A Trap For A Truce Chapter 3: Tennis and Other Adventures! Rated: G Set: First Season ;) AN: Here it is, my favorite chapter, the one I wrote this story for! Hope ya like..?? It seems I've finally got this formatting thing down! Arigato to all those who had the patience to scroll over and read all my fics! They're re-formatted now! ;) Siiighhh, I just got my second Manga in the mail today and read it cover to cover like 20 times! I LOVE ROMANCE! It got me right back into the mood to work on this fic! I have chapter 4 all planned out now.....;) Thanks to: All the wicked cool people who e-mailed me...including myDad! That's right! Even my super cool Dad read this fic! Thanks Dad! ;) Also thanks to: Alicia Awesome-Author-Blade (that's her actual, full name y'know!) and Lady Starra, as well as Lazuli and Mako-chan and Lady Spring for posting me! (and my manyattempts at re-formatting!) and ofcourse, Grace Mcmoon, my best bud and budding authoress! Finish yourfic!!!!!!!!! ;) Enjoy! More Notes: Ack! I promise I'll shut up after this, but I notice that all my precious italics are not showing up so I will hence forth, spare you all confusion by doing the whole thoughts in ~'s and emphasis with *'s thing kay? kay. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "WAKE UP MEATBALL HEAD!""Ahhhhhhhh!" Screamed Serena jumping up. Her eyes focused on...Darien--aka *the enemy* at that moment. FWAP! The pillow swung out full force."Ahhh! Serena!" FWAP! This time a couch cushion."How DARE YOU WAKE ME UP LIKE THAT?!" "I called your name a couple of times but it didn't work! AHHH!" This time he ducked.THUMP! The cushion hit the wall. "Serena! Stop throwing those-AHHH!"THUNK! She stormed into the bathroom and slammed the door, with Darien grinning boyishly after her. "Hurry!" He exclaimed excitedly, "We have to get to the tennis courts! Behind the door she fumed. ~So much for Darien being different, charming, apologizing for the teasing.....ohhhhhh~ But in her heart she knew it was different now. He was just playing around for fun. He was excited about the tennis game. ~SIGH!~ She got ready and emerged with the mantra echoing in her head. ~I will not suck. I will not suck. I will not suck.....~ Darien glanced sideways at her as she walked over. Tank top, shorts, running shoes.....she was a pretty sight in sporty clothes. She looked up to his eager face, "C'mon!" He cheered, "Tennis awaits!" She groaned. ~Oh no....~ They walked-er rather, Darien *dragged* Serena to the courts. (She managed to grab a muffin on the way!) She tried to mentally prepare herself. ~All I need to do is focus. Think of how good you are with the frisbee thanks to the Moon Tiara thing Serena! Think of the wand! Yeah, that's all I have to do! Think like Sailormoon!~ They got two rackets and a ball and headed in. Serena poised, concentrating and watched in almost slow motion as Darien served the ball and it sailed over. With the grace of aPrincess she swung--missed--and fell flat on her face."Ahhhh!" She jumped up immediately, dusting herself off. "I'm okay!" she said too fast, "Here!--I'll serve!" This proved to be even more disastrous. After five or six complete misses, Darien sighed, dropped his racket and walked over. Serena met him at the net, flustered and embarrassed. "No! Wait! I'm just off to a bad start! I'm sure I can-" She tripped then--Darien was never sure afterwards if it was over her hair, her racket or some indiscernible crack in the court floor--and tumbled with a shriek over forwards. Darien tried in vain to catch her and felt his foot catch in the net. Serena's racket flew out and caught as well and suddenly they were both falling, tangling in net, odangos, arms and legs into a ball inthe middle of the court. Darien let out a muffled yell through a mouthful of Serena's hair and Serena reaching blindly for something to grab accidentally poked him in the eye. He spit our her hair then, exclaimed-in a very cliche manner-"Ahh! My eye!" He got his hands around Serena's waist then and tried to keep her from flailing around and damaging him further. "Serena! Serena! Just, keep, still! okay?" She did as he said and he gathered her carefully up and pulled them both to their feet. He held her a little away then and looked at herface, flushed red with embarrassment. He tried to muster up some annoyance but found instead, that he couldn't help but laugh. "I'm sorry." She said dully, "I know I'm a total klutz." He didn't notice she wasn't laughing, "No, no. I tripped over the net trying to catch you-it was 50/50! It was-" He stopped short at the sight of her face. And then, with a tenderness usually foreign to him-he tipped her chin up with his finger, "Serena, it was funny!" She took a good look at him then, mussed up hair, rumpled shirt twisted around him.....one eye a little pink....and she couldn't helpbut giggle. He smiled, "Serena, you didn't tell me you had no idea how to play!" She hung her head, "I do. We play all the time in gym class-I'm just no good at it." He looked at her discouraged form and then happened to glance over into the next court where the two women from the buffet were playing with two guys.They sent bemused glances over and whispered to each other. Darien's eyes narrowed. He turned back to Serena determinedly. "Well for starters," He began and picked up her long pigtails, "Pin these up!" *This* she wasn't expecting."Huh?" "You're tripping over your hair Serena! It's too long to play tennis with it like that." He helped her pin it up-a gesture which caused her to blush in spite ofherself. "Now, serve." He stepped behind her then--and in a classically romantic pose (AN: siiiigh)--guided her arms. "Your swing is perfect." He said and she smiled, "But your aim is terrible." The smile vanished. He chuckled, "Awww Serena, don't worry. Actually, most people have the reverse problem! It's much easier to practice for aim then tolearn how to swing!"She brightened a little at this. He stepped away and returned to the other side."C'mon, let's play!" He served the ball and she jumped to hit it. Without her hair in theway she leapt gracefully, swung out determinedly and....THWAP! "I HIT IT! I HIT IT!" She cried jubilantly. They played all morning after that. Serena was a machine. Withrelentless enthusiasm she cheered and thwacked her way through game after game. When they finally left Darien was exhausted. He barely kept up withSerena as she fairly flew down the decks to the dining hall. "LET'S EAT! I'M *STARVED*!"He merely wheezed in response. She glanced over at him wickedly, "Wow, I really kicked your butt!" He frowned, "Hey! You DID say you got to practice all the time at school! I NEVER get to play!""Awww, don't worry! I learned from the best!" She patted him consolingly on the back as he rolled his eyes. Jenkins walked by them smiling, "Mr. Chiba, Miss Tsukino. You've beenplaying tennis?""Yes." They replied together. "And *I* am AMAZING!" Enthused Serena proudly. Jenkins raised his eyebrows but Darien groaned, "She is, she is!" He sighed heavily as Jenkins chuckled. "Very good. I'm glad you're both enjoying yourselves. Will you be attending the dance party tonight?" Darien looked at Serena, "Did we sign up for that?""Yup!" "Excellent. We have quite a show planned, with a well known DJ. I'll see you there."And with a polite nod he was gone. "Bye Jenkins!" Waved Serena smiling after him. She continued walking without looking..."He's so swe--" CRUNCH! She walked into the door before Darien could stop her. "Oof! Owee..." She muttered falling dazedly backwards. Darien caught her gently and propped her back up. "I'm fine..." She said lightly--still seeing stars as Darien rolledhis eyes, "Thanks." He smiled as they walked into the dining hall. This was getting to be a bit of a habit.They made their way to the nearest table. He sat down across from her, still winded and aching. "Had a good time then?" He asked, knowing very well the answer, but wanting to hear it anyway.She grinned ear to ear nodding emphatically, "I LOOOOOOVVVVEE TENNIS!" He smiled. Serena with confidence was a very pretty sight. "So what you're saying is....if I need a partner when we get back you'll volunteer?""DEFINITELY!"He laughed. They got lunch and ate, chatting lightly."Thanks for helping me." She said. "Oh, it was nothing really." He shrugged. "No," she persisted, "You gave me confidence. No one's every reallydone that for me before," she said reflectively, then added, "Especially in SPORTS!" and giggled. Then she continued seriously, "I know those women were laughing atme--" He frowned. "I-I'm used to it. I know I make a fool of myself klutzing out all the time. I appreciate you not teasing me and helping me out." "Those women had not right--NO ONE has ANY right to make you feel that way!" He blurted angrily.~If I ever see those two again I'm gonna....~ Then he flushed realizing....back home...he was no better... He spoke quietly and his eyes took on an expression akin to shame, "I know I tease you sometimes...but only in fun..I don't mean to--Imean I'm sorry if I ever make you feel bad..."She returned his gaze levelly, "How could it not? It's true you know. I AM clumsy and I cry easily! I'm not so stupid I don't realize it--I just, I dunno....I can't help it sometimes." He looked at her sad face and felt terrible. He realized he had to confess to her..... He pushed his chair over next to hers and gently took her hand--then quickly released it."Serena, I've a confession to make." She looked at him with surprise. He'd been surprising her since theyleft the airport--but she still wasn't used to it."W-What?" He looked hideously embarrassed."I only tease you because...." She waited for him to finish and then supplied the rest herself, "...I'm klutzy, and a crybaby and--" "--causeyoulookcutewhenyou'reangry." He cut in quickly and then wished the ship would tip over and drop him in."Huh?" She choked. He looked into her shocked, disbelieving eyes, "It's just fun to get a reaction out of you and....you do look cutewhen you're mad...""Y-you think I'm *cute*??!" He hung his head. Obviously this was going to have to be a *complete* confession."Yes."There was a long pause and he finally dared to look up. Her eyes were sparkling, her cheeks flushed, a funny smile played at the corners of her mouth. There could be no greater compliment then finding out that the oneperson she thought couldn't *stand* her faults only bugged her because he thought she was CUTE!!!!"Thank you." She breathed. And suddenly, he felt great for telling her. "Awww, it can't mean that much coming from me--I mean, I'm sure lot's of other gu--" "--It means the most coming from you!" she cut in and squeezed hishandwarmly. He grinned a very charming grin at her and returned to his previousseat. She smirked across at him. "Wow, an apology from YOU?! Remind me to beat you at tennis moreoften!" He chuckled, but then grew serious once again, "I AM sorry Serena, if Iever hurt your feelings..." She frowned, "No, no, no more apologies. I KNOW you're sincere. You mean it and that's all that matters." "Thanks, you're very forgiving." And she was. She arched an eyebrow at him though, "I'm just biding my time till I come up with an appropriate nick name for YOU!"He chuckled again, "That's fair." ~She's quick.~ He thought, ~Has she always been this funny?~ Darien began to wonder uneasily, just how much he DIDN'T know aboutthis girl... He shook himself of these thoughts. "So, what should we do this afternoon? We're not signed up foranything..." "Let's go swimming!" squealed Serena!, "The pool's are huge!" He frowned, "Swimming...hmmm..I think I'll study while you swim."*SHOCK!* "WHAT?!"But study he did. Stretched out on a lawn chair with his books. Serena dove in enthusiastically but quickly realized swimming alone--even in the world'sbiggest swimming pool--was no fun. She glanced over at Darien.~Look at him, he's as bad as Ami!~ Then a little devil crawled up on her shoulder and a wicked idea formed in her head.She pulled herself out of the water and put on her best face. "Hey Darien?""Hmmm?" He said, not looking up."Can you come here a minute?" He glanced up and she looked serious so he walked over--sigh, sillyman. "Yeah, sure. What's the matter?" She smiled beautifully at him, innocence painted on her every feature. "I finally thought of a way I can repay you for tutoring me!" He frowned, "What's that?""By teaching YOU to have FUN!" And with that she shoved him into the pool and jumped in after him. He came up sputtering, "Serena!" But she was laughing too hard. It was contagious. He could feel himself grinning."Serena! I have to study!" "Study tonight!" She blurted, splashing him in the face. "Oh that's it! It's on!" He said in mock rage, taking off after her. She squealed delightedly and tried to swim away. But he was fast and quickly caught her, lifting her easily over his head and tossingher gracelessly back in. "Ahhhh!" She screamed but came up laughing. They chased each other around the pool all afternoon--splashing and laughing while othercouples looked on enviously. When the cat and mouse game grew tiresome--meaning Darien finallywheezed out, "Truce!"Serena jumped out of the pool and headed for the diving board. Darien caught his breath at the sight of her. It was the first time he'd gotten a good lookat her in her bathing suit. He didn't gasp because she looked stunning--though she did--but because she was rather bruised."Serena!""What?" "How did you get all those bruises?" He was too shocked to put two and two together. "Oh these?" She tried to shrug them off and giggled nervously, "These are just from my regular klutz attacks..."Guilt once again stabbed at him. All the times he teased her for klutzing out--it never occurred to him that she might have actually been hurt. He vowed NEVER to let her fall while he was around her AGAIN.Serena meanwhile, was utterly humiliated. She stalked down the board determinedly andcalled on her every ounce of Sailormoon grace. ~I will NEVER klutz out in front of him AGAIN!~ She knew it was alie.... She smiled though, ~At least I can dive well thanks to my secretidentity!~ She leapt up and tumbled gracefully in with only a hint of a splash. When she surfaced Darien had his eyebrows raised, "Impressive." ~But two can play at this game.......why let perfectly good superhero capabilitiesgo to waste?~He pulled himself up and out of the water. Serena did her best not to gape at what a stunning presence he was against the beautifulsunlit back drop. He made a run down the board and somersaulted gracefully in. Serena caught her breath. He came up grinning but then they both stared oddly at one another amoment... ~How did he....?~~How did she...?~~Couldn't be...!~ They shook their heads and the diving match began. Several couples gathered to watch the two expert divers. They were oblivious, laughing, trying to out do one another. "You think that was good? How 'bout this?!"SPLASH! "You call THAT a dive? Try THIS!"SPLASH! Finally exhausted, Serena merely canon balled in next to him with asplash. They were both breathless."Phew! I'm totally wiped!""Me too!" They suddenly realized they were being applauded. "Hey look! We're famous!" Darien laughed pulling her effortlessly out of the water after him so they could bow together. Then they headed back to their room chuckling. Neither asked the other where they learned to dive like that.....they were both tooafraid the question would be turned on them.... Darien headed straight for the shower leaving Serena to answer the ageless, still frightful question every girl asks herself before an important dance party.... ~WHAT AM I GOING TO WEAR?!~ She began to rummage through her luggage and drawers, pulling things out desperately. ~No, no, no! I can't wear any of these! Darien's a sophisticated High School student.This is an ADULT dance party! I have to dress older!~ She began to panic and REALLY freak out when she suddenly found a wrapped parcel at the bottom of her suitcase. She read the small card attached. "Thought you might need this! *wink* Mom"~wink?~ She unwrapped it and gasped....there it was...the PERFECT outfit! ~How did Mom know?!~ Actually, her mother had taken one look at Darien (when they met before the cruiseand before Serena's father had to be sedated) and KNOWN Serena would need at leastone grown up outfit. Darien seemed like a nice boy. He had--Serena's mother had noted--kindeyes. So she snuck out and bought it, tucking it into Serena's suitcase when neither she, nor Serena's father were watching. The tank top and pants were perfect! (AN: I was going to include a description of her clothes but after reading that rant by Athena-at First Love--I wouldn't DARE so you'll all just have to imagine your own ideal tank top and pants dance ensemble! kay? kay.)Serena choked back the urge to squeal with delight! How would she EVER thank her mother? Darien came out of the bathroom, hair still wet, black pants and matching dress shirt onand thumbed her in."Your turn." He half smiled. She quickly hid her outfit in the wrapping and flew into the bathroom giggling terribly. "What are you giggling at?" He asked from behind the door, then grew suspicious andheaded for the nearest mirror."Do I have something on my face?" At which point she broke out into obnoxious gales of laughter--hey, even Serena couldbe wicked sometimes! ;) Poor Darien checked his appearance carefully. He had tried his best to look good--truth be told. He'd been extra careful shaving, spent extra time on his hair, and was a littlemore generous with his cologne. Afterall, Serena was TRAPPED here with him, forced to act as though they were a couple. And though the truce (AN: sorry peoples, I couldn't resist! Maybe I should start a contest! How many times can you find the words 'trap' and 'truce' in my story? heh heh.) feltsincere, it could very well not be. He was still, in her eyes, he assumed, the jerk who teased and embarrassed her. The least he could do was ensure that she wouldn't beembarrassed to be SEEN with him. After making sure that he was indeed, embarrassing-blemish free, he settled back to passthe time until Serena was ready. Alas poor Darien. He was completely innocent of the not-so-secret knowledge concerninggirl's necessary prep-time. He read. He checked himself in the mirror. He tidied his things. He checked himselfin the mirror. This continued for some time. Finally he was getting stir crazy."Serena! Aren't you ready yet?" "Are you KIDDING?!" She returned. He sighed, rolling his eyes. Andrew hadn't prepared him for any of this at all.... His gaze chanced to fall to her side of the room where clothes were tossed in total disarray. He smiled. It was good to know she'd worried about her appearance too.He walked slowly over and then began picking up and folding her clothes.It was something to do. And it was kind of fun, folding all the Meatballhead's tiny, girly clothes. He held up a couple of shirts with wonder that she was reallyso much smaller than him. He was finished and sitting patiently when the door clicked open slowlyand Serena's voice came out nervously,,"Promise not to laugh?" "Not unless you look funny!" He couldn't help but tease."Darien! Please?" He chuckled, "Alright, alright--I promise! Unless you're dressed uplike a giant marshmallow, I won't laugh." He was expecting one of her usual, girly, soft pink outfits--especially after folding all her clothes. Never in a thousand years (AN: hmmmm....) would he have expected what came next. And nothing--he reflected later--could have preparedhim. Serena stepped out with the bathroom light glaring from behind and Darien was neverthe same. She was stunning. Her hair done up completely in two, dressy, braided odangos. Golden ringlets framing her face and neck....trailing softly down to hershoulders... The outfit fit her perfectly. It was not a cute, sort of klutzy, always cheery young girl that stood before him now.It was a young woman, with Serena's eyes and blush. He stared without blinking for some time before finally closing hismouth. She took his silence for disapproval and what small shreds ofconfidence she had disintegrated."Ohhh! Do I look totally ridiculous? I know I do! I'm sorry! I just--my mother put it in for me! I just thought I should look older--and I didn'twant to embarrass you by dressing like a....like a little girl." She concludedlamely. He stood in front of her now. His hands grasped her soft, bareshoulders, "You look amazing..." He breathed.She gaped at him in disbelief. "....I didn't think it was possible for you to look any more beautifulbut here you are..." He said with sincerity and awe. She flushed a pretty pink but beamed under his praise. "Thank you..." She said softly, searching his blue eyes a moment withher own. Then she smiled giving him a gentle once over, "You look pretty goodyourself." She giggled, half teasing. He somehow managed to respond to this with a smile....but he kept looking at her. Reallylooking at her. She glanced down at her watch as the sound of heavy bass started upfaintly in the distance."OH MY GOSH! COME ON! WE'RE GOING TO BE LATE!" She rushed to the door and tore it open flying out into the hall in a run. A moment later she returned puffing to find Darien standing exactly where she lefthim. ~What's wrong with him?~ She smiled a little worriedly at him and offered her hand, "C'monDarien..." He somehow regained himself and took it. And they headed out hand inhand... ~~~~~~~~~&~~~~~@ The dance hall was amazing. The lights, the dancing, it was very chic. Serena was beyond thankful for her outfit--everyone was dressed up thesame. Although, as far as Darien was concerned, they all might has well have vanished off the face of the earth. Serena was somehow the only girl he could see... They took a table and watched the dancing a while. Long enough for Serena to realizewith full horror, ~I CAN'T DANCE!!!!!!!~ Darien on the other hand, sighed. He'd been to many, many dance clubs like this, when hewas modeling. He rolled his eyes as he thought of all the models, overmade, trying too hard or justblatantly vain, dragging him onto the dance floor. Then he chanced to glance over at Serena. ~I'm being so selfish! What if she totally wants to dance? She looks so great tonightand here I am sitting it out--forcing her to as well!~ He stood and bent over her, "Serena? Did you wanna dance?" She flushed terribly and her eyes looked ashamed, "Oh no! I wouldn't want to embarrassyou! I can't dance...." She thought of Mina, tirelessly trying to teach her.... Darien raised his eyebrows. The irony was tremendous--over made models dragging himto dances--beautiful Serena reeling back as if from a precipe. He grinned with his best charming face."C'mon! I'll help you!" He pulled her reluctant figure onto the floor and started to dance. Serena froze, too humiliated to even ATTEMPT dancing. He took her by the shoulders, "C'mon Serena.." She shook her head and leaned in close to his ear--the faint, airy scent of her surprisingDarien's senses. "Darien! You already KNOW what a klutz I am. Can you imagine meDANCING?!" She moved to sit down again but he grabbed her arm turning her backaround, "No way! You look amazing! I can't let it go to waste!" "No I--" She was cut off as he caught her about the waist and pulled her feet onto his. She looked up at his face with surprise and found him smiling down at her. And he danced, back and forth till she was forced to hold onto him to keep fromfalling. She began to giggle and laugh. The whole situation was absurd andhilarious. Darien found he was enjoying himself hugely, quickly jumping into character and dancingher around to finish with a 'dip'. She shrieked--though drowned out by the blaring music--and grabbed him round the neck."Darien!" He pulled her up and she breathed into his ear, "Thank you." And he knew what she meant. The song switched and he began to dance her again. But she grabbed her ribs as the poundingbass came in. "Ohh! Ohhh!" She laughed, "I can feel the bass in my ribs! It-it's almost...tickling!" And it was then Darien realized that Serena would probably NEVER realize how charming she really was.And he liked that about her. They kept dancing that way a while before Darien needed a break. They sat down laughing and chatting lightly. The DJ began to pull various people from the audience to sing the main vocals kareoke styleand the results were hilarious. Serena and Darien watched amiably until the song changed and she suddenly jumped up with a squeal. "Oh! Oh! I know this song! Mina's always trying to teach me to danceto this!" She half danced over to him, mouthing the words, "Boston girls, easy for, acting like your busy, Baby let me tell you you're the worst I ever had. .........superfly, superfly..." (AN: Superfly by the Venga Boys....anybody know it? the melody line just lines up perfectly for this scene...you'll see! ;) Darien chuckled at her antics. "Anyone know the words?" The DJ's voice came out loudly. And unfortunately it wasn't just Darien that had witnessed Serena'scharade. "RIGHT HERE!" Hollered back a man near Serena, grabbing her arm and waving it as hereyes widened in horror. And like a terrible movie a line of waving arms led right up to the DJuntil he spotted her."Ahhh! The lady at the back!" He said as he pulled one woman up on stage,"Bring her up! The more the merrier!" The man who had Serena by the arm pushed her towards the stage "No, no! I couldn't I--" Blurted Serena but then she was grabbed by another personand pushed further. Darien jumped up, "Hey! Don't make her if she doesn't want to!" But it was too late. The crowd picked her up bodily and sailed her to the stage with Darien pushing his waydesperately through after her. Serena was shoved on stage and handed a microphone as the girl alreadyup was finishing her verse,"Luxury overdose, won't make you possess me, Baby let me tell you in the end it's all the same." And to compound things, all the instruments in the song halted in wait for the next vocals. Serena looked at the crowd in sheer terror. She shut her eyes, trying to hear Minatelling her all those times what a beautiful voice she had. She opened them again, swallowed, and sang, her voice shaky at first, but quickly steadying, "Don't think I'm crying, and trying, to get you out of my heart, No need denying, that you have been lieing, right from the start." The instruments gradually came back in, building towards the return of the bass. The crowd was still and awestruck by how well this beautiful young woman couldsing! "I thought this love would take us to the heights of sensuality, But now I know that you're not even half the man you said you'd be." And then the bass came back in, the crowd danced and cheered her as she repeated the verse. Her spirits soared and she grinned out at the audience as she sang. She spotted Darien near the front, staring open mouthed at her. She winked at him and even danced a bit as she sang. And it was magic, thought Darien, pure magic. Her beautiful voice, her beautiful figuremoving to the rhythm. She finished and the DJ spoke out, "A huge hand for out talented singer folks! Whatan amazing voice!" Everyone applauded as Serena was passed dazedly back to Darien. He stared at her in shock. She smiled a genuine, delighted smile at him, "I guess I did alright!" She hollered intohis ear. He nodded as though it was an understatement--which it was. And she danced after that, strangely confident. Darien eventually recovered and danced with her into the night. Finally they headed out, exhausted. And as they crossed the moonlit decks Darien took her arm. "Serena, you're a beautiful singer."She smiled with embarrassment. "What else don't I know about you?" he murmured in her ear. She simply giggled and winked at him. And that's when he realized he was beginning to fall....