Standard Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon never did, never will thank you!

Author's Note: I would like to thank SerenityMoonGodness, shana elmsford, rosebudjamie, QueenC86, Dertupuio, and BeeDiddy all for your fantastic reviews. For anyone who was a little confused by why Darien distanced himself from Serena. I hope this chapter will clarify it more. If there are any other questions. Please let me know and I will be happy to answer them all for you. I hope everyone will continue to enjoy and as always please read, review, and enjoy! Thank you Mars Light.

Against the Rules

Chapter 26

Darien sat at his desk after school trying to figure out what he would do next. He really thought he was doing the right thing by keeping his distance from Serena as he held the piece of paper with his phone number in his hand, but now he wasn't so sure.

She had never showed up for class today, not that he thought she would after what went down between them and he was sure she didn't go to the study session he set up for her with Ms. Harrow either.

He sat there not sure what to do now. He couldn't let things go on the way they were because she had been right he did have feelings for her. Feelings he didn't understand, but knew he couldn't deny as much as he tried he couldn't stop. He took three days off to figure out what to do and the only thing he could come up with was to keep his distance from her, but doing that would destroy Serena and he couldn't stand it if he was able to stop it, as he got up from his desk feeling like he could use some fresh air.

He walked outside to the empty parking lot or so he thought as he heard a voice from behind him asking "what's the matter? Got a lot on your mind? "

Darien turned around to see Ms. Harrow exiting the building behind him as he looked over to her and said "yeah there are a few things"

She walked up beside him as she told him "that student of yours never showed up today. Listen if she's not going to put in her part, then I'm not going crazy trying to help her she might as well be another lost cause" at hearing those words Darien didn't know why but he became angry as he told her "don't say that about her. She's not a lost cause. She's a smart student. She just needs someone to believe in her the way I did and still do"

Ms. Harrow looked at him as she said "Mr. Kenny you're a good teacher and a very caring person, but you can't help someone; who isn't willing to help themselves first; if this girl wants to learn, then I will be more than willing to help her, but in the mean time I do have many other students that do want to learn"

Darien nodded his head as he told her "I understand and believe me she does, she works hard and she's really a smart girl. She just needs the right person to believe in her. She wants to learn"

Ms. Harrow just shook her head as she told him "from where I'm standing I don't see that at all" as she turned around and walked back into the school then turned around as she asked "I'll see you at the meeting in a little while?"

Darien nodded his head as he told her "I'll be there" Ms. Harrow walked back inside leaving Darien to his thoughts as he thought about what she had said to him and then he heard a different voice coming from the behind the building asking "do you really think I'm smart?"

Darien was surprised to hear her voice as he saw her walk around the building as he came face to face with Serena realizing she heard there whole conversation with Ms. Harrow as he looked to her and told her "of course, I think you are very smart, but you need help to get to your fullest potential and Ms. Harrow wants to help you"

Serena just shook her head as she told him "no she doesn't, I heard your whole conversation just now. She thinks I'm a lost cause like everybody else in this school"

Darien shook his head as he told her "no. She just doesn't know you yet, but believe me. She wants to help you Serena". She looked back at him as she asked "and what about you?

Darien looked away so he wouldn't have to face her and hear her question knowing he didn't have a good enough answer for her as he heard her ask "Please just tell me what changed? Just tell me why? I think I deserve that"

He turned back as he looked to her and told her "like I said I won't be around all the time to give you the help you need and I want to make sure you have someone to go to when I'm gone that's all"

Serena looked to him as she said "why don't I believe you, there's more to it than that. I know there is. One day your promising to help me no matter what and now it's like you don't want to be anywhere near me. Just tell me the truth please"

Darien saw her sad eyes and heard her pleads and a part of him wanted to grab her in his arms and tell her how much he cared for her, but turned away so he didn't have to look at her as he told her "I was wrong. I went beyond the student teacher relationship when I took you for dinner that night and that was wrong of me. Please understand why I can't be around you. I have to go now"

She looked back at him and could see the torment that was building up inside of him just being near her as she asked "can I ask you one more question before you go?"

Darien looked back at her as she looked to him and asked "why were you really out of school for those few days? It wasn't because you were sick was it?"

He looked to her surprised by her question as he told her "no, it wasn't"

She looked back to him as she asked "did it have something to do with me?"

Darien knew he shouldn't answer her question, but still he found himself saying the answer that he had tried to hide for so long as he told her "yes it did"

She looked at him as she asked "why?" Darien looked back at her as he told her "I've said too much already. I have to get to a teachers meeting. Help yourself tomorrow Serena and come to class" he walked to the door to go inside, but Serena turned around to look at him as she asked "would it make a difference if I told you I really do have feelings for you. I know it's wrong, but do you have any feelings for me?"

Darien looked to her and could see it in her eyes it would crush her if he said no right now and the truth was he did as he looked to her and said "you know I do, but we spoke about this. We can't act on those feelings, they don't exist I thought we spoke about this the other night"

Serena nodded her head as she told him "I know, but I just want to hear you say it. Do you have feelings for me beyond student and teacher?"

Darien looked back at her as he told her "I can't" She looked back to him as she said "please there's no one here, but us. I just want to hear that there is someone out there that really cares about me and means it"

Darien looked to her small figure standing before him and could see it in her eyes that sadness, the longing to feel wanted by someone as he looked around to make sure there really was no one around who saw them as he told her "yes it's true. I can't get you out of my head, but Serena you have to understand you're my student and I'm your teacher and I'm engaged. I'm getting married I can't, we can't"

She nodded her head understanding as she told him "I know and don't worry I won't say anything" as she turned and walked away from him.

End Chapter 26

Author's Note: I hope everyone enjoyed Chapter 26. Please stay tuned for Chapter 27 to see how things progress from hereandasforhowlongIamgoingtomakethisstory. I'mnotreallysureyet. Italldependsonhowlongittakesforthestorytofullydevelop,butI will tellyouthiswherenearthemiddlerightnow. Ihopeeveryonewillcontinuetoenjoyand as alwayspleaseread, review,andenjoy!ThankyouMarsLight.