WOW! I'd just like to say thank you all so much! You guy's are wonderful! 39 reviews on my first chapter. So cool! I cant express how truly grateful I am. I'm sorry for the month's delay though… school is really stressing me out- but here we go!

Thanks to: Selphie108, anonymous, TropicalRemix, palikani, CharmedSerenity3, Forever Tranquility, ladykagome1230, princess-nav, Midnight, Miss Jessica Rabbit (thanks so much for pointing out my boo boo), Starlit Warrior, ReneeCP, Poisonmoon, cardcaptor eternity, Chibi Tsuki, ffgirlmoonie, pencil gal, Yayap, cassandrare2001, cherrybunny, Illusion Glades, Meg-Of-The-Moon, Moonmoore, Neviegirl, kireisnowtenshi, Ishq, Moonlightshadows, Serena7, Endy's Girl, cool. (12 red roses?), heaven-sent-angel1, SailorButtons, Rose Zen, Usagi no Megami, oxostardustoxo, Just Browsing, hellspixie18, Tokyogirl12 and sailorceb

If you get bored, check out my other latest story- Mystery Girl

Title: Ski Bunny Blues
Author: Crystal Saturn
Rated: T13
Chapter: 2- Chemical Attraction

I awoke from my surprisingly peaceful slumber to an empty stationary car. Alarmed, I looked around and realized Darien's car was parked in a parking lot. I rubbed my eyes but before I could manage to do much more I was scared out of my wits by a rather loud thump next to me.

"Srrrnnaaa errrppnnn drrrr"

I gazed over at my window to see frost and condensation fogging up the image of a person standing before me.

"Mmmmphhh"

"ohh right… the door…" I muttered and yanked the car door open, smacking the poor person in the gut and spilling hot coffee on their hands. I looked up at Darien groaning in pain, a brown paper bag in his mouth. I knew I'd never hear the end of this. I reached up and helped him with the bags.

"Cyclone Serena strikes again!" Darien winced as he attempted to clean the coffee off his hands. "Here's yours…" He handed me a Styrofoam cup.

"Thanks…" I took a sniff and wrinkled up my nose, "But I don't drink coffee."

"It's hot chocolate" He closed the door and walked around to the driver's seat, "I know you don't drink coffee."

"Oh? How do you know that?" I cautiously sipped my hot chocolate and cringed as I felt the searing hot liquid scald the tip of my tongue.

"I just do." He shot me his trademark smirk and I resisted the urge to tip the contents of my cup onto his lap… or his face. No… not his face, I still had to put up with the man for another 4 hours and lets face it, other than his incredibly rare and random outbursts or kindness every now and then, his looks are all he has.

"Bahh…" I carefully placed my cup in the cup holder and turned my back on Darien while I ate my hotcakes.

"Is it that time of the month again Meatball Head?"

"Why must all men think they know what women are going through? And why is it that all men associate a bad mood with PMS? You don't know anything about girls. Shut up."

"Are you sure it's not?"

WHY LORD? WHY DID YOU NOT GIVE THIS MAN A BRAIN!

"Just because I loathe being in your company, it doesn't mean I'm suffering from PMS."

"Ouch Meatball Head. You really know how to bring a guy down don't you?" He feigned a hurt expression. I glanced over at him, unfolded my paper bag and placed it over his head.

"Asphyxiate… please?" I rolled my eyes.

He laughed out loud, removed the bag and started up the car once more.

"One hour left… I can do this… 59 minutes left…" I mumbled to myself, holding my knees up against my chest.

"Am I really that bad?" Darien glanced over at me.

"Eyes on road! Yes you are." I gazed out my window and could see patches of snow littering the ground.

"Serena I-"

"Hush! Less talking, more driving." I pouted, not realizing that Darien had actually used my name until much later.

I looked over at the man beside me and couldn't help but wonder why I found him so… attractive yet repulsive. Yes, that's right. I found him attractive. My eyes traveled the path of his jaw line. They glanced over his perfect lips and across his cheeks. The tip of is nose was pink, which I found rather cute at the time. A deep look of concentration graced his features, which appealed to me, it made him seem… vulnerable. A weakness he rarely ever showed. His eyes were the deepest, darkest shade of blue, one that I have yet to see in any other person. If he wasn't such an ass to me, he would be my ideal man, physically. He was so gorgeous! Tall, dark and handsome. Very handsome.

"Do I have something on my face?"

Ohhh crap. Busted staring at the enemy.

"No… you just happen to be in my range of view." Not exactly a lie… not entirely the truth.

"Umm… ok." He ran a hand over his face to make sure I wasn't lying.

His insecurity made me laugh.

"Wow Mina! This place is gorgeous!" Lita beamed as we finally reached our destination and began to unpack the cars.

She was right. I openly gazed at the cottage with my mouth gaping. A thick layer of crisp white snow blanketed not only the well kept cottage, but all its surroundings. It looked so perfect, so serene, so untouched, so beautiful. The little cottage sat comfortably at the base of a small mountain and was surrounded by tall pine trees, bare cedars and the cinnamon coloured bark of a few maple trees. I took a deep breath in and savored the feeling of the fresh air cleansing my lungs. I felt so alive and energetic… and incredibly cold. I further inspected the cottage. The cabin was made of timber, with a wooden porch out the front. It seemed rather cozy with a stone chimney and a stone path.

"Hey Meatball! You don't expect me to carry ALL your bags in, do you? I'm not your bellhop you know."

Ohh… I hate that man.

"I'm coming! For crying out loud!" I yelled back.

"Daz man, why do you have to be so harsh?" Greg smiled as he offered to carry Ami's bags inside.

"Someone's got to whip the girl into shape."

I struggled with my bags, heaving them out of the boot and trying to balance them in my arms… unsuccessfully before cursing out loud, vowing to never over pack again.

"Here Sere… I'll take that one for you." Andrew smiled and picked up one of my larger bags. Boo yah… eat those words Darien.

"Awww thanks so much Drew! You're sooooo awesome!" I giggled and stuffed Andrew's ego full of compliments about how strong and manly he was. Being the typical man he was, he lapped it up, leaving Darien bitterly muttering under his breath in the cold.

Serena- One. Darien- Nil.

As long as I was stuck with Darien for the next week, this holiday was going to be a living nightmare. I'm determined to enjoy myself though and I will not let the jerk-a-zoid ruin my winter wonderland.

DARIEN'S POINT OF VIEW

Damn that Andrew. I was so close… soooo close! A few more seconds and I would've stepped in to save the day. Strong, manly Darien here to save the day and carry the damsel in distresses' bags. But noOoOoOo- hail almighty Andrew! He just HAD to step in and ruin it for me. Sometimes I swear I don't know if he's on my side or not. Best friends… cant live with them, cant live without them.

Look at her… she's all over him and he's so clueless. What I would give to be in his shoes right now. She's so beautiful. Her bright blue eyes, her long blonde hair cascading down her shoulders, the way she pouts so adorably whenever she tries to do something. Look at the way she's looking at him with that sparkle in her eyes. She never gives me that look. I thought she did once… but alas- I was only in her range of view, obscuring the beautiful scenery that she was oogling over with my fat head. She's got me thinking about her every second of every day and she doesn't even know it. I want her in my arms, I want to hold her close to me. She's making me so jealous by practically drooling all over Andrew and she wouldn't even know it. I WANT TO BE DROOLED ON!

"HELLO? Earth to Darien? Would like to put your bags in your room Mr. muscles?" Mina had to jump up and down in front of my face to get my attention. How embarrassing.

"Uhh… yeah" Great. The only words I could manage to get out when I snapped out of my trance and they made me sound as though I were a primitive piece of man flesh. Why don't I just give up now? Maybe I can clobber Serena over the head and drag her back to my cave while chanting "Unga! Unga! Me man, you mine"

"I hope you don't mind… this room was the only room left and since I didn't know whether or not Serena was coming… you'll have to share this room with her. It has two single beds though." Mina smiled all too innocently and left me to unpack my things. I like how that girl's mind works. With Serena and I sharing a bedroom and much more time together- she's bound to fall in love with me… or at least… I hope so.

Ok that's it for that chapter. Next chapter SHOULD be out next weekend some time... fingers crossed! I hope you liked the chapter- please read and review- and if you want a lengthier read and you're enjoying this fic so far, check out my other stories- Mystery Girl and The Jinxed Journey.

Crystal Saturn