Title: Love Through Time - Volume 1, Chapter 4
Author: Sailor Europa
Rating: pg

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Whew! It's only been three days, and I am already beginning Chp. 4! I don't
think I've ever worked this hard, even on "Life Without You"! *grins* Hope
you are all enjoying the story thus far! Such sappy romance, I know, I know.
But hey, if I'm not gettin' any in real life, I may as well live vicariously
through my stories! I am very touched that I am still getting e-mails about
"Life Without You". I am very proud of the way that story turned out, and
it's nice to know I'm not the only one! Anyway, you know all the
disclaimers: As much as I would like to, I don't own SM, or any of the
characters. Well, some of the characters in the story I do, but who would
wanna steal them? *shrugs* I LOVE e-mail! So PLEASE, if you have any
thoughts, comments or money orders, please send them to -
sailoreuropa@geocities.com. Ja!

Songs I recommend listening to, while reading the stories in Volume 1 -
"Written In The Stars" Hell of a song. Buy the "Aida" Soundtrack, if only
for this song. "A Step Too Far" Also from "Aida", The lyrics aren't it, the
melody just does something to the words. "The Messenger" From "Aida".....Aw
hell, just go buy the whole CD! It's worth the money! GO NOW!

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Love Through Time - A Serena and Darien Saga
Volume I, Chapter IV

By Sailor Europa

        I arrived just a few minutes after slipping from the house, like
usual. My
heart pounded, though this time it wasn't in fear, it was in excitement. I
could hardly believe that just last night I had, well, been confused beyond
belief! Was this me? This woman, blushing every five minutes, getting lost
in her own imagination throughout the day? What was going through me? What
was I feeling? What am I _thinking_ ?
        The last question cut through me like a knife. What _was_ I
thinking? My
God, I'm a married woman! Running through the night, to meet a man I hardly
knew, this wasn't the normal me! I wouldn't do this, would I? Fear and
misunderstanding shook my whole body, and just a few paces from the door I
paused. What have I gotten myself into? I took a deep breath, debating on
whether to enter or not. I looked up into the window as I had before, but
this time saw no sign of him, behind the desk or otherwise. I searched my
small frame of sight, wondering if he was even there. The idea of him not
being there bothered me to no end, and I began to wonder if the door was
even open. Had this all been a joke? On me? My God, what was I _thinking_ ?
        In a fit of anger and confusion, I pushed on the door, convinced I
would
find it locked. It however, easily opened upon my urging and I almost
screeched in shock. The bell rang out as it always did, and a few moments
later, I could easily hear footsteps running down the planks on the floor.
He appeared a moment later, and I felt as if I was the biggest fool, letting
my paranoia and fear get the better of me.
        I wanted to blush in utter humiliation, but my breath caught in my
throat
and I blushed under other circumstances. Instead of his usual open necked
work shirt and black linen slacks covered with a white work apron, he was
wearing a black, three piece suit, tailored to fit. And I couldn't help but
notice what a marvelous fit it was. It was cut sharply and accentuated his
strong, broad shoulders, draping over the rest of him perfectly. I think I
might have muttered a slight squeak and nothing more. I would have been
blind not to have noticed how attractive he had been before, but now....he
was positively dashing. Ten times, physically that is, the man that Harlan
was. My eyes fluttered, and I felt a small smile crawl upon my lips.
        My eyes finally drifted upwards from his brooding body to his face,
neatly
shaven, dark raven hair combed neatly over his temples. My heart seemed to
swell, and I realized that it was all for me. Not to impress anyone, only
me. Harlan, or any other man for that matter, had never done such a thing
for me, with the exception of our wedding of course. His dark blue eyes were
smiling, in the same manner as I was sure my own were, pleased, excited,
maybe a little scared. I'm not sure how long I was there, but we just simply
stared at each other for a while, neither one believing the other was in
presence.
        He began to walk towards me, pulling on the lapels of his jacket. I
was
surprised at how beautiful even that simple, easy action was, the soft,
confident clunk of his heels making their way towards me, as the soft rustle
of fabric wove it's way through the silence. I kept my hands clasped in
front of me the whole time, mesmerized by his every movement.
        He smiled, not wanting to speak and break the comforting, passionate
silence that stood between us, as he stopped, his long legs barely touching
the hem of my dress. I gazed back up at him, amazed that I was no longer
embarrassed. My face flushed in anticipation as he cupped my face tenderly
in his hands and pulled my head to face him. I blinked at the intensity of
his glare but returned it whole-heartedly, too intrigued to do anything
else.
        "I'm so glad you came...." He said, his deep, husky voice cracking
in
emotion, and shattering the immense silence that enveloped us both. I
remained quiet, not wanting to reply, only wishing to stay wrapped in the
moment, right then and there. My smile got bigger, if only slightly, and he
swooped down over me and brushed my lips with a light kiss, intoxicating my
senses, and making my every muscle go numb. He then slowly grabbed my arm
and gave me a sly smile and turned around, walking to the back of the store,
giving me a teasing look out of the corner of his eye. I followed, unable to
do another thing as he urged me forward. We turned right, just behind his
desk, where he had a large staircase nestled inside a door.
        He ushered me in first, then lit a strategically placed lantern at
the base
of the steps. He grabbed my hand once more as he scuffled past me to lead me
up. I wanted to be worried, knowing how incredibly suggestive this was, but
to my own surprise, I wasn't. I didn't care. I was just so eager to follow
him anywhere, that I did so without question.
        "No one can see us up here...." He trailed off, looking back for a
second
to give me an enticing grin. Not for the first time I wondered where we were
going to, when he opened another door, pulling the lantern in with him. He
let go of my hand as we entered our destination, and he walked about,
lighting lanterns and candles about the place. The room illuminated into not
one but 4 rooms, when I found in sudden realization, that I was now in his
home, perched atop his large, very large book shop. I grinned in pleasure as
I spied a large canopy bed that sat behind two very large double doors, with
a door that led to the kitchen right next to it. In the corner of the room I
was standing right then, was a small intimate table, garnished with rose
petals, lit by a silver candelabra that stood solemnly next to a bottle of
wine and two glasses.
        My heart stopped and I realized I was existing in a utopia, my own
perfect
heaven. He had everything laid out so carefully, and I held my breath in awe
as I took it all in. The doubts I had suffered from not long ago had
vanished, along with any fear or paranoia. The room fully lit, he returned
to my side and favored me with an ecstatic grin as he slipped one strong arm
around my waist, as the other hand was raised to my face. I blushed again,
amazed that I was the source of the trouble he gone through the past few
hours, wondering why he actually had. His grin widened as he softly caressed
my profusely hot cheek and I eventually looked back up at him. He blinked
several times and then stroked my chin.
        "My God...." I whispered, amazed and shocked as I stared back into
his
eyes, not afraid I would get lost this time, knowing fully well I would
though. He laughed, his throaty chuckle tingling every inch of my skin.
"I....I can't believe this."
        "Why not?" He asked, amused. I shook my head.
        "It's.....It's just too much!" I exclaimed, punctuating my sentence
with a
small laugh of my own. "I mean, too much for just me to see." His smile
faded into a look of intense passion, and just burning under that look made
me feel like I might combust under my emotions. His eyes bore into my own
with such sincerity.
        "You are the _only_ " He emphasized the last word, "person in the
world I
would ever wish to show it to." I felt my heart separate from my physical
body right then, and I could feel it grow 5 fold. I was so complete, so
incredibly whole at that point, it was all I could do to keep from closing
my eyes in order to preserve the memory. I couldn't though, I didn't even
want to blink, not wanting to miss one second of the night. His right hand
slipped to the back of my neck and gripped it gently as his left hand took
hold of my waist, pulling me into him. I pressed my hands against his solid
chest, not waiting to pull my reddened face towards his. His lips pressed
eagerly against my own, softening as they enveloped me, inviting me in. I
yielded, giving in to it, responding with a fever I never knew I possessed,
and eventually curiously pulling him in even closer, yanking on his lapels
as I urged him deeper into myself. I lost my mind right then, as I opened a
door and let my emotions rush forward, embracing him with my body as well as
my heart. His kisses were greedy but my need was more so, and I couldn't
stop it. His heaving chest pummeled me and I felt a blissful moan escape as
we parted, leaving only a few inches in between our still trembling lips. An
unexpected sigh found its way out of me, my eyes still closed lightly, not
wanting to open them to find my dream gone, awakened by the sun. My
breathing was quick, and my pulse raced, both uncomprehending the event that
could make my body react in such a way.
        We eventually both reluctantly let our firm grasps go, and he gave
me a
large grin as he led me to the table he had recently prepared. He pulled the
chair out for me, and I seated myself as he walked quickly to the other side
of the table. I used the time to close my eyes, recapturing the past few
moments for all eternity in my head. My lips began to shudder in ecstasy as
I relived it, my mind pausing on each second, savoring each feeling, each
electrified touch that had occurred. I slowly opened my eyes, finding him
pouring out wine into the glasses, and offering me one. I smiled and
accepted, even though I didn't drink any just then. I stared at it, not
really wanting to look back up at him. I was beginning to feel so much, and
I wasn't sure that was a good thing.
        He began to play with one of the many scattered rose petals he had
dispersed among the table and consequently the floor around it. I began to
then notice the many roses he kept in his home. I smiled at the realization
and chose the time to speak.
        "You must really have a passion for flowers." I said with a slight
nod and
laugh. He grinned and nodded.
        "Roses specifically." He replied, gesturing to his room. "I used to
keep
rose bushes, back when I lived in London, but  haven't the room here, or the
time." I nodded solemnly, thinking at what a shame that was. The deep
crimson buds gave the room a aesthetic flavor, and only added to the
feelings that flowed freely throughout the room.
        We finished the wine, and just talked. Well, he talked more. I had
no idea
how little I had really known about him, until that evening. He told me he
was orphaned at a young age, and that he went from home to home, until he
could sustain himself on his own. He moved around a lot he had said, never
really enjoying one place more than another enough to stay. I nodded quietly
throughout the whole story, my heart breaking as he told me of his lonely
childhood, spent without a mother or father. I knew right then, that I
wanted to make up for that, make his life less lonely somehow.
        I had never really listened to him talk on end like that, and I
rather
enjoyed it. I became familiar with his mannerisms, savoring each time he
would offer a delicious smile upon me, or his hearty laugh that seemed to
enter my mind and soul, filling it out more than I actually knew possible.
Each word he uttered, each shift his body made, just added to the emotions
that were overflowing from me, and I could only wonder what this feeling
was. I had known him but a short time, so it surely couldn't be love........

Or could it?

******

        "This has been a dream, Serena...." Darien whispered, his arms once
more
encircled around my waist, his fingers working their way through the fabric
of my dress. I breathed in a deep sigh, delighting in the scent of old paper
and printing ink that seemed only to fit him so perfectly. My head was
nestled comfortably in his massive chest, and I could only close my weary
eyes and pray this moment never ended, believing that nothing could be
better. His head leaned down slowly and he perched his nose in my blonde
locks, and I gave a slight inward laugh as his regular, steady breathing
tickled my scalp.
        "I know...." I breathed quietly, my eyelids fluttering as I pulled
my head
away to give him a sincere glare. He smiled sweetly at me and brushed the
hair from my face gently with his one free hand. "I never expected anything
like this to happen to me." I said in one breathless gasp, my lungs almost
collapsing as I tried to speak and take him in at the same time. His smile
faded and he got an intense glare on his face.
        "Never in a million years...." he said, pulling his thumb up to
tenderly
and ever so gently stroke my cheek. "would I have expected someone like you
to enter my life." I felt one solitary heart beat pounce from my chest,
throbbing at the honesty in his words, and the emotions that intensified
each syllable that rolled from his lips. I impulsively shoved my head back
into his warm body, breathing in all that was him. I took a long breath and
eventually pulled my body farther away.
        "I really have to leave." He sighed deeply in resignation and took a
step
back, his arms still encircling my waist. "I can't risk someone waking up
and finding me gone." He nodded solemnly, his smile faded from his handsome
face. My chest ached as I saw how disappointed he was, but knew that I
couldn't stay. Not now. I closed my eyes, not wanting to even think about
the next few days, when Harlan would return. How was I to get away then? He
would surely wake up when I hurried out of bed in the middle of the night. I
closed my eyes tighter then, not wanting to think about such things. Not
when tonight had been so perfect, so blissful.
        "Tomorrow?" His deep voice rang out in a throaty whisper. My spine
tingled
at the single word and I nodded slowly, not able to decline. Not wanting to
decline. His arms wrapped me up in a bundle next to him and I picked at his
lapel, my anticipation almost overriding me. His hands rose up and his
fingers wove into my hair, titling my eager face towards his. I pulled my
arms around his neck, as he dropped his automatically back to my waist and
pulled me hungrily into his willing embrace. My passion overcame me, and I
grasped greedily at the fabric on his jacket, hoping against hope that it
was possible to be even closer to him than I was at that moment. He grinned,
just before pulling his body down slowly, and my heart fluttered, barely
able to wait as his lips gripped my own, the passion taking hold from the
very beginning. I let my fingers graze through his hair as he bent down,
making him more accessible to my open arms. My palms grew clammy and I felt
the beads of persperation build up around my forehead, as my lips hungrily
and fiercely pulled him in deeper.
        Time wore on, and his lips drifted away from my mouth, brushing
breathless
kisses against my cheeks and ears. I panted, leaning my head back in an
effort to catch my quickly retreating breath. I had never known I could feel
this way, this.....enthralled, with one man. I wanted him, needed him, in
every possible way, and knew, right then I would do anything to keep him
near.
        We pulled away, both gulping in air as quickly as possible. I smiled
greatly at him and put my hand lovingly to his cheek. He closed his eyes and
smiled blissfully. Oh, to know I was the one that made him that happy....
        He brushed my lips with a small, tender kiss, then took my hand and
led me
downstairs. He looked quickly out the window, to make sure no one happened
to be walking by at this late hour. After we were positive it was clear, he
ushered me out the door, and leaned into me quickly, his lips burning into
my own. I melted completely at his touch, the cold night air doing nothing
to cool my flaming body. He stroked my face one last time before I turned
and fled quickly into the night.

*****

        I returned quickly, no one in the house ever the wiser that I had
slipped
out and then in again, so quietly. I slid into my bed silently and slowly,
the time only a little past 12 as I was briefly aware of the gilded clock
that stood above my vanity. My head swam with memories and longing for the
previous few hours. I sighed in deep remorse at having left, and ecstasy
from his final gentle touch. It wasn't but a few minutes that mind
transferred to wishes and dreams for tomorrow night, hoping that it would be
half as sweet, and eventually into a wonderful dream state, my nostalgia
throwing my past nights insomnia out the window with my confusion and fear.

*****

        "Good morning, Sarah." I greeted cheerily as I stepped lively down
the
stairs later that morning. Sarah gave me a polite nod as I turned to go into
the parlor.
        "Good morning, Serena." My hair bristled. That _was_ not Sarah's
voice. I
closed my eyes, trying to convince myself that I had not heard that voice.
Not now, it's too soon. Much, much too soon....
        "Serena! I said good morning!" Harlan's head glared angrily out from
over
the papers her was reading from the far end of the table. My breath came
quick just then, and I struggled to find my voice to utter a word, any word
at all....
        "Harlan! I....I thought you weren't suppose to be back for anther
few days!
I wasn't expecting you." I stuttered, my mind fleeing me. I grasped at
anything, anything at all just then. Oh God, this shouldn't be happening....
        "My business was cut short." He said brusquely, folding his papers
neatly
and tossing them on the table. I knew I was acting strangely, but at the
time, couldn't think of another phrase to speak. His eyes bore into my own,
trying to gauge my behavior. I somehow mustered up a small smile at it,
satisfying him for at least the moment.
        "Uh, Sarah, I'm not feeling up to eating this morning, so could you
tell
the others not to prepare my meal?" I squeaked out, not able to stay in the
same room with him without cracking. Sarah nodded and turned back into the
kitchen and mumbled a polite good-bye before scurrying into the back and
taking a seat in the garden. I put my head in my hand and closed my eyes
tightly, trying desperately to think of a way out.
        "Harlan should be going to work soon....Unless of course he got in
too late
and he wanted to take a nap." My lungs expanded and I took in another deep
breath in effort to clam myself down, all in vain. I felt tears spring to my
eyes in frustration. "How can I get away tonight?" I muttered to myself, the
garden offering no answer. I cursed under my breath.
        "Maybe, just maybe, I can get away for just long enough to tell him
I won't
be able to make it tonight...." I bent my fingers back anxiously. Whatever
he decided to do today, I figured I could escape long enough to explain to
Darien. Still extremely nervous, I returned back to the house, whipping my
clammy palms on the soft fabric on my dress. I took in one last breath as
the door swung open and I went to face Harlan.
        "Are you feeling better, dear?" He asked curtly, no real empathy in
his
voice. I didn't answer and he didn't notice, too busy signing his papers too
even notice I was still in the room.
        "Harlan, what are you planning to do today?" I asked as steadily as
I
could. He looked up, his face annoyed that I had interrupted him. I blushed,
not wanting to anger him anymore than necessary.
        "I was going to go straight to bed. Why?" I breathed a sigh of
relief and
sighed.
        "Oh, I was just curious." He gave me puzzled look, but was too tired
to
give me much more than that. I excused myself to the parlor and sighed
deeper, now that I was alone. It looked as if I could pull this off, without
his detecting I was ever gone. I was thankful, but I cursed my luck, knowing
that my plans had been dashed for the next two nights. I had been hoping for
the next 48 hours to formulate a plan as to what to do about avoiding
Harlan. Surely I couldn't get away for longer than a half hour today, and
that wouldn't give me much time. I couldn't take a chance with being absent
much longer, what with the possibility of Harlan waking up and finding me
gone. I was going to have to just tell Darien and then be done with it. When
he returned to work tomorrow, I would then figure out a way. I had to.

******

        It was only a few minutes before I slipped undetected from the front
door
and scurried down the busy streets, to the trail I knew all too well. I
wasted no time in flinging the door open, my head scanning the book shop
hastily, stamping my foot impatiently when no one appeared. I walked quickly
to the back, and balled my fists to also find no one there. A door slammed
and I whirled around in time to see him standing there, that incredibly
heart stopping smile on his face. I sighed dejectedly, knowing it wouldn't
be there for long.
        "I wasn't expecting you here for a couple hours...." He said
cheerfully,
careful to keep his distance as people mingled about. I gave him a small,
sad smile as I motioned for him to a more secluded part of the store. He
gave me a curious look but trailed me none the less. When we stopped, he
gave me a scared look and grabbed my shoulder, his eyes pierced with worry.
My heart slowed down to a quiet beat as I gave him a woeful glare.
        "Darien, Harlan returned home early this morning." He closed his
eyes in
agony, leaning his head back as he groaned. I nodded miserably. "He's
sleeping right now, or else I wouldn't even be able to be here right now."
he nodded solemnly. "I'm so sorry."
        "It's not your fault, you have nothing to be sorry about." He dusted
his
hands off and brushed a tear out of my eye. His eyes were so blue, the light
from the day casting shadows on his features. My heart flew at that moment
in his sincerity and I fought the urge to throw my longing arms around him.
        "I do actually have something to be sorry about though...." I said
slyly,
my playful eyes masking my pain just then. His eyes lit up suddenly and he
looked quickly around the store before putting one arm around my waist and
pulling me into a dead end hallway, hidden by a dark wooded wall and a
rather tall book case. I slid up against the wall and he sidled up in front
of me, grinning carelessly. He slipped one hand around my waist, the other
pressed up onto the wall next to my head.
        "Then let me give you something to look forward to..." He yanked my
body
towards him, jerking my waist upwards. His anxious lips searched my own and
I felt my head go light as I gained feeling back into my arms and slid them
around his neck as tightly as I could possibly make it. He pulled his other
hand off the wall and pressed it against my back, and drifted  up to my
neck. Breathless after the unexpected embrace, I pulled my head away,
leaning it against the wall a few inches behind me. He grinned as he release
me and pressed a tender kiss to my forehead. I closed my eyes, my
bittersweet emotions getting the better of me and I smiled brightly. I
gripped his face with my hands and looked him straight in the eye.
        "He'll return to work tomorrow, and I'll be back then, all right?"
He
smiled in reply and I smoothed over his now mussed up hair. He gave me one
last look before turning a entering back into the world. I leaned my numb
body against the wall, a ridiculous, perpetual smile plastered on my face. I
could describe what I was feeling right then, but I was positive I had never
experienced before. A sly smile slowly replaced the other, and I wrapped my
arms tightly around my body, almost able to pretend they were his. No, I had
never felt this way before, because this was love. I was deeply,
passionately, dangerously in love with him, and in just that sudden moment
of realization, nothing else matter. Nothing, because, I, Serena Williams,
was in love. In the most unexpected way possible. And I couldn't ask for
more.

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

*steam rises off the 'puter screen* Bet you never thought the two of them
even led such interesting lives, did ya'? Well, technically, this isn't the
REAL Serena and Darien, but I've already discussed that, ne? Anyway, I hope
this was worth the wait! I know it took forever for me to get the last few
chapters out, but I sincerely do believe these make up for it, don't you?
Thank you, to Sailor Elysia, who gives me constant motivation to get these
chapters cranked out! Arigatou Elysia-chan! ;P Thank you to my bud, Sidnei,
too, who is, unfortunately suffering through a trip to Japan as I write
this. *sighs* The sacrifices she makes.....*grins* Go read both their
stories! They are wonderful writers, and deserved to be read! OK, that's all
for now! Ja!
Michelle Merriman