Title:  On the Seashore
Chapter 4
Rated PG
By:  Mellibea

Here's chapter 4, please tell me what you think at mellibea@yahoo.com. Thanks.

Disclaimer:  I don't own sailor moon or related characters.

Now, on with the story…
*********************************************************************
On the Seashore
Chapter 4

Serena felt her legs growing weak as she walked through the hotel's
restaurant making her way to the exterior stairs.
She had never been kissed in public.  In fact, she hadn't received many
kisses throughout her life and Darien's deliberate attack had been a
trembling experience.  More so because it had been in front of the hotel's
personnel and half of Karthos' population.  Shame and bitterness
intensified her anger.  She felt the waiters' gazes fixed on her while they
prepared the tables for dinner and she heard someone talking about
<Xandreou's woman>, making everyone laugh.
Why did he do that?  She furiously asked herself while she went up the
stairs, avoiding the disapproving looks from Maria, Kostas' wife.  Maybe he
had done it out of contempt towards a young girl's sister, which had let
herself be seduced so easily?  Well fine, he had wrongly judged Mina and
her and he would regret it when he found that out, she thought angrily.
And if he thought that humiliating her like that was going to make her
flee, he was also very mistaken.  She decided that, meanwhile, it would
better if Mina did not find out about what happened.  She *would* find a
way for her sister to reunite with Andrew, but she didn't want to worry her
right now.  When she goes to the clinic the next day, she would ask the
doctor about Andrew's amnesia, about the treatment they were giving him and
how long it would last.  At least that way she'll know what she's up against.
The shower's noise stopped as Serena walked into her room and Mina came out
of the small bathroom with a towel wrapped around her while passing a hand
through her wet hair.  Mina widened her eyes as she saw the state Serena
was in.
"Sere… What happened to you?"
"I've done something stupid, darling.  I rented a motorcycle and I fell."
"You could've been killed," exclaimed Mina, horrified.
"But that didn't happen" replied Serena without interest.  "I won't risk
myself like that again" 'at least, I hope so', she added silently.  "What
did you do today?"
"I slept for a while" Mina started drying her hair.  "Then I went down to
the beach and swam a little.  The water was delightful, you should've come
with me."
"Yes" Serena took out clean underwear and headed for the shower.  "I
would've liked that."
"The beach was filled with people" continued Mina.  "I couldn't stop
thinking about how wonderful it would be if I saw Andrew walking towards
me, like the first time" her voice sounded full of tenderness and
nostalgia.  "It was so easy to fall in love with him… and now everything
seems so difficult, so complicated."
"But not impossible" declared Serena.  "And that's a promise.  Now, you
decide where we'll go to enjoy my first Greek dinner.  Do you want to stay
here or go to a pub?"
"I think I would rather stay here" answered a distracted Mina letting her
shoulders sag in defeat.  "It really doesn't matter."
Serena tightened her fists and wished to feel Darien's neck between them.
She showered quickly, happy to erase from her body any trace of Darien
Xandreou's hands and lips.  Although she gravelly understood that it wasn't
going to be as easy to erase the memory of the kiss.  
She put on a simple green dress, of wide skirt, brushed her hair and left
it down to graze her shoulders and back.  
When they went down, Kostas received them warmly and led them to their table.
"Do you want something to drink?"  He asked handing them the menu.
"Orange juice for me" decided Mina, who seemed more lively, for Serena's
sake.  "And retsina for my sister."
"Good" he approved.  "And for dinner, I recommend roasted lamb, grazed with
tomato, garlic and spices, what do you think?"
They both delightedly accepted and he left for the kitchen, loudly giving
instructions.  
"What's retsina?"  Inquired Serena, distrustfully.
"Is white wine, typical of Greece.  Andrew told me that it gets its flavor
from the barrels they're stored in, you'll love it" assured Mina.
At the beginning, the taste was a bit strange for Serena, but then she
became accustomed to it and when Kostas brought them the hors d'oeuvres,
squid along with tsatsiki, a sauce made with yogurt and cucumbers, she
decided that the wine was delicious.
The lamb seasoned with different spices was exquisite.  Serena noticed that
Mina finished her generous portion.  They both turned down desert and asked
for sketto coffee, no sugar.  Along with the coffee, Kostas brought them a
cup of liquor that tasted like tangerines, courtesy of the house, and
informed them that the show was about to begin.
"Tonight, thespinis, we'll have live bouzouki and there will also be a dance."
"That sounds like fun" Mina's face once again turned nostalgic.  "Andrew
took me to some places of bouzouki in Athens; it was wonderful."
Three men started playing; the music was animated and the rhythm
contagious, which is why Serena, quickly started drumming her hands, just
like everybody else.
Kostas guided the dance followed by some of the waiters, moving in a slow
sequence, almost majestic, in a row each one with their hands on their
friends' shoulders.
"Is the syrto" Mina informed her.  "It's a very old dance and it only has
about six basic steps, but the dancer always makes up his own variations."
Despite his obesity, Kostas was agile and swift; he moved in rhythm with
the music, leaning a knee on the floor before getting up again.
Serena noticed that Maria observed him from the door, unsmiling and
scornful.  Her attitude contrasted with her husband's happiness.  Serena
amusedly thought that if Kostas' marriage had been for money, it was
obvious he had gotten the worst part of it.
The music changed and more people joined the dance, forming a chain that
advance between the tables.  Serena shook her head when Kostas asked her to
join in.  She was too sad for that kind of activity, but Mina anxiously got
up.
"Do you think you should do this?"  Serena asked her.
"Only once" she had a wistful look on her face.  "All of this brings back
so many memories…"
Serena thought that her sister was young and healthy.  She shouldn't be so
protective; besides, Mina needed some spoiling right now.
Everyone in the restaurant watched the dance, attracted by the coloring and
movement, but suddenly Serena had the weird feeling that someone was
watching her.  The music seemed to fade in the distance and the dancers
became a blur.  She carefully put down her cup, because her hand was
shaking, and indifferently looked over her shoulder towards the
restaurant's entrance.
Darien Xandreou stood there, with his hands on his hips.  He seemed taller,
somehow.  He was wearing a pair of gray pants and a shirt of the same
color.  Across the space that separated them, he gave her a daring look
that left her cold and then, deliberately, he directed his gaze to where
Mina happily danced.
Serena saw him raise his eyebrows and give her a scornful smile.  Then he
looked at Serena again.  <Is this the innocent young girl that has had her
heart broken? >, He seemed to ask her accusingly.  Then he turned around
and left.  Serena's heartbeat quickened.  Her mouth went dry.  What was he
doing there?  She asked herself.  If he had gone to see Mina, he couldn't
have chosen a worst moment.  Now he would be convinced that she was another
stupid English girl, which loves to live at large.  She was furious and had
a very strong urge to scream.
The music ended and Mina came back smiling happily.
"That was wonderful" she exclaimed.  "Andrew would've been proud of me" she
hugged her sister and added:  "Everything will be alright, I know."
Serena gave her a fake smile.  'I wish I could be as sure as you', she
thought discouraged.

*******

The next morning she walked up a steep street which went from the center of
the city to the clinic.  Luckily, Mina hadn't insisted on accompanying her;
they had agreed to meet at the beach later on in the day.
In addition to her body hurting all over, Serena hadn't been able to go to
sleep the night before. She had stayed up listening to her sister tranquil
breathing, trying to make plans, thinking about all the things she would do
if the doctor refused to help her.  It was a possibility that she couldn't
ignore.  It was obvious he was a friend of the Xandreou family; and he
might agree with Darien in that what happened with Mina was a passing fling.
She sighed and continued walking through the stores that exhibited their
merchandise outside their doors.  Under other circumstances she would have
stopped to admire everything, but she had the weird feeling that she
couldn't waist any time.
Darien Xandreou was a powerful man, and had the whole island eating out of
his hand.  On the other hand, Mina and her were two strangers and were
alone.  She couldn't forget that for a second.  She also couldn't forget
that kiss; she could still feel it burning her lips… and his warning before
he left.  For her own peace of mind she would stay out of Darien Xandreou's
way.  Her common sense advised her to flee back to England.
But despite her fears, she had to think about her sister and the soon to be
born baby.  Mina had come to Karthos to reunite with her love.  And she had
promised to help her, so she couldn't back out now just because Darien
Xandreou intimidated her.
The clinic was located on an old building, whose belfry indicated that it
had once been a monastery.  But once inside, Serena noticed that all the
installations were very modern.  Chad, wearing an immaculate white robe,
was talking with the receptionist and as soon as he spotted her he came
right over to say hello.
"How are you feeling, thespinis?"  He asked with a smile.  "You haven't
suffered any side effects… fever… or headaches?"
"I feel a bit pained, but besides that I'm fine" she paused.  "However, I
would like to talk to you about another matter."
"Of course" he opened a door and asked her to go in.
She went in and stopped when blinded by the sunlight, which illuminated a
part of the wide office and left the rest in half-light.  A big desk
dominated it.  It had access to a garden with a walkway surrounded by
columns, which surprisingly the monks used long ago.
"This is my office" informed her Chad after closing the door.
"Unfortunately, I'm also the managing director of the clinic."
"I see you have chosen an enchanting office" Serena contemplated the garden
with sincere admiration, noticing a fountain where the water sprouted out
of the hollow hands of a stone nymph discretely watched over, surrounded by
roses of different colors.
"Sit down, thespinis.  What can I help you with?"
"I want to ask you about Andrew Xandreou's amnesia" she breathed in deeply.
 "I suppose you know the reason as to why my sister and I have come to
Karthos, right?"
"Yes, I've heard something about it" the doctor's expression was discrete
and enigmatic.
"Then we're at your mercy.  Please, tell me… How much time will it be until
Andrew gains back his memory?"
"You've asked me something I cannot answer" he pointed out and moved his
head.  "Sometimes that state takes a lot of time.  In other cases, a strong
impression might provoke a sudden and complete recuperation" he sighed.
"But Andrew rebels.  He's afraid of thinking that he has forgotten a great
part of his past and that increases his confusion."
"Then my visit the day before was not of any help" smiled Serena.  "I wish
someone would've told me about what was happening."
"The family doesn't want anyone to find out about his condition.  The
island is small and its habitants are simple people.  They understand about
a broken leg, but not about something psychological" he explained as she
nodded.
"You have mentioned a strong impression.  Do you think it would do some
good if he saw my sister again?"
"Is possible" he answered after a pause.
"Then, you could arrange a meeting?"
"I'm sorry, but I'm not in charge.  Darien… kyrios Xandreou… has given
orders to not let you or your sister to be received at the villa, much less
to see Andrew.  I'm truly sorry" he apologized.
"Oh, God" groaned Serena.  "That bastard…"
"You shouldn't say that, thespinis" Chad seemed alarmed.  "Since Darien was
very young, he has been the head of the family and that hasn't been easy.
He's only trying to protect them all" he paused, uncomfortably.  "Probably
to prevent them from making certain mistakes which would only hunt them for
the rest of their lives."
"I'm sure that the omnipotent Mr. Xandreou has never made a mistake in his
life" commented Serena bitterly.  "He's the perfect man, from head to toe."
"Not always, thespinis" the doctor assured her.  "His parents' death… then
his marriage and his wife's death… were the real tragedies for him.  I
think they left their scars."
"Then he's a widower?"  Exclaimed the girl dryly.  It was the last thing
she expected to hear.  She bit her lip remembering that she had accused him
of not having a heart or feelings.  But that should make him be more
understanding towards Mina and Andrew.  Then she added:  "Couldn't you talk
to him… from a doctor's point of view?  Convince him that it would be good
to try and let Mina and Andrew see each other?"
"I could try" he answered, "but I don't promise anything.  Darien is my
friend… and also a friend to everyone in Karthos" he pointed out.  "He
founded this clinic, but just like his father and his grandfather before
him, he's very authoritative.  His word has always been law and he expects
that no one will ever argue his decisions."
"Then I think that is time someone does so" pointed Serena brusquely and
stood up.
"I see you're a brave woman, thespinis" he commented.  At this moment the
phone rang and he answered it.
While he listened, Serena saw him frown; then he talked in his language and
hung up.
"Forgive me, there's something I must tend to" he paused, restrained.  "Can
I offer you some coffee before you go?"
"Is not necessary for you to bother" Serena stuttered and consulted her watch.
"It would be my pleasure.  I beg you to wait for me."
He stepped out and closed the door.  The girl moved to a window and looked
outside.  A perfumed breeze was blowing with the roses' aroma, which
inundated the room.  The flowers' fragrance and color made her swallow hard
and cheered her up.  'I was right in coming here.  He hasn't promised me
anything, but he's at least given me some hope', she thought.  At that
moment she heard the door opening again.
"I'm very grateful…," she said before turning around.  "I know that between
the two of us we can change Mr. Xandreou's mind."
"I see you're very sure about that, thespinis" the mocking tone of that
familiar voice resounded in her ears, "but if I were you, I wouldn't count
on it."
For a moment, Serena was frozen into place; then she turned slowly and
looked at the tall man that remained standing in front of the door.  She
suddenly understood that he was blocking her way out.
"Kalimera" said Darien Xandreou giving her one of his killer smiles.

On to chapter 5…
*******************************************************************
There you have folks, chapter 4.  Please tell me what you think.  Comments,
flames write to mellibea@yahoo.com. Thanks!