TENDER LOVING CARE A Sailor Moon Lemon by Sailor Mac "Oh, Gods, I'm going to be late for dinner!" Serena rushed out of the arcade and headed for home, putting up her pink umbrella to shield her from the driving rain, running as fast as her legs could carry her. Mom will ground me for sure if I'm late again, she thought, and I just *can't* be grounded. I won't be able to last the weekend without seeing Darien. . .I know. I'll cut through the commuter parking lot. That'll save me having to wait for about five red lights. . . Several miles away, Darien was coming out of the science lab at his college, having just finished a project, when he felt it. She's in trouble, he thought. I have to go to her. . . * * * Leaping over a fence, Serena skitted down a small hill into the commuter lot. A bus had just finished letting off its last few passengers, and they ran for their cars as fast as they could, anxious to get away from the wet, raw elements. Serena watched them depart, then she looked both ways, made sure the coast was clear, and began to cross the lot. Unfortunately, someone else wasn't as careful as Serena. * * * The three-car accident was completely blocking the road. Darien honked his horn, knowing that it was totally fruitless - but he just had to blow off the frustration. I have to get to her, he thought. I just have to. . . He pulled over, left his car on the side of the road, and took off on foot. * * * The car came shooting out from between two parked cars, its driver not looking where he was going. He didn't see the small figure walking in front of his vehicle until it was too late. Later, rather than recalling the entire accident, she would remember three distinct flashes - seeing the car coming toward her, being draped over the car's hood just after the impact, and sitting on the ground, almost cross-legged, crying hysterically after falling off the car's roof. The driver, a young, not-too-bright-looking man, got out of the car, a panicky look in his eyes. "Oh, my God! Are you all right? Are you all right?" All Serena could do was cry. "Is there anything I can do? Do you want me to give you my phone number?" The driver hastily scribbled something on a piece of paper and shoved it into Serena's hand. "I'm fine," she sobbed, even though she had no way of knowing whether or not she was. There seemed to be no pain. . .Funny, she thought, I thought that getting hit by a car would hurt more. All she could do was sit there and cry as the driver took off. She slowly struggled to her feet, still heaving and gasping with sobs. Still no pain. . .Well, maybe a little in her knee. . .and her back. . . Then, she heard the panicked voice above her, yelling, "Serena!" "Darien! Oh, Darien, it's so awful, it's so awful. . ." He flew down the hill toward her, and she threw herself into his arms, burying her head in his chest, her whole body heaving with emotion. "Ssshhh, honey, I'm here. What happened?" "I. . .I was h-h-hit by a c-c-car. . ." "Oh my Gods. . ." He pulled her closer, burying his face in her hair. Oh, if only I'd been a little sooner. . . "He. . .he's gone. . .he gave me his phone number and left. . ." "I've got to get you to a doctor." He picked her up gently, began to carry her up the hill, then realized he could probably get her there a lot faster if he were in a more powerful form. . . "Hold on a second, honey, I'm going to transform"- trying to ignore the nagging voice in his head that said, "If you'd transformed back there, instead of trying to travel in your car, you could have prevented this." * * * "She's late again!" Raye grumbled, looking at her watch. "That's the third Scout meeting she's been late for in the past two weeks!" "Maybe she had detention," said Mina. "Nope. Miss Haruna had a hot date tonight - she wouldn't have stayed at the school if her life depended on it," said Lita. Just then, they saw Darien come running up the steps of the temple, carrying Luna. "Oh, it's terrible," the cat said. "Just terrible." "What's wrong?" said Amy. "Serena was hit by a car," Darien replied. "WHAT?" "It's not serious, but she's in pain. I took her to the doctor for X-rays. She's got muscle damage in her lower back and left knee, and they put her in a knee brace. She's going to be laid up for a few days." "Poor Serena!" said Amy. "If I catch who did that to her, I'll rip his eyeballs out!" Lita yelled. Raye just stood there in shock, uncharacteristically silent. "Is she home?" said Mina. "Yes." "I'm going to have to go see her tomorrow. Maybe I can cheer her up. . ." The others looked at each other. They knew what Mina's "nursing" was like- she'd almost "nursed" most of them to death on several occasions. * * * Serena lay on her bed, trying to read manga. But it was hard for her mind to focus. She'd often wished for a few days where she could just lie around quietly, not having to worry about school or Scout business. Be careful what you wish for, Serena, she thought. You may get it. Darien had been so wonderful to her. He'd sat next to her in the doctor's waiting room, stroking her hair and soothing her as she went into shock and alternated between hysterical laughing and hysterical crying. He'd called her mother when she went into the examining room. And he'd stopped in later that night to see if she was all right. He's been the one bright spot in all this darkness, she thought, as a tear ran down her face and landed on her pillow. Luna came into her room. "Your mother will be up in a few minutes with some hot chocolate and cookies. Did you take your pill yet?" More tears dripped down her face. "Oh, Luna. . .why me? Why did this have to happen?" "Oh, Serena. . ." The cat hopped up on the bed and nuzzled her face. Serena pulled her guardian feline close to her heart, breaking into full-fledged sobs. "I was so happy a couple of weeks ago. . .the Olympics. . .and Valentine's Day. . .and now. . .now this!" Luna felt on the verge of tears herself. "There's no easy explanation for why bad things happen to good people, Serena." "I feel cursed." "In a way, you're blessed. That accident could have been far worse than it was. You must have had a guardian angel looking out for you." "I just feel that. . ." Suddenly, the door to Serena's bedroom door burst open. "Hi ho, there!" said Mina, sweeping into the room with a thermos and basket. "And how is the patient today?" "As well as can be expected when. . .mmmmffff!" Serena was cut off when Mina shoved a thermometer into her mouth. "Now, you just lie still while I take your temperature. . ." "Buh I wah hih by a caaa. . .I don hah ta foo!" "Now, now, keep your mouth closed for three minutes!" Mina put the basket down. A dazed and rather battered Artemis crawled out. "Gods, what a bumpy ride. . ." he grumbled. "Well, when are you going to learn to walk instead of riding?" Luna snapped. "I think what you need is some fresh air and sunshine," Mina caroled, moving to the window. She pulled on the sash, and it snapped straight up, twirling around and around the central roller. "Oh, rats. Well, I'll fix that. . ." She pulled Serena's desk chair over to the window, started to climb on top of it, lost her balance, and grabbed wildly for the bureau to straighten herself. Bottles of perfume and nail polish toppled everywhere. "Whoops. I've got it. You just lie still and relax. . ." "Relax?" grumbled Artemis. "By the time she leaves, Serena will be ready for a nervous breakdown!" Mina tried to set the bottles upright, but only ended up knocking more over. She gave up, found a basket on the floor next to the bureau which Serena used for transporting Luna, and swept all the stray bottles into it. "Time to check your temperature!" She pulled the thermometer out of Serena's mouth. "Oh, good, normal. Well, now you can have my perfect cure for sore, aching muscles- my special herbal tea!" She opened the thermos and poured some into a cup. "Drink it down!" "Mina, my mom's coming up with. . .gluuuppphh!" Mina shoved the cup against Serena's mouth, and she had no choice but to swallow a couple of mouthfuls. Whatever it was, it tasted like grass.. .and it was. . . "HOT!!!!" Serena screamed, her eyes bugging out, her face turning beet red. "Oh, that's just the curry I added to the brew. Gets your blood circulating. Nothing better for healing wounds!" Just then, Serena's mother entered with a tray. "Oh, hi, Mina," she said. "Would you like some hot cocoa also?" "I'd love it." Mrs. Tsukino set the tray down. "Serena. . .I'm going to call your grandmother and tell her we won't be making it tomorrow. We'll celebrate her birthday when you're better. . ." She turned to Mina. "My mother-in-law always insists we come up every year and spend the night when it's her birthday. She always has to be the center of attention. If we don't show up, she makes a fuss. . ." "Oh, you don't have to cancel out," said Mina. "You and the Mr. and Sammy can go. I'll come over and take care of Serena for the night." Serena turned pale and ducked under her covers. "Oh, Mina. . .are you sure?" "Sure, I'm sure. It will be a pleasure." "Thank you. Thank you so much. Serena, your friend is such a gem. . ." Mrs. Tsukino left the room to get the extra cup of cocoa. "Okay!" said Mina. "Now, back to that window. . ." She climbed back on the chair, grabbed for the shade, and knocked down the curtains. The curtain rod separated into two pieces. "Wait a second, I've got it. . ." She took the pieces and began struggling to make them fit together. Serena reached for her cat for comfort. "Luna, we're doomed. . ." * * * Raye arrived home from school the next day to find that her grandfather and Chad had both gone out. She changed into her priestess uniform and went into the main part of the temple to check if any pilgrims had left offerings while the temple was vacant. There was a familiar figure kneeling in front of the main altar, head bowed, whispering a remorseful prayer. "Please forgive me. . .and let me forgive myself. . ." "All right, Tux Boy," she said. "What's with the guilt trip?" Darien turned around with a start. "Raye. . ." "I heard what you were saying. You'd better come clean about what's bugging you." He got up slowly. "I failed to protect Serena the other day. I'm her protector. . .and I failed to protect her." "You couldn't have stopped a moving car in its tracks, Darien. You may be Tuxedo Mask, but you're not Superman." "Yes, but. . .I had a premonition that something was going to happen. . .if I had gotten there in time, I could have gotten her out of the way. . .or taken the blow myself. If only. . ." "If only what?" "If only I had thought to transform before I left the college. I could have traveled so much faster. . ." "And there was still a three-car accident in the middle of the road, which would have gotten in your way whether you were transformed or not. Why don't you stop focusing on what you *couldn't* - and I mean *couldn't*, not *didn't* - do, and concentrate on what you *did* do? You comforted her at the scene. You took her to the doctor. You've been checking in on her whenever you could. You've been a real. . .dare I say it?. . .prince." And then, a voice behind them said, "Hi ho, everybody! How's it goin'?" "Oh, hi, Mina," Raye said, slightly annoyed at the interruption. "Just thought I'd stop in on my way to the store to get some stuff for Serena. I'm taking care of her tonight - her folks are going away." "Where's Artemis?" said Raye. "He didn't want to come. I wasn't going to push the issue. You know what they say - you can't lead a horse to water and make him drink." "Wait a minute," said Darien. "You said Serena's parents were going away? And you're taking care of her tonight?" "That's right." "Mina. . .do you *really* want to do that? Serena can be quite a handful when she's not feeling a hundred percent." "Well, I already agreed, and her parents are leaving in an hour or so. . ." "What if I did it instead?" "You want to take care of her?" "Sure. I am her boyfriend, after all. And I'm not such a slouch at domestic stuff." "Well, okay. . .if you *really* want to. . .I gotta boogie! Seeya!" She sprinted out of the temple. Raye turned to Darien. "You're overcompensating, aren't you? You're thinking that if you take care of her for the evening, that will make up for. . ." "Nope. Nothing like that at all. As her protector, I feel it is my duty to protect her from Mina's 'nursing.'" * * * Serena listened to her parents' car driving away. "Mina should be here any minute now," she told Luna. "I'll run for cover." "Oh, Luna, Mina may be a little clumsy when it comes to domestic stuff. . ." "Look who's talking." ". . .but she means well. She really does. Everyone's been so wonderful since this happened. . ." She sighed and looked down at her despised knee brace. "I hope they nail the jerk." "A kid driving without insurance. . .I'll say he's in for a heap of trouble." "Darien said that if he got his hands on the guy, he'd throw an entire *arbor* at him. " Just then, she heard the sound of someone coming through the front door. "Come right up, Mina," she called. Luna hid under the bed. "I'll come right up. . .but my name's not Mina." "DARIEN!" She leapt from the bed, ignoring the pain in her knee and back. As he entered the room, she greeted him by flinging herself at him in characteristic fashion. "Oh, baby, I'm so glad to see you. . ." "And I'm glad to see you. I'm going to be your nurse for the night." "*You* are?" "Mmm hmmm. I relieved Mina of her duties. And from the looks of this room, I made the right move." She giggled, and planted a kiss in the zone between his lips and chin. His arms tightened around her, and his lips sought out hers. Right then and there, Luna decided it would probably be a good idea if she spent the night with Mina and Artemis. * * * "Want some more shrimp, Meatball Head?" She was lying on the couch, and takeout food containers were scattered all over the table. He was sitting on the floor next to her. "Maybe just one more. I want to save room for dessert. . ." He picked one up by the tail and held it to her mouth. She went to bite into it, and nipped at his fingers, the mischievous gleam in her eyes telling him it was entirely on purpose. "Minx," he said, kissing her forehead. They settled into a comfortable position, with his cheek resting against her unbound hair. "Thank you for everything you did for me the other day, honey. You've been so good to me. . ." He sighed. "I just wish I could have kept you from getting hurt." She reached up and stroked his hair. "Darien. . .don't be like that. I'm not hurt that badly. You've saved me so many times, from getting hurt so much worse. . .All those times when all my hope was gone, when I thought I was dead for sure, I'd see that rose, and I knew you were there, and that you were giving me the strength to keep fighting." "Oh, sweetheart. . ." There were times, times like this, when she displayed such flashes of wisdom, maturity and insight that it startled him in a very pleasant way. If this is the girl, he thought, just imagine what the woman will be like. . . She smiled and tickled his neck. "Come on - let's go see if there's any ice cream left in the freezer." She started to get off the couch, then fell back with an "Oh!" "What's wrong?" "Nothing. Just a muscle spasm in my back. I get them from time to time. . ." "Maybe you'd feel better if I gave you a massage." "Hmm. . .that might be nice." They got up, and he collected and threw out the takeout containers. "Let's go back to your room," he said. On the way, he made a pitstop in the bathroom to run some warm water into the sink and submerge a bottle of baby oil. At the door to her room, he carried her over the threshold like a bride, and deposited her gently on the bed. "Take off your pajamas," he said, "and lie on your stomach." "Oooh, I like the 'take off your pajamas' part." She began to remove the hated brace, glad to be rid of the foam rubber and velcro contraption that sometimes felt like a vise on her leg. "Too bad you're taking that off," he said. "Some men might find that very sexy." "WHAT? Oh, you. . ." She picked up a pillow and heaved it at him. He caught it, laughing, and threw it right back at her. They each grabbed a pillow and were starting to go into a full-fledged pillow fight when another spasm hit her. She let out a quick gasp. "Uh-oh," he said. "Okay, I think it's time to start your treatment. . ." She peeled off her pink pajamas and rolled on her stomach, as he'd asked. His eyes traveled over the curve of her buttocks, down her beautiful legs, back up to her waterfall of blonde hair. Oh, Gods, he thought, was there ever a sight so heart-stoppingly lovely? He went into the bathroom and retrieved the now-warm oil. Sitting next to her on the bed, he poured some into his hand and began to rub and knead the muscles in her lower back. She gasped when she felt his touch. He was smoothing out the knots, rubbing away the pain. . .and he was also making her feel GOOOOD. The feel of his long, tapering fingers gently moving over her skin, pressing and smoothing and rubbing. . .She began wishing that he'd head lower, that he'd massage her buttocks and then slip his hands down and around . . . He was aware of the softness of her skin, the firmness of her young muscles. . .A luscious array of scents assaulted him-her coconut shampoo, the scent of vanilla and musk that always seemed to cling to her, the baby oil that he was kneading into her skin. . .He felt his body start to respond. Almost involuntarily, he bent over, his lips touching her skin along the spine just above where his hands were working on her. She sucked in her breath. He began to move upward, slowly, laying one soft, tender kiss after another on her back. His name escaped her lips, breathed on a sigh. . . He buried his face in her hair, inhaling its scent, rubbing its softness against his skin. Pure silk, the finest satin. . .Gently, he swept it aside so he could have access to her neck. He touched the velvet skin lightly with the tip of his tongue, running it very slowly upward to her ear, flicking in and out of the tiny hole. Serena let out a loud, erotic moan. Careful, Darien, a voice within said to him. She's got injured muscles. This could hurt her. . .maybe you'd better turn back before you both hit the point of no return. He pulled away from her, and she gave a whimper of protest. "I don't want to hurt you, baby," he whispered. "I don't want to make you any more sore than you already are. . ." "You could never hurt me." "But your muscles. . .Sex involves stretching them, you know." "Darien. . .right now the aching in my heart and in my. . .my woman place is worse than the ache in my back ever was." "Oh, honey. . ." He held her close to his heart. "All right. You just lie there and enjoy it. . .I'll do all the work." He rolled away from her just long enough to reach into his wallet and retrieve a condom, then shed his clothes. She rolled on her back, her pain forgotten, opening her arms to him. He entered them eagerly, his mouth seeking out hers. Their lips clashed and melded, their tongues caressing each other. His hands slid down her neck, over her chest, down to her breasts. He cupped them, gently squeezing, feeling the nipples harden and rise to meet his touch. "Let me taste them, my love," he whispered into her mouth before beginning to move downward. He kissed over the soft curve of her right breast, flicking teasingly at the pink around her nipples with his tongue. She whimpered with need. Meanwhile, his hand was stroking and caressing her other breast- but also not touching her nipple. Finally, he captured the right nipple in his lips and began sucking, while his fingers gently squeezed the left. "AAAHHH!" she cried. "Oh, Gods!" He took the nipple out of his mouth, only to draw his tongue slowly across it, then flick it quickly back and forth. She shuddered. He resumed sucking, then moved across to the other nipple, sucking and licking as she made purring noises deep in her throat. "I love you," she panted as he raised his head at last and moved up. "I love you too," he whispered before bringing his mouth to hers for a deep kiss. "Want to see how much?" "Mmmmm. . ." He gently traced the petals of her womanhood with his fingers while continuing to kiss her, then thrust two fingers deep within her. "OOOOHH!" she cried. "Yes, oh Darien, oh that feels so good. . ." He took the fingers out, only to rub her wetness against her passion-swollen jewel. Her breath was coming in gasps. He slid down the bed, so his head was level with her womanhood. He parted her folds slowly, reverently gazing at what was revealed. "Princess," he said in a husky voice, "may your humble servant be allowed to pleasure you?" "Yes, my prince," she replied. He bent down and kissed her jewel softly, causing her to groan. He then moved down to her nether lips, which he also kissed before sliding his tongue ever-so-slowly inside, like a snake going back into its burrow. Oh, the sweet, exquisite taste of her. . .He held his tongue inside for a moment, just savoring the taste, the feel, before starting to thrust. "Yes. . .AAII!" she gasped. Flicking his tongue upward, he started to work on her pearl. She purred, tangling her fingers in his hair as he caressed the delicate nub of flesh. Her climax was fast approaching, he knew, and he encouraged it by wrapping his lips around the little bud and sucking. He felt her tense, felt everything lock up. . .and then release came, Serena shrieking her joy as her whole body shook. When her shuddering subsided, he crawled back up to her and kissed her lips. "How are you doing, darling?" "Wonderful. It doesn't hurt." Her hand reached down to stroke and caress his erect manhood. "Now let's get you taken care of. . ." He reached for the condom next to them in the bed and put it on. Now, he thought, to find a position where she won't get hurt. . .Their usual favorite, having her sitting or lying atop him, was out of the question. Having her lie on her back with her legs up and out was also a bad idea. Maybe, he thought, we can try it side-by-side. . . He pulled her uninjured leg up and over his hip. "Is that painful, sweetheart?" "No." He brought his hands up to her lower back, supporting her and holding her in place as he slid his manhood into her. She gasped, as she always did at that sweet, exquisite moment of becoming truly one with her love of two lifetimes. Gently, carefully, he began to thrust. He felt her tilt her hips, encouraging him to pick up the tempo. Oh, yes, Serena, I want to stay here forever, here in your liquid paradise. . . He moaned as his body and hers meshed, separated, then meshed again, his mouth caressing hers, his tongue flickering in and out of her lips, then moving down her neck, tasting a mixture of salty sweat and her own sweetness. Then the world was spinning out of control for them both, and he gasped her name into her neck as everything shattered into white-hot joy, and she screamed his name to the moon as she followed him over the edge into the delicious abyss. When it was over, they held each other tight, his maleness still inside her- he didn't want to break the connection just yet. "Are you all right?" he asked. She laughed. "What a question. I'm wonderful. I haven't felt so good since before the accident." She kissed his neck. "I love your brand of nursing, Muffin. Real tender loving care." "Mmmm. . .I try." Every bit of guilt and remorse was gone from him now, washed away by an enormous tidal wave of love. She began to drift off to sleep, the sweet smile on her lips telling him that she would have no nightmares of her accident tonight, that he'd banished her demons just like she'd banished his. He pulled out of her gently and disposed of the condom. Then, he took his love in his arms and joined her in blissful sleep. * * * Serena was back up, out and about the following week. Everyone said that she'd made a remarkable recovery from the accident, that she was very fortunate that it wasn't worse. Of course I recovered well, she thought. I had the very best nursing care. And, as a matter of fact, I'll be getting another "treatment" this weekend. . . AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story is, in a way, autobiographical. A couple of weeks ago, I suffered the same accident which is described as happening to Serena here. Unfortunately, I had no one to do for me what Darien does for Serena here - fortunately, I had no one do what Mina does for her. What I *did* have was a terrific group of family, friends and E-pals who were loving and supportive. So to all of you - thanks! Standard Sailor Moon disclaimers apply. These characters ain't mine, I'm just borrowing them for awhile.