The Unexpected - Part One
A P120 Challenge: < Conceited Jerk Darien > 
Usagi-chan
Usagi@tuxedomask.com
I don't own Sailormoon or anything pertaining to
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~~~

	It was a leisurely Saturday for Serena.  She woke up well past noon,
showered and dressed.  As she was picking out her clothes, she thought back
to the run in with Darien on the previous day.  She was holding a skirt 
up to herself, when she remembered the way Darien had looked at her. 

	Serena opted for a short blue skirt and a white top.  She put her
hair up in her traditional style, then skipped down the stairs.  When she
entered the kitchen, a note was waiting for her on the table.  Serena's 
eyes skimmed the note, which told her that her family had gone out for the
day.  Deciding that she didn't want to stay home alone, Serena left her
house and headed towards the arcade.

	As the door opened, the familiar bells jingled.  Serena smiled at
the sound and glanced around the arcade.  

	'Aha.' She thought, as her eyes fell on Darien and Andrew talking 
at the counter.  A devious plan began to form in Serena's mind.  Smiling,
she sauntered up to the counter and slid onto the seat next to Darien.  She
crossed her legs and leaned slightly on the counter.

	"Hey Serena!  What can I get you?" Andrew asked.  Serena smiled at
him.

	"Uhmm...  A chocolate shake, please." 

	"Coming right up." Andrew replied.  He turned away, and Darien 
turned his head slightly to glance at Serena.

	"Hi Darien." Serena smiled at him.  

	"Hi." He still wouldn't meet her gaze, having not forgiven himself
for staring at her as he had the day before.
	
	"What did I do?" Serena asked.  

	"What do you mean?" Darien asked, turning to fully face her.

	"I've managed to be in your presence for more than thirty seconds
and I still haven't been insulted?  Darien, do you feel alright?" Serena
leaned forward and gently touched Darien's forehead.  "Hmm...  No fever.
You do look a little flushed though."

	"I'm fine." Darien told her.  He turned back to the counter and
sipped his coffee.  

	"Are you sure?" She asked.  Serena set her hand on his shoulder,
leaning on him slightly.  'Hmm...  I am worried...  He doesn't look right,
and he's acting strange.'

	"Yeah, I'm sure." Darien smiled at her.  'Why is she being so
concerned?  Hmm... I like the way her hand feels on my shoulder...  so
warm...'

	"Here ya go Serena!" Andrew set her chocolate milkshake down in
front of her.

	"Yummy!  Thanks." Serena pulled away from Darien and turned her
attention to the milkshake in front of her.

	"So what's new with you Serena?" Andrew asked.  Serena shrugged
as she sipped.

	"Nothing really.  How are things with you and Rita?"

	The question caught Darien's attention and he glanced at her, trying
to keep it discreet.

	'So she knows Andrew is heavily involved.  Then why does she come
here everyday to see him?'  Suddenly a thought occurred to Darien.  'What
if its not Andrew she comes to see?  What if it's... me?'

	"Oh things are great!  I got a letter from her last night." Andrew
smiled happily.

	"How are things in Africa going for her?" Serena asked.

	"Wonderful!  They found this site where...  Oh, you probably don't 
want to hear about all that." Andrew laughed.

	"No, no!  I do!" Serena insisted.

	"Well, they made a great find last week!  There are all these 
ancient artifacts, like vases and some plates.  She said they even found
something that looks like it might be over two million years old." Andrew
was beaming with pride.

	"That's amazing!" Serena exclaimed.

	Darien found himself wondering if Serena would ever be that 
interested over something he had to say.  What if he were to talk about
school, or work or anything that interested him?  What would she do?

	'Well, no time like the present to find out.' Darien thought
to himself.  "Hey!  Did you hear about the awards ceremony going on at
Azabu Tech?" 

	Serena's eyes quickly turned to look at Darien.

	"Award ceremony?" She asked.  

	"Yeah, what are you taking about?" Andrew seemed just as curious.

	"Well, every year they hold this big banquet thing, with awards." 
Darien sipped his coffee, carefully watching Serena over the rim of his cup.
"They award people for academic achievments and stuff like that."

	"Cool!  That sounds like a lot of fun!" Serena exclaimed.

	"I remember that from last year, where you walked away with how many
awards?" Andrew grinned.  Darien laughed.

	"Yeah, well...  I have a few nominations this year." Darien shrugged.

	"How many?" Andrew asked.

	"Seven."

	"Out of?" Serena asked.

	"Ten."

	"A few nominations?!" Serena grabbed his arm.  "That's amazing!"

	"I'm impressed Darien.  I guess all that studying really does pay
off, huh?" Andrew asked.  "Oh!  I'll be right back."

	Andrew left to go help some kids with one of the games.  Serena 
was still focused on Darien.

	"You are getting seven awards, and you are sitting there like its
no big deal?  If I were you, I would be out partying!" Serena exclaimed.
"So when is the ceremony?" 

	"Tonight, actually." Darien replied.

	"Wow!  Let me know how it goes, k?" Serena smiled at him. 

	A thought occurred to Darien as he gazed into Serena's smiling
eyes.  Taking a deep breath, Darien opened his mouth.

	"I can do better than that.  Why don't you come?" He asked.  

	"For real?" Serena asked.  "Wouldn't you rather take, I dunno, your
girlfriend or something?"

	"Don't have one to take.  You might save me from the boredom of all
the professors, and dazzle all my peers." Darien smiled.

	"Are you sure you want to take me?" Serena asked, still not 
believing that she might be attending a university function.  

	"Yeah.  I'll pick you up around six thirty.  And it's formal..."

	"Oh this is great!" Serena exclaimed.  "I gotta go home and tell
Mom!"

	Serena shot off the chair, threw her arms around Darien's neck for 
a brief hug and was out the door before he could register anything that
had happened.  

	When Andrew got back, he found a dazed Darien staring at the stool
where Serena had been sitting only moments before.

	"Hey Darien?  You okay?" Andrew asked.

	"She hugged me..." Darien whispered.

~~~