Thank you everyone for reading!
Usual disclaimer apply
CHAPTER FOUR
"Hurry up!" Darien hollered from downstairs.
"WAIT! AHHHH!" Serena shrieked as she tumbled on an unidentified object.
Plonk. Plonk. Plonk. Serena fell wildly down the stairs painfully. She was expecting a crash, headfirst, but strong arms caught her.
"Thanks!" she gasped at her 'near-death' experience.
"That's the 5th fall! And you still haven't brought down one damn suitcase!" Darien growled.
"Can I help it if I need to pack a lot?" Serena pouted and then winked. "Be back in five minutes!"
"That's what you said last time. And the time before. And the..." Darien groaned and trailed off as she strode determinedly upstairs.
Half an hour later, after frantic last-minute panic attacks from Serena's parents, they headed for the airport.
"That took you ten million hours too long!" Darien growled at her.
"Come on Dar! Stop being such as big old grouch."
"What can I say? You bring out the worst in me." Darien sighed. But he couldn't be mad at her for long. Serena was always entirely too cheerful to stay annoyed at.
"Are we there yet?" Serena whined, bored already.
"Nearly, nearly..."
It was like this every single time they traveled together.
"Ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall., ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall! Take one down, spin it around, ninety-eight bottles of beer on the wall...ninety-eight –"
"SERENA! You're driving me insane! are you really my best friend?"
"Sure am! It's crazy isn't it?" She retorted with a sunny smile and leaned back in her seat with a satisfied smile.
After an hour of constant whining – all Serena of course, they arrived at the airport. After getting five of Serena's suitcases off from the car, they strode briskly into the ticket area.
In no time, they were up in the air.
"You okay?" Darien asked, concerned at Serena's pale face as they sat on the plane. She had never liked traveling by air.
She only nodded, with a greenish tinge on her face.
"Close your eyes, we'll be there in a few hours." He patted her hand comfortingly and held on to it.
And so she did.
"Oh my god! Oh my god! We're here!" Serena laughed joyfully at seeing the city's skyline, her sickness temporarily forgotten.
"See, that's the Opera House..."
"And there's the Harbor Bridge!"
Serena had only been to Sydney for a few times, and had almost forgotten the city's beauty.
They landed with a few bumps into the airport and Serena hurried off the ghastly plane.
"Luggage, luggage..." She muttered and dragged Darien forcefully to the luggage area.
"Ow, got a tight grip there." He winced.
"Cos I'm a tough woman Shields."
"For a girl anyway." Darien snickered.
"What's that mean?" Serena glared suspiciously at him.
"Nothing, nothing... Look, there're my two suitcases."
"Hmmm...one...two...three...four...where's five?"
"Isn't that it?" Darien pointed at a purple luggage.
"No, mine's a lighter shade."
They waited until practically all the suitcases were picked up. People went and left, but still no Serena's.
"I guess we just have to report it." Darien reluctantly dragged Serena away to the 'Lost Baggage' Section. Her normally bubbly face dimmed.
"Yes, how may I help you?" the cheery brunette asked friendly.
"Well, I can't seem to find my suitcase in the pile," started Serena.
The brunette began to type. "What flight were you on?"
"The Melbourne to Sydney, QA926," answered Darien.
"When did the flight begin?"
"12pm."
The brunette typed furiously. "Describe your suitcase please."
After the last question was asked, "Where should we deliver it to when we find it?"
"Novotel at Olympic Park." Darien answered briskly.
"Thanks you. Have a nice day!" the brunette merrily said.
"Sure, we'll have a nice day. Knowing my suitcase is lost in the big bad world."
"It's going to be okay. They'll find it. Besides... you're the one that bought so much luggage!" Darien winced, she wouldn't like that implication.
"Don't you dare suggest anything of that type Darien Endymion Shields" Serena glowered heatedly at him.
Darien put his hands in mock surrender. "Sorry. Crossed the wrong line."
"Humph." She crossed her arms and sat gloomily in the car.
"Ohhhh...I'm so tired." Serena yawned and stretched on the hotel bed when they had arrived. She had dumped her four suitcases and leapt straight for the bed.
"I'll just be next door, okay Sere?" Darien tenderly pulled her covers up.
She nodded, already her body was beginning to feel relaxed, her body unwinding from the traveling.
"I'll wake you at seven, and we'll grab something to eat for dinner." Darien told her.
But, Serena was already asleep.
Darien just shook his head and grinned. He closed the door gently and strode to his room to unpack.
AN: R&R please!