A.N: I'm really glad you guys liked my last chapter!

P.S: I'll add a little 'spice' between Serena and Darien later. No just yet though: )

And I'm going to use Serena's parents American names. Sorry…

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Chapter 23: Ken and Irene

Serena fell asleep on Darien's shoulder for about two hours. She suddenly jerked awake when the captain's voice came over the intercom. "We will be landing in approximately 15 minutes."

She sleepily rubbed her eyes, and looked up at Darien. He was asleep. She smiled at him, and leaned up, kissing him right below his ear. Darien slowly woke up, his eyes blinked open. He turned his head and found bright blue eyes looking back towards him.

"You awake already?" he asked, stretching.

"Yes. The plane's gonna land here in about 15 minutes, then we have to board onto the next plane," Serena said as she yawned.

"How long's the next flight?" Darien asked, tilting his head towards Serena.

"Probably about another 3 hours or so," she said, giving him half a smile.

"Joy."

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At Serena's house

"Irene! Sweetheart, where is this boy going to sleep?" a very sterned face Ken asked his wife.

"Well in the guestroom of course, where else?" Irene answered sweetly from the guest room.

"But the guestroom is right across the hall from Serena! I don't like the idea of that," Ken said, crossing his arms and walking into the guestroom to talk to his wife.

"Ken, stop worrying so much! They're not going to do anything," Irene reassured him as she finished making the bed.

"He's a boy Irene, who's to say he won't do anything? The hormones in boys these days are out of control!"

Irene smiled at her husband. He was always so protective when it came to Serena and boys. Her husband was a handsome man, tall with dark hair and rimmed glasses. He had a kind face that could charm anyone. "Ken! You cannot act like this when Serena arrives! This is her first boyfriend! You should be happy for her. Besides, Serena wouldn't go out with just any boy, we raised her right," Irene suggested, walking past her husband.

"Boys these days only want one thing and one thing only, Irene," Ken said as he trailed after his wife.

"Honey, would you just leave it alone? Don't forget to pick them up at 6 alright? And be nice to the boy," Irene said, facing her husband and taking his face in her hands. "I want this Thanksgiving to be perfect," she said softly, kissing her husband quickly on the lips.

"It will be perfect," Ken said, looking in his wife's eyes. She was a gentle lady. Her hair went past her shoulders a little. She always tied half of her hair up, and left the rest of it down in soft curls. She had bangs that touched her eyebrows, and her cheeks were always rosy. She was the kind of women that it was hard to say no too or get angry at.

"At least try to like him," Irene said as she let go of Ken's face and walked into the kitchen.

"I'll try, but that doesn't mean I will like him," Ken said, pouting as he took a seat at the dinner table. He picked up the newspaper he left there in the morning and began to read where he'd left off.

Sam came strolling into the kitchen, trying to find some snacks. "Hey dad, mom," he said quickly, rummaging through the drawers.

"Sam, sweetheart, remember to change before your sister and her boyfriend comes, would you?" Irene asked as she started cooking dinner.

"Sure," Sam replied, grabbing a bag of chips. "How's dad taking this whole 'boyfriend coming home for the holidays' business?" Sam whispered to his mom, smiling amusedly.

Irene smiled back down at him. "He'll live," she replied.

Sam chuckled and walked out, smiling cheekily at his father. Sam had grown to be a fairly handsome young adolescent. He had dirty blonde hair, and bright turquoise eyes that entranced girls his age. He was a sophomore in High School now, and very athletic and well built for his age. He had just turned 16 several months ago.

The Tsukino house was warm, open, and inviting. They didn't live in the center of New York, they lived in the outskirts of the city, in a small town just off to the side of New York City not to far away. Their house was two stories, and fairly large.

Ken looked at his watch, it was 4:30. He still had an hour and a half before he had to meet the brute that wanted in his daughter's pants. He frowned at the thought of that, and gave a heavy sigh.

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Darien and Serena arrived at the airport in New York about 45 minutes early. The plane had taken off a little early due to the weather, so they arrived early.

"We should go and surprise them!" Serena squealed to Darien when they got off the plane and out to the gate. "We are here so early! I know my dad hasn't left yet."

Darien was starting to get knots in his stomach. He was about to meet his fate. He was about to meet the Parents. He gulped, and nodded at Serena, not fully listening to her.

"Come on Darien! Let's get our luggage's and get a taxi. Oh, my parents will be so thrilled!" she said excited as she grabbed his arm and led him to the luggage department.

Serena noticed that Darien had gotten quiet and a little distant when they arrived in New York. She knew why. She looked at him lovingly to the side as she watched him grab their bags from the conveyor belt. She smiled to herself.

Darien got all their things and walked back towards Serena, his face expressionless. He put the things down next to her, and stuck his hands in his pocket, looking down at the floor.

Serena stepped up to him, looking into his eyes. "You will do fine," she whispered as she tip-toed up to wrap her arms around his neck. He gave her a weak half-smile. "You're cute when you're nervous," she said, smiling up at him.

Darien smiled back at her and lowered his forehead so it rested against hers.

"Are you ready?" she said quietly, looking up at him, rubbing her nose against his.

He closed his eyes and gave a heavy sigh. "I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be," he said as he parted his head away from hers.

Serena lowered his head down to her, and gently brushed her lips across his, her eyes slowly closing.

"That wasn't a kiss," Darien complained, smiling at her, his eye-lids lowered.

"Then kiss me," Serena said, grinning, her eyes closed. Darien gave a small chuckle and brought his lips down to hers, kissing her slowly, gently, and meaningfully. It was one of the sweetest kisses Serena had gotten from him. When they parted, it left her breathless, and it made her heart race and her stomach flutter.

Darien looked at her after the kiss, smiling. "I'm ready now," he said, parting from her and picking up their luggage.

Serena grinned at him. "Let's go meet the Fokers," she joked.

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Irene had just got done cooking the main course of the dinner when she heard the doorbell. She put a pie in the oven, and yelled," Ken! Sam! Can one of you please get that?"

Ken looked at his watch, it was about twenty minutes before Serena's plane landed. He needed to go. "I'll get it. I have to go pick Serena up anyways," he yelled back. He got up and walked to the door, straightening his tie as he did so.

When he opened the door, he saw a pink-faced Serena, grinning up at him.

"SURPRISE!" she yelled happily as she threw her arms over her father. She was wearing a thick winter coat, due to the cold weather in New York already starting to set in.

Ken smiled as he wrapped his arm around his daughter. "Honey! You weren't supposed to get here for another 20 minutes," he said, shocked.

Serena pulled away from him, smiling. "I know dad. The plane took off a little early cause they were afraid snow would start falling before we arrived," Serena informed him as she stepped inside, taking off her coat and scarf.

Irene came out of the kitchen, grinning. "SERENA!" she yelled, running to her daughter and wrapping her warm arms around her. "I missed you so much," she whispered as they embraced one another.

"I missed you too mom," Serena said, smiling.

Irene pulled away from her daughter, suddenly remembering about Darien. "Where is he Serena? Did he decide to not come?" she asked going towards the door to look out.

"Oh no! Of course he came. He's helping the taxi driver get the luggage out of the car and stuff," Serena said warming up her hands.

"Ken! Go help the child," Irene told her husband, pointing out the door.

Ken looked a little reluctant, but grabbed and coat and stumbled outside in the cold anyways. As he walked out, he saw a tall young man with jet black hair coming towards him, carrying 2 bags.

"Good evening, you must be Mr. Tsukino," Darien said as he walked up to Ken with the two bags in his hands. He gave Ken a little bow, smiling.

Ken looked him up and down, nodding. "Good evening," he replied, a little solemnly. The boy had to be at least over 6 foot tall. He was very masculine from what Ken could tell, and a very handsome young man indeed.

"Um, where would you like me to put the bags?" Darien asked, feeling a little uncomfortable.

Ken snapped back to reality. "Oh, yes. Just follow me," Ken said as he led Darien into the house.

When Darien walked in, he put the bags down by the couch, and took off his coat. He saw a lady about the same height as Serena, smiling sweetly at him. He knew it was Serena's mom immediately. He smiled and bowed his head a little," Good evening Mrs. Tsukino," he greeted politely.

"Oh, aren't you precious?" Irene answered, smiling at Serena. "You may call me Irene. Mrs. Tsukino makes me sound so old," she said, waving her hand about.

Serena grinned and walked up to Darien, taking his hand.

Ken looked at their entwined fingers disapprovingly, a frown setting in on his face.

Irene glanced at Ken, clearing her throat. "Ken, honey, could you please show Darien his sleeping quarters?"

Ken looked at his wife, nodding quickly. "Of course," he mumbled, going towards one of the bags.

Darien helped him with the other one, and followed Ken through the living room and up the stairs.

Ken led Darien to his room, not saying much. He opened the door, and gestured for Darien to go in first.

"Oh, thank you," Darien said, feeling somewhat nervous as he walked into the room. It was clean, tidy, and nicely decorated.

"So tell me… uh.." Ken started.

"Darien, my name's Darien Chiba," he answered quickly, putting his bag on his bed.

"Oh yes, Darien. How was your flight?" Ken asked as he adjusted his glasses, looking Darien up and down.

"It was fine, thank you," Darien answered politely, sticking his hands in his pocket.

"Good, good," Ken said, looking down at the floor. "Serena's room is just across the hallway, right there," Ken pointed out towards Serena's room. "And mine and Irene's room is just down that way," Ken then pointed down to his left. "I'm a very light sleeper, Darien, so I trust you won't do be trying to do anything."

Darien looked confused for a little bit, but then understood him. "No no! I wouldn't do anything, sir," he answered quickly. I knew he was going to interrogate me.

"Good," Ken said, giving him a smile, nodding. "I have an outside lock to this door," Ken said, lying, tapping the guestroom door.

Darien swallowed and nodded, looking a little terrified, but still keeping his cool.

"Well, let's not keep my wife and my daughter waiting. Shall we head back downstairs?" Ken asked, gesturing out the door.

Darien nodded, and walked out of the room, trying to walk as fast as he could to get to Serena.

Serena was busy talking to her mother on the couch, laughing, giggling, and whispering to her. She looked towards the stairs when she heard footsteps come down, smiling.

"I bet Dad's already scared him," Serena whispered quickly to her mother before she saw Darien.

Irene grinned. "I'm sure he has."

Serena saw Darien first, then her father trailing behind right after him. Darien's face looked a little pale and nervous. Dad… what did you do to him? She thought as she got up.

Darien saw her and instantly smiled and calmed down a little. He walked over to her and stood by her.

"Have a seat you two," Irene said as she patted on the couch. Darien and Serena obeyed, taking a seat next to each other. "So tell me about yourself Darien," Irene said, looking at her daughter's boyfriend.

"Erm.. what would you like to know?" Darien asked, looking at Serena's mother.

"Anything. Like what do you plan to become, where you live, your family, anything," Irene said, crossing her legs gently, smiling up at him.

"Well, I'm planning to be a doctor actually," Darien began nervously. "I live in California with my friend Andrew right now and… well, I don't have a family," he ended, scratching his head. Serena looked up at him, and took his hand reassuringly, giving is a squeeze.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know," Irene said, suddenly feeling sad and guilty.

"No, it's fine," Darien said, shrugging it off.

Ken took a seat across from Darien and Serena, eyeing them both cautiously. "What kind of doctor are you planning to become?" Ken suddenly asked.

Darien looked up into Ken's face, his blue eyes boring into his. "Either a family doctor, or a surgeon, sir," Darien answered.

Ken nodded, smiling.

Irene got up, straightening herself up. "Well I bet you two are starved! Let me set up everything, and we'll all eat together," she said sweetly, heading towards the kitchen.

Serena got up as well, letting go of Darien's hand. "I'll help you," she said following her mom. Darien looked up at her, looking a little afraid. She gave him a wink, and walked off.

Crap, Darien thought as he turned back towards Ken's stare. Darien gave him a weak smile, and pretended to look comfortable, looking around the house. "You have a nice house," Darien said, trying to make conversation.

"Thank you," Ken said, not taking his eye off of Darien. "So tell me Darien, how did you meet Serena?" he asked, looking interested.

"I met her at a café," Darien answered, glancing at Ken quickly.

Ken nodded. "And what was it about her that 'caught your eye' so to speak?"

"Her personality," Darien answered truthfully.

"Personality," Ken repeated, resting his chin in his hands. "So you didn't want to date her because you thought she was pretty or something…"

"Well.. yeah, I think she's pretty. She's beautiful," Darien said quickly. "But.. I mean.. I didn't want to date her because of that soul reason. I like her. A lot… sir," Darien finished, started to get jittery and nervous again.

Ken just looked nodded at Darien and didn't say anything more. But he never took his eyes off of Darien either. It was like he was trying to read him like a book.

Darien glanced nervously at the floor, not knowing what to say.

Suddenly, Ken asked," You're not trying to take advantage of my daughter, are you Darien?"

"What? No! I would never do that," Darien answered quickly, his eyebrows furrowing together. "I wouldn't pressure her into doing anything she wouldn't want to do," Darien added.

"So you're saying that if she lets you take advantage of her, then you would because she would want you to?"

"Yes.. I mean no… I mean…" Darien answered, starting to get confused. He was getting a little aggravated, and Ken could tell.

"Dinner's ready!" Irene yelled from the kitchen.

Darien stood up quickly, and headed towards the dinner table, walking away from Ken as quick as he could. Saved, he thought quickly. He's trying to get me to say things I don't mean and use it against me! He thought angrily.

Serena came out, carrying a bowl of salad, smiling happily. She glanced at Darien and saw the look on his face and she knew her father had said something to him. Her face immediately turned glum.

Ken got to the table, looking at the variety of food spread across it. He rubbed his hand together," Looks delicious sweetheart," he said to Serena and Irene.

"I'm gonna go see if your mom needs help with anything," Darien said as he went into the kitchen with Irene.

Serena smiled at him and nodded. Then she made her way over to her dad, and lowered her head to his ears. "Dad, what did you say to him?" she whispered.

"What are you talking about honey?" he said, looking innocent.

"Dad! Just stop whatever you're doing to him ok?" Serena said, frustratingly.

Ken looked at his furious daughter as she stormed back into the kitchen. He frowned at his daughter. He's got her in some kind of spell! He's completely brainwashed her, Ken thought.

The truth was, was that Ken couldn't bring himself to admit that his daughter was a woman now. And the fact that she has a boyfriend, and from what he could see, a serious boyfriend. He didn't like the thought of that at all. Not one bit.