Hey everyone...I'm a bit sad tonight cuz the Toronto Maple Leafs lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in the playoff games. Sniff...it was a good effort, especially with the goal scored by Mats Sundin in the last 22 seconds of the 3rd period to tie the game. Alas, some punk from the Hurricanes scored in the overtime, ending the game. Boo...

Anyway, thanks for the great reviews-keep them coming! As I said in the previous chapter, Walter will continue to slur and stutter, despite the fact that I have stop writing his dialogue that way.

************************************************************************

Wounded Souls

Chapter 3-Misunderstandings

By: crystal rose

***************************

Once again, Serena woke up very early in the morning. 5:30 in the morning, to be exact. She groaned, glancing out the window and noting that the sun was just rising in the sky. 'I hope to God I get adjusted to the time difference soon.' Shrugging off the covers, she made her way to the armoire where the classical music CD had been playing on repeat throughout the night and turned off the stereo.

'Why was this on again? Oh yeah, to drown out the sound of Darien and his girlfriend fucking each other next door.' Serena smiled, surprised at herself for using such language, even if only in her thoughts. 'If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were jealous, Serena.'

Walking over to her closet, she changed into a pair of track pants and a loose sweater. 'What could I possibly be jealous about? The fact that Darien's getting it on with someone while you're stuck living with your self-imposed celibacy vows?' Grabbing a hairbrush, she furiously pulled her hair into a messy bun. 'Or could it be that you're jealous of the woman Darien was with because she was with him and you weren't?'

She shook her head, trying to clear out those traitorous thoughts. 'Admit it girl, you want him, and it scares you after shutting yourself off from men for so long.' Serena frowned as she laced up her running shoes. She slid open the night table drawer and pulled out a small bottle of pills. Popping one out, she went to her washroom and filled a glass with some tap water. After swallowing the pill, she gazed at herself in the mirror thoughtfully and exited the room.

Serena quietly tiptoed through the hallway of the quiet house, lest she wake up Darien and suffer through an impromptu, if not awkward, introduction with his extremely...vociferous lover. Already she could hear the staff bustling around in their wing, getting ready for the fast approaching workday. She quickly slipped out of the corridor and half walked, half ran until she found herself outside. After doing some warm-up stretches on the stone steps that led the way from the enormous limestone terrace behind the mansion to the back of the Shields estate, Serena began to jog slowly towards the English garden.

Although the scenery around her was beautiful, Serena's thoughts just kept going back to the same person. 'I don't have any feelings for Darien. How could I? I just met him two days ago! Whatever it is that I'm feeling, I'm sure it's nothing.' She inhaled the sweet aroma of roses permeating the air around her and willed herself not to think of her dark-haired neighbour any further.

Serena was successful at blocking Darien out of her thoughts for a few minutes-that is until she ran past the Olympic-sized outdoor pool. She remembered their first meeting by the indoor pool and shivered. The beads of water running off his chiseled abs flashed through her mind, causing her to almost stumble.

"STOP IT!" she practically screamed at herself. Around her, birds flew away from their nests and squirrels took cover at the sudden noise. Glancing around sheepishly at the animals that regarded her with caution from within their burrows, she uttered a small "sorry about that," before resuming her run. 'See what happens when you think about him, Serena? He's not worth going through that pain again.'

She nodded, intent on following her brain's advice. As she passed the stables, however, and heard the horses whinnying inside, she couldn't help but be reminded of _him_ again. 'Holy crap, Serena. How do you expect to live in _his_ house, in _his_ wing, next to _his_ bedroom, and keep your promise to yourself? After knowing him for less than forty-eight hours, you're ready to fall off the celibacy wagon after staying on for TEN YEARS! Don't let a pretty face like Darien mess up your life the way _they_ did. Remember, the Serena you were ten years ago is long dead and buried. This is your chance to make a fresh start, and so far, you've been doing great. He's just a temptation, but you're stronger than that.'

Glancing at her wristwatch and seeing that she'd been running for the past half hour, Serena decided to head back to the house, although in a different direction in order to avoid the stables and pool. Making a giant loop around the property, Serena found herself at the front of the house instead of the back where she had started from. As Serena got closer, she noticed a yellow cab pulling into the driveway and two people standing up on the steps where they had been sitting. She realized it was Darien and a blonde haired woman walking towards the cab. She paused and jogged in place behind a tree, not wanting to intrude on their good-bye scene. As she predicted, Darien and the woman exchanged a few soft words and then the woman stood on her tiptoes to kiss Darien softly on the cheek. Her heart ached when she saw Darien smile at her tenderly before shutting the passenger door. When the cab was almost down the long driveway, Serena schooled her features into a look of calm. 'Alright girl, it's time to show him and yourself that you're not the slightest bit interested.'

Darien was just about to start his own jog when he heard crunching footsteps on the path to his right. He turned and saw Serena jogging his way, her face flushed from her run. 'Shit, I hope she didn't see Natalie...Natasha...whatever her name was.'

Serena forced her mouth into a teasing grin. "So I take it that's the woman who's managed to capture Master Shields' heart?" Why did it hurt to say that?

Darien groaned to himself. 'Busted. You shouldn't have had all those drinks last night, my man.' He shook his head at Serena, whose smile was bright enough to light up a dark room. "I don't kiss and tell, Serena."

His words inexplicably wounded her heart. "Oh come on, Darien. We're wing neighbours! I know you got in late last night Darien, because I fell asleep around midnight and I never heard you get in. So what's her name?" Serena cajoled. 'Why do you care? Are you insane? Scoping out the competition, perhaps?'

"Whose name?" Darien asked, playing dumb and hoping to buy some time until he could come up with an explanation.

"You know who I'm talking about. The leggy blonde that gave you that lipstick mark on your cheek." Inside, Serena was beating herself up for her perverse sense of curiosity.

Darien flushed with embarrassment as he furiously tried to wipe off his face. "Seriously, Serena. Just drop it. I'm not going to tell you her name."

"Oh come on. We live in the same house. I'm bound to find out your girlfriend's name eventually," Serena persisted. 'Why am I doing this to myself?'

"Well if you do, could you tell me 'cause I really don't remember," snapped Darien. As soon as the words came out of his mouth, he wanted to pull them back in. He watched Serena's eyes widen in understanding, her mouth open in a silent gasp.

"Oh my god Darien, I'm really sorry for prying into your business like that. It's just that...I thought she was your....and I wanted to..." Serena faltered, suddenly finding the ground fascinating. Somehow the thought of Darien having a one-night stand with a girl he didn't even know hurt her more than the thought of her being his girlfriend. 'Don't be a hypocrite, Serena. He's done nothing that you haven't done.'

"No I'm the one who should be sorry, Serena. I shouldn't have snapped at you like that. It's just that I'm suffering from a wicked hangover and...could we just forget this ever happened?" he pleaded, hoping to dispel the awkward silence that had settled between them.

Serena glanced up and made the mistake of looking into his eyes. They were begging her for understanding, forgiveness and...redemption? "Of course Darien, but you really must know, your private life is your own and I really had no intention of butting in like that. Forgive me?"

"There's nothing to forgive. Did you just come back from your run or were you just getting started, 'cause I was hoping you'd join me on mine."

Serena smiled wryly, thinking about the run she just completed. 'But you did join me on my run, Darien.' Instead she replied, "I just finished, thank-you very much, and there's no way I'm going to do it again."

Darien pouted playfully, earning him a lighthearted punch on the shoulder. "Fine, be that way. What're you going to do now?"

"I'm going to jump in a hot shower and wash off all this yucky sweat. Then I'm going to go downstairs and maybe have a chat with Lita," she said as she ran up the steps. "You'd better get going, Darien. By the time you get back, I might have finished off breakfast without you."

"Why do I find that _not_ hard to believe?" he teased. Serena blew him a raspberry and shut the door.

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

Upstairs in the shower, Serena was vigorously scrubbing herself with the loofah as she fought memories that she had been trying hard to suppress for the past ten years.

'Look, there's Serena, the school slut,' a voice in her head taunted. She could almost see Amanda Webster, the girl whose voice it belonged to, mocking her. 'She's had every guy in the school, including the teachers.'

Serena felt tears falling down her face. "That's not true! I've changed; I'm not that girl anymore!" she whimpered. She reached out and turned the faucet, making the water even hotter.

'Have I taught you nothing about respecting yourself and your body, Serena?' her mother's voice cried. 'Where did I go wrong?'

"I'm sorry momma. It's all my fault." Serena sank to her knees and cried, letting the water pound unmercifully on her back.

'Hey baby. You know I love you, so why don't you let me show you how much?' she heard James King, her first boyfriend, ask.

Serena hugged herself in an effort to protect herself from her memories. She let the water wash over her as she rocked back and forth. "I'm not that girl anymore. I'm not that girl anymore. I'm not that girl anymore," she chanted to herself over and over until her felt herself gaining control once more. Slowly, she stood up and turned the faucet off. She got dressed in the spacious washroom after slathering on heaps of lotion on her reddish skin.

Serena opened the door to her room and was surprised to hear the phone ringing. She rushed to answer it, vaulting over the bed and grabbing the receiver before the ring was finished. "Hello?" she said breathlessly.

"Hey Serena, it's me," Darien's deep voice came over the line. "It's almost time for breakfast. Do you want to go down together?"

"Yeah sure. Swing on over," she replied and hung up the phone. She glanced at the clock and found that she had been in the shower for a little longer than an hour.

When Darien arrived showered and changed, he asked, "what took you so long to answer?"

"I just came from the shower."

"You were in there for that long?" he said. "I got back from my run half an hour from when I last saw you. After I showered and changed, I went to your door but I heard the shower running, so I left. What were you doing in the shower for so long?"

"Um...I like to meditate while I shower. Kills two birds with one stone, I guess," Serena replied lamely. 'Please believe me, please believe me.'

Apparently, Darien heard her fervent prayers, for he chuckled. "I guess that's one way of looking at it. Either that, or you're really dirty!" he laughed, not noticing Serena flinch.

"Um, yeah...say, why don't we hurry up? I'm starving!" she exclaimed, quickening her steps in an effort to leave Darien's questions behind. They raced to the breakfast room in record time, and found that Walter and Candace were already there, eating their Belgian waffles and fruit quietly.

"Good morning Candace! Good morning Mr. Shields! How are you this morning?" Serena chirped, her previous conversation with Darien forgotten for the time being.

"Well good morning you two. Have a seat. Lita made her specialty today, and she's anxious to know what you think, Serena," Candace said.

"No I'm not!" a muffled voice was heard through the kitchen door. The table occupants laughed, even Walter. Serena took the platter offered to her by Candace and picked out a nice, fluffy waffle. Everyone watched her with bated breath as she doused her meal with maple syrup. She lifted her fork to her mouth and chewed thoughtfully. Darien, Candace and Walter leaned in closer and Serena could almost see them asking 'well?' with their eyes. Serena swallowed and smiled, then in a voice loud enough for Lita's benefit in the kitchen, she proclaimed, "these are the best waffles I've ever had! Is there nothing Lita can't make?"

The others let out the breaths they hadn't realized they'd been holding while merry singing could be heard emanating from the kitchen. Breakfast resumed quietly until Walter looked at Serena contemplatively. Serena, finally growing wary of his gaze, set down her fork and stared back. "Is there something on my face or hanging out of my nose, Mr. Shields?"

Darien hid a grin behind his slice of toast and Candace covered a laugh by coughing. Walter frowned and pointed his fork at her. "Tell me about yourself, girlie. If you're going to be my taskmaster for a while, I'd appreciate knowing something about you." (Still slurring : )

Serena took a small sip of orange juice before answering. "Well, what would you like to know, sir?"

Walter waved his hand in the air dismissively. "Anything, anything girlie."

"Well, about 27 years ago, on a beautiful June day, two anxious people who go by the names Ilene and Kenneth Mathis, welcomed a _beautiful_ baby girl into the world. They decided to name her Serena, because she didn't cry as the doctor wrenched her from the safety of her mother's womb. She was a happy child, a kind child, the apple of her parents' eyes-"

"Could you cut the sweeping saga short, girlie? I don't have all day," Walter said gruffly, fighting to keep the smile off his face.

"Well, you kind of set yourself up for that dad," Darien pointed out. He was thrilled with the easy manner that Serena handled his grouchy father. "And by the way dad, her name's Serena, not girlie."

Walter 'harrumphed' and turned to Candace. "Do you see the way this generation has become? In my day, children didn't talk this way to their elders. Impertinence, that's what we taught these kids by giving them their 'independence' and letting them 'think for themselves.' I blame it on the sixties when all those hippies were running around preaching their 'peace, love and harmony' nonsense."

"Shush now, my love. Let Serena tell us about herself," Candace soothed her husband while flashing her son a look of annoyance. Darien shrugged unapologetically and ran his hand through his hair, causing some strands to fall in his eyes. Serena watched in fascination and ached to brush them away. "Go ahead, dear. We're listening."

"Well, I was born and raised in Toronto. As I said before, my parents' names are Kenneth and Ilene, and I have a younger brother named Sammy, long form for Sam. I don't know, I guess Sammy just suited him better than Sam. I mean, the name Sam is okay, but it's just _Sam_. It needs a suffix to finish it off at the end like -my or -muel. That's why I decided to call him Sammy when I was four and he was two. It sounds better, don't you think? If you could see Sammy right now, you'd see that he's _definitely_ a Sammy, not a Sam. I think people have to be suited to their names, don't you, Mr. Shields? I don't think I could see you as a Jason or a Mark. No, those are too young for you. Not that you're old or anything, Mr. Shields, but you have to admit, you're not exactly in touch with today's youth. You're definitely a Walter, Mr. Shields, definitely a Walter," Serena said, nodding her head once as if she were a queen declaring an edict to her people.

"If people are supposed to be suited to their names, then why is your name Serena, because you're definitely _not_ serene," countered Walter.

Serena flushed slightly. "Well, you see, when I was born, I cried so much that my parents decided to name me Serenity, because they wouldn't have much of it any more now that I was born."

Darien smiled softly. 'Serenity. That's the perfect name for her because she gives everyone serenity when she's around.' "So why do you go by Serena?"

Serena wrinkled her nose at Darien. "Are you kidding? What kind of name is Serenity? That's a state of being, not a name. It sounds so uppity. 'Serenity dah-ling, would you like a cup of the finest tea? Lady Serenity, that is a simply mah-velous gown, simply mah-velous.'" she quipped in a semi-authentic British accent while waving her hands in the air. "Besides, Sammy was having a hard time with it when he was just learning how to talk, so he decided to call me Sewena."

Walter sighed wearily. It was clear that he would never get anything out of this girl because she tended to get distracted as she talked. "Listen here, girlie. Why don't I ask you questions, and you just answer. And for god's sakes, keep them short and to the point."

Serena saluted gamely. "Yes sir!"

Walter let that one pass. "When were you born?"

"June 30th, 1975, according to the Gregorian calendar. That would make me...a whopping 26 years, 10 months and 12 days old!" she replied cheekily.

Growling in impatience, Walter continued with his interrogation. "Where did you live?"

"Well, when I was growing up, I lived in Scarborough, which was one of six municipalities that made up the great city of Toronto, but now all the municipalities have been amalgamated into one that some have nicknamed the Mega City. Then, when I started attending Queen's, I moved to Kingston, Ontario. When I graduated, I moved to downtown Toronto, where I shared an apartment with my friend until she got married, and then I moved to a loft of my own."

"I guess that takes care of where you went to school...where did you work?"

"Well, my first job was at the local Zellers, Canada's equivalent to Walmart-although not as big, as a cashier. From there, I worked a series of jobs including library helper, part-time receptionist and hospital volunteer. After I graduated, I worked in Sunnybrook Hospital as the physical trainer. And now, I work for you."

"Have you had any prior criminal convictions?"

Serena raised her eyebrow in amusement. "Well no, but I did get into this _little_ snafu when I was twelve with my best friends on Halloween night when we decided to throw eggs at a parked van. We didn't know that our neighbour had been sleeping in there after getting into a fight with his wife two days before. Apparently, the eggs shattering on his windshield woke him up and he caught us and turned us in to our parents. My friends and I had to wash and clean his van inside and out every Saturday for a whole month as punishment."

Beside her, Darien was trying hard to contain his laughter. He could just picture a twelve-year old Serena vandalizing someone's van, only to find its owner sleeping inside. Despite his annoyance at his father for prying into Serena's life, he couldn't resist wanting to hear more about her.

"Are you involved with anyone at the moment?" To their surprise, Serena stiffened and looked down at her plate hastily.

"Walter!" Candace exclaimed at the same time Darien exploded, "DAD!"

Serena looked up and smiled wanly. "No, it's okay, really. I'm not involved with anyone; I haven't been for a long time."

That was it; no long-winded speech, no funny anecdotes, no witty replies, leaving Walter and Candace wondering what it was she wasn't telling. Walter frowned in concern. "I hope you're not like my degenerate son over here who goes through more women in one week than he goes through the newspaper in one day."

'I'm more like him than you can imagine, Mr. Shields.'

"Dad, that's enough! Serena's and my private life are none of your business, so please stop bugging us. You've filled your snooping quota for the day, so back off," Darien snarled. Sparks shot between father and son as the two women watched on uneasily. The atmosphere in the room had grown decidedly chilly and Serena felt like she would suffocate.

"Um...Serena dear, what do you have planned for Walter and yourself to do today?" Candace asked tentatively in an obvious attempt to change the topic.

Serena grabbed this opportunity to shift the focus off of herself and onto another. "Well, I thought that we'd take it easy today considering all the exercise we did yesterday, but I want to pick up a few supplies in town first."

"Exercise? All we did was walk around the house," Walter said.

"And isn't walking a form of exercise? We must have covered more distance walking around your house and estate than it would take for me to walk from my apartment on Queen and Yonge to the CN Tower," Serena replied. The others, who had no idea what she was talking about, just looked at each other in confusion.

"Oh, well let Darien take you to buy whatever you need until I can call up my credit card company and have them set you up with a business expense account," suggested Candace.

Serena blushed. "You really don't have to get me an expense account, Candace. I'm happy to pay for them myself. What I have in mind isn't really expensive..."

"Nonsense dear. Trust me, you'll thank me for it if you're going to need more supplies for my husband who wants 'nothing but the best.' Darien, as soon as Serena's ready, please take her to get whatever she needs," Candace insisted.

Darien was only too happy to comply. 'A chance to be alone with Serena. Who could ask for more?'

"Oh, by the way Candace, I hope you don't mind but I invited one of my best friends over this afternoon. You remember me telling you about Amy, right? She's the one who treated Mr. Shields when he was in the hospital," Serena reminded. "We're just going to hang out in my room and catch up."

"Not a problem, Serena dear, although I don't see why you'd want to lock up your guest in your room. Please don't feel like you can't have your friends over. Besides, I want to thank the wonderful doctor who saved my husband's life," Candace said.

Serena smiled. "Thanks Candace, that really means a lot to me."

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

Serena and Darien were finally on their way to the arts supplies store closest to the Shields mansion, a good twenty minutes away. Serena just leaned back against the black leather seats of Darien's sleek silver Mercedes convertible and let her eyes take in the view. Once in a while, she would find her gaze wandering to Darien, who was resting his left arm on the door while his right hand gripped the steering wheel firmly, the muscles in his forearms tensing every so often. (~sigh~)

Darien, in turn, would peek at Serena from the corners of his eyes when she wasn't looking. He memorized her every feature; from the way her graceful neck craned every time she saw something amusing-like the elderly man holding hands with a woman seemingly a few years younger than Serena, or the teenager sporting a matching hairdo and hair colour with the formerly golden retriever he was walking-down to the way she looked so perfect sitting in the passenger seat next to him. He sighed in contentment. 'I could get used to this.'

"So Serena, what're we getting?" he asked, taking the opportunity the red light gave him to stare at her long legs stretched out in front of her.

"Oh, I'm just getting some canvasses, paint, brushes, you know, stuff like that. It's just to help your father with his eye-hand coordination, manual dexterity and also help his brain rewire its pathways," she responded. Suddenly, her cell phone rang from within her purse. "Excuse me, Darien."

She rummaged through her purse until she found her ringing phone. Serena was able to tell it was Raye calling from Toronto by glancing at the view screen. "Raye?" she said excitedly.

'Ray? I thought she said she didn't have a boyfriend?' Darien thought jealously. He listened closely to the following conversation and somehow managed to pay attention to the road as well.

"Serena? How are you?" Raye asked, her excitement equaling Serena's.

"I'm fine Raye. How's everything back home?" said Serena, oblivious to Darien's frown at her question. 'Does she mean their home together, or _his_ own home?'

"If you mean, how're Justin and little Kayla, they're fine. If you mean how's Toronto in general, you should know that the Leafs lost the series to the 'Canes," Raye replied, bracing herself for Serena's reaction.

"NO! Damn, we were so close! I KNEW I shouldn't have left!"

Surprised by her outburst, Darien jerked his hand and swerved on the other side of the road, narrowly missing an oncoming van. The van's driver blared its horns and he shook his fist at Darien, yelling a few choice words, all of which Serena was oblivious to as she muttered a few choice words of her own. 'I wonder what could have set her off? Maybe Ray did something stupid?'

"It was a butt-clencher, Sere. Justin kept yelling at the TV until I threatened to kick him out of the house cause he kept waking up the baby. Chill out, girl. There's always next season," Raye soothed, cradling the phone on her shoulder and shifting Kayla to her left breast to finish her meal.

"I guess," Serena said glumly. "But it's been so long, eh?" (AN: referring to the number of years it's been since the Leafs won the Stanley Cup. Raye and Serena know that, you and I know that, but Darien doesn't know that.)

Darien raised an eyebrow. 'What's been so long?'

"Anyway, how's LA? Have you seen any celebrities yet?" Raye teased.

Serena laughed. "No, Raye. I haven't-yet. Besides, you're the only celebrity in my life."

Darien puzzled over this latest statement. 'Celebrity? Is she talking to Ray Romano or something?'

"Yeah, the typical drama queen, or so my rascal of a husband says," Raye said. "So have you met with Ames, yet?"

"Not yet, but she's coming by this afternoon so we could catch up on old times," Serena replied, smiling at Darien who stepped on the brakes in order to let a little girl cross the street.

"Aw, that's not fair. I wish I was with you! Then we could all catch up," whined Raye.

"Geez Raye, stop whining. I've seen you every day ever since we've lived together. Besides, you have responsibilities back there."

'Yeah, Ray,' mocked Darien. 'Stop whining. She's seen you every day since-wait a minute. They live together?!'

"I guess. I could leave Justin behind but I could never leave little Kayla. Right, princess? Who's mommy's little girl?" Raye cooed to her baby.

Serena smiled. "Awww, you're so sweet Raye."

"I know, I know. Don't you just want to be me? Anyway Serena, did you go see Dr. Eisner yet?"

"Yes _Raye_, I did. Two days ago," Serena said, frowning.

Darien allowed himself a half smirk when he heard Serena's tone of voice change. 'Awww, trouble in paradise. How sad.'

"That's good, Serena. Are you also taking your meds?"

"Yes _mom_," she replied through gritted teeth. She didn't notice Darien smiling his head off beside her. 'Keep it up Ray, you're doing great.'

"You know we're just concerned about you. Amy, your family, and I-we all love you and we're worried about you."

Serena's face softened. "I know you love me. I love you too, believe me. But I can take care of myself."

Darien's smile vanished and his heart just about broke. 'She loves him?'

"So...what does this Darien Shields look like? Amy told me he was really hot. Is he everything she said he was?" Raye asked, as she burped Kayla.

"That's a table for two Raye," Serena said abruptly. A table for two had been their childhood code for when they couldn't discuss something over the phone because someone else was in the room.

'Table for two? Is she talking about going on a date with him?'

"Ohhh. I see...he's right there, isn't he? Well I take it this means he's hotter than hot," Raye taunted.

"Raye...you know that I don't-"

"Yes, yes, I know Serena. 'You don't go out with men anymore' but I really think you should give this a second thought. What happened in the past is over. You shouldn't blame yourself for what happened that night. Please try to move on, Serena," she pleaded softly. Kayla started crying in her arms. "I've got to go, Serena. I think Kayla needs a new diaper. Love ya."

"Love ya too, Raye. Call me again soon. Bye," she said, disconnecting the phone.

Darien turned away as he forced himself to look nonchalant. 'Alright Darien. It's time to look and act like you don't give a crap what she just talked about.'

Like Serena had done just that morning, Darien forced himself to smile teasingly. "So...is this Ray the man who has managed to capture the heart of Lady Serenity?"

Serena looked at him for a full minute in silence before bursting into laughter. Darien could hear her trying to say something to him but was laughing too hard to get it out coherently. "Raye...hahahaha...you think....oh my aching stomach....boyfriend!" She went on like this until Darien pulled into a parking space outside the arts supply store.

"What's so funny, Serena?" he asked gruffly. Serena took a few breaths and wiped the tears that had fallen down her face.

"Raye's a GIRL dumb ass! Her name is short for Rachel!" she collapsed into giggles again.

"But...but I heard you get mad at him-err, her-and then you told her you loved her..." stammered Darien.

"I got mad because the Toronto Maple Leafs lost the playoff game to the Carolina Hurricanes. And _of course_ I love Raye! She and Amy are my two best friends. We've been through thick and thin together," she said.

The glimmer of hope that had faded during Serena's short conversation with Raye now lit up again, this time, blazing strong. "Oh sorry, it's just that from my perspective, it sounded like you two were...you know."

Serena smiled and got out of the car. "Well, that's what you get for eavesdropping." She stuck the tips of her thumbs on her temples, waved her fingers, giving her an 'antlered' look and blew him a raspberry. She got strange looks-which she pointedly ignored-from passersby who gave Darien even stranger looks.

"Oh yeah?" Darien said, advancing towards her menacingly. Serena stopped her taunting and stared at him wide eyed. She shrieked as he chased her for a good ten minutes around the parking lot, threatening to tickle her if she didn't proclaim him the "smartest and most handsome man in the universe."

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

It was almost one thirty and Serena was anxiously awaiting Amy's arrival in the driveway with Darien for company. She and Walter had already finished their session for the day, painting pictures on the canvasses she had purchased with Darien's card. Walter displayed a talent for manipulating the brush, even with his condition, and applying the paint on the canvas. It was Serena's firm belief that Walter could go far with his art, if he had the proper teacher and she told him so.

"You're just saying that girlie," he had told her, stepping back from the canvass to admire his handiwork like a seasoned professional. "I'm too old to be learning some newfangled skill anyway." But Serena could see that Walter stood taller and his eyes twinkled at her compliment.

Serena glanced at her watch and hopped on each foot alternatively. She reminded Darien of a little kid waiting for Christmas morning. "Relax Serena. She'll be here any minute."

Serena turned to Darien, her eyes bright and smile wide. "I know, Darien. I'm just really excited to see her. It's been two years since I last saw her." As she was saying this, a blue Lincoln Navigator pulled into the driveway. Serena started jumping up and down in earnest and practically pounced on the figure emerging from the SUV. "AMY!"

Amy's eyes widened in shock as a blonde blur leapt into her arms, almost knocking her off her feet. "Oof...Serena, it's really great to see you too but I can't breathe!" Serena smiled sheepishly as she pulled Amy towards Darien who had been laughing at their exchange. "Oh stop laughing at me, Darien. This is Amy Anderson, one of my best friends in the world. Amy, this is Darien Shields."

They shook hands and smiled at each other. "We've met before, Sere. How's your father, Mr. Shields?"

"Please, call me Darien. He's fine now, thanks to you."

"Oh Ames, how's Zachary?" Serena asked in a singsong voice as the trio walked into the house.

Amy blushed and held up her left hand. "He proposed two nights ago. We were thinking of a September wedding and you and Raye could be bridesmaids-" she could get no further for Serena once again launched herself into her friend's arms and squealed with delight.

"OH MY GOD! That's great, Amy. I'm so happy for you...and for me! You _know_ Raye cheated us out of being bridesmaids by eloping with Justin. I'm going to be a bridesmaid, I'm going to be a bridesmaid, I'm going to be a bridesmaid!" she sang, causing Darien and Amy to cover their ears.

They went outside on the limestone terrace where Candace and Walter were lounging on one of the comfortable recliners, where Serena introduced them to Amy.

"Thank you dear, for saving my husband's life. You'll never know what that means to me," said Candace, getting teary-eyed as she shook Amy's hand.

Walter grasped her hand and shook it firmly. "Yes, thank you Dr. Anderson, for recommending 'girlie' over here. She drives me crazy with her constant chatter, but she knows her stuff."

Serena blushed and wrapped her arms around Walter's broad shoulders. "Awww. I _knew_ you liked me! Thanks Mr. Shields."

"Don't mention it, girlie. Please...don't mention it," he replied, his cheeks turning pink, as his wife and son laughed.

"You're just a big, gruff teddy bear, eh Mr. Shields?" Serena teased, her eyes twinkling in mischief.

Amy smiled. "It's been so long since I've heard anyone but me say 'eh.' All my co-workers tease me every time I say it. They say I'm 'so Canadian.'"

Serena draped an arm over her friend's shoulder and led her to the table. "Well, now you've got another Canuck with you Ames."

"Hey Amy, would you like some orange juice?" Darien asked politely as they all sat at the table. He noticed Serena and Amy look at each other and hide smiles of amusement. "What did I say?"

"Nothing," they replied simultaneously.

Darien's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Tell me."

Serena smiled. "It's just the way you say 'orange.'"

"What's wrong with the way I say it?"

"You say 'ah-range' like I hear so many Americans say it," she explained. (AN: no offense to Americans. I'm just pointing out the difference in pronunciation between our two countries)

Darien wrinkled his brow. "So how do _you_ say it?"

"O-range. There's no a-h in orange. It's spelt o-r-a-n-g-e," Serena said smugly.

Walter, who had been sitting quietly murmuring to himself, said, "girlie's right; we do say 'ah-range' instead of the way it's spelt."

Darien threw an injured glance at his father. "DAD! You're supposed to take _my_ side, not girlie's!"

"Hey! Only your father can call me that, not you!"

Candace smiled. Before Serena came, she had never seen Darien and Walter act so...playful. It was a refreshing change to see her business-oriented men take a breather.

"Yeah? Well-you guys say 'aboot' instead of 'about!'" Darien accused.

"We DO NOT say aboot!" challenged Serena. "We say about, don't we Ames?"

And so, the debate continued until Candace called a truce between the two warring groups. Serena and Darien toured Amy through the Shields estate before they came back to the mansion for dinner. When it was time for Amy to leave, Serena walked her to her vehicle, silently reliving their wonderful afternoon.

"Serena? Please promise that you'll always stay this happy, okay? I haven't seen you like this in a long time, and I have a sneaking suspicion that Darien has a little something to do with it," Amy said.

"Amy, I can't make any promises. I've made an appointment to see Dr. Eisner next week and I've been taking my meds religiously. I still have the attacks, but it's not as frequent and I've learned how to control them better. I'm trying to rebuild my life but please know that it's going to take some time," Serena said softly.

Amy hugged her friend. "Just know that I'll always be here for you, Serena."

"I know, Ames. I couldn't have made it to where I am today without you, Raye, Sammy and mom," she replied, hugging Amy back. They bid each other good-bye and promised to see each other soon. Before Amy got in, she glanced at Serena.

"Hey Sere. Do you want to go with me and Zachary to the hospital fundraiser ball?" Amy could see the inner struggle Serena was going through. "Come on Sere, it's a fundraiser."

"Alright. When is it?"

"It's a month from today. I'll call you with more details, okay?"

"Okay. Bye Ames. It was great seeing you again."

"Bye Sere. Remember what I said."

"I will. Take care."

***********************************************************************

May 29, 2002

Again, no offense to ANYONE who happens to say ah-range or aboot. It was just my bad attempt at witty banter, that's all. REVIEW PLEASE!