A.N. And here is another chapter to Finally. It looks like my sister and I are going to write a fic together. It's only in our minds right now, nothing finite on paper or anything. When it is done, we'll let you all know about it. For now, enjoy this new chapter!

Icess

Quote: "To family, who form the roots. To friends, who make the blossoms." – Nora Roberts, author of The Villa

Disclaimer: Obviously, I don't own Sailor Moon or any of it's characters because otherwise I'd be wicked rich! They all belong to Naoko Takeuchi and DiC. Please don't sue!

Title: Finally

Chapter: Three

Author: Icess

"Conor! What are you trying to do? Kill me?" Serena yelled to her son. He was dragging her all around on the sand near Darien's sailboat that they had anchored a few feet away in the water. When they'd first taken off, Serena's face had immediately turned green and she was vomiting over the side of the boat. And of course, Conor, being the wonderful, caring son that he was… sat on the bench and laughed to his hearts content.

"Hey, Conor, buddy. Why don't you stop torturing your mother and pick on someone your own size." Darien said playfully. He loved the kid, but he was a handful. 'Poor Serena, now I know what she meant by him being nerve-racking.' Darien grunted as the little tyke kicked his shin and then ran off. "Conor, you might want to slow down, you're gonna get hurt." He said right before Conor stumbled over a rock and landed flat on his face. Luckily, Conor got back up and started laughing again.

"It's no use Darien, he'll be like this until we head back and then he'll pass out. It always happens." Serena said, remembering all of the times she had taken him to the park and he would fall asleep in his car seat on the way back to their small apartment. "Conor!" She called, "How about some lunch?"

"Yeah!" She heard and smiled.

After the trio had eaten all they could eat, they all piled back onto Darien's boat and went back to the hotel where Serena and Conor were staying. After Serena had shown Darien to Conor's bed, they both closed the door to the bedroom quietly and walked into the living room where they both plopped down on the sofa and sighed loudly. "I told you he was a pain." She said lightly.

"Yeah I know, but he was fun to run around with. Takes a lot out of you."

"Yes, well… he's just like his father." Serena shifted uncomfortably, "You want something to drink? Water, a soda?" She asked, she hadn't wanted to bring the subject of Andrew up.

"No, that's ok. Serena? Who is Conor's father?" 'I knew it, he wouldn't be able to keep himself from asking.' Serena said silently. "Serena?" Darien said her name again.

"Darien, I don't really feel comfortable discussing An… I mean Conor's father with anybody… its all just bad memories. Conor has never even seen him, I suppose that's for the best." Serena said quietly.

"How can never seeing your own father be a good thing? He's going to start asking questions someday and your not going to be able to answer them."

"How can I answer any of his questions when I don't even know where his father is? He just ran out when he found out that I was pregnant with Conor. He didn't even care Darien," She said brokenly and started to cry softly. Darien went to comfort her but she shook her head and ran to the bathroom and closed the door.

Darien stood where he was by the window overlooking the ocean and sighed. 'Serena, why don't you trust me? I just want to help.' He walked over to the closed bathroom door and knocked lightly. "Serena? Would you come out and talk to me? Just tell me what happened with you." He said, he heard her muffled cries and his heart went out to her. Finally, after a few more minutes of coaxing her to open the door, she came out. Her faced was streaked with tears and her nose was red, and she looked absolutely beautiful.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have done that. It's been a long time since I cried over him." She said solemnly.

"You shouldn't be sorry, it wasn't your fault. Do you want to talk about it?" When she looked away he said, "You don't have to tell me. It's not any of my business anyway." He said, making sure that she knew she didn't have to mention anything.

"No, I think it's about time I told somebody. No one knows who Conor's father is. My friends wouldn't believe me if I told them." Serena sighed, "Let's go sit down." Darien nodded and they both headed over to the sofa once more. "I met Andrew, that's his name, while I was working for him. He hired me as his secretary, just like I am yours, and didn't really pay attention to me at first. He was just getting out of a bad relationship and was on the rebound when he asked me out. I told him that we couldn't date because work relationships were against company policy and I didn't want to lose my job. 'You can't lose your job Sere, I'm the boss… why would I want to fire you?' He said. But, in the end, he did fire me. Because I was pregnant with his baby." She said, promising herself that she wouldn't cry.

"Serena, what was Andrew's last name?" Darien asked before she could continue on with the story once more. He had a sneaky suspicion that she was talking about Andrew Gaines, his best friend. And if it was Andrew, then Andrew was in deep shit.

"Gaines… that's his last name. We were supposed to get married, I thought that he loved me." She said, near tears again. But, she didn't break down. "Why do you ask Darien, do you know him?"

"Huh?" He asked, lost in his own thoughts. "What did you say Serena?"

"I asked if you knew him." She repeated, dreading the answer yet hoping for it too. She had to know.

"Unfortunately, yes, I do know him. He's my best friend." Before Serena had a chance to say something, she heard Conor calling out to her.

"Mommy! Don't let him get me, Mommy!" Came the child's anguished cries. Serena bolted from the sofa and made it to the bedroom in two seconds flat. She came to a halt when she saw her little boy twisting and turning amid the sheets.

"Conor, sweetie wake up," She said, kneeling next to the bed and shaking him slightly. She felt him jump and then he was in her arms, crying gently.

"He was mean Mommy. He tried to hurt you, and then he came after me."

"Who came after you, baby?" She asked, smoothing back his damp hair.

"A mean man, he was big and mean." He said into her shoulder.

"It's okay honey… it was just a bad dream. Here, you want me to lie down with you for a bit?" She asked and he nodded before making another request.

"Can Darien come lay down with us too Mommy? That way, he can protect both of us from the bad guy." Conor asked innocently. Serena didn't know what to say. She then noticed the silhouette in the doorway and gulped.

"Hey little guy, how about I just sit in this chair for a bit while you and your mom lie down." Darien suggested, noticing the surprised look on Serena's face. Conor smiled and nodded, already snuggling into Serena's embrace.

Serena gave Darien a grateful look and put her head onto her pillow and was soon asleep, never knowing how long Darien was there and never knowing when he left.

A.N. Well? Kind of a weird twist, huh? I had to think of something, I thought that this fic was getting kinda boring so soon into it, am I right? Ah, well. Questions, comments, and flames are always welcome.

Written On: September 22, 2002

Revamped On: August 17, 2005