Serena's Accident - Chapter 3 - April 15, 2003
Chapter Two
See the disclaimer in part 1
Serena's Accident - Chapter Three
Driving down the coast, the two men sat in silence, with only the sound of the radio between them. Kenji Tsukino pulled up to a secluded little rest area. Turning to Darien, he seemed to be evaluating the younger man. Deciding something with a nod, he motioned for Darien to follow him down a hidden pathway only he seemed to be able to find.
"Where are we going, sir?" Darien asked with some trepidation.
"You'll see," Serena's father replied with a small smile.
After a few moments, they came to a secluded rock pool with a clear view down to the crystal clear waters of the Pacific Ocean. Off to one side was a stone bench. Sitting down, Mr. Tsukino waved for Darien to sit next to him on the sun-warmed stone.
"This was one of Mrs. Tsukino's favourite places to go when we were first courting," he informed Darien with a nostalgic look on his face, reliving the romantic memories.
"It's nice and quiet, not totally cut off, but enough so that we had privacy to say what we wanted to each other without anyone else hearing. Every once in a while, I come here when I need a break from things, just to sit and think about anything, or nothing at all. I thought you might want a place of your own to sit and think if you ever need to..."
Darien nodded his thanks. With a pang, he noticed there was a lovely clear view of the moon from this vantage point as well. He blinked back tears.
"I never really had anywhere to go that was really my own," he said to Serena's father.
"I've always been either surrounded by other children when at the orphanage, or stuck in my flat or at school. I've always wanted to honour my parents' memories by doing my best at school in my chosen subjects. I'm studying to be a doctor so that I can help people and it hurts so much that with all my knowledge, I still can do nothing to help..."
His voice began to break.
"I love her so much it hurts and if anything happened to her, I don't know what I'd do. I've never ever felt this way about anyone before, and now...Serena doesn't even know how I feel about her. She'll never know at this rate and I'll have lost the only chance at being happy that I've ever had," he wept.
The older man stared out at the ocean, lost in thought for what seemed like an eternity to Darien.
"I know this doesn't help Darien, but you need to start thinking about yourself in all this. How are you going to help Serena if you let yourself get so down that you end up in the hospital yourself?" he asked with the wisdom of his years.
"Doesn't she deserve your complete attention and care? You can't do that if you're getting yourself into such a state that you can't deal with anything. Serena needs you, we need you too. I never thought I'd say that to a boy that my daughter was interested in. I know I have a reputation for being tough on the boys that my Serena wanted to date, but I love my daughter and want what's best for her. And I think that you are what she needs. I also happen to know she loves you too and would be devastated if we didn't support you when you needed us. Just know that we are here for you too, anytime you need us, even if you don't want to say anything. We'll be there for you too, Darien, let us help you for a change," he entreated the young man at his side.
Darien looked at his feet, feeling a warm glow come over him at Mr. Tsukino's words. He'd never felt ...loved and supported like this before. He nodded his thanks, not daring to speak. Mr. Tsukino understood how he felt. It was rough and was only going to get worse before it got better. He needed Darien to get his feelings out before it became a bigger problem that he couldn't handle. Answering Darien's unspoken need, he left the young man and continued back to where he'd left the car, stopping here and there to admire a flowering cherry tree.
Darien stood up and went to the edge of the rock pool, looking out over the embankment. Gazing up at the moon, he let the tears simply come, not caring if anyone saw him at that moment. He let the peaceful surroundings filter into his heart and mind, calming him as nothing else was able to do. He'd always had an affinity for nature and it seemed that nature knew his pain and wanted to help heal him. After a few moments, he turned and made his way back to where Mr. Tsukino sat waiting patiently at the car.
"How do you feel now, son?" Mr. Tsukino asked the now serene young man.
"Much better, thank you, sir," Darien replied with a genuine smile, the first Kenji had seen on the young man's face. "I really appreciate your taking the time..."
"Not a problem, son. Just remember what I said," Mr. Tsukino cut in gently.
Darien nodded gratefully. They made the drive back to the hospital in companionable silence. The girls were just leaving when they pulled up to the hospital doors.
"Thank you, sir. I will remember what you said," Darien thanked the older man as he got out of the car.
Mr. Tsukino nodded and drove off. Smiling at the girls, Darien went into the hospital and to Serena's room with a lighter heart than he'd had for a while. The girls stared after him mystified. Shrugging, they continued on to their homes with the unspoken agreement that they would meet again the next day.
On the drive back to the hospital, Darien had come to a decision. No matter the cost, he was going to try and heal Serena, a little at a time if necessary to stop her from losing what energy her body was gaining while it healed naturally. He sat down in the chair by the bed and laid his hand on her forehead. Closing his eyes, he let his healing energy flow into Serena, carefully regulating it to ensure it didn't overpower her fragile body.
A few moments later, he carefully withdrew and opened his eyes. He could tell that it had made an immediate improvement to Serena. Her colour was much better and she didn't seem to be in any pain. Not wanting to overdo it, he quickly stifled the impulse to try again. He'd heal her some more the next time he saw her. Smiling sadly, he placed another rose beside her pillow, noticing the vase holding his other gifts on the window sill. He was glad someone was keeping them for her.
He kissed Serena goodbye on her lips, feeling giddy at the soft sweetness of her mouth and from the sheer delight at being able to just kiss her. Back at his flat, he ate his first proper meal that week, showered and went to bed to a restful sleep.
His days began to take on a new routine. He'd visit Serena in the mornings, attend his classes and any scheduled labs, then rushing back to the hospital after a quick snack at the arcade. He kept Andrew, his sister Elizabeth, and Andrew's girlfriend Rita updated on Serena's condition. They were all concerned and happy to hear that she was slowly improving, according to the doctors.
"If she wakes up, give her our love," Rita called after him one day as he was leaving.
"I will, thanks Rita," he replied with a smile.
Andrew and Rita stood outside the doors of the arcade, watching Darien as he drove off to the hospital to see Serena.
"I'm sure everything will turn out just fine," Andrew said to Rita as they re-entered the arcade.
She nodded and smiled up at her boyfriend. She knew he'd be devastated should anything happen to her, as she would if anything happened to him. She just hoped it would never have to be put to the test.
Each evening, Darien would use his healing power to help her injuries heal, just a little at a time, to avoid overtaxing her frail body. Leaving his special rose by her pillow, he went home to a proper meal and straight to bed. After several weeks of this, it seemed as if he'd been doing it forever. He sighed.
The injuries to her body were healing quicker than the doctors had anticipated, which brought a slight smile he was quick to hide. They chalked it up to youthful resilience but he knew better. As Sailor Moon, she was able to heal quite quickly anyway, and that, combined with his healing, made her injuries heal quicker than usual. With a grateful thought to her father, he visited the special place he'd been shown a few times when he felt his emotions getting the better of him, letting the peaceful setting calm his over-wrought nerves and mind.
A week after she began to show definite signs of recovery, he again had the radio on, singing a favourite song when he noticed a change. Her eyes appeared to be fluttering....he leaned over and gave her a gentle kiss. Her eyes opened slightly and he suppressed a cheer. Stepping back, he gave her a little room so she wouldn't feel overwhelmed by his presence.
"Wha....what happened?" her voice, hoarse from disuse, barely reached him.
He knelt down. "It's ok Serena darling, you've been in a terrible accident - you were in a coma..." he said to her softly.
Her eyes flew open. "Darien," she choked, "What are you doing here?"
He grinned in elation. "I've been waiting to see you, my dear," he replied, smiling at her. "I've been here every day, waiting for you to wake up and come back to us," he added.
She looked at him in confusion. "I thought you hated me," she whispered. "I thought...I thought you were a jerk, Darien," she spoke quietly.
"I was and I am so very sorry Serena. I never meant to hurt you. To tell the truth, I was so mean because I loved you and I didn't want to admit it to myself, let alone to you. I was afraid of what you'd say, what you'd do...I thought you'd laugh at me," he replied sadly.
Darien took her hand in his. "I've been here every day, hoping you'd wake up so I could tell you how I felt. I never realised it until you weren't there...to laugh and make fun of me. To argue with and make me laugh. I love you Serena," he whispered to her, looking at the floor.
She didn't say anything. Turning to go, he was surprised when she whispered something he never thought he'd ever hear her say.
"I love you too Darien. I always did. I thought you'd laugh at me too, that you'd think it was just some school-kid crush or something and make a rude comment like you always did."
He turned to face her. She was smiling and crying at the same time. He bent down to kiss away her tears.
"Please don't cry Serena, I can't stand it when you cry. Especially when it's my fault," he pleaded with her, almost in tears himself.
"I'm just so happy Darien. I couldn't stand fighting with you. All I wanted to do was throw myself into your arms and..." she blushed.
"And what?" he teased.
In a small voice she added, "Um...Kiss you."
He smiled and bent over her again, kissing her softly and marvelling at the sweet taste of her. She blushed bright red and kissed him back, hesitantly at first, then with more passion. Her arms stole around his neck and held him to her with surprising strength. He broke off the kiss suddenly, not trusting himself to hold back any longer. She stared at him in confusion.
"Don't worry darling, it's not anything to do with you. Well, ok it is, you're just too damn...I love you too much, Serena. I don't trust myself to do anything I shouldn't..." his voice broke.
She smiled and gave a little laugh. "I'm not so sure I trust myself with you either," she replied with a blush.
They gazed into each other's eyes, only breaking contact when the nurse came in. She dropped the tray she'd been carrying with a clatter and gave a little cry of joy.
"You're awake," she cried as she turned and ran out of the room, paging the doctor urgently.
"By the way, Darien, you have a lovely voice," Serena told him softly. "I could hear you talking to me, singing to me and I loved it. I just couldn't get back to you..."
Darien put his finger to her lips to quiet her. "It's ok, love, don't worry, you're here now and everything will be just fine," he replied.
The doctor arrived a few minutes later, breathing heavily from his run down the corridor. He'd been expecting bad news and was overjoyed to see Serena awake and talking. Giving her a thorough check-up, he told her that she'd have to stay in the hospital for a week or two more to give them a chance to make sure she was all right and to make arrangements for physiotherapy for her injuries. Then he left to contact her parents and tell them she was awake and going to be all right.
Darien felt a little bemused by all the attention and moved to go.
"Don't go, please," Serena begged him. "I don't want to be left alone right now, please..." she said in a small voice.
He returned to the chair and held her hand in his. "I won't leave you, Serena," he told her, holding her hand in his, as if he couldn't bear to let go.
They sat for a while, just looking at each other in wonder. Darien told her about how her father had been an enormous support to him when he felt things overwhelming him and she was amazed.
"My dad is very protective of me." she told him.
"I know, he told me," Darien grinned at her. "I don't know who was more surprised, him or me, to be honest. I don't think he expected to like me," he laughed, "but your father is the most amazing man I've ever come across. I would be honoured to have him as a father," he told Serena soberly.
Just then, they heard her parents' voices in the hall. Serena's mother appeared at the doorway.
"Oh Serena, I am so happy you're all right...," her mother broke down in tears of joy at the sight of her daughter awake and talking. Serena's father's eyes were misty with unshed tears as he came and gave his daughter a gentle hug. Putting his hand on Darien's shoulder, his voice shook with emotion.
"I am so glad to see you're ok, my dear," he told her haltingly. "Darien has been taking such good care of you while you were...," he couldn't speak any more, the tears falling from his eyes.
Darien looked at the floor shyly, even more embarrassed at the praise her father was heaping upon him.
"I love Serena more than life itself," he said simply.
The whole room was full of emotion, everyone in tears of joy and happiness at Serena's remarkable recovery. Darien knew she had hard times ahead, with the physiotherapy to help her injuries heal properly. He would be with her every step of the way, encouraging her and making sure she didn't overdo it in her haste to get well again.
A week and a half later, Darien was again on his way to the hospital, this time in anticipation of her release from the hospital. His heart sang. She was coming home the next day. He didn't see the car that came speeding out of nowhere to hit him broadside.
Serena was hobbling around the lobby, visiting with the Sailor Senshi when he was brought in, barely breathing.
"Darien," she screamed as she recognised his battered and bruised body. "No," she cried in pain and desolation, "This can't be...." She grabbed his hand as they steadied the stretcher. "Darien, please, wake up, don't go, you promised me you'd never leave me...," she pleaded.
His eyes opened and focused on her. "I'm sorry, Serena. I love you...," he whispered.
"I love you too, Darien," she sobbed brokenly.
He sighed and his head fell to one side.
"No!" she screamed.
It was too much for her still-healing body and mind to handle and she collapsed to the floor. The Sailor Senshi rushed to her.
"No!" Ami screamed. "She's...they're...DEAD!"
She screamed in pain and loss. The other Senshi began to cry as they hugged each other in grief.
"They'd only just found each other and now they're gone," Mina sobbed inconsolably.
Darien and Serena found themselves standing in front of a bright pillar of light, dressed in unfamiliar clothing.
"Prince Endymion. My darling Serenity..."
A beautiful, sad voice came from the pillar as it coalesced into the form of a beautiful woman. They recognised the names as their true names, from a distant and sorrowful past.
"Mother," Serenity cried and went to embrace the woman.
"Queen Serenity," Endymion spoke softly.
"My children. I never thought to see you here so soon. Your time was too brief, your lives cut short beforetime. Pluto has agreed...she has agreed to send you back to your time..." Queen Serenity looked at them with sorrow in her eyes.
"You were brought to this time to meet and fall in love, to fulfill your destinies that were so brutally interrupted during the Silver Millenium. May you be happy and carry my love with you always."
Her voice and image faded out.
Walking down the main street on his way to the bookshop, Darien heard a familiar voice.
"Wait up, Lita, I'm on the way," he heard Serena call from the other side of the street.
"Serena, be careful, there's a car coming," he called to her.
Serena stopped short of the roadway. A car zoomed past, causing her hair to fly into her face.
"Whoa, that was sure close," she grinned as she crossed the street safely.
"Thanks Darien," she said.
"Don't mention it," he replied. "I would hate to have to scrape you off the street," he teased her unmercifully.
She made a face at him and grabbed Lita's arm.
"Let's get rid of this jerk and go play some video games at the arcade. I betcha Andrew would give us a free sundae if we asked him nicely," she enthused.
Darien stared after the two girls. He shook his head. He felt strange, like this had happened before, but with a different outcome.
"Oh well," he said to himself.
Strange things happened to him every day. Why should this one be any different? At least he'd seen that funny girl Serena again. He continued walking towards the bookshop. Another day of the same old, same old with that Meatball Head, Serena. He shrugged, smiled to himself, and walked on......
THE END
See the disclaimer in part 1
Serena's Accident - Chapter Three
Driving down the coast, the two men sat in silence, with only the sound of the radio between them. Kenji Tsukino pulled up to a secluded little rest area. Turning to Darien, he seemed to be evaluating the younger man. Deciding something with a nod, he motioned for Darien to follow him down a hidden pathway only he seemed to be able to find.
"Where are we going, sir?" Darien asked with some trepidation.
"You'll see," Serena's father replied with a small smile.
After a few moments, they came to a secluded rock pool with a clear view down to the crystal clear waters of the Pacific Ocean. Off to one side was a stone bench. Sitting down, Mr. Tsukino waved for Darien to sit next to him on the sun-warmed stone.
"This was one of Mrs. Tsukino's favourite places to go when we were first courting," he informed Darien with a nostalgic look on his face, reliving the romantic memories.
"It's nice and quiet, not totally cut off, but enough so that we had privacy to say what we wanted to each other without anyone else hearing. Every once in a while, I come here when I need a break from things, just to sit and think about anything, or nothing at all. I thought you might want a place of your own to sit and think if you ever need to..."
Darien nodded his thanks. With a pang, he noticed there was a lovely clear view of the moon from this vantage point as well. He blinked back tears.
"I never really had anywhere to go that was really my own," he said to Serena's father.
"I've always been either surrounded by other children when at the orphanage, or stuck in my flat or at school. I've always wanted to honour my parents' memories by doing my best at school in my chosen subjects. I'm studying to be a doctor so that I can help people and it hurts so much that with all my knowledge, I still can do nothing to help..."
His voice began to break.
"I love her so much it hurts and if anything happened to her, I don't know what I'd do. I've never ever felt this way about anyone before, and now...Serena doesn't even know how I feel about her. She'll never know at this rate and I'll have lost the only chance at being happy that I've ever had," he wept.
The older man stared out at the ocean, lost in thought for what seemed like an eternity to Darien.
"I know this doesn't help Darien, but you need to start thinking about yourself in all this. How are you going to help Serena if you let yourself get so down that you end up in the hospital yourself?" he asked with the wisdom of his years.
"Doesn't she deserve your complete attention and care? You can't do that if you're getting yourself into such a state that you can't deal with anything. Serena needs you, we need you too. I never thought I'd say that to a boy that my daughter was interested in. I know I have a reputation for being tough on the boys that my Serena wanted to date, but I love my daughter and want what's best for her. And I think that you are what she needs. I also happen to know she loves you too and would be devastated if we didn't support you when you needed us. Just know that we are here for you too, anytime you need us, even if you don't want to say anything. We'll be there for you too, Darien, let us help you for a change," he entreated the young man at his side.
Darien looked at his feet, feeling a warm glow come over him at Mr. Tsukino's words. He'd never felt ...loved and supported like this before. He nodded his thanks, not daring to speak. Mr. Tsukino understood how he felt. It was rough and was only going to get worse before it got better. He needed Darien to get his feelings out before it became a bigger problem that he couldn't handle. Answering Darien's unspoken need, he left the young man and continued back to where he'd left the car, stopping here and there to admire a flowering cherry tree.
Darien stood up and went to the edge of the rock pool, looking out over the embankment. Gazing up at the moon, he let the tears simply come, not caring if anyone saw him at that moment. He let the peaceful surroundings filter into his heart and mind, calming him as nothing else was able to do. He'd always had an affinity for nature and it seemed that nature knew his pain and wanted to help heal him. After a few moments, he turned and made his way back to where Mr. Tsukino sat waiting patiently at the car.
"How do you feel now, son?" Mr. Tsukino asked the now serene young man.
"Much better, thank you, sir," Darien replied with a genuine smile, the first Kenji had seen on the young man's face. "I really appreciate your taking the time..."
"Not a problem, son. Just remember what I said," Mr. Tsukino cut in gently.
Darien nodded gratefully. They made the drive back to the hospital in companionable silence. The girls were just leaving when they pulled up to the hospital doors.
"Thank you, sir. I will remember what you said," Darien thanked the older man as he got out of the car.
Mr. Tsukino nodded and drove off. Smiling at the girls, Darien went into the hospital and to Serena's room with a lighter heart than he'd had for a while. The girls stared after him mystified. Shrugging, they continued on to their homes with the unspoken agreement that they would meet again the next day.
On the drive back to the hospital, Darien had come to a decision. No matter the cost, he was going to try and heal Serena, a little at a time if necessary to stop her from losing what energy her body was gaining while it healed naturally. He sat down in the chair by the bed and laid his hand on her forehead. Closing his eyes, he let his healing energy flow into Serena, carefully regulating it to ensure it didn't overpower her fragile body.
A few moments later, he carefully withdrew and opened his eyes. He could tell that it had made an immediate improvement to Serena. Her colour was much better and she didn't seem to be in any pain. Not wanting to overdo it, he quickly stifled the impulse to try again. He'd heal her some more the next time he saw her. Smiling sadly, he placed another rose beside her pillow, noticing the vase holding his other gifts on the window sill. He was glad someone was keeping them for her.
He kissed Serena goodbye on her lips, feeling giddy at the soft sweetness of her mouth and from the sheer delight at being able to just kiss her. Back at his flat, he ate his first proper meal that week, showered and went to bed to a restful sleep.
His days began to take on a new routine. He'd visit Serena in the mornings, attend his classes and any scheduled labs, then rushing back to the hospital after a quick snack at the arcade. He kept Andrew, his sister Elizabeth, and Andrew's girlfriend Rita updated on Serena's condition. They were all concerned and happy to hear that she was slowly improving, according to the doctors.
"If she wakes up, give her our love," Rita called after him one day as he was leaving.
"I will, thanks Rita," he replied with a smile.
Andrew and Rita stood outside the doors of the arcade, watching Darien as he drove off to the hospital to see Serena.
"I'm sure everything will turn out just fine," Andrew said to Rita as they re-entered the arcade.
She nodded and smiled up at her boyfriend. She knew he'd be devastated should anything happen to her, as she would if anything happened to him. She just hoped it would never have to be put to the test.
Each evening, Darien would use his healing power to help her injuries heal, just a little at a time, to avoid overtaxing her frail body. Leaving his special rose by her pillow, he went home to a proper meal and straight to bed. After several weeks of this, it seemed as if he'd been doing it forever. He sighed.
The injuries to her body were healing quicker than the doctors had anticipated, which brought a slight smile he was quick to hide. They chalked it up to youthful resilience but he knew better. As Sailor Moon, she was able to heal quite quickly anyway, and that, combined with his healing, made her injuries heal quicker than usual. With a grateful thought to her father, he visited the special place he'd been shown a few times when he felt his emotions getting the better of him, letting the peaceful setting calm his over-wrought nerves and mind.
A week after she began to show definite signs of recovery, he again had the radio on, singing a favourite song when he noticed a change. Her eyes appeared to be fluttering....he leaned over and gave her a gentle kiss. Her eyes opened slightly and he suppressed a cheer. Stepping back, he gave her a little room so she wouldn't feel overwhelmed by his presence.
"Wha....what happened?" her voice, hoarse from disuse, barely reached him.
He knelt down. "It's ok Serena darling, you've been in a terrible accident - you were in a coma..." he said to her softly.
Her eyes flew open. "Darien," she choked, "What are you doing here?"
He grinned in elation. "I've been waiting to see you, my dear," he replied, smiling at her. "I've been here every day, waiting for you to wake up and come back to us," he added.
She looked at him in confusion. "I thought you hated me," she whispered. "I thought...I thought you were a jerk, Darien," she spoke quietly.
"I was and I am so very sorry Serena. I never meant to hurt you. To tell the truth, I was so mean because I loved you and I didn't want to admit it to myself, let alone to you. I was afraid of what you'd say, what you'd do...I thought you'd laugh at me," he replied sadly.
Darien took her hand in his. "I've been here every day, hoping you'd wake up so I could tell you how I felt. I never realised it until you weren't there...to laugh and make fun of me. To argue with and make me laugh. I love you Serena," he whispered to her, looking at the floor.
She didn't say anything. Turning to go, he was surprised when she whispered something he never thought he'd ever hear her say.
"I love you too Darien. I always did. I thought you'd laugh at me too, that you'd think it was just some school-kid crush or something and make a rude comment like you always did."
He turned to face her. She was smiling and crying at the same time. He bent down to kiss away her tears.
"Please don't cry Serena, I can't stand it when you cry. Especially when it's my fault," he pleaded with her, almost in tears himself.
"I'm just so happy Darien. I couldn't stand fighting with you. All I wanted to do was throw myself into your arms and..." she blushed.
"And what?" he teased.
In a small voice she added, "Um...Kiss you."
He smiled and bent over her again, kissing her softly and marvelling at the sweet taste of her. She blushed bright red and kissed him back, hesitantly at first, then with more passion. Her arms stole around his neck and held him to her with surprising strength. He broke off the kiss suddenly, not trusting himself to hold back any longer. She stared at him in confusion.
"Don't worry darling, it's not anything to do with you. Well, ok it is, you're just too damn...I love you too much, Serena. I don't trust myself to do anything I shouldn't..." his voice broke.
She smiled and gave a little laugh. "I'm not so sure I trust myself with you either," she replied with a blush.
They gazed into each other's eyes, only breaking contact when the nurse came in. She dropped the tray she'd been carrying with a clatter and gave a little cry of joy.
"You're awake," she cried as she turned and ran out of the room, paging the doctor urgently.
"By the way, Darien, you have a lovely voice," Serena told him softly. "I could hear you talking to me, singing to me and I loved it. I just couldn't get back to you..."
Darien put his finger to her lips to quiet her. "It's ok, love, don't worry, you're here now and everything will be just fine," he replied.
The doctor arrived a few minutes later, breathing heavily from his run down the corridor. He'd been expecting bad news and was overjoyed to see Serena awake and talking. Giving her a thorough check-up, he told her that she'd have to stay in the hospital for a week or two more to give them a chance to make sure she was all right and to make arrangements for physiotherapy for her injuries. Then he left to contact her parents and tell them she was awake and going to be all right.
Darien felt a little bemused by all the attention and moved to go.
"Don't go, please," Serena begged him. "I don't want to be left alone right now, please..." she said in a small voice.
He returned to the chair and held her hand in his. "I won't leave you, Serena," he told her, holding her hand in his, as if he couldn't bear to let go.
They sat for a while, just looking at each other in wonder. Darien told her about how her father had been an enormous support to him when he felt things overwhelming him and she was amazed.
"My dad is very protective of me." she told him.
"I know, he told me," Darien grinned at her. "I don't know who was more surprised, him or me, to be honest. I don't think he expected to like me," he laughed, "but your father is the most amazing man I've ever come across. I would be honoured to have him as a father," he told Serena soberly.
Just then, they heard her parents' voices in the hall. Serena's mother appeared at the doorway.
"Oh Serena, I am so happy you're all right...," her mother broke down in tears of joy at the sight of her daughter awake and talking. Serena's father's eyes were misty with unshed tears as he came and gave his daughter a gentle hug. Putting his hand on Darien's shoulder, his voice shook with emotion.
"I am so glad to see you're ok, my dear," he told her haltingly. "Darien has been taking such good care of you while you were...," he couldn't speak any more, the tears falling from his eyes.
Darien looked at the floor shyly, even more embarrassed at the praise her father was heaping upon him.
"I love Serena more than life itself," he said simply.
The whole room was full of emotion, everyone in tears of joy and happiness at Serena's remarkable recovery. Darien knew she had hard times ahead, with the physiotherapy to help her injuries heal properly. He would be with her every step of the way, encouraging her and making sure she didn't overdo it in her haste to get well again.
A week and a half later, Darien was again on his way to the hospital, this time in anticipation of her release from the hospital. His heart sang. She was coming home the next day. He didn't see the car that came speeding out of nowhere to hit him broadside.
Serena was hobbling around the lobby, visiting with the Sailor Senshi when he was brought in, barely breathing.
"Darien," she screamed as she recognised his battered and bruised body. "No," she cried in pain and desolation, "This can't be...." She grabbed his hand as they steadied the stretcher. "Darien, please, wake up, don't go, you promised me you'd never leave me...," she pleaded.
His eyes opened and focused on her. "I'm sorry, Serena. I love you...," he whispered.
"I love you too, Darien," she sobbed brokenly.
He sighed and his head fell to one side.
"No!" she screamed.
It was too much for her still-healing body and mind to handle and she collapsed to the floor. The Sailor Senshi rushed to her.
"No!" Ami screamed. "She's...they're...DEAD!"
She screamed in pain and loss. The other Senshi began to cry as they hugged each other in grief.
"They'd only just found each other and now they're gone," Mina sobbed inconsolably.
Darien and Serena found themselves standing in front of a bright pillar of light, dressed in unfamiliar clothing.
"Prince Endymion. My darling Serenity..."
A beautiful, sad voice came from the pillar as it coalesced into the form of a beautiful woman. They recognised the names as their true names, from a distant and sorrowful past.
"Mother," Serenity cried and went to embrace the woman.
"Queen Serenity," Endymion spoke softly.
"My children. I never thought to see you here so soon. Your time was too brief, your lives cut short beforetime. Pluto has agreed...she has agreed to send you back to your time..." Queen Serenity looked at them with sorrow in her eyes.
"You were brought to this time to meet and fall in love, to fulfill your destinies that were so brutally interrupted during the Silver Millenium. May you be happy and carry my love with you always."
Her voice and image faded out.
Walking down the main street on his way to the bookshop, Darien heard a familiar voice.
"Wait up, Lita, I'm on the way," he heard Serena call from the other side of the street.
"Serena, be careful, there's a car coming," he called to her.
Serena stopped short of the roadway. A car zoomed past, causing her hair to fly into her face.
"Whoa, that was sure close," she grinned as she crossed the street safely.
"Thanks Darien," she said.
"Don't mention it," he replied. "I would hate to have to scrape you off the street," he teased her unmercifully.
She made a face at him and grabbed Lita's arm.
"Let's get rid of this jerk and go play some video games at the arcade. I betcha Andrew would give us a free sundae if we asked him nicely," she enthused.
Darien stared after the two girls. He shook his head. He felt strange, like this had happened before, but with a different outcome.
"Oh well," he said to himself.
Strange things happened to him every day. Why should this one be any different? At least he'd seen that funny girl Serena again. He continued walking towards the bookshop. Another day of the same old, same old with that Meatball Head, Serena. He shrugged, smiled to himself, and walked on......
THE END