rf2

Title: Royal Flush - Day 2
Author: Alicia Blade
E-mail: [email protected]

Hey Minna-chan! I'm doing pretty good on posting so far, ne?
THANK YOU SOOO MUCH to the people who e-mailed me!! I felt so loved!
Many more this time than last week, so PLEASE keep sending them in! I
LOVE mail!!
Anyway, as always, a million plus thanks to Athena, Edeet-chan,
and Lady Starra! You are THE best friends I could have and I love you
all to death!
Also, arigato, gracias, thank you!! To Kate-chan, my bestest
friend in the world, and R-chan, Patti-chan, and all the rest of the
Pack! Don't know what I'd do without ya!!
Hm� not much to say this time around, except, once more: Mail
me!!!!! Oh, and I'm still looking to see who's interested in the poetry
book and all first season fanfics website. So far we've had a good
response and thanx to everyone's suggestions! They've helped a lot!!
Enjoy!

"The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it,
for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. And the
nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings
of the earth bring their glory and honor into it."
Revelation 21: 23 - 24
(Talking of Heaven, my favorite part ^_~)

He was mad. He was VERY mad. Again, she hadn't shown. But this
time, he doubted she would. It was 5:30, an hour and a half past when
she was supposed to be at his apartment. Of course, he wasn't that
surprised. She had said that she wasn't going to come. But part of him
had hoped she would show anyway. But it wasn't happening. It wouldn't
happen. He'd lost her�
"Not if I have anything to say about it."
Grabbing his jacket, he stormed angrily out of his apartment.

The doors of the arcade jingled lightly as he entered. He looked
around. Andrew had his back turned to him, helping some little boy with
a game. He looked toward the famous Sailor V game, hoping she hadn't
left yet, and smiled lightly. Already the anger was fading. Just
looking at her, even though he could only see her back. He imagined her
small face staring at the screen in diligence. Her blue eyes staring at
it with thoughtful concentration. Her fragile hands pushing at the
buttons furiously.
He breathed in deeply. 'Can't let her get to ya now. You're mad,
remember?'
He laughed at himself. 'Yeah right, don't even imagine you can
stay mad at her long. She's too gorgeous, too lively, too wonderful. Of
all the times she's driven you crazy, hurt you or pained you, you
forgave her every time. Besides, she never did realize just what she
was doing to you. It's not her fault.'
Casually, he strolled over to stand behind her, watching over her
shoulder with a smile on his face. She didn't notice. In one clean
swoop, he bent down and wrapped his arms around her. She gasped and
squealed, straightening up against him.
"Good afternoon, Meatball Head," he whispered as the words Game
Over flashed onto the screen. She seemed to relax for a brief second,
before the anger built up quick as lightning and she shook against him.
"YOU MADE ME LOSE THE GAME!!!" she yelled at him. He only
chuckled, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a quarter.
"I'm sorry. Here, try again."
She glared at the small silver coin in front of her. Bringing up
her hand, she smacked it out of his fingers, sending it rolling across
the tile floor of the arcade. Darien watched in amusement as it
disappeared beneath another video game.
"No thanks, I'm done playing anyway," she said sourly, pushing
out of his grip and standing from the small stool. He watched quietly
as she began walking away from him. Reaching out a hand, he grabbed
onto her wrist. She froze in her tracks.
Walking closer to her, he said, "I thought we had an
arrangement."
She huffed her shoulders, turning her nose high in the air away
from him. "I refuse to be your slave!"
He raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And� since when did you have a choice
in the matter?"
He yelled at himself inwardly. 'Oh yeah, perfect time to practice
your jerk techniques!'
She turned slightly to stare up at him. If looks could kill�
Darien forced a smile. With his free hand, he traced along the
arm farthest away from him, walking around so that her back barely
touched the material of his shirt, sending his stomach turning. He
couldn't remember ever being so close to her.
His hands worked their way up her arms. He felt her gasp and
stiffen beneath his touch. Leaning his head down on her shoulder, he
tied his hands in front of her stomach.
She closed her eyes, not knowing whether to move closer into this
incredible warmth he sent in waves pooling over her, or to run from the
electrifying tingles he caused to jolt up her spine.
"The rules were� that you would be my slave for one week. You
agreed to them, remember?" he whispered into her hair. She shuddered.
Through her dry throat, she managed to choke out, "Mina� it was
Mina's bet. She should have to� to�" Her mind dissipated without any
further thought as his hands tickled so gently at the soft material at
her small stomach.
"Mina? Yes, Mina. I suppose, if you won't be my slave� then she
can't keep up her end of the bargain. Maybe I should take this up with
her then?"
Serena felt a surge of jealousy at the thought of him holding
Mina this close, this intimately. She trembled into him.
"She'll have to find something of great value to pay me for the
game then. Maybe some antique jewelry that's been in the family for
years? Or� money she earned after hard work, college money perhaps?"
Serena closed her eyes tightly. "You wouldn't do that�" she
whispered.
"Wouldn't I? Are you willing to take that chance?" He looked down
on her face. She was shaking. Her expression looked like she was trying
to block out any multitudes of feelings. And fear dominated them. He
held back a gasp.
'Fear? I never wanted fear�'
He chuckled softly. "You're right Meatball Head. I wouldn't do
that. It's not Mina's fault after all. Besides� all the most valuable
jewels in the world couldn't make up for you. In value or beauty."
Serena gasped, opening her eyes wide. 'What's that supposed to
mean?' Her heart was beating so fast� so abnormally fast� Every breath
was ragged and short as she tried to swallow the nervousness she was
feeling. She didn't understand this. He'd never made her feel this way.
"However� there's still the problem of my payment to deal with.
You're still my slave, until either the week is up or I decide to free
you�" Darien let this statement fade away.
'If I decide to free you� If I decide to free you� would you
forgive me then? Would that make any difference?'
His mind drifted in these thoughts as he looked down at the angel
in his arms. She hadn't once fought him since he'd held onto her. She
only stood there, angelic and trusting and so� very� close�
His eyes skimmed slowly over her hair, perfect face, blue eyes
closed again, lips parted so slightly, down her graceful, pale neck�
He lowered his lips to her neck, aching to taste her� just once�
as he'd always dreamt of� He stopped, his lips millimeters from the
tempting skin. Serena hadn't moved. She was frozen, tense, against him.
Her body was shaking, her arms trembled, her breath leaving her mouth
in quick gasps.
She could feel his breath on her neck. She didn't know what was
going on anymore. Part of her felt that she should run, push him away,
yell and scream. The other wanted to him to kiss her, wanted to turn
around and allow him to ravage her lips to his desire� to her desire.
But he was still now, no longer teasing her stomach, no longer inching
toward her neck.
"Darien�" she whimpered.
His eyes flew open. He couldn't kiss her. She wasn't his. Even
more, she hated him. What would she think if he were to just take her
like this? Would she think he was desperate? Lustful? INSANE?! He
couldn't do this.
His lips trembling, he slowly backed away from her. She let out
the breath she had been holding in and turned in his arms to face him.
Her body pressed against his, her shaking hands held each other in
front of her chest. Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, she thought
she could see into his true feelings. Licking her lips, she turned her
face up to his and closed her eyes.
Darien looked down on this innocent, na�ve girl. With one hand,
he pulled her even closer to him, molding their bodies together. She
didn't protest. Overriding the temptation to cover her mouth with his,
which he wasn't exactly sure if that's what she wanted or not, he
reached into his pocket and pulled something out. Opening one of her
palms, he dropped the small treasure in and closed her fingers around
it.
Once again leaning down close to her ear, he whispered, "You're
free." He smelled the delicious scent of vanilla perfume, drifting
around him, encasing his senses. Lowering his head farther, he couldn't
resist as he felt his lips drifting dangerously close to her soft skin.
He tasted it barely, lying a single butterfly kiss below her jaw. No
longer able to resist temptation, he kissed her neck fully,
passionately, tasting her slightly salty skin, before pulling away from
her and leaving the arcade as quick as possible.
Serena opened her eyes dazedly in surprise. He was gone�
Opening her hand, she looked down on a single, small, pearl
earring.

Darien punched the door of his bedroom, easily leaving a small
dent where his knuckles had punctured it. With a groan, he leaned his
head down on the wood, clenching his fists at his sides.
"Great! Just great! I lost her! I have the perfect opportunity to
spend time with her, get to know her, and get her to know ME and I LOST
her!!" He sighed, turning around and leaning his back up against the
door, staring into his dark bedroom. Dull and lifeless, just as Serena
had said. At least when she had been here, there had been an air of
strength, of love, of happiness. But he'd lost her now.
"Not that you ever really HAD her," he corrected himself sourly.
Closing his eyes, he made no attempt to stop a single tear streak down
his cheek. "Oh, Serena�" he whispered. "I love you. Why can't you see
that? Why can't you give me a chance?"
He gasped at the sound of a knock at his front door. Quickly, he
wiped the tear away, straightening his jacket and taking a deep breath
before opening his bedroom door and traveling slowly down the short
hallway. He fixed his hand to the knob and opened the door� to reveal
an empty hall.
"Um� hello?" he asked suspiciously. Then his eyes caught sight of
a small white envelope right outside his door. Furrowing his brow, he
bent down and picked it up curiously. Looking around one more time, he
closed the door and retreated back into his living room.
He flipped the card over a few times. It was blank. Opening it
slowly, he pulled out a small note on pale pink paper. It read,

Darien,

You're right. A deal is a deal, and I have to keep my end, even if it
WAS Mina's fault. I'm sorry for being so stubborn. I'll be a better
'slave' from now on. If you still want me, I'll be in the park by the
docks.

Forgive me,
Serena

Turning the envelope over, a small pearl earring fell into
Darien's palm. He smiled slightly. He hadn't lost yet. And maybe now�
he could convince her that he was a nice guy after all� and maybe, just
maybe he could get her to see his feelings for her, and her to feel the
same way.

Serena dipped her toe into the cold water, splashing a little out
toward a small baby duck that had come dangerously close to her. It
shook its head a little, dipping its beak into the water, before
turning and paddling away from her, quacking quietly. She giggled softy
at it, kicking some more water in its direction.
"Looks like you made a friend."
She gasped, turning to look up at Darien. He smiled down on her,
before kneeling by her side. She watched him closely, memories of being
so close to that strong body filtering back. He caught her gaze from
the corner of his eye and turned to face her. She blushed becomingly
and turned away to look over the water again. He smiled.
They sat silent for a few minutes, neither really knowing what to
say or do. Finally, Serena spoke.
"So� as your slave, what am I to do?" she asked carefully.
Darien raised an eyebrow, smiling softly. "Well� I don't know
exactly. I've never had one before."
She giggled slightly.
"That."
"Huh?"
"I want you to do that. I want you to be happy."
Serena looked at him like he was crazy. "Why?"
He shrugged. "When you're happy, I'm happy. I don't know why,
but� it's true."
She leaned her head to the side, looking at him carefully. His
blue eyes glazed over the small lake, a thoughtful smile on his face.
"I can do that," she whispered. He returned his stare to her, and
smiled wider.
"Okay, then those are your orders!"
She smiled widely. "Yes, Master!" Standing, she performed an
elaborate bow before him, smiling widely. He chuckled, standing before
her.
"Are you gonna call me that from now on?"
"Sure, why not?"
He only smiled and shook his head. Looking around, he asked, "So�
you wanna go for a walk?"
"Sure! Ooh, even better, can we feed the ducks? Please?! My
friend looks a little hungry�"
He smiled over at the small baby duck who had made its way back
to their side of the dock. "Okay, let's go get some food!"

Darien smiled as the small ducklings inched closer to Serena's
small fingers, dancing lightly in the water with bits of bread held
between the tips. She held her breath as one pure white baby came so
close to her� but at the last moment scurried away to disappear behind
its mother. Serena sighed disappointed. Looking up at him, she stated,
"I think you scared him away."
Darien chuckled. "Gee, thanks Meatball Head!"
Pouting, she drew her hand out of the cool water and stood up
next to him. "Don't call me that!"
"Would you prefer 'slave'?"
Folding her arms over her chest, she stuck her tongue out at him,
before thrusting her nose in the air and walking away down the dirt
path. Smiling, he followed her, drifting a strong arm over her shoulder
when he came close enough. She pulled away from his grip.
"Don't touch me!"
"Aw, now is that any way to speak to your master?"
She glared at him. "Fine, don't touch me, MASTER!"
He laughed. Walking closer to her, he wrapped an arm strongly
around her waist. When she went to pull away, he only tightened his
grip. "Now, behave, Meatball Head!"
She blushed noticeably, but didn't struggle to get away anymore.
"Hey, ya want some ice cream?" asked Darien, seeing a vendor up
the path a ways.
"Yeah!" she squealed delightedly. Then, with an evil grin, she
added, "Race ya there!" And she was gone from his encompassing arm in a
flash.
Darien laughed at her childishness before taking the hint and
dashing after her. Soon, he was closing in on her trail.
Serena squealed as a pair of strong arms reached around her
shoulders, and they both went tumbling to the ground. Out of breath,
Darien looked up at the girl that had somehow landed on top of him. She
giggled, looking down at his laughing blue eyes.
Their noses brushed up against each other's, their breath
taunting the lips. Darien's arms still stretched around her back,
holding her close to his chest. He remembered the delectable taste of
her soft skin and began to wonder� to dream�
Serena gasped as she felt him moving slowly closer to her lips.
With wide eyes, she pushed herself off of him, rolling to sit beside
him.
Darien snapped back to reality when he no longer felt her body so
close to him� and mentally hit himself for being so ready to kiss her
like that. As he stood up, he realized it would be harder than he
thought to control himself around her. Turning, he held out a hand to
help Serena off the ground. She accepted, allowing herself to be hauled
to her feet. Giggling, she commented,
"Ya know, you're a pretty quick runner."
He smiled back. "You are too Meatball Head. I'm surprised with
all that junk food you eat."
Again she glared at him. Ripping her hands from his hold, she
proceeded in brushing herself off. Looking up, she said, "Speaking of
junk food, I'd like my ice cream now, Master."
Darien smiled. Placing his arm around her again, he dragged her
off to the vendor.
Serena spent a good ten minutes analyzing the large selection of
ice cream, her taste buds screaming for everything offered and more.
Finally, with some additional teasing from Darien, she decided on a
triple scoop waffle cone with chocolate, chocolate chip, and chocolate
fudge.
The two walked down the path a little while longer, Serena
happily feasting on her delightful treat and Darien simply enjoying
watching little bits of the dessert make their way to her hungry lips
and rosy cheeks. When she had finished, she tossed the napkin into a
nearby garbage can, before turning to face Darien.
"It's late," she said quietly, turning her face up to him. Darien
had hardly noticed the darkening of the sky until she had pointed it
out, too caught up in staring at the blindingly bright smile on the
girl by his side.
With a quirky, almost disappointed smile, Darien nodded. "Yup, I
guess� you should get home. Do you want me to walk you?"
Serena looked down the pathway. "Naw, that's okay. We live in
opposite directions."
Darien smiled. "I can walk the extra ways. Come on." Draping his
arm over her shoulder again, something he had decided to take advantage
of as much as possible this week, he began walking in the direction of
her home, letting her guide him whenever they came to a fork in the
road.
After a long silence, Darien said, "Actually, Meatball Head, you
have a free day tomorrow." Serena looked up at him surprised.
"Huh?"
"I have a late meeting at work, so� I'll probably stay there
almost all day. Therefore, I'm giving you the day off." He looked down
on her mischievously. "Spend it well, it's the last one you'll have
before the week is over."
Serena blushed lightly. "Actually, I'm busy on Thursday, I can't
get out of it, either."
Darien raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
She nodded. "Yeah, I have volunteer work at St. Joseph's Hospital
every Thursday."
Darien smiled. 'She WOULD volunteer at a hospital. So sweet and
giving�' He sighed.
"Well, if you can't get out of it� then I won't hold you to your
duties that day." He looked at her suspiciously. "You know, you're
getting off pretty easy."
She only smiled. Then, with a thoughtful glance to the sky, she
said, "So� where do you work?"
"A computer engineering company called Remote Operating System
Enterprises."
Serena giggled. "Sounds important."
He smiled down on her. "Yeah, sort of. You ever seen that big
black building down town with the point on top. It's at the corner of
Himaka Street."
Serena looked up at him. "Yeah, that building looks SO cool from
the outside!!"
He smiled. "Well, that's where the main management of the company
is. And then we have stations in other countries too�"
"The WHOLE building?!" she squealed.
Darien laughed. "No, silly Meatball Head. We're on the 8th through
the 11th floor."
Serena smiled lightly. "Oh, that makes more sense."
Darien smiled down on her. "W�would you like to go sometime?" All
the sudden a great nervousness settled upon him. He wasn't sure why,
it's not like he was really asking her on a date or anything, but�
there was still that dreaded fear of rejection.
"YEAH!" Serena cheered happily. He smiled down on her.
"Really?"
"Uh-huh! I've always wondered what it was like inside!"
His grin widened. "Great then, I'll take you sometime."
She returned the smile, burying herself deeper into his embrace,
noticeable only to him. They walked another block in silence.
"This is where I live," said Serena happily. Darien thought it
was almost a little mean that she was so happy to be leaving him so
soon� Sure, they had spent the last 2 and a half hours together, but
still� it wasn't nearly enough time to fill his aching addiction to
her.
Slowly, they walked up the path. She immediately placed her hand
on the door, but he stopped her, grabbing her small hand to be held in
his own. She gasped and looked up at him in confusion. With a
mysterious smile, he said, "I'll see you Wednesday then, my apartment.
You'll show up this time?"
Her cheeks tinted pink for a brief moment, but then she nodded.
"Wednesday, 4:00."
"Good slave." Leaning down, he kissed her cheek tenderly. Backing
away, he bowed and brushed his lips against the back of her hand before
turning completely and strolling down the pathway. Serena took a deep
breath and disappeared into her house.

What did ya think?! Oh, one reminder: E-MAIL IS A GOOD THING!!!
Luv ya and God bless!
<3 Alicia