Outlaws Chapter 3 By Kayla Chavi Rating PG-13 Genre: Alternate/Romance Email: kaylachavi@yahoo.com Website: http://www.angelfire.com/ky2/todream/index.htm * * * Wow, I’m getting this chapter out pretty quickly. . .but that could be because chapters one and two were written a LONG time ago. . .like before the first chapter of AAFH *sweatdrop* NEways, I hope you enjoy! * * * Alan paled. He knew that voice, and if Head Marshal Shields was aiming a gun at him, it meant that he had to play along again. Damn it. There was another gun click behind the other man. Jedeite realized that once again his guns had been taken from him. “Next time I’m strapping them in,” he muttered and Rei laughed from her place behind the young deputy. Quickly, she knocked him out. “Now, Marshal Sinclair, be a dear and untie Serena,” she said calmly, aiming his own gun at him. Jedeite glared at her before doing as she said. Serena immediately went over to Alan and punched him in the jaw before kneeing him in the groin. “Never. Touch. Me. Again.” she hissed before whistling to her horse. “Let’s go. Rei, get rid of Sinclair.” “Sorry Jed,” Rei said sweetly and rapped him on the temple with the butt of her rifle. Serena laughed and then mounted. She looked down at Darien who was looking at the three marshals. He looked lost for a moment before looking up at her. He and Serena locked eyes for a moment before he climbed on behind her. Darien could tell how angry she was the moment he put his arms around her waist. Wisely he just rested his hands on the pommel of the saddle and didn’t try to hold her in any way. Serena was angry, and she was angry with him. What the hell had he gotten himself into? He should have helped Jed and Alan, but instead he had helped Serena. Sure, he could claim that it had seemed like Rei and Serena would have succeeded. He knew from countless accounts that they could get out of practically any situation, but he knew that really wasn’t the reason. The real reason was that he had changed his mind the moment that Alan had hit her. It had infuriated him. Of the few things that he believed in, he believed that hitting a woman was wrong. Gentlemen didn’t hit women, and he was a gentlemen. Alan was lucky that it had been Serena who had punched him and not Darien. Darien would have killed him. It would have been a long and painful death, possibly involving sharp objects and heat. Those thoughts managed to calm him down to the point that he was no longer shaking with rage. Serena on the other hand was still very angry by the time that they made it back to the cave. She threw herself off of the horse and then pulled Darien off after her. He landed in the dust on his back. “Serena! What the hell are you doing!” Rei demanded as she dismounted. “Darien--” “Led them straight to us,” Serena snarled looking down at Darien. She kicked him so that he was flat on his back. Then in a quick movement she was over him, her knee ready to press into his groin and she held his arms by the wrists over his head and to the ground. “Where did you go that night we went to town?” she demanded. “Rena--” “Answer me damnit!” she shouted her face barely inches away from his. “I didn’t know where you were for twenty minutes. Did you go to them?” “Of course not!” The knee in his groin began to increased its pressure and Darien clenched his jaw. She hadn’t meant to hurt him, in fact it was doing the opposite. “You’re lying!” “Rena listen to me!” Darien shouted, seeing that he had to get out of this quickly. “NO! You listen to me Darien! I will not be played. I will not be led into any trap. And I will sure as hell not let you get me killed. We have had too many close calls ever since that day we found you. Now answer me! Did you go to them? Did you tell them where we are?” Her face was still only inches away from his and her knee was starting to put more pressure on his groin. “No.” Serena clenched her jaw and looked about ready to do something drastic. That’s when Darien decided that he had had enough of this. His hands snapped up and grabbed her by the waist and he flipped them over, dust flying up in small clouds all around them. He grabbed her wrists with one hand and held them high over her head. The other hand he placed on her knee and quickly moved it so it couldn’t do any damage. “Now you listen to me Rena!” Darien said after a small struggle and she stopped fighting. “I didn’t ask for you to save me. I didn’t ask for you to take me with you. And I sure as hell didn’t ask for you to treat me like shit! You didn’t have to bring me along, but you insisted. I am tired of being mistrusted when I have done nothing but help you these last three months. I am tired of being tied up and I am tired of you playing your games!” Serena blinked at him several times, surprised that he would talk to her like this. No man had ever dared talk to her like this. No man had ever dared to treat her like this. She narrowed her eyes and was about to open her mouth in outrage when Darien made a sound of frustration and he closed the inches between them. The kiss was hard and violent, both of them meaning to punish each other. It was the most passionate kiss Serena had ever received in her entire life. Suddenly her hands were free. Darien had let go of them to bury his hands in her hair. She meant to push him off of her, but she didn’t. Instead her hands slid up his chest and linked behind his neck, her fingers buried in his dark hair. “But I let you,” he whispered after he had slowly pulled away, “Every time you insist on tying me up, I let you. Every time you tease and torment me, I let you. And you want to know why Rena?” his voice was louder and she was looking up at him surprised. She tried to shake her head no, but he made her look at him. “Because there is just something about you that makes me stay. I can’t leave you, and that infuriates me!” “Darien--” He cut her off with another kiss. It started out like the first one, but slowed down. It became sweet and sensual, but was no less passionate. They were both were surprised at the depth of the kiss, the length of the kiss, the sheer fire of the kiss. Serena felt something uncurl in the pit of her stomach and then became very aware at the fact that Darien was very much a man. By now he was kissing her along the side of her face and then down along her neck. Serena’s fingers clenched his hair and then breathed in sharply when she felt his hand caress her breast and his mouth moved from her face to her neck and throat. In their argument they had both forgotten about Rei, who was standing there ready to laugh. She smiled and then decided to stop them before they both embarrassed each other. She politely cleared her throat. They both heard Rei had the same time. Darien stopped what he was doing and pulled them both to their feet. Rei chuckled quietly. “You two are amazing,” she teased and then went into the cave, leaving them alone. Both Serena and Darien were breathing hard. Serena’s hair was tousled and her face was flushed. Darien’s entire body was hard and his hair was just as ruffled as Serena’s. They looked at each other for a very long time before Serena drew in a deep breath. “You will never do that to me again,” she whispered, her voice was shaky and for a moment she almost looked scared at what might have happened. “You can touch me, play with my hair, put your arms around me like you always manage to do, somehow I know that I can’t stop you from doing that, but you will not ever kiss me like that again.” Darien raised an eyebrow and was a little startled at her reaction. The paradox was happening again. For a moment Serena actually looked afraid. When Darien didn’t say anything Serena narrowed her eyes. “Promise me.” He looked at her and met her eyes. “Never. I won’t make a promise that I know I can’t keep.” “Promise me,” her voice began to rise and held a note of hysteria to it, “Darien, please promise me.” “No.” “Damn you.” Her voice had been quiet and she walked past him and then looked over her shoulder, “Pack your things.” Darien’s heart fell, for more than one reason. She couldn’t be throwing him out. He wouldn’t let her. There was also the whole thing where he had to bring her to justice. “Pack your things,” she said again, “And be ready to go in thirty minutes. We’re leaving this place.” “We?” he said a little too hopefully. She managed a smile, “We. You, me, and Rei. We’re leaving and finding a place so they can’t find us.” She left Darien outside alone as she went into the cave to talk to Rei. Darien stood there for a moment and nearly danced with joy, before quickly getting his things together. * * * They were now in the middle of nowhere. Before, civilization was only a days ride away. Now, Darien had no idea where civilization was. He had his own horse now, complements of Serena. Darien was a little disappointed at the prospect of riding alone, but he did his best not to show it. His own gear was in his own packs and he was on his own horse. It was as if Serena was telling him that he was his own man, by himself and independent. She was mocking him. She had to be. She was taunting him, implying that she knew of his ego and his belief that men didn’t have to rely on anyone, least of all women. She was also denying him the ability to touch her. Ironically, that’s what made him the most angry and frustrated. He couldn’t touch her, and she had effectively eluded him when they were making camp. He was more than frustrated. If he didn’t touch, kiss or hold her soon, he was liable to go insane. Part of him realized that he was being the typical male, the other part of him didn’t care and gave into the frustration. He looked over at her and saw her smirk. Somehow she knew exactly what she was doing to him, and she was reveling in it. So instead of doing what he really wanted to do, (which was pull her off of her horse and kiss that smirk right off of her face), Darien just flashed her one of his amazing smiles and urged his horse faster, forcing her into a race. Rei just laughed and shook her head as Serena met Darien’s challenge, the raven haired outlaw following behind them. They reached their destination just before sunset. It was a small town that boasted an inn and a saloon. There were several small homesteads and shops that lined the main street. It wasn’t Denver or Sweet Springs, but it was quaint and had a friendly feeling about it. Serena led them to a beautiful ranch house and dismounted. “Home Sweet Home.” Rei laughed, “You’re going to get yelled at,” she teased as Serena went and knocked on the door. Darien was slightly confused, and became even more so when the door opened. A young woman with blond hair opened the door. She and Serena looked almost identical with the exception of height and some differences in body shape. It was clear that Serena was much more active and physically stronger. “Serena Marie Tanner! I ought to tan your hide!” “Only if you could catch me Mina Marie Tanner,” Serena teased back and the two women embraced, hugging each other tightly. Rei was eventually included in the tight hug and then Mina laughed, pulling away. She looked at Darien with a critical eye. “Another one of your men, Rei Ann?” Darien grinned and both Serena and Rei laughed. “No Mina,” Rei said with a mischievous glint to her violet eyes, “This is Darien, he belongs to Serena.” Serena shot Rei a murderous glare that Mina didn’t catch. Darien grinned. This was just the excuse he needed to get rid of some of his frustration of the past few days. Still grinning, he pulled Serena into his arms. She glared up at him but then suddenly she smiled. Darien’s stomach dropped. Bad and complicated things tended to happen to him when she smiled like that. “That’s right,” she said smugly, “Darien belongs to me. We’re going to be married.” Both Mina’s and Rei’s jaw dropped. Darien’s would have too, but he pridefully kept the sweet smile on his face as he looked down at the blond bundle in his arms. “Rena, you weren’t supposed to say anything,” he admonished and then tickled her neck with his lips before lightly kissed the back of the nape. He felt her skin warm and knew that she was flushing. Now it was his turn to smirk, though it was more to himself, then to the other two women standing there and staring at him. Serena just shrugged. “Ooops?” Mina sighed and shook her head, “Your brother is going to die,” was all she said as she invited them into the house. * * * Later, Darien found out that Mina and Serena were not sisters, but childhood friends. Serena’s brother was a tall man by the name of Andrew. He made his appearance shortly before dinner, noisily coming into the house. “Mina, you better not be entertaining cowboys again--” he stopped short seeing Serena. He let out a huge whoop and the brother and sister ran to each other. The hug was tight and fierce and Darien was thoroughly surprised to see that Serena was crying silently. Paradox time again. “If you ever stay away that long again, I’ll tan your hide,” he said very seriously, although it was clear to everyone that the older brother had been worried about his outlaw younger sister. Serena just laughed at him and wiped her eyes. “Who’s this?” Andrew asked, “Another one of your men Rei?” The violet eyed woman rolled her eyes. “Can’t I ever be single?” Andrew grinned, “Rei, you’re talking about yourself,” he teased and then looked back at Darien, “If he isn’t your man, then who is he?” he looked at Serena who smiled up at her brother with a look of complete innocence. “There is someone I would like you to meet,” Serena said pulling away from Andrew. She reached out for Darien’s hand, and he took it. Later, he would notice that the movement had seemed completely normal and one of ease. “Andy, this is Darien.” The blond man looked at Darien and then Serena and then at their hands before looking back at Darien critically. “Her fiance,” Darien added and squeezed Serena’s hand gently. He felt her squeeze his in return and it was impossible to name the feeling that washed over him. He didn’t even try, he just concentrated on the moment. “Her what?!” Serena managed a weak smile, “Darien and I are getting married.” Andrew sat down hard and pulled his wife into his lap for added comfort. He was in shock and it was very clear that he had no idea what to say to this. He opened his mouth several times, but nothing came out. Finally he settled on one sentence. “Well, I’ll be damned,” he muttered, “Somebody managed to tame you after all.” Both Rei and Darien laughed, “I wouldn’t say that I tamed her,” he said honestly, looking down at her, “besides I consider it part of her charm.” She looked up at him at this and met his eyes, a very odd expression on her face. He just leaned down and kissed her nose, “Come on, Rena. We need to stable the horses.” He pulled her outside and then led their horses into the ranches stable. She was silent as they took off the bags and began to unsaddle the horses. “Thank you,” she said after a moment. “You didn’t have to go along with that.” “Care to tell me what that was all about?” he asked quietly as he began to groom his horse. She sighed, “It’s a long story,” she said after a moment. “Short of it is, my brother likes to tease me about being single. I just didn’t want to go through that.” Darien didn’t say anything until he was done grooming his horse. The silence was so long that Serena expected him to be mad at her and blow up at any moment. She had treated him like dirt these last few days, and now they were suddenly engaged. What he said next completely stunned her. “A little warning would have been nice.” Serena blinked. “There are just something that to-be-married couples know about each other that we obviously don’t.” He ran a hand through his thick black hair. “And normally they’re in love first as well,” she was unable to hide the small amount of unexplained bitterness in her voice. “It was a stupid idea. I’m sorry, Darien,” she put down the horse brushes, “I’ll go tell Andy it was all a joke.” She moved to walk past him but he grabbed her arm, gently stopping her. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t do it.” Again she blinked. “W-what?” “I’ll do it,” he said simply, “Besides it’ll be fun. We’ll have to be nice to each other,” he joked. She actually smiled up at him, one of her rare true smiles that didn’t have any double meaning, and then laughed quietly, “I don’t know Darien, that might be too difficult for us.” “Nonsense,” he said and reached out to touch her face, “It’s where the fire comes from, my beautiful outlaw.” Serena looked away, but not quickly enough before Darien saw the hurt look that passed through her eyes. He frowned slightly. Surly she knew she was beautiful? “Rena?” She met his eyes and managed a slight smile, “We should go back. . .Andy will be wondering what’s taking us so long.” “Let him wonder,” Darien said simply and then leaned down to kiss her. Gently their lips met, and a beautiful kiss was created. It was slow but deep. He heard her whimper softly and his arm locked around her small waist, the other hand was still gently holding the side of her face. Her arms were around his neck before he even realized it, and she was holding onto him tightly as if she might fall if she let go of him. Slowly Darien forced himself away, still holding her tenderly. He looked down at her and saw that she had been crying during the kiss. Gently, he thumbed the tears away and kissed her swollen eyelids with light kisses. To his surprise, she returned the small kisses, hungrily placing a fire trail along his jaw and neck. After a moment he stopped her and made her look at him. His dark blue eyes met her bright aqua-marine and then them he could see a pain and hurt that confused him terribly. It was there along with a hope and a desire. In that moment he knew. He knew that he would never find another woman like her anywhere in the world, no matter how far or how long he searched. She was the only one and would be the only one for eternity. Again he kissed her, holding her close and just simply kissing her. Of course his epiphany had to be interrupted along with the kiss. He couldn’t decide which one he was more upset at being interrupted. Andrew stood there, his eyebrow raised. “I said your name several times, but you were too preoccupied to notice,” he said to Serena. “Mina wants your help with dinner and I want to talk to Darien.” Serena nodded and smiled, trying to pull herself out of Darien’s arms. He didn’t let go until he gave her another quick kiss before gently pushing her away. They just smiled at each other before she left. The two men stared at each other in silence for a long time. “One of course questions if this is real or not,” Andrew said after a moment. “My sister is a beautiful and amazing woman, one that any man would be lucky to have her fall in love with them. Except for the fact that it is unlikely that Serena will ever trust a man.” He was quiet for a moment, “And I also heard most of the conversation. I’m protective of my sister and I’ll be horseshit before I let anyone hurt her like that again.” Darien looked at him confused and Andrew smiled slightly. “So you don’t know,” he sighed. “I expected that. Serena won’t tell anyone what happened, she doesn’t talk about it, not even to Rei, who learned it from me.” “Learned what?” So many horrible possibilities went through his head. Had she been beaten once? Had she loved and then lost? Had someone before broken her heart? God. His heart stopped at the next thought. Had she been raped? Had some bastard taken advantage of her. He would kill any man who even dared to hurt her. His anger at the unknown object of Serena’s pain came boiling to his blood. He had no idea what had set her against the male race but he was angry at whatever it was. Andrew sighed again, “Darien, there is something you need to know.” * * * Smoke billowed from the smoke stack of the train that was screeching to a half. Steam hissed and gears squeaked and creaked. Waiting for the train was Marshall Alan Smith who had spent the last few days nursing several bruises complements of the Bitch. The doors opened and people poured out of them, meeting their loved ones or looking for the departure times of their next trains. Soon there were only a few people waiting on the platform. Alan searched for the person he was meeting and was about to give up when the last person got off of the train. The man was wearing all white, flaunting that he had wealth enough to continually wash white clothes. His hair was a white blond and perfectly neat. His eyes were a pale violent and had a cold and uncaring feeling about them. His skin was a paler white then most men, making him almost like an albino. His very presence was commanding but at the same time it demanded fear. Alan smiled when he saw him. The man smiled coolly in return. “I hear you’ve got a problem with the Bitch.” Alan grimaced, “I’ll fill you in on the way to the home office,” he said unable to hide the anger he felt towards the female outlaw, “Welcome to Denver, Marshall Diamond.”