Sessediz

Rated M: Language and love scenes

D/S

It occurred to me as I was beginning this chapter that aside from one all of the love scenes have been from Darien's perspective… So I thought I'd rectify that issue. ;)

Only two reviews this time around but that's alright! I assume that this is the time of year with projects, test and such for those in school or university (and any parents out there might be dealing with that concerning their own kids) but I still hope to hear from you on the previous chapter or this CRAZY long one. It looks like there will be one chapter left, that is, unless there is interest in an epilogue (but wait until the last chapter is up before you say you want one).

Last thing, mainly for you avid Sailor Moon fanfic readers: Do you find yourself struggling to remember what is canon and what is something that you read from a story? I think my mind has blended a lot of the small details from various stories I've read and this has accidentally caused me to form a new head-canon. It's an odd phenomenon, isn't it?

Serena Tsukino:

"I need order number seventy-seven up to the front please," I shouted to the back. Things were getting hectic and it was still Thursday. Only two more days in this place. "Can someone ple—."

"Seventy-seven's up," Lita announced with a ding on the metallic counter. I grabbed the food, placed it in a to-go bag and handed it to the anxious customer.

"Sorry about the wait. We're getting ready for our big move," I smiled handing her a flyer.

The pink-haired girl snooted, "Good riddance," and turned away to leave the restaurant, the flyer still in my hand. We finished getting through the lunch rush and I was glad that I would be getting the evening off with Darien.

Lita, the crew and I had been working strenuous shifts all week and I began to wonder if our 'good idea' was actually so great. Everyone would be getting most of the following week off as we prepped for the opening and early that Friday we would be making sure that everyone was familiar with the game plan. Each of the crew members had been taken to the new location to scope it out and I was thrilled to hear how excited everyone was.

Of course, part of their excitement was due to the celebrities in attendance but in my head I liked to think that it was mostly due to being a part Moon Rise's new chapter.

A couple of customers filed in around 4 p.m. and I found myself looking at the clock on the wall more often than it would give me a different answer. I must have been caught in a daydream because a large hard started waving in front of me.

"Earth to Serena!" the male voice boomed. I jumped, startled at the sound and clenched my chest before facing the man.

"Nathan?" I asked surprised. I moved around the counter and opened my arms for a hug. "What are you doing here? I thought you were down in Miami?"

"Got tired of the warm weather," he grinned. I pulled away and looked outside to see the dreary rain of New York and knew that he was joking. I hope the rain stops soon. "I see you got the restaurant in Manhattan that you wanted. Lita must be thrilled."

"Thrilled as we all are, actually," I looped my thumbs into the waistband of my waiting apron. "So, what brings you here?"

"Like I said, just chilling," Nathan looked around nervously and then silently sighed. "I promise I'm not here to try and 'win you back,' okay?"

I smiled, "Wouldn't work if you did try. I have someone in my life right now."

Nathan's eyes widened, "Do tell. Is he a keeper? He must be if you're willing to talk about him in a public space." I punched his arm and he winced, "Joking, joking."

I turned to Molly and asked if she could take over the to-go counter so that I could take my break. Lita handed me my late lunch from the kitchen and smiled when she realized Nathan was here. Though most of the seating was removed, I pointed to where there was a table without the chairs on top and we both took a seat.

"Lita looks good," Nathan commented. "She do something with her hair?"

"Yeah, she stopped wearing those colorful bandanas to work," I teased. Nathan kept looking over towards the kitchen and Molly, the only one in view, looked embarrassed. "You're freaking out my hostess."

Nathan turned to me, "Am not." I took a bite of the chicken and began mixing the seasoned vegetables into my mashed potatoes. "So, who's the guy?"

I swallowed, "Darien Shields. We knew each other back in high school actually; dated for a few months."

"Oh? So Serena's been digging through her black book, huh?"

"I don't need one of those and you know it."

Nathan smirked, "You always were prideful. So, you slept with him in high school and decided that you needed another go then?"

"Nope, we actually didn't sleep together until a few months ago."

He raised an eyebrow, "You've been seeing this Darien for three months?"

I smiled, "Nope, our first date is tonight. He's taking me out for burgers and then we're supposed to be hitting an arcade; kinda like the old days except less eyeliner."

Nathan nodded and reached for my fork, pulling it to his mouth. He took the bite of chicken off of the end and I pretended to aim my utensil at him like a rumble. "You seem nervous."

I furrowed my brow, "Do I?" I hadn't really thought about it before but I guess I was; especially after what the girls said to me over the weekend. "I just don't know if he's going to expect us to be physical so fast, I mean, we're only just now dating and I really like him, Nathan. I'd die if our second chance ends because I did something stupid."

Nathan leaned back and brushed his long, dark red hair off his shoulder, "Well, do you think he only wants to be with you for sex? I assume that this guy has shown an interest in you for some time now. That sounds a bit like a commitment to me."

"You think?"

"Sure, but I'm not him. I can't go around speaking people's minds. You could talk to him about this before you two go any further."

I shook my head, "No, too embarrassing."

Nathan burst into a heap of laughter, "Embarrassing? You?" He continued laughing until I had almost finished my meal, "I'm sorry, Serena, but you're a very open person who says what's on their mind. You don't hold back in bed and I'd be shocked to see you trip and give a damn what anyone else said."

"Are you trying to say that I don't care what people think about me?" It was a trait sought by many but being told that that's how you are isn't always the biggest compliment.

"On the contrary," he brought his hands up in defense, "I just mean that you are a forthright woman and have a commanding personality. Besides, my mother always taught me growing up that if I ever think I'm mature enough to be having sex I'm also mature enough to talk openly with my partner about sex."

"You're mother's quite cavalier. Most parents abstain from the sex talk hoping their children's ignorance will keep them from becoming a young grandparent."

Nathan shrugged, "I think that's exactly why she said it. I didn't lose my virginity till the homecoming game my junior year and I had talked it out with the girl ahead of time about what we would do if we got pregnant as well as being sure that neither of us had STDs."

I furrowed my brow, "Homecoming game?" Nathan grinned widely and I shook my head. "You are an animal."

"So when's this date?"

"Couple hours; I get off at six though." I looked to the time and saw that my break was almost up. "Well, if you're going to be in town long we should all hang out sometime. I'm sure Lita would love to catch up with you."

"Actually, do you think she's going to have a break soon? I'd like to talk with her about something."

I smiled, "I'm sort of her boss, you know?" About as much as she is mine. "I can just put her on a break."

Nathan grinned, "Thanks, Serena."

I stood up and gathered my plate, "Thank you, Nathan." After putting the finished dish on the belt towards the large kitchen sink, I told Lita that Nathan wanted her to go on break and Lita accepted hesitantly.

Six o'clock rolled around and I announced my departure to the crew. As I walked to my car I thought about what I was going to wear for our date. Darien was just taking me out for casual food and some fun so I didn't need to dress up, though with the turning weather that was almost a blessing. I smiled at the clear garment bag hanging in the rear-right seat window and watched the light from the last bit of clear sunlight beam on the small glittery bits. Eight days; I thought before slapping a hand over my mouth.

"Shit!" I frantically looked around my purse for my phone and called the sign company. "Shit, shit shi—oh, hey!" I barely recovered once the line picked up. "My name is Serena Tsukino, co-owner of Moon Rise. We were supposed to get our sign on the new building today. Did it get installed?"

"Hello, Ms. Tsukino, let me check." I gave the woman my order number from the invoice and she returned to the phone. "It would appear that there was an issue with the installation and our men were unable to progress without your attendance. It says here that they called you three times."

"Ah, yes but I gave you our old apartment phone number when I first filled out the order and we just moved, you see?"

"Yes, but there was no other way to contact you. We can have the crew come now for an extra fee of $250. I'm afraid our services are booked for the next week so since it says here on the form you are opening on 28th this will be the only way you will get the sign on your building in time."

I sighed, "Alright, I can be there in one hour."

"That's awfully late, Ms. Tsukino."

"But I'm in Brooklyn! I'll, uh, I'll pay your men another hundred."

"I can't ask them to stay that late, Ms. Tsukino. They do have families to go home to."

I pulled the phone down to my thigh and mimicked a frustrated outburst without causing alarm to the woman on the phone though I might have just scared that couple walking through the parking lot. "Alright, if I have someone meet you there right away will that work? I'll be there as soon as I can."

The phone was silent. "I suppose that would be alright, but if they sign off on the installation without you there the signature still holds."

"I trust his judgement."

I hung up and quickly dialed Darien's number. "Good evening, beautiful. When do you think you'll be ready?"

"I need a favor."

"Is it a sexual favor?" I could hear him smiling on the other end and momentarily thought about my conversation with Nathan before answering.

"Afraid not, I need you to go to the new restaurant and wait for the sign people. There was a problem but if they don't have someone there they won't install it and if they don't we won't have a sign for the opening!" I took a deep breath.

"Okay, calm down. I'm already dressed so I'll just walk over there, okay? Will you be meeting me there?"

I looked down to see my black tights, denim shorts and dark green jacket over a fluffy, maroon sweater, silently cursing myself for not dressing like I would be if the Brooklyn restaurant was the Manhattan one. I nodded despite him not being able to see me. "I will be right there."

Darien Shields:

I clicked the phone and reached over for my jacket and keys. "See you guys!" I shouted before locking the door behind me. Normally I would take my time walking through Central Park but Serena was nervous enough about this sign business and I didn't want to potentially mess it up by not being there when they arrived.

Women, children and couples smiled at me as I jogged through the park in a black peacoat and jeans. I nodded in their direction as I passed and gave them a big smile. The things we do for love.

When I arrived to the front of the new Moon Rise restaurant there was a short semi-trailer pulling up.

"Are you the representative for Ms. Tsukino?" a buff man asked me from the open passenger window. I nodded. "Alright, we seem to have a problem." Serena mentioned there was a problem. What am I supposed to do with it?

"What's the problem? Is there something wrong with the sign?"

The man stepped out and handed me a dingy pair of binoculars. "You see that there?" the man pointed up to the spot that looked to be where a sign would go for a restaurant. I looked closer to see something sticking out of the thick concrete seam. "There's a bird's nest. Now, our contract states that any non-endangered bird can be removed without the authorities having to be notified but we need approval from the buyer before we can go forward."

"Oh," I whispered as I brought the binoculars up to my face and saw a pigeon land on the bundle of twigs. "Well, it's the fall. No baby birds in the fall, right?" I asked the man.

He shrugged, "I just install the signs, sir. It's your call."

My neck tightened as I thought about what to do. It's not like we're killing the bird we're just… taking its home. I sighed and rubbed the back of my neck; Gosh I wish Serena was here. Maybe we can relocate it?

"How would you remove the nest?"

"We'll position the ladder nearest we can and can bring it down carefully, if that's what you mean."

I nodded, "Let's do that then." I don't know if the bird will still use it but it's the only thing I can think of.

The three men started getting to work and unloaded the sign, a mechanized lift and other tools. I wondered how the new sign was designed and thought for a moment about sneaking a peak before Serena showed up. Soon the bird flew off as the lift started making noise. The smaller man who had been driving was now on top of the machine as the buff guy and another one operated it. When he reached the top he picked up the bundle and began his descent. He was halfway down when the lift jolt and he released the nest.

"Whoa!" I shouted as I swooped under the lift to catch it. Miraculously, it still looked to be in good shape. I looked to the three men to be sure that they were all okay and the buff guy smirked in a funny way. I shrugged it off and walked over to one of the trees lining the sidewalk. "Here we go," I whispered, shimmying it in between two small boughs. "I hope this doesn't deter you from seeking future residence on New York City buildings."

"Who are you talking to?"

I looked over my shoulder, my arms still stretched up inside of the tree. "Uh, there was a bird." Serena smiled and I pulled myself from the tree. "I promise there was," I gestured to the men, "That's why they wouldn't install it before. They needed a decision from you on whether to remove a nest or not."

Serena furrowed her brow, "Will it be alright?"

I tilted my head to the side, "We didn't hurt the bird and I relocated the nest. I don't know if birds won't touch a nest that a human has touch. Isn't that what they say about people helping baby birds that are seemingly abandoned?"

"I think I saw that debunked somewhere."

We both looked back to the men who were working on getting the sign ready. "Are you Ms. Tsukino?" the smaller man asked. She nodded and walked forward, "We need you to confirm the sign is correct before we install it."

Serena looked back at me nervously and I began to silently pray that the sign was as she ordered. They pulled the thick tarp off of it and my eyes caught sight of the yellowish-white font underlined with a thick bar. In between the words 'Moon' and 'Rise' was a crescent moon peeking out from the bar.

"Exactly as I ordered, thank you." Serena leaned over to sign a clipboard and the men went to work installing it. The sun had gone down and the block-style buildings only helped to carry the air through our clothes. "I'm sorry our first date has to start out like this."

I shook my head, "Don't worry about it. I'll just buy us coffee or cocoas instead of milkshakes." Serena smiled and I pulled her into my arms, my thumb rubbing her shoulder. After an hour the sign was perfectly placed and the fitted tarp fastened over each letter. They would be showing up next Friday for a few minutes so that they could remove the tarp and after another signature the truck was gone. "Ready?"

She nodded, "I can drive us. I don't want my car sitting at a meter all night." We got into her car and Serena told me I could use her smart music to select the songs for our short trip. I thought for a moment before turning on Seether's cover of "Careless Whisper."

When we pulled into the parking garage and quickly hopped out of the car and rushed to her door. "Milady," I bowed. I prayed Serena wouldn't hit me for the gesture.

"You know, I can get my own door."

"Doesn't mean you have to," I winked.

We walked across the street to the diner and I requested a booth in the corner like the one we went to that day I bought Serena a strawberry milkshake in Tucson. I wonder if she remembers things like that. We ordered our burgers and drinks and finally got to talk.

"So, how was your day?" I asked.

"Good then busy, then good again, then hectic and now here."

I smiled, "Care to elaborate?"

"Well," the waiter brought our drinks to the table. "Everyone's getting tired from the crazy schedule Lita and I came up with but I guess it's only a couple more days so it's not so bad. And my old pal Nathan showed up."

I stopped drinking my cocoa, "Is he a—?"

Serena closed her eyes as she downed a gulp of coffee, "Yeah, but don't worry, there's nothing between us. In fact, I think he likes Lita."

"Oh. Isn't that weird?"

She smiled, "Not for me and not for him, but Lita's been acting strange. I don't know if it's because of the situation or because of how she thinks I'll react."

"Hm, maybe you should tell her that you don't mind if they start seeing each other."

"But where's the fun in that?" I eyed her. "Okay, okay, I'll talk to her. What about you; what did you do today?"

I reached for the ketchup bottle and checked the weight, "We actually might have found a new place. I get to see it tomorrow during my lunch break."

"Where at?"

"Six blocks from our current one but it's much larger and priced as it should be. I hope we get it."

The waiter brought our burgers and I requested a second bottle of ketchup since the one on the table was almost empty. Serena laughed and then took a bite of her cheeseburger. We were both starving so half of the meal was just the sound of chewing and slurping.

"Would you look at that," Serena said, motioning towards the other side of the diner where several high schoolers were dressed in suits, tuxes and colorful gowns, possibly for their homecoming dance. "I don't quite get putting on a nice dress and spending hours doing your makeup so that you can get a burger and fries."

I turned my gaze back to her, "Where would you have gone for our senior prom?"

She pondered for a moment, "That Italian place two exits down. They had the best breadsticks."

I chuckled, "That's where I took my date junior year."

"Damon took me to Pete's Pizza." I stared at her wide-eyed, "Yep. He loved to spoil me."

"I thought you said the dinner he took you to was nice?"

"Well, he let me get however many toppings I wanted." God I love you. "Where's this arcade?" she was working on the last of her fries as I handed the waiter my credit card.

"Two blocks over but on the opposite side. You know, I was going to take you to prom our senior year. I planned it out at junior prom when my date scampered off."

Serena leaned forward, "You planned our senior prom while you had another date? No wonder she left."

"Nah, she asked me to go because she wanted to make this guy jealous. I guess it worked because I saw them making out in the back hallway when I was leaving." I brought the refilled mug of cocoa to my lips.

"What did you have planned?"

I rubbed the back of my hand over my mouth, "The usual, I guess. Nice dinner, slow dance, corsage. Oh, and we both won the court."

She chuckled, "Sounds like a daydream or fantasy, not a plan."

"Oh, no I had it all mapped out. Trust me; we would have won king and queen." The waiter walked back up and returned my card with a receipt and pen. After the bill was settled I grabbed Serena's hand and we walked down the street to the arcade.

Serena Tsukino:

"Wow, arcades have certainly changed," I announced, feeling old.

"Or this is just how New York does it," Darien said as he handed me my arcade card. I missed having a handful of quarters or a cup of golden tokens. "What should we play first?"

I looked around the room and saw mostly newer games blinking and flashing brightly. Sure, they were just fancier versions of the types of games we had growing up but I kind of missed the blocky-style characters and arcade-font showing a 'game over' or 'new high score.' I continued to look at the games when a vacant air hockey table caught my eye.

"There!" I said rushing over to claim it before anyone else could get to it.

"Air hockey?" Darien asked surprised. "I thought you'd want to play one of those Mario-type games.

"Those are fun but this way we can play together at the same time." I swiped my card and to my luck the puck popped out on my side. The table started blowing up small bits of air and I watched as Darien geared into his competitive stance I remembered him using in high school basketball games. We should shoot some hoops here. "You're going down, Shields."

"Bring it on, Tsukino," Darien blew a kiss at me as I slammed the puck into his goal. "Hey! That's not fair play!" I smirked with a sarcastic shrug and a quick dusting of the shoulder. "Oh, that's how you want it?" Darien pulled on his sleeves until his jacket was free from his arms and he tucked it under the game table. "Two can play at that game."

"All talk," I yawned. I knew he would take the chance at my 'distraction' so I immediately dropped down to block his hit. "You can do better than that, Shields."

Darien banked the puck off of the side twice and I watched in horror as the puck grazed past my paddle and into my goal. "Suck it, Tsukino." Stuck in high school again, are we?

I loosened my scarf and flung it over the backs of my shoulders. We were neck and neck with the points piling up till I won the first game and Darien the second. On the tie-breaking third game we both had six points; the first to get seven would win. Darien was serving and I was in full concentration mode. He hit the puck towards the left side and it bounced to me as I knocked it back to his side. He really does favor that move. The puck exchanged sides probably five or so times before I reached forward for another ricochet but I was too slow. My arm stretched out in front of the banking puck as I jabbed it back into my own goal.

"No!" I shouted, falling to my knees. I knew I probably had a bunch of kids staring at me but I didn't care. I lost. I saw Darien doing a small victory dance out of the corner of my eye as I began to stand back up, wiping the sweat from my brow.

"Hey, good game," he smiled as he reached to shake my forearm.

"Are we basketball buddies now?" I teased but when I saw that look on Darien's face I shook my head. "No, nuh-uh, I've already lost once to you tonight."

"Com'on, be a good sport," he started looking around, "There must be some hoops around here." Darien pulled on my arm and through a small crowd of teenagers we found the fast hoops game. "Hold this?" he asked as he slid his card through the machine. The game lit up with bright colors as the basketballs were released and Darien began shooting them into the far hoop. Most made it and the ones that didn't likely ended up in one of the other hoops off to the side. I gulped realizing that there was no chance I would win this one. But he already knows that; this isn't really a challenge. The last two were complete misses as he had started focusing on the countdown.

"My turn," I muttered, handing him our jackets. I slid the card and the game beamed again. Darien shouted a small encouragement as the basketballs were released and I took a deep breath before grabbing the first ball. I sunk the first two into the side hoops before feeling like I could get the hang of the game. Darien cheered me on as I continued shooting with most of them falling into the main hoop. When the game ended the final score showed up on the top screen and I looked to Darien.

"You beat me," he said stunned before smiling. "You never did show me how much better at ball you were."

"You mean that day at the park?" I subconsciously touched my brow and watched him pull off the tickets we had gathered from the game.

"Yep, I took you home and then to the hospital." He started looking around for the next game.

I scoffed, "You mean you accompanied me home and then tagged along when my parents drove me to the hospital to get stitches for the injury you gave me."

Darien turned around and enveloped me in a hug. "I apologized then, remember? But I can apologize again," he held me out at arm's length, "I'm sorry for being a better ball player than you." Before I could register what he had said Darien was scurrying off to the other side of the arcade. The darkness and neon lights made it hard to locate the bastard and I yelped when I felt a pair of arms around my waist. I felt his warm breath on my ear and almost melted. "I really am sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you that day."

I nodded slightly before turning into the embrace. I looked up at him and his eyes danced a reflection of the lights around us. "I'm sorry for the things I said to you that day in the park. I didn't mean any of them and I'm sorry for bailing on us."

Darien leaned in and I closed my eyes. His lips were soft and the kiss wasn't hurried like the ones we had shared before. When we heard a few whistles Darien pulled back and smiled, "The teenagers are wooing us."

"They could use a lesson," I reached for his chin and pulled him back to me for a few more seconds. Darien smiled into the kiss and I felt his body tighten against me.

"Okay," he whispered. "We should go play another game before I try to take you home." I blushed as he led me over to a few more games for the next hour. We were racing on a pair of sports cycles and Darien jokingly kicked the side of my cycle seat.

"Hey! No dirty kicks!" I shouted trying to avoid a puddle of oil on the track.

"There's no rule saying I can't!" he shouted over the growing noise of the arcade. Darien's vehicle stopped suddenly as I drove down the final stretch and over the checked line.

"Yes!" I cheered as I looked over. Darien had a boy, maybe ten or so, pulling on his sleeve. "What's wrong?

He smiled sheepishly, "Apparently there is a rule." I followed his finger to the sign above the game box and then looked back at the kid who was crossing his arms, "Again, I am sorry for breaking the rule and will be sure not to do it again." The kid didn't smile but he did give a slight nod before walking away.

"What was that about?" I grinned.

"What can I say? Kids. You done playing?" I nodded. "I don't really want any of the cheap toys they have up there."

I looked to the prize booth that wasn't too far from our last game, "Neither do I, at least not the ones we have enough tickets for." My eyes almost bulged at the giant curved television set and PS4 prizes.

"Here," Darien reached for the tickets that I had sticking out of my jacket, "meet me at the front, okay?"

I held our jackets as I watched a couple playing a single player game together. The guy was struggling to understand the gameplay and the girl was leaning over him with her hands guiding his controls. The sight made me smile and then it got wider when I saw Darien step into view.

"Where'd you go?" I put on my dark green jacket and fluffed my hair out over the collar.

"I gave that kid our tickets to thank him for pointing out my mistake," he smiled at my expression. "What? Am I so cute that I'm gonna get lucky tonight?"

I winced and led us out of the arcade to the car. Darien strolled beside me and our hanging hands met a few times. It was honestly too cold for me to not be clenching my arms to my chest but I hoped that Darien's hand would find its way into mine. As we cleared the first block he instead moved his free hand to my opposite waist and pulled us together.

"I had a great time tonight," he said.

"Me too."

"I have a present for you but I don't want you to think too much of it, alright?" I stopped walking and slowly repeated 'alright' to him. Darien reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. "So I was going to do this super romantic thing and it was going to be awesome but of course the stars weren't aligned."

I watched his hands as he pulled out two tickets to the Katy Perry concert in New York City three months from now. He didn't. "I had the contact information for your party planner and tried tried tried to swing getting Katy Perry to the opening but I guess some celebrities can't be booked last minute. So yeah, it would have been romantic, huh?" he wanted for a response and I just giggled. "I want you to have them as a make-up for the present you returned six years ago. Don't return them to me this time, alright?"

Darien attempted handing the tickets over but I put a hand up, "I can't accept this, Darien."

He furrowed his brow, "Why not? I'm not asking you to go with me. You can decide who to take closer to the concert date. If I'm lucky enough to still be a part of your life in three months I might also be lucky enough to go to such a fantastic concert."

I laughed nervously, "You don't like Katy Perry. She's all pop-y and sometimes R that's not your style."

"I'd go for you, Serena."

We stood there with shadows of people walking around us before I reached for the tickets. "Alright." Darien smiled, gave me a peck on the cheek and led us the rest of the way to my car. He walked me to the driver seat and was about to open the door when I pressed a hand to it.

"You okay?" he asked. I looked up at Darien searching for answers that I knew I should have been vocal about. Nathan told me to ask.

"You don't expect us to resume a sexual relationship right away, do you?"

His eyes stilled, "Not really. I don't want to rush things. Why; do you?"

"No." Yes. "Why don't you want to rush things?"

Darien rubbed the back of his neck, "I like you, Serena, and I've liked you for a long time now. I'd be pissed at myself if I lost this chance with you because of some stupid mistake. I don't mean to say sleeping with you is a mistake, it could never be. I just want to be sure that we're not having sex just to have sex."

I nodded, "My sentiments exactly." I looked to the empty car and back to Darien, "But that begs the question; if we both want to be sure that this is the real deal so that we don't make a mistake, aren't we on the same page?"

"Uh, yeah. What are you getting at?"

I moved my right shoulder back towards the car, "I'm all in and so are you… so, what's the risk?"

Darien adverted his eyes to check out our surroundings before looking back at me through his bangs. His mouth curled into a smile as he stepped towards me. I clicked the unlock button on my fob and opened the back left door. Darien climbed in after me and pulled the door closed. I leaned forward and held his face in my hands as our lips met.

"We could get caught," Darien whispered as I began tugging on his jacket.

"So?" I whispered back between kisses. He pulled away and I saw the hesitation in his eyes.

"I don't like to put on a show. Let's go back to one of our places, though Andrew and Ami are supposed to be in tonight."

I pulled back, "I don't know if Lita has plans… but maybe Nathan invited her out." It was after eleven so the restaurant would be closed by now. "We could try." Darien opened the door again and helped me back out and into the driver's seat. I pulled the seatbelt over my chest and when I turned back I was surprised to see him still standing there, a wide grin plastered on his face. "What?"

"Oh, nothing."

Darien closed the door and in five seconds he was in the passenger seat as we drove to the apartment. When we arrived, I noted that the living room lights were off and hoped that it meant Lita was either dead asleep or out with someone. We snuck down the hallway into my bedroom and I closed the door.

"The place looks great," he said as he pulled off his jacket. He walked over to my dresser and smiled when he saw the old photo of us back in view.

"You should see what it looks like in the dark," I clapped my hands together.

"Why?" Darien asked as he clapped them back on. "I want to see you, Serena. I love your facial expressions when I make yo—."

I pressed a finger to his mouth, "Alright, alright. We can keep them on."

Darien paused, "Couldn't the lights flicker while we're ma—having sex?"

I smiled, "I guess but I can switch the system off so that we don't have to worry about it." Darien gave me a wicked smirk and I couldn't decide what to decipher from it. Did he correct himself from saying make love?

"Up to you, I don't plan on being too gentle."

I walked over to my first lamp and fixed the setting, "I wouldn't have it any other way." Once I finished working on the lamps, Darien picked me up bridal style and placed me on the bed. His body towered over mine as he bent down and began kissing my lips, face and neck. When he tucked his left hand under my sweater and gripped my waist I moaned his name.

"You like that?" I nodded and he smirked before reaching his other hand up and squeezing both sides. "How 'bout that?" he asked. I'm sure he got his answer from my facial expression as he continued gripping me in small motions. His pants were getting tighter against my body so I trailed my finger down to unfasten his belt and unzip the jeans.

Once we had worked out of our clothes, I looked up at Darien as his eyes seem to be searching my own. Nervously, I started talking, "Could we flip?" Darien looked puzzled but nodded anyways. Before he could start the task of changing positions I wrapped my right leg over the back of his left and rocked to the side, effectively mounting Darien's waist in the process.

"How did you do that?"

"Judo. I took some self-defense classes when we first got to the city."

Darien grabbed my face and pulled me down meet him. His lips were hurried and I shuddered at the feeling of the tip of his tongue grazing over my bottom lip. Without breaking from him, I moved my hips down and used the hand that I wasn't using to prop myself up with to reach for him. Darien grunted at the feeling and then gasped when I tickled the small underneath. I love it when he reacts like that.

I guided him inside of me and the memories of our time together from before resurfaced with a mutual moan. We grinded our hips together and I rested my head on his right shoulder. Perfect access; I thought as I began nibbling the curve at the base of his neck. I rocked forwards and back on his body and had been doing a good job until he grasped my waist again, momentarily pausing me from moving against him.

"Serena," he moaned as his left hand traveled down to my hip. His thumb pressed against the crease where my thigh began. "You never said why you got this one."

I had started grinding back into him, "I like stars. It's nice have a tattoo that not everyone gets to see." There was actually a small birthmark underneath it. At the time, I was thrilled that I had come up with the idea of getting a simple black star to cover up the tiny blemish but as time rolled on, I realized that it was stupid to think that I needed something else there in the first place; though I'll never tell him that.

We had gone back to silent moaning and I pulled myself up from his neck to see his eyes looking into mine again. Why does he keep looking at me like that? I wiped away some loose hairs that we sticking to my face and that's when I started really looking back. Darien. Our pace had slowed down a bit but I'm not sure if either of us were paying much attention.

"I love you," I blurted out.

Darien's eyes widened and I felt sick. Why did I say that? What is wrong with me? I felt his grip tighten on my hips as he began to pick up the pace again; no longer did my position on top allow me control of the situation. I felt him arch his hips up as he drove into me but I bit my lip, preventing any noise from escaping my mouth.

"Com'on, Serena, don't hold back," he managed to say between thrusts. "I know you want to moan some more." I released my hold and let out the captive sound. "That's my girl."

I clenched my legs on either side of his body for support and continued to cry out. I had already finished when he finally released and I found myself whimpering with pleasure. Reality started to set in and I felt sick again. Darien pulled out of me and allowed me to lay there on top of him. He stroked my hair and I wondered if I could get away with pretending that I had fallen asleep. I kept my eyes shut and controlled my breathing down to a slow rate.

I started to wonder if he had actually fallen asleep and then began to fear what the morning might bring.

"Serena?" he broke the silence. I didn't respond to him because I still wanted to see if I could weasel out of the situation for the night but he picked up on it. "I know you're not asleep. I just wanted to let you know that—that I love you too."