Title: Through the Camera and Into the Picture Part 3:1 By: Ami D'Aqua Email: ami_daqua@hotmail.com Series: Sailor Moon Rating: PG-12

Author's Note: a long one! Yay! Anyway the plot thickens. *and u wonder: what plot?* anyway, golly gosh, don't you just love me for being so efficient?

Disclaimers: talk to the elbow cuz the face don't wanna listen!

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ The Wedding: Ami and Greg ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

It was one o'clock in the morning and Serena had just arrived home. She threw her keys on the table tiredly and was moving to her bed. The phone ringed, Serena rolled her eyes. Who would be nutty enough to give her a booty call? She lifted the phone.

"Hullo," she mumbled rubbing her eyes and yawning.

"Hey, Serena,". that voice sounded familiar. She was silent, half asleep. "It's me- Darien.!"

"Oh, you! Yeah?"

"Oh, just wanted to talk to you so I thought I'd call you- you know to talk, since I never catch you in normal times."

Serena smiled unconsciously and bit her lower lip with pleasure. "Uh, Darien, I'm just going to take a shower and get milk," she said, "I just got home- what's your number?"

Darien gave her his number and she quickly hung up. She suddenly felt so awaken and alive. She didn't care to get a phone bill at the end of the month, which was something that she had never gotten as she never called anyone. She showered quickly, put on the pajamas, ran to the fridge, got herself some milk and sat on the floor by the phone. She dialed Darien's number, and after the first ring he answered it.

"You should feel honored," she said brightly. "You're the first one I ever called since I moved here!"

"Oh yeah?" he laughed. "And when did you move in there?"

"Oh, only three years ago!" she answered.

"What? How do you communicate with co-workers and friends?"

"My boss, Mina, just leaves my assignment on the answer machine, or mails it to me, or pages it," she answered. "As for friends, I haven't had any that were close enough to call me for some eight years now!"

"Wow, that's a long time, what happened then, eight years ago?" Darien asked too full of curiosity to think that the subject was fragile.

"Well, I might as well tell you that I totally sucked at school! On my final exam at school I was one point away from failing, and then I never got a chance to do my university entry test because I came late and they wouldn't allow tardiness. But I was lucky; I was offered a scholarship to become a priest, because I knew the whole bible inside out. I accepted it, of course, I mean a protestant priest can have a family and so on, and I do believe in God," Serena paused and drank some of the milk. "So Molly got in at a media school, a really prestigious one, where all the most famous journalists went to. My childhood friend Melvin got into the country's best Medicine school and married Molly. I don't know what happened but they just stopped calling me. I guess they thought that they were just to qualified to be my friends."

"But priests usually are also very qualified," Darien consoled.

"I know," she said, "I had to read a lot when I was at school- all the other nuns thought I studied too much, but I really wanted to be a priest." she sighed. "Anyway, it's not like I don't have friends; I mean, once in a blue moon I dine with Michelle, Amara, and Trista! Besides I enjoy being alone."

"Yeah, I feel like that too. Alone with a great book," Darien agreed.

"Exactly!" Serena said surprised. "Reading on a bench by the beach on a sunny day."

"Yeah, I love to do that- and just not be bothered. Raye never understood that, she always wanted us to do something. I guess she thought I was really boring," he laughed. "She always hated it when I tried to discuss a book I'd read with her. She hated reading!"

"When I was a nun I always used to discuss the books with an old priest, I knew him since I was little- he baptized me.he was kind of like a father."

By this time information had sunk into Darien, and his brain had had time to formulate it. "Oh my Holy- you're a priest?" he suddenly blurt out!

"Well yeah- no!" Serena said puzzled. "I was a nun studying to become a priest, but I had to drop out."

"Man.no wonder you haven't had any boyfriends!" he exclaimed in an impulse. He didn't mean to hurt her; it was just a logic thought that occurred to him.

"Thanks for shoving that at my face," Serena said quietly.

"No, I'm sorry," he said helplessly. "I didn't mean to be mean. I meant that it was quite natural- I mean a beautiful girl like you- oh, I give up! I'm sorry!"

Serena laughed at his stammering. She understood him. "I know, guys think it's weird to go out with an ex-nun."

"So, why did you drop off?" Darien asked feeling relieved that she understood. But he thought that she was just faking the boldness, he remembered her reaction in his car.

"I had to," Serena answered seriously.

"What? Did you fall in lo-"

"No! I'm not like that, I thought you knew that," she protested.

"Well, you mean you don't fall in love?"

"Look, I'm a virgin, never been kissed, never had a boyfriend- remember?"

"Then what?" he asked. "A priest-"

"Shut up! I can't tell you," she yelled. Then she went on in a calm voice: "If I did I'd risk prison for Disclosure."

Darien nodded on the other side of the line. "So, you're one of those who hacked the Kingdom's Secret intelligence Files and got classified information, but got caught and they forced you to work for them and then when you were done they forced you to vow not to say a word?"

"Something like that!" Serena laughed. She sucked at computers, she'll never know now to use one- the only thing that she can do half decently is the Word Processor. "You are a nosy friend!" she exclaimed.

"Well, at least I'm a friend," Darien said gallantly. "Serena."

"So it's not Tsukino anymore, *Chiba*?"

"Nah, I'm not mad at you. Tsukino is only when I'm angry with you."

"Oh-what?"

"My sister came around to my apartment the other day, and she saw two copies of Chic Bride on the table. She really wanted to know why I, a man, owned two copies of Chic Bride. I showed her the pictures of Raye's and Lita's weddings and told her that I knew you. Amy went completely crazy; she didn't believe that I could know the 'Great Serenity'! She praised you in every possible way- I'm not going to repeat what she said so that you don't get Cauchy-"

"I thought I already was conceited!" Serena babbled. "Besides, I already know that I'm the best! I'm the Holy Grail of Paparazzi- the Jesus of them!" She heard Darien laugh and she laughed along.

"Did I ever tell you that you were conceited?" he asked amused. "Moving on, she forced me to invite you to her now-not-so-private wedding. I tried to convince her that she wanted a private wedding etc. And she says that there was only one thing better than a private wedding: a wedding photographed by you! She even wanted you to take the formal pictures!"

"Wow-"Serena was speechless. A few seconds passed on. "Thanks, I-I-don't know- I mean, I'm honored! Darien-"

"Sh," he said gently, "Don't speak. I've sent the invitations today."

"That's nice," Serena said shyly.

"Yea-" Darien uttered. "Maybe you should get some sleep now; I know I should."

"Yeah, I'll do that."

"Good night, sleep tight!" he said.

"G'night, dream of me photographing YOUR wedding!" Serena joked and blushed as she said it. She couldn't really find a reason to why she said that. "Your worst nightmare I guess, huh?"

"It won't happen if I can help it," Darien said back, flattered. He hung up gently. Serena remained sitting of the floor for a few minutes. She held the phone receiver to her heart, looked up dreamingly, and bit her lower lip smiling. She wasn't smiling at her success with the wedding, although she made herself believe that.

She felt warm, enlightened in her heart. She felt wanted, and beautiful. She didn't know it yet, but she was thinking about Darien. It was creeping up on her slowly. but what would an Earl want with a simple photographer.? A summer fling perhaps?. or much more that the average person could imagine.?

It did not occur to Serena that over the past weeks she'd been constantly thinking about Darien- well, not until she was getting ready for the wedding. She realized it, but now she was in deep water. She really wanted to accept her feelings for Darien, but she couldn't. A bell kept ringing in her head: he's the Earl of Shields, you're a nobody! Nevertheless, she still felt warm and wanted; she still spent two hours choosing her dress, and doing her hair, and one doing her make up- and she didn't expect him to notice!

Eventually she was ready, but she didn't go out before Darien called to inform her that he was downstairs. Her stomach filled with bubbles and was sizzling like champagne. She, however, had to go down the stairs calmly not to spoil her pale green, satin chemise dress and her matching shawl. When she finally opened the entrance door Darien walked towards her. He offered her his arm with an amused yet amazed expression. Serena smiled.

"You look simply mesmerizing today," he commented trying to sound gallant, but his tone was rather quiet in a gentle kind of way.

Serena couldn't help but to giggle a little and blush fiercely. She wasn't expecting him notice, her heart was beating. "Thank you, my Lord," she said looking up at him smiling.

They walked in silence to Darien's car, and he opened the door for her. Just as she was about to get in he gently placed his hand of her bare shoulders, and gently turned her to him. They were so close, and a wave of emotions flooded their systems. The brain was no longer operating- the heart was organizing impulses. One of Darien's hands moved up Serena's neck and lower jaw. He leaned closer, Serena closed her eyes and parted her lips so very slightly.

Darien came to his senses, and suddenly opened his eyes. He couldn't do this, he truly respected her; he didn't want her to think that he just wanted a 'piece of her'. He fought his urge- he couldn't seduce her into doing something that she was not feeling. A kiss was magical when the feeling was mutual.

Darien caressed her neck down to her shoulder again, and gave her a peck in the cheek instead. The he rubbed his cheek on hers as he moved toward her ear.

"There's a necklace missing around your neck," he said gently.

He then quickly backed away from her and went over to his side of the car. Serena go into the car. He was interested in her. She realized it! He wanted to kiss her, she felt it his touch. She was satisfied and tried to think of when he first started to feel for her. She realized that he had been wanting her all along- he even asked for her number in such a shameless way! How could she have been so blind?

Serena looked at Darien driving and smiled. He caught her smile from the corner of his eye and smiled back. The ride was silent, yet comfortable.

Darien showed her into the grounds of the chapel. The Chiba grounds were some hundred kilometers from the city, and the old mansion was huge. Serena had never seen anything like it. Darien left her alone to fix her cameras, he went to find out about his sister, for he'd be 'delivering' her to her husband.

Serena ran up the stairs to the balcony. She went through her normal positions and so on, until slowly the guests started to arrive. She took pictures and wrote comments on the guests and groom (who was very well presented). She took photos of the bride and her brother, then of the ring exchange, and the kiss, and then she quickly went outside to photograph he rice parade.

It was a beautiful wedding- almost without any fops. Lord Greg and Darien looked very well. Lady Amy was lovely in her elegant, blue, discrete dress that was almost fitting and ended just below her knees. She had a bolero over the dress, and she decorated her hair with a little hat, and around her neck was a necklace of sapphires. Lovely!

She slipped unnoticed from her balcony to outside the chapel before the guests were out. From there she took pictures of what she liked to refer to as the "rice parade", very beautiful the pictures indeed. A whole four months pay were made for her (if not more)! She smiled at her cynical though.

Soon after (or rather a long while after), when the guests had made their way to the mansion's (or should she say castle?) garden, the friendly couple lead her to a cherry blossom tree behind the chapel. She put it a new film roll in her camera and took pictures, and she clicked and clicked. When she was finally finished she took the film from the camera and handed it (in its box) to Amy. She knew that if she kept it she'd be tempted to publish it in some magazine.

The newly wedded couple had left her to pack up her cameras, and joined the party. Serena took her cameras and camera boxes and walked into the chapel again. She walked over to a bench, quite in the front, actually, and kneeled to pray.

Darien slipped in the church, he had been watching her the whole time, and now he knew that she was praying. He quietly walked up the isle over to her bench, and waited until she had finished.

"It is amazing how people have such faith in what they call God," he said with his head facing the altar with a wondering expression and his hands in his pockets.

"You don't believe in God?" Serena said.

"I made a deal with God," Darien began looking at her, "When I was a kid. I told it that if my parents did not survive the accident I'd never believe that it existed, and if my parents survived I might even become a priest!- my parents died, Serena, there is no God! I don't know how you and my sister and millions of others still have faith in something that doesn't exist."

Serena smiled. She understood him and forgave his words, but nobody said that God or men were perfect. And she stood there watching him looking at her, feeling the tension between them increase, her heart was racing, and she could faintly hear another one racing against her.

Darien did not believe in God, but he did believe in true emotions like eternal love, which Serena had her doubts about. He slowly stepped closer to her and drew his trembling hands from his pocket to her waist. Up her back, to her shoulders and neck. She was beautiful, he thought and leaned to her lips. So very beautiful that it would be a pity to kiss her unless she truly wanted him to- and he was sure she didn't. He checked his actions.

Darien was not leaving anymore, he had stopped! Panic went through Serena's nerves. She couldn't go through another of those very tempting tricks that he pulled on her. She wanted him to kiss her! She wanted him to! He could not draw back now- he had not permission to do that! All these thoughts jammed up Serena's mind, and in an impulse she quickly stood on her tiptoes and met Darien's lips.

The kiss wasn't short, it wasn't long. It was certainly not perfect. Just a usual first kiss. but it was special, it was warm with love. Darien had never felt a kiss like that and right from that moment he knew- Serena however, didn't have a clue about anything, she just loved it.

They looked into each others eyes for a long, long time. Finally, Darien parted his lips to speak, but Serena pressed her finger on his lips to quiet him. There wasn't anything to say, words could only ruin the moment. Darien kissed her, a longer more trying kiss. At first she was paralyzed then slowly she got the hang of it.

"You suck at kissing, my dearest," he grinned when they ended it.

Serena didn't take it the wrong way. "Well, now you can perhaps believe for a fact that I had never been kissed before," she spoke like she was proving something, but still smiling, playing with Darien's bangs. "But you know what they say: practice makes perfect!"

"It doesn't matter if you're perfect or not," he whispered in her ear, "I'd still want to kiss you at any moment, all my life."

Serena smiled on his neck, and she felt shivers up her back. She felt that she was home, finally after a long journey. She closed her eyes and hugged Darien's neck tightly, and felt how the grip around her tensed up too. Darien whispered something about not chocking him and they both stood there consoling one another for sometime. Harboring one another, driving away each others fears.

Finally it came to their minds that they had a party to attend, and they released each other from one another. On their way out of the chapel Darien joined his hand in hers, and the hardly quit holding hands at the party, but they did not kiss again either.

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ . Progress.or something of the sort .. Ja ne, Ami the AMP