Hello and welcome back for another chapter. I can't wait to hear what you think this time around. 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
Darien woke up to the soft sounds of the birds outside his window. Darien promptly grumbled and rolled over. "I hate birds" as he rolled over the sunlight hit his closed eyelids in an assault that couldn't be ignored if his life depended on it. Darien promptly grumbled and rolled over. "I hate sun" as Darien rolled over, hating anything that awoke him, a large object lodged itself against him; Darien promptly opened his eyes in shock.
"Wakey, wakey!" Bright eyes of the most beautiful blue stared straight into his, "The sun is out and begging to be joined! Let's go to the park!" Darien watched her shift and jump off the bed heading to her room.
"I love mornings" Darien had smiled then as he hadn't in a long time. He slowly pushed the sheets away from his body and swung his legs over the side. He loved waking up to that women… look out the window suddenly everything was brighter… Khakis… and a black tee… that should do… Darien stood and found the outfit he mentally picked out in seconds… it never took him long to get ready in the mornings. Passing a mirror he noticed the disarray of his hair with a shrug he kept right on going.
"Rei! Andrew!" Good, Darien thought, they are right on time.
AAA
"I don't think I can today Ami, Darien asked me to give him a hand with something. Ask Yura's brother I'm sure he'd be happy to help… Sure… I'll call when we are done and check on you." The call ended just in time as Andrew walked up to the bars entrance.
"Andrew!" just the voice of her caused a shiver along his spine and a smile to spread across his lips. "Wait!" her heels clicked against the ground letting him know she was running to him.
"Forever" The mumble went unheard by here but he turned with a knowing smile to greet her. "Rei, what are you doing here?"
"Darien asked me to take Serena out, he has a surprise for her" Rei stood close signaling a hug that his oblivious mind didn't pick up on… She was getting use to that… he didn't like to cross boundaries… she would just have to change that…
"He asked me here too. Must need help with whatever it is." Andrew moved to leave her side and knock on the door.
"Andrew, wait." Andrew gave her a sideways glance with a smile, "is that all?"
"What do you… oh!" Andrew blushed softly and leaned in wrapping his arms around her tiny waist. Her crimson shirt was silky and smooth against his bare arms and he smiled at the feel. His arm wrapped securely around her he pulled her forward. Tilting his head he kissed her softly, gently, like she might disappear if he's too rough. She knocked as the kiss came to an end and the loud bouncy run of Serena's footsteps made then chuckle. She was always amazingly bright…
"Rei! Andrew!" Serena let the curtain she peeked through fall as she ripped the door open. "Come in! I was just waking up Darien! I made him breakfast all by myself!" Rei lost the color in her face as she check Serena's clothes for scorch marks.
"Is the kitchen in one piece?" Serena froze with a hurt look in her eyes… she'd worked so hard… "Sere, I was kidding. If you made enough I'd like to try it too."
"I've made plenty!" her beaming smile nearly blinded both of them. The morning couldn't have been more fun filled.
DDD
"Now that the girls are gone, what's going on?" Andrew asked him from the table as he drank his orange juice.
"I want to make a few changes for Serena." Darien never even turned around from the sink as he spoke.
"What kind of changes?" setting the glass down Andrew went to his side and began to dry dishes as he cleaned them.
"The good kind," Darien grinned while handing him the last dish. "Come for a ride with me…"
SSS
Serena and Rei made their way towards Mina's house while Rei gave the juicy details on her and Andrew.
"It just finally… clicked. I didn't want to wait anymore and let it slip by me so I made my move."
"Where and when the heck did it happen?" Serena stopped off at a ice cream vendor never breaking the conversation as she gestured which flavors the girls wanted.
"Well after Darien told Andrew about the carnival Andrew asked me to go with him to check it out so he wasn't going alone… and then while we were there I just… stepped up and let him know I knew how he felt about me… We went from there… now we are well.. sorta a item…"
"Sorta?"
"He hasn't really technically asked yet…"
"I think it doesn't matter if you two have lip locked." Rei blanched and cought her friends pink clad wrist.
"How did you know!?"
"Andrew wearing your lipstick at the door was a good indicator." Laughing merrily Serena took off at a run in her little white caprees while still being mindful of her ice cream.
"Get back here!!" Rei gave chase.
AAA
Andrew just couldn't believe it!
"Darien, what do you mean make over the bar?"
"Exactly what I said Drew come on I mean-,"
"You can't be serious Dar; I mean… after all these years?"
"Its time for a change and it would be better for Serena."
"She doesn't know about any of this."
"Of course not… But she'll love it."
"Are you two a couple yet?" Darien hit Andrew in the back of the head gently.
"We aren't and this doesn't mean that anyway."
"She might move out some time then what?"
"You can move in and fill the void… now to home depot."
DDD
Darien knew it would be a hard thing for Andrew to come to terms with but… it was worth it to him… Andrew and Darien had gotten this started from scratch… and now Darien was changing everything all at once… but… it is worth it. Darien closed his eyes and all he can see is his beautiful roommate in her little white hip hugging caprees and her long sleeve pink tailor fit shirt flaunting at him and teasing his with her curves. Darien opened his eyes and Andrew was right in front of him with a odd look upon his face.
"Where the heck have you been? I've been trying to get your attention for God only knows how long!" Andrew held up a color palette and pointed to an egg shell blue, "I think we should paint the bathroom this color." Darien looked around to all the odd stares they were getting.
"Your embarrassing Andrew…"
LLL
Leada looked at the parking lot and found Darien's black Ford Taurus. Parking next to it she exited the car and headed into the building.
"Ok Darien… now what…." Taking out her cell she called his number and he answers almost immediately.
"Are you here?" his masculine voice came across the line to her.
"I'm here… now what."
"Go to the kitchen area." He hung up before she could ask any questions. Leada brushed invisible dust off her dark brown mid thigh skirt pulled her brown purse high on her emerald covered shoulder and walked like a women on a mission towards her destination. She found Darien in his khaki cargo pants and black t-shirt sitting comfortably on a black marble counter top.
"What's going on here?" Andrew rounded the corner and went to Darien's side.
"Our little Dar is growing up" mussing Darien's already black messy short hair he grinned. "He is remodeling."
"I gathered so much… what does that have to do with me?"
Darien jumped off the counter and smiled at her with a glint of mischief
"That's easily answered." He leaned in and mock whispered, "I will need a chef…"
"You want me to be your chef?... I'D LOVE TO!" Leada grinned gleefully.
"Good, pick out whatever you need and want." Darien did something he never has before… he took out his credit card for the business and handed it to the tall Amazonian like women. "Don't tell Serena yet… We're keeping her out during the day and bringing everything in then she thinks I'm working while we're remodeling…"
"I love it!" Leada laughed happily as she moved around the different counters and layouts. "This is going to be great!"
SSS
It had been days since Serena last worked Darien almost seemed to rush her out there door every single morning all week… what did she do wrong? It was as if he was afraid to put her near the work area. Serena convinced them she just wanted to go for a while on her own when they were trying to dump her off on poor Ami. Serena wasn't stupid she knows full well Ami has classes; Serena walked in on them while they begged her to skip them and come see her. Darien just didn't want her around anymore it seemed. Serena grabbed a paper and started looking at apartments for rent… but she doesn't have a job… instead of a real job she just works when he needs her and he covers everything… This was all a bad idea. Serena noticed a help wanted sign in a clothing store. Puffing out her chest for courage Serena walked in and straight to the desk,
"Hello I'd like an application please." The women behind the counter sneered at the blond before her. Blue jeans and a white tang top? You don't ask for an application dressed like then when trying to make a good impression…
"Sorry we just ran out." Serena paused for a second hearing the tone from the women before her. Looking into her eyes Serena realized that she had very hateful green eyes.
"Oh, ok." Serena headed towards the door dejectedly.
"May I have an application?" The voice carried a male edge.
"Of course! Here you go! Good luck!" The women had had them after all… how nice.
Serena felt the sting of tears behind her eyes… didn't anyone want her around anymore? Running from the store she kept right on going as far as her legs would carry her.
DDD
"It's finally done… and just in time too…" Darien sighed contently as he looked over the room that was once his bar. The room was large now and the tables were beautiful the tops a marble sapphire and black and the legs a black metal with intricate bends and twists turns and loops entwining and reaching for the ground like roots from a tree searching for water. In the center of every table was the luxurious glow of a gentle flame. Each seat was plush and perfect for lumbar support and fine dining. The floors were all hard wood the walls were dark tile sprayed with golden and silver glitter the curtains were a deep, deep red making a dramatic impression. "Its perfect."
"Leada, you're here right on time." Darien turned and saw the young women looking around in aw.
"It's beautiful Darien."
"Thank you."
"May I see it now?"
"Of course!" Andrew stepped forward his jeans ripped and covered with paint. The tile only went up half way after that it was a marble painting almost of earth tones coming together and dancing in a strange enticing show of harmony. "This way" Andrew seemed to have painted more of himself and his paint partner Rei then the walls…
"Thanks." Leada and Darien walked in through a door right behind their blond friend.
"Here's the kitchen Leada, its all yours" Darien smiled at the friend of his love.
"Its perfect." Leada felt tears swimming in her eyes. She was a chef… if a restaurant… it was just as she always dreamed…
"Did you hire on everyone you need?" Andrew asked as he wiped a spot off the counter.
"Yes I hired on some of the people I went to school with as cooks." Andrew and Leada had handled that while Darien took care of the legality of everything. The restaurant was ready to be open on Monday (Leada wants to open with a Pasta night all you can eat) and the bar, would be opened on a later date as a lounge on the upper level (opening with a second beverage on us gimic)… as soon as Serena helped him find a small house she will be happy in that he can get his hands on… he had been saving for so long all this was a good dent… he still had plenty… She was worth it all.
SSS
Serena felt the heel give out before she felt her ankle twist she fell fast towards the ground… and no one caught her. Sitting on the ground her palms bleeding and silent tears on her cheeks Serena didn't understand why she felt so horrible… she knew she was jumping to conclusions but it all pointed in that direction…
"Are you alright… Rena?"
Serena looked up slowly with horror in her eyes…
"Seiya," Seiya stood before her in black slacks and a white dress shirt open to a black wife beater, "What are you doing here?"
"I'm out for a walk. You look upset Serena, the new boy toy not working out for you?" Seiya knelt down and caught some of her hair in his right hand. "Is he done with you?" Serena felt her heart wrench sickeningly at his words.
"Don't touch me Seiya." Serena back away at the same time as getting to her feet.
"I feel badly about what happened Serena… you know I do. I didn't mean to hurt you. I never will again, I would love you like no one else could if you would let me. Come for a walk with me let me show you how I've changed." Serena watched him a moment saw the hurt flash across his eyes. her mind told her know but her hurt told her that someone was finally giving her some attentions… her heart jerked in odd ways that she didn't understand should she run or should she talk? She didn't want to be hurt again and the look in his eyes told her he was already in pain… doesn't that mean that he couldn't hurt her? She looked around as if a wall in the surrounding area would give her the answer that she needed. As if something around her would speak up for her and give the right answer. She took in a deep breath… and ran.
AAA
"Its getting kind of late… has anyone heard from Serena?" Andrew asked as he put amber and white Christmas lights around the pillars placed around the room adding a old feel these were encased in old vines and lights and also made of a dark stone color adding to the atmosphere. Darien looked up at him and checked his cell phone he realized then that the small blond hadn't called his razor all day… that was unusual…
"Has anyone else heard from her?" Rei shook her head no and Leada simply held a guilty look.
"I didn't even realize I've been so caught up in everything… come to think of it I didn't really talk to her a couple days ago when it was my turn to keep her out… She must have been mad at me."
"She over heard us trying to get Ami down here, Dar that probably didn't seem good to her."
"Its been forever since I took her out cause I've been so busy here…" Darien winced as he finished his sentence… "She's probably furious."
Rei dropped her paint brush, "Serena doesn't get furious she gets hurt."
The hunt for Serena began in seconds…
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. The more reviews I get the faster I update! Thanks again!
Your humble serving author,
Pearl Knight