Title: BROKEN

Disclaimer: I don't own anything about Sailor Moon

Authors Notes: This is the last chapter, but don't worry cause there's an epilogue coming really soon. Thanks for staying with me through this story.

Serena sat quietly at her window, watching the moon shine brightly in the sky. It's light seemed to radiate through the night making the shadows seem less threatening somehow. But still her heart was troubled.

She felt Lita's presence in her room but didn't say anything.

"It's been three weeks," Lita said softly.

Serena just nodded.

Lita walked up gently and sat beside her.

"What are you thinking?" She asked.

Serena sighed.

"I just don't understand," Lita said. "I know that you slept with him and I know that you broke up with Nathan, but I don't understand why you're acting the way you are. It's like you lost a loved one or something."

"I just don't know what to do," Serena said softly.

Lita sighed. "Why does he affect you so much?"

"I don't know," she answered honestly.

"Serena, I honestly think that you're crazy for being in love with him, but then again he's crazy too so maybe you're actually perfect together."

Serena smiled lightly.

"They say he's doing better," Lita said.

"He is?"

Lita nodded. "Andrew said that the guys are all helping him out, including Nathan. He's learning how to live his life again and not obsess about anything. They say he hasn't had another attack."

Serena didn't respond.

"Are you afraid?" Lita asked.

"Why are you on his side all of a sudden? You wanted me to be with Nathan before."

"I want you to be happy," Lita said. "And I don't think you can be happy without Darien."

Serena couldn't help but laugh. "We've tried it twice Lita, and both times it's ended badly. Wouldn't I be a fool to try it again?"

"Not if you started from the beginning. Serena the first time you slept with him on the first date, and the second time you were with someone else. I think it would be different for both of you if you went out on a few dates and tried to get to know each other."

"What about what he's going through?"

"He's getting better," Lita said. "This thing that happened to him was a result of his accident as a child. If he can learn to go through life again then it's going to fade. He'll be completely fine."

"How do you know that?" Serena asked.

Lita blushed. "I spoke to his doctor. Amy went with me."

Serena just looked at her confused. "Why?"

"Because you're everything to me," Lita said. "You helped me get through the hardest time in my life and now I can live truly free and happy. I just want to find a way to do the same for you."

Serena nodded. "I don't want to hurt him anymore."

"He's not weak," Lita said. "Sure, he's been through something traumatic and he didn't deal with it the right away. But he's not broken."

Serena looked up at the moon again, trying to sort out the emotions within her.

"How's Mina?" Serena asked.

Lita furrowed her brow. "What do you mean?"

"After Nathan and I broke up she finally admitted that she's liked him forever. I felt awful for going out with him. I wish she had told me about her feelings because now I feel like I've hurt her."

"Not purposely," Lita said.

"I know, and she's already said that as well. She's not angry with me. But she should have been open with me."

"What are you going to do?"

Serena shrugged. "I'm going to try and help her get what she wants."

"Really?" Lita asked surprised. "You're going to set her up with Nathan?"

"Why not?" Serena asked. "He and I have decided to be friends and there's no hard feelings. We really didn't date for very long or very seriously."

Lita could only nod. It seemed strange to her but she didn't want to fight it.

"Are you going to talk to Darien?"

Serena shook her head. "I'm going to wait for him to talk to me. He'll come if he's ready to be rejected."

Lita was thoroughly confused but she didn't say anything. She just watched her friend, waiting for her to say something more.

But she didn't.

Lita went downstairs and started cleaning up the dishes from their dinner. Serena would be mad at her for doing it but she needed to clear her mind a little bit. All she could think about was this mess between Serena and Darien.

A soft knocking at the door got her attention. She dried her hands and quickly answered it.

Lita froze in terror as she looked at him. Her heart bead madly in her chest.

She flinched when he moved.

Lita looked at the flowers he held in his hands unable to move.

"I know that this doesn't change anything," he said softly. "But I just needed to let you know that I want to get better."

Lita looked at the man in front of her barely recognizing him as her father. He was clean shaven and looked like he had put some effort into his appearance. But still she was on her guard.

"What are you doing here?" Lita asked.

"Don't worry, I'm not out yet," he said softly. "Today we had to see someone that we hurt and apologize."

Lita crossed her arms in front of her.

"I don't expect you to forgive me, not after what I've done. I just wanted you to know that I'm not proud of myself."

"I hate you," she said softly.

"I know," he nodded sadly. "I don't blame you."

"I'm staying here with Serena. Her parents want to take responsibility for me until I find a place on my own. They're willing to love me unconditionally, like a parent should."

Lita felt a surge of satisfaction when her father flinched, and then she felt bad for thinking it.

"I will get better," he said sounding weak. "I'll get better and I'll find a way to prove to you that I love you. If it takes the rest of my life to do, I'll still do it."

Lita felt the cold night air brush past her and she shivered.

"I have to get back," he said softly.

Lita didn't move.

"Goodbye Lita."

He waited for her to say something for a moment, and then turned and slowly walked down the front steps and into the night. She didn't move as he disappeared from her line of sight.

She closed the door and saw Serena standing a few feet back, watching her.

Lita's shoulders sagged and she felt herself about to cry.

But Serena was there. She moved quickly towards her and wrapped the taller girl in her warm embrace. Lita felt safe here, with Serena beside her. Here she would always be loved. Here she was wanted. Here she didn't have to worry about life.

"You can save him," Lita said after a moment.

Serena nodded, knowing she was still talking about Darien.

"I don't know if I want to," she said honestly.

"Yes you do," Lita pulled away and looked at her. "You want to save him because you're in love with him, but you think you should be angry about what happened. You don't have that kind of anger in your heart Serena, so don't fight it. Go to him."

Serena didn't want to agree. She didn't want to give in. But if Lita was right then she would lose because you can't fight your own heart.

Three weeks. That's exactly, to the minute, how long it had been since Darien had seen her. Three weeks of friends and work and hanging on. Every day had been hard and every day he had been around his friends. Zach had taken some time off to help him and Nathan had pretty much become permanent in his apartment.

Every night he dreamed of her. The smell of her lingering on his sheets was the only thing that had kept him in his room the first couple of nights. Nathan had all but locked him in.

Three weeks without an attack.

Darien felt relaxed. He felt almost himself again, like he felt before this had all happened. He felt strong. He could do this. He could live his life and get past this thing that had happened to him. If he kept working at it, eventually he would be fine.

"So," Andrew said sitting across from him. "Is it time?"

Darien nodded.

"Do you know what you're going to say?"

Darien nodded.

"You have the flowers?"

Darien nodded.

"Well then what are you waiting for?"

"He's scared," Nathan said coming up to them. His eyes were teasing and Darien couldn't help but smile even though it was the truth.

"Lita said she's doing well," Andrew tried. "You didn't break her or anything."

Darien nodded again.

"Oh come on," Nathan said impatiently. "For the first time you're actually in a position where you can have her and you're to much of an ass to get up and go and get her. Maybe you're only interested in her when she's not available. I could ask her out again."

Darien glared at him. Nathan just laughed.

"Have you talked to her?" Darien asked.

"Yeah," Nathan said. "She and I talked about what we were doing a couple times. I think we both realized that it wasn't going to work but it had been a nice idea. I like her but she's just not the one for me. We're more of a brother sister sort of duo now."

"What about Mina?" Andrew asked.

Nathan looked at him confused. "What do you mean?"

Andrew shook his head. "Nothing."

Nathan looked away from them, deep in thought.

"Alright, let's go," Andrew said pulling Darien up.

Darien didn't fight, but he was painfully aware of what was happening. Every step he took towards her made him nervous. Could he really do this? Could he see her again? He was terrified of undoing all the hard work he had done. What if she really was the reason for all that had happened to him?

He shook his head and took a deep breath. This was the first step to getting better.

"Hi Darien!"

Darien nearly had a heart attack at the sudden voice that seemed to shoot out at him. He looked up to see the glimmering blue eyes of Mina staring happily at him. She was nearly vibrating with excitement.

"Hi Mina," Darien said softly.

"Hey Mina," Andrew pushed past him dragging Nathan behind him. "Why don't you and Nathan go and talk for awhile, over there," he said shoving a confused Nathan towards her.

Nathan looked at the blond girl in front of him and didn't know what to say. She just looked up at him with those expressive eyes and he felt captivated by them.

"Would you like to get something to drink?" He asked softly.

She nodded. "Serena's over there," Mina said to Darien as the two passed by.

Darien smiled and Andrew laughed.

"That'll keep him busy," Andrew said.

Darien could see Serena sitting with Lita and Raye in a booth a little ways down and he felt nervous. He could do this.

The two girls sitting with her looked up at him as he approached. He expected Lita to glare at him, but neither of them did. Neither of them looked surprised or angry that he was there. Instead they silently stood up and walked towards Andrew leaving Serena there by herself.

"They think I can save you," Serena said softly.

Darien slid into the booth across from her.

"Do you think I can?" She asked.

"No," Darien said honestly. "I think the only person that can beat this is me. But that doesn't mean that the people around me don't help me stay on track."

Serena smiled slightly and nodded.

"Do you think being with me will make you feel better?"

"No," he answered again. "But being with you might make me happy."

"How are you feeling?" She asked.

"Good. Actually I feel great."

"Then what do you want?" She asked.

Darien wasn't sure what she meant by the question. She looked calm in all ways except in her eyes. Her eyes were a swirl of emotion and he knew that she was testing him.

"Serena, I don't need to be with you. I don't have to have you in my life to get through this thing that I'm going through. I could be strong and successful on my own. But I want you in my life. If you can't love me I understand, and if you're still angry with me I can deal with that. I'm not asking you to do anything other than consider being my friend."

Serena laughed.

"What's so funny?" He asked.

"You," she said. "I think what you're saying you want to believe, but really you're hoping that I'll say I love you and we'll live happily ever after."

Darien smiled. "That's the best case scenario."

"What makes you think you'll be able to settle for just friends?"

"Because it'll make me happy to see that you're happy."

"Even if it's not with you?"

Darien inwardly cringed but nodded. "Yes."

"You're such a liar," she said.

"Okay fine, I'd be unreasonably jealous if you found happiness with someone else, but I want you to be happy. I want you to be happy with me but……"

"But what?" Serena asked.

Darien sighed. "Why are you testing me?" He asked.

"Because I have the right to."

"Fair enough. But why don't you ask me the thing you want to ask and stop playing these games."

Serena nodded and she wrung her hands together nervously. "Will I hurt you again?"

There it was, out in the open. Now they were both completely exposed. Love had never been the problem between them. Love had never even come into the matter. It was obvious how they felt about each other. The thing that was ruining everything for them was trust.

"We'll never know unless we try," Darien said.

Serena nodded slowly.

There was silence between them.

Serena was aware of all the eyes on them and it made her smiled.

"Did you want to go see a movie sometime?" She asked.

Darien smiled.

End of Chapter Twelve!

Please reivew! Epilogue coming soon!