Title: Royal Flush - Day 2
Author: Alicia Blade
E-mail: Kammi22@sprintmail.com

	Hey Minna-chan! I'm doing pretty good on posting so far, ne? 
THANK YOU SOOO MUCH to the people who e-mailed me!! I felt so loved! 
Many more this time than last week, so PLEASE keep sending them in! I 
LOVE mail!! 
	Anyway, as always, a million plus thanks to Athena, Edeet-chan, 
and Lady Starra! You are THE best friends I could have and I love you 
all to death!
	Also, arigato, gracias, thank you!! To Kate-chan, my bestest 
friend in the world, and R-chan, Patti-chan, and all the rest of the 
Pack! Don't know what I'd do without ya!! 
	Hm... not much to say this time around, except, once more: Mail 
me!!!!! Oh, and I'm still looking to see who's interested in the poetry 
book and all first season fanfics website. So far we've had a good 
response and thanx to everyone's suggestions! They've helped a lot!!
	Enjoy!

	"The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, 
for the glory of God illuminated it.  The Lamb is its light. And the 
nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings 
of the earth bring their glory and honor into it."
					Revelation 21: 23 - 24
					(Talking of Heaven, my favorite part ^_~)

	He was mad. He was VERY mad. Again, she hadn't shown. But this 
time, he doubted she would. It was 5:30, an hour and a half past when 
she was supposed to be at his apartment. Of course, he wasn't that 
surprised. She had said that she wasn't going to come. But part of him 
had hoped she would show anyway. But it wasn't happening. It wouldn't 
happen. He'd lost her...
	"Not if I have anything to say about it."
	Grabbing his jacket, he stormed angrily out of his apartment.

	The doors of the arcade jingled lightly as he entered. He looked 
around. Andrew had his back turned to him, helping some little boy with 
a game. He looked toward the famous Sailor V game, hoping she hadn't 
left yet, and smiled lightly. Already the anger was fading. Just 
looking at her, even though he could only see her back. He imagined her 
small face staring at the screen in diligence. Her blue eyes staring at 
it with thoughtful concentration. Her fragile hands pushing at the 
buttons furiously. 
	He breathed in deeply. 'Can't let her get to ya now. You're mad, 
remember?'
	He laughed at himself. 'Yeah right, don't even imagine you can 
stay mad at her long. She's too gorgeous, too lively, too wonderful. Of 
all the times she's driven you crazy, hurt you or pained you, you 
forgave her every time. Besides, she never did realize just what she 
was doing to you. It's not her fault.'
	Casually, he strolled over to stand behind her, watching over her 
shoulder with a smile on his face. She didn't notice. In one clean 
swoop, he bent down and wrapped his arms around her. She gasped and 
squealed, straightening up against him. 
	"Good afternoon, Meatball Head," he whispered as the words Game 
Over flashed onto the screen. She seemed to relax for a brief second, 
before the anger built up quick as lightning and she shook against him. 
	"YOU MADE ME LOSE THE GAME!!!" she yelled at him. He only 
chuckled, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a quarter. 
	"I'm sorry. Here, try again." 
	She glared at the small silver coin in front of her. Bringing up 
her hand, she smacked it out of his fingers, sending it rolling across 
the tile floor of the arcade. Darien watched in amusement as it 
disappeared beneath another video game. 
	"No thanks, I'm done playing anyway," she said sourly, pushing 
out of his grip and standing from the small stool. He watched quietly 
as she began walking away from him. Reaching out a hand, he grabbed 
onto her wrist. She froze in her tracks. 
Walking closer to her, he said, "I thought we had an 
arrangement."
She huffed her shoulders, turning her nose high in the air away 
from him. "I refuse to be your slave!"
	He raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And... since when did you have a choice 
in the matter?"
	He yelled at himself inwardly. 'Oh yeah, perfect time to practice 
your jerk techniques!' 
	She turned slightly to stare up at him. If looks could kill...
	Darien forced a smile. With his free hand, he traced along the 
arm farthest away from him, walking around so that her back barely 
touched the material of his shirt, sending his stomach turning. He 
couldn't remember ever being so close to her. 
	His hands worked their way up her arms. He felt her gasp and 
stiffen beneath his touch. Leaning his head down on her shoulder, he 
tied his hands in front of her stomach. 
She closed her eyes, not knowing whether to move closer into this 
incredible warmth he sent in waves pooling over her, or to run from the 
electrifying tingles he caused to jolt up her spine. 
	"The rules were... that you would be my slave for one week. You 
agreed to them, remember?" he whispered into her hair. She shuddered. 
	Through her dry throat, she managed to choke out, "Mina... it was 
Mina's bet. She should have to... to..." Her mind dissipated without any 
further thought as his hands tickled so gently at the soft material at 
her small stomach. 
	"Mina? Yes, Mina. I suppose, if you won't be my slave... then she 
can't keep up her end of the bargain. Maybe I should take this up with 
her then?"
	Serena felt a surge of jealousy at the thought of him holding 
Mina this close, this intimately. She trembled into him. 
	"She'll have to find something of great value to pay me for the 
game then. Maybe some antique jewelry that's been in the family for 
years? Or... money she earned after hard work, college money perhaps?"
	Serena closed her eyes tightly. "You wouldn't do that..." she 
whispered.
	"Wouldn't I? Are you willing to take that chance?" He looked down 
on her face. She was shaking. Her expression looked like she was trying 
to block out any multitudes of feelings. And fear dominated them. He 
held back a gasp.
	'Fear? I never wanted fear...'
	He chuckled softly. "You're right Meatball Head. I wouldn't do 
that. It's not Mina's fault after all. Besides... all the most valuable 
jewels in the world couldn't make up for you. In value or beauty."	
	Serena gasped, opening her eyes wide. 'What's that supposed to 
mean?' Her heart was beating so fast... so abnormally fast... Every breath 
was ragged and short as she tried to swallow the nervousness she was 
feeling. She didn't understand this. He'd never made her feel this way.
	"However... there's still the problem of my payment to deal with. 
You're still my slave, until either the week is up or I decide to free 
you..." Darien let this statement fade away. 
	'If I decide to free you... If I decide to free you... would you 
forgive me then? Would that make any difference?'
	His mind drifted in these thoughts as he looked down at the angel 
in his arms. She hadn't once fought him since he'd held onto her. She 
only stood there, angelic and trusting and so... very... close...
	His eyes skimmed slowly over her hair, perfect face, blue eyes 
closed again, lips parted so slightly, down her graceful, pale neck...
	He lowered his lips to her neck, aching to taste her... just once... 
as he'd always dreamt of... He stopped, his lips millimeters from the 
tempting skin. Serena hadn't moved. She was frozen, tense, against him. 
Her body was shaking, her arms trembled, her breath leaving her mouth 
in quick gasps. 
	She could feel his breath on her neck. She didn't know what was 
going on anymore. Part of her felt that she should run, push him away, 
yell and scream. The other wanted to him to kiss her, wanted to turn 
around and allow him to ravage her lips to his desire... to her desire. 
But he was still now, no longer teasing her stomach, no longer inching 
toward her neck. 	
	"Darien..." she whimpered. 
	His eyes flew open. He couldn't kiss her. She wasn't his. Even 
more, she hated him. What would she think if he were to just take her 
like this? Would she think he was desperate? Lustful? INSANE?! He 
couldn't do this. 
	His lips trembling, he slowly backed away from her. She let out 
the breath she had been holding in and turned in his arms to face him. 
Her body pressed against his, her shaking hands held each other in 
front of her chest. Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, she thought 
she could see into his true feelings. Licking her lips, she turned her 
face up to his and closed her eyes. 
	Darien looked down on this innocent, naïve girl. With one hand, 
he pulled her even closer to him, molding their bodies together. She 
didn't protest. Overriding the temptation to cover her mouth with his, 
which he wasn't exactly sure if that's what she wanted or not, he 
reached into his pocket and pulled something out. Opening one of her 
palms, he dropped the small treasure in and closed her fingers around 
it. 
	Once again leaning down close to her ear, he whispered, "You're 
free." He smelled the delicious scent of vanilla perfume, drifting 
around him, encasing his senses. Lowering his head farther, he couldn't 
resist as he felt his lips drifting dangerously close to her soft skin. 
He tasted it barely, lying a single butterfly kiss below her jaw. No 
longer able to resist temptation, he kissed her neck fully, 
passionately, tasting her slightly salty skin, before pulling away from 
her and leaving the arcade as quick as possible. 
	Serena opened her eyes dazedly in surprise. He was gone...
	Opening her hand, she looked down on a single, small, pearl 
earring. 
	
	Darien punched the door of his bedroom, easily leaving a small 
dent where his knuckles had punctured it. With a groan, he leaned his 
head down on the wood, clenching his fists at his sides. 
	"Great! Just great! I lost her! I have the perfect opportunity to 
spend time with her, get to know her, and get her to know ME and I LOST 
her!!" He sighed, turning around and leaning his back up against the 
door, staring into his dark bedroom. Dull and lifeless, just as Serena 
had said. At least when she had been here, there had been an air of 
strength, of love, of happiness. But he'd lost her now.
	"Not that you ever really HAD her," he corrected himself sourly. 
Closing his eyes, he made no attempt to stop a single tear streak down 
his cheek. "Oh, Serena..." he whispered. "I love you. Why can't you see 
that? Why can't you give me a chance?"
	He gasped at the sound of a knock at his front door. Quickly, he 
wiped the tear away, straightening his jacket and taking a deep breath 
before opening his bedroom door and traveling slowly down the short 
hallway. He fixed his hand to the knob and opened the door... to reveal 
an empty hall. 
	"Um... hello?" he asked suspiciously. Then his eyes caught sight of 
a small white envelope right outside his door. Furrowing his brow, he 
bent down and picked it up curiously. Looking around one more time, he 
closed the door and retreated back into his living room. 
	He flipped the card over a few times. It was blank. Opening it 
slowly, he pulled out a small note on pale pink paper. It read, 

Darien,

You're right. A deal is a deal, and I have to keep my end, even if it 
WAS Mina's fault. I'm sorry for being so stubborn. I'll be a better 
'slave' from now on. If you still want me, I'll be in the park by the 
docks. 

Forgive me,
Serena

Turning the envelope over, a small pearl earring fell into 
Darien's palm. He smiled slightly. He hadn't lost yet. And maybe now... 
he could convince her that he was a nice guy after all... and maybe, just 
maybe he could get her to see his feelings for her, and her to feel the 
same way. 

	Serena dipped her toe into the cold water, splashing a little out 
toward a small baby duck that had come dangerously close to her. It 
shook its head a little, dipping its beak into the water, before 
turning and paddling away from her, quacking quietly. She giggled softy 
at it, kicking some more water in its direction.
	"Looks like you made a friend." 
	She gasped, turning to look up at Darien. He smiled down on her, 
before kneeling by her side. She watched him closely, memories of being 
so close to that strong body filtering back. He caught her gaze from 
the corner of his eye and turned to face her. She blushed becomingly 
and turned away to look over the water again. He smiled. 
	They sat silent for a few minutes, neither really knowing what to 
say or do. Finally, Serena spoke.
	"So... as your slave, what am I to do?" she asked carefully. 	
	Darien raised an eyebrow, smiling softly. "Well... I don't know 
exactly. I've never had one before."
	She giggled slightly. 
	"That."
	"Huh?"
	"I want you to do that. I want you to be happy."
	Serena looked at him like he was crazy. "Why?"
	He shrugged. "When you're happy, I'm happy. I don't know why, 
but... it's true."
	She leaned her head to the side, looking at him carefully. His 
blue eyes glazed over the small lake, a thoughtful smile on his face. 
	"I can do that," she whispered. He returned his stare to her, and 
smiled wider. 
	"Okay, then those are your orders!"
	She smiled widely. "Yes, Master!" Standing, she performed an 
elaborate bow before him, smiling widely. He chuckled, standing before 
her. 
	"Are you gonna call me that from now on?"
	"Sure, why not?"
	He only smiled and shook his head. Looking around, he asked, "So... 
you wanna go for a walk?"
	"Sure! Ooh, even better, can we feed the ducks? Please?! My 
friend looks a little hungry..."
	He smiled over at the small baby duck who had made its way back 
to their side of the dock. "Okay, let's go get some food!"

	Darien smiled as the small ducklings inched closer to Serena's 
small fingers, dancing lightly in the water with bits of bread held 
between the tips. She held her breath as one pure white baby came so 
close to her... but at the last moment scurried away to disappear behind 
its mother. Serena sighed disappointed. Looking up at him, she stated, 
"I think you scared him away."
	Darien chuckled. "Gee, thanks Meatball Head!"
	Pouting, she drew her hand out of the cool water and stood up 
next to him. "Don't call me that!"
	"Would you prefer 'slave'?"
	Folding her arms over her chest, she stuck her tongue out at him, 
before thrusting her nose in the air and walking away down the dirt 
path. Smiling, he followed her, drifting a strong arm over her shoulder 
when he came close enough. She pulled away from his grip.
	"Don't touch me!"
	"Aw, now is that any way to speak to your master?"
	She glared at him. "Fine, don't touch me, MASTER!"
	He laughed. Walking closer to her, he wrapped an arm strongly 
around her waist. When she went to pull away, he only tightened his 
grip. "Now, behave, Meatball Head!"
	She blushed noticeably, but didn't struggle to get away anymore. 
	"Hey, ya want some ice cream?" asked Darien, seeing a vendor up 
the path a ways.
	"Yeah!" she squealed delightedly. Then, with an evil grin, she 
added, "Race ya there!" And she was gone from his encompassing arm in a 
flash.
	Darien laughed at her childishness before taking the hint and 
dashing after her. Soon, he was closing in on her trail.
	Serena squealed as a pair of strong arms reached around her 
shoulders, and they both went tumbling to the ground. Out of breath, 
Darien looked up at the girl that had somehow landed on top of him. She 
giggled, looking down at his laughing blue eyes. 
	Their noses brushed up against each other's, their breath 
taunting the lips. Darien's arms still stretched around her back, 
holding her close to his chest. He remembered the delectable taste of 
her soft skin and began to wonder... to dream...
Serena gasped as she felt him moving slowly closer to her lips. 
With wide eyes, she pushed herself off of him, rolling to sit beside 
him. 
	Darien snapped back to reality when he no longer felt her body so 
close to him... and mentally hit himself for being so ready to kiss her 
like that. As he stood up, he realized it would be harder than he 
thought to control himself around her. Turning, he held out a hand to 
help Serena off the ground. She accepted, allowing herself to be hauled 
to her feet. Giggling, she commented,
	"Ya know, you're a pretty quick runner."
	He smiled back. "You are too Meatball Head. I'm surprised with 
all that junk food you eat."
	Again she glared at him. Ripping her hands from his hold, she
proceeded in brushing herself off. Looking up, she said, "Speaking of 
junk food, I'd like my ice cream now, Master."
	Darien smiled. Placing his arm around her again, he dragged her 
off to the vendor. 
	Serena spent a good ten minutes analyzing the large selection of 
ice cream, her taste buds screaming for everything offered and more. 
Finally, with some additional teasing from Darien, she decided on a 
triple scoop waffle cone with chocolate, chocolate chip, and chocolate 
fudge. 
	The two walked down the path a little while longer, Serena 
happily feasting on her delightful treat and Darien simply enjoying 
watching little bits of the dessert make their way to her hungry lips 
and rosy cheeks. When she had finished, she tossed the napkin into a 
nearby garbage can, before turning to face Darien. 
	"It's late," she said quietly, turning her face up to him. Darien 
had hardly noticed the darkening of the sky until she had pointed it 
out, too caught up in staring at the blindingly bright smile on the 
girl by his side. 
	With a quirky, almost disappointed smile, Darien nodded. "Yup, I 
guess... you should get home. Do you want me to walk you?"
	Serena looked down the pathway. "Naw, that's okay. We live in 
opposite directions." 
	Darien smiled. "I can walk the extra ways. Come on." Draping his 
arm over her shoulder again, something he had decided to take advantage 
of as much as possible this week, he began walking in the direction of 
her home, letting her guide him whenever they came to a fork in the 
road. 
After a long silence, Darien said, "Actually, Meatball Head, you 
have a free day tomorrow." Serena looked up at him surprised. 
"Huh?"
	"I have a late meeting at work, so... I'll probably stay there 
almost all day. Therefore, I'm giving you the day off." He looked down 
on her mischievously. "Spend it well, it's the last one you'll have 
before the week is over."
	Serena blushed lightly. "Actually, I'm busy on Thursday, I can't 
get out of it, either."
	Darien raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
	She nodded. "Yeah, I have volunteer work at St. Joseph's Hospital 
every Thursday."
	Darien smiled. 'She WOULD volunteer at a hospital. So sweet and 
giving...' He sighed. 
	"Well, if you can't get out of it... then I won't hold you to your 
duties that day." He looked at her suspiciously. "You know, you're 
getting off pretty easy."
	She only smiled. Then, with a thoughtful glance to the sky, she 
said, "So... where do you work?"
	"A computer engineering company called Remote Operating System 
Enterprises."
	Serena giggled. "Sounds important."
	He smiled down on her. "Yeah, sort of. You ever seen that big 
black building down town with the point on top. It's at the corner of 
Himaka Street."
	Serena looked up at him. "Yeah, that building looks SO cool from 
the outside!!"
	He smiled. "Well, that's where the main management of the company 
is. And then we have stations in other countries too..."
"The WHOLE building?!" she squealed. 
	Darien laughed. "No, silly Meatball Head. We're on the 8th through 
the 11th floor."
	Serena smiled lightly. "Oh, that makes more sense."
	Darien smiled down on her. "W...would you like to go sometime?" All 
the sudden a great nervousness settled upon him. He wasn't sure why, 
it's not like he was really asking her on a date or anything, but... 
there was still that dreaded fear of rejection. 
	"YEAH!" Serena cheered happily. He smiled down on her.
	"Really?"
	"Uh-huh! I've always wondered what it was like inside!"
	His grin widened. "Great then, I'll take you sometime." 
	She returned the smile, burying herself deeper into his embrace, 
noticeable only to him. They walked another block in silence. 
	"This is where I live," said Serena happily. Darien thought it 
was almost a little mean that she was so happy to be leaving him so 
soon... Sure, they had spent the last 2 and a half hours together, but 
still... it wasn't nearly enough time to fill his aching addiction to 
her.
	Slowly, they walked up the path. She immediately placed her hand 
on the door, but he stopped her, grabbing her small hand to be held in 
his own. She gasped and looked up at him in confusion. With a 
mysterious smile, he said, "I'll see you Wednesday then, my apartment. 
You'll show up this time?"
	Her cheeks tinted pink for a brief moment, but then she nodded. 
"Wednesday, 4:00."
	"Good slave." Leaning down, he kissed her cheek tenderly. Backing 
away, he bowed and brushed his lips against the back of her hand before 
turning completely and strolling down the pathway. Serena took a deep 
breath and disappeared into her house. 


What did ya think?! Oh, one reminder:  E-MAIL IS A GOOD THING!!!
Luv ya and God bless!
<3 Alicia