Heart of a Saint - Three
Usagi-chan
Usagi@lunap.com
http://hop.to/minako_usagi
I don't own Sailormoon.

Author's Notes: Does anyone even remember
this story?  Gee, I hope so!  I'm going to
try to get more of it out soon.  Grin 


***

"They're sending someone here to talk to you,
Darien." Andrew's voice was soft as he spoke
to his long time friend.  "I'm going to stick
around until we know his credentials."

"Can't they leave me alone to mourn?" Darien 
asked, whirling his chair around to face 
Andrew.  "Dammit I've lost too much.  Why don't
they just leave me the hell alone?!"

"Darien, they can't.  You know that.  It was 
one of their own who did it.  They probably want
to cut a deal with you." Andrew replied.

"I told you before Andrew, I will not cut
a deal using Jonathan's life." Darien spoke
curtly, turning away from Andrew.  He stood up,
staring out the tall window that faced across
the front lawn of his vast estate.  He saw a 
small white car pulling up in front of the house
and a look of confusion made it's way across his 
face.

"What is it Darien?" Andrew stood up and moved
next to his friend.  His eyes fell on the petite
blonde getting out of the car.  She stood almost
mesmerized as she looked up at the house.  Taking a
deep breath, she started towards the front door.

**

Serena tried to calm her nerves as she raised her
hand to knock on the heavy wooden doors.  She knocked
three times and let her arm fall to her side.  It
wasn't long before the door was opened to reveal a
friendly looking man with sandy brown hair.

"Hi, I'm Andrew Mallinson." The young man offered
Serena his hand, and she shook it.  "Please come in.
I'm assuming your from the police department?"

"Yes, I'm Serena Fairchild." Her voice was soft, and
her gentle smile set Andrew at ease.

"If you'll come this way, I'mm introduce you to 
Darien.  He's upstairs in his study." Andrew began to
lead Serena up the winding stair case, but another 
voice caused her to stop.

"There will be no need for that Andrew.  I'm quite
capable of introducing myself." Darien stood on the 
stairs, looking at Serena rather coldly.  

Serena was shocked.  The man was gorgeous, but his 
eyes held so much pain, too much pain.  Her heart went
out to him before he could speak another word.

"Miss Fairchild, you may as well get back into your car
and go back to your happy little job.  There is nothing 
you can do here." Darien continued down the stairs and 
stopped directly in front of Serena.

"Please." She reached one hand out to him.  "Please let
me stay." Gently Serena placed her hand on Darien's arm
while she pleaded with him.  "Let me help you."

Darien was tempted.  When he had first set his eyes on 
the woman, he had instinctively trusted her.  But she
was a cop, and he could never trust one of them.

"Help me?  Help me?" He repeated incredulously.  "Miss
Fairchild, there is nothing you, or anyone else for that
matter, can do to help.  Jonathan is dead!  There is 
nothing you can do."

"Please, please, just listen to me.  I understand your
pain, I do!" Serena looked up at him with liquid blue
eyes, and as Darien gazed into her eyes he had no doubt
that she knew.  Her eyes seemed to mirror his own.

'This is going to be worse than I thought.' Darien 
thought to himself.  

"You don't understand, no one can understand." Darien
bit back icily.  It was easier to deny that she knew, 
and to push away her help.  It was easier to be angry.

"I do..." Serena's voice was barely perceptible.  "Better
than you think..."

She clenched her eyes shut against the pain the memories
brought her.  The memories of her own little brother, and
the 'accident' that had taken his life.  The 'accident'
that had been intended for her.

"Darien, let her stay.  At least make an effort to come
to an agreement with them.  That's all they're asking of
you." Andrew put a hand on Darien's shoulder.  "Please."

"Alright." Darien sighed.  "Alright, she can stay."

**

"Why is she here, Andrew?" Darien asked.  The two were
seated in his office again, and Darien was glaring 
angrily at Andrew.  

"Look Darien.  This way it looks like you are at least
making an effort to be co-operative."

"Alright, fine.  I'll co-operate, but it doesn't mean I
have to like it." Darien sank into his chair and turned 
it so he could look out the window into the gardens below.
His eyes fell on Serena.  She was sitting on one of the 
stone benches by the fountain.  

Darien could see she was dragging her fingers through the
water and splashing it a bit.  Despite himself, he smiled 
at her.  She was absolutely beautiful.

"Darien?  Darien!  Have you been listening to me?" Andrew
asked.

"Hmm?" Darien tuned back around to face Andrew.

"Forget it.  I'll take care of it." Andrew sighed and packed
up his briefcase.  "I suggest you try to make your guest 
feel comfortable."

With that, Andrew stood up with his brief case in hand, 
and left Darien's office.  

Darien turned back around to continue watching Serena.  She 
was an enigma, that much he knew.  She looked so innocent,
so angelic, but she was a cop.  That was why she was at his
house.  

Suddenly Serena looked up in his direction and smiled gently
before turning her gaze towards the empty space on the bench.
It was an unmistakable invitation, but Darien wasn't sure if
he wanted to take it.  It meant he would have to talk to her,
and he knew what she would ask about.  Darien wasn't ready 
to talk about his little brother.  Not now, and maybe never.

But still, the offer was too good to pass up.  Darien stood up
and left his office, going down the back stairs and exiting
into the garden.

Serena was expecting him as he stepped into the clearing where
she sat. 

"You work too hard." She told him without turning to look at
him.

"I'd hardly expect you to call what I do work." He replied
dryly.  She shrugged, her delicate shoulders moving up and
then falling with the action.

"You still work too hard." She turned this time, her deep
blue eyes watching his closely.  "Come and sit."

Darien nodded and crossed the clearing to the bench.  He 
sat down next to the petite blonde and waited for what she
would say next.

"Your garden is lovely.  You obviously care about it." She
was looking at the rose bushes as she spoke.

"What makes you think I care?  I do have a gardener." He
replied, slightly surprised at the choice of her topic.

"Your gardner does good work, but he has so much garden
to contend with, you must spend extra time on the roses."
She smiled at him.  "I know I would."

"I do." He followed her gaze to one of the bushes of full
red roses.  "They were my mother's favourite flower.  Jona..."

"Jonathan liked them too." She finished, looking up at 
him.  

"Yes." Darien nodded sharply.  "I don't have time for this.
I have work to do."

Darien stood up and walked back the way he had come.  Serena 
followed him, her eyes glued to his back, and spoke only when
he was about to step inside.

"You can't hide from it forever.  If you don't talk about it,
it's only going to eat you up inside." Her voice was soft, and
gentle.  It almost made Darien believe that she cared.  Almost.

He didn't acknowledge that he had even heard her.  He continued
to inside, and slammed the door behind himself.

***