Invalid Response - Chapter 10
by Una Moonstar
ANs: Oh, that was an evil cliffie I left you with last time, wasn't it? -evil chuckle- And I'll have you know I'm not repentant in the least, as I'm sure you'll all realize soon enough. Thank you so much for all the support and reviews. It makes this all worthwhile. And now, on with the show!
(fade out...)
(begin chapter...)
The rose accomplished its traditional function: it distracted the enemy. The scouts watched as the blinding energy dissipated, and each breathed a sigh of relief. "Pika?" the youma asked, confused.
Serena turned quickly around and found her hero perched on the roof of the station. "Tuxedo Mask!" The petite blonde was more relieved than she had been willing to admit to herself. She had been concerned over the lack of an appearance during the last two battles.
The masked man smiled slightly and nodded his acknowledgment. He then gestured at the waiting pokemon. "I believe we still have a battle to finish, Sailor Moon," he said softly.
Serena blushed and turned back to the action, where her friends had managed to surround the beast. "Right. Moon Tiara Magic!"
The glowing disc sped toward its target before being batted away by the huge tail, and Pikachu released a large thunder shock in return. Serena's eyes widened and she moved to jump out of the way. Unfortunately, one of the last passengers that had exited the building to get to the buses had been a child who had dropped his ice cream in his rush to get on before the bus left. And of course Serena stepped in the mess in her attempt to escape electrocution. She fell to the ground and turned her head to watch in horror as her imminent death - or at the very least one heck of a lot of pain - rushed toward her.
She needn't have worried. A flash of red and black crossed her vision and Serena found herself in the arms of her savior flying through the air to eventually land on top of one of the remaining buses. "Thank you," she whispered as she looked up at her protector.
Tuxedo Mask smiled down at her as he placed her back on her feet. "Anytime."
Serena quickly jumped back down to get back in the fray while Tuxedo Mask watched over her. Neither of them noticed Malachite appear behind them. The petite blonde hero had just caught her tiara from another toss when she heard an almost insane sounding growl from behind and above her. She quickly turned in time to see the silver-haired general swing a long steel rod at Tuxedo Mask's unprotected lower back.
"Tuxedo Mask, look..." That's as far as her cry of warning got before the rod connected with the masked man's body with a sharp crack.
The caped protector screamed as he flew from the top of the bus he had been on the roof of. Serena's eyes widened as she noticed his hat and mask begin to be removed by his rapid descent, and that Malachite would have a clear view of his other identity. She rushed over to meet the fallen hero as he hit the ground and blocked the view from the bus. "Tuxedo Mask, are you okay? Speak to me!"
A groan answered her as he appeared to be having difficulty getting his legs under him to stand. "My legs..." he whispered.
The leader of the sailors took a quick look around and found her companions had moved to shield the two of them from anything Malachite could do from his position. "You all protect her! Why?" the general snarled. "It will just cause your deaths!"
"We'll see about that, pretty boy!" Mina shouted, keeping her leader at the edge of her vision.
"You probably don't understand what the word loyalty means!" Raye cried, shooting a suspicious look at Serena.
"Do not speak to me of loyalty!" Malachite raged. "You could never understand the depth of my allegiance!"
No one seemed to notice that with Malachite's appearance the giant pokemon ceased its attacks and appeared to be waiting for orders from its superior.
While the man left standing on the roof of the bus was distracted with taunting the scouts, Serena helped Tuxedo Mask put another bus between them and their enemy. She found she had to take on a lot more of his weight than she had expected, and he seemed to be having difficulty getting his lower limbs to move. The meatball-headed blonde snuck the ebony-haired hero's mask inside the top hat and continued to keep her body between his face and Malachite.
"Are you okay, Tuxedo Mask?" she repeated once he was settled in a seated position against one of the huge tires, biting her lower lip in worry.
His head hung down, causing his bangs to dangle in front of his face. That, on top of Serena's standing position, made it impossible to see his features. That difficulty was solved in the next moment when the petite blonde crouched down beside her protector. "Tuxedo..."
Her words trailed off and her eyes widened as he brought up his head slightly at the sound of concern in her voice. "Darien! But... how?"
Now that she could see past the mask, she recognized the light sigh. "I don't know how you know me, but..." His brows furrowed and his voice was filled with confusion.
"I thought you were in a wheelchair!" she couldn't stop herself from choking out.
His eyes widened. "How did you know that?" he asked fiercely.
Serena swallowed painfully and found she didn't have a response. She bit her lower lip again as he narrowed his eyes and examined her more closely. Suddenly a look of shock overtook his features. "Serena?" he breathed incredulously. She merely nodded. "So that's how you got hurt at the mall..."
"I don't understand. How are you able to be here? And walking! Well, at least before Malachite decided to use you as a pinata."
He sighed again. "I think it's the magic of my transformation. It's like it's bridging the gap my body can't right now. Once I let it go, I won't be able to use my legs." His eyes closed.
"So why don't you just stay transformed? You'd be able to walk."
"A couple of reasons," he responded, opening his eyes and focusing on the blonde in front of him. "First, as much energy as the transformation gives me, it's also draining. I can only sustain it so long. And second, I don't relish the idea of becoming a medical guinea pig, like I would if word got out about my 'miraculous recovery.' I'm healing faster than normal as it is."
"Why do you think that is?" A look of wondrous confusion shaped Serena's features.
"It must have something to do with who I am. I can feel a connection to the planet; maybe Earth has something to do with it. Each of you seems to have a guardian planet; maybe the Earth is mine." He shrugged. "You know as much as I do about my alter-ego."
Serena's brows creased in thought. "You know, something about that just feels right."
"But, Serena," the young man said seriously, "you can't talk about this at the apartment yet."
She blinked. "Why not?"
"I won't remember it. Right now, Darien couldn't handle the knowledge that he can walk while in this form. When he's accepted his condition a little more, everything will come together. But not now."
"Alright. I won't say anything." Her clear, sapphire blue gaze held his midnight blue one.
"Thank you." He reached a gloved hand out and lightly brushed her cheek. "I know I'm asking a lot of you, but everything will work out. Just... don't give up on me, okay?"
The desperation in his voice brought tears to her eyes. "Never. Never."
He took a deep breath and released it. "I think it's time we got back to the fight."
"But your back..."
"It's fine. The time you bought me replenished my energy. I'll make it."
She nodded and handed him his hat with the mask inside. "You'll need these."
He grinned as he placed both items back upon his person. "I cut a more dashing figure this way anyway."
"I don't know about that," Serena muttered to herself as the two of them made their way back to the fray.
Malachite had disappeared by the time Serena and Darien emerged from their hiding spot, leaving the giant Pikachu to battle the heroes. The huge electric mouse was getting as good as it gave, but everyone was showing signs of fatigue. As Serena started to power up her tiara for another attack, a thunder shock caught Mina off guard as she was switching positions and the pale blonde dropped with a scream.
"Venus!" the girls cried almost in unison.
"That's it!" Lita growled. "Jupiter Thunder..."
"Mars Fire..."
"Mercury Bubbles..."
"Crash!"
"Ignite!"
"Blast!"
The three attacks merged and slammed into the youma, sending it flying back. But not before a double-colored beam of light shot out from the two crystals and returned the favor to the beast's attackers.
"No!" Serena cried as she watched the rest of her friends fall. Tears fell from her eyes as she watched Pikachu shakily rise to its feet and stagger forward toward nothing she could immediately discern. Then she saw him. Darien was trying to sneak toward the fallen scout of love, but he had been spotted. "Tuxedo Mask! Look out!"
His head snapped toward Serena, and in doing so he saw what she had been so concerned about. The youma was charging the crystals, and it looked like he was the target. He froze, realizing there was no time to move as the green and indigo glows became blinding.
Serena couldn't breathe. Her savior, the one who had always snatched her from certain doom in the nick of time, was in need of a last minute rescue himself. But how could she do it? She watched the youma trudge forward another step and it hit her.
Sailor Moon called forth her Crescent Moon Wand. "Moon Healing Activation!" She could only hope it would work in time.
Darien had been forced to shield his eyes from the intense light, and now waited for the pain to start. But it never came. When too much time had passed and he wasn't on the concrete writhing in agony, he started to crack open one of his eyes. When he wasn't blinded, he opened the other one. He found the Pikachu gone, replaced by a large, quickly dissipating pile of dust and two glittering crystals on either side of it.
Both of the standing heroes started moving at the same time. They dove forward and grabbed the Rainbow Crystal nearest them, Serena ending up with the indigo, Darien the green. As they rolled back to their feet, their gazes met. Serena gulped. "We... we each have three."
"Yes, we do," Darien breathed. "So what do we do now?"
"I won't ask for yours. I trust you." Darien's eyes widened as the other scouts began to stir. "You should get going before they start asking questions. We'll talk about the crystals later. I'll be back as soon as I can."
Darien could only nod and leave with a small flourish of his cape as Serena moved over to where her friends were lying. Yet again she had floored him.
"Sailor Moon, did we get the crystals?" Amy asked after they had all recovered.
"Not entirely..." Serena answered nervously. They weren't going to like this...
"What do you mean? What happened?" Raye snapped.
"I got one. Tuxedo Mask got the other one."
"How did you let that happen?" the fire scout yelled, furious, mostly at herself for having fallen and leaving Serena alone to battle the youma.
"I didn't let it happen, Mars!" Serena snapped back. "We both went for them at the same time! And then he left when you guys started to come around!" She still couldn't see why they refused to trust Tuxedo Mask.
"That's enough, you guys!" Lita said. "Sailor Moon didn't mean to let Tuxedo Mask get one of the crystals. And we still got one!"
"At least the Negaverse doesn't have it," Mina added.
"I don't know if this is any better," Raye muttered.
"Oh, come on, Mars. You know it's an improvement. At least we can talk to Tuxedo Mask without worrying about getting attacked at any moment," Mina continued. Serena was surprised; one of the scouts had some faith in the masked hero.
"Why don't we have this discussion tomorrow? It's way too early in the morning and we're grouchy. I don't know about you guys, but I'm exhausted, and we're supposed to be having a picnic at the park tomorrow afternoon. I'm going home. I'll talk to you then." With a wave, Lita walked away from the battle scene.
"I'm with Lita. I'll see you guys tomorrow!" Mina practically skipped from the station toward her home.
"Come on, Raye. I know we're all tired. Now leave it alone. I know Serena did her best," Amy pleaded.
Raye finally dropped her violet gaze from Serena's sapphire one. "Oh, alright. I'll see you tomorrow, Meatball Head."
Serena gave the two departing scouts a small smile. "Tomorrow. Bye, guys." And she took off at top speed for Darien's apartment.
(fade out...)
(scene change...)
Serena slipped silently into the apartment, keeping her ears open for any sound Darien could possibly be making, just in case Tuxedo Mask had been wrong and he did remember. She had powered down in the elevator, and had grabbed a soda from the machine outside the building in case she needed an excuse to have been out of the apartment at that time of the morning. It was a sad one, and Luna would kill her for keeping a change purse in her extra-dimensional pocket, but it would have to do.
No worried or infuriated man in a wheelchair awaited her and she breathed a sigh of relief. Now she just had to face him in the morning. Serena groaned and let her face fall into her free hand. Why couldn't she have controlled herself? Shaking her head of the negative thoughts, she went into the kitchen and put the soda in the fridge. It would wait until morning.
Running her hand through her long blonde hair, she walked back over to the couch where her haphazardly tossed blanket hung half on the floor and the coffee table. She stood staring at the sight for a few moments then decided she needed to check on him one more time.
She crept to the door of the bedroom and found it had been left open a crack. She shook her head. It was lucky she decided to do this; Darien probably would have noticed and wondered.
She poked her head in and found Darien fast asleep. His covers were disheveled and his bangs were in his closed eyes. A smile found its way onto the petite blonde's face and her heart warmed at the sight. She walked over to the bed and sat on the edge. "I'll wait until you're ready, Darien. I'm sorry I wasn't patient earlier. I'm just glad you don't want me to go." She reached out and brushed the hair out of his face. "I'll stay as long as you want me here." She stood and gently straightened the sheets. "And I'll never stop loving you."
With that, she kissed his forehead, turned, and left the room. By doing so, she missed the beatific smile that lit up the sleeping young man's features.
(fade out...)
(scene change...)
Early morning sunlight made its way through the cracks of the drapes in Darien's bedroom the next day, and the ebony-haired young man reluctantly cracked his eyes open and waited for them to adjust. Once they did, he found himself staring at his ceiling, facing the same problem he had been when he had fallen asleep the final time the night before.
So how was he feeling? Confused. Definitely confused. And Serena was at the center of it all. Did he want her to go? No. His mind and heart were one on that score. The thought of her leaving and not coming back frightened him to the core of his being, far more than dealing with the emotions she dredged up ever could. So she stayed.
Well, that was settled. Now, about how he felt about her. He had to figure this out; he couldn't hurt her again. He woke up kissing her for heaven's sake! And the look in her eyes when he pushed her away...
No! He wouldn't hurt her again! But how did he feel? His brows creased in thought as he crossed his arms behind his head. When I'm with her, everything just flows. There aren't any questions; I just feel. It's when I'm alone that the questions start, he pondered thoughtfully. I know I'm afraid. I'm afraid of everything she makes me feel. But the longer I'm with her, the more I spend time with her, the more my fear lessens. So the logical thing to do would be spend more time with Serena until I can make sense of it all. Darien smiled ruefully. "Why do I know things aren't going to be all that easy?" he asked himself under his breath.
Darien took care of his morning routine and rolled into the living room. He silently made his way around the couch, where Serena still lay sleeping. He watched with a soft gaze as she lay there wrapped in his blanket, lost in the world of dreams. His eyes took in the rising and falling of her chest; his hand involuntarily reached for her and brushed her bangs from her forehead. He reveled in the silky texture of the golden locks. Any last doubts fled from his mind as he realized he made the right decision in keeping Serena near him. Now to tell her...
(fade out...)
(scene change...)
Serena slowly floated toward consciousness. As she drifted through the last of her dreams, she felt fingertips lightly brush her forehead. The warmth that resulted from the brief touch made her think of only one person.
(fade out...)
(scene change...)
"Darien," the petite blonde muttered with a small smile as she turned toward the source of the touch.
The ebony-haired young man's eyes widened at the soft word. When her sapphire blue gaze remained hidden he smiled with wonder. She dreamed about him. How absolutely amazing.
"Serena," he whispered, his fingers still absently playing with the golden strands of her bangs.
After a few moments more, Serena's eyelids began to flutter, and Darien slowly drew back. Heavy lids gradually opened to reveal drowsy sapphire blues that found themselves focusing on a certain young man in a wheelchair. "Darien?" she asked groggily. She stared at him, confused.
Darien smiled gently. "Hey there, Sleeping Beauty. Did you sleep well?"
Serena shrugged as she sat up and rubbed her eyes. "What sleep I got, I suppose."
He flinched. "I'm sorry."
Her eyes widened. "Oh! I wasn't talking about that! It's just that... about three in the morning... something woke me up and I had to go out... and get a soda!" She stumbled over the words, struggling to put together a coherent reason for getting up in the middle of the night.
Darien's eyebrow rose. "A three am soda run?"
Serena blushed. "Well, I was outside for awhile. I guess the fresh air must have done the trick, since when I came back in I managed to crash without even touching the soda. It's in the fridge."
Darien chuckled slightly and shook his head. "Only you, Serena. Only you."
She grinned. "But you wouldn't want me any other way." The smile faltered a bit. "Would you?"
Midnight met sapphire. "Not even for the chance to get out of this chair sooner." Serena gasped as her jaw dropped. "I need to talk to you, Serena. Before you go to that picnic you have planned with your friends."
"Okay," she whispered, still in shock.
"Why don't you go ahead and make breakfast first?" Darien suggested, suddenly nervous.
Serena nodded as she rose from the couch. "I think I'm just going to have some cereal and toast. Do you want anything?" she asked somewhat dazedly as she stepped toward the kitchen.
"A couple pieces of fruit and a glass of orange juice will be fine."
"Coming right up."
(fade out...)
(scene change...)
Serena quickly brought out the requested items then took her time preparing her own meal. She figured he wanted to talk about last night's kiss; he'd probably spent a good amount of time this morning thinking about it. He obviously had come to some sort of conclusion, and considering the way he had been talking to her, it couldn't be too bad.
The petite blonde washed the few dishes she had used and poked her head out of the kitchen to see what Darien was doing. She saw him once again sitting near the balcony doors, staring out into the clear blue sky, lost in his own little world. Her brows furrowed as she noticed the difference from all the other times he had lost himself in that position. This time, he was rolling his glass of orange juice between his hands, periodically taking a small drink.
He's fidgeting, she thought. He's never done that before. Suddenly it hit her. "He's nervous!" she muttered to herself in surprise. Her expression softened into a gentle smile. "I think I'll give him a little more time to compose himself." She stepped into the living room quietly. "Do you suppose your talk can wait for me to take a shower? I feel a bit grungy," she asked as she walked over to him.
Darien started in surprise. "Uh, yeah, yeah, that's fine. I can wait." He tried to give her a smile.
"Thanks," she said with a smile as she grabbed her duffel bag. "As soon as I get out we'll talk." The smile turned into a grin. "So you can use that time to finish getting ready for it." Serena giggled as she slipped into the bathroom.
Darien couldn't help smiling as he heard the water start running. She could tell he was nervous. How could she know him so well?
About a half hour later, Serena emerged from the bathroom, her slightly damp hair up in its usual style, and wearing a short, black with white polka dot sundress over a long sleeve white blouse. "I'm ready if you are," she said brightly as she sat on the love seat across from the sofa. "Let's talk."
Darien rolled himself over next to the couch and sighed. "I'm not completely sure where to start actually."
"Whatever you feel comfortable with." Serena smiled gently.
The ebony-haired man returned it. "I did some thinking this morning about what happened last night. Or more importantly, how it made me feel." He paused and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm... I'm sorry, Serena. This is just really hard for me to talk about. I've never been all that comfortable with talking about my feelings."
Serena locked gazes with his. "Take your time, Darien. Don't rush. I'll listen for as long as it takes," she said seriously.
He shook his head in amazement. "I never suspected you could be this deep when I first met you. Where did you get such a big heart?"
Serena smiled. "I don't know. It's always been part of who I am, and my family encouraged it. I wouldn't know how to live any other way."
His eyes searched hers during a long moment of silence before the floodgates opened. "I need that in my life. I need you in my life. I've had my emotions shut off for so long I need someone to show me how they work and how to live with them. Serena, you make me feel. I don't know exactly what, but I do know that the idea of you leaving scares me more than anything. More than facing these foreign emotions. So please don't go."
It all came out in a rush. Serena blinked and sorted through it all in her mind before it sank in what he was asking. She took in his anxious, fear-filled expression and felt her heart melt. "I was afraid you were going to ask me to leave," she said softly.
Darien breathed a sigh of relief. She wasn't going to go. "No. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me. And the more time I spend with you, the clearer things get, and the less afraid I am to face this jumble inside of me."
Serena came over and hugged him. "I'll be here as long as you need me," she whispered into his ear.
Darien maneuvered her into a sitting position on his lap to hold her closer. It's beginning to look like that need is never going to go away, he thought with a mixture of awe, fear, and happiness. He buried his head in her shoulder and prayed that clarity would come soon.
(fade out...)
(scene change...)
The rest of Saturday was relatively uneventful. Darien held Serena until she had to go, then spent the afternoon with Andrew, who stopped by in between working a split shift at Crown. Serena and the girls went through their usual antics, completely ignoring the argument of the night before. And the night passed without incident, both parties getting a full night's sleep and waking up completely rested.
When Darien finished his morning rituals he found Serena dressed in a long, white button-up dress shirt with a black vest and white tie with a black paint-splatter pattern over a pair of black leggings and a white pair of high tops. He admired the picture she made as she gazed out at the clear blue December sky. "Am I missing something?" the young man asked slyly five minutes later.
"Don't you even think about it," Serena said firmly without turning around. "You spend far too much time staring out these doors as it is."
"I think you're right." He looked at the girl in front of him speculatively. "So what do you and the girls have planned for today?"
"Absolutely nothing." Serena looked back over her shoulder with a grin. "We figured we needed a break from each other, so we agreed to do our own things today. You're stuck with me for the duration."
"I can think of worse ways to spend a Sunday." Darien turned his gaze to the glass doors. His playful look turned serious, and he gulped nervously. "Do you think... that maybe... you'd like to go for a walk to the park? The weather looks wonderful."
Serena's smile faded as her expression changed to complete shock as she replayed the question in her head to make sure she had heard him correctly. "You... you want to go outside?"
He gave her a shaky smile. "Yeah, believe it or not. I... I still think I want to cover up, but..." He sighed and let his face settle into his classic quirky grin. "The fresh air will do me good."
Serena's face lit up with one of her thousand-watt grins. "Let's do it! I'll make some sandwiches, and we'll have a picnic lunch!" She started running around grabbing things she thought they might need. "Here's your trenchcoat and hat..." Darien barely caught the tossed items. "Oooo! You have a picnic basket! What's it doing stashed in the back of your hall closet? Oh! Your sunglasses!" She flew to his bedroom. Darien shook his head in amazement that his one little suggestion could fill her with such energy. Then he realized that he had made her happy - and that thought made him about as giddy as the blonde bouncing around his apartment.
Serena handed him his sunglasses and a blanket as she rushed back to the closet. "I'm not about to throw those," she declared. "Ah, I thought that's what I saw." The blonde tossed a red scrap of cloth at the bemused young man watching her. "Now for the sandwiches..." She disappeared into the kitchen.
Darien looked at the pile of items in his lap and fought back the urge to laugh. It was a struggle that took him the fifteen minutes Serena spent throwing together their lunch. The petite blonde stepped triumphantly out of the kitchen, full picnic basket in hand.
"Ta da!" she exclaimed. Darien bit his lower lip to keep from exploding. "I'm all ready! Now for you!" She set down lunch and started to quickly maneuver the ebony-haired young man into the aforementioned pile of items. She paused as she was about to tie the red scarf around his face, noticing the clenched jaw muscles. Her eyes narrowed. "Go ahead and laugh, Darien. You're just going to hurt yourself if you hold it in any longer." The girl smiled as she stood back and waited.
She didn't have to wait long. Her words seemed to release him, and laughter soon echoed off the walls. Tears ran down his cheeks, and he was gasping for air not long after. In response, Serena started giggling, and that set off a downward spiral which left both of them breathless and aching twenty minutes later.
"We should go if we're going to go," Serena said from where she sat on the floor once she could say something without starting another giggle fit.
"You're right," Darien agreed, wiping away his tears. He tied the scarf around his face and slipped on his gloves and sunglasses. "Let's go," he finished with a happy sigh.
Serena nodded and slipped on her pink jacket. She plopped the picnic basket in Darien's lap and his baseball cap on his head. "And we're off!"
(fade out...)
(scene change...)
An hour later, Serena leaned back on the blanket next to Darien's wheelchair as the two of them quietly watched the play of sunlight on the pond at Juuban Park. It was a comfortable silence that had fallen after they had finished their sandwiches and sodas grabbed from the vending machine outside Darien's apartment building. And thus it was when Mina stumbled across them.
"Hey, Serena! I wasn't expecting to see you here!" the taller blonde exclaimed. She looked at Darien. "So, you must be the mysterious patient. You seem to have survived so far; is she treating you alright?" She received a nod in response.
Unseen by the new arrival, there was an impish twinkle in Darien's midnight blues as he realized the implications of Mina's lack of knowledge. This could be entertaining.
"I didn't expect to see you either," Serena responded. "So what happened to shopping?"
"Oh, it's just no fun to do it alone," Mina answered as she flopped down beside her friend. "I figured I'd go for a walk instead, and here I am!"
"What, do we have invisible bungee cords attached to us or something?" a new voice said as its owner came up to the small group.
"Raye!" both blondes chimed in unison.
"So what's your excuse?" Serena asked with a sly grin.
"Probably better than yours," the dark-haired priestess snapped back.
"Is not!"
"Is too!"
Serena continued the argument with a raspberry, which was readily returned.
"Well, I could tell you two were here from a block away," another new voice commented.
"Help me, Lita!" Mina begged as she tried to shield herself from the inevitable side effects of a tongue war.
"Put those things away before I make you use them," the tall brunette threatened. She was immediately obeyed. "Very good. Now, I'm here because I thought I'd take a break from baking goodies. What about you guys?" She glanced to her right and noticed the man in the wheelchair for the first time. "Oh! Hi there! I guess that explains Serena!"
The meatball-adorned blonde giggled. "Yep, it does!" She gave Darien a wink.
"I just couldn't shop alone, so I wandered," Mina said.
"I had to get away from the temple for a while. It was that or kill Chad," Raye explained as she seated herself next to Mina on the blanket.
"One of his bad days, huh?" Serena asked.
"That's putting it mildly." Raye rolled her eyes.
"It could be worse," Lita said, sitting on Darien's other side. "You could still be at the temple." The priestess shuddered.
"Oh!" a soft voice exclaimed behind them. "I wasn't expecting to run into you guys here!"
"You might as well join us, Amy," Raye said ruefully. "It appears we're not allowed to spend time apart this weekend."
The blue-haired girl made her way over to the open spot between Lita and Raye and sat down. "I came here to study since it was such a beautiful day. I guess we all must have had similar ideas." She looked up at the young man in the wheelchair. "I'm sorry!" she cried, her hands flying to her mouth. "Are we intruding?"
Darien was glad the scarf he wore hid his smile as he shook his head. He caught the small sigh of relief Serena released at his action.
"That's great!" Mina enthused.
"Hey, I stopped by the arcade on my way here to talk to Andrew, but he wasn't working. Has anyone heard anything about Darien yet?" Lita looked at the others expectantly.
There was a small chorus of nos while Serena played with the hem of her shirt. "Serena have you heard anything? You're the one who sees him the most, after all," Amy asked.
Darien nearly choked as Serena shot a quick look in his direction. "I can't say that I've heard anything," she said softly. Darien's head turned to face her, impressed at the double meaning of her statement. Well, she didn't lie exactly...
"I guess for now, no news is good news," Amy said sympathetically. Serena merely nodded as she stared at the ground.
"Speaking of news, the guy working for Andrew today asked me if there was anything wrong with our favorite arcade guy. It seems he's been kind of... giggly, I think he said, since Wednesday," Lita mentioned.
"Wednesday?" Mina asked as Amy and Raye shared wicked smiles (well, almost wicked in Amy's case) with the tall brunette. "What happened Wednesday?"
"Did you read the paper at all?" Raye asked.
The taller blonde thought for a moment while Serena shot quizzical looks amongst them. Mina's face brightened. "Oh, yeah! That's when our revenge hit the front page!"
"Revenge?" Serena asked, bewildered. Darien bit his lower lip. He had seen the mentioned paper, and Andrew had explained where the reporter had gotten his hot tip.
"Oh, um, yeah, uh..." Mina stuttered.
Raye rolled her eyes. "Way to go, blondie," she muttered.
"Well, someone doesn't read her father's paper," Lita said with a smirk.
"No, I read Wednesday's paper; I just don't understand what you guys mean by revenge." Serena glanced at each of the girls in turn.
"You know Lita got the license plate number of the car that almost hit you, right?" Amy asked. No one noticed Darien's hands tighten on his armrests.
Serena nodded. "I heard her tell the police officer that took our statements right after the accident."
"Well, instead of beating the stuffing out of the guy like we originally planned, we had Lita call the paper and give them an anonymous tip that would lead them to the driver of the car." Amy shrugged and smiled a bit smugly. "I think my idea worked quite well."
"Maybe," Lita agreed a bit reluctantly. "But it would have felt so good to pound him into the ground." Raye and Mina nodded.
Serena looked at Darien for a moment before responding. "You... you were going to beat him up? For me?"
"You mean so much to us, Serena, and through one careless, thoughtless act, that jerk nearly took you away. We couldn't let him get away with it," Mina explained softly, her tone completely serious.
"No offense," Lita said to Darien. He shook his head and dismissed the comment with a wave of his hand.
The meatball-headed blonde shot a look at the metal and rubber to her left and nodded. "I can understand that."
The other four girls blinked. "Are you condoning our actions, Serena?" Amy asked incredulously.
"If you mean do I think it's okay that you were going to beat him up, no, that's not what I mean. It would have been wrong to do that. But I understand the feeling, and it makes me feel good to know I mean so much to you guys." Serena smiled. "You mean a lot to me too."
Mina sobbed dramatically and threw her arms around the petite blonde to her left. "Group hug!" she announced. The others joined in quickly.
Darien sat back and watched the display with a small smile under his scarf. He had figured out long before this that this was a tight-knit group. But this demonstration of their affection was especially touching to his newly-awakened heart - and Serena was at the center of it, as usual.
"You know, thinking of the print media," Raye said when the group broke apart, "I was looking through some magazines for articles on Israel for a paper I have to write when I found an interview with a Doctor Brian Turner. Seems he's writing a book on the increase of violence in Tokyo and he has a theory as to what has caused that increase." The dark-haired priestess' lips pursed together into a straight line and her jaw clenched.
"Youma?" Serena offered innocently.
Raye scoffed. "Not likely. Dr. Turner is under the impression that since the Sailor Scouts appeared right as the violence began to increase it must be their fault. They're attracting the youma and endangering the innocent citizens of Tokyo, who are compounding the problem by standing by and watching as their fellow man is attacked."
"Was this guy born with any kind of brain in his head whatsoever?" Lita asked, irritation in her tone.
"I doubt it," Mina offered, scowling.
"I'm surprised he came to such a conclusion. A close look at the facts would reveal just the opposite: the youmas attract the Sailor Scouts," Amy pondered thoughtfully.
"Where does this guy get off?" Serena angrily asked with abandon. "Does this man feel any appreciation at all? Does he understand exactly what I..."
Serena was cut off by the strangling noise a wide-eyed Amy made. The blonde peered at her blue-haired friend, concerned. "Is something wrong, Ames?"
The young genius stared at her friend intently and subtly gestured toward Darien with her head while she coughed and cleared her throat.
"Are you okay, Amy?" Lita asked as Serena glanced to her left.
Serena's eyes widened in comprehension. "I mean, does he understand exactly what I think these Sailor Scouts go through? It's got to be rough!" Amy sighed in relief as the others seemed to catch on.
Darien narrowed his eyes behind the sunglasses at the group in front of him. What were they hiding? What was Serena going to say that she shouldn't have in front of him?
"So did this quack mention Tuxedo Mask at all?" Serena asked slyly, a mischievous grin on her face. Darien straightened sharply.
"Yeah," Raye said, rolling her eyes. "Lumped him in with the scouts."
"I ever get my hands on this guy, I'll show him an increase in violence in Tokyo," Lita growled, punching a fist into an open palm.
"I am so with you," Mina agreed heartily.
"Hey, what's all the commotion over there?" Amy asked, pointing toward a large crowd gathered a ways away at the edge of the park.
"Are those TV cameras?" Serena asked, squinting in an attempt to see better.
"Yeah, and I see Connor Drake," Mina announced, starting to bounce with excitement.
"Oooo, that famous reporter? Cool beans!" Serena enthused.
"He must be doing some sort of interview or something," Raye said, trying to get a clearer look at who the reporter was talking to.
"That explains the gap in the crowd," Amy said calmly. "They must have left room to run wires back to the van."
"Looks like it," Lita agreed.
Everyone's attention snapped back when the dark-haired priestess gasped slightly. "I can't believe it!" she exclaimed.
"You can't believe what?" Lita asked.
"That's him! Dr. Brian Turner! I recognize him from the picture that was in the magazine!"
The tall brunette grinned evilly. "Well, Mina, looks like we get to increase some violence." Mina giggled wickedly and nodded.
"Guys, that's national television!" Amy protested.
"And your point is..." Raye's voice drifted off as she looked at the blue-haired girl. Amy blushed.
"I have a better idea," Serena said softly, wearing a grin every bit as wicked as Lita's.
"Does it involve physical violence?" Amy asked desperately.
"Not exactly," Serena responded.
"Then I'm in."
The other four girls - and Darien, although they didn't know it - stared at Amy incredulously. "You keep giving us shocks like that and we're going to end up dead," Lita muttered.
Amy giggled a bit. "You know why I'm in." The other girls shrugged and conceded the point.
"Okay, Meatball Head, what's this brilliant plan of yours?" Raye asked impatiently.
The petite blonde shot a quick look at Darien. "Huddle!" They all leaned in toward the center of the blanket.
Darien looked on, amused. He certainly didn't object to revenge. The nerve of saying that he was part of the cause of the increase in violence! However, the fact that this was Serena's idea - and the girls seemed to be going with it - made him a little nervous. He didn't know what to expect.
"That's that then," Serena suddenly declared, jumping to her feet and sticking her arm out, palm down. The other girls joined her and piled their hands on top of their leader's. "Let's do it!"
"Yeah!" the girls chorused and broke.
Serena quickly folded up the blanket and shoved it into the picnic basket. "Hold onto this," she said to Darien as she placed the package in his lap. "We won't be long." With that she took off to the edge of the crowd with the others.
Darien blinked a few times and moved to follow. He wasn't missing what promised to be an entertaining spectacle for the world.
(cut to...)
(scene change...)
In the center of the crowd, a six-foot-tall man with a muscular build, green eyes, and short brown hair was holding a quiet conversation with an overweight man who matched him in height. The other man had long, dark blonde hair tied back in a ponytail, black wire-rimmed glasses, and a goatee and mustache. His brown eyes were shining with a superior glint.
Finally, the camera and light crews were ready to roll, and Connor Drake lifted his microphone and faced the camera, all business. "Hello, ladies and gentlemen. With me today is Dr. Brian Turner, known across the globe for his studies on violence in modern society. Recently, he has turned his attention to Tokyo, and the strange happenings that have been going on for the last six months." He turned to face the blond man. "Is it true you plan on writing a book on this subject, Dr. Turner?"
The doctor smiled patronizingly. "Yes, Connor. Tokyo and its strange brand of violence is amazingly fascinating, and I believe that the rest of the population deserves the kind of in- depth examination I have built my reputation on."
"I understand you have a theory as to the source of the increase in violence?"
"Most definitely. From my research I have found that ever since the appearance of the so- called heroine Sailor Moon and her sidekicks, the number of monster, or youma, attacks have increased steadily." A blonde girl with two buns atop her head with pigtails streaming from them standing at the edge of the gap in the crowd caused by the wires from the electrical devices clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. Her four friends reacted in much the same way, as well as their unseen male companion who sat behind them in a wheelchair. "I theorize that it is this figure that is attracting the beasts, endangering the citizens of Tokyo."
Connor nodded. "Other reports have been released that show people are just standing by..."
"Disgusting," Dr. Turner interjected.
"Watching as others are attacked..."
"Deplorable."
"Everything happening in full view of the public."
"I will tell you this much," Turner began with a superior tone. "It is each man's solemn duty to protect his fellow citizens."
The reporter's eyebrow rose. "Then if you saw a fight, or someone being beaten right here on the street?"
"I would involve myself physically! I would jump in, fists and feet flying!" The doctor raised a fist in demonstration.
"Oh, that's a cue if I ever heard one," Serena muttered. "Let's do it."
"I would give them a taste of their own medicine," Dr. Turner practically snarled. "Let me tell you..."
The large man was cut off by Serena's repeated calls for help as she and the other four girls made their way toward the center of the action.
Darien moved into the space vacated by the ladies and watched as events unfolded. If he didn't know any better, he would have sworn that they were really beating up Serena. The shocked and slightly scared looks on the faces of the crowd were priceless, though. He held in his laughter.
"Grab her!" Lita shouted.
"Don't let her get away!" Amy cried.
"Teach you to mess with us," Raye threatened.
"And there's no one to help you, either," Mina sneered.
Serena whimpered. "Won't some innocent bystander please help me?" she asked a bit melodramatically as the others grabbed her. The petite blonde took a quick glance around the crowd and let a big-eyed, pitiful gaze fall on Dr. Turner. "How about you, sir?" she pleaded with a dramatic sweep of her left arm as she faced the camera, ending it by pointing directly at the big man's chest.
His brown eyes widened to their limit and he began to shake slightly. He gulped and turned his gaze from the pleading victim to Raye's glaring violet eyes. His breath caught for a moment. Then it moved on to the angrily scowling Amy. He gulped again. Mina's evil glower met him next. He whimpered softly. Lastly, he locked gazes with Lita's emerald greens. He couldn't quite tear his eyes away as hers got a wicked glint in them. After a moment more, the tall brunette sneered and growled.
The large man's shaking became quite pronounced. He took a fearful step back before letting loose a high-pitched scream like that from a fleeing heroine in a bad 50s horror film and running in the opposite direction, knocking people out of his way as he went.
The five girls burst out laughing and took off running themselves before they could get in trouble for ruining the famous reporter's interview. As they were speeding along the break in the snickering crowd, Serena spotted a chair-bound obstacle in their path. "Hold on!" she cried, stopping herself from calling his name at the last second.
"I'll grab him!" Lita offered. "We'll go faster!"
Darien just had time to grip the armrests before the tall brunette had grabbed the handles of the wheelchair and thrown her rapidly-moving body into pushing him along with the others. He was surprised to see they kept up quite easily.
The six of them tore across the park, Darien's knuckles turning white and him wondering if he were going to see the day when he could get out of the chair of his own accord instead of flying out because of a maniac driver. He stopped counting how many times he had nearly been bounced from his seat, and the less he thought about the turns, the better. Finally they stopped in a small playground across from the site of their latest escapade, where all five girls collapsed in fits of laughter.
"Oh, gods, did you see his face?" Lita gasped out as soon as she was able.
"That was better than beating him up," Mina declared, trying to catch her breath.
"Definitely. That was a wonderful idea, Serena," Amy congratulated the petite blonde still lying on the ground giggling.
"Thanks," she managed to get out.
"I nearly lost it when you growled, Lita," Raye said, holding her side. "And if that man didn't pee his pants, I'll be thoroughly shocked."
"Hey, I betcha we end up on the six o'clock news!" Mina exclaimed, her sky-blue eyes sparkling.
"Oh, man, I have got to tape this. I'll see you guys tomorrow, okay?" Lita stood and brushed herself off. The others waved and the brunette took off.
"I think Lita's got the right idea. I want it on tape too. See you later!" Raye waved and left for the temple.
"I do have more studying to do, since I didn't do it here. And if I'm lucky, my mom won't see the news tonight."
"Oh, Amy," Mina sighed.
The blue-haired girl blushed. "I'll see you tomorrow. Bye!" She walked quickly toward her apartment building.
Mina turned her head to gaze at Serena, who lay spread eagle in the grass breathing heavily. "Well, that was the most fun I've had in a while. I suppose I should get going though. I wouldn't mind taping the news myself. Do you need any help getting our friend here home?" she asked as she rose to her feet.
Serena looked up at her friend. "No, that's okay. I think we'll be fine. I just need to finish catching my breath."
Mina smiled. "Then I'm out of here. Catch you tomorrow!" She gave the last two members of the group a wave and ran off.
As soon as the blonde was out of earshot, Darien pulled down his scarf and burst out laughing. "Oh, gods, Serena! How did you manage to come up with that one?" the ebony- haired young man gasped after a short while.
"I'm not completely sure, actually. But it worked!" Serena giggled as she rolled onto her stomach and looked up at her seated companion.
"That it did. I wonder if he'll ever be able to live that down." He shook his head.
"I certainly hope not. I mean, really. Blaming the heroes for the battles they have to fight? How ungrateful!"
"No argument here."
Serena smiled. "I suppose we should get going ourselves. Dinner's beginning to sound really good, and we just might be able to catch the news."
Darien returned the expression. "I think I even have a couple blank tapes lying around. This is something I want memorialized."
They both laughed as Darien replaced his scarf and Serena got up and began steering the wheelchair toward his apartment complex. There was a brief stop to pick up the picnic basket that had been thrown early on in the mad dash across the park, and it was noted that the large crowd that had gathered earlier had dispersed. Both teenagers couldn't help but smile.
(fade out...)
(scene change...)
The rest of the evening passed uneventfully. Serena finally made her way to her bedroom once she was home and closed the door behind her. She leaned against it and sighed as she shut her eyes and smiled.
"What in the world were you girls thinking earlier? I saw the news tonight and I think you have some explaining to do."
Serena opened her eyes at the sound of the irritated voice coming from her bed, and was surprised to find the source's eyes twinkling merrily. "Luna?" she asked, confused.
"So whose idea was it?"
"M-mine."
"Hmm..." The black feline eyes up her charge as she fought the urge to laugh. "How did you all end up together at the park? I thought you were all going to do your own things today?"
"Darien wanted to go out, and we all just happened to run into each other. We saw the crowd and the cameras after Raye had told us about an interview she had read with this Dr. Turner, and she recognized the guy. So we put my plan into action to get revenge for him blaming us for all the trouble the Negaverse has caused. And trust me, it beat what Lita, Mina, and Raye wanted to do to him." Serena smiled widely at the memory of the afternoon.
"They wanted to beat him up, huh?" Luna asked knowingly.
"Yeah."
"Good job of stopping them then." The cat paused briefly and smiled. "Oh, Serena, I haven't laughed so hard in a long time! That was ingenious - and completely appropriate. I'm not sure I would have done it on national television, but..." She chuckled. "Get to bed, Serena. You've had a busy day."
The petite blonde giggled and proceeded to change into her pajamas. "Good night, Luna," she said as she checked her alarm and crawled under the covers. "Thanks for being such a good sport." She turned off the light on her bedside table.
"Thank you for the entertainment," Luna replied as she curled up at the foot of the bed. "Sweet dreams." With that the pair fell into a peaceful sleep.
(fade out...)
(scene change...)
Sunday's activities in the park were the talk of the school the next day. Serena, Amy, and Lita had people coming up to them all day asking questions and congratulating them on keeping the pompous jerk from ripping on their heroes anymore. Of course, just as many rumors started about why they did it and how they got away with it, but all in all it was a good day.
After the final bell, Serena took off for Darien's apartment, promising to be at the scout meeting that night at the temple and generally floating on cloud nine. She hummed a few bars from "A String of Pearls" as she practically skipped from the elevator to her destination. With a quick knock she used her key to unlock the door and tossed it aside with a sweep of her arm and a huge smile on her face.
"Hey, Darien! You won't..." Her words stopped dead in their tracks as well as her feet when she saw the situation before her.
Darien was sitting in his wheelchair, back to the balcony doors. His practically black eyes flickered briefly toward Serena before returning to the tall form of Dr. Elizabeth Nyx who stood before him with a firm expression on her face and her arms crossed. A few moments went by in this continued silence before Nyx shifted her arms and planted her fists on her hips. "My prescribed therapy is the best thing for you, Darien. And someday soon you'll see that," she said in a low growl.
Darien merely shot her one last evil glance and rolled off to the bathroom, the door slamming behind him.
After taking a deep breath, the psychologist turned to Serena with a large smile. "Serena!" she greeted the shocked girl. "Right on time as always! Could we talk out in the hallway? I have something I need to discuss with you alone."
Serena blinked a few times before nodding. "Sure, Dr. Nyx."
The two of them made their way out and closed the door behind them. "Well, Serena, I thought you should know I've decided that Darien needs to go out more, and he can't hide behind all those clothes anymore. I'm going to need your help in making this happen."
"With all due respect," Serena replied, her features hardening, "I don't really think Darien's ready for that step. I mean, he just volunteered to go outside on his own yesterday. I don't think we should push it."
Annoyance flashed through the doctor's eyes. "Serena, just remember who had the Ph.D. in psychology here, alright? You heard my instructions. Follow them." Nyx then turned sharply on her heels and strode off to the elevator.
The petite blonde watched as the silver doors closed, silently fuming. How dare that woman flaunt her education in front of her! It takes more than a piece of paper to help people, she thought viciously. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she quietly reentered the apartment and tried to recapture her cheerful mood, knowing Darien's would be foul after Nyx's latest visit.
She thought she had succeeded when an unexpected quiet voice spoke up from behind her seat on the couch. "So what did she have to speak to you about that was so important?"
Serena shifted in her seat sideways and turned her head to face the source. Darien had rolled silently up, and was now looking at her intently, his expression revealing his struggle to shrug off his anger at the departed doctor. "She wants me to push you again."
His jaw clenched and his eyes closed. "How?"
She sighed. "I'm supposed to make you go outside without letting you hide beneath all that clothing. She said she needed my help in making it happen."
Darien growled as his eyes squeezed shut even tighter. "What did you say?" The soft whisper was totally opposite his tense body and expression.
"I told her I didn't think you were ready for that yet and we shouldn't push it."
The flat tone startled the young man. His midnight blues opened and an ebony eyebrow rose. "And what did she say to that?"
"She told me to remember just who had the Ph.D. around here," Serena snapped. "Then she pretty much told me to follow her orders." She growled a bit and sighed. "Well, there goes my mood."
"No, Serena, no," Darien said quickly, his voice softening. "Don't say that, please. If you say that she wins."
Serena blinked, blushed, and smiled ruefully. "You know, you're right. And I'm not about to let that happen." She thought for a moment. "I know! I'll finish telling you what I was going to say when I got here! You won't believe it, Darien!" the blonde girl gushed as her companion couldn't help but smile. "Our little guest appearance with Dr. Turner was the hottest topic all day at school today!" She giggled.
"Enjoyed the spotlight, did we?"
"Well, duh! You can't tell me you'd be any different."
"I don't know about that. I've never been one for attention."
Serena thought of all of Tuxedo Mask's dramatic entrances and smirked. "Uh, huh. Sure, Darien. Whatever you say. Do you want a snack, maybe something to drink?"
Darien chuckled slightly, shaking his head. "Just a soda, thanks. You'll be happy to know Andrew was kind enough to do some grocery shopping for me this morning, so the fridge and cupboards are stocked. Feel free to go to town."
The blonde gave him an impish grin. "Famous last words, those. I'm going to fix myself something then." With that, she bounced up from the couch and strolled into the kitchen.
Darien listened as Serena began opening and closing cupboard doors and otherwise puttered around his kitchen. Then she began to sing, her voice light and soft - and as beautiful as it had been the last time he had heard it ring through his apartment.
"Baby, here's a five and dime; baby, now's about the time for a string of pearls ala Woolworth. Every pearl's a star above, wrapped in dreams and filled with love, that old string of pearls ala Woolworth. Til that happy day in Spring when you buy the wedding ring, please a string of pearls ala Woolworth."
Serena came back into the living room as she finished the third verse, her arms filled with a bag of potato chips and French onion dip and a soda in each hand. She dropped the armload on the couch and offered Darien his choice of Pepsi or root beer with a smile.
"What was that you were singing in there, Serena? I don't think I've heard it before," Darien asked as he took the can of Pepsi.
"It's called 'A String of Pearls,'" the blonde replied, blushing. "We're performing it this weekend for our swing choir's big band concert." She flopped down onto the sofa and opened her root beer.
"What's a swing choir?" the ebony-haired young man asked as he rolled over to the other side of the couch to face Serena.
"It's an idea the singing teacher got from a friend that teaches in America. It's a group that sings and dances, with upbeat songs. I had to audition and everything. The best part is that Lita and Amy are in it too. We have so much fun!" The petite blonde was bouncing with her enthusiasm.
"Amy does this? How did you manage to get her involved? It doesn't seem her style."
"Well, Lita and I did some serious arm twisting. But I think the thing that really got her was the teacher. Miss Pena praised her to the skies and told her how important it was to have a well-rounded education. She pointed out how it could be a marvelous stress reliever, and it would be one more thing she'd have in common with her friends. Lita and I, of course, jumped on that last point and rubbed it in until she said yes. I don't think she's regretted her decision."
Serena's triumphant smile caused Darien to chuckle lightly. "You certainly know how to get what you want."
The girl shrugged. "Not always. Sometimes it just comes to me."
"So what's this about a concert this weekend? You haven't mentioned it before."
"I know. I was kind of caught up in everything that's been happening around here. It's Saturday night. We're setting up the gym floor like an American big band dance club from the 30s and 40s. The jazz band is going to play for us, and a handful get to be the major soloists. Everything's going to be in English, right down to the announcements between songs and the programs. I've pushed myself pretty hard to brush up on the language. I'm still not that great, but at least I can sing it without much of an accent."
"Sounds neat. Who got the solos?" Darien smirked, having guessed from a certain blonde's proud, excited glow the name of at least one.
"Would you believe it? Me! I'm one of the two girl soloists! This is so wicked cool!"
The young man grinned widely, pride welling up for his dearest friend's accomplishment. "Well, you deserve it. Your voice is beautiful."
Serena blushed at the compliment. "Thank you, Darien. That means a lot to me." She paused and looked at him thoughtfully. "Would you like to go? One way or the other I'll be staying here before and after, but you might enjoy yourself."
Darien tensed at the question. "I... I'm not sure, Serena. I don't know if I can."
Disappointment flashed briefly in her sapphire blues, but was quickly pushed aside by understanding. "That's alright, Darien. Take the rest of the week to think about it. There's no pressure, promise." She sighed and smiled ruefully. "I suppose I should get started on my homework. Do you need anything else?"
Darien fought to keep from showing how guilty he felt about popping her bubble. "No, I'm alright," he managed to get out past the lump in his throat. "I have some homework of my own to do actually."
"Okay," Serena chirped as she pulled her books out of her bag with a soft smile. "Just let me know if that changes."
"Right."
The two of them then settled into their usual routine of books, dinner, and talking before Serena left for the night.
(fade out...)
(scene change...)
The rest of the week tended to follow the same pattern. Nyx would make Darien angry during their daily session then do the same with Serena by flaunting her degree and issuing orders about how to treat Darien. The two of them would gripe for a short time about the woman and then purposely change the subject to something more cheerful.
Serena avoided bringing up the topic of her upcoming concert in an attempt to make sure Darien knew she really wasn't trying to pressure him into going. She would never know just how grateful the young man was for her consideration. Out of curiosity, he asked anyway, and she tried her best to contain her enthusiasm. But he saw it in her eyes...
Friday began as all the others had before it. Serena showed up as soon as she could after school and found Darien as bundled up as he could get without assistance. She smiled at the sight.
"I wonder how today's meeting is going to go," the petite blonde mused as she helped her charge into his trenchcoat. "I mean, Dr. Nyx has been speaking to me, but I don't think she's very happy with me."
Darien scoffed as he settled back into the chair and readjusted his baseball cap. "The only way you could make her happy would be to follow her every whim without question. Oh, and throw in a few hundred compliments to stroke her ego. Of course, if you did that, I'd wonder where the aliens were that kidnapped you and replaced you with a clone of some kind. Then I'd have to hunt them down and demand they give you back. And then I'd run over their toes a few times for ever even thinking they could replace you without me noticing."
Serena blinked at the hidden seriousness behind the joking words. He really did care, didn't he? "Well, that would teach them. I'm sure just the threat will keep them far, far away." She giggled. "Now, though, we should get going."
"Serena." The soft-spoken word, along with the serious, intense look Darien gave her, stopped her in her tracks before she could get behind the wheelchair. "Everything will be fine today."
"I know, Darien. I just don't like having to face that woman down every week."
"That's understandable. But you do a wonderful job all the same." He gave her a small smile.
She returned it. "I most certainly try. Now why don't we get going?" He nodded and the pair left.
Darien had Serena describe how the gym was going to be decorated the next night on their walk to the hospital in an attempt to keep her mind off of Nyx. She was more than happy to oblige.
The petite blonde had just finished with a description of the set-up for the jazz band when they reached the physical therapy desk. Darien checked in, and not long after, James Dillinger arrived. "Hi, Darien, Serena," he said as he approached. "Glad to see you made it on time. We really should get started right away today. Unfortunately, I have a report I have to get done. We'll see you in about an hour."
As the man stepped behind the wheelchair, he leaned over to whisper in Serena's ear. "Good luck. I'm afraid you're going to need it."
The girl looked at him strangely, but before she could respond, the physical therapist walked off with his patient, who gave her a wave as he left. Serena sighed and made her way to the elevator.
Once she reach the right floor, Serena headed down the hall to the small room the previous reviews had taken place in. When she opened the door, she found the room empty. "What's going on?" she questioned under her breath.
A sigh from behind her made Serena jump. "We're meeting in one of the larger conference rooms down the hall today, Serena." The blonde girl spun around and came face to face with Victoria Mizuno. "I want you to know I did everything I could to keep this from happening, but..." The blue-haired woman's voice trailed off as she started to lead the girl to the new meeting place.
The petite blonde paused for a moment at the door. "This isn't good, is it?" she asked her friend's mother. The doctor shook her head. Serena nodded and took a deep breath. "Let's get this over with." The two of them walked into the room.
Inside to the right was a small table that Dr. Mizuno quickly took a seat at. To her right sat Dr. Nyx who watched Serena intently. There was an empty seat across from the psychologist, and next to that sat Toshiro Anderson.
On the left side of the room was a long table with seven people in suits Serena had never seen before sitting behind it. The man in the center cleared his throat when he noticed he had the petite blonde's attention. "Miss Tsukino, thank you for being prompt. If you would have a seat, we can complete this inquiry with the utmost expediency."
Serena blinked. "Inquiry?" she asked, bewildered.
"Yes. Dr. Nyx has brought some issues to the board's attention, and we believe it necessary to resolve these matters as soon as possible for the sake of the patient."
The young woman turned and looked at the now triumphantly smiling Dr. Elizabeth Nyx. "What do you mean, 'resolve?'" she asked without looking away from the smug woman.
"Miss Tsukino, the administration wishes to determine whether or not to allow you to continue in the capacity of representing this hospital in regards to home care for our patient, Mr. Darien Shields."
Elizabeth Nyx's smile merely grew larger.
