Title: Love Through Time: Vol.1, Chp.2
Author: Sailor Europa
Rating: pg

________________________________________________________________________________

Well, I’ll try again! OK, this is my third attempt to write this thing, and
get it saved. For some ODD reason, my computer keeps screwing up, and losing
whatever I write. I’ll try something new this time, and hopefully it’ll
work. Needless to say, I’m pretty damn frustrated by this, and to top it
off, I was up until 4 yesterday, so I’m also pretty tired. Anyway, here’s
Vol.1, Chp. 2, for "Love Through Time" for ya’! Hope you all enjoy it! I
haven’t done any thanks for a while, so I think I will right now! Sidnei -
Who reads ALL my stories before I ever post them anywhere! You REALLY need
to write more, girl! Lianne - What CAN’T you say about her? The only writer
I know who can do both a comedy and romance story simultaneously, and still
have them both be outstanding stories! Jen Wand - The GODDESS of Fanfiction!
I cried like a baby over "Darien’s View"! OK, enough sucking up! Here’s
Chapter 2! - slr_europa@yahoo.com

**********************

Love Through Time ~ A Darien And Serena Saga
Volume I, Chapter II

        "The insolence of that upstart!" I heard Harlan mumble to himself,
as I
ventured back inside. I found him pacing back and forth, his head down,
muttering about our guest.
        "Really Harlan, he was a guest! How could you be so rude?" I asked,
tentatively approaching him. I knew enough to be cautious when he was in
these moods. He whirled around at this, his eyes flaring.
        "That impudent young man enters MY home, and proceeds to insinuate
that I
am a bad father, and you feel the need to defend him, Serena?" He bellowed,
his face turning all sorts of shades.
        "For God’s sake, he saved your daughters life! How can you be so
cruel? If
it wasn’t for him, Selene could be DEAD right now!" I shot back. I was
appalled by how unreasonable Harlan was being about this. This was totally
uncalled for!
        "He was a disrespectful little roach, and I am only glad that I will
never
have to see his wretched face again." He bit out, a sneer rising from his
face.
        "I’m sure he feels the same way, but I’ll make sure I tell him that
when I
see him." I muttered, feeling the tension drop slightly. I began to clean up
the dishes from the table, when Harlan whipped around, his body writhing in
anger.
        "You are to never see that man again, do you understand me? I don’t
want
you or Selene near him, ever!" He barked at me, his voice getting raspy from
his shouting. I began to feel own anger rise, as he spoke. I was starting to
feel like a prisoner in my own home. I wasn’t part of his family, I was his
employee! Someone he could control like a chess piece!
        "He saved Selene’s life, and I WILL thank him for it, with or
without your
permission." I said, standing up straight as I spoke. I watched him begin to
walk towards me, his fists clenched at his sides, so tightly the knuckles
turned white. I felt my confidence slip away as he stopped, 6 inches from my
face.
        "Most men in town would strike their wives at such talk Serena. I
may be
under control now, but mark my words, one day you’ll regret ever talking
back to me. You will be sorry." He said, his hot breath beating down on me
as his eyes bore into my own. I could feel my back writhing in fear, and I
couldn’t move. Harlan had never struck me before, nor had he threatened to.
I knew he was right. He wouldn’t tolerate this anymore, but I was in too
deep now. He wasn’t the sort who respected women, but I wasn’t looking for
his respect. All I could think about was freedom.

***************

        "Hello Mrs. William’s!"
        "Good Day, Elizabeth." I answered the petite, cheery eyed maid.
        "Mrs. Ansel will be out in a few minutes. She’s helping Anna with
the tea."
She said, as she led me into the small, cozy parlor. I sat down on the
velvet couch, as I looked around the familiar room. This was the home of
Patrice and William Ansel. Patrice had been my best friend since I married
Harlan, and she knew everything that went on in our home. She was the only
person who knew how unhappy I was with Harlan. She, on the other hand, was
the picture of happiness in her home. She was deeply in love with William,
and I understood why. He was handsome, kind, warm, and extremely caring. He
was unlike most men in town, in the fact that he had the utmost admiration
for his wife, and respected her more than anyone. His only flaw was the fact
that he was a colleague of Harlan’s, and, although he knew better, he stood
up for him, his defense that Harlan was "smart, and well thinking.".
        "Serena!" I heard Patrice squeal, as she threw open the door. She
walked
quickly to the couch, leading Anna into the room with a large silver tray,
and teapots in hand. "Oh, you haven’t come over in such a long time! What
have you been doing?" She asked, sitting down next to me. I smiled, knowing
fully well that she knew what had happened. She was simply waiting for me to
tell her.
        "Well, Selene had an accident, unfortunately." I heard Patrice gasp,
"She’s
perfectly fine of course, but it did keep my busy."
        "What happened?" She asked.
        "She was playing in the oak in the front, and she fell. It had to be
the
most frightening thing I’ve ever witnessed." I said, shuddering as I
remembered. Patrice’s forehead wrinkled in concern as she listened.
        "Well what did you do?" She said.
        "Panic first of all." I said, laughing a little. "I wasn’t quite
sure where
to go, but I finally ran into a young man who helped me take her to the
doctor." I said, shaking my head, reminded of the past night’s fight between
Darien and Harlan. "I don’t know what I would have done, had he not shown
up."
        "Who was he? Anyone you knew?"
        "No, I’d never seen him before in my life. I suppose he moved here
recently, but he knew exactly where to go. His name was Darien Jacobson. He
was extremely kind, and I wish I knew how to thank him enough for it." I
said, sighing, still thinking about Harlan’s threat last night. I was more
worried about what Harlan would do if he ever found out.
        "Hmm. " She said, thinking.
        "Harlan detests him, however I can’t figure out why." Patrice raised
a
suspicious eyebrow at me, and I laughed.
        "I invited him over for dinner last night, in order to thank him,
but he
and Harlan got into an awful fight. They even woke Selene up." I said,
shaking my head at the memory. I didn’t want to think what would have
happened if she hadn’t woken up.
        "Well, I’ve never known Harlan to be a rational man, you know.
Although,
your right, it really doesn’t make sense why he didn’t appreciate what he
did. You’d think he’d be grateful!" Patrice marveled. I nodded quietly,
still thinking it over.
        "Harlan warned me never to see him again, but I don’t think I could
live
with myself if I didn’t do something to thank him. He really does deserve
it, despite what Harlan thinks." I mused. It was her turn to nod.
        "You had better be careful, though. Harlan is liable to be very
upset
should he find out." She warned, raising her eyes. I smiled. I could be
almost positive that he would never find out, however. He was at work during
the day, and I was always alone, besides Selene and the few workers in the
house.
        "You needn’t worry about that, Patrice. He may be respected, but
he’s also
rather blind to these things." I laughed. I knew I could count on her to
keep silent too. She wasn’t too fond of Harlan herself, although she rarely
voiced that opinion to me. Most people felt the same way. Myself included.

***********

        Although I desperately wanted to thank Darien, I realized I knew
next to
nothing about the man! I was in a such a panic when Selene fell that I
didn’t think to ask him where he worked, or where he lived. I really had no
idea who I would ask about such things, or where I should start. I decided
though, that it would be best to ask around where we first met. On the
street, just after Selene’s accident, if I could find my way back there....
        I had a lot of time that afternoon, and decided that I would go
today. I
left our home around eleven o’clock, and ventured through the somewhat busy
streets of Stratford. Before too long, I found myself right where I wanted
to be. Just a few feet down the block was the doctor’s where we had taken
Selene. I smiled to myself, happy at my self-reliance. This tiny bit of
independence was a new thing for me, and it felt good. I hardly ever went
out of the house during the day unescorted. Harlan would probably whip me if
he knew.
        I suddenly realized that I wasn’t scared of the consequences. After
that
evening, after standing up to Harlan, I realized that I had confidence.
Confidence that I never realized before. It was exhilarating, knowing that I
could be strong, rather than Harlan’s doormat. I also felt I owed a little
bit of that to Darien. Watching him stand up to Harlan was overwhelming.
Most people knew enough not to. Knew that Harlan was a powerful man in this
town, and he wouldn’t hesitate on using that power on people. Especially
people he didn’t particularly like.
        I laughed aloud as I realized what I had been thinking about. I
hardly knew
this man! And yet, I was practically calling him my savior! I realized I was
coming on a small store on the corner of the street I was on, and decided
this would be the best place to start. I don’t know what I expected, but I
had to begin somewhere.
        It was a large book store, probably one of the bigger ones in town,
I
mused. In the back corner, was a large oak desk, and perched on a large
cushioned chair was him, Darien. I laughed at my good luck, just before
realizing I didn’t know what I was going to say to him. I didn’t expect to
find him so easily, and now that I had, I really wasn’t sure what to do! I
did decide that standing there in the middle of the store was a bad idea, so
I collected my courage and walked slowly to the back of the room, my heart
pounding. I felt my palms get clammy, and my mind whirled. What was the
matter with me? All this, just because I was going to talk to him? I must
have been more nervous than I thought!
        He watched me curiously as I approached, and I knew he was trying to
figure
out who I was. A look of recognition crossed his face, and a large grin
spread. He jumped right up from behind the desk and walked to meet me. I
began to feel myself smile as well, I imagined we must look incredibly
silly, just smiling at each other, but I couldn’t help it.
        "I never expected to see your beautiful face in here, Serena. This
is a
pleasant surprise, I must say!" He remarked. I smiled in reply.
        "I must admit that I was quite shocked to find you here." I laughed
lightly
at my own private joke. "I was planning on asking around town for you, but
this made it a lot easier." He gave me a suspicious yet suggestive look and
I felt the blood rise to my face as my cheeks grew hot. I ducked my head as
I began to explain. "I wanted to apologize again for last night. I want to
assure you that my husband isn’t usually so....uh, rude." I said, struggling
to find a better word but falling short. He nodded in response but kept a
respectful silence. "I hope you won’t judge my family on Harlan’s
outbursts."
        "I’ll tell you Ms. Williams, I could never judge a family on such a
poor
example." He said as he turned and headed back to his desk, practically
making me scurry after him just to make him audible. He suddenly turned
around, making me halt to a stop, as he added, "I’d much rather judge it on
_you_ ." My feet grew stiff and I felt myself bolted to the floor, as his
eyes bore passionately into my own, and I found it impossible to look away.
He gave me a slight smile after what seemed like an eternity, and turned
back to his desk. I exhaled a large breath I hadn’t realized I’d been
holding in as I rubbed my now moist palms onto the silky fabric of my dress.
        "Mr. Jacobson, I must ask that you don’t say such things like that."
I gave
a nervous nod in the direction of the door. "Harlan is well known around
town, and if anything got back to him...." His head popped up from looking
at his books and he gave me a serious look.
        "I’m sure the people of this town have better things to do than
gossip
about me." He gave me a matter -of - fact grin as he added, "I also get the
feeling most people here feel the same way I do about Mr. Harlan Williams."
He turned around again and I bit my lip in anticipation when I heard his
muffled voice call "Including _you_ ."
        My brow furrowed and I almost raised my voice when the bell rang,
signaling
another customer had entered. Without so much as a glance or even an
acknowledging gesture, he left to attend to the new person. I huffed in
frustration before giving in to his logic a second later. He was right, and
I knew it. I sighed defeatedly and leaned against his desk. I had the sudden
urge to just leave the store and never come back. That of course would be
the responsible thing to do, but for some reason, I didn’t move. I mingled
around the back, picking a few books off the shelves and flipping through
them. It was amidst my rummaging when an excess volume clattered to the
wooden floor and I uttered a few remarks and bent down to replace it back in
its’ place. I was dusting the binding off as I read the cover when a
seemingly loud voice boomed behind me.
        "That’s one of my favorites." I sucked in a breath as I whirled
protectively around, my face going pale as a ghost. I gave a relieved sigh
as an amused figure began to laugh at my expense. I thrust my hands on my
hips as I gave a disparaging glare at Darien, who now stood, shaking with
laughter a few feet above me. "I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you." I
let out another estranged breath and looked up at him.
        "I meant it though. That’s one of the best." He said grinning as he
pointed
to the leather bound book. "Do you read much?" I nodded as I casually leafed
through the pages.
        "When I can. Harlan of course buys all the books, but I’m usually
the one
who ends up reading them." I punctuated the thought with a small laugh. "He
says there are too many conflicting thoughts in them. Usually quits halfway
through if they don’t agree with him." Darien gave a huge grin and nodded.
        "I never pictured Mr. Williams as a particularly open-minded man."
He said
to no one in particular. I turned back to the book as I examined the text.
"Would you like to buy it?" I looked up suddenly and shook my head
immediately.
        "Harlan would never let me buy this alone. I’d have to bring him
back with
me, before he’d spend his money on...." Before I could finish, Darien had
grabbed the book from my hands and had taken it back to the desk, causing me
to follow him curiously around again, frustrated at this little game of tag
he seemed to be leading. He arrived his desk and jotted something down then
looked up, a beautiful smile lighting up his face.
        "Then take it. It’s yours." I gave him a questioning look, as if he
hadn’t
understood a word I had just said. "Call it a gift." I sighed in
exasperation and shook my head slowly.
        "I can’t. Harlan wouldn’t like it...." I said reluctantly, gazing at
the
book he had pushed towards me.
        "I’m not trying to please Harlan." He said shortly. I gazed at it
longingly, wanting to take it so badly. I gritted my teeth, trying to come
up with reasons to just take off and leave. I glanced tentatively up at him,
and he cocked an eyebrow, testing me. "It’s a gift, nothing more." I
breathed out and gave in to him, taking the book and placing it in my hand
bag.
        "I’d like to pay you for it, somehow..." I said, still reluctant to
accept
it so willingly. He shook his head.
        "It’s yours, pure and simple." He replied easily. I looked up
questioningly
and his quiet gaze assured me. I smiled brightly and he gave me an easy grin
back. "Maybe someday you’ll return next time you need a book." I laughed and
nodded. I glanced at his clock and turned back to him.
        "I really must go. It’s almost 1, and I promised Selene I’d eat
lunch with
her." He nodded and waved goodbye. I turned and headed to the door when I
turned around impulsively and gave him my biggest smile. "And thank you for
the book!" He gave me one last wave, and I was out the door.

********

        "I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you read so much in one week, let
alone one
day Mrs. Williams!" Sarah exclaimed as she walked inside the back door, her
hair frazzled from a rambunctious afternoon with Selene. I looked up,
marking my page as I laughed.
        "It’s very interesting. Probably one of the best I’ve ever read." I
said,
gesturing to the book. She nodded knowingly. A cry rang through the air,
fading clearly into a high pitched giggle, and Sarah heaved a great sigh.
With a few meager steps she was headed out the door once again, chasing
wearily after the tiny little terror. I turned my attention back to my
reading, now almost half way through the book.
        It wasn’t much longer until all 254 pages were done, and I shut the
back
cover with flourish.
        "Whew!" I said, leaning back into the cushions of the chair in the
parlor.
I rubbed my tired eyes as I checked the clock above the mantel. Only another
hour before Harlan returned. I grimaced. I knew there was no way he could
possibly know that I had run into Darien, but my heart pounded fiercely in
my chest at the very thought. I sighed in fear as I picked up the book and
placed it in its’ now permanent home, nestled in between Harlan’s many
volumes. I knew he would never notice one new book, especially since he
never even bothered to give the case a second look. I dusted my hands and
stepped back. I turned and left the room, hoping to fix my now crumpled
clothes before my darling husband returned home.

********

        "Well Darling, how was your day?" The youngster squealed in delight
as her
father pulled her easily off the floor and tossed her into the air. She
giggled profusely and even I had to smile as her face lit up with bliss. She
really was beautiful, I had to admit. Not that it was a hard thing to
admit......
        "Sarah and I played tag outside, and Mommy and I ate lunch
together." She
giggled as he bounced her. "The we played tag again!" he laughed heartily as
he pulled her to his side and walked into the dining room, just as Sarah was
setting the table for supper.
        "It sounds like you had a pretty full day." Selene nodded in reply
as he
set her down at the table, and she ungracefully sniffed the permeated air,
trying to identify the dinner the maids had been preparing. I followed the
two and eventually found my own seat just as the service began.
        Dinner was silent, and I ate cautiously, waiting upon the inevitable
question as to what I had done today. I had carefully orchestrated a long
story that I had also instructed the maids to go along with. My mouth chewed
slow, silent bites, my eyes never leaving my plate. Selene kept Harlan busy
with aimless questions, and I began to wonder if maybe I was going to be
able to avoid his interrogation. My pulse slowed to it’s normal rate as the
maids began to clean the plates and get out the tea, which Harlan normally
took in his study. I closed my eyes gratefully as the steaming pot was
placed on the table and poured into the saucers, all the while, Harlan’s
attention diverted to the curious toddler that sat to his right. I sighed in
relief as he gathered up his papers from the table in the den.
        "Serena." My head snapped up and I was aware of the slight flush
that had
risen to my face. I only hoped he was too far to notice.
        "Yes?"
        "What did you do with yourself all day?" I gulped nervously and sat
up
straight as I cleared my throat, trying desperately to stall him.
        "I um, well, for a while...."
        "Well, don’t just stutter darling, tell me how you busied yourself!"
He
began to raise his voice and I pursed my lips, half frustrated and half
afraid.
        "I read." Popped out of my mouth so quickly I hadn’t had time to
check it.
My eyes widened and I snapped my jaw shut as soon as the words were out. I
studied his reaction, praying to the heavens he would accept it.
        He glanced at his paper absently and nodded. "Very good." He
muttered, not
even looking up as he ventured down the hall to his study. I sat in the same
spot for many seconds afterwards, unable to believe it had been that easy.
My excited breath came out long and fast and I laughed uneasily as I fell
back into the dining room chair. I gave a final sigh and closed my eyes. It
had been that easy.

******

        "Make sure you keep Selene busy while I’m gone." I instructed Sarah
as I
pulled my hat strings over my jaw. Sarah nodded knowingly. I gave her a
small smile and she returned it whole heartedly. After working for us for a
number of years, I knew I could trust her not to tell Harlan about my second
little excursion into town. It had been 4 days, and I was still in awe of
how I had gotten away with leaving on my own. If just being out alone gave
me a sense of independence, getting away with it gave me confidence. I was
feeling much more like I had when I was younger, before Harlan had taken my
freedom away from me and practically bounded me in my bed.
        I closed the door behind me as I walked down the front steps of our
house,
and onto the open street that stretched out now in front of me. I started
down the now familiar road, knowing exactly where I was headed, however the
reason was still quite a mystery.
        Although I was filled with my new found confidence and independence
I
wasn’t sure I dared journey anywhere but the book store, at least, not just
yet. I knew for a fact that Harlan wouldn’t go into such a tiny little nook
as Darien had. No, he much preferred the plush, well known, and considerably
more expensive shops to purchase from.
        I few minutes later, I found myself walking into the ringing of
the bell
above his door, looking from corner to corner, hoping to catch a glimpse of
his familiar face. After failing to find him, I began to walk amongst the
many shelves of books, eventually finding my way into the fiction part, and
amused myself by flipping through the many interesting titles that spring
out at me. I became engrossed by a particularly interesting one when a large
book plummeted from it’s place on the top shelf and landed with a thud on
the floor, startling me from my reverie. A dark head poked out from the top
of the shelf and peered down at me and I gasped in surprise. I heard a deep,
throaty chuckle come from the other side and I clutched my chest in shock.
        The brooding, strong form of Darien sauntered around the wooden
obstacle
and gave me a warm smile as he stopped a few feet short of me. I gave a shy
smile, not exactly sure why I was so nervous all of a sudden. My heart
thudded greatly once against my chest walls, so loud I was sure he could
feel my anxiety. What was happening to me?
        "Look who decided to come back to visit." His smooth voice rolled
out over
his lips, now in full grin. My smile spread and I replaced the book I had
been admiring. "How are you Ms. Williams?"
        "I’m lovely, thank you." I replied, my smile never ceasing. "I was
rather
unoccupied this afternoon, and I thought I would stop by and thank you, this
time for the lovely book."
        "Think nothing of it." He whipped his musty hands on his apron and
then
rubbed the beads of perspiration off his forehead. It suddenly occurred to
me that I had interrupted him from working. I felt my smile fade as I got
rather embarrassed.
        "Oh, I’m sorry! I’m keeping you from work!" I exclaimed, a small,
nervous
laugh escaping with the words. His deep laugh rolled out once more and he
waved a dismissive hand at me.
        "That’s the beauty of employing yourself. I decided when I would
like to
take a break." He paused, his smile getting a little bit more curious. "Have
you had a chance to start on the title I gave you?" It was my turn to laugh.
I covered my flushing face as I gave a full laugh.
        "I was remarkably able to finish it in one sitting last afternoon."
I
replied. His face became shocked for a second, but he recovered, shaking his
head as he laughed.
        "My, you must like to read!" He replied, a few laughs still
punctuating his
exclamation. He beamed at me, and I smiled broadly at the prospect of
impressing him. "That’s not an easy task you know." He began his nasty habit
of walking off and I picked up my skirt and followed without any trouble
this time as he blazed a trail to his high, cherry desk. He made a few
marks, and then looked up, his smile still evident, when the doorbell chimed
and we both looked up.
        My smile dropped. In the door walked Patrice, although, thankfully,
she was
alone. I shouldn’t be here, and I was suddenly painfully aware of that. She
looked up towards the desk where we stood, directly in the back of the shop.
She gave an warm, inviting smile to Darien, and then turned her attention to
me. She gave me a second look, her eyes widening in frightening measures. In
a second though, she snapped out of it, and gave me a wide, yet confused
grin.
        "Serena! My, this is a surprise! I wasn’t expecting to see you
here!" She
linked her arm through mine and squeezed my shoulder affectionately. I gave
her the same consideration by giving my bravest smile, although I felt like
dying. She turned, eventually to Darien, asking about a book her husband had
ordered a few days earlier. I did not wait to chat with her. I suddenly
wanted nothing more than to be as far away from Darien as I could. I walked
briskly to the far left corner, and stared aimlessly at the stacks of books
that I couldn’t have identified if my life depended on it. I gazed through
the holes between the bindings, and into the wall that propped it up. I bit
my lip, and closed my eyes, my mind racing as it struggled to find a reason
for my sudden paranoia. Patrice was my dearest friend, and I was certain I
could trust her. She wouldn’t tell William she had seen me, would she? My
teeth charged into my bottom lip until the slight, bitter taste of blood
lingered in my mouth. I whipped away what little I had found, I took a deep
breath, and ventured back towards the desk.
        Their chattering became louder as I made my way, and Darien’s
questioning
eyes met mine for a second, before mine darted away in fear. Patrice turned
to me, ever oblivious to my timid demeanor and gave me her usual lighted
grin.
        "Serena dear, you haven’t been over in days. I insist that you come
home
with me and keep me company for a while." She thrust her arm threw my own
and I felt my heart immediately begin to slow to its’ normal pace. I smiled
back genuinely this time and followed her out the door. I slowed my steps
for a few seconds and turned around and smiled once more in Dariens
direction.
        "Thank you again Mr. Jacobson." I said brightly, glad to escape this
torture. He gave me his biggest grin.
        "The pleasure was all mine Ms. Williams." I paused for a second and
then
turned to the waiting Patrice. We both exited the store, and I was glad for
the openness of the Stratford sky. I felt less bound and let a large breath
escape my lungs. I knew Patrice was bursting with questions, but I also knew
she had the common sense to wait until we were in the safety of her home. I
silently thanked my friend.

*******

        "You’ve been going out undetected? Harlan hasn’t a clue?" Patrice
asked
excitedly, her eyes glowing with intrigue. I laughed and stirred my tea cup,
concentrating hard on the leaves floating to the bottom.
        "It’s nothing scandalous, I can promise you that!" I said giggling.
She
laughed, flapping her hand at me.
        "But why? You’ve always obeyed Harlan before, why are your deciding
not to
now?" She asked, a smile still displayed. I shrugged my shoulders slightly.
        "Well, I hadn’t planned on it. I originally had just planned on
finding
that gentleman who saved Selene. However, I entered that book shop a few
days ago, and found he owned it!" I laughed, shaking my head at the memory.
"That day, I thanked him, and he returned the favor by giving me a book as a
gift." Patrice raised a suspicious yet curious eyebrow and I giggled
furiously at her. "He said he recommended the book himself, and when I told
him Harlan wouldn’t let me buy it myself, he told me to just take it."
        "My Serena! If only it were a few years earlier...." She said
suggestively
and we both laughed. She suddenly got serious and gave me a puzzled look as
she set her saucer and cup on the table.
"This is the man who Harlan almost got into fisticuffs with?" I gave her a
strange, questioning look as I nodded. She thought for a second. "So he is
aware you’re married?" I gasped in shock.
        "Of course he is Patrice!" I exclaimed. "How could he not realize?"
She
gave me a interesting look, her forehead wrinkled in thought as she gazed at
me.
        "Then why does he call you _Ms._ Williams, instead of Mrs.?" My face
froze
in wondering. I had no idea.

******

        I returned home not much later, my mind whirling in many different
directions. My eyes watched the rode intently, not able to eye the many
things along the streets as I was too deep in thought to notice. The
afternoon had proven strange, and I had gone through too many emotions to
think clearly at this point. It was almost three when I realized that Harlan
wouldn’t be home tonight. I silently praised his business transaction that
would be taking place early tomorrow in London. He would be there for at
least three days, and had arranged for two extra maids to stay in the house
with me and Selene while he was away. I breathed a sigh of relief, one less
thing to worry myself with tonight.
        I walked up the steps and through the door a moment later, greeted
by a
flying little blonde head, followed by an exasperated Sarah. Finally
reaching the tiny storm, Sarah plucked her up off the floor and gave me an
apology for the ruckus, to which I dismissed warmly. She thanked me and
began to set the table along side the other two maids.
        Selene and I had a quiet dinner, Selene being unusually tired for
this time
of the day. Sarah said she had quite an exhausting day, much more than
usual, so I put the thought out of my head. We finished quickly, and Selene
went to bed without a fuss.
        Unable to stop my still racing mind, I sat down, and fumbled with my
fingers absently, in the parlor. I began to, although I’m not sure why,
refer to the book I had just finished not too long ago. It had been a
romantic novel, filled with symbolism and deeper meanings. It was exactly
what excited me the most, and I had been enthralled with it from the moment
I picked it up. I stood up suddenly and walked the short distance to the
book shelves and searched the many dusty volumes for the particular title. I
finally reached it’s particularly different binding, with just the title
printed down the side. I picked at it with my index finger and found that I
had wedged it in a very taught shelf, bursting with already thick books. I
grunted ungracefully and yanked as hard as I could, when suddenly, it came
toppling onto me. I let out a surprised yelp as it clunked to the ground,
it’s opening cover flipping up to reveal the title page. I leaned in closer
and for the first time that day, my mind stopped racing about and my heart
seemed to cease beating. There, in black and white read:

‘Lonely Hunter’
Written and edited by  -  Darien Jacobson

******************************

OH MY GOSH! I actually got the second chapter out! Well, did you think it
was worth the wait? I must confess, I loved "Life Without You", but I am
completely captivated by this one. Maybe it’s because I know what’s going to
happen, or because I get to pretty much invent a whole knew life for the two
of them, or maybe it’s because this is going to be so gosh darn romantic!
For whatever reason, I am totally excited about where this is going! I
stumbled upon this ¼ written text this evening and began to write and didn’t
stop for three and a half hours! It is now 2 in the morning, and I must
sleep, but I am hoping you will all read and enjoy the rest of this story!
Ja minna! ;P - sailoreuropa@geocities.com
Michelle Merriman