Dear Readers,

Hey there! Last year (2021) I came back and posted seven brand new chapters on this story. After years of working away on chapters and never getting around to posting. I was going through too much in life at the time, it just wasn't possible. I am doing everything I can to finish this story by the end of this year. Once and for all, and last Christmas posting those new chapters felt stupendous. I am going to post everything I can between here and New Years. A chapter a day if possible, or a few chapters at a time if I have some completed around the same time.

God willing, this thing will finally be finished this year. This Christmas (2022) Or New Years (Before 2023) if possible. With several chapters ready, the end in sight, and all typed up. I'm feeling good about this. Pray with me that this can happen.

A few wonderful readers favorited this story or me as an author. A few of you put me on your story alert or author's alerts. THANK YOU SO MUCH! It really does mean the world to me.

Two People Even Reviewed Last Year: CARO (I know I said it before, but I'll say it again thank you! Much Love!) & NinaLo88 (You wrote four reviews for the first four chapters. FOUR! Thank you so much! I don't know if you're still reading or not [it's been a year and I know that featuring the Shitonnue Boys wasn't clear in chapter one or my character description at first]. Your words were so kind and compelling, constructive and caring. They came to me when I really needed them too. So thank you regardless and I hope that these words are reaching you. I also hope that the other posted chapters (and future ones) were able to fill in more of your questions. That you're having the best holiday season EVER and that you're living your best life. Much Love!)

Standard disclaimers still apply! I still own nothing, no money was made on this story, it is a labor of love. I'm merely borrowing all of these things and characters for my own ideas and plots. Most will be returned unharmed.

I know, it's just a fanfic and it's silly to some of you that this took me 8 or 9 years to even get this far.

It's a big deal to me. This story has helped me so much. When I missed all of those dear souls I've lost. When I look around and appreciate all of the precious people I still have. When I'm finding it impossible to believe (in Christmas or myself) or find my own Christmas spirit lacking. I poured it all into this… If one person reads it and it's added to your Christmas or fanfiction experience. Know that I count you in all of those blessings as well. May this bring a little extra to your Christmas, the fandom, and I hope you enjoy it.

Dedicated to my Dad, we lost him years ago now, and yet I still feel myself looking for him around every corner of my house. Or waiting for him to speak up about whatever big news is happening in the world, NFL, or his fandoms. It's a loss I know I'll never get over, but I have learned to carry it with me. I find myself smiling fondly as I remember the thirty Christmases I did get with him. I could have stood for more, but I know how lucky I was to have that time. Even though he could be a much bigger grinch than Darien. I hope he knows we love him and miss him terribly… every single day.

"A Memorable Christmas"

Chapter 10 - A Tearful Trio and Some Male Bonding

(AN: Could have started this many different ways… I know I didn't cleanly leave off in this place…but Serena needed this! Amy and Lita needed this… and I needed this! Hopefully, you did too.)

Shitennou Manor

(Serena's Perspective - Sailor Scout Pow-WOW! With three reawakened Sailor Scouts.)

After a full year of always hiding away so much of everything from my team. Everything from my true thoughts and feelings to so many of the happenings surrounding us. Having to be so careful and keep it all from these two. Amy and Lita were the first ones to greet me when I went inside the kitchen. It wasn't far from the garage entrance we'd come in through. When I saw them I took off for them the same time that they jetted towards me. I couldn't help it, I was a heap of feels, right in the middle of the floor. Thankfully so were they, and the guys had been anticipating this reaction. So they not only gave us space and opportunity to react and catch up. They also went to the trouble of keeping Darien with them and distracted.

((Serena: Yes, I do realize they were using their first golden opportunity to get to know Darien in this life. As opposed to Endymion of their shared pasts. I'm not that far gone, I just thought it was so sweet how they went about it.))

At first all we reunited scouts could do was hug and cry. The first one to find their voice was me, and I told them both.

"You don't know how good it is to see you guys… the both of you… I mean, I know I've seen you both every day… at school, the arcade… But I coul-dn't - I couldn't talk to you… about so much… SO much of what's going on!"

"This isn't going to come out right," Amy choked out. As she unfolded a hanky and started wiping at her nose and eyes. "But I really missed this with you… even if I didn't know it at the time this was what I'd missed. You know what I mean."

I assured her, "Oh, believe me, I know exactly what you're talking about."

I did just manage to impart to Amy before I was tackled nearly back to the floor again by Lita. "Princess! Sailor Moon! Why didn't you try harder to revive us?"

Amy threw her arms around the both of us and squeezed what little air I had left in me, out. Adding, "Yes yes! Why didn't you drop any hints or clues? Why? Didn't you want us back?"

I choked out, "Too tight! Too tight! Can't breathe!"

"Sorry!" They both said in unison before loosening their holds. Letting me hang back a little while they both refused to let me go completely. Then let me gain a full breath before both of them were demanding again.

"But Why?" Amy asked softly.

"WHY?" Lita shook me a little.

"Be-Cause," I began, "I knew what you both would be giving up. As well as Mina and Raye, I knew your life would probably never be normal again. Just because I need you all, and I can't do a thing by myself-"

"That's not true!" Lita interrupted.

Amy supplied, "It was you standing alone against Beryl. We were only there in spirit with the boys and Tuxedo Mask. You were all alone, you can do anything!"

"Any Thing!" Lita enunciated, "Don't you ever forget that. We won't let you!"

I continued, "The peace we got by defeating Beryl was only for a few months for me. We won in winter and by early Spring, Sailor Moon was back. It was even before the cherry blossoms festivals... I was determined to give you girls more time than I got. Fuss all you want, but I regret nothing."

Lita surprised me by saying, "What for?"

Amy shocked me more when she looked at me pointedly, arms crossed and nodding her agreement with the question.

I went on regardless, "That you all got the time needed to heal and if we were meant to be a team again. You would all remember at your own pace… I didn't push because I didn't want to hurt you."

Amy spoke up, "Serena, I don't know if I can speak for all of us. But after speaking with Lita last night at length. I think I can safely boast that we don't view coming back to the team that way. I don't see how the others could either if I'm perfectly honest." She finished and glanced at Lita.

"No, we don't!" Lita clarified, explaining, "This whole last year has felt off to me. Like I have always been missing something. I've really felt lost, not knowing my whole self."

As soon as she was done, Amy went further. "Yes, I don't know how many times I retraced my steps. One-by-one, looking for the thing that was missing. I never found it, not till my memories started to return which was the same time that snowstorm appeared."

I sniffled into my own hanky, "So it was the Mercury side of yourself that was missing, Amy? The Jupiter side of you, Lita?"

Amy answered first, "I feel like if I agree, that Mercury was what I missed. That would only be a fraction of it. Yes, I missed that part of myself, fighting evil by moonlight. Having my few memories of the Moon Kingdom. The feeling of being whole, which I only felt with all three of those key components. But more than anything I missed you guys. Even though I had no clue that's what I was lacking in my life, I missed all of you. All of the times that we had together, as a team as well as friends. It wasn't the same, this past year."

"Yeah," Lita professed as well, making new tears well up in my eyes. Blurring their beautiful faces. Lita went on, "I don't look back at all of the tremendous things we withstood. Or defeating Beryl, what I remember best, is you guys. All the fun and what it felt like for the first time to have a family. A real family, I love you guys."

We all group hugged and cried some more, and I felt something knock against my ankle and meow. It was Luna. I can't begin to tell you how happy I was to see her and Artemis too. After leaning on both kitties so heavily throughout this past year. They had been my rock, my lifeline so many times, being separated from them throughout all of this storm and inner team drama. It made me feel better when I leaned back from the hug (I had been giving both cats). I wasn't the only one sporting misty eyes. Both Luna and Artemis were just as glad to see me. Just as affected to see the three of us together. Knowing we were finally a team again. I kissed their furry heads and told them, "I'm so glad to see you."

Luna bawled into my shoulder, "I never should have left you as I did. I'm so sorry, Serena. You shouldn't have been all alone. Not for a minute-"

I told her, "Luna, You have nothing at all to be sorry for. You love Artemis and you wanted to help him through his first night home with Mina. It's been nearly a year since he'd last gone home with her. You were just being a great girlfriend."

Both felines blushed profusely and Luna denied, "I'm not his girlfriend, we're just friends… Our first priority is and always will be, you girls."

"Nope Luna!" Lita corrected her, "Not anymore, there are now five male additions to the team. We gotta give credit where credit is due."

"You're right, of course." Luna smiled up at Lita before explaining. "It was more like I was afraid of Artemis forgetting Mina doesn't remember everything. Trying to speak to her and scare the living wits outta her."

Artemis felt the need to remind her, "Which I didn't, did I?"

"You almost did," Luna sold him out. "I counted three times at least that he almost spoke. Probably would have too if I hadn't stopped him. Honestly Artemis? How did you make it through a single day without me?"

"Well," The white pussycat considered. "It was a lot quieter back then." He laughed before Luna swatted him with her tail and fixed him with a displeased look. "But!" Artemis laughed, with feeling. "I hated it and I'm never going through another day like that again. Not if I can help it."

Luna smiled at him and shook her head as the three of us scouts giggled along. Amy chirped merrily, "I can safely say I even missed their banter."

"After being in my big empty house, I'll have to agree with you," I said, placing both cats back on their feet and back on the floor. "There was a time when it was just these two guardians and me who remembered. I don't even want to think about what state I would have been in if I didn't have you two felines in my corner. Thank you both for everything."

Then I got down to business, I brought everyone up to speed on my version of our current standpoint as a team. How I had been the sole Scout to remember all of these months. Yet I wasn't alone, how great the guys had been to me. How close I had gotten with them. I told them about our twin enemies and was surprised Jupiter had not only met them already, but she'd also battled them outside of the apartment building in the snow.

Mercury hadn't done anything like that yet, but she had been flipping through Zoisite's research. I described their "Cardian" minions, 'the Tree' they keep referencing as their power source. After listening to all of the harrowing nightmares that my new big brothers had all been experiencing leading up to this reconnection. I had to insist on hearing how things went when the girls had been face-to-face with them again.

After all these years, after so much pain, betrayal, strife, and heartbreak. All left unspoken till that moment… I wondered about what had happened when their individual times came. With their once-intended, long-ago loves. Can you blame me? What kind of friend would I be if I didn't, right? I mean, Darien and I had only been awakened together for like a minute before he was snatched away and turned evil by Metallia and Company. I wondered what it would be like when I got to stand in front of him in particular and speak of all the things left unspoken till that precious moment.

AND Especially, when all I got outta Zoisite was a smirk and the words. "Uh… good… it went well, I think."

Nephrite had said even less, "It was… Fine. Just Fine." He'd said.

Ahhhhhhhh!

"Good?"

And "Fine?"

"Just FINE?"

That's it? That's all they're giving me? Then they ruffle my hair, call me a cute kid, and act more concerned with what Darien and I got up to alone. In my empty home, just the two of us. No! That's not how this works, the guys were too vague, I needed the deets. As any self-respecting bestie would, but those crafty scouts shared a glance and double-teamed me too.

Lita bargained. "Amy and I will only talk if you tell us a little more about what is going on with you and Cape Boy though."

Amy backed her insisting, "It's only fair given the circumstances, don't you agree?"

So I agreed, insisting "Someone else needs to talk for a while though. I just got done explaining a year to you guys. Have some sympathy."

So Mercury surprised me and spoke right up, (I hadn't expected that at all). This is the girl who is (or was) allergic to love letters or romance in nearly any form… guess it had to be coming from the right person.

She began with the moment she'd gotten home from the Crown's Christmas Party. Zoisite had walked her home and kissed her goodnight at her door. She'd admitted it had been wonderful, positively more joy than she'd ever expected of this season. More kindness than Christmas had shown her before, it was far more than she'd expected for the end of this year, any of it. Yet when she got inside her apartment and tried to get on with her normal nightly routine. She had found it all so difficult to manage, more so than she could remember it ever being.

Her head had ached, her chest constricted and it had become so unbearable that she couldn't study. So she turned in super early and tried to manage her pain levels. As soon as her head hit the pillow, that was when her real turmoil had begun. That was when everything started to rush back to her in these excruciating waves. Clouding her thought spirals with confusion, and so many unanswered questions.

As soon as Amy had explained this all so beautifully. Lita perked up and admitted, "Yeah! I was going through the same thing. It was so bad I thought I was getting sick. Like coming down with something because what was seeing was akin to feverish hallucinations. But they were really visions of the past. Like I even heard thunder and saw lightning when it was all at its worst."

"I did too," Amy admitted. "That would have made way more sense than re-remembering things from this life and past lives."

I found myself asking, "When did the pain stop?"

Before either of them said a word they both blushed brighter than Rudolph's nose. Amy fessed up, "I didn't have a moment's peace really till Zane… Zane, he…"

I tried to help her by asking, "Was it when Zane showed up at your place?"

But Amy was blushing so furiously and hiding her face. Lita had to tell me, "She's shaking her head no. Geez Ames, what could you two have done in that apartment that's got you blushing all over the place?"

"NOTHING!" Amy insisted, not meaning to panic so loudly. She lowered her voice and said calmer, "Nothing like that ha-happened, you've got it all wrong. I was mad at him when he first showed up and I almost acted on that rage. I'm so glad that I didn't, because I couldn't forgive myself if I'd hurt him."

Lita lit up and exclaimed, "Me TOO! I almost did the same to Nephrite."

"Please tell me you didn't." I (Serena) asked of my most strong Sailor Scout, Jupiter.

Lita peeked at me from over the rim of her cocoa cup, "No. I didn't hit him, I just threatened him within an inch of life and passed out after exerting too much in my battle with the Bobbsey twins. Twidle Dee and Twidle Dumb left and Nathan showed up."

To my further shock, Amy took this peaceful little pause to ask. "When you did speak with Nathan, more casually. Did you find it as unnerving as I did that he knew all the right things to say. He had too many good answers to every question or lie you brought to light?'

"HEY YEAH!" Lita agreed. "I had been mad enough to try and take him on right on that the battlefield. Like the minute I saw him, but when we were both wearing Christmas jammies and talking last night. I was completely overcome with gladness that I hadn't acted on the terror or rage that had me in achokehold that first time."

Amy's face beet red, she even admitted, "I was so elated, it felt so good talking to him. I… I even ended up telling Zane that I loved him." She did manage to get the words out before sending a heated mushroom cloud of embarrassment in the air above her head. Lita and I just looked at each other stunned.

"Wow Ames, that's huge for you." Lita said taking her left hand.

I grabbed her right and asked, "Was he shocked?"

"He was, but he told me that he loved me too and we are together now." She said still unable to even look at us. "But it's all so new and amazing. I don't know what I'm doing. Please somebody else talk for a little while I need a minute." Mercury asked so Jupiter started to go more in depth with her progression with Nate. While Mercury tried to pull herself together.

(AN: Just because I can, and this was just way too much fun)

Mercury's Inner Monologue…

(Amy's Perspective)

I blushed and sweated myself into absolute oblivion. I never was any good at all of this mushy stuff. The things that I knew Lita and Serena were just waiting to hear from me. I wasn't exaggerating when I told Zane that last night. He didn't seem to believe me because with Zane… it was all so easy, it came so naturally to me when we were together.

But sitting here sipping cocoa with Scouts Moon and Jupiter… I found my anxiety and stress levels, SKYROCKETING! My pulse was racing, I felt hot all over, like way too hot. I couldn't even tell if it was because of the context of our discussion, or all of the things I was leaving out.

I did share with my fellow scouts that I had wanted to fight Zoisite. On sight, when he had shown up at my door. I'd wanted to ask him a million and one questions. Hold him accountable for all of his past crimes recent and ancient. Wanted him to pay for all of the pain, anguish, and betrayal he'd put me through. I wanted him to know I'd figured out all of these months of friendship had been a lie.

But when he actually showed up at my home… When he was right in front of me. He wasn't just Zoisite the person who betrayed me and himself in every way. He wasn't just someone I'd used to love in the other life. He was also Zane, he really was my friend and he was finally a free person again. Liberated from all of the teeth and claws that Beryl and Metallia had dug into him. From all of the twisting and tainting they'd toxified him with. Making him something he wasn't.

When I asked him anything, he was saying all of the right things. Making too much sense to be lying, instead of turning him into a frozen Zane-sical like I'd been planning. I ended up confessing to him that I loved him all over again.

I'd fallen so hard and so fast, that I was overwhelmed. I'd told him I loved him and he had reciprocated those affections. When I had cried, he had held me and shed a tear or two himself. Then we somehow ended up making out on my couch, before deciding to come here. Getting snowed in, and stuck anew.

Serena and Lita cheered and seemed to enjoy these details. Even if they'd caught on to something in my delivery of these facts. That had them insinuating that more than making out had taken place in that empty apartment. But really only making out had occurred there, really it had.

Even though that thought is completely true, in my mind's eye I was flashing back to all of the other things that happened last night. Here at this manor when we were alone. Like our conversations late in that night. When he was walking me to my door, when I asked him to stay with me. When we'd slept side by side and kept waking up. Neither of us could rest while that storm blew on. A storm that had been slated as a direct connection to my progress.

I didn't get it. Why wasn't the storm over, if I was here where I belonged? If I was here with Zoisite, we'd made up and gotten together. Wasn't all of that enough?

I was thinking so hard, it was like Zoisite heard it. Because he rolled to face me and asked me sleepily, "Amy? Are you alright?"

"Yes." I'd said, but he didn't appear to believe me.

Suddenly he was struck with an epiphany and he said, "Moonlight, that would help."

"Beg your pardon?" I asked.

"Serena explained to us that you girls need moonlight. To recharge and feel better, all of you use it for healing, even if she's Sailor Moon. Switch with me, my sides closer to the window."

I had to catch him by his shirt and tug him back down to me. "You're nearly asleep, stay where you are. With that storm, there's no way the moon can shine through."

He put a hand on my cheek and said. "But it would help, you need it."

"Sleep is what we both need, I just can't get there. Not now." I tried to comfort him leaning my forehead against his.

He took a deep breath and said, "I'm supposed to be staying to help you. To keep you company, and here I am falling asleep.."

"You are helping," I assured him, but he wasn't buying it.

He'd pulled me closer and resolved to do what he'd set out to do. We'd talked all night, slept here and there. We'd also done a lot of not talking… where we kissed and touched. It was like just being together was healing everything that needed it. He was so tender and careful with me when I needed it. Reckless when we'd both felt that.

We'd even played around, teased, and somewhere in the night. When I was relaxed and seemingly drunk on loving him {In retrospect, I think all of the newest was a factor too}. I leaned into his chest I told him, matter-a-factly. "I've been wracking my brain ever since this happened-"

He amended, "When we happened? I know, I couldn't help but notice."

"Yes, and you know the only conclusion I can come up with?" I egged on.

"I'm dying to hear." He'd spilled. "Please, what has your brilliant mind deemed as the reason? For the storm not stopping yet?"

So I told him, "If this was the Mercury and Zoisite of old. As perfect as this night has been, this wouldn't be the way we would have made up. After a fight or long absence."

I was so nervous to say it, I had been able to say it not looking at him. I glanced at his face after it was out, and I was relieved that his face was the same as mine. Red and flustered, when he could speak he agreed. "Yes. That is true… I wasn't certain just how much of our past lives had come back to you. Looks like you recall more than I'd originally estimated."

"I wondered the same thing," I told him. Before asking, "So you do have those memories too?"

"Oh yes," He validated, "Good thing too because they were the absolute best moments of that life."

"Mine too," I agreed. "They were some of mine too."

We looked at each other and something in the room shifted. Some heat took over the air, even more, potent than the warmth we'd been stirring up together before. At first, we talked about the things we could remember, and it was so nice to know we shared those memories. That they had meant so much to both of us then… still did. {But some of those moments were extremely intimate and would have made an actual sailor for the military blush.}

I kissed him because I felt like if I didn't, I would implode. Between kisses, I asked him, "Did I… make you… uncomfortable? T-Talking… about all of that… stuff?" I asked, and if he had said 'yes.' I would have stopped gladly. If he wanted to even leave now, I would totally understand. I wasn't letting him sleep, and I had to have been messing with his heart rate. I would have stopped or let him go… I would.

I told myself that then, and I would have… but I would have missed him terribly. Even if he'd gone just across the house, across the room, out of arm's reach.

However, he shook his head no at me and smiled, "No, I'm not uncomfortable. You're just too drop-dead gorgeous for your own good. That's the only problem here." He'd explained as he sat beside me and took my hands and kissed them.

"It's all happened so fast, hasn't it? Too fast?" I asked.

He told me, "No, this has been going on for a year's time nearly-"

I tried to say, "But back then was different than now, there's no way you could ever want to-"

"What?" He said loudly, in the quiet space.

"We're just teenagers and you can't want to be with me like we were back then. It's just silly, you're much too smart for that, and I'm being completely illogical right now. It was just an idea, it really is a stretch, at best." I yammered until I felt his pointer finger silencing me with a soft shush.

"Are you saying?" He began. "That you thought if we were together the way our past selves were. We could stop the storm and confusion you are suffering through right now?"

"You See?" I'd reasoned. "It's groundless and probably the silliest idea I've had in ages. I don't think I've ever had a notion this-"

"Yes, you are." He said, giving me an inquisitive look. "You're silly to think that I don't want you. When I've never wanted anything more in any life. When you realize in the old days, we were younger than we are now. Doing all of those things we mentioned, and - the only reason I haven't taken you in that way yet has been because the timing hadn't been right. We weren't together, your memories hadn't returned…" He brought his face to mine and nuzzle me lovingly as he took a deep breath. Then he confessed, "I want it to happen more than anything else. But I need it to be when you're doubtless I will never leave your side. When you know that when I say forever I am yours, you know I mean it. No one is taking me away this time or ever again."

Then he took my hand and kissed it like I was the most precious thing on Earth.

I pulled his chin up and made him look me in the eye as I said, "Well I want you to know that I've wanted you just as much. Missed you just as badly and I'll only take you when you know that this isn't just your fight anymore. We're in this together, we're both warriors, geniuses and we have our goals in life. But this, us… Has to always be a part of that future."

Zane smirked at me and said, "Okay." Then I pulled him down to me, into a hug. That turned into a kiss, that deepened quickly… before I knew it we were making out again… remember I mentioned reckless before… this affection felt brash, heedless, and breathless… but it was fun.

So much fun.

A lot of words could describe where all of this affection led. But the only apt description that I can find for it as I sat here with my friends. Looking back at it in retrospect is love… pure love it just happened. We melted together under those covers. Along with every doubt or possible hindrance I'd kept hidden. I loved him, he loved me. For the first time in this life span that depth and affinity that we felt for each other took us over completely.

Everything that had followed after that had been like something out of a dream. So warm, and happy… I can't remember the last time I was so content or felt so loved. We'd shared so much, we'd felt so much, and yet. As I looked back on it now. I found myself praying for another chance to be with him this way again tonight. To share my bed, or his bed, or a bed. And feel it all over again…

His hands were everywhere, his kisses sank in past my skin… so warm and sweet. Sleep wasn't a necessity like being with him was. I found myself hoping for such a break…

When I came crashing back to earth and Lita had just finished filling in Serena on her story. Mina joined us and I was still struggling to keep my blushes within reason. Before one or all of them figure out my reason for doing so. I wondered if Zane was having the same trouble. If he was just as affected or if he was just way better at keeping his cool.

Another thought that had my sentiments disheveled was… What if now that he's away and able to think clearly? What if he regrets what happened? What we did? Being together at all? Even if the snow finally did stop. As soon as we'd finished the first time, the moon had peeked out and shined down brightly on us in the bed. It really had been that missing factor that we'd still needed. He'd held me so tightly and yet comfortingly.

Even if he had mentioned wanting this for a year. What if he was having second thoughts, or it wasn't everything he'd been hoping for? He'd already forgotten it had happened, he was over it?

As my thought spiral began to plummet, thankfully Serena brought me back to Earth. By taking my hand and telling me, "You don't know how glad I am to be back with all of you guys."

Serena was always saving me from my own thoughts, like that. I know we had to be careful with Mina around. But it felt so amazing to be back with my team, my love, and the future was looking so bright. I only hope that this happiness and light feeling inside of me never diminishes. Today and the rest of the season continue to surprise me in the best way. And our team gets to be the group we were always meant to be.

In that moment sitting with so much of our original team. It felt more than possible, and I could wait.

Boys Bonding…

(Darien's Perspective)

I really hadn't been expecting to connect with any of these guys. I thought I was only there because Serena wanted me there. That they were putting up with me for her sake. I had no idea that I would be spending so much time just hanging out with these friends too. This morning and afternoon, that's exactly what ended up happening.

I first started to notice it when we were all drinking coffee together to warm up. After the long cold ride here, from Serena's house. We'd taken over a table in the huge fancy dining hall, not too far from where the girls had reunited. But I got the undertone of these guys trying to give the girls some room. I played along and kept accepting coffee as long as they poured it. Waking up to Serena pressed to my chest had put me into a much brighter mood than my normal morning terrors. Having had zero caffeine before getting here, I had only started to feel it when we'd stepped outside to come here.

Over the hot drinks, we'd had all been quiet at first. It didn't take long at all for the brothers to begin bickering about all we needed to still do today. To tell you the truth I have no idea how I got tossed into the middle of their disputes either. All I was sure of was that against all of my usual prickliness when getting to know new people. This bunch was growing on me very rapidly.

After we'd all drank our fill, I was walking into this elaborate and enormous estate, following the guys blindly. It appeared to me that every room had a different Christmas theme going on. Which is sort of what Andrew's Mom does to their house for the party. Just on a much bigger and grander scale. I tried not to gawk and tried to keep my cool as I walked on. It was just not easy at all.

Everywhere you looked there were Christmas trees, lit up and adding a warm glow to every other corner. I can now see what Serena had meant about them needing to light and decorate so many things. There were thick green garlands interlaced along every doorway, mantel, railing, or decorate-able surface. Also twisted with lights and ornaments hanging down. Their built-in theater, Family room, Ballroom, Library, indoor gym, outdoor basketball and tennis courts, conservatory, several different gardens were all done up for Christmas. Not one was like the other, I can't believe that each one was so unique.

Then there were rooms that had been completely transformed for the season. They hadn't missed a single corner or crevice of the manor. There was an entire room of tiny Christmas villages and snow towns. All surrounded by running train sets. All keeping perfect time with one another and not crashing(This wasn't designed by the Addams Family thankfully). There was a snowing room. Where the lighting effect made it look like you were surrounded by snowfall. There were even fans set in place for the night of the event to blow actual pretend snowflakes around. Andrew would be happy to know there was a mistletoe room, and it was all his influence (I'm almost certain, but I'm not telling him, there would be no living with him if I did). A conservatory loaded with Christmas cacti, real holly bushes, and living trees that were decorated accordingly. Somehow those real lit trees smelled so nice. The greenhouse contained beautiful red and white roses as well as Bright Poinsettias. I feel like I need to mention again the lavish dining hall that was HUGE (where we'd been sipping coffee) and had already been getting set up for the Gala happening tomorrow evening by their house staff. (They have a house staff helping them out! They'd have to in a place this big)

I'd remembered Serena mentioning before that these guys were loaded now. I just hadn't realized they were all part-time teenagers and the rest of their time they were all Bruce Waynes. It was overwhelming and just a little sensory overload… But I also had to admit. It really was beautiful, they'd obviously done a ton of work and they should be proud of the end result.

Nathan stepped up beside me after a while and said, "It's been a little bit since fresh eyes have walked through here. Do you think we'll impress? Or are we trying too hard?"

I considered my words for a moment, before gushing. "It's Awesome! Really! I have no clue what it looks like normally and I'm very new to all of this Christmas fuss. So… my word's pretty worthless. But as far as I can see, you're gonna knock this outta the park."

"Thank you," Nathan nodded, looking truly relieved. Though I have no idea how my say could have any merit. Nathan went on to confess, "I'm having a hard time attending Andrew's thing tonight just because there are a hundred and one things I feel like I still need to do here."

I had to admit, "I can imagine."

That was when Kirk showed up throwing an arm around his brother, claiming. "Which is exactly why we're all insisting that you go, Nate. You need to get outta here for a little bit and loosen up. Besides, if you don't go. Lita may be dancing at this party with another guy."

"Dancing? There's dancing at this thing too?" Nathan asked me, and I nodded confirming this fact.

"Yep." I warned, even deepening the threat (helping Kirk). "Andrew's taken and forever faithful. Nothing to worry about from him. But his older brother Garrett is a hopeless flirt, pre-law, and a merry prankster this time of year. Your Pony-tailed girl may very well be swept up by his charisma and charm. Most girls usually are."

I could see Nate visibly sweat as I went on claiming. "I plan on standing next to Serena all night and I'm still worried about him trying to mess with us."

Kirk turned to pin me in place with his icy blue glare and ask, "Side Question, but are you and Serena a thing now? Or are you just accompanying each other to a lot of Christmas things to test the waters?"

I gulped loudly as Nate's almost red-brown eyes cut my way too. I answered them honestly, "We're testing the waters, but I did tell Serena I have wanted to date her for a while."

"Finally," Kirk called out to the ceiling. Then he turned back to Nathan and said, "So Serena will have his protection, Mina will have mine, Amy will be with Zane and I guess I'll just have to ask Jaden to keep an eye on Lita."

Nathan bit back at us, "Over my dead body!"

Somehow Kirk and I managed to hold back our laughter. As Nathan took a breath to cool off and said, "I'm gonna go change for the party."

"You do that," Kirk encouraged. As soon as his brother was out of earshot he confided in me. "Thanks. I think that was the only way we could get him to relax and put down that ruddy clipboard of his."

I chuckled and asked, "Has he really been that bad?"

"Are you kidding? Look at this place?" He asked comically. "He's been as monstrous as a drill Sargent, he's a nightmare. They always say I'm the bossiest one of this brute… I guess whoever is saying that has yet to meet Nathan. Come January that clipboard will be the first thing we burn."

It was at this moment Zane joined us. Then asked, "Have you found an ugly sweater to wear to the party? Andrew insisted on that as the theme."

"Yeah, I know he did." I confirmed, "But I have been going to these parties since I was a lot younger. It's not a required dress code or anything. Andrew's just a little crazy this time of year. Like your brother Nathan, I guess."

Zane pushed his glasses back up his nose and explained. "I appreciate your laid-back mentality and your awareness of your friend's tenacity. However one of the many things that my brothers and I have agreed to help with for tonight's event. Is to make certain that everyone shows up dressed accordingly. So… do you have anything that could remotely pass as appropriate?"

"I have a knit shirt in here," I said as I swung my backpack off of my back and unzipped the top. "I don't have a 'Christmas Ugly Sweater.' But Serena let me borrow this one that is her Dad's. I also have this one I was wearing yesterday in the snow. Serena washed it for me after it got wet from the snow."

Zane stared at them both for a moment and said, "Well they are both wool knit and sweaters… but they're not Christmas, too pretty to be considered ugly, or theme suitable… Does her dad's even fit you right? It doesn't look quite long enough to match your height."

"It isn't," I agreed, "But it can do if you think that's the better choice."

Jaden joined his brothers just to shake his head at me along with them. They may not be blood relations but brothers they are. With that Zane claimed, "I have a better idea. Would you please walk this way?"

The three of them started to lead me to the colossal walk-in changing area attached to their ballroom. It too had Christmas trees with lights and appeared decked out as the rest of the house. As they lead me along they explained that this area was really more of use during their Masquerade party in the Fall months. They went into this fantasy-sounding tale about the spectacle that party had been in October.

Then the story shifted to more recent events, like for how the entire month of this last September. They [Jaden, Zane, and Kirk] had tried to convince Nathan to change the theme of the Gala. They had all three ordered an abundance of "Ugly Christmas sweaters" of all sizes, fandoms, colors, and origins. Just to prove how cool it could be, all for not. Nathan had refused to 'cheapen this event.' So they happened to have an abundance of Christmas sweaters on hand. So they were offering them to me and the girls, after making their own selections of course. They then showed me an impossibly long rack of choices. Told me I was welcome to anyone that I wanted. Then the three of them grabbed their choices and disappeared behind big tall black curtains sectioned off for privacy. I was alone again to make my choice.

So I walked the length of the thing… twice. You wouldn't believe some of the things in there. I may not be an expert on Christmas or anything. But some of those things I wouldn't have been caught dead in. I ended up picking a few of the longer ones, meant for someone tall. The one that turned out to fit me the best and most comfortably was a Grinch sweater. Dark Green Sweater so that the bright green Grinch dressed as Santa popped against his background.

Andrew would have an absolute field day, but it was Christmas after all. Wasn't that part of the whole experience.

When I had made my decision and changed for keeps. I met up with the other guys, who had been putting finishing touches on a staircase near the door I came out of. Nathan was calling at the top of the stairs. "Come on guys, it has to be immaculate. These will be the stairs that all of the girls come down after they've put on their formal wear tomorrow night. I'll have a photographer stationed on the ground. They need to be surrounded by perfection."

Jaden was the first to see me and exclaimed, "Aww Man! That's great! I was hoping a person with the right mix of snark and sarcasm would don the Grinch. Good choice."

"Thanks," I nodded, I really wanted to give him the same compliment. On his knitted apparel but I had no idea what Christmas reference was depicted on his sweater. It was red and green … So I asked, "What Christmas thing is that? Is that a Lamp with a lady's leg as the stand?"

He looked down at his sweater and said, "Oh come on! Don't tell me you've never seen 'A Christmas Story.'"

"I haven't, is it good?" I asked him.

"Oh no, man. It's demented just like my sense of humor. Which is why it's my favorite. I laughed my head off at that more than any other Christmas Special." Jaden laughed.

His laugh was so contagious I couldn't help but join in. Just as the other three brothers came down the stairs wearing their choices. I was glad none of them had chosen Grinch, so we were all unique. Nathan had sported a Star Wars Themed one. Which read, "Embrace The Dark Side, alongside peppering patterns of the imperial mark, Stormtroopers helmets with elf hats, Vader Helmets wearing Santa hats and Death Star's going every which way. I got that one on the first guess.

Zane had donned a Batman-themed one, snowy bat signals. Batman's face, Robin's face, and Jokers all over it. Along with aptly, Mr. Freeze and the Penguin. I had to admit, it looked cool.

Finally, Kirk was wearing a big doofy-looking abominable snow monster on his. I asked him what was that from and he informed me. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." I had seen that special before, but not in years. He kept calling him, "the Bumble." I'll take his word for it.

So it was decided that if there is a boring moment between here and Christmas. While Serena and I are here staying at their Manor. We're going to have a marathon in their theater. Where we binge all kinds of Christmas classics.

Nathan adds to this plan, "After the Gala only!" A nervous trimmer in his tone. He cannot afford for anyone to slack off till that is over.

His brothers and I all agreed loudly, "WE KNOW!"

"Good!" He answered a little loudly back. Before he tugged on the hemline of his sweater, smoothing it down, and cleared his throat. "I just wanted to make that clear. It is happening tomorrow after months of anxiety."

Kirk said, "Well men. We are almost perfectly ready to go to this party tonight. But first, we need these." He said handing out Santa hats, goofy antennas, and scarves for us to wear. I was about to turn it down but Kirk knew what to say.

He nudged me and said, "For Serena. She's gonna need all of the cheer she can get this Christmas. We have no idea when things could take a turn for the worst or how things are gonna go for her."

All three of his brothers nodded with him. Then Nathan who was wearing the antenna of Reindeer antlers added. "We gotta keep her smiling and enjoying this, as long as possible. The way she was speaking of her aunt this morning… it could happen anytime now."

They're right of course, so I put on a green Santa hat that read "Professional Grinch." and followed them back to the kitchen. Where the girls were all gathered and talking. Serena, Amy, Lita, and Mina. When we walked in looking like a bunch of lost Santa helpers. I thought I would feel embarrassed, I was expecting them to laugh and point or pick on us. I wasn't expecting applause and cheers for our efforts.

Serena's face, when she saw me, it was all lit up with excitement. They were right, this was all about her and keeping that smile bright. These guys are on the level.

We offered to usher the girls to the same changing area so they could make their selections leisurely. Get ready too (we would be stepping out after we showed them where to go. Minds out the gutter please). Kirk kissed Mina before offering his arm, Nate took Lita's hand and kissed it before taking it, Amy was guided by Zane as both of them blushed like mad and I gratefully took Serena's hand. I glued it to the bend in my arm and couldn't stop smiling myself the whole way.

As we proceeded to the area I'd just left moments ago. Serena made me bend down close to her and she fixed my hat so it tilted on an angle. While I was close she planted a kiss on my cheek. Telling me. "You look so great! I can't get over it."

"Are you sure 'great' is the word you wanna go with, here?" I asked her while I was still at eye level with her.

She nodded her head up and down, then whispered. "You'll see when we're all dressed like that. Even more so when we get to Andrew's and they are too. Just hang in there, okay?"

"Okay," I whispered back and stole a quick kiss from her lips before resuming my full height again. "Couldn't resist."

She shook her head at me but smiled. It wasn't till this moment that I realized Jaden was all by himself. So I leaned back down and whispered. "Why's Jaden all alone, isn't Raye here? Or meeting him at the party?"

"I hope so," Serena said matter-a-factly. Before whispering in my ear that Jaden had been trapped with Raye since walking her home after the Crown's party. They'd fought badly and Raye had not only broken up with him. She'd claimed to never want to see him again.

Having dated Raye before myself, knowing her pretty well. I asked her, "Doesn't he know about her short temper and mood swings? I mean, that wasn't exactly front page news whenever Raye got mad at me and said the same things."

"He does," Serena smiled at me impressed. "I told him not to read too much into it. He keeps swearing the context was all different this time and he isn't very hopeful of a reunion. Tonight or during the gala, I hope he's wrong and we know Raye better. That she's had time to cool down and will seek him out tonight or tomorrow at some time. Now stand up again before you get a crick in your back."

"No, I'm enjoying this," I whispered back.

She made a face at me and I made one back, before I reminded her. "Besides I have the perfect solution when my back does get tired."

"What's that?" She asked, forgetting what that strategy had been the other day.

"This," I claimed before lifting her easily.

Serena let out this little "Eeep!" Before grabbing onto me, shooting me a look. She reasoned, "Yeah but if you're back's bothering you, you're not gonna be able to keep this up either, hot-shot."

Looking up into her face it was easy to tease, "Well I guess you'll just have to keep me motivated."

"How would I do that?" She asked, coming ever closer.

I shrugged, "I think you can come up with something."

Just before her lips could finally meet with mine again, which just always seems a little more magical when she initiates. Someone loudly cleared their throat. I think it was Kirk, but the way the others were jokingly staring at us. It really could have been any of them. Serena felt the need to tap me, make me look at her again, and point down. The only reason I did, was because we had an audience if we'd been alone. No way her feet would be on the floor. Instead, I reclaimed her hand and walked her along with everyone else. To the really long racks of Christmas things. As the guys explained, the same story over again, and the girls were let loose to find their outfits. I followed the guys outta there to help with whatever needed to happen next. All the while carrying a stone in my chest of nervousness.

I didn't notice it when Serena was around to distract me. The rest of the time it was practically eating me alive. I couldn't mention it to her, she'd probably panic and offer me an easy out. Like before, I didn't want out then or now. I was all in, for this dating Christmas celebrating thing we were doing. I was having so much fun I wasn't missing it for anything.

Last year I attended this same party, and I couldn't remember a time I had been more miserable. Andrew had been talking about Rita all night long till I was ready to hurt him. It was all because he'd missed her of course and had "accidentally" dipped a cup or ten from the spiked punch bowl. Garrett's pranks had been on point all night, I wanted to punch him too. Lizzie had broken up with her at the time boyfriend at the party. We pummeled him with snowballs and some handfuls of solid ice as he'd made his great escape.

AND my favorite thing to eat at the party had been cremated by a distraught Lizzie.

I'd been teased endlessly about 'Serena' all night long, that night. Andrew had made it well known a girl had finally turned my head. The thing that had annoyed me the most at the time, was that I missed her terribly. I wanted to see her so badly and I knew that I probably wouldn't, not till the new year… And I hadn't seen her till January.

I'd missed her then. When all she'd given me at the time was a kiss on the forehead. I'd been that nuts.

Before I knew what it was like to be with her. How great it was… and addictive. Even now I was missing the warmth of when I'd held her. Just that little bit. The peck I'd stole… as well as that kiss I hadn't gotten to steal. She's just a few doors down. What is happening to me?

Tonight, I'm walking into that same setting with her as my date. I don't plan to leave her side but what is that even going to be like? How different is it all gonna feel tonight? Am I gonna have fun like I did at the Arcade? Or am I going to just be feeding Serena to the wolves at this shindig?

"Daaaaaarien?" Kirk asked, before knocking lightly on my Santa hat. "Earth to Darien? Are you still with us?"

"Yeah. Sorry." I smiled.

"No problem," Nathan joined in. "While the girls are getting ready were trying to get lunch started. Our kitchen staff can fix anything. Any request?"

"Umm," I said, as I thought. "No. I'm not very hungry so maybe I'm not a very good person to ask."

"Are you alright?" Jaden asked as he too came over, and stood in front of me. Adding, "You're looking a little green… I don't just mean your outfit."

"I'm fine." I nodded and clarified. "Just not very hungry."

Kirk wisely hummed, "Mmm-hmm," squinting at me. Before asking, "This loss of appetite wouldn't happen to be nervousness, now would it?"

"No…" I said confidently but I could tell that none of them were buying it. "Okay, maybe."

"Have you ever brought a girl to their house before?" Zane asked wisely just joining us too.

"No," I told them honestly. "I've never brought any girls around there before. I'm a kid of the system who never got adopted just like you four. I don't trust easily and have no blood relatives at all. The people who are throwing this party tonight. They're the closest I've ever experienced to family. So… This is all very much uncharted territory for me."

Nathan said, "We'll you know we completely understand. It's nice that you have people who care like they do, about you. The four of us have had hardly anyone outside our circle. Serena was a huge help to us in ways we can't even express ourselves. She introduced us to her friends, who all are now our girlfriends-"

"Or ex-girlfriends…" Jaden added sounding pathetic, gaining a nudge from Zane, and smack from Kirk.

"It's not over for you either." Kirk insisted. Before he extended his hand to me as said, "I know it's not much assurance at all. We haven't known each other very long at all. But no matter what happens at that party tonight. We'll all have each other's backs, okay?"

I took his offered hand and shook it. The other three piled their hands on top and we had an agreement. Somehow, even though I don't ever trust people easily, they made me feel better. The rock I'd been carrying in my stomach lightened and loosened slightly. Maybe this would be good. Maybe even great.

We all had lunch in their theater room while watching Christmas Specials. We watched "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," which was much funnier with the crowd we made. And the "PEANUTS Christmas Cartoon," one of the girls had come out wearing a sweater depicting the dancing character scene from that one (Amy).

Luckily the rest of the time before the party we were all so busy perfecting things around the mansion for the gala. Or flirting with our dates… I didn't get much time to be nervous about anything else.

I helped finish a tree decorating in the fanciest-looking part of the hallway. Everyone kept calling it the Great Hall. The tree was gigantic, it had to be three stories high. I had to use a ladder a lot to fill in the branches. Serena had made a bunch of homemade ornaments that hadn't been added yet. That ended up being my job. When it looked more filled in and more finished, I laid down underneath to look at it from its underside. The way Serena had taught me. Not expecting to start a trend but Nathan kicked my shoe to ask me, "What are you doing?"

I answered, "You won't know it's perfect till you look from this view."

He read between the lines, "Ah, so Serena really did teach you how to do this?"

"She did," I laughed, clearly caught.

Not anticipating that Nathan would say, "I never quite understood what she sees that tells her it's ready from down there?"

I told him to try it again, I didn't expect the other three to join too. That was how the girls found the five of us guys. Laying on the floor in a big circle with our heads and upper bodies buried beneath nearly the biggest tree in the place. That had to be a comical sight. Ignoring their reaction sounds, Kirk said. "You know, every time Serena explained it I didn't see it what she was talking about. But with this tree, I think I can see what she was talking about."

"It is whimsical," Zane acknowledged on the far side, so I couldn't see him. I could only hear him.

Mina was the first to join Kirk right next to me and lay herself flat between us. I could see Lita do the same for Nathan, even if it was on his other side. I could hear Amy joining Zane. Then Jaden getting up and leaving. I did hope we were right and Raye was gonna be meeting up with him at the party tonight. Before I pulled myself out of this flirtation station the way Jaden had. A soft weight hit the underside of the shoe again and I knew Serena had found me.

"Hey Grinchy, what nut taught you this was how you complete a Christmas tree?" She asked jokingly.

I informed her, "This nut right here. Come on, give me your expert opinion."

She did as asked and laid herself flat between Nathan and me. She did have to scooch around to get the best view, but when she was in the right place she let out a gasp and clarified. "Aww! It's prefect! My young grasshopper has become the master."

Lita asked, "Is this the final tree we needed to finish?"

"Yes, this was." Nathan confirmed.

So Kirk made a loud announcement, "Then I now declare or tree decorating completed and Gala Approved!" Everyone cheered and clapped before everyone started getting back up. Serena planted a proud kiss on my cheek telling me "nice job." But I really would have liked a little more. She'd gotten away too quickly before I could catch her too. So before I climbed out from under this expertly assembled tree, I reached into my pants pocket and placed the small bought of mistletoe right over the spot we'd been laying in. To ensure if this happened again (and with Serena, it probably will), I will get more than a proud peck. Then I hurried to help with anything else wherever I could.

The Ann Factor….

(Ann's Perspective)

Our Doom Tree has lost all of its leaves, the bark has changed color, it's running lower than half power. It appears to have slipped into some kind of hibernating state, where it barely wants to support us anymore. So of course, we have been in a state of panic since September or August and now it's DECEMBER.

I don't know how much longer we'll (or it) will last.

Alan and I have since discovered these to be normal things for an Earth tree to do (not all trees pine trees and palm trees are forever green. Just the majority hibernate in fall and winter). Alan and I have been too terrified to trust that our life source is merely adapting to its surroundings. So we have been searching for hours, trying to find a place we can attack. A place with lots of people with lots of fresh energy for our tree…

It's been slow going more than usual with everyone isolated and snowed in. Our first try was at a tacky little temple, but there were only a total of five people there. So we attacked a few homes around it too, still slim pickings. We hit three apartment complexes, then stopped doing that when one of those was like kicking a hornet's nest. Not because there were lots of people or anything. That would have been fine by me, no. It was because of some nut-bag girl swearing she was a Sailor Scout like Sailor Moon. Even though we've been fighting Sailor Moon for a year and never once saw her before now.

We laughed and called her a hoax until she used her lightning attacks on us and these huge pink flower petals. Who combines those two powers and pulls it off? No one! Pretty hard to deny though when you're facing a live current. Or Rose petals that carry that same green electricity. She called herself Jupiter and promised it won't be the last we see of her.

I didn't realize more than one girl dressed that way.

Anyway, it's been ages. We've been out in this cold for far too long. I can't take it anymore, so I tell Alan to carry on without me. Once I'd ditched Alan and decide to crash a Christmas party happening near one of Alan's next targets. I zapped a few people I'd found outside of this house in particular (they had been smoking cigarettes and hiding it from whoever was inside). The family was so grateful when I reported their family members passed out in the snow. I instantly scored an invite to their Christmas gathering that night. A gathering that would be starting in an hour or two.

I couldn't have cared less for a party like this, but I was excited for a place with lots bodies. Full of energy, all for the taking, that I was so into. I planned to signal Alan here as soon as there was a crowd.

The party would be beginning any moment, in all honesty it would probably be starting by the time I warmed up. But these people knew how to warm a girl up, they had a place for fire in their family room and something called fire pit in their backyard too. Lots of hot cider to help me along. I'd never drank anything similar to the saps of our doom tree, but this amber consistency turned out very similar.

It wasn't till the lady of this house called down her children. Telling them, "We've brought in a snow-woman who needs to thaw."

That was when things got truly interesting. Because as it turns out, this house I was warming up in belonged to the Furahata family. Andrew, who is Darien's best friend was one of their children. He was the middle kid to be exact. So was Lizzie, a waitress I see at the Crown nearly every day. I'd never known they were related till today.

There's no way Andrew could have a Christmas party and not include his best friend. So Darien was expected and this couldn't be better. Sure Andrew was pulling all of these faces that clearly expressed his suspicions about me being here. Just by chance when his family was having a Christmas party and he knew I didn't live nearby.

However, he didn't say anything to his mother about throwing me out. So how bad could my chances be?

So I focused on unthawing by the fire innocently, while my plans wrote themselves in my head. Darien was coming and everyone was separated by this blizzard. There was no way he would be able to keep a date or that he was with anyone in these conditions. This was my chance, to strike back, and regain his favor. It was gonna be so easy now, that Serena was outta my way.

As the wheels in my head were turning and my confidence was rising…

Andrew just had to blow a huge hole into my brainstorms and blueprints. As he told me with no little amount of chagrin. "Darien will be attending with Serena as his date. He's been snowed in with her this whole time. I bet they've gotten close during all of that quality time."

The HELL they have!

Darien's? Snowed in… with Serena? All this time? Does that mean since the Christmas party that happened two nights ago? Darien spent TWO nights at Serena's house?

No! It's not possible! Darien wouldn't do that unless that tramp cried or something. That little skunk-cabbage! She'll pay! Serena will bleed if she shows up as his new girlfriend. Mark my words.

Andrew leaned in as if he could read my thoughts and said, "It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. Since their premiere as a couple was at the Crown's Christmas Extravaganza. Anybody who tried to get in the way of happiness like theirs must be truly demented."

What's with this guy, Andrew, anyway? Why does he always feel the need to dis me and any plan I'm cooking up? I bet he's one of those friends who isn't happy whenever their friend is. You know? The ones who always cause more drama instead of helping their friends. I could see him being that kind of person.

So new plan! Now I would weasel my way between Serena and Darien. Get Darien alone and steal him right out from under that skank. Besides, it should be easy. Serena isn't even pretty, not even a little bit. I'm gorgeous, Darien has eyes, it should be like taking energy from babies. Easy and effective.

It'll be no contest, Darien's just bound to see that I'm the better choice. He'll be mine by the end of the night for sure. Merry Christmas to me a few days early! Yeah! You know it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

That's it for now! But I'll be posting again tomorrow! A chapter a day till it's finished!

If you get a chance, let me know if you Liked it? Loved it? Hated it? Tolerated it? I love hearing from you guys and I really do hope this reaches you all with a little sunshine. Don't we all need a little more of that in these colder months? God bless you all! Anyone reading these words! Chapter 11 will be up tomorrow, I can't wait! See ya then! Much Love!

~SailorLeia