Blueeyeddevil06 thank you for being my beta.

Chapter 25 – Back to Reality

The next morning, Mina woke up late, rolled over, and sighed. She knew she needed to go talk to Raye, so she slowly got ready and headed over to the temple. For the first time in her life, the temple steps didn't seem long enough. She really wanted to delay making it there.

When she arrived and was about to enter, she heard Raye screaming, "Get out!" and the door flew open. Out stepped Serena who quickly closed the door.

She looked at Mina and whispered, "No need to update her, it is done. Thank you for coming over to do that for me. I should have called and told you I was bringing the Martian sword to her today."

"I would have gone with you if I had known."

"I know. I just didn't want a witness to how this would go."

"You're too kind to her."

"Let's go back to your place since it's closer. I'll give you a summary of how it went."

Once they arrived back at her apartment, they sat in the living room, and Serena sighed. "It isn't going well with her. I will give her this shot, but if it doesn't work, I will know I gave her every chance."

"That bad?"

Serena teared up, "Yes. We used to genuinely be friends, right? I wasn't imagining it, was I?"

"You weren't imagining it."

Serena filled her in on telling Raye about the sword. Mina could tell she left out a lot of mean comments.

An hour later, Mina walked back up the temple steps. She wanted to fill in her gaps in information that Raye had since she threw Serena out so quickly.

Knock. Knock.

Raye opened the door and scowled. "If you are coming to get me to come back, it won't work. Miss Prissy Princess can fight by herself for all I care. I don't care how cool my sword is."

"I came to fill you in on some things; may I come in?"

"Fine, but I am sure I won't want you to stay long."

"I won't. I came to let you know that Diamond is defeated, and there's peace again for now."

"You have to be kidding me. You managed to defeat that guy?" She scoffed.

"The one we saw in battle was his brother, but he worked with us to beat his brother."

"I don't even care how those details were worked out."

"Well, it's good then that one of your sisters was reborn too. Serena has found her, and she is genetically able to take over as Sailor Mars."

Raye's face transformed to one of fury. "You're a bitch; you think you can smile at me and betray me in the same breath?! I AM SAILOR MARS! She stole that from me, and she better give it back!"

"It was never really your power."

"Bullshit, it wasn't my power. I was always better than her, and she was jealous. She stole everything from me, even Darien."

Mina began to laugh, "Serena wants you to come around, and she still cares. I, however, am done with you. Loyalty and friendship to Serena means a lot to me, and you aren't even a mildly decent friend to any of us."

"Oh yea, pretend this is my fault."

"Say what you want. I say the sky is purple. It doesn't make it any truer than what you're saying."

Mina turned and opened the door, "I told you I wouldn't stay long. Oh! And Serena managed to heal an entire nation of people." She then slammed the door.

Raye threw her shoe at the door and then removed the other one, throwing that too. She then stomped over, picked up the sword, held it, and it began to hum. She then set it down and stepped away. She didn't want to deal with whatever Serena did to the sword.

Serena thought she heard a noise at the door. She opened it, looked around, and heard Luna, "May I come in?"

"Please do. Come on into the living room."

Luna followed her. They both sat down, and Luna started, "I understand you have a new advisor in your uncle, but I was wondering if I could live with you again. I miss you."

Serena smiled down at her and said, "I would love that. That means you have to live with five guys though."

"I'm aware. I think I can handle them." She smirked and showed her claws.

Serena laughed and said, "Good thinking. That will keep them in line."

The boys quickly learned the advantage of having a talking cat in the house. She was small and stealthy, and they all bribed her to spy on each other. Zoisite offered her cans of tuna to let him know when someone stole his ice cream. Jadeite quickly countered with cream if she didn't tell on him. All four guys had run out to the grocery store by the end of the day.

Serena called Molly after her conversation with Mina. "Emergency sleepover at my place tonight."

"On a weeknight?"

"It's in celebration that we defeated Diamond, and I won't be kidnapped or tortured. You must come to that. It's the law."

Molly laughed, "Well, you know I would hate to get arrested, and the cause is good. I will be there. What time?"

"Now if you can make it, but everyone seems to have actual things to do. Come as soon as you are available. There will be cake."

"You have cake?"

"It's a party!" Then Serena got really serious. "I didn't let on how scared I was. He managed to kidnap me in the past, and I had guards then too. I was a mess, but I hid it."

"You should have said something."

"What would it have helped? Everyone was already guarding me really well."

"I, of all people, can understand the need to be protected. I'm a youma magnet, remember? Sharing your fear would have helped. You're always there for others, let people return the favor."

"Everyone says I'm strong, happy, kind, sweet, and loving. Those don't go with sharing your burdens."

"Well, I thought you knew me better than that. Remember in the sixth grade when you cried over the fact that Mark didn't notice you? There were other times too that I was there when you cried. I have always been there, and it never bothered me. Did you at least tell Darien?"

"No, I didn't tell him."

"Why?"

"What was he going to do?"

Molly dropped it, "I will be at the victory party."

"Thanks, bye!"

"Bye."

Ring. Ring. Ring.

"Hello, Molly."

"Hello, Darien. We need to talk."

Darien sighed when he got off the phone. Right now, he wished Molly were one of Serena's scouts. He was glad she had her as a friend though.

Darien knocked on Serena's door, and Nephrite answered. "She's in the kitchen putting the cake away."

Darien smiled at him, "Thank you." He walked into the kitchen and said to Serena, "We need to talk."

"Well, that doesn't sound good."

"Molly called me. She told me about your fear and you hiding it from me. Don't be mad at her. You know she did the right thing telling me. It should have been you."

Serena grew still, "Part of me is still afraid of being a burden to you. For a year, I thought that was why you broke up with me. How am I supposed to get over it that quickly?"

Darien rubbed his face with his hands, "You were never a burden. Why did you think that?"

"You gave me no real reason as to why you stopped loving me. We were born to be together, what else was I to think?!"

"That I was an idiot?"

"No! That wasn't what I thought! I thought I was a burden, stupid, childish, and not good enough for you. That's what I believed. That's what the breakup told me."

"You are none of those things. You're amazing."

"Guys don't break up with women because they're amazing."

"I broke up with you over that false dream."

"I didn't know that! You didn't tell me!"

Kunzite stepped into the kitchen. "Serena, please leave and let me talk to Darien for a little. Darien will come to you when we're done."

"Fine." Serena marched out the door and up the stairs.

Kunzite turned to Darien, "Sometimes I wish that I had the satisfaction of punching you in the face. Keep this up, and I will fix that."

"What in the world did I say that was wrong? I never thought those things about her."

"Your breakup destroyed her confidence, and she built herself back up afterwards. She's strong, and it was amazing to watch. But if you thought her confidence in your relationship was restored, you have another thing coming. She's happy, and things are going well for both of you. But to her, that is all built on a foundation of sand. You said you regretted what you did, but you never told her who she was to you when you broke up."

"What?"

"Tell her who you broke up with. Tell her how you felt about who she was then and what you gave up protecting her. Make her see she didn't "fix" herself over the last year. She's afraid of reverting to the girl you could give up."

"Shit. I missed that. I was so busy being in love and having her back that I forgot to address the fallout of the breakup."

"I heard her go up into her room. I'll give you some time to think before you head up." Kunzite left the room and went to the living room. A few minutes later, he heard Darien go up the stairs.

Knock. Knock.

Serena opened her door and said, "Come in."

Darien entered and grasped both her hands. "Kunzite explained to me what I wasn't understanding." He kissed both her hands. "You accepted me back, and that was everything to me. I had everything I wanted back in my arms. I didn't tell you what it was that I wanted though."

He kissed her lips then looked her in the eyes and said, "The day I broke up with you, it was like ripping out my own heart. I was wrong, but I truly believed I was saving your life, and I couldn't live if you weren't in this world. I gave up everything that meant anything to me that day. I let the perfect woman walk out my door, and it hurt. I let the kindest, sweetest, most loving, thoughtful, funniest, strongest, and brightest light walk out the door when you only brought joy to my life. Your strength astounds me, and while everyone has times when they need someone, when you do, I feel like a king. To be able to comfort you or be there to help strengthen you, makes me feel needed. You're so self-sufficient that I don't always feel that way. I'm not complaining, just please let me be there for you when you need someone. I see the confidence you have gotten over the year you were gone. To me though, you should have always been this confident. You have always been this amazing."

"Oh, Darien." Serena was crying by then. What he said had brought comfort to her heart and soothed a raw and aching pain that had been there since the moment he ended things. She wiped her eyes. "You really saw me like that, even back then?"

"Serena, you brought color to my life the moment you threw that test paper in my face. I had felt like that for a long time."

She kissed him, and he responded with all the feeling he could to show her his love and devotion. He backed her up, pressed her against the door, and she moaned into his mouth. He ghosted his hands over her body, and she shivered. He smiled into the kiss.

"I need to get to class. I love you, Serena." He gave her one last lingering kiss, and she walked him to the door.

Later, Serena was resting on the couch when she heard a knock on the door.

Serena opened the door, and Molly walked in.

Molly spoke, "Before you say anything, calling him and telling him was the right thing to do."

"Yes, it was, and thank you." Serena hugged Molly.

"Oh! I'm glad you see it."

"You can report anything you want to Darien if it ends with a kiss like that."

"Details!"

"I will just say I was pressed up against the door with his body pressed into mine, and the kiss was amazing."

"And, his hands were where?"

"Nope, not saying." And she winked.

Girl's Night with Amy, Mina, Lita, and Molly was a blast for Serena. She didn't miss Raye one bit. Molly was filled in on everything that happened including Serena's talk with her mother. And the girls were filled in on the fact that Molly had a date with Jadeite on Friday.

Mina also let Serena know she went back to talk to Raye and what a disaster that was.

Mina asked, "So, if you replace her as Sailor Mars, wouldn't the next girl be just as hard to handle."

Serena replied, "No, why?"

"Well, the Martian temper of course."

"There isn't a Martian temper. That is just Raye's own temper."

"Wait, that isn't Martian?"

"Nope. Yes, war is part of the Martian mentality, but mother explained some things before Darien arrived. One was that it manifests in a couple different ways. One can be the desire to fight, one can be bent towards destruction, and another is that a person can be good at assessing people and situations to beat them. For example, some Martians are observant and can form a strategy to come up with the best course of action quickly and accurately. It's good for battle strategies."

"So, the next Sailor Mars might not have a temper?"

"Correct. I can guarantee she wouldn't actually. I know who I could replace her with."

All the girls looked shocked at that news.

Lita spoke up, "Are there replacements for us?"

"Nope." Serena Shook her head.

"Why?"

"Mom didn't foresee the need for me to need one."

They all let that sink in.

Serena spoke again, "I struggle because I want this other girl to be Sailor Mars, but I feel I owe Raye a chance out of respect for the friendship we use to share."

Mina scoffed, "You owe her nothing at this point."

The rest of the evening was much more lighthearted, and they enjoyed cake and each other's company.

The next evening, Darien was ready to punch Stephen in the nose if he snickered one more time at the situation. The study group that was currently meeting at his apartment had quickly evolved into an exercise in patience. How Tiffany had gotten herself into the group was a mystery to him. He had quickly claimed the armchair after she managed to wedge herself next to him on the couch. Now, every time she tried to flirt with him, Stephen barely suppressed a laugh. And, there it went again.

They all had started at the library, but Tiffany kept complaining that it was too noisy there, and they really needed to go somewhere else. She whined long enough that all five of the guys gave up and agreed to move. She quickly made sure that they relocated to Darien's apartment. He realized now he shouldn't have given in.

She spoke and Darien suppressed a shudder.

Darien looked at Tiffany and tried to be kind, "No, I don't need your help adding a female touch to the apartment."

She tried again, "Well, anytime you need someone to cook for you, let me know. I'm sure it's hard cooking for one."

"That isn't a problem."

She opened her mouth to make another comment, and there was the sound of a key in the door.

Serena walked in and paused, smiled, and announced, "I thought you were at the library for your study group. I wanted to drop off a couple of things." She pulled out a Tupperware container and placed it on the coffee table. "Now you have to share the cookies Lita made."

Luna peaked her head out of the bag Serena was carrying and surveyed her surroundings.

Serena then said, "Oh! Where are my manners? I'm Serena. I know Dave, Stephen and Rick "

Tiffany spoke up and said "I'm Tiffany. Why are you here, and since when did they allow cats in the building?"

The guy next to her broke in before Serena could answer, "I'm Tom, and please tell me you are Darien's sister and you will go out with me Friday night."

Serena blushed and Darien was irritated. He said, "She's my girlfriend. She has plans with me Friday."

Serena walked over and kissed Darien on the cheek, "You know I only want you, my love." He visibly calmed down.

"I don't enjoy that you have yet another guy after you."

"I only let you catch me."

He smiled and said, "I know that. I just adore you and don't want to lose you."

"You won't, and you trust me. We both know that."

"I do." He laced his fingers with hers. "You said you brought a couple of things. Tell Lita thanks for the cookies please."

"I will." Luna jumped out of Serena's bag and up on the coffee table. She observed Tiffany and flicked her tail. "I also brought some information that Sapphire gave me for you. He was over earlier talking to Jadeite, and I said I planned on dropping by so I would bring it."

Darien grumbled, "Speaking of someone else who is in love with you."

Serena raised one eyebrow at him, and he looked sheepish.

He said, "Yes, I trust you. I just don't have to enjoy it."

"Fair enough." She gave him another kiss on the cheek. "I will just put this folder away for you later."

She left the room to hide the folder away from prying eyes.

Tom shook his head, "You never said you were dating a model! She's the hottest girl I've ever seen."

Tiffany made a scoffing noise at that, and Luna twitched her tail again.

Darien's reply was, "She's gorgeous. Flirt with her again, and I will punch you in the nose."

Serena walked back in the room.

Darien's cell phone rang, and he answered, "Hello, Jadeite." …. "She's here"…. "Yes, she brought cookies and the information from Sapphire." …. "she's standing right here rolling her eyes."

"Tell him I know I turned the tracker off, it was creepy."

"She says you're creepy." He said to Jadeite.

Serena scoffed and spoke loudly for Jadeite to hear, "I said IT was creepy."

Darien looked at her. "He wants to know why you took Luna."

"Tell him they were making her fat."

Luna let out an angry noise at that comment.

Darien told Jadeite and then told him goodbye.

"I wish he wouldn't worry about me so much." She said. "I'm able to take care of myself."

"Your brother?" David asked.

"No, a mutual friend." Darien replied and then said. "We were about to take a break and order dinner. Could you stay, Serena, and eat with us?"

She smiled and said, "I would love to. Luna needs a break from the guys too."

Luna got up, arched her back, jumped down from the table, and left to go nap on Darien's bed. Serena laughed at her, "They have taken to bribing her. They each want to be her favorite, and she gets cream and tuna all the time." She shook her head. "She gets upset when I take her away."

Tiffany said, "Cats aren't even supposed to be in this building. How did you get it past the doorman?"

Darien said, "Actually, they're allowed here, and she hardly has to sneak Luna in."

Serena smirked at her, "Steve adores Luna."

Tiffany was confused and opened her mouth to speak.

Darien cut in and spoke to Serena, "You brought him cookies too, didn't you? You're his favorite around here, and you aren't even a tenant."

"Of course, I brought him some, and the recipe. His mother is visiting soon, and I thought his wife would like it."

Darien smiled and said, "You're always thinking of others."

Tiffany spoke, "Darien, I have a question on what we just went over. Can't we pick up studying and eat later?" She pulled out her book again and opened it.

Tom started laughing and said, "Oh, give it up! He isn't into you. This is middle school level flirting."

She huffed and looked angry. "I don't know what you're talking about. I just thought a study group was about studying."

"You've been flirting with Darien the whole time, and it was hilarious. Seriously, the only time I have had more fun in a study group was freshman year when I made out in the stacks with a sophomore from the group."

Serena laughed and went into the kitchen to grab Darien's take out menus and brought them back to everyone.

Tiffany sat silently glaring at her. She didn't like how obvious it was that Serena knew her way around the apartment and had a key.

Serena looked up at Tom and asked. "Are you by any way related to Mark Hemmer? You somehow remind me of him."

Tom replied, "He's my brother why?"

"We went to school together, and we had class together our last year. I just caught up with him recently."

"Wait! You're that Serena. He was upset when you wouldn't go out on a second date with him."

"Well, as you can see, I was no longer single when he asked."

Darien grew clammy and hated this conversation. Jadeite had told him about that date, and now jealousy gnawed at him again. He hated what he had done to bring this pain on himself. He had hurt them both all over something that wasn't even true. It still left him feeling guilty too.

Tiffany tried to use the situation to her advantage. "You cheated on Darien. How awful."

Darien had enough, "This is my apartment, and I 'm done with you. Tiffany, get out! If anyone wants to leave and go study with her, then you won't offend me." He pointed at the door, "Oh, and Tiffany. Don't ever talk to me again."

She jumped up, gathered her things, and yelled, "Fine, we're leaving!" She then stomped out the door. No one followed and she didn't return. Darien briefly wondered what her reaction was when she realized she was all alone.

Darien then handed around the various menus. They all agreed where to order from, and he called in the order. They had a great dinner and a wonderful time afterwards joking and relaxing.

After the others left, Luna came trotting out of the bedroom, "Well, isn't that girl just horrible. I'm glad you kicked her butt out. As if she could ever compare to Serena." She huffed.

Darien chuckled and said, "I completely agree. I have a can of tuna fish if you want it."

"That would be delicious."

"Luna, you have all of the boys wrapped around your paw." Serena commented.

Luna said, "I'm resourceful, and they recognize it is in their best interest to bribe me."

"You mean they have you spying for them. Wait, what is Darien bribing you for?"

"Any boys that talk to you while you are out with me. By the way Darien, three flirted with her, but she brushed them all off."

She yelled, "Darien, I thought you trusted me!"

He said, "I do. I just don't think you notice how often guys are interested in you, and I worry that they will get persistent even without encouragement. Or, they will even get persistent when you do brush them off. Diamond really scared me. Knowing what happened in our last lifetime and knowing that you suffered, it kills me."

She kissed him, "That is the sweetest bullshit I've ever heard."

"It's the truth."

"Moving on. I left the file in the drawer in your nightstand. I better head out."

"Let me drive you home. It's late, and then I get to spend extra time with you."

"Okay, my sweet caveman."

"Hey! I'm… okay, I kind of am. Sorry."

"It's cute as long as you stop having Luna spy on me. That's too far."

"To be fair, it was her idea."

Luna spoke, "You agreed to it. I only brought it up because I wanted more tuna, and she kept taking me away from the guys so they would stop feeding me."

Serena rolled her eyes, "Great. I'm getting spied on because my cat loves to eat."

Darien drove her home, walked her to the door, and kissed her after Luna went inside.

"I do trust you. I just struggle with jealousy. I will really try to get better."

She kissed him again and said, "Make sure you do that. Were you interested in going out with Tiffany?"

"Hell no! I was annoyed with her and was relieved to throw her out."

"Then you understand how I feel when people flirt with me."

"Now I feel like a jerk."

"Lucky for me, you're a hot jerk." She smiled at him and gave him one last kiss. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, my love."

That night after Darien arrived home, he called Jadeite and Andrew and asked them to meet him at the arcade the next day at nine o'clock. He had an appointment to get to and a ring to buy.