Damn... feels good to write this one... that's probably why I whipped it out so very fast... I notice a bunch of reviews... interesting timing guys ;) but I appreciate each and every one of them. Anywho, ENJOY this chapter... I know I certainly did. For those of you who are confused about the Diamond, Sapphire, Ilene thing you'll see at the end of this one... but yeah... REVIEW! You're going to want to! ;)

Farewell Seiya

Darien sat on the couch in the living room staring at the phone feeling as though something was wrong. He’d called the house, called her cell phone, called everywhere to get a hold of her but nothing. She hadn’t been to school and her friends didn’t know where she was. Needless to say Darien was panicking. She’s okay… she’s okay… call Seiya… he’ll know… He couldn’t bring himself to do it though. The only number he hadn’t dialed he refused to. If Seiya did know where she was he’d kill him for keeping her away from school and her friends. “I have to go home.” He stood surprised Andrew and Raye. “Something’s not right.”

Andrew blinked a few times then smiled. “How do you know?” His amused tone was met with a glare telling him that Darien meant what he was saying. “Would you like me to go with you for back up?” Andrew stood as Darien walked to the front door of the apartment and grabbed his keys.

“No… something tells me I’m throwing Seiya out.” Andrew’s eyes lit up as Raye stood in alarm. “If he…” Darien balled his fists and tilted his face towards the ceiling. “I’ll be back… eventually. If I miss class… say that I had a family emergency to attend to.” Raye stepped forward to bid him a safe trip but he ducked out of the apartment so fast she didn’t have a chance.

He couldn’t get to his car fast enough. He could feel it; feel that something was so very wrong. It had been a week since he talked to her so it was hard to know what was going on… anything could have happened. The scenarios rushed through his mind as he quickly rushed to the freeway to get home. What if the house burnt down and she was dead? He paled. She’s not dead… she’s not… he wouldn’t hurt her like that… Darien kept chanting in his mind. She had to be fine. When he got there she’d be sitting on the couch watching a movie or something, skipping school… that was it… she was skipping school and ignoring the world. He bit his lip knowing that wasn’t the case. Even if she was ignoring everyone else she would never ignore him. Damn it Darien! You left her there… left her there with him what were you thinking? He gripped his steering wheel tighter.

The three hour drive from his apartment to the house seemed like ages to him but as he pulled into the driveway he examined his surroundings. He stepped out of his car and looked at Serena’s car carefully before walking to the door and inserting his key. The lock clicked allowing him free passage. The house was dark, and it felt empty. “Serena?” He asked and flipped on the foyer light immediately noticing the note Diamond had dropped. Slowly he picked it up, holding the white envelope for a moment before opening it. It was blank. “What the?” He asked just as the door opened and Seiya stepped in a look in his eyes reading the same message Darien was sure his own read. “She’s not here… and there’s a blank note.”

“Blank?” Seiya grabbed it quickly and examined it. “Darien… this isn’t blank…” He shakily held it in his hand and leaned against the wall. “I’ve heard…” Seiya trailed off and stood rushing upstairs. “SERENA!” He shouted frantically and rushed to their bedroom door. Throwing it open it was empty. “God DAMN IT!” Darien stepped up behind him feeling enraged. Seiya flew to the closet and rummaged through a few boxes before finding a black light. “I know it looks blank but… please… oh please…” Seiya plugged in the light and held the note beneath it. Sure enough there was writing. The note read:

Specter,

You have defied orders and now I am to bring you to terms with what you’ve done. Did you really think her to be safe when creatures such as us roam the land? If so then you’re far more foolish then I thought. Such a valuable commodity should not be left so alone; so I have done you a favor. She is in my care, I trust you can find me. What would your training be if you couldn’t? You should hurry though Seiya, every day that passes I shall cherish but only to a point. I do not want to execute such a beautiful creature but if we must make sacrifices her blood will be on your hands. What would you tell her dearest brother then?

Always a pleasure,

Diamond

Darien looked at Seiya with such blind rage it was difficult for him to not kill him. Serena had been kidnapped because of Seiya’s disobedience… but why? That part didn’t matter as much as the last part of the note. The person who wrote the note would kill her if they didn’t reach her in time… and judging by the way Seiya slightly shook Darien knew it was true. “Who is this… Diamond character?” Darien growled.

“He’s… a bad guy… Darien I… I never thought…” Seiya studdered and looked at the note. “I have a confession Darien… I’m not just in the police… I’m CIA… I… I’m a hitman and my boss wanted me to leave Serena… I love her too much though and I refused. This is his telling me to leave her again.” Seiya sighed and put the note down. “He won’t hurt her.”

“The fuck he won’t! Seiya you listen to me right now!” Darien grabbed Seiya roughly and shoved him into the wall knocking the wind out of him. “WE are getting her back! You’re going to FIND her and if… if she’s…” Darien couldn’t finish his sentence but closed his eyes trying not to picture her in a bloody mess like he found her when Fiore left her to die. “I’ll kill you Seiya. Nothing in heaven or hell will stop me if she’s dead.” Seiya looked at him with anger filling his icy eyes.

“Darien… you won’t touch me again. I could rip you apart with my pinky. I have CIA training! You’re nothing to me Darien! So DON’T threaten me!” Seiya made Darien release him then glared at the taller man. “You may be stronger than I am physically Darien but I have the training to do terrible things to you… do you know how badly I want to kill you Darien? I’ve been close… a few times… but I won’t… I won’t do it because of her.” Darien narrowed his eyes then smiled and stepped into him.

“Seiya… I don’t care who you are. To me, you’re nothing but the guy filling in for me; and it doesn’t matter who you are to others because I will kill you if she’s dead. I won’t stop trying until you’re rotting in the ground Seiya; because I love her more than you can even fathom.” Seiya reddened and walked away from the menacing man with a snort.

“Let’s go and find her then Darien. Seems like we both want her to be safe.” Seiya pulled out his cell phone and began to make calls to find out where Diamond was. He knew Sapphire had ordered this. Diamond was his older brother and lap dog. It was because of Diamonds unfortunate albinism that kept him below his brother; and everyone knew Diamond was the best. He had an intellect that would make Stephen Hawking look like a retarded child and the skills of a mad scientist. No doubt Diamond wanted to prove his worth, he surely wasn’t playing to Sapphire’s rules but that was the risk Sapphire had taken. “I know where she is Darien… let’s go and get her.”

“Oh I hate having to keep drugging you Serena. For once can’t we just get along?” He smiled and bit her neck lightly. She wished she could grimace at least. Of all the men she’d been with Diamond could certainly take the most revolting prize. It wasn’t that he was an albino, no, that part made him slightly sexy. No, it was the fact that he paralyzed her with his chemicals then had his fun, almost as if he were raping a dead person. From her position it really was sad to see. If only he could remain as charming as he started out… he’d have plenty of women fawning over him. “It’s going to ware of soon though… if I let it will you be cooperative with me and at least respond when I touch you?” He smiled charmingly making her want to grin. Oh, she’d respond all right… with a violent kick to his groin. “I see… your eyes give you away my dear…” He laughed then quieted as a beeping sound came from the wall where he had a flat screen TV hanging. “Oh… it’s about time he came for you.” Diamond turned to the TV and flipped it on for the first time since she’d been there. It was linked to a security system. She watched Seiya move through the warehouse, he was being stealthy to say the least. Following not too far back was Darien. She paled as Diamond laughed. “How cute… they came together. Perhaps we can get rid of both of them.” Diamond grinned and shut the TV off. “We’ll wait for them my darling…” She wanted to scream, wanted to tell Darien to get out; but she could only squeak lightly as Diamond covered her naked body with the sheets and blankets. He quickly dressed and walked to the light switch plunging the room into darkness. It seemed like hours were passing as her body slowly began to wake. She hated this part of the serum because her entire body tingled (like when your foots been asleep and is waking up… I HATE that feeling).

She could hear the metal door suddenly being messed with and felt as though she wanted to cry. It was a trap. Diamond wanted Seiya dead and he was leading him into a dead end… a dark room with no exit. The worst part was that Darien was with him. She cried out a little, barely able to make a sound. Suddenly there was a loud explosion and the door flew off and into the room crashing, undoubtedly into the chemical concoctions Diamond had been working on. A small amount of light entered but not enough to do any good. Then there was a click and she saw a steady beam of light shine from a flashlight. “Don’t move.” She heard Seiya whisper to Darien as he stepped in. He was clearly on guard and carefully moving in looking around. His flashlight shone on the chemicals that were now eating at the door and the floor causing the room to fill with obnoxious gases practically smothering Serena. She could barely cough but as his flashlight moved to her it was suddenly blocked by Diamond who quickly lunged at the shocked Seiya. The flashlight crashed to the ground as she heard the men begin to fight.

“Don’t make a sound.” Darien’s whispered voice filled her ears as he tenderly picked her up still wrapped in the sheets. She bit her lip to subside the cry of discomfort she wanted to let out from the tingling in her body. She still couldn’t move yet but her body felt as if it were on fire. They moved quickly, past the sounds of the fighting men then out into the corridor and into the warehouse. Nothing else was said as Darien moved her outside, into the dark night and to his car, which was parked behind what she could only imagine, was Seiya’s new vehicle. Darien lay her in the back seat, déjà vu from the time Alan had drugged her. He then moved to the drivers seat and started the car, driving away from the warehouse towards home. She wanted him to say something but he didn’t. Instead he listened to her pained cries as she attempted to gain control of her body. Once home he carried her up to her room and lay her down in her own bed before looking her over carefully. Besides the obviously sexual bite marks on her body she seemed to be okay; save for her pained whimpers. “Serena… calm down… look at me.” He cooed and held her face in his hands. Her eyes shifted to him as her body began to writhe as if it had a mind of it’s own. “What’s happening right now?”

“He… dr… dr…” She stuttered in an attempt to tell him what Diamond had done. Instead her speech erupted into a series of sounds that held an immense pain to them. He closed his eyes as if he could feel the agony she was in and lay next to her trying to still her with his body. Tears were streaming down her face as he held her tightly to prevent her movements.

It took two hours for the pain to subside and her muscles to begin functioning correctly once again. Darien remained by her until she turned her face to him, her nose touching his. “This will never happen again… ever.” Darien promised and remained in his place. “If he comes back alive I’m telling him to leave… is that okay with you?” She smiled and nodded closing her eyes to try and relax after her ordeal. Despite the circumstances she didn’t feel as victimized as she should have… mainly because of what Diamond had told her the first day they spent together. She had to be stronger than she had been all this time.

“I don’t want him anyway.” She sighed and pulled herself closer to Darien… if that was possible. She could feel him smile as he put his lips on her forehead. Truly she felt safe… it wasn’t Seiya she felt safe with it was Darien… but Diamond had known that when he rattled off his angry rant that day.

“I know.” Darien chuckled and sighed against her forehead. She smiled then tilted her head up and kissed his cheek, the corner of her lips touching his ever so carefully. The sound of the front door shutting drew Darien’s attention causing him to slide off the bed and hand her the silk robe she kept in her closet. “Put that on.” He commanded and waited for whoever had entered the house to come up the stairs and into view. When Seiya topped the stairs he turned to Darien with a smile, which soon faded. Serena stepped behind her brother and placed a hand on his upper arm before he moved forward to address Seiya. “I want you to leave Seiya.” It was simply stated and made Seiya’s eyes widen.

“What? But… I got her back! You can’t order me out! I won’t listen to you!” Seiya growled then looked past Darien’s superior form to Serena who stood in her doorway steadily staring at him. “Serena? You’re safe now and you’re not going to be harmed. Diamond managed to escape but now I know his game and…”

“Enough Seiya! Out or I’ll physically throw you out. You’re not to see her ever again! You’ve done enough damage to last her three lifetimes. I should have listened to Andrew when he warned me about you but I was blind and wanted to believe that you were good. I was wrong.” Seiya’s jaw dropped as Darien crossed his arms solidifying his words. “Since you’re so adamant about bringing Serena into this conversation…” Darien turned his head towards her and waited patiently as she swallowed fearfully. The truth was that she was now afraid of Seiya. If she rejected him… he may hurt her… he could hurt her.

“Seiya… it’s over.” Three little words made Seiya shut his mouth and look at Darien accusingly. Three little words had him shaking from anger and rage. “I don’t feel safe with you… I’m sorry.” She added making him growl.

“Darien! You… you sick fuck! Take it back! You’re making her do this… fucking… take it BACK!” He shouted so loudly and angrily that Serena felt her heart skip beats. She slowly sunk to the floor and hugged herself to try and avoid his anger. “You son of a bitch fucking take it back now!” Seiya pulled a silver gun from behind him and aimed it at Darien’s head. The long silenced barrel was steady despite the nerves of it’s handler. “I’ll fucking blow your brains all over this goddamned place Darien. I will! That way I don’t have to worry about you interfering!” Darien didn’t move, he didn’t even flinch. Serena on the other hand was terrified. What would she do if Seiya did kill Darien… what could she do?

“I won’t take it back… kill me if you want to I have nothing to lose.” Darien challenged. Seiya shouted and locked his icy eyes onto Serena. Darien stepped in the way holding his head slightly higher. “Just walk away Seiya… and don’t look back.”

“FUCK YOU!” Seiya shouted. “GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY WAY!” The crazed man with the gun was almost animalistic as he threatened the calm and cool Darien. “I SAID MOVE!” Seiya lowered the gun shooting Darien in the leg causing him to go down. Serena screamed and crawled to him quickly covering his blood oozing leg. Seiya stepped back realizing his mistake. “I… sweet face… I…”

“GET OUT!” It was Serena’s turn to scream. She angrily jumped up her hands covered in Darien’s blood. “GET OUT YOU MONSTER!” She stepped into him surprising him. It was as if she’d become an animal herself. “GET OUT! LEAVE US ALONE!” She screamed and slapped him smearing Darien’s blood all over his face.

“Serena… I’m sorry… I… I didn’t… mean… I mean…” Seiya was next to speechless. It was clear in the way Darien was calmly tying a piece of ripped cloth around his leg that it was over. By shooting Darien Seiya had essentially severed any feelings Serena had for him. Darien was and would always be the love of her life and any threat to him was a sure ticket out of her life.

“I don’t CARE! You… you… SHOT him Seiya! Get out! No one shoots MY DARIEN! No one! How dare you even think you’re worthy enough to stand where you are! He trusted you! I trusted you! If you loved me you would know that he’s EVERYTHING to me and to hurt him… just… GET OUT!” She shouted again turning back to her Darien. “I never want to see you again Seiya. Leave, get your things and leave.” She rushed to the linen closet and grabbed a towel then pressed it to Darien’s leg. He didn’t wince; he didn’t do anything but look at her with pride and love. Seiya tucked the gun back into his pants and slowly went to Serena’s room to retrieve his clothes. It didn’t really matter anymore; he just wanted them to have her scent. They smelled like her and if he had to leave her then he wanted to take a piece of her with him.

He couldn’t believe his foolishness. He knew better but he’d done it anyway. He’d let his anger control him and as a result she was demanding that he leave. She was breaking his heart. Sure he had the ability to make her stay with him. He could keep her a prisoner but he didn’t want that. He wanted her love… if that meant leaving her then he would… but only because she wanted him to. Eventually she’d accept him back. He knew that. She would get lonely and want him back. “Serena… you have my number… if you ever need me… for anything… just call.” He sighed and walked past her and Darien with his arms full of clothes.

Once he was gone she looked into Darien’s shining eyes and cried. “I’m so sorry! I… I’m so sorry!” She cried and threw her arms around his neck. He slowly wrapped his arms around her with a smiled and sighed. “I should have… I…”

“It doesn’t matter Serena… I’m okay… I’m proud of you.” He said softly and looked into her eyes as she pulled away from him in shock. “I really am.” He cupped her face and gently touched his lips to hers making tears streak down her eyes. “Now… wipe those tears away and call me an ambulance will you?”

“Yeah.” She nodded and rushed to the phone to dial 911. She knew he was in pain and was hiding it well; but the fact that he had just kissed her… a family kiss but still… he had kissed her… on the lips. That made her feel better about the current situation. “They’ll be here in a few minutes Dare.” She smiled and knelt next to him.

“Okay… good…” He paused with a nod then scanned his eyes over her. “Get dressed.” She laughed and kissed his forehead happily before rushing into her room to dress herself. “Sapphire’s Seiya’s boss.” Darien commented making her shrug. “You don’t know who he is do you?” Darien chuckled and looked at his leg.

“No… who is he?” She asked returning to his side. “How do you know who he is?” She knitted her brow.

“Sapphire is mother’s half brother… they share the same… mother I think… the guy who had you… Diamond. He shares the same father with Sapphire… messed up huh?” He smiled at the beautiful blonde wondering how she’d process the information. She nodded and looked down at his leg. “Hey… I’ll be fine. Stop worrying.” He laughed and looked at his leg himself. “I think he missed the bones.” She stared at him in disbelief. How could he be so calm when his blood was spewing out of his body?

“At least I’m not the only one in that family who sleeps around. Sounds like our grandparents did too.” She smirked as he laughed. “I think I’m going to start dating Jed…” She mused aloud and watched his eyes darken. “I know he’s not crazy.”

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