Never Look Back - Four
Usagi-chan
Usagi@tuxedomask.com
I don't own Sailormoon or anything pertaining to.


~~~
Darien watched Serena thoughtfully as she lay stretched out on the pool
patio.  She was lounding in the sun, reading some book she had found in
his office.  She looked absolutely stunning in a deep blue bikini that they
had purchased the previous day.  As he was watching her, Darien saw Serena
sit up, put the book aside and pick up some sun screen.  She squirted it onto
her hand and began to rub it in on her arms.  She massaged it into her 
shoulders and her delicate neck.  Darien continued to watch as she poured 
more sun screen onto the palm of her hand and rub it in on her legs.  He took
this opportunity to make his presence known to her, by stepping out onto the 
patio himself.

"Did you want me to get your back?" he asked her.

"I guess." Serena shrugged.  Darien took the bottle from her and squirted the
cool liquid onto his hand.  Carefully, he began to rub it on her shoulders
and back.  Serena shivered slightly as he touched her, but didn't say 
anything.  Once he had finished, he set the bottle back down beside her.

"There you go."

"Thanks." Serena said as she lay back on her stomach and picked up her book
again.  She began to read without saying anything further to Darien, although
he stood beside her lounge chair, blocking her sun.  

After a few minutes, Serena looked past her book at him questioningly.

"Did you want something?" She asked him.

"Actually, yes." Darien told her, waiting.  Serena sat up and set her book 
on the chair beside her.

"Yes?" Serena ran a hand through her long blond hair and Darien sat down on
the edge of her chair.

"We need to discuss your education."

"What about it?" Serena asked.

"I'm going to enroll you in the private school near here.  I need to know 
what grade you are in and what courses you have taken." Darien told her.

"I don't want to go to a private school.  I want to stay at the school I'm
in now.  I intend to return tomorrow." Serena told her, ending the 
conversation.  She picked her book back up and began to read.

"Serena!  You can't just stay at the public school and get a poor education!"
Darien began.  Serena sat back up in a flash and threw the book away.  It 
landed in the pool with a splash, but neither paid it any attention.

"Just because the school isn't rich doesn't mean that I'm not getting a 
proper education!  I like the school.  I'm doing well and I want to stay
there!" She exclaimed before getting to her feet and walking away.  Darien
sighed and went back inside.  Sighing, he went into his study and sat down
at his desk.

"Darien?" A voice said cautiously from the doorway.  

"Yes?" Darien asked, looking up to see Nathan.

"Are you busy?" Nathan asked.

"Not really.  Is something up?" Darien asked, gesturing for Nathan to come in
and sit down.  

"Not exactly." Nathan said, sitting across from Darien.  "I've noticed that
this Serena girl...  She seems very head strong, stubborn."

"Yes, she is..." Darien sighed.  "I don't know how to deal with her!  I just 
want the best for her and I want her to see her full potential!"

"What makes you think that being in a rich, snobby school is what is best
for her?  Darien, you have to realize that you have completely changed her
life over night.  You have to move more slowly with her.  Let her stay at
her school.  It makes her happy.  What is the good of being the best, if you
aren't happy?" Nathan asked as he made is way to the door.  "I'll see you at 
dinner."

Darien sighed again as he thought about his friend's advice.  He was right.
Serena wasn't going to just give in.  He needed to find some sort of 
compromise that she would agree too.  Darien thought about this as he began 
sorting through the work he had to do.

As he finished typing up the memo for tomorrow, he heard a gentle knock on 
his study door.

"Enter." Darien called, looking up from his computer screen.  Serena opened 
the door and looked at him.  She was wearing a white, three quarter sleeve
blouse and tan flares.  She had delicate white sandals on her bare feet and 
her hair was clipped up with two pearl barrettes.

"I'm sorry about what happened outside, by the pool." Serena said, and 
pulled his still damp book from behind her back.  "Here's your book and
Nathan said dinner is ready."

"Thank you." Darien said, taking the book from her out stretched hand.  Their
fingers brushed, and Darien felt a shiver run up his arm.  Serena must have
too, because she snatched her hand back quickly and left his study.  Darien 
followed her into the dining room.  

She seated herself at one end of the table, so Darien sat at the other.  
There were two covered plates at each of the spots.  Darien lifted his over
and Serena followed suit.  Nathan pushed through the doors that led to the
kitchen.

"Is everything to your liking?" He asked.

"Yes, thank you.  Serena?" Darien look down the table at her.

Yes.  It's fine." Serena said, picking up her fork and and eating the 
vegetables.  Nathan cast a meaningful glance at Darien before leaving the
two alone.

"About the schools issue..." Darien began.  Serena's head shot up and she
looked at him.  "Why don't you finish your year out at your school now, and
then we'll see which school is better, okay?"

Serena smiled gratefully and nodded.

"Yeah." She said before turning her attention back to her meal.  

~~~