Disclaimer: Do I own Sailor Moon? Nope. Not in this lifetime. Not in any lifetime.

Author's Note: Okay I know I said I would update everything else before starting a new story but I thought of this story last night while watching something else. Originally was going to be a one-shot, but changed my mind.

The Sickroom

Chapter 1: The Fever

Serena stumbled out of bed- earlier than usual, and that was enough to make people worry- however, her parents were out of town, and so when Sammy came downstairs to pour himself a bowl of cereal, he did not notice that Serena's eyes looked feverish.

He did notice that she had made them toast and scrambled eggs for breakfast though and he gobbled them up, while Serena sluggishly took bites of her eggs and toast. Sammy stood up and said, "See ya, sis," and ran out the door. Serena cleaned the plates and she set them in the sink.

She picked up her book bag, and walked out the door, and she started walking in the direction of the school. Each step felt like a brick was attached to her feet and head felt heavy on her shoulders.

Eventually, (and predictably) she bumped into her nemesis, Darien Shields.

He took note of her fever-bright eyes, and did not say anything, instead, apologizing and following her as she went into the school grounds. He stayed in the hallway, when she entered her classroom.

She expected the usual berating from Ms. Haruna, but Ms. Haruna took one look at her and just made sure Serena sat down.

"Time for independent study projects," she announced, "you each get to do a project based on your personal interests. The project is due in three weeks. You have to write a report, bring that project if possible, and some sort of demonstration or presentation of the project."

Serena listened with half an ear (which was normal for her), but she felt dizzy and tired, and she felt a combination of hot and cold throughout her body. Suddenly, Ms. Haruna stood in front of her, bent over, feeling her forehead. "Serena, you're feverish! Molly, take Serena to the nurse's office."

"Yes, Ms. H." Molly stood up and helped Serena up. She picked up Serena's book bag and they were outside when they saw Darien leaning against the wall by the door.

'Oh hello, Darien," Molly said in surprise. She held on to Serena, who was unsteady on her feet.

"Serena," Darien said, "Are you all right?"

"Oomph," She murmured, too ill to even talk. She leaned against Molly, and Molly staggered under the weight of Serena. She let go and Serena started to fall. Darien scooped her up, and held her gently against his chest.

"Go on back to class. I'll take her home." Molly nodded in agreement and set Serena's book bag in Serena's lap. She walked back into the classroom, and turned to see Darien carrying Serena down the hall and down the stairs to the main floor.

He carried her to the arcade and as he walked in, Andrew turned around in surprise. "Darien, is she okay?"

"She's just ill," Darien set her carefully into a booth and turned to his school stuff he'd left behind. He repacked his backpack and slipped it on, "I'm taking her home."

"But Darien," Andrew said, "her parents are out of town."

"What?"

"Yeah. She told me yesterday that her dad was going on a business trip and since his company was providing the tickets for him and one guest they decided now would be a great time for a second honeymoon as well," Andrew said, watching Darien gather Serena into his arms. Andrew said, "Wait for a second." He went into the back room and ran the water in the basin. He wrung out a washcloth and walked back to Darien. He placed the washcloth on Serena's forehead. "This should start cooling her fever down."

"Okay. I'm taking her home, and I'll take care of her. If Rei or the others come in, let them know Serena's sick." Darien said, and he walked in the direction of the Tsukino residence.

Reaching the white two-story house with a red slate roof, he walked up the path the front door. He knew Serena kept a key in her school bag so he set her down on the porch, and opened her bag. He saw it on a key ring connected to a pink calculator-like item and he withdrew it from the bag. Using it he opened the door and set her stuff inside, even putting the key back in. He once more picked her up, and entered the house, using his foot to shut the door behind him.

He carried her upstairs, and set her in her bed.

Unnoticed by him, a black cat with a crescent moon on her forehead watched from the dresser where she had been sleeping. She woke up when she heard the front door open earlier that she had been expecting. She jumped down when Serena was set on the bed.

"Meow, Meow, Meow." She made cat noises to get Darien's attention, and jumped up on the bed next to Serena's head.

"Oh hey Luna," He petted her on the head, "Serena's okay; she's just got the flu." She purred as he scratched her chin, and behind her ears, "I'm going to go make her some chicken soup."

He walked downstairs and looked for the kitchen. He peeked into what must be the family room- couches, tv set. Yep, family room. The next room was the kitchen and he found the ingredients. He made a pot of soup very quickly and spooned some into a large mug, adding extra broth. He searched for a spoon and put in the bowl. He carried it upstairs with one hand, holding steaming hot mug of tea in the other.

He opened Serena's bedroom door- surprised to see it shut since he left it open when he went downstairs- anyway, when he opened the door, and entered the room, he had this strange feeling he'd interrupted a conversation. Which was strange since only Serena and Luna were in the room and Serena was asleep. And cats don't talk. He gave Luna searching look and she looked up at him, mewed, and curled into a ball at Serena's side.

He felt Serena's forehead once more. She felt cooler, but still plenty warm. "Serena, wake up. I got to give you this soup." She stirred, and blinked.

"Darien. What are you doing here?"

"Trying to get you better," he replied, giving the soup a stir, "Now eat this soup," he lifted the spoon full of broth towards her mouth and she opened it automatically, accepting the soup in her mouth. Swallowing it she opened to mouth to talk, but was interrupted with another spoon full of broth. Before she knew it, Darien had given her the whole mug of soup, and left her to take the dishes back downstairs.

"Luna," she murmured, petting the cat at her side, "what's going on?"

"Not sure," Luna replied, "Darien just came here with you in his arms, and said that you were sick."

"Oh no what time is it?" She glanced around frantically for a clock, "I'm supposed to meet the girls at the arcade."

"Don't worry about it," Darien said from the door, and walked in, "I told Andrew to tell them you were sick."

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So what did you think? Review and I'll put up next chapter soon.