How strong is our love: part IV By: Twilight editor: SailorTwin Darien stood on the bridge near his apartment leaning on the railing. This bridge was starting to become his favorite thinking spot, aside from his balcony anyway. He found himself coming here more often everyday. Watching the river flow beneath him, he thought back to when he and Raye called it quits. Flashback Darien and Raye were just walking casually around the park enjoying the weather as the suns rays beat down on them. They had been dating for almost a month and it felt strange to both of them, but neither wanted to say anything afraid to hurt the others feelings. Once they reached the lake Raye suggested they rent a row boat, relax, and enjoy the view. There was no conversation between them, just the busy sounds of city life and nature were heard. They were in their own world. Darien was thinking back a month ago when the saw Serena and the scouts in the park. Raye's thoughts floated to how she was feeling and what she should do. Finally Darien decided it was time to call this off, it wasn't right when he still loved Serena with all his heart. He was a little apprehensive to say anything at first but knew it had to be done. Dariens' pov "Raye....." "Yea Darien?" Raye softly reply. "I wanted to tell you that I don't think we should see each other anymore" I didn't look up or even give her a chance to say anything. "I don't know what caused me to behave like this towards you. I love Serena more than I can understand, but I love you too Raye.....just not like that, like a sister. And I'm sorry for putting you through all this pain. I just wish I understood where these sudden feelings came from. I hope you're not angry with me." Once I finished I slowly looked to Raye to see her.....smiling? Was that relief written on her face? "Oh Darien! I am so glad that you said that! You have no idea how badly I wanted to tell you that I feel the exact same way!" I was speechless! She felt the same way I did! "Really?" I finally smiled a real smile, it felt like forever since I had done that. "Now if I could just find a way to win her back" whatever hope I had left slowly slipped away at the sound of my voice. I would have deluded myself into more self pity but Raye gave me back whatever little hope I had. "Darien, everyone makes mistakes. We also learn from them and sometimes it makes us stronger. Don't give up on Serena, she loves you with all her heart. You can't just stop loving your one and only. Keep trying Darien, it may take awhile but you'll never know unless you try. ~~~~~~~~~~ Before they went their separate ways and said their good-bye's Darien thanked Raye. He felt like a heavy weight had been lifted from his burdened shoulders. He went straight back to his apartment and out to the balcony to enjoy the view. The sun was just beginning to set and it cast a beautiful after glow of deep yellow, red and orange around the city. Speaking to no one he commented, "Now I just have to think of a way for Serena to forgive me." Darien stood out there for the remainder of the evening trying to think of something. Later he went to bed still clueless and feeling miserable. He may be a very smart man but when it comes to matters of the heart, he was confused as any one else. End Flashback Morning eventually came and he still hadn't thought of anything to do or say to her. Sluggishly he pulled himself out of bed to get ready for the day. Hopefully if he was lucky maybe he would bump into her going to school, and then try to apologize. Satisfied with his idea, he quickly got ready and left early for school. Darien waited where they usually collided in the morning, but to his utter disappointment she never came. "So much for my brilliant plan" he muttered. But then a thought occurred to him. Hastily he made his way to the flower shop to send some roses to Serena's school with a short note. Once that was done he headed to school, hoping he wasn't too late. "Great I'm starting to act like Serena." and with that he was gone. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Serena pov I got up early again this morning and got ready for school. 'Gee, it's starting to become habit' Serena smiled to herself and went down to eat a hearty breakfast. It was another boring day at school and her my thoughts began to wonder to Darien, "stop thinking about him!" I chided myself, hoping nobody heard me thinking my thoughts out loud. "Serena!!" I turned to look at Ami and Lita walking towards me. I stopped walking long enough to let them catch up to me. "Hi guys! What's up?" I asked in a cheery but not too cheery voice. "Oh nothing" Lita replied. She looked like she was trying to hold back a smile. "Anyway Serena. I was talking to Raye yesterday and she told me that she and Darien called it quits. She also said that Darien is trying to think of a way for you to forgive him." Lita said in an all to nonchalant kinda voice. I couldn't speak. I was overjoyed to hear they broke up, well although they were never going out in the first place. "But Lita, He broke up with me!! I haven't talked to him since that one time we saw them. And I don't know if I want to talk to him." Lita was about to object but I quickly cut her off with my hand. " He's broken my heart one too many times and I don't know if I can handle another heartbreak." It was quiet for a few more minutes until Ami decided to speak. "Well Serena, I can understand what you mean. But don't you think you should at least hear what he has to say?" I just looked at Ami, and nodded my head reluctantly. When we arrived at school I was greeted with a bouquet of fully bloomed deep red roses! I couldn't move, my body frozen in shock, until Mina came up behind us and nudged me forward. Slowly and carefully I reached out for the card as if it would vanish or break from my touch and read it. To: Serena From: Darien Hello Serena, I know I don't deserve your forgiveness But I am truly sorry. I just hope that someday I will Be able to make it up to you. (New point of view here, because it isn't Serena talking) Serena didn't know what to say. Slowly a smile crept on to her lips but she quickly hid it before turning around to face her friends. Mina, Lita and Ami saw Serena's small smile and knew she still cared even though she tried to deny it. The girls excitedly wanted to know what the card had to say and what Serena thought so Mina spoke up. "So Serena, what are you going to do?" The answer she got was one she was half expecting and half not. "Well Mina, I am happy he sent me these. But I'm not ready to accept him yet. I don't when I'll ever be ready without being afraid he'll hurt me again." With that Serena turned and walked away. Still the joy was evident in her shining eyes, happy to know he still cared for her. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Darien wanted desperately to talk to and see Serena, but with his bad luck he never saw her. The next day he went to the arcade in hopes to catch a glimpse of her so, he sat patiently waiting there until Andrew came up behind him. "Hi Darien! Long time no see" flashing a grin at him. "Hey Andrew!" soon they started a conversation and Darien's mind got sidetracked from his whole reason in coming there. "Well Dare, it was good to see you again! But my break is over and I've got to get back to work." Once he left Darien then realized he hadn'tbeen keeping an eye out for Serena. 'damn' But he was sure if she came in he would have heard screaming at the Sailor V game or something. He then left to go home and study, but not before stopping by the store to buy some more candy and another card. The next morning on his way to her school he saw Serena walking by herself. Startled , Darien looked down at his watch to discover she was early. 'Wow' he thought, then quickly caught up to her and walked beside her . "Hi....Serena..." he looked at her with sad eyes thinking, 'please don't run away please talk to me'. "Hello Darien" She sounded so cool and calm, unfazed almost. "Hi.. did you get the flowers I sent you?" He asked a little eagerly and turned to look at her expression. All she did was nod her head yes and continued to look forward, never giving him a glance. "I don't know what to tell you and I know that what I did was wrong. But I just hope that maybe someday we'll be able to talk again." Slowly and reluctantly he handed her the box of candy and the card. Building enough courage he quickly kissed her cheek and left to go to school. Serena just stood there in surprise watching him walk hastily away into the distance. Oh how she missed him!! A single tear slipped from her sapphire eyes and glided down her smooth face to drop to the pavement, slowly she turned away from him and continued on her way. Serena received cards, candy and flowers at least once or twice every week if not more. 'He is persistent' she had to admit, and slowly he was breaking down the walls she so carefully built around her wounded heart. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ One day Darien was walking through the park just getting some fresh air when he suddenly bumped into someone. Quietly he mumbled an apology never looking up and continued on his walk. "Darien?" That voice! Oh he would know that voice even if he was deaf! (AN: just play along with me here!) Darien turned to the sound her voice and found himself staring into the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen. "Serena?" she simply smiled and walked beside him in a comfortable silence, both happy to be in each others company. That is until Serena's soft melodic voice broke it. "Darien, I appreciate the flowers, cards and candy, but you really don't have to." He would have interrupted her but she didn't give him a chance. " I love you Darien......so much. You will always be in my heart and soul. I want to forgive you and let things go back to the way they were, but I'm scared." Serena then looked at Darien's face wanting to see his reaction. She noticed him slightly slump his shoulders and turn his head away from her in guilt. It pained her to see him like this, so sad and alone. How she wanted to take him in her arms and comfort him, kiss away the pain life has dealt him, but she couldn't. "I'm scared that your going to hurt me again Darien and I can't go through that anymore. Not right now anyway, but I just need some time." Serena stopped walking and Darien turned to look at her a little confused as to why. Quickly before she lost her nerve Serena slipped her hand behind his neck and pulled him in for a sweet and lingering kiss. Darien was surprised by her actions but returned the kiss with equal favour bringing his arms around her waist to hold her close. When they finally parted Serena looked into his eyes of deep blue and faintly whispered. "Goodbye Darien....until we meet again" and turned to walk away, tears sliding down both their cheeks. Sooner than Darien had expected, a year had gone by and still no Serena at his side. Of course he still sent her roses and candy and anything else he could think of. He wasn't going to give up! Not when he finally understood how much he really loved and needed her! 'Someday, someday we'll get back together' he silently vowed to himself.