Chapter Three: Solar Circle Complete Serena opened her eyes as the world decided to do a slow lazy spin around her head. Whimpering, she closed them tightly, and willed the walls of the room to stop shifting colors. A few moments later, when she opened them again, the room was as it should be, standing still. Licking her lips, Serena tried to call out. "Dar...Darien..." she forced through a tight throat. Coughing, she tried again. "Darien! Raye! Anyone!" There was a rustling beside her on the bed. Serena sighed in relief, she must have spent the night over at Darien's again and forgotten or blacked out. Smiling, she willed her body to turn and face Darien in order to give him a good morning kiss. Her body responded more willingly than she anticipated, with a grunt she found herself sprawled in the strong arms of a sleepy young man who was not Darien. His spiky white hair fell in his drowsy violet eyes haphazardly and the arms holding her were muscled but much thinner and wirier than Darien's own. Serena and the young man holding her met eyes for a brief moment, they blinked in unison with shock and surprise. "Um, hi." He whispered, slowly drawing away from Serena an inch at a time. A bright blush rushed her cheeks and Serena winced in pain as he drew away. Her head was pounding, the motion of his supporting body retreating was enough to send the mild headache she awoke with in to overdrive. "Ouch!" He stopped in concern. "Oh, did I hurt you? Are you okay?" A flash of light hit his shifting body, and Serena's eyes zeroed in on the small tattoo decorating his wrist. "A sun?" she murmured questioningly. The boy followed her eyes, nodding when he saw what she was staring at. "Yeah, I've had that thing for years. I can't even remember when I got it." Looking at his questioning face, Serena remembered her dream from before. "You...that wasn't a dream, was it? You saved that girl." Shaking his head, Solan blushed. "I don't know what you're talking about." He drew away, carefully avoiding any further contact with the lovely young woman he'd woken up. "It was just a dream." "I'm Serena," she burst out. "Your name is...hold on, I can remember if I concentrate...Solar." He snorted. "No, my name is Solan. But that was pretty close. It's a...pleasure to meet you Serena, but how are we going to get out of here? And how did we get here in the first place?" Serena shook her head. "I know where we are. Stay here and stay quiet. I think it's way too late to be shouting right now." "You know where we are? That's great!" Solan smiled hugely, his eyes darkening to a deep purple as he grinned. Serena struggled to the edge of the bed. Solan offered her his hand, but she declined with a blush. "I'll be right back." * * * * * * * * * * * The boy pulled his hand from Mina's and shook his head. "Adam? Sorry hon, my name's Jeremy, not Adam." He grinned flirtatiously, "But now I kinda wish it was Adam, if it meant I knew a girl as pretty as you." Staring in shock at his bright red hair and complementing green eyes, Mina forced herself to study other aspects of the young man's face. Adam had been taller and broader in the shoulders than this young man. His face had been tanner, his smile warmer. Jeremy's hair, though the same lively shade of red, didn't have the complementing auburn streaks, nor was it as long as Adam's had been. Blushing, Mina pulled slowly away, her mind whirling. He's not Adam. Mina calm down, this guy is not Adam, he just looks an awful lot like him. Relax, don't make a fool of yourself over some stranger. This guy has no idea he is the spitting image of your past, just mellow out and calm down. The waitress grinned and called from the counter, "Hey, you two? Need another towel?" Jeremy smiled and ran one hand through his mop of fiery hair. "Yeah, I'd appreciate it ma'am. Thanks." He turned again to Mina and touched her lightly on the shoulder. "You okay? You look like you've just seen a ghost." Mina started in surprise, she had been lost in memory again and his low voice pulled her out of wonderful dreams. "Yeah. I'm fine. You...just look like someone I...used to know." Jeremy nodded seriously, squeezing her shoulder where his hand rested. "Well, I don't get that a lot. Not too many people look like me, though my friend Solan swears he's seen someone who looks like me somewhere before." Jeremy laughed, "Anyway, would you like company for dinner? You look a little out of it. I promise I won't be a bother, I just hate eating by myself." "So why did you come here?" Mina challenged his flirty stare. Jeremy shrugged out of his coat. "I had to take my kid sister to the hospital. She fell down the stairs and broke her leg." They settled down comfortably at Mina's table. Adjusting in her seat, Mina's large blue eyes widened. "That's horrible." Chuckling to himself, Jeremy shook his head. "She's a trooper. She has a crush on my best friend, and he walked me home tonight. She was running down the stairs to throw herself in to his arms to give him a big goodbye hug, when, trip, bang, boom." Jeremy smiled, "But she's pretty cool about it. She admitted she shouldn't have been running in the house, and didn't even cry when they were resetting the bone. They used barely any anesthesia too. I'm proud of her." "So if you're so proud of her," Mina paused as the waitress set down another fresh cup of hot chocolate, "what are you doing here, instead of at the hospital?" Taking a sip of his own chocolate, Jeremy groaned with delight as the liquid burned its way down his throat. "Oh, I love hot chocolate. This stuff tastes different though. It burns more. Anyway, that's the thing. My mom wanted to stay there, so she sent me home to check on the rest of the kids. When I saw the storm, I stopped at a pay phone and called, telling Erin, my brother, to watch them till I could get there." He sighed, looking at the snowy world outside. "Doesn't look like that's going to be anytime soon." Mina turned her own head to the window and took another sip of the burning beverage. "Yeah, it sure seems that way. At this rate, I'm never going to get back in to town in the morning. Hey," she narrowed her eyes at him, "why didn't you go to a hospital in town? Why did you go all the way out here?" Sighing, Jeremy grinned. "There are a ton of kids in my family, and the only way we can afford all of them is by cutting costs. My Uncle Phil is a doctor, so we have to go all the way out here to get any injuries fixed. He does little stuff and big stuff for materials only." "Oh, I see." Mina stared off in to the distance again. "I wanted to be a nurse for awhile. There was this time when all my friends were sick that convinced me that that wouldn't be such a good idea though. I barged in to each of their homes, took care of each of them, fixed them soup, and made each one of them worse. I was known as Mina the Disaster for a few weeks after that." She chuckled, "I don't think Raye will ever let me forget how I practically exploded her stereo." Mina looked down at her hand when a light pressure suddenly brushed her pale skin. Jeremy blushed and quickly removed his hand. "I think it's the thought that counts. I'm sure your friends thought so too." He grinned daringly. "Or at least they did after they had time to recover." Miss Elsa approached their table. "Have you had time to decide what you want to order yet, sir?" He hiccuped and laughed. The Jeremy picked up the menu and smiled at Mina. "Just give me a second." * * * * * * * * * * * Solan looked at the assembled group of people with amazement. Four young men stood before him, each garbed in a form-fitting tuxedo of varying colors. Beside each poised a lovely woman, each more gracious and beautiful than the last. The girl who had been lying beside him earlier stepped forward. "Solan," she began hesitantly, "you do remember the fight in the park, right?" Nodding mutely, Solan studied each of the figures. The man standing beside the familiar girl removed his cape and white facemask, then spoke up. "Solan, the power that you felt when you were saving that girl, did it seem familiar to you at all?" The group leaned forward as one unit, all studying his face. Solan gulped at the obvious seriousness of the situation. "Yeah," he whispered, blushing at the scrutiny, "I felt like I had done it before...almost like I was supposed to do it." "Would you stop it?" broke in a cross voice. "He's been through enough today. Can't you guys see that you're not helping by being so mysterious? Even if he isn't, though I'm positive he is, what would it hurt to have one normal human know about us for once?" Solan turned at the sound of the voice; it was the girl from before. She strode forward, her golden skirt shimmering and shining with each purposeful step. Plopping down on the bed beside him, she stuck out her hand aggressively. "Hi Solan. My name is Auriel. You might remember me, you kinda passed out at my feet earlier." "Um, hi." He ventured, uncertain as what to do. The girl was absolutely breathtaking, long auburn hair cascaded down her back and pooled near his hand planted deeply in the bedspread. Her amber colored eyes glowed with a fierce, passionate light, snapping with fire and direct honesty. "Do you have anything else to say?" she queried again shaking her head in surprise. "Do you have any questions about what's going on?" Glancing around the room once more, Solan pointed to the familiar girl. "You're Sailor Moon." Serena nodded, "Yes, Solan. And these are the Sailor Scouts. Would you like an introduction?" Shrugging, Solan agreed. "I might as well. Nothing could make today more strange. I kinda remember your names from the fight, so let me see if I can get them straight." Beginning with Raye, he gestured quickly in her direction. "You're Sailor Mars. I heard about you in the news this summer. I guess you would be...Mar's Knight then?" Chad nodded, "Yeah. My name's Chad. This is Raye. We're in the temple where we work right now, in case you were wondering." Solan nodded, "Thanks, I was kinda curious. Okay, so if she's Sailor Moon, and they are Sailor Mars and Mars Knight, that would make you," pointing to Darien, "Tuxedo Mask?" Holding two fingers in the air, Darien nodded. "Two points for Solan." Shaking his head, Solan ran his fingers through his thick hair. "I'm in a room with the Sailor Scouts. This is too weird. So that means that they," he pointed to Ken and Lita, Amy and Greg, "are the Sailors and Knights for Jupiter and Mercury." Turning to Auriel, "That makes you Sailor Venus, right?" Auriel raised her eyebrows in to her spiky bangs, "Me? Sailor Venus? I don't think so. Where did you get that?" He pointed to her golden skirt. "Well, doesn't Venus have like a golden chain or something? And she's the goddess of love, too." Chuckling, Auriel shook her head. "Mina does carry around a golden chain when she attacks, but she is not the Goddess of Love. If she were a goddess she would be immortal, and I only know one...no, sorry two, people who are immortal. I'm the Solar Sailor, the Sailor of the sun. Besides, you'll know Mina when you meet her. Guys can't take their eyes off her. She's leggy and blond, and her uniform is orange and blue, not red and gold." "Oh," Solan's eyes were downcast. "Well," he said perking up, "maybe you guys can explain why you brought me here and told me all this now, so I can go home?" "Why don't you spend the night," Raye offered. "I think tomorrow is as good a time as any to explain everything." Serena stood from her place on the floor. "I think that's a wonderful idea Raye. Why don't we leave Auriel and the others with Solan? That way, in the morning, everything will be settled." "Chicken," Auriel murmured under her breath. His startled eyes drew to the lovely young woman beside him; she wore a smirk of amusement plastered across her face. "What?" he whispered. She shook her head, her amazing eyes locking to his own for a moment. "Don't worry, I'll explain in a second," she whispered back. "Oh, okay." Solan watched as each of the couples filed slowly out of the room. "Does everyone pair up like that?" he queried as Auriel shut the door behind Raye and Chad. She nodded, pulling her long auburn hair into a low ponytail. "Yeah, now. I mean, at least the Inners mostly do. The Outers don't have soulmates that they know of yet. Except for Nerissa and Corinne. I mean...wait...let me start over, and explain from the top." She blushed in confusion. "It's okay," he smiled, "take your time telling me. I understand." Auriel closed her eyes, then without warning, grabbed Solan by the front of the shirt and kissed him. He stiffened for a moment, surprised at such a direct action, but relaxed moments later as a low warmth ignited deep within his belly. It could have been seconds, it could have been hours, but when the kiss was over, Solan didn't care. "Wow." He realized his face was flushed, and he gulped loudly, trying to cover the fact that he had absolutely no idea what to do next. Glancing quickly at the amazing woman beside him, Solan felt his body temperature leap another five degrees. The flashy Sailor, though definitely attractive in her scandalously short skirt and thigh high boots, was absolutely breathtaking in normal street clothing. A soft deep green sweater covered her figure to midthigh, where a knee length black skirt peeped from beneath, emphasizing the delicate curve of calf as it lay along the bed. It was demure and innocent, sweet and seductive all in the same breath. Solan found he was having trouble breathing. "Um, how did you do that?" he choked out. Auriel looked around in confusion, her long french braid shifting on her right shoulder. "Do what? How did I kiss you? Umm..." Solan shook his head emphatically, "No, no. I mean...the clothes thing?" She looked down at her body and blushed. "The clothes? Oh you mean transforming? Well, if you don't concentrate on being a Sailor Scout, you go back to being...normal." "Normal," Solan breathed. "You look like that normally?" Auriel grinned, "Now that's one I haven't heard. One would think that the Sailor outfit would get that reaction, not," she gestured to her clothing, "this." There was a moment of utter stillness. Solan glanced up, his violet eyes clashing with Auriel's amber. "Well," he murmured, "weren't you supposed to explain something to me?" Licking her lips, Auriel grinned softly. "That was what the kiss was for. To see if it would bring any memories back. I guess not." "Memories?" Concentrating on her face, Solan traced every line with his eyes, unable to shake the feeling that he had done so countless times before. He reached forward hesitantly, and stroked her cheek, savoring the silky skin beneath his rough fingertips. "So soft," he murmured, "your skin was always so soft." She blushed delicately under his touch; Solan felt the warmth on his fingertips. A moment later, what he had said sprung to mind with a sharp clarity. "I said always...I did say always, right?" Clearing her throat, she nodded. "You said always...and you've always said it too." "We've met before." It was a statement, not a question. Tipping her head slightly forward, Auriel nodded gently. "Yes." "In the..." he paused in confusion. "Silver Millennium," she finished. Running his hands through his spiky hair, Solan drew away and paced the small confines of the room. "We were...engaged, you and I? You had a sister, or something." "Aurora, my twin," Auriel whispered, "and Apollo, her fiancé, was your best friend." "We were in love." His face stricken, Solan turned to Auriel still seated on the bed. "I couldn't save you. I tried, Auriel, I tried, but..." "Shhh, it's okay Solan. It all happened a thousand years ago. It's over, it's safe." She placed tender fingers on his lips, gently quieting her anxious love. His voice was broken as he hugged her tightly to him. "You're alive. All this time I've been searching, waiting...for you. I always chased girls...who looked like you. And I didn't know it. I never knew it until just now." Auriel smiled softly, a bare movement of her lips. "You have a girlfriend?" She blushed in embarrassment. Studying her face, Solan realized his words. "Oh, no! No, I don't have a girlfriend. All of the girls I've ever dated broke up with me." he dropped his head and stared intently at the ground. "I'm a bit of a loser, sorry." His head snapped up when a tight pressure on his hand alerted him to Auriel. "Don't you ever say that again," she whispered violently. "Don't you remember? Don't you realize? I always thought I was a loser until I met Sailor Pluto. Don't you understand how truly special you are? You're a Knight for crying out loud! That doesn't just come along everyday!" "I'm a what?" he whispered. Her lovely eyes widened in surprise. "You don't remember it all, do you? You remember bits of the Silver Millennium, you remember me, but you don't remember being a Knight? Solan," she paused, "Solan, you're the Solar Knight, my protector. We were together in the Silver Millennium, you trained with Greg and Chad and Ken. You were, you are, important." Auriel squeezed his hand and pulled away to pace the room. The information sunk in as she continued on, explaining destiny, broaching fate. Solan winced as each new word passed from her lips, grappling with the information he already possessed. "We control fate?" he whispered, "How is that possible? I always thought that if something was fated to be, you couldn't do anything to change it." Auriel sighed. "No, that's destiny. Fate is similar but very different. Let me tell you a story. In the Silver Millennium, there were the Sailor Scouts. They were each born to protect their planets until a child could be born that would continue on the heritage line. This child could only be born with another person of gifted blood. In other words, a Knight would be found to serve and protect the princess." "So it's incestual?" Solan asked in confusion. Auriel shook her head. "No, the female child is always the first born in a royal family. For example, Serena and Darien have a child in the future, Serenity, Rini for short. She carries on the power of the Moon. We aren't sure yet if she will continue the power of the Earth as well, we shall soon see. But I digress; the male part of the union is born of the commoners of each planet. They are quite usually found somewhere in their fifth or sixth year. Sometimes it's later though. The Knight, once found as a child, would be sent away to train in another galaxy. Once his training was complete, he would return to marry the princess of the royal household. Then they together would take control of the kingdom and continue on." "This is confusing," Solan murmured. Auriel nodded, "I know. At least you have me to explain it to you. All the others slowly learned through returning memories, or the cats explained it all to them. We were last activated, thus we had the most information handed to us." "I'm a Knight." The words feathered across her cheek as he leaned in and collected Auriel in his embrace. "I'm a Knight, and you are real. I've been dreaming about you, about all of you." Auriel snuggled deeper in his arms, smelling the vague hint of leather and after-shave on his skin. "I don't know why you were activated, but I'm glad. If you hadn't been, you would have been like Chad or Ken, protecting without knowing what you truly were." Solan glanced down, "Chad and Ken? They're..." "Mars Knight and Jupiter Knight," Auriel supplied. "They didn't know they were Knights?" Reaching up, Auriel ran one hand through his thick white hair. "No," she murmured, testing the texture with her fingertips, "no, they didn't. Greg had a clue to his power; it came from meeting Ami before, when he was a Shadow Warrior. But Chad and Ken both tangled with the Nega-verse repeatedly; at least Chad did, before they came in to their power. Darien's power snuck up on him and sort of abducted him without his permission." "So, my discovering my power like that...in battle, was a fluke?" Solan's brow creased as he leaned in to her gently caressing hand. Auriel nodded, "It seems to be that way. But now you need to be on the lookout for your powers." "My powers?" Raising his eyebrow, Solan leaned back away from her gentle fingers. She smiled gently. "Your powers. Now that part of your powers have slapped you in the face, you need to be on the lookout for more, like psychic links with other Sailors. And you need to go get some roses. All the Knights have roses that they fight with in battle. It is a large part of their strength. Your powers will flow in to it, and it will serve as a kind of homing beacon for when I'm in trouble or as a focusing point for your energies to transform for battle. If I'm guessing right, once you get them, they should turn gold." "Wow. This is real, isn't it?" he whispered. Auriel sat up, and gently traced her fingers along his chin. "Yes. You are home, and the Scouts are complete once more." * * * * * * * * * * The next morning dawned bright and clear. Serena sighed and snuggled her chilled face deeply in to Darien's warm neck. She felt him grumble and snort for a moment before wrapping his large muscular arms around her slender frame and drawing her closely in to his embrace. "Muffin," she murmured softly. "Hmmm?" he grumbled. She ran one slender hand along his chest. "When are you supposed to go in to the hospital today?" Darien cracked one eye open and glared halfheartedly at his bewitching fiancé. "You know, I really was enjoying some real sleep Serena." She giggled charmingly, and gently poked him in the side with one slender finger. "I know that dear, but I figured you would rather wake up to me than your dumb old alarm clock." She leaned forward and captured his mouth with a tender kiss. A moment later, Serena found herself pinned under Darien's long form, his large luminous eyes staring deeply in to her own. "Well, you little minx, I was going to keep it a surprise, but since you asked...I don't have work today. Since I've been covering for people left and right all semester, I accrued enough favors to take the next week off and be with you and the Scouts for the holidays. Good timing, huh?" "You did?" Serena gazed up in to her true love's eyes with open surprise. "But, Darien..." "Not at word Serena," he broke in. "I took the time off, I don't need the money, and I haven't spent near enough time with you the past few months. I love you too much to let a stupid thing like a job come between us." "Oh, Darien. Are you sure you want to do this?" Serena breathed as his mouth descended on her own. Pausing mere millimeters away from her lips, Darien nodded leisurely. "It's not just for you though. Solan needs to begin training, as do the other Knights. We are all seriously out of practice, and now would be the perfect time with the return of the Nega-force." Serena's face fell. "Oh." Darien grinned and lightly brushed her lips with his own. "But, since we have the entire day to ourselves, I thought we might go to the mall and check out some of the wedding stores you've been begging to drag me to lately." Squealing with joy, Serena jolted upwards, banging her head in to Darien's nose. "Really?! Do you mean it?! Oh, Darien! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...I mean, I...!" Holding his nose, Darien shook with silent laughter. No matter how much Serena had changed, she would always be Serena. "It's okay hon. I promise. I'll be fine, and yes, I meant it." Moments later Darien fell back on the bed, a giggling Serena clutched tightly to his chest. He hugged her close, but let his eyes stray across the room to the small wooden box set in the corner of his desk. It glowed with a faint silver light, and as Serena snuggled close, Darien yawned, hugging her slowly. "You want to enjoy the bed a little longer before we get up hon?" he murmured. She blinked sleepily, "Sure. (Yawn) That sounds like a great...idea, Muffin." A slow quiet descended, and the two snuggled deeply in to the thick bed, as a low silver gleam wafted up from the box and drifted across the room. * * * * * * * * * "Prince Darien, take this box and keep them close. Never lose it or all will be lost, for in it resides the seat of all your power." The evil Queen leaned in close, her fiery red hair a sickly contrast against her faded yellow skin and purple dress. Prince Darien nodded, taking the ornately decorated gift; he felt the weight of shifting objects slide about within the confines of the box. "What lies within, my lady?" Beryl hissed a low laugh. "It does not matter. When you are in danger, the box will respond, and free the power locked inside. But do not open it unless you are in great need, I suggest keeping it in a place where you yourself will not remember to look for it. In time, the box shall monitor your progress in this world, and respond as it sees fit. This is my gift to you." Nodding, Darien bowed deeply before the vile Queen. "Thank you, your majesty. I will keep your gift safe from the Sailor Scouts. Believe in me." As he walked away, the box clutched tightly against his chest, Beryl bared her teeth and laughed. "Oh, I already do, Darien. I already do." * * * * * * * * * A low beeping awoke Mina. She turned her head, and was surprised to find it cushioned against a naked wide shoulder. Where am I? Who is this guy? The young man turned as a shock of bright red hair brushed his forehead. In a flash, the incident from the night before echoed through her thoughts. The guy who looked like Adam, Jeremy, the blizzard. What did I do? One brilliant green eye cracked open, and Mina found herself flushing at his canny gaze. "Good morning," she whispered through parched lips. "Do you remember how we got here?" Glancing around, Jeremy blushed. It was definitely a seedy motel room; the grimy mirror across the room reflected dirty carpet, chipped furniture, and what looked like a filthy bathroom just around the corner. "I have absolutely no idea." He winced in pain, "But my head is pounding." Mina's own fingertips brushed her thick blond locks off her forehead. A low throbbing pulse beat regularly against her temples. "Me too, but I don't think it's quite as bad. What's the last thing you remember?" Groaning, Jeremy flopped back against the thin pillow. "Ordering dinner and drinking about twenty cups of hot chocolate. What about you?" "You ordering dinner." Mina glanced about the room, "Well, what are we going to do?" Jeremy blushed. "Could you close your eyes please?" Mina glanced at him, her large blue eyes confused. "Okay...Is there any particular reason though?" Glancing downward, Jeremy flushed a deeper red. "No reason." Mina was suddenly aware of a warm hairy naked leg pressed against her own under the thin motel blanket. "Oh," she nodded with understanding. Then the situation hit her. "Oh, no. No, no, no." Her frightened eyes met with Jeremy's uncertain green gaze. "Did we?" He shook his head. "I have absolutely no idea. I don't think so, but everything," he gestured to the room, "would seem to indicate that something happened." She closed her eyes, "Leave me the blanket. Take the sheet." The weight next to her on the bed shifted, and Mina grinned as she peeked under her lashes as the young man rose and shuffled across the room, the faded pink flowered sheet clutched tightly around his waist. "So," she called, "Jeremy." "Yes?" came his muffled reply from the bathroom. "I think we need to," she paused, uncertain as how to go on, "well, get each other's numbers. I think I need to go to a doctor and...well, you know." There was a silence from the next room. Then a low sigh. "Have you done this before?" Mina's eyes flew open. "Do I seem like the kind of person to have done this type of thing before?!" she demanded. Jeremy poked his head out from the bathroom, zipping up his jeans. "Damn, I can't find my shirt. Wait, no, I don't think you've done this before. Don't get mad, it just seems that you're taking this thing kind of lightly. I don't know about you, but I'm completely freaking over here." Mina cast her eyes down on the threadbare blanket. "No. I've never done this before. If I could remember what happened maybe I could tell you that we're just being ridiculous. It's just..." she paused as tears welled in her eyes, "...I don't know. I've never...I mean, I have never..." A quick movement to her right, and Jeremy cuddled her shaking frame in his arms. "Don't worry, Mina. Neither have I. We have that at least." She sniffed. "It's not right. It wasn't meant to be. I..." she hiccuped, "...I was promised to someone, and they...went away. I love him, and no offense, but..." she sniffed as more tears rolled down her face, "...you aren't him." "It's okay, Mina." Jeremy soothed. "I understand. I understand now. I had this dream...I thought I was being ridiculous. There was a girl, she...she was in a garden. Her hair was golden and I wanted to run my fingers through it." Mina began crying harder, pressing her lovely face deeply in to his bare chest. Speaking between sobs, she let the hot tears flow. "I'm sorry...I can't help crying. I'm being...such...a...baby." "Shhh," he murmured, rocking her slightly, "You're not being a baby. I would be crying too if I were in your shoes. There, there," he stroked her golden tresses, silently marveling at the thick silky texture, "...it's okay. We'll figure it all out. It has to be a joke, it has to be." She snuffled some more, then her wet voice drifted up as more tears surfaced. "Your dream?" He hugged her tightly to his body. "You were in it Mina. I was going to talk about it to my friend, but he had to go, and Solan...well, he has a sense about these things, always has. You were the woman in the garden, calling to someone. I wasn't the man, I know that, but I wanted to be with all my heart. You were so golden and clean and pure. You were perfect, shining like the sun on water. I was happy just being near you. I knew you could never love me, but it didn't matter, I was content." "You were...in a garden?" she pulled away, running her slender hands quickly through her thick tresses. "What type of garden?" Jeremy shook his head. "I don't know. I suppose I'll never know. There were a whole lot of roses, I remember that much. They were all sorts of colors, but there were more flowers there than just roses. I can't name them, I've always been more of an action guy than a peaceful, flowery type, but I remember there were roses, hundreds and hundreds of roses." Mina watched Jeremy's eyes unfocus as he lost himself once more in his dream, her own eyes narrowed in surprise. He's from the Silver Millennium, I'd bet Artemis on it. I wonder whom he served under? Was it Darien? She pulled away, wrapping the thin blanket around her trembling form and made her shaky way to the bathroom. Jeremy didn't even notice her leave. As Mina dressed, she plotted ways to bring Jeremy to the temple to expose him to the Knights. If he remembers, that would be another warrior on the side of justice. It's worth a shot at least. Finally dressed, she laced up her boots and ran her small purse brush through her hair. "Jeremy?" she called as she exited the bathroom. "Jeremy? I have an idea. Why don't we..." she faded away. The room was empty, the beds made. It was as if they had never been there, save for a small letter laying on the bed minus the bedspread. Dear Mina, I know this is going to kill you but I have to do this in order to stay sane. I've been having dreams of a woman like you for years. Everything about her screams you. I don't know what happened last night, and frankly, I don't want to know. If you were the woman in my dreams, then something has been accomplished and I can move on in my life. If you aren't, then I am sorry for everything. A large part of me has been waiting for you forever. You represent exactly what I've always wanted in a woman and a wife. But I can't follow these feelings with you. You have someone else; I could see it in your eyes when we talked. He didn't leave, you just had a fight or something, and I was a way to revenge yourself on him. There is so much pent up anger and frustration in you right now, it's tangible. Please, Mina, for both our sakes, don't try to find me. I couldn't stand looking in your lovely eyes and seeing hate for doing this. I promise, I have never been with anyone, but if you don't trust me, go to a doctor. I trust you, but I'm going to one anyway. If something happens where you need to reach me, go to the diner where we met in three months. If you're not there, I know I'll never see you again. I love you, I think. Jeremy