Title: Next Time Take the Elevator - A Sequel Part: 1 Author: Alicia Blade E-mail: Kammi22@sprintmail.com Webpage: First Love: A Sailormoon Story Archive Addy: http://www.geocities.com/tokyo/spa/4410 Genre: Romance/Comedy Rating: G - PG Please, READ THE AUTHOR'S NOTES. I know there's a whole grip of them, but chances are, there's something that applies to you. Thank you!! I'll try to keep 'em short! 1: A dear friend, Abby is looking to become a prereader for a Sailormoon fanfic author. Her only requirements are that it is not hentai and rated no higher than PG-13. Interested? Write her at ab_smfan@yahoo.com. 2: Lately I've been having lots of requests to post my fics on peoples' websites. That's great! BUT, I am terribly insulted when I see the exact same message has been forwarded to 50 other authors. If you really like my stories, be personal about it, or be sure that I will not allow them to be posted on your webpage. I'm sure that I am not the only author who feels this way. 3: If you haven't read Next Time Take the Stairs, you will want to go do that first, or most of this won't make sense. http://www.geocities.com/tokyo/spa/4410/stairs.txt Likewise, if you haven't read it for a year or more, you may want to go freshen your memory. :::shrug::: Your choice. And just so you know, this one is also comedy, though there is a LOT more romance. I know it annoyed you when there was so little in the last one. I'll probably never make THAT mistake again. Oro? 4: This fanfic includes references to The Slayers and Ranma1/2, two other anime series. So if you haven't seen those shows, you may not understand some of the jokes used. Just smile and nod, it shouldn't affect your understanding of the plot. For future reference: Lina Inverse is the main character from Slayers. The whole animal thing comes from Ranma. Just leave it at that. 5: I am still tallying votes for the Inner Senshi Romance series. If you didn't read the AN's from Newborn Wings, the question is: Which would you rather see? Romances between: Raye and Chad Raye and Jadeite Lita and Ken Lita and Nephlyte Amy and Greg Amy and Zoicite Mina and Adonis [Action Ace (manga)] Mina and Malachite Mina and made up character (Josh? ^_~) OTHER Also? would anyone be interested in an outer senshi series? I've been debating it for awhile, not sure that I could do a Uranus/Neptune very well (and there is NO way I would ever tear them apart) then Saturn is kinda young? but honestly, what is YOUR opinion? Tell me!! I'll write what gets the most responses!!! The vote will be officially closed on June 17. (2 other special events on that day, why not one more?) If you've already voted, please do not vote again. 6: If you would like to know where my future plans are headed, this is the rough sketch of what I will be working on this summer vacation (3 weeks and counting? ^_~): Stories: - Inner Senshi series - 2 Rurouni Kenshin romances - Kaoru/Kenshin and Misao/Aoshi - More from the future: Usa and Mamo married/dating/Crystal Tokyo/etc. - A giant anime crossover I'm co-writing with my close friends. - I would like to do a Fushigi Yuugi. If you have any ideas, email them to me. Especially if they involve Tasuki. Sigh? - 3 Ranma romances - Akane/Ranma, Ukyou/Ryouga and a Shampoo/Mousse - I'd like to do a comedy from Slayers. It'll probably focus on Zel. - I have 2 Silver Millennium to work on, one is a co-written series with Lizzie-chan, a close friend. This series would also involve a breakup fic, my first. Eep, wish me luck! ^_~ - I previously started 2 other first seasons. Not really sure where they're going, but they'll be something to think about. - The long forgotten Ultimate First Season Rewrite for First Love. Oro? - A non-fanfic (gasp!) that may or may not be viewable on the net, depending on length and quality. Who knows, maybe someday I can publish it! - That fantasy book I told you about a year ago. I miss working on it, so I'm sure it'll get lots done over the next few months. Websites: - I plan to update First Love more often, for one. - Pickle Palace: A Shrine to Anime Men (I'm sure most of you will love that one!) - The Samurai Duck: An everything Rurouni Kenshin shrine - Fishzine: an online Christian magazine - Pikestreet Caf麠under MAJOR renovation!!! All you poets, send in your ideas on what you would like to see! http://www.geocities.com/alicia_blade 7: I want to offer unconditional thanks to Stormlight, Joanne Alexandra, My Personal Stalker Jo, Lady C, Lady Starra, SailorM11, and Adrian for their ideas and support. They were angels sent from Heaven during the making of this fanfic. Also, thanks to R-chan, Rebe-chan, Charm, and Neko-chan for the pet names. Arigatou, minna! 8: This fanfic received more requests than anything I have ever written. So every single person who ever complained it was taking me too long, or who asked for it to be written, had better write me!! I want email! ^_^ Thanks! 9: Would anyone care if I told you I was extremely happy? Wanna know WHY? (Other than this fanfic being done?) I get to go to the Senior prom, and I'm just a sophomore (yatta!), summer is in less than 3 weeks, I'm going to Hawaii with my best friend in August, AND I just got my license. LOL, mi vida es muy buena. 10. RPG-ERS!! Me and some of my close friends have started an RPG on Yahoo called The Samurai Duck. It's kind of a restaurant, and we have... oh... tenish members right now, but if you're interested, we welcome new customers! Just go to Yahoo Clubs then in 'search' type in 'Samurai Duck'. It should bring you right to it. Hope you join and enjoy!! "My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distill as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: because I will publish the name of the Lord: ascribe ye greatness unto our God." - Deuteronomy 32:2-3 There, that wasn't too treacherous? Thanks for reading, now on to the long awaited for? <> Next Time Take the Elevator <> <> A Sequel <> <> "Oh Raye, I absolutely LOVE it!" squealed Serena, leaning over the coffee table to give her raven-haired friend a hug. Darien looked at the cappuccino maker suspiciously. With all the interesting buttons and shiny metal gadgets? he hoped Serena wouldn't actually expect him to figure out how to work this thing? at least, not any time soon. "I'm sure Muffin can have that thing up and running in a jiffy. Coffee, anyone?" Darien looked up nervously as everyone cheered their praise, eager to try out the tastiest cappuccinos since Starbucks. He groaned and took the orders before disappearing into the adjacent kitchen, the maker in one hand and instruction manual in the other. Serena smiled happily. "Alright, what next?" "Mine!" Mina cheered happily, holding up a miniature cylinder wrapped in orange and gold. Serena quickly snatched the gift from her hand and immediately began tearing at the florescent wrapping paper. She soon came to a small, lightweight yellow can. Peeling off the plastic lid, she screamed and jumped back as hundreds of obnoxious bright streamers came shooting out at her. Mina squealed with delight and tossed some more confetti into the air. Serena caught her breath, picking some tissue squares out of her hair. "Um? thanks, Mina." "Yup, anything for a friend!" Serena rolled her eyes, then smiled as she reached for a large silver package on the floor beside her. "Ugh!!" she groaned, dropping it on the floor again. "Sorry," said Amy shyly. "I should have warned you that it was kind of heavy." Taking a deep breath and arching her back, Serena lifted the box again, grunting as it fell into her lap. "Goodness, Ames, what is IN here?!" she gasped painfully. Finally, she began to untie the pale blue ribbons. Once the paper had been torn off, she opened the large cardboard box? A silence fell over the group. Finally, Serena smiled lovingly at Amy. "Gee, thanks, Ames. You? shouldn't have?" "I hope you like it. I don't think it's too much above your level?" "No, of course not! I've always wanted? The? Complete Encyclopedia of the Human Mind?" Amy breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh good, I'm glad that you like it then!" Serena smiled and moaned again as she pushed the box off of her lap, letting it loud with a thumb on the large sofa. Inhaling sharply, she called, "Okay, who's next?" "OW!" Everyone turned to the yelp of pain coming from the kitchen. In a moment, Darien came out, covered in chocolate powder and coffee mix. "Raye, are you purposely TRYING to kill me?" She laughed slightly, covering her mouth. Serena stood up and walked over to him, brushing off some of the powder from his face. "Angel Lips, is it really that hard to make some simple lattes?" He glared down at her. "YOU try working that deathtrap!" She rolled her eyes, patted his head like a puppy dog, and left into the kitchen. A minute later, gurgling and swishing sounds emitted from the adjacent room, followed by Serena carrying a tray of mochas and cappuccinos. "Show off," Darien growled beneath his breath before turning and collapsing onto the couch. "Hey, The Complete Encyclopedia of the Human Mind! Right on!" After Serena had passed out the drinks, she set the tray down, asking calmly, "Are there any more gifts?" "Yup!" said Lita, handing her a small flat package. Serena took it into her palms, once again settling down beside Darien. With a smile, she handed it to him lovingly. "You open it, Teddy Bear. Just don't get powdery stuff all over it!" He glared at her teasingly before turning his attention to the package. Unwrapping it, he looked down on the gift? and his jaw fell. "Oh goodness?" he whispered. "What? What is it, Sweet Cushion?" He looked up at Lita. "Where on Earth did you GET this?!" "I always carry a camera," she answered confidently. "What is it?!" screeched Serena, trying to look over Darien's shoulder. Slowly, he handed her the present. Her reaction mirrored his exactly. "Lita? Where did this come from?!" The brunette only smiled to herself. Serena and Darien looked down awestruck on a picture placed carefully into a small silver frame. There, sitting in the middle of an elevator, a 14 year old Serena in an oversized green jacket with a rose in her hand and a braid around her head peacefully slept in the arms of a young, spiky-haired Darien, also deep in dreamland. The two stared at the photo for a minute, awestruck. "But? but?" stuttered Serena. "You weren't even THERE that day!" Lita and the others exchanged glances. "Actually, we all were." "Who's we?" asked Darien suspiciously. "I only remembered Andrew being lobby at one point." "Well, there was me," said Andrew, counting off on his fingers, "Rita, Amy, Raye, Lita, Mina, Ted, and Tom." Darien and Serena exchanged wary glances. "I'm almost afraid to ask who Ted and Tom are." "Oh, they were the maintenance workers. Really cool guys, actually. We played charades and poker? and Raye won ALL the candy!" screeched Mina. "Hold it," said Serena, holding up a hand. "You're telling me that while I was stuck up in a cramped elevator with a guy you all KNEW I couldn't stand, sorry Sugar, YOU were playing CHARADES with the maintenance guys!?" Again, everyone exchanged glances. Finally, Raye said, "Yup, pretty much." Serena groaned. "Figures." "Then when you came down, we wouldn't let anyone wake you up and we all lost our bets," said Lita. "Bets?" "Don't ask." Amy looked up thoughtfully. "Hm? I wonder what ever happened to the maintenance guys, anyway?" Lita nudged her gently. "Why, Amy? Do you miss them?" "Yeah, Ames, I remember Ted had a crush on you," added Mina with a sly wink. Amy blushed. "He did not!" "Ya know, she has a point," interrupted Raye with a tranquil, pondering expression. "I wonder where they are too?" *** Somewhere in Tokyo? "...And I would like to thank the people I rescued from the elevator that day so many years back. Without them, I would never have had the self- confidence to attend the Police Academy. Thanks, wherever you are! You have changed my life!" "You've done a good job, Officer Tom. I hereby recognize you as Sheriff in Training Tom! You're next assignment will be as a security guard at the biggest department and jewelry store in Tokyo, Diamond Palace." As the crowd burst into applause, Tom wiped at a tear forming in his eye. "Awe, shucks?" *** Everyone shook their heads after the deep reminiscing. Darien and Serena continued to stare at their friends suspiciously. "So?" said Andrew, mentally laughing at his best friend and his fianc駳 humorous expressions. "Ya know, you never did tell me what happened when you got out of that elevator." Darien and Serena turned to each other. Both paled noticeably. "Um? we'd rather not." "Aw, come on! Please?!" Lita begged. Serena sighed. "Well, ya see, I was peacefully dreaming of being married to Tuxedo Mask when?" *** "Well, well, well, Serena Tsukino, I see you don't only fall asleep in my class!" Groggily, Serena opened her tired eyes. Looking up, she could make out a big blur with red hair looming over her precariously. Yawning, she wiped at her sleepy blue eyes. "I'm sorry, Miss Haruna, could you repeat the question?" she mumbled, before realizing that something felt terribly wrong. She wasn't sitting at a small, cramped school desk, but rather she was sitting? on a lap?! Snapping to attention, she looked up to see a lightly snoring Darien above her. "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!" Darien's eyes flew open to see two large cerulean eyes staring him directly in the face. "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!!" "Aaaaaahhhh!!" "Aaaaaaahh!" "Serena Tsukino, quit that wailing or I'll give you detention for a week!" Silence fell over the two as Serena looked up to see her teacher standing before her angrily, her hands on her hips. "Sorry, Miss Haruna," she mumbled ashamedly. "Mr. Chiba?" The two looked over Haruna's shoulder to see a tall man with brown hair standing just behind her. Darien gulped at the uncanny sight of his boss. "Oh? uh? good morning, Mr. Nihao." "Hardly. It's eleven o'clock p.m. Just WHAT do you think you are doing in the elevator at this time of night?" "Um?" Darien looked down on Serena. "Sleeping?" Mr. Nihao rolled his eyes. "I can see that, Darien! Might you care to explain WHY?!" "Um? well, ya see?" "It's kind of a long story?" "There was this storm and?" "We came here?" "To get out!" "But everything got black and?" "Just froze," "But then there was this speaker?" "And Andrew, too?" "But we couldn't do anything, so?" "We just?" "Slept." "Yup, we just slept." Darien and Serena looked up, smiling as tiny glowing halos formed above their heads. Miss Haruna rolled her eyes. "Ms Tsukino, you once again answer my questions with no background information. You must work on that!" Serena bowed her head. "Sorry, Miss Haruna." Darien snickered above her. She turned and smacked him hard in the shoulder. "I don't think you should me laughing too hard Mr. Chiba. After all, this is certainly what I'd refer to as robbing the cradle." Darien's eyes nearly bugged out of his head. His breath caught and with lightning speeds, he had pushed Serena off his lap and now attempted to stand up on his own feet. He didn't notice his one hand trapped between her back and his own jacket. "Aaaaaaaaaaahh!" Serena screamed to match his own as he came toppling down on top of her, throwing her onto her back in the center of the elevator. The next thing either knew, Darien's lips had somehow managed to connect with hers, one hand still wrapped around her tightly. Mr. Nihao raised an amused eyebrow. "Can't you wait just a little longer?" Haruna chuckled lightly. "Yes, get a room, you two. Children these days. Serena you are ruining the very little bit of respect I had left for you. What would your father think if he knew what you were doing?" Darien pried himself off the girl, trying to untangle his arm from the jacket. Finally, she simply pulled herself out of the sleeves, leaving it dangling from Darien's arm. Jumping to her feet, Darien hopping up right next to her, she bowed quickly to her teacher. "Sorry again, Miss Haruna. Um? I'll be going now." "Bye, Meatball Head," Darien choked out, trying to straighten his wrinkled shirt and jeans. "I'll see you on Monday, Serena," Haruna called after her as the whirlwind disappeared out the lobby door. Haruna and Mr. Nihao turned expectantly to Darien, still blushing furiously. "It was nice running into you, Darien." "Um? yes, likewise, sir." "Unlikely," chuckled the man. Placing his arm around his date, he led her into the elevator as Darien walked out calmly into the lobby. "Have a nice night," he replied, nodding his head toward them. "Same to you. But? don't you live here, Mr. Chiba?" Pausing, Darien cleared his throat. "Well, yes, but? I think? I need to get some fresh air for a little while." "Yes, of course. Well then, I'll see you at work." "Yes? good night." Darien walked away beet red as the elevator doors closed innocently behind him. *** Everyone in the small group shuddered. "Oh, that must have been SO embarrassing!" said Mina with sympathy. "You have no idea," said Darien. "It gets worse." "Uh? Peach Pie? I don't think we really need to tell them about?" "No, no, please tell us!" "Yeah, we wanna know!" Serena took a deep breath as Darien attempted to hide his head in his hands. *** "Okay, class, now this is the essay that will be due next Friday," said Haruna, scribbling some words onto the chalkboard. "I will give you time to work in class, but I expect most of it to be worked out at home. The requirements are 3 pages, Times New Roman, size 12, double-spaced. Any questions?" The class read over the topic. 'What would I do if I was trapped in an elevator with my enemy for 3 hours'. Serena choked on air, staring at the sloppy words. Was she reading this correctly? Amy, Mina, and Lita all looked over to her, giggling slightly. "Serena, could I see you for a minute?" Serena stood up shakily and made her way to the front of the room. Seeing Miss Haruna's evil smile, she gulped and faltered. "Now I want you to stay as true to life as is? school appropriate," Haruna began, tapping her nails on the desk. Serena blushed and lowered her head, nodding slightly, "and I want you to try extra hard on this assignment. Or?" Serena looked up frightened. "Or I read it to the class." Paling instantly, she nodded again, before returning to her desk. 'Isn't this called blackmail?' she thought suspiciously. *** "Luckily, I made an 81% on that test. I think if I'd gotten below a B, she would have stayed true to her promise." Mina giggled. "I almost wish she would have read it. I still wanna know what you two were doing up there all that time." Darien groaned. "Another time." "Now, Munchkin, why don't you tell us what happened to YOU after our interesting adventure?" "Must I?" "Yes!" *** Darien walked tiredly into his office, setting his briefcase down on his desk and running a hand through his messy hair. It had been a long, sleepless night. "Good morning, Mr. Chiba?" sang an over-innocent voice from the door. Turning, he saw his secretary with a sly grin standing in the doorway. He could tell she was hiding something behind her back. "Good morning, Kate. Can I help you??" he asked suspiciously. Her grin widened. "Well? I was wondering if maybe you and your girlfriend would like to go on a double date with me and Kenny sometime. We're going to a bar this weekend? oh, wait! I'm sorry, she's probably too young for that isn't she? Maybe McDonalds instead? I'm sure she'd LOVE for you to buy her a Happy Meal!" Darien's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropping noticeably. "Wha? what are you talking about?!" Laughing, she threw a paper at him before scurrying quickly from his office. Nearly choking with confusion and surprise, Darien slowly looked down at the company newsletter held in his hands. Walking around behind his desk, he slumped into his chair before skimming hurriedly through the articles. "Rise in stock price? Ms. Akane celebrating 40th anniversary with company? Elevator crisis? Big computer report coming along? Mr. Kusai wants? WHAT?!" His eyes jumped back to a previous article. Crisis in the Elevator Last weekend one of our fervent employees was trapped unceremoniously in an elevator in his apartment building. Because of this, we've decided to enhance the safety and maintenance of our own elevator systems. Thankfully, Darien Chiba, the young worker who had inspired this change by being stuck in his home elevator, was unscathed by the frightening experience. He was found with his girlfriend late Saturday night asleep in the back of the stranded box. Gladly, both young lovers were okay after supposedly comforting each other during these untimely circumstances. Mr. Nihao and his fianc鬠Miss Patricia Haruna, found them sleeping together, with the young lady peacefully in his lap. If anyone would like to share their support for the terrifying incident, feel free to talk to Mr. Chiba at his office on the 11th floor, or send flowers or a gift to Serena Tsukino, his girlfriend, who attends Juuban Middle School. Thank you. First he went pale. Then the blood flooded his face and the predicted blush stained his cheeks. Gulping, Darien tried desperately to clear his throat, before giving up and deciding to go home and call in sick. With a severe case of the flue. That could last up to a good three weeks. Maybe he could work from home? *** Serena giggled, wrapping her arm around Darien's shoulder as he tried again to hide his face as he remembered the awful embarrassment of it all. The rest of the guests were in an uproar, imagining what Darien must have gone through. "Oh, you poor man!" said Andrew between laughs. Darien rolled his eyes. "It's okay, Sunshine," comforted Serena, kissing his cheek. "It's all in the past. Besides, everything worked out for the best, you know." Slowly, a smile tugged at Darien's lips. Looking up at his Meatball Head from the corner of his eye, he nodded. "Yes, it did. My soon-to-be- wife," Turning, he bent down and pressed his lips to hers, ignoring the laughter going on around them. "Hey, THAT brings up another question!" said Raye excitedly. Breaking their kiss unwillingly, the couple looked agitatedly up at her. "And what would THAT be?" "How on Earth DID you two get together in the end?" "That's right! I mean, if that had happened to me and Rita," said Andrew, "I probably never would have talked to her again." "Yeah!" agreed Rita, "either that or I'd bite his head off the next time I saw him!" "Well?" said Serena, looking down. "You see, I was gonna try to avoid him?" "While I wanted justification for my embarrassment," added Darien. "So a few nights after the elevator incident I was out on my balcony, my family was out for the night, and?" *** Serena sighed, stepping barefoot out into the cool night air. Steadily, she walked to the edge of the balcony, leaning on the railing. She'd finished the essay early this time, determined to have a passing grade. There was no WAY she was going to let the scouts know she'd been stuck in an elevator with DARIEN all Saturday! Staring up at the stars, she sighed. 'Darien?' Her heart tore within her. How she wanted to see him again? But she could never face him. She'd slept on his LAP for Pete's sake! And then her teacher and his boss had seen them together! She could never look him in the eye again. No matter how much she longed to see him? hear his voice? play cat's cradle or sing lullabies? Rolling her eyes, she leaned dejectedly on her elbows. She'd miss him terribly. Over the few hours where she felt she'd finally seen the REAL him, not just the jerk who teased her, she'd grown to care for him very? very much. Why did things have to be this way? DID things have to be this way? "Of course," she whispered to herself. Even if she did see him again, even if he'd already forgotten about the song and the tango, even if he couldn't care less about what had proved to be the best night of her life, she knew she couldn't see him without wanting more. As she stood there, her heart screamed at her that she was in love. And if she told him? if he found out? what would he think? Would he not be disgusted? Or would he merely laugh at her, thinking it nothing more than an idiotic schoolgirl crush? She WAS only in middle school, after all. And he? he was a college guy. He had a job, his own apartment. And he had every girl who crossed his path swooning. She could never have him. And so, she knew she had to stay away. Hard as it may be, it was better this way. *** Darien walked angrily down the sidewalk, the newsletter clenched tightly in his fist. Everywhere he'd gone in his company building, he'd heard snickers, comments, teases. But that wasn't what made him so mad, though it certainly didn't help. It was what he was feeling. Every time someone had criticized the fact that Serena was a KID, he'd wanted to jump down their throat. Scream and yell until they got it through their thick skull that she was more than just a kid, that she was better than any WOMAN he'd ever met! And those feelings terrified him. He needed answers. He needed to know what he was feeling. He needed to know why, and how. He needed to know if Serena had felt half the embarrassment he had. But most of all, he needed to know if Serena felt the same strange emotions toward him. He gulped as he rounded the corner to her house, walking quickly down the street. Then, looking up, he froze. In adoration, he watched an angel standing alone on a balcony. She wore a white evening robe and golden hair tied into two balls, flowing in the wind out toward the street. Her eyes were fixed on the heavens above, two stars glittering within the recesses of her gaze. His breath caught. Had she been so beautiful before? Suddenly, he wasn't so sure about these feelings of his. He could see her lips moving. Strolling closer, he hid beneath a tree in her yard on the side of the house, just beneath the balcony, feeling guilty of his eavesdropping, and yet not enough to force him to desert his intentions. "Darien?" she whispered to the stars above. "Darien?" Rolling her eyes, she shook her head sadly. "Why the heck did you have to be Darien? For goodness sakes, couldn't it have been Andrew? Or Josh? Or someone that I at least LIKED?!" His hopeful eyes sank. His name had sounded so elegant on her tongue, why did she have to add that to it?! What was she talking about, anyway? Being stuck in the elevator? Was that it? She wished it'd been with someone else? He vaguely remembered her saying that she couldn't have wished for anyone better to be trapped in an unmoving metal box for three hours with. "At least then it wouldn't be so hard to accept the fact that? that? Oh Darien, did you have to be so flippin' perfect? Why couldn't you have been a jerk again? Do you know how much easier that would have made my life on me? And why, oh goodness WHY did it have to feel so warm and safe in your arms? Like? it was meant to be?" His brow furrowed confusedly. 'Now she's saying she LIKED being stuck in the elevator with me?! Women?' he scoffed silently. "But it wasn't meant to be. I know that? that you don't feel the way I do. That you never could. I don't deserve you? But if only, just once? I could feel that way again? What would I give to have had that elevator stationed for just? just a while longer. What would I give to be with you right now?" She sighed, resting her hand on her cheek dejectedly. "But I can never see you again. It's better this way, so that I know you can't break my heart. I'll just? have to stay as far away from you as possible." "Good luck!" Serena gasped as a deep voice sounded from below. Screaming, she grabbed for the sides of her sheer robe, pulling it quickly in front of her chest. Darien laughed, easily grabbing hold of the tree and swinging up, climbing up to the same level as the balcony. "Who's there? And WHY are you here?! Go away!" Serena screamed again as a hand landed on the railing before her. Panicking, she reached for it and pried it away from the handle, pushing the stranger off of the balcony. Darien yelped, loosing his grip as he felt himself falling. Quickly, he grabbed onto a branch, holding on for dear life. "Serena!! It's me! Darien!" The frightened girl stopped in her tracks, preparing to run into her house and lock every door. "Darien?" she called back, slowly making her way to the edge again. "Yeah, it's me, now could you help me out a little here?!" Peering over the edge, she could see a mass of black hair and two blazing sapphire eyes gazing up at her through the branches. "Oh, DARIEN!" Rolling his eyes, he mumbled, "Nice to see you, too." "Ooh, let me help! Um? um?" "Serena, just get a rope or something!" "Gee, good idea, Darien, and I just happen to carry a spare rope around with me everywhere I go!" He sighed. "Well use your imagination! I'm losing my grip here!" "Okay? um?" Running inside, she grabbed to blanket off of her bed, before jogging back out to the balcony. "Here, grab onto this!" Clenching his teeth, Darien began to reach out for it with one hand, before stopping. "Bunnies? You have BUNNIES on your blanket?!" "Oh, just shut up and grab it!" Still chuckling, Darien managed, "Tie it off somewhere, I doubt you're strong enough to support my weight." "Oh good ide? Hey, are you saying I'm weak?!" "SERENA!!" "Okay, okay, don't have a hissy fit!" Quickly, she tied the end of the blanket around the railing, securing it with a tight knot. "Alright, Darien." "About time." Sighing, he grabbed onto the blanket and easily climbed up to the balcony, using the tree for extra support. Serena leaned tiredly against the wall of her house as he swung a leg over the edge, sitting leisurely on the railing. Biting her tongue, she looked up at him nervously. "Um? sorry about that? You just? scared me a little?" Tossing the other leg over, he pulled the blanket up, untying it from the railing. "Bunnies?" he mumbled amusedly under his breath. Serena could feel a blush begin to tint her cheeks. "Um? are you? okay?" she asked shakily, nearing him. "For having almost fallen to my death? Yeah, I think I'm fine." She nodded her head, reaching out to lightly touch his sleeve, seeing a small tear cut through the dark material. He jerked back as her gentleness sent a shiver through his spine. Gasping and with a blush appearing on her cheeks, Serena turned away. "Ya know," said Darien after a moment of silence. "You happened to make me a huge laughing stock in my company." She furrowed her brow, turning back to the man who was leaning casually against her balcony railing. "How did I do that?" He shrugged, a wry grin tugging at the corners of his lips. "Word got out about the elevator thing, and now they all think I'm going out with a middle school kid. Not great for my reputation, ya know." At first she showed little emotion, before understanding and hurt and anger flashed across her features. "Oh and just WHAT is that supposed to mean?! Are you too good for me or something, Mr. 'I live on the twelfth floor'?!" she yelled crossly. Darien's eyes widened slightly. Had it came out sounding like that? "Well, no, it's just that?" "For your information, I know lots of older guys who would like to be going out with me! Just because I'm younger than you doesn't mean you're better than me!" she spat. Raising an eyebrow, Darien tilted his head to the side. "Lots of older guys, huh? Name one! Andrew, maybe? Oh, wait a minute, he has a GIRLFRIEND!" Fiery coals lit up in Serena's eyes. She crossed her arms angrily across her chest, staring up at him in hatred. His mock-amused grin faded away and he stood up stiffly, staring down on her. "I wasn't talking about Andrew," she whispered, attempting to keep her anger in check. "Either way, my point is; you would be lucky to have someone like me, even if I am just a middle school girl." 'And don't I know it?' Darien thought silently, forcing his features to remain cold. "Oh yes, darn lucky to have a ditzy, klutzy, immature teenager drooling all over me. Just what I've always wanted," he replied sourly. "Like I would EVER drool over YOU! Ha, ya know what? I'm embarrassed that your company thinks that I'M going out with YOU! Like I would ever sink that low!" Darien clenched his first. 'Yeouch, that was a stinger.' "I bet you don't even know what the meaning of fun is!" she continued, ignorant to the brief pain flickering across his gaze. 'I'll just ignore the memories of the magic trick and hair makeovers. Yeah, that's a good plan?' she told herself. "At least I have taste enough to know how immature things like magic tricks and hair makeovers really are!" 'Oh fine, well, there goes THAT idea.' "Oh, and that speaks volumes for YOU, Houdini! And just WHEN was the last time you did something just because you WANTED to?!" Once again, silence fell upon the two. 'When I swept you in my arms and carried you to my apartment. When I tangoed with you? fell asleep with you in my arms?' Serena's determined face melted as she stared into wave after wave of emotion flooding through his eyes. Her lips opened slightly as she gasped, her arms and body losing their tenseness. "D?Darien?" "The last time I did something just because I wanted to? Was far too long ago?" he whispered. Before Serena could begin to contemplate what he meant, his lips were on hers, his arms wrapped irresistibly around her waist. Every muscle in her body tightened uncontrollably as his kiss seared through her sensitive lips. A muffled squeal died silent, as her eyes began to grow heavier. Closing her lids, she leaned into him, inching her hands up his chest. She didn't realize when he had turned them both around, pinning her against the railing. She unconsciously wrapped one leg around him, attempting to keep her balance while all those pesky 'common sense' thoughts decided to take a vacation. Bending over her, he vaguely questioned why he was doing this. The warmth of her sent shock after shock down his spine, her lips filling his mouth with sweetness. Too tempted, he threw in some tongue, feeling her press against him. Eventually easing away from her lips, Darien led a soft row of butterfly kisses along her cheek, traveling gently down her pale neck. He thought he heard her whimper his name, so quietly. Stopping his descent, he just held her for a moment, burying his head in the silky material around her neck, both of them gasping for breath. "Two minutes ago," he finally muttered. "Huh?" she muttered, her senses beginning to light up on the mental switchboard. "The last time I did something? just because I wanted to? was two minutes ago." Her crystal blue eyes opened to see a star-studded blanket hanging overhead. It was awfully peaceful tonight? Not knowing how to react to his former statement, she only leaned her head on top of his, staring continuously up at the night sky. 'It's so warm right here? And so peaceful?' "Serena, darling, are you out here?" Serena's eyes shot open instantly and she pulled away from Darien. He, himself, was frozen, staring at the curtained sliding glass door over his shoulder. "Um? yeah mom, I'll be inside in a minute!" she called, walking toward the doorway, to make sure no one was coming. "Hurry up, we picked up some Dairy Queen ice cream on the way. There's a sundae in here, just for you!" "Sure thing, Mom!" Heaving a deep breath, she turned to see Darien staring down on her with a tad bit of worry. "I suppose that's my cue to leave?" She nibbled on her lip momentarily. "If my parents find you here, they'll kill me." Slowly, Darien let a smile crawl onto his lips. "We couldn't let that happen, now can we?" he teased, drawing some fingers along her clothed stomach. She blushed, turning away. "Serena?" he whispered, lowering his face to rest his forehead on hers. "I know this is sudden, and so strange compared to everything we've been through in the past, but? I think I?" "Serena, get your butt in here, your ice cream is melting!" screamed a youthful, angry voice as a young boy came bursting through the open doorway. Serena screeched, panicked, and pushed on Darien's chest, knocking him unceremoniously backward over the railing. He let out a yell, before silently reaching out to grab anything he could come in contact with. Quickly his hands managed to gain a grip on the platform, with branches from the tree poking into his back. Flinching, he struggled to keep quiet. Gasping after her sudden movements, Serena looked hesitantly between her brother who had just stepped onto the balcony, his fists stubbornly on his hips, and two strong hands that now grasped onto the base of the porch. "I? I'll be there in just a moment Sammy," she all but growled, her voice dancing between anger and worry. "Now why don't you go inside and put it in the freezer for me?" He rolled his eyes. "Fine, but if I go back in there without you? I'm eating it myself!" he taunted, before bolting inside. Serena screeched, her jaw falling open. "Hey, that's MY ice cream! You better lay off, Sammy, if you know what's good for you!" Serena screeched, stomping in after him. Darien, for his part, only hung patiently, kicking his legs in the air. "Eh? Serena? Meatball Head? Are you forgetting something here?" Meanwhile, in the living room? Serena skidded down the stairs, before jumping for the kill and tackling Sammy to the ground. He grunted as she landed on top of him, his arms thrashing about. "Serena, what do you think you're doing?!" "How dare you threaten to eat my dessert?! Now you will pay, you flee- infested mole rat!" Taking a moment to glance upward, Serena paused, her jaw falling open as she saw a single pair of black dress shoe-clad feet dangling in the window. Her breath caught? "Uh? oh?" "Serena, hon, get off your brother." "Yeah, Meatball Brains!" Sammy said, struggling beneath his sister's weight. Finally, with the help of her lost attention, he pushed her off of him before scrambling to his feet. Serena gulped, finally standing herself, her saucer eyes turning back to see her mother still standing in the doorway, a milkshake held forgotten in one hand as she stared oddly at the window. Inhaling deeply, Serena gulped, gritting her teeth. "Ken? sweetie? Can you come in here?" Serena's mom called, turning back briefly to call to her husband in the kitchen. Serena watched anxiously as the two feet slowly lifted out of site from the window. Letting out a deep breath, she waited for her father to enter. "Yes, love?" "Is it just me or is there?" began Ilene, turning back to the window before stopping mid-sentence. "Oh? that's funny, I could have sworn I saw a pair of feet hanging in the window a moment ago. Serena, did you see anything peculiar?" Shrugging, Serena forced a smile. "Not a thing, Mom! Maybe you were just seeing shadows from the tree." Sammy snickered. "I think Mom cracked. That's what she gets for putting up with a daughter like you for 14 years." "Ooh, shut up, Sammy!" "Now, kids, don't you start fighting?" ordered Ken, wrapping an arm around his wife's waist to lead her back into the kitchen, Sammy in tow. Letting out a deep sigh, Serena hesitantly began to follow them, but halfway out the door, she heard the familiar sound of breaking branches. Her eyes widened and slowly she turned back to face the window just as a loud CRACK resounded, followed by a tumbling yell and a large body fell through the window, landing with a booming THUD. She flinched, pulling back slightly, before letting out her breath and running into the kitchen. "I think I just remembered that? that? I'm supposed to be doing a science project! About? trees? at night? so, uh, I'm gonna go do research. Be back in a bit!" she squealed, before running out the front door. Rounding the side of the house, she instantly saw a moaning form in the grass, balled up like a fetus with his arms wrapped around his stomach. Serena grimaced, nearing him hesitantly. "Eh? Darien? Are you? okay?" "Not? really?" he managed, looking up at her. She breathed in deeply, sitting down on her knees next to him. "Sorry about that. But hey, at least you can still talk, that's something." She helped him sit up in the grass, picking some of the leaves from his hair. "Look, Serena, what I wanted to tell you?" "Serena, did you bring your coat out here?" Perking up, Serena turned to see her mother coming around the corner with a pink jacket in one hand. Instantly, she sat up straight, placing one hand behind her head, the other on her hip as Darien fell to his stomach, trying desperately to hide behind the small girl. "Gee, thanks Mom! Just leave it there!" Serena's mom froze at the edge of the lawn, tilting her head to the side. "What for, honey?" she asked calmly, taking a step forward. "No, stop!" Serena screeched, sticking out her hand. "You can't come any closer because? because? it will ruin my research!" "Huh? What kind of research are you doing?" "Um? well, you see? I'm trying to find out? how trees react when they're? spoken to? by one person? every night? and? your voice might confuse the oaks!" Ilene stood still a moment, furrowing her brow, before rolling her eyes. "Oh, honey, that's silly. Here, just put your coat on and?" "NO!" "Serena, what is wrong with?" "There's another reason you can't come over here. It's because? because? um? there's a hive of bees right in the middle of the lawn and? if you get too close, they? they'll attack! And they're POISIONOUS bees, Mom! They'll kill you. Run! Run for your LIFE!" Serena screeched, gesturing wildly with her hands. Hesitantly, Serena's mom took a step back, her terrified gaze locked on her daughter. "Okay, honey pie? then, I guess? I'll just? leave your coat here?" Gradually she set the jacket down on the grass and turned to begin walking back toward the front of the house. After a moment, she could be heard yelling, "Ken! I think we need to have a small chat!" Relaxing, Serena let her shoulders sink, her breath escaping her. From behind she could hear Darien's calm chuckle. "Gee, you're a fantastic liar." "Oh, quiet you!" Turning back, she could see him now lying down mellowly with his hands tucked beneath his head. She rolled her eyes, turning to face him fully as he sat up, his eyes instantly taking on a much more serious role. One strong hand reached out to wrap around her fingers. "Maybe no more interruptions now?" he asked hopefully. Serena gulped and shrugged her shoulders. "Nothing's for sure with my family." Darien nodded, brushing some bangs away from her face. She shivered slightly at the touch. "Then I'll make this quick," he whispered, his face nearing hers. "I think you're incredible, and everything bad I ever said about you was a lie. Besides, I would hate for all my fellow employees to have the wrong idea, so?" He inhaled a deep breath, wrapping one arm around her waist. "Serena, would you like to go out with me sometime? As? a date?" "Serena Tsukino, do you know what time it is?!" "Eep!" Whisking around, Serena shoved Darien aside, hearing him land with an OOF behind the shrubbery in the garden. With an innocent grin, she jumped to her feet and blinked her eyes rapidly at her father. "Honestly, no!" she chirped, her hands clasped behind her back. "It is 11:00 p.m. on a school night! Now I expect you to be in bed within fifteen minutes, young lady!" her father commanded, his wife standing just behind him. Then, his eyes squinted as he looked over her shoulder. "What? are you doing out here, anyway?" Serena stiffened, her heart pounding furiously against her heart. "I'm studying trees!" "Yeah, but you sure did seem to be studying real hard when we came out here?" he mused speculatively. Gulping, Serena began to twiddle her fingers. "Well? I was just looking at? the? squirrels!" "Squirrels?" "Yup! You see? there were these squirrels? up in the tree? and I was thinking that if they just LEFT while they were still ALIVE then maybe I could study the tree better." Ken raised a confused eyebrow. "Sweetheart, all the squirrels go to bed before sunset? there aren't any awake right now." "Oh, I know, Daddy, but? well, at the? the ARCADE today at THREE O'CLOCK, Amy told me about these squirrels that they call? well? night squirrels! And they only come? out? at? night. Heeeh?" A cheesy grin spread over her face as Ken and Ilene just stared back worriedly. "Er? if you say so, dear? Just, come in soon, alright? I think all this fresh air is getting to your brain." "Sure thing, Daddy! Goodnight!" As her parents turned away to go back into the house, Serena could hear her mom whispering, "I told you she was acting strangely." Once they were gone she could let out yet another deep breath, before raising her eyes to the stars. "So I guess I'll see you tomorrow at three?" Then a smile crept over her lips. "That would be wonderful." Grinning to himself, Darien struggled to his feet, before turning her around and lying a small kiss on her lips. She melted against him. "Then goodnight, Love." Blushing, Serena allowed a small giggle to escape. "Goodnight, Muffin." "SERENA!" Groaning at the sound of Serena's little brother, Darien broke off all physical contact. "That's it, I can take a hint, I'm leaving!" he choked out, his hands up in the air. Serena laughed as he rolled his eyes and turned away, ducking hurriedly behind the tree, before scurrying over to the fence on the other side of the garden, and escaping. She sighed, listing her head to the side. "I am sooo close to eating your ice cream." "SAMMY!" *** "Well, the next day, we officially started dating," concluded Serena happily, not even a blush staining her cheeks, while Darien's face burned beet red in sharing their story with his friends. Some things were meant to be kept private? well, where Serena wasn't concerned. "Ah? so THAT'S how it happened," said Mina mischievously. "You GO Darien! What a way to break the ice!" Everyone groaned, as a pillow came flying toward Mina's head. Rolling her eyes, Serena stood and clapped her hands together in front of her stomach. "Well, thank you all for the wonderful gifts, but I'm afraid Sugar Dumpling and I have to kick you out now. We have lots to do before the big day tomorrow! Next time you see me I will be on my way to becoming?" with big glazed eyes staring off to the sky, she proclaimed, "Mrs. Darien Chi?" Thwack! "Ow! Hey, who threw that?!" "Yeah, yeah, we KNOW, Serena. All we've heard since he proposed is Mrs. Darien this, and Mrs. Chiba that, it really is getting quite annoying to those of us WITHOUT fianc鳠here!" Raye screamed as Serena threw the pillow half-heartedly back at her. She caught it easily, standing and tucking the cushion neatly into the corner of the couch. "Alright, we can take a hint, can't we gals? Let's get goin', leave the lovebirds to themselves." "Yup, let's go!" bubbled Mina, jumping off the couch and dragging Amy and Lita shortly behind her. Andrew and Rita followed suit, leaving with a sly wink from Andrew at his best friend. On her way out the door, Raye turned to Serena and commanded seriously, "And Meatball Head, if you are late to the church tomorrow, the sacred fire and I will be sure to place a curse on the WHOLE honeymoon, got that?!" Smiling innocently, Serena all but shoved the girl out the half open door. "Got it Raye, I'll be there on time! How could I miss this?" "Don't give me that, I know you. You'd sleep through giving birth!" "Yadda yadda yadda," said Serena slamming the door unceremoniously. Darien grinned, walking over to his bride-to-be and wrapping his arms about her waist, leaning his forehead on hers. "You ready for the big day tomorrow, mi amor?" She sighed, closing her eyes dreamily. "I've been ready for a thousand years." "Good?" he whispered huskily, nibbling on her ear. Serena laughed, kissing Darien briefly before pulling out of his arms. "That's enough of that, Baby. We have things to do!" "Right! Why don't you go slip on some shoes while I call to see if the cake and rings are ready?" "You do that, Honeybunch!" Serena screamed as she ran into the next room. *** "Hi, we're here to pick up our wedding rings," Darien said to the man standing behind the glass case, filled with sparkling diamonds and rhinestones. "Your name, please?" "Darien Chiba." "One moment, sir." Serena snuggled closer to her fianc頡s the man disappeared into a back room. Darien smiled down on her, leaning down to lightly brush his lips across her forehead. "What are you thinking about?" he whispered. "Our vows? Or the ceremony? Or the wedding night??" he prodded. Serena sighed. "I'm thinking about the giant chocolate cake we'll have at the reception." Darien chuckled as the man came back holding two ring boxes. "Here you are, sir. I see that you have prepaid, and so I will only say congratulations and have a happy life together." "Thank you." Taking the boxes, Darien turned around, Serena tucked neatly beneath his arm, and they began walking off to the elevator. As they neared the metal doors, Serena began to shake noticeably, and he tightened his hold on her. He had been suspecting it since they had entered the building. Sure, elevators were very safe usually, but ever since the fateful day over five years ago, Serena had been terrified of them. Though he didn't understand why. The experience hadn't been that awful, had it? "Don't worry, Cookie. We just have to go to the fourth floor with the bakery, get the cake, and we'll be on our way. No biggie." She gulped, looking up at him lovingly. "Thank you, Lover Lips. I'll be fine." They stepped into the elevator and the doors slid behind them. "Ooh, Pumpkin, look!" Serena squealed upon seeing the glass walls. She ran to the opposite side of the tiny room, pressing her hands and nose against the glass to look out on the city's skyscrapers. Darien laughed and walked up to her, tying his hand around her waist again. "Oh, it's so beautiful?" Serena whispered as they watched the setting sun. "I didn't realize it was so late in the day." Serena jumped as the elevator came to a jerking halt. Whipping around, she stared up at the lights above the door. 'No, not again?' Ding! The doors slid open and the delicious scents of freshly baked goods wafted into the room. With a sigh of relief, she allowed herself to be dragged out of the elevator on the arm of her fianc鮍 *** "Hello, we're here for a specially-ordered cake." "Name, please?" "Darien Chiba." "Ah yes, the wedding cake. Let me go get it for you." After the woman in the green striped apron disappeared, Serena left Darien to look around at the many delectable sweets and goodies, her eyes traveling across cakes and muffins and pies. Drool quickly began to form at the corners of her mouth. "Cream Puff, come look at this." Turning, she flew to the counter beside Darien where there was a 3-foot tall box sitting on top. He quickly opened the side panel, made for sliding the cake out instead of lifting it to prevent damage. Her breath gasped as she stared at 5 layers of vanilla frosting with sugar coated rosebuds, tiny frills, icing decorations, and at the top, a pink bunny with a white veil standing in the midst of a patch of roses. "Oh, it's perfect!" she exclaimed, clasping her hands together excitedly. "And it looks SOOO yummy!" Darien laughed, closing the box. "Everything will be perfect tomorrow, Woviedove, I'll make sure of that." Her dreamy eyes looked up to him lovingly as their gazes shared a tender moment. "Excuse me," said the lady in the apron. They each looked at her, torn from the moment. "Now, I'm including some extra tubes of icing in case the cake is smudged before the ceremony. You or your caterer can apply it to the area quite easily, just squeeze the bottle gently. It's quite simple." "Thank you," said Darien, taking a plastic bag filled with colorful tubes from the woman. "Is there anything else I can get for you?" "Nope, that's all." "Alright, well then, congratulations!" Darien handed the icing and rings to Serena, before closing the cake box and picking it up carefully. Slowly, they made their way back to the elevator. Darien gasped suddenly as he felt Serena freeze in front of him. "What is it?" "Um? Baby Doll? we can't take the elevator." "Oh, Shnookums, there's nothing to be scared of. What are the odds of us getting trapped in it a?" "No, Love Muffin, we CAN'T take the elevator. There's a sign that says 'out of order, please use stairs.'" "What?!" Setting the cake down, Darien stared at the closed doors. Sure enough, there was bright yellow tape across the front, and a sign reading, 'out of order, please use stairs.' "Well, just great! It was working a minute ago!" Serena sighed. "Hey, at least we weren't IN it this time. Come on, let's go find the stairs." Darien nodded, reluctantly heaving the box up again. "I can't believe I'll have to carry this thing all the way down 4 flights of stairs." "Oh, stop complaining. Look at the bright side, if you keep doing work like this, you'll still fit in that tux at our 25th wedding anniversary." He rolled his eyes. "Joy." Coming to the door marked 'stairs', Serena pried it open, allowing Darien to go before her while she held it open for him. Carefully, he stepped down the first flight, watching his step as not to drop his luggage. Serena followed directly behind him, carrying the rings and icing in a small paper bag. Stair after stair, they finally reached the last flight. It seemed to both as if they had come down 20 flights instead of 4. Eventually, they reached the bottom and Darien sat the cake down for a moment to catch his breath. "That thing gets heavy after awhile." Serena shrugged. "See, you're already losing your strength." Glaring at her from the corner of his eye, Darien muttered, "You are really doing horrors to my self esteem." She giggled, quickly reaching to open the door. She pulled on the handle, and her smile began to fade. Again, she tugged at the door, harder this time. It didn't budge. "Um? Lovebird? I think? it's locked?" Darien watched her carefully, before standing beside her and placing his hands on the door and pulling on it hard. It didn't change. He tried it again. Nothing. "Uh-oh?" "Uh-oh? No, this isn't funny! We can't be trapped in here! Why does this always happen to us?!" "It's okay, just relax. Let's think logically. Chances are the doors are only locked from the inside, so we just have to wait for someone to see that we're in here, that's all." "Oh, and how do you expect them to find us here? People don't think 'Gee, I wonder if someone accidentally locked themselves in the stairwell! I think I'll go check!' That just doesn't HAPPEN!" "Calm down! Maybe they'll hear us!" With that, Darien turned back to the door and began pounding and yelling, quickly joined in the activities with his wife-to-be. "HELP! GET US OUT OF HERE!" "WE'RE TRAPPED IN THE STAIRWELL! SOMEONE HELP US!" This continued for some time until both their voices were hoarse and their fists sore. "This isn't working," Serena muttered. "Obviously." "So, got any other brainiac ideas, Einstein?" Darien turned around, leaning against the door. "Well, the elevator is down, meaning that other people will have to use these stairs to get out of the building also. Maybe one of the workers will have a key or something. Or? I know, we could go back up to the fourth floor, and when that woman comes in, we could stop her, and if she doesn't have a key, then we'll go back out and wait for them to fix the elevator." Serena stared off silently into space for a moment, before a sly smile crossed her face and she looked back at him. "I KNEW there was a reason I loved you so much! Come on, let's go!" Quickly, she headed up the stairs. "Hey, wait! We shouldn't leave the cake here if we might not be coming back!" Stopping, Serena returned to him. "Alright, come on then, pick up the cake, and let's get going!" Groaning, Darien bent down and picked the box up again, before being led, stair by stair, up to the fourth floor. After 3 flights, Serena paused. "Um? Cocoa?" "Yeah?" he muttered, bracing his arms so that he wouldn't drop the box. "Set that down for a minute." He happily did as she asked and looked up at her, wiping at his forehead with his sleeve. "What is it?" "The elevator runs right next to the stairs." "How do you know that?" "Because there's a little window right here, and the elevator is running by it right now." "What?!" Darien ran next to her to peer out through the small slit of a window. As he watched, a glass box passed by them, and inside, they could see a woman in a green striped apron staring the other way. "Oh, great." Serena looked up at him nervously. "Well, that? that doesn't mean that no one is up there, does it? I mean, there's lots of people who work in this building? maybe they'll still be able to hear us." Darien shook his head, slamming it against the window. "I hate to say this, but? the building closes at nine, and? it doesn't open again until 8 in the morning." "So? What time is it?" Holding up his watch, Serena read the gray digits. 8:57. "And my clock is ten minutes slow. No one will be up there now." With a small whimper, Serena fell down to sit lazily on the nearest stair before burying her head in her hands. Gulping, Darien sat beside her, wrapping his arm around her waist. "We're gonna miss our wedding? Sweet Pea, we're gonna miss our wedding?" Stroking his hand through her hair, he tried desperately to comfort the girl at his side. "Come now, they can't go on with the wedding without us, you know that. We'll be there. Maybe not on time, but we will be there." A sob told him he wasn't helping. Sighing, he leaned his head on hers. This could be a long night.