I sure hope this posts properly now. Sorry for all the delays. I said I'd finish this and I will. I had to read the whole thing over to remember what was going on and I realized how boring the beginning is. I think it got better though. Thanks for everyone who e-mailed asking me to keep this up. There's only one more chapter to go, and I'll finish that for sure before I have to go back to school! Don't own Sailor Moon (unless I get the rights for X-mas like I asked for – doubt it!) Enjoy!

" Serena, come out of the bathroom", Raye said threateningly.

" No. I don't want to. You can't make me!" Serena said petulantly. How the others had convinced her to let them get her ready for the party tonight was beyond her. She suspected drugs in her food, or maybe she had fallen and hit her head earlier? The dress they had told her to put on, if you could call it a dress, which Serena strongly doubted, was silver, short, and tight. She looked into the mirror and could scarcely recognize herself. Her long blonde hair was left down and the silver highlights she had put in earlier shone brightly. Her lips looked red and pouty, her eyes bright and sparkling, with silver eye shadow emphasizing their shape. The dress was cut low, showing more then usual, just as the dress's length emphasized her long legs. She looked… sexy, she realized. So sexy that there was no way she was going to take one single step outside the safe confines of the bathroom. And there was absolutely nothing anybody could say to convince her otherwise.

" Darien's already down there. I don't know if Setsuna's there or not…" Mina began, her voice low and suggestive.

The bathroom door banged open with alacrity. Serena was out and shoving on silver, strappy shoes before anyone could say another word.

" Which way is the party?" Serena demanded, one hand on her hip. Her foot tapped impatiently while her friends tried not to laugh at her sudden eagerness.

" I'll take you", Lita said. She was already dressed in a pair of tight black leather pants and a shiny green halter-top. Serena wasn't the only one who wanted to impress someone special.

" Then come on!" Serena said, taking Lita's arm and dragging her from the hotel room. Mina and Raye laughed at Lita's almost terrified expression as she was herded out the door.

" That was kind-of mean Mina. You know Setsuna isn't even going", Raye said.

" Yeah, I know", Mina said, smiling brightly. " But it's just so much fun to meddle. Now, are we going to the party, our are we still proudly indignant?"

" I don't think Chad and Andrew are worthy of our presence just now. Let's go keep Setsuna company", Raye said. " Hey wait a minute, where's Amy?"

" Last I saw, she was heading down to the party. I hope she's okay", Mina said.

Amy was sitting at a table in the hotel bar, nursing a vodka and orange, and wishing she could get very, very, drunk. But she was a doctor's daughter for all her rebellion, and the effects of over-indulging on brain cells was planted too firmly in her head. The bar was all but deserted since almost everyone staying at the hotel was connected in some way to Rainbow productions, and therefore was invited to the party being held in the hotel's large reception hall. Even here she could hear the pulsing music and the desire to attend grew stronger. But then she remembered that she was alone and took another small sip of her drink. She missed Greg. It was ridiculous, she realized, to miss him so much more now that they were broken up, but somehow when she'd been away on tour the separation hadn't been so bad because she knew he was out there thinking of her, missing her, loving her. Or had that been a lie? Had he truly loved her like he said he had? How could they have been together so long without him ever learning the slightest thing about her?

" A pretty girl like you, sitting in a bar like this, with a great party going on down the hall? Now what's wrong with this picture?" said the bartender, coming over to her table. Amy smiled softly but didn't respond. The slightly portly bartender, with his balding, white hair, and kind smile, decided it was quiet enough in the bar for him to take a small break. He pulled a chair out and sat across from the solemn looking woman.

Amy looked up and said, " Is this where I pour out my sad life story to a complete stranger?"

" I guess you could do that. Really, my feet are sore and I'd rather not sit alone", the man said. " My name's Bob, by the way."

" Amy", Amy said, and they shook hands.

" So Amy, holiday blues?"

" You could say that. My fiancé… my boyfriend… what am I saying I don't even know if he's that anymore", Amy said glumly.

" Ah, I think I understand. Tell me if I've got this right. You and your boyfriend have been together for a while, your music career started to improve, and tensions increased. Then things start to look better when he proposes. He thinks things will go 'back to normal' now, but things haven't changed, and when he realizes that, everything thing falls apart. You're wondering how he could know so little about you, and he's wondering how he lost you."

Amy stared at him in complete shock. It was like he had read her mind. " How did you know?"

" I've heard it all, and this hotel is frequently used by musicians such as yourself. I know you're the keyboardist for the Lunatics, and that your band is doing too well for that to be the cause of your sadness. That, combined with the fact that you seem to be shirking all company, leads me to think it's a matter of the heart."

" He acted like he was indulging me, letting me play in the band. But all along, he expected to come back and play the dutiful wife."

" If you want my opinion, I'd say it's one of two things. Either he's a complete jackass, in which case your hypothesis is correct, or he's insecure, and thinks that it's only a matter of time until you find someone more exciting. I take it he's not another musician?"

" No, he's going to be a doctor", Amy responded, her face frowning as she thought. " And I've always let be known that I'm wary of people in that profession. But he should know that I love him, that even though I might tour and play, that it's only because I have him to come back to. He's… he's my touchstone."

" I think it's pretty clear that you know what you want, and you've got a good head on your shoulders, so you've had this figured out from the start. Give him some time, and if he's worth his salt, he'll realize what it is he truly wants, and come back to you."

" You think so", Amy asked hopefully. A few customers had approached the bar and were looking around for someone to serve them. Bob stood up and gave her a wink.

" If he does come back, make him sweat it out for a bit too."

Amy smiled and laughed for the first time since she'd last talked to Greg. She knew deep in her heart that Greg wasn't a jackass or cold hearted. If he was insecure, then Amy hoped he'd get over it soon, because she missed him. Standing up she left a twenty on the table which more then covered the cost of the beer, and headed towards the party. Suddenly, she didn't feel so alone.

" Amy!" Amy turned and saw Lita waving at her excitedly from the entrance to the party. At least she thought it was Lita, but when she got closer she realized that it was Serena's arm, waving from behind Lita's back. Lita rolled her eyes and said,

" She saw all the people and freaked. Help me drag her in there, will you?"

" Sure", Amy said. Lita took one of Serena's arms, and Amy took the other and they pulled Serena as she dug her heels into the floor. Fortunately that floor was highly polished wood and her heels slid easily. Lita spotted Ken in the crowd, which wasn't hard since he towered over almost everyone, and headed in that direction. Ken saw her and his jaw dropped. Darien, who was at the same table as Ken, with Chad and Andrew, both of whom were rather drunk already, laughed at his friend's expression, not knowing the cause. Ken sat down bone-lessly as he waited for Lita to make her way to the table. Why did she have to look so damn hot?

" Just prop her up. I think she's frozen", Lita joked, as the trio finally reached the table. Amy laughed and Ken relaxed. He pulled Lita down into his lap, and wrapped his hands around her waist as though it were the most natural thing in the world. Then he noticed that Serena was still statue-like and that the curse seemed to have spread to Darien. Darien couldn't take his eyes off her. He wanted her so badly that his chest ached and he couldn't breathe.

" Now who's drooling", Ken said, snapping his fingers in front of Darien's face.

" Why? Who was drooling before?" Lita asked innocently. Amy thought she would never stop laughing as Ken's face flushed as red as the Christmas decorations that surrounded them.

Amy forced Serena to take a seat next to Darien, and took a chair herself. The music was pounding and the guests were lively and happy. Darien shifted uncomfortably in his chair, acutely aware of his reaction to Serena's new look. Her leg lay against his under the table, and he had to fight himself not to reach out a hand to stroke it.

" Ooh, I love this song", Serena said suddenly. She looked longingly at the dance floor, wondering if she could get enough courage to brave the crowds.

" Do you want to dance?" Darien questioned instantly. Serena bit her lip nervously.

" You won't leave me out there when you find another partner, will you?"

" Another partner? Yeah, that'll happen", Darien said, voice dripping with sarcasm. Serena looked at him speculatively, as he placed a strong hand at the small of her back, and guided her through the crowd. The moment her feet hit the dance floor, she was no longer shy. It was the same transformation that came over her when she stood on stage; the moment the music started she felt at home. And it helped that Darien was there, he always made her feel safe. It certainly didn't hurt that he was gorgeous either.

" You look good tonight", Darien said.

" What?" Serena shouted, over the music.

" You look good", he repeated, a little louder.

" I can't hear you", Serena mouthed at him.

" You're the sexiest woman alive, and I'd like to take you right now on the floor", Darien said. Serena still couldn't hear him so she just smiled and nodded in agreement. For some reason, this made Darien laugh, and he took her into his arms.

Serena was in heaven. There was no other way to describe the wondrous feelings that flowed through her body. She felt alive like never before and yet she felt a longing that became more and more painful the longer she danced. Darien; it was his doing. She wanted him, she realized. Her lips suddenly felt dry and she licked them. The dancing took on a whole new meaning as she tried to show him what she would never have the courage to tell him. Why didn't he respond? He'd all but told her of his feelings while on stage, to a huge audience no less, but he still seemed to be holding himself back.

Darien began to sweat, as Serena took another small step into his personal space. He stifled a groan as she licked her lips, drawing his eyes down to that delectable portion of her face. Her movements were seductive and enticing, and for Darien, all the sounds and sights of the party, faded away. All he could see was she, all he could feel was she, and it was driving him crazy. But he was also a little afraid that he was coming on a little too strong. Of course, if she came any closer she would feel just how aroused he was, and all would be revealed. Darien wasn't sure if he wanted that or not.

But naturally, he had no control over the situation. Someone bumped into Serena from behind and she stepped forward, her body brushing up against his. At first, he thought he was safe, that she hadn't felt it, but he saw her stiffen with awareness as her hip grazed him. Expecting a gasp of indignation, or maybe even a slap in the face, he certainly hadn't expected her to push herself even closer. She reached her hands out tentatively and placed them on his hips, cradling them, their legs almost intertwined. He could feel the soft swell of her belly, her breasts lay lightly against his chest, and she seemed to be breathing slowly and deeply, as she finally lifted her eyes to meet his.

Time stopped as they stared at each other, the passion mirrored in their eyes, the feeling of rightness sweeping over them. By unspoken agreement, they started moving again to the music, holding each other close, never breaking eye contact. Serena couldn't believe she had been so bold, but was glad she had been. Despite how tightly they pressed together, Serena wished they could be closer still. She wanted to feel him, all of him. Darien's breath was laboured, and it had nothing to do with the dancing. She was so close, and yet not quite close enough. He stroked one hand down her face, and Serena jumped as though she'd been given an electric shock. Darien stroked his thumbs across her lips, and it was all over.

They kissed. They kissed frantically and passionately; all their emotions that had been pent up since they had first met came spilling out in a torrent of longing and need. Darien groaned, breaking apart from her for air, before returning to taste her lips. Serena plucked ineffectually at Darien, wanting him so desperately that she was heedless of the prying eyes that had noticed the rather amorous couple.

Darien did notice that they were drawing attention and began easing them out of the crowd. She whimpered and Darien's resolve collapsed. They didn't make it out of the room, but at least they found a semi-secluded corner where the lights were dim. Darien pushed her up against the wall, lifting her slightly, and she wrapped her legs around his waist to steady herself. His lips trailed down her throat, tasting her skin.

" I'm sorry, I shouldn't be doing this. I can't believe I'm doing this", Darien whispered fervently in her ear.

" Me either", Serena said laughing breathlessly.

" Let's get out of here", Darien said. He really didn't want an audience for what he had planned. He wanted her all to himself.

" Yeah, now", Serena said, putting her feet back on the ground. She grabbed Darien's hand and they pushed through the crowd as quickly as possible. They ran through the lobby, Darien gripping her hand tightly as though fearing she might change her mind. Serena and Darien passed right by Setsuna's room, where she, Mina, and Raye were having an impromptu celebration of their own.

Setsuna hadn't wanted to leave Hotaru in the hotel room alone, and a company party was no place for her little girl. So she had expected to spend another night in her suite, watching television, while Hotaru slept in the adjoining room. To her surprise, Mina and Raye had appeared at her door, with a big bottle of champagne, and the three women had whiled away the evening talking. After the alcohol was gone, and a mellow, companionable feeling pervaded, Mina asked the question she had been dying to know the answer to for a long time.

" What was between you and Darien?"

Setsuna eyed her speculatively, and knew that the question was not meant to hurt. Setsuna closed her eyes and considered how to respond,

" I loved him. I still do", Setsuna said. The other two women gasped slightly, and Setsuna opened her eyes with a smile. " It's not what you think. I only mean that I love him as a friend. We were both too afraid to fall truly in love. My ex-husband, Hotaru's father, hurt me more then I thought I could ever be hurt and I was not about to risk my heart again. Darien was the same way and so it was in some ways, a perfect match. For a time I though I was happy. I had protection, security…"

" But no love", Mina said, tears in her eyes. Above all else, Mina was a romantic and believed in the powers of the heart. She thought of Andrew and wondered what he was doing.

" No, no love. I realized I didn't want we had, no matter how good it looked on the outside. I wanted us both to be happy, and we weren't, not really. True love should be exciting and surprising."

" I can't believe this is happening, it's like some kind-of dream", Serena said breathlessly. Darien nodded, and hurriedly opened the door to his room. He nervously laughed, his anxiousness making him wonderfully clumsy.

" I know, I know."

"… Love should be something you can't control, something that makes you weak in the knees."

" I feel like I'm going to faint", Darien said in wonder.

" I know, isn't it great?" Serena said, throwing herself into Darien's arms. He kissed her all over her face, and finally touched her lips.

" … There should be no fear, no pain, no questioning. Complete surrender".

The way he touched her made her burn. She no longer felt afraid or shy, she felt needed and loved. And she tried to show him. Somehow, she was sure he knew.

" … It should be wild, crazy, and passionate. The kind-of love that makes you forget everything else. Even your inhibitions."

They practically tore at their clothes, Serena's bra frustrating Darien until she calmly slipped it off for him. They hadn't even turned on the lights in the room, and they moved instinctively to the bed. Suddenly they heard voices in the hall. Loud, boisterous voices that Darien recognized as belonging to Chad and Andrew. Unfortunately, Chad and Andrew were staying in the same room as Darien and Ken that night, because the party had caused a slight room shortage. Darien flew to the door, slamming the deadbolt on the door shut just as Andrew reached for the door handle.

" Darien? You in there?" Andrew shouted as he pounded on the door. Darien reached for his coat, and found his wallet. He opened the door just wide enough to throw the wallet at his friends and then slammed the door in their faces.

" Go away", Darien shouted, returning his attention to Serena.

" Darien? What's going on?"

" There's forty bucks in my wallet – it's yours if you find somewhere else to stay tonight. And tell Ken too", Darien shouted, voice desperate.

Andrew and Chad shared a look out in the hall.

" Why Darien, you sly dog you", Chad said grinning. Then his smile faded as he realized he had nowhere to sleep.

" What do you say we go pay a visit on our girlfriends – you know, the one's with rooms?" Andrew said, a mischievous gleam in his eye.

" In case you forgot, they're mad at us", Chad said.

" No, my friend, you forgot. We have Darien's wallet, which includes Darien's credit card, which I happen to know is paid up in full. I bet a few hundred dollars worth of room service would smooth things over for us, wouldn't you?"

" I like the way you think", said Chad catching on. The two men hurried to the phone to abuse Darien's credit card. Darien couldn't have cared less, he was just glad to be rid of his friends.

" … Love should be so strong that you can see it. And it should always be there, in every action, in every thought, in every word. That's what love should be", Setsuna said.

" I hope everyone finds love like that", Raye said gently. Just then there was a knock on the door and Raye went to answer. Standing at the door were Andrew and Chad, holding more flowers then she had ever before seen.

" I'm sorry."

" Me too", Chad chimed in.

Raye eyed the flowers and sighed. " Well, it's a start", she said, not ready to forgive just yet. She wondered what Mina thought, only to find Mina kissing the daylights out of Andrew. Some things would never change.

" Let's go back to my room", Raye said to Chad. Chad patted Andrew's back in thanks for the plan, and trotted happily after Raye. It would be a long time before Andrew and Mina even left the hall.

" That's odd", Raye said, coming into the room. It was getting rather late, and the room was empty. " Where is everyone?"

" Well, I don't know where Amy and Lita are, but I have a fairly good idea where Serena is", Chad said, looking smug. It was rare indeed that he got to know a secret before Raye did.

" Where?"

" In the room I was supposed to stay in."

" Huh?"

" With Darien", Chad said, rocking back and forth on his heels with amusement.

" No", Raye said in awe. " You mean…"

" Yes I do, and I think we should allow them their privacy, for tonight at least."

" But I have to talk to her…"

" Raye", Chad said warningly.

" Okay, I'll wait until tomorrow", Raye said begrudgingly. Then her eyes narrowed. " Then I'll force her to give me all the details."

The morning couldn't come fast enough for Raye, but it came with alarming speed to Darien and Serena. Serena could have sworn she had scarcely closed her eyes to sleep when the sun started streaming in the window. She was wearing a black t-shirt of Darien's, lying comfortably on a pile of pillows, as she took in her surroundings for the first time. She had watched Darien wake-up and walk across the room to the bathroom earlier. He had thought she was asleep and she giggled at the memory of watching his cute little rear-end as he headed for the shower completely nude. Darien came out of the shower, his black hair wet and spiky; a towel wrapped around his waist, and heard Serena laughing.

" What's so funny", he asked. This set Serena off again, and Darien tackled her, pinning her to the bed in mock anger, until her giggles subsided.

" I think I could get used to this", Serena said, sighing happily. Darien kissed her, his tongue tracing her lips in invitation. Delving into her mouth, he decided there was no better way to start the morning. It didn't take long until Serena was divested of her t-shirt, and Darien was free of his towel. So what if they were a little late for breakfast?

Afterwards, Serena realized she was starving and hurried down to the hotel restaurant in hopes of getting breakfast before the buffet was over. Darien took his time before heading down after her. In the restaurant, everyone else was already gathered, and when he approached the table, all eyes swivelled in his direction. He felt distinctly uncomfortable, hating it when people knew his business.

" So, sleep well Darien?" Raye asked.

" He certainly looks like he did, notice that glow about him?" Mina replied teasingly.

" I wonder if they were disturbed by that rather loud couple who were in the room next to mine?" Andrew asked. " Oh, wait. Isn't that your room?"

Darien's jaw clenched, feeling very angry at this intrusion of his privacy, though intellectually he knew they were only teasing. Serena was returning to the table from the breakfast bar, her plate piled to almost impossible proportions with food. Darien stared at her, and she looked up sensing his glare.

" Had to tell everyone right away, didn't you? Couldn't wait to gossip and tell everyone what happened? Should I expect a blurb in the newspaper?"

Everyone at the table lost the happy smiles they were wearing, and went silent. Serena shakily put her plate on the table.

" I hadn't realized you were so ashamed of me", she said. She turned to leave the restaurant, feeling unbelievably hurt. As she passed him, she turned to face him and squared her shoulders. " And just for the record, I didn't tell them anything", she said. She walked steadily out of the room, before breaking into a run. Darien's stern face fell, and he passed his hand through his hair, wondering what made him do the stupid things he did.

" For Christ's sake, Darien. When you left the party, you two were all over each other. Then you begged us to let you have the room to yourself, and Serena never returned to hers. If you were trying to keep it a secret then you could have done a much better job", Andrew said.

Darien realized it was all true and felt even worse.

" How dare you treat my cousin that way! We were all just ribbing you a little because we were so happy that you two were finally together. Now she's probably crying her eyes out, you bastard!" Haruka said angrily, jumping to her feet.

Darien only half listened; he was already heading out the door intent upon finding Serena and getting a chance to explain. He found her in her hotel room, throwing her clothes into a bag.

" Hey", he said, coming into the room and shutting the door behind him. She didn't respond, didn't even look up, she just kept packing. Darien sighed knowing this was going to be very difficult. " Serena, I didn't mean to say what I did. I was surprised and it just sort-of came out. I didn't mean to accuse you of using our relationship."

" Our relationship? So we have a relationship?" Serena said coolly.

" Well, yeah. I mean, of course we do."

" See, I find that strange because you obviously thought last night was just a one night fling, that we would forget about in the morning, and pretend it never happened. You like to pretend stuff never happened, don't you? Saves you a world of hurt I suppose", Serena said acidly.

" Last night was not a one night fling", Darien said, wondering where she had got that idea.

" Oh, I get it now. We're going to keep on sleeping together, and meanwhile I'm to keep the whole sordid affair secret because you don't want people to know you're with me."

" That's not it at all! I just don't see why everyone has to know every single move we make. We're celebrities – do you want to wake up tomorrow and find our faces plastered all over the newspapers? Do want some horror of a reporter, printing how often we fuck, where, and if you did or did not reach orgasm?" Darien said angrily. Serena flinched slightly at the harsh language. There had to more going on here for Darien to be so angry.

" Is this because I wasn't a virgin? Did you think I was okay with casual sex?" Serena asked quietly.

" What? No, I… No, how could you begin to even think that?"

" Maybe you thought all I wanted was company for the night. But I wouldn't have slept with you Darien, if I hadn't thought it meant something. I wanted to be with you, because I thought… Forget it, obviously I was wrong. I can't believe I was so stupid again", Serena said.

Darien was about to speak when Haruka knocked on the open door. She cast one glaring look at Darien, and then ignored him.

" Serena? Me and Michiru have to get going. We have a Christmas Eve concert in Milan. Do you want a ride to the airport?"

" Yeah, that would be great", Serena said, shouldering her bag. She had packed rather hurriedly – she hoped she hadn't forgotten anything.

" Serena wait – shouldn't we talk about this?" Darien asked.

" We're all flying home on the same plane. I'll see you at the airport", Serena said. She sighed, " We can talk then, if you want."

Soon, Haruka, Michiru, and Serena were gone. The others were still sitting at the breakfast table, feeling awkward about the situation. All the stresses and tensions of being on tour finally seemed to catch up with them, hitting them all at once, until everybody was irritated at everyone else.

" Had to open your mouth, didn't you Mina? Couldn't let a piece of gossip like that slide could you?" Lita said to her friend angrily.

" Hey, I wasn't the only one to say something. Blockhead here was far more blunt", Mina said, gesturing at Andrew.

" What's that supposed to mean?" Andrew said moodily.

" I can't believe you can treat guys the way you do, and still expect them to hang around for a second date", Lita said caustically.

" Oh, well at least I'm not a hypocrite like some people. God, you judge all of us, yet you've hardly led a pure existence – far from it, actually. What's more, you're a coward, scared and jealous of what the rest of us have. Grow-up, Lita", Mina said.

Lita slammed her glass down on the table and stormed from the table, knowing that if she didn't leave right now she would do something she would regret. Ken jumped to follow her, shooting a death glare at Mina.

" Real nice, Mina. Could you have been a little cruel?"

" Shut-up, Raye. Quit meddling in other people's business", Amy said, angry with all of her friends for being so heartless.

" Oh she speaks! I had forgotten what you sounded like when you weren't all whiny and depressed. I swear if I hear one more complaint from you I'll rip my ears off!"

" I think we'd prefer it if you ripped you mouth of first. What gives you the right to yell at us all the time?" Mina responded.

" Hey, Raye just does what needs to be done around here", Chad said, jumping in to defend his girlfriend.

" Shut-up, Chad. I certainly don't need you to defend me", Raye said, rolling her eyes at Chad. Feeling dismissed, Chad stood up from the table.

" God, you both treat your boyfriends like crap", Amy said.

" At least we have boyfriends; I wonder if Greg's found someone new already?" Mina speculated. Amy's face crumpled and she hurried away from the table.

" Mina! What the hell is going on?" Andrew yelled at her.

" I'm sick of you, I'm sick of all of you. I just want to go home and have my own room, and my own space. I'm only asking for a little privacy for like one minute, okay? Is that allowed?" Mina asked, her eyes filling with tears.

" Do whatever the hell you want", Andrew said, and left her there. Mina hurried out after him.

" Well, that was exciting", Raye said. Chad didn't respond; he was still standing at the end of the table, almost to angry to speak. " Chad, are you listening?"

" Yes, damn it, I'm listening. Not that it really matters since the person you most like to listen to is yourself. Just once, I'd like you to think before you speak", Chad said.

" Now you're asking for the impossible", said Setsuna, who up to now had remained silent watching the band fall apart. Raye fixed her violent gaze on Setsuna, and spoke,

" You don't belong here. You're just a tag-along, feeding off the popularity of others, wishing you had real talent."

" And your just a nobody who bosses people around to make herself feel important – knowing that if people got to know the real you, they would never be your friend. Now, since you're so good at it, tell the other's we have to go to the airport in an hour if we want to catch our plane", Setsuna said, her voice so cool and professional that it almost froze the blood in Raye's veins. Raye left the table and went out into the foyer. Chad had already gone by that point, and Setsuna looked around for Hotaru. Thankfully her daughter was colouring in a colouring book at the far end of the table. It seemed she had been all but oblivious to the fight that had occurred.

" Hey kid, ready to get going?"

" You're all fighting. Just like daddy and you used to", Hotaru said quietly. Setsuna sighed, realizing it was hard to get anything passed Hotaru's sharp mind.

" We're fighting, but it's not the same as the fights me and your daddy had. We're all tired and eager to get home, and sometimes that makes people do crazy things. We'll be fine in a few days, trust me", Setsuna said. It was the truth – she had seen this very thing happen before. Everyone was a little sad that the tour was over, and for some reason that put everyone on edge. From what she knew of the girls, they were too close to stay angry for long. As for Darien… he had some explaining to do with Serena, but she was sure that would work out to.

The plane ride home was excruciating, with everyone feeling guilty about the things they had said, but hurt also. They were a silent bunch, talking only when necessary, and the seating arrangement was worked out so that nobody was sitting directly next to each other. When they arrived back home, everyone split up with barely a word, though Lita did ask if she could stay at Darien's because she couldn't face going back to her shared apartment with Mina. Serena's mother and brother were waiting for her in the arrivals lounge, so she didn't have to wait around. Which was good, because she still hadn't given Darien a chance to talk to her.

It was Christmas Eve, but because of the trips exertions, not to mention the emotional turmoil, Serena went to bed as soon as she got home. Her mother was just nodding off when something hit her window. Ignoring it at first, Irene became curious when the noise repeated itself several times. She headed to her window and opened it to the cold night air. There, standing in the middle of her snow dusted flower garden, and holding a guitar was Darien. He looked to a be a little bit drunk, since he was having trouble maintaining his balance.

" Ah, my love", Darien slurred. Irene stuck her head out the window fully and Darien started back in surprise.

" Your love, Romeo, is three windows down", she said, trying not to laugh. " Try not to wake the neighbours, huh?"

Darien saluted her, and was undeterred; he sauntered down to Serena's window, and started throwing rocks again to get her attention. Realizing Serena would probably never wake-up, Irene hurried down the hall and woke her daughter.

" Someone wants to see you", Irene said.

" What?"

" Just look out the window. It's so incredibly romantic!" Irene said, leaving the bedroom so her daughter could have some privacy. Serena snorted in disgust at having been woken up and headed over to her window. The shock at seeing Darien standing there made her wake-up fully.

" What are you doing here?" Serena hissed.

" I? I am here to serenade you", Darien said, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. He strummed his guitar and started singing,

" 'Did you ever know that you're my hero? You're everything I would like to be. I can fly'…"

" Stop, please stop, that song is hideous", Serena said, mortified beyond belief.

" Oh, how about: 'You know it's true, everything I do, I do it for you'", Darien sang, in a low off key voice.

" That's even worse. Go home before you get arrested", Serena said.

" I've got the perfect song. 'I'm too sexy for my car, too sexy for my car, too sexy by far. And I'm too sexy for this shirt, too sexy for this shirt'…", Darien sang tunelessly, proceeding to lift off his black t-shirt. There was snow on the ground, although not very much of it, but Serena knew it was way too cold for Darien to be out there dressed as he was. Plus, she really didn't want the neighbourhood to witness Darien's striptease. She ran down the stairs, opened the front door, and yelled at him to come inside.

" I knew that song would work", Darien said, grinning crazily. " You can't resist me, can you?"

Serena bit back a smile, wanting to stay angry but finding it difficult.

" Well, singing drunks don't come to my window all that often. What do you want?"

Darien seemed to sober up a bit, and he took a seat before responding. " I want you to understand where I was coming from when I said those things. My parents were Hope and Will Shields".

" Hope and Will? You don't mean the musicians, Hope and Will?"

" The same", Darien said glumly.

" Oh my God! They're so famous. Everybody's heard of them! You must have loved having them as parents…" Serena trailed off as she remembered that Hope and Will's career had ended prematurely when they had been involved in a deadly car accident. Gently she asked, " How old were you when they died?"

" Six. I was in the car actually, but obviously I lived. I don't remember them, I don't have any memory of things before the accident, but I learned a lot afterwards. My parents were always trying to keep me from the public eye, and they hated how the media seemed to follow their every move. They were leaving a concert - we were going on a month long vacation away from reporters - and the press was following us, knowing it was their last chance for a while to get some information on us. Anyway, the police said that the accident was a result of us trying to get away. My parents were killed because someone just had to know what my favourite cereal was. I know that doesn't excuse my behaviour, but the last thing I wanted was for something similar to happen to you. I… I love you. And I'm scared I'll lose you."

" Oh Darien", Serena said, and took him into her arms and held him. She rocked him back and forth like a child, as tears slipped down her face. " I'm sorry for reacting like I did. I think it had less to do with what you said, and more to do with what I was thinking."

" You can tell me", Darien said, holding her back a little so that he could look at her. She looked away and twiddled her fingers in her lap.

" It's sort-of stupid. I was just a kid, sixteen, and like most sixteen-year-old girls, I thought I knew everything. I went to a party with a guy I'd been out with once or twice before, and there was alcohol there. I wasn't an experienced drinker, so I was drunk pretty quickly, and I didn't know when to stop, so it's safe to say I was completely wasted. The guy I came with took me to a bedroom, and I… It wasn't like I was raped, because I think I wanted it at the time, and he was equally drunk, but afterwards I felt so dirty and ashamed. I know if I'd have been thinking clearly I never would have given my virginity so easily. Anyway, I felt so guilty, that I was kind-of scared off guys for a while, and then, you came along. And I fell in love with you, and I wished more then anything that I had waited for you, because with you it was special. That's what I thought anyways, and then you started treating it like some dirty little secret. I leapt to the wrong conclusions, and I'm sorry."

" No, I'm sorry. I should never have given you the impression that it was any less special than it was. I felt something when I was with you – I always feel something with you. And I just had to see you, and explain."

" Well, I'm glad you did." Serena said, and she brushed his hair back from his face. " But did you have to sing to me first?"

" I didn't have the courage to come over here, so I made Lita get me stinking drunk", Darien admitted. " The guitar I think was a decision made later, I think."

Serena giggled. " You don't seem very drunk now".

" Really? 'Cause I am. There's currently two of you, which is actually quite a pleasant vision. But I'm also really tired – do I have to go home?" Darien whined.

" No, you can sleep on the couch", Serena said, and she eased herself out of his arms, and guided his head to the pillow. She went to get a blanket and when she came back Darien was staring at her with glassy eyes. She tucked him in and was heading back to bed, when Darien reached out and pinched her butt.

" Sorry, the pink pyjamas were too tempting", Darien said. He was asleep before Serena could respond.

Happy Holidays Everyone!