~*AN*~
Sorry it's been so long since I've last updated, but I posted another story to keep everyone busy in the mean time while I finish up this chapter. Been busy with exams and classes, so be a little patient.
~*Chapter XVI: Trial & Error*~
Pulling the parking lot of a local bar, Darien got out of his black Porsche and headed inside to meet Michael, whom he had been speaking to on the phone earlier.
"Did you find out what I asked you to?" questioned Darien, looking around to make sure no familiar faces were present.
"Yeah, I sent off the papers and samples just a short while ago, they should arrive at the clinic tomorrow morning. My guess is, you'll receive a result by the end of the week," answered Michael. "Now would you mind telling me what's going on?" he added after taking a sip of the scotch he had been holding onto.
"I'm trying to find out if I fathered a child or not," said Darien bluntly, receiving a chocked reaction from his business associate/friend.
"What? Seriously?" Michael responded after his fit of coughs died down. "Wait 'til the boys hear about this," he muttered, wiping his shirt clean. "How'd this happen? And do I know her?" he threw in quickly.
"High school sweetheart. Well, sort of at least. She was in high school and I was in my freshman year at the university," answered Darien briefly.
"Wow, I didn't think there was anything the guys and I didn't know about you, but I guess there is more to you than meets the eye," Michael managed to say. They talked about a few things while Darien told him of the relationship he had with Serena and how she left him out of the blue a few years ago. "So you think the kid might be yours?' wondered Michael, after Darien finished his story.
"Yeah, I mean, the boy is around that age. What else am I to assume?" replied Darien, finishing off his Hennessey.
"So you guys slept together? When she was still in high school? Damn Darien, I knew you liked them young, but dating high school chicks is a whole new level dude. You were rocking the cradle for a while there,' laughed Michael.
"Quiet you moron! What are you trying to do, get me arrested?" Darien seethed.
"Sorry," whispered Michael, looking around quickly.
"I don't even remember if we even went that far. All I know is that we did some pretty crazy things back then. So maybe it did or never happened at all, that's why I asked you to help me find out," came Darien's confession.
"What are you going to do if he's your son man?" wondered Michael suddenly.
"I already filed for custody, once the results come back, I'll have my proof to win the case," answered Darien. He wasn't going to let Serena run away with a piece of himself again, not this time at least.
~Tsukino House~
"HE WHAT?!" Ken's voice boomed throughout the house. Word had gotten around that a lawsuit was heading towards the Tsukino family. Once the press got wind of the information, they spread it all over the newspapers like fire. Andrew had called everyone up and they were all meeting at the house to discuss things.
"The nerve of that guy. Who does he think he is? I mean, what right does he even have to try and pull a stunt like this?" asked Mina, pacing back and forth impatiently.
"Actually, he might have ever right. No one really knows who fathered Keith, so he might have a possible argument," Amy mentioned.
"Amy!" said Lita, shocked at her friend's response. Amy could only send an apologetic look at everyone.
"I just got off the phone with the boys, they're on their way here right now,' announced Ken suddenly.
Ilene was holding onto Keith for dear life, she couldn't believe what was happening. Here she just got reacquainted with her daughter and grandchild, now she might lose him again? Not to mention that her daughter had left Keith under her care when she left, what was she going to tell Serena when she came home? She prayed that her daughter would return soon to settle everything before it got out of hand. Just then the doorbell rang.
"Hi, sorry it took us so long, but I had to rearrange all my cases so I could personally handle this one," babbled Andrew as he and Jason stormed into the living room.
"Hello," Jason said quickly before taking a seat beside Mina and smiling at everyone.
"So, how do things look?" asked Mina before anyone could say hello to the boys.
"Not good, there isn't any proof against Darien's claim, so we're going to have to duke it out in court. If only Sere were here, then we would have access to her personal files and rub this case all over his face," said Andrew tiredly.
~Meanwhile in Osaka~
"Sorry Ms. Moon, we don't have any available flights back to Tokyo for another two days," said the operator courteously.
'Damn it,' I cursed inwardly. "Okay, thanks anyways," I said before hanging up. Looks like I'm going to have to wait to see my baby. 'I hope he's doing okay,' I thought before going to bed. I was tired from calling around to all the airlines and looking for a flight home, not to mention all the worries that were running through my mind.
~End of Week~
"So in theory you honor, Darien Shields really has no case against the Tsukino family, nor the right to take Keith from them," commented Andrew to everyone in the courtroom.
"Objection! There isn't any proof whose child this is. All my client is asking for is to see if the child is his or not. And if it so turns out that he is my client's son, then he wishes to have the privileges any father is given, argued Darien's lawyer.
The case went on like this for over half an hour before the judge called for a recess. Neither party was really ahead of the other since there wasn't any proof in favor or against them. When court resumed, everyone came back and the arguing continued on for another hour.
"Sir, I have here in my hands, proof that could very well slide this case in our favor," said Darien's lawyer suddenly. Just as he was about the approach the bench, a figure stormed into the courtroom.
"Sorry to interrupt your honor, but my files are confidential and protected by law to remain concealed from anyone other than myself or the government. That file cannot be used in this courtroom I'm afraid," I shouted as I entered the room, smiling before walking over to Andrew's table and taking a seat beside him.
"Who might you be miss?" asked the judge after all the whispers died down, he was curious as to why I had cause such a commotion.
"Serena Moon, mother of the child in question," I stated calmly.
"Well Ms. Moon, would you kindly explain to me why you files are confidential?" the judge asked while pointing at Darien's table.
"A few years ago, after my son was born, I went to court and had his documents sealed so that no one would try to dig up any information on him. It was to protect my reputation from being slandered by the press since I am a well know designer," I answered thoroughly.
"Do you have proof of this?" the judge once again questioned me.
"Yes, these are my court documents," I replied, handing a folder to the officer that had approached my table.
"Objection! That shouldn't be upheld in this case. How else will we find out this child's background information?" yelled Darien's lawyer suddenly, receiving a glare from me.
"Actually, according to these papers, by law I have to keep that information confidential. What I am allowed to do though, is ask you to help me out so we can conclude this case, Ms. Moon," replied the judge after glancing at the paperwork.
"Of course, my son's father's name is stated in those documents, so you can let the plaintiff know where he stands in this case," I pointed out as everyone looked on in shock. No one had said a word after I arrived and it was beginning to feel unnerving.
"Right, then I order this case dismissed to lack of argument from plaintiff. I'm sorry Mr. Shields, but it seems that you have no case here, considering the facts, which clearly shows that you are not this child's biological father," the judge informed everyone as I smirked.
"If I'm not, then who the hell is?!" yelled Darien angrily.
"Control yourself or I'll have you thrown in jail for contempt!" ordered the judge, shocked at Darien's outburst since he had remained silent the entire time. "Besides, that information is private, so I can't tell you nor anyone else!" he added before getting up to leave.
"Oh my god, Sere! Thank god you got here just in time!" cried mina happily.
"I know, I'm so sorry I left you all," I said, scooping Keith into my arms and holding him tightly. "Sorry baby, Mama is here now," I whispered into his ears and kissed his head as Darien and his lawyers stormed by quickly.
"Where were you Sere?' asked Andrew quietly. With that said, I felt bad for causing so much trouble for everyone. They all looked so exhausted, especially Andrew and Jason. Their smiles didn't even reach their eyes anymore. What made me feel worse was the hurt look in Andrew's eyes. I had left him without a word after things happened.
"We'll talk later," I mouthed at him quickly. "Sorry everyone, I was in Osaka resting and relaxing my mind," I answered quietly. We started walking out of the courthouse as I told them of my short vacation. We headed back to my parents' house to eat and talk about things. After I put Keith to bed, the conversations continued on for another hour or so.
"That's when I found out about the case and headed up there," I finished.
"I'm just glad you're home," said my mom happily, holding onto my hand tightly.
"I knew you'd come to your senses sooner or later," my dad added, wrapping a free arm around my shoulder.
"We all are," said Jason, smiling at me. I couldn't even look him in the eye. Not after what I put him through after I left. I felt awful for making him be my messenger.
"Well, it's getting late. We should leave so you can rest," suggested Lita, seeing how uneasy I felt after Jason spoke. She got up and hugged me before everyone followed in her footsteps and got up slowly.
"I'll call you so we can discuss Keith's lab work okay?" Amy said while slipping into her coat and heels. She hugged me briefly before turning to open the door.
"Yeah, night everyone," I replied quietly. Mina hugged me tightly before following the girls outside and leaving. I guess she didn't say anything because she knew I would call her to talk about things once I was ready.
"I'll see you back at the hotel. I went ahead and got you a new room beside mine," Jason interrupted my thoughts. Before I could respond, he placed a kiss on my head and left quickly. My parents went upstairs to bed after seeing only Andrew and I left in the house, I guess they knew we had to talk so gave up some privacy. I slowly turned to face Andrew, still unsure of what to say to him.
"So... Where do I start?" I said, trying to find the right words to say to him.
"How about, I missed you?" suggested Andrew, pulling me into his arms and kissing me passionately. When we parted, I could see tears running down his face.
"Oh Andy! I'm so sorry," I cried, burying my face in his shirt as he held me.
"Why didn't you at least call me?" he asked, shaking as his cries racked his body.
"I was just so upset that I needed to get away. Everything was just too much for me to handle," I answered honestly.
"So it wasn't me?" Andrew questioned, worry filling his beautiful hazel eyes.
"Of course not!" I responded with a laugh, hugging him even tighter than before. "I love you silly, why would I run away from you?" I asked curiously.
"I don't know, I just assumed we were moving too fast for you to handle," stuttered Andrew, looking down at his feet in embarrassment.
"No, it was Darien and Raye. But I guess even running away couldn't keep me from meeting them," I said, sighing dejectedly.
Slowly the conversation headed towards recent events I had missed out on while I was gone. To my astonishment, I learned that Jason was becoming quite attached to Mina! It was unbelievable to my very ears. I was so thrilled that I almost knocked over Andrew while jumping up and down.
After we finished talking, Andrew took me back to his place, where I spent the night. He and I knew it was far too late to head over to the hotel, 1) because I didn't have a key and felt odd disturbing the clerks at such an hour, and 2) because I really wanted to be in his arms for the time being.
I'm not saying that we were intimate with one another, but it was the most amazing nigh I've ever had in my entire life. We stayed up talking to one another while gazing at the beautiful stars. He was so gentle with me that it seemed like my first real encounter with love all over again. None of the times I had shared with Darien could even compare to the way Andrew made me feel. We had candles lit, slow music playing in the background, and a sky full of stars shining down on us while we stared into each other's eyes. I engraved each and every tender caress into my heart as the night wore on and slowly faded away.
~*AN*~
All right, looks like I finally finished this chapter. It only took four times writing and re-writing! Hope everyone liked it! Remember, please read and review!!
Sorry it's been so long since I've last updated, but I posted another story to keep everyone busy in the mean time while I finish up this chapter. Been busy with exams and classes, so be a little patient.
~*Chapter XVI: Trial & Error*~
Pulling the parking lot of a local bar, Darien got out of his black Porsche and headed inside to meet Michael, whom he had been speaking to on the phone earlier.
"Did you find out what I asked you to?" questioned Darien, looking around to make sure no familiar faces were present.
"Yeah, I sent off the papers and samples just a short while ago, they should arrive at the clinic tomorrow morning. My guess is, you'll receive a result by the end of the week," answered Michael. "Now would you mind telling me what's going on?" he added after taking a sip of the scotch he had been holding onto.
"I'm trying to find out if I fathered a child or not," said Darien bluntly, receiving a chocked reaction from his business associate/friend.
"What? Seriously?" Michael responded after his fit of coughs died down. "Wait 'til the boys hear about this," he muttered, wiping his shirt clean. "How'd this happen? And do I know her?" he threw in quickly.
"High school sweetheart. Well, sort of at least. She was in high school and I was in my freshman year at the university," answered Darien briefly.
"Wow, I didn't think there was anything the guys and I didn't know about you, but I guess there is more to you than meets the eye," Michael managed to say. They talked about a few things while Darien told him of the relationship he had with Serena and how she left him out of the blue a few years ago. "So you think the kid might be yours?' wondered Michael, after Darien finished his story.
"Yeah, I mean, the boy is around that age. What else am I to assume?" replied Darien, finishing off his Hennessey.
"So you guys slept together? When she was still in high school? Damn Darien, I knew you liked them young, but dating high school chicks is a whole new level dude. You were rocking the cradle for a while there,' laughed Michael.
"Quiet you moron! What are you trying to do, get me arrested?" Darien seethed.
"Sorry," whispered Michael, looking around quickly.
"I don't even remember if we even went that far. All I know is that we did some pretty crazy things back then. So maybe it did or never happened at all, that's why I asked you to help me find out," came Darien's confession.
"What are you going to do if he's your son man?" wondered Michael suddenly.
"I already filed for custody, once the results come back, I'll have my proof to win the case," answered Darien. He wasn't going to let Serena run away with a piece of himself again, not this time at least.
~Tsukino House~
"HE WHAT?!" Ken's voice boomed throughout the house. Word had gotten around that a lawsuit was heading towards the Tsukino family. Once the press got wind of the information, they spread it all over the newspapers like fire. Andrew had called everyone up and they were all meeting at the house to discuss things.
"The nerve of that guy. Who does he think he is? I mean, what right does he even have to try and pull a stunt like this?" asked Mina, pacing back and forth impatiently.
"Actually, he might have ever right. No one really knows who fathered Keith, so he might have a possible argument," Amy mentioned.
"Amy!" said Lita, shocked at her friend's response. Amy could only send an apologetic look at everyone.
"I just got off the phone with the boys, they're on their way here right now,' announced Ken suddenly.
Ilene was holding onto Keith for dear life, she couldn't believe what was happening. Here she just got reacquainted with her daughter and grandchild, now she might lose him again? Not to mention that her daughter had left Keith under her care when she left, what was she going to tell Serena when she came home? She prayed that her daughter would return soon to settle everything before it got out of hand. Just then the doorbell rang.
"Hi, sorry it took us so long, but I had to rearrange all my cases so I could personally handle this one," babbled Andrew as he and Jason stormed into the living room.
"Hello," Jason said quickly before taking a seat beside Mina and smiling at everyone.
"So, how do things look?" asked Mina before anyone could say hello to the boys.
"Not good, there isn't any proof against Darien's claim, so we're going to have to duke it out in court. If only Sere were here, then we would have access to her personal files and rub this case all over his face," said Andrew tiredly.
~Meanwhile in Osaka~
"Sorry Ms. Moon, we don't have any available flights back to Tokyo for another two days," said the operator courteously.
'Damn it,' I cursed inwardly. "Okay, thanks anyways," I said before hanging up. Looks like I'm going to have to wait to see my baby. 'I hope he's doing okay,' I thought before going to bed. I was tired from calling around to all the airlines and looking for a flight home, not to mention all the worries that were running through my mind.
~End of Week~
"So in theory you honor, Darien Shields really has no case against the Tsukino family, nor the right to take Keith from them," commented Andrew to everyone in the courtroom.
"Objection! There isn't any proof whose child this is. All my client is asking for is to see if the child is his or not. And if it so turns out that he is my client's son, then he wishes to have the privileges any father is given, argued Darien's lawyer.
The case went on like this for over half an hour before the judge called for a recess. Neither party was really ahead of the other since there wasn't any proof in favor or against them. When court resumed, everyone came back and the arguing continued on for another hour.
"Sir, I have here in my hands, proof that could very well slide this case in our favor," said Darien's lawyer suddenly. Just as he was about the approach the bench, a figure stormed into the courtroom.
"Sorry to interrupt your honor, but my files are confidential and protected by law to remain concealed from anyone other than myself or the government. That file cannot be used in this courtroom I'm afraid," I shouted as I entered the room, smiling before walking over to Andrew's table and taking a seat beside him.
"Who might you be miss?" asked the judge after all the whispers died down, he was curious as to why I had cause such a commotion.
"Serena Moon, mother of the child in question," I stated calmly.
"Well Ms. Moon, would you kindly explain to me why you files are confidential?" the judge asked while pointing at Darien's table.
"A few years ago, after my son was born, I went to court and had his documents sealed so that no one would try to dig up any information on him. It was to protect my reputation from being slandered by the press since I am a well know designer," I answered thoroughly.
"Do you have proof of this?" the judge once again questioned me.
"Yes, these are my court documents," I replied, handing a folder to the officer that had approached my table.
"Objection! That shouldn't be upheld in this case. How else will we find out this child's background information?" yelled Darien's lawyer suddenly, receiving a glare from me.
"Actually, according to these papers, by law I have to keep that information confidential. What I am allowed to do though, is ask you to help me out so we can conclude this case, Ms. Moon," replied the judge after glancing at the paperwork.
"Of course, my son's father's name is stated in those documents, so you can let the plaintiff know where he stands in this case," I pointed out as everyone looked on in shock. No one had said a word after I arrived and it was beginning to feel unnerving.
"Right, then I order this case dismissed to lack of argument from plaintiff. I'm sorry Mr. Shields, but it seems that you have no case here, considering the facts, which clearly shows that you are not this child's biological father," the judge informed everyone as I smirked.
"If I'm not, then who the hell is?!" yelled Darien angrily.
"Control yourself or I'll have you thrown in jail for contempt!" ordered the judge, shocked at Darien's outburst since he had remained silent the entire time. "Besides, that information is private, so I can't tell you nor anyone else!" he added before getting up to leave.
"Oh my god, Sere! Thank god you got here just in time!" cried mina happily.
"I know, I'm so sorry I left you all," I said, scooping Keith into my arms and holding him tightly. "Sorry baby, Mama is here now," I whispered into his ears and kissed his head as Darien and his lawyers stormed by quickly.
"Where were you Sere?' asked Andrew quietly. With that said, I felt bad for causing so much trouble for everyone. They all looked so exhausted, especially Andrew and Jason. Their smiles didn't even reach their eyes anymore. What made me feel worse was the hurt look in Andrew's eyes. I had left him without a word after things happened.
"We'll talk later," I mouthed at him quickly. "Sorry everyone, I was in Osaka resting and relaxing my mind," I answered quietly. We started walking out of the courthouse as I told them of my short vacation. We headed back to my parents' house to eat and talk about things. After I put Keith to bed, the conversations continued on for another hour or so.
"That's when I found out about the case and headed up there," I finished.
"I'm just glad you're home," said my mom happily, holding onto my hand tightly.
"I knew you'd come to your senses sooner or later," my dad added, wrapping a free arm around my shoulder.
"We all are," said Jason, smiling at me. I couldn't even look him in the eye. Not after what I put him through after I left. I felt awful for making him be my messenger.
"Well, it's getting late. We should leave so you can rest," suggested Lita, seeing how uneasy I felt after Jason spoke. She got up and hugged me before everyone followed in her footsteps and got up slowly.
"I'll call you so we can discuss Keith's lab work okay?" Amy said while slipping into her coat and heels. She hugged me briefly before turning to open the door.
"Yeah, night everyone," I replied quietly. Mina hugged me tightly before following the girls outside and leaving. I guess she didn't say anything because she knew I would call her to talk about things once I was ready.
"I'll see you back at the hotel. I went ahead and got you a new room beside mine," Jason interrupted my thoughts. Before I could respond, he placed a kiss on my head and left quickly. My parents went upstairs to bed after seeing only Andrew and I left in the house, I guess they knew we had to talk so gave up some privacy. I slowly turned to face Andrew, still unsure of what to say to him.
"So... Where do I start?" I said, trying to find the right words to say to him.
"How about, I missed you?" suggested Andrew, pulling me into his arms and kissing me passionately. When we parted, I could see tears running down his face.
"Oh Andy! I'm so sorry," I cried, burying my face in his shirt as he held me.
"Why didn't you at least call me?" he asked, shaking as his cries racked his body.
"I was just so upset that I needed to get away. Everything was just too much for me to handle," I answered honestly.
"So it wasn't me?" Andrew questioned, worry filling his beautiful hazel eyes.
"Of course not!" I responded with a laugh, hugging him even tighter than before. "I love you silly, why would I run away from you?" I asked curiously.
"I don't know, I just assumed we were moving too fast for you to handle," stuttered Andrew, looking down at his feet in embarrassment.
"No, it was Darien and Raye. But I guess even running away couldn't keep me from meeting them," I said, sighing dejectedly.
Slowly the conversation headed towards recent events I had missed out on while I was gone. To my astonishment, I learned that Jason was becoming quite attached to Mina! It was unbelievable to my very ears. I was so thrilled that I almost knocked over Andrew while jumping up and down.
After we finished talking, Andrew took me back to his place, where I spent the night. He and I knew it was far too late to head over to the hotel, 1) because I didn't have a key and felt odd disturbing the clerks at such an hour, and 2) because I really wanted to be in his arms for the time being.
I'm not saying that we were intimate with one another, but it was the most amazing nigh I've ever had in my entire life. We stayed up talking to one another while gazing at the beautiful stars. He was so gentle with me that it seemed like my first real encounter with love all over again. None of the times I had shared with Darien could even compare to the way Andrew made me feel. We had candles lit, slow music playing in the background, and a sky full of stars shining down on us while we stared into each other's eyes. I engraved each and every tender caress into my heart as the night wore on and slowly faded away.
~*AN*~
All right, looks like I finally finished this chapter. It only took four times writing and re-writing! Hope everyone liked it! Remember, please read and review!!