Chapter 17: Cling and Clatter

If I could touch the sound of silence now
you know I would
if I knew how
to make these intentions come around
and now I'm hearing without listening
and believing every word that you're not saying
speaking without a sound

and I am contemplating matters
all this cling and clatter
in my head
and what you said is ringing
ringing faster

And it's all good
if you would stop the world from making sense
and if I could
just realize it doesn't really matter
doesn't really matter
doesn't really matter

Serena smiled as the sun finally on her face, the warmth of the room woke her from her blissful dreams. It was late morning the next day around 11am. Darien was awaken by her, she wanted to talk, what he had not a clue. He couldn't believe after the countless hours of making love last night, she was even functional at this time. He had expected a late lunch, early dinner at best. Serena lay on top of him. Her arms around his head, as she nuzzled against the side of his head. Her legs hugged one of his legs, as Darien held his hand on her butt, rubbing there.

"What kind of wedding do you want?"

"In a huge church…"

"Like before?"

"No! Whitney and I were to be married in simple church, picked out by her, it wasn't a joint decision."

"Okay, sorry."

"Don't be."

"It's just I never planned a wedding and I want to make sure everything will be perfect."

"Well, first we have to pick a date."

"June."

"Too soon."

"Why too soon?"

"We need… I need a good couple of months to plan this. September at the earliest."

"September! But I want to be Mrs. Darien Shields sooner than that, please!"

"I promised Drew we can't until after his wedding to Mina."

"What? No! We should be married before we head to New York."

"New York, man, I still haven't told Andrew about that."

"About the internship?" Darien nodded. "He is not going to be happy."

"Don't I know it, baby." They kissed.

"I think I want to wear to white."

"You should."

"Can we go the bookstore!"

"Why?"

"I want to buy wedding books!"

"Right now, it's Sunday! Bookstore doesn't open until later."

"No, they are opened now! Come on!" Serena jumped up. She rushed to find something to put on. Darien groaned and pulled a pillow to cover his face. "Darien!"

"Coming!"

Monday morning, April 29th, Serena walked down the halls as if she was walking on air. Molly rushed over.

"Well, well! Let me see!" Serena showed her hand.

"Oh my god!" Serena held up her 2.4 carat princess cut diamond ring in white gold.

"It's huge!"

"Oh my god! It's beautiful! I knew you would be the first!"

"Oh, man, it was the best Prom, girls." Serena pulled out her photos from her purse. "Look at it."

"Awww…you two looked amazing!"

"Oooh…prom pictures, let me see," Elaine said coming over.

"Oh wow! Look at that dress!" Jamie snatched a photo and showed Karie. "He brought that!"

"Yeah."

"Just days before, and it fit you perfectly!"

"Well, of course! Serena's like a size 4, everything fits her," Elaine said looking through another pack of photos. Serena had 2 packs with about 100 photos from that night. "Dear god! He's can't be a teacher, look at that ring!" Elaine took Serena's hand. "Look at this, more than 2 carats."

"Just a bit."

"Does he have a brother?"

"Karie!"

"What?"

"No, and I won't share."

"Wow, you two fit together," Karie said. Karie was shifting through pictures and saw Serena's left hand again. Karie grabbed her hand and examined the ring more and sighed. "Are you sure he doesn't have a brother!"

"Yep, an only child."

"Damnit!"

"Lucky bitch," Jamie said. "I wish Kevin would ask me to marry him."

"Hey, at least Kevin says he loves you in public. Alex can barely kiss me in public."

"Oh, Elaine, Alex is just a shy boy, always been," Serena said. "Remember when he use to swing along with his imaginary friend?" Everyone laughed. "What was her name?"

"Pumpkin."

"Pumpkin, right! He said she always wore orange!" Everyone laughed.

"So, when's the date?"

"Soon, hoping for a 4th of July wedding."

"So soon!"

"Yes, and I can't wait."

That afternoon, Darien was studying with Andrew. Their finals coming up in a week before they would be official internships at the hospital of their choosing. Andrew already got into the state hospital here in the city. Mina and Andrew to be moving in with each other by the end of the month, giving them a couple of weeks before the baby will be born.

"So, Professor Francisco was surprised that you declined his internship at the hospital."

"More like disappointed."

"Did you get into Saint James hospital instead?"

"No."

"Then where are you going, bro?" Andrew asked.

"I got accepted to Mount Sinai Hospital."

"Mount Sinai? Wait…isn't that New York City?"

"Yes."

"You're moving to New York!"

"Yes."

"Wh...why? Why? Why are you leaving!"

"Serena will be getting into the American Ballet Company Theatre in New York for the fall."

"You're leaving, everything we have worked for together to be with her."

"She will be my wife soon."

"When you two are married!"

"We will be married before the summer is over with."

"Oh, great! Before me!"

"What is your problem!"

"You are throwing away everything for a girl!"

"How am I throwing anything away! I will be a surgeon, Mount Sinai is one of the greatest hospitals to begin an internship!"

"Thanks for telling me."

"I am now." Andrew started throwing his books into his bag. "Where are you going now?"

"Why am I really here, you don't need my help! You have Serena now!"

"Andrew, wait…!"

"No! Have a great life with your new wife!" Andrew flung open the door and found Serena about to open the door.

"Hello, Drew."

"Fuck off." Andrew walked pass him. Serena looked back.

"Whoa, buddy, what is up your ass?"

"You are!" Andrew hit the elevator button. Darien stood there.

"That is not fair to Serena."

"Did I do something wrong?"

"You are what is wrong! You don't belong here! Don't act so innocent! Ever since you came into Darien's life you have turned his world into a tailspin of trouble. You bring nothing but trouble to him."

"I didn't….I'm sorry you feel that way."

"No, don't be sorry, Serena! Drew is just out of line! You can't expect everything to stay the same, Drew! We are not teenagers anymore, we are adults! Just because I'm leaving for New York doesn't mean we won't still be friends! You are my best friend!"

"Yeah. Right, some best friend. When were you going to tell me you were leaving?"

"I was trying to find the right moment…."

"Oh, fuck off!"

"Why are you acting like this!

"If you were my friend, you would know why. You are leaving to be with her! Throwing away everything we have worked on together to be with her!"

"You are about to a father! What, was I just suppose to always be at your side, your friend who does everything with you! Well, I can't. I have a life to live myself!"

"Well, good riddance." Andrew stepped inside the elevator. "Goodbye." The door closed. Serena looked at him.

"I take it, he doesn't like you are going to New York City."

"No."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Drew will get over it."

"I don't know, he seems pretty pissed."

"He'll calm down. He's not being rational right now. He's mad that we might be married first, nothing more. How was your day?"

"Good, good. The girls love the ring."

"I'll bet."

"I don't want you to lose your best friend over me."

"I'm not."

"If you go to New York, I want it to be because, well, because you want to. Not because you have to."

"Serena, I applied to New York last fall before we ever were together, okay. I wanted an opportunity, a change of scenery. Being with you, only made that decision clearer and more concrete."

"Okay."

About 2 weeks later, May 12th, a Sunday afternoon, Serena and the Grover High cheerleading team stood in first place after the first day's competition. Serena stood with her team before their final show, her final show of her high school career.

"Okay, team. This is it! The finals! All the months training, sweaty afternoons, the pain, even the blood," Serena looked at Michael, who received a blood nose after a catch from one of the girls. "This is our time! Our time! I know we can do this. I can see it in our eyes! We have worked too damn hard to walk away without that trophy. We are winners! Winners, you hear! We are tigers and that is our prey." Serena pointed out to the crowd. "Now, I want us to put our hands together, go out there and knock the fucking roof off."

"Yeah!"

"On 3, Tiger growl!" Everyone nodded. "One, two, three!" ROOOOAAARRR!

Darien carried Serena on his shoulder as their team took first place, but an outstanding 2 points, greatest margin of victory in National history. Serena held up the trophy to the team as they celebrated with the crowd. The teams received their smaller trophies as the event ended. They got congratulations for the other teams along with their school crowd.

"We should go back to my place and party!"

"Okay," Serena said. Serena passed around the trophy. She kissed Darien, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"You were amazing, Beautiful."

"I had you." They kissed again.

Tuesday night, Darien came by the ballet studio and found Serena performing her solo number for the auditions. Madame Sokolva walking around her, every wrong position, a hit with her stick. Serena would make a tiny face before going into a perfect light position.

"Fingers loose, Serena!" Serena groaned as her hand was hit. "You don't want points taken off for that. Audition is less than 3 weeks away!"

"Yes, Madame." Serena did her spin. Serena saw Darien. She smiled and waved.

"Serena! Head out the clouds! I want a perfect tour lent, that last one was flat."

"Sorry, Madame." Darien took a seat. Serena did her spins.

"What the hell was that, I want perfect super pirouettes that was not it!"

"Yes, Madame." Madame Sokolva eyed Darien for smiling at Serena making her lose focus.

After 15 minutes, Serena was allowed to break, but was asked to continue on training for at least an hour. Madame Sokolva was leaving though; she wanted her prize ballet to do things alone. All her training meant nothing, if she couldn't do this alone. Serena walked to the end of the stage as Darien stood there.

"What are you doing here?" Serena asked.

"I came to pick you up."

" I could have walked."

"True, but like I would let you walk this late at night."

"Always so overprotected. Oh, I want to show you something. Come to the backroom."

"Okay, I love to watch you dance." Serena went over to the radio in one of the backrooms used to train in private. It was a huge room surrounded by mirrors and a gran piano. She opened her music case and loaded a CD. "Is this your dance for the audition?"

"You'll see." Serena walked to the middle of the room. She started dancing. It was simple classical piano piece she played to dance to. Darien smiled as she moved with ease in her white sports bra, pink wrap-around sheer skirt over shorts, white tights and ballet shoes. Darien stood up, being drawn to her. The music changed, 'Flying Without Wings' came on. Serena smiled, knowing what this song meant to Darien. She went into her spin combination. Darien smiled as she did multiple spins into a high leg stretch. It was her new move, he had never seen her and anyone do before. Serena rushed over to Darien, jumping into his arms. Darien lifted her, twirling her around. He brought her down slowly, kissing her as he held her body close to him, spinning them around.

Serena's father saw Darien's car outside the studio. He had stopped by the competition to see them kissing, leaving shortly after that. Serena's father still keep a cop eye on his daughter and Darien. Serena sometimes could feel the spies on them. She always had a sixth sense about that. Serena's father walked into the studio. He could hear music blaring from a backroom. He slowly walked, the sounds of slapping skin, hot kisses, becoming clearer with each step. Serena's father opened the door to the closed room. He gasped at the sight of his daughter beneath the man she claims to love. Darien was kissing Serena, as he raised her leg around him, as he made love to her right there on the ground. After that little dancing display, Darien couldn't hold back. He needed his Serena right here and there. Both ripped at each other's clothes, falling to the ground, kissing, wasting no time to make love. Serena ran her left hand along Darien's sweaty back, moaning against his mouth. Serena's father pulled at his gun. He desperately wanted to kill Darien. He didn't care about going to jail, but he wouldn't let his young daughter be corrupted into a false love relationship. Darien was just using his babygirl for sex. Then he saw the glistening diamond ring on her left hand, as it ran up and down his back. Darien buried his face into Serena's neck as he came. Her name burning her ears, just after her cries burnt his ears just moments before.

"I love you."

"I love you too," Serena said cupping his face. They kissed. "I can't wait to be Mrs. Darien Shields, living in the City together. A great life is ahead, waiting for us, Darien."

"I cannot wait." They kissed again. Darien shifted to her chest, as she rubbed his head. "I love you so much." Serena smiled, hugging him with her body. "This is forever."

"Mmm…only forever." Darien smiled against her chest.

"Oh, much longer." Serena kissed his forehead. Serena's father closed the door on them. His head down, as he walked out.

Darien laid to the ground, as Serena just slipped back on her bra and shorts with ballet shoes. "What are you doing?"

"I feel energy to burn still."

"After what we did?"

"Yes!" Serena stood up. Darien shook his head. He sat up and watched her. Darien slid on his boxers and went to sit at the piano out of her way as she danced. Darien looked at the piece at the piano. He smiled and opened the top. Serena looked over as Darien started playing 'Otońal'. Serena stopped mid-spin. Darien played the sheet music with ease and grace. He looked up.

"What?" Darien asked.

"That was amazing."

"Thank you."

"You never told me you played piano."

"Oh, I play piano."

"That is not an easy piece. I am performing to it for our last ballet show of the year right before graduation."

"It's a good piece."

"Would you play it for me?" Serena asked.

"Oh, I don't know about that." Darien smiled. "I'm not that good."

"Yes you are! Please, I was just going to use tape, but live piano player sounds great."

"Maybe, let me think about it."

"Thanks." She hugged him and they kissed. "Let's go home."

Serena sat up in bed screaming just a few days later. Sounds of gunshots still edged in her memory. It was an early Thursday morning, May 16th. Darien woke up fast as well.

"Daddy!" Serena screamed. "Daddy!"

"Serena!" She fought his hands as he tried to calm her down. "Serena! It's me!" Serena screamed, fighting to get out of bed as if her life depended on it.

"Daddy!"

"Serena calm down!"

"No! No! Daddy!" She fell out of the bed, wild eyed. "Nooooo!" Serena laid there, kicking at the sheets still wrapped around her legs. "Get it off! Get it off me!"

"Just calm down!" Darien helped her.

"Daddy!" Serena jumped from the floor and went to grab some clothes, Darien right there.

"Baby, you were sleeping! It was just…"

"NO! He's shot! He's lying in blood right now!"

"How can you say that, you were just having a nightmare!"

"I know! I feel it!" Serena threw on a shirt. "He needs me!"

"Serena, you're not making any sense!"

"I don't care! My father is dying! He…he's dying!" Serena collapsed. Darien hugged her. She was gasping for air.

"Just breath, baby, just breath with me."

"We have to go…to go and help him."

"Okay. We will go."

"He's dying, Darien."

They drove around the city. Serena was trying to remember anything about the dream.

"Saint Mary's Hospital," Serena said finally. "They would take him there!"

"Okay!" Darien did a quick U-turn in the street toward the hospital. Serena didn't even give him a chance to find a parking space, as she got out the car and ran inside.

"My father! My father was shot, Chief West! He's here!"

"Miss, miss calm down! You are scaring people, now, calm down!"

"Calm down! My father was just shot!"

"Okay, okay. You're the Chief's daughter, Serena, right?"

"Yes! Where is my father!"

"ICU, but you can't…" Serena rushed down the halls. Darien came into the hospital.

"Daddy! Dadddy!" Serena screamed. She came to the ICU room. Darien caught her as she collapsed back.

"Clear!" Serena jumped as her father was being shocked to get his heart started again. "Clear!"

"Doctor, he's bleeding out!"

"Daddy!" Serena was pulled back by Darien. "No! NO!"

"Doctor, his BP is low. We're losing him."

"NO!"

"Serena, you can't go in there! Let them do their job!"

"Please save him!" Serena turned and cried on Darien after he pulled her from the room.

Barely 10 minutes later, Serena's mother came running in with a sleeping Samuel in her arms. Several cops arriving to lend their support to the family and their fallen leader. Serena was sitting in a chair, bent over, as Darien paced in front of her.

"Serena?"

"Mommy!" Serena quickly hugged her, once Darien took Samuel and laid him to the couch.

"How is he?"

"They won't let us in there!"

"Is it bad?"

"I don't know, Mom. I don't know. But it didn't look good."

"How did you find out?"

"I had a dream."

"A dream?" All of a sudden, the doors opened. "Wha…what's going on!"

"We have to rush Mr. West to surgery immediately."

"What's wrong with him?"

"His bullet is lodged near his heart. Plus he has several other bullets in his arm, chest and stomach region" Kimberly gasped, Darien put his arm around her.

"Oh god."

"Stay with your brother," Serena's mother said.

"Wait, no!"

"Serena, stay!" Mr. West was wheeled up, with Mrs. West holding his hand. Serena turned to Darien and cried against his chest.

Serena looked up at the cops. She pulled from Darien and walked over to the group of them. She slapped one cop.

"Where were you!" Serena pounded on the cop's chest. "Where were you when my father was shot!"

"Serena, no.." Darien pulled her back by the waist.

"Why didn't any of you save him!"

"Serena, we are sorry, it was just a random stop and the guy opened fire. We came here as soon as we heard what happened."

"Where is this guy!"

"We are searching for him. We have dozens of cops out there looking for that bastard."

"Find him! Find him and make him pay!"