Title: Winter Snow
Author: Crystal Saturn
Rated: PG
Chapter: 24- Hope Survives
Last time on "Winter Snow"…
*What am I supposed to do now?* Darien asked himself *How am I supposed to get us out of this mess?* He asked mentally, burying his head in his hands and his elbows onto the hospital bed. He closed his eyes.
"Darien..." A soft, sweet female voice spoke. Darien's eyes grew wide as he jolted his head up.
His deep ocean blue eyes met bright sky blue ones.
"Hey…" Serena spoke softly.
Darien's shoulders slumped again and he let his head hang again.
"We're just going to get some lunch downstairs at the cafeteria. Do you want anything?" Mina asked quietly. Serena looked at Darien who didn't move. She shook her head 'no' and gave a slight smile. Mina nodded and the girls left. Serena took a seat quietly beside Darien and noted the pain in his eyes.
"Listen Darien, she'll be alright." Serena lifted his chin up. Darien looked down at Serena sadly, with tearful eyes. *How could I have let this happen?* Darien thought to himself *I should've been there for her! Why wasn't I there?* Darien mentally beat on himself. He half hoped that he would hear his sister's reply, through their mind link, reassuring him. But nothing came. Darien felt his eyes sting painfully with hot tears.
"Why wasn't I there for her?" Darien's voice managed to choke as a single silent tear slid down his pale sleep-deprived face. He looked directly ahead. "I should've been there! I was supposed to protect her!" Darien turned around and faced Serena. Another tear fell from his other eye, then another, following the trail down his cheek. Serena forced herself to blink away her tears and act strong, for Darien, but she could see, hear, feel, the pain in his eyes, in his voice, in his heart.
"Why couldn't I help her, Serena, why?" Darien's eyes searched Serena's for an answer, an explanation, like a young child pleading for an answer to where his puppy dog went. It was then that Serena could see the child within Darien. She could see under his tough icy exterior, Darien was much more simple, warm and pure.
"Oh Darien…" Serena's eyes filled with tears and her voice squeaked as if the words were caught in her throat. She took awhile to compose herself. "Darien, you can't be everywhere at once. There was nothing you could do to stop it. Sometimes fate puts obstacles in our way to test how strong we are and to test how true we are. These are the times we need to stay strong. Fate-" Serena tried to explain but Darien interrupted.
"Yeah, and Fate sure does love testing me. Taking away my family and my memory. Blessing me with a little sister, blessing me with you…" Darien paused for a second "then taking you and her away from me when I love you both the most." Darien turned away from Serena and held tightly onto Crystal's hand. He looked up at his sister's silent form. Her skin was cool and pale and she had multiple tubes sticking out of her. She had scratches and marks all over her. Darien cringed. It was his fault.
"Darien, you can't believe it's your fault. It isn't, you did everything you could but-" Serena began again but Darien interrupted
"But it just wasn't enough." Darien whispered before giving a sigh. The pain he was going through was evident when he spoke. "What good is it if I can't even protect the ones I love? I can't lose her too. I just can't, not when I just found her, Serena. She's brought so much joy in my life and changed it so much. She's a part of me. She's my only family, my sister, and I can't stand to lose her again." Darien let the tears flow freely as he faced Serena again. Serena felt a surge of pain flow through her heart and she moved closer to Darien, hugging him. Darien let himself go. He let his emotions flow freely in the form of tears. He held onto Serena tightly as if he was afraid she would slip away from him. Serena embraced Darien warmly and comfortingly. They sat in silence, just holding each other.
"Darien…" Serena began quietly. Darien acknowledged, his eyes remained closed and his arms still held Serena's small body. "What did you mean when you said fate took me away from you, when you loved me the most?" Serena asked, those words echoing through her mind. It was then Darien remembered that Serena wasn't his anymore and he swiftly pulled away from the warm embrace. His eyes once again filled with pain and he looked down.
"I just meant that fate is playing a cruel joke with my life, and I guess I'm 'destined' to live a life alone." Darien's fingers curled up into fists as he felt a second wave of pain and agony surge though his heart.
"You didn't answer my question, Darien. What do you mean by 'when you loved me the most'? You said you never loved me. You said you lied every time you said those words. Fate didn't tear us apart this time, Darien. You pushed me away. Didn't you?" Serena asked, curiously searching Darien's eyes.
"I…" Darien paused and looked away.
"Darien, is there something I should know?" Serena pleaded, her eyes glistening.
"It's just. I just…" Darien faltered then paused. *I can't tell her* Darien thought.
*Tell Her…* A young female voice whispered and echoed in Darien's mind, causing shivers to run up and down his spine. His eyes opened wide and he looked up at Crystal.
*Crystal?* Darien thought mentally, desperately trying to connect with his sister through their bond.
*The dreams, Darien…* Crystal's voice echoed once again. A tear trickled down Darien's cheek.
"Darien is there something wrong?" Serena asked, concerned. Darien sat silent, confused about what just happened. "Darien..?" Serena asked again.
"Serena…" Darien snapped out of his trance. "Serena, I need to tell you something. The reason why I broke up with you." Tears glimmered in Serena's eyes.
"Oh, Darien." Serena let out a whisper. "Please, if it's about me being an immature klutz then I don't want to hear it. I just want to know why you've been hot and cold this whole time, playing with my emotions like this. I can't stand it, Darien. Just tell me what's going on, for the sake of my sanity." Darien nodded.
"It all started a couple weeks after we defeated Beryl. I started to get these dreams. No, they were more like nightmares. Visions that were as clear as day…" Darien began. His gaze grew distant as the dreams flashed through his mind.
[Knock! Knock!]
"Hi, I hope I'm not interrupting anything, can we come in?" Lita smiled warmly. Darien looked up at Serena.
"Aaah… sure." Serena nodded. The girls came in with an extra addition.
"Guess who we found on her way up?" Mina smiled
"Sophy!" Serena's eyes lit up and she smiled warmly
"Miss Rena!" Sophy looked up and smiled, opening up her arms anticipating a hug. Sophy ran up to Serena and gave her a hug. Tear trails stained her little cheeks. She had been crying. Serena lifted the little girl up onto her lap.
"Momma Rena, is Miss Cryssy going to be ok?" Sophie asked, sniffling.
"Crystal's very sick right now and we hope she'll be ok. But you know what Soph? I think Crys will be ok. She's strong. But just keep praying and wishing ok?" Serena blinked away a tear. Sophy nodded.
Darien listened to the conversation and tears threatened to fall from his eyes. They all sat silently for awhile before Sophy shifted off Serena's lap and climbed onto the bed Crystal was lying on. She sat there and opened her hands up to reveal a small white flower.
"Miss Cryssy, you have to get better so you can look at what I brought you!" Sophy smiled warmly and looked at Crystal as though she was awake. "It's the flower you told me about at the park. Remember, the…the jasmine flower?" Sophy held out her hand. "It still smells really nice. I picked out the nicest one just for you." Sophy's cheeks flushed and a tear ran down her cheeks again as she gently placed the small flower on Crystal's hand. Darien lowered his head fighting back tears.
"Momma Cryssy I hope you can hear me. I really miss you and I really miss going to the park and feeding the duckies and looking at all the new flowers. I hope you get better soon so we can get some ice cream and go to the park again. You and Miss Rena are my best friends." Sophy continued as Serena stared in awe at the little girl sitting on the hospital bed. "We all miss you heaps Miss Cryssy. Please wake up soon." Sophy pleaded. She then turned her head and her eyes focused on Darien. She noticed his head lowered and caught a glimpse of a stray tear falling onto Darien's lap.
"Doctor Darien?" Sophy asked. Darien hastily wiped his tears away and looked up at the little girl, giving her a small smile. "Doctor Darien, you look really upset." Sophy climbed off the bed and stood in front of Darien. He looked down at her.
"Yes Sophy. I miss my sister too, very much." Darien tried to smile but the pain showed evidently in his eyes. He tried to act strong in front of Sophy.
"Don't be sad Doctor Darien. Cryssy will be all right. You'll see." Sophy gave Darien a hug. "You'll help her get better soon, wont you Doctor Darry?" Sophy looked up at Darien who smiled down at the little girl.
"Sure I will." Darien nodded. "In the mean time Soph, you look after yourself and keep smiling that pretty smile of yours ok?" Darien asked
"Ok Doctor Darry" Sophy smiled and nodded. Darien smiled and ruffled up the little girls' hair. *I miss you Crystal…* Darien thought. The way Sophy spoke reminded him much of Crystal.
"I have to go now, my mommy's waiting for me outside." Sophy let go of Darien's hand. "Buh-Bye!" Sophy hurried out the door, waving.
Darien watched the little blonde girl bounce out the door and his gaze fell back to the fragile dark-haired teen lying on the hospital bed.
"Have faith, Darien." Serena gently placed her hand on Darien's knee. He turned to face her and smiled weakly, placing his hand on top of hers and nodding.
Crystal Saturn
