Well, here's the next chapter.
Once again, thank you everyone for reading!

Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon.

It has been exactly 20 hours and 46 minutes since Endymion last encountered Serena.

He was keeping count every minute that skidded by.

Endymion was tucked behind a corner of a building and scrutinizing the premises of Serena's home ever since dawn broke out. Truth be told, he couldn't escape his hotel room fast enough once he discovered where Serena lived.

However, Endymion didn't classify his doing as obsessive stalking but mere...curiosity. He wanted to find out who Serena was and whether or not she is in any form related to Serenity or the Silver Crystal. Yes, that was what he was doing. He was running an errand for the safety of his people.

He definitely was not stalking her, that's for sure.

Plus, he wanted to find out why she was acquainted with Seiya. Endymion hadn't seen him for the past millennium since the final battle with Galaxia. What was he doing in Crystal Tokyo? Where are the other Sailor Star Fighters? How come the Crystal Palace wasn't his prime destination when he first arrived to Crystal Tokyo? But most importantly, what was he doing with Serena?

There are just so many unanswered questions that Endymion just cannot simply abandon hanging before he returns to the Palace. He was the king for crying out loud, it is his duty to investigate such matters.

But the, a voice broke out from behind him.

"Um, can I help you?"

Startled, Endymion dismissed whatever thoughts that were circulating his mind and turned to face his inquirer and prepared to cook up an excuse that would fan away any suspicions that she may have regarding his presence.

But before Endymion could turn down the offer, he realized that the inquirer was actually Serena with her brow arched in suspicion and a fruit basket tucked under one of her arms.

"No, I'm good, thanks." However, despite what he said, Endymion still didn't budge from where he stood.

Trying to ignore the awkwardness that hung between them and the annoyance Endymion was stirring, Sierra decided to reluctantly press him further.

"It's Darien, right?"

He nodded once.

"Okay, Darien, may I ask why you're spying on me?"

"I wasn't spying on you; I was just admiring what a lovely home you have."

"And you know where I live because-?"

Busted.

"Okay, I followed you."

There was something different about Endymion in civilian clothing that Sierra found slightly intriguing—and somewhat familiar. He no longer intimidated her but instead, she felt at ease with him, which was why she could be so bold. She wasn't really bold with anyone. Not even with her ill friend Mimi or her familiar friend, Seiya.

"Okay, so you stalked me."

"No," he countered. "I followed you."

"What's the difference?"

"In fact, there's a significant difference."

Sierra lit her winning smile at him. "Charming," she said as she attempted to swerve around him toward the front door steps of her home.

However, when Endymion saw her limping, he couldn't resist but offer his aid.

He caught her by the arm and pulled her toward him. "What's wrong?"

Sierra irritably shrugged his hand off her. He needs to know how Lady Mars feels Sierra thought. Just because you're the king doesn't mean you're prone to rejection.

"It's none of your business. Now leave me alone." Sierra continued her awkward trek toward the house.

It felt good to speak to the king this way after his rudeness toward her.

It was then Sierra's ill friend Mimi decided to step out onto the walkway that led to their doorway.

"Sier—"

"Mimi!" Sierra cut her friend off before she could say her real name and reveal to Endymion that she had deceived him. "What are you doing out? It's windy out here and besides, I told you that I'd be home soon."

"I heard voices out here and you were late so I was worried." Mimi then turned to Darien. "And you are?"

Sierra opened her mouth to introduce the two but Endymion decided to take it upon himself. "I'm Darien, a friend of Serena's."

"Serena's friend?" Mimi asked and shooting an arched brow toward her friend.

Sierra ignored Mimi's scrutinizing stare and gritted her teeth, eyes narrowed into slits at Endymion. "He is not my friend."

"Sure I am. Now let's get you inside and have a look at your ankle."

Sierra rolled her eyes and shoved Darien in the direction of their backyard. "My ankle's fine. It might be twisted because I tripped on the way over here but it happens all the time. Mimi can take a look at after. We can talk in the backyard. Mimi needs her rest now."

Clumsy Endymion thought. Just like Serenity.

"I'm not tired." By now, Mimi was starry eyed at Endymion.

Sierra had to elbow her friend. "Yes, you are. Now get inside."

Speaking in a low, hushed, whisper, Mimi then said, "Well, excuse me for staring. It's not my fault he's so darn handsome. Aren't I right, Serena?"

Sierra was incredibly grateful that Mimi had caught on. "Well, you can flirt with him some other time, when I'm not here. Besides, he's married."

Mimi gave Sierra another arched brow indicating she wanted to know more but Sierra shoved her inside before turning back to Endymion.

However, before Sierra could apologize, Endymion gave a sympathetic smile and offered an arm. "Shall, we?"

I hope he didn't hear all that.

Sierra tried to limp past him in order to dodge his offer for support but just as she tried to turn past him toward the yard, her ankle gave in and she fell forward. He caught her by the waist and she clutched his arm desperately for dear life.

He laughed.

"You alright there?"

She nodded vigorously and her widened eyes screamed either fear or embarrassment. But the rosy blush flowering on her cheek was undeniable.

Sierra's pulse was speeding not from the fact her face almost found the ground but from the sudden churns her stomach made when he wrapped his arms around her waist. Their proximity and his touch sparked a familiarity within her. Just as how she felt the déjà vu when she locked eyes with Seiya.

Stop that! He's married to Queen Lady Mars. I hate him and he will never like me. That's the way the world's suppose to make sense.

Endymion led Sierra to a nearby two-seater swing and sat her down before plopping himself down in front of her and removed her shoe. Before Sierra could even allow a gasp to escape, Endymion rotated her foot and massaged her ankle.

"How does that feel?" He made no hesitation to stare straight into her eyes.

While Sierra on the other hand, had to look away in order to tame her heart.

"It's alright, I guess."

They allowed a comfortable silence to sail in between them before Sierra decided to ask a question. "Why are you so nice to me?"

"I don't know. Because of Karma, maybe."

"Be serious. I keep turning you away and you still stay and help me. Why?"

Endymion stopped turning her ankle and slid her shoe back on and he then assumed the seat next to her.

"I really don't know. There's just something about you that interests me. You're witty and stubborn and just unlike any other girls I've met in town that goes giddy over every guy they see. You're special."

"Hardly. Besides, shouldn't you be staying away from girls? After all, that ring on your finger must mean something."

It means a loveless marriage, that's what it means. But Endymion decided to avoid the topic. "Enough about me. What about you and that Seiya guy?"

"Me and Seiya? There's nothing between us. We're just friends."

"Oh yeah? Then why does it look like he's about to come here and kill me?"

Confused, Sierra turned and saw Seiya jogging up the path toward them, with the most concerned expression splattered across his face.

"I called Mimi to ask her how she was doing but she told me your ankle was hurt so I just had to come and see you."

Sierra gave Seiya a reassuring smile and said, "Seiya, I'm fine really, I—"

"You need to come inside and get that treated," he concluded, cutting her off.

He slung her arm around his next and helped her back into the house. But before he started on the path, he turned around to face Endymion.

"Nice to see you again, Darien."

With that, Endymion was abandoned and left alone once more.

However, he was quite sure that Seiya remembered him and he was up to something mischievous.

But the real brain teaser was what.

So what do you think?
Again, I'd love to see your reviews because they're like the motivation for me to continue this FanFic since I keep hitting a writer's block.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts!