A Working Model
Ryo Angel
PG-13

--------

It's been almost three years since she had last heard from him. A bloodied letter in her mailbox, written with a shaky hand. She could still remember the exact wording...

My dearest Bunny,

I hate to leave you alone like this, but it can't be helped. I can't go into details, but The Wiseman is dead. I'll find you again.

I love you.

Diamond

Now with the phone pressed against her ear, she didn't dare believe that it was he who was speaking to her.

"It can't be," she said weakly to the man on the other side.

"But it is, Bunny. I told you I would come back to you." His voice had not changed, it was still as sweet and smooth as the first time he talked to her. "Won't you let me in?"

For a minute, Serena couldn't speak. "You... you're here?"

The sound of the door knocking had her stiffening. Her mouth dry, she got up and walked towards the door, hesitating all the while. Slowly, she turned the doorknob and opened the door to see the man on the other side. The phone still pressed against her ear, she stared at the man in front of her. Silver hair covered on part of his pale white skin. His blue orbs pierced into her own and she couldn't move.

Tears started falling down her cheeks and her breath became ragged. Her phone dropped to the ground as she threw herself into his open arms.

"You're here!"

He smelled like the sea and she snuggled closer into his embrace.

"We should go inside," she mumbled, breathing him in. Walking backwards, she pulled him in with her, closing the door with a kick and reaching behind him to lock it. Back into his embrace she went, reveling in his strong arms around her. "It's been so long," she murmured. "I was so scared I'd never see you again..."

Diamond held her tightly. "I'm sorry. For everything." Anger flashed through him, but he held it down. His men had paid dearly for touching what was his. "What happened?" he asked her. "When I came back, Rubeus told me that you left without a word."

Serena didn't say anything for a moment and then pulled away. Well aware of his temper, she shook her head.

"I don't want to lie to you. Just... just know that I needed to get away from Japan. There were too many memories... and Shingo..." she trailed off, lost in the memories, and then resurfaced with a smile on her face. "Seiya took me in and I'm almost done with college, so," she laughed, "Everything's okay now."

"Bunny." His voice was soft as he reached for her. He took in her bright smile and her glittering eyes and told her what he wanted to tell her since the first time he had laid eyes on her. "I love you..."

She nodded and she snuggled back into his embrace, "I love you, too."

He shook his head. "No." He held her at arms length, looking deeply into her eyes. "I love you."

Silence permeated the room and the full impact of his words drove through her. "Oh."

A haunting melody drifted into the air, saving her from responding any further.

"That has to be Seiya," she said as she turned away from him, her face red and her mind whirled in confusion, missing the anger and hurt that swirled in his eyes. She picked up the phone that she had dropped.

"Hello? Yes, I'm fine... really? Please, it's... I don't think... Seiya!" She listened for a few minutes as he raged on about the murder that happened in her neighborhood and then sighed, "Fine. You win." She then quickly interjected just as he was about to hang up, "There's someone I'd like you to meet."

-----

They sat across from each other, a bland look on their face. Serena sat between them and sipped her tea silently. When Seiya came to pick her up, his face went blank when he saw Diamond behind her.

He darted a quick glance at her and she smiled, "Seiya, this is Diamond. Diamond, this is Seiya." They exchanged pleasantries, but there was a hard glint in their eyes as they walked to the car, with Serena chatting on for a while until she realized that neither man were responding to her. The drive to Seiya's house was made in silence, with him occasionally darting quick glances at the rear-view mirror to spy on them.

"Why don't you guys go sit down and I'll make you some tea." Serena told them with a large smile on her face. Both men narrowed their eyes. They could sense when she's putting on a front and neither liked the fact that the other knew this about her.

"This way." Seiya lead the way to the small living room. No sense being inhospitable. They waited in silence for Serena to come back, their eyes locked in contempt.

"Tea is served!" Serena carried the tray over to the coffee table, taking note that the two had been engaged in a staring contest before she came and sighed softly. She handed each of them a cup of tea and sat down, waiting and hoping for conversation to flow.

A few more minutes of silence had Serena coughing politely, "You know, this isn't what I had in mind."

Diamond shook his head and stood, "You know, I should get going."

"Diamond…" Serena laid her hand over his.

He gave her a quick smile and raised her hand to his lips, "I'll see you again, Bunny. Now that I've found you, wild horses can't keep me away."

"Do you need a ride? I mean, you didn't drive here. Where do you live? I can't have you walking… "

Diamond shushed her ramblings with a finger, "Someone can pick me up. I'm staying at Orchid Road and I will see you after school tomorrow."

Seiya didn't say anything as he watched this exchange, his eyes hardening when he saw Diamond leaning down to kiss Serena on the forehead. There was something about Diamond that rubbed him the wrong way. Seiya was so sure they had met somewhere, but where?

When the red corvette pulled up, Diamond gave Seiya a smirk, "See you later."

The second they were inside, Serena turned on Seiya, a hard frown on her face, "Just what the hell was your problem?"

Seiya was surprised at this outburst. Sunny, happy Serena, screaming at him? "What?"

"I haven't seen him in over two years. And now you can't even be nice to him?"

Seiya's lower jaw stuck out and Serena glared back at him. The two stared at each other for a long while until finally Serena sighed, "I'm sorry." She sat back down and poured herself another cup of tea. When she saw that Seiya wasn't sitting down, she beckoned to him, "Look, it's," She grimaced, "It's complicated."

"What's the story, Usagi?" Seiya sat down opposite of her, accepting the tea along with her apologies, "I've read your books. There was no mention of Diamond in there at all."

"I told you -"

"It's complicated." Seiya finished for her, "I don't buy that."

Serena took in a deep breath, "You're not going to like this."

"Just tell me." Seiya stared at Serena until she fidgeted uncomfortably.

She shook her head, "I can't. No." She held up her hand to stop his questions and got up, "Hold on." Quickly, she ran up to the room she slept in when over at his place. At the foot of her bed was a black trunk. Closing her eyes, she knelt down. Letting out a deep breath, her hand trembled as she turned the combination lock to open the trunk. At the click, Serena swallowed and breathing deeply, she opened the trunk. Inside were stuffed animals and picture albums. Things from her past that she couldn't bear to face again. Her hands lingered over the photo albums, but she didn't dare open them. It's not quite time to face the past. Soon, she promise herself. Now that Diamond is back, soon she'll go visit.

Her goal now is for Seiya to understand. Her eyes fell upon a black lacquer box, smooth and polished, it held her most treasured possession – her diary. Everything that has happened to her since she first met Diamond until her parents' death. It was all in there. It was the only book that she had not published. The only thing from her past that she didn't want the world to know. When she pulled out the box, a small diamond stud fell to the floor. Picking it up, she bit her lip from crying, "Shingo..."

"Serena?"

She turned her head towards the door, "One sec." Serena gripped the earring tightly in her hand until it pierced her skin. She held her hand over the trunk and opened it, palm down, watching as the stud fell back into her past. "I promise." She whispered, slowly closing the trunk, "I promise I'll come see you soon."

Calming herself, she walked down. Seiya met her at the bottom of the stairs, "You were taking a long time."

Serena heard the concern in his voice and ventured a small smile. She held out the box to him, "It's all there. Everything."

He took it from her gently, "Serena."

"I can't talk about it Seiya." She looked into his eyes, "You deserve to know the truth about it all." She turned from him, "I'm going to take a shower and then go to sleep. Wake me in the morning will you?"

"Yeah." His eyes were troubled, "Good night," he watched her leave and finished quietly, "Usako."

A/N – 15 REVIEWS! You guys… I love you for your reviews! It makes me want to continue with this story. Remember, reviews make me happy. Me happy means inspiration. Inspiration means updates every month! Let's shoot for 20 for this chapter! Haha.

Anyways, thanks to Arielle for editing for me. The first four chapters have gone through some changes, all for the best, I assure you. There's a brief mention of something that pertains to the plot of the story somewhere, but you don't have to go back to read it figure out what's going to happen.

Diamond is Diamond. Is he evil or is he good? Well… read and find out!

Just a few more things and you can get to the review button at the bottom. I have some story ideas that I would LOVE to see happen. But unfortunately, I don't have the time, so I'll post one up with each chapter and if anyone would like to use it, please let me know so I can read it!

Summary: She joined The Escort Service (Your choice of name) to support her little brother and to get enough money for college. She does not have sex with any of her customers. But her brother got into a car accident, one that proves almost fatal. Needs a lot of money to pay off medical bills. Willing to sell her virginity to the highest bid.

He hasn't been with anyone since his wife died. His friends polled their money together to buy him one night with the woman of his dreams.

The twist: She is literally of his dreams. This can be interpreted any way you want.

Thanks to those who reviewed: Elen-Di, inspire16, Sailor Libra24, charmedportrait, Dertupio, AbysSerenity, lilaznbunny, nancy n, RockPrincess18, Marralyanne, serenity11287, raye85, noelcorey, Chikyuuhime, sereNendy