GAH! I must finish this soon, (of which I do not own)….

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Spiked Punch of Learning

True to his instincts, he did find Serena in the gym, working harder than before, and definitely serious. She was to into her actions to notice Darien come into the gym and hear her say "I need an opponent to test these on." Still, she kept going, partner-less. When an attack hit something, then that something made her dodge, she was so surprised that she stopped, but still had to jump over a trip attack.

Darien was in sweats and t-shirt, standing in front of her, in defense position. "Well, are you going to make me go offensive?" He was all serious and Serena learned that as she was forced to defend. Getting them all, she started her own opposition, and ended up tripping him.

While she was dancing out of his feet's way, or from his arm length, she tripped, over an unseen hand, clearly a force hand coming from Darien. Landing on her back, she looked up and caught her breath as Darien stood up and brushed himself off. "Wow." Darien looked arrogant, and that arrogance cost him as she manually tripped him onto his back.

Serena got up into a crouching position, but used the force of standing to jump back about twenty feet, flip, and land in defense. Since they were on the largest mat, the few other people who had entered during the battle (It was always empty on New Years, usually) had stopped there journey to what ever mat they wanted or equipment that they were going to use to watch, and applaud. "He is the first to actually make it out awake or uninjured. Then again, Serena had never been bested before this year."

Darien got up, and took a position in front of her, but asked her a question as they breathed. "Where did you learn that?" Serena smiled triumphantly but with out arrogance. "We have had practice." Darien took 'we' as 'the girls' and nodded. He prepared for an attack, but Serena only turned to her cheerleaders. "Thanks guys, but never tell anyone I was bested please." The people smiled and replied "Got it, Serena." They went off to there stuff, and now viewed the Serena and Darien sparing show as a rerun for the remaining two hours.

The two hours went by quickly, and Serena and Darien both came out feeling better, but Darien came out sore. "Darien, thanks for the help. It will be useful." Darien wiped sweat from his forehead and huffed. "You are welcome," he winced, "I think." Still, as much as that had made both of them forget about what happened that afternoon, Serena was never as happy as she had made herself sound to the spectators.

Darien was never as relaxed as he made them believe, but was stern in making her fix her corrections in what the two hours could provide. All in all, there had been a lot of faking it, with emotions. Walking up the cool stair way, avoiding people heading down to the dance room, the clock rang 7 pm. The time made any happiness gone, even when a negative amount already existed.

Inside the room, Serena claimed the shower first, after thanking Darien again for the practice. As Serena left, and Darien entered the bathroom, he didn't see Serena in the room afterwards. He assumed that she already went down and also got ready.

By this time, it was 8 pm, and Darien received questionable glares as he entered the room, on top of a few female stares. Andrew expected an explanation later. The music was loud and danceable. The light effects made it so that a normal light wasn't needed, and the food table made the center of no partner people, or anyone else who wasn't dancing.

However, one person was off to the side, not at the table or on the dance floor. Judging by the disappointed looks of the men who were leaving, Darien judged it was a female, so he went to go investigate. Throughout the long weave to the female, he received more smiles, silent promises and gestures, all of which he refuse. However, they were not surprised, for he had done this for the past 6 years, and it was more of a challenge.

Usually, Rei or Mina dragged him out to dance, all the time Serena scowling partly, but still staying near him. The general consensus was that if the five girls that he was seen with weren't there, he was open game. With him there, the girls never got asked to dance, so they did themselves, not really caring.

Mina had always complained that Darien and Andrew scared off the guys, and that Serena and the others stole the spot light for her. They knew that most men looked at mina, but she would never believe that, as Serena would never believe that she was one to get the rest of them. Indeed, she was wrong, but Darien and Andrew wouldn't, nor couldn't convince her of that.

Tonight was different, aside from the said challenges. Serena was on the lone wall this time, with Andrew, who had never really danced since Mina had broken up with him. She had said something about responsibilities that prevented her from being serious. Ann was off flirting, and George and Damian used their size to be keepers of the peace.

Darien finally made it over through the crowd and joined the two loners. "No offers tonight?" He had to be shouted to be heard, and had to be louder to get Serena's worried attention from the clock. "No, there haven't been good offers. Andrew has gotten them though." (A/N-most of this is shouting) Darien walked over to Andrew, on the other side of Serena. "Why not, Drew, you always complain I get all of the good ones." Andrew laughed. "You do, but without the girls here, It doest feel right."

Serena must have heard them, for she looked away. On a lower tone, "I think she feels the same way." Andrew nodded. "Yeah, she has practically been one of the unspoken challenges by the way she has refused everyone that has asked." Darien looked over to see Serena in a black skirt, off the shoulder grey top and knee high boots, looking depressed and anxious. "Maybe it has something to do with her little memo earlier." Andrew nodded, and saw someone gesturing to him. It was Damian. "See you later."

Darien nodded, and turned to his right, but saw Serena beginning to head off in the direction of the food table. He followed, and 'accidentally' gave a threatening look towards a guy that was moving a little to close to Serena, even though she was avoiding the jerk's touch. From then on, it was like a silent signal had been spread to stay away from Serena, or 'the silver haired chick' or Darien. Bad things were thought to come from any attempts on them. (A guy last year had been a little too persistent and was found unconscious the next morning, presumably by the girls. No one said anything however since then)

At the food table, Serena was putting a few of the meats, cheeses and crackers on a plate, and grabbing a coke. Looking at the clock, she brushed past Darien as she went through the doors into the balcony, or to the little sub room, at least. Darien grabbed a one of the presumably spiked fruit punch glasses and followed her, to where she was on the balcony.

She was munching slowly, appearing in her own little world. "You like the weakly spiked punch?" The plate was down next to her, her drink was in hand, and she was motioning to the red liquid in Darien's hand. Darien laughed a little. "No, but it is recognizable vs. the blue stuff." She took a sip of her coke. "Yeah, but the blue stuff is stronger." Darien looked at like she shouldn't know this. "I remember last year."

Darien leaned against the wall and felt the chill of the wind go through his silk shirt. "Why aren't you drinking it then?" A piece of meat was ate. "I need to focus tonight." A few minutes later, the plate was cleaned off, and she had gone for more. "Back to eating your weight in food?" She shrugged. "I haven't eaten in about two days. I'll need the energy." Inside, the clock rang ten and the music was still going. Darien thought about it and found that she was right. "Why not?" The plate went into the garbage can by the door. "I haven't an appetite lately."

She shifted position and went to go to look over the balcony, revealing a thigh high slit on the right side. Her hands rubbed her arms, finally cold. Darien tossed his drink (it really wasn't any effect at all) and went to rub Serena's arms, trying to make her warmer. "Thanks, Darien." He was surprised that she let him. "You are the one who scared off that guy?"

Her tone was a different quality. "Did you want him to keep making passes?" Darien's hands stopped on her skin above the sleeve cut off. "No, thanks." Darien went back to his prior action. "Why don't you go inside to get warm?" She shrugged. "Too many people, too many happy people." Darien snorted at this. "Serena, you used to act that cheery to." She snorted. "Observe the word act." Another clue fit now.

"Do the girls not being here stop you?" She was silent for a while. "Yes, I need them." Darien turned her to face him. "Wouldn't they want you to be happy? Or warm?" She looked at him suspiciously, but hid that. "Yah, they would." He touched her chin lightly. "Shouldn't you heed their wishes?" This resulted in a sad smile. "Yeah, I should…you coming? I think Molly and Melvin might have come up this year." She walked towards the doors, and stopped for him to catch up. Darien felt like he had been blessed and followed Serena into the dance room.

Another one down….

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