CHAPTER FOUR

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When Serena first woke up her thoughts were of the battle. Was everyone all right then her mind cleared and she remembered everything that happened and knew that the Scouts were fine. Then she noticed that she wasn't in her own bed in her own room and she jerked upright in the bed when she realized whose bed she was actually in. She was in Darien's room and the sun was shining brightly through the open window. Just then the door to the bedroom opened and Darien walked in carrying a tray.

"I thought I heard you waking up" He said smiling at her with relief

"Darien" she sighed her face lighting up at the sight of him.

"I made you something to eat" He took the tray he had been holding and slid it across her lap than sat down next to her on the bed.

The tray was filled with sandwiches ,cake and some cocco for her to drink. For a minute she was too busy cramming her face with food to speak. Darien with a look of indulgence on his face smoothed her hair back gently from her face with the back of his hand. The gesture made Serena pause in her consumption as she stopped to enjoy his touch.

"Did you have a good rest?" He asked still smoothing her hair back.

"Unhuh" Serena moaned than stopped to the consider the truth of that statement. She hadn't had any dreams about the Dark Void or that horrible voice. But then again she couldn't remember what she dreamt about or if she had dreamt at all.

"Serena?" Darien stopped smoothing her hair back to look down at her in concern.

Hearing the concern in his voice made Serena aware of the fact that she wasn't eating and that she was frowning. Again she thought about telling him about her dreams and again she decided against it. Not having the dream last night proved once and for all to her that they had been nothing more than dreams. And as for hearing that voice during the battle she had been worn down from three sleepless nights obviously her mind had been playing tricks on her.

Turning her face up to his she smiled up at him. Seeing that she was ok he smiled back before leaning down to kiss her. Just dreams Serena repeated to herself before Darien's lips took hers in a kiss and for a long time her thoughts were only of him.

(later that day)

Serena had finished eating and was lying back in Darien's arms when the doorbell rang.

"That will be the girls". Darien stated "I'll go let them in and make some more Cocco".

Getting up he placed a gentle kiss on the top of Serena's head before going to let the girls in.

Serena stayed in bed for a moment thinking about what Darien had told her. The battle had taken place yesterday and she had slept the night away here with him. Raye had called her Mother and explained that I had fallen asleep at her house while doing some late night studying and suggested that I spend the night. Thank goodness it was Saturday she could spend the whole day with Darien and tomorrow she could spend all day studying for her test on Monday. She grimaced at the last part. Well maybe just for an hour or so. After all its suppose to be nice on Sunday it would be a shame to waste it studying all day.

"Serena?" Serena looked up to see Darien standing in the bedroom doorway. "The girls are waiting" Serena nodded her head and got up to join the others.

"Serena are you alright?" Luna asked anxiously

"I'm fine Luna".

"What happened yesterday"? Lita asked clearly wanting to know why she fainted

"I was just tired. I haven't been sleeping well lately it was just too much. But I'm fine now" she added hastily seeing everyone's concerned expression. "I had a goodnights sleep and I'm all set to fight this new enemy of ours."

"You should have told me" Luna stated a little hurt that Serena hadn't confided in her.

"I'm know I just didn't want to worry you." She admitted "But I'm fine now and we have bigger problems, like this new enemy of ours."

"We don't know what that thing was yesterday". Luna confessed

"Why was it turning people into animals?" Mina asked not expecting any one to know the answer.

"We have no idea" Luna replied "Where used to the NegaVerse stealing energy not changing people into animals.

"This new form of attack is completely different than anything we've faced so far". Artemis remarked

"Do you think we've seen the last of his kind"? Serena asked looking very concerned

"We don't know but we have to be prepared" Luna stated

Standing up Raye replied "I'll go to the temple and see if I can get a reading on our new enemy" She didn't admit that she couldn't concentrate last night because she was worried about the meatball head.

"And I have to go and finish analyzing the data I received during our battle with that thing". Amy stated also getting up to leave.

Rini also stood up as well "Well now that Miss Lazy Bones is out of bed can you take me to the park now Darien?"

"What" Serena Yelped she swung around sharply to face Rini "No he cant take you to the park he's taking me to park and who are you calling lazy bones you little squirt"?

Rini turned her face up to Serenas. "Well what else do you call someone who spends all day wallowing in bed?" Rini asked innocently

With her hands on her hips Serena bent down until they were eye to eye and shouted in her face. "IN CASE YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN I WAS IN A BATTLE YESTERDAY WHERE I SAVED YOUR BUTT FROM BEING EATEN OR WORSE."

"Your right" Rini admitted

"HuH?" gasped a surprised Serena.

"You did save us yesterday and I know the battle took a lot out of you." Rini stated honestly

Serena still not able to believe her ears was silent.

"Sooooo" Rina continued "You should really stay here and get some more rest and Darien can take me to the park while you recover".

Rini smiled sweetly up at her "Don't you agree"?

Serena whose face was now a bright red yelled at top of her lungs "WHY YOU LITTLE FUNGUS" and started chasing Rini around the apartment. While the girls laughed Darien just stood back and watched shaking his head.

It was while they were at the park that Serena felt as if someone was watching her. Looking around but seeing no one paying any special attention to her she turned back to Darien who was reading a book and laid her head back on his shoulder. Happy just to be near him.

He watched her from a distance. She was his prey and soon he would have in his grasp. "I have waited over a 1000 years for you Serena and soon I'll have you right where I want you. You want escape me this time Princess."