Title: "I'm Bringing You With Me!"
Chapter: Seven
Author: Marie J.W.
Rated: PG
E-mail: mariejwchan@yahoo.com
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Ray POV -
"...it was a file labeled Tsukino, Ken and Tsukino, Ilene. I thought
it was strange since Serena's parents weren't patents of my Mothers. I
pulled it, curiosity getting the better of me, and took a good look at
it. It surprised me because all the dates read only to a few months
back.
My Mother happened to come in the office at the exact moment. I knew I
wasn't supposed to be in there. Mother only allowed me in there during
certain exams but even then she was always there.
To make a long story short she was very upset at me for being in there
alone but when she saw what file I held she became very concerned. She
took the file from me and told me I couldn't tell anyone what I saw!
Never!
I knew she meant especially Serena." Amy ended with several tears coursing
down her cheeks.
"I'm so sorry that you had to bare that alone, Amy." I put a hand on
her shoulder.
"It's wasn't just me, Mother had to keep the secret as well." Amy
sniffed.
Just then a loud crashing sound shook the house following something the
sounded remotely like a swearing.
"Wha wa tha?" Mina asked through her mouth full of cereal.
I quickly ran toward the back door. My small back-yard stood in front of
us empty. But I wasn't satisfied. That noise had come from the side of the
house not the back. With the girls following, we went to the side to see
a ladder on the ground with Chad laying down next to it. He wasn't
unconscious but he was holding his head.
"Man, that hurt!"
"That's not all that's gonna hurt!" I marched past Lita to Chad.
Chad scrabbled to his feet, "Ray!"
"What were you doing?!"
Chad turned red. I looked around. The laddered was right under that
window. That's the kitchen window! He was listening to our
conversation!
"Ray, wait!"
I whirled around, "What?"
"Let's all go inside and talking about this more calmly." Lita said. It
was more of a demand then an offer.
I nodded then grabbed Chad by the ear.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
No matter how many times I go over this I still can't believe it!
Serena's parents are I.T. and K.T.? This whole time Serena's parents have
been alive?
Every time K.T. had talked about his daughter he was talking about Serena!
If I'd known that I would have paid more attention! He talked about his kids
all the time! Yet, he had never mentioned their names once! Cleaver man.
I hope he doesn't get all Fatherly about Serena being with me the whole time
he thought his Daughter was kidnapped. Well, technically she was kidnapped
but not the way he thought she was. I'm an old friend...or enemy in
Serena's terms. Count on her to tell her Father this big over exaggerated
story on how she got here in the first place. Then I'm in big trouble!
Rule number one: Never get the Father of the girl you're in-love with
mad! Results never turn out good that way. Rule number two: keep on the
girl, you're in love with, on her good side! And last but not least Rule
numbers three: always keep the girl you're in love with in sight in times
of danger! Or at least know where she is!
I don't want her going but it looks like I don't have a choice! Dang that
girl! She is so suborn! I don't want to lose her permanently! I don't know
what I'd do...if I lost her!
I stared up at the ceiling, not really looking at it. The word 'Void' comes
to mind; a big black whole. Hmmm.
I hope I don't have to change into my alter-ego tomorrow. I better not get
that desperate! Of course if I did my arm will heal faster but all the same
I don't want anything to get out of hand. It should go pretty smoothly. Ask
the guy for the diamond, take the diamond, ask for the information on where
to go next, receive the information, get the heck out of there. And bang
we're on a lead!
Simple.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I packed my backpack and went into the living room to find Philly all
ready to go. It was early in the morning. I'd say around five thirty. I
still didn't know what was going to happen. And it is bugging the heck
out of me! Why are people so vague!
"Are you ready to go, sweetie?" Mom came up behind me.
"Yep, but where are we going?" I asked her has she passed me.
"Your Father will know."
"You mean you have no idea where we're going?" I asked.
"No, he gets all the information. I just follow him where ever he goes."
Mom sat down next to Philly. They started talking but I wasn't listening.
Mom must really trust Dad a lot to do something like that. I would want to
know where, when, and why! That would be really hard to have that kind of
faith in people! Is that how I should be with Darien? Should I trust him?
Pluto said I should but...that could be so hard!
But he didn't trust me! Why should I trust him! He spent all this time
trying to keep the Japan Secret Services a secret...from me! He didn't
even give me a chance! The only way I know now is because of Dad.
I wish Dad had told me more. I still have a load of questions. Like
what's next. What are we doing? How are going to stop that awful man?
I wonder if Amy got anything out of what Dad said.
This is still all so confusing!
I thought back to the other night at dinner. Darien was being nice...
well he could have been a little better. But all the same...
I wonder if he really meant that he was married or getting married.
I hope not but could he? I clutched my backpack tighter. Why does my
life have to be so confusing?! Why can't things just appear as they
are?
"Honey? Are you alright?" Mom's worried face appeared in front of
me.
"Oh, sorry. I was just thinking." I throw my bag over my shoulder,
"Mom, is Darien married?" I tried to just throw the question out.
"Darien...? Oh, D.C.! No, I don't think so." Mom smiled at me, "Why
do you ask?"
"Oh, no reason!" I walked in front of the TV, relieved.
"Hey, don't I remember you saying something about a boy named Darien?"
Mom pulled her hair back into a pony tail.
"No!"
"Are you sure?" she asked.
I laughed nervously. If Mom found out that Darien was D.C. she would bug
the heck out of me! "Yes, Mom!"
Mom gave me a doubtful look but let it go.
I sighed.
The guys knocked on the door so Philly opened it.
"You all ready?" Dad asked at the door.
"Ready as we'll ever be!" Mom smiled.
How can she be so happy when Tokyo could blow up any day now?
"Hey, princess. Are you going to stand there all day?" Dad broke through
my thoughts. I smiled and shock my head.
We left the room toward the elevator. At least we weren't going out the
same way we went in. We all piled into the elevator. None of us said any-
thing.
The elevator stopped on the second floor. A man stepped in...the same
man as before! This is just getting ridicules! Each time we meet we're
in an elevator!
The man looked at us all in curiosity. His gaze stopped at me; he smiled.
I smiled back. I bet we looked pretty weird all wearing black. I stood next
to Dad wondering if he was thinking the same thing. If we were going to be
in public we should at least look normal!
The elevator stopped and we all got out. The Man got out and went strait
to a phone while we went to the information desk.
Darien went and talked to the person at the desk then gave them the key.
We went out the front door. The air felt good! It was a little windy but
for being shut up for a while I was sure glad to feel it! I followed Dad
and Darien through the parking lot. Philly and Mom lagged behind me.
I wonder where we're going? We don't have a car. I watched us pass most of
the parking lot. Finely we ended up at the road on a sidewalk.
I remained quiet, knowing that asking questions wasn't going to do any good
at the moment.
A big van pulled over on the curve a few feet away. Dad immediately
went toward it. The van door opened and a Women in black stepped out.
"Did you get in contact with Roger?" Dad asked the women.
"Yes, he plans to meet you at point 102 at nine thirty." The women replied.
Dad nodded and got into the car. Darien went in next then I. The women looked
at me with curiosity. Mom followed with Philly. The women got in and shut
the door.
I wonder what her job is?
The van moved.
"Who's the girl?" the women asked.
"She's going along for the ride." Darien who was sitting beside me replied.
I stiffened. Did he have to say it that way! It wasn't true! I am going to
help! I'm not going to be extra luggage.
The women looked at me with some annoyance. I looked right back at her
with determination. She looked away.
The rest of the ride was quiet. I kept looking out the window, trying to
figure out where we were going.
We had all day until we started anything dangerous...
Let's just hope it's not too dangerous!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mina POV -
"I swear I didn't hear a thing!" Chad protested.
Ray glared at him, "So, you didn't hear anything about, Serena?"
"I didn't hear anything about Amy finding a file or that it had anything
to do with her parents! I swear!" Chad pleaded.
The girls looked at each other.
"Chad do you know that you just confessed?" Lita asked.
"No, I didn't! I just said-" Chad's face turned red, "Oh, no!"
"Oh, yes!" Ray smirked, "What are you doing here?"
Chad looked nervous, "I just want to know..."
"Know what?" I asked. Chad can be such a dummy sometimes!
Chad turned even redder as he looked nervously at Ray. Ohhhhh! Hhe
hehe...
I had to smile. Chad was spying on us because he wanted to be near Ray! He
was starting to turn white.
"Chad answer!" Ray shouted.
"Ray, leave him alone!"
"What?" Ray turned on me.
"I said just leave him alone. He doesn't want to answer." I smiled knowingly
at him. He gulped.
"And how would you know that?" Ray asked sarcastically.
"BECAUSE, I AM the Senshi of LOVE!" I smirked at Ray's dumfounded
expression.
She recovered, "What's that suppose to mean?"
Lita snickered. Ray glared at her.
"I think we should calm down." Amy sighed, "We need to know exactly
what he heard so we can solve this little problem."
"Right!" I turned back to Chad, "Sooo?"
He sighed when he realized that we weren't going to kill him.
"I only heard something about Amy finding a file on Serena's parents.
And also something about Serena's parents working for J.S.S. whatever
that is." Chad looked around Lita's table with interest. He spotted a
box of cheerios.
"Well, I don't think he knows too much. It could be worse!" I smiled.
"Right."
Lita glared at Chad, "Leave my food alone!"
Chad backed up against his chair and smile, "I was just looking."
Lita shook her head.
"What are we going to do with him?" Ray asked.
"Chad, why don't you just go home." I told him.
"You would just let me leave?"
"What else are we going to do?!" I pulled him out of the chair and
started pushing him toward the door.
"Wow, you guys are great! I thought I was done for!"
I pushed him out the door, "Don't mention it!" I quickly shut the door
behind him.
I turned back to Lita and Ray, "Now what?"
Amy came up behind them, "We find out where Serena's at then we follow."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I crossed the street to the park, "Serena could always think here. Why
can't I?"
The trees were in full bloom and a soft fragrance filled the air. I sat
down on a bench near the lake and closed my eyes. My sisters face
appeared before me. Smiling, calling me Sammy. My heart swelled! I miss-
her-so-much! I just wish she would come home!
The girls said that she was at a hotel...with a friend but how can that
be true! I know Serena would have called me! Why would she stay at a
hotel when...she has a home right here? It doesn't make sense. Unless she
was helping a friend, but still she would have called! I grounded my teeth
in frustration.
Just then loud motors could be heard, "What the?" I turned around to
see several bikers taking they're bike through the park! They can't do
that! I looked around to see several other people watching them too. Some
looked scared while others looked at them unnerved.
The men didn't stay very long and they didn't do any harm other then dig
up the grass with their bikes. I will never understand people like
them!
I turned back around, my thoughts back on Serena.
Hotel. Why? HOTEL! Of course! If the girls said that she's at a hotel
then she must be somewhere around Tokyo! I just have to go to each hotel
and ask for Serena! This shouldn't be hard at all! I got up and ran back
to my car. Hotel, of course!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Do you know what happens to people when they're in a car for long periods
of time? The get uncomfortable and irritated, I felt like I just want out!
My legs want to move, my arms want to stretch! My whole body just wants to
move around! I have this really bad urge to go for a long, long run though
the park! I looked at Darien to Dad to Mom to Philly. They were all quiet
and calm. How could they stand it!
I tried to stretch my legs but the bench in front of me wouldn't allow it.
I fought down the urge to scream. We had been driving non-stop in this van
for over four hours! I want out! Doesn't this car run out of gas?!
I turned to Darien when I felt him move. He was trying to stretch his legs
as well. At least I wasn't alone in the feeling.
I looked out the window to see lots of trees. We are in the middle of
the country with no hope of a gas station anywhere! Please let the car
just brake down! I'd rather walk there!
But I had no such luck. The van kept going and going and going...
-energizer battery van! Hhhhaaaaaa!
I folded my arms to keep from hitting someone up there with them.
I looked at the women in the front. She wasn't driving, another man was.
The women had long blue hair up in a pony-tail with beautiful pink eyes
and a perfect figure. She wore tight black pants and shirt. Maybe that's
why I didn't like her so much. I see her as a threat. A threat to who
though, Me? Of course. She's beautiful; Darien would be bound to notice.
What guy wouldn't? I sighed, "This is stupid." I muttered under my breath.
I shouldn't be jealous! What's the matter with me? I usually like people
right away, why didn't I like her? Maybe it was because she looked at
me differently. She seemed annoyed by my presents. Maybe if she got to know
me a little better...and if I got to now her, I'm sure we'd find that we
were just making snap assumptions. Ya! That's it!
"We'll be there in fifteen minutes." The women informed.
I sighed. Thank goodness!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"So, how do we follow her?" Lita asked me.
"We can locate her with the map on my computer." I left the room.
When I came back I had my computer with me, "See." I lifted it up so
the girls could see it. A small pink button indicated where Serena
was.
"So, she's somewhere outside of Tokyo!" Mina laughed, "This is great,
Amy!"
"Who's driving?" Lita asked.
"I am!" Ray smiled and headed for the front door.
"Great!" Mina grabbed my arm and dragged me outside.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I ran into the tenth hotel I'd been to.
"Hi. I'm wondering if a friend of mine is staying here." I informed the
man at the desk.
"What's the name?" he typed something down in his computer.
"Tsukino, Serena."
"Sorry, there's no one staying here by that name."
"Thanks." I left. So far that had been the same answer I'd gotten all
morning! Where are you Serena?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I got out of the van as soon as I could! I stretched out then took a
quick look around. We were out in the country all right. Trees surrounded
us on all sides. Before us stood a big log cabin with large windows: it
was amazing!
Darien came up behind me, "Come on."
We all went up to the house. Dad just walked in like he lived there.
The cabin was beautiful! The first thing you saw was the living room. It
was big with two big white leather couches and a coffee table. The big
window to the right had no curtains and you could see the beautiful scenery
of trees, rocks and flowers. I looked over to our left to see an entry way
that lead into the open kitchen, it was big as well. On the other side of
the house you could see a wood banister that lead up to the second floor.
"I thought you said he would meet us here, Marlo." Dad said to the women.
Well, at least now I knew her name.
"He's probably in the back." Marlo lead the way to the back of the house.
We went through two doors before we came to a glass siding door that
lead outside. We stepped out into the late morning sun. We were on a huge
deck that stood low to the ground. A small swimming pool could be seen
just beyond it.
"Marlo, is that you?" I heard a man's voice ask. I looked to my left to
see a man sitting at a table with an umbrella adjusted to it. The man held
a glass of lemonade in his left hand.
"Roger, it's been a while." Darien's voice was gruff and unpleasant. I
followed them to Roger.
After getting a closer look at the man I could tell he was in his fifties.
He was thin with long dark brown hair pulled into a ponytail at the nape of
his neck and his hair was tinted in gray. He had dark brown eyes and tan skin
to match. He wasn't bad looking for his age. I guess staying out in the
county helped him keep his youth.
Roger shook hands with all the men then turned to Philly, "It's amazing
how long it's been." He looked Philly up and down.
Philly looked coolly at him.
"I see you're still giving the cold shoulder." He smirked then turned to
me. I could tell he hadn't noticed me before for some surprise was evident.
"And who might this shy thing be?" he asked no one in particular.
I was standing halfway behind Darien.
"None of your business Roger." Darien state.
Roger kept his eye on me none the less.
Dad's cold voice erupted, "She's MY daughter, Roger."
"Oh...well, welcome to the club!" he gave me his hand. I looked at
him. Something was wrong with this guy! I didn't like the way he was
looking at Philly nor the way he's looking at me.
Deciding not to be too friendly I kept my hand to my side, "Thanks."
He seemed disappointed but quickly covered it up with a smile.
"We need to talk, Roger. Enough of this chit-chat! Is there somewhere
we can go?" Darien asked.
Rogers friendly voice turned to formalities, "Follow me."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Are they really this far out?" Lita asked me as we drove onto the
dirt road.
"Ask Amy, not me!"
Lita smiled then turned to Amy.
"Yes, they are. According to this they're somewhere near Tiani point."
Amy pushed a few more buttons
Lita nodded, "So, how long will this take?"
Amy sighed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We ended up in a room with a pool table. The lights were down low creating
a hide out filling. I sat on a chair on the side of the wall near the
door. While Dad, Darien, and Philly stood near Roger by the pool table.
Mom and Marlo stood up against the wall on my right.
"You're going to need guns, ammunition, and plenty of back up." Roger
took a shot at a solid blue five ball.
"We have back up, we just need the guns and ammunition." Dad informed.
"Back up, huh? You mean just the five of you? Hah, that will be the day!
You have to be prepared for anything. You're going to need more guys than
that." Roger laughed, "I'll call K.C. for more men."
"I don't want more men! We've done this before with less, we don't need a
bunch of men with no gut. I've seen K.C.'s men! They're not trained for
this." Dad crossed his arms in front of his chest.
"What about your daughter? She, I'm sure, doesn't have any training."
Roger shot a look at me before smiling crookedly at Dad.
Dad tensed. I could tell he didn't know what to say to that.
I spoke up, "I may not know how to use a gun but I know how to fight.
That at least has to count for something."
Roger lifted an eyebrow, "Really? You wouldn't think to look at cha."
I shrugged my shoulders indifferently.
"Alright, no more men...but don't say I didn't warn Ya." Roger looked at
Darien now, "How are you holding up, Tux-Man?"
Tux-Man? Why would he call him that?
"Fine." Darien must have some grudge against Roger either that or he
just doesn't like us for the reasons the rest of us do.
"What about that arm of yours?"
"I said it was fine. But what I would like to know is why you couldn't
handle this on your own? You too busy getting a tan?" Darien smirked.
Roger frowned, "Disparate times come with desperate measures."
"I bet."
Marlo walked over to stand next to Darien, "Maybe, Roger, you should let
us talk over some strategies."
Roger looked from Darien to Dad then back to Marlo, "Sure, I think you
should do that."
Roger left the room in long strides.
Now what? Marlo seemed to have a place in Rogers life, enough to have a
say in what he should do. I wonder what's going on between them...
"Now, guys. I assume this is all happening tonight." Marlo moved closer
to Darien.
"Who says you're going?" Philly asked. She didn't look happy about
Marlo coming along.
"I did. You don't think that I'm staying around here when all the
actions out there!" Marlo threw back her hair.
Philly stood stiff, "Let's just say I don't trust you to cover my
back."
"I wouldn't trust you either 'but' since we have no choice..." Marlo
smiled, "We'll just have to get along, won't we?"
Philly made a growling sound in her throat.
Darien cut in, "Phillip."
"Fine." Philly made her way over to stand next to me by the door.
Dad sighed then looked around, he pulled up a chair and sat down, "We
already got part of this set up. It should be easy if everybody stays
quiet."
Everybody nodded.
Dad continued, "I.T. you will be on point 27B with Serena. D.C. will be
taking care of his business with 14CASA and while I and Phillip will be
in section 4 in site 12. All of us with walky-talky's to keep in
contact."
"Except me." Darien reminded.
"Oh, right." Dad looked at Marlo, "What about you?"
"I'll stay around section 6. to watch D.C.'s back." Marlo smiled.
"I didn't know there was a section 6." Dad looked thoughtful.
"Oh, there is." Marlo smiled then walked over to me, "What's your name
blonde?"
She was looking down at me. I could tell she was glad I was sitting down
so she could look intimidating. What was that about trying to be nice? I
smiled determined, "Serena or if you insist you can call me S.T. since
some of us are using code names."
"We are 'all' using code names. Marlo isn't my real name and Phillip
is certainly not hers." Marlo's eyes went to Philly who was standing
next to me.
Philly glared at her.
Marlo looked back at me and smiled, "Nice to meet you." She stepped back
and turned back to the guys.
I will never let her look down to me like that again. I will be nice but
I also will be treated as an equal.
I stood up and walked up to the end of the pool table. Leaning myself
against it I asked, "Where is site 12 anyway?"
Dad answered, "It's ten miles out of Tokyo. There's only one building
out there and that's for building boats. We plan to meet them between the
pond and the building.
I nodded, "So where would that put Mom and me?"
"On top of the building. You two will be able to see everything from there."
Dad looked at Marlo, "No shooting unless I call, you hear me Marlo?"
"Fine." She smiled.
Did she have a history of shooting when she wasn't suppose to? Gosh, this
girl is just full of surprises. But than again I wouldn't be surprised.
"I assume we have to be there around ten so we should be taking leave
around nine thirty to make curtain that we get there before they do."
Marlo started for the door.
"Right. Where are you going?" Dad asked.
"I'm starving! How about you?"
Food! I haven't even eaten breakfast! My stomach silently growled.
Dad nodded, "Let's eat."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"You have to turn right at the next turn..." Amy looked up from her map
to see us turn left, "Ray, I said 'right'."
"But we're turning left. There's a gas station a mile from here! I'm
starving!" Ray drove on.
Amy sighed.
"Come on Amy, you know you're hungry!" I cheered.
"Mina..."
I sighed, "Amy, you can be so hard to get along with some times." I
crossed my arms in front of my chest. Amy was tired and just wanted
to get there, but so did I! But I'd rather be full when we're late
then be starving when we're early.
Amy obviously didn't think the same.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The dinning room was beautiful as it also had two big windows. The
scenery outside was breathtaking.
"Let's just have something simple; I'm not in the mood to cook." Marlo
said as she pulled out some bread and sandwich meat. I smiled. I least we
get to eat! This isn't too bad!
Mom went and helped Marlo with the sandwiches leaving me with Dad and
Darien at the table. Philly left to use the restroom.
"Dad?" I started. He gave me his attention. "Dad, how did all this
really happen? I know Mom said that you started this new career after
the war but...tell me in detail." Dad told great stories! He never told
them very often though; he was always just a little too busy. But on
rare occasions like Christmas, New Years or Thanksgiving he told
wonderful stories!
Dad cleared his throat, "Well, let's see. Two years ago I was sitting
in Leanos Café. I had just gotten off my shift and I was tired, hungry
and wasted from the night's trip (AN: As in gun battle.). You could hardly
hear the music that was playing in the background because of all the
shooting going on fifteen miles away. I got something to eat then talked
with an old buddy of mine, his name was Kert R. Rodney.
In fact Kert and I were talking about you and your brother. Kert had a
few kids of his own so-"
I cut in, "You mean...what do you mean, 'had'?"
Dad bowed his head, "He had a son in the army, died of a blow to the head.
He also had a daughter, she was only six years old when they're house fell
on her, killed instantly."
Dad lifted his head. His face held sorrow and pain for his friend. Dad's
eyes took on a distant look as he went on, "He loved hearing stories about
you kids. He would come up to me and ask 'How are ya doing Ken? Kids are
still at home I assume.' He was kind and turned out to be the best friend
I ever had! We went through a lot together. Ilene wasn't with me at the
time. Although I had seen her enough times in the medical ward. I always
managed to bang up my hand, arm or head getting me strait to her."
I gasped, "You don't mean you actually...hurt your self?"
Dad came out of his dream state and laughed at my expression, "No, no I
didn't do it on purpose. But if I had thought about it then I'm sure I
would have." Dad smiled warmly at Mom.
"So, is that when it happened?" I asked. He was starting to go a little
slow for me.
Dad looked back at me, "Hold on, not yet. Kert and I left the Café to go
to our Baric (AN: ~I don't know if that is spelled right~ a metal or tin
roof building where the army men stayed.) but half way there we both
stopped at the sound of a high pitched whistling sound."
No... I whispered to myself. I knew that sound, I could hear it with out
Dad describing it. That sound always came before-
"A bomb, coming right for us. We both started running for cover without
telling the other. We both knew that sound all to well. Kurt was twenty
years older than me and had trouble with his left leg, we both knew that
he was slowing us down but I didn't care. We're going to get out of there
before that bomb landed.
Then just behind us a loud explosion erupted! I turned back to see
the Café...in flames, along with all the people."
Here Dad took a great big swallow of water.
How could that happen? All those people died! I swallowed the lump in my
throat. It isn't fair! I looked over to see Darien looking out the window
with pain on his face. Had he gone through similar experiences? My heart
cried out 'No' he couldn't have! He's not suppose to! And Dad... they had
all gone through so much!
"Time was not on our side that day," Dad started once again. "No, it was
not. Another whistle was heard behind us. Running was all I had on my mind.
I could see the Baric but it was still to far away. Kert stumbled and
fell taking me down with him. He quickly grabbed me 'Leave me!' He
screamed 'just go!' I told him no, that I couldn't! But he insisted and
pushed me away 'Leave! Your kids still need you! Don't...don't let them
lose a father!'"
Dad, by now was having trouble speaking, "He wouldn't let me stay. 'I'
couldn't let me stay! It took up all my will power, stood and ran...with
out looking back...
A few seconds later I heard the bomb explode behind me. I couldn't look
back! I couldn't! Because some how I knew...I knew that he was gone."
"Dad you...you don't have to go on." I stated. I didn't want to cause
him anymore pain.
"No, no it's okay." Dad looked out the window as well, "Around one in the morning a messenger came with the news that the war was over. I couldn't sleep so I took a truck and went for your Mother. But I didn't get past the main building for the sector.
A man by the name of Jerry Wilding for the US stopped me. He asked that
I step in the office and wait for the Commander. I told him the war was over.
He said he knew that but asked that I stay anyway. I was torn between going
for your Mother and staying. But for some reason I felt I still had a mission
to fulfill so I stayed.
I waited in the office for hours. Finely at around five in the morning
the Commander came in. I will never forget the look on the Mans face. You
would think that he would be happy but he still looked like the war was
still on. I asked if there was something the matter. He nodded 'Yes, there
is Mr. Tsukino. And I'm afraid we need your help. I was informed that you
are known for making excellent strategies in tough situations. We could use
a man like you...'if' you're willing.'"
"You mean they took you out of the army and strait into something just like
it! Didn't they know you have a family?" My heart was beating so fast! My
head spinning! They had no right to ask him to do that!
Thinking to himself, Dad nodded slowly, "Yes, they did. When I hesitated
he informed me that my wife was being asked the same question as well. I
knew Ilene would say yes even though she wanted to be with her children. I
told him to give me a night to think about it. So I was released.
I found Ilene and we talked it over and finely came to the conclusion
that J.S.S needed us most at the moment. I had been getting letters from both
of you and so far things in Tokyo weren't too disturbed, thank goodness!
After consenting, the Commander turned us over to J.S.S for interviews
and examinations. After finding us fit and worthy of keeping this top secret,
they let us in.
So that is how we became part of the J.S.S." Dad ended.
"What about you friend?" I asked, "Did...he really die?" Dad nodded,
"When the dead soldiers names came out...his was among them."
I nodded. Why does life have to be this way? I thought...nothing can
ever be the same. Darien! "Nothing will ever be all right in the world..."
I looked directly at Darien. He looked back at me, shock evident on
his features.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Mina, do you think you could move over a little? You have plenty of
room near the window!" I barked. I was starting to get extremely irritated!
Mina has been leaning on me, while I am driving, just so she can get out of
the sun! While Lita, who by the way is eating 'all' the chips, is bugging
the life out of Amy!
"Please! Everyone just settle down! We'll be there in less then
thirty minutes!" I begged.
"But Ray! It's HOT!" Mina complained.
"Well, it wouldn't be if you would roll the window back up and turn on
the air conditioning!"
"You have air conditioning?!" Mina squealed, "Why didn't you tell me
before?!"
"Doesn't every car have air conditioning?" I rolled my eyes.
Mina blushed, "Well, I just though...since it looks kind of old
..."
"Mina!" I yelled, "MY CAR IS 'NOT' OLD!"
"Right!" Mina giggled while rolling up the window.
"Hey, Amy. What does that button do?" Lita asked as she was in the back
with Amy.
"Stop asking me! I'm trying to get a lock on Serena!"
"You mean you lost her?!" I yelled while going to a skid stop.
The girls started screaming as they got yanked forward then back against
their seats.
"Wha...wha...was that for?!" Lita breathed.
I turned around, "Amy, have you lost Serena?!"
Amy turned red, "That's...that's not what I meant Ray! Don't ever do that
again! I mean it!" Amy's eyes were wide while her breathing was heavy,
"You scared the heck out of me!"
I settled down a little, "Sorry but what 'did' you mean?"
"I only meant that my lock on Serena is being fuzzed out by lutronic inter-
links created by security systems that are located around the area near
Serena." Amy took a death breath, "I'm trying to fix it so that they
can't bother my link to Serena's communicator."
"Ohhhhh..." I sighed, "So she hasn't left?"
"No, she's exactly where she was four hours ago." Amy shook her head,
"Can we please just go?"
I realized that I had been sitting here asking questions when I should
have been driving. I turned around and drove off again.
"Jezz, maybe you should take Zoloft (AN: it's a medicine that makes
you calmer.)!" Mina laughed.
"And where did you get that idea?" I asked annoyed.
"Amy!" Mina smiled. I groaned.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Why can't I find her?! I've looked everywhere!" I bet the girls know
exactly where she is! And they didn't tell me! I have been looking for
hours and still no luck! Those girls are really going to get it if they've
put me on a while goose chase!
That's what I'll do! I'm going strait to Ray's! And I'm going to get what
I need out of them! I turned back on the freeway toward the Temple.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I woke up to the sound of people yelling. "You're not going! We already
have a plan and we don't need you here to screw it up!" Darien was
yelling.
"And who made you the king of the crop? I'm here to get my fair share in
and it's only fair that I get the goods." L.L? It sounded like it. I had
fallen asleep on the couch after lunch. I pushed myself into a sitting
position. Darien and L.L. were arguing near the kitchen doorway. Darien
looked frustrated while L.L. was enraged.
"It's not 'about' getting a title Lanson! It's about saving lives. And
until you can get that strait you'll never get anywhere!"
"That may be the way you see it but guys like me get higher titles then
guys like you all the time. And that's because we do whatever it takes to
get there!" L.L. smirked, "You're too soft."
Darien growled, "Just stay out of my way L.L!"
"Ooohhhh, I'm sooo scared! What are you going to do D.C, hit me with
your stick?" L.L laughed.
Darien glared at him but then caught sight of me, "Serena...how long
have you been listening?" He sounded like he had been caught doing some-
thing.
I smiled, "Oh, to the part where you insisting L.L. don't go." I looked
behind me to see Dad asleep on the armchair. He slept through all that?!
Gosh, take about sleeping through a war zone! Well, I guess he's used to
it.
"So, the pretty lady's up! How nice." L.L. sneered, "It's amazing she's
still around. I would have thought you would scare her off."
I looked at Darien and L.L.
Darien was watching me. He gaze held a question that I didn't want to answer.
I looked away. I focused on the big grandfather clock. It's one-thirty?! Wow,
I slept a long time!
"Well, I'll see you all around. I'm going to take this through Roger if
you won't give in D.C." L.L. smiled then went up stairs.
Darien ignored him and started walking toward me. He wasn't going to ask
me what I think he's going to, was he?
The look his eyes said 'yes'.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I couldn't figure out of the life of me why she stayed. Sure, she stated
the fact that she wanted to help, but why? Why would she choose to stay
with us and help when she could stay somewhere safe?
Did she want to die? Didn't she once say or indicate that she didn't value
her life? No, she couldn't have meant that. Serena's the girl that values
life! Serena wouldn't just let her life become meaningless!
There must be another reason. Could she actually...care...or...
I shook my head mentally, I wasn't going to make assumptions. She's going
to tell me. I walked toward Serena. I could tell she already knew my question.
I sat next her or rather five feet away from her, on the couch, "Serena, why
did you stay?"
She looked at me, "I already told you."
"I know you want to help, but why?" I revised the question.
She didn't answer. Did I dare hope...?
"Serena, please answer me. I know we've never really gotten along
together but...I guess what I'm saying is-" I cut off my sentence as I
'thought' I saw a flash of blonde hair fly past the window. What the? I
went on alert. Someone must be out there! I grabbed my gun off its holder
on my pants and slowly got up.
"Darien...?"
"Shh." I stalked toward the window. Serena slowly got up and walked behind
me.
I went up to the window and looked out. The trees were swaying slightly with
the breeze outside. Everything looked normal. We stood and listened for
any disturbing sounds. Silence, except for K.T.'s soft snoring. I sighed.
I put my gun back in its holder, "False alarm."
"What was the matter?" she asked.
"Oh, I just thought I saw something. Never mind." I rubbed my right
shoulder with my right hand. It will be real nice when I get this sling
off! I went back to the couch and sat down once again. Serena kept
standing, "Um, I think I'm going to get a drink of water." She started for
the kitchen. I knew she was trying to stall, although I have no idea why. I
wish she would just tell me and get this over with! Does the girl love me
or not?!
I followed her into the kitchen fully planning on getting an answer out of
her.
I was walking up to her, when once again I saw a flash of hair, this time
black, fly past the window. It seems that whenever I see it, I barely get
a glimpse of it as it disappears past the window! Some one is deffinatly
out there! I grabbed my gun again. Serena turned around and gasped, "What
are you doing?" I ignored her as I walked slowly to the kitchen window.
"Darien, I thought you said..." she stopped talking. I turned to see her
with her mouth wide open. She took a quick look at me and shut her
mouth, "Darien, there's nothing out there!" Serena laughed nervously. There
were two window's in the kitchen and I was only looking at one.
But Serena...Serena could have been looking out the other window. Ha!
"Serena? Did you see some one in the window?" I asked while cocking an
eyebrow.
She quickly shook her head 'no'. "I think you're getting a little
paranoid, Darien." She laughed.
I looked from her to the window, still seeing nothing. Sighing I put
the gun back again and relaxed.
"Haaaa!" a loud thump sounded outside.
I whirled around.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oh, no! He's going to see them! Quick, think girl! Darien whirled around.
I grabbed him and turned him around and brought his head down, pressing my
lips to his. Darien stiffened then relaxed. He started kissing me back immediately.
What are you doing girl?! This wasn't supposed to happen! I
opened my eyes to see Darien's eyes shut tight. I looked past him to see
the girls, Mina, Ray, Amy and Lita wide eyed, just standing there in full
view!
I waved for them to get out of there. Ray quickly bonked the girls on the
head and they quickly left. I relaxed, now that the girls were gone but
then found myself in a very interesting situation.
I thought of pulling away but...maybe it was because my head was getting
light or it was because I've been wanting to do this for so long...
Darien wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer. I sighed into
his kiss. Mmmm, I could stay here forever...
But then I remembered what we were about to discus in the first place
and quickly pulled away. He must think I'm...I'm...
Darien was watching me.
I blushed. I could hardly imagine what was going through his mind. He
probably thinks I crazy! For goodness sakes, I had just grabbed him and
kissed him for no reason, as far as he knows anyway!
"Serena," he ran his figures through his hair nervously. What reason
did he have to be nervous? I'm the one at fault here! Darien licked his
lips, causing me to shiver, "Serena, we need to talk."
I didn't move or say a thing. I didn't want to talk about this, not at
all! I would only humiliate myself! Gosh, he probably still sees me as a
child! Uhg, why did the scouts have to show up?!
Please, someone get me out of this!
Just then, thank goodness, Dad walked in sleepy eyed, "What time is
it?"
I cleared my throat, "Um, around two."
Dad nodded and opened the fridge and pulled out some orange juice. I smiled.
It reminded me of when Dad was at home. Every morning (I noticed this when
I 'actually' did wake up early) and every night before bed he would open
the fridge and take out his orange juice.
"Serena, maybe we should go in the other room." Darien urged. I gulped,
"Um, actually I need to talk to Dad...right now." I added the last part.
Darien didn't look happy. He must really want to torment me!
I gave him an innocent smile as if nothing happened two minutes
ago.
Darien, frustrated, marched out of the kitchen. I relaxed and turned to
see Dad watching us.
"What's the matter with him?"
I laughed, putting my hand behind my back, "Oh, he just hasn't gotten
any sleep!"
Dad frowned, "I know what that's like. That nap felt great!"
"Ya, mine too." I sighed. At least the girls got out of sight. That kiss
had really distracted him, I honestly didn't think it would work. Darien's
not easy to distract, it takes a lot to take his mind off track. Mmm, does
that mean something? Naw, he couldn't have liked...
I suddenly felt weak in the knees. Impossible! I laughed to myself. That's
a silly thought! Darien actually liking it! But then why did he respond?
I gulped. I wasn't sure I wanted to dwell on that right now.
Oh, but that kiss was so...wonderful...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I knocked on the door and waited for Ray to answer. "Hey!" I heard someone
yell to the side of me. I looked over to see Chad, "Hi!"
"Oh, hi Sam. You looking for the girls?" he asked.
"Yep, is Ray here?"
"Nope! All went over to Lita's house. Why?" Chad stood there with a broom
in his hand.
"No reason. Well, I guess I'll head over there then." I turned and left.
Great!
Now I get to run all over Tokyo looking for Lita. She better be home!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Um, does anyone want to comment on what just happened?" Lita asked. I
smiled, "That looked to be one hot kiss!"
"Ray! That's not what Lita meant!" Mina sat on her knees on the car
seat.
Amy typed on her computer.
"Now, what are you doing? We're here." I asked.
"Going down to the house wasn't a smart move. We could have put Serena in
danger and what's more we put her in...an uncomfortable posistion." Amy
stated.
Mina smiled slyly, "I doubt she was uncomfortable. She's in love with the
guy!"
Lita knocked Mina over the head, "You don't know if she's STILL in love
with him."
"No, she is. I can tell!"
"Riiiiggghhtt. Let me guess, because you're the Sailor Scout of Love?"
Lita stated annoyed.
Mina nodded vigorously.
Lita rolled her eyes, "Whatever."
"Stop bickering. I have a plan. We wait out here until they make a move.
Then we follow them." Amy looked up from her computer, "What do you think."
"Very original." I stated, "But it works."
"You know what guys? Serena is not going to be happy with us when she
contacts us!" Lita informed.
"Thank you for reminding us, Lita." I said sarcastically.
Lita gave a small smile, "Sure."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To Be Continued...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter: Seven
Author: Marie J.W.
Rated: PG
E-mail: mariejwchan@yahoo.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ray POV -
"...it was a file labeled Tsukino, Ken and Tsukino, Ilene. I thought
it was strange since Serena's parents weren't patents of my Mothers. I
pulled it, curiosity getting the better of me, and took a good look at
it. It surprised me because all the dates read only to a few months
back.
My Mother happened to come in the office at the exact moment. I knew I
wasn't supposed to be in there. Mother only allowed me in there during
certain exams but even then she was always there.
To make a long story short she was very upset at me for being in there
alone but when she saw what file I held she became very concerned. She
took the file from me and told me I couldn't tell anyone what I saw!
Never!
I knew she meant especially Serena." Amy ended with several tears coursing
down her cheeks.
"I'm so sorry that you had to bare that alone, Amy." I put a hand on
her shoulder.
"It's wasn't just me, Mother had to keep the secret as well." Amy
sniffed.
Just then a loud crashing sound shook the house following something the
sounded remotely like a swearing.
"Wha wa tha?" Mina asked through her mouth full of cereal.
I quickly ran toward the back door. My small back-yard stood in front of
us empty. But I wasn't satisfied. That noise had come from the side of the
house not the back. With the girls following, we went to the side to see
a ladder on the ground with Chad laying down next to it. He wasn't
unconscious but he was holding his head.
"Man, that hurt!"
"That's not all that's gonna hurt!" I marched past Lita to Chad.
Chad scrabbled to his feet, "Ray!"
"What were you doing?!"
Chad turned red. I looked around. The laddered was right under that
window. That's the kitchen window! He was listening to our
conversation!
"Ray, wait!"
I whirled around, "What?"
"Let's all go inside and talking about this more calmly." Lita said. It
was more of a demand then an offer.
I nodded then grabbed Chad by the ear.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
No matter how many times I go over this I still can't believe it!
Serena's parents are I.T. and K.T.? This whole time Serena's parents have
been alive?
Every time K.T. had talked about his daughter he was talking about Serena!
If I'd known that I would have paid more attention! He talked about his kids
all the time! Yet, he had never mentioned their names once! Cleaver man.
I hope he doesn't get all Fatherly about Serena being with me the whole time
he thought his Daughter was kidnapped. Well, technically she was kidnapped
but not the way he thought she was. I'm an old friend...or enemy in
Serena's terms. Count on her to tell her Father this big over exaggerated
story on how she got here in the first place. Then I'm in big trouble!
Rule number one: Never get the Father of the girl you're in-love with
mad! Results never turn out good that way. Rule number two: keep on the
girl, you're in love with, on her good side! And last but not least Rule
numbers three: always keep the girl you're in love with in sight in times
of danger! Or at least know where she is!
I don't want her going but it looks like I don't have a choice! Dang that
girl! She is so suborn! I don't want to lose her permanently! I don't know
what I'd do...if I lost her!
I stared up at the ceiling, not really looking at it. The word 'Void' comes
to mind; a big black whole. Hmmm.
I hope I don't have to change into my alter-ego tomorrow. I better not get
that desperate! Of course if I did my arm will heal faster but all the same
I don't want anything to get out of hand. It should go pretty smoothly. Ask
the guy for the diamond, take the diamond, ask for the information on where
to go next, receive the information, get the heck out of there. And bang
we're on a lead!
Simple.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I packed my backpack and went into the living room to find Philly all
ready to go. It was early in the morning. I'd say around five thirty. I
still didn't know what was going to happen. And it is bugging the heck
out of me! Why are people so vague!
"Are you ready to go, sweetie?" Mom came up behind me.
"Yep, but where are we going?" I asked her has she passed me.
"Your Father will know."
"You mean you have no idea where we're going?" I asked.
"No, he gets all the information. I just follow him where ever he goes."
Mom sat down next to Philly. They started talking but I wasn't listening.
Mom must really trust Dad a lot to do something like that. I would want to
know where, when, and why! That would be really hard to have that kind of
faith in people! Is that how I should be with Darien? Should I trust him?
Pluto said I should but...that could be so hard!
But he didn't trust me! Why should I trust him! He spent all this time
trying to keep the Japan Secret Services a secret...from me! He didn't
even give me a chance! The only way I know now is because of Dad.
I wish Dad had told me more. I still have a load of questions. Like
what's next. What are we doing? How are going to stop that awful man?
I wonder if Amy got anything out of what Dad said.
This is still all so confusing!
I thought back to the other night at dinner. Darien was being nice...
well he could have been a little better. But all the same...
I wonder if he really meant that he was married or getting married.
I hope not but could he? I clutched my backpack tighter. Why does my
life have to be so confusing?! Why can't things just appear as they
are?
"Honey? Are you alright?" Mom's worried face appeared in front of
me.
"Oh, sorry. I was just thinking." I throw my bag over my shoulder,
"Mom, is Darien married?" I tried to just throw the question out.
"Darien...? Oh, D.C.! No, I don't think so." Mom smiled at me, "Why
do you ask?"
"Oh, no reason!" I walked in front of the TV, relieved.
"Hey, don't I remember you saying something about a boy named Darien?"
Mom pulled her hair back into a pony tail.
"No!"
"Are you sure?" she asked.
I laughed nervously. If Mom found out that Darien was D.C. she would bug
the heck out of me! "Yes, Mom!"
Mom gave me a doubtful look but let it go.
I sighed.
The guys knocked on the door so Philly opened it.
"You all ready?" Dad asked at the door.
"Ready as we'll ever be!" Mom smiled.
How can she be so happy when Tokyo could blow up any day now?
"Hey, princess. Are you going to stand there all day?" Dad broke through
my thoughts. I smiled and shock my head.
We left the room toward the elevator. At least we weren't going out the
same way we went in. We all piled into the elevator. None of us said any-
thing.
The elevator stopped on the second floor. A man stepped in...the same
man as before! This is just getting ridicules! Each time we meet we're
in an elevator!
The man looked at us all in curiosity. His gaze stopped at me; he smiled.
I smiled back. I bet we looked pretty weird all wearing black. I stood next
to Dad wondering if he was thinking the same thing. If we were going to be
in public we should at least look normal!
The elevator stopped and we all got out. The Man got out and went strait
to a phone while we went to the information desk.
Darien went and talked to the person at the desk then gave them the key.
We went out the front door. The air felt good! It was a little windy but
for being shut up for a while I was sure glad to feel it! I followed Dad
and Darien through the parking lot. Philly and Mom lagged behind me.
I wonder where we're going? We don't have a car. I watched us pass most of
the parking lot. Finely we ended up at the road on a sidewalk.
I remained quiet, knowing that asking questions wasn't going to do any good
at the moment.
A big van pulled over on the curve a few feet away. Dad immediately
went toward it. The van door opened and a Women in black stepped out.
"Did you get in contact with Roger?" Dad asked the women.
"Yes, he plans to meet you at point 102 at nine thirty." The women replied.
Dad nodded and got into the car. Darien went in next then I. The women looked
at me with curiosity. Mom followed with Philly. The women got in and shut
the door.
I wonder what her job is?
The van moved.
"Who's the girl?" the women asked.
"She's going along for the ride." Darien who was sitting beside me replied.
I stiffened. Did he have to say it that way! It wasn't true! I am going to
help! I'm not going to be extra luggage.
The women looked at me with some annoyance. I looked right back at her
with determination. She looked away.
The rest of the ride was quiet. I kept looking out the window, trying to
figure out where we were going.
We had all day until we started anything dangerous...
Let's just hope it's not too dangerous!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mina POV -
"I swear I didn't hear a thing!" Chad protested.
Ray glared at him, "So, you didn't hear anything about, Serena?"
"I didn't hear anything about Amy finding a file or that it had anything
to do with her parents! I swear!" Chad pleaded.
The girls looked at each other.
"Chad do you know that you just confessed?" Lita asked.
"No, I didn't! I just said-" Chad's face turned red, "Oh, no!"
"Oh, yes!" Ray smirked, "What are you doing here?"
Chad looked nervous, "I just want to know..."
"Know what?" I asked. Chad can be such a dummy sometimes!
Chad turned even redder as he looked nervously at Ray. Ohhhhh! Hhe
hehe...
I had to smile. Chad was spying on us because he wanted to be near Ray! He
was starting to turn white.
"Chad answer!" Ray shouted.
"Ray, leave him alone!"
"What?" Ray turned on me.
"I said just leave him alone. He doesn't want to answer." I smiled knowingly
at him. He gulped.
"And how would you know that?" Ray asked sarcastically.
"BECAUSE, I AM the Senshi of LOVE!" I smirked at Ray's dumfounded
expression.
She recovered, "What's that suppose to mean?"
Lita snickered. Ray glared at her.
"I think we should calm down." Amy sighed, "We need to know exactly
what he heard so we can solve this little problem."
"Right!" I turned back to Chad, "Sooo?"
He sighed when he realized that we weren't going to kill him.
"I only heard something about Amy finding a file on Serena's parents.
And also something about Serena's parents working for J.S.S. whatever
that is." Chad looked around Lita's table with interest. He spotted a
box of cheerios.
"Well, I don't think he knows too much. It could be worse!" I smiled.
"Right."
Lita glared at Chad, "Leave my food alone!"
Chad backed up against his chair and smile, "I was just looking."
Lita shook her head.
"What are we going to do with him?" Ray asked.
"Chad, why don't you just go home." I told him.
"You would just let me leave?"
"What else are we going to do?!" I pulled him out of the chair and
started pushing him toward the door.
"Wow, you guys are great! I thought I was done for!"
I pushed him out the door, "Don't mention it!" I quickly shut the door
behind him.
I turned back to Lita and Ray, "Now what?"
Amy came up behind them, "We find out where Serena's at then we follow."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I crossed the street to the park, "Serena could always think here. Why
can't I?"
The trees were in full bloom and a soft fragrance filled the air. I sat
down on a bench near the lake and closed my eyes. My sisters face
appeared before me. Smiling, calling me Sammy. My heart swelled! I miss-
her-so-much! I just wish she would come home!
The girls said that she was at a hotel...with a friend but how can that
be true! I know Serena would have called me! Why would she stay at a
hotel when...she has a home right here? It doesn't make sense. Unless she
was helping a friend, but still she would have called! I grounded my teeth
in frustration.
Just then loud motors could be heard, "What the?" I turned around to
see several bikers taking they're bike through the park! They can't do
that! I looked around to see several other people watching them too. Some
looked scared while others looked at them unnerved.
The men didn't stay very long and they didn't do any harm other then dig
up the grass with their bikes. I will never understand people like
them!
I turned back around, my thoughts back on Serena.
Hotel. Why? HOTEL! Of course! If the girls said that she's at a hotel
then she must be somewhere around Tokyo! I just have to go to each hotel
and ask for Serena! This shouldn't be hard at all! I got up and ran back
to my car. Hotel, of course!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Do you know what happens to people when they're in a car for long periods
of time? The get uncomfortable and irritated, I felt like I just want out!
My legs want to move, my arms want to stretch! My whole body just wants to
move around! I have this really bad urge to go for a long, long run though
the park! I looked at Darien to Dad to Mom to Philly. They were all quiet
and calm. How could they stand it!
I tried to stretch my legs but the bench in front of me wouldn't allow it.
I fought down the urge to scream. We had been driving non-stop in this van
for over four hours! I want out! Doesn't this car run out of gas?!
I turned to Darien when I felt him move. He was trying to stretch his legs
as well. At least I wasn't alone in the feeling.
I looked out the window to see lots of trees. We are in the middle of
the country with no hope of a gas station anywhere! Please let the car
just brake down! I'd rather walk there!
But I had no such luck. The van kept going and going and going...
-energizer battery van! Hhhhaaaaaa!
I folded my arms to keep from hitting someone up there with them.
I looked at the women in the front. She wasn't driving, another man was.
The women had long blue hair up in a pony-tail with beautiful pink eyes
and a perfect figure. She wore tight black pants and shirt. Maybe that's
why I didn't like her so much. I see her as a threat. A threat to who
though, Me? Of course. She's beautiful; Darien would be bound to notice.
What guy wouldn't? I sighed, "This is stupid." I muttered under my breath.
I shouldn't be jealous! What's the matter with me? I usually like people
right away, why didn't I like her? Maybe it was because she looked at
me differently. She seemed annoyed by my presents. Maybe if she got to know
me a little better...and if I got to now her, I'm sure we'd find that we
were just making snap assumptions. Ya! That's it!
"We'll be there in fifteen minutes." The women informed.
I sighed. Thank goodness!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"So, how do we follow her?" Lita asked me.
"We can locate her with the map on my computer." I left the room.
When I came back I had my computer with me, "See." I lifted it up so
the girls could see it. A small pink button indicated where Serena
was.
"So, she's somewhere outside of Tokyo!" Mina laughed, "This is great,
Amy!"
"Who's driving?" Lita asked.
"I am!" Ray smiled and headed for the front door.
"Great!" Mina grabbed my arm and dragged me outside.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I ran into the tenth hotel I'd been to.
"Hi. I'm wondering if a friend of mine is staying here." I informed the
man at the desk.
"What's the name?" he typed something down in his computer.
"Tsukino, Serena."
"Sorry, there's no one staying here by that name."
"Thanks." I left. So far that had been the same answer I'd gotten all
morning! Where are you Serena?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I got out of the van as soon as I could! I stretched out then took a
quick look around. We were out in the country all right. Trees surrounded
us on all sides. Before us stood a big log cabin with large windows: it
was amazing!
Darien came up behind me, "Come on."
We all went up to the house. Dad just walked in like he lived there.
The cabin was beautiful! The first thing you saw was the living room. It
was big with two big white leather couches and a coffee table. The big
window to the right had no curtains and you could see the beautiful scenery
of trees, rocks and flowers. I looked over to our left to see an entry way
that lead into the open kitchen, it was big as well. On the other side of
the house you could see a wood banister that lead up to the second floor.
"I thought you said he would meet us here, Marlo." Dad said to the women.
Well, at least now I knew her name.
"He's probably in the back." Marlo lead the way to the back of the house.
We went through two doors before we came to a glass siding door that
lead outside. We stepped out into the late morning sun. We were on a huge
deck that stood low to the ground. A small swimming pool could be seen
just beyond it.
"Marlo, is that you?" I heard a man's voice ask. I looked to my left to
see a man sitting at a table with an umbrella adjusted to it. The man held
a glass of lemonade in his left hand.
"Roger, it's been a while." Darien's voice was gruff and unpleasant. I
followed them to Roger.
After getting a closer look at the man I could tell he was in his fifties.
He was thin with long dark brown hair pulled into a ponytail at the nape of
his neck and his hair was tinted in gray. He had dark brown eyes and tan skin
to match. He wasn't bad looking for his age. I guess staying out in the
county helped him keep his youth.
Roger shook hands with all the men then turned to Philly, "It's amazing
how long it's been." He looked Philly up and down.
Philly looked coolly at him.
"I see you're still giving the cold shoulder." He smirked then turned to
me. I could tell he hadn't noticed me before for some surprise was evident.
"And who might this shy thing be?" he asked no one in particular.
I was standing halfway behind Darien.
"None of your business Roger." Darien state.
Roger kept his eye on me none the less.
Dad's cold voice erupted, "She's MY daughter, Roger."
"Oh...well, welcome to the club!" he gave me his hand. I looked at
him. Something was wrong with this guy! I didn't like the way he was
looking at Philly nor the way he's looking at me.
Deciding not to be too friendly I kept my hand to my side, "Thanks."
He seemed disappointed but quickly covered it up with a smile.
"We need to talk, Roger. Enough of this chit-chat! Is there somewhere
we can go?" Darien asked.
Rogers friendly voice turned to formalities, "Follow me."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Are they really this far out?" Lita asked me as we drove onto the
dirt road.
"Ask Amy, not me!"
Lita smiled then turned to Amy.
"Yes, they are. According to this they're somewhere near Tiani point."
Amy pushed a few more buttons
Lita nodded, "So, how long will this take?"
Amy sighed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We ended up in a room with a pool table. The lights were down low creating
a hide out filling. I sat on a chair on the side of the wall near the
door. While Dad, Darien, and Philly stood near Roger by the pool table.
Mom and Marlo stood up against the wall on my right.
"You're going to need guns, ammunition, and plenty of back up." Roger
took a shot at a solid blue five ball.
"We have back up, we just need the guns and ammunition." Dad informed.
"Back up, huh? You mean just the five of you? Hah, that will be the day!
You have to be prepared for anything. You're going to need more guys than
that." Roger laughed, "I'll call K.C. for more men."
"I don't want more men! We've done this before with less, we don't need a
bunch of men with no gut. I've seen K.C.'s men! They're not trained for
this." Dad crossed his arms in front of his chest.
"What about your daughter? She, I'm sure, doesn't have any training."
Roger shot a look at me before smiling crookedly at Dad.
Dad tensed. I could tell he didn't know what to say to that.
I spoke up, "I may not know how to use a gun but I know how to fight.
That at least has to count for something."
Roger lifted an eyebrow, "Really? You wouldn't think to look at cha."
I shrugged my shoulders indifferently.
"Alright, no more men...but don't say I didn't warn Ya." Roger looked at
Darien now, "How are you holding up, Tux-Man?"
Tux-Man? Why would he call him that?
"Fine." Darien must have some grudge against Roger either that or he
just doesn't like us for the reasons the rest of us do.
"What about that arm of yours?"
"I said it was fine. But what I would like to know is why you couldn't
handle this on your own? You too busy getting a tan?" Darien smirked.
Roger frowned, "Disparate times come with desperate measures."
"I bet."
Marlo walked over to stand next to Darien, "Maybe, Roger, you should let
us talk over some strategies."
Roger looked from Darien to Dad then back to Marlo, "Sure, I think you
should do that."
Roger left the room in long strides.
Now what? Marlo seemed to have a place in Rogers life, enough to have a
say in what he should do. I wonder what's going on between them...
"Now, guys. I assume this is all happening tonight." Marlo moved closer
to Darien.
"Who says you're going?" Philly asked. She didn't look happy about
Marlo coming along.
"I did. You don't think that I'm staying around here when all the
actions out there!" Marlo threw back her hair.
Philly stood stiff, "Let's just say I don't trust you to cover my
back."
"I wouldn't trust you either 'but' since we have no choice..." Marlo
smiled, "We'll just have to get along, won't we?"
Philly made a growling sound in her throat.
Darien cut in, "Phillip."
"Fine." Philly made her way over to stand next to me by the door.
Dad sighed then looked around, he pulled up a chair and sat down, "We
already got part of this set up. It should be easy if everybody stays
quiet."
Everybody nodded.
Dad continued, "I.T. you will be on point 27B with Serena. D.C. will be
taking care of his business with 14CASA and while I and Phillip will be
in section 4 in site 12. All of us with walky-talky's to keep in
contact."
"Except me." Darien reminded.
"Oh, right." Dad looked at Marlo, "What about you?"
"I'll stay around section 6. to watch D.C.'s back." Marlo smiled.
"I didn't know there was a section 6." Dad looked thoughtful.
"Oh, there is." Marlo smiled then walked over to me, "What's your name
blonde?"
She was looking down at me. I could tell she was glad I was sitting down
so she could look intimidating. What was that about trying to be nice? I
smiled determined, "Serena or if you insist you can call me S.T. since
some of us are using code names."
"We are 'all' using code names. Marlo isn't my real name and Phillip
is certainly not hers." Marlo's eyes went to Philly who was standing
next to me.
Philly glared at her.
Marlo looked back at me and smiled, "Nice to meet you." She stepped back
and turned back to the guys.
I will never let her look down to me like that again. I will be nice but
I also will be treated as an equal.
I stood up and walked up to the end of the pool table. Leaning myself
against it I asked, "Where is site 12 anyway?"
Dad answered, "It's ten miles out of Tokyo. There's only one building
out there and that's for building boats. We plan to meet them between the
pond and the building.
I nodded, "So where would that put Mom and me?"
"On top of the building. You two will be able to see everything from there."
Dad looked at Marlo, "No shooting unless I call, you hear me Marlo?"
"Fine." She smiled.
Did she have a history of shooting when she wasn't suppose to? Gosh, this
girl is just full of surprises. But than again I wouldn't be surprised.
"I assume we have to be there around ten so we should be taking leave
around nine thirty to make curtain that we get there before they do."
Marlo started for the door.
"Right. Where are you going?" Dad asked.
"I'm starving! How about you?"
Food! I haven't even eaten breakfast! My stomach silently growled.
Dad nodded, "Let's eat."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"You have to turn right at the next turn..." Amy looked up from her map
to see us turn left, "Ray, I said 'right'."
"But we're turning left. There's a gas station a mile from here! I'm
starving!" Ray drove on.
Amy sighed.
"Come on Amy, you know you're hungry!" I cheered.
"Mina..."
I sighed, "Amy, you can be so hard to get along with some times." I
crossed my arms in front of my chest. Amy was tired and just wanted
to get there, but so did I! But I'd rather be full when we're late
then be starving when we're early.
Amy obviously didn't think the same.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The dinning room was beautiful as it also had two big windows. The
scenery outside was breathtaking.
"Let's just have something simple; I'm not in the mood to cook." Marlo
said as she pulled out some bread and sandwich meat. I smiled. I least we
get to eat! This isn't too bad!
Mom went and helped Marlo with the sandwiches leaving me with Dad and
Darien at the table. Philly left to use the restroom.
"Dad?" I started. He gave me his attention. "Dad, how did all this
really happen? I know Mom said that you started this new career after
the war but...tell me in detail." Dad told great stories! He never told
them very often though; he was always just a little too busy. But on
rare occasions like Christmas, New Years or Thanksgiving he told
wonderful stories!
Dad cleared his throat, "Well, let's see. Two years ago I was sitting
in Leanos Café. I had just gotten off my shift and I was tired, hungry
and wasted from the night's trip (AN: As in gun battle.). You could hardly
hear the music that was playing in the background because of all the
shooting going on fifteen miles away. I got something to eat then talked
with an old buddy of mine, his name was Kert R. Rodney.
In fact Kert and I were talking about you and your brother. Kert had a
few kids of his own so-"
I cut in, "You mean...what do you mean, 'had'?"
Dad bowed his head, "He had a son in the army, died of a blow to the head.
He also had a daughter, she was only six years old when they're house fell
on her, killed instantly."
Dad lifted his head. His face held sorrow and pain for his friend. Dad's
eyes took on a distant look as he went on, "He loved hearing stories about
you kids. He would come up to me and ask 'How are ya doing Ken? Kids are
still at home I assume.' He was kind and turned out to be the best friend
I ever had! We went through a lot together. Ilene wasn't with me at the
time. Although I had seen her enough times in the medical ward. I always
managed to bang up my hand, arm or head getting me strait to her."
I gasped, "You don't mean you actually...hurt your self?"
Dad came out of his dream state and laughed at my expression, "No, no I
didn't do it on purpose. But if I had thought about it then I'm sure I
would have." Dad smiled warmly at Mom.
"So, is that when it happened?" I asked. He was starting to go a little
slow for me.
Dad looked back at me, "Hold on, not yet. Kert and I left the Café to go
to our Baric (AN: ~I don't know if that is spelled right~ a metal or tin
roof building where the army men stayed.) but half way there we both
stopped at the sound of a high pitched whistling sound."
No... I whispered to myself. I knew that sound, I could hear it with out
Dad describing it. That sound always came before-
"A bomb, coming right for us. We both started running for cover without
telling the other. We both knew that sound all to well. Kurt was twenty
years older than me and had trouble with his left leg, we both knew that
he was slowing us down but I didn't care. We're going to get out of there
before that bomb landed.
Then just behind us a loud explosion erupted! I turned back to see
the Café...in flames, along with all the people."
Here Dad took a great big swallow of water.
How could that happen? All those people died! I swallowed the lump in my
throat. It isn't fair! I looked over to see Darien looking out the window
with pain on his face. Had he gone through similar experiences? My heart
cried out 'No' he couldn't have! He's not suppose to! And Dad... they had
all gone through so much!
"Time was not on our side that day," Dad started once again. "No, it was
not. Another whistle was heard behind us. Running was all I had on my mind.
I could see the Baric but it was still to far away. Kert stumbled and
fell taking me down with him. He quickly grabbed me 'Leave me!' He
screamed 'just go!' I told him no, that I couldn't! But he insisted and
pushed me away 'Leave! Your kids still need you! Don't...don't let them
lose a father!'"
Dad, by now was having trouble speaking, "He wouldn't let me stay. 'I'
couldn't let me stay! It took up all my will power, stood and ran...with
out looking back...
A few seconds later I heard the bomb explode behind me. I couldn't look
back! I couldn't! Because some how I knew...I knew that he was gone."
"Dad you...you don't have to go on." I stated. I didn't want to cause
him anymore pain.
"No, no it's okay." Dad looked out the window as well, "Around one in the morning a messenger came with the news that the war was over. I couldn't sleep so I took a truck and went for your Mother. But I didn't get past the main building for the sector.
A man by the name of Jerry Wilding for the US stopped me. He asked that
I step in the office and wait for the Commander. I told him the war was over.
He said he knew that but asked that I stay anyway. I was torn between going
for your Mother and staying. But for some reason I felt I still had a mission
to fulfill so I stayed.
I waited in the office for hours. Finely at around five in the morning
the Commander came in. I will never forget the look on the Mans face. You
would think that he would be happy but he still looked like the war was
still on. I asked if there was something the matter. He nodded 'Yes, there
is Mr. Tsukino. And I'm afraid we need your help. I was informed that you
are known for making excellent strategies in tough situations. We could use
a man like you...'if' you're willing.'"
"You mean they took you out of the army and strait into something just like
it! Didn't they know you have a family?" My heart was beating so fast! My
head spinning! They had no right to ask him to do that!
Thinking to himself, Dad nodded slowly, "Yes, they did. When I hesitated
he informed me that my wife was being asked the same question as well. I
knew Ilene would say yes even though she wanted to be with her children. I
told him to give me a night to think about it. So I was released.
I found Ilene and we talked it over and finely came to the conclusion
that J.S.S needed us most at the moment. I had been getting letters from both
of you and so far things in Tokyo weren't too disturbed, thank goodness!
After consenting, the Commander turned us over to J.S.S for interviews
and examinations. After finding us fit and worthy of keeping this top secret,
they let us in.
So that is how we became part of the J.S.S." Dad ended.
"What about you friend?" I asked, "Did...he really die?" Dad nodded,
"When the dead soldiers names came out...his was among them."
I nodded. Why does life have to be this way? I thought...nothing can
ever be the same. Darien! "Nothing will ever be all right in the world..."
I looked directly at Darien. He looked back at me, shock evident on
his features.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Mina, do you think you could move over a little? You have plenty of
room near the window!" I barked. I was starting to get extremely irritated!
Mina has been leaning on me, while I am driving, just so she can get out of
the sun! While Lita, who by the way is eating 'all' the chips, is bugging
the life out of Amy!
"Please! Everyone just settle down! We'll be there in less then
thirty minutes!" I begged.
"But Ray! It's HOT!" Mina complained.
"Well, it wouldn't be if you would roll the window back up and turn on
the air conditioning!"
"You have air conditioning?!" Mina squealed, "Why didn't you tell me
before?!"
"Doesn't every car have air conditioning?" I rolled my eyes.
Mina blushed, "Well, I just though...since it looks kind of old
..."
"Mina!" I yelled, "MY CAR IS 'NOT' OLD!"
"Right!" Mina giggled while rolling up the window.
"Hey, Amy. What does that button do?" Lita asked as she was in the back
with Amy.
"Stop asking me! I'm trying to get a lock on Serena!"
"You mean you lost her?!" I yelled while going to a skid stop.
The girls started screaming as they got yanked forward then back against
their seats.
"Wha...wha...was that for?!" Lita breathed.
I turned around, "Amy, have you lost Serena?!"
Amy turned red, "That's...that's not what I meant Ray! Don't ever do that
again! I mean it!" Amy's eyes were wide while her breathing was heavy,
"You scared the heck out of me!"
I settled down a little, "Sorry but what 'did' you mean?"
"I only meant that my lock on Serena is being fuzzed out by lutronic inter-
links created by security systems that are located around the area near
Serena." Amy took a death breath, "I'm trying to fix it so that they
can't bother my link to Serena's communicator."
"Ohhhhh..." I sighed, "So she hasn't left?"
"No, she's exactly where she was four hours ago." Amy shook her head,
"Can we please just go?"
I realized that I had been sitting here asking questions when I should
have been driving. I turned around and drove off again.
"Jezz, maybe you should take Zoloft (AN: it's a medicine that makes
you calmer.)!" Mina laughed.
"And where did you get that idea?" I asked annoyed.
"Amy!" Mina smiled. I groaned.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Why can't I find her?! I've looked everywhere!" I bet the girls know
exactly where she is! And they didn't tell me! I have been looking for
hours and still no luck! Those girls are really going to get it if they've
put me on a while goose chase!
That's what I'll do! I'm going strait to Ray's! And I'm going to get what
I need out of them! I turned back on the freeway toward the Temple.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I woke up to the sound of people yelling. "You're not going! We already
have a plan and we don't need you here to screw it up!" Darien was
yelling.
"And who made you the king of the crop? I'm here to get my fair share in
and it's only fair that I get the goods." L.L? It sounded like it. I had
fallen asleep on the couch after lunch. I pushed myself into a sitting
position. Darien and L.L. were arguing near the kitchen doorway. Darien
looked frustrated while L.L. was enraged.
"It's not 'about' getting a title Lanson! It's about saving lives. And
until you can get that strait you'll never get anywhere!"
"That may be the way you see it but guys like me get higher titles then
guys like you all the time. And that's because we do whatever it takes to
get there!" L.L. smirked, "You're too soft."
Darien growled, "Just stay out of my way L.L!"
"Ooohhhh, I'm sooo scared! What are you going to do D.C, hit me with
your stick?" L.L laughed.
Darien glared at him but then caught sight of me, "Serena...how long
have you been listening?" He sounded like he had been caught doing some-
thing.
I smiled, "Oh, to the part where you insisting L.L. don't go." I looked
behind me to see Dad asleep on the armchair. He slept through all that?!
Gosh, take about sleeping through a war zone! Well, I guess he's used to
it.
"So, the pretty lady's up! How nice." L.L. sneered, "It's amazing she's
still around. I would have thought you would scare her off."
I looked at Darien and L.L.
Darien was watching me. He gaze held a question that I didn't want to answer.
I looked away. I focused on the big grandfather clock. It's one-thirty?! Wow,
I slept a long time!
"Well, I'll see you all around. I'm going to take this through Roger if
you won't give in D.C." L.L. smiled then went up stairs.
Darien ignored him and started walking toward me. He wasn't going to ask
me what I think he's going to, was he?
The look his eyes said 'yes'.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I couldn't figure out of the life of me why she stayed. Sure, she stated
the fact that she wanted to help, but why? Why would she choose to stay
with us and help when she could stay somewhere safe?
Did she want to die? Didn't she once say or indicate that she didn't value
her life? No, she couldn't have meant that. Serena's the girl that values
life! Serena wouldn't just let her life become meaningless!
There must be another reason. Could she actually...care...or...
I shook my head mentally, I wasn't going to make assumptions. She's going
to tell me. I walked toward Serena. I could tell she already knew my question.
I sat next her or rather five feet away from her, on the couch, "Serena, why
did you stay?"
She looked at me, "I already told you."
"I know you want to help, but why?" I revised the question.
She didn't answer. Did I dare hope...?
"Serena, please answer me. I know we've never really gotten along
together but...I guess what I'm saying is-" I cut off my sentence as I
'thought' I saw a flash of blonde hair fly past the window. What the? I
went on alert. Someone must be out there! I grabbed my gun off its holder
on my pants and slowly got up.
"Darien...?"
"Shh." I stalked toward the window. Serena slowly got up and walked behind
me.
I went up to the window and looked out. The trees were swaying slightly with
the breeze outside. Everything looked normal. We stood and listened for
any disturbing sounds. Silence, except for K.T.'s soft snoring. I sighed.
I put my gun back in its holder, "False alarm."
"What was the matter?" she asked.
"Oh, I just thought I saw something. Never mind." I rubbed my right
shoulder with my right hand. It will be real nice when I get this sling
off! I went back to the couch and sat down once again. Serena kept
standing, "Um, I think I'm going to get a drink of water." She started for
the kitchen. I knew she was trying to stall, although I have no idea why. I
wish she would just tell me and get this over with! Does the girl love me
or not?!
I followed her into the kitchen fully planning on getting an answer out of
her.
I was walking up to her, when once again I saw a flash of hair, this time
black, fly past the window. It seems that whenever I see it, I barely get
a glimpse of it as it disappears past the window! Some one is deffinatly
out there! I grabbed my gun again. Serena turned around and gasped, "What
are you doing?" I ignored her as I walked slowly to the kitchen window.
"Darien, I thought you said..." she stopped talking. I turned to see her
with her mouth wide open. She took a quick look at me and shut her
mouth, "Darien, there's nothing out there!" Serena laughed nervously. There
were two window's in the kitchen and I was only looking at one.
But Serena...Serena could have been looking out the other window. Ha!
"Serena? Did you see some one in the window?" I asked while cocking an
eyebrow.
She quickly shook her head 'no'. "I think you're getting a little
paranoid, Darien." She laughed.
I looked from her to the window, still seeing nothing. Sighing I put
the gun back again and relaxed.
"Haaaa!" a loud thump sounded outside.
I whirled around.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oh, no! He's going to see them! Quick, think girl! Darien whirled around.
I grabbed him and turned him around and brought his head down, pressing my
lips to his. Darien stiffened then relaxed. He started kissing me back immediately.
What are you doing girl?! This wasn't supposed to happen! I
opened my eyes to see Darien's eyes shut tight. I looked past him to see
the girls, Mina, Ray, Amy and Lita wide eyed, just standing there in full
view!
I waved for them to get out of there. Ray quickly bonked the girls on the
head and they quickly left. I relaxed, now that the girls were gone but
then found myself in a very interesting situation.
I thought of pulling away but...maybe it was because my head was getting
light or it was because I've been wanting to do this for so long...
Darien wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer. I sighed into
his kiss. Mmmm, I could stay here forever...
But then I remembered what we were about to discus in the first place
and quickly pulled away. He must think I'm...I'm...
Darien was watching me.
I blushed. I could hardly imagine what was going through his mind. He
probably thinks I crazy! For goodness sakes, I had just grabbed him and
kissed him for no reason, as far as he knows anyway!
"Serena," he ran his figures through his hair nervously. What reason
did he have to be nervous? I'm the one at fault here! Darien licked his
lips, causing me to shiver, "Serena, we need to talk."
I didn't move or say a thing. I didn't want to talk about this, not at
all! I would only humiliate myself! Gosh, he probably still sees me as a
child! Uhg, why did the scouts have to show up?!
Please, someone get me out of this!
Just then, thank goodness, Dad walked in sleepy eyed, "What time is
it?"
I cleared my throat, "Um, around two."
Dad nodded and opened the fridge and pulled out some orange juice. I smiled.
It reminded me of when Dad was at home. Every morning (I noticed this when
I 'actually' did wake up early) and every night before bed he would open
the fridge and take out his orange juice.
"Serena, maybe we should go in the other room." Darien urged. I gulped,
"Um, actually I need to talk to Dad...right now." I added the last part.
Darien didn't look happy. He must really want to torment me!
I gave him an innocent smile as if nothing happened two minutes
ago.
Darien, frustrated, marched out of the kitchen. I relaxed and turned to
see Dad watching us.
"What's the matter with him?"
I laughed, putting my hand behind my back, "Oh, he just hasn't gotten
any sleep!"
Dad frowned, "I know what that's like. That nap felt great!"
"Ya, mine too." I sighed. At least the girls got out of sight. That kiss
had really distracted him, I honestly didn't think it would work. Darien's
not easy to distract, it takes a lot to take his mind off track. Mmm, does
that mean something? Naw, he couldn't have liked...
I suddenly felt weak in the knees. Impossible! I laughed to myself. That's
a silly thought! Darien actually liking it! But then why did he respond?
I gulped. I wasn't sure I wanted to dwell on that right now.
Oh, but that kiss was so...wonderful...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I knocked on the door and waited for Ray to answer. "Hey!" I heard someone
yell to the side of me. I looked over to see Chad, "Hi!"
"Oh, hi Sam. You looking for the girls?" he asked.
"Yep, is Ray here?"
"Nope! All went over to Lita's house. Why?" Chad stood there with a broom
in his hand.
"No reason. Well, I guess I'll head over there then." I turned and left.
Great!
Now I get to run all over Tokyo looking for Lita. She better be home!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Um, does anyone want to comment on what just happened?" Lita asked. I
smiled, "That looked to be one hot kiss!"
"Ray! That's not what Lita meant!" Mina sat on her knees on the car
seat.
Amy typed on her computer.
"Now, what are you doing? We're here." I asked.
"Going down to the house wasn't a smart move. We could have put Serena in
danger and what's more we put her in...an uncomfortable posistion." Amy
stated.
Mina smiled slyly, "I doubt she was uncomfortable. She's in love with the
guy!"
Lita knocked Mina over the head, "You don't know if she's STILL in love
with him."
"No, she is. I can tell!"
"Riiiiggghhtt. Let me guess, because you're the Sailor Scout of Love?"
Lita stated annoyed.
Mina nodded vigorously.
Lita rolled her eyes, "Whatever."
"Stop bickering. I have a plan. We wait out here until they make a move.
Then we follow them." Amy looked up from her computer, "What do you think."
"Very original." I stated, "But it works."
"You know what guys? Serena is not going to be happy with us when she
contacts us!" Lita informed.
"Thank you for reminding us, Lita." I said sarcastically.
Lita gave a small smile, "Sure."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To Be Continued...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~