Author Notes:
	Hello! Well, this is a change from my regular writing. Still based on my fav. couple, but it's going to be in first season. Well, sort of.  This is way before 'A Crystal Clear Destiny' (NA dubbed version), but  Mina/Minako will  be in here. I'm using all NA dubbed names, only because I'm more used to those. No scouts/senshi, Tuxedo Mask/Kamen, etc. I guess, strictly romance... another big change  since I enjoy *some* fights... but,  I might add one *without* supernatural powers. Who knows? A HUGE thanks is to Michelle Moy and Hannah, who generously pre-read this thing!
	I suppose it's not *that* original, but I'm so used to Silver  Millennium style with Serena being improved, but still holding her uniqueness, kindness. But, for this, she'll be the same, original one for various reasons. Darien will mainly be the same conceited jerk, Sere's words, but he'll be softer, for a reason you'll see later. But, I'll *try* my best to try to avoid the *very* over-used theme's... although I'm sure I already failed, hmm? ^_- This is going to be perhaps a 2 or 3 parter, each 1 long, of course.  Umm...  it's going to be written in 3rd person, at least for now. 
	Well, hope you enjoy this. Usual disclaimers apply. However, this is my fic. 
Copyright 1999

		"I do not know what it is about you that closes and opens,
		only something in me understands the voice of your eyes 
		is deeper than all roses."
			- E.E. Cummings
----
	It's really all quite funny when you view it from my perspective. I mean, who would have known that a guy and a girl that constantly argued and teased each other  could become lover's? Not just lover's, but actually be each other's one true love... soulmate's, in other words. 
	A devastating past that left one alone and cold at heart as well as soul, while the other was a happy, friendly person that opened her heart to anyone. I mean, really, could you have *ever*, truthfully picture it? Perhaps, perhaps not... who knows, right? 
	Anyway, this, I suppose could-be fairytale, depends on you, is a story that started with an 18-year-old college student, Darien Shields, who meets a girl, Serena Moon, and their lives are forever changed... 

The Tunnel of Love- Part 1 
	by Marie

	"Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impudent. Love is not love which alters when alteration finds," Darien quoted Sonnet 116, written by William Shakespeare. He shook his head, his unruly dark mane falling ever slightly against his dazzling eyes. "Do you understand it, Andrew?" he questioned his friend who busied himself filling a cup with 
soda. 
	"I'm not a literature person, Dare. Don't start looking at me for answers," his friend replied as he pushed the swinging half-door to the side. "But, I do know one thing. I have to give this soda to that girl over there before she starts getting rowdy."
	Darien rolled his eyes as he looked back towards the paper in his hands. He found the small piece of typed paper on the floor of one of his classes. The person must've felt  frustrated, just like him, since it was crumpled up into a very small ball. He sighed as he  took a sip of his shake. Ah chocolate... just what he needed to calm himself down. He  closed his eyes as he finally felt a sense of tranquillity wash over his body.
	"NO WAY!" A huge scream burst through the doors. Darien cringed as he felt  irritation come back... full blast, may I add. "NO, NO, NO!" He knew that shrill voice and he couldn't help but smirk a bit. Since, of course, Meatball Head was always SO much fun to tease... and for some unknown reason, she made him feel comfortable. Well, in a weird, deja vu kind, anyway.
	"Having a good day, Meatball Head?" He asked as she slumped on a stool a few seats down. She glanced up and growled... literally, too! Her lips curled up into a snarl,  further shocking Dare. "I was just wondering if you were okay, Meatball, geez. Thought  you would be grateful that I at least cared to ask," he had to grin at that comment. When he glanced back towards her, she still had the look on. "Stop giving me that creepy look! It really is a turn-off if you want guys knocking at your door. Although, I wonder why  they'll bother with such a cranky girl like the one I'm facing now."
	Serena looked at the guy that has caused her torment from the very first day she  met him. She rolled her eyes as she tried to calm down. 'But why?' she asked herself. 'It's always fun to scream at him and unload all the pent-up frustration.' She contemplated the  thought, but shook her head. She didn't want to feel sorry for that jerk after she yelled at him. She didn't really want to admit it, but she always did feel a tad guilty... she didn't like yelling at people that much.
	"Not in the mood, Darien," she simply muttered as Lita made her way next to her. 
	"Oh, come on, Sere! Just this once... pretty please!!" The brown head pleaded. Darien, his curiosity at least piqued, plus the fact he really didn't want to get back to the words on the paper, eavesdropped.
	"I said it then and I'm saying it now... NO!" With that, she crossed her arms and pouted. Darien *had* to smile at the vision she made. Come on... a 14-year-old girl  pouting like a 5-year-old? What guy could not at least find it a bit, teeny bit... cute? In a totally childish kind of way, Darien quickly reprimanded himself, although knowing that, that wasn't exactly true. The truth was something he didn't want to admit... at least not at the present moment.
	"Just this once?"
	"NO!"
	"Come on... pretty, pretty please!"
	"I'm not going on a date with Melvin! And that's absolutely *final*!"
	"Oh, Serena! I can't go to the carnival with Ken by myself!!! I need help and the other girls' are already booked. With Raye having to take care of Chad since she whacked him a bit too hard with her broom. And then Mina having to bring Artemis to the vet, and you know how feisty he can get! Plus, Amy has computer classes! Serena... you're the  only one... PLEASE!?!"
	Serena sighed. "I would love to help you out, Lita, but I will *not* go out with  Melvin!"
	"Then pick someone else to ask to go with you! Don't you like Andrew? Go for it!  My thing is completely *gone*!"
	"You know he's taken! I doubt he'll enjoy getting caught with me on his arm by  Rita... even if it was for a good deed, in a way."
	"What about..." she glanced around and spotted that dark head, blue eyed guy that only started college. A smile fell across her face. "Darien!" she exclaimed.
	Serena's eyes widened with shock, as Darien jumped at the outburst of his name. "Huh?" he asked confused. Sure, he was following the thing a bit, all right, he knew  exactly what they said each second... although, he was rather shocked when his name was spoken in the same topic of 'date with Serena.'
	"Dare, buddy, old pal," Lita said with a huge smile, like the one that cat wore on Alice In Wonderland. You know... the creepy one that disappeared and only left 1 part of his body behind? Yeah... knew you'd know! (Try watching that Disney film over and over w/your baby cousin! ::shivers::) 
	Anyway, Lita did feel a tad guilty for getting Serena set up, especially with a guy she 'supposedly' despised, but Lita was in no way going to a carnival alone with a guy she was heads over heels for! Even if it *was* with her best friend, new feelings started to  erupt in both of them. Plus the fact it was their first 'official date', she needed some sort of girl support! "What are you doing this Saturday night, hmm?" She asked her 'victim', as one could say, as she claimed a stool next to him. Serena was still sitting with her mouth agape.
	"Why?"
	"Ohh... just wondering. You know, curious me. Always seeking for new  information."
	"Nothing really..." he answered a bit unsure.
	"Great!" she then exclaimed as she grabbed his hand. "Then you won't mind going to the carnival with Serena!"
	"Hold up!" Sere, finally awakening from her state-of-shock, stood up, aware of  what was happening. "What on Earth are you doing!?!?"
	"Hooking you up, of course, so you can come on a double date with Ken and I," Lita replied as she gave Darien a bright smile. "Now, what do you say, Dare? Can you  take Sere on a date this Saturday night? A double date with my own boyfriend-to-be, of course. Although, if you feel uncomfortable with the term 'date', you can call it a friend 
gathering... something corny like that."
	Darien, still shock, only stared with his jaw swinging open. Serena was, on the other hand, curious of his answer. I mean, this guy lived to torture her... she then paused. He *lived* to torture her... and he must know that she despised him and he must know that she would rather die than be caught dangling on his arm. 'Hmm...' Serena's mind  started to roll it's wheels. 'I could, of course, flirt with him and get him disgusted... what college moron would want a kid flirting with them? Wait... isn't that what college creeps want?' She looked over Darien and shook her head with a smile. 'But, Darien won't, of course. I saw him pushing away those college girls! No way he can get interested in *me*' 
That thought hurt, but she dismissed the feeling. She should be used to his distaste in her behavior and looks... he showed it enough with his teasing.
	"Yeah, Darien," she then added as she walked over to him and nuzzled her head on his strong shoulder. Sere had to gulp to control the emotions that were erupting. This guy was gorgeous, even if she didn't enjoy admitting it, and his body was what Serena liked to call 'the perfect build.' "How do you like the thought of you," she then paused as she  pressed her forefinger against his chest playfully, "and me," pointing to herself, "alone in the tunnel of love?" She then traced the contour of his jaw. If she didn't know any better, Darien seemed to tremble under her touch and stare. 'Nah..' she thought. 'How could I, Innocent-Serena, get Darien-the-Cold interested?' she had to giggle at the thought.
	Darien felt electric jolts coming from her fingers that now started to play with his hair.  Her lips were turned up into a suggestive grin and her eyes... damn those eyes of hers. He gulped as he thought about this situation. A high school girl... Serena even! actually making him... flustered. How more ironic could it get!?! Not even the college girls, with a much more defined figure, get him feeling... feeling like this! Trying his best to regain himself, he let loose a nervous cough and backed away as casually as he could muster. The thing that actually got him to complete it and not just pull her into a hug to just smell the sweet scent of her was this main thought, 'She's Meatball Head.' Well, with the phrase, 'She's 14, you're 18' to accompany it. 
	As for Lita, let's just say, she was shocked! Beyond that word actually. 'Wait till the girl's hear about this,' she thought with a smile. As she watched the pair, she couldn't help but realize Darien's large effort to restrain himself. So, he pulled away trying to 
symbolize annoyance. Of course, he did it rather well, but with the expression on his face when Serena was playing with his hair... no way can anyone watching the whole situation believe he was actually annoyed. 
	"So, what do you think," Serena paused momentarily to both regain herself, she also felt the... how does one say? intensity, and to figure out a pet name to make him groan in dislike. Hey, don't guys dislike corny and way to mushy nicknames? "Muffin?" she asked softly, with a touch of wanting, into his ear, breathing ever-so softly on his ear 
lobe to further his annoyance.
	Of course, it was the way opposite to him. 'She's 14, you're 18,' he continuously chanted as his fists clenched in the effort to keep his face impassive so she couldn't see the emotions she was stirring. But, what got him off his little chant of 'She's 14, you're 18' was when she called him Muffin. 'Muffin,' he thought softly. Oddly enough, he liked it.
	'Damn it, Darien,' he scolded himself. 'You're the one who stays on top... you're always the one who keeps things under control! She's only 14!' That calmed him down enough from her breathing on his ear. 'Get her back,' he thought softly with a smile. 
	"You know what," he also paused as he thought of her own 'nickname.' A word instantly popped up, "Bunny?" He asked as he stood up and leaned down. "Why not?" He whispered as he lightly kissed her forehead and then cheek.
	Now, if Darien's feelings got screwed up, Serena's was a disaster zone! She felt giddy and light-headed, but was shocked and mad that he didn't turn her down and say no to Lita. Well, that's what she kept telling herself, if you get my drift. Instead, he accepted. 'Accepted,' that word was enough to snap her out of her thoughts. "What!?!" She jumped away, but only to feel a bit... dazed. Other terms: dizzy, faintest, weightless. But, truthfully, the dominant one was confusion. 
	"Great!" Lita exclaimed as she patted Serena on the back. "Now, you and Darien can join me and Ken! Thank you SO much Sere! And you, too, Darien! You guys are great. Here," she then stopped momentarily to rip out a piece of paper out of her bag and scribble something down on it. "That's my address. Serena will be there and so will Ken. Stop by around 3." She once again paused as she looked at Darien curiously. "Ken 
doesn't really have a car yet... do you have one?"
	Darien nodded numbly as he still thought of the previous events. "This is excellent!" Lita then exclaimed. "Would you mind if we all carpool in your car rather then walk 5 miles?"
	He nodded his head numbly once more. Finally, he was at least capable to stutter out a few words. "S-sure. It... it'd be no... no problem," he commented a bit breathless as well as nervous.
	"Well, I'd see you in 2 days! Come on, Serena. Say good bye to you're cute Muffin," she added the nickname and adjective. And she was justly rewarded by seeing the two flush. Sere waved her hand to him as her eyes stayed on the ground. "And you say good bye to you're little Bunny," she also quipped in. It was his turn to look down towards the floor. He nodded softly and saw the two exit. 
	'Bunny..' he thought of the name softly. It sort of fit her, but 'Meatball Head' was much better. Plus, he enjoyed the way it felt when the words 'Meatball Head' rolled on his tongue. However, he was shocked that he enjoyed  the phrase, '*My* Meatball Head' a LOT more. "My Meatball Head..." he then whispered, this time aloud, testing the words 
on his lips.
	"Oh Muffin!" A high-pitched, definitely not-girl voice cried out. Darien swung around and caught sight of Andrew with his hands folded in front of his chest. "Oh Muffin!" he said again, this time batting his lashes and swinging a towel forward. He then burst out laughing as Darien's expression was a mix of irritation and embarrassment. 
	"Shut up, Andrew!" he snapped as he sipped his chocolate shake. "It's not like you're any better with Rita!" That comment immediately shut him up and made him return to wiping the counter. Even if he did hold a huge grin on his face. "Plus anyway, the only reason why I'm accepting the whole thing, is to embarrass Meatball Head. She'll have one huge fit, all right, when I *do* show up. I can just imagine her fury!" He then added, trying to clear up the situation with Andrew, and unknowingly to himself as well.
	"Sure," Andrew replied sarcastically as he continued to wipe the counter. "Keep telling yourself that, Dare."
	Darien rolled his eyes again as he looked at the paper with the sonnet on it. Picking it up, he crumpled it. 'Don't have to waste time on that anymore,' he thought softly. 'Now, I need to get ready to get Meatball Head back... on the date.' He snickered softly. He was going to enjoy this! He'll get Serena back for stirring feelings like *that*! He'll get her back by stirring the same feelings she inflicted on him, on her, when they're at the carnival. Also, to find out *how* and *why* she was capable to unlock those emotions that no other girl ever had throughout his years.

	Serena kneeled down on the floor, laying her head on the small table. They were at Raye's temple, helping her out with caring for Chad. Well, Lita, Mina, Raye, and Amy, of course. And Lita wouldn't shut her trap about the incident with Darien and her! Mina and Raye wouldn't leave poor Sere alone. They kept asking very *uncomfortable* questions 
that got Serena to think. Think of what, you might ask? Well, the topic she didn't *want* to discuss... Darien. Thankfully, Amy kept her trap shut, but by her facial expressions, she was rather mischievous herself, perhaps thinking of all different scenarios or something like that.
	Her forehead tingled, as did her left cheek, specifically the spots that Darien's soft lips touched and kissed. 'Kissed...' that word went through her mind and unconsciously she fingered her lips. 'Oh how I wish...' she stopped herself and looked at her hand accusingly. "Oh, this is just great! I'm already thinking of the guy in *that* way!" she 
muttered scornfully as she looked at the small, smooth surface of the table. Stretching her forefinger, she instantly started to run her tips across it, making a shape... a shape she had just been stroking... *his* jaw. 
	She sighed in aggravation. "What the hell is he doing to me!" she asked no one as she buried her head into her folded arms. "Why him?" she then asked, looking at a picture of the 'crew' together in the park. "Why must it be *him*?"  
	"Maybe cause you might have more than a *thing* for him, hmm?" A cheerful voice said from behind her.
	Sere turned around and first saw ash-ridden clothes and small tears on the sleeves. Then, she caught sight of a red bow that now was dangling at the tip of hair on the person's right side. A bow that was in a tangle of once blonde hair that now looked more like black. "Uhh... Mina... what *happened*!?"
	"Oh," her friend began as she glanced at her clothes and bow. May I add totally knotted hair. "Hehe... I sort of, umm, uhh... you know, it was really funny... well, umm.. when I, may I add it was an accident?" 
	Serena giggled. "You don't have to tell me. I'm sure you got enough from it from Raye."
	Mina nodded as she sat down with a thump. "So... why are you mumbling to yourself and acting all down? If you want, we could all go to the mall and get a new outfit for your date-" she was instantly cut off.
	"It's *not* a date! I won't even show up, cause I'm sure he'll stand me up anyway..."
	"How are you so sure?"
	"Mainly because this is Darien."
	"Oh, come on Sere! He called you 'Bunny'! How more adorable is that!? How I *wish* a guy could say those words to me! I'd be putty in his hands already! You and Lita are so lucky... I'm stuck trying to get Artemis to the vet... that darn cat!"
	Sere laughed again. "I hear you. Luna can act the same way!" she already felt her mood lighten up. "I'm just totally confused... I can't even *believe* I was capable to act... to act like that! Now he must think I'm a desperate teen who is horny or something."
	Mina fell to the floor laughing hysterically. Her face was red and it seemed as if she was crying! "You... he think... you... HAHA!" Once more, that hyena laugh of her's. It just seemed to get shriller and shriller! First low and then cascading up and up and wow it's UP there! Finally, they started to subside, but little chuckles were coming out here and there. "Oh, Sere..." she was only capable to mumble out as she rubbed her teary eyes.
	Serena just glared at her and drooped her shoulders. "You know, Mina, by that glint in his eyes when he accepted, it seemed as if he wanted revenge or something. Not revenge like in a bad way, but like in a... I don't know... as if he wanted to get me back for doing something to him. Not physically, but rather emotionally."
	"Lita did say he looked REALLY flustered!" Mina said all of a sudden giddy. "Oh MY God! I actually solved something! Sere... he wants to get you back for getting him feeling flustered and out-of-control! I mean, he always does want to be the dominant male! And I'm sure when you were doing that, interest or something came forth and he didn't enjoy it. He wants to do that to you! To get you back so his male ego will feel in control again!" 
	Sere looked at her friend skeptically. "Do you actually want me to believe that?"
	Mina sighed and sat back down quiet and disappointed again. "No... it was a rather stupid thought, huh?" 
		(Extra AN- The bliss of ignorance... gotta love it ^_-)
	Serena nodded. "Now... let's see... tell me the top 10 stuff to do to gross your date out so they'll bail on you."
	"Oh, that's easy," Raye said as she, Lita, and Amy came in. All of their clothes and faces were ash-ridden. "Just act like yourself, Meatball Head."
	"That's NOT funny, Raye!" she yelled as she glared at her friend. Finally, her eyes caught sight of *their* appearance and the starting argument instantly diminished. "Wh-" Sere began, but was only to be stopped.
	"Don't ask," Amy commented as they all sweat-dropped. "Just don't let Mina go near *anything* flammable! Or, *anything* that can cause a fire to light up... specifically a stove, match, and even 2 sticks."
	Mina giggled nervously. "It's not my fault the rag was near the stove!"
	"*You* seemed to accidentally drop it!" Raye exclaimed. "Half of my kitchen would've burned down, if Lita didn't bring in the hose that we use to water the lawn. It's like a lake in there!"
	"Well... you all should know me by now," Mina said with a pout. "Didn't any of you learn when I tried to nurse you all back to health?"
	They all seemingly cringed and shivered. "Yeah... she has a point, ya know?" Lita muttered as she was rubbing her arm. "We should of known better."
	They all nodded as the topic switched. This time they started to discuss how to totally gross out a man so they'll bail.

*Saturday- Lita's Apartment*

	"This is way TOO girlish!" Lita complained as she stared at her reflection from the mirror. "I don't LIKE pink!"
	"But, it's SO cute!" Sere protested. She glanced at the clock and sighed. "We only have half an hour, you know."
	Lita screeched as she ran around the room frantically. "Oh MY GOD! This is NOT happening! I don't even have *anything* to wear!"
	"You bought 5 different dresses, Lita. Well, 2 of them dress' and the others jeans and shirts. But, you bought 2 dresses... come on!"
	"I know, I know," her friend mumbled through a brush. It seemed as if she was brushing her hair one minute and then frantically digging through her closet the next. "I should've stayed in that mall longer!"
	"We stayed there for over 6 hours!" Serena commented as she glanced down towards her appearance. Raye had suggested to wear a potato sac bag, but she was there to embarrass *him*. Not *her*. Mina said to dress skimpy... what sophisticated guy, Raye's words, would want someone like that on their arm. But, NO way was she going to wear anything TOO revealing. Thankfully, Amy was there. Ames just said to wear something casual. Specifically, shorts and a blouse. No dress so he'll KNOW she wasn't there for a date.. although the term 'date' did want to addressed, in a way.
	"*This* one!" Lita finally shrieked and bolted to the bathroom. Sere giggled as she looked towards the mirror. The day was a bit chilly so she just wore a comfortable jacket with a white tee shirt and jean shorts. Not forgetting comfortable sneakers, just in case they wanted to walk around the carnival for a long time. Perhaps even till it closed, which was 11 o'clock at night. Sere could even remember her father's expression when she asked to stay out that long. Thankfully, her mom was there and allowed her, as long as she stayed by Lita. They both knew Lita was capable of beating up 5 built guys at once if they got her pissed.
	The bathroom door swung open, and Lita stood tall and proud. "How do you think of this one?" Sere looked and her eyes widened. 
	"Wow... *that* one's perfect! Ken will be drooling all over you!" It was rather simple, but it really did compliment her body and eyes. A spaghetti strapped green dress that was in the middle of clingy and loose. The material looked as if it was satin or something like that. It swayed just slightly above her knees. "You didn't buy *that*!"
	"Yeah... it's just something someone gave me for Christmas. You know me... not exactly a dress person so I stuffed it in my closet and forgot about it. So... does it really look okay?"
	Once again Sere nodded as she herself glanced towards the mirror. "Well, Darien will *have* to take me like this. No way I'm spending time to look good for *him*!"
	"Oh Sere!" Lita muttered as she slipped on her shoes. "Admit it, you like the guy!"
	"Do NOT!"
	"Then why'd you flirt like that, hmm?"
	"To get him disgusted!"
	"Disgusted!?!" Lita glanced towards her friend with a raised brow. "How can any guy be disgusted with you flirting... like *that*! Geez, Sere, you really can be dense sometimes!"
	"As you can be boy crazy," Sere countered back.
	"Yeah... but that's ALL changed with my new man," Lita replied as she started to laugh. As she glanced towards the clock, the digits read 2:55. "When are they going to get here!?!"
	"Hope never."
	"Huh?"
	"Not Ken! I mean the *other* one..."
	Lita rolled her eyes. "Keep telling yourself that! I bet that when you see him, you'll blush or look down in less than 3 minutes flat!"
	"How much?"
	"20 bucks."
	"You're on! I DO need some extra cash, anyway."
	"Dream on," Lita quipped as they glanced towards the door. Now Sere *wanted* Darien to come!

*Darien's Apartment*

	Dare sighed as he glanced towards his watch. Only twenty more minutes before 3 o'clock hit the mark. He glanced towards his appearance as nervousness came over him. 'Why are you nervous!? It's just Meatball Head! Come on, Dare, you *have* to be cool and get her back good,' he thought. 'Make her feel out-of-control like you did!'
	He sighed once more as he ran a hand through his ebony strands. He didn't want to be too fancy, nor too casual. So, he wore black dress pants and a dark blue T-shirt that definitely showed off his muscular chest and arms. He glanced towards his watch again. 2:45. He sighed. He better be going before he's late. No way is he turning down the  opportunity to see her face when he pulls up with his red sports car!
	Grabbing his keys, he was out the door.

*Lita's Apartment*
	
	Ken was already there, sitting next to Lita and they were chatting away, well, with a few soft kisses and giggling noises. As for Sere, she was left on the kitchen counter, eating a chocolate cookie to calm down her senses. 'Maybe he's not coming,' she thought as it was just a minute before 3. She felt a sense of hurt at the thought, but just like before, 
pushed it away. 'Didn't I not want him to come?'
	DING-DONG!
	"Ah... there's our taxi driver," Lita said with a giggle. "And Sere's Knight-In-Shining-Armor, right?"
	"You wish," Sere snorted as she stood up and finished off her cookie. 
	"Let's start the timer, hmm? Ken... time it, please." 
	"Sure."
	"1, 2, 3, start it!" Lita then opened the door. "Hey, Dare! Wow... looking sharp, aren't we?"
	Dare nodded to her, but then grinned as his eyes roamed the room and caught sight of his supposedly 'date.' He couldn't help but feel a smirk claim his lips. This was going to be fun! Walking into the room, he casually walked towards her and smiled. "Hey, Meatball Head, how're you doing?"
	Sere, looking at Lita who was still timing, smiled. She was going to WIN the 20 bucks! "I won't even waste time to argue with you about my name. So, come on, let's just get this over with."
	She was about to walk around him, but he caught her hand into his. "We're not in a rush, are we?" he commented breathlessly into her ear. Serena felt her senses already start to get out of whack. "Why didn't you call me Muffin? I rather enjoy the name," he then added as he pulled her in front of him and leaned his forehead to hers. 
	"I-" She started, but his finger pressed against her lips softly, to hush any of the coming words. 
	"It's okay, *my* Meatball Head," he then said as his nose gently nuzzled hers. He then paused as he lifted his head and looked her over. "And you don't look bad yourself. Still the beautiful angel I left in the arcade."
	Now, she couldn't help it and glanced down as her cheeks started to heat up. 'Why is he acting so... so... so damn charming!' she cried out silently. 'Make him become obnoxious... make him *stop*!' she silently pleaded as he already wrapped an arm around her shoulders and started to lead her towards the door. 
	As Lita closed the door with a proud smile, Sere could hear Darien's chuckle and she caught sight of his proud eyes. All of a sudden, Mina's words hit her worse than a ton of bricks! Maybe it didn't make sense then, but now it really did! 'So... that's how he wants to play it,' she thought softly through her semi-dazed mind. 'Well, let's just turn the tables.' 
	Serena giggled. She was going to have fun. No way was Darien going to play her like that without getting played himself. "You know what, Muffin?" she whispered as she went on her tippy toes so her lips were near his ear. "You look rather sexy yourself." She lightly kissed his cheek and wrapped her arm around his waist. She already felt his tense 
muscles. Oh yeah, she was going to enjoy this after all. Even if she has to give Lita 20 bucks. 

	"Oh, look at that one! No, this one!! NO!! Look OVER THERE!!! Please, pretty please? Let's go on the Ferris Wheel!! PLEASE!?!?!?!" Sere squealed as she started to tug Darien towards the ride. She planned to be the seductress, but when her eyes caught sight of all the rides and cotton candy... those thoughts diminished! Plus anyway, he didn't 
try another stunt like that, anymore. All he did was call her his Meatball Head, which wasn't that bad. And she called him Muffin, which he took rather lightly and he smiled. She even enjoyed his smiles now. They weren't mocking, but rather happy, glad smiles. And the thought that *she* was the reason why he smiled, sent pleasant shivers up her 
spine. "Please... Muffin?" She asked as she placed on the puppy look. She even started to enjoy calling him Muffin! It did, you know, fit him quite well. And, she wondered briefly, if she could ever *stop* referring to him by the nickname.
	Darien chuckled deeply as he looked towards her face. She was just TOO damn cute! 'Cute?' he asked himself as he glanced towards her. He smirked. 'She is... sort of, in a totally childish way, cute,' he thought trying to clear himself up. 'You wish, Dare, you wish,' he instantly thought as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and laid her close. He was beginning to enjoy this. "Sure, Meatball Head. Anything for you."
	All right, so maybe his plan wasn't going exactly right. Maybe he was starting to enjoy their time together and just maybe he was getting to like her a bit more. And perhaps he couldn't imagine not wrapping his arm around her waist or shoulders... then again, it is just perhaps. 'What is wrong with me?' he thought softly as they walked towards the Ferris Wheel. 
	"4 tickets," the worker said in a squeaky voice. Dare ripped out the 4 red tickets and handed them to the worker. He pushed a button and a cart came to a stop in front of them. 
	"Come on, Meatball Head. Ladies first," he said as he helped her into the cart and hopped himself in. The medal bar came down and they started to go up. "Oh Muffin, we're UP so HIGH!" Sere squealed as she gripped Darien's arm. They just momentarily stopped at the peak of the Ferris Wheel so other's could load on. She REALLY was starting to daily call him that nickname! 
	"Well, if staying up here keeps you holding my arm like that, I think I might have to get them to keep us up here permanently," he commented. He was shocked he said that, for it just slipped out of his mouth, but the way Sere blushed and held onto him tighter, he was rather glad he was a dolt and let it bypass his lips.
	Sere smiled softly as she snuggled against his warmth. It was only a few minutes past 10 and Lita and Ken both went to the Tunnel of Love. Smooching away no doubt. She then thought of the previous events. Darien was a charmer, when he wanted to be. And he made the perfect Muffin for her! Yeah... even the thought of him hers was starting to rub onto her. They had some... awkward situations when she would trip, and he'd catch 
her while slipping a light kiss on her forehead. And then when he would win her a big teddy bear, and once she jumped into his arms and kissed his nose. Well, that was a mishap which she was glad happened. Cause, truthfully, she was aiming for his lips. Why his lips, you may ask? Maybe because she was too happy to care.. perhaps not. But, of 
course, she didn't realize she stepped on his foot and in doing that, she gained height and... well, you can see what happened. 
	Finally, the ride started to go down and Sere loosened her grip. As they went up again, Darien looked towards the sky and gasped as a droplet fell onto his nose. "Look's like it's going to rain," he said out loud as he saw cloud's already gathering. "Huh?" Sere asked as they started to go down. She was contemplating how the next days were going to go. Since, of course, she was starting to enjoy his warmth and arm wrapped around her protectively. 
	"It looks like it's about to pour. Look, people are already filtering out and some rides are already closed."
	"But, we have 6 more tickets left!"
	"All right. One more ride, then. Which one do you want to ride?"
	"What about... the twister! That spinning around thing?"
	"But, when we did go on, you practically threw up when we got off," he pointed out as his mind started to take him back when they were at the arcade. "You remember the day at the arcade when..."
	Sere blushed and nodded. He grinned. "I wouldn't mind taking you up on the offer of going through the Tunnel of Love." Sere glanced up shocked.
	"Y-you really-"
	He hushed her by landing a kiss on her nose. "I hear it's one of the biggest and longest rides here. All those different tunnels so couples could have added privacy. It's even almost like an adventure since you pick your path and there's some dead ends. Plus, there's only 1 exit and you and your partner have to find it. So, what do you think, Sere, want to take the ride?" He leaned his head so she looked straight into his eyes. Oh, how those eyes of hers can do wonders to him. He already felt giddy and happy.
	Serena smiled. "All right, Muffin. Wouldn't mind some snuggling." She giggled as she nuzzled into his arms deeper. 'Plus,' she thought softly, 'it'd be perfect to end his little game so I become the winner.'
	Darien smirked as they relaxed. Soon, the carnival was already becoming limited by people for two reasons. It was late, 10:30, and most people also spotted the clouds and they wouldn't want to be driving home if there was a thunderstorm in progress. 
	As they climbed off, Lita and Ken were at the base, smiling and in each other's arms. "We better get going," Ken commented as he also glanced towards the sky. "It looks like there's going to be a thunderstorm soon."
	"Thunder?" Sere squeaked out as she wrapped her arms around Dare. 
	Lita nodded in agreement. "Yeah... people are already filtering out and most of the rides are shut down."
	"Just one more," Darien replied. "I still have to take Sere up on her offer of going through the Tunnel of Love."
	Ken and Lita looked towards each other with glints in their eyes. "You'll enjoy it, Darien," Ken said as he smirked. "A rather... fun ride. We luckily got lost."
	"Luckily?" 
	"Believe me, Sere, it was rather lucky." Lita said with a chuckle. 
	Darien laughed as he caught on. "Doing some cuddling, huh?"
	"Just like you."
	This caused the two to blush. "Ah, well, come on," Dare said as he caught hold of his Meatball Head's hand. "Before they close it." Serena nodded and ran with him to the last ride.
	"Sorry, sir, but this rides closing," the worker said.
	"Just this last one? Please?" Sere pleaded towards the man with her big, blue, innocent orbs. The guy blushed and looked down. 
	"All right... but you two are the last," he declared as he pushed a button and a swan boat came up. "So you won't get lost since it's late, here's the direction out," the guy then said as he shoved the paper in Darien's hands. "Just, hurry up. No one else is on 
so you won't get hold up. Just hurry up, please."
	Darien nodded and patted the guy on the back. "Thanks," Dare smiled and helped Sere in as he himself hopped into the boat. 
	"Have a good time!" they heard the man yell out, just before they themselves entered the flap.
	"Eww... a naked cupid!" Sere cried out, with a huge smile plastered on her face. 
	"He's rather big, don't you think?"
	Serena's eyes widened and she punched him lightly on his arm. "That's DISGUSTING!!"
	Darien giggled as he faked a hurt look. "That hurt, Meatball Head."
	"Oh please," Sere muttered as she laughed merrily. "You're fault for being perverted!"
	"How was that perverted!?"
	"Oh," Sere said sarcastically. " 'He's rather big,' " she mimicked. 
	"I meant, his belly was rather big. Ugh... Meatball Head... you thought... oh geez, you have one sick mind!"
	Sere's mouth fell open, shocked, but when she caught sight of his smirk, she growled. "Why you!" She jumped onto his lap and started to tickle him. Wow... wasn't he ticklish!
	"Oh.. Haha... okay... please... can't... Haha... can't... brEATH!!" he finally gasped out through his fit of laughter. "Stop... hehe... STOP... please...!"
	"Call me your Queen and master, and call yourself my slave!"
	"What... haha.. kind... HAHA... of... slave? Do... you... Hehe... mean... HAHA... your... se-" she instantly started to tickle his neck. 
	"EWW!! No WAY!!" she cried out as she didn't even let him finish. "Fine... just call me your Queen and you my lowly peasant!"
	"All right!" he cried out as his lungs were starting to hurt. "Just... stop..."
	Serena yielded her tickling and Darien inhaled a few gasps. "You... are my Queen..." he said softly as well as breathlessly.
	Serena glowed in pride. "And what about yourself?"
	"I'm.. I'm..." he then paused as a grin claimed his lips. "I'm your KING!" With that, he tackled her and started to tickle *her* mercilessly. Just then, a huge roar was heard and the boat jerked as the lights went out. 
	"AAAIIII!" Serena screamed as she jumped on her feet and flung herself into his arms. "WHAT WAS THAT!?!?! WHAT HAPPENED TO THE LIGHTS!?!?!"
	Darien looked around the darkness and shrugged as his nerves, too, were out of whack. "The roar was thunder," he said softly. "A VERY loud thunder, but thunder. And I guess the lights went off because of it," he quickly tried to reason, trying to calm his nerves. Damn, the thing just happened TOO quickly for comfort.
	Just as he finished, the back-up lights came on and little rays of white light came forth from the different holes of the platform that was a bit more than 3 yards off from the boat. "There's an emergency exit a few yards down there," Darien said as he finally took recognition of the map the guy shoved in his hands. As he glanced down, his brow raised.
	"W-What's wrong?" she asked as she went to him and glanced towards the paper. 
	"These are directions to the carnival!" he complained as he threw it towards the greenish, as well as trash filled water that separated them from the platform in which they could walk on. "Come on, Sere, we better wad through the water and go over there." He pointed to the fake scenery and baby cupids sitting everywhere.
	"Oh, Darien, LOOK at that water!!!"
	He glanced down and grimaced. "I-It's just water," he said aloud and to himself. "Come on, Sere."
	"But, you don't know what people did in it!! They might've spitted or leaked or something!!"
	"Do you suggest leaping to the other side?"
	"Why not?"
	"Then be my guest."
	Sere nodded as she took a step towards the edge of the boat. Breathing calmly to calm herself, she squatted and then jumped into the air. Unfortunately for her, her foot hit the tip of the boat and losing her balance, started to smack towards the water below. Darien, reflexes fast, caught her, but with their combined weight on one side of the boat, they tilted the swan boat and... you got it! SPLASH!  
	Serena instantly stood up and wailed. "EWWW!!!" she cried out as she shook. Green slime seemed to be going down her arms. She wailed even more.
	As for Darien, he was... shocked. First, he heard silence when he surfaced, but then a huge wail burst through the air and he could see Meatball Head shaking her arms in a frenzy trying to get the goo off. 
	Shaking his head, he waded through the water and came next to her. "Come on, let's get to shore," he joked as he took hold of her hand and helped her up onto 'dry land.'
	"This is SO GROSS!!" she cried once more as she shook her head to get as much of the filthy water off her. "Get us OUT OF HERE SO I CAN SHOWER!!!" she then yelled as a tantrum was starting to erupt. Darien chuckled at the show she displayed. Shaking his head, he started to head for the exit. As if luck disappeared, although he questioned himself if it already ran away a few minutes ago, a huge roar once more cracked through the outside sky and the back-up lights dimmed drastically.
	Serena cried out and instantly tackled Darien so they fell into the filthy water again. As they surfaced, Sere's cried increased a thousand folds. "I WANT MY MOMMY!!!" she screamed at the top of her lungs as she climbed out of the water again with Darien's help.
	'Wish I had a mommy,' Dare thought, but dismissed it. "Quit the hysterics, Meatball Head! We have to be calm right now so we can get out of here."
	"CALM!!! I'M COVERED WITH GREEN GOO AND PEOPLE'S SPIT!!! YOU 
WANT ME TO BE CALM!?!?!"
	Dare cringed at the decibels of her words. When she finally seemed to become the closet thing to quiet, he rubbed his ears with his hands and shook his head. "Damn, Sere, you have enough voice power to wake the dead and blow their ears off!"
	"JUST GET US OUT!!!" she snapped, her voice on the edge. If Darien didn't know any better, by the way she shook, it seemed as if she was going to crack up into tiny pieces. 
	"Oh, come here, Serena," he whispered soothingly as he hugged her. He felt the mushy gooey thing press against his arms and he cringed inwardly. But, Sere needed comfort, and he was the only one there to give it to her before she lost all her marbles. "The emergency exit is right there... now, come on." He placed an arm around her shoulder and started to lead her towards the door.
	Momentarily, the door came forth, and like a greedy child, Sere pushed it open, only to start feeling herself fall. Strong arms wrapped around her, this time saving her fall and they both stared at the swamp. Well, it LOOKED like a swamp. Heaps of garbage was in the 'swamp' and greenish smoky stuff seemed to rise from it's surface. 
	"You've got to be kidding me," Darien muttered as he ran a hand through his hair. "Gotta be kidding me." He looked towards the dark sky and cursed silently, questioning himself what he did so wrong to deserve this.
	Still muttering to himself, he dimly heard Sere 'Eck.' Then, felt arms wrap around his neck and legs being forced into his arms so he had to cradle her. "There's something MOVING in it!" Serena shrieked in his ear, as she clung tighter. Dare could of sworn he was going to go deaf.  "SOMETHING'S *swimming* in it!!!" From the hysteria she was displaying now, the before show was Pleasantville.
	"Sere... calm... down," he gasped out as her arms just seemed to tighten around his neck, limiting his air and words drastically. "Come on," he whispered, sure his face must be turning blue, "chill for a second." He started to let go of her legs so she could stand and 
soon started to untangle her arms from suffocating him. Rubbing his neck, he sighed. "Jesus, Meatball Head, never knew you had the strength to choke me to death!" he tried to joke about it, but Serena was too shaken up. 
	"Let's go. We can't cross this swamp. I wouldn't be shocked if it's toxic and if we touch it, we'd get de-transformed."
	This at least got a giggle out of the shockingly quiet girl. "Yeah... you'd become half man, half frog!"
	"Oh yeah? You'd be half girl and half meatball! Although... aren't you that already?"
	"Why you..." she wasn't able to finish, for then a huge roar and flash shook the air and in lightening speed, she bolted into Darien's arms, forcing him to lean against the wall so he wouldn't fall. Her body shook fiercely as sobs racked her body hard.
	"Oh, Meatball Head," he whispered softly as he gently stroked her hair. He was getting used to her body being slammed into his... he got used to it by constantly slamming into her by turning a corner of the city streets. It was as if Fate itself was doing it. And, as 
he held her now, he couldn't help but feel... complete. In what way? He himself wasn't sure, but by simply holding the fragile lady in his arms... comforting her and trying to wipe away her pain... he just felt... complete...
	"Please, Darien, g-get us o-out of here," she pleaded as a flash of lightening once more flashed through the night sky. 
	Dare nodded as he lead her back inside. 'Oh, Sere,' he thought softly as they started to walk down the aisle. 'I promise I won't let anything happen to you.' He wanted to say it out loud, but he couldn't. The feelings he was experiencing now was enough to get him way beyond confusion. And, the way he felt when he saw her there, crying 
desperately... crying... was enough to make him want to rip whoever and/or whatever made her feel pain, into tiny pieces! 
	She walked, in his arms, and he knew somehow that this was enough... that just holding her was enough for the present moment. So, they started to stroll around, trying to find the exit.
 
	"It WHAT!?!?" Lita cried out as she stared at the large ride. The whole park had shut down, till the maintenance went down and triggered the back up lights. "So they're stuck somewhere in THERE!?!?"
	The uniformed guy nodded. "Unfortunately... but I gave them a map to lead them out, I'm sure they'll get out safely."
	"But, you don't KNOW Serena! She'd be in hysterics! Aren't you going to send some people in to get them, just in case they get lost?"
	The guy once more nodded. "Yeah," he replied as 5 shadows came forward. Lita gasped as her heart skipped a beat. She felt Ken's comforting arm go around her shoulders. "Meet Medusa, Cyclops, Ghoul, Ogre, and Rat." 
	The 5 costumed people bowed. "Oh geez... they look SO realistic," Ken commented. The snakes on Medusa's head even MOVED! The supposedly 'Cyclops' carried it's huge club and the guy seemed to be capable of controlling the fake eye... at least they thought it was fake. The Ghoul and Ogre were so real looking, that even Lita clung to Ken in fright and unease. The rat... don't even get started with that! It was a giant 
costumed rat, although it looked mighty real, and the thin tail swished on is own and the nose would perk up.
	"Those are fake, right?" Lita squeaked out.
	The guy nodded with a smirk. "Yeah, of course! We're known for scaring the crap out of our customer's... I suppose you didn't travel through our personalized 'Haunted House.' The best one, one newspaper commented."
	"One guy fainted!" Lita exclaimed. "And he looked like he was from the Marines! No way.. absolutely NO way..." she then trailed as she eyed the 'searchers' again. "Uhh... maybe Ken and I should also go," she commented.
	"Sorry... you might slip or something. They know the passageways by heart."
	"But, Sere is going to freak and I wouldn't be shocked if Darien will, too," Lita stated as she once more eyed the entrance. "Serena's hysterics are known to rub up on you."
	"Don't worry," Medusa said softly while her snakes were still hissing and swirling about as if they were real. "It's all just make-up, they'll know there's no such thing."
	Lita was still uncertain, but before she could say anything more, the 5 entered the entrance, staying on the side. She sighed as she looked up towards Ken. "Serena will be running away from them, you know that, right?"
	Ken nodded. "She freaked out when that clown came over to hand her a balloon!"
	They laughed at what happened when they entered the park. It seemed as if the two (Sere and Dare) were... just the way they would cling to each other and talk and use each other's nicknames... they just seemed as if they were together forever! 
	"Hey, maybe this is even good for them, if you know what I mean. Take the dark lighting for their... personal advantage," Ken whispered with a grin.
	Lita's eyes widened as she laughed and hit his arm lightly. Well, that's what she thought, but he grimaced. "Darien wouldn't," she saidwith a huge grin. "Serena 
wouldn't."	
	"How're you so sure? I would..."
	"They couldn't!"
	"Come on."
	"No way."
	"They WOULD!"
	"Absolutely not."
	"Are you telling me they wouldn't tear down all the cupids and make those creepy 
things drown?"

	Sere and Dare stared at the 4 different tunnels. "Uhh.. which one do we enter?"
	"Ummm..." Sere murmured as she stared at each one. They were all the same. Dark and creepy, with just a teeny bit of light from the back-up's. "Well, there's 2 of us, so the second one?" She said thoughtfully. 
	Darien nodded as he took her hand in his and started to lead her towards it. As they neared it, Sere paused. "What's wrong?"
	"Do you *hear* something?" she whispered as her body already started to tremble.
	Dare paused and sure enough, there were some mutterings going through the air from where they just came from. "Maybe a search party came in to lead us out," he suggested as the thought was rather reasonable.
	Sere nodded as they started to go back to where they fell off of the swan boat. What they saw made Sere gasp and clutch hold of Darien's arm in a death grip. "A-A g-g-giant r-r-r-rat!" Serena hissed into Darien's ear as they stared. "Y-You m-m-m-must've been right about that swamp. It got de-transformed!!" A wail was about to erupt, but he easily, and as gently as possible, clamped his hand on top of her lips. 
	"Shh.." he whispered as he stared at the 'thing' again. 'A giant rat?' he thought not quite believing it. 'Impossible!' He was about to get up from his crotch position behind one of the numerous creepy looking cupids, thinking that it, too, was just a prop to get the 
man's girlfriend scared and clutch your arm, but when the rat started to move towards them, he instantly crouched down again. 'Okay... it moved,' he thought as he tried to calm himself down. 'So what if it moved? Even if it *is* a de-transformed rat, a HUGE one at that, it's still a rat.'
	Just then, he felt his arm go numb as her nails dug deeper into his skin. "Meatball Head... my arm!"
	"M-M-M-M-Medusa!!!" she wailed quietly into his ear, biting her lip to stop herself from shrieking. "Darien... let's go... I don't wanna get forged into a stone statue! Please... let's just leave them be so they don't get mad.... we shouldn't get them mad! P-Please... come on, Dare, I-I don't like sta-" she was cut off as an Ogre started to enter. 
This time, Sere couldn't help it and she screamed as she ran down the platform.
	"Meatball Head!" he screamed, without thinking, and ran after her. As he neared the 4 way tunnel, he stopped to contemplate. Thinking of what she said before, he entered the 2nd one, for 2 reasons. 1, she did say she'd pick it, and 2, he just somehow *felt* her presence... in a very strange and confusing way!
	
	"What was THAT!?!?" Medusa cried out as she spun around and looked around. 
	"Great job, Jon," the Rat said towards the dressed up Ogre. "You must've scared the heck out of the girl!"
	"Well, that's why I'm part of the Haunted House cast, *Rat*," the Ogre replied.
	"Will you two shut up? This is what I get for working with men. I should have listened to mother and just marry that jerk. At least he had a decent job even if he was a lying bastard," she sighed she reminisced her pathetic life. She soon sighed as she glanced towards her partners. "Now, where's Cyclops and the Ghoul?" 
	"I think they went around so they could search from back to front and us front to back."
	"You know, Jay, that if the girl freaked out seeing the Ogre here, she'll have a heart attack with our Mr. Ghoul!" the Rat said to the Medusa look alike.
	"Yeah... well, we were stupid enough to stay till closing and in doing that, we are the only worker's left in the park. They'll just have to come to terms. Plus, anyway, they should know they're no such things existent like us!"
	"But, *look* at us!"

	"What's *taking* them so long?" Lita whined.
	Bob, the worker, sighed. "It's one of the largest rides and there's lots of tunnels."
	"Don't worry, Lita, Darien's the calm and collected one. I'm sure he'll get Sere under wraps."
	
	"MEATBALL HEAD!?!?!" He yelled out as his feet ran through the tunnel he found. 'Oh God, oh God, oh God,' he thought frantically as he was really starting to lose himself. All the calmness he had, all that he was able to grasp and not let go, was easily slipping loose from his hands. "SERENA!?!?!" he cried out again as he was now faced 
with another 2 tunnel passage way. 
	Without thinking, he took the one on the left. 'Where IS she!?!' Images of her alone, shaking and sobbing came to his vision and he could only feel the pain it brought. His feet gained extra strength and soon he started to bolt through the passageways. 
	Halfway through one of the tunnels, he paused and looked around. Something in him told him she was nearby and near here. "Meatball Head?" he said out loud, trying to regain his breathe and to speak her nickname one more time. There was no reply, and pictures of her probably twisting her ankle and falling into the little canal, bumping her 
head on the side to make her unconscious soon dominated his sight. "Meatball Head..." he croaked out as he felt his throat contract and eyes burn. He hadn't shed tears for who knows how long... but the thought of her in pain and he wasn't able to comfort her was
enough to bring tears so fresh and new, that he fell to his knees, staring at the darkened ground, shaking. 
	All of a sudden, a hand went on his shoulder and he instantly spun around to see the golden beauty. "Meatball Head!" he cried out in relief as well as sight, as he was already on his feet, holding her tight against him. Nuzzling his head on her shoulder and 
running his hand across her silken hair. "Don't run away like that, Sere, don't ever leave me alone like that," he begged her softly as fresh tears of relief were flowing down his face. He really didn't understand just what the question meant, but he knew that if she 
answered with a yes, he would be the happiest man on Earth.
	Sere, for her part, was shocked, relieved, and flattered. She never saw Darien display any sense of emotions and when she peaked out from behind the plastic bush, and saw him there on his knees shaking, her heart broke and at the same time... she was somewhat amused. Not in a bad way, but a rather flattered kind. He was crying cause he thought he lost her, from what she could think, and it touched her heart so much!
	"I would never leave you," she whispered, out of the blue, and somehow, she knew that what she voiced was right... knew it was something that would make him calm down and something that she really meant. She smiled as the picture of *him* comforting her came to view, and the situation now, with *her* comforting *him*.
	Soon, he started to somewhat gain control again, and when he backed up, there was absolutely *no* signs of crying etched on his face. "You okay? Sorry I ran off like that... you know me... always making a big deal and all. Always running," she said with a wry grin.
	Dare smiled too, as the mood lightened. "I just got worried," he replied, trying to clear up what happened. "I'm not used to getting worried like that."
	"Oh, come on, I'm sure you do! I get worried when mom is late coming home!"
	A look of pain crossed his face, but was instantly covered up. But, he wasn't fast enough since Sere saw. "What's wrong, Muffin?" she asked jokingly, although she was truly concerned.
	He shook his head, a smile on his lips, quite convincingly too, and he just shrugged. "Nothing," he commented as he ran a hand through his hair and glanced towards the tunnel. "Come on, let's get going."
	Before he could take another step, Serena took his hand in hers and yanked him back. Her strength was truly underestimated considering her frail features. "Not until you tell me what's wrong, mister," she stated, as she held a concerned and  yet calm look on her face. "I'm here, I'm not gone... so, what's wrong? Are you also freaked about those 
things?"
	Darien chuckled and shook his head. "Kidding? They can't hurt me!"
	"Then, what's wrong?"
	He sighed. 'Should I tell her?' he questioned himself silently as he gazed into those pure azure eyes. 'And get her to pity you?' his mind instantly answered as his wall raised up and made sure *nothing* could bypass, even if his heart wanted to let go all the pain he had endured... to just let it free so there wasn't so much weight on his heart as well as soul. "I just don't like staying in the dark that long, Meatball Head," he replied nonchalantly as he gently squeezed her hand to further assure her. 
	Sere didn't fall for it one minute, but she dropped it. 'He'll tell me later when he wants to,' she reasoned. 
	"All right," she said with a nod. "Now, let's just get out of here before the *things* capture us."
	"I won't let them hurt you," he whispered,as he planted a kiss on her forehead. "Won't let anything hurt you." There was just something with this girl... that got him... no words could really describe it to satisfy Darien. 'She just feels as if... as if...' he let the 
thought trail as he held her close to feel her warmth. But, one thing he knew for certain was this. He was falling hard for this girl... falling really, really hard. But, oddly, he was glad and frightened he was. Scared of the emotions that were building and yet rejoicing at their appearance.
	"I know," she muttered softly as she nuzzled back into his arms. "Thanks, Muffin." And, if you all were wondering, all the things Dare was feeling was mixing up in her. But, both were too frightened to voice them. For, they weren't sure if they really 'liked' each other or if it was just some infatuation that would eventually die out once they were free from the ride. Because, I mean really. Alone, in the dark, with your opposite gender could do some screwing up in your head. But, somewhere, deep down at the core of their soul's, they knew... they knew the truth, but it'd take more time...
	And, for the author's sake, more parts if you know what I mean!
		
to be continued...
	First, DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY GOOD LOVE QUOTES!?!?
	So? Was this part good? Bad? You may send all comments to 
Virago28@yahoo.com Please tell me if you enjoyed... the littlest comment really can make a BIG difference. N, if anyone is wondering, I have absolutely NO clue when I'll get the next part out and written. 
	Oh, n if anyone of u who read 'Destinies Intertwine' or 'To Find the Truth' those r on a hold. Well, DI is finished, just being edited by my editor Rebecca Roberts (a.k.a. Dreamlume) n, as for To Find the Truth... *major* author's block. I just needed a break 
	Well, hope u enjoyed! Once more, pretty please e-mail me so I know at least someone's read this thing!!
                            Peace Marie