Ch 2.
No one really knows how long they sat there. Not speaking, just comforting each other in their own silent ways. This was the norm until a tired, middle aged man walked (more like trudged) into the room.
He carefully removed his hand from his pocket before asking, "Is anyone here for a Serena Tsukino?" He was surprised when all five of the people waiting in the lobby stood up.
Darien was the first person to reach the doctor, grasping his outstretched hands. The four girls quickly huddled around the doctor to await the news.
"Doctor," Darien said, "is she going to be ok?"
The doctor gave the group a wry smile before saying, "Well, we won't have any of the results back from the x-rays until tomorrow, but physically it looks like she's going to be ok. It doesn't look like there's going to be any permanent damage. But we will have to keep her here for some time just to make sure that nothing new develops, no unseen problems arise."
"And what might those problems be, Doctor?" Lita stepped from around Darien to address the doctor fully. The doctor noted her clinched fists and decided that Serena was very important to this young lady. He decided to be frank with the lady.
"Well, as you might know, car accidents are very tricky. IF- and I mean if- she has a spinal injury, it won't fully develop for another ten to twelve hours. We just want to be sure, I want to be sure, that there is no spinal nor brain damage, nor any side effects from the tremendous strain her body underwent today."
"Spinal or brain damage…" The doctor saw a raven haired girl with violet eyes whisper. Her hand flew to her lips and he saw her struggle to contain the tears that were threatening to flow. Oh my poor Serena Raye thought. I'm so sorry I wasn't there to protect you from this…
"Doctor, what could these side effects be?" Mina spoke in a strangely calm voice as she address the tired doctor.
The doctor scratched his head, "Well, I am not sure if the term 'side effects' was the best term to use on my part. Some problems occur, and these are mostly temporary after an accident a horrible accident like that."
"Some problems…" Mina's voice trailed off as she prompted the doctor to continue.
"Yes, problems like temporary paralysis or amnesia are typical of car accident victims, especially those in which a family member or friend has, well died." He looked at the man in front of him. The young man was strangely quiet after those last words. He wondered if the man wasn't involved in some horrendous accident in his past.
"Now, the best thing you can do right now is-" the doctor was cut off as Darien spoke.
"What do you mean physically she looks like she's going to be ok?" Edge crept back into the young man's voice.
"Excuse me," the doctor asked.
"Earlier, you said she was physically going to be ok…I just wondered what you meant by that."
"Oh, yes, well she has just been in a tragic accident. According to our records she just lost all the family she had left. And she alone survived. I wouldn't be surprised if she tried to blame herself for what happened. The guilt she'll probably feel when she wakes up will be indescribable. In fact, she'll probably regress somehow in attempt to shield herself from some of the pain. Mentally, she's going to have a rough time ahead of her."
"Guilt? Why should she feel guilty, I mean the accident wasn't her fault." Amy was afraid for her friend, she didn't want to see Serena hurting.
"For living, for still being here, when they didn't," Darien muttered, his head hanging low. Everyone stared at him for a moment before the doctor spoke again.
"That's right. As I mentioned, with the mental aspect, Serena's going to have it rough for awhile. She'll need lots of support and guidance from you, her friends. She should try to live as normal life as possible. I might mention that she shouldn't go to her house for awhile, who knows what the shock might do to her." The others nodded, knowing how Serena's emotions overruled her logistical aspects.
"As I was saying earlier," the doctor started again, "the only thing you can do is really just to go home." Five pairs of shocked eyes stared at the doctor. "I'm serious, you're not helping Serena by staying here. But when she wakes up she will need her friends, friends who aren't drowsy from worrying themselves sick in the lobby of the emergency room. Go home, try to go to sleep. Go about your normal business for the time being. If any changes shall occur to her condition, someone will contact you immediately. I'm serious now, the best thing you can do, for her and yourselves, is just to go home and try to sleep."
Suddenly a voice sounded over the loudspeaker, "Doctor Scott, code green, room 275b."
The doctor hastily started running towards the exit doors that led to the rest of the hospital. "I better go but I'm serious, go home for now." Then he was gone through the swinging doors.
The group stood awkwardly as they faced each other. Amy broke the tense moment by speaking, "Umm guys, I just thought of something." They all stared at her. "Umm, where's Luna?"
"Huh," was all Lita could say. "Serena's just been in a car accident and you ask about her cat?"
"Well," Amy stuttered, "I mean, Luna wasn't in the car with Serena and I-I just wondered where she was."
The group seemed to visibly relax a bit after the explanation of Amy's well weird question.
"Yeah, what happened to Luna," Raye chimed in. "I mean, shouldn't she have been with Serena?"
Mina stood there silently as she sorted through the words. "Oh," she said as she finally realized what they were talking about. "Luna, yeah Serena dropped her off at my house yesterday. She didn't want to take Luna with her. She said Luna'd be more useful here anyways."
"So does she know," Darien asked Mina.
"Know, no. Her and Artemis went hunting this morning. They shouldn't get back until tomorrow."
"So you're going to tell them when they get back."
"I guess I have to," Mina felt the burden suddenly shift onto her shoulders as she imagined the reaction she would get from the cats. Oh jeez, I hope Luna doesn't take her frustrations out on me.
Raye shifted her weight, "So, umm, I guess we should um, go home and that. Like the doctor said."
Hesitantly, the group agreed with her. She felt the group grow closer with each moment in the room. It's funny she thought how none of us would be seen with each other, if it hadn't been for Serena. Even now, as she's lying there, she still effects us. Raye quickly gave her fellow scouts and Darien a quick hug.
"Well, I better be getting home before grandpa starts worrying about me. I'll see you all tomorrow." She was the first to leave.
"Yes, it would be best if we all went home," three pairs of eyes stared at Darien, not quite sure if they actually heard him say that, or if it was just a figment of their imaginations.
I cannot believe DARIEN just said that Mina stared at her best friend's boyfriend as the realization that he did indeed say that sunk in. Of all the people to say that… her thoughts drifted off as she noted the tears welling up in his eyes as he stood there. Poor Darien, Serena told me that she was basically the only family he had left and now she's…he must be suffering. She didn't know the extent of what happened in Darien's past, just the fact that he was living alone in his apartment overlooking the city. She realized that Serena was probably the best thing that ever happened to Darien and not being able to help her was eating him up inside, and Mina knew she wouldn't be able to take it if Darien broke down.
"Darien's right," she tried desperately to get the attention off Darien. "We're not helping Serena at all by being here. I'm sure she would be pissed is some evil creature took over the galaxy because we were too busy crying over her." She tried to lighten up the mood a bit.
Lita and Amy smiled as the agreed with her.
"Yeah I can just imagine her expression. You dimwits, I can't believe you let them take over the universe because you were too busy whining over me. Lord knows I didn't want you to, that if you really missed me, you would make sure the world was the same when I woke up instead of some alien dude running everything…" Lita's voice trailed off as she spoke, a calmness and serene aspect clouding her features. She looked so peaceful at the moment.
"You're right," Amy said. "Plus, my mom would personally kill me if she knew that I waited at the hospital all night for no good reason. Logically it's best that we go home and try to sleep. A tired scout is no good to anyone." Amy took a hold of Lita's arm. "Let's go Lita."
The pair exited quietly, leaving Mina and Darien alone in their thoughts. Mina walked over to Darien and tried to reassure him by patting him on the shoulder. "It's going to be okay Darien."
He looked at her incredulously. "How do you know that? How can you be so confident that everything's going to be just fine. That she's going to be just fine?"
"Because that's what Serena would think. And if she can continue by thinking that way then lord knows I'm going to try to do the exact same thing." Mina paused. "Truthfully, I don't know if she's going to be okay, and I'm terrified that she's not and that she's going to die and leave us…" Suddenly she was wrapped in a hug. She looked up to see Darien's face smiling at her.
"Thanks Mina," was all he said. "I needed that."
Mina nodded, "No problem." She walked over to the swinging doors that led to the exit. "Oh and Darien." He looked back up at her, "trust me, she's going to be ok. Serena always comes through for us." And with that, Mina exited the lobby, leaving Darien alone to his thoughts. Mina's right. Serena always comes through for us, for me… He smiled ruefully. I guess now we have to return the favor and come through for her.
Darien grinned and looked up, "Yea, everything's going to be alright." Taking one last look at the lobby, Darien too walked over to the swinging doors. "I love you Serena," he whispered before exiting the room. With the swish of the doors, he too was gone.
Through the dark, Raye walked home. She trudged up the steps to the shrine. Walking into the shrine, she sat down in front of the great fire and began to meditate.
Oh god, Serena, she has to be alright Raye instantly regretted every snide comment she ever made to Serena in the past four years. I swear, if you just let Serena live, I will do everything in my power to make it up to her. I can't do this with out her… She wiped the tears from her eyes as she remembered why she came here in the first place…she had to know, she had to know if Serena would be alright…
"Great fire, tell me, is everything going to be alright? Will Serena come back to us?" She waited for an answer…
At last she heard the fire's reply, "All in good time…"
A hand tapped Raye's shoulder, snapping her out of her trance.
"What the-" her voice trailed off as she recognized the intruder.
"I'm sorry Raye, is everything alright," Chad asked, sitting down next to Raye.
"Serena's been in an accident, and we don't know anything. We don't know if she's hurt of lonely or scarred, because the doctors won't let us talk to her. She hasn't woken up and they're not sure if she's completely alright…" her voice faltered as a fresh wave of tears came. Chad wrapped his arms around her as she sobbed into his shirt. He rocked her back and forth, trying to sooth her.
"Shh, Raye, please, please don't cry. Everything's going to be okay…" He placed his chin on top of her head, then gently kissed her hair. "Shh, Raye, I'm here. I'm here for you."
Raye looked up at the obvious affection coming from Chad. "Chad…I know," as she returned into his loving embrace. The next day, her grandpa found the two cuddled up together, sleeping peacefully on the shrine floor.
Lita walked up the steps to her apartment building. Opening the door, she noticed how, solitary the room was. I'm all alone… I have no one special in my life, no one to share this with. Shaking her head she consoled herself, "Lita, you baka, this is not something you should want to share with people." But still, she wished she had some one special in her life… But you do… you have your friends. Raye, Amy, Mina, Darien, they are all going through what you are…they'll be there for you… Smiling to herself she managed to change into her pj's before settling into her bed. I'll make Serena some cookies tomorrow. That way when she wakes up, she'll know we thought about her.
As she slept in her bed she thought she heard someone whisper in her ear, "I love you Lita, you're the best. Don't worry about me, I'm alright…"
She smiled and settled deeper into her dreams… I'm not alone, Serena's always here for me…
When Amy got home, she noticed a message on the machine. Beep "Amy, it's mom. They've got me here working an extra shift. Don't worry if you get home and I'm not there. And Amy, I'm sorry about your friend." Beep
Poor mom. She never gives up Amy thought about that as she walked around the luxurious apartment. She never gives up, just like Serena… I wonder, I wonder if that's why I was so attracted to Serena in the first place. She reminds me so much of my mother. Had Amy token time to think about this, she would've realized that Serena would have said the same thing about her. Serena had always installed sort of a self-confidence in Amy that Amy could never do herself. Because of Serena, Amy had emerged from her cocoon and made friends. She finally felt accepted in the world… Amy always felt inferior when it came to fighting skills, in fact, she always berated herself in regards to the other scouts. But Serena never did. Had Amy thought about this, she would have realized that Serena depended on Amy as much as Amy depended on Serena…
"Oh Serena," she whispered. "I hope you're alright…"
Mina walked into her house and ran upstairs to her room. Slamming the door, she flung herself on her bed. "Damnit Serena. How could you do this to us?" She sobbed into her pillow. She noticed a rapping at her door.
"What do you want?" She knew she was being rude, but frankly she didn't care anymore.
"Mina, honey, is anything wrong?" Her mother asked.
Wrong, ha that's a laugh. Since when have you cared if I'm alright?
"No mom, just leave me alone." She heard her mother sigh and walk off.
She sat on her bed, tears running down her face. In truth, she never felt so alone. So out of control…even as Sailor V, she never felt so alone. She felt a piece of her died, and that scared her.
What's wrong with you Mina? You're Sailor Venus, Champion of Love and Beauty, leader of the Sailor Scouts, guardian of Princess Serenity. She paused and realized that was wrong with her…
I can't believe I feel like I failed her she scolded herself. There was nothing I could do…but… She slammed her fist on the table. Damn it. Serena… why did you have to get hurt? How can I do this with out you? How can I lead them without your guidance?
Mina rested her head in her hands… She never shied away from her leadership role, she just never had to really fulfill it. Serena had always been there to guide the scouts including herself. "What if I mess up? What if I'm a horrible leader and they all try to take over?"
With some what of a guilty conscience she remembered that they DID try to take over. They DID try to overrule Serena. Now I know how she feels all the time she thought ruefully as she remembered all the times when Serena had confided in her that she wasn't ready to be a leader. Oh but Serena, you always were a leader, whether you realize it or not.
Getting up, Mina walked around her room before settling back down on her bed. Oh jeez, I still have to tell Luna and Artemis. Now if anyone might take this worse than Darien, Luna was definitely that person, well cat. Mina knew that Luna secretly thought of Serena as a daughter and knew that Serena looked up to Luna like a mother…she was definitely not looking forward to telling Luna what happened.
Rolling over in her bed she whispered, "Goodnight Serena," before turning out the light…
Darien roamed the street of Tokyo for a couple of hours before returning to his apartment. Everything there reminded him of her. He noticed the pictures, all the pictures of him and her that littered his apartment. Every time they went out somewhere together, she would insist on taking a picture. And she would always find a cute frame and give that picture to him…
Even the apartment smells like her He breathed in heavily before settling on the couch, grabbing a particular favorite picture of hers.
It had been this year, at her senior prom…he swore she had never looked as beautiful as she did right then. But the picture wasn't taken at the prom, nor with any of her friends, at any special place. No, it had been taken after they returned to his apartment from the prom. Serena had just sprawled out on his carpet and Darien crouched above her.
"Smile," he said as she turned over, beaming up at him as he snapped the picture. Her hair was kind of messy, her lips parted in a wide grin, she was glowing…it had been the night they first made love. The happiest night of his entire life.
He didn't even realize it when the tears fell. Putting the picture down he stumbled into his bedroom to change his clothes. Upon taking off his shirt, he realized that HE smelled like her. Maybe I'll just leave this on for now he said, slipping the shirt back on. He didn't care that tomorrow, the shirt would probably be cutting of his air supply, wrapped around his body at an unheard of angle. He just wanted to be close to Serena, any way he knew how…
He clambered into the bed, deciding that he wouldn't fall asleep. Before he even knew what was happening, he was slipping into his dreams… "Please," he muttered as he fell asleep, "please come back to me Serena, I can't live with out you…"
The next day dawned bright and clear, portraying no hint of the tragedy that occurred yesterday. Mina woke up to two fur balls lounging on her bed…
"Hey," she grumbled. "Get off." She tried to shove the offending animals off her bed, but it was a useless task.
Hmm I wonder what Serena's doing right now… "Serena," she mumbled before the incident of yesterday came back to her, hitting her like a sack of bricks.
She jumped off the bed and strode over to the phone. Well the hospital hasn't called yet…I don't know if that's a good or bad thing.
Turning around, she noted the two cats were slowly waking up. Oh gosh, she gulped. Here comes the music…I guess should tell them now instead of later…
She walked over to the bed and gather the two cats up in her arm…. "Luna, Artemis…there's something I need to tell you…"
Darien didn't know where he was walking until he got there. He found himself standing in front of the hospital with a bouquet of roses in his hand. He walked into the entrance and over to a different receptionist than last night. Well what did you expect doofus? The same receptionist to work there 24/7?
"Can I help you?" The receptionist's smile was kind and genuine. He noted that at least she was overly exuberant.
"Yes, I'm here about Serena Tsukino…"
The receptionist typed into her keyboard. "Oh, we were just getting ready to call you Mr. Chiba. It seems that Serena has been moved into another room. You can go see her now…"
Darien was elated. "Really? What room?"
"Room 347A…it's down the hall to your left. Keep going until you see the entrance to the pediatric ward and make a right her room should be the seventh on the left."
"Thank you so much." Darien practically skipped down the hallway (AN: could you really picture him doing that lol…)
"So that's basically what happened. Serena's in the hospital and we're awaiting word on her condition…" Mina finished telling Luna and Artemis what happened in their absence.
Luna was speechless and Artemis became a few shades even lighter. Serena, oh no. What have I done? Luna was frantic with worry over the girl she cared for like her own daughter…
"I should've been there…" Luna spoke at last. "I could have done something.."
"No," Mina gripped Luna even tighter. "There's nothing you could do Luna…don't don't talk like that. It'll just eat you up inside."
"But I could've protected her…"
"How, how could you have protected her Luna? If you would've been in that car, you could've died too. And I know Serena would NEVER forgive herself if anything happened to you.."
Luna was a little bit shocked at this outburst and quickly came back to her senses. "Oh, you're right. You're right. I just feel so helpless…"
"I know Luna, I know…" she hugged the two cats before setting them back down on the bed. Suddenly, the phone rang.
Ring Ring
Mina strode over to the phone and answered it.
"Hello…"
"Hey Amy what's up?" Luna and Artemis perked up when they heard Mina talking to Amy…
"Really? Oh my gosh, it's a miracle." She's okay Artemis thought to himself. She's going to be okay… Artemis really wasn't that close to Serena. But he knew how Luna felt about her, and he couldn't stand to see Luna upset.
"Room 347A? Ok I'll be there in a few. What? Oh yeah I told them…Yeah, okay, I'm leaving now… uh huh I'll see you all there. Okay. Buh bye."
Mina hung up the phone before jumping up and down with joy.
"She's going to be okay, she's going to be okay…" She picked up the two cats before prancing around the room…
"I'll be back in a little bit. I'll tell Serena you were worried about her…"
Before either cat could speak, she was gone…
The four girls practically ran into the hospital room. Darien sat by Serena's side, his hand wrapped tightly around hers.
He looked up when he heard the commotion. "Hey girls," he smiled as they each took a seat."
Lita was the first to notice. "Oh my gosh, what happened to her hair?"
Serena's hair had been, for lack of a better word, chopped off. It was now barely shoulder length, and it appeared to have been hacked off very ineptly. Her face was puffy and swollen from the many bruises and cuts that marred her seemingly porcelain features. Her left arm and shoulder was wrapped tightly in a cast. She was sleeping soundly, for the moment as the girls crept closer to the bedside to get a better look at her.
The girls stared, shocked at Serena as Darien told them what happened.
"Well, in the crash, her hair got caught between the roof of the car, which had been crushed in, and the back of her seat. Apparently she was sleeping on Sammy when it happened. The police, umm, had to cut her out of the car…"
The girls sat silent digesting the information.
"Well, it'll take some getting used to…but I like it," Amy was the first to speak.
"Yeah, it makes her look, more grown up." Mina added.
"She looks, kind of pretty, with her hair like that…" With that statement, everyone stared at Raye.
"Since when have you complimented Serena?" Lita was shocked.
"Well, I've decided to turn over a new leaf ok?" Raye spat back out…
"She's pretty beat up. And she hasn't woken up yet." Darien said as he turned back to the sleeping Serena.
Just then, the sleeping Serena began to stir. Darien was instantly at her side.
"Oh god, Serena I'm so glad you're ok."
The girl looked back at him in a confused manner. "Huh," was all she said. Her hand rubbed her face, as she attempted to wipe away the drowsiness that threatened to overwhelm her once more.
"Yeah, Serena welcome back," the four girls chorused.
With that, she sat up with a start.
Confused, scared crystal blue eyes searched each pair of eyes presented to her. The group was confused.
Why isn't she talking they thought as she continued in this fashion for a few moments…
Realizing that she wasn't getting anywhere Serena opened her mouth and spoke. "Who are you?"
Ha ha ha ha ha ha. Like it? Hate it? Leave a comment if you want.
I've decided not to include any more disclaimers. You all should know what they are by now. I don't own Sailor Moon, blah blah blah. Besides I have them on my prologue so it's already disclaiming my story. I had to update this, because as I was writing Ch 3. I realized that I was describing injuries that I hadn't mentioned in this Chapter
Well, Ch. 3 will be out as soon as I write it. I'm having a bit of a writer's block….plus my band camp starts to tomorrow, which means I'll be spending 12 hours away from home each day, fun times. So, I'll have it out ASAP
So, email me please, I love getting emails. And I hope you like my story…