A/N: Years... I know. Writer's wall, forget the block, is very hard to overcome. As my muses seem to have roused themselves to a mild exsistance, I am attempting to find that teasure called creativity. Bear with me, please.

Tell Me Why -2-

The sunlight pouring through the windows warmed the milky white of her eyelids. She squeezed her eyes closed, the action causing a slight pain in her head. With a wince, she opened her stinging eyes, glaring at the brightness of the late morning. She glanced around her with blurry vision, taking in the unfamiliar surrounding with a sense of trepidation and confusion. The navy colored curtains waved gently as a breeze floated in from the partially open window.

She clutched at the fabric of the silken sheets beneath her, suddenly aware of her strange clothes. She was certainly not in her normal pajamas. Moreover, this certainly wasn't her girlish pastel room. No, the walls were set in a light beige. The large bed fairly screamed of masculinity. Serena wracked her brain, sifting through muddled memories of the previous day.

Not much was clear to her, and in her annoyance and confusion she found herself more than a little upset with her current set of circumstances. With wobbly legs, she stood. Stumbling she made her way to the window. The view outside was outstanding, the Tokyo skyline in full display. She gasped at the range of distance she could see and leaned her head against the window in silence. Still she could see no clues as to where she was or how she got there.

The light sound of voices filtered into the room and she strained her ears to hear. A deep baritone rumbled, answered by another lighter but decidedly male voice. That, coupled with the décor of the room, led her to the conclusion that she was in a man's home and had apparently stayed the night.

Red flared in her cheeks as she looked down at herself. Her clothes, although modest, were obviously a man's too. Another glance around the room did not reveal the location of her own attire. Sweeping her hair behind her, she made her way cautiously to the door. Easing it open quietly, she paused, listening to the conversation taking place in the front rooms.

"How long has she been out, Darien?" the softer voice asked, and Serena immediately recognized it as Andrew's. A small smile lit her expression. She surmised she was in Darien's house and Andrew had stopped by to check on her. Then she blanched, recalling some of the less fuzzy parts of her evening with the tall stoic man. Some of the things she had done and said…

"Ohhhh…" she whispered. Of all the people…it would have to be him. She shuffled out of the room and down the hall with heavy feet. Might as well get the humiliation over with.

"Two days now. I called her parents the first night to let them know she was here. They sounded distracted. I'm not sure it really registered what I was saying, or even who I was," Darien replied.

"This whole situation must be incredibly stressful for them all. Did you hear from them yesterday?" Andrew asked.

Serena peeked around the corner, spotting the two young men sitting at the island in Darien's kitchen. Two cups of coffee rested in their hands and they both looked tried and worried. She frowned. Was it because of her?

"I phoned them last night. Her father gave me the usual run-down. You know 'respect my daughter and don't do anything to hurt her or else' speech. At least he was more responsive," he paused and took a long drink from his mug. "Sammy is still unconscious, but the doctors have high hopes he will awaken soon."

"Sammy's getting better?" Serena asked, stepping into the room. Both men jumped to their feet in surprised. As they advanced on her Darien cast a critical eye over her form. She suddenly felt naked and blushed hotly.

Andrew was the first to make contact with the slight young woman. "Serena!" he exclaimed, hugging the slight girl to his chest in a tight embrace. "You're awake."

She nodded, hugging him as well briefly burying her face into his shoulder. She pulled back, gazing up at him and then turned her attention to her host. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

Darien stepped closer, running a hand through her long unbound hair. His eyes were deep and soft as he offered her a smile. "No need to apologize, Serena. You obviously needed the rest, and someone to look after you for a bit."

"But…" she protested "it must have been an inconvenience. You said I've been here for two days now?" She disengaged herself from Andrew, her eyes wide as realization kicked it. "Oh no! School!" She stumbled back in her haste to retreat.

A firm warm hand grasped her wrist as she turned away. "Serena, wait. It's Saturday," Darien explained.

She paused in her rush to leave, a blank look on her face. "Saturday?" she repeated. Darien smiled and nodded. Relief overcame her and she sagged slightly. "Oh."

He dropped his hand and jerked his head in the direction of the cups. "Would you like some cocoa?" he asked trying the dispel the sudden awkwardness in the air. Serena glanced up and nodded. Walking back over to the counter, he began making the hot drink, leaving Andrew to help her regain her composure.

Serena watched him go, her cheeks flaming. Just his touch had sent shivers through her. Something had so obviously changed between them and now she felt completely at a lost. How should she react around him?

Andrew, understanding both Darien's silent request and Serena's discomfort, grabbed her hand and led her over to the couch. Together they sat down. Serena immediately curled her legs under her, tugging on her unbound hair in a nervous gesture. Andrew tossed a pillow her direction with a kind smile. "How are you?" he asked.

She shrugged, taking a quick inventory of her injuries and aches. "Better than I was when I got here, I think."

"Darien said you were pretty banged up," Andrew replied. "Although, I guess it could have been worst."

Serena glanced to the side as her face grew warm. "I was pretty stupid, running out there like that, huh?"

Andrew took one of her bandaged hands in his own and smoothed his thumb over the knuckles. He gave her a sympathetic look. "Considering the circumstances, I think it's OK. I mean, I understand and I know Darien does too." He ruffled his hand through her hair, amazed at the soft spun silk texture. "But you did have us worried, you know. Your friends were frantic. I thought Lita would ransack the arcade and Raye might have helped her."

"I forgot to call them," Serena told him, hanging her head. A warm hand on her shoulder and an equally warm mug pressed into her hand made her look up. Darien's dark eyes were incredibly kind.

"They understood," he told her. "Andrew called them. They stopped by yesterday for a bit, but you were still sleeping and they didn't want to wake you. You can call them now if you like." She nodded her acquiesce and stood stiffly. She wobbled a bit. Darien's hand shot out, steadying her. "Here, I'll walk you over."

With measured steps, they made it over to his phone. Serena sank down into a chair and dialed. Darien, satisfied that she would stay upright there, left her to her called, wanting to grant her a bit of privacy. Heading back over to his couch he caught Andrew's knowing gaze. "What?" he asked with a raised brow.

Andrew shook his head. "Seems you two have come to a truce."

Darien nodded. "I hope it is more than that. You were right, Drew. About everything. And I have had plenty of time to think over the last few days."

"I take it you have made some decisions?"

"I have," he replied.

"And?" Andrew pressed.

Shaking his head, Darien smirked slightly. "I think that is a conversation best left to Serena and I." His expression sobered quickly. "We have much to work out, if I'm lucky enough to gain her forgiveness." A sweet giggle interrupted their exchange. Both men exchanged smiles, relieved to hear Serena's laughter once again. "No matter what happens in the future, I will find a way to be there for her," he swore. Andrew nodded in agreement as they listened to her chatter away for several minutes. Each lost in their own thoughts of how to help their friend through this tough time, the didn't hear her take a call on another line.

A strangled sound broke through the peace of the moment, bringing them back to the present. Serena stood with the phone dangling from her fingers, her face drained of all color. "Sammy's… awake," she mumbled before collapsing to the floor, her vision fading to black.