Back Where We Belong
Chapter 3
Darrien and Serena headed out to the car. It was a forest green ford focus. Opening the door for her, he waited for her
to climb in. Shutting her door he ran around to his side and slid behind the wheel. Looking over at her he smiled.
"You ready for this?" glancing at her he started the car and guided it out onto the road. "So what would you like to know?"
She thought for a minute. "What do you like to do in your free time?" He gathered his thoughts for a few minutes.
"Well I study alot." He grinned at her look of distaste. "I am working on becoming a Pediatrician and there are lots of
extra credit courses that I can take. Any other questions?
"Yeah just exactly how old are you?" She gave him an interested look.
"I am 24 and might I ask the same?" He smiled at the surprised look on her face.
"19 next week." she closed her eyes for a moment gathering her composure. They fell into an uncomfortable silence. Reopening her eyes she turned to look out the window. Watching the scenery pass by her sense of dread began to grow. As they neared the spot where they had first tragically met she closed her eyes. Breathing deeply she tried to stay calm and keep it under control. Making the mistake of opening her eyes she realized where they were. Seeing the blackened pavement and crumpled gaurd rail brought it all rushing back.
"Please pull over.......please..........now." Her voice sounded strained and he glanced over at her. Serena was pale and shaking with sweat glistening on her face. He quickly pulled the car over to the shoulder. She quickly unbuckled and opened the door. Barely making it out in time she dropped to her knees. Losing her lunch on the side of the road,
she wondered how it could get any worse. Suddenly she felt his presence beside her. He gently smoothed her hair back pulling it out of her way.
"I thought I could help. Don't worry this is totally a natural reaction. Just breathe deeply and it will pass." He stroked her back and when she was finally done he helped her back into the car. They drove on in silence. Serena sat with her eyes closed with the window cracked open. The breeze cooling her hot skin. 'I cannot believe how pitiful I am. If I am not dropping my towel I am puking within his sight. How else might I humiliate myself ?' She scowled in abject misery.
"What are you scowling about?" His voice broke into her thoughts. She opened her eyes and found his gaze regarding her with a touch of curiosity.
"Just wondering how else I can possibly humilate myself." She turned glancing out the window and they lapsed back into silence.
Before long her head was bobbing and he noticed that she had dozed off. Slowing down he reached around her
and adjusted the seat into a reclining position. Figuring a nap would do her good he gently pushed her back into the seat.
Glancing at her he wondered what the draw was. 'Why does this slip of a girl grab my attention? I just can't help myself when I'm around her. I find the overwhelming need to care for her.' These thoughts scared him and he tamped them down.
'Once I get home things will return to normal.' Well at least he hoped that would be the case. He glanced at her again and felt his heart strings being tugged on. Grabbing his parka with his free hand from the backseat he covered as best as he could with one hand.
Serena woke to a warm voice tickling her ear.
"Want to get a bite to eat?" Darrien was leaned over whispering in her ear. She was leaned back in her seat warm under his parka. She noticed the sun had set and it was near dark. She had slept for a good couple of hours. Sitting up and stretching she looked around. They were near some of the smaller towns.
"Sounds good I guess." She gave him a sleepy shrug.
"Great I know the best little diner. It's just up the road a bit. I try to stop here each time I come home." He smiled at her. "They have pretty good food and the price isn't too bad." She noticed the radio was playing softly in the background. Studying him from under her lashes she watched as his long fingers tapped to the beat. He was watching the road now that there was more traffic.....
Climbing back into the car they were once again on the road. The food had been good but Darrien didn't want her parents
to worry so they ate quickly before heading back out.With the evening came the cold air. As they made their way to the car he noticed that she shivered.
"Here slip my coat on. It'll keep you warm." He pointed to it still sitting in her seat. She noticed that it smelled lightly of whatever cologne he wore. Each mile closer to home Serena found her heartbeat quickening. She did not know what to say to this man beside her. 'This is confusing. I think I like him but I know it is too soon. He.....he just..there is something....' With an exasperated sigh she gave up thinking about it. Glancing out the window she realized that they were only a couple of blocks from her house. She gave him directions to get there. When he pulled up to the curb he reached behind the seat and fumbled in his bag. Finding what he wanted he quickly scribbled something on a piece of paper. Serena watched him curiously wanting to know but afraid to ask. He folded the piece of paper into a small square and turned to her. Picking up her hand he gently put the paper in her palm and tucked her fingers around it.
"This is my number. I want you to call me at any time if you need to talk. The second is my work number. Just have them page me." Still holding her hand he looked into her cerulean eyes and was lost. He couldn't breathe and just set his lips gently against hers. Her eyes fluttered closed and she just sank into the depths of insanity. He tasted of chocolate and the warm softness of his lips did strange things making her heart race.
Realizing he didn't want to frighten her he broke the contact. Looking deep into her eyes he finally spoke.
"I'll be expecting a call." Not knowing how to answer she just nodded.
"Thank you for everything." She slipped out of the car and ran to her porch. She turned back watching as he drove off into the night.
Walking back into her house seemed strange. She had only been gone a day but her whole life had changed. Her parents grabbed her the minute she walked through the door. Before she realized what was happening she smothered in her parents arms.
"Where is that nice Doctor I spoke with? sweetie?" Of course that would be the first question out of her mother.
"Well he had to get home and check in with work. He is a med student at Regency Memorial." This brought looks of approval from her parents. They drew her into the family room where she stopped in shock. Everyone's parents sat around quietly. When she walked into the room they all looked up. Raye's Grampa was the first one up. He came over and grabbed her in a hug. Without words tears slipped down his face. There was no blame in his eyes only sadness and grief.
Mrs Mizuno attacked her next. With a giant hug and a kiss on her forehead she put her hand on Serena's cheek.
"Thank you for being her friend. You helped her so much." The words brought tears to her eyes and they both broke down crying. Mina's mother joined them. Taking Serena in her arms she was beyond words. Finally Lita's parents came over and both took her hands.
"You did so much for her." Lita's mother put her arms around Serena and lost control. Sobbing quietly she smoothed Serena's hair and calmed herself down. Afraid to ask but knowing she had to. Lita's mother asked the question Serena had been dreading.
"Did...did the girls suffer?" She set her hands on Serena's shoulders and looked into her eyes. Serena took a deep breath before answering.
"No the fire chief told us that the girls died instantly. The moment the words left her mouth Serena dropped to her knees. Sobbing with despair she looked at all of the compassionate people gathered around her.
"You don't understand. I was.....was....supposed to be in the car with them." The group could all see the guilt she suffered for living when her friends had died. Serena's mom went to her side and knelt down.
"Honey that's just not true. You have to believe me." She helped Serena up and led her over to the couch. Guiding her to sit down, she looked around for help. Mrs Mizuno had scooted over and now tried to help.
"Honey Amy wouldn't want you to suffer. You of all people know that. She wanted those around her to be happy."
Mrs. Muzino put her arms around Serena and just held her. Finally realizing it was getting late, Serena excused herself and headed for her bedroom. The girls' parents had all planned the funeral with her input. It was to be held the day after tomorrow.
Upon reaching her room she took one look around and fell onto her bed. Serena finally realized she was still wearing Darrien's parka. The light scent of his cologne was comforting so she left it on as she fell asleep...........
Darrien arrived at his apartment moments after dropping Serena off. That is when he realized she still had his parka. He smiled at the thought of it keeping her warm. Walking up to his door he unlocked it and turned on the lights. Seeing his answering machine flashing he walked over and hit the button.
"You have reached Dr. Shields I am unavailable right now, please leave a message and I'll get back to you..."
"BEEP"
"Hi Darien, It's me. I need to talk to you so call my cell as soon as you hear this message......"
He picked up the phone and dialed.
"Hello This is Doctor Gordon. How may I help you?"
"Hi It's Darrien. I just got in." He paused to see what Eric would say.
"Hey how was your weekend? Wait a minute, it's only saturday, why are you back early?"
"Long story.....I ran into trouble last night. An auto accident up on Yelton's Pass."
"I heard about that in the news. What did you get stuck in traffic and turn back? I heard they had the road shut down for hours." The Doctor chuckled waiting for Darrien to confirm.
"Uhh No I was directly involved." Darrien waited letting the information sink in to his friend and mentor's head.
"Wait a minute. There were only two cars involved? Are you telling me you are the one that hit that car full of girls?"
Darrien sucked in a breath before replying "Yeah that was me. That's why I am back early. My car was totaled and I brought a guest back with me."
"Holy Shit Darrien. I think it's best if you take a couple of weeks off. You need to destress so call me in two weeks and I will put you back on the schedule. In the meantime I am pulling you off of rotations." His friend was trying to be helpful.
"Thanks Eric. I think I need a break. Plus I think I met someone." Eric immediately caught the seriousness of Darrien's tone.
"Dude spill! You cannot leave me hanging?" Eric paused waited for details. He did not want to push his friend too much.
"Okay simply put if you heard on the news, one of the girls survived because she was outside her car." Darrien paused giving his friend a moment. "Well we met under tragic circumstances. Eric...There is just something about her that calls to me. She does things to me that no one else has been able to in a long time."
Eric's jaw hung open. He knew his friend quite well and this had to be serious. He decided to leave off and let his friend figure things out. "Okay well I will let you be. Remember two weeks no sooner. I'll talk to you then. Bye."
Darrien hung up the phone with a puzzled look. He had expected lectures and teasing from his friend. Not the blantant I'll let you be to figure it all out routine. He headed for the kitchen and immediately turned on his coffemaker. While he waited for it to beep at him he pulled out his books and began studying. A few minutes later when it beeped he jumped up to get himself a cup. Pouring it he sat back down at the table and began to study.
The only problem was a pair of pain filled cerulean eyes kept popping into his mind. He wondered already how she was doing. Hoping things had gone well he tried to get back to studying. 'Damn I don't even have her phone number.' Jumping up he went and grabbed his phone book. Perusing through it he quickly found the J's. Luckily he did know her address. He found it quickly. Ken & Irene. He walked over to the phone and started to dial.
Hanging up quickly he realized it was too soon. He didn't want to pester her. It could probably wait until tomorrow morning. He set the phone back on its base and went back to the table. Reading once more he found his eyes getting heavy. Before long he was crashed out his head propped on his arms.
Serena stood at the microphone ready to speak. Her friends and family all sat patiently waiting for her to begin. She looked at the coffins in front of her. A lone tear slipped down her cheek. She swiped at it and cleared her throat. Suddenly she heard a noise. The casket's one by one all opened by themselves. Serena stood staring in horror as her friends all sat up. Their eyes popped open to reveal empty sockets.
"Serena Where is your casket?" Raye's voice asked accusingly
"Why aren't you stretched out here?" Mina asked vehemently.
"You belong here with us!" Lita sounded angry
"Why did you survive. It's not fair! Why?" Amy was screaming.
They all began chanting "Why Why Why Why?" She tried to turn away. Serena found she couldn't even close her eyes. She watched in horror as they climbed over the side of their caskets and came towards her. When they were just about to reach out and touch her she sat straight up with a scream lodged in her throat.
Waking from the dream she just barely avoided screaming out loud. Glancing at the clock she saw that is was two-thirty in the morning. The dream had shaken her up so much she was silently weeping. Serena did not want to wake her parents up
for a nightmare. She dug around in her pocket. Finding the little square of paper she gently unfolded it.
'He said to call anytime but he is probably sleeping. What should I do?' Swiping at her tears she tried to decide. Looking at his writing she thought about him. 'I am so confused. There have been other guys in my life but none like this. Why? why does he call to me? Why does he do strange things to my heart.' She shook her head in frustration. Jumping up she grabbed the phone on her headboard. Dailing the number with her heart in her throat she waited for an answer.
The phone jangling woke Darrien. He jumped up wiping away the drool as he crossed the room to grab it.
"Hello?"
"Darrien.....?" He recognized her voice right away.
"Serena are you okay?" He could tell something was wrong by the sound of her voice.
"I....well.....yeah.....no.......I don't know?" She started crying. "I had another nightmare. It was at the funeral and the caskets opened..........and the girls were mad at me....they kept asking why? wanting to know why I didn't have a....
casket. They had no eyes! Darrien and.....they were coming to get me!"
"Sweetheart......shhh It's all right........I know how terrifying dreams can be." He took the phone and went to the table.
"Hey guess what?" Picking up his coffee cup he walked to the sink. "I talked to my boss earlier tonight." As he relayed the conversation he rinsed his cup and poured a fresh cup. "He is making me take two weeks off." He sat at the table and continued. "So, how did it go earlier?" He sipped at the coffee while waiting.
"It....was......okay. None of their parents were mad but it was hard. They were all crying." She paused. "The funeral....is well... it's day after tomorrow. I was kind of wondering.......?" She went silent all he could hear was sniffles. Figuring he knew what she wanted to ask he took control of the situation.
"Hey would you mind if maybe I tagged along for the funeral?" He held his breath scared that maybe he was wrong.
"Could you? That would be great. It would mean the world to me." She blushed in the dark for saying something so silly.
"Okay good you will have to let me know the time. Hey do you have something in black to wear?" He thought maybe that would distract her. "I don't have anything suitable for a funeral. Could you help me?" He hoped this plan to spend some time with her would work.
"No I don't have anything either." Serena thought for a minute. "That means we will have to go shopping? Is that all right with you?"
"Yeah that would be great." Darrien smiled in the dark. "Can I pick you up tomorrow around 2 pm? We can head to the mall."
"That would be fine." She knew she had to face people so this would be a good start. "Okay well I better let you go." She sounded let down....
"Are you sure you are all right?" He asked. The strain of everything was still evident in her voice.
"I don't really know but I will sleep better now." She felt a little bit calmer.
"Okay well sleep now sweetheart and I will see you tomorrow." He listened until he heard the click and then dial tone.
Smiling with hope he put away the books and padded to his bedroom. He fell into his bed to tired to undress. With a last smile he fell asleep.