Song: She Will Be Loved
Artist: Maroon 5
Written By: Adam Levine and James Valentine
Album: Songs About Jane (2002)

Season: Alternate
Published: 07-08-05
Words: 3,345
Summary: She was the girl next door. He was always there for her. She never noticed him as anything more than just a friend. Will a potentially fatal accident change it all?

Disclaimer: I don't claim or own any rights or profits from this song or Sailor Moon.

Darien watched her through her bedroom window from his balcony. She was beautiful. Her blonde locks fluttered about her as she swayed around her room, picking up dresses and pressing them up against her body as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. The smile that played across her lips made his heart skip a beat. She had that effect on him, ever since they first met, back when they were children.

She had moved in next door. Darien remembered the way she looked that day. Her pink summer dress, the white ribbon in her hair, her beautiful smile. She was only 5 then, and he was only 3 years older, but he remembered that day as if it were only yesterday. He loved her ever since, but could never tell her. She was his angel, the one he lived for, but to her, he was just her best friend, the boy next door. Her eyes glimmered with such happiness and innocence. Darien knew she was getting ready for another date. She had guys lining up around the block just to be seen with her. She was such a wonderful person. Pure innocence radiated from her heart, her soul, and it showed.

Darien knew about her boyfriend, Marco. She had been seeing him for over two months now. She was happy with him. Darien didn't know why. He remembered all the times she came home with tears streaming down from her face. He remembered all the excuses she made about her clumsiness whenever he asked about the newly formed bruises on her arms. Darien sighed as he gazed at Serena longingly through her window. She looked happy… but how long would it last?

Beauty queen of only eighteen
She had some trouble with herself
He was always there to help her
She always belonged to someone else

He ran a hand through his thick, jet-black hair, frustrated with himself. Trudging down the stairs, he sighed once more and picked up his car keys, knowing that the only way he could release his anger was to go for a drive. He had that in common with Serena, they both liked to drive when they we're upset. Darien was disappointed with himself. He knew Serena could do better, and he knew as her best friend, he should have intervened and said something. But he just could not bring himself to say anything. All he could do was smile and support her when she needed it the most.

He put his key into the ignition, took a deep breath and backed out of his driveway. A droplet of water splattered on Darien's windscreen and he listened for a familiar sounding rumble in the distance. The skies were as grey and gloomy as his heart felt. After driving around the block a countless amount of times, he finally decided to make his way back home. It was 5 and Serena would be leaving soon. It was almost like a ritual. He would walk outside to pick up the mail, she would skip down her driveway to greet her date, wave back at Darien then they would drive away.

I drove for miles and miles
And wound up at your door
I've had you so many times but somehow
I want more

4 years earlier

Ding Dong

Darien looked up from his chemistry textbook. It was strange for someone to be at his front door at this time. He wasn't expecting anyone. He listened carefully at the soft patter of the rain before standing up and making his way to the door.

Ding Dong Ding Dong Ding Dong

"I'm coming!" Darien hollered and ran down the stairs. He reached for the door and flung it open. There stood Serena, standing on his porch, barely out of the rain that soaked her to the bone and dripped off her clothes. Her eyes were red from crying. She stood there, her long blonde hair matted to her body that trembled uncontrollably as she let a soft whimper.

"Darien… Kevin broke up with me…" Tears escaped her eyes once more.

Darien took her hand and pulled her inside, out of the cold before closing the door behind them. He held her close and wrapped his arms tightly around her as she cried openly into his chest.

I don't mind spending everyday
Out on your corner in the pouring rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay awhile
And she will be loved
She will be loved

2 years earlier

Darien walked down the driveway to the letterbox and collected the mail. As he looked up, he saw the sight of a familiar blonde girl, sitting in her pink coloured car. She gripped onto her steering wheel with one hand while wiping her tears away with the back of her other hand. He walked towards the car and opened the front passenger seat door, letting himself in.

"Don't forget to put on your seatbelt." She sniffled, placing both hands back onto the steering wheel. Darien did as he was told, even though the car was stationary and showed no signs of moving anytime soon. The keys were on the dashboard.

"Where are we going?" Darien gazed over at the girl next to him.

"New Caledonia." She continued to keep her eyes on the road.

"Did you bring your snorkeling gear?" Darien asked quietly. She looked up at him, giving him a questioning gaze before turning back towards the road. "Well I suppose we'll be driving across the Pacific Ocean… of course." A playful smile graced his lips as he reached over and put a hand on hers.

She looked up at him and tried to smile, but faltered. She choked back tears as she leaned back in her seat, releasing her grip on the steering wheel and lifting her legs up towards her chest. Darien watched in silence as she huddled into a quivering ball. He gave her hand a little squeeze to let her know he was still there for her.

"Jake cheated on me… again" She broke down into tears once more.

Tap on my window knock on my door
I want to make you feel beautiful
I know I tend to get so insecure
It doesn't matter anymore

He slowed his car down as he drove up his driveway and parked his car back into the garage. Taking an umbrella, he walked out into the rain to collect the mail. Marco's car was already parked out the front of her house.

"Hi Darien!" She smiled and waved as she skipped down her driveway, trying to avoid the light drizzle of rain that fell from the heavens.

"Hey…" I smiled and watched as she greeted her boyfriend who had stepped out of his car. Yet this time, he didn't hug her. He held her shoulders to distance her as she tried to hug him.

"What's wrong Marco?" Her clear blue eyes fell upon another figure in his car.

"Look… we… we can't do this anymore. I just don't love you like I used to. I have to go now. I'm sorry." His words were cold and harsh. They held no meaning, no remorse. They were empty, shallow excuses.

"Who's she?"

It's not always rainbows and butterflies
It's compromise that moves us along
My heart is full and my door's always open
You can come anytime you want

Marco gazed back into his car.

"That's my cousin. I'm showing her around. I have to go," He turned to walk back to the driver seat of his car but was stopped by a hand gripping onto his arm.

"Please… Marco don't do this! I love you… please… we can work this out… just give me another chance" She pleaded, tears forming in her beautiful eyes.

"No!" He snapped and gripped onto her wrist tightly "Listen to me. It's over." He pushed her away, returning to his car and driving down the street. Darien pretended to sift through his mail as he watched his angel gape at the disappearing car before placing her gentle fingers over her wrist where he had brutally held her.

I don't mind spending everyday
Out on your corner in the pouring rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay awhile
And she will be loved

He watched her as she fell to her knees in apprehension. A single tear trickled down her pale cheek. Darien longed to hold her. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and tell her that everything would be alright, but he couldn't move. All he could do was stare. His heart sank in his chest as he watched her heart become shattered into a million irreplaceable pieces, once again.

Darien had always been the one person in her life that was always there for her no matter what. He was there during the good times and during the bad, and every time she needed someone to talk to, he was the first person she would call. He was the one person who knew her the best, and he was the one who was always there to help her pick up and mend the pieces of her broken heart, and yet- he was only ever her best friend. She couldn't see how much she meant to him. She couldn't see all the love in his eyes whenever she smiled as she looked at him. She couldn't see all the pain in his expression every time she was hurt.

I know where you hide
Alone in your car
Know all of the things that make you who you are
I know that goodbye means nothing at all
Comes back and begs me to catch her every time she falls

Slowly, she managed to lift herself back up onto her feet. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a set of keys. The clouds above them seemed to rumble in sympathy and tipped their tears relentlessly onto the streets below. She numbly made her way to her car and sat down in the driver seat, closing the door behind her. Darien witnessed the momentary pleading look in her eyes as she inserted her key into the ignition and started the car up. She looked as though she wanted… needed to be saved. He walked down his driveway towards her car, hoping she would wait for him. She closed her eyes, drawing in a shaky breath and looking him directly in the eye, shaking her head slowly as if to say he couldn't help her this time. She floored the gas pedal and screeched down the street. Darien felt disappointed as he helplessly watched her speed down the street in the pouring rain.

As she raced down the street, she failed to see another car backing down a driveway. She slammed the breaks of her car, turning her steering wheel to avoid a collision with the vehicle. The tires of her car slipped and as they lost their grip on the road, she surrendered control of her car. Darien watched in horror as the small pink car slammed into a nearby tree with considerable force, crumpling like a sheet of paper scrunched into a ball.

"SERENA!" He dropped everything, sprinting as fast as he could towards her.

Tap on my window knock on my door
I want to make you feel beautiful

"Serena! Serena wake up… talk to me…" Darien reached the car. He attempted to open the crushed door but it was stuck. "Somebody help me!" He called out to a few of the bystanders that had now accumulated on the street to see what all the commotion was about. "Call an ambulance! She needs help!" A man rushed to Darien's side and with his co-operation, they managed to pry the door open.

The whole front of the car had crumpled in, pushing the dashboard back so Serena was pinned between her steering wheel and her seat. The safety air bag had inflated but it had not saved her from the cuts she received from the broken shards of her windscreen.

"Serena, please wake up… come on…" Darien pleaded as he gently pushed her back onto her seat.

"Don't move her too much… You might damage her spine…" The man beside Darien put a hand on his shoulder.

"Mmm… Darien?" Serena stirred and groaned before crying out in pain. "Darien it hurts!" She cringed.

"It's alright Sere," He took her hand and held onto it tightly. "The ambulance is coming. We'll get you out and fixed up. You'll be fine… I'm here for you."

"Darien my leg, it's caught! I can't… it hurts!" She cried, struggling to gasp for air.

"Shhh Sere, just hold on a little longer. Try not to move."

"Darien…" She sighed and closed her eyes.

"Serena! Rena wake up! Stay with me. Sere… don't go… I love you." Darien began to panic as he watched Serena slip back into an unconscious state.

I don't mind spending everyday
Out on your corner in the pouring rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay awhile
And she will be loved

The sound of sirens drew closer soon after Serena passed out for the second time. They eventually managed to remove her from the wreckage of her car and loaded her into the back of the ambulance. Darien refused to release Serena's hand as they rushed to the hospital. He prayed to God it wasn't too late to save her. He wanted more than anything else in the world for her to be alright. He wanted to hold her in his arms again and to tell her that he loved her and would be by her side for the rest of his life.

The ambulance soon arrived at the hospital and Serena was whisked away into the emergency room. Darien sighed, knowing he wouldn't be allowed to go any further. He took a seat in the waiting room and looked down at his hands. They were stained with her blood. His gaze fell upon his clothes that were also stained with blood, dirt and were damp with the rain. A nurse came along and asked him to fill out some forms. She inquired about Serena's family and he informed her that her family had gone on a holiday in Europe. He was the one looking after her.

Seconds felt like minutes. Minutes felt like hours. Hours felt like an eternity. Darien ran his hands through his hair in frustration as he paced around the waiting room and glanced over at the emergency room door for what seemed to be the billionth time that minute. They had been in there for hours. Something was wrong. Another hour passed before the doctor finally walked out of the operating room.

"How is she?" Darien walked up to him eagerly.

"We've managed to stabilize her. She had some shrapnel lodged into her leg, a few broken ribs, some cuts and bruises, a concussion… but with some rest and a lot of care, she'll be fine." The doctor smiled warmly. "If you wait here, we'll wheel her out. She'll be in ward 32."

Darien nodded in agreement and followed the nurses who wheeled Serena into another room. He pulled up a chair beside Serena's bed. There he sat and held her hand, hoping she would wake up before visiting hours were over. Half an hour passed before Serena began to stir. Her eyelids fluttered open and she squinted as her pupils slowly adjusted to the dim light in the room.

"Mmm… Marco?" She croaked quietly.

"No… It's Darien. Marco left you Rena… he won't be coming back." He squeezed her hand gently.

"Darien…" She sighed, her voice was soft and quiet. "Dar… I'm tired…"

"I know. Get your rest. I have to go now ok? I'll be back first thing in the morning." Darien held Serena's cool, delicate hand between the palms of his.

"Promise you'll come back?" Serena looked up at the man before her almost pleadingly.

"Of course. I will never leave you." Darien reached up and brushed away a stray lock of hair from Serena's face. "Sleep now, ok?" She nodded and closed her eyes once more. Darien leaned over and kissed her forehead gently before reluctantly releasing her hand and making his way home.

Please don't try so hard to say goodbye
Please don't try so hard to say goodbye

Darien awoke early the next morning, got dressed and headed to the hospital. He bought a bouquet of fresh, red roses and headed up to Serena's ward. There, he set the roses aside and drew the curtains, letting the dim morning light in. It struggled to find its way through the dark clouds. He took his seat by Serena's side and held her hand once more. She didn't move. Serena lay in a peaceful, quiet slumber. Darien yawned as he watched her and gently placed his head onto the bed beside her. Hours passed without a stir before finally, Serena groaned and yawned, opening her eyes to the sight of daylight.

"Has he come by yet?" Serena asked. Her voice was quiet and hoarse.

"No…" Darien dropped his gaze in disappointment. She was still waiting for him, even through all he put her through. She still loved him.

"He will come…" Serena yawned and closed her eyes once more.

She had been asleep for another two hours before there was a gentle knock on the door. Darien lifted his head up to see a rough looking man enter the room. His clothes were damp from the rain that had once again begun falling upon the city outside.

"What are you doing here?" Darien gently let go of Serena's hand and stood up, protectively.

"I'm here to see my girlfriend." He set his bouquet of flowers down on the table, walking closer.

"She's not yours. Not since yesterday. You're the reason why she's here in the first place!"

"And you think you can just step right in and take my place? Ha, she doesn't want you at all. She doesn't care about you and she will have me back." Marco hissed back, earning a fist to his jaw. He stumbled back onto a nearby chair, checking his lip for blood.

"Marco?" Serena groggily woke up and looked around. "Marco what happened?" She struggled to prop herself up, looking at her bleeding ex.

"I… I came to tell you that I miss you Sere. I can't stop thinking about you, but obviously… I'm not wanted here." He picked up a tissue and dabbed it on his lip.

"No no! Marco… you can't go. Please… don't go." Serena pleaded weakly. She watched as Marco wearily glared at Darien who glared back.

"Darien…" Serena gazed at the two men in front of her. One, she loved. The other, her best friend since she was very young. "Darien, you look tired. I'm very thankful you were there for me but…"

"No… it's alright. I understand." Darien sighed in defeat. He knew where her heart belonged and it wasn't with him. He walked over to his seat and picked up his jacket. "I'll… see you later." He dropped his gaze towards the floor before walking out the door.

I don't mind spending everyday
Out on your corner in the pouring rain
Please don't try so hard to say goodbye

Darien walked out of the hospital lobby, into the rain. It fell all around him, dampening his clothes and matting his hair down onto his face. He stopped as he reached the pathway and slowly gazed up towards the hospital. The rain pattered across his face, trickling down his neck and becoming soaked up into his shirt. He could see her. Marco was sitting beside her and they looked as though they were talking as if nothing had happened. He leaned over and kissed her. She was smiling. She was happy again, but how long would it last?

Fin.