Gonna get it next time!

(The song, "Gonna get it next time!" from The Tubes inspired me. This fic is dedicated to Miss Kisshu Ichigo. Thanks for the kind words.)

"Let me help you to pick up the shards of your life. Let me help you put them back together.."

"Yes…"

Diamond leans in for a passionate kiss. Serena gets closer. Their lips are only millimeters away.

"SERENA?"

Both Diamond and Serena's eyes open to the sound of the new voice. Serena realizes that it's her mother.

With the mood gone, Serena hops up from her chair and slightly opens her door, "Yeah, mom?"

"Are you done with your homework, yet?" She says looking up at the stairs with her hands on her hips.

"Um…." She looks over at Diamond then back down to the voice. "Not quite…"

"Until that homework is done and checked by me, young lady, you can expect no dessert tonight."

"Yeah, Serena! No apple pie for you!" Sammy says laughing.

"Sammy, don't pester your sister!" Serena's mother says wagging her finger at Sammy.

"Sorry, mom.."

"Mom, please save me a slice!"

"Until I see homework…"

"Okay, I'll get to work!"

She shuts the door. "Hmph!"

"I'm surprised she can order you around like that. Doesn't the soldier of love of justice deserve a piece of apple pie?" Diamond says slightly teasing.

"You're not helping." Serena says sticking her tongue out.

"But really, what's exactly keeping you away from dessert, Serenity?"

"The true weakness of Sailor Moon, algebra."

Diamond couldn't help but chuckle, "If only I had known! Perhaps I would've won with a few expressions."

Serena's eyes narrow. Her arms fold in a huff. "Not funny.."

His grin widens, "You look so cute that way. Your face all scrunched."

Serena throws a book at him. Diamond misses it by miles.

"Looks like you need to work on your projection skills too."

Serena's eyes start to water.

"This isn't funny! Not only will I not get apple pie, but I have a test coming up on this and I don't know it, and you want to tease and make fun of me!" She cries out at him.

Diamond's smile disappears as soon as he sees her crying. He gets up to hug her.

"Serenity, dear..I didn't mean to make you unhappy. How about I help you?" He pets her head in a reassuring manner.

Serena looks up at him, "You will?"

Diamond smiles down at her and nods.

Serena sighs with relief.

"So, where is your homework?" Diamond asks.

"I threw it at you." Serena says pointing to a book that rests in a corner with its pages fanned out.

He laughs. He looks to the book and makes a "Come here" motion. The book floats towards him. "Now, show me what page you are on."

Serena flips through the book to the right page. "Right here, slope intercept form."

"Alright Serenity. I require about five minutes to read this. When I'm done, I'll explain it to you."

"Okay!" Serena says excited. She could practically smell that slice of pie.

He shakes his head with a smile and begins reading.

She decides to spend the time reading comics. She tries not to laugh so Diamond can read in peace.

Diamond finishes it quicker than he thought. He admires Serena reading her comic. By now, she's dreaming about being in the comic as Sailor Moon. He can't help but admire her curves. One would think that it would be of lust, which would've been right years ago, but not now.

Serena flips a page and reads it. She laughs a little bit. She looks over at Diamond who immediately turns back to the book. He didn't want to be caught ogling her. Serena thought that he was looking at her. She just shrugs and looks back to the comic.

Diamond peeks out from the book to look at her again. He looks at her eyes. The very thing that drew him. He longs to stare at them for an eternity. He feels his mind slipping away as the eyes beckon to him. His body isn't in his control anymore.

He gets up, walking slowly towards her. He feels like he's running at fast speeds. Images of his obsession with her surround him as he makes his way towards his affection.

She's right here..

No sailor scouts to help her…

Just take her away..

No one will ever know..

Diamond stops in his tracks. His face frozen in horror.

What just happened? He holds his head and returns to his chair. He hasn't felt such emotions since he captured her. But why? Why are they starting up all over again? I don't have the dark crystal anymore. What caused me to lose control for only a few seconds?

"Diamond, are you alright?"

His eyes open when he hears her voice. He looks up.

Serena could tell that something was wrong, "Are you alright?"

Diamond mentally gulps. I can't tell her. She'll be afraid of me again. I can't risk losing her once more. "Serenity, I.."

"I bet you can't do algebra either, can you? I'm telling you, it's like an alien language!"

"No, Serenity. I'm alright. I understand this perfectly. Shall we get started?"

"You sure? You look so pale." She says concerned.

It gladdens him how she cares for his health.

Diamond smiles and nods, "Lets. You can't let anyone get your apple pie, right?"

"Right! Wait..would you like a slice, Diamond?"

"Hmm, I admit that I've never tasted such a dish. Is it any good?"

"You've never tasted it? Then buddy, you're missing out!"

He chuckles. He never thought in his life that he'd have a decent conversation with his obsession; Neo Queen Serenity or as he always likes to call her, Serenity.

Diamond pats a part of the bed next to him. He looks at her with a smile.

Serena walks towards the bed and sits down.

He begins showing her the formula for slope intercept and how to use it for graphing and to solve algebraic expressions. It takes a little while, but Serena finally gets what to do.

"And that's about it."

"Wow, you've cracked the code!"

Diamond laughs. "Not so hard, is it?"

She laughs to, "I guess not. Won't Miss H. be surprised?"

"You'll have to show me your test when you're done."

"You bet."

Serena takes her book and work and gets up.

"I'll be right back. I'm going to eat and get our dessert. I also want to rub this all in my family's face."

"Have fun."

With a smile and nod, Serena shuts her door.