blueeyeddevil06 thank you for going back and editing all of these.

Chapter 20 – A Time to Relax

Dinner didn't go exactly the way Darien had originally hoped. Jadeite crashed their date and made sure Darien ordered him food too. He knew when he was beaten, and he just went with it. Once the food arrived, they all sat on the floor and got comfortable. For Serena, that meant leaning up against Darien.

Jadeite started in on telling stories about Serena and the time she spent away from the city. He then quickly realized he was glad Jadeite was there. Darien laughed at the Rolling Stone t-shirt story, fell even more in love with her after hearing about five-year-old Lucy and the cat Stella, and revelled in all the rest of the stories Jadeite told.

Darien saw that Jadeite knew what a gift he was giving him, and he appreciated it immensely. He received the gift of knowing more about her year away and who she had become when he wasn't looking. He was given a look into the groups' private jokes and laughed so hard he cried when Jadeite told him about when she admitted she considered turning them into a necklace if she couldn't bring them back.

Darien did grow a little jealous over the necklace after that. He hadn't realized that it was a gift from the guys. He thought she had purchased it being as sentimental as she is. He could admit to himself he didn't like that she wore jewelry given to her by someone else. He also knew he wasn't a jerk enough to mention it to her. It was his own issue, and he knew he wasn't in the right.

Serena smiled the whole time and couldn't get over her joy. She was so glad Darien was connecting more with Jadeite and laughing along with him. This, after all, was what she wanted for him way back in the beginning. She wanted him to have his friends back. She tried to hide a happy tear. She didn't know how successful she was.

Nephrite knocked on the doorway, let them know he was home, and headed up to his room.

Jadeite got up and said, "Well, I'm going to head out for a bit."

Serena slipped in, "Please tell Molly about what is going on with Raye, and make sure you let her know I asked you to tell her. It will look better that way anyway."

Jadeite looked astonished, "How did you know? I didn't tell anyone."

Serena said, "Do you really think I wouldn't notice?"

"I'm sorry I underestimated your ability to read people."

"Not people, I can read all you boys."

Jadeite smiled and left.

The moment he was out the door, Serena was kissing Darien.

Once they parted from their kiss, Darien smiled at her. "That was a happy tear earlier, right?"

"Yes, it was," she blushed.

"I'm just making sure I read that right. I'm glad you're so happy."

"It was what I wanted from the beginning when I stole the stones. I wanted you to have your friends back."

"You're amazing. I still don't deserve you, but I won't try to convince you of that. I intend for us to be forever."

"Good, that's all I want."

"One other thing, Jadeite and Molly?"

"That's what we are shipping in this house right now. And, I learned never to bet against the boys and their ships."

"Oh, really?"

"Yup, we were the first one."

"Then I'm all in for them being right."

She gave him a peck on the lips. "I knew you would be."

He heard the dining room door open and close and said, "That's my cue to go. Have a great night with Mina. Make sure you both get enough sleep. Tomorrow is game time."

"We will, and I love you."

"I love you too."

He kissed her at the door before heading out to his car and back to his apartment. He knew he needed to make a change. Saying goodnight to his girlfriend was starting to feel wrong. He desperately wanted to say goodnight to his fiancé.

Serena walked upstairs, met Mina in her room, and gave her a hug. "So, you look professional but hot!"

"Good. That was what I was going for. Mind if I change into my PJs right away? These spanx are killing me after that delicious meal Kunzite made."

"Go ahead. I will change too."

They changed and then Serena asked," So, how was your date?"

"Amazing," Mina then blushed.

"Oooh! Tell me more."

"He pulled out my chair for me and made the most delicious dinner. He also couldn't keep his eyes off me."

"Refer back to my previous statement that you look hot." She winked. "I'm so glad to hear that dinner was amazing."

"We discussed everything, and by the way, wow! Sapphire really planned this one out! We have some things we want to discuss with you tomorrow morning, but that can wait. It's strange how a working dinner was so romantic. I guess it had to do with both of us helping each other to be successful. Does that make sense?"

"Yes, it really does. It is romantic to bring out the best in each other. It isn't just about feeling attraction. It's about enriching each other's lives."

"Yes, exactly! I'm not picking on Raye, I am using her as an example, but this is what I think she is missing when she wants Jadeite to come to her. It isn't about what Kunzite will do for me. Helping him succeed, supporting him, and receiving that same thing from him is an incredible feeling."

"You're building the foundation of a strong relationship, not just mutual attraction."

"See, you get it."

"Did he kiss you?"

"Yes, he gave me a peck on the cheek. It was sweet and romantic."

"Minzite, oh I am really bad at ship names. Kuzina?"

"Only slightly better."

"Darn." She looked mildly annoyed.

They both dissolved into giggles.

Mina looked at the painting hanging on the wall and said, "Now tell me about your gorgeous painting."

They spent the rest of the night catching up and chatting about their lives. Serena also warned Mina that Jadeite was meeting with Molly.

Jadeite grabbed a table at the arcade and waited for Molly. She arrived, and he instantly smiled. He was worried she would back out of whatever she would agree to calling this.

As she sat, Andrew showed up to take their order. Molly ordered a milkshake and Jadeite asked Andrew, "Have I ticked you off at all?"

"No, why?" He asked puzzled.

"Then I will have a decaf coffee. I just wanted to make sure you would be giving me decaf."

Andrew laughed at that and said, "One strawberry milkshake and one decaf coffee, I promise." And then went to make the milkshake.

Molly said, "I feel like I need this story."

"Well, it all had to do with Darien ticking off Andrew when he broke up with Serena. He gave Darien decaf every morning for over a year instead of regular."

"That is hilarious. I'm glad you told me. Does Darien know?"

"He does. After he and Serena got back together, he noticed the caffeine kicking in. Andrew later told him."

She laughed, and he joined her.

"I'm so glad they're back together. If they can't make it work, I don't stand a chance." She paused and realized she was thinking of Melvin. It still hurt.

Jadeite broke her from her musing, "That isn't the way things work. Your love life doesn't revolve around Serena's success, and she wouldn't want you to feel that way."

"I know. I tend to be melodramatic in the evenings."

"No, you're still hurting."

"I don't want to be. Can we change the subject?"

"Absolutely. Serena wanted me to update you on Raye, and I told her I would."

"I wasn't aware there was an update needed."

"Then Serena wanted you to be aware of what is going on with Raye, starting from the beginning," he amended and gave her a smile.

Andrew interrupted to bring their orders and then left them alone.

Jadeite then told her everything from Raye's digs at Serena, the conversation Mina had with her and, most importantly to him, his conversation with Raye. He thought Serena was brilliant to have him tell Molly about his conversation with her. He went on to tell her about Serena removing her powers and how she was no longer a scout. "It was astounding to watch her use her power to that extent," he said.

Molly looked shocked, "That is a lot to take in. Raye has really become cruel to Serena though. I'm glad she isn't letting her treat her badly. She can err on the side of being too forgiving to her own detriment."

"That, she can."

"It must have been a shock to Raye that you were going to break up with her back then. It must have hurt her to hear that."

"She needed to know the truth. It would be worse to let her believe we would get back together and for me to start dating someone else." He looked at her.

"You're right of course. That must have taken a lot of courage for you to confront her."

"It was the right thing to do. That was what was important. It wasn't about courage."

"You really think it wasn't courageous. You really are a great guy. You said you plan to start dating?"

He answered the question first, "Kind of. And, that is really wonderful of you to say." He was thrilled that she felt he was a "great guy."

She laughed, "How do you 'kind of' date?"

"That is two different questions. Dating implies multiple people. Date implies one. There is just one person I am hoping to go on a date with. You."

She snapped her head and looked directly at him. "Me? Won't that make things weird?"

"I talked to Serena, and she knows about my feelings. I also talked to Kunzite. You don't need his approval, but as his friend, I needed it."

"Why?"

"We're close, and I wanted to make sure that I acted with respect to him."

"No, I meant why do you want to date me?"

"At the beginning, you intrigued me. Serena would get off the phone with you happy and encouraged. Then we started asking about your conversations after you both hung up. You always supported her, but you pointed out things you saw that you didn't agree with respectfully. Then we arrived here, and I realized that you met the picture I had built of you in my head. You're kind, encouraging, strong, and loyal."

"You make me sound like Serena."

"There is a reason why you have been friends for so long. You're also very discerning, and I couldn't see you letting someone take advantage of you. So, not exactly Serena. Although, she is learning to stand up for herself; maybe she got that from you."

"So, is this a date then? I didn't even put on lipstick."

"It's only a date if you want it to be. I will be honest and say that I would love for it to be."

She smiled at him and said, "It's a date. I will have to prepare myself for Raye, won't I?"

"That would be a good idea. I will, of course, step in any time I can. Her anger will be because of me."

"That seems fair. I will keep you updated on her behavior. Please just respect me enough to let me handle her on my end. If I need you to step in, I will let you know."

"I will try. Let me know if I step out of line, but please give me grace. It's in my very nature to protect and defend."

"I'm aware, and I will let you know. What are you smiling about?"

"You. Us. I'm just happy. What are you doing Friday night? I would like to take you out on a date; one you actually know about ahead of time. That way you can put on lipstick."

She laughed at that and then said, "I would love to go on a date with you."

"Fabulous." He smiled.

Their conversation continued from there as they got to know each other a bit better. Jadeite left that night smiling and feeling incredibly happy.