Hey everyone! Well here's the fourth 
part and hopefully someone is reading 
this! A special shoutout to my dear
mailing list group who's support is 
what keeps me up. Also to Meriellen5 
who has been like the sister I always
wanted much to love to you! Imma keep 
this short and sweet so here goes.

I don't own Sailormoon. A Fact.

PG-13= The Rating!!!

<>=thinking


Maybe it's intuition but some things you just don't question
Like in your eyes, I see my future in an instant
And there it goes, I think I found my best friend
I know that it might sound more than 
a little crazy but I believe...

I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life

There's just no rhyme or reason
Only the sense of completion
And in your eyes, I see the 
missing pieces I'm searching for
I think I've found my way home
I know that it might sound more 
than a little crazy but I believe...

I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life

A thousand angels dance around you
I am complete now that I've found you

I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life
			-Savage Garden

LESSONS TO LEARN
BY:JLALA (JLynpinay@aol.com)
Part Four: The Unforgettable Present or Mina's meaning of FUN
~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~
"Now Serena you just don't toss it, you have to AIM and drop", Mina
instructed as she held a water balloon in her hand. The others watched
in anticipation as Mina grasp the balloon. "Now watch me" Slowly she
stuck her hand out and quickly let go of the balloon. *SPLASH* They
all heard the balloon break. Right on a man's head.
"DAMNIT! I'LL GET YOU ROTTEN KIDS!" He yelled and shook his fist at 
them. Everyone tried to hide but the sound of their laughter carried
into the apartment where Darien sat on the sofa flipping through the
magazine. Sighing he got up and walked to the balcony.
"Again?" he asked Mina and shook his head. Somebody had to be the 
responsible one. "Okay everyone INSIDE" 
"Yes DAD", Mina responded as she walked in. Serena giggled at her 
joke and Mina saw that Darien was blushing. There was definitely 
something between them. A spark. It had almost been weeks and yet
nothing had happened. She knew that if it was HER in this situation 
she would've had it in the bag by now. But well Serena and Darien 
had to be the most slowest flirters in the world. Okay maybe she was 
overexaggerating a bit. She would somehow get them together. She 
just needed a plan...
"You know what Darien? Me and Andrew have a date. So we're gonna get 
going" She said and grabbed her boyfriend from his seat.
"We have a date?" He asked perplexed. "OUCH!" Mina had just pinched
him in the arm.
"YES we do", she answered back with a false grin on her face. 
Grimacing in pain Andrew got up. Raye saw what Mina was doing and 
followed her lead.
"Yeah so do me and Chad", Raye added with her own fake smile plastered
on her face. She couldn't believe she was doing this...
"WE DO!" Chad exclaimed and got up to take Raye's hand. She grimaced
though she hated to admit she liked it. Looking up at the ceiling Chad
grinned. "Thank you God!"
"You know what? I'm gonna cook you dinner Ken so we better go to my 
house and get started", Lita said also rushing to get up. 
"We have a date too", Ami said quietly as Greg put an arm around her. 
They just happened to be the only ones who weren't lying.
"Well maybe I should go too", Serena said quickly. "I-"
"NO", Mina said firmly but then smiled at her. "Don't let us interupt 
the fun" Quickly everyone left before another word could be said.
"BUT-" *SLAM! * The door had closed quickly in her face. Oh God. She 
was alone in a room with a boy. A cute one. Slowly she turned to see 
Darien staring at her. Did she look that scared?
"So..." he drawled.

Silence.

What was he supposed to say? There she was. The most beautiful girl 
in the world and there he was standing like the biggest doof in the 
world. Was there such a word as doof? If not he had just invented it 
for this very situation.
"Listen Serena. You don't have to stay-", he said to her sincerely.
"NO", she interjected and quietly put her hand on his shoulder.
Looking up at him with her cornflower blue eyes she smiled. And
then he was HOOKED. "I'm sorry. Actually I WANT to stay"
"So what should we do?"He asked with a smile. Could any smile be
that enchanting? Serena couldn't help but wonder. There was just 
something about him. She didn't know what it was but it frightened 
and enthralled her at the same time.
"I have an idea", she said with wicked grin on her face. Taking
his hand in hers she led him out of his apartment and up to the stairs
until they reached a door. Opening they walked onto the roof. Above
them the sky sparkled with billions of stars each twinkling their own
little song. Laying on their backs with their arms behind their
heads they looked up viewing the magnificent sight above them. At the
moment it seemed like they were the only two people in the world.
Serena sat up and Darien looked at her delicate profile. God she was
beautiful.
"Serena why are your eyes so sad?" he asked suddenly. She turned to
look at him her blue eyes small.
"Why are YOUR eyes sad?"Serena responded.
"Cause I'm alone", Darien answered quietly and she took his hand. He 
squeezed her hand back in silence. Looking into his eyes she almost 
saw herself in them.
"No you're not alone", she whispered in a choked voice. Looking up 
again she glanced at the stars. "I wish I could hold a star in the 
palm of my hand"
"You will", he assured her and grinned. Serena turned to him and 
grinned back.
************************************************************************
"This is all YOUR fault. Did you actually think that shopping with 
MINA would accomplish anything? I of all people know that", Andrew 
grumbled to his friend as they sat in what had to be the girliest 
store on earth. Cotton candy pink. EVERYWHERE. 
"I needed help finding Serena a present", Darien explained. "How was 
I to know that if you set Mina in a store like this she'd go wild. You
as her boyfriend SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME THAT!"
"And the stupidest thing of all is that you gave her your CREDIT 
CARD!" Andrew responded. Mina then appeared in front of them and in 
her hands were nevertheless dozens of shopping bags. "Dear God please 
tell me you're done"
"Yes I am done", she responded with an indignant look. "By the way I 
owe a hundred dollars Darien" She turned quickly before she could see 
Darien's jaw drop. 
"YOU WHAT?!", He yelled. A hundred dollars? Was she out of her mind?!
"You wanted Serena to look good for her birthday right?", Mina said.
"It just happens that these days looking good just happens to cost
about a hundred dollars"
"Actually Mina, this says her dress cost only TWENTY FIVE 
DOLLARS", Andrew said pointedly. Mina's eyes flashed and Andrew 
knew he was in trouble. BIG trouble.
"One word Andrew. RUN." She said.
************************************************************************
The sun was setting painting the sky with the soft colors of pink, 
yellow and orange. Raye and Chad walked along the park admiring the
majestic beauty. For once they were silent, both contemplating what
was going on.
"Do you think that Mina is crazy? She is so determined to get those 
two together", Raye ask suddenly. She knew that her friend intentions 
were good but sometimes she felt Mina was overdoing it. Raye truly 
believed that yes, Darien and Serena were destined to be together. 
There was something about them when they were together. A feeling of 
completion, belonging.
"Those two belong together, even if Mina didn't put together they'd 
find their way to each other. I know it", he said vehemently. Chad 
didn't know that he could be so passionate about something. Maybe it 
was the park or the sunset was creating the atmosphere. Or maybe 
it was just being with Raye. "They're like us, you know" He blushed 
as he looked at his feet.
"Us?"Raye said in a pained voice. "There is no us" The words stung 
him. He looked up at her dark eyes and took her hand.
"Listen Raye, I love you and if you don't love me you should just 
have to tell me-", he began.
"Chad", she interrupted
"I know I'm not that handsome or smart or even that popular-"
"Chad", Raye said.
"But Raye, I've never felt this way about anyone, but you-"
"Chad", she tried one last time.
"Yeah?"He answered.
"I love you too" she said and squeezed his hand. As the last light of 
day drew to a closed, Raye kissed Chad for the first time.
**********************************************************************
"I don't know about this Lita, aren't these shoes kind 
of...HIGH", Serena said as she inspected the black platforms in her 
hands.
"Not at all", Lita said as she undid Serena's buns. Down came a 
shimmer of spun gold that curled at the ends. Never had she seen such 
beautiful hair. She was speechless.
"Lita, can I ask you a question?"Serena said shyly. Lita smiled 
letting her know that she was welcome to ask anything. "What exactly 
is going on with you and Ken?"
"I don't know Serena. But well I guess I would like something to 
happen", Lita said as she concentrated on combing Serena's hair. "We've
been friends for so long, I don't know if he'd ever think of me that
way. He was always my rainy day man"
"He LOVES you. I know it."Serena whispered and smiled at her from the
mirror. The door opened and in came Raye, Mina and Ami. She grinned
and saw that in Mina's hands was a black dress with roses on it. 
"Is that Serena?"Mina asked with a smile as she looked at her friend
in the mirror. Her reflection showed an enchanting young woman with long
honey gold hair and for once the sadness in Serena's eyes had diminished
replaced with a happy glow. She was completely transformed. "You 
look...gorgeous"
"Thanks", Serena said.
"Now Serena have you ever worn makeup?"Mina asked and Serena raised her
eyebrows.
"No... but I guess you could put SOME on me", Serena said worriedly. 
She was starting to get that scared feeling again. That one she had 
before Mina took her on that roller coaster. In fact she was starting 
to feel a bit queasy...
"Don't worry, I'll just put a very SMALL amount on you. You don't 
need that much makeup", she said. Taking her purse she unzipped it 
and dumped an out a somewhat LARGE amount of makeup products. Their 
jaws dropped.
"Yeah that's a small amount. For about a HUNDRED people!"Raye said
scoldingly. 
"I'm not going to use all of it!"Mina responded. Carefully she put a
bit of makeup on her friend and then stood back to admire her work.
She gazed at her friend's reflection. "You're beautiful" 
"Serena I think its time to put on your dress", Ami said and led
Serena into the other room. They all agreed that everything was perfect.
Well not that perfect...
"I think we have a problem", Ami said from the other room. Gathering in
the other room they saw that Ami was struggling to get Serena's zipper
up. "You have to have to let this fit! SUCK IT IN!"
"I'M TRYING! I just don't think that squeezing my ribs out is gonna 
HELP!"Serena responded.
"I THOUGHT YOU SAID YOU KNEW HOW TO READ SIZES!"Raye said angrily
as she glared at Mina.
"IT'S NOT MY FAULT THAT HER CHEST IS TOO BIG!"Mina yelled back and
then saw that Serena blush red with embarrassment. "Did I say that
too loud?" Walking over to her friend she struggled to pull the zipper.
"Come on girl. You gotta look good."
"I'm trying, it's just too small", Serena said her face flushed.
"No it's not" Lita said and examined the dress. Looking at it 
carefully she saw that the zipper was caught on something. After 
pulling the stuck part out she zipped it up easily. "You guys might 
wanna check for that next time" She smiled smugly at them as they 
glared. Everyone looked at  Serena and their eyes filled with happy 
tears.
"She's all grown up", Mina said tearfully in a mock motherly way. 
Everyone turned to look at her. She stared back. "WHAT?!" They began 
cracking up. Mina always knew how to break the ice. Putting a hand on 
Serena's shoulder she smiled at her. "Let the fun begin"
***********************************************************************
Darien paced around his apartment frantically. The girls were gonna drop
Serena off claiming that they had to pick up her gift. He was going to 
be the one to bring her over to her present. Did he look okay? Glancing
at himself in the mirror he made sure that his white button dress shirt
and black pants weren't wrinkle. He patted his black hair in place and
made sure his shoes were shined. Usually dressing up wasn't his thing
but at the moment his top priority was looking good for Serena. Most
of all was the gift he was giving her okay? The doorbell rang and he
nearly jumped out of his skin.
"COME IN!"He yelled from his room. He heard the door open and close
softly.
"Darien?"Serena called in her soft voice. Taking a deep breath Darien
walked out of his room but stopped and lean against the doorway going
into the living room. Serena suddenly turned his way and he gasped.
"Serena..."he said breathlessly. Looking at him with her soft blue
eyes she smiled softly with her shiny pink lips. Her hair was down
in a halo of gold that fell into soft curls and Darien longed to
just bury his face in her hair, forgetting the world or anything
around him. Wearing a short black dress with red roses on it her
curves accented beautifully and her legs seemed even longer with black 
platforms she had on her dainty feet. "God you look...absolutely 
breathtaking"
"I guess all Mina's work didn't go in vain", she replied and walked up
to him. "Are you all right? You look sick"
"I-I'm alright" he said and took her hand. "Happy Birthday Serena"
Their eyes met and a tingle went through Serena and she had the sudden
urge to almost...kiss him. She looked down. No she wouldn't...she 
couldn't. Darien took out a rose from a table nearby and shyly handed 
it to her. "For you"
"Thanks", she said quietly. "We better get going. The girls said to be 
at wherever you bringing me before eight o'clock" He held his arm out 
and she took it. As they walked into the elevator they couldn't help 
but gaze at each other. Darien prayed he'd make it through the night. 
God was about to put him to the test.

Suddenly the elevator stopped and the lights went out.

Darkness.

"Oh no", Serena said and felt Darien's arm around her protectively. 
She felt warm. The emergency elevator lights went on. "What's 
happening?"
"Electricity went out" he said and started pounding on the door. 
"HELLO!"
"I guess we're gonna have wait it out", Serena said softly. Oh God she
hoped she wouldn't start hyperventilating. Was it getting hot in here?
They were stuck. In an elevator. TOGETHER. Taking one wary look at each
other they ran to the door. Pounding against the door they struggled
to be heard.
"HELPPPPPPP!"
They sat on the floor panting. They just had to keep calm and eventually
someone would find them. What would happen between then and now they 
didn't know.
*********************************************************************
Raye looked at her watch for one might have been her one-millionth time.
Chad walking up to his girlfriend and put a concerned arm around her.
"They're late", she said to him. What could been taking so long? "I'm 
worried" This wasn't like Serena or Darien. They were both usually 
punctual people and the first time she asks them to be early they're
LATE. He held her tighter knowing that the tension was getting to her.
He had his doubts when they decided to do this but his girlfriend 
never turned down a challenge.
"Honey, Darien is probably taking his time thinking that we needed 
more time getting ready", he reasoned. "Something must have happened
that's keeping them busy"
"Or maybe they're just getting busy", Mina said with a wicked grin 
as stood next to them. "If they wanna make out for awhile I'm fine 
with it. In fact I say it's about time"
"Be realistic Mina", Andrew said joining them. "This is DARIEN we're 
talking bout. The guy is a babbling idiot around her" By this time
the rest of the gang had joined them.
"But well they're alone TOGETHER and you know a little 
somethin', somethin' might happen",Ken said with his arm around 
Lita's waist.
"The point is everybody we should go look for them", Greg pointed out.
"Mina, Raye, Chad and Andrew go to Darien's apartment. The rest of us
will stay and wait for them in case"
"Okay let's get this show on the road", Raye said rushing out.
************************************************************************
"What is taking so long?"Serena said almost in tears. Darien hated 
to see her so scared and comfortingly he put an arm around her. 
"Don't worry about it, we've only been here for half an hour", He said
which did make her cry. Wrong move. "I'm sorry"
"It's alright I just get like this sometimes", she said and wiped her 
eyes. "I've probably messed up my makeup" She laughed and looked up
into his serious eyes. Her smile faded into a longing look which she
tried to hide by looking down.
"It's okay, you're even more beautiful without it", he said as he 
lifted her chin. He could have kissed her now. She was scared though 
and  it would be wrong to take advantage like that. Instead he took out 
a small wrapped package. "Happy Birthday" Looking up she gently took 
the package and put it in her palm. As she unwrapped it Serena revealed
a little golden star locket.
"Ohhh", she breathed. "It's beautiful" Opening it a soft melody began 
to dance in the air and to his surprise her eyes filled with tears. 
"Why?"
"You told me once that you wanted to hold a star in the palm of your 
hand", he said and the tears fell from her eyes as she smiled. Standing
up he held out his hand. "As long as you're in a good mood. May I have 
this dance?" Serena nodded and standing up they began to dance around 
the small elevator. The world disappeared and all they saw was each 
other. The love they had was evident and though no words were said
it was something that was just clearly understood. This was the moment
and both knew it. They lips began to meet and for once Serena welcomed
it...
*********************************************************************
Rushing into the apartment the four saw that a crowd had formed near
an elevator door.
"What's going on?"Raye asked and pushed her way through the crowd.
"The damn elevator is stuck!"Someone said. "My children are upstairs
and I need to get up there soon!" A obviously drunken repairman stood 
near the electrical box trying to figure out how to work it. Andrew 
rushed over and move the guy out of the way. Everyone waited in 
anticipation. Within minutes they heard the familiar ding of the 
elevator.
"Next time lay off the drinks sir", Andrew said as he waited for the 
door open. 
"You did it!"Mina exclaimed throwing her arms around his neck and 
kissing him on the cheek. Smiling she watched the door opened and
to her surprise there stood Darien and Serena in mid-kiss.
"HOLY MOLY!"Someone yelled from the crowd and she groaned as the two
quickly drew apart. She could just kill whoever said that... The couple
were needless to say VERY embarrass. And once again Darien had been 
cheated out of a kiss. But to him a kiss from Serena was worth the 
wait.
"Why didn't you just let the guy try to fix the elevator?"Mina asked 
her boyfriend not rewarding him for fixing the elevator but PUNISHING 
him. She slugged him on the arm and he winced. He never thought it 
would hurt that much.
"I think we better go now", Darien said as he put an around Serena 
ignoring that "Way to go buddy!"'s coming from the crowd.
"Well this isn't the last surprise of the night", Mina said exasperated 
as she followed them.
***********************************************************************
The ride in the car was awkward. Not just weird. But just plain AWKWARD.
Serena stared as Darien's dark profile and felt the warmth as he held
her close. Would it last? Did she want it to? Their eyes met and he 
touched her lips with his fingers. She smiled and closed her eyes 
letting the feeling in.
"Hey none of that in my car", Andrew said chastising them with a grin.
He had to admit they were a CUTE couple. Not as cute as him and Mina
though. Andrew parked the car and as he and Mina out of the car they
walked to the sidewalk. It wasn't until halfway up the stairs did
they noticed that the two were not behind them. They were still in
the car.
"Should I go get Twiddle Dum and Twiddle Dee?", Mina asked and ran down
the stairs. The heat between Serena and Darien was rising and somehow
Andrew prayed they'd survived through the night.
***********************************************************************
"What are we doing here?"Serena asked as they walked through the dark
dance studio.
"I think there's a light around here", Darien said and suddenly he 
switched the light on.
"SURPRISE!"The crowd yelled. Serena covered her mouth to suppress her
happy sobs. In the crowd she saw her Mom and Dad waving at her as Sammy
held a bouquet of flowers for her. Lita and Ken were holding her huge
chocolate cake with white frosting, the message "Happy Birthday Serena"
in delicate calligraphy. Ami and Greg stood by the pile of gifts making
sure no one took anything while the rest of them smiled at her. People
from the dance studio had come even Miss Yoshio who grinned proudly.
"Happy Sweet Sixteen", Darien whispered in her ear. Serena was grinning
so hard tears fell from eyes. Only now did she feel loved and every
bad thing that was ever done to her was forgotten for that one moment
in time. She hadn't noticed that they were singing to her until Darien
told her to blow the candles. Serena looked up at everyone not 
believing that all these people did this. For her.
"Thank you", she whispered with tears in her eyes. Blowing the 
candles out she didn't make a wish. There was no need.
************************************************************************
Looking out the window Serena sighed sadly. The week had passed quickly
but today was different, it had began to rain and the clouds were 
thunderous foretelling bad omens. 
"What's going on?", Darien said as he walked in slowly. "Why did you 
call?" She turned and he saw the sadness on her face. "Serena, what's
wrong?" Without a word she rushed into his arms and he enclosed her in
them tightly. Pulling herself away she looked into his eyes and 
encircling an arm around his neck she pulled him down and kissed him. 
It was only now that she knew what she had been missing. It was him. 
He was what she dreamed off.
"I love you", she whispered into his ear. It was so soft that he 
barely heard. He did however and he knew he'd never forget this 
moment. She was what he had been waiting for. They held each other 
forgetting the world.
"Am I interrupting something?" Someone said behind Serena's back. She 
froze and turned to see a sandy haired teenage boy with a cruel smile 
on his face. Darien looked at him with wonder. Who was he? And why did 
Serena look like she was about to pass out?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sorry this is a little boring and I hate myself for it. E-mail meeh
to complain. Stay tuned for Part Five: The Past Catches Up, Serena's 
Story

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