Storm Warning

Disclaimer: I don't own them, I said!

A/N: I'm going out of town for a few days, so I won't be updating for at least that long. Just thought I'd warn you. – Eli K*

Chapter 3— Mr Wonderful

Upon awakening in Darien's strong arms, Serena allowed an exhilarated smile to creep onto her angelic features. She felt like the luckiest girl alive. She knew she wasn't but hey, she was allowed to feel like it, wasn't she? Rolling over, she looked at the clock. 8.30!!! She was WAY late. She had to be at the studio in... minus five minutes.

"Oh, no," she wailed. "Darien, get up! We're sooo late!"

Cobalt eyes fluttered, followed by a cross voice. "What, Serena?"

"Darien, it's 8.30!" Serena shrieked, tossing the warm, comforting covers off her body, inviting the horribly frosty morning air onto her barely- covered body. All she wore was a short, silky pink nightgown, and right now that was not offering any warmth to her chilled skin. "Get up and get in the shower. And make it fast!"

"Look, just get in the shower with me," Darien said, pitching his white sleeping shirt onto the floor. "Come on."

Instantly a hot red flush splashed Serena's cheeks. "Darien!"

"Do you want to get there fast or not?" he returned. "Come on. It's not like I'm going to rape you or anything. Just in and out of the shower, I promise. Move it." He untied Serena's meatballs and her long flaxen hair cascaded past her knees.

"All right, all right," Serena muttered. He WAS her boyfriend, after all. It's not as if it'd be unheard of for him to shower with her. Still she'd never seen him naked, so she was a little nervous...

"Move it!" Darien shoved her into the bathroom. "Time's a wastin'."

Serena tossed her clothes off and stepped into the shower. No sense arguing—whoa! Her face burned as Darien stepped in with her and turned the water on. "Well, hello there."

Darien smiled back. "Hi." He kissed her on the nose. "C'mon, stop gawking and get washed. We don't have time to stare at each other."

Too bad, Serena thought naughtily. But she did as she was told. There would be time enough to have a REAL shower with Darien after they came home. Right now, she had to get ready to go!

***

Darien kissed Serena goodbye at the door of the recording studio. "See you tonight, babe."

Serena smiled wickedly. "Sure will. Bye, muffin." She watched as he screeched away on the motorbike, shook her head, smiled, and walked in to find Mackenzie, who would be helping her out today. "Hi," she offered.

A warm smile came in response. "Hi there, Serena. Oh, look at you! You're every bit as beautiful as Reagan said. It's a pleasure to meet you. You'll be seeing a lot of me," the red-haired woman laughed. "So let's hope we get on."

"Oh, I get on with most people." Serena blushed.

"Good, good. Well, let's get on with the show, shall we?" Mackenzie proposed. "You can call me Mac. You wanna be called anything in particular?"

"Call me whatever you feel comfortable with," Serena informed Mac.

"Let's go with Sere. Short and sweet. So, let's get this show on the road!"

***

Three hours later, Serena was sipping at a steaming mug of tea. She had no idea just how long with was going to take when she walked in! They hadn't even done half the song yet. They'd just been experimenting with different ways for Serena to sing certain lines, adjusting the volume, sorting out the background music so it was at the right pitch and sounded good with the lyrics. Now all Serena wanted to do was sit down for a while and rest her frayed vocal chords.

"You're doing just great, Sere," Mac informed the girl brightly. "You're a natural."

"Really?" Serena grinned. "Wow, cool!"

"The only thing," Mac started, "is this. We feel that this song needs real music behind it, like a band. Not the computer generated music. We were thinking piano?"

"Sounds great," Serena replied.

"Do you know anyone personally that can play piano? Of course, we have quite a few gifted people here that could, but it would make it a great deal more special for you if you knew the musician, because it's very possible they'd have to go on tour with you. I'm sure you'd love the company, because you're a very sociable girl." Mac leaned back into the plush indigo sofa, balancing her coffee mug with care.

Serena DID know someone. Instantly she thought of the baby grand in Darien's living room, her fingers clutching her mug in excitement. She'd heard Darien play a few times, once moving her to tears with his soulful rendition of 'Memory.'

"Actually, yes, I do know someone," Serena said intensely. "My boyfriend, who I'm living with, is a very gifted pianist. I'm sure he'd love to play piano for us."

Mac's smile widened. "That sounds interesting, Sere. Do you think he'd be willing to travel with you as well?"

"WOULD he?" Serena laughed in excitement. "He'd jump at the chance!"

"Well then, how about you go give him a call? What's his name?" Mac asked.

"His name," Serena said proudly, "is Darien. He's 19."

Mac's eyes widened. "Wow. Five years older than you."

"Yeah, but we know we're meant to be together." Serena smiled endearingly. "Age doesn't count to us. We're equals to each other."

"That sounds wonderful, Sere," Mac said sincerely. "He must make you very happy."

"Oh, he does." Serena hugged herself. "He's wonderful."

"Well, call him!" Mac gave the girl a shove towards the phone. "I'd like to meet Mr Wonderful for myself."

Happily, Serena bounded over to the phone. Wait till Darien heard this! He'd be so excited! All last night Serena had been thinking of ways to have Darien with her at all times. She'd about lost hope. But now, her hopes were well and truly alive and full of vibrant colour. She dialled his cell number and waited impatiently. Then her attractive face broke out into a brilliant smile.

"Hello, muffin?"