Summary: Serena's and Darien's professional careers cross paths. The more they work together, the closer they become. Will they give in to their desires or remain stubborn and distant? Modern day, no senshi, UM love story.

Disclaimer: Naoko Takeuchi owns Sailor Moon. I claim no ownership of it! Only of this story, which is all mine! This is my first attempt at fanfiction! Enjoy!

Author's Note: More of an informative chapter. Exciting chapters to follow though! =) So sorry it took like two years to update! I will keep up with my stories now that I have free time!

As always, thank you to all the fans of this story who are following, have reviewed, sent messages, and made a favorite! I really appreciate it all and look forward to many, many more chapters for this story!

Enjoy! =)

Loveology

Chapter 4: The Diagnosis

ERR ERR ERR ERR ERR

Serena's alarm was sounding. She fumbled to find the annoying contraption's button to shut the thing up. "Urgh, I'm never drinking again," she declared with a croak. Regret was felt as she slowly pulled herself up and away from her comfy bed. She stumbled to her bathroom, hoping the room wouldn't start spinning or she wouldn't get the queasy-feeling associated with too much alcohol.

Serena took a cold shower to help wake her up. As oddly refreshing as the cold water was, she had a terrible headache. After the shower, she rummaged through her medicine cabinet to find the Tylenol. Only two capsules left. 'That should help me until I reach the hospital...' she surmised. She swallowed the capsules with tap water before she attempted to scrub her teeth and tongue to rid her breath of that lingering alcohol smell. A swish of Listerine helped rid it completely.

With a few dabs of concealer under her eyes for the dark circles due to little sleep, a little bit of blush, and brushes of mascara on each eye, she was finished with her make-up. As she combed her hair, she thought of ways she could style it. She didn't have time for anything fancy, so she opted for a mid-length wrap around ponytail. This hairdo displayed her dangling pearl earrings that accentuated the middle of her face. Not that she needed any help. Serena had perfect skin sans make-up.

Choosing a white scoop neck top contrast-waist with black-embroidered lace dress that hugged her curves like spandex, she grabbed a pair of classic black open-toed heels. Her doctor's coat would highlight the contrast. Placed around her neck was her first-class cardiology-grade stethoscope that she took everywhere with her. Most times she had it suspended from her rear-view mirror when she wasn't in a hospital setting.

Making her way downstairs, she became aware of a delicious aroma. Reaching the kitchen, she found Mina pouring what looked-to-be pancake batter on the griddle. "What are you doing up so early?" Serena queried of Mina while grabbing a piece of bacon.

"I have a meeting with a new client today. I completely forgot about it until my phone alerted me of it twenty minutes ago." Her back was towards Serena – she was peeking under the bubbling batter to see if it was ready to be flipped over.

"Oh. So much for having a relaxing day at the beach," Serena teased, filling a travel mug with a smoothie Mina made for her every day. It was composed of fruits, veggies, Greek yogurt, and juice.

"Very funny. So, how did it go with Bryson?" Mina eagerly inquired, giving Serena her full attention with a grin.

"Nothing happened. He left a few hours ago." Serena shrugged, tightening the lid of her travel mug and took a sip of it.

Mina gasped, "What happened? Why did he leave?" She looked perplexed.

"Relax, Mina. Everything is fine. We just fell asleep on the loungers. When we woke up, we both realized we needed to be up early and needed the rest." Serena appeased. "Speaking of which, you will need to give Nolan a ride home."

"No worries. I can do that on my way." Mina glanced around, making sure Nolan wasn't up yet. "He is't as good as I remembered! Even with the alcohol – blah!" She whispered and gave a bored look before she flipped the pancake.

"Wow, the infamous play-boy, not living up to his reputation. Tsk tsk tsk," Serena laughed. "Listen, I gotta go, but I will see you when I get off tonight." She grabbed her keys and headed for the garage door.

"Okay, have a good day!" Mina called out to her, taking her pancake off and putting it on a plate.

"Thanks, you too!" Serena replied as she closed the garage door. She made her way to her Tahoe and prepared for the hour and a half drive.

He just pulled into his parking spot in the hospital's parking garage. This was an area designated for physicians only. There were several parking areas for physicians, but he just preferred this area because it was closest to his office and his neurology floor. Ami parked here too, so he assumed she would have Serena park here as well. He casually looked around to see if he could see her Tahoe. She hadn't arrived yet. It was seven in the morning, so he was a little early.

Shift change was happening with most of the staff. Night nurses were being relieved by the day nurses, the respiratory therapists, the transporters, etc.

Everyone recognized Dr. Shields as he passed them on his way to the cardiology floor. He smiled, offered a wave or a brief acknowledgment and 'hello.' He was donning a charcoal-grey dress shirt with a long red tie and black slacks, under his doctor's coat. His shiny black dress shoes were soundless as he walked on the tile floor and into the elevator.

"Dr. Shields?" Darien was absentmindedly checking the calendar on his phone when he heard someone call his name. He turned to view the man, granting him his attention. "Hi, my name is Dr. Easton, Aspen Easton. I am an Orthopedic Surgeon and I am touring Florida Hospital for a possible permanent location. Anyway, I have read your articles and journal entries and it would be an honor to shake the hand of the man who is single-handedly changing the face of medicine!" He gleamed as he held out an outstretched hand for Darien to take. Darien complied.

"Thank you, Dr. Easton. I appreciate your compliment. I hope you also enjoy this facility and find it welcoming. I'm sure we would love to have you." Darien stated with sincerity and a polite smile.

"Thank you, Dr. Shields! Um, this is my floor, but I hope to chat with you sometime about a proposition for a new trial?" He ambitiously requested as he stepped out of the elevator.

"Of course. Until then, Dr. Easton." Darien said with slight bow as the elevator door began to close.

'That was interesting. What an enthusiastic man...' He silently reflected. He heard the chime, indicating he had reached his destination. Out he went and to the left. There was a long hallway that would lead around to another long hallway and then another. This floor was different from all other floors in that it had three major sections to it.

Florida Hospital is one of the leading Centers of Excellence in the nation for cardiovascular health issues. Because of the hospital's reputation and results, surgeons from around the world travel to this facility to take part in the hospital's Center of Excellence training program, where they witness firsthand the groundbreaking techniques utilized by the hospital's physicians. It's an honor to be asked to come here, as Serena was. They sought her out, not the other way around. Darien smiled as he thought of the blonde-haired beauty.

He neared the room he was seeking and found two raven-haired beauties. Both were standing with their backs to him, one with a regal updo of a knotted chignon and the other with a retro braided updo with bangs, that he couldn't currently see. They were both dressed in designer pant suits, one in all black and the other in red with a splash of white in a Chiffon blouse.

They were talking to the day nurse who just came on. His mother was probably telling the nervous nurse what his mother expected to be her husband's plan of care for the day. His sister adding in when she felt the need to. Darien wasn't sure if he wanted to stop and help the poor nurse or continue on into his father's room. If he stopped, he would have to deal with his mother on the issue of her keeping hush about his father's condition. He preferred to see his father instead. 'Sorry, nurse..'

Walking into his father's room, he noticed the brightness coming in from the windows along the back wall. The sun's rays were peeping through, giving an orange hue to the room. His father was sitting in a reclined chair reading the paper. 'Must be having a good day,' Darien speculated. The TV was quietly playing in the background, a news broadcaster speaking on current events.

"Hey, dad, how'you feelin'?" Darien walked up to him, just stopping a foot away from him. His hands were in his pant pockets, a nostalgic smile graced his handsome face, and curious eyes looked on to his father.

"Son! So good to see you! Come here, my boy!" The fairly well-looking older man chimed, opening his arms. Darien lovingly embraced his father. At his ear, Darien affirmed, "I know it goes without saying, but I love you, dad." Darien wasn't sure why he said it. He just didn't want to take any chances with his father's condition changing dramatically from one day to the next.

"Oh, son! No need to worry your pretty little head – I'll be fine!" The salt and pepper-haired man chuckled.

"I thought I heard voices. Darien, it's good to see you." His mother, Castalla, smiled, her hazel eyes portraying a soft smile as well. Just then, his sister walked in.

"Dare! I feel like I haven't seen you in weeks!" She ran in, giving him a big hug. Her violet colored eyes gave the illusion of a purple hue from this angle.

"Hi, Rei." He hugged back with a sympathetic smile. "I'm sorry that it has been a while. It won't happen again. I'm clearing my schedule. Family comes first," he determined, looking to his father.

"Oh, Darien, we know how busy you are. You are an excellent physician and your patients need you. We understand. Don't beat yourself up," Castalla comforted, still standing in the doorway.

With bitter annoyance Darien asked his mother, "Is that why I wasn't notified of his condition sooner?" Darien gave a nod in his father's direction for emphasis. "I should have been notified immediately!" Castalla's mouth went tight, but she said nothing. Darien had angry eyes directed to his mother.

"Don't even start you two. I won't have our happy reunion soured by your animosity towards each other." Rei hissed at Darien and her mother as she released him.

"Everyone, calm down," it was Dastian, their father, now who spoke. Even though he was in his chair, hooked up to monitors, you couldn't tell his unstable condition with his authoritative tone. "Darien, do not be mad at your mother. I asked her not to tell you." Dastian folded the paper evenly and set it down, removing his glasses.

"Wh-what? Why?" Darien stammered. Castalla walked in now, rubbing her arms and looking down.

Dastian let out a sigh. "Darien, you already have so much on your plate. I don't need you concerning yourself with my condition. I knew you would focus all of your energy on me instead of where it should be – on your patients and on your trials. You are being nominated for the most prestigious award. I know how hard you have worked for this, you deserve this, and I refuse to be the one to keep you from achieving it. Not to mention you would be driving your sister insane with the company business." Dastian glanced towards Rei who nodded in agreement. "Besides, your mother found the finest Cardiologist in the country. I'm in good hands."

Darien didn't realize how quickly his mind went from his father to the aforementioned Cardiologist. That reminded him of what she had told him the night before – about seeking a consultation from him on his father. He went back to what his father was saying.

"Enough of this. Quit treating me like a child. Nothing is more important than my family – than you. A stupid award cannot replace you if anything were to happen. My reputation, this hospital's reputation, the family business – none of it matters if my family isn't here." Darien was offended, hurt, angry. "I need some air." Darien stated, leaving the room abruptly.

"Dare." Rei called out to him. Castalla tried reaching for his arm as he walked passed, but he jerked it away.

"Let him be. He probably needs a little alone time to decompress." Dastian suggested.

xx

Darien didn't want to take the hallways or the elevators in case someone wanted to chat him up. He went straight towards the stairs. From the third floor, which he was on, he practically flew down the steps. He just needed to breathe in fresh air and cool himself off. It seemed stuffy in the hospital. The morning air would help calm him so he could consider all that was said.

Once he reached outside, he felt relief wash over him. He ripped off his doctor's coat and hung it over a railing nearby. He loosened his tie and took a deep breath. He just didn't understand their reasoning. It's like they didn't even know him. How could they treat him like a child. 'This is ridiculous!' He was pacing, one hand on his hip, the other rubbing his forehead.

"Darien?" He didn't hear her approach him and his name was barely heard over his thoughts. He almost ran into her.
"Serena?" Darien was briefly dumbfounded to find her there. For some reason he felt he was at his parent's house until he realized her coat and stethoscope. It brought him back to his location: the physician's parking lot.

"Is everything okay?" Serena looked at him with concern.

Darien looked at her and saw worry in her glauccous blue eyes. He turned away, resting his hands on the railing that was holding his coat.

"Is your father okay? I was just on my way to see him." Serena claimed.

"Yeah, he's fine. You can go up and see him." He insisted, still focusing on the spot he was staring at on the ground in front of him. Serena couldn't help but hear the anger in his voice. She wanted to console him for whatever was bothering him.

"Okay, I will see you up there then." She placed a comforting hand on his side, near his lower back. He couldn't help but close his eyes at the warmth of her touch and submerge in the pleasure it brought him. He felt himself relax. He let out a deep sigh. Maybe he was overreacting. He was probably just full of worry for his father and just tired from overworking. He needed to apologize. Now was not the time to be angry, especially with his father being hospitalized. Darien would never forgive himself if his last conversation with his father was a resentful one.

KNOCK KNOCK

Serena appeared at Dastian's door, hovering in the doorway with a soft smile. All eyes turned to her.

"Dr. Lunarea, please come in." Castalla allowed, waving her hand for Serena to come forth.

Serena walked in and bowed slightly, "Good morning, Mr. Shields, Mrs. Shields, and -" Serena looked at each individual respectively, and stopped when she reached Rei. She didn't know who Rei was. She wondered if this breath-taking woman was Darien's sister. She looked too much like Mrs. Shields to be a girlfriend of Darien's.

"Rei," Rei supplied her name to Serena. "Good morning." She couldn't help but take in the blonde's appearance. She was stunning and young. Not at all who she imagined to be one of the top Cardiologists in the country.

"Good morning, Rei." Serena outreached her hand to shake Rei's. Rei took her hand and gave a firm hand shake. They were almost sizing one another up. Neither knowing what the other's reason being.

Turning her attention to Dastian, Serena asked, "How are you feeling today, Mr. Shields?" She opened his chart to write down his responses in a Progress Note.

"My energy is back, though my blood pressure and heart rate may have risen a bit since this morning..." he replied, thinking of the ordeal that took place with Darien.

Serena frowned, knowing Darien was probably involved. She wondered what transpired between them. "Okay. Let me check it out." Serena pulled the stethoscope off her neck and plugged the ear tips in her ears, taking the chest piece over Dastian's heart to start the chest auscultations.

"Hmm, everything still sounds the same – typical of your condition. It's not worse, so that's good. Seems like the EPS drug trial is working in your favor." Serena gave a genuine smile. "I want to check the results of the Holter monitor, the stress testing, and the EP study again. I may need a consult if my findings are conclusive. Let me go review those results and I'll be back in to explain the best course of action." She stood up, speaking to everyone now. "Hang tight. Things are starting to look up" She gave a reassuring smile and walked out of the room.

"Thanks, Dr. Lunarea." They all appreciated.

Darien noticed Serena's figure standing at the nurse's station when he exited the stairwell entry. She was looking at the hand-held portable device that displayed patient's electronic medical records. That particular chart was probably his father's. From this view, he could see the long length of her blonde hair, reaching to her toned, shapely calf muscles. Her heels added height to her already long, slender legs. He was captivated by this woman already and he hardly knew her. A lump in his throat formed as he realized what she could do to him by modestly showing off her lower legs. Heaven forbid he ever see her in a bikini, let alone anything less! He resisted heading her way, even though she asked him for a consult. He needed to speak with his family first.

As he walked in the room, he shut the door behind him.

"Dar-" Rei started to say before Darien interrupted.

"Let me speak. I want to apologize for my earlier outbursts. It was absurd and uncalled for. My intentions were not to cause an argument or to be bitter in the process. Again, I am sorry." He exhaled loudly. He didn't realize he was holding his breath in as he spoke.

Rei and Castalla stood up to hug Darien.

"Darien, honey, I'm sorry. We should have told you. I promise it won't happen again," Castalla assured.

"No, it won't happen again because dad is going to get better. That, I promise." Darien declared, his eyes shifted to his father.

Rei smiled and hugged him again. "I love you, Darien. You are a good man. I've gotta go though. I will see you at the office tomorrow?" Rei needed to verify with Darien as she gave her parents hugs as well.

"Yes, I will be there an hour before the meeting," he confirmed.

"Make sure you have Sarah draft up the quarterly revenue cycle and don't let Jonathon forget the international list of investors..." Dastian reminded Rei. There was a very important meeting for their company, Shields Financial Enterprises, Inc. It could possibly bring in more investors and their capital for financial backing. Dastian was dismayed that he would be missing it.

"I can handle it, dad," Rei held out her hand, giving him an, 'I got this!' impression.

"We will handle it and make you proud." Darien interjected.

"Yes! Love you guys!" Rei declared before opening the door to leave.

As she was leaving, Serena walked in behind her. "Pardon my intrusion – Darien, may I have a word with you, please?"

'Darien? When did they meet? And since when has she been on a first name basis with him?' Castalla mulled. This certainly wasn't unnoticed by Rei either. She turned to look at the woman who was leaning in her father's room. Rei didn't have time to linger, however. There was much to do before the meeting tomorrow. She would make Darien explain himself when she saw him in the morning.

Darien excused himself from his parents and followed Serena to the nurse's station. He inhaled her wild-flower scent, wondering if it was a perfume, shampoo, or just her natural scent. With the hand-held device in her hand, she met his eyes before starting. He was smiling down at her and she couldn't help but smile back with a blush.

"So these are your father's results." She turned to position herself so she was just about flush with his side, inclining and slanting the device so he could see better. A brush of her hips was felt on his thigh for the briefest of seconds and he heard an intake of breath come from her. A wide grin formed on his face as he sensed she was having just as much woe about him as he was of her.

Her delicate fingers expertly navigated the device, showing all the test results and explaining her findings as she went through each result. She could feel his heated breath on her neck as she breathed in his musky scent laced with citrus, sage, and a hint of lavender. Her senses were in overdrive, as well as her emotions. It took everything she could muster to focus on the task at hand.

"As you can see, all the results seem to point to the neurocardio axis. I would like to seek your expertise on this matter." Serena looked up at him, awaiting his response.

"I agree, it does look like that may be the issue. I can have some tests ran today. Hopefully I can have those results to you by this evening. I will be out tomorrow, but if I need to, I can swing by to check out the results and let you know." His jaw clenched and unclenched as he had listened to her. The close proximity of them was quickening his pulse. He jokingly thought of how appropriate her career choice was.

"That's great! Let's go let them know." Serena smiled optimistically while turning in the direction of his father's room. The warm feeling she was having started to subside once she left his presence. She wasn't sure if that was a good thing or bad thing. 'Oh, what this man does to me!' she puzzled.

Walking in Dastian's room, Serena greeted them again and motioned to Darien as she spoke.

"Looking over your test results, we believe we found the root cause of most of your issues." Serena spoke first.

"I would like to have some neuro tests done today to find out for sure." Darien finished.

"So, what is it?" Castalla asked, curious.

There was a silent pause. Neither knew if the other would want to volunteer the information first.

"We believe it's the neurocardiac axis causing the issues. We won't know for sure until we find out the results to some of these tests I want you to do." Darien briefed.

"The neurocardiac axis links the cardiovascular and nervous systems to physiological problems." Castalla recalled from her infinite wisdom of the medical books she continued reading long after her degrees, exams, and titles.

"Yes, and these problems are related to the fundamental factor of stress on the body, as well as contributing to the imbalance of the nervous system and physiological function." Darien volunteered.

"Moreover, the brain can control the heart rate through the sympathetic nervous system." Serena finished, sending a small smile to Darien. This woman continued impressing him with her profound knowledge on various subjects.

The connection between Darien and Serena was blatantly obvious to Dastian and Castalla.

"I'm excited about our prompt progress in regards to your condition. My goal is to have you feeling yourself in no time." Serena cheerfully expressed with a warm smile.

"Thank you, Dr. Lunarea. I appreciate your hard work and diligence concerning my health. We are thankful to have you with us." Dastian praised.

"Yes, Dr. Lunarea. We are very thankful and lucky to have you. I shall personally see to it that you receive a generous compensation package, signifying our appreciation." Castalla sincerely proclaimed with gratitude.

"It's really not necessary..." Serena protested.

"Nonsense. You deserve it and we won't take 'no' for an answer." Dastian retorted.

"If you insist... Now, if you will excuse me, I have a few reports I must type up." She blushed and gave a slight bow. "Darien, let me know when you have the results, please." Was requested of him.

"Of course. I will call for you as soon as I do." He teased with his smoldering eyes and wicked grin. Serena's hue drastically turned scarlet. His smile widened.

"Thank you. Have a good day." she returned with a charming smirk.

Castalla had watched the scenes between the two from the moment Serena requested her son's attention. She witnessed the fervor emanating between the two when their eyes roamed over one another and how desire was held at bay when their bodies grazed each other and the excitement conveyed from their closeness.

"I know of your oath to not mix business with pleasure. I hope that it is indeed something you still honor?" She presumed, though wasn't quite sure. Never had she doubted him before. Something was unique with Serena...and different with her son when he was with her. Something that he never displayed with any other woman.

"I can assure you, my oath is still very much intact." Darien confirmed. 'His oath.' He didn't have this particular blonde goddess in mind when he made up his silly oath.

It was nearly nightfall when he saw her again. He personally saw to all of his father's neuro tests, so he was busy most of the day. He needed to review his results with her and decide on a plan of care for his father.

On the Cardiovascular floor, he looked around, but saw no sign of her. He thought she may be in the physician's lounge, so he made his way back to the elevator. Once the doors opened, he recognized a familiar munsell-haired, pixie-cut woman.

"Ami! How are you this evening?" He inquired, stepping into the elevator. He saw the floor "1" button highlighted so pressed nothing and put his hands in his pockets. He leaned on the wall of the elevator with his shoulder, facing her.

"Hello, Darien! I'm good. Heading home now. It's been a really long day," she emphasized with a slight yawn that she covered with her dainty watch-covered wrist.

"Oh. Well, have you seen Serena by chance?" He asked as he fumbled with a little piece of paper in his pocket. He took it out, exposing a business card – Serena's. He didn't even think to call her or have her paged.

"She mentioned you were doing tests for your father. How is he doing?" She politely inquired.

The elevator doors opened, revealing the first floor. They stepped out and walked the long hallway that lead to their designated destinations.

"He is doing much better and we think we may have found the underlying issue of his condition. I wanted to go over the results with Serena so we could determine an appropriate treatment plan that could hopefully help one issue and with that issue resolved, we could move on to this next issue."

"I'm so happy to hear about his progress. I really hope it's all resolved soon."

"Thanks, Ami. Me, too"

They reached Ami's destination, the door that lead to the physician's parking area. Ami stopped at the door and turned to Darien.

"Of course. Oh, I last heard Serena was heading to the cafe. You may find her there." Ami retrieved her keys from her doctor's coat. "And, Darien?"

"Yes?"

"FYI, Stevenson is back from vacation." She grimaced, holding the bar to the door. "Good night, Dare!" she pushed the door opened and walked out.

"Thanks, Ami! Good night!" Darien hollered after her and he walked briskly to the cafe.

'Stevenson... damn philanderer.' Dr. Jared Stevenson was a Hospitalist who rotated between the six closest hospitals. Luckily, he only stayed in one location for no more than a month. 'Guess his month was starting here...' Darien involuntarily sneered. Stevenson had a notorious reputation for wooing and bedding women and had no qualms of mixing business with pleasure. He was almost relentless when he set his sights on a woman. 'With Serena here, most certainly Stevenson would turn his attention to her.'

She was sitting at a table near a window with a discarded newspaper in her lap, drinking what he assumed to be a cup of coffee. Her legs were crossed and she was leaning back in her chair, playing with a napkin as she listened to the man sitting across from her. He didn't recognize the man. The man was turned slightly so that his back was to Darien.

A possessive instinct of her came over Darien. With his jaw clenched, he made his way over to her. As he approached, he caught her attention. A beautiful, full smile was given to him as she stood up to greet him. Darien's animosity towards the man eased a bit as Serena's affection for him seemed to transcend whatever view she had of the man across from her. Following suit, the man stood up as well.

"Darien, I see you were able to get the results tonight – that's wonderful." Her eyes gleamed as she spoke to him.

"Yes, I was. I would like to review them with you before I leave, if that's alright?" He returned with a grin, ignoring the other man.

Serena was aware of this. Not neglecting her manners, she introduce the two.

"Darien, this is Bryson." She indicated to Bryson with her hand. "Bryson, this is Dr. Darien Shields." Her hand did the same with Darien. The omission of relationship status did not go unnoticed. Darien observed the man to be a few inches shorter than him.

Bryson extended his hand and Darien accepted. "Nice to meet you, sir." Bryson remarked.

"Pleasure. I apologize for the interruption, but I need to steal Dr. Lunarea for a few."

"Of course." Bryson nodded. "Sere, I will wait in the main lobby for you." He raised his fist, extending his thumb to point in the direction.

"Okay, it shouldn't take long. Maybe twenty minutes, tops?" She suggested.

"No problem." He smiled. "Doctor." Bryson indicated to Darien with a nod as he walked off.

Darien just nodded and turned to Serena. "Shall we?" He waved his hand in the direction Bryson took so she could lead through the double doors of the cafe.

"If you don't mind me asking, who is Bryson to you?" Darien asked as they continued walking down the same hallway he used earlier. He could not let it go and felt the need to know exactly who that man was to her. Darien would describe Bryson to be attractive, but he certainly wasn't envious of the man for his looks.

Serena blushed but her laughing grin said it all. 'He's jealous!'' She speculated. "He is just an old friend." She simply stated.

"Should there be a 'boy' in front of that friend?" Darien pried childishly.

Her laughter filled his ears and wrapped his heart.

"It was a very long time ago. Probably ten years now. We are just friends." She guaranteed.

"Oh."

His expression made her feel like she should explain more – offer details. Why she felt the need to explain, she didn't know, but she wanted to.

"He is in town for a bit and asked if he could take me to dinner. That's really all it is." She gave him a reassuring smile.

"Serena, please. You don't have to feel the need to explain yourself to me. It's not like you need my permission or anything... I don't mean to sound..."

"It's okay. You don't. Now, what about your father?"

About twenty minutes later, Darien walked Serena back to the hallway that would lead her to Bryson. He didn't want her to go to diner with him, but what could he do.

"Hey, what are you doing on Saturday?" Darien happily asked.

She had to think what day Saturday was. She pulled out her phone to check her calendar. "Hmm, nothing yet. Why?"

"Well, I'm having friends come over to my place for a get-together before the award ceremony that evening. I was wondering if you wanted to come? Ami will be there!" He felt that would help persuade her decision. He didn't want her to feel uncomfortable with a bunch of his friends – strangers to her.

"...And I was wondering if maybe you would like to attend the award ceremony with me?" He didn't know why but he was nervous and felt like he was asking the most popular girl in school to go to prom with him.

"Sure, sounds like fun! What time?" She beamed.

He was elated! "Probably eleven or twelve? We'll have a barbecue for lunch, some fun in the sun, and a few dips in the pool..." His mind attempted to picture her in a bikini. He swallowed hard.

"Would it be okay if I invited my sister to come along with me?"

"Of course. Make sure you both bring swim suits, a few change of clothes, and something appropriate for a black tie event."

"Oh, wow. Okay."

"If it's not too presumptuous of me, perhaps you should bring clothes to wear to the football game on Sunday as well? It will end up being a long day and I wouldn't want the two of you to have to drive all the way back home. I have plenty of guest rooms you two can stay in. I promise, I will be a gentleman." He crossed his heart with his finger as he said that. "And we will need to leave early on Sunday to make the game on time. It seems unnecessary to do all that driving in a day's time. Your sister can hang out at my place if she wants until we return?"

"Did you just think of all of this now?" She asked with amazement.

"Actually, yes. Can't have Bryson having all the fun." He gave a wink.

Serena continued smiling, now with pink-tinted cheeks. She didn't believe the smile ever left since she had been in his presence.

"It all sounds wonderful. Can't wait for Saturday then."

"I'm glad." He was sincere. "I will text you my address." He reached for her hand. Serena was confused as to what he was doing until she watched him place her hand to his lips where he ever-so gently placed a soft kiss, never averting his eyes as he did so. She gulped and felt her knees would give.

"Have fun at dinner, Serena." He smiled and turned to walk away. She gave a deep sigh.

Dinner went well. They talked about the good times they shared, old memories, and about their present lives. After dinner, Bryson asked Serena if she wanted to take a walk around the lake. There were restaurants and shops, even a movie theatre that aligned the lake. The moon was invisible, so the only light came from the pathway lighting.

"Thanks for coming to dinner with me," Bryson said as he stopped them both. He reached for her hand. It was her other hand, not the one Darien tenderly kissed earlier. She felt the butterflies in her stomach as she recalled his romanticism.

Bryson mistook her loud exhale as a reaction to his touch. He pulled her close and brought his lips to hers. Her body was sensitized from the thought of Darien and his delicate kiss that she allowed Bryson to intensify the feeling.

He pinned her wrists to the railing that enclosed the lake. The kiss was filled with hunger long denied. With his lips crushing hers, his tongue sliding deep, as if he couldn't get enough of her taste. She was as sexy and as soft as he remembered her to be. Her taste hadn't changed, but she was hesitating. Not wanting the moment to end, he pressed his thigh between her legs, lifting her slightly off the ground, and rubbing gently, but firmly against her.

His hands were familiar on her skin, bringing back lost memories. Letting her hands go so he could explore her once memorized body, she felt herself using her hands to push him away instead of roaming him in return.

"Da-on't, please," she caught herself before she said his name. "Bryson, we-I can't do this." Serena's breathing was deep and loud from the excitement. She was thankful for the burnt-out lamp post they were under.

"Christ, Serena, I've missed you." He stopped his advances, but he still held her in the same position, not daring to move or let her go just yet. "I hoped to remind you how we felt together..."

"Bryson, I don't mind seeing you as a friend. Please, let me know every time you are in town. I just can't see you as a lover anymore."

"I'm so sorry, Serena. For everything I've ever said or done to you. I know I should have said it back then. I guess my pride outweighed my heart."

Serena felt tears threaten to spill. 'Why would he tell me this now? Of all the times he could have...'

"I forgive you. I'll always hold a special place in my heart for you." She cupped his face with her hands and gave him a comforting kiss on his forehead.

He smiled and gently released her. He had to adjust himself in his pants. "This is going to hurt for a while. Guess I deserve that though."

Serena gave a light laugh. "Sorry. I shouldn't have let it progress that far."

"No, I'm glad you did, in a sense. It's the best closure I could ask for." He admitted.

She pushed him away teasingly.

"Thanks for seeing me while I was here."

"Like I said, let me know when you are down. I would love to catch up, anytime."