How About a Cup of Coffee?

Chapter 5

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DISCLAIMER: I own only the characters that you've never heard of. Danyelle and Alison belong to me. The obvious people do not. I don't own Starbucks or any of the drinks, but if anyone wants to give me a lifetime supply of Frap's, I'd be more than willing to accept.

DISTRIBUTION: I would be more than happy (and willing) to let anyone who wants to put this on their site. Just send me a quick email to let me know where it's going, and then post away. Because of the interesting situation I'm in at home, I cannot send you the chapters. Just do a cut and paste thing—hopefully everything that's formatted the way it is will stay that way.

Some of you may have thought that Serena was being excessively angry with Mina in the last chapter. I didn't mean for her to come across that way—but I'm sure you can all remember a time when you were angry, really angry. Thinking rationally isn't really an option and whatever flies out of your mouth goes. Same for our favorite little blonde.

This chapter is short—but chapter 6 will be posted, too, so you can all hate me later. The song was a tie and I decided to put it in anyway. It just fit. If you want speedy chapters, review like you all know you should. That little shoulder angel is there for a reason, you know…

*REVIEW*

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"If you gave me just a coin for every time we said goodbye. Well I'd be rich beyond my wildest dreams, I'm sorry for my weary life. I know I'm not perfect, but I can smile—and I hope that you see this heart behind my tired eyes…"

Serena's voice blended with the musician's perfectly. As the music cascaded out of her car stereo, she had set about driving to the nearest Starbucks. She needed coffee and then she was going shopping.

All day.

As usual, the irony of the song fit Serena's situation more than she cared to recognize. Mina would ask her why she let him have this power over her. But that wasn't it, Serena thought, shaking her head. There was no power. Only hatred—he hated her for some reason that she couldn't define. And what had possessed her to act the way she did this morning?? She must have been taken over by some spawn. She never acted like that.

Serena chalked it up to nerves and brushed the matter aside. She ran into her 'native' Starbucks and let her day begin.

***

The security guard had to hide a smile when Darien had been caught so easily. This Ms. Cohen had said that he was watching them on TV somewhere and she was right. That only infuriated him more.

Ducking out of the grinning guard's office, Darien took the elevator up to his floor and met Rei at her desk. He waited patiently for her to stop typing. When she didn't look up, he was about to speak, but she did first.

"What's wrong, Darien? —Your coffee's too cold? Well tough—I have work to do and I can't be bothered with your picky tastes."

He scowled. Serena seemed to be rubbing off on everyone. Still, he forced his tone to be pleasant, hoping it would cause Rei to 'simmer down.'

"No, my coffee was perfect, thank you. I was just wondering what was on the piece of paper Ms. Cohen handed you."

Rei still didn't look up at him, nor did she acknowledge the fact that he had been watching them on security cameras; in fact, he was beginning to wonder if she had even heard him.

"Her address and phone number."

He started to rock back and forth on his heels. He was such a little kid when he wanted something, Rei thought.

"—To put into the systems database, Darien." She lied, exasperated at having to explain. "To go with the newly scanned pictures of her."

"Pic—pictures?"

Finally, she looked up, a no-nonsense frown on her face. "Mr. Shields, I've got work to do. In fact, I've got a ton, and I am not working overtime to complete it tonight. So if you would be so kind to let me do that work, the company would be a much better place." She waved. "Buh-bye now."

Darien shook his head in disbelief and headed towards his office. Rei's behavior had caught him off guard. Sure, she had always had that spunk, but she didn't worry about overtime—and she never talked to him like that. Strange.

He opened one of his office doors to see Andrew sitting at his desk. "Drew, get out of my chair."

Andrew grinned. "Oh yeah—sure Darien." His smiled faded. "Just as soon as you tell me what the hell happened this morning."

***

"I'm telling you Dany—Darien Shields is not what he's cracked up to be. He is such a rude jerk."

Danyelle, somewhat mollified that Serena was dishing the 'dish' on her crush, was reluctant to agree. But Serena got along with everyone and if he really acted the way she said he had—well—he was a jerk.

"Ok, Serena, but I still think he's cute."

The blonde grimaced. "Each to her own, I guess. I prefer the tall, dark, handsome type myself.

Danyelle's brown eyes twinkled. "Darien is tall, dark and—"

"Ugly." Serena mumbled. "Oh no! I totally forgot—I have to call Mina!" She whipped out her phone and punched in Mina's number.

"Meens? Oh hey—glad I caught you—change of plans for tonight. Yeah, well, I'm having a few people over," she glanced at Danyelle, who was working the register. "…What? Oh. Around 7. Uh huh. No, she's really nice. Yeah. I'm gonna try and wrangle in a few more. …Yep. Definitely. Hold on. Let me ask her now."

She put a hand over the phone and shouted over to Dany. "Wanna come over for a party tonight?"

Danyelle looked up from the latte she was making, and nodded, a smile on her face.

Serena went back to the phone. "Yeah. She's in."

***

"Nothing. We just rubbed each other the wrong way. Chill, ok?" He blushed slightly, thinking of her legs and how they'd been encased into the powder blue suit that wasn't really her style.

Andrew glowered. "No—I will not chill. I want to know why my girlfriend calls me up—in tears, no less—to tell me that her best friend's boss is a jerk and that she wants to quit already. If I have to, I'll shift Serena over to my half of the company, Darien."

Have her over on Andrew's side? Never ever see her, except at charity dinners? No way. "I'll take care of it." He hastily amended. "I'll figure something out." He kneaded his temples gently and sighed.

Andrew drained the last of his coffee and stood up. He brushed some lint off of his suit and walked around the desk. "You do that."

Darien threw himself on into his chair, automatically pulling up Serena's file on the computer. "Dear god, what have I gotten myself into?"

***

The song I used is Dido's No Angel.