Alrighty everyone here is the last bit. Thank you all so much for sticking through and reading. I appreciate it. If you've read the whole way through and just ghost read, just please, review to the this. It really means a lot to me when you guys let me know the end result. Wether you loved or hated it I'd like to know. So please Anyways, here you go.
Darien, now as Tuxedo Mask, dived headfirst into the icy water, losing his mask and top hat in the process, but not caring. While at his apartment, he had felt that familiar sense of urgency inside him every time Sailor Moon needed him. Each time it felt like she was calling him. He couldn't refuse her.
He had rushed to the park as fast as his legs would carry him. Sailor Moon was in trouble and needed his help, and for now he would have to push his thoughts of Serena onto the back burner.
As he arrived on the scene, he saw her flying into the pond, but assumed she would swim to shore while he took care of the creature.
After defeating the Youma, scarcely realizing she wasn't there beside him. Then, with a shock, it occurred to him that somewhere within that black abyss of a pond, Sailor Moon was trapped. This was why he now found himself swimming through that same darkness. He needed to find her and quick.
Once he had reached the bottom there wasn't much he could see, but he could sense her somewhere nearby. Usually, her presence felt vibrant and strong, but right now it wasn't. She was fading away, which meant that he didn't have much time left, and he had to find her.
He focused and finally was able to make out her familiar form and could make out those long golden locks. Using all of the strength he could muster, Tuxedo Mask was able to pull her to the surface and carried her out of the murky depths and out onto the grass surrounding the pond and gently set her down. He knew she wasn't breathing and pulled her into a position where he could give her mouth to mouth when he noticed exactly who she was. Sailor Moon was not the name issuing from his lips.
"Serena!"
She was Serena, but he was also aware she had gone in there as Sailor Moon. At once everything began to hit him.
Serena hated him. He loved her. Serena was Sailor Moon. He loved her. Serena wasn't breathing. He-
Oh my God! Serena wasn't breathing! Darien started CPR frantically, telling himself she had to live, for they had so much to talk about, and he loved her. She still wasn't breathing and a higher level of panic set in more CPR. There was still no response.
"God Dammit, Serena! Start breathing, you stubborn . . . wake up."
Darien was screaming angrily as her lifeless body lay limply in his trembling arms. This couldn't be it. She had to be alive.
His voice filled with despair as he added, "You've got to come back, Serena. I love you. You can't leave me. I need you," and as a last ditch effort to awaken her, he slapped her hard across the face.
Much to his surprise and relief, Serena began coughing up water, her eyes flickering open.
- - - -
"Argh -- How many times am I going to get hit in the face today," she weakly mumbled through her coughing fit.
After some time had passed, she fully regained consciousness and strength. Serena turned to face whoever had saved her from near death.
"Darien! What the... why are you dressed as Tuxedo Mask?"
She was glad to see him. After all, she loved him, and he had saved her life, so maybe he did...but how did he get her so fast? Why was he dressed like Tux? Well, minus the hat and mask of course.
- - - -
Darien knew he normally would've come up with some lame excuse, but he didn't have the energy, or the inclination. He was just so unbelievably relieved that she was okay. He had come so close to losing his love, but magically, she had come back to him. He silently vowed never to lose her again.
His parents were dead and he finally realized he could never again tell them how much he loved them, but right in front of him was the one person he did love more than life itself, and she was alive. He could tell her. He would spend the rest of his days telling her how much he cared for her. And hopefully one day, she could forgive me and love me back, he thought inwardly.
"Well meatball head," Darien told her tenderly, stroking her cheek. "I'm dressed up as Tuxedo Mask for the same reason you dress up as Sailor Moon."
"Hey! I don't dress up as Sailor Moon. I am... Ooohhh..."
Darien grinned as she figured out what he meant. He noticed she was shivering horribly and picked up the cloak he had flung aside before diving after her, and wrapped her within its secure folds. Serena thanked him for his kindness, grateful for the warmth.
- - - -
After a moment, the memories and sadness crept back into her mind and she felt like crying all over again. "You really shouldn't have stopped me, Darien. It wouldn't have made any difference. But since you have, I've got it from here. You can go now."
- - - -
"You mean you did that on purpose? What is wrong with you?" Darien was angry at the fact she had been so careless with her life, but terrified because something had pushed her to it, and he had played a part in it.
"You know what's wrong with me? Everyone in my life I love doesn't give a damn about me. It hurts, Darien. It hurts so much, but I guess now I'm going to have to live with it."
He had never heard so much anger coming from Serena before. What struck him most of all however was that underneath everything he could still hear and feel the sadness within her coming in waves. It made his heart want to snap in half.
It seemed to Darien in that moment Serena had regained enough of her strength back, because she promptly handed him back his cloak and began to walk out of his life once again. This time, he wouldn't let it happen. He wouldn't say the wrong things.
Before she got too far, he reached for her and spun her around to face him.
"Serena, would you just wait a freaking minute, please?"
She hadn't moved yet, merely staring at him, and he took this as his cue.
"Serena, I'm sorry. I know this doesn't make up for all the terrible things I said to you, especially for what I said and the way I treated you today. The truth is... you scare me. Everything you said to me today you were spot on about -- with the exception of two things -- It really terrified me how you were able to see me so clearly, and after you were done talking to me, I just panicked. I didn't feel like I could be straight with you. You know?
I've spent practically my whole life avoiding my feelings. I didn't feel like I was ready to let it all out just yet. I couldn't tell you how much I miss my parents, all the guilt I feel, or how much of what you said to me at my apartment meant to me. But, after almost losing you just now, that was a major wake up call for me, Serena. I can't keep running away from everyone, from you, because I'm scared. I'm sorry."
- - - -
She was staring at Darien, unable to say anything. He had so much emotion, so much grief, in his eyes she had never seen in him before. She was soaked to the core, dizzy, exhausted, and very confused. So it was taking her quite some time to absorb everything he was confessing. Then, a thought struck her.
"What were the two things I was wrong about?"
After hearing what he had told her at his apartment, she was scared at his answer. But, after what he had told her just now, she had to know.
- - - -
At her question Darien's grief stricken face had been replaced by a huge grin. He was very happy she was listening instead of trying to get away. He might have a chance after all. And he also knew the answer to her question. This was going to surprise the crap out of her, he thought smugly.
"The first thing you were wrong about was the fact I don't think anything I say about you is true. What I say to you and what I truly mean couldn't be more opposite. They are both two very different things. When I call you a meatball head and laugh at you, what I'm really saying is that I love your hair. It's beautiful just the way it is. I'm not laughing to mock you. I'm laughing more at the fact that you don't know what I mean.
I know you hate that nickname, but I mean it to be a complement, and you look so goddamn cute when you're angry. It's so hard for me not to provoke you. When I say you need to grow up, or that you're naïve, that's not what I mean either. What I mean is: I love your innocence, your positive thinking, and the way you view the world. Don't ever change. Every mean thing that I've ever said to you or about you was really a compliment in my mind.
I guess if I tried to explain it in simpler terms, it would be like how you act when you're five years old. You know? When you're a boy and you're five when you like a girl at school you pull her hair and torment her. That's how I treated you. It was stupid and I don't want to do it anymore. I know I hurt you, I can't say it enough. I'm sorry."
- - - -
Serena was, to say the least, very startled at Darien's sudden openness toward her. She almost didn't believe the sincerity she saw in his eyes and heard in his voice.
"What was the second thing?" If it was possible, she saw Darien grin even wider than before.
"When you offered your friendship to me, you also said something about how I wouldn't want you to be my girlfriend, but I want you to know that's not true either. I understand now after going over our crazy relationship and everything leading up to today, there is no way I believed you would ever consider going out with somebody like me -- if you ever were. But, one day I'll make it up to you, and I hope you'll let me take you out. You'd be the most wonderful girlfriend a guy could ask for, and whoever manages to win your big heart will be the luckiest man in the world."
- - - -
Everything Darien was saying he knew sounded like some lame soap opera script BS, but it really wasn't BS at all. This was how he felt -- if for only once in his life he was going to say exactly what he meant.
- - - -
After the initial shock of his words had passed, her first feeling was being absolutely thrilled.
Darien wants me to be his girlfriend! He saved my life and he wants to be a part of it.
But then, another voice within started to nag her.
Since when? After months of making you feel horrible, and putting you down he says a few kind things about you, and you believe him?
Serena's earlier state of heartbreak re-asserted itself as fresh pain gripped her. She wasn't ready to put herself back out there with him, and didn't really know if she'd ever would. She didn't want to be shut out once again.
"How can you say that to me? You love playing games don't you? Do you honestly plan to torture me for the rest of my life? You should've left me down there so I wouldn't have to deal with this crap. Actually, you know what? I sincerely thank you for saving my life, but I don't need this," she commented coolly.
- - - -
"A game? Serena, its not-"
"That's bullshit, Darien! Of course it's a game. You expect me to believe everything you're telling me after months of treating me otherwise, especially after today when I put my heart and soul on the line and you crushed it? No way..."
Darien felt as if he was about to lose her all over again and he really didn't want that. She had a right to be skeptical, even hate him, but that didn't mean it didn't hurt.
"Serena, you have every right to hate me if you want, but I'm not playing a game or joking. I'm dead serious. I know that I have to make up for all the pain I've caused you, and I will. I'm sorry."
"Sorry just doesn't cut it. It just doesn't..."
"I know, but I'm-"
"Stop Darien! If you haven't noticed, I have a lot to deal with right now. I discover you are Tuxedo Mask of all people, and you now know I'm Sailor Moon, and, oh yeah, I almost died. I don't need any of this."
"Please," he begged her. "Just listen-"
"No, I've heard all you have to say. Just let me go home please."
"Serena-"
"Leave me alone."
"But Serena-"
"Darien, stop." She turned on her heel to walk away from him again. Darien was determined to not let this happen. He was faster than she, and grabbed her by the wrist before she could leave him.
- - - -
"Darien!" She couldn't believe this. She just wanted him to let go so she could get home. She kept her back to him, trying her best to ignore him, hoping he would give up and let go.
"Serena..." He needed desperately for her to turn around.
"What Darien? What do you want," she asked with every ounce of exasperation she had at her disposal.
- - - -
Darien grinned to himself once again, knowing full-well the answer would shock her. He leaned closer to whisper in her ear.
"I want you. I love you, you silly meatball head." With that he spun her quickly around, put his arms around her, and kissed her hard on the mouth.
Almost instantly Serena began to respond to his kiss. This surprised him, because only moments before, she had practically said that she hated him, but it didn't surprise him enough to stop. He never wanted to let her go. This felt too right.
- - - -
When they finally pulled apart, both were breathing hard, and for a minute, there was nothing but silence.
"You really mean it? You...love me?"
Another trademark, Darien smirk followed her question.
"Very much so; I plan to spend the rest of my life trying to get you to forgive me. Hopefully one day you might even love me back."
Serena was so very close to tears. This was so surreal, so perfect.
"Don't bother. I forgive you already."
It was now Darien's turn to be stunned.
"But, how can you? I've been such a jerk. I don't deserve it."
"Well, too bad. I don't really care if you deserve it or not. I forgive you. You're a good man, and I've always known that. And, I can't hate someone who just saved my life, has fought by my side against evil for so long, someone who just professed his love to me, and who... I love back with all my heart."
"Are you serious?"
This night was turning out to be so full of freaking surprises, for both of them. It was a wonder neither had a heart attack brought on by all that had taken place this day.
"As serious as I always am," Serena giggled and Darien smiled, hugging her tightly to him, and kissing her affectionately on the forehead. He heard her sneeze; making him painfully aware she was still soaked to the skin. As she looked up at him, she saw the guilt etched on his face.
"Don't Darien. We're going to start over -- right?"
- - - -
He kissed her lips lightly; she took this as an answer in the affirmative.
"We still have a lot to talk about meatball head, especially pertaining to Tuxedo and Moon. But for now, we need to get you home before you catch a cold." He was going to take good care of her.
Darien carried her all the way home, into the house, up stairs and into her bedroom despite her protestations. He wanted to make absolutely sure she was all right, and he knew she really didn't mind. On the contrary, Serena felt overjoyed, like a princess being taken care of so well.
He even waited for her to make sure she was comfortable and got into bed okay. She took a hot shower while he sat on her bed and waited. She came out of her bathroom in a pair of flannel pajama bottoms, and a white tank.
Serena giggled a little nervously at her appearance. Comfortable was not always the most attractive looking thing. She didn't even have her hair up in the usual do.
"Don't fret. You look adorable," he reassured her, and she blushed slightly at the compliment.
- - - -
He stood up to leave, and a thought suddenly struck her.
"Hey Darien, I have a question if you don't mind me asking . . ."
"Not at all kid . . . shoot."
"Well back at the arcade Andy said something about you feeling guilty about what happened with your parents. I kind of wanted you to know why you felt that way. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."
He sighed before sitting back on the bed.
"I've never really talked about this before, I don't know if I can . . . I guess it's time . . . it's stupid really . . . I just remember being the backseat, me and my mother were having a fight. I can't recall about what actually, but I started to cry because I was so frustrated, and I yelled at her to look at me. Finally she did, she didn't see the curve in the road, and then it happened."
By her expression, he could tell Serena was very sad at this, and that she still didn't believe it was his fault. She was so caring. He swiftly bent down to place a kiss on her lips.
"I love you."
- - - -
Darien kissed her goodnight and they made plans to meet the next day at the Crown. She would bring the girls with her, so they could all discuss this impending negaverse business together. There would be time for other, more personal discussions, later on.
Serena hadn't told the scouts about what happened the previous day, or about Tuxedo, herself and Darien. She was afraid today things would be different, that in the light of day, he would change his mind, and withdraw his love for her.
She knew her thoughts were irrational, but the very idea made her nervous. Serena joined Amy, Lita, Mina and Raye as all sat down at their usual corner booth. Andrew popped on over when he noticed them, and sat down next to Mina.
"Hey girls, Serena, how did it go yesterday?"
The girls all looked to Serena, wondering what Andrew was talking about. They were all giving her looks as if to say: Yeah Serena, how did it go yesterday? She never answered because at that precise moment she heard the familiar welcoming jingle of the doors opening and saw Darien walk through them.
Her heart stopped as he locked his beautiful deep blue eyes with hers, and grinned. In that one instant all of Serena's fears melted away. Nothing had changed.
- - - -
Without sparing a glance at the other occupants at the table, Darien scooted in next to her. He through one arm possessively around her waist, and tilted his head to kiss her passionately, reassuringly, on the lips. He didn't want her to ever doubt his feelings again.
- - - -
"Well, that answers my question," Andrew commented, watching the new young couple kiss.
He smiled and got up from their table, knowing yesterday had obviously gone quite well for them both. He was happy for them. It was about time they realized what he had known all along.
- - - -
Serena and Darien's eyes were shining with happiness as they pulled apart. When they looked to the girls, they saw everyone's jaws had dropped -- confusion and shock clearly written on their faces. She laughed loudly at their expressions, and Darien grinned widely.
Raye was the first to speak. "What is going on here?"
Serena looked to Darien and then back at her thoroughly stunned friends.
"We have a lot to talk about, you guys, but amongst some other more obvious things," Serena began, taking hold of one of Darien's hands atop the table. "Darien is Tuxedo Mask."
The girls all exploded into: "Oh my Gods, no ways, and well that makes sense actually.
It was clear there was much to discuss. It was a new beginning -- a new alliance was forming between Tuxedo Mask and the scouts. But equally important, this was also a new beginning for Serena and Darien.
THE END
Lovely? I think so. hehe. It took me a lot to write this, it's my baby, and I am proud. Thanks again
