Chapter Two

Revelations and Surprises

Rain drizzled in sheets over the arcade's windows while inside an unlikely pair sat at one of the booths across from each other. The woman sat staring at a paper before her, several books rested by her elbow as well as a plate of relatively untouched food. The math problem seemed to mock her as she struggled with the answer, a glance at her companion's dark eyes showed no help coming from that direction.

The young man sat silently watching her, his hands curling around the steaming cup of coffee. It had been two weeks since the night at the lake and he had been true to his word and more. Since that day Darien had been her constant companion and friend, as well as her tutor. A slight smile played across his otherwise stoic face as she stuck out her tongue in thought.

'She's so cute when she does that…' he stopped in mid thought realizing what had just been going through his head, 'It's not like I feel anything for her right? I mean she's just a friend…isn't she?'

For her part, Serena was struggling with the problem, but she didn't want to ask for help. Since Darien had begun to tutor her she had come a long way in her homework. Her attendance had also improved since the collage student had begun picking her up for school. For some inexplicable reason she always felt excited at the prospect of seeing him.

The first day had been very trying for she had argued fiercely against doing her homework after school. But in the end she had conceded that it was nice to be able to go to school and not get F's all the time. Now the two were into a daily routine of meeting at the arcade or the park and he would help her through the first few and confirm her answers on the rest. Now she felt comfortable with the problems so she was able to try more.

She hadn't seen her friends much since the day they had left. Despite school she hadn't been ready to meet with them. Pushing her other thoughts from her mind she looked back to the problem silently, sapphire eyes reading slowly as she mused to her self, "X squared plus eight x plus sixteen equals zero. What are the possible answers for X?"

Startled by the break in the silence Darien looked back at the younger woman as she continued staring at the paper. Finally, her golden locks bouncing as she nodded once, she scribbled her answer (X+4)x(X+4)=0 X=-4 Almost immediately those shimmering sapphires turned to her tutor for confirmation. The simple nod he gave brought a beaming smile as she moved to the next problem.

The arcade was fairly empty in the rainy afternoon and the electronic doors slid open as a group of four chattering young woman walked through. Each one carried a different colored umbrella which they closed upon entering. It was something of a comic sight as the blue haired girl, enraptured by the book in hand, lead the group. Next came Lita with a hand on her bookworm friend's shoulder to guide her around obstructions. In the rear cam Rei and Mina in close conversation.

A glance from the dark eyed tutor showed that Serena had yet to notice her friends' entrance as she worked on the last problem. Suddenly Ami's diamond like blue eyes glanced from her book and she stopped jaw dropping. Unfortunately this caused the other three girls to bump into her and they all fell into a heap of knees and elbows. Lita's emerald eyes blinked as she was the first to stand.

"Ami…." she rubbed her head with a wince, "What'd you stop for?"

All their friend could do was point a shaking finger at the pair in the booth. As four pairs of eyes turned to stare. For a moment none of the girls moved then their jaws fell as Serena gave a triumphant cry when she had finished the last problem. It was only then that she noticed the four girls for the first time and she was laughing and even Darien couldn't help but chuckle.

Finally Rei found her voice as she uttered, "Serena studying??!"

Then Mina piped in, "W…with Darien?!"

And finally Lita added her own surprise at the final notes she had seen, "And an untouched plate of food?!"

The foursome charged to their booth and four hands snatched the paper from in front of Serena who shook her head as she sipped her soda. As they scanned the paper with surprise each of the girls glanced back and forth to the paper and the blonde haired woman. Ami recovered her wits just enough to speak softly, "These are all right…"

The others looked disbelievingly at Ami as the raven haired priestess shot to Serena, "No way! I refuse to believe that that meatball…headed…" she hesitated seeing the hurt and sadness in the sapphire eyes which was so unlike her normal upset wails when she was verbally attacked by Rei. It wrenched the words right from Rei's mouth.

It was the young man who beckoned them to sit with the pair and in his ever deep voice he spoke gently, "Perhaps we should let you know how this came about."

The telling took he good part of an hour in that time the girl's faces went through fear, sadness and relief that she was alright. They listened to Darien's retelling of the events that had brought them to this point. However he skipped the part of how he had taken her to his house and cared for her. Fortunately Serena readily told that part, despite the simultaneous blushes that appeared on their cheeks.

But once it was over she was surprised to see that all of her closest friends were looking away almost sadly and more than one of them seemed like they were about to leave the arcade. When she asked what was wrong Mina hesitantly spoke up.

"Well Serena…I can't speak for the others…but I kinda feel like I let you down as a friend…I mean me especially I was so busy with trying to get a date with Jack that I ignored what was going on with you…I…I'm sorry…" then Mina's dark blue eyes shimmered as she let her head drop in a fit of quiet sobbing tears. But as Serena was about to comfort her Ami's soft voice stopped her.

"I too feel somewhat responsible Serena…I mean I was never able to talk to you much because I was so busy studying at the library but…though my grades are important they aren't as important as my best friend…please Serena forgive me…" and Ami too, gave in to the crystalline tears the fell from her eyes to slide down her cheeks.

The next voice, barely a whisper, was the most surprising one. The dark haired priestess, her head bowed so that her long raven locks hid her face in shadow began her apologies, "Serena…I feel I was the worst of the group…I added to your depression by teasing you all this time," her friend was about to protest but Rei held a hand up, "No…you are too good hearted to blame me but I deserve it…just as I don't deserve to call you my friend anymore…"

She turned to Lita, knowing that, of all of them, she would feel most responsible. Lita had become the sister Serena would have wanted, since day one she had been protected by the stronger girl. Now she saw Lita, shoulders shaking and eyes staring at the ground let her own grief out, "All this time I swore to you I'd be there to protect you, and it's all been nothing but words…when you needed me most I was nowhere to be found…and though you won't tell me, I can say it…I failed you Serena…the first time you've really needed me I wasn't there! Please….find someone else…someone who will make good on their promises…"

With that she turned and made her way, feet shuffling and emerald eyes never leaving the floor, towards the rainy night. But she was stopped when she felt the gentle hand on her shoulder and then she was pulled into a gentle hug. Now those sapphires that were ever the windows to Serena's soul shimmered with her own tears. But she didn't let go of her friend as she spoke in a soft whisper.

"Lita…you never failed me…you didn't know, couldn't have known what happened, and you've always been there when I needed a shoulder to lean on, please don't beat yourself up for this…please…" a glance at the taller girl's face and she knew she had convinced her. Finally Lita nodded and Serena turned next to Rei.

"And you…Rei I swear to you on the love I feel for each of you that you had no part in what happened, sure we tease each other, but in our hearts we both know how we care for one another," the priestess looked into Serena's eyes and she smiled hesitantly before hugging her, "Besides if you didn't talk to me who would I argue with constantly?"

That caused a giggle from her friend as she grinned, "Well meatball head something you said actually made sense."

Weakly laughing through her tears Serena stuck out her tongue and moved to Ami's side, engulfing the young genius in a tight hug gently and for a moment it was all Ami could do to catch her breath as she hugged back just as tightly. Then she moved to Mina hugging her as well and whispering comforting words to let them know she still cared for them and finally they all seemed to calm and eat.

Remembering he was to meet his friend Darien stood and hugged Serena gently, "See you later Serena, take care."

That bright smile rewarded him as she kissed his cheek causing a slight blush to appear on his cheeks as he exited the arcade. The girls eyes followed the dark haired man's exit into the rain and then turned to their friend. They barraged questions about the new relationship and the possibility of it being more then just friends. All of which Serena denied save that they were good friends.

In her mind, however she was asking, 'Is that all we are…I care about Darien sure, but what else do I feel…what if?' But the answers refused to come to her as she settled back and ate with her friends, content for the time being with their presence.

The sun bore down on the dirt path as the cherry stained sports car rolled to a stop. The young man glanced around as he exited the vehicle and slid his keys into the pockets of his blue jeans. Dark sunglasses covered his eyes as the sounds of many voices and working drifted to his ears. Long strides made their way through the grass towards a large open field that was alive with activity. Several tents stood while many others were in the middle of being set up.

Forty to fifty horses grazed in the nearby meadow while hammers and nails were being applied to the boards in one corner of the ground. It was a large area, nearly three hundred acres, that would be used to produce a medieval appearing festival. Darien made his way to where the joust field was being set up. The grandstands were already in place on either side, with the dais for the 'Court' which was another of the crowd pleasing events the festival held.

A slight smirk played at the corner of Darien's mouth as he saw one man in the group, his shirt long removed and his bronzed skin dripping with perspiration, move towards the shade of a nearby oak tree. Sipping from a bottle of ice water, the man's dark blue eyes glanced in the collage student's direction. He slowly made his way to meet Darien halfway.

As they did this all work around the jousting area stopped as the workers watched what appeared to be a confrontation. A gentle breeze kissed along the back of Darien's neck as he looked at the shorter man for a moment. Finally he gave in and laughed as his strong arms engulfed the man in a hug that was returned readily with a hearty laugh.

"You never could beat me at a staring contest Darien and you know it!" he laughed again stepping back.

Running fingers through his dark locks Darien chuckled, "Yea well maybe I will someday eh? But what's with the grizzled look Richard?? You look like you haven't shaved in a week."

His old friend chuckled a bit as they walked stride for stride towards the horses, "Well I haven't thought about it much. Cathy's always got to remind me to shave, she'll probably nail me again soon enough."

They laughed but soon Darien stopped as his footsteps alerted the midnight shaded stallion resting in the tall grass. The dark eyes turned to look at him and he visibly relaxed as the gentle hand ran along his coat which shone in the noontime sun. Gingerly trailing strong fingers along the horse's flank as his midnight eyes closed, Darien remembered when this horse and he had become fast friends.

Flashback

The stable was empty most of the horses were either being used by the knights or the other performers. From the nearby stands cries and cheers rang out as the crowd watched in mesmerized fascination. The stabling area however was occupied by a single young man, who baled hay in anticipation of the horse's return. Darien poured water into the troughs and swept the area clean.

It was then that two men, both in full armor, approached with one leaning heavily upon the other and balancing precariously on one foot. The injured one sat heavily on a bale of hay as Richard removed his helm and looked at the ankle which had been twisted savagely. Only then did the dark eyes notice the stallion that was limping in as well. The horse was in just as bad shape as his rider from the look of it. Darien sprang to it's side and laid it down in a stall as the vets examined him and the doctors looked at the rider.

But something about the horse sparked Darien to stay with the horse. For days the horse wouldn't even move, but the man patiently stroked his flanks gently, soothingly, as he fed him apples or hay. Then they began the trying process of getting the horse to walk again. Veterinarians were less than hopeful about the horse ever walking normally. Indeed the manager of the festival wouldn't allow Darien to work with the horse during the day. So it was that in the after hours of the festival that Darien would work with the horse, through exercise and constant massaging of the joint.

Slowly but surely the animal began to regain his lost stride, and it showed. The proud arch returned and the white spot on his black coat, his namesake, flew as Moondreamer whinnied in the night. It was late one evening three weeks before the fair ended that Darien approached Richard and spoke softly.

"Well it's official, Duane's out for the next six to eight weeks, which means we are one knight short, Darien would you take his place? We could have a horse for you by tomorrow…" but his long time friend held up his hand to stop him.

"Rich I'll do it only if I ride Moondreamer."

"But you heard the vets they say he'll be lucky to ever walk normally again, let alone run…" as they walked to where the stallion was standing, his coat gleaming in the crescent moonlight. Darien immediately climbed to the stallion's back and looked at Richard.

"Let's race then, if I win he and I fight in the joust, you win and I'll ride another."

His friend merely shook his head and retrieved his own horse, a chestnut brown stallion. As he saddled the horse, Moondreamer pranced anxiously and his rider patted the strong flank. Once both riders were ready the charged along the meadow's soft slopes and it was soon obvious that Moondreamer had made a full recovery.

When they returned and laid the horses to sleep Darien grinned as Richard shook his head. That was when they made the arrangements to have Darien ready for the event tomorrow. Cathy had gifted him with his shield, she had painted a black shield with a crescent moon and a rose crossing each other with three stars surrounding it. The three agreed it was perfect for Darien.

End Flashback

The stallion nuzzled Darien affectionately and Richard chuckled, "Well it's good, he hasn't let anyone ride him since you left last year."

This surprised the collage student but he looked into the deep eyes of the stallion and understood. Just then a soft woman's voice spoke gently, "It's good to see you Darien."

He smiled, as he turned to look at the young woman wearing blue jeans and a navy blue tank top shirt that accented her lithe form and flattered her long blonde hair. She moved and hugged him happily as he returned the embrace. For a long moment they hugged then he stepped back and smiled to the couple. For a long time they stood talking together until Cathy broached the subject of Darien's single status.

"Say Darien do you have a girlfriend yet?" the young woman was hardly a person to beat around the bush. Though her words shocked both men as they regarded each other with the stallion blinking silently. It was the dark haired man who laughed slowly albeit a bit weakly.

"Err uh…what a silly question to ask Cathy…you know I'd tell you guys as soon as I found that special someone," he looked down thoughtfully as unbidden images of a bright smile and long blonde tails dancing on the breeze filled his mind, 'Am I sure I have not found her? Is she right before me that I may find her?'

A hand waving before his dark eyes shook him from his thoughts as his friends laughed. Richard chuckled as he spoke, "Earth to Darien, come in Darien."

"Ummm yea…I mean…." it was a moment that he felt nervous and his face flushed.

Both of them laughed harder and Cathy asked softly, "You alright Darien? You spaced out for a second there."

"Umm yea hey listen I...umm…gotta go find Sam to let him know I am in the joust this year," with that he all but sprinted away leaving his friends almost falling over with laughter. As Darien disappeared in the distance they slowly recovered enough for them to talk between heavily caught breath. As they spoke Richard's arm slid around her waist gently.

"It's nice that Darien's found someone special, he's a good friend and deserves someone in his life," Cathy spoke gently smiling despite herself.

Her husband added slightly, "Yea but he shouldn't be so hesitant about it, I want to know who he has his eye on and why he hasn't told me."

"Hesitant hmmm…reminds me of another man I know," she squeezed his arm gently, lovingly. The two lovers watched silently for a moment before kissing and parting for work again. But their thoughts lay with their long time friend and hopes for love filled all three hearts.