Turning Point
Usagi-chan
Usagi@tuxedomask.com
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Island/4602
Rating - PG13 
I don't own Sailormoon or anything pertaining to
E-mail me!
I don't know anything about lawyers or the law.  I do watch
Law and Order though... *grin*  Making stuff up here!  Bear
with me please... ^_^

~~~
Serena's fingers flew furiously across the keyboard.  Her boss would
be coming up the elevator any minute, and she knew how stressed he was
over the latest case.

Serena Mallinson was probably the highest paid secretary in North
America, and she certainly worked to be there.  Her boss, Darien 
Shields, was the coldest man she had ever met.  He seemed made of
sheer ice, which was probably best considering his profession.

Darien was a lawyer, the best around.  He regularly had several 
multi-million dollar cases going at the same time.  Serena was 
convinced that he thrived on stress, which caused her to be 
stressed as well.

Secretary by day, Serena was studying to be a lawyer of her own by
night.  She commanded a lot of respect from her peers and teachers
by working at Shields Corporation already.  She had her foot in the 
door of the most powerful agency in North America.

Ding!  The elevator door opened to reveal Darien, dressed impeccably,
as usual.  He was wearing a charcoal suit with a blue shirt, and his
stride was long and confident.

"Serena, are you finished with that...?" Darien began, but stopped
when Serena handed him the still warm copy.  "Thank you." He smiled
at her, a rare sight.  Serena smiled back, touched that he had shown
such an affectionate gesture.  

Yes, a mere smile from Darien was considered affection.  And the fact
that Serena had lasted so long as Darien's secretary was a miracle on
its own.  No other secretary had lasted more than two months.  Serena
had worked for him for about six.

"Is there anything else, Sir?" Serena asked.  Darien hesistated, 
before speaking.

"Yes, I think so...  Can you come into my office?" He asked her.  His
tone was something Serena wasn't used to.  Nervous, she fidgeted with
the hem of her short skirt.

"Of course, Sir." She nodded, and followed him into his dark though
tastefully decorated office.

"Please, have a seat." Darien gestured to one of the chairs opposite
his desk.  He sank into his own chair and ran a hand through his hair.
"I've heard that you are attending law school at night, and that you 
are close to graduating."

Serena was shocked.  That was the last thing she had been expecting
from him.  Numbly, she nodded her head.

"You are head of your class, too."  Again Serena nodded.  "You pretty
much know everything that goes on in here, and all the details in my
cases." Darien paused and opened one of the thick folders on his desk.
"This is the case of  Richardson versus Jamieson, a murder case.  I
don't have time to do this.  I have to be in court tomorrow...  Serena,
I hate asking you this, but would you sit second chair?"

Again Serena found herself shocked into silence.  She stared at 
Darien, her blue eyes wide.

"I could really use your help, Serena.  I can't seem to figure it out."
Darien sighed in defeat, and his shoulders seemed slightly slumped.

"Of course I'll help you, Sir." Serena told him, sitting straight in
her chair.  "Sir, might I ask who told you?"

"Some things are better unrevealed." Darien told her.  "We should get
started then."

"Alright." Serena stood up and leaned across his desk, one hand flat on
the smooth top.  "May I see the file?"

Darien handed it to her, and Serena resumed her seat.  She began
scanning through the file and reading the various information regarding
the murder case. 

Darien watched her carefully, noting her expression as she took the 
information in.  Suddenly, unexpectedly, Serena stood up and went to
Darien's shelf.  she pulled one of the books off and began flipping
through it.

"Did you look at Johnson versus Anderson?" She asked, still looking 
through the book.

"Yes, I thought of that first." Darien was impressed at how quickly she
had thought of that specific case.  Even he hadn't come up with it so
quickly.

"Hmm..." Serena bit her lip as she scanned.

"There was nothing really useful.  They pleaded self-defense and..."
Darien shrugged.  Serena re-shelved the book and sat back down.  She
crossed her legs, and Darien found himself drawn to the long slender
legs her short black suit revealed.

Having never spent much time with her, Darien wouldn't have been able
to describe his secretary past her blonde hair and blue eyes, a very
none specific description.  Now, he found himself attracted to the
obviously intelligent woman in front of himself.

'Snap out of it Darien.' He told himself sharply.  'This case is all
that matters.'

"What about Pearson versus Carmichael?" Serena asked suddenly.  Darien
looked at her.

"What do you mean?" He asked her.  Serena stood up and set the file
down before heading back to Darien's shelf of trusty law texts.  
Reaching to one of the higher shelves, Serena pulled down a slightly 
dusty book.

"Look." She told him, setting the book down in front of him, she 
opened it and pointed to the case.  Darien carefully scanned it, and
nodded his head slightly.

"That might work, but my client is awfully wealthy.  You can pay to 
have that done." Darien told her.  

"Oh.." Serena shut the book and was about to turn to put it back up,
but Darien caught her arm.

"Leave it here, we might still need it." He told her.  Serena nodded
and set the book back down.  Gently, she pulled her arm from Darien's
grip and sat down in one of the chairs across from him.


Several hours later, Serena stood up stretching.  She had long ago
divested herself of the suit jacket she had been wearing.  She looked
several years younger, having untucked her white blouse and wearing it
loosely over a short black skirt.  

Darien found his attention often wandering to her, rather than focusing
on the case before him.  He himself had tossed his jacket over one of 
the chairs and loosened his tie.

"Do you want something to eat?" Darien asked her, pulling Serena's 
attention from the books she was studying rather intently.

"Hmmm?" She asked, tearing her gaze from the text to look up at Darien.

"Are you hungry?  Should I order something?" He asked again, holding 
a phone in one hand.

"Uhmm.. Sure." She turned back to the book.

"What do you feel like?" He asked, still looking at her.

"Whatever." Serena shrugged, still reading the book.  Darien smiled
slightly and dialed a number.

"Hey Andrew.  Yeah...  The usual, but double it." Darien spoke into the
phone.  "Yes.  Yes.  No.  Bye Andrew."

A few minutes later, there was knock on Darien's door.  He rose and
opened it, revealing a tall sandy blond haired man.  

"Hey Dar." The man walked in with a few bags.  Serena glanced at him,
but continued to read the books she was studying.

"Thanks Andrew.  I really appreciate it." Darien took the bags and 
set them on his desk.  "I'd like you to meet my secretary Serena
Mallinson."

"Hi." Serena looked up and flashed him a smile.

"I'm Andrew Furuhata." He smiled at her.  Serena was lying on Darien's
floor, her feet kicking in the air, her black pumps lying next to her.
Andrew raised an eyebrow at Darien, who merely glared back at him.

"Anyway, Andrew...  We're rather busy.  I'll call you tomorrow, 
alright?" Darien asked.  Andrew laughed and went to the door.

"Sure thing Dar, sure thing." 

Darien shut his office door and looked over at Serena who wasn't paying
any attention to Andrew or Darien.  The latter bothered him, though he
didn't really want to admit it.

"We have some food now, Serena." Darien told her, unpacking the cartons
Andrew had brought.  Chinese food, one of Darien's favourites.

"Okay." Serena nodded, but made no move to get up.

"Serena?  You need to eat.  It's late, almost ten o'clock." Darien
sighed.  "You should probably get home soon, too."

"We're not done yet.  I'll leave later." She shrugged and continued to
read.

"At least come eat." Darien held one of the carton's out to her. 
Sighing, Serena stood up and smoothed her skirt.  She moved towards
Darien's desk and accepted one of the cartons.  She picked a pair of
chop sticks out of the bag and began eating, a thoughtful expression
still on her face.

"Would you like something to drink?" He asked her.  

"Sure.  What do you have?" Serena asked.  Darien turned to his small
fridge and opened it.

"Uhmm...  Some champagne?" He looked at her apologetically.  "It's all
I have..."

"That's fine." Serena told him, continuing to eat.  Darien poured her
a glass, and handed it to her, before pouring his own.

"Have you found anything in those books?" Darien asked, gesturing to
the stack Serena had been pouring over.

"Not yet, but I think I'm onto something." She told him, sipping her
champagne.  Setting the carton back down, Serena headed back to the
books with her champagne glass.

"Aren't you hungry?" Darien asked her.  "I didn't even see you go to
lunch.  No wonder your so thin!"

Darien was shocked at his statement, though it was true.  Serena was
tiny, fragile, though he had never paid much attention to her physical
appearance.  At least he thought he hadn't...

"I'll eat later." Serena told him.  "I'm not that hungry right now."

Sighing, Darien picked up a carton and headed to where Serena now sat,
champagne in one hand and a law text book in the other.  She was the
picture of perfection to him.  A woman with fine tastes and an 
intellect to challenge his own.

"Eat." He told her, holding a piece of sweet and sour chicken in front 
of her.

"What..?" Serena tried to ask, but the second she opened her mouth, 
Darien stuck the chicken in.  Serena was slightly shocked, but managed
to close her mouth and chew.

"I'm perfectly capable of feeding myself." She told him, laughing.

"But you aren't eating." Darien was completely serious as he held up
another piece of chicken.  Serena laughed and shook her head. 

"I'm just not hung..." Another piece of chicken was slipped in.
Serena rolled her eyes and ate that too, before turning her eyes
back to the book in her hand.  

"Open." Darien commanded her.

"But Mr.Shields!" Serena exclaimed.  "I'm really not hungry!"

"But Serena!  I really don't care." Darien replied.  "Either you eat
or I'll continue to feed you."

Serena couldn't help it.  The serious expression on Darien's face
caused her to burst out laughing.  She nearly collapsed on the floor
laughing while Darien patiently held the carton of sweet and sour
chicken.

"Are you quite finished?" He asked her.  Serena nodded, slightly 
pacified by his tone.  "Good.  Now, eat this." 

Serena opened her mouth automatically and ate the chicken.  She sipped
her champagne before accepting another piece.

"Okay, no more!" She exclaimed.  "I want something else."

Serena stood up and went to the table.  Grabbing a carton of noodles,
she came back and sat down in front of Darien.  Picking up the book 
again, Serena was about to reach for the chop sticks from Darien when
he plucked the carton from her hands.

Serena glanced at him startled, but saw that he was opening it for her.

"Thanks," she told him, reading some more.  Serena was in the middle of
a sentence when she suddenly found her mouth full of noodles.  She 
began laughing, and nearly choked on the mouthful.  After taking a 
deep swallow of champagne, Serena looked at Darien.

"Are you trying to kill me?!" She asked, though her eyes held a hint
of laughter.  Darien smiled at her and shook his head.  A smile still
on her lips, Serena turned back to the book.  

After a few minutes of reading, careful to keep her mouth closed, 
Serena let out a small gasp.

"What is it?" Darien asked, setting the carton aside.

"I found it!" Serena laughed.  "Look, read it."

Darien scanned the passage Serena pointed to and a smile broke out on
his face.

"Perfect!  We're guaranteed to win!" He exclaimed.  Laughing, Serena
threw herself in his arms.

"This is great!"

Maybe it was the champagne, or the excitement over finding the clues
to win the case, or maybe a mixture of both.  Darien wasn't sure, but
the next thing he knew, he was kissing her.

His mouth claimed Serena's posessively, holding her tightly against 
him.  Serena herself was quite elated, and made no move to stop him.
Darien was kissing her over and over, pulling her closer still.

Darien found himself standing up, holding Serena tightly, and leading
her to his couch.  One thing seemed to lead to another, and he was
lying with her on the cool leather.

"Darien..." She gasped as his lips made a trail down her milky throat.
Her hands clasped tightly around his neck and her fingers were playing
with the edge of his hair.  Darien began unbuttoning Serena's shirt, 
and she made no move to stop him.


Serena slowly opened her eyes, wondering where she was.  Everything 
was dark, and she didn't recognize her surroundings.  There was 
something heavy lying across her stomach, and it felt like someone
was breathing against her head.  Serena looked up, moving her head 
slightly and almost screamed.

'Oh my God...  What have I done...?' She asked herself.  She found 
herself lying next to Darien, and the memories of the past few hours
washed over her like a nightmare.

Serena shot up and began gathering her clothes, which had been
tossed carelessly about the office.  While she was pulling on her 
skirt, Darien woke and looked at her curiously.

"Serena..." His voice was husky.  "What are you doing?"

"I have to go...  I have to get out of here..." She mumbled, buttoning
her blouse as quickly as she could.  Racing out the door, Darien was 
sure he heard 'I can't believe I did that!'.

"Serena wait!" Darien exclaimed, but it was too late.  She had already
stepped into the elevator, and the doors were closed.

Moaning to himself, Darien pulled on enough clothes to make himself
decent before collapsing back onto his couch.

"What have I done?" He asked himself.


Serena never showed up for work the next morning.  Concerned,
Darien had called her, but only got her answering machine.

"Serena?  It's Darien...  Look, I'm really sorry about last night...I
shouldn't have let it happen.  Are you okay?  I'm really worried about
you...  I guess I'll see you later?" He hung up the phone only 
feeling worse than he had before he had called her.

Sighing, Darien gathered his papers and headed towards the trial.
Serena should have been there, by his side.  He knew that.  He also 
knew it was his own fault that she wasn't.


The trial consumed Darien's life for the next month and a half.
He didn't have time for anything, let alone worrying about Serena,
though he did.  The few hours a night he should have slept, he
thought about her.


Of course, Darien did win the trial, after several weeks of intense
questioning of the multitude of witnesses.  Closing statements, 
featuring Serena's information, won it for him and he knew she should 
have been there for her much deserved victory.  


"Hello?" A cheery voiced asked.

"Andrew?" Darien asked.

"Darien?  What's wrong?  Did something happen?" Andrew asked, concerned
at his friend's voice.

"Andy, remember that blonde girl I introduced you to?  My secretary, 
Serena?" Darien asked.

"Yeah...  You two an item now?" Andrew was only teasing his childhood
friend, but for Darien that was all it took.  He broke down crying, 
in the middle of his office, while on the phone.

"Oh Gods Andrew..." He sobbed.  "I drove her away..."

Once the entire story was out, Andrew took a few minutes to think.

"Darien, you've really screwed up." He said finally.  Darien rolled
his eyes, now dry of tears.

"Gee...  I didn't know that one." 

"You really care about her, don't you?" Andrew asked softly.  Darien
paused, holding the receiver tightly.

"I..  She's unlike anyone I've ever known.  She's brilliant, hard 
working, incredibly sexy..." Darien let his voice trail off.

"Then go after her." Andrew told him.

"What?" Darien asked incredulously.

"Go after her with everything you've got."


Darien knocked on the apartment door, nervously holding a dozen
red roses in the other hand.  He had taken Andrew's advice and
headed to Serena's apartment, after finding her address in the 
company files.

Still dressed in his suit from work, Darien was tempted to
loosen his tie, but didn't want Serena to think he was being
casual about what he was going to talk to her about.

Slowly the door opened, revealing a rather disheveled Serena.
She looked surprised to see him, but didn't say anything.

"Serena..." Darien's voice was soft, caring.  Serena still didn't
say a word.  She continued to stare at him, not quite sure what
to make of his sudden visit.

"May I come in?" He asked her.  Serena opened the door wider 
and turned, sitting down on the couch she had obviously been
occupying.  A pile of used kleenx had accumulated on the table
in front of her, and she had a box next to her.

"These are for you..." Darien held out the flowers, but Serena
made no move to take them.  Sighing, he set them down on the 
table and turned to Serena.

"What do you want?" She asked him, her voice flat and completely
void of emotion.

"Are you alright?" He asked her.  Serena shrugged.

"I guess."

"I've left messages...  You never called me back." He glanced up
at her.

"You never said to." 

True.  Despite the many messages he had left, never once had he
asked her to call him back.  He always just assumed she would.

"Why have you been avoiding me?" Darien asked her.

"Things are different now, Mr.Shields." Serena replied.

"Things don't have to be different, Serena." He told her.
Serena looked up at him, her eyes filling with tears.

"They are different.  There is no way we can go back to...
To whatever it was we had before..." Her voice trailed off,
but Darien understood her.

"Yes they can!" He insisted.  "We can just forget..."

"We can't forget!" Serena interrupted.  She was now on
her feet, staring at him and yelling.  "We can't forget
Mr.Shields.  We can never forget!  Ever!"

"What do you mean?" Darien asked, shocked at her outburst.

"I'm pregnant." Her voice was barely above a whisper, but 
it hit Darien like a crashing wave.

"Pregnant?" He repeated.  Serena nodded.  She was pregnant with 
his child, and still calling him 'Mr. Shields'?

"Serena...  How long have you known?" He asked her.

"Two weeks." Serena told him as she sank back into the
couch.

"Were you going to tell me?" He asked.  Serena shook her 
head.

"You didn't need to know." Serena was staring blankly ahead,
avoiding Darien's gaze at all costs.

"Didn't need to kn... Serena!  I'm responsible for this child."

"No you aren't.  I am." Serena told him.

"No, Serena, your wrong!  I'm responsible for it and Serena, marry
me." Darien was completely serious.  He knew, just looking at 
this girl now, that he could spend the rest of his life with her
and be happy.

Serena on the other hand, looked  up at him in surprise before 
slowly shaking her head no.

"No." She told him.

"No?  What do you mean 'no'?" Darien asked incredulously.

"No, and I mean it.  You don't love me, Darien.  You just feel
responsible for the child.  Don't.  I don't intend to keep it."
She told him icily.

"Don't intend to...?" The confusion in his eyes was quickly replaced
with realization.  "Your going to get an abortion?" 

"Yes." Serena told him quickly.  

"Serena... Are you serious?" 

"Yes." Serena repeated, standing up.  "And I think this 
conversation is finished."

"No it's not.  Serena you can't just...  You can't..."

"I can, Mr. Shields.  And I will.  Leave me alone." The tears
were flowing freely down her cheeks.  "It's my decision to
make, not yours."

Darien himself was on the verge of crying.  Slowly he headed
to her door and opened it.  Pausing in the doorway, Darien 
turned to her and spoke.

"I'm alone in this world, Serena.  That child is my only family,
and whether it existed or not, I would have asked you to marry
me.  Just maybe not as quickly..." Without another word, Darien
turned and left.  Serena collapsed on the couch sobbing.


Holding her head high, Serena walked into work.  She sat down 
at her desk, glad that Darien hadn't replaced her.  Having spent
the weekend after speaking with Darien sulking, Serena pulled 
herself together.  

Turning on the computer, she saw everything was exactly as she had
left it.  Serena was grateful that she had planned ahead and
was always several weeks ahead in organizing Darien's schedule.

When the elevator doors slid open, Serena made sure to keep her eyes
glued to the screen.  She made sure to give the impression of an
extremely busy secretary as Darien walked towards his office, and
consequently her desk.

Darien paused at her desk, watching her carefully.  Serena 
pretended not to notice as his eyes searched her face.  She
typed, making several errors, but didn't look up at him.

Finally, Darien sighed softly and turned to his office.  His
hand was turning the door handle when Serena finally spoke.

"I didn't do it, if that's what your wondering."

Darien continued inside as though she hadn't spoken, but the 
second the door was closed, he sighed with relief and smiled.
Darien practically flew across his office and picked up the 
phone. 

"Andrew!  Andrew she didn't do it!" He exclaimed as his friend
answered his phone.

"That's great Darien!  But now what are you going to do?" Andrew
asked.

"I don't know, Andrew.  I really don't...  I love her so much..."
Darien's voice trailed off as he began to think.  Serena thought
he was only interested in the child, not her and he had to 
somehow convince her otherwise.

"Tell her that, Darien.  Tell her everything you think and feel.
Right now.  Just sit her down and talk from the heart." Andrew
advised.  Darien thought for a second before replying.

"Your right, Andy...  I'll try that...  Thanks." Darien hung up his 
phone and hit the speaker button.  "Serena?  Can you come in here
for a minute?"

Darien waited for a reply, but didn't get one.  A few seconds 
later, there was a gentle knock on the door and Serena poked her
head in.

"Come in, have a seat." He gestured to the sit across from him.  
Serena raised her eyebrow, but sat down.  "Uhmm.. Serena, I...
About what happened...  I don't regret it." 

Serena looked at him, surprise prominent on her delicate features.  

"Why are you telling me this?" She asked him.

"You've worked for me for almost eight months now, right?" Serena
nodded.  "In all that time, I've never come across as a very...
well, nice person.  I know that.  But the moment I lay my eyes on
you, you had me completely mesmerized.  You seem so... So 
different.  I looked forward to coming in every morning, just to
see you briefly."  

Serena crossed her legs in the chair, and folded her hands in
her lap.  She figured this might take a while.

"I want you to know that I would never have let things get so 
out of hand if I didn't care about you.  I realize that sounds 
unrealistic, but it's true." Darien ran a hand nervously through
his hair.  "I spoke to a few people you seemed close to and found 
out some information on you.  A friend of yours told me about your 
night classes.  That's why I asked you to help me.  I wanted to get 
to know you better, and to get you to see that I'm not what everyone
else thinks." Darien paused to let everything sink in.  "I've 
come to rely on you in my life.  These past few weeks have been
hell for me, because you haven't been there."

"I'm only your secretary." 

"You are so much more than that...  Serena, don't you see?  My 
career has been my life for so long.  I want more now, and you
are what I want.  Your are beautiful, intelligent, kind, caring,
sweet..." Darien knew he could ramble for hours about her amazing
qualities.  "Serena I don't want you to marry me because of our
child.  I want you to marry me, because I love you."

Serena looked at him in sheer disbelief.

"Eight months.  You've known me for eight months and never once
taken me on a date, but you expect me to marry you?" She asked
him incredulously.

"You want to go on a date?" He asked her.  "Done."

Darien stood up, walked around his desk and grabbed Serena's hand.
He led her out of his office, to the elevator.

"This is nuts!  What are you..." Serena began, but Darien put a
finger to her lips.

"Shush." 

Darien led her through the garage parking lot, to a red sports
car.  He opened the passenger side door, and helped Serena in,
before going around the car to the driver's side.

"Where would you like to go?" He asked her, as he pulled out of the 
parking space.

"I..." Serena was dumbfounded by everything.  This was not what she had 
expected.

"Why don't we go out to brunch?  That's something couples do, 
right?" He asked her.  Serena nodded and Darien backed his car
out of the parking space.

He drove silently, though occasionally he glanced at Serena.  She
was sitting quietly, gazing out the windshield completely 
surprised by everything that had happened.

"Are you alright?" Darien asked her.  "You seem a bit pale."

"I'm fine." Serena replied, still not looking at him.

"Are you sure?"  Again she nodded.  "Okay."  Darien smiled 
at her and turned the car.  He pulled into the parking lot
of a very expensive restaurant.

"We don't have to come here." Serena told him.  Darien
shrugged.

"I like it here." He stepped out of the car and went around
to Serena's side.  He opened her door and helped her out.
Lacing her arm through his, Darien and Serena made their 
way to the front door.

"Good morning Mr. Shields." 

"Good morning.  My usual table please." Darien replied.

"Of course, Sir.  Right this way." They followed the waiter
to a table near the back of the restaurant.  Darien pulled 
Serena's chair out for her before sitting across from her.
The waiter set two menus down in front of them before leaving
them alone. 

Serena picked up her menu and glanced over the list of food.
Nothing in particular caught her interest, so she set the
menu down and gazed out the window.  

The view was spectacular.  They were next to a large bay window
overlooking a small garden.  There were red roses everywhere,
and a small fountain in the middle.

"May I take your order?" The waiter had returned.  Serena's head
whipped around to look at him.  She hadn't paid any attention to
the menu, and had no clue what to order.

"I think we need a little more time." Darien told the waiter,
much to Serena's relief.  

"Of course, Sir." The waiter left the two alone again.  Darien
smiled up at Serena.

"Maybe you should pay more attention to the menu this time."
He teased her.  Serena picked up the menu and looked over it
again.  She sighed.

"What's wrong?" Darien asked her.

"This." She gestured at the menu.

"What's wrong with it?" Darien asked, still confused.

"It's all so... Blah." Serena replied, shaking her
head.  "I don't want it."

"What do you want?" He asked.  Serena shrugged.

"I don't know."  Darien smiled.

"We can go somewhere else if you'd prefer." He told her.  Serena
nodded and stood up.

"I don't like it here." She told him.  Darien stood up as well
and the two left the restaurant.  

Back in his car, Darien pulled out of the parking lot and
glanced at Serena.

"Where to, love?" He asked her.  Serena's eyes widened slightly,
but she still shrugged.  Looking out at the road, Darien continued 
to drive.  He turned onto Centre Street, when Serena suddenly yelled.

"Stop!"

"What?" Darien asked, slamming on the breaks.  He was very thankful
that it was too early to be busy.

"I want that." Serena pointed to the hotdog vendor, and Darien
chuckled.

"Consider it done."  He pulled the car into a parking spot 
along the side of the road and the two got out.

"We'll take two." Darien told the vendor, who smiled at the cute
couple.

"That'll be $4.56." Darien handed the man the money and accepted
the hotdogs.  Serena took one and began putting mustard and 
ketchup on it.  Darien laughed, and followed suit.  
Walking along the street, Serena and Darien ate their hotdogs in a
companionable silence.  They came to the entrance of a park and
headed inside, without exchanging a word.

"That was good." Serena said finally, as she tossed out the
paper napkins.

"Yeah, I've never eaten those before." He smiled at her, before
looking forward again.  Seeing a swing set, Darien decided to be
impulsive.  He grabbed Serena's hand and began to run towards them.

"Come on!  I'll push you!" He told her.  Serena laughed merrily and
ran alongside Darien.  She sat eagerly in the swing seat and Darien
began to push her higher and higher on the swing.

"Darien!  Stop, I'm going to fall!" She cried, laughter apparent
in her voice.  Darien laughed as well.

"If you ever fall, I'll catch you." He promised.  Usagi smiled down
at him.

"I've never had so much fun." Darien told her, as the two walked back
towards his carm, hand in hand.

"Me neither." She smiled at him.  "Are we going back to the office
now?"

"Do you want to?" He asked, dubious.

"No, I'm tired.  I want to go home and sleep." She told him,
stifling a yawn.

"Alright." Darien unlocked the car door and helped her in.  Serena
did her seat belt up and Darien shut her door before jogging around
the car and getting in on the other side.  He drove her to her
apartment, and walked her up to her door.

"You really didn't need to walk me." Serena told him.

"I know.  I wanted to." Darien replied.

"Thanks..." Serena smiled.  "I guess I'll see you later?"

"Definately." 

Serena waved and shut her door.  She needed time away, time to
think about what had happened.  Everything was happening so fast,
too fast, and she had to think.

Serena flopped down on her bed and gently lay a hand on her 
stomach.  She knew she was starting to show, and she didn't
want any sort of speculation spreading about her.  She didn't
want her child to get hurt, either...

Sighing, Serena rolled onto her side and continued to think.
She could accept Darien's proposal.  She was attracted to him,
and Darien claimed to love her.  What more could she ask?  Serena
knew she could easily fall in love with Darien Shields.  She would
be financially set for life, finish her career and probably co-chair
the most important law firm in the country.  Why was she so 
hesitant to commit?

"Commitment..." Serena muttered.  That was the problem.  Her
parents hadn't honored their marriage vows, and her Aunt hadn't,
and her best friend's older sister hadn't.  Serena didn't want to make
the same mistake.

"But Darien loves you, and you have to think of the child..."
Serena sighed again.  Could she spend a lifetime with Darien?
Unexpected, her heart seemed to scream YES even as her mind
was unsure.  

Rolling onto her stomach, Serena picked up the phone next
to her bed.  She dialed the familiar number to the law firm,
and the private extension that would let her speak directly to
Darien.

"Hello?" The deep and familiar voice asked.

"Darien." Serena smiled at the sound of her voice.

"Serena!  This is a surprise.  I thought you were resting.
Is everything okay?" He asked.  Serena's smile widened.

"Yes Darien." She took a deep breath.  "About your 
proposal..."

Darien held his breath as Serena mentioned his marriage
proposal from the previous week.

"Yes, Darien.  Yes."
~~~
EPILOGUE

~~~
	"Darien?  Can you hand me that book...  No, shelf up, to
the right...  Thanks." Serena smiled as she accepted the book.
	
	"No problem love." Darien smiled back and turned his 
attention to the book he had been reading.

	The two were seated in the dark office on the top floor
of Shields Corporation.  Several case files and papers were spread 
across the office floor, and Serena was seated in front of the couch,
a champagne glass in one hand and a book on the floor in front of 
her.

	"Hmmm..." Serena said thoughtfully. 

	"Did you find something?" Darien asked.
	
	"Don't you wish?"Serena teased, sipping the champagne.  Darien
laughed.

	"Did you look in this book?" He held up a thick black book,
with gold writing.  Serena shook her head.

	"No.  I don't think it'll have anything, unless..." Serena 
shoved her book aside, and set the champagne down.  She stood up
and took the book from Darien's hands.  Flipping through it, she
stopped and began to read as quickly as she could.

	"Found the man innocent... wife.. suicide..." She muttered
as she read.  "That's it!" She exclaimed.

	"What is?" Darien asked, reading over her shoulder.  "Your
right!" He exclaimed.  "Amazing!  Serena you are brilliant!" He shouted.

	"Shh!" Serena reminded him, too late.  A high pitched wailing
filled the room and both immediately turned their attention to the
large white crib next to Darien's desk.

	"Oh its okay, Renie, darling..." Darien cooed as he picked
up the infant.  Cradling the baby in his arms, Darien began to sing
softly as he rocked her.

	Serena watched father and daughter and smiled.  Darien truly
loved his only child, and treated her like a princess.  

	The two month old began to quiet down, and Darien continued
to rock her until she was asleep.  He gently set her back in her 
crib and turned to Serena.
	
	"Sorry..." He smiled sheepishly.  Serena grinned.

	"Hey!  So long as you put her back to sleep..."

	"Mm...  I love you, Serena." Darien told her, pulling her
closer to him.

	"And I you..." She held him close, hugging him tightly.  "Darien?
There's something you should know."

	"What's that love?" He asked drowsily as he buried his 
face in her hair.

	"Darien, I'm pregnant..."

~~~