Yeah its me....do you even remember who I am? Author of "Game of Love",
"Artful Attack What really Happened" and many others. Well I haven't
posted a fic in over a year so you might not! I started writing this
back in October '98 and just now finished it. I wrote this because I
always wondered what would have happened if Darien HADN'T been captured
by Beryl? What if the scouts got him to a hospital? Then what? Well,
here's my answer to that question. I hope you enjoy it.

"It Did"
by Sailor Tampa
BSBkikass5@aol.com


"Is he going to be allright?" Raye demanded hoarsely, directing her
words at the doctor standing in front of her. I just sat there with my
head in my hands...Not moving, not speaking, not crying. I was dead
weight on the coarse fabric couch in the Tokyo General Hospital waiting
room. My whole world had crashed down on me yesterday.....Amy and
Lita's words were still searing in the corner of my mind, making my
head pound from every horrible syllable.
**** "It's Sailor Moon!"
"She's the Moon princess!" ****
A tear slid down my already hot and weary face as I heard Raye
screaming at the doctor again, demanding to know of Darien's condition.
"Darien......" I whispered sadly, more tears sliding down my cheeks and
clouding my eyes. I watched as they collected in little pools on the
marble floor for a few seconds before turning away as a sour, bitter
feeling rose in me. The last time I cried like this the silver crystal
appeared......and........
"Please miss, calm down!" the doctor said to a frantic Raye. I broke
away from my thoughts and lifted my head up to watch my friend and the
doctor who was trying to console her.
With a tired sigh, he continued. "Yes, Mr. Chiba is fine. He's still a
little groggy from the stitches and the surgery, but, he's going to beallright."
A huge weight lifted off of me. He was allright! Darien...dear Darien
was going to live! Raye smiled in relief and proceeded to hug us all
before turning once more to ask the doctor if Darien could have
visitors. ' Please....' I thought wishfully. ' I want to see him....he
saved my life...he risked everything for me....I have to see him....and
thank him... '"Well, I guess so..." he agreed reluctantly. "But," he quickly
interjected, raising a finger in the air, "One at a time." With a
smile, the doctor quickly left us to tend to other patients. I silently
watched him stride away before Amy spoke to me softly.
"Serena, I think you should go and see him first." I smiled gratefully.
That is, until Raye yelled in my face.
"No! I'm his girlfriend!" she cried selfishly. "I'm going to see him
first!" she pushed past us and headed towards Darien's room. My heart
sunk. I wanted to see him first....It might've been selfish...but, I
wanted to thank him so badly for what he did for me. I was frightened
though, also. Darien and I--we're supposed to be some great lovers--and
be together or something....And I hardly even knew him! I hardly even
liked him! But thats changed. I found out what a wonderful, sweet guy
Darien *really* is. He's gone through so much.....I was snapped out of
my thoughts as Raye reappeared in front of me, a jealous and yet, hurt
look in her dark eyes.
"Darien asked to see you first, Serena." she said, her tone soft and
flat, averting her gaze from mine.  
Words rose from my lungs and into my throat as I opened my mouth wide,
but  I quickly snapped it shut and swallowed them back down. 'What?
He--he wants to see me?' I thought in disbelief. Raye's eyes pierced
through me as I was trapped in a whirlwind of thoughts and questions.
Maybe I shouldn't go see him....maybe he's just trying to benice...maybe--
"Serena!"  shouted Raye, her voice wavering slightly, "Go!  He's not
going to wait all damn day you know!!!"
"Oh...sorry." I whispered, as I finally snapped out of it. I blinked
fiercely and tried to calm the insane beating of my heart. My arms and
legs felt like fire as nervousness settled into me. I felt I shouldn't
say anything else to Raye, or any of the others as I took a wobbling
step forward. Because truthfully, I don't think I could've said
anything. So many emotions and feelings and unanswered questions had
taken over my senses...it was so unreal! How could I ever get so
nervous and wrapped up in something that it actually paralyzed my voice
box!? The angry question I had asked myself only took a second before
it was forgotten again, and I was only a few feet away from the
off-white door that stood between me and the man who turned my world
upside-down.  'Thats an understatement...' I quipped to myself.
Inhaling a sharp breath of mediciny hospital air, I squeezed my eyes
shut and turned the knob.
	Before I'd even opened my eyes I could see him. A mental picture had
bombarded my mind when I entered the room.  Suddenly I felt all the
tension and anxiety that was plaguing me wash away, replaced with a
tidal wave of comfort. A smile escaped onto my lips as I peeked open my
eyes and focused them on the bed before me. It was gone as quickly as
it had come. Tubes...tubes everywhere! Hooked to his arms, his chest,
in his nose...Oh it was horrible... The sight of him lying there, so
weak and helpless, when just a few hours ago he had been so courageous
and gallant and cocky as if nothing in the world could harm him. I felt
ill all of a sudden. But even so, I forced myself to walk the rest of
the journey to his bedside. 
"Dar--" I started but sharply caught my tongue. He was asleep. It can't
be a deep sleep though, I thought. I mean, after all Raye had been in
here just a few moments ago. Should I wake him? No, I can't do
that...I'll just wait a while for him to wake up....I quickly scanned
the room for a chair and noticed one conveniently, behind me. I
backtracked  a couple of steps and prepared to sit down when a noise
startled me and I jumped quite a few feet in the air managing to knock
the chair backwards onto the floor. I clamped a hand over my mouth and
whipped my head around only to make eye contact with a chuckling
Darien. That's it. I've made a complete and utter fool of myself...the
one thing I was trying not to do! My face turned many bright shades of
purple, red, pink...maybe even green as we continued to look at oneanother.
 "I'm sorry." was all I could muster. He laughed weakly again and shook
his dark head, smiling. 
"It's really allright." He replied. Silence crept into his hospital
room for a few minutes. I took that time to ponder whether I should
just get out while the getting was so good so I wouldn't embarrass
myself anymore, or, stay. Its not like I've never embarrassed myself in
front of Darien before! Hell, it always seems like my klutziness has a
Darien radar so it can kick in just when he's around! With a smile(and
my face returning to its normal color) I decided to stay. Then, I heard
him clear his throat and turned my attention towards him.
 "Um, why don't you pull up that chair and come here." Darien said
seriously. I complied and bent over to pick up the piece of wooden
furniture I'd flung to the ground in my panic attack, and quietly set
it down by his bed. Slowly, I sat down and raised my eyes to meet his.
It was so weird seeing him again....I felt so different towards Darien
now....it was like I had never disliked him at all. The only thing I
felt at the moment was happiness and relief. Abruptly, he sat up and
looked at me with an awed and somewhat puzzled expression. Now, I was
confused. Why in the world was he staring at me like that? 
"You're Sailor Moon." he recited bluntly, and the smile slipped from myface. 
"I know." I whispered with a tinge of anger setting into me.
 "A-And the Princess." he said leaning forward a little. That was it
though, I don't why I got so upset...but I did. 
"Yes, I am!" I shouted. "Do I have to be reminded ever 5 seconds!?" My
voice was giving out now to tears. I sniffed and tried to blink them
back harshly. "Serena....I'm so sorry...-I--I didn't think--" 
It was then when I realized: What am I doing?! I'm sitting here on the
brink of tears for no reason at all! He's only speaking the truth. I
sighed and shook my head as to how silly I was behaving. 
"No, I'm sorry, Darien. I shouldn't have gotten so upset." I sighed,
meeting his gaze once again. There was concern in his eyes
and......affection? For ME?! No way!!! I quickly dismissed the idea and
pasted on a smile. "I'm okay." I reassured him touching his handbriefly. 
"So...about yesterday..." he started cautiously. I sat back in my chair
and fiddled with my fingers. 'Tell him that you have the Crystal!' My
clouded mind screamed at me. He should know! 
"Oh, umm...yeah...uh...Darien?" I asked peering at him through myeyelashes.  
He raised his eyebrows in acknowledement and shifted again in his bed.
Swallowing the lump that had just conviently formed in my throat,  I
looked at him and tried to force the words swimming around in my head
come out of my mouth and make sense. To no avail, of course. 
"Yes?" Darien inquired further, fully sitting up this time."I---"
"Serena?" Amy's gentle voice cut in like a shadow in a dense fog.  I
jerked in the direction of her voice and slowly closed my agape mouth,
anything previously supposed to come out of it, gone.
"Y-yeah?" I stuttered. 'Ugh, I sound like a damn IDIOT!'
She cautiously took a step into the room, her eyes meeting mine in a
clash of blue.
"The other girls are waiting..." She paused. "I'm sorry, Serena, but
its late and we all have to be getting home before anyone figures out
we've left. So could you...?"
I knew what she implieing. Why do all my encounters with this man have
to be short and bittersweet?! But, once again I couldn't be selfish and
make the scouts stay so I could have time with Darien....
Sighing, I nodded in understanding.
My good friend gave a small smile before quietly exited the room and
leaving Darien and I alone.
"And what was it that you were going to tell me?" Darien asked, causing
me to whir around to face him. He looked so handsome just then....I
didn't know what it was.. but-I found my stomach suddenly doing happy
little flips. 
"Uh--" I croaked out hastily, not expecting my body to react the way itdid.
He studied my face for a brief second, possibly trying to figure out
what was wrong with me. Hell, I didn't even know why I was suddenly
acting this way!  My eyes flickered to capture his own and he broke the
odd silence that had crept in.
"Look....why don't we set a date, and talk about...well, you know..."
He turned his Navy gaze away from me for a split-second, but it was
back even faster than it had left. "A-And you can tell me whatever it
is you were going to. I don't want to keep your friends waiting anylonger." 
My mind boggled briefly. Where was that cocky, arrogant tone I was so
accustomed to? I mean, his voice was so sweet and sincere now...'I need
sleep.' I quickly told myself.
Pasting on a weak smile, I agreed. In the back of my head, although...I
wondered why he was being so nice to me....I knew my feelings for him
had changed, but had his? Uh oh. There I go again! I abruptly got up
and started towards the door, determined to get the hell out of dodge
before I cause myself any further embarassment or unwelcomed tears.
Something stopped me though, and I turned back to look atDarien...Tuxedo Mask...
"I guess I'll see you later then..." I said with a half smile.
"Allright..." he responded softly, and I made my way out the door."Princess.."
I winced at the title and hurriedly left.*	*	*	*
I hadn't seen Darien for almost a week...and I found it affected me
moreso than I had anticipated. I was extermely anxious to talk with him
about had happened...but also nervous and a bit scared.  I mean, we
were supposed to be so many things; ancient lovers--reincarnations of a
prince and princess--Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask. And here I am, just
plain old Serena Tsukino! What if....what if Darien just shoves me
aside and then acts as if nothing had ever happened? Teases me
mercelissly? Or even stops talking to me all together? I swallowed hard
as I pondered these questions. Immediately my head started to throb
with an oncoming headache. I groaned and pinched my temples to cut it
off before it got worse. It didn't help at all since the questions
still *insisted* on plauging my mind. 'It couldn't be true..'.No, it
WOULDN'T be true!' I mused. He was so sincere when I saw him in the
hospital...so sweet and understanding while we were trapped in the
Starlight Tower...
My heart skipped a beat suddenly as the phone rang, startling me. I
hesitantly rose from my bed, still clutching the side of my head, and
walked to my nightstand. 
Picking up the phone and pressing it to my ear lightly, I asked, "Hello?"
"Serena?" I sighed. It was Lita."Yeah its me...what's up?"
"Well," she started happily, "Raye just called me and told me Darien's
been released from Tokyo General!"
"Oh...well thanks for telling me bye." I said in a rush and hung up the
phone quickly. I snatched my hand from it as if it was hot to the touch
and bit my lip hard. 'What's wrong with me!?" I thought in confusion.
'I've been waiting so long to talk with Darien, but, Raye needs to see
him. I can wait a few more days.' *	*	*	*~*2 days later*~
I walked around Tokyo Park aimlessly...just thinking. As if on cue, my
feet trapped inside the stiff enclosure of my black school shoes
started to ache. Plopping down onto a nearby bench, I absentmindely
began fiddeling with my fingers and didn't notice that I wasn't the
only one occupying that space.
"Serena?" Hi!" Darien's cheerful and healthier sounding voice rang inmy ear. 
I turned to face him, startled.
"Hey! How are you?" I asked happily, grinning widely. I never actually
accepted Darien was allright until now. Now that I saw him, cocky grinand all. 
"I'm doing allright." He answered while standing up and grasping my
elbow to take me with him. "Let's go for a walk."*	*	*
"Sooo..." he said awkwardly, rolling the word on his tounge, "about thetower..."
I stopped walking beside him and he turned to face me, dipping his
hands into his pockets nervously. I looked up into his face, awaiting
his words, and staring deeply into his troubled eyes. He blinked a
great deal during the short silence before quickly glancing down at the
grass below, and then back up to meet my eyes again.
"You're Sailor Moon." he stated in awe. "The Princess--MY Princess...."
All I could do was nod.
"We're supposed to be in love?" he said to himself quietly, but also as
if he was asking me. I faltered a bit. "I-I guess." I stammered out
softly, swallowing my feelings back to wherever they had come from. A
cold wind suddenly chilled me. 'I knew this would happen...' I thought
sadly, fresh tears ready to spill. 'He's going to say he wants nothing
to do with me...but why do I care? Why do I have to care so much for
people! I-I hate this conceited jerk!' Hardening my stare and
convincing myself of my previous thoughts, I silently watched him. He
was pondering something very delicately. I don't know what it was...but
it had to have been important.
"How about we just try to be friends for now?" came his reply after a
mere 30 seconds had passed. I smiled brightly and forgot everything
that I had just been thinking. It happened more often than not I noted,
that whenever I looked into Darien's bewitching
 royal blue eyes, or whenever he said one word to me, I seemed to
forget what I was doing or where I was going....everythingjust.....stopped.
"I'd like that alot, Darien."
"Great." He said. "I don't want to put any pressure on you....because,
well, believe it or not," he added with some hesitation and a small
grin, his eyes meeting my own in a whirlpool of dark blue contrasts.
"your a part of my life now, Meatball head."
The nickname. I scowled instinctively at those two hideous words, as
Darien laughed. I couldn't help but smile, though. 'I guess he cares
for me....in a way...' I thought as I watched him. It caused a sudden
warmth to coat over my heart, and I impulsively reached out to hug him,
stopping myself short as I realized it maybe wasn't the best idea just
yet. I must have looked like an idiot right then, arms outstretched and
nearly touching his chest and stomach with my own. Blushing in
embarrassment, I glanced up at him, not noticing until now how tall he
actually was. 
"I-I'm sorry..." I squeaked out and began to lower my arms back to rest
at my sides. A twinkle flickered in the depths of his eyes as shook his head and
smiled down at me.
"No, it's allright. C'mere!" And with that, I was enveloped in the
warmest, most soothing, and at the same time electrifying hug I had
ever felt in all of my 14 years of life. One strong, solid arm was
wrapped around my upper back, towards my neck, a large hand resting on
my right shoulder and squeezing it gently. His other arm slipped around
to my waist and held it fragily, as if he was afraid I would break. My
mind reeled as I breathed in deeply and inhaled a hint of roses and
spices from the side of his neck and  black satiny hair I found my face
buried in. I could feel him smiling from his chin placed upon my
shoulder, and smiled also. How could it be that a mere 2 days ago I was
ready to kill this man? He slowly pulled away from me and I
immmediatley wished he'd sweep me back up into that captivating embrace
and hold me again, for perhaps a little longer. But...why was I
thinking like this? 'You're in love with him' I heard an unknown voice
inside my head say. 'No, I WAS in love with him in another life.' I
corrected it. We looked at each other for a long while after that and
spoke not a word. I figured by then it was time for me to go, and so
with a sheepish "goodbye" I turned to leave. But not before seeing a
certain emotion flash through those dark precious stones of azure they
had the nerve to call eyes. I took one step forward and was stopped
immediately by Darien's soft but masculine hand trapping my own. 
"You know...since you ARE my Princess and all...I think I might have to
start treating you like one." With that said, he lifted my hand to his
lips and kissed it lightly, before letting it fall to my side and
winking at me. I swear if someone would have taken my pulse right then
it wouldn't have even charted. 'Tell him about the Crystal!' my ind
screamed. Realizing that's what I should have done a long while ago, I
opened my mouth to reveal the secret.
"But," he interrupted, "let's just stick with trying to be in the same
room with each other for more than 5 minutes without death threats
being exchanged, ok Meatball Head?" 
The quirky, smug grin returned along with the old Darien as he walked
away from me right then. My mouth closed and no words of the Crystal
escaped my lips. I knew that I would have so many more oppurtunities to
tell him all that I needed to....to thank him, and give him a thousand
hugs just like that one...and I would. Something told me though, that
it WASN'T the old Darien and that he had in fact changed. Maybe for
better or maybe for worse. But that same something also told me as I
watched him walk away that day, 'True love conquers all Serena...and it
ALWAYS finds a way.'
I believed it would......

And we all know that it did.


Please E-Mail me and tell me what you thought. I don't know If I will
be writing a sequel to this, or if it will just become another
stand-alone...that will be determined by you. :)
I do not own Sailor Moon, nor any of the respected characters. All
rights are reserved to whoever the hell they belong to.