Author - perfect goddess E-mail - perfect_goddess@start.com.au Title - Only You Chapter - 5 Disclaimer - <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Serena paced around the hallway, wearing holes in the soles of her newly acquired shoes. Her hair was arranged in an intricate bun, and baby's breath with small pale pink rose buds were woven around it. "You look gorgeous, Serena." Commented Amy as she smoothed down her own gown. She was wearing a floor length dress of blue material that shimmered when she moved. Her blue streaked hair was curled and sprayed with glitter the match the sparkling effect of her gown. "He won't be able to resist you, 'Rena" smirked Mina. She was wearing yellow dress that dropped to her ankles, straight down. It had thick straps, and a single solitaire diamond in the shape of a heart, hung from a thin gold chain at her neck. Raye descended down the stairs, looking at the wall clock worriedly. Her red maroon colored dress strapless, and had a long skirt that 'poofed' out into a soft curve around her legs. Her raven colored hair was left straight down her back, shimmering softly in the light. She was followed by Lita, whose forest green dress swept over the stairs. It had a small row of beads at the hem of the skirt, that twinkled whenever she moved. "Come on girls! Our dates are here!" yelled Mina, in a very un-lady like manner. Opening the door, Serena saw four men there. Chad, Rayes boyfriend, Ken, a work associate of Lita's, Greg, Amy's 'study partner', and Josh, Mina's date. The four girls went to the appropriate tux-clad male and followed them out the door, just as a familiar form came out of the elevator. "Sorry, am I late?" he asked, taking Serena's arm, and leading her out the door. "7:02 is just not good enough, Your Lordship." She smiled. God, he looked fantastic in a tuxedo. They arrived at the ball on time, much to the surprise of Serena. Darien took her coat and gaped at just how good the dress looked on her. Trying to keep his mind on the matter at hand, he found he had absolutely no success whatsoever. Serena's combination of beautiful looks and entertaining conversation was too much for him to handle, as well as the fact that Darien was extremely attracted to her. They danced the whole night, and finally, Darien led her onto the balcony outside, the night air cooling their warm faces. "The moon is beautiful tonight." Said Serena, lifting her face to look at the shining orb hanging in the sky. Darien looked at her. "Beautiful." He agreed, not taking his eyes off her. Giving him a strange look, Serena just blushed and turned her attention back to skies. She looked heavenly like that, thought Darien. Serena shivered and wrapped her stole tightly around her. "It's a bit chilly out here." She commented. "Allow me." Said Darien, coming over to her and putting his arms around her. Serena hesitated for a moment, but finally relaxed into his embrace, snuggling against the warm fabric of his tuxedo. It took all of Dariens self control to remember the plan, and not to just kiss the living daylights out of her. Serena was doing strange things to him, and he didn't like to think what those things were. "Shhhh...they'll hear us!" cam a muffled voice from the far end of the balcony. "Get your hand out of my face, Raye!" "Uff... I wouldn't have it there if it wasn't so squashy in here!" came a familiar voice, the bushes moving slightly. "I don't think this is such a good idea guys." Serena moved out of Dariens arms and over the shaking bush. Peering through the leaves, Four girls tumbled out onto the hard pavement. "What are you doing?" gasped Serena, as Amy, Lita, Raye and Mina struggled to get up, smoothing out their dresses. "Umm..." began Mina, pushing a stray strand of golden hair behind her ear. "We just wanted to check if it was going okay. Right girls?" answered Raye, as the others nodded vigorously in the background. "Yes, it seems it was going really well, too," said Mina, smiling at Darien who was looking over at them strangely. "And since it was, we'll just be going now." They began to troop back into the ballroom. "Not so fast." Serena said, narrowing her eyes at the four of them. Amy was the only one who managed to look a trifle guilty. "I told you it wasn't a good idea guys." She said softly, a smile twitching on her lips. Just then, Darien came over and put his arms back around Serena. Mina gave her one of her 'looks', and they quickly walked back into the ballroom, to find the dancing partners they had seemed to abandon. "What was all that about." Darien said, as Serena swiveled around, still in his arms, to face him. "Oh nothing," she said, dismissing it with a casual wave of the arm. "Lets go, shall we? It's getting late." As they were leaving, a sandy haired young man, with a pretty woman next to him, tapped Darien on the shoulder. "Andrew!" he exclaimed, shaking his hand warmly. "And this must be, let me guess, Rita?" the woman next to him smiled and held out her hand. "Hi," she said. "And this must be Serena." Said Andrew, looking over at her. "Hi." She smiled, as Darien put his arm around her again. "Can I speak to you a moment, Dare?" asked Andrew, frowning slightly. "You girls have a chat, we'll be right back. Leading Darien away from the two women, Andrew ran his fingers through his hair wearily. "Look at her Darien, she has no clue as to what you're up to." Looking over at Serena chatting animatedly to Rita, Darien felt a twinge of guilt. Shaking himself, he looked back at Andrew, the familiar frown adorning his face. "It's for the good of the company." He said. "She'll get over it." "Yeah," said Andrew sadly, shaking his head. "I guess so." Walking back over to the girls, Darien and Serena said their polite good-byes and left the ballroom. "Are you and Andrew good friends?" asked Serena, when they were back in the car. "The best." He replied. "We've been business partners for five years, and friends even longer." "Rita seemed nice." Said Serena, trying to break the awkward silence that had fallen between them. "I guess so." Shrugged Darien. "But she's one of many. Andrew has a tendency to go through quite a lot of women. But I've never seen him this attached to one before." Again, there was silence. "Well, thanks for taking me," said Serena, when they reached her apartment door. "No problem. I'll call you. I think I have a business dinner coming up." Said Darien, "Bye." "Bye." Said Serena, unlocking the door. Darien began to walk away, but was stopped by a white figure rushing towards him. "Thank you." She said, and then kissed him full on the lips. It was a moment before Darien registered that Serena was kissing him. All rational thought vanished from his mind, and he began kissing her back. The kiss was short, and when Serena pulled away, she blushed, and ran back towards her apartment, leaving a surprised Darien standing alone in the elevator. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> "You did what?" Serena put her face in her hands, but was unable to keep the grin off her face. "Details, girl. I want details!" said Mina urgently, shaking Serena out of her trance like state. "Well, we were saying good-bye, and I," she paused, "Kind of lost control?" she finished sheepishly. "Well that proves it. You owe me Lita." Said Raye. 'What?" she squealed, "You said if her kissed her!" "Well, they kissed didn't they?" said Raye angrily. "Pay up!" 'Well technically." Said Amy, "Serena kissed Darien, so Lita doesn't owe you anything. Sorry Raye." She said, avoiding Rayes fiery stare. "*hmph*" she said, looking at Lita crossly. "Well, it proves something." Said Mina enthusiastically. "You like him!" she pointed triumphantly. "What?" Serena began, but she couldn't really deny it any longer. Yes she liked Darien! So what? She sighed in defeat. "Aha! I knew it!" crowed Mina. "But what am I going to do know?" she said in despair. "What if he doesn't love me? How do I know if he feels anything for me?" Serena babbled. 'Calm down girl! You are looking at 'matchmaker extraodinare!' Time for a little seduction." Mina rubbed her hands together menacingly. "But..." began Serena. "Look, did he kiss you back?" she asked, hands on hips. 'Well, yes." She said slowly. 'Then there you go! It's time to get your man Serena!" Mina yelled. "I think she's a little over enthusiastic." Said Raye, pulling Mina off the couch. "Remember what she was like with me and Chad? Are you sure you want that to happen to you?" 'I can handle it!" said Serena confidently. "Don't worry about me." Mina shook her head. Serena didn't have a very good track record, but still. This would prove to be interesting. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> @}--->------