How About a Cup of Coffee?
Chapter 11 A
*
By now, eagerly waiting for Serena to come back, Maura had joined the group of girls—Ami, Lita, and Rei—and was listening with interest as the violet-haired woman regaled them with the tales of Serena and Darien's latest escapades.
"So I walked to the front of the plane and they were all snuggled up together—like nothing in the world could touch them. It was amazing. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself."
"Yes, but why were you up in the first place, Rei?" Ami asked curiously.
If it were possible, it seemed that Rei had colored ever so slightly. "Well, I wanted a snack and I had to stretch my legs."
Lita snickered. "Yeah. She came back covered in soda."
Rei smiled sweetly at Lita, furious that her alibi had been 'called,' and that she'd lost her captive audience to her own imperfections. "Thank you, Leets. I'm sure they really benefited from that bit of info."
Ami and Maura were shaking with suppressed laughter. They hid it well, though, and Rei grabbed her moment back in the spot light again.
"I bet you anything he asks her out on a date." She finished smugly, crossing her arms to reinforce her point.
There was silence in the group and then, they all leaned into the direction of the door, trying to eavesdrop.
…
"What?!"
All eyes swiveled accusingly towards Rei.
She shrugged nervously, "or he could have just asked her to marry him."
***
"What?!" She yelled, blue eyes flashing in shock.
"Serena, please!!" Darien gripped his head. "This is a small room."
"Oh. Sorry."
He made a dismissive gesture. "It's okay. Now. Do you understand what you have to do?"
She nodded slowly. "Mina… I have to be Mina." She spoke as if in a daze.
He walked away from her and to the other end of the room, bracing his arms on the end of the conference table. When he felt controlled enough to answer, his eyes raised to meet hers.
"Yes. I need you—we need you—to take Mina's pace as the star model in the show." He risked a glance at her. So far she was accepting that. Good. "Without Mina, they'll cancel they show—something we cannot do."
She nodded again, as if in agreement, and then asked, "Why?"
"Why?" He repeated, confused.
"Yeah. Why can't we just cancel the show?"
Darien's eyes seemed to shift away from hers. "Well… because… well, there's a lot of money at stake here."
Blonde hair falling free from the loose ponytail she'd put it in, Serena shook her head with a detached sort of smile. "Money… Darien, have you ever thought of doing something like this for charity?" Silence. "I didn't think so." She put a hand up to stop his speech. "Yes, I'll be your Mina. Yes, I'll do your show. But I want you to at least consider what I've said, okay?"
He sank into the chair behind him, nodding gratefully. "Yes, Serena. I'll think about it."
And he was surprised to find himself meaning it.
***
There was the soft click of a door and Serena stepped out into the lobby quietly. They'd been in the conference room for hours, going over the particulars for her 'disguise.'
Blue eyes tiredly swept the lobby for signs of life, and upon finding none, she sighed. Everyone else had already retired to their rooms… she'd better get up to her own room… wait.
"Do I even have a room?"
"Yes." Darien answered from behind her, also stepping out of the conference room. "You must take Mina's suite."
"Okay," she agreed with a sigh. "The only problem is, I don't have a… key." She finished, staring down at the key Darien had forced her hand to curl around. "Where is it?" She finally asked, trying to stay awake.
He chuckled softly, and placed his hand on the small of her back, guiding her to the elevator.
They made their way to the 38th floor—the highest—and he directed her down a long hallway with two doors at opposite ends. They came to one of them, and he slid the key in, then ushered her in.
"Your luggage should be here already." Silence. "Serena? Serena?"
He reached over to flip the light switch on and something in his face softened as he took in the sight of Serena, sacked out on the monster-sized bed.
Despite the fatigure that was threatening to overcome him, something tugged at his heart as he saw her breathing peacefully. Again, she seemed completely oblivious to the fact that tomorrow was one of the most important days of her life—and everything depended on her. In sleep, she was just Serena; no fancy titles or last names attached.
If he didn't move her, she was going to have one hell of a sore back tomorrow. And her clothes—well, she'd have to cross that bridge herself. There were some lines he just wouldn't cross.
Darien crossed to the bed and turned down the comforter and sheets on the side she wasn't on. Then, he walked over to he and gently lifted her up into his arms.
Instinctively, she moved closer to his warmth, and he stood perfectly still until he was convinced he could move without dropping her from shock.
Precision and tenderness evident in his movements, Serena would have been surprised—if she could see—how carefully he was placing her in the bed.
Once she was settled, with the sheets tucked up to her chin, he sat on the edge of the bed and smoothed her longer bangs off her face, running a hand through her blonde hair. Then, he leaned down ever so slowly, and for what seemed like hours, his lips hovered over hers. He was about to make his move when she sighed softly, and said, "…Endy…"
The sigh and the name—of whatever it was—was like a whip in the air. He sat up abruptly, breathing as if he'd just sprinted 15 miles.
"What am I doing?!"
Darien brushed a feverish hand through his hair and, casting one last look at Serena on the bed, opened the door and walked out.
That was why he never heard her mumble, "…Endy… come back."
***
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Now. Don't you just love me? Aren't you SO happy with me?
You have to sit on that for a WHOLE WEEKEND! *sticks out tongue* So there.
Now I'm giving you guys orders. .
If you want the next chapter of "Coffee," (11B) which is a MAJOR chapter—the show, the deception—everything—this is what you have to do.
* REVIEW!
* Read "Once Lost, Now Found," and review it. This is a BRANDY NEW STORY and Fleur-chan and I want some reviews, dammit!
* Email me if you're so inclined.
* GO TO THE MESSAGE BOARD AND POST!! I don't care if you post your fanfiction, if you post questions, I DON'T CARE. I JUST WANT YOU TO POST. (http://pub64.ezboard.com/bseaofserenity)
* Join the mailing list (http://groups.yahoo.com/serenity_sea_updatelist) if you haven't already done so.
* Sit and wait until all your fellow readers do the same thing. And then we'll get the chapter out to you.