Hey Minna!!! *Ducks flying objects* ^^;;; I know, I know. I'm sorry I haven't posted in like forever, but I've been totally busy. And I figured heck why not get this out before I move. So here the long awaited next chapter of Forever and Ever, Always.

disclaimer found in prologue

Chapter 3 A dream???


Heero emerged from his lair to be greeted by the rich tones of his friend's laughter.

"Empty handed huh?" he laughed from the corner table.

"Are you ever leaving?" Heero growled.

"I was tempted too yesterday, before I saw her," he gestured to the blond who
had walked through the door.

"You're not going to touch her," he said, sitting next to his friend.

"So it's her?"

"I don't know."

"How could you not know? Look at her! Beautiful, blond hair worn in the royal

style, bright laughing blue eyes? How could she not be the princess?" Wufei asked.

"There are a lot of women that could fit that description."

"Each time," Wufei sighed, "Why are you constantly denying..." Wufei's voice
trailed off as he watched the scene unfolding at the bar.

"What the hell is that thing doing at your bar?" he hissed.

Heero glanced behind his shoulder to see a warlock sitting at the bar. He
shrugged, "Money's money right? No matter what scum it might come by."

"Even scum that's hitting on your princess?" Wufei asked with one eyebrow
arched.

"I told you, she's not..." Just then laughter was heard from the other side of the
room. Laughter sounding like little twinkling bells, Serenity's laughter, "My princess," he
finished, jumping to his feet with full intent on throwing the man out.

A hand on his shoulder stopped him.

"I'll handle this sweetie," Mina said from behind him. "I still need to teach the little
bunny a few things," she winked and smiled, sauntering off towards the bar.

"She runs the place like it was her own," Wufei laughed.

"Tell me about it," Heero grumbled.





Serena noticed him as soon as she walked through the door, and quickly moved
behind the bar. Who knows? He could be drunk again and not like people slacking off.
She shivered at the thought of what that insane man would do.

Molly, the red, short haired waitress that was also working that night, smiled. "Hey
Serena," she said in her New York accent," How was your day?"

"It was alright," Serena smiled back while tying on her apron, "I ran into this guy
this morning, total dreamboat, anyway my books went flying and he helped me pick
them up and left me a rose! Can you believe that? I didn't even know who he was or if
I'll ever see him again..." she said, turning towards the bar, to come face to face with
the topic of the conversation.

"I see you liked my gift," he said, smiling a devilishly handsome smile.

"Yes I did thank you Mr..."

"Sheilds, Darien Sheilds," he said taking her hand as if to shake it, only he turned to
over and brought it to his lips.

"Charmed to make your acquaintance Ms.?"

"Ser...Serena John...Johnson."

"Such a beautiful name to go with a beautiful person."

"Thank you Mr. Sheilds," Serena blushed.

"Just Darien. I do hope I can start the day in such a wonderful way again."

Serena laughed, "I'm usually not so klutzy sir. Can I get you anything Darien?" She
asked, trying out his name.

"Don't bother Serena dear, Mr. Sheilds was just leaving, weren't you?" Mina said
from behind Serena, baring her fangs toward Darien.

"Mina," he smiled, "How nice to see you again."

"You're not wanted here Darien, leave."

"Always so blunt huh Mina?" He glanced around and noticed the table in the
corner. "If looks could kill," he laughed, "I see you've company, no longer a fair fight. Yes, I
guess I should take my departure," he stood, took Serena's and kissed it again, "Until next
time madam."

He drew his cape around his shoulders and left with a smile on his handsome
face.

Serena and Molly sighed wistfully, while Mina mumbled about warlocks looking
for trouble under her breath.

"Mina, why is he not welcome here? He did nothing wrong," Serena pointed out.

"Hun, trust me, that man is all trouble. You really don't wanna get mixed up with
his kind. Here," she poured two red drinks, put them on a tray, and handed them to
Serena, "Take these to the two guys in the corner."

Serena looked towards the corner and back to Mina. "Couldn't Molly take those?
I've got other people to serve here."

"Molly can handle them," she shoved the tray and Serena towards the corner,
"Just serve them."

"What's up Mina? You've never kicked Darien out before," Molly asked after
Serena had left them.

"Mol, keep her away from him."

"But why? He's a nice guy, she's a nice girl, they click."

"He's anything but nice to my kind."

"Why?"

"One word. Warlock."

"Oh boy. You know, he's been coming here for years and I've never known."

"Yes well, he's looking for major trouble if he keeps it up."






I know this isn't as long as you want it to be, but the next part is huge and it's late. So I'm try and put it on tomorrow night if I can get to a puter. and for all my Pen Pals fans, I promise I'm working on the ending. I think I'll put the last three or four chapters on in one night when I get it finished. Danged Writers block .

*Hugs and Angel Kisses*