Shady Business by Silver MoonAngel Rated R -------------------------------------------------------------------- STANDARD DISCLAIMER APPLIES AN: I'd like to thank everyone who has reviewed so far. From AI: cowgirl, CrystalMoonBunny, LadyMoon, SilverRunningWater89, HonorableBunny, cici, Eirias, miss_indiaca, Sailor_Song, s_midnite, Deny, Violet, mmoongirl13, MG, sweetcece15, starlettex, vavoom, lala, Sailor_Angel, lilsmoongal12, Dagger From ASMR: AJ Martinez, stargirl15, mariejw, Miami-Lu, Rose_Angel, Dark Sovereign, ReelingFairy, azurejewels From FF.net: white eternity, rena, princess2000204, videl621, Usagi Tsukino, Critic, ACBrat68, Reese, Leeza, StArLiTeStArBrItE, hehe, Amora-Ryuko, aserene, lk, Rose, daisy, SilentStar-009, Ryoko, Marie- Christine, SailorSlave, Lunakitty, kirei*snow*tenshi, Innocent Dreamer, serena, Hoshi Tamamushiirono, Kerochan, brunettemoment25, MoonBrat, Tamashii Hime, grizzly*snocone, moongoddess1989, Elizabeth Wolfe, Rayne-chan, vamp chick -------------------------------------------------------------------- Serena looked up from the book she was reading to see Nerys, Kieta, and Samantha pull into Carlin's driveway. Something big had to be going down, especially if Sam was involved. "What's going on?" Samantha turned toward her and said, "Carlin's not telling all of us something." She squinted her eyes and looked in a window, "It has to do with Raye." Serena stood up and tapped her foot. "Well, if it has to do with Raye, you have to ask me first. She's my guest," Serena said pointedly, "not Car's." Samantha stretched to her full height and stood beneath Serena's nose. If Sam didn't look so serious, Serena would have laughed at the sight of the smaller woman straining over her stomach. Standing there, she bit back her laughter and waited until Sam said, "Alright, someone's been sending Darien pictures." Serena narrowed her eyes, "You know this, how?" Sam wrapped some hair around the end of her finger and said, "Mikaela Ronal is a hacker." Serena whipped around and disappeared into the house. She returned moments later with Carlin and Raye in tow. "Tell them what you just told me," Serena barked at Sam. Sam put her hands on her hips, and said, "Some one sent that Chaucy fellow pictures of Serena. Who did it?" Carlin rubbed her swollen abdomen and said, "What's it to you? You have nothing to worry about. Serena and Raye do." Raye put a hand on Carlin's shoulder. She cleared her throat and said, "I did." Lifting her chin up and glancing down at Sam, she added, "Darien figured she was pregnant already and the detective is psychic. I merely reassured Darien that we were both alright." Nerys stepped forward, "He knows now." She turned to Serena and said in a gentle voice, "He'll leave you alone for awhile. Just send him pictures." Serena turned and glared at the group. Kieta and Sam looked grim, while Nerys, Carlin and Raye were being encouraging. She looked down at her stomach and thought about what she would be giving her twins. 'A chance to know their father someday.' Looking at her sisters and Raye, Serena let a tear slide down her cheek. For the babies' sakes... "Where's a camera?" * * * Two hours later, Darien received a picture that was taken that afternoon. He looked at the e-mail address and realized that it wasn't Raye's. He opened up the letter again and scrolled down to the bottom. There was a letter from Serena. Taking a deep breath, he read it. Darien, I'm writing this to let you know that I'm alright. As soon as the babies are born, I'll send you pictures. I can't let you know where I am, but right now, it's for the best. If you ever need anything, or just want to talk, e-mail me back. One day I'd like you and your children to meet... Bye for now, Serena Darien slumped in his chair and stared at the computer screen. She had the audacity to finally contact him after seven months... He pulled himself up and reached for the phone; he would get to the bottom of this... * * * Serena sighed as she saw another email from Darien. She had been keeping him up-to-date with pictures of her and Raye, as well as photos from her sonograms. With all she had sent, she thought he'd be placated; oh no, not Darien Chaucy (he had changed his name back). He wanted to see her in person and made all sorts of demands, but he was there when she was having a bad day... Shaking her head to snap herself out of her musings, she opened the mail and scanned it. She slightly chuckled to herself at the picture he had sent her. It was a picture of Darien holding a baby Raye as a child; below was a caption saying, "I already know how to hold babies, see?" Serena checked to see if he was online and laughed out loud when he was. Clicking on his screen name, she said, "You're going to have to settle for holding a picture." He wrote back, "That's what you think. I'm going to find you." "Sure, sure. That's what you say every time." "The only reason I haven't come and picked your ass up is my respect for your sisters." Before she could ask which ones, he signed off. Staring at the computer, she turned around to see Carlin and Galen cuddling on the couch. A month had gone by since Galen had picked her and Carlin up from the airport and they had gotten closer. The Blade sisters had an ass-backward way of doing things. "Carlin, can I use your heating pad? My back's killing me." Carlin looked up and smiled, "Sure. Make sure you give it back though, Genevieve has been really active lately." Galen planted a kiss on Carlin's forehead, "I thought we agreed to name her Leala after my mom." Carlin snorted, "That's what you thought." Serena cleared her throat, "Car?" Glaring at Galen, she turned toward Serena and said, "In my closet." Turning back to Galen, she said, "I'm not finished with you yet." Trudging up the stairs, Serena heard Galen say, "Good because I've got a deal for you..." She chuckled and knew who was going to win. Carlin couldn't resist that man of hers. When she got to the top, Serena called down, "Keep it clean, kids. I don't want to go into early labor seeing you two." She heard Carlin laugh out loud and Galen say, "Don't worry, you'll hear us first. Carlin's a...oof!" Serena imagined the indignant look on Carlin's face and grabbed the heating pad. Plugging into the wall and climbing into bed, Serena thought of Darien as she fell asleep. * * * On the other side of the country, Chad sat in a chair, staring at a picture of Raye. He searched his mind for the door way and opened it. 'Why can't you come home?' A minute later, he felt Raye's voice fill his mind. 'I'll be home soon. I have to stay for the babies.' Chad's face contorted into a grimace. 'You'll stay away from me and your home to stay with Serena. Even after what you saw?' He could feel her getting angry and recoiled a bit when she yelled back, 'The only reason I saw that was because I was searching for answers I shouldn't have been looking for. Besides, I would do the same thing for you.' 'You're so full of...' 'Shut up and say you love me already.' A moment later, she said very softly, 'I don't want to be here any more than you want me to be, but that's beside the point. As soon as I get back, we're disappearing for a long while. Promise.' 'I'll hold you to it.' 'I wouldn't expect anything less. Goodnight, love.' He felt her close their 'door' and he himself laid down for the night. He and Raye would have to wait, but not for too much longer. * * * Another month went by, along with Carlin's due date. As each week went by, Serena and Carlin became more and more miserable; that is until Carlin's water broke. * * * June 29th 7:26 AM "Serena, I think I need to go to the hospital," Carlin said as she looked down at the floor, a puddle beneath her feet. She gave a small prayer of thanks and waddled out of the kitchen to see Serena scurrying around. She smiled and said, "Call Galen. He knows where everything is." Serena turned to Carlin and looked at her with pain in her eyes. She turned away from her, and said, "He doesn't know where my things are." She calmly walked over to the living room door and showed Carlin her puddle. "They wanted to come out and play." Carlin shook her head and gave a small cry when a contraction hit. Panting, she said, "I'll call Galen." 'Hurry, Car,' Serena thought as she breathed through a contraction. She had been in labor since late last night, but didn't feel like she needed to hurry. Another contraction hit and she choked back a scream of pain. 'I'm going to kill him.' She heard someone open the door and she gave a sigh of relief when she saw Raye standing there. "Please get my things. Galen's on his way to take us to the hospital." Raye gave a little sigh of relief. She had been hoping, for both of the girls sake's, that they would go into labor soon. Carlin was two weeks over due and Serena wasn't due 'til the middle of July. Raye went up to Serena's room and grabbed the suitcase 'full of goodies': receiving blankets, an extra change of clothes, a breast pump, diapers, and a few other miscellaneous items. "Raye, hurry up. Galen's pulling in the drive," she heard Serena shout up the stairs. Hauling the suitcase down the stairs, she held the door open for Carlin--who was being led out by Galen--and Serena before she went out herself. She hoped for both of their sakes it wouldn't be a long labor. * * * June 29th 5:40 PM Serena slowly panted her way through another contraction and looked at the doctor. "Alright, Doc. What's the news?" The doctor smiled and said, "your delivery is progressing smoothly. You are 6 centimeters dilated and 60 percent effaced. At the rate you're going, the twins should be here a little before midnight." "What about Carlin?" Twenty minutes ago, her sister and Galen had disappeared into the delivery room. Carlin had looked somewhat serene--after the medication they had given her had taken affect--Galen had looked determined and scared. 'No one better mess with my niece. Her daddy will clean their clocks.' "Carlin is going through post delivery surgery and Galen is coming with the baby." A soft knock rapped on the door before Galen came in carrying a small bundle. Opening the blanket, he said, "Carlin and I came to a compromise. Serena, meet your niece Leala Genevieve McHail." The baby was softly sucking on her thumb, something she had done many times in the womb. Serena softly gasped when she saw the look of total devotion on Galen's face toward his daughter. 'Darien will have to know, soon,' Serena thought as another contraction hit her. * * * June 30th 12:01 AM "Alright Serena, push!" Serena bore down and pushed the first baby out of her. She felt the slight pressure as the doctor situated the babies shoulder so it would slide out easier. 'Think happy thoughts,' she coached herself as she felt the baby slide from her. "Okay, we have the boy out. Give us a couple of good pushes and your daughter should be out shortly." Serena let a cry rip from her body as she bore down and pushed as hard as she could. She heard the doctor say something about the baby crowning, but she didn't care. She wanted to hold her babies. She felt the second baby slide from her and she laid back, content with her accomplishment. The nurses brought the babies over and got them to nurse. Raye leaned over and asked, "What did you decide to name them?" Serena gave a weak smile and said, "Meet Doran Reece and Renata Dionne Chaucy." * * * When Serena woke up, Carlin was back in the room, this time feeding Leala. 'My little squirt is a mommy,' Serena thought as a tear streaked down her face. She took in the sight of the little redhead feeding her daughter and sighed. Carlin looked up and saw Serena looking at her. She softly smiled and said, "Happy birthday, Rene." She looked down at her daughter and smoothed back her mop of red hair. Goodbye sleep. Shifting Leala, she turned to Serena and said, "What'd you name the twins?" Serena smiled and said, "My son's name is Doran Reece Chaucy and my daughter's name is Renata Dionne Chaucy." She gave a slight chuckle and said, "Dory and Rene for short." Carlin scrunched up her nose and said, "You named your daughter Renata? Talk about old." Before Serena could defend her choice, a nurse pushed in two bassinets, each one containing a baby. "Miss Blade? It's time to feed them." Serena sighed and looked down at her children. Doran had Darien's dark hair and her blue eyes. If luck was on her side, he'd be tall like his daddy too. Renata was blessed with her blonde curls and her daddy's midnight blue eyes. She'd have to beat boys off with a stick when Rene got older. She maneuvered the babies so they could both feed at the same time. She looked up from the babies and said, "Is the au pair we hired going to be there when we get home?" Carlin looked up with a not-so-happy look on her face. "For you maybe. Galen's insisted on staying home--with us--and helping with Leala. He's even been gracious enough to stay up the first few nights with her." Serena chuckled, "He wants to get back with you." Carlin snorted right before Serena broke out in full-tilt laughter. * * * Raye flipped out her cell phone and called the all-too- familiar number of her brother's house back in California. A slightly distracted voice answered. Raye held back a sigh and said, "May I speak to Darien please? It's very important." The voice said something and put her on hold. Raye sat, drumming her fingers on the armrest of the chair she was sitting at. Five minutes later her brother's voice said, "Hello?" Raye stilled before clearing her throat. "Darien, it's Raye. The twins were born this morning." In California, Darien sat up a little straighter in his chair. He nervously licked his lips and asked, "How did it go? What did she name them?" Raye gave a slight chuckle, "The delivery went pretty smoothly. She was in labor for about 24 hours and in active labor for about 6 hours. She had a boy and a girl. She named them Doran Reece and Renata Dionne Chaucy." "Doran and Renata? It's different, but interesting," he said as he swiveled in his chair. He grabbed a cup of coffee and motioned Chad to come in the door. "When are you going to come home?" Raye smiled and gave a slight sigh. Her brother could be so impatient sometimes. "I'll be home by your birthday and I'll have a surprise for you," she said, thinking of Chad. "Okay, as long as it won't kill me." "Alright. I'll let you go. I have to go check on Serena and the twins." Raye heard his good byes and snapped her cell phone shut. Walking down the hallway, she softly knocked on Serena's room door. Hearing a greeting, she entered as Carlin started cursing Serena with very...colorful language. Serena turned to Raye and said, "It's a good thing you're not Galen. Car would've jumped out of her bed and killed me." She picked Rene up and handed her off to Raye. "You need practice, Auntie Raye," Serena said with a smirk. Raye cradled the baby in her arms and felt the tears form in her eyes. Who would know that something so precious could be born from anything but love? * * * In California, Darien broke out a brandy decanter and added a small dollop to his coffee. He turned to Chad and broke out into a smile. "I'm a dad." Chad returned the smile and smacked Darien on the back. He deserved some sort of happiness after the hell he had been going through. Taking a dollop of brandy in his own coffee, he asked, "What did she name them?" Darien broke out a list of names Serena had given him a few nights ago. Sure enough, Doran and Renata were two that he had circled himself. Turning back to Chad, he answered, "She named them Doran Reece and Renata Dionne Chaucy." "Interesting choices, but unique," Chad said taking a swallow of his coffee. He smiled into his coffee cup and gave a slight chuckle. Darien turned toward him. "What's so funny?" Chad turned to him, gave a small chuckle, and asked, "Where's the one place we didn't look?" Darien paused for a moment. They had looked everywhere for Serena since the moment she had walked out of the door. Everywhere except... "Holy shit." Chad raised his cup in mock salute and said, "I second that notion." He put a hand on Darien's shoulder and said, "It seems that Carlin's prediction was double-edged. You will finally track her down in June and you will see her in December. The question is, what are you going to do now?" "Nothing." Darien turned toward a window and stared at the falling rain. Taking a sip of his coffee, he added, "Nothing until December that is." He stalked to his desk and said, "I need to run a few suggestions by Samantha. Then Serena will be mine."