Chapter Six
Disclaimers: Don't sue and don't copy!
AN: OK, so let's pay attention now people, new characters on their way!
- - -
"Good morning Darien. Come in. Serena's not quite ready yet," Mrs. Tsukino invited him in.
"Why am I not surprised?" he asked as he followed her inside.
"You know Serena, she always has to be late for everything." He laughed and took the chair at the kitchen table that she offered him. No sooner had he sat down then Mr. Tsukino walked in.
"Well Darien, are you sure you know what you're getting yourself into here?" he asked without preamble.
"I think I do Mr. Tsukino. At least I hope so."
He barely had time to blink as someone came tearing down the stairs. Two long blond streaks could be seen as the figment sprinted through the house. Grabbing shoes from the step by the front door, a jacket off of the couch and two pieces of toast off of the table next to him before making a mad dash up the stairs again. He managed to grab a rushed, "HiDarienalmostreadybedowninaminute!!!"
"Then again," Darien said stunned, "Maybe I don't know what I'm asking for."
Her two parents laughed at the comment. "Don't worry. She's always like this."
"We've just learned to stay out of her way in the mornings," her father added.
"I don't even want to know what happens if someone gets in her way."
"You're right. You don't," Ken answered again. He kissed his wife and headed for the door. "Well, if you live through this day I will see you later."
Darien thought he detected a small chuckle as he walked out the door. "I really am in for it aren't I?" he asked Ilene Tsukino.
"Oh, now don't listen to Ken. You know Serena quite well. There's no reason for her to be any different now."
"I suppose you're right." Darien had always found Ilene to be very sweet and always ready with open arms. He knew that was where Serena got it from. The only difference being that Ilene always seemed to have a good head on her shoulders. She was calm and collected. Next to nothing like Serena.
Now, her father was a different matter. He was always jumping to conclusions and over exaggerating. All in all, he could see both of them in their daughter. Except how she ended up blond.
"OK! I'm ready!!" a singsong voice arrived slightly before its owner did.
"Are you sure?" he asked looking at his watch.
"Sure I'm sure. Now we're going to be late. Come on!!" she grabbed his arm and pulled him to his feet with more strength than he would have given her credit for. "Bye Mom! See you later."
"Good day ma'am," he added as he was drug out the door.
"Goodbye. Have a good day, kids!" she called after them. 'Kids'? He laughed as he was still being drug to his car. *Twenty-two and I'm still considered a 'kid'? *
"You weren't kidding about having to run all the way to school in under two minutes to beat the bell all those years were you?" he asked as she opened her car door.
"Of course not. Why do you think I always got detention?" He laughed but didn't answer.
The 'I'm late' morning traffic was horrible. *This is why I get to work early* he thought.
"Talk about you're pile ups. I wonder how Dad does this every day?"
"He leaves earlier?" he suggested. She gave him a sour look and continued her gaze out at the city around them.
"The Center is on the edge of Tokyo University's campus right?"
"Yeah, it's only about a two miles up the road. Why?"
"Oh, Ami, Greg and Ken are going to be there as soon as school starts again."
"That's right, they were all headed for the university weren't they. Did you ever find out what Ken was majoring in?"
She giggled and turned to look at him. "Psychology I think!"
"You're kidding," he said not taking his eyes off the two-ton truck in front of them.
"No! Lita said she tried to talk him out of it but he was set on trying. Personally I think he'd be good at it. He's always seemed to be a good listener when him and Lita were younger. Maybe that'll pay off for him."
"So when's the wedding date for those two anyway? They seem like they've been together forever."
"Oh, I don't think those two are in any hurry. They probably won't launch into anything like that until they're both out of school." She leaned her head back on the headrest and stared out the window. "I wish Lita would be staying closer. I mean her cooking school isn't far away, but when are we ever going to see each other?"
"I'm sure you two will work it out," Darien said. This splitting up was killing her, and he knew it. Her friends were some of the most important people in her life. It wasn't going to be easy for her to get use to not seeing all of them everyday of the week. It was hard enough for him not being around Andrew and the few close friends he had. But he was use to being alone most of the time. It had to be twenty times harder for her.
"Yeah," she murmured. "I still wish things didn't have to change."
"Change can't change."
She finally turned to him and stared at his profile. "I have NO idea what that means!" He only laughed at her outburst. "Sometimes I think you spout off that psycho mumbo-jumbo just to confuse me more than I already am. Where do you come up with this stuff? You had a class in college named 'Confusion 101' didn't you?!"
"Yes, and I passed with flying colors!" he continued to laugh as she lightly slugged him in the arm.
"Yeah, you must have gotten all of that extra credit of yours by trying it out on me!"
"Ten points for every successful attempt. Of course it was just too easy with you."
"Let me guess, that was the same semester you also took Annoyances and Sarcasm Art, right?"
"No, it was Annoyances II, I quizzed out of the first one."
She crossed her arms over her chest and turned back to her window. "I really should have gone to college."
"Tell me again why they needed to put an addition onto this place," Serena said staring up at the rock building. The words 'Bane Astrological Research Center' was carved into a huge slab of marble that looked extremely expensive over the front doors.
"They needed more room. Besides, this is the main building. We haven't even gotten to the rest of the buildings yet."
"The rest?"
"It's not just one building. There's a whole campus. Different places house different projects, there's a whole network going through this place."
Only now that he said something did she begin to glance around at her surroundings. A well manicured lawn spread out between several buildings. Most looking newer and less classic than the one they were in front of. But the expanse of the place seemed immense. "I thought the rest was part of the University campus," she said confused.
"No, the University is down there," he motioned to his left. She looked down and realized that the entire Tokyo University campus was spread out before her. They stood on a higher point of the hilly terrain of Japan. Whereas the school sat perched in a small valley of sorts below them. Looking around she had to admit that the view was breath taking. They weren't up all that far in latitudinal terms, but they were on the highest point she could see besides the mountains that towered in the distance.
"I guess this would be a good spot to stick an observatory wouldn't it," she mumbled.
"Yeah, planetary physics would be pretty hard to do if you couldn't see the sky." He laughed at her and took her arm to lead her into the building. Once inside she could see just why added space might be a benefit. People rushed by everywhere. But through it all there seemed to be a brittle silence. It was like a busy library; there were people all over the place but no one said a word. *Great I'm stuck in a rerun of 'Night of the Living Dead'. Only without the excitement.*
"Wait. I've seen this one," she whispered to Darien. "This is where all of the egg-heads in the building go psycho and walk around like zombies, right? And then they hire this new guy and his beautiful assistant to get new blood in. And eventually the two figure out that everyone that works here is suppose to be dead. Then when they confront the main boss guy he says—"
"Hello, Darien!"
"Yeah!" she continued. "Like he knows you and then… What?"
"Well, Serena, this is our new boss," he said trying extremely hard to keep the goofy grin off of his face and failing miserably.
She turned to face a portly gentleman standing in front of a large office that they had apparently been heading to. "Oh!" she squeaked
"Dr. Loubus, may I introduce you to Serena Tsukino, my new partner in research," Darien introduced them.
"It's very nice to meet you, Sir," she said hoping she wasn't blushing as much as she thought she was.
"Nice to meet you too Ms. Tsukino. I hope you will like it here with us. Have you gotten to meet Dr. Benton yet?" he asked good-naturedly.
"No, we haven't made our way over there yet," Darien answered for her.
"Oh, well, I'm sure you'll get along fine. It's good to have you on board and I'm sure Darien here will be more than happy to have someone else handling paperwork," he winked at the younger man. "By the way, have you gotten to see your new office yet?"
"No, sir, they wouldn't let me near it."
"Well, all of that ends today!" He rubbed his hands together and chuckled nasally.
Serena couldn't help but laugh at the odd little man before her. Darien had told her that he was normally a slave driver, but apparently today must have been a holiday. She hoped her laughter was taking in good cheer; she certainly didn't want to offend her boss the first day on the job.
"But I'm taking up time now aren't I?" he asked. "You'd best see that you get settled in. I expect this to be a long stay! For the both of you," he added in her direction. "It is extremely good to have you with us Miss." He bowed to her formally.
"It's good to be here Dr. Loubus, thank you for the opportunity. And please, everyone calls me Serena." *Almost everyone,* she thought glancing at Darien.
"Very well, Serena. Please remember, my office is always open if you need me. Drop in any time!"
"Thank you."
"We'd best report in, sir," Darien said placing a hand on her back to steer her back towards the entrance.
"Of course. Enjoy your new office!" he waved a bit and disappeared back into his own.
"Whoa, that was weird," he whispered once the two were back outside.
"I thought you said he was some huge workaholic."
"He is. I've never know him to be that friendly," he shook his head and continued to lead the way. They walked along the little sidewalk around the side of the main building they were just in. They headed for a newly constructed building set off to one side of the campus. The well-maintained lawn was torn to bits and obviously not yet receded in front of the concrete framework. The doors were glass with gold trimming. Once inside the smell of solvents and sawdust could still be sensed in the air. They climbed an elegant S-curved staircase to the second floor. Marble tile covered the floor adding to the decor of the grade hallway they found themselves in.
A metal artwork graced the hall's long west wall. Swirls and waves of gold danced with a sprinkling of stars throughout the maze. Something very suitable for an astrological foundation she mused. She paused in her walk to admire the huge piece of art. Darien stopped beside her and chuckled lightly. "This is definitely Dr. Benton's doing. I've been told he's an amateur artist of sorts."
"Really?" she asked. "It's totally cool! I love it," she said admiring it again.
"I'm glad someone likes my little handy work," a voice popped up behind her.
"Oh!" She turned to find a tall dark haired man smiling widely behind them. "Uh, hello," she mumbled not knowing what else to say.
Once again Darien came to her rescue. "Hello, Dr. Benton. May I introduce you to our group's newest member, Serena Tsukino."
"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you Miss. I'm glad we've finally gotten ourselves together." Just then a woman walked up to stand beside the doctor. It was like night and day difference. Shorter in stature and with light brown curly hair she looked much more accustomed to the golden openwork pattern behind them. A happy smile graced her face and seemed to fit so naturally. "Oh, and may I introduce my lovely wife Romola. I believe she will be more than happy to show you the ropes Miss Tsukino."
"So this is the young woman you've been hiding from us Darien. You didn't tell me she's a breath-taker." The older woman smiled at him and took Serena's hands in her own.
"My mistake, Romola. I'll try to remember details like that in the future," he chuckled and gave Serena one of his 'you're in for it' looks.
"I hardly find it a detail!" Romola scolded. "You have to give the poor thing more credit." She addressed Serena directly, "Men are all the same. They just never bother to tell you the things they think are obvious."
Serena didn't know what to say through the whole exchange. For once she was completely taken speechless. She could feel the blush already taking up permanent residence in her checks.
"Oh, my! There I go again. Embarrassing the poor girl on her first day. Don't worry, you'll get use to me, everyone else around here does."
"It's all right," she mumbled quietly trying her hardest to keep herself from giggling nervously.
"Now, sweetheart, you're suppose to help Miss Tsukino, not scare her away," Dr. Benton chimed in. Romola gave him an apologizing look and squeezed Serena's hand once before letting go. "Well, with all the formalities out of the way, what's say we take a look at your new cell?"
"Lead away!" Darien replied.
Taking his wife by the arm he led them down the hallway farther. Darien took the opportunity to lean closer to her ear. Slipping a hand around her waist he whispered, "She's right you know."
She looked up into his eyes in confusion for a second, only to discover he was being truthful. She quickly turned away and blushed even brighter. She heard him laugh lightly but didn't remove the protective hand resting above her right hip. Somehow, she didn't think she minded.
"Oh, and before I forget," Dr. Benton turned around again pulling something out of his pocket. "These are yours now." He handed a key to each of them. "Would you do the honors?"
Darien paused then looked at the door they stood in front of. It was the last door in the long hallway. Or actually the first she corrected. They had entered from the backside of the building. The front faced the street and parking lot that had been created exclusively for this expansion she was sure.
Glancing at her he continued. He unlocked the door and opened it carefully, flipping on the light as he did so. Serena peeked in from behind him to get a glimpse of the room beyond. The same marble tiles covered the floor and a large window stared out to the west back towards the main metropolis of Tokyo. Two desks lounged on either side of the window complete with computers and screen savers reading "Welcome".
She had to admit there was more room than she was expecting. Actually, as she got a better look when Darien moved in farther, there was a lot more room than she expected.
"Is this what they mean by an office with a view?" he asked.
She turned to see the Bentons entering behind them. "Yes. Much better than that cubicle you got stuck with before." Both men laughed slightly. Serena didn't get the joke but figured she'd ask later. Stepping forward she looked out at the view before her. It was absolutely beautiful. The city was framed with a blue sky, and she could just make out the reflection of water from the bay beyond.
"I think I could get use to this," she said to the glass.
"Just what we were aiming for," came Dr. Benton's reply. Romola came up beside her and stared out too. "Well," the doctor continued, "Darien and I should probably go back and carry over all of those lovely files and category folders. Can't get too comfortably without them."
"Why prolong the agony," Darien mumbled.
"These two ladies could probably use some space in order to work out the database system."
"Yes, yes! You two just toddle along and Serena and I will be get our little digital hands dirty," she giggled as she began to shoo the two from the room.
Serena was a little surprised. She didn't exactly expect to be left alone with the older woman. She'd expected Darien to be doing most the training with her. She looked over to him as he was trying to comply with Romola's insistences. He caught her look and gave her a smile. 'Yeah, I know. Just make the best of it, it's not that bad.' She could just read it in his eyes. She gave him a smile back and felt a little more relaxed as he disappeared out the door.
"Well, then," Romola turned to her. "Shall we get started?"
"I don't understand why we're having a Grand Opening for this place a month after we've been here. I mean aren't you suppose to do that when you get the building done?"
Darien's clam, unfazable demeanor stayed in place. He half turned from the computer he was working at in order to glance behind him at his flustered coworker. "Maybe it took them that long to send out all of the invitations," he suggested not knowing the answer himself.
"Very funny," she said dryly. She turned back to her own desk mumbling to herself.
He laughed and stared at the information before him. Three years of data looked back at him. *Are you coming to meet us or running away?* he asked his computer silently. "Star number," he consulted the folder in front of him, "HFZ-574. What a lovely name."
"Did you say something?" Serena asked from behind him.
"No dear, just muttering to myself again."
"You do that a lot, you know?"
"Thanks for noticing."
"Your welcome!" she added perkily. Coming up behind him she slid her arms around his shoulders and leaned her chin against it. "What are you doing now?" she asked.
"The same thing I've been doing for a month," he answered.
"Oh."
He smiled in spite of himself. He'd explained the process to her several times before and she'd stopped asking, but he knew she didn't understand.
"So is this little star red or blue?" she asked.
"Neither yet," he leaned back into her embrace a little farther. "I haven't figured it out."
"You're just tired. It's the end of the week, and you need a break. I don't see how you can concentrate on a bunch of numbers like that anyway. I wouldn't know what end was up let alone what they were supposed to mean. Even you couldn't teach me what all those horrible equations mean."
"Don't give me a challenge," he said. "It was bad enough to get you through Algebra. Don't make me try to teach physics."
"Don't worry I won't!! The less I know about this the better!" she confirmed.
He reached back for the keyboard but stopped short. "Oh, I don't want to do this!" He really didn't. He was tired and he couldn't manage to think anymore. *Funny, now I'm taking on Serena's work habits.*
"So don't. We're ahead for the week anyway. Besides, you work too hard. You're going to give yourself heart attack and I'll have to find a new job." She snuggled a little closer.
He appreciated the comfort. It had been a long week. Why, he didn't know, but was there ever a reason for that type of thing? "What? I only count as job security to you now?" he teased.
"No. I promised Andrew that I'd take care of you. So I am! Now then, you've looked tired for the past two days. What's wrong?" She released her hold on him, which he regretted, and hopped up to sit on top of his desk.
"Nothing's wrong. I just haven't been sleeping real well lately. It's just the season or something." He explained.
"Really?" she sounded completely disbelieving.
"Yeah, yeah, listen I'm fine. I'll get some extra sleep this weekend and I'll be back to my normal happy perky self, OK?"
"If you ever showed up happy and perky I'll commit you myself!!" she laughed at her own joke, which he didn't find the least bit funny.
"All right so I'm not a bouncy ball like you. Give me a break!" he said turning away from her.
"Is that a fat joke?!"
"What?" he asked thrown off guard.
"Since when did I start looking like a ball?" She hopped up and seemed to be examining herself.
"Fat! You of all people should never even worry about that word. Miss 'I can eat all of the chocolate I want because I run laps around my house every morning looking for my lost marbles'!"
"Why you!!" Smack!!
He didn't manage to completely dodge it in time. His shoulder took the hit instead of his head which had been the intended target. Somehow he was glad. For the small frame she had there was some strength in those swings. "Yeah! Wait! No bruises!!"
"Actually we have a very abusive relationship."
Romola laughed at the young man in front of her. "You could have fooled me," she said with a very pointed smile on her face. "The two of you always look so comfortable together."
"You have no idea how many people have told me the exact same thing in the last two months. My best friend and his newly acquired wife have been on our case since their own little happy marriage. Her mother gives me these odd looks every morning when I pick her up, and her father has openly told me to keep my hands to myself! Although I haven't told Serena that little piece of good news," he added dryly.
"Is there a reason for her father to be giving you that advice?" she asked trying to sound innocent.
He looked up from the folders he was mulling through and stared at her. "Why should there be?"
She shrugged and turned back to her own filing while trying to hide the smile on her face. She had taken quite a liking to the two of them. And since her favorite pass-time was meddling in other people's love lives, they seemed to be taking up a lot of her time lately. She knew they both considered the other just a good friend, or a 'horrible excuse for a friend' as Serena had put it, but she couldn't help but think there was more going on than that.
She'd spent a lot of time just watching the two. When they were together there was something different about both of them. Darien was usually quiet and reserved. Always the calm collected fast thinker that shied away from normal group associating. Serena was the exact opposite. She was the happy-go-lucky, there's going to be a rainbow tomorrow, type of person. But put together they seemed to adopt each other's attitudes. Serena would be much more confident and controlled. Darien would become more laid back and easy to talk to.
It was like the merger of dawn or dusk. Alone they were day and night, but together they were the best of both worlds.
"So the two of you are coming tomorrow night right?" she asked.
"Yeah, Serena won't let me bow out gracefully."
"Good for her. Our newest, brightest associate should be in
attendance. What else are we going to be able to brag about?"
"Oh, no you don't! One more 'meet the new sap that we caught'
and I'll scream." He placed the folders he had finished in their
respective cabinet and shut the door with a click of metal on metal.
"Well!" she humphed. "Little ingrate."
"Sorry, Romola, didn't mean to hurt your feelings or anything."
He walked up to her desk and leaned on it.
"Now I can see why Serena's father is worried. I wouldn't want
my daughter falling for someone like you either," she teased. He
looked like he had a comment all lined up but he never got to say
it.
"Daddy's always worried about goofy things that'll never happen."
Serena swept into the room in that bouncy grace of hers. "I can't
let you out of my sight for two minutes without you talking about
me behind my back," she glared at her partner.
"It wasn't my fault," he put both hands in the air in a look of
defenselessness.
Romola giggled to herself. "He's right. I was prying for
information, dear."
"Oh, well in that case I'll forgive you," Serena said walking over
to stand next to Darien. "But if we're not out of here in five
minutes I won't!"
"OK, OK, we're going!" He turned back to give Romola a jaunty
salute.
"Bye Romola! We'll see you tomorrow night!" Serena added as
she drug Darien out of the older woman's office.
"Goodbye dear!" she waved. When they had disappeared she
leaned back in her chair and smiled contentedly.
Seven fifteen. One very impressive red sports car pulls up in front
of the new research laboratory on the Bane Observatory's campus.
Two figures, one in black and one in red rush up the building's
steps arguing all the way. Romola stepped back from the glass
doors and let them hurry inside.
"Sorry we're late," Serena gushed giving her a hug. "I'm in the
process of packing to move so I'm not as organized as usual."
"Not that she's ever organized," Darien added beside her.
"Oh shut up! You weren't helping any."
"What was I suppose to do? Put your dress on for you?"
"Don't even think about it!"
"I didn't, don't worry."
"Oooooh!!"
"Now, now. You're not late anyway," Romola interrupted. "But
we will be if we don't hurry."
"Fine," they both answered together.
The walk up the stairs to the main hallway was much quieter. The two became more interested in adjusting Serena's hair than with their fight only two seconds earlier. She had decided on bunching most of her long hair on top of her head instead of the usual two buns and ponytails. It was twisted around in an elegant knot of blond on top of her head, looking like a crown of gold. The remainder of her hair hung down past her shoulders but stopped at waist height instead of the knee length it normally had.
Her red halter topped dress floated down to stop a little above her knees. Its rayon material gave it a dull finish instead of the highlights of satin or silk, but it looked simpler and less dressy in the relaxed atmosphere. Besides, it fit very well with Darien's black silk suit. The collarless shirt's top button was left undone for an extended casual appearance and the tie had been completely forsaken.
Romola would definitely give the couple one thing. They both knew how to dress for an occasion.
Her husband of course presented the welcome speech to the gathered members of the organization. Being the head of the new research facility meant he wouldn't be by her side much during the evening, but she had become use to it. At the end of his welcome he called out for each of the associates and research workers to come to the front of the group in order to be introduced. Darien made his way to the front when his name was called and easily found a place in the line up. Serena, not being an actual researcher remained with Romola in the crowd.
She found it rather amusing to watch the younger girl as her partner made his way next to the podium with the others. She seemed to visibly shrink when she found herself alone in the crowd. Darien always seemed to have a built in confidence that never faltered. But Serena was just the opposite, like everything else about the two. She made friends quickly, but Romola began to wonder if that was because she didn't want to be alone.
"And so, on this occasion I give you Dr. Loubus, the Observatory's chairman and head," Norman Benton finished. Clapping resounded throughout the hallway as the elder man came to the front.
"Honored guests. I am not going to take up much of our time this evening. I would only like to thank all of the members of the board and the people surrounding us tonight for allowing this addition to take place. The research and findings generated by these individuals behind me will be of great value to us and our descendants as we continue to map the heavens above. May we all be successful in our attempts to unlock the mysterious of the very nature of space."
Clap, clap, clap. The crowd began to quickly move out and around the building. People examined the structure as well as the work to be done inside of it. Small groups popped up in different parts of the hallway and members began to be sucked into them for brief conversations. Serena made her way over to the group Darien had already been clamped into.
Romola followed seeing that her own beloved had started the black hole himself. Trying to acquaint all of the building's occupants she assumed. Even being at the same address for a month didn't mean that they knew each other. Every person was assigned a different amount of work and they had probably been seen only in passing.
As the two females joined the group a new set of introductions were started. A flurry of names was launched back and forth as each tried to remember the others. Darien's usually unsociable demeanor complimented Serena's open friendliness and vice-a-versa. The two made quite a pair. And she also noted that both of them seemed to be getting more than a few second looks from the younger members of the group. And some from the not so young too.
Serena was by far the youngest in the room but she didn't seem to notice. Either that or she was use to being younger than those she was around. Darien was fighting for second place. Ida Rhodan was fresh out of college as well, and just out of a relationship. It looked like Darien's appearance hadn't escaped her notice; although she seemed to have missed his.
Serena was soon caught up in a conversation with the other four most eligible bachelors in the room. Darien was following her husband's conversation quietly with a group that was quickly becoming predominately female. Including Ida she noted. *Boy, these two can definitely gather a following.*
Neither seemed to notice that they were no longer together. *Maybe they were telling the truth when they said there was nothing between them.*
The evening passed rather quickly. Serena floated among the young men in the room and Darien tried to block off some of Ida's advancements. Which looked like a losing battle. Finally getting him caught in a corner the two ended up in a very lengthy conversation. Romola couldn't find an excuse to stray close enough to overhear what was being said, but she didn't think Darien was enjoying it too much.
Around nine o'clock with the refreshments nearly depleted, small groups began to say their goodbyes and leave. She made a note that Ida's cousin and partner stood over to one side looking like she would rather be waiting in the car. Ida on the other hand never seemed to run out of things to say. Serena's admirers regrettably peeled off one by one until she was left with only two hanging on her every word. She recognized the two brothers that had started in the Observatory last year. Apparently five or six years didn't seem to be too great of an age difference in their books.
Romola herself had been caught up in what had to be the most boring discussion in the building. With her husband and other senior members of the board it was impossible to talk about anything remotely interesting.
Out of the corner of her eye she picked up on a figure in red making her way over to the extremely tired looking cousin to Ida. How she suddenly lost her following she couldn't tell. The two brothers were still looking after her as she moved across the room. She certainly is a social butterfly. And I was worried that the two would be lost without each other. Maybe I really am gravely mistaken.*
A small conversation ensued between the two women and ended with both of them heading for the corner their partners had spent most of the night hiding in. Walking up to the pair Serena looped an arm through Darien's and Ida didn't seem to appreciate the interruption. The four exchanged a few pleasantries before the couple pulled away. With a wave from Serena they headed for the doors. Ida and her cousin exchanged a few rather animate words that were pointedly kept low.
Romola excused herself for a moment and followed the pair down to the ground floor. "Serena, Darien! You weren't going to leave without saying goodbye were you?" she asked.
"Of course not!" Serena chimed in.
"As long as it's extremely short! If I have to talk to that woman for one more minute I'll fake a cardiac arrest just to be able to be carried out on a stretcher," Darien mumbled keeping an eye on the stairs she would have to walk down to meet them.
"Oh gee! You didn't like her? I thought you were having a good time. If I'd known that I would have asked to leave a long time ago!" the other popped in innocently.
"Oh, didn't you realize it?"
"Well, I noticed you weren't actually talking to her. And then there were those times I thought you were visually pleading with me to come over and interrupt. Oh, and then there was the few times that I thought you looked like you were trying to run away from her. But, you know, I just thought you were getting a long fine!" She spread her hands out in a look of confusion. He didn't even say anything, but if looks could kill she would have been dying a slow and painful death.
"Oh dear," Romola interrupted. "Yes, I know Ida can be a little on the pushy side."
"A little?" he asked unbelieving.
"Well, she is actually a lovely girl. She's very smart and a hard worker. I would think the two of you would have quite a bit in common. But, yes, she can be very single minded," she conceded with a smile breaking through.
"Oh, why me?!"
The two girls laughed at the outburst. Darien walked to the doors and lounged against the glass. "Well, now Serena. You seemed to have met a group of very interesting people yourself tonight."
"Yes they were all very nice! I had no idea how many people were working here."
"More like how many desperate men were working here." His position at the end of the hallway left him a little out of reach for her to try and slap him for the remark, but Serena looked like she might try it anyway.
"What would you know about it? You were cornered all night by the same woman!"
"Better than being fawned over by every male in the vicinity."
"You have no idea what being 'fawned over' is like!"
"You have no idea what 'non-desperate' is like."
"Yeah well, I didn't see you saving yourself from her either."
"Why? She was still a better conversationalist than you."
"Children! Children!" Romola intervened. "If you're going to fight take it outside!"
"Fine!" they both answered.
"Oh, you really are two of a kind."
"Yeah, we just don't know what kind," Darien said coming forward to take Serena's arm again.
"I agree!" She looked the two up and down again as they stood in front of her. They really did make a wonderful couple, even if nothing ever became of them. "Now you'd both better leave before your admirers catch up with you."
"Right, right! Let's go!" he said enthusiastically.
"Good night, Romola. Tell that husband of yours bye for us."
She nodded to the younger woman. "I will."
"Good night madam," Darien took her hand and made quite a show out of kissing the back of it.
"Careful young man! I'm a married woman," she teased.
"All the best ones are taken," he mumbled to his date. She patted his arm that was still looped through hers and pulled him towards the door.
"Well, dear, I guess you're just stuck with me after all."
"Oh, now I am depressed."
Whack!!
That was the last sound Romola heard as the glass doors shut behind the pair. Shaking her head she walked back to her husband's side and resumed the dull conversation that she had just left.
"You seem preoccupied this evening, my dear," he asked her when they finally managed to lose the crowd.
"Just thinking, darling."
"About what?"
"About what we were like when we were still just friends."
- - -
@}->-- "There are four steps to accomplishments: Plan purposefully, Prepare prayerfully, Proceed positively, and Pursue persistently." -Unknown.
