*Attention*: As heartbreaking as it may be. . . I do not own Sailor Moon. *Sniff* I know! It's just TOO horrible! Hehehe, anyway. . . sorry that chapter 2 was like. . . book length. I apologize to all the eyeballs that were strained during the reading of this fic!
Ok, so here's Chapter 3, brought to you by the Cosmic One, who, as always, hopes you thoroughly enjoy what has shot forth from her overactive imagination. A Thank You, A Thank You. . .
X-O-X-O
THE PEOPLE I SO LOVE:
Lilykins17- So happy you like! Expect a few oddities, but you know. . .the good kind. . .
kino amiko- The humming bird has landed! Hope you dig this piece of madness, too!
notforyoutoknow- Te-he-he. . . blasted ciffies! What's their deal, huh? I mean, these fanfiction peoples. . .THE GAUL! Now you REALLY loathe and despise me, but jus' admit it. . .the irritation is so cool! ^_^
Lara1786- You know. . .you're so the COOLEST CHICK EVER! I know this fic is like, taking it's sweet time to roll along, but I'm glad you still dig it anyway! Enjoy, oh awesome one!
sKoN- Rockin' A! Happy to please. . . hope it happens again this time! And that chemistry. . .watch it go POP soon! ^_^
X-O-X-O
Sometime later, four plastered teenagers lay at various stations about the apartment, Lita lying flat on her back with a ridiculous smile upon her face, one hand still wrapped loosely about the neck of the nearly empty bottle of liquor that the inhabitants of the room had managed to devastate in record time.
Mina was to her left, curled in the fetal position in the overstuffed, tattered purple chair, her buttery hair strewn all about her, having come undone from the signature red ribbon tangled throughout it. Periodically, a soft humming could be heard, as she tried to cope gracefully with the fact that she was a tad too drunk to see straight at the time.
To her left, in a mass of tangled limbs, Raye and Serena lay, Serena only slightly less toasted than the others as she tried to make Raye's shins into a more comfortable resting place.
"Stop moving so much," Raye groaned, tossing about upon the couch herself until she nearly made them both nauseous.
"Man Serena..stop making the room spin already! I said I was sorry, didn't I?" she demanded, her speech slurred nicely.
It was only after she burped loudly enough to cause the wallpaper to curl that a grin spread slowly across the spacey blonde's face, followed shortly by the beginnings of a beastly fit of giggles.
On a daily basis Raye was a trip and a half, but when she was drunk…my, nothing really compared to that did it? At least Chad was away on a business trip with his father. If he saw her like this, he'd sling her over his shoulder and cart her off for an impromptu sobering up, which as history showed would not be pleasant for poor Raye.
Chad, who now stayed far from the stuff do to his over consumption and bad life choices do to it in the past, never liked to find his one and only so drunk that she couldn't walk without ever so gracefully face planting directly into the deadly ground below.
But, as long as she was with her friends and not out wreaking havoc on the streets, it wasn't usually a heavily debatable issue with him. Especially if he never found out. At least that was Raye's opinion on the subject.
Laughter was soon contagious, spreading like wild fire throughout the room. Even Amy, the only one sensible enough to realize how early morning came and how rough it was to concentrate when attempting to sleep off a hangover, couldn't hold back her amusement, as she sat watching the others from a comfortable bean bag chair across from the couch.
After two shots she'd simply settled in to take in the sight of her best friends acting like idiots. And as usual, she'd assumed the role of caretaker, making sure everyone drank enough water to chase away the hangovers sure to come in the morning. Everyone had work and school tomorrow, no matter how much they felt like sinking into a dark hole and sleeping for six or seven years.
The more they laughed, the more ridiculous the situation became, until everyone not already on ground level was leaning precariously toward the floor. Being predictable, Serena was of course the only giggling creature to actually crash to the carpeted floor, still chuckling despite the ache of her head upon impact.
"Rena…ur derrunk," Mina pointed out, as if she'd revealed the most profound thing in existence.
"Nah. I'm jus'…I'm jus' a little…" she responded, before the wave of nausea swept over her, causing her to clap a hand over her mouth.
Somehow, she managed to get to her feet, rushing wobbly to the door she hoped was still the bathroom. In her current condition she couldn't be too sure. The others still laughed as she disappeared, though Amy rose as well, to aid her somewhat ridiculously loopy cohort.
But, even Amy had an ulterior motive, for she was quite aware of one very important thing: when Serena was drunk, she became quite honest. Anything and everything you asked her she told you, no bullshit involved.
She'd kept quiet earlier when the others had tried to invade her life, but now she'd find out just what was going on in the blonde's head…after she'd emptied the contents of her stomach into the taunting depths of the toilet, that is.
Serena was vaguely aware, as she gripped the rim of the toilet seat, of two hands sweeping her impossibly long hair out of her face, leaving it safe for her to wretch to her heart's content.
She knew damn well that she made for a bad drunk. Why on Earth she'd gone down this road again she didn't know. It'd seemed to be a stellar idea at the time. But now, as her body protested what she'd put it through for the majority of the night, she realized that perhaps she should've just gone to bed to face her dreams like a woman.
Now, not only would she dream of him anyway, but she would also have the pleasure of a disgusting taste in her mouth, bloodshot eyes and a wretched headache in the morning. That is, if she ever stopped doubling over the toilet. In time, Serena finally stilled, Amy steadying her with one arm while still holding her hair back with the other hand.
"Feel better now?" she wondered, as Serena wiped her mouth with a tissue plucked from the box perched upon the back of the toilet.
"Ask me tomorrow," she answered softly, her eyes watering and her throat on fire. Damn liquor burned even more on the return trip.
"You'll live. You always do," the blue haired girl affirmed, taking her by the elbow as she put down the toilet seat, gently maneuvering Serena to sit upon it. Amy knelt in front of her, one hand on her knee as she wobbled unsteadily, still in a bit of a daze.
"Amy? Why do you always have to make so much damn sense?" she muttered, rubbing her eyes as another wave threatened to overtake her. She managed to hold it back, swallowing hard as the demon liquid tried to race back up her throat once more.
"Just blessed, I suppose. Now, I have a question for you," she retorted, and Serena gulped.
Now she was a goner. If anyone on Earth could catch her skirting the truth, it was this chick. Amy had more common sense than the rest of them combined, and she was no idiot. No, this girl had tact. She waited for the perfect time to strike, when she knew you'd be babbling your deepest, darkest shadows for hours.
"Yeah, Ames?" Serena said, dreading the inevitable. It was bad enough when she was sober, but now that she was still swimming from her liquor buzz, she had no chance.
"Darien…he makes you feel strangely, doesn't he? Like the Earth spinning after the asteroid hit?" she wondered, her soft blue eyes boring into Serena's without fear.
"Can you tell?" she muttered, annoyed that anyone could see through her painstakingly erected barriers so clearly.
"I got the hint," her friend answered with a small smile gracing her lips.
"You'd deny it until the end, you know. Until you ran him off too," the wise one stated simply, and they both knew it to be true.
"But I don't think he'll allow you to," she added. Serena blinked, confused by her last statement.
"He won't allow it? Who gave him any right not to?" she demanded.
"You did, Sere. You did. At least that's what your eyes hold. I think you owe this man a chance," she noted, her hand still stroking along her friend's golden hair soothingly.
"I don't owe anyone anything, especially not a guy. Not this guy," Serena huffed, her act not fooling anyone.
"Drop the act. If he stepped through that door right now you'd turn white as a sheet and faint, Ice Queen. How long do you think you can keep it up, much less in front of him? He sees right through you," Amy informed her knowingly.
"I know. That's what's put me in such a foul mood. I'm not used to having my control snapped like this. I don't exactly know how to react. However," she said, looking thoughtful, "I am prepared for this game."
"Are you sure? Because honestly, he doesn't look new to it." Man, did she know that to be true. The man positively reeked of skill in the game of lust. And here she was, Ms. Fresh-Outta'-High-School and never been touched.
Life was such a bitch. But, she couldn't exactly complain. It wasn't as if the offers hadn't flowed since she was fourteen. That was what had led to the somewhat bitter woman in existence today.
Had any guys she'd been acquainted with not been total depraved pigs, perhaps this kind of thing wouldn't irritate her on such a grand scale.
"It's still in your hands," Amy assured her, taking her hand and giving it a squeeze.
"You sure about that, girly?" she wondered, her body beginning to shut down for sleep.
"Very. You of all people should know how to follow your heart. It's what drives you, after all," Amy pointed out. Serena looked down at her for a moment, before leaning down and giving her shoulders a hard squeeze.
"Thanks, Ames. You're good for me, you know that?" she said, as the sober girl rose and helped her to her feet as well.
"Glad to be of service. Now come on, you drunk. I've got to get the rest of the children in bed too," she mused, causing laughter to fill the small bathroom.
X-O-X-O
The door shut softly, the click of the lock followed by a few tired footsteps to the island in the center of the kitchen. His hand searched for the one thing that had any possibility of taking his mind off the beautiful girl he'd just left in the care of her friends across town.
Though only across town, it seemed as though he'd sailed across the ocean from her, leaving her alone with nothing but his memory. He knew that it was the way things should be, should he have been a man of logic.
However, circumstances being as they were, Darien had chosen to tell his logical mind to go fuck itself in a dark alley, for the intrigue Serena had stirred within was not to be overlooked.
He needed to remain hidden, where she couldn't sense his presence but where he could yet gaze upon her…trap her behind a one way mirror so that he could observe her as he wished, and yet remain far enough away as to keep his rather atrocious habits from influencing her.
But something he had been made well aware of was the fact that as angelic and innocent as she seemed, the little nymph had a fair share of seductress in her genes. That kiss wouldn't have affected him in the least bit if she didn't, and here he was, already pouring his third shot of vodka as he tried to regain any sense he'd been born with.
He tasted her still, the burning liquor unable to chase away her memory as he wished. Darien had never been in a situation in which a page had been torn from his own volume of Seduction 101.
Though he could tell she was inexperienced, her ardor more than made up for it. She would use that beauty and grace to the fullest should she learn how, and God help the man that got caught up in it. God help him, for he noted with bitter reality that he was in fact like a child following the Pied Piper. How far he'd allow himself to follow had yet to be determined.
Another instance such as their earlier encounter would yield nothing productive. Without a shred of doubt, he would be nothing but content after hearing that sweet voice echoing his name throughout the room, but, he reminded himself, she wasn't like the other women he'd known in his life. They knew when to come and go, which was usually before down approached.
As disgusting as it seemed, it was so much easier to use and be used, no strings attached and no emotions arising from it. Sex was what it was. He'd heard some say that you would never experience true pleasure until you joined with one you truly loved. Made love to them with your body as well as your soul.
He shook his head, tossing his coat over the back of his couch as he sat down heavily. Would that be the case with her? Would he fuck Serena or would he make love to her, should the chance come about? The question, though not of the utmost importance, bothered him more the longer he pondered it.
Fucking her sounded atrocious, no matter how he looked at it. She was something different, in a world of deception and mistrust. She was something much more complex, a definite Pandora's Box, which his hands longed to explore.
The whole situation was something entirely new, something so foreign that he couldn't help but to recognize it as a bane. Emotions were still sparking all throughout him, disturbing and delighting him all at once. So many questions nagged at him, leaving him attempting vainly to shut his mind down to allow himself a bit of respite.
Tomorrow night, another job awaited him, and he had no need of such a distraction as the most striking young female he'd yet to encounter. The details remained fresh in his mind's eye, and he hoped the image of her would not fade until he was blessed enough to witness the sight of her again.
Before he forgot about it, he carefully copied the phone number onto a piece of loose paper sitting on his coffee table, taking care to tuck it under the candle holder sitting there. It had been rather bold of her to do such a thing, especially after he'd nearly drowned her in his embrace only moments before.
The thought struck him at that moment, odd in its own right. Never had he actually held anyone before. Never felt such a need to possess someone so fully and without limits as he had when Serena had been held close against him. She caused so many strange reactions in him, and he knew that he would have no peace until he found out why.
He stared at the wall in front of him, noting the lack of personality his apartment held. Grey. Bleak. Unfeeling. Much like himself, he realized, leaning his head back as the last taste of vodka slid hotly down his throat.
"Madness," he muttered to the darkness, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration.
He was losing his mind. That had to be it, for no other explanation could be found. He lived his life, one that had no room for such a kind spirit as this girl. But he longed to experience something new, something that called to him from a place unseen.
The first order of business was to regain control, which he was quite acquainted with indeed. After that, the tide would be flowing in his favor, and perhaps he could then figure out what it was that was occurring. Thoughts heavy and mind full, Darien rose, making his way to the bathroom for a much needed, very icy shower.
As he passed his bedroom, he glanced inside, and the sudden vision of the blonde haired girl sprawled across his raven sheets assaulted him. He blinked the sight away, labeling himself absolutely mad as he kept pace until he reached the bathroom door.
Had he added ice to the mix, it still wouldn't have cooled him in the least, as he stood under the falling water, dark head bent and palms against the cold tile of the wall.
Water ran down his face, across his lips, which still yearned to touch hers once more. Why should something so simple and trite as a kiss cause such lunacy to overtake anyone? The freezing streams trailed down his chest, flowing further downward over his abdomen and to the rather sensitive region which was still giving him his share of grief.
The man groaned audibly, leaning his forehead against the wall as his thoughts reverted to the sight of two crystal blue orbs gazing up at him. It was a wonder that he hadn't lost his articulation while being held in that perfect gaze. All he needed was to allow weakness to show itself. That he could not do, especially not in front of her.
He couldn't allow his life to change because of her, nor would he. At very least, that was the notion. Whether or not he could follow through was another tale entirely.
Darien stepped out of his shower, not feeling a great deal better than he had a few moments before, still engrossed by the image of the seraph named Serena, lying naked beneath him upon his bed, her legs laced about him and that gorgeous mouth open in a silent cry as he showed her the extent of the madness that she had caused to rage within him.
He slammed his fist hard against his mirror, managing to scatter glass all about his floor and leave a few rogue shards embedded in his knuckles. This was ludicrous.
Clenching and unclenching his fist, not feeling even the slightest pain, he watched his own crimson blood flow across his hand, a few drops falling to the light colored tile below. What a mess. And he was usually so orderly about things.
Darien decided to deal with it in the morning, as he too casually picked the shards of jutting glass from his broken skin. After shoving his hand under running water in the sink, he watched the froth turn red, wondering what Serena would think of such behavior. If she only knew even half of the truth, she'd run away like a good girl and leave him to his murderous ways, spare herself the hurt of knowing the truth at all.
Grabbing a nearby wash cloth, he pressed it to his self inflicted wound until the white was stained red with blood. Nothing bleach couldn't erase, he mused, knowing the staining power of the crimson life that flowed through the veins of humans.
Many an ensemble he'd ruined after being careless on a job. He'd grown so used the sight of gore that it no longer fazed him in the least. It was just another everyday occurrence in his eyes. Nothing more and nothing less.
As he continued attempting to regain his focus, he made his way to his living room, sitting upon the leather cushions of his couch, pulling a rather large case from beneath it. He slung it up onto the coffee table, opening it carefully and revealing the shining custom handgun within.
His hands soon held the weapon, cleaning it with a scrap of white cloth also residing in the case. It always calmed him down, cleaning his weapon with care, as if it were in fact a fragile piece of glass in his hands.
Slowly, his mind began concentrating on the task of the following night, formulating a detailed plan. Through it all, however, her blessed image remained in the back of his mind, one that was sure to stay with him for quite some time indeed, even through all the other madness that shrouded his very soul.
X-O-X-O
The night before, drowning her concerns with a bottle of liquor seemed to be a genuinely superior idea. However, as morning crashed down upon her with murderous vengeance, Serena realized quite quickly that her judgment had indeed been foul.
Her head felt as though it would split open at any moment, her vision was a bit fuzzy and random spells of nausea were paying her beastly visits as she attempted to prepare herself for work.
At least she didn't have any classes to haul herself to. Work was bad enough, when all she wanted to do was crawl back into bed and sleep the day away. What sickened her more than anything was the fact that even though the moment she'd shared with the very enigmatic being that had made sudden residence in her life should've been a dream. It wasn't.
It had happened, and she felt like a naïve fool. 'd probably had a nice laugh at her expense, she thought bitterly, after she'd allowed him to toy with her so simply.
Maybe her friends were right after all. Perhaps the entire thing was one big farce, now one she'd not have to fret over. He wouldn't call.
Darien probably had women flinging themselves after him at all hours of the day. What had happened the night before had merely been a merriment for the man. Nothing more than a game.
By the time she left the apartment, which was already vacant of inhabitants, Serena was nice and cynical after her thoughts had been running rampant through her mind.
Notebook and gel pen in hand, she felt the need to scribble down some master works throughout the day. At least the man inspired her, even if he did make her hate herself slightly more than usual.
The wind howled, whipping her hair around her, nearly blinding her before she managed to shove it out of her face. This, she thought, was going to be a positively lovely day. Gods help the unfortunate who dared to irritate her today.
X-O-X-O
She sat perched upon her stool most of the morning, Lita joining her at eleven after her classes were over for the day. Serena had managed to write some pretty fierce poetry while she watched over the shop, her mind full of angsty concerns and her body still in shambles from being touched by the god known as Darien.
Damned man and his trickery. Why the hell did males exist again? Oh, that's right…to drive her out of her mind. No other use in the least, she attempted to affirm silently, though the ache of her chest protested until the bitter end, causing her to sigh mightily and feel the nagging urge to hurl heavy objects at no target in particular.
Lita chattered on, not daring to bring up the irresponsible way her dear friend had made out with a strange man outside their door and gotten herself plastered trying to forget about it the night before.
Her conversation centered mostly around exams, the annoying air of sorority girls and how hot Andrew was. Ironic how it was only after Lita had darted across town for a round of coffee that the said ashy blond man made an appearance, the door chiming as he walked in, clad in faded, ripped kneed jeans and a white button up shirt.
Also adorning him was the goofiest plaid tie she'd ever seen, and Serena thought absently that the look rather suited him. He regarded her warmly, pulling up a stool and sitting opposite her at the counter.
"Afternoon, Serena. How goes the day?" he wondered, sitting the bag full of medical text he carried in the floor with a dull thud.
"Well you know…I could be dead. However, I'm alive and breathing, so I shouldn't complain. How about you remind me of that at random intervals so I don't forget, ok?" she answered, looking up to find his concerned green eyes upon her. He was regarding her carefully, almost as if he knew to tread lightly.
"That great, huh? Wow. Wish my life was so exciting," he muttered with a grin.
"Oh, no. Believe me, Andrew. My drama…you don't need it. I've had enough in the past few days to last the rest of my life. Are my eyes red?" she wondered absently, leaning closer for his inspection.
"Nah, they're as blue as ever. Now, I know we haven't known one another long," he began.
'Oh, God… not this. Shit, Andrew, don't you pull this on me now!' she shouted silently, plastering on the most sincere face she could muster.
"But if something's bothering you, I want you to talk to me. I'm a good listener, I swear," he promised, giving her a goofy, very brotherly grin. She sighed softly, a sigh of relief.
"You know, Andrew, I'm glad we met. You're kinda' cool to have around, you know?" she asked, leaning over to tousle his sandy hair a bit.
"Glad to help. So what have you got?" he wanted to know, gesturing toward the notebook before her.
"Oh, it's just something I've been scribbling all day. It's nothing really," she lied, moving to close the book. His hand stopped her, eyes asking for permission to have a look.
Normally, she was vicious over her work, especially when she wasn't even well acquainted with the reader. But Andrew posed no threat, none she felt anyway. He was about as intimidating as a wide eyed puppy dog. So, she relented, sliding the contents of her heart towards him. At least after he read it she wouldn't have to explain her weird mood. His eyes ran over the somewhat scratchy writing, and soon he found the reason for Serena's moodiness.
"Serena...did you do all this in one morning?" Andrew asked, swallowing hard as his eyes ran over the velvet words once again.
"In a few minutes, actually. I told you things have been weird," she repeated, her head rising as the door opened again. Andrew ignored the newcomer, still intent on drilling Serena for information.
"Who is this guy, then?" he asked, looking at Serena curiously. Her eyes had glazed over and he grabbed her small hand, which he found to be shaking, in a vain attempt to catch her attention.
"Serena? You ok?" he asked, only then seeing how wide the twin blue orbs had become. He finally turned, only then seeing the reason.
A tall man in a long black coat had entered, an unreadable look upon his face. His every feature was dark, from his head to the tips of his black boots, and Andrew got the clue that perhaps being seen holding Serena's hand at the time might not be such a stellar gesture.
He released her, turning fully around on his stool to watch the man, who seemed to be studying him as he stepped closer. One hand was behind his back as he came to stand just to the side of Andrew, no longer regarding him in the least. His business, it seemed, involved nothing but the awed girl behind the counter.
Serena snatched up her notebook, knowing she'd be mortified if he saw what she'd written about him. Darien's face displayed both traces of amusement and irritation, and she thought it odd that he could possibly be jealous of seeing her speaking to another guy. And what on Earth was he hiding?
As her eyes traveled over the length of him, memories of his kisses assaulted her, nearly causing her to careen backwards into the floor from her perch upon her stool.
Her hands managed to smoothly catch the counter before she crashed to her fate upon the floor, and she steadied herself as best as she was able at the time. Already his eyes were tearing her apart, not an entirely unpleasant thing. Again that voice spoke, causing the flame to erupt within her one more.
"Why Serena. You seem surprised to see me," he mused, observing the beauty before him with much reverence. Although her sparkle would never fade, something did seem a bit odd about her this day. Her eyes seemed a touch clouded.
"I…what brings you to our humble house of wares?" she managed, thinking to herself how ungodly she must've looked, coming out of a fresh hangover as she was at the time.
And what beautiful timing indeed, to show up just as her pal Andrew was attempting to console her. Yet, she thought wickedly, the situation could in fact be played in her favor. Perhaps now, if only for a moment in time, she could actually toy with his mind, just as he had hers from their first encounter only days ago.
Her premature plans were spoiled totally, as that gods be damned smirk came into play, shutting down all her mental faculties and leaving her self-consciously wondering if her drool had yet to puddle upon the countertop beneath her surely open mouth.
"Well, it's odd, actually. You see, I happened upon a lovely young lady recently. I have a small token for her. I wonder…do you know of such a girl?" he asked, causing her mouth to curve into a smile as well.
"At your service," she said softly, unable to keep her eyes from boring into his own, as she admired the turbulent blue seas silently.
Crystal blue orbs widened as she was presented with said gift, the man smoothly producing a single white rose from behind his back. Serena stared in awe, amazed by the rapid, yet alarmingly comfortable progression of circumstances surrounding her as of late.
Darien thoroughly enjoyed the sight of the seraph, who slid from her perch upon the stool behind the counter to gawk at his small offering. It seemed as if she were in a trance, her eyes open wide and unblinking, delicious lips parted whilst silent moments ticked by.
Andrew, baring witness to the rather amusing scene, sat positively enthralled, feeling a tad uncomfortable by the whole situation. Oddly, he felt the need to ask a dozen or so questions of the rather treacherous looking man, who was quite effectively stealing his new friend's breath before his very eyes.
She made for an amusing sight, standing there as if in suspended animation. Did this stranger truly have the ability to affect her so? As Andrew pondered that and many other questions, the door chimed once more, signaling the approach of Lita, who carried two steaming cups of liquid life in her hands.
Darien hadn't bothered to turn, nor had the subject of his newly discovered intrigue as the tall brunette walked cautiously over to Andrew, sitting one cup down as she leaned against his shoulder cautiously.
Serena, still oblivious to everyone save the awe inspiring man just across the counter from her, reached out cautiously, her shaking fingers closing around the stem of the proffered flower.
"Be careful of thorns, little one. Even the most beautiful of things can have a vicious side," he advised, wishing for the gall to reveal the true meaning of his words.
Her innocence struck him full force once more, as she marveled at the simple gift he'd bestowed upon her. Her eyes dipped to the perfect petals, the hue of untouched snow, before again rising, meeting his longing gaze head on.
Words seemed so futile for such a moment, one in which she felt so utterly grateful to simply be near the man, to look upon him and to see herself reflected in the depths of his sapphire eyes.
What was he doing? There she stood, having nearly convinced herself that the events that transpired between them the proceeding night had been a total farce, and he of course had done nothing but show up and totally devastate her poor nerves yet again.
"Th…thank you, Darien. It's beautiful," she managed at length, brining the faultless blossom to her lips as she took in the soft scent.
"A rarity in this world, and yet two such things now occupy such a small space. I wonder, might I steal you away for a time? I'd like to speak with you…alone if I may," he added, only then acknowledging the two onlookers behind them.
Lita's emerald eyes studied the man who was effectively dumfounding her best friend, her mind attempting to wrap around the significance of the situation. Serena seemed positively enchanted by him. In fact, she seemed to be more content than she'd been in a very long while. Perhaps she had indeed judged him too harshly the night before.
"Sere, why don't you take off? I've gotcha' covered. Go ahead," Lita prompted, noting the way in which a smile touched the corners of her lips.
"Are you sure, Litee? I mean, we've got a lot to do around here," Serena protested, though her voice was weak indeed. In truth, she wanted nothing more than a private audience with this beautiful man. Perhaps she would even be able to articulate even a fraction of her all consuming thoughts.
"Don't sweat the small stuff. I'm a woman. I can take it. Now go on," she urged, giving Andrew a wink as she made her way past Darien to pull Serena out from behind the protection of her counter.
With an exaggerated kiss to the side of her head, Lita sent her on her way, giving her a small shove in the waiting man's direction as the blond looked back over her shoulder with wide eyes.
"Thank you," she mouthed silently, before turning her attention back to her rather unnerving suitor. The man had already extended an arm, waiting patiently for her to accept it. And that she did, after a brief moment of silent hesitation.
"Oh, I forgot one thing," Serena remembered, switching her rose to the other hand in order to grab her notebook from the countertop. It wouldn't do to leave a limb behind now would it?
As she retrieved her prized possession, Darien took the opportunity to glare at the still silent Andrew, who shifted a bit uneasily in his seat under such intense scrutiny. Even so, their gazes remained locked, until Serena was prepared to make good their departure.
Waving over her shoulder, she kept pace with him, giving Andrew a somewhat apologetic smile as Darien smoothly opened the door for her, allowing her to exit first before following after her himself.
Lita stood, staring after the two for a time, before turning her full attention to Andrew, who looked in real need of it. Sauntering over to him, she took a seat at his side, leaning her elbows upon the counter as she gave him a warm smile.
"So, Andrew. Got some time?"
X-O-X-O
Chapter 4 coming sometime in the near to distant future, hope you enjoyed this one! Ja Ne!
*Cosmic Moon Baby*