Sailor Moon does not belong to me.  
I wish it was so but keep on dreaming. Sailor Moon belongs to 
Naoki Takeuchi/Kodansha, TOEI Animation.  I want to say thank 
you to all those people who encourages me to write to continue writing.  
Especially to Jade and Fyrechild.  

The idea of Chocolate Body Paint came
from the fanfic by Sailor Mac.  I truly love the way she writes about
Usagi/Serena and Mamoru/Darien. I recommend any type of fanfic by
Lady M. Harris.  She is one of the writers that I have ever seen.

I am sorry that it took me so long to finish this chapter.
I have been recovering from a car crash and a serious illness that
followed my accident.  

Remember to visit my page at 
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Pagoda/9613/
I usually add my fanfiction there before I submit it.

I'm looking for some pre-readers.  If you are interested in becoming a 
pre-reader for me please email me. 

This is a spoiler.  It takes place after Sailor Stars.  It is a romance if 
you are looking for action this is not the right place for you.  I am using
the NA name because it is an alternate reality.
 
Wedding Rehearsal is a copyright of Serena Chiba@1998. 
Now on with the story.  

** means thinking
\\ flashback

Separation
by Serena Chiba  

Chapter Six
	

	Usagi was confused.  She had never thought that a man could be as 
dense as Darien.  Except for Mamoru, of course.  This Darien seem to make 
Mamoru a  expert of women and romance.  **How could somebody research about 
the feminine minds?  Don't they know by now that it is impossible?**, Usagi 
thought.  **I want to see how Serena would react to Darien's attempt at 
romance.  And who is Stan?**

			*	*	*	*	*	*

	Serena was off duty during lunch Thursday.  Huddling into her jacket, 
she triednot to think of the date or its significance.  She'd been trying not 
to think of it all day.
	She'd failed.
	Her first thought that moring had been that it was February 13.  That 
she and Darien had met exactly two years ago today, at the annual charity ball 
sponsered each Valentine's Day eve by the Juuban Historical Society.  Neither 
of them had attended with an escort-both had been in the company of other 
friends-and they'd drifted together during the course of the evening.  Darien 
had asked for her number before they'd parted.  The next day he'd called to 
ask for their first date.
	They would have attended the ball again tonight, had things worked out 
differently on her birthday.  Serena had even bought a gorgeous white gown for 
the occasion, the same day she'd bought the blue dress she'd worn the night 
she'd ended their engagement.  She wondered if she would ever want to put 
either of the lovely dresses on again, or if the memories associated with them 
would always be too painful.  Maybe she should return the evening gown for a 
refund, since she hadn't worn it and probably never would.
	"Hey, Serena."
	Roused from her melacholy reverie, Serena turned to Raye with a forced 
smile. "Hi, Raye."
	"How it's going?"
	"It's going okay," she answered her friend.  " Cool today, isn't it?"
	"Mmm."  But Raye wasn't interested in discussing the weather.  "What are 
you doing tonight?" she asked, instead.
	"I don't know.  I have no plans.  Why?"
	"Let's go out and do something, okay? I don't want you sitting home 
brooding tonight."
	"I'm not going to sit home and brood."
	Raye looked considerably less than reassured by Serena's indignat denial.  
"Right.  You're going out with me for some fun," she said, her expression brooking 
no agrument.  "There's a new club close to the temple.  I've been there a couple 
of times.  It's nice. Good music, friendly atmosphere, no hassle from the 
cruisin' Adonis.  Meet me there at seven, okay?"
	Serena dug her hands more deeply into her pockets.  "I appreciate this, Raye, 
really, but I'm not in the mood for a club tonight."
	"Tough.  Consider yourself kidnapped.  Meet me there or I'm comin' 
after you.  Got that?"
	Serena couldn't help but smile at the woamn's exaggerated, tough-guy 
drawl.  "Oh, you are, are you?"
	"You bet.  And I'll bring the bigs guns with me to convince you, if 
I have to.  How'd ya like me to show up with Mina, hmm?"
	Mina Love was a school counselor.  She'd graduated from college a year 
earlier, determined to change the world to fit her homecoming-queen, sorority-girl, 
cheerleader-inspired ideals.  Her intentions were good, but her methods were 
so mercilessly gung-ho, so annoyingly cheery, that many people went out of 
their way to avoid calling themselves to her attention.  Her conversation 
came straight out of pop-psych textbooks, her rose-tinted optimism was cloying 
enough to gag a saint, and her unflagging determination would have made a 
steamroller proud.
	Fortunately, Serena knew Raye's threat was an empty one.  Raye 
couldn't be with Mina for more than a few minutes at a time without threatening 
to stuff her mouth with a pom-pom.  Mina thought Raye's mutterings were 
hysterically amusing, of course.  She had no idea how serious Raye actually was.
	Raye grinned at the look on Serena's face.  "So, you going to go along 
quietly?" she demanded, sensing victory.  "Or do I slip a word to Amberly that 
you are having emotional promblems and could probably benefit from some concerned 
counseling?"
	"Do that and die."
	Raye laughed, then abruptly sobered.  "Do this for me, okay, Serena?  
So I won't have to worry about you tonight.  Meet me at the club and let's have 
some fun."
	Serena sighed and surrendered.  Mayber this was a good idea, after all, 
she decided.  She was really getting tired of sitting home and moping over 
Darien.  And, despite her denials, she knew that was exactly what she would 
do tonight if she went home alone.
	"All right, I'll do it," she said boldly, lifting her chin.  
"Seven, you said?"
	Delighted, Raye nodded and gave her directions to the club.

			*	*	*	*	*	*

	Valentine Delights specialized in exotic coffees, fancy desserts and 
hand-dipped chocolates.  Because it was close to Serena's Tokyo apartment and 
open til midnight, Darien and Serena had been frequent customers.  Thye'd 
lingered there over cappunccinos and desserts after many of the social functions 
required by his professional prominence, sharing their opinions of the events
and the pople who had attended them.
	Darien had enjoyed those peaceful interludes in his otherwise hectic 
schedule.  He didn't want to believe that there would be no more such evening 
with Serena.  If fact, he simply refused to acknowledge the possibility.
	He thought he knew what she wanted now.  And he would do everything 
he could to have her back in his life.
	She was everything he'd hoped to find in a mate.  Intelligent, 
perceptive, committed to her career, a well-read and interesting conversationalist.  
As for her physical attractiveness-well, there was a definite bonus, as far as 
he was concerned.
	He'd been drawn to her from the moment they'd met, two years ago 
today, and he had been very pleased to quickly discover that there was much more 
to her than a gorgeous face and volumptous figure.  He'd known right away that 
they were a suitable match, and he'd characteristicaly wasted no time in 
formalizing the alliance with the traditional diamond ring.
	He had no intentions of letting her slip away from him now, especially 
over something so trivial as a lapse in communication.
	From his usual position behind the counter, Papa Valentine looked up 
when Richard entered the coffee shop Thursday afternoon.  "Dr. Shields," she 
said with a big smile of welcome.  "How nice to see you."
	An unconventional young man with an odd haircut and a gold ring in 
his left nostril bustled around the shop, serving the few customers occupying 
tables at this slow time of the afternoon.  "Eh, what's up, Doc?" he called 
out in a Bugs Bunny accent.  It was the way he always greeted Darien.
	Darien murmured the appropriate responses to both greetings.  He 
crossed the warm-wood and gree-plant-decorated shop to stop in front of one 
of the enormous glass cases that held samplings of the many delectables 
available to customers.  He focused his attention of the enticing display 
of chocolates.
	Greg had assured him that women loved chocolates, and Darien remembered 
that Serena had often selected a few for herself when they had dropped by.  
He blinked at the assortment of fillings, trying to recall which ones she'd 
chosen.
	"May I help you, Dr. Shields?"  Still slim and fit in his seventies, 
his head bald except for a finge of snowy white hair, Papa Valentine practically 
exuded charm and goodwill.  Serena made no secret of her fondness for the man, 
and Darien admired Valentine for his dedication to his work.
	Darien motioned toward the chocolates case.  "I want to buy chocolates 
for Serena."
	Valentine's face let with an approving smile.  "Ah.  A gift for 
Valentine's Day?"
	Darien nodded, draggin his attention from what seemed to be a rather 
odd display of little jars that apparently held something called Chocolate 
Body Paint.  Fanfcy little brushes were attached to each jar with a burgundy 
ribbon.  **I wonder what will be Serena's reaction if I buy this for her.  
This will surely be most enjoyable for her and me.  It would be a great gift 
after our reconcilation.**, Darien thought.
	He pointed toward a display of silver-foil boxes marked in burgundy 
script withthe store name.  "I'd like them packed in one of those fanfcy 
boxes.  Women like that sort of thing on this occasion, don't they?"
	Valentine chuckled.  "You don't exactly sound enthusiastic about 
Valentine's Day customs, Dr. Shields."
	Darien shrugged.  "Seems rather contrived to me.  Still, if 
women like it..."
	"Most of them do.  If the event is celebated sincerely, of course."
	Ignoring the delicately veiled warning, Darien studied the 
chocolates more closely.  "There are so many knds.  Do you know which 
ones Serena likes?"
	"I believe so.  She stops in every so often for a small treat.  
I'll pack you a nice assortment.  It's a good thing you came in today.  
We just stocked up the supplies again.  Last-minute rushes tomorrow 
will limit my selections a bit."
	"Yes, that's what my secretary warned me.  She said there's usually 
not much left on the big day itself, so I made a special effort to come 
in this afternoon.  There are stores closer to my office than this one, 
of course, but I know Serena has a particular fondness for your chocolates."
	Valentine beamed.  "We do take pride in our quality.  I use my 
grandmother's secret recipes, you know."
	Darien nodded.  "You'd best make it a big box.  I'm in the doghouse," 
he explained grumly, remembering Greg's wry lecture.
	Valentine seemd to be fighing a smile.  "And you're hoping to redeem 
yourself with Valentine's Day chocolates?"
	"Chocolates have been associated with romance, of course," Darien commented, 
having some research on the subject.  "Chocolate contains phenylethyamine, a 
neurochemical that simulates the endorphin release that triggers the midbrain 
to produce dopamine.  Dopamine, as you probably know, is a natural amphetamine.  
It is this chemical reaction that many scientists believe may be linked to the 
uncomfortable physical sensations tha accompany initial infatuation.  Of 
course, as the relationship progresses, it is oxytocin that becomes more 
dominant.  Oxytocin produces what is known as the 'cuddle reflex', or the 
gentle attachment linked to mother-child bonding.  Much easier on the 
digestion and temperament than the more forceful neurochemicals, of course."
	"Uh, Dr. Shields, perhaps it would be best if you don't 
mention these clinical observation when you present Ms. Moon with 
the chocolates," Valentine advised wryly.
	"Of course not.  That wouldn't be romantic."
	Valentine gave what might have been a cross between a laugh 
and a cough.  "No," he agreed.  "I think the gift should speak for 
itself."
	That's not all I'm giving her," Darien confided, pleased with 
all he'd accomplished that day.  "I had my secretary order a dozen 
red roses for me to pick up tomorrow, and she spent her lunch hour 
helping me select a diamond necklace and a perfume that's supposed 
to be quite popular.  She assured me that any woman would forgive a 
man who showed up at her doorstep on Valentine's Day carrying all that."
	Valentine didn't look particularly impressed, Darien noted.  
"Expensive gifts are nice, of course, but-"
	"It's romantic," Darien interrupted to explain patiently.  
"A friend convinced me that I'haven't been romantic enough in my 
courtship, so I'm going to prove that I can be as romantic as the next guy. 
I've given some thought to this Valentine's Day phenomenon and I've 
concluded that it's a simple formula, really.  Traditional gifts for a 
traditional occasion.  I should have realized it sooner.  Though I can't 
imagine why Serena didn't just tell me what she wanted, rather than expect 
me to find out for myself.  She seemed content enough to simply go out for 
dinner last Valentine's Day.  Apparently, there's something about a 
twenty-fifth birthday that changes a woman's expectations," he said, 
still bewildered by the significane of that number.
	Valentine wore an expression that might have been pity-or maybe 
it was just masculine understanding, Darien decided.  "Dr. Shields, Serena 
is a person, not a laboratory experiment to be approached with a tried-and-true 
formula, He said gently.  "True romance is much more than superficial gestures."
	Darien smiled.  "Yes, well, I'm srue this will all work out.  Serena's 
really a very sensible woman, and we've ahd an excellent relationship 
to this point."
	"You have always seemed to be a good match," Valentine agreed 
slowly.  "You seem to enjoy talking to each other when you come in for 
coffee and dessert."
	"Of course we do.  This is all asimple misundering.  I suppose 
it happens to every couple at some point.  Now trhat I've realized what 
I've done wrong, it should be an easyenough matter to rectify the situation."
	Although the elder man still looked doubtful, he din't try to 
dispense any further advice.  He busied himself, instead, in preparing 
a huge, particularly elaborate box of his finest hand-dipped chocolates.
	Darien didn't even blink at the outrageous price.  He'd already 
concluded that Valentine's Day was a rather expensive occasion, 
particularly coming so soon after Serena's birthday.  Fortunately, he 
had plenty of money.  And he didn't mind sharing it with the woman with 
whom he still fully intended to spend the rest of his life.
	Tomorrow, he told himself as he left the shop with a distracted 
wave of farewll to Papa Valentine and Rudy, the clerk.  Tomorrow he 
would give Serena the best Valentine's Day she'd ever had.  And then 
they could put this nonsense of a breakup behind them.
	He glanced at her apartment building as he walked to his car.  
He didn't see any lights burning in the windows.  Had she gone out 
tonight?  His electronic orgaizer had reminded him earlier that the 
Valentine Ball was being held tonight.  He hadn't really expected 
Serena to attend without him-but perhaps she had?  After all, she'd 
gotten the tickets, and they were still in her possession, as far 
as he knew.  Maybe-
	Maybe she'd given the extra one to another man.  Another date.
	His fingers tightened spasmodically around the delicate silver 
box of chocolates, slightly crimping one edge.  He forced himself to 
relax them before he ruined the pretty packaging.
	Jealously wasn't his usual style, he reminded himself.  He'd 
never considered himself a particularly possessive man.  
	But then, he'd taken for granted that Serena would always be 
his, that there would be no other man while she wore his ring.  It 
seemed he'd taken quite a bit for granted during the past two years.
	He would be very relieved to have everything settled-to have 
that old feeling of security back.  He'd missed her during the past 
week.
	The thought of a lifetime without her was something he didn't 
even want to imagine.


Author's Note
So how do you like this??  Is it good, bad, or I could have done better??  
Please send your comments, flames, and critisism to me at 
serena_chiba@hotmail.com
Ja ne.

Character List

Tsukino Usagi			Serena Moon
Chiba Mamoru			Darien Shields