Chapter 2 In the Dark
When Darien wok up, he wasn't in Serena's room. He wasn't in her bed with her curled up next to him. And she wasn't Sailor Moon. He ran a weary hand over his face discerning the dream as a side-effect of his suspicion as well as his desire that the two women were the same person.
He got up and washed his face, hoping to wash away the fears that plagued him. Ever since he discovered that he was Tuxedo Mask, his life was in turmoil. Those dreams of an elusive princess tormented him day and night. He sometimes thought he was crazy. The presence of the Sailor Scouts made it seems a little less unbelievable.
He knew he was going to Serena's home for a visit though not completely sure why. He'd gotten her address from Andrew when he had heard about the accident at the Hikawa shrine but had been too nervous. The last thing Serena needed was a nervous visitor. Especially one who picked on her constantly.
It took him one hour to eat, shower, get dressed and drive to Serena's home. He acknowledged the shock on Mina's face when she opened the door to him.
"Darien!" he inclined his head in greeting not trusting his voice to work just yet.
"Is she allowed visitors?"
"Um- oh, yes of course." She said standing back to let him in. "I'll go get her – presentable." He nodded.
Fifteen minutes later, Mina came to rescue him from Sammy's questions. He followed silently and then he was left alone in the room with Serena.
"Hi." He said lamely.
"What are you doing here?" she asked. He looked at her hair and realized it wasn't in her normal hairstyle. No doubt Mina didn't know how to contain all that hair. Her eyes were covered by bandages and he couldn't get past how much like Sailor moon she looked like that. He shook his head knowing that he didn't need those thoughts right now. She was wearing a black blouse that clung to her curves. Below that, she was covered by a sheet.
"Is it a crime to visit a friend?" he asked not in the least defensive about her hostile tone.
"Shields, we're not friends."
"It wouldn't do to not visit someone I talk to regularly."
"Have you gone bonkers? We don't talk. We argue."
"Look, I didn't come here to argue, I just-"
"I really don't care why you're here. I juts want you to go." She said and he heard a definite crack in her voice. Was he crying? He wondered in alarm.
"Are you crying?"
"What does it matter to you?" she said and this time there was no mistaking the tears in her voice.
Moving quickly, he sat on her bed and hugged her to him. "Stop crying, Serena." She struggled against him.
She didn't know why she chose to cry today of all days. And in front of this jerk no less. She struggled futilely against the circle of his arms that had pulled her into solid warmth. Ever since Tuxedo Mask had left her at Rei she had hankered for something like this but she in no wise wished for Darien. No matter how much she liked him. She allowed herself to succumb to the comfort, winding her arms around his torso and fisting them in his jacket. She almost laughed knowing it was his favourite – but ugly – green jacket. He was whispering words to her but she couldn't here. She just wanted him gone so she could wallow in her despair. She was blind and it could be permanent. She squeezed her face into his chest and noted numbly that he held her closer.
Her tears soon subsided and now she just rested against him. He didn't know if she should push her away or indulge in his good fortune. Ultimately, his indecision chose the later. He wondered if she remembered that she was cradled against him. He wasn't going find out though. He'd wait until she pulled away. She shifted against him and he realized she was trying to escape the prison of his arms. He relaxed his hold slightly to make sure and she pushed back even more.
"I want you to go." She whispered even though her hand was playing idly with his. Se noted the texture of it and wondered what it would be like for him to touch her face. To run his hand up and down her arm. And other places she wasn't ready to admit yet. She was still too young – in her estimation – to be even thinking about such things. But it didn't stop her though.
He watched her play with his hand and then looked up to see color suffuse her cheeks. He thought for a second, in panic, that she knew what he was thinking. Then he reminded himself that Serena was not mind reader. He then watched as his hand lifted to cup her cheek, caressing it softly. He watched her lips part in surprise and her brow knit in confusion. He leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers. They trembled. He moved his lips over hers but hadn't kissed her yet. He inhaled sharply and pulled back.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't-" he couldn't finish the statement. What had he been thinking trying to kiss her? If he were lucky, he'd escape with only a slap. Her lips were still parted slightly. He knew that he was staring and she was perceptive enough to recognize this also. She chewed nervously at her lips. And why shouldn't she? He was still holding her cheek and he was still sitting on the bed and bending over her slightly. He should have gotten off the bed. He should have removed his hand from her cheek. He should have. But he was staring hard at her mouth, begrudging her teeth. And he was going to do something about it. So, he kissed her. She squeaked in shock, stiffened in his arms but she didn't pull back. He made sure to schooled his thoughts. He wouldn't go too far with this kiss. He caressed her lips noting that she didn't respond. He knew he should have pulled back but a second later, her tentative response had him leaning into her more. He tilted her head so he could have better access, demanding entrance to a haven he knew he had no right to. Her mouth opened beneath his and he was lost. He took what she hadn't really offered and gave what she hadn't asked for. When he managed to pull back – though he didn't want to – she was shaking. Her breathing, much like his, was erratic. And her mouth…
"You bastard." She swore shakily. "How dare you take me first-" she didn't say the rest. Could she complain? That was one whopper of a kiss. Hadn't she allowed him to? Hadn't wanted him to? Didn't she take as much as he offered as much as he gave?
"Y-Your first kiss?" he said. She detected fear in his voice. What was he afraid of? "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean-"
"Just go." She'd been about to just accept it but his regretful words made her angry.
"Don't be angry with me Serena." He said softly. "I'm not sorry I kissed you." He said and her head shot up. It reminded her that she couldn't see but she held her head up anyway. "You probably wanted your first kiss to be with - " he tore at him to say it but he knew of Serena's infatuation, maybe even love, for his best friend Andrew. "Andrew."
"Andrew?" she asked still trying to come to grasp with the fact that Darien Shields wanted to kiss her.
"I know you like him." And then she remembered that when she first met Darien, she had a gigantic crush on the blonde man. Not to belittle Andrews good looks but he couldn't hold a candle to Darien's smoldering, bedroom look. But since he provided her with an excuse, she wasn't going to deny it.
"Um, yeah." She said. "You should go." She said this time more gently. She inhaled when he kissed her cheek before leaving.
She looked into the darkness after Darien left. Her heart had finally calmed down and the knots in her stomach had been untangled. Her lips still tingled. She was afraid to lick her lips because she knew she'd taste him there. She wished to heaven that kissed hadn't happened and at the same time she wished he's kissed her just a little bit longer. She wished he had held her close for just one more breath. She grabbed a pillow and screamed her frustration into it. The she prayed he didn't visit again because she was sure he wouldn't be able to leave that time.
When next he saw Serena, a month had passed. Her bandages were off and she was laughing with Mina. The other girls poured in – with the exception of Rei – behind her. She looked over at a booth and pointed and he sent up a thank you that she could see. When he opened his eyes though, he realized his prayer was just a little premature. Mina was leading her to the counter and by the angle of her head and the blank stare, he realized she hadn't gotten her sight back.
"Hi Andrew!" Mina said and Serena smiled. He knew the greeting was two fold – one so Mina could say hello to Andrew and the other so Serena would know he was standing there.
"Hi Andrew." Serena echoed. "A round of the usual for everybody and make mine a double." She said. He saw Andrew smile sympathetically the send a meaningful glance his way. He cursed his big mouth for confessing that he had kissed Serena at her house. He even confessed that it had been her first kiss – a kiss she had reserved for him. Andrew hadn't been surprised at such a sentiment but was quick to tell him that Serena had gotten over her crush on him months ago. He wasn't quick to believe it.
"I'll bring it over." He said. Mina smiled and began to lead Serena over to the booth. He wasn't about to stop them. He wasn't too sure civility would be prevalent between them. As she passed him, he heard her breath hitch and she stopped. He didn't say a word. He watched her angle her head towards him and frown.
Then she said. "Mina?"
"Yeah?"
"Go on ahead. I need to speak with Darien for a minute."
He waited until Mina was gone before he spoke. "How'd you know it was me?" He watched her feel her way to the stool then sit facing him. He waited for her to answer.
"I don't know." The way she answered made him disbelieve her but he didn't push it.
"So what did you wanna talk about?"
"Why did you kiss me?"
"What does it matter why I kissed you? Based on your reaction, I suspect I won't get close enough to do it again." He said simply. It was obvious he was avoiding a direct answer. It was also a way of finding out if she wanted him to kiss her again. She looked thoughtful for a moment. He waited sipping his coffee anxiously.
"So-" she cleared her throat. "So you wanted to kiss me and you wanna do it again." Luckily the coffee was lukewarm because he sputtered. He hadn't counted on her being so perceptive about his evasive answer.
"I-" he didn't know what to say. He wasn't prepared to answer her. And even if he was he didn't think telling her 'I like you but…' was gonna cut it.
"Why? Since I met you, you've done nothing but try to make my day a living hell. It was bad enough I have to-" she stopped herself. "I don't understand why you torment me relentlessly for almost two years and then when I get injured you try to seduce me."
He wondered what she had been about to say but decided she deserved her secrets. He had his. "Seduce? That's a bit of an exaggeration." He said but thinking about it, if he had been at his apartment when that kiss started, he would have taken it to the bedroom. He mentally slapped himself for his wayward thoughts. Serena was too young.
"Darien, I'm old enough to know what that kiss would have led to if I wasn't in my bedroom with Mina and my mother downstairs." She said resolutely. He frowned at her and wondered if she could read his mind.
"How old are you Serena?" he asked realizing he didn't really know anything about this girl. He knew she went to high school but which grade. He frowned. He didn't know anything else.
"I'll be eighteen this June." She said. "Why?"
"Just information." He said. "Do you know how old I am?"
"I know a lot of things about you." She said cryptically then bit her lips as if she had said too much. it was a laden statement but he couldn't even begin to wonder what she thought she knew about him. "Look, I just wanted to apologize for being so defensive when you came to visit me. It was nice of you to visit. But I'd appreciate if you just didn't talk to me anymore."
"Is it because of the kiss."
"No." Then she sighed. "Yes. I can't get involved with you because I wouldn't settle for anything less than an involvement."
"You still like Andrew." He said.
She had used that excuse before. She wouldn't now. "No. I got over that crush a long time ago. And-" she sighed. "I wasn't waiting to share my first kiss with him and I'm sorry I said it. I know Andrew is your best friend and I shouldn't have used him as an excuse."
How did she know Andrew was his best friend? Did Andrew tell her? He didn't think so. "So who did you wanna share it with?"
The question was unexpected. She didn't know what to say. The word 'you' was on the tip of her tongue but she bit it back. She couldn't very well say Tuxedo Mask because then he'd think she was childish. "I don't see how it's any of your business." She gasped at his teasing remark and she was sure she was blushing like a tomato.
"I bet it was Tuxedo Mask." He said and she heard the teasing in his voice. But it wasn't hurtful. It was even intimate. Like he was asking her to share a secret with him. "Admit it. I know you are a big fan of his." He chuckled.
"So what if I am?" she said.
"I could arrange for you to get that second kiss from him." Darien said than almost pinched his thigh as punishment for saying a thing like that.
"You know Tuxedo Mask?" Serena asked incredulously. "What am I saying? You would probably dress up like him and kiss me again. And because I can't see, I wouldn't know the difference." She said.
He watched her eyes spark with hope then anger. She didn't know how close she was to the truth. And she didn't know how much he wanted to kiss that pout off her face. But he had to pay attention to her words. "Serena, I pick on you but I wouldn't use your blindness just sneak a kiss out of you."
"You did before." She said.
"I didn't sneak that kiss from you." He said. "You could have pulled away at anytime. You kissed me back. And for being your first time, you're pretty good." He said smugly. Her mouth worked but no sound came out and he chuckled. He saw she was trying to process that he had complimented her technique. She lowered her eyes as if she knew he was looking into them. When she lifted them again, they were void of emotion.
"I still want you to stay away from me."
"No. I don't think you do and I'm not gonna. And your army of girls can hardly stop me."
"Lita can."
"When I want something, or someone, no one can stop me." He said and to prove his point he leaned forward and kissed her hard and fast. He was aware of the stark silence in the Arcade. "I'll see you around Serena." He said and left her at the bar.
Serena couldn't move. She was sure everybody was looking at her after that surprise kiss. She jumped when a hand touched her shoulder. "Relax, it's just me." Mina said.
"Oh."
"Andrew brought the stuff over. You ready to come over?"
"Uh-yeah." She said and slid off the stool. "Did everyone see?" she asked quietly.
"Since you and Darien are prime entertainment when you're in the same room, it's safe to assume that everyone was waiting with bated breath for your argument. Hence-"
"They saw." Serena finished.
"At least you finally got your first kiss." She said when they were sliding into the booth.
Serena shook her head. "That's not the first time Darien had kissed me." She said quietly, blushing.
"Huh?" Lita said dumbly. Even Ami was rapt.
"He uh-came to visit me when I was at home." Mina confirmed this. It gave Serena time to breathe. "He-" she swallowed hard. "He kissed me then."
"That was a month ago!" Mina exclaimed. "And you didn't tell me."
"How could I? I wasn't even sure it had really happened." Serena said lowering her head to the table.
"So, how was it?" This came from Ami. Ami was the proverbial virgin of the group.
"I wouldn't know where to begin." Serena breathed. "I was sure I was dying. He is really really good." She said.
"How good?" Mina asked.
"When he kissed me, it was like I'd been waiting for it my whole life and anybody after this would just be-"
"Not up to par?" Ami suggested.
"Yeah. I didn't even think for one second about – you know who." They all knew who that was.
"So Tux-boy has been dethroned?" Lita asked.
"I'd have to kiss him to know that." Serena said logically.
"Then do it. After the next battle, before he does his vanishing act, kiss him."
"I'm not so brave." Serena said.
"Just think about it. You don't have to. It's just an option." Lita prompted.
"We'll see." She said.
Serena waved to Lita and Ami and then allowed Mina to lead her to the abandoned warehouse. "You sure you wanna do this?"
"I can't give up being Sailor Moon. I have to pull my weight. I need to find a way to fight with you guys."
"Okay." They transformed and then Mina began. "I've set up some targets. See if you can find them."
Serena tried then sighed. "I can't. I don't even know where I am." She said.
"Okay. Try this. See if you can find me when I stop talking."
"How?"
"Well, if you were locked in a dark room, you'd look for light right?"
"Yeah."
"Each scout has a light. Find mine." Serena inhaled then concentrated. She searched but didn't find anything.
"I can't."
"Use yourself as the point of reference." Mina said. "You're there and Everything else branches from your location." Mina said.
"Do you even know what you're saying?" Serena laughed.
"No." Mina admitted. "Which is why I wonder why you didn't ask Ami to help." Mina said. They sat silent for a second. "How about, for today, we concentrate on getting your powers to do something else than throw a tiara."
"Sounds like a plan."
