How to Have Fun
Chapter 6

Author: natia_99
E-mail: natia_99@yahoo.com
Rated: PG

Author's Notes: erg, I know! I took forever with this
chapter!!! oy o_O and after all the e-mail I got too!
Sighs. Can't believe how many people liked it! I thought
it was too mushy when I thought it up...wait?!?! Did I just
say TOO MUSHY?!?!?!?!?!?!??! *faint*

Disclaimer: *sneaks glance left then right*
whisper whisper...the last time I tried to write a disclaimer
about how *I* in fact own Sailormoon....Naoko popped out of
nowhere waving a moon sceptre and chased me away....*sneaks
another glance* but I think this time I'm safe.....okay, *I*
actually own Sailor---ahhhh there she is!

*Naoko smacks Nat-chan on the head angrily*

Ouch ouch! okay okay, I don't!!!


hmmm..somewhere in that disclaimer I lost my mind....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rini opened the apartment door to Rei and shook her six year old
head in dismay.

Rei frowned, "What's the matter sweetie?"

Darien walked out at this moment, to get a drink, before returning
to his study. This was nothing exciting...but the way he walked,
the glazed look in his eyes...the goofy grin...

Rei bit back a choke of laughter, "I take it the date went well?"
She hadn't been able to get a coherant sentence out of him
when he'd returned last night.

The sound of Darien walking into the door frame--again--confirmed
her suspicions.

Rini simply stared after him, "I've never seen him like this Rei.
Do you think that's what it means?"

Rei picked her up, "Yup. Guys only get like that after having
a really great date with a very special girl."

"Do you think he kissed her?" Rini asked seriously.

Rei chuckled, "It would certainly explain the glazed look
in his eyes."

She sent Rini to watch TV then and walked into Darien's office.
Darien sat over his books, trying to study but effectively
managing only to doodle Serena's name with hearts around it
all over his notebook.

Rei laughed, "I take it you had a good time?"

Darien smiled a rather foolish smile then, "I certainly
did...."

Rei smiled sincerely, "I'm glad....it seems like it's all
fallen into place for you. And you deserve it."

Darien's smile turned to a grin, "Yeah, I feel pretty lucky."

Rei laughed, "Rini thinks you've lost your mind!"

Darien chuckled, "Ahh well...."
Then he turned serious, "Wait, have you talked to Mina? Or Serena?
Did she tell you if the date went well? Oh God, what if she
hated it!?"

He began to panic and Rei frowned, "Uhhh, no, I haven't talked
to either of them, but...don't you think you're overreacting
just a bit?"

"NO!" He cried in distress.

He hurried Rei out of the office, "I have to call Mina and find
out what she thought!"

Rei stumbled out and was nearly hit with the force of his
door shutting.

She sighed and walked out to join Rini in front of cartoons.

"Well?" Said Rini as she sat down.

"You're right," Rei confirmed, "He *is* crazy."

Rini nodded, "I know."



Meanwhile....at Mina's......

Serena sat across from Mina by the huge sunny window of her apartment, drinking
cocoa contently,
"Ohhh Mina...I had such a good time...and his face after I kissed him....siiigh,
he's the sweetest guy I've ever known! I think I'm falling in love..."

Mina grinned, "I KNEW IT! Mina, matchmaker extraordinaire strikes again!"

Serena shot her a look, "Uh, yeah right Mina! How many bad dates have
you set me up on before this? Come to think of it, how many bad dates
have you set DARIEN up on?!"

Mina just laughed, "They were just practice dear, for the real thing I was
planning all along."

Serena laughed with her, "Of course!"

Mina turned towards her phone, "Anyway, I'm expecting his call any moment
to ask how you thought the date went. Just watch."

"Mina, he already knows it was a great date--why would he call?"

"I know him too well Serena....just wait...3, 2,--"

BRRRRRRRIIIIIIINNNNNNNGGGGGGGG

Serena's eyebrows raised.

"Hello Darien." Said Mina confidentally.

"How'd you know it was me?" He asked from the other end.

Mina laughed, "Why, because I am Mina, matchmaker extraordinaire ofcourse!"

Serena heard him laugh from the other end.

Then Mina leaned into the phone listening and smiled, "No, she didn't
*like* the date you ninny! She LOVED IT! And the kiss! She said,
and I quote, 'it was perfect'!"

"MINA!" Darien and Serena cried together in shock, getting her in
both ears, she winced but kept laughing, "She's here this very instant
glaring daggers at me, why don't you ask her yourself?"

She passed the phone over to Serena who *was* glaring daggers at her,
"Mina!" She hissed.

Mina just chuckled, "I'm going to wash my hair so talk about WHATEVER
you want!"

Serena just rolled her eyes, "Hey," She greeted him, "I'd apologize
for Mina but I have a feeling you already know how she is."

"I do indeed." Darien complained.

Serena smiled then, "Why were you calling to see if I had a good time,
you know I did!"

"But I had to see if you had AS good a time as *I* did." He said, smiling
back.

"I had more than a good time." She said sweetly.

He grinned, "Me too.....so...what are you doing right now?"

She laughed, "I have to go put some practice in at school, I won't be finished
till six or seven."

"Well, give me a call and I'll come pick you up alright? Maybe you can
come over for a while?" He added hopefully.

She laughed, "Okay, I'll call when I finish--but it'll be after hours of dancing and
exercising, I'll look utterly wretched."

"I'll be sure to muss up my hair before I come so we match." He said dryly.

"You DO that!" She laughed, then she hung up--trying to tell herself that she
was not as giddy as she felt...but she was.

Her instructor watched her dance with even more joy than she had before.
Her pupil had always seemed vibrant and enthusiastic, but something in her
movements spoke of a sudden maturity and awareness of the light within that gave her
dancing true talent.

She wondered what had caused the young woman to spark to life in such a new way.
But she did not ask. Not yet.

Darien met Serena at the door to the building. True to form she looked a bit
of a mess--but for the smitten Darien, it seemed stardust trailed after her and
golden light spilled from her in all directions.

"Hello." He said with a very goofy grin.

She laughed, "Hello!"

She took his hand and he once again thanked all higher powers involved in creating
that hand and letting it find it's way into his.

And anyone watching him closely as they walked might have noticed how his feet
never really touched the ground.

They headed to his place where a jubuliant Rini flew out to grab her about
the legs, "SeREEEEEEEEEEEEENAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!"

And suddenly the apartment was filled with catchy swing music and three contented
beings were chopping vegetables and cooking in the kitchen while they tapped along.

Rini sat on the counter between them, grinning and tapping her feet against
the counter in time.

When the vegetables were on and meat in the oven Serena swept her up in her
arms and danced her out to the living room before plopping her on the couch
with a laugh.

Darien snuck up behind her and grabbed her into a dance. Rini giggled watching them
and felt her small heart swell with something at the sight....something about how
much she loved Serena...and Darien...and having a family....

Darien dipped Serena back and kissed her nose before swooping her up and throwing her on
the couch beside Rini. Then he grabbed Rini up and danced with her.

Serena laughed and went to check on dinner.

And dinner was almost as much fun as dancing had been. Darien and Rini watched Serena
laugh and joke with wonder. How did she make everything so much fun?

They cleaned up and Darien went to do some studying while Serena helped Rini with her
spelling homework.

And about two hours later when a weary Darien emerged it was to find Serena and Rini
asleep on the couch in front of the TV...a cartoon movie still playing.

He shook his head in disbelief....they'd actually worn each other out? He hadn't thought
that possible.

He carried Rini to bed and tucked her in before returning to Serena. He pulled her
into his arms and stroked her hair....her eyes opened slowly and she smiled.

"Did I fall asleep?"

He nodded.

"And my Prince awoke me with an enchanted kiss?"

His eyes widened and he was forced to shake his head no.

"Well then!" She exclaimed and promptly feigned sleep once more.

He grinned....and leaned down to kiss her.

"Mmmm" She murmured, slipping her arms about his neck.

Darien sighed as he lost himself. Was this love? He certainly never
wanted it to end.....

Her hands tangled in his dark hair and the kiss suddenly turned
passionate....something he had not been expecting...something he'd never
experienced before.

He held her tightly and slipped on hand down her back, the other up into
her beautiful hair.

Finally they drew away, eyes glazed, mouths breathless.

She reached a tender, nearly awestruck hand to touch his face, running
a gentle finger over his lips as she smiled dreamily at him.

He turned into her hand and kissed it, shutting his eyes, lost in the
moment.

Then he pulled her up and to the door before he lost his mind completely...

She stood in the doorway, looking beautiful, and slipped her arms around him quite
suddenly, drawing him down into another drowning kiss.

He held her in it for a long time. And when they finally separated, she
lay her head against his chest as he held her...listening to the rapid beat
of his heart slow down to normal again.

His hand absently rubbed her back. And he knew, just like that, he was in love.
Knew, in his life, with his heart, there would not be many opportunties for love,
if any. And here was this beautiful woman in his arms...

......and he loved her.

He kissed the top of her head softly and she murmured contently. She pulled
back to gaze adoringly in his eyes. Standing on tip toes she leaned in slowly
to his lips, "Your..kisses..are so sweet...." She muttered softly and their lips met
again.

He pulled back and gripped her shoulders fiercely, "Do you think love can
happen this fast?" His voice was low...and serious.

Her eyes widened but she nodded, "Yes." It was a whisper.

He leaned down, holding her tightly, "Serena, I love you...."

Her eyes turned like the ocean then, "I love you too..." She whispered
emotionally and buried her face in his neck.

He clutched her tightly, savoring it.

He knew this was fast. He knew it was crazy. And he didn't care.

Suddenly all the planning and serious logic in the world seemed like
a fool's plan.

This, this sensation of utter bliss and joy was everything.

And he would hold onto it as long as he could.

~~~~~~~~~~~~*
*
*

It was a full three weeks later when it struck Rei. She walked into his apartment to find
the three of them sitting on the couch watching a movie.

Darien sat in the middle with Rini curled in one arm, Serena in the other.

And suddenly she knew.

Darien was truly happy.

He was truly truly happy for the first time in his life. And it worried
her to no ends. Her protective instincts rose out like a dragon as her
eyes watched Serena.

Would she hurt him? Wasn't she trying to get into a dance company and
tour the world?

Her eyes narrowed.

A few days later, as Serena was leaving Darien's building she passed her and pulled her
to a stop.

"Serena..."

The bouncy blonde smiled, "Yeah Rei?"

"Look, I want to know what you're after here."

Serena looked confused, "Excuse me?"

Rei frowned, "With my cousin." She punctuated, "He's obviously
in love with you, and very happy."

Serena watched her suspiciously, "But?"

"But you are working towards touring the world in a dance
company...and leaving him behind...are you not?"

Serena visibly paled and for once her smile failed her. The words
stabbed deep.

Rei grew angrier, "I just can't stand by and watch you
break his heart! Do you even know what he's been through? How
lonely he's been? Now you're giving him a dream come true, only
to take it away again!"

She stormed away then, leaving Serena in a silent, trembling version
of her usual self.

She headed slowly for class.

Rei couldn't be right. She wasn't using Darien. She loved him.
Loved him with all her heart.

And who's to say she would definitely be picked by a dance company?

But at the end of her dance class her Instructor pulled her aside,
"Serena..."

"Yes?"

"I just wanted to say, you've shown more talent these past
few weeks then I've ever seen in you before! You seem to have found
your inspiration! Keep it up and I can guarantee you a place in a
dance company!"

Serena's entire body froze.

She walked slowly out of class, totally horrified.

Was this what it was coming to? She would have to decide
between her dream...and the love of her life?

She choked up and stopped, leaning over the bridge rail.

She weighed it out carefully. She could look at it two
ways. One, she was being foolish thinking this love, which
was still new, should matter more than her life long cherished
dream, and if she stayed, she'd resent Darien....

Or two, she should listen to her heart above all else.

But her heart longed both to love Darien and to dance....

She felt tears prick her eyes.

What should she do?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
*
*

Darien sat at his desk, contemplating.....

He was a reasonable man. Yes, a reasonable man. Practical. Logical.

This was just another stem from that same tree. Yes.

He kept trying to tell himself that...but it didn't seem to be working.

What was haunting our poor, lovesick Darien you ask?

He was suffering from....lack of alone-time with his beautiful girlfriend.

He sat back and sighed. He loved Rini. Serena loved Rini. Together they
were just three loving people weren't they?

But trying to get a few spare moment to just be a couple was becoming frustrating
and Rei seemed reluctant to help for some reason...??

But that wasn't all. Even if he *did* get some private time with Serena...what
would happen?

Private time SOUNDED reasonable and logical in a relationship...but...well...he'd
just never felt so overwhelmed or passionate with anyone....what if...what if...?

He shook his head, despeartely trying to keep his thoughts on the straight and
narrow.

But little peeps of thoughts kept escaping.

~What if...?~ and most disturbingly, ~Is that what you WANT?~

Want. It had curbed into something of an entirely different flavour lately.
But he knew them both too well. If things went that far, there would be
no going back. They would not be able to be free of one another....

It wouldn't be fair to her.

It was too soon.

But....it would be more than heaven.....

He dropped his head to his desk with a loud thunk....when had
life become so complicated???

sigh.

He thought of the guys in his class joking about spending the whole
weekend with their girlfriends....the whole WEEKEND, not just one
night!!! They joked about never leaving their rooms and he just sat
there...feeling as though a giant letter V were stamped across his chest.

And therein lay yet more terrors uncharted...he had ZERO experience.

And it meant more to him. Not just a weekend pasttime.

It meant love.

Forever love.

He sighed again.

Well, it didn't matter because it wasn't like a free night was going to
just land in his lap...

Rini crashed into the room at this moment, "DARRRRIEN!!!!! Ashley's having
a sleepover tonight--can I go? Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaasssssssseeeee???"

Darien's eyes widened and some terrible gears began ticking in his male
brain.

.........................................................................

Serena dropped her dance things wearily to the floor and headed for the shower.
When she emerged it was to the phone ringing and she scuffed over to pick it up.

"Hello?"

"Hello." Came a beautiful voice that made her heart sing.

"Darien..."

He cleared his throat carefully.
"Uh...listen Serena...Rini's going to a friend's
for a sleepover tonight, so we have the night free..."

Serena sucked in a breath.

"Do you want to come over?"

The question hung in the air.

Serena could barely breath, "....ok..."


She arrived breathlessly at his door and he led her in shakily to the couch.
There were a stack of movies on the table...at least ten and smells of a late
dinner filtered in.

"I-I rented movies...and made dinner..." He stuttered and cursed
himself for seeming like some kind of kiss-up, desperate--

"Smells yummy." She smiled, though her stomach was tied up
like a pretzel.

She walked out to the kitchen with him and he took her hands in both of his,
"Look...when I said Rini's gone for the night...I didn't mean....I mean,
I don't mean you have to stay the night or anything....that's not what
I meant...I just mean..we can have some time just for the two of us...."

He finished, ~Phew, there. That's all out. Breath Darien, breath!~

Serena was blushing but she slipped her arms around his neck, "I know."

Even though she didn't.

Didn't know what to do...what she wanted...what was right....

She kissed him.

In the midst of total uncertainty she kissed him and poured
herself into it.

And as his arms wrapped around her tightly he felt his thoughts
swim dangerously.

Nothing *had* to happen....but what if it did...????

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

oO;;;; oy, I know, that's gotta be the worst cliffhanger ever ne?

Will they or won't they? Will they or won't they?

Maybe I should take a poll minna? I mean...I don't want to just
write gratutious smut in here....on the other hand, they ARE in
University...and in love....hmmmm...what do YOU think minna?

What do YOU want to have happen?

E-mail, e-mail the nat-chan!!!!! ^^;;;;;