Consequences

Rated M

Author's Note: Here's Chapter 10. Hopefully you won't be disappointed, it's rather long. I did that since you have all been so wonderful to me. Funerals suck by the way.

I have done some research for this chapter, learning a lot about pregnancy, let me tell ya. And, I wrote this entire chapter on my blackberry, so it may be formatted funny in places.

Keep reviewing, it keeps me wanting to finish this fic. Enjoy.

Chapter Ten

"You what?" Raye asked loudly, shock apparent in her high decibels.

"I got a girl pregnant, no big deal." Darien shrugged and began picking the invisible lint off his shirt. He needed womanly advice and going to Amy seemed unlikely since she was still peeved at him for insulting her roommate. Not to mention the fact that he was indeed the perpetrator that knocked her up, and he had the audacity to insult her? At least that's what Amy screamed at him when he tried to talk to her the other day after Serena drove off.

Just thinking about Serena brought a playful smirk to his face. That woman was trouble with a capital T. She already proved that with little Darien junior.

Darien junior? The thought confused him. Was he already naming his unborn child? The idea of his child being a girl never crossed his mind, he was always going to have a boy. Never before though, had he chosen a name, but Darien junior seemed right to him.

Now to convince Serena of that. He supposed he should try and convince her of other things too before he threw in name ideas.

At least he knew they were going to talk this week. The woman had finally cooled down enough for him to convince her they needed to sit down and discuss their options with this child. Unknown to Serena, he had more intentions than just talking babies. He only had about seven months to court her.

"Darien, this is a big deal. A baby with a woman you don't know is a huge deal." Raye said as she tapped her fingers against his oak dining room table. Her coffee sat in between her hands billowing steam against her face. It made her hard expression a tad more terrifying as she glared at her ex-husband.

"I know it's a huge deal, but Raye, I think I could seriously love this woman." Darien replied honestly. Raye gave the best advice and never judged. She spoke her opinion, and sometimes made Darien feel like a twit, but not when it came to the L word.

She knew better. After all, he had loved her once enough to marry her. Okay, they couldn't really count that marriage. It wasn't really fair to either of them. Darien started to imagine him and Raye having kids.

Nope.

Impossible.

He should have never gone there. That would have been a nightmare. They would have never divorced and Raye wouldn't have found true happiness, and Darien, well Darien would have never slept with Serena. And then Serena wouldn't be carrying his baby.

His baby. Without him, Darien wouldn't have a shot with Serena. And for some reason he felt pulled to her. That baby was a godsend.

Now all he had to do was make Serena believe he was good enough for her, even if just a little.

"Oh Darien. What do you even know about her? I mean, look at you, at your beautiful house. You have a lot of money buddy. She could be taking you to the cleaners for all you know." There she goes. Always looking out for him, like a mother, or what she really was, a best friend.

"Raye, she doesn't know Amy and I come from money." Only Mina had seen one of his homes, and that was his shared apartment with Andrew. And he wished he never would have brought her there either. Once she and his roommate found out about the mistake, they felt no qualms in making their relationship official. Darien couldn't count the times in the last few weeks he had walked into his living room to find them on his couch, making out. It was like they were teenagers. Hormones drove him nuts.

Hence the reason he and Raye sat across from each other in his home outside of the city. Being out here meant no obnoxious roommate and his girlfriend. He would not admit the most obvious reason he was irritated at Andrew and Mina - he wished for the same. But there were other reasons having Mina around drove him mad.

Like the fact that her sister wanted space and time to think. Of course, he had graciously given it to her, requesting that she respect her enough to tell him updates on their baby and that she allow him to accompany her to the appointments.

He couldn't wait to see his little guy on the screen. Holding Serena's hand as she craned her head to the side to see the little life they had accidentally made. An accident that now bonded them together whether she wanted to admit it or not.

And oh did he want to bond. More than anyone could possibly know. In many different ways. He could think of a few good ways off the top of his head.

Too bad Serena couldn't have alcohol right now.

"I just want you to be careful is all Dare. Don't go getting yourself caught up in something bad." Raye said softly as she patted his hand.

Sometimes he wished Raye would just listen and not be so damn rational. Was he really acting this much like a woman? Maybe, but he just wanted Raye to understand that Serena wasn't a bad person.

Not that he really knew what of person she was. There was something about her though that made him crazy inside.

Now knowing where she lived and having the chance to see her excited him. Before she was this lucid dream, not anymore. She was real, and she would be his.

He just needed to give her space.

That was all she requested. But the idea of this space she wanted so badly had him almost at his wits end.

Something Raye would never know. If she didn't already. For some reason it seemed she always knew. Somewhere, he'd heard it was women's intuition, but that seemed like a load of bull.

So now, he'd just feed her little white lies until he knew for sure that Serena wasn't playing him for all he was worth.

Which he was absolutely positive she wasn't.

Nope, Serena was an upstanding, decent woman.

A woman, if given the chance, he could even love. If he didn't already. But that was absurd. He barely even knew her. Yet, he still wanted to. This week was the start.

Clean slate. Well, except for Darien junior. There was really no way of wiping him off. He would never want to either. Darien was not that kind of man.

"Don't worry, Raye." He said as he stood up. "I'm a big boy."

She rolled her eyes as she used her hands to hoist herself up from her spot. "That's what I'm afraid of."

Serena bit her lip nervously. Darien would be arriving shortly and taking her to a restaurant of his choosing. There, they would civilly discuss arrangements for their unborn child.

The thought of food was beginning to make her nauseous.

If ever there was an unlucky woman, it was Serena. Her pregnancy couldn't be one of the easy ones.

No, God was definitely not on her side.

Okay, so maybe it was more Satan playing her for a fool. God seemed like a cool guy, minus the whole letting Adam and Eve fall thing.

Serena wasn't a devout Christian, but she believed God existed. There was too much in the world that couldn't be explained except through him. Not to mention, Jesus dying for her? That was unfathomable in her mind. God loved his people that much?

It wasn't like she was a preachy person though. Obviously. She was pregnant with a child by a man she barely knew. But she did have some faith.

Faith. That was a beautiful name. It would soon be time to think about names for the baby. At least, come up with a list. She wondered if she would allow Darien to have a say in names.

He'd probably like some typical, boring name like Samantha, or Amanda. Ugh, she couldn't stand those silly names.

Maybe Faith was somewhat typical for a girl, but still, it rolled around in her mind so perfect. Well, at least for today. A girl name would be so difficult to pick. She longed for a boy more than anyone could imagine.

Her little Alexander. His name had been chosen long ago. She always wanted an Alex.

Then again, if she had a girl there was always the route of Alexis or Alexz.

Oh no, she was not going to start the name game. There were more pressing things like the buzzing at the front door.

This was going to be a long night. The end of her undoing.

Okay, so maybe she was a little dramatic tonight, but who wouldn't be? A gorgeous, albeit unnerving, man was ringing at her door.

She wished Amy was here to answer it. Too bad she was visiting Greg. The elusive Greg. He sounded great, but Serena hoped Amy wouldn't get in so deep she ended up hurt.

Who was she kidding? Taking visits to see a man who wouldn't move for her was most definitely in too deep.

Serena sighed as she flung open the door. It seemed her heart was betraying her aloof manner as she attempted to remain cool in Darien's startling presence.

Sex on a stick came to mind yet again. What was that about Adam and Eve again? Serena was inwardly thanking Eve right now. Had she not plucked that apple, Darien would be naked in front of her.

Not that she would have minded, really. But there was something about form fitting black t-shirts and sand blasted blue jeans that made Serena's mind go into sexual overdrive. It was like he knew her fantasies. She imagined pulling him into the apartment by his collar, shoving him against the wall and seducing him.

Serena shook her head in utter dismay. This baby had to come quick because she didn't know how much longer she could handle this crazed libido.

Maybe she could just let her morals down just this once.

Oh wait. She already did that. Look where it got her. Staring ahead at the sexy man in front of her that caused all this. Soon she'd be at dinner. Sitting across from him. Watching his devilish mouth as he talked to her. Eating.

Then she remembered.

Food.

It made her stomach churn.

Before he could even say hello, Serena held her hand to her mouth and ran towards the bathroom. She didn't even pay attention to the look of concern etched into his masculine features as he shut the door behind them, and followed her to the bathroom where she began emptying the contents of her stomach.

Just as she was beginning to curse pregnancy and all that it emcompassed, she felt another wave of nauseau hit her.

And there he was. Holding back her hair while gently rubbing her back. His touch was shocking. Sweet and warm.

Oh man, was she embarassed. All she wanted to was curl up into a ball and not let him see her like this. Goodness, was she a mess.

Once she felt safe enough to say her stomach had calmed, she turned to Darien and forced a small smile.

"Sorry about that. Just thinking about most foods recently makes my stomach go insane. I can only keep a few things down, actually." Serena leaned her head against her arm that laid sprawled across the toilet.

"Don't be sorry, it's not your fault you're sick." Darien said as he continued to let his hand gently caress her back.

"No. I know it's not my fault." Serena said matter of factly.

"I'm glad to hear that." Darien smiled down at her. She must've been feeling a bit better, his cologne smelt amazing as it wafted at her. It seemed nowadays even soap turned her off.

But of course, Mr. Perfect - I Got A Girl Pregnant During A One Night Stand Guy - can be the only thing that doesn't seem to throw her into fits of purging everything she ate.

Jackass.

"Actually," she paused, narrowing her eyes at him. "I blame you."

He raised his eyebrows and dropped his jaw slightly in offense. "Excuse me? How am I to blame?"

Gaining her composure back, she shot up, still remaining on the floor and jabbed a finger into his chest as he crouched over her. "How are you to blame? Let me count the ways. First, you got drunk, then you slept with me only to knock me up, and now you beg me to go to dinner with you when the thought of food disgusts me." She raised her hands over her head in exasperation.

"Well, how in the hell was I supposed to know you didn't want to eat anything? It's not like you've told me anything in the last few weeks. For Christ's sake Serena, I had to fight to get you to go out tonight!"

Serena sighed as Darien ran his fingers through his hair. "I'm sorry, I know I am going to keep saying that, but I can't really control my emotions at the moment. It's like one minute I go from being happy me, and the next I hate the world. I hate the world even more right now, because it seems all I can eat is ice cream and pickles. And I hate pickles. And, no-" she shot him a look. "Before you even ask, I don't eat them together, or even at the same time. That would be gross."

Darien crossed his arms over his chest, and leaned against the doorframe, smiling lazily. "What kind of ice cream do you like the best?"

"Vanilla. Always just vanilla." She smiled back at him. "I'm sorry, I ruined our dinner plans. Maybe in a couple weeks when this so called morning sickness passes? I swear, I love food. Normally, I eat like a hog."

"It's no big deal. Plans are meant to be ruined." He hoisted himself up from his leaning position and continued. "I've got a better idea. Since you have no appetite, let's stay in. You can shower, get into something a little more comfy, and we'll watch a couple movies. I'll run to the video store while you wind down."

Serena smiled, a genuinely sparkling, big smile. "That sounds wonderful."

"Great. I'll leave right now."

"Great," she said as he began to make his way to the door. "And Darien-"

"Yeah?"

"Rent something that has no blood in it. I don't think I could stomach that right now."

He chuckled and stepped out the door, "lock this behind me. I think I still have the spare Amy gave me before you moved in."

"Will do." She said, as he shut the door.

Okay, so giving him a chance didn't seem so bad after all. She was just afraid of something with the whole situation, but she really couldn't put a finger on what exactly it was.

Deciding to take his advice, she padded her way to the shower to occupy the time she had while he was gone.

Twenty minutes later, Serena sat on the couch braiding her wet hair loosely on one side. Her fleece pants kept her warm as she waited for Darien to come back with a movie. She hoped the movie wasn't some terrible mafia or war flick.

After all, she did request no blood. As she continued to reminisque on movies and what he'd choose, a knock came at her door.

No spare key apparently. She chuckled as she went to the lock.

"I thought you had a-" she said as she flung open the door and then stopped when the face in front of her wasn't Darien's.

"Seiya, what are you doing here?" Serena asked in an unamused tone of voice. Before he could say a word she stopped him by shaking a hand in front of her. "You know what? I don't care. Just leave. This is getting ridiculous."

Seiya's eyes flashed a little something she had never seen in them before. Was it malice? It had only been for a second, so she couldn't really tell.

"Serena, I'm here to give this back to you." He held out a piece of tiny jewelry.

Her engagement ring.

"I don't want it. I thought I made that clear enough when I mailed it back to you."

"It was a gift. I can't take it back. It belongs to you."

Serena was already frustrated with him. Utter annoyance seemed to fill her being just by looking at him. "Seiya, I don't want it, you or anything to do with you. What part of we are finished, done, completely through that you don't get?"

The next words that came out of Seiya's mouth so low, it startled her. "It's because of that other man that I've seen you with. The one that left earlier, isn't it?"

He had been here since before Darien left. This fact unnerved her even more. She just kept repeating, remain cool. Stand your ground. It's only Seiya. But she knew he'd watched her before this, so her radar was up a little farther.

Without letting her voice falter, she replied, "Seiya, this has nothing to do with him. We were long over before he came around, and besides nothing is going on between us. His sister is my roommate. That's why he comes over."

"Why were you kissing him a few weeks ago in the parking ramp then?"

She was scared now. Seiya had been keeping tabs on her. Where was Darien? She had to remind herself that she was a strong, independent woman. But who knew what Seiya was capable of now. The conversation they were having proved he was potentially dangerous. She had to get him out of here.

"What I do on my time is none of your business, Seiya. I think you better leave now, before I call the police." She crossed her arms defensively over her chest.

"I'll leave tonight, because you asked me to. But don't for one minute think this is over. I will have you back. No man will ever touch you as long as I'm around. Remember that." He pivoted on his heel and stalked down the hall.

When he was gone, Serena slammed the door shut and utilized the chain lock for the first time since she moved in. She paced back and forth across the living room floor in deep thought.

Seiya had waited until Darien left. Maybe he knew he was coming back, but she doubted it. How long had he been watching her and what did she do about it? Could she do anything about it? Besides his two visits, he hadn't done anything to her, so she had no real proof.

This was a nightmare.

Why couldn't he have just found someone else when she broke it off? Why couldn't he be a normal guy? Thinking hard on it, Serena knew that normal was not in the Seiya world.

She was at a loss. Scared, and paranoid he'd come back, she went to the couch and pulled her knees to her chest.

Men like Seiya weren't worth this.

When she heard the click of the lock, she yelped and fell back, almost tumbling off the couch. The door pushed open slightly, but stopped with the chain.

"Hey Serena," Darien's deep, calming voice said from the other side. "Can you come let me in?"

"Coming." Serena said as she tried to slow her nerves. She shoved the door closed as much as she needed to undo the chain, and let him in.

He walked past her, movies in one hand and a bag in the other. He chuckled as he continued to the kitchen. "I didn't know you wanted me locked out that much."

As calm as she could, throwing her hands in front of her, she played it off like no big deal. "Oh, ya know," she chuckled nervously, and put one of her hands behind her head, attempting to be nonchalant, "old habit. Two girls in a big city. Never can be too safe."

"Probably a smart idea." He set the movies down, and went to work on whatever was in the bag.

Curious, Serena walked to the table and grasped a chair to peer over into the bag. "What's in the bag."

"Proof that I listen." He pulled out a carton of baskin robbin's ice cream.

Serena couldn't help but smile at his gesture. He really was trying. It was really cute.

"Let me get some bowls."

She walked over and pulled out spoons, a scoop and two bright blue bowls. As she turned around he held out two movies.

"I had the guy at the movie store help me. It's been a long time since I've had time to watch a movie. This one," he shook the movie in his right hand. A man and a woman were on the cover, "is a romantic comedy. It's called 'Leap Year.' I'll watch it, and then we watch the comedy for me." He smiled as he put the other one out at her. Setting down the bowls, she took the movies and looked at the other one he got.

"Hot Tub Time Machine?" She scrunched her eyebrows in amusement. "Why on earth would you rent a movie called Hot Tub Time Machine?"

"The guy at the movie store said it was the number one movie out right now."

She nodded incredulously. "You are right, we are watching the chick flick first." That way, if she was tired by then, she could sleep through the dumb looking movie. But, she refrained from saying that to him. "I'll go put it in. You have ice cream duty."

Both situated on the couch, she started the movie and began to enjoy her ice cream. While the previews at the beginning of the dvd, she looked over at him.

"I know we have a lot to talk about, but I don't know if I can handle it tonight." Not after Seiya's intrusion anyways. Should she tell him? After all, he had a right to know if Seiya was threatening her. They had a baby to worry about. For the time, she chose to not worry him.

From the few times they'd been around each other, she knew enough to know he could overreact. Heck, she didn't even know if she was worrying over nothing with Seiya. He was just having a hard time getting over her.

Good. If he hadn't been so against children in the first place, they'd still be together. Then, Darien wouldn't be around. Her heart skipped a beat as she looked over at his piercing gaze.

"I understand. Let's just spend tonight relaxing and having a good time together."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome. But, don't think this gets you off the hook. We are talking about this baby."

Through another mouthful of rich vanilla, she replied. "I know. It's important that we do."

He nodded and turned back to the movie. The beginning was a bore. The heroine was with this too perfect man, and he seemed too stiff for her. Couldn't the woman tell? And it was absolutely preposterous to propose to your man, Leap Year or not.

When the gorgeous bartender came on screen, played by one of Serena's favorites Matthew Goode, things began to get interesting. Serena couldn't help but notice that besides the lankiness Matthew Goode had, he shared many characteristics with the devilish man sitting quietly next to her.

No wonder she found Darien attractive. It all made sense now. She hoped their child got some of his wonderful looks. At least if he decided to never come around after he or she was born, she'd have a reminder of what she once felt.

What was it that she felt? Even she wasn't sure. It was too early to call it love.

Lust. That's what it was.

And lust was all it could be. After dealing with Seiya, she wasn't ready to venture on with another man. Especially since earlier tonight.

Darien didn't seem like the type to obsess over her after a breakup, but then again, Seiya never did either.

With her mind racing as much as it was, she had a hard time concentrating on the movie. Not to mention, it was getting late.

Her eyes began to droop as the woman on the movie pushed a red car down a hill. Normally Serena would have found that hilarious, but she couldn't keep her eyes open. Bowl still in hand, Serena let herself succumb to the inevitable world of sleep.

At the end of the movie, Darien was elated. Not that he minded Romantic Comedies much, but he wanted preferred funny. To his surprise, Serena had been really quiet during the movie.

"So, it looks like it's time for funny." He said as he stretched his arms above his head. When he got no reply, he looked over at Serena. Her head was slightly tilted towards the arm of the couch, lips slightly parted as her other hand was still loosely grasping her empty ice cream dish.

He smiled at the beautiful sight she made sleeping. Getting up from the couch, he slid his arms around her and lifted her gently up into him. He carried her to her room and placed her onto her soft bed and covered her up.

He took the opportunity to look around her room. Cozy and eclectic came to mind as he gazed at the cute white dressers and vanity. Different figurines lined the tops of them, smiling happily at him. Her room spoke volumes for her sweetness.

Before getting up from his seated position on her bead, he leaned down and softly placed a kiss on her forehead, causing her to stir awake. Her eyes dazedly met his and he had to stop himself from trying anything with her.

"Darien..." She said huskily. "Thanks for putting me to bed. You could've left me on the couch."

He smiled down at her and pushed himself off the bed. "Not a problem. It seemed smarter to put you in your bed, then to let you sleep uncomfortably on the couch."

"Can you do me a favor," she asked quietly, trying to keep the fear from her voice.

"What is it?"

"Will you stay with me tonight? I really don't like being here alone."

Confused, Darien looked down at her. Something was off with her all of the sudden, but when he looked at the vulnerability that laced her eyes, he couldn't say no.

He wasn't sure if he would have said no in any case.

"Of course. If you need anything, I'll be out on the couch."

"No."

"No? Serena you just asked me to stay over, and now you are saying no? When is this baby due, because I don't know how much more of this emotional roller coaster I can handle."

"I said no, not because I want you to leave, but because I want you to stay in here, with me." She said the last barely above a whisper.

Something was really off with this woman, but he said nothing. He slipped off his jeans and socks, and climbed in next to her. As soon as he was situated on his side, she leaned into him.

"Thank you." She said. Inhaling his scent, she allowed herself to drift off into a peaceful sleep.

Whatever was going on inside her head, he was bound to find out. Until then, he would enjoy the comfort of falling asleep with her in his arms.

End Chapter Ten

So, that was chapter ten.

Even more I am trying to build up suspense and their relationship

I just love Serena and Darien. :)

Review!