Simple Sweetness

by TropicalRemix

The first half of a journey of finding, losing, and finding again the most important thing of all. Love.-AU Image by: angielaura on deviantart.

13. Chapter 13

Chapter 13

"Hey." Darien nodded, moving to lean his more muscular frame, lazily against the trunk of a near by oak tree in the front yard. Folding his arms over his broad chest. As a stiff cold wind gusted through yard, tossing his dark hair over his temple.

"Hey." Andrew acknowledged curtly, scanning the roving crowds milling about the grass with a calculated eye.

"Daniel?" He intoned obviously.

"Yep." Andrew responded.

"Seen the picture?" Darien sighed.

"Nope, got to experience the live action performance, don't need to see it." he commented darkly, his blue eyes filled with cold fury.

"We need his phone destroyed." Darien instructed.

"If I catch up to him first. Consider it done." Andrew growled.

It was the quiet sniffling that drew Darien's attention away from the darkly brooding Andrew. Ducking around the oak tree, he found his girl hiding in the shade of a fellow fall shrouded tree a few feet away. He gave Andrew a brief encouraging smack on the shoulder before excusing himself.

Moving slowly across the open yard towards the neighbouring elm a few meter's away. Watching curiously as she picked at the dry grass around her with a lost reflective air. The morning sunlight warming the golden tint of her hair, yet that was the only fragment of light to be seen. With her head downcast, and lithe body bowed in sorrow. She looked utterly defeated, hiding miserably in the shade of the tree absently destroying the lawn.

"Hey, beautiful?" He asked softly, sitting himself down beside her.

"Hey, Mamo-chan." She responded mildly with her own endearment for him.

"Your crying?" He asked, bleakly wondering if she had seen Lita's picture and was upset by it.

"Yeah...Simon did abandon me. Loser freaked out, when the storm hit. He got a ride into the city with Randy of all people." She shivered with pent up hurt, her heart betrayed once again.

"I figured as much." Darien slid over, closing the gap between them, wrapping a protective arm around her shoulder and giving her a comforting squeeze.

"Even worse is Amelia's in the hospital, and the twins are dead." She blurted out, twisting into him and finally succumbing to her tears.

"Oh..." Was all he could say, holding her close and quietly comforting her. His hand rubbing small circles up and down her back as he slowly absorbed the tragic news. All lot of people had died in that storm. He never truly expected it to hit so close them. A few minutes later she calmed herself, and she reluctantly drew away from him. Wiping the rest of the moisture away from her cheeks with her finger's.

"They were trying to get away from the 'Rocks' that night, like everybody else. But they just weren't as lucky. They say Amelia made a wrong turn on the grit roads leading back to the Highway and drove right into one of the Tornado's. " She struggled to finish her story as a new wave of sorrow washed over her.

"Come, here. Sweetness." He called lovingly, cradling her head tight to his chest. It was the first time he had used his personal endearment for her. But it suited her in that moment then ever before. Crying over the tragedy that had befallen her worst enemy, and two girl she barely knew. She truly was the sweetest creature he had ever known.

Amy had found Raye and Mina visiting near the High Schools large black metal and glass billboard. The raven haired girl had her hair up in a french braid, feeling a bit depressed over the outcome of the storm. Wearing a pair of black corded over alls and wine red long sleeve shirt that hugged her curves. A dark grey hoody was tied around her waist with black sneaker on her feet. Leaning casually against the side of one of the billboards wide metal legs. Casting a disinterested air about the crowds surrounding her. She was resembling a living storm cloud both in colour and attitude as she acknowledged Amy's approach with a slight disgruntled nod. Mina as well wasn't in the most cheerful of moods, in jeans and a elegant navy wrap style shirt with long white flowing sleeves. She stood in somber silence, nudging a dirt clod with the toe of her white sneaker lost in bitter thoughts. Amy quickly drew them aside explaining heatedly what had happened to Lita and the plan of attack against Daniel. Raye and Mina were soon on the prowl for Daniel, wandering through the crowded front yard when they found Darien holding Serena instead. Raye took a moment to absorb the tender sight of the two friend-emies so close. It looked like they had made up, they seemed back to how they used to be. A tentative truce, in which both tenderness or temper's could erupt at any moment. Mina was happy about the outcome of them making up, while Raye was cautious she honestly was quite tired of their on and off again relationship and was now feeling it was quite unhealthy.

Raye and Mina had their little thankful moment hugging Serena earlier that morning. When they ran into her in the hall before the Stink bomb incident. Relieved the little blonde had made it out of the Rocks alive, not all of their class mates had been so lucky. They merely acknowledged the comforting moment between the two and continued their quest.

Darien had happily spent the first two hours of the morning holding his girl close. Hidden in the shade behind the large elm tree, their moment of affections going mostly unnoticed. Among the milling drone of hundreds of kids busy visiting and gossiping around them. It took two whole periods to air out the school, and get it back to rights. Reluctantly they went their separate ways, heading in different directions to different classes.

It was lunch when Darien managed to run into her again. Finding her listening to her music at the far table, staring out the windows at the grey overcast sky. He slipped into a seat in front of her, finding she had nothing to eat once again.

He quickly leaned over the table, snatching up a fry from his plate and popping it into her mouth in satisfaction.

She turned with an approving smile, pulling off her head phones as she happily consumed the morsel of fried food.

"What? You don't eat lunch anymore?" He joked.

"I haven't in over a year." She responded honestly.

Darien's jaw dropped that was so not healthy for someone who was in athletics.

"Why." He breathed appalled by the news.

She merely shrugged. "I grab a snack after school usually." She offered, trying to appease his shocked expression. In truth, food had gotten scarce around the camper by the end of that summer. Her Poppa just wasn't trying anymore, had quit his job in June, and with no money coming in. It was whatever they got for welfare or the pittance the Agency sent them. What food she could buy went to Shingo, as she learned to survive on very little. Her appetite was still vivacious, but she had learned to temper it.

"You need to eat." Darien complained, shaking his head bitterly. He retreated back to the buffet before she could say anything. Returning several minutes later with a large chef salad and a multi grain buttered roll.

"Eat." He commanded, before digging into his double cheeseburger.

She giggled, accepting the offering. Even though she would have rather had his burger and fries.

"Hey, sis." Shingo's small voice floated out to her, as he wandered into the cafeteria through the back doors. Wearing a pair of baggy jeans, his worn out white high tops, and a black retro transformer's t-shirt with a gold autobot symbol on the front. Slumping down in a chair next to his startled sister, with a very wrinkled brown lunch bag. Ignoring her confused and anxious glare, meekly brushing some of his long dusty blonde hair out of his soft blue eyes refusing to look at her.

"Sammy! What are you doing here. If your teacher's find out you left the Elementary." She started in on him. Receiving a disgruntled sound from the ten year old, as he ignored her motherly nattering. Unfurling his lunch bag and pulling out a sandwich, totally uncaring at how flustered he had just made her.

Her brother hadn't let her out of his sight all weekend, her little disappearing act had really rattled him. What ever independence and security he had been feeling was null and void again. He had reverted back to the nervous, highly stressed little boy he had been two years ago. At that time he nearly hung off her, becoming her own personal living shadow. A meek, needy little duckling that seemed to follow her around. Even clutching to the hem of her shirts for comfort and reassurances. He wasn't as bad as last time, because he was older and acting so very scared and clingy would be social suicide. But behind closed doors at home, he was never more then a couple feet away from her. Even lurking outside the bathroom anxiously waiting for to finish her business and return to his side.

His current state of anxiety was all her fault, she had to work hard for the next year rebuilding his confidence that she

wasn't going to leave him. That it was safe for him to have a life away from her. Even though she knew that the threat of some unseen bogeyman was still quite possible in their lives, he couldn't and shouldn't live in constant fear. She had to repair the damage she had done, and set things to rights inside her brother's fragile mind.

So with a tired sigh, she introduced Sammy to Darien.

"Mr. Jerk-face?" Sammy acknowledged with an amused smile.

"Sammy!" Serena spun on him, her face burning so very humiliated at her brother calling Darien such a mean name.

That she had been pretty much calling him on a daily basis for the last two years.

"Among many other less kind names, she has called me over the years." Darien smirked back with mischief gleaming in his deep blue eyes. "Shall I enlighten him with the extent of his older sisters vocabulary?" He teased, making her go even more red.

"Preferably not, Shields." She stuck her tongue out at him impishly. Before forking a big chunk of green ruffage, pushing it forcefully into her mouth. Chewing it somewhat bitterly, as he dug into his juicy, oily heaven in a bun. Then promptly thought better of eating her salad, snatching the burger out of his hands, while thrusting her salad towards him with a sly smile.

"Brat!" He commented, watching her with a cheerful air as she smugly ate his burger. Then somewhat disgruntled, started to pick at the salad before himself.

"You got me a salad!" She spat sloppily as she took another huge bite. "When have you ever seen me eat lettuce?" She finished around a mouth full.

"It's rabbit food..." He smiled teasingly. "Your a rabbit." He leaned over and flapped her tails in good humour.

She merely scoffed at him in irritation, casting her now chuckling brother a dirty look.

"Just don't choke." He commented, watching in utter disbelief as the tiny girl devoured the burger in a matter of moments. Once more sucking the oily remains off her finger tips with a pleased smile. Before lunging across the table again and claiming his plate of fries eagerly.

Darien shook his head in mid disbelief, his eye shining with good humour. She enjoyed junk food way to much. Doesn't eat lunch...my ass! Darien thought happily. She was as hungry as a bear! He would have to keep tabs on her at lunch from now on. Make sure she was eating, it was irresponsible for her to starve herself. He wondered what the true reason was behind it?

They bantered back and forth for a bit, until the girls arrived. Serena instantly jumped up, having finished her fries knowing the game plan was to make sure their friends thought they were still fighting.

"Loser!" She shouted at him with a mischievous smile, grabbing her empty paper plate and storming away to throw it out.

Sammy sat blinking in confusion, while Darien laughed knowingly. Catching sight of Raye, Mina, and Amy strolling away from the buffet line.

"You get back to the Elementary side before the teacher's figure out your missing!" Serena chastised, as she walked backwards, commanding her little brother sternly while pointing to the back door.

"What just happened?" Sammy asked softly, so very confused. They had been having such a fun time, before her girlfriends showed up.

"All part of the courting rituals, my boy." Darien leaned back in his chair highly satisfied with his life right now. Acting like a smug all knowing master of love, crossing his arms behind his head with a huge smile on his face.

"Man...I must be courting half the Elementary. Cause most of the girls call me horrible names, and usually kick me in the balls." He grumped, not really wanting to be attracting girls. He still wasn't sure if he liked them like that.

"I thought by the time I got to be your age, it would be all romance and kissing and stuff?" He turned with uncertainty to Darien.

"Nope, the true way to a girls heart is through frustration and torment. Pulling her cute golden tails helps a-lot to." He responded his eyes sparkling with mischief, standing up and heading over to Serena who was standing a few tables away talking to the girls. He sauntered past her, giving a tail a good yank accidentally pulling the bun free.

"Baka, Darien!" She cursed him, as one side of her head was now curtained by her absurdly long hair.

Darien merely turned to walk backwards for a bit, giving Sammy a cocky wink before disappearing into the crowds and down the side hall towards the inner courtyard. He had Daniel hunting to attend too.

Reaching the end of the short shadowed hall set between the Cafeteria and the inner courtyard. Darien was greeted by the brutal shouts and swears of two guys arguing and fighting above him. Dashing to the edge of the cement balcony, he looked up to the third floor. Finding Andrew currently having his upper torso forced over the cement edge of the balcony above. By a very furious and down right manic looking Daniel. Andrew's face was beet red and covered in a fine film of sweat. Clutching at the stronger boys, gripping hands that were knotted into the collar of his black t-shirt.

"Andrew!" Darien roared in fright, dashing to the winding stairwell at the end of the open corridor that surrounded the courtyard. Mounting the steps two or three at a time in his effort to reach Andrew before that crazy Hemlock dumped him over the railing. Swinging around the upper landing on the top floor of the school, he charged down the corridor towards the ever intensifying fight. Daniel had Andrew at an disadvantage, bent backward over the railing. The wiry young man, reduced to squirming under his grip,his legs twitching and jerking trying to find some purchase to rise up from his submissive position. Daniel held him down now with one hand, his other reaching high over Andrew's face. Taunting him with his phone.

"You want this...Furrata?" he joked, ice blue eyes dancing with enjoyment at Andrew's furious glare.

"Stop!" Darien shouted, his voice echoing off the walls. The upper most story of the school was vacant, the sun glinting from the huge skylight above. Down upon the open balcony corridors of closed classrooms bathing it all in dull white light. The atmosphere would have been tranquil and serene if not for the two combatants currently trying to kill one another. Darien's voice was so loud it distracted Daniel enough to give Andrew the upper hand.

The platinum blonde turned at the sound of Darien's frantic bellow, receiving a right cross to the chin from Andrew in the process.

Daniel went down on one knee, blood dripping onto his boot cut jeans. As Andrew had nailed him in the nose yet again. Andrew loomed over the now cowed football player, ripping his phone out of his grasp. Rocketing it down to the bottom of the courtyard. It smashed, with a sharp ringing of plastic and glass.

"That was a five hundred dollar touch phone!" Daniel screamed, picking himself up off the floor. Adjusting his dusty green dress shirt, that had been pulled up on one side. His face red with fury, slowly moving to the balcony's edge to mourn his trashed phone now littering the bottom lino of the main floor corridor.

"Now, it's garbage. Just like it's owner!" Andrew snarled, turning on his heel and striding away. A smug satisfaction in his step and in his smile. Adjusting his own dark baggy jeans, reseting them comfortably on his square hips again.

Darien laughed, and nodded proudly at his friend claiming victory over the bastard. Then silently made his retreat unnoticed back down the steps.

Anne had been hovering in the shade of some potted trees in the main garden far below. The lush indoor paradise that took up the center of the main level of the inner courtyard. Dressed in a jean skirt and plush pink blouse with a folded down collar. She cast her deep brown eyes up with a calculating glare to Daniel and Andrew as they moved away in separate directions on the third floor balcony. Before darting out of hiding to sift through the shattered remains, tracking down the tiny memory card from Daniel's phone.

Her own phone was toast thanks to the virus that was attached to that naked picture of Lita. She had been lurking around that party at the rocks. Noticing that Andrew was becoming a lot more chummy with Serena and her girlfriends. She knew that Daniel had it out for Lita since she decked him in the cafeteria. Her reporter instincts told her the reason for that scuffle was linked to that nasty picture. The master copy of that image was most definitely on Daniel's phone. She could have a lot of fun with that picture...She chuckled merrily at her luck. Pocketing the card in her jean skirt before making her own escape away from the crime scene. Cooking up new schemes for discord within the halls of Cross Roads.

Cheer practice had been canceled, due to Amelia's condition and the tragic loss of two of their own. The Cheer squad spent their time, visiting softly on the bleachers in their Visitor's coloured uniforms. A dark midnight blue with white and red accents and stripes upon the short skirt. With a white turtle neck body suit underneath the halter shell and mini pleated skirt. They got in uniform for the football practice as a show of support for their team and their absent leader.

Sammy had wandered over after school and was now hanging out near the top benches with Amy and Raye. Huddled in his old jean jacket, between the two girls looking very smug and cozy. As Amy wrapped an arm around his shoulder, rubbing his arm up and down. Seeking to keep him warm with some friction. Sammy had a major crush on Amy, that was only growing every time she showed him a little affection. If pressed he would deny it, refusing to accept that she was his first foray into love. As much as his growing feelings confused him, he enjoyed them as well. Amy was oblivious to his sweet innocent advances, when he actually managed the courage to flirt. His attempts coming off as slightly annoying antics, or rude comments towards her friends. The rest of the girls unable to see that Sammy was maturing before their eyes. Seeing him only as some bratty little brother they had to endure for Serena's sake. Amy was the only one to show Sammy any kindness or respect, and he guessed that was what drew him to her.

Amy was dressed in her pleated navy dress pants and shiny dark blue winter coat. While Raye was in her black cords and fluffy wine red coat with the fuzzy white trimmed hood. Avidly ignoring the annoying boy, as she watched her man on the field with a moon eyed adoring expression on her face.

Serena and Mina spent time with the squad at the bottom of the bleachers. While Serena was eagerly drumming up some volunteer's to help her with the fundraiser's, also brain storming some ideas as to how to raise money. Mina was casting small, lingering glaces upwards towards Raye. Absently listening to the conversations around her. About Amelia's poor state in the hospital and talk of the twins funeral that weekend. The conversations came to a close around the end of practice, with a new obstacle raised. They had to find at least two more member's to fill out the team, and a new Cheer Queen had to be chosen.

Serena mildly watched the Football team finish practice, her mood darkening. As she caught sight of Daniel racing across the field after the ball. She had found out what had happened to Lita just after lunch, over hearing a lot of nasty things in the halls since then. She had kept up her cheerful, oblivious mask but deep inside something not so sweet was beginning to stir within her. Her clear blue eyes dimming with the first hints of true hate, as she glared at the pompous self serving young man. He cared for no one but himself, interested in only fulfilling his own wants and needs. He was a cruel, selfish creature of privilege. The concept that such a vile person could even exist had been incomprehensible to her. Yet here she was confronted by a truly evil person to her understanding and it shook her to the core. The people who had taken her mother away that had destroyed her life back in Japan, must have been woven from the same cold hearted material as Daniel. She had been to young, to idealistic to understand that such dark souls existed. Now she wasn't so innocent about the evils of the world. They could lurk anywhere, hiding in the shadows of everyday life, waiting to prey upon the weak and unwary.

With a distasteful grunt, Serena rose up off the bleacher bench heading after her teammates who were now leaving the field. The Football player's were filing off as well. Darien caught up to her, as she was headed behind the bleacher's.

"Hey, Sweetness. The guys are heading over to Fruits after we change, want to come?" He offered, coming along side her as she rounded the bleachers.

Serena could smell his sharp sour sweat before she even turned to greet him. While most women would find a sweating man quite foul, she found his musk compelling and delightful. Giggling, she took a small sniff. Rolling her eyes at how insane it was for her find a sweaty Darien sexy. Turning as she found her love striding beside her, his dark hair hanging over his dark blue eyes. Face still glowing and covered with a wet sheen. His dark blue uniform with the white accents, damp with sweat. Huge stains underneath his arm pits and around his collar. Still panting from the exertion and valiantly attempting to catch his breath.

"I can't..." She laughed, demurely placing a hand over her nose to block out his foul stench, finally getting a rational hold on her love struck feelings. "Got grounded for two weeks." She finished, nodding bitterly towards the beige sedan now parked out front of the school. "My carriage awaits." She intoned sarcasticly.

Darien turned at her forward nod, eyes scrutinizing the tall man lounging against the hood in a grey suit. Sammy was just slipping into the back seat, tossing his worn out army green backpack in ahead of himself.

"I hope one day, you will share your past with me." Darien sighed, giving her a understanding smile, while nervously rubbing the back of his neck. "But I will respect your privacy, for right now. That you want to keep you secrets. Serena."

"Well, It's not like you have been oh, so forthright with your past either. Shields." She commented lightly, casting him a cute little grin. Before darting across the street, wondering if he was being genuine or trying to guilt her into opening up before she was ready. They had had many heart to hearts in the past, but he caught himself reminiscing about his past. He quickly put a cork in it and changed the subject as if it was taboo to even talk his own past.

"It's Mamo-chan!" He shouted back with a laugh, wanting to promote to her that he would always protect her.

Serena laughed and nodded, her heart once darkened by thoughts of Daniel now brightened by her Mamoru...

The next day came and left, filled with harsh rumour's of Lita's scandalous picture. With no way verify the images existence, it's brief impact upon the student body at cross roads was reduced to hearsay. While Amy's way of wiping the image off the internet though good intentioned, had an opposite effect. Instead of allowing it to fade into obscurity among the populace of the High School. Her virus and the thousands upon thousands of dollars of damage had led to that horrible image evolving into infamy at Cross Roads High. The girls, Darien and his friends were now in clean up and discredit mode. Spreading their own altered version of that image. By the end of the day the rumour's had successfully took a turn away from the fact that it was an image of Lita. To the fact that is wasn't her, just her face photo shopped on some porn model's body. As a means for the criminal to lure the kids of the school to down load the image and have their phones and the School's server destroyed by the virus. It was a start, yet Lita's name was now linked to the virus and it's mass destruction.

It was late afternoon, the sun had been playing hide and seek all day with the slowly accumulating clouds. It was now peeking out once more through the cloud mass, casting a grand rose brick tower in a soft warm glow. The central hospital of the city, rose over the quaint neighbourhoods surrounding it. A vast park, filled with various types of trees, with a huge colorful wheel chair adapted play structure stretched around the tower. The trees now bathed in gold and rust red leaves, the winding trails dusted with the fall litter. A beige sedan slowly made it's way into the parking lot out front of the tower. Rolling up the semi circle drive to the long tree lined sidewalk that led up to the glass and metal front doors to the towers large foyer.

Serena walked slowly down the brightly lit main corridor of the Hospital's main floor. The nurses and orderlies milling around her as she moved some what aimlessly trying to find her way. Dressed as nicely as she could manage wanting to show Amelia a little respect. With a proper looking appearance, so she had opted for a lavender and grey plaid kilt skirt with a pink sash wrapped around her hips. A matching jean jacket, with a white long sleeve light sweater underneath. That had a rounded collar with a tiny plush blue bow right in the middle of the trim. With matching pink leg warmers, her feet tucked warmly in a pair of ankle length, worn black leather boots with a chunky heel. She had also placed two cute pink bows in her buns, her barrettes placed perfectly just above her golden fringe. Her twin tails, trailing down her arching back as she clutched a small bouquet of spring flowers to her breast. Feeling confused and more then a bit over whelmed by the vague directions the reception desk had provided.

The hospital was a modern designed tower of steel and glass. The wards wrapped around in never ending circles towards the sky. Filling the medical needs of this city and several smaller neighbouring ones as well. Due to government cut backs, and the recession not as many hospitals and medical clinics could keep their doors open. So this hospital and many others were now filled to capacity with patients, some waiting in the halls down in the Emergency ward for a bed to open up. Feeling less like human beings, who need care and compassion. More like numbers on a ever revolving assemble line. The doctors and nurses dealing with the over whelming masses in a business like manner. Of get them in, get them treated and get them gone. So that another patient could be processed. Thanks to that change in demeanour the whole building seemed to have an anxious feeling that wafting through the white washed walls like a foul odour.

Everything always in a state of flux as staff rushed around and patients milled in the halls, looking just as lost as she was. She finally found a bank of elevator's in a large alcove just off from the Emergency area. Nearly racing into the peaceful solace of the small moving room. She took a slow steadying breath as the shiny metal doors hissed closed. Serena had never liked hospital's to much, they made her nervous and set her mind down morbid avenues. Taking a moment to settle herself she pushed the button for the recovery ward on the sixth floor.

Swallowing nervously, clutching her small bouquet of flowers with sweaty palms. She glanced around the barren corridor, having just past the nurses station a few meters behind. Getting Amelia's room number and vague directions once again. From a very tired and over worked middle aged nurse who seemed far to busy to deal with mundane questions from some random teenager. So now she was wandering once more. Trying to figure out how the number's of the recovery ward were set up as she circled around the outer corridor. Glancing curiously down the various inner halls that branched away. After a few more minutes of aimless wandering, she finally found the right door.

Taking a deep breath to settle her nerves, she knew Amelia didn't really like her. The Senior was always glaring threateningly at her when she thought the little blonde wouldn't notice, always had a sharp tongue when speaking to her. Serena didn't like her much either, but she just couldn't be mean and uncaring to anyone. But her sense of morals, and genuinely kind personality meant she would find the courage to at least visit once. To show her that she wasn't alone in this, that if she needed a friend she was right there. Grasping the iron handle she pulled it softly, pushing the door inward. Taking one step into the dimly lit room. Instantly freezing in place, as she found Darien sitting beside the girls bed, holding her hand and talking intimately. His thumb caressing the top of her hand in small comforting circles, in the same subtle ways that he had used to soothe her. He was dressed in jeans and a white short sleeve button up shirt, with a navy long sleeve shirt underneath. His face a mirror of compassion and understanding as he gazed fondly down at Amelia. Suddenly she felt like an unwanted voyeur to a very touching moment between the two.

"Darien..." She breathed, face paling in sudden horror. Her finger's gripping the stems harder becoming more slick with nervous sweat. As her heart skipped a beat and her breath shuttered awkwardly in her chest. She never thought Darien would visit, from what he had told her recently when they got on the topic of his kiss with the Cheer Queen. It had meant nothing, just a whim he had been exploring. Yet the silly feelings of betrayal and jealousy were rearing themselves within her like a cancer slowly destroying the trust he had just recently regained. At the sight of him being so familiar with her. She felt so guilty for having these feelings towards her, Amelia was in the hospital, her pelvis had been crushed in the crash. So she had temporarily lost the use of her legs...she needed compassion and support. Not stupid pettiness, over the past.

"Serena!" He jumped to his feet, releasing Amelia's hand as if it was on fire.

Amelia lay bed ridden, under her white linen blankets. Looking tired and withdrawn, with several bruises marring her face. Her eyes were dull, skin looking sickly grey with her light green tinted blonde hair fanning over her pillow. She was scowling towards Serena unimpressed by her unwelcome intrusion.

"Hello..." She rolled her eyes in irritation at being interrupted by her silent nemesis.

"I...brought these for you..." Serena stumbled, finally noticing the whole room. There was a single window against one wall, with the shade drawn. The afternoon light barely filtering through the plastic slates. The bed was in the middle inclined upward so Amelia could visit. Her side table and dresser were already filled with an assortment of flowers, cards and helium balloons. There really wasn't any space for her gift.

"Great...just what I needed more flower's." Amelia groused. "I already feel like I'm in a frickin mortuary!"

"Ah..." Serena giggled nervously, drawing the flower's behind her back.

"Lea." Darien chastised, passing the paralysed girl a disapproving look over his shoulder.

Amelia ignored him, focusing her cold emerald eyes upon Serena.

"Look...Tsukino. I appreciate that you came to visit. But I'm kinda busy with my boyfriend here. So if you wouldn't mind coming back another day...or never, that would be great." She gave her a mocking smile, reaching over and clasping Darien's hand possessively.

Serena's blank expression fell into confusion and pain, wondering what the hell was going on. She had thought Darien was dating her? Secretly but still were they not a couple? What was he telling Amelia?

With a shaky nod, she promptly turned on her heel and left. Darien quickly shook off Amelia's hand, knowing by the hurt look on his girls face he had some serious explaining to do.

"Darien!" Amelia shouted, feeling shunned once more in favour of Tsukino. Her pathetic show of frailty drawing Darien away from her like a moth to a flame. It infuriated her that even though her crippled state should have trumped that whores look of pain. Darien went chasing after her without a single thought towards her own feelings. Leaving her rejected and fuming in her hospital bed.

"I'll be right back!" He responded in a rush, exploding through the door and into the corridor. Finding Serena storming away, disappearing around a corner. He dashed down the corridor uncaring about the dark looks he was receiving from the orderly tending to carts in the hall. Rounding the corner finding her still far ahead near the large circular desk that was the nurses station. Slamming her flowers into the waist basket set on the side of the beige fake wood desk in her anger.

"Crap..." He hissed, dashing for her. "Sere, wait up!" he shouted in desperation. Putting on more speed, as she stubbornly ignored him moving past the desk, out of view. Breezing through the open double doors and out of the ward.

He shot out of the ward moments after her, clasping her hand, just as she aimed to turn down a side corridor. To try and place even more distance away from him, she was so full of confusion and anger she really did not want to confront him right now.

A set of huge windows occupied a whole wall on the small waiting area before the ward. Reflecting the warmth of the afternoon sun upon them. Darien held his breath as he took in her somber continence in the dieing sun. Which was casting a soft evening glow over her flushed round cheeks, sad cerulean eyes now down cast towards the floor. Behind her stood the twin elevators, a couple old orange leather benches against the side walls with a few potted plants, to add some color to the otherwise sterile environment.

"What is going on?" She breathed, not turning to face him. Her face slowly bowing in defeat, staring down at the pristine white lino.

"I had started something with her just before everything happened. I just didn't have the heart to cast her feelings aside after everything she has gone through." Darien twisted her around to face him, pulling her close. "I'm a coward..." He breathed into her hair, Serena remained rigid and stoic in his arms as he embraced her. Fighting with her own feelings of claim to Darien's heart, yet her compassion once again shrouded her in understanding.

"No, your a nice guy. " Serena thumped her forehead against his chest.

Darien chuckled bitterly, he knew he was anything but that.

"She needs me, Sere." He sighed resigned to acting like Amelia's boyfriend for the time being.

"I know..." She breathed, clutching her small hands into the fabric of his white shirt.

"But I have ground rules...because you are mine. I'm not sharing all of you." She stated with a jaded smirk against his chest, concealing her more bitter feelings about how complicated her first romance was turning out.

"Anything?" Darien sighed, giving her another squeeze finally recieving a weak hug in return. Groaning silently, loathing what he was doing to her. Understanding he was still using Amelia, even in her tragic condition he couldn't see her as anything more then a pawn to be used to protect the woman who truly mattered to him. Amelia was a valuable fountain of knowledge that was currently giving him an edge over Daniel. He had to keep the act of liking the girl going until she was of no further use to him.

Thankful he was able to smooth over this awkward situation, with the girl that truly held his heart. But he knew he would have to juggle Serena's heart, and Amelia's needs, as he continued his infiltration of Daniel's court. It was the one reason he had wanted Serena to hate him in the beginning, but he just couldn't live that way. But he also did not want to hurt her anymore either...

"One, no kisses on the lips." Serena pulled away, touching a delicate finger upon his lips. "They belong to me." Her shimmering cerulean eyes penetrating him with a fierce possession.

He merely nodded acknowledging her rules.

"Which means, no fondling her either." She stated, shivering at the thought of him touching another woman so intimately again.

He nodded, agreeing with a knowing smile.

"When you feel she is strong enough to handle it, I want you to let her down easy. Our relationship doesn't really exists so faking a relationship with someone else to make her happy, would be ok for a while." She sighed, cupping his cheeks with her hands.

He drew down to her perfectly parting lips now inviting him to kiss her. Pressing his lips sweetly against hers, holding her tightly against him. Enjoying the kiss and feel of her supple body against his. Before he sadly started to draw away, she whispered one last thing against his lips.

"You belong to me...now. I have waited to long, to feel love from you. I will not give you up now." She smiled painfully against his lips. Her mind still reeling with doubts about the strength of his feelings towards her, to many boys had already betrayed her. She needed be resilient, to rely on her hopes that his feelings were true.

Darien's body shivered at the mention of love, her voice so tender yet strong when she said that fateful word. Then reluctantly he left her in front of the glowing windows, her slightly bowed silhouette bathed sombrely in the evening sun. Refusing to look back and have his resolve crumble by the disappointment upon her face. Heading back into the shadows to console a very physically, and emotionally broken girl, who seemed to really need him right now.

Serena kept her head down, plagued by morbid thoughts, gripping the wide wooden railing that rimmed the corridors of the wards. Taking a short walk around the outer ring of the wards needing to think and calm down. Could she trust that Darien wouldn't fall for Amelia in such a broken state? He was a sweet compassionate man, who had a soft spot for damsels in distress. But thankfully, she had been his only damsel... now things have changed. But he had professed that he cared for only her? But so had two other boys, who in the end had abandoned her in their own way. Would he stay loyal while giving Amelia the support she needed, or give in to her and go further then he should? Maybe she should have told him no, to man up and tell Amelia he couldn't be there for her in that way? But Amelia needed someone...how callous and cruel of her to think that.

Growling in frustration, she found herself once again staring out at the park beyond the windows. Turning angrily from the beautiful view nearly stomping towards the elevators. She practically punched the down arrow for the elevator. Lost in her thoughts, her senses dulled by the acidic bleach scent of the sparkling clean walls. She entered the elevator in a gloomy haze as soon as the doors hissed aside.

"Well, Well. Well." The silky smooth voice, dripped with satisfaction. Startling her as soon as she entered the small compartment.

Yelping and jumping, Serena slammed her back against the far corner of the elevator. Swallowing hard as Daniel, had been hidden against the side wall. Having been hovering by the panel of floor buttons, until she entered this moving cage. Dressed in a pair of boot cut jeans, and dark cowboy boots. An untucked black mock neck covering his broad chest, with the teams dark blue and red football jersey over top.

"I was on my way to pay my respects to poor Amelia..but what a nice opportunity to set things straight between us. " He smiled thinly, darting his eyes to the closing doors waiting the second for them to seal before swiftly taping the red stop button on the panel. Then stalked towards her like a wolf cornering a small defenceless bunny.

"D...Dan, Daniel." Serena stuttered, clasping her hands to her breast as her body was now overcome by a trembling unease.

The taller's boy was quick to dominate her small form again, invading her space without permission. His swagger and smug expression showing her fully how he saw himself as some Lord and Prince. Bracing an arm along side her face, he hovered inches away from her.

"I am not going to give up. I will have you." He stated, his ice blue eyes boring into her fiercely.

Serena could only whimper as she cowered against the wall, desperately trying to gather herself from the sudden assault of his aggressive intimidation.

"In your dreams..." She whispered, her hatred rising up to protect her and give her strength. Giving him a tight sardonic smile, she knew would only piss him off.

Daniel merely chuckled, brushing a hand through his hair arrogantly.

"I have many dreams of you, dear Serena." He answered with a husky sigh, pulling away feeling the encounter had run it's course. Wishing for more time to play with her, but engaging with Tsukino wasn't part of his plans here at the hospital. Amelia was getting a bit to cozy with Shields, and she needed a wake up call so to speak as to whom she belonged to.

"Why did you it?" She questioned as he gave her his back.

"Do what?" He inquired innocently.

Serena was confused, how did he not know about Lita's attack, her humiliation?

"Lita, you bastard!" She shouted, losing her cool.

"Oh...that. I had nothing to do with that." Daniel turned to confront her, his eyes cold. "You see I lost my phone that weekend, the one your friend smashed was my younger brothers. I have no idea who would ever want to see that cow, naked. But I wasn't the one to take that picture. I wasn't even out there that night." He commented with a shrug. He had smoothly covered his tracks to the crime and had an alibi in place to protect himself as well.

Serena was seething, his cruel words only building the fire of hate within her. Ignoring his confession of innocence. With a fiery glare, she suddenly lashed out striking for his cheek with her hand. Wanting to smack that smug grin right off his face.

Daniel was quicker though, he saw her attack coming and defended. His hand lunging up for her striking hand. Catching her wrist in a strangling grip, he slammed her hand back, over her head against the wall of the elevator. His eyes were cold, searching her startled face now grimacing slowly into pain.

"Don't you dare say such cruel things about her!" She hissed defiantly, trying to reclaim some of her flagging inner power that Daniel had once again taken away. By defeating her attempt to strike him, sending shivers of fright through her body as he forcefully dominated her once more. Her trapped hand now stinging from the impact with the wall. Her nerve faltering as he continued to restrain her hand painfully. Her heart was slamming against her chest, her breath shallow and tight. She could feel her face blazing with humiliation and rage.

Daniel merely narrowed his eyes, realizing that this once scared little rabbit seemed to have a bit of bite as well. Which would make the hunt even more interesting. The glare she cast upon him, was pure with rage it both stunned and exhilarated him. Her beautiful eyes held such wrath, such loathing as if he was the lowest creature she had ever known. As if he wasn't even human...

That look fuelled his obsession for her even more, he wanted to possess her, break her...make her his in every way. He felt so turned on by her hatred his whole body was humming, ready to explode at any moment. It was a battle to relinquish his control, to release her hand and back his dominance away from her exquisitely trembling body. He lazily turned his back on her, adjusting his jeans slightly as his swollen crotch was now becoming uncomfortable.

With out a word he tapped the stop button allowing the elevator to open once more. This little conversation wasn't meant to last so long, soon maintenance would be wondering what had caused the elevator to lock. Before the doors had fully opened, he spun upon her one more time, unable to fully disengage from the confrontation without asserting his power once more. She screamed in fright as he gripped her once assaulting hand by the wrist again. Slamming her up against the side of the elevator, pressing his body tight against her small form. His other powerful hand holding the wrist of her other hand pinning them both to her side. As he got right in her face once more.

"I do as I please! Know your limits, little freshman slut!" He snarled in her face, his fury at her continued impotence against him rising up. As she whimpered in fear, her blue eyes wide and moistening with tears. Feeling her finger's beginning to tingle from the pressure of his grip, cutting off the blood flow. He slammed her hand above her head one last time for emphasis, before breezing out of the compartment. Leaving Serena shaken and trembling with both terror and rage within the elevator car. Rubbing her sore wrists, feeling pathetic and powerless once again.

She had barely gotten her emotions under control before ducking into the back of the sedan.

"That was quick?" Emmett commented, casting her a concerned look through the rear view mirror.

"She was sleeping..." Serena answered curtly, folding her arms over her chest and slumping in the seat for a moment. Before pulling her ear phones up to ignore the world once more. Listening to some calming jazz from her I-pod as she stared absently out the window trying to make sense of the turmoil inside of her.

Andrew had been trying to get a hold of Lita all weekend, now it was tuesday evening and none of her friends had been able to talk to her either. Warning bells were now chiming in his head, Lita was pulling away. Seeking to hide away and ignore all the people who truly cared about her. She had demons to fight and she wanted to do it alone. But Andrew knew that fighting those kind of inner monster's wasn't something one could do alone without some kind of support system. So now he was on a new mission, to pull her back into her life. To show her the good things that still surrounded her, to help her find a reason to leave her hiding place and resume her life. She needed to show those bastards that they couldn't intimate her, that she wouldn't give into the fears they created within her. That she would never be a victim. That she was stronger and more courageous then they gave her credit for. Andrew was determined to be there for her in all the ways she needed. And right now she needed an intervention, some one to force her out of wallowing over what happened.

His bird like legs pumped up and down upon the petal's of his beaten up old flame red bike as he mounted a large hill. His face set with determination, as he soared down the other side. The parked cars a blur beside him, his overly baggy pants hanging off his hips nearly falling off. As he stood upon the petals, urging more speed from his only method of transportation. The yellow waist band of his tweety bird boxer's glowing in the sharp flare of light from the setting sun. His white and light purple Laker's vest snapping in the wind as he rounded the corner, charging down the street into the apartment blocks downtown. He had his black plaid backpack crammed with two subs, movies, cds, comics, absolutely anything he could think off to cheer her up and entertain them for the night. He was not going to give up on her, he knew he had a battle ahead of him. She was hold up in her apartment, wouldn't answer her phone or her buzzer, he had tried that already. Now it was crunch time, it was the bottom of the ninth and he needed a home run plan to win her over.

"Never give up...Never say die...I shall prevail!" He exclaimed to himself like a mantra to give him the strength to overcome the trial ahead.

Now standing outside the white stucco complex, staring mournfully up at the black metal balcony's having no idea which one was her's. He knew what floor she was on, the top floor...thanks to the buzzer box. But besides that no idea...

With a tired moan he pulled his cell phone out of his jeans pocket dialling her number. Not surprised to find it ringing forever. It had been days, her girlfriends were going nuts! But they had no idea how to reach her. But Andrew did, he had the moxy or the stupidity to do the impossible.

"Fine...I am done being polite!" he growled up at the balcony's, dashing across the front lawn he leaped for the second floor balcony. Raising his long arms over his head he narrowly made purchase, grasping two slender rungs of the railing. Then hung stubbornly and uselessly from the balcony, unsure as to how he was going to haul himself up.

Dangling like a confused monkey, his arms starting to grow numb.

"Crap...well this wasn't thought out so well." he grumbled, then by will power alone the lanky young man began to reach and grasp the narrow bars, higher and higher. One hand after another, slowly raising himself up high enough to swing his sneaker clad feet against the bottom of the balcony. Then with a mighty grunt he swung a leg over the top of the railing, hauling the rest of his heaving body over the top to lay on his side out of breath and exhilarated on the balcony's floor.

"One down...three more to go." he huffed, rolling his head upward to look bitterly up at the dark balcony. Then drew his head to the side to look through the patio glass, catching sight of a fat old man on a beat up couch in his living room. Dressed in sleep pants and a worn out white beater shirt, absently drinking a beer and watching a game show. Completely oblivious to the young man laying on the floor of his balcony, staring at him with mild disgust through the patio doors.

With a groan Andrew reclaimed his feet, climbing up to stand on the railing. Turning like a tight rope walker to face the inside of the balcony, before giving a little leap with his arms extended for the next dark over hang. Finding purchase above, hauling his dangling leg out of view to the balcony above. He repeated his performance twice more, rolling onto the third floor balcony. Taking a short break, wringing out the pain in his arms, hissing and grimacing as he worked out the kinks in his strained muscles.

"Ok, one more to go. " He commented rolling his neck from side to side, as if the manly act would keep his endurance up.

"Basketball player's weren't meant to do this many chin up!" He hissed, as he climbed up the last balcony hand by hand. With a cry of pain and fortification he rolled himself up over the last railing, falling to his knees. Heaving for breath and sweating like he just finished a professional game. As he slowly raised his head, brushing wet dusty blonde locks out his tired blue eyes. He found a dark haired toddler dressed in nothing by a diaper and a white t-shirt with a yellow duck on it. Standing on the other side of the patio's glass, staring with amusement at him. He was an adorable little boy with a bowl cut, that hung low over his ears. Huge innocent chocolate brown eyes that held a sweet wonder in them. With pudgy legs and arms, all pink and dimpled as baby's tend to have. His cheeks were red and splotchy, drool moist around his lips from teething. Andrew took note of the boys mother just past the living room, puttering in the galley style kitchen just beyond.

Andrew chuckled and gave the little child a dull wave. He needed to get moving before she noticed him and called the cops. Nothing like a prowler report going in at the precinct, to ruin his prospects of a basketball scholarship at the end of the year.

Soon, Andrew was leaping across one balcony to the next, like some clumsy gymnast. His landings unrefined and stumbling. Tripping over patio furniture, hiding just below the adjoining railings. His feet slipping through the fabric weave of lawn chairs he unfortunately managed to land on, or just tumbling onto his face due to a poor landing. At each balcony's patio window he would peep into briefly with the hope to catch sight of Lita. So far he hadn't had much luck and now he was moving around the west side of the building. Having to slide himself around the corner on a narrow cement ledge, that was only attached to the building as accent architecture. So he wasn't feeling confident at all that it could or would hold his weight. With his heart slamming in his chest, he quickly darted to the other side of the ledge and made a frantic leap onto the next balcony with a loud clang.

"And he nails it!" Andrew stood up from his crouch, with a grin of pride. "And the crowds go wild!" he exclaimed then braced his hands on either side of his mouth releasing air to make pretend sounds of a roaring crowd. Coming down from his danger high, he glanced over the edge of the balcony. His face paling in fear as he finally decided to acknowledge he was four stories up. That death was now staring up at him at this height.

"I don't want to do this anymore...where the hell are you Lita." he whimpered, turning from the railing to the patio windows, finding to his great relief the brunette he was looking for. Her full wavy brown hair hanging loose down her back. Dressed in a pair of forest green cotton gym shorts and a grey tank top. Her ample breasts nearly popping out of the flimsy tight shirt. Wandering absently from her living room , disappearing down a side hall hidden just behind the living room's front wall, that also held her flat screen t.v.

"Bonus round..." He breathed, moving to the patio door, jiggling the handle finding that his luck was holding out and it was open. Silently he slipped into the apartment to confront the hiding girl. Her apartment held a natural, comfort of many potted plants. With a highly feminine appeal of lacey throw pillows and a forest green afghan thrown of her plush grey couch. But Andrew wasn't focusing on how warm and cozy her home was. Crossing through the living room, taking in the mess of clutter and trash strewn all over the floor. Clothes draped over the black leather couch against the back wall, the low coffee table cluttered with coke can's and chip bags even a half eaten tub of chocolate ice cream lay melting in the corner.

All these poor culinary signs, and lack of hygiene pointed to a very depressed and self loathing girl.

"Damn..." He commented bitterly, as he crossed the living room turning unthinkingly down the front hall. Glancing through the half wall that showed a cluttered, messed up kitchen and a lone kitchen table sitting in a small alcove barren and untouched. Like she never used her own dining table to eat. Where was her family? This whole set up was strange? As he moved down the hall he noticed it only had two doors, this apartment was a one bedroom. Lita was only fifteen right? A little young to be living on your own?

Lost in his thoughts, barely heeding the sound of the toilet flushing as he absently walked down the hall like he owned the place. With a dull squeak he turned in surprise towards the bathroom door opening beside him, greeting a now alarmed and slightly frazzled Lita.

"What the hell!" She screamed, lunging for his arm and kicking out his knees all at the same time.

"Girls a ninja!" he squeaked, as the world went upside down as Lita tossed him over her shoulder. The was wind knocked out of him as he landed brutally on his back on the bathroom lino. Staring dumb struck up at the white stucco ceiling, his chest on fire.

"I think you killed supper..." He whimpered, clutching his chest trying to force air into his lungs before he blacked out.

"Oh, god...Andrew!" Lita exclaimed, scrambling to his side seeking forgiveness. Fluttering her hands uncertainly over his chest as he grimaced up at her with amusement.

In time she led him back into the living room, tossing a few items of clothes and a couple bras off the couch to make room for him. He slumped heavily onto the plush, extra soft cushion of the couch. Digging into his backpack to check on the now flattened subs, groaning in dismay as he pulled forth two mangled sandwiches wrapped in soggy paper.

"How did you get in here!" She cried, flopping down beside him.

"I climbed up the balconies." he shrugged, as if what he had done was as simple as walking down the street.

Lita merely blinked at him, completely alarmed and slightly amazed by his ambition to find her.

"Wow..." she breathed, rubbing the back of her neck in humiliation.

"You haven't talked to anyone in days. I was worried, your girlfriends are so upset they are having kitten's. " He commented. As she giggled at the goofy statement.

"No, really...I didn't think it was possible. Tell you the truth I never even understood the statement till now." Andrew kept on, as Lita began to smile. "I mean it! Real kittens, Serena had a whole litter yesterday named them and everything" He continued, rambling insanely, encouraging the reserved smile to grow into something happy and sincere.

"Hah!" He cried, handing her a flattened, soggy sub. She took it with a nervous laugh, tentatively setting it on the table.

They ate in companionable silence, chatting about completely pointless things. Connecting for the first time as true friends. Andrew spent most of the evening hanging out with her, watching movies and just being a support. Lita's spirits seemed lifted by the end of the night, when it was time to bid him goodnight. She showed him to the front door that sat on the other side of the kitchen.

"I'll be coming back tomorrow night, to hang out. I will text you too, supper's on me again so think about what you want to eat." he stated as he marched through the door to the dimly lit hall.

"You don't have too." She sighed, her raging emotions and troubled thoughts finally feeling soothed by his caring pressence. Genuinely relieved that he had come to save her from herself, like a knight rescuing some kind of locked up princess in a tower.

"I'm coming over tomorrow." Andrew commanded with a grin, grasping her hands in his and giving her an encouraging squeeze.

"If you refuse to let me in, I will just climb up here again!" he stated stubbornly, wringing his stiff wrists with a playful frown.

Lita merely smiled and nodded, watching him walk down the hall and push through the side door to the stairwell.

She was still very nervous about going to school, wondering if she could handle the amount of ridicule that would be thrust upon her when she got back. Being ignored she could handle, being taunted not so much. That's what got her banished out in the middle of the north west to begin with. Her grandfather refused to let her come home till she had cooled her head. She came from a very respectable high ranking family back in New York, that had a lot of prestige and pull in the local government. She had humiliated her entire family again and again, by her rough shod attitude and constant fights at her private school. Honestly she didn't want to go back even if they asked her, she had finally found happiness in her close friendships out here. So maybe it was worth fighting for, she was going to try very hard to keep her temper when she got back and not let the humiliation get to her. With all her friends backing her, supporting her she might be able to over come what had happened and become a stronger person for it.

The next day Serena found Darien, Andrew and his three new friends from the team hunched over a central table. On the middle tier of the Cafeteria, they were deep in a hushed conversation over a piece of paper, disusing and slightly arguing over it. Her dark haired protector was dressed in dark jeans with a black t-shirt. With a dark green dress shirt, untucked and hanging loose over top his broad well muscled chest. Andrew was in his typical blue jeans and graphic t-shirt. This time it was a bright yellow with a huge picture of the pink fluffy muppet 'Animal' dancing on the front. Which meant he was finally in a better more whimsical mood. Chad was in his white cowboy style button up shirt of dusty blue, jeans and boots. Greg was far more conservative in jeans, a white dress shirt with a navy sweater vest over top. They were a motley group of extremely different personalities, yet they seemed to mesh well together. Just like her and her girlfriends. It was odd yet heart warming to know that such different people could get along and find a common ground to flourish as friends.

Darien had failed to greet her that morning, and she had been looking forward to their forbidden kisses inside her locker, that they had enjoyed the first couple days this week. Now he was totally absorbed in something on the table and didn't even noticed her enter the large crowded room. She had dressed in her new outfit that she had found at her favourite thrift store yesterday. Finding another plaid skirt, in black and greys, slightly frayed on the edges. Designed with a double layer of overlapping skirts, the waist smooth and hanging low over her hips. She had accented the low riding waist with a plain white untucked blouse. The folding collar popped up casually, and the sleeves pulled up over her elbows. Adding another layer with a black hoody tied up around her waist, incase she got cold. Finding a new treasure of hot pink and black striped wrist warmers that bunched on the other side of her elbows. With matching long socks that hugged her lower legs, her feet tucked comfortable into her ankle length black leather boots. She felt she looked cute yet some what artsy, perhaps alternative in this outfit. Either way she liked it! She had never been teased or laughed at by how uniquely she dressed. She had even started a couple fashion trends over the years. The girls seemed to enjoy what new combinations she came up with, even the Cheer squad was intrigued by her particular kind of fashion sense. So she honestly was becoming a bit more fearless with her clothes over the years.

Emmett had seen how down cast she looked yesterday after school and figured she needed a bit of a pick me up. He had studied her file, before taking on her assignment. Learning her haunts, her favourite foods, shopping areas and over all personality. He had her profiled in every way before taking on her Guardianship. So driving her down town to the local flee market with out request was sweet and quickly earned him points of approval from Serena. The stores lay in a beaten up husk of a forgotten unassuming mall, at the very fringe of the down town markets. All in business due to donations and garage sale items, everything inside was used and very cheap. A set of stores with apartments setup above for the owner's. Serena's depressed mood, brightened instantly as she saw the old mall of wood and brick come into view. A simple lineup of locally owned stores, set up in an old mini mall hidden away just past the looming downtown streets filled with giant box stores. She quickly exited the car, giving him a huge hug before dashing away across the broken pavement of the worn out parking lot. Darting into a simple store, that held a sewing shop above. The sign above the glass doors had a simple white plaque, with the words Osa & Osabu's painted in black. With black kanji symbols painted just below the English letters. The owner's were from japan, a young couple seeking a new life here in the States. Serena had found the store years ago, becoming close friends with the couple. Always eager to share news with her about what was happening back on the island. Their clothes reflecting the fashions now seen on the streets of Tokyo. If the young girl needed any alterations to the clothes she bought, they would let her use the sewing machines upstairs to be as creative as she pleased. In the end Serena figured this place was her little piece of heaven, where she found happiness and peace when the world became to hard to handle.

Emmett had been so startled by her affection he had stood like a robot as she hugged him. Now he chuckled nervously, sliding back into the car to wait for her to return. She reminded him very much of his own kid sister back home in California, thinking now he was going to call her while he waited. They hadn't talked in months and it would be good to hear her voice and touch base again.

Serena figured if he was too busy for her today, well then she was most definitely was to busy for him too. Feeling frustrated about being cast aside as unimportant yet again and more then a bit irritated at him for it. She moved quietly towards a back table near the windows were she liked to hang out and wait for the girls. Biding her time listening to music, jotting down ideas for her fundraiser's in a note book. While paying him short meaningful glances, wishing he would feel her eyes upon him and look back at her.

She was really getting tired of all these uncertain feelings, hating how jittery she was. Like a junkie going through withdrawal, missing his affections like a drug. Needing him to remind her in some small way that he still cared for her, and resenting him for not sensing her needs and leave his friends.

Her silent glare towards Darien was suddenly interrupted by a red velvet fedora flipping into her line of sight. Sucking in a breath she turned to greet the warm smile of Melvin. The boy had a sense of style all his own, just like she did.

"Howdy." He moved to a vacant seat on the other side of her. His chest dressed in casual layers, of a white t-shirt with a simple red plaid dress shirt, untucked. Then a baggy jean vest over top of it all, the collar popped up to give him a cool aloof air. Baggy cargo jeans nearly falling off his hips, with the knees worn out. His knobby knee peeking out through the frayed remains of the material. Today he had his dull brown hair styled, his bangs normally shading his eyes now pulled up in a dishevelled peek. His soft brown eyes sparkling behind his bold framed black glasses.

"Hi." She intoned lamely, glumly bracing her cheek in a palm while doodling absently in the margins of her book.

"Is this seat taken?" He asked politely.

"No." She sighed, now working on a rearing unicorn at the bottom of her page.

Melvin was starting to feel a little unwanted, and a bit confused. He had hoped by the next time he had managed to find the courage to talk to her again. She would be a little more interested, a little less cold towards him. He never took his seat, replacing his hat upon the back of his head instead. Casting a frustrated glare over his shoulder towards Darien and his boys on the lower level of tables. The man had not kept his side of the bargain. Serena was supposed to love him by now! With a frustrated growl, Melvin sauntered over to Darien's table. Leaving Serena staring after him in confusion.

"Shields!" Melvin butted into their conversation his face twisted in anger.

Darien groaned, his promise to the young man rising up in his mind like annoying unpaid bill. He had forgotten to talk to Serena, to put in a good word for him about what he had done to help Lita.

"Oh...Sorry Melvin. " Darien glanced mildly over his shoulder, finding Serena watching their confrontation with worried eyes.

Melvin groaned then slumped into a vacant seat beside Andrew at the head of the long table. Thumping his forehead on the table in melodramatic defeat. "She is just so not interested in me." He mumbled patheticly.

Andrew tried not to laugh at the boys overly exaggerated display, merely smirking and patting him compassionately on the back.

Darien sighed in regret, then slid out of his chair heading over to Serena. Noticing how her bleak demeanour began to brighten into happiness as he approached. Her soft blue eyes warming as he sat down in front of her. She meekly ducked her hands under the table, as he followed suit. He easily pulled her hands into his. Entwining their fingers together in a mutual, if secret act to the deep feelings they held for each other.

"How are you doing today?" He asked with a chuckle and a lopsided smile.

"Great, now that your here." She giggled, she wasn't going to tell him about her little run in with Daniel, at least not yet. Darien was already out to destroy the guy, he didn't need any more fuel to the fire. She also doubted they had a pleasant visit when Daniel had intruded upon him and Amelia next at the hospital. He might make a rash decision that could get him into big trouble at school. She had plans of talking to Amy first, anyway. If Daniel hadn't been at the 'Rocks' that night and had lost his phone then who took that picture? That horrible picture might still be floating around someone else's phone? All those questions were agitating her and she needed a logical mind to help sort out what to do next to find the true culprit.

When she and the girls had a plan in place then she would let Darien in on it. Coming clean about the vile confrontation she had with Daniel at the hospital. Right now she felt like he was a loaded weapon, she shouldn't just shoot off with out a specific target in mind. The tension between him and Daniel did not need any further agitation.

"Are you going to eat or do I have to treat you again?" He inclined a dark eyebrow, noticing the lack of a lunch bag yet again.

"Sammy's got my lunch. I forgot to pack it in my bag this morning." She gave him a guilty look, she was not a morning person and was usually rushed and disorganized.

"Good, cause my cash flow is a little low after my visit with Amelia." He groaned, the girl had guilted him into buying her a huge over priced over stuffed bear from the hospital's gift shop the other day. He hated pushy, bossy girls they aggravated him to no end. But he kept his cool, knowing it was a tactic of her's to solidify that they were a couple. A physical reminder that he was hers, he still needed her and had gotten approval somewhat from Serena so only felt slightly like a cheating bastard. Having to remind himself again and again he was doing this to protect the woman he truly cared for. Not really caring to much how all this lying might hurt Amelia in the end. Not thinking far enough ahead to realize yet that these hidden agenda's would some how hurt Serena as well.

"Look, my real reason for coming over was to talk to you about Melvin." Darien jumped right in, tact was never his strong suit.

Serena's eyes narrowed with scrutiny, irritated by his blunt honesty. That had successfully crushed her hopes that he had wanted to spend a little time in her company. Understanding bitterly that she wasn't his true focus for coming over. Her heart sank heavily in her chest, as self conscious doubts began to seed themselves like painful thorns deep inside of her. He had been with Amelia all of a day and already she felt cast aside. She knew she couldn't compete with her. She was gorgeous, confident and had a full, curvy body like that a model on a magazine. She wasn't naive and innocent about love, she knew how to please a man and obviously knew how to seduce one. Darien's lack of interest in her today was proof she was losing him.

"What about him?" Serena commented, oblivious to the boys blatant romantic feelings towards her. Sniffing softly and turning towards the window trying to hide how hurt she was.

Darien could only chuckle with understanding, his Simple Sweetness could be so blind some times. So cute and obtuse to the world and the people around her. Always seeming to float in a dream world of her own creation. What he didn't understand, was the fact she wasn't a day dreamer at all. She was naturally very grounded, so self contained it was hard to get to know her. Realistic with her expectations of the world and the people that surrounded her. She took nothing for granted and expected nothing in return from anyone...except him. She just had way to many worries on her mind, that drew her away into deep morose thoughts more then most. Like now, something was troubling her but he knew she wouldn't share it with him.

"He likes you...I think a-lot!" He chuckled, seeking to pull her from her sadness.

"oh..." She breathed in shock, glancing over his shoulder to find Melvin slumping in his chair at the table of guys. Arms folded over his chest as he stared bitterly at the remains of the other guys lunch scattered over the table top. Unknowingly she had been rejecting Melvin for months, not catching on to his subtle flirting. Keeping him trapped in the friend zone.

"Well, I'm kinda taken..." She answered with a hopeful, yet wistful smile towards him.

"Yes, you are!" He squeezed her hands, reassuring her that he would always be hers.

She released a held breath, her smile now sparkling up at him with relief.

"But he was a lot of help to us. He was the one to evacuate the school, so Amy could wipe Lita's picture off the School's website. " He offered. "A little acknowledgement of his good deed from you would go a long way." He finished with a smirk.

Serena smiled with a renewed affection towards the odd yet charming young man.

"Alright, Mamo-chan." She sighed, letting go of his hands reluctantly and rising up from her chair.

Darien followed her down the short set of stairs to the middle level, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. Watching some what jealously as she leaned over Melvin's shoulder, whispering a few words of thanks in his ear before giving him a tender yet chaste kiss upon his cheek.

Melvin instantly blushed his face flaring a brilliant pink at her affection, his gentle soft brown eyes now looking star stuck, as he began rubbing his cheek proudly.

When Serena rose up from leaning over Melvin, she caught sight of Sammy shuffling into a chair at their usual table at the back windows. The boy looked more then a bit haggard today, wearing an old white t-shirt with blue stripes, that bore a few food stains on the rounded collar. Wearing the same baggy jeans he had been almost living in all week. With one knee frayed to shreds and his old blue ball cap perched sideways on his matt of dusty blonde hair. She bid the guys a quick farewell, brushing past Darien intentionally gliding her fingers over his jeans pocket where his hand was hidden. Giving him a meaningful look, that she had only feelings for him. When his eyes locked with hers for only a moment. The fondness within the depths of those baby blues soothed his heart. He had a new understanding now what his girl must have felt like, seeing him being so affectionate to Amelia at the hospital. Watching her give another man even the barest form of affection had been brutal to endure. Serena caught the understanding in his gaze, giving him a slight smile before retreating back to her table to join her brother for lunch. She had her own family issues to deal with now, Sammy wasn't dealing well with their fathers disappearance. She had made a decision in the last couple days, as soon as her grounding was done she would start her own investigation into her father's disappearance, and try to find the truth as to what truly happened back in Japan. Sammy needed closure, and she needed some peace of mind.

Darien watched her go, longing hidden deep in his eyes. He really wanted to have some alone time with her again, he was missing her like crazy. Her taste had been intoxicating, the feel of her soft body pressed up against his. All warm and delicious had left his mind spinning in a haze of lust he had yet to recover from. With a resigned sigh he reclaimed his seat and began the discussions over Hell week next week. The guys had plans to make next week so chaotic and memorable that the whole issue with Lita would be forgotten for good. Melvin was soon onboard as well, eager to start the pranks and stunts already planned. Adding a few new and far more elaborate ideas to their plans, it was going to be one Hell of a Week!

The rest of the week past, leaving friday nights football game cold and blustery. The poor temperature didn't stop the crowds from showing though. The Cheer Squad had been having meetings after school all week discussing as a group who would be taking over as leader. In the end it had turned into a stale mate. The two remaining Senior's lacked both ambition or pressence to command them. So they stuck to the basic cheers, with out any stunting for the game. Deciding to have a vote next week among the whole cheer team to nominate their new leader. Regionals were coming up fast and they needed a polished and dynamic routine in place before the competition.

The cheer team was dressed in their home colours as was the football team. In mostly white with dark blue and red accents upon the vest and mini skirt. With a deep red body suit with mock neck under their revealing uniforms. The Cougar's made short work of the opposing team, claiming an outstanding victory. It was strange Daniel and Darien were sworn enemies. But on the field they complemented each other to such a great degree they became an unstoppable duo. But as soon as the game was finished the divide in the teams loyalty was obvious. As Daniel lead his group of player's out first, with Darien and his group of loyal teammates following behind. The stout, portly coach trailed at the end of the procession, in his orange plastic wind breaker, uncaring about the personal issues his team may have with one another as long as they kept winning.

Serena took her time heading off the field, her mind wandering back to her worry over Lita. She had been trying to get a hold of the girl all week on the phone. But the brunette had been ignoring her, and everyone it seemed. Tucking her silver pom pom's into the squads equipment bag at the side of the bleachers. The crowds milling off the stands around her, headed to their cars parked along the street.

"Have any of you heard from Lita?" Raye asked sadly, leaning against the peeling paint of the large wooden billboard nailed to the side of the bleacher's. Dressed casually in a pair of jean and black t-shirt with a dark red and black striped hoody zipped up to her neck. The wind gusting around them, tossing her black maine about her shoulder's as she scowled down at Serena.

"Nope." Serena sighed, pulling the strings, sealing the long cotton equipment bag on the ground.

"Not a word." Amy groaned, coming up behind Serena. Dressed in black corduroy pants and her blue winter jacket, absently pulling out her new touch phone from her pocket to check her lack of messages.

Lita was ignoring them all, it was both frustrating and worrisome.

"Well, I'd want to be left alone too. If I had naked pictures floating around school that made me look like a porn star!" Mina practically shouted in anger, as she stood on the lowest bench as if it was a soap box to spout her opinions from.

No one noticed Sammy standing in their midst, slightly concealed behind Amy until the little boy spoke up. Moving shyly in front of his sister, his hands thrust into the pockets of his jean overalls, a white and black striped t-shirt tucked under the bib and his favourite dusty blue ball cap turned backwards.

"What's a porn star?" He asked innocently.

The girls gaped in fright, while Mina merely shrugged jumping eagerly into an explanation to the little kid.

"Well, A porn star is a woman who has really graphic Se..." She began happily.

As Serena slammed her palms onto Sammy's ears, casting her obtuse friend a horrified yet shocked look. Sammy's hat went ascue on his head, as he glared upward disgruntled by his older sister's censorship.

"Mina!" Raye screamed, storming back up the steps to stand beside the blonde and cuff her upside the head a good one. "He's a little kid!"

"He's in grade five?" Mina responded in a pout, rubbing the back of her head ruefully.

"Exactly!" Amy stated in exasperation.

"Jeez, I knew all about that stuff at his age. Damn, I was already masturbating by that time. " She babbled out nervously, never thinking she was out of line.

"To much information..." Raye responded in a disgusted sing song, as Serena quickly guided Sammy away handing him off to Emmett across the street.

"You know if you curl you finger's just right when your down there, you can give yourself the hugest orgasm." Mina giggled her eyes sparkling with mischief, as Ami blanched beside her and Raye blushed profusely as they crossed the street.

"What kind of sexual deviant are you?" Raye hissed in her ear.

"The kinky kind." Mina responded playfully, pinching Raye meaningfully on the butt.

The dark haired girl squeaked and jumped, rubbing her sore bum and giving Mina a shocked yet nervous look.

Mina then leaned in whispering slyly in Raye ear, making the usually sarcasticly jaded girl glow a bright red. Leaving her stuttering and embarrassed at the School gates with a completely shocked Amy. While Mina dashed up the sidewalk after Serena towards the school, laughing uproariously. At Raye's staggered state of mind.

"Do I dare ask what she told you?" Amy gave her a sideways look, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"I would have to wash my mouth if I repeated what she said to me..." Raye breathed, still blinking. Completely pole axed yet oddly feeling turned on by the blondes sexy talk. " As it is I think I have to wash my mind now too." She whispered breathlessly to herself, shaking her head trying to free herself of the strange erotic images Mina had placed in there.