Hello everyone, I am writing you this little note to let you know that I am taking a short break from tattered pride because I am having a little trouble on where to go. I am still looking for a beta, so if you are interested let me know. Also I would love some feedback please. anything that will help me do a little bit of a better job. Thanks and enjo Oh! I almost forgot. I do not own sailor moon, and nor do I want to. Could you see how many people would be trying to kill me for the copy rights? no thank you. Well enjoy!

Her Saving Grace

Introduction:

She stood there in the middle of the street staring up at the window that held the bedroom she had shared with him one more time before she left. It was better this way; there would be no tears and no goodbyes. She could leave knowing that he wouldn't have to be kept in a relationship because of a stupid mistake like a condom.

He always said he wouldn't be ready for children, and yet in one night of passion the birth control and condom was forgotten. "I'll always love you… Darien." She whispered and walked away before he woke up to notice she was gone.

Andrew was waiting for her at the Crown arcade knowing that this would be the last time he would see the girl he loved as a sister for a long time. He didn't agree with her decision, but he understood it. "Serena, are you sure about this? I mean, I understand you think you are being unfair to Darien, but don't you think that he would want to be a part of this too?"

"Andrew, you know that he doesn't want children, and I refuse to give it up, so I'm not telling him, and neither are you. Just give this to him when I'm long gone."

"But aren't you going to at least leave an address?"

"No, I'm not. The only person who has the address is the only one I know will never give it to Darien. I'm sorry Andy, but if Darien gives you the third degree, you'd crack instantly under the pressure."

Andrew laughed sadly knowing that she was right. "I'm going to miss you, Serena. Promise me that you'll write?"

"I promise, and Andy, if you ever need me, get a hold of Mina, she'd know who to contact." And with that said, Serena walked out of the Crown Arcade and climbed into her awaiting taxi that was going to take her to her new life.

"Goodbye Serena, I wish you the best of luck." Andrew said as silent tears fell from his eyes.

Chapter One:

It had been four months since Serena left him, and the only thing he had was a letter from her that she had given to Andrew to give him, that he still hadn't opened yet. Everyday Andrew would ask him if he had read it, and everyday Darien would give him the same answer. The truth was he was petrified about what he would find in that letter. Had she cheated on him? Had she found someone else? These questions and these questions alone were what kept him from opening the letter; he didn't want to give up what little hope he had left that she would return to him.

Right before she left he had went out and bought her an engagement ring. He had finally decided to let go of all of his fears and start a family, and he wanted that with Serena. The night he had forgotten the condom was an accident, but if Serena had gotten pregnant he would have been happy about the idea. Just thinking of Serena carrying his child made him smile.

Darien also knew that deep down he was going to have to read her letter, but he decided to put it off until tonight because tonight would be four years that they were together, and he planned to celebrate it by himself completely stone cold drunk, but he had to go and see Andrew for his cup of morning coffee first.

Andrew sat at a booth reading the letter from Serena, Mina had brought over.

Andrew,

What can I say other than I'm doing well. Mina tells me you two are seeing each other now, but I just have to tell you though, that you can do better. I love Mina, don't get me wrong, but I always was you with someone like, oh, I don't know, me? Joke, only a joke, I am happy for you both.

Well I know what I am having now. Can you believe it's going to be a boy? I'm so excited! I have already named him. He's being named after you and Darien. His name is Darien Andrew Shields, and when I have the courage to tell Darien about him, you will be the first to know.

I know that you keeping this secret from him is killing you, but please Andy, hold on to this secret, please. You know I love him, I always will, but this child changes everything, and for the first time I'm doing something completely on my own.

How's Darien anyway? Please tell me. You know that I worry about him. Please write soon, I love you and tell Darien to he needs to read that letter. Andy if you have to, force him to read it. I need to go though; I have to be at work in twenty minutes. Take care of yourself and Take care of Darien for me.

Forever,

Serena

Andrew smiled at the fact that Serena was naming her son after him, and also since she was giving the child Darien's first and last name it showed promise that Serena was going to tell him.

As Andrew was folding up the letter, Darien walked in. "Hey Drew." He said not really paying attention.

"Hey Darien, how are you?"

Darien smiled sadly. "I'm as well as can be expected since I don't have Serena anymore. Are you sure you don't know where she is, or how she is?" he asked.

"She's fine Darien, I'm sure. Serena may be a lot of things, but she always has a working plan."

"I miss her." Darien sighed. "You know today would be four years together?"

"Yeah, I know buddy.' Andrew sighed. "Have you read her letter yet?" he asked already knowing the answer.

"No, but I think I'll read it tonight. I know I won't be able to move on until I read it, and I know she would want me to move on."

"You're right, she would." Andrew said softly agreeing.

"Just so you know, Drew," Darien said standing up and heading to the door. "I know you still stalk to her. Just tell her to come home, and that I'm completely lost without her." And Darien walked out of the Crown.

It was several hours later before Darien decided to open the letter, and he was also sober. He decided to drink later. He wanted a clear head when he read the letter. As he looked at the letter in his hands he decided that for whatever reason she left him he would forgive her and take her back. He let out a sigh and tore open the envelope. Slowly he took out the letter and unfolded it. Just looking at her handwriting made tears well up in his eyes, but he refused to allow them to fall. Slowly he gained courage and began to read the letter.

Darien,

I know you are reading this late, and I am sorry that I am too much of a coward to tell you this in person. Before I say anything, I want you to know that this was the hardest decision of my life, and I made it on my own.

I know you are worried I wronged you and in a way I did. No, I haven't found another, nor will I ever. You loved me so well, that you spoiled me for anyone else, but Darien, after so many talks about our future, I had no other choice.

The truth is I'm going to have a baby, your baby, and since I know you didn't want children I didn't want you to feel like you had to stay with me. I don't want anything from you, I will take care of it on my own, and I just wanted you to know that.

Please don't try to find me out of some feeling of obligation, that isn't what I want. Just know that I do love you, and I will always love you, and please don't wait for me because I'm not coming back. I'm sorry truly I am, but this was the only way. You will always be in my thoughts and you will always have me heart, forever.

Serena

Darien read the letter, then read it again, then he read it a third time trying to process the letter, and finally it hit him. Serena was pregnant, with his child, and she left because he was an idiot.

Darien cried for a few minutes for all he had lost, and then became enraged. She left him with their child and didn't talk to him about it at all? With pure anger driving him, he grabbed his jacket and motorcycle keys, and took off for the only one Serena would leave information with, Lita's.

Lita had just gotten home from work and was about to take a nice hot shower when someone began banging on her apartment door. Lita, thinking something was wrong flung the door open. She gasped when she saw Darien standing there. She knew why he had come and walked away from the door leaving it open for him to come in. She made a pot of coffee.

When the coffee was finished she made two black cups and carried them to the living room. "Alright Darien, let's cut to the chase. I don't know where she ism and even though I am the letter contactor I do not have her home address or her phone number. She left different information with different people."

"Why didn't anyone tell me she was going to have my baby, Lita? Don't you think that I should have at least known?"

"It wasn't my place to tell you, Darien, and you know that. How did you find out anyway? Andrew tell you?" she asked.

"Andrew knew? That son of a bitch."

"Don't be mad at him Darien; Serena made him take an oath before she told him or anyone else that we were never to tell you. So who broke the oath and squealed?"

"No one, Sere left me a letter." He said softly. "She told me that that was why she left."

Lita looked at Darien sadly. "You didn't want children, Darien, what other choice did she have?"

"I did." He said staring Lita straight in the eyes. "I was going to tell her when I gave her the ring."

"What ring?"

"I was going to ask her to marry me the day she left. Lita, I'm nothing but a shell without her. Please," he said in a whisper then built up his courage. "Please tell me where she is."

Lita's eyes began to tear. "Darien I can't really. I only have her post office box. She knew you would come looking for her so she left little information as possible. I don't even know what she does for a living, no one does."

"Where is the P.O. box located?

"Some nearby town. Serena said she wouldn't make this easy. She doesn't want you to find her Darien, just respect her wishes."

"Oh, like she respected mine?" Darien challenged.

"That's different and you know it." Lita almost shouted. "She loves you and if I know Serena she based her love for you on this. Do the right thing Darien, let her go." Lita basically begged.

"I'm sorry Lita, but I just can't do that." And with that Darien left Lita's apartment.