Here it is! Hope you all like it!

R&R!

CHAPTER TEN

Knock, knock. "Excuse me, I've got a delivery for Serena Chalice from the Sydney International Airport."

Darien stuck his head out of his door, and retorted, "She's not here not at the moment. I'll take it for her."

"Okay, just sign here please." The man gestured to the board.

"Have a nice day, sir."

"Nice day, yeah right." And he sighed heavily.

Truth was, Serena was already gone. Packed, and gone.

He had gone strolling around by the lake side to understand the many new emotions he was feeling, and came back to the hotel at 2 in the morning, only to meet face-to-face with an empty hotel room.

She had fled from Sydney and was probably already back at home.

He sighed, and ran a hand through his messily tousled hair. He hadn't predicted she'd run so quickly.

The sunlight was flashing in his eyes and he hurriedly snapped the blinds closed. He wasn't ready yet. Wasn't ready to face the sun, and its blinding, hard truth.

Christ, he was a mess. It was already 9 in the morning and he wasn't even dressed for work yet.

"Well, what to do with the suitcase?" He muttered to himself.

The easiest plan was to send it by express to Serena's house. But... hell, this was the only piece of Serena left for him to remember.

He sighed again.

"Quickest way to find if she needs this urgently, is to open it." He groaned as he tried to lift to. Damn, how did women manage to pack so much in one tiny suitcase?

The first thing that met his eyes was women's lingerie. Mainly black, women's lingerie.

He blushed and tried to stop the images of Serena wearing them.

"I guess she needs all this." He was about to close it, when a silver metal frame caught his eye. Could it be?

He slowly lifted it from the suitcase, and smiled tenderly at the memory when the picture was taken.

It had been Serena's Graduation Day. She had finally passed the high-school horrors and seemingly never-ending nightmare. Darien had clapped the loudest when her name was read. He was damn proud of his little Meatball Head. She had stood on stage – head high, grin wide.

Later, he had given her a bouquet of pink roses as a celebration gift. He still remembered her sweet smile as he surprised her with them. Then, Raye had quickly taken a photo of Serena and him holding the roses before he could object. He was a bit camera shy, and it was one of the only photos he had with Serena. He kept a copy of the same photo in his bedroom, next to his lamp.

He was lurched back to the present and thought it was strange Serena had bought it along with the trip, but then again, she was sentimental and it was just like her to not leave anything behind.

Memories flooded him...fights, laughter, food...What the hell was he doing here, just sitting here? He should have caught the first plane back to Melbourne, and told Serena to stop. Because...because, he loved her.

He stood up, determination etched on his bold, handsome face. It was time. Time to stop hiding his feelings for Serena. He was utterly in love with her.

But...what if loving her meant jeopardizing their relationship? Their easy, casual conversations. The shared laughter. And all because of three little words? Was it worth it?

It was. Because Serena was worth it. She was worth the moon and the stars, the sun and the sky. Without her, life was meaningless. A void.

He hastily packed and ran out the door.

He never looked back.

On the Plane to Home

Tears flew down perpetually down her ashen cheeks as she glanced outside the window. All she saw was rain, beating the window ruthlessly. The Days of Rain were here. She laughed humorlessly, thinking how perfectly the weather matched her mood.

And why the hell could life be altered completely by just one moment?

One kiss?

She touched her lips, and could still relish the warmth, the passion she had felt. She caressed them gently again. Such flaming desire she had never known he possessed. Never realized.

She sighed.

A part of her wished he had never kissed her. Never laid his goddamn perfect lips on hers. And yet...she knew his taste was slowly consuming inside of her. She could feel it. She NEEDED to taste him again. His sweetness...kindness...and every little thing that made him Darien Shields.

Was this love?

This burning of the heart?

This constant struggle for understanding between head and heart?

And if it was so, why did it have to be so painful? Was love meant to be like this?

She thought she knew what love was. What she had shared with Daniel...a lifetime of kisses...and yet all those could be erased without a single thought, just by one little kiss. By HIS kiss.

Was it possible she loved him? The thought had never crossed her mind, well except in those mad teenage years when she had the biggest crush on him. The memories brought a faint smile to her lips. God he was handsome back then. Still was actually. But now...this was a whole new level.

Did he love her? A momentary pain of sadness struck through her as she thought about it. Or was it only passion and lust that had ruled his mind when he kissed her?

He would never hurt her. Physically, she believed in that completely. Emotionally, she wasn't so sure. Definitely not intentionally, but...

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for boarding the QANTAS flight to Melbourne..."

Serena sighed and leant back on her chair. She was back home. Alone.

At Amy's Apartment

"I kissed him." Serena stated simply to a sleep-eyed Amy as she opened her door.

"Who?"

"Darien."

Amy froze. And then burst out in happiness and turned to hug her best friend with delight. Serena's arms only hung limply by her sides as Amy squealed.

"That's wonderful! I always knew you two would get together..." She trailed off, suddenly noticing Serena's tears and her apathy.

"Honey, what's wrong?" She put a comforting arm around her and led the tear-stricken Serena to the couch.

"Absolutely everything." With that, Serena broke down in sobs.

Later, with the pieces Serena had given her, Amy worked out the puzzle gradually. And after some thought, asked plainly, "Why are you afraid to love him?"

With this, Serena glanced up, surprised. "I never thought it that way...Hell, with all these new emotions I'm surprised I can think at all."

"Just answer the question Sere."

"Afraid...to love him? I don't know..." She murmured, thinking.

"Think about it darling. But in your sleep. You're tired and weary from all the traveling. Sleep, the world's troubles always look darkest at night." With a kiss on the forehead, Amy strode from the room and turned off the light.

Thoughts without meaning, questions with no answers pounded her head as Serena strolled by the river. The sun had risen, enveloping her in its warmth. It was strangely peaceful without the city's bustling. Sunlight reflected off the murky, indigo waters.

Birds whistled. Trees rustled.

Here was peace. She sighed. Peace? Keep dreaming Serena.

'...Why are you afraid to love him...?'

The question fluttered gently through her mind.

Afraid? She wasn't afraid. She just hated to change. That was all. She wasn't in love with Darien. What had she been thinking? He was his best friend, for god's sake.

She sat under the tree, shading from the sun's bright glare.

It was all foolishness. She couldn't possibly love a man who had been practically her brother all her life.

Why was she lying to herself? Why was she denying his love? Why was she afraid?

For just a moment, she wondered what it would be like, to love him. Completely and utterly.

She squashed the thought. Things were perfect already. She'd just have to tell Darien his love was being wasted on her. She had to make him see that being friends was all there was in their relationship. Nothing more, nothing less.

She stood up resolutely, argument already forming in her mind when Darien would confront her.

But her step faltered.

Did she have to do it so soon?

Couldn't she wait just a little while to get her strength back?

Wasn't a headache coming on?

Besides, Darien was still in Sydney. She'd just wait a while, think everything over again. Not that anything was going to change. She had made her mind up about that.

No, she just had to think of the best way to convince Darien that loving her couldn't possibly work out between then.

But now, it wouldn't hurt to just rest a little.

She slowly sat down under the big oak tree, and sank into her murky world of dreams.

"Where is she?" Darien demanded Amy.

She gasped as she looked up. She had never seen him this bad. Or worried. His hair was disarrayed, suit crinkled, cheeks pale.

He loved her.

The thought came to her in a flash. And she knew with conviction Darien would make Serena smile again.

"By the river." She murmured, and saw the hope shine through his tormented eyes.

"Wait," she called out before he could disappear. "Don't hurt her."

"I won't," He promised, "I've waited for her all my life. I guess, I just never realized it." For a second, his eyes turned to a deep faraway look. Memories flashed before him.

Then it was gone. There was only determination etched on his face. And love.

AN: Well readers? Do you think they're ready to face each other? Or should
I prolong it a bit more?

Comments welcome! Reviews really do help!