A Love Not Lost
Julia and Usagi-chan
Turtle-psycho@home.com
or
Usagi@lunap.com
We don't own Sailor. We would like to though...
~~~
Darien awoke with a feeling of slight urgency. Something was pulling on his
mind, willing him to remember... He sat up in his narrow bed and glanced at
the clock. It read ten thirty five. He must have fallen asleep again...
Darien swung his jean clad legs over the side of his bed, trying to
remember something... He wasn't sure what...
Sighing deeply, he stood up and stretched. Running a hand threw his hair he
headed towards his bedroom door.
Moonlight flooded his spacious apartment as he stepped on the thick carpet.
The blinds that covered the balcony doors were open and he could see the
lights of all the buildings in Tokyo still on. They shut off around
midnight. A fact he knew well, being Tuxedo Mask.
Darien thought back to the previous events. The Sailor Scouts had fought
Beryl, and defeated her. Serena, his darling Serena, had destroyed the
Dark Kingdom and they were free. At least for a while.
The cool night wind hit his face as he slid open the balcony doors. Darien
welcomed the sweet night air. Never again would he take anything for
granted. He knew death, and everything it meant now. Thanks to his beloved
Serena, he got a second chance. A chance he wouldn't waste.
The moonlight commanded attention against the dark night sky. Even the
twinkling stars seemed pale next to it's magnificent light. He stared up
at what had once been his true love's home.
Taking a final breath of the fresh night air, Darien turned back inside and
retired for the night.
~~
The next day, the girls went to school as usual. Mina, Lita, and Amy were
walking down the halls when a familiar voice called out behind them. "Hi
guys!" The girls turned to see Serena running towards them.
Serena caught up to the girls. "I was looking for you guys. What is it? Are
you avoiding me or something?" Serena asked jokingly.
Mina smiled. "Of course not silly! We just didn't see you. You usually aren't
at school this early."
Serena laughed. "You're right. I'm usually not. But I've turned over a new
leaf! From now on, your going to see a whole new Serena!"
"So what triggered this decision?" Amy asked. Serena turned to face Amy as
she was walking.
"Well, I had this weird dream last night. I dreamt that my cat was
yelling at me to straighten up my life. It was really freaky. I decided that
even though it was only a dream, it couldn't hurt for me to improve my life
style a bit, or at least show up at school on time for once."
"Haha, talking cats. Yeah, like that could happen.." Mina laughed nervously.
The bell rang and Serena ran off to her class. Lita, Mina, and Amy stood in
the hall, stunned.
"She doesn't remember anything," Lita pointed out sadly.
"I'm afraid she doesn't. We should probably talk to Luna about this.
I wonder how Darien's going to take the news.." Amy's voice trailed off.
"Can't we just tell her everything and she can remember that way?" Mina asked.
Amy shook her head. "The memories wouldn't be real that way. She needs to find
out on her own. The best thing we can do now is just be her friends and act
normal. No Sailor talk in front of Serena."
The girls nodded their heads sadly. The second bell rang and they realized they
were the only ones in the other wise empty halls. Faster than the speed of
light, they all ran to their classes.
~~
It was that night that Lita, Mina, Raye and Amy gathered around a table
in the arcade. Raye still didn't know about Serena, and her lack of memories.
"We're going to tell you straight Raye." Lita began. Her serious green eyes
flooded Raye with worry. Raye's sharp violet eyes flash from Lita, to Mina
to Amy, then back to Lita.
"Raye, Serena has no recollection of anything to do with being a scout." Lita told
her.
"What do you mean?" Raye asked, concern filling her voice.
"She just doesn't remember. She doesn't know that Luna talks, that she's
Sailormoon or anything, for that matter." Mina replied.
"I think we're lucky she remembers us at all!" Amy chimed in.
"Does Darien know?" Raye asked, looking at the table top.
"No." Mina shook her head. "We don't know how to tell him."
"Maybe..." Raye paused. "Maybe he should find out on his own." She suggested.
"What do you mean?" Amy asked sharply.
"What I mean, is that if someone told me my soulmate didn't remember me, I
don't know if I would believe them. I would have to see it first hand."
Raye replied, then shrugged.
"I agree." Lita said, surprising Raye. "This is something Darien needs to
learn on his own...."
~~
Serena was wandering along the bridge in the park. She stopped and looked
over the railing into the water. She could see the moon reflecting on the
surface, and she felt captivated by it's beauty.
A light breeze flew around her and blew through her light pink pants. She
hadn't anticipated on the night temperature when she had dressed for her walk.
Serena glanced at her watch and saw that it was rather late. She knew her
parents would get worried soon, but she felt compelled to stay. Sighing,
Serena sat down and let her feet dangle above the water.
"What are you doing out so late?" A voice asked quietly, near her ear.
Serena jumped, almost falling into the water, but strong arms were around
her.
"Darien!" She exclaimed, looking up at him. Darien smiled down at her, his
gaze full of love.
"Who else?" He chuckled at her expression of surprise. Serena bit her lip
in confusion. "What wrong?"
"What are you doing?" She asked in response. Serena stood up, pulling
away from him. Immediately he missed her warmth, but knew something
was definately wrong.
"What do you mean, Serena?" Darien asked.
"You should know very well what I mean Darien! We're enemies! And why
are you all of a sudden calling me Serena? What, no Meatball head?!"
Serena said defensively.
Pain sturck Darien's eyes. His true love didn't remember the love they
shared. Darien seached to find words to explain, but the feeling in his
heart prevented him from saying anything at all.
Serena eyed Darien carefully. "Are you feeling okay?"
Darien nodded and turned his back on Serena. "Yeah, I'm fine
Meatball head! See ya around." Darien walked away, using all his strength
not to reveal his sadness in front of Serena.
Serena watched as Darien left. She was completely bewildered by his
actions. "He just keeps getting weirder," she commented to herself.
After going home, doing homework, and showering, Serena was ready for
bed. She turned out the lights and snuggled under the covers of her bed.
Serena scratched Luna's head and smiled as she closed her eyes.
"Good night, Serena."
~~
The next morning Serena dashed out of her house towards school. It
was Friday, and she was grateful the weekend was soon. Serena
couldn't understand why everyone was being so strange. First the
girls, then Darien. Shaking her head, Serena rounded the corner
and crashed right into someone.
"Oof!" Serena fell backwards. Papers and books flew up and landed
around her. "I'm so sorry!" Serena exclaimed. She looked up to
see that it was Darien she had crashed into. Serena noticed that he
looked oddly sad. There was an almost haunted look in his deep
blue eyes.
"Don't worry about it, Serena." Darien told her, gathering his books
he stood up and offered her his hand. Looking at him strangely,
Serena accepted his hand and allowed him to pull her to her feet.
"Thanks, Darien. Are you okay?" She asked, peering up at him.
"Yeah, Serena... I'm okay..." The sadness in his tone was unmistakable.
Serena was concerned, although she wasn't sure why.
"If your sure..." She let her voice trail off, and Darien nodded. Serena
shrugged and continued on her way to school. Darien still managed to
monopolize her thoughts.
When she reached the school, she saw Amy sitting on the school steps
reading a book. Serena sat next to her friend and smiled.
"Hey Ames."
"Oh hi Serena! How are you?" Amy asked, closing her book.
"I'm kinda worried, Amy. I ran into Darien on the way to school, and he
seemed so upset. I wonder why..."
"I know." Amy replied. "He was in love... He is in love with a girl, and
she doesn't remember him."
"What do you mean?" Serena asked.
"He loves this girl, more than life itself. It's a love that runs deeper
than anything, that not even death can end, but she forgot." Amy replied.
"How can anyone just forget?" Serena asked.
Amy was struggling with what to tell Serena. She looked to Serena, and
then down at the book resting in her lap.
"Serena.." she paused, "that girl is-"
The bell rang.
"I'm sorry Serena. I shouldn't have said anything. I have to go." Amy grabbed
her book and her bag and left a bewildered Serena sitting on the steps.
~~
All through school Serena kept remembering what Amy had told her.
"I wonder who she was talking about. How could any one have ever loved Darien?!"
Mina and Lita walked up behind Serena.
"Talking to yourself again?" Lita giggled. Serena, startled, dropped her folder.
"Don't sneak up on me like that!" She glared at Mina, and then Lita, but her
glare softened as she smiled. "You know how jumpy I can get when I think
about things.."
Lita and Mina laughed.
"That's the point silly! Now what was it that you were thinking about?"
"Oh nothing really. Amy just told me why Darien seemed a little
depressed lately. She said he is in love with this girl, but she doesn't
remember," Serena replied nonchalantly.
Mina gave Lita a nervous stare. Serena stopped walking.
"Do either of you know who she could be talking about?"
"Uh, no.. We don't know. But we have noticed how upset Darien has been
lately." Lita said as she nudged Mina's side.
"Oh yeah. He has been really bummed. We should all try to be really nice
to him."
Serena made a face.
"Be nice to that jerk?!"
"Serena, come on. He's really heartbroken and it would cheer him up if
you could be a little nicer to him." Lita reasoned. Serena gave in and
sighed.
"Fine. I will be nicer to Darien."
Mina and Lita smiled secretly to one another. They had an idea.
"I'll catch you guys later. I'm going to hang out at the arcade and see
if Andrew is around." Serena ran off, leaving Mina and Lita to their plotting.
~~
When Serena entered the arcade, she saw Andrew behind the counter, wiping it
down with a red cloth. She was about to head over to him, when her gaze fell
on a dark haired man sitting in one of the booths, sipping a coffee dejectedly.
Serena remembered what Mina and Lita had said about being nice to Darien. She
headed over to Andrew.
"Hey. Can I have a triple chocolate fudge banana split please?"
"Sure thing Serena." Andrew turned around and prepared the ice cream for Serena.
"Here ya go!"
"Could I have two spoons please?" Serena asked. Andrew gave her an odd look, but
handed her the second spoon. Serena smiled her thanks before picking up the
sundae and heading towards Darien. She set the ice cream down on the table and
slid into the booth across from him.
"Hey Darien. I bought this sundae, and thought you might like some too." She told
him, offering him one of the two spoons.
When Darien had heard her voice, his head shot up. She was being sweet, not
as lovestruck as she was before, but not mean, either.
'If this is the best I can get from her...' Darien accepted the spoon with a
slight smile. "Thanks, Serena."
Serena just smiled in response and dug in. She was happily eating, when she
noticed that Darien was barely touching it. He seemed to be gazing at her, and
Serena wondered if she had ice cream on her face.
"Oh! Don't tell me I have ice cream all over my face!" She exclaimed and
grabbed a napkin. Darien reached across the table and stopped her from wiping
her face with the napkin.
"No, your face is fine." He grinned slightly, at his word choice. 'Of course
she's fine! She's Serena... My darling Serena...'
"What's wrong, Darien?" Serena asked, concerned at his spacey expression. "I
mean, Amy told me your girlfriend forgot about you... I don't understand it
though."
Darien looked at her sharply.
"What exactly did Amy tell you?"
"Uhmm... Just that you loved her a lot, and now she's forgotten." Serena told him.
Darien sighed.
"Yeah, she forgot..."
"That's so awful! I mean, if you really love someone, and they love you, how
could you forget?"
"It wasn't her fault Serena. She didn't mean to. She doesn't even know she's
forgotten anything." Darien ran a hand through his hair. His deep midnight
eyes were so sad, and it made Serena want to cry. Whoever this girl was, she
probably didn't even deserve a great guy like Darien.
"Don't worry Darien. I'm sure that she will remember soon and realize
what a terrific guy you are, and how terrible it was for her to forget."
Serena scooted and sat next to Darien as she placed a comforting hand on
his shoulder. Darien sighed.
"I hope you're right, Serena."
Serena smiled and Darien's worries seemed to fade.
"I had a nice time eating the Sundae with you Darien. Maybe we can do it
again sometime." Serena grabbed her backpack and got up. "I'll see ya
later."
Serena gave Darien a quick kiss on the cheek before going outthe door.
Darien sat alone in the booth.
"Maybe things will work out sooner than I thought.."
Mina and Lita rushed in and sat where Serena had been sitting.
"Darien, we have a plan. Mina and I came up with a way to help Serena
remember. Here's what we want you to do."
Mina and Lita whispered instructions into Darien's ear. He smiled and
nodded.
"I hope this works!"
Darien left a tip for Andrew on the table and he grabbed his jacket as
he headed out the door.
Mina and Lita smiled as they each picked up a spoon to finish off the
ice cream Sundae.
"Our plan is in motion." Mina smiled as she gave Lita a high five.
~~
That night, Lita, Mina, Amy, and Raye picked up Serena for a girl's
night out. They watched movie's at Mina's, ate dessert at Lita's, told
stories at Amy's, played games at Raye's, and were on their way back to
Serena's to stay up all night gossiping.
As the girls entered Serena's house, Serena noticed a bouquet of red
roses sitting on a table.
"I wonder who these are from..." Serena picked up the roses and read the
note aloud:
"Dear Serena,
I think you are amazing. You're beautiful, you're talented, and you
have captured my heart. These roses are a gift from me to you.
With love,
Your Secret Admirer."
Serena sighed dreamily as she read the note. "How sweet is that?! I have
a secret admirer."
Mina and Lita smiled inwardly.
"Part 1 of our plan is complete." Mina whispered. Raye and Amy smiled as
they caught on. Serena stared at the roses, oblivious to the master plan
that was already in motion.
~~
Upstairs, the girls were dressed in their PJ's and sitting on top of
their sleeping bags.
"Okay Amy it's your turn!" Lita said. Amy looked at Lita with concern and
fear. She looked from Lita, to theb other girls. Their eyes were wide with
excitement. Finally, she looked back to Lita. Taking in a deep breath, she said,
"I'll be brave. I'm going with Dare."
The girls giggled and squealed as Raye whispered something into Lita's
ear. Lita burst out laughing as she nodded her head.
"Good one Raye!"
~~
Each girl had their turn to be embarrassed. Except Serena. Serena sat on
her bed, clutching her knees as she was trying to decide which to
choose.
"I'll go with truth."
The girls moaned in disappointment.
"Fine! I'll take Dare! Happy now?" she asked in a nervous voice. Mina laughed
in an evil way.
"I have the perfect dare for you! Okay Serena, I dare you, to go on a date with
Darien tomorrow night. Dinner, a movie, and a kiss at the end!"The girls giggled
and nodded in agreement. Serena looked mortified.
"NO, that's too mean!"
"Come on Serena, how is that mean? Darien is upset about his girlfriend,
and he could probably use a date to cheer him up. You'd be doing a
charitable thing," Raye convinced her.
"Fine," Serena sighed in defeat. "I will go on a date tomorrow with Darien."
The girls squealed with delight. Lita looked to Mina with an evil grin.
"Part 2, complete."
~~
"Uhmm... Darien?" Serena asked nervously. She lipped into the seat across
from Darien.
"Yeah?" He asked, looking up at her.
"I was wondering if you wanted to have dinner tonight? And maybe catch a movie?
I mean, 'cause your so upset and stuff... I thought if might cheer you up."
Serena stared at her hands as she spoke.
"Alright Serena." Darien smiled at her. He was hoping that if they spent time
together, Serena would remember, or maybe just love him again.
"Okay, great." Serena smiled at him.
"I'll pick you up around seven then?" Darien asked.
"Sure! See ya then! Bye Darien!" Serena stood up and left the arcade.
~~
It was exactly seven o'clock when Darien rang the doorbell. Serena opened
the door and smiled at him.
"Bye Mom! Bye Dad!" She shut the door quickly and stepped outside.
"You look dazzling." Darien told her, kissing her gently on the cheek.
"Thanks." She told him, a slight blush staining her cheeks. "So where are
we going?"
Darien laughed.
"You asked me. Where would you like to go?"
"Uhmm..." Serena thought for a minute. "How about Moon Cafe?"
Darien froze. That was where he and Serena always used to go before... It
was *they're* restaurant.
"Is something wrong Darien?" Serena asked, concern apparent in her voice. When
she go no answer, she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Darien?"
Darien snapped back to reality.
"Oh yeah, I'm fine. It's just that.. Well that is the place my
girlfriend and I always go.. or I guess went to.." Darien sighed at the
memory.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know. Do you want to go somewhere else then?"
Serena asked, not wanting Darien to be sad about his girlfriend.
Darien smiled down at Serena.
"No, I'm fine, really. We can go to the Moon Cafe."
~~
Darien pulled up to the entrance of the restaurant and helped Serena out
of the car. He tossed the keys to one of the vallet workers.
Serena took Darien's arm as the two of them walked into the restaurant.
"Ah, Mr. Shields, Ms. Moon. Welcome. Will you be sitting at the usual
table?" the host asked.
"What's he talking about?" Serena asked Darien in a whisper.
"Nothing," he whispered back. In a regular voice he replied to the host,
"Yes, that would be fine thank you."
Serena gave Darien a strange look but attempted to brush it aside. A
waiter led them to a table in the back, almost secluded from the rest.
He attempted to pull out the chair for Serena, but Darien beat him to
it.
"Will you be having your regular drinks?"
"Yes, thank you." Darien replied with a smile.
Serena eyed Darien cautiously.
"Okay, this is really weird. The host knew our names, and the waiter led
us to our "usual table" and asked us if we wanted our "regular drinks."
It's as if they think we come here all the time.." Serena stated in a
confused way.
Darien attempted to explain. "Well the host knew I had made reservations
for a Mr. Darien Shields, and a Ms. Serena Moon. And, like I told you,
my girlfriend and I came here a lot. We have a regular table, and
regular drinks, and a regular meal."
Serena nodded. "Oh, I get it. So the waiter thinks I am your girlfriend.
Do I look like her or something?"
"You look an awful lot like her. I look at you and miss her so much..."
Darien's voice trailed off.
Serena handed him a tissue.
"I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do to help you feel better?"
Darien smiled. "Just being near you and remembering the good times with
her is enough.."
The waiter came back with the drinks.
"What a weird coincidence! You're girlfriend and I have the same
favorite drink." Serena smiled as she began to gulp down her chocolate
milk.
Darien smiled as he watched her. 'She just doesn't remember. Oh my silly
meatball head. Serena, it's so obvious. You're my girlfriend. You're the
one who doesn't remember..'
"Would you care to dance, Serena?" Darien asked. Serena looked at him
uncertain.
"You know what a klutz I am... I don't think it's a good idea." She
replied. Darien chuckled. That's what she had said the very first time
he brought her there.
"Come on, Serena. It's not a big deal. I'll lead." Darien told her. He
stood up and offered her his arm. Serena accepted it and let Darien lead
her out to the dance floor. Slowly, they danced together. Darien held
Serena close to him, and she rested her head on his chest.
'This feels so familiar, so right...' Serena thought. 'I'm beginning to
hate that girlfriend... How could she just forget him, and hurt him
like this? Why didn't she let him go, release his heart so it would be
free for someone else? Someone like me...'
Darien gazed down at Serena and could tell something was troubling her.
He wondered what it was, but didn't feel right disturbing her and her
'quiet time'. If she remembered him, and they were still official dating,
still in love, he would have, but now...
Serena sighed softly. She was really upset with Darien's girlfriend. It
wasn't fair. It just wasn't fair!
'Whoa! Hold up girl! What's not fair?' She asked herself. 'That he has
a girlfriend, or that he doesn't love you?'
'Wait?! Why would I care if he loved me. I mean, I hate the guy! I'm only
here on a dare.'
'Are you? Then why are you looking forward to the movie?'
Serena tried to ignore that annoying little voice, but knew it was useless.
'Why am I, since your so all knowing?' She asked sarcastically.
'Because you love him, Serena. You always have, and you wish you were his
girlfriend.' The voice of reason replied. 'But you would never have
forgotten him... You love him too much to just forget.'
It was that exact moment Serena realized the voice was right. She did
love Darien. All those little arguments and fights on the street and in the
arcade were only to prolong the time she spent near him. Even going to the
arcade regularly was to see him.
"It's not fair." She mumbled.
"What's not fair?" Darien asked.
Serena could have smacked herself for saying that outloud. She glanced up
at him.
"Nothing."
The waiter came by and placed the food on the table while Serena and
Darien were dancing.
"I guess we better go eat.." Darien pulled away and began to move
towards the table. Serena pulled him back.
"The food can wait. I'm just happy dancing here with you."
"We can dance the night away if it would make you happy." Darien held
Serena in his arms as they continued to dance.
~~
After eating dinner and catching a movie, Darien took Serena home.
"I had a really great time tonight Serena. I hope we can do it again
some time." Darien leaned in and gave Serena a kiss on the cheek.
"Good night Serena."
As Darien turned to leave Serena stopped him. "Wait!"
"What is it Serena?" Darien stopped in his steps and turned to face Serena.
"I have something to tell you." Serena looked down at her feet and began
fidgeting with her hands. "I didn't really want to go out with you tonight.
I only asked you out because it was a dare given to me by Mina. But,
somewhere along the line I started having a really nice time being with you.
And I started to feel a bit jealous because you have a girlfriend.. And
that's when I realized that.. I love you Darien." Serena looked up to see
Darien smile. "So you're not mad that I only went out with you because it
was a dare?" Serena asked sheepishly.
Darien wrapped his arms around Serena and hugged her. "Serena of course
I'm not mad at you. I love you!"
Serena stared at Darien in shock. "But you have a girlfriend! It
wouldn't be right.."
Darien laughed. "Serena, you're that girl. It's you who didn't remember
us. But now that you love me again, everything is fine!"
Serena pulled away from Darien's warm embrace.
"You knew about it didn't you! The dare? I bet you were the one that
sent me the roses.. Did the girls put you up to this? Gosh I am so
stupid to not have realized this all before. This is like a big game to
you all. How could you ever really love me?"
"No, Serena it's not like that. I know the girls will never forgive me
for telling you this, but you have amnesia. You are really Sailor Moon!
Protector of the innocent, Champion of Justice! You are also the Moon
Princess. My one true love. The girls are all Sailor Scouts, and I am
Prince Darien of Earth. Also Tuxedo Mask."
Serena looked at Darien as if he were insane.
"How do you expect me to believe all this? What you are saying is crazy!
Is that why you think you love me? Because you want me to 'remember
everything' and become the Moon Princess that you really care for? Well
I'm sorry. I am no princess and if you can't except that, well that's
just tough! I can't believe I thought I loved you."
Serena opened the door and ran inside with tears streaming down her cheeks.
Darien walked slowly back to his car. He tried to start the engine and
drive away but he couldn't bring himself to leave. Tears dripped down
onto the steering wheel.
"I'm sorry Serena.. If only you could understand.."
~~
That night Serena sat on her roof, thinking.
'Darien said I'm Sailor Moon, but it can't be. Why would I have amnesia?
The girls would have said something, wouldn't they have?' She thought.
'Maybe that's why they were acting so strange... That would also explain
why they dared me to ask Darien out in the first place, but... No! No no
and no! I won't believe it.'
Silent tears slipped down Serena's cheeks as she continued to argue with
herself.
'It must be true then... Darien only loves me, or thinks he loves me,
because he thinks I'm some Moon Princess. Just because we were destined
in one life doesn't mean we are in the next!' Serena sighed and wiped away
her tears. 'Just because Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask are a team, doesn't
mean Serena and Darien have to be one. I mean, it's not like Darien and
I even liked each other before. Well, I guess that isn't quite true, but...
It wasn't until our pasts were revealed to us that we...'
Serena's thoughts halted.
"I remember..." She whispered. It had all come back. It was like her
intense emotions had opened some flood gate and she remembered!
Serena climbed back into her room and changed from her pajamas into a pair
of shorts and a white tank top. She smiled at Luna.
"Oh Luna! I remember! I'm going to go tell Darien." She exclaimed in a
whisper.
"Really?" Luna asked.
"Oh yes! I've missed our talks, but I have to go to Darien."
Luna nodded her understanding and watched her charge climb out the window,
and drop silently to the ground.
"Be careful." Luna whispered at Serena's retreating form.
~~
'I'm almost there.' Serena thought as she ran towards Darien's apartment
complex. 'Just cross the road.'
Serena was so focused on Darien, and getting to his apartment, that she
bolted across the street. She never noticed that dark coloured car that
was speeding along the same road. It didn't have it's lights on, and the
driver certainly wasn't watching for pedestrians at that hour.
The impact was fierce, sending Serena flying down the road. She landed
with a sickening crunch, before blackness claimed her.
~~
Darien sat in the hospital chair, staring straight ahead, but seeing nothing.
Serena was still in surgery, and the girls had not yet arrived.
Darien had felt the entire thing through the link that connected them.
He had felt her joy over remembering and had been waiting for her just
inside the lobby doors. He had felt her fear coarsing through him as
though it was his own, and then an intense flash of pain before nothing.
He had rushed to her side, and shouted for someone to call an ambulance,
Larry, the security guard in his building had.
"Excuse me, are you here with Serena?"
Darien looked up to see a nurse standing there. He nodded his head
slightly.
"Well, I suggest you get in there and make peace with her. The doctors
have finished their work, but there was little they could do. The don't
expect her to make it through the night."
"Where.. Where is she?" Darien asked.
"Room 305."
Darien stood up, not waiting for anyone else to come. If Serena was going
to die, he would be sure she wasn't alone. It was the least he could do.
Slowly Darien shoved the door open and took a step in. He paused to take in
the scene that lay before him. Serena was lying on a narrow bed, tubes and
bandages everywhere. Darien couldn't help himself. He let out a loud sob.
Serena seemed to move at the sound, her hand twitched slightly.
"Serena?" He spoke softly. His breath gently brushed against her face.
Darien saw Serena's lips move slightly. "I'm here, Serena."
Darien knew why Serena was the only one who had gotten amnesia. He had
finally realized earlier that night, after he told her. He had regretted
telling her, but he couldn't live without her. She was an addiction to him,
and one he didn't care to get rid off.
Serena had wanted a normal life. She had used the final energy of the silver
crystal to create that for herself and for the others, but they chose to
remember. They wanted to remember.
"Oh Serena... I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have told you! I should have
let you forget like you wanted! I'm so sorry!" Darien sobbed into her
sheets. He held her pale and and gently brushed it against his cheek.
Serena moaned softly, and Darien jerked his head up.
"Serena?
"Darien..." He heard her whisper, before a flatline flooded the room.
~~~
The girls ran in just as the monitor went flat. Not one of them moved.
Darien held Serena in his arms, pleading with her not to go.
"Serena! Serena don't do this! I love you. I love you more than life
itself. I always have, and always will love you for who you are. Your
fun, carefree spirit, the way you can light up a room when you smile. I
even love it when you complain! Just to hear the sound of your voice.
Serena you mean the world to me! Please, don't go."
Darien held her tightly, sobbing into the sheets.
Lita, Raye, Mina and Amy rushed to Serena's side.
"Serena please! We need you here!" Raye sobbed.
"You still have so much more to learn. You are so gifted Serena! Please,
stay!" Amy begged.
Mina and Lita were too broken up to speak. They just cried onto one
another's shoulders.
~~
Serena opened her eyes to see a room filled with white. She looked
around and saw that she was wearing a beautiful white gown. Serena heard
a voice calling to her softly.
"Serena.."
Serena whipped her head around to see her mother standing behind her.
"Oh mother! I've missed you so much."
Serena rushed to Queen Serenity and hugged her tightly. Tears fell
freely from her eyes.
"My darling Serena! I've missed you too. And I will continue to miss
you."
Serena looked up at her mother with confusion written all over her face.
"But- I don't understand. What are you talking about?"
"Serena, it's not your time yet. Too many people need you down there.
You are Sailor Moon! Protector of the innocent. And your friends need
you, they can't protect the world without your help. Most importantly,
Darien needs you..."
Serena wrapped her arms around her mother's waist even tighter.
"But I don't want to leave you mother! What will you do?"
"Serena I'll be fine! But now you must go back to your friends. I'll be
waiting for you, and watching you. You've made me so proud darling. I
will always love you no matter what."
Queen Serenity kissed her daughter's head.
"Don't forget this." Queen Serenity placed a small, shining object into
Serena's hand.
"I won't mother. Thank you for everything. I love you!"
"Good bye Serena!"
~~
"Serena, just let me have this last kiss."
Darien leaned over Serena and kissed her lips softly and sweetly. Tears
slipped down his face and onto hers.
A bright flash enveloped the room. Darien and the girls averted their
eyes until the light had dimmed. When they looked back, Serena was alive
and well.
"Serena!" the girls all cried in unison.
Mina and Lita jumped for joy, Amy and Raye wept tears of happiness, and
Darien hugged Serena for all she was worth.
"I was so afraid I'd lose you!" Darien kissed Serena again and again,
crying with joy as he did.
"You didn't think I'd leave you for good did you?" Serena smiled up at
Darien as he kissed her.
"I'm back and I'm ready for whatever challenges life has to offer. I
have the Silver Crystal in my hand, I have all my friends to help, and I
have Darien. We can take on anything the Negaverse has to throw at us. I
am Sailor Moon! Champion of Justice and I will save the world as many
times as it takes to ensure that the people I care about are happy."
A figure standing in the doorway stepped forward.
"I'm so sorry, she must have gotten brain damage from the impact of the
crash.." the nurse put a comforting hand on Lita's shoulder.
"This must be a difficult time for all of you. Now is when she needs you
the most." The nurse patted Lita's shoulder and Lita smiled to her.
"Thank you so much. We really appreciate that."
The nurse sighed and left. As she closed the door behind her, bursts of
laughter emitted from the room. "I hope they can get through this.."
~~~
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