Hello! So here is the first chapter, praise and constructive criticism both welcome. The end of episode 200 is completely ignored (basically anything that happened after Galaxia was turned good).
Enjoy!
XXX
Serenity darling, it is time to wake up now.
Serena opened her eyes slowly, squinting from the unwelcomed light. She blinked rapidly, I must have blacked out for a minute. But as her eyes readjusted, it became quite obviously clear that she was not anywhere near a battle site. Panic took her over as she realised how bad this was. Where was Galaxia?Breathing hard, she clutched the bed sheets that surrounded her. She tried to remember what had happened. After Chaos had been defeated, and Sailor Galaxia restored to her former self, there had been an intense white light. Serena remembered feeling dizzied by this. She remembered looking to her hand and seeing it covered in blood. Bile rising up within her, Serena examined her hands and then felt for any blood on her head, the spot she had suspected the blood had originated from in the first place. Nothing, all was completely clean. But there was something very wrong. Gone were her trademark 'Meatballs', as they had been so eloquently named. In fact, Serena noticed, her hair barely fell below her shoulders.
Clutching at her hair, Serena darted her eyes around frantically. She realised that she was in a hospital room, thus resulting in a fresh wave of panic. The room was eerily silent safe for the perpetual beeping of several machines which, to Serena's horror, were all connected to her. She stared at the tubes which penetrated her arms and resisted the urge to vomit. What the hell happened?
Serena sat up abruptly and began to tear at the tubes, feeling the immediate need to free herself. She had to get out, she needed to get back to the stadium. My friends, what happened to my friends! At the thought of her friends, whom had died, she began pulling out the tubes with a renewed vigour. Blood trickled down her arms from where she had roughly yanked out the medical apparatus, but she ignored it. Swinging her legs over the bed, she ran out of the room with the blinding speed that only a superhero could possess.
Serena was bolting down hall after hall, not knowing at all where the exits where, when suddenly an arm darted out from seemingly nowhere and pricked her with a syringe. With a cry of despair Serena collapsed to the ground. The last thing she saw was a pair of achingly familiar ocean blue eyes.
Amy...
XXX
Serena was awoken by the sound of hushed chatter. She groaned as she realised that she was most probably back in that dreaded hospital room.
"Oh my God, she's waking up guys!"
Mina! Serena's eyes snapped open and she was met with a sight she never thought she would see again. Her Inner Sailor Scouts all sat around her bed, looking down upon her with tear filled eyes and contrastingly overjoyed smiles. Serena instantly mimicked their expression, "You were dead."
Reye chuckled, "You can't get rid of us for too long, you should know that by now."
Serena's smile grew even wider, "But, I don't understand. How?"
Amy, whom Serena had not realised until now, was wearing scrubs and busying herself with reattaching the IV to Serena's arm, "We'll get to that in a minute. First, Serena , you need to understand that you've just awakened from a coma."
Serena faltered, "A coma?"
Lita nodded, "It's been a long two years."
Serena felt as if the ground was being ripped from underneath her, "Two years?", she panted.
Serena's heart rate monitor started to beep, signalling a dangerous increase. "Amy, do something!", Mina cried.
Amy put her hands on either side or Serena's shoulders, "Serena, listen to me.", she got the frantic blonde to look her in the eyes, "We have very important things to discuss with you. Things you're not going to want to hear. Things I really shouldn't be telling you in your condition, but I believe you have the right and the need to know. Please Serena, you need to be strong and hear us out calmly. Remember, we're here for you.". Serena nodded, her eyes still very wide. Amy went on, "Now, you asked us how we've been brought back.". Serena nodded again.
"We're not too sure about that. We sort of just woke up, as if from a nightmare. ", Mina started, looking down to her hands, in which she was nervously tearing a pamphlet to pieces.
"We rushed around searching for you, and when we did..", Lita closed her eyes at the memory. It still plagued the young brunette's dreams.
Reye took over, "It was bad Serena. You were barely breathing and you wouldn't wake up. There were cuts and bruises lining your entire body."
"Worst of all, you had suffered a blow to the head and were bleeding profusely, most probably the cause of the coma.", Amy stepped in.
Serena remembered the blood, right before she had passed out. She knew her friends were speaking the truth, yet it all felt so surreal to her, as if they were speaking of someone else completely. It all seemed so wrong and out of place in her life. How could she have been in a coma for two years? Surely she had not been injured to such an extent; she was a Sailor Scout for heaven's sake! What ever happened to enhanced healing? She looked around the room, the familiar faces of Amy, Reye, Lita and Mina looked back at her. Serena realised that they were trying to gage her reaction. She gave a small smile, hoping to relieve them somewhat. It worked. She could hear the exhaling of held breaths all through the room. Serena then frowned as she realised that something was missing. Someone, rather.
"Girls...where's Darien?", she asked them. They had called him, hadn't they?
The girls all seemed to avert their gazes from her, Reye cleared her throat, "There's something else you need to know Serena."
Serena swallowed hard, deducing by her friends' reactions that there was even worse news to come, "What is it?"
"Darien..doesn't remember. He doesn't remember anything about the Moon Kingdom, the Sailor Scouts, any of the battles we've fought side by side. He just doesn't remember.", Reye explained.
Serena felt a new wave of tears spring to her eyes, but fought to keep them from falling. It would be fine, she assured herself, Darien had lost his memory before. She would get him back.
Guessing what her dear friend was thinking, Mina shook her head, " Its much worse Serena. You see, very shortly after the final battle with Galaxia, we started receiving continuous transmissions from Rini in the 30th century. Apparently her mother had instructed her to start keeping contact with us as she suspected that something was very wrong. Neo Queen Serenity had been experiencing memory loss, as if entire chapters of her life were being dimmed until they just went out completely. Logically, we suspected that this was due to the coma. Portions of Serenity's past weren't happening to you."
Serena frowned, trying to understand, "All right, but what does this have to do with Darien."
Amy sat down on the edge of Serena's bed and put her hand over Serena's, "Rini's letters stopped coming. At the exact same time, about a year and a half ago, Darien started dating someone. We couldn't be sure, but we thought that maybe...just maybe the future we knew of had not come to pass. It was a horrifying thought and we quickly brushed it aside, but Serena...", Amy clammed up, not being able to be the one to deliver the final blow.
"Darien is engaged.", Lita finished.
XXX
Serena hadn't slept a wink in the 36 hours that had passed since the revelation of Darien's engagement. Her first instinct had been to rush out of bed and find him. To beg until he remembered her, remembered them. But Amy had softly pushed her back onto the bed, insisting that she was in no condition to get up.
That meant that Serena had been tossing and turning ever since, her mind on overdrive thinking of everything Darien would be doing with his fiancée. Serena wished she could hate the woman, but of course, Serena had never truly been able to hate anyone.
The hardest part, Serena decided, was that it would be so easy to go see Darien. According to the chatter Serena had heard from the nurses, Darien was actually working at the very hospital Serena was cooped up in. She had been a bit miffed at Amy, who had been working as part time help thanks to her mother's connections, for not telling her. But, the girl had most probably been trying to stop her from doing something stupid. Something that Serena so desperately wanted to do.
Serena was currently sitting in her hospital bed, listlessly fiddling with her transformation broach. The moonlight filtered in through the half opened blinds and bounced off the empty crevice inside the powerful accessory. According to Luna, the Silver Crystal had merged with her after the last battle.
"When we found you, your broach had skidded about ten feet away", the small feline explained, "When I opened it, I was horrified to find that the Silver Crystal was not contained within as it always had been."
"I scanned your body using the Mercury computer, and discovered that the power of the crystal was still fully preserved inside of you. I just wish I could explain it.", Amy had said, shaking her head wondrously.
Serena wasn't exactly sure of how she felt about it. Regardless of the couple of years Serena had spent wielding the crystal, they relatively knew little about it. It was inside of her now, the situation was almost scary, definitely unnerving.
She set the broach down and looked up towards the moon. For obvious reasons, the moon had always been a source of comfort for her. Unfortunately, the luminous mass of rock could do little to appease its princess's this time around. A tear escaped from her one of her azure eyes and trickled down her pale cheek.
"And I thought you'd be happy to be awake. Silly me."
Serena gasped, she knew that voice. She knew it so well, in fact, that voice had been the only thing keeping her from giving so many times in the past. She averted her gaze slowly from the moon and towards the door. Sure enough, there stood Darien, lopsided grin and all.
Serena gulped, Amy hadn't wanted her seeking him out. Guess she never thought about him coming to see me.
"Darien", Serena was surprised by how shaky her voice sounded. She at least had to try and be strong.
Darien creased his brow, obviously concerned by the blonde's unease. He made his way over to her and sat on the edge of her bed, "How are you holding up?"
Serena hated how Darien always seemed to see right through her. She hoped, at the very least, he wouldn't notice how every inch of her exploded in pain at the thought of never kissing him again. "Badly", she managed a small smile.
Darien placed a hand on her knee, "I know it's hard Serena, but you'll get through it."
Serena smiled at his attempt to comfort her, "I've missed out on two years Darien, two years. I wake up and suddenly, my friends are in college, my little brother is dating, Andrew owns the arcade and you are out of college. I wake up and suddenly, I'm an eighteen year old who's got nearly nothing to show for most of her adolescence."
Darien shook his head and opened his mouth to argue with her, but Serena cut him off. She honestly didn't want to discuss her own predicament right now, "So, look at you. Stethoscope and all.", she commented, flicking the said instrument that hung around his neck.
Darien grinned, "Wow Meatball Head, I'm surprised you can even pronounce that word."
Knowing full well he was teasing, Serena laughed. She soon realised that he was staring at her, "What is it?", she questioned.
Darien sighed, "I just realised that I can't call you Meatball Head anymore."
Serena self-consciously ran a hand through her shortened locks, "Yeah, Amy told me they had to cut most of it off in order to properly fix my head wound."
Darien nodded , "Yeah, I remember.", he cleared his throat, "You know Serena, ever since you were brought here, I've been wondering one thing."
Serena's heart quickened, "What might that be?"
His eyes bore deep into hers, "What happened to you?"
Serena looked away from him, not being able to lie to him if she was looking into his cobalt eyes. She had to lie to him of course, she'd have to lie to everyone, "I don't remember."
He looked sceptical but accepted her answer, "Well I guess some memory loss is to be expected considering the head trauma."
They sat there in silence for a couple of minutes. A small part of Serena wished he would leave, having him so close was like torture. She had to believe she would get him back one day, but she still had no idea how she was going to go about it. Try as she might to forget it, there was another woman involved.
Serena's melancholic musings were disturbed by a slow exhale on Darien's part. She looked to him questioningly.
"It was awful Serena. I woke up one day, made my way to the arcade like I always did and waited for the lively blonde I always teased to show up. Imagine my surprise when she never did. Imagine my surprise when Andrew told me she was in a coma.", he closed his eyes at the memory, "I came to visit you a couple of days after you were admitted. There were cuts and scrapes lining your entire body, bandages wrapped around your head. It seemed so wrong to see you that way. I know we haven't always been on the best of terms Serena, but I want you to know that I've missed you."
Serena knew tears were flowing down her cheeks, and she honestly didn't care. Without thinking, she threw her arms around his neck.
"I've missed you too", she said, her words muffled by his shirt. Of course he wouldn't understand the true implications of her words. Serena hadn't seen him since he had left for America, nearly three years ago.
"Darien?", a female voice said from the doorway.
Darien broke away from Serena and smiled at the woman. Instantly, Serena knew who this woman was. That smile had once been reserved for her only.
Darien got up from Serena's bed and went to the young woman, ushering her into to room. Begrudgingly found that the woman was very pretty. She had pouty pink lips and long chestnut waves that complemented her cocoa eyes. She was the night to Serena's day.
"Serena, this is Madeleine.", Darien introduced. Serena smiled but knew there was no way the smile would ever reach her eyes. This was the woman who had taken Darien away from her. Well, technically, Darien doesn't know he was ever mine. It was such a depressing reality.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I brought you dinner. You always work so hard and forget to feed yourself, I thought I'd help.", Serena's heart plummeted as the couple shared an intimate laugh.
"Sure, we can go eat in my office.", Darien said, starting to lead her out the door, "I'll see you soon Serena.". And with one last look, he was gone.
Serena couldn't believe how her intimate moment with Darien had been interrupted. Maybe I can learn to hate her after all.
It wasn't long before Serena was sobbing into her pillow.
XXX
The next day, Serena was discharged from the hospital.
"Watch your step Serena.", Irene Tsukino helped her daughter through the threshold her their home. Ken and Shingo trailed behind, carrying Serena' s things; she had amassed quite a collection of gifts throughout her two year stay at Tokyo General.
Serena couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed. Her mother had been treated her like a porcelain doll ever since she had left the hospital.
The lithe blonde collapsed on her bed, the familiarity of her room providing a small comfort. Serena had felt as if her life had been spiralling out of control and she was thankful that her room was exactly as she had left it. Comic books littered the pink carpet, her "bunny" sheets were tussled about her bed, and her sock drawer was still half opened. Her mother hadn't had the heart to touch anything.
Serena felt a wave of sadness wash over her as she thought of her family. Being a Sailor Scout, serious injury and even fatality had always been a possibility Serena was aware of. Her family, however, had not been privy to the contract. Serena wondered what they must have thought when their daughter had turned up at the hospital, scarred and bloody.
There was a soft tapping at the bedroom door and then Irene stepped through, "I just wanted to know how you were feeling dear."
Serena managed a small smile, "I'm fine mom."
Her mother hesitantly sat down next to her and played with her hair, "You know Serena, we could go to the hairdresser if you'd like, fix up your hair?"
Serena ran a hand through her hair, as she had been doing every time someone mentioned it, "Sure mom, I'd like that.". It was true, she should get it fixed. The doctors, obviously not professional hairdressers, had basically hacked it off. It was uneven, but Serena hadn't given it much thought. Her hair was the least of her problems, but she was touched that her mother had offered to get it fixed. As far as Irene knew, her hair should have been one of her main concerns.
XXX
Serena stared at her reflection as the hairdresser applied the finishing touches to her new hairdo. Her hair had been fashioned into a bob with side swept bangs. It was a startling change, but Serena thought it looked pretty good. Getting up from the chair, her mother paid the hairdresser and led her daughter outside.
"Sweetie, why don't you go to the arcade? I'm sure that friend of yours who works there would love to see you.", Irene suggested sweetly. In truth, she just thought Serena should get back to her old life.
Serena agreed, and realised just how much she wanted to see Andrew. The man had been a huge part of her life, always there throughout the drama to lend a shoulder to cry on or provide advice. Serena chuckled as she remembered the huge crush she had had on the man. She tried to remember how that had been resolved and realised that he never had. It had just so happened that one day it was revealed to her that Darien was her one true love and she had never looked back since. She had never had to until now. Taking in the setting sun around her, she decided to quicken the pace before night settled in.
Serena took a deep breath before crossing through the familiar double doors. To her surprise, and relief, the popular venue was pretty much unchanged. Serena walked right up to the counter and got a waitress' attention, "Hi, I'm looking for Andrew."
The pretty redhead smiled, "Just a minute.", and disappeared in the back room.
True to her word, about a minute later, the waitress came back out, followed by a handsome blond man. His eyes lit up at the sight of her, and Serena couldn't help but feel the slightest bit flustered.
"Serena? I was hoping you'd come by.", he rushed over to her side and engulfed her into a bone crushing hug, "It's so great to see you up and around! You look great!"
Serena laughed as she untangled herself from the man's grasp, "Easy there Drew.". She gave him a once over, "I see you've traded in the smock for a suit."
He smiled, "Well, it was a must, I couldn't be a clerk forever you know. Besides, my father left the Arcade to me after his death."
Serena grasped his upper arm, "I'm really sorry to hear about your father, he was a great man."
Andrew smiled, "Yes he was, and he certainly did like you.", Serena laughed, "Now, what do you say we catch up in my office?", he extended an arm towards her. She smiled as she took it. He looked back to the waitress, "Emily, feel free to lock up anytime, it's been a slow day.", the redhead in question nodded her understanding.
Serena and Andrew sat next to each other on the comfortable couch he kept in his office. He maintained that the couch was for meetings, but everyone who was close to Andrew knew he was simply using it to nap on. For a long while, the two spoke of nothing but what had been going on in Andrew's life since Serena had last seen him. Apparently, he hadn't had the best times.
"And then she sent me word from Turkey saying that she had fallen in love with a fellow archaeologist. It hurt, but I eventually got over it. That's life I guess.", he spoke of the time Rita had left him for another.
Serena, sad for one of her best friends, laid a comforting hand upon the blond boy's shoulder, "I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you."
Andrew smiled, "Don't worry about it, you were...otherwise engaged.", the two shared a laugh. Suddenly, Andrew's face sobered, "Serena, tell me I didn't go crazy?"
Serena knit her brows together in confusion, "What do you mean?"
"Four years ago, you and Darien fell in love. Two years ago you mysteriously fell into a coma and Darien acts as if you two never happened. I haven't said anything to anyone since, but Serena please, tell me I didn't just imagine all that.", he pleaded with her.
Serena didn't know what to say. She had never thought that, besides her Sailor Scouts, others could possibly remember her relationship with Darien. Suddenly, Serena realised she had nothing else to say than the truth. Over the next hour, she told the awe inspiring tell of the Sailor Scouts and the Moon Kingdom. When she had finished, Andrew's eyes were widened with shock. Serena hoped he wouldn't freak out on her, she didn't think she could handle it.
"So...all that time? You were Sailor Moon?", he stuttered as she nodded in the affirmative, "Holy shit Serena, you're royalty!"
Serena laughed at this. She had never truly considered herself royalty, she was simply a reincarnation. One with incredible power of course, but a reincarnation none the less, "Yes, lucky me. The ruler of a kingdom that hasn't existed in over a thousand years. I should start wearing a crown, don't ya think?"
Despite her attempts at humour, Andrew seemed quite saddened, "Serena I'm so sorry. You must have had such a terrible week since waking up.". He pulled the tiny blonde into a hug.
"Yeah well, I just never thought I'd see the day where Darien would be holding another.", she sniffed into his shirt.
He started rubbing her back, "I've met her Serena, she's nothing compared to you.", he assured her.
Serena chuckled softly, "You don't have to say that Andrew, I'm sure she's great. Darien wouldn't open up to someone who wasn't."
Andrew pulled back, keeping his hands on her shoulders, and looked at her seriously, "I'm serious Serena, you're kind and gentle. A free spirit who always manages to be there for her friends, and Tokyo I suppose,", he grinned, "You're so incredibly beautiful, inside and out."
And that was the first time Serena and Andrew kissed.
XXX
Dun Dun Dun!!! Now, before you hit me over the head with a newspaper like a naughty puppy and yell things like "No! Bad girl! Serena belongs with Darien!" Let me say that I am in complete agreement. This is a Serena/Darien fic. I just decided that Serena, feeling as lonely and hurt as she has been, would make a couple of bad decisions. Besides, I think Darien needs a little competition for once *grins devilishly*.