Serena struggled effortlessly with the metal handcuffs that bound her to a beautifully carved wooden love seat sitting in the center of the man's living room. He, Jimena, and Collin all stared down on her. She glared at her brother. How could he do this to her? Had they paid him? Was her father in on it too? She watched as Jimena and Collin sat on a blue sofa across from her and the man made his way towards the love seat. She started to shrink away, when Jimena intervened.

"Don't sit there", she scolded him. "You only make things worse". The man looked as if he was considering this and then with a flip of his blonde hair, he exchanged places with Collin. This wasn't exactly a perfect arrangement either.

"I'll ask"

"No", Jimena turned to glare at him. "I'll ask. What did I tell you before?"

He chuckled, but Serena could sense the annoyance in his tone. "And who are you? My mother?"

"You only make things worse!"

"And you don't? She doesn't even remember you"

"Well, I'm not the reason she's covered in mud"

"How about I start?" Collin, apparently accustomed to their constant bickering, sighed. Turning to Serena, he took her by the hand. "What's wrong?"

Serena gritted her teeth. She felt like screaming. What the hell did he think was wrong? Apparently, her captor felt the same way. Slapping a hand to his forehead, he motioned for Collin to get up and took his place beside Serena. Giving her a sincere smile, he took her cold, clammy hands. She gasped at the unexpected warmth in his touch.

"My name's Stanton. S- t a-"

"I know how to spell "Stanton"!" she snapped.

"Okay", Stanton shrugged and nodded at her. "Where were you last night?"

"Huh?"

"Let me rephrase that. What's the last thing that you remember doing before you woke up with me?"

She paused, her mind racing. High school. Home. Bedroom. "I was-"

"Hello?" came a bright, even preppy voice from the other room. "Serena, are you home?"

Serena watched as a beautiful girl with short cut blonde hair, strolled into the grand hall. She wore a blue jean jumper, the front covered in various shades of paint. Smiling charmingly down at them all, she motioned behind her. At that, a small boy of about three came stumbling shyly out from the shadows and a tall girl with long raven tresses ran for Jimena.

"Mama!" She wrapped her long arms around the woman's neck before doing the same to Collin. Then she walked across the room and squeezed in between Serena and Stanton.

"Vanessa took us to the paint shop, Stanton!"

"Obviously". Collin ran his eyes over their clothes.

She paid no attention to her father. Instead, she tossed her hair in Serena's face and turned to Stanton.

"Hey!" Serena objected.

The girl only rolled her eyes before continuing. "I like paint shops. Don't you?"

Stanton gave her an amused look and turned to smirk at Jimena. "She's growing up a bit too fast, isn't she?"

Jimena scowled at her daughter. "Mala chica! Bad girl! What have I told you about that? Do you want to end up like those putas on the streets?"

The girl grinned devilishly. "Michael fell in the paint".

Vanessa groaned. "Don't remind me. It'll take me forever to get the stains out of his hair". She beamed proudly down at the little boy tumbling over the hardwood floors, streaks of hardened blue paint in his dark curls. She picked him up and cradled him in her arms. "Say hi to your aunts and uncles"

"Hi", Michael said feebly and waved a chubby hand in the air momentarily. He nibbled at his tiny fingers and she gently pulled his hand away.

"Stop that. You're gonna grow up to be a mature young man", she whispered wistfully. Her eyes seemed to grow less optimistic and more fatigued. "Not like your father".

Jimena gave her a sympathetic look. "How's the divorce going?"

Vanessa groaned and slumped down on the arm of the sofa. "Horrible. I never thought it would end like this. He's so into his music and…" She trailed off. "So what's going on?"

"Nada", Jimena said, too quickly.

"Really?" Vanessa mumbled. "But you all look so worried. Especially you, Serena"

Serena started to ask the woman if she knew her, but Stanton clamped a hand over her lips.

"Mmmmmpppph!"

"She's fine"

"Mmmmmph?" She glared up at him, angrily.

"Really!"

"Why is she tied up like that?"

"It's a game we play"

Serena kneed him in the groin.

"For fun", he moaned through gritted teeth.

Vanessa gave them both a worried look before Collin took her by the shoulders. "Will you go look after the kids? Heaven and Adonis are upstairs. We'll be there in a few minutes".

"Um", Vanessa seemed fazed. "Okay…" She took Michael in her arms and beckoned for the girl who, before blowing Stanton a kiss, followed her up the spiraling staircase.

"Anyway-" Stanton started.

"AGH!" A scream ricocheted from the second floor. Everyone, with the exception of Serena, jumped to their feet and ran towards the staircase.

"Vanessa?" Jimena called and when she received no response, they all raced up the stairs. Serena stared after them and then as soon as they were out of sight, she wrenched from the chair only to remember that she was still cuffed. "Dammit…" She scanned the room frantically searching for a key.

"Looking for this?" A voice rang through out the atmosphere. She turned to see Jimena's daughter spinning a silver key chain about her index finger, a rusty key hanging from it. Serena groaned, now completely convinced, that the child wasn't very fond of her… In a rash act, she delved into the girl's mind only to be deflected by an invisible barricade. Had they all been prepared for her? She swallowed hard realizing her only option. Bribery and brown- nosing was something she never thought she would resort to, but this was a matter of life and death… Taking a final gulp, she gave a forced grin.

"What's your name, little girl?"

"Que? What? Are you kidding me?"

Serena could only shrug.

"Okay, fine. I'll play along", the girl grinned. "Inocencia"

Serena sneered inwardly. Inocencia. How ironic…

"Well, Ino – can I call you Ino?"

"No", Inocencia smirked. "And I know what you're doing. You're just trying to bribe me"

Serena sighed. This was girl was wiser than she had expected.

"So I'll stop hitting on Stanton"

Well she had the first part right.

"You know what's weird?"

"What?" Serena muttered, in spite of the fact that she couldn't give any less of a damn.

"That he has your last name. I mean, doesn't he have a last name? Or did his parents just name him Stanton? Cause that's kind of weird"

Serena winced. How long was she going to go on like this? They waited in a peaceful silence for a few seconds. Unfortunately, it wouldn't last.

"I'm a bastard"

Serena whirled her head around. "What?"

"A bastard", Inocencia repeated mischievously as if she liked the way the word rolled off of her tongue. "My parents aren't married".

Serena's eyes widened in amusement. "Don't call yourself that". She paused thoughtfully before creasing her eyebrows in curiosity. "What happened up there?"

Inocencia rolled her huge emerald eyes. "The twins thought they saw a ghost or something. Babies".

Serena nodded and stared off into space before turning back to her, a wild glint in her eyes. "You can have Stanton"

The girl looked up, eyes wide with surprise. "I can?"

Guilt flooded through out her chest, but she wouldn't give up now. "Yep. Just un- cuff me and I promise, you'll never have to see me again".

A thoughtful look hazed over the child's face and after a few seconds, she turned back to Serena, holding up her smallest finger. "Pinky promise?"

Serena nodded, the ball of guilt in her chest clutching tighter. "Pinky promise".

The girl reached for the cuffs, held the key firmly in hand, and-

"¡Inocencia¿Dónde está usted?" An angry Jimena bellowed from the top floor. "¡Consiga su asno para arriba aquí!"

The girl groaned and raced for the stairs. "Estoy viniendo! I'm coming, mama!"

"Wait!" Serena called, desperately at her only chance for escape. She whined at the last remains of tiny footsteps sprinting up the stairs. Falling back into her wooden prison, she closed her eyes momentarily. She would have screamed at what she saw when she opened them, had it not been for someone's aggressive grip over her mouth. The blonde woman dressed in all white that she had encountered at the school, stood before her and Serena's eyes lit up in recognition. The woman from her dream! It seemed that every few nights, since she was only a child, a woman came to her.. Angelic. Graceful. Almost mythical in the way she warded off nightmares, her aura celestial and pure. She couldn't see the one that had kept her from screaming, but she was sure that it was the same wild- looking girl in black. She flinched as the woman touched her cuffed arms and with a whisper, the cuffs loosened and crumpled to the floor.

"This way!" The woman pulled her from the seat and through the grand hall. She finally pushed her into what seemed to be a rather large closet and planted her on a footstool. Gently closing the sliding doors, she turned about and flicked on the light switch. Dim light spread about the enclosed space to reveal a coat closet.

"You're the woman from my dream!" Serena spurted as the girl removed her hand.

The woman nodded and smiled down proudly on Serena. "I'm Maggie and this is Jimena"

Serena turned to see the girl behind her, her arms crossed, a snarl twisting her pretty features. She cocked an eyebrow. "But I've already met Jimena…"

The new Jimena scoffed. "Not only is she a wimp but a complete head case"

Serena narrowed her eyes in confusion. Wasn't this the same girl that had just been trying to comfort her? Maggie gave Jimena a warning look before turning back to Serena. "Serena, you are a Goddess. A Daughter of the Moon"

"What?" Normally she would have chuckled at their silly attempts to play pretend but after everything that had happened that day, she would believe almost anything.

Maggie, sensing her confusion, decided to move the conversation along. "But we'll discuss that matter when you return back to the past. For now-"

"The past?" Serena stammered. So she was in the future? How was that even possible?

"I know it's hard for you to understand right now, but it's important that you play along. Don't do anything to make yourself seem suspicious or you could throw off the tapestry of time".

Serena crossed her arms nervously and let a small whistle escape from her lips. So much for that…

"That is unless you've done so already", Maggie gave her a worried look. "Have you told them how you got here?"

Serena thought about it for a while before shaking her head. "But I don't even know these people. How am I supposed to-"

"Just try to blend in the best you can and don't give them any reason to believe otherwise". Her eyes darted around nervously before removing a small maroon amulet from her pocket. "Touch this"

Serena stared at the charm skeptically.

"It won't hurt you", Maggie prompted her. Serena finally nodded. She hadn't laid but a finger upon the amulet when a force shot through her veins like incessant bolts of lightening. When it released her, she bolted away, falling back into a pile of hangers. She glared up at Maggie. "What did you do to me?"

"It was for your own protection", she responded. "It disables predators to read your mind or manipulate your thoughts and vice versa".

Serena winced in realization. "Does that mean that I can't read minds anymore?"

Maggie nodded. "It's better that way. You needn't know too much and it's not safe to manipulate minds here. We had to stop you before you did any damage to that girl in there-"

"That was you?"

Maggie nodded. "We'd better leave. We caused quite a fuss in order to get to you". She motioned to the second floor with her finger. "Listen to Jimena". She put a hand on the girl's shoulder. "She is Pandia".

The girl turned to her, a look of awe on her usually attitude ridden features. "Me?"

"I have already determined your destiny and if Serena says that you are still alive then it must be true". She took Jimena tightly by the arm and stared about apprehensively. "We must go now". Using a small feathery wand, she drew a mythical rune and a gateway suddenly appeared. Serena stared through in astonishment at the tunnel of time. "Why can't I come?"

"Because", Maggie ran for the entrance. "We have to find your alternative self. If we left the future with no Serena, who knows what chaos would ensue".

"But what about my family in the past?"

"We'll take care of it". Maggie smiled reassuringly and stepped into the portal. Serena returned the grin as somehow the woman gave her a small sense of comfort.

"Oh!" The woman turned in awe as she sailed deeper into the tunnel. "And don't trust the Prince of Night".

"What?" Serena screamed.

"Don't trust the Prince of Night!" And with that her, the girl, and the tunnel disappeared in a flash of light. Serena furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. The Prince of Night?

"There you are!" Vanessa beamed and threw open the closet doors. "We've been looking all over for you! How did you get out of those cuffs?"

Gotta blend in. Serena forced a smile and shrugged. "A magic trick I guess". She walked out of the closet to see Stanton, Jimena, and Collin all staring at her suspiciously.

"Hi", she gave a slight wave. They didn't wave back. "Er… I don't know what happened… I think I lost it for a while there".

At this, Collin's face lit up and he strolled over to wrap an arm around her shoulders. "You mean you're okay now?"

"I think so", Serena mumbled, trying to sound as confused as she looked. "I can't imagine what could have happened".

"Maybe it was a panic attack", Vanessa offered. She turned to the rest of them. "Why didn't you tell me that she was having panic attacks? You know I'm a doctor". They all stared at her uneasily. Vanessa just shrugged and grabbed Serena by the hand, leading her up the spiraling stairs. "Come on. I'll help you get ready for the party tonight".

"Party?" Serena asked.

Vanessa nodded. "You know? The one at your firm?"

Her eyes widened. "I have a firm?"

Vanessa raised an eyebrow.

"I mean of course I have a firm", she laughed nervously. Vanessa simply shrugged it off and joined in on her laughter. It sounded somewhat forced. "You know… ever since high school, I've been feeling like everyone's hiding something from me"

Serena just nodded, unsure of what to say.

"Except you. It's like you can read my mind". She smiled. "It's creepy".

Serena gave her a bright grin. She had no idea…

"So", Vanessa started. She went on about the party and how they would dress, but it was obvious that her mind was still on other things. After a few seconds, the room door cracked and Jimena stepped in. She turned to Vanessa.

"You're mother said she would baby sit"

"Great", Vanessa exclaimed. "I'm going to go home and get dressed. See you then"

"Bye", Serena and Jimena said in unison. They listened as Vanessa's Reebok gym shoes clumped down the staircase. Jimena turned back to her.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Couldn't feel better", Serena nodded. "What do you think it was?"

Jimena shrugged. "No se. It could have been stress like Vanessa was saying. Or" She trailed off and turned to Serena, a dangerous gleam in her eyes.

Serena swallowed hard. Did she suspect her?

"Never mind", Jimena laughed. "Estupido. It was a dumb idea. The Atrox returning…"

"Yeah", Serena nodded, although she had no clue what the woman was talking about.

"But let's not think about that". She looked up to give her best friend a wicked grin. "Wait till you see what I bought to wear tonight".

Serena once again admired the ethereal beauty of the woman staring at her from inside the mirror. She had done her hair so that long beautiful dark red locks curled seductively on either side of her face. Her lips, smooth and sensual, were traced in a natural colored lip gloss. A slinky black halter dress wrapped tightly over her bodice, a crimson and orange fiery design blazing over it. Nothing graced her bare back, but a long string of black diamonds, dangling from the dress's neck. She wore ankle breaking black sandals, the straps slithering over her legs like snakes.

"You look like a walking flame, girl", Jimena grinned at her from behind. She wore a black pant suit, her raven hair done in a crystal covered up do.

"You don't look so bad yourself", Serena laughed and then, spinning around, she grabbed for her handbag, started towards the door, and fell flat on her face.

"Ugh", she groaned, pulling herself from the carpet. She glared down at the high heels. Maybe she should have worn flats…

Jimena chuckled a bit and reached down to help her up. "Are you okay, chica? You act like you've never worn high heels before"

"I haven't", she responded bitterly.

"Que?"

"Nothing", she shook her head, brushing the lent from her dress. "Are we ready?"

"I'm ready". The door swung open to reveal Stanton in a slick, black tuxedo. Despite the formal look, his blonde hair still remained wild and untamed. She gaped at his striking appearance.

"Y- you're coming?"

He cocked an eyebrow. "You're the one who invited me".

"I did?" She turned to see Jimena staring at her oddly.

"I did, didn't I?" She laughed nervously, her hands fumbling apprehensively at her sides. Having nothing better to do with them, she reached over and took a glass of water that Jimena had got for her to her lips.

"Well, I hope so", Jimena said. "You are married".

Serena coughed and spat the water out. Married? She was too young to be married. But then again, it had been a bit obvious…She gasped and choked on the remains of the water.

"Serena?" Stanton took hold of her shoulders and steadied her. She looked up to see where the water had gone. Uh oh… "Sorry", she muttered, giving him an awkward smile.

"No problem", he sighed staring down at his wet suit. "I have others. I'll be right back. Just let me change".

She nodded and watched him disappear into the hall. Suddenly, she heard footsteps and turned to see Vanessa climbing the stairs. She was the picture of a Goddess. Even with her short hair, her big azure eyes and long flowing rosy dress insinuated the title perfectly.

"Ready?" She asked.

Serena nodded. "Stanton just has to get changed".

Vanessa creased her eyebrows. "He's not changed yet?"

Serena and Jimena exchanged nervous glances.

Vanessa just shrugged and her usual bright smile ensued. "I can't wait for open karaoke!"

Serena's head shot up, her eyes wide with fear. "KARAOKE?"

READ AND REVIEW!

REVIEW CORNER:

Demon Dea: You're right. I AM fond of this story! I mean I usually write either dramas or parodies and this is like a combination and it's SO MUCH COOLER! MEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE….. anyway… THANKS for reviewing! Glad that you think it's good!

MiniSparky: Yes, you do gotta love love Stanton cuz he's just cool like that. Glad you think it's awesome!

Shadowings: OMIGAWD! You're steps worked SUUUUU well! I recommend them to EVERYONE:)

Depressed- and- bored: Yep! The dude with the blonde hair is indeed Stanton. If I made it anyone else I think Id be flamed to death O.o

Serena Killingsworth: Glad to see you've read all my fics. That's…. KOOL! Updating now!