Never Look Back - Thirteen
Usagi-chan
minako_usagi@hotmail.com
I don't own Sailormoon or anything pertaining to.
E-mail me!  I've got to stop this sometime soon.
It's getting out of control!!!

~~~

Serena woke up as the sunlight fell on her face, unfiltered.
Sunlight.  That meant the storm was over.  Slowly, Serena
became more aware of her surroundings.  She was in a bed,
snuggled up with nice, warm blankets.  She felt safe and
loved.  It was a nice feeling, Serena decided.  Languidly,
she opened her eyes.  The first thing she saw was Darien's 
still sleeping face next to her.

The two were cuddled up in Darien's bed.  Serena was wearing
the top half of Darien's pajama's, while he wore the bottom
half.  They smelt strongly of roses and spice.  They smelt
like Darien.  Serena sighed happily as she snuggled deeper
into his arms.  The movement caused Darien's eyes to open
and look down at her.

"I must be dreaming." He whispered.  Serena looked at him
puzzled.

"This has to be a dream, and I hope I never wake from it."
Darien told her, smiling at the confused look she gave 
him.  "You are too good to be true, love."

Serena laughed gently at him.

"Are you trying to woo me with sweet talk?" She asked him.

"Is it working?" Darien asked, flashing her his quirky grin.

"Yes." Serena replied.  Darien leaned in to kiss her gently
on the lips.  Serena closed her eyes and let the heavenly
feeling of being kissed by her true love wash over her.  
She sighed happily as Darien pulled away from her.  Serena's
eyes flew  open as she felt Darien sit up and get out of his
bed.

"I'll be back." He told her.  She watched him as he left his
room and went downstairs.  A few minutes later, Darien came back
in, holding something behind his back.  Serena sat up and knelt on
top of his bed, her long golden hair flowing down and pooling 
around her legs.  Darien knelt in fron of Serena and pulled a 
small box from behind his back.

"This was the only other thing that I have from my parents.
Nathan convinced me to keep it.  He said I might want to use
it some day..."  Darien smiled at the memory, and handed the
box to Serena.  "I think that day has finally come."

Serena accepted the box, but looked at him confused.  Slowly
she lifted the lid of the box to reveal a delicate looking
ring.  The band looked like the stem of a rose, with tiny,
delicate leaves crafter masterfully into it.  The small flower
on top had a diamond in the center, and tiny diamonds carefully
lay among the petals.  It was gorgeous.  Serena looked from the 
ring to Darien, then back at the ring.

"I..." She was baffled.

"I know you are too young to actually marry me now, but I want
you to wear it, like a promise ring.  I want other people to know
that you belong to me.  I want everyone to know how much I love you."
Darien told her, taking the ring from the box and slipping it onto
her finger.  Serena looked at the ring on her finger before 
throwing her arms around Darien's neck, knocking them both over.

"Oh Darien!  I love you!" She whispered in his ear.

"And I you." Darien told her, laughing at her enthusiasm.  With
the same energy, Serena jumped to her feet and headed towards the
door.

"Where are you going?" Darien asked her, a smile still plastered
on his face.

"To tell Nathan!  Oh Darien I want the whole world to know!"
Serena laughed gleefully before heading downstairs to the 
kitchen.  Darien smiled at her retreating form, having the
oddest feeling that Nathan already knew.

~~~

I know, I know!  Another short one!  But I submitted them
together, so it's like one longer one, right?  Are you 
following my logic?  ^_^

Usagi-chan