CHAPTER 2
Sammy grinned slightly when he saw his sister the next morning. She was snoring slightly and the covers had been kicked off A thin line of drool ran down her cheek. He went to the bathroom and filled his super soaker with water. He came back, took careful aim, and... SPLASH!
"AUGHHHHHHHHHH! SAMMY! YOU'RE DEAD!" screamed Serena in a fury.
Sammy ran down the hall laughing. She heard someone come running into their room, and turned to look. Darien stood by the connecting door laughing. She looked in the mirror at herself to see what was so funny. Her buns were soggy, the ponytails dripping. Her pajamas were damp, and she was red faced. Serena shot him a venomous look. "Shut up! And what in the world are you doing? I thought those doors were locked!" she said.
He grinned. "Well I was sound asleep, and then I heard you scream. I thought you were dying in here! Imagine screaming like that because of a little water!" he said.
She scowled at him. "Well, it was cold!" she said indignantly. He laughed. She looked him over and grinned. "Oh, hey, I have a question for ya." said Serena.
"What's that?" he said indulgently, leaning against the door frame.
Her grin widened. "What are you doing running into a girls' room wearing nothing but a pair of briefs?" she asked sweetly.
He blanched and looked down at himself. He had been exausted the night before, and after making his report to Beryl, he had taken his clothes off and fallen into bed, not even bothering with pajamas. He flushed bright red and dashed back to his room, leaving Serena laughing until tears ran down her face. He came back a few minutes later wearing decent clothes, still blushing slightly. He frowned at her merry face. "It wasn't that funny!" he growled.
"Oh, believe me, it was!" giggled Serena. "Imagine if my dad had come in here then! He would have killed you!"
He paled slightly. Nothing in the Negaverse compared with an angry father. "I don't doubt it." he said.
"Hey, are we still on for lunch?" said Serena. "Cause I'm gonna go and try out that pool, then meet you."
"Yeah, we're on." said Darien. "I might be a little late for lunch, because I've got to go to town today. I want to look at the library." he said. He grinned at her face.
"You're going in a library on your vacation?!" she asked incredulously. "The only reason I'd go into town was to souvenier hunt!"
He chuckled. "Well, if you weren't going swimming, you could've come with me. While I went to the library, you could've shopped." he said.
Serena thought for a minute. "Ok. I think I've got a way I can do both. When are you going to town?" she asked.
"I thought in an hour or two, cause I still haven't had breakfast or my shower." said Darien.
"Well, if you don't mind, I'll just let you shower, while I take mine, then we can have breakfast, and then we go to town. After we eat lunch, we wait for our food to digest, then hit the pool!" she said triumphantly.
He laughed. "You've got it all figured out huh?" he said.
"Yup." she said in satisfaction, with a smug look on her face. He laughed again. She grinned. "Now, I'm going to go take my shower, and no offense, but...OUT!" she said, pushing him firmly toward his room.
He mock-pouted. "Awwww! But..." whatever else he said was said to a closed door.
***
"What're we having?" asked Serena about an hour later. They were both clean and dressed, with appitites the size of whales.
"I thought we could clean the buffet out." said Darien.
Serena laughed. "Shouldn't we leave some for the unfortunate people who have to come eat after us?" she said.
"Well, I suppose. But if we don't, It's their own fault for not eating sooner!" grinned Darien, going over for a plate.
Serena giggled and joined him. They were about half way through breakfast when Serena's family came through the dining room doors. They stopped in shock when they saw Serena up, dressed and eating with a young man. Ken saw red when he spotted Darien eating with his daughter. He saw Serena toss her head back and laugh at something Darien had said. Ken's fists clenched as he walked over to their table and stood behind Serena. Darien looked up curiously. He saw a tall black-headed guy with glasses look at him like he wanted to kill him. "Can I help you sir?" he asked courtiously.
The man smiled grimly. "Yes. You can tell me what the heck you're doing with my daughter." Serena's mouth fell open slightly and looked behind her. She saw her father with an odd look on his face, he mother with a grimace on hers, and Sammy grinning like a loon. Serena groaned to herself.
Darien smiled slightly. "eating breakfast." he said calmly. His eyes flickered slightly.
Ken scowled. "Young man, I don't know who you think you are, but I..." he got no farther. Ilene had come up behind him and covered his mouth with her hand. She smiled at her daughter and Darien, then hauled Ken out the door and to the elevator. Sammy laughed all the way down the hall. Serena smiled weakly at Darien.
He grinned at her. "Somehow, I get the feeling your mom just saved my life." he said dryly.
"No doubt. If he had stayed a second longer, you would've been slugged." said Serena.
"Wouldn't be the first time I'd been hit. You done?" he said. She shoved the last chunk of toast in her mouth and nodded. "Great. Go on up and ask your parents if you can go." he thought for a second. "Maybe you had better just ask your mom." he said grinning.
"Good idea." she said, wrinkling her nose. She went upstairs and got permisson, then came down to see a bright red convertible waiting for her. Her mouth fell open in such shock it had Darien in convulsions.
"What? Don't think I can afford such an expensive car?" he teased.
"No, I was wondering who you stole it from." she said, sliding into the car.
He laughed. "Well, actually it was the mayor, but don't tell anyone."
"Oh, don't worry. You're secret's safe with me." she giggled.
"I would hope so!" he said. She giggled again.
"So, tell me, why are you going to the library on such a pretty day?" she asked.
"Well, I've got to do some research. I'm...writing a book of legends. I've heard a strange story about this lake, and I want to investigate a little." he said off the top of his head.
"You're a writer? Huh. I never would have guessed it." she said looking at him sideways.
He grinned. "I don't know how to take that."
"Oh! I don't mean it like that!" she said. "I just meant that... well, I've always pictured writers as guys with glasses and a wrinkled forehead and... what?" Darien was laughing to hard to answer. He just waved his hand to ask her to continue. She frowned, then looked out the window. "Hey! We're here!" she squealed. They pulled up in front of a chain of souvenier shops and booths. "Are you sure you won't come in and go shopping with me?" she asked him. "I really don't want to shop by myself. You can go to the library later." She pouted at him the way that melted guys hearts. It had always worked with her father. She saw the slow grin that spread across his face.
"You're an expert at that, aren't you?" he said.
She grinned widely. "Yup! It's always worked before!" she said brightly.
He chuckled. 'If Queen Beryl finds out about this, I am so screwed.' he thought, shaking his head. "I guess I could go in one or two stores." Serena grinned triumphantly and pulled him in the nearest store.
***
"Damion, which one of these should I buy?" asked Serena, running over with a shirt in each hand. Darien was leaning against the wall looking bored.
"Huh? Oh. Well, I don't know. Who're you buying it for?" he asked.
"I'm getting it for a friend of mine back in Tokyo. Her name's Rei. She's a major pain, but she's my friend." said Serena.
"Well, what's her favorite color?" asked Darien.
"Well, I guess it's red, she's always wearing something red." said Serena, thinking.
"Then get her this." said Darien, pulling a nice red shirt off the shelf.
Serena squealed. "It's perfect! Now aren't you glad I dragged you along?"
Darien laughed. "Yeah, whatever. I still don't know how you convinced me to come." he said.
She grinned. "I made myself so cute you couldn't resist!" she siad smugly.
He laughed again. "True. So, what else are you buying?" he asked.
"Well, I'm getting this ltttle carved figure for my friend Mina, the shirt for Rei, this apron for Lita, and this book on the lake and it surrounding land for Ami." she wrinkled her nose. "You and Ami would get along just fine. She loves reading too. She'd probably be right in the library 'researching' with you!"
He shook his head. "Well, what are you getting for your family?" he asked.
"Oh, I'm getting this pipe for dad, this ball and bat for Sammy, and this pair of sandals for mom." she said, gesturing to each one in turn.
"Hey, if you were shopping for this Darien guy, what would buy?" asked Darien casually.
Serena thought for a minute. "Well, I think I'd get a him a new jacket. He had a green one that he always wore, and let me tell you, it was awful! He always dressed well.. except for that jacket!" she said, shuddering.
Darien laughed. "Come on! It couldn't have been THAT bad!"
"You're right. It was worse!" she said.
He chuckled and looked at his watch. "Hey Serena, what time did you tell your mom you'd be back?" he asked.
"I told her sometime around two. I thought that would give us plenty of time." siad Serena.
"Well, we've still got about forty-five minutes. Why don't we go to the library for a few minutes, and then we go to lunch." he said.
She grimaced. "Well... I guess it would only be fair since I convinced you to come with me." she said. She went to the counter, paid for the stuff for her friends, and walked to the door, where Darien was waiting for her. They got back in the car and pulled up in front of a small brick building. They walked up to the counter and looked around. They heard a banging in the back.
"Excuse me?" called Darien.
"Just a minute!" called a female voice. "I'll be right there!" A short woman with salt-and-pepper hair came bustling up to the counter. She smiled cheerfully at them. "Can I help you?"
"Well, do you have any books on the history of the lake... Sandy?" asked Darien, looking at her nametag.
Sandy started to peck on the keyboard in front of her. "Well, we have one book, and that's a book on the settling of the area around the lake. Is that what you're looking for?" she asked.
Darien shook his head. "No, that's not it. Thanks anyway." He pulled Serena out of the building by her arm and got back in the car. "Well, that was a big bust." he said.
"Yeah." she got a look of mischef on her face. "Can we go eat now?"
Darien laughed. "Yes, we can. I just hope I can afford the food you're going to cram!"
She smacked him in the shoulder. "You eat just as much if not more than I do!" she told him with her nose in the air.
"Whatever. Anyway, where do you want to eat? I feel like Italian." he said. 'I know I'm gonna get smacked for this...'
"Why do you feel like Italian?" she asked him.
"I've been staring at your hair all day, and it's given me a craving for spagettii and meatballs!" he said.
She screeched indignantly and gave him a hard smack on the arm. "You rat! They are not meatballs!" she said.
"Could've fooled me, Meatball head!" he said. She gave him the oddest look. "What?" he said.
"Nothing. That's just what Darien used to call me all the time." she said.
"Oh. How did you two meet anyway?" he asked.
"I was walking down the street, I threw a bad test paper over my shoulder, it hit him on the head, he called me Meatball head, I called him a jerk, and it went on from there." she said.
He laughed. "I see. Sounds like you started this little feud."
"Well, I did land the first blow, but he didn't have to call me names!" she huffed.
"What else happened between you two? he asked.
"Well, the worst thing he ever did to me was when I was going to a modeling thing, and he totally told me off. He said I'd fall off the stage, and I wouldn't make it cause I was always eating junk and stuff." she said.
"Jeez. That was harsh." he said, frowning. 'I did that to her? Why?' he thought. "Did he really dislike you or something?"
She smiled slightly. "The thing is, I don't think he did. I think he liked me a little, he just didn't know how to say it, so he teased me instead." she said. She looked out the window. "We're here!"
Darine pulled in the parking lot of a little Italian reasurant. he was still thinking hard about what Serena had said. 'Did I once have feelings for this girl? It wouldn't have been hard to. She's pretty and nice, she has a big heart. I wonder.' He held the door open for her and bowed her inside. She laughed. They sat down at an empty table and waved over a waitress. "What would my lady like to order?" asked Darien in a clipped british accent. She laughed some more.
"Well good sir, I think I shall have the lasagna and garlic bread." she said in the same accent.
He grinned. "I believe I shall have...spagettii and meatballs." he said. Serena stuck her tongue out at him. He turned to the grinning waitress. "One plate of spagetti and meatballs, and one order of lasagna and garlic bread please."
"Yes sir." she said. She came back a few minutes later carrying a two platters of steaming food. They sat and talked and ate for a while, then Darien looked at his watch.
"Yikes! what time did you tell your mom you'd be home?" he asked.
"Around two. Why?" asked Serena.
"Well, I really hate to tell you this, but it's after two thirty now. You're dad is going to skin me alive!" he said. He waved the waitress over and paid quickly. They dashed out to the car and drove crazily to get back to the hotel. They pulled into the parking lot and ran up the stairs, not even waiting for the elevator. Serena let Darien dash into his room first, then went into her parents room. Her father was pacing the floor with his hair messed up, and her mom was working on a crosstich pillow case. He looked up in obvious relief to see her there.
"WHERE IN GOD'S NAME HAVE YOU BEEN!?" he yelled.
"I'm sorry daddy! We went shopping, then we went the library, then we went to lunch! We didn't realize what time it was! Honest!" she explained.
He loomed. "WHERE IS THAT BOY?" he asked her.
"He's already in his room. I warned him." grinned Serena.
Her father frowned at her. "Next time I see him, I want to have a little talk with him about punctuality." he muttered.
She grinned again. "Well, I'm going swimming with him in a few minutes, so you'll see him then!" she said, running out the door.
Ilene laughed at the look on her husbands face. "I believe that round went to Serena, dear."
He grimaced at her. "Sweetie, you will let me talk to him won't you? I just want to ask him what his intentions are."
"You won't interrogate him, if that's what you mean." she said calmly.
He frowned at her. "But dear, he look's like he's at least four years older than her!" he said.
"So?" said Ilene. She grinned at her husband. She had never seen him so agitated.
"So? What do you mean 'so'?" he ground out.
Ilene's grin widened. She had him now. "You were 17 and I was 14 when WE first met."
He sputtered for a while, then said, "Fine! I just want to talk to him, that's all! Ok?" he was looking calmer now.
"Alright, when she comes in to tell us she's going, I'll tell her I want him to have supper at our table tonight. That way you and Sammy can meet him." she said.
"You've met him already?" asked Ken.
'Yes. We ate at his table when you and Sammy went to the car show. He's a perfectly nice young man. I wouldn't have let her go with him if he wasn't." said Ilene.
A knock came on the door. "Dad? We're going. See ya!" said Serena's voice through the door. "Run! she muttered to someone else. Ken heard a smothered chuckle, thumping feet, and the elevator door shutting.
"Well!" he scowled. Ilene laughed.
"She got you again dear." she said.
"Let's see her run off at dinner." he muttered.
***
"Phew!" she sighed. "I thought he was going to kill me!"
"Serena? Is that you?" asked Sammy, coming out of the bathroom. He grinned. "Boy are you in trouble!" he said. "Dad's going nuts!"
"I know! I just came out of their room!" said Serena. She went and got her bathing suit out of the bureau, and went to the bathroom to change.
"Serena! I'm going down to the lake! See ya!" yelled Sammy. He slammed the door behind him. a second later, she heard a knock on the connecting door.
"Can I come in?" asked Darien's voice.
"Sure! I'm in the bathroom getting ready!" yelled Serena back.
"Slowpoke!" said Darien, sitting on the bed. He picked up a magazine and flipped through it idly.
"Who're you calling a slowpoke?" she asked, coming out of the bathroom. He looked up to see her grinning at him. "You're slower than I am."
"I am not! I..." he couldn't continue. He had just taken a good look at Serena. She was wearing a white bikini with pink flowers on it. She was breathtaking. Serena grinned at the glazed look in his eyes.
"Hey Damion, I think you'd better get your eyes back in your head, before they stick that way!" she giggled. He snapped out of it quick.
"You ready to go?" he asked, flushing slightly.
"Yup. I'm ready!" she said. "I need to tell my parents I'm going to the pool, then we'll go. Be ready to run!" she said, smiling. They went out the door, and stopped in front of her parents room. "Dad? We're going. See ya!" she said. She turned to Darien. "Run!" she muttered. He chuckled and grabbed her hand. They took off down the hall. They made it to the elevator just before the doors shut.
"I can just imagine his face!" grinned Serena. "He must be going nuts!"
"I'll bet! I hope I live through my vacation!" said Darien.
"Oh don't worry, mom can control him. She always has before." she said.
"Great." said Darien dryly. The elevator opened to show the lobby. "Let's see if that pool is any good."
"Ok." she grinned suddenly. "Last one there's a rotten egg!" she said, taking off.
Darien chuckled and ran after her. They dashed to the pool, threw their towels down, and jumped in. Serena came up shrieking. "It's freezing! What is this, ice water?!"
"You big baby! It's not cold!" laughed Darien. She pouted at him, then swept her arm around at him. A huge wave of water drenched him. He grinned and went under. 'Two can play that game Meatball Head!' he thought. He swam underneath her, and came up suddenly. She shrieked to find herself hoisted into the air on a pair of shoulders, and then tossed back into the water. She came up sputtering and fighting mad. He grinned and swam away from her.
"Damion! Come back here and take it like a man!" she yelled.
"Make me Meatball Head!" he shouted back at her.
"Don't call me that!" she yelled, seeing red.
He laughed and swam faster.
***
"I cna't wait to surprise Serena, Artemis!" said Mina. She walked into the hotel after her parents, who were checking in. Artemis was riding on her shoulder. He looked up at her.
"I bet! She was complaining so bad, that I think Luna was glad to stay with Ami.
Just then they heard an almighty shriek. Then a splash. They looked at eachother, then ran for the pool. They saw Serena come up from the water, sputter, and start to swim after a black haired guy. "Damion!" she shrieked, "come back here! I mean it!" Serena looked up to see Mina laughing at her. "Mina!?" she yelled, shocked. "What are you doing here?" She pulled herself out of the pool.
"Well, my family planned this vacation as a surprise." said Mina. She grinned at Serena's flushed face. "Who's that guy?" she asked. He was just now surfacing at the other end of the pool.
Serena looked a bit pensive. "I'll tell you who I think it is... later. Right now I think your parents are calling you." she said, looking at the blonde couple.
"Yeah. Will I see you at dinner?" asked Mina.
"Ummmmm, can I see you before that?" asked Serena.
"Yeah I guess. I can come back here if you want." said Mina.
"No, I think I'd rather have you come to my room." she said.
Mina shrugged. "Ok. Then I'll see you in your room in half an hour. What's the number?"
"Room 206. Mina, I have something REALLY important to tell you, but I don't want you to freak out here, so I'll tell you in my room."
"Serena, what are you hiding?" she asked suspiciously.Serena avoided her eyes. "Fine. I'll find out in your room." she waved and ran to join her parents.
"Serena! Are you going to come back in the water, or am I going to have to pull you in?" asked Darien.
She stuck her tongue out at him and said, "I'm sorry, Damion, but did you see that girl?"
"Yeah. So what?" he said, climbing out of the pool. He grabbed a towel and started to dry off.
"Well, she's my friend from Tokyo! Can we call a rain check on this swim so I can see her? Maybe we could all have supper tonight?" she said.
He smiled at her. "Sure! Any friend of yours is a friend of mine. Besides, maybe she has some nice stories about you that she can..." he started.
"NO SHE DOES NOT!" she yelled. He grinned and grabbed Serena.
"Well, we'll see tonight won't we?" he said, and jumped back in the pool with her. Serena was yelling the whole way.
***
"Serena! Are you in there?" asked Mina a half hour later.
"Yeah! Just a minute!" came Serena's voice through the door. "Hi!" She said, opening the door.
"What in the world were you doing in here?" she asked.
"I was drying my hair!" said Serena.
"Yeesh. Well, what did you want to tell me?" said Mina, moving into the room.
"Well, you know how Darien is bad and with the Negaverse now?" said Serena.
"Yeah, so?" said Mina.
"Well, you know the guy I was swimming with?" said Serena.
"Uh-huh. Who is he anyway? He's majorly hunky!" said Mina.
"He's Darien." said Serena quietly.
Mina gasped. "So why is he here? Why was he swimming with you?"
"I don't know! All I know is he's been pumping me for info about his old life, but he's acting like his name's Damion and he hasn't done ANYTHING like from the Negaverse, and no monsters have attacked and..." she said quickly.
"Serena! You're babbling! Ok, so he hasn't attacked anyone? And no monsters have attacked?" said Mina.
"Nope! And he's been really sweet to me. He doesn't remember, but he's still spending time with me." said Serena.
"Strange. Maybe he's looking for something. We should just worry about keeping an eye on him." said Mina.
***
"Malachite! Come here at once!" said Queen Beryl.
Malachite mterialized in front of her. "Yes my queen?" he asked bowing.
"I want you to join Prince Darien at the lake on Earth. He still hasn't found anything and two heads are better than one." said Beryl.
"Yes your Majesty. I shall go at once." said Malichite.
"I want you to blend in as much as possible, so do what Darien does. He knows about Earth." said Beryl.
"Yes Highness." he disappeared.
***
"Serena, time for dinner!" said Ilene.
"Coming mom!" said Serena cheerfully. She came out of her room quickly.
"Did you ask Damion to have dinner with us?" she asked.
"I sure did. He said he'd love to. He also asked if dad owned any guns." said Serena.
Ilene laughed. "Well, I think I can control your father. And tell Damion he doesn't have any guns!"
"I also asked Mina to have dinner with us." said Serena.
"Did her parents say she could?" asked Ilene.
"Uh-huh. They said it was fine." said Serena. This convorsation took them all the way down to the dining room, where everyone else was waiting. Serena's dad was drilling Darien with questions, Darien was looking harrassed, while Sammy and Mina were looking entertained. Darien looked up to see Serena and her mother walking up to the table. He looked so relieved Serena had to laugh. He stood up to help her to her seat, and Serena couldn't help but whisper, "Kinda makes you feel like you're being interrogated?" He shot her a long suffering look. She giggled. He went back to his seat and sat back down.
"How did your day go kids?" asked Ilene.
"Well, I went to that arcade down the beach. It was awsome! They have-" started Sammy, but Serena cut him off.
"Damion and I went shopping." Serena said.
"What did you get Serena?" asked Mina.
"Well, I got Rei a shirt, and Lita an apron, and Ami a book on the lake, and, well, I didn't get you anything." she said, eyes twinkling slightly.
Darien looked mischivious. "But I thought you were going to get her that-OW!" what else he was going to say was cut off when Serena kicked him under the table. He rubbed his knee and pouted in her direction.
"Anyway, how long have you two known each other Serena?" asked Ken.
"Oh, well, it seems like forever!" said Serena. Darien grinned at her.
"I was going to ask you Mina, do you have any nice bits of info about Serena you could tell me?" asked Darien.
Mina's eyes twinkled. "Well, there was that one time that Serena fell in a pond after tripping over her own shoe lace." she said.
"I did not!" screeched Serena.
"Oh, hey, yeah, I remember that!" said Sammy. "You looked like Swamp Thing!"
"Sammy, keep talking and you'll get a fist in the mouth!" said Serena.
"Oh! And you guys haven't heard about the time when we were little that Serena went to kindergarten for the first time and came home with her underwear in a sack She had a little...ummmm...how did she say this... 'boo boo' at school." said Sammy with a grin. Serena was beet red, Darien was roaring, Mina was laughing so hard she nearly fell off her chair, Ken was chuckling, and even Ilene had to cover her mouth to hid a grin. Sammy looked at his sister with a smug grin on his face.
"Serena, (gasp) what (hee hee hee) Rei would give to hear this!" giggled Mina.
"Well, she won't hear about it, or I'll know who told her!" growled Serena, glaring at Mina.
"Or how about the time you went to Disney World and threw up on Goofy?" Sammy asked them. By this time Serena was somewhere between volcanic and nuclear. She got up slowly from her seat and walked slowly around the table to Sammy's seat. He looked at her nervously, then got up and went to stand behind their mother. "Mom, can I go on up to the room? I'm full." Darien chuckled at the look on his face.
"I suppose dear, but I think I should warn you, you aren't sleeping in our room." said Ilene. Serena grinned at Sammy. He gulped and ran up to the room.
Serena sat back down and smiled at the rest of the group. "Now, where were we?"
"I believe we were talking about what you got me as a souvinier." said Mina.
"What souvinier?" asked Serena innocently.
"The little-ow!" said Darien. He grimaced in pain.
***
Malichite appeared in the lobby of the hotel. 'What a primitive place this is. I had better find Prince Darien.' he started to walk around the hotel, then smelled food. 'I'll bet that he's in the dining area.' He walked into the dining room to see Darien tossing his head back and howling at something a beautiful blonde with a bow in her hair had said. Malichite was transfixed. He had never seen someone so beautiful in his life. Not even Zoicite was a pretty as this! He walked over to the table and stood behind Darien. He was just in time to hear the one with pigtails say "Damion, don't you believe a thing she says! Not a bit of it's true!"
"Ah, but such a beautiful young lady such as this couldn't possibly tell a falsehood." he said in a silky voice. Darien froze. What was Malichite doing here?!
"Damion, I thought you were expecting me. I told you I was coming, didn't I?" said Malichite.
"No, MICHAEL, you didn't. I would have liked it if you had, though." he said in a chilly voice.
Meanwhile Serena and Mina had frozen at the same time Darien had. What was Malichite doing here?! Mina flushed when she heard what Malichite had said about her. Serena watched her with amusement. "Now you know how I feel about my little situation." she whispered. Mina glared at her.
"Now, when did you come?" asked Darien.
"Oh, I just popped in a few minutes ago. Our boss wanted me to work with you on this trip." he explained. He couldn't
use queen Beryl's name because of the humans, but it was sufficent.
Darien sighed. "Well, are you hungry? I have to admit, the food here is fantastic." he gestured to a chair at an empty table and Malichite pulled it over. Serena shot everyone at the table a look, and tehn glanced at Mina and Malichite. She scooted her chair over a little to leave a litle room beside Mina, and everyone got the message. Darien chuckled. He wondered how Malichite would like this little matchmaking attempt. They all scooted over so that the only empty space was right beside Mina.
When Malichite sat down beside her, she looked at Serena in a panic. Serena grinned at her. Mina shot daggers at her with her eyes. Darien looked at Malichite with amusement. Malichite wondered what the hell was going on with all of them!
"So, Michael, what do you and Damion do exactly?" asked Ken. Even he was enjoying this.
"Well, we write books." said Darien quickly.
"What kind of books?" asked Ilene.
"Books on legends and things like that." said Darien.
"So, you make a good living?" asked Ken. He grinned at Darien, who started to chuckle, but hid it behind his napkin.
"Um, well, I suppose." he said.
"Hear that Mina?" asked Serena.
Darien couldn't stand it any more. He stood up and asked if Malichite was finished. Malichite nodded and stood up. They got into the elevator, and as soon as the door closed, Darien started to howl.
"What in the world is so funny?" asked Malichite coldly.
"Oh my god! Malichite, are you telling me that you don't know...that you don't realize...!?" he started up again.
"What?" growled Malichite.
"Serena, the blonde with the strange hair, is going to be trying to fix you and the other blonde up!" laughed Darien.
"I beg your pardon?" asked Malichite in an icy voice.
"She's trying to get you two to be a couple." explained Darien.
Malichite paled. "Please, tell me you're kidding."
"No, I'm not. Malichite my friend, you will, for the next week, be forced to spend every waking minute Serena can squeeze out of you with Mina." said Darien with a grin.
"Ugh. I get the feeling you're going to be helping her." groaned Malichite.
"Every second I can!" chuckled Darien.
Malichite thought for a while. 'Maybe this won't be such a bad trip after all.' he thought smiling slightly.
"Ha! I caught that!" chortled Darien.
"What?" asked Malichite irritably.
"You like her, don't you?" challenged Darien.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" lied Malichite.
Darien was unconvinced. "Uh-huh." They went to their room for the night.
***
END CHAPTER TWO
Sammy grinned slightly when he saw his sister the next morning. She was snoring slightly and the covers had been kicked off A thin line of drool ran down her cheek. He went to the bathroom and filled his super soaker with water. He came back, took careful aim, and... SPLASH!
"AUGHHHHHHHHHH! SAMMY! YOU'RE DEAD!" screamed Serena in a fury.
Sammy ran down the hall laughing. She heard someone come running into their room, and turned to look. Darien stood by the connecting door laughing. She looked in the mirror at herself to see what was so funny. Her buns were soggy, the ponytails dripping. Her pajamas were damp, and she was red faced. Serena shot him a venomous look. "Shut up! And what in the world are you doing? I thought those doors were locked!" she said.
He grinned. "Well I was sound asleep, and then I heard you scream. I thought you were dying in here! Imagine screaming like that because of a little water!" he said.
She scowled at him. "Well, it was cold!" she said indignantly. He laughed. She looked him over and grinned. "Oh, hey, I have a question for ya." said Serena.
"What's that?" he said indulgently, leaning against the door frame.
Her grin widened. "What are you doing running into a girls' room wearing nothing but a pair of briefs?" she asked sweetly.
He blanched and looked down at himself. He had been exausted the night before, and after making his report to Beryl, he had taken his clothes off and fallen into bed, not even bothering with pajamas. He flushed bright red and dashed back to his room, leaving Serena laughing until tears ran down her face. He came back a few minutes later wearing decent clothes, still blushing slightly. He frowned at her merry face. "It wasn't that funny!" he growled.
"Oh, believe me, it was!" giggled Serena. "Imagine if my dad had come in here then! He would have killed you!"
He paled slightly. Nothing in the Negaverse compared with an angry father. "I don't doubt it." he said.
"Hey, are we still on for lunch?" said Serena. "Cause I'm gonna go and try out that pool, then meet you."
"Yeah, we're on." said Darien. "I might be a little late for lunch, because I've got to go to town today. I want to look at the library." he said. He grinned at her face.
"You're going in a library on your vacation?!" she asked incredulously. "The only reason I'd go into town was to souvenier hunt!"
He chuckled. "Well, if you weren't going swimming, you could've come with me. While I went to the library, you could've shopped." he said.
Serena thought for a minute. "Ok. I think I've got a way I can do both. When are you going to town?" she asked.
"I thought in an hour or two, cause I still haven't had breakfast or my shower." said Darien.
"Well, if you don't mind, I'll just let you shower, while I take mine, then we can have breakfast, and then we go to town. After we eat lunch, we wait for our food to digest, then hit the pool!" she said triumphantly.
He laughed. "You've got it all figured out huh?" he said.
"Yup." she said in satisfaction, with a smug look on her face. He laughed again. She grinned. "Now, I'm going to go take my shower, and no offense, but...OUT!" she said, pushing him firmly toward his room.
He mock-pouted. "Awwww! But..." whatever else he said was said to a closed door.
***
"What're we having?" asked Serena about an hour later. They were both clean and dressed, with appitites the size of whales.
"I thought we could clean the buffet out." said Darien.
Serena laughed. "Shouldn't we leave some for the unfortunate people who have to come eat after us?" she said.
"Well, I suppose. But if we don't, It's their own fault for not eating sooner!" grinned Darien, going over for a plate.
Serena giggled and joined him. They were about half way through breakfast when Serena's family came through the dining room doors. They stopped in shock when they saw Serena up, dressed and eating with a young man. Ken saw red when he spotted Darien eating with his daughter. He saw Serena toss her head back and laugh at something Darien had said. Ken's fists clenched as he walked over to their table and stood behind Serena. Darien looked up curiously. He saw a tall black-headed guy with glasses look at him like he wanted to kill him. "Can I help you sir?" he asked courtiously.
The man smiled grimly. "Yes. You can tell me what the heck you're doing with my daughter." Serena's mouth fell open slightly and looked behind her. She saw her father with an odd look on his face, he mother with a grimace on hers, and Sammy grinning like a loon. Serena groaned to herself.
Darien smiled slightly. "eating breakfast." he said calmly. His eyes flickered slightly.
Ken scowled. "Young man, I don't know who you think you are, but I..." he got no farther. Ilene had come up behind him and covered his mouth with her hand. She smiled at her daughter and Darien, then hauled Ken out the door and to the elevator. Sammy laughed all the way down the hall. Serena smiled weakly at Darien.
He grinned at her. "Somehow, I get the feeling your mom just saved my life." he said dryly.
"No doubt. If he had stayed a second longer, you would've been slugged." said Serena.
"Wouldn't be the first time I'd been hit. You done?" he said. She shoved the last chunk of toast in her mouth and nodded. "Great. Go on up and ask your parents if you can go." he thought for a second. "Maybe you had better just ask your mom." he said grinning.
"Good idea." she said, wrinkling her nose. She went upstairs and got permisson, then came down to see a bright red convertible waiting for her. Her mouth fell open in such shock it had Darien in convulsions.
"What? Don't think I can afford such an expensive car?" he teased.
"No, I was wondering who you stole it from." she said, sliding into the car.
He laughed. "Well, actually it was the mayor, but don't tell anyone."
"Oh, don't worry. You're secret's safe with me." she giggled.
"I would hope so!" he said. She giggled again.
"So, tell me, why are you going to the library on such a pretty day?" she asked.
"Well, I've got to do some research. I'm...writing a book of legends. I've heard a strange story about this lake, and I want to investigate a little." he said off the top of his head.
"You're a writer? Huh. I never would have guessed it." she said looking at him sideways.
He grinned. "I don't know how to take that."
"Oh! I don't mean it like that!" she said. "I just meant that... well, I've always pictured writers as guys with glasses and a wrinkled forehead and... what?" Darien was laughing to hard to answer. He just waved his hand to ask her to continue. She frowned, then looked out the window. "Hey! We're here!" she squealed. They pulled up in front of a chain of souvenier shops and booths. "Are you sure you won't come in and go shopping with me?" she asked him. "I really don't want to shop by myself. You can go to the library later." She pouted at him the way that melted guys hearts. It had always worked with her father. She saw the slow grin that spread across his face.
"You're an expert at that, aren't you?" he said.
She grinned widely. "Yup! It's always worked before!" she said brightly.
He chuckled. 'If Queen Beryl finds out about this, I am so screwed.' he thought, shaking his head. "I guess I could go in one or two stores." Serena grinned triumphantly and pulled him in the nearest store.
***
"Damion, which one of these should I buy?" asked Serena, running over with a shirt in each hand. Darien was leaning against the wall looking bored.
"Huh? Oh. Well, I don't know. Who're you buying it for?" he asked.
"I'm getting it for a friend of mine back in Tokyo. Her name's Rei. She's a major pain, but she's my friend." said Serena.
"Well, what's her favorite color?" asked Darien.
"Well, I guess it's red, she's always wearing something red." said Serena, thinking.
"Then get her this." said Darien, pulling a nice red shirt off the shelf.
Serena squealed. "It's perfect! Now aren't you glad I dragged you along?"
Darien laughed. "Yeah, whatever. I still don't know how you convinced me to come." he said.
She grinned. "I made myself so cute you couldn't resist!" she siad smugly.
He laughed again. "True. So, what else are you buying?" he asked.
"Well, I'm getting this ltttle carved figure for my friend Mina, the shirt for Rei, this apron for Lita, and this book on the lake and it surrounding land for Ami." she wrinkled her nose. "You and Ami would get along just fine. She loves reading too. She'd probably be right in the library 'researching' with you!"
He shook his head. "Well, what are you getting for your family?" he asked.
"Oh, I'm getting this pipe for dad, this ball and bat for Sammy, and this pair of sandals for mom." she said, gesturing to each one in turn.
"Hey, if you were shopping for this Darien guy, what would buy?" asked Darien casually.
Serena thought for a minute. "Well, I think I'd get a him a new jacket. He had a green one that he always wore, and let me tell you, it was awful! He always dressed well.. except for that jacket!" she said, shuddering.
Darien laughed. "Come on! It couldn't have been THAT bad!"
"You're right. It was worse!" she said.
He chuckled and looked at his watch. "Hey Serena, what time did you tell your mom you'd be back?" he asked.
"I told her sometime around two. I thought that would give us plenty of time." siad Serena.
"Well, we've still got about forty-five minutes. Why don't we go to the library for a few minutes, and then we go to lunch." he said.
She grimaced. "Well... I guess it would only be fair since I convinced you to come with me." she said. She went to the counter, paid for the stuff for her friends, and walked to the door, where Darien was waiting for her. They got back in the car and pulled up in front of a small brick building. They walked up to the counter and looked around. They heard a banging in the back.
"Excuse me?" called Darien.
"Just a minute!" called a female voice. "I'll be right there!" A short woman with salt-and-pepper hair came bustling up to the counter. She smiled cheerfully at them. "Can I help you?"
"Well, do you have any books on the history of the lake... Sandy?" asked Darien, looking at her nametag.
Sandy started to peck on the keyboard in front of her. "Well, we have one book, and that's a book on the settling of the area around the lake. Is that what you're looking for?" she asked.
Darien shook his head. "No, that's not it. Thanks anyway." He pulled Serena out of the building by her arm and got back in the car. "Well, that was a big bust." he said.
"Yeah." she got a look of mischef on her face. "Can we go eat now?"
Darien laughed. "Yes, we can. I just hope I can afford the food you're going to cram!"
She smacked him in the shoulder. "You eat just as much if not more than I do!" she told him with her nose in the air.
"Whatever. Anyway, where do you want to eat? I feel like Italian." he said. 'I know I'm gonna get smacked for this...'
"Why do you feel like Italian?" she asked him.
"I've been staring at your hair all day, and it's given me a craving for spagettii and meatballs!" he said.
She screeched indignantly and gave him a hard smack on the arm. "You rat! They are not meatballs!" she said.
"Could've fooled me, Meatball head!" he said. She gave him the oddest look. "What?" he said.
"Nothing. That's just what Darien used to call me all the time." she said.
"Oh. How did you two meet anyway?" he asked.
"I was walking down the street, I threw a bad test paper over my shoulder, it hit him on the head, he called me Meatball head, I called him a jerk, and it went on from there." she said.
He laughed. "I see. Sounds like you started this little feud."
"Well, I did land the first blow, but he didn't have to call me names!" she huffed.
"What else happened between you two? he asked.
"Well, the worst thing he ever did to me was when I was going to a modeling thing, and he totally told me off. He said I'd fall off the stage, and I wouldn't make it cause I was always eating junk and stuff." she said.
"Jeez. That was harsh." he said, frowning. 'I did that to her? Why?' he thought. "Did he really dislike you or something?"
She smiled slightly. "The thing is, I don't think he did. I think he liked me a little, he just didn't know how to say it, so he teased me instead." she said. She looked out the window. "We're here!"
Darine pulled in the parking lot of a little Italian reasurant. he was still thinking hard about what Serena had said. 'Did I once have feelings for this girl? It wouldn't have been hard to. She's pretty and nice, she has a big heart. I wonder.' He held the door open for her and bowed her inside. She laughed. They sat down at an empty table and waved over a waitress. "What would my lady like to order?" asked Darien in a clipped british accent. She laughed some more.
"Well good sir, I think I shall have the lasagna and garlic bread." she said in the same accent.
He grinned. "I believe I shall have...spagettii and meatballs." he said. Serena stuck her tongue out at him. He turned to the grinning waitress. "One plate of spagetti and meatballs, and one order of lasagna and garlic bread please."
"Yes sir." she said. She came back a few minutes later carrying a two platters of steaming food. They sat and talked and ate for a while, then Darien looked at his watch.
"Yikes! what time did you tell your mom you'd be home?" he asked.
"Around two. Why?" asked Serena.
"Well, I really hate to tell you this, but it's after two thirty now. You're dad is going to skin me alive!" he said. He waved the waitress over and paid quickly. They dashed out to the car and drove crazily to get back to the hotel. They pulled into the parking lot and ran up the stairs, not even waiting for the elevator. Serena let Darien dash into his room first, then went into her parents room. Her father was pacing the floor with his hair messed up, and her mom was working on a crosstich pillow case. He looked up in obvious relief to see her there.
"WHERE IN GOD'S NAME HAVE YOU BEEN!?" he yelled.
"I'm sorry daddy! We went shopping, then we went the library, then we went to lunch! We didn't realize what time it was! Honest!" she explained.
He loomed. "WHERE IS THAT BOY?" he asked her.
"He's already in his room. I warned him." grinned Serena.
Her father frowned at her. "Next time I see him, I want to have a little talk with him about punctuality." he muttered.
She grinned again. "Well, I'm going swimming with him in a few minutes, so you'll see him then!" she said, running out the door.
Ilene laughed at the look on her husbands face. "I believe that round went to Serena, dear."
He grimaced at her. "Sweetie, you will let me talk to him won't you? I just want to ask him what his intentions are."
"You won't interrogate him, if that's what you mean." she said calmly.
He frowned at her. "But dear, he look's like he's at least four years older than her!" he said.
"So?" said Ilene. She grinned at her husband. She had never seen him so agitated.
"So? What do you mean 'so'?" he ground out.
Ilene's grin widened. She had him now. "You were 17 and I was 14 when WE first met."
He sputtered for a while, then said, "Fine! I just want to talk to him, that's all! Ok?" he was looking calmer now.
"Alright, when she comes in to tell us she's going, I'll tell her I want him to have supper at our table tonight. That way you and Sammy can meet him." she said.
"You've met him already?" asked Ken.
'Yes. We ate at his table when you and Sammy went to the car show. He's a perfectly nice young man. I wouldn't have let her go with him if he wasn't." said Ilene.
A knock came on the door. "Dad? We're going. See ya!" said Serena's voice through the door. "Run! she muttered to someone else. Ken heard a smothered chuckle, thumping feet, and the elevator door shutting.
"Well!" he scowled. Ilene laughed.
"She got you again dear." she said.
"Let's see her run off at dinner." he muttered.
***
"Phew!" she sighed. "I thought he was going to kill me!"
"Serena? Is that you?" asked Sammy, coming out of the bathroom. He grinned. "Boy are you in trouble!" he said. "Dad's going nuts!"
"I know! I just came out of their room!" said Serena. She went and got her bathing suit out of the bureau, and went to the bathroom to change.
"Serena! I'm going down to the lake! See ya!" yelled Sammy. He slammed the door behind him. a second later, she heard a knock on the connecting door.
"Can I come in?" asked Darien's voice.
"Sure! I'm in the bathroom getting ready!" yelled Serena back.
"Slowpoke!" said Darien, sitting on the bed. He picked up a magazine and flipped through it idly.
"Who're you calling a slowpoke?" she asked, coming out of the bathroom. He looked up to see her grinning at him. "You're slower than I am."
"I am not! I..." he couldn't continue. He had just taken a good look at Serena. She was wearing a white bikini with pink flowers on it. She was breathtaking. Serena grinned at the glazed look in his eyes.
"Hey Damion, I think you'd better get your eyes back in your head, before they stick that way!" she giggled. He snapped out of it quick.
"You ready to go?" he asked, flushing slightly.
"Yup. I'm ready!" she said. "I need to tell my parents I'm going to the pool, then we'll go. Be ready to run!" she said, smiling. They went out the door, and stopped in front of her parents room. "Dad? We're going. See ya!" she said. She turned to Darien. "Run!" she muttered. He chuckled and grabbed her hand. They took off down the hall. They made it to the elevator just before the doors shut.
"I can just imagine his face!" grinned Serena. "He must be going nuts!"
"I'll bet! I hope I live through my vacation!" said Darien.
"Oh don't worry, mom can control him. She always has before." she said.
"Great." said Darien dryly. The elevator opened to show the lobby. "Let's see if that pool is any good."
"Ok." she grinned suddenly. "Last one there's a rotten egg!" she said, taking off.
Darien chuckled and ran after her. They dashed to the pool, threw their towels down, and jumped in. Serena came up shrieking. "It's freezing! What is this, ice water?!"
"You big baby! It's not cold!" laughed Darien. She pouted at him, then swept her arm around at him. A huge wave of water drenched him. He grinned and went under. 'Two can play that game Meatball Head!' he thought. He swam underneath her, and came up suddenly. She shrieked to find herself hoisted into the air on a pair of shoulders, and then tossed back into the water. She came up sputtering and fighting mad. He grinned and swam away from her.
"Damion! Come back here and take it like a man!" she yelled.
"Make me Meatball Head!" he shouted back at her.
"Don't call me that!" she yelled, seeing red.
He laughed and swam faster.
***
"I cna't wait to surprise Serena, Artemis!" said Mina. She walked into the hotel after her parents, who were checking in. Artemis was riding on her shoulder. He looked up at her.
"I bet! She was complaining so bad, that I think Luna was glad to stay with Ami.
Just then they heard an almighty shriek. Then a splash. They looked at eachother, then ran for the pool. They saw Serena come up from the water, sputter, and start to swim after a black haired guy. "Damion!" she shrieked, "come back here! I mean it!" Serena looked up to see Mina laughing at her. "Mina!?" she yelled, shocked. "What are you doing here?" She pulled herself out of the pool.
"Well, my family planned this vacation as a surprise." said Mina. She grinned at Serena's flushed face. "Who's that guy?" she asked. He was just now surfacing at the other end of the pool.
Serena looked a bit pensive. "I'll tell you who I think it is... later. Right now I think your parents are calling you." she said, looking at the blonde couple.
"Yeah. Will I see you at dinner?" asked Mina.
"Ummmmm, can I see you before that?" asked Serena.
"Yeah I guess. I can come back here if you want." said Mina.
"No, I think I'd rather have you come to my room." she said.
Mina shrugged. "Ok. Then I'll see you in your room in half an hour. What's the number?"
"Room 206. Mina, I have something REALLY important to tell you, but I don't want you to freak out here, so I'll tell you in my room."
"Serena, what are you hiding?" she asked suspiciously.Serena avoided her eyes. "Fine. I'll find out in your room." she waved and ran to join her parents.
"Serena! Are you going to come back in the water, or am I going to have to pull you in?" asked Darien.
She stuck her tongue out at him and said, "I'm sorry, Damion, but did you see that girl?"
"Yeah. So what?" he said, climbing out of the pool. He grabbed a towel and started to dry off.
"Well, she's my friend from Tokyo! Can we call a rain check on this swim so I can see her? Maybe we could all have supper tonight?" she said.
He smiled at her. "Sure! Any friend of yours is a friend of mine. Besides, maybe she has some nice stories about you that she can..." he started.
"NO SHE DOES NOT!" she yelled. He grinned and grabbed Serena.
"Well, we'll see tonight won't we?" he said, and jumped back in the pool with her. Serena was yelling the whole way.
***
"Serena! Are you in there?" asked Mina a half hour later.
"Yeah! Just a minute!" came Serena's voice through the door. "Hi!" She said, opening the door.
"What in the world were you doing in here?" she asked.
"I was drying my hair!" said Serena.
"Yeesh. Well, what did you want to tell me?" said Mina, moving into the room.
"Well, you know how Darien is bad and with the Negaverse now?" said Serena.
"Yeah, so?" said Mina.
"Well, you know the guy I was swimming with?" said Serena.
"Uh-huh. Who is he anyway? He's majorly hunky!" said Mina.
"He's Darien." said Serena quietly.
Mina gasped. "So why is he here? Why was he swimming with you?"
"I don't know! All I know is he's been pumping me for info about his old life, but he's acting like his name's Damion and he hasn't done ANYTHING like from the Negaverse, and no monsters have attacked and..." she said quickly.
"Serena! You're babbling! Ok, so he hasn't attacked anyone? And no monsters have attacked?" said Mina.
"Nope! And he's been really sweet to me. He doesn't remember, but he's still spending time with me." said Serena.
"Strange. Maybe he's looking for something. We should just worry about keeping an eye on him." said Mina.
***
"Malachite! Come here at once!" said Queen Beryl.
Malachite mterialized in front of her. "Yes my queen?" he asked bowing.
"I want you to join Prince Darien at the lake on Earth. He still hasn't found anything and two heads are better than one." said Beryl.
"Yes your Majesty. I shall go at once." said Malichite.
"I want you to blend in as much as possible, so do what Darien does. He knows about Earth." said Beryl.
"Yes Highness." he disappeared.
***
"Serena, time for dinner!" said Ilene.
"Coming mom!" said Serena cheerfully. She came out of her room quickly.
"Did you ask Damion to have dinner with us?" she asked.
"I sure did. He said he'd love to. He also asked if dad owned any guns." said Serena.
Ilene laughed. "Well, I think I can control your father. And tell Damion he doesn't have any guns!"
"I also asked Mina to have dinner with us." said Serena.
"Did her parents say she could?" asked Ilene.
"Uh-huh. They said it was fine." said Serena. This convorsation took them all the way down to the dining room, where everyone else was waiting. Serena's dad was drilling Darien with questions, Darien was looking harrassed, while Sammy and Mina were looking entertained. Darien looked up to see Serena and her mother walking up to the table. He looked so relieved Serena had to laugh. He stood up to help her to her seat, and Serena couldn't help but whisper, "Kinda makes you feel like you're being interrogated?" He shot her a long suffering look. She giggled. He went back to his seat and sat back down.
"How did your day go kids?" asked Ilene.
"Well, I went to that arcade down the beach. It was awsome! They have-" started Sammy, but Serena cut him off.
"Damion and I went shopping." Serena said.
"What did you get Serena?" asked Mina.
"Well, I got Rei a shirt, and Lita an apron, and Ami a book on the lake, and, well, I didn't get you anything." she said, eyes twinkling slightly.
Darien looked mischivious. "But I thought you were going to get her that-OW!" what else he was going to say was cut off when Serena kicked him under the table. He rubbed his knee and pouted in her direction.
"Anyway, how long have you two known each other Serena?" asked Ken.
"Oh, well, it seems like forever!" said Serena. Darien grinned at her.
"I was going to ask you Mina, do you have any nice bits of info about Serena you could tell me?" asked Darien.
Mina's eyes twinkled. "Well, there was that one time that Serena fell in a pond after tripping over her own shoe lace." she said.
"I did not!" screeched Serena.
"Oh, hey, yeah, I remember that!" said Sammy. "You looked like Swamp Thing!"
"Sammy, keep talking and you'll get a fist in the mouth!" said Serena.
"Oh! And you guys haven't heard about the time when we were little that Serena went to kindergarten for the first time and came home with her underwear in a sack She had a little...ummmm...how did she say this... 'boo boo' at school." said Sammy with a grin. Serena was beet red, Darien was roaring, Mina was laughing so hard she nearly fell off her chair, Ken was chuckling, and even Ilene had to cover her mouth to hid a grin. Sammy looked at his sister with a smug grin on his face.
"Serena, (gasp) what (hee hee hee) Rei would give to hear this!" giggled Mina.
"Well, she won't hear about it, or I'll know who told her!" growled Serena, glaring at Mina.
"Or how about the time you went to Disney World and threw up on Goofy?" Sammy asked them. By this time Serena was somewhere between volcanic and nuclear. She got up slowly from her seat and walked slowly around the table to Sammy's seat. He looked at her nervously, then got up and went to stand behind their mother. "Mom, can I go on up to the room? I'm full." Darien chuckled at the look on his face.
"I suppose dear, but I think I should warn you, you aren't sleeping in our room." said Ilene. Serena grinned at Sammy. He gulped and ran up to the room.
Serena sat back down and smiled at the rest of the group. "Now, where were we?"
"I believe we were talking about what you got me as a souvinier." said Mina.
"What souvinier?" asked Serena innocently.
"The little-ow!" said Darien. He grimaced in pain.
***
Malichite appeared in the lobby of the hotel. 'What a primitive place this is. I had better find Prince Darien.' he started to walk around the hotel, then smelled food. 'I'll bet that he's in the dining area.' He walked into the dining room to see Darien tossing his head back and howling at something a beautiful blonde with a bow in her hair had said. Malichite was transfixed. He had never seen someone so beautiful in his life. Not even Zoicite was a pretty as this! He walked over to the table and stood behind Darien. He was just in time to hear the one with pigtails say "Damion, don't you believe a thing she says! Not a bit of it's true!"
"Ah, but such a beautiful young lady such as this couldn't possibly tell a falsehood." he said in a silky voice. Darien froze. What was Malichite doing here?!
"Damion, I thought you were expecting me. I told you I was coming, didn't I?" said Malichite.
"No, MICHAEL, you didn't. I would have liked it if you had, though." he said in a chilly voice.
Meanwhile Serena and Mina had frozen at the same time Darien had. What was Malichite doing here?! Mina flushed when she heard what Malichite had said about her. Serena watched her with amusement. "Now you know how I feel about my little situation." she whispered. Mina glared at her.
"Now, when did you come?" asked Darien.
"Oh, I just popped in a few minutes ago. Our boss wanted me to work with you on this trip." he explained. He couldn't
use queen Beryl's name because of the humans, but it was sufficent.
Darien sighed. "Well, are you hungry? I have to admit, the food here is fantastic." he gestured to a chair at an empty table and Malichite pulled it over. Serena shot everyone at the table a look, and tehn glanced at Mina and Malichite. She scooted her chair over a little to leave a litle room beside Mina, and everyone got the message. Darien chuckled. He wondered how Malichite would like this little matchmaking attempt. They all scooted over so that the only empty space was right beside Mina.
When Malichite sat down beside her, she looked at Serena in a panic. Serena grinned at her. Mina shot daggers at her with her eyes. Darien looked at Malichite with amusement. Malichite wondered what the hell was going on with all of them!
"So, Michael, what do you and Damion do exactly?" asked Ken. Even he was enjoying this.
"Well, we write books." said Darien quickly.
"What kind of books?" asked Ilene.
"Books on legends and things like that." said Darien.
"So, you make a good living?" asked Ken. He grinned at Darien, who started to chuckle, but hid it behind his napkin.
"Um, well, I suppose." he said.
"Hear that Mina?" asked Serena.
Darien couldn't stand it any more. He stood up and asked if Malichite was finished. Malichite nodded and stood up. They got into the elevator, and as soon as the door closed, Darien started to howl.
"What in the world is so funny?" asked Malichite coldly.
"Oh my god! Malichite, are you telling me that you don't know...that you don't realize...!?" he started up again.
"What?" growled Malichite.
"Serena, the blonde with the strange hair, is going to be trying to fix you and the other blonde up!" laughed Darien.
"I beg your pardon?" asked Malichite in an icy voice.
"She's trying to get you two to be a couple." explained Darien.
Malichite paled. "Please, tell me you're kidding."
"No, I'm not. Malichite my friend, you will, for the next week, be forced to spend every waking minute Serena can squeeze out of you with Mina." said Darien with a grin.
"Ugh. I get the feeling you're going to be helping her." groaned Malichite.
"Every second I can!" chuckled Darien.
Malichite thought for a while. 'Maybe this won't be such a bad trip after all.' he thought smiling slightly.
"Ha! I caught that!" chortled Darien.
"What?" asked Malichite irritably.
"You like her, don't you?" challenged Darien.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" lied Malichite.
Darien was unconvinced. "Uh-huh." They went to their room for the night.
***
END CHAPTER TWO