A/N: Ugh ... School is not being nice to me to have three research papers due all at once ... I will update as often as I have time. I appreciate your patience. Thanks to India Present, Jade, Jewel, Destinys*Kiss and the Prince of Crossovers for your reviews. You'll never know how much they meant to me. Didn't need sugar for two days ... *G*

Disclaimer: If I really have to tell you, then you haven't been paying attention! Don't make me say it again!

Chapter 5

Memories

Darien escorted the girls into the Crown and headed for the usual booth as Serena waved to Andrew, catching his attention. He nodded back and finished serving the customer he was with before coming over. Serena and Darien shared one side of the booth and Rory sat on the other, her back towards Andrew.

"Hey, Serena! Hi, Darien!" Andrew looked to Rory ... And looked ... And looked. Rory started to blush. Serena giggled. Darien cleared his throat and waved his hand in front of Andrew's face. Andrew jerked back and grinned, one hand scratching the back of head as he blushed. "Sorry about that. Uh ... my name is Andrew. I haven't seen you in here before but your eyes look familiar. Still, I'm sure I would remember you."

Serena giggled again. When Andrew looked towards her, she pointed to Darien. "There are your familiar eyes, Andrew."

Confused, Andrew looked to Darien, wondering what Serena was talking about - until he looked into Darien's eyes. Comprehension dawned on him as he looked back and forth between Darien and Rory.

"Wow! That's amazing that you two have the same colour eyes." He poked Darien in the shoulder. "Here I thought you were an original, Darien."

Darien smirked back. "Oh, it's still an original trait ... genetic, in fact." He leaned back and let that remark soak into Andrew's brain. Then he went for the "kill". "Andrew, this is Rory ... my sister."

"You're SISTER?! Since when do you have a sister?! This is fantastic!!" He grabbed Darien's hand and pumped it as he babbled on. "Wow! I'm so happy for you, Darien! This is amazing!! This calls for a celebration! Supper is on the house!! Anything you like!" He released Darien and grabbed his pad and pencil, ready to write. Darien ordered for them all and Andrew wandered away, still slightly dazed at the news of his best friend's good fortune.

Darien chuckled. He looked at Serena, tapping her on the nose. "Good thing your appetite has calmed down since we first met, or Andrew would be in danger of going bankrupt. Serena gave him a small smile and pushed him off the bench. She and Rory laughed at the look on his face as he fell.

"Really, Darien," Rory admonished him, "it's most ungallant of you to speak to your wife that way."

Andrew came up just then and served the drinks. Chocolate shake for Serena, strawberry for Rory, and vanilla for Darien. "What's the matter, Darien? Teasing Serena again? When are you going to learn to either sit opposite her or take the inside of the booth?" And he walked away, rolling his eyes, causing both girls to break out into laughter again at the dirty look Darien gave him. Darien stood up and dusted off his pants.

"Is it safe to sit, or fairest of maidens?" he asked his wife as he bowed.

Serena mockingly held out her hand to be kissed. "Of course, good sir. You are forgiven."

Darien kissed her hand. Then he kissed her wrist ... and continued to place kisses up her arm as he sat down again. Holding her hand trapped in his left, his right arm around Serena's shoulders, he settled back in the bench again. If he went down again, she was coming with him. He looked to Rory.

"There's an awful lot I'd like to ask you that really should wait until we get back to our place, but tell me what you can about yourself."

"Well, I'm enjoying this milkshake ... yum. It's been so long since I had one. Umm .. let's see, what's can I tell you that doesn't require a long convoluted explanation ... I was the firstborn ... by several years. Then you were born. I watched over you until Helios was finished his training as your Guardian. You were the sweetest thing, Darien. Always trying to help people, smiling at them with your big, blue eyes. It's rare you ever got angry, but your eyes would suddenly snap with icy coldness." Rory winked at Darien. "That was usually fixed with a nap though." She stirred her shake and tried to think of something else she could tell him.

Serena leaned forward. "How did you manage to catch my Mother's attention?"

Rory smiled. "We were visiting ... your home ... one day, and I was wandering through the gardens when a little silver speed demon rushed past me. Or almost. She looked up at me as she went by and tripped. She fell in a flurry of while lace and blonde pig tails. I helped you up and straightened your gown while tears streamed down your face. You never made a whimper though. I talked calmly and quietly to you while I dusted you off. then you looked at me with those baby blues of yours and gave a little sniff as you held out your scratched hands. You also had a scrape up one arm and on one of your knees. I told you to close your eyes and I would kiss you better. You did, and as I kissed your little palms, I Healed you. Your mother came up behind me just as I finished, but I hadn't noticed her. I had been concentrating on you. You opened your eyes and thanked me very prettily. I offered to walk you back ... telling you that I was worried I would become lost and surely you knew the way. Your mother stepped behind a tree before we could see her and watched as you "led" me back to the others. When she came in that evening, she pulled me aside and admitted to what she had seen. She had been impressed by my skills and asked me if she could approach my parents about a position for me." Rory looked up at Serena. "I was so surprised I could only nod at her ... I never said a word."

"Mother had that effect on people."

Rory started to say more but Andrew came up with their dinners and they settled down to eating quietly with occasional comments about good everything tasted. By the time they were done, Serena was starting to wilt. She might be stronger now, but using the Crystal to Heal everybody had taken alot out of her. Darien passed on the compliments and thanks for the meal to Andrew and they walked home. Darien kept an arm around Serena just in case. She wasn't as clumsy as she used to be, but she tended not to watch as well when she was this tired.

Suddenly, Darien felt uneasy. Somebody was watching. He stopped and looked around but couldn't see anything. He looked to Rory as they kept walking. She nodded. She had felt something too and would be alert for it. Serena was starting to droop as they walked up to the apartment building. Darien picked her up and carried her inside. Rory stopped and discretely scanned the area. The feeling was back ... somebody had followed them home. She hoped it was nothing and went inside.

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Well, I hope you enjoyed it so far ... sorry that it was so short ... but I have to get up for school tomorrow! I'll try to update again soon!

You know the drill! Please review.

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