Title: Glass Rose - Chapter 2
Author: Azure
E-mail: blackrose918@hotmail.com
Standard Disclaimer Apply

Finally! The second chapter...! This chapter was a hard one because this is 
where Ser and Darry meet. I had to do this correctly or their relationship 
wouldn't develop believably. Hope you guys like it!! And sorry for the 
delay!! I've been busy lately...:-( Enjoy!!


    The air was cold, the breeze brought about a biting chill to her cheeks. 
Fog swirled about the distant mountains, shading the greenery and life of 
the beautiful yet cruel nature of the world. Serena's breaths came out
in short, sharp gasps. She stood leaning next to a lampost, a black trench 
coat wrapped tightly around her shaking body. The Meridian Airport building 
was deserted, had been for two hours of the five hours she'd been waiting. 
The unexpected blast of cold had startled Serena's choice of clothes; thin 
denim flares and a short-sleeve, soft peach-colored, scoop neck tee. She'd 
stuffed Kenji's old, dusty trench coat into her carry-on bag for the very 
minimum chance that it would rain in Beverly Hills. But she'd never known 
that she would be shivering. However, she hadn't expected to still be in, or 
rather, beside the airport at seven o'clock. After all, her plane had 
arrived in Beverly Hills at two in the afternoon. For hours she'd waited 
hopelessly, a sense of dread and anticipation growing in her chest. When all 
hope that Olivia would come had been dashed, her last resort had been to 
call her stepfather. Darien Shields.
    Serena recalled the shock and surprise in her stepfather's voice when 
she'd broken the news to him. She'd also raised her eyebrows a few times. It 
was hard to believe that a woman would not even tell her husband that her 
daughter from a previous marriage would be visiting after four long years. 
And now? Darien Shields had been very considerate, apologetic even. His 
gruff tone had turned kind and sympathetic. He'd promised to send his 
chauffeur over as fast as he could. And Serena had tried to protest, knowing 
that he was busy and in the middle of filming. She'd read about his new 
movie, 'All Through the Ages' in a magazine article. The filming had been 
scheduled for this month. However, Darien Shields had insisted. Thus, she 
now waited patiently for a sign of the famous, red, Shields limousine.
    Serena's final decision to visit her mother and stepfather had been 
largely influenced by Kenji's support. In fact, if she didn't know any 
better, she'd think Kenji *wanted* her to leave him. Of course, seventeen 
years under her father's stern yet caring eyes had taught her a thing or two 
about him. She'd grown accustomed to his masks; for that was just what they 
were. If you saw Kenji Tsukino as a kind but strict, overbearing, stuffy, 
and old-fashioned-he accomplished in you what he wanted. You saw his facade, 
which he used to protect his vulnerable soul. Since the pain of losing 
Olivia, Kenji hadn't dared to love another woman. Serena doubted if her 
father was fond of Chelsea, his stripper girlfriend, but she was extremely 
positive he didn't love her. And obviously, Chelsea was just in love with 
Kenji's money.
    However, Serena remembered how her father was in the past. Oh, she 
couldn't say that Kenji had never been a little stern and old-fashioned. But 
she could recall the times he'd been spontaneous and fun. He had a wonderful 
sense of humor, if only he'd show it more, and if only he's show more 
pleasure in laughter. And Serena? Her anger for her mother came rushing 
back, cloaking her excitement and anticipation. She thought of exactly how 
she *could* forget. Her mother had ruined their family and torn apart her 
marriage. And all for what? Even after four years of contemplating the 
situation, Serena could hardly believe how selfish Olivia had been. Yes. 
She'd trashed three lives (her's, Kenji's, and Sammy's) just for the sake of 
what? A new job? Of course, Olivia's abandonment was more than just a *new 
job*. Serena never knew the real reason. And sometimes she supposed that her 
mother was entitled to live her own life. But her bitterness ran deep and 
she couldn't help but hating her mother at times.
    Serena wrapped her coat tighter around her slim, shuddering body. She 
glanced out towards the horizon and noticed, with a frown, a sleek, 
polished, apple red limousine placed carefully in the once-empty parking lot 
of the Meridian Airport. She raised an eyebrow in surprise. Although the 
city of Meridian was a small suburb of Los Angeles, it took at least an hour 
to drive to and from each destination. However, she'd hung up the pay phone 
just fifteen minutes ago. Of course, there was no way to distinguish a red 
limousine from another red limousine. Most possibly, Darien-er-Mr. Shields 
had called up a limo-service in Meridian. Yes, that was it. And he'd 
probably ordered the limousine to be the exact shade of red as his own 
personal limo. A man as prominent and prestigious as Darien Shields must be 
very particular and selective; fastidious about his icons. Why, he must be 
*very* choosy about his films. A bad film could ruin his image. Think of 
what a porn movie could do to his clean career! It all made perfectly good 
sense. Suddenly, Serena heard heavy footsteps behind her. Whoever the person 
was, most likely the hired limousine driver, was making himself known to 
her. But before she could turn, the person spoke, "...Usagi?"
    She would know that voice anywhere. The deep and gentle yet sexy voice 
could belong to just one man. She twirled on her heel and faced him with 
wide eyes. She stared at him, studying his exquisite form from top to 
bottom. Her mouth hung upon a bit, her bottom lip hanging agape from her top 
teeth. She gasped, slowly stammering, "D-Darien Sh-Shields!?"
    He was tall, not overwhelmingly, but tall, probably about six feet, one. 
He was broad-shouldered, yet his body was lean and nicely muscled. His hair 
was windblown and wavy, a mop of beautiful ebony black silk. His eyes were 
mesmerizing, an intense midnight blue. Serena looked into those eyes and 
felt herself drowning in their piercing gaze. Serena looked at *all* of him 
and felt light-headed as if in a dream. She absently realized that her 
reaction was one she would've mocked, if it had been on another. But she'd 
never felt such a surge of energy as she gazed at him. Oh yes, he was 
handsome all right. No one could disagree. However, so were many other men, 
including her own boyfriend, Andrew. There was just something different 
about Darien Shields. There was aura of mystery and suspense surrounding 
him. An aura of adventure and passion and romance. Exactly what Serena 
needed in her life to be satisfied.
    "I hope this surprise hasn't permanently damaged our future 
relationship?"
    She heard it as if it were from far away. As if he stood a distance from 
her. But quite the contrary, they were so close that Serena could hear his 
slow, steady, breathing. His voice was like a kind of lullaby, and she had 
to force herself to snap out of it. She shook her head and looked up into 
his smiling face. A smile that made her go weak at the knees. She grinned 
back shakily and tucked a stray strand of hair behind an ear. "I bet you're 
used to that kind of reaction."
    His smile grew wider and he let out a small laugh. "Actually, no. I 
don't meet many of the fans. And the reporters have to be professional, 
right? Of course, anyone can see their eyes are glazed over a bit."
    Serena was shocked. How could he say such arrogant things, yet sound so 
simple about it? And then she realized he wasn't bragging. He was just 
stating the facts. "Uhh...I didn't know...you were going to..." she stumbled 
over her words and trailed off.
    "You didn't know I was coming? You've heard of Lita Kino, right?" Serena 
nodded. "Well, she's the director for this new flick I'm doing. It's 
supposed to be a merging of her and her sister's autobiographies of some 
sort. And since she grew up in Meridian, she decided to film here."
    "I see..." Serena murmured. "But look, you really didn't have to come."
    His expression was thoughtful. He cracked a small smile and tapped the 
end of Serena's nose. "I did," he replied simply. "I was always regretful 
that we never got to meet. I always did like little girls, decked out in 
those cute, pink, frilly dresses and satin ribbons and patent Mary Jane 
shoes. I would've loved to take you shopping, your tiny hand in mine, and 
bought you a whole wardrobe of pretty things."
    Serena wrinkled her nose. "Uh...that sounds great but...no thanks!"
    He laughed, running a hand casually through his hair. Serena cocked her 
head to the side, wondering why that gesture reminded her so much of her own 
father. "I know," he said. "Now you probably want a car. Usagi..."
    "Serena."
    "Pardon?"
    She studied the ground, drawing invisible circles on the pavement with 
her genuine leather, brown cowboy boots. "No one calls me Usagi except for 
my father and grandmother."
    He nodded slowly. "I see. What about Olivia? What did she call you?"
    Serena looked up, her expression troubled. "Usually, she called me Ser, 
like my friends sometimes do. But when she was mad, she would call me Usagi. 
I guess in the letters she wrote she called me Usagi. Mr. Shields..."
    "Serena!" he stared at her, shocked. "What was that? Mr. Shields? I'm 
not a stuffy old man! At least, I hope I'm not." He threw her his trademark 
dazzling smile that could seduce any woman, from a respectable married woman 
to a hooker. Serena surprisingly felt her legs weren't stable enough to 
support the rest of her body.
    "Okay then. Darien. Why do you think she called me Usagi? Is she...upset 
with me?" Serena asked cautiously.
    Darien raised a silky black eyebrow and gave her a slow smile. "Serena," 
he started, letting her name roll over his tongue. "Of course she isn't 
angry with you. She's proud of you! I mean, what mother wouldn't be? You're 
sweet, beautiful, polite, charming. Are you going to college next year?"
    Yes, indeed, Serena felt she was dreaming. Darien Shields had 
complimented her! He'd said she was beautiful! It had to be dream. Yet, 
she'd never been a shy, withdrawn person. She'd always gone for the gold; 
outgoing and impulsive. She pursed her lips and answered, "Yes, pretty sure. 
I was terrible at school so I'm not going to Harvard or anything, but yeah, 
college is part of my plan."
    "See?" Darien gazed at her with accusing eyes. "You're wonderful. I've 
never really been fond of smart people. I'd rather be with intelligent 
people."
    "What's the difference to you?" inquired Serena.
    "The difference? Well if you look at it from a one-sided view, the two 
words are synonyms. But really. There are many smart people in the world. 
They can calculate complicated math equations mentally, they've memorized 
the Laws of Motion, they know what chemical reactions mean what. But that 
doesn't necessarily mean they're *intelligent*. That doesn't necessarily 
mean they're educated about their own philosophy and spiritual being. And 
most intelligents weren't straight-A students in school."
    Serena's expression was clearly of surprise. Darien laughed lightly. 
"Did you think our first conversation would be different?"
    "Quite," Serena replied, a faint smile on her face. "Frankly, I didn't 
think a box-office movie star would be...*educated* spiritually. Actually, 
to be even *more* frank, I pictured you as a little...egotistic." She bit 
her lip. How could she have said that? Argh. She always did have a problem 
with always saying what was on her mind before thinking of the consequences. 
This was Darien Shields she was talking to! Before he could answer, she 
spoke quickly, "Yet, we've talked more of me than of you. So I suppose I was 
totally wrong."
    "Actually, no you weren't," Darien confessed, grinning. "I know I'm 
cute. But I don't let it take over my life."
    Serena laughed. As she watched Darien Shields, his head tilted towards 
the sun causing violet highlights to appear in his dark hair. His face 
slipped easily into a smile and there were faint laugh lines around his 
mouth. Yes. Maybe he was a little egotistic. A gorgeous man like that, of 
course! But he was no where near the man Serena had predicted he would be.

***

    Her beautiful hair, incredibly long, silky, lustrous, and a gorgeous 
shade of shimmering gold was fixed into the strangest hairstyle. Two buns 
were gathered at the top of her head, with a long ponytail streaming from 
each. It was a little girl's hairstyle. Yet, she was the most adult person 
he'd ever spoken to. She was very petite; short and slender with the tiniest 
waist. Her heart-shaped face was so sweet and pretty; her large, luminous, 
sparkling azure eyes set perfectly on her face, her rosebud lips moist and 
lusciously pink. Oh no, she wasn't a little girl, not even close. Her slim, 
curvaceous body held charms that she would never know. However, her face 
still held that mask of pure, sweet innocence; the beautiful, angelic face 
of a little girl. And yes, it was a mask. He'd learned enough from his 
conversation with her to know she was far from innocent. She knew perfectly 
well of the horrors of the world. Usagi...Serena. She was going to someday 
make a man very happy, and he thought he could admit a small pang that it 
wouldn't...couldn't be him. He knew, without a doubt, Serena was a virgin. 
She was raised to be one until the day she said "I do". However, he believed 
virginity meant sexual ignorance, not innocence.
    Suddenly, Darien felt Serena's clasp on his hand tighten. He caressed 
her hand; for her hand, like the rest of her, was beautiful, graceful, and 
ultimately feminine. He lead her across the warehouse, past the cluster of 
luxurious trailers and expensive limos and cars, including his own red 
limousine. He glanced at her, shivering in a faded, black trench coat. He 
grimaced, thinking of his fantasies, his fantasies of buying her a wardrobe 
of pretty dresses with frills and satin hair ribbons and china dolls. Now, 
he promised himself to lavish her with gifts. He knew her father was 
wealthy, but his riches couldn't compare with his. By Serena's expression, 
he could guess that she wasn't accustomed to being surrounded by his kind of 
luxury. And he would take this opportunity to treat her like the princess 
she was.
    Darien stopped in front of the door that read Studio 39. Two men, beefy 
and clothed in black stodd in front of the door, grim expressions on their 
stony faces. They nodded slowly at Darien and glanced questioningly at 
Serena, who stared back incredulously.
    "She's with me. Do you have a pass for her?" Darien asked, reluctantly 
releasing his hold on Serena's hand.
    "Uh...yeah...but I'm just warning you...I don't think Lita's gonna like 
this," one of the bodyguards admitted.
    Darien rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I know. But hell with her. I'm not gonna 
leave my stepdaughter out here alone."
    The bodyguards raised their eyebrows in surprise, but with one look at 
Darien, they silently handed him a pass hanging from a necklace.
    "Here." Darien handed Serena her pass, cautiously avoiding her touch. 
"No one will bother you, and if they do, just say you're with me."
    Serena bit her lip in confusion and worry. "If...if your director 
doesn't want me there maybe I should wait out here."
    "No way," Darien refused without hesitation, shaking his head. "Olivia 
wouldn't like that."
    Serena averted her eyes from his face and gazed at the ground. "Why 
would she care at all about me..." she murmured, words meant only for the 
ears of her soul. But Darien heard. He sighed. They'd purposely avoided the 
question of Olivia's forgetfulness. And frankly, Darien couldn't believe 
that Olivia *would* forget to pick up something as important as her 
daughter. He believed there was some kind of mix-up. Oh well, he thought, 
glancing at the gorgeous girl...no, woman...that stood beside him, a sad 
expression overlapping her beauty.
    Darien led Serena into the studio, where hundreds of people went about 
their own daily business. He steered through the traffic, steadfastly 
ignoring anyone who tried to avert his attention. When he finally reached 
the set, he saw that Lita and Michelle were arguing, their voices raised 
with indignation. He heard, beside him, Serena draw in a slow breath. 
"Michelle Kaioh..." she whispered.
    Darien grinned. "Are you a fan of hers?"
    Serena looked up, her eyes suddenly so wide that they seemed too big for 
her face. She was pale, almost to a point of deathly white. Darien doubted 
that this all was due to the shock of seeing Michelle. No. How could he have 
not noticed before? The cold was bothering her more than she'd let on.
    "Oh, isn't she so incredibly beautiful? I mean, almost every woman on 
Earth wants to be her, or Mina Aino. They're both so...sexy and gorgeous! 
How could any 'common' person compare to them?" Serena cried 
enthusiastically.
    He smiled. Yes, Serena was wonderful at hiding her pain. But he saw 
behind her dazzling smile, excruciating hurt at being forgotten by her 
mother, and a sharp pain from the bitter cold outside. And of course, how 
could she not know that she alone could compare to Michelle and Mina? She 
had a light, a light that brightened her eyes, that let everyone know of her 
beauty.
    "Darien!"
    He frowned. His brief conversation with Serena had aroused the ears of 
Lita. Now he turned, preparing for a full-on attack from both women; his 
current director and opposite actress. Instead, he got frozen smiles and 
phony, cheerful faces.
    "And who is this?" Lita asked icily, giving Serena a bright grin.
    Darien slipped his arm around Serena's shoulders. Her scent...the clean, 
feminine scent of flowers. "This is Serena Tsukino, my stepdaughter."
    Lita pinched the bridge of her nose and raised her forehead, creases 
appearing on her powdered skin. "Olivia's daughter?" she asked, blinking. 
Quickly, she regained her composure and smile again. "Oh hello! It's 
*delightful* to meet you, we've heard *so* many *great* things about you!" 
she gushed.
    Darien smirked. The uneasy expression on Serena's face, proved that 
she'd seen behind Lita's phony act. Ha! No wonder Lita was a director, not 
an actress.
    "Uh...thank you," Serena muttered, shaking Lita's big, outstretched 
hand.
    "Oh Darien, your daughter is *so* pretty!" Michelle exclaimed, patting 
Serena's head as if she were a small child. Michelle *was* much taller than 
Serena, but one could see, not much older. Five years, more or less. Of 
course, Darien knew what she was up to. Michelle knew beauty when she saw 
it. And she hated to be nothing but the best-looking female in a male's 
presence.
    "Ah-hem," Darien interrupted. He winked at Serena when she gave him a 
thankful look. "Shouldn't we be getting to work?"
    Michelle sighed. "Ask Lita. She thinks there should be a sex scene. But 
that's just an excuse for making a trashy movie. Did your sister really lose 
her virginity to Will?"
    Lita pouted. "Okay...maybe not. But you guys aren't working with me. 
There's no chemistry between you two! We can't make the romance work unless 
there's sex...unless you guys shape up your act."
    Darien snorted. "Lita...it's impossible for be to pretend I have any 
desire for Michelle."
    Michelle rolled her eyes and flipped her glossy hair. "I guess you're 
not the *great* actor we all thought you were."
    "Oh Michelle, baby, I want you," Darien answered sarcastically. "If you 
*really* want good stuff, there has to be an affair. It doesn't have to be 
the main point of the movie, but you know, just to liven things up."
    "Wonderful idea, *Darry*," Michelle agreed. "I would love to have an 
affair."
    Darien shot her an angry look. "Who said *you* get to have the affair? 
It's much more interesting for the man to have the affair 'cause it shows 
misgyony. Makes it spicier."
    Lita cut in. "Wait a minute! There's just one thing wrong with that. MY 
SISTER DID NOT HAVE AN AFFAIR! And that stupid, good-for-nothing lover of 
hers didn't either. I don't think Ann, or Will, will appreciate it if I put 
all that junk in there."
    Michelle waved her hand breezily. "Lita, hon, they're both dead. Put in 
an affair. But make it a spur-of-the-moment thing. Maybe even a rape!"
    "Wait a minute...it doesn't work if the woman rapes the man..." Darien 
put in.
    Michelle grinned wickedly. "Exactly. So someone rapes me, Ann, and then 
you have a whole lot of exciting controversy. How's about it?"
    Lita shook her head. "Sorry, Michelle, but I gotta go with Darien. If 
there's going to be an affair, or a rape, it has to be Darien. The viewers 
will go for that more. Okay, how about this. Darien is tempted. But he's so 
in love with Michelle...I mean Ann, that he doesn't fall for the temptation. 
However, the seducer drugs Darien, weakening him, so he sleeps with her. I 
already have the name for her. Cordelia. Isn't that perfect?"
    "Yeah, sure. Soap opera material," Darien snorted. He sighed. "And 
obviously, the viewers will eat it up. Just like they ate that trash of a 
movie, 'The Prostitute'."
    Michelle patted the curls she was so extremely proud of and smiled 
maliciously. "Awww...Darry. Ya know the only reason you hated that movie was 
'cause in the end, Mina ended up with Dave. Don't worry, baby, he didn't 
even get nominated for the Oscar."
    Darien widened his eyes. He gestured towards Serena, hoping that would 
quiet Michelle. Yes. His connection with Michelle Kaioh was an important 
one. He must always remember never to become into a position where Michelle 
could blackmail him. Because she held one of his darkest secrets. The secret 
that haunted his mind every time had made love to Olivia, held her in his 
embrace. Fortunately, Michelle understood his panic, and quickly changed the 
subject. "So...don't we have to cast this new, made-up part?"
    Lita ran her tongue over her lips and surveyed Serena, from the top 
strands of her golden blonde hair to the tips of her toenails. "Serena, 
dearie, have you any experience in acting?"
    Before Serena could reply, Darien cut in sharply, "Oh no, Lita, no way. 
You are *not* going to cast Olivia's daughter