After she left, he couldn't stand the emptiness he felt growing
inside him.  He quickly turned and ran for Raye's temple, knowing
the others would be there.  They looked at him in horror when he
burst through the door.  Tears were streaming down his face, and he
could barely talk.  Raye and Amy quickly left to get him something
to drink.  Lita and Mina took him to a seat to calm down, while
Luna tried to comfort him.

"What is it, Darien?" she asked.  "What has happened?"

"I'm sorry...I can't help it...Every...every time I see her...the
memories...I can't stand it..." he cried.

   The scouts were shocked.  They had never seen him shed even a
tear, but now he was sobbing in front of their eyes.  They all tried
to comfort him, while he related his conversation with Serena.

"So she'll come up to meet us?" asked Lita

"That's great!" cried Mina.  "We can invite her up here, and..."

"No!" said Raye quickly.  "It can't be done that way."

"Why not?" asked Darien quietly.  "Why can we not just bring back
her memories?"

"Because," replied Raye slowly "if I am to try any type of mind
activity with the Great Fire, the subject must be willing.  More
than that, they must trust me."

   Darien nodded slowly.

"Listen," he said "I told her that I could introduce you guys to 
her.  How about we meet at the ice-cream shop?"

"That sounds good!" the others chorused.  "We'll get to know her,
and later we can tell her that we might be able to bring her memories
back."

   Raye stood silent for a moment.

"If I want her to trust me, I'll have to explain some about the
temple.  Darien, could just you and me meet her this first time?
You can tell her that the others are busy.  It would make it easier
to focus on a single topic that way."

"That makes sense." Darien said.

   Plans were made, and the group broke up.

"Come on, I told her we'd meet her at the park." Darien said.

"Listen, when it comes to the temple, let me do most of the
talking." Raye asked.

"Sure thing, Raye.  Listen," he said quietly, stopping her, "I
know you and her were never the best of friends...I just want you
to know...I really appreciate your help."

"Hey, don't worry about it." she replied.  "We're Sailor Scouts, we
take care of our own.  And besides, you love her.  That's all the
reason we need."

   After walking a short distance, they found Serena reading a book
under a tree.  She looked up and finally saw them.

"Hi!" she called.  "Um, listen, I'm really sorry, but...I didn't
even ask your name." she said, blushing.

"That's O.K." replied Darien.  "I'm Darien, and this is Raye."

   Raye saw the pain he felt and groaned inside.  She could sense
the emptiness they both felt, but while Darien knew the cause, Serena
couldn't understand it, only knew that it existed.

"So," said Raye, "How about we go for ice-cream?"

"Sure." said Darien quickly.  "I'll treat."

"No, you don't have to do that, Darien.  I have money." protested
Serena.

"Hey, its okay." assured Darien.  "I have an idea, why don't we get
some cones and then walk to your place, Raye." he suggested carefully.

"Yeah, that would be great!" squealed Serena.  "Then I could see your
house!"

"Well, you might be suprised." said Raye.  "Its not your normal house."

"How do you mean?" asked Serena.

"Wait till we get there."

   When they reached the temple Serena was bubbling with excitement.

"You mean you actually live at the temple?" she asked.  "That's so
neat!"

"Well, I think its pretty interesting." Raye responded.  "Its also part
of my life's work."

"What do you mean?" questioned Serena.

"I'm a fire scribe." answered Raye.  "I can see things...answers...
through the Great Fire." 

"Really?  Could you see what is blocking my memories?" Serena asked.

   Darien and Raye were both shocked.  Here they were both straining
to find a way to get Serena to trust them, and now she was bringing
the question to them.

"Well..." Raye started, "I could try to help you...try to bring your
memories back...but..."

"Well, why don't you?" interrupted Serena.  "Is it dangerous?"

   She didn't appear very concerned, so Raye spoke slowly.

"If the subject does not trust me fully, it can be useless, and, yes,
it can be dangerous."

"But Raye, I trust you.  Why would you try to harm me?  Will you try
it?" Serena asked.

"I will, if you really want me to. Are you sure?" questioned Raye.

"Of course!" Serena answered immediately.  "When can we try it?"

   Raye thought for a moment.

"Let's make it the day after tomorrow.  I need to prepare, and I need
you to do something."

"What's that?"

"I need as many pictures of your recent life as you can get.  Especially
any that have people, teenagers like us, that you don't remember.
They will help me to focus.  Bring them with you.  You too, Darien.
And Serena, don't tell your parents about this." Raye said.

"Thanks, Raye." Darien replied.  "Come on, Serena.  Why don't we
let Raye start her preparations, and we can talk some more."

"Okay, Darien." Sarena replied.

   After walking down the street, Serena once again startled Darien
with a question.

"Darien, could you show me your place?  I'd like to see it."

   Darien stopped in his tracks for a moment, overwhelmed with his
emotions.  Finally he gave in.

"Okay, come on.  Its this way." he said.

   On the way, he tried to contain his grief and despair.  When they
got to his apartment, Serena was speechless.

"Wow, you've got the coolest place!"

   Darien motioned for her to sit down.

"I'll get us something to drink." he told her.

   After he got their drinks, he sat down next to her.  Soon he felt
it coming again:  the grief, the pain, the despair.  He realized he
was close to crying again.  'No, I can't, not with her here.' he
thought.  'She'll know, it'll ruin everything...'  He was so wrapped
upin trying to control himself that he didn't notice Serena staring
at him.  But Serena felt his distress(although how, she didn't know)
and she tried to ask him about it.

"Darien, are you all right?  What's wrong?" she asked, concerned.

   Just that simple question, and expression of concern, was enough
to send Darien over the brink.  He started crying, slowly at first,
then with growing force.  He was suprised and shocked when Serena
drew him to her, hugging him, rocking him, trying to calm him.

"Shh...Darien.  What is it?  Calm down.  Please don't cry.  Please
tell me what's hurting you.  Shh...Please, Darien.  Tell me." she
whispered.

   It hurt her deeply to see him hurt.  It suprised her how much
she(he?)hurt.  Finally he had calmed a little, and was able to look
her in the face.  Serena knew she should stay and talk to him, but it
was almost time for her to go.  Quickly she made a decision.

"Darien, can I use your phone?" she asked.

  He nodded, and pointed at his bedroom.  Quickly she called her mom,
told her about Raye, and said she might sleep over.  Since her mother
knew Raye, she said it was all right.  When Serena got off the phone
she told Darien what she had done.

"If Raye can't let me sleep over, I'll just go home and say it didn't
work out." she said.

   Darien knew she could stay at his place, but decided not to say
anything right away.  Serena came and settled next to him.

"Darien, please tell me what hurts you." she begged.

   Darien was trembling, but he managed to speak.

"I...I just feel so...alone...I'm tired of being alone..." he started.

   He realized that she was sitting very close, and listening intently,
but right now that didn't help.

"I have no family; myparents were killed in a car wreck.  I don't really
have any close friends." he said.

"Why?" she replied.  "What keeps you from making them?  Many people would
love to be friends with you."

"I've never really been able to get close to anyone; I don't know how."
he responded.

"Have you ever met anyone you wanted to be close to?" she asked quietly.

   She didn't tell him, couldn't tell him, that she was attracted to
him, and was falling in love with him.  When she asked him this, his
voice became very soft.

"I have, once." 

   He didn't realize how he was looking at her, but she did.

"Tell me your feelings, Darien.  Let mw help." she whispered.

   Darien looked up, startled, and saw the look on her face.  He realized
her attraction, and her father's words flashed through his mind.
***'Love that strong can never die.'***  He attempted to speak.

"I...when I'm with people...I usually feel uncomfortable, apart.  I
feel...seperate." he started.

"You said usually." she noted.  "Tell me, how do you feel around me?" she
slowly asked.

   NowDarien felt something else battling to the surface of his mind:
his longing for her.

"When...when I see you...I...I..."

   He couldn't go any farther.  Serena could see the look in his eyes,
the love he felt, and the desire.  Silently she moved closer, and wrapped
an arm around him.  Just that action was enough to stop his thoughts in
their tracks.

"Darien," she said quietly, "what is it you want?"

   He couldn't control himself anymore.  He kissed her, slowly at first.
She was suprised, but as she returned the kiss she realized that he filled
an emptiness that she hadn't even recognized.  Only now that it was gone
did she realize how alone and empty she had felt.  She began to intensify
the kiss, running her fingers over Darien's head and down his neck.
Darien moaned.  This...he had missed her so much!  And now he had her
again!  When they came up for air, he pulled her to her feet.

"I want to show you something." he told her.

   He took her to his bedroom, and went to the dresser.  

"I hid this, because I didn't want to confuse you.  I wanted you to make  
your own life, and be happy with what you built.  But I think I can
show it to you now."

   He pulled out a picture of himself and Serena, in the park.  She took
it and sat on the bed to look at it.  After closing the dresser, Darien
came and sat next to her.  It would be clear to anyone looking at the
picture that the two had been a couple.  So it was to Serena.  

"You mean...?" she started.

"Yes." he replied.  "We were together before."

"Oh, my God!" she exclaimed.  "No wonder you were in such pain!  How
could you bear it?"

"I could only hope that I would reach you again." he murmured.  "And
now...now I have, I hope."

   Instead of answering his unspoken question, she turned, leaned towards
him, and kissed him silently.  He could feel himself losing all thought,
just losing himself in her.

"I love you, Serena." he whispered.

"I love you too, Darien."

   After that, she kissed him so forcefully that talking was impossible.
He rolled on top of her, and looked down.  Her eyes said only too clearly
that she wanted only him.  They kissed again, and again, each time with
greater passion.  Darien held her close, never wanting to let her go.
Soon, however, they realized how late it was.

"Oh, no!" yelled Serena.

"What's wrong?" asked Darien, in alarm.

"Its too late to ask Raye to let me stay, but if I go home my parents
will be suspicious."

"Then stay here." he offered.  "You can sleep in here, and I'll take the
couch."

"Okay." she said.  "Just let me call Raye so she doesn't blow my cover."

   After the situation was explained, Raye quickly agreed to cover for
Serena.

"Just one thing, Serena, find some way to get your uniform clean
tomorrow, or your parents will have questions." she warned.

"Good thinking, Raye.  Thanks!" she said.

   Quickly she ran to tell Darien.  She found him holding out a long
shirt of his.

"I thought you might like something else to sleep in." he explained.
"Your school uniform won't be too comfortable, and it'll have to be
cleaned."

"Thanks, Darien."

   After she had changed and gotten in bed, Darien came in, dressed
for bed.

"I just need a couple of things." he told her.

"Darien..."she slowly started.

"Yes, Serena?"

"You don't need to sleep on the couch." she said.

   Darien's eyes widened.

"I wouldn't want to make you uncomfortable." he replied.

"It wouldn't make me uncomfortable, Darien." she assured him.

   So Darien got in bed beside her and settled down.  He wrapped an
arm around her, and was suprised when she snuggled closer to him.

"Darien?" she murmered drowsily.

"Yes, Serena?"

"Thank you...for giving me this." she whispered.

  He watched her drift to sleep with a smile.  She loved him!  She
was his again.  Some time after he fell asleep, he awoke to the sound
of screaming.  It took him a moment to realize that it was Serena who
was screaming.  She was tossing and thrashing, as if she was having a
nightmare.  Quickly he started to shake her.

"Serena, wake up!"

   Once she was awake she started sobbing.  Darien held her, trying
to soothe her.

"Shh...It's just me.  It's okay.  It's all right."

   Slowly she calmed.

"What was it?" he whispered.

"Terrible...horible.  I was falling, and then I heard your voice, but
I couldn't answer, and...I just kept falling...and...and..."

"Shh...It's all right.  It was just a dream." he murmered.

   Slowly she went back to sleep.  In the morning Darien carefully got
up, and quickly showered.  He knew Serena would be hungry, and he wanted
to fix her breakfast.  However, Serena suprised him.  While he was in
the shower, she woke up.  She hunted around, looking for a pair of pants
that would fit her.  After she found some, she went into the kitchen,
and decided to try her hand at cooking.  When Darien got out of the
shower, he found juice, coffee, eggs, and even some amature pancakes
waiting for him.

"Wow.  You didn't have to do this." he protested.

I wanted to." she said simply.

   After they ate, Darien took Serena's clothes to wash.

"Darien, I can take care of those." she called.

"No," he answered, "you made breakfast.  Why don't you get a shower
and relax while I clean your uniform."

   After she had showered, she retrieved her uniform and got dressed.

"What would you like to do?" Darien asked her.

"Well," she said, "I probably should spend the day at home- you know,
to make up for yesterday."

   He agreed that it was probably the best thing to do.  They agreed
to meet the next afternoon and head to the temple.  Serena was so
excited.  When her mother asked what was going on, Serena simply
said "I just made some plans with Raye for tomorrow, that's all."
The rest of the day went by quickly.  The ext afternoon, Serena met
Darien at his apartment, carrying several photos.

"Are you ready?" she asked.

"Yes." he responded.

   The only photo he carried was the picture he had shown Serena the
night before  When they arrived at the temple, they found not only Raye,
but also Luna.  While Raye told Serena where to sit and what to do,
Luna held a whispered conversation with Darien.

"Are you ready, Darien?"

"What should I do?" he asked her.

"Try focusing all your power on her; will her to remember.  Raye will
call upon her magic, and I will use the lunar mind meld." she whispered.

"Okay, Luna.  I'l try." he muttered.  "Can you call the others?"

"We already have." she responded.  "They're waiting in the next room."

"All right, Luna.  Let's get on with it."

   Serena sat in the center of a circle.  She was surrounded by Raye,
Luna, and Darien, and was also in front of the Great Fire.  Raye began
a soft chant.  As she did, Serena closed her eyes and relaxed, and
Darien's eyes drifted shut as he focused all of his energy and his
considerable will on Serena's memories.  Luna waited patiently.  She
knew it was not yet time for her to do her part.  As Raye chanted, a
soft light entered the room.  It came from the Silver Crystal.  Serena
had still been wearing her locket, but had forgotten its powers.  Now the
power of the crystal was revealed.  As the light grew brighter, Raye's
chant grew louder, and Darien focused harder.  Slowly the light
enveloped Serena.  Raye finished her chant and slumped.

"Are you all right?" Luna asked worridly.

"Yes, I'm just tired." Raye replied.  "All I was able to do was to open
her mmind.  It is receptive to her past, but the past must still be
brought forward."

"All right.  I'll give it a try." Luna said.

   Stepping up to Serena, she opened the meld.  She met no resistence,
but was unable to do much.

"Luna?" questioned Raye.

"I think her memories are there, but her mind must be brought back
intact.  It's all up to Darien now."

   As she spoke, Darien felt an inner stillness come over him, as
his awareness of his surroundings faded away.  He slowly rose and
joined hands with Serena.  He found himself floating in a region of
color and sound.  He heard laughter all around, and felt a wash of warmth
and caring.  He realized that he was in Serena's mind.  He would have to
find her conciousness if she was to return with her memories.  He began
drifting, calling.

*Serena?  Serena, help me.  Help me to make it.*

   Soon he saw what looked like a single, bright spark.

*Serena?*

*Yes, Darien.  I'm here.*

*Thank God!  Serena, we have to go back.*

*No, I can't!  I'm afraid.*

*You have nothing to fear.* he thought.  *I'm here with you.  Come back
with me!*

   He took the spark in his hands.  As he did, he heard a soft plea.

*Take me home, Darien.* 

   He focused his energy, and imediately he snapped back to reality.
Luna was watching him.

"Did she make it?" he murmered.

"I think so." Luna replied.

   Darien looked at Serena.  She was unconcious, but she appeared
peaceful.

"I'm taking her home." he said.

"Is that wise, Darien?" Raye questioned.  "If her father sees..."

"I don't mean her house." he interrupted.  "Call her parents, say
she's here.  We'll be back as soon as she can travel."

   After saying that, he transformed.  Luna and Raye watched in silence
as Tuxedo Mask picked up Serena, and carried her to his apartment.



I was going to make this the ending, but I decided not to.  The 
next part is pretty short, but I think it helps to finish the
story.  Catch you later!