Ramifications

Chapter 3

A/N: No more violence! Just fluff for the next few chapters! Please review! And thanks for all the incredible feedback!

Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon

Rating: M

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Serena flinched as the final needle was pushed into the skin above her eyebrow, another warm drop of blood wetting her flesh before it was wiped away by the doctor.

"There, all done," he said, placing two small bandages over Serena's newly stitched wound. "That wasn't so bad, was it?"

Serena glared at him. Darien, sitting beside her and holding her hand tightly couldn't help but smile at Serena. She had been so brave when the doctors cleansed her numerous wounds and stitched the once gaping lesion that covered her upper eyebrow.

"So, Miss Tsukino, your records tell me that you'll be eighteen next month and this jurisdiction will allow you to make your own decisions as an adult. Is there anyone you would like us to contact?"

Serena grimaced. Of course, her parents should be aware of what their daughter had just endured. But her grandmother was practically dying and she didn't want to put anymore stress on her parents. If she told them the truth about what had happened to her, they would rush back and leave her grandparents to fend for themselves. What would she do if something terrible happened to her grandparents while her mom and dad were away? She cringed at the thought.

"N-no," she said after minutes of contemplating.

The doctor frowned. "I know being assaulted isn't something most people like to admit, but Miss Tsukino, your parents should know what happened to you tonight."

Darien tugged at her hand. "He's right Serena, you should tell them."

She sighed. "Fine, where's the phone?"

I

I

Serena had been on the phone with her parents for over half an hour. Darien was patiently waiting in the corner as Serena went through the painful story of tonight's events. His heart broke when she described what that man had done to her.

"I'm okay now, mom. I'm at the hospital."

"The hospital! My poor baby! You're father and I are catching a flight home this instant!"

"What about nana and grandpa? You can't just leave them there! Mama, I'll be fine."

"Oh my brave little baby! Mommy's coming honey!"

"Mother, please, if something happened to nana and grandpa because of me I'd feel terrible!"

"Serena we feel horrible about leaving them but you were…attacked! You should not be staying alone at home right now!"

"I do have friends, mom, they'd be more than willing to let me stay with them."

"Yes, friends whose parents are at work most of the time. What if that monster gets out of jail and comes after you! What are Raye or Mina or any of your other friends going to do? How are they going to protect you?"

She didn't know what to say to convince her mother that she would be alright. Sure, she was scared that he would find her again, she was terrified. But she also knew how much her grandparents meant to her mom and dad and she didn't want them flying back because of her.

Darien sat in the corner listening to her dilemma. He didn't want her staying with her girl friends either. Her mother was right, they couldn't protect her from that jerk if he ever got out of jail and came after her. Hoping that the decision he was about to make was a good one, he walked toward Serena and took the cell phone from her hand.

"Hello, Mrs. Tsukino?" he asked politely.

"Yes? Who is this?"

"My name is Darien. I'm at the hospital with your daughter-"

"Oh," she said thankfully, "you're the young man that's been with my daughter at the hospital. Darien, thank you so much. My husband and I don't know how to thank you."

Darien blushed. "It's alright," he said. "It was no problem; I'm just as concerned about Serena as you are. I overheard your dilemma and I wanted you to know that Serena's welcome to stay with me until you return."

Irene Tsukino was silent on the other end of the phone. In the background Darien could hear Serena's mother tell her father about what he had just offered. Irene had met Darien several times before. He had volunteered at the local school while her niece, Rini was staying with them. Rini had taken a liking to Darien and he often took care of her when Irene could not. She knew how responsible, independent and intelligent Darien was, but she also knew that Darien was 5 years older than Serena and in college.

"Darien, that's a wonderful offer, but I'm not sure if her father and I are comfortable with that."

"Mrs. Tsukino I completely understand your concerns, but I promise I only want the best for Serena. I want her to be safe from that lunatic and I know, no matter how much her friends adore her, they might not be well equipped to care for her if something happens. I give you my word that I will respect and protect your daughter if you put her in my care," he said, smiling at the shocked look on Serena's face. She couldn't possibly be living with Darien Chiba, the most infuriatingly sexy, annoyingly beautiful man she had ever seen.

Irene hesitated. "Let me have you talk to her father."

Darien's stomach lurched. Having dated mainly college women his whole life, he had little experience talking to protective fathers.

"Darien?" came the stern voice that belonged to Ken Tsukino.

"Yes, sir."

"If Mrs. Tsukino and I allow Serena to stay with you in our absence do you promise to protect AND respect our daughter?"

"Yes sir."

"And if we found out that our daughter has been corrupted by you, are you aware that I personally will take legal and physical action against you?"

Darien gulped. "Yes sir."

"Are you aware that Serena, regardless of her age, is still my baby girl and that I will take great lengths to protect her from anyone who harms her in any way?"

"Yes, Mr. Tsukino."
"Well, then, since we have come to this understanding I will permit my daughter to stay with you until our return, which should not be more than two weeks from now." Ken paused. "And Darien?"

"Yes sir?"

"I want to thank you for taking care of my little girl tonight. If you hadn't been there…I would hate to think that Serena would have had to endure tonight alone."

Darien smiled. "It was no problem."

"Thank you, son. Oh and by the way, Irene and I would like to compensate you for taking care of Serena."

"That's really not necessary."

"Trust me it is. Have you seen how much that girl can eat?"

Darien laughed as Serena glared at him from the corner. She had heard what her father just said.

"I have, actually," Darien responded.

"Just have Serena email us your address and we'll send you a check. Take care of my daughter."

"I will sir, you have my word."

"Thank you, Darien. We'll see you soon."

Darien said his goodbyes before handing the phone back to Serena. After what felt like hours of her father laying some ground rules, she finally ended their phone conversation.

"Darien?" she asked timidly. "You don't have to let me stay with you. I'll be okay."

He walked toward her, grabbing his coat from the hospital bed and wrapping it around her before leading her towards the door. "I know you will, but I want you to stay with me. More than anything, I just want you to be safe."

Smiling to herself, she headed out of the hospital doors to the cab that Darien had called for the two of them.

I

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Serena sighed as she felt Darien's car come to a halt in the underground parking structure that was adjacent to his apartment building. It was past midnight and with everything that happened today, Serena was aching and tired. They hadn't left the hospital until eleven and afterwards Darien took Serena to her home to get enough clothes to last for the first few days while she recuperated.

"You alright?" asked Darien, opening her car door and carefully helping her stand.

"Yea, thanks," she said. He grabbed her overnight bag and together they silently made their way up to his apartment. Noisily Darien reached for his keys and opened the door to his apartment. As soon as Serena stepped in she was immediately surprised. His apartment was as immaculate as he was.

The living room was decorated with tan couches and chairs along with smooth, polished wooden tables. There were various plants in the corners of the room and elegant light fixtures hanging from the ceiling. In front of the couch was a huge flat screen TV, which sat in an equally impressive wooden entertainment center, complete with DVD player and stereo system. Signaling for her to follow, Darien led her past the living room, allowing her to glance at the granite countered kitchen just behind the living room. He grabbed the handle of the nearest door and pushed it open.

Darien walked inside the room and sat her suitcase on the ground; Serena followed him into what she assumed to be the guest bedroom. It was an elegant room with light, olive walls and a four poster queen bed with tan and green sheets, pillows and comforters. Two mahogany night stands adorned the bed, and on top of them sat a vase full of silk roses and an alarm clock. To the right of the bed was an armoire, and on the opposite side of the room was the glass door to the balcony that offered an amazing view of the city. There was a fancy cabinet that held a TV and a DVD player that had on each side of it polished plants. Across from the bed was a door that Serena assumed led to the bathroom.

"Well," said Darien as Serena finished admiring the room, "if you need anything, my bedroom is right down the hall. There's the bathroom." He pointed to the door. "You'll have your own so you won't have to worry about me barging in on you and everything. And if there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask. Just…knock first."

"Okay," she said. "Thanks Darien, for everything."

"It's no problem," he said, heading out of her bedroom. "Good night Serena."

"Night."

After a long shower in which Serena scrubbed her body to rid his scent away, she climbed into the plush, comfortable bed and fell into a deep sleep.

I

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The sleeping blonde started when she heard a loud conversation being held outside her bedroom. Momentarily forgetting where she was, she wondered why her mother was being so loud. Groggily she sat up, the many blankets forming a cocoon around her before she remembered yesterday's events. Slowly she walked towards the door and peaked outside to see what was going on.

"She's here!" cried a dark haired, long legged woman that Serena instantly realized as Keiko, Darien's girlfriend. "I can't believe she's staying in your apartment Darien."

"It's only until her parents come home," he said, his voice relaxed.

"Oh really? Well that's fantastic. When I asked to stay with you, you said no!" she cried, her hands falling onto her hips.

"That's different," he said, slathering his toast with butter before looking up at her. "We're in a relationship. Serena and I are just friends."

"So?"

"So, I didn't want to rush into anything with you. It's too soon," he said, opening the refrigerator door and pulling out a carton of orange juice.

"Why are you so afraid to make a commitment to me?" she asked, stamping her foot on the ground.

Darien sighed. "We've only been together for sixth months Keiko. Why are you rushing things?"

"Six months happens to be half a year and you told me that this is the longest relationship you've ever had. Or did you just say that to get me to sleep with you?"

"You were the one anxious to have sex, not me," he said, immediately regretting his words at the appalled look on her face.

"So I'm a whore, now! Is that what you're saying?"

"I didn't say that!" cried Darien. Serena couldn't help but chuckle at the expression on his face. He looked anxious, angry and confused.

"But you implied it," Keiko said, walking to the couch and grabbing her coat.

"Where are you going?"

"Home. You're obviously too busy entertaining your newest house guest to spend anytime with me, your ex-girlfriend!"

Darien flinched as she slammed the door behind her. Serena felt horrible; it was her fault that Darien had lost his girlfriend. She momentarily wondered if she should feign sleep and sneak out with her things later, so that Darien wouldn't get into any trouble on her account.

"Serena, you can come out now," said Darien staring at her from the kitchen.

Embarrassed, Serena walked into the bright living room. Darien began to slather jelly onto his toast.

"Sorry," she mumbled, nervously playing with the hem of the pink shirt she was wearing. He looked up to face her and smiled. She looked awfully cute in her pink pajamas.

"Don't worry about it. Keiko can wake the dead," he said.

"No I meant…sorry that she broke up with you," said Serena, clutching her forehead as it began to throb. "This is completely my fault. I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault Serena," he said adamantly, rushing towards her with a concerned look on his face. "Are you okay?"

"Yea," she said, swaying.

Darien grabbed her and gently led her toward the couch. "Sit down; I'll get you some water."

She watched as he rushed into the kitchen and pulled a bottle of water from the fridge before opening it and giving to her. The cool contents made her feel much better. "I should leave," she said, after a moment's pause.

"What? Why? You can't," he sputtered. "You shouldn't."

"Darien, it's my fault you're girlfriend-less. God, I should have went home yesterday. It's not your fault I was attacked and you shouldn't have to take care of me."

"You're acting like you staying here is a punishment for me."

"I unconsciously ruined your life just twelve hours after I got here."

Darien chuckled. "No you didn't' Serena. Maybe it was for the best."

She looked at him strangely. "You said it yourself, it's not like I lost a really great girlfriend," he said, rolling his eyes.

"Hey, now, don't blame it on me, I didn't say that."

"I know. I know," he said. "Drink the water."

"I really think I should go."

"If that's what you want," he said, leaning back at the couch and staring at her. Serena was caught off guard by the intensity of his gaze. "But I'd like if you stayed."

"Really?" she asked, cocking her head to the side.

Darien couldn't help but think how adorable she was, sitting on his couch, her hair askew from sleep and her eyes bright. "Really."

"I still feel awful though."

"Physically?" he asked, leaning toward her.

"No, about what just happened."

"Don't. Keiko was just something to do. Don't worry about." At his comment Serena blushed a deep red. She turned her gaze to the water bottle just as Darien realized what he said.

"That's not what I meant," he said with a nervous laugh. "I just meant…she was good at occupying my time."

Extremely dirty thoughts were now rushing through Serena's head as she tried to block them out. "That keeps coming out wrong," Darien said after a pause.

"It's okay, I know what you mean," she choked out, her eyes locked on the carpet. Sure she had made inappropriate jokes to Darien about sex, but she hadn't actually thought he was doing it. But now upon further thinking, Darien was 22 and he was very attractive and…she had heard Keiko saying it, so why was it freaking her out now?
"You okay?" he asked gently, his hand falling onto her bare shoulder. He couldn't stop thinking about how amazingly soft her skin was.

"Yea…just checked out for a minute," she said, regaining her composure.

"Okay," he said. "So it's settled then. You're staying?"

She looked to him and smiled. "Yea, I'm staying."