Disclaimer: I hope you enjoy this story, my mother and I have been working on this for some time now, I do not own Sailor Moon or any character involved with it. It belongs to Naoko Takeuchi, This is a story for what happens after the Three Lights leave!

Chapter 7

Serena found herself standing at the foot of a large four poster bed with heavy beige drapes around it. She could her a woman giggling and a man quietly speaking, on the other side of the drapes. Serena cautiously approached the bed to peek through the drapes.

"Serena," her mother bellowed up the stairs.

"I'm up," Serena yelled back and sat up.

She saw her phone laying off the hook on her floor. She had fallen asleep with it, waiting for Darien to call.

"Darien," she quietly called out as she put the phone back together and placed it on her night stand.

She quickly threw on her clothes, then picked up the picture of her and Darien: "Please call me," she whispered and gave his picture a kiss.

Serena placed the picture back in its place, grabbed her book bag and ran.

Serena meandered outside at lunch time and dropped herself down under the tree beside Mina.

"How's Darien?" Lita asked as she pulled containers of food out of her bag.

Serena shrugged.

"You mean he didn't call last night?" Mina scowled.

"Maybe he's got his Sundays mixed up," Lita mentioned.

"He was supposed to call yesterday, not next Sunday," Serena huffed.

"I mean today is his Sunday. Yesterday was Saturday to him, you have to remember he's on the other side of the world. So he's like a day behind us," Lita explained.

"You mean he'll call tonight?" Serena smiled and popped one of whatever Lita was holding out for her to taste.

"Yup," Lita smiled back and offered Serena a different container of goodies.

"Not eating with Yaten today?" Lita questioned Mina, as she held the container to her.

"No, he's in a grumpy mood," Mina sighed and stuffed her mouth with Lita's offering.

"What does restitution mean?" Serena looked from Mina to Lita, hoping one of them knew.

"It means to give back or replace something that was taken, lost or stolen," Lita responded. "Why?"

"Just wondering," Serena shrugged one shoulder and shoved in as much food as she could.

"You talking about Yaten having to pay for all of us to go see the Sailor V movie again?" Mina asked.

Serena nodded.

"How do you know he has to do that?" Lita inquired.

"He told me yesterday," Mina answered and refilled her mouth.

"When do we have to go?" Lita inquired further.

"Whenever we want," Serena replied. "We just need to tell Sikora when," Serena began howling with laughter.

"Sikora wants' to come with us?" Mina questioned.

"No," Serena managed to giggle out. "She said she'd chain the boys up, so they can't bug us." She held her sides as she laughed through out the explanation.

The other two joined Serena in laughter.

When the last bell of the day rang, Serena bolted from the school. She raced all the way home to wait by the phone.

After dinner, Serena told her mom she had to study and went back to her room. Serena reached into her book bag: "The evolution of man," she read the book cover.

This was the new text they had received in science class today. To Serena, this was a good book, it was full of pictures.

With book in hand, Serena belly-flopped onto her bed, next to the phone.

She propped herself up on her elbows and began flipping pages, reading any notation the pictures contained.

A section titled 'Regional Characteristics caught her attention and began to read it. It wasn't long before the word blurred and then completely disappeared.

Her book, was replaced by a large four poster bed with beige drapes. Again Serena approached the bed, in hopes of seeing who belonged to the voices behind the drapes. Serena watched her hand stretch out to the drapes.

The sound of the phone ringing caused her to back away. Then she realized it was her phone, not one in the dream.

She peeled her face off the book and answered the phone.

Still very groggy, she said: "Hello."

"Hi Serena," Darien's voice came threw the line.

"Darien," Serena squeaked excitedly and sat up.

"I know its late," Darien said. "But I didn't get a chance to call yesterday."

Serena looked at her alarm clock, it was just after eleven.

"Yesterday was your Saturday. Today is your Sunday, but its my Monday," Serena said proudly.

Darien gave a little chuckle: " You've been studying time zones."

"Lita told me," she admitted.

"How is everything?" He asked.

"Artimis got bit by some stray cat when he tried to protect Luna, and he got blood poisoning. Luna's staying with him to make sure he takes his medication and is doing okay. I think she feels guilty, other than that everyone and everything is fine," Serena replied. " How are you? What's it like there? Tell me about Harvard and what your classes are like."

"I'll start with, I'm fine," he began. "Harvard is huge and I know Ami would love the library, its three storied high, full of books. There's four massive fireplaces you can sit near and read. It's my favorite place to go and relax," Darien's tone denoted a grin on his face. "Jenny knows if she can't find me, then I'm probably in there."

"Who's Jenny?" Serena questioned with a tone of irritation.

"She's my tutor," Darien answered. "She's great, she's helping me catch up on everything I missed, and helps me translate stuff. Jenny speaks four languages and is learning a fifth," Darien said with admiration.

"She's kind a bouncy like Mina and like to go for slow walks through the park, the way you do. The park we went to yesterday has a stage where various bands play for free."

"Darien, you home?" Serena heard a woman call out.

"Who's that?" Serena snapped loudly

"It's Jenny, hang on a minute Serena," Darien said.

Serena heard Darien put his hand over the phone, so she couldn't hear what was going on at Darien's end.

"Sorry, Serena," Darien apologized when he came back on the line.

"Why is she there at this time of night?" Serena bit her lip.

"I haven't had time to find a place, so I'm staying with her," Darien retorted.

"You can go for slow walks in the park but," her volume increased and Darien cut her off: " Don't be like that," he said angrily.

"How am I suppose to be?" Serena snapped. "You're a million miles away, living with some woman."

"I'm going to school to better myself," Darien snarled. "Not to play with my friends. I didn't have to tell you about Jenny, I just thought you might have grown up and would understand. Or should I have lied to you?"

"Do whatever you want," Serena cried loudly and slammed the phone down.

Serena swiped the phone off her bed with such force it knocked her side table over. She fell over into a fetal position, grabbed her pillow pressed it up against her face and started to bawl.

For several minutes she laid in her now dark room and cried hard. When her crying subsided a bit, she moved the pillow, stood her nightstand back up and retrieved the phone.

"Darien," she whimpered, "I'm sorry, please call back. I don't have your number, Darien."

Serena resumed the fetal position and cradled the phone.

Serena found herself standing at the foot of a large four poster bed, with her left hand holding the drapes back so she could peek inside.

"Leave me alone," she screamed and the vision before her changed.

She now found herself standing in a park, with the leaves of fall, drifting down around her. She heard herself laugh with delight. She reached out to take hold of the hand of the person she knew stood beside her.

The hand she reached for was replaced by a heavy beige drape.

Serena realized she had no choice but to look beyond the drapes.

A burgundy satin sheet covered the lower half of the two people in the bed. The golden haired woman lay partially upon the man's bare chest. She was gently stroking his chest with her nails. He was speaking in a whisper and she was giggling. Serena could see that the man lay content with his arms folded under his head, but she couldn't see their faces.

"Go away," she bellowed and tried to run away, but ended up falling off her bed.

She heard her dad's car pulling out of the driveway.

"I'm going to be late," she whined and grabbed her book bag and flew down the stairs.

Her history teacher wasn't in the classroom when Serena dropped herself into her seat, five minutes late.

"I was worried I'd have to do school work instead of looking at you and day dreaming," Seiya whispered into Serena's neck.

"I have papers to grade," Mrs.Tanaka told the class. "I would like you to read chapters six threw ten. There will be a test on the mythology of Greek Gods on Thursday."

Everyone pulled out their books and began flipping pages.

Mrs.Tanaka sat down and pulled the first book from the pile she had placed on her desk.

"I tried to call you last night," Seiya leaned over and whispered to Serena. "Your mom said you were asleep."

Serena didn't want to talk. She wanted to read, this was one class that had captivated her. The Greek Gods may have been mythological, but her friends shared their names and some of their powers with the Gods of old.

"Are you ignoring me?" Seiya pouted quietly.

"I really want to read this," Serena replied very quietly.

"What's wrong? Why were you late?" He said with concern.

"Seiya," Mrs.Tanaka snapped. "Since you are not reading, then I can assume you are ready to write the test," she said sarcastically.

"No," Seiya sighed, picked up his book and leaned back in his seat.

There was a few snickers from various people.

Serena was so content with reading, she was on chapter fourteen when the next bell rang.

"Are you coming to art?" Mina questioned, pulling the book away from Serena's face.

Serena slipped her book into her bag and meandered along side of Mina.

"We are going to do some landscapes today," Mrs.Oshiro announced when the class was assembled. "Gather up your stuff, today's class will be outside."

The four girls headed for their tree.

"Lets do East, West, North and South," Ami suggested, when they all sat down under their tree.

Everyone, except Serena pulled out their sketch books and pencils.

Serena put her back up against the tree, pulled her knees up and wrapped her arms around her legs.

Lita was first to notice Serena: "Hey girlfriend, what's wrong?" She asked with concern, and left her art supplies, so she could go sit next to Serena.

"I'm just tired," Serena gave a false smile and put her forehead on her knees.

The other two girls, abandoned their pads and pencils, then crowded over to Serena.

"We're your friends, Serena," Mina remarked.

Lita put a comforting arm around Serena: "Tell us what's wrong," she said in a soothing voice.

They sat silently, waiting for Serena to talk.

Serena felt a lump take form in her throat. She clenched her jaw, hoping to prevent any tears from escaping.

"Serena," Mina called and gently rubbed Serena's shin.

"I had a fight with Darien on Monday," she started bawling, "and he hasn't called back."

Lita pulled Serena a little closer.

"He's living with a girl," Serena mumbled and tipped over into Lita's lap.

"What!?" The three girls screeched.

Lita contained her urge to hunt and destroy, by softly rubbing Serena's arm.

"It's his tutor," Serena added.

"Maybe he hasn't had time to find a place," Ami purposed.

Serena took a deep breath: "Jenny cam speak four languages. Jenny helps him with the stuff her needs to catch up on. Jenny helps him translate. Jenny is bouncy like Mina. Jenny knows where to find him, when he's not home. Jenny and him go for long walks in the park. Jenny, Jenny, Jenny," Serena babbled and sobbed. "He told me to grow up."

The girls sat quietly absorbing Serena's information.

"I'll see if I can tap into the Harvard computer and get a phone number or address for Darien," Ami smiled and patted Serena's head.

"We could always go there," Mina suggested.

"Let's go," Lita snarled and quickly got to her feet.

Serena now lay in a fetal position on the ground, having been dumped by Lita.

"Sorry," Lita sighed and knelt in front of Serena.

"We need Rei to do that," Ami mentioned. "We also need a destination."

"See, Serena." Mina smiled at her friend, "Ami will figure out how to get us there, so you can talk to him."

Serena's tear filled eyes, peeked up at Ami.

"I'll try my best," Ami assured Serena. "It might take awhile, but I'll figure something out."

A smile began to take form on Serena's face.

"Your friends are here to help you," Mina spouted and jumped up, "and your Scouts will be there to take you." She thrust her fist into the air.

"That's not quite what our powers are for," Ami mentioned.

"Our powers are to help Serena in whatever way she needs," Lita scowled at Ami.

Ami laughed: "When you put it that way, I have to agree."

Serena sat up and her stomach growled for attention.

"Have you fed that thing today?" Lita asked, pointing at Serena's tummy.

"I've been to upset and didn't have time," Serena moaned.

"Good thing I have extra lunch," Lita giggled and reached into her bag.

"You always have extras," Mina quipped.

"Try this for now," Lita held a muffin out to Serena. "I'll take the rest out when the bell rings."

"Now pick up your books and make it look like were doing something," Ami suggested.

Serena wolfed down the muffin and then looked at Lita like a starving puppy.

"You can wait," Lita stated and began to stretch.

Serena dragged herself to science class after lunch. Her tummy was full and wanted to take a nap.

She was so happy to see the movie projector sitting in the classroom. She'd get to nap after all.

Serena got comfortable in her desk and put her head down.

She felt she had only just closed her eyes and already the bell was ringing. Since her next class was a spare, Serena bolted out of the room and headed to her locker, to decide which books stayed and which went home.

She had physically attended all her classes for the two days. But as for work, she had done nothing. She started loading books into her book bag and knew she had to be more selective. She reduced it down to math and the novel she had to do a book report on soon.

Once she felt the afternoon sun and smelled the fresh air, she wished Mina and Lita hadn't stayed to work on their sewing projects. It would have been a perfect day for a stroll in the park.

"I wish you were here Darien," she sighed to herself. "I know you'd go for a walk with me."

She started on her way home, with a heavy feeling of loneliness washing over her. Serena increased her pace, as she envisioned Darien walking with some anther woman on such a day. Suddenly a hand reached out from the side of a building.

"Are you avoiding me?" Seiya pouted.

She had been on the verge of tears, before she was startled to death by Seiya.

"You're lucky I'm not like Lita," Serena snapped and slapped his hand, to make him let go.

"You can punch me in the mouth, if you promise to kiss it better," he smirked.

Serena gently shook her head as she readjusted her book bag strap on her shoulders.

"If I walk you home, will you tell me why you're mad at me?" Seiya pouted and gave her his sad puppy dog eyes.

Serena had seen those eyes before, only this time they weren't on a roof top in the rain. But she heard his words in her head: "Am I not good enough?"

A new sadness now cast itself upon her and she stared into his eyes: "I'm not mad at you."

"You've been ignoring me for the last two days and you never called me back on the weekend," he continued to pout.

"I called on Sunday," she stated. "You were busy."

"Nobody told me you called," his pout was replace by a scowl. "Who'd you talk to?"

"Sikora," Serena smiled.

"Seiya," Yaten bellowed from behind them.

"Ignore him," Seiya whispered.

Serena scowled at Seiya and turned to face Yaten.

"What's wrong?" Serena asked Yaten, before he reached them.

Yaten stopped in front of the pair turned to Serena and abruptly said: "Sorry about Saturday."

"Nice apology," Seiya sneered.

"Where are you going?" Yaten scowled at Seiya. "Sikora's going to be here soon to pick us up."

"I'm walking Serena home," Seiya stated, then put his arm around Serena's neck.

"You'll be back before three?" Yaten questioned.

"Maybe," Seiya replied and turned Serena around so they could walk away.

"But," Yaten sighed: "What am I supposed to say when she gets here?"

Seiya looked back over his shoulder, while they started walking: "Whatever you want."

"But," Yaten spouted.

"Later," Seiya waved over his shoulder and pulled Serena closer to his side.

"Do you have to back at school by three?" Serena questioned. "Or can you stay for tea?"

"I'll take the tea," he beamed. "That way I can spend more time with you."

The feeling of loneliness left Serena as she put her head on his side and thought to herself: "This is a perfect day for a stroll with your guys arm around... She jumped away from his hold.

"Is something wrong?" Seiya grinned at Serena when she pulled away and blushed.

"No," Serena laughed with embarrassment and turned her back to him.

Seiya laughed: "Were you getting to comfortable with my arm around you?"

He tried to get in front of her, but she kept turning. So he put his hands on her shoulders and remained behind her and snickered: "It's nice to know you still care."

Serena tried to step away, but Seiya pulled her back against his chest.

"I'm sorry, I'll stop teasing you," he whispered into her neck and she let herself melt into his chest.

A shiver ran threw her as he gently slid his hands down her arms and interlocked his fingers with hers and softly kissed her neck.

Serena didn't want to move, she felt so safe, so warm. She kept her fingers interlocked in his and brought their arms against her, so she would be held tighter. She closed her eyes, tilted her head to the right, she wanted to shut the world out, and just feel this sense of security.

Seiya caringly stroked her cheek with one of his fingers and gently rocked their bodies side to side. He would have her like this forever, if that's what she needed.

After several minutes, Serena opened her eyes. But the first thing that came to focus was her ring from Darien.

"He gave me that before he left the first time," she said softly and indirectly.

"What?" Seiya whispered and kept hold of her.

"My ring," her voice still sounded distant. "Maybe he should give it to Jenny." She started to cry.

"Serena," Seiya affectionately called and held her as tight as he could, without hurting her.

Then he carefully released her fingers from his, turned her around and held her head against his chest. He held her tight with one arm, while his other hand stroked her head.

After a moment or two, Serena took in a big deep breath: "I'm sorry," she sniffled in Seiya's chest.

Seiya gently pulled her off his chest, he put his hand out and softly caressed her tears away from one cheek. Serena let her head sink into his touch. Then he wiped her chin, he slowly tipped her head up and gazed into her beautiful blue eyes and smiled.

"I'm okay now," Serena smiled back. "Do you still want tea?" She sniffled the last of her tears away.

He nodded and pulled her back to his side and draped his arm around her. They walked in silence for awhile, before Serena broke the silence.

"What did you do this weekend?" she questioned. Hoping some trivial chit-chat would take her mind off Darien.

"Studied for that stupid math test," he huffed.

Serena giggled: "That's why you didn't show up with your brothers on Saturday?" she snickered.

"At my age I should be able to settle down and pay attention in class," he sneered, then continued: "If you paid attention in class, instead of goofing around, you'd know what was supposed to be done," he stated in a flat monotone.

"You sound like my mother," Serena giggled.

"Or mine," he huffed.

"Your parents are here?" Serena was very surprised by this information.

"All the time you've spent talking to Sikora, she never said anything?" Seiya remarked with astonishment.

"Sikora's your mother?" Serena shrieked.

Seiya burst out laughing.

"What's wrong?" He continued to laugh at her this time: "Talk about me too much?"

"The only time your name came up the other day was in a conversation about dungeons and chains." Serena sneered and tried to walk away.

Seiya had a hold of her book bag strap and tugged her back: "Does this mean no tea?" He teased and snickered.

Serena turned to give him an angry glare, but he was trying to pout away his grin and was batting his eyes.

"You think your so cute," she had to smile. "Let's get your tea."

"And what did you do all weekend?" he asked and held her tight to his side again.

"Slept a lot, watched the movie and played video games," she replied and let him hold her close.

"I thought you guys left the movie after Lita hit Yaten?" Seiya remarked.

"Rei and I stayed," Serena mentioned, "Besides Rei said if she left with them, she'd Mars Sniper Yaten's ass."

"I'd like to see that," he laughed boisterously.

"You cruel," Serena noted.

"It's not like he'd really get hurt," Seiya replied. " She would have got him as Yaten not Healer." He scowled. "Okay, it would have hurt like hell," he grinned. "But it would be nice to see."

She slapped his side and walked out of his arms to open her door.

"I'm home," Serena bellowed as she slipped into the house.

She was met by silence.

"Will you dump this in my room?" She said and handed Seiya her book bag. "I'll go make us some tea."

"Your mom won't mind you having a good looking guy in your room when she's not home?" Seiya quipped and winked at her

Serena grinned, but refrained from comment and went into the kitchen.

Seiya bounced happily up the stairs and dropped Serena's book bag next to her desk. He picked up the picture of Serena and Darien, and laid it face down, as he had done once before.

He went over and flopped down on her bed. A mischievous grin crossed his face when he saw a poster of the Three Lights on the ceiling, right above her bed.

He stood on her bed, pulled a pen out of his jacket pocket and wrote, 'Seiya was here' then he signed it and dated it.

He laid back down on the bed to admire his handy work.

"Are you comfortable?" Serena sarcastically commented as she put the tea tray down on her little table.

"Yup, want to join me?" He smiled and patted the bed.

"You're wicked," she giggled as the phone rang.

"Want me to get that?" He smiled and sat up.

"No," she screamed and ran over to answer it.

Serena sat on the edge of the bed and grabbed the receiver. Seiya reached over and pulled Serena down with him.

"Hello," Serena squealed as he pulled her down against his chest and the base of the phone crashed to the floor.

"Serena, are you okay?" Sikora's voice came threw the line.

"I'm fine," she giggled.

"What was all that noise?" Sikora questioned.

"My phone fell," Serena told her, then whispered to Seiya, "Let go."

A deep exhale escaped Serena as she pulled free from Seiya and sat up.

"Put Seiya on the phone," Sikora demanded, then added: "Please."

"Hang on," Serena replied, stood up, picked up the base of the phone and placed it on the bed.

"It's for you," Serena said to Seiya and held the phone out in front of her.

"I don't want it," he admitted as he gazed up at the radiant blonde that stood before him. He was admiring every curve, every detail of her body. The last thing he wanted to hold right now, was the damn phone.

She continued to stand there holding the phone out, so he reluctantly sat up and took the phone from her: "What?" He snapped into the phone.

"Excuse me!" Sikora's voice boomed out so loud Serena could hear her.

Seiya yanked the phone away from his ear and held it in front of his now shocked face.

Serena giggled.

Seiya quickly put the phone back to his ear and in a much nicer tone he said: "I thought you were Yaten."

"Where are you suppose to be?" Sikora barked.

"I was just walking Serena home," he explained.

"Home," Sikora snapped.

"But..." He tried to argue, but Sikora hung up.

"She hung up on me," Seiya said surprised, holding the receiver out.

"Why is she so mad at you?" Serena queried and took the phone from him.

"I'm grounded till I pass that stupid test tomorrow," he huffed.

Serena giggled: "That's why you were supposed to be back at the school at three?" She laughed a little louder.

"I guess we'll have to do tea another day," he sighed.

Serena gave his cheek a quick little kiss.

"I'll treasure that," he grinned and put his hand in his pocket, the disappeared.

"I wish I could travel like that," she sighed.