4/13/03

Title: To Love Again

Author: DragonLow

Chapter: 4/?

Disclaimer: I don't own Sailormoon! Don't sue me!

Hey, sorry for the week delay. I've been very tired and busy. But, here's chapter 4! I hope you like it! Thanks to kirei*snow*tenshi, Lady Tristana Rogue, StarChild, Kalinda, Lady Imp, sadprincess2000, moon-angel-princess, Sailor-Kaio-Cannon, JilseponieAngel, Aqua Rhapsody, Rheia, and TeenSVHgirl! Thanks for reading my story!

***

8:00AM

Serena walked into her office sleepily, carrying a briefcase and a cup of coffee. After she'd hung up on Darien, she couldn't fall back to sleep. She'd decided to get an early start on all her work. She tiredly waved to her shocked secretary and walked into her office.

"Good morning."

Serena shrieked and almost spilled her precious coffee down her shirt front. "What the–?" She looked towards the voice and her mouth dropped open. Sitting in her chair was Darien Chiba himself. She quickly closed her mouth and got her wits back. "FRANCIS!"

A harried looking secretary entered her office. She had a thin, stick-like figure and white-blonde hair. Perched on her beak-like nose was a pair of delicate glasses. "What's wrong?" she said hurriedly.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to let anyone into my office without an appointment!"

"W-Well, I'm sorry, Ms. Tsukino, but I thought it would be okay because he's your boyfriend and everything–"

"WHAT!"

The poor secretary became agitated by Serena's anger. "Well, I mean–"

Serena, calmer now, waved her hand away impatiently. "Never mind. Hold my calls. Oh, and if you hear any disturbing noises, don't pay any attention to them."

"Why Serena, dear, I didn't know you wanted me that bad. Is it so hard for you to stay away from me for one night?" Darien said silkily, a hard glint in his eyes and a smirk on his mouth.

Both women flushed, and Francis quickly left the office. The minute she closed the door Serena turned to her step-brother. "What are you doing here? You have no right to be in my office!"

"Oh, but I do. I'm your client, remember?" He got up and folded his arms across his chest, looking slightly intimidating.

"Not if I have anything to do with it," Serena hissed, forcing herself not to back down. She had never been so infuriated in her life. Serena didn't usually have a very hot temper, and one had to do much more than walk into her office uninvited to get her this angry. But for some reason Darien Chiba was getting to her like no one else could. 'It's probably because of the resentment I feel toward him for refusing to meet me after our parents got married. That really hurt' she thought.

"But you already agreed. Would you go back on your promise?"

"Yes."

"And what about your mother?"

Serena eyed him critically. She could tell that if she didn't agree to do this, he'd find a way to shut her down. 'No' was not a word in Darien Chiba's vocabulary. Serena didn't want her business to be shut down; people would lose their jobs and he would ruin her. She was too tired to try to get into something like this. She sighed. "Okay, but I told you that I can't meet with you today. I have appointments."

"Right now?"

"Wellno. I don't usually make appointments this early."

"Okay, then. Now's a good time to have a meeting."

"I have a lot of work to do!"

"So, just skip your lunch break. This won't take long."

"No! You can't just demand all these things from me!" Serena cried, tired and frustrated.

Darien looked at her with unblinking saphire eyes. After a long silence, with Serena trying not to cry and Darien just staring at her, he said, almost gently, "Okay. We'll meet tomorrow. 10:00AM sharp." That said, he strode out of the room, missing Serena's shocked and grateful face.

***

Darien walked towards his black Ferrari and got in. He sat there a moment. Thinking. Of his step-sister. Damn. What the hell was wrong with him? He should've been in a meeting with her right now, discussing his new office building. Instead, he was sitting in his car. What had gone through his head? He'd just seen her almost tearful state and, without thinking, given her leeway, something he would never have done with any other person. 'Damn those Tsukino's! All of them! They're all just messing with my head!' He thought of giving up working with the beautiful Tsukino girl, but dismissed the idea. Darien wasn't one to run away from anything that came his way. He smiled as an idea came into his head. The Tsukino's were always giving him trouble, why not play with Serena a little? She was the most niave of the three, after all. He'd be charming and sweet, just as all women wanted. And then he could play with her a little. He'd make her fall in love with him, then break her heart. It'd take a lot for her to love again. Perfect.

***

Yeah, I know, it's short, but I'm still setting it up. Darien's evil, isn't he? I honestly didn't think the story would go this way. I was just typing and I got this idea. I hope it's a slightly different twist from normal. It might be kind of juvenile, actuallyWhat do you think? I want your honest opinion! If you think it's a little strange that a grown man would want revenge like that, let me know, and if I get enough of those kinds of responses, I'll write the original idea I had. I probably won't be able to write the next chapter until around the first full week of May. I have finals next week, and a lot of other projects going on. But I'll try! I don't want to lose my inspiration! Thanks for reading!