The Accident

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"Serena, I hear you were spotted being all cuddly with Andrew." Lita said.

"Damn, people are stupid. He had his arm draped over my shoulder, like a protective brother would, and people jump to conclusions."

"I think you should just date him for real." Lita said.

"Not gonna happen. I love him…but like a brother."
"So how were the rest of your classes?"
"Andrew and Darien are my seminar mentors."
"So he went from conceited jerk to Darien?"
"Andrew asked us to be civil during school."
"So who's up for a milkshake?" Amy asked.

"Meet you there!" Serena called running down the hallway.

Wonder if Andy is working today. She thought. Once she got to the crosswalk, it lit up with 'don't walk.' I think he owes me a few free milkshakes. She noticed the 'walk' light up. She continued thinking as she started her trek across the street. The things I do for Andy. "Meatball head." Hummmm, what flavor do I want today? "That car isn't stopping." I'm tired. "SERENA!" Finally she snapped out of her train of thought. "Huh?" She turned to see a car heading right for her with no intent on stopping. "GET OUT OF THE WAY BITCH!" The male driver called. "SERENA, MOVE!" The male who'd called her before said. But she couldn't move. Her body was in shock. As the car neared, she closed her eyes and prepared for impact, but the impact that came wasn't nearly as painful as she expected. It felt more like a body then cement rather than a car then cement.

Serena heard various people in the distance cry different things like 'are they okay?' and 'someone call 911.'

"Serena! Serena, are you okay? Come on, stay with me. Say something, anything."

"D-Darien? I- She couldn't continue, she blacked out.

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She slowly awoke to beeping. What in the world? She thought. Why do I feel like I was hit by a train? And what the hell is in my mouth? She looked at her surroundings. Machines, another bed, a TV, food, Darien, more machines…wait…Darien? What is he doing here…wait, he said something before I blacked out…what happened? I was thinking about Andy owing me a few milkshakes, then Darien calling to me, a car…was the body I felt Darien's? She took in his appearance. His hair was ruffled. He was hunched over onto the bed, snoring, sleeping. How long have I been here? And why can't I talk? She gently brought her hand to the one placed by Darien's head and grasped it. I'm so tired. She thought before falling asleep.

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"I swear to you it wasn't me. She must've woken up!" A male voice argued.

"That isn't likely. She hit her head pretty hard. You're just sleep deprived." A female said.

Serena opened her eyes and saw Darien arguing with a lady in scrubs.

She tried to speak but remembered the tube in her mouth. Instead, she moved her arms up and down.

"Serena!" Darien called running to the side of her bed. "I told you she woke. I didn't do it!" He called over his shoulder to the lady who was on the phone.

"Yah, she's awake."
"You okay?"

She nodded and pointed to her mouth.

"Can you get this thing out of her?"

"Once the doctor gets in here. She's on her way now."

She looked at him with wonder in her eyes.

"It's a ventilator. To help you breathe. Once it's out, I can answer any questions."
She nodded as a tall, blue haired lady walked in.

"Rena! You're awake darling!" She said giving the blonde a hug.

The doctor did some checks and unhooked the vent. "Okay. I need you to take a deep breathe in then blow out, and I'll take this out."
Serena nodded and complied. As soon as the tube was out, she coughed.

"Now, don't try to talk too much. Your throat needs to readjust. I'm going to telephone your parents."

"Thanks Dr. Mizuno." She said hoarsely.

She nodded and walked out with the nurse.

Serena turned back to Darien and was greeted with a hug.

"I'm so glad you're okay."
"H-how long have I been here?" She whispered.

"Two days. You've been in a coma." His voice got lower. "They said it was from the impact. I'm so sorry."
"You probably saved my life. Thanks."
"But-"

"No, you did the right thing. How long have you been here?"
He looked down and blushed slightly. "Since you were brought here."
"Why?"
"I caused this. I felt really bad."
"No! You didn't cause this. That driver did."
Suddenly the door flew open and Serena was bombarded by her mom and dad.

"Oh my baby! You're okay!" Her mother cried.

"Sweetie. I'm so glad you're okay." Her father said.

"I'm fine, but if you keep squeezing me, I won't be."
"Oh Darien! How could we possibly repay you for saving my little girl's life?"
"Her being okay is payment enough."
"And all this time I thought you hated me."
"Never. You're just a meatball head."

"Thanks."
"So Dr. Mizuno. When can we take her home?" Ken asked.

"Tomorrow afternoon."
"Have you called the girls?" Serena asked.

"School doesn't get out for another hour. They usually head over right away. Andrew drives them." She explained.

"Oh, okay."
"How about we have you over for dinner tomorrow Darien." Ilene suggested.

"That would be wonderful Mrs. Tsukino. Thank you."
"You should invite you folks." Ken said.

Darien visibly tensed. "I – uh – would, but they are still out of the country getting the rest of our things packed up."

"Ken, what time is it?"

He looked at his watch. "We've got to go get Sammy. He has a doctor appointment. Will you be okay until we get back?"

"Sure daddy."

"Okay. Love you."

"Love you too." She said as her parents walked out the door.

"So you've skipped school to stay here with me?"
"No, I ca-I mean my parents called me in."
"While in another country?" She asked folding her arms across her chest.

"I called them and explained what happened, and they called in."
"What aren't you telling me?"
"It's nothing Sere. Don't worry yourself about it."
"Sere?"
"What?"
"You just called me Sere."
"Oh, just a nickname."

"Hey, it's better then meatball head."

"I guess."

"So what happened exactly?"

"Well you were running towards the stoplight when you slowed. You seemed deep in thought about something. Then when the light turned to 'walk,' you began to walk, but this car was speeding and couldn't stop. I called to you three times, but you still didn't hear me or something. When I called you again, you stopped dead in the car's path. You didn't move, so I lunged at you and we hit the cement. I never realized how hard you hit your head. The paramedics came and brought us here. The doctors began working on you. Other then the coma, you had a collapsed lung, so they had to intibate you. Other then that, just scrapes and burses. You've been here ever since."

"You too?"
"Other then to take a shower and change, yes."
"What about your injuries?"

"Just scrapes and bruises."

"Thank you Dare. You risked your life to save mine."

"Life just wouldn't be any fun if you weren't around."
"You almost sound like you care."
"So what if I do?"

"You're something else Dare."

"Is that a good thing?"

"Yes it is. But I gotta know, why did you go off on me when I threw that shoe?"
"Honestly…I don't really know. That blush on your face was just so cute…"

"So you made me angry to get rid of it?"
"You face is even cuter when you yell at me. You blushed even more." What are you doing? You might as well just flat out say 'I love you Serena.' You practically just did anyways!

"So you made me angry, because my face is cute? Is that another way of telling me you like me?" She asked with a sly grin.

"Well – uh – I – uh – you see – uh." Smooth one!

"And translated from Darien to laymen...that would be…"
"You see – uh – well – uh – I – uh?" Just fucking tell her already!

"Hello?" She waved a hand in front of his face noticing him space out.

Come on; just tell her…you know you want to. His mind taunted. "OH SHUT UP!" He yelled to himself…aloud.

"Sorry!" She shot back.

"No…not you. I was talking to that stupid voice in my head. But yah, you're just so damned cute. When that car was heading for you, my heart just stopped. From the minute you threw that shoe, I've liked you." He blushed.

"That's good to know because I've liked you for the longest time."

"Really!?"

"Yah, no one has ever acted that way towards me. It was exciting."

"Exciting?"
"Yah. Everyone has always been so gentle around me…like they can't joke because I'm too sensitive or something…I don't know what it is."

"Well how about you become my girlfriend?"
"I'd love nothing more." She said before they kissed.

"Well it's about damned time." A male voice said from the door

They immediately broke away and blushed.

"What are you talking about?" Serena asked.

"When ever that man walked into the Crown, he'd say how much you irritated him, but you stirred feelings deep down in him." Andrew said. "It was only a matter of time before he finally told you."