AN: Hey everyone, as promised, here's the next chapter of LHFH. I'm really really trying to crank these chapters out. I do feel really bad about the last one because it wasn't that good and I waited seven months to get it out to you. Please forgive me? Remember, please review, I love getting feedback from everyone!

All standard disclaimers apply

"Wow," Darien stammered as he took in Serena's appearance. "You look, absolutely stunning." 'Like mighty Aphrodite, emerging from the sea,' he thought to himself as he appraised her.

Serena blushed modestly while brushing a strand of silvery-blonde hair behind her ear. Indeed, she was a vision of loveliness that evening: her hair was done up in a classic twist with several loose strands framing her face, her makeup was done light, with just a hint of eye shadow and lip gloss. Her dress was made of numerous sheer layers and came down in a deep v-neck, making her, in Darien's mind, resemble a goddess.

"Thanks, you too. I mean, you look very handsome tonight," if possible, Serena blushed even more. 'Oh wow, open mouth insert foot Serena,' she mentally reprimanded herself.

Darien threw back his head and laughed, an action Serena found particularly endearing.

"Well, shall we be off, milady," Darien asked while taking her arm in his hand and leading her towards the door.

"We shall," Serena giggled in reply, allowing herself to be led out of the apartment.

The duo managed to get to the concert hall in plenty of time, and Darien secretly let out a prayer of thanks when he discovered that the tickets given to him were for a private box where the two of them would not be disturbed.

"Wow, your friend really knows how to go all out huh," Serena commented as she gingerly sat down in one of the plush seats.

"Yeah, she really can't wait to meet you. I'm sure you two will really hit it off"

"So," Serena asked casually as she surveyed her lavish surroundings, "are you and this friend particularly close perchance?"

"Not really, I mean we do get along just fine and all but I wouldn't say we were close or anything. Why do you ask," Darien said as the lights flickered, signaling to the stragglers that the concert was about to begin.

"Oh I was just wondering that's all…" Serena's voice trailed off as the opening notes of the concert sounded throughout the hall.

Hours passed while the two sat in comfortable silence. Darien was particularly surprised, usually Serena couldn't help but make a comment or two during the previous concerts they've been to. Thinking of that made him wonder just what other things were different about Serena.

After the conclusion of the concert, Serena turned to Darien, while dabbing away a stray tear that had fallen during the performance.

"That was beautiful, Darien, don't you think?"

"You enjoyed the concert then," Darien couldn't help the shocked tone that managed to present itself.

"Yes, it was an amazing concert. Oh, you must tell your friend how truly wonderful she is. A musician as wonderful as herself should keep sharing her gift with the world," Serena's enthusiasm spoke volumes and just when Darien was about to give his reply, a new voice sounded.

"Why, thank you very much. That's exactly what Alex keeps telling me," a cultured voice spoke from behind them.

Both Serena and Darien turned around to behold Michelle and Alex who had joined them from backstage. Immediately, Serena stood up and embraced the musician.

"You're music was lovely tonight. Oh I absolutely loved everything you played, you are such a wonderful musician," Serena gushed as she released an amused Michelle from her embrace.

"Oh Darien," Michelle addressed Darien, "She's absolutely lovely, aren't you going to introduce us to your friend?"

Darien, following along, immediately began introductions. "Serena, this is Michelle Kaioh and her significant other Alex Tenou. Michelle, Alex, this is my uh friend Serena."

Alex thrust her arm out and gave Serena a firm handshake. "It's nice to meet you, koneko."

"Koneko?" Serena asked, visibly confused at the comment. She turned to Darien, a questioning look on her face, who in turn sighed and gently reached out to lay a comforting hand on her arm. Instantaneously, Serena relaxed and offered Darien a grateful smile. To the two observers it seemed like a golden tendril separated from Darien to wrap around Serena. Alex offered Michelle a knowing smile.

"It means kitten in Japanese," Darien offered Serena.

"Kitten? Why kitten?" Serena turned to Alex.

"Well, you just seem like one of those people. The ones who appear all soft and cutesy and adorable, but under the right conditions will take a swipe at you. You seem very kittenish, feisty yet playful." Alex's eyes roamed over Serena's figure, who in turn blushed and looked away, unconsciously wrapping her arms around Darien, who in turn, emitted a surprised, yet grateful glance to Alex and Michelle.

"Now Alex, you've made her blush," Michelle kindly reprimanded Alex. "Come on, let's leave these two alone, I'm sure they have better things to do than talk to us old people." Michelle grasped Alex by the arm to lead her out of the box.

"It was nice meeting you two. I hope to see you again!" Serena called out from Darien's embrace.

"Ja ne, Koneko," was Alex's reply as the duo exited.

"Well," Darien looked down at Serena, who was still wrapped up in his arms. "Are you ready to leave?"

Serena looked up and, as if suddenly realizing exactly whose chest she was snuggled against, quickly disentangled herself from Darien's embrace, much to his chagrin. "Yeah, uh sure," she blushed, avoiding Darien's intense gaze.

"Well, would you like to get something to eat, or are you ready to go back to the apartment?"

"Um, actually, I'm rather wiped out. Perhaps we should just go back home…" Serena shuffled her feet, picking at her dress as the tension in the room suddenly threatened to overwhelm her, leaving her with a deep feeling of fatigue.

"Yeah, sure that's fine," Darien tried to hide the disappointment from his voice. The two began walking towards Darien's car. 'Why does it seem that every time we start to get close something happens and she pulls away?' Darien grimaced as they reached the car, and after realizing Serena was looking up at him expectantly, waiting for him to unlock the door, offered her a sheepish smile while running a hand through his thick hair.

The two rode back to the apartment in uncomfortable silence. It wasn't like Serena was uncomfortable in Darien's presence. Quite the opposite was true, she admitted to herself. That fact frustrated her to no end, how could she be so comfortable around some guy she doesn't even remember that she met a few days ago. It seemed like her obvious discomfort was manifesting itself within the car. Both let out relieved sighs when the apartment complex was in sight.

"Thanks for taking me to the concert tonight Darien, I really enjoyed it." Serena offered Darien as way of an apology for the comfort projected by herself.

"It was no problem, I really enjoyed myself and I'm glad you did as well." Darien smiled, accepting her apology. 'He's really gorgeous when he smiles,' Serena acknowledged. 'Gorgeous! Where did these thoughts come from,' Serena mentally berated herself.

"Well, goodnight," she called out as she practically ran into her bedroom to sort out her thoughts of what transpired tonight.

"Goodnight," Darien called out as the door slammed shut. 'Well that wasn't extremely awkward or anything,' he thought to himself, rolling his eyes while making his way to the bedroom. 'And why do you think that was Darien? With Michelle and Alex practically insinuating that the two of us had something going on and you practically smothering her to death when she turned to you, no wonder why she feels threatened.' He continued mentally berating himself while he crawled into bed. 'When was the last time you've been in bed before 10:30 Shields,' he asked himself as he managed to get under the covers. Suddenly, extremely exhausted, he fell into a deep slumber.

"So how was your date yesterday," Mina asked as she dug into a caesar salad.

"First of all, it wasn't a date," Serena sighed as she ate her own chicken salad.

"Yeah, right. Don't start that with me girly, I know you think he's attractive."

"How did you know that…"

"Psh, everyone I know thinks he's attractive, and rightly so. He has the body of a greek god, and the kindest spirit I've ever met. Except you that is."

"Ok, ok, so I think he's attractive big deal. And if he happens to be one of the sweetest guys I know so be it, that doesn't mean anything," but Serena's tell-tale blush gave everything away.

"Ha, you admit it! So you do like him…" Mina gloated loudly as other customers began giving the two shocked looks.

"Shh, Mina. Yes, I happen to like him, but every time we're around each other things get weird. I don't know, it's like I can't be myself when I'm around him or something," Serena sighed as she speared a leaf of lettuce.

"That will all fade with time. Come on, you're recovering from a horrific accident, of course everything's going to seem out of sync for a little bit." Mina offered Serena comforting words as she finished her salad for which Serena returned a grateful smile.

"Now come on, it's time you get to hang out with all the other girls. They can't wait to see you!"

Darien sighed as he walked down the hallways of the crowed hospital. Today had been an extra busy day and since he was in his final year of residency, he had his load of work cut out for him. Already he had overseen three surgeries, which he would have to perform routine checks on later today. 'This is what you signed up for when becoming a doctor, Shields, you better get used to it.' Unwillingly his thoughts returned for the umpteenth time that day to Serena and the events that transpired the previous evening. "Gosh, could things have gone any more awry last night? I should've realized it was too soon to start anything with her, for Christ sake her whole family just died! Maybe I should just concentrate on what's best for Serena. I can wait for her to come back for me,' Darien decided while entering a storage closet to pick up more supplies. 'That's right, I can be patient. I've already waited a millennium for her, what are a few more weeks?' That decided, Darien went back to work, his outlook on life brighter.

"You thought what!" Lita shrieked as the girls were strewn about Amy's lavish living room.

"Well, you've got to admit she does," Serena shrieked back in reply as the girls dissolved once more into giggles.

"That's ok Serena, I'll admit, when I first met Alex, I thought she was a guy too," Amy responded before once again dissolving into giggles.

"Well, you do have to admit, Alex does have that certain, masculine quality about her." Raye responded by finishing off her martini.

Just then the doorbell rang, "That's pizza," Serena exclaimed while jumping up to greet the pizza delivery person. As she got to her feet, the room moved unsteadily around her, and she quickly fell back down onto Amy's couch.

"Don't worry Serena," said Mina who was still relatively sober, "I'll get it."

Three hours, two pizzas, and a whole lot of liquor later, the party was still going strong at Amy's house.

"So, Mina, why did you sound so tired yesterday when I called you," Serena teased while the surrounding girls bristled, ready to hear the latest gossip.

"Yeah Mina do tell," Lita leaned closer to Mina who in turn socked her in the shoulder.

"Listen to you all, like you haven't heard a bit of juicy info in years," Mina teased while nonchalantly flipping her long hair over her shoulder.

"We haven't," Raye all but screamed. "Now tell us exactly what Serena's talking about!"

"Geez, chill, pyro. Well, I'll admit it, I wasn't sleeping if that's what you're thinking. In fact, I was just waking up."

"But why would be just waking up?" Serena's face was a complete mask of innocence as she asked the question.

"Mina, you didn't!" Amy instantly grasped what Mina was trying to convey.

"Yep, I did….several times to be exact." The room exploded into cheers and gasps as Mina gloated over her recent conquest.

"Oh my gosh, who is he," Lita asked what everyone in the room was dying to know.

"He's a PR agent over in Hollywood, my manager told me he was very talented."

"And was he," Serena asked much to everyone's surprise.

"Yes, he was VERY talented," Mina gushed amidst more screaming from the girls, and then leaned in to give more specific details.

After two more hours and a lot more liquor, the mood sobered up a bit in the apartment.

"You know," Serena said while taking a swig of her coke and rum. "You guys are my new best friends, or my old new best friends, I don't know…"

"Serena, I think you've had too much to drink," Amy said while swaying unsteadily as she made her way to the kitchen for more ice.

"I think we've all had a little too much to drink," Raye said.

"Don't worry Serena, we won't let anything happen to you," Lita said.

"You won't?" Serena asked half awake.

"Of course not Serena, after all you're our princess," Mina replied, stirring awake on the floor where she had passed out an hour earlier.

"Huh," Serena asked, slowing waking up with the information.

"We can't let you die again, I mean after all, how many times can a princess who lived over a millennium ago be reincarnated," Amy said calmly, returning with more ice.

That sobered Serena up instantly.

"WHAT!"

AN: There, that is to make up for the crappy chapter I posted yesterday, or two days ago…something like that. It's a bit longer, and a bit more happens in this chapter. I have to admit, the whole idea of the scouts literally spilling the beans while drunk came to me a little over half an hour ago, while watching Scream 3 on TBS, so forgive me if it's a little bit loopy. So let me know what you think, and I'll try to have the next chapter up soon.

until then,

totallysweetc