Valentine's Misunderstanding - Chapter 1 - Revised ~Sailor Eclipse~ Jolene829@yahoo.com AIM - Jolene579ICQ - 37287071 http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Highrise/9825/ Rated PG to PG-13 *denotes thought *********************************************************************** Once again thank you to Bunny, Miriamele, Miss J., and everyone else who e-mailed me. I really appreciate it when you guys do that! Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter! And I'll see you in chapter 2! *********************************************************************** I Corinthians 13:4-7 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in inquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. *********************************************************************** Chapter 1: Discovery of Emotions *********************************************************************** "Darien?" "Serena?" It took Darien a full minute to realized that this was Serena lieing on the hard pavement. She was always cheery and over-filled with happiness anytime he saw her, but now she was sobbing into his chest her eyes becoming redder and her cheeks becoming more swollen with each sob. "Meatball--er... Serena, what's wrong, what happened?" he question carefully, so she would not feel interrogated and back away. *What happened to you?* The thought of anyone hurting her made him absolutely livid! Serena backed away and wrapped her arms around her chest defensively, but did not get off the pavement. Why of all people did it have to be him to find her? She wondered. But he did look serious and for once she didn't think that he was gonna tease her. Still she refused to look him in the eye. What would he think of her now? Even more of a crybaby, perhaps? "Serena what... happened?" he asked, still kneeling beside her. When she didn't reply he grabbed her hand and pulled her up with him as he stood, and began to lead her towards his car. "Darien, where are you taking me?" "To my car." Serena relunctantly followed him and got in on the passenger's side but to her surprise he told her to scoot over, and he sat right down next to her. It was a tight fit and Serena felt slightly uncomfortable, being so near a boy... er... man, right after the breakup with Micheal. He had only been her second boyfriend, and she was not dealing with it very well. Darien's voice broke though her thoughts. "Serena, please tell what's wrong." When she was silent he continued, "What happened to you? You could have been killed just lying there in the middle of the street like that!"*What if it wasn't me that found her? What if she had been ran over?* Not thinking Darien wrapped his arms around her, but said nothing as they sat there and Serena cried silently into his shirt, not really hearing a word he had said. After a good five minutes, Darien released her, got into his seat, and started to drive towards his apartment, deciding that if she wouldn't talk to him now, she would talk to him later. "Where are you taking me?" she asked Darien. "To my apartment." *Why is he taking me there?* But she just didn't have the strength to argue with him and found herself feeling very tired. Sighing unnoticeablely, Serena allowed her eyelids to shut and fell into an unrestful sleep. When Serena awoke, she immediately panicked. This was not her bed! Then the last hour or so came washing over her, but this time she did not cry, no... she could have been killed if it weren't for Darien, and she had already cried far too many tears over Micheal. She sighed and began to take in her surroundings, The room was relatively dark and there were no pictures. She felt trapped and had to get out of this cage. The first thing Serena noticed about Darien's living room was how clean, yet lonely it was. The carpet was soft under her toes as she walked to where Darien lay asleep in a leather recliner. How peacful and handsome her looked asleep! A grin split her face as she push aside some unruly hair and Darien's eyes opened. "What are you smiling about Meatball Head?" "Huh? Oh... nothing. Did you have a nice nap?" "Yeah, it was nice, though, I Think I really should be asking you that, I had to carry you all the way up here and you didn't even stir once." He smirked. But when Serena remained silent, he immediately stopped with the teasing. "Serena, what's wrong?" "I don't want to talk about it." Darien was getting frustrated, he had been patient and now he wanted answers about why she had been upset! What had happened to her to cause to feel so horrible that she became lethargic... in the middle of the street! "Serena... please... I can't help you if you won't tell me what's wrong, and why you were crying." *Please...* Darien sat up and reached for her hand, but she immediately pulled back. "Alright, I'll tell you... but please don't make fun of me even if you think it was a stupid reason." Darien was silent but nodded his head in agreement. "You see my boyfriend... called me and asked me to meet him and when I did he... he broke up with me... and... and then I just ran, but I fell down and I... I just d-didn't feel like getting up." She finished with sob. Darien reached for her again and this time she did not pull back, but allowed him to hug her. After they parted Serena looked up at Darien and mouthed a silent thank you. Darien had known that Serena was a rather emotional girl, but she had risked getting herself killed just because a guy dumped her? He honestly would never understand women. "Would like something to drink or eat?" Darien asked, surely that would cheer Serena up. She nodded, and he returned a couple minutes later with Cokes and microwave-cooked pizza. Together they both devoured three pieces each. "Yum! That was delicious!" Serena exclaimed, feeling better than had felt in the last few days. "Glad you liked it, Meatball Head." "Don't call me Meatball Head." Serena retorted smiling as she did, for their arguments were no longer filled dislike, but now consisted of friendly teasing. Somehow, her trusting Darien with her problems made feel as though it didn't really matter that her boyfriend had just broken up with her. "But it fits you so well." he teased and Serena just shook her head in disagreement. Would he ever grow up? But then she smiled, Meatball Head was more of a pet name than an insult when he said it. It made her feel warm all over and she smiled genuinely. Serena glanced around the room, not really sure what she should do, she didn't want to leave Darien, but she really had no excuse to stay here. Darien, sensing her unease, broke the silence. "Go sit in the chair over there, we need to make sure you're okay." "What?" "You scraped your knees and I'm training to be a doctor so go sit over there so I can fix you up, Meatball Head." He couldn't resist one little dig, and she didn't seem to mind the name quite as much anymore. "Don't call me--" "I know, I know." he interrupted, "You don't want me calling you Meatball Head, do you?" "Not paricularily. No." she replied curtly. "Alright... then what do you suggest I call you?" "......" Serena hadn't expected that and her jaw practically hit the floor. "See! You can't think of anything better so Meatball head it is!" he smirked. Serena tried to yell at him, but she just couldn't help it and started giggling. Moving over to the chair she crossed her arms infront of her chest and waited for him to return with a small pout resting on her lips. Darien returned with a first-aide kit and kneeled down to put band-aides on her knees, while Serena attempted to ignore the fire her skin was feeling as his finger brushed over it. "There you go, Meatball Head, all better." "Thank you... for everything, Darien." Serena replied quietly. "It's alright, I'm just glad that I was the one who found you... would you like me to take you home now? Or to wherever you were heading?" "Well, I wasn't really going anywhere important." *At least not anymore that is.* Serena lied. Darien just remained in the kneeling position, while desperately trying to find something to say. Luckily for him, it was Serena who broke the silence this time. "Darien... I know you might not want to... and you don't have to if you don't want to... what I mean is..." "Serena, what are you trying to say?" Darien interrupted. Serena's head popped up to look at him and her cheeks turned a light pink. Taking a deep breath she replied. "Will you come to the mall with me?" "What about you other friends...Mina, Lita...?" "They're all busy, probably, besides... I'd rather them not know about this." Serena explained, her gaze returning to the grayish-blue carpet of Darien's living room floor. "Well, then let's go!" Darien decided, not knowing he was sealing his own fate. Shortly, after Darien finished checking over Serena to make sure she was alright, he grabbed the keys to his car and they were off towards the mall. The first store they visited was Dillards, where Darien bought a new jacket at Serena's unrelenting insistence. This one was black and wasn't half was horrible looking "Serena, I am NOT going in there!" "Please, Darien? I don't wanna go alone." Serena begged. "No! Do you know how embarrassing it is for guys, to go in that... that... place. Victoria's Secret is not a place for guys!" "Darien, just this once, I promise, I'll never ask you for anything ever again!" "Yeah right, meatball head, like I really believe that one." Darien drawled sarcastically. How could she ask him to go in that place where they sold... sold... underclothes! "Come on!!!" Serena yelled loudly, so that a couple people turned from their activities to look at them. That was all it took to take Darien off his guard and she quickly pulled him though an opening of the store, where he found himself blushing. He was surrounded by lacy bras of all colors! And sure enough, Serena saw him. "Ha, ha, ha... Darien you're blushing! I wish I had my camera! What's amatter?" Serena leaned closer to him, "You can tell me, I promise I won't tell Andrew you were blushing... and in Victoria's secret, none-the-less!" She continued to giggle, Darien just looked so cute standing there blushing! "Would you knock it off!?" He hissed. And just when he thought his life wouldn't get anymoreembarrassing... "Excuse me sir, miss, are you two going to buy anything or not?" A saleslady asked. Darien couldn't speak, he was mortified! Fortunately, for him, Serena managed to pull herself together somewhat. "No thanks, we're just looking." "Oh really? What were you looking for? We have some great bra and panty sets." Serena colored a small hint of pink and Darien turned purple. Why were Fate and Destiny always against him? "Um... no thanks, I don't think we're gonna buy anything." Serena said as the saleslady frowned, and Serena hastily pulled Darien out of the store. When Darien managed to get his face down to a blush, he spoke. "Do not ever do that again!" Serena couldn't help but laugh, he was so embarrassed. She was embarrassed, but not nearly as much as him. Still, giggling Serena dragged Darien to the next store: JCPenny's. After that it was Burdines, Barnes & Noble (Darien's idea), Sears, Kay-bee Toys, Dollar Tree, and finally they headed to the food court. But if anyone had watched them throughout the day, they would have seen sneaky glances between the two, Serena walking unconsciously closer to Darien, and Darien hanging his arm over her shoulder. After they ate their meal, it was around 6:30 p.m. Darien decided he'd had enough shopping for about a year, and he led a very tired meatball head out to his car. "Where are we going, Darien?" "I'm taking you home." "No!" Serena was suddenly awake. "Why not?" "Um... well... nobody's home and I-uh-I don't have a key!" she lied. "Well, I guess I could take you somewhere else." Darien said. "Oh! Yes, yes, yes! Please?" "Well, um where?" "The park or maybe the beach?" "The beach?" Darien repeated, "I suppose we could watch the sunset." Traffic was crazy. Nearly an hour later, the couple arrived at the deserted beach. After taking their shoes off and laying one of Darien's towels on the sand, they sat in down, neither of them said a word. Most of the sky was colored a dark shade of blue; while near the horizon it was lighter, until it became a golden color. Only half of the dying sun could be seen, creating a romantic atmosphere. Maybe it was the mood; maybe not. But when Serena rested her head on Darien's shoulder, all he wanted to do was take Serena in his arms and kiss her until she melted like putty. The sunset was forgotten as Darien managed to sneak his arm around Serena's waist, his hand resting on her hip, while his finger caressed the thin material of her clothing, he gently laid his head atop her blonde one. The wind had caused the temperature to plummet in the short time the two had watched the setting sun, but neither noticed because at the time they could think of nothing except each other. Pulling Serena to her feet, Darien made the mistake of looking into her azure eyes. He gulped, with her back to the setting sun she was more beautiful than ever and had to use all of his willpower from tasting those sweet lips of hers. Serena's heart started pounding a hundred miles an hour. Was he going to kiss her? "Maybe, I should take you home. Your parents should be there by now right?" He suggested. She nodded as her stomach growled. Dareien repressed a chuckle. "Are you hungry?" Again she nodded, but this time with the beginnings of a blush. Darien merely smiled as she placed her hand in his and he guided her back to his car. On the way home, Darien and Serena rode in silence as they listened to the radio. Once they reached Serena's home, Darien merely said goodbye and left. That night Serena laid in her bed, listening to the silence. She was so confused, she didn't know what to do. Darien had been the perfect gentleman, with the exception of a few Meatball Head remarks. Serena now cared about him deeply. She knew that. It wasn't one of her ordinary crushes; no, this was much deeper, but it wasn't love--at least not yet. Meanwhile, not so far away, Darien laid in his own bed, his mind replaying the evnts of the day. And by the time he had gone over everything, Darien had to admitted to himself he was very attracted to Serena... maybe not quite love, but VERY attracted! Smiling, he drifted off to sleep with a plan forming in his mind as to how he would sweep Serena off her feet, and make her his own by Febuary 14, Valentine's Day. **************************************************************************** End Chapter 1 **************************************************************************** What can I say? I felt like embarrassing Darien in this chapter! Send all flames, commments, etc... to:Jolene829@yahoo.comI LOVE E-MAIL!!! ~Sailor Eclipse~Jolene829@yahoo.comAIM - Jolene579ICQ - 37287071 http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Highrise/9825/::Shameless Plug:: Read my other fanfics at: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Highrise/9825/fanfics.html Or you can join my mailing list!::End Shameless Plug::^_^ Editted by: Cristy (Sailor Gemini)Copyright Sailor Eclipse January 10, 2000 Disclaimer:I don't own Sailor Moon (Naoko Takeuchi does!), but thestory is mine!