Courtroom
The group of people ate lunch in silence. Serena was still upset that she had to leave, and the others didn't know what to say to help her. They knew it would all be alright as long as they weren't caught, and it was a pretty fool-proof plan.
Darien nodded to Ilene who then spoke.
"Serena dear."
"Yes mom?" She asked looking to her mother.
"We think it'd be best if we all went back home." She said with a sad look. She didn't like lying to her daughter.
"What!? You guys can't leave!"
"The trial is next weekend, and we just thought it'd be better. We shouldn't get too attached when you're going to have to leave." Ken added.
The look on Serena's face killed all of them.
Her eyes began watering. "Fine. You all can just leave me."
"Sere, it's for the best." Darien placed a hand on her shoulder. "If they're around, anyone who could be after you and watching you may begin to target them as well." He thought up.
"I guess you're right." Serena sighed. "I should just leave so you're not put in danger either."
"No. I've told you, I'm going with you. Wherever Trista moves you, I'm going too."
The girls – minus Raye – sighed at the romance.
"Alright. I guess he's right though. I don't want you guys to get hurt."
"You know we love you to no end, right?" Amy asked, needing to say something.
Serena offered a small smile. "I know. And I love you guys too."
"We can drive them to the airport if you want Sere." Darien offered.
She nodded. "Yah."
…
Serena hugged her four best friends tightly. "I love you guys." She said as a tear rolled down her cheek.
They all released. "We love you too." They all said at once with tears in their eyes. They laughed at the response.
"You guys are too close." Serena smiled.
"We all are that close." Raye reminded.
Serena looked to her mother who immediately engulfed her in a hug, tears falling on Serena's shoulders. "I love you sweetie."
"Love you too mommy." She said lightly, tears falling from her eyes.
Ilene stepped back and Ken took her place hugging Serena.
"I love you pumpkin."
She laughed lightly at the nickname her father hadn't used since she was a little girl. "I love you too daddy."
He released Serena and looked to Darien. "Take good care of my daughter, son."
Darien nodded. "Of course."
Lita looked at her watch. "Our plane should be boarding soon. We still have to get our luggage checked in." She said, hating to spoil the moment.
Serena nodded. "You guys should go."
Everyone looked sadly at Serena. They wanted so badly to just tell her everything, but they knew they couldn't. They'll be with her soon enough, they just had to keep telling themselves that.
Serena watched with sad eyes as the group of six walked beyond the gates to go get ready for their departure. As soon as they were out of sight, Serena turned into Darien's chest and began crying. His arms immediately wrapped themselves around her, providing the most comfort and support he could offer.
"I can't believe I'll never see them again." She sobbed.
He tightened his arms and rubbed her back. "It'll be alright. Somehow, everything will turn out fine." He said quietly.
/\\//\\//\\//\
As soon as the plane landed, Ilene invited the four girls over.
"We know a good realtor. We can contact her to sell our houses. She's pretty fast too. You all need to have everything packed by Saturday. That gives us two days. I'm going to give the realtor a call and see if she can squeeze us in today."
"Sounds like a plan."
Ilene nodded as she picked up the phone and dialed some numbers.
…
"Thanks for squeezing us in on such short notice Sandy." Ilene said to a light brown haired woman.
"It's no problem. Sounded pretty urgent."
"It kinda is."
"Okay, well I can have these houses on the market by the end of the day. I'll just need keys to show clients. When can the buyer move in?"
"We'll be out of here in two days. We'll actually be moving to another country, but Amy's mother will collect the money."
"Alright. Will I be meeting her?"
"She actually doesn't live in this state. But I can give you her number. She'll be in town tomorrow."
"That's fine. Can you call tomorrow when she comes in? I like to know who I'm working with."
"Sure."
"Alright. I have all the information I need. I'll go get these in the system."
…
"Just tell me what I need to do." Serena snapped. She had lost her patience. Trista said she'd be relocated as soon as she was done testifying. She didn't even get to see the verdict! She was told to go home and collect a few things before Trista would meet them there and take her to her new life. She stood outside the doors of the court room dressed in a nice blouse and skirt. It had been two weeks since her friends and family had been forced out of her life again. She had even contemplated ending her life because she wouldn't get her friends and family back, but Darien had found out and begged her not to. Telling her that the girls and her family wouldn't want her to do that. He watched her constantly for a week after that to make sure she wouldn't do anything. And too top everything off, she'd been feeling horribly sick for a little over a week now.
"Just as we rehearsed. Just say what you know. Don't look at the defendants, it'll be easier. If you need a focus tool, just look at Darien." Trista offered.
Darien. He was the only reason she hadn't killed herself. Trista finally agreed to let Darien go with her. At least she'd have someone to start her life over with.
The doors opened and a court officer said her name. She walked in lifelessly and was sworn in. She took the stand and listened as the attorneys asked her questions. She answered all of them, the defense attorney grilling her, but she just answered, all with no emotion in her voice. She didn't have a point to.
Darien being the doctor he was, knew what was happening. Serena was entering a state of depression. It killed him to know. He knew it was from seeing her friends and family, then being pulled from them again. He wished he could just pull her in his arms and tell her it would be fine. They were over in France right now settling in their new houses. But he couldn't. She would be different and Trista would know something was up. He was pissed when Trista said the trial had been pushed back a week due to another pressing case. Today was her last day of testifying and Darien could've jumped with joy from the anticipation. He knew as soon as she was done and Trista dismissed them to get their stuff, he'd be able to tell her exactly what was going on and he wouldn't have to see the depressed look on her face any longer. He was so lost in his thoughts that he completely missed the whole questioning of his girlfriend.
"You may step down." The judge said lightly.
Darien looked up as Serena just nodded, stood, and walked his way. He quickly stood and walked out of the courtroom with her.
"Alright, I'll be at your house in an hour, Darien. An officer is waiting there for you guys." Trista informed.
"Thanks Trista." Darien offered.
"Thanks." Serena said dejectedly.
Darien just escorted Serena from the courthouse and to his car. He was surprised. The realtor Ilene had hired already had all the girls and Serena's parents' houses sold. Amy's mother had collected the money and even took it to France. She moved out with them all. He started the car and began driving to the airport. Serena didn't even notice until she heard airplanes. She looked up and saw the airport in front of them.
"Dare, where are we going?" She asked confused.
A sly grin graced his lips. "A little surprise." He said parking the car. He quickly got out, pulled her out, and grabbed the small bag in the back. He then pulled her inside.
"W-what?"
"Just shush and follow me." He went to the counter and began speaking to a lady.
"Here are your tickets, sir. Have a nice flight."
"Thank you." He turned back to Serena. "Just one more thing." He pulled out his phone, pressed some buttons, and turned it off.
"What's going on?" Serena demanded.
"I'm working on keeping you Serena forever."
"What are you talking about?"
He pulled out the tickets and showed the destination to her.
She read the country and gasped before flying into his arms. "I love you." She squealed.
"I love you too. Now let's go. I'll explain everything on the plane." He said before pulling her towards the gate.
A/n: Okay, so I hope you don't hate me for seeming to rush it so much, but I couldn't think of what else to write. If you guys are disappointed with the chapter, let me knwo and I'll rewrite some if not the whole chapter...uhhhh...It is a little shorter then I usually write, but I wanted to get an update out there and thought it'd be a good place to stop...again, if you're disappointed, let me know...be honest please :D I also don't like writing courtroom scenes much either, so that's why it's mostly Darien's thoughts during Serena's testamony. Not much else to say...
Thanks for reading
SailorMoonForever
