Vegas Chapter 19

"Wake up!" Lita poked Serena in the head. She was still asleep on the futon due to having a horrid nights sleep. Her dreams included multiple ways the scouts were going to kill her after she told them about Darien.

"Ow!" She rolled over pulling the covers over her head.

"Serena, come on! It snowed last night and there is fresh power on the mountain." Lita pulled the covers off her exposing Serena in her bunny pajamas.

"It's cold! And what are you a professional skier? Fresh powder… jeeze gimmie a break." Serena said sarcastically sitting up. She was not looking forward to today's choice of activities. Her blond hair was a mess from the endless tossing and turning and a scowl was on her lips.

"Come on. Everyone is waiting and they just brought in breakfast." Lita got up from where she tormented Serena and headed out the shoji screen.

"Baka. Stupid skiing… I haven't got one darn day to sleep… stupid youma… stupid scouts…" Serena mumbled on her way to the bathroom. Her leg was bothering her and she felt drained. She really could have used a good nights sleep to gain back some energy.

Serena's mood didn't improve when she made it to the common room where every one was sitting around enjoying breakfast. "Stupid traditional Japanese breakfast…" She mumbled she saw the fish, miso soup and natto.

"Some one woke up on the wrong side of the bed." Jacen mumbled sipping on his tea and Mina giggled noticing the glare Serena shot him.

Serena plopped down between Raye and Ami picking up her chopsticks and poking the fish a few times.

Darien eyed her curiously as he sipped his coffee. Serena was always happy. Today she just looked angry and disgruntled. He could tell she didn't sleep well. She was most likely stressed due to the current situation.

Raye nudged her. "Don't be such a brat. Today is going to be fun and you shouldn't drag us down, Odango brain."

"But I don't like skiing." She mumbled. "And I still hurt." She whispered to Raye.

"Really?" Ami asked over hearing the conversation, worry lining her face remembering the bruise from yesterday.

Serena nodded still poking the fish with no intention of eating it.

"Let me see." Ami said quietly.

Darien was very interested now as he watched the girls whisper and Serena and Ami get up and go back in to the girls' room.

Serena quickly pulled down her pants showing Ami the bruise on her butt and leg. It was somewhat getting better but really black and blue. Normally her bruises would be better by now.

"Why don't you use the crystal to heal it?" Ami asked.

"It takes a lot of energy. I have never given off as much as I did the other day. That bird's shadow collected everything it touched. It was a lot more than I anticipated. I need like a week of sleep." She explained.

There was a knock at the door and Darien stepped in to see Serena standing in her underwear. A large purple and blue bruise covered her side.

"Darien!" Ami yelled, Serena's face turned bright red.

A look of irritation was on his face.

"I am a doctor, Ami." He said tight-lipped.

"How did that happen, Serena?" He asked.

"Um… I fell." He knew exactly how it happened and she didn't say a word about it the whole drive up here.

"I see." He walked closer to Serena.

She could tell he was mad and she was embarrassed beyond belief.

Darien went in to doctor mode and slowly examined her bruise. His hands were gentle as he touched her leg and backside.

"You need to ice this." He said sternly. She clearly wasn't talking care of it.

Serena nodded entranced by his gentle touches. Ami could even feel the atmosphere change the moment Darien entered the room.

"I'll go get the ice." Ami said moving quickly to the door.

As soon as she was out of hearing range Darien cut in on Serena.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He said though gritted teeth.

"It's a bruise." She shrugged her shoulders.

"A huge bruise that hasn't healed yet with your special abilities." Sarcasm mixing with his tone.

"Am I going to die?" She asked sarcastically back.

"No." He said gruffly.

"Then it's no big deal." Serena went to go grab her pants. Darien grabbed her hand.

"You're my wife. If you are hurt you need to tell me." There was some pain in his eyes.

She sighed. "Fine. I just used too much energy the other day. I am normally fine by now."

Darien nodded. Slowly his palm glowed gold and he touched her side. Warmth flooded though Serena. Her energy coming back and the bruise on her side gone.

"Now, my love, see how easy that was. Put your pants on before I do something x-rated to you." He winked.

Serena's face flushed red. That's how Ami found her when she came back with the ice.

Darien left the room was a smirk on his face.

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"Okay! Serena, the big baby, will stay at the bottom on the mountain. Darien will make the final call of who wins. First team down the mountain is the victor and they get the day with Serena!" Mina yelled to the teams.

"What does the girl get who wins?" Raye asked.

"This!" Mina pulled out an envelope. "A gift certificate to the spa!"

"Game on!" Lita yelled. "We better win!" She said to Nathan.

"I don't like to lose." He smiled back at the brunette beauty.

"Okay! To the lifts!" Mina yelled excited.

As soon as they got to the lift Mina whispered to Kevin.

"Don't you even think about winning?"

Kevin's eyes went wide. Then he smirked. "I wouldn't dream of it."

Mina nodded a smiled tugging at the corners of her lips.

Serena sipped on her hot chocolate on a bench at the end of the course her friends were skiing down. Darien stared at her as she watched the mountain. It was cold so Serena sat close to Darien.

"Your really good at that you know." Darien said annoyed.

"At what." She licked some whipped cream off her lips.

Darien groaned.

"What!" She asked with innocence.

"Sitting here like a princess waiting for your suitors to arrive." He commented.

"Not like a princess. I am a princess." She smiled.

"My princess." He growled.

She laughed and patted his leg. "Don't be so angry."

He let out a huff.

"Come on. Your friends know that we are married. None of them are going to try anything." She said to ease his worries.

"They better not!"

She laughed again. "Look! Here they come!"

Serena and Darien got up to see the teams flying down the mountain. Lita and Nathan were in the lead. Raye and Jacen very close behind them. Ami and Zack behind and Mina and Kevin were laughing and taking their time way behind everyone else.

When it looked like Lita and Nathan were going to win, Jacen and Raye darted in front, crossing the finish line.

"VICTORY!" Raye yelled giving Jacen a high five.

Darien groaned louder this time. Of all people to win it had to be Jacen. He was going to make this hell!

"UGGGGG! I can't believe we lost!" Lita plopped down in to the snow.

Nathan plopped down next to her. "We need a re-match!"

"No way! We won fair and square!" Jacen walked over to Serena and grabbed her hand. "My prize." He smiled.

"No one will find your body." Darien whispered in his ear.

"Ah but what a way to go. My lady, let's go away from this brut." Serena giggled and followed him. She wasn't going to have her day ruined. Not with all the energy that she had from Endymion's crystal.

"That was so much fun!" Ami smiled to Zack.

"Want to go get a hot chocolate and then go again?" Zack asked.

Ami blushed. "Sure."

"Lita, Nathan, want to race again?" Mina asked Kevin by her side.

"Your on!" Lita yelled.

"I won't lose twice today!" Nathan yelled and high fived Lita.

Soon enough it was just Darien and Raye at the end of the slope. Darien's eyes on Serena who was laughing at Jacen as he played on the bunny slope.

"So, it's just us." Raye said.

'Was that a purr in her voice?' Darien thought.

He nodded not looking in her direction still looking at Serena.

Raye tried not to watch Serena and Jacen having a good time. He was just as childish as Serena was sometimes. She snorted when Serena fell down and Jacen went to her in worry. Serena pulled Jacen down in to the snow with her.

Their laugher bubbling to Darien and Raye's ears. Heat flooded Raye's face. Was she jealous?

Darien was about to move in Serena's direction the moment she fell but Raye grabbed his hand.

"Let's go ski." She smiled.

He just nodded. He couldn't stand there watching anymore. Jealously was eating at him and he knew Serena didn't mean to do it. It was her personality. And Jacen was egging her on just to piss him off.

A few hours later Serena and Jacen entered the lodge. They were smiling. She had made it down the easiest slope due to Jacen's patience with her.

She was cold and she needed to get warm. Jacen left her to get hot chocolate for both of them.

Serena looked around, unwrapping her scarf and taking off her hat. She saw Mina and Kevin talking to one another at a table sitting with Lita and Nathan. It seemed like they were arguing. Serena laughed knowing that they must have been racing all morning. Her friends were so competitive.

Zack and Ami sat together. It seemed like they were having an intense conversation. Serena didn't even want to know. It was probably about solving world peace with physics. She rolled her eyes.

Then her heart stopped. She saw Darien and Raye sitting in front of the fireplace. Heads close together as they talked. They looked like a couple. Darien gave her a smile and she blushed. Then she saw Raye put her hand on Darien's leg. No not his leg.. his upper thigh. She felt anger and something else… heartbreak.

She walked quickly to them. Her face red from the cold. Darien looked up at her in alarm realizing what the situation looked like. She grabbled Darien's hand and pulling him away from Raye.

"Serena!" Raye hissed. "What areeee you doing?"

"He's married, BAKA!" She said loudly.

Raye's face went red. "It has nothing to do with you!" She said.

Serena tried to control her anger. "It has everything to do with me."

She then looked at Darien. "You let another woman put a hand on your leg? Is that what you think about your marriage?" She asked tears in her eyes.

"Serena…" He said.

"You have been out there flirting with Jacen this whole time. He is your date. Leave Darien alone, Serena. He's a grown man." Raye stood up getting in Serena's face.

Serena let go of Darien's hand. "Your right. It's none of my business."

"Serena." Darien said with pleading eyes. Raye noticed the look that they were giving one another. Something was off. She was missing something.

"Jeeze, Serena. Don't freak out. I was just comforting him when he said how much he missed his wife." Raye crossed her arms over her chest.

"Really?" She looked at Darien to search for the truth in his eyes.

He nodded. By this time her friends has gathered around them near the fire place worried that a fight was going to break out. The guys were ready for their royal majesties' to fess up and end this stupid game they were playing.

"Well… good." Serena nodded.

"Hey? What's going on? " Jacen said coming over with four hot chocolates.

"Nothing new. Serena just being dramatic." Serena stuck her tongue out at Raye.

"I got you this, Raye." Jacen said smiling handing her a hot chocolate.

"Oh… thanks." She blushed taking the beverage.

"Well, I'm starving." Serena said.

"Sorry, Sere. We all ate." Ami said.

"Whatt! With out me?" She said in disbelief.

"Yeah, we are about to go back out." Lita said wrapping her scarf around her neck.

"I'm done with skiing." Serena pouted.

"I'll get the Odango something to eat. You guys go ahead," Darien smiled.

"You sure?" Jacen asked. He had been on the bunny slopes all day and he needed more of a challenge.

"Sure." Darien waved them off. "Go on. I bet Jacen is sick of the kid slopes." Serena nudged him in the side knowing that he was making fun of her.

"There is nothing wrong with the bunny slopes." She pouted.

"Yeah, if your five!" Raye said laughing. "Come on, Jacen. Let's go ski with the grownups."

Everyone was already gone and Raye and Jacen followed behind leaving Darien and Serena in the lodge.

"Well… I'm starving." Serena tried to move quickly but Darien was too quick. He blocked her path.

"What was that all about?" Darien asked a playful look in his eye.

"I don't know what you are speaking about." She put her chin out in defiance.

"Oh… don't you?" He smirked.

"Darien… I'm hungry." She whined.

"I am waiting."

"Fine!" She threw her hands up. "I was jealous okay."

"Humph, more like enraged" Darien argued back.

"Darien, She put her hand on your thigh!" She pointed to his upper leg. "So I was a bit jealous and enraged. I almost killed that pyro. Can we eat now?" She begged after her confession.

"One more moment." He held up a finger.

She sighed in annoyance. "yes…"

"You didn't like that much did you?" Darien prodded.

"Not particularly." She crossed her arms and looked up at him.

"Now you know how I felt watching you flirting with Jacen."

"I was so not flirting!" She yelled.

"Oh…. Really?" This time he crossed his arms and stared her down.

"Really!" She said with affirmation.

"Un huh. Okay. Well I will just go play with Raye the way you were playing with Jacen earlier."

"Oh no you won't!" She grabbed his hand when he tried to walk away.

He turned around smirking at her.

"Fine! I won't do it again." She sighed. "But if another women so much touches you like that again, I'll Moon Dust her ass. Got it."

"Got it." He put his arm around her and walked her to the inn.

Serena was slurping up the last of her udon when Mina approached their table alone.

"Serena…. Darien…." She smiled.

"Hey Mina. Where is everyone else?" Serena asked.

Darien removed his hand from where it was hidden on her leg under the table.

"Oh, you can put that back. I know." Mina said pointing to his hand.

Serena dropped the teacup she just picked up. Mina smiled.

"SERENA!" Darien yelled sitting up quickly before the water could scald him.

"Sorry!" Serena grabbed some napkins and cleaned up the tea. "I don't know what you are talking about Mina." She said defensively.

"Please, I am the goddess of love. He's Endymion." She smiled broadly.

Darien spluttered…. "How do you know?"

"Your bond. It's so strong. It's so beautiful." Mina sighed with hearts in her eyes.

"Are you crazy, Mina?" Serena asked in disbelief.

"I thought I was at first! My it was scary I'll tell you!" She sat down dramatically and went in to her tale of the strings and the bonds.

Serena and Darien had seen enough strange things in their lifetimes to not believe her.

"So, when did you two find out?" Mina asked grabbing a bit of Serena's udon acting like this was no big deal.

"Ummm, I figured it out before the last youma attack. Endymion is the one that killed the bird youma." Serena said feeling like a ton of bricks had been lifted off her.

"Wow! This is just so amazing!" Mina smiled looking at them and Darien smiled back.

"Okay, so next plan of action!" Mina said enthusiastically.

They looked at her.

"How do we break up you and your wife?" She asked Darien seriously.

Serena and Darien looked at one another and could not stop laughing.

"Wha….. why are you two laughing…." Mina frowned. Darien couldn't remain married to this woman if he was destined to be with Serena.

"Sorry, Mina. I can't do that. I love my wife." Darien said seriously. Serena looked in Darien's eyes and nodded.

"I would never let him divorce her." Serena agreed.

"What! Serenity you are supposed to be with Endymion." Mina argued.

"Yes… we know that." She said taking Darien's hand in hers.

"Then what's the problem?" Mina asked her tone harsh.

Serena raised her left hand where a beautiful heart shaped pink diamond rested.

"I am Darien's wife." She stated.

Mina's mouth fell open.

"Now, you see why I won't divorce my wife." Darien kissed Serena's temple.

"I'll say…." Mina was still dumbfounded.

Serena giggled.

Mina sat silent for a few moments letting this all sink in.

"Well, there go all of my plans to get Darien and his wife broken up. I was even going to play the other woman and sacrifice my good name for you!" She crossed her arms over her chest.

"Thanks Mina. We really would have appreciated that." He smiled. She pouted more.

"Really, though, at first I thought Kunzite told you…" Darien started but Serena nudged him hard to shut him up but Mina heard the words. He rjaw fell open again with a popping noise.

"Kun…Kunzite?" She asked touching her chest where the now silver string protruded.

"Oh… yeah… Kevin…" Darien said quietly.

"Oh…" Mina stuttered out… "I should have known it was him." She faked a laugh.

"Mina…" Serena went to grab her hand.

"I know. Serenity, you remember?" Mina asked her.

"Just now… the moment… the strings…" Serena said quietly. "It will be different this time. It wasn't them before. Just their bodies. Their souls were not with them." Serena defended.

"What am I missing?" Darien asked confused.

Serena gently touched his forehead a small silver light emitted with her touch.

He nodded now remembering. "They died before that day." Darien agreed.

"Thanks… that makes it easier I guess." Mina was quiet for a moment. "This is quite amazing really. I get another chance with him." And she smiled brightly.

"Yes… you do Mina." A voice from behind said. It was Kunzite who looked at her with love.

"Jeeeze… you scared me." Mina smacked him.

"Ow!" Kunzite smiled at her. "Can I join you?"

"That would be nice." Mina smiled and so did Darien and Serena.

Then she frowned. "Serena!"

"What?" Serena said nervously.

"You didn't invite me to your wedding!" She yelled.

"Gomen…. If it makes you feel any better I don't remember it either." She said sheepishly.

"What!" Mina yelled and Kunzite smirked. He hadn't heard the whole story yet.

And Darien and Serena went in to the tale of their first month of marriage. Kunzite and Mina found it hilarious.

"So how mad do you think the rest of the girls are going to be when you tell them you are married and the guys are your generals." Mina asked sipping on a coke.

"I don't know? Why don't you try us?" Raye, Ami and Lita stood in the restaurant anger on their faces and looks to kill.