A.N: Hey all! Thanks for the reviews! I will be able to update when I'm in California, so don't worry! I'm not so sure about Italy though… but I will do my best!

Hope you enjoy this chapter!

Umm… I have a feeling this story is going to be upgraded to "M" instead of "T". I hope that's okay with everyone.

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Chapter 5: Stubborn

When Serena got back home, she had to start doing her homework and studies, even though she was lazy too. School wasn't exactly her forte. She disliked studying as much as she disliked having bodyguards.

She went to her study desk and spread out her books, sighing reluctantly as she sat down.

Darien ambled into her room and sat on the couch, leaning back. It was eight and so he wasn't allowed to leave her sight for another hour. Darien looked over towards Serena, who was staring at her books with little motivation.

They hadn't spoken a word to each other since they left the photo shoot. Darien had ridden in the front, while Serena sat in the back again. He figured that sitting in the back with her after what had happened would be too awkward for them.

Before they left, Amy reassured Darien and Serena that the photos they took with each other won't be published, because she had the film. Mark resentfully handed over the film to Amy after having a long talk with her.

Serena gave another sigh and put her head down on her books, shaking her head. "This is pointless," she said to herself.

Darien looked at her hunched over form and smiled. He remembered how she had put her arms around his neck, and how she had pressed her body to his, even though it was a forced situation. There were times when she looked so beautiful, it knocked the breathe right out of him. That was exactly how he felt at the photo shoot when he had to look into her eyes.

"Problem?" Darien asked from the couch, making Serena lift up her head and look over towards him.

"I have a crack load of homework and it's all due by tomorrow," she explained. She was trying to not let what happened earlier today be awkward for them.

Darien got up and walked over to her. He stopped right next to her and looked at her books she had spread across the desk. There was Anatomy, Pre-Calculus, English IV, and American Studies. Darien quirked up an eyebrow and said," Well… you better get started."

Serena smiled slightly. "Gee…thanks for your help," she said sarcastically.

"Anatomy's easy," he said with a shrug. "It's mainly memorization."

Serena frowned. "Not everyone can be as smart as you, Shields."

Darien looked a little thoughtful and then nodded," You're right…. Bryant."

Serena smiled and rolled her eyes. "Then why don't YOU do my homework for me?" she asked, leaning back in her chair and tilting her head.

"Sorry, I don't let people cheat," Darien said with one of his smiles that made Serena's heart skip a beat.

Serena scrunched her mouth to the side, and then wittily said," It's not cheating… it's helping."

Darien chuckled and shook his head as he grabbed her Anatomy book. "Fine… I'll 'help'." He gestured for her to come join him in her little living room space. "So what exactly do you have to do?"

Serena sat in a couch across from him, crossing her legs and throwing a pillow into her lap. "I have a test tomorrow over the human muscles," she said with no enthusiasm and a bored expression on her face.

Darien opened her book and looked for a muscle diagram, which he found easily. Ah, he said once he looked at it, I remember this. "All right," he began, putting the open book in his lap. "Name me the muscles you already know, and point to them," he instructed.

"How do I point to them?" she asked, looking perplexed.

Darien stuck his finger out and pointed to her. "Use yourself," he said simply.

Serena lifted an arm hesitantly and pointed to her upper arm and said," This is the triceps," she said in a dry voice and a dull face.

Darien nodded and told her to go on.

She then pointed to the lower part of her arm and said," And this is the biceps."

Darien nodded again. "Good," he said.

"And that's all I got," she said and put her chin in her hand.

Darien smiled and shook his head. "Come on… you barely even got started," he said.

Serena just shrugged.

"Fine," he said as he stood up. "I'll teach you, and you memorize. It's really not that hard," he said as he shuffled his feet around a little.

He pointed to his chiseled chest and said," This is the pectoralis major, otherwise known as the chest. You call it 'pecs'. Easy enough?" he asked, to which Serena responded with a nod. "Okay… now stomach muscles," he said, lifting his shirt up without much thought," The upper abs, along with the outer stomach muscle is known as external obliques. The lower portion of abs, and the inner stomach muscle, is the internal obliques," he said, pointing to his stomach. When he talked the muscle on his stomach flexed a little, not that Serena minded.

As he kept talking about what each muscle did, she got up and walked over to him, surprising him by running her hand lightly over his stomach. He stopped talking and looked down at her, his eyes filled with desire. Then he leaned in and-

"See what I mean?" Darien asked, putting his shirt back down and looking over at Serena, who seemed to have zoned out.

"Oh.. hmm?" she suddenly asked, snapping out of her fantasy.

Darien gave her a quizzical look, lifting up an eyebrow and smiling. "Got them memorized?" he asked.

Serena nodded blankly.

"Okay, then repeat all the major muscles I just went over," he said, turning around to take his seat again.

"Um… okay," she said as she pushed the pillow she had in her lap aside and stood up. "Triceps and biceps," she started over, pointing to her upper and loser arm. " Pectoralis major," she said, pointing to her chest, then blushing once she realized what she had just pointed at her boobs, but Darien didn't seem to notice. He was just nodding. She paused a minute and smiled to herself as she lifted up her shirt, exactly how he had done. Time to seduce, she thought. Her stomach was, of course, not defined as Darien's but she had a toned, taught stomach. "This," she said pointing to the upper part of her stomach," is the external obliques. And this," she said, running her hand down a little on her stomach," is the internal obliques."

Darien swallowed as she repeated everything he told her, running her fingers lightly over her stomach and making Darien fidget in the couch uncomfortably. He was trying very hard not to picture certain things, but he couldn't help it. She was so tempting right now he wanted to jump up and take her.

As soon as that thought bubbled up, Darien mentally slapped himself. Distractions, he told himself.

"You okay, Darien?" Serena asked, looking concerned, but at the same time a little amused.

Darien cleared his throat and nodded. "Great," he answered as she smoothed her shirt back in place.

Serena walked over to him and sat down next to him… a little too close for Darien. Their shoulders were touching.

"Let's see what else I need to know," she said in a quiet voice, leaning over and looking at the book that was now back on his lap. Game. Set. Play, she thought with a smile.

After the photo shoot, Serena never tied her back up, instead she just let it all down. It was completely straight. She was also back in what she was wearing before the photo shoot; tank tops and jeans. Her hair spilled over her shoulders as and tickled Darien's arms as she leaned into him.

Darien held his breath as he felt her weight.

Serena pointed at something and said," You forgot to mention the rectus abdominis," she said, looking up to him, their faces a couple of inches apart.

Darien looked down at the diagram and saw the arrow that pointed to the rectus abdominis. It was the muscle just below the belly button. The lower most part of the stomach. When he turned his head to look at her, she was staring at him with a playful look in her eyes. Then… he suddenly realized what she was doing because she had never been this forward towards him before. She's trying to get me to do something! He thought to himself as he stared at her. It was obvious because her eyes said it. Is she… trying to get me fired? He asked himself. Ding, ding,ding! His conscious mocked him. Well isn't it obvious? She never keeps a bodyguard longer then a week, his conscious warned him. Ever wander why? As these thoughts swirled in his head, Darien came up with a plan. Fight fire, with fire.

It's working, Serena thought happily. He's totally falling for it. All he has to do is kiss me.

"You want me, don't you?" Darien suddenly asked, his smile looking seductive.

Serena's eyes widened. "Excuse me?" she asked as she leaned away from him, startled by what he just said.

He put the book down and moved, crawling towards her. She had no choice but to lean back onto the chair, resting her head on the arm rest. She was trapped.

"You want me," Darien said again, his voice husky and low. " Come on, admit it. The quicker you confess, the faster we'll get to it…"

"G-get to what?" Serena stammered, her eyes looking frightened as she felt her heart race. This was not supposed to happen!

Darien grinned as he moved above her, resting a hand right next to her head to keep him leveled up, parallel to her. "You know," he whispered, bringing his face in close to her, his eyes looking dark.

Serena suddenly slipped from under him as she stumbled away. "I don't know what you're talking about," she said," but-"

"But what?" Darien asked, walking towards her, cornering her into a wall now, trapping her again with his arms on either side of her head.

Serena's breathing began to quicken as she pressed herself into the wall.

When Serena didn't say anything he leaned his face in as Serena inhaled sharply and closed her eyes.

"I," Darien whispered in her ear," am always one step ahead of you."

Serena's eyes snapped open.

He smirked and backed away from her. "Well, looks like it's about nine," he said normally, walking towards the door. "See you tomorrow."

Darien opened the door and slipped out, leaving a furious and dazed Serena in the room.

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When Darien arrived in Serena's room the next morning, she would not look at him or talk to him. Her face looked stern as she grabbed her messenger bag and walked out of the room. Her attitude made Darien grin as he walked behind her, his hands in his pockets.

"Morning to you too," he said, his voice full of laughter.

Serena wanted to turn around and yell out some kind of comeback or profanity, but she held her tongue.

When they entered the elevator, Darien leaned against the side of it. "Come on, you don't even have a right to be mad at me. You're just angry because I figured out your move," he said with one of his smirks.

Serena wanted nothing more then to slap that stupid grin right off his face. Oh the NERVE of him! She thought.

When the elevator door opened, she quickly darted off to join her family for breakfast. Ken saw the angry expression on Serena's face, but decided not to ask. Instead, he went back to reading the morning newspaper as he said," Morning, sweetheart," like he always did.

Serena mumbled something along the same line and grabbed a piece of toast.

When Darien took his seat next to Andrew at the other end of the table, Andrew's eyebrows raised up in question.

"What?" Darien asked as he grabbed a cup of coffee and a bagel.

"You tell me," he said with a smile as he forked up some eggs.

Andrew had quickly become one of Darien's only other friend.

Darien just shrugged and slapped on some cream cheese. " Nothing. I'll tell you at school," he whispered.

Andrew nodded. "You do know that we sound like a couple of teenage girls right? 'I'll tell you at school'," he said in a girly voice.

Darien just laughed as he took a bite out of his bagel.

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High School for Darien was the exact same as it was the day before; boring. Not to mention, all the teenage girls didn't stop staring at him at all.

Ethan, however, did not wait by Serena's locker like he had the day before, nor did he eat lunch with her. Instead, he was huddled in a different group, eyeing her from afar with possessive eyes.

Darien had lunch with Andrew today again and he explained what happened the night before to Andrew just like he'd promised. Andrew got a big hoot out of it, elbowing Darien and saying," Good job!" Yes… good job for now, Darien thought as he smiled. He knew Serena would not give up that easily… especially now since her plan completely backfired. He was sure she'd come up with another one soon enough.

Serena played with her tray of food as she half-listened to what Raye, Mina, and Lita were telling her.

"Seriously, Serena… you've GOT to go to this party this weekend. It's the biggest of the year! Plus this is your Senior year and you haven't been to a single party," Mina declared, her eyes bright with determination.

Serena pushed her tray off to the side, not feeling hungry. "I don't know guys… I mean it's just a party. You know I'm not into that scene. Plus, my dad would probably KILL me if I went to a party," Serena explained.

Lita entered the conversation," It's okay, Serena. I'm not really into the whole party thing either."

"But you're going, aren't you?" Mina asked, looking worried.

Lita shrugged. "If you want me to go THAT bad, then yeah. I'll go."

"What about you, Raye?" Mina turned and asked.

"Um… sure. I've got nothing better to do," Raye answered, flicking her dark hair off her shoulders.

Serena wanted to go to this party, but she knew her chances of going were one in a million. Her days were usually booked. And her grades were gradually turning on her for the worst. She needed all the extra time to study and focus on school.

"Please try, Serena," Mina begged, pouting her lips. "At least promise me you'll try."

Serena smiled and nodded. "I'll try. But I'm not making any promises," she said.

Mina smiled, happy at her answer. Then she turned and saw Ethan sitting at another table, stealing glances their way from time to time. "Oh god," Mina said as she turned back around, rolling an unbelieving eye. "Your boyfriend keeps looking over here."

Serena threw a casual glance towards Ethan, pretending like she didn't care. She'd been with Ethan for almost a year now and things had drastically changed for them. He'd been pressuring her to sleep with him the past couple of months but she kept turning him down. Now he became more irritable with her quicker and for stupid reasons. They seemed to always be in an argument, sometimes she didn't even know why they were fighting to begin with. Another thing was he is the jealous type. A guy could glance at her and he'd be up, starting a commotion. She was tired of it, but a part of her still wanted to be with him, and the other part didn't. She cared about him even if he had been treating her badly. He didn't treat her badly all the time. Sometimes he was extremely sweet to her…

Ethan saw her look his way and smiled apologetically. He got up and walked over to her. "Can I talk to you?" he asked.

And it's time to make-up, Serena thought. It was routine in their relationship. She nodded and got up to follow him.

Darien saw and got up as well, excusing himself. He kept his distance, but kept an alert eye out.

Ethan and Serena walked out the cafeteria and around the corner. Darien stayed on the other side of the wall and listened in.

"Look, I'm sorry, Serena," Ethan's voice sounded gentle and genuine. "I just really want to spend time with you alone for once. I mean, lately you've been so busy you don't have time for us anymore. I miss us… you know?" he said, moving close to her and gently stroking her arm.

Serena nodded, missing this side of him. This was the side of him that she liked. "I know," she answered, her eyes softening. "But you have to understand that I am busy. My life is a schedule. I can't cancel interviews or important meetings just so I can go to a party with you," she told him, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as the wind blew. Her hair was down today and in soft curls.

Ethan nodded. "I understand, but I don't like it," he said, glancing away.

Serena smiled. "I don't like it either, but I promise you I'll try to attend this party, okay? I'll talk to my dad and my manager," she gave her word.

"Okay," he said with a smile. "So we're good?"

Serena grinned," We're good," she repeated, putting her arms around his neck as he leaned in to kiss her lips lightly.

Once it had gone quiet, Darien figured they were making out. He leaned against the wall as he waited for them to finish. High School relationships are so overrated, he thought.

After another three minutes, Serena and Ethan turned around the corner, holding hands, and walked back into the cafeteria, much to Darien's annoyance. At least I'm getting paid for this, he thought as he followed in afterwards.

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Serena was not in an interview for some kind of television talk show, only it was pre-recorded.

Darien stood off on the side of the wall as he watched Serena sit in front of large, hot light bulbs, and a black backdrop. She had her hair and make-up done, and she was looking very professional. Fashionable, yet professional. The hairdresser did one of those 'poof' things on the top of her head, tying half of it up to poof, and letting the rest fall down in silky glory. She was dressed in a cute classy black and white dress.

The interviewer's name was Kelly Thomas. She was a blonde haired, brown eyed woman in her early thirties. She sat on a high stool with her legs crossed. Her posture was perfect, and her smile was wide.

"So tell me, Serena," Kelly said in her 'interviewer' voice. "How much has your life changed since your father's been in office?"

Serena gave a sweet smile as she moved a little in her seat, her hands folded delicately in her lap. "Well, it's changed a lot, but we try to keep things normal. I still go to high school like regular students, and do my homework and stuff. It hasn't changed that much except for all the security," Serena said sweetly.

Kelly nodded, looking extremely interested. "How about your peers? Do they treat you like a celebrity?"

Serena nodded her head. "Oh no," she replied, waving her hand," They treat me like how they treat everyone else."

Kelly smiled and nodded, moving on. "Do you have a boyfriend?" Kelly said in a joking matter.

Serena laughed," Yes, yes I do, actually. His name's Ethan Meyer and we've been together for almost an entire year."

'Oh," Kelly squealed," Is there love in the air?"

Serena laughed again, bringing a hand to her mouth. " Love? Well I'm not sure, but who knows. Maybe in the future," she answered with a shrug.

Darien rolled his eyes as he listened. "Love my ass," he said under his breath.

The interview ended soon enough, and Serena walked around to thank everyone. This interview was to be aired tomorrow at seven.

When they walked out, Serena yawned. It was only a little after six and she was tired. She felt mentally and physically drained. Like if she were pushed any harder, she'd completely collapse.

Darien noticed Serena staggering a little as she yawned. She had to pause a minute to let her dizziness come to a halt before she walked again. He rushed to her side and held onto her arm as she fell slightly.

"Whoa," he said, steadying her. "You all right?"

Serena nodded and yanked her arm away from him. "I'm fine," she answered, walking again. "I just got a little dizzy is all."

Darien didn't believe her so he got in the back of the car with her to keep an eye out. Serena frowned when she saw him enter in the back with her.

"What are you doing?" she asked, looking bewildered.

Darien closed the door and turned to face her. "I'm sitting in the back to watch after you. What does it look like I'm doing?"

Serena stared at him with annoyance. "I told you that I was fine," she repeated herself, crossing her arms over her chest.

Darien shrugged.

"I don't need a damn babysitter," she exclaimed.

"Then I would suggest you stop acting like a child," Darien snapped as the car began to move.

Serena frowned, and then pouted. This was exactly the reason why she hated bodyguards.

Darien ignored her facial expression and turned his gaze elsewhere. Stupid immature teenager, he thought as he stared aimlessly out the window. This is going to be a long ride home, he thought further as he quickly glanced down at his watch. It was going to be a good hour before they reached the White House again.

Serena stared angrily at Darien, letting the silence envelope them.

Darien could feel the heat of her stare and he turned to look at her. Her eyes with squinted with fury. "It's rude to stare," he said in mock tone.

Serena glared at him harder and turned her head away from him. She admitted it… she was acting a little childish, but she couldn't help it. The man drove her insane!

Darien suddenly shifted and lay down on the long limo chair, resting his hands behind his head.

Oh sure… get comfortable in MY car… ass, she thought to herself. "You can't do that," she complained.

"Why not?" Darien asked, looking up at the ceiling of the car.

"Because I said so," she said quickly.

Instead of sitting back up, Darien took an arm and covered his eyes with it, as if he was going to sleep.

Serena gaped at him. He's not listening to me! "Get up," she said maddeningly, through gritted teeth.

"You're the President's daughter, not a royal princess," Darien said, not moving a muscle.

Oh! I hate him, she thought. She got up quietly and moved towards him, trying to keep her balance while the car moved. Since his eyes were covered, he didn't see her. She was going to PUSH him off of the chair if she had too!

Right when she leaned over to push him off, Darien lurched forward and grabbed a hold of her hands; startling her and making her fall over on top of him. She shrieked in surprise as she landed on him.

"Why are you so fucking stubborn?" Darien asked, still holding onto her wrists and ignoring the fact that she was on top of him.

Serena tried to pull away from him, but he was much stronger. "Let me go," she said frantically, squirming.

Her movement sent a jolt of pleasure shooting through him and he let her go, pushing her off of him quickly. She stumbled away from him, looking shocked and infuriated.

He sat up and ran a hand through his already disheveled hair.

She was rubbing her wrist tenderly from where he had gripped her, sitting across from him.

Darien inhaled and exhaled deeply. "I'm sorry if I hurt you," he mumbled.

Serena didn't look at him. She crossed her arms again and looked out the window. Her hair was a little messy from tumbling around and her face was red with anger.

He knew she was mad at him. He hadn't expected what happened to have… happened. He wasn't supposed to have felt what he had felt. "I'm sorry," he said again after several minutes went by. "I didn't mean to grab you so hard or shove you away that hard either."

She was pissed off at him, and she was not going to say anything. Not a single word. "I'm fine." Damn mouth… she thought. Traitor!

Darien looked surprised that she said something because he hadn't expected her too. At least she responded, he said. He smiled inwardly and straightened up. "Okay… good," he said.

It was quiet the rest of the ride home because somewhere along the way, Serena lay down and fell asleep.

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When Serena woke up, she found herself lying in her bed. She sat up confusedly. Wait… I was in the limo last time, she thought as she looked around. She glanced at the clock— 8:05 p.m. What? She looked around her room. That's when she saw him.

Darien had fallen asleep on her couch. When they had arrived at the White House, he carried her to her room, telling the guards to be quiet. He tried to wake her, but she wouldn't even stir, so he decided to just carry her up to her room and tell the President she was too tired for dinner.

Serena quietly got out of bed and walked over to Darien's slumped form. He looked adorable, with his bangs falling in his face and his lips slightly parted. She noticed he had long, gorgeous eyelashes, that were now closed together. His shirt came up a little from where he had turned, showing off a little stomach, but not much. She felt herself being pulled to him as she moved closer. She reached out a hand and lightly moved his hair out of his face, only having it fall back into place.

Here was a man she barely even knew… yet she felt completely safe around him. She found him sexy, enticing, and smart. She sometimes even looked forward to their random spats throughout the day. She even caught herself thinking, daydreaming, and fantasizing about him.

She couldn't seem to control her actions. Before she knew it, she leaned over and lightly brushed her lips over his. She pulled her face away from his to see if he'd wake, but he didn't budge. His breathing was still deep and heavy, his chest making a rhythmic rise and fall. She felt herself lean into him again, placing her lips once more on his, only this time, her lips stayed stationary on his instead of lightly brushing over it. His lips were soft, yet firm. She felt a familiar tingle shoot through her entire body from this one simple kiss. When she pulled away to look at him, his dark blue eyes were staring right back at her….

MUWAHAHAHAHA! I am evil… and I leave you with suspense!