Of Faux and Friends

Chapter Six

A/N: Yeah, it's been a while I know. Life got in the way; but I hope you enjoy anyway.

Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon.

Mature Rating

It had been three days since she had seen him. Her fingers skimmed the black cordless phone that sat idly on a wooden end table next to her couch. She contemplated calling him once again that day, but could not bring herself to do it; after all, his voice mail was already full with unchecked messages from her. Letting her hands drop to her side and plopping onto the couch, she leaned her head back against the pillow, closed her eyes and sighed. Three days ago, Darien had canceled their dinner plans and she hadn't spoken to him since. Serena had been quite worried that Darien had left the country again, until she ran into Andrew who had news that Darien was fine but didn't want to be bothered. Andrew didn't seem to know why his friend was being so anti-social and down right rude at the moment either. Her melancholy was so overwhelming that she ended up calling in sick at work, something that she rarely did. Repeatedly, she thought of their last conversation and pictured him sitting on the couch beside her, grinning slightly, his eyes sparkling as he stared into her cerulean orbs. Yet, now, she sat alone, contemplating where their relationship stood and what she had done this time to push him so far away. Glancing at her cell phone that sat on the glass coffee table, she stood up and headed for her bedroom; the only thing that could temporarily relieve her grief and confusion was a Tylenol PM and the thought of cocooning herself into her blanket and sleeping the day away.

Her footsteps were quiet against the floor and as she reached for the door to her bedroom, the gentle chime of her doorbell startled her and she fell still. Despite the knowledge that she had a visitor, Serena did not move an inch; instead she opted to stare at the wooden frame, her lips forming into a pronounced frown. When it rang a second and third time, she inched her way toward it and opened it swiftly. Surprisingly, Darien Chiba was staring at her, his grim expression mirroring her current disposition. He said nothing at first and instead opted to open and close his mouth repeatedly before looking to the ground.

"Can I…Can I come in?" he said, his voice weak and raspy. Serena studied him for a moment, noticing his disheveled appearance. Despite the concern that was coursing through her in regards to his present state, she remained silent. With a gesture of her arm, she moved back from the door and summoned for him to enter. Slowly, she sealed the door with a soft click before turning to face her counterpart.

"I was this close to thinking you skipped out on me again," she said sarcastically, before smiling at her feeble attempt to lighten the mood and ease her own anxiety away. "You look like crap, rough three days at the hospital?"

Darien rubbed his face roughly, his hand skimming over the prickly stubble that was peppered across his jaw and upper lip. "I haven't been to the hospital," he said before clearing his throat. Serena noticed his edginess and the anxiety she was feeling immediately grew into full blown fear.

"Darien what's going on? Did something happen? Are our friends okay?" she asked frantically, her voice laced with panic. When he didn't respond, she took a step toward him and was taken aback when he stepped away. "What's the matter with you?" Her voice was no higher than a whisper.

"I have to tell you something," he murmured, making eye contact with her for the first time since he had arrived to her apartment. "Please, sit down." He gestured to her couch. Serena paused a moment before following his request and settling herself on the edge of her own sofa. She attempted to find a comfortable position on the otherwise perfect couch, but found that the trepidation that was currently affecting her would by no means allow her to relax.

"I don't even know how to start," Darien said as he began to pace around her living room, occasionally scratching his scalp and shooting nervous glances her way.

"You're really freaking me out," she said, staring up at his figure that had opted to hover over her. In order to calm her, Darien sat next to her on the couch and took her hand into his.

"I love you, you have to know that. And regardless of what I'm about to tell you, know that despite my actions, you were always in my heart," he said, his eyes searching hers. She nodded slowly, waiting for him to continue. He sighed. "I wasn't…I dated a couple of women when I was in America. Not right after I arrived, after quite some time actually."

"I figured as much," Serena said grimly. "We dated people while we were apart, Darien. So what?"

"I…you didn't…do you remember how you said you had never been…intimate with another man?"

Serena nodded. "I can't exactly say the same thing."

The blonde's eyes widened, before bringing her hand to her mouth and gasping. She looked around the empty apartment, forgetting that they were alone before leaning into whisper into Darien's ear. "You slept with another man?"

His eyes immediately also widened. "No!" he shouted. "I didn't mean…" his voice trailed. This situation would have been almost comical if it weren't happening to him. "I meant…I had sex with other women while I was in America."

Serena shifted in her seat uncomfortably but said nothing. She looked to her hands that were currently clutched in her lap. "Define, women."

"Two," he muttered, staring at her.

Serena sighed. "Well, we weren't together Darien and I can't exactly be mad at you for doing it with other girls. I…I don't really know how I feel about it, though. Check back with me tomorrow, I might be mad." She paused. "Is that what you were worried about? You didn't call me for three days because you had sex with a couple of other women over the span of seven years." She cocked an eyebrow.

"Not necessarily," he said grimly. "The fact that I had sex with someone else…there are certain…implications."

"Meaning…you have VD or something?" she questioned, her face stoic.

"No," said Darien, gesturing wildly with his hands. Serena sighed with relief. "But you're getting close."

"What?"

"I, there was a woman…her name is Lily and she…she came to Japan three days ago."

"The night of our dinner date?"

"Yes."

"Is she the reason why you canceled?"

"Yes," he repeated.

"Because she wants you back?" Her heart was beating painfully in her chest.

"Yes," said Darien, looking into her eyes.

"Is there more?"

"Yes," Darien said, letting his arms drop to his side and looking to Serena once again. "She's pregnant."

Darien closed the door to his penthouse and let his head rest against the hard surface. He contemplated banging his head against the door in hopes of losing consciousness for the next five months. The look on her face when he told her that Lily was…that he was going to be a father. How could even describe it? Shock, pain, fear; she looked as if she had just been shot in the heart. And the worst part? She didn't say anything to him afterwards; not a damn thing. She just sat there, staring at him with a stoic expression on her face. He had been prepared for her to hit him, throw him out, maybe even try to castrate him, but her doing nothing and just sitting there with that look on her face. After relaying the news to her, he tried to coax her into speaking with him and tried to tell her that this hadn't changed how he felt about her, that he loved her no matter what and that if she would take him, he would be hers for eternity. Yet, he couldn't because throughout his entire speech about working things out, she didn't say a damn thing. Eventually he just left and walked back to his apartment.

Slowly, he straightened up and walked toward the cordless phone that was sitting on a nearby surface and reached for it.

"Where have you been today?" asked a low rumbling voice that belonged to a female. Darien looked up to see his ex-girlfriend leaning against the wall, her hands stroking her protruding stomach, an expectant look on her face.

"I had to speak with someone," said Darien placing the receiver back on its base. "I gave you a key for emergencies, not so you could come frolicking around my apartment. What happened to your room at the Sheraton?"

"I checked out," she said, shrugging her shoulders and walking toward him. "I'm four months pregnant, Darien. I shouldn't be staying at some hotel room alone."

"Some hotel room? The Sheraton happens to be a five star hotel room and you were in a suite. You had help at your beck and call."

"Well the help isn't the father of my child," she said pointing to her stomach. "Look if you don't want to be with me that's one thing, but this is your baby too, Darien, and you should share responsibility for your son. I didn't make this baby alone, you know."

"I am quite aware of…did you say son? It's a boy? Isn't it a bit early to know that?" asked Darien his eyes widening as they fell to her stomach.

"My doctor said I would have to wait a couple more weeks to know for sure, but all the girls at my job said it's a boy. I think so too."

"Speaking of your job, what did you tell them?"

Lily looked away as though she were suddenly very fascinated with the walls in Darien's apartment. "I took a leave of absence for an indefinite period of time."

"Because…"

"I think it's best if I move to Japan," she said, biting her lip and looking at Darien.

His eyebrows arched but he remained quiet. "Look, I'm not trying to come here and change everything but I don't want our baby growing up without a family, you and I both know what that's like Darien. Don't do that to our baby."

Darien sighed loudly before pinching the bridge of his nose. She was right and he knew it. He and Lily had both shared a similar past, although hers was a bit more traumatic than his. At least he could boast that his family at least cared for him before they died, Lily's dad used to beat her mom before he walked out and her mother eventually became an alcoholic. She was turned over to child social services at the ripe old age of six. "You could have at least talked to me about this first," said Darien, leaning against the wall and crossing his arms over his chest.

"How could I? You left for Japan without as much as a word."

"We had broken up a long time before I left Lily, I didn't know I still had to tell you my whereabouts."

"Just because we weren't together anymore doesn't mean I didn't still care about you," she said looking at him. "And don't sound so bitter, you broke up with me, remember?" She fell silent, staring at the various collections of art and furniture pickled throughout the room. "Did you find her?"

"Find who?" Darien asked, his eyes narrowing.

Lily frowned. "Serena; you used to call her name out in your sleep sometimes."

"I did not." Darien scoffed.

Lily smiled. "Did too."

"No, I didn't."

"Because you would know what you did in your sleep," she said cheekily.

"Okay, fine, maybe I did. Why are you so concerned about it?" he asked, making his way to the kitchen.

"You came back to Japan for her presumably," said Lily, following him. "You were on the verge of starting a practice with some of the best doctors in the United States and you up and leave all of a sudden. Just tell me the truth, was it for her?"

Darien remained quiet. "Thought so. How does she feel about this?" asked Lily, once again pointing to her stomach.

"How do you think she feels?" asked Darien.

The red-headed looked contemplative at him before shrugging her shoulders. "Good point."

Fate- the universal principle or ultimate agency by which the order of things is presumably prescribed- Serena was beginning to hate that word. Pulling the covers over her head, her gaze fell to the inky black midnight sky through the glossy pane of her bedroom window. The stars were twinkling ever so slightly against the blackness; fate was laughing at her and even the stars found her current predicament to be amusing. Was this their destiny, to be constantly pushed together and ripped apart? Was this some sort of karma catching up to her, making her pay for the selfish mistakes of her past. It seemed that life and circumstance had once again caused drastic, unwanted changes to enter her life and shatter whatever chance at happiness that she had left. In all honesty what had Darien expected her reaction to be, a congratulations and pat on the back? Things were just starting to look good for them, and for the first time in so long, she was ready to look to the future. And then this woman, with no face for her to recognize suddenly appears and puts all of her plans for them at a halt, a standstill. What had he expected her reaction to be? For them to completely disregard the fact that he had created a life with another woman? That he was bound to someone through this unborn child for the rest their lives? How was she supposed to feel about that? Darien and this other woman were about to embark on a journey that would bind them for eternity, and here she sat, the other woman who threatened to break up their perfect little co-existence. So in retrospect, she did what anyone in her predicament would do…she said a final farewell to the man that she had loved for almost all of her entire life. She would relish their tender moments from the past, but for now, there was no future for them. Not anymore.

"You came," said Darien, relieved as he swung open the door to his apartment. She looked around quietly before stepping in and leaning against the wall.

"Is she here?" she asked, her throat scratchy and dry. Admittedly she had been crying for a majority of the afternoon, and although concealer could hide the numerous bags beneath her inflamed eyelids, no remedy could destroy the pained sound that erupted from her mouth.

Darien frowned. "No, she's not here. I asked her to leave so that we could talk. Do you want something to drink?" He scratched the back of his head.

"No, I can't stay long," she replied, hardening her gaze as she stared at him. Darien shifted his stance but said nothing. The silence between them was palpable, pregnant with tension and fear.

"I've been thinking, about this," she said, waving her hands gently, " and I can't do it. I can't do this with you."

"You can't do what exactly?" Darien asked his heart pounding fearlessly within him; he already knew the answer to his question. She looked at him sympathetically before focusing her gaze on a portrait that hung on the walls of his living space. It was a painting of the New York skyline, bright and busy with people and things to do. She smiled sadly to herself; this was another facet of his life that she had no part in, that she couldn't share.

"I can't be this other woman in your life, when you're having a baby with someone else. Darien you're going to be a father, you don't need some other person clamoring for your attention."

He sighed. "Serena…listen-"

"No you listen, I know you loved this woman once upon a time, I know you could probably love her again if you tried. Do you really want to pass this up? You're being given the chance to finally have the family that you lost a long time ago. For the next nine months, she's going to need you, for the rest of its life, this baby is going to need you, and you expect me to just try and keep to you to myself. Regardless of how I feel about you, this is something bigger than the both of us. You're about to raise a child who will eventually be someone's father or mother, husband or wife. Darien this is probably the most important thing you'll ever do, and I won't stand in the way of this. I won't."

"You won't be in the way," he said, the desperation in his voice even obvious to her ears despite the conflicting thoughts that were running around in her head. She was doing the right thing, wasn't she? For him, for his baby? "I love you, so much, and I want…I need you here with me. I need you."

Serena smiled sadly before letting her fingers wrap around the brass door knob. She needed to get out of there, away from them, away from the place where so many memories stood to be made, memories that wouldn't include her. She turned her back to him and pulled the door open.

"You mean everything to me," he said. "Don't go."

"I have to, Darien," she said, smiling sadly at him before rushing from his presence. "I have to."

She pressed her forehead with the palm of her hand and felt the dampness of sweat on her skin. She didn't want to think about this anymore. She couldn't lay here and feel sorry for herself. It was her decision, it was her choice; she walked away from him, from her, from the whole situation and now she would have to live with the choice that she made, no matter how much it hurt.

"May I have twelve dozen red roses please and a couple of wildflower arrangements," said a red headed woman as she sat her purse down on the spotless marble counter before her.

"Sure thing, miss. For anyone special?" asked the florist, smiling sweetly at the pretty young lady.

"Not necessarily no, I'm staying with a…friend and wanted to bring some color to his apartment."

"Lucky friend," growled the deep, sultry of a voice from behind.

Quickly, Lily turned to see who was speaking with her when she noticed that it was a very attractive dark haired man standing beside her.

"Thank you," she said, taken aback by his good looks and charming smile.

"Why is it that all the lovely ones are taken?" he said, stepping up to the counter and leaning against it in a relaxed manner.

"Or pregnant," she said jokingly. Seiya glanced down and saw the small bump on her stomach and shuddered inwardly. The thought of being a father scared him to no end, why anyone would want to willingly raise a dirty little child was beyond him.

"What form of payment are you going to use miss?" asked the florist as she placed the order in the back for later.

"Can you please bill these to Darien Chiba?" she asked cheerfully. Seiya almost choked on his own spit. If she was having Chiba's baby…well this was almost too perfect. He smirked to himself.

"So Chiba's the lucky father, huh?" he asked casually, picking at a rose basket that sat beside him.

"Yeah, do you know him?"

"Darien and I go way back," he lied. He only happens to be the man that's fucking my future wife. "Funny he hasn't mentioned this to any of us."

"Well, it was kind of a surprise for us both and a recent discovery. Besides, he's not exactly thrilled about it just yet."

"I'm sure he'll warm up to the idea of having a child with a beautiful woman like you. Especially since there is no one else in his life right now," Seiya commented off handedly.

"Well, there's a girl, but I don't know…I don't know what's going to happen with them, considering…" she trailed off, a blank expression on her face.

"You know what, if you're going to be having one of my best friend's kids, I think it's appropriate for you and I to get to know each other. Let me take you to lunch," he said, flashing her his brightest smile.

Lily glanced at her watch and shrugged. "I don't really know anyone out here. That should be nice," she said thankfully, picking up her purse and turning to face Seiya.

"Wonderful," he said, holding out his arm for her to take it. "You know, I think this is going to be the beginning of a beautiful friendship."