Seeing Stars By Moonsong tsukinouta@yahoo.com Rating: PG Prologue Deep in the heart of Los Angeles, in a small district dubbed "Westwood" adjoining the university, sat a small, family-owned arcade and snack bar. The Cravens had owned the place for several years but it was only within the last five years or so had business really soared. This was due mainly to the sharp mind and quick wit of family's latest graduate, Andrew. He had added the café, negotiated contracts with video game companies, and eventually took over the whole business, leaving his overburdened father free to take that vacation he had always wanted. Now, "The Crown" was a well-established "hang-out" for students, teachers, and alumni alike. Darien Shields sat at a corner booth, gloomily nursing a soda. He and Andrew made it a point to meet here in the afternoons, or depending on Darien's production schedule, whenever he could make it. Since Andrew virtually lived in the upstairs office anyway, his friend hadn't minded. In fact, the handsome blond was walking towards the table at that very moment. He grew concerned when Darien didn't wave to greet his as he usually did. His friend was just sitting there staring into his soda. "Hey, Dare, why the long face?" He said, sliding into the booth across from him. Darien looked up. "Hey Andrew." "You don't look too good, buddy. What happened?" Darien sighed. 'More like what didn't happen.' "I got fired." Andrew let out a low whistle. "Hey, I'm sorry. Want to tell me about it?" "Miss high-and-mighty, I'm-the-best-actress-on-the- planet, Serena Moon." He spat. "I was bringing back a load of drinks from craft services [1]. One of the sound guys was stringing an audio cable across the floor and I tripped on it." "What does this have to do with Serena Moon?" "She was on her way back to the dressing room and I didn't see her standing there. Most of the drinks ended up on her." Andrew winced. "And she freaked?" "You could say that." Darien grimaced at the memory. Serena, standing there, water dripping from her designer dress, hair hanging limply, water puddling in around her feet...It hadn't been a pretty sight. "She started screaming and making a fuss and finally yelled to the producer that if he didn't get 'that thing,' meaning me, off the shoot, she was gonna walk." Andrew shook his head sympathetically. "So what are you going to do now? Does your agent have anything lined up?" "Not that she's told me." Darien turned away from him and started stirring his coke. The ice swirled in the sweet liquid, disappearing as they were drawn into the center of the miniature whirlpool he was creating. Sighing quietly, he wished his problems would melt away as easily as the ice. Andrew studied his friend, noting the sadness on the other man's face. Something else was bothering him. He took a deep breath and asked softly, "But that's not all, is it." It was more of a statement than a question. Darien shook his head and gazed into his drink. After a few moments, he whispered, "Raye left me." Andrew's eyes widened and he reached towards the other man to comfort him. "Dare, I..." Darien flinched away and leaned back into his seat. "Nah, don't worry about it. I saw it coming and truthfully, I didn't think it was going to work out with her anyway. It's just that coming down on top of everything else that's happened today..." Andrew stared at his friend sadly, not really knowing what to say. He hated seeing him like this. When they first met five years ago, he had sort of taken Darien under his wing. The young dark-haired boy had popped up in one of his classes, eyes wide and as unsure as a frightened rabbit. Andrew had introduced himself and the two had been friends ever since. Darien's cell phone rang, startling both of them. "Shields here." He muttered into the phone. "Dar-ien! Sweetheart!" The shrill voice caused both of them to wince. Darien held the phone away from his ear and answered. "Hey Mina, what's up?" "I know you're still on that P.A. [2] stint but I think you can drop it for this!" Darien perked up immediately. "What? What is it?" Mina laughed. "I got you a part in a movie!" She squealed excitedly. Darien was ecstatic. "Really? You got me a part?" "Yes," she teased. "They're expecting you at 6am tomorrow and they'll be using you for two whole weeks!" "Two weeks!" Darien exclaimed. He's never gotten a part that big before. Most of his previous assignments had been extra [3] work or one to two day shoots. Across the table, Andrew was grinning broadly. "Yep! Just think, by this time tomorrow, you'll be starring in a movie with the one and only Serena Moon!" Darien's stomach dropped to his feet as all his energy drained out of him. 'No, no, no, anyone but her!' his mind babbled frantically. "S-serena Moon?" He stuttered, praying he had heard wrong. But Mina kept babbling ecstatically. "Yeah! Isn't that just great?" 'No.' Darien glanced over at Andrew whose face had taken on a similar shocked expression. "Uh, yeah. 6am tomorrow, right?" "Uh-huh. Oh, and don't forget to drop by my office before tonight to pick up your script. Gotta go doll, catch ya later!" The phone clicked off and Darien sat back in his seat, stunned. Andrew laughed nervously, "Well, at least you'll know one person on the set." He joked. Darien could only shake his head in disbelief. ********** On to Chapter 1 ********** References: [1] Craft services - An array of snack foods and drinks provided to the cast and crew during a production shoot. [2] P.A. - Production Assistant [3] Extra - I'm fairly sure most of you know what extras are in a movie shoot but I wanted to clarify that this is « extra » work, as in actors who fill in the background for crowd scenes; not « extra » work as in excess tasks. Author's Note: Well? What do you think so far? Please let me know. This is my first real attempt at a Serena/Darien fic so comments, suggestions, and feedback would be very much appreciated. I'm also in the middle of a Fushigi Yuugi "monster fic" so I may not post the next chapters regularly. Although, if I get lots of requests for this one, I may be more inspired to continue it! (hint, hint ^_~) You can reach me at tsukinouta@yahoo.com or join the Fan Fiction Exchange at Yahoo to discuss this or any other fic including yours! http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/fanfictionexchange Disclaimer: All original materials belong to their respective owners. Sailor Moon belongs to Naoko Takeuchi and a bunch of big companies. No copyright infringement is intended. The story is mine and I would appreciate you emailing me for permission before posting it anywhere else. Copyright © January 24, 2000 Moonsong. All Rights Reserved.