Hello again Mina, here is chapter two. I hope you enjoy!

Author's Note: 'Denotes peoples thoughts'

Thanks to Nanami Sakura - I know if you keep reading you will like how I handle this......at least I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Thanks to SerenityChild16 - I am glad you felt her sadness, sounds silly, but I cried whilewriting it.!

Thanks to Neo-Princess Serene Eternite - I am glad you found it interesting. I hope it keeps catching your interest.

Okay okay on to the story...............

Back Where We Belong

Chapter 2

It was a silent trip on up the mountain. The Trooper didn't say one word to the people in the back of his cruiser. Just got them to the ski lodge and then drove off.

Darrien led Serena to the door and they knocked. A woman in her 40's answered the door.

"Ah you two must be the people from the accident. They called telling us of your arrival. My name is Marie." She smiled softly. "Come on in so we can get you warmed up." She led them into the big main hall.

"Have a seat. My husband John just stoked up the fire, so you should warm right up. I'll be right back with something warm. Would you like coffee, tea or hot cocoa?" Darrien smiled at her motherly attitude. She had shoulder length red hair and soft blue eyes.

"I'll take coffee..straight black please." He looked down ready to ask Serena what she would prefer when he stopped in surprise. Serena was leaned against him already quietly dozing. He smiled tenderly taking note of the pleasure that sight brought him. "Just bring her hot chocolate. She has been through hell tonight and I don't want to wake her just yet. She lost her best friends in the accident."

"Oh my, the poor little thing." She made clucking noises as she walked from the room. Darrien took a look around the room they were in. The couch sat directly across from the fire place. There were comfortable looking chairs grouped around the room also. Everything was trimmed in oak and he loved the rustic feel of the place. Off to the right a staircase led upstairs to the suites.

The small body leaning against him sighed and snuggled closer. He looked down and smiled. Serena was still wearing his parka, her hands tucked under her cheek. He lifted his arm and pulled her into the crook of his shoulder. She relaxed against him and murmured in her sleep.

Presently Marie came back into the room carrying a tray with his mug of coffee and two cups of cocoa. Setting the tray on the round table, she pulled up one of the chairs and sat. Handing Darrien his coffe she picked up one of the cups and sipped at it.

"Did you two have reservations?" She asked curiously.

"Oh we're not together. I just met her tonight under tragic circumstances. I do have reservations under the name, Shields Darrien Shields. I do not know whether she does or not. We'll ask her in the morning." He blushed thinking of Marie's assumption. Glancing up he saw Marie watching him quietly. Without words she smiled.

"Would you like me to show you to your rooms?"

"Uhhhmm I am not sure that is such a good idea. I don't think she should be alone just yet. If you could bring me a blanket? I think we'll just let her sleep for now. I'll sit with her." Marie nodded her approval and went to find a spare blanket. She smiled to herself. 'Wow how tenderly he already watches over her. Maybe something good will come out of this.'

She was still expecting a party of five which had reserved the big suite. Digging into her linen closet she found a spare down comforter. Figuring that would work, she grabbed a spare pillow too. Wandering back to the front room she handed over the blanket and pillow.

"Thank you." He smiled at her with tired pain filled eyes. "I think we will be okay until morning."

"All right then. I shall come in early and wake you up." She cast him one more smile and then headed up the stairs.

Serena was standing in the middle of the road. This spot seemed very familiar to her. She stood feeling the rain lash at her as the wind raged around her. She looked for somebody, anybody but there wasn't anyone around. Out of nowhere a voice spoke.

"You were supposed to die tonight." The voice faded into nothingness and once again she was alone. Then the most frightening thing possible happened. She heard the girls calling her. Their voices floated hauntingly on the cold night air.

"Serena where are you?" Mina's voice questioned gently

"I am here, my friends." She yelled as loud as possible trying to answer.

"Serena why can't we find you?" Raye asked from a distance.

"Serena what happened? Serena?" Amy was crying.

That is when it finally sunk in her mind. 'I should have died there too.' She started screaming in despair.

With a small yelp she sat straight up.

"I was supposed to have been in the car.....I should have died too." She was crying softly.

Darrien woke to her yelp and couldn't believe his ears. "There is no way you can know that, Sweetheart." He looked at the pain in her cerulean eyes. He lifted his thumb gently wiping away her tears. The heartbreak and certainty written on her face was nearly his undoing. He had to dispel it. Somehow someway he had to find a way to help her.

"Look fate, destiny whatever you want to call it, has a purpose for you." He smiled gently, "maybe you were even in my path for a reason." Serena's heart was touched by his words. "I know without a doubt that fate or whatever does not mess up." He laid her head his shoulder. "Look I know there is guilt, trust me I feel it too, very strongly, but we cannot control everything all of the time." He threw the pillow to the end of the couch and gently laid down with her still in his arms. Spreading the blanket over both of them he kissed her temple and finally whispered.

"Sleep now there will be no more dreams tonight." With his free hand he stroked her hair until he felt her relax into slumber. He lay there for a long time just lost in thought. In a few short hours she had done what no one his whole life had been able to do. For some reason she brought out his protective instincts. She had wormed her way into his heart. 'How is it possible? We met under tragic circumstances but I think that there is more to it than that. There is just something in her that calls to me.' Darrien finally slipped into a peaceful night of rest. It was the first one in a long time.

Cracking her eyes open,Serena awoketo findherself looking into the most beautiful midnight eyes. Lost in their depths she found

herself afloat in a sea of emotions. Letting go for just a few minutes she just savored all that was there good and bad. She sensed guilt pain and lonliness but these eyes were also awash with tenderness compassion and hope. When she sensed the heat of attraction he pulled back breaking her silent perusal.

"Good Morning, did you sleep all right?" his early morning sleep filledvoice skittered over her nerves.Disentanglingherself from their warm cocoon, she stretched before pulling off his parka.

"Yeah at least there were no more dreams." She could not muster up a smile knowing what this day would hold. "I must look a fright but I have nothing." With a sad look she continued. "It was all in the car before.......before" She could not bring herself to even say the words. "Well you know." Darrien glanced at her. Her clothes were muddy down the back and her sweater had stains and bits of gravel stuck to it. He would have laughed at how she looked but he knew it was not a laughing matter.

"I might be able to help. I have some extra sweats and a sweatshirt in my bag. I realize they might be too big but it has to be better than what you are currently wearing."

"Thank you." Her mind offered her nothing better to say. Darrien stood stretching. Glancing at his watch he realized it was still early.

"Marie should be up and around. Do you remember her from when we arrived?" He glanced at her waiting for confirmation. Serena nodded. He immediately began folding up the comforter. 'I cannot just stare at her even if I might want to.' He busied himself by stacking the comforter and pillow in a neat pile. "I imagine Marie will let you have a shower. Oh by the way, did you guys have reservations? Marie asked last night but I did not know."

Hearing footsteps they both turned and looked. Marie was just coming down the stairs. She smiled at them.

"Good Morning, I see you two are already up. I was just coming to wake you. Instead I will see about scroungingup some breakfast. Oh," Marie smiled at Serena. "Did you by chance have reservations?"

"I completely forgot. We did have reservations under the name Copeland. It was for a party of five." All of a sudden reality came crashing in. Tears ran down Serena's cheeks. "I still have to call everyone." Darrien was up in a flash and by her side. Gathering Serena in a hug he stroked her back. Marie looked shocked. 'Oh the poor girl, well that explains why the group never showed'.

"It is okay, I will be here to help when the time comes." Darrien smiled at Marie over Serena's head. "Can we use your phone a little later on? We can charge the calls to my credit card. I need to call my insurace for a rental too." Talking of the mundane things helped Serena calm down. She tried to smile and looked to Marie.

"Could I possibly use your bathroom? I really need a shower." Marie smiled at her.

"Come on I can show you the way. We have towels but do you have anything at all." Serena looked sad for a moment until Darrien spoke up.

"No worries she is going to borrow some of my clothes and I have Shampoo she can use." He smiled at the women and grabbed his bag. Digging through it he pulled out the clothes and shampoo for her.

When Serena had washed all the grime from her hair and body and soaked in the heat she felt somewhat better. She was definitely sore from her landing. Combing out her long hair was a challenge but she managed nicely. With her head a touch sore she decided to leave it all down. Looking into the mirror for the first time was a shock. She had a small cut on above her right eye and her forehead was black and blue. Her eyes looked horrible and puffy from all of the crying, plus she looked as though she had two black eyes because of the bruising. Her hand wandered up to the tender flesh and her fingers drifted over it. Marie had taken her clothes and was going to wash them for her. Wrapping the towel around herself, she grabbed the borrowed clothes, the comb, and her shoes and opened the door....
Darrien headed up the stairs, trying to find the bathroom, thinking Serena was done. As he walked up the hallway the first door opened. Serena stood wrapped in a towel. His jaw dropped open. He hadn't imagined underneath all of the clothes that she looked that good. Serena was so shocked that she jumped dropping the shoes. Reaching down quickly to pick them back up her towel slipped off. With a shriek of embarrasment she fled into her suite.......

Slamming the door, she stood leaning against it breathing heavily. 'I can't believe that just happened. How unlucky can one person be? That kind of stuff only happens in movies.' She quickly threw on the sweats and was just pulling on the sweatshirt when Marie knocked on her door.

"Come in." she called figuring out it probably wasn't Darrien. Marie opened her door and peeked in.

"Need any help?" Serena nodded.

"So do you feel any better?" While asking she walked over and grabbed the sleeves and started rolling them up. The sweats were way to big and Marie dropped down and rolled those for her too.

"A little bit, but I am dreading having to call everyone. I don't know if I can handle their pain. I am afraid they are going to blame me."

"It was just a freak accident. I don't see them blaming you. I think it will all work out." Marie smiled trying to bolster Serena's spirits. With a sad smile, she followed Marie out of her suite.

Darriensat on the couch thinking. 'How lucky can one person be?' He was still thinking of seeing Serena. His jaw had fallen open and then the situation only got better. He could not believe the towel fell off. 'I can't believe how good she looked underneath the towel. With her hair hanging down around her, she looked like aphrodite. That stuff usually only happens in the movies.' Darrien smiled at the women as they came down the stairs.

"You look much better. I hope it helped some." He glanced at Serena from where he sat on the couch. She turned several shades of red before answering.

"Yeah it helped some. I am going to help Marie with breakfast."

"If you want a shower it is the first door at the top of the stairs." Marie smiled at Darrien and was just heading to the kitchen with Serena in tow, when Darrien's laughter floated behind them.............

As soon as they finished breakfast with John and Marie it was time to call everyone. The Lodge's phone was in the kitchen. Darrien called first alerting his insurance and requesting a rental car be brought to the Lodge. When he was done he smiled gently and handed Serena the phone. She took it nervously her hands shaking. She called her parents.

"Just remember I am right here with you." She was shaking so bad she could barely dial the number. Waiting for an answer she nervously twisted her hair.

"Hello?" Her mom answered. "The Johnson residence."

"Hi Mom it's Serena..." She paused taking a deep breath. "Mom get Daddy please." She waited as her mom left the phone.

"Okay honey we are both here. What is going on? Are you enjoying the snow? How are the girls?"Her mom asked excitedly. Serena felt sick to her stomach, not knowing how to speak in that moment. Dizziness overwhelmed her and she dropped the phone. Darrien quickly bent and snatched it up.

"Hello Mrs. Johnson My name is Dr. Darrien Shields. Serena dropped the phone. She is pretty upset right now so I guessI will explain." At the sound of an unfamiliar voice on the phone, Mrs. Johnson knew something was not right.

"What has happened? Is Serena okay?" She paused giving him a chance to speak.

"Last night there was an accident. Serena is just fine other than some bruises but I'm afraid her friends were killed."

Serena could hear her mother's shriek even with the phone pressed to Darrien's ear. She grabbed the phone from him.

"Mom Dad........I am okay......" Her tears fell faster. "It was a freak accident, but...but.....the girls." Serena crumpled into a faint. Darrien grabbed the phone off the floor again.

"Mrs. Johnson, Serena just fainted. This has been very traumatic for her. She seems to think she should have died withthem. Here is what happened from what I have gathered and what I saw. Serena had seen something in the road andthinking it safe she stopped to see. I came around the corner in my car and there was just no where to go." Darrien paused waiting for questions. When the line stayed quiet he continued.

"Serena was outside it when my car slammed into her's and her door knocked her clear. Her car went careening and slammed into the gaurd rail and exploded." Darrien almost cried himself and had to clear his throat before continuing.

"I am not sure if the State Patrol has notified any of the girls families. I am waiting for my insurance to bring up a Rental and if you don't want to drive up here I can bring Serena home."

"Thank you for watching out for our daughter. We will let everyone know what is going on." Mrs. Johnson was softly crying and Darrien could hear Mr. Johnson comforting her.

"I will call and let you know before we take off." He said goodbye and hung up the phone. Turning he looked to see Serena sitting on the floor pale. He knelt down and looked into her eyes.

"It is alright. They were concerned of course. Your Mom is going to let everyone know what is going on. If it is okay with you, I am to drive you home when I head back." He smiled gently. "Now come on let's find something to take your mind off of this." He helped her stand and taking her hand led her back to the main hall.

They spent a couple of hours just talking until his car arrived. They lounged on the couch and Marie let them be. Serena told him about her friends. It was hard for her at first but it felt good. When she broke down and cried he held her and talked soothingly about his work. Marie came and interrupted them for lunch. Handing over Serena's clothes she shooed her off to change.With lunch she went for simple as they were the only guests there at the moment. As they finished up lunch they heard knock at the door.

"Hello I am looking for Dr. Darrien Shields. I have the car he requested." Darrien stepped forward and smiled.

"That would be me. My car was totaled last night. I really appreciate this." The gentleman held out the clipboard for Darrien to sign. "How are you getting back?" Darrien looked at the guy.

"Oh don't you worry about that John will drive him down to the other side." Marie piped up. "Abe here lives down in the last small town on the other side of the mountain. This is part of his regular route." She smiled at the two young people. "You two get along home now. Please be careful." She walked over to Serena and grabbed her in a motherly hug. "Don't you worry too much. I guarantee with this handsome guy watching over you no one will blame you." She smiled at Serena with a hint of mystique. "Now you two have to come back some time on us." Darrien quickly phoned her parents to let them know they were heading back.

Here is an end to Chapter 2 I hope you enjoyed it! Please R & R and let me know what you think?