AND I'M FINALLY BACK!!!  Glory Hallelujah! I know some of you thought you'd never see hide nor hair of me again, didn't ya?  Well, I got news for you.  I'm alive and kicking and I have resolved to finish this story, even if it kills me.  It might not be as good as I intended it to be because most of my ideas flow and a lot of this was forced, but I tried.  I think I might have something like 5-10 chapters to go to finish this story.  The reason there's such a difference in my estimate is because that always depends on whether or not I write long chapters.  Anyhoo, hope you like this chapter.  And don't you dare forget to REVIEW!! You know how much I love that!  =^-^=

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            Serena awoke to a pleasant lapping at the juncture of her thighs.  It wasn't until she was fully awakened that her mind registered her explosive orgasm.  Soft lips pressed against her own as she gazed into sapphire blue eyes.

"You look so beautiful when your body goes into spasms."

She bopped him over the head with a pillow, her face ablaze.

            "Good morning to you, too! Though I must say that I wouldn't mind waking up like that every day."

Darien snatched the pillow away from her, preventing a second assault.

            "I wouldn't start another fight just yet—remember where it got you last night."

She smiled coyly.

            "I know.  The fascinating thing is that I didn't mind, really."

He raised an eyebrow.

            "Is that an invitation?"

            Her tinkling laugh was her reply.

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            "Darien?! Oh, where is that boy? He knows he has an equestrian course today!"

Momo Chiba went downstairs to the dining room, thinking that she might have missed him going down for breakfast, but saw only her husband and the maid waiting on him.

            "Kenji, sweet, have you seen Darien?"

            "No love.  Come to think of it, I haven't seen Serena this morning, either.  Look for her and you'll probably find him as well."

Momo hurried away, grumbling.

            "Now why didn't I think of that?"

She knocked gently on Serena's bedroom door.  When she heard no reply, she slowly opened it and entered.

            "Serena? Have you seen—Good Lord…"

There, on her goddaughter's canopy bed, were her nephew and goddaughter, and they-they were—

            Momo fainted.

            "I think we've killed her."

            "No, she should be fine in a few moments.  I can't believe she saw us…"

            "Don't worry yourself over it.  I'll explain and, if necessary, take the blame."

            "But that isn't fair! We were both involved—wait, Darien, look! I think she's waking up!  Quick, pass me one more of those cold cloths."

Momo made out two blurred images as she came to.   The first was an ivory oval framed by gold, and the other was a face with black hair.

            "Darien, why is your hair hanging down in your face?  You know how I feel about that.  It makes you look like a ruffian!"

            "You wake up from passing out and the first thing you ask is why my hair is in my face?"

He pushed the offending cowlick back and asked sarcastically, "There, is that better?"

            "Much better." 

            "Look, Auntie, about what just happened-"

            "You mean what I saw?  I don't think I've ever been so glad to see such a sight in my life."

Two jaws dropped.

            "Excuse us?"

Mrs. Chiba laughed.

            "All these past weeks when Darien came home love struck, I'd been afraid that he'd gone mad over Beryl or the like.  Now I'm relieved knowing it was you.  I'd been hoping you two would cozy up some, anyhow."

            "But we-"

            "What? Had sex? Kids, the last time I checked, it was a natural need humans expressed with those they loved.  It's not a sin.  Now, get dressed.  We've got things to do!"

She patted Darien on the head, gave Serena a kiss, and went about her business, leaving the two teens dumbfounded.

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            "Yeah, and he was so-o-o-o-o sad- I mean, you'd have laughed if you'd seen the tears.  It was so pathetic.  I wanted to hurl.  I told him from the beginning that I didn't want anything serious.  To be honest, no one can really blame me, because I did warn him-oh.  Look, Mizu, I'll have to call you back.  He's here."  Beryl's eyes followed Darien's movements across the field.  "Whom else would I be talking about?  Yes.  Talk to you later, girl.  Bye."  She clipped her cell phone to a belt loop waist and tugged her hipster jeans down a little bit.  This outfit had cost her a fortune, so it had better do what she bought it to do.  From the top of her Clancey ten-gallon hat to the tips of her Pacci boots, Beryl knew she looked good.  The stares she got from passing men and the $2,000 credit card bill assured her of it.

            She strolled over to where he was and it wasn't until she got close to him that she realized he was holding a girl in his arms.  She scowled.  It was the blonde.  She tilted her head, trying to analyze the situation.  No matter, he probably didn't see her as anymore that a sister. 

Then again, brothers don't leave hickeys on their sister's necks.

            "Hello, Darien!"

A red head called out to him, flipping her hair and walking so that every part of her that could jiggle jiggled. 

OhmyGod.  "It's Beryl!"  Serena whispered.  She buried her face in his chest.  Darien immediately knew what she was thinking and kissed her on the top of her head. 

            "I only have eyes for you.  You should know that."

Bright red lips matching bright red hair curved into a blinding façade of a smile.

            "Are you going to be helping beginners today?"

            "Yes, actually.  Serena here," he said, tickling her under her chin and causing her to giggle, " is a little rusty in her tactics so I'll be assisting her on her runs."

            "Then maybe you can help me later?  I'm in the beginners class, too." 

            "Really?  Well, then, let me give you a little starting hint, because I can see why you're a beginner already.  You are impractically dressed for riding.  You need to be dressed in loose, comfortable clothing so that you won't be all cramped up when you're seated in the saddle.  You're here to ride a horse, not star in a Hollywood western."

Eyes with green contact lenses watered and bored into his face while a full, surgically enhanced lower lip trembled.

            "You see? I have so much to learn."  Her head hung a little bit.  "Surely Serena wouldn't mind lending you to me for a bit."  The green contacts slid over to Serena.  "Would you?"

            It's making me uncomfortable as it is for you to be standing in front of Darien with what you call clothes, and you want me to lend him to you for an hour or more?

            "Serena and I will think about it, Beryl.  We'll see you later."

Beryl tutted.  " 'Serena and I will think about it', Darien? Henpecked, are we?"

            "And loving every minute of it," he said with a smile.

He wrapped his arm about Serena's waist as Beryl watched them walk away.  She shoved her hands into her pockets and leaned back against a track railing.

            Humph.  Might be harder to get him than I thought.  Curious, though.  What kind of kicks could he get from trailing an innocent virgin?

            Diamond watched them from afar.  Laughing.  Tickling one another.  Talking.  The occasional kiss. 

            Why the hell couldn't that be me?

He sighed and ran his hands through his silvery hair.  Yeah, he'd barely gotten away from rape charges, but that incident hadn't really been his fault.  He wanted her so much-but no matter what he did, he couldn't get through to her.

                                                *Flashback*

            "Why not?  Couldn't you just give me a chance?"

She smiled and shook her head, placing her hand on his. 

            "It wouldn't never work out, 'Mond."

His eyes pleaded with her.  He reached out to caress her cheek, put she pulled away. 

            "Please, Diamond.  Believe me.  Besides, we have such a beautiful friendship…"

            After all these years you still see me as just a friend?

            "…Do you really want to do that?"

He felt his heart had been cut in a million different places. 

            "Serena, I need you.  God, can't you see?  I've loved you for so long.  I NEED YOU!"

He blushed and turned his face away, surprised by his own confession.  A single tear ran down her cheek from beneath closed eyelids.  She bulled him into an embrace.

            "I'm so sorry, Diamond.  I'm so sorry.  I love you-"

His heart quickened.

"-as my brother.  I've known you for so long, you've almost filled the aching space in my heart for Sammy.  It is impossible for anyone other than me to love you more than that."

And then stopped.  With a few simple works, she had cut off the meaning for his life. 

            "I'm sorry."

She kissed his cheek and then left, giving him a final glace before meeting up with another of her friends.

                                    *End Flashback*

            He wanted to scream.  All the girls he had gone through to try and make her jealous as well as release his sexual tension for her had only succeeded in earning her contempt and pity.  He had tried taking her by force, and it only resulted in a court summons for him and a boyfriend for Serena.  He was going to go crazy if he didn't figure out something soon. 

Diamond jumped when he felt a light tap on his back and sneered  when he saw who it was. 

            "What the hell do you want?"

            "Now I see what's bothering you.  You like her, don't you?"

            "Excuse me?"

            "You like Serena, but she doesn't want any part of you.  Is that is?"

            "Look, Beryl, I don't know what you're babbling about or what you're trying to get at, but I am in no mood for games."

Beryl waved her hands defensively.

            "None intended.  I was only going to ask a favor."

Diamond raised an eyebrow.  This girl was a real snake, and if you weren't careful, you could leave your encounter with a seriously nasty bite.  Heck, it probably wasn't worth getting involved with her in the first place.

            "A favor, Beryl?  What have you ever done for me?"

            "Well, nothing, really, but I thought we could help each other out."  She pointed in the direction of the frolicking couple.

            "You actually think?  This comes as a surprise to me."

She slit her eyes.

            "Very funny, coming from someone whose money alone is keeping him in St. Alban's.  You like Serena, don't you?  And I want Darien.  If we work together, we might be able to get what we want.  As a matter of fact, I've already come up with a clever little plan."

            "And the reason I should go along with one of your ideas is…?"

            "Come on, Diamond love.  When have you know me to ever fail at getting what I want, if I really want it?"

            "Good point.  Ok then, go on.  I'm listening."

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The chapter is done?  Already?! Wow! That was a lot less painful than I thought it would be.  I am working on Chapter 11, and if I'm good, that should be out shortly, too.  But don't take my word for it.  You know how horrible I am when it comes to updating!  However, I will try, since now I'm actually being paid to finish this story.  I didn't even think this story was that good, but some people have money to waste, I guess.  Not that I'm bothered by it.  Review if you know what's good for you.  Bai Bai!

~Moonlight =^-^= Siren~