Previously on Filling in the Blanks:

"GET AWAY FROM HER NEPHLITE!" a familiar voice growled. In a split second my vision was obscured by black and red as the newcomer threw a punch towards the man in grey. I watched as the man in grey flew metres away, his body bouncing off the grounded repeatedly.

The newcomer then turned his attention to me. He was wearing a tuxedo. A black hat lay on top of his unruly jet-black hair, while a white mask adorned his face, concealing his eyes.

"Serena! Stay with me! Serena … Serena !" is the last thing I heard before the welcoming blackness swallowed me whole.

Chapter 20

Darien's POV

Everything around me was a blur as I stared at Serena's limp body in my arms. I failed her. I failed to protect her and now she was again in my arms unmoving, bleeding and deathly pale. My heart pounded within my chest as a wave of emotions crashed down on me.

"Don't touch her" my voice was but a whisper, but the disdain and anger was loud and clear. The hands that had reached for her body stopped mid air. Lifting a hand, I brushed her bangs that lay still over her closed eyes.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry" my voice was strained as the whispered words left my lips. How much suffering does she have to endure? Why out of all people was she the one to carry such a burden? Why are we, the ones who have promised to protect her and stay by her side, keep failing? Why? Why were they just there watching her from afar, allowing that disgusting creature touch her? Her friends, her sworn protectors just stood there to witness.

"Tuxedo Mask she needs healing" said the blue haired scout.

"She wouldn't have needed any healing if you all weren't just sitting by the sidelines. What kind of friends are you? You don't deserve her love!" I couldn't help the rage and hate that leaked through to my words.

"How dare you …" Sailor Mars started.

"NO! How dare you! You, the people she called her loving friends treat her this way? Do you have any idea what she's been going through these past few weeks? Even with her memories lost, she knew you needed her. She knew somehow she was the only one that could help. On her own she's been trying to find out who she is, all for the sake of you! You shut her out and let her shoulder everything. You said you did it to protect her? Well look where it's gotten her. She's right back where she started bleeding and in my arms!" I watched as they all stepped back slowly, eyes wide with fear and guilt. I felt my golden light again engulf my body.

"Darien, this is not the right place or time for this. She needs healing. Let us take her to our base and …"

"No, I'm not leaving her with any of you. Either heal her at my place or I'll take her to the hospital" I said through clenched teeth. I watched as a flash of uncertainty crossed Sailor Venus' face.

"Fine. You lead the way and we'll follow" I only replied with a nod as I lifted Serena's unconscious form off the grass covered ground.

Reaching my apartment, I quickly slid open my balcony door with my feet, having precious cargo in my hands. I never cared to lock the damned thing since I was on the top floor, and really it was the quickest exit and entrance for when I turn into my alter ego. I didn't even bother to wait for the Scout's assistance. My anger towards them was still raw. I stepped inside my apartment and went straight towards my room. I carefully placed Serena on my bed as I de-transformed. I sat down by her side and again brushed the hairs off her face with my fingers. And that's how the scouts found me.

"Darien, if you don't mind. I'll need you to step back for a while. I'm going to scan her body" I didn't even look back at Sailor Mercury's words. I honestly didn't want to leave Serena's side.

"Darien …"

"I heard you the first time," I snapped. Breathing out a sigh I stood up and gave Sailor Mercury room to do what she wanted. I watched fascinated as a blue oval like shield surrounded Serena's body from head to toe. Sailor Mercury typed away on her mini laptop while the shield glowed as the scan began.

"What is it Aimee?" Sailor Jupiter asked. At her words I turned to face Sailor Mercury. Her eyes were narrowed on her screen, eyebrows scrunched together.

"It's worst than I thought" Mercury said as she bit at her thumb.

"Her body sustained more injuries than it should have" her eyes widened.

"Impossible" She whispered.

"What? What is it? What's wrong with her?" I asked panicked.

"These injuries, she's had them before"

"What?!" was everyone's reply.

"She sustained a broken ankle on her first fight. Her left arm had been broken from another fight when she shielded her self from an attack. She's fractured her ribs a few times from taking hits. The gash on her back was from the fight a few months back. All these injuries, including these lacerations, cuts and bruises has been from all our previous fights. I don't know …"

"It's the crystal" Sailor Venus stated.

"She used the crystal's power to kill that thing. The crystal must have returned her previous injuries. Her going up against that youma and then using the crystal might have …"

"Do you mean … That she …" I interrupted.

"I don't know. There is a good chance she's regained some of her memories" was Sailor Venus' reply. I watched as Sailor Venus' eyes narrowed at her injured comrade.

"Why would the crystal do that? I can understand the return of her memories, but why the injuries? I asked.

"The Silver Crystal is unique, its energy is like no other. Its power comes from the wielder's desire, the stronger the desire the stronger the power. Serena must have desired the return of her memories so badly that even the physical attributes of the memory was also returned. That's the only conclusion I can think of." Blondie replied.

"So the crystal in the wrong hands …" I started.

"Is our worst nightmare." Blondie finished. I let air escape my lips. No wonder Beryl is hell bent on getting her hands on it. I was amazed how such a power lay dormant inside Serena.

"Ami how long will the healing take?" Sailor Venus asked changing the subject.

"With these injuries it will take at least until tomorrow afternoon. I can only heal her physical wounds but if she remembers …"

"She'll need more than just a day to heal" Venus continued.

"Rei I'll need you to use the disguise pen and turn into Serena. You'll need to go to her house pack a bag for week and hypnotise her parents so they wont look for her. Lita, go with Rei and tell Luna what happened today and that Serena will be staying here with Darien."

"You've got to be kidding right?! You do know I have a huge ass shrine that has more than enough room for her! " Sailor Mars shrieked at Sailor Venus' commands.

"I'm dead serious. If she wakes up with her memories and she's surrounded by the people who have lied to her for weeks, I honestly don't know what would happen" I watched as Sailor Mercury, Jupiter and Mars down casted their eyes in guilt at their leaders words. I had to admit, I was rather impressed at how organised Sailor Venus was.

"Mina, you can't leave her with him. She barely knows him. He hated her for pits sake! Not to mention Luna would never allow Serena to stay in his house with him all alone!" Before I could even retort Sailor Venus jumped in.

"Enough Rei! From what I know, she's closer to him than she is to any of you right now. Now I know it hurts to hear it, and what you did had to be done. But this, right now is what needs to be done. She needs him emotionally, and I need him strategically. I can tell you right now that Beryl felt that energy Serena emitted earlier, and she'll be sending youmas to hunt her down. Darien is more than capable to keep her safe and keep her company while we deal with this new problem. So rein in that temper priestess, I know what's best! I'll deal with Luna when we get to base. Make sure you bring her there you got that?!" Venus argued as she placed her hands on her hips. I watched as Rei narrowed her eyes at her leader about to scream back but held her tongue.

"Fine, let's go Lita." She said a few moments later flicking her hair as she turned to leave.

"Darien is all this ok with you?" she asked facing me. I gave her a curt nod as I gazed back at Serena's unconscious form. Never did I ever imagine she suffered so many injuries. I knew some of our fights were gruesome but she always made it seem that she was ok after every fight. Now, the target on her back was visible and she'll need protecting more than ever.

"I'll take my leave now." Sailor Mercury said removing her blue mask over her eyes.

"The shield will go down automatically once she's healed and she'll come to on her own. So you don't need to do anything until she wakes. She'll be confused so if you can stay by her side before she wakes it would be great." She said to me with a warm smile. I returned her smile feeling guilty then about my harsh words towards her earlier.

"Thank you Ami … I'm sorry about earlier …" I started.

"There's no need for apologies Darien." She stated as she looked over her friend with a sad face.

"Thank you for being there for her where we couldn't. We're forever in your debt." I could only nod in return feeling slightly bad for making them feel worst than they already were. I knew they loved her almost as much as I did. I watched as Ami said her farewells to Mina before leaving the room.

"Our little meeting with Kunzite for tonight will have to wait. We can't very well plan our next move without knowing how much of her memories she's gained". Mina said as she walked towards Serena's body.

"And what if she remembers everything?" I asked.

"Please understand Darien, keeping her away from all this fighting is what I thought was best for her. Watching her and not doing anything to help was the hardest thing I have ever done. We were born to protect her, programmed to defend and aid her. But …." I listened and watched her shoulders sag and her hands ball into fists as she sat by Serena's side.

"But if she gains her memories she'll have to fight and that's the last thing I want her to do. I can't bear to lose her again, fail her again as her protector. But I'm being selfish and she's suffering because of my selfishness. I realise that now, making her stay away may not be the best course of action. Today just proved it, so if she remembers who she is, then so shall it be. I'll fight harder, strive to become stronger, it's all I can do."

"She's stronger than you think and it's not like your alone fighting anymore. You can rely on us." I said reassuringly.

"I know that now, thanks." She said as she stood off the bed.

"I'll head off now, I still have to talk to Luna and Kunzite doesn't like me going home too late." She said with a sigh.

"You live together?" I asked eyes wide.

"It was hard not to after regaining both our memories." She said with a tint of red on her cheeks.

"That reminds me, no doing the deed while she's staying with you." She said wagging her finger side to side. I threw her confused look.

"I don't think you remember how much of a seductress she can be when she wants to, and I know you've regained some of your private memories with her, so turning her down will be hard. But remember the less she knows about her past life the longer the crystal will stay dormant. So make sure she's still virgin by the end of the week but doesn't mean you can't have a little fun right?" she said with a wink.

"What the hell are you babbling on about?!" I shouted raking my fingers through my hair feeling my cheeks redden at the word 'virgin'. I don't understand why she can talk of such things so easily. She giggled at my actions throwing a smirk my way before beginning to talk again.

"Having S-E-X will guarantee the return of her past life memories, but fooling around wont. She probably already gained some memories when she used the crystal. From what I can recall you both couldn't keep your hands off each other every time you met. She's bound to remember some of those memories sooner or later and when she does, trust when I say, 100% she'll be coming on to you. So good luck cape boy!"

Before I could even get a word in she was gone. It then just hit me. I would be staying with her here, in my apartment for a week! I swiped my hand over my face as an image of her underneath me bare with hooded eyes flashed before my eyes. I groaned as an unwelcome feeling of longing suddenly spread through my system. Mentally whacking my head I forced my self to get rid of such thoughts. It was immensely rude and down right shameful I was feeling and thinking this way while she was there lying on my bed battered and bruised. Just a week, I thought. She'll be too emotional to be thinking of other things, right?

AN: HELLO EVERYONE ! I'm back with another chap! Sorry for the cliff hanger and then the random dream flash back chap - Hopefully this chap pleases everyone. It's longer than the last chap! Now be warned ... Lemon chapter maybe on it's way! And i think I'll probably continue with a Darien POV for the next chap! I'm really hoping I'm not confusing anyone on this chap and i hoped i explained every thing well! I'll say this story it probably more than half way! So I'm so glad you guys have been R&R-ing it really does inspire me. Dont know how many times ive said that but really it does! Didn't give my thanks in the last chap so here i go !

kera69love sorry to to confuse you with the last chap - if you can re-read AN for last chap it'll explain what that chap is about! Thanks for the R really appreciate :) nickybluejess thanks for the R you'll find out about her memories next chap! yunacarman hope u liked this chap thanks for the R and the support :) Kasienda You got it right about her waking up at Darien's! I do agree with you about the whole reflex thing, it's sort of like riding a bike or rollerblading, you can never really forget! PS someone hacked my email and i cant get in and i really wanna continue that story i sent you! PM me ur email addy again, i didnt get a chance to save that edited copy you sent me! . .name love your name btw thanks for the R really appreciate it, hope you like this chap! Maiden Virgo thanks for the ongoing R's hope you like this chap! familychibatsukino thanks for the R hope you liked this chap :) Godloverk thanks for R! Hope u enjoyed this chap :) petite sorcieres Thanks so much for your kind words, i agree with you, Molly such a great friend who was unfortunately left out! hope you liked this chap! Guest Thanks for R and reading ! Rubyalix thanks for R hope you like this chap :) xXSticy RulesxX Glad you like my story, you surprised they scouts were just watching from the sidelines? Thanks for the R and hope you liked this chap! lippy2004 Hope you liked this chap! Thanks for the R! I think if you follow the story and allow email notification it will automatically email you every time i put up a chap :) web2theWeb Thanks for the R, hoped you liked this chap :) Syulai thanks for your R's I loved the whole true loves kiss thing too one of my fave bits of the story! im a big true loves kiss fan and i was just glad i could incorporate it here in this story! Serena's just being in denial about the whole BF thing with Darien. Who knows maybe next chap they'll have a label ;) Hoped you liked this chap! Cure Spirit Thanks for the R yes i will be finishing this story, i know it's taking me a while update and finish, but trust when i say this story will be done! Lexybug07 Thanks for the R sorry for the long waited update, hope you liked this chap :) Serenity312 Thanks for the R and the kind words! Hope you liked this chap :) Raven2100 Thanks for the R! Sorry for the long awaited update! hope you liked it :) horsecrazy04 Thanks for the R and the kind words! hope you liked this chap! Nancy67 thanks for the R hope you liked this chap :) Shezzeth thank you for your R and kind words! Really makes me so happy you like my writing! I hope to see more R's :) hope u enjoyed this chap! Destineyofme Thanks for the R hope you liked this chap! Rebecca Thanks for R hope you liked this chap! Chichiforever Thanks for the R ... just letting you know im a DBZ fan myself! TheCookieThatWasBaked thanks for the R loved that you re-read, i just did too to complete this chap hahah! hope u like this chap :) Cotton Blossom Diva Thanks for the R, I hope this chap has helped you understand my interpretation of the crystal. The crystal was targeted by beryl in the Anime series, even though it's passed on from Queen to Princess, i believe anyone could use it's power (obviously not as a good as its real wielder) non the less still rather dangerous in the wrong hands. In my head Darien's crystal doesnt actually manifest like the silver crystal does. It just stays dormant inside Darien but he's able to harness it's i do believe the SC is powered by love, faith and purity (using all that makes it invincible) but i believe desire is also used. It senses desires and will act upon it, hence why i believe it can be used by another (in my point of you, why would any of the scouts even use the SC - it's not theirs LOL). Hope this makes sense! Anyway hope you enjoyed this chap! Always love hearing about what you guys are thinking, keeps on my toes :) and im a rant fan ;)

PLEASE R&R

MUCH LOVE - alPhha 3