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* ~ * IMPORTANT NOTE * ~ * 
There is a huge, 2 year gap from the last chapter to this one. You will find out why when 
you read the story. The POV is also no longer Serene, it's Darien. That's just so I can 
convey my point better. ^_^ 
 
 
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Love Through Time ~ A Serena and Darien Saga
Volume Two, Chapter Three
By Sailor Europa
 
 
    It's been two years. Two years since I last talked to her, saw her. Not to say I hadn't 
thought about her, of course. It was awfully hard to live through her birthday, or holidays. 
I did find out that she was home for Christmas the first year, but I had been away at my 
Grandfathers home, and didn't get to talk to her, although I'm not sure what I would even 
say had I gotten the chance. 
    It was rather hard when she left. Although, that was probably because I didn't find out 
about her departure until three days after the fact. I was a little miffed at the time that she 
didn't bother telling me. Despite the fact that the last night we saw each other was 
strange, I would have liked to believe that a decade of friendship was worth at least a 
good-bye.
    But I wasn't worried about that now. I learned enough in the previous two years to 
know that you can't dwell on the past. I had let it go, and the fact that the night of dance 
was so mind boggling only made that easier. Each time I think back to that night, I still 
can't believe the events. Things changed for me in an instant. I imagine it was the same 
for her, but still, it pains me to think of all she must have been going through. I honestly 
felt bad. I know I hadn't done anything, and maybe I had been a little too rash in my 
response, but honestly. It's not like it wasn't a surprise for me, probably even more so 
than it was for her. 
    But now, two years later, and she's coming home. I missed her a lot. Despite all the 
changes that occurred since then, I have to believe that things will now be the same. The 
same as they had been for the past ten years, minus the previous two, of course. I need 
my best friend back. I needed someone to talk to, have a real conversation with. Serene 
really was the only person, let alone female who really told me what she thought. Hell, 
she actually _thought_ ! It was rare to find someone I could really connect with on that 
level, and having her come back would be wonderful. I really missed my best friend, in 
more ways than one. 
*****
    "Oh Darien, it's so good to see you!" I heard a squeal practically wail from Selene, 
Serene's mother as I ventured into the sitting room of my mothers house. She jumped up 
immediately and wrapped her arms affectionately around me, rocking me back and forth 
as I were still 8. I laughed good-naturedly and hugged her tightly back. My own maternal 
figure stood up then, giving me a huge, bright smile and grasping my face in her hands, 
giving me a quick look over. She then giggled girlishly, sounding more like she was 20 
than 43 and pulled me into a fierce embrace, sighing contentedly as she clung to me. It 
had bee hard, since my father died last year, after a horrible stroke. She's been trying so 
hard, but I know she is still hurting, but she was tough. She's survive. 
    "Hi mother." I said, grinning from ear to ear as I turned to the other woman. "It's nice 
to see you again, Ms. Patrick." She smiled in reply. 
    "You can't stay away so long Darien! It's been at least a year since I last saw you." She 
said. I nodded, taking a seat next to my mother on the couch. 
    "Yeah, I've been so busy with the business lately, and it's hard to get away." I 
answered patiently, not really wanting to have to mention the family business that had 
been left on my shoulders as soon as my father had died. Along with college, I hardly had 
any time for anything else. 
    "Well, now that you've hired an assistant, not to mention summer break, you'll have a 
lot more time to spend here, I hope." My mother said, giving me a knowing wink and 
patting my shoulder. I grinned happily as I nodded, fully intending to carry my promise 
out. 
    "Well, Serene will certainly be happy about that. I'm sure she's been anxious to talk 
with you." She said, and I felt my muscles tense. I had hardly said anything to her mother 
in the past two years, and I had wondered more than one time whether Serene had told 
them all about that last night. I eyed her cautiously, hoping to catch a slight glimpse of 
her feelings towards the subject. I sighed in relief as I noticed no ill will towards me, 
sitting easily suddenly. 
    "When does she get in?" I asked curiously. 
    "Tomorrow, around noon. Your mother and I are having her for brunch, if you'd like 
to join us, Darien." Ms. Patrick replied. I thought for a second, not knowing whether to 
accept. I didn't know where Serene and I stood right now, whether she wanted to see me 
or not. I thought carefully. I didn't want to alienate her, but if she was still upset about 
that night, maybe being around other people would be the best way to sort things out. 
Deciding I was right, I accepted, my anticipation of her arrival growing. I really had 
missed her, and I was just beginning to realize how much. I could only hope things could 
go back to normal now. I needed my best friend, more than anything. 
*****
    It wasn't until later on in the day that I stumbled upon a thought provoking 
conversation between our two mothers, both huddled into a quiet little corner in the 
kitchen, their voices barely audible. Now, normally, I'm not one to eavesdrop, but I heard 
my name whispered and I couldn't walk away. I leaned in closer, careful neither could 
see my spying. 
    "Selene, do you think we should have told Darien?" My mother whispered. 
    "I don't know Sara. I don't really think it's our place, do you? Let Serene tell him. I 
mean, it's her news after all." My brow creased. Tell me what? As if my anxiety about 
tomorrow wasn't already sky-rocketing, this news certainly piqued my interest almost to 
the breaking point. I felt my heart beat fiercely and I began to wonder if it was bad news. 
Maybe she's been hurt....My heart throbbed at the thought. God, I'd never forgive myself 
if she had. I'd never even tried to get in touch with her these two years! I tried 
desperately to calm my already shattered nervous system, wondering if I would even 
survive until lunch. I bit my lip, shaking my head in confusion. All this, and she hadn't 
even arrived yet.....
*****
    "We'll be late mother, if you don't hurry. They're expecting us at 2...." I muttered 
impatiently for about the third time that afternoon. I paced nervously in my mothers 
entryway, as she proceeded to primp shamelessly in the mirror on the wall. I sighed in 
exasperation, and glanced at the clock again, groaning as I noticed the lack of time, that 
was only wearing down as we waited longer. 
    "Honey, we'll be fine. They aren't going to leave if we aren't there." She answered, 
annoyance dripping from her voice. I gave a quick sigh, following her out the door. 
    "Well with Serene, you never know...."
*****
    "Serene just got in, she's upstairs freshening up...." Mrs. Patrick noted, gesturing to the 
stairs as she led us into the dining room, where things had already been set up. I fidgeted 
anxiously with the fabric on my coat, which I had already placed in my lap. I looked 
around frantically, wishing things would just get started already. 
    "She looks just wonderful." Her mother said with a tiny sigh, a delighted smile tugging 
at her lips. "We missed her so much around here. It seems as if even the house is glad 
she's back!" She giggled, folding her napkin neatly in her lap. "It seemed twice as empty, 
what with Darien not scampering around here anymore either." She laughed in my 
direction. I added my own chuckle. 
    "With all due respect, I haven't 'scampered' anywhere in years...." Three voices rang 
with laughter, probably more from nervousness than anything else. I guess we were so 
caught up in ourselves, none of us heard the door open, because the next thing I knew, a 
fourth voice had joined in. 
    "I guess I missed more than I cared to admit, even when I'm back!" My head jolted to 
the side, catching the radiant smile of a much older, much more mature best friend. She 
was grinning madly, her eyes twinkling, obviously more overjoyed by the sight than any 
of it's other occupants. I remained mesmerized by the sight of my best friend as my 
mother took her cue to jump up and envelope her in a tight, protective hug. 
    "Oh, Serene, darling!" She squealed cheerily. She parted quickly, only to impulsively 
wrap her arms around her once more. Serene giggled happily at the attention, the smile 
never wearing away from her face. My mother finally let her go, and then stood tall, 
giving Serene a curious look over. "Turn around, let me get a good look at you!" Serene 
did a dramatic pivot, hands placed on her hips. My mother sighed in contentment as she 
gazed lovingly at the closest thing she ever had to a daughter. 
    "You look wonderful. So grown up! Such a change from the young girl who used to 
climb trees in her Sunday clothes every week." Serene laughed heartily, throwing her 
head back in one smooth motion, her hair dancing gaily over her shoulders. Her face was 
contorted in a perpetual smile, and it occurred to me that I missed that smile. Along with 
her, it had matured, but deep beneath the surface it was the same. Care-free, happy, 
jubilant as ever. I grinned ridiculously as I watched, unbeknownst to the beautiful woman 
that stood before me. God, she looked wonderful. 
    "And I don't suppose you remember this gentleman, do you?" Her mother asked 
curiously, standing up behind me, patting my back for emphasis. Her smile melted away, 
revealing the familiar, devil-may-care smirk I knew all too well. She threw her hands on 
her hips, tilting her head to the side as she shook her head. I returned it whole-heartedly 
as I stood up to face her. She had grown a few inches, her head now reaching just past my 
chest, her growth spurt almost catching up to the one I had been given three years ago. 
She had complained so fully when I shot up four inches that year, annoyed to no end that 
I could now over-power her in almost any sport. Now, she grinned knowingly at me, her 
eyes burning into my own, her head tipping back on the neck. She paused for a few 
seconds, an intense bond frozen in that second. Her light blue eyes were as deep as they 
had always been, determined and confident, but hidden behind them was a fiery passion, 
placed there after two years of independence and freedom. She simply glowed life and it 
all emitted from those glassy windows, framed by a dark set of lashes, hiding them ever 
so slightly. 
    "He seems vaguely familiar.....But I seem to remember him being a lot taller." Her 
voice was soft and low as she looked curiously at me, playing the confused roll quite 
well. I groaned, annoyed by the antics and she finally stopped with a quiet laugh. She 
threw her arms around me then, pulling me tightly to her body. I gasped for air, but 
returned the warm embrace fully, my arms encircling her slender waist and hugging her 
fiercely. She sighed happily into my ear and I grinned once again, so happy to have her 
back where she belonged. She had been gone far too long. 
    "I missed you so much." She whispered delicately, her breath teasing the tips of my 
ear. I smiled happily, squeezing her even tighter. 
    "I missed you too....."
*****
    "Paris was lovely, far more than I ever expected." Serene chatted away carelessly in 
between sips from her tea cup. We all nodded politely, adding a question every now and 
then, but basically letting her talk our ears off. She had been gone for so long, she could 
have spouted off political campaigns and I think we all would have been happy. "I tell 
you, after two years of the food, I don't think I'll ever be satisfied with English cuisine 
again...." I smiled, not managing a full laugh. I kind of tuned her out after that, only 
needing to watch her. I couldn't believe she was really back, for good. After the death of 
my father, struggling to make it on my own, all the while trying to convince my mother 
everything would be fine in both our lives, I needed the stability she had always offered 
me so fully and easily. It was hard now, even after only a few minutes of having her 
back, to imagine my life without her again. She had been a big part of my life, and I 
wanted to keep it that way. 
    "Are the French as mean as everyone says they are?" My mother asked curiously and I 
laughed. Serene glanced at me and smiled knowingly.
    "Not really. When I first arrived it was rather difficult, my French wasn't quite up to 
standards, but once I got into the whole culture, the everyday life, it was much easier. It 
was simply a matter of acclimating myself to the country." She nodded, taking another 
sip. 
    "Weren't you lonely? I mean, you were so far from home, and you didn't know 
anyone. I can't imagine doing that myself." She asked again. Serene was thoughtful for a 
moment before shaking her head. 
    "I was so afraid to begin with, as the boat left, but once I arrived and was on my own it 
just felt so right. I really needed to leave and experience things on my own. I had out 
grown my life here, and it was only a matter time before it happened anyway. I was lucky 
to get the opportunity to go, and I'm glad I went when I did. I guess it was just cutting all 
the strings that held me here." I almost choked. The inevitable reference to her last night 
in London. I gulped nervously, staring down at the shaking cup I held in my left hand. 
Her tone wasn't saddened though, and I thought that was kind of....mean. That night had 
been horrible, probably more so for her than me, but now it sounded like she 
was....blaming me for leaving. Or saying I pushed her into doing it, I guess. I frowned. 
Now the previous years seemed even more miserable than I had originally thought, 
seeing as how I kind of forced it on myself. 
    "I met so many wonderful people also, and that just made it so much easier to get used 
to it." She added. I was confused by this time. Her voice was calm as she spoke, no trace 
of sadness or remorse, and I couldn't help but think that there should have been a little bit 
of unsteadiness in her speech, at least when she made the reference to the party. Or at 
least, that's what I thought. 
    "So how long will you be staying here, Serene?" My mother asked. I perked up. 
Staying? She wasn't staying for good? 
    "A few weeks, at the most. It just depends on how long it takes to prepare." Prepare? 
For what? My mind stopped, my hearing piqued at the conversation. There was definitely 
something here that I was missing. 
    "Oh, that's much too short a time! You really should..." My mother was cut off by a 
whistling coming from the kitchen. 
    "There's the rest of the tea." She jumped right up, throwing an apologetic look our way 
and my mother jumped up to help. I watched carefully as the two left, waiting for the 
door to shut fully before I pounced. Serene went right back to sipping her own tea, 
oblivious to the incredulous and annoyed look on my face. 
    "What's all this about you leaving, Serene?" I popped up from my own chair, moving 
into the one her mother had occupied. I leaned in close and she raised a confused 
eyebrow, obviously thinking I should have known. She gave me a serious look as she put 
down her cup to face me. 

"Darien, I'm engaged." 
 
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aaaaaaaaaaaaand THERE it is! The boom has been lowered! It's a one-way street from here! 
After the last volume, I think it's time Darien suffered a bit, don't you agree? 

Burn baby, burn.....

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