I know, I know, it's super short but I'm trying to get to the next chapter... Okay, I'm there and I will get tapping away on my keyboard. Enjoy this one... if you can. I find it hard myself. REVIEW!

Graduating to a Ring

Serena sat next to Jed watching the procession of graduates accepting their degrees. Raye had received hers already but Darien had yet to cross the stage. “Isn’t this a wonderful day Serena?” Ilene leaned into her daughter as she clapped. “Oh… and in a few short months he’ll be married to that wonderful girl! They’ve both accepted positions in the D.A’s office you know? Oh… my little boy’s well on his way to realizing his dream.” Serena smiled and nodded not wanting to oppose her mother. Darien was certainly achieving his goals but… it didn’t seem like he was “realizing his dream”. How could his dream be so different from hers?

After all the graduates had received their diploma and handshakes they flipped their tassels and marched out of the auditorium. Ken, Ilene, Jed, and Serena all walked out to greet their graduates to see John and his wife proudly hugging their daughter then Darien. “Ain’t our kids a picture perfect couple?” He bellowed and looked at Ilene as she nodded her approval. “Hey there missy! I heard about you and Seiya. Sorry to hear it.” John looked at Serena sympathetically. Ilene snorted upon hearing the name.

“I’m not.” Darien said calmly with his eyes fixed on Serena. “He turned out to be mentally disturbed.” John laughed heartily at the comment and looked at Darien adoringly. Raye was chewing on the inside of her cheek as if something disturbed her about the conversation. “He stopped by the other day to drop off a graduation gift just the other day.” Raye put her hand on his forearm to clearly steady his nerves. “Andrew was thrilled.”

“What’d he get you?” Jadeite couldn’t help but ask the question. Serena was curious as well. It had been over a year since she’d seen Seiya and she couldn’t help but wonder how he’d changed.

“He built us a house.” Darien laughed. “Apparently he felt bad about shooting me and wanted to make sure Raye and I had a nice place to live… I don’t feel comfortable accepting it though.” Darien looked at Raye who immediately professed her love for the immaculate house.

“It’s beautiful! He gave us a tour! It’s a two story and worth well over two million. There’s so much detail and… I just love it. He even mapped out the living room so we could put in a grand piano comfortably.” Raye smiled at the memory. “After the break up I never expected to hear from him again yet… he built a house just for us! It was weird seeing him again because he’s changed so much!”

“I doubt it.” Serena rolled her eyes and laced her arm with Jed’s. “He’ll never truly change. Trust me.” She looked at Raye who shrugged. “You can’t accept that house. It’s probably rigged with bugs, cameras, bombs…” Ilene paled as her daughter went down the list so nonchalantly.

“I could have Sapphire sweep it.” She offered sweetly making Darien growl. “He’s my brother.” She snapped and looked at her son with a certain annoyance. “He’ll make sure you’re safe.” Darien finally sighed and nodded giving her the go ahead to allow Sapphire to sweep the house.

Serena certainly didn’t like the situation. Something seemed awfully wrong to her she just didn’t know what. Why, after all this time would Seiya suddenly appear again and, of all things, give Darien and Raye a house?

“My sister asked me to sweep a house you apparently built for Darien.” Sapphire sat across the table from a radically changed Seiya. The once spidery thin man had bulked up so that he was an average sized man with toned muscles. In addition to bulking up the once long pony tail he’d had was nowhere to be seen. Instead, his hair was short with a tussled look that made him appear is if he’d been in a medium breeze all day. Perhaps the biggest change however; was the fact that he wore short-sleeved shirts. It had been hell for him but he’d had major surgery to reconstruct his skin. The whole thing had been highly experimental but it had worked. “Am I going to find anything questionable Seiya?”

“No. I may hate him but I have no interest in spying on him. He’s getting married to a lovely girl and beginning a life with her. I wanted to give them something special.” Seiya leaned back in his chair and clasp his fingers behind his head.

“So… it’s essentially a bribe?” Sapphire shook his head in disappointment. Seiya obviously gave him the house to live with Raye and stay away from Serena. It was hard to say if Seiya had verbalized the idea but it was clear in Sapphire’s eyes. “Seiya… she’s threw with you… it’s over. Move on.”

“I will not move on because it’s not over yet. I will marry her Sapphire. I swear to you I will.” Seiya slammed his fist onto the desk and closed his eyes hating that he had to be away from her. “That fucking… worm she’s with now… he pisses me off.”

Sapphire sat silently staring at his best agent wondering when Seiya was going to enact a plan to get her back. However; he reluctantly stood and walked out to go and inspect the house Seiya had built.

Why are you doing this you idiot? Serena stood in the bridal room leaning against the wall in the red dress Raye had chosen as a bridesmaid dress. Raye’s mother was carefully tending to the final touches of the pristine white dress. The rest of the girls were there as well admiring Raye’s dress… and Serena hated it. When Raye had asked her to be the maid of honor she’d wanted to scream and shout but she hadn’t. Darien had pleaded with her later to cooperate.

“What do you think ladies?” Raye asked turning to her audience. The girls adorned her with compliments… all save for Serena. “Serena… don’t you like it?” The blonde scanned her brother’s bride and smiled nodding quietly. Raye quickly rushed to the blonde and hugged her tightly. “I never imagined I’d be marrying him and gaining you for a sister! I am a bit nervous though… you know? I mean… I’m marrying Darien Shields!”

“Yes, I know Raye. You’ve made it painfully obvious.” Serena stepped out of the room and walked to a back hallway where she slowly slid to the ground and stared at the floor. She hated all of this. After all, what’s the point of living your life when you can’t be with the one you love? She’d held on to her hope, she wanted to believe that he’d abandon Raye at the last minute and realize where his heart truly lay… he hadn’t though. Hearing the girls move into the hall she stood and joined them despite her need to cry.

The wedding proceeded with Serena in a trance. She didn’t want to be there, she especially didn’t want to be a part of the occasion yet, there she was, standing in front of roughly two hundred people smiling as if nothing was wrong. She was thankful she could act so flawlessly.

The whole thing passed in a blur until the reception. Where everyone was dancing and having a good time. “Dance with me.” Darien stood in front of her with his blue eyes fixed on hers. It wasn’t a question, rather it was a demand. Serena looked at Jed who smiled at the taller, darker man and stepped away. She sighed and took his hand letting him lead her onto the dance floor. The song Only One by Darren Hayes (Hey, I LOVE him, he’s awesome!) started playing making her hold her breath as she listened to the lyrics.

In a world so cynical
You came in and changed the ball
From black to white
And made me right
This is all atypical
No one else has had the time
To read the signs
You are the only one

No one else can keep me from
The danger of myself
You keep me stronger
You are the only one

And now I love you even more
Than I did before

I've got such a jealous side
Reaching out
I try to hide
My infant stride
And in my mind
This is all so prototype
Make it wrong to make it feel right
Don't deny it
'Cause you are the only one

No one can keep me from
The danger I possess
You keep me stronger
You are the only one

And now I love you even more
Than I did before

And when they make the call
For one last drink
When myself is dancing below
And when no one knows it
When the colors all collide inside
Well, I can barely hide
You are the only one

No one else can keep me from
The danger of myself
You keep me stronger
You are the only one

And now I love you even more
There is no other
No one else I place above you
You are the only one
And now I love you even more
Than I did before

It was so obviously meant for her that she hated it. Hated him for picking it! Coming to a stop she tore herself from his arms with a smile and briskly walked out of the reception hall. She had to be away from him, that song was the last straw for her. She couldn’t take any more and she had to go and cry alone before returning.

Finding a quiet place outside she sat on a concrete bench and placed her face into her hands to let it all go. Did he honestly not know how he was hurting her? Or was it that he knew and didn’t care? “Serena…” The sound of his voice upset her even more. She could feel him approaching her. She didn’t want him there. She wanted to be alone, to let her heart ache alone! “Please stop.” He breathed and knelt in front of her placing his hands on her knees. “I know this is difficult but…”

“DIFFICULT?” She shouted and pushed his shoulders thus freeing herself. “What the hell do you know about it Darien? You know NOTHING about the way I’m feeling! NOTHING!” She then began to shake as she cried now with accompanying sobs.

He stood and pulled her into his arms despite her struggles. “Don’t’ say that… I know exactly how you feel. Do you think it’s easy for me to marry her?” His words caused her to look up with surprise. “Let me talk before you start yelling at me again.” His face was so stern she couldn’t deny him the opportunity to speak. “Marrying Raye is… one of the hardest things for me because… even though I’m very fond of her… you’re the only one for me Serena. I’ve spent my life with you and… it’s not fair Serena. It’s not fair that we’ve lived our lives the way we have. I love you Serena, truly, madly, deeply love you: and I wish I could marry you. I wish I could just… just be with you but I can’t.”

“So… all this time… have you known about how I feel about you?” He nodded making her close her eyes. “This is… bullshit! Darien! Fuck the world and their goddamned morals! I love you! Not as a brother… you’ve known and done NOTHING!” He flinched slightly at these words and looked into her eyes hoping to calm her. “Tell me why Darien. Why have you denied me, broken my heart, and now told me… on your wedding day?”

“I can’t tell you why Serena. Can’t you just trust me? I’ve had my reasons and really, this is the best for the both of us… can you imagine us as a couple? He chuckled lightly. “Listen though, I want you to get over me Serena. Put your mind to it and put me behind you. Jadeite seems to be a good match Serena. Don’t throw him aside for me. I’m not worth it.” He sighed and leaned his head against hers.

“I’ll never get over you Darien… you have my heart and you always will. Believe me I’ve been trying to replace you and all my efforts have been in vain.” She pulled herself away from him slightly then jumped as he suddenly pressed his lips to hers in a less than innocent kiss.

As soon as she regained her senses he pulled away and released her. “We’d better go back in before they realize we’ve been out here for so long.” He turned towards the building then reached for her hand. “Shall we?” She wiped away her tears and sullenly took his hand to return to what was supposed to be a day of love and celebration but was really a façade.

Walking back into the reception hall Raye rushed to Darien and pulled him to the dance floor playfully. The twenty year old woman was acting as if she was sixteen and about to go on her first date. As she watched the newlyweds dance Jed approached her with a concerned smile. “You’re not doing too well are you?” She shook her head and leaned against him. “I’m sorry you’re not having a good time…” He trailed off then suddenly jumped to life. “Hey, let’s dance! You can show me up.” A fake smile spread over her face as she agreed and took the dance floor with him.