, damn I'm on a roll here.

Serena waited for the sound of Darien's motorcycle as she tried her hardest to be protected from the cold rain, which was now pouring as if she were in the rainforest. She shivered from the cold breeze as she cursed the weather for it's sadistic sense of humor. After a few minutes Darien pulled up and got off the bike to give her the helmet. "Thanks…"

"Hey not a problem… You're soaked! Where's your coat?"

"I thought it was going to be a nice day." She said flatly and tried to cross her arms over her soaked baby blue shirt, which now left nothing to the imagination.

"No problem." He smirked and took his jacket off. "Here. You need it more than I do." He looked away politely as she put the jacket on and thanked him. "Well, let's get you home yeah?"

"Yes." She nodded, got onto the bike and held on tightly to him. The smell of his cologne and the warmth of the leather jacket soothed her as they flew down the road. Soon, he pulled up in front of her house and waited for her to get off the bike. She did so and took off the helmet then handed to him. "Thank you so much!" She smiled and looked at the now drenched Darien. "Here's your jacket." She blushed when taking the garment off and handed it to him. "Sorry for getting you all soaked."

"It's okay. You'd better get inside before that shirt melts off of you." His tone was playful yet concerned as he put the jacket on and zipped it. "I bet he's already freaking out about you not being home already."

"Nah, he's probably painting." She nodded and turned her back to him.

"Call me any time!" Darien shouted.

"Okay. Bye!" She waved and stepped into the house.

"Hey Serena is that you?" Seiya asked from the other room.

"Yeah it's me."

"Whoa… what happened to you?"

"It's raining that's what!"

"Why didn't you wear a coat silly girl?"

"I'm not a silly girl Seiya!" She stormed and marched upstairs.

What the hell's up with her? He wondered then was drawn to the window by the sound of a motorcycle rumbling as it accelerated. He just saw the back of a tire but it was enough to make him wonder how she'd gotten home so he went upstairs and stood in the doorway as she peeled off her soaked clothes. "How was your day?"

"Oh just great Seiya." Her voice was filled with sarcasm.

"What happened?"

"The morning busride was annoying, then I got to work and had a boring day, I was tired and walked to the bus stop to find I missed the bus so one of my co-workers brought me home."

"On a motorcycle?"

"Yeah."

"Who was it?"

"Does it matter?"

"Yeah! Your clothes were practically transparent, it matters if it was a man or a woman."

"It was a guy and he let me wear his jacket, he was at least polite!" She shouted and threw her wet shirt at his face.

"Hey!" Seiya caught it and stared at his fiancé. "It's not my fault you were stupid and didn't take a coat!" He turned as the scent of cologne filled his nose. He froze, why was that smell so familiar?