Authors Notes: hi everyone. Thanks heaps for the reviews. I thought it might be helpful to explain a little bit of the special relationship Darien and Serena have in this chapter. So anyone who is feeling a little bit confused about the seemingly psychic ability they both seem to have, hopefully it will be explained away. (Keep careful note of the dialogue, it's where the most help is.) Please remember to review. Tandem.
Disclaimer: I don't own sailor moon.
Chapter Seven.
Andrew hurried to the door of Darien's office, dreading what he would find. Darien had sent him an email a couple of minutes ago, and though he hadn't actually stated what it was about, Andrew had a pretty could idea of what was going to be discussed in the upcoming meeting. Recently, the press had found out about Serena's departure, but everyone who knew the reason for it had been unwilling to talk to them, on Dariens strict orders, and the press had subsequently been forced to speculate on the reason and had come up with the conclusion that there had been a big fight and she had left him. The front page of the newspaper for that day was a big feature with that exact story, including speculations from well known friends of the couple and enemies. Andrew cursed his luck. In the three weeks since Serena left, Darien hadn't once picked up a paper, until today, the one day when the story was bound to enrage him. He reached the door and knocked softly before opening it and going in. He found Darien sitting at his desk facing the window, his fingers steepled and pressed against his mouth. There worn frown lines along his forehead, a clear indication that he wasn't happy. Andrew cleared his throat and waited for Darien to acknowledge his presence.
Darien watched the traffic stream along the street below his window and thought of Serena, wondering what she was doing. The newspaper this morning hadn't made that past time any more pleasant than it usually was, in fact it made it worse. He knew, and Serena knew, that when they decided to keep her new vocation a secret for a while, tha5t eventually the papers would finds out and that they would probably come up with the conclusion that they had. But that didn't make the actuality any easier to take. He had called Andrew in today to organise a press conference so that he could finally clear up Serena's reason for leaving. He knew Andrew fully expected him to be livid with the presses conclusion, but he was more put out with the inconvenience of having to explain it to the press, preferring to just have his private business stay private. He turned his chair so he was facing Andrew and nodded his head at the chair opposite him.
" I didn't know the press where going to come out with that story today Darien." Andrew said as he sat down. " I'm sorry, I should have warned you the press were beginning to get suspicious, but you've been so down lately and I didn't want to upset you further."
Don't worry about it Drew. And if you keep worrying about me so much, you're going to start sounding like Serena
Andrew smiled, briefly. " I could never even get remotely close to the level of worry Serena does. Nor could I ever have the bond you and she does that makes her know when you need worrying over."
You do a pretty good job of imitating her though Darien pointed out, smiling a bit.
" Never! I shall have to go to the doctors and get myself checked out, I might be coming down with something like 'Serena Syndrome' or something." Andrew said laughingly.
Darien smiled. Andrew and Serena were possibly the only two in the world who could actually bring him completely out of a melancholy state.
I think I want to organise a press conference, to clear up any wrong opinions the press have come up with, regarding my relationship with Serena
" Probably would be a good idea. Much as I'm going to hate organising something you would normally refuse to even contemplate, it's probably for the best. How do you want to work it?"
Computer. I'll type in my answers and have them come up on the big screen in the blue conference room, rather than have you translate
" I can do that. When do you want it?"
Today. One hour from now
Andrew made a big show of nearly choking.
" Today!? One hour!? Darien your asking the press to leave all their current stories and come here today? They'll never go for it. You're a big company, but they'll never come, especially not at an hours notice. Besides, I can't contact all of them in that short a time."
Use the secretaries. And they'll come because there's a possibility in their mind that I'm going to tell them Serena has left me. Imagine the front pages tomorrow, if today's was filled with the speculation that we are separated, then think what they'll gain if tomorrows is the actual proof
" I still don't think I can get them all." Andrew said.
Then get the important ones
" I hope my skills and those of your other staff are as good as you think they are, because this is going to be one major test of them." Andrew sighed.
I have no doubt in your skills or my staffs
" Hmph!" Andrew said as he eased himself out of his chair and headed for the door.
When he reached it, he turned around and studied Darien for a moment. " While I think of it, what is it that makes Serena so certain you need cheering up, when everyone else thinks you're just fine? And is so obviously right?"
When you've been together ass long as Serena and I have, you get to know a person. She and I grew up together; it was Serena who helped me come to term with my muteness. She and I know what each other is feeling just because we can see the difference's in each other's mannerisms when we are feeling down
" Oh! Is that the same for when you know what each other is thinking?"
Darien nodded.
" Cool!"
Darien sat behind the desk, station at the head of the conference room and scanned the crowd of reporters before him. He hated this kind of publicity, but he knew he had to do it if he wanted any peace. Andrew stood at a nod from him and cleared his throat to get the presses attention.
" Ladies and gentlemen, we all know why we are here today. Mr Shields has graciously offered to answer any questions you might have. His answers will appear on the screen behind him. Please restrict yourselves to talking only when Mr Shields has indicated that he will listen to your question."
Darien nodded to one of the reporters who had their hand raised and waited for his question.
" Mr Shields, it is rumoured that your wife has not been seen entering or leaving your home in several weeks, is it true she has left you?"
Darien stared at the reporter for a minute, then moved the keyboard closer to him and started to type.
Contrary to what your newspapers have been incorrectly printing, the idea that my wife has left me is utterly wrong.
" Could you tell us where your wife is then Mr Shields?" another reporter asked.
I could, but I won't. Let's just say she's gone off to fulfil a dream.
" But only a few months ago she publicly stated that her dream was to spend the rest of her life happily with you, with hopefully some kids in the near future. Doesn't that contradict what it is you have just asked us to believe?" A woman at the back shouted.
How many dreams have you had in your life Madam?
" Many!"
Then doesn't that answer your question for you?
How long will she be gone?" A man asked.
That depends on the amount of time she needs to complete what it is she is doing.
" And what exactly is that?"
She's taken a job as a temporary mother to some disabled children.
" Is this because you are unable to have children of your own? Is there something physically wrong with either of you to prevent your having children?"
NO! Absolutely not!
" So there's no possibility of a divorce between the two of you, as was speculated in the paper this morning?"
I think I have already cleared up the fact that there is nothing wrong with our relationship
Darien was sick of answering questions an hour later and nodded to Andrew to finish it. After the press had been cleared out he sat at his desk and contemplated the night ahead of him. He decided he would go home and drink himself into oblivion.