Hi everyone! Thank you, for the reviews! Also, Thank you, my wonderful readers for keeping up with this story. Here's Chapter 4. Enjoy!

Taking One Tooth At A Time

By bluebutterfly2006

*** Chapter 4 ***

Serena woke up and got ready for work like usual. Friday had finally made it. 'Good thing, too! I've had a long exhausted week. As long as I don't have to see "him" it will be a good day. Ugh! The other night! That man! I swear one of these days!' Serena thought.

Serena's day was awful! Nothing went right! She couldn't keep her mind off of Darien, or the "Jerk" she referred him to. First, she couldn't get the "bib" on a patient correctly and not to mentioned the mess that went everywhere. Serena was lucky, because the woman noticed she was having a bad day. The woman told Serena that it was alright and she been there too. Next patient went worst. Serena had one of her klutz attack and tripped over a cord. The instruments-tools went everywhere from the forgotten tray that she had carried in. Apparently, the other room that she normally worked in was having technology problems. She bent down and started to pick them up, when Deena began to help her.

"What's wrong, Serena?" Deena inquired.

Serena wiped the sweat from her bow with the back of her hand and said. "I have no idea what is going on with me today?! It's like I have seven years back luck, or something!"

"Did you break a mirror?" Deena asked, in a joke.

"Nope." Serena replied.

"I guess you're having a Monday instead of a Friday!" Deena suggested.

"I guess so," Serena said, defeated.

"MISS MILLS!" Dr. Nebb thundered out in the room.

"Oh no!" Serena whispered towards Deena's way. The women exchanged a worried expression. At that instant, Serena replied with, "Yes?"

"Could you please, come in here?" Dr. Nebb requested.

"Sure." Serena answered, as she got up. She touched Deena's shoulder and said, "Thank you for helping me!"

"No problem!" Deena responded. She took the tools that she picked up into another room to be wash and sanitize.

Serena approached Dr. Nebb's office. It was just the next door from where they store their stuff. The office was a small one with a computer and a chair of course. There in front, faced two more chairs for patient's conservation. Behind the computer desk there was a medium height book shelve, that had books on the second and third shelve. On the first level of the shelve had pictures of Dr. Nebb's kids and grand children.

Serena knocked on the door by using her two knuckles and said. "Dr. Nebb, you wanted to see me?"

"Yes- Miss Mills. Please, close the door and take a seat." Dr. Nebb pronounced, sternly.

"Okay." Serena said, followed by her shutting the door. Additionally, took a seat that was in front of Dr. Nebb.

Dr. Nebb was a round, but tall man. His red short hair always styled neatly with red short styled hair. He viewed Serena from his brown specs and spoke.

"Miss Mills-Serena. I have witnessed the awesome job that you've done. But today, I have also noticed you are having a bad day? Is there something wrong?"

"Oh, it's nothing! I'm just having a bad day." Serena rejoined, and blushed.

"Ah, okay." Dr. Nebb said, and added. "How would you like to come with me to the hospital to exam patient's teeth? They're having a free trial. We may get some more patients in..."

"Sure!" Serena exclaimed.

Dr. Nebb smiled. Serena reminded him of his daughter, but minus the blonde hair.

"We go after work. That's when the shift changes and it would be easier to wait, until then."

"Okay. May, I ask why did you pick me?" Serena asked.

"I figured you earn it," Dr. Nebb responded.

The day had ended and Serena couldn't wait. She had always enjoy helping others. Dr. Nebb and Serena took separate vehicles. So, they could go home afterwards.


Once in the hospital, Serena observed how busy it was. She peaked down at her watched, it read fifteen minutes to six pm. Yep, it was definitely shift change. It wasn't just Dr. Nebb and Serena there, a few of the other dentists as well. The supervisors of the hospital had announced that each of the dentists and dentist hygienists would be pair up with a nurse.

The woman had medium red hair and she was very short, but her voice made up for it. She wore a navy long business skirt with a thin light blue long sleeve shirt, that had a gold broach at the top of the neckline. She looked so familiar to briskly, Dr Nebb uttered softly to her that was his daughter, Katie.

"Wow! She's amazing! So professional!" Serena mumbled back to him and he nodded.

"I don't why she had to dress so formal today? Usually, she's in scrubs!" Dr. Nebb replied, uncertain.

"I don't know, either." Serena commented.

"Hello everyone! May, I have your attention, please! Let's get this started. I will pair you guys up. Fiona with Michelle. Michael with Mitch. Cassie with Dawn. Maggie with Eve. Dr Nebb and myself. That about covers everyone, I believe." Katie said and stopped herself. Since, now it was Dr. Nebb, Serena and herself standing. The rest had went on.

"Oh! I am so sorry, Serena! I guess, I miss counted-but I was sure there was-" Katie replied, confused, but heed a noise.

"Sorry, I'm late Mrs. Goldsmith!" Darien said, out of breath from running.

"Mr. Shields, Darien. I told you to call me 's it! Serena meet Darien

"Um? Mrs-Katie. Wait?" Darien said.

"WHAT?!" Serena and Darien said together.

Katie and Dr. Nebb had disappeared, leaving Darien and Serena alone. Darien went over to the front desk to see who of his patient's was on the dental check up list. He took his time, just to see what she would say. Darien wondered how long it take before she said something. Believe, or not he actually enjoy spending time with his favorite Meatball Head.

"So, Mr. Shields? Any Takers?" Serena said in her most polite voice. Her day really wasn't on her side. She didn't want to be here with him!

"Yes, Miss Mills!" Darien respond, civil. "This way!"

The girl was just only eleven years old and she had broken her leg. Few days ago, she found out she had to go under surgery because of it. That's all Darien told Serena. Serena understood not to ask more on her condition. She too, couldn't express to anyone about her patients. However, the girl did agree on free dental examination. Well, her parents did. Darien opened the door and entered first.

"Hello, Tammy!" Darien said.

"Hi, Darien!" Tammy replied, as she peeked up from her tablet.

"How's my favorite patient doing?" Darien asked.

"Good. But isn't everyone your favorite?" Tammy mentioned.

"That's true. I care deeply for all my patients." Darien stated.

Tammy smiled, and Darien returned the smile. Then, Tammy asked. "Who's that?"

"Who? Oh, her! Just someone I picked up from the street." Darien answered in a jest.

"DARIEN!" Tammy said.

"Alright. This is Serena. She will be checking your teeth today." Darien rejoined.

"And she's also your girlfriend?" Tammy replied.

"Yep." Darien said and wink.

"Oh, Darien! Stop that! She's a friend, ain't she?" Tammy inquired.

"Yeah, she's a good friend." Darien said and thought. 'What in the world was he thinking saying this in front of Serena. Oh, well.'

Serena couldn't be mad at him. She knew what he was doing and it melted her heart. His kindness was so sweet. A side she wish she seen more of. At that instant, Serena noticed two pairs of eyes looking at her.

"Uh, right! Like Darien said. My name is Serena and I will be examining your teeth today."

Serena obtained the items she would need out of her bag, except the mask; she didn't want to scare Tammy. Next, Serena placed the instruments on the table and put the bib around her neck, gently.

"Let's take a look. Can you say, ah?" Serena asked. Tammy mocked Serena. She then started the examination.

As Serena was wrapping up the examination Darien observed how beautiful she look.

'How couldn't he seen it before she-' Suddenly, his thought was interrupted by Serena's voice. She had instructed him to reach a certain tool of hers.

He did as she asked, but when they touch a spark of electricity bloomed. Serena was lost in Darien's eyes and him lost in hers. They both had the thought of, 'What was going on?'

Serena broke the trance. She finished up and said, "Keep up the good work!"

"Thanks Serena! Don't keep Darien to much away." Tammy commented and gave her a wink

"You're cute kid! Bye!" Serena commented.

"Bye!" Tammy replied.

"I'll be back later, Tammy to check your vitals." Darien indicated.

"K."

Serena and Darien exited the room and when they reached the nurses desk. Darien had commenced typing in the information about his favorite patient. He could do this when he check her vitals, but he wanted to test Serena. Even though, it was a free check up it still needed to be recorded.

'I need more information, but he is being so slow! I have to do this the old fashioned way, anyway. Patty sure would love this. NOT! Patty hated doing this paper method and then having to transfer to the computer was such a pain. I wish he would hurry up. So, I could fill out what I need to and go home!' Serena thought.

"Come on, Darien! I want to go home!" Serena replied, hasty.

"Just a sec!" Darien responded.

"DARIEN! Surely, you can complete it when I leave?!" Serena retorted, and viewed Darien's features.

'Take all the time you want, you gorgeous hunk! Wait, why am I thinking like that! I just need to go home.' Serena thought, befuddled.

'What if I want you to stay longer?' Darien thought and shook his head. He also watched her do the same thing, so he asked. "You feeling okay, Meatball Head?"

"Could you please, STOP calling me that. If you haven't noticed, I have a different hairstyle now!" Serena replied, vexed.

"You always be my Meatball Head!" Darien mumbled.

"What was that?" Serena asked, confused.

"Never mind. Here!" Darien answered, and he handed her the paper. Yet again, another shock happened.

"WHAT THE HELL?" They both said and shrugged.

Soon after, Serena had left and went home to her comfy bed. While Darien worked a long night him as dreamy-state baffled man.


The next day, Serena had already called her mom and talked. From then, she phoned the girls. Lita was busy in a food contest. Amy had to be at work; one the workers had called in sick. Raye, well she had a date, but the guy canceled. Mina was at work. They all promise to come over and see her new place. Mina was the one she spoke more to. Especially, about Darien! She told her everything. Mina's short advice, before she had to go was. "Just follow your heart and not your head, or hormones." She giggled. "It will work out if it's destined."

Serena glanced at the clock, it read six minutes til three pm.

'Everyone is busy and I'm bored.' Serena thought.

Serena couldn't shake off from her mind on why there was a "electric feeling," plus what Mina had said. 'Destiny? Follow my heart? Okay, Mina has officially lost her marbles.'

Serena snapped out of it when there was a knock at the door.

"Who could that be?" Serena asked out loud. She got up from the couch and went to the door and opened it. Serena gasped and questioned.

"What are you doing here?"

More to come...