Lady Tristana Rogue: here's my next instalment! I'm getting all giddy as the story is racing towards an ending soon.

serena79: I'm sorry I couldn't make it so soon; I still blame it all on school for forcing me to have to do community service. Why can't they accept my theory of self interest?

sally: oh, the sure to know that stuff will happen!

koldy: wicked!

aurora: Thank you! I've finally updated *goes into chibi state* happy, happy? *bats eyelashes*

Dunk-Dunk: heh! Thanks! *blush* the mushiness… when I reread it, I can't stop myself from wondering what I was thinking!

the last fallen angel: I am trying to update it more often, but there are forces above me that will just not allow me to! I am however, ready, willing, and constantly waiting to write.

Tiffany: Mercy beaucoup! *don't ask... probably due to too much studying*

Hot Cuttie: Arigato!

invisible2u: she had to leave because they have been around each other for too long, if she stayed a day longer who knows what might have happened! I don't even want to think about it! Anyway another reason is because: I'm evil! *well sort of… I try to be… argh…*

Miiaevia: *muhaha* well, I want to make him go back to his normal state of mind...

drsilly-1: Gee, thanks! I kneel and blush humbly…

Hurt Before

*Roller Coaster World*

*Turning the key, unlocking the door

Embracing the roller coaster world

Stepping outside, body and soul

Taking whatever future holds*

The day after Serena left, Darien received a call from Trista, informing him that she had returned from Europe. They talked for a while and told each other of their Christmases. Trista was surprised to find out that he had gotten himself into an accident, but what was more shocking was that Serena had been there to help him out. He told her why Serena left, and Trista's shock reached new heights. She knew that Serena had a magnetic personality, but to make Darien be over Michelle is a little more than a week was more than she had ever imagined. Was she so powerful that she could shatter her brother's defences, and make him fall in love in such a short time span?

After his conversation with his sister, Darien started to reflect upon her words. He started to think about the reasons for his accident, about Michelle, and his feelings for people in general. While he thought, he came to answer his sister's question. Serena wasn't, in fact, that powerful. She had been breaking him down since September— that would be three months. It took only half that time for Rei to seduce him, and Michelle did it in one tiny month. Now, Serena, took so long, but in the process she succeeded in breaking him thoroughly, his defences were now ashes; there was no way he'd be able to rebuild it all.

Five days without any contact with Serena drove him to the brink of insanity. He missed her, as much as he tried to deny it. But he was too proud to call her for no reason, and too honest and uptight to fake being ill. On the Sunday, he found himself eagerly, impatiently counting down the time until the Monday; those twenty-four hours were pure agony to him.

Luck caught up with him, however, as he saw her already in the morning, while in the elevator. His heart grew overpowered with emotion and surprise when the slide doors of the metal box opened to reveal her figure, dressed in that ever clean while jacket, a pair of jeans, and winter boots. She looked absolutely enchanting with her rosy cheeks and snow flaky hair.

"You should wear a hat, or a cap with this weather," he pointed out automatically.

"Hello, Darien!" she greeted pleasantly. "I appreciate your concern for my health, but there's really nothing to worry about."

"That's Mr. Shields, to you Missy," he corrected severely, automatically. He knew that it was wrong, but this routine had become so much a part of his life that he could not stop himself. "Your health is no concern of mine, as long as you don't use too much of our insurance money."

Serena looked at him strangely. At first his remarks did not make sense, as she could not believe that Darien was capable of being so mean. Then she remembered that he had always been mean. The realization only caused her to switch the confused expression to an utterly disgusted one.

"I was going to ask you how you were feeling," she started coolly, "But seeing that you can't bring yourself to feel or even express a tiny bit of gratitude, I have changed my mind."

Soon after that the elevator reached her floor, and she walked out. She was slightly humiliated by him, with the whole name correction remark. She thought that he had changed… then she kicked herself mentally; she was committing the same mistake that most women liked to commit. He'd a grown man, Serena, he'll never change, she reminded herself as she walked into her office.

Meanwhile, Darien continued to ride up one floor, regretting his remarks. He had been aching for the moment to see her again, to prove to her that she was wrong— they hadn't been around each other for too long— that his love towards her was genuine. But all he could manage was to prove her right. He walked to his office cursing at himself, ignoring everyone who greeted him, and as he closed the door he could think of nothing else but 'I have to make it up to her'!

As he worked, he tried to think of something appropriate to do. So as it was, he didn't really get anything done, which annoyed him. Finally, he gave up on his work; he decided that her good opinion of him was more important than a new client, or advertisement. Then suddenly, like a lightning bolt, an idea came to him, and he stood up and left his work to carry out his plan.

It was lunch time, and from the looks that Serena received from her friends as they peeked in on her, she knew that they were dying to know about her 'vacation' with Darien. She didn't feel like satisfying them their curiosity, so she pretended to have much to do when they came in asking her to join them for lunch. When they were gone, she continued to work, it was better to get it done and go home early, that way she might be able to delay (and prepare herself) for their interrogations.

She heard a knock on her door, and looked up surprised. Who would be so stupid as to come when she was supposedly out for lunch? Nevertheless, she shouted a "yes", and continued writing her paperwork.

The door opened to reveal Darien, with a little bouquet of a total of six roses, half yellow and half white. She looked up, blinking with surprise.

"Um, hi, Serena," he stuttered shyly.

"That's Miss Moone to you Mister," she remarked annoyed. "What do you want?"

Darien had to gather himself, what she said didn't sound nice to his ears. Then he recalled that it was just how he treated her this morning.

"I wanted to apologize and to thank your properly," he explained, then he remembered the flowers, "These are for you. I didn't mean to be rude this morning, but I am a man who has a hard time breaking routines, and it was a routine of mine to irritate you every time we were in the elevator together…"

Serena looked at him stunned. What she hearing correctly? If she was, what trick did he have up his sleeve? And roses too! Wow, under any other circumstances, with almost any other guy, that gesture would have been so romantic!

"Aren't you going to accept my apologies?" he asked softly, as his eyes flickered.

"Of— of course," Serena stammered, standing up walking around her desk to receive the flowers. Instinctively she took them lovingly, and smelled them. "They're beautiful," she continued so stammer, caressing one of the rose's petals.

As she played with the rose's petals Darien noticed that she was wearing the bracelet that he'd given her for Christmas. His heart grew warm, and all he wanted to do was to hold her, but he resisted temptation.

"So will you have lunch with me?" he asked at last.

"I can't, I have work to do," Serena replied. She didn't want to go and eat with him as he'd probably pull off a nasty trick like he did in November.

"I also have work to do, but I made time to come here and offer my apologies," he told her sternly, "Now, the least you can do is accept my invitation."

"That least 'I' can do?" Serena repeated emphasising the 'I'. "I'll tell you what I—"

They were interrupted by Diamond coming into the office without knocking. Darien turned around to face his cousin, his eyes plainly revealing his annoyance. Serena shivered and backed away nervously, and in the process of her action she managed to drop the roses. Totally confused both Serena and Darien went of their knees trying to pick up the bouquet, and accidentally Serena's hand landed on Darien's, and she let it linger there, while Darien didn't attempt to snatch it away.

"Oh, I'm sorry to interrupt," Diamond said brightly, not at all sorry for anything, "Serena, I just came by to take you to lunch," he stopped then looked at Darien with an amused face. It was the first time he'd seen his cousin express an emotion other than nonchalance and anger. Darien was looking at him with jealousy clearly written in his face, and his nervousness, too, betrayed him.

"I'm afraid I'll have to decline your… offer," Serena uttered clearly, while she unconsciously squeezed Darien's hand. Damon scared her, and between going to lunch with him or Darien, she would choose Darien no matter how many tricks he had up his sleeve. "Mr. Shields and I were just going to have lunch together."

Darien had to look away from his cousin to hide his joyous smile, and to compose himself as his heart raced knowing that Serena's hand was holding his. Serena, however, watched Damon gawk with surprise, then nod and leave.

They went to a Thai restaurant that was by the headquarters. As they talked Darien began to relax again, but sometimes he'd still stammer when they accidentally touched. He tried to tell himself that he'd been with loads of girls and that he should be used to this, but that didn't help, because counting Michelle he'd only been with five girls, and his situation had been much easier as they were the ones doing the chasing, not him. Now here he was, the one trying to convince her that he wasn't a complete jerk…

"So what joke are you going to pull on me this time, Mr. Shields?" she asked as they sat down with their menus. She said that pronouncing 'Mr. Shields' with a sarcastic tone.

"None that I know of," he smiled sheepishly, "I'm sorry about this morning, I don't really mind you calling me Darien— I was just being a jerk… I— I guess I'm not a morning person," he tried to explain.

"Nor a day person, nor afternoon, evening, and night person, either," she replied dryly.

"You're wearing the Christmas bracelet," he remarked pleased, ignoring her comment.

"Yes," she answered blushing lightly, "It matches my sweater."

She was wearing a pink sweater, and the bracelet's pink stones did have the same colour, but she hadn't worn it because she wanted her clothes to match. To be honest, that bracelet had been on her arm ever since Christmas. She hadn't really bothered to take it off, as she forgot that she had received it from him.

"I see," Darien nodded. "So, if I'm not being too nosy, may I ask what the deal is with you and Diamond?" that was a pretty blunt question, everyone except Serena, would have understood he was so head over heels.

"There isn't a deal with us," Serena answered fidgeting, glad that a waiter came to take their orders.

"I'm telling you, Serena don't trust him—" he continued seriously when the waiter had gone.

"I know what he is up to! Serena interrupted, "Do I look stupid to you?" She watched Darien smile at that comment just to kid a little, his eyes, however, remained serious. "He gives me the creeps… I don't like to be near him."

"I'm glad you feel that way," he muttered, "I wouldn't want to see you out of a job, just because he grew bored of you, like the last secretary… If you know what I mean— everyone says I scared her to death— oh, hell!"

"Yeah," Serena nodded, "I'm just going to finish his report, by tomorrow morning he will have received it and he's therapy will be over," she smiled long for that relief.

Darien laughed— actually laughed. Serena looked at him surprised, not understanding what was so funny, but after a few moments she didn't really care, as he looked so terribly handsome when he was laughing. She could see that he was quite happy, and when she thought about how worried he had been about to just a few moments before she felt a shovel dig into her heart, un-burying those old feelings for him. At that moment it would have been very hard for any young lady not to be taken by him, now imagine Serena, who had know him for three months, helped him when he was in need, seen a nicer side of him, and even been kissed by him! She could just not hide the loving smile that crept upon her lips and took over her whole face.

"What's no funny?" she asked at length, blushing. There was magic in that moment, and even the waiter, who arrived with the drinks decided to wait and not ruin the sparkles flying about them.

"I knew it!" Darien said at last, with his eyes bright. "I told Damon that you were cleverer than him. I told him not to mess with you because it would lead to nowhere, and that he'd be on the losing side."

"And that is funny?" Serena posed raising one of her eyebrows.

"Oh, come on," Darien returned smiling charmingly, not really meaning to do so, but his lady looked so beautiful that he wasn't able to resist, "You know, I'm not a nice person, now do you expect me to have a normal kind of humour?"

"I'd expect you to have no humour at all," she said crossly, and let the waiter serve then the drinks, then she took a sip of her coke. Darien chuckled at her comment.

They ate lunch in a pleasant manner, just like they had done a week before, when Serena was still at his place. Needless to say they both enjoyed each other's company, and Serena was struck with how friendly Darien had become compared to the time before the accident. It was quite easy for her to see that he had, in fact, not changed, but that he was revealing his true self to her. The true self that he hid from her because of his prejudice against psychologist. A prejudice which was natural for him to feel, as he had his share if visits to their offices; visits that harmed him more than healed. Serena cursed all corrupt shrinks that existed in this world. He did not need them, all he needed was someone who understood him, and accepted him as he was, and she was convinced that that someone was her. She hoped that Darien would see that sooner or later.

Towards the end of the working day, Damon took the opportunity to go by Serena's office to settle their next date. He was fascinated by the way she could keep him hanging like that, without making him lose interest in her. Many women had tried to play hard to get with him, but that only ended up with a no win situation as Damon soon grew bored of chasing and settled for an easier prey that was younger and twice as pretty. Now, he had had not seen her in almost two weeks! Unknown to him, he felt the same yearning to see her that Darien had felt when he wasn't in contact with her. Well, perhaps Damon was not as desperate as Darien had been, as his oversized ego hindered him from feeling any doubt concerning her feelings towards him.

However, Damon was greatly disappointed to find that a half an hour before she was supposed to quit, Serena had already left her office. His disappointment soon turned towards shallow jealousy, as he was convinced that she was up in Darien's office doing all sorts of dirty deeds that he pictured her doing to him. He had seen the complicity in their eyes earlier in the day, so he thought he knew. With that he hurried up to Darien's office hoping to catch them red-handed and fire her on the spot, because she had apparently chosen a meagre sales' manager over him, the president of Diamond and Shields.

His anger rose towards explosion when he opened the door, without knocking, to find Darien alone, innocently focused on his work.

"Where is she?" he questioned brutally.

Darien looked away from his computer screen with a friendly expression to meet eye with his cousin. "I'm not sure I know who you mean," he uttered confused.

"Don't give me that innocent look," Damon spoke, "What kind of conspiracy theories have you been telling her about during lunch?"

Darien smiled with realization and leaned back on his chair, mocking Damon. "None that she didn't already know about," he answered. "Give it up, Damon; you have no chance with her."

"What? You're trying to get her into bed too, aren't you? You good for nothing sissy," Damon shouted coming close to Darien's desk with a threatening expression.

"As a matter of fact, yes, I am… someday," he said amused, "But for now I am prioritizing other things. So, how does it feel, now that you have competition, Damon? It's it exciting? Which one is she going to chose? A person like you, who is only trying to use her, or me, who am willing to give her the whole fairy tale package?"

"Why, you sneaky son of a gun—"

"You listen to me, Damon," Darien ordered in his severest voice, standing up. "I care deeply for Miss Moone, and I will never watch her give herself up to you, even if it means that I should have to literally tear you apart. She's free to be with any other man, as long as it's not you."

Damon gave him a hypocritical smile, "We'll see who wins, Darien," he said at last.

"It's not a question of winning or losing," Darien make it clear, "I'm warning you to back off, for if you so much as touch her, I will wring you neck five hundred degrees," he uttered his dangerously.

"What, will you bring a protractor along to measure it accurately?"

"Hell yeah!" Darien told, "Now get out, and return to you job, you sorry excuse for a president."

Heee! I am finally done with this chapter, and I'm halfway done with 16 (it's still in my notebook), so I hope to get another update soon... Anyway, ja ne!