**May 2004**
He lived sparsely. Darien Shield’s apartment was a typical bachelor’s domain. Books stacked neatly on his desk, a laptop computer, and an extensive library taking up one side of his study – come Lounge room.
The posters of Lara Croft, football heroes and pictures of himself with friends – most of these graduation snapshots stuffed into Sunday market aluminum picture-frames -- adorned the sideboard. Clothes littered the floor. His favorite green jacket draped over his high-backed chair in front of his computer workstation.
The flat screen television, digital entertainment system with DVD access via his laptop, to its left taking up and length of the room opposite the glass doors leading onto a private balcony, his home-entertainment system featuring a pair of Jamo 500 watt speakers with platinum plated woofers and tweeter cones – these the envy of everyone on his block. Downstairs in the garage, his red Porsche with its black leather interior fitted with just about every luxury extra one could wish.
He was rich, yes, but money was just something he took for granted. Sure, he enjoyed it, but it wasn’t pathology with him. Most people with similar means had a – bad attitude – towards money, putting it ahead of friendship and just about all else, and he had no time for them. Darien preferred to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. His car – as with the bike -- was indeed the best money could buy, but they were functional and that took precedence.
He smiled to himself, thinking about the people who counted most in his life. Either they were all students from lower and middle-income families, or if they had money, they shared Darien’s broader perspective on life – to enjoy people and the wonders of the natural world -- to live life to the full and chase your dreams.
He liked his work as a private detective. It was straightforward and direct. It helped many people and gave him an opportunity to try to put some things right. He wasn’t naive enough to think he could solve all the worlds’ problems, but understood that while breath passed through him, and in some small way, he could help others. He was usually detached about the clients he worked for in his capacity as private detective, but he didn’t wish Melvin to know his real thoughts and feelings about his work, not for any vanity he supposed, rather a part of him he wanted to keep to himself.
When it came to Melvin himself, he found he really liked the quirky happy-go-lucky guy. And nerds were smart, fun people to have as friends and great conversationalists, too. Melvin annoyed him at times, but he was also one of Darien’s closest friends. Whenever they left the office, they really left it – taking in a game of baseball, or watching girls on the docks while fishing or surfing during the summer months -- all the guy things – Melvin was like the brother he never had.
His thoughts turned to Serena’s unintentional jibe regarding his past. He winced and remembered angrily brushing away the tear that had frozen on his cheek the moment he left the club that night. Cruel, but she started something stirring inside, he preferred thinking of her as simply – the mark – it was easier that way, why? Because she called to his desire, to the part of him he denied attention most, his heart. He couldn’t let her in, or at least that’s what he told himself at the time. He had told himself, she’s just a pretty kid holding a microphone on stage with a sweet voice to match her looks, and then his resolve melted, and he had to know her.
He and Melvin drove to their small office down town. On the way, he sighed and blurted it out, “Serena is exceptional,“ he muttered, eyes fixed on the road ahead.
“What?“
“I really like her. Oh, I know, you thought I was uninterested in her, but buddy, she is something.“ Darien said, half to himself as much to his colleague.
“Well, Darien, you surprise me all the time with those unexpected about-faces. Who would have thought a woman would break through that tough exterior,“ he grinned.
“Shut up,“ he laughed. Melvin winked and offered a cheeky grin then shrugged. Darien pushed thoughts of the vivacious blonde aside and gripped the steering wheel tightly, keeping his eyes on the road ahead as they listened to the dulcet tones of Lisa Gerard singing a piece from the Gladiator soundtrack until they’d arrived at their destination.
~*~
The weekend had finally arrived, after playing pool with Melvin and his younger sixteen-year-old sister, Daniela, he had waved to them both and drove home to take in the Saturday night football game on television. Sunday found him in good spirits, after breakfast he showered, dressed in his riding gear and rushed downstairs.
Darien kicked the Harley into life. Its black shimmering metallic body caught the morning light, giving the powerful road vehicle an otherworldly glow. Then, out of the corner of his eye, a pretty blonde in a white mini skirt and hot pink body-hugging T-shirt caught his eye. She reminded him a little of Serena Silver, her height was about the same – perhaps an inch or two taller -- her legs, sculptured as if by Pygmalion’s hammer and chisel, and completing the exquisite look, her hair of fiery gold falling in waves to the backs of those deliciously tanned legs. He felt the rapid fountainhead of desire building within and savored the moment.
The woman turned around, throwing him a come-hither smile. It was not Serena -- he sighed longingly at the very thought of her -- but this girl he reasoned, in some respect, served as compensation – and this prospect was he found a welcome distraction to break the lonely monotony that shrouded his spare time. He then did something he never in his wildest dreams believed himself capable. He actually smiled and waved. This, all the acknowledgement she needed. She sashayed up to him, propping one tanned white-leather sandaled foot upon the nearby bench, exposing much of a smooth amber leg, “Hi, can I go for a ride with you? I would really love that…I live upstairs from you in number 6, my name is Anne Rowan,“ she said, batting her long golden eyelashes, pushing out her well proportioned breasts cradled in hot-pink cotton with hair of gold pouring over her chest.
“Nice to meet you…Anne,“ he said shyly, hoping he hadn’t turned a too dark shade of red for lingering on her shapely leg a second or two too long.
“Darien isn’t it?“
“Yeah, Err, look I have things I got to do, Anne… I don’t mean to--“
“Oh, come on, have a heart. If you flaunt a Harley like that, you’re going to draw some attention, and besides, I have wanted to introduce myself for a while now anyways,“ she smiled sweetly, noticing his eyes slip from hers to her leg and swiftly return to meet her cheeky grin.
“Ah, I have a little time, and I need to eat breakfast and all, so…why not. Come on, hop on the back,“ he relented, and soon found he was more than a little glad for the company.
“Why thank you, sir.“ Giggling, she put on the helmet Darien handed her from the back compartment of the bike and she slid behind him, wrapping her arms about his waist, her perfume and the warmth of her bare limbs making him giddy and think of Serena once more.
He blushed as the thought of holding her close tingled through him and with that amorous thought, pulled down his visor, “All right, Anne, hang on!“
They moved swiftly -- the surface of the road, almost a second skin to him. Anne was enraptured. She’s not Serena, but what the hell, I needed a friend, maybe she wouldn’t be bad company, and she has great….he thought with a smile.
They moved into the state of awe one knows only two well upon the back of a metal God -- his Harley, his worship, his grail and his quest.
Anne was enjoying the ride, and she knew, by the squeeze she gave him that he had decided to prolong their excursion. Forty-five minutes later, they parked outside a diner on the outskirts of town. He had enjoyed the warmth of her body against his lean torso, and liked her voice and her boldness. Usually, he would brush off such overtures to gain his attention, but Anne was somehow different. He hadn’t given a girl a ride on his bike since Melvin’s little sister, Daniela -- eleven at the time -- fell in love with his bike. No, this time it was different. Anne was definitely no child. She was warm and exciting. He locked the bike and both took off their helmets and went inside.
The fan rattled slightly, the sounds of cutlery, plates and the smell of bacon and eggs enticed the senses, “Shall we,“ he said, offering his arm. She smiled and nodded. They moved down the central isle seeking a booth. and Then a pretty Hispanic waitress in a black skirt and white T-shirt with -- U2 and so do I – printed over her breast line, smiled warmly at them both, her long wavy black curls collecting at her waste, dancing about her hips as she moved, “Mr. Shields, we have your usual table for you this morning. I will set a place for the lady,“ she said animatedly, smiling at Anne, who returned the woman’s warm greeting in kind.
“I like her, Darien; they know you pretty well here?“
“Yeah, it’s the best little diner in town, and far away enough from my work and study to be a special retreat.“
“Thanks for allowing me along. I know I kind of hijacked you, but I don’t regret my actions for a moment,“ she told him, her green eyes flecked with something like, amusement and something else, desire? He asked himself, and they sat.
“Well, my treat… What would you like?“
“Oh Dar, can I call you that…?“
“Sure, I highly recommend the waffles and Maple syrup combo, a dash of Mea’s banana ice-cream is an extra special addition, and the hazelnut coffee… to die for!“
“Wow, how can I refuse such a delicious menu, and I just love ice-cream,“ she smiled.
They ate contentedly, sharing anecdotes about their respective lives. Anne it seemed, piqued his interest when she told him she was a law student and wished to work with young immigrants struggling to eek out an existence in the States after fleeing their homelands and seeking a better life. These people needed legal support to gain a secure foothold in a new land, find work, get an education and provide for their families. He was impressed. She also loved jazz, and they discussed classical and contemporary jazz and the fusion scene with great enthusiasm.
Later, after leaving a generous tip, he stood like a leather clad knight displaying a Harley chivalry, as she took his arm and he led her outside to where the bike waited and went riding some more.
When they arrived back at the apartment block, he asked her to join him over a coffee in his apartment upstairs and she acquiesced.
After sitting comfortably on the sofa and finishing their second cup of coffee, listening to music, he broached the subject of a proper date. She blushed slightly and nodded. He then told her what he had in mind for that night, “I’ll have you know I am not a bad cook. I can whip up a surprisingly good stir-fry, and I have selected the wines and dessert…would madam care to partake?“
“Oh, Dar, I would love to,“ she giggled, taking his hand and squeezing it, “You’re the perfect gentleman, and it seems, the perfect cook by the sound of things. But if I really wish to know that for sure, the only way to do that is to accept…which I am more than happy to do.“
Later, she kissed him on the cheek and whispered, “Later, at six, K?“
“I will be looking forward to it Anne, catch you later,“ he said kissing her forehead lightly and she grinned generously and all but skipped down the hall to the lift and waved as the doors closed before her glorious countenance.
~*~
Darien answered the door, the first thing Anne noticed was that he wore an apron around his waist. She hugged him and followed him inside. They chatted animatedly. He offered her a drink and he returned to his tasks in the kitchen. She watched with awe as he turned random packages and their contents into a culinary dream.
They sat to a delicious satay chicken feast with the most delicious stir-fry vegetables and cashews sipping the Barossa wine he had poured for them both, each lost in one another’s eyes as they shared more information about themselves. Darien found himself daydreaming. Now and then, she would look at him oddly. He would imagine Serena sitting there in her place. But he consoled himself with the fact that there sat a lovely girl; just as beautiful, desirable, and pushed Serena from his mind, Anne was witty, charming, intelligent and warm. And of course, she had a great body and lively sense of humor to add icing to the cake.
“Hey I want to show you something, Anne,“ he invited, after she’d helped him wash up and put things away in the kitchen. He sat her down in the comfortable high-backed computer chair and brought up his latest stab at writing a novel. She insisted on helping him with it, and shy as he was about it, he realized a second opinion would help his writing at this stage. For the next hour, she proofed his work and told him that aside from a few minor typos, it was flawless. Anne, he was delighted to discover, had also majored in English in concert with her major in law.
Darien thought her a woman after his own heart when she told him she was into Gothic horror and fantasy -- Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter were her bibles -- she was quite a storyteller it seemed. Darien laughed at her jokes and found himself enthralled by her spontaneous tales.
Before she left for her apartment at one-thirty in the morning, he invited her to the Friday night party at Shooting Star. Melvin had told him it would be a great chance to be in the vicinity of the _mark_ but it was purely for fun, and besides, Melvin was taken with Molly -- only three years his junior -- he confessed his interest on the way to the bowling alley the other night after work. Melvin actually kicked his ass that night, winning almost twice the usual games raising Darien’s suspicions immediately. Melvin had it bad, Darien observed with a grin, giving him the thumbs up after scoring four strikes.
His thoughts returned to the present, he looked down at her beautiful face, waiting for her answer, and she hugged him, “I would love to, that’s the coolest club in town, and I haven’t had the chance to go -- before today. So yeah…lets do it!“
~*~
Mina noticed Darien and Melvin enter the venue, and arched an eyebrow before nudging Lita in the ribs, “Look what the cat dragged in, Lita,“ she said, giggling.
“And he has a date, too! Damn, he might be a jerk, but he’s hot, like my former boyfriend, you know, Larry from Baton Rouge… What a guy,“ she said dreamily.
Mina wanted to be sick. She waved a hand in front of her eyes, “Yeah, all the good-looking guys remind you of former boyfriends, Lita. You have a current love interest, so don’t get greedy. As for me, I can drool over him as much as my heart desires, even if he has a date.“
“Oh well, half her luck. Sere will be relieved,“ Lita announced as an afterthought.
“Don’t be so sure. I get a sense that their seemingly mutual antagonism is a mask for something smoldering between them,“ Mina contradicted.
“What, Madam seer of love. You’re speculating on the impossible again,“ Lita laughed, shaking her head.
“I have been right most of the time about these things, and its rare that I get it wrong. So zip it, Lita,“ she chided, feigning hurt then giggled, “Well, whoever she is, don’t you think she looks a little like Sere?“
“Maybe, but so do I, But he hasn’t asked me out.“
“You’re a cop, and he knows it, silly,“ Lita retorted, rolling her eyes.
“Not encouraged, cops and detectives and all, you know, no felicitation…!“
“That’s fraternization,“ she laughed, stuffing a cookie into Mina’s mouth.
~*~
The atmosphere was laced with the expectation of a great night out. The play began. Lita and Mina tried not to giggle, especially when it came to the kissing scene. Lita lay in repose as her prince, Ken, kissed her upon the lips. Whoops from the crowd turned her redder than the day Mina had used the _kiss of life_ on her. She quickly regained her composure, and in her magnificent white gown with its ribbons of purple silk tied around her slim waste and low-cut bodice, Ken had a difficult time focusing on his lines. But it all went smoothly, much to the joy of all in Shooting Star.
It was at that moment, Melvin crept up beside Darien and whispered that he had to talk to him urgently. The guys excused themselves, leaving Molly and Anne looking after them with bemused expressions on their faces, “Melvin’s kinda goofy, yer know, Anne, but I think he’s sweet, and he knows how ta treat a lady, Dar, he shown yer a good time…?“
“Sure, Molly… I am really enjoying myself, but those two are as thick as thieves…are I know they’re detectives and all, but they need to let their hair down a little more… I get the feeling its work related,“ She speculated.
“I have seen them in here almost every night. They’re spying on Serena Silver…“
“You mean the Serena Silver with the legacy of her mother’s company and all?“
“Yeah… the very same…!“ Molly pronounced.
“My, how does she put up with it?“
“She ignores them mostly…yer know, but she had words with Darien I reckon, not long after they’d faced off against one another at the bar. She gave him a hard time, and I can’t really blame her…yer know. But Anne, I’m being rude to yer… You like the guy, and he’s not a jerk, just private eyes leave me a little cold, all that spying stuff… I tell yer, it’s for the birds!“ She giggled, good-naturedly.
“Well, he studies hard at University when he’s not playing detective. I like that side of his nature, and he’s really nice when you get to know him, we just clicked I guess,“ she told her new friend.
~*~
“Diamond is here with Kaori, his wife. Look…“
“I don’t believe it. He has actually turned up here,“ Darien replied not believing his eyes.
“Look at Serena, her face is white as a ghost,“ Melvin commented, and Darien turned to see an angry Serena speaking rapidly to Mina and Lita, “Oh, she’s pissed all right. She’s going to make a scene. I better head her off,“ Darien told Melvin, who counseled against it, but it was an exercise in futility.
After getting between Serena and her intended target, Darien happened upon a plan to save her from an embarrassing confrontation. The media were lying in wait, they were never too far away from the Diamonds, and from Shooting Star for that matter.
“Hey Serena, I am glad I caught you! Hey, there’s somebody you have to meet. Come with me and I’ll introduce you.“ Before she could raise any form of protest, he’d grabbed her by the hand, practically dragging her across the dance floor through the crowd to where Molly and Anne stood smiling at the two of them. “Anne, this is Serena Silver, Serena, this is my date for the evening, Anne Rowan, you know Molly of course,“ he said cheerfully as Melvin slinked up beside Molly and she smiled at him, making him blush.
“Hey Dar, you didn’t tell me you knew Serena. I am glad to meet you, Serena,“ Anne smiled, eyes bright and friendly as Serena took the other woman’s proffered hand and shook it, her eyes darting to Darien’s for the slightest of seconds. He almost thought he sensed sadness in those azure pools.
“And I you, Anne, lets get out of here shall we,“ she said, looking over her shoulder at Diamond and his wife, who were smiling at the attention they were receiving from the clientele and media barrage as cameras flashed and people milled about them. Serena pushed aside a probing microphone and whispered to Molly, “Create a diversion. I want to get us out of here. I will meet you at O’Malley’s pizzeria.“ Molly whispered to Darien, Anne and Melvin. Molly jumped onto the stage and invited Mina and Lita, along with the other members of the cast to sing, New York-New York, the media focused on the stage as the lights dimmed, the musicians struck up the brass and the orchestra, and band called Starlight Express began to play.
Everyone made their way along the sidewalk to O’Malley’s and soon were eating piping hot pizza and enjoying shakes, “Well it was a great night, Mol…that is, until Diamond showed up and cut it short…“ she growled, sinking her teeth into the piece of Hawaiian pizza.
“He is a smart-assed hot-shot. I have read the tabloids. He is a right asshole, especially over how he has treated you and your family ever since…“ Molly trailed off, Serena nodding her agreement.
“Thanks guys for understanding,“ she said and looked at Darien, feeling a twinge of jealousy in the pit of her stomach.
They look so damn good together… Serena’s thoughts dissipated as Mina and Lita entered the pizzeria, “We thought we’d find you guys here, party poopers, but seriously… I can’t blame you, Sere, that creep, Diamond and that stone-cold bitch of a wife of his…grrr…!“
They sat and talked companionably for an hour before Lita, Mina and Serena stood and said their good nights. Rei had also turned up after finishing her shift at the clinic and had called Serena on her cell. Darien had offered to drop Rei and Serena off at their apartment, to spare them having to catch a taxi and they smiled their thanks.
~*~
It was a sad Serena who had unlocked and opened the door to her apartment and led the way inside. Rei hugged her before the two friends sat to a mug of hot chocolate and a plate of chocolate biscuits, “I know its been tough sere, seeing that bastard at Shooting Star. I wish I had been there to punch his lights out,“ she hissed at the thought of Diamond and his bitch.
Serena wanted to tell Rei of her conflicting feelings for Darien, but thought better of it and they talked about other things. Rei looked at her wristwatch, smiled, and stood up to go, leaving Serena to turn in for the night. The two friends stood on the threshold to Serena’s apartment before returning to her own, “You like him don’t you? I can tell, and don’t pretend you don’t know whom I mean… Its Darien isn’t it.“
Serena was shocked and halfway shaking her head before her shoulders slumped and she nodded, “I do, but I don’t like to admit it… I thought I hated him, but he is so… Oh, I don’t know. He is nice, really, but…“ she broke off.
Rei then prompted her friend, “but what…?“ Rei followed up, determined to get Serena to open up.
“But he is a private investigator and sees me only as the subject of an investigation, my family and all…he is being paid to hang around me,“ she shook her head.
“Yeah, that’s true, but he’s not a heartless automaton. He likes you, too. I can feel it. It’s in his eyes,“ Rei said, with a warm smile.
“But that girl, you know, Anne..., she wants him so bad,“ Serena answered, her eyes brimming.
“But she doesn’t love him, she is very taken with him, sure, but she doesn’t have his heart. You do…“
“Look Rei, I know you mean well, but I—“
“He cares about you, Sere. He just doesn’t know how to tell you… I know these things, don’t count him out just yet.“ Serena shrugged, and said goodnight. After shutting the door behind her and leaving against its solid Oak timber, she sighed and got ready for bed.
~*~
Darien sat back and closed his eyes, soft butterfly kisses covered his face as Anne, straddled herself over his lap upon the sofa, her hair falling over her girlish face as his hands stroked the soft velvet skin of her thighs. She had kicked off her shoes and stockings that lay in a pile on the floor beside Darien’s boots. Then she began to unbutton his shirt. He luxuriated in the touch of her fingertips on his skin. He too drank in the sweet musky scent of her perfume and desire, the softness of the cascade of glossy hair and the texture of silken rose-petal like skin as he began to respond in kind -- one button and then another had surrendered to their need -- she was beautiful. And as she pulled her buttery-yellow dress over her head, tossing it casually to the floor, he marveled at her beautiful body, now free of its raiment. Standing before him, he allowed himself to be freed of his clothing, spirited away to his bedroom, and placed under her determined ministrations as their lips and bodies merged.
~*~
He woke early to the sound of humming – sounding sweet and happy -- she stood in the doorway looking so beautiful. He gasped at her beauty, clad only in a large red shirt, the color of a freshly cut blood-red rose. Darien had been the vessel in which she placed herself, and he felt both guilt and a sense of warmth for this woman who asked him sweetly once more for a response, “Hey, Dar…breakfast, bacon and eggs?
“Sorry Anne, I am a little out of it this morning… Yeah, that sounds fantastic.“ She giggled, spun around, returned to the kitchen, and began to hum again. He smiled, wrapping a towel about his waist and took a quick shower. Later they went for another ride on the Harley.
