So, again, another chapter with no Beta. Anyone interested in helping? I am looking for someone who can grammar nazi me, and help me in clarification.

Thanks so much already for all the reviews. I really appreciate the feeback! I will take good and bad, because I want this fiction to be as successful as possible.

No, I did not put it months later, Serena already pregnant. How terrible would that be? I like story development, and longer tales.

and keep reviewing!

Chapter 3

It was like deja vu all over again for Serena as she flushed the pill she had just bought down the toilet. No matter the outcome, if she was pregnant with some stranger's baby, she still wanted it. The thought of holding a baby in her arms sent shivers down her back. She could just imagine it now. A little boy nestled up in her embrace, comforted by the sound of his mother's beating heart as he napped. He would have the stranger's dark hair, and her button nose. He would be perfect, loved. She began smiling as she walked out of the store, because today she choose to sacrifice her life if she was pregnant. Now all she had to do was wait and see, but she knew, as the Floridian sun shown bright in the afternoon, she had made the right decision.

Serena walked back into Mina's apartment and sat down on the plush white sofa. She looked around absently trying to decide what she was going to do for the evening. Being Friday night, she knew Mina would have already left for the weekend, so it seemed she would be entertaining herself for the evening. Feeling much better after getting out of the house for the afternoon, she began toying with ideas for possible mind drifted back to the previous night.

Was she lying to herself and Mina when she thought last night meant nothing but passion? The two had been drunk, but somehow his hands had maneuvered over her body like they had been together for years. Her body began to react from her deep thoughts. She looked down at her hand, the first thing he had touched, and it sent shivers up her spine. In their sorrows, and musings the two had made a connection. She began to think about when she met Seiya? Had their connection been so strong?

She had met him during her student teaching days. During that time, she spent afternoons at Lita's cafe planning lessons. Everyday would be the same, her papers would be scattered at the booth, an empty plate that had once contained the most delectable cheesecake around sat in the mess, and her bottomless diet coke sat at her right. Sometimes Lita would sit with her, managing to keep her distracted as she attempted to rework what she would be teaching her kindergarteners. When Seiya slipped into the booth seat opposite her, she assumed it was her tall friend.

"Lita," she said exhaustedly, without looking up, continuing scribbling down ideas for her students, "you know I love you, but I am awfully busy."

"I see that," a man's deep voice she did not recognize said. She looked up to come in eye contact with a man who had chestnut hair and deep grey eyes.

"I'm sorry," she said confused and slightly irritated, "who are you?"

"Seiya," he said smoothly, "Seiya Morgan."

Serena shook her head out of her reverie. So, the first time she met Seiya he annoyed her. In order to get him to leave her with her work, he had talked her into a date. Getting up from the couch, she shook her head in disgust with herself. How had she not seen it then? It was obvious now that her love for Seiya could have possibly been forced upon her, but she had never been that great with the dating world. She had allowed herself to get attached to the first man who seemed persistent enough to keep around. No matter what, she resolved, the next man in her life would not push himself upon her.

Without thinking she ended up in the kitchen and her stomach let out a lurch. She went to the chrome fridge and saw her sister's scribbles on a piece of paper held up by Serena's favorite black cat magnet. Pulling off the magnet, she picked it up and began reading the note.

Serena,

Hey sis! I just thought I would leave you a note telling you I was thinking about you. I bet you are still sulking about what happened last night…

Serena laughed. Mina knew her too well.

Just quit it already. I am sure last night was great, remember, passionate. I checked the fridge before I left, knowing you would be starved by the time you got home. We have nothing. Which is good, because you need to get off your ass and quit being you for another night. Having one night stands are normal after getting out of a serious relationship, and if he is up for it, maybe you could make it more than a one night thing with last night's guy, eh? Have fun this weekend, Sere. I will be back on Monday. I love you lots.

XOXO,

Mina

Rolling her eyes, Serena pulled open her fridge just for confirmation. Unless she wanted eggs, lettuce, and some milk, Mina was right, she would have to get out and get something. Trouble was, she never could decide what she wanted. Food was one of her weaknesses, but people never knew it from her petite figure. Shoveling food into her stomach was her favorite pastime and the amount she ate still had not caught up with her. Shutting the door, she thought hard about what she wanted. Nothing in particular came to mind because she had waited so long to eat. She came only to the conclusion that all she wanted was food. Since food at home did not seem feasible, she would have to go somewhere else.

Grabbing her purse and slipping on her white Old Navy flip-flops, she left her apartment towards an undecided destination. Her mind drifted back to Mina's letter as she walked towards her silver Saturn Ion. maybe you could make it more than a one night thing with last night's guy, eh? If only that one was that easy. She had a first name, but no number. The door locks clicked as she pressed the button and she slid into the driver's seat, proceeding to let her head collapse into her wheel. Was she already regretting her previous night's decision, following the momentary lapse of judgment this morning?

Thinking long and hard about what she had done, it finally hit her. "Dear God," she said aloud to herself as she put on her seatbelt and let her engine chug on. She really had been stupid. Had her desire to have children cloud her emotions enough that she could possibly end up raising a child without a father? Needing serious comfort food, and some strong support, she knew where she was heading - Lita's bar.

She parked her car in the back parking lot and sped to the front entrance. As she ferociously opened the door, she looked around her favorite place relieved that even though it was a Friday night, the bar was slow. Lita was busy wiping the bar down with a white rag as Serena made her beeline to the stool in front of her. She looked up at her friend, seeing the distress on her face, she stopped her circular motions and left the rag sitting on the bar.

"Serena," she said in concern, "what's wrong?"

"I need food, fast," she replied, banging her head on the bar, making her headache come back slightly. "Grease, or sweets, maybe a chicken-salad sandwich. Or maybe all of it, please."

Lita shook her head as she looked at Serena with compassion, "I'll be back in a few. Let me see what I can whip up for you."

Serena let out a sigh of relief and said, "thanks, Lita. I appreciate it."

"No problem, Sere. Anything to help a friend," she stopped before walking into the kitchen, "would you like a Vodka-cran while you wait?"

"No!" Serena said a little too loud, taking Lita aback slightly. Rubbing her temples, she continued, "sorry, those drinks went to my head last night. I am still recovering, and I think it will be a long time before alcohol laces my system again. I'll take a diet coke though."

Lita smiled understandingly and set the soda down in front of her, and said, "be back in a few."

The doors to the kitchen swung open fifteen minutes with Lita carrying a large tray above her head. Three plates were set down on the bar in front of Serena. One had a chicken-salad wrap with celery, walnuts and craisins mixed in, rolled with lettuce. The second plate was heaped with deep-fried nachos covered in melted cheese, pepperonis, and olives. The last plate contained a large piece of cheesecake covered in gooey strawberry sauce.

"There ya go," Lita said with a proud smile, "everything you asked for."

"It looks delicious," Serena replied, looking at all the food, "does the chef have time to come and share this feast with a friend?"

"Let me check with the boss," she teased as she started to ponder Serena's question, "she said it was okay." Lita walked around to the stool on Serena's left and sat down.

"So what's up," Lita asked as she grabbed a nacho and shoved it into her mouth. Swallowing she continued, "you haven't asked for a meal like this since your dad was diagnosed with cancer last year," Lita paused, fear rising into her deep sage-green eyes, "it didn't come back did it?"

Serena put her hands in front of her in reassurance, and quickly replied, "no, no, no. Dad's fine," she put her hands in her lap and her right thumb and index finger began playing with her left hand, "I think I am incredibly stupid is all."

Lita glared in contempt at her and said, "Serena, you are not stupid! Why would you say something so incredibly ridiculous?"

"Because of what I did last night," she began slowly, "and what I didn't do this morning."

"What did you do last night?" she asked, furrowing her brassy eyebrows.

Serena put her head down in shame and blushed in reply.

"Serena," she began, the situation dawning on her, "you slept with that guy, didn't you? That really cute one you were talking to and flirting with all night last night."

Serena looked at her, her blue orbs huge with humiliation, "hence the no alcohol, ever again."

Lita patted her friend's back and said, "oh Sere, there is nothing to be ashamed of. He was cute, and most definitely into you. I mean, for a rebound hookup, you couldn't have done better."

"Lita, sleeping with him isn't the bad part," Serena thought about her words, "well it wasn't good - not saying that he was bad," she clamped her eyes shut and again smacked her head lightly on the bar, and looked back up at Lita, "I am so foolish. You are going to think I am such an idiot. I wasn't thinking and then there is Amy. Oh God, how can I move in with Amy with the chance that I could be pregnant?" She threw her arms on the bar and let her head fall into them in despair.

"Pregnant," Lita looked at her confused, "wait. Serena. You need to pause, rewind and explain everything to me."

"I slept with that guy, Darien last night," she said, peaking her head up from her arms.

"Yeah," Lita said slowly, nodding her head in emphasis, "I know that, but I thought you got rid of your birth control after you and Seiya broke up," she stopped for a second, "Serena. Did you sleep with Seiya after that and not tell anyone? It's normal for a couple as committed as you two were to sometimes have residual sex after breaking up, but if you could be pregnant with his kid you need to tell him."

"No, Lita," she replied, finally sitting back up, "I haven't sleep with Seiya since I left him."

"I'm really confused then. Why do you think you could be pregnant? Was there another guy? I mean, I get it, but I'm hurt that you didn't tell me."

"No," Serena said, "last night, when I slept with Darien has been the only time since Seiya. We were so drunk, that we didn't use protection. This morning I talked to Mina about it and she told me to take the morning after pill. I went to the drugstore, spent 40 dollars on a pill that I ended up flushing down the toilet. So now, because of my incredible urge to have a child, I made a stupid mistake of possibly ending up pregnant. On top of it all there is a cincher to it."

"A cincher to all that?"

"Yeah," Serena said, again fixating on her hands, "all I know about the man I slept with last night is his first name. So, if I am pregnant, this child will most likely grow up fatherless."

"Well, you never know," Lita said a little more quiet, "it could be a good thing. Look how I turned out."

"Lita, I didn't mean-" Serena thought about her words before she said, "it's just not the way I wanted it to be for my kids. I had all these plans with marriage and love, a mother and father and a dog..."

"I didn't take offense," Lita replied solemnly, "it's not like I wanted my parents to die. I get the dreams though. I want them too. Besides you can still have them. You don't even know if you are pregnant or not."

"But what if I am?" Serena looked at her with wide eyes, slight tears starting to form.

"If you are, that child will be the most loved child on the face of this planet," Lita smiled at her friend, "your kids love you at school, so just imagine the mother you are going to be. And you can still have your dream. There are plenty of decent, loving men out there."

"I guess you are right," Serena sighed in relief.

"I'm always right," Lita said in a mocking tone, "and Sere?"

"Yeah?"

"What kind of dog?"

Serena chuckled as she threw a moist chip at Lita. She really was lucky to have the support around her that she did.

Moonlight cafe and bar jeered at Darien as he pulled open the entrance door. He looked around to see if he recognized anyone from his previous excursion. The only person that looked familiar was the dirty brown haired bartender who was busy drying glasses and then stacking them behind the bar. Darien thought if anyone remembered the elusive girl from the other night, it would be him. He made his way to the bar and let his hands rest against it, leaning forward to talk with him.

"Excuse me, sir," Darien said, catching the man's attention.

The man set his current glass on the counter, and asked, "what can I do for ya?"

"I was in here the other night," Darien began saying, "and I met this girl. She had blonde hair and blue eyes."

The bartender snorted a bit to himself, "bud, have you looked outside recently?"

Darien furrowed his eyebrows in puzzlement and replied, "well, I just came from there. Why?"

The bartender picked up another glass and started cleaning it and said, "we live in Florida. You realize you just described at least a thousand women in the area?"

Holding his weight on the bar, Darien sunk his head between his arms, blew out a frustrated breath, looked back up to the bartender and said, "I am never going to find this woman am I?"

"Well, do you have a name?" he asked, "that may help your problem."

"I wasn't exactly myself that night," Darien replied, sitting down at a stool.

"Ah, one of those nights, eh?" The bartender smiled understandingly, "what disease she give you? I hope it wasn't anything serious." Darien gawked at him in dismay.

"That's not why I am looking for her," Darien murmured slightly angry, trying to keep his cool.

"Woah, buddy," the bartender put down his glass and held out his hands, "sorry if offended you. In a bar, that kind of stuff happens all the time."

Darien ran a hand through his hair in frustration, and replied, "I know, I get it. I just wish I could find her. We made a connection."

"I suppose in this city, that makes sense," he nodded, in sympathy and continued saying, "but you aren't going to find any girl in this city with a description as bland as yours. How about a drink for your troubles? I got this one."

"Since you're offering," Darien said, "I'll take a Morgan Coke."

"Sure thing," he nodded as he threw the glass on the bar and poured in the two liquids into the ice.

"Thanks," Darien replied and began to drink alone.

The bartender nodded his head once, and walked down to the other end to help another customer.

"Hey Ken," the chipper, somewhat familiar, female voice said, "is Lita in tonight?"

"Not tonight, Mina," Ken replied to her, "she took the night off."

"Oh darn," the girl said, the disappointment apparent in her voice, "Sere had a bad week, and then I left her all alone this weekend. I was hoping Lita could whip me up a plate of goodies to bring home to her."

"She was here last night with Lita," Ken replied, "I will say one thing about your sister, she is an eater. Let me look in back, Lita always leaves some food. I can scrounge around and try to pick out your sis's faves."

She smiled her brightest and said enthusiastically, "thanks so much, Ken! She will love it."

"No problem," he said as he turned around to go through the backdoor.

Darien's eyes shifted to the end of the bar where the woman stood waiting for her food. His eyes widened in excitement and he stood from his stool.

"It's you," he said exhilaration caking his voice.

Mina looked over at him confused, and replied skeptically, "have we met?"

He frowned and set back down, as he said, "you don't remember."

Mina smiled and leaned her elbow on the bar as she said, "honey, I have so many nights that I can't remember," she shifted and looked at him trying to remember,"we must have met on one of those nights. Let me reintroduce myself," she threw out her hand in front of her, "I'm Mina."

"Mina," Darien grinned, happiness consuming him. He had found her, and she was radiant, "nice to meet you. My name is Darien."

End of Chapter Three! This chapter was a bit shorter, but I had to end with you guys wanting more, right?

The plot continues to thicken, muahaha.