It's me again, crystal rose, with chapter 2 of Wounded Souls. I'm getting sick and tired of always saying that I don't own SM, so from now on, this disclaimer applies to the rest of the chapters of this story. Once again, I don't own SM; never have, never will. I also want to apologize to those who were offended or uncomfortable with the graphic nature of the previous chapter, but I have to warn you; this story is rated R, so there are adult themes, mostly of a sexual nature, in this story. That doesn't mean it's going to turn into a porno fic; I just want to slowly weave Serena and Darien's issues with sex from the background into the foreground of this story.

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Wounded Souls

Chapter 2-Darien

By: crystal rose

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Serena woke up buried beneath luxurious sheets on an unfamiliar bed. For a second, she was disoriented as she gazed around the room. 'Where the hell am I?' Suddenly, memories of the previous day rushed back into her mind. Her unexpected arrival, the meeting with Candace and Walter, and especially her meeting with Darien by the pool, threw her head into a spin. Serena blushed at the last thought. 'Forget him, Serena. You're supposed to focus on Walter Shields, not his son. I bet Darien already has a girlfriend anyway. Don't get caught up with that life again, Serena.'

Having strengthened her convictions, Serena glanced at the clock and saw that it was only 6:30 in the morning. 'No wonder I feel so awake. In Toronto, it's already 9:30. I guess I'll just get an early start for the day.' She struggled to heave the sheets and heavy duvet off of her and managed to climb down from the massive bed without much damage. Grabbing her articles of clothing, she padded her way to her washroom and decided to take a hot shower.

She turned on the faucet and proceeded to strip her clothes before stepping into the large shower stall. The hot water pounded on her skin from the rainhead showerhead, making her feel like she was standing under a waterfall. 'Ah, this is the life.' She lathered her waist-length hair with her strawberry scented shampoo and conditioner, before reaching for her loofah. Turning the faucet so that it was at the hottest temperature she could stand before it scalded her skin, she proceeded to scrub herself until her body turned pink from the heat and the loofah. 'I feel so dirty. I've got to scrub harder.'

Finally, the hot water ran out after standing still under the showerhead for a full half hour. Serena turned the water off and reached for the fluffy white towel that Molly had left for her the night before. Steam rose in billows from the shower stall when she opened its doors. She hurriedly got dressed and walked back into her bedroom where she proceeded to make the bed after drying her long hair and styling it into a simple ponytail.

She stepped out onto her small balcony and inhaled the fresh scent of roses coming from the formal English garden below. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the doors opening on the balcony adjacent to hers and wondered who could be up this early in the morning. She didn't have to wonder long, for Darien himself stepped out, dressed in a charcoal business suit. Noticing something gold fluttering in the breeze to his right, Darien turned his head and was overcome with the vision that was Serena, who was dressed in casual form-fitting track pants and a baby-T. Darien swallowed, as that familiar feeling of desire pooled in the pit of his stomach. "Good morning, Serena! What're you doing up so early?"

Serena smiled, which to Darien seemed brighter than the sun itself. "Well, it's not so early from my perspective, having come from a different time zone and all. Where I come from, it's already 10:30!"

"Well, breakfast is usually served at quarter to eight, so in the meantime, do you want to make our way downstairs?" he asked, smiling rakishly when she nodded her head enthusiastically. "Wait for me to come to your room." He said, even as he was disappearing through his French doors.

Serena sighed contentedly as she entered her own room and closed the doors behind her. Sure enough, she heard a sharp knock on door, and knew it was Darien coming to pick her up.

"Coming!"

Darien was leaning against one side of the doorframe when she flung open the door. He peered in and looked around. Seeing her already-made bed, he frowned. "Did Molly already come into your room?"

"Huh? No, I haven't seen Molly since she gave me those towels before I turned in last night. Why do you ask?" Serena replied, stepping through the door and into the hallway.

"Oh nothing, it's just that your bed was made, is all," Darien said nonchalantly.

"I made the bed myself. My mom always made my younger brother Sammy and me make our beds before we left for school. One time, Sammy forgot to make his bed so mom made him do it before he went to bed that night. I don't know what made me tell you that; you probably think I'm crazy for bringing that story up. It's not even a story-it's just a random fact in my childhood years that you couldn't even care less about. But if you were in my shoes, you would know that not making your bed in my parents' house was tantamount to...your parents finding out that you lied to them about being a virgin. They're mad about it, but they know they can't do anything about it so they make your life miserable forever just for the hell of it," Serena said, her words coming out faster and faster until it was all Darien could do to keep up with her.

"Do you always talk this fast?" Darien said, a hint of amusement in his voice. Serena blushed and wrinkled her nose at him.

"Don't you start. All my friends tease me about my tendency to talk really fast, especially when I'm walking towards food. I don't know what the connection between talking fast and the anticipation of eating good food is, but my friends say I get really excited when I know I'm about to eat. Personally, I don't see it," she sniffed haughtily.

Darien chuckled at her upturned face resulting in her nose being pointed high in the air. "I don't see it either. Your friends must not know what they're talking about," he teased, sarcasm dripping in his voice.

She whipped her head and looked at him in mock annoyance. "You're just as bad as they are! They're just jealous that I can eat whatever I want and not gain an ounce. It's called high metabolism, my friend, high metabolism."

"Speaking of food, you're going to love Lita's cooking. She makes the best food in the world and it still amazes me that she's working here instead of just opening her own restaurant. I have a feeling you two are going to get along real well. Lita appreciates a person with a discriminating palate," Darien said, leading Serena to the gourmet kitchen where a tall, brown haired woman was whipping up a batch of blueberry pancakes.

"Ah, that's where you're wrong, Darien. I don't have a discriminating palate; I eat just about everything and anything. You could spread wood glue on a piece of shoe leather and sprinkle it with parsley and I would pronounce it the best slice of leather and glue I've ever had," said Serena solemnly.

"What's this I hear about shoe leather and glue? Darien, that better not be you telling our guest here that my food tastes like that," said the woman, waving her spatula around threateningly.

Darien waved his hands in mock surrender. "Chill Lita! Serena was just telling me about her penchant for a good, chewy piece of leather, slathered with a healthy helping of wood glue and sprinkled with curly-leaf parsley, that's all. She says it's an old family recipe."

"Darien!" Serena squealed in embarrassment, smacking him playfully on the shoulder. "Don't believe anything he says. Everyone knows the flat-leaf parsley better enhances the strong flavours of wood glue, aged to perfection." Serena and Darien laughed helplessly at their private joke, leaving Lita scratching her head at the pair.

"How rude of me. Serena Mathis, let me introduce you to our chef extraordinaire, Lita O'Neal. Lita, this is Serena, dad's physical therapist," introduced Darien. The two women smiled at each other and shook hands.

"I know who she is, Darien! Gossip travels fast in this place, especially when it concerns you," Lita teased, causing Darien to blush and Serena to raise her eyebrow at him.

"Tell me Lita, is there much gossip about young master Shields floating about this place?" said Serena, playing along.

"Hey! I _am_ still in the room, you know! I know the gossip mills in this house like to make me the topic of conversation, but could you please do it when I'm _not_ in the room?" cried Darien.

"Sure, sure, whatever you say, _Mr._ Shields. How about you and Serena take the ham and cheese omelets and the toast to the breakfast room while I finish with the pancakes?" said Lita, thrusting a platter of omelets in Darien's arms and a platter of toast in Serena's. "Oh and Serena? We'll continue this conversation later when you-know-who goes to work."

Serena and Lita laughed at Darien's outraged expression. "Come on, Darien. If you don't hurry, you'll be late for work."

"I run the damn place. If I'm late, who's going to scold me?" he mumbled as he pouted. Serena immediately felt bad for making him mad.

"Darien? You know we were just joking around, right? I would never gossip about anyone I know. Just the ones I don't," she said softly, not realizing what she said.

Darien laughed out loud. "So you just gossip about people you don't know, huh? I'm glad we met yesterday, otherwise I might just find myself the main subject in one of Lita and Molly's gossip sessions. Don't worry Serena, my friends have told me that I've got thicker skin than a rhino. No harsh feelings," he said as he nudged the breakfast room door with his foot.

Inside the breakfast room, Candace and Walter were already seated at the table waiting for the food to arrive. They both looked up expectantly when the door opened and were surprised to see not only Serena but also Darien as well.

"Darien! What are you doing here? You never stay for breakfast!" exclaimed Candace in surprise. She smiled inwardly when she saw the picture Serena and Darien made, how their personalities seemed to complement each other's. Their physical features themselves made them look like a perfect match. One was tall, the other short; one had black hair, the other blonde hair; one was broad and muscular, the other slender and dainty. 'Light and Dark. That's what they used to call Walter and I. Now it seems that the mantle has been passed to Darien and Serena.'

Darien kissed his mother's cheek affectionately and set his platter on the table, motioning for Serena to do the same. "Good morning mom, dad. I thought that I would just grab a bite to eat of Lita's delicious food. I _am_ a growing boy, you know."

Walter just snorted in response. 'Growing boy my ass. He just couldn't resist a pretty face. I may not be able to communicate as well as I have been, but my mind's still sharp as a tack.' To his dismay, Serena chose to sit next to him.

"Good morning Mr. Shields, Candace. Are you ready to get started today Mr. Shields? I was just thinking we could do some light stretches for today for maybe, oh I don't know, half an hour. Does that sound all right to you, Mr. Shields?" she asked.

"Humph. L-liss-ten girlie. I d-don'tuh need y-your h-helpuh. I c-c-can do it muh-myself," he said indignantly. (AN: I'm getting sick of typing like this when Walter's talking so from now on, just assume he's stuttering or slurring.)

"Of course you can do it yourself. That's the whole point. I watch, you do. I'm just here to make sure that you don't wind up hurting yourself even more but all the work is up to you. It's no skin off my nose if you don't want to get better. But fine, if you want to remain this way for the rest of your life just because you don't want my help, I'll just pack my bags and move back to Toronto," Serena said, tasting the omelet on her plate. She closed her eyes and tilted her head back to savour the taste.

"Mmmmm. Darien, you were SO right about Lita's cooking! This is the best omelet I've ever had, including my mother's-but don't tell her that. My mom, I mean, not Lita. My mom would disown me forever if she heard I liked someone else's cooking better than hers. Here, Mr. Shields, try some," she said as she placed an omelet on Walter's plate. Darien shifted uncomfortably in his chair when he saw Serena tilting her head and heard her low moan of appreciation for Lita's cooking. He could just imagine her doing that on his bed as he had his way with her.

Walter, however, was not amused. Here was this little girl telling him not only what to do, but now, what to eat! Besides, he's been eating Lita's omelets everyday for the past five years; he knows what they're like. "I'm only eating this because I want to, not because you told me to."

"Of course, Mr. Shields. I wouldn't think any less of you if you did, though." Serena, Candace and Darien watched as Walter struggled to pick up his fork, before giving up in disgust. Candace moved to feed him, but one look from Serena stopped her. "Why don't you pretend the fork's a pen, Mr. Shields, and you've just signed a multimillion dollar contract?"

Walter snorted. 'A pen indeed. Fine, if it'll get her off my back, the damn fork will now become a pen.' This time, when Walter was able to grab the pen successfully and even managed to spear a cube of ham embedded within the eggs. It was odd how he felt a surge of triumph for doing something he'd been doing his entire life.

"Well, since Mr. Shields feels like he doesn't need my help, I guess I'll just go up to my room-after breakfast of course-and start packing. Hopefully, I'll be back in Toronto by this evening," Serena drawled on, watching Mr. Shields out of the corner of her eye and heaping maple syrup over her stack of pancakes, which Molly had just brought in. "Mmm, Darien. How can you _not_ eat breakfast here everyday when you _know_ what Lita's food tastes like? Candace, your kitchen is food heaven. Everything just keeps getting better and better. I will miss this when I'm back home. Darien, could you pass the bacon?" Apparently, Darien moved too slowly for Serena's liking for she reached over and grabbed the platter herself. Darien grinned as he watched her slide five slices of bacon on her plate, before deciding to go for a sixth.

'How can Serena eat so much and still be so slim?' Candace thought, as she watched Serena shovel the food into her mouth.

As she was eating, Serena thought she heard Walter mumble something beside her. "I'm sorry Mr. Shields, I didn't hear what you just said. Too busy eating."

"I _said_ you don't have to go quite so soon. I'll try you out for a while and see how it works. But make no mistake, girlie, that you work for me and not the other way around. I'm the boss, whatever I say, goes. Got that?" (He's still stuttering and slurring, okay? : )

"Of course Mr. Shields. Wouldn't have it any other way. Here, eat up. We have a lot of work to do later," she replied, putting a slice of toast on Walter's plate. Darien's lip was quivering as he tried to hold his laughter back upon seeing his father's outraged expression. Finishing up his coffee, Darien stood up.

"Well, got to go work. Bye mom, dad. Good luck Serena," bending low so that his mouth was close to her ear, he murmured, "you're going to need it." He smirked to himself when he saw her face flush and goose bumps rise on her arms. Apparently, Candace and Walter also noticed their son flirting with Serena, for Candace turned to her husband and raised an eyebrow, the smallest of smiles tugging the corners of her mouth. Walter responded by rolling his eyes, watching his son walk out the door.

"So Candace, is there somewhere Walter and I could go to do some stretches?" Serena asked after she managed to pull herself together.

"You could always use the gym. Darien had that built after he got fed up with the gym he used to go to. Something about too many guys in the locker room, he said." Serena smiled. It was just like Darien to be uncomfortable in a change room with other guys around. "I could take you to the gym when you're ready."

"Thank-you Candace, that would be great."

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"All right Mr. Shields. We're going to start out with a few stretches so that your muscles can get relaxed. We'll take this slow at first, then as your body gets stronger, we're going to do harder and harder things. Pretty soon, you'll be pulling a Forrest Gump and running across the country in nothing but your ratty shoes, homemade t-shirt, skimpy shorts and Rip Van Winkle beard," Serena predicted. Walter made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a 'over my dead body.'

After a few minutes of stretching silently on Walter's part, and incessant chatter on Serena's, it was clear to Serena that Walter was planning to make things difficult for her. 'Time for a new strategy.'

"Mr. Shields, how about we skip the exercises for today? I was thinking since I just got here yesterday, I would get you to tour me around your house and the estate. We could stop any time you get tired of the tour or me and I promise to take things slow. How about it?"

'Hmmm. If I say no, that means I have to stay here and listen to her talk my ear off while I do these impossible stretches. If I tour her around the house, I have to listen to her talk my ear off but at least I won't be stuck here.' Walter nodded his head grudgingly.

Serena jumped up and down, clapping her hands like a kid. "Great! Where do we start?"

Walter heaved a long-suffering sigh. "Why don't we start in your wing of the house and work our way around?"

"My wing of the house? What do you mean by that?"

"You and Darien are the only ones in that wing of the house. When Darien grew up, his mother and I decided to let him have that half of the house for privacy. Candace and I live in the east wing, you two are in the west," Walter explained slowly to minimize his stuttering. He led Serena up the flight of stairs that would take her to 'her wing.' He didn't seem to notice Serena's arm looped through his, supporting him as he walked.

"How many bedrooms are in this house, Mr. Shields?"

"Fifteen, not including the staff's quarters. Seven in my wing and eight in yours. The staff have ten bedrooms in the north wing adjacent to the west wing."

"FIFTEEN? But there's only three of you! Do you realize that there are more staff in this house than there are Shields?."

Walter found himself smiling at her outburst. He led her at his own pace through the house that he had built when his business became a worldwide success almost thirty years ago. He was slightly worried that he was going too slowly for such an active young woman such as Serena, but one glance at her dispelled his fears. She was admiring every piece of furniture and decoration as if they were museum pieces.

"Are you feeling tired, Mr. Shields? We could stop and take a break, you know," said Serena worriedly. She hadn't heard him putting up a fight in a long while.

"Now you listen here, girlie. Just because I had a stroke, doesn't mean I'm down for the count. My body may be a little weaker than I want it to be, but my mind's still ticking," he slurred huffily, although Serena noticed that it wasn't with the same scornful attitude he displayed during breakfast.

"Well, I'm feeling a bit tired. Why don't we take a break until lunch and we can resume with the tour, starting with the gardens?"

"Well, okay. I was hoping to talk with my wife about something, anyway," Walter said gruffly. He hated to admit it, but he also felt tired after their exhaustive walk throughout the house. He hadn't realized how big his house really was. There were rooms in there that he hadn't even visited in months.

After walking arm in arm for ten minutes, they found Candace arranging white orchids in a vase in the kitchen. Upon seeing them together, Candace smiled, somehow not surprised that Serena managed to win over her prickly pear of a husband.

"There you two are! I went to the gym a while ago but you weren't there anymore. Where did you guys go?"

"Oh Candace! Your house is _gorgeous_! I just managed to convince Mr. Shields here to take me on a tour of the house. After lunch, we're going around the grounds, if he's still up for it," Serena said excitedly. "Is it true that you have a stable here, Mr. Shields? I thought I heard some horses whinnying in the distance while I was standing on the balcony in my room this morning."

Candace smiled at Serena's enthusiasm. "Yes dear. We have five thoroughbreds in the stable and we just got another stallion but he's too wild to ride just yet. Darien's been raising them to compete in the racing circuit. Do you ride?"

"I used to take riding lessons before my father died when I was fifteen. I haven't been on a horse since," Serena said softly. She blinked away the imminent tears. "My dad used to love horses. We would go to the racetrack just to watch the horses run. Of course, he would sometimes place a bet when he felt lucky. He always used to let me choose the horse we would bet on. We always lost, but it was fun just cheering our horse on together."

"You could always get Darien to ride with you some day. He's an expert rider. He's the one who's into horses around here," Candace replied, tactfully changing the subject.

"How about you Mr. Shields, do you ride?" asked Serena.

"Taught that boy everything he knows about riding," said Walter, puffing up his chest.

"Then maybe when you're strong enough we could go for a ride together, huh?"

"Perhaps," said Walter loftily. Candace and Serena exchanged small smiles when Walter wasn't looking. Candace could tell that Serena was already getting through Walter's walls.

"Oh Candace, would you mind if I made a local call to my friend Amy? She's the one who treated Mr. Shields in the hospital. Amy and I have been friends since high school back in Toronto," Serena explained.

"Of course, dear. This is your home now too. Feel free to use anything that you would like. You could even call long-distance, if you want to. I know you must be missing some of your family and friends back in Toronto," Candace said understandingly.

"Thanks Candace. Oooh, I'm so excited. I haven't seen Amy in two years! If you'll excuse me, I think I'll call her right now," she said, bouncing away.

Candace and Walter looked at her retreating figure. "So what do you think of your new physical therapist, dear?"

"She's okay, just a little too bouncy for my taste sometimes. I suppose I have no other choice than to work with her," he replied.

"Just as long as all you do is work with her, my love," Candace teased. Even after thirty-four years, Walter still made her heart race.

"There's only one blonde in this world for me, and that's you. Besides, I think Darien will have a few choice words for anyone who gets Serena's heart before he does," Walter said as his wife started laughing.

~*********************************~

"Good morning, Dr. Anderson's office," a nasally voice said over the phone.

"Um hello. May I please speak to Dr. Anderson?" Serena said.

"One moment please."

"Than-" Serena started saying thank-you to the receptionist but found that she was already put on hold. 'Some people are so rude.'

"Hello, Dr. Anderson speaking."

"Amy? Hi, it's me!" Serena squealed, the receptionist forgotten.

"Serena? Where are you?" Amy asked, her excitement getting the better of her.

"I'm in LA living in the Shields mansion. Oh Amy, you should see this place. There's fifteen rooms plus ten for the staff, an indoor pool, a library bigger and better than the public library in our old neighbourhood, a STABLE-" Serena rattled on, hardly giving Amy room to get a word in edgewise.

"Serena...Serena...Serena, you're doing it again! I can't understand a word you're saying! If I heard correctly, you're in LA now? At the Shields mansion?" interjected Amy.

"YES! Isn't that what I've just said? I got here yesterday. We HAVE to get together soon. How about tomorrow afternoon? We could just chill here, or you could give me a tour of LA. Oh, I know! How about Disneyland? Come on Ames, tomorrow's Saturday, don't tell me you have to work! Please, please, please, come over tomorrow?" Serena begged.

Amy smiled at her friend's enthusiasm. "Alright, I'll come over tomorrow but I'm afraid Disneyland is out of the question because I'm on call. I'd hate to leave you in the middle of the park if I get called down."

"Okay, come over. You should meet Lita. She's the chef around here and she makes the best ham and cheese omelet I've ever had. But don't tell mom that. I'll introduce you to Candace and Mr. Shields, oh and Darien too. Oh, I forgot! You already met Candace and Darien at the hospital, but that wasn't the best of times. Tomorrow, if they're around, I'll reintroduce you to them," Serena said, pausing to catch her breath.

Amy took this opportunity to speak. "So what do you think about Darien, Serena? Didn't I tell you he was good looking?"

Serena drew a shaky breath. After a moment, she replied quietly, " you know I've stopped with the dating around, Ames. I'm not that kind of person anymore."

Amy sighed dejectedly. "Serena, nobody said that finding someone good looking would automatically label you as 'that kind of person.' It's been years since high school; don't you think you've been punishing yourself enough?"

"Enough Amy. I...I don't want to think about that time anymore. I've turned over a new leaf and...and..."

"That's okay, Serena. You don't have to explain yourself to me. Could you just answer me this one question: have you been seeing your doctor and taking your pills?"

Serena laughed weakly. "That's two questions, Dr. Anderson, and yes I have-to both."

"That's good Serena. I'm just concerned about you, that's all. We all are," said Amy.

"I know you are, and thank you," she whispered. Wanting to get off this depressing topic, Serena cleared her throat. "So what time do you want to come over tomorrow?"

"How about one thirty? I have some doctor stuff to take care of in the morning," Amy replied.

"'Doctor stuff,' eh? Well, la-di-dah," Serena teased, gladly lightening up the conversation. She gave Amy the address and said good-bye to each other.

~*************************************~

Serena woke up abruptly from her sound sleep. Glancing at the clock, she noted that it was two thirty-five in the morning. 'What could have woken me up?' It was then that she heard it: a banging sound coming from the wall behind her bed. The wall separating her room from Darien's.

"Ugh, Darien...don't stop..."

Serena blushed at the strange woman's moans coming from Darien's room. Walking over to the armoire, she turned on the stereo and slipped in a classical music CD. Just as she turned the volume up just a little, she heard Darien and the woman moan loudly before all the sounds from his room stopped. 'I was right. He did have a girlfriend already. Oh well, didn't you just tell Amy this morning that you were through with men anyway? Darien's probably just like _them_ anyways, and you don't want to get mixed up with that scene again.' Still, Serena couldn't help but feel a pang of loneliness in her heart at the thought of Darien with another woman.

In the room next door, Darien lay quietly thinking. He had gone to a new club with his friends that night and met a woman he started dancing with. They shared a few drinks, a lot of provocative kisses and eventually Darien's bed. He watched her sleep, her back facing him and the blanket barely covering her naked body. 'What was her name again?' Through the wall, he thought he heard the soft strains of classical music. 'Oh God. Did Serena hear us? I hope I didn't wake her up. I'll just get rid of this woman tomorrow before anyone wakes up.' But deep down, he felt a pang of guilt for using this mystery woman as a substitute for the one he really wanted.

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TBC. I don't have a lot to say at this point except REVIEW please!!