Well, here is the next chapter! So to answer a few questions I have not updated for so long due to finals and some major studying for the AP exam (which I passed!) which means less work or me. Woot! Woot! But don't worry, I plan to update ever week or so (not every three months.)

On another note, thank you all for the wonderful reviews for the previous chapter! Please review to let me know how I'm doing and if the story is still interesting!

Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon!

"I'm home!" Darien announced closing the front door with his foot as he carried the grocery bags of food to the table. The house was quite save for his grandpa's records playing on the recorder in the living room. It had only been three days since his trip to Salem and although his conscious told him he should tell Serena that he knew the truth he couldn't bring himself to confront her. Not just yet. He knew he was playing dirty but he wanted to hear her say it; tell him the truth and why she left. Malachite was the only one who knew and he made him swear not to tell Mina.

"Hey." Rei came from the hallway dressed in a deep red cocktail dress and a black shawl wrapped around her shoulders.

"What are you dress up for?" Darien asked pulling out of the perishables from the plastic bags and placing them in the fridge.

"I'm taking Pop to the Harvest Ball. He changed his mind last minute after your parents left so he called me to pick him up."

"And you're willing to go? I thought you always hated those kinds of things." Rei shrugged her shoulders and Darien could see a smile hidden behind her lips. "Jed's going to be there isn't he?"

"What difference does that make?" Rei put her hands on her hips and furrowed her eyebrows trying to ward off Darien's accusation defensively. "Pop asked me to take him and that's all there is to it!"

Darien held his hands up in the air to show sign of peace and Rei relaxed. She walked over to table and looked at her cousin intensely.

"You know Serena will be there." She watched as Darien's body stiffened slightly and his expression changed to that of one in serious thought.

"What does that have to do with me?" Darien didn't look at his cousin as he put the last of the food in the fridge and crumpled the bag between his hands stuffing it in the drawer.

"Come on Darien," Rei placed her hand tenderly on his shoulder as he stood with his back facing her. She couldn't tell him that the little child was his because, frankly, it wasn't her business but she hated to see her cousin in such pain and stress. She could only imagine how it felt to be pledged to someone else when the one you love is just within arm's reach. Even though he had tried to hide and deny it so much she knew he still loved her even when he thought he had everyone fooled. Being engaged to Beryl was just a way to convince himself that he was over the woman that stole his heart. "You're not fooling anyone. I know you still love her. "

"Rei," Darien sighed and slumped his shoulder's slightly. He turned to look at his raven haired cousin and somewhat resented the sympathetic look in her eyes. "I'm getting married in five months." He listened to the words echo around in his head and for the first time since he asked Beryl to marry him he felt a sense of hesitation. A sense of not wanting to. "You can't expect us to pick up where we left off. Too much has changed. She left me."

"Darien, there's something I have to tell-"

"Rei, my dear, I'm ready!" Their grandfather interrupted as he walked down the stairs. He was an old man but still fit for his age and a full set of hair. He walked with such confidence in his step and grabbed his cane from the umbrella holder and flipped it in his hands. "The night is young and at my age every minute counts. Oh Darien," he walked over to his grandson whispered in a hushed tone. "That fiancé of yours is wearing one heck of a dress. If I were you I wouldn't let her go out in such a reveling gown. But on the other hand the less fabric the faster you can tear it off of her later tonight, eh?" He patted his grandson's shoulder affectionately as Darien stood dumbfounded with his mouth gaping open at his grandfather's comment.

He stood and watched as his grandfather took Rei's arm and they walked out of the house. He threaded his fingers through his dark hair as he debated going to the ball, listening to the dreadfully boring music, trying to strike conversation with people that pretended to like you. He tried to imagine what Serena might be wearing if she were there, what she would have done with her hair, if she would bring Serenity. After less than a minute of debating Darien ran upstairs with such agility and straight to his room to find something suitable to wear.

The Grand Ballroom was one that looked of royalty with large white pillars and a blue celling that was painted to look like clouds clocked the building. Along the lining of the painting and corners of the walls intricate metal carvings spread across the ceiling like ivy grew along its host.

Serena sat at the table as she watched all of the people dancing to the orchestra's folk music. She barely recognized any of these people who lived in her town and she was glad no one had recognized her for she could imagine how word would spread around and reach her father. He didn't seem to be at the ball tonight and for that Serena was glad. She couldn't believe she had let Mina talk her into coming. She and Ami practically forced her into the car. She was fine with them taking Serenity but being here brought back to many memories.

"Serena," Mina touched Serena's shoulder affectionately to get her attention. "I know it might be hard coming here but don't waste that wonderful dress by just sitting here. Look at Serenity." Mina pointed to her husband who was teaching Serenity how to dance to the traditional folk song. She looked so happy and seeing her smile so big made Serena giggle slightly. "She's having such a good time and so should you. Find someone to dance with. You could barrow Malachite for one dance."

"Thanks Mina but there's really no one I'd like to dance with." There was only one man she wanted to share her night with but he was not here and she wouldn't know what she would say if she did have the chance. She had seen his cousin and grandfather who were talking to a tall young blond-haired man, flipping her raven hair every time she laughed. Rei was always so obvious when she flirted. Just then, as if the gods were playing a mean game on her, she saw midnight hair flash before her eyes as Darien walked through the doors with Beryl strapped to his arm, her deep red curls almost buried her face.

"Oh my god, what is she wearing?" Mina stared wide-eyed at the reviling dress Beryl wore.

"I need a drink." Serena got up from the table and pushed passed the crowd as she made her way over to the bar. There was one stool left and she took her chance and sat down. She never really drank alcohol but this was a time when she needed it.

"Serena?"

Serena looked up at the bartender who called her name and recognized the light brown hair and beautiful pink rose earrings. "Lita? What are you doing here? Mina told me you moved to California."

"I own the catering company that's hired for tonight. I had to come back for the Harvest Ball." The cheery brunette smiled.

"That's great Lita. Oh, do you have anything strong?"

Lita pulled out a small crystal shot glass and poured it full of a strange clear liquid. Serena brought it to her nose and puckered her lips at the strange sour stench of the liquor. She summoned up all of her courage and downed the drink in one gulp feeling it burn its way down her throat and slide to her stomach, warming her insides. She slammed the glass down back on the counter and coughed. "Keep 'em coming."

Darien had seen Serena make her way to the bar and he excused himself from the conversation Beryl had started. He pushed passed the crowd around him trying to make a path to the bar when he was stopped by a tug on his coat. He looked down to see Serenity smiling up at him.

"Hi Darien!" She said happily with a smile spread across her face.

Darien knelt down to her eye level and looked at the young child. She was so beautiful and it was only now that he noticed that resemblance they shared in hair color, midnight black locks flowing from her head.

"Hey Serenity." He brushed the dark strands of hair behind her ear lovingly and noticed the small silver earrings she wore. "Did you come here with your mom?"

"And Mommy's friends." Serenity pointed to where Malachite and Mina sat just a few feet away from them. "She didn't want to come at first but they made her."

"I see. You look so beautiful. That's a very nice dress."

Serenity twisted back and forth holding the ends of her dress.

"Thank you. My mommy bought it for me. I like that rose." She pointed to the red rose bud in his chest pocket and he could see the starry look in her eye. Very gently he removed the rose and handed it to the child. She smiled gleefully as she took his offering thanking him.

"When's your birthday Serenity?" He asked hoping he could finally have an answer to the question that burned at the back of his mind for weeks.

"December sixteenth." She stated twisting the rose stem between her fingers

All his calculations were correct. Serenity was his. "How old will you be?"

"Five. Mommy said she'd take me to Disneyland for my birthday and…What's wrong?" The child had noticed the sudden change in his emotions as he thought of all those years without knowing that he had a daughter.

"Nothing." He smiled weakly.

"Do you want to dance with my Mommy?" Serenity grabbed him by his fingers and led him to where Serena sat at the bar tilting her head to down another shot. Serenity tugged her mother's arm. "Mommy I found someone to dance with you."

Serena put down her glass and looked at her daughter then at the man holding Serenity's hand. Her breath caught in her throat as Darien stared at her with his dark cool eyes. Small hands pushed her off her stool and she stumbled tripping over her long dress wrapping her arms around Darien's neck for support. He caught her by her waist and electric tingles traveled throughout her body.

"Oops. I'm so sorry but Malachite wants a drink and this was the only spot I can find." Mina said from the spot where she had pushed her friend. "Now you kids be good and have fun." She pushed them onto the dance floor and smiled as Serena shot her a glare.

As the violin began to play Darien placed his hand on his Serena's hip and pulled her close hearing her gasp at the sudden movement. He was going to make her tell him the truth by any means necessary. He took her other hand and they began to dance in circles to the music following the large crowd.

"How's your ankle?" He asked looking at her intently.

"I can walk on it now." She smiled nervously. They hadn't talked since that night when he took her home and she wondered if he still remembered the kiss. She could still feel the softness of his lips on hers. "Darien, about that night when I, um, kissed you,"

Darien's body stiffened as he reminisced about all the things he wanted to tell her after he left.

"I was so hopped up on drugs I didn't know what I was thinking."

"Oh," His shoulder's slumped slightly in disappointment at the thought of the kiss meaning nothing to her. "It's fine." He lied.

"Beryl doesn't mind you dancing with another woman?"

"I doubt she noticed I left." He pointed, still holding Serena's hand in his, at the far corner of the room where Beryl stood talking to three men sipping her drink seductively. He saw Serena shake her head slightly and she turned back to look at Darien. The blue of her eyes was so bright and innocent it made his breath falter.

"She's…different." Serena said finding no other nice word to explain the vixen. She didn't understand how he would choose someone like her who would appreciate the kind of man he was. He would go out of his way for the people he loved, he was so sweet and gentle. He deserved better than a woman who wouldn't notice his absence. "Darien…"

"Why did you leave Serena?"

She almost lost her footing as she heard the question and Darien tightened his grip on her to keep her steady. The scared expression she wore almost made him regret asking the question but he had to know. A dark hue of red stained her cheeks as she looked inquisitively at her dance partner. She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out.

"Please Serena, I just need closure." The look of desperation on his face scared her somewhat.

"I left you a note." Her explanation was almost inaudible in the hushed tone she spoke.

"A note isn't closure. Don't you think I deserve to hear the reason in person?"

"I explained everything in the note. I couldn't be around the things that reminded me of my mother. I-"

"I told you that I would be there for you when you need me. You wouldn't let me there for you. You didn't want to be with someone who couldn't take you out of this place. You thought you would be stuck here with me with nothing to look forward to."

"No. Darien, that's not it at all. I loved you so much." The music stopped and Serena wrapped her arms around Darien's neck pulling him in close to her. The crowd was clapping but all she could hear was the blood pulsing in her ears.

He could smell the sweet lavender scent of her hair as she held onto him. Her body trembled slightly and Darien suddenly felt guilty for making her so uncomfortable.

"I still love you." Her warm breath tickled his ear as she whispered. As she began to pull away her soft warm lips pressed against his hot cheek and Darian felt his body shiver at her touch. Once she settled back into place he could see the tears forming in her eyes. "I..I'm sorry."

As the shock of realizing what she just said seeped in she paced over to the table and grabbed her purse and shawl.

"Serena? What's wrong?" Malachite asked as the young blonde picked up her daughter from her seat in a rushed manner. Darien stood not too far behind looking as if he had seen a ghost. He sighed out of frustration and shook his head. What had his stubborn friend done now?

"Mommy?" Serenity hugged her mother and Serena held on tightly to her daughter's body crying into her shoulder. As soon as she felt herself shaking Serena looked up and whipped away her tears with her free hand.

"I'm sorry. I'll see you guys later." Malachite and Mina started to protest that she stay but she shook her head and walked towards the front entrance nudging her way through the crowd. Serenity hung on tightly as the doormen opened the glass door and they walked out into the cold wet night.

Cursing himself for making her cry Darien tried to make his way to the main entrance when he was pulled back by someone tugging on his shoulder. He turned to see his captor and was struck by the stern look on his friend's face. Malachite's face was wrinkled in a way as if a parent were angry with their child.

"Let her go Dare." He said patting Darien's shoulder. "I think she's handled all she can for one night. Besides," Malachite directed his friend's attention to the red-headed seductress walking their way. "Your fiancé doesn't look too happy about that dance you shared."

A sinking feeling began to rise in his chest as Malachite walked away and Beryl stalked closer to him. Beryl never proved to be the jealous type but she seemed to possess a dark aura around her hour glass figure. She stood in front of him now, her cold green eyes glaring at him. After a moment of silence she wrapped her arm around his and dragged him along with her. "Did you forget that you're here with me?"

She had seen that small kiss that twit planted on his cheek and the look in his eyes as she walked away. She wasn't going to let her plans get spoiled by some stupid high school romance. That blonde-haired brat wasn't going to get in her way. She was going to make her life a living hell.

Serena didn't know how she'd make it back to Ami's house but she had to get as far away from this place as possible. Perhaps the taxis were still running at this time of night. On her determined search for one of the yellow cars she bumped into someone making their way to The Grand Ballroom. The strength of the tall man threw her back slightly and the man grabbed her so she wouldn't fall with the child in her arms.

"Excuse me." She said looking up at the man and she suddenly went cold. He towered over her, his dark hair was combed to the side and stayed perfectly in place, he wore large black framed glasses that reflected the moon light above them, and his hazel eyes looked deep into her. "Dad?"