With You: Chapter 3

Darien walked into the arcade and quickly scanned the area. He saw Raye, Lita and Mina sitting in a far back booth. He chose to go up to the counter and talk to Andrew.

"Hey Darien, what's up?" Andrew asked in a cheery voice.

"Hey, has Serena been by here yet?" Darien asked scanning the arcade area.

"Whoa, since when were you interested in seeing Serena?" Andrew joked. Darien just shot him a glare. "Hehe, easy buddy, I was only joking. But no, Serena hasn't been by yet."

Darien nodded and then took a seat on one of the stools.

Serena looked at Luna, who just stared back.

"What are you going to do Serena?" The black cat questioned.

Serena let out a sigh and shook her head. "I have no clue Luna. I have no family, my friend are mad at me, and you want to know what I'm gonna do. I wish I knew Luna, I really do."

Serena stood up and trudged up the stairs. She showered and changed her clothes.

After changing, Serena passed by her parent's room. She stopped and just stared into the room. She had no idea what was going to happen now. The only person she was even really relying on was Darien.

"I wish you guys were still here," she whispered.

Luna stood near her charge and watched her.

Suddenly, Serena turned and headed down the stairs.

"Serena! Wait!" Luna chased after her. "Where are you going?"

Serena stopped at the front door and looked back at her cat. "I have to go to the arcade. I have to see Darien. He can help me," Serena said as she opened the door.

"Darien? Your tormentor?" How could he possibly help you in this situation?"

"More than you'll ever know Luna," with that, Serena headed out the door and down the road to the arcade/café.

"Hey Darien. can I ask you something?" Andrew asked hesitantly.

Darien looked up from the newspaper he had been reading. As it was, the accident involving Serena's family was in it.

"Is it true?" Andrew asked glancing at the paper. "Was she the only survivor?"

Darien nodded. "Oddly familiar huh Andrew?"

When Darien was six years old, he was in a car accident with his family. But in his case, not only was he the only survivor, but he also lost his memory. He has yet to remember a single detail of his life before the accident.

"Does she know about you?" Andrew asked.

Darien shook his head. "No, but I'll tell her today when I see her. I have to let her know she's not alone in this." Andrew nodded in agreement.

Darien then stood and headed to the bathroom.

Serena walked into the café. She looked around the whole place, her eyes passing over the girls and Andrew. She let out a loud sigh and sat down in a booth.

I'm looking for a place

I'm searching for a face

Is there anybody here I know

Cause nothing's going right And everything's a mess And no one likes to be alone

The girls glanced up seeing Serena sitting in a booth away from them.

"I wonder if she is angry with us about last night?" Lita said.

"Maybe we should apologize?" Mina stated.

"No, it was an eye opener for her. She needs to know she has to shape up," Raye said firmly.

Is there anybody trying to find me

Andrew slowly made his way over to Serena with a cup of hot chocolate.

"Here ya go Serena," Andrew said as he noticed Darien come out of the bathroom.

"I'm really sorry Serena," Andrew stated sadly. "I'm here for you if you need me."

"Thanks Andrew," Serena's small voice answered.

Darien came up to the booth and sat next to Serena. She in turn, leaned on him a little. Andrew sat across from them.

"How do you feel?" Darien asked softly.

"Not much better," Serena replied. "Two police officers came by my house today to inform me that the funeral will be tomorrow." She then turned to look at Darien. "You'll come right?"

Darien nodded. "Of course, Andrew too."

Andrew nodded. "I'll be there Serena, no worries." Andrew then noticed a new customer and got up.

Serena stared at the table. "Uhh.Darien. umm, the police said something else to me."

Darien looked at her, then reached out and took her hand. "What is it Sere?"

"Umm... well, because of what happened. I'm gonna be placed in foster care."

Serena had said it so quietly, that Darien had barely heard what she said. Darien then felt her grip his hand tightly.

"What am I going to do Darien?" Serena's eyes searched Darien's for an answer. Slowly the tears came and Serena buried her head in Darien's shirt.

Darien quickly held her tightly and whispered in her ear.

"Shh. it's going to be alright Serena. I'm here. I'll figure something out." Already Darien had a solution in his head.

Andrew watched sadly from the counter at the sight before him. The girls stared in confusion at the couple.

"I thought they hated each other," Raye said.

The others just shrugged.

Soon Serena calmed down and pulled away. She began to wipe roughly at her eyes. Darien gently took her hands and held them. Serena looked shocked. Then Darien reached up and wiped away the remaining tears.

"You haven't eaten yet have you?" He questioned softly. Serena shook her head. "Come on Serena, let's go back to my place and I'll fix you up something." Serena just nodded.

Won't somebody come take me home?

Darien helped her out of the booth and kept an arm around her shoulder. He waved to Andrew and the led Serena out the door.

A few minutes after Serena and Darien left, Amy burst through the doors. She ran to the girls' table panting heavily.

"What's up with you Amy?" Mina asked.

Amy tossed a newspaper on the table and collapsed down next to Lita. "Turn to page five," Amy said simply.

The girls looked at her questioningly, and then opened the paper. What they read shocked them all.

Darien took Serena's coat from her and hung it up. He then led her to the kitchen. Serena leaned back against the counter as she watched him rummage through his cabinets.

"How about pasta? Does that sound good?" Darien asked turning to look at Serena. She nodded in response.

A few minutes later Serena whispered, "Why are you doing this?"

Darien turned to look at Serena surprised. "Well you haven't eaten in like a day, so I'm just making sure you don't get sick, besides."

"No, not that Darien," Serena interrupted. "I mean, everything you have done for me. Why?"

Darien set down the spoon he was using to stir the water and turned to face Serena.

"Well Serena, to tell you the truth, I care about you," he began. "I mean, I consider you a friend and despite our arguments, I really do care about you?" Darien let out a sigh. "Also, I didn't want to see you go through alone what I had to."

Serena looked at Darien curiously. "What do you mean?"

Darien sighed and turned back to the water. "When I was six, I was in a car accident. I lost my parents.I was the only one who survived." Darien heard her gasped behind him. "I .um. also lost my memory. To this day I still remember nothing of my parents. It's ok though, I've gotten use."

Darien stopped short when he felt small arms wrap around his waist. Serena laid her head on his back and hugged him tight from behind.

"I'm so sorry Darien, I had no idea," Serena sobbed into his back.

Darien stood there shocked for a second, regaining himself, he quickly turned around and hugged Serena back.

"Hey it's ok, I'm not alone now." Darien smiled down at Serena.

Serena looked up and smiled for the first time since the accident. "That's right. We have each other." Serena then hugged his again.

"Yeah, we have each other," Darien agreed. He then placed a kiss on her forehead, and then hugged her back.

After a few seconds of hugging, Darien reluctantly pulled back.

"Come on Serena, let's finish cooking so we can eat."

Serena smiled and nodded.

The girls stared shocked at the paper. Raye looked at the other girls.

"Oh my god. the battle," she whispered.

Amy just nodded her head. "The reason she was late."

"Why are we just sitting here? We need to fin her. She needs us, I mean, I can't imagine what she could be feeling." Mina said in a rush as she stood up.

"Easy Mina," Lita said. "She hasn't even come to us about it yet."

"So what should we do?" Mina asked "I think the best thing would be to attend the funeral tomorrow and give her all out support," Amy answered.

Everyone nodded except Raye. She just stared out the window.

Serena helped Darien set the table. Darien then set down the pot of pasta in the middle of the table. Serena handed Darien her plate so he could dish some food for her. As she passed the plate to him their hands touched. Even though they had touched before, this time it was different. Maybe it was because Serena wasn't in such an emotional state, or maybe it was because they understood each other better and were now closer. For whatever the reason, the touch made Serena blush and Darien give a small smile.

Dinner passed quietly. Serena for once ate more slowly. Despite the fact that she hadn't eaten in a while, she still wasn't that hungry. She was trying to figure out exactly was he was feeling. Did she have feelings for Darien? She wasn't exactly sure. Also, she was angry with herself for thinking of such things when there were many more things that needed her attention. Like, what was she going to do after tomorrow? Where would she go?

Darien glanced at Serena and decided to break the silence.

"You're welcome to stay here tonight. I could bring you to your house in the morning and then accompany you to the funeral."

Serena looked at Darien, the she shook her head. "No, I couldn't be that much of a bother to you. I feel bad enough that I've been so much trouble already."

Darien quickly interjected. "Not at all Serena. I could never think of you as a burden. Despite the circumstances, I've kind of enjoyed our time together."

Serena gave him a small smile. The rest of dinner past quietly.

After dinner, Darien cleared the table and washed the plates. Serena had seated herself on the couch. Soon Darien came with a two small bowls. He gave Serena a sly smile and handed her a bowl.

"What's this?" Serena asked, then her eyes lit up when she saw what was in the bowl. "Oh, chocolate ice cream."

Darien smiled and seated himself next to her.

The rest of the night passed quietly and soon they were ready for bed.

"You have to be joking Darien, there's no way I'm letting you sleep on the couch again," Serena argued.

"Hehehe, it's fine Serena, really ok?" Darien smiled.

Serena was about to argue, but Darien was already leading her to the bedroom. Darien tucked her in and wished her a good sleep.

As Darien closed the door behind he sat down on the couch. He began to make himself comfortable. Tomorrow was going to be a very hard day. Sighing, Darien fell asleep.

A scream pierced the apartment. Darien flew to his feet and was about to grab for a rose. He looked around the apartment. Another scream came through and Darien ran to the bedroom.

Serena was tangled in the sheets, twisting and turning under them. She had tears running down her face and she was crying out.

"Mom, Dad, no come back, please don't leave me."

Darien knelt next to the bed and held Serena's shoulder. "Serena, wake up." He gently shook her shoulders.

Serena's eyes shot open and she sat up quickly. She clutched the blanket tight and panted heavily. She looked around the room and her eyes landed on Darien's. His looked back in concern.

"It was just a dream." she whispered. Slowly she looked at Darien. "I though I was reliving it."

Darien wrapped his arms tight around Serena and held her close. After a few minutes he felt her relax. Figuring she had fallen asleep, Darien gently laid he back down. He pulled the covers over her and bent down to kiss her forehead. As Darien straightened up ready to leave the room, he felt a small hand grasp his wrist. He looked down to see Serena's eyes looking back at him.

"Please Darien, don't leave me." she whispered. Darien gave her a gentle smile, and then lay down next to Serena. He held her tight. Serena cuddled close to Darien and fell into a gentle sleep.

Darien stayed up a little longer just watching Serena sleep. He prayed she slept well because tomorrow was going to be the worst day for her.

To be continued.