Standard disclaimers apply. I don't own Sailor Moon, but I have rights to this story. So there!!

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Turning Point

"Who is it, Rena?" Rei called.

"It's your baka brother Darien. What do you want?" she asked hiding behind the door.

"Aren't you going to let me in, Serena?

"Not if I can help it."

Rei came out then. "Darien? What are you doing here?"

"Why do you two keep asking me that every time I drop by? I'm starting to think I'm not welcomed."

"That's because you're not," Serena promptly answered.

"Of course you're welcomed," Rei said at the same time. "Come on in." Serena grudgingly opened the door wider to let the tall man in.

"Something smells good, what is that?"

"Cookies!"

"Who baked?" he asked.

"Me!" Rei answered.

Darien raised an eyebrow at Serena. "What?" she asked. "I know you have a comment on how glad you are that I wasn't the one baking. Then the entire building would've burned down, right?"

"Now did I say anything?"

Serena scoffed, "You didn't have to."

He continued to eye her and Rei started to giggle.

"What?" Serena repeated. She was starting to get annoyed. And the baka has been here less than a minute.

"What are you supposed to be Odango Atama?" Darien laughed.

"Odangoatama?" Serena repeated. That wasn't in her Japanese lessons. Although atama meant head, and odango was dumpling. Unless odangoatama wasn't just one word he had just called her, "Dumpling Head!?" she screeched she screeched in English.

"Or maybe I should say Meatball Head," he chuckled. He picked up a lock of her golden hair. "With those meatballs, this must be the spaghetti." Serena jerked her head away from Darien's touch, resulting in the long streamers sliding through his hands. He gasped from the sensation. 'So silky,' he thought.

Serena didn't hear. "For your information," she went on, "I put my hair like this for work."

"For work?" he questioned. "What character are you supposed to be?"

"A new one," she responded.

"The only series to get a new character designs is for--" his eyes widened, "No."

Serena looked triumphant. "Yes!"

"But the team to work on that series hasn't been assigned yet."

"Apparently they have. Where were you? Didn't get the memo, huh?"

"How'd you find out?"

"Motoki, of course. Ito-sensei appointed me as one of the designers for the main character. If she likes it, then I become that character's artist." She turned to Rei. "Ito-sensei is doing something a little different this time. She's allowing her studio's artists to draw from her main concept and with her support, this may become a new manga."

"Cool," Rei responded.

"But why didn't you say anything earlier?"

"Because you, Darien-baka, automatically assumed that I wasn't worthy to be counted. Do you know, Rei, that he had the audacity to say I shouldn't get my hopes up for being part of this project?"

"Why would you say that, Darien?" Rei questioned.

"Because she's new! People usually work their way from the bottom, up."

"That's just proves how talented I am," Serena said jokingly, but smiling smugly.

"Yeah, you must have a talent for sucking up," he muttered, turning away. He was more than a little peeved at not knowing the project was in progress, with Serena on the team no less. How could he have not known that? Of course he soon remembered that he went out for a meeting Ito-san had scheduled with one of her backers. The memo was probably sitting on his desk right at that moment.

Her expression darkened. "Why do you always have to ruin a good moment? You just have to assume the worst, don't you? Can't just accept that I'm doing a good job and that Ito-sensei appreciates whatever talent I have?"

Darien had the good sense to look chagrined but soon ruined it at usual. "But you make it so easy, Serena," he grinned.

Serena was beyond irritated. She slanted a look to Rei, who nodded, and with that she calmly walked right up to Darien, to one look at his stupid grin and her fist, which had been balled during his thoughtless rant, connected solidly with his left jaw.

Darien, who hadn't expected the sudden attack, flew back and tumbled into the couch. He looked up at Serena in shock. "Ahh!" His hand touched his jaw. He winced at the pain. "What the--? Are you crazy?!"

Serena breathed deeply and ignored the fallen man. She grinned at Rei. "Whoo!" she breathed, "Do I ever feel better. That's excellent therapy, Rei. I highly recommend you try it." Rei didn't know what to say. She was too surprised that Serena had actually floored her brother.

"What'd you hit me for?!" Darien roared.

Serena looked at him innocently before she replied. "You said I should look into anger management therapy. Well I just did." She walked into the kitchen, grabbed a cookie and came back to sit next to where Darien was sprawled. "Mmm! These are great, Rei. My absolute favorite. You two better get some before they're all gone."

Rei couldn't take it anymore. She burst out in laughter. Soon, Serena joined her. The situation was too absurd. Darien, who still held a hand to his jaw, didn't know what to think. First his feisty blond-headed lady, who he loved to hate and hated to love, slugged him with an excellent right hook, and now she and his sister were laughing hysterically. Maybe he shouldn't have come here today. He scowled, but that faded into a smile as he listened to her chiming laughter, though he tried to hide it. "If you two are quite finished," he tried to calm them down, "there's a man in pain here."

Serena, who had calmed a little, hopped up and fixed him an ice bag. Darien automatically stiffened when she got close to him. "Aww, does it hurt much?" She patted his cheek where a bruise was already forming and he winced. "I'm sorry," she kissed the tender area, "but you were asking for it." She tossed them the ice bag. She turned to Rei again. Seeing her incredulous look, Serena turned her attention fully to Rei. "What? I told you it relieved tension." She lounged next to a still silent Darien. "I feel totally relaxed now."

Rei just shook her head and looked at Darien. "Are you alright?"

"Huh?" he asked more than a little dazed.

"How hard did you hit him?"

Darien's wits finally returned to him. "She kissed me!" his voice had become husky from that little peck. 'What would happen if she had properly kissed me?' he wondered. 'Or if--' he couldn't complete the thought. He had too much to think and dream about already.

"Serena just knocked you flat on your back and all you can say is that she KISSED you?" said Rei.

"She kissed me," he repeated.

"Was it really so horrible?" Serena asked quietly.

"What?" he asked. He looked at Rei and Serena back and forth. Eventually, the two girls started giggling at his stupor.

"Ok," said Rei, "back to the original topic. Why are you here Darien?"

He numbly held up something in his hand. "This," he mumbled.

"Ooh! Star Wars!" cried Serena.

"Another fan?" asked Rei. She and her brother certainly were.

"Definitely, it's a classic. Which one is this?"

"It's the trilogy," replied Rei when Darien still seemed like he hadn't the sense to answer.

"Pop it in," said Serena, getting up. "I'll grab the cookies. Should we have popcorn? What do you want to drink, Rei?"

"Root beer," she answered. "Yeah, let's have popcorn too. I'm glad it's the weekend. I feel this is going to be a long night."

"Darien-baka? What do you want?" Serena asked.

Darien was staring off into space. Rei smacked him. "Darien! Rena's talking to you. What do you want to drink?"

"What? Oh, the same," he answered.

"What's with you? Rena must've knocked something loose."

He turned to Rei. "She kissed me," he whispered.

"And?" she didn't wait for an answer, "Besides, it was only on the cheek." She placed the ice back on his jaw. "Put that ice pack back on there. You're acting like she has a disease or something." She put the movie in and settled herself on the sofa.

Serena bounced back in with the all the snacks and settled in the only spot available on the sofa--beside Darien. She may have felt in more charity with him since doing what she had been wanting to do ever since she met him, but that didn't mean she liked him. She sighed, 'We need to get more furniture,' she thought. "Is the movie in?" she asked.

"Yup!"

"Great! Who's got the remote?"

Two and a half hours into the mini-marathon, Rei was suddenly struck by inspiration and took herself off to the studio to design before the creation escaped her. She had yet to return, and knowing her, she'd probably be in there for the night.

Serena kept shifting in the seat, trying to get comfortable. It was hard when the space on the sofa was occupied and she really wanted to stretch out. She was just about to resort to lying down on the floor when Darien spoke up. "You can stretch out if you want."

"Huh?"

"Your feet," he picked up her legs and swung them across his lap. "There. Is that better?"

Serena tensed from the unexpected contact. "Yeah," she answered.

"Liar," he said. "You won't get too comfortable if you stay rigid like that. Relax." He started massaging her feet, and when she made to move, he held on to her firmly.

"I'm...I'm fine," she stammered, "really." Ooh, that felt good.

"You have a lot of tension, Serena. Even in your feet," he grinned when she gasped at a particularly sensitive spot. "Have things really been that bad between us?" he asked quietly. She didn't answer. "I'm sorry I've been so difficult."

"Me too. And I'm sorry for hitting you."

"Forget about it, I probably deserved it."

"Yeah, you did," she grinned, "but that doesn't mean I should've followed the impulse."

"I know how hard it is to resist impulses," he said thinking about how often he wanted to take her in his arms. "Believe me."

"So you're not mad?"

"At you knocking me flat?"

"Yeah," she looked at him nervously.

"I was at first. Or was that shock?" he smiled. "Why? Think I'll retaliate?" he asked darkly. His hand tightened on her foot.

Serena tried to disengage herself from him again, but he wouldn't allow it. "I don't know what you'll do." She raised her chin a notch. "But I'll be ready for anything you'll try."

"Don't worry," he laughed. She was such a hellcat. Too adorable. "I won't try anything next time. You and Motoki were right."

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"I shouldn't underestimate any woman. Especially you."

"Motoki said that?"

Darien nodded. "He warned me many times that you wanted to pound me into the ground."

"He was right."

Darien went on. "He said if I pushed you too far, that one of these days you'd end up doing some serious damage."

"I didn't hit you that hard."

"No, you didn't. Hard enough though." He flexed his jaw.

"The bruise probably won't even be there by Monday morning."

"Probably not, thankfully."

"You're sure you're not upset?"

"Relax, Serena. It's only my pride that's hurt. I got beat up by a girl!" he said in mock whine.

Serena giggled at his antics. "As long as you're not mad and don't try anything at work, your secret's safe with me."

"I'm not that cruel. Besides, it's after hours. What you do in your own home doesn't have any effect on what goes on at the studio. That was quite a right hook you got there," he added as he gingerly touched his jaw.

"Thanks," she grinned, "my older brother taught me a few things."

"And you probably bested him at certain activities, right?"

"Of course."

"It was the same with me and Rei. You teach her something, and then she ends up exceeding your skills."

"That's because girls rock," she laughed.

"Is that it?" he chuckled. "Well now everything makes since." He smiled and looked back at the t.v., and they watched in silence for another twenty minutes as he absently rubbed her feet, no longer a massage. "Do you think we have the chance to be friends? True friends?" he asked quietly, not taking his eyes off the screen.

"I don't know," she answered and finally took her legs off of him. "You don't think it's too late?"

Darien looked at her. "I hope not. I've watched how you deal with the people at Ito-san's and how you're with my sister. You're a good person, and you have a big heart. You're one I'd be honored to count as one of my friends."

She blushed at the compliment. "I can't really say that I know how you are, though I've heard that you're a loyal friend from Motoki. And Rei swears you're the best brother in the world. I think I'd like to be friends with you."

Darien felt the weight suddenly lift from his shoulders. "Good," he turned back to the movie, "but that doesn't mean I won't tease you any more. It's just to fun to give up that pleasure."

"Well, as long as you know that I give as good as I get."

"Oh, I'm counting on it," he chuckled.

"Then we have an understanding. Someone's gotta keep you in line."

"I thought that was why I had Rei."

"She's going to be really busy with her new fashion line. I've been appointed to pick up the slack."

"Good. Now that that's settled and you're relaxed, shall we continue with our movie?"

Things continued this way every night for the next few weeks. Darien would always find excuses for 'dropping by' the apartment--to see Rei of course. Sometimes he'd bring a movie, take-out or would just stop in to chat. After the first couple of times, Rei remarked that she had never seen so much of her brother. He certainly never stopped by this much at her last apartment. Three or four times at the most. She slanted a considering look at Serena, but didn't say anything.

Meanwhile, while the hostile feelings between Serena and Darien had decidedly cooled off at work, though they had their moments, the battle was far from over when they met at the apartment. Their bantering never became unkind nor too harsh. It helped them release the tension from the latest workload at the studio, and secretly they thrived on arguing. Whether on mundane things, stupid disputes that didn't make sense but where neither refused to give an inch, or serious fights where decisions were needed.

One evening, Serena was the one who had brought the movie. Moulin Rouge. Darien had also brought a movie, another sci-fi flick. Rei wisely decided to stay out of it.

"Who wants to see such a dopey movie, Odango Atama?" Darien said. The nickname became permanent ever since that night. Serena hated it so he used it.

"Obviously I do since I brought it home, Darien-baka!" Serena continued to blend Darien's name with her name for him. Sounded better too. "Which one do you want to see, Rei?" she called.

"I'm not in this!" Rei said from her room.

"You're not helping," Serena sang.

"It doesn't even end happily!" Darien pointed out.

"It doesn't?" Serena asked worriedly.

"Nope. She dies!"

Serena looked down at the case she held. "Well, I didn't know, I've never seen it before." Then she frowned at him. "Thanks a lot, Darien-baka! You've just ruined it for me."

"I saved you the heartache," he grinned, "now we can watch my movie."

"Sure, your movie," she said caustically. "What are you doing here anyway?"

"It's movie night," he answered.

"You always say that."

"Then why do you keep asking?"

"Ugh, you're so irritating."

"You keep saying that too," Darien replied.

She eyed him standing there. 'Does he seem a little more gorgeous than yesterday? This afternoon even?' she wondered.

Darien shifted from her stare. "What are you looking at?"

She blushed when she realized she was staring and hurriedly turned away. "Nothing. Uh...what'd you bring?"

Before he could show her, Rei breezed in. "I'm on my way out. Just got a phone call from the design firm. A slight emergency and I'm needed. Don't wait up," she stalked out the door.

Darien and Serena just stared after her. Now what? Rei had always served as some sort of buffer. They had never been left alone before. 'But what am I thinking?' Darien thought. 'We're adults. We can handle this.' "So. What do you have to eat?" he asked aloud.

"You mean you're staying here?"

"Why not?"

"Well," she gestured to the door, "Rei just left."

"What's your point?"

"Uh...I thought you came to see her."

"We're friends aren't we?"

"Uh...sure," she said warily.

"Well then there's no solid reason why I shouldn't be here. Besides, like I said, it's movie night. Why don't you fix us something to eat while I'll set everything up here, ok?"

Serena, only a little confused, nodded and wandered into the kitchen to search the refrigerator. She found mayonnaise, yogurt, lettuce, two pizza slices, sodas, milk, bottled water, and sandwich meat. In the pantry there was bread and chips, so she made a tray of sandwiches. She found Darien lounged on the sofa, so she put the tray on the table and started munching right away.

"Jeeze, Odango Atama. Save some for me," he grinned.

"Shut up! What did you bring?"

Darien reached for a sandwich and took a bite. "You'll see," he answered.

"Don't talk with your mouth full."

He took another bite. "Why not?" he chewed.

"Because it's rude," she answered, "and it grosses me out. Ew."

"You're just mad because we get to watch my movie and not yours."

"Of course I'm mad. I heard that Moulin Rouge was good and I would've been watching it if it hadn't have been for your big mouth."

"Seriously Odango, you wouldn't have enjoyed it."

"Why not?"

"Because you tend to favor the more happily ever after endings. I've seen you storm away just because you didn't like how it turned out. And you flat out refused to have anything to do with the 28th edition because of the ending."

"It was a stupid ending!" she argued.

"That's not the point. Besides, it's a manga. The tale continues somewhere down the line."

"So what you're saying is that I should be thanking you?" she said as a statement.

"Hey, feel free to thank me whenever the mood strikes," he grinned and took another bite. "Now can we get started?"

"Roll 'em," she answered.

The opening credits rolled up and Serena thought it was Star Wars again. She fondly remembered that night when they became friends, or should they be called acquaintances? Nah, they were finally friends. Really good friends, and she found that she enjoyed their time together. That is, until the title of the film appeared.

"Spaceballs, Darien-baka?! You've got to be kidding."

He laughed. "What? It's funny."

"It's stupid. Couldn't find a better movie?"

"I happen to like this one."

"Then your sense of humor is warped. I'm not watching this." She started to get up from the sofa.

"C'mon Serena. It's not that bad."

She sat back down to argue her point with him. "I've seen it. Once was enough, and this would be my third time."

"See? You're a fan."

"Hardly. Sure, Mel Brooks is funny the first time around, maybe the second. But sooner or later it wears off."

"I consider this one of the classics," he said.

"That's because you don't know any better. Turn it off."

"Nope."

Serena held out her hand for the remote control. "Give me the remote."

"No way."

"No?" She reached across to grab the remote from him. "Look, this is my apartment."

"Technically, you share the apartment with my sister. Even so, so what?" He tossed it in his other hand to keep it from her.

"SO the remote control is mine!" she tried grabbing it from him again. "Give it here!" she stretched across him to reach it. It was just out of reach.

Darien just laughed and held the remote higher, knowing she couldn't reach it. "You're so little, you'll never reach it."

"Argh! Darien-baka! How dare you make fun of my height!" By now she was squirming all over him trying to wrestle the remote from him. Her proximity of him went unnoticed as she focused on her goal. Only his words registered and they just strengthened her determination.

Darien, meanwhile, was having trouble keeping the game in mind. Here he was with his blue-eyed princess draped all over him and squirming no less! If this kept up, he'd just have to surrender this battle and leave the apartment completely to go home for a cold shower. Unfortunately, his brain wasn't functioning normally. Still holding the remote out of his opponent's reach, he got caught in studying Serena's features up close. He had never been so close to her before. He could feel her warm breath caressing his skin, felt where her breasts pressed up against him as she tried to attain the object of her desire. The smell of her skin was intoxicating, and the brush of her hair against his arm was ecstasy. He gasped once again from its silky texture.

Serena, on hearing the noise, paused in her endeavors and looked to see what was wrong. She then realized how close she was to him. She was actually sprawled on top of him!

Her eyes traveled from the bottom, where their torsos were pressed so tightly into one another, it was hard to tell where he ended and she began. The only way to be any closer was...Serena's cheeks flamed at where her thoughts were leading her. Her hand was pressed on his chest for balance and she felt his rapid heartbeat through his clothing. It was faster than what she thought normal. She followed the track of their bodies until she got to his mouth. Being an artist, her gaze lingered on it for further consideration. Such a smooth, sensual mouth. His lips parted slightly from her fascinated scrutiny. Serena's gaze traveled on in its exploration. The bruise she had left him with had been gone a long while now, and his skin was returned to its former perfection. She lightly brushed her fingers along where the ugly marking was and she heard his sharp intake of breath again. But before she could retreat, Darien flipped her over and pinned her down on the sofa.

WOW!!! Things are starting to heat up!! Where'd that come from? Stay tuned to find out what happens next in our favorite couple's lives. Meanwhile, let me know what you think of this latest development in a review!! Thanks!!!!