Vegas Chapter 4

AKA- Let's get Drunk and Married…

Serena had to sit down. She found a plush couch in the lobby and plopped down on it, hands in her head. Darien tried to speak but she hushed him "Shhhh…. Just... Just one moment." She whispered. She needed to think.

Was this really happening? Her overprotective father and mother had not only given her a fake id to drink under age in another country, but they had left her to party the night away with a boy. And oh no… not any boy… her arch nemesis.

Err, her old arch nemesis, her crush, the one she was not allowed to talk to because she was "betrothed" in some odd sense. The scouts would kill her. She would be queen one day, and get married, have children, battle the world, have people try and take over her utopia again and again and again... She shook her head violently to erase the images.

It was all too much. Everything was just way too much and now she had a few days to be free. Free even for a few minutes. Her brow smoothed out and her frown slowly curled upwards in to a smile. Her eyes went from squinted and confused to happy and shining. Free in America, yes the saying was true. She heard the bells of freedom ringing in her ears.

8888888

Darien watched the perplexed blond tap her fingers over and over again on the plush couch. Part of him was just as confused as she was. Over the last couple of hours he seemed to have been adopted by the Tsukino family. It could be the sake thinking for him but he was sure that this feeling he got from being with Serena and her family was of home. Like a missing part was complete. As he stood watching her, he started to worry that she would not want to go out and have some fun, in fact he was frightened that she would call it a night right then and there. Her face contorted oddly. Was that pain he just saw? Then he saw her eyes come to life, shining in all of their blue glory.

She jumped up looking refreshed, like she was fourteen again. Darien never realized that even though Serena was normally upbeat and happy something was inhibiting her to be the child he always knew.

"Okay, baka, let's go!" Serena said grabbing his hand and pulling him with her.

Who knew a girl could be so strong and delicate at the same time. Her soft small hand in twined with his just felt right. She turned around and smiled at him, as she pulled blond hair streamed behind her like two ribbons.

"Meatball head! Where are you taking me?!" He couldn't help but to smile back.

"We are in America. The land of the free and for once… I am going to be free!" She pulled him to the Island bar in the casino. The lights from the games flashed and beeped, much like the crown arcade. People cheered from the craps tables to the left making the atmosphere much more pleasant than either would have imagined.

"Give me two lemon drop shots!" She said to the bartender with a seductive smile and a flash of her ID, a smile Darien didn't even know that she could do.

"Lemon drop shot?! Serena come on!" Darien said. "I am not taking that."

She looked at him with puppy dog eyes and a pout. "Please, it's my first night out in a long time. Please, for one night let's be friends and not fight. I just need one night." She held out the shot like a peace offering.

"Fine, hand it over." How could he resist that pout?

The two downed the shots. "Okay, that was not so bad." Darien reluctantly admitted.

"See! Trust me! Now come on! This city is lit up better than Tokyo. Let's go have some fun." She smiled.

"Serena, no offence, but you can't go out in that?" Darien stated.

Serena looked down at her white dress. It was fine, a little girly but she had to dress like this when she was around her parents. Then she had a great idea.

"Hold on, I'll be right back." Serena darted for the closest bathroom.

Stupid, of course you can't go out in that. But since Luna is not here. Serena dashed in to the handicap stall and locked the door. Out of her sub space pocket she pulled out the Luna Pen.

"Luna Pen, turn me in to a hot party girl!" The magic did its job and Serena found herself wearing a skintight black tube dress with black pumps. Her hair was pulled back in to a sophisticated ponytail and her eyes were done in the smoky look. She looked hot! She opened up the purse that came with the ensemble and found some lip gloss.

Serena strutted though the casino floor back to the bar. Men and women ogled her as she walked past the slot machines and blackjack tables. It had been awhile since she felt this pretty. Darien stood with his back to her, it seemed that he was in conversation with two people. She tapped him lightly on the shoulder, when he turned around his eyes bulged out of his head.

"Wow... I mean... you look great… uhh… where did you get those clothes?" He asked dazed and confused.

"Oh, well, I… umm… ran upstairs really quickly. Yeah… that… I can change really fast." Serena fudged the lie.

"Yeah… well you look great! Hey let me introduce you to Roxy and Tyler. I met them while I was waiting for you. They bought us another round of shots."

Serena looked at the duo. Roxy had short blond hair and a rocking body. She looked a little older but incredibly beautiful at the same time. Tyler had dark bushy hair and was kind of short, but he complemented Roxy very well. Maybe, we can be friends then I won't have to be alone with Darien all night. Not that I don't want to be but if the girls ask then I can say I had other people with me.

"Nice to meet you. I am Serena." She said happily, eyes sparkling.

"Hey Hun! Nice to meet ya! My husband and I were talking to your boyfriend over here and he said you were from To-keyy-oo." Ilene said in a poor southern accent. I don't remember packing that dress for Serena. Where did she get that?

"Umm. That's right. I am here for a week with my parents." That's a really bad accent and they say Asians have a bad accents.

'She didn't deny me as her boyfriend… hum' thought Darien.

"That sounds like loads of fun. Roxy and I lived in Japan when I was in the army. We loved it there. Here…" Ken said in the same southern twang only a little better. Ken handed his daughter the shot. Ilene, Ken, Darien and Serena raised their glasses.

"Cheers!" They shouted.

"So, is this your first time in Las Vegas, ya'll'?" Ken asked wincing at the overly sugary taste, of course his daughter would like these.

"Yes, I think it is Serena's also." Darien said licking the sugar off his lips.

"Well, it's ours too! I think we all should all stick together. If you don't mine hanging out with some strangers. " Roxy said.

"I think that's a great idea!" Serena exclaimed, the alcohol clearly getting to her.

Darien nodded in agreement, there was just something about these two people that he just felt comfortable with.

"So, I was thinking we go to LAX." Tyler said.

"I don't know what that is but sure! Let's go!" She turned quickly and headed out of the casino.

"What... come on, she's hard to keep up with." Darien waited for Tyler to pay the tab. When they made it outside all three people were surprised at the sight before them.

Serena stood on the curb talking, no flirting with a valet boy with short spiky brown hair. She giggled at something he said and playfully slapped his arm. Darien and Ken saw red. In Ken's mind she belonged to him and Darien… because he made the decision to mentally betroth her to Dr. Chiba and there was no way this boy she was talking to would ever be good enough for her. Ilene grabbed his arm to stop him from bashing the in the valet's skull and he turned to face his wife. When he met her eyes she signaled for him to look over at Darien.

Dr. Chiba was fuming and he was marching over to Serena and the boy in a huff. He went up to Serena and put his arm around her pulling her close to him and flashed the boy a million dollar smile.

"Darling, did you ask this young man to get us a cab to LAX." He said in a velvety voice. The valet stepped back at once looking confused.

Serene shot daggers at him but at the same time she loved the feeling of being so near to him.

"LAX… right…" The boy shrunk away to the valet stand to make a phone call.

"BAKA! Why did you do that? I am not your girlfriend!" Serena said loud enough for Ken and Ilene to hear.

"You think I am going to leave you to your own devices in Las Vegas. HA! I am pretty sure your parents would not be happy with me if I let you flirt with every guy in the city that looked at you. Oh, no missy you are staying with me." Darien said in a demanding voice. A voice Serena felt like she had heard somewhere before… a long, long time ago.

"I will do what I want! I am not a child and I will talk to who I want to." She turned her nose up in the air.

"Serena, ugg… okay you are not a child but I am going to watch out for you tonight. So we made a truce to be nice to one another can we please just stick to it and trust me." He conceded.

She took one look in to his midnight blue eyes and nodded in agreement.

Ken didn't have to do a thing, Darien would watch out for his naive and extremely stubborn child. He had made a good choice.

"Alright Yawl! The cab is here! Let's go have some fun!" Ilene said really loudly to clear the air.

"Come on Roxy, Darien, Miss Serena! Let's go have a good time!" Ken yelled.

"And it's… ya'll…" he whispered in to Ilene's ear.

"Come on a Darien, let's go have fun." Serena grabbed his hand and gave it a little tug. She smiled at him.

"Don't keep us waiting!" Ken yelled.

"To LAX!" Serena squealed!

8888888888

The cab ride was quick and they all were in awe of the Luxor. Serena screamed in delight at the pyramid shaped hotel!

"Come on yawl, I am losing my buzz and I want to dance!" Ilene said again in her southern accent. Ken shook his head at her.

"Yeah guys! Come on I want to dance!" Serena said already moving to the music in the lobby.

The atmosphere of LAX was exhilarating to say the least. The music was enticing and the lighting was strobbing across the floor in tints of red and blue.

"SHOTS! TYLER! WE NEED SHOTS!" Ilene yelled to her husband.

"It's my round to buy! Come on!" Darien said finally loosening up. They walked down the blue-lit stairs to the bar.

"Four Jager bombs!" He yelled to the bartender.

"Wow! This is great, Roxy! Thanks for coming out with us!" Serena said over the music.

"Your welcome little bunny." Ilene said to her daughter.

"Aw! That's what my mom calls me! I like it. Oh look our shots!" She said with excitement in her eyes.

"Alright guys!" Darien handing out the delicious concoction. "KAMPAI!"

"KAMPAI!" They all yelled.

"DANCE! Come on Darien, let's hit the floor. You too Roxy and Tyler." Before they knew it they were all following Serena out to the floor.

Bits of Rap, techno and pop blared out of the speakers. The alcohol was really taking effect and Serena and Darien became very intimate in their dance moves as they got down to the music. Ken showed up with another round of drinks. "KAMPAI!" They all yelled.

After a good thirty minutes on the dance floor Serena was ready to rest. "Darien, let's grab Roxy and Tyler and go sit down."

"Okay! I think I see them over there." Darien grabbed Serena's hand and pulled her with him.

Ilene and Ken were already ahead of the game. Serena and Darien may not have noticed how well they clicked together on the dance floor or how intimate they had become, but they did. After a few drinks it just seemed natural. It was time to plant the seed of holy matrimony in to their heads. Ken was already prepared with the key to their undoing. Two mind eraser shots sat on the table.

"Whew! That was funnnnnnnn. Oh what's that!" Serena looked like a kid in a candy store when she saw the coffee looking shot on the table. "Ooooooo Roxy! Is that for Darien and me!"

"Heck Yeah! Come on Tyler and I just had a round. This is their signature drink." Ilene said with southern charm as she pushed the undoing toward the couple.

"Come on Serena, Let's do this damn thing." Darien said slightly slurring.

"HAI!" She yelled. "KAMPAI!" They both took the shots while 'Roxy' and 'Tyler' sat with an evil grin on both of their faces.

"So ya'll, how long have you known one another?" Ken questioned them.

"Ummm… about three… uhhhh." Serena tried to think.

"Meatball head it's been like five years!" Darien nudged her.

"Hush Baka. I knew that!" She slapped him away.

"Wow! Yawl have been together for five years now!" Ilene said with fake astonishment, but Ken sat back dumbstruck.

"NO! Not this Baka! We are not dating! OHHH I love this song!" Serena swayed back and forth.

"Serena and Me. Ha!" Darien said trying not to look upset.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN HA! I would be great for you!" Serena yelled at him.

"I think so too! Why not?" Ken interrogated.

"Oh you couldn't handle this." Darien said lifting his shirt to show off his abs.

Ilene and Serena slightly drooled.

"Why you arrogant pig!" She said when she got over the initial shock at how sexy Darien's body was.

Darien just laughed his deep laugh and Serena blushed profusely.

"Come on, Hun. Let's go powder our noses." Ilene grabbed Serena to make a b-line to the bathroom.

8888888888888888

"DARIEN! Are you nuts!" Ken yelled at him after the girls had left.

"Nani? Tyler, what are you talking about? We need more drinks!" Darien sat back in to the red booth.

"SERENA! She is great and beautiful. You should see how every guy in here looks at her. You better get her now… or I think it will be never." Ken stated shaking his head.

Darien hung his head in a drunken stupor. "Yeah, I know. I've loved her forever. She doesn't want me though. And I just want to beat the shit out of every guy that looks at her. No one would treat her better than I would."

Ken couldn't believe his luck. He picked Darien because of his social standing and wealth. But this Darien fellow loved his daughter.

"Well! Go after her!" Ken said with every ounce of truth he had in him.

"Ohhh… I can't. She is so full of energy and life. I am the opposite. She has a great family and I have nothing." Darien slumped his head.

Ken knew what he was talking about. When he went online to fill out the Wedding License paperwork he had to use his journalism skills to find out about Darien Chiba. The poor boy had lost his family in a tragic car accident as a child. He has been alone ever since.

"You have love. Roxy and I have love and that's all that matters. I almost lost her once to someone else. Now you don't want to see that happen do you?" He stated.

"Of course not!" Darien agreed.

"Then tell her you love her!" Ken said excited.

The mind eraser was starting to kick in. "Your… your so right! I should just tell her!" Darien was finally in a drunk enough state tell Serena that he loved her.

888888888888888- Meanwhile in the Bathroom

"Serena, are you out of your blond little mind. That Darien fellow is soo hot! I can't believe with your chemistry that you two are not together." Ilene admonished her.

"Baka and I. Please…." Serena stumbled a little bit. "Hahaha. We have chemistry. I don't think so." She said in a sing song voice.

"Darling, it does not get any more real than what you and Darien have together. Plus, with the way women keep looking at him you may miss your chance." Ilene said seriously.

Serena scrunched her face up thinking about what Roxy was telling her…. But Endymion. No, No, No! No Endymion. She had been waiting for him forever and he never came. She has always had feelings for Darien and the thought of him with another woman made her want to die.

"Oh! It's so true! I love him!" Serena yelled and dramatically waved her hands in the air.

"Hush now honey! I know. Us women, we know everything. You should tell him." Ilene said as she powered her nose in the mirror.

"Oh no... I couldn't. He is a doctor and I am not very smart. I mean, well I am smart but not like him. WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"

Ilene went wide-eyed. Serena was wailing like she did as child. "Stop than honey! Wipe your tears."

"What am I going to do?" She sobbed.

"Tell him you love him. You look beautiful and you should have your man!" Ilene said sternly.

"YOUR RIGHT!" Serena looked in the mirror, smiled and fixed her makeup. I am the future queen of Crystal Tokyo. I have saved this universe a dozen times over and died three times. I am done being dictated to!

"Let's go get your man!" Ilene cheered!

"Yeah!" Serena strutted out of the bathroom, her head held high with Roxy in tow. Men whistled at the two girls. Some even tried to grab Serena but she was on a mission.

"Serena!" Darien said when he saw her.

"Darien!" She said back.

"I love you!" They said at the same time looking in to one another's eyes. Darien went in for the kill and kissed her with so much passion that she returned ten fold.

Ken held his wife close as they watched their daughter fall in love. Granted she was drunk but this is the way they planned it.

"I have a great idea!" Ken yelled at the two when they were done.

"What!" Serena and Darien said both smiling like idiots.

"YOU GUYS SHOULD GET MARRIED! WE ARE IN VEGAS AND THAT'S WHAT YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE IN LOVE!"

Serena looked in to Darien's eyes and knew this just felt right.

Darien looked in to Serena's eyes and knew that they were meant to be together.

"Serena! LET'S GET MARRIED!" He told her.

"Married! Omigosh! I am going to get married! This is so exciting!" She jumped up and down.

"Is that a yes?" Darien asked her excited.

"YES!" She exclaimed and Darien kissed her full force.

Ilene whispered to Ken, "Our baby is getting married."

"Yeah, now we have to get them there." He whispered back.

"Okay Tyler, time to finish the job." She nudged him.

"Yes, Miss Roxy." He said in his fake southern accent.

"Okay! Let's go get married! We need wedding shots!" Darien said with authority.

"No… I don't think…" Ilene said.

"YES! WEDING SHOTS! WE NEED WEDDING SHOTS!" Serena yelled.

"Okay! Let's hurry though!" Ken said.

Darien stumbled to the bar keeping his arm tightly around his 'fiancé' so no other men could touch her.

"Hey! We need four shots! We are getting married tonight!" Darien exclaimed to the bartender.

"Congrats! I'll make you guys something special but you better hurry if you don't have a marriage license. The Clerk of Courts closes in thirty minutes!" The bartender said as he made a special concoction.

"Darien! We need to hurry up! We need to be licensed to get married. Oh no! I hope there is not a test like a driver's license." Serena wined as Darien handed her the white drink.

"Nope not at all. Just some paperwork!" Ken said. "Now hurry up!"

Darien raised his glass. "To my love and marriage! KAMPAI!"

"KAMPAI!"

"NOW LET'S GET THIS SHOW ON THE ROAD!" Darien yelled.