Title: Christmas Spawns New Hope Author: Dream Enid Rate: PG13 E-mail: writergrl3@hotmail.com <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< MERRY CHRISTMAS! 'It's the most wonderful tiiiime of the year?' Uh, heh heh, I'll spare you. So this is going to be my first Christmas fanfic! Aren't you excited? I am. *sarcastic*. Boy, I sure can feel the love in this room. Whatever. So I hope you enjoy this. E-mail is 'greatly' appreciated! Please? I'm beggin' 'ya here. I mean I barely have two measly e-mails to rub together to start a fire to keep warm! In case, you forgot, which you probably did, my e- mail is writergrl3@hotmail.com That is L3. I think this story is pretty self- explanatory. It's a fanfic. It's set during Christmas. So obviously it's a Christmas fanfic! If you need me to explain that part out to you, just e-mail. I'm sorry to say I don't own Sailor Moon. This is probably a good thing considering I would probably screw up all the episodes. I would probably make all the bad characters die in the first episode as well as Darien and Serena becoming Neo- Queen Serenity and Neo- King Endymion setting out to live in the Crystal Millennium. Actually, come to think of it?everyone would probably still be living on the Moon Kingdom. Just kidding 'ya. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< "Have yourself a merry little Christmas!" Serena's voice rang out in the air as everyone did a double take to shake the way off key sound out from their ears. "Give it a rest, Meatball Head," Darien pleaded. "Aww, Darien! Can't you even be a little happy it's the Christmas season?" Serena wondered. "No, now go take your off- tune songs and your bad test papers and get out of my sight," Darien said flatly. "Grinch," Serena muttered under her breath. "I heard that!" Darien accused. "You were supposed to!" Serena shot back before storming off. After surveying the scene, Andrew sighed. What was it with those two anyway? Did they have to be so hung up on fighting? Andrew was tired of hearing the constant bickering. It was terrible because Darien had a crush on Serena. A crush? That was putting it lightly. It was more like he was totally in love with her. If his heart pumped any harder when she was near, it would pound right out of his chest. Darien slowly walked to the blond behind the counter. "Hey, Andrew," Darien began. "See you really scored with her this time," Andrew replied. "Well, it's hard. I mean, what can I do? What can I say?" "I would start with 'hello.' That usually works, but only if you don't add 'Meatball Head' right after it." "Really, Andrew? I hadn't thought of that!" Darien replied sarcastically. "Don't blame me if you keep getting tongue- tied whenever she's near!" "Andrew, I'm serious. How do I get her to not see me as a jerk?" "Well, Darien, there's one solution I can think of for that. Don't be a jerk. Won't give her a reason to think you are one." "Ho hum," Darien replied. *** "Wait, wait, wait! Girl, 'what' did you do?!" Lita commanded as Serena's other best friends gathered around. It was another study session for the scouts except one thing was wrong. No one was studying. No one but a certain blue- haired girl. Frustrated, she blew a lock of her short blue hair out of her eyes. "What else was there 'to' do?" Serena asked. "I yelled at him and left." "You need to get your head check," Mina stated. "Darien is a perfectly cute guy, and you are a perfectly cute gal, and if I know math like I should?" "Eww, no way, no how! Darien is?eww!!! Mental image. Get out, get out!" Serena screamed banging her head with her fists. "You're being stupid. Darien is so dreamy," Raye sighed, staring to nothing at particular. "We really need to study," Amy said. "Yes, study!" Serena exclaimed, glad to have an excuse to stop the conversation right where it began. "Bull," Lita said, shaking her head. Her light brown pony- tail whipped around in the air. "Yeah," Mina agreed, adjusting her own red bow in her blonde hair. "you really fooled us." "X is equal to the opposite of B plus or minus the square root of B squared minus four AC over two A!" Serena shouted over accusations her friends threw at her. "Will you shut up, Sere? I'm trying to remember something!" Raye shouted back at Serena. "Or someone!" Lita added, her eyes ablaze as she rounded on Raye. "Or some guy!" Mina added to the latter comment. "Or trying to study!" Amy shouted over everyone. The room was silent. No one knew Amy could yell that loudly. The quiet was dissolved by Raye. "Yeah right, Amy. Why would we do that?" "I don't know!" Amy shouted back. "Maybe because it's a study session, Raye. Go drool over guys when I don't need quiet!" "I was 'not' drooling!" Raye exclaimed. "If you weren't, then I'm Sailor Moon," Serena giggled. "You are, Meatball Head!" Raye said, frustrated. "Oh, yeah," Serena remembered as Amy slowly shook her head. There was no point studying. *** Darien sulked in his apartment. He lay on the black leather couch, which contrasted the white of the room. Darien kicked off his shoes and wiggled out of his socks. How to get Serena to be his friend. Correction, how to get Serena to be his one and only girlfriend. Darien chuckled to himself. Out of all the girls that would fight to be his girlfriend, Darien's heart sets on the one that would rather eat wood. (AN: Which would kind of be hard to do?) How had he gotten himself into this predicament? It would a game. How to Win Serena's Heart by Milten Bradley. (AN: Oh, yeah, I don't own Milten Bradley.) It would be a game of chase, a sort of cat and mouse game. He would push the right buttons to make her swoon into his arms. He had to admit, his planning was not exactly night in shining armor material, but you work with what you have. *** The next day after school, Serena walked into the arcade and into Darien. "Geesh! Darien! Why don't you watch where you're goin'?" Serena commanded. A big smile was her reply. Uh oh, the last time he smiled that hard, he had 'accidentally' spilled a glass of water all over Serena's new backpack. "I can't remember the last time you smiled so hard. So what did 'ya burn this time?" Serena asked. The comment was returned with an even brighter, if that was possible, smile. "Darien, I'm serious?what 'did' you do?" "Oh, a little of this, a little of that," Darien finally replied. "Okay, don't answer me. I'm going to be over there. Come find me when you're ready to tell me," Serena said, pointing to one of the many bar stools lined up at the white counter. Darien decided it went well. She hadn't yelled at him, well, sort of. She didn't insult him, and that was a step all in itself. Darien followed Serena and sat down next to her. "What part of 'bug off' do you not understand?" Serena asked. "I guess it would be the bug part. I don't know how to bug. Do you? Hey, Andrew, two sodas please?" Darien answered. "Yeah, well, you're doin' a pretty good job at buggin' me!" Serena answered. "You're cute when you're annoyed," Darien 'innocently' commented. "No, I'm not! I mean, I mean, wait a sec, did you just compliment me?" Serena asked, confused. "Yes, I did, Meatball Head, got a problem with that?" Darien asked back. "Oh, I knew it was too good to last," Serena sadly said. "Yeah?" Darien asked. "Yeah," Serena agreed. "Do you ever have anything to do in your adult life besides hanging at the arcade and annoying me?" "Well, I am an intern at a hospital," Darien said, "but all the rest of my time is devoted to you." "I feel so honored," Serena replied dryly. "You should." Andrew arrived at that moment with the two sodas. He balanced the tray, finally setting it on the counter. When he set the tray down, he triumphantly smiled a victorious smile. Serena giggled and clapped for Andrew. Serena took a small sip of her soda not noticing Andrew winking at Darien and thrusting his head in an upward motion. Darien looked up as well. He noted the mistletoe dangling inches above Serena's head. "Darien, we should be drinking the hot chocolate because it's winter! It's tradition. We have to follow tradition," Serena suddenly spoke as if she dawned on an incredible revelation and was sharing it with a close friend. "You follow traditions, Meatball Head?" Darien asked. "Oh, yes! All of them!" Serena said oblivious to what was to become. "All of them?" Darien breathed, his faces inches from Serena's. "Yes," Serena breathed back suddenly noticing where she was and exactly how close Darien was to her. She noticed her head was tipped all the way back to look up at Darien. She was struck, paralyzed like a dear in a headlight. What was she going to do? What was she going to say? She felt Darien's hot breath on her chin as she assumed he felt hers. She hung back. Was this really what she wanted? Darien's face inched further, lips parted, now millimeters from Serena's. He hoped it would not be just him kissing her. He hoped she would be kissing back. He thought he might die if she didn't . Oh, please let her kiss back! Serena's eyes searched Darien's. Was there no end to them? They were so deep, so crystalline- like. She never remembered seeing those eyes before. That was not quite true. She saw them in her dreams. The dreams in which the guy she loved came to rescue her. Serena gulped. There was no way of going back to just being friends or even enemies. Both made a little move to ensure the other. They were now as close as they could be without kissing. Their lips parted, each not knowing what they wanted. A loud beep interrupted their thoughts. Serena smirked. It figures the scouts want her 'now'. She glanced at the ceiling, wishing the moment hadn't ended. Then she saw the mistletoe. "That's mine," Serena whispered before whirling her stool around to face the door. Shakily, she hopped off the stool, reaching deep into her uniform pockets. She fumbled with the latch to the communicator. She nodded at the small electronic in her hand telling her what she was need for. Darien watched Serena walk slowly out the door. She clearly didn't want to do whatever it was she had to. Darien was that close! That close! Stupid beeper, cell phone thingy or whatever it was! Darien decided to tag along. He might as well keep her company through such a boring task. He slipped behind her. He watched her make her moves. Serena walked, wishing the youma was already dead. What happened back there? Who was she kidding? It was the mistletoe. A guy like Darien would never go for a girl like her. Wait, no! She did not think of Darien like that! She just didn't. Serena quickly dug her hands into her deep uniform pockets as she pressed on, the cold wind blowing hard against her pert nose. She wished now she had remembered her jacket. Truth be told, Serena left it at her house early that morning. Her mother would think she was irresponsible. Let the path fall as it may, though. Darien watched Serena up ahead of him. He tried to decide whether to say something or just watch. He soundlessly followed. That was, soundlessly 'until' he stepped on a twig. It cracked under his foot. Serena whirled around, her heart pounding. "Oh, Darien!" She exclaimed. "It's just you!" She pressed her hands to her heart to see if she could stop the pounding. Of course, she could not as her skin guarded her from the thought. "Just me? Oh, thanks!" Darien said, pretending he was offended. "That's not what I meant," Serena said, shivering. Her hands pressed to her chest immediately folded so her arms crossed. She braved the wind. "Oh, here, Meatball Head," Darien replied offering his coat. "I can't, Darien," Serena automatically said, sadly shaking her head. "It's not your fault I forgot my coat at my house." "Yeah, but I can take the cold better than you can," he pointed out as he slipped his green sport jacket around Serena's grateful shoulders. "Thank you," Serena replied, thankful for the jacket. She contemplated the ways she could 'nicely' tell Darien to get a move on. "Oh, Darien, I have to go! It's been too long a time." "You sure I can't tag along?" Darien winked. Suddenly, alarms went off in his head. Sailor Moon and the scouts needed him. He could feel it in his heart. "Oh, um, actually I need a rain check. I got something I need to do, too. See 'ya around!" Darien ran off in the direction they came, forgetting his jacket behind. Both ran to fight the youma. They easily transformed, not realizing the other had, too. They fought the youma with little trouble. It ended in which Serena said the right chosen words to crush the youma into oblivion. Each walked away with a smile in their hearts and cheer in their eyes. *** The next week, Serena walked into the arcade. Her nose was red, her eyes watering. She felt exhausted. She clutched a green sport jacket in her hand. She walked up to Darien, her arm outstretched. "Thanks, Meatball Head," Darien replied, taking the jacket delicately from Serena's hand. "Oh, by the way, you look like a freight train ran over you." "Gee, Darien, I knew I could count on you," Serena replied. "For your information, I have a cold. The jacket was too thin. Thanks anyway, I appreciated the offer." Serena brushed past Darien. She walked up to the white counter. She reached in her pocket for money. She felt like crying; she was so sick. "Andrew?" she meekly called out. Andrew did not hear Serena; he was busy mixing hot chocolate for other customers. "Come on, Serena, you know you gotta yell for Andrew to hear you," a voice from behind her yelled. "Hey, Andrew!" "Yeah?" Andrew turned around. "Thank you very much, Darien!" Serena sneered. "Andrew?" she sniffed. "I need a bowl of chicken noodle soup, please." "You bet'cha," Andrew winked. Serena giggled but stopped suddenly when her headache increased. Serena slid into one of the nearby bar stools. She laid her head on the table. She felt a finger vigorously tap her shoulder. "What?" she croaked. "Thanks for the welcome," a familiar voice called out. "Darien? Is that you?" "Yep." "Great. I need you to do something for me," Serena said. "Really?" Darien asked. "Yeah," Serena mumbled from the counter. "Well, oh! Um, what is it you need me to do?" "I need you to take a long walk on a short pier," Serena said, barely raising her head up. "What?" Darien asked, bewildered. "Think about it?a 'long' walk on a 'short' pier." "I don't get it." "Whatever. You wouldn't," Serena said. "And what's that supposed to mean?" "Darien, I can't deal with you right now!" Serena shouted, softly starting to cry. She held her face in her hands. Andrew appeared, startled, setting a big bowl of soup in front of Serena. "What did you do?" Andrew yelled at Darien. He immediately placed his arms around Serena. "Sure! Blame me!" Darien yelled back. "There, there, Serena, it'll be okay," Andrew said soothingly, shooting dirty looks at Darien. Darien looked aspirated. "Oh, Andrew, I feel so sick," Serena sobbed into his chest, gripping his apron for support. "and 'he's' not helping!" "I know," Andrew replied, stroking his hand up and down Serena's back. "I know. I brought you soup. Come on, it'll help." "Al-right," Serena hiccupped as she pulled herself from Andrew's comfort. "Here, let me get this coat off. You can put it back on when you're ready to leave, okay?" Serena nodded as she lowered her spoon into her soup. She watched the soup slowly swirl into the spoon. She raised the spoon to her lips. She tilted the spoon into her mouth. Warmth consumed her. "Thanks," Serena stuttered. "That tastes great!" "I knew it would," Andrew said, returning to the back of his counter. As he walked past Darien, he hit him hard on the shoulder. "Ow!" Darien yelled at Andrew. "What did I do?" "Think. Think 'really' hard, Darien," Andrew grumbled. "Hey, Serena, I got to do other stuff? Will you be okay? Call me if you need 'anything'." "Okay, Andrew. Don't leave your other costumers because of me." "Good girl. Darien? Don't do anything!" "Very funny, Andrew," Darien said. "I mean it, Darien! Go away or something. Serena is like a kid sister to me, and I'm not going to let you harm her in anyway. Period." Darien blinked. He was not aware Andrew ever cared that much about Serena. Actually, she always was a close friend of Andrew's, so maybe it wasn't that big of a surprise after all. Serena smiled thankfully to Andrew. He was protecting her, and she appreciated it. She looked at Darien. This was the guy Andrew was protecting her from. Darien looked up causing Serena to look down as quickly as she could. She still felt eyes burning into the back of her head. Serena stole a quick glance. He was still staring at her. Serena looked down again, blushing a tomato red. She stole another quick glance. He was walking toward her! Yeah, right. Like a guy like Darien could ever like a girl like her. A guy like Darien?? It could not be. This was Serena, and she was talking about 'Darien' as if she had a crush on him. That wasn't it. Darien was her enemy. He would never like her. "Meatball Head?" she heard. She lifted her head up. "I'm going to pick up some flu medicine for you. You want to come along?" "Why?" "Why do I want you to come along?" "No, why are you going to pick up cold medicine for me? Wouldn't that involve being nice? Do you actually have a nice bone in your body?" "Well, there is no 'nice bone,' but I am nice," Darien replied. "Whatever, I'm getting my coat," Serena answered. She put on her coat, reaching into the pocket for money for the soup. She pulled more than enough but placed it all on the table. "Left money for you, Andrew!" "Got'cha!" Andrew replied from the other side of the counter. *** "Wow, those drugs?great stuff!" Serena slurred. "Come on, Serena, stop it. You sound like a pot head; your dad'll kill me," Darien replied, steadying Serena. "Ooh, pot?is that better than flu medicine?" Serena wondered. "Hush, you don't know what you are talking about," Darien said. "I want to sing!" "Uhh, okay?what do you want to sing?" "Christmas carols!" "Which one?" "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen!" "Okay." "You start, Darien," "Okay. God rest ye merry gentleman upon?" "Rest, rest Gentlemen. Good gentlemen," Serena said falling to the ground. She stretched out to sleep. "Go to sleep." "Serena, get up!" Darien shouted trying to pull Serena up. "You're laying in the snow! You are going to get even sicker!" "I'm tired," Serena whined. "You can sleep when we get to your house." "What about you? Are you going to sleep when we get to my house?" "I'll tell you after you get up," Darien promised. "Come 'on', Serena!" Darien pulled up on Serena. She stayed where she was. "As an intern giving medical advice, and as a friend giving friendly advice, get up now!" When Serena refused, Darien scooped Serena into his arms as a newly wed husband would his new wife. Serena giggled, as she enjoyed her free ride. The house wasn't too far. *** "You all warm and snug?" Darien asked, tucking a comforter around her. He created a comfortable spot for Serena on her couch. "Mmm," Serena replied, feeling completely drowsy. "Good night, Meatball Head," Darien replied, standing up. "Wait, I want a bed time story," Serena muttered. "A bed time story?" Darien asked. "Yeah." "Well," Darien replied. His hands gripped his hair as he racked his brain for an idea. Suddenly it came. He could use the princess from his dreams! "Once there was this guy. It seemed like almost every night, he dreamt of this princess. In his dreams, the princess would tell him things she needed. He knew he might love this princess; however, things changed one day. He met this wonderful girl. Her beauty melted him into a puddle of mush. Only his best friend knew he had this crush on this girl. The more he thought of the girl, the less he thought of his princess. Soon, the girl was in his thoughts during the day and in his dreams at night. He felt himself fall for her?hook, line, and sinker. He did not know what to do. The girl thought he was the biggest jerk, and the princess from his dreams was, well, a dream. If he told the girl how he felt, he could lose big, and if he ignored the girl for the princess, he could lose big." "Then what did he do?" Serena asked, paying full attention. "What should he do?" Darien asked, not sure. "Forget the princess! Go for the woman he loves! He should tell her how he feels. She can't think he's a jerk if he's that nice." Darien nodded to the logic. He had to agree. It was tempting to just forget the princess. He knelt to the floor next to Serena. He scooped up one of her hands in both of his. "What are you doing?" Serena asked. "Telling her how I feel," Darien breathed. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< I thought I would leave it to y'all's imaginations!