Authors Note : AU No superhero's Definitely Dar/Sere pairing! Please R & R. If fate makes a mistake, when you are supposed to die and instead you find love, what are the consequences? A catch 22 to find out more please read.
Back Where We Belong
Chapter 1
The trees were blanketed with a heavy mist. It floated everywhere creating an eerie atmosphere.
The rain beat down in sheets and made driving a nightmare. The five occupants of the car were
paying the weather no mind, laughing and talking happily. Serena held the steering wheel, lightly
and guided the car along the windy road.
"So are we gonna have fun or what?" Mina piped up from the backseat. A chorus of "Yeah" echoed
through the car. They all broke out in giggles.
"How much longer before we arrive?" Lita's stomach grumbled and she blushed laughing.
"Not to much longer. I think we probably have another half hour or so." Amy smiled at Lita. Sitting next to her
in the back she offered her a sandwich. They had all brought junk food for their stay at the ski lodge. It had
been Mina's idea, early this morning.
Flashback
Serena's phone rang at eight thirty and she answered sleepily.
"Hello?" She put her pillow over her face to hide the bright light.
"Hey girl, I have an idea. Let's go skiing."
"Huh?" Serena's groggy mind could not keep up.
"Now! today! girl. Let's pack up and go to the ski lodge. I can get us a room immediately, hot guys, hot chocolate, fun on
the slopes."
Serena took note of the excitement in her friend's voice. 'Maye it would be fun? All of us haven't had any fun in
awhile.' "Okay, have you called anyone else yet?"
"Of course, Raye is all for it, Lita is already packing, Ami told me I better hurry up and call you." Mina bubbled with
excitement. "We expect you to be at the Temple by ten. We have to get going so we don't arrive late. We can come
home sunday afternoon. As it is friday that will give us all day tomorrow for fun."
"Okay okay, I am up and I will be there by ten." She hung up the phone and climbed out of bed. Showering quickly she packed her clothes in a duffle bag and went to dig her ski's out of the garage. Wearing jeans and a sweater she put the heavier stuff and her shower stuff in the duffle for later. Gathering her keys and purse she explained to her mom where they would be. She arrived at the Temple just before ten and half an hour later they hit the road. Flashback
She smiled into the rearview mirror seeing the excitement on her friend's faces. Glancing over at Raye she threw her an excited smile and then looked back at the road. It was really nasty out there and she was glad they would soon be leaving
this rain behind.
"So you think there will be any hot guys this weekend?" Raye blushed. The girls all knew Chad had left, breaking her heart in the process. She hid it well but they knew she wanted to find someone to take her mind off Chad.
"Of course there will be girl! What are you thinking?" Mina playfully swatted her on the back of the head. They all laughed at her antics.
"Guys, I think I see something up ahead in the road. What should I do?" Serena looked in the mirror waiting for suggestions.
"Stop, you never know what you might find." Mina always the optimist smiled at her friend.
"Yeah it might be something important." Amy chimed in leaning forward between Serena and Raye trying to see.
"Okay, I'll stop." Serena slowed the car to a stop about where she thought she had seen something shiny. Putting the car
park, she turned towards the girls.
"I'll just be a second." She unbuckled and opened the door easily sliding out of the drivers seat. Walking around the door
she looked around on the ground. Spotting something laying by the tire she knelt down. Reaching out her hand her fingers had just touched it when she heard an odd sound. Glancing around Serena looked up just in time to be smacked in the face by the door she had left open. She landed clear in the other lane. The pain so intense she didn't want to move.
He had kicked up the radio and was just enjoying the peace. Heading for the ski lodge he planned a weekend of relaxation. Time off from work was a godsend. The hospital had been so busy lately. He sighed in relief just getting away from all the sickness and death. He had gotten off work and decided he needed to get away. Calling the lodge he made reservations and packed his stuff. He smiled to himself thinking of the fun he would have.
As he came around the corner his eyes widened with shock. A car sat not moving in the road. There was no time to go anywhere. He slammed on the brakes and watched events unfold in slow motion. His car slammed into the motionless car sending it careening. He saw something fly away from the car and land in the other lane. Sucking his breath in, he realized it was a person. His eyes jumped back to the other car as it slammed into the gaurd rail and exploded on contact. Counting himself lucky he realized he had suffered no serious injuries. Climbing out he went to check on the other person.
' The mist looks very nice from here. I did not know there were stars out.' Serena laid there just letting the rain soak her. When she heard the explosion she had to wonder. 'What would explode out here?' Her head was throbbing as she finally decided to slowly try and stand up. She turned back towards the car.
"Guy's what is...." She stopped midsentence. 'Where is my car?' She turned in a complete circle trying to figure out what was going on.
"Miss......miss are you all right?" She turned to see a stranger standing there talking to her. He was still speaking and she tried to understand what he was saying.
"I am so sorry. I came around the corner and there was no where for me to go." She stood owlishly blinking, trying to understand what he was talking about.
"Miss was there anyone in the car with you?" His words slowly filtered through her throbbing mind. 'My car, where is my car?'
"Where is my car? Amy? Lita? Raye where are you guys? Mina?" She looked at the stranger. "Where is my car?"
"Miss, Is there someone I should call?" At that moment reality came crashing into Serena's mind. Earlier thoughts of an explosion rang in her head. Without thinking she turned and looked further up the road. Her car sat crumpled up against the gaurd rail, a giant raging inferno. The world fell out from under her. She turned back and ran to the stranger.
"Tell me this isn't happening. Please tell me this isn't happening! Damn you!" She lost complete control of everything.
"You did this.....How could you........NO!....NO! THIS IS NOT HAPPENING!" Serena was like a wild animal attacking. Tears streaming down her face, with a keening wail she began beating on his chest, trying to stop the pain tearing into her. Slowly she felt strong arms surround her and heard a voice breaking through her screams.
"Calm down.......It's all right.......Breathe........" Her last thought before the world fell away from her.
'Nothing will ever be right again.' Serena collapsed like a rag doll into his arms.
He felt the small cold body go limp in his arms and looked down at her. 'Holy shit, what happened to her face? Must of been the car knocking her out of the way.' He looked for somewhere to set her. They were in the middle of nowhere and the only dry place was the back seat of his car. He lifted her as best he could and walked the distance to his car. Fumbling with the door, he opened it and set her as far in as he could. Sliding in beside her, he took stock of their situation. Glancing over at her he noticed that she was shivering even while unconscientious. He felt around and grabbed his bag, pulling out his parka. He put his arm around her and pulled her limp form forwards and fumbled to get the coat around her. Reaching back into his bag he quickly located his cell. Pushing the on button he prayed that he had service. He reached forward and hit his dome light. He was lucky to have three bars. He dialed 9-1-1 and impatiently waited for an answer.
"911 What is your emergency." A groggy voice asked.
"There has been a car accident. I think people have died. We need a firetruck and a tow truck. We are up on Yelton Pass. I think this is the area known as Dead Man's Curve." He took a deep breath and continued. "My name is Dr. Darrien Shields. There is a victim that was hit by the car but I don't think she is seriously injured."
"I'll have someone there as soon as possible. Dr.Sheilds can you tell me what happened?" She questioned gently.
"Yes I came around a bend in the road and a car was sitting idle. I didn't have anywhere to go." The guilt in his voice was evident. "My car plowed into the idling car, sending it slamming into the guardrail where it immediately exploded. This young lady was outside her car and her car knocked her clear."
"Was there anyone in the car with her do you know?" The lady's voice was hesitant.
"I am not absolutely certain but I think there was. She was calling for her friends." Darrien glanced at Serena and then glanced away. "She is in severe shock I think the blow to her head caused it." He sat quietly waiting for the woman to respond.
"Okay Dr. they are telling me they will arrive shortly. I have another call coming in so I am going to let you go. I hope everything is okay."
"Thank You." his words were quietly spoken as he hung up the phone. He threw his phone back into his bag. Climbing out of the car, he pulled an emergency kit out of the trunk. Grabbing accident flares he dug for matches and struck one. Lighting the first flare he carried it back the way he had come.Finally picking a spot he sat it along the road. He knew he did not need another car slamming his. Lighting another one he walked a bit farther and set it down also. Figuring that was enough warning he turned and hurried back to his car. He slid into the back seat and hoped they hurried. He saw that the girl was shivering so he lifted her forward once more and slipped his arm around her. Pulling her close he snuggled her close for heat.
Serena felt like she was moving. "God that was a nightmare!" she mumbled starting to wake up. Feeling herself pulled up against a warm body she relaxed into the warmth. Until her head connected with a solid muscular chest then she realized that something wasn't right.
"Where am I?" she looked around blearily. She was in the backseat of someone's car. Turning her head slowly her eyes ran into the most beautiful dark eyes she could imagine. 'Wait a minute, that is the face from before!'
"You are sitting in my car. It was the only dry place to set you when you blacked out." His words were calm and collected.
"S..So you're telling me it really did happen?" Her eyes immediately filled with tears. "OH MY GOD! Mina, Raye, Lita, Amy!" Serena in that moment felt her heart shatter into thousands of pieces. "I killed them all!"
Darrien could tell she was in shock. "Stop this nonsense! If anyone is to blame it is my fault." He glanced over at her to see rivulets of tears racing down her cheeks. The grief in her eyes felt like a physical blow to his stomach.
"Were these people your family?" He asked barely able to get the words out for some strange reason.
"Close enough." She wiped at her face before continuing, "They were the closest people to me on this earth. We have been friends since Junior High." The tears started coming faster, the pain in her chest was almost unbearable.
Darrien looked down at her. With his arm still around her, he gathered close in a hug.
"Shhh....it is okay to cry. Comeon let it out." Her arms of their own accord reached out for him and she clung to him sobbing in despair. He ran his hand up and down her back offering solace the only way he knew how.
Slowly the tears slowed and her hitching breaths turned to gentle even ones. She had drifted off to sleep. He sat looking at her. Her hair was the lightest of blondes as far as he could tell with the dim dome light. It was snarled and damp with bits of leaves and gravel. He noticed a small cut on her forehead, probably from the door.
Suddenly a sound caught his attention. It was the sad wailing of a siren. He knew help would be here momentarily. He gently shook her.
"Hey help has arrived. Come on you have to wake up now sweetheart." She groggily nodded her head. Grabbing his bag, he climbed out of the car. When she felt him move the heat went with him. She followed him unsteadily. With her face throbbing and a headache she knew this was only going to get worse.
Serena watched events unfold in a state of shock. It was like being stuck in your worst nightmare except there was no waking up. The same thoughts kept running through her head. 'I didn't turn on my hazard lights. I should never have stopped in the middle of the road.'
The firetruck had arrived first the men quickly dragging out their hose, aiming it at her car. The fire chief approached Darrien and Serena. A crusty old gentleman who had seen tragedy many times on this stretch of road. He looked at the young people standing before him and mentally prepared himself once more. Putting up walls came easy now. He had to do it or all of the death and tragedy would retire him early. He held his pen ready to fill out the report. The clipboard in his hands acted as a shield.
"Can either of you tell me what happened here tonight?" He smiled gently knowing this would be the most painful part.
"Yes, I stopped in the road, well because I had seen something lying in the center." Serena's voice came out hoarse and she swallowed not wanting to remember. "I had climbed out to check when I heard something strange. When I turned to look the door smacked me knocking me across into the other lane........." She stopped there letting Darrien explain what she had not seen.
"Well I was cruising along and when I came around that bend." He turned pointing back towards the emergency vehicles. "A car sat idling, but there was no time....no place to go. My car slammed into her's sending it careening. When it hit the gaurd rail, it exploded on contact." He looked bereft. "I immediately went to check on her." He left it there not needing to share the details of her reaction.
"Miss was there anyone in the vehicle with you?" He asked gently seeing her grief.
"Y...yes....." The tears rolled down her cheeks and she took no notice. " Four other people. My friends.....They are.....are gone now." The finality of that statement sent shockwaves through both men. "Raye Hino. Amy Mizuno, Lita Andrews and Mina Copeland."
"Your names please?" He took notes and wrote as they spoke filling in all the necessary details.
"I am Dr. Darrien Shields. I work at Regency Memorial." He smiled softly at the girl, not yet knowing her name.
"S..Serena Johnson." was all that she was able to get out. Darrien took note of her name. She looked like hell. He leaned forward looking at the Chief's name tag.
"Uhmm Mr. Yates, as it is late, and neither of us now have a car, can we get a ride on up to the ski lodge. I think the rest could wait until morning." He threw a meaningful glance at Mr.Yates and glanced at Serena.
Mr. Yates understood what he was trying not to say. He could see that the young lady was not in good condition. Feeling kindly he agreed. "Yeah I think we could arrange that. If I have any further questions I can contact you in the morning. All that is left here is removing the remains. I'll go arrange you a ride." He walked off, trying to find someone with with a free vehicle. Serena paled even more although she didn't comment. Darrien stepped closer to her and put his arm gently around her waist offering support.
"Hold on we are almost finished." He dropped a comforting kiss on her head. 'Why did I just do that? I don't even know this girl. Must be protective instincts.' He shrugged mentally and decided to figure out later what it might mean. Looking around he noticed that his car was being hauled up on a tow truck. He knew it would be completely totaled. The front bumper was clear back near the windshield. There would be no saving this one. He smiled sadly filled with regret. It had cost him a fortune and it was his only extravagance. Seeing red and blue lights Darrien realized that the state trooper must have finally arrived. A big burly man walked towards them.
"If you will come with me, I'll run you on up to the ski lodge." He turned around not waiting for their agreement. Darrien pulled her gently along with him as they headed for the trooper's suv. Opening the back door for her, he gently guided her in. He slid into the seat and pulled his door shut.
Well that's it for Chapter 1! I hope you liked it. Please R &R to let me know what you think or if you have any questions.