~*Author's note: Wow I'm surprised you got this far in reading my story. I know it's been kind of moving slow...don't worry...a lot of stuff happens in this chapter. ~*

Hidden Depth

Part 3: I never knew

(Serena and Darien walked into the 24 hour coffee shop.)  
"Thanks for taking out Darien. I really didn't want to go home yet," said Serena. 
"Your welcome. Think of this as a way of apologizing for all the mean things I've ever said to you. Now, what's the reason why you don't want to go home? Usually I always overhear you telling Andrew how great your friends and family are," Darien asked.
 A tear fell down Serena's face. "D...Darien, why do you even care?" she whispered.
"I care more then you think Serena. You're my friend, I hope, and friends always stick together," said Darien
"Really??? You're MY friend?" said Serena with a little bit of happiness in her voice.
"Of course I am! Serena, I know you as a happy, carefree person so if you're crying, something has to be wrong," Darien said, "So tell me Serena," Darien put his hand on Serena's, "what's bothering you?"
Serena looked at Darien with glossy eyes. "Everything has just gone wrong for me," she said. Serena sighed. "Someone I know might die and I have no one to talk to. Amy, Lita, Mina, and Raye are totally avoiding and now I have no one left. I'm just a klutzy meatball head to everyone and they don't think I can feel true emotions like everyone else. Come on...I'm human too you know. All my so-called "friends" don't care about me as much as they used to and I can understand why. I let them all down. Darien, I have these...um.... responsibilities that you don't know about, and because of my ditzy nature, I do a weak job of fulfilling them. I try my hardest to do my best but that's not good enough anymore. I realized now that if I want my friends back, I have to change." During all of this time Darien side across from her nodding.
"Wow Serena I never knew you felt that way..." he said
"There's a lot of things you don't know about me," she replied, "A LOT you can't know about."
"I understand that but do you mind hearing my opinion?" he asked
"Ok..." Serena said softy
"I've been in your shoes before Serena. I've lost my parents when I was really young and I had no one to talk to. You feel SO lonely becaseu all the people you care about aren't there anymore," Darien said.
"I never knew you lost your parents Darien," Serena said, "You know exactly how I feel."
"Yeah, just remember that you can always talk to me whenever you need to and I'll always listen. Even if I may not understand what your feeling, I'll always be there for you," Darien replied, "Concerning your friends, let me tell you something. Serena, I have to admit, you can be a little klutzy and air headed. Even still, you have many, many good qualities. If your friends can't see past those bad qualities, they don't deserve you. A friend loves you unconditionally and they love you because of YOU. Okay, you may need to break some bad habits but you aren't perfect and you need to remember that. You shouldn't try to change yourself because you want to please your friends."
Serena eyes brighten, "Really?"
"Of course," Darien said without wavering. He started rubbing Serena's hand. Serena felt so relaxed and happier. Darien had really cheered her up and she  finally understood why she so attracted to him. Darien understood her. 
"Darien I want to thank you again for cheering me up," Serena happily. "I've never meant anyone that cared so much about my feeling then you."
"Hey what are friends for?" Darien said.
"I never seen this side of Serena," Darien thought to himself, "She has so much life, so much beauty internal and external..."
"Darien is such a great guy," Serena said, "I always had crush on him and he's not the guy I thought I knew. I wonder if we could ever be more then friends...."
 Darien and Serena talked at the coffee shop for the rest of night. They learned things from each other that they never knew about. The whole night they told each other about their life even down to the most embarrassing thing that ever happen to them. Both Serena and Darien have never felt this happy in a long time. Just when the sun was about to rise, Serena looked at her watch.
"God were did the time go? I'm sorry Darien, but could you take me home?"
"Of course I can," Darien said.  

Darien drove Serena to her house. Before Serena stepped out of the car, they gave each other I contact. Serena felt hypnotized by Darien's eyes. Darien finally broke the ice.
"Ummm.....it was nice talking to you Serena," he said nervously 
"We have to do it again sometime..." Serena said shyly.
" Reallly? Ah...how about tonight? Are, Are you free? We can catch dinner, maybe a  movie..." Darien startled blushing. "I'm blushing over SERENA?" he thought to himself.
"Yeah, I'm looking forward to it," she said. She similed. "Bye Darien." Just when Serena was about to step out of the car, Darien grabbed her arm. "Wait," he whispered. 
Before Serena realized it, Darien's lips were on hers. Serena was shocked at first but she ran her fingers though his jet black hair to show her pleasure. They shared an intimate kiss and both found feelings about eachother they never knew existed. Darien drew away from Serena.  
"Wow..." Serena said. "I never knew you could do that."
"I'll see you tonight, around 6:00?" asked Darien
"I wouldn't miss it," Serena said with a simile.   

Serena sat in her room by herself. She opened her journal.

Dear Journal,
	I always thought Darien was just a crush and I would get over him, but I was wrong. For the past couple of years, he always teased me but inside I liked his teasing. Now I realized that it was his way for showing he cared. Darien is different from anyone else that I've ever meant, he's something more. 
	I'm planning to visit Brooke at the hospital later. I hope she's doing okay. It stills breaks my heart to think that she lost so much blood in the incident with the nega scum. If she every died... (Serena shook her head) well I don't want to think about it. 
	Both Brooke and Darien have changed my life. Brooke helped me realized I do need to be more serious about my mission. People's lives are in my hands and I have to remember that. I have to focus on my search for the moon princess from now and I can't chicken out when battling. Darien helped me realized that just because I have my sailor moon responsibilities doesn't mean I have to change my whole life. I need to adjust a little bit but I don't have to be a different person just to please the Sailor Scouts. I'm me and if they don't accept that fact, they are not my friends. Brooke and Darien help me discover a hidden depth I never knew I had. They uncovered a put of me that helped me to become a better person, a person that now looks forward to life with a zest.
	Serena put her pen down and similed. "A hidden depth inside of me that was not there two weeks ago," she thought to herself. She looked at Luna's kitty box. "Luna hasn't been home lately. She's probably at Amy's. Darien's right, I don't need them. I think I'll go visit Brooke now." 
Serena got off of her bed and walked downstairs. Her mom was making pancakes and her Dad was reading the newspaper. Sammy was watching cartoons. 
"Good morning Mom, Dad, Sammy," said Serena happily. She hugged her mother, father , and Sammy.
"Good morning Honey," her father said.
"My you seem happy this morning sweetheart," said her mother.
"I am mommy," she said, "And I'm hungry too."
	 "You seem a lot happier then you've been for the past week or so," coomented Sammy.
	"I feel happier," said Serena. She turned to her father. "Dad can you take me to the hospital on your way to work?"
	"Sure but you better eat and run. I'm leaving in an half hour."
	"Alrity." Serena gobbled down some pancakes and ran upstairs. She took a shower and got dressed. Before running downstairs to leave, Serena grabbed a stuff animal she bought for Brooke. 

(In front of the hospital)
	"Thanks dad. I'll see you later." Serena shut the door and walked into the hospital. She went into the elevator and started humming to herself. As she walked into Brooke's hospital bedroom. She gasped.