MeetingsX MarshAngel
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X
Meetings

Darien brushed imaginary pieces of lint from his tuxedo and inspected himself in the mirror. He looked great. His intense blue eyes stared out from beneath black bangs that brushed his think lashes. His strong chin stood out against the black of the bow tie and the suit hung off his broad shoulders better than it had on any male model that could have worn it. There was something missing. There should be a beautiful woman with two meatballs atop her head on his arm.

He stopped himself before he could start torturing himself about the past. For some reason he picked up a small black box and slipped it into his jacket. He picked up his car keys and walked out the door of his apartment to pick up the two people he had not expected to meet in San Francisco. He checked his watch. He would be on time, Amy and Mina wouldn't have to wait on him.

Mina twirled in Amy's apartment. "So how do I look?" She asked.

"You look great Mina," Amy replied, meaning every word. Mina was wearing a pastel orange, spaghetti strap knee-length dress. It sparkled under the bright lights of Amy's apartments. She wore matching orange heels and a sheer white shawl over her shoulders hanging down her back.

Amy looked great too. She wore an ankle length midnight blue gown that hugged her flared hips and fell to the floor in layers of blue silk. It had taken way too much or her savings to purchase, but when she looked in the mirror she decided it was worth it. As they examined themselves approvingly, the doorbell rang and

Amy answered it. Darien stood at the door looking as gorgeous as he ever had, if not more so.
She invited him in for a little while before they left. Ami remembered the day she discovered Darien Was living in San Francisco. She had been touring the facilities with one of the doctors as she was considering foregoing her residency at the hospital and working here as soon as her internship was completed. She had met him in the hallway. It was an amazing coincidence to say the least. Had she had the time she would have figured out the mathematical probability of such an event occurring. Now the three of them were going to a ball together.

They had both gotten their invitations Darien's boss who was unable to attend and seeing as they knew each other he gave them three tickets that he'd had for his wife his daughter and himself. Amy had given one her tickets to Mina, as she was too shy to invite that gorgeous doctor with the long blonde hair who had been her tour guide. His name was Zach but she couldn't remember his last name. He'd insisted she call him by his first name.

Amy had had no intention of going but Darien and Mina had convinced her that she needed a break. Her Neurology textbooks could wait. According to Mina "she was going to have fun tonight whether she liked it or not."


Serena surveyed the floor without interest. "You know it could be more fun if you even pretended to enjoy this," Jay whispered into her ear.

"I know, but I don't want to. Let me enjoy my misery. Look there's your mother. Let's go say hi."

"Oh come on. I see her all the time."

"Well I don't, so we're going." Just then Michael and Irene approached them, saving Jay from another pointless conversation with her mother and her friends, asking him when he was getting married. They all seemed to think that he and Serena were an item, despite numerous attempts to convince them otherwise. He wouldn't have minded being married to someone like Serena, he could love her, but it was best for them
both if they let things remain as they were.

He knew that there was someone out there for him. In fact he knew exactly who it was. The princess of Mars was still unavailable to him at the moment however. He and Serena talked to Michael and Irene for a while before both couples moved unto the dance floor.


Not long after arriving, Amy and Mina had been swept on to the dance floor by two handsome gentlemen leaving Darien to fend off his female fan club that had seemed to swarm him on entrance. He had managed to get away at least for the moment and was taking a breath of fresh air on one of the balconies.

He leaned his back against the railing taking in the view of the dance floor from outside. His eyes glanced over the many dancers stopping to rest on the second most beautiful woman in the world. She was a little taller than average with waist-length silver-blonde hair. She wore a pale peach, floor length, halter-neck gown that shimmered slightly. It hugged her body all the way to her knees before gently loosening and falling to the floor. She had the most perfect body and he could see her partner laughing. He didn't doubt that her face was probably as beautiful if not more so than the rest of her.

He sighed and turned his back on the dance floor and leaning out over the balcony. The moon was a little larger than a half and hung oddly in the sky as though it were going to fall at any moment. There weren't many stars tonight. The blue-gray clouds misted over the sky making the usually bright stars invisible.
He didn't look around as he heard voices heading towards him. "Not enjoying the party I see?" a warm female voice asked.

"No I just needed to get a breath of fresh air. These events aren't exactly my cup of tea. I'm not even sure why I'm here." He turned to face a woman about the same height as the silver-haired beauty he had seen before. She had dark hair and bright blue eyes that reminded him of Serena's, looking at her he realized just how much she looked like Serena. It was like seeing her with different hair. He almost gasped.

"Is something wrong?" she asked him, seeing the distant look on his face.

"No I'm fine. You just reminded me of someone I used to know.

"You remind me of my sister," she said. She doesn't like these events either. She gets bored. Why don't
you ask her to dance? I think you might enjoy each other's company. She's sitting right over there," she said pointing directly to a very bored looking silver-haired lady sitting at a table champagne glass in hand. It was the same woman he'd seen before.

"You don't even know me. What makes you think your sister would like to dance with me?"

"Have you seen the other men around here? I wouldn't think of pawning off a man that my sister would have no interest in, on her. She'd kill me."

She gave him a reassuring smile and he decided to take her up on her offer."

"Thanks," he said. "I'm Darien and you are?"

"Oh, I'm Irene chandler. My sister's Serena."
Darien's eyes misted over at the mention of her name but he said nothing. Just his luck that one of the most beautiful women he'd seen all night just had to have her name.

"Oh you must think me so callous. It's your company that hosts this event. You are Richard Chandler's daughter?" Darien said apologetically.

"Yes. But there is no need to apologize. I understand."

"Your sister writes very well." Mina had shown him the cover of the Romance novel she'd been reading. Mysteriously it seemed to be about the moon kingdom. He had read it in just one day. Whoever Serena Chandler was, not only was she a good author but she seemed to have captured the atmosphere of the silver millenium. Although there were large differences she had come pretty close to the truth of what the past had been like.

"I wouldn't have pegged you for someone who read romances." Irene said teasingly.

"I don't usually, but a friend of mine, showed it to me. She said the prince reminded her of me."

Irene's eyes narrowed. It couldn't be him could it? No. What would Endymion be doing here anyway? She let that thought go. It wasn't possible. She smiled. "How about that dance?"

"Yes of course. It was lovely meeting you Ms. Chandler."

"Please, call me Irene. It was nice meeting you too Darien."


Serena sat at her table twirling the champagne glass in her hand. She could be mingling but she didn't feel like doing much talking right now. There was something very different about this ball than any other she'd been to. One of the sailor scouts were here.

She frowned at the thought. She could feel the presence of power in the room. She could easily separate it from Jay's, Michael's, or her sister's. One or more of the scouts were here. She didn't know which one, she couldn't tell the difference between them just yet.

She surveyed the dance floor but saw no one she recognized. There were too many people. She could possibly open herself to her mind to the power and let it guide her there, but she didn't feel it necessary. She wasn't even sure if she wanted to see any of them just yet. She had forgiven them but she thought she needed time to prepare herself to speak to them. Unfortunately she had just run out of time.


Darien walked over to the lady who sat with her back turned at a slight angle towards him. She faced the dance floor so he was unable to see her face. He wasn't quite sure why he was even bothering. Most women found him cold and unreceptive and he was never as interested in them as they were in him. Irene seemed nice enough though and assuming that her sister shared some of those same traits this could turn out ok.

Even at this distance he could sense something about this woman. She seemed different from anyone else in the room. Something about her, besides her silver hair and beauty made her stand out. He got a mild sense of pure power from her but he was no mystic, he couldn't get any true sense of how powerful she might be. She might not have any power at all. He walked up behind her and tapped her on the shoulder.


Serena was pulled out of her reverie by a light tap on the shoulder. It was probably another annoying co-worker asking her for a dance. All these men interested in her and she didn't even feel the slightest bit of attraction towards the most handsome of them all. She was very tempted to tell whomever it was to find another dance partner. She instead decided to be polite and turn around and accept the dance. She had nothing better doing anyway. Being on the dance floor would give her an opportunity to see which sailor scout was here.

Darien watched as the silver haired, beauty turned to face him. He looked down into the brightest, most lively blue eyes he had seen since His mouth dropped open as he stared into the familiar yet even more beautiful face of

It wasn't possible Serena said to herself. Those same midnight blue eyes and smoky lashes that haunted her dreams. "Darien?" she questioned as he whispered her name.

"Serena?"

"What, how?" Serena asked.

"I can't believe I've found you."

Serena recovered and recoiled. "Have you found me? I wasn't aware you had a reason to look?"

"I didn't mean It's nice to see you again," he tried.

Darien was about to begin again but never finished as he saw the cold look in her eyes. She wasn't about to let what he had done to her slide. She may still love him and she certainly would love to have him back in her life but her pride was not about to let her run back into his arms like a careless teenager begging to be hurt again.

"What are you doing here Darien?"

He didn't miss the chill in her voice. She sounded so different from the girl he remembered the girl he loved. She had changed a lot apparently. Her voice was deeper, almost seductive and she had grown at least two or three inches. There was also of course the hair. Her hair was completely silver, a shocking change from her formerly golden blonde tresses. It was quite exotic and just added to her already amazing beauty. There was no doubt in his mind now; he wanted her now more than ever.

God, he was handsome. Serena thought. Was it her imagination or did his shoulders seem broader and more muscled and his skin tanned? His eyes were no less beautiful than they had been and he looked like a lost puppy. She almost took pity on him but why should she? She was alone and unhappy while he had probably dated every girl between Tokyo and New York. He should be satisfied, he had ruined her life to make his better.

She had proved herself though. She had become a success without him. She had proved not only to him, but also to the scouts and herself that she wasn't a dumb blonde ditz. She could manage on her own.
Darien opened his mouth again to make his worst mistake of the day. "I missed you."

Serena was shocked, annoyed, and angry all at once. "I don't suppose you could have missed me four years ago when it mattered."

"I'm sorry. I never meant to"

"Mr. Chiba, I think you'll have to excuse me. I have better things to do than sit here and listen to you."

Darien winced at the cold harshness to her tone. She got up and began to move away from the table.
Darien reached forward and grabbed her arm. He wasn't going to miss out on the chance to get her back.

"Please don't go."

"I have no reason to stay Darien," she whispered huskily, her back still turned to him. "You dumped me, or
have you forgotten?"

"Serena, please, just listen to me. I didn't mean to hurt you. I"

"You did hurt me Darien. You moved on with your life and so did I. Just let it be."

"Serena what is going on here? Is this man bothering you?" Jay walked up to her as Darien loosened his grip and let her go.

"No. I'm ok Jay," she said giving a fake smile that Jay easily recognized.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes I'm fine. I think I just might go home now."

"Serena what's going on?" he asked again. "What did you do to her?" he glared at Darien who was jealously regarding Jay.

Darien ignored Jay. "Serena please just give me a chance to explain."

"She doesn't want to talk to you so why don't you back down," Jay sneered at Darien.

"Serena please?"

"Darien what's going on?" Mina asked as she and Amy came up behind him.

"They looked beyond him at Serena and Jay."

"Darien." Serena whispered, wishing he would leave her alone so she could sort out her feelings.

"Oh my god Serena is that you?" Mina asked. It wasn't possible. Serena looked gorgeous graceful and regal.

Serena gave a small pained smile. " Yes Mina it's me." She looked at Mina, noticing her fashionably cut hair. With that exception she looked basically the same. She was just as beautiful as she was.

"Oh god, Serena I'm so sorry," Amy immediately began sobbing. Serena walked over to Amy and held her in her arms. "It's ok Amy. Really."

Mina hung her head in shame. "There's no excuse for what we did to you Serena. Can you ever forgive us?"

"You're right Mina. There is no excuse. But I think we're past that now. We're not kids anymore." Serena reached out and hugged Mina too.

Darien watched jealously. She forgave them so easily. Why couldn't she forgive him? He already knew the answer to that though. They hadn't broken her heart.

"Will someone please tell me what's going on?" Jay asked.

"I'm sorry Jay," Serena said, releasing the girls from the hug and taking a step back. "I'd like you to meet,
Amy Mizuno and Mina Aino, my friends from Japan and fellow scouts" she whispered in a softer voice, "and my ex-boyfriend Darien Chiba, I suppose that's Dr. Chiba now," she said questioningly and he nodded not missing the emphasis she had placed on ex. "Everyone, this is my friend Jason Scott."

Jay nodded his head in greeting, as it seemed out of place to shake hands. "So you're the infamous heartbreaker," Jay said non-too friendly to Darien who scowled in return. Ami, Mina, stood open-mouthed, shocked that she had revealed their secret identities to someone they knew nothing of. Darien was equally surprised but was able to keep his shock in check.

"It's quite alright. Jay is fully aware of who you are and who I am. In fact he is from the Silver Millenium himself. I don't think you'd remember Lord Jadeite. You haven't fully remembered your past lives. There is no cause for concern, this is not the Jadeite we fought against so long ago." All this she said so nonchalantly and in an effortlessly regal tone. They just stared at her as if she'd grown an extra head. She sounded like royalty, the way she talked, the way she moved, whatever happened to the klutzy ditz? and Jadeite?

"She made way for the real Serena. I'm glad you took note," Serena spoke to the two girls further shocking them into the realization that she could read their minds.

"How did you?" Amy started but never finished.

"When you're this shocked and emotional, it's quite easy," Serena smiled gently.

"Yes it gets quite annoying when she does that," Jay said grinning.

Darien just stared at her as if he was seeing her for the first time. As Serena turned around to see if she could see any of her friends or her sister, Mina elbowed Darien, shocked that he was doing everything but drooling. Jay smirked. "Life never ceases to amaze me he whispered." No one bothered to ask what he meant.

Serena returned to face them. "I think it best we find somewhere else to continue this reunion if you feel up to it tonight. Personally I'm a bit tired so if you want to meet me for lunch on some other day, we can arrange something." Are you all staying in town?"

Her presence was commanding. She seemed completely in control if somewhat distant. Everyone around her felt compelled to yield to her. The princess and queen inside her shone through in her every mannerism.

"Well actually Darien and I live in town," Amy said. "We both work at Meditech. Mina is visiting and she has to return to LA to begin her first big acting job."

"What a coincidence! I'm surprised we never ran into each other before. But then I stopped running into people a while back," she finished smoothly. "Congratulations Mina!" Serena said, ignoring the slight pained look on Darien's face at her last comment. "Tomorrow's Sunday are all of you busy? If not maybe we can meet for lunch and catch up?"

"None of them were about to say no to her proposition and all nodded agreement. Somehow declining her offer seemed somehow an act of treason or something. For the first time they truly saw her as the commanding princess she was and no one was going to turn the Princess down."

She turned to Jay and asked if he'd be able to make it. He agreed and offered to call the other guys and invite them as well. "Oh damn!" She said. "I completely forgot I have to be at Dad's tomorrow but I don't think Anna will mind more people."

"Well if it's too much, I could ask June to help out," Jay offered. She and Anna get along well."

"Would you? That'd be great. I'm sure Dad won't mind extra guests. He likes these parties."

"Party?" Darien asked.

Serena ignored his question without seeming too rude. "Well," she said, directing her speech at Darien and the girls, "why don't you guys meet me at my Dad's place around noon. She gave them the address. Dress casually, I suspect we'll be having lunch outside. Is that ok with you guys?" The girls nodded in agreement and Darien also agreed. Serena stared specifically at Darien and said, "I'm sure you all have many questions and I'd love to find out what you've been up to. We can talk tomorrow. Right now I fell a bit tired so I'm going to head home. I'll see you guys tomorrow."

As she was bout to leave Jay pulled his keys from his pocket and handed them to her. "I'll get home with Mike. Why don't you pick me up tomorrow on your way to your Dad's?" She nodded and kissed him on the cheek before leaving. Darien clenched his jaw in jealousy. She had barely acknowledged his presence. He would get a moment alone with her. He had to.


Serena wasn't really tired. What she had needed was to escape his presence. She needed time to think. Should she return the pain he'd caused her? Should she believe he was really sorry? Did she really want to risk her heart again even if he had gotten even more gorgeous?

So many questions and she only had until tomorrow, then she would see him and she would have to come up with an answer. There was no explanation he could come up with that could have been a good enough reason to hurt her. He had said he didn't love her anymore, that he didn't want destiny to rule his life. He'd even tried to convince her that his choice had nothing to do with her, but he had to have been lying. She knew him too well to miss the pained look in his eyes when he'd dumped her. Whatever she had done to hurt him couldn't have been so bad that he would deny her a reasonable explanation.

She was almost looking forward to what excuse he'd try to come up with, and yet she feared that somehow it would all turn out to be her fault. Worse yet, she feared that he had a good reason, then she'd be forced to take him back, maybe before either of them were ready. Sometimes life was just too complicated.

She dragged herself up to her apartment and unceremoniously dumped her clothes on the floor. She had gotten neater over the years but neatness took time and energy neither of which she wanted to waste on something so mundane at the moment. Times like these called for long showers and hot chocolate.

Not long after she'd gotten into the shower she heard the doorbell ring. She just about screamed in aggravation. Who in the world would knock on her door at this ungodly hour? She got out of the shower and pulled on her bathrobe. This had better be important she thought. She trudged across her bedroom and into the living room to open the door, her feet leaving little puddles of peach-scented water behind her.

She pulled open the door and as the door opened her mouth fell open. "What the hell are you doing here Darien?"

"I couldn't wait until tomorrow to tell you what I have to say," he said, his tone anguished, and his expression like that of a young boy with too much news to tell.

Serena sighed. "Is it my imagination or have you become more selfish since the days you used to tease me? What makes you think that I want to stay up late hours just to hear what you have to say? Are you always this inconsiderate?"

"I'm really sorry Serena, I just had to tell you now."

"Fine. Come in and sit down. I'll go put some clothes on."

As she left to go to her room to change, Darien found himself looking around her apartment. It was warm and cheery just like her. It was remarkably neat and sophisticated. The ivory couch was soft and the matching carpet plush. Her glass and wood coffee tables had carved legs and it was obviously expensive. In fact the whole room had an air of casual wealth and sophistication. She was obviously successful at what she did.

In the middle of the coffee table was a large bowl that was filled with tiny gold and silver stars and moons. To his left in a corner was a bookstand that contained a collection of romance novels, communication books and various other books and novels that she had collected throughout the years.

He noticed pictures of a handsome middle-aged blonde man with silver streaked hair and a slightly younger aqua-haired as woman well as pictures of the woman he'd met who claimed to be Serena's sister. There were other pictures of four men and Serena, one of whom he recognized as the man he'd met earlier as well as graduation pictures with two other girls one black and the other a pale blonde there were a few others containing even more people he didn't know. In all the pictures Serena seemed so happy. Somehow that didn't help to appease his guilt as she was obviously still angry with him over the whole situation.

Something else bothered him. Something so obvious he was surprised he hadn't asked her about it earlier. Since when did Serena have a sister? And it seemed she had gained an entire family. Also she seemed so much more powerful, it was one of the reasons he had been so drawn to her earlier. If he could feel it and he had no real psychic strengths, he could only imagine the strength at which her power would have alerted Raye.

She had changed a lot. Her presence was commanding maybe even more so than what he remembered of her mother. She was so completely different from the Serena he had known. He had loved the old Serena but something about her now, maybe the intense power and maturity he felt from her made her infinitely more attractive and made him a little hot under the collar. When she has around now, he was suddenly very nervous.

Just then she came in dressed in a simple white cotton dress, her wet hair hanging loose behind her? "I see you have appraised my worldly possessions," she remarked, noticing him glancing around and looking at her pictures with curiosity in his eyes.

"It's a beautiful apartment."

"Thank you. May I offer you anything? A drink, something to eat?"

"No. that's fine. Can I ask you something?"

"Sure go ahead."

"Since when do you have a sister?"

She smiled. She'd never told him about her father, when they had been going out. For some reason it had never occurred to her to say anything. It had never mattered then.

"That's a long story, but I suppose I can simplify it. Kenjii is not my real father. My mother had an affair with her boss Richard Chandler when she used to live here before she married Kenjii, and I was conceived. After my mother married Kenjii and moved to Japan, my father, Richard, married Anika St. Andre, a French fashion designer. My sister Irene was born a few months later and they got divorced. The aqua-haired woman you see in the picture is his new wife, my stepmother Celine. She and my dad got married a little while after I moved here. They also have a younger daughter, my little sister Catherine. That's her in the other picture," she said pointing to one where Celine held a tiny baby in her arms. "she's three now."

"Wow!" was all Darien had to say. "Did Kenjii know you weren't his daughter?"

"Not until right before I left. He and my mother separated for a while back then but they worked things out and they're back together now. They came to visit for my High School graduation."

"Can we work things out Serena?" He asked solemnly, replacing the picture he'd picked up.

"I suppose that all depends on you Darien. Just why did you come here tonight?"

"I couldn't wait any longer. I tortured myself for four years thinking I could live without you, but you were always on my mind. Every time I tried to move on, you'd be there."

"Is that the only reason you're here? To ease your own pain? You couldn't move on with anyone else so you're here to settle for what you can? Don't you think I hurt too Darien?"

"That's not what I mean Serena. "I never meant to hurt you. In fact I never wanted to break up with you. I loved you so much."

"Then why did you do it. You never even gave me a good reason. You knew how I would take it and you hurt me any way. Didn't it mean anything that our love was greater than death, that I died for you?"

"You meant everything to me. You still do. I thought I was protecting you."

"Darien, spare me the crap!" Serena snapped angrily. "That's even lamer than your excuse that you didn't want destiny to rule your life. If you're going to make up excuses, please have the decency to make them
good."

He flinched. He'd best get to the point before he really pissed her off. Her crescent moon was glowing slightly on her brow.

He took a deep breath and began his story. "Sometime after Rini appeared I started having these dreams. I dreamt we were getting married and you were walking down the aisle and you looked so happy and so beautiful and then just as we were about to kiss, something pulled you away from me and everything went dark and I could hear you scream but I couldn't find you, then I was alone. I kept calling your name but you weren't there anymore. Then a voice came and told me to stay away from you or you'd die." Hot tears flowed down his cheeks as he hung his head and sank into the couch.

Serena sighed. There it was, a perfectly good explanation and she was not happy in the least. She wasn't sure she was ready for him, at least that was what her mind told her. Her heart and her body told her something completely different. She'd been ready for this day for four years.

She sighed and smiled one of her perfectly serene smiles at him. "I don't remember ever seeing you cry."

"I cried when I realized what I had to do. I cried when I did it. I cried when you left."

"I'm still mad at you," she said calmly. I forgive you, but I'm upset that you didn't think you could trust me. I may have been immature then, but given the chance I could take care of myself. You should have allowed me to make that decision for myself."

"What you did has changed me. It has changed our destiny. I'm not the same girl you used to know and I'll never be the queen my mother was. I've seen what the future would have been and I will let you know, I'll never be a delicate angel like my mother was or the Neo-Queen Serenity I would have become. I'm a warrior now, and more power runs in my veins than ever before. If you join me, you'll be taking on my burden as well. My duty is to this world and the universe beyond it. Are you sure you're willing to take up my burden as well as the risk that you'll never love me as you did before? I'm not about to get my heart broken again
Darien. With that she closed her eyes and her wings opened behind her and she became the queen she was. "I am Queen Serenity, warrior of the Moon. Are you sure you want to be with me?" She sounded confident and commanding but inside a little girl prayed and hoped that he'd say yes.
Darien was awed at the sight before him. She was right she was not his little meatball-head anymore. She was a powerful, beautiful, sexy woman and what man in his right mind would say no to the opportunity to
have her in his arms?

He knelt down took her hand in his own and became Prince Endymion. He touched his forehead to the back of her hand. "I'd do anything if it meant I could be with you," he whispered and kissed her hand.

"Darien?" Serena asked.

"Hmm?"

"We look ridiculous."

"He blushed and stood up, turning back into his normal self. He caught himself drowning in her bright blue eyes. She surprised him by grabbing his shirt and pulling him in for a deep kiss. He felt the purity of her power and kissed her back with enough passion to start a fire. When she released him he stared at her with such a look of surprise and utter confusion. She laughed at his expression and the tinkling silver sound of her laughter only served to make him more confused and light-headed.

"You look like a lost puppy," she said smiling. I missed you."

"I don't know you, but I think I'm in love with you," he said.

"Do you really? She said in a teasing tone raising an eyebrow. "I think I'll have to assure you of your love. You shouldn't have to think about it." This time he was prepared for her kisses but not the passion in them. Whoever she had become, he was never going to let her go, of that he was sure.