Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ On Horseback ❯ Chapter 1 ( Chapter 1 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Ree-B 
Darien is pulled by his annoying girlfriend to a ranch and he doesn't even like horses. How will this turn out well?
Anime/Manga: Sailor Moon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Comedy / Romance | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 10.21.2004 | Pages: 7 | Words: 7.5K | Visits: 509 | Status: Completed
Darien is pulled by his annoying girlfriend to a ranch and he doesn't even like horses. How will this turn out well?
Anime/Manga: Sailor Moon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Comedy / Romance | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 10.21.2004 | Pages: 7 | Words: 7.5K | Visits: 509 | Status: Completed
On Horseback (Updated 21-Oct-04 22:59:34)
Author: Ree-B
ree_chan_angel@yahoo.com
http://www.geocities.com/total_ai/index.html
Rated: R, for passionate interludes and foul language
AN: this is my first fanfic so bare with me. I have changed some things but most are
parallel to the manga. I don't see the TV show very often so if it goes totally opposite
don't kill me. It takes place when Darien is 26 and Serena is 23 (that is the age
difference in the manga. Correct me if I'm wrong!) The first part is in Atlanta, GA. The
second is in northern Georgia. (No place in particular) it is author's POV, 3rd person
limited. Author's notes are in parentheses. Character thoughts are in brackets with a capital
letter to tell you whose thoughts when there is more than one person, ex: [S- I am Serena
]. Well good luck reading it. Sorry if it stinks.
Oh, and for those of you who have never been to Atlanta, GA, USA, I will include notes at the
bottom about the places I mention. Just look for the asterisks.
(As I said this is my first fanfic and after a comment from an author that I trust, I found an aspect
of the original story to be quite unrealistic. So I have changed it. As much as the author in me
wanted to keep it as is no matter the problems, I had read it again after not having looked at it for
at least a year and much more schooling and found my original idea for the climax to be quite...
cheesy and just plain *yuck*. So I am sorry for those of you whom enjoyed the original better, but
I just couldn't keep it as it was any longer.)
Disclaimer: I don't own Sailormoon or related characters. If this story seems oddly
familiar to yours, I'm sorry. If you want to use my story anywhere, GREAT! But please
tell me so I know someone out there ACTUALLY liked it.
On Horseback
Chapter 1: Once Upon a Horse Pasture
---'-,--{@ Monday @}--,-'---
Darien Shields was walking through the downtown streets on his way to meet the Grey's
at Hard Rock Café*. Darien lives in a penthouse apartment (in the sky- tee-hee) in Atlanta
that is perfect for the handsome bachelor. Darien is a very smart man. He always
excelled in sports and school. He graduated high school at 14 (yes he skipped some
grades. I said he is VERY smart) and proceeded to Oxford till he was 18 when he went
into his internship at Grady Hospital**. It was a Tuesday and Darien had parked his red
Mustang GT a few blocks down so he could walk and enjoy the perfect spring day. He
was deep in thought over upcoming surgeries, mentally repeating the steps. Darien was
broken from his thoughts by the sensation of an object slamming into his chest then
hitting the ground with a muffled thud.
"Are you alright, ma'am?" he exclaimed with a worried under tone as he placed
his hands around the woman's small waist and lifted her to her feet. [ D- She is so small.
She seems so frail yet... So strong ] [ S- He has such a surrounding warmth ]. As she stood
up Darien took note of the woman's looks. She was wearing an INCREDIBLY short
black mini skirt with a white collared shirt tucked into it and a matching black business
type jacket in one hand.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm soooo sorry, sir. I wasn't watching where I was going, and I
have five minutes to get to a meeting, and..." the woman continued her babbling as
Darien continued to enjoy the woman's beauty. She had long, slender legs and
shimmering, golden, blond hair that came to just below her shoulder. She wore the top
half pulled back into a barrette with a few stray hairs framing her flawless, porcelain face.
Darien chuckled at her ramblings. The woman stopped talking. For the first time she
brought her face away from the ground in shame and to Darien's face.
"What's so funny?" she inquired. She then took her turn to 'examine' the tall
man she had bumped into. Serena eyes came to his broad shoulders. She could tell that
he worked out a lot. She liked how his black four-piece suit complimented his dark
ebony hair. The wind blew some hairs into his deep ocean blue eyes and gave her a strong
urge to reach up and brush them away until he did so himself.
"Oh nothing," he reassured, " I'm just flattered that you thought highly enough of
me to divulge such precious information unto me."
A bright blush crept onto her cheeks as she replied quite embarrassed "Oh, I'm so
sorry. I probably seem like such an idiot. I'm Serena Tsukino."
Darien noticed how much more beautiful she looked with her blushing cheeks.
He smiled, "Darien Shields. Pleased to meet you." He raised his hand as she did the
same. They shook hands. [ D-Her silky hand fits so perfectly into mine.
Tsukino...Have I heard that somewhere before ]
"You too" Serena reciprocated. "Well I have to get to a ..."
She was cut off when Darien finished her sentence. "A meeting in five" he
glanced at his watch, " no, make that four minutes." Remembering lunch with Andrew
and Mina he continued, " I have to meet some friends for lunch, too, but it was nice
running into you, or rather you running into me," he said with a playful smile, "Ms.
Tsukino and good luck at that meeting."
"Thanks. I hope I run into you again, BUT maybe next time it won't hurt so
much." Serena said as she rubbed her forehead. "Well bye."
"See ya around." They both paused for a moment then Serena turned on her heel
and threw her jacket over her right shoulder. Darien watched her leave for a second then
turned towards the Café and continued his journey.
Darien was soon in front of the Café. He went in and a young hostess pointed
him to the table where Andrew sat. As Andrew saw Darien come in he waved for him to
join him at he table. Darien sat down across from Andrew.
" Hey, Andy." Darien greeted. "Where's Mina?"
" In the Bathroom. What took you so long to get here? You walk from Alabama
or something?"
"Underground***, actually. I parked there and walked but then this hot chick
bumped into me and we started talking."
"HOT CHICK!!!" came a shriek from Mina who had just returned from the
bathroom. "Darien Shields, What would Jessie think? You calling someone HOT.
Besides, you shouldn't call ANY woman a CHICK!!!"
"Calm down, honey. Darien is allowed to think someone is pretty. I mean, he's
not married to Jess. So, just forgive him of his over-masculinity and lets have lunch."
Darien nodded in approval at the defeated look on Mina's face and picked up a menu.
They ordered then Mina asked, "When do you want us to pick you up on Friday?"
"How about we go by Jess's place first then we'll be at yours around...um...does
5:00pm sound good?" Andrew asked Darien.
"Good to me!"
---'-,--{@ Thursday at Darien's Apartment @}--,-'---
Darien stood on the balcony watching the sunset. The light coming from his room
silhouetted his striking outline. The disappearing sunlight glinted off his dark hair,
tinting it orange and red. Darien stood, balancing himself on his feet; he turned and
reentered his apt. Then sliding the glass door closed behind him. He went into the
kitchen and started boiling some water in a kettle. He grabbed the ranch brochure and sat
down on the couch. He turned on the TV and turned down the volume. He lifted the
brochure again and read some areas highlighted by Andrew to convince Darien to go.
Darien has always been nervous and clumsy around horses (how unlike his usual smooth
self @}--,-'---) and here he was about to go to a ranch for two weeks. He would be
around LOTS of horses for TWO WEEKS. What had he gotten himself into. But he
couldn't complain because he had promised Andrew that he would enjoy himself.
Setting the brochure down he changed his attention to the TV screen. As pictures of a
fire are plastered up on the television screen, his mind travels back to Tuesday. He
thought about when he talked to Mina and Andrew about the trip. [ I was late to lunch
because...because... ] his deep ocean blue eyes widen as he remembers [ ...because
SHE bumped into me. She was so beautiful. She was compelling, fragile. There was
some familiar presence about her ] [ what are you talking about, man, you have a
girlfriend! DUH! ...Jessica Cole... does it ring a bell!!! ] [ Yeah, I should think about
Jessie. How she is so...um... pretty? And she has nice...um...HAIR?!?!? ] He stops and
runs his fingers through his dark ebony hair, brushing the strands hanging in front of his
deep eyes away from his face. [ But Serena had GREAT hair. Those long golden
strands seemed like silk. I wanted to run my fingers through it and down along her slender
curved back, slowly pulling her close to me until her soft, gentle face is just inches away
from my own, just close enough to touch those soft, tender, satiny lips with my own and
filling her with love... ]
Just then a loud whistling was heard from the kitchen. [ What was I thinking?
LOVE, man, are you STUPID. You met her one time ] [ Yeah I don't know what's
with me this week ] Darien had been thinking like that about Serena all week long.
About her hair, her body, her lips, kissing her, and most of all, her eyes! Her sparkling
aquamarine eyes entrapped him. He got up and headed to the kitchen where the kettle
was still whistling.
---,-'--{@ Friday 5:30pm @}---'-,---
"Hey Darien, did you grab that tent from the closet?"
"Yes I did. But Andy?"
"Huh?"
"It's missing a cleat."
"Who cares about one little cleat!!! Let's get on the road." Interjected Jess as they
came from the entrance of Darien's apt. building.
"Finally!" Moaned Darien
"What did ya pack?" asked Andy.
"Well, we got some PB&J sandwiches, grapes, Cheez-itz, and some Pepsi." Mina
listed.
"SHHUUUSSSHH!!! They will hear you!" whispered Andrew, glancing around
oddly as if someone were watching.
"What did I say? What's wrong?"
"Mina, Mina, Mina!" Darien said while 'tsk'ing and slowly shaking his head from
side to side, "You can't stand in the presence of The Coca-Cola Building**** and declare
you're drinking Pepsi! Your not in the North anymore!" he said gesturing to the tall
building across the street.
"WELL THEN! We'll just have to wait till we leave the 1-mile radius, then we
can drink them!" Jess said with a wink to Darien. [ She IS nice ] [ Nothing
compared to Serena! ] [ Shut Up ] [ Aww, come on now! You know you like Serena ]
[I said SHUT UP!! ] They continued packing Darien's things into Andy's forest green
Explorer and then all got into the seats and drove off.
---'-,--{@ 7:15pm same day @}--,-'---
All a passerby could see of the driver of the Explorer parked on the side of the road were
two hands holding up a large map of Georgia.
" I think...that if we...or we...um...took the next left...we would...um...find the
road." Said Andrew [ must not show them I am lost ]
"Dear, I think you should go into the gas station and ask for directions." Mina
urged as she lifted his map and turned it right side up before giving it back to him.
"Darling, I know where we need to go!"
"Andy. Give me the map." suggested Darien. Andrew did and Darien looked at
the map, making a few calculations in his head about mileage then looked at Andrew and
stated, "We have to go back to that last light and turn left, then take the second right.
That's the ranch."
"And just how do you know Mr. Smarty-pants?" asked Jessie with slight
mockery. Darien leaned over and pointed to an area of the map, which Jessie was now
holding.
" Because it says 'The Silver Rose Ranch' right there."
Andrew sat cowering under Mina's 'why-didn't-you-let-him-see-the-map-20-minutes-
ago' look. Andrew quickly started the vehicle and followed Darien's instructions. They
soon found themselves driving down a gravel driveway leading to the ranch.
"It looks so quaint and cute!" shrieked Mina.
"This is it! It looks so DIRTY!" complained Jess.
"Come on Jess, It's the atmosphere. Besides, We're going to be riding horses.
What did you expect, the Marquis! I'm sure you'll get used to it." emphasized Andrew.
Andrew pulled over next to an old Ford Truck at the front of the main house. Every one
jumped out and stretched and such. Just then a loud neigh was heard. They all rushed to
where the sound had come from, beside the barn.
There they saw three men with ropes tied around the bridle of a large black horse. They
were trying to calm down the rearing horse, to no avail. Then the sound of another car
coming up the driveway could be heard behind them. Darien turned to see a sky blue
convertible Ferrari stop and a blond in jeans and a T-shirt jump out. She sprinted towards
the men and the horse. As she reached to one of the men's ropes she yelled, "Ken, give
me your rope!" At this he held out his rope then backed away as the woman took hold of
it. Then she barked out another order.
"Back off guys! Let me handle this!"
"But sis! He's really strong!!" cried the shortest man.
"Do it Sammy!!!" She yelled. At this Sammy nodded to the taller man and they
both backed away.
Darien took a step forward in concern for the woman [ that horse is twice her size. It
will crush her! ]
The horse continued to rear but in the split second that it's hooves were on the ground,
the woman grabbed the horse by its bridle and held it from rearing again. The group
could see the great strain on the woman's face. Yet she had barely broken a sweat.
Darien noticed her fairly large arm and leg muscles standing out from the strain [ She
must be INCREDIBLY strong to hold still a horse uncontrollable by three men ] The
woman looked straight into the horses eyes and whispered words Darien couldn't make
out. She was now rubbing the horses neck and mane with one of her hands while petting
its nose with the other. The horse was no longer straining against the woman's hold.
Then the woman slowly moved to the side of the horse and mounted it with ease. She
rode the horse bareback into a nearby stall then dismounted and got the horse to lay down
with a simple "lay" command. With her task finished the woman exited the barn and
came over to talk to the newly arrived group. As she joined us at the base of the back
steps she noticed the three men had joined us and were now sitting on the steps. We all
stared at this woman and her feat. She started with,
"Hi! I'm sorry about that. You must be the new group in for the next two weeks.
I'm Serena. I own The Silver Rose. This is Ken, Alan, and my brother Sam." She said
pointing 1st to a man with red hair sitting on the steps, next to a tall man leaning against
the railing who had brown hair, then to a short man with blond hair standing next to
Serena (I don't know if Sammy had blond hair but figured he did if Serena did.
Remember, I said I mostly read the manga). Andrew then spoke up.
"I'm Andrew Grey. This is my wife Mina. A good friend, Jess Cole. And my
best bud ..." He was interrupted by Serena.
"Darien Shields." She said his name with such sweetness, and a small smirk.
Everyone stood with the 'how-does-she-know-him-look' except, of course, Darien and
Serena.
"How are you, Serena?"
"I was late to the meeting. But other than that pretty good."
Finally Mina chimed in, "How do you know each other?"
"Serena is the girl that ran into me on the way to lunch on Monday." Darien
explained. Andrew and Jess exchanged their confused looks for an 'Oh' expression and a
nod but Mina still didn't know.
"The 'HOT CHICK' I was talking about when you came out of the bathroom and
into our conversation." Darien stated a little annoyed. Then he realized what he had said
and in the presence of both Serena and Jess. Darien immediately felt a hard smack on the
back of the head from Jess. All eyes were on him, waiting for a redemption response,
except Serena who had turned to avoid anyone seeing her blushing. Darien saw her and
his heart skipped a beat [ she looks so beautiful and delicate when she blushes ] Jess had
walked to the car at this point. Darien thought he better go after her. After catching up to
her and MANY persuasive words, Jess and Darien walked back to the group. After an
odd silence Ken broke in with,
" How about dinner. I can have it ready in 20 minutes."
Happy murmurs were heard around the group and Ken headed inside to get started while
the rest headed to the vehicle to help unload.
Ken had called everyone for dinner. They marveled at the smell of the savory chicken
and baked potatoes. They sat down and ate in silence until Serena decided to tell them
the rules of her ranch.
"Well, first off, you have to drop your last name, so no Grey, Cole or Shields
from now on. We always go by first names here. Now we all have to get acquainted
because on the trail we have to be able to trust one another. We all have to tell the rest of
us these things about ourselves: age, occupation, a sum up of your childhood, like
schooling, and where your parents are now. Okay? I'll go first. I'm 23. I am now the
owner of USAGI industries in Atlanta. My father retired early and passed it down to me.
I lived in Japan with Sammy, mom and dad until college when I moved to Fairfax to go
to Virginia Tech*****. My parents and Sammy moved to Atlanta shortly after Sammy
graduated and still live there."
"TSUKINO!!" Darien yelled, making everyone jump. "That's why your name
was so familiar, Andy works for USAGI industries."
"Shhhh!" Andrew whispered. " I'm supposed to be at home sick with the flu!"
They all chuckled then Serena said, " that's okay, I won't tell." and she smiled. Darien's
heart melted.
"I guess I'll go next since most of my story was just covered." Said Sammy, "I'm
18. (Sorry I don't know his age difference with the others) I work at the ranch and attend Emory
University. I want to become a psychologist. That's about it." Ken then stood up in a dignified
manner and stated,
" I'm the ranch cook. I'm 24. Born and raised in Boston. Attended the Boston
School of Culinary Arts (I made this college up). And my dad lives in Tennessee while
all his exes live in Texas (you country lovin peeps will get that) and my mom is in
Dallas." He then bowed and sat back down, and everyone mock-clapped and said some
'bravo's.
"Okay me next." Said Jess with a slightly ditzy jump in her seat. "I work for
Maybeline as a model..." Jess was interrupted by Serena first then Mina singing,
"Maybe she's born with it?"
"Maybe it's Maybeline!" The girls giggled and the guys couldn't help but snigger.
Even Darien, Mr. Cool Cucumber, couldn't keep a straight face. Jess pouted and Darien
stopped. But had to bite his lip to keep from breaking into laughter again. Serena and
Mina the composed themselves and said, "we're sorry, Jess."
" I just couldn't help myself, Jess, sorry."
" WELL, as I was saying, I'm a model and I'm 22..." At this Darien deliberately
cleared his throat.
"Alright! 25"
"Remember Jess we have to work on TRUST!" said Mina. Then Jess resumed.
"I started modeling at 5 and never went to college. When my parents divorced at
12, I stayed with my mom in New York City then moved to Atlanta where my dad lives
after high school. Now here I am! And I was wondering?" she said leaning across the
table towards Serena, "Are all the horses as dirty as that black one?" Serena almost
sneered for calling the horse DIRTY but answered in all earnestly.
" No that one was new and will be clean like the others after you clean it
tomorrow."
"CLEAN IT!! WE have to clean the horses?"
"Yep, what did you expect?" said Andrew, rubbing it in as usual.
"Well, I'll go next." Said Mina. "I'm 23. I'm a nurse in the maternity ward at
Grady Hospital. I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon where my Dad still lives and
my mother died of breast cancer 3 years ago." She stopped almost in tears. Everyone
looked sad, "I met Andrew in Portland when his older sister went into labor and he
fainted. Our anniversary was March 5th. We moved to Atlanta when Andrew was
promoted to chief network engineer at USAGI Industries."
" Hey, that's part of my story." Andrew pouted so Mina kissed his cheek. He
smiled and continued, " Let's see, I'm originally from Atlanta where my parents still live.
Lizzy, my sister, lives in Portland still. Oh, and I'm 26."
Alan went next.
"I'm 29, the trail leader and safety man at the ranch. I am Michigan born and
raised and never went to college. My parents live in Northern Virginia. I live down the
road with my wife and 2 small daughters."
" Short and to the point. Gotta love him!" said Sammy.
The group laughed a little. Then Serena said,
" Darien, You go next."
He paused, sort of afraid. Andrew, who was sitting next to him, placed a hand on his
shoulder in encouragement. Then Darien started.
"Well,"
"Come Darien, It cant be that bad!" urged Ken.
"Last but not least, right?" Darien resumed, "I'm 26. I'm a brain surgeon, but I
mainly work with children. I've lived in Georgia since I can remember, which goes back
to when I was 7 and I got into a car accident. My parents didn't survive and I had
complete amnesia. I have no other relatives so they put me in an orphanage." At this
point Darien leaned back into his chair knowing the worst was over. He dropped his gaze
to the floor to avoid the gazes of the others, unable to notice the look of pure caring in
Serena's eyes. "I left there when I graduated high school and enrolled in Oxford at 14. I
am now at Grady with Mina." The room was completely silent.
"Someone say SOMETIHNG!" he added. More silence. Then...
"You never told me Dare, I'm hurt!" wailed Mina.
"I only ever told Andrew." Darien glanced around the room. Everyone was in
Shock.
" Sorry I was wrong, man." Said Ken. Darien saw Serena's face and he thought
she looked like she was trying to divide one big number by another big number.
"What's wrong Serena?" He asked.
" I don't get it. You left for Oxford at 14!!!"
" Oh. I skipped a few grades in High School."
" A few! That's like 3 grades! You're like Doogie Howzer." Alan said.
"4" stated Darien.
Andrew and Mina then started talking of times when Darien showed off his 'smartness'.
Like when he found a wrong answer on the SAT and two on the SAT II for Latin. Or When
he was 10 and in AP Physics II with a class full of seniors and he told his teacher that she
was wrong and he took the next hour explaining the real answer to the class and his
teacher.
"Enough about me. I want to know how Serena did that THING with the mare
today. It was AMAZING!!"
Serena blushed visibly.
" Well, I've always been able to calm down horses. I guess they just listen to me.
I don't know how I do it. It's different with each horse. It's like they tell me how to calm
them..." she trailed off then resumed, "I know it sounds crazy!"
"It sounds mystical and enchanting!" sighed Mina. They chitchatted the rest of
dinner then talked more in the den before retiring to their rooms. Serena, Ken, Alan, and
Sam, had their usual rooms, Serena's was the biggest and the only one downstairs. Mina
and Andrew had a room across from Darien and Jess was down the hall. It was a
peaceful night and everyone slept soundly.
---'-,--{@ That night, character's thoughts (sorry I had some fun with these each night so
just bare with me @}--,-'---
Andrew- today was an interesting day. I am glad I'm not the only one who knows about
Dare. It was hard trying not to tell Mina. I wonder how long Jess will last. I give it till
tomorrow night. She's such a prissy. That was cool today with the horse and Serena.
Serena is a babe. I see what Dare likes about her. I think he likes her more than he
knows. But I can tell. I'm not sure, but I think Serena likes him to. If only Jess weren't
here, I could get them to realize their feelings. Well, she'll be gone as soon as she figures
out that she actually has to do some WORK! Mina is going to love this so much. She
hasn't been around horses since she was a child and she likes them so much. I'm glad I
thought of this.
Mina- I'm gonna have sooooo much fun tomorrow. I haven't ridden a horse since I was
12. I'm glad I thought of this. Now what about that time when Darien was staring at
Serena at dinner. I think I was the only one who noticed. I can tell he likes her
much more than he likes Jess. Well, Jess won't be able to stand this. She'll be
outta here by next nightfall and then something can happen. I'm glad I talked about mom
today. It helps if I do every once and awhile.
Alan- tomorrow's to-do list:
*Get the ladies to wash the new horse
*Get the guys to help me unload the new bales
*Ask Serena to fix Rose's bridle
*Find out everyone's optimal pack weight
Sammy- I gotta remember to call up mom and ask if I got my finals grades back yet. I
also need to ask Sere why she was staring at Darien. Maybe they like each other; he was
staring at her to. Oh and can't forget to fit the new mare for a saddle. I'll get Sere to help
and talk to her then.
Jess- this place is so yucky. I cant stand it I gotta get outta this. EWWW! There's a bug
on the floor! How can someone stand this for more than a few hours?
Ken- a bear walks into a bar and asks the bartender for a beer, the bartender says 'I'm
sorry we don't serve beer to bears in this bar' so the bear says 'if you don't give me a
beer I'll get really mad' and the bartender says 'I'm sorry we don't serve beer to bears in this
bar' 'If you don't give me a beer I'll bite off the head of the lady sitting at the end of the
bar' 'I'm sorry we don't serve beer to bears in this bar' so the bear went and bit off the
lady's head and came back and said 'now give me a beer' 'I'm sorry we don't serve beer
to bears on drugs in this bar' and the bear says 'what I'm not on drugs' and the bartender
says 'that's the bar-bitch-you-ate'(when you say it fast it sounds like barbiturate)
Darien- Serena looks so amazing. When I saw her today it was like we became best
friends but have been so for years. And that horse thing. I wish I could do it, maybe then
I wouldn't feel so awkward. I wonder what she thinks about me now that I told her about
my past. I can't believe I did that, but, I don't know, I just looked at her and something
inside me said I shouldn't keep it from her. I hope no one saw me staring at her today.
Ken- 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55 89 144 233 377 610 987 1597 2584...(the fibonacci
sequence- a super cool mathematical sequence that can be found all throughout nature)
Serena- this is great. I didn't think I would ever see Darien again and he shows up here
for 2 weeks. But he has a girlfriend. And she's a model. I'm not as pretty as she is I
have no chance with him. Jess is gonna be a problem. What did she think see was
coming up here to sit around and watch us clean the horses. Hmmm... what should I
name the new mare? Maybe umm...midnight, too classic, black beauty, too movie-ish,
umm...moonbeam for his shiny mane, mars for his fury, Jupiter for his fierceness,
mercury for his flowing tail, Venus for his demanding presence. Maybe something
Japanese like Mamoru or maybe Endymion, where did I get that name from. Well it's a
good name! I'll decide tomorrow.
---'-,--{@ Saturday @}--,-'---
All had woken up to the smell of bacon and eggs coming from the kitchen. Everyone sat
down to a nice breakfast. Jess walked in with a robe around her and went straight to the
coffee pot.
"Morning Jess" said Ken with a large smile.
"I would leave her alone if I were you. She's not a morning person." Darien
whispered to him. They then continued the conversation they were previously engaged
in.
"How can you be so cheerful? It's 5:30. The sun isn't even up yet! Why do we
have to be up?" whined Jess all of a sudden. Serena replied.
"We have a lot to do today. So why don't we get started. Girls, you will come
with me to clean the new mare. You will need to change first Jess, and then meet me out
at the barn. Guys, I think Alan wanted your help unloading the bales."
"Right Sere, and while you're out there with the mare, can you size him for a
saddle and pick out a name. I'll get Sammy to go into town tonight to make a nameplate
for the stall."
"One step ahead of you, Alan. I've got a name narrowed down, but I want to
move him to the 3rd stall. I thought the 1st would be big enough but I think he would do
better in the 3rd, it's bigger."
" Okay. Now let's get going."
They all finished breakfast and each went to their chores while Jess went to change.
---'-,--{@ The girls @}--,-'---
Serena and Mina were chatting on the way to the barn to clean the new mare.
" So you said that you had some names narrowed down?"
"Yah, I was thinking of two specifically. Either Mamoru or Endymion."
" Those are good names. Where did you hear them?"
"Well Mamoru is Japanese but I don't know where I heard the other one. It
sounds cool though. Which one do you like the best?"
" I think Endymion is cool because you can call him Endy for short."
"I like Endymion, too."
The girls reached the stall with the mare in it and Serena went in.
"Hi there," she cooed to the mare, "how do like Endymion. Do you like that
name?" at this the horse started to nod his head rapidly and hoof the ground, " Endymion
it is. So, Endy, are you ready for a bath?" Serena grabbed Endy's bridle and led him to the
bath area. The girls proceeded to bathe Endy.
" Hey Serena? I have to ask you something before Jess gets out here."
" Fire away!"
" Do you like Darien?" Mina said bluntly. Serena blushed then replied.
"Well...um... Mina, promise not to tell ANYONE?"
"Cross my heart, hope to die"
"Then YES!" Mina popped her head over the top of Endy so she could see
Serena and yelled, "I knew it"
" I don't know why, Mina, he's just so handsome and charming and sweet and
smart and he's not some loser that will be selling hamburgers at age 55."
"Gosh, girl, you have it worse than I thought. You're in love!"
"Are you kidding, I just like him...a lot!"
"Has he confessed his love for you yet?" asked Mina with hearts in her eyes.
" No, Mina, he has a girlfriend!" Serena said in disappointment, "So what's the
deal with Jess anyways. She seems like a prissy and she was dragged here!"
"Truth? She's a rich daddy's girl, that wouldn't even think about setting foot on a
ranch. She only came because Darien asked her to come. She loves Darien ALMOST as
much as she loves herself."
"Now I know what you really think!" came the voice of an angry Jess at the door
of the barn. Mina and Serena stared at her a moment. Then Serena got worried [ did
she hear what I said about my feelings for Darien ] Mina saved the day and asked.
"How much did you hear?"
"I walked in somewhere around 'rich daddy's girl'." She sneered. Serena looked
at Mina relieved. Then she said sarcastically,
"Well you missed the part where Mina said 'everything I say after this is not true
in any way' "
"Anyways, glad you decided to join us now that we are already finished washing
Endy. Just grab a towel and help us dry him off." Jess raised her nose and said,
"I don't have to do what you say!" Serena then smiled at Mina and stated to Jess,
" But you do have to do what I say. Now grab the towel. We'll let you dry off
his a$$."
Jess sneered and mumbled, "I feel so privileged!"
After they had Endy clean and dry they led him to his new stall and Serena went to grab a
saddle. " Will one of you come with me to carry the other saddle?"
"How about Jess goes!" Mina said. They walked to another shed behind the barn.
On the way Serena pointed out a spot with large mud puddles.
" Be careful over there. Your shoe could get stuck."
They kept walking to the shed. When they got there, Serena grabbed a large saddle and a
smaller one and handed one to Jess.
" No!" Serena shouted, "you don't hold it like that!" she corrected Jess's hold on
the saddle and grabbed a blue girth on the way out. Jess struggled with the weight of the
saddle.
" This is too heavy for me!" she whined.
"Fine then." Serena said, taking the saddle and handing the girth to Jess, "I'll
carry the saddles and you carry the girth." Jess was happy with this and grabbed the girth
and walked quickly to the barn, forgetting about the large mud puddles. Just as Serena
was about to remind her she stepped into a small puddle, splashing her leg and, sure
enough, getting her shoe stuck.
"ERRRR. This place is so GROSS!" Jess mumbled under her breath as she tried
to pull out her shoe. Just as she leaned down to untie her shoe to pull out her foot she lost
her balance and fell face first into a large, deep puddle.
"AHHHHHH!!!!"
Serena stifled a laugh. Then put the saddles over a railing before going to help Jess up.
"It's not funny!" Jess said angrily. Serena couldn't help it anymore and broke out
into all out laughter. Between convulsions she managed to say,
"Yes...HEHEHE...it IS!!"
Mina had heard a scream. She tied Endy to a rail and ran towards what was now very
loud laughter. She arrived on the scene to see Jess covered in mud from head to toe and
now lunging at Serena, who was laughing hysterically. Serena sidestepped Jess's attack
and Jess fell into another very large puddle. At this Serena started to laugh even harder.
Mina was now giggling. Jess was enraged. Serena had her back to Jess and didn't notice
the evil look creeping onto Jess's face. Jess reached up and grabbed the back of Serena's
shirt, pulling her backwards and forcing her to land in the thick mud. Serena was silent
from shock for a moment before punching Jess in the nose.
"You B*TCH!!!! You broke my nose!" Jess yelled.
"Oh, don't worry, I'm sure you have a regular plastic surgeon that would be
happy to fix it for you." Serena said in an agonizingly sweet tone. It was then that Serena
and Jess broke out into a fistfight. Jess was at a complete disadvantage, considering
Serena spent her time around EXTREMELY strong horses and a bunch of rugged guys.
Jess attempted many punches, but all of them ended up with her own body getting kicked
or punched by her opponent. Mina would have normally stopped the fight long ago, but she
rather enjoyed seeing Jess get her butt beat. Jess was now sprawling on the ground from
the last kick to the gut Serena had given her. Mina now thought that she should end this.
Evidently Serena thought so to because she had stopped hitting Jess and was now peering
down at the woman on the ground.
"How does it feel to get kicked to the ground? HUH, Miss Prissy!"
"Calm down, Serena. I'm sure she got the point. If not I'll let you do it again
tomorrow." Mina wasn't helping much (obviously) but Serena backed away and admired
her handiwork. Jess had a broken nose, a black eye, and many bruises. Serena didn't
have a scratch. Jess crawled to her feet and headed to the ranch. Serena and Mina stood back
and watched her then went back to attend to Endy. They each grabbed a saddle and went
into the barn. Jess went inside and tended to her numerous wounds.
"You were so COOL. You went 'BAM' she went flying..." Mina was excitedly
imitating Serena's movements.
"Mina stop. I shouldn't have done that. I lost my temper too easily." Serena hung
her head in defeat. She felt bad. She placed the saddle that didn't fit aside and put Endy
in his stall. Serena placed Endy's saddle on a shelf for his things while Mina carried the
other one back to the shelf. They then went to the house. They made some sandwiches
for lunch and set some for the guys for when they came back.
**********************
So, what did you think? Love it? Hate it? Let me know and look for chapter two.
ree_chan_angel@yahoo.com
http://www.geocities.com/total_ai/index.html
P.S. I don't own any of these places in ATL or Coca-Cola or Pepsi or... you get the idea
*I know that there are Hard Rock Cafes in other countries, but if you have never heard of it, it
is just a really good restaurant.
**Grady is a Hospital in Atlanta
***Underground was once a part of the Underground Railroad with Harriet Tubman, but it is now
a historical place turned into a ...you guessed it, shopping mall. It is right across from
the Coca-Cola World building (mentioned later. I know a lot of landmarks in this chapter, but
it is the intro and it is my shout out to ATL)
****As I said it is in downtown ATL next to the Underground. And there is a running joke in
America (again for those who don't live here) that Pepsi is what all the people in the North
drink, and the ones in the south drink Coca-Cola.
*****VA Tech is a VERY good University. It is in VA but I don't know the exact city, so I
picked Fairfax, cause I know where that is.
Author: Ree-B
ree_chan_angel@yahoo.com
http://www.geocities.com/total_ai/index.html
Rated: R, for passionate interludes and foul language
AN: this is my first fanfic so bare with me. I have changed some things but most are
parallel to the manga. I don't see the TV show very often so if it goes totally opposite
don't kill me. It takes place when Darien is 26 and Serena is 23 (that is the age
difference in the manga. Correct me if I'm wrong!) The first part is in Atlanta, GA. The
second is in northern Georgia. (No place in particular) it is author's POV, 3rd person
limited. Author's notes are in parentheses. Character thoughts are in brackets with a capital
letter to tell you whose thoughts when there is more than one person, ex: [S- I am Serena
]. Well good luck reading it. Sorry if it stinks.
Oh, and for those of you who have never been to Atlanta, GA, USA, I will include notes at the
bottom about the places I mention. Just look for the asterisks.
(As I said this is my first fanfic and after a comment from an author that I trust, I found an aspect
of the original story to be quite unrealistic. So I have changed it. As much as the author in me
wanted to keep it as is no matter the problems, I had read it again after not having looked at it for
at least a year and much more schooling and found my original idea for the climax to be quite...
cheesy and just plain *yuck*. So I am sorry for those of you whom enjoyed the original better, but
I just couldn't keep it as it was any longer.)
Disclaimer: I don't own Sailormoon or related characters. If this story seems oddly
familiar to yours, I'm sorry. If you want to use my story anywhere, GREAT! But please
tell me so I know someone out there ACTUALLY liked it.
On Horseback
Chapter 1: Once Upon a Horse Pasture
---'-,--{@ Monday @}--,-'---
Darien Shields was walking through the downtown streets on his way to meet the Grey's
at Hard Rock Café*. Darien lives in a penthouse apartment (in the sky- tee-hee) in Atlanta
that is perfect for the handsome bachelor. Darien is a very smart man. He always
excelled in sports and school. He graduated high school at 14 (yes he skipped some
grades. I said he is VERY smart) and proceeded to Oxford till he was 18 when he went
into his internship at Grady Hospital**. It was a Tuesday and Darien had parked his red
Mustang GT a few blocks down so he could walk and enjoy the perfect spring day. He
was deep in thought over upcoming surgeries, mentally repeating the steps. Darien was
broken from his thoughts by the sensation of an object slamming into his chest then
hitting the ground with a muffled thud.
"Are you alright, ma'am?" he exclaimed with a worried under tone as he placed
his hands around the woman's small waist and lifted her to her feet. [ D- She is so small.
She seems so frail yet... So strong ] [ S- He has such a surrounding warmth ]. As she stood
up Darien took note of the woman's looks. She was wearing an INCREDIBLY short
black mini skirt with a white collared shirt tucked into it and a matching black business
type jacket in one hand.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm soooo sorry, sir. I wasn't watching where I was going, and I
have five minutes to get to a meeting, and..." the woman continued her babbling as
Darien continued to enjoy the woman's beauty. She had long, slender legs and
shimmering, golden, blond hair that came to just below her shoulder. She wore the top
half pulled back into a barrette with a few stray hairs framing her flawless, porcelain face.
Darien chuckled at her ramblings. The woman stopped talking. For the first time she
brought her face away from the ground in shame and to Darien's face.
"What's so funny?" she inquired. She then took her turn to 'examine' the tall
man she had bumped into. Serena eyes came to his broad shoulders. She could tell that
he worked out a lot. She liked how his black four-piece suit complimented his dark
ebony hair. The wind blew some hairs into his deep ocean blue eyes and gave her a strong
urge to reach up and brush them away until he did so himself.
"Oh nothing," he reassured, " I'm just flattered that you thought highly enough of
me to divulge such precious information unto me."
A bright blush crept onto her cheeks as she replied quite embarrassed "Oh, I'm so
sorry. I probably seem like such an idiot. I'm Serena Tsukino."
Darien noticed how much more beautiful she looked with her blushing cheeks.
He smiled, "Darien Shields. Pleased to meet you." He raised his hand as she did the
same. They shook hands. [ D-Her silky hand fits so perfectly into mine.
Tsukino...Have I heard that somewhere before ]
"You too" Serena reciprocated. "Well I have to get to a ..."
She was cut off when Darien finished her sentence. "A meeting in five" he
glanced at his watch, " no, make that four minutes." Remembering lunch with Andrew
and Mina he continued, " I have to meet some friends for lunch, too, but it was nice
running into you, or rather you running into me," he said with a playful smile, "Ms.
Tsukino and good luck at that meeting."
"Thanks. I hope I run into you again, BUT maybe next time it won't hurt so
much." Serena said as she rubbed her forehead. "Well bye."
"See ya around." They both paused for a moment then Serena turned on her heel
and threw her jacket over her right shoulder. Darien watched her leave for a second then
turned towards the Café and continued his journey.
Darien was soon in front of the Café. He went in and a young hostess pointed
him to the table where Andrew sat. As Andrew saw Darien come in he waved for him to
join him at he table. Darien sat down across from Andrew.
" Hey, Andy." Darien greeted. "Where's Mina?"
" In the Bathroom. What took you so long to get here? You walk from Alabama
or something?"
"Underground***, actually. I parked there and walked but then this hot chick
bumped into me and we started talking."
"HOT CHICK!!!" came a shriek from Mina who had just returned from the
bathroom. "Darien Shields, What would Jessie think? You calling someone HOT.
Besides, you shouldn't call ANY woman a CHICK!!!"
"Calm down, honey. Darien is allowed to think someone is pretty. I mean, he's
not married to Jess. So, just forgive him of his over-masculinity and lets have lunch."
Darien nodded in approval at the defeated look on Mina's face and picked up a menu.
They ordered then Mina asked, "When do you want us to pick you up on Friday?"
"How about we go by Jess's place first then we'll be at yours around...um...does
5:00pm sound good?" Andrew asked Darien.
"Good to me!"
---'-,--{@ Thursday at Darien's Apartment @}--,-'---
Darien stood on the balcony watching the sunset. The light coming from his room
silhouetted his striking outline. The disappearing sunlight glinted off his dark hair,
tinting it orange and red. Darien stood, balancing himself on his feet; he turned and
reentered his apt. Then sliding the glass door closed behind him. He went into the
kitchen and started boiling some water in a kettle. He grabbed the ranch brochure and sat
down on the couch. He turned on the TV and turned down the volume. He lifted the
brochure again and read some areas highlighted by Andrew to convince Darien to go.
Darien has always been nervous and clumsy around horses (how unlike his usual smooth
self @}--,-'---) and here he was about to go to a ranch for two weeks. He would be
around LOTS of horses for TWO WEEKS. What had he gotten himself into. But he
couldn't complain because he had promised Andrew that he would enjoy himself.
Setting the brochure down he changed his attention to the TV screen. As pictures of a
fire are plastered up on the television screen, his mind travels back to Tuesday. He
thought about when he talked to Mina and Andrew about the trip. [ I was late to lunch
because...because... ] his deep ocean blue eyes widen as he remembers [ ...because
SHE bumped into me. She was so beautiful. She was compelling, fragile. There was
some familiar presence about her ] [ what are you talking about, man, you have a
girlfriend! DUH! ...Jessica Cole... does it ring a bell!!! ] [ Yeah, I should think about
Jessie. How she is so...um... pretty? And she has nice...um...HAIR?!?!? ] He stops and
runs his fingers through his dark ebony hair, brushing the strands hanging in front of his
deep eyes away from his face. [ But Serena had GREAT hair. Those long golden
strands seemed like silk. I wanted to run my fingers through it and down along her slender
curved back, slowly pulling her close to me until her soft, gentle face is just inches away
from my own, just close enough to touch those soft, tender, satiny lips with my own and
filling her with love... ]
Just then a loud whistling was heard from the kitchen. [ What was I thinking?
LOVE, man, are you STUPID. You met her one time ] [ Yeah I don't know what's
with me this week ] Darien had been thinking like that about Serena all week long.
About her hair, her body, her lips, kissing her, and most of all, her eyes! Her sparkling
aquamarine eyes entrapped him. He got up and headed to the kitchen where the kettle
was still whistling.
---,-'--{@ Friday 5:30pm @}---'-,---
"Hey Darien, did you grab that tent from the closet?"
"Yes I did. But Andy?"
"Huh?"
"It's missing a cleat."
"Who cares about one little cleat!!! Let's get on the road." Interjected Jess as they
came from the entrance of Darien's apt. building.
"Finally!" Moaned Darien
"What did ya pack?" asked Andy.
"Well, we got some PB&J sandwiches, grapes, Cheez-itz, and some Pepsi." Mina
listed.
"SHHUUUSSSHH!!! They will hear you!" whispered Andrew, glancing around
oddly as if someone were watching.
"What did I say? What's wrong?"
"Mina, Mina, Mina!" Darien said while 'tsk'ing and slowly shaking his head from
side to side, "You can't stand in the presence of The Coca-Cola Building**** and declare
you're drinking Pepsi! Your not in the North anymore!" he said gesturing to the tall
building across the street.
"WELL THEN! We'll just have to wait till we leave the 1-mile radius, then we
can drink them!" Jess said with a wink to Darien. [ She IS nice ] [ Nothing
compared to Serena! ] [ Shut Up ] [ Aww, come on now! You know you like Serena ]
[I said SHUT UP!! ] They continued packing Darien's things into Andy's forest green
Explorer and then all got into the seats and drove off.
---'-,--{@ 7:15pm same day @}--,-'---
All a passerby could see of the driver of the Explorer parked on the side of the road were
two hands holding up a large map of Georgia.
" I think...that if we...or we...um...took the next left...we would...um...find the
road." Said Andrew [ must not show them I am lost ]
"Dear, I think you should go into the gas station and ask for directions." Mina
urged as she lifted his map and turned it right side up before giving it back to him.
"Darling, I know where we need to go!"
"Andy. Give me the map." suggested Darien. Andrew did and Darien looked at
the map, making a few calculations in his head about mileage then looked at Andrew and
stated, "We have to go back to that last light and turn left, then take the second right.
That's the ranch."
"And just how do you know Mr. Smarty-pants?" asked Jessie with slight
mockery. Darien leaned over and pointed to an area of the map, which Jessie was now
holding.
" Because it says 'The Silver Rose Ranch' right there."
Andrew sat cowering under Mina's 'why-didn't-you-let-him-see-the-map-20-minutes-
ago' look. Andrew quickly started the vehicle and followed Darien's instructions. They
soon found themselves driving down a gravel driveway leading to the ranch.
"It looks so quaint and cute!" shrieked Mina.
"This is it! It looks so DIRTY!" complained Jess.
"Come on Jess, It's the atmosphere. Besides, We're going to be riding horses.
What did you expect, the Marquis! I'm sure you'll get used to it." emphasized Andrew.
Andrew pulled over next to an old Ford Truck at the front of the main house. Every one
jumped out and stretched and such. Just then a loud neigh was heard. They all rushed to
where the sound had come from, beside the barn.
There they saw three men with ropes tied around the bridle of a large black horse. They
were trying to calm down the rearing horse, to no avail. Then the sound of another car
coming up the driveway could be heard behind them. Darien turned to see a sky blue
convertible Ferrari stop and a blond in jeans and a T-shirt jump out. She sprinted towards
the men and the horse. As she reached to one of the men's ropes she yelled, "Ken, give
me your rope!" At this he held out his rope then backed away as the woman took hold of
it. Then she barked out another order.
"Back off guys! Let me handle this!"
"But sis! He's really strong!!" cried the shortest man.
"Do it Sammy!!!" She yelled. At this Sammy nodded to the taller man and they
both backed away.
Darien took a step forward in concern for the woman [ that horse is twice her size. It
will crush her! ]
The horse continued to rear but in the split second that it's hooves were on the ground,
the woman grabbed the horse by its bridle and held it from rearing again. The group
could see the great strain on the woman's face. Yet she had barely broken a sweat.
Darien noticed her fairly large arm and leg muscles standing out from the strain [ She
must be INCREDIBLY strong to hold still a horse uncontrollable by three men ] The
woman looked straight into the horses eyes and whispered words Darien couldn't make
out. She was now rubbing the horses neck and mane with one of her hands while petting
its nose with the other. The horse was no longer straining against the woman's hold.
Then the woman slowly moved to the side of the horse and mounted it with ease. She
rode the horse bareback into a nearby stall then dismounted and got the horse to lay down
with a simple "lay" command. With her task finished the woman exited the barn and
came over to talk to the newly arrived group. As she joined us at the base of the back
steps she noticed the three men had joined us and were now sitting on the steps. We all
stared at this woman and her feat. She started with,
"Hi! I'm sorry about that. You must be the new group in for the next two weeks.
I'm Serena. I own The Silver Rose. This is Ken, Alan, and my brother Sam." She said
pointing 1st to a man with red hair sitting on the steps, next to a tall man leaning against
the railing who had brown hair, then to a short man with blond hair standing next to
Serena (I don't know if Sammy had blond hair but figured he did if Serena did.
Remember, I said I mostly read the manga). Andrew then spoke up.
"I'm Andrew Grey. This is my wife Mina. A good friend, Jess Cole. And my
best bud ..." He was interrupted by Serena.
"Darien Shields." She said his name with such sweetness, and a small smirk.
Everyone stood with the 'how-does-she-know-him-look' except, of course, Darien and
Serena.
"How are you, Serena?"
"I was late to the meeting. But other than that pretty good."
Finally Mina chimed in, "How do you know each other?"
"Serena is the girl that ran into me on the way to lunch on Monday." Darien
explained. Andrew and Jess exchanged their confused looks for an 'Oh' expression and a
nod but Mina still didn't know.
"The 'HOT CHICK' I was talking about when you came out of the bathroom and
into our conversation." Darien stated a little annoyed. Then he realized what he had said
and in the presence of both Serena and Jess. Darien immediately felt a hard smack on the
back of the head from Jess. All eyes were on him, waiting for a redemption response,
except Serena who had turned to avoid anyone seeing her blushing. Darien saw her and
his heart skipped a beat [ she looks so beautiful and delicate when she blushes ] Jess had
walked to the car at this point. Darien thought he better go after her. After catching up to
her and MANY persuasive words, Jess and Darien walked back to the group. After an
odd silence Ken broke in with,
" How about dinner. I can have it ready in 20 minutes."
Happy murmurs were heard around the group and Ken headed inside to get started while
the rest headed to the vehicle to help unload.
Ken had called everyone for dinner. They marveled at the smell of the savory chicken
and baked potatoes. They sat down and ate in silence until Serena decided to tell them
the rules of her ranch.
"Well, first off, you have to drop your last name, so no Grey, Cole or Shields
from now on. We always go by first names here. Now we all have to get acquainted
because on the trail we have to be able to trust one another. We all have to tell the rest of
us these things about ourselves: age, occupation, a sum up of your childhood, like
schooling, and where your parents are now. Okay? I'll go first. I'm 23. I am now the
owner of USAGI industries in Atlanta. My father retired early and passed it down to me.
I lived in Japan with Sammy, mom and dad until college when I moved to Fairfax to go
to Virginia Tech*****. My parents and Sammy moved to Atlanta shortly after Sammy
graduated and still live there."
"TSUKINO!!" Darien yelled, making everyone jump. "That's why your name
was so familiar, Andy works for USAGI industries."
"Shhhh!" Andrew whispered. " I'm supposed to be at home sick with the flu!"
They all chuckled then Serena said, " that's okay, I won't tell." and she smiled. Darien's
heart melted.
"I guess I'll go next since most of my story was just covered." Said Sammy, "I'm
18. (Sorry I don't know his age difference with the others) I work at the ranch and attend Emory
University. I want to become a psychologist. That's about it." Ken then stood up in a dignified
manner and stated,
" I'm the ranch cook. I'm 24. Born and raised in Boston. Attended the Boston
School of Culinary Arts (I made this college up). And my dad lives in Tennessee while
all his exes live in Texas (you country lovin peeps will get that) and my mom is in
Dallas." He then bowed and sat back down, and everyone mock-clapped and said some
'bravo's.
"Okay me next." Said Jess with a slightly ditzy jump in her seat. "I work for
Maybeline as a model..." Jess was interrupted by Serena first then Mina singing,
"Maybe she's born with it?"
"Maybe it's Maybeline!" The girls giggled and the guys couldn't help but snigger.
Even Darien, Mr. Cool Cucumber, couldn't keep a straight face. Jess pouted and Darien
stopped. But had to bite his lip to keep from breaking into laughter again. Serena and
Mina the composed themselves and said, "we're sorry, Jess."
" I just couldn't help myself, Jess, sorry."
" WELL, as I was saying, I'm a model and I'm 22..." At this Darien deliberately
cleared his throat.
"Alright! 25"
"Remember Jess we have to work on TRUST!" said Mina. Then Jess resumed.
"I started modeling at 5 and never went to college. When my parents divorced at
12, I stayed with my mom in New York City then moved to Atlanta where my dad lives
after high school. Now here I am! And I was wondering?" she said leaning across the
table towards Serena, "Are all the horses as dirty as that black one?" Serena almost
sneered for calling the horse DIRTY but answered in all earnestly.
" No that one was new and will be clean like the others after you clean it
tomorrow."
"CLEAN IT!! WE have to clean the horses?"
"Yep, what did you expect?" said Andrew, rubbing it in as usual.
"Well, I'll go next." Said Mina. "I'm 23. I'm a nurse in the maternity ward at
Grady Hospital. I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon where my Dad still lives and
my mother died of breast cancer 3 years ago." She stopped almost in tears. Everyone
looked sad, "I met Andrew in Portland when his older sister went into labor and he
fainted. Our anniversary was March 5th. We moved to Atlanta when Andrew was
promoted to chief network engineer at USAGI Industries."
" Hey, that's part of my story." Andrew pouted so Mina kissed his cheek. He
smiled and continued, " Let's see, I'm originally from Atlanta where my parents still live.
Lizzy, my sister, lives in Portland still. Oh, and I'm 26."
Alan went next.
"I'm 29, the trail leader and safety man at the ranch. I am Michigan born and
raised and never went to college. My parents live in Northern Virginia. I live down the
road with my wife and 2 small daughters."
" Short and to the point. Gotta love him!" said Sammy.
The group laughed a little. Then Serena said,
" Darien, You go next."
He paused, sort of afraid. Andrew, who was sitting next to him, placed a hand on his
shoulder in encouragement. Then Darien started.
"Well,"
"Come Darien, It cant be that bad!" urged Ken.
"Last but not least, right?" Darien resumed, "I'm 26. I'm a brain surgeon, but I
mainly work with children. I've lived in Georgia since I can remember, which goes back
to when I was 7 and I got into a car accident. My parents didn't survive and I had
complete amnesia. I have no other relatives so they put me in an orphanage." At this
point Darien leaned back into his chair knowing the worst was over. He dropped his gaze
to the floor to avoid the gazes of the others, unable to notice the look of pure caring in
Serena's eyes. "I left there when I graduated high school and enrolled in Oxford at 14. I
am now at Grady with Mina." The room was completely silent.
"Someone say SOMETIHNG!" he added. More silence. Then...
"You never told me Dare, I'm hurt!" wailed Mina.
"I only ever told Andrew." Darien glanced around the room. Everyone was in
Shock.
" Sorry I was wrong, man." Said Ken. Darien saw Serena's face and he thought
she looked like she was trying to divide one big number by another big number.
"What's wrong Serena?" He asked.
" I don't get it. You left for Oxford at 14!!!"
" Oh. I skipped a few grades in High School."
" A few! That's like 3 grades! You're like Doogie Howzer." Alan said.
"4" stated Darien.
Andrew and Mina then started talking of times when Darien showed off his 'smartness'.
Like when he found a wrong answer on the SAT and two on the SAT II for Latin. Or When
he was 10 and in AP Physics II with a class full of seniors and he told his teacher that she
was wrong and he took the next hour explaining the real answer to the class and his
teacher.
"Enough about me. I want to know how Serena did that THING with the mare
today. It was AMAZING!!"
Serena blushed visibly.
" Well, I've always been able to calm down horses. I guess they just listen to me.
I don't know how I do it. It's different with each horse. It's like they tell me how to calm
them..." she trailed off then resumed, "I know it sounds crazy!"
"It sounds mystical and enchanting!" sighed Mina. They chitchatted the rest of
dinner then talked more in the den before retiring to their rooms. Serena, Ken, Alan, and
Sam, had their usual rooms, Serena's was the biggest and the only one downstairs. Mina
and Andrew had a room across from Darien and Jess was down the hall. It was a
peaceful night and everyone slept soundly.
---'-,--{@ That night, character's thoughts (sorry I had some fun with these each night so
just bare with me @}--,-'---
Andrew- today was an interesting day. I am glad I'm not the only one who knows about
Dare. It was hard trying not to tell Mina. I wonder how long Jess will last. I give it till
tomorrow night. She's such a prissy. That was cool today with the horse and Serena.
Serena is a babe. I see what Dare likes about her. I think he likes her more than he
knows. But I can tell. I'm not sure, but I think Serena likes him to. If only Jess weren't
here, I could get them to realize their feelings. Well, she'll be gone as soon as she figures
out that she actually has to do some WORK! Mina is going to love this so much. She
hasn't been around horses since she was a child and she likes them so much. I'm glad I
thought of this.
Mina- I'm gonna have sooooo much fun tomorrow. I haven't ridden a horse since I was
12. I'm glad I thought of this. Now what about that time when Darien was staring at
Serena at dinner. I think I was the only one who noticed. I can tell he likes her
much more than he likes Jess. Well, Jess won't be able to stand this. She'll be
outta here by next nightfall and then something can happen. I'm glad I talked about mom
today. It helps if I do every once and awhile.
Alan- tomorrow's to-do list:
*Get the ladies to wash the new horse
*Get the guys to help me unload the new bales
*Ask Serena to fix Rose's bridle
*Find out everyone's optimal pack weight
Sammy- I gotta remember to call up mom and ask if I got my finals grades back yet. I
also need to ask Sere why she was staring at Darien. Maybe they like each other; he was
staring at her to. Oh and can't forget to fit the new mare for a saddle. I'll get Sere to help
and talk to her then.
Jess- this place is so yucky. I cant stand it I gotta get outta this. EWWW! There's a bug
on the floor! How can someone stand this for more than a few hours?
Ken- a bear walks into a bar and asks the bartender for a beer, the bartender says 'I'm
sorry we don't serve beer to bears in this bar' so the bear says 'if you don't give me a
beer I'll get really mad' and the bartender says 'I'm sorry we don't serve beer to bears in this
bar' 'If you don't give me a beer I'll bite off the head of the lady sitting at the end of the
bar' 'I'm sorry we don't serve beer to bears in this bar' so the bear went and bit off the
lady's head and came back and said 'now give me a beer' 'I'm sorry we don't serve beer
to bears on drugs in this bar' and the bear says 'what I'm not on drugs' and the bartender
says 'that's the bar-bitch-you-ate'(when you say it fast it sounds like barbiturate)
Darien- Serena looks so amazing. When I saw her today it was like we became best
friends but have been so for years. And that horse thing. I wish I could do it, maybe then
I wouldn't feel so awkward. I wonder what she thinks about me now that I told her about
my past. I can't believe I did that, but, I don't know, I just looked at her and something
inside me said I shouldn't keep it from her. I hope no one saw me staring at her today.
Ken- 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55 89 144 233 377 610 987 1597 2584...(the fibonacci
sequence- a super cool mathematical sequence that can be found all throughout nature)
Serena- this is great. I didn't think I would ever see Darien again and he shows up here
for 2 weeks. But he has a girlfriend. And she's a model. I'm not as pretty as she is I
have no chance with him. Jess is gonna be a problem. What did she think see was
coming up here to sit around and watch us clean the horses. Hmmm... what should I
name the new mare? Maybe umm...midnight, too classic, black beauty, too movie-ish,
umm...moonbeam for his shiny mane, mars for his fury, Jupiter for his fierceness,
mercury for his flowing tail, Venus for his demanding presence. Maybe something
Japanese like Mamoru or maybe Endymion, where did I get that name from. Well it's a
good name! I'll decide tomorrow.
---'-,--{@ Saturday @}--,-'---
All had woken up to the smell of bacon and eggs coming from the kitchen. Everyone sat
down to a nice breakfast. Jess walked in with a robe around her and went straight to the
coffee pot.
"Morning Jess" said Ken with a large smile.
"I would leave her alone if I were you. She's not a morning person." Darien
whispered to him. They then continued the conversation they were previously engaged
in.
"How can you be so cheerful? It's 5:30. The sun isn't even up yet! Why do we
have to be up?" whined Jess all of a sudden. Serena replied.
"We have a lot to do today. So why don't we get started. Girls, you will come
with me to clean the new mare. You will need to change first Jess, and then meet me out
at the barn. Guys, I think Alan wanted your help unloading the bales."
"Right Sere, and while you're out there with the mare, can you size him for a
saddle and pick out a name. I'll get Sammy to go into town tonight to make a nameplate
for the stall."
"One step ahead of you, Alan. I've got a name narrowed down, but I want to
move him to the 3rd stall. I thought the 1st would be big enough but I think he would do
better in the 3rd, it's bigger."
" Okay. Now let's get going."
They all finished breakfast and each went to their chores while Jess went to change.
---'-,--{@ The girls @}--,-'---
Serena and Mina were chatting on the way to the barn to clean the new mare.
" So you said that you had some names narrowed down?"
"Yah, I was thinking of two specifically. Either Mamoru or Endymion."
" Those are good names. Where did you hear them?"
"Well Mamoru is Japanese but I don't know where I heard the other one. It
sounds cool though. Which one do you like the best?"
" I think Endymion is cool because you can call him Endy for short."
"I like Endymion, too."
The girls reached the stall with the mare in it and Serena went in.
"Hi there," she cooed to the mare, "how do like Endymion. Do you like that
name?" at this the horse started to nod his head rapidly and hoof the ground, " Endymion
it is. So, Endy, are you ready for a bath?" Serena grabbed Endy's bridle and led him to the
bath area. The girls proceeded to bathe Endy.
" Hey Serena? I have to ask you something before Jess gets out here."
" Fire away!"
" Do you like Darien?" Mina said bluntly. Serena blushed then replied.
"Well...um... Mina, promise not to tell ANYONE?"
"Cross my heart, hope to die"
"Then YES!" Mina popped her head over the top of Endy so she could see
Serena and yelled, "I knew it"
" I don't know why, Mina, he's just so handsome and charming and sweet and
smart and he's not some loser that will be selling hamburgers at age 55."
"Gosh, girl, you have it worse than I thought. You're in love!"
"Are you kidding, I just like him...a lot!"
"Has he confessed his love for you yet?" asked Mina with hearts in her eyes.
" No, Mina, he has a girlfriend!" Serena said in disappointment, "So what's the
deal with Jess anyways. She seems like a prissy and she was dragged here!"
"Truth? She's a rich daddy's girl, that wouldn't even think about setting foot on a
ranch. She only came because Darien asked her to come. She loves Darien ALMOST as
much as she loves herself."
"Now I know what you really think!" came the voice of an angry Jess at the door
of the barn. Mina and Serena stared at her a moment. Then Serena got worried [ did
she hear what I said about my feelings for Darien ] Mina saved the day and asked.
"How much did you hear?"
"I walked in somewhere around 'rich daddy's girl'." She sneered. Serena looked
at Mina relieved. Then she said sarcastically,
"Well you missed the part where Mina said 'everything I say after this is not true
in any way' "
"Anyways, glad you decided to join us now that we are already finished washing
Endy. Just grab a towel and help us dry him off." Jess raised her nose and said,
"I don't have to do what you say!" Serena then smiled at Mina and stated to Jess,
" But you do have to do what I say. Now grab the towel. We'll let you dry off
his a$$."
Jess sneered and mumbled, "I feel so privileged!"
After they had Endy clean and dry they led him to his new stall and Serena went to grab a
saddle. " Will one of you come with me to carry the other saddle?"
"How about Jess goes!" Mina said. They walked to another shed behind the barn.
On the way Serena pointed out a spot with large mud puddles.
" Be careful over there. Your shoe could get stuck."
They kept walking to the shed. When they got there, Serena grabbed a large saddle and a
smaller one and handed one to Jess.
" No!" Serena shouted, "you don't hold it like that!" she corrected Jess's hold on
the saddle and grabbed a blue girth on the way out. Jess struggled with the weight of the
saddle.
" This is too heavy for me!" she whined.
"Fine then." Serena said, taking the saddle and handing the girth to Jess, "I'll
carry the saddles and you carry the girth." Jess was happy with this and grabbed the girth
and walked quickly to the barn, forgetting about the large mud puddles. Just as Serena
was about to remind her she stepped into a small puddle, splashing her leg and, sure
enough, getting her shoe stuck.
"ERRRR. This place is so GROSS!" Jess mumbled under her breath as she tried
to pull out her shoe. Just as she leaned down to untie her shoe to pull out her foot she lost
her balance and fell face first into a large, deep puddle.
"AHHHHHH!!!!"
Serena stifled a laugh. Then put the saddles over a railing before going to help Jess up.
"It's not funny!" Jess said angrily. Serena couldn't help it anymore and broke out
into all out laughter. Between convulsions she managed to say,
"Yes...HEHEHE...it IS!!"
Mina had heard a scream. She tied Endy to a rail and ran towards what was now very
loud laughter. She arrived on the scene to see Jess covered in mud from head to toe and
now lunging at Serena, who was laughing hysterically. Serena sidestepped Jess's attack
and Jess fell into another very large puddle. At this Serena started to laugh even harder.
Mina was now giggling. Jess was enraged. Serena had her back to Jess and didn't notice
the evil look creeping onto Jess's face. Jess reached up and grabbed the back of Serena's
shirt, pulling her backwards and forcing her to land in the thick mud. Serena was silent
from shock for a moment before punching Jess in the nose.
"You B*TCH!!!! You broke my nose!" Jess yelled.
"Oh, don't worry, I'm sure you have a regular plastic surgeon that would be
happy to fix it for you." Serena said in an agonizingly sweet tone. It was then that Serena
and Jess broke out into a fistfight. Jess was at a complete disadvantage, considering
Serena spent her time around EXTREMELY strong horses and a bunch of rugged guys.
Jess attempted many punches, but all of them ended up with her own body getting kicked
or punched by her opponent. Mina would have normally stopped the fight long ago, but she
rather enjoyed seeing Jess get her butt beat. Jess was now sprawling on the ground from
the last kick to the gut Serena had given her. Mina now thought that she should end this.
Evidently Serena thought so to because she had stopped hitting Jess and was now peering
down at the woman on the ground.
"How does it feel to get kicked to the ground? HUH, Miss Prissy!"
"Calm down, Serena. I'm sure she got the point. If not I'll let you do it again
tomorrow." Mina wasn't helping much (obviously) but Serena backed away and admired
her handiwork. Jess had a broken nose, a black eye, and many bruises. Serena didn't
have a scratch. Jess crawled to her feet and headed to the ranch. Serena and Mina stood back
and watched her then went back to attend to Endy. They each grabbed a saddle and went
into the barn. Jess went inside and tended to her numerous wounds.
"You were so COOL. You went 'BAM' she went flying..." Mina was excitedly
imitating Serena's movements.
"Mina stop. I shouldn't have done that. I lost my temper too easily." Serena hung
her head in defeat. She felt bad. She placed the saddle that didn't fit aside and put Endy
in his stall. Serena placed Endy's saddle on a shelf for his things while Mina carried the
other one back to the shelf. They then went to the house. They made some sandwiches
for lunch and set some for the guys for when they came back.
**********************
So, what did you think? Love it? Hate it? Let me know and look for chapter two.
ree_chan_angel@yahoo.com
http://www.geocities.com/total_ai/index.html
P.S. I don't own any of these places in ATL or Coca-Cola or Pepsi or... you get the idea
*I know that there are Hard Rock Cafes in other countries, but if you have never heard of it, it
is just a really good restaurant.
**Grady is a Hospital in Atlanta
***Underground was once a part of the Underground Railroad with Harriet Tubman, but it is now
a historical place turned into a ...you guessed it, shopping mall. It is right across from
the Coca-Cola World building (mentioned later. I know a lot of landmarks in this chapter, but
it is the intro and it is my shout out to ATL)
****As I said it is in downtown ATL next to the Underground. And there is a running joke in
America (again for those who don't live here) that Pepsi is what all the people in the North
drink, and the ones in the south drink Coca-Cola.
*****VA Tech is a VERY good University. It is in VA but I don't know the exact city, so I
picked Fairfax, cause I know where that is.