Hello, this is not a test. I would like to know your opinion of the direction of this story. This is a real chapter that I hope is good so please read a bit... and please let me know how I'm doing… I do not own Sailor Moon or the characters. The story line is mine though so please be respectful and keep it that way. Thank you and enjoy.

Your humble serving author,

Pearl Knight

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"Are you sure this is a good idea Andrew?" Ami shifted uncomfortably in her seat next to the window of a restaurant. "Serena has been through a lot… maybe we should have let her…"

"This will be good for both of them. Darien has been through his fair share of losers and he's given up on finding someone. I know he'll fall for her. He just needs to see the glow we always see in her."

"But what if she isn't ready!?" Rei's eyes locked on him and he felt a shiver run down his spine. He eyes were incredibly intimidating. Almost black brown with flecks of red…

"Listen, I know she has been through a lot. I was there for her just as much as you guys were. This will be good for her. He has this aura about him. I wish I could explain it." Rei let her eyes soften.

"Why don't you take us there and let us meet him" Mina smiled warmly for him cornflower blue eyes encouraging.

"Did you say that his last name was Shields?" Leada tilted her head slightly "Is that a relation to Amara Shields?"

"Yeah, that's his sister. You know her?" The girls smiled softly. "So does Serena. We met her while she was visiting to do a race. Amara calls Serena her Kitten" The girls giggled happily.

"Sounds like Amara to me." Andrew paid the bill the girls were of course grateful and thanked him. They had all met in middle school. They had all stayed close through high school. They had all become inseparable after graduation. The only time that had ever been called into question was when Serena had been stolen from them. But now she's back and they won't ever let that happen again.

The city was full of hustle and bustle as it always was. The walk wasn't as long as they had though before they reached the bar. Of course his home had its own entrance but still the girls were definitely not happy that Serena was living above a bar.

"I don't think I like this set up… she's so close to all those dirty men all drunk and stupefied." Andrew smiled.

"Don't worry he doesn't normally have a issue with men jumping the bar at his servers… then again I don't know if he has ever had a female like Serena work there before… but don't worry the few times it has happened Darien saves the day." The girls froze.

"She's not working in A BAR!"

"Guys this isn't up to us. Let her control her own life. We can watch out for her it won't be hard to do it from a distance. She needs a chance to be her own now. I'm surprised she's already willing to start taking steps." Silence before the females around him and each one acknowledged him as right. As the reached the door Rei sighed softly with a smile.

"Rei?" Ami tapped her. "What is it?"

"It's soothing," she swayed a little, "she feels so happy. I missed it so much when she was happy." Rei, the little fire priestess, was very susceptible to emotions and auras. Over the next few minutes a bang was heard then a frantic masculine voice

"Serena! Wake up!"

…

It was like coming out of a hot tub slowly. It was the only way to describe how waking up from the perfect dream was to Darien… his nose twitched as the reason for his slow waking became more noticeable. He rolled and his brow twisted with his face making a unhappy grimace.

"Is," Darien yawned, "is something burning?" with this statement all exhaustion disappeared from our dear friends eyes and the quilt flew off in a flash. Darien ran down the hall skidding and falling outside the guest room door. "Serena! Wake up!" he scrambled to his feet but freeze framed as a soft voice drifted to his ear from behind.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to!" slowly Darien turned around and came to see what must have been the cutest thing he had ever been faced with. Serena stood there in the hall in his black t-shirt and a pair of tight rose printed black cotton drawstring sleeping pants. She seems to have picked splotched on flour to accent her hair face and clothes and wide watery eyes told him she had failed whatever mission she had been on.

"Serena what happened?"

…

Rei's eyes landed on Andrew.

"You're right. He has an aura of peace around him. He genuinely wants to help her. I can even feel him becoming slowly protective over her." Rei sighed in relief. When she had done this before to make sure Serena was with a good man he had blocked her. He had falsified his aura and she couldn't find the real him. She tried to warn Serena but without real proof she was unable to really say anything other then 'something feels wrong.' And Serena, although she had faith in her friend, believed that he deserved a chance given that he wasn't all darkness she wanted to avoid judgment. Rei worked constantly at the temple to hone her abilities so that would never happen again.

"Lets give them some time before we show up" Ami smiled as she spoke.

"I'll hang out here a while longer. I have a key to the bar so I'll just hit up his Pepsi stash." The girls nodded.

"We will go start to pack her things." Things seemed to have quieted down and Andrew prepared to make his presents known.

…

"I tried to cook." Darien chuckled.

"I can see that. What happened to the food?" She pouted slightly and helped him up. Walking into the kitchen Darien knew just what happened. She had tried to cook to much at once hash on one burner pancakes on another and looks like she was starting in on omelets.

"One minute it was all going fine and the next it was horrible! I put on the pancakes then the hash and I only turned around for a second then I smelled the pancakes. When I tried to fix it I smelled the hash and then the omelets feel off the table and then well…" she gestured around to the mess. Darien smiled and rolled his eyes. "I'm sorry" He stared at all the ruined food and his normally spotless kitchen then turned to his floured friend. He couldn't resist, Darien laughed uncontrollably. At first she was hurt but once she scanned the room then him a smile tugged at her lips to… she reached over with a wicked grin snagged a handful of flour… and got him right in the face. Dark eyes darted up to meet crystal blue both sets narrowing good naturedly.

"This. Means. War."

…

Neighbors looked at their windows in aw and my hand froze hovering over the door. The sounds of laughter and play were emanating from the once stoic home of my dear friend Darien. I couldn't help but smile I stood back closed my eyes and listened to two sounds I had missed so much, Darien's laugh and Serena's giggle.

…

I faked left and darted right as the flour fight continued. It was amazing how free I felt! I can't even begin to describe the feeling I got as soon as the first bit of flour hit my face. My eyes couldn't leave her face as her smile curled across the lower portion so perfectly sculpted. This was the moment I first realized how beautiful she is. I never noticed her lips so much. Her eyes never danced like that before did they? When did her figure become such a temptation to touch? Don't get me started on her chime like giggle. I spun out of the way of a flour bomb and slide forward catching her around the waist and forcing her down as I laughed happily the mirth in my eyes I grabbed a bit more flour but froze as I looked down. Her tantalizingly beautiful body… was trembling. The happiness had fled her eyes and I think it has something to do with the very intimate position I put us in without realizing it. I let the flour slip through my fingers as I spoke soft and calming.

"It's ok Serena I won't hurt you." She looked up at me controlling her breath to a short pant. Tears welled up in her eyes. I started to reach up to brush away the pooled tears. My finger tips grazed her cheek and I found myself amazed at the softness of her skin…

"I, I'm sorry." She wiggled out of my hold then and I watched her retreat from the room. I sighed softly and cursed myself for crossing the line of touching. She was always careful to avoid actual contact, I knew that. But, When she was there tucked close to me I couldn't help it. Her form had been so small and her body was so warm… I looked around myself and took in the mess.

"Cleaning all this… is worth it. There's something about this girl…" I stood slowly and started to brush myself off. I had heard her door close so I moved towards the bathroom across the hall from her room and mine. I detoured to my room and pulled off the messy clothes I had slept in wondering how I would gain her trust. How could I get close to her and show her not all men are bad. I should get cleaned up she and I are going to get her stuff later on and I don't think I want to be surprised by Andrew or the girls like this. I wrap a towel around my waste and ruffle my hair to loosen the caked on powder. As I open the door I'm sure my face turned to pure shock.

…

Oh God. As if earlier wasn't bad enough! No, I have to be further embarrassed! My eyes couldn't be stopped they just… they fell right down his form I looked him over shamelessly! Lean muscled body, tight abs… one, two, three, four, five, six… yep six… I clutched my towel tightly against my body as the water dripped down my neck. He must have thought I had stormed into my room… "… hi…"

…

They stared at each other before Darien finally realized what was going on and turned his back to her. She took note of that too.

"I'm sorry you go ahead."

"No, no its ok you go." She too turned her back to him

"You were heading there first its only fair."

"If you two are going to shower together warn me now so I can leave quickly." Andrew laughed as they both faced him with furious embarrassed eyes. "Hey Rudolf had a sister and a bro?"

"ANDREW!!!!"

… (I think I will give you a bit more before I call it quits.)

Andrew smiled at me as Serena disappeared into the bathroom to hide.

"Serena there is still a bit of flour in your head take a shower I'll clean up and talk to Andrew."

"But, I made the mess… let me clean."

"Don't worry about it I know how I like things done. I'll show you where all the cleaning supplies are later."

"Ok… if you're sure." I stepped away from the door and towards Drew.

"Ok, there is a women living here now. You need to knock first."

"I did, but you were to BUSY to get the door." I sighed and blushed softly of that I'm sure.

"We weren't doing anything" I opened the closet beside the fridge on the west side of the room where the sun was currently spilling in through the windows.

"Yes you were. You were bonding." Andrew snagged a mop, "I'm glad of it too." He turned on the water and filled the sink. "What do you think of her?"

"Andrew," I rolled my eyes, "It hasn't even been a week! Heck it's our first day. Cool it. We are just roommates." Andrew smiled.

"If it had been yesterday I would have believed it. However not only were you laughing and playing and carrying on, so was she. I know Serena and I know you. Mark my words Dar. It's only a matter of time." I watched him as he put the soap in the water.

…

Once I washed my hair a second time I slipped into a summer dress it was light and airy and bright. I was worried at first, but everything seems ok. Andrew only did this to help me but I think that maybe… he has helped more then he knows. Darien is patient and kind. Maybe, I have found a friend I can really trust and rely on as well as protect me. I couldn't help a small smile as I came to the doorway. Darien heard me first and looked over. He seemed to be looking at me a little different, like he was searching me for something.

"Can I help?" I wasn't sure what he found but the smile that curled on his lips made a bright one stretch on mine. I don't understand what he pinpointed but whatever it was seemed to please him. For some reason, that fact pleased me too. He handed me a cloth and pointed to the table.

"That would be great, thanks Serena" Drew left about 15 minutes in to help the girls so that when we got there things would go smoothly. We talked and joked the whole time. It was nice to be able to talk and relax. Darien didn't ask so many questions and he didn't try to hard that the girls do sometimes. He just is and that's what I need right now. I need to just be.

…

Serena and Darien relaxed in each others company. Darien couldn't believe that Drew was right. Serena was already wormed into his heart. He already was starting to get very attached. 'A matter of time' Drew had said. Darien's hand brushed across Serena's and for once she didn't notice till it happened a second time. Perhaps rather then time being an issue it was time past. Darien kept conversation on light subject but things that helped him get to know her, school, work, childhood, and hobbies where first on his lips. Not a matter of time… rather a matter of past. Darien made up his mind in that moment as she finished cleaning the last counter top. He would help her through this. He would make sure her past can't hurt her anymore. Then, if she feels for him as he is already starting to feel for her… he can offer her a better future. But first… he needs to teach her to cook…

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Thank you for reading. I hope this first chapter is to your liking. I really need some feedback now that I've given you a real chapter. So, please don't be shy and let me know what you think of my ideas. Thanks again!

Your humble serving author,

Pearl Knight