"Interesting Décor. What's with the black fleece? Not that it isn't incredibly kinky or anything but it seems a bit odd." Serena
asked as they got ready to leave. She had spent most of the night trying to convince Darien that he couldn't have been
responsible for the things that happened to them. She wasn't sure if she had him completely believing it, but she was close.
Finally they had fallen asleep in each others arms as romantically as one could imagine until Serena forgot where she was and
dumped him out of the bed. Darien had tickle tortured her mercilessly as retribution.
"Jed, one of my… minions… decided it set a good image for the Prince of Darkness. It gets hot as hell sometimes but
it does have a sort of calming quality. What do you mean kinky?!" He faked outrage and Serena laughed at him.
"Well whatever it is, this Jed does have good taste. We should introduce him to Mina. They would get along great." She
chuckled at the though and Darien had to agree.
"You sure we have to do this… I mean you could just take them in couldn't you?" He was genuinely concerned about what
the others thought of him. Serena heard this in his voice and went over to him.
"You go where I go remember? Darien we would have to do this eventually. It's better that we do it now so that they can
get to know you a bit better before things start to happen. It is truly better this way." The look in her eyes told him to believe
her and if he couldn't do that to believe in her.
"They don't remember me Serena, all they know is the Prince of Darkness who did all he could to make life miserable and
hard for them. And I did too. That was me. Why would they believe that I'm supposed to change?" It was a valid argument but
one that would keep him from changing.
"Because I say so. They don't have to like it, but they will believe it." She would be damned if her friends, her court
wouldn't accept their king. He looked at her skeptically but chose not to argue. She changed into a shirt Darien had found for
her and a pair of his sweat pants. The dress she had been wearing was horribly wrinkled and unfit to wear anywhere. Darien
drove them to her apartment where she changed again into jeans and a tank top. She took a close look at her new door for the
first time and approved. Finally it was the moment of truth.
"Come on." She told him lacing her arm through his. "It won't be that bad, I promise." She tried to believe it and so did he,
cause for her sake he hoped so. He knew how much it would hurt her if they rejected him. It would be as bad as rejecting her.
Plus if he had to leave she would too. That's just the way she was. At the door to the office they paused, then Serena forced
herself to reach out and open the door. Darien followed her inside.
"Look who decided to come in and apologize." Raye growled sarcastically. She was sitting on Mina's desk painting her
fingernails another eye-smarting shade of red. Mina sat at her desk with Ami standing behind her. Lita leaned against the wall
with her arms crossed. She had one of her tough ass looks on her face. Serena's anger started to flare and only Darien's grip on
her arm kept her from saying what was on her mind.
"And look who she brought with her… The traitor himself. What'd you bring him for?" Raye added at the sight of Darien
behind Serena. Raye flicked her long black hair over her shoulder then gave Serena a piercing gaze. Serena assumed a pose of
complete authority and stared back. Raye looked away first.
"I didn't come to apologize for anything other than using a spell on Mina. What I came here for was to give you these."
She held out the crushed velvet bag. Searching inside she found Lita's amulet and handed it to her. Then Ami, Mina and lastly
Raye. The girls took the pendants carefully almost afraid of what they might hold. Each of them found the catch that opened the
hidden compartments where the jewels were stored and as they did their eyes went blank. Lita's blazing emerald caught the light
and Lita stood up strait as images formed before her eyes. Ami's sapphire, Mina's garnet, and Raye's fire opal stored their past
lives and with their power released the images flooded the minds of their owners. Serena leaned against Darien as she waited
for them to finish. Ami's eyes returned to normal first.
"Princess… Queen Serenity. We never knew!" She exclaimed looking at Serena in a whole new light. Her exclamation was
repeated by the others as their eyes regained focus. Each turned to Serena and Darien with apology written all over their faces.
Well all of the except Raye's of course.
"So what. That was in the past. You aren't a Queen here. We don't owe her anything. What has she done for us huh? That
was a long time ago, and I don't see what is has to do with now." She seemed unable to grasp the entirety of what was going on.
Mina gave her an unbelieving look.
"Raye! How can you say that? Who saved you from those guys who were trying to rape you 4 years ago in New York?
Where would you be now if it hadn't been for her. Where would any of us be? Lita would probably be in jail, Ami would have
gotten mixed up with those terrorists who wanted to make those weapons, that man who was trying to kill me would have, and we
never would have met Chad, Ken, Greg, or Mal. If nothing else, we owe her." Mina stood up from the desk and stood in the middle
of the room glaring at them. They had started to listen to Raye, and each of them had rebellious streaks, but as Mina reminded
them of who had saved their lives they knew they couldn't turn their backs on her.
"But what about him?" Lita meant Darien and they all knew it. His arm snaked around Serena's waist and she gave him
what she thought was an encouraging smile before she turned back to the others. He had to tell them himself.
"I am the one who took the amulets the Queen gave us before we died. Once everyone was gone I sort of went crazy and
killed everyone I could find connected with your deaths. Afterward I figured that if there was no way I could protect all of
you, the least I could do was control the evil around you so that you might have a chance. But lately, with what Serena and I
know to be coming, I haven't been able to control much of everything. The battles you have all fought will increase, and be
harder because She is coming. I can feel it." They accepted his explanation but not the implications.
"She who?" Ami asked always searching for information. They all could feel the coming darkness, but now it seemed to
have a form.
"She… Beryl, the vampire who captured me and turned me. She is the oldest and strongest vamp on the face of the Earth.
She wasn't that strong when she destroyed Serenity's Queendom, but she is now. I am two hundred years younger than her but
I won't be of much use in the coming battle anyway."
"Why not?" Serena hadn't heard of this before. He was the one that was supposed to turn the tides or at least make
things even.
"She is my master. She made me in such a way that I will do what she asks. I have managed to resist this long, almost eight
hundred years, but as her proximity nears, so does her power over me. I will not be able to fight with you when she comes
because she will use me as a weapon against me. Serena, you will have to spell me into the deepest sleep you can before she
comes." He pulled Serena around him so he could look at her and make sure she understood.
"Alright Darien. At least it will keep you from getting hurt." And that was not the thing to say to him. He was the one who
was supposed to protect her, not the other way around. Serena cared about everyone and believed that no one should have to get
hurt, but Darien wasn't supposed to fall into that category. A hurt he couldn't help but feel shown from his eyes. Serena saw it
just as he turned away. He pulled from her grasp and strode out the door into the sunlight, walking anywhere fast. Serena's heart
went out to him but this wasn't something she knew how to deal with.
"He's touchy." Raye was her sarcastic and slightly bitchy self again. Serena ignored her.
"You guys should start learning which powers your new amulets give you and how to use them. They will get stronger as
you get stronger and you will get stronger with practice. We haven't much time." Serena told them fingering her own pendant.
"Also you might want to find the guys and help them remember their pasts. Unlocking the stones with them should do it. They will
have powers too." The girls nodded and Serena stared out the door looking at nothing in particular trying to think. Mina coughed
to get her attention.
"I knew you protected us Serena, in the beginning, and even now. I knew you did although I didn't know why. They may not
appreciate it, but I do. Thank you my Queen." She bowed as regally as any princess.
"Mina if you ever call me that again, I'll put another silence spell on you." Serena choked out through tears. Mina nodded
and after giving her a quick hug Mina went to go find Malachite. Serena went home to her lonely apartment.
Unlocking the door, she undid the mental barriers and entered flopping on the couch. Her apartment was cool, surprising
for the middle of the day, but maybe she had left the air conditioning on again. Whatever. She closed her eyes resigned to get
at least a few hours sleep.
It was late afternoon early evening when she woke suddenly. She felt a presence close to her, an evil presence, and goose
bumps crawled along her skin. Silently she got up holding her pendant in one hand and searching for her bag in the other. With
both in her hands, she crept to the door trying to look out a covered window to no avail. Leaning against the door she looked
down at the beautiful pendant around her neck.
"Whatever powers you're supposed to give me, I need them now." She whispered to it, and no sooner had she said that than
a rush of power filled her body. She seemed to fill with it until she was about to scream then as suddenly as it had started it
was gone. Serena looked down at herself to find she was wearing an outfit of complete white both her pants and her tank top.
Even her boots were white and they looked like crushed velvet. The only bits of color were the small rainbows around her
ankles, neck and around her arms where the hems of her new outfit met her skin. She felt earrings in her ears and a necklace
around her neck holding the pendant. Her hair was in her twin odangos.
"Weird." She whispered, then dropped her bag of magic supplies. She knew she didn't need them anymore. The presence
stopped just outside her door and standing beside it, she threw it open muttering her paralyzing spell at the same moment.
A small fireball was at the tips of her fingers when a familiar masculine voice called out to her.
"SERENA NO!" It was Darien. Serena managed to keep the fireball in check although she continued to stare at the man
outside her door with wary eyes. His eyes were wide with shock but not fear and that alone kept Serena from disobeying
Darien's order. Order?
"What are you doing outside my home?" She demanded still holding her fireball in her hand its subtle warmth almost
comforting. Before now she hadn't thought to realize how fast the power to harm had come to her, and she didn't have time now.
Later! She thought and shoved it to the back of her mind. The man had turned toward her and Serena took in his almost hawk-like
features which were more pronounced than any she had seen. He had sharp gray eyes, a beaklike nose and thin tight lips. Long
black hair was tied back in a ponytail but little tendrils escaped and looked all too much like feathers.
"I was looking for the Prince." He replied through still lips. Serena loosened her spell a bit to make it easier to talk.
Darien had come up beside the man but was not surprised by his presence. Serena still didn't trust the man.
"The Prince of Darkness you mean?" She quizzed. The man tried to nod but couldn't and had to settle for some sort of
affirmative noise.
"Serena this is Jed… my confidant. He's an old friend of mine." Darien whispered in her ear as he scooted around his
'friend' to stand by her side.
"Vampire?" She didn't move her gaze although she wanted to wrap an arm around Darien and lean against him for comfort.
Darien shook his head and with a long sigh, Serena released him. "That still doesn't explain what you are doing here." She hadn't
moved and the stance was draining her strength. Somehow Darien noticed and a comforting arm snaked around her waist.
"The last person to see him said he was with the Hunter. I feared the worst but I am glad to see my fears were unfounded."
He had a Australian accent but he was obviously not a native Australian. Serena didn't know weather to laugh or collapse.
"Well as you can see, I'm fine. Tired but alive, thank you for your concern Jed. I know this is asking a lot but can you go
back and keep an eye on things for me? I have no idea when I'll be back to run things." Darien asked this almost softly and it
was then that Serena realized that he had a strong sense of pride and it took a lot for him to ask for help. This friend of his
must be a very good friend for him to be willing to show this much. She leaned against him with a soft, tired smile.
"Sure thing my Prince." He turned curtly on his heal and started to walk off. Serena noticed the fireball still in her hand
and quenched the flames.
"Sorry about…. Well you know." She offered. It really was the least she could do. Jed turned around and bowed curtly.
"I am sorry to have startled you m'lady. I can only hope it was not offence too much." With that he turned again and
strode away into the evening. Serena stood there a bit stunned as she watched him leave. Darien stood to her side watching him
also.
"Is it just me, or is that guy obsessed?" Serena whispered to herself before turning to her apartment. Inside she picked
up her bag and tossed it onto a chair before going deeper into the room. Darien followed her.
"I suppose he is obsessed." He said softly as he took a seat on Serena's soft blue couch. Laying his head back on the top of
it he closed his eyes while Serena stood by the kitchen doorway watching him.
"He's obsessed with you Darien." Her barely audible reply made him look up at her. Deep blue eyes met cerulean ones and
with a few short steps Darien was by her side his, hand caressing her cheek.
"Serena, my Serenity. My heart is always yours. Jed, nor anyone else will change that." His words brought tears to her
eyes, especially the name Serenity. She nodded faintly careful not to break contact with him.
"I know that. I'm just not used to having to vie for someone's attention." She looked away, his hand still on her cheek.
"You don't have to vie for anyone's attention. Especially not mine." He took her chin and pulled her face to his kissing
her gently. "I love you Serena.. I have for years upon years and I will continue to do so as long as I have this soul you seem to
have unburied." He grinned and she had to smile at that.
"I love you too Darien. I think I have all along, I just didn't know it. I'll get used to all this eventually. We just need time."
She kissed him softly then looked at him closely. "Darien, where did you get that outfit?" He had on a solid black uniform with
silver thread embroidered in swirling patterns on the chest and legs. It was incredibly stylish and flattering, but she had never
seen anything quite like it. He chuckled softly.
"Where'd you get yours?" It was obviously a pointed question. Serena looked down at herself and the rainbow hems and
cuffs.
"Oh. How long have you been able to do that, and how do you get your normal clothes back?" As she spoke her original
clothes reappeared in a white flash. Her adrenaline rush faded suddenly and she swooned. Darien caught her and held her up until
her head was on strait.
"Yeah that happens too, in a minute your going to be starving. I've been able change once my head cleared and I could
think rationally. When I first had your pendant I discovered my half of it's gifts, but I haven't used them since then. Till today.
I could feel that you were in danger, and I guess I changed automatically." As he spoke he changed back into his normal clothes
and led her to the couch where she sank gratefully.
"Oh." She looked around herself as though lost. Darien sat on the table in front of her and took her hands until her she
looked a bit better. Her hair was still in its new do, and brushing the twin trails off the couch she lay down still dazed.
"It takes a bit of getting used to. I'll make dinner and you'll feel better. I promise." He pat her shoulder then went into
the kitchen poking around. Serena sat up and went to the doorway again.
"There isn't anything in there except pasta, and I really don't want pasta. Can we just go out?" Her energy was quickly
returning and her head clearing from it's daze. Darien closed the empty refrigerator and stood up.
"Sure thing. The steak house?" At her nod he took her hand and pulled her outside. Serena had to stop to lock the door
then she let him lead on. During their drive she fell asleep and hours later when she woke up, she was still in the car with the
heater running. Darien sat in the drivers seat just watching.
"What are we doing here?" She asked him sitting up and straitening her clothes and hair. Looking out the window she saw
the river in front of them and the muddy banks of the Mississippi. Darien smiled softly.
"I didn't want to wake you." He explained. Starting the car he backed out and headed towards town. Serena had to fight
to keep from going back to sleep as he took her out to dinner then back home. Snuggling up together on the couch she kissed him
softly before letting herself drift off.
"I love you Serenity." He whispered into her hair. Serena smiled and pulled the blanket closer around them.
"I love you too Endymon."
asked as they got ready to leave. She had spent most of the night trying to convince Darien that he couldn't have been
responsible for the things that happened to them. She wasn't sure if she had him completely believing it, but she was close.
Finally they had fallen asleep in each others arms as romantically as one could imagine until Serena forgot where she was and
dumped him out of the bed. Darien had tickle tortured her mercilessly as retribution.
"Jed, one of my… minions… decided it set a good image for the Prince of Darkness. It gets hot as hell sometimes but
it does have a sort of calming quality. What do you mean kinky?!" He faked outrage and Serena laughed at him.
"Well whatever it is, this Jed does have good taste. We should introduce him to Mina. They would get along great." She
chuckled at the though and Darien had to agree.
"You sure we have to do this… I mean you could just take them in couldn't you?" He was genuinely concerned about what
the others thought of him. Serena heard this in his voice and went over to him.
"You go where I go remember? Darien we would have to do this eventually. It's better that we do it now so that they can
get to know you a bit better before things start to happen. It is truly better this way." The look in her eyes told him to believe
her and if he couldn't do that to believe in her.
"They don't remember me Serena, all they know is the Prince of Darkness who did all he could to make life miserable and
hard for them. And I did too. That was me. Why would they believe that I'm supposed to change?" It was a valid argument but
one that would keep him from changing.
"Because I say so. They don't have to like it, but they will believe it." She would be damned if her friends, her court
wouldn't accept their king. He looked at her skeptically but chose not to argue. She changed into a shirt Darien had found for
her and a pair of his sweat pants. The dress she had been wearing was horribly wrinkled and unfit to wear anywhere. Darien
drove them to her apartment where she changed again into jeans and a tank top. She took a close look at her new door for the
first time and approved. Finally it was the moment of truth.
"Come on." She told him lacing her arm through his. "It won't be that bad, I promise." She tried to believe it and so did he,
cause for her sake he hoped so. He knew how much it would hurt her if they rejected him. It would be as bad as rejecting her.
Plus if he had to leave she would too. That's just the way she was. At the door to the office they paused, then Serena forced
herself to reach out and open the door. Darien followed her inside.
"Look who decided to come in and apologize." Raye growled sarcastically. She was sitting on Mina's desk painting her
fingernails another eye-smarting shade of red. Mina sat at her desk with Ami standing behind her. Lita leaned against the wall
with her arms crossed. She had one of her tough ass looks on her face. Serena's anger started to flare and only Darien's grip on
her arm kept her from saying what was on her mind.
"And look who she brought with her… The traitor himself. What'd you bring him for?" Raye added at the sight of Darien
behind Serena. Raye flicked her long black hair over her shoulder then gave Serena a piercing gaze. Serena assumed a pose of
complete authority and stared back. Raye looked away first.
"I didn't come to apologize for anything other than using a spell on Mina. What I came here for was to give you these."
She held out the crushed velvet bag. Searching inside she found Lita's amulet and handed it to her. Then Ami, Mina and lastly
Raye. The girls took the pendants carefully almost afraid of what they might hold. Each of them found the catch that opened the
hidden compartments where the jewels were stored and as they did their eyes went blank. Lita's blazing emerald caught the light
and Lita stood up strait as images formed before her eyes. Ami's sapphire, Mina's garnet, and Raye's fire opal stored their past
lives and with their power released the images flooded the minds of their owners. Serena leaned against Darien as she waited
for them to finish. Ami's eyes returned to normal first.
"Princess… Queen Serenity. We never knew!" She exclaimed looking at Serena in a whole new light. Her exclamation was
repeated by the others as their eyes regained focus. Each turned to Serena and Darien with apology written all over their faces.
Well all of the except Raye's of course.
"So what. That was in the past. You aren't a Queen here. We don't owe her anything. What has she done for us huh? That
was a long time ago, and I don't see what is has to do with now." She seemed unable to grasp the entirety of what was going on.
Mina gave her an unbelieving look.
"Raye! How can you say that? Who saved you from those guys who were trying to rape you 4 years ago in New York?
Where would you be now if it hadn't been for her. Where would any of us be? Lita would probably be in jail, Ami would have
gotten mixed up with those terrorists who wanted to make those weapons, that man who was trying to kill me would have, and we
never would have met Chad, Ken, Greg, or Mal. If nothing else, we owe her." Mina stood up from the desk and stood in the middle
of the room glaring at them. They had started to listen to Raye, and each of them had rebellious streaks, but as Mina reminded
them of who had saved their lives they knew they couldn't turn their backs on her.
"But what about him?" Lita meant Darien and they all knew it. His arm snaked around Serena's waist and she gave him
what she thought was an encouraging smile before she turned back to the others. He had to tell them himself.
"I am the one who took the amulets the Queen gave us before we died. Once everyone was gone I sort of went crazy and
killed everyone I could find connected with your deaths. Afterward I figured that if there was no way I could protect all of
you, the least I could do was control the evil around you so that you might have a chance. But lately, with what Serena and I
know to be coming, I haven't been able to control much of everything. The battles you have all fought will increase, and be
harder because She is coming. I can feel it." They accepted his explanation but not the implications.
"She who?" Ami asked always searching for information. They all could feel the coming darkness, but now it seemed to
have a form.
"She… Beryl, the vampire who captured me and turned me. She is the oldest and strongest vamp on the face of the Earth.
She wasn't that strong when she destroyed Serenity's Queendom, but she is now. I am two hundred years younger than her but
I won't be of much use in the coming battle anyway."
"Why not?" Serena hadn't heard of this before. He was the one that was supposed to turn the tides or at least make
things even.
"She is my master. She made me in such a way that I will do what she asks. I have managed to resist this long, almost eight
hundred years, but as her proximity nears, so does her power over me. I will not be able to fight with you when she comes
because she will use me as a weapon against me. Serena, you will have to spell me into the deepest sleep you can before she
comes." He pulled Serena around him so he could look at her and make sure she understood.
"Alright Darien. At least it will keep you from getting hurt." And that was not the thing to say to him. He was the one who
was supposed to protect her, not the other way around. Serena cared about everyone and believed that no one should have to get
hurt, but Darien wasn't supposed to fall into that category. A hurt he couldn't help but feel shown from his eyes. Serena saw it
just as he turned away. He pulled from her grasp and strode out the door into the sunlight, walking anywhere fast. Serena's heart
went out to him but this wasn't something she knew how to deal with.
"He's touchy." Raye was her sarcastic and slightly bitchy self again. Serena ignored her.
"You guys should start learning which powers your new amulets give you and how to use them. They will get stronger as
you get stronger and you will get stronger with practice. We haven't much time." Serena told them fingering her own pendant.
"Also you might want to find the guys and help them remember their pasts. Unlocking the stones with them should do it. They will
have powers too." The girls nodded and Serena stared out the door looking at nothing in particular trying to think. Mina coughed
to get her attention.
"I knew you protected us Serena, in the beginning, and even now. I knew you did although I didn't know why. They may not
appreciate it, but I do. Thank you my Queen." She bowed as regally as any princess.
"Mina if you ever call me that again, I'll put another silence spell on you." Serena choked out through tears. Mina nodded
and after giving her a quick hug Mina went to go find Malachite. Serena went home to her lonely apartment.
Unlocking the door, she undid the mental barriers and entered flopping on the couch. Her apartment was cool, surprising
for the middle of the day, but maybe she had left the air conditioning on again. Whatever. She closed her eyes resigned to get
at least a few hours sleep.
It was late afternoon early evening when she woke suddenly. She felt a presence close to her, an evil presence, and goose
bumps crawled along her skin. Silently she got up holding her pendant in one hand and searching for her bag in the other. With
both in her hands, she crept to the door trying to look out a covered window to no avail. Leaning against the door she looked
down at the beautiful pendant around her neck.
"Whatever powers you're supposed to give me, I need them now." She whispered to it, and no sooner had she said that than
a rush of power filled her body. She seemed to fill with it until she was about to scream then as suddenly as it had started it
was gone. Serena looked down at herself to find she was wearing an outfit of complete white both her pants and her tank top.
Even her boots were white and they looked like crushed velvet. The only bits of color were the small rainbows around her
ankles, neck and around her arms where the hems of her new outfit met her skin. She felt earrings in her ears and a necklace
around her neck holding the pendant. Her hair was in her twin odangos.
"Weird." She whispered, then dropped her bag of magic supplies. She knew she didn't need them anymore. The presence
stopped just outside her door and standing beside it, she threw it open muttering her paralyzing spell at the same moment.
A small fireball was at the tips of her fingers when a familiar masculine voice called out to her.
"SERENA NO!" It was Darien. Serena managed to keep the fireball in check although she continued to stare at the man
outside her door with wary eyes. His eyes were wide with shock but not fear and that alone kept Serena from disobeying
Darien's order. Order?
"What are you doing outside my home?" She demanded still holding her fireball in her hand its subtle warmth almost
comforting. Before now she hadn't thought to realize how fast the power to harm had come to her, and she didn't have time now.
Later! She thought and shoved it to the back of her mind. The man had turned toward her and Serena took in his almost hawk-like
features which were more pronounced than any she had seen. He had sharp gray eyes, a beaklike nose and thin tight lips. Long
black hair was tied back in a ponytail but little tendrils escaped and looked all too much like feathers.
"I was looking for the Prince." He replied through still lips. Serena loosened her spell a bit to make it easier to talk.
Darien had come up beside the man but was not surprised by his presence. Serena still didn't trust the man.
"The Prince of Darkness you mean?" She quizzed. The man tried to nod but couldn't and had to settle for some sort of
affirmative noise.
"Serena this is Jed… my confidant. He's an old friend of mine." Darien whispered in her ear as he scooted around his
'friend' to stand by her side.
"Vampire?" She didn't move her gaze although she wanted to wrap an arm around Darien and lean against him for comfort.
Darien shook his head and with a long sigh, Serena released him. "That still doesn't explain what you are doing here." She hadn't
moved and the stance was draining her strength. Somehow Darien noticed and a comforting arm snaked around her waist.
"The last person to see him said he was with the Hunter. I feared the worst but I am glad to see my fears were unfounded."
He had a Australian accent but he was obviously not a native Australian. Serena didn't know weather to laugh or collapse.
"Well as you can see, I'm fine. Tired but alive, thank you for your concern Jed. I know this is asking a lot but can you go
back and keep an eye on things for me? I have no idea when I'll be back to run things." Darien asked this almost softly and it
was then that Serena realized that he had a strong sense of pride and it took a lot for him to ask for help. This friend of his
must be a very good friend for him to be willing to show this much. She leaned against him with a soft, tired smile.
"Sure thing my Prince." He turned curtly on his heal and started to walk off. Serena noticed the fireball still in her hand
and quenched the flames.
"Sorry about…. Well you know." She offered. It really was the least she could do. Jed turned around and bowed curtly.
"I am sorry to have startled you m'lady. I can only hope it was not offence too much." With that he turned again and
strode away into the evening. Serena stood there a bit stunned as she watched him leave. Darien stood to her side watching him
also.
"Is it just me, or is that guy obsessed?" Serena whispered to herself before turning to her apartment. Inside she picked
up her bag and tossed it onto a chair before going deeper into the room. Darien followed her.
"I suppose he is obsessed." He said softly as he took a seat on Serena's soft blue couch. Laying his head back on the top of
it he closed his eyes while Serena stood by the kitchen doorway watching him.
"He's obsessed with you Darien." Her barely audible reply made him look up at her. Deep blue eyes met cerulean ones and
with a few short steps Darien was by her side his, hand caressing her cheek.
"Serena, my Serenity. My heart is always yours. Jed, nor anyone else will change that." His words brought tears to her
eyes, especially the name Serenity. She nodded faintly careful not to break contact with him.
"I know that. I'm just not used to having to vie for someone's attention." She looked away, his hand still on her cheek.
"You don't have to vie for anyone's attention. Especially not mine." He took her chin and pulled her face to his kissing
her gently. "I love you Serena.. I have for years upon years and I will continue to do so as long as I have this soul you seem to
have unburied." He grinned and she had to smile at that.
"I love you too Darien. I think I have all along, I just didn't know it. I'll get used to all this eventually. We just need time."
She kissed him softly then looked at him closely. "Darien, where did you get that outfit?" He had on a solid black uniform with
silver thread embroidered in swirling patterns on the chest and legs. It was incredibly stylish and flattering, but she had never
seen anything quite like it. He chuckled softly.
"Where'd you get yours?" It was obviously a pointed question. Serena looked down at herself and the rainbow hems and
cuffs.
"Oh. How long have you been able to do that, and how do you get your normal clothes back?" As she spoke her original
clothes reappeared in a white flash. Her adrenaline rush faded suddenly and she swooned. Darien caught her and held her up until
her head was on strait.
"Yeah that happens too, in a minute your going to be starving. I've been able change once my head cleared and I could
think rationally. When I first had your pendant I discovered my half of it's gifts, but I haven't used them since then. Till today.
I could feel that you were in danger, and I guess I changed automatically." As he spoke he changed back into his normal clothes
and led her to the couch where she sank gratefully.
"Oh." She looked around herself as though lost. Darien sat on the table in front of her and took her hands until her she
looked a bit better. Her hair was still in its new do, and brushing the twin trails off the couch she lay down still dazed.
"It takes a bit of getting used to. I'll make dinner and you'll feel better. I promise." He pat her shoulder then went into
the kitchen poking around. Serena sat up and went to the doorway again.
"There isn't anything in there except pasta, and I really don't want pasta. Can we just go out?" Her energy was quickly
returning and her head clearing from it's daze. Darien closed the empty refrigerator and stood up.
"Sure thing. The steak house?" At her nod he took her hand and pulled her outside. Serena had to stop to lock the door
then she let him lead on. During their drive she fell asleep and hours later when she woke up, she was still in the car with the
heater running. Darien sat in the drivers seat just watching.
"What are we doing here?" She asked him sitting up and straitening her clothes and hair. Looking out the window she saw
the river in front of them and the muddy banks of the Mississippi. Darien smiled softly.
"I didn't want to wake you." He explained. Starting the car he backed out and headed towards town. Serena had to fight
to keep from going back to sleep as he took her out to dinner then back home. Snuggling up together on the couch she kissed him
softly before letting herself drift off.
"I love you Serenity." He whispered into her hair. Serena smiled and pulled the blanket closer around them.
"I love you too Endymon."