Author's Note:so here's the first chapter I hope you like it. Keep in mind that years have gone by since Serena and Darien last saw each other, don't forget that. But anyway, the fic should describe everything you need to know. Read on and enjoy!


Chapter 1.............
Seven Years Later
Monterey, California


     Darien Stanford raced down the winding streets of Monterey, more because of the sleek little car he had. He loved speed, he loved the thrill of it, the danger, and the car suited him perfectly. It was exactly what he wanted, what he needed in this life of his.
      The wind ruffled through his thick, black hair, the sunglasses he wore sheilding his sharp, blue eyes. His face was tanned from years of working in the sun, learning and making a name for himself with his favorite hobby: boats. Of course, it had been a shock when he had gone to Europe in his young life and taken to them so quickly. He was a man of leisure, he had grown up having whatever he wanted. That hadn't meant he hadn't worked for anything. He had worked his ass off for what he had accomplished in his life, but there had never really been any manuel labor done on his part.
     He had spent years in Europe, racing boats, making a name for himself, making friends over there, until he knew it was time for him to come home. He hadn't attended Harvard and recieved a license in Law and become one of the most well known lawyers of his time just to full around with boats and never return home.
     And there was also the fact that he missed his home. It had been years since he had actually gone home and stayed for more then only a few days. When he had gone to Europe, he had been overwhelmed with everything and it had gotten a good hold of him. The time had come when he had come to miss his parents, but more importantly, his little sister Amy.
     He wasn't an idiot enough not to admit to himself that he hadn't returned home because it brought back to many memories of a night long ago that he had never been able to forget.
     He was a good looking man, he knew that. He knew the power he had over women with only one slow, devastating smile. But over the years none of these women had ever really mattered. It had always only been one that he hadn't seen for years, the only woman who had ever turned away from him.
     Even seven years later it could still hurt. His hands tightened on the steering wheel and his mouth formed into a thin line, bitterness and pain a familiar emotion when it came to remembering her. She was the reason he had gone back to school so angry and sad, she was the reason that after graduation he had run off to Europe and hadn't returned for years, she was the reason he had never married or even come close. He was still waiting for her, still hoping she would reconsider what she had told him so long ago.
     It was pathetic that a man of thirty one was still waiting for that right woman to come to him.
     He parked before his little sisters apartment building, switching the car off and heading up the stairs. Amy had grown up to become a well known, very distinguished psychiatrist. She lived for her patients, well no that wasn't true. She always put Serena and Lita before practically anything, as those three had always done for one another. It still amazed him that they could have such a unique bond all there lives. He had always wished he could have friends like that.
     He didn't even knock, merely pushed the key he had for the apartment into the hole and threw the door open. As expected, Amy was at her desk, files open and scattered before her, a cup of coffee in one hand and a file in the other, her reading glasses perched on her little nose. When he stepped in she glanced up at him, smiled warmly.
     "Darien, you look great."she looked back at the file, torn between continuing to look over her patients background, and being polite and welcoming her brother.
     He solved the problem for her with a loud laugh."Don't worry Amy, no need to get up. I know my way around. You just keep on working."he went to the kitchen and opened her refridgerator, taking out a soda. He went back into the living room to find her standing and kneading her temples."Headache?"
     "No thank you, I already have one."she removed her glasses and put them on the desk, then came around to look at him more critically."As I said, you look good Darien."
     He grinned at her, white teeth against a tanned face."You too kid. Hows it going?"he motioned toward her files with his soda.
     She glanced at them, sighed."Oh, same old. Most of my patients are really progressing, but there's one...."her voice drifted off and she chose to change the subject."So, how is your latest case going?"
     He rolled his eyes."I got an idea. Lets make a deal and not talk about each others jobs for the moment."
     She laughed."Thats a deal. So what brings you by here this time of day? Your usually at the boatyard by now."
     He shifted, uncomfortable suddenly."Well, yea I was heading over there, but then I thought I should pay my kid sister a visit."
     She eyed him, her eyes steady and unwavering. He hated the fact that he had a pychiatrist for a sister. She was always able to see right through him."I see."
     "Yea, but I've interrupted your work, so I should go."he didn't move to leave, instead drank deeply from the coke he held.
     "She just got home last night."
     His eyes shot up to hers."What?"he put the soda down slowly, his eyes intense and unwavering.
     "She's been in Europe for the last couple of months, Europe, then China, then Australia, then back home. She just got in last night and Lita and I are throwing her a little welcome home party tonight."Amy smoothly put the files away, biting back her smile at how intently he was staring at her."Your invited, of course. I knew you'd come by so I waited till now to tell you."
     He had to stop staring when he could see she was amused by him."Oh, well thats good. I assume your talking about Serena."he tried for dignity and pretended he hadn't known what she was talking about.
     She couldn't help it now. She laughed."Oh Darien, you can't lie to me. Lita and I have always known how much you wanted her. And its about time that the two of you met again after so many years. Its been seven, hasn't it?"
     He stared at her, then let out a long sigh. He shook his dark head."No. Well yea, she hasn't seen me in seven years, but I've seen her."
     She cocked her head, curious now."Really? You never mentioned this."
     "It was about two years ago. I was staying at Carroway Milan and I was walking through the lobby when I saw her."he stopped to remember, seeing her again after so many years, with her silvery hair and her deep blue eyes, wearing a tank top and a tight skirt that showed off her well toned body. She had been surrounded by men in business suits and even though she had been dressed as though she was going to the beach, her voice had carried through the lobby to him and held authority as she spoke, issuing orders, asking about the Hotel, the orchards they had there, the staff, and anything else that went into the running of the hotel. He had only been able to stare at her as she walked right by him, looking at him for a split second and flashing him a quick, flirtatious smile before she disappeared with the business men behind a door that said 'STAFF ONLY.'
     He remembered how that one look had squeezed at his heart, had made it ache with such a strong longing he had never felt before. And how hope had filled him when he realized she might recognize him. She had, after all, looked directly at him and sent him that small smile.
     But as he had waited, she hadn't come out, not for another hour. And when she finally had, she had been on the arm of a tall, handsome man, both of them laughing as they held hands. She had walked by him again, but this time she hadn't even glanced at him.
     He shook himself, brought himself back to the present."Anyway, yea I saw her. It was just for a moment and she didn't even recognize me."
     Amy heard the hurt beneathe the surface, but decided it best not to ask."She must have been busy. Serena's not a rude person to just ignore you."
     He thought of the man she had left with, giving him her attention and her laughs, and his fists tightened."Yea, she must have been busy."when his vision began to haze red, red with jealousy, he knew it was time for him to go and cool off."I better go."he turned to walk out, but Amy's small hand on his arm stopped him.
    "The party will be at the Stanford Estate. I hope you don't mind. I know I didn't ask you for permission, but I thought-"
     He closed his own large hand over hers."Amy, its ok. It will always be your home too. Just because I'm the one living there doesn't mean anything."
     She relaxed, smiled and nodded."Your right. Thanks."
     "Any other surprises I should know about before I go home?"
     "Lita's there getting things ready. I'll be getting there soon, tell her that for me, I just wanted to wrap up a few things before I left. Guests shouldn't begin arriving in another-"she checked her watch."I'd say in an hour. Oh, I hope Lita's not too mad that I left everything to her."
     Knowing Lita's temper, he couldn't help grinning."You know she will be. Unless she found a bunch of poor idiot men to do it for her.
     Amy groaned."Yea. Anyway, Serena's going to arrive at eight. We have to have everything ready by then, she said if we didn't she would leave. Oh God, help Lita, won't you Darien? Serena will leave if everythings not ready."
     "Don't worry so much, it'll be fine. You always did stress when you planned even the simplest parties."he stepped out of the apartment."I'll see you there then."
     He drove back to his home, the home he had grown up in, distracted by thoughts that he would finally be coming face to face with Serena Carroway. It had been long, too long. Of course, he could have just seen her sometime himself, surprised her with a visit, but his pride had gotten the better of him. When she had run from him, he had been determined not to run after her. He was a man with extreme pride and he would never bend enough to humiliate himself in that way again.
     He wondered if he would still feel the same way when he saw her tonight.
     He drove home and pulled up to find the front doors open, several large men all coming out the doors, followed by a smiling Lita."Thanks a lot guys. Darien, your here!"she came running down the steps to him.
     For a moment he leaned on his car and admired her. She was a tall woman, tall but still only reaching his shoulder. Tall and slim, with long brown hair that billowed about her shoulders and waist, large green eyes that captivated a man, and an untamed face that could bring any man halting in his tracks. She was very sexy and sultry, having a wild air about her. And he knew her heart was just as wild as her looks. She had always done what she wanted, never letting anything stop her.
     "Your lucky you just got here when they finished setting things up."she gave him a quick hug, then pulled back to motion toward the men who were getting in there cars and leaving.
     "Who are they?"
     She toyed with her hair."Oh, admirers"she took his arm and dragged him into the house, leaving the subject at that."See, I got it all done. I bet Amy was freaking out when you were talking to her about it huh?"
     He looked down at her."How did you know I went to visit Amy?"
     She gave him a quick grin."I didn't."she walked to the back where there were tables set up and lights already on against the darkness that was settling."What do you think?"
     "Looks good. You did great."he shoved his hands in his pockets, let his mind wander a moment.
     "Thinking of her, aren't you?"she tapped her finger against her lips when he looked at her, surprised."Yea, I know. I could always tell when you were thinking of her. She really got you good that night huh?"
     He didn't even bother denying it. Apparently Lita and Amy had known more then he had thought."Yea, she did."
     Sympathetic, Lita stroked his hair."You'll see her tonight. And you'll catch her eye."
     He couldn't help feeling so miserable."Do you think so?"
     "Definitely. Now, we have to go get ready. I have my stuff upstairs and Amy should be getting here soon. Come on, buck up stud, your one fine piece of man. She won't be able to notice anything else."she turned and ran up the stairs, stopping halfway up."Hurry up, Serena will be arriving soon!"
     He shook his head and began up the stairs, watching Lita disappear down the hall. Amy and Lita had always been so different, the good, little daughter, the wild, unruly heart. It always made him smile to see them together, so different, yet so perfectly right.
     As he changed, he thought of the boatyard and how he hadn't gone there that afternoon. It was the first time in weeks since he hadn't gone for just one day. After returning home to begin working for the Templeton Law Firm, a highly distinguished law firm, he had become a bit restless. Knowing it was because he hadn't been on a boat in months, he had bought a piece of the warf, down by the docks. Deciding being a lawyer would never be enough, he had begun his own boatbuilding company. Stanford Boats. He knew how to build, he knew of people who needed a job and knew how to build, and soon he had had a small business well on its way to thriving. It was gratifying for him, to have something he had built, something he had started.
     He heard Lita yelling at him from down the hall to hurry up and he couldn't prevent his grin. Well, if what Lita said was true about Serena, then he sure as hell was going to dress to impress tonight.


     Serena Carroway pushed through the front doors of the Stanford Estate, stepping inside and letting her eyes adjust to the cool shade inside the house. It was just as she remembered. Big, beautiful, spacious, elegant. Some things just don't change, she thought with a wistful smile. Even after a year of avoiding the home, it was the same as she had last seen it.
     One year ago Amy's parents had moved out of the Estate and to Europe. Amy's father, a retired Senator and Congressmen, had wanted peace and solitude from the many years of politics, and Europe had been the perfect solution. Darien, Amy's older brother, had then moved into the huge house and made it his own.
     It was then that Serena had stopped coming. Actually, after Darien had returned from years in Europe, she had made it a point to never be around when he was. He had come back two years before and she had immediately left, using the excuse that she was overseeing Carroway Hotels all over the world so she wouldn't have to confront him.
     It had been the cowards way out, she knew. But then, whenever her thoughts had come to him, she had always turned coward and run. When she knew that he was the one who could have her in a puddle of lust faster then a snap of his fingers, she never wanted to be near him.
     Pushing her silvery hair back from her face, she removed her sunglasses and her deep blue eyes darted around the entrace hall, looking for any signs of her friends. She knew they were both there, she had seen there cars parked outside. The third car, a small, sleek convertible, had been the only one she hadn't been able to place.
     She heard them then, arguing as they usually did, and a smile bloomed across her beautiful features. They walked into the entrace hall, already dressed and ready for the party, there makeup and hair done, but they didn't notice her as they came.
     "She's not going to like this. We should have told her."Amy insisted, worried.
     "Well thats just too bad. How much longer is she going to avoid him anyway? The poor guys been pining over her for years and she doesn't even know it. And I know she hasn't forgetten him either!"
      "Yes, but-"
      "And even if she has had lots of men in her life, if you ever really looked, you could see her mind begin to drift and wander sometimes. I know you could see when she did Amy, I know it. And you know as well as I do what she would think about when that happened."
     "Darien, yes I know. Lita, she's going to kill us."
     "And why would I kill you because of him?"Serena wanted to know, arms crossed across her chest, eyes narrowed on her two friends.
     "Well, look who finally decided to show."Lita went to her and hugged her hard."You look great."
     "Yea, Lita's right."Amy hugged her also."If you hadn't inherited Carroway Hotels, you could have always become a model."
     "Who says I didn't?"she laughed at there looks."I'm kidding, come on. I did a few gigs in Europe while I was there this time, thats all. And don't try and distract me you two! Whats this about Darien?"she asked sharply.
     "Oh, nothing."Amy moved back, distinctly behind Lita.
     "We were just talking about you and him, thats all. God, are you so self centered that you always have to think were coming up with schemes behind your back?"Lita sniffed.
     Serena didn't even blink."Your damn right I do."
     Before any of the three could speak, something caught Serena's eye. A movement, a blur, had her glancing up and toward the door she had just come through. Standing there, looking even more gorgeous in a suit then when she had last seen him, was Darien Standford, his dark hair matching the suit, his blue eyes on her.
      A chill went up her spine, a strange sensation settled in her stomache, and she recognized it to be the same feeling from that night so long ago. She hadn't felt anything like it in seven years, but she would never forget it either.
      But she also hadn't dated dozens of handsome men just to let this one intimidate her."Darien, its good to see you."she said smoothly, her voice cool.
     He couldn't believe he was seeing her, standing before him looking even more beautiful then she had years before. He struggled not to swallow his tongue."Yea, you too. You look good Serena."he walked forward, let his eyes move up and down her slim body, made sure she saw him admiring her.
     "Thank you."she didn't even flinch when she saw those hot eyes of his traveling up and down her body."Amy, Lita. Lets go catch up now, I have so much to tell you guys."she gripped them both by the arms and dragged them from the room.
     "Hey, is something wrong?"Lita asked innocently when they stopped in the courtyard near the maze.
     "I AM going to kill the both of you."she snarled, her hands into claws at her sides.
     Amy had to cover her mouth against the snickers that escaped, but Serena still noticed."Oh you think this is funny?!"
     "This is very funny. Right Am?"Lita said smugly, grinning at Serena.
     "I hate to agree, but this is."Amy linked arms with Lita and Serena had to bite back the urge to laugh herself when they both grinned at her.
     Instead she flipped her long, silvery hair over her shoulder and sniffed,"It doesn't matter what you've done. He's nothing to me. What happened seven years ago, happened seven years ago, not yesterday. So nice try girls."with that, she walked away from them, satisfied with herself.
      Just as she neared the house Darien came walking out and ran smack into her, his arms coming up to catch her so she wouldn't fall. The smug look she wore fell and she stared up at him, eyes wide, the heat from his body flowing into hers as he held her.
      "You need to watch where your going."he said, his voice deep and seeming to rumble through her, the hairs on the back of her neck rising.
     "I-I...."she was snapped out of her lust filled thoughts when she heard laughing behind her. She turned to see Lita laughing out loud, hands on hips, Amy covering her mouth, but still laughing helplessly behind it. Fuming because they had seen her exterior fall right before there eyes, she wrenched away from his grasp and stalked into the house.
      Darien, frowning, turned to watch her walk away, his eyes admiring her from behind as she went.
      "Well, and here I actually believed her for a moment."Amy said, still smiling."Maybe this party won't be so bad after all."
      Lita watched Darien watch her walk away and tucked her tongue into her cheek, grinned."No I have a feeling tonight will be a night to remember."



Stay tuned for Chapter 2!!~SailorPerfect