A/N - His version - Long chapter. This was his leap of faith. Hence the name of the chapter.

I think if you take ever chapter that is a Him chapter it would flow like a book. Same with the Her chapters. So essentially this would be two in one.

I hope you like it. I may have a chapter or two left but they are not written yet.

Enjoy

~Munchkin1978

Chapter 23 – Part 2 – Him

Leap of Faith

As soon as I was in the building and inside my door I headed for the shower. I dropped and left my clothes on the floor as I stepped into the hot water. Just remembering her sitting in the car just inches from me helped me release the strain that only got worse as I had driven home. If being that close to her did this I don't know what I would do if I had to sit through a whole meeting with her. I pushed the thought from my head. My arm started to ache as a jolt of what felt like electricity shot through it. I ran my arm under the water and it almost seemed that the rose had bloomed even more under the moon. I knew at that point I had been seeing things. I needed some sleep.

Stepping out of the shower onto the cold floor I headed to the sink. Even though I had just been in the water I still splashed just simple cold water over my face. I couldn't shake seeing her but I was seeing something else a dream running the same time. It was like I was seeing two memories overlapping. It was like I was trying to wake up something that had been deep with in me. I didn't understand it. All I know as it had to do with Serena. Being in contact or close contact with her triggered it.

I half dressed. I pulled out my phone and shot a quick text to Jacob. He wouldn't be up for a few more hours but he did owe me a favor. I asked him to meet me in a few hours at her car in the parking lot to take a look at it.

I closed the curtains blocking out the world outside. Set my phone to the alarm and just laid there in the bed till my eyes closed out the world around me.

Feeling like I had just closed my eyes my alarm went off. Which brought a text in from Jacob as well. He was at the hospital and looking at the car. I sat up and called him.

"Hey so you found her car alright?"

"Yes I did."

"Is it bad?"

"No man, it is running. There was nothing wrong. It may have just been cold or shifted slightly. What ever it was it is gone now. I checked everything under the hood."

"Do you have your tow truck with you?"

"Always do."

"Can you tow it to the apartment building on Luna St. I'll meet you there in 45 minutes."

"Sure."

"Thanks. I have an errand to do first. I'll bring coffee."

"Don't worry about the coffee. I have triple large double double in the truck."

"Okay see you in 45."

I rose out of the bed had another quick shower and dressed in the matter of 10 minutes. I had a bright idea since she was not feeling well and I hoped she wouldn't mind. I am her doctor and she had just met me a few days ago.

It was just past 9 on a Saturday morning as I got in my car and drove to the flower shop. I hope they were not out of them for a wedding today. I ran into Lita's Flower and Garden center as she flipped the sign to open.

"Early customer. I hope you have not been waiting long?"

"No I have not but I hope you have what I am looking for."

I asked her for roses. Red ones like the one on her back and the one on my arm. I ended up explaining badly and pulled out my tattoo and pointed at the open rose. She understood. She had 15 left from what she had used already for a wedding.

"Your in luck I have 15."

"I will take all of them." I said. I was nuts. I had no idea what I was doing. I had no idea if she would accept them.

"I can fit 14 in the vase comfortably. Do you still want the 15th one?"

"Yes I will carry that one. Can I have it delivered to the apartment building on Luna to the 3rd floor in 45 minutes please?" I said as I signed the card to go in the flowers.

"Of course. Our driver can deliver them before the wedding flowers go out."

"I'll take the single one." I handed her my credit card.

"Thank you very much. I hope who they are for enjoys them tremendously."

"I hope so too."

"I hope she knows how much you love her too."

I smiled. Love her…. I never thought of it that way. We had just met. Red roses and love went hand in hand. She handed me the single red rose with a tube on the bottom to keep it fresh. She handed me my credit card back and sent me on my way.

Getting back in the car I laid the rose on the seat she had sat in the night before. Images of her flashed before me. The rose and the silver haired girl with the big eyes. I hoped she would accept them. I hoped I was not seeing more into this than she was.

I sped off to Luna St. and there stood Jacob releasing her car from the tow. I waved at him and parked in front of him. He had put her car in her parking spot and pulled back out to the street.

"I don't know what was wrong. Everything started this morning. It could have just been the cold but I have seen flukes happen before."

"I was there last night and it would not start or turn over at all."

"Well if she has more problems with it let me know I will come back and get it and look after it."

"Sure thing man. Thanks for this."

"No problem."

"You got plans for today?"

"Just an engine sitting in my shop. Need to get the pistons to fire properly."

"I'll call you if her car does it again."

"Sure. Hope she is worth it. You never do this for anyone."

"She is something new."

"Glad to see you not working. It looks good on you man."

"Go look after your engine." I said leaving him standing there. I got back in my car for a moment as I waited for the deliver guy to come with the flowers. I was nuts. I was truly convinced that I was nuts. I was getting cold feet. My heart was racing. I hoped she would accept them.

Once I saw the delivery guy get out of the truck 10 minutes later I followed him inside but waited till he delivered them first. He stopped at her door and knocked.

"I have a delivery for Serena Knight."

"That's me." I heard her say. Good she was up and answering her door.

"Sign here please."

I could see her hand take the pen the delivery man handed her and sign that she received them. He handed her the vase full of roses and without saying anything I could tell she was happy. I could feel it radiating through the doorway. I had a good chance then of seeing her. The deliver man walked right by me and tipped his hat as I took my place at the door. She had not seen me yet. How could she with the flowers blocking her view. I put my foot and my self in the doorway and held the rose in my hand. I watched her try to close the door but open it back up with her elbow and her foot.

"Hi. I hope you like them." She followed my gaze to the flowers in her hands.

"Huh?" She looked at me funny at first. Then I think she realized the state that she was in before she actually looked at the card. I remembered word for word what I wrote in the card. I meant every word.

"You sent them?" She was wide eyed as she looked over the flowers at me.

"Yes I felt bad that we couldn't figure out what was going on. Plus your car. There is something about you that I am drawn to. Like I need to protect you from something. I hope it is okay that I sent you flowers? I also have news of your car." I just started talking and it all came out in what seemed like one big sentence. Some of it I was not even sure what I was saying. Fuck. Close your mouth Darien before she closes the door on you.

"No one has ever sent me flowers before. Thank you it is more than okay." She smiled. She was smiling that was good. That was more than good. "I thought you were only interested in your career?" Oh fuck did I really tell her that last night. I was like that till I met you Serena. Now I have not idea what I am doing.

"I am but I thought you would like them."

"I do. Thank you." Good she liked them. I could see her smile. I think she thought it was hidden but I saw it.

"However the delivery man missed one."

"What?" I watched her turn slightly to glance in her apartment before she beckoned me to follow her inside. I watched her put down the vase on the counter and turn back around. I was standing there with the single rose. I am going to look like an idiot but here goes.

"It spilled out of the vase." I held the rose out to her. It was in this moment I felt like I had done this before. But I know I hadn't. I had never bought flowers for anyone before. This was new to me as she had said it was new to her.

She took the rose from my hand and our fingers touched. The spark of a few days ago ran through each finger as it electrified the moment. She looked in my eyes and I felt it. My heart, her heart the little moments we had had and then a whirl wind of memories from a past life. It was her and I. Her eyes were open but were glazed over. Mine must have looked the same. My heart just erupted as I dropped to the floor with her. All I could see was us and our memories intertwining with each others. I saw hers and I saw mine.

Something was drawing me to her. Her eyes it was her eyes. They looked like she wanted to play. I stood up as watched as she was watching us. I went to the closest rose bush. My mother had these on Earth as well. I picked the prettiest one I could see. Just like my mother taught me. I broke the stem and left Diamond to fend for him self. He was coveting the stone that Father had given to me. He had entrusted it to me. I wandered over to the young girl. She was from the Moon. She had silver hair like the Queen and King.

I walked up to her and handed her the rose.

"She will marry Endymion."

"Father I want to marry her." Diamond said. "I must marry her." He spoke peeking around father. He smirked at me and looked at the King of the Moon.

"Father?" My bride?

"I mean your brother's bride. Keep her safe."

"Yes sir."

He had said my bride and then corrected himself.

I dismounted and stood in the doorway to the tent. She was asleep on the cot. Silver hair fanned out in every direction. The feeling from my dream was very much the feelings I had now. I had to shake it off. I could not go in any further. I had orders to protect and deliver her to my brother. I had searched for her. She was right in front of me asleep so peaceful and beautiful. I so wanted to reach out and just touch her. I had to keep this under control. I could not show my feelings that I was currently feeling. I was mad that I couldn't just go her and tell her who I was.

I heard her gasp and watched as she covered her mouth with a quick reaction of her hand. Her perfect hand. Silver hair draped out behind her. Big blue silver eyes that were starting to draw me in. It was her. The same pull I had in the dream was happening again. I could feel my whole body just gravitate.

The feeling was there when I saw her sleep last night but the feeling was more prevalent now. It was her. It was definitely her. She had started to squirm as I put her down. I lingered a little longer than I should because I didn't want the feeling to end. The only thing I could do is talk to her to break my pull. "Lunch will be soon. Don't wander Princess." I let her go.

I quickly caught up and grabbed her by the waist. I liked holding her. It was as if she fit perfectly against me. I shook my head and removed the memory for the time being. I loosened my grip as she turned and got her footing. "Be careful Princess. You are going the wrong way. Camp is that way." I pointed back the way we had come. I turned and started heading that way. "Are you coming? Like I said I don't want you lost in the woods." She followed me and blew past me in a huff but she still turned to see me watching her. She was curious. I smiled but it more came from my eyes as she watched and left for her tent.

I couldn't help feeling this way. I had to give her to my brother yet I didn't want him to have her. I was about to step towards her tent when I saw movement. She had come out side in her night clothes. I could see everything. Her hair, her outline and curves. Her breasts as they complained at the cool night air. I had a slight stirring which I pushed aside. She would find me watching her if I didn't direct her back inside her tent. "Go back to bed Princess."

"Are you always like this? So pushy so arrogant. So entitled to everything." Oh I don't want to be this way princess. I am forcing it. I don't want you to see how much I want you.

"I am Princess. I wouldn't say I'm always arrogant," I was not always like this. I am trying to hide my feelings from you. This is the best way I know how, pushing you away when I want to scoop you up and take you away from here. "But I grew up entitled yes. I was born into this life. My brother has taught me to go after what I want. He always said I was too soft."

She starred at me waiting and when I didn't say anything back she spoke again. "Where are we going? Fragile am I?" She was questioning everything yet scoffing that I was calling her fragile. "If you have been here before why are you Darien?" You don't want to know why I am Darien Princess.

"We must," I said softly, "Until Jaedite and Zoesite have handled the route we need to take. Nephrite is with your court. They are safe. Mina is safe with Kunzite. It is what it is. You just need to stay put. This is no place for a princess to be. Or a prince for that matter." I said to her closing the door.

"But you have been here before. You know her. Where you one of them like downstairs?" I watched as her very innocent question turned into moment she had regretted. She clamped her hand over her mouth once she realized what she had asked. "I'm sorry." I watched her flush a bright pink at her own question. I wasn't sure she wanted the answer.

"I am not proud of the fact but yes I was." I watched her. I told it like it was. I couldn't lie to her right now. She needed to know the truth. "It was a short time ago. Like I said I am not proud of the fact but I was hiding from my father and brother at the time and it happened." I waited for her to respond but she didn't. She grumbled at herself probably scolding herself like I did on plenty occasions. I watched as she sat and removed the cloak with the red locks spilling out behind her. Something in me stirred. She would be very close tonight and tomorrow. I had to be in control. "I like the red but I like the silver as well. Reminds me of a time long ago."

"Ahm." I said breaking the silence. Fuck control is gone. "Well Princess that is not something I was hoping to witness. But seeing as where we are you would fit right in. Except the silver hair. But if I didn't know you were my brothers I would fuck you.…"

"You are easily moved aren't you?" I watched her, my eyes soft and searching. She didn't fight me or pull away. "I know you are my brother's but I am drawn to you." I pulled a loose strand of hair from across her eyes. "You are his." I whispered holding her tightly. I broke my resolve. I couldn't take it anymore. I reached in and kissed her. My current feelings poured into the forbidden kiss that felt right. She moved slightly but came back in. She felt warm and fit perfectly in my arms. The blood rushing to her lips as I pulled away breaking the contact moments later. I ran my thumb over her bottom lip and took the taste of her onto my own.

"You are my brother's. I must not do that again." I shouldn't have done it. I should have just put her down. "I am sorry I shouldn't have." I didn't want to let her go. I was still so drawn to her. It was like a spark had lit the flame that was me right now. She reached out and touched my face. Tracing around my cheeks to my eyes. The scolding I had just done to myself dissipating under her touch. She was curious. She was looking for the real me not the one I was showing her to keep us separated all the time. She brushed her finger tips across my bottom lip and it sent a sensation through me. Things had changed. She had changed. She watched my eyes and kissed me this time when I didn't back away.

"Serenity we shouldn't." I used her name. I never used her real name because I was afraid of what I may have done.

"I don't know your brother. I am here in this moment. He is not. You are here in this moment. He is not." She whispered back.

"We shouldn't…." I was torn. My dream, the rose and her all flooded my head.

"You keep saying that. But you don't want to believe it. I can see it in your eyes."

"I have to give you to him. I won't be able to do it now." I kissed her again and she just melted into me. I looked at her as she tried to read me. "You're glowing. You're happy. You're different."

"I think I am just as drawn to you as you are to me. I don't know what it is. I have never felt like this before. I've never been kissed before. I have never had someone with me other than my court beside one time. That one time I was on my own and they were kind enough to give me a rose. They disappeared before I could thank him."

I looked right at her. I was right it was her. That first night when I saw her sleeping. The pull I had towards her. All the feelings I was trying to cover up and hide because I knew I had to give her over to my brother. "As a young boy I remember playing in a garden."

"A girl was watching my brother and I playing. I got a way from him and found a perfect rose. I picked it and gave it to the girl in the white dress. She was about to talk to me when Father had called for me." I looked at her. I took a chance that this pull between us was because when I saw her. "She was you, wasn't she?"

She nodded yes. It was her. "You disappeared before I could thank you. I was so young and I couldn't follow you. I wasn't supposed to be at the party so I stayed in the gardens to watch. When I arrived on this planet I started to remember. It has been in my dreams since I arrived. It was one of the last days my papa was alive. He died here on Earth sealing the evil away that infiltrated this planet."

"I had dreamed of you for so long and when I couldn't figure out who you were I was reckless, searching, getting into trouble just so I could see you in my dreams."

I took her hand in mine and looked at her. "I can't give you to him knowing this." I would defy everything just to keep her.

"Is this what you remember? This is what I remember."

I took her face in my hands being as gentle as I could. I looked in her eyes and kissed her again. It was just as I remember. Her sitting on that bench watching me. "Serenity…." I said before I kissed her again.

I laid her back on the bed her hair fanning out behind her. Her eyes watching every move I made and attempted to match it. I hovered over her and kissed her. The blood rushing to every contact point I had with her. She didn't stop me and nor did I stop. I felt the back of her and pulled her towards me as she nodded and kissed me. I didn't wait. My clothing was gone in seconds. The moment I connected back to her she ran her hands over my chest as I pulled her to me. With one swift movement I entered her. Time and space where lost as she arched into me. It was just her and me in this moment. We were floating as moved within her. She cried out moments later as the moment of pure bliss reached across her face. I too cried out releasing everything that was meant for her.

I pulled the thin top sheet over both of us as I pulled her close. I kissed her again brushing the stray hair from her face. I traced her face with my fingers and her eyes closed. "Serenity, Princess."

I looked at it in her hands. The simple golden hued crystal sat so innocently not knowing it had such a big job to do. She took it off from around her neck and placed it in my hands instead. I looked at her and when she closed it in my hands I finally spoke again. "You had it? The moon kingdom had the crystal the whole time?"

"I won't let it happen. I will protect you." I placed my hands on hers trying to quell the thoughts I knew where going through her head. "I will always be here for you Serenity. In this life and the next."

"Your glowing Princess. Someone will steal you away if you look like that." She quickly spun around as her eyes lit up. She watched me as I looked her up and down.

"Only if it is you." I pried myself from the shadows for her to enter my arms. "Endymion." She whispered. I wrapped my cloak around her as she pressed herself into me.

"Serenity, my love." I whispered to her as she curled into my side. I kissed the top of her head and she just ran her finger tips across my chest. I felt her head move ever so slightly as she listened to my heart beat. I felt her skin cool slightly and her eyes close.

Oh my love I wish we could stay like this forever. Just you and I. Close out the world around us. Not have to be royal, not have to save the world.

I waited for when my father started to talk of the core and the stability of the moon and the Earth when they became one. I nodded at Serenity who had not once taken her eyes off me. She knew it was time. I slipped the golden crystal from around my neck and dangled it in front of me. The crystal catching the eye of Diamond. The very thing he had been searching for. The anger he had in that moment surpassed the moment of anger I had when my mother died. I heard him growl such an awful guttural growl. I had one upped him. He had no idea I had the crystal. He watched as I opened my hand and the crystal just up and left my hand joining it self back to the core from which it had come all those years ago. I watched as it fused itself making the core whole. Sparks flew out of the core hitting everything in its path as it fused. I stepped back as far as I could with out breaking eye contact with Serenity

"Serenity, Princess, my love."

"I sealed the evil away. I was brave like she asked me to be. I was careful like you asked me to be. She is gone. Her power is mine now but the crystal was too much for me. I love you Endymion. So much. I am glad we found one another." Tears started to fall from her eyes as she touched my face.

"Serenity your life force is tied to your love. Should one of you die the other will die with you and then you both will be reborn. Always to find each other as this is your destiny."

"No Endymion, my love. We will find each other again."

She shed a single tear and closed her eyes. She entered a sleep like the others around us. I felt her slip away from me as I too in that moment slipped into a dream like state. I love you Serenity. I will find you again. I will always find you. It is our destiny and ours alone.

My princess, my love…. If only had found you sooner. Had more time with you.

"Endymion. My love." I heard her speak out loud. She remembered. I pulled myself from the floor and reached for her. Her eyes awake, no longer glazed over. I touched her face to make sure what I was seeing was real. That we were real. We had a past life. We were bonded in this life and next and will always be like that.

"Serenity, my Princess….." My love. I will always be drawn to you. I will always love you….

I saw out of the corner of my eye the silver moon crystal that had entered both of us billions of years ago be as one in front of us both. It hovered above Serenity and instead of a round crystal as it always was it bloomed into the crystal flower of our connection. It was showing us what brought us back together. How a simple red rose brought the past and the future together in this moment. It was our destiny.

"We were reborn. Here on Earth in the future." She said looking up from the crystal at my eyes. She reached out as I helped her sit up. I sat with her and watched as the crystal landed in her hand. I looked at her and she was returning the gaze. We didn't dare break the contact we had at this moment. It was like we were learning about each other all over again.

"I remember everything. The golden crystal. The silver crystal. Us. The moment we left earth and the moment we were reborn." I said to her.

"It drew us back together." I picked up the crystal and held it in the palm of my hand as it started to glow once again and rise into the air above us both. I watched as the figure that came from the crystal looked an awful lot like Serenity but much older. Then I heard her whisper Mother. I looked at the figure and she started to talk.

"You both have a destiny to be with each other. All that were vital to the two of you will now remember that they were reborn. The moon kingdom lives within you my sweet princess. Cherish this life and live to your fullest and in time you will be reborn again as it is your destiny to always find each other in this life and the next. The past is no more but a memory. The Evil dispelled. Change the world my darling daughter. Be your best both of you. Should the evil arise again you will have the tools to dispel it."

"Wait were you not reborn?" She asked looking at her. I could see she was starting to get frantic at the thought her mother was not here.

"No my darling. I used the last of my own power to help the crystal create a new Earth. An Earth that would change its ways and excel. Not be the earth of the past. This core is stable it can not be destroyed. Time and space have calmed. You both will always be in my heart as I will be in yours. The silver moon crystal will always protect you both. But remember should one of you die the other will and both of you will be reborn."

Her mother disappeared back into the crystal. Serenity shed what looked like a tear but didn't show it. The crystal floated back down to her hand this time and I picked up the rose. Our trigger. I kissed the edge of the rose and handed it to Serenity. I watched as her silver hair returned, her eyes going from blue to silver blue in a matter of seconds. I stood and helped her to her feet. I pulled her close just to feel her touch and I couldn't help it but I kissed her. We had been strangers really only moments ago but I knew her. She knew me. We were reborn to find each other. We just needed a little push in the right direction. She looked up at me with her big eyes and touched my face. I am real Serenity. I am standing before you now. I will never let you go. Neither in this life time nor the next. I kissed her again and just held her where she belonged in my arms.

"Serenity."

"Endymion."