Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon. For now…

Author's Note: Whoo-hoo! Another chapter! Thanks for all the great reviews! Whether it's short or long, I love reading them! Enjoy this installment! Sorry for the delay!

***

Chapter Five

"This is my ex-husband."

Diamond blinked. He looked at Serena. Then turned his head towards Darien. Then looked back at Serena. "Are you serious?"

"Yes," Serena whispered.

"Excuse me, for just a moment," Diamond excused himself from the table and walked away.

"Diamond wait!" Serena replied after him. She scooted out from her seat and glared at Darien. She chased him down, leaving Darien standing at the corner of the table. "Diamond, please wait!"

"What, Serena?"

"Look, I'm sorry you found out this way, but I honestly did not think that the person we were meeting was going to be Darien," Serena breathed out.  "Darien and I are over. It has been for a very long time. I have no more romantic feelings for him. We're more like friends now. Please come back."

Diamond looked at Serena, square in her eye. For some reason, he believed her.  "All right."

Serena smiled, "Thank you. Besides I'm sure you have old flames that I don't know about."  Diamond smiled and held out his hand, and Serena clasped it. They returned to the table where they found Darien talking on his cell phone. As soon as he saw them walking towards him, he said goodbye and shut it close.

"I'm sorry about that, Darien." Diamond apologized.

"No harm done. I am sorry we both had to find out this way," Darien looked at Serena whose lips turned thin.

"Can we please just eat?" Serena lightly asked. Serena scooted in towards the middle of the booth separating Darien and Diamond from each other.

"So Darien, where's your lady friend?" Diamond asked while looking at his menu.

"I just called her, she'll be here shortly," Darien replied. Then turning his head towards Serena, "She's just running a little late." Serena looked up at Darien and wondered what was he up to.

"Are we ready to order?" asked the waiter.

After the three of them gave their orders, there was a long silence.

"So, Darien," Diamond started off, "My father wants us to merge and form and even bigger company."

"I think if we were to, we would all benefit from it," Darien replied. "But enough about business. We could always talk about it later at my office.  Tell me, how did you two meet?" The question was redundant. He knew very well that they met at the Winter Gala just last weekend.

"Raye introduced us," Diamond replied.

"Is that so?" Darien smiled.

"Yes," Serena said looking up at Darien. "Is there a problem?"

"No. No problem," Darien raised his hands up.

"Who are you bringing tonight?"

"You know her," Darien smirked.

"Do I?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact, here she comes now," Darien replied as he stood up.

Serena turned her head the opposite direction. A slim pair of legs was coming towards them. She was wearing a white off the shoulder dress that came down to her knees and a diamond necklace. And her hair was red.

"Darling!" she greeted.

"Beryl," Darien smiled.

Serena's eyes were in shock and her mouth was open. How dare he bring her! For the longest time, Serena was enemies with the woman. Ever since she and Beryl were competing for Homecoming Queen, they had an uneasy relationship. When Darien and Serena got married, Beryl was furious and was raging with jealousy. It looks like Beryl is getting her revenge at the very moment.

"Diamond, this is Beryl Haskins. And Serena I think you two know each other."

Serena forced a thin smile. "Yes, we've been acquainted for some time now."

*Flashback*

"Leaving the party so early?"

Serena turned around, as she was about to step out of the entrance.  After just conversing with Mina, Serena had acquired her coat from the attendants and was just about to head out of the door. "Beryl."

"Serena."

"I wasn't aware you were invited."

"My sweet naïve friend. You didn't think you would be the only gorgeous woman here would you?" Beryl smiled holding a flute of champagne.

"Can I help you with something, Beryl?" Serena seethed.

"I just wanted to make sure you and Darien weren't an item anymore."

"Not that it's any of your business, but yes. Darien and I are no longer together."

"Aw, that's a shame. And to think, everyone thought that you two would be the happiest couple in the world."

"What's it to you?"

"Serena, you are naïve. Do you honestly think that now Darien is single, he won't start dating again?"

"It won't matter to me."

"Really? So if, hypothetically, Darien and I were to, say, go on a dinner date, you wouldn't mind in the least?"

"No."

"And hypothetically, he and I were to get engaged?"

"I'll buy you the cost of your honeymoon," Serena replied with a cold stare.

"Is that a deal?" Beryl smiled before turning away. Serena stared at the back of Beryl and wanted to punch her lights out. "Oh and by the way," Beryl said turning back towards Serena, "That Diamond Wiltshire is definitely a keeper. You should try to hang on to one this time."

*End flashback*

"How have you been Beryl?" Serena asked politely.

"I've been fabulous," Beryl smiled as she took a seat next to Darien. Serena looked at Darien. He obviously was enjoying himself with a small smirk hidden while taking a sip of his water.  'How perfect. Finally, Darien is about to see how close Serena and Diamond are going to get. And to get back at Serena he's going to use the most powerful weapon against her. Me,' Beryl thought. 

After two hours of business conversations, it was time to go. Diamond and Serena were walking outside towards the valet with Darien and Beryl close behind.

"I'll see you home, Serena," Diamond offered.

"Thank you," Serena smiled.

"And me, Darien?" Beryl nudged.

"I'll take you home Beryl," Darien sighed as he took his keys out of his pocket.  Beryl grinned.

"It was a pleasure meeting you Diamond," Beryl batted her eyes as she hung off of Darien's arm.

"It was nice meeting you also, Beryl," Diamond grinned. "I'll see you in the office with my father at 2 tomorrow, Darien?" Serena looked behind her and saw a quite uneasy picture.  Beryl looked mighty comfortable hanging off of Darien's arm.

"You bet, Diamond."

"Your limo, Mr. Wiltshire," the valet said.

"Shall we?" Diamond smiled. He helped Serena in the limo and the two were off.

"Well that went well didn't it?" Beryl smirked as she looked up at Darien.

"You do know why I brought you tonight don't you?" Darien replied coldly as he handed the valet his keys.

"To get back at Serena?"

"Very good," Darien replied.

"Darien, do you honestly think that no one knows what you're up to?"

 "Beryl, we both know that you had nothing better to do tonight," Darien said. "So don't think that one business dinner is going to change things between us."

"It already has. You asked for my help Darien. You told me when that happens, pigs will fly. The next thing that you said at the Gala was the day you and I get together was the day you would be a groomsman at their wedding. Get your black tuxedo and cummerbund out, Darien."

"Your car, Mr. Shields," the valet replied.

"Thank you," Darien replied. "Get in Beryl."

***

"I'm sorry about dinner," Serena apologized as they were driving home from the restaurant.

"No," Diamond replied. "It's not your fault. It's none of ours. It was a nice dinner."

Serena smiled. "You always make the best things out of the worst situations don't you?"

"I try to," Diamond smiled. "How about lunch tomorrow? Just us."

"I would like that," Serena replied. "Of course that means you will have to meet me at my office. Then of course that means you have to meet my co-worker Mina, who will know absolutely everything that has happened on our date."

Diamond chuckled. "I look forward to it." Soon enough the limo pulled up to the house. Diamond helped Serena out and they both walked up to the front door.

"Thanks for tonight," Serena beamed.

"It was my pleasure."

"Good night."

"Good night. I'll see you tomorrow," Diamond said as he kissed her cheek. As he began to pull away Serena grabbed his face gently and pulled him towards her and gave him a proper kiss. She didn't know how long the kiss lasted but it was heavenly.

"Good night," Serena whispered as she pulled away.

"Ahem. Night," Diamond said as he walked away. Diamond got back into the limo after he waved goodbye.  

As the limo pulled out of the driveway, Serena stepped into the house and closed the front door. She leaned back against the door and sighed, "Wow."

***

Darien pulled his car into the garage and stepped into the house as his phone rang.

"Hello?"

"What happened to guy's night out?" Andrew asked. He and a few of their other friends were in a bar having a few round of drinks.

"It got canceled when I had to meet Serena's new boyfriend," Darien replied as he made his way up the grand staircase.

"Boyfriend?"

"Yes. You know him. Diamond Wiltshire," Darien said with a flat tone. "My business dinner with him turned out to be more interesting when I saw Serena there sitting next to him."

"Ouch."

"Doesn't matter anymore. I called Beryl and she graciously made an appearance."

"Darien, you are a very mean player for this kind of a game."

"But I play it so well," Darien joked as he stopped in front of his bedroom door. "I'll talk to you tomorrow." He hung up his cell and was about to step inside his room when he heard a giggle. Darien turned around and was not surprised to see Serena's bedroom light still on.

'I wonder who she is talking to?' Darien wondered as he stepped closer to the bedroom door. He leaned his ear up to the door and began to eavesdrop. Inside Serena was sitting cross-legged on her bed in a pair of pink silk pajamas.  She was talking to Mina on the phone about her evening.

"Oh Mina, even after all that fiasco with Darien and Beryl, I had a very nice time. Especially after he drove me home," Serena giggled.

"Dish it girl!"

"The kiss must have lasted forever and…" Serena voice droned out.

Darien pulled his head away from the door. 'I guess she did have a nice time with Wiltshire.' He thumped his head lightly against the back of the door and leaned on it. 'You fool.'

"It was one…" Serena trailed off. 'What was that noise?' she thought.

"Mina, I'll talk to you tomorrow." She hung up the phone and made towards the door barefoot.  She turned the knob carefully and slowly. Then in a quick fluid motion opened the door wide open.

"Oof!"

Serena looked down on the ground. It was Darien who hit the floor rather hard. "Hi Darien. Enjoying the view from down there?"

Darien looked up. "Hi Serena," he replied sarcastically. "Yes. The view down here is quite nice. It makes the room seem a whole lot larger from this angle."

Serena lent out a hand which Darien grabbed as he got up from the ground. "Have a nice night?" Darien asked as he brushed himself off.

"Yes, as a matter of fact I did. We're going to lunch tomorrow."

"Have a good time."

"I will," Serena nodded as she grabbed the side of the door.

"He doesn't know that we still live together does he?"

"I don't think it's important," Serena replied easily.

"You don't?"

"No, we're just roommates after all."

"Right, roommates."

"Does Beryl know that we are?"

"Why would that matter?"

"You two looked awfully cozy tonight."

"It's not important. After all, we're just roommates right?" Darien grinned at the sound of the repeated remark. 

"Good night, Darien."

"Night, Serena."

Serena closed the door not before letting Darien see a smile coming out of Serena's lips.

***

Serena was driving downtown towards her office when her cell phone started to ring. It's been a week since we last left Serena and her glorious date with Diamond. After a couple of more lunches and a few dinners, she found herself falling in love with a man she could not stop thinking about. She hasn't had any more encounters with Darien eavesdropping by her door but she was amused that he would even do such a thing. Darien has been absorbing himself into more work now that the merger was going underway. She rarely saw him now. She pressed a button on her cell phone and listened on her hands-free device. "Hello?"

"My brother's a fool."

Serena laughed. "No he's not Setsuna."

"My parents and I don't know where we went wrong."

"Come on Sets," Serena smiled. "It's not his fault."

"So it's yours?"

Serena paused. "It's not entirely his fault. Is that better?"

"Much."

"What do I owe to this call? I haven't heard from you in a while."

"What makes you think I need something? My brother and his wife get a divorce and I might add that this is the one girl that I've liked out of all the women that my brother has dated and I can't say hello? "

"I'm sorry.  How's the fashion business going?"

"Extraordinarily well. Are you busy tonight?"

"I've got some plans that I need to work on," Serena replied. "I'll be staying in at home."

"Will Darien be there?" Setsuna asked. "To tell you the truth Serena, I find this whole 'living with your ex' to be a bit unorthodox."

Serena giggled. "It's not a problem. Darien understands that I'm dating now and he has no problem with it."

"Uh huh. Well, I got some designs I need to go over. You and I are going to have a major gossip fest about your new boyfriend," Setsuna prodded.

"I promise."

"Don't forget the Christmas party my parents are having."

"Am I still inclined to go?"

"Yes, so says our Mum."

Serena laughed, "Tell her I'll be there."

After a full day of work Serena walked into the empty house and slipped off of her shoes. She dropped her briefcase in front of her office door and went into the kitchen. "I guess Darien is still working tonight."

She found a note on the refrigerator that read, "I'm out with my parents and sister for dinner. Be back late if my parents don't rip me to shreds." Serena smiled. 'Since when does he leave me notes saying were he's going? Must have realized what some of his flaws were.'

She went back to her office and continued on working on some more plans for a big account that was due on Friday. It was five hours since Serena started to work and she grew tired. Finally Darien came home and took off his jacket. He passed the kitchen and Serena's office. He stopped when he noticed that there was a slight snoring coming from inside. Darien opened the door and found Serena asleep at her drawing board. Without hesitation Darien lifted her up from her seat and into his arms. He carried her all the way to what was 'their' room a long time ago. After he set her down in the bed, work clothes and all, he tucked her in and turned off the nightstand light. As he was about to leave a hand grabbed his arm.

"Don't leave," Serena mumbled, her eyes still closed.

"I have to," Darien said in a half-whisper. "Otherwise you're going to hurt me in the morning," he joked.

"Just for a little…" she mumbled again.

Darien sighed. He walked around on the other side of the bed and eased himself on top of the covers. 'What am I getting myself into? I'll just leave in about ten minutes' Darien thought. He shut his eyes and without knowing it, fell asleep. 

Early into the morning, Darien woke up. He looked around and realized he wasn't in his own room. It was Serena's. He looked next to him and found Serena lying next to him with her head on top of his chest. Both were still in their work clothes. 'That was the best night of sleep I've had in a long time,' Darien thought to himself.  'I better get out of here before Serena wakes.'

Serena stirred. 'Too late!'

Serena gasped. "Oh my god!" She shot up and looked at the clock. "I'm so late!" Serena shot out of bed and into the bathroom.

"That was a close call," Darien said aloud. "I better get out of here." Darien got off the bed and sprinted towards the door.

At the same time Serena rushed out of the bathroom in a new outfit and her hair in a ponytail. "I gotta go!" she said rushing past Darien. She stopped and gave Darien a long kiss on the lips before darting out of the door, leaving Darien stunned.

"What just happened here?" Darien said.

A few seconds later, Serena walked back in the room. "Please tell me I'm dreaming," she said slowly.

"You are," Darien replied quickly. "I am a figment of your imagination."

"Darien, please don't joke," Serena sighed.

"You're not dreaming," Darien let out.

"Oh god…" Serena whispered.

"Serena, it was nothing."

"Darien! I kissed you! And I'm dating Diamond! How is that nothing?!" Serena shrieked.

"You're right. It's not nothing. It's something," Darien replied.

"What were you doing in my room anyway?!" Serena shouted.

"You asked me to stay with you last night!" Darien yelled.

"I did no such thing!"

"Oh, then let me remind you! You fell asleep in your office. I figured you weren't too comfortable sleeping at your desk because I pretty much know how that feels like! I carried you to your room and tucked you in. You grabbed my arm and said 'Don't leave'. I said I have to, because you were going to hurt me in the morning. You mumbled 'Just for a little.' I figured there would be no harm in that because I would just leave in ten minutes."

"And why didn't you?"

"I fell asleep!" 

"I don't remember saying all of that."

"Because you were half awake! Serena, I don't find a problem between two friends sharing a night in the same bed. Especially since nothing happened. Especially when they were once married!"

"Somehow I do. I can't do this now," Serena replied. "I have to get to work." Serena began to march down to the end of the hall.

"You're still going to come right?" Darien called after her.

"What?" Serena turned around.

"The Christmas party. You're still going to come?"

"Yeah, Darien. I'll be there tonight." Serena replied before turning around and heading down the stairs. 

"And Serena?" Darien called after her.

"I'm late Darien!"

"I'm sorry."

Serena sighed. "For what?"

"Everything. For just what happened, Diamond, the divorce. Basically everything that happened in the past year and a half."

"I'm sorry too," Serena let out a small smile and turned around once more.

"You could tell me what you're sorry for too, you know!" Darien yelled after her grinning.

"And where would be the fun in that!" Serena yelled smiling.  

Closing notes: Sorry for again any plot holes! I will edit this chapter when I get a chance. Lots of love!

.::~K. Ly~::.