Wow. The response to the last letter was explosive. I think I got double maybe triple the feedback I normally do. I think I've decided on an ending (which I shall not share) but who knows; it might change. I think the hardest part about writing this is making sure I don't repeat sign-offs lol. And I named the bakery Ambrosia since it's the food of the gods and each sailor has a planet which is also the name of a roman god. Just my attempt at being clever.

Please enjoy!

Dear Stranger,

Ambrosia is the name of the bakery I mentioned in my last letter, and their food is definitely worthy of the name. I love their red velvet cupcakes and the chocolate cake and that strawberry pastry thing I had and the cream in the cannoli was delicious and the lemon meringue pie...well I'm sure you get the gist. I sampled everything. And then I of course had to take a second sample just to confirm my opinions. It's what any good food tester does.

It turns out that Amy went to high school with one of the girls who works at Ambrosia. Amy introduced me to a very tall brunette named Lita. And she has a very strong grip. I didn't know a handshake could be so painful. Other than that, Lita is awesome. She loves food just as much as me and she's preparing to take the test to get her second degree black belt in martial arts this weekend. Speaking of karate-chopping and roundhouse kicks, Lita gave an impromptu instruction class to entertain all the little kids. A few kids my age and some technicians and nurses joined in. I'm not of fan of, you know, physical exertion besides running to school when I'm late, but I pushed aside my laziness, honed in on my inner Sailor V and did it too. It's been a while since the hospital was this much fun. Actually, I think I might be sore tomorrow. Much more exercise than I've ever done...and I wasn't even fighting anyone.

I was on my way to hide some cupcakes and stuff in my room when I saw him. It wasn't my fault; the door was ajar. And I don't get to wander that much of the hospital so I was being curious. And the result: curiosity killed this cat. Or just maybe burned out my eyeballs and melted my face. I found the room where hospital staff locked up their personal effects.

Darien was in there, in the middle of changing out of his scrubs and into to regular, civilian clothes. And he was shirtless.

Oh god those abs! That wonderful, wonderful six pack. How did he find the time to work out? And his shoulders and arms looked so strong and that 'V'...just...whoa. I'm pretty sure I went brain dead and drooled. Not that I should joke about being brain dead in a hospital...but this has only made my struggle to squash my crush on him that much harder.

Then he started walking my way and I ran around the corner, trying to stuff my goodies in my mouth and hide the rest under my shirt. But he found me anyway and he stared down at me with his intimidating height (curse my shortness!), tsking and shaking his head. Crossing his arms, he asked me what in the world I was doing.

"Umm...uhhh...hi Darien. It's, um, not what it looks like."

"Sure it is, Serena. You've got a little something-" he reached a hand towards me and wiped a mixture of icing and cookie crumbs off my face. The blush that had just cooled off came right back in full force. The expression that crossed his face next was both contemplative and conflicted, but then he sighed and gestured down the hallway. "C'mon, I'll walk you to your room."

Speed-walking to keep up with his long strides, I grinned and offered him a cookie. "I learned some martial arts today," I informed him, chopping at the air with my hands. "I bet I could kick your tall, probably in shape butt."

Raising a disbelieving brow, he chuckled, "I'm nearly six feet tall. You're five foot two."

"Hey, I'm five foot two and a half. The half is very important, Darien."

Darien chuckled again, a little louder this time. "Where did you learn that? I thought it was just the bakery coming today." I explained Lita to him and asked him where he was. His reply made me grimace: assisting in a heart transplant. I was thankful I didn't need any kind of transplant. Not yet anyway. But I really feel for those who have. What would it be like knowing someone else's body part was inside me...that's probably something no one wants to mention much.

I'm getting distracted. Back to my story. The rest of the way back to my room through the blindingly white hospital was uneventful...well, not including the patient that came speeding through on a gurney down a hallway, a team of staff around the victim. All I saw was a lot of red before Darien tactfully blocked my view with his body. When the gurney passed, he ushered me away quickly, the words 'multiple stab wounds' echoing. I hated these reminders of where I was. That while a lot of people were being saved, a lot were dying, and even having a reason to come to this awful place was bad. But at least those who died didn't have to stay here long. They didn't have to see more and more people come and go while you're stuck here. I can't explain how frustrated it makes me feel. Maybe I should bring it up to Dr. Meioh next time...

But Darien was sweet. He almost immediately tried to get my mind off it by making jokes and asking about my mom. He even asked what movie I wanted to watch next Friday! I'm sooo very excited that our Friday nights are back on. I've missed it, really I have. It was a little salvation at the end of the week that was taken from me by the Evil Cheating Queen.

I asked for a comedy. I need some laughs after my seizure and everything. Popcorn and candy and crying while laughing here I come!

At my room, we said goodnight. And I kissed his cheek. This time he was the one who blushed.

Wishing Cupid would stop shooting his arrows at me and maybe shoot one Darien's way,

The Lovesick Rabbit