            I'm back!  Just a warning, I'm sporting a PermaGrin because 
today was my last day of finals, and I'm free!!!  Sweet, glorious 
freedom!  So maybe I failed my exam today, who cares!  I don't have 
to see that class again!  Okay, enough.  Here is part three; sorry it took 
me so long.  Expect the next few chapters to come out quickly.  Do you 
know why?  Because I'm free!  Fa la la! Sorry, thought I'd gotten that 
out of my system.  I don't own Sailor Moon.  Thanks so much to 
everyone who reviewed and thanks to the wonderful band name 
suggestion.  I hope you like the one I chose! Your faith will be 
rewarded  I feel very inspired.  Enjoy!
 
            Tuesday rolled around and the band was gathered again at 
Raye's.  It was evening time, and the sky was just fading to a pale pink 
on the horizon.  It was calm, peaceful, serene  
            " Meatball head!  Can't you ever be on time?"  Raye yelled out, 
shattering the evening's mystique.  Serena stepped into the old temple 
room slash newly made over practice room, and shut the heavy 
soundproof door.
            " Sorry Raye, but hey, if I was early, I wouldn't be me, and I 
just have to be me!" Serena said cheerfully.  Raye tried to smother her 
amusement at the blonde's enthusiasm.
            " I'll forgive you, provided Darien's as ready as you say he is", 
Raye said.
            " Yeah, baby, let me hear those strings", said Mina said, in a 
really goofy voice.  Lita hit her upside the head.
            " Sorry, I forgot myself and let her have coffee this morning.  
You'd think I'd learn my lesson after the last time" Lita teased.
            " You guys are really weird  I thought Meatball head was bad, 
but apparently you're all certifiable", Darien said, his face betraying 
only the smallest of smiles.
            Raye burst out laughing.  " You just called her Meatball head!  
That is too much!  If we ever make it big I am going to leak to the press 
that oh so adorable nickname."
            " I hate my life!" Serena whined piteously.  " Can we play 
already?"
            Raye's face took on a more serious look, as she began checking 
the equipment.  Lita settled herself at the drums and warmed up a little.  
Mina was playing a lilting tune on her flute.
            " Listen up people, we are going on a full run-through tonight of 
all eleven main songs.  Hope you're ready for it", Raye said wickedly.  
Serena groaned and rolled her eyes, but was secretly glad.  She was 
only ever truly alive when she was playing.
            They played song, after song, after song.  Amy was taking 
recordings as well as playing the keyboard, in the hopes of making a 
new and improved demo-tape.  With Darien's input as a guitarist they 
were sounding better then ever, but they still had a long way to go.  
And she was beginning to think they needed new songs.  Some tunes 
that would really get people out of their seats; make them sit up and 
take notice.  They definitely needed a new name.  Over the next two 
weeks the band met every evening, and often played long into the 
night.  On the night before their first gig as a group, they met up again 
for an all day practice.  
            " I guess that about does it  we're as ready as we'll ever be", 
Raye said, rubbing her temples in a vain attempt to forestall the 
headache that was forming.
            " Just say it, Raye, we sound fantastic!" Mina said, jumping up 
and down.
            " Caffeine?" Darien asked Lita quietly.
            " Nope.  This time it's all her", Lita said, laughing.
            " We sound pretty good", Raye admitted grudgingly.  Coming 
from Raye, that was a glowing compliment.
            " We still need a name, and where exactly are we going 
tomorrow?"  Amy asked.
            " Let's get out of this room first, it's so hot in here", Mina said, 
and flung the door open wide.  They trooped out into the balmy 
evening, only to discover that a fine, mist of rain was falling.  Darien 
lifted his face up to the water.
            " Ahh, that feels so good", he said, fanning his t-shirt slightly.  
The other's nodded in agreement  it could get awfully stuffy 
practicing in that small room.  Due to the soundproofing, they couldn't 
even open a window.  Temple grounds were not the sort-of place where 
loud, often off-key, music would be tolerated.
            " So, time to give girl", Lita said directly to Raye.  " What is it 
about this gig that you're not telling us?"  The other band members 
circled around Raye, who was nervously studying the ground.
            " I just know you're going to make a big deal about this, and 
really it's not that bad", Raye said trailing off.
            " Raye", Serena said threateningly.
            " Okay, we're going to the Green Eyed Cat", Raye said.
            " Raye!  That place has the worst reputation in town!  The last 
time we were there, people threw stuff at us.  And I don't mean money 
and flowers", Lita said huffily.
            " Are things really so desperate?" Amy asked.  
            " The pay is really good you guys, and they promised me that 
we would get the first spot.  The crowd won't be too rowdy that early 
on, and we'll be long gone if any trouble starts", Raye said 
convincingly.  " Please?"
            " Well, I'm with you", Mina chirped.  " You know me, anything 
for a spotlight."
            " And the rest of you?"
            " Doesn't bother me any", Darien said with a shrug.  The 
other's eventually nodded.  In the end it all came down to a gig is a gig, 
and money is money.  
            " That just leaves the problem of a name?  Anybody come up 
with any suggestions?"
            " I was thinking of 'Clique of Notes' (AN: thanks to Hyper 
Princess for this suggestion!)  You know it's like the sound, and yet 
we're like a clique since we all hang out together", Amy said.
            " That's actually not bad.  And not too girly, which I 
appreciate", Darien said.
            " You're so hard done by, aren't you?" Serena said 
sarcastically.
            " Quiet, Meatball head", Darien said, tweaking one of the buns 
on her head.
            " Lay off the hair, nancy-boy", Serena said angrily.
            " Nancy-boy?  Oh dear, I'm afraid I can't let that one slide", 
Darien said.  Serena took a step back.
            " Did I say that?  I meant nice boy, yes that's what I meant", 
Serena sputtered nervously.  She dodged behind Lita, but Lita was not 
about to get caught in the middle of yet another Darien and Serena 
spat.  Over the past two weeks, the relationship between the two 
guitarists had solidified into something that was part mutual 
admiration, and part mutual annoyance.  They got along fairly well but 
every now and then they seemed to reach a point where energy had to 
be released.  
            Serena gave a cry of alarm when Darien grabbed her around the 
waist and swung her over his shoulder.
            " Any other pearls of wisdom you wish to impart, your 
highness?" Darien said cynically.
            " Yeah, I think we should call the group Five Femme Fatales 
and their Slave Boy", Serena said, no longer afraid for her life, and 
actually quite enjoying her position.  She laughed when Darien 
growled.
            " Anyways", said Mina slowly, turning away from the crazy 
guitarists.  " Back to the name.  I think 'Clique of Notes' will go over 
people's heads.  Or at least, it went over mine until Amy explained.  I 
just don't think the vast majority of our audience will get it."
            " I hadn't thought of that", said Amy.  " Does anyone else have 
any ideas?"
            Behind the four girls, who were actually thinking about the 
band, ran a scared man and a mud-splattered blonde.
            " You can run but you can't hide", she cried out.
            " I didn't mean to, the grass was slippery", Darien yelled out 
desperately in response.
            " Slippery wet muddy  I don't think there's a name in 
that", Lita muttered.
            " What about something simple like Rain, or Nature, or"
            " For heaven's sake, Raye we're a band not the Discovery 
Channel", Mina retorted.  Serena skidded to a sloppy stop in front of 
the others.  She tried to turn and face them but slipped on the rain-
slicked earth and fell on her butt into a puddle.  The four friends burst 
out laughing.
            " Aw, come on, it's fun!  The mud's all soft and squishy", 
Serena said, looking up at them with an impish expression.
            " Won't you ever grow-up?" Raye asked amused.
            " Not if I can help it.  And Darien's just as bad as I am", Serena 
said, pointing out the dark haired man who was returning to the group, 
completely plastered with mud.
            " Hey!  The reason I'm covered in mud is because you put it 
there."
            " Who me?" asked Serena innocently.  Darien took a step 
towards her and fell victim to the slippery ground.  Only this time he 
instinctively reached out to steady himself and ended up pulling Lita 
down into the mud with him.  
            " How did I get into this?" Lita said.
            " Oh, get over it", Serena said, splashing some water at her.  
Lita grinned and splashed her back.  
            " We need a name you guys, quit goofing around!" Raye said.
            " What we need is for you to relax a bit", Lita said, knocking 
Raye off balance.  Raye sat there fuming as the rain, which was starting 
to fall harder, washed over her.  Gradually, she gave-in to the situation 
and stopped trying to act offended.
            " You really are a Meatball head, and it appears to be 
contagious", Raye said.  Amy and Mina looked at each other, looked at 
their damp but still clean clothes, and shrugged.
            " I will if you will", Amy finally said.  For an answer Mina 
picked up a handful of mud and put two streaks on her face, almost like 
she was preparing for war.  Then she dumped the rest of the mud on 
Amy's head and started laughing like mad.  After that it was every man 
(or woman) for themselves.  Mud slinging took on a whole new 
meaning, and through it all, possible band names were still being called 
out.
            " Mud wrestlers?"  
            " I'll mud wrestle you, if you think we're going to call ourselves 
that."
            " How about the 'Impulsives'?"
            " Ugh!  Rhymes with repulsive", Serena yelled.
            " How about the 'Meatball heads'?"
            " That's it!  I'm shaving my head and moving to a place where 
pasta is forbidden."
            " How about 'Goldilocks'?  The rest of you could dye your hair 
blonde."
            " No chance Mina."
            The group was so busy with their ridiculous roll in the mud, that 
they didn't hear the approach of two visitors.  In fact they had no idea 
they had any spectators, until one of them spoke.
            " How about you call yourselves 'Lunatics'?  I mean that's what 
you so obviously are", Chad said loudly.  Everyone paused and looked 
at the intruders.  The moon suddenly peeked out from amongst the 
clouds and lit up the grounds briefly.  The mud covered people looked 
at each other and then burst out laughing.  Helping each other to stand 
they faced Chad and Andrew who by chance had arrived together.
            " Maybe we should take that as an omen", Serena said, 
indicating the moon.
            " Huh?"
            " Lunatics.  Luna is Latin for moon", she said.
            " And Lunatics comes from the idea that people do insane 
things because of the moon's influence", Darien said.
            " Thank you, Mr. Encyclopaedia", Serena said.
            " Enough!  I refuse to go through this again", Raye said.  " 
Actually, I kind-of like the idea.  What do the rest of you think?"
            " I think it's the best description of a group that would accept 
Darien as a member", Andrew teased.
            " So we're agreed?"
            " Yep, henceforth we're all 'Lunatics'."
            " And tomorrow the Lunatics will be playing their first gig, so 
get to bed everyone", Raye said.  The group began to disperse.
            " You heard the lady, time to get you to bed, Mina", Andrew 
said easily, taking her hand.  " And I've got the perfect one", Andrew 
winked.
            " After three dates?  I think you over-estimate your power." 
Mina teased, knowing he wasn't serious.
            " Okay, then how about a date?"
            " Sure, but you have to take me home first so I can change."
            Mina and Andrew hurried off towards his car.  Darien watched 
passively as Andrew left, before remembering why Andrew had come 
in the first place.
            " Damn it, he was my ride home."
            " I'll give you a lift", Lita offered.  The two headed towards 
Lita's green rust-bucket.
            " Nice car", Darien said sarcastically.
            " Are you insulting my baby?" Lita said giving an appreciative 
tap to the hood before getting into the drivers seat.  She put the key in 
the ignition, but the motor refused to turn over.  She tried again, 
coaxing the car with soothing words.  When it still didn't start, she 
began getting exasperated.  " Work you piece of crap, or I'll melt you 
down for scrap", she screamed, and pounded the steering wheel.  
" Interesting technique", Darien said calmly.  The car leapt into gear 
and Lita pulled the car into traffic.
            " I don't know why it works, but it does", she said with a 
laugh.  Darien gave her the directions and discovered that Lita lived not 
to far from his own apartment and knew the way.
            " I want to thank you, for the ride.  I mean, I really appreciate 
it."  
            Lita shrugged dismissively.  " You're like one of the family 
now, and you have the mud to prove it.  We all help each other out; 
we're really close you know?  I thought it was going to be weird having 
you join us, but you're like the I don't know, the cynical, down to 
earth person we were missing."
            " Thanks.  I think", Darien said.  " Just don't call me one of the 
girls, or I'll have to do something drastic".  Actually, the comment 
about family had kind-of thrown him.  He could see her point though.  
The five women were very close to one another, and very loyal.  He 
had simply never considered himself as becoming part of that group, 
although Serena had done a lot to bridge the gap between him and the 
others.  Not intentionally of course, but something about her infectious, 
exuberance made it impossible for him to remain aloof.  And of course, 
he had Serena to thank for his 'mud' initiation.  Just thinking about her 
and the way she'd looked at him when he had 'accidentally' dropped 
her in the puddle was enough to make him smile: the pouting lips, the 
glaring eyes, and the way her hair had flowed around her.  She was too 
cute.
            Lita glanced over at her companion and sighed.  He was 
probably thinking about Serena.  She had noticed how he always 
looked up whenever Serena entered the room.  Of course, he 
immediately looked away, and tried to act like he didn't care.  The only 
one who didn't see through that act was Serena herself.  That was 
another thing that both Serena and Lita shared; they were both terribly 
afraid of being hurt again and consequently they both tended to avoid 
relationships.  
            Although, to be honest, it had been some time since the last man 
had asked her out.  Was she not feminine enough?  Did she send out the 
wrong signals? Neither Darien of Andrew had considered her dating 
material when they had first met her, not that she begrudged her friends 
their happiness, but it worried her.  She had always been tall, finally 
halting at the height of five feet eleven and a half, and tough.  Plus 
there was the fact that she played the drums and generally wore pants; 
it wasn't particularly easy to play the drums in a skirt, after all.  Was it 
any wonder that guys noticed her friends first?
            " So, when did you learn to play the drums?" Darien asked to 
break the silence.  Lita stopped her musing and considered the 
question.  Well, nothing like the direct approach.
            " When I was twelve, my parents were killed in a place crash.  I 
came here to live with an aunt, and one of the therapies involved anger 
management through musical learning.  Nothing really appealed to me 
 it all sounded to soft for the rage I was feeling but then they sat me in 
front of some drums and that was it," Lita said.
            " Sounds like my story", Darien said, surprising the both of 
them.  Since Lita had shared, he felt it was only right that he do the 
same.  " My parents were killed in a car crash when I was six.  I was in 
the car but survived.  I have retrograde amnesia  I don't remember 
anything much before the accident.  Anyway, I was shipped around 
from foster home to foster home.  At one home, I got a guitar for 
Christmas, and then it seemed like it didn't matter so much that I was 
never in the same place, because the guitar always came with me."
            " Huh, so we're just a couple of orphans?"
            " I guess", Darien said.
            " Good to know", Lita said, and then they were both silent as 
they considered the conversation.  Lita then pulled up alongside 
Darien's apartment complex.  " We're here.  If you ever need a ride, 
just ask.  I can always use someone strong to push".
            " I believe you", Darien said, stepping gingerly out of the car.  " 
Thanks, see you tomorrow."  
            " Yeah, bye", Lita said, and drove away, lost in thought.
            The band members arrived in various states of anxiousness at 
Raye's temple the following evening.  Chad and Lita were loading the 
instruments into a white van with a 'Take Note' logo one the side, 
when Serena and Amy arrived.
            " Stealing from the company again, eh Chad?" Serena teased.
            " You know it.  Anyone want a free stapler?" Chad asked.
            " I do.  So I could shut your mouth for five seconds", Raye said, 
her voice sounding a little stressed.  She jumped out of the back of the 
van and stalked back to the temple.  Chad just gave a little shrug to 
Amy and Serena, as if to say he had no idea where this mood swing had 
come from.
            " I've got your keyboard in, Amy, and my drums.  Can 
someone give me a hand with one of the amplifiers?" Lita asked.
            " I'll help.  Where do I put this?" Darien asked, arriving with 
guitar in hand.
            " Anywhere it will fit", Lita said.
            " Oh good, Darien you're here.  I had a horrible dream last night 
where you got into trouble", Raye said.  Mina arrived shortly 
afterwards, and they left the temple for the Green Eyed Cat.  Chad, 
Raye, and Mina were in the van; Darien, Serena, Amy, and Lita went in 
Lita's car.  Serena was sitting in the backseat, curled up against the side 
of the car.
            " Hey Meatball head, what's up with you?" Darien asked.
            " Oh, don't take it personally.  Serena's doing her little pre-
show act", Amy said, turning around in the passenger seat to look 
backwards.  At Darien's perplexed expression, Amy explained, " She 
gets stage fright."
            " Really?"
            " No, I don't get stage fright.  I just get nervous when I have 
to be around strangers", Serena shot back.
            " Sounds a lot like stage fright", Darien said dryly.  If Serena 
hadn't been so busy biting her lip, she might have smacked him.  They 
arrived at the bar, which was already filling up with people, and 
approached the busy entrance.  The van would have arrived already at 
the backdoor.
            " Excuse me miss, but I'm afraid I can't let you in", said a 
rough voice.  Serena was instantly on the alert.  She was almost always 
asked for ID when she went to a bar.  But to her surprise, this time the 
bouncer's attention was directed at Lita.  The bouncer was very tall, 
and had a decent build without appearing completely muscle-bound.  
He wore a dark coloured sweatshirt with the hood drawn over his hair, 
and silver reflective sunglasses.  " The rest of you can go in", he said, 
and waved them through.  Serena felt Darien tense beside her, 
wondering if he should get involved.
            " Wait a minute, I know that voice", Lita said.  She stepped 
forward and pulled off the sunglasses and the hood.  " Ken, you 
bastard, you freaked the hell out of me!" Lita said excitedly, when she 
had uncovered one of her oldest friends.
            " Like I could ever upset you", Ken said, and then pulled Lita 
into a rough hug.  Setting her back on her feet, he then gave her a mock 
punch to the shoulder.  " So what's the story?  Too good to call me 
anymore?"
            " I've always been too good to call you Ken", Lita said with a 
wink.  " Seriously, I've just been real busy lately.  We're playing 
tonight, but I didn't know you worked here."
            " Yeah, you know me, never at a job longer then two weeks.  
They needed a bouncer and for some reason they thought I looked 
intimidating enough", Ken said, drawing himself up to his full six-feet 
five inches and crossing his arms.
            Amy and Lita giggled.  Darien gave a sigh of relief that Ken 
was on their side.
            " Hey, I recognize that laugh.  Amy, you still hanging around 
with these bums?"
            " I'm conducting a study.  You know, like Jane Goodall and the 
apes?" Amy said, shaking Ken's hand while he laughed.  Lita had 
introduced Ken to the group a few years back.  
            " Hmm, if Amy's here then that means so is Serena", Ken said, 
pretending to search for her.  Serena stepped out from behind Darien 
and gave a Ken a hug.  " Hey, good to see you.  Oh wait, is she doing 
the whole 'new situation' freak out?"
            " Man, you really do know us well", Lita said.  " Oh and this is 
Darien, our new guitarist. Darien this Ken  my loser of a childhood 
friend."
" Nice to meet you Darien", Ken said, shaking Darien's hand.  Darien 
tried not to wince.  Ken turned back to Lita's smiling face and gave her 
one more hug.  "It really is great to see you, now get in there and set up 
before I get fired yet again."
" Later Ken!" Lita said, before they trooped into the bar and headed for 
the stage where Raye and the others were waiting.  The room was 
already packed with people and the noise level was quite high.  The 
band had time for only a few sound checks before they had to perform.
" Hey, everyone this is our song called 'Not Likely'  hope you like it", 
Raye said into the mike, trying to get the audience's attention.
" I like you a lot more, babe", yelled out a voice.  On the sidelines, 
Chad's eyes narrowed.
" One, two, one, two, three", Lita banged out, and then they were 
playing.  Serena's initial nervousness always faded with the first stroke 
of her guitar strings, and she was able to look up and out at the sea of 
faces.  There were a few people dancing, but mostly people were 
milling around with drinks in their hands and tapping their feet in time 
to the beat.  Smoke drifted up towards the blackened ceiling, and grimy 
stage lights winked and dimmed through the dark atmosphere.  The 
crowd was becoming boisterous, as the music began feeding them 
energy.  Halfway into their second song, a man grabbed Mina's leg 
when she got a little too close to the edge of the stage.  Mina dealt him 
a swift kick, before pulling back.  She raised an eyebrow at her band-
mates as if in warning.  They finished off the song, then Raye turned 
around and whispered,
" One more, and then we split.  I don't like how this crowd is reacting".
" Agreed", Mina said.
" Hey Blondie, take it off!" yelled the man who had previously grabbed 
Mina's jean-clad leg.
" Hey jerk, take a hike", she hissed back.
" Yeah, quit bugging the girl", said a woman standing next to the man.  
" I mean, if anyone's taking anything off it's that guy".
" Okay", Raye said briskly into the microphone.  " Here's our last song, 
'Madness'.  Enjoy!"
Chad cranked up the volume on the equipment to drown out the various 
comments spewing forth from of the crowd.  The guitar riff that started 
of their key song succeeded in capturing the audience's attention for a 
moment.  The crowd was surging against the impromptu stage causing 
the already flimsy material to shake.  By mutual agreement they 
shortened the song by a verse and finished as quickly as they could.
" Thanks for listening, bye!" Raye said hastily, collapsing the mike 
even as she spoke.
" Hey!  They're leaving!"
" Oh come on, play something else.  Or play that first one again, that 
was good."
" What the hell is this?  Three songs?"
These and various other remarks were called out as they began packing 
up their instruments.  The manager of the bar made his way through the 
crowd and stood up on the stage.  
" Calm down, people, we have two other bands booked for tonight.  
Just give us a moment, and we'll be right back with more music", the 
man, Vic, said to the audience.  He then turned to them and said in a 
lower voice, " Sorry about this.  They're not usually so volatile.  Good 
playing, by the way, you can play again here anytime."
" Thanks but" Raye was caught off guard when a hand clamped 
around her arm.
" Hey girlie, you sing real nice, you want to give me a private show?" 
The man said, slurring his words.  The owner coaxed the inebriated 
man off the stage but there were more who wanted to take his place.
" Fuck this.  Raye, leave the instruments, we'll come back tomorrow.  
Let's get out of here before things get nasty", Chad said, for once 
putting his foot down.  Raye nodded.  They turned to get off the stage 
but found the way blocked by people.  Fear was beginning to grow in 
the group, when they heard a familiar voice.  
" Okay, people, move out of the way.  Move it, or lose it.  Damn it, 
move the hell out of my way or I'll start breaking heads", said Ken.  He 
was pushing through the crowds with relative ease due to his size.  
Those people stupid enough to get in his path, were pushed brusquely 
to the floor.  Ken stepped up to the stage and help back the horde like a 
police barricade of one.  Amy, Mina, and Lita hustled off the stage and 
Ken began manoeuvring them towards the exit.  Chad followed in his 
wake, with Raye held protectively against him.  Darien was right 
behind them when he realized they were one short.
" Ken, where's Serena?" Amy asked, the minute they were outdoors in 
the alley.
" Shit", Ken muttered as he turned around and went back in for the rest 
of the group.
Darien turned and looked for the petite blonde and found her being 
rough handled by two young men, clearly drunk since they could barely 
stand straight.  Darien jumped to the stage and grabbed one man by his 
collar, pushing him roughly off the stage.  The other man released 
Serena with one look at Darien's harsh glare.  Darien took her by the 
hand and went back the way he had come.  He spotted Ken pushing 
towards him, and stepped into the crowd, keeping Serena away from 
the brunt of the people.  He was almost back to Ken when an empty 
beer bottle came out of nowhere and smashed into the back of Darien's 
head.  He stumbled and his vision began to swim.
" Oh my God!" Serena screeched, instinctively holding Darien up when 
his gait faltered.  
" Easy, I got you", Ken said, grabbing the disoriented Darien's other 
side.  Finally, they worked free of their oppressors and stepped into the 
alley.  Chad already had the van going and they all piled inside.  There 
was enough room for all eight passengers since the instruments were no 
longer taking up the space.
" He's bleeding, someone get me a bandage or something" Amy said, 
taking charge.  
" It's not bad", Darien mumbled, though he winced when pressure was 
applied to the lump on the back of his skull.
" We should take him to the hospital", Ken said.
" Hey, what are you doing here anyway?" Lita asked, surprised to find 
him still there.  Ken shrugged,
" I guess I quit".
At the corner, Chad dropped Lita, Ken and Mina off so they could go 
back for Lita's car.  Chad then drove the van to the hospital where they 
were informed at the emergency desk that Darien's case was not 
serious and that he would have to wait for the next available doctor, 
which could be a while.
" Why don't you guys go?  I can get a cab or call Andrew after I get 
checked out", Darien said.
" Well", Amy began, glancing at the others.
" I'm staying.  The rest of you can go home", Serena said, speaking up.  
" I'll call you guys later when I have some news, okay?"
" You don't have to stay Meatball head", Darien said.
" I know, I want to", she said.  " Really, guys, I don't mind."  
The other girls nodded and Raye demanded that Serena call the minute 
she heard anything, no matter what time that might be.  When the 
others had gone, Serena guided Darien to one of the hard, plastic 
benches in the waiting room, and inspected for herself his injury.  It 
wasn't bleeding much anymore but there was always the concern that it 
could be a concussion.
" I'm really sorry you got hurt, but, well, uh, thanks.  You know, for 
coming back for me", Serena said shyly.
" You're welcome.  Sorry I wasn't a better knight in shining armour", 
Darien joked.
" I thought you were perfect", she said so softly, that Darien couldn't 
hear her.
" What was that?"
" Forget it", she said.  They sat in silence while they waited.  
Eventually, Darien got in to see a doctor, and Serena sat waiting in 
chairs.  She had already called her mom to say what was happening, 
and Irene had insisted upon coming to pick them up from the hospital, 
whenever they were ready to go.  Darien returned to the waiting room 
where Serena was dozing.
" Three stitches, some Tylenol, and an ice pack", Darien said before 
she could ask.  " And I have to come straight back if I experience any 
signs of dizziness or nausea or vision problems."
" That's not so bad then", Serena said, and went to call her mom.  " My 
mom's gonna pick us up, and she says to say that you'll be spending 
the night at our place and there's to be no argument about it."
" Really, it's not necessary", Darien said.
" Maybe, maybe not.  If you do feel dizzy later or something, then 
you're going to need someone to drive you back here.  Besides, you got 
hurt helping me, so it's only fair."
" Why do I get the feeling I have no choice in the matter?"
" Because you don't", Serena said cheerily.  Irene arrived a few 
moments later, and fussed over Darien like he was her long lost oldest 
son.
" And to think, you saved my baby-girl from those bullies", Irene 
gushed as she drove through the empty, pre-dawn streets.
" Mom, would you please stop referring to me as your baby-girl?"
" What would you prefer, Pumpkin?"
            Serena sighed and relaxed back into her seat.  She occasionally 
cast glances at Darien to see if he was okay.  She had been so worried 
when Amy had told her he was bleeding.  And what if he hadn't come 
back for her?  
            They pulled up at the Tsukino's house at a little past four in the 
morning.  Darien was shown into the guest room where he promptly 
collapsed on the bed and fell asleep.  Serena took one last look at his 
sleeping face to assure herself that he was okay, before heading wearily 
to her own bed.  Before going to sleep, she phoned her friends and told 
them what was going on.  When that was done, she finally let herself 
sleep.
            Serena awoke late in the afternoon the following day.  After 
showering and dressing, she made her way down to the kitchen.  Darien 
still wasn't up yet, according to her mother.  After all he had been 
through, Irene suspected that he might not wake up for quite a few 
more hours.
            " Remember that you're going to that concert tonight.  Haruka 
said she'd pick you up at six thirty.  What are you wearing?"
            " That new white dress, I think.  That should be classy enough, 
right?"
            " Just about perfect, dear.  Wow, I'm really quite envious.  
Front row seats at Michiru's violin concert, you'll have such a good 
time.  I invited Haruka and Michiru to stay here while they're in town, 
but Michiru gets a free hotel room so they'll be staying there", Irene 
said to her daughter.  
            " Cool", Serena said, excited by the thought of getting dressed 
up and going out.  She spent the rest of her afternoon playing little 
melodies on her guitar before having a quick dinner and preparing for 
her night out.  She was coming up the stairs, when a bedraggled 
looking Darien stuck his head out the bedroom door.
            " Evening", Serena said laughing.
            " Sorry, didn't meant to sleep so long", Darien said 
embarrassed.  
            " No problem, I just got up a couple hours ago too, and I didn't 
receive a bump to the head.  How are you feeling?"
            " Fine.  Well, my head still hurts, but not as badly as before."
            " That's good.  Mom left you some dinner in the fridge and 
there are towels, and stuff in the bathroom if you want to take a 
shower."
            Just then Irene arrived and began repeating everything Serena 
had just said.  Unlike Serena, however, Irene practically dragged 
Darien down to the kitchen.
            " Really, Mrs Irene, you don't have to go to all this trouble", 
Darien said, when he was sitting at the table with a massive amount of 
food in front of him
            " Nonsense, eat", she said, handing him a fork.  Realizing there 
was no way around such hospitality, Darien ate.  Irene left him alone 
for a moment while she went into the other room.  Darien contemplated 
the events of the last few hours, and decided that getting whacked in 
the head was a small price to pay for getting to stay over at the 
Tsukino's for the night.  The bed had been so comfortable, and the 
clean, lemon smelling sheets, reminded him of a home he had never 
had.  The food that was placed before him and the attention of Serena's 
mother, also made him aware of how small his life could be 
sometimes.  This scene of domestic bliss was Darien's version of 
heaven.  Heaven; complete with angel.
            Angel?  Darien looked again but the figure at the top of the 
stairs wasn't there anymore.  And yet he could have sworn he saw 
something.  Maybe the knock to the head had knocked a few screws 
loose.  The doorbell rang and Darien heard Irene rush to answer it.  
There were muted sounds of two people talking, and, being curious, he 
looked around the corner.  Irene was hugging a young man and talking 
excitedly.  The young man stepped back, and Darien got a glimpse of 
him.  He was dressed in a white pantsuit, and he had short blonde hair.  
He kind-of looked like Serena.
            " Harry!" Serena yelled, hurrying down the stairs and jumping 
into the man's arms.  The young man laughed and hugged the girl 
back.  The whole thing looked very natural, and sweet, so why did it 
make Darien clench his jaw?  He should have known she would have a 
boyfriend, and it was hardly his place to be jealous.  Still, he didn't like 
the look of this Harry.  Something about him was a little different
Serena turned then, as though sensing Darien's gaze.  Darien's breath 
caught in his throat at the sight she made.  She was wearing a white, 
silk slip dress that was held up by two narrow straps at the shoulder 
before cascading, lovingly, down her lithe body to the ground.  It 
emphasized her long sleek, legs and clung to her chest in a way that 
made Darien want to stare.  Her hair was still in its meatballs but she'd 
curled a few tendrils around her face.  She was the most beautiful thing 
he had ever seen.
Serena brought Haruka into the kitchen.  " Darien, this is my cousin 
Haruka.  Or Harry, as I like to call her.  This is Darien, the bands other 
guitarist."
Darien barely managed to swallow his laughter as he shook Haruka's 
hand.  He must really be falling in love with Serena if he could be 
jealous of her female cousin.  Wait; love?  Was he really thinking about 
the L-word, after only a few weeks in Serena's company?  Besides, 
hadn't he convinced himself a while ago that it would be a bad idea to 
get close to someone he worked with?  Leaving Darien to muse, Serena 
and Haruka waved good-bye and left the house.  Seated in Haruka's 
car, Haruka turned to Serena and asked,
" So, are you going to tell me about this new man in your life?"
" He's not in my life, at least not in the way you mean.  He's just a 
friend", Serena said, looking away from Haruka's piercing gaze.
" Oh, I see.  A friend", Haruka said.  Then she smiled, " Too bad you're 
in love with him then."
Serena was at first thrown by the comment, but was forced to admit to 
herself the truth.  She was in love with Darien, despite the fact that he 
had probably never thought of her romantically.  " Yeah, too bad", 
Serena said, realizing it was pointless to lie to Haruka.  She never had 
been able to lie to her cousin.  " Too bad I'm just his friend."
            
So?  Like it or not?  I need to know!

