Sunset At Paradise Cove

Chapter 41

Author's Note: Hi everyone and sorry about the delays with getting this chapter out had a hard time trying to find the right path too chose on where to go with this chapter and these characters and the challenges and questions they would face with getting past some of the hurt from before, but after a few rewrites I am happy with the way it turned out and I hope you will enjoy it also. Please send your thoughts and reviews and thanks for following along. Mars Light

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

Andy pulled into the first empty spot he could find after circling around the block for twenty minutes as he turned to Darien commenting "not sure what is with this crowd today, I didn't think we would ever find a spot"

Darien looked out the front window seeing Andy was right that there did seem to be a larger crowd then normal as he nodded his head commenting dryly "oh you know it's the same thing every year"

Andy let out a loud laugh as he patted his friend on the shoulder replying back "yeah everyone has to come out for there chance to compete, see if they have what it takes to be the best"

Serena sat in the back listening carefully as she shook her head questioning back on the conversation "be the best what?"

Andy turned to the back to look at her as though she had six heads as he spoke as though it were completely obvious stating "the surfing competition it is the biggest thing to happen around here"

Serena nodded her head knowing how serious Darien took his surfing as she commented quietly "oh I see" even though she was only beginning to find out about this new world she had entered as Darien spoke up seeing the disinterest in her eyes as he replied "the competition is one of the largest, it brings people from around the world all trying to win the title"

Serena looked to him surprised not realizing this competition he had spoken of was such a big deal as she questioned back "what title?"

Andy looked over to Darien as he let out a small chuckle asking "what have you been telling this girl? Serena around here people take surfing very seriously, you're either a phenomenon like my buddy here, a guppy as I have seen my fair share of or"

Serena looked to him blinking her eyes hearing how much so surfing was part of the day-to-day life around here as Eva had pointed out to her that she didn't belong as she let out a loud gulp questioning back "or what?"

Darien shook his head listening to this whole conversation as he replied back disinterested "or nothing don't worry about it" as he started to open up the car door and got out slamming the door shut behind him as he looked around at the crowded sidewalk.

Serena sat in the backseat of the car feeling the tension growing with Darien's rapid departure from the car as she took a deep breath in and looked to Andy questioning back what she was unsure she wanted to know the answer to any longer "what other type is there?"

Andy looked back with a charming smile as he shook his head replying back "it doesn't really matter now does it" as he went to open his own car door and Serena followed suit as she walked up to the sidewalk to join the other two.

She turned around looking at where they were now standing quickly recognizing the area immediately which was the same place where Darien had brought her previously and with his insistence, she tried her first taste of a hamburger and then got to play in a real arcade and ended up sharing things with him that she had not spoken to anyone before.

She began to feel a flutter in her stomach with the same burning questions, thinking back to the conversation they shared here and then for him to give her back her doll knowing what it had once meant to her. He had no reason to be kind and nice to her, but yet he had opened up his home knowing there would be nothing to happen between them as she looked over seeing his charming, debonair smile and couldn't help but wonder if maybe someday there could be.

She shook her head knowing these thoughts were idiotic and would only lead her to further trouble and confusion as she took a deep breath in and then let it back out stating "is where we are going to much further, I just realized I have a date later that I don't want to miss"

Darien turned around sharply looking at her startled to hear that she actually had a date with someone else when he felt the sudden impact to hit something or someone as he tried to stay calm and collected questioning back "a date, you have a date tonight? With who?"

Serena began to blush feeling his eyes directed straight on her waiting for her response as she let out a small chuckle replying back "oh maybe date was not the right word it is more of a meeting actually" Andy walked up and patted his friend on the shoulder seeing the vein in Darien's forehead popping up as he laughed replying in "looks like you have some competition there for the girl's affection their buddy"

Serena looked to them both as she shook her head while laughing aloud stating back "what no I have no interest in being with anyone right now as I have said before I need to figure out for myself who I am and where I am going before I can even think about eventually dating again" as she began to walk forward needing to catch her own breath

Darien stood there seeing her walk away as he felt a light pat on his shoulder with Andy commenting back "well I guess things are more complicated than I thought between you two" Darien looked back at him with a slight shake of his head stating back "you don't know the half of it" as he quickly went to catch up with Serena demanding to know "if this is a non-date as you call it, this who is this guy you are meeting with tonight?"

Serena turned around to look at him with her head held up high stating back "not that I have to tell you what I do, just as you do not have to tell me because we are not a couple or anything this is just an arrangement between us, but if you must know it is not a guy at all"

Darien stood there blinking his eyes not expecting to hear that from her as he looked to her trying to find the right words questioning back "oh well not that there is anything wrong with that, but I didn't think that you were well into that. I mean after you and I well I guess it could be possible that you could go both ways and I mean I guess well"

Serena stood there shaking her head not sure how or why they were having this conversation as she shook her head commenting back "Darien I am not dating anyone either male or female, all I meant was I have a date later to speak with my friends we are all going to be online to chat later and I don't want to miss it"

Darien let out a deep breath hearing that was all it was and Serena didn't really have any date tonight as he nodded his head telling her with a smile "oh right sure of course, that makes perfect sense and don't worry I will make sure you are back in time"

Serena nodded her head as she replied back calmly "thank you, but even if it were a real date it would not make a difference because there is nothing going on between us any longer, we are only just friends and that would be best that we keep it that way don't you agree"

Darien stood there in the middle of the crowded side walk knowing this was his chance his opportunity to shake his head and tell her no that it wasn't enough and he couldn't stand the thought of her being with anyone that wasn't him but instead he found himself opening his mouth replying back "yes of course just friends"

Serena took a deep breath in knowing this was what was for the best to keep things easy and uncomplicated between them, but deep inside she felt something breaking as she nodded her head telling him what she didn't feel "good I am glad that is settled now shall we go get some food"

Andy stood back seeing the growing tension rising between them and expected his friend was a bit over his head at the moment as he walked over and patted Darien on the shoulder replying back with a small smirk "well looks like you two have things all settled here, and I don't want to interrupt this moment or whatever you want to call it but I am starving so how about we go in and get a table at Mario's before there are none left"

Serena nodded her head glad of the interruption that came as she replied back telling him "yes I could go for something lead the way" Andy walked up to Serena as he placed his arm around her shoulder with a small laugh telling her "well this place is pretty good nothing like New York pizza or so I have been told never been there myself but I hear that it is supposed to be good there but for island pizza this place is pretty good"

Serena held back a small laugh enjoying the company that she was spending with Darien's friend that she had found that she could speak with pretty easily and the more time she spent here with him she felt she could fit in here more and more so easily with Darien as though this could be her forever home as she nodded her head telling him back "I am sure it will be great"

Andy nodded his head as he continued to walk towards the pizza parlor and let out a small chuckle telling Darien "well this girl is pretty amazing even when she is about to eat bad pizza, she still keeps a smile on her face, hey if there is nothing going on between the two of you then I may just have to try to win her over for myself"

Serena looked to Andy knowing he was only joking, but to hear him actually speak aloud that eventually there would be others and she would have to move on from Darien which left her with an uncomfortable feeling as Andy held the door to the pizzeria open for her commenting innocently "so tell me all about this big city you lived in, I would love to hear more about it"

Serena let out a deep breath as she nodded her head questioning back "what would you like to know?" as she began to walk inside but realized that only Andy was following as she turned back to see Darien was not following inside as Andy looked to him curiously asking "aren't you coming?"

Darien had his attention turned elsewhere with his head turned to the side as he patted Andy on the shoulder telling him with a strong smile "no you two go on inside and start ordering I will be along in a minute"

Serena stepped outside wondering what it was that had caught Darien's attention away from them when she saw two girls standing further down alone on the sidewalk one blonde and one read head and expected she knew what or whom it was that had taken his attention away now, which just showed he had not changed a bit as she crossed her arms and let out a huff stating back "fine, but don't go making it a big deal about me when I start meeting other guys too" as she went into the pizzeria closing the door behind her

Darien stood there for a moment dumbfounded as he shook his head questioning "what was that all about?" Andy took a deep breath in as he replied back "if I really have to explain it to you, then maybe you both are worse off then I expected" as he opened the door to the pizzeria and followed Serena inside.

Serena stood standing by the large window as she watched Darien walk off further down the sidewalk and even though there was no part of her that could stop him, that this was exactly what they had agreed upon that they would both have there own lives to be able to see other people, and he is still just as much of a player as he always was a small part of her actually wanted to believe maybe something did change as Andy walked over stating "he said he would be just a minute, shall we order the pizza?"

Serena nodded her head yes unable to trust her voice to actually speak at the moment and knew that most of whatever appetite she did have was now completely gone as she followed Andy up towards the counter where he ordered a large pie and then turned to look at the crowding restaurant stating "there are two open tables left one by the window and the other near the wall which would you prefer"

Serena looked to him knowing the answer for her was very obvious and that she had no interest on having to witness first hand Darien using his many charms to pick up some other unsuspecting girl as she pointed to the corner table telling him "the corner would be best"

Andy nodded his head knowing that the tension had grown very strong as he let out a deep breath expecting for himself that his friend had changed, but seeing with his own eyes that even some old habits die hard especially when it came to Darien and a beautiful girl as he plastered on a fake smile and walked over to take a seat in the corner as he shook his head telling her "I am sure he won't be much longer, so how about telling me more about this city life of yours must have been pretty exciting"

Serena let out a long sigh as she nodded her head and began to question herself whether this was really the right thing coming here having to witness Darien being with other girls as she let out a long sigh knowing this was what had been agreed to, that she herself had just told him the same thing a moment ago and she had no right to be upset with him for being with others, this whole marriage was for convenience, for a name only until she could figure out what was to come next when she turned hearing the door open and close.

She turned to see Darien come walking over to the table where they sat, but at least he was still alone and had the decency not to come walking in with a blonde or red head on his arm as she heard Andy speak up asking him "so what have you been up to" even though they both had a pretty good idea whom he was picking up.

Serena rolled her eyes back hearing his friends' proud comment as she shook her head knowing it was obvious enough what he was doing and she did not need it to be paraded in front of her face, making her seem like a larger fool then she already was as she heard Darien respond back telling him "something caught my eye and I wanted to get a closer look"

Serena shook her head feeling tired and frustrated with the games he plays, being kind and considerate and generous one second and then going to pick up some other girl right before her eyes the next as she began to stand up needing her own space telling him "yes, I am sure the blonde girl over there caught your eye didn't she, seems like you have a general taste in the girls you choose or was it the redhead that you were eyeing this time going to change it up a bit were you?"

Darien looked to her with a small smirk seeing that she was genuinely looking upset as he told her calmly "well yes actually there is a blonde girl, I am trying to impress"

She turned to look at him feeling like she was just burned on the hot stove as she placed both hands down on the linen table cloth and grabbed it tightly between her fingers as she nodded her head telling him sharply "fine, I get it and if that is how you wish to play it that is just fine with me. We did say that we would not take this marriage thing seriously, which obviously you must agree seeing as how your eyes turned the moment you saw an attractive girl, so we will keep living this faux par arrangement living together, but we will remain with separate lives, but with that said I would hope that you could show some decency if you are going to go out and hit on every pretty girl that you see, could you at least not do so when I am sitting right here"

Andy looked to Serena seeing how aggravated she seemed to become and was not against making a scene in front of the entire restaurant, but to both his and Serena's bigger surprise Darien started to laugh by her comment as he shook his head wanting to get away from this before it became much worse asking nervously "should I leave you two alone for a minute looks like you both may have a few more things to be worked out"

Darien shook his head seeing how red Serena's cheeks were becoming when she became very aggravated as he told him "no that's not necessary" while Serena turned her head away so not to look at Darien telling Andy stubbornly "as a matter of fact I think it would be a great idea that you leave and if you can please take me with you, because I have no interest in being with present company at the moment" as she began to stand up from the table, but Darien took a strong hold of her wrist.

She looked down to where he held her wrist tightly in his hand as she shook her head telling him abruptly "let me go Darien I think enough has been said between us for one day and I have lost my appetite"

Darien let go of her wrist as he shook his head telling her with the smile that she hated seeing that left her to do stupid things as he replied back telling her "fine, you want to go then go, but first" he pulled out a small bag from his pocket as he placed it down on the table in front of her as she turned back to look at him unsure what he was up to now asking confused "what is this?"

Darien looked to her with a little smirk knowing she was about to eat her words as he slid the bag closer to her challenging back "open it and find out"

Serena looked at his face unsure what he was up to now or what this was all about as she slowly sat back down in her chair and hesitantly took hold of the small bag in her hands and opened it as she looked down at what was inside seeing a square rectangular box, she looked back up at him with a shake of her head confused as she asked "what is this? Are you trying to buy an apology or something because I am tired of fancy tokens, they don't mean anything to me"

Darien had a smile cross his face as he nodded his head telling her "I am well aware of that and let's just say, well you know what I am just going to keep my mouth shut for now, so why don't you open the box and let it do all the talking for me"

Serena took a deep breath in knowing they were falling back into the same old patterns again just when she was beginning to think that things could actually work out between them as she took the box out of the bag and held it in her hand deciding whether or not she should even open it as she shook her head and finally committed to opening the box, expecting to find some piece of jewelry to buy her favor like every other man in her life always has as she looked down with her jaw hanging open and starred back at him questioning "is this what you were doing back there?"

Darien nodded his head yes seeing the surprised look on her face as he smiled telling her "yes I noticed it in the shop window just now and I remembered you mentioning how you liked it when you saw it in the window that day when we took a walk together and really got to know each other for the first time and well I thought you should have it, so shall we try it on see how it looks on you, unless you think it is too superficial"

Serena sat there holding the necklace in her hand feeling speechless and humiliated on how wrongfully she had just judged him when he was doing such a kind gesture as she thought back to that day when she first noticed the necklace in the window and dreamed of the life, she could one day have here with him as she looked to him with a deep blush questioning quietly "will you help put it on me"

Darien nodded his head glad to see all traces of the angry girl that he witnessed when first walking in the pizzeria was now gone as he took the necklace box from her hand as he carefully removed the necklace and then stepped up behind her as he placed the necklace around her neck and did the clasp as he turned to see how it looked on her then smiled telling her "there now you look like an island"

Serena let out a small sigh expecting to hear the same pick-up line he used on her before and also on many of the other girls he had used his charms on to win them over and succeed in doing so as she told him back plainly "your island goddess"

Darien shook his head as he bent down and placed a small kiss down to the side of her neck and then whispered by her ear telling her "no actually I was going to say island princess, this island is where you belong now this is where your home is with me"

Serena sat there looking at him not sure what to say, what he actually meant by the comment, or why he was being so generous to her with all of these gifts, what he expected to happen between them as she shook her head telling him back "Darien I, I love the necklace and the doll was so kind of you and letting me stay with you, but all of this is just too much and I"

Darien stood up as he reached down and took her hand in his own as he raised it up to his lips and placed a small kiss on it telling her "it's okay relax Serena it's like you said were friends right, and I will be here when ever you need to be, we'll figure this all out together alright"

Serena slowly nodded her head knowing like it or not if she was not careful, she could really find herself falling for him all over again as Andy spoke up from across the table breaking her from her thoughts telling her "well the necklace looks nice on you, but I think you may have spoken a bit too quickly there about what he was really up to just now and may owe Darien an apology"

Darien turned to look at Andy unsure what trouble he was trying to stir up, now that he was beginning to gain Serena's trust back as he shook his head telling him "no that's really not necessary"

Serena looked to Darien surprised by his sincere comment knowing that if she were to be living at home and to make such a comment that her father would have gone off on her and she would never have heard the end of it from her mother until the last of her days as she shook her head saying back apologetically "no he's right I did. I spoke to quickly and I was wrong to unfairly judge you as I did. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions and I am so sorry"

Darien reached over to lift up her chin to face him so she would no longer have to cower to anyone ever again as he shook his head telling her firmly "you never have to apologize for speaking what is on your mind, not to me. I don't need nor do I want your apology because it is unnecessary"

Serena looked to him with a small smile knowing that the words he spoke were true as she reached down and took hold of the shell necklace that she wore around her neck feeling that she really was finally free living here on this island with him

Andy looked over to Darien surprised by his comments, but more so that he himself thought the worst of his friend, but was never so pleased to see that he had been wrong too as his thoughts were shortened by the waiter who came walking over placing a cheese pizza down at the center of the table.

They all sat down while they each grabbed a slice and began to eat meanwhile Andy kept giving quick glances over to Darien, but Darien hadn't taken any notice of him because he kept looking over towards Serena when he didn't think she noticed him watching her, but she had noticed because she continued to feel her hands begin to flutter around with his eyes cast upon her, while she tried to continue to pass off what she was feeling as nothing more than an physical attraction, while she kept her attention focused down on her food.