A ROSE FROM ANOTHER (PG)
by: Sailor SwiftHeart
Dedicated to:  "Midora"


PART TWO:


	Serena scrambled to her feet and ran after James.  She wasn't going to let
another guy walk away without a reason.  It had already been done to death. 
	"James, wait!"  she called to him, frantically.  "Please don't walk away."
	James stopped and waited for Serena to catch up to him.  Once she was
there, she caught her breath and looked at him.  He removed his shades, so
she could see his eyes.  Serena felt weak in the knees.  Something about
his deep green eyes captivated her and held onto her.  
	"What do you mean?" she asked, trying to stay focused.  "How do you
already know so much about me?  Like my name for starters."
	James smiled that snake-charming smile and chuckled.
	"Well, I did hear your friend say your name plus Darien said it during
your conversation over there."  he responded, promptly, indicating the
bench a few yards away.
	Serena felt dumb.  Of course!  She couldn't believe she had asked such a
stupid question.
	"Sorry."  she apologized.  James just shrugged it off as nothing.
	"But... what else do you know about me?"  Serena inquired, cocking her
head at him in curiousity.
	"I know who your friends are, where you go to school, where you live and
that black cat you have for a pet."  James listed.
	"Have you been following me?"  Serena demanded in shock.
	James made a quick decision.  There was no point in denying it now, so he
nodded.
	"How could you invade my privacy like that?"  Serena fumed.  "You didn't
accidentally bump into me outside of my school!  You were there waiting for
me, weren't you?"  James was about to answer, but Serena went on.  "And you
didn't just happen to hear my conversation with Darien... you followed me
here and deliberately eavesdropped!"
	"I guess I did."  James answered, non-chalantly.
	Serena was surprised that he was so calm about it.  Was he a foreigner and
didn't know any better?  He didn't look like one.  He looked like a guy who
stepped right out of dream.  His hair; those eyes; that smile that sent her
pulses racing.  Serena had just had her heart broken and yet she found
herself becoming attracted to James.  It was too easy to get lost in the
way he looked at her.  But he had followed her... practically STALKED
her... and she couldn't be mad at him.  She felt a tingling in the pit of
her stomach.  Wasn't she supposed to be devestated that the supposed love
of her life had dumped her?  Was this wrong?  
	"If you aren't upset with me, I'd like to take you out for some cheering
up,"  James broke into her thoughts.  "I also know that you like
double-fudge sundaes."  He offered her his arm.  Serena brushed the rose
against her cheek, feeling its softness.  She took James' arm and as they
walked out of the park and down the street toward the Ice Cream Parlour,
Serena wondered if his touch would be just as soft as those rose petals.

***

	Serena pigged-out.  But, unlike Darien, James did not look the least bit
disgusted with her eating habits.  Darien often looked away, or fiddled
with something on the table, obviously embarrassed.  James just sat there,
licking his chocolate cone, his smile getting bigger everytime Serena
stuffed a scoop of ice-cream into her mouth.  James was just glad he had
managed to make her happy with an ice-cream treat.  Plus, he was WITH her,
just like he had dreamed for days.  That was all that mattered.  He had
never felt happier in his whole life.  
	After they were finished their little snack, James paid the waiter and
offered to walk Serena home.  She accpeted, trying to hide her excitement
about having this gorgeous guy at her side for company.  Or was James more
than just "company"?  She was about to find out.  As they reached the
doorstep of Serena's house, her heart did cartwheels.  James took her hands
into his and looked into her eyes.  His eyes bathed her in admiration.
Serena had never seen such a look on Darien's face.  She and James had just
met! Should she.... was he going to---?
	"We just met."  thought James.  He was unsure about his next move.  She
could reject him either way.  He searched her eyes for any traces of
uncertainty.  James felt helpless to resist.  His left hand rose to weave
one of her long, golden ponytails through his fingers.  Her hair felt like
silk.  Serena closed her eyes.  Darien never payed this much attention to
her hair.  In fact, he totally disapproved of the dumpling-shaped hairstyle
that had become her trademark.  She was just Darien's little Meatball Head
and nothing more.  What was she becoming to this handsome stranger who
called himself James?  What was he becoming to HER?  Serena thought about
his eyes.  They were like polished jade, the way they shone.  She couldn't
resist another gaze into them.  Serena was about to open her eyes, when she
suddenly felt his lips touch hers like a whisper.  Her heart fluttered and
she felt heat rush into her cheeks.  The kiss was slow, soft and
thoughtful.  She had never felt anything quite like that.  Not ever.  And
definitely never with Darien.  He was too cold.  But James!  James was like
a blanket of warmth around her!  She could've stayed like that forever.
Only a few moments later, their lips parted.  They were both blushing, but
shared a smile.  
	"Bye, Serena."  James said, almost reluctantly.  He started to leave,
slowly descending the stairs.
	"James!"  Serena called before he disappeared around the corner.  James
turned. "Can... can I see you tomorrow?  Maybe after school or something?"
	"Anything."  James declared.  He took one more look at the Golden-Haired
Girl, then turned the corner and fell against the wall that kept Serena's
house secluded.  He clasped his hands to his heart and sighed.
	"She is... enchanting."  James breathed.  "Like a princess."

****

	When James arrived home at the apartment he and Jessy were staying at for
the time being, he was met with angry glares and shouting.
	"I thought you said you weren't going to be gone that long!"  Jessy shot
at him.
	"You were gone for over three hours!"  said Meowth.
	"I would hardly consider that a long time."  James told them,
matter-of-factly.
	"Is that so?"  Jessy snapped.  "Well just exactly WHAT do you consider a
long time, James?  Three days?  Two weeks?  A month?"  She scowled.
	"Oh, Jessy, don't be such a drama queen,"  said James, as he sat down and
remained calm.  Nothing could make him mad.  Not after the wonderful kiss
he had shared with Serena.
	"I'm not being a drama queen!"  Jessy whined.  "You're so mean, James!
I'm sick with this horrible flu and you don't even care!"
	James sighed, rolled his eyes and put his arm around Jessy.
	"Of course I care about you, Jessy."  he insisted.  "What is the big deal
about me going out for a few hours?"
	"I was bored!"  Jessy complained.  "You could've at least brought me home
a magazine or something, James!"
	"Well, I'm going out again tomorrow, so I'll definitely bring you
something then."  James promised.
	Jessy was annoyed at this new information.
	"What, again?"  she demanded.  "Just exactly WHERE are you going, James?
Where have you been going lately?  Who or what is so important that you
can't stick around to take care of me?"
	"It's.... nothing, Jessy,"  James tried to assure her.  "You... wouldn't
understand."
	"Maybe I would,"  Jessy persisted.  "Come-on, James.  Just tell me!  I
hate not knowing.  You usually tell me everything."  She gave him a
pleading look that was hard to resist, but James had to resist this time.
	"I know I do,"  he admitted, then shook his head.  "But this I can't.
It's hard for me to say that to you, Jessy."  he added, hoping that would
make her feel a little better.  Her expression softened a little.  "Please
understand."
	Jessy nodded, then layed back down on the couch.  James covered her with a
blanket and kissed her forehead, then smoothed back her long, red hair.
	"I hope you get well real soon."  he declared, then left to get ready for
bed.  He had an exciting day ahead of him.  He could hardly wait!

****

	Serena was on the phone with Lita.  She had just told her about James and
all that had happened with him.
	"You are so lucky, Serena!"  Lita exclaimed, enviously.  "That guy was so
hot!"
	"I know!"  Serena squeeled.  "He's so romantic!  I'm seeing him again
tomorrow and I can't wait!"
	"Where are you guys going?"  Lita asked.
	"I don't know,"  said Serena.  "I think he's gonna pick me up at school
tomorrow!"
	"Does he have a car?"  Lita went-on with her questions.
	"I'm not sure."  Serena answered.  "This is so cool!  Darien never picked
me up at school."  She scowled at the very thought of Darien.
	"Ummm.... Serena,"  Lita said, seriously.  "Does Darien know about you and
James?  I mean, doesn't he mind?  You and Darien are destined..."
	"To hell with that!"  Serena snapped.  "He dumped me yesterday.  James was
right there, sitting under a tree and he heard the whole thing.  I was
bawling my eyes out because of Darien and he came to comfort me!  He even
gave me a red rose."  Serena looked at the rose that was in a vase filled
with water on her nightstand.  She smiled.
	"Sounds like you have another Tuxedo Mask on your hands."  Lita commented.
	"No way, he's WAY sweeter than Tuxedo Mask."  Serena said.  "I'm through
with Darien and his stupid alter-identity."  she declared.  "Maybe he's
right.  Maybe we should leave the past behind us."
	"Well, I'm happy for you, Serena."  Lita told her.  "I just hope he's not
from the Negaverse or something.  You know, like Alan."
	"As if!"  Serena expressed, shocked.  "How could James possibly work for
evil?  He's way too sweet, Lita!"
	"So was Alan."  Lita reminded her.
	"Well, he's NOT Alan, he's James."  Serena retorted. 
	Lita sighed.  "I guess you'll just have to wait and see."
	Serena laughed, then they said goodbye and hung up.
	Wait and see what?  Serena wondered.  Nothing.  James is perfect and
nothing is going to stop me from thinking that!

****

	Jessy checked on James about an hour later.  He was asleep and she was
relieved.  She went over to the couch and woke up Meowth, who was sleeping
on the floor.  She nudged him with her foot.
	"Ouch!"  Meowth exclaimed.  "What did you do that for?"  He rubbed his
backside and frowned at Jessy.
	"Pipe down, Meowth!"  she whispered.  "I want you to do something for me.
And you will do it, or I'll use you for a Kleenex the next time I have to
sneeze!"  She grinned cunningly.
	"What?"  Meowth questioned.  He already knew it probably involved spying
on James to find out what he was up to these days.
	"Tomorrow, I want you to follow James to find out where he is going and
what he has been doing since we got here, got it?"  Jessy said.
	"Why do I always have to do it?"  Meowth protested.
	"Because I'm sick, you dummy!"  Jessy spat.  "Besides, James would surely
see me if I did go.  You're smaller and you can climb and hide in trees or
in garbage cans and stuff."
	"Gee thanks, Jessy, I'm flattered."  Meowth said, sarcastically.
	Jessy ignored his sarcasm and continued.  "And I want a full report
tomorrow night!"
	"Do you want pictures, too?"  Meowth asked, still with sarcasm.
	"That's not a bad idea,"  Jessy nodded, thoughtfully.  "Take the camera,
too."
	Meowth groaned.  "Me and my big mouth!"

****

Send all flames or comments to SwiftHeart@v-wave.com

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