A.N: Thank you for the comments: )

My other story, Getting To Know You is now complete! Thank you for those who have followed that story from beginning to end. It means a lot!

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Chapter 3: Guilt

It had been a long and grueling five hours spent at the mall, then almost 3 hours at the theatre. While they were at the Food Court, laughing and gossiping, Darien sat by himself a couple of tables away, occasionally speaking into the microphone for unknown reasons. When the girls went to go watch the movie, he had to tag along. Of course, it was some ridiculous chick flick where almost all the girls cried; Raye and Lita would sometimes make fun of the movie, pretending to be overly dramatic and reenact a scene.

When it was time to drop off Serena's friends, Mina and Raye insisted on Darien being in the back with them instead of riding in the front.

Darien was hesitant at first, running his hand skeptically through his hair before agreeing and joining them in the back. He was seated on the opposite side of the car, whereas all the girls were crammed together to look at him.

"So, Darien," Raye began with a smile," How old are you?"

Girls ask this question a lot…Darien thought as he crossed his arms comfortably across his chest. "I'm twenty-three," he finally responded.

Serena couldn't help but notice how tantalizing he looked right now. He was slouched in the seat; his legs slightly spread open as he leaned against the chair. He took off his blazer once he was in the car for comfort. When he crossed his arms across his chest, it showed off his arm muscles as well as his chest muscles. His dark hair was a bit tousled and it fell teasingly in his eyes. He looked sexy.

Raye looked at the girls and they burst out laughing for some odd reason. Since they were girls, there probably wasn't any reason for them giggling at all, it was just something that they did.

Mina was the boldest out of the all girls, quickly asking," Do you have a girlfriend?" her eyes were bright with anticipation, and a playful smile touched her lips.

Darien raised a quizzical eyebrow and the corners of his lips tugged up slightly as he smiled. "Why do you want to know?"

Mina shrugged. "'Cause we're girls," she answered simply.

Darien smiled and gave a defeated sigh as she shook his head. "No, I don't have a girlfriend," he finally answered.

"How come?" Lita asked next, looking interested now.

Darien shrugged his shoulder and glanced away from the girls for a minute. "Don't have time," he responded without much thought.

Raye snorted at his response. She found guys so stupid sometimes. "You make time for a girlfriend. I hate it when people say that they don't have time because it's a lie."

"I'm constantly guarding her now," he said with a quick gesture pointing towards Serena," I really don't have time."

Serena had been quiet until now. "Then what about before me? You didn't get the job until today so did you have a girlfriend before?" She wasn't hurt by what he said, it was true. He won't have time for a girlfriend if the President had hired him twenty-four, seven.

Darien's blue eyes shot over to look at her and she suddenly felt her heart skip a beat. "No," he replied after a long pause. "I didn't have a girlfriend before I took this job either."

Mina looked annoyed now. How could a guy like him not have a girlfriend? Unless he was one of those type of guys that went around to break girls hearts and use them for nothing but his own entertainment. "So you're telling me you've never had a girlfriend because you never had the time too?"

Darien shook his head. "I didn't say that I never had a girlfriend. I just haven't had one recently," he informed.

"Of course he's had a girlfriend before," Lita said to Mina. "With all of these girls hitting on him it'd be weird for him not too, unless he was gay."

Darien frowned. Sure, girls hit on him, but not all the time. "What's that supposed to mean?" he asked, looking offended.

Lita turned her attention towards him again. "Come on… every store we went into, a girl hit on you."

"That's because I'm the only guy that was there," he debated. "If there'd been more then one guy with me, it'd probably be different."

"Yeah right," Raye said, rolling her eyes.

Darien didn't like this. He was in a car full of teenage girls and they were harassing him. And, not to mention, asking him personal questions. He just tried his best to ignore them now, looking out the tinted window behind him.

The girls started talking amongst themselves again, going back into their little world of gossip before the first stop was made to drop off Lita. She climbed out of the car gracefully, waving goodbye to her friends and Darien.

One by one, the girls were dropped off to their houses, leaving only Serena and Darien in the car alone. They drove for a long while in silence.

Well this is awkward, Serena thought as she tried to look casual. He was looking out the window again, looking thoughtful. Her plan was set, but she wasn't about to attack him with anything just yet. It would have to be a gradual thing so she'd have to get to know him a little better. "Sorry about my friends," Serena apologized; breaking the silence and making Darien look at her.

"It's fine," he replied, his eyes seemingly content on hers.

Serena felt her stomach suddenly flip as she felt the intensity of his eyes. She blinked and looked away, breaking their eye contact. What is this sudden feeling she was having? This was not supposed to happen….

"So tell me, First daughter," Darien began with an amused look on his face as he brought his arms over to rest his hands on the back of his head, showing off more muscle unintentionally. "What's it like to be you?"

Serena glanced quickly back up at him, a little surprised by his question. She was quiet for awhile before answering," It's all right."

"Not great, then?" he asked, tilting his head to the side.

Serena smiled as she slowly began feeling more comfortable with him. "No, it's not great. It's not like what you read in books and see on television and magazines."

"And what exactly is it that you read in books and see on television and magazines?"

Serena bit her lip and thought a little about his question before answering," Perfection. You see this prissy, blonde-headed girl with perfect manners and perfect behavior on the outside, but what you don't see is a girl who wants to be free and independent and live a normal life, on the inside."

Darien watched her for awhile and sat quietly. He brought his arms back down and rested them in his lap, his eyes turning serious. "No one has a 'normal' life, Serena," he told her, his voice gentle.

Serena was frozen, his eyes holding her captive as he leaned over and rested himself on his knees, hunching over slightly and looking at her. When he said her name, it sent shivers down her spine.

"People who lead 'normal' lives are people who are trying to cover-up something," he lectured.

It took Serena awhile to respond. She had to compose herself. "You know what I mean by a 'normal life'. I want to walk somewhere and not be bombarded by crowds. I want to go somewhere and not have to have security and bodyguards watching from every angle. I just want to be like everybody else. And I want my father to show up to one of Sam's football games and for him to have dinner with us without him having to schedule us in. Mainly, I want my father back," she finished.

Darien was quiet again. His eyes never once left hers as she spilled out her feelings. They felt the car come to a stop. Before Darien opened the door, he said something barely audible.

"I want mine back too…"

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Serena's faced scrunched up in confusion as he opened the door and hopped out, holding out a hand to help her. She wasn't sure she heard him right. She thought she saw a flash of sadness cross his face, but it was now replaced by a warm smile and a helping hand.

Serena reached out and took his hand. She suddenly felt an electric tingle run up her arm and through her entire body as he gently helped her out, soon after, releasing her hand. She wondered if he felt it too, but if he did he didn't show it.

Darien touched a flag pin and whispered," Liberty's back," before gesturing for her to go on ahead.

As Serena walked, she heard his footsteps not far behind her. What was that feeling? She asked herself as she looked at her hand, closing and opening her fingers as if doing so would remove the tingling.

She decided to ignore all of these annoying feelings as she entered the White House. Some guards nodded to her as she walked past and she bowed her head in response with a smile.

She could still feel Darien's presence walking several feet away from her as she neared her room. Just before she opened the door, her phone rang, startling her.

"Oh!" she gave a little shriek, breathing out harshly. She frowned and dug through her bag for her cell phone. When she took it out, she saw that it was Ethan calling.

Darien just stood behind her and waited for her to open the door. When she went in, talking to someone on the phone named Ethan, he trailed in behind her and stood next to her door as he had earlier that morning. As he stood there, he listened in on her conversation.

"Me and the girls went shopping today," said happily into the phone as she flung herself on her bed.

Darien knew he wasn't supposed to be eavesdropping, but there wasn't much he could do.

Serena's face went from happy to frustrated. "I didn't think it'd matter whether I told you or not, Ethan!" Pause. "Well I'm sorry I couldn't see you today, but me and the girls haven't done anything in a long time and today was the only day I could," she explained. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice getting soft now. "I know…. I miss you too. K… see you Monday. Love you… bye." She took the phone away from her ear and clicked the END button before throwing the phone haphazardly away from her. She put her hands on her face and gave an exasperated sigh.

"Trouble in paradise?" she heard Darien's deep voice ask off to the side.

Serena took her hands away and turned around to face him, lying sideways on the bed and putting a hand under her head to keep herself up. "Listening in on my conversation, were you?" she asked with a smile.

Darien shrugged and put his hands in his pockets. "There's not much else I can do," he replied honestly.

Serena grinned and rolled off her bed, landing gracefully on her feet. "Don't worry. You won't be bored for much longer. Only two more hours until nine," she said as she waddled over towards the bathroom. "You don't have to stand there, you know? Sit on the couch or something," she told him, pointing to the sitting area in the middle of her room. "I have to go get ready for dinner," and with that she left him alone as she disappeared in the bathroom.

Darien looked at the closed door for awhile before deciding to walk around her room and look at her things. He walked over to her desk and stereo first. He looked at her rack full of CD's to see what type of music she listened too. There were oldies, some jazz, indie, and r&b. It looked like she listened to a little bit of everything. Afterwards, he walked over to her bookshelf to see what she liked to read. There were a lot of fiction literature books and a couple of modern books. His eyes landed on family photo that looked like it had been taken a few years earlier. She looked younger in the picture, but still very pretty.

Suddenly, the bathroom door opened and she walked out again dressed comfortably in pajama pants and a t-shirt.

Darien raised an eyebrow and smiled. "You wear that to dinner?"

"It's dinner with my family... not the red carpet," she told him as she slipped on fuzzy slippers and headed out of her room, Darien following her.

When she arrived, Sam and Irene were already seated, but Ken was not.

"Hey mom, Sam," she greeted as she sat down.

Irene smiled sweetly at her daughter. "Hi honey. What have you done today?" Irene asked as she took a sip from her water, waiting patiently for her husband.

Serena fidgeted around in her chair and then raised her leg up to sit Indian style, looking extremely comfortable. "I went shopping with the girls," she announced, looking at her mom then to Sam.

Sam was dressed in casual clothes and looking very bored.

Darien saw Andrew and Jessica lined up at the wall, guarding and looking serious. He decided to go join them.

"Where's dad?" Serena asked, sounding a little annoyed.

Irene sighed and glanced down at her empty plate. "He said he'll be a little late… he's in an important meeting right now."

Sam rested his chin in his palm. "He's always in a meeting," he said, his face blank.

"I know, sweetheart," Irene began, looking guilty. "but you have to remember your dad has a lot of responsibility and things to take care of now."

Serena took her glass of water and toyed with the ice. "He also has a responsibility to his family too, mom," she said irritably.

Irene frowned at her mopey children. "You know your father puts his family first," Irene defended.

"Yeah? Like right now, mom?" Serena asked, looking very aggravated by now. Sam just sat quietly, being very used to this outburst by now. "He can't spend thirty minutes at dinner with us, but he'll spend the entire day with his cabinet?"

Irene rubbed her temple and closed her eyes. "Serena… must we go through this every night? He has a country to look out for also. Stop being so selfish," Irene said quietly.

Serena stood up and threw her napkin on the table. "Me wanting my dad to have dinner with his family is not being selfish. He's ALWAYS in some kind of damn meeting when he should be spending time with us! Don't tell me I'm selfish when we haven't spent any time together as a family in MONTHS, mom!" Serena said angrily. "I'll have dinner in my room since there's no point eating with a family that doesn't exist anymore."

Darien watched in horror as she stormed off. He didn't know what to do so he ran after her, keeping, making sure he kept his distance.

When they reached her room, she threw the door open and it hit the wall loudly. Then she jumped on her bed, covering her face with her pillow.

Darien didn't know whether to comfort her, or to leave her alone.

"Do you see what I mean now?" he heard her say through the pillow. "It's like I don't even have a dad. He's too busy playing Superman to notice his own family."

Darien walked over to her and sat on the edge of her bed. "I know it's a major change," Darien began, struggling for words," but him being the President, he has a lot of things he needs to take care of. He cares about you," Darien began, placing a hand on her arm soothingly. "If he didn't he wouldn't rush to have bodyguards for his family and call to have a mall emptied out for his daughter's safety."

Serena felt the weight of his hand on her arm and she felt the same electric tingle start spreading from her arm throughout her body. She lifted the pillow off her face and turned her head to look at him. "I know he cares," she explained," But he's never here anymore… It's like having a broken family. I see my dad in the morning and at night, that's all. We barely talk or anything, same with my mom. I try to keep up with Sam, but even with him it's hard. He set aside Sundays for 'family day', but then he always has to cancel because of some meeting or something. I hate it."

Darien moved his hand away from her arm. He knew how she felt; only his feeling was permanent. "Just three more years," he reassured her with a smile.

Right when he moved his hand, she immediately missed the feeling of his touch. "Yeah, that's only if he doesn't run again."

"True," Darien said, getting off her bed. "But you need to consider how your mom feels too."

Serena winced at what he said. That was true… her words probably stung her mom. Serena sighed and got up from bed. "Fine," she said dryly," I'll go apologize, but I'm not having dinner with them," she said stubbornly, walking out of her room again.

Darien smiled as he followed after her. She was stubborn, but also caring.

When they reached the dining room, Serena saw her father sit at the end of the table, talking to her mother, Sam sitting next to her dad cutting his steak.

Ken stopped talking and looked up at Serena. "Nice of you to join us," he said, not looking too pleased.

"I didn't come here to have dinner with you," she said rudely to her father. "I came to apologize to mom."

Irene looked at her and placed her fork and knife down to listen to her what Serena had to say.

Serena looked at her mom and then glanced away from her. "I'm sorry, mom, if I hurt your feelings."

Irene smiled and nodded. "It's okay, honey. I understand," she said sweetly. "Now, have some dinner."

Serena shook her head. "No. I'm fine. I apologize, but I still meant what I said," and with that, she turned and walked away again.

Ken looked as she walked away. He couldn't help but feel guilty. He had almost forgotten dinner. He was so busy worrying about how to handle North Korea, all thoughts of his family escaped his mind.

Irene reached over and took her husbands hand tenderly. "Honey, eat. Afterwards, go talk to her."

Ken smiled weakly and nodded.

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About fifteen minutes after they'd returned to the room, there was a knock on the door and Ken came in.

Ken looked at Darien and waved a hand. "You can leave now, Darien."

Darien nodded and walked out of the room, leaving father and daughter alone.

Serena saw her father and frowned, putting down her book she'd been reading. "Yes?" she asked snidely.

Ken smiled at his daughter's persistence. "I think we need to talk," he said in a soft voice, going over and sitting on her bed.

Serena sat up. "What is there to talk about?"

Ken exhaled, feeling the stress in knots in his back and shoulders. "You know I want to spend more time with you, Sam, and your mother, but I sometimes can't. I'm trying to negotiate a deal with North Korea right now and if they don't accept, we are in big trouble," he explained to her. "And I know it seems like I haven't been much of a father or around lately, but that's something that came with the package of me being the President. I don't like it any more then you do, but it's something that we're going to have to cope with."

Serena looked at her father. He seemed tired. More tired then usual and that made her heart hurt for him. "I know, dad," Serena began. "But thirty minutes for dinner is not that much to ask for… or going to one of Sam's games. It's hard on him when you're not there to cheer him on like you used too."

Ken looked down at his hands and nodded. "I know. I'm missing out in your life. You two are both growing so fast and I don't even get to see it," he said sadly.

Serena moved closer to her dad and hugged him. "You're a great President," she whispered," and an even better dad. But lately you've been too busy with Presidential things that it seems like you've forgotten your family," Serena told him.

Ken nodded understandingly. "I sometimes regret running for office. I never know if I'm making the right decisions for our country or not. And lately it seems as if everyone's been against my decisions then being for it. The News criticizes me, the world criticizes me. It's like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders," he confessed, his eyes looking extremely sad.

Serena felt bad for getting angry with him now. She knew that a lot of people didn't like how her father was handling things. And here she was, adding stress and guilt on him for being a bad father when he was trying his best. "I'm sorry, dad," she said softly.

Ken smiled down at her and patted her on her shoulder affectionately. "It's all right, sweetheart. I promise I'll try harder, okay?" he said, looking at her with tired eyes.

Serena smiled and nodded as he got up. "I love you dad," she told him, as if to reassure him.

Ken smiled as he started to head out. " I love you too, Serena."

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Serena lay in her bubble bath as soft music blurred in the background. She played with the bubbles as she thought about events earlier today. I am selfish, she thought about what her mother said. He has to take care of the entire United States and I'm being selfish.

As her mind weaved in and out of her family and friends, it eventually landed on Darien. She realized she had completely forgotten about her plan. She wasn't exactly sure how she was going to come about seducing him… but she had better do it soon. These feelings he was conjuring up in her were not normal. She shouldn't be feeling this way when she had a boyfriend!

She caught herself comparing Ethan to Darien. Ethan was the best-looking guy at her school. He had brown hair and green eyes. He was tall and muscular…. But then again, compared to Darien he was puny. Darien's dark blue eyes were mysterious and full of secrets. Not to mention, Darien had been sweet to her today. When was the last time Ethan was nice to her?

Stop thinking like this! She yelled at herself. She ducked her head under water and let the water envelope around her, muffling out all noises.

She couldn't be thinking this way…. Comparing her own boyfriend to a man she hardly knew that was willing to take a bullet for her.

Yes… Darien has to go.