Chapter 5
The Search
Friday . . . around 9:00 a.m.
Sailor Mercury scanned the bedroom and walked through the temple, the other girls and Darien following her closely. She found the tap in the phone and jammed it. She also found the one that was in the room with the Great Fire. That one took a lot of work to find and more to disable. In the crowded room, Mercury disassembled, and closely examined the one that took so long to locate. When she was sure it was safe to talk, impressed, she remarked, "This is absolutely top of the line equipment, but the temple's safe now."
"What do you mean, top of the line?" Darien asked, staring out a window pensively.
"Well, I've never seen anything like it. Look here." When he walked to the table she was working at, she handed him what looked, to Darien, like a tiny contact lens. "That's a miniature video camera."
"No way!" Raye and Lita said simultaneously, looking over Darien's shoulder at the item he held. Luna and Artemis, jumped from their shoulders to the table to watch Amy closer.
"This," Mercury placed another little piece of gadgetry in his other hand, "is a long-range, remote sensor, fully equipped with an audio recorder."
"English, Mercury!" Mina demanded loudly, fed up with techno-jargon. "Geez, Darien may be able to understand you, but we can't!"
"What she means," Artemis stated, "is that whoever planted these, knew what they were doing."
"It's a listening device that can be used across distances." Sailor Mercury elaborated.
"Why, though, and who would want Serena, of all people?" Raye asked.
"A great number of people . . . if they knew she is Sailor Moon." Luna told her.
Detransforming, Amy said, "Put your communicators on the table and I'll fix them so that they'll go off if you enter a room that's tapped. It'll take a while, but I think I can do it."
"But how would anyone know? We've always been careful. Why would they wait so long, anyway?" Mina almost shouted. She was upset and wanted answers.
"I know no more than you." Then turned to Darien. "What can we do now?" Luna whispered sadly.
Darien walked back to the window and, looking out thoughtfully, inquired of Amy, "How long will Serena survive without the Crystal?"
Sighing, Amy replied, "I have no way of knowing. I didn't scan her for weaknesses before she left."
Lita turned to her and demanded, "Are you saying that even if . . . "
"When." Darien put in.
"Ok, when we find her, she may be . . . " Unable to finish the thought, Lita turned away as Amy nodded her head slowly.
Trying to reassure the others and himself Darien concentrated for a moment then stated, "I don't feel anything right now. Serena may be sleeping. I'm not sure." Shaking his head in frustration, "At least she's not in pain or felling any fear. Amy, can you give me a time frame?"
"Like I said, It's hard to say. But my best guess would be . . . "
"Not long enough." Came from the door. As a whole, the group turned quickly to the voice. Shock turned to relief as they recognized Sailor Pluto and three other Sailor Scouts that they didn't know. As the four powered down, she made quick introductions, "Haruka is Uranus, Michiru is Neptune, and Hotaru is Saturn."
A short, awed silence filled the room. The Outer Scouts had regained their memories of the Moon Kingdom. They knew the Inner Scouts well. However, remembering and seeing them like this was a whole new thing for them. For their part, Mina, Lita, Amy, and Raye were a little self-conscious. They were unsure of what part these older Scouts played in Princess Serena's life and felt that their ability to protect her would now be in question.
Hotaru broke the disquiet, saying, "The Princess is very far gone."
Darien looked at her sharply, "Not that far." He asserted firmly.
Hotaru walked over to him and touched his arm in sympathy. He knows . . . At least he feels.
Turning to Amy, who had gone back to work on the communicators, Michiru asked, "Is there any way to locate her?"
Putting the last one down, Amy sighed and said, "Sailor Teleport . . . maybe. But we have no way of locking in on her. No Crystal, no communicator, so there's no guarantee."
"I have an idea." Darien told them, taking command of the situation, and in a flash, Tuxedo Mask said, "Ladies . . . If you will . . . ?" Indicating their clothes.
As one, they cried out:
Mercury Star Power!
Venus Star Power!
Jupiter Star Power!
Mars Star Power!
Pluto Planet Power!
Saturn Planet Power!
Neptune Planet Power!
Uranus planet Power!
"What do you plan to do, Darien?" Luna asked while they transformed.
He turned to her with an almost wry grin on his face, "Why . . . Tear this town apart until we find Serena." Then fiercely he added, "And God help the people that took her!" To the Scouts he began issuing orders. "Break up in groups of two, one Outer and Inner Scout per group. Those of you who carry part of Serena's life force, use it to help you. Take to the streets."
Reenie sat quietly in the back of the room, never moving, not even when Sailor Pluto came in. She still blamed herself for Serena being gone and didn't want to get in anyone's way of finding her. When Darien called to the little girl, she walked over to him sadly. He picked her up and held her close for a minute, making her feel a lot better.
"Reenie, go be with Chad." Reenie nodded. Glancing at Raye, he continued, "By now, I'm sure that he and Raye's Grandpa know who and what we are."
Raye shrugged her shoulders, smiling at the accurate assumption. It wasn't like they'd been able to hide their identities, especially Amy's, since Serena was taken. "Stay with them and the cats. We can't bring you with us or leave anyone behind to watch you."
Kissing him on the cheek, Reenie climbed down, "I will, Daddy. Just find Mommy."
"She will be well cared for, Darien." Grandpa Hino said as he walked into the overcrowded room.
Sailor Mercury picked up the newly adjusted communicators and, handing them out, explained, "When you enter a room with any type of listening device, these'll go off, kinda like a pager. You'll know not to say anything important until they're found and disabled."
"Great!" Mars frowned, "Now when we go into the mall, we'll all sound like a bunch of pagers. Gotta phone, anyone?"
Jupiter and Saturn giggled at her sarcasm as Mercury threw up her hands in disgust, "Geez, I'll fix it later."
As she was about to add something, Tuxedo Mask turned to Grandpa and handed him Serena's communicator, "If it sounds off, say nothing to or about Reenie." He smiled down at his daughter, "Clear Reenie?"
At her nod, he looked back at the old man, "Just keep her safe. I can't lose her, too."
Sailor Saturn put a hand on Darien's arm. "I could sense her when she was in danger, but it seems like that's the only time I can. Right now, there's nothing. But then, I have not yet had time to refine my skill."
He nodded and said to the others, "I'm taking the rooftops."
"But how will we reach you?" Uranus asked.
"I guess you won't."
"Wait." Mercury put in. She pulled out her computer and handed it to him. "Just hit the P and we'll all hear it. You won't be able to talk to us, but we'll come together and Teleport to you."
"Let's do it." Tuxedo Mask led the group out the back of the Temple and then they were gone.
"That's one troubled man." Grandpa remarked as he watched them disappear.
"Yeah . . . " Chad replied, "Well . . . , I still don't understand everything that's going on."
"It's not for you to understand . . . Only believe." Was the answer.
Friday . . . Late afternoon
Serena suppressed the urge to say 'who are you' because it was obvious to her that this strange man knew her. "Hello." She said softly. He walked over to her and pulled her up, into a hug. Serena froze. Who is this man to me? She allowed herself to be held for a minute, then took a shaky step back. "How did I get here?" She inquired. Wherever here is.
"I brought you here." He answered vaguely, moving away from her.
"But why?"
"That's not important"
"Not important?" Serena repeated, then demanded, "How can you say that?" When he took what looked, to her, like a menacing step toward her, Serena retreated to the far corner and softened her tone, "What do you want from me?"
He stopped moving and shrugged, "I've missed you."
"I have been . . . with friends . . . "
"I know where you've been."
"You do?" Serena asked, startled.
"Yes, and I know much more about you than you've told me."
Shaking her head in confusion, "I do not understand what you mean. What do you know?"
"My, my . . . , You're full of questions, aren't you?"
Looking at him earnestly, she asked another one, "Can I go home now?"
"I'm afraid not."
Truly vexed at, first, being taken away from Darien and, now, not being able to go back to him, candidly, Serena asked, "And why not?"
"Your parents are out of town, so I thought we'd spend a little time together."
Seeing him approaching her, she backed against the wall and whispered, "I think my friends will be worried about me."
Turning back to the table, the man pointed, "I've already seen to that."
At Serena's questioning glance, "There's some paper. Write them a note, tell them you'll be fine, and I'll see that they get it."
Turning around and away from his piercing eyes so he wouldn't see the tears in hers, "Maybe later."
Silently, he walked up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. At his touch, she stiffened. "What's wrong?"
Not daring to move, Serena whispered, "I am scared. You take me from my friends, bring me to who knows where, put me in a room and tell me I cannot go home."
He gently turned her around. Seeing the unshed tears sparkling in her eyes, he tactfully changed the subject. "Why didn't you tell me about your birthmark?" He touched her forehead.
"I do not like to show it." Serena lied.
"It's very unusual. And beautiful. It almost looks like . . . "
"It is a crescent moon, all right?" She snapped.
Raising an eyebrow at her apparent bravado, the man smiled and whispered, "You're different somehow . . . " Refusing to answer or look at him, Serena stood mutely staring at the floor until he raised her chin to look directly into her shadowed eyes. Musingly he continued, "More refined, I think. And more withdrawn, certainly."
Trying, without success, to pull away, she snidely retorted, "Can you blame me?"
He chuckled lightly, "No, I guess not." Opening his mouth to say something else, he was interrupted when someone knocked. "Come," he said, moving away from her. Serena sagged against the wall behind her in relief when he stepped away.
The door opened and two men stepped in. One looked similar to the man she'd been talking with, and the other was slightly shorter with a little lighter coloring. All three were brutally and, Serena knew, dangerously handsome. She observed them talking quietly and when they were done, the three turned, in unison, back to her.
The first man, pointing to each of the others, introduced, "Ruark, Jeff, this is Serena."
Bowing gallantly, Ruark smiled, "Nice to finally meet you, ma'am."
Jeff, smiling as well, quietly said, "Madam."
Serena, looking curiously at each, smiled slightly.
"Bryce," Ruark began, "do you intend to invite her to dinner tonight?"
Serena sighed, almost audibly. At least now I have a name for him.
"Indeed." Bryce replied, then quipped. "But only if you idiots aren't there."
"I'm crushed!" Ruark exclaimed dramatically.
Jeff smiled and, turning to Serena, bowed formally, "Serena, we'd be honored if you'd join us and a few others for dinner tonight."
Shaking her head, "I do not know . . . "
"The princess will be there." Bryce interrupted forcefully.
At the word 'princess,' Serena's breath caught. Does he know? But how would he? Ooohh! I wish I could remember! So upset was she with her lack of memories, she stomped her foot in frustration, immediately bringing the men's attention back to her, something she wanted to avoid.
"Problem?" Bryce asked, concerned.
Looking at him, Maybe I should just tell him I do not remember him . . . Maybe he will let me go home . . . Serena opened her mouth to speak but stopped and shook her head as a reply to his last question. Somehow, I think it will not make any difference to him whether I know him or not. Besides, what would I tell him? That I only have memories of a time and place that have no meaning today? He would think me crazy or that I am trying to play him for a fool.
"If you're sure everything's all right, we're going to be leaving." Jeff spoke for himself and Ruark. Serena nodded.
When they were alone again, smiling, Bryce said to her, "They're a wild bunch, but manageable. I have to leave now, but I won't be far. That phone," he pointed, "connects directly to my office. All you have to do is pick it up." At her nod, he turned to leave.
After he was gone, she threw herself on the bed, crying. After a few minutes, Serena pulled herself together and gathered her thoughts. She walked to the door and tested it. Locked, of course. She walked through a second door into a bathroom. On a rack was a beautiful solid black dress. I guess this is what I am supposed to wear to dinner. Serena looked in the mirror. She was so pale, and she knew it was because the Crystal was gone. How am I going to get out of here? And if I do, how will I find the others? Aloud she whispered at her reflection, "Darien, I knew . . . I knew . . . " Her eyes started tearing again so she took a damp cloth to her face to stop them. Quelling the urge to shudder, Serena glanced at the dress, irritated. I wonder what this Bryce would think if I did not dress for their dinner. Remembering the almost mocking glare she received from those dark green eyes, she wasn't sure if she really wanted to press her luck on that one.
Reluctantly, Serena prepared herself for the inevitable. The dress was elegant, but too short for her taste as it only reached a third of the way to her knees. The size was perfect. It was tight fitting to just below the hips with a slightly flaring skirt. It fit so well, in fact, that Serena again wondered how well this man was supposed to know her. After she was dressed, she brushed out her hair, choosing to leave it down because the length, reaching mid-calf, made her feel more clothed. After parting it down the middle and tucking it behind her ears, Serena felt about ten years older than her fourteen years. She didn't know, but she looked it as well. She sat down on the bed to wait, although she was not at all ready to face this demon or in the least bit hungry for that matter. She never even noticed the stranger that watched her closely from the shadowed corner.
Bryce was in the board room, relaxing after the mission debriefing, when the phone rang. "It's Ryan and I really think you need to hear this." Ryan played the tape of the conversation of the people in the bedroom in the temple from earlier in the day.
Bryce frowned, listening. "They shut down what we tapped. Pack it in and come home. We'll fix the problems on that end later. As for that tape . . . Well, we'll go over it better later on."
"Sure," Ryan replied, "but what about Sailor Mercury? That's about the weirdest thing yet, I think."
"I agree, but if Serena knows who that Sailor Scout really is, then so much the better." Bryce said, thoughtfully. "I will find out all of her secrets . . . Make yourself presentable for a formal dinner."
"On my way! Ry out!"
Bryce sat back and, picking up his drink, pondered what he'd heard on the tape. He then thought about all the mysterious exits and entrances these individuals had made over the last few days. It would explain much, though. He turned the chair back to the computer and pulled up some pictures, looking curiously at each: Amy Mizuno, Raye Hino, Mina Aino, Lita Keno, Serena Tsukino, Reenie Tsukino, Darien Chiba.
Bryce had all the stats he needed on them. He then considered the Sailor Scouts. No pictures taken of them had ever come out, but he remembered seeing them fighting a monster in the mall a while back. He'd been quite a distance from the action, and didn't get a good look, but he knew their names from newspaper accounts of their battles: Sailors Moon, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Mars. It's definitely something to consider.
"She's dressed." Came from behind him.
Nodding, Bryce turned around. "Good. Did she like it?"
"That's a rather moot question, don't you think? After all, she really didn't have much of a choice in the matter." Bryce frowned at the derision in the voice as his guest continued with a grin, "To answer your question, I have no way of knowing if she liked it or not, but she looks lovely."
At that Bryce raised an eyebrow, smiling, "A compliment, from you?"
"I know true beauty when I see it." He replied snidely.
"Hmm . . . I didn't know anything could get to you." Bryce said wonderingly.
"She did not get to me. Truthfully, though, she doesn't look well at all."
"You've never steered me wrong before, but I think what you see is fear." He ignored the "perhaps" tossed his way and rambled on. "I don't know why, though. Serena never showed any signs of being afraid of me before. Nervous, yes, but afraid?" He shook his head. "I would've sensed it. I'm sure of it. But now?" Bryce sighed, frowning sourly, "She's more skittish than a mouse. I just don't get it."
The Scouts had divided the large city into five sections, leaving the closest area to the temple for last. They had spent the better part of the day running around, it seemed to them, chasing shadows. Sailor Mercury and Sailor Saturn ran through a downtown housing district, trying to get a lock, if not physical, then mental, on Serena. Slowing down to a jog,
Mercury asked, "Saturn, do you feel anything?"
Shaking her head, "No, she's awake and scared, but that's it."
"Could she be blocking us?"
"No, I don't think she has the ability to block anything at this point."
"Is she dying?"
"Yes . . . she is . . . " Saturn whispered sadly. It was then that she collapsed, unconscious. Mercury barely caught her as she hit the ground.
Sailor Mars and Sailor Neptune took the hi-tech business district near the center of town. As they were running, Mars stopped suddenly, grabbed her head and fell to her knees in agony, shouting, "Serena!"
Neptune came back to her and asked in concern, "Are you all right?"
"No . . . She's calling me . . . Pain . . . " She muttered through tightly clenched teeth. "I don't think she knows she's doing it . . . But her pain . . . Is weakening me . . . "
"You were fine until we got here. Does this mean she's near?"
"I don't know. Can't tell."
"Is she in danger?" Neptune deeply worried about both Mars and Princess Serena.
Mars shook her head, nearly shouting, "Can't distinguish!" And then it was gone. "She's stopped!"
Aiding Mars to her feet, Neptune queried in frustration, "Stopped what? What did she do? What was that?"
"I don't know . . . But I felt her, everything about her, and then it stopped." She looked intently at Sailor Neptune, ". . . all the pain, anguish, and loss . . . gone."
"Call the others, Mars, they need to hear this." At the call, the other girls came over the line and Mars told them what had happened.
Mercury explained that Saturn was just beginning to come around from her experience and that Saturn felt what Mars had, though obviously much worse, as it had completely taken her down. Mars finished with, "I have no way of knowing if we were close to Serena or not, because, whatever it was she did, ended as quickly as it began."
Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Pluto listened attentively to Mars. Although they were supposed to hit the city's outskirts, They knew their place was back with the other Scouts, especially Sailor Saturn, as the pain nearly took her out. With a wordless glance at each other, both reversed directions and headed back to the center of town.
Sailors Venus and Uranus were at a dead run, matching each other for step in the search for Serena, when Mars' call came in. The two had willingly, almost gladly, turned over command of their respective teams to Darien. Both were originally in command and enjoyed the freedom their current positions allowed for. They stopped long enough to listen to the page, and breathing hard, debated what to do after Mars signed off.
"We need to find Tuxedo Mask as soon as possible." Venus huffed.
Uranus nodded. "Agreed . . . If that pain damn near took out Mars and knocked Saturn out, it had to have almost killed him." They spent another moment catching their breaths and took off at break neck speed once again.
Sailor Uranus was not far from being deadly accurate where Darien was concerned. Tuxedo Mask ran the roof tops. As he got closer to the hi-tech business district, he felt himself getting closer to Serena. Then he hit all fours as her pain and fear intensified to an unbearable level. He knew she sent all of herself out and it was, indeed, killing him. "Must find her . . . " He groaned aloud. Fighting to keep from losing consciousness, "Serena . . . " Darien moaned through clenched teeth. It was then he felt her pull back slightly, then completely. "NO! Serena!" He screamed to the night air as the pain slowly began to recede. "Don't you leave me!" He could still feel her, but, with a shudder, instinctively realized that she'd either done one of two things: She'd used what little strength she had to call for help or to attempt to break the link they shared before he died with her. The question, in Darien's mind, was which one did she do?
Serena knew that she wouldn't survive another twenty four hours without the Crystal. She didn't know what this 'Bryce' had in store for her, but didn't think it could be good. Serena couldn't get out alone, so the only thing left to do was to bring the Scouts to her. She knew what to do. Taking a relaxing breath, Serena closed her eyes and began to build up her strength. She had to be very careful with this because any wrong move and she could very well die immediately. Having doled out enough strength to attempt the call, Serena brought her right fist to her chest.
Lost in meditation, Serena didn't hear the door open.
As Bryce opened the door, he saw Serena deep in thought. He started to approach her, but stopped when he saw her bring her arm up. His eyes widened as her birthmark began to glow, softly at first, then getting brighter as he watched in fascination. Who is this girl? He wondered in awe.
Using fear as a propellant, Serena sent her call by straightening her arm and opening her fist, as if throwing. She held it for a minute, concentrating for all she was worth, then collapsed on the bed, her crescent moon dimming as she did.
Bryce watched, open-mouthed, as Serena completed her move and fall back to the bed. He almost went to her, but, choosing not to tip his hand, he quietly exited the room. Once outside, Bryce knocked lightly and opened the door again. Serena was in a half-sitting position, pushing herself up when he walked in. "Are you all right?"
"Fine . . . I was resting." Serena whispered tiredly.
Bryce helped her to her feet and led her out of the room. She leaned on him until she had drawn enough of her reserve strength to stand alone.
When he felt her pull away, he said, "You look exquisite. The dress suits you."
"It is too old for me."
"Not really," Bryce smiled, "It just makes you look older."
Serena shrugged, "Same thing." He laughed lightly at her simple logic. They walked in silence to the elevator. Once inside, knowing there had to be some way to break through her defenses and find out what he wanted to know, Bryce inquired, "Who are you, Serena Tsukino?"
Only mildly surprised by the question, she sighed and said, "I think you know the answer, or else, why would you take me?"
She is not going to make this easy for me. "At the lake, you said you'd like to get to know me better. Was that a lie?"
With a toss of her head, Serena glared at him indolently. Choosing to remain mute at so personal a question that she, truthfully, had no answer for. For the thousandth time she wondered what part this man played in her current life.
"Are you going to be silent all night?"
"No." Serena answered softly.
"Then, why won't you answer my questions?"
Not wanting him to know about her memory loss made things look, to Serena, like a lose-lose situation. I lose if I answer, and if I don't, he persists. Keeping quiet was the only option available, mainly because if she said anything, depending on what he really did know about her, she might totally blunder. Serena was unsure if he was friend or foe, so, in her opinion, the less said the better. She was saved from replying when the doors opened.
Bryce took her hand, led her out of the elevator and down a long hallway. He stopped when he reached a set of double doors and lifted her chin to look in her eyes, his green ones sparkling brilliantly in the muted light. "Why," Bryce stressed the word, "won't you answer, my little princess?" With that, he gently brushed his lips over hers.
Stepping away from her, hiding an amused grin at the stunned look on her face, Bryce opened the door and forcefully led her into the boardroom.
Oooooohhhhh! Of all the nerve! How dare he! Serena fumed. She started to say something rather rude, but was cut off as he almost yanked her into the room. Six men rose respectfully at her entrance and, so startled was she by the number of men, she turned to run back through the door.
Bryce felt Serena's sudden turn, as he still held her arm, but his grip had slackened after they came in and she easily pulled free. Bryce was quicker, though, and taking less than a single step, he had Serena around the waist with both hands. She hadn't even made it to the door. "I don't think so." He whispered.
"Let me go!" Serena gritted out between clenched teeth, struggling against his grip.
"Be nice or . . . "
"Or what? You will lock me up? Manhandle me? I think that you have already done those things rather effectively."
"You will be nice," he hissed in her ear, "or, I promise you, you will receive far worse than you have." The steely edge to the words made Serena shudder and close her eyes. "Now smile and, at least, pretend to have a good time. These men are my best friends and you will not embarrass me." Turning back, Bryce smiled into the amused gazes of the others.
Each man, in their own thoughts, believed that Bryce just may have met his match in this slip of a girl. Serena blushed a deep red, thoroughly embarrassed that they had actually witnessed, not only her futile attempt at flight, but her capture as well. With Serena's hand firmly held on his arm, Bryce walked over to them and made the introductions. She remembered Jeff and Ruark from earlier in the day. The only other one that looked familiar was Ryan, he was obviously Ruark's twin brother as she couldn't distinguish between the two except by their accents. Like her antagonist, both of them had black hair and green eyes, as did another man, Brandon. The others, Nathaniel and Ashton, slightly resembled Jeff, with his lighter coloring of russet brown hair and hazel eyes.
After being seated on the couch, Ruark had given Serena a glass of light sherry. She constrained the urge to down the drink, knowing that her strength was already low. Considering she hadn't eaten since last night, it wouldn't bode well for her should she end up drunk. The men had moved to a far corner to speak, privately, she supposed. Except Jeff. He stood behind her to the left, watching her so closely, Serena wondered if he was afraid she'd try to run again. No chance of that . . . Even without him here. She was now too weak to attempt anything, and she knew it. It does not matter anyway. Mentally sighing, her thoughts carried her to the only place on Earth she wanted to be. If the Scouts and Darien do not find me soon, tomorrow, none of this will matter at all. It is not fair! Her mind screamed, nearly bringing her to tears again. Serena choked back the sob and nearly jumped when Jeff laid a steadying hand on her shoulder. When she glanced up at him, Jeff read the unbridled fear in her eyes. She looked away quickly and took another sip of her drink. Watching the other men, Serena was so startled, she nearly dropped the glass she held, when her eyes met Bryce's dark ones watching her, almost broodingly. Unfamiliar with personal dealings with men in general, being well protected by Darien, the Scouts and her mother, Serena had no idea why he looked so angry.
But it wasn't anger Bryce felt. Far from it. He knew Serena was scared. He aided in that by threatening her. He would never really hurt her, but he to let her know who's in charge here. He wanted to make sure that she would not make a scene, or attempt to escape again. Not that the others would have minded. Hell, no. Quite the contrary. They'd have loved to see me arguing with her. Even more to see me lose. The dolts. Bryce smiled suddenly, more resolved than ever to make the best of this and to get the answers he wanted. He, himself, led a life of mystery and intrigue, but he hated unanswered questions where others were concerned. And Serena had more questions surrounding her than he could count. She was a total mystery to him. A mystery that Bryce was determined to solve. Meeting Jeff's eye, the man gently, but firmly, brought Serena to her feet and back to Bryce's side.
Serena knew, from a lifetime of ingrained Court behavior, how to act. How to be friendly and smile, even while bored or tired. So, plastering on a smile, hoping for the strength to get her through dinner, she quelled another shudder as Bryce took her chilled hand in his. Not wanting to meet his heated gaze again, Serena turned to a question Ryan directed at her.
"How long have you lived in Tokyo?"
"All of my life."
"Really?" Ryan asked glancing at Ruark. "I'm surprised you haven't met my esteemed brother before now."
Ruark shook his head, "Tokyo is a big city you know." Turning to Serena, "I would definitely remember if I'd met you before now."
Almost as an afterthought, glancing at Bryce, he added, "Besides, Ryan, I left here before Serena was even out of grade school." He couldn't resist the urge to taunt Bryce slightly about Serena's age. The only response, though, was a small scowl that appeared on Bryce's face.
Serena listened as the topic of conversation turned to the events of the past week. She understood little of the conversation as they seemed to change languages on a whim. Tiredly, she leaned on her nemesis, thankful, for the moment, for his presence. They were all so polite, but Serena knew, dangerous. She could feel, perhaps through heightened senses, the aura of absolute power flowing from the group at large. A power they had used quite skillfully, she begrudged silently, because they'd managed to get in under the Scouts' and Darien's watchful eyes and snag me away.
Serena was pulled out of her thoughts by, "Serena, tell me," Ryan asked, "how come you disappeared so suddenly? We've practically shredded this town to find you."
"Why? I did not disappear. I was simply with my friends for a while."
"Why did you lie to your parents then?" Brandon inquired, adding his own question to Ryan's. "They said you went to a cabin in the mountains."
"Well . . . I thought it would be better that way." Serena said in a rush.
She was drowning here and she knew it. She felt as if she were being backed in a corner and she didn't like the feeling at all.
But it only intensified as she heard, "You're lying . . . " whispered in her ear by the man that so unnerved her.
Crushing panic under her heel, Serena turned to Brandon, "How did you find me?"
"Ah ah ahh, little princess," Bryce quietly told her, "that's our secret." He squeezed her waist slightly to emphasize his point and, hopefully, convey that this line of questioning was unacceptable.
"It wasn't easy." Ruark answered. "We've been looking, since what?" He glanced at Jeff who nodded, "Monday?"
"Yeah," Ashton laughed, "I thought Bryce would go nuts when we couldn't find you."
"But why?" Serena asked the group at large and Bryce in particular, "Could you not just wait until I went home?"
"Sorry," Bryce said, looking down at her, smiling, "but I'm not a patient person. I wanted to see you and knew no other way to do it."
At that moment, dinner was brought in, much to Serena's relief, because the feeling that she was drowning began to overwhelm her again.
At the table, Serena sat, lost in thoughts of home, pushing the food around her plate. Tears came to her eyes again and she silently wondered when all the madness around her would end. Deep in reverie, Serena didn't notice when conversation around her died. Bryce touched her arm, frightening her so much that she nearly bolted from her seat.
Sensing her thoughts, Bryce restrained her with his hand and asked. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"You seem far away." Nathaniel, from her right, remarked.
Serena hung her head as she felt the eyes of seven men on her. "I apologize. I was thinking of other things." Big mistake, Serena. She beat herself up mentally. Always! Always! Always! Pay attention to conversation, even if you do not want to. It is safer that way. How many times have Mother and the Scouts yelled at me over that one!
"Oh, it's quite all right." Jeff said. "Care to talk about it?" He gestured to the others, "We're all friends here."
Friends! They have a very strange way of showing friendship. Serena shook her head softly at the man's inquiring glance.
"Well, I will say one thing for you, Bryce," Brandon laughed, leaning back in his chair, "you certainly can pick them."
When the other men's chuckles joined in with his, Serena colored lightly at the backhanded compliment, then inquired softly, "Not meaning to be rude, but do you know when you will let me go home?"
"She doesn't know, does she?" Brandon asked Bryce, more than a little astonished that she'd asked that question.
Frowning, "No. I haven't told her yet."
"Told me what?" Serena turned to Bryce, dreading the answer.
Picking up his glass off the table, Bryce stared into it pensively before answering. When he did, he answered only her first question, not the second one, "Soon. Perhaps, soon."
At the answer, Brandon choked, trying hard to bite back laughter threatening to bowl him over at his brother's reply. Ashton beat him firmly on the back, all the while smiling broadly into Serena's confused countenance.
When Serena looked like she was going to question Bryce further, Jeff changed the subject, "What do you intend to do about the other individual, Bry?"
Eyes darkening, Bryce looked at him intently. "I don't know as yet."
Moving his gaze to Serena, he asked, "Serena, what does Chiba mean to you?"
"Who?"
"Darien," He emphasized, looking at her strangely. "Darien Chiba?"
"Oh . . . Umm . . . What do you mean?" Oops. Major mistake. Serena shook the thoughts off as Bryce continued more pointedly.
"Well, we all," gesturing to the now very attentive audience at the table, "know that you've been with him at his place. Why? And how did you and our friends manage to get from place to place without being seen?"
"Please," Serena whispered, putting her hand to her forehead as she felt the waters close in again, "I cannot answer that . . . "
"Can't, or won't?" He accused.
"Both." Was the honest answer.
"What does Darien mean to you, Serena? I need to know." Bryce pressured.
"Why? What does it matter? I am here now, am I not?" She asked wearily.
Bryce, fed up with whatever game she was playing, let his voice rise to a more intimidating, more demanding volume, "Tell me!"
Serena drew back in fear. She was physically, mentally, and emotionally tired. Too much had happened and fighting him wasn't working anymore. He was breaking down her defenses one by one and she just didn't care anymore. With trembling hand, she took a sip of her drink and ambiguously replied, "He is an old friend."
"You're lying!" Bryce charged, slamming his hand down on the table in anger and frustration. The little wench . . . Who does she think she is?
"No." Serena argued gently. "I am not. I have known him a very long time." That said, she smiled sweetly into his flushed face. That must be the biggest understatement of this millennium. Why do I not just tell him about me? She picked up her glass and hid behind it as her smile turned wicked. That would certainly tilt his perfect little world. This is ridiculous . . . No one ever talked to me this way! Things certainly have changed in a thousand years. For the worse, obviously. Serena looked at the others in the room. They were grinning like crazy, elbowing each other with knowing looks. Finally . . . Now I have the power! This man wants answers. I may not be able to fight him, I may be afraid of him, but, by the Moon, I will NOT give him the satisfaction he so wants!
Jeff, watching Serena's eyes sparkling devilishly, knew she wouldn't say a word more about her life. He smiled, more than slightly impressed. Boy, does Bryce have his hands full! She's not even letting his apparent anger, anger that's been known to chase the most stalwart of men from the room, intimidate her.
Brandon, Ruark, and Ryan watched the exchange between the two silently. Seeing their brother glare at Serena, they glanced at each other and began to laugh, all thinking the same thing. It was so ironic. She, fourteen, refusing anything to their furious brother! Their laughter only furthered to fuel his anger because he knew what they were thinking.
Serena tried to hold herself aloof but failed miserably. She felt terrible. The drains on her strength and the arguments had taken their final toll. She gazed at each man and, glassy eyed, whispered, "I believe I might have over done it tonight." Looking at Bryce, "May I return to my room?"
Seeing she did, indeed, look exhausted, his anger softened and he nodded curtly. As Bryce pulled out her chair, the others wished her a good night and said they'd see her soon. Although Serena smiled sweetly to them in reply, she hoped and knew that would not be the case. If the Scouts found her, she'd be gone from here, and if they didn't? Well, it didn't really matter anyway. She wouldn't live to see these men again.
