Chapter 2.

Darien Shields sat with a far off look etched into his handsome features. His best friends Andrew did not fail to notice the demeanor change that occured in his friend at this time every year. Andrew strolled over with a steaming cup of black coffee and placed it in front of his friend.

"There you go Dare. Just the way you like it." He said it with a smile.

Darien was broken out of his stste by his best friends words.

"Um yeah thanks" he replied as he brushed his ebony locks from his face. His next words made Andrew drop and smash the glass he started cleaning.

"If there was ever one thing I regret about the past, it was that I never had a real Christmas," Darien said as he examined the massive christmas tree positioned by the window. At the loud smash that echoed throughout the building, Darien leapt off his chair to help Andrew gather the broken glass.

Just then the clock struck 3:30 pm and the Arcade was flooded with high school students. Darien repositioned himself and waited. A knowing smile graced Andrews lips. Everyday Dariens schedule was changing. But at exactly 3:30 pm everyday he could be found drinking a hot cup of black coffee at the Arcade. His best friends eyes unknowingly brightened as a group of teenage girls entered. Loudly.

"Aww come on Raye I wasnt that late!" the shortest of the 5 whined. Raye replied very quickly.

"If you were any later Serena we'd all be dead!"

Darien and Andrew missed the underlying meaning in her words. The night before the girls had encoutnered a rather nasty negaverse youma in the park. Serena/ Sailor Moon had taken over an hour to get there. Raye was right. If she had been any later they would be dead. Literally.

Serena then started an all out rasberry war with Raye. The other girls just rolled their eyes. Serena giggled in triumph when she won. She then happily walked up to the counter and smiled at Andrew. Just as the blonde opened her mouth to speak, the man interupted her.

"Let me guess. One double chocolate fudge sundae?"

Her grin grew even wider and she nodded with enthusiasm. At least until Darien joined the conversation.

"Easy on the chocolate meatball head. You'll end up being as round as Santa Claus" he finished with a chuckle.

Raye, Lita, Amy and Mina cringed as they awaited the inevitable explosion of Serena's temper. They decided to play it safe and meet up with her later. As they snuck out quietly Serena turned and glared daggers at Darien. She refused to engage with him this close to christmas. It might get her into trouble with Santa.

"Aww come on Meatball Head, where's your Christmas spirit?" Darien whispered as he leaned in close to Serena's ear. His voice sent shivers up her spine. Serena shook her head to rid herself of the feeling. She slowly turned around with a sultry smile on her lips.

Darien took a step back as he saw her face. '

'Wow. Serena looks hot. What?! Where the hell did that come from?' he thought. The sound of her voice made his stomach do flips.

"You are so right Darien" she said as she stepped towards him. She was almost pressed right against him when she turned again and whistled. Everybody in the room looked at her expectantly.

"I just want to wish everyone a happy Christmas filled with love and joy. Well, everyone except the jerkwad Darien. He doesn't deserve it." Andrew saw a look of genuine hurt grace his best friends features.

Darien quickly threw down some money and left the Arcade. Serena turned and smiled smugly as he left.

'That'll teach that gorgeous jerk. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Who the hell said anything about him being gorgeous?' she thought frantically. Andrew broke into her thoughts with a wave of his hand.

"Hello? Earth to Serena." He stopped when she focused on him. "You shouldn't have said that." He scolded her. She just looked at him puzzled.

"Why? He started it" she scoffed. Andrew replied without thinking.

"He's never had a real or happy Christmas. Ever." Andrew's eyes widened as he realized what he just told Serena. He sped off to the back room but unfortunately for him, Serena followed.

"What do you mean?" she asked as she entered. Andrew sighed loudly. He knew she would never let it go now. Andrew strolled over and closed the door.

'Its bad enough I have to tell Serena. Darien would kill me if everyone knew' he thought glumly.

"Darien's parents died in a car accident when he was 6." Serena's hand flew to her mouth to stifle her rather loud gasp. He took this chance to continue.

"He woke up with amnesia and doesn't remember anything. He spent his childhood in an orphanage where he got a sweater and makeshift card every Christmas. Darien has never had a real Christmas or a family. Hell, he doesn't even know if Darien is his real name. So just lay off with the Christmas stuff okay?" With that he exited the room to leave Serena with her thoughts.

"What have I done?" she asked herself.