Disclaimers: enter standard disclaimer here.

Cure for a Broken heart 5/5
By Elysia [ely_chan@yahoo.com]
PG

"So afraid to love you,
but more afraid to lose
Clinging to a past that won't let me choose. . ."

(Sarah McLachlan, "I Will Remember You")



It had been almost two months since he last saw Serena and his heart hadn't changed. He wanted nothing more than to see her again. And maybe soon that dream could be a reality.

Darien caught up with Ami in the break room, wanting to talk with her about something very important to him. "Ami! Finally found you. I have something I'd like to talk to you about."

She sipped from her mug. "Talk away, Darien," she grinned.

He shifted uncomfortably, and leaned against the counter. "Would you mind if I... took a small vacation? It would just be for a little while. I'm asking you because I wondered if you would consider being on call for me."

Her eyes widened. This coming from the man who had never taken more than one day of sick leave in the three years he had been on staff here surprised her. "I guess so, Darien, but... why are you asking me?"

He fixed his gaze on the table across the room, not wanting to look her in the eye. "Well... I, uh... that is, I have something very important I need to do before I let it go any further than it has already."

Ami glanced at him, very confused now. "Okay... how long do you think you'll be gone?" Darien couldn't hold back the sheepish grin that now appeared on his face. "Well, um... I'm going out of the country, if that means anything."

She choked on her drink unexpectedly. She set her mug down on the counter. "Oh," she replied, knowing exactly what he was talking about now. A smile appeared on her lips. "I think you can take as much time as you need. In fact, I don't want you coming back until you've got something good to report."

******

Jill heaved a huge sigh as she continued to study her literature book. She had a major test coming up and there was no way she'd flop this one like she had the last one. So the afternoon was devoted entirely to studying. Later that evening, she and Michael would go out to dinner to celebrate their third Valentines Day together.

A knock sounded at the front door. "Serena? Can you get that?" she called out automatically, supposing her roommate was in the kitchen and would answer the door. Just then, she remembered Serena had announced she wanted the bathroom for a little time to herself that afternoon. Jill had offered to set her up for the evening, but Serena had refused, claiming she planned to stay at home and catch up on other things.

Ever since she returned from her Christmas vacation, Jill noticed her roommate had changed. Serena seemed to be more flustered than usual, having trouble concentrating on her homework. Jill couldn't help but wonder if it had anything to do with that guy she left back in Tokyo. But whenever she brought up the subject, Serena wouldn't want to talk about it. She just stared off into space at that crystal rose of hers she kept on the windowsill.

As the knock came a second time, Jill slid off her bed in exasperation and ran for the door, lit book in hand.

"Hi, come on... in," she stammered as she yanked open the door, catching a full glimpse of the figure now standing in the doorway. Her book fell to the floor forgotten, since she had been expecting a friend of hers to come over for a study session. This certainly wasn't her.

"Does Serena Tsukino live here?" he asked hopefully. He was extremely tired, having traveled over the last two days to get here. but it was all worth it just to see her again.

"Yep, but she's... um, in the shower, and I'm not sure when she'll be out. I'm hoping it'll be soon, though. Maybe you could come back in a little while or something."

Darien sighed again. He obviously did not have good timing when it came to catching Serena. But he wouldn't give up so easily on her either. "Would you mind if I waited? I've come a very long way to see her."

******

Serena scrubbed her long, damp hair with a towel, and glanced in the mirror, smiling to herself all the while. Just because it was Valentines Day and she hadn't made major plans for the evening, didn't mean she couldn't enjoy the night.

She wrapped her hair up in the towel, finished drying herself off and quickly changed into jeans and her new sweater. Unlocking the bathroom door, she walked out into the kitchen, mentally going over her plan for the evening. First, she was going to cook dinner and then settle in to watch one of her favorite chick flicks.

"Jill!" she sang out happily, "I'm going to start making dinner now. Are you sure you and Michael don't want to join me instead? It's going to be really good."

Her roommate wandered out of her bedroom, glancing in the direction of the living room on her way into the kitchen. "Um... Serena?" she started, leaning against the wall, "I really appreciate the offer, but why don't you hold off on making dinner for a while."

"What do you mean? Are you saying you don't like my cooking anymore?" Serena replied, pretending to be annoyed.

Jill remained unusually serious. "Forget the food for a moment, Serena. There's... uh, something in the living room that I think you should see."

"All right, all right, I'll take a look in the living room, but then I really have to get started on dinner if I want it... to..." Serena trailed off and stopped short.

Straightening his wrinkled clothing as best he could, Darien stood up from the couch immediately as they entered the room, a small smile crossing his lips as he watched Serena grab onto the back of the love seat for support. The mere sight of her, the towel wrapped around her hair, dumbfounded expression on her face, and everything else combined was more lovely than anything he had ever seen in his life.

He smiled again and spoke for the first time in two months to the woman he loved.

"Hello, Serena."

******

She sat down numbly in the love seat, unable to speak. Jill sensed the tension between the two, silently excused herself and slipped out the door, mumbling she had to meet Michael somewhere, leaving the two alone in an awkward silence.

Darien sat down after a moment, not sure what to talk about. He had thought countless times about what he could say, even dreamed about this moment, but nothing seemed to fit the mood. He blurted out the first words that came to mind. "I like your towel."

Serena visibly reddened, reached up slowly and pulled the towel away, her damp hair tumbling down onto her shoulders and behind her back. She was too much in shock and too embarrassed now to respond.

Darien traced the pattern on the arm of the couch with his finger. "I guess you're pretty surprised to see me here."

"Overwhelmed, astounded, shocked would be more like it," she answered, finally getting her mouth to move. "What are you doing here, Darien? Please tell me you didn't come all the way out here just to see me."

Darien glanced at her, searching her face, then looked down again. "Yes, Serena, I did."

"Why?" her voice cracking softly. "Why in the world would you travel half-way across the ocean just to see me?"

"Don't you get it, Serena? I care about you. I need you, and I'd go anywhere to be with you. For the last two months, I have thought about nothing but you." He stood up, walked over to her and took her hands in his. "I want you, Serena. I've never wanted anything or anyone more in my life until now."

Serena stared up at him, desperately wanting to believe him, but didn't know how she could. She looked away, biting her lip, trying to force the tears back. "You don't want me. You deserve someone much better than me, Darien."

He took both her hands now, pulling her up so he could look her in the eyes. "That's absolutely not true. If anything, you're too good for me."

It was too late to stop her crying, and she shook her head wildly. "Darien, please, let me explain. I had no intention of becoming so attached to you and hurting you like I know I did. But you've got to understand, I've never been in this sort of situation before."

"Serena, that's not at all what I--"

She turned away from him again and dropped down on the couch. "No, don't try to apologize for anything. What happened was my fault and I realize that now." She sighed loudly, stroking a shaky hand through her damp hair. "I've always wondered what it would be like to have someone care about me, respect me for who I am. But I didn't expect it would turn out like this."

Darien moved closer to the couch. "If you'll just let me say what I--"

Serena stood and turned to face him again. "I don't know what to do anymore," she replied, cutting him off. "I love you, Darien, but I'm so unsure of myself. I want to change, but I don't know how. You should just go back to Tokyo and find someone who's as smart as you and good enough for you," she said softly, collapsing on his shoulder.

Darien's hands came up slowly, slid around her waist and held her shaking figure to him. He stood there silently with her in his embrace for a moment, letting her have a good cry. He pulled away slightly. "Serena," he murmured quietly, cupping her face with his hands, "there's only one thing you've said that matters, that means anything at all. You love me." He stepped back and tipped her chin up. She gazed at his face, tears still streaming down her face and stared into his deep blue eyes, shining with tears of his own.

"But--" she stammered, trying to come up with some excuse, but his finger on her lips prevented her from saying any thing more. Darien smiled gently, and removed his finger. "Serena, for once, let me have the last word."

For the first time since seeing him again, she finally relaxed. He took her in his arms again, pulled her close and bent down to kiss her tenderly and longingly, something he had dreamed of doing for the last two months.

All her questions, doubts and fears slowly disappeared that night as Serena finally realized her once impossible dream had finally come true. She had found something to live for, someone who would accept her just as she was.

Someone to believe in.

Someone to love.