Story Notes:

This one is going to be fun, but it's also going to be oh-so hot.

Author's Chapter Notes:

I am challenging myself with this one. The challenge? To make it short and sweet. If you have read any of the other fics, you know I like my fics long and somewhat dark.

But Six Weeks is - hopefully - going to be six chapters long with a Prologue and a Epilogue, and it's going to be fun and really really hot.

So if you're on the young side you might want to skip this one.

Six Weeks

Prologue

"Baby!"

"Jerk!"

"Immature Brat!"

"Butt-head!"

"Meatball Head!"

"HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU NOT TO CALL ME THAT?!"

"OW! Will you watch the decibels, you Meatball Head! You'll set off every dog in the neighbourhood!"

"THEN DON'T CALL ME MEATBALL HEAD!"

"AAAAAHHHHHH!" The sound was one of sheer raw frustration. "STOP SCREAMING AT ME LIKE A BANCHEE! YOU'LL SEND ME DEAF!"

"WELL, YOU STOP SCREAMING AT ME!"

"WHAT DID I JUST TELL YOU, MEATBALL HEAD!"

"DON'T CALL ME MEATBALL HEAD!"

Everyone inside the Crown Arcade winced in pain, many quickly covering their ears with their hands in a desperate attempt to escape the too loud too high pitched sound that was assaulting their ears.

Some even checked the windows for signs of cracking beneath the auditory barrage.

"OW! Great going, Meatball Head. Now I'm deaf. You're giving me permanent hearing damage, meatball brains!"

Mina shook her head in disbelief at the ridiculous, yet all-too familiar, scene in front of the customers and staff of the Crown Arcade.

Serena and Darien were at it again, although they were being particularly vocal today. As always, when the two argued and tormented each other they became oblivious to their audience, including their friends, all of which were standing in a line – unintentionally – at a safe distance watching the two with all-too-familiar exasperated disbelief. The four girls, Serena's best friends, Amy, Lita, Rei and Mina, and Darien's best – and only real – friend Andrew, manager of the Crown Arcade.

Andrew was the son of the owners of the Arcade that would one day be his. This was the only reason – unspoken but everyone knew it – that the two hadn't been banned from the arcade.

That, and that the two always paid for damages. And by "the two", it of course meant Darien. Serena was still in high school, still getting an allowance, she didn't have the money to pay for the damages even though it was usually Serena who was most directly responsible for the majority of the damage.

Whereas Darien Shields had MONEY, from where out of the five of them only Andrew knew.

When Serena got really angry, she had a habit of throwing things at the upperclassman, mainly whatever happened to be in her hand, or the most convenient at the time. Most of the time, it was a glass or a plate. Sometimes sugar containers and cutlery.

Darien had worn one of Serena's milkshakes more times than any of them could count.

Although Darien wasn't completely innocent. He knew just what buttons to push to make Serena so furious that she saw only red. He pushed her to her limits and then kept pushing. And taunting. And teasing.

Mostly about her bad grades and her hairstyle. Like Mina, Serena had long blonde hair – Mina had pale blonde like Andrew's, while Serena had more of a rich golden shade. It was like really long. Longer than Mina's. Mina's hair touched the back of her thighs, while Serena's, when down, brushed the backs of her knees.

Mina turned to Andrew who was standing beside her. He was watching the two with an amused expression on his face and the patience of a saint.

"How long do you think we should let this go on?" Mina asked him in a hushed voice.

"How long has it been so far?" Andrew asked, not taking his eyes off the quarrelling pair as they continued to scream and insult each other. Mina suspected that he was on the lookout for signs that Serena was going to start throwing things at the upperclassman.

If Andrew moved fast enough sometimes he could rescue whatever Serena had in her hand or picked up to throw at Darien.

"About three years." Mina muttered dryly, then glanced down at her watch, "Today for about half an hour now."

Andrew sighed deeply, shaking his head. "When will they grow up and realise how bad they have it?"

Mina shrugged. It wasn't the first time she'd heard that question in its various forms. She'd said it aloud a couple of times herself – although rarely to Serena. Serena always turned deep purple and then preceded to ask – rather loudly and very shrilly – if she'd lost her mind.

Everyone knew that the two secretly liked each other, but they hid it beneath daily insults and loud childish arguments that usually didn't end until one of them stalked madly away. The two were in denial big time, and despite the five of them meddling numerous times to try to get one or both of them to admit their true feelings for each other, the two continued to conceal their true feelings beneath a false obviously-forced dislike for each other.

The only people the two of them seemed to be fooling was themselves and each other.

The five of them suspected that what kept Darien from admitting that he liked Serena was her age. She was fifteen, while the drop-dead gorgeous upperclassman had just turned nineteen. A relationship between the two of them would be more than frowned upon. Until Serena turned sixteen, any relationship between them would be illegal.

Serena's reasons for keeping her feelings hidden were more complicated. In fact, Mina wasn't particularly sure which of the list of reasons Serena considered to be the main one. Serena's younger age and inexperience maybe? Or Darien's good looks and sharp intellect? Her parents – by which meant Serena's murderously overprotective father who didn't even like the idea of his sweet little innocent girl, the apple of his eye, dating.

Darien was the most handsome guy Mina had ever seen outside of a magazine. His hair was as black as a ravens wing, his eyes as blue as the deepest dark blue sapphire, his skin a rich tan without being dark and he was tall, taller than Andrew by at good couple of inches at least. He had to be six feet easy, maybe six two, six three? He had long runner's legs and thanks to that time Mina had walked in on Darien changing his shirt in Andrew's office after Serena had dumped her strawberry milkshake over his head – she'd had to stand on a chair to do so – Mina knew that there was a fine hard well-defined chest beneath that horrible green jacket he seemed to like – he wore it nearly every day. He had muscle without being muscle-bound.

Yet strangely, although Mina found Darien good-looking, he wasn't her type. She preferred blonde green-eyed arcade mangers who were as kind and compassionate as he was gorgeous.

Even stranger was that as hot as Darien was, Serena wasn't intimidated by him, at least not that she ever showed. Since the first time they'd met, Serena hadn't hesitated to go head to head with him. She gave as good as she got, sometimes more.

Serena didn't know it, hadn't yet realised it, but she was strong. She was stubborn and had an inner strength that only seemed to show itself when it was needed, unlike Lita and Rei who wore their inner woman's strength proudly for all to see.

Serena also didn't realise that she was beautiful. With her impossibly long golden hair, eyes as blue as the calm ocean beneath the summer sun, trim figure and long legs, she was gorgeous.

But that wasn't all there was to Serena's outer beauty. She had this look about her that said that she hadn't reached her full physical maturity yet, but when she did she was going to turn heads and make guys walk into telephone poles.

But it was Serena's inner beauty that stole the breath of everyone she meets. She was unbelievably kind, selfless, sweet and had a devotion and loyalty to her friends and family that was unmeasurable. There wasn't anything Serena would do for someone she loved. Her kindness was inspiring and she was happy. Truly happy. When Serena laughed, even on your worst day you couldn't help but laugh with her. And if you were down, Serena wouldn't stop until you were smiling and laughing just like she was.

There was no sweeter or more pure heart than that of Serena Stevens.

And there was no more closed or protected heart than that of Darien Shields. The two were complete opposites when it came to their hearts. While Serena wore hers on her sleeve, Darien kept his behind walls so high that navy SEALS couldn't scale them.

When Mina looked at Darien, she thought of loneliness and sadness and tragedy. Not that Darien let anyone see that, he was so very good at hiding it – Mina suspected that was due to a lifetime of practise. It had taken Mina a long time to realise just how alone Darien really was.

Mina blinked, pulled from her thoughts by the silence. Looking around, Mina caught sight of Darien's back as he stepped through the two automatic glass doors at the front of the arcade. He stalked briskly down the sidewalk and disappeared.

"What a jerk!" Serena cried out in frustration, as she continued to fume even after Darien had left.

Mina shook her head in vexation. When were the two going to wake up, grow up and realise that there was more between them than their childish wish to drive the other crazy every time they were near each other?

Half an hour later Serena found herself walking home. The sun was half set beneath the horizon, casting glorious shades of dark gold, pink and purple across the sky above. The first star had yet to appear, but it wouldn't be long now.

Serena had to get home. Her curfew was only half an hour away. Plenty of time for her to get home, but not enough to take any detours.

The sunset was beautiful, and normally her eyes would have been glued to the glorious colours of the spectacular sunset, but as of late Serena had trouble enjoying even the simple things that had always brought her pleasure.

Serena knew why. She was troubled. No one knew, not her friends, not her parents. No one. She had kept it to herself. She had to keep it to herself. She had a secret. No one could ever know, at least not for six more weeks . . .

Serena was four blocks from the arcade, on her usual route home. She was at the mid-block alleyway that ran through the block, separating the backs of two rows of businesses when two large hands reached out of the twilight shadows and grasped hold of her.

With a startled yelp, Serena was yanked into the alley, dropping her school bag right before she was pushed backwards up against a cool brick wall.

Before Serena could make another sound, a mouth descended down upon hers as the large strong hands that had grabbed her wrapped around her waist, pulling her brazenly against an iron hard erection that was digging in the most tantalising manner into her belly.

A familiar scent filled her senses, the touch of the ravenous lips on her own and the large wondering hands as familiar to her as her own were.

And just like that Serena was lost to the wild uncontrollable burning passion that had always consumed her when he was near her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and lifted herself up, pulling herself closer against him. His hold on her tightened, and they were so snugly pressed against each other that a crowbar couldn't have been inserted between them to get them apart.

But it wasn't enough. It was never enough. Serena desperately rubbed herself against his erection in helpless abandon, her body screaming for more, always more but never was it enough. Her body was on fire, delicious sensations were zinging through her body like pleasurable electric shocks. Her blood was fire in her veins, fuelled on by his touch, his taste, his scent, his own raging ravenous hunger for her.

"It's been too long." Darien panted breathlessly between hard passionate kisses that curled her toes and made her entire body burn even hotter, if such a thing was possible.

"Two days." Serena gasped in agreement, as she lifted her head to give him access to her neck – she loved it when he kissed and nipped her neck. She loved it when he kissed and nipped her anywhere.

It had been two days since they'd been together, really together. And each moment had felt like an eternity.

"Invite me over tonight." Serena gasped raggedly, unable to catch her breath no matter how hard her body was trying too. Inside her chest, her heart was beating a million miles a minute. "I'll tell mum I'm staying at Rei's."

Darien froze, his entire body becoming rigid around her and Serena immediately knew that she'd made a big mistake.

Her heart sank and her desire began to cool, just a little. It was always like this when she tried to push, tried to take things that last step. He was always like this when she brought the subject up.

She should have known better? Why, oh why, couldn't she have just kept her mouth shut? These moments were brief and far enough between as it was.

Darien broke away from her, removing his hands from her body and retreating half a step. He bowed his head so he wasn't looking at her at all, breathing hard like he'd just run three miles at a dead run. He planted his hands on the wall on each side of her body, trapping her where she was between him and the wall.

"I've told you, no." Darien growled the words out, as if it took a great deal of effort just to force them out of his mouth. "Not until you're old enough."

Old enough. Serena was SO sick and tired of hearing about their age difference from him! Was three years, two months and one week really THAT great a difference? Darien had just turned nineteen – only three weeks before – and Serena was only six weeks from her sixteenth birthday.

Six itty bitty weeks. Was she really going to be any different in six weeks other than her age going up by one?

"You mean until I'm no longer jail bait?" Serena hated that her voice sounded both sarcastic and hurt all at the same time. She couldn't help it. She was so over their age.

Serena knew from experience that nothing cooled Darien's lust for her faster than him believing that he'd hurt her or her feelings.

Darien said nothing in reply to her words or her tone.

"But I want you." Serena told him gently, wanting to touch him but fearful that she'd only make his withdraw even further from her, both physically and mentally. "It's only six weeks. Does it really make that much difference? Will I be so different in six weeks?"

"Serena, don't. Please." He begged her, his tone one of pain and effort.

"Don't you want me?" Serena whispered breathlessly. There was only one thing she wanted more than to go to his apartment with him right now, and that was to have his passion, his unquenchable fire, back.

"You know I want you." Darien growled, finally lifting his eyes to meet hers. There was hunger in his eyes, a desperate one, but there was something else there too. Something that told her how close to the edge of his limits he was. He wanted her, he loved her, but his damn morals kept getting in the way.

He was adamant that he wasn't going to make love to her until she was sixteen.

In. Six. Weeks.

"Then why not?" Serena kept pushing him. She couldn't help it. She knew how much effort it was taking him to keep saying no; she was just hoping that she'd eventually push him far enough that he'd forget his damn resolve not to touch her until she was of age, at least for an hour or two.

Unfortunately, Serena suspected that Darien knew exactly what she was doing. Either that or he was made of pure titanium.

Darien's eyes cooled and he glared at her crossly. "You mean other than I can go to prison for statutory rape?"

Okay, alright already. Yesh! What did a girl have to do to get her boyfriend to give in already?

Serena knew the answer to her question, but she just wasn't that brave or that confident – or that desperate just yet – to do what she couldn't think about doing without blushing deep red.

Serena put on her most seductive look – a newly discovered weapon in her arsenal – and leaned forward so she could whisper huskily into his ear. "And you don't think it would be worth it?"

Darien ground his teeth together. "Serena." He hissed hotly from between them, his tone one of warning.

It took everything Serena had not to smile just in case he pulled back enough to see her face. Oh, how quickly she could drive him wild, both his lust and his temper. That was one of the things Serena loved about their relationship, whether they were fighting – for the sake of their facade or for real – or making out, it was always hot and wild and deliciously thrilling.

"Darien." Serena whispered into his ear, using that purr in her voice that she knew would strongly affect him.

They had been doing this for over a year now. Serena knew how to make his blood boil.

"Serena!" This time the word was a drawn-out plea and scolding reprimand all in one. Darien pulled away from her enough to look at her, to stare into her eyes, allowing her to see all the passion and desperation in his eyes. "When we started doing this we made a deal, didn't we? We tell no one and we don't cross that line until the law says you're old enough to make that decision."

Serena's heart melted at how tortured he looked and how beseeching he sounded. She never felt more powerful or more sensual than when she was with him. When she was with him she wasn't a clumsy teenage girl, she was a strong powerful seductress who could do anything she wanted.

Serena shifted her body closer to his, making his eyes widen.

"But you want me?" Serena whispered to him in her soft voice, knowing her eyes were wide and beseeching. She wanted to hear him say it and she knew just how to make him.

When they were together like this, Darien was putty in her hands. He loved her. And she loved him.

Darien sigh heavily with exaggerated patience. Again, he knew exactly what she was doing, but he was powerless against her regardless.

And he knew it.

"Yes, Serena I want you." He raised his hand to her face and gently cupped her check, rubbing his thumb slowly back and forth along her skin. "I would die to have you."

Serena's heart skipped a beat and low in her belly she felt the most delightful twinge. "Why do you want me?" She asked flirtatiously, moving closer to him and pressing her body against him in that way that she knew he loved.

Darien glared down at her – he really was so much taller than her – but he didn't reprimand her as he so obviously wanted too. Instead he gently wrapped his arms around her and held her close. He then lowered his head and rested his cheek on the top of her head.

"Because I love you." He whispered softly to her.

"And I love you, so much it hurts." Serena told him unabashedly, wrapping her arms around his waist and closer her eyes as she nuzzled his chest with her cheek. "I hate that this is the only way we can be together. Brief moments in secret."

"Six more weeks." Darien whispered with deep longing in such a way that it sounded like he was reassuring himself as well as her.

"Six more weeks." Serena repeated softly, doing exactly the same thing.

Serena closed her eyes and basked in the feel of being in his arms, surrounded by his strength and his heat, as a mixture of hope for the future and sadness swirling around inside of her.

Six more weeks. Just six more weeks. And then she would be his in all ways.

Chapter End Notes:

Happy New Year Everyone!