Secret of You
Chapter 1
Author: Silent Moon
Genre: Romance/Alternate Reality
Rated: R
E-mail: silentmoonstar@yahoo.com
Disclaimer: standard
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
By the time the long flight arrived in Japan, Serena was exhausted,
stiff, and cranky. She gathered her things and headed for the door
feeling as though her soul were suddenly made of lead--along with
her arms and legs.
~How *did* I ever get myself into this?~ She thought dully.
She stumbled down the pedway and into the busy and crowded airport
only to be hauled into a tiny office by two japanese customs officers
and searched thoroughly.
She groaned as they turned her bags inside out,
~Why me?~
The two men chattered aimlessly in japanese and she said nothing
until they began to talk about her--ignorant to the fact that she might
speak japanese--which she did. She and Darien had taken classes
and learned it together.
She waited till the conversation turned from mocking to explicit before
speaking up, in clear japanese,
"I suggest you return my bags and let me go before I report you both to
your superior!"
The two startled men simply stared at her as she stuffed her things
back into her bags and stormed haughtily past them and out the door.
They followed and attempted to mumble out apologies.
She continued to walk angrily until she was suddenly swept into the
embrace of a tall man--one she realized then that she would know anywhere,
"Serena..." His voice murmured as he hugged her close and then
released her, keeping a protective arm about her as the two
officials caught her up.
"Gomen nasai..." They kept repeating.
"Don't even bother." She bit back in japanese, causing Darien to
raise his eyebrows.
"Let's go," She said stiffly, and then added in a very tired voice,
"..please..."
He hurried her out the door after they got the rest of her luggage
and it was then she got a good look at him.
She sucked in her breath, trying to still the reaction....but to no
avail.
Tall, dark, handsome....those melting blue eyes.....and the worst of
it was she knew what every inch of him felt like....how wonderful
he smelled....how tender his caress...
~Stop it! Just stop it!~ She scolded her over-tired brain.
Darien was watching her intensely, waiting for her to say something
after staring at him for so long.
"Y-you look great..." She stammered out lamely and shook her head
at her own idiocy.
~Damn being in love!~ She thought helplessly.
He helped her into the car, put her bags in the trunk and climbed in after her.
A sleek black car with a driver....what had he been doing these past two years?
"So, are you going to tell me what all this is about now?" She asked, fixing him with
her blue eyes intently.
His own gazed sorrowfully back, "I wish I could, I really do--but I can't! Everything
rests on the fact that you must not know why! I know it sounds crazy and it's too
much to ask of you....but Sere....it would mean everything to me if you could--"
She silenced him, "You don't have to say anymore, you know I will. If it means anything
to you I will. You know that."
He lay wearily back and sighed heavily. She smiled.
Then he suddenly jerked back to awareness again as the car slowed and pulled into a building
parking lot.
"Serena, the men I have been working with these past two years....they're....they're...well
you *must* trust me do you understand?"
She looked into his frightened eyes, that wild look on his face and nodded solemnly,
reaching out to touch his face on instinct.
"Yes, yes I trust you--oh Gods Darien, don't look so!"
The car stopped and a sleek, shortish man climbed into the front seat and greeted the
driver gruffly in japanese. The car pulled back out into traffic.
"Serena, this is Reggie Masako, a--business associate of mine. Reggie, this is Serena."
"Good to meet you." He said in a voice that made her immediately mistrust him, his next
words made her all out dislike him--for he spoke in japanese to Darien.
"You haven't told her anything have you?" He demanded harshly, "You know the deal, you
tell her why and--"
"Baka!" Darien bit back, "She speaks japanese!"
He immediately silenced and then turned to Serena again, "Gomen nasai." He mumbled.
"No problem." She said cooly, staring daggers at him.
Darien once again slipped an arm about her shoulders, in a vain attempt to sooth her.
The drive home was quite silent save for the limited chat between Darien and "Reggie"
about business matters.
When they finally reached the Manor where Darien explained he stayed while working
it was sunset. It was a stunning property, right on the beach with ornate finishing
on the windows and doors.
Darien carried her bags to her room--right next to his and sat on the bed while she
slowly unpacked.
"I'm sorry about Reggie." He said softly, "Most of the people I work with are unfriendly
and unkind."
"Then why do you--?"
"I have too." He said even softer...but his eyes spoke volumes.
She walked over and took his hands--forgetting for a moment everything between them and
just being a friend, "Darien, what on earth have you got yourself into here? What is all
this? What can you tell me?"
He sighed, "The man I worked for, the president of the company, has died. His funeral
is tomorrow. He was an old, crooked, half crazy man, but very very powerful. During
my time here he came to think very highly of me--like the son he never had or some such
nonsense." His voice had grown bitter and Serena started at the unfamiliar emotion in him.
"It was always his wish to see me married but I would never--" His voice was hoarse
now and she started again at the sudden hungry, desperate passion in his eyes, "I would
never marry anyone. It was his dying wish that I would but I still refused. So he put it
in his will....I absolutely *must* marry someone to fulfill his will....I can't tell you
anymore than that...he forbade it....he was an oddly romantic man and wanted me to marry
without you knowing of an alterior motive....and I would tell you anyway...but these men
he employed...they're nothing more than criminals Sere...I'm certain they know everything I
say...trying to vito me out of the will....."
She watched his face intently.
This wasn't...it couldn't just be for money could it? Would Darien do all this for money?
No...no of course not....but she was uneasy all the same.
"I know asking for your trust after all this seems like a terrible joke....but I must ask
it anyway....will you trust me? No matter what you hear from anyone else?"
Her face softened, "Yes." She hugged him gently, "Yes of course. You know I trust you
more than anyone..."
She pulled back a bit and now her eyes clouded over, "But you must tell me something else..."
Her voice choked in her throat as tears started fresh, she watched his face pinch with
recognition of her next words, "....why did you....how could you--??"
They were cut short as Reggie appeared at the door, eyes narrowed, "Darien,"
Darien turned to look at him, releasing Serena he stood, turning back to her, leaning
in close he spoke oh-so-softly in her ear, making her shiver and stiffen,
"We'll talk later I promise....Usako..."
She nodded sadly, willing the tears away in front of that terrible man glaring in the doorway.
She watched him disapper after the other man and sighed, heading back to her luggage to unpack.
Usako.....when they had first learned japanese they'd picked each other japanese names for fun.
Serena had chosen Mamoru for Darien....it meant protector, an appropriate name for the man
who went from her tormentor to her best friend....only *he* was ever allowed to tease her...it
had been the moment of 'truce' between them. When Darien had caught some poor slob at
school teasing her and had nearly pummeled the daylights out of him Serena had been more
shocked than ever in her life.
Darien had chosen Usagi for her, in memory of her old hairstyle with the two buns. Usagi
meant rabbit or bunny in japanese and he said it suited her--though she wrinkled up her nose
at him about it he only laughed and insisted.
Later he'd found a way to soften it to an endearment, 'Usako..' 'My little bunny'....
And she'd childishly gone to calling him 'Mamo-chan'....a very girlish...silly way of saying
his name. But it had been fun and made the japanese seem more fluent between them.
She forgot why they ever decided to learn......it had been his idea hadn't it?
Well, whatever the case, she was certainly grateful now.
But what did all this mean? There was so much left to talk about. It seemed like Darien
had joined the Japanese moffia, and the head honcho had trapped him into fulfilling his
own dying whim and wish. Why had Darien moved here? Why did he work with these people?
And what about their own history together? She'd almost gotten to say something....he looked
like a tortured man on the racks when she'd started.....was he sorry? Did he have some
kind of reason? Could any reason ever be good enough?
She shook herself. Glancing out the window, she saw her room opened right onto the beach...the
sea lapped lazily at the soft sand...the moon was full and bright overhead. She changed into
loose pants and a soft tank top and sandals before slipping out to stroll along the water's
edge.
Darien found her thus, and stood frozen at her doorway a long moment watching. Her slender
figure against such a breathtaking backdrop...that golden hair tumbling lazily after her
in the wind.....
Reggie came up beside him, "She's very beautiful." He commented.
Darien's face hardened, "Yes." He replied protectively, "Yes she is."
"Wherever did you find such a woman?" He asked dryly, "Beautiful, available and willing
to drop everything to come marry you--without even knowing the reason why?"
Darien frowned at the other man's amusement, "She's my best friend." He bit out harshly.
Reggie chuckled, "She'll soon be your wife." Then he leaned closer, menacing,
"What if she's disappointed in your reasons? What then?"
Darien turned viciously on him, "She won't be. She'll understand. She trusts me."
Reggie started to walk away, "Fine. But I'll have my eye on you....best friends usually
share all their secrets....and this is one secret you can't afford to slip out with..."
Darien turned away from him angrily, fists clenched. He took a deep breath and then walked
out to join Serena on the beach, slipping a gentle hand into hers as she walked, eyes closed
in the breeze.
"Hey..."
She turned smiling, "It's lovely here."
He sighed, "Yeah, I guess so."
"Homesick?"
"Very."
He stopped her suddenly, taking her other hand, "Sere...can you ever forgive me?"
She shut her eyes a moment before meeting his, "You already know I have..."
"I don't deserve it....I--" He suddenly turned and caught Reggie watching them from
his window. Serena followed his gaze and caught her breath.
"He's watching us...."
"He's probably not the only one..." Darien muttered.
She pulled him to a sit in the sand with her.
"I've so much I want to tell you....but I must wait...until all this madness is over,
until our every word isn't being listened to....okay?"
She nodded, "Alright."
He looked into her wide, beautiful eyes.
~I've so much I want to tell you....but I'm so afraid.....~
She leaned her head onto his shoulder impulsively, "I've missed you."
And now his heart crumbled between his ribs.....
"You will never know how much I've missed you..." He said softly.
They stayed that way a moment and then he spoke, his tone low and tender--though careful,
"I thought we'd marry on this beach.....a couple of days from now...."
He felt her start a little with the reality of that. Then she sighed,
"I don't even know what to wear..." She said quietly.
He smiled, "You and I will go shopping together....and you can pick out whatever you like..."
"Not a big white wedding dress....that would be inappropraite..." She said as much to
herself as to him. Her thoughts were spinning carelessly....all this secrecy and she'd
just thrown herself in the middle of it.....her tired thoughts blurred....but with
Darien's warm shoulder to lean on everything softened and seemed falsley secure...as though
her biggest worry really *were* her dress and not what on earth she was going to do when
she was wife.....and what the truth really was....
"Whatever you feel comfortable in." He said gently.
"I'd better convert some of my money over--"
"No." He cut in, "You'll pay for nothing while you're here. Nothing. This is all because
of me and I'll cover everything. Understand?"
"But Darien! You paid for my plane ticket! I won't let you pay for everything while I'm here!"
"Well that's just too bad Serena, because I AM!"
She glared up at him, "You always were stubborn." She muttered and he laughed,
"You'd better believe it."
Then he pulled her to her feet and walked her back towards the manor.
"So you can't even tell me about working here these two years?" She asked.
"No..."
"So I don't get to hear anything until after the wedding....about you...about why...."
"I'm sorry...."
She was silent a moment but then turned and looked at him with that expression that always
made him feel he'd simply fall to his knees,
"Have you been okay?" She fairly whispered.
He looked sadly into her eyes, "Yes..." He whispered back softly...but then paused and
added, "No...."
"Oh Darien!" She cried softly and squeezed him tight.
~I would do anything for you.....anything to make it better...to help you....~
He hugged her gently in return...biting back the urge to simply crush her to him and never
let go....to sweep her back into his room and never leave.....
"I can't thank you enough Sere..." He murmured hoarsly.
They reached her room and he lingered in her doorway, "If there's anything you need, I'm
right next door okay?"
She nodded, "Okay, g'night..."
He smiled...though there was an agony in his eyes that made her breath catch...and then he leaned
down making her wonder for one maddening and glorious second if he might kiss her, but it was
only on the forehead, softly. But she reached out and gripped his arms as he did and shut
her eyes.....unaware of how badly he really did want to kiss her.....
He pulled back, still trying to cling to his first smile, "We'll talk more tomorrow, I still
haven't caught up with all your news."
She nodded, "What time's the funeral?"
"Just after lunch."
"Over breakfast then?"
He nodded and turned to go.
Serena watched him go into his room before shutting her door and slipping into her
nightie. She crawled into bed and sighed, reaching to turn out the lamp when on impulse,
she reached for the phone instead and called Mina.
"Hello?" Mina's voice said on the other end and Serena could have cried.
So far from home and tangled in more mystery than she'd started with.....
"Mina!"
"Serena! How are you? Did everything go okay? How was the flight! Tell me everything!"
Serena smiled on the other end. And then with a deep breath, she filled Mina in on all the
details....the horrid flight...the terrible men in customs....seeing Darien again...his
secrecy....his suspicious co-worker....his now dead boss....
"It's strange Mina..." She whispered, "...like he's involved in something dangerous...really,
I'm very worried....he--" She stopped suddenly, hearing a funny noise and realizing that
in all her chatter she was quite vulnerable to someone coming in and out her back door....
"Serena? Serena?" Mina's voice came over alarmed from the phone.
"I've gotta go Mina...it's getting late here and I'm exhausted." She said quickly.
"Call me tomorrow morning?" Mina asked apprehensively.
"Yes, yes ofcourse." Serena said absently...her hair prickling up and her eyes darting
wildly about the room.
She hung up the phone and the silence was deafening. Her every nerve was tense and alert.
~I'm just hearing things....it's late....I'm over tired....it's probably nothing....~
But another skuff from the dark corner by the back door and she was certain.....there was
someone in her room.....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
*
Ack! Please don't kill me for this cliffhanger minna? ^_~
Chapter 1
Author: Silent Moon
Genre: Romance/Alternate Reality
Rated: R
E-mail: silentmoonstar@yahoo.com
Disclaimer: standard
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
By the time the long flight arrived in Japan, Serena was exhausted,
stiff, and cranky. She gathered her things and headed for the door
feeling as though her soul were suddenly made of lead--along with
her arms and legs.
~How *did* I ever get myself into this?~ She thought dully.
She stumbled down the pedway and into the busy and crowded airport
only to be hauled into a tiny office by two japanese customs officers
and searched thoroughly.
She groaned as they turned her bags inside out,
~Why me?~
The two men chattered aimlessly in japanese and she said nothing
until they began to talk about her--ignorant to the fact that she might
speak japanese--which she did. She and Darien had taken classes
and learned it together.
She waited till the conversation turned from mocking to explicit before
speaking up, in clear japanese,
"I suggest you return my bags and let me go before I report you both to
your superior!"
The two startled men simply stared at her as she stuffed her things
back into her bags and stormed haughtily past them and out the door.
They followed and attempted to mumble out apologies.
She continued to walk angrily until she was suddenly swept into the
embrace of a tall man--one she realized then that she would know anywhere,
"Serena..." His voice murmured as he hugged her close and then
released her, keeping a protective arm about her as the two
officials caught her up.
"Gomen nasai..." They kept repeating.
"Don't even bother." She bit back in japanese, causing Darien to
raise his eyebrows.
"Let's go," She said stiffly, and then added in a very tired voice,
"..please..."
He hurried her out the door after they got the rest of her luggage
and it was then she got a good look at him.
She sucked in her breath, trying to still the reaction....but to no
avail.
Tall, dark, handsome....those melting blue eyes.....and the worst of
it was she knew what every inch of him felt like....how wonderful
he smelled....how tender his caress...
~Stop it! Just stop it!~ She scolded her over-tired brain.
Darien was watching her intensely, waiting for her to say something
after staring at him for so long.
"Y-you look great..." She stammered out lamely and shook her head
at her own idiocy.
~Damn being in love!~ She thought helplessly.
He helped her into the car, put her bags in the trunk and climbed in after her.
A sleek black car with a driver....what had he been doing these past two years?
"So, are you going to tell me what all this is about now?" She asked, fixing him with
her blue eyes intently.
His own gazed sorrowfully back, "I wish I could, I really do--but I can't! Everything
rests on the fact that you must not know why! I know it sounds crazy and it's too
much to ask of you....but Sere....it would mean everything to me if you could--"
She silenced him, "You don't have to say anymore, you know I will. If it means anything
to you I will. You know that."
He lay wearily back and sighed heavily. She smiled.
Then he suddenly jerked back to awareness again as the car slowed and pulled into a building
parking lot.
"Serena, the men I have been working with these past two years....they're....they're...well
you *must* trust me do you understand?"
She looked into his frightened eyes, that wild look on his face and nodded solemnly,
reaching out to touch his face on instinct.
"Yes, yes I trust you--oh Gods Darien, don't look so!"
The car stopped and a sleek, shortish man climbed into the front seat and greeted the
driver gruffly in japanese. The car pulled back out into traffic.
"Serena, this is Reggie Masako, a--business associate of mine. Reggie, this is Serena."
"Good to meet you." He said in a voice that made her immediately mistrust him, his next
words made her all out dislike him--for he spoke in japanese to Darien.
"You haven't told her anything have you?" He demanded harshly, "You know the deal, you
tell her why and--"
"Baka!" Darien bit back, "She speaks japanese!"
He immediately silenced and then turned to Serena again, "Gomen nasai." He mumbled.
"No problem." She said cooly, staring daggers at him.
Darien once again slipped an arm about her shoulders, in a vain attempt to sooth her.
The drive home was quite silent save for the limited chat between Darien and "Reggie"
about business matters.
When they finally reached the Manor where Darien explained he stayed while working
it was sunset. It was a stunning property, right on the beach with ornate finishing
on the windows and doors.
Darien carried her bags to her room--right next to his and sat on the bed while she
slowly unpacked.
"I'm sorry about Reggie." He said softly, "Most of the people I work with are unfriendly
and unkind."
"Then why do you--?"
"I have too." He said even softer...but his eyes spoke volumes.
She walked over and took his hands--forgetting for a moment everything between them and
just being a friend, "Darien, what on earth have you got yourself into here? What is all
this? What can you tell me?"
He sighed, "The man I worked for, the president of the company, has died. His funeral
is tomorrow. He was an old, crooked, half crazy man, but very very powerful. During
my time here he came to think very highly of me--like the son he never had or some such
nonsense." His voice had grown bitter and Serena started at the unfamiliar emotion in him.
"It was always his wish to see me married but I would never--" His voice was hoarse
now and she started again at the sudden hungry, desperate passion in his eyes, "I would
never marry anyone. It was his dying wish that I would but I still refused. So he put it
in his will....I absolutely *must* marry someone to fulfill his will....I can't tell you
anymore than that...he forbade it....he was an oddly romantic man and wanted me to marry
without you knowing of an alterior motive....and I would tell you anyway...but these men
he employed...they're nothing more than criminals Sere...I'm certain they know everything I
say...trying to vito me out of the will....."
She watched his face intently.
This wasn't...it couldn't just be for money could it? Would Darien do all this for money?
No...no of course not....but she was uneasy all the same.
"I know asking for your trust after all this seems like a terrible joke....but I must ask
it anyway....will you trust me? No matter what you hear from anyone else?"
Her face softened, "Yes." She hugged him gently, "Yes of course. You know I trust you
more than anyone..."
She pulled back a bit and now her eyes clouded over, "But you must tell me something else..."
Her voice choked in her throat as tears started fresh, she watched his face pinch with
recognition of her next words, "....why did you....how could you--??"
They were cut short as Reggie appeared at the door, eyes narrowed, "Darien,"
Darien turned to look at him, releasing Serena he stood, turning back to her, leaning
in close he spoke oh-so-softly in her ear, making her shiver and stiffen,
"We'll talk later I promise....Usako..."
She nodded sadly, willing the tears away in front of that terrible man glaring in the doorway.
She watched him disapper after the other man and sighed, heading back to her luggage to unpack.
Usako.....when they had first learned japanese they'd picked each other japanese names for fun.
Serena had chosen Mamoru for Darien....it meant protector, an appropriate name for the man
who went from her tormentor to her best friend....only *he* was ever allowed to tease her...it
had been the moment of 'truce' between them. When Darien had caught some poor slob at
school teasing her and had nearly pummeled the daylights out of him Serena had been more
shocked than ever in her life.
Darien had chosen Usagi for her, in memory of her old hairstyle with the two buns. Usagi
meant rabbit or bunny in japanese and he said it suited her--though she wrinkled up her nose
at him about it he only laughed and insisted.
Later he'd found a way to soften it to an endearment, 'Usako..' 'My little bunny'....
And she'd childishly gone to calling him 'Mamo-chan'....a very girlish...silly way of saying
his name. But it had been fun and made the japanese seem more fluent between them.
She forgot why they ever decided to learn......it had been his idea hadn't it?
Well, whatever the case, she was certainly grateful now.
But what did all this mean? There was so much left to talk about. It seemed like Darien
had joined the Japanese moffia, and the head honcho had trapped him into fulfilling his
own dying whim and wish. Why had Darien moved here? Why did he work with these people?
And what about their own history together? She'd almost gotten to say something....he looked
like a tortured man on the racks when she'd started.....was he sorry? Did he have some
kind of reason? Could any reason ever be good enough?
She shook herself. Glancing out the window, she saw her room opened right onto the beach...the
sea lapped lazily at the soft sand...the moon was full and bright overhead. She changed into
loose pants and a soft tank top and sandals before slipping out to stroll along the water's
edge.
Darien found her thus, and stood frozen at her doorway a long moment watching. Her slender
figure against such a breathtaking backdrop...that golden hair tumbling lazily after her
in the wind.....
Reggie came up beside him, "She's very beautiful." He commented.
Darien's face hardened, "Yes." He replied protectively, "Yes she is."
"Wherever did you find such a woman?" He asked dryly, "Beautiful, available and willing
to drop everything to come marry you--without even knowing the reason why?"
Darien frowned at the other man's amusement, "She's my best friend." He bit out harshly.
Reggie chuckled, "She'll soon be your wife." Then he leaned closer, menacing,
"What if she's disappointed in your reasons? What then?"
Darien turned viciously on him, "She won't be. She'll understand. She trusts me."
Reggie started to walk away, "Fine. But I'll have my eye on you....best friends usually
share all their secrets....and this is one secret you can't afford to slip out with..."
Darien turned away from him angrily, fists clenched. He took a deep breath and then walked
out to join Serena on the beach, slipping a gentle hand into hers as she walked, eyes closed
in the breeze.
"Hey..."
She turned smiling, "It's lovely here."
He sighed, "Yeah, I guess so."
"Homesick?"
"Very."
He stopped her suddenly, taking her other hand, "Sere...can you ever forgive me?"
She shut her eyes a moment before meeting his, "You already know I have..."
"I don't deserve it....I--" He suddenly turned and caught Reggie watching them from
his window. Serena followed his gaze and caught her breath.
"He's watching us...."
"He's probably not the only one..." Darien muttered.
She pulled him to a sit in the sand with her.
"I've so much I want to tell you....but I must wait...until all this madness is over,
until our every word isn't being listened to....okay?"
She nodded, "Alright."
He looked into her wide, beautiful eyes.
~I've so much I want to tell you....but I'm so afraid.....~
She leaned her head onto his shoulder impulsively, "I've missed you."
And now his heart crumbled between his ribs.....
"You will never know how much I've missed you..." He said softly.
They stayed that way a moment and then he spoke, his tone low and tender--though careful,
"I thought we'd marry on this beach.....a couple of days from now...."
He felt her start a little with the reality of that. Then she sighed,
"I don't even know what to wear..." She said quietly.
He smiled, "You and I will go shopping together....and you can pick out whatever you like..."
"Not a big white wedding dress....that would be inappropraite..." She said as much to
herself as to him. Her thoughts were spinning carelessly....all this secrecy and she'd
just thrown herself in the middle of it.....her tired thoughts blurred....but with
Darien's warm shoulder to lean on everything softened and seemed falsley secure...as though
her biggest worry really *were* her dress and not what on earth she was going to do when
she was wife.....and what the truth really was....
"Whatever you feel comfortable in." He said gently.
"I'd better convert some of my money over--"
"No." He cut in, "You'll pay for nothing while you're here. Nothing. This is all because
of me and I'll cover everything. Understand?"
"But Darien! You paid for my plane ticket! I won't let you pay for everything while I'm here!"
"Well that's just too bad Serena, because I AM!"
She glared up at him, "You always were stubborn." She muttered and he laughed,
"You'd better believe it."
Then he pulled her to her feet and walked her back towards the manor.
"So you can't even tell me about working here these two years?" She asked.
"No..."
"So I don't get to hear anything until after the wedding....about you...about why...."
"I'm sorry...."
She was silent a moment but then turned and looked at him with that expression that always
made him feel he'd simply fall to his knees,
"Have you been okay?" She fairly whispered.
He looked sadly into her eyes, "Yes..." He whispered back softly...but then paused and
added, "No...."
"Oh Darien!" She cried softly and squeezed him tight.
~I would do anything for you.....anything to make it better...to help you....~
He hugged her gently in return...biting back the urge to simply crush her to him and never
let go....to sweep her back into his room and never leave.....
"I can't thank you enough Sere..." He murmured hoarsly.
They reached her room and he lingered in her doorway, "If there's anything you need, I'm
right next door okay?"
She nodded, "Okay, g'night..."
He smiled...though there was an agony in his eyes that made her breath catch...and then he leaned
down making her wonder for one maddening and glorious second if he might kiss her, but it was
only on the forehead, softly. But she reached out and gripped his arms as he did and shut
her eyes.....unaware of how badly he really did want to kiss her.....
He pulled back, still trying to cling to his first smile, "We'll talk more tomorrow, I still
haven't caught up with all your news."
She nodded, "What time's the funeral?"
"Just after lunch."
"Over breakfast then?"
He nodded and turned to go.
Serena watched him go into his room before shutting her door and slipping into her
nightie. She crawled into bed and sighed, reaching to turn out the lamp when on impulse,
she reached for the phone instead and called Mina.
"Hello?" Mina's voice said on the other end and Serena could have cried.
So far from home and tangled in more mystery than she'd started with.....
"Mina!"
"Serena! How are you? Did everything go okay? How was the flight! Tell me everything!"
Serena smiled on the other end. And then with a deep breath, she filled Mina in on all the
details....the horrid flight...the terrible men in customs....seeing Darien again...his
secrecy....his suspicious co-worker....his now dead boss....
"It's strange Mina..." She whispered, "...like he's involved in something dangerous...really,
I'm very worried....he--" She stopped suddenly, hearing a funny noise and realizing that
in all her chatter she was quite vulnerable to someone coming in and out her back door....
"Serena? Serena?" Mina's voice came over alarmed from the phone.
"I've gotta go Mina...it's getting late here and I'm exhausted." She said quickly.
"Call me tomorrow morning?" Mina asked apprehensively.
"Yes, yes ofcourse." Serena said absently...her hair prickling up and her eyes darting
wildly about the room.
She hung up the phone and the silence was deafening. Her every nerve was tense and alert.
~I'm just hearing things....it's late....I'm over tired....it's probably nothing....~
But another skuff from the dark corner by the back door and she was certain.....there was
someone in her room.....
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Ack! Please don't kill me for this cliffhanger minna? ^_~