lyrasoze@hotmail.com
lyrasoze@hotmail.com

Alrighty, Chapter 2. I know, I know, excitement extreme.

Typical thank you's; Mary Ann, Corie, Skott, Jess and Herm, stay
cool. You guys are the best! Gummiebear, there are no words. hegira and
dramaking_12, thanks for your unflagging support. And a great big 
THANK YOU to 'The Sailor Moon Hideaway' for all the info on the 
Sailor Stars.

Disclaimer: I neither own nor have any affiliation with the cartoon
Sailor Moon. Legal mumbojumbo...blah, blah, blah...Ohmygod, it's 
ELVIS!!! Just making sure you were still with me.

All The World's A Stage
Chapter 2
Rated PG

	Dr. Darien Chiba was not in the greatest of moods. Having gone
to a party hosted by his on again off again girlfriend Beryl, he had 
found himself being introduced to rockstar Seiya Kou and his brothers
Taiki and Yaten. The Three Lights, he knew now, were an international 
sensation, and they were in their hometown of Tokyo to kick off their
anticipated 'Northern Fantasy' tour. He hadn't hit it off with Seiya
at first, an inexplicable tension rising between them, but Taiki was 
intelligent enough. After a few hours, Seiya had joined their 
conversation, proving that he was equally as intelligent. When Taiki 
had gone off to meet his girlfriend Amy at the door, Seiya had 
extended a hand of friendship, and Darien had accepted.
	
	He had not realized that a friendship with one brother meant 
a friendship with all three, and their girlfriends. Yaten was 
dating a young woman named Lita Kino, who ran a bakery and flower shop
down near Crossroads. Taiki was engaged to one of Darien's colleages, 
Amy Mizuro, a general practicioner and obstetrician. Seiya had been 
involved with Mina Aino for years, and the relationship seemed strong.
Darien knew all this because he had spent the previous evening with 
all of them. The fact that he was the only one without a date had not 
been mentioned at dinner, but when Darien recieved a call this morning
inviting him to Rikashi Stadium, his suspicions had grown. And when he
had arrived, and Seiya had greeted him with the dreaded, 'There's 
someone I want you to meet' he knew for sure. Seiya was playing 
matchmaker. And if the display out front was any indication, the
person Seiya wanted him to meet was Seiya's best friend, Serena.

	Of course, Darien felt as though he already knew her. Serena
was so much a part of Seiya's life and career that it was impossible
to talk to the man, or his brothers, or their girlfriends, without her 
name coming up. Darien had heard nothing but her name the night before.
How her favorite movie (Dirty Dancing)was one she'd forced Seiya to 
attend, and Seiya had met Mina there. While in search of her favorite 
dessert (French Silk Pie), Serena had stumbled upon a small bakery 
and flower shop at Crossroads. Two weeks later, Serena held a party  
and introduced it's owner (Lita) to Yaten. How she had dragged her friend 
Amy to a coffee shop poetry reading for a mocha(her favorite coffee), 
some classic rock and roll CD's (her favorite type of music)and to meet 
Taiki. After all he'd heard,Darien was expecting a veritable angel to 
walk through the door, complete with wings and harp.

	"So, what do you think?" Seiya asked, pulling Darien back to the 
present. It took a second for Darien to realize what he meant.
	
	"Oh, the setup? Nice," Darien said, his expression plesantly 
neutral. Seiya raised an eyebrow, and Darien looked at him blandly.
	
	"It's nice," Seiya deadpanned.
	
	"Well, I've never backstage at a rock concert before. Isn't 
this the way it's supposed to look?"
	
	"Yeah, but that isn't all. The Three Lights are known for the 
smooth way everything comes off. The sound, the special 
effects, and of course, the parties."
	
	"I think I remember reading that you have award winning 
light designs."
	
	"Yup. All thanks to the wonderful Serena Tsukino. She is
really gifted. And her crew's great too. Hey, they make Yaten
look fabulous!" Seiya chuckled, and Darien laughed along with
him. Seiya launched into another monolauge about the sound
equipment, and Darien managed to maintain a look of plesant
interest.
	
	It took all of Darien's willpower not to sigh with relief
when he heard a knock on the door. It was obvious that Seiya was
passionate about his work and could go on for days. Darien turned 
toward the door, and his breath caught. A lovely blond was standing 
in the doorway, one foot crossed behind the other. Darien's first 
thought was that she would fall if she attempted to hold that pose
for any length of time. His second thought was that he wished she 
would fall; then he could catch her. Darien banished those thoughts
immediatly. 
	
	"Speak of the devil. Serena, I'm glad you could rip yourself
away from the light board. I thought I was going to have to come
pry you away myself."
	
	"Ha ha. Watch what you say, or the lights may mysteriously 
lose power in the middle of your big solo."
	
	"You wouldn't do that. You love me too much."
	
	"I am no longer listening to you." That said, the blond... no,
Serena...turned her back on Seiya and offered Darien her hand.
	
	"Hello. I'd apologize for Seiya's abysmal manners, but I find
it does no good. So I'll just introduce myself. I'm Serena Tsukino."
	
	"Charmed," Darien took the offered hand, but instead of shaking
it he turned it to the side and lightly kissed her knuckles. He looked
back up at Serena and smiled, well aware of how devestatingly 
handsome he looked as he did it. Serena blushed slightly, but made no 
attempt to take her hand back. Seiya watched the two of them with mute 
interest.
		
	Darien was trying his best not to let his shock show on his face. 
THIS was Serena? He had expected an angel, not a model. Serena had a
leggy curvaceous figure that was inspiring thouroghly ungentlmanly 
thoughts. He was surprised to see that she was slim and had an athletic 
build. From the way Seiya talked, he'd thought she'd be at least a little
overweight. Seiya had said she ate more food than anyone would think 
possible, and now Darien realized why. She was shorter than him by about 
a foot, but would still fit nicely into his arms. Darien surpressed a
smile at the thought. 
	
	"And you are?" Serena asked, breaking the silence.
	
	"Chiba. Darien Chiba."
	
	"Well then, I'm pleased to meet you, Mr. Chiba."
	
	"The pleasure is all mine, Ms. Tsukino," Darien said, 
matching her voice for dryness. Serena's mouth twitched at the 
side, but she didn't smile as she withdrew her hand. Darien watched as 
she turned back to Seiya in a swirl of golden hair.
	
	"What do you want, Seiya?"
	
	"Is it so impossible to believe that I merely wanted to see you?"
	
	"Yes."
	
	"I'm hurt. Truly, I am. That my best friend could have so little
faith in me..."
	
	"Now I'm sure you want something," Serena stated, crossing to 
a leather sofa and sinking down into it. "I'd better sit down for
this."
	
	Darien cleared his throat as he glanced at his watch. "I'm 
terribly sorry, but I have an appointment at 2:00. Thank you for
the tour, Seiya. Ms. Tsukino," Darien nodded in Serena's direction, 
taking in her figure one more time as he did so, and shook 
Seiya's hand before making his exit. As he walked across 
the stadium floor, he noticed the the crew was taking a late lunch.
He saw a couple moving toward the doors, chatting amiably. The woman
was wearing a red T-shirt and blue jeans with sneakers. A red bandana
tied her long dark hair away from her face. The man had long brown 
bangs which flopped in his eyes, and his white T-shirt and black jeans
were baggy. Both looked tired. He reached the door before the couple,
and made certain to hold the door until the woman came outside. Nodding
politely, he turned toward his red Porsche, but not before he heard
the woman say,
	
	"See, Chad? I TOLD you it was him!"
***********************************************************

	Serena watched Darien leave. Like any female with the sense
of ameoba, she had been admiring the view. Good Lord the man was 
fine. Gorgeous, intelligent, gorgeous, cool, gorgeous. Had her
brain focused on gorgeous? Piercing eyes, hair like fine velvet,
great body. Serena watched Darien's back. Cute butt, too.

	Serena sighed and turned her attention back to Seiya.

	"All right, Seiya. I have now braced myself for any news
you may have for me. Shoot."
	
	"Okay," Seiya sat down beside her on the sofa. "Are you
hungry? Want a sandwich? A Coke?"
	
	"No, thanks."
	
	"Serena, have I told you lately that you are my best friend?"
	
	"Yes."
	
	"Good. Listen, you know that Mina has been wanting to have
you over for dinner, right?"
	
	"Is that what this is about? Dinner? Seiya, you know 
how much I like Mina. Dinner is no problem."
	
	"I'm so glad to hear you say that. It's a casual, just
a small group, Taiki and Yaten and their girlfriends, of course.
You can invite Raye and Chad if you want."
	
	"Seiya, why are you so nervous?"
	
	"Well, there's something else."
	
	"I figured. What is it?"
	
	"Well, you remember Darien."
	
	"I just met him two minutes ago. I haven't had time to forget 
him."
	
	"Well, he's coming to the party too, and since neither of you
have a date..."
	
	"Absolutely not."
	
	"Oh, come on Serena," Seiya said. "It's just one night. 
Dinner at my place and dancing afterwards. Six hours, tops. 
What is so bad about that?"
	
	"You are trying to set me up with a man I barely know."
	
	"So you'll GET to know him."
	
	"Seiya, no."
	
	"Please, Serena? You need to get out more."
	
	"Wow, aren't we observant?"
	
	"Don't be like that. You have no life, you spend all your time
locked away in your apartment or the light booth, and you haven't had 
a date since last year."
	
	"I didn't realize I was in such desperate straights. Maybe
I should take out a personals ad," Serena said flippantly, trying
to cover how much Seiya's remark had hurt. 
	
	"Serena, you know I didn't mean it like that. I'm just worried 
about you. Say you'll come to dinner. It won't be an official date,
just two people enjoying each other's company."
	
	Serena looked at Seiya, recognizing the glint in his eyes. He 
wasn't going to give up until Serena gave in. Serena heaved a sigh
and admitted defeat.
	
	"When's the party?"
	
	"Tomorrow night," Seiya said, the gleam of triumph in his face.
"Cocktails at six, dinner at six thirty, dancing at nine."
	
	"I can invite Chad and Raye?"
	
	"Sure," Seiya said, magnanimous in victory.
	
	"Fine. I'll be there," Serena said, looking down at her 
pink and white stripped shirt and ragged blue jeans. "I haven't
got a thing to wear."
	
	"Go shopping," Seiya said.
	
	"I shall never understand how men are able to say those 
two words with such calm."
	
	"What?"
	
	"Never mind. Girl thing. I have to go. As soon as the subs are 
programmed, I'm out of here."
	
	"Fine, fine. I'll see you tomorrow, then?"
	
	"Yeah, you'll see me tomorrow," Serena called as she swung out 
the door. She shook her head as she walked down the hallway toward the
ramp which led to the stadium floor. Surfacing, she saw that the crew 
was on break. Jogging to the light booth, Serena unpacked her lunch and
broke her own rule; NO eating in the light booth. Digging in to the
jumbo shrimp and orange chicken she had had left over from dinner
last night, Serena started to think about what she had just promised 
to do. A groan escaped as she covered her face with her hands.
	
	"What have I gotten myself into?"
************************************************

	Darien listened to the message from Taiki on his home 
machine with mixed emotions. His appointment had been cancelled 
by the other party, and Darien had found himself at loose ends. 
He had wandered back to his apartment and showered. Allowing
the hot water to run over his body, Darien allowed his thoughts
to drift back to the afternoon, and Serena. 

	'She seems nice,' Darien thought. 'I cannot believe that
trite sentance was even formed in my head.'

	Darien stepped out of his shower and reached for his towel.
Drying himself off, he headed into the bedroom and reached for the 
dresser drawers.

	'Serena is lovely. Silky hair, legs up to her chin. But 
Seiya said she was single. Can't imagine why.'
 
	Darien reached into his drawers for jeans and a polo shirt. 
Now, with a towel draped around his neck, Darien listened to Taiki's 
voice invite him to a dinner party at Seiya's place tomorrow night. 
Darien checked his schedule and found himself free. He picked up the 
phone to RSVP.
	
	"Hello?"

	"Hello, this is Darien Chiba. I'm calling for Seiya."
	
	"Oh, hello again Darien. This is Mina. We met last night."
	
	"Of course. How nice to talk to you again."
	
	"Are you calling about the dinner party? Seiya said that 
Taiki was going to invite you."
	
	"Yes, as a matter of fact. I was calling to tell Seiya that
I would be honored to attend."
	
	"Oh, wonderful! I'll pass the news along."
	
	"Do I need to bring anything?"
	
	"No, no, just bring yourself. Seiya and I have everything 
under control."
	
	"Then I'll see you tomorrow. Six o'clock, right?"
	
	"Right. See you then, Darien."
	
	"See you then. Goodbye."
	
	"Bye!"
	
	Darien placed the reciever back in its cradle. He wondered 
briefly if Beryl was available for dinner tomorrow, but dismissed
the thought quickly. Beryl wouldn't be comfortable in such a casual
environment. She prefered upper crust parties, complete with champagne
and a string quartet. No, Beryl would probably insult everything from
the guest list to the tablecloth. That was the sort of person she was,
and Darien didn't feel like being embarrased by his date. 
	
	"Guess I'm going stag," Darien commented. He wondered abruptly 
if Serena would be at the party, then pushed the thought away. But she
sure was a looker. Darien shook his head, droplets of water flying
from his hair.
	
	"What have I gotten myself into?"
******************************************************************

	There it is, Chapter 2. I'm so proud. ^_~
Hey, I know it's short again, but what can I say, another perfect
ending place. Chapter 3 is nice and long, so continue reading!

	I feel compelled to make a shameless bid for e-mail, so I pose 
the following question:

Who's your favorite 'Sailor Moon' villian?

I know you must have a favorite. You know, who do most love to hate?
Mail me and let me know!

lyrasoze@hotmail.com