Hello to all the people who are still reading my story. If you've come
back well I'll take it you like my story rather than that you are bored out
of your mind. If you have time read my other story Unusually Unusual which
I will add another chapter too as soon as this story is finished. I had
some free time on my hands, knew what I wanted to write and decided I would
write. So enjoy, and if you feel compelled to review, I'm not complaining.
Chapter Nine- Posing for Peggy
The hand that beckoned Serena and Darien into the quaint house was attached to the same woman who they had talked to on the street. She smiled at them before leading them into a well-lit room with windows showing flowers everywhere.
"I'm terribly sorry for my rudeness earlier. You see I'm Peggy Jones, a local artist and I'm very shy so I didn't offer my name. It is a pleasure to meet both of you and I don't think you know how excited I was to see you two. I mean I've been dreaming of the right models for a sketch, and it was you, and then there you were! I was flabbergasted because well I already told you. Oh my, I'm rambling again." She blushed and offered a hesitant smile at the astounded faces of Serena and Darien.
"Well I'm Serena Tsukino, and this tall dweeb, is Darien Shields. I'm glad to model for you because I've always wanted to be a model and now I will!" She squealed with delight and both Peggy and Darien laughed at her antics. "Well, how do we begin?"
Peggy smiled, "Well you see, I've had a couple of idea's for paintings and I just need you two to act out the poses to see if I like it. Is that all right with you? I mean your such a cute couple, you fight like you've been married for years." She stopped and looked at their blushing faces. "What? Is it something I said?"
"Peggy, we're not a couple. In fact we don't get along all that well." Darien stuttered out and chuckled at Peggy's dropped jaw.
"Oh, I didn't realize that. Well you two just are so cute together I'm sorry I just assumed." She was blushing and had busied herself with finding supplies to paint with.
"It's all right Peg. Now what pose do you want," she paused and looked at Darien, "Us in first?" Serena asked timidly.
"Well how about something simple? Let me think, oh yes." Peggy had noticed the attraction between the two. Not to mention the fact that both of them frowned at the thought of not being a couple. "How about Serena you lay your head on Darien's chest and wrap your arms, around him. Okay?" Serena looked at Darien before proceeding to do as Peggy had said.
"Now, Darien, you wrap your arms around her ad put your head on her head lightly, like resting it there." She stopped and surveyed the pose. Both looked uncomfortable and yet quite content with the position they were in. "All right, Serena, place your hand at the base of his neck, almost like your going to play with his hair."
Serena had never been so frightened in her life, well except for when she fought the generals of the Negaverse. She was positive her heart was beating wildly and Darien could feel it through the fabric of her dress and his shirt. Heck, he could probably hear it because it certainly was pounding. Serena knew if Darien looked at her face, she would be bright red for her cheeks felt hot and her body prickled with delight in being so close to him.
Darien had similar thoughts running through his own head. She was closer than anyone had ever been to him. He normally tried to push people away, but Serena was different. Not to mention beautiful and funny, charming, fun to tease, all right so he had to admit he had a slight crush on the girl. Only one big problem, he was several years older than she was, that wouldn't go to well, and another thing, she hated him.
Peggy had viewed the pose and could tell that each of them was not only not used to such close interaction with someone, but also happy to be there. She really had believed they were a couple because they complimented each other in so many ways. He was tall, the perfect height for her, and she for him. Their hair made them look like opposites, her being light blonde, him black as night. Even their eyes, painting their eyes would be hard because they were so deep and nothing she could do could express the way they looked at you, or at each other, with love.
Peggy had picked up her canvas and pencil and began to sketch lightly. She noticed that they had settled down and seemed to be relaxed in the embrace. It wasn't normally that she had people pose for her sketches but this pair seemed to scream to be near each other. After some time she allowed them a rest and she smiled faintly when they were both disappointed to leave the moment.
"Would either of you care for some tea or cookies?" Peggy asked.
"Oh yeah!" Serena exclaimed completely forgetting Darien. She smiled and looked back at him, "You want some too right?"
"Sure, thanks." After settling down on a sofa everyone had a quick break and Serena began to nose around. What she saw made her catch her breath.
"Peg, these pictures look like the ones at the gallery! Are you related to Lonnie Lenai? I mean they are so similar!" Serena had picked up one of the pictures and began to examine it closely.
"Well, you see, Lonnie Lenai doesn't exist. She is my pen name you see. I originally painted under my real name but I bombed, then I had an idea for a new collection and it's a great big hit. It's just the same only people don't know it's me."
"But Peggy, don't you ever wish that people knew it was you? I mean if I could paint at all like that, well I would want everyone to know about it."
"No, you don't understand. People expect me to be as beautiful as my paintings. You don't get it because you are smart, pretty, talented. It's different for you Serena."
Darien smiled to himself, although he agreed with Peggy's philosophies, he liked seeing Serena trying her hardest to help someone. Inwardly he wished she would be friends and cheer him up someday. "Nope, you're wrong. She may be pretty, but she is a klutz and well her test scores aren't the greatest." The moment the words left his mouth he regretted it for Serena's face fell.
"Thanks a lot Darien. I know I'm not good like everyone else and I don't need you rubbing it in. I mean you have no sense of anyone's feelings, like you're a robot. Ugh!" she exclaimed before turning to face Peggy with one of the pictures. "Peggy, can you tell me about this one?"
The painting was of a man, who reminded Serena of Tuxedo Mask, holding a locket to a princess. It was a tiny star locket and the girl looked like herself in many ways. The emotion in the painting was so thick, Serena couldn't help but feel sad at the lover's heartbroken expressions.
"Oh, that was one of my favorites! I got the idea from a legend my grandma used to tell me as a kid. I call it, 'Until We Meet Again.' You see she is giving him her locket so she will always remember what they had together." Peggy smiled that picture had actually been inspired by one of her dreams and the couple reminded her of her current subjects. "Are you ready to pose some more? I promise it won't be too awfully much longer."
"Sure as long as Mr. Minus Zero personality and emotions doesn't insult me again!" Serena huffed as she walked back to where they were standing before.
Darien's heart softened the girl in the picture seemed so familiar to him, but who? He smiled as he walked to Serena, anxious to have her in his arms again. He looked down at her apprehensive eyes and carefully took a lone finger to her chin. He tilted it up so it was almost level with his own. "I promise Princess."
Serena nearly had a heart attack when he said those words. Was he remembering that he was on a mission to find a princess with the Sailor Scouts? Or did he even know he was Tuxedo Mask? This could be disastrous. When she shook her head clear of thoughts and she realized she had missed what he had said.
"What?" she asked hesitantly.
"I said, ' I promise Princess, after all how could I offend a beautiful lady such as yourself?" Darien smiled as she blushed becomingly.
"You think I'm pretty?" Serena asked. Never in her wildest dreams did she ever think the great Darien could ever find her attractive.
Darien smiled once again her question. He seemed to be doing that an awfully lot around her lately, but it felt right. He looked at her amazed that the girl didn't know how easy she was on the eyes. In fact he disagreed with his previous statement, she wasn't pretty or beautiful. She was a goddess, Aphrodite herself, gorgeous in every way. He soon realized that he hadn't answered her question and he nodded his head before welcoming her into his arms.
Serena quickly found comfort in his arms, they were so strong and protective. Exactly like Tuxedo Mask's, which made perfect sense when she thought about it. "Well for the record, you're pretty cute yourself." Serena looked up to see Darien blushing deeply and Peggy laughed before clearing her throat.
"Not that I don't enjoy watching you two tease each other, or make incredibly cute poses, like you did a few minutes ago, I want to finish this painting. You all settled in?" They both nodded and resumed the pose once again content with the situation.
(An hour or two later)
"All finished!" Peggy exclaimed while laying the canvas on her lap and putting her drawing utensils on the table.
"Can I peek?"
"Sure Serena, both of you can come look. I may have a new favorite for my collection, now I need a name for it."
Serena and Darien both looked at the painting and grinned. It showed pure love in their eyes and both looked at each other questioningly before blushing and turning to Peggy.
"Peggy I love it! Oh I definitely want a copy!" Realizing she had said the last part out loud, "Not that I wouldn't, I mean, I want to be able to show my parents how it turned out. It's just so, so," she searched for the word.
"Perfect." Darien finished for her almost in a whisper. Serena looked at him in wonderment, he really did have a fine appreciation for art and emotion. It seemed so touching to her that he was sweet when he didn't think first.
"Well I'm glad you like and I will get you each a copy of it, and it will hang with the others in the gallery soon! So everyone will be able to see it. I'm sure it will be a new masterpiece." Peggy exclaimed before standing up.
"How about dinner, I mean it's the least I can offer you for posing for me while I worked? I'll treat you two to anything. Name the place and well go."
"Peggy, I'd love to but I have plans with my family tonight." Serena wondered why Darien winced at the mention of family. "How about I take you up on that offer another time?"
"I'm busy too." Darien quickly added. Serena and Peggy noticed his discomfort evident in his expression at the thought of being alone on a dinner date.
"That's fine another time, the three of us okay?" She smiled and both nodded.
"Peggy, I think you should definitely paint a self-portrait because anyone who is so kind and sweet, such as yourself, deserves to be friends with everyone. I mean I'm honored to have met you and I know other people would love you just as much as I do, not just for your work." Serena added before hugging Peggy lightly.
"Well I think Peggy has the right idea. The more people you keep away, the less chance you have of getting hurt or rejected. It was great meeting you Peggy but I have a shift to work tonight, ready Meatball Head?"
Serena nodded. He was so alone and cold at times, not at all like she knew he could be. What had caused him to push people away, to build a barrier around himself? Serena decided then and there if anyone could break the barrier, she would.
The two waved a good bye to Peggy before getting into the car. It was a silent ride home for the two were both contemplating similar things, in other words their companion. When Darien arrived at Serena's house he acted like a perfect gentleman and opened the door for her. He walked her to the door and smiled before waving goodbye.
"Have a fun time at work Darien!" She called out while opening the door. She giggled as he turned and stopped to face her.
"Have a good time Meatball Head with your family," he paused and frowned, "Tonight. See ya around Meatball Head." He quickly got into his nice car and drove off before she could offer a reply.
She sighed and closed the door. Darien was a complex, handsome, aggravating, perfect college guy. She closed her eyes and remembered the feeling of being in his arms for such a long period of time.
"Ah hem. Am I disturbing you or are you just floating up to heaven?"
"Mom!" Serena blushed scarlet. "Both if you really must now." She replied gathering her confidence. "Serena, I have seen the way guys look at you, and the way you look at guys. That young man is the one. Don't let anything happen to him, or let anything come between the two of you because the two of you are so adorable together!"
"Mom, I may like him but it won't help me if he doesn't like me back."
"Honey, rest assured he likes you back. I can picture it now, my little baby girls growing up. Soon you will come home with a ring on your finger and after that your father will be marching you down the aisle! I can't wait, and you're so lucky because he is so handsome and sweet! Get a grip and hold on honey, I don't want you to lose this one!"
(Across town at Darien's apartment)
Darien trudged up the stairs to his apartment slowly. It wasn't that he wanted the exercise but the elevator wasn't working and he figured it would be quicker than waiting for it to be fixed. As he walked up the stairs, he thought of Serena. He knew the petite blonde was pretty, funny, energetic, a slob, a pig, but all in all the bad traits were out weighted by the good. He knew he had fallen for the little angel.
He opened the door to his apartment and threw the keys onto the counter carelessly. They skidded off and fell to the floor with a clang and he sighed. He walked over to pick them up when he noticed a faint glimmer from his balcony rail. After placing the keys onto the counter he made his way to the balcony.
He slid open the glass doors and stepped out into the cool breeze. On top of the concrete rail was a tiny gold star locket.
"What the?" he picked up the locket and immediately regretted it. The locket had begun to glow and Darien had a face of pure shock and realization. The locket dropped from his hands and was replaced by a single blood red rose in every way. He gripped his head as memories and visions flashed before his eyes. Everything made perfect sense, all his blackouts, waking up with bruises. He was Tuxedo Mask.
Darien fell to the floor in unconscious dressed in a black tuxedo. A mask adorned his face concealing his eyes and a cape fluttered in the breeze and a top hat lay beside his ebony black hair. His hand still clutched the rose close to his chest and the locket lay beside him. The phone rang and rang until the answering machine picked it up.
"Hey this is Darien here, leave a message if you care."
"Hey Darien, I know you are probably at work but I want to stop by your place later with Rita. I need to borrow some physic notes from you and I would love if you could explain them to me. I know you're probably bored out of tree all alone so I'll stop by around eight. See ya then!" Andrew's voice rang out through the silent apartment.
(An hour and a half later)
"Darien! Come on open up I don't want to get my key out." The pounding on the door continued before more yelling perused, "I'll keep yelling until you let me in and I don't think your neighbors would appreciate that! Let me in Dare."
Andrew rested his head in defeat, he fished a tiny silver key out of his pocket and put it in the lock. He slowly opened the door to find a pitch-black apartment.
"Darien, where the heck are you? I swear if you pop out and try to scare me I'll, oh hell you're the one who knows karate, I'll scream okay. Come on Darien come out where ever you are." Andrew began to get a little worried. Darien wasn't normally playful or spooky in anyway. In fact he was down right serious. "Darien you alright? Where are you? Hell, are you even here?"
Andrew had stumbled to the light switch and flipped it on. He could see Darien's keys on the counter so he knew Darien wasn't out. He didn't hear a shower or any water running for that matter. The only thing out of the ordinary was the slight breeze in the curtains that led to his balcony. Andrew walked slowly to the balcony, maybe, just maybe Darien hadn't heard him. Then again that didn't explain the non-existent light in the apartment when it was almost all black out.
Andrew walked onto the small balcony and grasped the ledge in shock. Darien was lying on the ground unconscious dressed as the masked crusader Tuxedo Mask.
"Oh my god, Darien!" Andrew knelt down beside Darien and carefully checked for injuries. After finding none, he lightly jostled Darien. Darien made no sound when Andrew heard a slight knocking on the door.
"Andrew sweetie, what's taking so long?" a feminine voice asked.
"Uh, one sec Rita. Darien was just ah, he was just, uh one minute dear!" Andrew paused as he tried to lift Darien's body, which acted like a dead weight. "Darn I knew you were secretive but couldn't you have told your best friend you were fighting evil everyday. "This explains a lot that's for sure." Andrew had succeeded in carrying well, dragging Darien's body to rest on the couch.
Suddenly light filled the room and a female outline was cast in the light. "Andrew what the heck is going on. Darien you better be oh my god!" Rita had walked into the room to see Darien lying on the couch as Tuxedo Mask. "Is he hurt?" she asked in a worried tone.
"Nope, but I have no clue how long he has been out. I think we should wake him up."
"I guess, how do you wake-up a superhero?" Andrew shrugged to answer Rita question.
"Regular way I suppose, can you get me some water?" Rita left the room quickly and brought back a glass of water. Andrew shook his head slowly, "Sorry buddy but I need to make sure you're okay." He poured the water onto Darien's head and watched as the mask floated off revealing his best friend's familiar face.
Darien gasped as the cold water hit his face. He breathed deeply before opening his startled blue eyes. "What the Andrew Rita? What are you doing here and oh my!" Darien began to look at his attire. "Wow, I remember." He said softly.
"Um, sorry to ruin your memories but care to explain something to me, your best friend? You had me so worried about everything that was happening to you, the cuts, mysteriously vanishing!"
"Calm down sweetheart!" Rita placed a kiss on his cheek and he sighed and took a deep breath.
"Actually I can't tell you all that much because I just found out myself."
"And how does that work?" Andrew asked sarcastically. "I walked in to find you clutching the rose, dressed as the savior to the Sailor Scouts, next to a locket! Explain that Dare."
Darien's face paled at the mention of the locket. "Where is it?" he demanded.
Andrew was shocked by the expression on Darien's face. He looked truly out raged and it frightened him. "On the balcony." He stuttered but before Darien had taken off and grabbed the locket. He walked back into the room slowly with deliberate steps.
"I just found out I was Tuxedo Mask, before you came actually." He had sat down on the couch and faced the two of them. "I never imagined myself in this type of situation."
"We never did either." Rita whispered softly as she hugged Andrew for what looked like protection.
"Oh no, you two. You two could be in grave danger for knowing who I am. You can't tell anyone, please promise me." He said gravely.
"Darien we promise." They said in unison.
"Good. I would love to talk," he cried out in agony.
"What?"
"Sailor Moon, she needs me." He cried out as he ran towards his balcony.
"Where you going dude?" Andrew questioned.
"Out the window off the balcony to help her, what else would I be doing?" he asked if it was the most simple thing in the world.
"Right I keep forgetting you're a superhero, good luck and we'll be here when you come back."
Darien leapt off the balcony into the night, his cape billowing in the breeze. Andrew and Rita turned and faced each other.
"Who would of thought that Darien of all people could be Tuxedo Mask?" Rita said in disbelief.
"I know. The next thing will be talking cats and Serena as Sailor Moon!" Andrew replied sitting down on the couch.
Rita and Andrew stared at each other for a moment before bursting out laughing. "As if!" Rita cried cuddling next to Andrew. They flipped on the television and searched for a live feed from the battle.
I wasn't sure where to end it so this seems like a good place. Hope you enjoyed it and I would love to get some opinions of what you guys think, also known as, please review! Till next chapter,
Frozen Fire
Chapter Nine- Posing for Peggy
The hand that beckoned Serena and Darien into the quaint house was attached to the same woman who they had talked to on the street. She smiled at them before leading them into a well-lit room with windows showing flowers everywhere.
"I'm terribly sorry for my rudeness earlier. You see I'm Peggy Jones, a local artist and I'm very shy so I didn't offer my name. It is a pleasure to meet both of you and I don't think you know how excited I was to see you two. I mean I've been dreaming of the right models for a sketch, and it was you, and then there you were! I was flabbergasted because well I already told you. Oh my, I'm rambling again." She blushed and offered a hesitant smile at the astounded faces of Serena and Darien.
"Well I'm Serena Tsukino, and this tall dweeb, is Darien Shields. I'm glad to model for you because I've always wanted to be a model and now I will!" She squealed with delight and both Peggy and Darien laughed at her antics. "Well, how do we begin?"
Peggy smiled, "Well you see, I've had a couple of idea's for paintings and I just need you two to act out the poses to see if I like it. Is that all right with you? I mean your such a cute couple, you fight like you've been married for years." She stopped and looked at their blushing faces. "What? Is it something I said?"
"Peggy, we're not a couple. In fact we don't get along all that well." Darien stuttered out and chuckled at Peggy's dropped jaw.
"Oh, I didn't realize that. Well you two just are so cute together I'm sorry I just assumed." She was blushing and had busied herself with finding supplies to paint with.
"It's all right Peg. Now what pose do you want," she paused and looked at Darien, "Us in first?" Serena asked timidly.
"Well how about something simple? Let me think, oh yes." Peggy had noticed the attraction between the two. Not to mention the fact that both of them frowned at the thought of not being a couple. "How about Serena you lay your head on Darien's chest and wrap your arms, around him. Okay?" Serena looked at Darien before proceeding to do as Peggy had said.
"Now, Darien, you wrap your arms around her ad put your head on her head lightly, like resting it there." She stopped and surveyed the pose. Both looked uncomfortable and yet quite content with the position they were in. "All right, Serena, place your hand at the base of his neck, almost like your going to play with his hair."
Serena had never been so frightened in her life, well except for when she fought the generals of the Negaverse. She was positive her heart was beating wildly and Darien could feel it through the fabric of her dress and his shirt. Heck, he could probably hear it because it certainly was pounding. Serena knew if Darien looked at her face, she would be bright red for her cheeks felt hot and her body prickled with delight in being so close to him.
Darien had similar thoughts running through his own head. She was closer than anyone had ever been to him. He normally tried to push people away, but Serena was different. Not to mention beautiful and funny, charming, fun to tease, all right so he had to admit he had a slight crush on the girl. Only one big problem, he was several years older than she was, that wouldn't go to well, and another thing, she hated him.
Peggy had viewed the pose and could tell that each of them was not only not used to such close interaction with someone, but also happy to be there. She really had believed they were a couple because they complimented each other in so many ways. He was tall, the perfect height for her, and she for him. Their hair made them look like opposites, her being light blonde, him black as night. Even their eyes, painting their eyes would be hard because they were so deep and nothing she could do could express the way they looked at you, or at each other, with love.
Peggy had picked up her canvas and pencil and began to sketch lightly. She noticed that they had settled down and seemed to be relaxed in the embrace. It wasn't normally that she had people pose for her sketches but this pair seemed to scream to be near each other. After some time she allowed them a rest and she smiled faintly when they were both disappointed to leave the moment.
"Would either of you care for some tea or cookies?" Peggy asked.
"Oh yeah!" Serena exclaimed completely forgetting Darien. She smiled and looked back at him, "You want some too right?"
"Sure, thanks." After settling down on a sofa everyone had a quick break and Serena began to nose around. What she saw made her catch her breath.
"Peg, these pictures look like the ones at the gallery! Are you related to Lonnie Lenai? I mean they are so similar!" Serena had picked up one of the pictures and began to examine it closely.
"Well, you see, Lonnie Lenai doesn't exist. She is my pen name you see. I originally painted under my real name but I bombed, then I had an idea for a new collection and it's a great big hit. It's just the same only people don't know it's me."
"But Peggy, don't you ever wish that people knew it was you? I mean if I could paint at all like that, well I would want everyone to know about it."
"No, you don't understand. People expect me to be as beautiful as my paintings. You don't get it because you are smart, pretty, talented. It's different for you Serena."
Darien smiled to himself, although he agreed with Peggy's philosophies, he liked seeing Serena trying her hardest to help someone. Inwardly he wished she would be friends and cheer him up someday. "Nope, you're wrong. She may be pretty, but she is a klutz and well her test scores aren't the greatest." The moment the words left his mouth he regretted it for Serena's face fell.
"Thanks a lot Darien. I know I'm not good like everyone else and I don't need you rubbing it in. I mean you have no sense of anyone's feelings, like you're a robot. Ugh!" she exclaimed before turning to face Peggy with one of the pictures. "Peggy, can you tell me about this one?"
The painting was of a man, who reminded Serena of Tuxedo Mask, holding a locket to a princess. It was a tiny star locket and the girl looked like herself in many ways. The emotion in the painting was so thick, Serena couldn't help but feel sad at the lover's heartbroken expressions.
"Oh, that was one of my favorites! I got the idea from a legend my grandma used to tell me as a kid. I call it, 'Until We Meet Again.' You see she is giving him her locket so she will always remember what they had together." Peggy smiled that picture had actually been inspired by one of her dreams and the couple reminded her of her current subjects. "Are you ready to pose some more? I promise it won't be too awfully much longer."
"Sure as long as Mr. Minus Zero personality and emotions doesn't insult me again!" Serena huffed as she walked back to where they were standing before.
Darien's heart softened the girl in the picture seemed so familiar to him, but who? He smiled as he walked to Serena, anxious to have her in his arms again. He looked down at her apprehensive eyes and carefully took a lone finger to her chin. He tilted it up so it was almost level with his own. "I promise Princess."
Serena nearly had a heart attack when he said those words. Was he remembering that he was on a mission to find a princess with the Sailor Scouts? Or did he even know he was Tuxedo Mask? This could be disastrous. When she shook her head clear of thoughts and she realized she had missed what he had said.
"What?" she asked hesitantly.
"I said, ' I promise Princess, after all how could I offend a beautiful lady such as yourself?" Darien smiled as she blushed becomingly.
"You think I'm pretty?" Serena asked. Never in her wildest dreams did she ever think the great Darien could ever find her attractive.
Darien smiled once again her question. He seemed to be doing that an awfully lot around her lately, but it felt right. He looked at her amazed that the girl didn't know how easy she was on the eyes. In fact he disagreed with his previous statement, she wasn't pretty or beautiful. She was a goddess, Aphrodite herself, gorgeous in every way. He soon realized that he hadn't answered her question and he nodded his head before welcoming her into his arms.
Serena quickly found comfort in his arms, they were so strong and protective. Exactly like Tuxedo Mask's, which made perfect sense when she thought about it. "Well for the record, you're pretty cute yourself." Serena looked up to see Darien blushing deeply and Peggy laughed before clearing her throat.
"Not that I don't enjoy watching you two tease each other, or make incredibly cute poses, like you did a few minutes ago, I want to finish this painting. You all settled in?" They both nodded and resumed the pose once again content with the situation.
(An hour or two later)
"All finished!" Peggy exclaimed while laying the canvas on her lap and putting her drawing utensils on the table.
"Can I peek?"
"Sure Serena, both of you can come look. I may have a new favorite for my collection, now I need a name for it."
Serena and Darien both looked at the painting and grinned. It showed pure love in their eyes and both looked at each other questioningly before blushing and turning to Peggy.
"Peggy I love it! Oh I definitely want a copy!" Realizing she had said the last part out loud, "Not that I wouldn't, I mean, I want to be able to show my parents how it turned out. It's just so, so," she searched for the word.
"Perfect." Darien finished for her almost in a whisper. Serena looked at him in wonderment, he really did have a fine appreciation for art and emotion. It seemed so touching to her that he was sweet when he didn't think first.
"Well I'm glad you like and I will get you each a copy of it, and it will hang with the others in the gallery soon! So everyone will be able to see it. I'm sure it will be a new masterpiece." Peggy exclaimed before standing up.
"How about dinner, I mean it's the least I can offer you for posing for me while I worked? I'll treat you two to anything. Name the place and well go."
"Peggy, I'd love to but I have plans with my family tonight." Serena wondered why Darien winced at the mention of family. "How about I take you up on that offer another time?"
"I'm busy too." Darien quickly added. Serena and Peggy noticed his discomfort evident in his expression at the thought of being alone on a dinner date.
"That's fine another time, the three of us okay?" She smiled and both nodded.
"Peggy, I think you should definitely paint a self-portrait because anyone who is so kind and sweet, such as yourself, deserves to be friends with everyone. I mean I'm honored to have met you and I know other people would love you just as much as I do, not just for your work." Serena added before hugging Peggy lightly.
"Well I think Peggy has the right idea. The more people you keep away, the less chance you have of getting hurt or rejected. It was great meeting you Peggy but I have a shift to work tonight, ready Meatball Head?"
Serena nodded. He was so alone and cold at times, not at all like she knew he could be. What had caused him to push people away, to build a barrier around himself? Serena decided then and there if anyone could break the barrier, she would.
The two waved a good bye to Peggy before getting into the car. It was a silent ride home for the two were both contemplating similar things, in other words their companion. When Darien arrived at Serena's house he acted like a perfect gentleman and opened the door for her. He walked her to the door and smiled before waving goodbye.
"Have a fun time at work Darien!" She called out while opening the door. She giggled as he turned and stopped to face her.
"Have a good time Meatball Head with your family," he paused and frowned, "Tonight. See ya around Meatball Head." He quickly got into his nice car and drove off before she could offer a reply.
She sighed and closed the door. Darien was a complex, handsome, aggravating, perfect college guy. She closed her eyes and remembered the feeling of being in his arms for such a long period of time.
"Ah hem. Am I disturbing you or are you just floating up to heaven?"
"Mom!" Serena blushed scarlet. "Both if you really must now." She replied gathering her confidence. "Serena, I have seen the way guys look at you, and the way you look at guys. That young man is the one. Don't let anything happen to him, or let anything come between the two of you because the two of you are so adorable together!"
"Mom, I may like him but it won't help me if he doesn't like me back."
"Honey, rest assured he likes you back. I can picture it now, my little baby girls growing up. Soon you will come home with a ring on your finger and after that your father will be marching you down the aisle! I can't wait, and you're so lucky because he is so handsome and sweet! Get a grip and hold on honey, I don't want you to lose this one!"
(Across town at Darien's apartment)
Darien trudged up the stairs to his apartment slowly. It wasn't that he wanted the exercise but the elevator wasn't working and he figured it would be quicker than waiting for it to be fixed. As he walked up the stairs, he thought of Serena. He knew the petite blonde was pretty, funny, energetic, a slob, a pig, but all in all the bad traits were out weighted by the good. He knew he had fallen for the little angel.
He opened the door to his apartment and threw the keys onto the counter carelessly. They skidded off and fell to the floor with a clang and he sighed. He walked over to pick them up when he noticed a faint glimmer from his balcony rail. After placing the keys onto the counter he made his way to the balcony.
He slid open the glass doors and stepped out into the cool breeze. On top of the concrete rail was a tiny gold star locket.
"What the?" he picked up the locket and immediately regretted it. The locket had begun to glow and Darien had a face of pure shock and realization. The locket dropped from his hands and was replaced by a single blood red rose in every way. He gripped his head as memories and visions flashed before his eyes. Everything made perfect sense, all his blackouts, waking up with bruises. He was Tuxedo Mask.
Darien fell to the floor in unconscious dressed in a black tuxedo. A mask adorned his face concealing his eyes and a cape fluttered in the breeze and a top hat lay beside his ebony black hair. His hand still clutched the rose close to his chest and the locket lay beside him. The phone rang and rang until the answering machine picked it up.
"Hey this is Darien here, leave a message if you care."
"Hey Darien, I know you are probably at work but I want to stop by your place later with Rita. I need to borrow some physic notes from you and I would love if you could explain them to me. I know you're probably bored out of tree all alone so I'll stop by around eight. See ya then!" Andrew's voice rang out through the silent apartment.
(An hour and a half later)
"Darien! Come on open up I don't want to get my key out." The pounding on the door continued before more yelling perused, "I'll keep yelling until you let me in and I don't think your neighbors would appreciate that! Let me in Dare."
Andrew rested his head in defeat, he fished a tiny silver key out of his pocket and put it in the lock. He slowly opened the door to find a pitch-black apartment.
"Darien, where the heck are you? I swear if you pop out and try to scare me I'll, oh hell you're the one who knows karate, I'll scream okay. Come on Darien come out where ever you are." Andrew began to get a little worried. Darien wasn't normally playful or spooky in anyway. In fact he was down right serious. "Darien you alright? Where are you? Hell, are you even here?"
Andrew had stumbled to the light switch and flipped it on. He could see Darien's keys on the counter so he knew Darien wasn't out. He didn't hear a shower or any water running for that matter. The only thing out of the ordinary was the slight breeze in the curtains that led to his balcony. Andrew walked slowly to the balcony, maybe, just maybe Darien hadn't heard him. Then again that didn't explain the non-existent light in the apartment when it was almost all black out.
Andrew walked onto the small balcony and grasped the ledge in shock. Darien was lying on the ground unconscious dressed as the masked crusader Tuxedo Mask.
"Oh my god, Darien!" Andrew knelt down beside Darien and carefully checked for injuries. After finding none, he lightly jostled Darien. Darien made no sound when Andrew heard a slight knocking on the door.
"Andrew sweetie, what's taking so long?" a feminine voice asked.
"Uh, one sec Rita. Darien was just ah, he was just, uh one minute dear!" Andrew paused as he tried to lift Darien's body, which acted like a dead weight. "Darn I knew you were secretive but couldn't you have told your best friend you were fighting evil everyday. "This explains a lot that's for sure." Andrew had succeeded in carrying well, dragging Darien's body to rest on the couch.
Suddenly light filled the room and a female outline was cast in the light. "Andrew what the heck is going on. Darien you better be oh my god!" Rita had walked into the room to see Darien lying on the couch as Tuxedo Mask. "Is he hurt?" she asked in a worried tone.
"Nope, but I have no clue how long he has been out. I think we should wake him up."
"I guess, how do you wake-up a superhero?" Andrew shrugged to answer Rita question.
"Regular way I suppose, can you get me some water?" Rita left the room quickly and brought back a glass of water. Andrew shook his head slowly, "Sorry buddy but I need to make sure you're okay." He poured the water onto Darien's head and watched as the mask floated off revealing his best friend's familiar face.
Darien gasped as the cold water hit his face. He breathed deeply before opening his startled blue eyes. "What the Andrew Rita? What are you doing here and oh my!" Darien began to look at his attire. "Wow, I remember." He said softly.
"Um, sorry to ruin your memories but care to explain something to me, your best friend? You had me so worried about everything that was happening to you, the cuts, mysteriously vanishing!"
"Calm down sweetheart!" Rita placed a kiss on his cheek and he sighed and took a deep breath.
"Actually I can't tell you all that much because I just found out myself."
"And how does that work?" Andrew asked sarcastically. "I walked in to find you clutching the rose, dressed as the savior to the Sailor Scouts, next to a locket! Explain that Dare."
Darien's face paled at the mention of the locket. "Where is it?" he demanded.
Andrew was shocked by the expression on Darien's face. He looked truly out raged and it frightened him. "On the balcony." He stuttered but before Darien had taken off and grabbed the locket. He walked back into the room slowly with deliberate steps.
"I just found out I was Tuxedo Mask, before you came actually." He had sat down on the couch and faced the two of them. "I never imagined myself in this type of situation."
"We never did either." Rita whispered softly as she hugged Andrew for what looked like protection.
"Oh no, you two. You two could be in grave danger for knowing who I am. You can't tell anyone, please promise me." He said gravely.
"Darien we promise." They said in unison.
"Good. I would love to talk," he cried out in agony.
"What?"
"Sailor Moon, she needs me." He cried out as he ran towards his balcony.
"Where you going dude?" Andrew questioned.
"Out the window off the balcony to help her, what else would I be doing?" he asked if it was the most simple thing in the world.
"Right I keep forgetting you're a superhero, good luck and we'll be here when you come back."
Darien leapt off the balcony into the night, his cape billowing in the breeze. Andrew and Rita turned and faced each other.
"Who would of thought that Darien of all people could be Tuxedo Mask?" Rita said in disbelief.
"I know. The next thing will be talking cats and Serena as Sailor Moon!" Andrew replied sitting down on the couch.
Rita and Andrew stared at each other for a moment before bursting out laughing. "As if!" Rita cried cuddling next to Andrew. They flipped on the television and searched for a live feed from the battle.
I wasn't sure where to end it so this seems like a good place. Hope you enjoyed it and I would love to get some opinions of what you guys think, also known as, please review! Till next chapter,
Frozen Fire