Every Reason Not To: Chapter 4 AN: Here's chapter 4 minna! There's some mush in this one at last! ;) Only one more chapter to go after this! Hope ya like! Rated: G ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~@ It became a routine all to quickly. There were endless dances, speeches, music concerts and performances with receptions afterwards. Serena and Darien found themselves thrust into a social life. And the more time they spent together, the better they got to know one another. Quite suddenly, it seemed, it was there 'three month anniversary'. Darien surprised her with a rose and a card which read, "Thanks for a great three months oh-hated-one! Xoxo your nemesis!" She laughed reading it as she walked down the hall. He rounded the corner and joined her, "Hey, get this! We've been voted best couple by the Campus Socialite Society!" She laughed, "Will wonders never cease? Thanks for the card, it made me laugh." "Yeah, yeah-don't I get a present?" She pulled out a small box of chocolates tied with a bow. "Chocolates! Hurray!" he snatched them up merrily, "These are of course" "Cherry centered?" she cut in, "Of course. Give me some credit! Although, how you can eat them is beyond me, I think they're gross." He laughed as they parted-heading in separate directions. "Happy Anniversary!" He sang out after her and now she laughed. ********************************************************************** "What are we looking at tonight?" asked Serena dropping her stuff on the dark grassy hill and laying down parallel to Darien so that their heads were next to each other (but upside down) and touching lightly. It had become tradition to meet here late, at the end of a long day-since they'd often come here on their own before. "The moon." He replied, "What else?" Her warm face settled near his, "It's beautiful tonight." "It's always beautiful." He stated, "Don't you think?" "Yes." She sighed dreamily. They were silent a moment. "Serena?" "Yeah?" "So...why don't you date? I mean, you could have a boyfriend... you seem so romantic...don't you want one?" "No." "oh..." She blushed though he couldn't see, "This is going to sound a little strange, but, well..I have this hero...I can't let go of.. ..he saved me once..I mean...the feeling might not be real but... he saved me and I just...can't forget...I know it sounds silly.. and vague....I don't even know who he is...I never found out..." She was describing Tuxedo Mask..as best she could without revealing her alter identity. "It doesn't sound silly." He said softly thinking of how crazy a dream Princess sounded. He also realized she was confessing something to him that she would not admit to anyone else...he knew what that was like. "What about you?" she asked. Darien sighed, "Long story..." "I've no place to be." He took another deep breath and then told Serena everything....how his parents were killed when he was six..how he couldn't remember them because he had amnesia...how he felt like he didn't know his true identity..and then finally about the Princess in his dreams calling to him. The only part he left out was Tuxedo Mask. "I know it sounds crazy, but I feel as though I know this girl. I keep searching for her..I think she can tell me who I really am..." Serena was silent a moment, "It's very romantic.." she breathed finally, "Thank you for telling me." "Serena?" "Yeah?" "I want to..I want to apologize for being so rude to you the first time we met." She smiled, "I'm sorry I was so rude to you at the club." He chuckled, "My God, are we friends now?" She laughed too, "I guess so." Although both of them knew they'd been friends a long time already and were only just admitting to it now. Darien walked her to her door and then took her hands affectionately, "Hey.." She looked up, momentarily startled, "Serena, I just want you to know..I've never had a friend I felt so..close to before.." She returned his smile and squeezed his hands in return. She stepped forward as she began to speak, "I-" She tripped and fell forward into his arms. He stifled a laugh, "Or so klutzy." She signed and rolled her eyes, "You know, I'm only klutzy around you.." Her voice trailed off as their faces were at their closest. They looked into one another's eyes and suddenly found themselves doing something surprising. It was impossible to tell who initiated the kiss, but a kiss it was. ~No no no!~ Serena's mind screamed but her body refused to listen. She could feel herself melting into his arms and he was doing the same. "Mmmm." Murmured Darien despite himself. Her lips were so sweet, her figure soft and warm in his arms. ~No, no, no! The Princess in your dreams!~ Screamed his mind but his arms and lips refused to listen. Somewhere in his heart whispered that this was the Princess from his dreams, but his mind protested..~Just cause you can have this girl, right here and now, just because it feels perfect, does NOT mean she is the Princess from your dreams! You're just trying to convince yourself she is!~ But the kiss continued in spite of this. It continued and deepened in the dark, dark night, where a vague Princess and a mysterious hero were suddenly obscured by this intense reality. Her arms were snug about his neck. He peeked his eyes open to see the flush in her face and throat, her eyes closed. ~Why? Why? I tried to hate her and I can't! She's perfect and I want her..~ Serena's thoughts were similar. ~Why would this happen when my life is so complicated? Why would I find someone so perfect? Oh no I'm falling for him! But he was safe! We hated each other...didn't we? Serena you idiot!~ Slowly, ever so slowly, they pulled away from one another, reluctantly untangling themselves. "Oh no.." They both breathed. "I'm sorry.." whispered Darien sadly. Her eyes reflected his. "We shouldn't have-I mean I-" "I know, I know." She cut in, putting her fingers to his lips to silence him. "Swept up in the moment I guess." She smiled...everywhere but her eyes. He looked at the beautiful moon, the thick darkness of night and shook his head, "Yeah, I guess so." He tried to chuckle but failed utterly. "Just friends right?" He finally said, looking again into her eyes. Knowing as he spoke he didn't want it. Neither did she. But as friends they continued, determined to be loyal to their dreams and heroes. They both told themselves it was for the best considering their secret identities and after a few awkward moments managed to regain their former relationship. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~@ Gasp! Oh No! How WILL they ever end up together?? Read on minna! hee hee! ;)