Title: How Did I Fall in Love with You Chapter 1 (Revised) Author: Azn Angel Email: silver_dragon12@excite.com Rated: PG Hello, everybody! *looks around* Why is it so quiet? *pelted by paper balls* AAHHHH!!!! *ducks* I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I KNOW I said I'd continue Locker Love, and I DID! I just had a new inspiration for a fic. Heh... --; Well, I'm paticularly eager about this one, because I got the idea (and title) from a song. NO, this is NOT a songfic. And, yes, the idea might be a little overused, but, hey, what the heck? AND, it's an Alternate Reality, which are almost my faves! Email me at the address at the top of your screen. Thankies! Also, this is the revised version. I decided to use the English names, because it goes better with the storyline. Sorry! Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon or the song "How Did I Fall in Love with You". I do, however, own this fic! BWAHAHAHAHA! ~*~*~*~* *****Toddler Years***** A two-year old Darien Young was held protectively in his mother's arms. They approached a quaint, pleasant little house. It was cream colored, a small, cozy two-story house, surrounded by well-tended rosebushes and a large, comfortable-looking oak tree. It's branches seemed like warm, opening arms. The grass was a beautiful shade of green, carefully cut evenly. Wendy Young knocked on the door. KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK. The door opened, revealing a young man in his late twenties. "Wendy!" he said warmly, embracing her as an old friend. "Ken!" Wendy smiled at the man. "How are you?" "Oh, fine. The baby hasn't been too loud." Ken Welaps said. All of a sudden, a loud wail burst through the halls. Ken smiled sheepishly, and yawned. "Well, not TOO loud." Wendy laughed, although she took note of the bags under Ken's eyes, and the slight droop of his eyelids. "So," Ken said, "Where is Paul?" "He's in the car, getting your baby's gift." Wendy smiled. "No! You didn't have to!" "We insist!" Wendy said. "You gave this little one here a great gift. We must." She gently put Darien down. Darien scurried from side to side down the lovely furnished hallway. His mother and "Uncle Ken"'s voices faded away. He saw "Auntie Ikuko" in the living room, a bundle of pink and white blankets in her arms, settled in a rocking chair. (AN: OK, so I kept "Ikuko". So, sue me. No, not for real!) "Auntie Ikookoo?" Ikuko Welaps looked down at the small boy. "Why, hello, Darien!" She smiled. "Would you like to see who I'm holding?" Darien stuck his thumb into his mouth, and nodded. Crawling up on the sofa next to the chair, Darien peered over into the blankets. Ikuko moved a white blanket, revealing a pale face, eyes closed, breathing in soft, even breaths. "Be quiet." Ikuko whispered. "I just got her to sleep." Darien looked at the baby, silent and still. Suddenly, the baby's eyes snapped open, staring straight at Darien, with the lightest, clear blue eyes, the color of the sky. Darien blinked in surprise. The baby gurgled and cooed happily, and grabbed one of Darien's fingers. That day, Darien Young and Serena Welaps met. ~*~*~*~* *****Childhood Years, School, Recess***** Serena giggled happily. "More, Darry!" she called from a swing. (AN: That's Darien's nickname. My friend Achika and I thought it up in Reading class.) Darien smiled, then pushed more, watching the girl going from side to side. Her blonde curls glinted in the sunlight, and she laughed happily. "Whee!" she squealed. "Hey, Sere!" Darien called up to her. "I'm kind of thirsty. I'm going to get a drink of water. I'll be right back, OK?" "OK!" she called back. Darien watched her a little more, with a look of protectiveness, then skittered away to the line of children at the water fountain. Serena swung happily, closing her eyes, pretending to fly. 'There goes a fluffy, white cloud! Mmm, it looks like cotton candy! And there goes a pretty blue bird! It waved at me! And there's an airpl-' "Owie!" she cried, being thrown off of her swing. She looked back, and saw a group of boys, one occupying the swing she was shoved off of. "Hey! I was there first! If you wanted to ride, you could have asked!" The boy on the swing glared at her. "It isn't your playground." "It isn't yours either!" "What are you going to do?" a boy leaning against the pole that held the structure of the swing said. "Threaten us? Hit us with you jump rope?" "No." a guy in front of all of them said. "She's going to get her DARRY, right, SERE?" They all laughed. Serena felt tears spring to her eyes. "What do you want? I'm not looking for trouble." "Well, you are the one who stopped Darien from hanging out with us." the boy in front sneered. Serena's lip trembled a little. "Aww," he said. "Are you going to cry, little Sere?" "No one calls me that but Darry!" Serena choked. They erupted in laughter again. "A problem here, Sere?" a cool voice asked from behind. They all turned to look at him. Darien met the boy's gaze expectantly. "Well, Sterling?" Sterling gulped, then smiled shakily. "Nothing, I'm just getting to know your friend better." "That's not how it looks to me." Darien said in his cool voice. "Leave her alone." "We just want to get to know-" "Do I have to say it again?" Sterling's eyes widened. "What do you mean?" "You know what I mean." Darien was easily stronger than Sterling. Everyone could see that. "You wouldn't do that to a friend!" "Woudl I?" Darien cracked his knuckles. Sterling let out a yelp, then ran away quickly. His gang followed. Darien turned to Serena, concern evident on his face. "Are you OK?" Serena smiled up at him. "I'm fine, Darry!" Darien grinned back, then helped her up. "What would you like to do now?" "The swing, of course!" The swing was Serena's favorite. "Still?" he laughed. "OK." Darien helped her into the swing, and gave her a push. "Yay!" Serena squealed. ~*~*~*~* *****High school years, Crossroads Park, one night***** "Wow..." Serena breathed, looking up at the stars. "Yeah." Darien said. Serena laid back in the grass, watching the stars winking at her. Darien laid next to her. "It's so beautiful." Serena whispered. "Mm hmm." Darien murmured simply. "Look," a girl off in the distance said, her words reaching Serena and Darien's ears."It's the couple." Serena and Darien shot a smile at eachother. Many thought that they were a couple, but they didn't care what evryone thought. They were best friends, and best friends only. It just so happens that both are single, which makes it look as if they are together. The only people who knew they were only friends were their other close friends; Amy Carrings, Raye Wildresk, Lita McGill, Mina Freedon, and Andrew Dayers. "I wish time would stop right now." Serena said lazily, closing her eyes. "It's so perfect right now. I'm with my best friend, in my favorite place, under the moon and stars..." "...on a perfect night." Darien finished, closing his eyes also. "On a FRIDAY night," Serena added. Darien chuckled. Serena continued, "After a night of video games, and the mall..." Darien grimaced. "I don't really like the mall part." he said, thinking of his pained feet. Serena giggled, and said, "It's a girl thing." Darien huffed. "Oh, Darry." Serena said affectionately. "Anyways, I still wish time would stop." "Mm..." Darien said. "Me, too, Sere..." He gathered her in his arms. "Me, too..." ~*~*~*~* *****The Present***** Serena Welaps stepped off of the bus, bidding the driver a cheerful farewell. She looked around her old hometown. 'Mm,' she thought. 'Just like the old times.' A breeze blew through her hair, attracting quite an amount of young men to notice this fine lady. Serena, at the age of twenty, was very beautiful, with a slim waist, long, silky blonde hair, and a pair of light blue eyes, still as sky blue as the first time she laid eyes on Darien Young. The looks from many passing people, however, were oblivious to Serena. She was admiring the place, from her old hangout, the Crown Arcade, to her favorite place, Crossroads Park. Memories came rushing to her. 'I haven't been here for almost two years.' she thought, happiness bouncing in her. 'Now... How do I get all this back to mother's house?' She stared at the pile of suitcases at her feet. ~*~*~*~* Darien Young stepped off of the subway, saying good-bye to his friend, Zoicite Dredrick. "I'll see you later! Bye!" He surveyed the busy street he was on, recognizing the Crossroads High School, and the gigantic park, smack in the middle of the city, Crossroads Park. Many girls were giving him looks, but he ignored them, used to it by now. 'How annoying.' Darien thought irritably. Looking at a certain place in Crossroads Park, he saw the same place where he and his Sere had stargazed. Memories flooded his mind, and he smiled at the thought. 'I haven't been here for almost four years.' he thought, a small shiver of excitement running through him. 'Luckily I only brought one suitcase. It will be easy to carry to home.' ~*~*~*~* Serena burst through the doors of her old home, gasping for air. 'Next time, I'm only bringing one suitcase! Or, possibly two.' "Serena!" Ikuko came into the hallway. "How are you?" "Mother!" Usagi hugged her tight. "I've been fine, how about you?" "Things are great around the house!" Ikuko said with a smile. "But, I've missed you so much." She hugged her harder. "I missed you too," Serena said. Ikuko stepped back, and held her at an arm's length, examining her. "I haven't seen you for two years! Your father and I always tried to come to you, but his office schedule..." "It's OK, really."Serena assured her. "I also tried, but the university doesn't have many holidays." "You've grown into a beautiful young lady! And you still don't have a boyfriend?" "Oh, mother, don't get into that AGAIN! I'm too busy!" "The last time I saw you was right before you left the nest, I mean, left for college." Ikuko studied her. "You look tired." "Oh, no, I'm fine. Just, traveling. You know how it is. The time change, and jetlag." She shrugged. "Then you march yourself right up those stairs, young lady!" Ikuko ordered. "Mother, I want to see father and Sammy..." "Serena!" a deep voice said behind them. They turned, and found Ken and Sammy. "Father! Sammy!" Usagi cried. "Come here, Serena..." Ken said, and gave her a big hug. Serena turned to Sammy. "Oh, Sammy, I've missed you!" "I've missed you too." They hugged. Sammy went to Ikuko. "Mother! How-" "YOU look tired too!" Ikuko said, noticing his face. "Oh, no, I'm fine. Just, traveling. You know how it is. The time change, and jetlag." He shrugged. "BOTH of you march yourselves up those stairs and into your rooms right this moment!" Ikuko pushed them to the stairway. "NOW!" "Yes, mother." they said in unison, going up the stairs. "Why is it that she always does this?" Sammy wondered. "Hmm," Sammy said. "It's a mother's sixth sense, I guess." They seperated at the hallway, going into their old rooms, falling fast asleep on their beds. ~*~*~*~* Darien opened the door quietly. He tiptoed in, and found his mom in the living room, reading something. Her back was to him. He carefully came in, about to hug her, when she said, "Don't try THAT trick again." Darien sighed, then plopped down next to her on the couch. "How did you know?" "Silly question to ask. I'm your mother." She sniffed, then took a look at her son. "My, you've grown into quite a handsome young man. And you still don't even have a girlfriend?" "Ugh, mother, don't get into that again!" Darien groaned, leaning back. "Yes." a voice said from the hallway. "I got married, and look at me." Paul Young came in, smiling at his son's face. "Paul!" Wendy Young said, looking insulted. "What is that supposed to mean?!" "Nothing, nothing at all..." he said nervously. "So, son, how are you?" "Fine, father." Darien rose from the couch and hugged his father. "Oh, I don't get a hug?" Wendy said playfully. She hugged Darien tightly. "I feel pretty tired." Darien said, yawning. "Traveling. You know how it is. The time change, and jet lag." He shrugged. "I'm going to bed, OK?" "Sure, get a nice rest." Wendy said. "Good night." "Good night." Darien said as he trudged up the stairs, and fell asleep the moment his head hit his pillow. ~*~*~*~* The next afternoon, Serena went to the Crown Arcade to get something to eat. She walked inside the air conditioned place, stretching lazily in the hot summer sun. She spotted someone at the counter. "Andrew?!" Andrew Dayers turned at his name. "Hey!" his face breaking into a smile. "Serena!" He went up for a hug. "How are you?" Serena asked. "I'm great! I love running this place, and my wife helps out-" "Wife?" Serena questioned. "Oh, yes, I forgot. You haven't met her yet." He turned to the counter. "RITA!" A woman with long brown hair came from the doors of the kitchen. "Yes, Andy?" "This is my old friend, Serena Welaps." Serena and Rita smiled at eachother warmly. "Hello, Rita." Serena said. "Hello, Serena." Rita turned to Andrew. "Andy you have a call. Um, someone by the name of Lita McGill, I think?" Andrew and Serena's eyes widened. "Lita?" Serena whispered. Andrew walked briskly over to the phone, and picked it up. "Hello?" Serena joined him, anxiously trying to hear the conversation. A voice on the phone said, "Andrew?" "Lita?" Andrew asked. "Lita?" Serena asked. "Hey!" the voice said. "Who's that in the background?" "Hello, Lita!" Serena said loudly so Lita would hear. "Serena?!" the voice shrieked. "Andrew, get off the phone. Let me talk to Serena!" "Oh, thanks!" Andrew said dryly. "Don't talk to me. Well, you and Serena just go right on ahead and jabber jabber jabber." "Thanks, then, Andrew!" Serena cried, then grabbed the phone. "Lita?" "Serena!" Lita yelled. "How ARE you?!" "How are YOU?" "I'm OK. I mean, I got married." "MARRIED?" "Yes!" Lita said happily. "I really love him, Serena." "Oh, I'm so happy for you!" "Thanks. I wish you were there at the wedding." "Me, too." Serena said wistfully. "What about you?" "What ABOUT me?" "You know, are you married, seeing someone, what?" "Oh, I'm..." Serena shrugged. "I'm single." "Hmm? REALLY?" "Ah, just drop it, Lita. I have no time for a relationship." Lita laughed. "OK, fine. Well, I'm feeling guilty for kicking Andrew off of the phone. Can you get him on?" "Sure!" Serena turned to call Andrew to the phone. "AN-" "OH! Wait, Serena!" Lita called. "What?" "I just wanted you to know, I'm coming over for the summer." "You ARE?!" Serena asked happily. "Yes!" "Oh, that's great! We'll see eachother sometime!" "Yeah, we better. Well, get that cute blonde on the phone!" Serena let out a laugh, then called for Andrew. Andrew picked it up, and Serena went to the counter to find something to eat. 'Hmm... A sandwich? Or, maybe a salad. A burger? Hmm, maybe some chicken or something.' She was closing in on the side as she read the choices, sometimes muttering to herself. ~*~*~*~* Darien looked up at the familiar red, blue, yellow, and white sign that read, "Crown Arcade". He smiled, thinking of his old friend's face when he walked in. He walked through the doors, and looked around the arcade. He spotted Andrew on the phone, and decided not to interrupt his conversation. He walked to the counter, feeling a little hungry. He looked over the selections, finding a hand in his way. He tapped on the person's shoulder, who was looking away. "Excuse me, could you move your hand?" (AN: You know, like at McDonald's or something. They have the menus on the counters.) The person looked over her shoulder. "Oh, sure, sorry about that..." Her eyes looked surprised. He caught her gaze. 'Is that...?' He could recognize those blue eyes anywhere. "Darien Young...?" the girl questioned. His eyes widened. "It IS you!" ~*~*~*~* OK, that's all for NOW! BWAHAHAHA! Feedback? Yes, no, maybe so? ~*~Azn Angel~*~ Always smile Azn style!