*Valentine's Day
By: @ngie Tsukino
	She stared long and hard at him, "Why don't you ever leave me 
alone?!"
	"Because I know you can take it meatball head." His saffire gaze stung 
her.
	"How many times do I have to tell you!  Don't call me meatball head.  
Darien you must be the worlds foremost expert on how to be a jerk.  I don't 
get why you focus all that on me!?" Serena stared back at him.  She was mad, 
worse than she had been in the past, but she wasn't going to give up, or give 
in.
	"I know deep down you like it." He smiled at her.
	"Ohhhhhh I hate you soooo much Darien Chiba!" She stuck her tongue 
out at him, and he smiled at his triumph.
	"That's very lady like."
	She turned to him not knowing what else to say, and just started to cry.  
Not her usual wail, more real.  "You couldn't just understand.  God, I just 
wish that a guy would be nice to me.  You know I've never even had a 
boyfriend before, and this is going to be one lonely Valentine's day!"  She 
covered her face with her hands and ran out the doors.  Leaving behind her 
an astounded man who didn't know what exactly to do.
	"DARIEN!" Andrew shouted at him, "Just go apologize!" This was 
probably the first time he had ever seen Andrew so angry at him. He nodded 
then bounded down the street after her.  Had he known, oh man, had she only 
known.  He had barricaded his heart from so many people that was the best 
way for him to flirt with a girl.  To bad it was a very pathetic attempt.
	Not that she would know that, not that she would know any of his past 
trials and tribulations.  Of course he had been through a lot.  Perhaps more 
than she had, perhaps not.  Still in his heart he just wanted to have somebody 
to be with.  Just as she had said earlier.  Thinking to himself he wondered 
how many lonely Valentine's Day's he had wasted alone in his life.  Then he 
wondered how many she had.  Serena was the girl next door.  Always bright, 
never sick of life, or him and his insults.  He had gone too far.  But how 
could he show her that somebody really appreciated her.
	He stopped mid run.  "A Secret Admirer!" he yelled, then covered his 
mouth realizing how loud he had been.  "Oh how perfectly devious!  I can 
send her things, and she'll know that somebody likes her.  Then I'll arrange a 
meeting on Valentine's Day so she won't be alone.  Darien you are too smart 
for your self!"  He smiled as he turned to his left to dash to his apartment.
~
	"Serena." Ms. Haruna chimed.
	"I didn't do anything!" Serena protested.
	"I know that!  Somebody sent you this." Serena almost fell over, as she 
tried to grasp the large plush bunny.  It was white, and had a pink bow 
around it's neck, and tied to the bow was another note.
	All the girls glared with envy, but none said anything today, mostly 
because they knew that Ms. Haruna would yell at them for it.  Serena opened 
the card.

		Loneliness is a hard thing
		I hope this bunny helps you through the night
		Perhaps it will be me soon enough
		I know all too well of your feelings

		So be my valentine
		Then neither of us will have to be alone
		On the most feared day of the year for me
		I promise I won't let you be isolated anymore

	Love,
		Your Secret Admirer

	Serena's heart melted.
~
	"Hey Andrew." Serena chimed in her usual tone.
	"What's up Serena?" Andrew gave his quirky smile.  "You seem to be 
in an awful chipper mood."
	"Better than yesterday, that's for sure."  She wouldn't forget so fast 
how mean Darien was to her.
	"Didn't he apologize?" Andrew asked confused.
	"Darien?  Apologize!?  That's a joke right?" She laughed.  "It's alright 
Andrew, don't be concerned." She laughed, "He's gonna have to try pretty 
hard to get me to leave today."
	"Why's that?" Andrew asked intrigued.
	"I have a secret admirer." Serena giggled.  "He gave this!"  She 
beamed as she pulled up the big bunny from underneath the counter.
	"Good for you Serena, see, good things happen to good people.  I don't 
think you'll be alone this Valentine's Day." He smiled.
	"Yeah. . ." She walked over to the newest Sailor-V game she had been 
trying to conquer for about 3 weeks now.  Serena began to wonder if the 
secret admirer maybe was Andrew.  A dozen roses weren't cheap, so the 
person had to be rich.  And if they liked Serena, and were willing to let her 
know who they were eventually, they were probably really cute.  Or so she 
thought.
	"Hey meatball head." Darien came up behind her.  Serena ignored him 
completely.  So he tried again, thinking maybe she hadn't heard him.  "Hey 
meatball head!" He practically yelled.  She got up, and walked over to 
Andrew.
	"Hey Andy, can you get me a Mountain Dew?  Thanks." She waited 
patiently for her drink.  Darien was very upset that she thought that she could 
just ignore him.  If she only knew how much those roses had cost him.  
Especially around Valentine's Day.  And then she again had the nerve to just 
walk right past him without so much as a scowl.  How incredibly rude.  
When she sat down at a booth, he immediately ran over to her, and sat down 
across from her.
	"Thanks for saying 'hi'." He muttered.
	She got up, and moved to another booth.  But Darien followed her.
	"I'm sorry about yesterday, I didn't mean to make you cry." She got up 
yet again, but this time walked over to Andy, said something, and then left.  
Darien sprinted to find her, but Andrew stopped him. 
	"Darien, I think you'd better leave her alone." Andrew grabbed 
Darien's shirt as he passed by, forcing him to loose her.
	"What did she say to you?" Darien seemed angry.
	"She asked me to tell you to stop stalking her." Andrew laughed.
	Darien's eyes grew wide, and his mouth hung open for a moment 
before he realized the full extent of what was happening.  "I can't believe 
her." He shook his head in disbelief.
	"So, you do realize you have competition." Andrew kept his calm 
stance.
	"Competition?" Darien was still upset.
	"Serena's got a secret admirer." Andrew conveyed.
	"Hardly competition.  What some pimply 13 year old pining after her, 
when she's mine." He said with out thinking.  He had convinced himself 
yesterday that he wouldn't tell anyone, not even Andrew of what he was 
doing for Serena.
	"When she's yours?" Andrew questioned.  "Darien, she's hardly yours.  
That guy must have spent a mint sending her that bunny. . . around this time 
of year.  He's already got her wrapped around his finger." Andy reasoned.
	"Good." Darien left without another word, he needed the rest of the 
night to think about his plan for tomorrow.
~
	"Serena." Ms. Haruna handed Serena a box of chocolates with a note 
attached.  Again the girls flocked around to see what Serena had been given 
today, and it was only Thursday.
	Once everyone had gone back to their seats she opened the note.

		I couldn't exactly find
		Something as sweet as you
		Something as sweet as your voice
		Something as sweet as your smile

		I have heard a man bothers you everyday
		He is no man to do what he does
		One like you should not be teased
		One like you should be worshipped

		I will be silently watching after you
		Making sure he keeps his ground
		I wish there was more I could do to protect you
		I am just glad to know you at all

	Love,
		Your Secret Admirer

	Serena sighed, it was so nice to know that you were wanted.
~
	As usual Serena stopped at the arcade after school.  "Andrew!  Look 
what I got today!" She pulled the huge heart-shaped box from her backpack.
	"He's really spoiling you Serena." Andrew smiled, because when 
Serena was around you just felt happy because she was always so cheery.  
"Serena, what if he's not what you expected though."
	"What do you mean?" She had shoved a few pieces of chocolates in 
her mouth, and offered Andy some of them, which he took.
	"What do you think this guy is gonna be like."
	"Well, I know he's valiant." 
	"Valiant?" He wondered why she had chosen that particular word.
	"He knows that Darien's been bothering me, and he said he would 
protect me against him."
	Andrew laughed, "And what else do you think this guy is."
	"Well, romantic." She sighed.
	"Must be pretty dumb, cuz it says here, he thinks you're clever." Darien 
had snuck up behind her, and grabbed the note without her noticing.  Andrew 
started shaking his head at Darien, as if silently saying he shouldn't have 
done that.
	To both of their surprise, Serena snatched the note from Darien, took 
the candy and left without a word to either of them.  "Darien, you really are a 
jerk." Andrew stated, "You're driving away my best business." He scoffed, 
and went to help another customer.  Darien rolled his eyes, and took his leave 
as well.
	Tomorrow was Friday, and the next was Saturday, Valentine's Day, his 
big day.
~
	"Serena, tell this guy, I'm not your maid." 
	"Sorry Ms. Haruna." Ms. Haruna pulled a box out from under her 
desk.  "They came for you during lunch." She handed Serena the box. Flocks 
of girls gathered around Serena's desk oooohing and aaaahhing at the dozen 
roses that stood before an astounded 16 year old girl. 'Who ya think they're 
from Serena?' or 'Wow, sure would like to have my boyfriend send me 
flowers.' were prevalent sayings in the crowd.  Ms. Haruna quickly shoed 
them away in order to start class.  She silently opened the note attached.

		Roses as red as your cheeks
		One wonders just how much you can smile
		Always so cheery
		Even when people can be so cruel

		Forgiveness is essential
		You surely are made of it
		If by night I ride
		If by love we will fly

		Feelings should be unleashed
		I should tell you what I feel
		Who I am
		Whatever you want to know

		Tomorrow at the arcade
		At seven O'clock
		I'll buy you dinner
		Then we can play some Sailor-V

	Love,
		Your Secret Admirer

	Serena was convinced this guy and her were a match made in heaven.  
She wanted to shove it in Darien's face, but decided it would be best to leave 
things as they were.  Plus she wasn't feeling too good, so she wanted to stop 
at home for a sec before venturing out to the arcade with the girls.
~
	Darien and Andrew were both very disappointed when Serena didn't 
show up at the arcade on Friday night.  This was very weird, even if she had 
been very upset with Darien, her and her friends usually showed up, ate 
dinner, and played some video games.  Suddenly the bell over the door rang.  
Amy, Raye, Lita, and Mina walked in.  Serena was no where to be seen.
	"Hey Andrew, have you seen Serena?" Raye asked.
	"No, I thought you would know where she was." He now was worried.
	"Her mom said she was home, but then left again." Amy stated.
	"It's probably my fault." Darien walked out from the shadows.
	"What did you do now!?" Lita seemed angry.
	"She got mad at me on Tuesday, and hasn't been talking to me, so she 
probably wanted to avoid me." He sighed.
	"Darien, you don't have to be so mean to her all the time, this time of 
year is really hard for her, cuz she just hasn't found that prince charming yet." 
Mina spoke.  "Guys like you don't make her feel any better about her 
situation."
	"I think I'll leave." He walked past the girls, and left.
~
	The air outside was cold, and a light layer of snow crunched a bit 
beneath his feet.  The vapors from his breath were clearly visible, and he 
wondered if this is how he made Serena feel.  Because right now he was in a 
place very similar.  He was cold inside, but not because of the temperature.  
He was scared that something had happened to her.  Afraid that she was cold 
and alone like he was right now.  Frightened that it had all happened because 
of some of the things he had said and done to her in the past.
	Those tears than had fallen from her eyes on Tuesday were all too real, 
they were too sad.  The way her voice sounded every time after that had 
seemed so distant.  Her secret admirer had cheered her up, but what would 
she do when she found out it was him?  Would she hate him even more, or let 
him in?  Let him hug her, and kiss her, and tell her how he had really felt 
about her.
	Unexpectedly he heard a quiet whimper, and knew instantly who it 
was.  He ran over to the ally it was coming from, and found a pair of 
meatballs.  "Oh god Serena you must be freezing." Darien wrapped his coat 
and arms around her.  His mind reeled for a moment, but seeing the tears 
burning her face, he picked her up, and she collapsed in his arms.
~
	Serena woke up disoriented, and didn't even have the energy to protest 
as Darien put a warm cloth over her forehead.  She also noticed that she was 
certainly not at home.
	"Where--" She tried, but couldn't manage.
	Darien looked at her like he never had before.  With something like 
pity, but almost love.  "Please don't talk, you're too weak.  You're at my 
apartment." He rearranged the blanket that covered her, so it untrapped her 
arms.  She realized that she must have been in his bed  "I tried to call your 
parents, but they're not home.  Your brother said they went out, and figured 
you were with your friends."
	"What hap--" Serena again tried, but failed.  She also failed at 
remembering what had happened.  The last thing she did remember was 
leaving her home, and telling her mom she'd be home later. 
	"I don't know what happened to you, I found you freezing in an ally, 
and brought you back here.  I'm sorry Serena, I'm sure you would rather be 
anywhere but here." He brushed a strand of hair from her face, and she 
managed a smile.  "Just rest, and I'll get you home as soon as possible, I 
promise."  It took her little time to fall back asleep again.
~
	The next time she woke up she figured it must have just been a few 
hours later.  She heard Darien outside his room, he must have been talking on 
the phone.
	"No Andy, she's here." He paused, "No, I found her shivering in an 
ally, so I took her home, her temperature was almost a hundred and three.  I 
called her brother, and he said something about their parents visiting some 
aunt in northern Japan for the weekend.  I just don't know what to do with 
her, I feel so bad for the poor girl." Silence followed for a moment, "No, she's 
sleeping in my room, I didn't want to put her on the couch, I figure she's 
gonna be here for a while, she might as well be comfortable." He laughed, 
"So what if I do know who this secret admirer of hers is.  Well Andy if I told 
you I'd have to kill you." Serena listened very closely, "Yeah, those flowers 
must have cost a fortune.  Andy!  I'm not telling you who he is, he swore me 
to secrecy, but I'm sure she'll be surprised.  I gotta go see if she's okay, she's 
prolly hungry." She heard him walking around what she concluded must have 
been the living room or kitchen.  "Oh would you pick up some soup and 
bring it over here for her, I don't want to leave her like this.  Thanks Andy, I'll 
see you soon.  What?  Well, yeah, I guess I'm glad, but you can't tell Serena 
how I feel about her okay.  Okay, bye." He hung up, she went numb as she 
heard him walking towards his room.
	He opened the door a crack and peered in at her, she rolled over to face 
him.  "Hey sunshine." He smiled, "Do you feel any better?"
	"A little." She spoke hoarsely.
	"Oo, don't talk.  Listen, I'm having Andy bring over some medicine 
and soup." He walked over and sat next to her on the edge of the bed.  He put 
his hand on her forehead, "Well, I think your temperature is going down, but 
you're still pretty hot.  When did you start to feel this cold coming on?"
	"Tuesday." Serena whispered.
	He sighed, "And I suppose I didn't make you feel any better at the 
arcade.  I'm really sorry for the way I've been acting.  I get weird around 
Valentine's.  Really defensive, I usually lock myself in here and watch horror 
films." He chuckled.  "So why did you leave your house?"
	"I needed to talk to Andy about something." She began coughing, then 
they subsided.
	"Your parents aren't coming home for the weekend, so I told Sammy 
you were staying with Lita."
	"I am?" Her breaths were short and shallow.
	"No, of course not, I can't let you leave, but I didn't think I could trust 
Sammy telling him you are spending the night at a guy's apartment." She 
smiled, he just looked at her for a while, and then there was a knock on the 
door. "Don't go anywhere." He pulled the covers up to her chin before he left.
	"Hey Andy, c'mon in.  Hey thanks for bringing all this stuff for me."
	"Where is she?  Can I see her?" Andrew sounded concerned.
	"I'll ask." He peeked in again, "Hey meatball head, Andy's here, can he 
see you?"
	Serena nodded, and Darien sent Andrew in.  "Oh Serena, are you 
doing okay?"  She nodded again.  Andrew sat down on the bed where Darien 
had been moments before.  He started to laugh, "You don't know how bad 
you have made Darien feel.  I think he really cares about you, so don't be 
mean alright." She smiled meekly at him.  "Well, I'm gonna go, but I hope 
you feel better okay, I brought some medicine that should kill what you've 
got." He gave a quick smile, and left.  She heard him leave, and a while later 
Darien came in with some soup.
	"Think you can keep it down?" He set down a tray over her lap.  "Well 
here's your medicine, but you can only have it after you've eaten something.  I 
rented some movies for you so you won't be so bored too." He went to leave 
but she grabbed his sleeve.
	"Can you stay with me?" She spoke quietly.
	"Sure." He flashed her a quick smile, and popped in Princess 
Mononoke before he laid next to her on the bed.  She ate a bit, and then took 
the medicine; soon after she fell asleep.
	Darien watched her for a long time, wishing that their relationship was 
different, hoping that she didn't feel alone.  He ended up sleeping in the arm 
chair across from the bed in his room, just in case she woke up in the middle 
of the night and and needed him.
~
	She woke up the next morning feeling better, but still a bit groggy, 
through the shade of her eyelashes, she could see him watching her.  She 
galliently opened her eyes, "Morning." Her voice was much louder and 
clearer.
	"You're looking a lot better.  Want dinner?"
	"Dinner?!  What time is it?"
	"Almost seven."
	"Oh no." She almost started to cry, but remembered he was there.
	"What's wrong?!" Darien rushed over to Serena, and grabbed her 
hands.
	"I was supposed to meet him tonight.  Will you please call Andy and 
tell him to tell the guy that comes for me that I couldn't make it because I'm 
sick."
	"Yeah." He walked out of the room smiling.
	After a few minutes passed he returned.  "I'm sorry you're spending V-
Day with me and not him."
	"That's okay I guess."
	"So this secret admirer, what do you like about him?"
	"He just cares about me so much it seems."
	"Well, even though he's not here, I'll be your valentine Serena." He 
smiled lightly.
	"Sure Darien." She smiled back.  "Hey, let's have some fun."
	"Fun?  All I have in the apartment is a deck of cards."
	"Well that's fine, do you know how to play poker?"
	"Serena?!  I would have never thought you the type for poker." He 
laughed wide eyed.
	"Well, go get the deck so I can beat you already." She laughed as he 
ran out to get it.
~
	It got late real fast, but the time flew by them, and the bets got sillier as 
they went on.
	"I'll see your two Cheetos, and raise you a Frito!" Serena giggled.
	"I'll see your Frito, and raise you a kiss." He stared at her.
	She was surprised to say the least, but was sure she was going to win.  
"Alright." She stared strait back with her almost perfected 'poker face' and 
layed down her cards.  "Full House!" She proclaimed.
	Darien started shaking his head as Serena was about to get up to do a 
victory dance, "Sorry babe, Four of a Kind, all Aces, read 'em and weep." He 
grinned at her.  "I'm taking all your chips." He scooped his hands around the 
majority of her food and brought it over to his side of the table.
	"Oh, no fair." She pouted, then realized the last part of their wager.  
She stopped pouting and looked up at him.
	"Don't worry, Serena, I understand. . . it's just a game."
	"No, no, I made you take off your pants when I won before.  And may 
I say, I still do like your Scooby Doo boxers." She laughed, then a silence 
swept over the apartment.  She got up and sat down in the chair next to him.  
She closed her eyes, and let him do all the work, considering she had never 
really kissed a guy like that before.  Serena felt his presence close to her 
before al of the sudden his lips were touching hers.  With out realizing what 
she was doing she let her arms drape around his frame as he enveloped her as 
well.
	Darien had never known such warmth before.  Her embrace was much 
more than he had ever hoped.  And she tasted like the smell of his wonderful 
roses.  He wanted to tell her right there that he was her secret admirer, and 
that he was the guy she thought was so perfect for her.  But now he needed to 
focus on her.  He let his hands wander through her hair.  Her silky hair, a bit 
damp from the shower she had taken earlier in the night.  And the back of her 
neck. . . the skin was so silky.  It made him wonder if the rest of her body felt 
the same way.  And finally they had to break from their intimate conjuncture.
	"You should go to bed, you're still not fully recovered." Darien smiled.
	"Okay." She hopped out of the seat and skipped into Darien's room.  
As soon as she was out of sight he let out a huge sigh, after tasting her, he 
didn't know if he could live with out her.
~
	The next day Darien took Serena home.
	"Thanks for taking care of me Darien, I owe you one." She leaned over 
and kissed his lips lightly before getting out of the car.
	"Forget it." He tried to saver what he could, waved to her before she 
went inside then left, fearing that he would never hold her again.
~
	The week came and went, and Serena did not show up at the video 
arcade at all that week.  Something quite odd did happen on Firday during 
school.
	When Serena went to her last class of the day Ms. Haruna handed her 
something, a small, slender box.  Serena opened it to find a single red rose, 
and a note.  The envelope was small, but had no writting on it.  She 
relucktantly opened it, the small card inside said: Meet me outside after 
school.  Your Secret Admirer.  Her mind immediatly set off on day dreams, 
but not of her secret admirer. . . of Darien.  Ever since that last kiss, she 
hadn't been able to get him out of her mind.  She hadn't the guts to go to the 
arcade to face him, because she was afraid she would confess everything, and 
ruin it all.
	The bell rang, and Serena was jolted back into reality, and reminded of 
her meeting after school.  She walked out of the front doors took one look at 
his car and just ran.  Serena swung her arms around Darien, as he hugged her 
tightly, and they shared a long passionate kiss, one that had been long over 
due.  "I just wanted you to be happy for Valentine's Day." He whispered.
	"Some how deep down I knew it was you." She kissed him again.

AN: There wasn't that nice.  I wrote most of that in one night, and I'm really 
proud of myself.  I needed more Serena Darien fics, and I'm very proud of 
this one, hope you liked it.  Please mail: sailor_angie@hotmail.com Ja Ne