Disclaimers: Me no own Sailor Moon or Gundam wing; No sue!
Authors notes: I personally want to thank all the wonderful people who
reviewed this story. It encouraged me to write more and to believe in
myself, thank you. This chapter is for all of you. A little warning though,
the first couple of paragraphs are..... I dont know how to say this. Its
disturbing.I promise, it gets better after that.Enjoy!
Darien hurled his seventh beer bottle across the small living room , aiming it towards his and Serena's wedding portrait adorned on the wall, knocking it off and sending it crashing to the floor. He watched the different sized glass fragments with abnormal interest. His head spun, and his vision was blurred by simple objects taking odd shapes and colors. He knew he was drunk. It didnt matter, this wasnt the first time he was this heavily drunk. ' And it isnt going to be the last time either.' He thought.He had this sudden urge to smile hysterically as he thought of the things he was going to do to Serena when he would get his hands on her. ' Litle bitch has been gone for two fucking days. Gonna beat the SHIT out of her when she comes home. ' He thought, with a sneer of contempt on his unshaven face. He was laying face down on the couch in the living room, across from his bedroom and Rini's nursery. His eyes were about to shut and fall asleep when a sharp cry carried out from the nursery. He ignored it. He really, REALLY wasnt in the mood to deal with the little brat now. He was tired, hungry and damn well PISSED off. Darien hasnt eaten in the two days since Serena left to get the groceries and has yet to return.And well, If he didnt eat, Rini was just going to have to go hungry as well.Unfortuneatly, being untended to for two days left Rini irritable and her wails didnt cease, but instead, had intensified. " Uhgg, sshhuuutttt uuupp." He slurred, his eyes unfocused and dialated. He had gotten drunk and smoked a small bag of cocaine on suggestion from a co-worker of his. His command went unheard and Rini continued to cry, her small voice course from sobbing. He was getting annoyed now, his temples throbbed painfully and his breath quickened. He tried to close his blood shoot blue eyes, hoping to drown out all other sounds of reality. It wasnt getting any better. The pain in his head pounded like a hammer banging on his skull, unrelenting. With a grunt, Darien pushed himself off the couch and stumbled, falling on the small coffeetable behind him. Releasing a stirng of curses at both Serena and Rini he dragged himself over to the nursery. Tumbling into Rini's room, he failed to notice how scarcely decorated it was. No matter, there wasnt enough room for to fit in there anyways.The entire room itself was as large as a closet, a small bathroom if you're optimistic enough to see it like that.But with the little money Darien brought home going to his liquor didnt leave much room to be picky about where you lived. Rini's small, round cheeks were red and tear streaked. Her voice already quivering from the strain of crying. She seemed to cry harder when Darien appeared by her cradle. His left eye started to tick, something he would often see Serena doing when she was stressed. He'd always found it funny and laughed in her face about it, but now that it was happening to him he was finding the humour in the situation. " Shut up." He said, his voice low but firm. " SHUT UP." A little louder now, Rini's cry jabbing in his brain, making his already turbulent migraine go haywire. He quickly and harshly grabbed her chubby upper arms and giving her a firm shake. " SHUT THE FUCK UP!" His voice bouncing off the walls. He was shaking the small baby until her fragile head was flinging backwards and forewards fromthe intensity. Still, her cries didnt lessen. Plopping her back down to the bed, he reached down to the floor and picked up a pink and white pilow engraved with the words MOMMY'S LITTLE GIRL and held it against her face. Rini panicked and uselessly tried to remove the suffocating object with her weak arms. In his rage he added more pressure to the pillow, not relenting to his daughter's panicky and wimpery cries. His eye twitching he smiled down at her.A single phrase going through his head all the while.'Shut the fuck up.Shut the fuck up. Shut the fuck up.' Slowly, ever so slowly, she lowered her arms back on the mattress of the crib,as if admitting her defeat. Darien could see her tender fingers on her left hand twitch every once in a while. He wouldnt lift the pillow from her face until her body would stop moving completely. Her hands twiched once more and then went limp. His ragged breathing was the only thing he could hear now. The silence seemed ironically deafening, but he was satisfied. Lifting his hand and removing the pillow from her face, he froze. Rini had died with her eyes opened, her rosy lips open in an eternal sob. A final tear rolled down her cheeks and stained the white bedding of her crib, the last living part of her drained out .Darien felt his heart quench at the sight momentarily, before shaking his head and storming out of the nursery with a sickingly satisfied smile on his face. ' I'm insane. I'm going to fucking go to jail for this.' He thought as he retrieved his keys from on top of the table in the kitchen and headed to the door.He did half his job, now its time for Serena to go.He paused at the doorframe and whispered to Rini. " Hope you have a nice nap, little fucker."
Duo sat on the chair next to his bed in his own room.He had moved Serena to his own room after that first night. He had asked Catherine for some clothes for her to wear. He didnt think that Serena would appreaciate waking up in a strage place in her underware. ' Well, neither would I' He chastised himself.She had been asleep for two days already. Duo would have started to worry until Quatre's private doctor assured him that all she needed was some sleep. He also advised Duo to find out the situation about Serena and her bruises.Duo only waved him off and continued to keep watch over her, sleeping only every few hours. " Please wake up Serena , please......" He repeated his chant out softly until he went into a light trance and had to shake his head a little to clear his mind.A movement at the corner of his eye had attracted his attention.Serena moved her leg somewhat, and slowly began to come out of sleep.He jumped out of his chair and kneeled down besides the bed and watched her for any further movement.She let out a soft groan of pain and licked her lips slowly. Duo licked his own lips unselfconsciously keeping his eyes on her mouth.Serena's eyes cracked open and looked around her. ' What is this? Where am I? This isnt my house.' She thought absentmindedly as her eyes glanced over to where Duo was watching her intently. ' What an awkward dream I'm having. I swear I saw Duo just now.' " Morning Serena." Her eyes flew open and she jumped up, staring straight at Duo before shrieking loudly.Duo winced back and covered his ears before reaching over to Serena to tranquilize her.Instead, she crawled away from him and fell off the narrow bed to the floor.In her fall, she tipped over a picture frame and the glass shattered next to her.Duo tried to help her up but she just help up a large piece of the glass to use as a weapon. Duo's bedroom door flew open and Heero,Wufei and Trowa burst in the room, with Quatre following right behind them. He didnt stop soon enough and crashed into Trowa's backside and blushed furiously. " Eh, Hi guys! Em. I'm gonna need your help. She's freaking out and she's going all psycho on me with the glass here!" Quatre moved in front and firmly as he could, pushed the four of them out of the room. " Dont worry! Ol'Quatre will take care of this!" He said, slamming the door in thier faces. The four of them stayed close by the door for a sign of trouble.All they could hear was soft whispering then silence. Quatre's yelp of pain caused Trowa to react and charge at the door. Heero held him back forcefully, shaking his head no and let him go. Ten minutes later Quatre opened the door quietly and let Duo in before exiting the room himself.Trowa blinked at the sight of Quatre. He had a cut from his right temple to his chin with dried blood staining his skin. Heero and Wufei looked at Trowa and Quatre and then each other. " Lets go." Heero began " After you Yuy." Trowa grazed his fingers along the cut, pulling away when Quatre winced. Quatre's cheeks were blushing faintly and he was smiling. " Are you ok?" " She was traumatised temporarily. I made a sudden move and she slashed glass down my face. Its not deep enough to leave a scar luckily." Trowa bent down and kissed Quatre lightly and took his hand. " Lets go Little One, they need time alone." Quatre just happily walked alongside his lover and smiled. " Lets go."
Serena sat up on the bed, using the headboard for back support. Duo, on the other hand, sat as far away as he could opposite of her. Both of them were silent, not wanting or more likely not able to disturb the moment.Serena had her head bowed and fingers fidgeting with an imaginary lint on Duo's sheets.Duo stared straight at her, wondering if he should start talking or to wait until she said anything. " Please. Please give my apologies to your friend Quatre for me.I didnt mean to cause him any harm." " Whats the purpose of that? Knowing him, he already forgave you." She was silent for a secound.Then continued with a shake of her head. " Please just do it for me.I have to leave soon and I dont know him as well as you do." " Then you can apologise to him yourself befo-" " DUO!! Stop it! We havent been speaking for five minutes and we're already arguing!! This. is. WHY we broke up two and a half years ago!! We're just not meant for each other." Duo tried to be quiet for once. Suddenly he was very tired of hearing himself speak. But he couldnt just be silent when he had the one person that he loved and lost right in the room with him. " Does that mean it's too late for us?" He asked, hoping that he didnt sound as desperate like he was inside. Serena shook her head, as if trying to convince herself of something. " There is no US Duo. I'm married now and I have a 10 month old child back at home.I cant leave them just to run back to you now." Serena winced as she heard her own words, to her, they sounded cold and harsh .Void of emotion. ' I guess thats what happens when you stay around a man like Darien for too long.' When she didnt hear anything from Duo she looked up and regretted it. Duo didnt know about Rini, she was sure about it. He looked both surprised and pained, a look that was heart wrenching,especially coming from a person like Duo Maxwell. Several times Duo opened his mouth to say something and he would just close it again. But he forced himself to speak. " You want to go back to a man who would hit you like that? And leave marks as well. I wonder if thats the kind of life you want your kid to live in? Either that or you're too ignorant to do something for yourself instead of doing something for others." Serena bit her lip. " It's not that easy Duo.Its very hard for me, and I have no one I can turn to for help." " So you think its easy for me then?Knowing that the woman I love is in some hell hole putting herself and her child in danger because of a fucking bad excuse of a man. And dont give me that bull shit about not having anyone to turn to.I was here for the past two years waiting for you.You knew my address and my number in case you ever needed it, never once had I changed it hoping that you would come back to me." He stared at her dead on, refusing to let go of her gaze.Her tears flowed down her pale cheeks and fell to her hands on her lap.Her body shook with sorrow and frustration as she, for the first time in two years, cried. Not for Darien, not for Rini, but for herself.Those tears were for her and her alone. Duo stood up and went to the bed. Cradling her fragile body close to him, he soothed her with soft whispers and feather light kisses across her temple. " Ssshhh. I'm sorry, dont cry anymore please. It hurts me to see you like this. Listen, why dont you tell me the name of your baby......" He asked, kissing her forehead, then trailed down and kissed her nose, and finally reached down to her lips. Soft, light kisses took her breath away as his fingers gently traced imaginary patterns along her back, giving her pleasure ful shivers. " Mmmmmnn. Her name's Rini." " Is she as beautiful as her mother?" Serena just answered with a moan as he suckled her lower lip before entering his tongue in her mouth.Serena unraveled his braid behind him and ran her fingers through the long cheastnut hair, loving the feeling of hair gliding in between her thin fingers. Duo separated from Serena first, taking in air.She layed her head down in his chest and put her ear by his heart, mimicking the pulsing sounds by tapping her hand gently on his chest. " Duo." " Yeah?" " I need you to take me home.Quatre told me I've been asleep for two days already." Duo sighed softly against Serena's hair and closed his eyes in frustration.He didnt want to cry, she needed him to be strong for her.But what happens when Duo needs someone to be strong for him? " Alright. We'll talk to the others for a ride. But before I left you go.....Promise me something." "Anything." " Dont let him do this to you anymore.You promise you'll come back if he tries it again? We can leave this all behind. Just you, me and the baby. Alright?" "...... I promise....."
Darien hurled his seventh beer bottle across the small living room , aiming it towards his and Serena's wedding portrait adorned on the wall, knocking it off and sending it crashing to the floor. He watched the different sized glass fragments with abnormal interest. His head spun, and his vision was blurred by simple objects taking odd shapes and colors. He knew he was drunk. It didnt matter, this wasnt the first time he was this heavily drunk. ' And it isnt going to be the last time either.' He thought.He had this sudden urge to smile hysterically as he thought of the things he was going to do to Serena when he would get his hands on her. ' Litle bitch has been gone for two fucking days. Gonna beat the SHIT out of her when she comes home. ' He thought, with a sneer of contempt on his unshaven face. He was laying face down on the couch in the living room, across from his bedroom and Rini's nursery. His eyes were about to shut and fall asleep when a sharp cry carried out from the nursery. He ignored it. He really, REALLY wasnt in the mood to deal with the little brat now. He was tired, hungry and damn well PISSED off. Darien hasnt eaten in the two days since Serena left to get the groceries and has yet to return.And well, If he didnt eat, Rini was just going to have to go hungry as well.Unfortuneatly, being untended to for two days left Rini irritable and her wails didnt cease, but instead, had intensified. " Uhgg, sshhuuutttt uuupp." He slurred, his eyes unfocused and dialated. He had gotten drunk and smoked a small bag of cocaine on suggestion from a co-worker of his. His command went unheard and Rini continued to cry, her small voice course from sobbing. He was getting annoyed now, his temples throbbed painfully and his breath quickened. He tried to close his blood shoot blue eyes, hoping to drown out all other sounds of reality. It wasnt getting any better. The pain in his head pounded like a hammer banging on his skull, unrelenting. With a grunt, Darien pushed himself off the couch and stumbled, falling on the small coffeetable behind him. Releasing a stirng of curses at both Serena and Rini he dragged himself over to the nursery. Tumbling into Rini's room, he failed to notice how scarcely decorated it was. No matter, there wasnt enough room for to fit in there anyways.The entire room itself was as large as a closet, a small bathroom if you're optimistic enough to see it like that.But with the little money Darien brought home going to his liquor didnt leave much room to be picky about where you lived. Rini's small, round cheeks were red and tear streaked. Her voice already quivering from the strain of crying. She seemed to cry harder when Darien appeared by her cradle. His left eye started to tick, something he would often see Serena doing when she was stressed. He'd always found it funny and laughed in her face about it, but now that it was happening to him he was finding the humour in the situation. " Shut up." He said, his voice low but firm. " SHUT UP." A little louder now, Rini's cry jabbing in his brain, making his already turbulent migraine go haywire. He quickly and harshly grabbed her chubby upper arms and giving her a firm shake. " SHUT THE FUCK UP!" His voice bouncing off the walls. He was shaking the small baby until her fragile head was flinging backwards and forewards fromthe intensity. Still, her cries didnt lessen. Plopping her back down to the bed, he reached down to the floor and picked up a pink and white pilow engraved with the words MOMMY'S LITTLE GIRL and held it against her face. Rini panicked and uselessly tried to remove the suffocating object with her weak arms. In his rage he added more pressure to the pillow, not relenting to his daughter's panicky and wimpery cries. His eye twitching he smiled down at her.A single phrase going through his head all the while.'Shut the fuck up.Shut the fuck up. Shut the fuck up.' Slowly, ever so slowly, she lowered her arms back on the mattress of the crib,as if admitting her defeat. Darien could see her tender fingers on her left hand twitch every once in a while. He wouldnt lift the pillow from her face until her body would stop moving completely. Her hands twiched once more and then went limp. His ragged breathing was the only thing he could hear now. The silence seemed ironically deafening, but he was satisfied. Lifting his hand and removing the pillow from her face, he froze. Rini had died with her eyes opened, her rosy lips open in an eternal sob. A final tear rolled down her cheeks and stained the white bedding of her crib, the last living part of her drained out .Darien felt his heart quench at the sight momentarily, before shaking his head and storming out of the nursery with a sickingly satisfied smile on his face. ' I'm insane. I'm going to fucking go to jail for this.' He thought as he retrieved his keys from on top of the table in the kitchen and headed to the door.He did half his job, now its time for Serena to go.He paused at the doorframe and whispered to Rini. " Hope you have a nice nap, little fucker."
Duo sat on the chair next to his bed in his own room.He had moved Serena to his own room after that first night. He had asked Catherine for some clothes for her to wear. He didnt think that Serena would appreaciate waking up in a strage place in her underware. ' Well, neither would I' He chastised himself.She had been asleep for two days already. Duo would have started to worry until Quatre's private doctor assured him that all she needed was some sleep. He also advised Duo to find out the situation about Serena and her bruises.Duo only waved him off and continued to keep watch over her, sleeping only every few hours. " Please wake up Serena , please......" He repeated his chant out softly until he went into a light trance and had to shake his head a little to clear his mind.A movement at the corner of his eye had attracted his attention.Serena moved her leg somewhat, and slowly began to come out of sleep.He jumped out of his chair and kneeled down besides the bed and watched her for any further movement.She let out a soft groan of pain and licked her lips slowly. Duo licked his own lips unselfconsciously keeping his eyes on her mouth.Serena's eyes cracked open and looked around her. ' What is this? Where am I? This isnt my house.' She thought absentmindedly as her eyes glanced over to where Duo was watching her intently. ' What an awkward dream I'm having. I swear I saw Duo just now.' " Morning Serena." Her eyes flew open and she jumped up, staring straight at Duo before shrieking loudly.Duo winced back and covered his ears before reaching over to Serena to tranquilize her.Instead, she crawled away from him and fell off the narrow bed to the floor.In her fall, she tipped over a picture frame and the glass shattered next to her.Duo tried to help her up but she just help up a large piece of the glass to use as a weapon. Duo's bedroom door flew open and Heero,Wufei and Trowa burst in the room, with Quatre following right behind them. He didnt stop soon enough and crashed into Trowa's backside and blushed furiously. " Eh, Hi guys! Em. I'm gonna need your help. She's freaking out and she's going all psycho on me with the glass here!" Quatre moved in front and firmly as he could, pushed the four of them out of the room. " Dont worry! Ol'Quatre will take care of this!" He said, slamming the door in thier faces. The four of them stayed close by the door for a sign of trouble.All they could hear was soft whispering then silence. Quatre's yelp of pain caused Trowa to react and charge at the door. Heero held him back forcefully, shaking his head no and let him go. Ten minutes later Quatre opened the door quietly and let Duo in before exiting the room himself.Trowa blinked at the sight of Quatre. He had a cut from his right temple to his chin with dried blood staining his skin. Heero and Wufei looked at Trowa and Quatre and then each other. " Lets go." Heero began " After you Yuy." Trowa grazed his fingers along the cut, pulling away when Quatre winced. Quatre's cheeks were blushing faintly and he was smiling. " Are you ok?" " She was traumatised temporarily. I made a sudden move and she slashed glass down my face. Its not deep enough to leave a scar luckily." Trowa bent down and kissed Quatre lightly and took his hand. " Lets go Little One, they need time alone." Quatre just happily walked alongside his lover and smiled. " Lets go."
Serena sat up on the bed, using the headboard for back support. Duo, on the other hand, sat as far away as he could opposite of her. Both of them were silent, not wanting or more likely not able to disturb the moment.Serena had her head bowed and fingers fidgeting with an imaginary lint on Duo's sheets.Duo stared straight at her, wondering if he should start talking or to wait until she said anything. " Please. Please give my apologies to your friend Quatre for me.I didnt mean to cause him any harm." " Whats the purpose of that? Knowing him, he already forgave you." She was silent for a secound.Then continued with a shake of her head. " Please just do it for me.I have to leave soon and I dont know him as well as you do." " Then you can apologise to him yourself befo-" " DUO!! Stop it! We havent been speaking for five minutes and we're already arguing!! This. is. WHY we broke up two and a half years ago!! We're just not meant for each other." Duo tried to be quiet for once. Suddenly he was very tired of hearing himself speak. But he couldnt just be silent when he had the one person that he loved and lost right in the room with him. " Does that mean it's too late for us?" He asked, hoping that he didnt sound as desperate like he was inside. Serena shook her head, as if trying to convince herself of something. " There is no US Duo. I'm married now and I have a 10 month old child back at home.I cant leave them just to run back to you now." Serena winced as she heard her own words, to her, they sounded cold and harsh .Void of emotion. ' I guess thats what happens when you stay around a man like Darien for too long.' When she didnt hear anything from Duo she looked up and regretted it. Duo didnt know about Rini, she was sure about it. He looked both surprised and pained, a look that was heart wrenching,especially coming from a person like Duo Maxwell. Several times Duo opened his mouth to say something and he would just close it again. But he forced himself to speak. " You want to go back to a man who would hit you like that? And leave marks as well. I wonder if thats the kind of life you want your kid to live in? Either that or you're too ignorant to do something for yourself instead of doing something for others." Serena bit her lip. " It's not that easy Duo.Its very hard for me, and I have no one I can turn to for help." " So you think its easy for me then?Knowing that the woman I love is in some hell hole putting herself and her child in danger because of a fucking bad excuse of a man. And dont give me that bull shit about not having anyone to turn to.I was here for the past two years waiting for you.You knew my address and my number in case you ever needed it, never once had I changed it hoping that you would come back to me." He stared at her dead on, refusing to let go of her gaze.Her tears flowed down her pale cheeks and fell to her hands on her lap.Her body shook with sorrow and frustration as she, for the first time in two years, cried. Not for Darien, not for Rini, but for herself.Those tears were for her and her alone. Duo stood up and went to the bed. Cradling her fragile body close to him, he soothed her with soft whispers and feather light kisses across her temple. " Ssshhh. I'm sorry, dont cry anymore please. It hurts me to see you like this. Listen, why dont you tell me the name of your baby......" He asked, kissing her forehead, then trailed down and kissed her nose, and finally reached down to her lips. Soft, light kisses took her breath away as his fingers gently traced imaginary patterns along her back, giving her pleasure ful shivers. " Mmmmmnn. Her name's Rini." " Is she as beautiful as her mother?" Serena just answered with a moan as he suckled her lower lip before entering his tongue in her mouth.Serena unraveled his braid behind him and ran her fingers through the long cheastnut hair, loving the feeling of hair gliding in between her thin fingers. Duo separated from Serena first, taking in air.She layed her head down in his chest and put her ear by his heart, mimicking the pulsing sounds by tapping her hand gently on his chest. " Duo." " Yeah?" " I need you to take me home.Quatre told me I've been asleep for two days already." Duo sighed softly against Serena's hair and closed his eyes in frustration.He didnt want to cry, she needed him to be strong for her.But what happens when Duo needs someone to be strong for him? " Alright. We'll talk to the others for a ride. But before I left you go.....Promise me something." "Anything." " Dont let him do this to you anymore.You promise you'll come back if he tries it again? We can leave this all behind. Just you, me and the baby. Alright?" "...... I promise....."