Foolish Heart

Disclaimer: Don't own anything

Chapter Seven: Leaving

"We'll be there, I promise." Max said into the phone as he got sideways glances from the other men in the room, "See you tonight, bye." He ended the conversation and closed the phone.

"So, what was that about?" Jake asked.

"Mina would really like us to come to the social tonight. Evidently Serena's been called into work tomorrow and is leaving." Max explained.

"Zach, Jake, get information on the reporters and find out if any of them know about the social. Max, we need to get ready for tonight." Darien said with authority.

"Uh, sir, I don't think it's a good idea for you to go tonight. You're identities been found out." Zach said carefully.

"Zach, I don't believe anyone would want to hurt me here. Half of the students know I'm a teacher here and the other half could care less. Also, my country is peaceful. No one wants to harm me." Darien argued.

"I have to agree Zach. I'll be there as well." Max sided with Darien.

"Ok, we'll check everything. Maybe even set up a diversion to give you some peace. I have some phone calls to make." Zach gave in as Darien and Max left the room to change.

"So, since you are ordering Zach to find a way for you to attend the social tonight, which you scoffed at just the other day, I'm taking it that you want to see Ms. Tsukino again." Max ventured his guess.

"What are you talking about?" Darien asked as he climbed the stairs to the second floor of the house.

"I mean, you are interested in Serena. Dare, you can't fool me. We've been friends all our lives." Max told him as they entered one of the three bedrooms.

"Yes, I'm interested in her Max, if you must know." Darien said, giving up on the façade he was using.

"I knew you were. Why have you been using your diplomatic persona with her?" Max asked as they opened the closet and look for things to wear.

"I didn't see a point in getting comfortable with someone here when I knew I would be leaving. But Serena, she's, she's different. We like the same things, we have these amazing conversations. I mean, it's only been a couple of days, but I feel as though I know everything about her, yet nothing at all." Darien answered helplessly.

"I know what you mean; it's the same with me and Mina." Max smiled at his friend.

"Yeah, those two are amazing. But sadly I don't think Serena wants to pursue anything with me." Darien added.

"What makes you think that?" Max asked, though he knew the answer.

"She's running away. It's obvious she doesn't want anything to do with me. Sometimes I hate my bloodline." Darien snarled as he practically ripped off his shirt to put on a white button down shirt.

"You know, she could be scared." Max pointed out.

"Of what? I've been nothing but nice and courteous to her." Darien snapped, showing off his emotions.

"Not of you, of what you are. Think about it. What if you weren't a prince and Serena was a princess. Wouldn't you be slightly afraid of the responsibility that would come along with being with someone who has the power you do?" Max asked, trying to put things into perspective.

"Yes, I believe I would. Do you think that's why she's running?" Darien asked, his fingers freezing on the buttons he was buttoning up.

"It's a good possibility. What are you dressing as?" Max asked as he looked at what Darien was pulling out of the closet.

"It's the Mid-Summers Night Dream Social. I'm going as Oberon, King of the Fairies." Darien told him with a smirk.

"Well, I guess it's a contemporary King Oberon; I don't think the fairies of the 16th century didn't wear tuxedos." Max commented as he continued to look for something to wear.

"You're just jealous that you didn't think of it first." Darien smiled.

"Right." Max scoffed as he gave up on trying to find something and decided as going as some sort of god.

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Serena and Mina made it to the Social in the University Union 10 minutes after it started. Both dressed beautifully, Serena in the dress her mother made her and Mina in a flowing halter cream colored dress. They both had small, detail oriented accessories that complemented their outfits as well as the theme. Mina wore a thin gold chain around her neck and had her hair clipped up with a gold comb; while Serena only wore a thin ivy wreath on top of her head. Mina and Serena walked into the Union and checked their coats, Serena meeting people who Mina knew from classes and around the campus when a glimmer caught her eye. She looked over to where she believed the glimmer came from and saw Darien standing there; he was dressed in a tuxedo and was wearing a crown on top of his head.

I don't think that's a fake crown Serena thought idly as she gently drew Mina's attention to the men who had just entered.

They met halfway between the doors and where Mina and Serena were talking to people.

"You look beautiful." Darien said as he looked her over.

"Thank you. You don't look too shabby yourself." Serena smiled, "Mina why don't we..." Serena began to say as she looked to where her sister was only to find empty space.

"I think she and Max want some alone time." Darien smiled.

"Yeah, they probably do. I guess they haven't really had any since I've come into town." Serena smiled back.

"There's that too. Max and I are leaving at the end of the week. I have business to take care of. Though I hear you too have some business to take care of at home." Darien commented smoothly.

"Oh yes. Work needs me back. Evidently there's a wedding this weekend and they need all the help they can get." Serena said softly.

It's not a lie, there is a wedding this weekend; they just don't need my help. Serena reasoned with herself, finding it hard to lie to Darien.

"That's too bad; I really would have liked to spend more time with you." Darien responded, just as softly as Serena had spoken.

"I, uh, I'd like to, uh. Do you want to do something? I mean, the social is nice and everything, but it's feels very high school prom." Serena commented.

"Yeah, I guess it does. Let's go. I can call Max from the car." Darien told her with a smirk as he took her hand and turned back to the doors.

"Why do I have the feeling he won't be pleased with us leaving without him?" Serena asked, knowing that Darien was smirking for a reason.

"Oh, he won't. In fact he'll probably lecture me later on about how this could have been very dangerous and then go into the fact that I'm the leader or going to be the leader of a country and that I need to be responsible and safe, etc." Darien said with amusement.

"You're risking a long lecture to spend time with me?" Serena asked as she felt her cheeks warm.

"Yes. I am." Darien smiled at her, a heart stopping smile.

They walked out of the Union and found Darien BMW and got in.

"So where are we off to?" Darien asked as he put the key in the ignition.

"I don't know. I don't care. Where ever the car takes you, how about that?" Serena responded.

"I like the way you think." Darien said as he started the car and pulled out of his parking space.

Darien and Serena drove around the town and then out to the beach; talking all along the way. Darien had admitted that he had dressed like King Oberon and Serena said she was going for a look after Queen Titania; they laughed at the coincident of their costumes. They talked about books they had read and movies they had seen, Serena talked about rude costumers and Darien talked about boring meeting with court, they went into a discussion about education, and even debated politics. They talked about everything and anything that came to mind. Both thoroughly enjoying the other's company and stand on what they talked about.

Darien, though he knew this before, thought Serena was a highly intelligent woman, even if she hasn't finished college. And Serena believed Darien would make a fine King, taking in her thoughts and even agreeing to some of hers when their ideas differed, believing her idea was better than his own; and admitting it as such.

"Well now what?" Darien asked as they reached the outskirts of town after their drive out to the beach.

"Let's go to your place. You have a place, right? Not just that house that all your bodyguards are staying in." Serena asked.

"Yes, I have an apartment that I share with Max." Darien answered.

"Do you think he'll be there?" Serena asked.

"I can tell him not to be." Darien offered.

"Please do. I want to talk to you. I like talking to you and I think I won't be myself with someone else there." Serena admitted to him.

"Ah, so you slightly change your personality around people." Darien stated.

"Doesn't everyone? I would definitely act different around him. He's dating my sister; I have to be scary and menacing to him." Serena said with a smile.

"And with me? How do you act with me?" Darien asked.

"With you I act like myself. It's odd, I barely know you and yet I act as if I'm with Mina or my friend Amy or Lita." Serena answered him honestly.

"Good, I'm glad." Darien said as the pulled up to an apartment building, "Shall we go up?"

"Of course." Serena smiled as she opened her door and got out of the car.

They walked up to the security door of the apartment building, through the lobby and into the elevator quickly. As soon as the doors closed and Darien pushed the button for the top floor of the building, Serena was having second thoughts.

What am I doing? Serena asked herself as she realized her resolve on leaving had completely left her when he walked into the room back at the University.

"Darien I..." Serena began to state her thoughts when he made his move.

Darien couldn't take it anymore, he had to kiss her. He'd been wanting since his Shakespeare class to kiss her again. This time there was no clapping or gasping; just the sound of his heart beat in his ears.

"Serena, I'm sorry. I…. I couldn't help myself." Darien said quietly as he broke the kiss, suddenly embarrassed at his lack of control.

"Do it again." Serena whispered, breathless from the first kiss.

Darien smiled as did as she requested. He tilted her chin up and kissed her again; this time breaking the kiss because the elevator stopped and the doors opened on his floor. Both smiling, they made their way to Darien's apartment. By the time Darien had unlocked his door and turned on the lights, Serena had had time to think.

"Darien, what are we doing?" Serena asked.

"I don't know. But if you want to stop, we can. I'll be happy to just have a cup of coffee with you tonight." Darien told her with a soft smile as he gently took her hands in his, "Serena, I like being with you. I've never felt this way with any woman before. I don't have to live up to my name or second guess what I'm going to say to you because of expectations you may have of me. With you, I'm relaxed."

Serena stayed silent, not knowing what she wanted to say.

"I hope I didn't just make you uncomfortable." Darien commented as he took in Serena's silence.

"No, you didn't. It's just, I'm not used to a guy being so honest with me and not wanting to get me into bed." Serena smiled at it, thinking that William could learn a few things from Darien.

"What?" Darien asked, automatically going on the defensive.

"It's nothing, Darien. It happens at work." Serena laughed at his expression, "But thank you for looking like you would send your entire army on them."

"I would." Darien muttered as he turned to go into his kitchen, "So, do you want a cup of coffee?" Darien asked.

"That would be great." Serena said with a smile, if something happens, it'll happen she thought to herself.

"What do you do during your down time?" Darien asked as he brewed the coffee.

"Down time? I don't have down time." Serena smiled at him.

"Sure you do. I have down time and I'm getting ready to rule a country." Darien countered.

"I guess I hang out with my friends. Sleep." Serena answered, not really knowing an answer to that.

"What about going out?" Darien asked as he brought out some mugs.

"Well, I don't really do that. I normally don't tell anyone this, but money's tight for me. I pay Mina's tuition when Financial Aid won't cover it." Serena admitted.

"I see. So like I said the first night; you're living through Mina." Darien pointed out.

"Yeah, I always have. It's part of me. I like to take care of people. I take care of everything." Serena said with a sad smile.

"Don't you think you should be taken care of?" Darien questioned as he put the mugs down next to the sputtering coffee pot.

"That's a luxury I can't afford." Serena answered simply.

"Would you let me take care of you?" Darien asked quietly.

Serena thought about an answer to his question. She could hear and feel her heart and head arguing; her head saying no, her heart begging for it.

Darien could tell that she was battling herself for an answer to his question, "You don't have to answer that." Darien then said quickly.

"Yes." Serena whispered, "I like it if someone would take care of me. I wish it could be you."

"Why can't it?" Darien asked, his heart pounding at her response; hearing what it wanted to hear.

"Because you're a prince and I'm a 25 year old college student who cares for her little sister." Serena answered factually.

"What about tonight? Can I take care of you tonight?" Darien asked, knowing it wasn't exactly a proper question given his bloodline, but decided to give is ancestors the bird when it came to anything with Serena.

"My brain screams no, but my heart begs me to say yes." Serena answered softly as she looked into Darien's eyes, "Yes. Please, for once I don't want to be the one with the world on my shoulders." Serena let the wall around herself crumble.

Darien didn't ask her to repeat herself, seeing the resolve in her eyes he went forward and kissed her again. As easily as he could, he backed her into his bedroom, forgetting the coffee he was brewing and the conversation he was planning to have with her on Oscar Wilde.

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"So I've been banned from my apartment tonight." Max told Mina as they walked around the quiet campus.

"Really? Do you know why?" Mina asked, still trying to text Serena.

"I think Darien and your sister want some alone time." Max answered bluntly.

"Oh. Ok. Max, I've been having second thoughts." Mina said suddenly, making Max's heart skip a beat.

"What do you mean?" Max asked, fearing her response.

"What are we going to do when you have to leave? Where does that leave me? Where does that leave Serena?" Mina asked as she gave up on contacting her sister for the night and looked up; only to see Max's face blank. Evidently they never thought the day would come when Darien, Max, and the rest of their crew would have to return to their old lives; away from the people they met and fell in love with.

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Darien let his finger tips gently graze Serena's arm as she drifted in-between the real world and the dream world. He felt like he was in heaven, Serena's head was resting on his chest and every few minutes she'd try and snuggle closer to his body. Darien tried his best to not think about 

what was going to happen in the morning. He didn't want to think about how much it would kill him to know that she was leaving.

"Serena, are you asleep?" Darien asked quietly.

"Almost." Serena answered groggily.

"I think I love you." Darien said as he kissed the top of her head.

"I think I love you too." Serena answered with a sigh as she threw her arm over him and snuggled closer to him. A smile curving her lips as she drifted off to sleep.