Asterics are pov changes. Everything is in either Serena's pov or Darien's.

The very idea of what she was about to do terrified Serena. She wasn't sure why she'd agreed, except that it would involve spending time with Darien. Besides, it was a couple's thing, so if she didn't go he'd have to take someone else....

Regardless, Serena was terrified at the thought of going to a charity dinner and dance with Darien. Plus, Mina had skipped out on the etiquette lessons she was supposed to be giving due to an important phone call. None of her other friends were of much help. Raye, Amy, and Molly all viewed the formal events they'd had to go to as trials to be endured. Lita and Lizzie had never been to events like this. Even Amara and Michelle couldn't help her, as she'd been unable to get a hold of them.

So now she was sitting in her room, waiting for her boyfriend, trying not to hurl. This did not bode well for the night.

******

Darien was on top of the world today. He was going to get to show his lovely Serena off to all the other people from the hospital. Plus there would be dancing. He couldn't wait to spin his lady around the floor in his arms.

They hadn't been out dancing together yet. It was what he was most looking forward to of the night. The speeches were long and boring. Many of the people were old and stuffy. The food, despite being quite good, still had a very cafeteria feel to it.

He hummed to himself as he got ready. He didn't even hit any red lights as he went to her house. This boded well for the night.

******

She was a nervous wreck by the time he showed up. She felt like she was melting, feverish. She saw him standing in the doorway, and all her confidence, shaky as it was, collapsed.

He's so gorgeous! And I'm supposed to sit next to him all night and enhance him! I'm barely presentable at the best of times, and this won't be it! I'll trip, I'll tell inappropriate jokes, I'll talk too loud and giggle uncontrollably! I'll...

Her inner rambling was cut off by him presenting her with a single rose, which he then threaded into her hair. "You look amazing." She could see his sincerity shining in his eyes. She muttered a response, too caught up in his gaze and her nerves to even notice what she said.

With a beaming smile, he led her, still in a daze, out to his car. Things were looking up for her.

******

Darien was almost struck dumb when he saw Serena. She was dressed to kill, naturally, but in her own sweet style. Yet it was her face that truly held him spellbound. She was ever so slightly flushed, suggesting a maidenly blush. It was an instantly disarming look, so sweet and adorable.

That was the point that he started worrying about this event. How was he ever going to be able to make conversation with the important people at this dinner with her by his side? How was he ever going to be able to focus on dancing with that heart-breakingly beautiful face turned up to him?

He stepped forward, a rose held in his outstretched hand. "You look amazing." It was the only thing he could even think to say in the face of the vision before him. He then placed the flower in her bun when she made no move to take it from him.

Now the delicate pink became more pronounced. She was just adorable, stammering out her thanks, no longer as unearthly as anything found in dreams.

He led her out to his car, convinced once again that the night would be a success.

*****

Darien's reaction to seeing her had calmed Serena slightly. He was obviously convinced she would be a success, and it was hard for her to feel negative in the face of his simple trust.

I'm an adult. I can go to a party and not ruin the career of my love. Piece of cake. Mmmm, cake... focus Serena. Deep breaths.

She looked over at Darien again. He still had the same silly grin on his face she was slowly getting used to seeing. A matching smile spread over her face. She could do this. For Dairen, she could do anything.

*****

Darien noticed her taking deep breaths on the trip to the hall. There could only be one reason: Serena was nervous. He knew from experience that the only thing to make these easier was practice. He wished there was a way to make it easier for her.

Darien definitely believed in doing everything possible to keep his angel from being hurt.

He helped her out of the car when they arrived, enveloping his hands in hers. He stopped her just before she started walking with nothing more than a look. He brought her hand up to kiss it, before raising one hand to her cheek. He then pulled her close and kissed her forehead.

"You'll be wonderful. Everyone will love you as much as I do. Everything will be fine."

She sighed happily. "If you say so."

He grinned. "I do. Trust me."

Her arm was slipped through his as naturally as if they'd practiced the move. They graced the entrance like royalty, catching the eye of everyone in the crowd. Everyone in the crowd was moved by how happy and perfect together they were.

Then she tripped.

Darien caught her before she actually did more than stumble, but it was enough. The moment was broken, and all of her insecurities seemed to come crashing down upon her. Darien knew that the small stumble was nothing more than inconsequential, but he had no way of convincing Serena of that.

As her face turned the colour of a stop light, all Darien could do was sigh and hold her close.

*****

Her nerves were still very strained as the car drew to a halt. Serena drew another deep, shaky breath before turning to get out of the vehicle. She was a little surprised at how fast Darien had come to her side. She offered him a small smile as her drew her out of the vehicle.

She wasn't expecting him to not let go of her hand. Though she wasn't complaining. The feel of her hand enveloped in his was immensely comforting. She was equally surprised when he raised her hand to his lips.

A small blush graced her cheeks as he moved one hand to her face before dropping a short kiss on her forehead. She felt moved almost to tears that he'd noticed her nerves and had responded so sweetly.

"You'll be wonderful. Everyone will love you as much as I do. Everything will be fine."

She didn't even try to stop the soft sigh that escaped her at his words. She felt like she was wrapped in a comforting cocoon of love, where nothing bad could hurt her.

"If you say so." She replied softly. At the moment he could have convinced her of anything as long as he continued to hold her like that.

"I do. Trust me." He smiled that wonderful grin that reminded her of a child at Christmas, all cheer and light. Magical.

Magical also described the way they fit together as they glided into the room. There had never been another situation where he'd formally escorted her, yet it felt even more natural, if possible, than their normal cuddles.

She was happy, proud even, to be walking in with him at that moment. There was no room for fears. Nothing this natural could be a cause for fear.

Unfortunately for her, clumsiness also came naturally to Serena. She tripped over her own feet and stumbled.

Nothing more serious happened, as she immediately found herself encircled by Darien's strong arms. However, nothing could erase her mortification over what had just happened. She'd tripped. In front of everyone she was supposed to impress here. She felt the blood rush to her face as she berated herself. She knew something like this would happen.

She had been so afraid of embarrassing Darien, and she had. They hadn't even made it to their table yet and he already had cause to regret bringing her. She buried her face in his shoulder. Darien had already moved them off to a corner, so they were out of scrutiny. Now he just held her, as they hid out in the corner.

Tears formed in her eyes when she considered how much of a mistake her being there was. Darien couldn't even go out socializing, meeting all these important people, if he was here comforting her. She couldn't even do recovery right.

"Hey, it's alright. It's not like no one's ever tripped at one of these things before. It's fine. Now, if you were to get drunk and start hitting on my ancient boss or her husband..." A watery chuckle escaped her. He always knew how to cheer her up. She quickly dabbed at her eyes, before turning her face up to look at him.

The concern in those blue eyes was almost her undoing, though she'd have been sobbing for an entirely different reason. He raised his hands to cradle her face, wiping the tears off as he did so. Serena spared a brief thought of thanks for her friends, who always insisted she buy only waterproof makeup. Though their thoughts were on her normal tears, not actual unhappiness.

She smiled at him. "I'm fine, just a little embarrassed. Let's go find our table."

Darien smiled back, a simple, contented expression gracing his lips. He quickly touched them to her own lips before tucking her arm back in his and leading them off to their seats.

*****

Hiding in the corner holding a crying girl to his chest was not how Darien had planned to spend the night. However, if his sweetheart needed a minute to gather herself, then she was getting that minute, dammit. He knew better, knew she wasn't used to parties like this. If he'd had any warning, he'd likely have been in a similar state at the birthday party.

Darien cursed his short-sightedness. If he'd discussed this with her beforehand, maybe her nerves wouldn't have been stretched this thin by the time they arrived. He wracked his brains for something, anything, which would take her mind off of her misstep.

The irony of them only having so many witnesses thanks to them looking so amazing was not lost on him.

Finally, remembering some teasing him and his coworkers indulged in, he hit on the best way to reassure her. "Hey, it's alright. It's not like no one's ever tripped at one of these things before. It's fine. Now, if you were to get drunk and start hitting on my ancient boss or her husband..." Darien stifled a snort at the reappearance of her blush, even as she let out a chuckle.

It seemed that project humour was a success.

He slid his hand up from her shoulders to her face, wiping the last trace of tears away as he did so. She seemed to take a steadying breath before meeting his eyes with her own unusually serious blue orbs. "I'm fine, just a little embarrassed. Let's go find our table."

He couldn't help but smile at the look of resolve in her eyes. Really, what more could a guy ask for than someone as sweet and sensitive as his Serena. He took her arm again and guided her to their table, once again thrilled at the thought of getting to introduce her as his.


So I was trying to convey a sense of males and females seing things differently and focusing on different things. Of stressing different parts of the relationship. Some things she's worried about don't even cross his mind, and vice versa. I don't know how well I did that. I'm not impressed with this peice due to that. Or the last two really. Please let me know what you think. I'd like to improve in presenting the idea I'm aiming for, and that won't happen if you don't tell me what works and what doesn't.