Hello and welcome back for another chapter. I can't wait to hear what you think of this chapter and what you think of the way I've set up for the next chapter. If you have any ideas on what you think should happen please let me know… 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.

Pearl Knight

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He was over her. She tried to roll out from under him but there was no hope! No, stop! Please don't hurt me! I didn't mean to! What have I done!? Whatever it is I'm sorry, I didn't mean to! He's hitting her! Someone please stop him! He's hitting her! She's… she's me! He's hitting me! I'm bleeding! My body hurts all over, make it stop! His hands slithered over her body… no… my body! His hands are all over me! I can't catch them… its like bugs millions of bugs all over me touching me hurting me!

"NOOOOOOO NO MORE PLEASE STOP" Serena sat up in a flurry of sheets gasping as she looked around her room frantic to save herself… but the room was empty. Tears were already rolling down her cheeks as she clutched at her chest looking down so the tears pooled where she could see them on the comforter. "Why won't you stop hurting me…?"

"Serena," Darien threw open her door yelling while stumbling in, he was dressed as he was the first night she was brought here. Obviously her scream had been loud enough for him to hear over music and patrons in the bar downstairs, "What's wrong?" his eyes moved over the room glaring at every shadow with an accusation in his eyes as if the very night was the one to harm her.

"I'm so sorry Darien it was just a nightmare. I didn't mean to scare you." She moved her feet over the edge of the bed trying to stop her tears keeping her back to him as she tried to stop the waiver from showing in her voice, "I'm ok now… so don't worry." Darien straightened in the doorway at he watched her. His eyes moved across her back and noticed her arms trembling. Silently, Darien moved to her bed, she felt it shift and stiffened slightly. Serena could remember many nights where HE crawled into bed… she felt the phantom pains of her experiences and it caused her to jump off the bed as if she had been burned. "You shouldn't leave the bar unattended." Darien hesitated.

"Serena, I would never hurt you. I just want to help." She stayed still and silent. He nodded softly,

"I'll leave, but that doesn't mean I don't care. You can talk to me about anything… anytime. I know we just met… I realize that you might find it hard to trust me… but take a few baby steps with me and let me prove myself to you." With that he closed the door softly. Serena stood looking out her window at all the lights whizzing by. All day today he had been nothing but kind, ever since she met him actually. HE always made fun of her… Darien teases, but that's just it, he teases. A smile spread across her lips as she sat down and thought about her day.

As if the bathroom fiasco wasn't bad enough she has moving to look forward to. She slipped on her shoes and sighed. Darien bustled around the kitchen making all sorts of food to bring along. She wondered fleetingly if Darien would mind teaching her to cook sometime soon. He finished packing the last onigiri with a chefs hand while calling to her, "Serena are you ready?"

"Yes, are you?" Serena walked into the kitchen with a nervous smile on her face.

"Yes… are you alright you don't look so well."

"Heh, I think I should warn you that I'm actually a terrible klutz so I'm really sorry if I drop anything on, fall on you, or somehow do something that results in you being in the ER…" Darien stood there for a moment feigning thoughtfulness.

"Maybe we should rethink this room mate thing…" Her eyes widened slightly. "Don't look that way! I'm kidding I promise. I'm not worried. I promise to catch you if you fall." It was such a sweet promise that she smiled tenderly. Serena nodded softly and moved to go around him… and tripped on a kitchen chair. Just as promised as if he was proving it before the left, he caught her. "See?"

"Thank you." He let go promptly after noticing the look of discomfort on her face. The rest of the day was followed of course by much falling and many tumbles. Darien even went so far as to fall down the stairs to help her. They both sat down in her finally made up room bruised but happy.

"I suppose you really weren't kidding." Darien poked at another blue and black marble discoloration on his calf. "You're a walking talking accident waiting to happen." He chuckled merrily only to find his open mouth munching on a lacy white pillow.

"Brute!" Serena smiled happily as he caught the pillow in his lap and chuckled.

"Hey could be worse at least it isn't flower." With a swiftness that can only be described as being that of a cobra Darien lunged at Serena and enveloped her in his arms. Before she cold properly react he was tickling her sides, Serena didn't know if she should hyperventilate or laugh. Her fear was bubbling up at the close confining contact, but the way his fingertips moved across her midsection was so tender that she couldn't find it unpleasant. Serena didn't wait long to succumb to the laughter that was already beating down the fear and attempting to erupt from her pale rose colored lips. Darien of course was pleased that she was allowing this contact and couldn't help but to enjoy it. Her voice washed over him as her chime giggled filled the room harmonizing with her baritone chuckles. Her small frame trembled in glee under his moving hands. Even her hair ensnared his attention as the golden strands caressed his arms and face like silk.

"Amazing," the whisper escaped his mind and passed his lips before he could stop it. Time froze.

"What is?" Serena was finally catching her breath as he ceased all actions "Darien?"

"Nothing Serena" he smiled down at her and released her slowly stepping back. "It's getting late and we've both been through a lot why don't you call it a night." She nodded hesitantly; he seemed so flustered it made her wonder what he truly meant.

"Goodnight Darien, see you in the morning."

"I'll make chocolate chip pancakes" Darien grinned at her child like enthusiasm to his promise her small bubble gum tongue slide over her mouth and she dove for the bed glowing with anticipation. He laughed lightly and closed the door behind him.

Such a wonderful day… why could night be so good to her? Why couldn't he leave her dreams in peace?

He eyed the bar for a moment he almost could believe he had found the right place. He sat down and cast his stony blue eyes around the room taking in what was there to be seen, not much really. The bar was like any other bar, stools cigarette smoke, a juke box off to the corner that obviously wasn't used anymore, all the basics.

"Can I get you something?" A man walked over with a half smile decked out in black even a spiked collar around his neck.

"I'll have your house special."

"Sure thing."

"How long has this bar been here?" The man set the concoction in front of him and looked around as if assessing the date in the very wooden floors or thick walls meant to keep the music from spilling into the upstairs.

"About a year and a half, I had to make some changes and fix it up so it took me a while to get it running."

"Nice little place." They were interrupted by an order and the stranger gazed about taking in what he could. This couldn't be right…

"noooo no more please stop!" it was faint voice but he was sure that if you were upstairs with the one screaming it was nice and loud and resounding. The man behind the bar dropped everything and ran for the back stairs with a frantic look in his eyes. He looked on as he disappeared behind the door out back leading to the stairs with a scowl.

"Is that how it is then?" He held the cup up as if toasting the stairwell. "Doesn't matter, cause I found you. I would know that sound anywhere." He chugged his drink down and grinned a lopsided lazy grin that made the females in the bar sigh. "I think I'll take my time though my little bunny." He stood and brushed his ponytail of dark ebony hair over his shoulder. "I have all the time in the world." He dropped a few bills and left in a mood much better then he entered.

The next morning just as he said he would Darien had a stack of the best smelling chocolate chip pancakes Serena had ever seen. In fact he had then the next day as well… and the next and the next but please note my wonderful readers that I write 'had', the moment Serena sat down… they mysteriously always disappeared… every last one. Darien chuckled shook his head and set to making some more for himself. Her appitite seems to grow the happier she is…

"Oh, are you making seconds." Serena grinned impishly. This made him full out laugh.

"That I am." This seemed to be the new trend of Darien's mornings. She brought so much life into his once quiet home. He never would have found himself laughing nearly this much a few weeks ago when she first stumbled into his life… literally. Everything just seems so much more… vibrant.

"I was thinking, why don't we go out today… I hear the fair came into town last wedensday you think we could go?" Darien sat down with another stack quickly snatching his up having to use the serving fork for the pancakes and his own to ward off her fork from the entire stack.

"I don't see why not. I've never really been to a carnival though."

"Oh well great! I can be the one to give you, your first fair experience!" Serena, the ball of energy she is, sprang up and sprinted through the house to gather her clothes and showering supplies. "I won't take long!" Darien laughed softly and picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey Drew you feel like going to the fair?"

"That sounds like fun… and unlike you"

Darien could almost feel the smile

"Serena wants to go so…"

"Did she ask for a group?"

"Well… no"

"Then, nope I don't feel like it"

"Its not what you think Drew, she"

"I know but its not about what I think its about what I know"

"Huh?"

"You'll understand soon, see ya!"

Darien glared at the phone then hung it up and made his way to his room to attending to his preparations for the outing… for some reason he felt nervous…

The knocking at the door was so loud Ray almost fell into the fire she was praying before. The slider flew open and a very out of breath Andrew fell into the room beside her.

"Ray, you feel like going to the fair with me… to spy on Serena and Darien whom are going."

"That sounds more like something the love Dr. Mina would like." Drew blushed slightly.

"But I didn't ask Mina." Ray faltered slightly but blushed and nodded.

"I… I would love to."

Darien and Serena left the apartment side by side and smiling. Talkative little Serena was describing all the rides and all the games she could think of. Darien just enjoyed her enthusiasm and the sound of her voice. Today would be a wonderful day… KLONK!

"Ow! Sorry I just tripped I'm ok" Darien chuckled and helped her up

"Guess I'll have to catch you everyday." A wonderful day… If they can both survive it.

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Thank you all so very much for reading. I've really enjoyed all the feed back and suggestions more are always welcome, so, please don't be shy and let me know what you think and how your feel about my ideas. Thanks again!

Your humble serving author,

Pearl Knight