No author's note..they're boring anyways. Sailor Moon isn't mine. "The Game of Love" ~~~~Part 2~~~~ by Sailor Tampa SailorTMPA@aol.com ".......and on the eighth day.....God created Darien...." <3<3<3 Glancing at her watch quickly, Serena realized she had to get back, and that she was already late.she thought nervously. After a mental battle as to whether or not she should go back to the park or just run home right now, the contest won out. And before she knew it, she was approaching the large, loud decorations and bustling crowd of people. Serena tried to push her way past them as best she could, but ended up tripping over somebody's foot and landing on her hands and knees by an old oak tree. "Why me..." she mumbled sourly and tilted her head up, only to see a hand outstretched, inches from her face. Her eyes traced over the hand, up the arm concealed in a green jacket, over the broad shoulder, and then stopped when she saw the midnight blues eyes, and strong jawline. Darien. Panic swept over her like a harsh gust of wind. Its not like she *dispised* Darien...she just strongly disliked him, and *that* was an understatement. Even after hearing his kind words, she wasn't sure how to react. Her brain told her that he was still the same conceited jerk who just happened to say something decent for, most likely, the first time in his life, and would be back to teasing her in a second. But her heart disagreed and whispered that Darien had meant every word. She hated him, or at least she wanted to hate him. As she gazed into his face anxiously awaiting to take her hand and help her up, she wanted to just knock it away and stand up by herself. "No thanks, Darien.I can get up by myself." she scowled as she took his hand, being hoisted up by his strength. "O.....kay....." Darien drawled in confusion. Serena flushed slightly and turned around, her back facing him. "Damn you!" She whispered angrily as she slapped her own hand a few times. Darien knew he had to cover up his little "decency" speech on the stage, and go back to being Darien Chiba:The ass-man. He had meant it, but didn't want Serena to get the wrong idea. She was still the ditzy air-brained school girl he always teased, and didn't like all that much. At least, thats what he told himself. "C'mon, Meatball brain! Stop talking to your imaginary boyfriend and let's get going already!" He groaned in frustration as he motioned with his hands towards the crowd of contestants waiting to start the next game. She growled and spun around angrily. "Don't...call....me...." She started through clenched teeth. "Meatball Head." He finished for her hurriedly."Yeah, yeah I know, let's go!" He said and ran towards the crowd. Serena sighed heavily and then followed. * * * "Ok, does everybody understand the rules?" the announcer asked. A chorused "yes" was the response as the contestants lined up by the side of the park's olympic sized swimming pool. "I cannot believe this." Darien muttered flatly as he looked on and around the pool. There were flimsy pieces of plywood placed on top of some black tire-like innertubes arranged in a line in front of every pair. Darien mused. The object of this game/stunt was to get across without falling in. The catch was, one person had to carry the other the whole way.... Darien thought as his eyes flickered over Serena's petite body. Serena felt his gaze upon her and slowly turned her head to stare at him. It annoyed her to no extent to have someone stare at her for no apparent reason, especially when that person happened to be Darien. "What!?" she said in an annoyed and very bored voice. He didn't respond, but just rolled his eyes and surveyed the competition. Darien thought sarcastically as he watched Raye desperately clinging to Andrew for dear life as they readied themselves for the start. A small snicker escaped his lips, but he quickly covered it by clearing his throat and preparing himself also. He bent over slightly, just enough for a certain 5'3 blonde to climb on. Serena reeled back as she realized he wanted her to climb on his back. she thought as he grunted wearily, most likely tired from standing bent over. "Well, what are you waiting for Meatball Head.....climb on!" he yelled from over his shoulder. She huffed indignently and stuck her small nose in the air. "If *you* think I'm going to climb on *your* back like some monkey, *you've* got another thing coming, buster!" she said while crossing her arms stubbornly across her chest. Darien pursed his lips in a tight line and pushed up on his knees harshly, standing his full height. "Look, Serena--" he started sternly but was cut off by the announcer once again. "Everyone on your mark..." Serena didn't seem to care that the game was beginning and she and Darien weren't even in position yet. She stood there, stiff and unmoving, eyes closed and chin raised towards the sky...while Darien panicked. his mind screamed at him. "Get set...." Darien knew that in about 2 seconds they would be eating the other teams' dust if he didn't do something...and *fast*. Without another thought, he swiftly bent over and slid one arm behind Serena's knees, one around her waist and stood up. Serena had no chance to say or do anything before the "GO!" was signaled and all the partners started their course. She decided to keep her mouth shut...at least until they finished the race. Walking around the rest of the day soaking wet just *didn't* seem appealing somehow. She noted how agily Darien manuvered across the flimsy wooden boards, without so much as a wobble. It was as if he was used to balancing on weird objects...She quickly pushed the odd thought aside and subtly tried to look back to see how her opponents were doing. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Andrew and Raye still clumsily trying to move across the first platform.... and succeeding only in falling off and into the warm chlorinated water. She smiled slightly at the amusing sight of Raye screaming her head off just before she hit, as if the water would melt her or something. This time, she burst out into a fit of giggles, which quickly turned in hysterical laughter. She had NO clue were it had come from, but now that it was there, she was powerless to control it. "Will--you--please--STOP!" Darien grunted while he tried to keep his balance. He had glanced down at Serena to see what exactly was so funny causing him to lose his bearing and was now rocking from side to side trying not to fall in. They were only two platforms away from winning; only one other group was left standing, who were catching up quickly. "Sorry..." Serena responded in a giggle. She suddenly got a mischievious glint in her eyes and smile devilishly. "....Muffin!" she cooed sweetly, stifling another laugh. Serena did *not* know what possessed her to do that...and she wondered where in the world she got"Muffin" from. But it was just enough for Darien to blurt out "Muffin?!" in surprise and cause them both to go splashing in the water. A few sputters and coughs later they emerged to the surface, both shocked and angry at one another. "I can't believe you Serena!" Darien yelled as he sloppily swept his jet black bangs away. Serena narrowed her eyes and clentched her hands underneath the water. "Me!?" she retorted. "I'm not the one who lost his balance and made us fall into this pool, Ego-Boy!" Before Darien had a chance to open his mouth again, she continued on her tirade. "I was only trying to have a little fun! Its not my fault you can't even lighten up over a stupid game! God, why don't you just crawl out of your ass-hole for a while and JOIN THE HUMAN RACE!!!!!!!" she finished with an angry yell and promptly sloshed out of the pool. Darien just stood there, wading in the pool, dumbfounded. he admitted after a while. He sighed in defeat and jumped out of the pool, grabbing two towels on the way. While wiping his face and hair with one hand, he searched for Serena...and spotted her sitting on a small picnic bench by a snow cone vendor. He threw his already soaked through towel around his neck and walked over to her. As he neared, he could easily see her facial features. Slight pout, muscles tight, brows furrowed in anger, and eyes narrowed as thin as dimes. It only made Darien smirk more as he stopped a few feet in front of her. She had a cherry snow-cone in one of her hands, which she obviously hadn't touched because the sticky red syrup was running and the ice was almost melted away completely. His smirk grew wider as he tossed the towel at her face, causing her to flinch when the fabric made contact. It slid down into her lap as she slowly raised her head up to glare at him. "Brought you a towel!" he said happily as he flashed her a gorgeous smile. Serena stared at him for a long moment before speaking. "Ha..ha..ha." she said flatly. She then flicked him off and turned around, tossing her snow cone onto the grass. Darien rolled his eyes playfully and shook his head. Suddenly, it came to him. he thought triumphantely as he recalled the "Muffin" incident a few moments before. He cocked his head to one side, pimp-style, and walked cooly up behind her. He wrapped his moist arms around her shoulders and hugged her tightly. "C'mon, babe...we gotta get back or were gonna lose." he started out in a sexy whisper but then ended with babyish pouting. Serena was frozen on the spot. She couldn't move, she couldn't breathe, couldn't talk and was in too much shock (and pleasure) to smack Darien upside his cocky head. Her heart started to pound faster within her. Never, *never* had she felt his way. Before she knew it, butterflies were fluttering in her stomach and everything became hazy. A light rose- colored blush painted across her face; all anger giving way to this new emotion. A sudden flicker of Deja-vu passed through her, in which she envisioned herself, and Darien locked in an eternal embrace, speaking in loving tones toward each other. The only thing she could make out was Darien saying something over and over to her in her vision. "I love you...I love you...I love you..." Serena heard him whisper before the real Darien's voice cut into her daydream. "Serena...? Se--RE--nA!!" he said in a sing-song voice, his arms still wrapped around her. Serena heard Darien's voice but purposely ignored it. For some reason, she didn't want to get pulled out of this fantasy...she wanted it to be like that.......forever. Darien suddenly started to get a little worried, and leaned over to look her into eyes. They looked completely glazed over with a faraway look in the swirling depths of blue. This startled Darien and he started calling her name a bit louder into her ear. "Serena! Serena!!" he yelled. Her head bobbed to the side a bit and she smiled contently. "There's not enough honey for the bumblebees...." she mumbled happily and then leaned back against him with a sigh. Darien cocked an eyebrow his eyes widening at her words. "Oh boy...." Ok, people I know this was short and it took a little while for it to come out...I've been really low on inspiration lately:( And thanx to everyone (the few of you) who e-mailed me!!! Oh, and special thanx to MarbleNito for the bumblebee thing. It was something I mumbled in my sleep one night when she slept over and told me about..... WATCH OUT INDY!!!!!!!!!!! Until Next time! ~~>Sailor Tampa