8:25M 12/5/99I Dare you part 3  Rating: PG  E-mail: shenkoskyusa@netscape.net
OK first off I would like to thank Alicia Blade and Lady Starra, for
excepting this junk as a real story,and for working so hard on this
site. Thanks to *every* one who's been e-mailing me.You all know who you are.
Hey I have a web site! It's brand spanking new, and at(
http://www.geocities.com/shenkosky/mypage.html )
Sign my guestbook and tell my what you think.  
....................................................
Disclaimers: I don't own Sailor Moon, but I wish I did. 
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<Darien's point of view.>

"Oh my God," she breathed while staring at some unknown object in thedistance.
Darien immediately tensed.
His instincts kicking in and preparing him for whatever danger that lay
just beyond his eye sight.What was it?A youma?A fire? Two youmas and fire?
He forced himself to calm down and think rationally. 
Following her gaze, his eye's slowly traveled up, UP, UP, UP, until he
came face to face with the biggest, ugliest clock you had ever seen. 
He blinked several times as he stared at the big clock. 
'A clock? A big old harmless clock that's been in this mall since itwas built.'
Darien turned to the blond at his side only to find that she was nolonger there!
He stared unblinking at the spot she had vacated without his knowledge.
Chewing on his bottom lip, he turned around nervously and began lookingfor her.
Spotting his Meatball head running for the hills he stopped and looked
back once more.  'A clock?'  Frowning, he shuffled around the remaining
bags and ran after her. 
Ten minutes.That's all it took and Darien had just about lost it.
He couldn't find her anywhere.
This was the second time today that he had lost her in the mall.
The hopelessness of the situation set in and Darien found himselfpouting!
He sighed dejectedly and took a seat on a lone bench.
There was NO WAY he would be able to find her in this crowd.
Tapping his fingers against the bench he stared at his watch.
'What was it that kept drawing his attention to the darn thing?
Didn't she mention something she needed to do at a certain time?'
Suddenly a little bell went of in his ears and he could almost see the
light bulb click on.'Yeah she had said that!That must be what it was!'
Patting himself on the back, he once again picked himself up along with
the bags and took off to his apartment, reassuring himself that
tomorrow was another day and another chance with his Meatball Head.
The best way to get her attention was to play it cool.
If he went all stalker type, she'd run for the hills. 'No,' he told
himself. He'd meet up with her tomorrow and continue with his plan to
win her over.Besides, a little smile tugged at his lips, he had her bags.
-------------------------------------
Darien stared at his cup of coffee with a pout.
He had been waiting for her to show up for an hour now.
It wasn't like her to skip the arcade.
He had been planing on surprising her and taking her out.
'It's not looking good,' he told himself silently and sunk into his
seat, the depression growing a little more.
Soon depression turned into anxiety.'Is she avoiding me? 
Did I do something wrong?'He frowned and let his head drop to the counter.
He gave a muffled "ow"And continued to mope."Hey Darien, you OK?"
"I'm fine," came the muffled reply.
Andrew stared at his friend with mild amusement.
"This wouldn't be about Serena, now would it?."
He smiled at the mention of *her* name and his spirits brightened a
little.  He looked at Andrew out of the corner of his eye. "No," helied.
Well, it wasn't like he would *ever* admit that he was in love withher.
No, not going to happen.
"Well, I was just thinking," Andrew continued, "That if you were
waiting for her, she isn't going to show."That got his attention.
He jumped up from his seat and looked the blond in the eyes.
"What do you mean she won't show?"A little smile played across his face.
"I thought this wasn't about her?"
Sometimes Andrew could be a real pain in the butt.
He stared at his friend coldly and asked in a threatening tone,"What do
you mean she won't show?"Andrew rolled his eyes at his friends antics.
"She came down with the flu this morning.
Couldn't make it to school or anything, and what makes it worse is that
her parents left for their second honeymoon.
Now you wanna tell me what this is all about?"
A smile sprang to his face. 'She doesn't hate me. She wasn't trying to
avoid me. I still have a chance.
'An overjoyed Darien looked up at his friend and grinned.
Picking up his things, he ran out of the arcade while yelling over his
shoulder, "Sorry man, no time!."
Andrew just shook his head and smiled.  Looking down at the now empty
seat, he frowned before calling out, "Darien you forgot to pay for thecoffee!"
--------------------------------------------Serena slumped back on to the bed.
'Could my luck get any worse?First, I ditch Darien and forget my stuff.
I end up 20 minutes late for the Scout meeting,
then late for dinner, Run home in the rain, See Mom and Dad off just in
time to get the flu.
Well, at least I had a reason for sending Sammy to his friends house.'
She moaned and gripped her head in discomfort as her headache
intensified, Cursing the fact that she had never gotten her flu shots
and considering dying right about now. This fever just wouldn't goaway.
If she wasn't burning up, she was freezing.
If her throat wasn't dry, it was sore.If her head wasn't aching it was pounding.
She felt so tired.Her limbs were aching and disorientated.
She couldn't see strait or focus for vary long, and her skin was sore
and sensitive to the touch.
'Just rest,' She told herself, 'That’s the only thing that will help.'
Puling the blankets up, She closed her eyes and prepared to sleep
forever. "Ding Dong!"
Cracking open an eye lid, she glared daggers at her bedroom door.
'Maybe if I just ignore it, whoever it is will go away.'
"Ding dong!"  'Then again maybe not.' "Common lazy bones, answer the door!."
'That sounded like Raye.'"If ya don't, I'm going to kick it open!"
'Yep, defiantly Raye.'"OK. Hold on. I'm coming."
She frowned at how soft and dry her voice had come out.
Pulling back the blankets, she swung her legs over the bed,
feeling ready to drop before she had even stepped out of it.
She sighed in defeat and took an unsteady step on the carpet.
A wave of nausea swept over her for a moment.
Steeling herself away from the foreign feelings of unsteadiness and
weakness, She slowly made it to the steps.
Gripping the railing, she breathed out a sigh of relief.
For a moment there, she was sure she was going to faint.
"Common Serena. Are you dead in there or something?"
She decided to ignore Raye for the time being.
Slowly walking down the stars, she shivered as a chill went right toher bones.
By the time she made it down, she was freezing, nauseous, weak, and
ready to drop.
Shuffling to the door, she stopped to glare at it. "Raye's really going
to get it."Flipping the lock and opening it she stepped back as the cold wind
swept in."Well ya took long enough Meatball Head."
Serena glared at Raye before noting that all the girls had come.
"Raye, be nice. She doesn’t feel good," voiced the blue haired girl.
"Amy's right. Now you get back upstairs and in bed," ordered Lita.
Serena smiled kindly at the four,Raye, Amy, Lita, and the newest of
them, Mina, but the thought of climbing the steps wasn't appealing.
"I, uh, think I'll stay down here."
Serena wrapped her arms around her stomach as a fresh wave of
nauseousness washed over her.Kneeling over with a moan, she lost her balance.
Lita was the first there to catch the sick blond.  
She gave her tall friend a thankful smile, but soon recoiled from theheadache.
"Wow you've really got it bad,"  replied Mina.
Amy, always the sensible one,"Lita, will you take her upstairs and put
her in bed please?""Sure, no problem Amy.
"Before Serena had a chance to complain, she was lifted up in thebrunet's arms.
Fighting off nauseousness, she replied,"Guys, I can walk for myself."
"Yeah, but at the rate you were going you’d be healthy again by the
time you got up there."
"Raye's right," voiced Mina "and besides, I wouldn't have a chance to
take care of you."
A frightened look crossed Serena's face, and she began silently
pleading to God that this wouldn't last long.
------------------------------------------------
"There. All nice and warm. How's that?"
Serena looked at Mina from over the cocoon of bed sheets and sighed.
"It's fine Mina just please no more.  I...I think I'm better already!"
She practically pleaded with the other girl.Mina didn't look convinced.
"Serena how would you like me to make you some chicken soup?"volunteered Lita.
Serena moaned in pain and intense nausea. "No! Please Lita, don't even
MENTION food!""Wow, must be really sick," Replied Raye.
Amy shook her head at the three.
"Serena, you should really get some sleep. That's the only thing that
will help." She smiled up at her blue haired friend and nodded.
"Here Serena." She looked up to see Raye holding out a shopping bag and
reached out to take it."What's this?" she asked while staring at the white bag.
Suddenly, Raye looked nervous.
"Well, it's, um, just some comic books I had laying around.
Thought you could kill time by reading them. No biggy."
Serena smiled up at her friend kindly.
"Thanks Raye." "Yeah don't mention it, Meatball Head."
She shook her head slightly and regretted the movement.
That headache still hadn't gone away and she was just miserable.
More then anything, she wanted to fall asleep. "Ding dong!" Everyone
covered their ears as Mina screamed out, "I'LL GET IT!" and dashed out
of the room.
Lita stared at the bedroom door a moment before turning back to Serena.
"Are you sure you don't want any thing? I feel kinda useless if I'm not
doing something."
Serena laid back against the pillow. "Maybe you could cook for the
others and if you really want keep Mina from killing me."
She laughed a little and nodded as Mina raced back up the steps. 
"Hey Mina, who was at the door?" asked Raye."Darien. He's on his way up."
Serena felt her heart do those darn awful flip flops and nervously
asked. "Darien?"
"Yeah?" She turned to see him standing in the door way with that all
too smug grin.A slight blush stained her cheeks.
How in the world could he do that?
She looked back to her folded hands nervously, and a small smile came
to her lips. 'He came to see me!'
She wasn't about to ask herself why she was happy or even how he knew.
It just felt to good knowing that he had come.
Those questions could wait till later.
She looked back up to see him smiling at her and blushed. 
Raye looked between the two and a little smile lit up her face.
"Well, come on girls. I think we've stayed long enough."
Mina stared at the other girl like she had flipped.
"What are you talking about we just got hmmmmm." Lita smiled at Darien,
then back at Serena while successfully muffling Mina.
"Yeah I think we've been here long enough. lets book it."
Amy stared at the two but just followed them out while waving goodbyeto Serena.
"If ya need any thing just call Serena!" yelled Lita while pushing Mina
out the door and retreating."But I thought we were going to take care of her."
"Mina, Darien can do that," came Raye's reply from behind the door.
"Oh, I get it now!."
Darien blushed deep crimson, causing Serena to giggle slightly from her
spot on the bed.Clearing his throat he approached her nervously.
"Well, um, how are you?"
She looked down a moment before meeting his gaze once more.
"OK I guess, a little tired."
"Oh." They sat in an uncomfortable silence while they listened to the
sound of the girls leaving. Darien suddenly smiled and motioned for her
to wait where she was while he retreated from the room. Within a matter
of seconds he was back and carrying a medium sized stuffed rabbit with
him. A smile tugged at her lips as she looked at it. It was all white
with a big red bow around it's neck. A small frown was hovering on it's
lips and the words "Get well soon." were sewn onto it's soft belly. She
felt her heart warm at the thought and smiled up at him with watery
eyes. Nervously, he handed the stuffed animal to her. "I, um, thought
it might cheer you up." She looked up at him and a smile lit up her face.
"Thank you. I love it!" She said while taking the stuffed animal and
hugging it to her.
He immediately felt the nervousness melt away and smiled back fondly.
Leaning back, he studied the blond a moment.
A frown crossed his lips as he watched her.Her movements were slow and unsteady.
Her soft skin was pale, considering her normal peach tone.
When he noticed her looking at him, he smiled and winked, Causing a
blush to rise to her cheeks once more. "You should get some rest," He
told her quietly."I'm all right," came her soft reply. He frowned a little more.
"You want me to leave?"
She looked up a little startled and shook her head. "No I don't mind
you being here.""Well, is there any thing I can get you?"
She looked down at the stuffed rabbit lying on her lap and struggled
with keeping her eyes open. Looking back up to him, she smiled softly.
"Could I have some water please?" She asked softly.He smiled gently at her.
"Sure I'll be right back." Leaving the room and the sick girl he made
his way down the steps.
After finding the kitchen he searched the cupboards until he found a
glass. Filling the cup with water, he made his journey back up thesteps. 
When he reached the door, he looked in to find her fast asleep with the
stuffed rabbit tucked under her arm and a blissful smile hovering
around her lips.Slowly, he walked in.
Careful not to wake her, He set the glass down on her night stand and
pulled the blankets up around her shoulders. He stared at her a moment
in slumber.She always had the power to take his breath away.
A gentle smile came to his lips.
Hesitating a moment, he leaned down and placed a butterfly kiss on hercheek.
Pulling back a little, he whispered in her ear, "Don't worry Serena. 
I'll take care of you." Pulling back completely, he slowly walked to
the front of the room. Looking back at her one last time, he shut the
door and sighed. He now knew more than ever that he was in love withher.
A smile tugged at his lips as he thought of her holding his gift.
Making his way back down the steps, again he decided to do something
about the dishes he had seen in the kitchen sink.
.....................................
Serena moaned in discomfort while slowly awaking from her nap.
Rolling onto her side, she gasped in unexpected pain.
Her limbs hurt worse than after a battle.
She allowed her head to fall back onto the pillow and laid therequietly.
Her throat was so unbelievably dry! 
With all those darn blankets, she felt like she was in a sauna.
Licking her lips at the thought of water, she slowly cracked open an
eye lid and was surprised at the lack of light in the room.
She began searching blindly for the cup of water on her night stand. 'I
hadn't even realized that I fell asleep,' she thought silently.
With great effort, she pushed herself up to a sitting position.
She then began searching for the darn lamp.
Finding the light switch, she clicked it on only to recoil from the
intense light.
Covering her eyes in pain and waiting patiently for her eyes to adjust,
she pulled the blankets up further as a chill swept through her body.
When she trusted her eyes once more, she slowly opened them to look for
the water. Like a man trapped in a desert for days, she looked at the
cup with an awe like happiness.
Gripping the glass with unsteady hands, she guzzled the liquid with avengeance.
When finally feeling slightly satisfied, she looked to the clock.
A slight gasp escaped her parted lips as she stared at the digits.
'10:30!' "Good lord!" 'How in Kama's name did I sleep that long?  Must
be this cold.'"Glad to see your up."
Serena flipped around to see Darien standing only a couple feet away.
"You were out a long time, you know.  I was..getting a little worried."
He suddenly felt slightly uncomfortable, like he had let out the best
kept secret of the century.
Serena quickly bowed her head in an attempt to hide a rising blush fromhim.
It was just getting harder and harder to not like the guy.
With the way things were going, she'd end up in love with him.
'NO!' Her mind screamed. 'Don't even think that! You can NOT fall for
Darien!  It just can't happen! And NO you will not question why he
didn't take off Or why you were so darn happy about it.
Those questions will lead no where good.' The sound of his voice slowly
brought her out of her thoughts and she struggled to understand what he
was saying.Her mind was suddenly going foggy on her.
Serena shook her head in confusion.'What’s wrong with me?'
Swallowing a lump in her throat, she shut her eyes. Attempting to
concentrate, she only ended up giving into frustration.
She had to admit, this was getting a little scary.    
Opening her eyes, she realized that she could no longer focus on Darien
either and the words he spoke sounded blurred and muffled. Not to
mention the fact that she felt ready to drop off into nothingness."D...Darien?"
Her voice came out thick with panic.
Ceasing his rambling, he quickly realized something was wrong.
Dropping to his knees at her side he cupped her hand in his and looked
deep in to her eyes.
"Serena, Honey, what’s the matter?" He asked quietly, not even
realizing the endearment.
Her eye's were completely unfocused. She looked so weak. He wasn't sure
if she could hold herself up very long.
Worry ebbed it's way into his thoughts. He asked again, this time more
persistent."Serena, what's wrong?"Still, he received no response.
Serena began to feel light-headed and exhaustion swept over her.
Gripping on to his hand, she looked at the blob in front of her.
"Darien, I..I can't think or f...focus."
Her words came out so silent that he had to struggle to understand her.
Giving in to the intense exhaustion, she fell back onto the pillows.
Closing her eyes, she gripped his hand.
Not sure what to do, he got up with the intention of calling a doctor.
"No," She whispered."Please don't leave...please," She begged.
He felt his heart melt with those words.
And became virtually helpless to her plea.
Giving a sigh of regret he sat down on the bed next to her.
He couldn’t leave her when she looked at him like that.
She looked so scared that it made his heart ache.
He was getting use to the warmth he felt every time he looked at her.
Making a decision, he leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Don't worry
Meatball Head, I'm not going anywhere." 
Not knowing what he had said, but feeling him so close sent little
electric shocks through her, it filled her with a sense of comfort.
Giving a sigh of relief, she whispered a thank you before drifting off
to sleep...........................................................
An hour or two later, Darien found himself in the kitchen looking
through their phone book.
He had made sure Serena was sound asleep before coming down here.
He was hoping to find the name of their family doctor to call.
He had sat with her for over an hour just listening to the sound of her
breathing, trying to tell himself that she was fine and that this cold
was just taking it's toll.
But when it came to Serena, he seemed to act on higher levels ofemotions.
"Yes!" he cried out in relief.
Picking up the phone, he nervously dialed the numbers and listened to
the phone ring.It seemed like forever before he heard the phone being picked up.
"Hello. Is Doctor Mitsuyashi there?"
"Yes, this is he," came an elderly man's voice.
Darien cringed when he realized that he had woken the man.
Shaking his head, he quickly got to the point."Are you Serena Tsukino's Doctor?"
"Yes, May I ask who is calling?"
"Sir, I'm Darien Shields, and Serena has come down with a bad cold.
I'm very sorry about waking you, But could you possibly come look at
her. I wouldn't be asking if I didn't think it was serious."
There was a pause on the other line and Darien began to feel nervous.
If this didn't work he would have to take her to the hospital.
"Well, I suppose.  I'll be there in 20 minutes," came the man's voice.
Darien felt a serge of relief flow through him.
Quickly thanking the doctor, he hung up the phone and raced up the
steps to get back to the sleeping girl.
.............................................................
Less then a half hour Later, Darien found himself sitting back
patiently while Doctor Mitsuyashi looked Serena over.
A kind smile hovered at the corner of the doctors lips and deep smile
lines were engraved into his defined face, while the lamp light shined
off of his thick silver hair.
Darien didn't know the man, but had instantly liked him.
He had a warm disposition and a soothing voice that made patients feelat ease.
Unfortunately, that wasn't helping Darien, in the slightest.
Nervously, he ran a hand through his ebony hair.
Try as he might, he couldn't banish the worry from his heart or mind.
'What if it's ammonia?' He asked himself, 'What if it's some fatal
sickness that no one has a cure to? What if she...STOP IT!  Stop
thinking like that! She's fine.  Nothing's wrong.She's just sick. that’s all.  
She's OK...She has to be.'   He looked over at the angel.
She was propped up in a sitting position.
Her color seemed to be decreasing by the minute,
and exhaustion was clearly written on her features.He studied her every feature.
Amazingly, she still looked beautiful. Big blue eyes.Soft lips.Creamy skin.
Cute little nose.
Adorable chin.  He sighed in frustration.  'Was this suppose to take soLONG?'
"Just as I thought," exclaimed the doctor.
Darien snapped to attention and practically ran to the doctors side.
Mr. Mitsuyashi smiled kindly at the young man before him.
"Serena's fine.  It's just this darn flu.
It's been keeping me busy with all the people who caught it.
It's a bad one all right, but nothing to be to concerned about.
She should be her old self in a week or two."Darien let out a sigh of relief.
He hadn't even been aware that he was holding his breath.
Looking over to Serena, he smiled warmly.  And noticed a blush rise to
her cheeks before she had the chance to turn away.
He silently smiled to himself and continued to stare at her boldly
while she snuck little peeks at him from beneath a canopy of goldenhair.
"Just keep her in bed this week and make sure she gets plenty of
water," the doctor continued. "The blurred vision as well as the other
things should be gone by tomorrow.
Now, she won't be hungry but try to get something in her." 
Mr. Mitsuyashi stopped when he realized neither were listening.
Looking over at the pair, a smile tugged at his lips.
'Just like me and June when we were young.'
Smiling in remembrance of a time long ago, he cleared his throat to
gain their attention.
Darien snapped out of his trance to look at the doctor while Serena
blushed a becoming pink. "Did you hear a word I said?" he asked
patiently. Both Serena and Darien stared at the doctor with blankexpressions.
"Thought so," he replied quietly. Well, I'll let myself out. Goodnight."
The doctor walked out of the room while mumbling about young love.
Serena blushed twice as red and quickly looked down at her hands. While
Darien smiled broadly.
He looked back to the girl with her head still bowed and chuckled.
"What?" she asked nervously. "Do you have any idea how cute you are?"
She looked up at him with surprise clearly written across her face.
He gave her a broad grin, when he noticed a smile tug at her lips.
Taking an impulsive leap, he leaned down and planted a kiss on hernose.
Then before pulling back up, he whispered, "Cause you are." 
With that said, he walked out of the room to get her a cup of water,
leaving a stunned and blushing Meatball head.
................................................
OK First off I would like to tell you all how sorry I am that this
wasn't up with the other updates.
Our computer is having problems. It crashed on us, and we had to rerun
the start program. Along with putting everything that we lost back in.
It's done this three times now.I'm just waiting for it to blow up or something.
Plus I got really *really* sick two weeks ago. ( I'm still fighting it
off.) I was going to write this part as a beach scene but, my flu
influenced this story a bit.
And when the worst of the flu passed and I could think strait, I ended
up getting caught up in fixing up my web site. It's brand new, and all
my stories and poems will be up there first. (If you want to send me a
poem to put up feel free to, at ( kas_91@hotmail.com ) The URL is(
http://www.geocities.com/shenkosky/mypage.html ) Stop in and sign myGuestbook.
Oh and if any one has e-mailed me at ( tshen@tir.com ) I would like to
say sorry for not e-mailing back. The e-mail isn't working, and I can't
get into it. But you can e-mail me at ( shenkoskyusa@netscape.net ) or
( kas_91@hotmail.com ) I *love* e-mail and *will* write back to you Ipromise.
Well till next week God bless, and happy holidays!.Kas.