Bleed to Love Her 3/? By Meredith Bronwen Mallory mallorys-girl@cinci.rr.com ³Darien?!² Sailor Moon gasped as the mask fluttered to the ground. The world felt as though it was crashing down around her ears. The man she desperately loved and her mysterious night time savior were one and the same. ³Serena, are you okay?² Mars asked. she thought, instead replying, ³Fine, fine,² as she covered the shivering man with a quilt and hurried out into the hallway, followed by the other scouts. ³Are you going to be okay taking care of him?² Jupiter asked. ³Yes, I think so,² Moon replied through her sniffles. ³And if anything happens, you know you can call me,² Mercury assured her. ³Thanks guys,² she tired on a smile. The others returned her smile and left. In a flash of pink light, Serena stood in the place of Sailor Moon, her sailor fuku replaced with her pink flannel pjs. She figured that if she knew who he was, then it was only fair that he know who she was. Returning to the study, she folded his soiled clothing and set it on the end table, pulling up a chair as she took his hand, gently caressing it was her thumb. With her other hand, she brushed away a few stray locks of midnight black hair, then felt his forehead. He was burning up! ³Oh, Darien,² she said aloud, ³Whatever shall I do with you?² ------ Slowly, he returned to the real world, the darkness receding as he heard voices replacing the silence. They were far away, and he could not make out the words, but one stood out in his mind, comforting him. Then, there was silence, until a warm hand took his and a gentle touch felt his forehead. ³Oh, Darien,² the sweet voice said, ³Whatever shall I do with you?² It sounded like the princess. But... she never called him anything but Endymion. He groaned, trying opened his eyes, but it was no use. So he merely lay there, enjoying her touch. She never touched him in his other dreams. After a while, he found the strength to lift his heavy eyelids. He opened them, expecting to see the shadowed face of his princess, but instead finding something totally different. Serena, his arcade angel, sat holding his hand, her eyes closed as if she was praying. She looked small and frightened and lost sitting there, and he wanted to reach out to her, but all his strength was spent. Besides, her gentle touch was lulling him into sleep. His last thought before the mists of the dream-world claimed him was how soft her skin was. ------ When he awoke next, she was gone. He sat up and looked at his surroundings, memories of the past night coming to the fore. The battle, Sailor Moon, the pain. Where was he. Had he dreamed Serena to his side? Probably. But that didnıt explain why he was in some strangerıs study. ³Youıre awake,² a soft, silvery voice said from the doorway. He turned to see Serena dressed in her pajamas, standing in the doorway with a tray of food. ³Serena?² he asked. How had he gotten here, what was she doing here, and more importantly, did she know he was Tuxedo Mask? One look at the end table confirmed his suspicions, for there lay his shirt, jacket, cape, top hat and mask, all neatly piled there, ³How?² he struggled to get up, but she rushed to his side, in the process dropping the tray. ³Easy, donıt strain yourself, you lost a lot of blood,² she told him, before turning mournfully to the mess on the floor. He stifled a laugh, she was the same old Serena he loved. ³Iım such a klutz,² she shook her head, cleaning it up and hurrying towards the hallway, ³Iıll be right back,² she threw over her shoulder. True to her word, it wasnıt five minutes before she returned, with a clean tray and more food. She sat the tray on the coffee table and offered to help him situate it on his lap. He accepted gracefully, since he was feeling incredibly weak. ³How did you find me?² he asked, after taking a bite of the chicken soup sheıd made. It was actually very good, if a little thick. His Meatball Head in the kitchen? Whoıd of thought? ³I... was there the whole time,² she said, looking down at her hands, which rested in her lap. He looked at her incredulously. ³But, I didnıt see you,² he said, brow furrowing in confusion. She shook her head, raising her beautiful sapphire eyes to meet his stormy blue ones. ³Yes, you did, you saved me,² she was then silent, letting that sink in. Darien looked at the fragile little goddess we sat on the couch beside him, the same little cheerful girl who pranced about in the arcade and smiled and laughed with her friends. She, SERENA, was Sailor Moon? The young man was now seeing a whole other side to the woman-child he loved. Not just the angelic, sweet side of her nature, but the strong, albeit reluctant and somewhat klutzy, warrior beneath. ³Youıre Sailor Moon,² he breathed, fascinated. He remembered the first time heıd seen her in battle. **But I donıt want to be a Warrior!** she had cried. How long ago had that been? Weeks? Perhaps more than two months? And yet, she still did as she was asked. Amazing. ³Yes, and I know youıre Tuxedo Mask,² Serena looked up and told him earnestly, ³We didnıt mean to take off the mask, we wanted to give you your privacy, but it fell off. Iım so very sorry, Darien, really I am.² We? he thought. The Sailor Scouts must have helped her move him here. Wait a second.... ³Where am I?² he asked. ³My place,² she said softly, ³My parents are gone for the next two weeks, and the others figured it would be the best place to nurse you back to health. We couldnıt take you to the doctor, after all.² She seemed so embarrassed, like she was afraid he was mad or something. Without thinking, Darien took her hand in his. She looked up abruptly ³Thank you, Serena,² he said softly. She had shown him so much kindness, after how mean heıd been to her. ³No,² she shook her head, ³Thank you. You saved my life.² He nodded slowly, biting his lip to restrain himself from telling her that life wouldnıt be worth living without her. He reminded himself that he didnıt deserve her. Suddenly, the girl at his side looked at the clock and let out a squeal. ³Oh, no!² she cried, ³Rayeıs gonna kill me!! Iım late!!² Serena was halfway tot he door when she turned around. ³I have to meet Raye at the temple, will you be alright?² ³Yeah, donıt worry, Iıll be fine. Iıll probably just sleep, Iım pretty tired,² he assured her. She nodded and clattered up the steps. He smiled as he settled back against the cushions, placing the tray back on the table. What a strange turn of events these last few hours had wrought. Heıd been so convinced she hated him earlier yesterday afternoon, and now suddenly he was laying on her couch and she, Serena a.k.a. Sailor Moon, was nursing him back to health! He let out a chuckle as he heard her rush down the steps, yelling something about ŒIım ALWAYS late, Iım DEAD!ı. ³Come on, Luna!² she cried, as he heard her open the door. Just as he closed his eyes, he swore he heard the cat reply; ³Oh, Serena, must you always be late!?² And he knew he was dreaming. ---------- Youıll probably get more tomorrow, but unfortunately, I have company coming. (Oh the joy of seeing my ex-boyfriend! ;-0 (Yuck! Yuck! Yuck!)) Donıt ask. Anyway, please let me know if you want me to continue. Thanks! ~*~*~*~*~ Remember, God wrapped his gift too!