LoveInTheBattleField and TropicalRemix:When I write Sailor Moon fanfics, I like to mix up the anime, manga, and the live action versions because I love different aspects about all of their stories. In the live action version, Tuxedo Mask did not have any special powers. He just went somewhere and disguised himself as Tuxedo Mask. This story takes place in alternate reality than the Sailor Moon universe we know and love. In this story, Darien is a con artist. He doesn't remember his past or who he is. He has no identity of his own. When he first meets Charisma at age nine, she tells him that she is from New Orleans. He makes a promise that he will take her home one day. When she asked him his name, he tells her that he does not remember. In Charisma's innocent mind, that does not make sense to her so she tells him that he must have a name. He remembered hearing the name Darien Shields, which was the name of the boy that he shared a hospital room with. The real Darien Shields was in a car accident with his parents. He survived the accident but died in the hospital. When the Darien of this story remembered this and that the real Darien had no surviving relatives, he tells Charisma that his name is Darien Shields without knowing who the real Darien Shields really was. Because of that one act, Elena spends the next six years trying to hunt him down thinking that the real Darien Shields is still alive for her own agenda which hasn't been revealed yet. When fifteen-year-old Darien meets Mason for the first time, Mason tells him that the real Darien Shields is the heir to a multi-billionaire dollar fortune that he would start receiving a small portion of on his eighteenth birthday and that Elena was living in her mansion in New Orleans. He remembered his promise to Charisma that he would take her there. When does Darien learn about the real Darien Shields being the reincarnation of Prince Endyimon? Does Elena know that Darien is lying about who he really is? Why does Darien decide to become Tuxedo Mask? None of those answers have been revealed yet but as the story progress, everything and everyone's motives will be revealed.

Chapter 10: Let It Burn

Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon.

Hey guys! Here is the next chapter. The segments of the story in italics are flashbacks. They begin and end with …

"Man is not what he thinks he is, he is what he hides."

― André Malraux

"Every life you take slowly takes away your humanity. That's why veterans of war cannot come back home as the way they left for war because when you are killer or soldier, it changes you. You have to live with that burden for the rest of your life." Detective Saint-Martin looked Darien directly into the eyes and said, "I don't know if you are this Tuxedo Mask but I can tell that you know how that burden feels."

Darien did not respond as he lifted his head to blankly look Detective Saint-Martin in the eye.

Saint-Martin said, "See the problem with once you cross the line of simply being the hero to a being a hero that takes lives is that it makes you no different than those that you fight against. You are still a killer regardless of the cause."

Darien did not respond.

Saint-Martin leaned forward and said, "So Darien, are you Tuxedo Mask?"

Officers Shope and Richardson gently pushed the landlord to the side and out of possible danger after he unlocked the door.

Shope and Richardson took out their guns and slowly entered the apartment. Pointing their guns as they silently moved inside the dark apartment. They searched the rooms one by one and nodded to the other when they found the room cleared. They slowly entered the bedroom searching the bedroom, closet and bathroom.

Richardson said as they put down their guns, "All clear."

Darien's mind wandered off as he heard voices and images from the past floating around in his head as he gazed vacantly at the detective.

Mason: This is the final time that we will bother you and then this offer is null and void. So for the last time, are you Darien Shields?"

Nine-year-old Charisma: "What's your name?"

Nine-year-old Darien: "I don't know. I don't remembered anything before I was six-years-old. I guess I don't have a name."

Nine-year-old Charisma:"But everyone has a name. You must have one."

Doctor: "Time of death twenty forty seventh for Darien Shields, son of one of the third richest man in the country. It is a shame that the entire family died in a car accident leaving no heirs."

Nine-year-old Darien: I guess Darien Shields.

Darien: "My grandfather was not really my grandfather. Elena is not my mother or aunt. Mina and I are not brother and sister, and I am as much of an orphan as Sammy and you are. It's just a lie that we tell the world so that they do not ask us too many questions. That is the truth Meatball Head, and it will be helpful if you learn not to believe the things that come out of my mouth. "

Serena: "You're right. You lie to me about everything else. Why should I expect any differently?" Serena quickly gathered her belongings and walked towards the door to leave out.

Darien: "What is that supposed me?"

Serena: "You tell me, Darien. You're the one with all the secrets. I'm just the dumb blonde kid you have to babysit."

Darien: "Don't fall for me, Serena. I will only break your heart."

Serena: Who are you?

Darien: Your destiny.

A wicked smirk appeared on Darien's face as he remembered the moment she asked him who he was. He looked up at Detective Saint-Martin.

Detective Saint-Martin asked again, "Darien, are you Tuxedo Mask?"

Darien said firmly, "No, I am not." He then said in a joking manner. "Tuxedos are so nineties."

Detective Saint-Martin said, "Well, we have a witness that says that you are Tuxedo Mask and we have the evidence to prove it."

Darien and Saint-Martin stared blankly at one another. Darien then smirked and said arrogantly, "You're bluffing. You have nothing to prove that I am Tuxedo Mask. All you have is the allegation of an emotional adolescent girl upset with her boyfriend for dumping her for a much hotter chick. So instead of wasting my much valuable time and the taxpayers' money, either book me or let me go. You have thirty minutes left."

Detective Saint-Martin glanced up at the clock impressed. He was right. If they could not find anything to charge him with within of hour of having him in custody, they would have to let him go.

Detective Saint-Martin said, "You're pretty smart for a kid who grew up on the streets."

Darien shrugged his shoulders then said indifferent, "You have to learn how to play the game or you don't survive out there."

Detective Saint-Martin said shaking his head, "You're not just street savvy. You're book smart too. I read in your profile that you score a perfect score on your SAT and was accepted in Harvard next fall. So what do you plan to major in?"

Darien smirked then said, "You're stalling…and I do not plan on going to law school if you want to link my desire to being a lawyer to Tuxedo Mask's sense of justice. I am not an idiot."

Saint-Martin chuckled then said, "You are too smart for me. So how did you get so smart? You must pay a fortune that type of knowledge."

Darien leaned back in his chair and said amused, "Actually, it's free. It's called a public library. I read a lot about various things. This conversation is boring me."

Saint-Martin asked interested, "What type of books did you read?" One of the officers was listening on an earpiece back at Darien's apartment. He slowly approached the bookshelf. As Darien named books, he pulled them off the bookshelf.

Darien said amused "The classics like Hemingway and Dumas. Philosophy, art, science, math, physics, power, and leadership. I also read books about personal finance. I always wanted to make a better future for myself and my girlfriend…well, ex…"

Saint-Martin said, "You said you like books on power and leaderships .What are some of the books you like?"

Darien said with a smile, "I like Machiavelli's The Prince, Robert Ciadini's The Psychology Influence of Persuasion but one of my favorites is The Art of War by Sun Tzu."

The officer slowly reached for the book and pulled on the book. He backed away as the bookshelf slowly started to slide sideways. The other officer came to stand next to him.

"One of my favorite quotes from Sun Tzu is that if you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle."

Detective Saint-Martin stifled a laugh then asked, "Do you know yourself then, Darien?"

Darien smiled then said looking Saint-Martin directly in the eyes, "Yes, I do."

The secret compartment opened to reveal nothing but a posters of singer Ricky Martin and The Backstreet Boys and a collection of the CDs mounted to the wall.

Detective Saint-Martin listened in his earpiece as Richardson said, "The apartment is clear. There's nothing incriminating here to suggest he's our guy. It looks like just the crazy ranting of an emotional girlfriend trying to get back at her ex-boyfriend. Besides possibly a little sugar in the tank, this kid has nothing to hide. He's clean."

Detective Saint-Martin looked at the clock and saw that the hour was up. Detective Saint-Martin motioned for one the officers to come in the room and to take the handcuffs off of Darien. He said as the police officer unlocked Darien's handcuffs, "Well, it appears you're not our guy after all. I apologized for the inconvenience."

Darien massaged his wrists and said, "Hey, it's no problem. You were only doing your job."

Darien stood up along with Saint-Martin. Saint-Martin asked, "Would you like one of the officer's to escort you home?"

Darien quickly shook his head and held his hands out in protest. He said, "No thank you. I had enough of your Southern hospitality for one night. I'll be fine."

Detective Saint-Martin held out his hand. Darien looked down at it before taking it. They shook hands as Saint-Martin said, "It's was nice meeting you, Shields. You're one hell of a kid. You have a bright future ahead of you."

Darien said sarcastically, "Thanks sir and I sincerely hope we never meet again."

Saint-Martin said, "Touché, my boy. Touché." Saint-Martin gave Darien a strange look a second before he smiled again as he let go of Darien's hand. Darien simply smiled at him before being escorted out by the other officer to get discharged.

An hour later, Darien stretched his arms and yawned as he walked down the steps of a police station. He saw Mina and Serena leaning against Mina's yellow SAAB 9-3 Turbo convertible that her mom brought her for her sixteenth birthday.

They were dressed plainly in t-shirts, jeans, sneakers and hoodies. Darien smiled when he saw them. He wrapped his arm around Mina's neck and pulled her in a chokehold hug close to his body.

He said happily as he hopped in the back of the convertible while the ladies sat in the front, "Thank you ladies for saving my ass."

Serena said with a smile as she got in the passenger's seat, "You're welcome jerk."

As they rode in the car with the top down as Mina sat behind the driver's seat, Darien observed Mina and Serena. When they first met, they would not speak to each other. Now it was like they were best friends almost like sisters. Darien noticed as they gave each other mischievous glances as if they were sharing an inside joke.

Darien asked curious, "Okay, what did you two do?"

Serena said jokingly, "Well, it does explain your hatred of women?"

Mina added, "And why one of your ex-girlfriends would do that to you?"

Darien asked, "And what is the explanation?"

Serena and Mina spontaneously started looking at each other and started singing the chorus to Ricky Martin's "She Bangs."

Darien rolled his eyes then said unimpressed, "Wow! You made it look like I was gay. How original!" Serena and Mina burst into laughter. Darien added blasé, "Really impressive, five-years-olds."

Mina said clearing her throat, "Darien, you do realize that you can no longer be Tuxedo Mask?"

Darien looked stunned with fake apprehension, "Oh my god Mina, I cannot believe you told Serena my secret? Now, we have to kill her."

Serena rolled her eyes.

Darien smiled then continued with a serious demeanor, "I know. As a matter of fact, where's the evidence, anyway."

Mina said, "In the trunk."

Darien said outraged, "Out of all the places to put the evidence, you put it in the back of your car that you used to pick me up in from the police station?"

Mina snapped looking at him through the rearview mirror the said, "Do you prefer I left it at home and allowed Mommy Dearest to find out that her perfect little angel has been dressing up as a masked vigilante at night and he is killing mortals not demons or youma, but mortals? She would rip your throat out in a second if she feels that you are a threat to the safety of her people."

Darien sighed then said, "You're right. I have been a little edgy lately. Sorry."

Serena asked concerned turning around to look at him, "Are you on your period, Darien? I do have an extra Tampon." Darien playfully pushed a laughing Serena in the back. Darien laughed quietly at he stared at her with warm eyes through the rearview mirror. Serena met his glance through the rearview mirror and smiled warmly.

Mina asked breaking the silence, "So where are we going to dump the evidence?"

Darien said seriously with a deep sigh, "I know the perfect place."

An hour later, Mina leaned against her car looking up at Charisma's window. She crossed her arms across her chest. She looked across the road to see Darien's car parked. She looked confused at how it got there just as confused as she was earlier when Serena picked the right book to open up the secret compartment. Mina heard her ringtone Skylar Grey's "Love the Way You Lie." She leaned over and dug in her purse to find her smartphone. She looked at it and saw that it was text message. She read the text message, glanced up at the window, and then started texting.

Darien and Serena stood in Charisma's room. Serena looked at Charisma's belongings as she softly caressed her dresser, computer, lamps, clothing, shoes, jewelry…everything in that room reminded her of the carefree girl she first met. As Darien sat a duffle bag on Charisma's bed, he heard his phone beep. He took his phone out of his jacket pocket. It was a text from Mina.

Step out of the room of a second and call me.

-Mina

Darien glanced back at Serena who was still looking at Charisma's belongings then replied back.

Ok.

-Darien

He stepped into the bathroom closing the door behind him and called Mina.

When Mina answered, she said, "I have to jet. Can you look after Serena tonight?"

Darien asked, "Sure, I'll bring Serena home."

Mina said, "That's the problem. Everyone is out tonight. It'll be just the two of you."

Darien asked, "Where is everyone else?"

Mina said, "Elena and Mason went to London to awaken more Lunarians. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are out of town. Anna is in Boston visiting Seth and Sammy is spending the night at a friends' house from school. I'll forward you the address to pick him up in the morning." Mina added after a moment, "No one will be back until tomorrow night…" Darien took a deep sigh as he felt himself harden.

Darien asked calmly, "Mina, why are you telling me this?"

Mina said, "I was supposed to babysit Serena this weekend. Yet, I need to take care of something, and it's kind of obvious you two have a thing for one another. Just letting you know that you have a twenty-four hour window of opportunity to be with her. See where things go between you too without any distractions…" Darien took a deep sigh as an image of him pleasuring Serena in bed flashed before his eyes.

Darien texted back, "Sure. I'll take care of Serena."

Mina smirked mischievously, "I know you will, Dare. I hope you have a good night." Darien smiled amused.

Darien smirked then said, "Will do, luv. Take Care." He put his phone away. Mina got in her car and drove off. Darien closed his eyes as he turned towards the bathroom door and propped his hand against the wall as he groaned and closed his eyes trying to calm down his body before he attacked Serena.

Serena heard a car drive off. She rushed to the window to see Mina driving off.

Serena asked out loud worried, "Where's Mina's going?"

Darien said unfazed as he walked out of the bathroom, "Who knows with Mina. Probably to meet up with some guy."

Darien opened up the duffle bag that Serena had taken out of Charisma's room the other night. Darien was stunned to see that instead of clothing, it was memorabilia of their time together. It was the pictures of them together, gifts they had given each other, and Darien smiled when he pulled out a red rose that she had somehow preserved with her magic.

Serena froze when she heard footsteps. She said panicky, "Oh my god, it's Charisma's mom."

Darien smiled as he held the red rose up. Darien remembered the first time Charisma brought him here….

They were fifteen-years-olds and it was two weeks after they had moved in with Elena McQueen. Darien was in his bedroom doing research on his laptop actually excited about being in school as a normal kid. He did not hear Charisma sneak in his room on her tiptoes. He jumped when she touched him and wrapped her arms around his neck nearly choking him before relaxing her arms. She closely her eyes and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

He spun around his chair and sat her on his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. He placed his hands around her waist. He saw the happiness in her eyes.

He asked with a smile, "Okay, what are you so happy about today?"

Charisma laughed before giving him a soft kiss on the lips. She broke away from him and said excited, "Come with me."

Darien laughed, "I have Geometry homework."

Charisma rolled her eyes and got off of him. She started to pull his arm to put him out of his chair. She said struggling to pull a stubborn Darien out of his chair, "Darien, you just started and you already have the highest grade in our class. Plus, I want you to meet my mother."

Darien smiled then said, "You think she will like me…"

Charisma leaned forward then said playfully as she gave up trying to remove Darien from the chair, "I could do worst…"

Darien said outrage getting out of his chair and launching for a laughing Charisma who was running out of the room. He quickly put on his sneakers and grabbed his coat racing out of the room after her…

Charisma grabbed Darien's hand as they raced downstairs laughing. When they reached the bottoms of the stairs, Darien grabbed a giggling Charisma and lifted her up. He sprung her arms and then set her on her feet kissing her as she wrapped her arms around him.

They heard someone clearing their throat. They turned around to see Mr. Williams in the hallway staring at them. He was clearly displeased with their public display of affection. He asked annoyed, "What are you up too?"

Darien said before Charisma could answer irritating Charisma, "Charisma and I are going to meet her mother. She hasn't seen her in like forever."

Mr. Williams sighed then asked reluctantly, "And where does Charisma's mother live?"

Darien said, "In the ninth ward…"

Mr. Williams said outraged, "Absolutely not! That is a dangerous area!"

Darien said irritated, "I've seen worse, and if you don't let me go, I will find other means, Mr. Williams."

Mr. Williams sighed then said, "Fine, I will let one of the drivers go with you. At least, I know you will be somewhat saved from those hoods…" Darien and Charisma rolled their eyes. After Mr. Williams left out, Charisma said unhappy, "I don't think Mr. Williams like me."

Darien smiled then said, "I don't think Mr. Williams like anyone." Charisma snorted as Darien joined in…

Serena said emotional bringing Darien back to the present, "How are we going to tell her that Charisma is dead. Her daughter is dead."

Darien simply smiled at her. He said softly cupping her cheek with his hand causing her to look up in his midnight blue eyes, "Let me show you something."

Darien turned Serena around and opened the door. He took a reluctant Serena's hand and led her into the living room. Serena was shocked at what she saw….

It was daylight outside. The sun rays shined brightly through the room causing a golden hue throughout the entire apartment. A nine-year-old Charisma sat at the kitchen table in a Catholic school uniform. She was doing her math home. Her mother was a beautiful black woman in her mid-thirties. She had her long hair braided in to a single plait down the middle of her back. She was dressed in blue hospital scrub and all white causal shoes.

Charisma groaned in agony as she said, "I can't finish this math problem. I hate fractions. I am so stupid."

Her mom sat down next to her handing her a bowl of Coco Puffs cereal. She said caressing Charisma's hair, "Hey, what did I tell you about the word can't?"

Charisma sighed then said bored, "Take can't out of my vocabulary. Girls can do anything."

Darien laughed at the scene. He said as Serena looked at the mother and daughter mesmerized, "Charisma cast a spell to play this scene every hour from midnight to four in the morning. She told me that it was reminder that she was happy once. When you hear the door to Charisma's bedroom start to open, it means that the scene is over and about to play again."

Charisma's mom pulled Charisma in a chokehold and said kissing the top of her hair, "That's right, baby now keeping trying until you get it. The key to figuring out math is that you keep looking at the problem until you figure out a way to solve it. You think you can't do it because as girls we are told that math is too hard for us and we believe that lie. You can do anything you put your mind to, okay."

Charisma nodded.

Her mother's beeper went off. Her mother groaned in agony. Charisma knew it was the hospital paging her mom to come in.

Her mother sighed then said aggravated, "They know I take you to school in the morning on the weekdays. Careless people!"

Charisma smiled then said to her mother, "It's okay. I can walk myself to school. I am a big girl now!"

Her mother looked unsure then asked, "No, I am not going to let my baby walk by herself. I'll just be a few minutes late."

Charisma said, "Mom, you said your supervisor is like Cruella Deville. You can't afford to lose your job."

"But…it's our tradition. I've always taken you to school since you were in pre K?"

"Didn't you say that girls can do everything?"

Charisma's mom said unsure, "I don't know baby. It's dangerous."

Charisma said, "Mom, I am a big kid now. I know to look both ways before I cross the street and I know not to talk to strangers. I'll be okay. Promise."

Her mother hesitated then her beeper off. She said reluctantly, "Okay. Just be careful and go straight to school and come back home. No detours! Got it, young lady!"

Charisma smiled then nodded. They embraced each other as Charisma's mother kissed her forehead.

Charisma's mother said, "I love you baby…"

Charisma said, "I love you mommy. Have a good day at work."

Charisma's mother said as she began to gather her belongings, "Okay, bye sweetie. There's left over pizza in the fridge if you get hungry later after school. Lock up on your way out."

Charisma said happily as her mother gathered her keys and purse, "Bye mommy." Her mother smiled as she opened the door light and the sun shined brightly around her through the doorway. Her mother smiled lovingly at her and then closed the door behind her. Charisma could hear her mother checking to make sure she locked the door. Then the room turned dark and dusty again and nine-year-old Charisma disappeared.

Darien commented, "This memory was the last time that Charisma saw her mother. On her way to school, Charisma was kidnapped by a child rapist and serial killer called the Magician. It was the last time that Charisma was ever truly happy. After this moment, her life was pure hell. When he finally arrived in New Orleans two years ago, Charisma was the happiest I ever saw her. She searched for her mother only to find out that her mother died eight years ago during Hurricane Katrina. The levee collapsed and flooded the entire section. Water filled the apartment to the top of the ceiling and her mother did not know how to swim and drown alone. A search team discovered her body three weeks later. She was buried in an unmarked grave."

Serena collapsed to her knees and covered her mouth and said crying, "Oh my God. That is terrible."

Darien continued, "To make matters worse, Charisma discovered that her mother had a nervous breakdown when she found out that Charisma was kidnapped. She blamed herself for her daughter's abduction. She quit her job and started wandering the streets like a homeless person. She lost her mind. The story gets worse, but out of respect for Charisma's mother, I will not continue. Charisma never forgave herself, and she slowly started to pull away from me. It's almost like coming here foreshadowed the death of our relationship."

Serena cried then said, "And I killed her in such a violent death. I am just as horrible."

Darien knelt down next to her and said, "No, you saved her. She died a long time ago. The Charisma we knew was only a pale shadow of that vibrant little girl that we saw. See that little girl lived in a world where she was loved and had a future. Charisma saw no light at the end of the tunnel. She came here to come home and be with her mother. I brought her home, and you gave her back to her mother. That image is who they really were… not what happened after the Magician destroyed their lives. You have nothing to feel guilty about. Your brother and you are the innocent ones in all of this."

Serena stiffened then asked, "Why did you come here?" Darien hesitated. He remembered the last time he came here with Charisma….

After Charisma and Darien walked into the empty, ferocious smelling apartment that day, Charisma spent the next six weeks obsessing about her mother's whereabouts. She soon found out and was never the same ever since. Darien walked into Charisma room one night and saw that she was gone. He searched throughout the house for her and did not find her.

A half an hour later, Darien rode on his motorcycle and arrived at Charisma's mother's old apartment. He looked up to see Charisma sitting on the roof of the apartment complex. After spending ten minutes climbing up the corroded stairs to the roof, he soon arrived to see Charisma sitting sadly with her knees to her chest and her arms wrapped around them. She rested her head on her knees. Her hair was down and wrapped around her like a coat in the wind. She looked beautiful but sad. Darien slowly sat down next to her stretching out his legs and his hands propped behind him for support. He noticed that she had a red rose floating in front of her. It was glowing red as her eyes had golden sparks in them.

Darien listened quietly as Charisma told him all the things she found out about her mother. He wrapped an arm around Charisma's shoulder pulling her towards him until she rested her head on his shoulder and snuggled up next to him. Her eyes returned to normal and the rose dropped in her hand.

Darien asked stunned looking at the rose, "Where did you get that rose?"

Charisma smiled looking at the rose, "You gave it to me remember. I have been preserving it. It's the only thing that I have that makes me smile."

Darien kissed the top of her hair and said, "I used to think that I made you smile."

Charisma smiled then answered, "You do. The rose represents you. It represents your love and passion. When I see it, I know that I am not alone."

Darien whispered in her ear before he kissed it, "You're never alone. I'm sorry about your mom."

Charisma smiled sadly then said, "Thanks…." They lied there quietly for a moment before Charisma said solemnly, "Darien…."

Darien said softly, "Yes love…"

Charisma said, "Let me show you something." Darien looked down at her. Darien looked amazed as he saw Charisma's memory of her last moment with her mother. When it was over, she turned to him and said, "When I die, let it all burn…"

Darien turned to her as she looked at him, "It is the only way to break the spell. When I die, let the memory die with me…"

Darien said emotional, "Charisma, you are not going to die. You promise me that you will never let me…"

Charisma smiled at him and said softly, "I can't promise you that Darien. We are human and we live temporal lives. We both will die one day, but if I leave this world before you do, then promise me that you will do this one last thing for me…"

Darien asked upset and emotional, "How could you ask me that?"

Charisma said, "Because you never break your promises. Promise me…"

Darien hesitated closed his eyes as Charisma leaned towards him until her lips were inches away from him. Charisma whispered, "Promise me…"

Darien said softly looking at Serena, "Fulfilling a promise. Can you help me?"

Serena nodded wiping away her tears. He helped her up.

Serena tossed Tuxedo Mask's disguises in a pile in the middle of the living room. She always set Charisma's belongings in the middle of the floor. Serena was shocked when she saw Darien was using a gas tank pouring gasoline everywhere even over his disguises. He poured gasoline all over the walls in all over the rooms throughout the small apartment.

Serena asked flabbergasted, "Darien, what are you doing? People live here."

Darien said nonchalant, "Serena, no one has lived here for over eight years."

Serena shouted outrage, "That's arson."

When Darien finally emptied the gas tank, he tossed it somewhere. He then turned to Serena and said lively, "Serena, if you are going to be my girl, you're going to have to drop the good girl act."

Serena looked at him stunned as he took a lighter out of his jacket's pocket and flicked it to light up. Serena looked at the tiny flame. Darien tossed the lighter past her on the pile of clothing burning all evidence of his time as Tuxedo Mask along with the memories of his times with Charisma. The items instantly lit up. Everything started to slowly burn around them.

Darien then turned towards Serena and saw her looking astounded at him. He walked towards her closing the gap between them in mere seconds. Serena locked her blue eyes with his as she stared into his eyes that were on fire like the entire apartment started to burn. The room now had an orange glow to it as the flames increased.

Darien slowly pulled Serena's towards him until their bodies touched. He lowered her head to hers slowly closing his eyes. When his lips were mere inches away from hers, Serena slowly closed her eyes. She whispered, "I am not going to be your rebound girl, Shields."

Darien opened his eyes and stopped inches away from her lips, he then said, "You're not the rebound girl. You're my one and only girl. Everyone else pales in comparison to you." Serena's eyes fluttered opened.

His lips captured her. Serena's slowly lost herself in his kiss and closed her eyes. The foundation of the building started to crumble around them causing everything to crumble around them. Serena opened her mouth letting Darien explore her mouth as their kissed turned as fiery as the flames around them. She wrapped her arms around him as he placed his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him. As they pulled apart, their lips collided again.

Darien unlocked the doors of his apartment as he held Serena's hand between kisses. He pulled her inside the apartment and slammed the door pressing her against it as he locked it and started kissing her. He unzipped her hoodie and tossed it somewhere in the living room. She kissed him again as he started to suck on her neck as he threw her head back in ecstasy.

A few moments later, Serena fell back on Darien's bed. Darien fell on top of her causing her to laugh. He propped himself on his elbows and asked, "Even though I really want to have sex with you, are you sure you want to do this. I don't want you to wake up in the morning regretting sleeping with an asshole like me."

Serena smiled at him as said looking into his eyes, "I haven't been too happy since I lost my parents. The only time I truly felt something is when I with you. I am not going to fall in love you Darien. I don't trust you with my heart. But I trust you with my every other part of my body." She smiled.

Darien found himself disliking her answer. His eyes narrowed and he said with rage that nearly startled her, "Well, you're wrong because tonight you're going to give me everything including your heart. I will be your first, your last, and your only. No other man will ever touch you the way I will tonight. You are mine, damn it!"

Before she could protest, his lips captured hers. She tried to fight it but she found herself surrendering to him once more. She opened her mouth as they closed their eyes and shared a soft sensual kiss. His mouth slowly left her as he left soft kisses down her body from her neck to the cotton of her tank top to her navel on her flat stomach. She moaned in pleasure.

Serena soon found herself with her long golden hair all around her as she moaned in pleasure with her body covered in sweat. He had not even taken her and he already pleased her in ways she never fathomed a man could please a woman. He bit on her nipple causing her to whimper in pleasure and pain. She moaned in pleasure as he descended her body once more. He roughly pushed opened her legs and attacked her mound with his mouth. She cried repeatedly as he went down on her, "Oh…Darien…"

Darien said hoarsely, "You taste so good, princess. So good." Serena spent the next twenty minutes yelling out Darien's name in pleasure until a powerful orgasm ripped through her body as he sucked her until he tasted all of her juices.

She lied on her back catching her breath. Darien rolled off of her wiping his mouth with the back of his hands as he tried to catch his breath. Serena glanced down and noticed his rocked hard penis. She was shocked when saw his eyes closed. He had one hand on his penis while the other fondled her breasts. She watched as he relieved himself. She looked shocked and asked, "What are you doing?"

He did not hear her since he was lost in his thoughts. She became depressed as she saw the pleased expression on his face as he relieved himself. Maybe she did not turn him on and he was thinking about Rebecca or someone else. He then whispered in desire, "Oh Serena…."

Serena arched her eyebrow and asked, "Darien, what are you doing?"

Darien said frustrated, "I don't have any protection. I haven't had sex since I came back from New York."

Serena smiled as she rolled on her side towards him and said, "Darien, that was almost two months ago. And what about you and Rebecca? Charisma?"

Darien groaned as he continued to relieve his frustration that seen like it was taking forever to come, "Rebecca and I broke up. Charisma and I had a lot of history but we haven't had sex since the beginning of the year. We went through a lot. I will always love her and she will always have a special place in my heart, but we haven't been in love with each other in years. Like I said before, coming here signified the death of our relationship." Darien sighed as he pounded his fist against on the bed causing Serena to jump.

Darien said, "I can't cum…"

Serena arched her eyebrow then said, "Maybe you're impotent."

Darien turned his neck towards her and said irritated, "Don't fuck with me, Serena. I am trying to do the right thing here instead of just fucking your brains out like I want. Believe it or not, I never had unprotected sex before."

Serena's arched her eyebrow then said, "Not even with Charisma?"

Darien said, "Not with anyone. I mean when I got head that was fine, but as far as going into unknown territory without protection, I was afraid too. I did not want to catch some type of incurable disease, but more importantly, I never wanted to bring a child into this world when I had no means of taking care of it. I never want my child to go through the shit I went through in life. I don't want it to be as fucked up as I am."

Serena said, "I'll be okay…"

Darien said seriously, "I don't want to fuck up your life. I'm pretty screwed up as you can tell."

Serena tilted her head and traced little circles on his rock hard abs then said, "Maybe because you're still hung up over your ex, and you are trying to hurry up and move on instead of taking the time to mourn her."

Darien reached over to cup her cheek with her hand and said, "I can't have you waiting for me."

Serena smiled then said as she kissed his hand, "I'm not going anywhere. You'll have me for at least one month before the end of the world comes and kill us all."

Darien laughed then said, "Then maybe I should get to work then."

Serena leaned forward and said, "Just be gentle with me. You're my first…"
Darien smiled at her as he rolled over until he was on top of her. He leaned down and kissed her passionately on her lips. He slowly pushed her legs apart with his muscular thigh. He distracted her with his kisses as he slowly entered her body. He remained still for a moment inside of her allowing her to adjust to his length. Tears of pain started to rush down her cheek as he gave her a moment to adjust to him. Darien licked away her tears and whispered, "It'll go away baby. The pain won't last." Darien groaned in pleasure as his head fell against the crook of her neck. He whispered horny, "Fuck Serena, you are so fucking tight…I want to bust a nut inside of you right now." He panted heavily. "I promise I won't proceed until you say you are ready." He then cursed in frustrated, "Fuck Serena, you feel like heaven."

After a moment, Serena cried out in pain and pleasure, "I'm ready Darien…" He nodded weakly.

When he sensed her body calm down, he started to move inside of her and took away her innocence in one fluent movement. He started to slowly thrust inside of her body as their eyes locked. They smiled at each other as Serena ran her hands through Darien's dark locks causing him to close his eyes and groaned in pleasure at his touch.

Her hands collapsed to the bed as Darien started to speed up and increased his thrusts inside her body as Serena ran his hands along his muscular physique. Darien started to whimpered and an ugly expression appeared on her face.

Serena whispered as she kissed his hand, "Let go..."

Darien cried as his pace quicken inside of her as she held on to him, "I can't…Not yet…So good. So fucking good."

Serena whispered, "Let go…" A powerful orgasm ripped through his body as his seed erupted inside of her body. When he released the last of his seed inside of her, he collapsed on top of her and buried his head in her neck. She felt something wet on her shoulders. He was crying. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed his hair. She softly caressed his back and said, "It's okay…Let it out…"

Darien choked, "I'm so tired of being alone. She was all I had since I was nine-years-old. I've been on the streets since I was seven-years-old. I don't remember anything before I was seven. I shouldn't have come here. I did all of this to make her happy, but she lied to me like everyone else did. She abandoned me!"

Serena cried, "She did not mean to die, Darien. It was her time."

Darien cried, "Yes, she did. She could have prevented it, but she got tired of being alone. The loneliness consumed her and she gave up. She got tired of living. Maybe I should do the same."

Serena pushed him upwards until he lifted his head and watched as she looked up into his sad blue eyes and messy hair. She said angrily, "Don't you ever say that again. Darien, so many people cared about you. But you have to let someone in. It is like you carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. Let me help you."

Darien said, "I can't do that to you."

Serena said, "I want you to do it to me, if it will help you." She lifted her hand up to his wet cheek and said, "I love you, Darien Shields whether you love me back or not. I know how it feels to want to give up and let go. To let it all end, but we cannot give up. We have to keep fighting even if we lose the war, we cannot give up. We have to keep fighting. Darien, you have me now. You have Sammy now. You have a family who loves you now, but you are too dense to see it. Charisma did not leave you. You are here for a reason. Everything she did for you even though it does not make sense now, she did out of love for you. Even when she lost her free will, she did what she did for you. I know it in my heart. She left because she knew you would be okay. You have a purpose, Darien. You just have to keep moving on until you find it. You cannot give up. I won't let you."

Darien smiled then said, "Fine! You made your point. But when I tell you the truth, you won't love me anymore."

Serena said, "Why not?"

Darien said, "Because you love this ideal version of me you have in my mind, but if you know who I really was, it would scared the shit out of you…"

Serena said with a smile, "Then who are you really Darien Shields?"

Darien smirked then said, "For one thing, I am not Darien Shields. Darien Shields died ten years ago."

Serena was shocked.