
      Dreams & Deceptions


      Author: aria


      Rated: NC17



      Chapter 3
      The next morning, Serena was startled by a loud knock on her door. If it 
      was Darien he was going to get an earful! Pulling her robe around her she 
      walked to the door and pulled it open. Lita stood smiling on the other 
      side.
      "Morning Serena." She gave her a knowing smiled and walked in. "Have a 
      good night?"
      "As a matter of fact, no." she dragged a hand through her tangled hair. 
      God she needed coffee!
      "No? Didnt you and Darien..." she let her sentence drop then saw the look 
      of horror on Serenas face. "What?"
      "Are you kidding me? Me and that...that...man!" she spluttered angrily.
      "I just assumed that-" Lita wondered what had happened between the two to 
      make Serena so angry.
      "You assumed wrong. There could be nothing between me and that 
      Neanderthal!" then it occurred to her why Lita would assume such a thing. 
      "Didnt he return to dinner last night?"
      "No."
      Jealousy raged through Serenas veins. That jerk probably found some other 
      woman to entertain him for the night! She snapped herself out of it. How 
      could she possibly feel jealous over someone shed just met? Not about to 
      give in to emotion, Serena turned to Lita. "Lets go skiing."
      ----
      Darien sat up and shook his head. He had had a restless night, the worst 
      he could remember. A majority of it was spent tossing and turning while he 
      relived the amazing kiss hed shared with Serena. God! If he had given 
      into what he was feeling she would be waking with him at that moment. He 
      had to forcibly stop himself from going over to her room several times. 
      After he left her, Darien had decided to go on a walk to cool off. So he 
      wandered through the snow for a while before returning to his room, wet, 
      alone and miserable.
      Youre pathetic man! Letting yourself get so bent out of shape over a 
      woman! Darien sighed and got out of bed. Skiing time. He wasnt sure if he 
      was looking forward to this or not.
      Nephlite knocked on the door before walking in to see his friend. His 
      honey coloured eyes widened at the sight Darien made. He absolutely looked 
      terrible. It had to be love.
      "Hey Darien! Bad night?" he held up a hand when Darien shot him a hostile 
      look. "Hey! Sorry! So what do you think of Serena? She seems up to the 
      role of princess. Shes certainly beautiful enough."
      Darien snorted. "Yeah. But she doesnt seem to like me too much." He 
      walked into the bathroom.
      "No? She seemed to be plenty interested last time I looked." Nephlite sat 
      on the couch and kicked his feet up. "Well her friend is fantastic."
      Darien poked his head around the corner. "You two had fun then?"
      "Yeah! Lita is great fun."
      "What happened to that guy she came with, Dave was it?"
      Nephlite shrugged. "Probably found some girl or something. He never came 
      back to the room last night."
      "How would you know?" Darien shouted over the spray of the shower.
      Nephlite grinned sheepishly even though he knew Darien couldnt see him. 
      "Would you believe she told me?"
      "Nope!"
      "We spent the night talking in her room."
      "Sure!"
      "Anyways. Im glad you thought up this crazy plan. This is going to be a 
      great vacation!"
      ----
      Serena took a long hot shower and got dressed in her favourite ski suit. 
      Marcel brought up a scrumptious breakfast, which she and Lita quickly ate. 
      They were discussing Nephlite when there was a knock at the door.
      "Maybe your dream guy is here now." Serena teased using Litas reference 
      to Nephlite. She swept the door open grinning at her friends blush.
      Just as she suspected, Darien and Nephlite were on the other side looking 
      positively sexy, as usual. Serena tried hard not to look impressed.
      "Morning." She stepped back to let them in not bothering to meet his gaze.
      So she was going to be like that was she? Well two could play that game. 
      "Morning." Darien gave her a passing glance on his way in.
      "Morning." Nephlite made his way immediately to Litas side.
      Serena smiled. At least someone was happy this morning. She turned her 
      gaze to the darkly handsome man next to her. I suppose I should be nice to 
      him. He did invite us and paid for the whole thing. "Have you had 
      breakfast yet?" Serena tried to keep her voice light.
      "No, we were hoping that youd join us for breakfast, but it appears that 
      we are too late." He picked at her half eaten Belgian waffle and ate the 
      berries his fingers retrieved.
      Serenas eyes followed his fingers from her plate to his luscious lips. 
      She could feel her skin heating at the remembrance of the passionate kiss 
      theyd shared the night before. Those lips pressed against hers... She let 
      out a little gasp when she realized that he was talking to her. "Hmm? Im 
      sorry?"
      He cocked a brow at her and grinned. "I was asking how much experience 
      youve had skiing."
      Lita, totally amused by the exhibition the two were putting on answered 
      for her dumbstruck friend. "Shes an expert. Ive never seen anyone 
      better."
      Serena blushed at the praise but didnt say anything. She couldnt when 
      she was watching him eat. It was truly an experience. Serena watched as he 
      ate bit-by-bit, licking his fingers when he was done and giving her a 
      wicked grin. She gripped the table behind her to steady her weakening 
      knees. God he was sexy!
      "Really? Well I guess I wont have to worry about you keeping up with us 
      then." He winked at her. "Unless you have any objections, well head to 
      the hills now?"
      "Sure." Lita stood up with a certain someones help. "I cant wait to get 
      out there!"
      ----
      On their third run, Serena stopped at the bottom and took a look around. 
      This was one of her favourite places in the world. Everything was 
      blanketed in a shimmering mantle of snow. She turned to see Darien skid to 
      a stop beside her.
      "Its beautiful isnt it?" He turned his head around to look at their 
      surroundings then took a deep breath of the fantastically fresh air.
      "It is. I wish I could just spend all my time here."
      Darien nodded. "Yeah I remember you saying that you hate city life."
      Serena was surprised that he would remember such a remote fact about her. 
      Luckily her sunglasses veiled the surprise. "Not exactly hate. I'd just 
      rather take it easy and be with nature."
      He shrugged. "It's nice but sometimes you just need to be with people." 
      Darien' stomach rumbled indecorously. "Ready for lunch yet?" Serena 
      nodded. "Follow me then!" and with a flurry of snow he was off once again.
      ----
      The next few days were very pleasant, much to Serena's surprise. Darien 
      was a perfect gentleman and she actually found herself enjoying his 
      company. They took in sights together ate all their meals with Lita and 
      Nephlite, who seemed to hit it off wonderfully, and spent either the rest 
      of the time skiing or lounging by one of the many fireplaces talking.
      Serena was sitting alone in her room when she heard a knock on her door. 
      Smiling to herself she walked over and opened it, knowing who it would be.
      "Hi." came the husky voice. Darien walked into the room in his all too 
      familiar ski suit.
      "Hi. What's up?" Serena looked over at the clock and noticed that it was 
      getting quite late.
      "I was wondering if you want to join Neph, Lita and me on a little 
      midnight jaunt." he gave her a playful little smile that had her stomach 
      fluttering a little.
      "Uh sure." she turned to get ready. "Are you sure it's safe?" she had 
      never gone skiing at night before.
      "Yeah. Dont worry we've done this quite a few times." Darien' dark brows 
      wiggled up and down. "Come on! Hurry up!"
      "Ok, ok!" she had just barely pulled on her snow pants and thrown on her 
      jacket when Darien playfully tugged her out of her room.
      ----
      Minutes later they were staring down the silent hill. It was a full moon 
      and the pale light turned the scene into a silvery wonderland. It was so 
      still and silent, Serena almost didn't have the heart to disturb such a 
      tranquil setting. Before she even finished the thought she heard Neph 
      shouting.
      "Last one down is a rotten egg!" With a whoop, he was off and was closely 
      followed by Lita.
      The wind started to pick up and Serena looked to Darien.
      "After you." he bowed grandly and let her go ahead of him. Darien wanted 
      to keep an eye out just in case and felt better if he brought in the rear.
      Serena could barely see the couple in front of her now. Alarmed at how 
      quickly the frigid wind picked up, she tried her best to gain on them. 
      Unfortunately her attempts didn't work. Her only option was to hang back 
      for Darien. Serena slowed and was almost immediately joined by Darien.
      "This isn't good!" Serena could barely hear his voice in the howling wind. 
      "We've got to find shelter!"
      "What about Nephlite and Lita?" They couldn't just abandon them out here 
      like this!
      "Nephlite can take care of her! Dont worry!" he looked up and down the 
      hill. He couldn't see a thing. Kicking himself for being such an idiot, he 
      tried to figure out where they were. To his best guess, they were about a 
      mile from the closest lodge. The even worse news was that it was back up 
      the hill. "We're going to have to loose the skis!"
      Serena took off her skis and tossed her poles to the wind as per Darien's 
      example. He came beside her and grabbed her hand.
      "Whatever you do don't let go!"
      Serena wasn't about to. Clutching onto his large gloved hand she followed 
      him through the blinding blasts of ice and wind.
      It felt like an eternity, trudging up the hill. Bit by bit Serena's energy 
      was blown away. Darien had to half pull half carry her because her legs 
      had gotten so numbs they refused to carry her any more.
      "Come on Serena don't quit on me!"
      Gritting her teeth, she willed herself to keep moving. It couldnt be much 
      farther. Serenas foot caught on something and she fell face first into 
      the snow. The urge to just close her eyes and lay there was overwhelming. 
      Just for a second. Ill just rest my eyes for a--
      "Serena! Come on honey! You gotta keep going!"
      She felt someone shaking her then strong arms picked her up. The sensation 
      of being carried was the last thing that registered in her partially 
      conscious mind.
      ----
      They had been labouring through the snow for what seemed like hours. The 
      snow was thigh high on him and he knew that for the smaller woman it must 
      have been close to waist deep. Her breathing was laboured and he knew that 
      she wouldn't make it much further. For a while now he could hear her teeth 
      chattering and she would fall from time to time but always got up to 
      continue her struggle. Darien felt Serena drop behind him. This time she 
      didn't get up. Heart stopping, he dropped to his knees beside her. Her 
      already pale complexion was turning a sickly shade of blue. He had to get 
      her too some shelter soon or she wouldn't make it. Picking her up from the 
      snowdrift, he snuggled her against him and carried her towards the cabin 
      he knew had to be around here somewhere. Coming here every year, Darien 
      knew the terrain very well. Almost every detail of the area was etched in 
      his mind. And he knew that there was a cabin that the crew used around 
      here somewhere. Squinting against the razor sharp blades of snow he 
      spotted a partially buried building. He ploughed his way over and placed 
      Serena next to him so that he could dig a hollow to open the door. He 
      quickly dug and managed to get it so that the door opened enough to allow 
      them access. Darien quickly picked her up and entered the refuge.
      The room was almost completely empty. All he could see was an empty 
      fireplace, bunk beds and a desk. Cursing his luck, Darien turned his 
      attention to the woman in his arms. He had hoped there would at least be 
      some sparse supplies, but this place looked like it hadn't been using in 
      at least a year. He laid her on the lower bunk and went to work on her 
      clothes. Breaking the ice on her coat he tugged it off and then did the 
      same for her pants. All she wore underneath was leggings and a sweatshirt, 
      both of which were cold and stiff. Hold on Serena! He stripped off the 
      rest of her clothing and gasped. Her skin had already turned a dull blue. 
      Darien closed his eyes for a breath. There was only one thing he could do. 
      Quickly he stripped himself naked as well and pulled her up against him 
      then wrapped them both up in the thin blanket. "Come on Serena stay with 
      me!" he vigorously rubbed at whatever skin that wasn't touching his trying 
      to get her circulation going.
      Darien wrapped himself around her and stuck his face in the hollow of her 
      throat. Please Serena! Fight it! He had no idea how long he stayed like 
      this. All he knew was that he had to keep an eye on her. Had to warm her 
      up. Guilt racked his already tense body. It couldn't end like this! They 
      shouldn't have gone out. It was all his fault that she was in this 
      condition. It was the last thought that registered before Darien blacked 
      out from exhaustion.
      ----
      Serena woke up quite sometime later surrounded by delicious warmth. She 
      stayed still for a while just loving the feeling she was experiencing. 
      Serena felt a bit better thought her entire body was sore from exertion. 
      The room was dark so she couldn't see where she was. All that she knew was 
      that this was not the hotel. Serena tried to push herself up but found a 
      big warm body wrapped around hers. She stopped dead when she realized that 
      every inch of that warm body was naked and pressed up against hers. 
      Instinctively Serena knew it had to be Darien. She struggled then, pushing 
      at his hard shoulders.
      "Darien!" she hissed. "Get up! What happened?" saying that she felt 
      unsettled was an understatement. What was worse was that she couldn't 
      remember if they had done anything. The thought made her panicky even 
      more. Serena shoved at him again.
      He shifted a little but didn't wake up.
      "Darien!" Serena shook him harder.
      "Mmmm?" he gave her a sleepy smile. Then snapped out of it almost 
      immediately. "Serena! Youre alright!" his arms tightened around her. 
      Relief was evident on his face.
      "Why wouldn't I be?" Serena couldn't remember much about what happened.
      "I won't lie. It was pretty scary. If I hadn't gotten you here..." he was 
      so happy he couldn't stop himself from nuzzling her collarbone with his 
      nose. He was rewarded with a squeal of outrage.
      "Stop that!" but part of her wanted him to keep going. And that part was 
      rapidly winning the battle with her brain. "P...please..." the plea 
      sounded weak even to her ears.
      ----
      Darien didn't. The nuzzling changed to open mouthed kisses that traced a 
      path up to her mouth. He hadn't forgotten that amazing kiss that they had 
      shared several days before. And if only a kiss was that good then...well 
      he was going to find out what everything else with her was like. She 
      tasted so sweet! He groaned as he slid his tongue up and over her chin.
      He could feel her trembling when his lips reached hers. Darien hesitated 
      for a moment. He had never forced himself on a woman and he wasn't about 
      to now. "Serena?" the question came out as a strangled groan.
      "Darien." her voice was equally strained and her knew that she wanted this 
      as much as he did. Elated that she would want him as much as he needed 
      her, Darien returned to plunder her rosy lips.
      Serena could feel herself being dragged under the huge, cresting wave of 
      passion. Darien flooded her system with shockwave after shockwave of 
      sensation. In al her twenty-five years she had never even come close to 
      feeling what she was at this very moment. Oh men had always pursued her. 
      It was something she had grown used to ignoring. Serena just didn't want 
      the attention; she had to endure more than enough of that being the 
      Princess. But in Darien's arms she not only craved it, but also needed it 
      from him.
      Darien ran his hands over her silky smooth skin. God she was absolutely 
      gorgeous. He pulled back to look at her. Serenas hair was loose and 
      flowed over her shoulders. He tangled his fingers in the shimmering 
      strands. Her clear grey eyes were darkened in passion becoming deep pools 
      that a man could drown in if he wasn't careful. Darien's gaze glided down 
      to her swollen lips that were begging for more attention. He heeded their 
      plea and traced his tongue over them. Serena's little moans spurred him 
      on. His mouth followed the flaming trail his hand left. Slowly he slid 
      down exploring her flawless body, kissing, licking and nibbling.
      Serena writhed on the small bed arching against Darien, loving everything 
      he was doing to her. Shyly, she brought her hands up to his shoulders and 
      slid them along them and down the muscled plane of his back. The feel of 
      his hard muscles under her hands thrilled her like nothing else. Getting 
      bolder, Serena entwined the fingers of one hand in his hair holding him to 
      her so she could explore his mouth the way that he did hers. Then suddenly 
      he pulled away and started moving down her body.
      When he took a rosy tipped breast into the heat of his mouth, Serena 
      thought she was going to die of the pleasure. Her back arched of its own 
      volition pushing her greedy breast further into his hungry mouth. 
      Pulsating heat flared, scorching everything as it raged through her and 
      something, something she had never known coursed unchecked through her 
      veins.
      When Darien came back up to her, she stared at him wide eyed. Amazement 
      along with passion and something that Serena wasn't sure she was really 
      seeing flashed in his incredibly deep blue eyes. Did she really see love 
      there? She wasn't given the chance to think about it anymore. Darien ran 
      his hand over her thighs and wrapped them around his lean waist.
      ----
      Darien forced himself to go slow, though ever fibre of his being was 
      telling him that she was his woman. There was something about the way that 
      she moved, the way that she reacted to what he was doing. It was innocent 
      and completely endearing. He couldn't be her first. Not someone as 
      beautiful as she. He felt sudden jealousy at the thought of her being with 
      someone else. Darien couldn't bear the thought of her being touched by 
      anyone else. As if to drive the thought of anyone else from her mind, 
      Miles caresses and kisses grew more fervent until he couldnt hold 
      himself back anymore.
      He gripped her thighs and pulled her legs around him, plunging into her in 
      one fluid stroke. What he felt and her soft cries of pain shocked him to 
      his very core. A virgin! Serena had been a virgin. He gritted his teeth 
      and forced himself to stay still. "Serena." He ground out. "Im sorry. I 
      didnt-"
      Serena blinked a tear away. The sharp pain was already subsiding, giving 
      way to a tidal wave of pleasure. She shifted her hips.
      "God! Dont move!" Darien felt like a heel. He should have realized.
      Serena shifted again, only this time she succeeded in sliding him in 
      deeper. When he would have protested again she pulled him down and kissed 
      him. "Make love to me."
      Darien smiled, his eyes darkening with desire. "As you wish." And he 
      introduced her to a world where they were the only two people in 
existence.
      ----
      Gentle kisses woke Serena the next morning. She opened her eyes to find 
      Darien just inches away from her. She could feel his breath warm on her 
      cheek. And with a blush she could feel herself getting warmer all over 
      again. She had never felt more content or complete and it was all due to 
      this man. Sighing happily she caressed his cheek with her fingertips. 
      "Morning."
      "Morning." He gave her another kiss. "How are you feeling this morning?" 
      Like he needed to ask. He had checked her over quite thoroughly the 
      night before and from what he found she was perfect, if a little cold. "I 
      managed to get a fire going." He jerked his thumb over his shoulder at the 
      fire flickering merrily in the hearth.
      Serena hoisted herself up on her elbows to see what he was pointing at. 
      She saw their clothes drying nearby on what looked like broken chunks of 
      wood. Serena looked up and noticed that the top bunk was gone. All that 
      was left of it was the mattress that lay up against a wall. Darien must 
      have taken it apart and used the wood from it for firewood. But the view 
      hardly registered, for her movement brought her torso right up against his 
      sending shivers skittering through her. She arched herself against him. 
      "So now what do we do?"
      Darien gave a wicked grin his azure eyes sparkling happily yet a serious 
      look to them. "I know what Id like to do. But unfortunately we have to 
      find a way to get out of here." He swivelled himself around so that she 
      was with her back to him, tenderly nestled between his thighs.
      Serena settled back and let him wrap his arms around her. "Let me have it 
      then. Were pretty stuck arent we?" even the thought of being stuck in 
      some hovel didnt seem all that bad, just as long as he was there with 
her.
      "Serena, honey, Im not going to lie to you. The storm last night buried 
      us pretty deep. Were going to have to dig our way out. Hopefully well 
      reach the surface before it gets dark."
      She nodded. He was right if they were going to get out of there they would 
      have to get digging. "What about Lita and Nephlite? Do you think they made 
      it out alright?"
      "Im sure they did. Nephlite is very resourceful. Besides I dont think 
      that hed let any harm come to her."
      "Youre probably right." Serena sighed. "Ive never seen two people more 
      right for each other."
      "I hope youre going to take that comment back because I can think of two 
      people who are very right for each other. Two people very close to my own 
      heart." He squeezed her closer when she giggled. Darien couldnt even 
      think of a time hed been in a worse situation and felt so alive. It had 
      to have something to do with the woman in his arms.
      "Youre right again." Serena eyed their clothes dubiously. "Do you think 
      that theyre dry yet?"
      "They should be by now." He gave her a rakish grin. "But just in case. We 
      should give them a few more hours." And his mouth descended on hers once 
      again.
      ----
      Several hours later, Serena and Darien worked together, digging and 
      talking as they tunnelled up through the snow. The usually soft white 
      powder was packed tightly so it took quite some time to make any progress. 
      Serena watched him as they dug. Darien worked tirelessly, as if he did 
      this all the time. He had taken one of the bedposts and was using it as a 
      pick and shovel, heaving piles of snow out of the way. His strength was 
      evident in every movement of his lean, sinewy body. The thought of the 
      muscles on that fabulous body of his slowed her down a bit. Serena stopped 
      to catch her breath and watch the incredible man next to her.
      Darien dug ferociously at the snow, working out his anger for having 
      gotten them into such a position. He knew Serena didnt blame him for what 
      had happened, but he blamed himself. What if they hadnt have found 
      shelter for the night? He was such an idiot. He could have gotten her 
      injured or worse. He swung the wooden post again, dislodging more ice. Of 
      course if it hadnt have been for the storm, they wouldnt have shared the 
      night together. Dariens chilled body suddenly flared with a searing heat. 
      Serena was incredible, to say the least. He couldnt believe that such an 
      innocent could interest him so, but she did. Oh, she definitely did. Just 
      the fact that she would bestow such a gift on him practically humbled him 
      to his knees. Darien stopped for a moment to stretch a taunt muscle. He 
      was going to make sure that she was going to be his.
      His reverie was interrupted when he noticed that she wasnt digging 
      anymore. Immediately, Darien moved even closer to her in the tight space. 
      "Are you alright?" he ran his hands over her looking for injuries.
      "Im fine. Just taking a breather." Serena leaned back and looked at him. 
      Darien was quite literally the most incredible looking man she had ever 
      laid her eyes on. Even now, in a situation like this, she couldnt help 
      but notice how devastatingly handsome he was. And he was so sweet too. Not 
      to mention his sense of humour and intelligence. Serena smiled partially 
      to him and mostly to herself. He was perfect for her. But how was she 
      going to tell him that she wanted him to be her prince? Maybe he would 
      understand if she explained things to him? Serenas smile faded a little. 
      What. And tell him that she was using him to get back at her father? She 
      would only succeed in driving him away. Idiot! She should have told him 
      the truth from the beginning. There was no way that a man like him would 
      appreciate being deceived like this. And he would never settle into such a 
      stoic lifestyle either. Serenas heart sank into the pit of her stomach at 
      the thought of not having him be her side for the rest of her days. She 
      shocked herself with the thought. Where did that come from? Suddenly, she 
      felt something bump her elbow and realized it was Darien.
      "Are you ok? You paled suddenly." Worried that she overexerted herself, 
      Darien quickly slid down out of the tunnel, taking her with him. Without 
      question he swept her up and carried her to the bed, where he gently laid 
      her down.
      "Just a little tired I guess." It wasnt exactly a lie. Serena took in the 
      genuine concern etched on his face and ran her fingers over his brow 
      smoothing the creases. "Dont worry! Im ok." She gave him a feeble smile 
      and tried to laugh.
      Darien didnt fall for it at all. He could see that she wasnt as well as 
      she made out to be. "Well take a break for a bit. It doesnt look like 
      there much further to go." He swung his long legs onto the bed and lay 
      next to her. His arm went around her shoulder both lovingly and 
      comfortingly. He could feel the tension in her shoulders and attributed it 
      to their current situation. "Dont worry well get out of this." Darien 
      kissed her on the top of her head. He would get them out of this no matter 
      what.
      "I know." Serena didnt have any doubt that they would. She laid her head 
      on his shoulder and tried to think of how to tell him who she really was. 
      She decided that now was as good a time as ever. "Darien-" she never got 
      to finish her sentence. Darien leapt off the bed and strode over to the 
      hole theyd dug in the snow. "Darien?" he put up his hand to silence her. 
      Serena would have been bristling with indignation but she heard it too. 
      Voices.
      "Darien! Serena!" faint voices could be heard coming from outside 
      somewhere. "Are you in there?"
      Darien climbed back into the tunnel and started digging and yelling 
      simultaneously. "Neph! Were down here!" he started hacking at the snow 
      like he was fighting his greatest enemy.
      "Darien!"
      Serena could hear more digging sounds and got up to help Darien. Together 
      they managed to break through to the surface. Nephlite, Lita and a host of 
      other people were digging down to them. She could hear Litas frightened 
      voice calling her.
      "Serena! Are you ok?"
      "Im fine!" she called back.
      ----
      Within minutes they broke through the surface. Nephlite grabbed her arms 
      and hoisted her up with Darien close behind.
      Lita gave her a huge hug and squealed happily. "Im so glad youre ok! We 
      didnt know what happened to you two! One second you were there and the 
      next you were gone!" she gave her another hug. "Come on! Weve got to get 
      you two warmed up! You look like hell!"
      Trust Lita to be tactful. "Glad to see you too."
      Darien grabbed a blanket and threw it protectively around her shoulders 
      then steered her toward one of the waiting snowmobiles. "Ill take her to 
      the infirmary then back to the hotel. Well meet you there." Without 
      waiting for an answer he got on behind Serena and sped away.
      After getting a clean bill of health, Darien took them back to the hotel 
      to get some much-needed R&R. Serena had to admit that being taken care of 
      by Darien was much better than being waited on hand and foot by a servant. 
      She would have been tempted to lie back and relax if she wasnt so keyed 
      up over her little moral dilemma. The more she thought about it the more 
      anxious she became.
      Darien knew something was up with her. Everything about her just said that 
      there was something wrong. Had she figured out who he really was? 
      Impossible. No one had mentioned anything. He knew he hadnt, neither had 
      Nephlite or the manager. If that wasnt it then what was making her so 
      aloof? Darien tried to think of an explanation but couldnt come up with 
      anything except that she was angry with him for endangering her life. He 
      couldnt live with himself if he knew that she was angry with him for 
      that. Darien sat on his heels in front of her, not caring that he had just 
      changed into a very expensive pair of trousers. He could always get 
      another pair. He could never find another woman like Serena.
      "Serena. Forgive me?"
      His plea surprised her. What did he want forgiving for? "Excuse me?"
      "Forgive me for putting you in danger. I dont know what got into me."
      The look he gave her, a heart-melting look, made her smile. "I dont blame 
      you Darien. I could never blame you."
      Her words didnt assuage the nagging guilt he felt. "If it wasnt for me 
      you wouldnt have gotten into that mess."
      Serena put her hand on his cheek. "I dont blame you, nor do I regret 
      anything that has happened between us as a result." She reminded him what 
      had happened between them because of being trapped in the cabin.
      Hope flared in Darien. "Im glad you dont regret it. I know I will never 
      forget it."
      "Me neither." Serena pulled Darien up and snuggled up to his large chest.
      Dariens mouth came to hers passionately and he carried her off to bed.
      ----
      Serena awoke the next morning feeling much more hopeful than she had over 
      the last few days. Unfortunately this was their last day together. If she 
      was going to get back in time for work, shed have to leave that evening.
      Darien gave Serena a little smile. He knew exactly what she was thinking. 
      "Dont worry. Well see each other again soon. I promise." He sealed the 
      promise with a kiss.
      "When?" Serena couldnt think of when they would possibly see each other 
      again. Between work and flying back and forth to see her father she barely 
      had anytime for herself. And she knew Darien would be racing again, so 
      when would they get to see each other.
      He winked a sapphire eye at her. "Ill think of something. Now get up and 
      take a shower. Weve got things to do today before we leave." Darien got 
      out of bed and strode around to her side oblivious to the fact that he was 
      totally and magnificently naked.
      Serenas breath hitched at the sight of his perfectly toned body. Her eyes 
      raked over his form admiring every inch of his muscled body.
      "Serena, darling. If you keep looking at me that way neither of us are 
      going to get out of this room." He gave her a rakish grin that had her 
      blushing. He put on a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. "Ill get you some 
      clothes from youre room, ok?"
      "Thanks."
      He gave her a quick kiss and disappeared out the door.
      Serena got out of bed and got in the shower letting the spray hit her full 
      force. There was no denying it now. She was in love with Darien. Serena 
      sighed and watched the steam swirl around her. And if she wasnt mistaken 
      he felt the same way about her. She had to tell him the truth now. It 
      would be up to him whether or not they would move on in the relationship. 
      Serena steeled herself. She was going to tell him.
      When she came out Darien was already back in the room. Serena smiled at 
      him but he didnt smile back. She stopped dead in her tracks. He looked 
      absolutely enraged. He was holding her clothes in one hand and her laptop 
      in the other. "Darien? Whats the matter?"
      "Whats the matter?" he stalked closer then stopped as if he was afraid to 
      get too close to her. "Whats the matter? Ill tell you whats the matter. 
      You!"
      Serena didnt like the look in his eyes. There was something feral and 
      dangerous in his eyes that she instinctively shied away from. She backed 
      away slightly to remain out of his reach. "What are you talking about?" 
      Did he know the truth about her?
      "Dont act so innocent! Youve been using me for a story!" He tossed the 
      laptop at her feet and it landed with a sickening crunch.
      Stricken, Serena stared at him open mouthed. "I did not!"
      "Then why is it all there? Everything about our relationship up to the 
      point where we got here. I suppose you were too busy making me fall in 
      love with you to get time to write!"
      "It wasnt like that!" Serena had to get him to listen to her. She had no 
      intention of printing the article now that she and Darien were together. 
      To be honest, she had completely forgotten about it. Until now.
      "Get out!" he threw her clothes at her, scattering them over the floor. "I 
      never want to see you again!"
      Serena ignored the clothing and focused her attention on the man before 
      her. She stopped forward. "Darien--"
      Darien swept her hands away. "Get out!" He shoved her toward the door.
      Serena didnt even bother to collect her things. Without a second glance 
      she walked out of the room in her towel with as much dignity as she could 
      muster and slammed the door shut behind her. Once she was in her own room, 
      Serena allowed the tears to flow freely. Trembling like a leaf in a 
      hurricane, she sat on the edge of her bed and cried. Things couldnt get 
      much worse now. Tears streaming down her face, Serena picked up her phone 
      and dialled. "Hi Audrey." Thank god it was the answering machine. She 
      didnt think that she could handle her editors endless stream of 
      questions at the moment. "I need some time off..."
      ----
      Serena found Lita and Nephlite in the lobby enjoying a conversation with a 
      group of people most of whom she didnt recognize. She nodded hello to 
      Nephlite and gestured to Lita to come over.
      "Serena? Whats the matter? You look terrible." Lita dragged her friend 
      over to some chairs and sat her down before she collapsed.
      "Its nothing. Im heading home for a while and wondered if you would like 
      to come?" Serena looked over at Nephlite. "But if you already have 
      plans..."
      "Nothing I cant cancel." Lita was really concerned now. Serena never let 
      anything bother her like this. She couldnt even remember seeing Serena 
      cry let alone fall to pieces like this. "What happened? Is it Darien? Did 
      something happen to him?"
      "Nothing happened to me." Darien sauntered up behind them looking as 
      fantastic as ever making Serena feel even worse. Suave and preened to 
      perfection as usual, Darien approached them, stopping just inches away 
      from a trembling Serena. He didnt look like he cared at all that their 
      relationship was over.
      Serena ignored him and stood up. "Ill call you, ok?" she gave Lita a hug 
      and walked away. That jerk. How convenient that he ended things right at 
      the end of the vacation. He probably had things planned that way all 
      along! How dare he treat her like trash! She was the Princess of Lidaria. 
      She could have him executed for looking at her cross-eyed. She didnt care 
      about him. Men like him were a dime a dozen. Serena took a deep breath. If 
      she didnt care, then how come it felt like shed been hit by a freight 
      train? Seething that shes allowed a man to upset her so much, Serena 
      wasnt watching where she was going and walked straight into someone. She 
      quickly backed up and apologized, not even looking to see whom she had 
hit.
      "Serena? Serena Stansberg?"
      Confused and startled that someone recognized her Serena looked up at the 
      man. He was tall and dark and very familiar. She smiled as recognition set 
      in. "Seiya!" she gave him a huge hug and kissed his cheek. "Its been 
      ages!" Seiya Marceau was her best friend back in her university days. They 
      had vowed to keep in touch but over time they drifted apart due to work 
      and distance. "How are you?" she gave him another hug, burying her face in 
      his chest.
      "Im great. But what happened to you?" Smiling his dazzling smile, he 
      fingered her limp hair. "You know youre going to have to fire that 
      hairdresser of yours. Hes doing a terrible job."
      Serena swatted his hands away. "Stop it!" she wrapped an arm around his 
      waist and he put and arm around her shoulder like they always used to do. 
      "I can use a good talk."
      "Thats what Im here for, princess." Seiya was one of the very few people 
      who knew her actual identity. She hadnt told anyone who she really was 
      when she was at school fearing the prejudices that would be put against 
      her. Besides he was royalty too in a very convoluted way. She leaned on 
      his shoulder and let him lead her out of the lobby.
      ----
      Darien didnt need to look hard to see the hurt in her eyes when he 
      approached. He told himself the ache in his gut was anger at what she had 
      done. She knew all along that he was a prince. She had been using him to 
      get a story and probably to try and marry him. She was like all the 
      others. She had just been a much better liar than the rest.
      He watched her run off and plough straight into a dark haired man. It was 
      so unlike her. She was usually so graceful. He felt guilty for reducing 
      her to a klutz. The guilt quickly evaporated, however, when she gave the 
      man a hug and a kiss. Anger and jealousy blazed a searing path through his 
      veins when he saw how familiar they were with each other. Fists clenched, 
      he watched them talk for a moment then leave together with their arms 
      wound around one another. How could she? Didnt anything they shared mean 
      a thing to her? Darien turned around and found Nephlite and Lita staring 
      at him. "What?" he ignored their curious looks and stalked off.
      ----
      "Youre telling me that your father has ordered you to marry the Prince of 
      Illaria?" Seiya gave her an incredulous look.
      "Yeah. And whats worse is that Ive never met the guy. Though Im sure 
      that hes just as bad as the rest of them."
      "Im offended. Not all of us royal men are like that you know." He gave 
      her a look of mock horror.
      "I know. But none of them are like you. How about you go to my dad and ask 
      for my hand in marriage? I could live with that." She gave him a 
      mischievous smile.
      "I would but its not my...style." He wriggled his brows at her. "Besides 
      you could just meet him yourself. I saw him around here somewhere."
      "What?" Serena stared at Seiya. "Youre joking right?" he shook his head. 
      "Weve got to get out of here!" she grabbed his hand and dragged him along 
      behind her, out of the restaurant.
      "Thats not very lady like you know." He teased but let her drag him out. 
      When they were safe in her room he spoke again. "Dont you want to meet 
      your future husband?"
      "Not like this. I want it to be on my terms. Besides Im not going to 
      marry him."
      "Ahhh another famous Stansberg plan. So what is it this time? Youre going 
      to hide until your father gives up?" Seiya was quite familiar with 
      Serenas little ploys. He had been caught in too many to count.
      "I was looking for a guy to marry instead." Her smile faded. "I thought I 
      found him too, but it fell through."
      "And thats why youre a wreck right?"
      "Right as always. Now Im going to have to marry that oaf."
      "Thats not why youre upset."
      "Of course it is."
      "I think you fell for this guy."
      "Seiya, just shut up." Serena put her face in her hands and groaned. "I 
      forgot how wonderfully astute you are." She sighed sarcastically.
      "So what happened?" he put his arm around her shoulders again.
      "Its a long story. But it ends with us breaking up and me being here with 
      you instead of him."
      "Well sorry I cant be Mr. Wonderful!" he laughed lightly then hugged her 
      harder. "Im sorry Sere. Itll work out youll see."
      "How can you be sure?" she sniffled.
      "Arent I always right?"