Aaaaaah, nothing I enjoy more as a writer than a good cliffhanger to keep the readers on their toes! slr_europa@yahoo.com http://www.geocities.com/slr_europa AIM :: SeeShelliRun *********************************** Love Through Time ~ A Serena And Darien Saga Volume Two, Chapter Four By Sailor Europa "You're...you're what?!" I practically coughed up the gulp of tea I had just taken. Serene sat, stone faced, across from me, blinking obliviously. My eyes wide, I tried to grasp some sense of sanity and redeem my image. Things didn't seem to be going quite as I had planned. "I thought your mother would have told you before I came. I didn't want to scare you, but I guess that couldn't be avoided." She answered calmly. I sputtered a couple times, my mind trying to find the right words for what I wanted to say. I clenched my fists, my nails ripping into my flesh as my brain whirled in almost every direction. "Are you insane?" There, that seemed to fit quite well. She raised an annoyed eyebrow and stared me down for a few moments. "No, actually, I am about as sane as I've ever been. I didn't rush into this, I spent quite a bit of time deciding. It just seems hasty because you' re just finding out about it." She shrugged, brushing off my frantic behavior completely. "How....How could you not tell me about this?" My voice had softened by now, and the news had actually begun to sink in. I looked seriously into her eyes and grabbed her hand. She returned the gaze and sighed. "I....I'm not sure, Darien. That last night was.....well, really strange to put it bluntly. I wasn't sure how you felt about our relationship, and frankly, I wasn't so sure about it myself. I just didn't know how to tell you, or how you would react when I _did_ tell you. I figured it would just be easier if I did it in person." She answered, punctuating the thought with a sigh. She retracted her hand and began sipping her tea again. I sat back, exhaling deeply. I stared off into nowhere, delving into thought. God, engaged! And to who? Someone she had only known a year at the most, probably....Wow....I was so sure I had prepared myself for almost anything. This had completely knocked the wind out of me. "So......When do we get to meet this man?" I asked curiously. I was anxious to see who she picked to spend the rest her life with. God, even _thinking_ about her with a man seemed strange. "He's coming in on Tuesday." She replied, nodding. I joined in, not exactly sure what else should be said. "He'll be staying until the wedding." "Are you going to have it here?" She nodded. "He agreed to have it in London, since I would be moving back to France with him after the wedding." I choked again. "WHAT?!" She sighed, placing her cup back on the saucer with a flourish. "His work is in Paris, Darien! Don't tell me you thought he would stay in France while I lived here, did you?" She asked incredulously. I paused for a second, not sure how to answer. Of course she was right. But she just came back....And then she was going to be leaving after only a few weeks? "Of course not, Ser, I'm just.....shocked, I guess. This is a total surprise to me, you know." I gave her a half smile and she grinned back. "I know, and I'm sorry about that. But like I said...." She trailed off and I put a hand up to stop her. "I know, I know...." I smiled bravely, even though I really felt like screaming. "I'll get over it. I got over you leaving, didn't I?" She smirked. "Which reminds me, how is the lovely Suzanne? According to your mother, you two have been pretty caught up in each other." It was kinda funny, I hadn't thought about Suzanne all day, and now that she asked, I couldn't even remember what we had been doing. "Just fine." I lied. She had actually been pretty upset when I told her I wouldn't be seeing her for a while, seeing as how Serene was back. Guess that was a hasty decision on my part. I don't know why, but my mind wandered back to the night of party, and the way I acted. I bit my lip. "Ser, I wanted to...." I was interrupted by the entrance of our mothers, chatting madly, holding a tray of cakes and more tea. I groaned and turned away, leaning my head back in frustration against my chair. She turned towards them as well, all but forgetting our conversation. "So Serene, tell us more about this gentleman of yours....." I groaned inwardly, careful not to make it audible to anyone else. Serene grinned ridiculously. How much more of this could I take? ***** "I can't believe you didn't tell me she was engaged..." I moaned loudly to my mother as we entered the front gate to our house, walking up the long gravel road. She turned towards me, her pace not faltering. "It's Serene's news, Darien. It wasn't my place to tell you." She answered simply and I frowned like mad, hoping she'd notice my displeasure. "Oh honey, don't pout. Besides, you found out, didn't you? What good will it do to sulk?" I sighed, knowing she was right. I guess it hadn't completely sunk in yet. I creased my forehead and bit my lip anxiously. Something about this didn't sit right in me. I mean, she's been gone for two years, and then, out of the blue she's engaged. Last I remembered, she was in love with me.... "I guess....I'm just a little disbelieving. It's hard for me to see her getting married. She's been my best friend for years, and now....She'll be leaving for good." My mother nodded sadly. "I know I'll miss her...." She replied, a touch of depression in her voice. I frowned more at this, knowing that it was just as hard for her as it was for me. Serene was like her daughter, and she often played the mother figure to her whenever Selene had been away. I realized it must be like losing the daughter you never had.... "Me too....It's a shame I won't have her all to myself for very long." I grinned, my mother laughing along. She smiled at me. "Guess I'll have to make the most of my time...." Her chuckling trailed off. "I'm sure Suzanne won't like having to fight for your attention. She's never been one to take to kindly to other females...." She said, a note of distaste in her voice, practically biting out the name of my conquest. I gave a small laugh of amusement myself. "Suzanne is very.....territorial, you might say." I thought back to the night I told her Serene was coming back into town, and how she practically did everything but wrap her tiny little arms around my knees to keep me from seeing her. I shook my head at the memory, and that look of vengeance on her face as I left her house that evening. It'd be a long time before she completely forgave me for this.... "But why is she so protective of you? Especially around Serene. She knows how close the two of you are." She asked, her prying techniques not ceasing. I sighed, shrugging. "God only knows. She'll get over it, she always does." I replied easily. It was true. She'd forgiven me, not too quickly, for almost everything I'd done in the past, and I couldn't imagine this being any different. "Well, you better hope so. She's pretty much been the only female you' ve given any attention to since Serene left...." I frowned. "Serene and Suzanne.....are two separate cases. My relationships with them are completely different." I said, the confusion plainly displayed in my voice. My mother sighed, exasperated. "So you've pointed out, on a number of occasions, but women are different, Darien. If you're giving one more attention than the other, whether it's friendly or romantic, they really can't tell the difference." She paused, her face obviously trying to decide whether to add something. I waited patiently, mentally urging her onward. "And after some years pass, sometimes the line between friendly and romantic acquaintances becomes non-existent." "What?!" I had to keep my voice in check as I headed her off, my mind blazing. "Just what are you insinuating?" she sighed and shook her head. "I'm not insinuating anything Darien, I'm just stating the facts. People change, so do feelings. Unfortunately, feelings are the hardest things to accept." I shook my bewildered head, not believing what I was hearing. "I don't think I understand exactly what you're trying to tell me." She stopped, spinning on her heel to face me. "I'm not trying to tell you anything. Just be careful with the way you handle Suzanne." She began walking again, the matter obviously not up for anymore discussion. I heaved a large sigh and fell into step beside her, as we walked the short distance back to the house. I made a mental note right then: Never expect anything from now on. Because life always has plans of its own. ***** "Darien!" Serene gave me a surprised smile as she opened the front door of her mothers house. "I wasn't expecting you....Would you like to come in?" I shook my head. "No, actually, we're going out." I gave her my most suave smile, crossing my arms across my chest. She leaned against the door frame, her eyes suspicious as she smirked. "Oh we are? And just where are we going?" She asked softly, lowering her eyes in a conspiratorial note. I grinned fully pulling my left arm from behind my back, revealing a large wicker basket. "On a picnic by the lake." I answered, grabbing her arm and yanking her onto the front step next to me. She laughed, pulling her arm lightly away and putting her hands on her hips. "Did it ever occur to you to ask?" I feigned thought for a second, tapping my chin as I pretended to dwell on the matter. She giggled softly. "No....No, I don't think it did. Now come on." I grabbed her wrist again and tugged on her arm playfully again, dragging her behind me as I walked quickly down her front walk and beyond the gate, her gentle laughs wafting through the air. I grinned fully, everything feeling so perfect right then, as she resisted slightly, wrenching her arm every so often. I squeezed it tighter, a few little yelps of pain escaping through the laughter. I glanced back at her wriggling figure, wiggling my eyebrows in amusement and she scowled, her bottom lip puncturing her otherwise perfect face. I chuckled happily, finally letting her right arm go, a small squeak of surprise emitting as she stumbled backwards. "Did you have to drag me?" She asked angrily, her smile betraying her otherwise convincing tone of voice. I nodded and she gave me a playful smack on the shoulder. I grinned as she pulled in right next to me, her eyes squinting into the high, noon day sun. She looked wonderful as usual, a deep red satin dress falling perfectly over her, well, let's just say it, well developed body. I appreciatively noticed the changes she had gone through, even though the difference in her appearance was minuscule. There was more of a...confident aura around her now. She held her head high, comfortable with the silence that surrounded us now. It was pleasant to say the least. To say the most would be....Sensual, I guess would be the best way to describe it. Yeah, the air around her was incredibly sensual. Which, in itself was nice to be around, but I found it a little strange since it was _her_ . Although I confess it really wasn't all that hard to get used to.... ***** "Aaaah....." I yawned, reclining fully over the quilt I had packed in with the lunch. I sighed happily, my hand laying on my now completely full stomach. Serene giggled gently and gave my belly a tiny little slap. I groaned in pretend agony and rolled onto my side to face her. She grinned down at me with a lop-sided smile, leaning her weight upon her left arm. Her hair had grown considerably, and was now wafting gently over her shoulder, her head titled slightly to the side. It danced when she laughed, and when the sun caught it, it was almost blinding, the shades it turned. I was probably grinning ridiculously right then, but I couldn't help it. I was blissfully happy right then. Everything was as it should be, and I didn't want to change one tiny little detail. I really couldn't have asked for more. "You make a good lunch...." She said sarcastically and I grinned into the sun, little beads of perspiration building from the heat. "We should have done that before." She added, laying down next to me. I plopped onto my back, making a cradle with my arms behind my head. "Well, seeing as how you were in Paris for the past two years...." I said matter of factly, and she groaned, covering her face with her hands. I turned only my head this time, and she peaked out at me through her fingers. I laughed. "Are you ever going to forgive me for leaving?" She asked, annoyed. I thought for a second. "We'll have to see about that." I said, pulling my body up, the motion punctuated with long moans of agony. I stood up, stretching, and she shielded her eyes with a hand as she gave me a curious look. I flashed her a wicked grin and grabbed her arm again, a small groan escaping her tired body. "Oh, now where are you hauling me off to?" She huffed out, pulling her arm back with as much might as she could. I chuckled as I thrust her forward, down the hills, finally reaching the low banks of the azure lake. "I didn't want to take a walk by myself...." I said finally as I once more let go of her hand and she shot me a furious look, rubbing her ferociously crimson wrists. She sighed, giving in and finally quickening her pace to catch up to me. "You still need someone to keep you company?" I laughed, giving her a cock-eyed smile. She smirked, not bothering to turn to face me, her head turned in a beautiful profile, nose turned upwards towards the sun. She inhaled a deep breath, taking in the cool breeze from the lake as it stirred the few golden strands of hair that mingled about her porcelain complexion. I blinked a couple of times, my mind still mesmerized by the complexity of her features, such a change from the stiff, cynical tom boy I used to wrestle with. Her eyes touched on the edges of passion, but still swimming with all the intelligence and intensity that I was so used to. Each area on her face was heaven kissed, and I don't think I could have come up with a more perfect person if I tried. I don't know what I must have looked like right then, but I realized just in time I had let a tiny little, half smile slide onto my lips, and I whipped it off just as soon as I made the connection. It didn't stop me from admiring her, though. I tried to convince myself she couldn't have changed _that_ much in only two years, but watching her now, I realized how hard a task that was. She become a different person, and it was all I could do to keep my eyes off her. "Ser...." She immediately looked up at me, a quizzical look on her face. I remained serious though, a thought plaguing my mind. "Ser, that last night....." She nodded, a knowing look crossing her face. "I'm really sorry about the way I handled things." A beautiful blush tainted her cheeks, coloring her features a pale red. She waved a hand at me dismissively, obviously a little embarrassed by the event. "Darien, it's OK, really...." I shook my head, my jaw clenching. "No, Ser, it's not OK. Even after I let those words escape...." I took a deep breath. "I knew I was in the wrong." Her eyebrow raised and her mouth hung slightly open. "I was so rash, and I realized those feelings were new to you too. I could have handled the situation much better. I was just so....shocked. " She nodded, her face now expressionless. "It was strange for me too, you know." She laughed a little. She grew solemn again. "But Darien," She grabbed my hand and looked me square in the face. "I understand, I really do." Her smile was unfaltering, her expression the picture of kindness. For a few seconds we just stood like that, my somewhat larger hand cradled gently in her tiny one, just kind of catching each others gaze. Her eyes were so blue, and I was so close to them, it was the simplest motion to get lost in them. The intensity crackled within them, but was contained by the sweetness on her features, not letting out the passion she held inside. Her face didn't change, she didn't get nervous or start getting flustered by this time. She was completely still, as all the energy was concentrated on our locked gaze. She blinked a few times, her thick lashes ever so lightly breaking the hold we had made. "I am sorry Serene...." My voice cracked, my mind not sure exactly what I was sorry for, but knowing that it had to be said. She bit her lip slightly, her gaze trailing downwards as she nodded. Her head brushed my chest lightly, and it was at that simple movement I realized how close we were right then. I didn't know when, or how the space between us had lessened, but we were now just inches apart. I gulped as I stared intensely at her form, not bothering to look away when she did. I then impulsively took her face on my hand, after gently retracting it from her own, my eyes squinting slightly as I forced her to make eye contact. I don't even know why, but I could feel the need to get myself lost in her eyes right then, something I had refused to do before, with anyone. She didn't refuse or even fight me, but I could see her eyebrows burrowed slightly, a touch of confusion tinted in her normally glittering eyes. A fire lit beneath me right then and there, and something in me stirred. It was a feeling everyone else had failed to bring up, and my heart pounded and my mind raced, but everything else stopped. I was so confused and scared right then, but I refused to move. I don't remember moving an inch, but all of a sudden, her nose was centimeters from mine, her mouth slightly open in surprise, and I found myself urging my body onward, closer and closer.... "Serene!" Her body wrenched away at the voice, my hand falling from her face and back down to my waiting side. She shot me a red faced, apologetic look, and ran towards the voice. "I'm sorry, I'll be right back....." Her voice trailed away as her figure disappeared over the hill, her footsteps barely audible on the soft earth. My eyes grew wide as my hand found my forehead in shock. What had just ended? What was I doing? I shook my head violently, trying to shake away the strange thoughts and occurrences it had been going through. I wasn't sure what had happened, but as I felt my pulse slow to normal and the perspiration recede from my brow, I began to feel more like my original self. I sighed in confusion, my feet dragging as I burned a trail back to our picnic site. I laid my body down on the blanket with an exhausted flourish, closing my eyes as soon as I had made myself comfortable. I heaved a content sigh, my mind pushing all the confusing thoughts from it for the moment. I couldn't explain it all, and right then I wasn't looking to. I didn't want anything to complicate my life then, I was ecstatic with it just as it was. Right now, having Serene back in my life was enough. "Serene...." I muttered aloud, realizing it'd been a couple minutes since she'd been gone. My brow creased as I sat up, looking around to see if she had returned. Becoming thoroughly confused, I pulled my tired body up, dusting off my clothes absently. I began looking around, before I trudged up the hill where she had since disappeared from. My eyes shot from side to side, before I finally caught sight of a figure a few hundred feet ahead of me. Grinning evilly, I started a light jog as the figure came closer and closer. I squinted against the blazing sun, trying desperately to make out the now confusing form that had begun to take shape. My jog slowed to a crawl quickly after, my feet rooted in the ground where I stood. Sure enough, one hundred feet in front of me was Serene. And she wasn't alone. Wrapped in a dizzying embrace was my best friend, her arms tightly wound around the neck of a tall, blonde man, his body pushed tightly into her own, both oblivious of the lonely figure of the man who stood a few feet away. My heart stopped, and every muscle went numb as my world dropped like a stone around me. I gulped slowly, not able to close my eyes, though desperately wanting to as the image was burned painfully into my memory. I wanted to die, my one reason for living now revealing her passion and emotions fully to another. Everything hurt inside me, ached for reasons I couldn't comprehend. The only thing I understood at that moment was that things would never, ever be the same again. *********************************** HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! SUFFER! SUFFER, you weak-willed, rose-throwing, cheap speech spewing - Whoops, wrong alter-ego.... Either way, poor Usa deserves a little happiness. :) Darien will get his... eventually. Feedback? :) slr_europa@yahoo.com http://www.geocities.com/slr_europa AIM :: SeeShelliRun