Turning a Blind Eye
Disclaimer: Don't own anything.
Chapter Three: Going in Blind
Serena ran around her house, picking up Rini's favorite toys and books and putting them in a canvas bag.
"Jacket, blanket, toys, books, movies." Serena whispered to herself as she put the bag down next to the front door.
"Sere, you got everything. And it's not like Danny doesn't have some of her things." Lita commented from the kitchen.
"I know. It's kind of silly that I do this every time, but I just like knowing she has everything she needs." Serena said as she triple checked the bag again.
"I know it can't be easy letting your baby go, but you said it yourself, you want Rini to have a relationship with her father." Lita said as she came over to Serena.
"Ok, ok. She'll be fine with Danny. I know she'll be fine with him. He's great with her and he loves her almost as much as I do. I don't know why I'm being so silly." Serena sighed.
"Maybe this is just a way for the nervousness you feel about tonight getting out." Lita offered.
"Probably; Ok, where's Danny? I have to get to work." Serena muttered as a knock sounded at the door and Rini came running from the sofa where she was watching cartoons.
"Daddy!" Rini screamed as Serena opened the door for her ex and moved aside so Rini could jump into his arms.
"Hi baby." Danny said with a smile as he kissed her on the cheek, "Hi Serena." Danny then greeted her as he held their daughter.
"Hi Danny, how have you been?" Serena asked as she turned to pick up Rini's bag.
"Good, works been busy so I haven't had time for much else." Danny said as he took the bag from Serena, "How about you?" he then asked.
"I've been good. Same as you; I'm sure you've heard of Jake and Nate's big case that's going to trial soon so we've been focusing on that. Oh, Rini's teeth are beginning to set." Serena noted suddenly as she saw Rini chew on her finger a little.
"This is going to be fun then." Danny winced a little as he adjusted Rini in his arms.
"It's not too bad. She's been having a few popsicles though to help with the soreness." Serena commented, "Anyways, I have to get to work. I'll see you tonight sweetheart. Be good." Serena said to Rini as she kissed her on the cheek.
"Mommy not coming?" Rini asked.
"No, baby, mommy needs to work, but you'll be hanging with daddy today." Danny answered gently.
"Why?" Rini asked.
"Yeah, she's started that a little too." Lita said from her perch on the back of the sofa.
"Well, Daddy has the day off and I want to spend time with you." Danny answered as he turned to leave.
"Why daddy not here ALL the time?" Rini asked.
Serena and Danny shared a knowing look. They knew this question would come up eventually. They also knew she wouldn't understand now.
"Look! Humming bird!" Rini then shouted as a humming bird flew to some flowers near the front of the house.
Breathing a sigh of relief Serena and Danny looked at each other and knew they would have to figure out what they were going to say to their daughter really soon.
"Ok, let's go babe." Danny said, taking advantage of her distraction to leave and not answer her question.
"Bye, Danny. I'll see you tonight at 9." Serena said as she shut the door behind them.
"You ok?" Lita asked as she stood up.
"Yeah, actually I am. It's getting easier to see him and talk to him. That's really good since we're going to have to figure out what to tell Rini soon about our relationship." Serena said as s frown creased her forehead.
"Well, don't worry too much; she's not going to understand much right now. But yeah, I guess you two do need to talk." Lita agreed, "And with that, I'm off to work. I'll see you tonight." Lita said as she walked to her bedroom to gather her things.
"Yeah, see ya later." Serena responded as she picked up her purse from one of the tables in the living room and headed for the door.
11111
"Are you dating Serena Tsukino?" Max said, suddenly appearing in Darien's office doorway.
"Hello Max. I'm fine, thanks for asking." Darien responded as he looked up from the chart he was reviewing.
"Sorry, Hi Darien; I'm glad you're doing fine. Now, are you dating Serena?" Max asked again.
"I wouldn't call it full on dating yet, but we are seeing each other. Why?" Darien asked, standing up from his desk and stretching.
"How much do you know about her?" Max asked, in a way ignoring and answering Darien's question.
"I hate it when you answer a question with another question; not a lot. Not as much as everyone else does evidently." Darien muttered the last part.
"Has she told you anything about her past?" Max kept the questions going.
"Not really. I know she recently broke up with someone, but that's it. No details what-so-ever on that. Are you asking these questions as a friend or my publicist?" Darien asked wanting to know what was going on.
"A little of both; add in protective brother like qualities and you've got exactly what I'm doing. Serena is Mina's best friend and pretty good friends with me. Her break up was a bad one. I'm not going to tell you anymore then that because she should tell you. But know this, you hurt her and I'll be the last one you should be worried about." Max said seriously.
"I would never hurt her or any other woman intentionally Max. You know that." Darien responded to his friends' threat.
"I know I just had to say it out loud. Also, given your fame, she may need some time to adjust to the press and all of that. You'll also have to be careful to not push her into the limelight." Max commented, his publicist side coming to life.
"Are you telling me she may be bad for my image?" Darien asked, trying to think of what could be in Serena's past to make his one of his best friends say this.
"Not exactly. I just don't know how Serena's going to react to all of this. I know she wouldn't want her name plastered all over tabloids, but…… talk to her if you're going to date her. Make sure she knows what she's signing up for with dating you. And do it soon." Max advised.
"You make it sound like she's falling for me." Darien commented and tried to ignore the flare of happiness that swept through him.
"From what Mina told me about their lunch yesterday, she just might be and none of us want to see her hurt. My main concern is the press though and how they could ruin her." Max sighed.
"What happened? Did someone get a shot of us having dinner the other day?" Darien asked, knowing Max's fears didn't come easily.
"Sort of. Alan and Ann seated you at a good table where you couldn't see her face in the picture. But you could tell she was blond and that the two of you shared dessert. The picture's hitting stands within the hour, so be ready for the mass of reporters…" Max began to say as his cell phone went off; he looked at the caller ID and shook his head.
"I'm not going to comment on who I'm seeing, if it's serious, or anything else really. You can tell them that." Darien said, knowing that it was one of the tabloids calling to get an interview with him.
"I've been telling them that all day. Don't worry; I'll take care of this. Watch your back when you pick her up tonight." Max said as he turned to leave.
"I will thanks. And Max," Darien called after him, "I won't hurt her. I'll tell her everything about me and how I have to live with this cursed fame I have and let her decide to pull the plug or not." Darien said when Max turned back to him.
"Good. I know you're a good guy Darien and I know you'll treat her right." Max said with a smile as he opened his phone and began to deal with the nosy and pushy reports on the other end of the line.
22222
"I'm late!" Serena yelled as she looked at the clock that was on her computer desktop, "Oh god." She then mumbled as she fished her cell phone out of her purse and quickly dialed Darien's number.
"I'm almost there. I'm not standing you up." Darien said when he answered the phone.
"Well, that's good. I don't like being stood up. I'm also guessing you don't either. I'm still at work. I didn't realize what time it was and am running a tad bit late. I'm going to call Lita to let her know you're there and to let you in the house." Serena explained quickly as she shut down her computer.
"Ok. That sounds like a plan. I'm glad you're not standing me up either." Darien laughed a little.
"Yeah. Sorry. I'll be there as soon as I can." Serena smiled, glad he understood.
"No problem. Don't rush, I don't want you to get a ticket or get into an accident." Darien told her a little sternly.
"Yes, sir. Doctors orders?" Serena asked with a laugh.
"If they have to be. I'll see you soon." Darien said a smile evident in his tone.
"Ok, bye." Serena said as she hung up.
"I'm guessing that was Darien. Have a good night Serena." Jake said from the office door behind her.
"Yeah, you too. Leave soon please." Serena said in a motherly tone as she grabbed her purse and left the office, calling Lita as she went.
33333
Darien looked into his rearview mirror again as he turned down Serena's street to make sure that no one was following him. Assured that he wasn't being followed, Darien pulled up to the house and parked his car on the street. Darien got out of the car and headed to the front door, not sure what he expected from Serena's house. But before he could continue to think about what he should expect from her house, the door opened and Lita filled the doorway with a phone up to her ear and smile on her face.
"Yes, Sere, he's here. Ok, drive carefully. Bye." Lita said as she hung up, "Hey, Darien. Come on in. You want something to drink?" Lita then asked as she moved aside to let him into the house.
"No, I'm fine, thanks though. How are you Lita?" Darien asked as he came into the house.
"I'm doing well; just working and living life. How about you?" Lita asked as she sat down on the sofa and motioned for Darien to take a seat too.
"I'm doing alright. The hospital's doing well, but the board is driving me crazy." Darien sighed as he remembered how the board wanted to call an emergency meeting earlier.
"Really? Why is that?" Lita asked, hearing about this for the first time. Normally Amy informed them of any happenings at the hospital.
"Mainly just them sticking their noses into things they don't need to. Because they're board members they feel their entitled to change things that don't need to be changed. That's the short version of what's going on. I guess they're used to a Chief who lets them, so we're butting heads a little." Darien explained.
"I see. Well, good luck with that. Oh, and I have to tell you this. You hurt Serena, and I'll make the board the least of your worries. I know you won't hurt her, but I just had to say it." Lita smiled at him.
"Max has already issued that warning. But I'm glad to see that you all care about her so much. So, have you and Serena lived together a long time?" Darien asked.
"Sort of, I moved in here after her break-up. But I think I'll be moving back in with Nate soon. Serena's doing really well." Lita commented softly.
"Was the break-up that bad?" Darien asked, realizing that it had to be worse then she made it seem during their last date.
"Well, it was a little harder than most break-ups. And we were worried about her for awhile. But, again, she's doing better now and I'm sure she'll talk to you about it later; when she's a little more comfortable with you." Lita assured Darien as she patted his arm.
"Ok. Yeah, Max said something along those lines too. Serena brought up the thought that you two had about opening a restaurant. Is that true?" Darien asked, wanting to keep the conversation up between them.
"She told you that?!" Lita laughed, "Well, it's a thought. I mean, she can't work for Jake for the rest of her life and I would love to be the chef of my own place. But yeah, it was just a thought. Who knows if it'll actually become reality. I know Nate would back us, but I'm not sure we would want to do it now." Lita answered with a shake of her head, "I can't believe she told you."
"I would back you up too, if you were to go through with it." Darien said seriously.
"Thanks and I promise you'll know if we actually go through with it. I think that's Serena." Lita added as a car door slammed outside.
Seconds later, Serena came running into the house, shoes in hand.
"Sorry, sorry. Should I change or is this fine?" Serena asked as she stopped in front of Darien in the living room.
Serena turned to show Darien her dark brown work slacks and her light-blue long-sleeved button top. "I have a brown jacket in my car." Serena added.
"If you want to wear that out, you look great." Darien said honestly, "But I think you should wear your shoes rather than carry them. Who knows what's been on the ground near the restaurant."
"Well, I can't run in these heels." Serena muttered as she put her shoes on the ground to put them back on.
"Ok then. Shall we go?" Darien asked once she had her shoes on.
"Yeah, we should. I'll see you later Lita. Thanks." Serena smiled at her friend as Darien offered her his arm to lead her to his car that waited outside.
"Have fun you two!" Lita called after them as she closed the front door.
"I hope we're not late for our reservations." Serena said as they neared Darien's car.
"I'm sure they're willing to wait for us." Darien smiled at her as he opened her door for her and helped her get into his car.
"Right. I guess money talks, huh?" Serena laughed a little as Darien got behind the wheel.
"Yeah, it does; quite clearly too." Darien remarked with a laugh too as he started the car and headed to where they were eating.
3333
"Ok, now I'm getting scared. I haven't seen a restaurant for a while. Where are we going?" Serena asked as they continued to drive out of the city.
"We're not going to a restaurant. We're eating out." Darien answered with a smile.
"Ok… and that means?" Serena asked.
"How do you feel about a picnic by the lake? It's eating out and since we're using paper plates and such, we don't have to do dishes." Darien asked, knowing that they still had time to turn around if Serena didn't want to do it.
"That sounds wonderful. It's supposed to be a full moon tonight." Serena smiled at him, "That's pretty smooth, doctor; pretty smooth indeed." She then patted him on the arm as she turned to look out the window at the countryside as they drove.
Darien smiled at her. She seemed to always be open to different things. It only took them another ten minutes to get to the lake. Darien parked his car in a spot and opened his door. Running around the car, he helped Serena out then went to the trunk to get the meal he had packed and a blanket for them to sit on.
"Did you make this or buy it?" Serena asked as they opened the basket that Darien had put their meal in after they had set out the blanket on the lakeshore.
"A little of both. The pasta and sauce I made while the salad and bread were bought at the store." Darien explained as he handed her a plate and opened the containers which were still hot.
"It looks amazing and smells great." Serena commented as she served herself and Darien some salad and Darien brought out cups.
"I didn't know if you wanted wine or not, so I brought that and sparkling apple juice." Darien explained as he pulled out two champagne bottles.
"Apple juice please. I'm not really into wine." Serena said with a smile as she moved onto putting the pasta and sauce onto their plates.
"Somehow I knew that." Darien smiled as he put the wine back into the basket and began to open the apple juice.
Darien poured them their drinks then sat down beside Serena as she handed him a plate.
"Darien, this is amazing!" Serena said as she chewed.
"I told you I can cook." Darien laughed as he started eating his own food.
"Ok, I'll give you that one. But the laundry, that's a different story." Serena admitted as she continued to eat and took in the view of the lake and the rising moon.
"Are you ready for dessert?" Darien asked once they had finished their pasta, salad and bread.
"You even made dessert?" Serena asked, wondering if the basket had an invisible tunnel to a super market in there.
"Yeah, I don't think it'll match up to anything Lita makes, but I think it'll do." Darien said as he pulled out a container with opaque sides.
"What did you make?" Serena asked excitement in her voice as she turned to look at the container he held.
"Just chocolate caramel cupcakes." Darien smiled as he eyes widened and she reached for the container like a kid would.
"Ok, you can cook and do laundry." Serena said, though she had no proof of the latter.
"Are you just saying that to get a cupcake?" Darien asked.
"Maybe." Serena smirked at him as he opened the container and held it to her.
Serena took one of the cupcakes and bit into it. A look of bliss crossed her face as she chewed.
"Ok, Lita has nothing on you." Serena said after swallowing the first bite.
"Now you're just saying that. But it doesn't go unnoticed." Darien smiled at her, proud of himself for the whole night going so well.
"I don't want to ruin this." Serena whispered as she took another bite of her cupcake, her smile fading.
"How so?" Darien asked, worried about her sudden change in mood.
"Darien, what are we doing? What are we?" Serena asked, setting her half eaten cupcake down on a napkin.
"I'm not sure. I would like us to be something, but before we commit to anything we have to figure out some things." Darien said, knowing where this conversation was going.
"Yeah, we need to talk." Serena agreed with a sigh, knowing that this was going to be a hard conversation.
"Ok. I guess I'll start." Darien said as he took a deep breath and let it out, "As you know I'm pretty famous. The media seems to stalk me every minute of the day and publicize my every move. I'll be honest with you, what they publish can ruin anyone's image and I do believe it has ruined some lives of women I've dated in the past. Also, many women who have been after me for sometime may do anything to make you look bad; whether it's true or not." Darien explained quickly.
"I figured that." Serena muttered when he took another breath before continuing.
"I know you did, you're intelligent and a realist and probably never expected a guy like me to be, well, me. By all rights I should be going after someone who'll make my social levels rise. But I've never cared about my social life. I don't care about being in the spotlight, in fact I don't care about a lot, but the things I do care about I hold dear and close to my heart. I care about you Serena; I know we haven't known each other for very long but I can't explain it. And I'm a doctor." Darien exclaimed at the end with a laugh.
"Yeah, I bet you hate it when you can't explain something." Serena laughed at him a little.
"It's a pet peeve." Darien admitted, "It's really up to you if you want to keep seeing me. I know it's a lot to take in. I guess I should also tell you that someone got a picture of our dinner the other night. You're not in the picture or you can't be recognized, but it's out there. Max has dealt with the press about it already and if we don't see each other again it'll blow over in a day or two." Darien told her quickly, not wanting her to panic.
"Ok, well, it's good that I can't be recognized. And I guess I should tell you some things too before we figure out what we're going to be." Serena said, then took a deep breath like Darien did before he started talking, "As you know I just got out of a relationship. But it wasn't as recent as you think it was. I broke up with my boyfriend, Danny, close to nine months ago." Serena said, putting off the inevitable.
"Ok, why did you break up? Was he abusive?" Darien asked, silently hoping that wasn't it because then he'd have his name in the paper for a different reason then having a new girlfriend.
"No, he wasn't abusive we just didn't work out. But the reason I haven't been dating since then is that, well, Danny and I dated since college. We were together for almost five years. Everyone thought we would eventually get married, but about three years ago." Serena paused and took another breath, "About three years ago I got pregnant." Serena said quickly.
"Did you…. The baby…" Darien tried to find the right way to ask her if the baby survived and if it didn't that was the reason her relationship didn't work.
"The baby survived, Darien. I have a two year old. Her name's Rini and tonight's her night with her father. I don't know very many bachelors who would want to date a woman who has a child." Serena said the last part softly.
"Serena, I…" Darien began to say when Serena's cell phone went off.
"Darien, I'm sorry, I have to get that. It's Danny's ringtone." Serena said as she grabbed her purse and dug out her phone. "Hello? Danny, calm down what's wrong?" Serena said into her phone, getting to her feet and walking around aimlessly.
"Ok, ok. I'll be home as soon as I can." Serena said with a shake of her head and closing her phone, "Darien, I'm so sorry. But I have to go home. Evidently Rini doesn't really like steamed broccoli and will throw up if she is forced to eat it." Serena shook her head again as she helped Darien pick up the blanket and clean up their meal.
"Well, she's two years old. I don't know very many two year olds who'll eat vegetables in general." Darien told her, trying to ease the lines of worry that creased her forehead.
"Yeah, but the fact that she threw up worries me. She looked fine this morning when Danny picked her up." Serena commented.
"I'm sure she's fine Serena. Come on, it'll take us at least a half hour to get back to your place." Darien said as he took the basket from her and led the way back to his car.
4444
Darien drove back to Serena's house in less than twenty minutes, surprised that Serena didn't say anything about him speeding. Instead she did the opposite, she laughed as they flew down the road. Suddenly they were pulling in front of the house.
"Maybe next time we should just take a drive." Darien said with a smile as he turned off his car.
"I'd like that. Darien, I would like to keep seeing you but I have a little girl who I need to look out for. I just. I…." Serena began to say as Danny pulled into her driveway.
Serena turned her head to see Danny get out of his car and begin to pull Rini out of her car seat.
"You probably need to get her." Darien said as began to open his door.
"Yeah, I can get out on my own, Darien." Serena smiled at him, "I had fun tonight and I guess we'll think about things and get back to each other?" Serena asked.
"Yeah, I think that's the best option since we don't have time to really discuss right now." Darien said as Serena opened her door.
"Yeah. Good night Darien." Serena smiled at him again as she got out of his car and met Danny's startled glance; he didn't know people were in the parked car.
"Sere?" Danny asked as she came up to him and Rini's outstretched arms.
"Hey Danny." Serena said as she took Rini from him, "Hi baby." Serena said sweetly as she felt Rini's forehead.
"Sere, who's that?" Danny asked as Darien got out if his car, her purse in his hands.
"He's…. We're seeing each other." Serena told him flatly, figuring that honesty was the best policy.
"Oh, so I take care of our daughter while you go out on the town with a new boy-toy?" Danny asked, his voice becoming harsh.
"Daniel. We're seeing each other. It's not against the law. I don't see what the problem is." Serena said to him, her voice slightly harsh but at a lower level, hoping Darien didn't hear her.
"Damn it Serena. You're a fucking mother! You shouldn't be dating! You should be at home with your child." Danny yelled.
"We're not in the nineteenth century anymore. And don't you use that language in front of our daughter." Serena snarled at him, her protective instinct coming out.
"And never talk to her like that again." Darien added from behind Danny.
"You've got to be kidding me. Endymion Chiba, Serena? Really? You've got to be fucking kidding me!" Danny yelled, making Rini cringe and hide her face in Serena's shoulder.
"Daniel leave. Now." Serena said as she stomped her way to the door.
Darien followed her, resisting the urge he felt to beat Danny into a pulp on her driveway. Serena opened the door, which Lita was on the other side of, on her way out to get rid of Danny if needed.
"He's going Lita." Serena said as she stepped aside so Darien could enter the house.
"Good. Hey Dairen." Lita said as she peaked around him to see Danny back out of the driveway.
Serena took a deep breath as she hiked Rini higher on her chest while Darien closed the door.
"He's normally not like that." Serena tried to explain away Danny's actions.
"Don't make excuses for him. No man has the right to say something like that to a woman or use that type of language in front of a child." Darien said anger in his voice.
"Well, looks like I wouldn't have had to come out after all." Lita muttered with a smile; approving Darien's reaction.
"I'm guessing you know how hard it is to hold back from beating that man to a pulp." Darien commented to Lita.
"I sure do. I think I'll go to my room now and let you two talk. Do you want me to take Rini?" Lita asked Serena.
"I don't think she'll let go. Danny scared her a little when he yelled." Serena explained as she looked down at Rini and the hold she had on her jacket lapel.
"Ok. Good night." Lita said with a small smile as she turned down the hallway to her room.
"So…" Serena tried to begin, but couldn't find any words to say. Instead she walked around the sofa and sat down, letting her hold on Rini loosen slightly.
"NO MOMMY!" Rini yelled as she held tighter to Serena's neck.
"It's ok, baby. We're just sitting on the sofa." Serena said soothingly as she rubbed Rini's back.
"Why was daddy mad?" Rini asked her face still in Serena's shoulder.
"He was mad that I was with my friend, Darien. Do you want to say hi to Darien?" Serena asked, giving Darien a pleading look.
"Hi Rini." Darien said in a soft, non-threatening tone.
"Hi." Rini responded, though her response was muffled because her face never left Serena's shoulder.
"Sweetheart, you want to see what he looks like?" Serena asked, hoping Rini's curiosity would loosen the death grip she had around her neck.
Rini's curiosity won out and she peaked over Serena's shoulder to look at Darien.
"Hi there; so your name's Rini?" Darien asked with a smile.
"Mmhmm…. no….. My name is Serenity. Like my mommy. But Auntie Lita and Mina and Amy and Raye and Mommy and Daddy and Granma and Granpa and Uncl Sammy and… and… mommy who else calls me Rini?" Rini asked as she turned to look at her mother, her arms now resting loosely around her neck.
"I think he gets the picture baby." Serena smiled at Rini's list of people.
"I do. So your nickname is Rini." Darien said as he sat down beside Serena and Rini on the sofa.
"Yeah." Rini nodded enthusiastically.
"Ok. How old are you?" Darien asked.
"I'm two and a half." Rini answered proudly.
"Amy taught her numbers." Serena informed Darien.
"Do you spend a lot of time with your aunties?" Darien wanted to keep the conversation going with Rini, hoping to get her to forget her earlier fear.
"Sorta. I see Auntie Lita lots. Auntie Raye and Auntie Amy and Auntie Mina no. Mommy, when can I see Auntie Raye and Auntie Amy and Auntie Mina?" Rini asked, a frown creasing her forehead.
"Soon. I promise." Serena answered with a smile and a quick kiss to her furrowed brow.
"Ok." Rini said happily as she scooted off Serena's lap to sit between Serena and Darien on the sofa.
Darien continued to ask Rini questions until she yawned and Serena suggested they watch a movie. Within 15 minutes, Rini was asleep with her head in Serena's lap.
"I never knew a two and a half year old who talked as much as she does." Darien said softly as he glanced down at the sleeping toddler.
"Well, she has smart aunts who teacher all kinds of things." Serena smiled as she ran her hand over Rini's hair, "I'm going to put her to bed." She then added as she expertly picked Rini up without waking her.
Once she had her settled in her bed, Serena returned to the living room and found Darien looking at the pictures she and Lita had scattered around the room.
"Thank you for tonight, Darien. You were wonderful through it all." Serena gave him a tired smile.
"You're very welcome." Darien returned her smile and came to stand before her.
"So. I don't know where this leaves us now." Serena said honestly, "I mean, to top off having a kid, I evidently also have a jealous ex."
"I have enough news papers following me to create a house out of paper mache." Darien countered.
"That's true." Serena said after a thought at his random allegory.
"Serena, nothing has changed since out dinner at the lake. I still like you and would like to keep seeing you; but if you feel you need more time I understand. Rini's great, by the way." Darien said, letting the decision hers to make.
"I like you too, Dairen; and would like to keep seeing you. But I'll warn you," Serena said with a smile, "It's been awhile since I've dated and I've never dated anyone while I've had a child."
"Well, I've never dated a woman with a child before. It looks like we're both going into this blind, but I'm ready for anything." Darien smiled at her then dipped his head down to kiss her. "What about you?" Darien asked once their lips parted, a slight smirk on his face as he saw Serena's dazed look.
"Not really." Serena whispered as she recovered from his kiss, "but then again, I don't think what we're facing kisses like you. We'll just have to face things one at a time." Serena answered once she was back on the planet.
"That sounds like a good plan. And now I think I should go home. I'll call you tomorrow?" Darien asked.
"Please do." Serena answered as she walked him to the door, "Will you also call me once you get home?" Serena asked, as she opened the door.
"Of course; good night, Serena" Darien said as he leaned into kiss her again.
"Good night, Darien." Serena whispered as he turned to leave. Once he was in his car and had it started, Serena closed and locked the front door. Turning, she walked to her room. A smile on her face the entire time.
AN:
So here's chapter three. Hope you liked it. I'm no longer sure on where this story is going. But I hope to be able to keep it going, I'll have to re-read the chapters and try to find my original thought process for this story and see if that's what I want to continue with or not. Sadly, life is beginning to get in the way of writing, so please bear with me for the next (hopefully, though will probably be longer. Hate mid-terms) few weeks to get another chapter out.