Author's Notes: *twiddles thumbs* Ignoring the fact that I haven't updated since February… Yeah, so. This chapter was really hard for me to write, because some major plot twists are thrown into the mix to set up for later chapters. Not to mention I was trying to really hash out a set song list for the rest of the story, and then some albums came out – Adam Lambert's Trespassing! – which threw everything off, so I'm reworking that. But as I was studying for an exam I got a brainstorm and when I came home I spent the rest of the night typing. Anyway, thanks to nickybluejess, moonie4ever, str934, Isis2010, stephumz, CharmedSerenity3, Lover11Anime, SereneS, and UnknownMoonAngel for reviewing the last chapter, they mean the world to me and keep me going when I don't think I can continue on.
Also thanks to mangamania, you are not the only one who thought having Adam Lambert's songs being the base for Serena's music was odd. When I started writing this story I thought it was weird, but once I started thinking out plot lines and realizing that her past music would be based on Pink's, I was like – okay, I can now see AL's songs working for her. Big thanks to CasedClosed621 as well, I'm very happy that Savage Garden is now one of your favorite bands and that you're liking Adam Lambert as well. One of my goals with writing a story like this is to expose the readers to artists and/or to find other fans of the bands I like. So mission accomplished! By the way, have you had the chance to listen to Savage Garden's lead singer Darren Hayes' solo stuff? I hope so and if not I highly recommend it!
Okay. Enough babbling from me, I hope you guys like this one!
Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon. I also don't own the songs "Hold Me" by Savage Garden and "Shady" by Adam Lambert. I wish I did, but gah! As usual, those hopes fall on deaf ears. Enjoy!
On the Road
By: afallenblackrose
Day 46:
Happy UnBirthday, Serena
Serena was in absolute bliss. How could she not be? Darien and her were finally together after weeks of unnecessary drama, and their tour was the biggest success – even bigger than the record company had ever anticipated. But more importantly, the reason she was so blissed out was because of her relationship with Darien. He got her more than Alan or any other guy that she had sort of dated over the years. Not to mention he was insanely patient. He understood that just because they were a couple now, it didn't mean that they could jump into bed together right away. And considering his history with women, the fact that he was willing to wait touched her deeply.
That's why she didn't keep him waiting too long. Oh, she understood his concern. He didn't want to rush their relationship and the last time and first time she had done it was when Alan had raped her two years ago. He didn't want to push her into something that she wasn't ready for yet. But what he didn't realize was that Serena, like with everything else in her life that was difficult, overcame it and became stronger from it. She hadn't realized that she had overcome her rape until she started toying with the idea of dating Darien. But, she still didn't want to jump into things too quickly, so she told herself she would wait a week.
She didn't make it that long. Last night, after the concert where there was apparent sexual chemistry during their performance of "What You Like," Darien had had a special dinner prepared for them and sent up to the room. They had dined and talked about a lot of things, avoiding the subject of their duet together. It was when she had gotten up to leave that things got complicated. He had escorted her to the door, and just as she was about to go, he had leaned down to give her a good night kiss. That kiss was both of their undoings.
It had started simple enough. A light peck on the lips, that was quickly deepened and should have broken off as soon as they broke for air. But it didn't. The unresolved sexual tension that they had tried to avoid on stage finally broke through the wall they had kept up. They went in again for another kiss and Darien ended up closing the door to the room as the moved back into his bedroom. This time when he broke away, there was a question in his eyes one that she gave her consent to with a nod of her head.
The following morning, Serena awoke with a smile on her face and her blissed out feeling still pounding through her veins. She wasn't even angry with herself for not lasting her weeklong term. If this was the feeling she could expect every time she gave into her desires, then hell. Who needed time limits for this sort of thing? She sighed and snuggled deeper into the pillow, not wanting to face the day just yet. Even though the world outside shouldn't be too bad considering there was nothing spinning in the media these days to ruin it.
But in this business, anything could happen.
The arm that was around her waist pulled her in closer to the solid body that was behind her. She smiled some more and let out a small moan when he kissed her on the shoulder. She turned and faced him, smiling some more at the sight of those deep azure blue eyes staring in adoration at her.
"Good morning," she whispered, a smile still playing on her lips.
"'Morning," he replied nipping at her neck. "This is such a wonderful way to wake up." She bit back another moan and felt that the smile on her face would be permanently frozen there. She was really regretting waiting so long to be in a relationship with Darien, especially if this was the way she could have been feeling since that first night back in Pennsylvania. He kissed her deeply on the lips as his hands began to do wicked things to her body, yet again. They were interrupted though with a long and persistent knock on the door. They pulled away from each other, groaning at the interruption.
Darien swept back the covers and went searching for his boxers while Serena grabbed her bra from the lampshade and grabbed the matching panties from the floor. As soon as he had slipped into his boxers, he turned around only to find her picking up her jean shorts from the floor. She met his lusty gaze with a look of her own, and was just about to cross the room, when the door to the room opened and closed with a loud bang. Their staring match broke and she quickly slipped on her shorts and then went to grab Darien's shirt before whoever had walked in saw her. But it was too late.
"Okay, I know it's your day off, Darien, but that doesn't give you an excuse to sleep in until almost noon," Sapphire said as he walked into the room. "You know, you could be over at the arena practicing for tomorrow or even…" he stopped short when he finally took in what he had walked in on. Serena had just started to throw on Darien's black t-shirt before he had come in, and had frozen on the spot at his entrance. Sapphire's eyes roamed over the room, taking note of the bed and the rumpled sheets and then staring at her in only her shorts and bra. His eyes lingered for longer than they probably should have, until he licked his lips and switched his gaze back to Darien.
"Well, I guess things last night went…" he paused for the words. "…Better than expected? Good morning, Serena." She blushed as she slipped on the shirt.
"I don't think that's any of your business, Sapphire," Darien replied shortly. "Now, why are you here?"
"I'm just here to get you going. Like I said, even though it's your day off, you should still be practicing or writing some new material. The record company is getting a bit antsy for something new from you."
"I guess I'd better get to work on that," he sighed and ran his hand through his already messy hair.
"Mhm. And as for you," Sapphire turned to face Serena. "Can I talk with you later?"
"Uh, sure, but about what?" She replied a little nervous. The last time Sapphire had spoken with her was about the destruction of hotel property, and he had scared the crap out of her.
"Oh, nothing to be too concerned about. I'll meet you down in the bar later tonight." He turned on his heal and walked out of the room, leaving her confused in his wake. What could he possibly have to talk to her about? She shook it off hoping it was nothing.
"So," Darien whispered in her ear. "Want to join me in the shower?"
After their shower, Serena and Darien made their way downstairs to meet up with everyone else for a late breakfast. When they entered the dining room, everyone was smiling at the couple.
"Well, I guess you two had a rather late night," Jason was smiling from ear to ear.
"Shut up, Jason," Mark said, punching him in the arm. "What they did or didn't do last night isn't any of our business. Serena, we already ordered you some pancakes." He pulled out the chair on his left. She gratefully sat down and muttered her thanks, as Darien sat down in the chair next to her and next to Lita.
"Darien," she greeted.
"Lita," he replied a little hesitant. The last time that they had talked was the morning after Serena and him had kissed on stage. She had very seriously told him, as did the other members of her band, that if he hurt Serena in any way, and they found out about it, that he was going to wish that he hadn't been born. Needless to say, that it sort of scared the shit out of him and he hadn't wanted to be around Lita and the others alone, since.
She chuckled, "The look on your face right now!"
This caught Serena's attention. "Lita, what are you doing to Darien?"
"Nothing, just greeting him," she rolled her eyes. Serena nodded and turned back to talking to Mark. "Don't you think that six days is kind of a short time?"
"Yes, I do," he replied. "But Serena wanted to and I made sure that she wanted to. Believe me, Lita, I don't want to hurt her."
His response pleased the tall Amazon like woman, because she smiled and patted him lightly on the shoulder. "I do believe you. Your friends are right, you have changed since meeting her."
"I'm trying." The conversation stopped as the waiter brought out Darien and Serena's breakfast dishes. Scrambled eggs, hash browns, and toast were placed in front of Darien. While a plate of pancakes was placed in front of the blonde, only something was off with her dish. There was a candle in the middle of the stack. Darien and her raised their eyebrows. What was going on?
"You didn't think we'd forget, did you, Serena?" Nick asked from beside Lita.
"Forget?" She repeated. "Forget wha – oh. I can't believe it. Is it already?"
"It is," Paul nodded. Then everyone at the table except for Darien and her launched into,
"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Serena. Happy birthday to you."
Darien's eyes widened. It was her birthday? How come he didn't know this? God, he felt really horrible right now. Serena was his girlfriend and they had known each other almost two months now. And they were sleeping together. Yet, he didn't know when her birthday was? How crappy of a boyfriend was he? He turned to her, and watched as she blew out the candle.
"I hope you wished for a better boyfriend," he whispered to her.
"And why would I do that?" She asked flabbergasted.
"Because this one didn't even know that it was your birthday and since I didn't know, I didn't get you a gift."
"Is that all?" She asked, laughing her magical laugh that he loved so much about her. "Don't worry about it, Darien, and as for a gift, I've got the best one a girl could ask for. You." She leaned in and kissed him lightly on the lips. He kissed her back and smiled as she pulled away. He was a lucky man to have such a wonderful girl as his girlfriend, and because of that she deserved something special from him on her birthday.
With that thought he turned back to his breakfast and the conversation that everyone seemed to be having.
"We have to do something," Mina said from beside Mark. "We haven't had a day off in almost three weeks! We have to go out and have some fun! And now we have even more reason to with it being Serena's birthday and all!"
"Hate to rain on the party, but I have to go to the arena and work on some new music, per Sapphire's orders," Darien replied.
"Oh, that is so boring!" Mina exclaimed and started to pout. The whole group exchanged looks knowing that if they didn't do something soon, she was going to get worse, which would be bad for everyone in the room.
"It doesn't have to be," Serena replied thinking up something fast. "We can all go down to the arena and just start messing around, sort of like a group brainstorm. It will be fun, trust me." The blondes looked at each other, and some sort of understanding passed between them.
"Okay, fine, but you better have some cool new stuff that you've been working on, Serena. Your music is always really fun!" She smiled and winked before disappearing upstairs to change into an appropriate outfit. Serena looked at everyone else before they all started laughing over Mina's antics.
"Well, she might be crazy, but she is right about one thing," Darien whispered. "Your music is always really fun." He kissed her cheek as she blushed and tried to concentrate on eating her pancakes. Her twentieth birthday was turning out amazing, and to think it had only just begun.
After they had finished eating, the girls had gone upstairs to change and freshen up, while they were doing that the boys were loitering downstairs waiting for them. Darien had his phone out to make a call. He had a girl's birthday present to arrange.
The person he was calling picked up after two rings. "Darien, what's going on?"
"Hey, I need a favor."
"What is it?"
"It's Serena's birthday, and I need to get her a gift. Do you have any ideas?"
"Oh," there was silence. "Let's see…well, her album finally went platinum yesterday. We could give her the usual parameters when it comes to these things, without the ceremony, of course."
"That's perfect! Can it be done and up here by tonight?"
"Yes, I'll get right on it."
"Thanks, Sapphire," Darien said and hung up the phone as the girls came back downstairs.
Sapphire ended the call and took a sip from his drink before throwing the glass at the wall. It broke into multiple pieces, and usually it would make him feel better but today it wasn't. And it was all because of her. Fucking Serena and her blonde hair and her singing voice.
God, she was a fucking disease. He hated that woman with every fiber of his being. Ever since she had shown up on the scene, Darien had gotten further and further out of his control. True, the record sales hadn't taken as much of a nosedive as he thought they would with her around, but still. She was not good for him, and the way that they were looking, Darien and her were getting deeper. If finding her in his room with a rumpled bed and half naked this morning was any indication. God, just the thought was making his blood boil.
The bitch wasn't even supposed to be on the tour. It was supposed to be his younger sister who was supposed to be the opening act of Darien's tour and who would win over the playboy's heart and finally have him settle down. They had been planning this since he had become Darien's manager. But they didn't want to make it look suspicious, so they had arranged for her to be in the mix of the second day auditions. The round that they hadn't gotten to because of that bitch!
But that was okay. He had a plan to get rid of her once and for all and to finally put his original plan back on track. It was a good thing he was such a powerful man with some great contacts.
"Enjoy it while you can, Serena," he said as he called a number to put her birthday present from Darien in place. Then he would make sure his was in place before their conversation later on tonight.
The group had made it to the arena over an hour ago, but hadn't worked on any music. Instead, someone had brought along a deck of cards and they were playing a few rounds of bullshit. It turned out that Darien and Mark were horrible liars while Serena and Raye were excellent. After the third round, where Mark had gotten called with almost all the deck, he threw the cards down and said,
"Weren't we supposed to be writing out some new tunes?"
"Aw, you're just saying that because you're a sore loser, honey," Mina replied and kissed him on the cheek. "But he's right. So who wants to go first?"
Darien picked up his journal and began ruffling through the pages. "I guess I will. I've been working on this song for weeks now, and as usual it just doesn't sound right."
"And as usual, you're probably just being modest," Serena replied. "C'mon let us hear it." He rolled his eyes at her, but smiled anyway as he went to the piano and started playing out a melody before singing.
Hey, yeah, if we can't find a way out of these problems
Than maybe we don't need this
Standing face to face
Enemies at war we build defenses and secret hiding places
But I need you to
Hold me tonight
But I need you to
Say it's all right
But I'm going to need you
To make the first stand
'Cause tonight I'm finding it hard
To be your man
His fingers teetered, as he couldn't decide whether or not he wanted to stop playing or continue on. Serena rolled her eyes again, stood up and walked over to him. She ushered for him to continue to play.
Hey, yeah, more than angry words I hate this silence
It's getting so loud
Well, I wanna scream
With bitterness that silence these emotions
It's getting hard to breathe
So tell me is happiness
Worth more than a golden diamond ring
I'm willing to do anything
To calm a storm in my heart
I've never been the praying kind
But lately I've been down upon my knees
Not looking for a miracle
Just a reason to believe
But I need you to
Hold me tonight
But I need you to
Say it's all right
But I'm need you to
Make the first stand
'Cause tonight I'm finding it hard to be your man
This time, Darien did stop playing and smiled sheepishly. "That's all I have so far, maybe later you can help me write the bridge before the final chorus repeat?"
"Of course, I already have a few ideas," she replied and flipped to a new page and started scribbling something down. She showed it to him and he nodded in absolute awe of her as he usually was. He started playing the melody again and nodded to her, "Your writing, let me hear you sing it."
Do you remember not long ago
When we used to live for the moment
Cherish each moment
Now we don't live we get tense
We just run for our lives
So alone
That's why you gotta hold me
Darien nodded. "Perfect, as always." He kissed her on the tip of her nose and she smiled. "Now, it's your turn."
"What song do you think we should do guys?" She asked her band.
"I have an idea, but you're not going to like it," Nick said and went over to his guitar.
"I already don't like the sound of this. What's on your mind, Nick?"
"I think you should do one of those songs that you wrote last week."
She sighed. "I knew I wasn't going to like it. No, definitely not."
"Oh, come on, Sere!" Paul exclaimed. "They aren't that bad, in fact we've already been working on the melody for one of them."
Darien and his group watched with interest and wonder what was going on. What was this song that the band wanted her to sing, but she refused to even though she had wrote it?
He nudged her. "What's up?"
She looked at him and sighed again. "You know how I don't get drunk when I drink a lot?" He nodded. "Well, instead of that I found that I write differently while inebriated. And while I was having my 'episodes' last week, I wrote a few new songs, and apparently, they want me to sing them because they are really good." She shot a look at her band.
Darien stared at her and smiled, "I don't doubt that they are. Why don't you sing one and let us determine if you're right or not?"
"Seriously?" She searched his face, to see that he was indeed serious about this. She sighed for a third time and looked at her band before looking back to him. "Remember this was before we got together, so I cannot be held responsible for what the content may entail."
"Understood. Now, c'mon I wanna hear your greatness," he smiled again.
Serena got off the piano bench and stood next to her band as they discussed what song in particular they were going to do. She nodded in understanding and then sat down in a chair that was nearby. A haunting beat started and then Serena began to sing.
Baby, I'm on the hunt
Baby I've got my target on you
Trouble is what I want
And I'm gonna do just what I have to
Get your ass down to the front
Go and roll it out, I dare you
Sorry I'm kind of drunk
Did I just hear you say
Your game was brand new?
No I ain't broken but I
Need a fix
That satisfaction when I get my kicks
I'm up all night
I'm outside
Don't turn on the light
'Cause I'm feeling so shady lately
C'mon and take me underground
Deep under the streets
C'mon and take me, take me down
Where freaks like us can meet
Turn it up, turn it up
Turn it way up
Don't stop the beat
C'mon and turn me, turn me out
'Cause I'm feeling so shady lately
C'mon and give me a shot
Gonna knock it back
Forget all my blues
Yeah it really hits the spot
Feeling pretty fierce in my dancing shoes
No I ain't broken
But I need a fix
That satisfaction when I
Get my kicks
I'm up all night
I'm outside
Don't turn on the lights
The music stopped and Serena put her head in her hands as she looked at the floor of the arena. She tried to hide the fact that her hands were shaking, but Darien had come to know her too well since the tour started. He walked over and pulled her to her feet and held her close. They were the only ones in the room now because the others had seen that this was an intimate moment for only the two of them and had left to wait outside. He massaged her back and kissed the top of her head.
"The song was excellent," he whispered.
"But it was the old me," she replied back. "That's not who I am anymore." She stepped back from him and looked at him, hoping to see some sort of disgust that she had written and sung a song that literally rubbed her past and recent wild girl ways in his face. But there was nothing there except for love.
"It's okay," he replied. "You can still sing it. Believe me you're not going to turn into that person again just because you're singing a song based on that experience. Or haven't you learned that from your previous songs?"
This actually caused her to laugh. He was right. Of course, he was right.
"What would I do without you?"
"Become crazy and go mad," he laughed with her.
"I think it's too late for that."
He pulled her back into a hug and then kissed her deeply as they pulled away from each other, he said words that made her heart swell. "I love you, Serena."
She didn't even have to think about it as she replied, "I love you, too, Darien." Yet again he pulled her in close and they kissed more deeply than before. When they broke apart, breathless, he leaned his forehead onto hers.
"As much as I'd like to kiss you all day," he whispered his voice husky. "We do have to go back and join the others. Besides, I owe you dinner, birthday girl." She smiled and broke away. They turned to leave the room together, but he reached down and grabbed her hand and clasped it tightly within his own before they went to join the others.
Once they arrived back at the hotel, the group spilt up to go their separate ways, but before they did they wished Serena a happy birthday once more. She smiled as she hugged everyone and thanked them for spending the day with her and making it awesome. As soon as everyone had left, Darien told her that he had something that he had to take care of before dinner and that he would meet her back in her room in an hour or so. She nodded and got off the elevator on her floor, not really knowing how she made it back to her room because she was in such a happy haze. The blissed out feeling that she had woken up with that morning had stayed with her the whole day and had somehow intensified.
She opened the door to her room and felt herself crashing back down to earth as she found Sapphire sitting in a chair waiting for her. He smiled at her and a sick feeling began in her stomach. She didn't like that smile, it felt too familiar from when he had chewed her out for the hotel damages. She closed the door tentatively, wondering if maybe she should leave – but hang on. How the hell had he gotten into her room? She was the only one who had a key.
She opened her mouth to say so, but he beat her to it.
"I've been waiting for you, Serena," he said. "Come, have a seat. I'm sure you have questions that I'll be all to willing to answer." She did as he told her, and sat down across from him on the couch.
"How did you get in here?" She asked.
"As your manager, the hotel also gave me a key. They want to make sure nothing happens to you. As do I," he said in a sickly sweet voice that made the sick feeling in her stomach intensify. "Now, that that's out of the way I think you and I have a lot to talk about. Starting with the chemistry between us."
WHAT?
"Oh, yes, don't bother trying to deny it. I know you can feel it too," he got off the chair and sat down next to her on the couch. He placed a hand on her leg that began to crawl up to other places. She moved so fast that his hand was hanging in midair for a moment before he realized what was going on.
"What do you think you're doing, Sapphire?" Serena said exasperated and disgusted.
"I'm acting on the feelings we've been ignoring for so long," he said following her.
"There are no feelings! I'm with Darien!" She exclaimed and tried to back away from him. She didn't like this feeling. She didn't like being cornered. It reminded her too much of that night when she was raped. He continued coming towards her until her back was against a wall and he caged her in.
"Yes, you're with Darien," he said. "And that is the problem. You see, I don't believe that you are a good influence on him. Ever since you've been on this tour he's changed into someone whom I don't recognize and whom his fans don't recognize. They don't like the change and it's reflecting in his record sales and that makes me not like the change. And the only reason I can think of why this is happening is because of you. So I believe the only reasonable thing to do, is for you to leave the tour."
Her brain was trying to function what he was saying and she couldn't comprehend it. What was he talking about, Darien's fans didn't like that he was changing? That wasn't true was it? And she was supposed to leave the tour? What the hell was going on? This was so insane, she couldn't help but laugh.
"Okay, sure. Now where are the camera crews because I'm seriously being punk'd right now, right?"
Wrong. His face got serious and he looked pissed. She tried to cringe into the wall, but there was nowhere left for her to run.
"Don't laugh, Serena, I'm not joking. I want you off this tour and if you're smart, you'll leave without a fuss."
She also sobered and got mad. How dare he? He couldn't tell her what to do and she didn't care if he was her manager, the record label wanted her here. This tour was a big success, so what the hell was he prattling on about?
"You can't make me leave," she said sternly.
"Can't I? Don't fuck with me, you bitch, you won't like the consequences. I am not someone you can toy with, love. And if you don't believe me, ask yourself this, how else did Alan get out and decide to press a wrongful imprisonment suit?"
Her head began connecting the dots. It was odd that Alan got out on good behavior just as she was doing the tour and that he had been given a backstage pass to her show in Royal Oak. And then the night of the show, the look that Alan and Sapphire had exchanged…
"You?" She asked flabbergasted.
"Yes, me. So, again, Serena, I'd leave without a fuss or things with him will get a lot worse, and you know I can make it happen," he straightened his back and walked away but before he left he said one last thing. "Oh, and happy birthday, Serena."
The door closed behind him and Sapphire couldn't help but smile. The look on her face was perfect as she realized that her whole life was crashing in on her in one felled swoop. He couldn't have executed this more perfectly if he had tried. He turned to go back to his room when he saw Darien stopped before him, watching him.
"Darien," he greeted a smile on his face.
"Sapphire," he replied watching him quizzically, the frame with Serena's record and platinum status plaque in his hand.
"Oh, good, I see that you picked it up from the front desk. Can I see it?" Sapphire asked as he came closer to inspect this magnificent gift that Darien was going to give to Serena. "It came out great. Now, why don't you go in and give it to the birthday girl? I'll see you tomorrow." He turned and walked away trying not to laugh in an evil villainy way.
Darien knocked on the door trying not to think too hard about the fact that this was the second time that he had seen Sapphire walking out of Serena's room. He shook it off and smiled when Serena opened the door. A small smile was on her face when she saw it was him and she opened the door wider. He came in and kissed her on the cheek.
"What's that?" She asked as she closed the door behind him.
"Oh, this?" He said. "This is for you, birthday girl." He handed it to her and she looked at it. Then she looked at him before looking back at it.
"For Your Entertainment has reached platinum status?" She whispered.
"Yes, it has, congratulations."
"Oh my…"
He finally got a chance to look her over and noticed that her clothes were disheveled, as was the couch. What had gone on here with Sapphire? Was something going on between the two of them?
Serena on the other hand, was taking in her birthday gift. Platinum status. She had made it. Her album had made it. And yet…she was going to be kicked off the tour. No, she couldn't let that happen. She was good at this, and Sapphire was just a man. Yeah, he may have gotten Alan out of jail and had orchestrated a lot of drama, but how much worse could it get? It wasn't like he could hijack the court system and have the case be seen through.
She was staying on this tour, Sapphire be damned.
Author's Notes: Hm…so some characters show their true colors and a plot twist is thrown in, and just when you thought Serena and Darien were going to live happily ever after too. So, what do you think? Will Sapphire act on his threat? How long will Serena stay on the tour? What's going to happen with Alan? And do you think Darien is going to ask about the whole Sapphire/Serena thing? Let me know in a review and I'll try to update soon!
