Kiss Me
Alicia Blade and Kate Rydell

Okay, so I was going to post this two weeks ago, but then I started reading it and was like, "OMG, what were we smoking when we wrote this?" But I was planning on just taking out the changing POVs and making it all third person, but I couldn't very well leave it at that, so I sort of ended up re-writing the whole thing... I must admit, I'm surprised this fic was requested to be posted again. Kate and I often joke about how awful it is. .blushes. But I think it's a lot better this time around and I hope you like it, whether reading it for the first time or the fiftieth.

Song lyrics have been removed from original.

BTW, if you want to read a story that's slightly more worth reading than this one (can you tell this is not my favorite of my own stories? haha), go check out Blood and Water by MaccaMattie. Seriously, it's fantastic, and I can't for the life of me understand why it isn't pulling more reviews. That's my recommendation of the day.

Kiss Me
Alicia Blade and Kate Rydell

"But I need his help!" Serena screeched.

"So why don't you ask him?" Andrew replied, rolling his eyes.

"Oh yeah Andrew, that's going to work. I can see it now. 'Hi, Darien. I'm a totally moronic ditz. I need you to help me with my homework even though I know you think I'm just a cry-baby meatball head.' Ha! He'll be tripping over his own feet to help me! Gee, Andrew, you're a genius!" her tongue bit out every sarcastic remark harshly, her hands sassily on her hips.

Andrew sighed and wiped his hands on his apron. "Serena, you're not a totally moronic ditz. What I don't understand is why you want DARIEN'S help, anyway. I'm sure Amy would be more than happy to help tutor you in a few subjects."

AMY'S help? Serena thought agitatedly. What good would that do for my love life? "Amy's... um… er… she's busy with... uh…" Serena stuttered, scratching the back of her neck thoughtfully, "extra curricular activities! That's why I need DARIEN'S help, and why I need YOU to convince him to tutor me! Understand?"

Andrew eyed his self-proclaimed little sister speculatively. Noting that he still wasn't convinced, Serena finally reached into her book bag with a dramatic sigh and pulled out the day's Math quiz. "See this, Andrew? This is why I need his help. I got a 25 percent! That's even worse than the 30!" Stating the obvious, she held her breath in anticipation, groaning when he only raises an eyebrow in disbelief.

Looking over to the door when she heard the bell indicating a customer was entering, Serena spotted a head of black hair over the game machines. A feeling of worry and excitement rushed through her body and she quickly turned back to Andrew, giving him her famous 'puppy dog eyes, full lower lip' pout.

He, predictably, melted.

"Fine, I'll ask your precious Darien if he will tutor you."

Feeling grateful and immensely relieved, not to mention the spark of electricity that coursed through her at the term "your precious Darien," Serena squealed and threw her arms around Andrew's neck, thanking him profusely.

"Hey Meatball Head, what are you so excited about?" Darien asked with a teasing grin.

Feeling a blush creeping up her neck, Serena slowly turned to face him, staring proudly into his deep cerulean eyes.

"Oh… nothing, Darien! I'm just… um… well, I just remembered that I have… er… homework to do. So… you and Andrew have a nice talk now, hope you don't miss me too much!" With a not-so-sly wink in Andrew's direction, she ran out of the arcade, practically skipping with giddiness.

Darien watched the girl go, furrowing his brow suspiciously. Strange girl…

Sighing, he turn back to Andrew, who was already pouring him a soda.

"So, how you doin', bud?" Andrew asked, sliding the glass toward Darien.

"Okay, I guess. What were you and Meatball Head talking about when I came in? She seemed… excited…"

"Uh…" the clerk stuttered, which made Darien instantly nervous. He knew his friend well enough to know that nothing good ever came from Andrew stuttering.

"Andrew…?"

"Well, Serena had another math test today…" he began and Darien choked slightly, holding back a laugh.

"What did she get this time? Be lucky if she passed with a D-."

Andrew stopped his rambling to stare angrily at Darien, whose smug grin quickly faded. But before Andrew launched into his normal "why aren't you nicer?" routine, a strange light filtered into his deep brown eyes, almost like an idea clicking. This was often another tell-tale sign in Darien's best friend that something was wrong with the universe.

Then, the routine began—with avengeance.

"Darien, do you always have to be so mean to Serena? She tries really hard you know!"

Darien, quick to the challenge, knew the rehearsed lines well.

"I don't consider falling asleep every half hour in class TRYING."

"Aw, come on, if she had someone to talk to her one-on-one, a tutor of sorts, she would definitely start bringing up those twenties and thirties! It's the teachers' fault that…"

"TWENTIES? Don't tell me she did worse than LAST time!" Darien bust out laughing, almost spitting his drink all over the table. After a moment, it occurred to him that Andrew wasn't laughing and he promptly shut his mouth.

"Darien, this is NOT funny! Serena is a great person. You don't need to tease her and make fun of her so much, you know. Why are you always so mean to her, anyway? If you could keep your big mouth shut and talk to her, I'm sure you would realize she's actually very bright, she just needs someone to teach her. Besides..." his voice quieting, Darien caught a hint of mischief shining behind a hidden smile. "...I think she likes you."

Something in Darien's brain told him to laugh, long and loud. But he couldn't. Instead, he had to force an awkward chuckle, before managing, "Andrew, we both know she hates me! What on Earth makes you think that she would even give me a second glance? Besides, judging from how she was hugging you earlier, I would say your assumptions are a little skewed."

"That was nothing more than a grateful hug, because I said I would do a favor for her. And I'm serious about her liking you. There's something different about the way she looks at you these days, and… well, just little things like that, really."

"Um… right, Andrew. I know she hates me, so you must be hallucinating. Let's just… drop it, okay?"

"Yeah, no problem!" he smiled, turning his full attention to Darien again—too cheerfully it seemed. "But, like I was saying, she really is smart and all, though she could really, REALLY use a tutor, don't you think?"

Sipping at his drink, grateful for the change in topic, Darien shrugged nonchalantly. "Guess it could do her some good."

"That's what I was thinking. She needs someone older, more intelligent, responsible… a college guy maybe. Someone… she knows… that she can… connect with… Maybe… tall… dark hair… BLUE eyes…"

Turning his gaze away from the intense stare Andrew was giving him, Darien searched his mind for anyone matching Andrew's rather detailed description. "I can't think of anyone who matches that rather detailed description." Hearing Andrew clear his throat loudly, Darien turned back to him.

"Not one, Darien? Can't think of ONE person who could tutor our poor, helpless, sweet, innocent Meatball Head?"

Feeling awkard beneath Andrew's intense gaze, Darien subconsciously began to back away from the counter. "Uh… no? But if I think of someone, I'll let you know..."

"Think about it a little harder, Darien," he said sternly.

Darien gulped. "I… don't think… there's anyone…"

Slumping his shoulders, Andrew let out a deep breath of agitation. "YOU, Darien. She could use someone like YOU!"

Darien froze. "What? Me? Why would I tutor Serena? Or more importantly, why would she want MY help? We don't even get along. Besides, where would we study? I doubt she even knows where the library is, and she would get lost if I told her to come to the university. I guess… that would leave..."

"Your apartment," Andrew finished for him.

Darien shook his head, chastising himself for even considering the insane concept. He knew of a million reasons why it was a bad idea to begin with. Even if I DID offer to become her tutor, there's no possible way she would ever accept! She hates me, I know it. She would probably laugh in my face at even the thought of spending time with me, even if it WAS just to help her with her grades. Which, of course, would be the ONLY reason I would do this. To help her with her grades…

Although, Serena certainly COULD use some help in her schoolwork. If she had any brains at all she would jump all over the chance to receive some of my help. Maybe she would accept. It would do her some good, after all… but what would I get out of this?

I would get to spend time with my gorgeous Meatball Head...

He blushed as that forbidden thought surfaced in his brain, making Andrew wonder what his best friend could possibly be thinking about. But one thing was for sure: Darien was definitely considering his suggestion. He frowned, though, as Darien's emotions continued to play across his face, and the black-haired man vigorously shook his head.

I don't want to spend time with her! At least, not a LOT of time… not TOO much time, that is. But… it wouldn't hurt, and she does need my help… Maybe she'd even be grateful. Maybe she would start to like me… IF she doesn't already, like Andrew said. Ha, that's funny! Serena… liking ME? Not in a million years! We're complete opposites. It would never work. At least, not THAT kind of relationship... Wait, what kind of relationship am I thinking of here?

Tutor… I want to be her TUTOR. That's all, nothing else… Hold on. I WANT to be her tutor?

"Hiya Darien!"

Startled, Darien reflexively replied, "Honestly, Serena you shouldn't just pop up out of no where like that!" She backed away, a tad surprised at his quick remark, and Darien found himself noticing how adorable she could be when she was startled. He also took the time to glance over the cute, blue sundress she was in, and found himself momentarily hypnotized by her shining golden hair… and it was as if a bolt of lightning had hit him, making him painfully aware that…yes, in fact, he DID want to be her tutor. And the idea of spending time with her wasn't SO horrible, really. And the thought that she might even come to appreciate him, or even LIKE him...

"Hello, Darien! You in there?" Serena asked.

"Huh? What was that you were talking about?"

She furrowed her brow. "Are you ok?"

He shrugged uncomfortably. "Sure. Fine."

"Oh. Well, anyway, I was just going to apologize," she said with a concerned expression.

"For what?"

She raised her eyebrows tentatively. "You know, popping out of nowhere and scaring you like that. Are you sure you're ok?"

He chuckled quietly. "Yeah Meatball Head, you just gave me a start."

"Oh… okay… So," said Serena, suddenly nervous, twiddling her fingers in front of her stomach, "What were you and Andrew talking about?"

"Oh, not much," he answered, trying to conceal the fact that the whole conversation had been about her.

"Did you talk about school at all?" she asked, tying to keep the blush out of her face.

"Actually, yeah we sort of did."

"I had a math test today," Serena added with a pout on her face.

"Yeah, what did you get this time?"sarcasm.

"Worse than the last time. I got a… a… I got a twenty-five ok?" she blurted, wondering if he'd already been aware of that; angry that he didn't look the least bit sympathetic.

"Sounds like you could use some help."

She nearly choked on air. "Like... what do you mean?" she stuttered.

Darien hid his hands in his pockets, diverting his eyes away from the girl.

"Well, I was thinking you could use a tutor. You know, maybe someone older… intelligent, responsible… a college guy, maybe. Someone… you know… that you can… connect with… Maybe… tall… dark hair… blue eyes… but I don't know of anyone who is all those things. Do you?"

"Sounds kind of familiar," she said, inching closer to him by the second. "In fact, it sounds kind of like… you."

Their eyes met.

"Someone like me?" he whispered.

"Yeah, I could really use a tutor… like you."

"GREAT! I'd love to! We can start tomorrow! How about we meet at my apartment at around, oh I don't know… 6-ish? Make sure to bring your books and a couple pads of paper. Here, I'll give you my address," he said, scribbling it down on a piece of paper. "So I'll see you tomorrow! Bye, Meatball head!" Before he could change his mind—or she could, for that matter—he quickly scuttled away out of the arcade.

And as soon as he was out of hearing distance…

"YES!" Serena's scream echoed throughout the rows of game machines. "I can't wait until tomorrow!" she continued happily, jumping three feet into the air. "Andrew, I owe you big time for this one!"

Chuckling nervously and removing his hands from his ears, Andrew only replied, "How about you just tone down the decibels and we call it even?"

Serena nervously raised her hand, preparing to knock on his door, but she somehow couldn't bring herself to do it. Frozen, she gulped and stared at the wood panelling and urged her fist forward, to no avail.I can't do this! What if he sees what a total moron I really am and laughs at me? Why would he ever want to go out with such a stupid teenager like me, anyway?

Shaking her head, she desperately tried to rid her brain of the cruel thoughts.

Serena, you can't back down now. Just follow the plan. He teaches you for awhile, you flirt with him, make him see what a great person you are, he falls head over heels in love with you, and… you've had your first kiss by the end of the evening, compliments of the sweetest, most handsome man in Tokyo. No problem.

Inhaling sharply, she knocked.

Darien nearly jumped out of his skin at the soft knock on his door.

His heart racing and palms sweating, he slowly made his way to the front door, casting a glance over his shoulder to make sure his apartment was in tip-top shape (as if he hadn't already scanned it a hundred times). Then, mentally chastising himself for being so eager to impress her—I'm only tutoring her, he reminded himself—he opened the door.

She stood there in his hallway, her lips pursed, her bookbag clutched to her chest, nervously rocking on her heels, and Darien felt suddenly warm and unsure, once again, if this was a good idea.

I can do this, I can! Just follow the plan. You teach her, she doesn't understand any of it, you teach her some more, fix her dinner, teach her again, stay away from anything that could lead to touching her in any way. No problem. I'm just a tutor, after all. JUST a tutor.

"Hey Serena," he said as casually as he could.

"Hi Darien."

"Please, come in. Uh… Did you remember your books and a couple pads of paper?"

"Yup."

Gods, she's pretty... I mean, erm... Tutor. Just a tutor.

"So, I guess we'll start with Algebra," Serena said with a complete absence of enthusiasm.

"Okay, algebra it is! It's not that hard. It's actually very simple."

Serena scoffed. "So says the 20-year-old straight-A college stud."

Darien quirked an eyebrow, his breath catching. "Straight-A college what?"

"Nevermind," she chirped, taking her algebra book out of her bag and setting it on the glass table. She quickly made herself comfortable, plopping down on the couch, and Darien couldn't help but feel a little disappointed that she hadn't remarked on the impeccably clean surroundings. He'd worked quite hard on making the place spotless and inviting all afternoon. With a quiet sigh, he took his seat next to her as she opened the book up to the chapter on variables.

"Okay. So... for starters, do you understand the meaning of the word variables?"

"Is it… the answer?"

"Well, sometimes. The definition of a variable is: Anything that takes the place of a number, usually a letter."

She stared at him blankly, "That doesn't make sense, if they know the number why don't they just put it there instead of a stupid letter?"

He chuckled, making Serena blush. "Serena, if they gave you the answer there'd be no reason to study this at all."

"Sounds good to me! I'm never going to use it. What's the point?" she asked innocently. "I just figure there are so many more important things that a young, pretty girl like me can be doing with her time, rather than studying the differences between numbers and letters," she continued, not so innocently now, as she slowly began to inch closer to him.

"Erm... well, right," Darien said, scooting away to keep a bit of empty space between them. "But we have to study it to get good grades and set our paths for future succes. So..." And Darien tried his hardest to launch into a simple explanation of the beginning of the chapter, praying that Serena was picking up on something, because it seemed with every moment she got a bit closer to him, and therefore his logical thinking skills got a bit fuzzier. His mouth was on auto-pilot now as his brain started clueing him into a wisp of her hair tickling his elbow and the faint whiff of an unfamiliar perfume, and big, beautiful blue eyes looking at him from the corner of his—

"Eh?" Turning his head, he saw that she was, indeed, staring at him, her lips curled into a tiny, playful smile and her lashes fluttering in the most adorable manner. His heart jumped into his throat.

"Uh… er…" he stammered. "Serena..."

"Yes?" she purred.

He rolled his shoulders back in an effort to unlodge his heart from around his tonsils, and it seemed to work as he somehow managed, "Are you getting this?"

She stared at him a moment, before pulling away a couple inches. "Uh, well, not exactly. It's all so confusing. Didn't you ever think it was confusing… Darien?" Her small pink lips turn up into an adorable grin and he quickly looked away.

"Well… I'm sure there was a time… but it's not that hard, Serena," he tried to comfort her, even though she honestly didn't appear too distraught over not understanding the material. He was also desperately trying to get her attention back to the schoolwork, realizing that the longer she looked at him like that, the shorter his sanity was going to be.

"But Darien… I just don't get it. The teachers don't know how to explain it well enough… Though I'm sure you're a MUCH better teacher…" she cooed, and Darien thought he could see a bit of mischief behind her gaze. Then he could have sworn she was inching closer to him again, but he desperately tried to pass it off as his imagination.

"Oh… well… I… never really… taught anyone… before… but… uh… um…" Alright, it's not my imagination, she is definitely getting closer. So close that if I wanted to I could lean forward and… but I'm her tutor! That's all! Just her tutor!

He continued to lean backward with every subtle movement she made toward him, his nerves tensing to the point that he was ready to launch off the couch at the drop of a pin.

But Serena, not one to give up on a first attempt, only fluttered her lashes sweetly and shifted a bit closer until Darien found himself lodged against the arm of the sofa with their lips only centimeters apart, and slowly her eyes were closing and—

Did her lips just pucker?

"I'm going to go get us something to drink!" he spouted suddenly, jumping up from the couch and out of Serena's prowl. She squealed slightly, nearly falling face-down on the couch as the support of his body left her. Groaning, she quickly sat back up, urging the blush to disappear from her cheeks. She could hear him clunking around in the kitchen, cursing quietly at a few spills, glasses clinking harshly together, and... did something just shatter?

"Do you want help in there?" she called back to the kitchen, the redness in her cheeks already disappearing.

"No, I got it!" he replied, coming out with a few drinks in hand. He set them down on the table before slowly, cautiously, claiming his seat next to his pupil again. She remained still, watching him from the corner of her eye as he once again picked up the math book. "Alright… er… where were we?"

She shrugged, not bothering to hide her disappointment. "I still don't understand why I need to learn this stuff."

He couldn't help but laugh at her little pout, forcing himself to forget about the awkwardness of a few moments ago. Yes, it had probably been his imagination, after all. "Never mind that, Serena. It doesn't matter when you're going to use this in the future, you need to know it now so you can start passing some of these classes. Now, let's… start with an equation. You… do know what an equation is, don't you?"

She shot him a pert glare. "Of COURSE I know what an equation is! Um… I think…"

Darien shook his head and wrote out a problem on a sheet of paper.

"Alright, what does Y stand for?" he asked, handing the paper over to her.

She sighed, raising her eyebrow at the formula. "Darien, Y is just a letter. What do you mean 'what does it stand for'?"

"No, Serena, here it's being used in place of a NUMBER. Look, Y plus 4 equals 9. This one is REALLY easy. I know you can do this."

She stared at it for a minute. "It's a letter, Darien! I don't get it. What are you asking me?"

"Ugh! No, Serena… maybe I'm not explaining this right. SOMETHING plus 4 equals 9. What is it?"

"Darien, that's easy, it's 5."

"Alright, so if Y plus 4 equals 9, Y has to be…"

"Darien, WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING?"

He groaned, dropping the pencil and leaning his head back, staring at the ceiling for a moment. "Alright, so you're a slow learner, we can get past this."

"No, we can't, Darien. Just give up, alright? I will never understand any of this!" she screamed, her eyes misting bitterly. She slammed the book shut just as a tear started to roll down her cheek. Embarrassed, she got to her feet and quickly began shoving her books into her bag, intent on getting out of that apartment before Darien started teasing her about what a baby she was being.

"Serena, don't leave… please," he said, and the quiet sympathy in his voice stopped her. She could hear him get off the couch and walk toward her, then nothing for a long moment, and then... his arms were around her shoulders, holding her against his chest. She turned her face away to hide her distress, but he gently took her chin in his hand, turning her face towrd him and wiping away the tears.

"Serena, everyone learns at their own pace. You'll get the hang of algebra soon, don't worry. I believe in you. I know you can do this."

"But what if I can't?" she whispered brokenly, but he answered with a small, encouraging smile.

"You can. You just have to try. And I'll help you, step by step."

"You really think so, Darien?"

"Of course. You can do anything you put your mind to."

They stared into each other's eyes for a long time, Serena entranced by his deep blue eyes staring so meaningfully into hers, as if begging her to stay, and the thought of leaving became very distant and silly.

For his part, Darien found that now, with his arms around her, he didn't want to let go. He could only imagine what it looked like, but even appearances seemed unimportant at that moment, with her tucked so securely and perfectly against him. Her small face was red with tears and her eyes glossy from those still unshed, and she looked more beautiful than he had ever remembered her looking. It was then that he noticed her lips were quivering slightly, and they distracted his attention from her sky blue eyes. Unconsciously, he craned his neck down, ready to cease her shaking, and her eyes widened slightly, before drifting close. She licked her lips, and Darien could feel her stiffen in his arms, suddenly standing on tiptoes. His lips parted slightly and he pulled her closer, close enough that he could feel her breath tickling his lips. Close enough to actually kiss the sweet, gorgeous, fourteen-year-old girl.

And he froze.

FOURTEEN YEARS OLD? Darien found himself screaming inside of his head. What am I thinking? I can't kiss her! Ah, but those big blue eyes and those pastel pink lips are so tempting and… NO! There's no way I can do this! Absolutely NO way!

"So what else do you want to study tonight?" he asked, breaking away from her.

After looking momentarily crestfallen and rejected, Serena shook herself from the gloom and plastered an excited grin onto her face. Clearing her throat, she answered, "Well, we're studying Romeo and Juliet in literature. You could help me a bit with that, if you don't mind." One of the kissing scenes, if I may suggest.

"Romeo and Juliet? Sure, we can do that," he said, still turned away from her. When he turned back around, he was avoiding eye contact and Serena noted that his cheeks were tinted red.

"Oh, it would be so great if you could help me with it! I don't understand a word. I swear they're speaking a completely different language," she complained with a pout, coaxing another chuckle from him. They each slowly returned to the couch, Serena digging through her book bag and emerging victoriously with a copy of Shakespeare's famous play.

"Which part would you like to study? Any place in particular you don't understand?"

"We read the scene where Romeo and Juliet meet today in class."

"Yeah? And did you get any of it?"

"Not a word."

Chuckling, he flipped to Act I, Scene V, setting the book down on the table again. "Okay, I'll start reading, and we'll see if you can translate any of it."

She shrugged, leaning forward to read along with him.

"If I profane with my unworthiest hand this holy shrine, the gentle fine is this; my lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand to smooth that rough touch with a tender… er… kiss."

Cupping her chin in her hands, Serena stared at the page, before raising her eyes to his. He returned the gaze, forcing an uncomfortable smile. "Alright… did you get any of that?"

"Yup, sure did! He's saying he's going to kiss her!"

"Kiss her… you mean her hand."

Furrowing her eyebrows, Serena shook her head. "Where does it say he's going to kiss her hand? Why not her lips? It's… much more romantic… I think…"

Laughing quietly, Darien pulled the book into his lap. "That comes later, Meatball Head. Here, let's start it this way. Romeo is talking to Juliet, right?"

"Right."

"So what do you think this 'holy shrine' that he refers to is?"

Tilting her head to the side, she whispered, "Juliet?"

"Right! So, what does it mean when he says he will 'profane with his unworthiest hand this holy shrine'?"

"Hm… if she's the shrine… then… he doesn't deserve to touch her…"

"Good, for fear he will profane her. Now, the next line says 'the gentle fine is this,' what do you think that means?"

She shrugged. "I don't know."

"A fine is something you pay, like repaying a debt. So if he 'profanes' her, he's going to pay her back with something, okay?"

"Okay."

"'My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand to smooth that rough touch with a gentle kiss.' Meaning…"

"That he's going to kiss her to make up for touching her?"

"Right!"

"But… that doesn't mean… he's going to kiss her hand…"

Chuckling, Darien set the book aside again, standing and pulling Serena to her feet beside him. "Here, we'll act it out. Now, pretend you're at a party, and you've never talked to me before."

She nodded, hiding the insistent smile that wanted to arise. Jackpot.

After taking a deep breath, Darien, trying to be casual, took her hand into his, smoothing his fingers over her knuckles. She trembled slightly.

"If I profane with my unworthiest hand this holy shrine, the gentle fine is this…" He lowered his voice to a whisper, stepping closer to her, and bringing her hand to his lowered head. "My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand to smooth that rough touch… with a tender kiss."

Holding her gaze, he brushed his lips tenderly across her knuckles, barely tasting the perfume of her smooth skin, and Serena felt something melt inside of her. She gulped as his warm lips touched the back of her hand and she felt lost in his piercing gaze, before he slowly lowered her hand and took a step closer. She inhaled nervously, trying to calm the butterflies in her stomach, when... she suddenly realized he was talking.

"Huh? I'm sorry, wha… what was that?"

His gorgeous lips curved into a smile. "It's your line."

"Li… oh, line! Right… uh…" Turning, she tried to keep her hand in his grasp, but he let go as she picked the book up from the sofa. Gulping to clear her throat, she began to read shakily. "Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much, which mannerly devotion shows in this; For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch, and palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss."

"What do you think she's saying there?"

"Kiss me again? I hope…"

He chuckled, and Serena didn't know if he had caught the whispered last comment.

"Who's the pilgrim?"

Rereading the phrases, she asked him quietly, "You? Er… Romeo?"

"Correct. So she's telling him that he shouldn't put her up on such a pedestal, because she's not a saint, and he IS deserving. Now even if she was a saint, and he was but a pilgrim, it would be of no wrong to touch her, for 'saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch'. You see?"

"Mm… hmm… so… is she playing hard to get?"

He laughed. "Something like that."

"Okay, I think I get it now."

Clearing his throat, Darien continued to read. "Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?"

"So... he's asking her why they don't kiss?"

"Very good!"

Smiling widely, Serena plowed on, "Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer." After pausing a moment, she giggled slightly. "She's still playing hard to get!"

"I think Romeo's losing his patience," he murmured.

Raising her stare to his, Serena whispered sourly, "I know how he feels."

Darien gulped, not quite sure what Serena meant by that comment, but feeling equally familiar with Romeo's plight. "O, then, dear Saint, let lips do what hands do; They pray, grant thou, lest faith turn to despair."

"He's getting desperate, and… wants her to answer his prayers?"

"His prayers of what?" Darien pried.

"Kissing her?"

"Exactly! You're getting good at this."

"You're helping a lot."

They shared a kind smile, before he once again broke it awkwardly and began whispering, steadily moving toward her, "Then move not, while my prayer's effect I take. Thus… from my lips… by thine my sin is purged."

Inhaling sharply, Serena watched as he came closer at a painfully slow pace. She knew this part of the play very, very well. She'd rehearsed it in her head a million times, with this same Romeo. His hands touched her side, moving so tauntingly slow. His fingers barely skimmed over the material at her waist. Her eyelids fell, and she leaned forward, waiting, holding her breath, and...

"And then he kisses her," Darien blurted, inches from her lips, before pulling harshly away, leaving the girl shaken and confused.

"Now, maybe we should move over to Mercutio's death scene, that's a big part in the play! Or we could deal with Tybalt's death, or how about when Juliet is forced to marry Paris by her father?" he babbled, flipping through the pages in the book.

"Darien," she whispered, more than disappointed.

"Yeah?" he paused, turning toward her while trying to hide his gaze at the same time.

Turning away, she stared down at the carpet. "Nothing, I was just… I think I got the hang of this old-English thing now. I'll be fine. Thanks for your help."

He gulped, unable to ignore the sadness in her voice, the slight wavering, the echoing dejection. Naw, that's crazy. She's probably just tired.

Running a hand through his hair, he closed the book.

"Well… alright then, do you have anything else you'd like to study?"

She was silent, her head bent down, her chin resting down upon her collarbone. She shuffled her feet slightly, digging her toe into the carpet.

"Eh… Serena? Are you okay?"

No response followed. Her shoulders began to tremble, a small sniffle was heard from her hidden features.

"Um…" Darien began to reach out to her, his fingertips shyly grazing her sleeve. "Ser…"

"Why don't you like me?"

"Huh?" His hand snapped back to its side. "Why… don't I… What do you mean?"

"I don't get it, Darien. What's wrong with me? Is it because of… my hair? Or maybe I'm too immature, is that it? There's got to be some reason why… you don't… wouldn't like me… So why? I can fix it, whatever it is, I can fix it."

He blinked, feeling compelled to put his arms around her but fighting the urge with every ounce of practicality left in his brain. Raising a hand, he rubbed his temples for a moment, letting her words sink in. She's asking me why I DON'T like her? Ha, what a joke. If only it were that easy…

He suddenly realized that her eyes were staring up at him in earnest determination, her hands clasped tightly in front of her chest, as she impatiently waited for a reply.

Clearing his throat, he started, "Well… no, Serena… it's nothing like… that. Actually… I do like you. And it's certainly nothing physical, since you're… well… how would you say, um… er… gorgeous. For… a kid, at least. Or, even for a woman, to think of it. Yeah… and… I do like you. Really… a lot, actually." Smooth… his brain noted sarcastically.

Her eyes widened and she stood up straighter, pulling her shoulders back in surprise. "What? But… but… if you like me… then… why… I don't understand…"

"Understand what, Serena?"

"If you like me and think that I'm beautiful… then why won't you kiss me?"

His mind dulled and took its sweet time to register her words and mull over their implications, before jumping into overdrive. K… kiss? What does any of this have to do with kissing? Though… she does raise a good point…

In fact… that's a really good point!

Why haven't I kissed her? What's my problem? All this time I've been trying to convince myself not to kiss her, but… it's as if she wants me to. Yes, she does! All the hints, the clues… this is a dream come true! Wait, this makes things a little awkward. We both want to kiss, but I don't know when or how or where… maybe I shouldn't. Maybe it's more hassle than it's worth.

Whoa, what am I thinking? More hassle than it's worth? Yeah right, to kiss those sweet, puckered, innocent lips… Of course I should kiss her! Why does it even matter when or where, or how even? It will all happen when it happens. At least… I hope so. That is, it had better…

"Er… I don't know, Meatball Head…"

So, am I supposed to kiss HER? Should I initiate it? Then she might think I'm moving too fast. Maybe it's my best bet to let HER kiss ME. Or… would that take too long? Ugh, I am SO confused!

"Um… it's just… that… uh…" he stuttered stupidly while Serena watched on, a little confounded by the fluctuating emotions that danced across his face.

"You don't want to kiss me, do you?" she pressed.

How is it that she's being so incredibly blunt about all this?

"Huh?" Darien choked out, wondering why they couldn't have just stuck with algebra.

"It's okay, I understand now," she whispered, the sudden excitement gone from her voice.

"Serena, wait, you don't understand. It's just… uh… I… well…"

"What?" She asked, curious, though saddened.

"I… er… like you." An immense pride welled up in Darien's chest at the confession and he felt that the world's largest boulder had just been lifted from his shoulders. But it seemed to crash right back down when the elation he expected to see on her face didn't turn up.

"Darien, we already established that. You made it perfectly clear that… that… I'm like a kid sister or a friend. You still won't kiss me, will you? So what does it matter? I'm sorry I got so carried away. I guess I really am a ditz. To ever think that you could… go for me… like that… I understand perfectly now." She sighed, turning to begin packing up her books that were still scattered over the table. Every now and then she gave a vain attempt to hide a few sniffles.

Darien bit his lower lip, his heart beating rapidly within his chest and leaned down beside her, nervously placing a heavy hand on her arm.

"No Serena, you don't understand. Yes, I like you! And yes, I could go for you… like… that. How could I not? It's just that this whole kissing thing… well, it took me by surprise, I guess. I mean, yesterday morning I thought you hated me, and now all the sudden you're practically begging me to… you know. And it's a big deal, and something I wasn't expecting. And I don't know if I would kiss you this soon…" He said the last words with an embarrassed look. "Serena, it's just that… well, you're quite a bit younger than I am, and if our… relationship became… er… romantic, it might get awkward and… what would people think? I do like you… a lot. A lot more than I probably should. But… that doesn't mean I should act on it, you know?" Finally bringing himself to meet her eyes, Darien raised a curious eyebrow, unsure of what to expect as her reaction. Part of him wanted her to understand the truth of his words, but another part—possibly a larger part—was hoping that she would ignore it. That she would scoff and roll her eyes and proclaim with conviction that age was only a number and he was being stupid and silly for letting it get in the way of something he wanted; something they both wanted. He was almost hoping that she would fight for him, to be with him, even though he was too afraid to return the favor.

But her eyes did not spark with the fire he'd been holding his breath to see, but rather they darkened and her head dropped with a small nod. "Alright, I understand. You won't kiss me, because it could get awkward, me being so much younger and all. Right. I should have known..." But then, unexpectedly, her soft voice changed into something much more determined, and strong, and wonderful in Darien's ears. "Evidently it doesn't matter that I'm so sprung over you and WANT you to!" She looked up at him again, steadily holding his gaze.

"Darien, I like you. I have for a really long time, and I have dreamed a million times of being alone with you and and hearing you tell me all the things you have today. That you like me, and think that I'm gorgeous, and… and then we would kiss. Honestly, Darien, do you really think I wanted you to tutor me just so I could get better GRADES? I wanted to spend time with you, get to know you, and hope that… maybe you would start to feel something for me, so it wouldn't be an impossible crush anymore." Her stare dropped once again as Serena found herself shy after the stubborness had ebbed. "So now you know how I feel, and I know how you feel, and you're not going to do anything about it because I'm younger?"

Darien found his heart thudding wildly and the logical part of his brain, the part that had been fighting the urge to kiss her all night long, suddenly stopped and analyzed the situation and realized... the girl had a point.

"Well, I definitely understand what you're talking about, it is kind of weird to put aside your feelings because of age," he said uncertainly. "But sometimes… well…"

"Well what? Darien, spit it out."

"Sometimes age can cause problems. For instance, what would your parents think?"

"They wouldn't care!" she lied, trying her best to sound convincing. Of course, she knew that they would care but, well, they'd just have to deal!

"Are you sure?" His voice dripped with skepticism, an inquisitive look on his face.

Serena groaned. "Okay, so maybe we would have to talk them and sort of convince them, but after awhile they would get used to the idea and…"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa there. What do you mean WE?" he interrupted.

"Well, you don't expect me to do it alone, do you?"

"Uh… well, well… er, no, I guess not, but I shouldn't have to…! What if they hate me?" he yelled, his voice shaking, and he instinctively pulled a good five feet away from her, as if her father was already hovering over her shoulder, shot gun in hand.

"Well, let's forget about that for a second," Serena said, trying to save herself from losing all of the progress she'd achieved so far. "Are you saying that you would date me even with our age difference?"

Darien pursed his lips, feeling trapped and unsure, and yet... knowing there was only one thing for him to say. The one thing he'd been trying so desperately to avoid saying all night, and yet... Well, here goes. "Yes. I guess I would."

Trying to still her racing heartbeat, Serena gulped, inhaled deeply, and then slowly, nervously, asked,"so does this mean… we're a… couple?"

Their eyes met, both feeling frightened and vulnerable. Crossing her fingers behind her back, Serena mentally braced herself for whatever was to come, knowing that no matter what his answer was, there would at least be some hope, that perhaps someday... But he didn't laugh, or even frown. His blue eyes slowly softened until an almost smile tugged at his lips.

His voice, low and husky, whispered, "I guess we are."

And the night was still and quiet as the new couple let that concept sink in, so strange foreign to them both. They soon found that neither of them were quite sure what to do, and so they just stood there watching and waiting for the other's reaction, both looking happy, even if still deathly nervous. Finally, Darien sighed, dragging his gaze away to look down at his watch.

"It's really getting late, Serena. Maybe you should finish packing up and think about getting home."

"Yeah, maybe I should," she whispered, unable to think of anything else to say. Things had happened so fast, like a big blur, and her mind was still desperately trying to make sense of it all. Not once did she even let her thoughts drift to the future: what would happen tomorrow, at the arcade, or even on their first real date? Instead, she finished tossing her homework and books into her book bag and threw it over her shoulder. Clearing her throat, she smiled at him with as much confidence as she could manage, and began heading toward the door. "Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow, definitely," he said as he opened the door for her. "Good night… my Meatball Head."

She stumbled over her feet, her faux confidence draining as an unwelcome blush crept into her cheeks and a huge, giddy grin spread across her lips.

"Good bye, Muffin." She could feel his surprise as if it were her own (and, truth be told, she was pretty shocked that she'd been so open with the endearing nickname). But her smile only widened as she made her way out of the apartment and slowly walked down the long corridor. Only once she heard the click of his door closing did she realize her one mistake.

She hadn't kissed him!

Or, he'd never kissed her.

Either way, no kissing had occurred.

She knew that she should have kissed him while she had the chance. Sure, there would be other times. They were dating now, after all, but for a girl to be given the perfect opportunity to kiss One Chiba Mamoru and not take it? She suddenly felt like a failure to the female race.

And so, with an instinctual straightening of her spine and clenching of her fists, Serena turned to run back toward Darien's apartment. She stopped in front of his door, examining the three gold numbers for only a moment. Should I?

Gee, let me think, her brain responded sarcastically.

Taking a deep breath, she swung open the door and spotted him standing in the same place and same position he had been a moment before. His eyes that had been staring down at the rug raised to hers, and his posture straightened drastically in mute surprise.

Gulping, she threw herself toward him, tying her hands around his neck and bringing his lips down to hers for the most powerful kiss she could manage. Closing her eyes, she was happy to drift off in the sensation once he began to kiss her back. His strong arms found themselves behind her back, one large hand placed possessively at the base of her neck, holding her against him, molding the petite body in his warm embrace.

For a long, beautiful moment, they were engaged together in earth-shattering sensations that sent bolts of electricity through their every nerve. Entranced, Darien tugged at her lips seductively as her hands played in his hair, shaking him to the core.

A long moment later, gasping for breath, Serena was forced to pull away. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open, still glazed over with passion.

"Well… erm... good night," she said, her azure eyes glimmering with joy. Darien found it impossible to hold back the same expression.

"Goodnight, Serena. Sweet dreams."

She smiled up at him, and they both knew that having sweet dreams would not be a problem that night.

The end.

Original ANs

Konnichi'wa minna! Might I introduce to you Sailor Moon's newest addition to the fanfiction world, my cousin and best friend, Ms. Katelyn Rydell! Yes, this would be Serena's class president, Darien's friend from the orphanage, AND his personal secretary from previous fics. Boy, she gets around, ne? Now, since you've all heard my comments a million times over, I'll let her take care of the AN's…

Hey everyone! I just wanted to say thank you so much for coming and reading this story. It is my first fic and with the wonderful help of my cousin, Alicia Blade, I have been inspired to write even more. (Edit: Liar. She never actually did write any more. Hehe.) I think co-writing my first story with such a great writer has really taught me many things about writing fics. I would love it so much if you could email me and tell me what you think, it would mean a lot. Well, that's all I really have to say, so on with the story...

"Jesus answered, 'We should go to other towns around here so I can preach there too. This is the reason I came.'" —Mark I 1:38