Title: Blind Intentions
Chapter: 14
By Moondreams
Notes: The last chapter! Yay I know it took me forever to get this finished. Thank you for all your emails and reviews. They really do mean so much to me.
Silence. James Masters crept silently through the now empty halls of Rose Designs. His breaths were slow and steady. Beads of sweat formed under his bangs, the only evidence of his uneasiness. One hand stayed close to the revolver hidden in his jacket. James crept closer to the designated place. Voices. His eyes narrowed and he frowned. He cracked the door a bare inch just enough to let sound through.
"Where is it?" Landers demanded.
"Where is what?" a female voice asked.
"The disk, Miss. Tsukino. Don't play coy with me," Landers hissed. James heart stopped. Sere! What was she doing here?
"I don't know of any disk. Please, you have this all mistaken. I didn't kill her," sobbed Serena. James winced as the sound of a fist slamming into skin. Serena let out a cry that made him wince.
"Looky looky, looks like we have a visitor," came a voice behind him. James turned around slowly to come face to face with a pistol pointed between his eyes. On the other end of the pistol stood a very smug looking Troy Roberts.
"Come in, Masters. You're missing the party," sneered Landers. Troy threw open the door and ushered James into the room. James scanned the room quickly. Landers hovered over Serena with two, mostly likely fully loaded, guns, Serena was tied up in a chair, and the body of a dead woman lay to the side. Serena looked up at the mention of his name. James could see, even in the dim light, that a dark bruise was already starting to form on her cheek.
"Well?" Landers sneered as he waved his gun at James. James leaned up against the wall and coolly produced a black disk.
"As you see, gentlemen, the blind girl didn't have it," he snickered. Troy made an attempt to snatch it away from James but James was quicker. He tucked the disk back into his pocket.
"My twenty grand?" James asked nonchalantly. Troy growled at the young man. James simply smiled back up at him.
"Remember, Fabio, I'm the only one keeping your butt out of jail," James reminded him. Troy glared at him and handed him a metal case.
"It's all here I assume?" asked James as he grabbed the case. Landers nodded. "Let me go, please," cried Serena for the first time since James had made his unexpected entry. Although his face showed nothing, James couldn't help but feel sorry for Sere. She was on the verge of a near panic attack.
"Shut up," Troy yelled as he crossed the distance between himself and her in two steps. Serena swallowed visibly and another tear rolled down her cheek.
"So it wasn't you, Bunny," he muttered as he circled her chair.
"Why is this disk so important to you?" she asked lifting her chin up higher. Good girl, Sere, James silently cheered. Troy looked amused.
"Because darling, we can't have the only evidence of our laundering money from your company in the hands of the police now can we? And now that beloved little fashion business of yours will simply vanish without the capitol it needs," Troy stated still looking overly satisfied with himself.
"The disk was full of our financial records," the truth dawned on Serena. No wonder the financial records had came out all messed up. Troy patted the blonde on the head.
"Very good!" Troy mimicked a teacher addressing a student.
"Prisma found out and you killed her!" Serena accused.
"No actually that was one of Beryl's little stunts," Troy answered looking amused. He then looked straight at James.
"One question, Masters. How did you get the disk?" he asked. James lifted an eyebrow and crossed his arms. His expression was clearly recognizable as boredom. "Well you see, I simply went up to Chiba himself and asked for it," he smiled. Landers eyes narrowed.
"I don't believe you," he growled. James let out a low chuckle.
"Of course, he was dead when I asked. So there was not a lot of argument in the matter," James stated still grinning.
"NO!" the mournful wail came from Serena. "Won't you ever shut up? Bunny, I hate to admit it but you are annoying me!" growled Troy as he held up the gun to her temple. She trembled.
"How I love to see you so afraid," he smiled evilly at her.
"Tell me, did you tremble when Landers called you at night, knowing he watched your every move?" he asked circling her once more like a vulture.
"Did you know I was this close to ending your life? I wouldn't think twice about killing you, Bunny. You've worn out your usefulness. Then I am going to come after that brother of yours for breaking my nose. Are you frightened, Bunny?" he asked. James felt sick inside. "Come on, Roberts. Let the rest of us have a little fun," James begged and gave Serena an appraising look. Landers caught his meaning.
"Sure, why not? You earned a little leisure time," Landers said. James grinned before untying the blonde and scooping her up to his arms. All he needed now was to get Serena out of harms way. He dropped her once they had entered an empty office.
"Now Sere, listen," he began. Bam. James head spun from the hit.
"Cripes, Sere you have a nasty right hook," he yelled at her.
"You killed him!" she hissed and went for another punch. James avoided it easily this time. He realized she was able to aim by listening to his voice. He grabbed her wrists. "Look Sere, Darien's not dead. I'm the good guy. I swear. Soon this will be all over and you'll be with Darien again," he promised her. She settled down immediately making James breathe a sigh of relief.
"Just stay here, Sere," he commanded before exiting the office. He prayed for her own good that Serena would obey him.
Darien paced back and forth. The models gave him curious looks but mostly left him alone. He glanced down at his watch. 5 pm. The switch would be completed in less then 10 minutes and this whole game of cat and mouse would be completed. Then he would tell Sere everything and they could continue to have a normal life. Darien took a deep breath and stared at his watch again.
"It's not going to move any faster just because you look at it, Shields," he growled at himself. The show would begin any minute now. Wait a minute, where was Serena? He frowned before picking a blonde out in the crowd of models.
"Sere, I need to talk to you," he demanded. The blonde turned her head and stared at him in surprise. It was Mina.
"Sorry Mina, have you seen Serena?" he asked with a frown. Mina looked perplexed.
"She's not back yet?" she asked with confusion.
"Back from where?" he demanded. Mina winced at the tone of his voice.
"To get Prisma," she replied. Darien's jaw dropped and he shouted out a curse. Mina along with twenty other models watched in surprise as he stalked away.
"Sere," a voice whispered. Serena raised her head.
"Darien?" she called.
"Oh, dear Sere, what happen?" asked Darien and Serena pulled back as he touched her sore cheek where Landers had hit her.
"Prisma is dead. Landers arrested me. He's involved with Troy and Beryl. They're laundering money from Rose Designs," told Serena as Darien picked the lock to her handcuffs. They unclasped with a click.
"Should I even ask where you learned to do that?" she asked as she rubbed her wrists. Darien chuckled.
"Call it the results of misspent youth," he said.
James entered the room again. Landers looked up from the computer he was checking the data of the disk from.
"That was quick," Troy observed from his position beside Landers.
"Well she has one heck of a right hook, so I had to take care of her too," he said as he pointed to his purpling jaw. Landers and Troy both looked impressed.
"I assume you like your job?" asked Troy.
"Might as well do it right. I work as an assassin on the side. Don't want to get rusty, ya know?" James asked as he counted his money. Suddenly the door slammed open revealing a disheveled Beryl.
"He's a double crosser! He works for the Feds!" she screeched pointing at James. James hand immediately went for his gun and he dashed through a door barely as bullets whistled by his ear. The chase was on.
James ran down an empty hall. He could hear his pursers after him. He rounded a corner just to slam right into Darien and Serena.
"Darien my cover is blown. Get her out of here!" he commanded.
"No time, Sere stay here," Darien ordered as he too pulled a gun from his jacket. "Just like old times, my friend," James gave him a mischievous grin. Darien pushed Serena back into the office.
"Stay down," he ordered and kissed her quickly on the lips before closing the door. A shot was fired and a bullet hole appeared inches from Darien's head. James fired a few shots towards where the shots had been fired and Darien and he were forced on the run again.
Serena shivered as gunfire sounded. Then, she heard the sound of running footsteps then silence. Minutes seemed like hours as Serena pressed herself to the floor. "Serena," a voice called out and she quickly identified it at Troy.
"Serena…Where are you?" he called out again in his icy tone that made her blood run cold. Footsteps and the opening of doors greeted her ears. She slipped behind a desk. He would reach this office any minute. She had no way of knowing if she would be spotted and if this office had the huge glass windows that allowed people walking in the hallways to see what was going on in the offices. There was a good chance since Setsuna preferred the type of office design. The door handle to the office turned slowly.
"Bunny," he whispered.
"I see you," he said softly as he walked in the office. In a panic, Serena crawled away from him just to bang into a wall. Troy laughed out loud.
"You really are pathetic," he commented as he grabbed her by the waist and lifted her to her feet. She felt the cold steel of the gun barrel pressed to her temple. She sucked in a breath of air in fear making Troy laugh. Serena took another deep breath. Ok one arm was holding the gun and the other holding on of her wrists. Serena suddenly ducked knocking him off balance. The sound of a thud gave evidence to him dropping the gun. Her heartbeat quickened so fast that she was barely able to catch her breath.
"Bunny!" Troy yelled out in a rage. Serena started running with her hand out in front of her. Her fingers brushed a wall and then she found it. She flipped off the light switch causing the room to be flooded in darkness. She was sure of this when she no longer heard the hum of the lights overhead. All she needed to do was find the door. Her fingers suddenly felt the wood and she found the handle. She exited the office and locked the door. That will keep Troy busy for now.
Darien inched around the corner as he gripped his gun.
"Give up, Beryl. It's all over now. It'd be better if you turn yourself in," he yelled. "Don't lecture me, Chiba," Beryl hissed as she ducked beneath some desks.
"You've always had it easy. You think you're so mighty and can dump someone like a piece of trash," she growled at him. Darien pursed his lips together in frustration. She still apparently blamed them for their breakup. He did dump her but only after him finding her in the arms of another man. He never loved him and he had always figured she didn't love him either.
"I'm sorry, Beryl," he apologized.
"And you think that makes up for it?" she demanded. She broke out in a dead run. Darien followed her ducking behind desks. They both burst into the conference room. Darien stopped short. Serena stood still as the two burst into the room.
"Say good bye, Bat," Beryl laughed as she aimed her gun at the blonde.
Ruben Landers rounded a corner and swept his gun around the room. His record as a detective with the NYPD had been flawless. This would ruin his career not to mention he'd get sentence to years in prison. It was just that a detective job didn't pay. This was supposed to be his last job. He'd have enough to retired and then this happened. A noise sounded behind him causing him to swing around. The gun was knocked from his hand from a high roundhouse kick. James tackled him before he had a chance to run. "FBI. You have right to remain silent, anything you say can be used in a court of law," he continued with the Miranda rights as he handcuffed Landers.
Serena stood there as if her feet where frozen in place. Her mind swarmed unable to focus on her location. She was going to die. Beryl wouldn't think twice about killing her. That much was sure. A shot rang out Serena waited for the bullet to pierce her. There was agonizing scream then nothing.
"Sere, it's ok," Darien assured her as he quickly rushed to her side.
"There's still Troy, he's locked in the office," she told him as he hugged her close. She needed this nightmare to end. Darien nodded. Serena keen ears suddenly caught a sound. Breathing. Beryl was alive. Another shot rang out and Darien's grasp on her became weak as he crumbled to the floor.
"NO," she screamed. Her hands sought his face and then his neck. A weak pulse fluttered under her sensitive fingertips. She sat up and listened. Beryl was dead. The gasping breathes for air had stopped.
"Darien." He needed to wake up. She couldn't let him die on her. She had finally found him and she was not going to give him up. She crawled under she found a desk and stood up. She brushed her hand over the desktop till she located a phone and dialed 911. "911 how may I help you?" asked the operator.
"A man has just been shot at Rose Designs Company. 56 Sears Avenue, Manhattan," she told the operator.
"Is he still breathing?" she asked.
"Yes," Serena confirmed.
"Right, we'll have some over there as soon as possible," the operator stated. Serena hung up the phone and crawled back to Darien. She buried her face into his chest. "Sere," he whispered and weakly wrapped an arm around her. And this is how the ambulance workers found them. It took them a good ten minutes to pry the two apart.
Serena sat numbly in the waiting room. She had always hated hospitals but she wouldn't be anywhere else at this moment. Someone cleared their throat. Serena's head shot up.
"Doctor? How is he?" she asked frantically. A strong hand gripped her shoulder. "No, I'm not the doctor, Serena," said a deep voice above her. Serena's mouth dropped in shock. "Daddy," she whispered. He lifted her up in a hug bear hug that she had forgotten. "I'm so sorry. That young man of yours hunted me down and made me realized what a fool I've been. Will you ever forgive me?" he asked. Tears streamed down Serena's face. "Yes oh yes, I've missed you Daddy," she cried with happiness.
"Oh Sere, you look just like your mother," he whispered and hugged his little girl closer.
"Ah excuse me sir, I need to talk to Ms. Tsukino privately," James asked as he entered the room. Mr. Tsukino nodded and left somewhat reluctantly.
"That was my father, James," she told him happily.
"I'm so happy for you," he stated with a smile as he sat beside her. "The doctors said Darien is going to be fine and he can have visitors now," said James as he escorted her to his friend's room.
Darien looked up as the door opening. He smiled as both James and Serena came in.
"Serena," he called out happily. She rushed to his side and he kissed her. It was a tad bit awkward he had to admit trying to kiss over hospital bed railings. James cleared his throat in embarrassment.
"Oh shut up, Andrew. After all you've put me through. I deserve this," Darien stated and kissed his girlfriend. Serena pulled away.
"Andrew?" asked Serena with confusion.
"Sere, meet Andrew Grant, previously James Masters, undercover FBI agent," Darien stated dryly.
"You see Sere, the FBI had been on the trail of someone who was laundering money from companies and then causing them to go into bankruptcy or sell out. Darien and I had known each other in college and I called him up. We figured that the launders would strike at Rose Designs since it was a fairly new company and easy prey. Fortunately, we were right. So I went undercover as a photographer. After being accused of the breaking into your office, Beryl offered me 20 grand to recover the disk for her that had all the evidence of the laundering. You see Beryl was the spy that was planted in the company. If anything happened, Landers would tamper with the evidence so she wouldn't be caught and then Troy Roberts would buy the company at almost rock bottom prices then split it up and sell it for millions. Prisma got too close to the truth and Beryl killed her. Mostly for jealously I think for she had been seeing Troy Roberts the same time Ms. Fairchild had," Andrew explained. Serena nodded.
"I really am truly sorry for all that happened," he apologized.
"That's ok, James…….er…Andrew. I'm just glad it's over," she said with a shaky smile.
"No I'm afraid that won't be good enough. He'll just have to stand in as best man for our wedding to make up for it," Darien said lightly. Serena froze. "Our wedding?" she asked. She was suddenly feeling light headed.
"Serena Usagi Tsukino, will you make me the happiest man on earth and marry me?" he asked. Serena threw her arms around him. Darien stifled a moan as she hit his injury. Yet he smiled warmly and kissed her. He felt down to get the ring, which had been in the pocket of his pants since early that morning. He reddened a bit.
"Cripes, I think they have my pants," he said to his friend with shock as he just realized he was just wearing a hospital gown and his boxers under the thin hospital sheet. "So much for being romantic," Andrew snickered. Serena laughed out loud.
"I don't care about the ring. All I need is you," she whispered.
"You've made me the happiest man on earth," he whispered and kissed her tenderly again.
Ami Anderson opened the New York Times and turned to the society section. The others crawled around her.
" The wedding of Darien Chiba and Serena Tsukino was the event of the year. Top leaders from the Fashion community attended as well as many famous actors and actresses. But the bride outshined them all in a fairly traditional wedding dress designed by her own husband to be. All and all she had the appearance of an angel walking down the isle. Two florist shops ran out of white roses decorating for the event. This event was quite surprising that the most eligible man of all New York and possibly the whole United States would finally settled down. Both bride and groom looked equally joyful. This New York, is what true love looks like and this author can see nothing short of a life time of happiness for the couple," Ami finished reading. Zack put his arms around his blue haired girlfriend.
"I wonder when they will be back from their honeymoon?" asked Birdie curiously.
"Not soon enough, I wager," Lita said as she waged her finger at the Birdie. The models chuckled. Mina then turned her attention to the now sandy young man previously know as James Masters.
"So Andrew, the FBI does allow you to have girlfriends right?" Mina said as she as she inched closer to him. Andrew dumbly nodded. Matthew glared at Andrew and the blonde young man met his stare.
"Looks like Andrews gonna be the next to be hitched," laughed Nick who thought it was more then funny that Matthew was going to have some serious competition.
"And I'm thinking that assignment to Alaska is looking really good right now," Andrew muttered but smiled as he glanced at the blank and white photo of the happily married couple. It just goes to show that anything can happen. Especially when love is involved.
The End.
Chapter: 14
By Moondreams
Notes: The last chapter! Yay I know it took me forever to get this finished. Thank you for all your emails and reviews. They really do mean so much to me.
Silence. James Masters crept silently through the now empty halls of Rose Designs. His breaths were slow and steady. Beads of sweat formed under his bangs, the only evidence of his uneasiness. One hand stayed close to the revolver hidden in his jacket. James crept closer to the designated place. Voices. His eyes narrowed and he frowned. He cracked the door a bare inch just enough to let sound through.
"Where is it?" Landers demanded.
"Where is what?" a female voice asked.
"The disk, Miss. Tsukino. Don't play coy with me," Landers hissed. James heart stopped. Sere! What was she doing here?
"I don't know of any disk. Please, you have this all mistaken. I didn't kill her," sobbed Serena. James winced as the sound of a fist slamming into skin. Serena let out a cry that made him wince.
"Looky looky, looks like we have a visitor," came a voice behind him. James turned around slowly to come face to face with a pistol pointed between his eyes. On the other end of the pistol stood a very smug looking Troy Roberts.
"Come in, Masters. You're missing the party," sneered Landers. Troy threw open the door and ushered James into the room. James scanned the room quickly. Landers hovered over Serena with two, mostly likely fully loaded, guns, Serena was tied up in a chair, and the body of a dead woman lay to the side. Serena looked up at the mention of his name. James could see, even in the dim light, that a dark bruise was already starting to form on her cheek.
"Well?" Landers sneered as he waved his gun at James. James leaned up against the wall and coolly produced a black disk.
"As you see, gentlemen, the blind girl didn't have it," he snickered. Troy made an attempt to snatch it away from James but James was quicker. He tucked the disk back into his pocket.
"My twenty grand?" James asked nonchalantly. Troy growled at the young man. James simply smiled back up at him.
"Remember, Fabio, I'm the only one keeping your butt out of jail," James reminded him. Troy glared at him and handed him a metal case.
"It's all here I assume?" asked James as he grabbed the case. Landers nodded. "Let me go, please," cried Serena for the first time since James had made his unexpected entry. Although his face showed nothing, James couldn't help but feel sorry for Sere. She was on the verge of a near panic attack.
"Shut up," Troy yelled as he crossed the distance between himself and her in two steps. Serena swallowed visibly and another tear rolled down her cheek.
"So it wasn't you, Bunny," he muttered as he circled her chair.
"Why is this disk so important to you?" she asked lifting her chin up higher. Good girl, Sere, James silently cheered. Troy looked amused.
"Because darling, we can't have the only evidence of our laundering money from your company in the hands of the police now can we? And now that beloved little fashion business of yours will simply vanish without the capitol it needs," Troy stated still looking overly satisfied with himself.
"The disk was full of our financial records," the truth dawned on Serena. No wonder the financial records had came out all messed up. Troy patted the blonde on the head.
"Very good!" Troy mimicked a teacher addressing a student.
"Prisma found out and you killed her!" Serena accused.
"No actually that was one of Beryl's little stunts," Troy answered looking amused. He then looked straight at James.
"One question, Masters. How did you get the disk?" he asked. James lifted an eyebrow and crossed his arms. His expression was clearly recognizable as boredom. "Well you see, I simply went up to Chiba himself and asked for it," he smiled. Landers eyes narrowed.
"I don't believe you," he growled. James let out a low chuckle.
"Of course, he was dead when I asked. So there was not a lot of argument in the matter," James stated still grinning.
"NO!" the mournful wail came from Serena. "Won't you ever shut up? Bunny, I hate to admit it but you are annoying me!" growled Troy as he held up the gun to her temple. She trembled.
"How I love to see you so afraid," he smiled evilly at her.
"Tell me, did you tremble when Landers called you at night, knowing he watched your every move?" he asked circling her once more like a vulture.
"Did you know I was this close to ending your life? I wouldn't think twice about killing you, Bunny. You've worn out your usefulness. Then I am going to come after that brother of yours for breaking my nose. Are you frightened, Bunny?" he asked. James felt sick inside. "Come on, Roberts. Let the rest of us have a little fun," James begged and gave Serena an appraising look. Landers caught his meaning.
"Sure, why not? You earned a little leisure time," Landers said. James grinned before untying the blonde and scooping her up to his arms. All he needed now was to get Serena out of harms way. He dropped her once they had entered an empty office.
"Now Sere, listen," he began. Bam. James head spun from the hit.
"Cripes, Sere you have a nasty right hook," he yelled at her.
"You killed him!" she hissed and went for another punch. James avoided it easily this time. He realized she was able to aim by listening to his voice. He grabbed her wrists. "Look Sere, Darien's not dead. I'm the good guy. I swear. Soon this will be all over and you'll be with Darien again," he promised her. She settled down immediately making James breathe a sigh of relief.
"Just stay here, Sere," he commanded before exiting the office. He prayed for her own good that Serena would obey him.
Darien paced back and forth. The models gave him curious looks but mostly left him alone. He glanced down at his watch. 5 pm. The switch would be completed in less then 10 minutes and this whole game of cat and mouse would be completed. Then he would tell Sere everything and they could continue to have a normal life. Darien took a deep breath and stared at his watch again.
"It's not going to move any faster just because you look at it, Shields," he growled at himself. The show would begin any minute now. Wait a minute, where was Serena? He frowned before picking a blonde out in the crowd of models.
"Sere, I need to talk to you," he demanded. The blonde turned her head and stared at him in surprise. It was Mina.
"Sorry Mina, have you seen Serena?" he asked with a frown. Mina looked perplexed.
"She's not back yet?" she asked with confusion.
"Back from where?" he demanded. Mina winced at the tone of his voice.
"To get Prisma," she replied. Darien's jaw dropped and he shouted out a curse. Mina along with twenty other models watched in surprise as he stalked away.
"Sere," a voice whispered. Serena raised her head.
"Darien?" she called.
"Oh, dear Sere, what happen?" asked Darien and Serena pulled back as he touched her sore cheek where Landers had hit her.
"Prisma is dead. Landers arrested me. He's involved with Troy and Beryl. They're laundering money from Rose Designs," told Serena as Darien picked the lock to her handcuffs. They unclasped with a click.
"Should I even ask where you learned to do that?" she asked as she rubbed her wrists. Darien chuckled.
"Call it the results of misspent youth," he said.
James entered the room again. Landers looked up from the computer he was checking the data of the disk from.
"That was quick," Troy observed from his position beside Landers.
"Well she has one heck of a right hook, so I had to take care of her too," he said as he pointed to his purpling jaw. Landers and Troy both looked impressed.
"I assume you like your job?" asked Troy.
"Might as well do it right. I work as an assassin on the side. Don't want to get rusty, ya know?" James asked as he counted his money. Suddenly the door slammed open revealing a disheveled Beryl.
"He's a double crosser! He works for the Feds!" she screeched pointing at James. James hand immediately went for his gun and he dashed through a door barely as bullets whistled by his ear. The chase was on.
James ran down an empty hall. He could hear his pursers after him. He rounded a corner just to slam right into Darien and Serena.
"Darien my cover is blown. Get her out of here!" he commanded.
"No time, Sere stay here," Darien ordered as he too pulled a gun from his jacket. "Just like old times, my friend," James gave him a mischievous grin. Darien pushed Serena back into the office.
"Stay down," he ordered and kissed her quickly on the lips before closing the door. A shot was fired and a bullet hole appeared inches from Darien's head. James fired a few shots towards where the shots had been fired and Darien and he were forced on the run again.
Serena shivered as gunfire sounded. Then, she heard the sound of running footsteps then silence. Minutes seemed like hours as Serena pressed herself to the floor. "Serena," a voice called out and she quickly identified it at Troy.
"Serena…Where are you?" he called out again in his icy tone that made her blood run cold. Footsteps and the opening of doors greeted her ears. She slipped behind a desk. He would reach this office any minute. She had no way of knowing if she would be spotted and if this office had the huge glass windows that allowed people walking in the hallways to see what was going on in the offices. There was a good chance since Setsuna preferred the type of office design. The door handle to the office turned slowly.
"Bunny," he whispered.
"I see you," he said softly as he walked in the office. In a panic, Serena crawled away from him just to bang into a wall. Troy laughed out loud.
"You really are pathetic," he commented as he grabbed her by the waist and lifted her to her feet. She felt the cold steel of the gun barrel pressed to her temple. She sucked in a breath of air in fear making Troy laugh. Serena took another deep breath. Ok one arm was holding the gun and the other holding on of her wrists. Serena suddenly ducked knocking him off balance. The sound of a thud gave evidence to him dropping the gun. Her heartbeat quickened so fast that she was barely able to catch her breath.
"Bunny!" Troy yelled out in a rage. Serena started running with her hand out in front of her. Her fingers brushed a wall and then she found it. She flipped off the light switch causing the room to be flooded in darkness. She was sure of this when she no longer heard the hum of the lights overhead. All she needed to do was find the door. Her fingers suddenly felt the wood and she found the handle. She exited the office and locked the door. That will keep Troy busy for now.
Darien inched around the corner as he gripped his gun.
"Give up, Beryl. It's all over now. It'd be better if you turn yourself in," he yelled. "Don't lecture me, Chiba," Beryl hissed as she ducked beneath some desks.
"You've always had it easy. You think you're so mighty and can dump someone like a piece of trash," she growled at him. Darien pursed his lips together in frustration. She still apparently blamed them for their breakup. He did dump her but only after him finding her in the arms of another man. He never loved him and he had always figured she didn't love him either.
"I'm sorry, Beryl," he apologized.
"And you think that makes up for it?" she demanded. She broke out in a dead run. Darien followed her ducking behind desks. They both burst into the conference room. Darien stopped short. Serena stood still as the two burst into the room.
"Say good bye, Bat," Beryl laughed as she aimed her gun at the blonde.
Ruben Landers rounded a corner and swept his gun around the room. His record as a detective with the NYPD had been flawless. This would ruin his career not to mention he'd get sentence to years in prison. It was just that a detective job didn't pay. This was supposed to be his last job. He'd have enough to retired and then this happened. A noise sounded behind him causing him to swing around. The gun was knocked from his hand from a high roundhouse kick. James tackled him before he had a chance to run. "FBI. You have right to remain silent, anything you say can be used in a court of law," he continued with the Miranda rights as he handcuffed Landers.
Serena stood there as if her feet where frozen in place. Her mind swarmed unable to focus on her location. She was going to die. Beryl wouldn't think twice about killing her. That much was sure. A shot rang out Serena waited for the bullet to pierce her. There was agonizing scream then nothing.
"Sere, it's ok," Darien assured her as he quickly rushed to her side.
"There's still Troy, he's locked in the office," she told him as he hugged her close. She needed this nightmare to end. Darien nodded. Serena keen ears suddenly caught a sound. Breathing. Beryl was alive. Another shot rang out and Darien's grasp on her became weak as he crumbled to the floor.
"NO," she screamed. Her hands sought his face and then his neck. A weak pulse fluttered under her sensitive fingertips. She sat up and listened. Beryl was dead. The gasping breathes for air had stopped.
"Darien." He needed to wake up. She couldn't let him die on her. She had finally found him and she was not going to give him up. She crawled under she found a desk and stood up. She brushed her hand over the desktop till she located a phone and dialed 911. "911 how may I help you?" asked the operator.
"A man has just been shot at Rose Designs Company. 56 Sears Avenue, Manhattan," she told the operator.
"Is he still breathing?" she asked.
"Yes," Serena confirmed.
"Right, we'll have some over there as soon as possible," the operator stated. Serena hung up the phone and crawled back to Darien. She buried her face into his chest. "Sere," he whispered and weakly wrapped an arm around her. And this is how the ambulance workers found them. It took them a good ten minutes to pry the two apart.
Serena sat numbly in the waiting room. She had always hated hospitals but she wouldn't be anywhere else at this moment. Someone cleared their throat. Serena's head shot up.
"Doctor? How is he?" she asked frantically. A strong hand gripped her shoulder. "No, I'm not the doctor, Serena," said a deep voice above her. Serena's mouth dropped in shock. "Daddy," she whispered. He lifted her up in a hug bear hug that she had forgotten. "I'm so sorry. That young man of yours hunted me down and made me realized what a fool I've been. Will you ever forgive me?" he asked. Tears streamed down Serena's face. "Yes oh yes, I've missed you Daddy," she cried with happiness.
"Oh Sere, you look just like your mother," he whispered and hugged his little girl closer.
"Ah excuse me sir, I need to talk to Ms. Tsukino privately," James asked as he entered the room. Mr. Tsukino nodded and left somewhat reluctantly.
"That was my father, James," she told him happily.
"I'm so happy for you," he stated with a smile as he sat beside her. "The doctors said Darien is going to be fine and he can have visitors now," said James as he escorted her to his friend's room.
Darien looked up as the door opening. He smiled as both James and Serena came in.
"Serena," he called out happily. She rushed to his side and he kissed her. It was a tad bit awkward he had to admit trying to kiss over hospital bed railings. James cleared his throat in embarrassment.
"Oh shut up, Andrew. After all you've put me through. I deserve this," Darien stated and kissed his girlfriend. Serena pulled away.
"Andrew?" asked Serena with confusion.
"Sere, meet Andrew Grant, previously James Masters, undercover FBI agent," Darien stated dryly.
"You see Sere, the FBI had been on the trail of someone who was laundering money from companies and then causing them to go into bankruptcy or sell out. Darien and I had known each other in college and I called him up. We figured that the launders would strike at Rose Designs since it was a fairly new company and easy prey. Fortunately, we were right. So I went undercover as a photographer. After being accused of the breaking into your office, Beryl offered me 20 grand to recover the disk for her that had all the evidence of the laundering. You see Beryl was the spy that was planted in the company. If anything happened, Landers would tamper with the evidence so she wouldn't be caught and then Troy Roberts would buy the company at almost rock bottom prices then split it up and sell it for millions. Prisma got too close to the truth and Beryl killed her. Mostly for jealously I think for she had been seeing Troy Roberts the same time Ms. Fairchild had," Andrew explained. Serena nodded.
"I really am truly sorry for all that happened," he apologized.
"That's ok, James…….er…Andrew. I'm just glad it's over," she said with a shaky smile.
"No I'm afraid that won't be good enough. He'll just have to stand in as best man for our wedding to make up for it," Darien said lightly. Serena froze. "Our wedding?" she asked. She was suddenly feeling light headed.
"Serena Usagi Tsukino, will you make me the happiest man on earth and marry me?" he asked. Serena threw her arms around him. Darien stifled a moan as she hit his injury. Yet he smiled warmly and kissed her. He felt down to get the ring, which had been in the pocket of his pants since early that morning. He reddened a bit.
"Cripes, I think they have my pants," he said to his friend with shock as he just realized he was just wearing a hospital gown and his boxers under the thin hospital sheet. "So much for being romantic," Andrew snickered. Serena laughed out loud.
"I don't care about the ring. All I need is you," she whispered.
"You've made me the happiest man on earth," he whispered and kissed her tenderly again.
Ami Anderson opened the New York Times and turned to the society section. The others crawled around her.
" The wedding of Darien Chiba and Serena Tsukino was the event of the year. Top leaders from the Fashion community attended as well as many famous actors and actresses. But the bride outshined them all in a fairly traditional wedding dress designed by her own husband to be. All and all she had the appearance of an angel walking down the isle. Two florist shops ran out of white roses decorating for the event. This event was quite surprising that the most eligible man of all New York and possibly the whole United States would finally settled down. Both bride and groom looked equally joyful. This New York, is what true love looks like and this author can see nothing short of a life time of happiness for the couple," Ami finished reading. Zack put his arms around his blue haired girlfriend.
"I wonder when they will be back from their honeymoon?" asked Birdie curiously.
"Not soon enough, I wager," Lita said as she waged her finger at the Birdie. The models chuckled. Mina then turned her attention to the now sandy young man previously know as James Masters.
"So Andrew, the FBI does allow you to have girlfriends right?" Mina said as she as she inched closer to him. Andrew dumbly nodded. Matthew glared at Andrew and the blonde young man met his stare.
"Looks like Andrews gonna be the next to be hitched," laughed Nick who thought it was more then funny that Matthew was going to have some serious competition.
"And I'm thinking that assignment to Alaska is looking really good right now," Andrew muttered but smiled as he glanced at the blank and white photo of the happily married couple. It just goes to show that anything can happen. Especially when love is involved.
The End.