Hey everyone, thanks to all who reviewed again. I'm kinda
iffy about this chapter, I've never written one like it,
but I hope its not too bad. I'm not a chemistry person, so
Dr. Richard's data isn't real accurate (if at all) The medical
aspect of it is waay off, I know this but didn't want to
research, sorry, just written one too many research papers
lately to feel like researching extra stuff. I hope you like
this next chapter!
** Disclaimer- I don't own these characters or anything that has
been trademarked so don't sue me k-? [I'm saving up to buy the next
video in the FY series so I need every penny I can save ^.^ ] **
**********************************************************************
Serena's stomach was pumped, blood samples were taken, the usual
tests were done on her. Darien insisted on assisting the doctors
and staying by her side. Dr. Richards went to the lab to work
on the blood samples as Dr. Mizuno took over with Serena.
Her parents, Andrew, Mrs. Richards, and Mark paced and sat out
in the waiting room. "What happened to her again?" Ilene asked
Andrew.
He shrugged and re-told her what he'd seen. "She was dancing,
when Darien reached her she told him she was scared that something
was wrong and she felt bad. I turned when her legs gave way on
her and Darien scooped her up. When I asked her what was wrong
she said she wasn't sure and passed out."
"But what could have cause it? Serena's a perfectly healthy
young girl, she couldn't have passed out from dancing too much."
Ken paced the floor as he spoke, too anxious to sit without
tapping a foot or fidgeting.
"It was something she took" Dr. Richards entered the waiting
room. "Her blood samples show a frighteningly high level of a
chemical solution which contained mostly harmless elements save
one, imiprothin, which if you don't know is the key ingredient
in most insect poisons."
"She was poisoned?" Ilene's high pitched tone causing Kenji to
pull her against him as he tried to calm her down.
"It seems that it wasn't intended as a poison, but the high
levels of it counter-acted with the elements meant to lower
its effects, plus Serena's petiteness... her body just couldn't
handle such an amount. A person of regular size, such as
Ilene or my wife could have handled it." Dr. Richards sighed
and headed back to find Dr. Mizuno.
"How could she have taken something like that? I mean where
would she get it?" Andrew paced in front of the window.
"At the ball" Darien's voice came from the doorway. "I'm
pretty sure I know who gave it to her too."
"You think Lucien would do this?" Mark headed towards him.
"I'm not sure but intend to find out." Darien turned and headed
out towards the exit.
"You'd better go with him" Ken told Andrew, who was followed
by Mark, both wanting to see how Darien meant to find out.
**********************************************************************
Arriving back at the Embassy, Darien headed towards the dance floor
looking for Lucien. He was easily found with his lightly colored
tux and the fact that Darien had been keeping an eye on the guy
all night. Stepping onto the dance floor he stopped Lucien with a
tap on the shoulder.
"Yes?" Lucien turned to find a surprisingly angry Darien standing
behind him.
"We need to talk"
"If you hadn't noticed he's kinda busy right now!" Lucien's
gaudily dressed dance partner glared through her mask.
Looking Darien over as his partner spoke, Lucien recognized the
tightly controlled fury in the other man's body. Darien stood
straight and with a commanding air, his tone had shown he wasn't
asking Lucien to step out with him and he'd better not refuse.
"I'm sorry my dear, you'll have to excuse me" Lucien patted her
cheek and turned to Darien. "Where?"
"Outside" Darien pointed towards the exit to the gardens and
Lucien headed that way, forcing himself to keep up his cool
demeanor. [He can't know anything, he's just guessing]
Andrew and Mark entered the ballroom and quickly spotted the
two men heading towards the gardens. Making their way to
follow, they had to rudely ignore a few friends and greetings.
Once outside they stopped at the bottom of the stairs. Trying
to keep up his nonchalant attitude, Lucien broke the silence.
"All right, what is this about Chiba?"
"Don't you mean who?" Darien leaned against a nearby
pillar, arms crossed and with one foot lifted against its
side, arching an eyebrow expectantly.
"I take it you mean the little one? So terrible she fell
ill like that, was it something she ate?" Lucien's tone
revealed a bit too much confidence in his guess.
"How interesting you should know it was something she took,
as a matter of fact, she fell ill because of whatever you gave
her." Darien pushed away from the pillar and strode over to
Lucien, who unconsiously took a step back.
"I merely gave her a glass of punch" He shrugged and stepped
back again.
"What was in that punch?" Andrew asked, coming over to stand
behind Darien, who'm he'd never seen looking so angry.
"How should I know? I didn't make the stuff!" Lucien tried
to step past them and was stopped by Darien grabbing the
collar of his shirt and yanking him back.
"But you did make whatever was in that punch so I'll
ask one more time, what was in it?" Darien's voice was low
and menacing, his eyes glittering dangerously.
"It was an experimental drug meant to give her an energy
boost, no one else had reacted to it the way she did."
A new voice broke in from behind them.
"James, you knew about this?" Mark stared at his friend.
"I told him it would be too much for her, but he said he just
needed the one test. I had to help him or I'd lose my intership
at the hospital, you know how well connected he is! If he
wanted me out he could have it done easily!" James sighed
and looked at Darien. "Is she gonna be all right?"
Andrew answered, Darien was pre-occupied with shaking
Lucien. "You gave Serena an experimental drug?!!!"
Lucien shook his head and struggled to loosen his hold,
"I never thought she'd take it so badly, none of the other
women had!"
Darien's grip tightened and Lucien gasped for air, his
hands clutching at Darien's, but he was too mad to care.
"How much older were these other women?"
"The... the youngest was... 18." Lucien gasped out. "Please,
I can't breathe..."
Darien suddenly shoved him away and turned, struggling
to keep his anger in check.
Lucien, feeling humiliated by asking to let go, stupidly
didn't keep his mouth shut. "She was too damned gullible
is the problem, if she'd had any sense she would have
realized a guy my age could never honestly have anything
to do with a child like her."
[That tears it!] Darien's control snapped and he turned
too quickly for Lucien to move. A loud punch sounded
and the others stared dumbfounded as Darien kneeled
above Lucien, his knee digging into Lucien's chest and a fist
mark on his face.
With his right arm lifted to in place for another punch, Darien
increased the pressure of his knee as he spoke, "That 'child'
is in the hospital for having been innocent enough to trust a
bastard like you. She wouldn't listen to our warnings because
she's sweet enough to believe in the goodness of everyone and
naive enough to think that people like you couldn't possibly
do anything to hurt someone." He was shaking the man and both
Andrew and Mark struggled to pull him off.
When finally they did, Lucien stood and dusted off his suit,
"You'll pay for that Chiba! I could have you fired quicker than
you can blink!"
Andrew and Mark each held one of Darien's arms to keep him
from lunging at the jerk again. He finally seemed to calm down
enough for them to let go.
"You can't touch me Lucien, your father won't be able to keep
you out of the trouble you'll be after Serena presses charges
either."
Lucien gave an unworried grin, suddenly thinking of the one
thing Darien wouldn't be able to stand. "You really think
she'll press charges when all I have to do is show up with a
bouquet of flowers, act worried, and perhaps kiss her again?"
"You what?!" Darien shot out again, Lucien was expecting
him though, so he stepped aside barely missing Darien's
fist.
"You honestly think I'd brought her out here into the
gardens and not touched her? You saw her!" Lucien
grinned at Darien's growl. So caught up with keeping
from him, Lucien didn't hear Mark's own growl and
was caught off-guard as the younger man kicked his
locked knee and he fell to the ground.
Darien was too mad this time to pay attention to the
others. Throwing himself on Lucien, he landed a good couple of
punches before Lucien managed to throw him off balance and
switch places with him. However, Lucien barely landed one blow
before he was yanked off of Darien and shoved to the side.
Standing, Darien stepped towards Lucien to continue the
fight when Andrew grabbed hold of his arms and brought him
back to his senses. "Darien stop! Man calm down! This isn't
going to help anything!"
Shrugging out of Andrew's hold Darien walked away, still
furious, and struggling to cool down.
Mark and James stood with Andrew above Lucien, who was
sitting up and pressing a handkerchief to his bloodied
nose. "He'll be sorry for that" he mumbled and managed
to stand.
"You're the only one who'll be sorry Lucien, no one
messes with Serena. You're lucky I decided to pull
Darien off you, and believe me, I was more than willing to
help him with those punches." Andrew glared and turned
to see Darien heading up the steps to the ballroom.
"Where are you going?! We've got to get some ice on that
eye of yours or you'll have a nice shiner tomorrow!" He
nodded to Mark and headed after Darien again.
"They can't prove anything you know." Lucien told
Mark, completely disreagarding James.
"They can once I give them the bottle with a few more
drops I still have." James pulled it from his pocket and
handed it over to Mark. "I'll probably lose my internship,
but I'll be free of the horrible guilt this has caused
me."
"Piéce du Merd!" Lucien took a step toward James, and
was stopped by a fist in the gut from Mark.
"The only piece of Shi* around here is you Lucien"
turning towards James, Mark nodded and they left Lucien
where he stood trying to catch his breath again.
**********************************************************************
Serena inwardly moaned and tried to block out the light. [Its so
bright in here, Luna must have opened the curtain again.] Come to
think of it she was kind of cold.
"It'd probably be best if you went to get some coffee, you've
been here all night with her." A familiar voice whispered and
Serena thought she heard her mom's voice sigh and agree to take
a quick trip to the cafeteria.
"I'll send a nurse down to get you if she awakens ok?" that voice
said, and then there was shuffling feet and the lights dimmed as a
door was closed.
[Where the heck am I?] From the smell she would have guessed
the hospital. [But why would I be...] And then the events of the
night came back to mind. [I felt sick and asked Darien for
help and then I went blank... Didn't he catch me before I fell
and lift me in his arms?] Serena blinked and sighed, remembering
his warmth from when they had danced.
He'd felt so big and warm, and safe! Like nothing could hurt
her if she stayed with him. [That's ludicrous! What am I thinking?
This is Darien we're talking about! The guy who's constantly
ruining my life and making me feel terrible... and who lent me his
jacket the other day and danced with me, and who I kinda wish
were my secret admirer] Her eyes popped open as she suddenly
remembered him.
[I wonder if he knows I'm here?! Oh my gosh what if he doesn't
and thinks I stood him up?] Serena looked around and noted that
indeed she was in a hospital room. Her arm had an IV in it
and she grimaced at the feel of it in her arm. [Now I'll probably
never find out who he was...] Serena's heart dropped at that
thought, she'd finally gotten so excited about having an admirer
and meeting him, now she wouldn't be able to.
Her door opened suddenly and she was surprised to see not her
parents or Dr. Mizuno coming in, but Darien. He turned to close
the door quietly and she decided to pretend to be asleep.
Closing her eyes, Serena heard his footsteps come closer 'till
he stood beside the bed. Suddenly she felt a couple strands being
carefully tucked behind her right ear and she heard him sigh. His
hand lightly cupped her cheek before pulling away. Shivered at the
loss of his hand, its warmth causing an odd tingly feeling in her
cheek, his warmth seeming to flow into her and ward off the chill
she'd felt before.
The door was opened again and Andrew's voice sounded annoyed. "You
know its not cool being ignored... here."
He'd come up beside Darien and handed him some sort of bag.
"Thanks" Darien did something with it and apologized. "Sorry 'bout
ignoring you, I just needed some time on my own to cool off or I'd
have been back on top of that guy."
Wondering what he meant, Serena blinked and gasped at what she saw.
Darien stood holding a bag of ice to his eye, Andrew stood, arms
crossed and watching him grimace as the ice touched his eye.
At the sound of her gasp, both guys looked back down at her and
smiled, relief obvious in their faces. "Hey you" Darien gave her
a crooked grin and inadvertedly moved the hand holding the ice
down to see her with both eyes.
"What happened to you?" Serena stared at his bruised eye.
Darien shrugged and put the ice back to it, "Nothing that hasn't
happened before."
That caught Andrew's attention. "When did you ever get a black
eye before? I've never seen you with one."
"Does it really matter? Its nothing compared to what happened
to Serena, so could we try to focus on the one actually in the
hospital bed?" Darien's annoyance obvious as he pulled the pack
away and looked down at her, concern back on his features and
evident in his tone of voice. "So how do you feel?"
"I dunno" Serena mumbled and closed her eyes. She really had
no clue how she felt, physically she was tired and weak, her
limbs felt numb and she was cold. Emotionally she was sad and in
need of a good cry. After a few moments she opened her eyes.
"My tummy feels weird, I can't move, my head hurts and I'm cold."
"I'll go find you another blanket and tell Dr. Mizuno you're
awake." Andrew checked her temp quickly and leaned down to kiss
her forehead.
Serena managed a smile and re-focused on Darien again as he
moved the bag back down for a second. "How'd you get that
black eye?" she whispered.
Darien shrugged and pulled a face.
Serena sighed and turned her head away towards the window.
"Fine"
Her saddened tone of voice seemed so unnatural, Darien
looked at her turned away profile and noticed a tear slip
down her cheek.
"I'm sorry"
Surprised, Serena turned back to look at him and noted the
concerned look in his eyes. "Sorry for what?" she whispered.
Darien sighed and took hold of her hand, "For letting this
happen to you. I knew he'd be trouble for you, we tried
to warn you but you wouldn't believe me and I should have
paid better..."
"Warn me about him? Who'd you... What does Lucien have to
do with this?" Serena interrupted.
"He made you get sick," Darien said, and waited for her
reaction.
Unfortunately, Dr. Mizuno walked in just then talking
excitedly to Serena. "Glad to see you're awake sweetie,
Amy was ever so worried when I called home to tell her I'd
be late. She came over and is sleeping out in the waiting
room I think."
Standing beside her, Dr. Mizuno proceeded to ask Serena
a bunch of questions, took her temperature, looked into her
eyes and ears and finally stopped as Serena yawned and
apologized.
Darien stepped out and went down the hall to where Ken and
Ilene watched over Amy and Sammy.
"I'm afraid she won't be awake much longer, you can go
in to see her now." He offered to watch over the kids
and smiled as they hurried over to her room.
Sitting beside the blue-haired girl, he sighed and
tossed the melting ice bag onto a side table next
to him.
"I guess you didn't get to tell her?" Amy's usually
shy voice breaking into his thoughts.
"Tell who what?" He looked down at the girl, wondering
if she was dreaming.
"You didn't get a chance to tell Serena how you feel
abouth her." Amy's eyes opened and she blinked a few
times to adjust to the light.
"H-how did you...?" Darien started.
"Oh come on! It was totally obvious to everone in the arcade.
We even set up a betting pool down at the for when you'd
get together." Amy laughed and checked her watch.
"If you don't hurry, I'm gonna lose my -before the end
of Christmas- bet and I have thirty bucks on it."
Darien arched an eyebrow at her, "A high bidder are we?
I never would have guessed it about you Amy."
She giggled and settled back down to sleep. "Never judge
a book you know."
"Yeah I know" Darien smiled and looked around the room
they were in. Amy and Sammy lay comfortably in the only
two love-seat sofas available, but luckily the larger
three person one was empty.
Picking up his discarded jacket from the chair he'd
thrown it on earlier. Darien lay down on the sofa and
reached into a pocket, pulling out his final gift.
The silver paper was slightly wrinkled and messy, the
bow was askew, but all in all, the gift still looked
nice. [Should I give it to her? I wonder if she even
remembers her admirer?] Putting it back in the jacket
pocket, Darien yawned and looked over to the kids. They
both slept peacefully, as he watched over them, he was
annoyed to feel his eyelids drooping.
A few moments later, Dr. Mizuno thanked Andrew for
his help and headed over with him to the waiting room
to find Darien. To their surprise they found him
fast asleep on the sofa. Turning over, he grasped
one of the small pillows in his arms and sighed,
softly mubling "Serena" and a soft smile formed on
his features.
"Serena? Oh my, I think I'm missing something here."
Dr. Mizuno smiled as Dr. Richards and his wife
returned from the cafeteria with a coffee for her.
"How is she?" Dr. Richards asked.
"Much better, physically weak but that'll be fixed
soon enough. She'll need plenty of rest for the next
couple of days but I don't think she'll need to stay
here after tomorrow, so long as she's kept in bed at
home." Dr. Mizuno pulled Amy's blanket higher and
kissed her forehead.
"And him?" Mrs. Richard's smiled and nodded her
head towards Darien.
"He'll be fine, his eye will mend." Andrew replied
and settled into a nearby chair. "What a night!"
"Indeed, it was quite eventful, besides just the
party." Dr. Richards, now wearing his lab coat
over his expensive tailored suit sank into an
empty chair.
"What I don't understand is how Serena managed
to drink such an odd mixture?" Mrs. Richards
sat beside him.
"She was given an experimental drug by a certain
suitor whom is now sporting, I believe, a fractured;
if not broken nose, some bruises, and a matching
set of black eyes." Andrew gave a crooked grin as
he stole a look at Darien.
"Who has a black eye?" Ken's voice sounded from
the door to the waiting room. He joined them,
explaining that she'd fallen asleep again and
Ilene wanted some time with her alone.
"I'm pretty sure Lucien has more than a black
eye, his nose seemed out of place last time I
saw it." Andrew chuckled, "I've never seen him
so mad."
"Seen who so mad?" Ken asked, not having really
looked around the room as he entered and sat down.
"Darien" Andrew saw the disbelief in the Richards'
eyes and in Dr. Mizuno's.
"Darien fought with Lucien?" Ken asked.
Nodding, Andrew proceeded to explain what had
occured back at the Embassy ball. "... I had a
really hard time gettting him off of the guy,
I mean Darien was ticked!"
"Woah... you mean he got in a fight over my sister?"
Sammy groggily spoke up.
"Uh-huh" Andrew turned to see him stretching on
the sofa.
"He must really like her then" Sammy stood and
walked through the group.
"Where are you going?" Ken asked.
"Just to see Serena, I didn't get to see her
yet." he shuffled down the hall, his footsteps
still sleepy but determined.
"You really think he likes Serena?" Ken looked
over at Darien and his darkening eye.
"I'm happy to say I do" Dr. Richards smiled.
"Why are you so happy about that?" Ken turned
to him.
"Because Darien needs someone like Serena,
sweet, pretty, energetic and hopeful. He's too
gloomy and serious, he needs someone who can
bring him out of his shell, Serena does that."
Andrew answered for the doctor.
Mrs. Richards put in her two cents, "He's a
very good catch also, he's studying to be a
surgeon, way ahead in all his training. He
spends most of his time here, at school,
or at his apartment studying..."
"Or at the arcade looking out for Serena."
Andrew couldn't help but add.
"What?!" Ken glared.
"Well, he hangs out there because its where I
work, but since he met Serena they've both
made it a habit of going daily unlike before."
Andrew shrugged.
"Yes that's true..." Ken looked the young man
on the sofa over. "He is a decent young man,
I've heard a lot about him from other doctors
as well. And he returned Serena's bag one day,
was very cordial and respectful."
"Well he's also good at breaking noses 'cuz
that's how Lucien's is." Mark suddenly joined
them. "He's downstairs getting it taken care
of." Pulling out a small vial he handed it
over to Ken.
"Is she any better? I meant to come before
but Jason felt he needed to explain so we
went back to his place." Pulling out a tape,
he handed it to Ken also.
"Everything he said is there, he wanted it
taped and given it to you, he's also willing
to speak with you if you needed any more
information." Mark glanced over towards
Serena's room.
"She'll be all right, she woke up before
and is sleeping now. All she needs is a lot
of rest for the next couple of days." Dr.
Mizuno re-assured him.
A relieved smile showed on his face, "Good."
Ilene and Sammy joined them again, Ilene
looking much more cheerful, although tired.
"I can't believe this happened... Christmas
is ruined!" Sammy sighed and slumped into
an empty chair since his sofa had been taken
over.
"Nice to know you're not too worried about
your sister." Andrew told him.
"Oh, well... of course I was worried about her,
but she's gonna be ok and Christmas isn't
an every day occurence anyways." Sammy
shrugged and yawned, causing everyone else
to yawn also.
"What time is it?" Ilene asked as she stifled
her yawn.
"Four thirty" Dr. Richards checked his watch.
"We should really be going, I mean all of us,
if we want to be able to come visit Serena
tomorrow we should get some rest also." He
stood and pulled up his dozing wife.
"Quite right my dear" Mrs. Richards stretched
and looked around the room. Darien and Amy were
fast asleep on their sofas, Ken, Ilene, Sammy,
Mark, and Dr. Mizuno sat half asleep in their
chairs and her husband was talking to a nurse
about Serena.
"Ok come on everyone, Serena will be well taken
care of here and you can all come see her as
soon as you wake up." Mrs. Richards managed to
bully everyone out towards the elevators.
"What about Amy and Darien?" Sammy asked as
he saw them sleeping peacefully on the sofas.
"I can carry Amy out to doctor Mizuno's car
and follow her home." Andrew offered and
was thanked by the doctor.
"Darien will be fine here, I doubt we could
wake him just now." Dr. Richards said and
hearded everyone out.
"Shouldn't someone stay with Serena? I'll
do it." Ilene yawned again and tried to go
over to her room.
Looking over his wife, Ken realized they
still wore their clothes from the ball. Her
new dressing gown was all wrinkled and
messy, her hair was miraculously still
mostly in place thanks to all the hairspray
she'd put on it. Shaking his head, he pulled
her over and guided her out towards their car.
"You need to go home and relax for a bit, you
look tired and are still wearing your ball
gown."
Ilene looked down at her wrinkled dress and
sniffled. "Serena's first formal dance and
it ended so terribly."
Ken nodded and pulled her close, soothing
her as they followed Sammy to the car.
Mark said his good-byes and headed over to
his car. The Richards' did the same and
Andrew did as agreed, carrying out Amy and
settling her in her mom's car. He was
surprised at how light she was, and yet how
heavily she slept. He followed them home
and helped her be put to bed before going
home.
**********************************************************************
Darien peeked open his good eye as he heard
the 'bing' of the elevator doors closing and
their voices had faded. Stretching he sighed
and lay thinking about the night.
He'd hardly spent much time with Serena, but still
he'd enjoyed watching her. She was so adorable,
every time she'd gotten one of her hints her face
lit up and she'd looked around the room to find
him.
She'd danced so well, her body close to his, so
soft and warm, firm, petite, delicate. Her smell
of lavender and strawberries had intoxicated him.
She'd been so happy all evening, despite their
warnings against Lucien, she'd trusted him.
[Damned bastard!] Darien's anger returned at the
thought of Lucien. [How could he use someone like her
to test out a new drug?] The thought of it made him
want to find the jerk and break his nose again...
amongst other things.
Turning to sit up, Darien felt something poke him
from his pocket and remembered the box in it.
Pulling it out, he grimaced as he saw how messy
the wrapping was. [Should I still give it to her?]
Standing, he put it back in his pocket and headed
over to her room.
Stopping at her door, he entered and closed
it carefully behind him so as not to awaken her.
He moved over beside her bed and looked down at
her sleeping face. She looked so innocent and
sweet. Her skin was pale from the ordeal she'd
been through, her usually rosy lips were barely
pink. He moved a bang which fell into her eyes
and moved his fingers lightly down the side
of her face, outlining it, enchanted by the
softness of her skin.
Her voice broke him out of his thoughts as she
stirred and turned her head away, whispering
something softly, too softly for him to hear.
[What'd she say?] He thought again about the
gift in his pocket and giving it to her.
Serena stirred again, moving onto her side,
she pulled on her IV and woke up with a slight
gasp.
Turning her onto her back, Darien saw her eyes
were misty, as though she would cry. But Serena
bit her lip and looked up at him, she tried to
smile and broke the silence. "How did you get in
here?"
"I work here, and I'd been asleep in the waiting
room." Darien smiled and lifted her arm, making
sure she hadn't hurt herself or moved the IV.
"I'm sorry I didn't believe you." Serena
watched him as he arranged the IV.
"You don't have to be sorry about anything, its
not your fault." Darien finished with her arm
but slipped his hands down to hold hers.
Serena shrugged and sighed, looking away and
out the window. Not satisfied with that response,
Darien moved his hand beneath her chin and
turned her face back to his. "What's that
supposed to mean?"
Serena's eyes were watery and she was obviously
struggling to keep the tears in. As her eyes
overflowed a single tear managed to slip down
her cheek.
With his hand still beneath her chin, he moved
it instead to cup her cheek and wipe away the
tear. "What is it?" he asked, worried at her
saddened state, which he'd noticed before.
Serena shook her head and moved her eyes down
to look at her hands. Darien pushed her chin
up and tried again. "Come on Serena, I thought
after tonight we might at least be better
friends?"
Serena nodded and sniffled, "I'm sorry, its
just I was thinking about how much fun I'd
had and then I remembered the gifts I got
and..."
"You got gifts?" Darien feined surprise and
pulled up a chair and urged her to explain.
Blushing, Serena smiled softly as she told him
about her secret admirer. "Well you might not
belive this..." she explained about each gift
and gave him all the clues, exactly as he'd
written them. [Wow, you memorized them so fast?]
Darien smiled as he heard her talk excitedly
about him, until she reached the end of her
explanation and her sad look returned to her
eyes. "... so now I probably won't ever hear
from him again since I left."
Darien noted the disheartened tone in her
voice and inwardly smiled, relieved to hear
of her enthusiasm towards him. "Don't worry
about it Serena, I'm sure if this guy really
likes you enough he would know you're here.
He's probably up right now wondering how you
are, pacing his room, worry tearing him to
shreds."
"But I don't want him to worry!" Sat up
and winced as she pulled on the IV again.
"Serena!" Darien checked it again and pushed
her back down. Leaning over her, he reached
to the opposite side of her bed and pulled
up the remote control to lift her backrest.
Pulling back to explain how it worked, Darien
found himself looking down into a pair of
baby blue eyes. Serena was beneath him, her
face just inches below his. The urge to kiss
her hit so suddenly, he looked in her eyes
for any sign that she might feel the same way.
Serena held her breath as Darien leaned over
her, his unique scent invading her senses and
she suddenly wished he'd been her admirer. [Why
can't you like me Darien?] She looked up and
was caught beneath his piercing midnight gaze.
Seeing the deep emotion in his eyes, Serena
felt her mouth go dry and subconciously put
out her toungue to moisten her parched lips.
Darien's gaze immediately noted the pink
toungue as she licked her lips and his eyes
darkened. His control snapped, lowering his
head, his mouth came so close their breaths
became one.
Serena closed her eyes as she saw his head
coming down and anticipated the kiss. [Oh
please don't pull away] She thought as she
felt his breath come close to hers, so close
their lips lightly touched and...
**********************************************************************
~ CLIFFHANGER! ~
*ducks flying objects* Sorry! Just thought that'd be a good place
to stop... see what you'd say ^.^ At least you can't complain that the
chapters are too short, this one's pretty long. I'm already
starting on the next so the wait shouldn't be so long. [Sorry I know
I always say that, but I honestly do try] Don't forget to review!
Reviews is good and motivate us to write more sooner! Danke! [Thanks]
BunnyRena
E-mail welcome:
Usako_28@yahoo.com
iffy about this chapter, I've never written one like it,
but I hope its not too bad. I'm not a chemistry person, so
Dr. Richard's data isn't real accurate (if at all) The medical
aspect of it is waay off, I know this but didn't want to
research, sorry, just written one too many research papers
lately to feel like researching extra stuff. I hope you like
this next chapter!
** Disclaimer- I don't own these characters or anything that has
been trademarked so don't sue me k-? [I'm saving up to buy the next
video in the FY series so I need every penny I can save ^.^ ] **
**********************************************************************
Serena's stomach was pumped, blood samples were taken, the usual
tests were done on her. Darien insisted on assisting the doctors
and staying by her side. Dr. Richards went to the lab to work
on the blood samples as Dr. Mizuno took over with Serena.
Her parents, Andrew, Mrs. Richards, and Mark paced and sat out
in the waiting room. "What happened to her again?" Ilene asked
Andrew.
He shrugged and re-told her what he'd seen. "She was dancing,
when Darien reached her she told him she was scared that something
was wrong and she felt bad. I turned when her legs gave way on
her and Darien scooped her up. When I asked her what was wrong
she said she wasn't sure and passed out."
"But what could have cause it? Serena's a perfectly healthy
young girl, she couldn't have passed out from dancing too much."
Ken paced the floor as he spoke, too anxious to sit without
tapping a foot or fidgeting.
"It was something she took" Dr. Richards entered the waiting
room. "Her blood samples show a frighteningly high level of a
chemical solution which contained mostly harmless elements save
one, imiprothin, which if you don't know is the key ingredient
in most insect poisons."
"She was poisoned?" Ilene's high pitched tone causing Kenji to
pull her against him as he tried to calm her down.
"It seems that it wasn't intended as a poison, but the high
levels of it counter-acted with the elements meant to lower
its effects, plus Serena's petiteness... her body just couldn't
handle such an amount. A person of regular size, such as
Ilene or my wife could have handled it." Dr. Richards sighed
and headed back to find Dr. Mizuno.
"How could she have taken something like that? I mean where
would she get it?" Andrew paced in front of the window.
"At the ball" Darien's voice came from the doorway. "I'm
pretty sure I know who gave it to her too."
"You think Lucien would do this?" Mark headed towards him.
"I'm not sure but intend to find out." Darien turned and headed
out towards the exit.
"You'd better go with him" Ken told Andrew, who was followed
by Mark, both wanting to see how Darien meant to find out.
**********************************************************************
Arriving back at the Embassy, Darien headed towards the dance floor
looking for Lucien. He was easily found with his lightly colored
tux and the fact that Darien had been keeping an eye on the guy
all night. Stepping onto the dance floor he stopped Lucien with a
tap on the shoulder.
"Yes?" Lucien turned to find a surprisingly angry Darien standing
behind him.
"We need to talk"
"If you hadn't noticed he's kinda busy right now!" Lucien's
gaudily dressed dance partner glared through her mask.
Looking Darien over as his partner spoke, Lucien recognized the
tightly controlled fury in the other man's body. Darien stood
straight and with a commanding air, his tone had shown he wasn't
asking Lucien to step out with him and he'd better not refuse.
"I'm sorry my dear, you'll have to excuse me" Lucien patted her
cheek and turned to Darien. "Where?"
"Outside" Darien pointed towards the exit to the gardens and
Lucien headed that way, forcing himself to keep up his cool
demeanor. [He can't know anything, he's just guessing]
Andrew and Mark entered the ballroom and quickly spotted the
two men heading towards the gardens. Making their way to
follow, they had to rudely ignore a few friends and greetings.
Once outside they stopped at the bottom of the stairs. Trying
to keep up his nonchalant attitude, Lucien broke the silence.
"All right, what is this about Chiba?"
"Don't you mean who?" Darien leaned against a nearby
pillar, arms crossed and with one foot lifted against its
side, arching an eyebrow expectantly.
"I take it you mean the little one? So terrible she fell
ill like that, was it something she ate?" Lucien's tone
revealed a bit too much confidence in his guess.
"How interesting you should know it was something she took,
as a matter of fact, she fell ill because of whatever you gave
her." Darien pushed away from the pillar and strode over to
Lucien, who unconsiously took a step back.
"I merely gave her a glass of punch" He shrugged and stepped
back again.
"What was in that punch?" Andrew asked, coming over to stand
behind Darien, who'm he'd never seen looking so angry.
"How should I know? I didn't make the stuff!" Lucien tried
to step past them and was stopped by Darien grabbing the
collar of his shirt and yanking him back.
"But you did make whatever was in that punch so I'll
ask one more time, what was in it?" Darien's voice was low
and menacing, his eyes glittering dangerously.
"It was an experimental drug meant to give her an energy
boost, no one else had reacted to it the way she did."
A new voice broke in from behind them.
"James, you knew about this?" Mark stared at his friend.
"I told him it would be too much for her, but he said he just
needed the one test. I had to help him or I'd lose my intership
at the hospital, you know how well connected he is! If he
wanted me out he could have it done easily!" James sighed
and looked at Darien. "Is she gonna be all right?"
Andrew answered, Darien was pre-occupied with shaking
Lucien. "You gave Serena an experimental drug?!!!"
Lucien shook his head and struggled to loosen his hold,
"I never thought she'd take it so badly, none of the other
women had!"
Darien's grip tightened and Lucien gasped for air, his
hands clutching at Darien's, but he was too mad to care.
"How much older were these other women?"
"The... the youngest was... 18." Lucien gasped out. "Please,
I can't breathe..."
Darien suddenly shoved him away and turned, struggling
to keep his anger in check.
Lucien, feeling humiliated by asking to let go, stupidly
didn't keep his mouth shut. "She was too damned gullible
is the problem, if she'd had any sense she would have
realized a guy my age could never honestly have anything
to do with a child like her."
[That tears it!] Darien's control snapped and he turned
too quickly for Lucien to move. A loud punch sounded
and the others stared dumbfounded as Darien kneeled
above Lucien, his knee digging into Lucien's chest and a fist
mark on his face.
With his right arm lifted to in place for another punch, Darien
increased the pressure of his knee as he spoke, "That 'child'
is in the hospital for having been innocent enough to trust a
bastard like you. She wouldn't listen to our warnings because
she's sweet enough to believe in the goodness of everyone and
naive enough to think that people like you couldn't possibly
do anything to hurt someone." He was shaking the man and both
Andrew and Mark struggled to pull him off.
When finally they did, Lucien stood and dusted off his suit,
"You'll pay for that Chiba! I could have you fired quicker than
you can blink!"
Andrew and Mark each held one of Darien's arms to keep him
from lunging at the jerk again. He finally seemed to calm down
enough for them to let go.
"You can't touch me Lucien, your father won't be able to keep
you out of the trouble you'll be after Serena presses charges
either."
Lucien gave an unworried grin, suddenly thinking of the one
thing Darien wouldn't be able to stand. "You really think
she'll press charges when all I have to do is show up with a
bouquet of flowers, act worried, and perhaps kiss her again?"
"You what?!" Darien shot out again, Lucien was expecting
him though, so he stepped aside barely missing Darien's
fist.
"You honestly think I'd brought her out here into the
gardens and not touched her? You saw her!" Lucien
grinned at Darien's growl. So caught up with keeping
from him, Lucien didn't hear Mark's own growl and
was caught off-guard as the younger man kicked his
locked knee and he fell to the ground.
Darien was too mad this time to pay attention to the
others. Throwing himself on Lucien, he landed a good couple of
punches before Lucien managed to throw him off balance and
switch places with him. However, Lucien barely landed one blow
before he was yanked off of Darien and shoved to the side.
Standing, Darien stepped towards Lucien to continue the
fight when Andrew grabbed hold of his arms and brought him
back to his senses. "Darien stop! Man calm down! This isn't
going to help anything!"
Shrugging out of Andrew's hold Darien walked away, still
furious, and struggling to cool down.
Mark and James stood with Andrew above Lucien, who was
sitting up and pressing a handkerchief to his bloodied
nose. "He'll be sorry for that" he mumbled and managed
to stand.
"You're the only one who'll be sorry Lucien, no one
messes with Serena. You're lucky I decided to pull
Darien off you, and believe me, I was more than willing to
help him with those punches." Andrew glared and turned
to see Darien heading up the steps to the ballroom.
"Where are you going?! We've got to get some ice on that
eye of yours or you'll have a nice shiner tomorrow!" He
nodded to Mark and headed after Darien again.
"They can't prove anything you know." Lucien told
Mark, completely disreagarding James.
"They can once I give them the bottle with a few more
drops I still have." James pulled it from his pocket and
handed it over to Mark. "I'll probably lose my internship,
but I'll be free of the horrible guilt this has caused
me."
"Piéce du Merd!" Lucien took a step toward James, and
was stopped by a fist in the gut from Mark.
"The only piece of Shi* around here is you Lucien"
turning towards James, Mark nodded and they left Lucien
where he stood trying to catch his breath again.
**********************************************************************
Serena inwardly moaned and tried to block out the light. [Its so
bright in here, Luna must have opened the curtain again.] Come to
think of it she was kind of cold.
"It'd probably be best if you went to get some coffee, you've
been here all night with her." A familiar voice whispered and
Serena thought she heard her mom's voice sigh and agree to take
a quick trip to the cafeteria.
"I'll send a nurse down to get you if she awakens ok?" that voice
said, and then there was shuffling feet and the lights dimmed as a
door was closed.
[Where the heck am I?] From the smell she would have guessed
the hospital. [But why would I be...] And then the events of the
night came back to mind. [I felt sick and asked Darien for
help and then I went blank... Didn't he catch me before I fell
and lift me in his arms?] Serena blinked and sighed, remembering
his warmth from when they had danced.
He'd felt so big and warm, and safe! Like nothing could hurt
her if she stayed with him. [That's ludicrous! What am I thinking?
This is Darien we're talking about! The guy who's constantly
ruining my life and making me feel terrible... and who lent me his
jacket the other day and danced with me, and who I kinda wish
were my secret admirer] Her eyes popped open as she suddenly
remembered him.
[I wonder if he knows I'm here?! Oh my gosh what if he doesn't
and thinks I stood him up?] Serena looked around and noted that
indeed she was in a hospital room. Her arm had an IV in it
and she grimaced at the feel of it in her arm. [Now I'll probably
never find out who he was...] Serena's heart dropped at that
thought, she'd finally gotten so excited about having an admirer
and meeting him, now she wouldn't be able to.
Her door opened suddenly and she was surprised to see not her
parents or Dr. Mizuno coming in, but Darien. He turned to close
the door quietly and she decided to pretend to be asleep.
Closing her eyes, Serena heard his footsteps come closer 'till
he stood beside the bed. Suddenly she felt a couple strands being
carefully tucked behind her right ear and she heard him sigh. His
hand lightly cupped her cheek before pulling away. Shivered at the
loss of his hand, its warmth causing an odd tingly feeling in her
cheek, his warmth seeming to flow into her and ward off the chill
she'd felt before.
The door was opened again and Andrew's voice sounded annoyed. "You
know its not cool being ignored... here."
He'd come up beside Darien and handed him some sort of bag.
"Thanks" Darien did something with it and apologized. "Sorry 'bout
ignoring you, I just needed some time on my own to cool off or I'd
have been back on top of that guy."
Wondering what he meant, Serena blinked and gasped at what she saw.
Darien stood holding a bag of ice to his eye, Andrew stood, arms
crossed and watching him grimace as the ice touched his eye.
At the sound of her gasp, both guys looked back down at her and
smiled, relief obvious in their faces. "Hey you" Darien gave her
a crooked grin and inadvertedly moved the hand holding the ice
down to see her with both eyes.
"What happened to you?" Serena stared at his bruised eye.
Darien shrugged and put the ice back to it, "Nothing that hasn't
happened before."
That caught Andrew's attention. "When did you ever get a black
eye before? I've never seen you with one."
"Does it really matter? Its nothing compared to what happened
to Serena, so could we try to focus on the one actually in the
hospital bed?" Darien's annoyance obvious as he pulled the pack
away and looked down at her, concern back on his features and
evident in his tone of voice. "So how do you feel?"
"I dunno" Serena mumbled and closed her eyes. She really had
no clue how she felt, physically she was tired and weak, her
limbs felt numb and she was cold. Emotionally she was sad and in
need of a good cry. After a few moments she opened her eyes.
"My tummy feels weird, I can't move, my head hurts and I'm cold."
"I'll go find you another blanket and tell Dr. Mizuno you're
awake." Andrew checked her temp quickly and leaned down to kiss
her forehead.
Serena managed a smile and re-focused on Darien again as he
moved the bag back down for a second. "How'd you get that
black eye?" she whispered.
Darien shrugged and pulled a face.
Serena sighed and turned her head away towards the window.
"Fine"
Her saddened tone of voice seemed so unnatural, Darien
looked at her turned away profile and noticed a tear slip
down her cheek.
"I'm sorry"
Surprised, Serena turned back to look at him and noted the
concerned look in his eyes. "Sorry for what?" she whispered.
Darien sighed and took hold of her hand, "For letting this
happen to you. I knew he'd be trouble for you, we tried
to warn you but you wouldn't believe me and I should have
paid better..."
"Warn me about him? Who'd you... What does Lucien have to
do with this?" Serena interrupted.
"He made you get sick," Darien said, and waited for her
reaction.
Unfortunately, Dr. Mizuno walked in just then talking
excitedly to Serena. "Glad to see you're awake sweetie,
Amy was ever so worried when I called home to tell her I'd
be late. She came over and is sleeping out in the waiting
room I think."
Standing beside her, Dr. Mizuno proceeded to ask Serena
a bunch of questions, took her temperature, looked into her
eyes and ears and finally stopped as Serena yawned and
apologized.
Darien stepped out and went down the hall to where Ken and
Ilene watched over Amy and Sammy.
"I'm afraid she won't be awake much longer, you can go
in to see her now." He offered to watch over the kids
and smiled as they hurried over to her room.
Sitting beside the blue-haired girl, he sighed and
tossed the melting ice bag onto a side table next
to him.
"I guess you didn't get to tell her?" Amy's usually
shy voice breaking into his thoughts.
"Tell who what?" He looked down at the girl, wondering
if she was dreaming.
"You didn't get a chance to tell Serena how you feel
abouth her." Amy's eyes opened and she blinked a few
times to adjust to the light.
"H-how did you...?" Darien started.
"Oh come on! It was totally obvious to everone in the arcade.
We even set up a betting pool down at the for when you'd
get together." Amy laughed and checked her watch.
"If you don't hurry, I'm gonna lose my -before the end
of Christmas- bet and I have thirty bucks on it."
Darien arched an eyebrow at her, "A high bidder are we?
I never would have guessed it about you Amy."
She giggled and settled back down to sleep. "Never judge
a book you know."
"Yeah I know" Darien smiled and looked around the room
they were in. Amy and Sammy lay comfortably in the only
two love-seat sofas available, but luckily the larger
three person one was empty.
Picking up his discarded jacket from the chair he'd
thrown it on earlier. Darien lay down on the sofa and
reached into a pocket, pulling out his final gift.
The silver paper was slightly wrinkled and messy, the
bow was askew, but all in all, the gift still looked
nice. [Should I give it to her? I wonder if she even
remembers her admirer?] Putting it back in the jacket
pocket, Darien yawned and looked over to the kids. They
both slept peacefully, as he watched over them, he was
annoyed to feel his eyelids drooping.
A few moments later, Dr. Mizuno thanked Andrew for
his help and headed over with him to the waiting room
to find Darien. To their surprise they found him
fast asleep on the sofa. Turning over, he grasped
one of the small pillows in his arms and sighed,
softly mubling "Serena" and a soft smile formed on
his features.
"Serena? Oh my, I think I'm missing something here."
Dr. Mizuno smiled as Dr. Richards and his wife
returned from the cafeteria with a coffee for her.
"How is she?" Dr. Richards asked.
"Much better, physically weak but that'll be fixed
soon enough. She'll need plenty of rest for the next
couple of days but I don't think she'll need to stay
here after tomorrow, so long as she's kept in bed at
home." Dr. Mizuno pulled Amy's blanket higher and
kissed her forehead.
"And him?" Mrs. Richard's smiled and nodded her
head towards Darien.
"He'll be fine, his eye will mend." Andrew replied
and settled into a nearby chair. "What a night!"
"Indeed, it was quite eventful, besides just the
party." Dr. Richards, now wearing his lab coat
over his expensive tailored suit sank into an
empty chair.
"What I don't understand is how Serena managed
to drink such an odd mixture?" Mrs. Richards
sat beside him.
"She was given an experimental drug by a certain
suitor whom is now sporting, I believe, a fractured;
if not broken nose, some bruises, and a matching
set of black eyes." Andrew gave a crooked grin as
he stole a look at Darien.
"Who has a black eye?" Ken's voice sounded from
the door to the waiting room. He joined them,
explaining that she'd fallen asleep again and
Ilene wanted some time with her alone.
"I'm pretty sure Lucien has more than a black
eye, his nose seemed out of place last time I
saw it." Andrew chuckled, "I've never seen him
so mad."
"Seen who so mad?" Ken asked, not having really
looked around the room as he entered and sat down.
"Darien" Andrew saw the disbelief in the Richards'
eyes and in Dr. Mizuno's.
"Darien fought with Lucien?" Ken asked.
Nodding, Andrew proceeded to explain what had
occured back at the Embassy ball. "... I had a
really hard time gettting him off of the guy,
I mean Darien was ticked!"
"Woah... you mean he got in a fight over my sister?"
Sammy groggily spoke up.
"Uh-huh" Andrew turned to see him stretching on
the sofa.
"He must really like her then" Sammy stood and
walked through the group.
"Where are you going?" Ken asked.
"Just to see Serena, I didn't get to see her
yet." he shuffled down the hall, his footsteps
still sleepy but determined.
"You really think he likes Serena?" Ken looked
over at Darien and his darkening eye.
"I'm happy to say I do" Dr. Richards smiled.
"Why are you so happy about that?" Ken turned
to him.
"Because Darien needs someone like Serena,
sweet, pretty, energetic and hopeful. He's too
gloomy and serious, he needs someone who can
bring him out of his shell, Serena does that."
Andrew answered for the doctor.
Mrs. Richards put in her two cents, "He's a
very good catch also, he's studying to be a
surgeon, way ahead in all his training. He
spends most of his time here, at school,
or at his apartment studying..."
"Or at the arcade looking out for Serena."
Andrew couldn't help but add.
"What?!" Ken glared.
"Well, he hangs out there because its where I
work, but since he met Serena they've both
made it a habit of going daily unlike before."
Andrew shrugged.
"Yes that's true..." Ken looked the young man
on the sofa over. "He is a decent young man,
I've heard a lot about him from other doctors
as well. And he returned Serena's bag one day,
was very cordial and respectful."
"Well he's also good at breaking noses 'cuz
that's how Lucien's is." Mark suddenly joined
them. "He's downstairs getting it taken care
of." Pulling out a small vial he handed it
over to Ken.
"Is she any better? I meant to come before
but Jason felt he needed to explain so we
went back to his place." Pulling out a tape,
he handed it to Ken also.
"Everything he said is there, he wanted it
taped and given it to you, he's also willing
to speak with you if you needed any more
information." Mark glanced over towards
Serena's room.
"She'll be all right, she woke up before
and is sleeping now. All she needs is a lot
of rest for the next couple of days." Dr.
Mizuno re-assured him.
A relieved smile showed on his face, "Good."
Ilene and Sammy joined them again, Ilene
looking much more cheerful, although tired.
"I can't believe this happened... Christmas
is ruined!" Sammy sighed and slumped into
an empty chair since his sofa had been taken
over.
"Nice to know you're not too worried about
your sister." Andrew told him.
"Oh, well... of course I was worried about her,
but she's gonna be ok and Christmas isn't
an every day occurence anyways." Sammy
shrugged and yawned, causing everyone else
to yawn also.
"What time is it?" Ilene asked as she stifled
her yawn.
"Four thirty" Dr. Richards checked his watch.
"We should really be going, I mean all of us,
if we want to be able to come visit Serena
tomorrow we should get some rest also." He
stood and pulled up his dozing wife.
"Quite right my dear" Mrs. Richards stretched
and looked around the room. Darien and Amy were
fast asleep on their sofas, Ken, Ilene, Sammy,
Mark, and Dr. Mizuno sat half asleep in their
chairs and her husband was talking to a nurse
about Serena.
"Ok come on everyone, Serena will be well taken
care of here and you can all come see her as
soon as you wake up." Mrs. Richards managed to
bully everyone out towards the elevators.
"What about Amy and Darien?" Sammy asked as
he saw them sleeping peacefully on the sofas.
"I can carry Amy out to doctor Mizuno's car
and follow her home." Andrew offered and
was thanked by the doctor.
"Darien will be fine here, I doubt we could
wake him just now." Dr. Richards said and
hearded everyone out.
"Shouldn't someone stay with Serena? I'll
do it." Ilene yawned again and tried to go
over to her room.
Looking over his wife, Ken realized they
still wore their clothes from the ball. Her
new dressing gown was all wrinkled and
messy, her hair was miraculously still
mostly in place thanks to all the hairspray
she'd put on it. Shaking his head, he pulled
her over and guided her out towards their car.
"You need to go home and relax for a bit, you
look tired and are still wearing your ball
gown."
Ilene looked down at her wrinkled dress and
sniffled. "Serena's first formal dance and
it ended so terribly."
Ken nodded and pulled her close, soothing
her as they followed Sammy to the car.
Mark said his good-byes and headed over to
his car. The Richards' did the same and
Andrew did as agreed, carrying out Amy and
settling her in her mom's car. He was
surprised at how light she was, and yet how
heavily she slept. He followed them home
and helped her be put to bed before going
home.
**********************************************************************
Darien peeked open his good eye as he heard
the 'bing' of the elevator doors closing and
their voices had faded. Stretching he sighed
and lay thinking about the night.
He'd hardly spent much time with Serena, but still
he'd enjoyed watching her. She was so adorable,
every time she'd gotten one of her hints her face
lit up and she'd looked around the room to find
him.
She'd danced so well, her body close to his, so
soft and warm, firm, petite, delicate. Her smell
of lavender and strawberries had intoxicated him.
She'd been so happy all evening, despite their
warnings against Lucien, she'd trusted him.
[Damned bastard!] Darien's anger returned at the
thought of Lucien. [How could he use someone like her
to test out a new drug?] The thought of it made him
want to find the jerk and break his nose again...
amongst other things.
Turning to sit up, Darien felt something poke him
from his pocket and remembered the box in it.
Pulling it out, he grimaced as he saw how messy
the wrapping was. [Should I still give it to her?]
Standing, he put it back in his pocket and headed
over to her room.
Stopping at her door, he entered and closed
it carefully behind him so as not to awaken her.
He moved over beside her bed and looked down at
her sleeping face. She looked so innocent and
sweet. Her skin was pale from the ordeal she'd
been through, her usually rosy lips were barely
pink. He moved a bang which fell into her eyes
and moved his fingers lightly down the side
of her face, outlining it, enchanted by the
softness of her skin.
Her voice broke him out of his thoughts as she
stirred and turned her head away, whispering
something softly, too softly for him to hear.
[What'd she say?] He thought again about the
gift in his pocket and giving it to her.
Serena stirred again, moving onto her side,
she pulled on her IV and woke up with a slight
gasp.
Turning her onto her back, Darien saw her eyes
were misty, as though she would cry. But Serena
bit her lip and looked up at him, she tried to
smile and broke the silence. "How did you get in
here?"
"I work here, and I'd been asleep in the waiting
room." Darien smiled and lifted her arm, making
sure she hadn't hurt herself or moved the IV.
"I'm sorry I didn't believe you." Serena
watched him as he arranged the IV.
"You don't have to be sorry about anything, its
not your fault." Darien finished with her arm
but slipped his hands down to hold hers.
Serena shrugged and sighed, looking away and
out the window. Not satisfied with that response,
Darien moved his hand beneath her chin and
turned her face back to his. "What's that
supposed to mean?"
Serena's eyes were watery and she was obviously
struggling to keep the tears in. As her eyes
overflowed a single tear managed to slip down
her cheek.
With his hand still beneath her chin, he moved
it instead to cup her cheek and wipe away the
tear. "What is it?" he asked, worried at her
saddened state, which he'd noticed before.
Serena shook her head and moved her eyes down
to look at her hands. Darien pushed her chin
up and tried again. "Come on Serena, I thought
after tonight we might at least be better
friends?"
Serena nodded and sniffled, "I'm sorry, its
just I was thinking about how much fun I'd
had and then I remembered the gifts I got
and..."
"You got gifts?" Darien feined surprise and
pulled up a chair and urged her to explain.
Blushing, Serena smiled softly as she told him
about her secret admirer. "Well you might not
belive this..." she explained about each gift
and gave him all the clues, exactly as he'd
written them. [Wow, you memorized them so fast?]
Darien smiled as he heard her talk excitedly
about him, until she reached the end of her
explanation and her sad look returned to her
eyes. "... so now I probably won't ever hear
from him again since I left."
Darien noted the disheartened tone in her
voice and inwardly smiled, relieved to hear
of her enthusiasm towards him. "Don't worry
about it Serena, I'm sure if this guy really
likes you enough he would know you're here.
He's probably up right now wondering how you
are, pacing his room, worry tearing him to
shreds."
"But I don't want him to worry!" Sat up
and winced as she pulled on the IV again.
"Serena!" Darien checked it again and pushed
her back down. Leaning over her, he reached
to the opposite side of her bed and pulled
up the remote control to lift her backrest.
Pulling back to explain how it worked, Darien
found himself looking down into a pair of
baby blue eyes. Serena was beneath him, her
face just inches below his. The urge to kiss
her hit so suddenly, he looked in her eyes
for any sign that she might feel the same way.
Serena held her breath as Darien leaned over
her, his unique scent invading her senses and
she suddenly wished he'd been her admirer. [Why
can't you like me Darien?] She looked up and
was caught beneath his piercing midnight gaze.
Seeing the deep emotion in his eyes, Serena
felt her mouth go dry and subconciously put
out her toungue to moisten her parched lips.
Darien's gaze immediately noted the pink
toungue as she licked her lips and his eyes
darkened. His control snapped, lowering his
head, his mouth came so close their breaths
became one.
Serena closed her eyes as she saw his head
coming down and anticipated the kiss. [Oh
please don't pull away] She thought as she
felt his breath come close to hers, so close
their lips lightly touched and...
**********************************************************************
~ CLIFFHANGER! ~
*ducks flying objects* Sorry! Just thought that'd be a good place
to stop... see what you'd say ^.^ At least you can't complain that the
chapters are too short, this one's pretty long. I'm already
starting on the next so the wait shouldn't be so long. [Sorry I know
I always say that, but I honestly do try] Don't forget to review!
Reviews is good and motivate us to write more sooner! Danke! [Thanks]
BunnyRena
E-mail welcome:
Usako_28@yahoo.com